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Title: A Study on the Potential Role of Stress Granules and Processing Bodies in Eliminating Oxidatively Damaged RNA.
Creator: Pourkalbassi, Delaram, Li, Zhongwei, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science
Abstract/Description: Oxidative stress (OS) is strongly implicated in age-related neurodegeneration and other diseases. Under OS, the production of excessive oxidants leads to increased damages to cellular components. Recently, RNA has been discovered as a major target of oxidative damage, including the creation of abasic sites. In this work, we developed a method for quantifying abasic RNA in cell. Using this method, we have examined the potential role of the RNA-processing cellular foci, stress granule (SG) and...
Show moreOxidative stress (OS) is strongly implicated in age-related neurodegeneration and other diseases. Under OS, the production of excessive oxidants leads to increased damages to cellular components. Recently, RNA has been discovered as a major target of oxidative damage, including the creation of abasic sites. In this work, we developed a method for quantifying abasic RNA in cell. Using this method, we have examined the potential role of the RNA-processing cellular foci, stress granule (SG) and processing bodies (PB) in eliminating abasic RNA in situ. We demonstrated that RNA is a major target of oxidative damage, constituting the majority of OS-induced abasic nucleic acids in HeLa cell. Importantly, the level of abasic RNA is strongly correlated with SG abundance. Furthermore, inhibition of SG/PB formation causes accumulation of abasic RNA, suggesting that SG/PB participates in removing oxidized RNA and protects cells under OS, which offers novel targets for therapeutic intervention in age-related diseases.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004702
Subject Headings: Aging -- Physiological aspects., Oxidative stress., RNA -- Metabolism.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Exploring the endocrine profile of a geriatric female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).
Creator: Cloutier, Christina T., Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Anthropology
Abstract/Description: In light of exceptionally delayed reproductive senescence exhibited by a 64 year old female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) housed in Florida, endocrinal analyses meant to determine the state of her current reproductive viability were conducted. Urine was collected from the study subject for a period of 88 days spaced within an interim of roughly 6 months and the specimens were sent to the Hominoid Reproductive Ecology Laboratory for assessment. Additional data was collected from three control...
Show moreIn light of exceptionally delayed reproductive senescence exhibited by a 64 year old female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) housed in Florida, endocrinal analyses meant to determine the state of her current reproductive viability were conducted. Urine was collected from the study subject for a period of 88 days spaced within an interim of roughly 6 months and the specimens were sent to the Hominoid Reproductive Ecology Laboratory for assessment. Additional data was collected from three control females in order to provide a basis of comparison against the hormonal markers present in the geriatric study animal. Results indicate that the geriatric female does not presently appear to be cycling, but nor does she exhibit signs of complete reproductive cessation. This could signify that Pan troglodytes adheres to a pattern of reproductive aging not necessarily shared by Homo sapiens, which has further implications for the evolutionary trajectory of menopause in the human female.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2100580
Subject Headings: Aging, Physiological aspects, Primates, Physiology, Primates, Reproduction, Encocrine aspects, Biochemical markers, Menopause, Physiological aspects
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Does obesity affect the accuracy of age-at-death estimation using the pubic symphysis and auricular surface?.
Creator: Drew, Jessica L., Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Anthropology
Abstract/Description: This study examines whether obesity affects the accuracy of estimating age-at-death as measured by the age-related changes of the pubic symphysis and auricular surfaces. I scored the hip bones of 119 adults of normal body mass and 126 obese adults (total n = 254) using the SucheyBrooks (1990) method for the pubic symphysis and the Buckberry and Chamberlain (2002) method for the auricular surface. Compared to normal weight individuals, obese individuals exhibited greater inaccuracy in age-at...
Show moreThis study examines whether obesity affects the accuracy of estimating age-at-death as measured by the age-related changes of the pubic symphysis and auricular surfaces. I scored the hip bones of 119 adults of normal body mass and 126 obese adults (total n = 254) using the SucheyBrooks (1990) method for the pubic symphysis and the Buckberry and Chamberlain (2002) method for the auricular surface. Compared to normal weight individuals, obese individuals exhibited greater inaccuracy in age-at-death estimates when aged from the auricular surface, but not the pubic symphysis. However, age was estimated with less precision in obese individuals using both methods. Obese males are more likely to be aged inaccurately than obese females. The pubic symphysis method may be the preferred method when estimating age in obese individuals, especially males, but forensic anthropologists should use caution when assessing age-at-death in obese adults using either method.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/1927862
Subject Headings: Obesity, Physiological aspects, Skeletal maturity, Anthropometry, Methodology, Aging, Physiological aspects, Diet in disease
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Caloric restriction in Drosophila melanogaster.
Creator: Hoxha, Sany., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description: Caloric restriction (CR), the reduction of nutrient intake short of malnutrition, extends the lifespan of various organisms and can improve measures of human health. Whether mechanisms of lifespan extension are conserved between humans and model organisms is unknown. In mammals, implementing CR is easily achieved by providing a restricted group with a fraction of the food consumed by an "ad libitum" fed group, which has unlimited food access. Due to the difficulty in directly controlling...
Show moreCaloric restriction (CR), the reduction of nutrient intake short of malnutrition, extends the lifespan of various organisms and can improve measures of human health. Whether mechanisms of lifespan extension are conserved between humans and model organisms is unknown. In mammals, implementing CR is easily achieved by providing a restricted group with a fraction of the food consumed by an "ad libitum" fed group, which has unlimited food access. Due to the difficulty in directly controlling Drosophila food intake, caloric restriction, performed similarly to the mammalian paradigm, has never been tested in flies. Here, we demonstrate a system that allows measurement of food intake throughout life. This system will be used to measure fly lifespan under caloric restriction analogous to current mammalian studies. Our work will help tease apart the differences between the various caloric and dietary restriction paradigms in Drosophila, strengthening our understanding of how fly models relate to mammalian systems.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359316
Subject Headings: Aging, Physiological aspects, Nutrition disorders in old age, Oxidative stress, Pathophysiology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) and aging in the anoxia-tolerant freshwater turtle (Trachemys scripta).
Creator: Bruce, Lynsey Erin., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The enzyme Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) repairs oxidized proteins, and may act as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS), making it a potential therapeutic target for age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The anoxia-tolerant turtle offers a unique model to observe the effects of oxidative stress on a system that maintains neuronal function following anoxia and reoxygenation, and that ages without senescence. MsrA is present in both the mitochondria and cytosol, with protein...
Show moreThe enzyme Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) repairs oxidized proteins, and may act as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS), making it a potential therapeutic target for age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The anoxia-tolerant turtle offers a unique model to observe the effects of oxidative stress on a system that maintains neuronal function following anoxia and reoxygenation, and that ages without senescence. MsrA is present in both the mitochondria and cytosol, with protein levels increasing respectively 3- and 4-fold over 4 hours of anoxia, and remaining 2-fold higher than basal upon reoxygenation. MsrA was knocked down in neuronally-enriched cell cultures via RNAi transfection. Propidium iodide staining showed no significant cell death during anoxia, but this increased 7-fold upon reoxygenation, suggesting a role for MsrA in ROS suppression during reperfusion. This is the first report in any system of MsrA transcript and protein levels being regulated by oxygen levels.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2683139
Subject Headings: Oxidation-reduction reaction, Proteins, Chemical modification, Turtles, Physiology, Oxygen, Physiological effect, Aging, Molecular aspects
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Iron and mitochondrial aging.
Creator: Paez, Rafael., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description: Aging is a process characterized by accumulated oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids,which leads to the gradual degeneration of cellular activity. Mitochondria play a central role in aging because they produce both cellular energy and oxidative stress. As resultof accumulated oxidative damage, mitochondria function decays, which leads to a cellular energy deficit and compromises cellular function. Iron is an essential nutrient reequired by mitodhondria to function optimally. It has...
Show moreAging is a process characterized by accumulated oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids,which leads to the gradual degeneration of cellular activity. Mitochondria play a central role in aging because they produce both cellular energy and oxidative stress. As resultof accumulated oxidative damage, mitochondria function decays, which leads to a cellular energy deficit and compromises cellular function. Iron is an essential nutrient reequired by mitodhondria to function optimally. It has been proved that iron supplementation increases the lifespan of several yeast strains, including superoxide dismutase mutants. We are interested in finding where the iron is going and what it might be doing that is beneficial to the cell. We have used Saccharomyces cerevisiae as our molecular model of aging. Our results indicate that the extra iron is being transported into the mitochoindria.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359313
Subject Headings: Oxidation, Physiological, Aging, Molecular aspects, Mitochondrial DNA, Yeast fungi, Research, Methodology, Free radicals (Chemistry), Pathophysiology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Face processing in persons with and without Alzheimer's disease.
Creator: Winchester, Jeanna., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
Abstract/Description: This study aimed to understand the differences in strength or coordination of brain regions involved in processing faces in the presence of aging and/or progressing neuropathology (Alzheimer's disease). To this end, Experiment 1 evaluated age-related differences in basic face processing and the effects of familiarity in face processing. Overall, face processing in younger (22-35yrs) and older participants (63-83yrs) recruited a broadly distributed network of brain activity, but the...
Show moreThis study aimed to understand the differences in strength or coordination of brain regions involved in processing faces in the presence of aging and/or progressing neuropathology (Alzheimer's disease). To this end, Experiment 1 evaluated age-related differences in basic face processing and the effects of familiarity in face processing. Overall, face processing in younger (22-35yrs) and older participants (63-83yrs) recruited a broadly distributed network of brain activity, but the distribution of activity varied depending on the age of the individual. The younger population utilized regions of the occipitotemporal, medial frontal and posterior parietal cortices while the older population recruited a concentrated occipitotemporal network. The younger participants were also sensitive to the type of face presented, as Novel faces were associated with greater mean BOLD activity than either the Famous or Relatives faces. Interestingly, Relatives faces were associated with greater mean B OLD activity in more regions of the brain than found in any other analysis in Exp. 1, spanning the inferior frontal, medial temporal and inferior parietal cortices. In contrast, the older adults were not sensitive to the type of face presented, which could reflect a difference in cognitive strategies used by the older population when presented with this type of face stimuli. Experiment 2 evaluated face processing, familiarity in face processing and also emphasized the interactive roles autobiographical processing and memory recency play in processing familiar faces in mature adults (MA; 45-55yrs), older adults (OA; 70-92yrs) and patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD; 70-92yrs)., MA participants had greater mean BOLD activity values in more regions of the brain than observed in either of the older adult populations, spanning regions of the medial frontal, medial temporal, inferior parietal and occipital cortices. OA, in contrast, utilized a concentrated frontal and medial temporal network and AD participants had the greatest deficit in BOLD activity overall.Age-related differences in processing faces, in processing the type of face presented, in autobiographical information processing and in processing the recency of a memory were noted, as well as differences due to the deleterious effects of AD.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/199330
Subject Headings: Face perception, Cognition, Age factors, Human face recognition, Alzheimer's disease, Facial expression, Physiological aspects
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Time-frequency classification of gamma oscillatory activity in the frontoparietal system during working memory.
Creator: Romano, Tracy A., Bressler, Steven L., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
Abstract/Description: Working memory (WM) is a process that allows for the temporary and limited storage of information for an immediate goal or to be stored into a more permanent system. A large number of studies have led to the widely accepted view that WM is mediated by the frontoparietal network (FPN), consisting of areas in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC). Current evidence suggests that task specific patterns of neuronal oscillatory activity within the FPN play a fundamental...
Show moreWorking memory (WM) is a process that allows for the temporary and limited storage of information for an immediate goal or to be stored into a more permanent system. A large number of studies have led to the widely accepted view that WM is mediated by the frontoparietal network (FPN), consisting of areas in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC). Current evidence suggests that task specific patterns of neuronal oscillatory activity within the FPN play a fundamental role in WM, and yet specific spatio-temporal properties of this activity are not well characterized. This study utilized multisite local field potential (LFP) data recorded from PFC and PPC sites in two macaque monkeys trained to perform a rule-based, Oculomotor Delayed Match-to-Sample task. The animals were required to learn which of two rules determined the correct match (Location matching or Identity matching). Following a 500 ms fixation period, a sample stimulus was presented for 500 ms, followed by a randomized delay lasting 800-1200 ms in which no stimulus was present. At the end of the delay period, a match stimulus was presented, consisting of two of three possible objects presented at two of three possible locations. When the match stimulus appeared, the monkey made a saccadic eye movement to the target. The rule in effect determined which object served as the target. Time-frequency plots of three spectral measures (power, coherence, and Wiener Granger Causality (WGC) were computed from MultiVariate AutoRegressive LFP time-series models estimated in a 100-ms window that was slid across each of three analysis epochs (fixation, sample, and delay). Low (25- 55 Hz) and high gamma (65- 100 Hz) activity were investigated separately due to evidence that they may be functionally distinct. Within each epoch, recording sites in the PPC and PFC were classified into groups according to the similarity of their power t-f plots derived by a K-means clustering algorithm. From the power-based site groups, the corresponding coherence and WGC were analyzed. This classification procedure uncovered spatial, temporal, and frequency dynamics of FPN involvement in WM and other co-occurring processes, such as sensory and target related processes. These processes were distinguishable by rule and performance accuracy across all three spectral measures- power, coherence, and WGC. Location and Identity rule were distinguishable by the low and high-gamma range.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004157
Subject Headings: Brain--Physiology., Biological rhythms., Attention--Physiological aspects., Cognitive neuroscience., Memory--Age factors., Short-term memory., Neural networks (Computer science)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Analysis of the Role of Autophagy in Dauer Formation and Dauer Recovery Regulated by TGF-β Signaling Pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Creator: Ritter, Portia, Jia, Kailiang, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Caenorhabditis elegans optionally enter into a dauer diapause phase that results in a prolonged life in a semi-dormant state. Entry into and recovery from dauer diapause includes many physical changes in body structure, physiology, and gene expression. Entry into dauer diapause is regulated by several signaling pathways including transforming growth factor (TGF-β). Autophagy plays an important role in dauer formation and recover. During dauer transformation autophagy is up-regulated and may...
Show moreCaenorhabditis elegans optionally enter into a dauer diapause phase that results in a prolonged life in a semi-dormant state. Entry into and recovery from dauer diapause includes many physical changes in body structure, physiology, and gene expression. Entry into dauer diapause is regulated by several signaling pathways including transforming growth factor (TGF-β). Autophagy plays an important role in dauer formation and recover. During dauer transformation autophagy is up-regulated and may play a role in remodeling the molecular structure for long term survival during dauer diapause. This research helps determine the role of autophagy in dauer development and recovery mediated through the TGF-β signaling pathway. This research also determines in which tissue autophagy is necessary for dauer formation and recovery through TGF-β signaling. This research is shedding light on the function of autophagy in the TGF-β signaling pathway, both processes of which have been linked to tumorigenesis, heart disease and cancer.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004921, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004921
Subject Headings: Aging--Molecular aspects., Aging--Physiological aspects., Caenorhabditis elegans--Molecular genetics., Autophagic vacuoles., Gene expression., Apoptosis., Cellular signal transduction., DNA-binding proteins., Transforming growth factors-beta--Receptors.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Relationships among Sleep Quality, Fraility, and Falls in Older Adults Residing in the Community.
Creator: Staal, Jacqueline, Smith, Marlaine, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: One in three American older adults fall every year, making falls the leading cause of nonfatal injury treated in the emergency department (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2013). Fall-related injuries cost the United States healthcare system nearly $30 billion a year and result in 27,000 deaths per year (Burns, Stevens, & Lee, 2016). The risk of falls increases with age, occurring more often in women than man. Age-related muscle weakness and functional decline contribute to...
Show moreOne in three American older adults fall every year, making falls the leading cause of nonfatal injury treated in the emergency department (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2013). Fall-related injuries cost the United States healthcare system nearly $30 billion a year and result in 27,000 deaths per year (Burns, Stevens, & Lee, 2016). The risk of falls increases with age, occurring more often in women than man. Age-related muscle weakness and functional decline contribute to fall risk. Age-related changes in neuroendocrine hormone production and shifts in circadian rhythms promote sleep disorders, affecting nearly two-thirds of older adults. Poor sleep quality over time leads to drowsiness and impaired attention span and judgment. The purpose of this secondary analysis of a previously collected data set was to describe the relationships among frailty, subjective sleep quality, and falls in community-dwelling older adults. This secondary analysis also sought to determine the extent to which frailty and subjective sleep quality predict risk of future falls among community-dwelling older adults. Correlational analyses were performed to determine the nature and significance of the relationship between sleep quality and falls, frailty and falls, and sleep quality and frailty. A multiple regression analysis was performed to determine if sleep quality and frailty combined could predict falls. Frailty was found to account for a small variance in fall risk. However, sleep quality was not significantly related to falls nor was sleep quality predictive of falls. Risk for falls should be assessed at every clinical encounter and efforts to promote restful sleep should be addressed at least annually to reduce the risks of falls, functional decline, and sleep disorders among older adults in the community.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004846, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004846
Subject Headings: Sleep--Physiological aspects., Sleep disorders--Age factors., Falls (Accidents) in old age--Prevention., Frail elderly--Wounds and injuries--Prevention., Older people--Functional assessment., Older people--Quality of life.
Format: Document (PDF)

FAU Theses and Dissertations (8)	+ -
Honors Student Theses (2)	+ -

Aging (5)	+ -
Physiological aspects (4)	+ -
Methodology (2)	+ -
Molecular aspects (2)	+ -
Pathophysiology (2)	+ -

Physiology (2)	+ -
Age factors (1)	+ -
Aging -- Physiological aspects. (1)	+ -
Aging--Molecular aspects. (1)	+ -
Aging--Physiological aspects. (1)	+ -
Alzheimer's disease (1)	+ -
Anthropometry (1)	+ -
Apoptosis. (1)	+ -
Attention--Physiological aspects. (1)	+ -
Autophagic vacuoles. (1)	+ -
Biochemical markers (1)	+ -
Biological rhythms. (1)	+ -
Brain--Physiology. (1)	+ -
Caenorhabditis elegans--Molecular genetics. (1)	+ -
Cellular signal transduction. (1)	+ -
Chemical modification (1)	+ -
Cognition (1)	+ -
Cognitive neuroscience. (1)	+ -
DNA-binding proteins. (1)	+ -
Diet in disease (1)	+ -
Encocrine aspects (1)	+ -
Face perception (1)	+ -
Facial expression (1)	+ -
Falls (Accidents) in old age--Prevention. (1)	+ -
Frail elderly--Wounds and injuries--Prevention. (1)	+ -

Electronic Thesis or Dissertation (8)	+ -
thesis (2)	+ -

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science (4)	+ -
Florida Atlantic University (4)	+ -
Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences (2)	+ -
Department of Anthropology (2)	+ -
Department of Biological Sciences (2)	+ -

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