bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heart Rate Variability Measures Positively Correlate with Gastric Motility in Freely‐Moving Adult Rats
Authors: Meister Alissa L , Jiang Yanyan , Doheny Kim K , Travagli R. Alberto
Published: June 2021

Studies have shown that a decrease in parasympathetic tone to the GI tract is associated with increasing adverse outcomes associated with inflammation and sepsis. Currently, there are no non‐invasive methods to measure vagal tone to the GI tract. Conversely, cardiac vagal tone can be monitored non‐invasively via measurement of the high frequency power spectrum of heart rate variability (HF‐HRV). Although these parasympathetic outputs arise from distinct brainstem nuclei (cardiac from nucleus ambiguus, GI from dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus), it is unclear whether these efferent outputs are regulated in parallel.

The aim of our study, thus, was to test the hypothesis that cardiac vagal tone is a surrogate marker for gastric motility by demonstrating that HF‐HRV is positively correlated with gastric motility and can be altered by pharmacological interventions targeted to the GI tract.

Adult age‐matched male and female Sprague‐Dawley rats were implanted with a miniaturized strain gauge on the gastric antrum and 2‐pole electrocardiogram electrodes to collect simultaneous antral motility and HRV recordings. After a 2–3 day recovery period, rats were fasted from 8am–8pm, and daily recordings of gastric motility and HRV were performed. During these recordings, male rats received intraperitoneal injections of saline (1ml), cholecystokinin (CCK; 5nmoles), or ghrelin (100 pmoles/kg). Female rats underwent daily vaginal swabs to determine the stage in estrus cycle.

Male rats displayed a significant positive correlation between HF‐HRV and gastric motility (N=8; r2=0.43, p<0.05) that was maintained following the decrease in antral motility induced by CCK (N=7; r2=0.046, p<0.05). Conversely, administration of ghrelin, despite inducing a significant increase in antral motility, did not display a significant correlation with HF‐HRV (N=6; r2=0.047, p>0.05). There were no significant changes in heart rate after any of the treatments.

Female rats showed a significant correlation between HF‐HRV and gastric motility during metestrus and diestrus (N=4; r2=0.062, p<0.05); however this correlation was absent during proestrus and estrus (N=4; r2=0.003, p>0.05).

Our data indicate that HF‐HRV positively correlates with gastric motility in males at baseline or following pharmacological interventions known to affect vagal tone and during periods of low estrus in female rats. Conversely, increased estradiol levels disrupt the correlation between HF‐HRV and antral motility.

Support or Funding Information

NIH grant DK99350 to R.A.T. & K.K.D.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Hepatic Bbs1 Gene is a Critical Determinant of Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: Guo Deng Fu , Rahmouni Kamal
Published: June 2021

Bardet‐Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a pleiotropic autosomal recessive human disorder associated with several features including obesity and diabetes mellitus. Mice lacking Bbs genes are also obese and display diabetes as indicated by the increased blood glucose, impaired glucose clearance and insulin resistance. We showed that these changes in glucose and insulin sensitivity are independent of obesity. Thus, we hypothesized that BBS proteins in insulin‐sensitive tissues contribute to the development of diabetes in BBS. To address this, we deleted the hepatic Bbs1 gene by crossing the Bbs1flox mice with liver‐sepecific (albumin) AlbCre mice. Interestingly, body weight of male and female AlbCre/Bbs1flox mice was slightly increased compared to control littermates (40.8±1.6 vs 36.2±2, male and 29.6±1.9 vs 25.8±1.2, female at age of 25 weeks). Fat mass, but not lean mass was higher in male and female AlbCre/Bbs1flox mice relative to controls. AlbCre/Bbs1flox mice exhibited fasting glucose (6 hrs fasting) was elevated (169± 14vs 136±8 in controls), but glucose tolerance test showed no significant difference in glucose clearance between AdipoCre/Bbs1flox mice and controls. On the other hand, insulin tolerance test revealed impaired insulin sensitivity in AlbCre/Bbs1flox mice compared to controls. Insulin‐induced activation of AKT was significantly decreased in the liver (6.6± 0.34vs 2.6±0.07 in controls), but not in the white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, of AlbCre/Bbs1flox mice. Using immunohistochemistry, we found significantly decreased plasma membrane insulin receptor levels in primary cultured hepatocytes derived from AlbCre/Bbs1flox mice (24.2±6.8%). Expression glucogenesis gene such as FBP1, G6Pase, MCAD, FASN, ACOX1 and SREBP1 was increased by 2–4 folds in the liver of AlbCre/Bbs1flox mice relative to control animals. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that hepatic Bbs1 gene is critical for glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity.

Support or Funding Information

Supported by NIH, AHA and VA grants to K.R.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Regulation of PCSK9 Levels by the Ubiquitin‐Binding Domain of Histone Deacetylase 6
Authors: Pandey Deepesh , Sung Hyun Woo , Romer Lew , Berkowitz Dan
Published: June 2021

Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) regulates plasma lipid homeostasis by altering the abundance of low‐density lipoprotein(LDL)‐receptors in the liver. Therefore, this critical role in lipid homeostasis makes PCSK9 an attractive target for the therapeutic management of familial hypercholesterolemia as well as other refractory dyslipidemias. Recently, monoclonal antibodies that bind circulating PCSK9 were approved for therapeutic use to reduce LDL‐C levels to control hypercholesterolemia. However, other strategies to inhibit PCSK9 have not as yet been explored. We have recently demonstrated that HDAC6, a class IIB deacetylase, is a potent regulator of PCSK9 levels. Our data show that co‐expression of PCSK9 with full length HDAC6 in 293A cells results in marked upregulation of PCSK9, while gene silencing of endogenous HDAC6 leads to reduction in PCSK9. Interestingly, this effect was found to be independent of the deacetylase activity of HDAC6 and dependent upon the unique ubiquitin‐binding (BUZ) domain located at the C‐terminal tail of HDAC6. Small molecule inhibition of HDAC6 activity by Tubacin in vivo in hypercholesterolemic ApoE knockout mice had no effect on liver PCSK9 and LDL receptor levels. Further, co‐expression of the catalytic deficient mutant of HDAC6 (H216/611A) with PCSK9 did not modulate the high PCSK9 levels. The effect of HDAC6 on PCSK9 abundance was abolished when PCSK9 was co‐expressed with a BUZ domain deletion mutant of HDAC6. Our co‐immunoprecipitation data further suggest that HDAC6 binds to the polyubiquitin chain of PCSK9, recruits the deubiquitinating enzyme USP7 and protects PCSK9 from degradation. These signaling events lead to augmented PCSK9, followed by reduction of LDLr in liver, and eventually to hyperlipidemia.

Our data indicate that the HDAC6 BUZ domain regulates PCSK9 levels via post‐translational modification by deubiquitinase USP7, and this may represent a novel target for hyperlipidemia.

Support or Funding Information

American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant (16SDG27340010) Gilead Sciences Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Research Scholar Award

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Physiology Themed Outreach Event with Multiple Career Level Scientists Generates Student Inquiries about Scientific Content and STEM Careers
Authors: Clarke Martina A , Sharma Neeru M , Schiller Alicia M
Published: June 2021

Participation in science outreach remains fairly low, largely due to the use of ineffective communication and learning models. The objective of this outreach event was to develop seventh and eighth‐grade students' understanding of basic physiology concepts through experiments and increase their awareness of STEM careers. We hypothesize that interactions with scientists will improve students' understanding of physiology and stimulate interest in science as a career. We collaborated with Lifegate Christian School located in the greater Omaha area in Nebraska. Approximately 60 children participated in three hours of physiology‐based activities instructed by volunteer faculty, postdoctoral research associates, and graduate students. The sessions began with a brief presentation of a physiological system: the eye, brain, heart, or lungs. Students were then able to participate in experiments at four different tables focusing on one of the physiological systems for approximately 25 minutes. The session also included the volunteers introducing their career level and research focus. Each session ended with 15 minutes of question and answer (Q&A) that allowed students to engage the volunteers in inquiries about what they just learned, science as a career, and the volunteers' specific research area. To evaluate the effectiveness of the day of activities, each Q&A session was audio recorded. The students' teachers completed a program evaluation survey to determine the effectiveness of the sessions. Audio files were transcribed, reviewed, and analyzed by two independent coders. Qualitative data analysis was carried out using NVivo 11©, a qualitative analysis software. When prompted, students were able to correctly identify the different parts of the eye, heart and lungs, and the somatosensory cortex of the brain. Career questions accounted for 35% of students' questions, and 65% of the questions were based on the experiments conducted. Regarding experiment‐based questions, 54% of students' questions were about the heart, 35% were about the eyes, and 11% were about the lungs. Students were most interested in the typical day to day activities of a scientist, the various animals used in research how the results are transferable to humans. Overall, 75% of teachers were strongly satisfied with the sessions presented to their students. We conclude that scientist outreach events are effective in generating questions about physiology content and STEM careers.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Teaching Cub Scouts about the Human Body during PhUn Week
Authors: Kumar Vishnu , Zuercher Jennifer L , Gopalan Chaya
Published: June 2021

Possessing awareness about the human body helps in the maintenance of health. Gaining this knowledge at a young age allows for greater opportunities to make healthy decisions throughout life. In order to teach youth about their bodies, an evening of learning about the human body was developed and put on for a group of cub scouts during PhUn Week in November 2018. PhUn Week is the annual outreach program sponsored by the American Physiological Society (APS), bringing physiologists and K‐12 students together, introducing youth to concepts related to physiology. For this project, nine students with ages ranging from 5 to 10 completed a pre‐test, listened to a presentation about the body using an Anatomage Table, spent time with the models of the heart, lungs, the liver, the kidney, the muscle and the ear, and then completed a post‐test to assess how learning had progressed through the experience. The post‐test was the same as the pre‐test so that improvement of prior knowledge could be measured. The average post‐test score increased overall by 8% suggesting that the introduction to selected organs in the form of models and the Anatomage Table was helpful in enhancing Cub Scouts' learning.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Small Changes, Large Rewards: How Individualized Emails Increase Performance in an Upper Division Physiology Course
Authors: Cohen Zoe
Published: June 2021

“I really do appreciate your concern! Very rare to find a professor like that!” This was a sentence in an email I received from a struggling student in my Cardiovascular Physiology course, an upper division elective course in the Physiology Department at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

As teachers, we tend to gravitate towards the students who seem engaged, who are interactive, who are interested in what we're talking about. The ones who struggle are often forgotten, hiding in large classes, rarely adding to the conversation.

So, how do we engage these students, who can make up a significant fraction of the student (or classroom) population? Show them we care!

Four years ago, I started sending personalized emails (in which the body of each email was the same, but they were addressed to each student individually) to students who received a failing score on the first of three exams, approximately 10% of a class of 200. In the email, I pointed out that the student didn't do as well as expected on the exam, and that, however, it was still early in the semester; that changing habits now could turn their grade around. Then I asked them whether they knew why they hadn't performed well. I gave some suggestions, such as: coming to class, participating in discussions; attending office hours, creating and using study groups. I finished by reiterating the fact that together we could improve their standing in the class.

When schools around the country are worried about graduation rates, there is an increased emphasis on retention. Schools are adding programs to help at‐risk students, hiring tutors, working with underserved populations. All of which is slowly increasing the number of graduates.

Perhaps, just a short email to a struggling student might help.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Research of Adaptive Processes Development to Psychoemotional Stress in Medical Students
Authors: Vasylieva Oksana , Chernobay Larysa
Published: June 2021

Psychoemotional stress that develops in dynamics of studying in university is a common factor of development of the vast group of neurogenic diseases.

The objective of the research was to study the intersystem relations (integration) which are the base of development of organism's resistance to the effects of stress factors, i.e. the development of adaptive syndrome.

The object of the research was a group of 256 medical students of 1–3 years which were examined in conditions of educational process. The peculiarities of intersystem integration of cardiorespiratory system based on coupling index (CI), and integrational brain activity based on intellectual workability in conditions of correction test (2 minutes of test, total percentage of completed work, number of mistakes) were studied.

The research of complex of psychophysiological indicators in the dynamics of studying revealed the formation of chronic emotional stress in medical students, the severity of which depends on the individual characteristics of the psychophysiological status of students.

Formation of adaptation to the educational stress has the stage character (3stages) – the initial period is accompanied by activation of non‐specific adaptive mechanisms in almost all students (1st stage). From the 2nd year, only in 40% of the students an adequate adaptation to the training load was formed – intellectual performance increases, with the background of rationalization of its vegetative support. Sustainable intersystem relationship that reveals increasing the body's integrity (2nd stage) is formed.

In second group of students (43%) non‐specific adaptive mechanisms (1st stage) on the 2nd year of study goes into a stage of specific adaptation (2nd stage), but the severity of changes in psychophysiological indexes is strongly pronounced. On the 3rd year of study it leads to the depletion of adaptive capabilities (3rd stage).

In 17% of students it was seen that the stage of activation of non‐specific adaptive mechanisms rapidly changed by their depletion, that is accompanied by decrease of intersystem integration and intellectual workability. This is the evidence of prevalence of disintegrational processes in the organism.

Based on results of the research, a conclusion can be made that the formation of adaptive optimum to psychoemotional stress occurs only in 40% of students. The majority (60%) of students show either the initially insufficient adaptive capabilities, or their excessive intensity, that naturally leads to psychological and vegetative disorders in the organism.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Longitudinal Interprofessional Education in a Graduate Physiology Course
Authors: HARRISON‐BERNARD LISA M , NALJAYAN MIHRAN V , MERCANTE DONALD E , GUNALDO TINA PATEL , EDWARDS SCOTT
Published: June 2021

The primary purpose of conducting two interprofessional education (IPE) experiences during the physiology graduate‐level course was to provide basic science (n=9), physical therapy (35), and physician assistant (30) graduate students with an opportunity to work as a team in the diagnosis, treatment, and collaborative care of a patient with acute kidney injury and a patient with female athlete triad. The secondary purpose was to enhance the understanding of basic physiology principles with patient case presentations of pathophysiology. The overall purpose was to assess the longitudinal effects and the value of IPE integration within a basic science course by examining student perceptions and program evaluation. The following Interprofessional Education Collaborative sub‐competencies were targeted: Values/Ethics (VE1), Roles/Responsibilities (RR1, RR4), Interprofessional Communication (CC4), and Teams and Teamwork (TT3). First the students engaged in the renal IPE learning experience, followed one month later by the endocrine IPE learning experience. Clinical and IPE stimulus questions were discussed both within and between teams with assistance provided by faculty facilitators. Students were given a pre‐ and post‐survey to determine their IPE perceptions and knowledge. The research portion was anonymous and was approved by the institutional review board at our institution (#9260). A Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree (1 to 5) was used to measure the responses from the IPE sub‐competencies and activity evaluation questions. Themes were determined and quantified for the open‐ended questions by LMHB or SE, and the number of correct responses for the roles of the healthcare students was quantified in a blinded fashion. There were statistically significant increases from pre‐survey renal IPE to pre‐survey endocrine IPE for two IPE questions regarding the ability to explain the roles and responsibilities of a physical therapist and physician assistant (p<0.05). The knowledge of the role of the physical therapist increased significantly when comparing the renal IPE pre‐survey to the endocrine IPE pre‐survey results (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the mean Likert scores for the renal compared to the endocrine IPE post‐surveys for one of the questions, indicating that there was an increased participation by the team members on the second IPE experience. Therefore, the students carried knowledge learned during the first IPE to the second exposure of IPE. Incorporating multiple planned IPE experiences into multidisciplinary health science courses represents an appropriate venue to have students learn and apply interprofessional competencies.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
A Video on the Pathophysiology of Heart Failure for Reinforcing First Year Medical Student Learning: Do Video Techniques that Break from Medical Education Tradition Undermine the Video
Authors: Witchel Harry J
Published: June 2021

Heart failure is conceptually more difficult to learn than myocardial infarction, and many students who are taught about both at the same time will later remember and understand MI while retaining misconceptions and uncertainties about heart failure. The fact that heart failure is a physiological and functional description, rather than an anatomical/structural description of a specific injury that can be pinpointed, and that heart failure has many diverse causes (including thyrotoxicosis) underscore the potentials for confusion that bedevil first year undergraduate students. While there are a growing number of educational videos on heart failure, most of them take the form of a talking head or an animated whiteboard. In our partially‐animated video we take three approaches that violate traditional medical educational video‐making to determine whether any or all of them are truly sacred: 1) to have a dialogue (physiologist to actress/patient) rather than a monologue voice‐over, 2) to include upbeat music to lighten the atmosphere, and 3) to use humorous metaphors to explain and reinforce difficult concepts (Figure 1). In addition the video ends with an in‐video quiz, to take advantage of the known effects of intercalated formative testing on computer‐based learning [Szpunar et al. 2013]. Before the video is generally released, it is being laboratory‐tested on students in its current form. Meanwhile, we seek feedback from our teaching colleagues at Experimental Biology on ways to improve or reformulate this kind of video. This video results from the David Jordan Teaching Award from the Physiological Society (2017).

Support or Funding Information

The Physiological Society: The David Jordan Teaching Award 2017

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Nutrition as Medicine, Food Sensitivities, and Chronic Disease: A Mini Curriculum Shaped by Transformative Learning Theory
Authors: Yanik Andrew James , McHugh Douglas
Published: June 2021

Nutrition‐related diseases are common, costly, and preventable 21st Century health problems, yet physicians lack skills to provide effective dietary counseling and students report being underprepared. Metabolomics, proteomics, and nutrigenomics are ushering in an era of nutrition therapeutics that requires a paradigm shift in cognition, attitudes, and skills to prepare physicians‐in‐training for mid‐21st Century healthcare. Medical students' learning needs to be increasingly self‐directed and amenable to addressing their own education gaps. We used transformative learning theory (TLT) as a conceptual framework to develop a mini, spiral curriculum to kick‐start interest and attention to nutrition as medicine. Our objective was to pilot the impact on cognition, attitudes, and skills of this three‐week curriculum on M1 students. We used a demographically‐representative sample of n = 7 M1 students. Participants met in‐person with a facilitator for 1 hour on Mondays and Wednesdays. De‐identified visual (concept map), textual (reflective writing), and verbal (audio‐recorded group discussion) data were analyzed and permitted qualitative triangulation. Baseline and 6‐month data were also collected. The curriculum evoked paradigm transformation in knowledge, beliefs, and skills that persisted 6 months later and facilitated opportunities for our cohort to self‐identify learning gaps and consider how they related to their goals for patient care. Learners' baseline knowledge focused on food items, diet, health impact, and nutrients; beliefs on food sources and diet change; and performance on cooking and food preparation. Six main themes emerged from curriculum exposure: food sensitivities and gut health, nutrition and chronic disease, food is not inert, self‐awareness of learning gaps, nutrition is personalized, and nutrition history‐taking. Independent, self‐directed learner activities related to these were readily discernible 6 months later. A TLT‐informed model can feasibly be implemented in small groups and kick‐start in other learners similar paradigm shifts aligned with preventative health nutrition and nutritional therapeutics.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Anomalous Origin of the Obturator Artery from the Femoral Artery
Authors: Connell Rachel , Harley Jackson , Kruse Amelia , Rehman Rafey , Barremkala Malli
Published: June 2021

The obturator artery (OBA) most often arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. The typical path of the OBA travels from its origin in the pelvis towards the obturator canal, through which it exits the pelvis and splits into its terminal anterior and posterior branches. In a review of 24 human specimens (average age of 82 years) during routine cadaver dissection performed by undergraduate medical students, one adult male (71 year old) was observed to have an anomalous unilateral branching pattern. An artery branch can be seen arising from the right femoral artery 6 mm inferior to the inguinal ligament, then coursing superiorly deep to the inguinal ligament, into the retroinguinal space (or Bogros' space), where it bifurcates into the inferior epigastric artery (IEA) and OBA. OBA is seen to wrap around the anterior aspect of the pubis to exit through the obturator canal to divide into the terminal branches. This variation of OBA sharing a common trunk with IEA is reported in 4% of cadavers (n=75) in Jakubowicz et al. study and in 2% of the cadavers (n=50) in Mahato's study. The case presented here is an especially remarkable branching pattern due to the complications it could present in endoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty, laparoscopic herniorrhaphy in the region and during dissection of the retroinguinal space and mesh stapling onto Cooper's ligament.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The Branching Point and Course of the Motor Branch of the Nerve to Vastus Medialis
Authors: Elmansoury Amr , Nada Eman , Pessina Monica , Whitney Elizabeth
Published: June 2021

Study Objective

To investigate the exit point of the motor branch of the nerve to vastus medialis (mNVM) from the posterior division of the femoral nerve. An enhanced understanding of the origin and course of the mNVM will minimize the risk of anesthetizing it when performing a local anesthetic adductor canal nerve block for postoperative analgesia following total knee arthroplasty.

Methods

Anatomical donors, obtained through generous donation to the Anatomical Gift Program at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), were used in this study. Dissection of the mNVM was performed in 22 body donors (44 lower limbs). Following the dissection, the thigh length, from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the base of the patella was measured. Additionally, the distance from the exit point of the mNVM to the base of the patella was measured. Then, the ratio between the two distances was calculated to provide a straightforward and efficient estimate of the mNVM branch point.

Summary of results

The mean ± SD thigh length in the 44 lower limbs was 43 cm ± 2.9cm. The mNVM exited the posterior division of the femoral nerve 19.2 cm ± 1.90 cm superior to the base of the patella. The exit point of the mNVM from the posterior division of the femoral nerve was 0.56 ± 0.04 of the distance from the ASIS to the patella base.

Pearson correlation was performed in order to examine the relationship between the distance of mNVM from the base of the patella to the total length of the thigh in the 44 limbs. This relationship was significant with P = 0.003.

The t‐test revealed no significant difference between male and female body donors in the ratio of the exit point of the mNVM relative to the length of the thigh.

Conclusion

The mNVM emerges from the posterior division of the femoral nerve at 0.56 ± 0.04 of the thigh length as measured from the ASIS to the base of the patella. This finding provides clinicians with a practical and useful guide for determining the injection point for an adductor canal nerve block, a procedure utilized for postoperative analgesia following total knee arthroplasty. Avoiding the mNVM during the block will avoid weakening the vastus medialis muscle and may result in greater patient participation in postoperative physical therapy, safer gait and may reduce the risk of falls.

Support or Funding Information

None.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
A cadaveric study on the persistence of the median artery
Authors: Kar Rekha , Devora Candice , Rahimi Omid
Published: June 2021

The median artery is a transitory artery that supplies blood to the forearm and hand of an embryo. This artery regresses at the 8th week of gestation upon the development of the radial and the ulnar arteries. However, the median artery may persist in adults and such persistence can lead to many complications including median nerve compression and related syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome, anterior interosseous nerve syndrome and pronator teres syndrome. The persistent median artery has been shown to be highly variable in its origin, and has been shown to arise either from the brachial, radial, ulnar, common interosseous or anterior interosseous arteries. The prevalence of persistent median arteries has a wide range, reported as 1.1% – 27.1%. Studies reporting the prevalence, origin of the persistent median artery and its contribution to the complete or the incomplete palmar arch have been highly variable. Additionally, no study has documented the prevalence of this artery in the population of donated cadavers within the UT Health San Antonio Human Anatomy Program. Furthermore, publications demonstrating the presence of other arterial variations in the upper extremity in association with the presence of the persistent median artery in this donated cadaver population are very limited. Awareness of such anatomical variations is extremely critical for clinicians performing reconstructive surgeries involving the arteries of the upper extremity to optimize patient outcomes.

Specific aims of this study are 1. To determine the prevalence and the origin of the persistent median artery in this donated population of cadavers 2. To investigate whether the persistence of a median artery is associated with other arterial variations in the arm & the forearm 3. To elucidate the contribution of the persistent median artery to the complete or incomplete superficial palmar arch. To address these specific aims, 54 upper limbs of donated cadavers were surveyed. Preliminary data suggest the incidence of persistent median artery to be 29.63% (16/54). Furthermore, 25% (4/16) of the upper limbs with a persistent median artery presented with a high division (proximal to the cubital fossa) of the brachial artery into the radial and the ulnar arteries. Additionally, 43.8% (7/16) of these persistent median arteries entered the hand through the carpal tunnel and supplied the digits. 31.3% (5/16) of these persistent median arteries contributed to an incomplete superficial palmar arch and 12.5% (2/16) contributed to a complete superficial palmar arch. We are currently surveying more cadavers. Knowledge provided from this project will allow not only a better understanding of the prevalence of this artery, but also an understanding of clinical correlates that arise due to the presence of the persistent median artery.

Support or Funding Information

None

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Duodenal Peyer's Patch Gene Expression Altered Following Rodent Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Phillips Charles L. , Spann Redin A. , Garrett Michael R. , Grayson Bernadette E.
Published: June 2021

Bariatric surgery as a method of long term surgical associated weight loss continues to grow in popularity due to the positive metabolic health benefits reported; however, the mechanisms that produce surgical weight loss are not yet fully understood. In previous studies using our rodent model of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), it was reported that VSG results in uninhibited gastric emptying resulting in remodeling of the duodenum and various other structural changes within the intestine. We anticipate that the remodeling of the intestine would drive changes in the immune milieu of the gut. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect VSG has on the gene expression of the Peyer's patches, a component of gut‐associated lymphoid tissue that lie beneath the mucosal layer and monitor intestinal bacteria population to prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines. We evaluated male Long Evans rats (N=13) having received Sham‐Surgery or VSG and fed a standard chow diet post‐operatively. VSG animals lost significant amounts of body mass and fat mass and ate less in comparison to sham males during the first 5 post‐operative weeks. During post‐operative week 16, animals were euthanized and intestinal Peyer's patches were harvested for gene expression studies. RNAseq coupled with further data analysis using Illumina Software coupled with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis Software (IPA) was performed on duodenal Peyer's patches from Sham and VSG. The top Canonical Pathways having differentially‐expressed genes include LPS/IL‐1 Family, FXR Activation and Fatty Acid Activation Canonical Pathways. After determining relevant genes of interest, rtPCR was performed to validate the RNAseq data. We reported a significant decrease in tight junction‐associated claudin (CLDN8, P < 0.05) as well as increases in the facilitated glucose transporter (SLC2A4, P < 0.05), fatty acid signaling molecule (APOE, P < 0.05), and macrophage marker (CD68, P < 0.05). We have further preliminary evidence that there is elevated lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) in circulation of VSG in comparison to Sham. Taken together, these data suggested a reduced intestinal barrier that leads to compromised intestinal integrity and reorganized PP architecture.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Laminar Organization and Projections of the Motor Cortex of the Sheep
Authors: Graic Jean‐Marie , Corain Livio , Peruffo Antonella , Bombardi Cristiano , Centelleghe Cinzia , Grisan Enrico , Bontempi Pietro , Grandis Annamaria , Minero Michela , Canali Elisabetta , Vignola Giorgio , Bonfanti Luca , Chincarini Matteo , Ballarin Cristina , de Pasquale Francesco , Palestrini Clara , Dalla Costa Emanuela , Spinelli Lorenzo , Cozzi Bruno
Published: June 2021

The organization of the motor cortex of the sheep is a gateway to understand quadrupedal locomotion, and a possible point of reference for comparison with other terrestrial Cetartiodactyla and hoofed mammals in general. The cortical structure, its laminar subdivision and projections, received scarce attention in the past.

Since recent data using modern technics are lacking, we analyzed the lamination of the motor cortical columns using conventional histology, digital imaging and alternative statistical inference. We also traced the motor cortex projections using MR and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). Sampling topography was based on the available literature and physiological evidence.

Our data suggest that the thickness of motor cortex of the sheep is comparable to that of other terrestrial Cetartiodactyla, but thicker than that of marine members of the same Order of equivalent body size. Analyses of the cortical columns showed a five‐layered agranular cortex only partially similar to that of rodents and primates. Layer I contained more round and sparse cells, while layer V had the most heterogeneous cell population profile, including gigantocellular pyramidal neurons.

MR results and DTI revealed that the a) a robust bundle of fibers reaches the central pattern generators in the brainstem (Figure 1), thus indirectly emphasizing the existence of several extrapyramidal tracts; and b) the corticospinal tracts, presumed to be minor and limited in Cetartiodactyls given their limited dexterity in respect to primates and carnivores, forms a pathway comparable in size (if not superior) to the extrapyramidal tracts.

Our data contrast the generally accepted idea that the extrapyramidal tracts are overwhelmingly dominant in ruminants, and that pyramidal projections to the spinal cord are minimal.

Support or Funding Information

This study was supported by Grant # 2015Y5W9YP from the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research to Bruno Cozzi, including also all the other Authors.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Localization of SMI‐32‐immunoreactive neurons in the brain of the naked mole‐rat (Heterocephalus glaber)
Authors: Hashmi Mariam N , Sarko Diana K , Cheatwood Joseph L
Published: June 2021

Naked mole‐rats (NMR; Heterocephalus glaber) are a unique species of eusocial burrowing rodents. As such, they are highly adapted for life underground, with an absence of visual cues. NMRs have evolved to use their tactile body hairs and their large, moveable lower incisors to provide information about stimuli in their tunnels. As interest in using NMR as a model system grows ‐ including increasing use as a mammalian model for cancer and aging studies ‐ there is demand for more information about their neuroanatomy, including brain chemoarchitecture. Herein, we describe the location of neurons found to be SMI‐32‐immunoreactive in the normal, adult NMR brain. Expression was found in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, thalamus, brainstem, cerebellum, and many other brain regions. Detailed comparisons of SMI‐32‐immunoreactivity with that found in laboratory rats (Rattus sp.) will be presented, including many of the similarities and differences noted between the two species. Interpretation of these differences will also be presented.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
S100A8/A9, Exercise, and Creatine in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Peeler Jason , Zhang Pengu , Cornish Stephen , Ghavami Saeid
Published: June 2021

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive breakdown of articular cartilage, and increasing joint pain and stiffness. Chronic inflammation is thought to play a central role in cartilage degradation, with pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as S100 A8/A9 potentially associated with disease progression and elevated levels of systemic cartilage oligomeric protein (COMP). The purpose of this prospective RCT was to examine the influence of weight bearing exercise and creatine supplementation on S100 A8/A9 levels in patients with mild‐moderate knee OA. Twenty‐six (26) knee OA patients were randomized into 3 groups: (1.) Lower Body Positive Pressure supported treadmill walking exercise, (2.) Creatine supplementation, and (3.) Control. Following radiographic confirmation of OA severity, patients were evaluated at baseline and following a 12 week intervention on the following parameters: (1.) body anthropometry; (2.) knee joint range of motion; (3.) Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire for chronic knee pain, joint symptoms, and dysfunction; (4.) acute knee pain during 30 minutes of full weight‐bearing treadmill walking; and (5.) serum biomarkers (S100 A8/A9 and COMP). A longitudinal multi‐level model of analysis was used to evaluate multiple independent variables at the same time. Data suggested that the LBPP exercise improved KOOS scoring on the Sport/Recreation Function subscale, and that creatine supplementation improved KOOS scoring on the Quality of Life subscale. SCOMP levels were also positively correlated with both acute and chronic knee joint pain, joint symptoms, and scoring on the KOOS Activity of Daily Living subscale. Unfortunately, S100 A8/A9 levels were un‐influenced by either LBPP exercise or creatine supplementation, but concentrations were moderately correlated with patient BMI and scoring on the KOOS subscales of Pain and Activities of Daily Living. Further research is needed to clarify what role (if any) pro‐inflammatory proteins such as S100 A8/A9 play in cartilage degradation, and future investigations should focus on examining synovial based biomarkers that are specific to the affected joint.

Support or Funding Information

Ongoing support provided by the Max Rady College of Medicine, the Pan Am Clinic Foundation, and funding through the Paul H.T. Thorlakson Foundation.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Symptoms and Functional Measures in Individuals Performing Various Exercise Intensities: A Pilot Study
Authors: SADACHARAN CHAKRAVARTHY MARX
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To assess the functional limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and level of delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) in individuals after completing various intensities of exercises with and without prior yoga stretching poses.

Methods

Twelve research participants (untrained active healthy men and women) aged between 18 and 30 years were recruited from students of University of New England and randomly assigned into 2 groups (six participants each). Four muscle groups (elbow flexors, elbow extensors, knee flexors and knee extensors) were selected (one muscle group per limb) from each participant and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in all four selected muscles were calculated using a hand‐held Dynamometer.

Participants performed eccentric exercises protocol (5 × 10 repetitions with rest time) with full active range of motion using (Ultimately Fit Adjustable Ankle Weights) their 15% of MVIC on day 1 of first week, 25% of MVIC on day 1 of third week, and 35% of MVIC on day 1 of fifth week in all four limbs (right and left upper elbows and right and left knees). Participants did not perform any exercise protocol during the week 2 and 4. In weeks 1, 3, and 5, after the eccentric exercise protocol (day 1), from day 2 to 6 the subjective (health activities of daily living (ADL) difficulty scale, visual analogue scale (VAS)) and objective assessments (pain pressure threshold (PPT), arm and thigh circumference, and active range of motion (AROM)) were carried out. Group 1 (6 participants) performed only exercise protocol whereas group 2 (6 participants) performed prior yoga stretching poses for upper and lower limbs along with above mentioned exercise protocol.

Results

Group 2 participants has minimal pain and health activities of daily living (ADL) difficulty when compared to group 1 participants. Group 1 participants performed exercise protocol at week 5 with 35% MVIC had moderate pain (pain scale ranged 3–6 out of 10) in the elbow extensors and ADL difficulty (difficulty level scale ranged 3–6 out of 10) in pull a heavy object, carry an object with my arm above shoulder, washing opposite armpit and back, reach high shelf, ascending stairs, bend to pick up form the floor when compared to group 2 participants. There was no significant difference in the AROM and, arm and thigh circumference between both groups during entire exercise protocol.

Conclusion

Upper limb (extensors) muscles are more prone for DOMS when compared to lower limb muscles. Yoga stretching poses prior to eccentric exercise protocol may have effect in reducing DOMS.

Support or Funding Information

Funded by Biology Department, College of Arts and Sciences, University of New England, ME

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Clinical model of hyaluronic acid embolism treated with hyaluronidase and its effects on the arterial wall and adjacent tissues
Authors: Elizondo‐Omaña Rodrigo Enrique , Salinas‐Alvarez Yolanda , Soto‐Dominguez Adolfo , Guzman‐Lopez Santos , Quiroga‐Garza Alejandro
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan used cross‐linked to increase its durability and be used as a temporary facial filler. One of the most striking complications of its use is vascular occlusion, causing permanent lesions and scars. The use of hyaluronidase (HYAL) was evaluated subcutaneously (SC) and intra‐arterially (IA) in a lagomorph model causing an HA embolism in the ear, however, the model has few similarities to the clinical application site. In addition, different doses of HYAL have been evaluated, but they have not been compared to each other, nor has the safety of adjacent tissues been evaluated. Our aim was to determine an effective and safe concentration of HYAL applied extravascularly to dissolve an HA embolism.

Materials and methods

We used 15 New Zealand rabbits divided into 6 groups (Healthy, Surgical, Embolism, 75UI, 200UI, and 500UI). An HA (Belotero Balance®) embolism was performed in the left femoral artery to the embolism control group and to the three embolism groups treated with HYAL SC 1 hour after the embolism. Samples were taken in block obtaining artery, vein, nerve, muscle, and skin on the 5th day. Histologic staining and histochemistry was performed. Quantification of HA (Image J®) was performed, and morphological changes in the artery and adjacent tissues were analyzed. Study was approved by the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and Ethics Committees.

Results

Despite the persistence of HA in the arterial lumen of the treated groups, a significant difference was found between the 200UI (p = 0.002) and 500UI (p = 0.001) groups of HYAL and the embolism control group. Sites of arterial thrombosis were observed in the embolism groups and those treated with HYAL. When evaluating the surrounding tissues, the muscle of the group treated with high dose had less muscle lysis and less inflammatory infiltrate.

Conclusion

A new lagomorph model of embolism due to HA was established with greater similarity to the site of clinical application than those already established. A high dose of HYAL, applied subcutaneously, partially prevents the damage caused by the embolism. The use of thrombolytic therapy combined with the use of higher doses of HYAL SC in this model is proposed.

Support or Funding Information

None

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.