bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrating Innovative Handheld Portable Cordless Ultrasound‐Probe‐System with Artificial Intelligence for Pre‐Healthcare Students in Human Cadaver Lab Course
Authors: Rivas-Vasquez Luis , Estrada Ruben , Benninger Brion 
Published: April 2020

INTRODUCTIONThe importance of ultrasound regarding its depth and breadth across medical fields continues to expand in development and use while affordability improves for the user and patient. Sonoanatomy is important for interpreting the anatomical architecture adjacent to the probe. Medical educators responsible for teaching ultrasound are faced with two obstacles, teaching how to drive the ultrasound technology and understanding the surface, static and dynamic sonoanatomy of the regions of the body.AIMThe aim of this study was to identify and teach sonoanatomy with ultrasound which limits or removes driving the knobology associated with traditional ultrasound technology.METHODSLiterature search was conducted to identify an ultrasound probe system which is handheld, cordless, with no buttons and uses artificial intelligence to provide diagnostic quality imaging. An upper division baccalaureate semester cadaver dissection course (pre healthcare Gen Z students N=14) which included sonoanatomy teaching and examination with a traditional cart ultrasound probe system was the arena to introduce such technology. Students rotated during every dissection lab to practice ultrasound probe positioning, image acquisition and anatomy interpretation.RESULTSClarius handheld wireless multiprobe ultrasound‐probe‐system compatible with Apple and Android mobile devices was identified and used equally with traditional cart ultrasound. Students were successfully taught surface and regional sonoanatomy in lectures and tutorials using exam results.DISCUSSIONClarius is shock and water resistant and utilizes automated AI with a real time automated time‐gain‐compensation (TGC) engine. Traditional ultrasound systems require users adjusting several TGC controls (knobs) to optimize imaging and often when changing scanning planes, attenuation variance forces users to adjust TGC often resulting in failed images adding to the learning curve. Clarius automated AI overrides user interaction with TGC controls if desired. Analyzing each single ultrasound image captured during scanning at rates of 30 frames per second, gain can be tuned with high level precision to 1mm, all in real‐time, with instant feedback resulting in quality images.CONCLUSIONStudents preferred not having to adjust knobs and performed better acquiring quality images with Clarius probe system on cadaver and simulation exercises then with a traditional ultrasound cart system. This pilot project suggests more Clarius ultrasound studies could be used to train novices in healthcare.
Sex Differences in Sepsis Survival Involve Effects of Gonadal Steroid Hormones
Authors: Chakraborty Sanjukta , Venkatasamy Lavanya , Stallone John N. 
Published: April 2020

Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in human non‐coronary induced intensive care cases; in the United States, more than 750,000 people are diagnosed with sepsis each year, and 20 to 30% of those die from severe sepsis. While advances in aggressive supportive care have resulted in a reduction in the number of deaths from sepsis each year, the total number of cases of sepsis continues to increase. Given the complexity and severity of sepsis, more successful treatment will require thorough elucidation of the various inflammatory mechanisms. Thus, in the present study, sex differences in sepsis survival and the role(s) of the gonadal steroid hormones were studied. Age‐matched male (M) and female (F) Sprague‐Dawley rats (12–14 wks age) either remained intact (InT) or were gonadectomized (GnX) using standard surgical methods. Four weeks later, sepsis was induced in InT (N = 7) and GnX (N = 3) M and F rats using standard cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) methods while under isoflurane anesthesia (50% of cecum ligated, single bilateral puncture, 20 ga hypodermic needle). Immediately after CLP, rats were resuscitated with 40 ml/kg warmed (37°) saline, given a single dose of buprenorphine SR (1.0 mg/kg), and mortality was monitored over the following 10 days. A separate group of InT M and F rats underwent sham CLP surgery. Kaplan‐Meier analysis of the data revealed that survival was 100% in both M and F sham groups. In InT CLP groups, by day 3, there was a drastic reduction in survival to 42.8% in M but 57.1% in F; this sex difference increased over time and by day 6, maximal survival was 14.3% in M but 42.8% in F. In GnX, at day 3, survival declined to 33% in M, but increased to 100% in F. These data suggest that prominent sex differences exist in survival from CLP‐induced sepsis, which may involve effects of the gonadal steroid hormones on inflammatory and immune function in M vs. F rats.Support or Funding Information(State of Texas)
SPARC: A Carbon Fiber Nerve Electrode Appropriate for Chronic Recording
Authors: Welle Elissa Joy , Jiman Ahmad A. , Patel Paras R. , Woods Joshua E. , Richie Julianna M. , Bottorff Elizabeth C. , Seymour John P. , Bruns Tim M. , Chestek Cynthia A. 
Published: April 2020

State‐of‐the‐art intraneural peripheral nerve electrodes are large, silicon‐based structures that can cause substantial tissue response and are ill‐suited for recording from small autonomic nerves. The focus of this work is to adapt our minimally‐scarring carbon fiber brain electrodes to a chronic intraneural nerve array. The objective of this study is to increase the durability of the carbon fiber electrodes to withstand the surgical handling necessary for nerve implantation, while maintaining a cellular scale electrode that can insert through the outer epineurium layer of peripheral nerves. Toward that end, we embedded carbon fibers in silicone to increase robustness, sharpened the fibers to penetrate epineurium, and tested fibers coated with poly(3,4‐ethylene‐dioxythiophene):sodium p‐toluenesulfonate (PEDOT:pTS) in vivo.We tested the durability of carbon fibers by embedding uninsulated fibers in a body of silicone and inducing a 90‐degree bend to simulate the expected shear forces seen during surgery. We found that fibers of 175μm length were robust to thousands of bend cycles. After 3000 bends, 15 of 16 fibers remained intact. We blunt cut carbon fibers using a 532nm green laser and inserted fibers into silicone of stiffness similar to epineurium to determine a length for in vivo testing. We found that blunt fibers reliably insert into silicone without breaking when less than 200μm in length (N=8 fibers). We hypothesized that sharpened fibers would insert into tissue more easily, and therefore sharpened fibers with a 5mm butane flame when protruding from the surface of water. The dimensions of sharpened fibers were 224μm in length with 147μm of exposed carbon and a tip angle of 72 degrees (N=24 fibers).We inserted functionalized sharpened carbon fibers coated with PEDOT:pTS into peroneal and cervical vagus nerves of anesthetized rats (N=5 arrays, 71 fibers, 7 animals). In all experiments, we observed that the sharpened carbon fiber electrodes penetrated the epineurium for successful insertion. The average 1kHz impedance of coated fibers prior to and upon insertion was 38kΩ and 56kΩ, respectively. In both cases, the Z1kHz of roughly 90% of fibers measured below 100kΩ. We recorded spontaneous and evoked neural activity in each experiment and are analyzing the data for discernable single units. We also inserted sharpened fibers into anesthetized feline sacral dorsal root ganglia (N=3) and confirmed insertion with evoked neural recordings and 1kHz impedances (Z=59kΩ).This work shows that the durable nature of carbon fibers embedded in silicone allows them to withstand surgical handling and insert into various types of nerves. Our next step will be the fabrication of an array for chronic implantation.Support or Funding InformationNIH OT2OD024907, NINDS U01NS094375, NINDS UF1NS107659, NSF 1707316
Identifying Prospective Genes That Function During DNA Repair in the Bdelloid Rotifer Adineta vaga
Authors: Wiles James Tristian , Schurko Andrew 
Published: April 2020

The bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga is a microinvertebrate with a highly efficient DNA repair system that allows individuals to recover from DNA damage caused by desiccation or ionizing radiation. The mechanism behind this remarkable DNA repair in A. vaga is not yet understood. Previous transcriptome sequencing in our lab has identified over 250 genes that are upregulated in response to DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation. These upregulated genes are the strongest candidates for having a role in DNA repair. The objective of this project is to characterize the functions of candidate genes involved in DNA repair in bdelloids and, thereby, establish potential pathways that comprise this mechanism. Three approaches were used to begin to investigate the functions of these candidate DNA repair genes in bdelloids. First, we used real‐time PCR to quantify gene expression of several candidate DNA repair genes during recovery from desiccation. Genes that were upregulated relative to the non‐desiccated control were identified as most likely to have a role in DNA repair as opposed to radiation resistance. Second, we constructed a yeast library of A. vaga proteins for use in yeast two‐hybrid screens against candidate DNA repair proteins. To produce the library, cDNAs representing the full complement of A. vaga proteins were cloned into plasmids that were then transformed into yeast. Yeast strains that each expressed a different candidate DNA repair protein would then be mated with the library to screen for protein‐protein interactions, which would provide evidence for related cellular functions. Third, we developed the molecular tools for using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to inactivate candidate genes in A. vaga. In vivo gene knockouts would provide mutant rotifers that could be studied to assess the roles of these genes in DNA repair. Single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) for several genes were created and incubated with the Cas9 enzyme to form sgRNA‐Cas9 complexes. These sgRNA‐Cas9 complexes were shown to successfully cleave their target gene sequences in vitro. To test this method in vivo, these sgRNA‐Cas9 complexes were transfected into A. vaga embryos via electroporation. Genomic DNA was purified from treated rotifers and used in T7 endonuclease I assays to identify subsequent mutations in the target genes. Once perfected, these methods of investigating the roles of candidate genes stand to elucidate the mechanism behind the extraordinary DNA repair in A. vaga.Support or Funding InformationFunding was provided by a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to JTW, and a Hendrix College Faculty Project Grant to AMS.
Phylogenetic Study of Beta‐Galactosidase in Model Organisms Using Bioinformatics and Western Blot Techniques
Authors: Wood Lance Phelan 
Published: April 2020

Beta‐galactosidase is a highly conserved enzyme found in many organisms, existing as a tetramer of four identical subunits of 1023 amino acids each; its substrate is lactose, although it can bind to other similar molecules as well (Jeurs, D et. Al). It can cleave the lactose molecule to form allolactose, which is involved in the lac operon of E. coli, and glucose, which is used in glycolysis in many other organisms (Jeurs, D. et al). This experiment uses published protein sequences for the Beta‐galactosidase enzyme in four different model organisms to construct a phylogenetic tree using E. coli, S. cerevisiae, D. melanogaster, and C. elegans proteomes. Using Western Blot techniques, the same enzyme from all four species will be used to create a phylogenetic tree based on the experimental data. Beta Galactosidase Antibody (NBP2‐42819) is a polyclonal rabbit antibody from Novus Biologicals will be used as the primary antibody for binding to the extracted enzyme. Rabbit IgG Horseradish Peroxidase conjugated Antibody, catalog number HAF008, also from Novus Biologicals will be used as the secondary antibody to bind to the primary. The in‐silico model will then be compared with the in‐vitro model to compare antibody binding to the bacterial, fungal, and animal forms of the enzyme. Preliminary bioinformatics work based on multiple sequence alignments and domain searches suggests that C. elegans and D. melanogaster forms of beta‐galactosidase are more closely related to each other than to any of the forms found in the other species in this study. The S. cerevisiae form of the protein was expected to be more like those belonging to C. elegans and D. melanogaster. However, the bioinformatics results do not support this, possibly due to poor literary documentation of the amino acid sequence of S. cerevisiae beta‐galactosidase.Support or Funding InformationThis work was made possible through the contributions of the Hillsborough Community College Brandon Campus Biotechnology and Microbiology Departments.
Identifying Protein Targets of KDAC4 and KDAC5
Authors: Nguyen Trang T. , Phillips Tiffany , Toro Tasha B. , Watt Terry J. 
Published: April 2020

Lysine acetylation is a common post‐translational modification that regulates many biological processes and that has been linked to numerous diseases. Protein lysine deacetylases (KDACs or HDACs) are enzymes that reverse this post‐translational modification by removing the acetyl group from the lysine residue in proteins. KDACs therefore play a critical role in the overall regulation of acetylation. Our objective is to understand the biological roles of KDAC4 and KDAC5, which are class IIa metal‐dependent KDACs, with an emphasis on identifying potential non‐histone substrates. Purified class IIa KDACs have greatly reduced catalytic activity in vitro compared to other KDACs, and only a few putative substrates have been identified for these enzymes in cell‐based experiments. To determine the possible targets of KDAC4 and KDAC5, we have recombinantly expressed and purified various enzyme constructs, including variants with site‐specific mutations that enhance activity to levels comparable with other metal‐dependent KDACs. Activity is measured using a combination of fluorescence‐based assays and mass spectrometry, using biologically relevant putative substrates. Activity assays using model peptides derived from known acetylated proteins with these gain‐of‐function variants reveal specific interaction preferences for the KDACs. Comparison of activity of the isolated catalytic domain with the activity of the full‐length proteins, which contain a second domain of unknown function, allows for determination of the impact of the second domain on interactions with possible target proteins. Together, our results provide insight into possible cellular targets of KDAC4 and KDAC5, as well as providing a mechanism to evaluate whether these enzymes are likely to be acting as deacetylases in vivo or interact with target proteins in a non‐catalytic manner. Understanding of the activity of these KDACs may lead to new therapeutic approaches for acetylation‐associated diseases.Support or Funding InformationNIH TL4GM118968, UL1GM118967, 5G12MD007595, and R15GM129682; NSF CHE 1625993 and MCB 1817358; U. S. Army Research Laboratory and the U. S. Army Research Office W911NF1810450; and the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium.
The Effect of Delta‐9‐Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol on Blood Flow and Blood Pressure
Authors: James Tameika , Pepple Dagogo , Watson Charah 
Published: April 2020

The effect of different concentrations of Delta‐9‐Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) separately and in combination on blood flow and blood pressure were investigated. It is important to fully elucidate the possible impact on the health of individuals who utilize cannabis and its products because cannabis has been increasingly implicated in adverse cardiovascular events.Forty male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into eight groups consisting of five rats each. One group served as a control group. Six of the test groups received different concentrations of THC and CBD (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg body weight) respectively, while the other test group received a combination of THC and CBD (2 mg/kg body weight) in a one to one ratio. The control group received vehicle only. Drugs were administered intraperitoneally on alternate days for five days. Blood flow and blood pressure were measured over a period of one hour prior to and after administration of THC and CBD using the CODA non‐invasive blood pressure system.The results indicate that blood flow increases with increasing CBD concentration but decreases with an increase in THC concentration. These changes were however only significantly different from control at 45 mins when 2 mg/kg of either drug was administered.The extract caused a decrease in blood flow which was not significantly different from control.CBD had no significant effect on blood pressure. THC however caused a downward trend in blood pressure which was not significant. The extract caused a decrease in blood pressure which was significant at 30, 45 & 60 minutes.The changes observed with increasing concentrations of THC and CBD suggest that these cannabinoids operate in dose dependent manner and that THC and CBD may have different effects on the same parameter when administered separately, but when used in combination one may modulate the effect of the other.Support or Funding InformationGraduate Studies & Research, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
Influence of Acute Fasting on Cerebrovascular Reactivity During Mental Stress
Authors: Gonzalez Joshua Eric , Stelly Steven Philip , Cooke William Harold 
Published: April 2020

Acute fasting has been adopted in fitness communities, and has been practiced for religious purposes. Short‐term fasting does not affect cognitive function, and therefore may not affect cerebrovascular responsiveness. Cerebral blood flow velocity increases with mental stress, however the combined influences of an acute fast and mental stress on cerebrovascular responses are unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of a 24‐hour, water‐only fast on cerebral blood flow velocity responses to mental stress in a small cohort of research volunteers. Eight young healthy participants (7 males, average age of 25 yrs) completed the protocol in a fed state (4 hours post‐prandial) and in a fasted state (24–25 hours post‐prandial). Whole blood was collected and analyzed before experimentation for β‐Ketones, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides (TRG), and glucose. With participants in a supine position, we recorded the electrocardiogram, beat‐to‐beat arterial pressure (finger plethysmography), and cerebral artery blood flow velocity (transcranial Doppler). After a 5‐min baseline, participants performed 5‐min of mental stress via mental arithmetic (rapid continuous subtraction). Mental stress reactivity was calculated as the mean stress response for each minute of mental stress minus the corresponding 5‐min baseline. The minute‐by‐minute reactivity was analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA. Blood variables were analyzed with paired t‐tests. Data were expressed as mean ± SE. Baseline blood variables were different in the fasted compared with the fed state: TRG (112±14 fed vs. 68±13 mg/dL fasted; p<.01) Glucose (101±5 fed vs. 79±6 mg/dL fasted; p<.01) and β‐Ketone (.1±.01 fed vs. .5±.2 mmol/L fasted; p<.05). Mean arterial pressures and heart rate reactivities to mental stress were not affected by fasting. Mean cerebral blood flow velocity reactivity to mental stress was reduced in the fasted compared with the fed condition (condition × time, p<.01), with a particular divergent responsiveness during the third minute of mental stress. The results we present are new, but preliminary. We did not attempt to ascribe mechanisms to fasting and cerebral blood flow velocity reactivity during mental stress. The changes we observed with our preliminary data set suggest that fasting, and associated changes of plasma glucose, β‐Ketone and TRG may be associated with reductions of cerebral blood flow velocity during mental stress.Support or Funding InformationSupport was provided by the Michigan Space Grant Consortium and The Portage Health Foundation of Michigan.
Potential mechanisms of opioid depression of the laryngeal adductor reflex: insights from a neuromechanical model of the respiratory control system
Authors: Olsen Wendy Lorraine , Pitts Teresa Greene , Morris Kendall F. , Segers Lauren S. , Shuman Dale , Nuding Sara C. , Bolser Donald C. 
Published: April 2020

Opioid use increases the risk of aspiration and pneumonia, presumably through depression of protective reflexes that prevent intrusion of foreign material into the airways. The laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR) is an airway protective behavior that utilizes bilateral thyroarytenoid (TA) muscles and prevents material entering the trachea and lungs. The operational features and specific neural mechanisms which regulate and coordinate the occurrence of the LAR to prevent aspiration during opioid use are not fully understood. In vivo experiments were conducted using unilateral electrical stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) to induce the LAR. Systemic opioid administration preferentially attenuated the contralateral LAR, which is consistent with dysregulation of airway protection. We speculated that computational modeling of a specific LAR circuit would provide testable hypotheses that could account for this effect of opioids on the LAR. We have developed a predictive computational model which incorporates a distributed neural network that excites expiratory laryngeal motoneurons (ELM). The stochastic neural network simulator consists of discrete “integrate and fire” populations. The model circuit was informed by response patterns during the LAR of neurons in the regions of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the reticular formation (RF), and the ventrolateral respiratory column (VRC). With our network scale model, we simulated modulation of the LAR during administration of opioids by decreasing input currents to neurons in the RF that provide presynaptic input to ELMs of the VRC and then we activated laryngeal receptors. Simulator outputs were compared to collected in vivo data. Computer simulations reproduced the temporal features of the LAR, and the unilateral effects of opioids on the LAR by increasing potassium conductance of presynaptic neurons, depressing presynaptic terminal excitability, and hyperpolarizing ELM populations. Simulations of the LAR and phasic breathing suggest that an important area of focus for modeling efforts will be (i) refining the spatiotemporal characteristics of the behavior, (ii) the potential role of NTS laryngeal interneuronal networks in the effects of opioids, and (iii) synaptic regulation of oscillatory behavior of the LAR.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NIH HL131716, 3OT2OD023854, and NS 110169.