bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perception of food insecurity among indigenous Guarani communities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Segall‐Correa Ana Maria , Azevedo Marta Maria , Ferreira Beatriz , Kepple Anne W. , León‐Marin Leticia 
Published: June 2021

Indigenous people in Brazil are divided among 270 ethnic groups. Many live with severe food insecurity (FI), and in some, the prevalence of child malnutrition has been estimated to be up to 50%. This study was based on the validation of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA), adopted from the US HFSSM. Four Guarani communities in São Paulo were visited from 2007 to 2009 with the aim of understanding concepts of FI and hunger experiences to develop a similar FI measurement appropriate for their context. Food habits, health conditions, and food production were assessed via formal and informal interviews and participant observation. A panel of indigenous health experts provided suggestions for the interviews. Perceptions of FI were explored in group interviews with members of one community. FI is characterized by fear of hunger, not having enough food to share with others, dependence on donations, and lack of access to food that reflects their cultural traditions. Universal dimensions of FI, such as worry about having enough food and insufficient quantity and quality of food, were present, and strategies they described using in the face of FI were somehow similar to the rest of the population. However, more studies are needed in other Guarani and indigenous communities to know how transferable these results are to other indigenous groups.Funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development – Brazil.
VARIATIONS IN THE DEFICIENCY LEVELS OF ENDOGENOUS ESTRADIOL ON THE RATE OF POSTMENOPAUSAL BONE RESORPTION
Authors: Malepati Dhananjaya Naidu , Suresh M 
Published: June 2021

Over a period of three years, 257 healthy postmenopausal women (mean age of 51.7 years) and 47 premenopausal women (control group, mean age of 34.23 years) were selected into the study. The postmenopausal women were divided into three estradiol‐deficient (study) groups based on the endogenous estradiol levels such as Group – I (10–25 pg/ml), Group ‐ II (>25–50 pg/ml) and Group ‐ III (>50 pg/ml). Bone formation marker (total alkaline phosphatase), bone resorption markers (tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase, calcium, free hydroxyproline, free deoxypyridinoline and calcium/creatinine) and intact paratharmone levels were estimated in every subject. The bone formation marker and bone resorption markers were found to be elevated in all the three study groups over controls (P<0.0010) When the study groups compared among one another, the bone resorption markers were found elevated in Group‐I over Group ‐ II and III and in Group ‐ II over Group ‐ III. But, the intact paratharmone levels were found to be normal in all the groups.This study concludes that the degree of bone resorption was high in Group ‐ III (>50 pg/ml, higher in Group – II (> 25–50 pg/ml) and highest in Group ‐ I (10–25 pg m/l) over controls. This view portends that the endogenous estradiol levels are the important determinants of bone resorption risk and also the variations in deficient endogenous estradiol levels in postmenopausal women might contribute to differences in the rate of postmenopausal bone resorption.
Ovariectomy induces an enhanced sensitivity to angiotensin II in female growth restricted rats
Authors: Ojeda Norma B , Royals Thomas P , Alexander Barbara T 
Published: June 2021

Placental insufficiency in the rat results in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and sex differences in adult hypertension. Male IUGR are hypertensive; ovariectomy (OVX) induces hypertension in female IUGR suggesting estradiol (E) may provide a protective status. Enhanced sensitivity to acute angiotensin II (ANG II) is observed in male IUGR, but not in intact normotensive female IUGR. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine if OVX enhances sensitivity to ANG II in female IUGR. Female rats were subjected to OVX or sham OVX at 10 weeks of age. Cardio‐renal physiological parameters were determined before and after acute infusion of ANG II (100 ng/kg/min for 30 minutes) at 16 weeks of age in rats pretreated with enalapril (250 mg/L for 1 week). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) were increased to a greater extent in OVX IUGR; a greater decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was observed in OVX IUGR. Thus, these data suggest that estradiol modulates renal responsiveness to ANG II in female IUGR and may contribute to sex differences in IUGR hypertension.

Response after acute ANG II
Increase in MAP (mmHg)
Increase in RVR (mmHg/ml/min)
Decrease in GFR (ml/min)

Control female intact
21±0.5
8±3
2.3±0.3

IUGR female intact
20±9
16±7
2.3±0.3

Control female OVX
18±2
12±6
3.5±0.9

IUGR female OVX
49±4*†
17±1.5*†
5.1±0.1*†

P < 0.05 vs. control OVX
P < 0.05 vs. intact IUGR
Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 is expressed by skeletal muscle cells in hypertrophying muscle of mice
Authors: Dearth Christopher L. , Marino Joseph S. , Pizza Francis X. 
Published: June 2021

Our laboratory recently demonstrated that β2 integrins contribute to overload‐induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy. One potential mechanism by which β2 integrin expressing leukocytes influence the hypertrophic response of skeletal muscle involves intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), the major ligand for β2 integrins. The objective of our current work is to examine ICAM‐1 expression and localization to skeletal muscle cells in hypertrophying muscle and to determine if β2 integrins influence ICAM‐1 expression and/or its localization.Plantaris muscles of wild type and β2 integrin deficient mice were exposed to 3, 7, or 14 days of mechanical overload via synergist ablation. Real‐time PCR and western blotting analysis revealed that ICAM‐1 gene and protein expression was significantly elevated in overloaded muscle. Experiments using flow cytometry and multi‐photon laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed that ICAM‐1 was expressed by mononuclear cells (satellite cells/myoblasts and leukocytes) as well as mature muscle fibers following mechanical loading.We speculate that expression of ICAM‐1 by skeletal muscle cells after mechanical loading serves as a mechanism by which neutrophils and macrophages can bind to and directly communicate with skeletal muscle cells to promote hypertrophy.This work was partially supported by The University of Toledo Interdisciplinary Grant Program.
HSP70 response to aerobic training in aging human skeletal muscle
Authors: Konopka Adam , Harber Matthew 
Published: June 2021

The response of heat shock proteins (HSP) to aerobic training has been investigated in animal models, but understudied in human skeletal muscle. Furthermore, very little is known regarding HSP in aging skeletal muscle. The purpose of this investigation was to determine basal mRNA and protein content of HSP70 before and after 12‐weeks of aerobic training on a cycle ergometer in nine elderly women (70±2y). Post training muscle biopsy samples were taken ~48 hours after the last exercise session in order to assess steady state levels of HSP70 mRNA and protein. Basal HSP70 mRNA was reduced (P<0.05) by 23±8% while HSP70 protein content was unchanged after aerobic training. The reductions in HSP70 mRNA may represent a reduction in age‐related basal stress after the training program. This investigation provides the first assessment of HSP70 regulation in aging human skeletal muscle with aerobic exercise training.Supported by NIH Grant AG032127
Insulin‐mediated increases in arterial baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity following meal intake in humans
Authors: Young Colin N. , Mikus Catherine R. , Thyfault John P. , Fadel Paul J. 
Published: June 2021

Animal studies indicate that insulin enhances arterial baroreflex (ABR) control of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA); however, the extent to which these findings can be extrapolated to humans is unknown. To begin to address this, we utilized a mixed meal as a physiological method to evoke sustained increases in plasma insulin. Muscle SNA and arterial blood pressure (BP) were measured in 10 subjects (25 ± 2 yr) before and for 120 minutes following mixed meal intake. Weighted linear regression analysis between muscle SNA and diastolic BP was used to determine the gain (i.e. sensitivity) of ABR control of SNA. Plasma insulin was significantly elevated within 30 minutes following meal intake (Δ29 ± 7 uIU; P<0.05) and remained above baseline for up to 120 minutes. Similarly, 30 minutes after meal intake, ABR gain of muscle SNA burst incidence (−3.31 ± 0.64 vs. −5.13 ± 0.95 bursts/100 heart beats/mmHg; baseline vs. 30 min, P<0.05) and total muscle SNA (−3.22 ± 0.60 vs. −5.89 ± 1.30 arbitrary units/beat/mmHg; baseline vs. 30 min, P<0.05) was increased and remained elevated for the duration of the protocol. BP was unchanged by meal intake. In a subset of subjects the ABR muscle SNA gain remained unchanged during time control experiments. These preliminary findings suggest that increases in plasma insulin following meal intake enhance the gain of ABR control of muscle SNA in healthy humans.Support: NIH RO1HL093167
Peripheral Chemoreceptors Enhance Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Hypertension in SHR
Authors: Tan Zhiyong , Morgan Donald A. , Whiteis Carol A. , Rahmouni Kamal , Abboud Francois M. 
Published: June 2021

In previous studies we reported that glomus cells of SHR are hypersensitive to low pH and overexpress ASIC (acid sensing ion channels) and TASK (two‐pore domain acid‐sensing potassium channels) that are pH‐sensitive. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that glomus cell hypersensitivity in SHR results in exaggerated chemoreceptor reflex increases in renal sympathetic nerve activity (RNA) and blood pressure (BP). Rats were anesthetized (ketamine and xylazine) and artificially ventilated. Changes in RNA and in mean arterial BP were recorded in response to intracarotid injections of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.05 mmol lactic acid. There were significant ventilatory oscillations in mean arterial pressure (BP) and nerve activity (RNA), which were greater in SHR (P<0.05). Control values of maximum and minimum BP and RNA (integrated voltage) averaged 133±7.8/109±8.0 mmHg and 0.59±0.06/0.35±0.03 Volts/sec respectively in SHR (n=9) vs. 87.5±7.3/73.5±6.4 mmHg and 0.43±0.04/0.24±0.02 Volts/sec in WKY (n=9). Following lactic acid injections, the maximal peak values of RNA and their corresponding mean BP are shown below.These values of RNA were significantly greater in SHR (ANOVA‐Newman‐Keuls: F ratio 6.8, P=0.018) despite significantly higher levels of BP. Thus, the enhanced chemoreceptor sensitivity in SHR overrides the inhibitory influence of baroreceptors and may contribute to the excessive sympathetic nerve activity and hypertension in SHR.This work was supported by NIH grant HL14388.
Effects of voluntary exercise on levodopa‐induced motor response complications in hemiparkinsonian rats
Authors: Corpt Briana Jean , Oh‐Lee Justin D. 
Published: June 2021

Research evidence suggests that voluntary exercise may be beneficial in restoring motor skills traditionally lost in Parkinson's disease (PD). Levodopa pharmacotherapy remains the most effective treatment for PD, but is often associated with the genesis of disabling motor response complications (MRCs). This study was designed to investigate the effects of voluntary exercise on these motor complications in 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) hemiparkinsonian rats. Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were rendered parkinsonian by 6‐OHDA injections into the left medial forebrain bundle. After two weeks, half of these animals received twice‐daily levodopa while the other half received twice‐daily vehicle. An equal number of animals in each drug treatment group underwent exercise (2 hrs twice daily, 14 days) after drug injection, and the other half served as controls. Voluntary exercise therapy when combined with levodopa acted to provide a substantially greater attenuating effect on the forelimb deficits (p < 0.05) and the shortened motor response (p < 0.05) produced by chronic levodopa therapy. These results suggest that mechanisms mediated by voluntary exercise could be crucial for an accurate understanding of the pathogenesis of motor complications and further suggest novel approaches to more effective and safer therapies of PD and other dopamine disease states.ORSP PRIF Grant, CMU, to JD Oh‐Lee
Relationship between apolipoprotein E genotype and cerebral palsy in Chinese Han children
Authors: Li Xiao‐Jie , Wang Li‐Ping , Lu Zhi‐Hai , Wang Shu‐Qiu , Kang Yu‐Ming 
Published: June 2021

The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between apolipoprotein E genotype and cerebral palsy in the Chinese Han children. 120 Chinese Han children with cerebral palsy age range from 1 to 12 years old were selected as CP group including 86 spastic and 34 dyskinetic children, 120 normal Chinese Han children age range from 1 to 12 years old as control group. Apolipoprotein E DNA was obtained from blood cell. Polymerase chain reaction‐restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) was used to determine allele and apolipoprotein E genotype in CP group and control group. The severity of impairment was assessed by gross motor function classification system (GMFCS). The results showed that gene frequency of the ε4 allele in CP group was higher than control group. Gene frequency of the ε4 allele in GMFCS level IV and level V children was higher than in GMFCS level I, level II, level III ones in CP group. The difference of gene frequency of the ε4 allele between spastic children and in dyskinetic ones was not significant.ConclusionGene frequency of the ε4 allele was associated with cerebral palsy in the Chinese Han children, particularly with GMFCS level IV and level V ones, but it was no association with CP children who was the spastic or the dyskinetic.
Histaminergic modulation during nicotinamide‐stimulated differentiation of amniotic epithelial cells (AC) into insulin producing cells (IC)
Authors: Szukiewicz Dariusz , Pyzlak Michal 
Published: June 2021

AC resemble stem cells and express histamine H1 and H2 receptors. We examined an effect of histamine on the generation of IC from nicotinamide‐stimulated AC and expression of H1 and H2 at different stages of this process. AC were isolated from human amnion (N=12) and cultured for 16 days using Okita's method with nicotinamide (10mM). Mean concentration ofC‐peptide (CCP) in the culture media was measured every 3 days as a marker of the secretion of insulin. At the same intervals the cultures were fixed and immunostained for H1 and H2. Quantitative morphometry was applied for evaluation of H1 and H2 expression. Influence of histamine (100microM) on CCP was studied in subgroups with/without H1 and H2 antagonists.C‐peptide was detected on Day 6 and CCP gradually raised until Day 12, then stayed at similar levels, 4,1‐fold higher than initially. Expression of H2 was unchanged (compared to control AC) until Day 9, then significantly decreased. Differences in H1 expression were not observed. Histamine produced significant increase in CCP, more evident after 6 days of culture than after 15 days. H2 blockade reduced histamine‐related increase of CCP, whereas H1 antagonist did not affect CCP. Nicotinamide‐induced, pancreatic differentiation of AC in vitro may be augmented by histamine acting on H2 receptors. Variable expression of H2 may define a time‐point, indicating involvement of histamine at earlier stages.
Role of connexin 40 in renal autoregulation
Authors: Sorensen Charlotte Mehlin , Braunstein Thomas Hartig , Holstein‐Rathlou Niels‐Henrik 
Published: June 2021

The expression of connexins in renal arterioles is believed to have profound impact on regulation of arteriolar tonus and renal blood flow. Connexin 40 (Cx40), which is primarily expressed in the endothelial cells of the renal afferent arterioles, has been shown to play a significant role in the regulation of renin secretion. Also, connexins are believed to be involved in the transmission of the calcium signal initiating the TGF response and connexins may therefore affect renal autoregulation.We wished to examine the renal autoregulatory response by measuring changes in afferent arteriolar diameter in kidneys from Cx40 knockout (KO) mice in response to a step increase in perfusion pressure. We used the isolated perfused juxtamedullary nephron preparation to visualize afferent arterioles. As previously reported Cx40 KO mice had a higher arterial blood pressure than age‐matched litter‐mate controls. Also, the plasma renin concentration was significantly higher in the Cx40 KO mice compared to wild‐type mice. The change in afferent diameter in response to step increases in renal perfusion pressure was impaired in Cx40 KO mice compared to the wild‐type littermates. These results suggest that Cx40 play a role in the autoregulation of renal blood flow.
Self‐Reported, Interview‐Assisted Diet Records Underreport Protein and Energy Intake in Maintenance Hemodialysis (MHD) Patients
Authors: Morrison Gillian Kye , Bross Rachelle , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kamyar , Kopple Joel D 
Published: June 2021

Some studies state that MHD patients underreport energy intake (EI) although energy needs are normal and weight is stable over time. Body mass may not reflect changes in energy stores in MHD patients who cannot regulate water balance normally. Validity of dietary data was evaluated by comparing reported EI with actual dietary EI (aEI) in 13 MHD patients participating in a 93‐day N balance study in a research ward to determine protein needs. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured prior to admission to estimate total energy expenditure (TEE) and dietary needs to maintain stable weight. Protein intake was changed ~ every 19 days; aEI was constant throughout the study. Total energy requirements were estimated by aEI corrected for changes in body fat measured by DXA over the 93 day study. Underreporting of EI was determined by a EI:REE ratio <1.27 and EI:TEE ratio<1.0.Age was 47.9±9.7 years; BMI, 25.7 ± 4.7 kg/m2.

Self‐reported Intake
REE (kcals/d ay)
TEE (kcals/d ay)
EI: RE E
EI: TEE

kcals/d ay
kcals/kg
Protei n (g/kg)

1712±4 98
25.4± 7.4
1.03± 0.3
1676±3 31
2134±3 54
1.0 ± 0.2
0.8±0 .2

Body mass and fat were essentially unchanged (−0.87 kg ± 2.02 kg; 0.74 kg ±1.62 kg) during the study suggesting that pre‐study EI was underreported by ~20%. Variance of reported protein and EI was twice that of aEI. Widespread energy underreporting severely compromises the validity of self‐reported, interview‐assisted diet records in MHD patients.
A transmurally and regionally heterogeneous fully coupled computational electro‐mechanics model of the canine left ventricle
Authors: Aguado‐Sierra Jazmin , Campbell Stuart G , Howard Elliot , Omens Jeff H , McCulloch Andrew D , Kerckhoffs Roy CP 
Published: June 2021

The cardiac cell structure and function is heterogeneous. These heterogeneities are finely orchestrated to optimize the whole organ function in health. A computational model is used to analyze the stress, strain and haemodynamic effects of including a transmurally (endo, mid and epi) and regionally (apex to base) heterogeneous substrate to a fully coupled model of electromechanics in an idealized ventricular geometry. Campbell et al. (2009) developed a canine myocyte ionic current and cytosolic Ca2+ cycling model that was integrated to a myofilament model. This mathematical model was embedded element‐wise into a finite element mesh of an idealized geometry with fiber angles and haemodynamic boundary conditions to understand the effects of cell heterogeneity on systolic fiber mechanics and ventricular function.Regional variation of action potential duration is mainly due to differences on the density of membrane ionic currents like IKs and Ito due to the regional heterogeneous density of KChIP2, Kv1.4, KvLQt1 and MinK. Multi‐scale computational models are useful to understand why such heterogeneities are important and the way in which they impact the whole organ function.
Pattern of Inspiratory Intercostal Muscle Activation during High Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation (HF‐SCS)
Authors: Kowalski Krzysztof E. , DiMarco Anthony F. 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveHF‐SCS is a novel technique of inspiratory muscle activation involving spinal cord pathways. The purpose of the present study was to compare the distribution of motor drive to the intercostal muscles during spontaneous breathing with that occurring during HF‐SCS.MethodsIn 4 anesthetized dogs, electrical stimulation was applied via a stimulating electrode on the ventral surface of the upper thoracic spinal cord at the T2 level. Fine wire recording electrodes were used to assess single motor unit (SMU) pattern of activation of the parasternal (PA, 2nd interspace) and external [dorsal portions of the 3rd (EI‐3D) and 5th (EI‐5D) and ventral portion of the 3rd (EI‐3V) interspaces] intercostal muscles.ResultsMean maximum discharge frequency of PA was 10.6±0.3 Hz. Mean maximum discharge frequency of EI‐3D (13.7±0.5Hz) was significantly greater than that of the EI‐3V (8.8±0.3Hz) and the EI‐5D (9.9±0.3Hz) (p<0.05). Importantly, these values were not significantly different than those occurring in the same animals during spontaneous breathing.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that HF‐SCS results in the same differential pattern of activation of the various intercostal muscles as that which occurs during spontaneous breathing. Moreover, the neural circuitry resulting in physiologic activation of the rib cage muscles exists within the spinal cord.Support: NIH‐NINDS (R01NS064157)
Astrocytes play an essential role in reversing respiratory disturbances in a mouse model of Rett syndrome
Authors: Bissonnette John , Lioy Daniel T. , Hirrlinger Petra G. , Kirchhoff Frank , Mandel Gail 
Published: June 2021

Recent in vitro studies have shown that astrocytes lacking methyl‐CpG‐binding protein 2 (Mecp2) have a non‐cell autonomous effect on neuronal properties such as dendrite arborization and morphology. Here we show that activation of Mecp2 in astrocytes of symptomatic null animals restores a normal breathing pattern. Mice carrying a loxP‐stop cassette in intron 2 of the Mecp2 gene were crossbred to animals expressing a fusion protein of Cre DNA recombinase and a mutated estrogen receptor under the control of the human glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter. Male offspring are Mecp2 null, but the transcription factor can be restored in astrocytes by tamoxifen injections at any postnatal age. At P45 and older these mice developed apneas (~50/h) and an elevated irregularity score (>0.4). Within 10 days of completing tamoxifen apnea declined, by 3 weeks it reached wild type levels and irregularity improved (~0.25). Immunohistochemistry showed co‐localization of Mecp2 in GFAP‐positive cells in the preBötzinger complex of tamoxifen‐treated mice. The results indicate the important role of astrocyte Mecp2 that functions to control neuronal network activity essential for normal respiration.Support: MOD & IRSF (JB); DFG & EC (FK); HHMI & NIH (GM)