bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The comparative and functional anatomy of the fore‐ and hind‐limb musculature of Humboldt's woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha): New insights into ape and human evolution from a (mediocre) suspensory platyrrhine
Authors: Deane Andrew Stewart 
Published: June 2021

Similar to other members of the platyrrhine subfamily Atelinae, Humboldt's wooly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha) is a ‘tail‐assisted’ brachiator that more frequently engages in non‐suspensory forms of locomotion (i.e. quadrupedal climbing). As a group the atelines share a suite of derived forelimb skeletal characters that are specialized for brachiation and that are convergent with ‘richochetal’ brachiating apes (Hylobates, Symphalangus), quadrumanus suspensory apes (Pongo) and secondarily terrestrial apes retaining suspensory capabilities (Pan, Gorilla). The skeletal anatomy of lagothrix is similar to more suspensory atelines (Ateles, Brachyteles) and living apes, but is typically less derived for suspension and many skeletal characters are intermediate between highly suspensory and non‐suspensory anthropoids. While the functional morphology of the ateline skeleton is well documented, relatively little is known about the comparative and functional morphology of the forelimb and hindlimb musculature. Specifically, can locomotor differences between Lagothrix and more suspensory atelines and hylobatids be explained, in part, as a result of differences in muscle‐tendon architecture?This study describes preliminary quantitative data on the muscle–tendon architecture (relative muscle mass and relative physiological cross‐sectional area or PCSA) of the fore‐ and hind‐limbs of Lagothrix lagotricha and Macaca sp. (n=9). Despite infrequent brachiation, Lagothrix forelimb relative muscle mass and PCSA is identical to similar results reported for hominoids. In contrast, the relative mass and PCSA of the hind‐limb musculature is most similar to quadrupedal monkeys (i.e. Macaca). Specifically, Lagothrix resembles hylobatids in the concentration of muscle mass and force in the flexor compartments of the arm and forearm but is more similar to Macaca in similar measures associated with the extensor and flexor thigh and leg. This suggests that despite a reduced reliance on suspensory postures and brachiation, Lagothrix forelimb muscle‐tendon architecture may be, at least in part, a response to the minimum functional demands of brachiation but that similar selection pressures are not as prevalent in the hind‐limb.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Ventricular transcriptomic changes induced by cold‐acclimation in the painted turtle suggests epigenetic‐mediated transcriptional remodeling
Authors: Fanter Cornelia E , Lin Zhenguo , Warren Daniel E 
Published: June 2021

Ectothermic vertebrates living at extreme latitudes are often forced to endure extended periods with their body temperatures at or just above the freezing point of water. Cold temperatures impose a number of physiological and biochemical challenges directly related to the thermodynamic effects on biological matter, including metabolic enzyme kinetics and even the physical properties of blood. The painted turtle, Chrysemys picta, is a pond turtle that can experience temperatures just above freezing for 3–5 months as adults and can tolerate freezing or even subzero temperatures as hatchlings. In the present study, we characterized how cold acclimation to 3°C affected the ventricular transcriptome in both adult and hatchling turtles. Because hatchlings must tolerate subzero temperatures when they overwinter in their nest, we sought to determine if they might also exhibit a unique gene expression pattern related to possible cryoprotective mechanisms. Despite differences in life history, adults and hatchlings responded similarly to cold acclimation at the transcriptomic level; out of the 1304 genes that were differentially expressed due to temperature, 1272 showed similar expression patterns in adults and hatchlings, the majority of which were upregulated. In adults and hatchlings combined, 776 genes were upregulated at 3°C, 550 genes were downregulated, of which 22 fell into both categories due to development‐specific expression patterns. Of these upregulated genes, 51 encoded for transcription factors, 27 for histone modification proteins, and 26 for mRNA processing and translational regulation enzymes. These results suggest that the ventricle actively remodels chromatin structure and modulates both gene expression and mRNA processing in response to cold acclimation.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by NSF CAREER grant 1253939 awarded to DEWThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Lentivirus‐ and shRNA‐based smooth muscle‐specific TRPC3 channel knockdown as an emerging therapeutic for asthma
Authors: Zheng Yun‐Min , Wang Yong‐Xiao 
Published: June 2021

A major pathological feature of asthma is airway smooth muscle (ASM) hyperresponsiveness, which is the rationale for using bronchodilators as the first‐line therapy for asthma. The molecular mechanisms for airway hyperresponsiveness remain incompletely understood. The transcription factor nuclear factor‐κB (NFκB) is increasing known to be important for asthma. Using the TFSEARCH program, we have found that NFκB has specific binding sites on the promoter region of canonical transient receptor potential‐3 (TRPC3) channel, a crucial player for numerous pathological cellular responses in a variety of cells. Our investigations have revealed that tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα), an important asthmatic mediator, could significantly augment the luciferase intensity in mouse ASM cells (ASMCs) transfected with TRPC3 channel promoter/PGL3 luciferase reporter vectors, indicating an increase in the channel promoter activity. The TNFα‐induced increase in TRPC3 channel promoter activity was blocked by specific NFκB inhibition. Similarly, NFκB‐dependent increased TRPC3 channel promoter activity was observed in ASMCs from mice with allergen‐evoked asthma. We have also demonstrated that among all 7 TRPC channel members, only TRPC3 channel showed a predominant functional activity in ASMCs. TRPC3 channel gene and protein expression levels were much higher in asthmatic mouse ASMCs. More importantly, intravenous or intranasal delivery of lentiviruses encoding the SMC promoter SM22α‐driven mouse TRPC3 channel shRNAs in mice caused a sufficient knockdown of the channel expression and function in ASMCs. The TRPC3 channel knockdown mice had no asthmatic airway hyperresponsiveness. Moreover, lentiviral shRNA‐based SMC‐specific TRPC3 channel knockdown blocked ASM remodeling (known as another major asthmatic pathological feature) in asthmatic mice. Taken together, we conclude that TRPC3 channel serves as an essential mediator of the functional role of the transcription factor NF‐κB in asthma; as such, NF‐κB underlies the asthmatic increase in TRPC3 channel promoter activity, expression and function in ASMCs, leading to airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling. Evidently, lentivirus‐ and shRNA‐based SMC‐specific TRPC3 channel knockdown is an emerging therapeutic for asthma.Support or Funding InformationHL122865This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Distinct ion transport in the marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) airway
Authors: Reznikov Leah Renee , Kuan Shin‐Ping , Liao Yan‐Shin J , Davis Katelyn , Messer Jonathan , Zubcevic Jasenka , Aguirre Jose Ignacio 
Published: June 2021

Hypertonic solutions increase airway surface liquid (ASL) through cholinergically‐mediated epithelial cell ion transport and osmosis. Thus, mammals inhabiting salt marshes might have acquired adaptations, including greater dependence upon cholinergic mechanisms, for ASL regulation. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the airways of the rice rat, a medium‐sized rodent that inhabits salt marshes. We discovered unique ion transport properties, including minimal amiloride‐sensitive Na+ absorption and limited Cl− secretion through the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. In contrast, the cholinergic agonist carbachol induced a large Cl− secretory current that was blocked by the calcium‐activated chloride channel inhibitor CaCCinh‐A01. Rice rat airway cultures also secreted fluid in response to carbachol, and when challenged with 3.5% NaCl apically to mimic exposure to sea water aerosols, displayed a prolonged expansion of the ASL volume. These data suggest that the rice rat airway might possess unique ion transport mechanisms to facilitate survival in the harsh salt marsh environment.Support or Funding InformationHL119560, 0T2TR001983, DE0237863This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Do Oral Contraceptives Change the Ventilatory Response to Group III/IV Skeletal Muscle Afferent Activation?
Authors: Vera Kathryn , Chantigian Daniel , Larson Mia , Keller‐Ross Manda 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundGroup III/IV skeletal muscle afferents increase ventilation (VE) during exercise. Estrogen has been show to attenuate group III/IV afferent activity. Further, oral contraceptives (OC) lower endogenous estrogen and have been shown to increase VE at rest, although the effect of OCs on VE when group III/IV afferents are activated remains unclear.ObjectiveDetermine the influence of OC use on VE in response to activation of group III/IV skeletal muscle afferents during steady state cycling in healthy, young women.MethodsFifteen women (24±2 years, mean ± SD, 8 OC‐users) completed two exercise sessions; once during the low estrogen/low hormone phase (LH, days 1–4 of the menstrual cycle for n‐OC; placebo pill for OC) and once during the high estrogen/high hormone phase (HH, days 10–14 of the menstrual cycle; active hormone pill for OC). Exercise sessions included 25 minutes of steady‐state cycling at a workload of 60W and speed of 65–70rpm. To activate group III/IV afferents, randomized sub‐systolic occlusion at three pressures (20mmHg, 60mmHg and 100 mmHg) were applied bilaterally to the proximal thigh via Hokanson cuffs (DE Hokanson, Inc., Bellevue, WA). After 3 minutes of control (CTL) exercise, cuffs were inflated for two minutes and deflated for five minutes intermittently during exercise. VE, respiratory rate (RR) and tidal volume (VT) were continuously monitored (Ultima CardiO2, MGC Diagnostics, St. Paul, MN).ResultsSub‐systolic circulatory occlusion increased VE from baseline exercise to 100 mmHg (CTL: 27.5±3.5L/min; 100 mmHg: 33.0±3.0 L/min, p<0.001). There were no differences in relative VE (%baseline exercise) following group III/IV afferent activation among OC versus n‐OC users at pressures of 20mmHg (5.9±4.9% vs. 10.2±10.3%, respectively), 60mmHg (15.4±7.5% vs. 12.2±5.4%, respectively) and 100mmHg (22.6±8.2% vs. 19.0±7.8%; respectively, p=0.08). Relative changes in RR and VT (%baseline exercise) also did not differ among OC versus n‐OC users at with increasing cuff occlusion pressures (RR: p=0.39; VT: p=0.37).ConclusionsAlthough OCs lower serum levels of sex hormones, the reduction in endogenous estrogen does not seem to influence the ventilatory response to group III/IV afferent activation in healthy, young women.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Acute Exercise Impairs Cognitive Function at High Altitude
Authors: Walsh Jeremy , King Trevor , Drouin Patrick , D'Urzo Katrina , Tschakovsky Michael , Day Trevor 
Published: June 2021

Ascent to high altitude can impair aspects of cognitive function in an altitude‐dependent manner. Interestingly, a single bout of aerobic exercise transiently improves cognitive function in normobaric hypoxia, suggesting that aerobic exercise may be an effective strategy for improving brain function at altitude, but this phenomenon has yet to be explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on cognitive function at low and high altitude in the Nepal Himalaya. Fifteen healthy volunteers (24.1±3.5yrs; 9 females) performed 20 minutes of aerobic exercise at 40–60% of their heart rate (HR) reserve at low (1400m) and high altitude (4370m) after 7 days of incremental ascent. Ascent‐related physiological data were collected in the morning before exercise including arterial blood pressure, HR, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, end‐tidal CO2 (PETCO2), and acute mountain sickness (AMS) scores. During exercise, participants wore HR monitors in order to maintain HR within the prescribed intensity zone. Cognitive function was assessed before and 10‐min after exercise using a battery of standardized iPad‐based tests (BrainBaseline, Digital Artefacts). A 2‐factor (Time × Condition) repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to examine differences in cognitive function before and after exercise (Time) at low and high altitude (Condition). Exploratory correlations were performed to investigate the relationship between changes in physiological measures with high‐altitude ascent and during exercise and changes in cognitive function. There was a significant interaction between altitude and exercise on a test of processing speed, working memory, and visuospatial attention, such that performance worsened following exercise at high altitude (P=0.02). In contrast, task‐switching abilities and inhibitory control remained unchanged after exercise. Higher baseline hemoglobin was associated with a decline in cognitive performance following exercise at high altitude (r= −0.58, P=0.01), whereas higher baseline PETCO2 was associated with improved cognitive performance following exercise at high altitude (r=0.54, P=0.03). Interestingly, there was no relationship between AMS scores and changes in cognitive function. In conclusion, acute aerobic exercise performed at high altitude impairs some measures of cognitive function, which may be impacted by physiological acclimatization during ascent. Future work should investigate the persistence of this post‐exercise decrement in cognitive function to help inform recommendations regarding decision‐making behaviors following exercise at high‐altitude.Support or Funding InformationNSERC Discovery, NSERC PGS, and Wilderness Medical Society Research In‐Training AwardThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Imaging to Detect Abnormalities in the Innervation and Microvasculature of the Developing Heart
Authors: Ford Stephanie , Karunamuni Ganga , Sheehan Megan , Jenkins Michael W , Watanabe Michiko W 
Published: June 2021

The developing heart is a challenge to image because of its small size, rapid morphogenesis, and complex 3‐D structure. Capturing function is even more challenging because the heart begins beating at an early stage. Our group has developed a suite of biophotonic tools to capture structure and function in a quail model of fetal alcohol syndrome, induced by a single administration of ethanol to the fertilized egg to mimic a first trimester binge drinking episode. The quail is a useful model because it develops a 4‐chambered heart, it is economical, and the embryos are more easily accessible than mouse embryos to biophotonic interrogation for longitudinal structure and function analysis. Ethanol exposure reduces survival and increases the prevalence of congenital malformations, including congenital heart defects. We have previously reported on structural heart defects in the outflow tract, great vessels, septation, and in cardiac valves, and we have discovered that certain compounds (e.g. betaine) can alleviate these negative effects.Prenatal ethanol is thought to induce cardiac abnormalities by damaging neural crest cells, which may cause abnormalities in their derivatives. Many studies, including ours, have focused on the consequences of neural crest cell disruption in the formation of abnormalities of the cardiac outflow tract. In our current studies we explore how ethanol exposure may disrupt cardiac innervation, coronary vasculature, and other important derivatives of the neural crest cells.Eggs were injected with an ethanol at gastrulation and incubated until the embryos form four chambered hearts. The heart were dissected and immunofluorescently stained as whole mounts with neuron‐specific tubulin (TUJ1) to label the autonomic innervation. Our preliminary findings demonstrate that ethanol‐treated embryos have fewer innervation branching points and ganglia on the ventral ventricular base than controls. We also found more splitting of the major nerve, the thoracic sympathetic cardiac branch of the vagus that runs along the ventral surface of the pulmonary artery. Filling the microvasculature with SLIME (Scattering Labeled Imaging of Microvascular in Excised tissues) revealed that ethanol exposure results in coronary microvascular misalignment and uneven vessel distribution. In summary, both innervation and coronary microvasculature of the heart are altered by ethanol exposure. These findings may have implications for the cardiac health risks of individuals exposed to ethanol prenatally.Support or Funding InformationNIH R01 HL126747, NIH R01 HL083048, NIH T32 HD060537This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Muscle metaboreflex modulation of post‐exercise heart rate kinetics
Authors: Tomczak Corey R , Rapin Nicole , Lahti Dana , Boyes Natasha G 
Published: June 2021

A delay in the post‐exercise recovery heart rate is a strong predictor of mortality that may be mediated by autonomic nervous system dysfunction (e.g., impaired parasympathetic reactivation and/or augmented sympathetic nerve activity, SNA). We tested the hypothesis that augmented SNA during exercise recovery would delay the rate of post‐exercise heart rate decay compared to a control condition (CTL). Twenty‐two healthy adults (13 f; 22 ± 2 yrs; peak VO2 = 47 ± 7.4 mL/kg/min; BMI = 23.4 kg/m2) performed heavy‐intensity exercise above the ventilatory threshold at 90 ± 6% peak heart rate for 5 min during CTL (no SNA augmentation) and during an experimental (EXP) condition. The EXP condition entailed SNA augmentation via the muscle metaboreflex following 2 min of bilateral isometric handgrip exercise at 30–40% maximal voluntary contraction during cycle ergometry exercise. Bilateral circulatory occlusion was performed during the last 1 min of exercise and continued during 4 min of recovery. Post‐exercise heart rate kinetics were analyzed using paired t‐tests and significant differences were determined when P < 0.05. There was no difference in end‐exercise heart rate (last 1 min) between CTL (159 ± 3 beats/min) and EXP (158 ± 3 beats/min, P = 0.592), amplitude of heart rate recovery between CTL (−61 ± 2 beats/min) and EXP (−64 ± 2 beats/min, P = 0.178), or end recovery heart rate between CTL (98 ± 3 beats/min) and EXP (94 ± 3 beats/min, P = 0.068). There was a significant difference in heart rate kinetics between CTL (57 ± 3 s) and EXP (69 ± 5 s, P = 0.009). These findings suggest that augmented SNA may modulate a delay in the recovery time for heart rate following heavy intensity exercise.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Parents exacerbated fructose intake causes early cardiovascular autonomic dysfunctions in offspring
Authors: dos Santos Camila Paixão , Silva Deiwet Ribeiro , Da Silva Dias Danielle , Araujo Amanda , Bernardes Nathalia , Conti Filipe Fernardes , Irigoyen Maria Cláudia , De Angelis Kátia 
Published: June 2021

The aim this study was to evaluate the effects on birth weight and metabolic, hemodynamic and autonomic profiles in offspring of parents submitted to chronic fructose overload. The Fructose genitor group was formed by adult Wistar rats (males and females) that underwent a fructose overload (10%) in drinking water for 60 days. The Control genitor group was formed by adult Wistar rats (males and females) who were only followed for the same period receiving a standard diet. Mating was carried out and the females continued to receive the same diet (fructose or standard) during all gestation and lactation. The offspring were weighed on the day of birth; the day of birth of the offspring was considered the day 0 (zero) of the protocol. After weaning, offspring were divided into group C (descendants of control parents, n = 7) and group F (descendants of fructose parents, n = 7). The groups were evaluated 30 days after weaning. Metabolic parameters were measured with reagent strips. Blood pressure (BP) were recorded directly. Cardiovascular autonomic modulation was evaluated by spectral analysis. Birth weight was lower in F when compared to C group (5.82 ± 0.06 vs. C: 6.42 ± 0.06 g). Regarding metabolic evaluations, the glucose and triglycerides were similar between studied groups. The mean (C: 106 ± 2.7 vs. F: 110 ± 3.4 mmHg), systolic and diastolic BP and the heart rate were similar between the groups studied. However, the F group showed lower cardiac parasympathetic modulation than C group, evidenced by a reduction in cardiac high frequency band (F: 74.40 ± 3.36 vs. C: 88.20 ± 2.21 nu) and higher cardiac sympathetic modulation (F: 25.60 ± 3.36 vs. C: 11.80 ± 2.21). Additionally, the F group showed increase in the sympatho‐vagal balance compared to the C group (0.37 ± 0.06 vs. C: 0.14 ± 0.03). Moreover, higher vascular sympathetic modulation, evidenced by increase of the low frequency band (F: 5.64 ± 1.17 vs. C: 2.25 ± 0.49 mmHg²), was observed in F in relation to C group. In conclusion, offspring of parents submitted to fructose overload present low birth weight and early cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in adult life. These findings suggest that the inadequate consumption of fructose from the parents may be associated with the onset of cardiovascular disease in offspring in adult life.Support or Funding InformationFAPESP (2018/17183‐4); CAPES, CNPq.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.