Adenosine receptor agonists as potential therapeutic agents

Adenosine is a naturally occurring compound within the human body. It is known to exert a wide range of physiological effects. A range of compounds which elict a similar response to adenosine in vivo have been synthesised and evaluated as cardioprotective agents.

Agonist allosteric enhancers at A1 adenosine receptors

Pharmaceutical agents that may be protective to the heart during ischemia were targeted in this project. Analogs to a lead compound containing potential cardioprotective properties were prepared. In the pharmacological evaluation five compounds were found to be more potent than the lead compound.

Chemical coding of vascular nitrergic nerves in lower vertebrates

Nitric oxide is an important regulator of blood pressure in mammals. This study provided new information on the role of nitric-oxide releasing sympathetic nerves in vascular regulation of lower vertebrates. The research outcomes advance knowledge on the potential role of these unique nerves in the control of the lower vertebrate cardiovascular system.

Non-retinal light stimulation and the human biological clock

Since 1998, debate has occurred over whether light synchronises the human biological clock through the visual system only, or if the light penetrating our skin is also influential. This thesis provides definitive, debate ending, evidence that skin exposure to even intensely bright light has no impact on circadian timing. The portfolio presents a review of the literature regarding the efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy as a treatment for borderline personality disorder, a summary of the proposed mechanisms of action on the various treatment components, and a description of the clinical application of the four 'skills training modules' via the use of four case study examples.

Pre- and post-natal development of the diaphragm

Animal models were used to examine properies of the diaphragm (the main respiratory muscle) before and after birth. The study revealed an insufficient blood supply to the fetus can result in structural and functional damage to the diaphragm. Damage was prevented when the mother was supplemented with creatine during pregnancy.

Food as a medicine : healthful oleocanthal in Australian olive oil

Oleocanthal has gained much interest as a natural anti-inflammatory phenolic component in olive oil. The studies conducted as part of this thesis demonstrate that oleocanthal is a stable olive oil phenolic with potential to be a prime health benefiting compound.

TGF-Ý signalling in human skeletal muscle regeneration and diabetes

The TGF-Ý superfamily comprises a large group of proteins with many effects on muscle growth and maturation. The molecular regulation of skeletal muscle regeneration and metabolism in response to prominent superfamily members, myostatin and TGF-Ý1, were analysed, demonstrating the importance of this pathway in controlling how muscles grow and are regulated.

Chemoattractive myokines

Chemoattractive myokines are inflammatory molecules released from muscle that are important in muscle repair and recovery. Exercise increased these factors, enabling the infiltration of immune cells, while ageing blunted this response. This work provides new insights into the complex regulation of inflammatory responses that are important for growth and function.

Dietary omega-3 fatty acids modify body fluid and cardiovascular homeostasis

Dietary omega-3 fatty acids are important for optimal nutrition. This research demonstrated the significant beneficial effects of these fatty acids on body fluid balance in aging and the regulation of blood pressure. A significant findng was that omega-3 fatty acids reduce neuro-inflammation (inflammation in the brain)

A genetic and epigenetic analysis of the noradrenaline transporter

In this study the importance of epigenetic control of the NET gene was demonstrated using mouse and human tissues. Differences in the state of the NET gene were identified between healthy individuals and patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), potentially leading to new treatment possibilities.

Anabolic signalling in skeletal muscle : impact of diet and disease

This thesis examines the role of dietary proteins on the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass in men who may or may not be insulin-resistant. It identified that dairy foods are powerful stimulators of muscle growth however this response is reduced during insulin-resistance.

Respostas fisiológicas em mudas de banananeira tratadas com estrobilurinas

There are reports that strobilurin besides having a fungicide effect can promote physiologic benefits to the plants. However, this effect on banana plants was not studied yet. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of strobirulins on the physiology of banana plantlets. For this purpose, cultivar Grand Naine banana plantlets were transferred to pots containing substrate and kept in a nursery with 50% shading. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with three treatments (water, azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin) and five replications. The treatments were applied at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after transplanting at a dose 100 g a. i. ha(-1) with manual spray. Plant height, pseudostem diameter, shoot dry matter in strobilurin treated plants were higher than the untreated plants, however, the effect of fungicide treatment was different, being the most pronounced effect of pyraclostrobin compared to azoxystrobin. Plants treated with pyraclostrobin had higher leaf area, nitrate reductase activity and chlorophyll content of leaf total nitrogen than the plants treated with azoxystrobin and water, which did not differ. Strobilurins affect the physiology of the banana plantlets differently, the effect being more pronounced by pyraclostrobin.

Aspectos fisiológicos do mountain biking competitivo

A prática do ciclismo off-road (mountain biking - MTB), cresceu muito nas últimas duas décadas, sendo incluído como esporte olímpico, nos Jogos de Atlanta em 1996, na modalidade Cross Country. Na última década, houve um aumento no número de publicações científicas que verificaram a demanda fisiológica durante competições, assim como o estudo de possíveis preditores da performance nesta modalidade. O objetivo deste estudo de revisão foi descrever alguns aspectos fisiológicos específicos do MTB Cross Country (MTB CC) competitivo (intensidade de provas, perfil fisiológico de atletas de elite, uso de suspensões e determinantes da performance em subidas). Observa-se na literatura analisada que as provas de MTB CC parecem impor uma sobrecarga fisiológica maior, quando analisada através da frequência cardíaca, do que provas de ciclismo de estrada com duração semelhante. Entretanto, quando analisada pela potência de pedalada, observa-se claramente a característica intermitente da modalidade, com variações de potência durante a prova entre zero e 500W, e potência média relativamente baixa em comparação aos valores de FC encontrados. Outro fator importante levantado neste estudo são as alterações fisiológicas decorrentes do uso de suspensões nas bicicletas de MTB CC. O uso deste equipamento reduz o estresse muscular provocado pelo terreno acidentado, embora pareça não afetar o gasto energético total, tanto em percurso plano como em subidas. Entretanto, é fato que o desempenho em circuitos acidentados é melhorado com o uso das suspensões. Com base nos estudos abordados nessa revisão, conclui-se que o MTB CC enquanto modalidade competitiva apresenta uma grande variação de intensidade (avaliada através da potência), sendo esta atribuída principalmente ao tipo de terreno (irregular e com muitas aclives e declives acentuados) em que as provas de MTB CC acontecem.