bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphology of the thoracic intervertebral disc in the adult spine
Authors: Gillis Heather , Johnson Marjorie , Padfield Beverly , Obright Kathy , Galil Khadry , Hrycyshyn Alan W. 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo determine the morphology of the thoracic intervertebral disc (IVD) in the adult spine.IntroductionThere is a paucity of research available regarding the structure of the thoracic intervertebral disc. Despite this, a knowledge and understanding of morphology provides the clinician with a better understanding of regional function and pathology.MethodologyThe morphology of the intervertebral disc of 8 embalmed spines was studied via micro‐dissection of the posterior aspect of the motion segment. As a control of dissection technique one cervical spine and two lumbar segments were micro‐dissected and compared to published findings. Spines were removed from the donor using a posterior approach and were cleaned of superficial soft tissue and sectioned transversely through even numbered vertebral bodies. The posterior neural arch was removed via paracoronal sectioning and the costovertebral joint accessed. The posterior longitudinal ligament was removed in sequential layer dissection. The superior vertebral body was resected down to the vertebral endplate which was then cleared via curette. Results were journal and photo documented.ResultsThe thoracic IVD demonstrates a morphological structure that is unique to other regions. Horizontal cleft fissuring as demonstrated in the cervical spine was significantly less developed and limited to the costovertebral region with no posterior midline migration. One spine failed to reveal fissuring. There was a high rate of end plate defects and variable nuclear fibrosis.ConclusionsThe thoracic IVD is a morphologically distinct structure from the adjacent cervical and lumbar spines.Grant Funding Source: NA
Osseous anatomy of scapula obtained from southwestern Nigerians
Authors: Osuagwu Ferdnand C , Owoeye Olatunde 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundThe scapular is an important bony component of the upper limb and detailed knowledge of its anatomy helps when making surgical decisions regarding the scapular and surgical instruments utilized for scapular surgery.This study was conducted to determine the detailed osseous anatomy and morphometry of scapula obtained from Southwestern NigeriansMaterials and MethodsWe examined seventy‐eight dried adult scapula bones. All the scapulas were evaluated and dimensions obtained by a single investigatorResultsThe mean maximum distance between the highest point of the superior angle and the lowest point of the inferior angle was 14.6±0.15cm, (mean±standard error of mean, N= 78). The mean maximum scapular width was 10.4±0.1cm. The mean glenoid cavity height was 3.8±0.04cm and the mean glenoid cavity width was 2.6±0.03cm. The mean ratio of the maximum distance between the highest point of the superior angle and the lowest point of the inferior angle versus the mean maximum scapular width was 1.40±0.01. The mean ratio of the glenoid cavity height versus the mean glenoid cavity width was 1.43±0.02. The mean ratio of the maximum distance between the highest point of the superior angle and the lowest point of the inferior angle versus the mean glenoid cavity height was 3.9±0.03 while the mean ratio between the maximum scapular width versus the glenoid cavity width was 4.0±0.04.ConclusionThe ratio of the maximal length of the scapular versus the scapular width did not differ significantly from the ratio of the glenoid cavity height versus the glenoid cavity width. Also the ratio of the maximal scapular length to the glenoid cavity height did not differ significantly from the ratio of the maximal width of the scapular to the glenoid cavity width.Grant Funding Source: None
Variation in the Bifurcation of the Radial Nerve: Clinical Implications
Authors: Ross David Aaron , Kershaw Matthew , Marquez Samuel 
Published: June 2021

The radial nerve, in the cubital fossa, bifurcates into the deep and superficial branches serving a vital role in providing innervation for the extensor muscles in the forearm and hand. Studies have shown radial nerve injuries are the most common cases associated with fractures of the humeral shaft. While previous studies have focused on the effect of the fracture on the innervation of the radial nerve, few have emphasized the variations of the bifurcation of the radial nerve and if it can be relied upon as a landmark when treating such injuries. This study examines 48 donor body arms. Using a digital caliper, the location of the bifurcation of the radial nerve was measured from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. In addition, it was noted whether the bifurcation occurred above, at or below a horizontal line drawn between the epicondyles across the cubital fossa. Results show a mean distance from the lateral epicondyle to the bifurcation of 253.4mm, with a standard deviation of 5.39mm. 12.5% of the radial nerves examined bifurcated above the horizontal line and 16.67% bifurcated below the line. Only one sample exhibited a statistically significant deviation from the rest of the samples (p <.05, CI 242.83–263.97). These findings suggest that despite variations in the bifurcation of the radial nerve longitudinally, the bifurcation can be confidently predicted within a certain absolute distance from the lateral epicondyle.Grant Funding Source: NA
The Frequency and Predictability of the Palmaris Longus and Plantaris Muscles: A Five Year Study
Authors: Abramowitz Jason , Ahamed Tarnima , Weedon Jeremy , Marquez Samuel 
Published: June 2021

Due to their length and tensile strength, the homologous palmaris longus (PL) and plantaris (P) muscles (MM) have been frequently chosen by reconstructive surgeons for a variety of craniofacial plastic and cosmetic surgeries of replacement or repair of congenital ptosis, lip augmentation, as well as joint reinforcement. This five year study tracks the frequency (P/A) of these muscles as well as their ability to predict the P/A on the contralateral side. Donor specimens (n=83) from an urban population of the SUNY Downstate anatomy program were used. The presence and absence of the MM was assessed as well as the sex of the donor. 26 (31%) of the donors had an absence of at least one PL and 18 (22%) of the donors had an absence of at least one P, both of which numbers are higher than that noted in the literature. Of those missing a PL and P muscle, 53.8% and 33.3% were bilateral, respectively. Prevalence of an absent muscle on both L & R sides was significantly greater for PL than for P (exact McNemar test p=0.039). Substantial concordance was found for P/A of L & R PL (kappa=0.61) and of L & R P (kappa=0.42). Four (11%) of 38 females were absent all four MMs, compared with none of 45 males (Fisher exact test p=0.040). The high absence of both MM suggests that additional factors may be responsible for their P/A and should be considered by surgeons when selecting the tendons for reconstructive procedures.Grant Funding Source: SUNY Downstate Alumni Association
MDCT in Detection of Anomalous Coronary Origin
Authors: Miclaus Gratian Dragoslav , Zahoi Delia Elena , Ples Horia 
Published: June 2021

MDCT performed in daily practice can detect a large number of coronary anomalies, asymptomatic or unknown to the physician or patient.Although coronary anomalies are discovered accidentally, they represent an important finding, especially when are of malignant type, because can cause symptoms such as arrhythmias, chest pain in young patients with no cardiovascular risk factors, unexplained syncope or even sudden cardiac death.In our Diagnostic Centre, we discovered few cases with anomalous origin of coronary arteries, arising from pulmonary trunk, right coronary artery arising from left main with anterior or posterior course, and left circumflex arising from right coronary artery.All patients were referred for atypical chest pain and some of them for unexplained arrhythmias.MDCT proved to be a powerful noninvasive technique to detect and evaluate anomalous origin of the coronary arteries, especially using 3D VRT reconstructions, which offer an anatomical view of the course of coronary arteries.
Differential pattern of fMRI signal in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment compared to healthy controls during working memory tasks involving a task‐irrelevant fearful face distracter
Authors: Tichenoff Emily , McClure Matthew , Burhan Amer 
Published: June 2021

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a transitional stage between normal age‐related cognitive changes and mild dementia. Patients with MCI show neurodegenerative changes that lead to modification of many fundamental neural pathways, including those involved in processing emotion and memory. To date, the literature on these networks in this patient population is very limited. A block‐design, delayed match to sample paradigm with task‐irrelevant emotional distracter was used and presented in a 3‐Tesla MRI scanner. Women, ages 55–85, MCI or healthy controls (HC) were presented with “what” and “where” information at low or high‐item loading with task‐irrelevant fearful or neutral faces. The change in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal was analyzed using SPM8 and two‐tailed t‐tests were used to compare different combinations of loading and emotional valence factors between groups. Despite comparable behavioral data between groups, MCI patients showed significant differential patterns of activation during working memory (WM) tasks when compared to HC. This pattern was different across information type, loading and emotional valence. Emotional distracters modified this pattern depending on the type of information presented. This work highlights changes in WM and emotional networks in MCI patients and is promising as an early detection tool for Alzheimer disease.Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ONGrant Funding Source: Internal Funding
MLL histone methylases in estrogen‐mediated regulation of HOX genes involved in hair follicle development and leukemia
Authors: Mandal Subhrangsu S , Ansari Khairul I , Hussain Imran , Kasiri Sahba , Shrestha Bishakha 
Published: June 2021

Mixed lineage leukemias (MLLs) are human histone H3 lysine 4 specific methyl‐transferases that play critical roles in gene activation. MLLs are key players in HOX genes regulation. Although, MLL are well recognized as master players in HOX gene regulation and development, the mechanism of endocrine mediated HOX gene regulation and the roles of MLLs in this process is largely unknown. Our studies demonstrate that selected HOX genes such as HOXC13 are transcriptionally regulated by estrogen (E2). HOXC13 is a key player in hair follicle development and leukemia. HOXC13 promoter contains several estrogen response elements (EREs). Estrogen receptors (ERs) bind to these EREs (especially ERE1 and ERE2) in an E2‐depedent manner. Knockdown of ERa and ERb suppressed E2‐mediated activation of HOXC13. Similarly, knockdown of histone methylase MLL3 suppressed E2‐induced activation of HOXC13. Overall, our results demonstrated that MLL‐histone methylases in coordination with ERs, regulate HOXC13 gene expression in presence of steroid hormone estrogen implicating critical roles of HOXC13 as well as MLLs in hair follicle development and related diseases.This work is supported in parts by Texas Advanced Research program (ARP) and American Heart Association
A kinetic analysis of each step of protein splicing of the Pyrococcus abyssi PolII intein
Authors: Duffee Lauren R. , York Daniel J. , Dorval Deirdre M. , Reitter Julie N. , Mills Kenneth V. 
Published: June 2021

Protein splicing is a post‐translational event by which an intervening polypeptide, called an intein, facilitates its own excision from the flanking polypeptides, called the exteins, and the ligation of the exteins. The intein that interrupts the Pyrococcus abyssi PolII protein can be purified as part of a precursor fusion protein. Splicing can be initiated by an increase in temperature, which allows for detailed kinetic analysis of the overall splicing process as well as the individual steps. We have studied the influence of the residue immediately upstream of the intein on the rate of the first step of splicing, an amide to thioester rearrangement. Modifications leading to changes of that rate can result in splicing side reactions. We also have examined the influence of residues constituting a putative oxyanion hole on the rate of the first step of the reaction and the extent of splicing. Finally, we present data on the influence of two conserved downstream His residues on the rate of step three of splicing, Asn cyclization coupled to peptide bond cleavage.This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0320824 and CAREER grant No. 0447647.
Production of chlorinated lipids in neutrophil mediated inflammation
Authors: Anbukumar Dhanalakshmi S. , Shornick Laurie P. , Albert Carolyn J. , Ford David A. 
Published: June 2021

Neutrophils are critical cellular mediators of the innate immune system. One defense mechanism employed by neutrophils involves the production of myeloperoxidase (MPO)‐derived HOCl, which chlorinates critical functional residues of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. 2‐Chlorohexadecanal (2‐ClHDA) is a lipid product of HOCl attack of plasmalogens. The present study shows for the first time that novel chlorinated metabolites of 2‐ClHDA (2‐chlorohexadecanoic acid, 2‐ClHA; 2‐chlorohexadecanol, 2‐ClHOH) are produced endogenously in isolated, activated neutrophils and as a result of neutrophil mediated inflammation. Both 2‐ClHA and 2‐ClHOH are produced in activated neutrophils in an MPO dependent manner, and are released by neutrophils into media. In contrast to 2‐ClHDA, 2‐ClHA and 2‐ClHOH do not cause neutrophil chemoattraction and partially inhibit chemoattraction by fMLP. Lastly, a rodent model of virally‐induced lung inflammation resulted in elevated levels of 2‐ClHA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma compared to control uninfected counterparts. These data demonstrate that novel chlorinated lipid species are produced during inflammation, and these lipids may potentially serve as mediators and biomarkers of inflammation.This work was supported in part by NIH grants HL088072 and HL074214 (DAF), and pre‐doctoral fellowship grant 0710163Z (DSA) from the American Heart Association.
Calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II links hepatic cytosolic calcium release and apoptosis after burn injury
Authors: Brooks Natasha Chevon , Boehning Darren , Jeschke Marc 
Published: June 2021

Liver integrity is essential to survival post burn as impaired liver function worsens prognosis in burn patients. Hepatocytes isolated after thermal injury have increased cytosolic calcium which is associated with depletion of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium stores which is associated with upregulation of proteins involved in the ER unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway and activation of Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK). Recently, it has been shown that UPR induced increases in cytosolic calcium due to depletion of ER calcium stores can activate calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Further, CaMKII was shown to play a pro‐apoptotic role via JNK‐mediated upregulation of Fas receptor. We therefore hypothesize that activation of CaMKII provides a mechanistic link between increases in cytosolic calcium and hepatic apoptosis after burn injury. As a model system, we employed the use of the 60% total burn surface area burn model on rats that recapitulates human clinical findings. We have found that CaMKII is activated one to three hours post burn. Activation of CaMKII is associated with increased JNK activity, upregulation of Fas signaling, and subsequent Fas‐mediated apoptosis. We conclude that burn‐induced increases in hepatic cytosolic calcium activate CaMKII and lead to Fas‐mediated apoptosis.This work is supported by NIH/NIGMS grant GM081685 and Shiners grants 8660 and 8640
Nitric Oxide is Involved in Metamorphic Processes in the Anuran Tadpole, Xenopus laevis
Authors: Johnson Jennifer A. , Gardner E. Eileen , Menon Jaishri 
Published: June 2021

In order to adapt to a different habitat, under the influence of thyroid hormones, amphibian skin undergoes morphological, biochemical and physiological changes and the tail completely regresses during metamorphosis. Body epidermis remains non‐keratinized throughout the larval life and keratinizes during metamorphosis, resulting in adult frogs with a cornified epidermal cells covering the body. The significance of nitric oxide (NO) in many biological processes is well known. Signaling mediated by nitric oxide can contribute to stress‐related responses where these molecules can act as regulators of metamorphic transitions. However, there is scanty information on how NO acts as a signaling molecule during cell death and differentiation in amphibian tissues. Presently, we investigated the role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in skin and tail using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry during metamorphosis of tadpoles, Xenopus laevis. Our results indicate involvement of only neuronal NOS (NOS I) in skin whereas in tail inducible NOS (NOS II) is also present. In skin, neuronal NOS is present during the functional maturation phase during metamorphosis. In contrast, in tail both NOS I and II are found to be present before the beginning of tail regression. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of putative functional importance of differential isoform expression in the context of developmental processes in this system.This research was supported by William Paterson University.
PGA2‐induced Heme Oxygenase‐1 Expression Requires both p38 MAPK and de novo Protein Synthesis in U2OS cells.
Authors: Ko Kyoung‐Won , Choe Yun‐Jung , Jeong Seong‐Whan , Kim Ho‐Shik 
Published: June 2021

Previous studies have shown that PGA2 induces antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) expression, but the mechanism involved has not been fully understood. In this study, we suggest the signal transduction pathway of PGA2‐induced HO‐1 expression in human osteosarcoma (U2OS) cells.HO‐1 expression was induced by PGA2 (20 ug/ml) treatment for 8 hr in U2OS cells. Parallel to HO‐1 expression, p38 MAPK and p44/42 MAPK were phosphorylated by PGA2. PGA2‐mediated HO‐1 expression was completely reduced by p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) as well as cycloheximide, while inhibition of p44/42 MAPK using U0126 and PD98059 had no effect. To elucidate a role of p38 MAPK in the induction of HO‐1 by PGA2, constitutively active form of MKK6 (CA‐MKK6), the upstream activator of p38 MAPK, was co‐transfected with p38 MAPK into U2OS cells. In these cells, p38 MAPK was phosphorylated by CA‐MKK6 but HO‐1 was not induced, indicating that p38 MAPK activation is not sufficient for HO‐1 expression. Taken together, our findings suggest that PGA2 induces expression of HO‐1 via cooperative action of p38 MAPK and de novo synthesis of (an) unidentified protein(s). This research was supported by MRC from cell death disease research center funded by KOSEF.
Effect of Pathway‐Interconnectors in SEB Induced Apoptosos Related Events in Human PBMCs
Authors: Lillge Cayla , Klein Becka , Zindel Kristin , Mendis Chanaka 
Published: June 2021

This study follows a molecular route to better understand the apoptosis related events that are key to the patho‐mechanism of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) in human peripheral blood mononumclear cells (PBMC). The pathway interconnector, JNK, was identified and may have crucial inhibitory effects on the unwanted SEB induced apoptosis. Our attempt was to inhibit JNK by SP600125, evaluate those attempts by altering a set of known apoptosis related genes, and analyze expression patterns by conducting RT‐PCR. The studied genes include Caspase 1, Caspase 3, Caspase 6, Caspase 7, Caspase 8, Caspase 9, Caspase 10, Heperanse precursor (HEP), SOD, and USP. Further analysis and confirmation was conducted by carrying out a set of protein expression analysis. We believe JNK has the ability to sustain longer lasting inhibitory effects and that it may benefit other experimental models that focus on disease prevention and diagnostics.Dr. Marti Jett ‐ ASBMB
Elucidating the regulation and dynamics of O‐GlcNAc during signal transduction
Authors: Carrillo Luz Damaris , Mahal Lara K 
Published: June 2021

The ability of cells to respond to their microenvironment is controlled by a complex communication system. Cell signaling utilizes a series of post‐translational events to regulate and coordinate cellular activities. Although phosphorylation is thought to be the key regulator of these events, recent findings implicate the O‐GlcNAc modification as an additional control mechanism. Modulation of signal transduction requires compartmentalization of the kinases and phosphatases. Based on the evidence of subcellular localization of OGT isoforms, the diversity of O‐GlcNAcylated proteins upon stimulation, and its role during insulin signaling, it can be hypothesized that O‐GlcNAc is involved and regulates signal transduction in a compartmentalized manner.To investigate the spatio‐temporal dynamics of O‐GlcNAc in cell signaling, we have generated a series of genetically encoded O‐GlcNAc reporters based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). These reporters and localized variants have allowed compartment specific visualization of O‐GlcNAc activity in the nucleus, cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Herein we describe these reporters and their use to examine O‐GlcNAc dynamics in signaling using serum stimulation and environmentally relevant concentrations of arsenite. Acute exposure to arsenite through drinking water has become an environmental health concern worldwide. Our results imply a complex regulation of O‐GlcNAc on a fast timescale that is tied to more canonical kinase pathways.
Post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression in response to iron deficiency in S. cerevisiae
Authors: Vergara Sandra Viviana , Thiele Dennis J 
Published: June 2021

The yeast proteins Cth1 and Cth2 belong to the Tristetraprolin (TTP) family of AU‐rich Element (ARE)‐containing mRNA‐destabilizing proteins. In response to iron (Fe)‐deficiency, Cth1 and Cth2 coordinately promote the degradation of mRNAs encoding many proteins involved in highly Fe‐dependent metabolic pathways. As a consequence, they promote a genome wide remodeling of metabolism that permits the utilization of the limited Fe in essential processes, while lowering the metabolic Fe‐demand of other non‐essential pathways.Our recent data indicate that while Cth2 expression gradually but robustly increases during Fe‐deficiency over time, Cth1 is more rapidly and only transiently expressed soon after the Fe‐deficient conditions are imposed. Furthermore, our data indicate that the CTH1 and CTH2 transcripts are themselves subject to ARE‐mediated degradation by the Cth1 and Cth2 proteins, creating an auto‐ and cross‐regulatory circuit responsible for differences in their expression. We believe that the tight regulation of Cth1 and Cth2 is a cellular strategy to adjust to either mild or transient versus severe or sustained forms of Fe‐deficiency. Our current work seeks to understand how auto‐ and cross‐regulation of Cth1 and Cth2 contributes to the cellular adaptation to Fe‐deficiency. This work is supported by NIH grant GM41840 (D.J.T) and NIH Pre‐Doctoral Fellowship 1F31‐DK081304 (S.V.V).