bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Channel catfish GLUT4 mRNA expression in various tissues and muscle changes in response to changes in feeding frequency
Authors: Schmidtberger Abigail Marie , Dougherty Megan , Abernathy Oaklee , Nevarez Ericka , Kostner Danica , Spainhour Rebekah , Kobayashi Yass 
Published: June 2021

Glucose transporter proteins (GLUT) facilitate the movement of glucose across cell membranes. Various GLUT proteins, including GLUT1, 2, and 4, are distributed in all tissues throughout the body. The activity and expression of GLUT4 is regulated by insulin, making it important in maintaining proper blood glucose levels in the body. Although the role of GLUT4 in metabolism has been well‐characterized in mammals, tissue distribution and relative changes in the mRNA expression of GLUT4 in channel catfish has not yet been examined. For this study, our objectives were to characterize GLUT4 in channel catfish by examining its expression in various tissues. Tissue distribution of GLUT4 mRNA was examined in the brain, heart, liver, muscle, spleen, kidney, small intestine, and large intestine by using quantitative RT‐PCR. The expression of GLUT4 mRNA was detectable in all of the tissues examined. However, its expression was highly detectable in the brain, muscle, spleen, kidney, and large intestine compared to the other tissues. Changes in muscle GLUT4 mRNA expression in response to changes in feeding frequency were also examined. Juvenile catfish were assigned to receive food once every 12, 24, or 48 hours for 28 days (n=4 tanks per treatment, 8 fish per tank). Expression of GLUT4 mRNA was measured from muscle samples after the completion of the study (n=2 fish per tank). Muscle GLUT4 mRNA was not affected by changes in feeding frequency (P>0.10). We are currently examining the effects of feeding frequency on GLUT4 mRNA expression in the brain of channel catfish.Support or Funding InformationThis project was supported by the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number P20GM103418.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Measurement of Muscle, Tendon, Ligament, Cartilage, and Bone Protein Synthesis Rates In Vivo in Humans
Authors: Smeets Joey , Horstman Astrid , Vles George , Emans Pieter , Goessens Joy , Gijsen Annemie , van Kranenburg Janneau , van Loon Luc 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionSkeletal muscle plasticity is reflected by a dynamic balance between protein synthesis and breakdown, with basal muscle protein synthesis rates typically ranging between 0.04 and 0.06 %/h. Though it is evident that other musculoskeletal tissues should also express some level of plasticity, protein synthesis rates of most of these tissues have never been assessed. The present study applies contemporary stable isotope methodology to assess basal muscle, tendon, ligament, bone, as well as cartilage protein synthesis rates in vivo in humans.MethodsSix otherwise healthy patients (62±3 y), scheduled to undergo unilateral total knee arthroplasty, were included in this study. Primed continuous intravenous infusions with L‐[ring‐13C6]‐Phenylalanine were initiated 2.5 h prior to surgery and continued during surgery. Throughout the surgical procedure the following tissue samples were obtained: muscle, tendon, cruciate ligaments, cartilage, bone, menisci, fat and synovium. Tissue‐specific fractional protein synthesis rates (%/h) were assessed by measuring the incorporation of labelled L‐[ring‐13C6]‐Phenylalanine in tissue protein and were compared with muscle tissue protein synthesis rates using a paired t test.ResultsProtein bound L‐[ring‐13C6]‐Phenylalanine enrichments did not differ substantially between the different musculoskeletal tissues and skeletal muscle, except for notch bone tissue (P<0.01). Highest enrichment levels were observed in synovium derived protein (0.029±0.008 MPE) and lowest enrichment levels in patellar bone tissue protein (0.005±0.002 MPE). Tendon, bone, cartilage, fat, anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, and menisci tissue protein synthesis rates averaged 0.06±0.01, 0.03±0.01, 0.04±0.01, 0.11±0.03, 0.07±0.02, 0.04±0.01, and 0.04±0.01 %/h, respectively, and did not significantly differ from skeletal muscle protein synthesis rates (0.04±0.01 %/h; P>0.05). Synovium derived protein and notch bone tissue protein synthesis rates were respectively higher and lower compared to skeletal muscle protein synthesis rates (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively).ConclusionBasal protein synthesis rates in various musculoskeletal tissues are within the same range of skeletal muscle protein synthesis rates, with fractional muscle, tendon, bone, cartilage, ligament and menisci tissue protein synthesis rates ranging between 0.02 and 0.13 % per hour.Support or Funding InformationThis study received no specific grant from any funding agency.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Deubiquitinase UCHL1 Regulates Myogenesis in Skeletal Muscles
Authors: Gao Hongbo , Wu Penglong , Wang Xuejun , Li Yifan 
Published: June 2021

Myogenesis is crucial for skeletal muscle regeneration in injury and disease. This multi‐step process is closely regulated by several myogenic factors. Timely activation and inactivation of these factors require ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS)‐mediated protein degradation. In this aspect, deubiquitinases (DUBs) could also play a role in myogenesis. Ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is a DUB that is highly expressed in the brain. Though undetectable in adult skeletal muscles, UCHL1 protein level is significantly increased in injured muscles. However, the functional significance of UCHL1 in skeletal muscles is unknown. Using in vitro and in vivo approaches, this study tested a hypothesis that UCHL1 can play a role in skeletal muscle myogenesis and regeneration.Our data show that UCHL1 protein level was gradually downregulated during myoblast C2C12 differentiation. Knockdown of UCHL1 expression significantly reduced C2C12 cell proliferation. In contrast, UCHL1 knockdown markedly accelerated cell differentiation, evidenced by more myotubes in UCHL1 deficient cells, which was accompanied by significant upregulation of myogenic factors.In mouse muscles, UCHL1 was expressed by type I and IIa muscle fibers. Denervation increased UCHL1 protein levels in muscle fibers, which was completely abolished in muscles from the mice with UCHL1 skeletal muscle specific knockout (smKO). smKO mice showed reduced satellite cells in soleus and declined type I fiber number. Moreover, smKO muscles exhibited right shift of fiber distribution and a remarkable loss of type I muscle fiber upon denervation as compared with wildtype ones. These observations further suggest the potential involvement of UCHL1 in myogenesis for the regeneration of type I fibers.Support or Funding InformationNIH grants No. 1R15HL118696 and 1R03AG051926 and USD SSOM BBS bridge grant, CBBRe pilot grant, PQCD pilot grant.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Remote Transplantation of Human Adipose‐derived Stem Cells Induces Regression of Cardiac Hypertrophy by Regulating the Macrophage Polarization in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Lee Tsung‐Ming , Yang Chen‐Chia 
Published: June 2021

Left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension has prognostic significance on cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Cardioprotection by stem cell therapy can be evoked through extracardiac paracrine approaches. Recently, we have shown that butylidenephthalide (BP) improves adipose‐derived stem cell (ADSC) engraftment via attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This prompted us to investigate whether remote transplantation of stem cells confers attenuated left ventricular hypertrophy at an established phase of hypertension. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) aged 12 weeks were randomly allocated to receive hamstring injection of vehicle, ADSCs, and BP‐preconditioned ADSCs for 8 weeks. As compared with untreated SHRs, naïve ADSCs decreased the ratio of left ventricular to body weight, cardiomyocyte cell size, and collagen deposition independent of hemodynamic changes. These changes were accompanied by attenuated myocardial ROS production and increased p‐STAT3 levels. At day 3 after implantation into the right hamstring muscle, SHR treated with vehicle was associated with increased myocardial M1 macrophage infiltration, which can be inhibited by either naïve ADSCs or BP‐preconditioned ADSCs. However, compared with naïve ADSCs, BP‐preconditioned ADSCs provided a further decrease of ROS and left ventricular hypertrophy and an increase of local ADSC engraftment, STAT3 phosphorylation, STAT3 activity, STAT3 nuclear translocation, myocardial IL‐10 levels and the percentage of M2 macrophage infiltration. SIN‐1 or 3SI‐201 reversed the effects of BP‐preconditioned ADSCs increase on myocardial IL‐10 levels. Furthermore, SIN‐1 abolished the phosphorylation of STAT3, whereas superoxide levels were not affected following the inhibition of STAT3. Our results highlighted the feasibility of remote transplantation of ADSCs can be considered as an alternative procedure to reverse cardiac hypertrophy. BP‐pretreated ADSCs polarize macrophages into M2 immunoregulatory cells more efficiently than naïve ADSCs via ROS/STAT3 pathway.Support or Funding InformationnilThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
A Conceptual Framework for the Core Concept of Cell Membrane
Authors: Michael Joel , Modell Harold 
Published: June 2021

The core concepts of physiology are descriptions of phenomena that have great explanatory power in every area of physiology. They are “big ideas” that are comprised of many smaller ideas. The process of “unpacking” a core concept yields a hierarchically arranged statement of the sub‐ideas that we have called a conceptual framework (CF). Our goal has been to produce CFs that will facilitate teaching and learning physiology.We have unpacked three of the core concepts (homeostasis, flow down gradients, and cell‐cell communication) and validated the resulting conceptual frameworks with feedback from the physiology teaching community; this work has been reported in Advances in Physiology Education.Here we present our conceptual framework for the core concept of cell membrane. We have chosen to describe both the structure of the membrane and the functions of the various components making up the membrane. Cells and their membranes are, of course, present in every part of the organism.Preliminary feedback from a small number of physiology teachers suggest that our unpacking has captured those ideas that can be used as tools by both teachers of physiology and their students.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Spatial Patterning of Scleral Papillae in the Embryonic Chicken Eye
Authors: Giffin Jennifer L. , Hayes Molly , Andrews Daniel DT. , Zinck Nicholas W. , Franz‐Odendaal Tamara A. 
Published: June 2021

The anterior portion of the eye in birds is supported by a ring of bony elements within the sclera, constituting the scleral ossicles. These intramembranous bones are induced by a series of transient papillae in the overlying conjunctival epithelium during embryonic development. A well‐defined spatiotemporal pattern of formation is followed, resulting in a complete circle of 13–16 evenly‐spaced papillae per eye in the chicken embryo. The regular distribution and variable number of papillae in this system give it a strong similarity to other reaction‐diffusion models of patterning, such as feather and carapace formation, in which short‐range activation is coupled with long‐range inhibition. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate whether scleral papillae are formed through a reaction‐diffusion mechanism in the embryonic chicken eye. To carry out this study, chicken embryos at Hamburger and Hamilton stages 28–34 (5.5–8 days post fertilization) were collected, corresponding to the induction and formation of a complete set of scleral papillae. Quantitative morphometrical analyses were performed on dissected eyes, confirming that while eye size increases throughout development, the spacing between the papillae does not. Computer modelling using the Meinhardt‐Gierer equation indicates that scleral papillae development likely follows the typical Turing mechanism of reaction‐diffusion pattern formation. Quantitative PCR on discrete papillary and interpapillary regions will enable us to study the interactions of known signalling molecules including Hedgehog (Hh), Bone Morphogenic Proteins (BMPs), Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) and Wingless (Wnt). The results of this study provide considerable insight into the spacing pattern of scleral papillae. A reaction‐diffusion mechanism explains the ability of scleral papillae to maintain their even distribution regardless of differences in numbers among species or between left and right eyes in the same individual. Identifying the signalling pathways implicated in scleral papillae spacing would further enhance our understanding of not only the position, but also the size and shape of the scleral ossicles as compensation for gaps in the sclerotic ring is known to occur.Support or Funding InformationThis research was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Functional and 3D Ultrastructural Characteristics of a Cement Gland in a Giant Danio (D. cf. malabaricus)
Authors: Coffing Gabrielle C. , Nelson Hannah M. , Hester Kamil , Veillard Maeva , Ostreicher Samantha , Higginbotham Clay , Tomamichel Wendy , Lafontant Pascal 
Published: June 2021

Cement glands are transient ectodermally‐derived adhesive organs found in the larval stage of several aquatic species. We have identified a transient structure on the apical aspect of a giant danio (Devario cf. malabaricus) head, a member of the danioninae subfamily of cyprinids. We hypothesize that this structure is a cement gland (CG), the primary adhesive organ of the giant danio (GD), and that its cellular components support its function. Using a novel adhesion assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and serial block face‐scanning electron microscopy (SBF‐SEM), we investigated the function of the CG and the structures of the cells that constitute it. Our studies have shown that the gland produces a glycoconjugates‐containing mucus that allows larvae to attach to surfaces in their environments. The larvae remain attached until day 5 when they begin swimming. Lectin staining and SEM revealed that the CG is composed primarily of goblet and epithelial cells organized in a lattice‐like pattern. These studies also show that the CG disappears by week 2. TEM confirms that the CG consists of elongated goblet cells containing granules of varying electron densities. These cells are framed apically by intercalated epithelial cells, and basally by a layer of squamous epithelium. Finally, we used SBF‐SEM and Amira 6 to reconstruct the three dimensional spatial relationship of these cells. To our knowledge, this is the first functional and ultrastructural study of a CG in a danioninae. Our results suggest that the cement gland is an important organ in GD development.Support or Funding InformationDePauw FDC, SRF, Faculty FellowshipThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Anatomy of the Respiratory System of the African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)
Authors: Lawson Adam B. , Echols M Scott , Schachner Emma R. 
Published: June 2021

The morphology and function of the avian respiratory system has been studied and debated for over a century due to its distinct features, such as: unidirectional airflow, aerodynamic valves, and a volume‐constant lung ventilated by non‐vascularized, compliant air sacs. Intra‐ and interspecific variation in the shape, size, and number of avian bronchi and ventilatory air sacs has been described from gross dissections and latex injections, but little has been done to describe the three dimensional (3D) morphology and variation of the avian respiratory system in situ, largely due to the destructive nature of dissection. This research aims to generate a detailed anatomical description and 3D digital models of the lower respiratory system of the African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus). Four micro‐computed tomography (micro CT) datasets of deceased P. erithacus specimens were segmented to produce 3D tetrahedral surface meshes of the pulmonary tree, lung surfaces, air sac surfaces, and skeleton. The anatomical models were then validated via latex injections. Bronchial tree measurements of P. erithacus (n=8) were collected for intraspecific and interspecific comparisons with two other well‐studied archosaurian taxa: the ostrich (Struthio camelus, n=10) and the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis, n=10). Similarities in the relationships between the carina and the first four large secondary airways of the bronchial tree suggest a role in maintaining unidirectional airflow patterns in these taxa that would have been present in a common ancestor. In some P. erithacus specimens, the cervical air sacs were found to have a broad, thin, and sub‐sternal expansion that extended caudally to encapsulate more than half the ventral abdominal viscera. In another specimen, the right and left abdominal air sacs merged along the midline to form a single, common abdominal sac. These results suggest that the shape and extent of the air sacs in P. erithacus are more variable than previously described for other avian taxa. The models, which will be made available as a detailed 3D digital anatomical atlas through the Grey Parrot Anatomy Project, will likely become an invaluable resource to avian veterinarians for surgical planning.Support or Funding InformationAssociation of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) Research Grant AwardThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Average Diameter of Fibrous Bundles Connecting the Optic Nerve to the Optic Sheath Decreases with Increased Intracranial Pressure
Authors: East Lauren , Newell Maegan , Awalgral Parth , Earnest Brittany , Heger Ian , Gibson Robert W. , Lyon Matthew 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) on the fiber bundles connecting the optic nerve to the optic sheath in a swine model.MethodsIncreased ICP was induced in an anesthetized swine model by passing a catheter through a drilled opening into the epidural space. ICP was monitored continuously. Post euthanasia and enucleation of the swine eyes, a section of optic nerve sheath, with the intact nerve, was removed from both the control and experimental swine model. The tissue was fixed overnight in paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde in a sodium cacodylate buffer, postfixed in osmium tetroxide in a sodium cacodylate buffer, dehydrated with a graded ethanol series, and critical point dried with carbon dioxide. The dried control and experimental model sections were mounted and imaged using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Images of the trabecular meshwork were taken radially around the optic nerve at several magnifications. The images were segmented and analyzed using the ImageJ plug‐in DiameterJ. Segmentation quality was confirmed using image subtraction of the original image from the segmented image and vice versa. All images had false positive and false negative total percentages of less than 5% of all pixels. Image overlays of the segmented and original images confirmed this qualitatively.ResultsMean and median fiber bundle diameters were recorded for a total of 61 images. 30 (49.1%) of the images analyzed were from the control sample and 31 (50.9%) were from the experimental sample. An analysis of variance found that both the mean (.52 μm) and median (.62 μm) fibrous bundle diameters were significantly different (smaller) for the experimental model as compared to the control (.73 μm and .85 μm) respectively (p<.0001). The relationship between mean and median fibrous bundle diameters and sample (control or experimental) was not significantly correlated to radial location (relative to the optic nerve) or magnification of the image based on analyses of covariance.ConclusionThis research demonstrates that in a swine model the fibrous bundles of the optic sheath's connections to the optic nerve are statistically different (smaller) after exposure to increased ICP. Future research will evaluate if the thinning is caused by increased ICP, by increasing the sample size and using other methods to induce increased ICP. Future research may impact the current understanding of traumatic brain injury.Support or Funding InformationMedical Scholars Program, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Summer 2017This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Morphological and morphometric study of the cervical vagus nerve myelinated fibers in acute and chronic experimental diabetes.
Authors: Fontanesi Lucas Baptista , Ferrão Ana Clara Miotello , Neri Letícia Oliveira , Fazan Valéria Paula Sassoli 
Published: June 2021

The literature is scarce on pathological studies of the vagus nerve in patients known to have chronic autonomic diabetic neuropathy. Most of the morphological studies of the vagus nerve in experimental diabetes involve the study of the abdominal segment of this nerve or its mesenteric branches. In these studies, the authors demonstrate a presence of diabetic neuropathy and characterize the dying back process of this neuropathy. However, the morphological lesions described by these authors are exclusive of the unmyelinated fibers, since in these segments, the vagus nerve no longer presents myelinated fibers. The objective of the present study was to investigate the existence of morphological and morphometric alterations of the cervical vagus nerve myelinated fibers in acute and chronic experimental diabetes. Male Wistar rats received a single injection of streptozotocin (40mg/kg) 15 days (n = 6) or 12 weeks (n = 6) prior to the experiments. Control rats (n = 6) received equal volume of citrate buffer solution. Proximal and distal segments of the cervical vagus nerves had their fascicle and myelinated fibers and respective axons measured with the aid of computer software. The morphometric data comparison was performed between segments in the same nerve, sides and groups and differences were considered significant when p <0.05. Our results show that there are alterations in the morphology and morphometry of myelinated fibers and axons of the vagus nerve in diabetic animals, especially in their distal segments in both experimental groups. However, in the chronic diabetic group the alterations were more evident and committed the proximal segments. Thus, the results suggest a presence of axonal neuropathy in the vagus nerve due to experimental diabetes, and that alterations were progressive in a time dependent manner.Support or Funding InformationFAEPA, CAPES and CNPqThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.