bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Role for the MRN‐CtIP complex in Schizosaccharomyces pombe Non‐Homologous End‐Joining (NHEJ)
Authors: Li Yanhui , Runge Kurt 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo elucidate the mechanisms for that allow Hermes transposon excision from the S. pombe genome.ResultsMRN (Mre11‐Rad50‐Nbs1) ‐CtIP complexes are key players in double‐strand break repair from yeasts to humans. The role of MRN‐CtIP in NHEJ is unclear owing to the differing results in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. pombe: while both yeasts require Ku and DNA ligase IV to join the ends of transfected linear plasmids, only S. cerevisiae requires its MRN‐CtIP complex. The excision of the hAT transposon Hermes uncovered a role for MRN‐CtIP in S. pombe NHEJ. hAT transposons produce an 8 bp target site duplication (TSD) upon insertion, and excise by forming DNA hairpins on each side of the chromosomal break. In Maize and Drosophila, hAT transposon excision yields NHEJ repair events that retain both TSDs, while S. cerevisiae events have much larger deletions. In S. pombe, excision yields repair events that retain both TSDs, and efficient repair requires Ku70, DNA ligase IV and each component of MRN‐CtIP. Mutants that eliminate Mre11 dimerization, but not those that eliminate Mre11 nuclease activities, also greatly reduce repair.ConclusionS. pombe does utilize its MRN‐CtIP complex for NHEJ, and the Mre11 dimerization domain plays an important role. Repair events in S. pombe are more similar to those in metazoans compared to the events in S. cerevisiae, which show a greater amount of resection prior to end‐joining.Source of research support: NIH R01GM050752 and NIH R01AG019960
Hepatic MGAT1 is directly regulated by PPARγ2 and promotes fatty liver
Authors: lee yoojeong , Kim Jae-woo 
Published: June 2021

There are two biochemical patheways for triacylglycerol (TG) synthesis, the glycerol 3‐phosphate pathway and the MGAT pathway. MGAT pathway is merely involved in the TG biosynthesis because of the very low expression and activity of MGAT1 in normal liver. However, MGAT1 expression increased robustly in liver of ob/ob mice. We found that MGAT1 is upregulated in high fat fed B6 mice but not in C3H mice, which do not express PPARγ in liver. This indicates that MGAT1 is one of the target genes regulated by PPARγ. Moreover, the experiment using adenoviral‐PPARγ2 showed that MGAT1 mRNA level was increased by PPARγ2. Overexpression of MGAT1 dramatically increased the lipid droplets, suggesting that MGAT1 is responsible for the increased TG synthesis. Moreover, B6 mice injected with adenoviral‐MGAT1 resulted in significantly increased TG level in liver. These findings suggest that enhanced TG synthesis may be due to activated MGAT1 pathway by overexpression of MGAT1, indirectly glycerol 3‐phosphate pathway. Taken together, we concluded that PPARγ upregulates MGAT1 expression, thereby promoting alternative pathway of TG synthesis, which resulted in the hepatic steatosis.This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) (No. 2011‐0030711 and 2011‐0015665).
Adhesion of albumin to FDA type II soft contact lenses
Authors: Harkas Youstina , Harkas Maryam , Nichols Jessica , Cooper Danielle , Janoff Andrea , Keith Edward O. 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveHuman tears have over 60 different proteins that deposit on contact lenses. Protein deposits on contact lenses can cause conjunctival irritation and bacterial infection. The adhesion of albumin to omafilcon A soft contact lenses was examined.MethodsLenses were incubated for 1 – 4 days in a 2.0 mg/dl albumin solution. The protein concentration in the incubation vials and protein deposition on the lenses was determined each day.ResultsAlbumin deposited on the lenses in a steadily increasing fashion, while the albumin concentration in the incubation solution decreased, especially in the vials in which the lenses were incubated the longest.DiscussionHuman serum albumin is a single peptide chain of 585 amino acids that binds and releases a variety of hydrophobic molecules. Previous studies report that albumin deposits more on hydrophobic surfaces compared to hydrophilic surfaces. Omafilcon lenses are coated with phosphorylcholine which may reduce adhesion by the hydrophobic domains of albumin.ConclusionIn this study, the negatively charged tear protein albumin absorbed in a linear fashion to the slightly negative omafilcon material, consistent with the findings of others that albumin deposits on contact lenses in a concentration‐dependent way with a single timescale.Supported by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences and an NSU President's Faculty Research and Development Grant.
Assessment of appendicular lean mass in older adults
Authors: Ellis Amy , Gower Barbara 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveDual energy x‐ray absorptiometery (DXA) is a robust method to quantify appendicular lean mass (aLM), but cost and instrumentation limit the use of DXA beyond research purposes. Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) is a portable, inexpensive method to estimate fat‐free mass. In 1994, Organ et al introduced a simple BIA protocol to assess aLM from BIA [1]. The objective of this study was to compare estimates of aLM by this BIA protocol to the reference standard of DXA among healthy older adults.MethodsBased on median body mass index (BMI; 27.4), 35 healthy men and women, ages 65–87, were categorized as low BMI (<27.4) or high BMI (≥27.4). Fat‐free mass of the upper and lower extremities was measured by DXA and BIA. Arm and leg lean mass from each method was summed for a composite of aLM.ResultsAlthough BIA aLM was correlated with DXA aLM (p<0.001), the mean percentage error between BIA and DXA was greater for men vs women (21.4% vs 4.0%) and among high BMI vs low BMI groups (15.8% vs 0.7%). Paired t‐tests confirmed that BIA underestimated aLM for men and those in the high BMI group (p<0.001).ConclusionsCaution is warranted in the application of this segmental BIA protocol for older adults. These data suggest that estimates of aLM from BIA are significantly underestimated among men and individuals with BMI ≥ 27.This work was supported by 1F31AT005384‐01 and UAB Center for Aging.
Metal transport, subcellular localization, and tissue distribution of Zip8, a Zip14 homologue
Authors: Wang Chia-Yu , Jenkitkasemwong Supak , Sparkman Brian K. , Shawki Ali , Mackenzie Bryan , Knutson Mitchell 
Published: June 2021

We have previously demonstrated that Zip14, a member of the ZIP family of metal‐ion transport proteins, can transport zinc and iron into cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate metal transport, subcellular localization, and tissue distribution of Zip8, the most closely related protein to Zip14. Similar to Zip14, we found that transient transfection of HEK 293T cells with Zip8 cDNA enhanced the cellular uptake of iron and zinc, and that Zip8 is detectable at the cell surface as a transmembrane glycoprotein. Expression of Zip8 in RNA‐injected Xenopus oocytes stimulated between 15 and 150‐fold over control the uptake of 109Cd2+, 57Co2+, 55Fe2+, and 65Zn2+, but not 64Cu (I or II). Zip8‐mediated transport of 55Fe2+ (K0.5 ≈ 0.5 μM) was maximal at pH ≈ 7.5. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis of RNA from various human tissues revealed that Zip8 is most abundantly expressed in lung and placenta, whereas Zip14 is most abundant in liver and heart. We conclude that, although Zip8 and Zip14 have similar metal transport profiles, their distinct tissue distributions suggest that they serve nonredundant functions in metal metabolism. Funded by NIH.Grant Funding Source: NIH
The Role of Autophagy in Radiation Induced Salivary Gland Dysfunction
Authors: Morgan Maria 
Published: June 2021

Radiation of the head and neck region for cancer treatment causes salivary gland dysfunction. Autophagy is a “nutrient sensing” mechanism within cells that is upregulated during times of stress that is a cell survival mechanism, it may prove beneficial in salivary gland function. The objective is to determine the role of autophagy in salivary gland function following radiation. We use Aqp5‐Cre mice that allow us to specifically impair autophagy in the salivary acinar cell. Autophagy deficient mice have higher levels of cell death after radiation. This shows that autophagy may be necessary for acinar cell survival after radiation. DRAM increased after radiation in a p53 dependent manner. There is no DRAM expression in autophagy deficient mice showing DRAM may be correlated with induction of autophagy. This is critical because it is unknown whether DRAM acts in induction of autophagy or apoptosis. Current studies are focusing on salivary gland function of autophagy deficient mice after radiation. This knowledge will help us prepare therapies for those suffering from side effects of radiotherapy and greatly improve their quality of life while decreasing their financial burden.Grant Funding Source : RC1DE020335
Fluorescence Compared to Brightfield Detection of CD35 in Lymphoid Follicles of the Monkey to Assess Immunomodulatory Treatment Effect
Authors: Brodbeck Jens , Chu Felix , Edick Melissa Gonzales , Rangell Linda , Bheddah Sheila , Cain Gary 
Published: June 2021

AimsLymphoid follicles of secondary lymphoid organs are dynamic structures inducible by immunization and/or inflammatory stimulation. Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) are specialized antigen‐presenting cells exclusive to the germinal centers (GC) of lymphoid follicles. Within the GC, FDC's form a reticular network that sustains the architecture of lymphoid follicles and interact with the GC B cells via several mechanisms including complement receptors such as CD35. The expression of CD35 in lymphoid follicles is therefore a measure of the efficacy of immunomodulatory (IMM) treatment strategies.MethodsCD35 in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded spleen sections of cynologous monkeys was detected with a mouse monoclonal antibody and visualized using a polyclonal secondary antibody coupled to either horse‐radish peroxidase for DAB precipitation or the fluorophore Alexa647. Digital brightfield and fluorescence images (20x) were acquired on a Nanozoomer 2HT (Hamamatsu) and Ariol SL‐50 (Genetix) whole slide scanner respectively. Images were quantified using Definiens Developer software.ResultsFluorescence significantly increased the dynamic range of CD35 compared to chromogen. Fluorescence signal intensities ranged from 0 – 256 compared to 0 – 0.8 using chromogen. Both detection methods showed a small but significant decrease in follicular CD35 following IMM treatment without resolving dose effects. However the increased dynamic range of fluorescent CD35 allowed a robust distinction between follicles containing germinal centers and those without. Thus a clear dose effect after IMM treatment could be resolved using fluorescence, but not chromogen for CD35 detection.
Distinct generation, pharmacology, and distribution of sphingosine 1‐phosphate and dihydro‐sphingosine 1‐phosphate in human neural progenitor cells
Authors: Callihan Phillip , Zitomer Nicholas C. , Stoeling Michael V. , Kennedy Perry C. , Lynch Kevin R , Riley Ronald T. , Hooks Shelley B. 
Published: June 2021

Studies suggest a crucial role for Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) and its receptors in nervous system development. Dihydrosphingosine 1‐phosphate (dhS1P), a reduced form of S1P, is an agonist at S1P receptors, but the biology of dhS1P has not been widely studied. The mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a potent inhibitor of ceramide synthases and causes selective accumulation of dihydrosphingosine and dhS1P. Maternal exposure to FB1 correlates with the development of neural tube defects in which the neural epithelial progenitor cells of the developing brain fail to fuse. We hypothesize that the altered balance of S1P and dhS1P in neural epithelial cells contributes to the developmental effects of FB1. We defined the effect of FB1 exposure on levels of sphingosine and dh‐sphingosine and their receptor active 1‐phosphates in human neural progenitor (hES‐NEP) cells, and the relative activity of dhS1P and S1P in these cells. We found that dhS1P is a more potent stimulator of inhibition of cAMP and Smad phosphorylation than is S1P, and this difference in apparent potency may be due, in part, to more persistent presence of extracellular dhS1P applied to hES‐NEP cells rather than a higher activity at S1P receptors. This study establishes hES‐NEP cells as a useful human in vitro model system to study FB1 toxicity and the molecular pharmacology of sphingolipid signaling.Research supported by: NIH & UGA Research Foundation
Effect of N‐Acetyl‐Seryl‐Aspartyl‐Lysyl‐Proline (Ac‐SDKP) on intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) and proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM)
Authors: Nakagawa Pablo , Rhaleb Nour-Eddine , Chen Xiaojuan , Liao Tang- Dong , Smolarek Derek M. , Yang Xiao-Ping , Liu Yun-He , Carretero Oscar A. 
Published: June 2021

The naturally occurring tetrapeptide Ac‐SDKP improves cardiac function in EAM. We hypothesize that in EAM, Ac‐SDKP interferes with leukocyte infiltration and this is mediated by the reduction of ICAM‐1, cytokine and chemokine expression. EAM was induced in rats by porcine cardiac myosin and treated with vehicle or Ac‐SDKP (800 μg/kg/day). Cardiac inflammation was graded according to a four‐tier system. Infiltration of macrophage and T helper cells were quantified by immunohistochemistry. ICAM‐1 was detected by Western blot. Chemokines and cytokines were quantified using a proteomic cytokine array. Ac‐SDKP reduced cardiac inflammation (EAM: 2.2 ± 0.2 A.U. vs. EAM + Ac‐SDKP: 1.5 ± 0.2**A.U.), infiltration of macrophages (257 ± 37 vs.138 ± 9* ED‐1 cells/mm2) and T helpers (148 ± 20 vs. 97 ± 17* CD4 cells/mm2), ICAM‐1 (2.918 ± 0.880 vs. 0.012 ± 0.002** A.U.), interleukin1α (IL‐1α )(1.6 ± 0.4 vs. 0.1 ± 0.1**A.U.), and cytokine‐inducible neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC‐1) (1.2 ± 0.2 vs.0.2 ± 0.1*A.U.). In conclusion, Ac‐SDKP prevents leukocyte infiltration, which may be mediated by a reduction of ICAM‐1, IL‐1α and CINC‐1 expression.Supported by NIH HL028982
Active transepithelial Cl−‐secretion promotes hydrostatic lung edema
Authors: Solymosi Esther Andrea , Kaestle Stephanie M , Vadász István , Wang Liming , Morty Rory , Kuebler Wolfgang M 
Published: June 2021

Hydrostatic lung edema evolves from increased fluid filtration and inhibition of epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC) that facilitate alveolar fluid clearance. Recently, we identified alveolar fluid secretion (AFS) as new key component in edema formation. Here, we tested whether Cl− secretion via cystic fibrosis transmemberane conductance regulator (CFTR) and Na+‐K+‐Cl− cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) may mediate AFS at elevated left atrial pressure (PLA) and may be induced by inhibition of ENaC.In isolated lungs, we quantified AFS by a double indicator dilution technique, and transepithelial Cl− flux by radionuclide tracing and alveolar Cl− imaging. PLA elevation induced lung edema and AFS that coincided with transepithelial Cl− secretion and alveolar Cl− influx. These effects were blocked by inhibitors of CFTR, NKCC or Na+‐K+‐ATPase, and CFTR−/− mice were protected from hydrostatic edema. Inhibition of ENaC by amiloride at physiologicalPLA induced AFS and Cl− secretion that were again CFTR‐, NKCC‐ and Na+‐K+‐ ATPase dependent.We conclude that transepithelial Cl− and fluid flux reverse from absorptive to secretory mode at hydrostatic stress as a result of ENaC inhibition, and are mediated by NKCC and CFTR.
Arterial pressure and ventilation in sodium depleted rats
Authors: De Paula Patricia M , Favero Michele T , Menani Jose Vanderlei 
Published: June 2021

In the present study, we investigated the cardiorespiratory responses to sodium depletion (SD) in awake rats. Male Holtzman rats (300 g, n=9) with catheters inserted into the abdominal aorta, for recording mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), were used. Ventilation (VE) was measured by whole body plethysmograph method. MAP, HR and VE were recorded in normovolemic (NORMO, before SD), in depleted (24 h of SD) and repleted rats (after two hours of access to 1.8% NaCl and water). SD was produced by the treatment with the diuretic furosemide (20 mg/kg of body weight) injected subcutaneously followed by 24 h of sodium‐deficient diet. SD did not modify baseline MAP (104±4 mmHg, vs. NORMO: 105±4 mmHg) or baseline HR (334±20 bpm, vs. NORMO: 379±13 bpm), however increased VE (708±107 ml/min/kg, vs. NORMO: 478 ± 60 ml/min/kg, p<0.05). The increase in VE was due to the increase in the tidal volume (VT, 7±0.6 ml/kg, vs. NORMO: 5±0.4 ml/kg, p<0.05), without changing respiratory frequency (fR, 99±8 cpm vs. NORMO: 85 ± 6 cpm). An increased VE similar to SD was maintained in repleted rats (640±33 ml/min/kg). The results suggest that sodium depletion may affect the modulation of baseline VT producing increases in VE, without significantly changing fR.Supported by: CAPES, FAPESP and CNPq
A rare pattern of brachial artery variation
Authors: Jacomo Alfredo Luiz , Akamatsu Flávia , Saleh Samir , Andrade Mauro 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionUnlike venous system, variations in arterial anatomy are less frequent and most of them affect visceral arteries. In limbs, variations of the brachial artery are the most reported and at least six different patterns have been described so far. The commonest is the superficial brachial artery which lies superficially to the median nerve. Much less prevalent are the high origin of the radial artery (brachioradial artery) or the existence of a doubled brachial artery (accessory brachial artery). We present a previously undescribed pattern of brachial artery variation.DescriptionDuring dissection of the right upper limb of a 60 year‐old male embalmed cadaver, we found the bifurcation of the brachial artery in the proximal portion of the middle third of the arm. Its medial branch reaches the medial aspect of the arm, posterior to the median nerve. Afterwards, this medial branch redirects laterally and crosses again the median nerve, this time lying anterior to the nerve until it reaches the lateral aspect of the arm. At the elbow level, the medial branch originates the radial artery. The lateral branch of the brachial artery remains lateral to the median nerve and continues as ulnar artery and originates the interosseus artery.
Validity and Reliability of a Novel 3D Measurement Approach of the Acetabulum
Authors: Martin Charys M , Turgeon James G , Rice Charles L , Wilson Timothy D 
Published: June 2021

The hip joint is a frequent site of osteoarthritis. Advances in diagnosis and treatment are limited due to the lack of reliable measures for quantifying hip morphology. Current diagnostic measures of the hip are performed with predetermined measures in 2D planes, but these do not fully account for morphological variation nor do they utilize 3D capabilities of CT and MR. A valid and reliable measurement modality describing the entire geometry of the hip is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment of hip disease. A 3D measurement approach was developed and proved to be valid and reliable for the proximal femur. The purpose here was to assess the validity and reliability of the same 3D approach on acetabular morphometry. The technique was applied to 45 cadaveric acetabuli (23 Right; 9 Female) and their digitally reconstructed CT models. Preliminary results indicate this measurement approach is not valid with significant differences detected between the cadaveric and digital measurements, p < 0.05. However, the digital measurements had excellent intraobserver reliability (ICC = 0.99) and interobserver reliability (ICC = 0.94). Although this approach was valid and reliable for proximal femora it appears reliable, but not valid for measuring the acetabuli. This result is due to the presence of calcified labra being visualized as bone, and being included in the bone measurements, when measuring the digital models.Grant Funding Source: Departmental Funding
Possible convergent evolution of yellow psittacofulvin colors in the feathers of cockatoos (Cacatuidae) and parrots (Psittacidae)
Authors: Bonin Jonathan , Homberger Dominique 
Published: June 2021

Psittacofulvins (pigments unique to Psittaciformes) produce a yellow feather color that may fluoresce in some species (Voelker 1937). To test the hypothesis that these colors may have evolved independently in cockatoos and parrots, yellow feathers were analyzed spectrometrically in four Australasian cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus banksii, C. funereus, Cacatua galerita, and Nymphicus hollandicus) and three parrots (the Australian Melopsittacus undulatus, the Caribbean Amazona ventralis, and the South American Ara ararauna). The spectra of the studied species have a peak in the UV range, a reduced reflectance in the violet‐blue range, and the highest reflectance in the green‐to‐red range. In addition, the spectra of cockatoos show an increasing reflectance within the blue‐green range, whereas the spectra of Melopsittacus and Amazona show an increasing reflectance within the green range and the spectrum of Ara an increasing reflectance within the green‐yellow range. Only Calyptorhynchus and Nymphicus showed fluorescence. Hence, cockatoos are characterized not only by several morphological features, but also by the reflectance spectra of their yellow feathers, thereby further supporting the hypothesis that cockatoos evolved their psittaciform morphotype independently from parrots (see Homberger 2003). Funding: LSU Foundation to DGH.Grant Funding Source : N/A
Duplex Ultrasound Measuring Hemodynamic Variations of the Superior Mesenteric Artery in Pre‐ and Postprandial Subjects: Understanding Mesenteric Ischemia
Authors: Elnekaveh Brandon Mordeccai , Adar Tony , Baral Sumit , Pagano Anthony , Belyayeva Irina , Marquez Samuel 
Published: June 2021

Mesenteric ischemia (MI) is characterized by disabling postprandial abdominal angina stemming from hypoperfusion of the midgut due to inadequate vascular compensatory mechanisms in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Duplex ultrasound was used to measure the vascular diameter, peak systolic velocity (PSV), and end diastolic velocity (EDV) of the SMA in 6 healthy subjects after an overnight fast and 30 minutes after eating. Results show a preprandial PSV range of 100.3 – 123.2 cm/s and DV of 18.0 – 26.7 cm/s, and a postprandial PSV of 194.9 – 246.5 cm/s and EDV 41.1 – 73.7 cm/s. All subjects experienced significant increases in SMA postprandial blood velocities (p<.05) with only a slight increase in its diameter (p>.05). In the fasting state, early diastolic flow reversal was observed, yet it was absent postprandially. Normal SMA flow is characterized by a high‐resistance outflow bed in the fasting state. These data suggest that postprandial abdominal pain in MI may indeed be related to increased mesenteric blood flow met by an inadequate vascular response resulting in tissue ischemia.Grant Funding Source: Alumni Association