bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cerebral White Matter CD4+ T cell Infiltration is Associated with Hypertension in a rat model of HELLP Syndrome
Authors: Wallace Kedra , Morris Rachael , Moseley Janae , Evans Stephanie , LaMarca Babbette 
Published: June 2021

HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) and preeclampsia (PE) (reduction in uterine perfusion pressure ‐RUPP), are hypertensive disorders that can occur during pregnancy with severe symptoms and consequences. The development of hypertension (HTN) may increase ischemia and inflammation in the maternal brain. We hypothesize that HTN in response to placental ischemia or HELLP increases CD4+ T cells expression in the maternal brain.On gestational day (GD) 12, sEndoglin (7ug/kg) and sFlt‐1 (4.7ug/kg) infusion began via miniosmotic pump into normal pregnant (NP) rats to induce HELLP. On GD14 RUPP rats had the lower abdominal aorta and ovarian arteries physically constricted. On GD18 carotid catheters were inserted (n=5/group), GD19 mean arterial pressure (MAP), plasma, tissue and maternal brains were collected.MAP increased from 96.2 ± 3.6 in NP rats to 127.8 ± 3.8 (p=.05) in RUPP rats; to 113.4±3.2mmHg in HELLP rats (p=.05). RUPP and HELLP rats had increased circulating CD4+ T cells compared to NP rats (p=.01, p=.05). CD4+ T cells along the corpus callosum in RUPP (136.1 OD) and HELLP rats (151.9 OD) were increased compared to NP (114.5 OD, p=.05, p=.05).These data indicate that CD4+ T cells are increased in both the circulation and the brain and may therefore be one potential link in the neuropathophysiology of HTN associated with PE and HELLP syndrome.
Renal molecular reponses elicited by electrical stimulation of sympathetic renal nerve in wistar rats
Authors: Pontes Roberto Braz , Garcia Michelle L , Veiga Glaucia RL , Oliveira‐Sales Elizabeth B , Mirian A B , Campos Ruy R , Bergamaschi Cassia T 
Published: June 2021

This study evaluated the effects of acute sympathetic renal nerve electrical stimulation (RNES) over the expression of sodium (NHE3 and ENAC) and water (AQP2) transporters in the kidney in the presence or not of AT1 receptors angiotensin II blockade. Male Wistar rat (250g–300g), were divided in four groups: Sham (renal sympathetic nerve activity registered for 1h), RNES for 1h, [15V, 1Hz and 0,5 ms]), Sham+Losartan (30 mg/kg/day) and Losartan + RNES. Electrical stimulation produced increase in the NHE3 (1,6±0,2AU) gene expression and reduction in β‐ENaC (0,6±0,1AU) and AQP2 (0,6±0,1AU) expression. Animals just treated with Losartan did not presented differences at NHE3 expression but shows a reduction in ENAC (0,4±0,1AU) and AQP2 (0,3±0,1UA) expression compared with SHAM animals.. Treatment with Losartan+ RNES had no effect over the studied transporters. RNES produces alterations in sodium and water transporters in the renal tubule which can be involved in increased sodium reabsorption at the proximal tubule and reduced signalization to distal tubule reabsorption and these changes are angiotensin‐dependent.Supported by CAPES and Cnpq.
Sources of Intravascular ATP during Exercise in Man: Critical Role for Skeletal Muscle Perfusion
Authors: Kirby Brett S , Crecelius Anne R , Richards Jennifer C , Dinenno Frank A 
Published: June 2021

The origin of intravascular ATP resultant from exercise in humans is a matter of debate and is suggested to arise from sympathetic nerves, blood sources, endothelial cells, and skeletal myocytes, among others. We tested the hypothesis that acute activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNA) increases plasma ATP draining skeletal muscle at rest, and that SNA superimposition during exercise further augments ATP. We show that augmenting SNA via −40mmHg lower body negative pressure does not increase ATP at rest (51±8 vs 58±7 nmol/L) nor in conjunction with forearm handgrip exercise (79±11 vs 71±8 nmol/L). Next, we tested the hypothesis that active perfusion of skeletal muscle is essential to increase intravascular ATP during exercise. We identify that complete obstruction of muscle perfusion abolishes exercise‐mediated increases in ATP (90±19 to 49±12 nmol/L), and further that cessation of blood flow prior to exercise completely inhibits the typical rise in ATP draining active muscle (3 vs 61%; obstructed vs intact perfusion). Our collective observations suggest that blood extracellular ATP is unlikely to originate from sympathetic nerves or the contacting muscle itself. We conclude that increased exercising blood flow per se is essential for a rise in plasma ATP and indicates an important role for red blood cells or endothelial cells in augmenting plasma ATP during exercise.Supported by NIH HL102720
Effects of voluntary exercise on cognition, neurogenesis, and plaque load in a mouse model of Alzheimers disease.
Authors: Maliszewska‐Cyna Ewelina , McLaurin JoAnne , Aubert Isabelle 
Published: June 2021

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to cognitive impairment and disruption of adult neurogenesis. It has been shown that exercise influences adult neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive functions in animal models. In healthy adults and AD patients, studies are suggesting that exercise has potential benefits on cognitive functions. However, we only begin to understand the global effects that exercise can have on amyloid pathology, neuronal plasticity, and cognition in AD mouse models.Here we evaluated the effects of moderate voluntary exercise on cognition, neurogenesis, and plaque burden by giving mice access to running wheels for 1 and 2 months and assessing their functional recovery. We used an AD mouse model of amyloid pathology and their non‐transgenic littermates as control. Our results show an improvement in hippocampal‐dependent spatial and non‐spatial memory in transgenic mice exercising for 2 months compared to non‐running transgenic mice. Transgenic exercising animals also showed significantly greater levels of hippocampal adult neurogenesis (increase in BrdU/NeuN positive cells), and increase in survival of newborn cells (increase in BrdU positive cells). Plaque burden, evaluated as the mean plaque size and plaque number, in the hippocampus was not statistically different in runners compared to non‐runners transgenic mice.In summary, exercise improved spatial working memory in an AD mouse model of amyloidoisis without reducing plaque burden. This improvement was accompanied by an increase in neurogenesis. We conclude that physical voluntary exercise has the potential to improve cognition even in presence of high levels of amyloid pathology.
Role of Nrf2 transcription factor in ozone‐induced emphysema in mice
Authors: Limjunyawong Nathachit , Mitzner Wayne 
Published: June 2021

Ozone is a potent air pollutant which is known to cause pulmonary oxidative stress and inflammation. It has been shown that repeated exposure in mice to ozone at high concentration can damage lung parenchymal tissue and lead to emphysema. In the current study, we investigated the protective role of nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), a nuclear transcription factor that is induced by oxidative stress and is known to activate production of several antioxidant enzymes. Female wild‐type (WT) C57BL/6 and Nrf2‐deficient (Nrf2−/−) mice were exposed to ozone at a concentration of 2 ppm for 3 hours/day, 2 days/week, for 6 weeks in total. Control mice were exposed to room air. Measurements of lung function were performed one day after the last exposure. Results showed that the total lung capacity (volume at 35 cmH2O) was found to be significantly increased in the WT mice exposed ozone to compared to room air (1.465 ± 0.040 mL and 1.144 ± 0.052 mL, respectively). The effect of O3 was even higher in Nrf2−/− mice (1.784± 0.113 mL vs 1.301 ± 0.082 mL). However, no changes were observed in the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide and cell profile in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in either strain. These results indicate that the role of Nrf2 in ozone exposure is more complex than simple protection.Funding source: NIH HL‐10342
Ouabain and Digoxin Preconditioning Protect Cardiac Na/K‐ATPase against Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury in Langendorff‐perfused Mouse Hearts
Authors: DUAN QIMING , GULATI GAURAV K , PIERRE SANDRINE V 
Published: June 2021

Protection against myocardial Ischemia‐Reperfusion (IR) injury by Ischemic PreConditioning (IPC) involves the protection of Na/K‐ATPase activity. The cardiac glycosides (CG) digoxin and ouabain are specific inhibitors of Na/K‐ATPase‐mediated ion transport, but also trigger preconditioning through activation of Na/K‐ATPase signaling. In Langendorff‐perfused mouse hearts, we investigated whether CG preconditioning also protects Na/K‐ATPase.Forty min of ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion decreased the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) by 71.4% (60.8 ± 2.3 vs 17.4 ± 1.9 mmHg, P<0.01), induced a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release of 5.8 ±1.2 U, and resulted in an infarct of 52.9 ± 5.4% of the area at risk (as measured by tissue staining). Na/K‐ATPase enzyme activity measured by ouabain‐sensitive ATP hydrolysis was decreased by 59% (3.2 ± 0.89 vs 7.8 ± 0.6 umol/h/mg, P<0.05) without change in Na/K‐ATPase α or β subunit content as shown by Western blotting. In hearts exposed to 10 μM ouabain (OPC) or digoxin (DigPC), or 4 cycles of brief ischemia (IPC) prior to prolonged ischemia, LVDP recovery was nearly doubled (P<0.01 vs IR), infarct size was reduced by half (P<0.01 vs IR ), and LDH released was decreased by 70%(P<0.05 vs IR).These suggest that, like IPC, OPC and its more clinically relevant counterpart DigPC protect cardiac Na/K‐ATPase activity during IR. (NIH P01HL036573)
Novel potential binding partners of the C‐terminal tail of the sodium bicarbonate cotransporter NBCn1
Authors: von Stemann Jakob Hjorth , Lauritzen Gitte , Schröder Jacob Morville , Pedersen Stine Falsig 
Published: June 2021

We recently showed that the sodium bicarbonate cotransporter NBCn1 (SLC4A7) is upregulated in human breast carcinomas, in which it is the main pH regulator after acidification. Further, NBCn1 is upregulated after overexpression of the receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB2 in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. The aim of this work is to identify novel NBCn1 binding partners and address their relevance in breast cancer. We performed GST‐pulldown with the full NBCn1 C‐terminus (NBCn1‐Ct) and GST controls, using lysates from ΔNErbB2‐overexpressing MCF‐7 cells and corresponding vector cells, followed by mass spectrometry. Notably, mitochondrial‐associated proteins were pulled down preferentially in the ΔErbB2+ cells. Other proteins pulled down by NBCn1‐Ct with high specificity included the calcium‐binding proteins S100A13, S100A14 and calmodulin, 14–3‐3 beta, and basigin and Receptor for Activated protein C Kinase 1 (RACK1), both of which are implicated in regulating subcellular localization of other membrane transporters. NBCn1‐Ct also associated directly with several protein kinases and ‐phosphatases including Casein Kinase II, which is predicted to phosphorylate several sites in NBCn1. In conclusion, we identified several potential novel interaction partners of NBCn1‐Ct. Analysis to further validate these findings and address their significance in breast cancer are ongoing.Funding: Danish Cancer Society, Danish Research Council
Sex Differences in Oxidative Stress Following Uniphrectomy in Antenatal Glucocorticoid Exposed Sheep
Authors: Bi Jianli , Contag Stephen , Su Yixin , Chen Kai , Figueroa Jorge , Chappell Mark , Rose James C. 
Published: June 2021

Antenatal glucocorticoid (AG) administration is associated with nephron loss and sex specific reductions in renal function in adult offspring. It is not known if AG induced responses to a second renal insult also reflect sex differences.Therefore, we determined if AGs increase susceptibility of proximal tubule cells (PTC) to oxidative stress induced by a second hit, further nephron loss (uninephectomy UN) in a sex dependent fashion.1–1.5 year old rams and ewes exposed to either Betamethasone (BMX) (n=5) or Vehicle (V) (n=5) at 0.6 gestation underwent UN. Kidney cortex and proximal tubule cells (PTC) were obtained from one kidney at UN (1st kidney) and the other at necropsy two weeks later (2nd kidney). PTC were incubated with angiotensin II (Ang II) and the NADPH oxidase components (p47phox and NOX2) in cortex and 8‐isoprostane (8‐PGF) secretion in media were measured. ANOVA was used for data analysis.Antenatal BMX exposure or UN increased p47 expression in cortex in rams but not in ewes (F=23.1, p=0.003). Expression was higher in BMX exposed rams (F=6.5, P=0.02). NOX2 expression did not change. Ang II stimulated 8‐PGF secretion from PTC of the 1st and 2nd kidneys from BMX rams, but not ewes. The Ang II response was highest in PTCs from the 2nd kidney 139% (F=20.6, p<0.0001) and was blocked by candesartan, but enhanced by PD123319 (F=10.1, P=0.0004). We conclude that the kidneys in BMX exposed male sheep exhibit a greater susceptibility to a secondary insult than those of females. AT1 receptors contribute to Ang II induced oxidative stress, while AT2 receptors may attenuate the stress in PTC. The heightened response in males may reflect the increase in the NADPH oxidase components p47phox.. Supported by HD‐47584 and HD‐17644.
The Lateral Thoracic Artery Revisited
Authors: du Plessis Maira , Tubbs R Shane , Loukas Marios 
Published: June 2021

Although the variations in the origin of the branches of the axillary and subclavian arteries have been documented, little information regarding the highly variable lateral thoracic artery (LTA) is available. Descriptions of the LTA variations may decrease intraoperative problems during surgery of the lateral aspects of the thorax such as reconstructive plastic surgery and modified radical mastectomy. The aim was therefore to review the anatomy of the LTA and to offer an accurate account of its variability. The entire course and distribution of the LTA was examined in 420 formalin‐fixed adult human cadavers. The LTA was found in 96.7% of our specimens, showing great morphological variability and classified the variations according to origin into 6 types. The most common was where the LTA arose from the thoracoacromial trunk (Type I, 70%). In decreasing order of incidence were origins from; the axillary artery (Type II, 17.6%), the thoracodorsal artery (Type III, 5.2%), and the subscapular artery (Type IV, 4%). Additionally, multiple LTAs were present (Type V, 3.2%) and complete absence of LTA (Type VI, 3.3%) was observed. Despite variations in the origin our dissections demonstrated that the ultimate tissue distribution of the LTA remained typical (90%) and descended on the lateral border of the pectoralis minor. Our results illustrate the need for re‐evaluation of the branches of the thoracoacromial trunk with possible consideration that the LTA arises from it instead of directly from the axillary artery. We hope that the information supplied by this study will provide useful information to anatomists and surgeons alike.Grant Funding Source: N/A
Possibility of natural healing to anterior cruciate ligament tear
Authors: Takayanagi Kiyomi , Kanemura Naohiko , Kokubun Takanori , Maejima Hiroshi , Nishikawa Yuichi , Ihara Hidetoshi 
Published: June 2021

An acute tear of the ligament generally heals conservatively. Whereas, it is thought that the tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) does not heal by the conservative treatment. There are many studies about the factors that ACL does not heal conservatively.The purpose of the research was to create a rat model of natural healing of ACL and to examine the healed ligament histologically and mechanically.After cutting ACL, the artificial ligament was penetrated the bone tunnel of tibia tuberosity and back of the distal femur, and controlled the abnormal movement of the knee joint. We had confirmed the continuity of the healed ACL in all rats with histological evaluation. Running of the healing ligament had been normally approximated. Compared to the normal ACL, the healing ligament was thick, and scar tissue had grown into joint intercondylar fossa. Healing ACL was about half strength compared to the normal.We found that the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament was healed by joint control kinematically.
Association Of CTLA4 Gene 49A/G Polymorphism With The Incidence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus In the Iranian Kurdish Population
Authors: Ahmadi Slahadin , Rostamzadeh Jalal , Khosravi Darya , Shkiba Nadia , Nabavi Hassan 
Published: June 2021

Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) has an inhibitory function on T cells and is critical for the induction of peripheral tolerance. CTLA‐4 +49 G allele affects the CTLA‐4 function and has been reported to be correlated with a higher risk of various autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes (TIDM). The present study was conducted to investigate the association between the polymorphism of the CTLA‐4 exon 1 +49 A/G and susceptibility to TIDM in Sanandaj population, a Kurdish city in the west of Iran.The +49 A/G polymorphism was analyzed in 64 patients with TIDM, 60 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM ) and 107 control subjects with no history of autoimmune disease using PCR‐RFLP method. All populations (controls, T2DM and TIDM) were in Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium ( p; 0.892003, 0.75897 and 0.168063, respectively). There was significant CTLA‐4 +49 G allele difference between TIDM with control (p=0.002163) and T2DM subjects ( p=0.008504). No significant difference was found between T2DM and control subjects regarding the distribution of the CTLA‐4 +49 G allele.Our findings revealed a significant association of CTLA‐4 exon 1 49 A/G polymorphism with the increase risk of T1DM in the Iranian Kurdish population.Financial support for this research was provided by the Research Department of the Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Kurdistan, Iran.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FOOD PURCHASE AND BREASTFEEDING STATUS OF LOW‐INCOME FAMILIES IN WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC)
Authors: KIM HYUN , KIM JUHEE 
Published: June 2021

Low‐income mothers and especially those who participate in WIC have lower breastfeeding rates compared to other groups. This may be problematic for these mothers, as breastfeeding can help reducing overall health costs and improve health outcomes for mothers and their infants. This study focuses on the role of breastfeeding status on the food purchase behaviors of WIC participants. Since breastfeeding mothers tend to be more health‐conscious, this paper will test whether breastfeeding WIC participants make healthier food choices than non‐breastfeeding WIC participants. The paper analyze the food purchase patterns of low‐income mothers enrolled in the WIC program (n = 110). The measures of food purchase include food purchase frequency, food expenditures by food group and type of food outlets. The analyses using multivariate regression models are based on food receipts obtained during a one‐month period, as well as survey from mothers having a child or children enrolled in a WIC program in Eastern Illinois in 2009. We will describe the patterns of food outlet use and food purchases to understand food shopping or eating out behaviors of WIC families, stratified by their breastfeeding practice status. Since WIC participants view the cost and difficulty of food selection as barriers to their purchase, this study can evaluate their food purchase behavior based on their demographic characteristics.(Funding: National Research Foundation of Korea Grant (NRF‐2011–330‐B00190)Grant Funding Source: National Research Foundation of Korea Grant (NRF‐2011–330‐B00190)
Increasing access to fresh produce by partnering urban farms with corner stores: a pilot study in a low‐income urban setting
Authors: Gudzune Kimberly Anne , Welsh Claire , Lane Elisa , Chissell Zach , Anderson Elizabeth , Gittelsohn Joel 
Published: June 2021

Residents in low‐income areas often rely on corner stores for food, but these storeowners seldom stock fresh produce. Many urban farms are looking to provide better access to produce for low‐income consumers. Our objective was to partner two urban farms with two corner stores in Baltimore, MD to distribute fresh produce. In summer 2012, we conducted a pre‐post evaluation using semi‐structured interviews coupled with distribution and sales data. Partnership #1 paired a 6‐acre urban farm with a store that served commuters. Produce was delivered all 5 weeks with the mean total quantity of produce delivered being 38 (SD 16) items. On average each week, 6 (SD 2) different types of produce were brought into the store, of which 2 (SD 2) types sold out. Partnership #2 paired a ¼‐acre urban farm with a store that served local residents, and was promoted by the neighborhood association. Produce was delivered all 5 weeks with the mean total quantity of produce delivered being 77 (SD 12) items. On average each week, 10 (SD 1) different types of produce were brought into the store, of which 6 (SD 2) types sold out. Partnering urban farms and corner stores for produce distribution is feasible. For future programs to be successful, strong community support appears vital to sustain produce sales.Grant Funding Source: NICHD U54HD070725
Examination of Chondroitin Sulfate Molecular Weights on In Vitro Anti‐inflammatory Activity
Authors: Surapaneni Lahari , Haley‐Zitlin Vivian , Bodine Ashby , Jiang Xiuping , Brooks James 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate if anti‐inflammatory activity of chondroitin sulfate (CS) is affected by molecular weight.MethodsMurine macrophage cells were pre incubated with 8 different CS samples (mol. wt. 7 kDa to 35 kDa) for an hour followed by addition of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Following further incubation for 4 hours, the anti‐inflammatory activity of CS samples was assessed by measurement of the ability of CS samples to inhibit expression of a panel of inflammatory cytokines; tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), Interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) and Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). These inflammatory markers were quantitatively measured using ELISA. Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production was determined using Greiss reagent.ResultsAt concentrations 5μg/ml and 15 μg/ml, CS samples significantly inhibited expression of LPS induced TNF‐α and IL‐1β. Expression of IL‐6 was inhibited by selected CS samples at 15 μg/ml concentration but not at 5μg/ml. No CS samples inhibited the expression of NO. Statistical analysis revealed no correlation between molecular weight and the inflammatory markers examined.ConclusionCS samples exhibited selective inhibition of inflammatory cytokines but no correlation was noted between the molecular weights and anti‐inflammatory activity of these samples.Grant Funding Source: Pharmavite, Inc.