bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential growth of seals and sea lions with paedomorphic and peramorphic adult skull morphologies
Authors: Asquino Nicole A. , Dewar Eric W. 
Published: June 2021

Links between behavior and skull morphology have been widely demonstrated in carnivorans. The skulls of more‐aggressive species tend to be more peramorphic, with greater crest development for the emplacement of muscles, compared to the more paedomorphic rounded skulls of less‐aggressive species. Are these two endpoints the result of differential growth patterns in dimorphic species?To answer this, we looked at skulls of seals and sea lions (n = 58, including 22 males, 14 females and 22 unknowns, usually juveniles) across 8 species. We categorized the individuals into ages from immature (teeth erupting, less fused sutures, smaller size), sub‐adult (teeth erupted but not worn, more sutural fusion), and adult (teeth with wear, fully‐fused sutures, and larger size). We compared these individuals by observing the placement of 26 bony landmarks using a geometric morphometric approach.We found that paedomorphic adults have juvenile‐looking skulls, e.g., a short or absent sagittal and nuchal crest, a narrow zygomatic width, and shorter skull length between the braincase and rostrum. Peramorphic adults had more growth resulting in traits including taller sagittal and nuchal crests, a wider zygomatic width, and a longer skull length. The brain case varied little between paedomorphic and peramorphic end points. The increase in skull length happens first through growth, and the width of the zygomatic arch and height of crests increases later, likely in response to the increase of size of the jaw‐closing muscles.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Endocast of the Paleocene Carnivore Dipsalidictis krausei (Mammalia, Creodonta)
Authors: Ahrens Heather E , Passero Marita 
Published: June 2021

The North American mammal fauna experienced dramatic turnover during the Paleogene Period; of note, was the decline and extinction of the once dominant carnivore clade Creodonta and simultaneous diversification of Carnivoramorpha. The role of Carnivoramorpha in the extinction of Creodonta is unclear, though many authors have hypothesized that creodonts were outcompeted by carnivoramorphan taxa. In particular, some have suggested that carnivoramorphans had a higher degree of encephalization, as well as other adaptations of the brain, that may have contributed to their success over creodonts. Given that the endocranial anatomy of creodonts has not been examined since in the mid‐twentieth century, our objective was to describe the endocast of the exceptionally‐preserved, late Paleocene creodont Dipsalidictis krausei. Our new digital endocast was then compared to previously described endocasts of several Paleogene carnivores, including Protictis schaffi, Thinocyon velox, Tritemnodon agilis, and Vulpavus palustris. The midbrain of Dipsalidictis krausei was exposed dorsally and the associated expansion of the forebrain had not reached the same extent as observed in modern carnivorans. However, the expansion was similar to that of the later Eocene creodonts, Thinocyon velox and Tritemnodon agilis, as well as the Paleocene carnivoramorphan Protictis schaffi. Within the forebrain, the olfactory bulb and piriform lobe were relatively large, potentially indicating a greater reliance on olfactory signaling in Dipsalidictis krausei even than other carnivores. This first complete endocast of the creodont clade Oxyaenidae, demonstrates that oxyaenid neuroanatomy was similar to other early Paleogene carnivore species. Further, this suggests that early members of those clades retained a plesiomorphic condition and that divergence in encephalization and neuroanatomy occurred later in time.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Evidence for Morphological Constraint on Bony Ear Canal Length in Modern Humans
Authors: Smith Christopher M. , Laitman Jeffrey T. 
Published: June 2021

Throughout hominin evolution there is a trend towards a decreased length of the ear canal. This change in length is likely due to many factors that relate to reorganization of the cranial base among hominins with a more anteriorly placed foramen magnum, coronally oriented petrous pyramids, and an enlarged brain compared to extant African great apes. Functionally, ear canal length has been postulated to influence the detection of certain sound frequencies and may also alter the accuracy of sound localization. Therefore, a change in length of the ear canal could have effects on sensory perception throughout the hominin clade. However, the factors driving this change are rather unclear.This preliminary study tests four null hypotheses stating there is no statistically significant correlation between the length of the bony ear canal and: 1) foramen magnum position, 2) foramen magnum width, 3) petrous pyramid length and 4) facial width. All of these factors have the potential to influence the length of the ear canal, but previous studies have not used quantitative methods to determine statistical correlations. We used 3D geometric morphometric landmark data, Principal Component Analyses and ordinary least squares regressions to determine correlations between specific measurements (see above) of the basicranium of modern humans, African apes and four hominin specimens (OH 5, KNM‐ER 406, STS 5 and AL 444‐2).Results show that there is a significant correlation between foramen magnum width and bony ear canal length in modern humans, specifically (R2=0.626, p<0.001), refuting the null hypothesis that there is no significant correlation between ear canal length and foramen magnum width. Interestingly, there was no significant correlation between facial width and bony ear canal length, except perhaps in extinct hominin taxa, likely due to their robust masticatory system. These results indicate that there may be a functional constraint on the length of the bony ear canal in modern humans, limiting the variability of ear canal length and its role within sound perception and localization. Future work should focus on increasing the sample sizes and using the timing of cranial base ossification patterns to aid in understanding if the growth of the foramen magnum is actually driving the medial constraint of the ear canal in humans.Support or Funding InformationThis research was supported by The Graduate Center, City University of New York through a Graduate Center Fellowship and would not be possible without the support of the New York Consortium of Evolutionary Primatology.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Anatomical variations of the sacroiliacal joint
Authors: Guzman‐Lopez Santos , Teran‐Garza Rodrigo , Quiroga‐Garza Alejandro , Elizondo‐Omaña Rodrigo Enrique 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionThe sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is the union between the spine and the pelvis. It is a diarthroid joint and complex due to having different types of joint classifications. The presence of an accessory articular facet was described for the first time in 1753, considered the first report of a sacroiliac anatomical variant. Since then different anatomists have reported this variant in skeletons and corpses with variations in their incidence. In 1999, the first classification was made using a Greek population reporting 5 other anatomical variants using computed tomography (CT) and correlating this to lumbar pain, reporting a high incidence when anatomical variants were present. Only one other study analyzes the joint using this classification in a Turkish population. There are no reports of other population, much less Latin American. Our aim was to identify the prevalence of SIJ anatomical variants using CT.Materials and methodsA retrospective study was made based on pelvic and/or abdominal CT that allowed the complete visualization of the SIJ. SIJ space was measured, and variants were classified as: Accessory SIJ, ileosacro complex, bipartite bone plate, semicircular defect, iliac bone plate, and ossification center.ResultsFour hundred CT scans were included for analysis. The mean age was 49 years, 180 (45%) were men and 220 (55%) women. More than half (209, 52.2%) of the patients presented an anatomical variant, and were more predominant in women (65.4% vs 36.2%), as well as those older than 40 years of age (60% vs 40%). The mean joint space was similar between sides (right 2.41 ± 0.65mm vs. left 2.37 ± 0.65mm). Incidence was 19.8% accessory SIJ, 6.5% ileosacro complex, 12.3% bipartite bone plate, 8% semicircular defect, 5% iliac bone plate, and 0.8% for ossification center. No statistically significant differences were found comparing the space with the variables of gender, age, or type of variant.ConclusionThe prevalence of anatomical variants of the SIJ is high in the Latin population, higher in women and those older than 40 years. The most prevalent variant was accessory SIJ.Support or Funding InformationNoneThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The Unilateral and Bilateral Absence of the Musculocutaneous Nerve
Authors: Hunter Dawn D , Nestor Nicholas S , Bolden Alexys M , Arnold Danielle A , Lambert H. Wayne , Zdilla Matthew J 
Published: June 2021

The brachial plexus is responsible for the innervation to the upper limb. The musculocutaneous and median nerves are terminal branches off the brachial plexus. The musculocutaneous nerve supplies motor innervation to anterior flexor muscles of the arm. The median nerve provides motor innervation to most flexor muscles of the forearm, pronator muscles of the forearm and passes through the carpal tunnel to innervate certain muscles of the hand. In the absence of the musculocutaneous nerve, the median nerve typically supplies the musculature of the anterior flexor compartment of the arm, including: biceps brachii muscle, brachialis muscle and at times the corocobrachialis muscle. In the case of a high median nerve injury, a variation of an absent musculocutaneous nerve may not only result in typical palsy of the forearm and hand, but also experience palsy in the arm. Therefore, understanding the prevalence and anatomical characteristics of the absence of the musculocutaneous nerve is clinically important. Among 44 brachial plexuses from 22 cadavers assessed, an absent musculocutaneous nerve was observed in 4 plexuses (9.1%) among 3 (13.6%) cadavers. A single female cadaver revealed a bilateral absence of the musculocutaneous nerves in comparison to one female cadaver showing a right unilateral absence of the musculocutaneous nerve and one male demonstrating a left unilateral absence of the musculocutaneous nerve. In all cases, the median nerve supplied both the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles. In summary, a systematic review of the absence of the musculocutaneous nerve demonstrated that females are under‐represented, relative to males and a unilateral absence of the musculocutaneous nerve in a female should be considered a particularly rare finding.Support or Funding InformationWV Research Challenge Fund [HEPC.dsr.17.06]This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Correlation of the Common Carotid Artery Morphology with Age of Death
Authors: Bee Mary Tracy , Garmo Alana , Luciow Tavala , DeDolph Sarah , Garmo Atalie , Barton Scott 
Published: June 2021

In multi‐campus and multi‐year studies, we investigated the relationship of the size of the common carotid artery versus age of death. A significant and positive correlation was identified bilaterally in the diameter of the common carotid arteries in relationship to age of death in 120 human cadavers ranging from 23 to 102 years old (p=0.017). The diameter of the common carotid artery has been associated with the occurrence and severity of strokes. This may provide insight into circulatory‐related procedures in the cervical region or may be indicative of a related genetic predisposition to a higher vascular flow.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Anatomical Features of the Basioccipital Bone including the Transverse Basilar Cleft, Clival Foramen, Clival Canal, Foveae, and Foveolae
Authors: French Evan , Russell Michelle , Pancake Jacob , Koons Aaron , Zdilla Matthew 
Published: June 2021

The basioccipital bone is particularly important with regard to the developing cranium. There is broad anatomical diversity in the anatomy of fetal and infantile basioccipitals. Specifically, some basioccipitals have transverse basilar clefts, clival foramina, and clival canals. Additionally, basioccipitals are diverse with regard to foveae and foveolae patterns. The size and shape of the basioccipital also changes throughout development. Canonical variate analysis revealed shape change from a relatively narrow/long with mild concavity at the foramen magnum in the 5th and 6th intrauterine months to relatively broad/short with more pronounced concavity in the 5th postnatal month. This report highlights the development of the basioccipital bone in addition to detailing the prevalence of the aforementioned anatomical features of the basioccipital and discusses the implications for anthropology, forensic osteology, as well as clinical implications of variant basioccipital anatomy.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The Presence of a Variant Obturator Artery: The Corona Mortis
Authors: da Fonseca e Silva da Costa Cordeiro Roberto Claudio , Da Silva Denize Augusto , Duro Gabriella Mares , Da Silva Pereira Raiza , Pezzi Lucia Helena Antunes 
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTIONThe obturator artery (OA) is a vessel of variable origin with anterior‐lateral direction on the wall of the pelvis. It is followed by the obturator vein and nerve leaving the pelvis through the obturator canal1. This vessel is often a branch of the internal iliac artery, however, it is subject to important anatomical and surgical variations 2,3. The most important variation is referred to corona mortis4 (Crown of Death). The aim of this study is to verify and quantify the OA different origins and to determine the presence of conora mortis.METHODForty cadavers of Brazilian decent (27males and 13 females) were dissected in order to observe the presence or absence of anatomical variations of OA. The study was conducted in the Laboratory of Anatomy of the Estácio de Sá University (Joao Uchoa Campus), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS software.RESULTSThe corona mortis (Figures 1 and 2) was found in 22.5% of subjects (55,6% Males and 44,4% females) (Tables 1 and 2). The external iliac artery had a common trunk that originated the obturator and inferior epigastric arteries.DISCUSSIONThe presence of the corona mortis is very relevant for surgery because it is a common variation of the obturator artery. The knowledge of this variation is important because of the possibility of injury during surgical interventions especially when staples are used for endoscopic repair of inguinal and femoral hernias2,3,4,5,6.CONCLUSIONThe presence of corona mortis variation was significant, demonstrating that the knowledge of this variation, is important to surgery.Support or Funding InformationOwn financing and support from Estácio de Sá UniversityThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
CRISPR‐cas9 gene editing in undergraduate laboratory experience
Authors: Kee H. Lynn , Pieczynski Jay 
Published: June 2021

Undergraduate biology students learn that gene editing is revolutionizing basic science and biomedicine. We developed lab experiences for mid‐level undergraduate laboratory that actively engages students in the full process of design, implementation of a gene editing strategy, and interpretation of their results within a 15‐week semester where lab meets once a week for 3 hours. The laboratory experiences were centered around the use and application of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats‐cas9 (CRISPR‐cas9) gene editing technology in bacterial E. coli cells. In one course, students developed and implemented a strategy to deactivate expression of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). In another course, students carried out experiments to try edit a specific gene in bacterial cells to make the cells resistant to a specific antibiotic. Students were immersed in various methods that include: molecular cloning of plasmid construction, bacterial transformation, PCR, DNA sequencing to analyze gene edits, and microbiology techniques. Student assessment revealed many students achieved student learning outcomes, although there were challenges associated with the ambiguity associated with open‐ended research. We conclude that these lab experiences are accessible and effective in engaging students in the scientific practices and principles centered around targeted CRISPR‐cas9 gene editing.Support or Funding InformationFunding was supplied by the Stetson University Biology Department. Molecular reagents from New England Biolabs were provided by the Course Support Program.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Infrared Thermography Applied to the Study of Enzyme Kinetics
Authors: Cochran Desiree Ann , Torelli Andrew T 
Published: June 2021

Kinetic analysis of enzyme activity typically relies on spectrophotometric detection of changes in product or substrate concentrations. Spectrophotometric detection can directly monitor enzyme activity when a suitable chromophore is involved in the reaction itself, or reaction progress can be tracked via a coupled reaction that involves a chromophore with quantifiable signal changes. An alternative, potentially universal strategy for tracking reaction rates involves monitoring the evolution of heat from the enzyme‐catalyzed reaction. The heat generated by a reaction can then be used to calculate the moles of product formed by taking into account the molar enthalpy change for conversion of substrate into product. As with other enthalpimetric approaches, e.g. isothermal titration calorimetry, analysis of the reaction is not dependent on the use of a specific chromophore, nor is it challenged by optically‐dense or heterogeneous samples. Such methodologies have been in use for decades using near‐adiabatic instrumentation to quantify the total heat change. More recently, infrared imaging technologies such as the 200USD FLIR ONE camera open new opportunities to analyze kinetics on the basis of the heat evolved by the enzyme‐catalyzed reaction. We report our preliminary work to demonstrate the proof‐of‐principle use of infrared thermography to track enzyme reaction rates. In addition, the unique advantages of IR imaging are well suited for applications of this approach in a biochemistry laboratory course setting.Support or Funding InformationNational Science Foundation DUE Award Number:1813313; “Collaborative Research: Visualizing Chemistry with Infrared Imaging”This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Gains in Affect and in Scientific Literacy from Peer‐Led Team Learning in a Literature‐Based First‐Semester Biochemistry Course
Authors: Dries Daniel Robert 
Published: June 2021

Science is a social endeavor that requires communication and collaboration with scientists of various expertise and background. Traditional lecture, however, can cast learning as a passive, individualized task. To model the scientific community for students, a sophomore‐level biochemistry course was redesigned using the primary literature as the principal content from which biochemical concepts were extracted. Working in groups alongside a peer facilitator, students constructed their own knowledge by interrogating the literature, researching answers to their questions, and sharing with their group, while instructor‐led activities and just‐in‐time mini‐lectures grounded the class in a common experience. Attitudinal post‐surveys showed student affective gains in teamwork, inquisitiveness, and scientific literacy. Moreover, graduates self‐reported greater preparation for post‐graduate work than peers in their program. Together, these results suggest that peer‐led team learning using the primary literature can lead to gains in competencies and skill development while still accruing knowledge of biochemistry content.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The Role of YAP Oncogene in Metastasis and Mechano‐medicine
Authors: Sudol Marius 
Published: June 2021

YAP is a WW domain‐containing protein that acts as a potent oncogene and stemness factor. It is one of the two main effectors of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway. YAP is a transforming gene of the chromosome 11q22 amplicon, and its expression is elevated at high frequency in human cancers, including liver, breast, ovarian and stomach cancer. Our recent work showed that YAP regulates the acto‐myosin network by suppressing Rho‐GTPase via Rho‐GTPase activating protein 29 (ARHGAP29) being a direct transcriptional target of YAP in human gastric cancer. We showed that YAP promoted the expression of ARHGAP29 to suppress the RhoA‐LIMK‐cofilin pathway, thereby destabilizing F‐actin. The overexpression of YAP caused cytoskeletal rearrangement by altering the dynamics of F‐actin/G‐actin turnover, thus promoting migration. In a mouse model, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) exhibited an increase in ARHGAP29 RNA level compared with cells at primary tumor sites. Moreover, increased ARHGAP29 expression correlated with shortened survival of human gastric cancer patients. Importantly, we showed that ARHGAP29 is critical in regulating cancer metastasis in a mouse model of liver cancer metastasizing to lungs.We have also identified YAP and TAZ specific transcripts and we are characterizing them now as mechano‐responsive transcripts that regulate cell metastasis and mechano‐sensing.Cancer cells are generally softer than normal cells. By increasing the rigidity of cancer cells to the level of normal cells via novel therapeutic interventions, and by reducing rigidity of extracellular matrix of tumors we could provide a new modality to treat cancer in unison with other standard therapies.Support or Funding InformationStart‐Up Funds from National University of Singapore (R‐185‐000‐2710‐733) and Mechanobiology Institute (R‐714‐018‐006‐271)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.