Anatomy Commons^™

The Effect Of Melatonin On The Ovaries, Jaclyn Starr

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Melatonin is a very small molecule whose effects can be both detrimental and beneficial to the ovaries depending on its concentration. Too much of anything is usually not good and so is the case with melatonin. Very high doses can be damaging, but in the right amount melatonin may be able to combat various diseases and increase the chances for fertility in women.

Polycystic Diseases In Visceral Organs, Shakila Abdul-Majeed, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Primary cilia are nonmotile, microtubule-based, antenna-like organelles projecting from the apical surface of most mammalian cells. Elegant studies have established the importance of ciliary structure and function in signal transduction and the sensory roles of cilia in maintaining healthy cellular state. In particular, dysfunctional cilia have been implicated in a large number of diseases mainly characterized by the presence of fluid-filled cysts in various organs. Aside from polycystic kidney disease (PKD), however, the roles of cilia in polycystic liver disease (PLD), polycystic pancreas disease (PPD), and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are still very vague. In addition, although gender and sex …

Endothelin, Yoshifumi Kawanabe, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Endothelin-1 is the most potent vasoconstrictor agent currently identified, and it was originally isolated and characterized from the culture media of aortic endothelial cells. Two other isoforms, termed endothelin-2 and endothelin-3, were subsequently identified, along with structural homologues isolated from the venom of Actractapis eng-addensis known as the sarafotoxins. In this review, we will discuss the basic science of endothelins, endothelin-converting enzymes, and endothelin receptors. Only concise background information pertinent to clinical physician is provided. Next we will describe the pathophysiological roles of endothelin-1 in pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart failure, systemic hypertension, and female malignancies, with emphasis on ovarian cancer. …

An Upper Limit For Macromolecular Crowding Effects, Andrew C. Miklos, Congang Li, Courtney D. Sorell, L. Andrew Lyon, Gary J. Pielak

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Solutions containing high macromolecule concentrations are predicted to affect a number of protein properties compared to those properties in dilute solution. In cells, these macromolecular crowders have a large range of sizes and can occupy 30% or more of the available volume. We chose to study the stability and ps-ns internal dynamics of a globular protein whose radius is similar to 2 nm when crowded by a synthetic microgel composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) with particle radii of similar to 300 nm.

Results: Our studies revealed no change in protein rotational or ps-ns backbone dynamics and only mild …

Nigrostriatal Dopamine-Neuron Function From Neurotrophic-Like Peptide Treatment And Neurotrophic Factor Depletion, Ofelia Meagan Littrell

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Trophic factors have shown great promise in their potential to treat neurological disease. In particular, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been identified as a potent neurotrophic factor for midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), which lose function in Parkinson’s disease (PD). GDNF progressed to phase II clinical trials, which did not meet proposed endpoints. The large size and binding characteristics of GDNF have been suspected to contribute to some of the shortcomings of GDNF related to delivery to target brain regions. Smaller peptides derived from GDNF (Dopamine-Neuron Stimulating Peptides – DNSPs) have been recently investigated …

The Role Of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (Enos) Uncoupling On Leukocyte-Endothelial Interactions In Rat Mesenteric Postcapillary Venules, Maria Kern

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Endothelial derived nitric oxide (NO) is essential in the regulation of blood pressure and attenuates leukocyte-endothelial interactions associated with vascular injury. However, when endothelial-derived NO is decreased, endothelial dysfunction results and promotes inflammation characterized by increased leukocyte-endothelial interactions. Under normal conditions, eNOS produces NO in the presence of an essential cofactor, tetrahydrobiopetrin (BH4) by facilitating the reduction of molecular oxygen to L-arginine oxidation and generation of L-citrulline. Whereas uncoupled eNOS refers to the electron transfer that becomes uncoupled to L-arginine oxidation and therefore superoxide (SO) is generated when the dihydrobiopetrin (BH2) to BH4 ratio is increased. SO is subsequently converted …

The Effects Of Protein Kinase C Inhibitors On Blood Nitric Oxide And Hydrogen Peroxide Release In Ischemia And Reperfusion Injury, Kyle D. Bartol

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Vascular endothelial dysfunction is a key component initiating oxidative stress in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and a decrease in the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). Previous studies using protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Gö 6983 or PKC Beta (β) II inhibitor improved cardiac function in myocardial I/R, decreased leukocyte-endothelial interactions and leukocyte superoxide (SO) release and increased endothelial-derived NO release in vitro. This study examined the effects of Gö 6983 or PKC β II inhibitor on realtime H2O2 and NO release in femoral vein I/R in vivo. NO or H2O2 microsensors …

A Large Goiter In A Euthyroid Child Due To A Thyroglobulin Gene Defect, Arnold H. Slyper Md, Pia Hermanns Ms, Phd, Jessica Okamoto Rn, Leeyat Slyper

Department of Pediatrics

No abstract provided.

Lipopolysaccharide Animal Models For Parkinson's Disease, Mei Liu, Guoying Bing

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria, acts as a potent stimulator of microglia and has been used to study the inflammatory process in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and anti-inflammatory therapy for PD treatment. Here, we review the growing body of literature on both in vitro and in vivo LPS PD models. Primary cell cultures from mesencephalic tissue were exposed to LPS in vitro; LPS was stereotaxically injected into the substantia nigra, striatum, or globus pallidus of brain or injected into the peritoneal cavity of the animal in vivo. In conclusion, the LPS PD models are summarized as …

Egyptian Body Size: A Regional And Worldwide Comparison, Michelle H. Raxter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Human body size and limb proportions can provide important information about adaptation, population movements, and health disparities. This study investigated changes in body size and limb proportions of adult Egyptians temporally and geographically in relation to climatological, sociopolitical and economic developments. It was predicted that Egyptian groups that experienced more environmental stress would be shorter and exhibit less sexual dimorphism. It was also predicted that Egyptians would be intermediate between higher and lower latitude populations in body form and limb length ratios. The main skeletal sample consisted of 492 males and 528 females, all adults from the Predynastic and Dynastic …

Minimal Vs Extensive Esophageal Mobilization During Laparoscopic Fundoplication: A Prospective Randomized Trial., Shawn D. St Peter, Douglas C. Barnhart, Daniel J. Ostlie, Kuojen Tsao, Charles M. Leys, Susan W. Sharp, Donna Bartle, Tracey Morgan, Carroll M. Harmon, Keith E. Georgeson, G W. Holcomb Iii

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication has been traditionally performed with extensive esophageal dissection to create 2 to 3 cm of intraabdominal esophagus. Retrospective data have suggested that minimal esophageal mobilization may reduce the risk of postoperative herniation of the wrap into the lower mediastinum. To compare complete esophageal dissection to leaving the phrenoesophageal attachment intact, we conducted a 2-center, prospective, randomized trial.

METHODS: After obtaining permission/assent, patients were randomized to circumferential division of the phrenoesophageal attachments (MAX) or minimal mobilization with no violation of the phrenoesophageal membrane (MIN). A contrast study was performed at 1 year. The primary outcome variable was …

An Approach For Identifying Gait Events Using Wavelet Denoising Technique And Single Wireless Imu, Rahul Soangra, Thurmon Lockhart, Nathalie Van De Berge

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

A new approach is proposed to identify gait events in non-laboratory environments with a single inertial measurement unit (IMU) embedded inside shoe. The aim of our work is to develop a useful clinical tool for monitoring individuals walking disability and detect specific pathological gait patterns. Temporal parameters of gait are determined by classification of accelerations and angular velocities. Wavelets denoising of IMU signals allows for an important amount of information that is exploited in different manners for event identification. It was found that wavelet denoising enhanced specific turning points which could effectively identify gait events. The method is verified by …

Persisiting Sensitization Of Depressive-Like Behavior And Thermogenic Response During Maternal Separation In Pre- And Post Weaning Guinea Pigs, Randi Lynn Schneider

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Early attachment disruption is thought to promote later onset of depressive illness through a process involving sensitization. Maternal separation in guinea pig pups (~21 days of age) produces depressive-like behavior and core body temperature fluctuations that appear to be mediated by proinflammatory activity. These responses are enhanced during repeated separations over several days. Here, enhanced depressive-like behavior and core body temperature responses were observed from the early pre-weaning to the periadolescent period (~10-40 days of age) and persisted for more than a week. The greatest temperature response was observed during the final separation. These results demonstrate persisting sensitization of behavioral …

Aquaporin 4 Expression And Distribution During Osmotic Brain Edema And Following Chronic Treatment Of Desipramine, Sergei Alexander Robinson

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Osmotic brain edema or chronic treatment with desipramine alters brain water permeability. In this study we investigated aquaporin 4 expression and distribution in these two conditions. Brain edema development was induced by intraperitoneal water injection. Blood serum osmolality decreased from 296 ± 1 mOsm to 278 ± 2 mOsm within 15 min. Cerebral cortex water content increased from 79.8 ± 0.2 % to 81.3 ± 0.5% during 120 min of this hyposmotic exposure. Aquaporin 4 immunostaining intensity at the astrocytic endfeet increased in water injected animals from 2.6 ± 0.04 intensity unites (IU) to 3.2 ± 0.21 IU, while total …

Self-Glucose Monitoring And Glycaemic Control At A Tertiary Care University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Khurshid Khowaja, Humaira Waheed

Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) levels and improved glycemic control (HbA1c level) among type 2 diabetic patients, receiving oral hypoglycaemic agents and insulin, and to ascertain the factors influencing SMBG.

METHOD: Using Comparative cross sectional study design five hundred Type 2 diabetes patients through convenient sampling between 30-70 years were interviewed through a structured questionnaire in year 2006 and 2007 at AKUH Ambulatory setting. These 500 subjects were divided as 250 in case (doing SMBG) and 250 in control (not doing SMBG) groups.

RESULTS: We identified that HbA1c value was maintained at good …

Relation Of Size Of Secondary Ventricles To Exercise Performance In Children After Fontan Operation., Ashwin Prakash, Thomas G. Travison, Mark A. Fogel, Lynne M. Hurwitz, Andrew J. Powell, Beth F. Printz, Michael D. Puchalski, Girish S. Shirali, Shi-Joon Yoo, Tal Geva, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The effects of the nondominant or secondary ventricle on the Fontan circulation are not known. The present study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the relations between secondary ventricular size and global cardiac performance. The Fontan cross-sectional study collected data from 7 centers participating in the Pediatric Heart Network. Subjects with complete cardiac magnetic resonance imaging data and an identifiable secondary ventricle were included in the analysis. Relationships between body surface area-adjusted parameters of the secondary ventricle (mass, end-diastolic volume, mass/volume ratio, and stroke volume) and the following measures were assessed. These measures included the percentage of predicted peak …

Prenatal Diagnosis And Risk Factors For Preoperative Death In Neonates With Single Right Ventricle And Systemic Outflow Obstruction: Screening Data From The Pediatric Heart Network Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial(∗)., Andrew M. Atz, Thomas G. Travison, Ismee A. Williams, Gail D. Pearson, Peter C. Laussen, William T. Mahle, Amanda L. Cook, Joel A. Kirsh, Mark Sklansky, Svetlana Khaikin, Caren Goldberg, Michele Frommelt, Catherine Krawczeski, Michael D. Puchalski, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, Jeanne M. Baffa, Jack Rychik, Richard G. Ohye, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this analysis was to assess preoperative risk factors before the first-stage Norwood procedure in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and related single-ventricle lesions and to evaluate practice patterns in prenatal diagnosis, as well as the role of prenatal diagnosis in outcome.

METHODS: Data from all live births with morphologic single right ventricle and systemic outflow obstruction screened for the Pediatric Heart Network's Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial were used to investigate prenatal diagnosis and preoperative risk factors. Demographics, gestational age, prenatal diagnosis status, presence of major extracardiac congenital abnormalities, and preoperative mortality rates were recorded.

RESULTS: …

Mitochondrial Regulation Of Arterial Contractility, Damodaran Narayanan

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Rationale: Physiological functions of mitochondria in contractile arterial smooth muscle cells are poorly understood. Mitochondria can uptake calcium (Ca²⁺), but intracellular Ca²⁺ signals that regulate mitochondrial Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_mito) and physiological functions of changes in [Ca²⁺]_mito in arterial smooth muscle cells are unclear.

Objective: Identify Ca²⁺ signals that regulate [Ca²⁺]_mito, examine the significance of changes in [Ca²⁺]_mito, and test the hypothesis that [Ca²⁺]_mito controls functional ion channel transcription in smooth muscle cells of resistance–size cerebral arteries.

Methods …

Assessing Change In Range Of Motion Using Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Self-Stretching As An Alternative To Static Stretching, Kendra Camblin

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Intrinsic Features Of The Multisensory Cortical Area Lrss In The Ferret, Alexandru Ioan Cojanu

Theses and Dissertations

Environmental events simultaneously transduced by more than one sensory modality underlie multisensory processing in the CNS. While most studies of multisensory processing examine functional effects, none have evaluated the influence of local or columnar circuitry. The goal of the present study is to examine of local features of the ferret lateral rostral suprasylvian sulcus (LRSS), a multisensory cortex. Immunostaining revealed the cytoarchitectonic features of the LRSS: thick supragranular layers, a narrow layer IV, and moderately stained but differentiated infragranular layers. Golgi-Cox techniques were used with light microscopy and digital reconstruction to document neuronal morphology. Among the 90 reconstructed neurons, 4 …