bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical model for functional intravital microscopy of the lung using an acute window
Authors: Hanna Gabi , Palmer Gregory , Shan Siqing , Radiloff Daniel , Dewhirst Mark , McMahon Timothy , Irwin David , Schroeder Thies 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionNumerous pathologies of the lung could benefit from a model of functional microscopic imaging of the lung in laboratory animals. Recent developments in window chamber microscopy enable us to measure key parameters of the lung including capillary blood flow and hemoglobin saturation. Functional intravital microscopy at high magnification, however, requires a still image for extended exposure times which is very difficult to obtain in the lung due to respiratory and cardiac movement.MethodsFemale Sprague Dawley rats were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine, tracheotomized, connected to a ventilator and subjected to open‐chest surgery. A customized window was protruded into the surgical opening and sutured to the outside of the wound sealing the chest cavity resulting in direct contact to the lung. Vital signs were assessed using MouseOx. Imaging was done using a fluorescence Zeiss microscope at 100 x magnification. Image analysis was done using Matlab and Image J.ResultsWe were able to eliminate lateral movement of the lung due to respiration and heart beat, and observe blood flow in vivo over a period of >1 min. We were able to measure hemoglobin saturation in pulmonary capillariesConclusionsOur surgical model enables intravital microscopy of the lung over extended imaging times. This model has clear potential to serve as a standard platform to study pathophysiologies of the lung.
Interaction between soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) in smooth muscle cells
Authors: Heckler Erin , Baskaran Padmamalini , Beuve Annie 
Published: June 2021

Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is a nitric oxide (NO) sensor in the cardiovascular system. This heterodimeric enzyme contains a heme cofactor and converts guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to the signaling molecule, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Upon NO binding to the heme, production of cGMP is stimulated several hundred fold. We showed that sGC can be desensitized via S‐nitrosation (Sayed et al. PNAS 2007, 104, 12312‐17). More recently, Zheng et al implicate the reduction of key cysteine residues in sGC for enzyme activation (Zheng, et al. Cardiovascular Research published online Jan 19, 2011). This cytosolic enzyme has 34 cysteines, a thiol titer estimates that twelve of these are disulfide‐bonded, leaving a significant number of predicted free thiols in the native form of the enzyme. Previous work suggested that sGC associates with PDI (Balashova, et al. JBC 2005, 280, 2186‐2196; Sayed and Beuve unpublished observations). We show that this is a direct redox interaction involving key cysteines in sGC and PDI. The biological relevance of this interaction is under investigation.Supported by NIH Grant R01 GM067640
Adhesion of transferrin to Tisifilcon A contact lenses
Authors: Solanki Darshan , Brinon Stephanie , Keith Edward O. , Janoff Andrea , Nishimura Sachiko 
Published: June 2021

Tear proteins accumulate on contact lenses causing lens deterioration and conjunctival irritation. We examined the adhesion of transferrin to contact lenses made of tisifilcon A, a rigid gas‐permeable silicone hydrogel (FDA Group III). Lenses were incubated 2.0 mg/ml solutions of human holo‐transferrin for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days, and protein adhesion was determined by bicinchoninic acid assay. Transferrin adhesion increased from day 0 to day 3 and then dropped after days 4 and 5. This pattern resembled transferrin adhesion to lenses made of polymacon (FDA Group I), alphafilcon (FDA Group II), omafilcon (FDA Group II) and balafilcon (FDA Group III) materials, but differed from the pattern of transferrin adhesion to etafilcon (FDA Group IV) material. Transferrin adhesion to tisifilcon A was greater than transferrin adhesion to all other materials except balafilcon, which had equivalent transferrin adhesion. These differences may be related to the positive charges on transferrin originating from arginine residues and the N‐terminus. These cause transferrin to adhere better to the low water ionic Group III materials than to the non‐ionic materials (FDA Groups I and II) and the high water ionic material (FDA Group IV).Supported by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences at NSU and the Menicon Company, Ltd.
A novel PAGE buffer for faster runs and sharper protein bands
Authors: Roemer Stephen , Sevigny Pierre , Modi Parul , Patil Shamee 
Published: June 2021

Since the mid‐70s Laemmli's protocol based on a Tris‐glycine‐SDS buffer system has been widely used for analyzing protein mixtures by PAGE. Laemmli's buffer system allows clear and accurate molecular weight estimation of proteins in complex samples from a wide variety of sources, but at the cost of long electrophoresis time. Modifications and improvements of this method reducing total run‐time are limited to mainly high priced precast gels.In this work, we demonstrate an improved Laemmli method offering significant cut in run‐time and improved sharpening of protein bands. The patent pending modifications apply to the running buffer system which can be run at higher voltages without generating high heat and impacting gel performance. We show that typical mini‐gels (10 x 10 cm gel) cast with the Laemmli recipe can be run 50 to 60% faster and still maintain a wide separation range similar to porosity gradient gels. In fact, a 10% Laemmli discontinuous mini‐gel will provide ultra‐fine band resolution over a wide molecular weight range (10 to 240 kDa) in less than 30 minutes using this unique running buffer. The need for gradient gels may be over since a uniform concentration gel can now fractionate proteins covering a wide range of molecular masses in half the time.
3D Slicer
Authors: Kikinis Ron 
Published: June 2021

3D Slicer is:A software platform for the analysis and visualization of bio‐medical images and for research in image guided therapyAn extensible algorithm and application development platform with a powerful plug‐in architectureA free, open source package available on multiple operating systems (Windows, MAC, Linux) built on the NA‐MIC kitThe presentation will provide an overview of the available technologies and demonstrations of some of the capabilities of 3D Slicer.This work is supported by NIH P41RR01328 and NIH U54EB005149.
Functional analysis of liver and intestinal FABPs in the intestine: Comparison of LFABP and IFABP null mice
Authors: Gajda Angela Marie , Zhou Yin Xiu , Fortson Walter , Kodukula Sarala , Storch Judith 
Published: June 2021

The fatty acid binding protein (FABP) family consists of ~15 kD cytosolic proteins which bind long chain fatty acids (FA) and other lipid species. Both liver‐type (LFABP; FABP1) and intestinal type (IFABP; FABP2) are present in the intestinal enterocyte, but the individual roles of these proteins are not known. These proteins bind long chain FA, but the LFABP binding site has a higher affinity for unsaturated than saturated FA. Hence, we examined the effects of dietary saturated vs. unsaturated FA in mice null for LFABP or IFABP. Male C57Bl6/J (WT), LFABP−/−, and IFABP−/− mice were fed isocaloric diets containing 10 kcal% fat (LFD), 45 kcal% fat rich in long chain saturated FA (HFS), or 45 kcal% unsaturated FA (HFU) for 12 weeks. The LFABP−/− mice fed the HFS diet had markedly higher body weights (BW) and fat mass (FM) relative to WT, while HFS diet feeding had the opposite effect on IFABP−/− mice. IFABP−/− mice fed HFU also had lower BW and FM. IFABP−/− mice also had higher respiratory exchange ratios relative to WT on both high fat diets, suggesting preferential utilization of carbohydrates as a fuel source. Thus, LFABP−/− and IFABP−/− mice display very different phenotypes in response to dietary lipids, suggesting that these proteins have discrete roles in enterocyte lipid metabolism and in whole body energy homeostasis.Grant Funding Source: NIH DK38389 and NJAES
Development of a Whole‐body Model of Vitamin A Metabolism in Neonatal Rats Treated with Oil or Vitamin A and Retinoic Acid (VARA) Based on Compartmental Analysis of Retinol Tracer Kinetics
Authors: Tan Libo , Wray Amanda E. , Green Michael H. , Ross A. Catharine 
Published: June 2021

Compartmental modeling has contributed greatly to our understanding of vitamin A (VA) metabolism in adult animals and humans. However, VA metabolism in neonates is virtually uncharacterized. Our objectives were to compare VARA supplementation vs. placebo oil on whole‐body retinol kinetics and to develop a whole‐body model of VA metabolism in neonatal rats, taking into account the inherent metabolic non‐steady state of neonates. On post‐natal day 4, rat pups (n=3/time point) received an oral dose of 11,12‐[3H]retinol admixed with oil or VARA. In pups treated with oil, radioactivity in plasma retinol rose quickly between 1 and 6 hours, with the absorption peak at 6 hr. Then there was a rapid disappearance of tracer, followed by a leveling off which reflects the recycling of retinol between plasma and extravascular tissues and a flat slope from 2 d to 8 d. Then radioactivity further declined into a terminal slope, which represents the initiation of retinol degradation. In pups treated with VARA, peak fraction of the oral dose in plasma was lower. VARA was also associated with a more rapid accumulation of radioactivity in liver and an increased fraction of the oral dose in lung. A compartmental model as viewed from the “plasma space” indicated extensive recycling of retinol between plasma and tissues in neonates, as in adults. Also, VARA stimulated the turnover of retinol between plasma and extravascular tissues.NIH HD‐66982Grant Funding Source : NIH
Urinary Excretion of 3‐Hydroxyisovaleryl Carnitine is Elevated in Lactating Women Consuming A Biotin Intake Exceeding Current Recommendations
Authors: Perry Cydne Aren , Gayle Antoinette , Malysheva Olga V. , Yan Jian , Caudill Marie A. 
Published: June 2021

Urinary excretion of 3‐hydroxyisovaleryl carnitine (3HIA‐carnitine) is a functional biomarker of biotin status as it reflects impairment in leucine catabolism caused by reduced activity of the biotin‐dependent enzyme 3‐methylcrotonyl‐CoA carboxylase. As part of a 12‐wk controlled feeding study, healthy non‐pregnant (n=12), pregnant (n=13, 27wk gestation) and lactating (n=12, 5wk postpartum) women consumed 56 mcg biotin per day (~ 2x current adequate intake [AI] levels) as measured by LCMS. Twenty four hour urine collections were obtained and 3HIA‐carnitine was measured at wk 0 and 12 via LCMS. By study end, lactating women excreted two times more 3HIA‐carnitine compared to baseline (p=0.005) and 8 of 12 lactating women were excreting 3HIA‐carnitine above the upper limit of normal (i.e. > 0.2 mmol/mol creatnine). Urinary 3HIA‐carnitine excretion did not change in response to 56 mcg biotin per day among pregnant and nonpregnant women. These results indicate that lactating women may benefit from a biotin intake that exceeds the current AI of 35 mcg per day. Measurements of additional static and functional biomarkers of biotin status are underway to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the impact of physiologic state (i.e., lactation) on biotin status and requirements.Funded and Supported by: The Gerber Foundation and The Hartwell Foundation.
Dietary folate and vitamin B6 intake insufficiencies among Cubans, Haitians and African‐Americans with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ajabshir Sahar , Vaccaro Joan A. , Zarini Gustavo G. , Cheema Amanpreet K. , Huffman Fatma G. 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo investigate dietary folate and vitamin B6 intake insufficiencies by ethnicity and diabetes status for three minorities.MethodsA cohort of 865 participants [358 Cuban Americans (CA), 258 Haitian Americans (HA) and 249 African‐Americans (AA)] with diabetes (n=410) and without diabetes (n=455) was studied. Folate and vitamin B6 intakes were calculated from Willet's food frequency questionnaire.ResultsHA were more likely to have insufficient vitamin B6 intake than CA (OR=9.0, 95% CI 1.72– 47.6, P=0.009); whereas AA were more likely than HA to have insufficient vitamin B6 intake (OR=2.79, 95% CI 1.03–7.58, P=0.044). HA (OR=3.09, 95% CI 1.54– 6.21, P=0.002) as compared to CA were more likely to have insufficient folate intake. Also, individuals with diabetes (OR=1.79, 95% CI 1.13– 2.85, P=0.014) as compared to without diabetes were more likely to have insufficient folate intake.ConclusionAA and HA may be at risk for insufficient vitamin B6 and folate intakes. In addition, the results suggest that diabetes status may be a risk factor for insufficient intake of folate in these minorities.Funding for this research was provided through and NIH/NIDDK sponsored grant.
The administration of Dioscorea batatas extract and fish oil inhibits the development of oxazolone‐induced atopic dermatitis‐like skin lesions in hairless mice
Authors: PARK JINAH , Ji Geun Eok , Sung Mi-Kyung 
Published: June 2021

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing inflammatory disorder that is characterized by pruritic and eczematous skin lesions. In this study, we examined whether Dioscorea Batatas extract (DBE) and/or fish oil (FO) suppress the development of AD‐like skin lesions. SKH1 hairless mice were divided into eight experimental groups as follows: control, positive control, FO 0.09%, FO 0.18%, DBE 0.17%, DBE 0.33%, FO 0.18% + DBE 0.17% and FO 0.18% + DBE 0.33%. All animals except those in control groups were treated with OX for two weeks after the first experimental diet supply. Administration of FO and DBE inhibited the development of AD‐like skin lesions as exemplified by decreases in skin severity score, hypertrophy of the skin, infiltration of inflammatory cells in the epidermis and dermis. FO and DBE significantly reduced serum levels of both macrophage‐derived chemokine (MDC) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and the mixture of FO and DBE markedly reduced IL‐6 concentration. In addition, FO and DBE mixture supplementation significantly decreased the mRNA expression of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) in draining lymph nodes. These results suggest that FO and DBE effectively suppress the development of AD skin lesions, possibly by suppressing Th2 cell‐mediated immune responses.* This work was supported by Gangwon Regional Innovation Agency, Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Small and Medium Business Administration, Korea(S1072365).Grant Funding Source : Gangwon Regional Innovation Agency, Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Small and Medium Business Administration, Korea
Antiobesity and lipid‐lowering effects of Bifidobacterium spp. in high fat diet‐induced obese rats
Authors: An Hyang Mi , Kim Min Ji , Moon Jung Soon , Kang Joo Yeon , Lee Do Kyung , Lee Kang Ho , Shin Hea Soon , Ha Nam Joo 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundRecent studies have reported the preventive effects of probiotics on obesity. Among commensal bacteria, bifidobacteria is one of the most numerous probiotics in the mammalian gut and are a type of lactic acid bacteria. The aim of this study was to assess the antiobesity and lipid‐lowering effects of Bifidobacterium spp. isolated from healthy Korean on high fat diet‐induced obese rats.MethodsThirty‐six male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into three groups as follows: (1) SD group, fed standard diet; (2) HFD group, fed high fat diet; and (3) HFD‐LAB group, fed high fat diet supplemented with LAB supplement (B. pseudocatenulatum SPM 1204, B. longum SPM 1205, and B. longum SPM 1207; 108 ~ 109 CFU). After 7 weeks, the body, organ, and fat weights, food intake, blood serum levels, fecal LAB counts, and harmful enzyme activities were measured.ResultsAdministration of LAB reduced body and fat weights, blood serum levels (TC, HDL‐C, LDL‐C, triglyceride, glucose, leptin, AST, ALT, and lipase levels), and harmful enzyme activities (β‐glucosidase, β‐glucuronidase, and tryptophanase), and significantly increased fecal LAB counts.ConclusionThese data suggest that Bifidobacterium spp. used in this study may have beneficial antiobesity effects.
Effect of Ginkgo biloba leaves on plasma and liver lipids, platelet aggregation and erythrocyte Na+ efflux channels in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Ryou Sung-Hee , Kang Young-Hee , Kang Jung-Sook 
Published: June 2021

Forty 9 weeks old OVX rats ovariectomized at age of 5 weeks were divided into 4 groups and fed 0.2% cholesterol based control diet, 10% Ginkgo biloba (Gb) leaves powder, 3% Gb extract and 1% tanamin (EGb761) for four weeks. Total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were significantly increased in rats fed diet with tanamin compared with the control (both p<0.01) with no difference in liver cholesterol. Liver triglyceride was decreased in Gb leave powder compared with no difference in plasma TG. Platelet aggregation in the maximum and the initial slope tended to increase in groups with Gb powder, Gb extract and tanamin compared with the control. Intracellular Na was increased in group with tamanin compared with other groups (p<0.05), and with no difference in intracellular K. Na‐K ATPase in group with Gb powder and Na cotransport in group with Gb extract were significantly increased compared with the control (both, p<0.05). Angiotesin converting enzyme (ACE) was significantly decreased in group with tanamin (p<0.05) and ACE activity was not correlated with any of Na efflux channels.Bioactive compounds in gingko biloba in forms of powder, extract or tanamin (EGb761) seemed to play some roles on platelet aggregation and RBC efflux channels. Further studies including invitro experiment may be required for interpretation on their beneficial effects
Iron status and predicted VO2max in Indian adolescents
Authors: Przybyszewski Eric , Udipi Shobha , Ghugre Padmini , Boy Erick , Haas Jere D. 
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to determine whether iron status has a negative impact on predicted maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max, ml·kg−1·min−1) in Indian adolescents. School children (N=81 males, 74 females; age=12–16 y) were screened for indicators of iron status with a venous blood sample to assess ferritin (sFer), transferrin receptor (sTfR), hemoglobin (Hb), alpha‐1 acid glycoprotein (AGP), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) in rural Maharashtra, India. Anemia (N=10M, 15F) was defined as Hb<12.0g/dL; iron‐depletion (N=17M, 21F) was defined as sFer<16.0ng/mL. Each subject wore a Polar heart rate monitor and CosMed K4b2 indirect calorimeter while performing a YMCA sub‐maximal test on a Monark 874E cycle ergometer. VO2max was predicted by extrapolating the relationship between VO2 and heart rate to predicted maximum heart rate (195 bpm). Anemic boys had a significantly lower predicted VO2max (41.2ml·kg−1·min−1) than non‐anemic boys (45.9ml·kg−1·min−1) (p<0.05). Iron depleted (ID) boys had a significantly lower predicted VO2max (42.0ml·kg−1·min−1) than non‐ID boys (46.2ml·kg−1·min−1) (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in predicted VO2max between anemic and non‐anemic females (34.6ml·kg−1·min− 1,36.7ml·kg−1·min−1, respectively) or ID and non‐ID females (36.1ml·kg−1·min−1, 36.4ml·kg−1·min−1, respectively). Supported by HarvestPlus.Grant Funding Source : HarvestPlus
NutriChip – A lab‐on‐a‐chip platform to investigate food absorption and underlying immune regulations
Authors: Schwander Flurina , Kopf-Bolanz Katrin Annika , Portmann Reto , Egger Charlotte , Silacci Paolo , Gijs Martin , Vergères Guy 
Published: June 2021

The NutriChip project aims to develop a chip‐based technology that allows to monitor and compare the absorption of different food products in vitro regarding their immuno‐ modulatory properties. Dairy products were digested in vitro using a three step enzymatic digestion model, validated for its ability to degrade the macronutrients to physiological ranges. The nutrients released were applied apically to Caco‐2 cells cultured in a transwell system. The transported nutrients will be analyzed for their ability to modulate the inflammatory response of activated monocytes. This cellular co‐culture is integrated into a microfluidic chipsystem. Different products can be screened on their bioactivity, focusing on inflammation. The results obtained in the in vitro experiments will be compared with the results from human studies. In these studies, the effect of different test meals on postprandial inflammation is investigated by blood sampling before and after different time points of the test meals consumption. Blood samples are analyzed for glucose, insulin, triglyceride, CRP, different cytokines and metabolites. This project is funded by NanoTera.Grant Funding Source : NanoTera
Dental Pulp Stem Cells, proliferation/differentiation switch reveals new insights in Oct4A dynamics
Authors: Spelat Renza , Ferro Federico , DˈAurizio Federica , Puppato Elisa , Pandolfi Maura , Beltrami Antonio Paolo , Cesselli Daniela , Falini Giuseppe , Beltrami Carlo Alberto , Ambesi-Impiombato Francesco Saverio , Curcio Francesco 
Published: June 2021

Although the role played by transcription factors network, that includes c‐Myc, Klf4, Nanog, and Oct4, in the maintenance of embryonic stem cell pluripotency is known, its persistence and function in adult stem cells are still debated. To verify and clarify the role played by these molecules in adult stem cell function, we investigated the expression pattern of embryonic and adult stem cell markers in proliferating and differentiated dental pulp stem cells (DPSC). A particular attention was devoted to the expression pattern and intracellular localization of Oct4A. Data demonstrate that: Oct4, Nanog, Klf4 and c‐Myc are expressed in adult stem cells and, with the exception of c‐Myc, they are significantly down‐regulated following differentiation. Moreover, a nuclear to cytoplasm shuttling of Oct4A was identified in differentiated cells, which was associated with Oct4A phosphorylation. Last, cell differentiation was also associated with a reduction in both the Wnt/beta‐catenin/Lrh‐1 pathway and CD10, CD29 and CD117. Learning how to exploit the nuclear‐cytoplasm translocation of Oct4A could help in maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state, thus increasing opportunities to use adult stem cells in therapeutic applications.Work supported by Agenzia Spaziale Italiana.
Investigation of the Dravet syndrome using a mouse model
Authors: Tsai Ming-Shian , Lee Fang-Jen , Chen You-Tzung , Yu I-Shing , Liou Horng-Huei , Lin Shu-Wha 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo identify genetic heterogeneity which influence the severity and mortality of the diseaseMethodWe first generated a point mutation allele of Scn1a in the R1 mouse ES cell using a recombineering approach. Germline chimeras were mated with 129/J females to generate mutant mice in a pure 129 stain. Some of the resulting heterozygous mutant males were outcrossed to C57BL/6 females to generate F1 hybrids that mutant progenies in the heterogeneous genetic backgrounds with various degrees of phenotypic presentations can be obtained by F1 intercrosses.ResultIn the pure 129 stain, heterozygous mutant mice were resistant to the disease. However, the homozygous mutant pups became malnourished and showed a significant reduction in their body weight and sizes within 2 weeks. They were also found to have an unstable gait and developed spontaneous seizures. All of them died within the third postnatal week. In contrast, when the mutant allele was brought to a heterogeneous 129 and C57BL/6 mixed stain, sporadic sudden death was observed in some heterozygous animals after the third postnatal week. The survival rate of the adult heterozygotes was reduced to 60% at 7 weeks. These results suggested that some modifier loci in the two different genetic backgrounds have different effects on the mutant phenotypes.ConclusionWe successfully generated a mouse model for Dravet syndrome. The fact that Scn1a mutant seizure severity and gross lethality differ in 129 and C57BL/6 stains indicates an invaluable opportunity to identify modifier genes using these mutant strains.