Chapter 1: Molecular Mechanism of Mitochondrial Fragmentation and Glucose Metabolism under Disturbed Flow in Endothelial Cells: Focus on the Role of Dynamin-Related Protein 1. The luminal surface of ...the endothelium is continually exposed to dynamic blood flow patterns that is known to alter immunometabolic phenotypes of the endothelial cells (ECs). Recent literature reported that inhibition of the metabolic reprogramming to glycolysis or enhancement of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is considered as an effective strategy to prevent EC proinflammatory activation and eventually the progression of vascular diseases. Endothelial mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles playing versatile roles in maintaining endothelial cell homeostasis working as bioenergetic, biosynthetic, and signaling organelles. The balance between fusion and fission processes modulates mitochondrial network, which is essential for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. Disruption of the orchestrated balance, especially toward excessive fission resulting in fragmented and dysfunctional mitochondria, has been shown to be associated with atheroprone phenotypes of ECs. However, there is a key knowledge gap with respect to morphology of EC mitochondria under different flow conditions and its role on EC immunometabolic phenotypes. In chapter 1, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different flow patterns on mitochondrial morphology in ECs and its implication in immunometabolic endothelial phenotype. The overarching hypothesis of the Chapter 1 was that disturbed flow (DF) will increase mitochondrial fragmentation, which will facilitate glycolysis and inflammatory activation in ECs. In the study, mitochondrial morphology was analyzed in ECs at multiple segments of the aorta and arteries in EC-specific photo-activatable mitochondria (EC-PhAM) mice. Increased mitochondrial fragmentation was observed at atheroprone regions (e.g., lesser curvature of the aortic arch, LC) with increased dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) activity, compared with the atheroprotective regions (e.g., thoracic aorta, TA). The atheroprone regions also showed a higher level of endothelial activation and glycolysis. Carotid artery partial ligation surgery, as a surgical model of DF, significantly induced mitochondrial fragmentation with elevated Drp1 activity and increased EC activation. in vitro experiments recapitulated in vivo observations. Inhibition of Drp1 activity by mdivi-1 attenuated the DF-induced atheroprone EC phenotypes, showing the close relationship between mitochondrial morphology and atheroprone phenotypes of ECs. As for the molecular mechanism, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 α (HIF-1α) stabilization and its nuclear translocation was significantly increased under DF, which was attenuated by mdivi-1 treatment. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) and succinate, which are known to reduce prolyl hydroxylase domain 2 (PHD2) activity thereby increasing HIF-1α stabilization, were significantly elevated under DF, but those were attenuated by mdivi-1 treatment. Finally, a 7-week voluntary wheel-running exercise training significantly decreased mitochondrial fragmentation with a down-regulation of VCAM-1 expression at the LC. In conclusion, our data suggest that DF induces mitochondrial fragmentation with increased Drp1 activity, which is associated with an atheroprone EC phenotype. In addition, regular practice of aerobic exercise reduces mitochondrial fragmentation and prevents ECs from an atheroprone endothelial phenotype at the atheroprone regions.Chapter 2: Molecular Mechanisms for Unidirectional Flow (UF)/Exercise-Induced improvement of Mitochondrial Integrity: Focus on phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) /PARKIN-Dependent Mitochondrial Autophagy (Mitophagy). Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) is an essential molecule in the mitophagy process and known to act as a cytoprotective protein involved in several cellular mechanisms in mammalian cells. It has been documented that the loss of PINK1 expression in mice and various cell types enhance susceptibility to stress-induced cell damage, while the overexpression of PINK1 significantly attenuates stress-induced mitochondrial and cellular dysfunction. In chapter 2, the purpose of this study was to investigate PINK1 expression and its subcellular localization under an exercise-mimic laminar shear stress (LSS) condition in human primary endothelial cells and in exercizing mice, and its implications on endothelial homeostasis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. The overarching hypothesis of the Chapter 2 was that unidirectional flow (UF) will increase cytosolic PINK1 expression through which UF-preconditioned ECs will be more protective against an accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria via a greater mitophagy induction. In this study, we measured the full-length PINK1 (FL-PINK1) mRNA and protein expression levels in ECs under unidirectional laminar shear stress (LSS). LSS significantly elevated both FL-PINK1 mRNA and protein expressions in ECs. Mitochondrial fractionation assays showed a decrease in FL-PINK1 accumulation in the mitochondria with an increase in the cytosolic FL-PINK1 level under LSS. Confocal microscopic analysis confirmed these subcellular localization patterns suggesting downregulation of mitophagy induction. Indeed, mitophagy flux was decreased under LSS, determined by a mtKeima probe. Mitochondrial morphometric analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential determined by tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) showed mitochondrial elongation and increased mitochondrial membrane potential under LSS respectively, suggesting that an elevation of cytosolic PINK1 is not related to an immediate induction of mitophagy. However, increased cytosolic PINK1 elevated mitophagic sensitivity toward dysfunctional mitochondria in pathological conditions. Preconditioned ECs with LSS showed lower mtDNA lesions under angiotensin II stimulation. Moreover, LSS-preconditioned ECs showed rapid Parkin recruitment and mitophagy induction in response to mitochondrial toxin (i.e., carbonyl cyanide chlorophenylhydrazone, CCCP) treatment compared to the control. We measured PINK1 expression at ECs of the thoracic aorta in exercised mice, a physiological LSS-enhanced model, which was significantly elevated compared to sedentary animals. In addition, exercise-preconditioned mice were more protective to angiotensin II-induced mtDNA lesion formation in the mouse abdominal aorta than sedentary mice, suggesting a potential protective mechanism of exercise in a PINK1-dependent manner. In conclusion, LSS increases a cytosolic pool of FL-PINK1, which may elevate the mitophagic sensitivity toward dysfunctional mitochondria or activate other cytoprotective mechanisms in ECs. Our data suggest that exercise may support mitochondrial homeostasis in vascular ECs by enhancing PINK1-dependent cell protection mechanisms.
The coaching effectiveness model developed by Horn (2008) describes cultural context as a backdrop that forms beliefs, perceptions, and behaviors displayed by sport coaches. Sue et al.’s (1992) ...multicultural competencies model stresses the value of awareness, knowledge, and skills used in all service fields to strengthen cross-cultural relationships. Therefore, multicultural competence has been identified from these models as a critical component of effective sport coaching. Despite the growing importance of multicultural competencies expressed by, and for, sport coaches (Mesquita et al., 2011; Santos et al., 2010), there remains limited understanding of how coaches obtain and apply multiculturally competent behaviors and skills into their practice and how these behaviors are perceived by their athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to (1) highlight the importance of multicultural competence in the area of sport coaching and (2) contribute to the lack of multicultural competence research in sport coaching by considering athletes’ perceptions as well as coaches’ perceptions of coaches’ multicultural competence. To do this, the researcher of this study utilized a quantitative survey design to compare athletes’ and coaches’ perceptions of the coaches’ multicultural competence from 19 college teams to determine if coaches rated themselves differently than the athletes perceived their coach to be. Results indicated that collegiate sport coaches rated themselves significantly lower than their athletes rated them. In addition, the results revealed that coaches rated themselves lowest in terms of their ability to coach transgender athletes. Future work is needed to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of training interventions to help coaches become more multiculturally competent.
Kinesio® Tape is theorized to reduce pain and aid with movement during treatment of chronic non-specific low back pain. This study investigated the effect that Kinesio® Tape has on patient-reported ...outcome measures and on disability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Six volunteers exhibiting chronic non-specific low back pain, based on an included questionnaire, were recruited for this study. Patient-reported visual analog scores (VAS), Oswestry Disability (ODI) scores, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) scores and postural stability measured by the Biodex balance system, as well as timed up and go scores were recorded over two randomized sessions with Kinesio® Tape star technique and with a sham taping. Upon conclusion of this study there was significance found when looking at the pain, timed up and go, and ODI scores but there were not any differences found between the two different Kinesio® Tape taping techniques.
Background: Although data collected over the past 15 years show that early intervention results in the most optimal outcomes, circumstances due to COVID 19 have limited the opportunity for ‘in ...person’ interactions family interventionist interactions. Virtual sessions are challenging for many parents as they are oftentimes faced with the responsibility of continually re-directing their child to promote ‘on-task’ behavior. Purpose: The purpose of this caregiver training program was to explore the increases of quality of positive interactions between caregivers and child as a result of a virtual behavioral training program for caregivers. Methods: All activities were delivered through weekly modules posted online for parents to access (see soarwithplane.org). Each week a new behavioral topic was delivered to caregivers through a pre-recorded online video and knowledge check consisting of five questions. All caregiver-child dyads then subsequently participated in a weekly 30-minute group Zoom® session. During the Zoom® sessions, the PI reviewed the skill, and caregivers had the opportunity to ask questions, practice the skill, and receive virtual ‘real time’ feedback. Results: A total of 14 caregiver-child dyads participated. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test demonstrated statistically significance between pre-and-post-intervention scores on the TSI (z = 2.748, p = .006) with a large effect size (r = .54). A multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that a child’s overall ABC score (F (1,7) = 6.391, p = .039) were significant positive predictors of the post-TSI scores (b = .297, p = .039). Conclusion: Finding support the utilization of a virtual intervention to change caregivers’ behaviors as they interact with their young child on the autism spectrum.
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of unstructured daily play participation on chronic and perceived stress patterns and obesity prevalence in elementary school children compared ...to children receiving standard recess time in elementary schools. Fourth grade students (n=130) from six north Texas public schools were assessed using the Stress in Children (SiC) Questionnaire, hair cortisol concentration, body fat percentage, and whether they engaged in 30 minutes or 45 minutes of unstructured play daily. Three schools of students (control; n=66) engaged in 30 minutes of recess daily and three schools of students (intervention; n=64) engaged in 45 minutes of recess daily. SiC questionnaires were administered to each participant on an electronic device via Qualtrics to obtain their perceived chronic stress level. Hair samples were collected to assess the actual chronic cortisol level in each child. The cortisol was analyzed using ELISA protocol following cortisol extraction procedures. Bioelectrical impedance scales were used to collect fat percentage of each student. Previous research shows the average 9-year-old will have a hair cortisol level of 6.7 pg/mg, and the average 10-year-old will have a hair cortisol level of 8.5 pg/mg. An independent samples t-test showed the intervention group was significantly less chronically stressed than the control group (p = .018). The intervention students showed below average levels of chronic stress (9-year-olds = 6.27 pg/mg and 10-year-olds = 3.67 pg/mg) while the control school children were at or above average levels of chronic stress (9-year-olds = 20.89 pg/mg and 10-year-olds = 13.16 pg/mg). No significant group differences were found in SiC scores or body fat percentages (>.05) of participants. Overall, findings suggest 45 minutes of unstructured, outdoor play has a positive impact on lowering chronic cortisol levels. For children participating in at least 30 minutes of unstructured, outdoor play, body fat levels, on average, will be healthy, but 45 minutes is significantly more beneficial for decreasing and managing chronic stress.
Amaç: En az 4 sene ulusal ve uluslararası düzeyde kürek sporu yapmış ve spor yapmamış 18-19 yaş aralığında olan yetişkin erkek bireylerin fiziki ve fizyolojik özelliklerin ölçülerek ...karşılaştırılmasıdır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 15 milli takım düzeyinde kürek sporcusu, 15 hiç spor yapmamış herhangi bir sağlık problemi olmayan bireyler gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Denekler fiziksel değerlendirmelerin yanı sıra fizyolojik değerlendirmeler için koşu, sıçrama, denge gibi enerji gerektiren ölçümleri de tamamlamışlardır.Bulgular: Yapılan analizler sonucunda kulaç uzunluğu, endomorfi, esneklik, sıçrama, diastolik tansiyon, Maxvo2, koşu mesafesi ve ortalama performans nabzı test değerleri p=0.001 ve p=0.025 arasında değişen istatistiksel anlamlı farklılıklar saptanmıştır.Sonuç:Sonuç olarak kürek sporunun gelişim döneminde yapılması erkek çocukları üzerinde özellikle fizyolojik açıdan olumlu katkı sağladığı görülmüştür.
Bu çalışmanın amacı aktif spor yapan U-19 yaş grubu futbolcularının antrenman dönemi öncesindeki ve 8 haftalık antrenman programı sonrasında oksijen alım kinetiği parametrelerindeki değişimlerin ...incelenmesidir. Çalışmaya 15 deney grubu ve 15 kontrol grubu olmak üzere toplam 30 futbolcu katılmıştır. Ölçümler koşu bandında Bruce protokolü ve oksijen alım kinetiği değerlendirme protokolleri ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Oyuncular hazırlık sezonunun ilk 8 haftasında normal antrenman programlarına (Haftada 4 antrenman her antrenman 90 dk) devam etmişlerdir. Bu süreç boyunca oyuncuların dayanıklılık antrenmanı içeriği; %90-95 maksimal koşu hızında 4*30 m intervallerden oluşmaktadır ve dinlenmelerin süresi de 3 dakikadır. Yapılan sprint interval antrenman programı öncesi ve sonrasındaki parametreler karşılaştırılarak incelenmiştir. Kontrol grubunda VO2maks (L/dk), VO2maks (ml/kg/dk), süre (dk), VO2 AE (%VO2maks), KAH AE, KAH AE (%KAH) parametrelerinde istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı bir fark bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Deney grubunda ise VO2maks (L/dk), VO2maks (ml/kg/dk), RER, süre (dk), MET, Süre AE (dk), VO2 AE (ml/kg/dk), VO2 AE (%VO2maks), KAH AE, KAH AE (%KAH), VE AE (L/dk), SF AE parametrelerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Egzersiz ve toparlanma oksijen alım kinetiği parametrelerinde deney kontrol grubunda toparlanmada VO2genlik (L.dk-1 ), koşu ekonomisi (ml/kg/km-1 ), τVO2 (s) parametrelerinde anlamlı bir fark bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Deney grubu sabit yüklü egzersizde τVO2 (s) egzersiz sonrası toparlanmada VO2genlik (L.dk-1 ), koşu ekonomisi (ml/kg/km-1 ) parametrelerinnde anlamlı bir fark bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Sonuç olarak, sprint interval antrenman programının kardiyovasküler ve solunum adaptasyonu ve oksijen alım kinetiği yanıtları açısından fark yarattığı belirlenmiştir. Bu açıdan futbol antrenmanlarında yer alması önerilmektedir.
Bu çalışmada oryantiring sporcularının fiziksel ve zihinsel test parametrelerinin sezon sonu yarışma puanları ile karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmaya Elit Erkekler (E-21E) kategorisinde ...yarışan 21 gönüllü katılmıştır. Tüm katılımcılara fiziksel performans parametrelerini belirlemek amacıyla; otur-eriş esneklik testi, 20 m sprint testi, illinois çeviklik testi, aktif sıçrama testi, squat sıçrama testi, McGill core dayanıklılık testi, izokinetik kas kuvveti ölçümü, koşu tabanlı anaerobik sprint testi (RAST) ve 3000 m koşu testi, zihinsel performans parametrelerini belirlemek amacıyla; d2 dikkat testi, uzamsal görselleştirme testi ve zihinsel döndürme testi uygulanmıştır.Sporcular deneyim yıllarına göre az deneyimli (2-5 yıl) ve deneyimli (5 yıl ve üzeri) olmak üzere 2 gruba ayrılmıştır.Gruplar arasında fiziksel test parametrelerinden 20 m sprint, aktif sıçrama, squat sıçrama, zihinsel test parametrelerinden d2TN, d2E2, d2TN-E ve d2KP puanları arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark bulunmuştur. Aktif sıçrama ve squat sıçrama testlerinde az deneyimli sporcuların, 20 m sprint testinde ise deneyimli sporcuların daha yüksek performans gösterdiği görülmüştür. d2TN, d2E2, d2TN-E ve d2KP puanları incelendiğinde deneyimli sporcular daha iyi performans göstermiştir.Fiziksel ve zihinsel test parametreleri ile sezon sonu yarışma puanları arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemek amacıyla korelasyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Yapılan analiz sonucunda aktif sıçrama, squat sıçrama, RAST yorgunluk indeksi ve 3000 m değişkenleri ile sezon sonu yarışma puanları arasında istatistiksel olarak negatif yönlü, deneyim yılı değişkeni ile sezon sonu yarışma puanları arasında istatistiksel olarak pozitif yönlü anlamlı ilişki bulunmuştur. Regresyon analizi sonucunda deneyim ve aerobik dayanıklılığın performansa etki eden iki önemli bileşen olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a single bout of aerobic and resistance exercise on nonexercise physical activity (NEPA) and sedentary behavior in inactive adults with ...overweight/obesity. Adults with overweight or obesity (n=24; 50% male; age=34.5±1.5; BMI=28.5±0.9) not meeting current ACSM physical activity (PA) guidelines of 150 min/week completed a single bout of 45 minutes of aerobic exercise (AEx), resistance exercise (REx), and a sedentary control (CON), on different days, in randomized, counter-balanced order. There was a 7-day (male) or 28-day (female) washout period between conditions. Following each condition, participants’ NEPA was recorded for 84 hours by accelerometer. Time spent in sedentary, light (LPA), moderate (MPA), and vigorous (VPA) intensity physical activity, steps, MET hours, and sit-to-stand transitions were calculated based on activity count data. There was no difference in the percent of time spent in sedentary, LPA, MPA, and VPA between conditions (p>0.05). No differences occurred in steps, MET hours, or sit to stands between conditions (p>0.05). There was high variability between individuals, with approximately half of participants reducing movement following each exercise condition. NEPA was not reduced following an acute bout of aerobic and resistance exercise in a sample of inactive adults with overweight or obesity. Reasons for the large variability in responses between participants should be investigated further.
Fifteen participants ages 18 – 40 volunteered for this study. Inclusion criteria consisted of scoring 28 or higher on the motor imagery questionnaire- revised second version. Pre and post maximal ...contractions were performed during each intervention, kinesthetic motor imagery, visual motor imagery, and a control. Kinesthetic motor imagery: listening to an audio of what to imagine. Visual motor imagery: watching a video of what to image and a control: resting for 5 minutes. Results of two-way (3 x 2) Repeated Measures ANOVA condition (control, kinesthetic, visual) x time (pre x post) showed no significant interaction between the condition and the time. These results show that mental imagery does not have an acute effect on maximal torque.
