bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation of Competencies for Anatomy in the First Year of Medical Training
Authors: Herrera Patricia M , Cortes Teresa , Petra Ileana , Aburto Monica , Reynaga Jesus , Soto Antonio 
Published: June 2021

To assess the outcome of students that underwent the exercises to implement certain competencies at the beginning level.It is quite a challenge to develop teaching and evaluation strategies for the implementation of competencies in a traditional medical school that accepts 1200 students yearly, used to the traditional systems, and grouped in classes of 40 students each with teacher having limited experience in competence based learning.We established three experimental and three control groups. We used three different exercises for a particular theme and tested before and after; compared the results of the experimental and control groups with T Student and Chi Square. The first strategy was to use a case history of cranial fracture, skulls to study in small groups, group discussion and evaluate written communication in a composition. The second strategy was to use body painting to identify the cervical triangles and their content. The third strategy was a case history of deafness and the study of an on line presentation of the ear, group discussion and the projection of ear implant techniques. The fourth strategy was a case history of rheumatic fever, the study of heart anatomy, group discussion.Results showed a marked improvement in grades achieved on all quizzes and examinations of the experimental groups.
Two‐system Theory and Fasciology
Authors: Yang Chun , Dai Jing-xing , Yuan Lin 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveIn light of developmental biology of the fascia‐like connective tissue, the fascia network is homologous with the extracellular matrix, the middle lamella, and the mesenchyme, which common function is to sustain stability of the internal environment. Therefore, we proposed a new theory of two systems, supporting‐storing system and functional system, to investigate the relationship between the fascial network and meridians.MethodsBased on the digital datasets of Virtual Chinese human (VCH) bodies, 3‐dimensional (3‐D) structures of virtual meridians and fascia connective tissue gathering areas were constructed and compared with each other. Three‐D structures of fascia connective tissue gathering areas were also constructed based on CT and MRI images of living human subjects, and compared with meridians.ResultsThree‐D structures of fascia connective tissue gathering areas in the VCH bodies, CT and MRI images showed beads‐on‐string patterns. The reconstructed fascial lines co‐localized precisely with the traditional meridian lines. When 3‐D structures of all fascia connective tissues throughout the body were constructed, a body‐shaped connective tissue network appeared.ConclusionsThe fascial network throughout the human body is one of the anatomical bases for the acupoints and meridians of traditional Chinese medicine. The discipline that studies the supporting‐storing system and the functional system and their mutual relationship is called fasciology.Grant Funding Source : National basic research programm (973 programm grant number:2007CB512705)
Early Anatomical Identification Markers for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in a Subadult Subject
Authors: Harris Jasmine H. , Godwin Ellen , Marquez Samuel 
Published: June 2021

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) readily affects gait and posture in subadult populations afflicted with the disease. This study used instrumented motion analysis (IMA) to identify how gait and posture changes respond to DMD disease. 3‐D motion analysis was performed with the Vicon Motion Capture System on a 5‐year‐old boy suspected with DMD. Thirty‐nine reflective markers were placed on specific anatomical landmarks according to the Plug‐in‐Gait Model used with the Vicon system. The child walked across the 25 feet gait analysis laboratory for 10 trials. A single representative trial was selected for analysis. Kinematic parameters of gait were compared to those of a typically developing child. IMA identified specific changes in joint kinematics in the child with DMD as compared to the typically developing child. Changes include: increase in anterior pelvic tilt and hip flexion in swing, genu recurvatum in stance, plantar flexion on initial contact with ground, and lack of dorsiflexion in swing. These gait deviations are commonly found in boys with DMD. The results show the ability to identify these changes translating in the early diagnosis of DMD as they represent a specific pattern of walking that is related to the progression of weakness observed. Identification of anatomical gait deviations can assist in the development of treatment interventions to assist the child to be ambulant as long as possible.Grant Funding Source: None
Study of structural failure of the blood‐gas barrier and the epithelial‐epithelial cell contacts in rested and exercised chicken, Gallus domesticus
Authors: Maina John N , Jimoh Adekunle S 
Published: June 2021

In birds, high pulmonary capillary blood pressure (PCBP) greatly challenges the structural integrity of the blood‐gas barrier (BGB). Among air‐breathing vertebrates, birds interestingly have thinnest BGBs. To reconcile presence of thin BGB with high PCBP, failure of the BGB and the epithelial‐epithelial cell contacts (E‐ECCs) in rested and exercised chickens was investigated. The number of red blood cells (nRBCs) and protein concentration (PC) were determined in the lavaged fluid. The numbers of E‐ECC breaks (nE‐ECCBs) and those of the BGB (nBGBBs) were counted in the regions supplied by the four branches of the pulmonary artery (PA). The blood lactate concentration increased 4‐fold between rest and highest level of treadmill exercise (speed 2.95 m/s) while the nRBCs and the PC increased gradually, tending to level at higher workloads. Indicating their relative fragility, the nE‐ECCBs surpassed the nBGBBs. In resting birds, there were no breaks in the cranial region. In exercised birds, differences in number of breaks only occurred at 0.66 m/s where the lowest and highest counts respectively occurred in the cranial‐ and caudomedial regions whereas at all other levels of exercise, the numbers of breaks were comparable.Funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF)
Analyis of the forelimb of Felis catus in comparison to Smilodon fatalis
Authors: Ostrom Kelly , Naples Virginia L 
Published: June 2021

Much is known about the anatomy of the domestic cat, and this species is studied extensively as a model of structure and function in anatomy laboratories. Nevertheless, knowledge of the smaller muscles remains unpublished. Musculoskeletal studies of living species permit identification of the corresponding features of extinct animals. This comparative anatomical method was used to expand what is presently known about the forelimb muscles of the saber‐tooth cat Smilodon fatalis. Comparing the forelimb anatomy of the domestic cat to the saber‐tooth was necessary to understand the habits, movement patterns, and hunting strategies of the extinct species. S. fatalis, a dirk‐toothed cat that lived during the Pleistocene, was a deadly ambush predator. This sabercat had a heavy muscular build, making it more powerful when compared with many other cats. Complete, accurate muscle maps have not been published for domestic cats or other felids. The muscle maps of Felis catus that were drawn in this study have proven beneficial for comparison with the extinct saber‐tooth. Using information from the muscle maps created for the domestic cat as a means of comparing relative sizes of muscle scars to the same regions of the corresponding bones of S. fatalis allowed creation of muscle maps for this saber tooth. These maps show that the musculature of F. catus and S. fatalis differ in relative proportions and movement patterns.Grant Funding Source : Undergraduate
The shoulder musculature of Rhynchocyon cirnei
Authors: Grossman Ari , Holroyd Patricia A , Rovero Francesco 
Published: June 2021

Traditionally sengis (elephant shrews, order Macroscelidea) have been studied in light of other insect‐eating mammals without a firm understanding of their phylogeny, and all prior work on their myology has been made to animals of similar size rather than similar ancestry. Sengis are now recognized as part of the Afrotheria. Afrotheres have a long evolutionary history and currently few morphological characters are known to unite them, in part due to a limited knowledge of their soft tissue anatomy within a phylogenetically‐meaningful context. One poorly studied afrothere is the giant sengi, Rhynchocyon. We conducted a dissection of the shoulder and arm musculature of R. cirnei. A single specimen preserved in ethanol was dissected using standard dissection techniques under a Zeiss microscope. Muscles were cleaned to determine origin(s), insertion(s) and extent. Each muscle was only reflected after it was documented and photographed. We also identified innervations of each muscle whenever possible. We confirmed prior observations on sengi myology and provide new data on innervations. Comparisons highlight the distinctiveness of sengis relative to other afrotheres where known but also highlight the need for considerable additional anatomical work to firmly establish which features are apomorphies and which may represent shared derived characters among afrotheres.This work is supported by a Midwestern University intramural grant
Sensory contributions to the spinal accessory nerve in humans
Authors: Boehm Karl Edward 
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of microscopic sensory ganglia within the spinal portion of the accessory nerve (SCN XI). Ten cervical spinal cord segments were removed from human cadavers in the anatomy lab at A.T. Still University ‐ Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Fifteen SCN XI were removed from the cervical spinal cords in segments from each spinal level. The segments from each nerve were dehydrated and embedded in paraffin starting with cervical spinal level 1 (C1) in parallel descending order. Embedded samples were sectioned at 12 μm and placed on slides. Sections were stained using hematoxylin and eosin. The slides were examined using light microscopy and results were recorded digitally. Neuron cell bodies were observed in all of the specimens (100%). The total number of neuron cell bodies ranged from 37 to 531 per nerve with an average of 207 cell bodies per nerve. Neurons cell bodies were observed at spinal levels C1–C5 and non‐grossly visible ganglia were observed at levels C1–C4. Based on the somatic origin of CN XI we conclude that cell bodies observed in CN XI belong to psuedounipolar neurons, which are the most common peripheral afferent nerve cells. The results from this study indicate that CN XI contains a sensory component. Research support provided by the Graduate Program at A.T. Still University.Grant Funding Source: Graduate Program at A.T. Still University.
IS EMBRYONIC PRESSURE OVERLOAD RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING ENDOCARDIAL FIBROLASTOSIS?
Authors: Pesevski Zivorad , Sedmera David 
Published: June 2021

Endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) is a diffuse thickening of the ventricular endocardium, causing myocardial dysfunction and presenting as unexplained heart failure in infants and children. It is believed to be caused by persistent and increased wall tension in the ventricles, possibly secondary to myocardial damage, mitral regurgitation, or both. The disease can be primary or secondary to various congenital heart diseases. Its frequent association with congenital aortic stenosis lead us to hypothesize that pressure overload is important in its pathogenesis. We have tested this in a chick model of conotruncal banding.The eggs were incubated in a force draft incubator at 37.5 °C and high humidity. Conotruncal banding of chick embryonic hearts was performed at the ED4, leading to increased pressure in the ventricle. At ED12 modifications of myocardial architecture and fibrosis were studied by histology and immunoconfocal microscopy.Histology of pressure‐overloaded hearts showed chamber dilatation and compact layer thickening. However, H&E with Alcian Blue staining did not reveal any significant fibrosis with the exception of cardiac skeleton and valves. Immunohistochemistry with anti‐periostin antibody and more sensitive pan‐collagen antibody clearly showed fine layer of subendocardial fibrous tissue that was more prominent in the pressure‐overloaded hearts.It appears that increased pressure loading stimulates fibrous production in the subendocardium of the hearts.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports VZ 0021620806 and Grant Agency of the Czech Republic P302/11/1308
Angles of the Branches of the Visceral Aorta: Implications for Complex Aneurysm Repairs
Authors: Belchos Jessica Helen , Johnson Marjorie , Forbes Thomas 
Published: June 2021

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms can require custom designed branched stent‐grafts. Visceral and renal artery orientations can change as more of this segment becomes aneurysmal. This study's purpose was to determine these orientations in infrarenal aneurysms as a baseline to compare to more complex proximal aneurysms. Aquarius TeraRecon 3D imaging software was used for morphological assessment of CT scans for 20 Infrarenal aneurysms. (15M, 5F, mean age=73.7). Four take off angles were measured. The clock‐face position (CFP) was noted in transverse sections for each. The direction of take off of the renal arteries was assessed (anterior, orthogonal and posterior) and maximal aortic aneurysm diameter was taken. The average take off angle was 63.06° in the Left Renal (LRA), 55.57° in the Right Renal (RRA), 60.07° in the Superior Mesenteric (SMA) and 56.82° in the Celiac Trunk (CT). The mode for CFP was 3:00 (n=8) in LRA, 10:00 (n=10) in RRA, 1:00 (n=9) in SMA and 1:00 (n=8) in CT. The mode for direction of take off angle was orthogonal (n=10) for LRA and anterior (n=12) for RRA. The mean maximal aneurysmal diameter was 57.95mm. The data suggests little variability in patients with Infrarenal aneurysms. This information will be used as a baseline as more proximal aneurysms are assessed.Grant Funding Source: Departmental
Individual and Combined Effect of Silicon and Calcium Ions on Osteoblast Gene Expression and Matrix Formation
Authors: Varanasi Venu Gopal , Dominia Lisa M , Jue Stephanie M , Lee Angela , Leong Kelly K , Loomer Peter M , Opperman Lynne A 
Published: June 2021

This study tests the hypothesis that silicon and calcium ions combinatorially target gene expression during osteoblast differentiation. MC3T3‐E1 subclone 4 osteoblast progenitors were exposed to elevated Si4+ (Na2SiO3) and Ca2+ (CaCl2) ion treatments both individually (50 ppm) and combinatorially (50 ppm Si + 50 ppm Ca) above control media conditions (α‐MEM, 10% FBS, 1% pen‐strep). Cell density significantly increased with time (5 days), but no significant difference was observed between treatments. All treatments were additionally supplemented with ascorbic acid (AA, 50 ppm) to induce differentiation. Relative expression of collagen type 1 (Col1α1, day 1), core‐binding factor a (cbfa1 or Runx2, day 6), and osteocalcin (OCN, day 6) was studied based on the timeline of osteoblast differentiation. Increased Si or Ca ion treatments enhanced Col1α1, Runx2, and OCN expression. Increased Si + Ca ion treatments enhanced OCN expression alone with no affect on Col1α1 and suppression of Runx2 (no amplification). Collagen fiber bundles were dense and elongated, for extracellular matrices (ECM) exposed to Si ions as compared to other treatments. These results indicated that individual ions enhanced multiple osteogenic gene expression while combined ion treatments enhanced individual gene expression.Grant Funding Source : NIH/NIDCR #5P30DE020742‐02
Development of an integrated bioenergetics index [IBI] function for biophotonic therapy
Authors: Einstein George Przybyl , Tulp Orien L , Karam David 
Published: June 2021

Bioenergetics forms the basis for ultraviolet phototherapy [UVPT] and processes of cellular metabolism and energy production in health and disease. To quantify the contribution of UVPT on bioenergetics a mathematical formula has been derived and applied to quantify immune‐linked mechanisms that modulate metabolism in normal and disordred states. Energy transfer processes are quantifiable events and are essential for processes that contribute to life, the pathophysiology of disease, and senescence. The effectiveness of UVPT can be explained in part by examining the effect of quanta of UV light on the chemical structure of bacteria and cellular processes. The IBI may be expressed as follows:IBI= C1&#8729;C2&#8729;F1( B/A; N/W;S/E;SM/M) ‐ F2[(VIR_L;Bact_L;TOX_L;FREE_RAD)/(NMicEl_&#8729;NDE TOX NUT )], where determinants of genetic, physiologic, biochemical, nutritional, and other factors are assessed. Bacterial cells are smaller and more susceptible to UV energy than eukaryotic cells due to a 5‐fold greater content of photosensitive amino acids[PSAA], enabling bacteria to absorb greater quanta of UVPT energy than similarly exposed eurkaryotic host cells, effectively “marking” them for demise. In contrast, lower cell content of PSAA in eukaryotic host cells result in less damage during UVPT. These results are consistent with UVPT enhanced humeral and cellular responses to immunogenic stimuli. Institutional Support.
Autoregulation of SUS1: a splicing dependent regulation of histone H2B ubiquitination
Authors: Hossain Munshi Azad , Venkataramanan Srivats , Johnson Tracy L 
Published: June 2021

Pre‐messenger RNA splicing is an underappreciated mechanism for regulating gene expression in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), likely due to the paucity of intron containing genes in this single‐celled eukaryote. However, a growing number of studies suggest that introns play an important role in modulating gene expression under stress conditions. Recently, we have shown that environmental stress modulates splicing of the SUS1, a two‐intron gene in yeast. Sus1p, which is a part of deubiquitination module within the SAGA complex, plays an important role in maintaining proper cellular levels of ubiquitinated H2B. The first intron of SUS1 contains non‐canonical 5’SS and branch point sequences, which leads to retention of the first intron and subsequently limits the production of SUS1 mRNA. Here, we show that increased accumulation of the first intron containing transcript leads to a decrease in SUS1 mRNA production. Interestingly, the first intron containing transcript can be translated to produce truncated Sus1 protein which appears to play a role in SUS1 autoregulation. This study hints at an autoregulatory mechanism of control of SUS1 splicing and demonstrates an important role for regulated splicing in yeast to control histone modification.National Science Foundation awards (NSF CAREER MCB‐0448010 and MCB‐1051921); National Institutes of Health (GM085474)
Evidence for a secondary pathway for fibril growth during amyloid fibril formation by tau
Authors: Ramachandran Gayathri , Udgaonkar Jayant B. 
Published: June 2021

The aggregation of the natively disordered protein, tau to form lesions called neurofibrillary tangles is a characteristic feature of several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease. The focus of this work is to understand the mechanism of aggregation and the heterogeneity inherent in the amyloid fibril formation reaction of tau. This is achieved by aggregating the protein in vitro using the inducer heparin in a near‐physiological buffer and studying the kinetics of aggregation using biophysical and biochemical probes. For tau, the fibril formation mechanism in the presence of inducers has been described in previous work as ligand‐induced nucleation‐dependent polymerization. We find however that a complete explanation of the kinetic data obtained by monitoring the evolution of ThioflavinT fluorescence requires us to invoke the existence of a secondary pathway for fibril growth. In general, secondary pathways may be of three kinds: fibril fragmentation, lateral growth/branching and secondary/heterogeneous nucleation on a fibril surface. We provide both kinetic and accessory evidence for the conclusion that the dominant secondary pathway for fibril growth during the aggregation of the functional, repeat domain of tau is fragmentation.This work was funded by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
Quercertin as a Possible Inhibitor of Glycation in Diabetes
Authors: Maynard Danille , DeBauche Callie , Wing Barbara 
Published: June 2021

Previous work has indicated Quercertin inhibits the glycation of proteins in an in vitro system designed to closely simulate interactions between proteins and sugars in diabetic patients. The addition of sugars to proteins and other biological molecules is a major contributor to the development of the complications of diabetesThis experiment compared the effects of the addition of concentrations of 150 μg/ml, 200 μg/ml, and 3000 μg/ml of Quercetin to mixtures of 400μg/ml of albumin and 0.5M glucose Testing was done using spectrophotometry to measure glycoproteins at 530 nm. The hypothesis is that there would be lower absorption levels of the solutions containing Quercetin than those of the albumin/glucose solution. Our results show that high levels of Quercetin, such as the 300 μg/ml concentration does not show inhibition; while the 150 μg/ml, and 200 μg/ml concentrations are variable; indicating that under certain conditions the Quercetin may have some inhibition properties, but the inconsistencie suggest the need for further investigation.This Project is supported by the Smith Glynn Callaway Medical Foundation.
TGF‐beta activates Akt kinase and induces glomerular mesangial hypertrophy related to diabetic nephropathy through FOG2 inhibition by microRNA‐200b/c
Authors: Park Jung Tak , Kato Mitsuo , Lanting Linda , Putta Sumanth , Castro Nancy , Natarajan Rama 
Published: June 2021

Glomerular hypertrophy is a hallmark of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Akt kinase activated by transforming growth factor‐beta1 (TGF‐b) plays an important role in glomerular mesangial hypertrophy. However, the mechanisms of Akt activation by TGF‐b are not fully understood. Recently, miR‐200 and its target FOG2 were reported to regulate PI3‐Kinase (the upstream activator of Akt) activity in insulin signaling. Here we show that TGF‐b activates Akt in glomerular mesangial cells (MC) by inducing miR‐200b/c, both of which target FOG2, an inhibitor of Akt activation. FOG2 expression was reduced in diabetic mice glomeruli as well as TGF‐b treated mouse MC (MMC). FOG2 knockdown by siRNAs in MMC activated Akt and increased protein content/cell ratio suggesting hypertrophy. miR‐200b/c levels increased significantly in diabetic mice glomeruli and TGF‐b stimulated MMC. Transfection of MMC with miR‐200b/c mimics decreased the expression of FOG2. Conversely, TGF‐b induced decrease in FOG2 expression was attenuated by miR‐ 200b/c transfection into MMC. Furthermore, miR‐200b/c mimics increased the protein content/cell ratio, while miR‐200b/c inhibitors abrogated the TGF‐b induced increase in protein content/cell. These data suggest a new mechanism of Akt activation by TGF‐b through FOG2 down regulation by miR‐ 200b/c which can lead to MC hypertrophy in the progression of DN.(supported by NIH DK08170 and NIH DK058191)