bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Finding a Correlation Between the Deltoid Tuberosity & Torsion Angle in the Humerus
Authors: De Leon Monica Maria , Kimble Mabel Michelle , Giljum Karl , Nusse Gloria 
Published: June 2021

How does muscle orientation and torsion angle affect movement in the shoulder and brachium, as illustrated by the location of the deltoid tuberosity? Using the San Francisco State University teaching collection, we examined 15 left humeri, and focused on their total morphology. The purpose of this study is to find a significant correlation between the torsion angle of the humerus, and deltoid tuberosity. Torsion angle describes the innate twisting found in the humeri, and plays a significant role in our posture. Using Evans and Krahl's (1945) methodology, we calculated the torsion angles by creating a “torsio‐ meter”; using a platform to stabilize the humeri, and two laser beams to cross the tangent lines. Dissected human cadavers and intact skeletons were also examined to further investigate this relationship. The results showed significant amount of variability between all of the humeri in their morphology. These differences were analyzed in order to understand how torsion angle might affect muscle insertion of the deltoid. While the lengths, widths, torsion angles, and landmark orientations are unique in each humeri, and certainly play a role in physical performance, we are investigating this one aspect of correlation between the deltoid tuberosity and torsion angle.Grant Funding Source: None
Variants of sacral spina bifida occulta
Authors: Singh Rajani 
Published: June 2021

Precise and systematic knowledge of normal and classified variant anatomy of sacral spina bifida occulta is clinically important for anesthetists, neurologists, radiologists, orthopedic surgeons and academically to anatomists for correlating classes, their genesis and clinical implications. Therefore the study has been carried out. 85 dry sacra were examined, classified in five categories, genetic causes analysed and associated clinical significance was correlated for sacral spina bifida occultaType‐I the dorsal wall is completely open, Type‐II the dorsal wall is open below S1 down to S5. Type‐III the dorsal wall is open from S2 to S5. Type‐IV the dorsal wall is open below S3 down to S5, Type‐V the dorsal wall is open between S1 and S2. The cause for the genesis of this defect was attributed to the combined effect of mutation of Pax1/Pax9 pair, Hox11 and Foxc genes derived from genetic studies on mice besides environmental factors.
Iron deficiency and physical activity after a dietary iron intervention in female Indian tea pickers
Authors: Serrano Yosmel , Rahn Maike , Crump Erica , Venkatramanan Sudha , Haas Jere D. 
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of a double‐fortified salt (DFS) (containing iron and iodine) intervention on iron status and physical activity in female Indian tea pluckers. A double‐blinded study randomized 217 women working at a tea estate in West Bengal, India to consume either iodized salt fortified with iron (DFS) or iodized salt (control) for 10 months. The DFS group received approximately 5–7 mg iron/day. Iron status (Hb, sFt, sTfR), inflammation markers (CRP, AGP), and physical activity levels (estimated through Actigraph accelerometers) were determined at baseline and end line data collection. Physical activity was categorized by the number of minutes spent in sedentary physical activity (1.00 MET), light physical activity (1.01–2.99 METs), and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (>;3.00 METs) at work and discretionary (before work, after work, and during break) time. There was a significant increase in sFt (p=0.02) and body iron (p=0.004) from baseline to end line in the DFS group compared to control group. The DFS group showed a significant increase in minutes spent in total discretionary time (p=0.0136) in light physical activity. We conclude that consumption of DFS improved iron status and had a positive effect on leisure activities.Funded by the Mathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition and the Micronutrient Initiative.
Weight and Percent Body Fat Increased Significantly over Freshman Year in a Subset of the FLASH College Health Study
Authors: Pride Adrienne , Hey David , Hagobian Todd , McDermott Ann Yelmokas , Hall Laura Marie 
Published: June 2021

College Freshman are at a critical point in their lives where they are establishing health behaviors that can last a lifetime. On average, adults in America gain 0.4 to 1.8 pounds per year, referred to as “creeping obesity”. Our purpose was to determine students’ perceptions of their resting energy expenditure (REE), record actual REE, body composition, and weight changes longitudinally over two time periods (Fall 2011 and Spring 2012) during their Freshman year at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA using a subsample of the FLASH College Health Study (N=39 Females). REE was measured using the BodyGem™, body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and weight and height were measured to calculate BMI. We found a significant increase in weight from 59±7kg to 60±7kg (p=0.0489) and percent body fat from 27±5% to 30±4% (p<0.0001) over their Freshman year. When comparing perceived REE to measured REE, students slightly overestimated calories at both visits (~163 kcals over, p=0.0091 and ~142 kcals over, p=0.0335, respectively), however, demonstrating that they were quite good at estimating their REE. Overall Freshman students gained approximately 1 kg which could potentially have adverse health consequences.Funding: Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) Grant (47861)
Anti‐inflammatory Activities of Plant pigments
Authors: Kim Jong‐Sang , Kang Hye Ryung , Kim Hyo Jung , Seo Ji Yeon , Park In Sil , Kim Seong Soon , Kim Bo Ram , Zakharova Alexandra 
Published: June 2021

Natural colorants have become substantially popular as consumers are getting more interested in safety and wellbeing. As plant pigments have not been widely studied for their bioactive function, we attempted to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory activities of 24 kinds of plant‐derived colorants which were prepared by extraction with hot water. Among 24 kinds of samples, lac Dye, pagoda flower, deyer weed, dragons blood, and logwood showed relatively strong anti‐inflammatory effect. They effectively inhibited production of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines, and suppressed expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), and phosphorylation of nuclear factor (NF)‐kappa B p65 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated murine macrophage Raw264.7 cells. In addition, we confirmed the suppression of TPA‐induced skin inflammation by the samples in a mouse model. These findings suggest that the five samples exert anti‐inflammatory action through the inhibition of NF‐kappa B signaling pathway.Grant Funding Source: Ministry of Knowledge Economy
5‐HT2C Receptor agonist anorectic efficacy potentiated by 5‐HT1B Receptor agonist co‐application; an effect mediated via augmented pro‐opiomelanocortin neuron activation
Authors: Doslikova Barbora , Garfield Alastair , Shaw Jill , Evans Mark , Burdakov Denis , Billups Brian , Heisler Lora 
Published: June 2021

A key component of the appetite‐regulating neural network is the 5‐HT2C receptor (5‐HT2CR); agonists of which suppress food intake and were recently approved for obesity treatment by the USFood and Drug Administration. Appetite is primarily mediated via activation of hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons which are disinhibited via a 5‐HT1BR mediated suppression of local inhibitory inputs. We investigated whether 5‐HT2CR agonist anorectic potency could be significantly enhanced by co‐administration of a 5‐HT1BR agonist and associated with augmented POMC neuron activation. The combined administration of subanorectic concentrations of 5‐HT2CR and 5‐HT1BR agonists produced a potent 45% reduction in food intake and significantly greater in vivo ARC neuron activation. The chemical phenotype of activated ARC neurons was assessed by calcium imaging in POMC‐EGFP brain slices, revealing that combined agonists activated significantly more POMC neurons (46%) compared to either drug alone (approximately 25% each). Single‐cell electrophysiological analysis demonstrated that 5‐HT2CR/5‐HT1BR agonist co‐administration did not significantly potentiate the firing frequency of individual ARC POMC‐EGFP cells compared to drugs alone. These data indicate a functional heterogeneity of ARC POMC neurons by revealing distinct subpopulations of POMC cells activated by 5‐HT2CRs and disinhibited by 5‐HT1BRs. Thus, co‐administration of a 5‐HT1BR agonist potentiates the anorectic efficacy of 5‐HT2CR compounds by increasing the number but not magnitude of activated ARC POMC neurons and is of therapeutic relevance to obesity treatment.
Proximity Ligation Assay of Interactions between β‐1 Integrin and Ca2+ Sensitization Proteins During the Contractile Response of Gastric Fundus Smooth Muscles to Cholinergic Stimuli
Authors: Xie Yeming , Perrino Brian 
Published: June 2021

Contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle involves the regulation of myosin light chain (LC20) phosphorylation by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP). Rho‐associated, coiled‐coil containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2), and myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) are crucial for gastrointestinal smooth muscle contractile regulation via their inhibition of MLCP activity. β‐1 integrin is a trans‐membrane receptor that forms focal contacts and mediates the attachment of smooth muscle cells to the extracellular matrix and therefore plays an important role in cell adhesion, tension generation, and mechanotransduction in smooth muscle cells.Here we use proximity ligation assays (PLA) to examine the role of β‐1 integrin in gastric fundus smooth muscle contraction. Muscle contraction with bath‐applied carbachol (CCh) or neurally‐released ACh by atropine‐sensitive electrical field stimulation (EFS) significantly increased the interaction of MYPT1, ROCK2 and S19 phosphorylated LC20 with β‐1 integrin. Furthermore, PLA analysis of intact gastric fundus smooth muscle tissue shows that both bath‐applied CCh and neurally‐released ACh increase MYPT1‐T853 phosphorylation, in contrast to our previous findings obtained by western blot analysis of whole cell lysates showing that only CCh treatment increased MYPT1‐T853 phosphorylation. These results indicate that Ca2+ sensitization and contractile proteins interact with β‐1 integrin in focal contacts in response to cholinergic stimuli, indicating a potentially important role of β‐1 integrin in contributing to the contractile responses of fundus smooth muscles to cholinergic stimuli.
The Therapeutic Potential of Toll‐like Receptor 4 Antagonists in Preventing Liver Injury Induced by Biliary Obstruction and Subsequent Endotoxemia
Authors: Yokoyama Yukihiro , Oya Shingo , Kokuryo Toshio , Nagino Masato 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to elucidate the efficacy of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonists in preventing liver injury induced by biliary obstruction and subsequent intra‐portal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion in rats.BackgroundBiliary obstruction often leads to the development of bacterial translocation and subsequent endotoxemia. Both biliary obstruction and endotoxemia lead to a severe liver injury.Materials and MethodsRats were subjected to either a sham operation (Sham group) or bile duct ligation for 7 days (BDL group). Seven days after each operation, LPS (0.5 μg) was injected through the ileocecal vein. In other experiments, rats that had undergone BDL were pretreated, prior to LPS challenge, with intravenous TAK‐242, a TLR4 inhibitor.ResultsThe expression of the TLR4 protein as well as the number of Kupffer cells in the liver were significantly increased in the BDL group compared with the Sham group. The expression of TLR4 co‐localized with Kupffer cells, which was confirmed by double immunofluorescence staining. Serum levels of liver enzymes and proinflammatory cytokines after intra‐portal LPS injection were significantly higher in the BDL group than in the Sham group. However, pretreatment with TAK‐242 strongly attenuated these changes.ConclusionsThese results imply that blocking TLR4 signaling effectively attenuates liver damage in rats with BDL and subsequent intra‐portal LPS infusion. TAK‐242 treatment may be used for patients who are susceptible to liver damage by biliary obstruction and endotoxemia.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Survival after Intraspinal Transplantation
Authors: Barbero Margaret , Gransee Heather , Zhan Wen‐Zhi , Sieck Gary , Mantilla Carlos 
Published: June 2021

Following spinal cord hemisection at C2 (SH), removal of descending excitatory drive to phrenic motoneurons results in ipsilateral diaphragm muscle paralysis with partial spontaneous recovery of rhythmic phrenic activity over time. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in neuroplasticity following SH. Intraspinal transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells engineered to produce BDNF‐GFP (BDNF‐MSCs) at the time of injury promotes functional recovery of all animals, despite low levels of MSC survival at 14 days post‐SH. The goal of the present study was to determine the survival and localization of BDNF‐MSCs after intraspinal transplantation. BDNF‐MSCs were injected intraspinally at C4 (2 sites, total 2 x 105 cells in 4 µl) in adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats. After one and three days, the cervical spinal cord was fixed, excised, and cut longitudinally. Survival of transplanted BDNF‐MSCs was confirmed in all animals at 1 day post‐transplantation (n=5) and in five of 6 animals at 3 days post‐transplantation. BDNF‐MSCs remained localized at the site of injection in the white matter at 1 and 3 days, with an average volume of 1.1 ± 0.3 µl. There was no localization of MSCs in the vicinity of phrenic motoneurons identified by retrograde labeling with cholera toxin subunit B. Understanding the time course of stem cell survival after transplantation is important in defining windows of opportunity during which the beneficial effects of BDNF on respiratory function after spinal cord injury are executed.Supported by HL96750 and Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine.
The Unfolded Protein Response Regulates Apoptosis of Alveolar Epithelial Cells (AECs) by Modulating Autocrine Angiotensin (ANG)II and ANG1‐7
Authors: Nguyen Hang , Dang MyTrang , Ono Shinji , Morimoto Konosuke , Uhal Bruce 
Published: June 2021

STUDY OBJECTIVEOur prior work showed that ER stress‐induced apoptosis of AECs is regulated by the autocrine ANGII/ANG1‐7 system. MG132 or surfactant protein C (SP‐C) BRICHOS domain mutation G100S induced apoptosis in human AECs by activating cathepsin D and by decreasing the protective angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE‐2). This study tested the hypothesis that ER stress‐induced apoptosis of human AECs might be mediated by UPR pathways that in turn modulate the autocrine ANGII/ANG1‐7 system of these cells.METHODSA549 cells were challenged with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 or the SP‐C mutant G100S. UPR markers and ANG system components were measured by Western blotting. Apoptosis was measured by caspase activation and nuclear fragmentation.RESULTSMG132‐ or G100S mutation‐induced ER stress activated the UPR pathways (phospho PERK, phospho eIF2α, ATF4, phospho IRE1, spliced XBP1, ATF6), which led to an increase of cathepsin D and a decrease of anti‐apoptotic ACE‐2. Blockade of UPR pathways with UPR chaperone 4‐PBA or siRNAs (siATF6, siIRE1, siPERK) prevented both the changes in cathepsin D and ACE‐2 and the AEC apoptosis caused by MG132 or G100S.CONCLUSIONSThese data show that ER stress induces apoptosis in human AECs through UPR‐mediated pathways that in turn modulate the autocrine ANGII/ANG1‐7 system. They also demonstrate that ER stress‐induced apoptosis of human AECs can be prevented by inhibition of UPR‐specific pathways.
Acute Alcohol Treatment and Cardiac Dysfunction in Obese Diabetic Mice: Role of PDE5 and MicroRNA‐21
Authors: Samidurai Arun , Salloum Fadi , Xi Lei , Das Anindita , Kukreja Rakesh 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveExcessive intake of alcohol under diabetic condition leads to increased stress and causes both transient and lasting structural changes including fibrosis in heart. We tested the hypothesis whether phosphodiesterase5 (PDE5) inhibitor, sildenafil prevents alcohol‐induced cardiac dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic (T2D) db/db mice and the role of microRNA‐21(miR‐21) in fibrosis through regulation of ERK1/2‐MAP kinase signaling and sprouty‐1(Spry‐1).Methods and ResultsAdult male db/db mice were randomized to receive: saline as control (0.2 ml; i.p, n =9) or ethanol (1.5 g/ BID; i.p, n=5) or ethanol with sildenafil (0.7mg/kg/day; i.p, n=5) for 3 days. Echocardiography showed a decline in Ejection Fraction (EF) in mice treated with ethanol as compared to their baseline (P < 0.05). Treatment with sildenafil in combination with ethanol showed normal EFimage). Real time PCR using TaqMan microRNA probe showed 1.5 fold increase in miR‐21 level in the heart after alcohol treatmentimage). Protein analysis showed down regulation of spry‐1, a target of miR‐21 and upregulation of ERK‐1/2 phosphorylation. Sildenafil treatment prevented the upregulation of miR‐21 and hence increased the level of spry‐1 and a concomitant decrease in ERK‐1/2 phosphorylation.ConclusionThe induction of miR‐21 in ethanol treated db/db mice with a subsequent decrease in spry‐1 and an increase in Phosphorylation of ERK‐1/2 suggest a role of this signaling cascade in fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction. Therapeutic intervention using sildenafil prevented LV dysfunction caused by alcohol intake and trigger of fibrosis signaling pathway.This study was supported in part by grants from National Institutes of Health (HL51045, HL79424, HL118808 to RCK).
Metabolic Therapies Improve Mitochondrial Morphology and Function
Authors: Ari Csilla , Poff Angela , Held Heather , Landon Carol , Goldhagen Craig , Mavromates Nicholas , Kesl Shannon , Ward Nathan , Fiorelli Tina , Van Putten Ashley , Sherwood Jacob , Arnold Patrick , D'Agostino Dominic 
Published: June 2021

In diseases where glucose utilization is impaired ketone bodies and TCA cycle intermediates serve as alternative fuel. Since these diseases are linked pathophysiologically to impaired mitochondrial function, we hypothesized that nutritional ketosis induced by ketogenic precursors or TCA cycle intermediate supplements promote mitochondrial biogenesis and preservation of existing mitochondria.Exogenous ketone supplementation was used in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and in SOD1 G93A mice. In SD rats, ketone ester and ketone salt‐MCT oil mixture was gavaged daily, whereas the Deanna protocol (DP) supplementation containing tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates was added to standard rodent chow fed to SOD1 G93A mice. Plasma was collected at endpoint and global metabolomic profiles were compared by Metabolon. Morphology, density and distribution of skeletal muscle mitochondria were studied by TEM and SEM.Exogenous ketone supplementation and the DP supplementation dose‐dependently increased compounds associated with glycolysis and the TCA cycle. Elevations of intermediates of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and FAO substrates indicated increased beta‐oxidation in response to the DP supplementation. Higher density of mitochondria and mitochondrial cristae could be observed in skeletal muscle in response to supplementation. These processes together likely result in improved ATP production, enhanced motor function and slower progression of diseases associated with metabolic dysfunction.
Acetylation of Mitochondrial Proteins in the Heart And Skeletal Muscle of Aged Rats
Authors: Javadova Leyla , Jang Sehwan , Soto Hernandez Jessica , Javadov Sabzali , Escobales Nelson 
Published: June 2021

Acetylation of proteins plays a crucial role in pathogenesis of cardiac diseases and aging. ROS accumulation under oxidative stress increases protein acetylation due to inactivation of NAD+‐dependent deacetylases known as sirtuins. We investigated the effect of the newly developed mitochondrial‐targeted ROS scavenger, XJB‐5‐131 (XJB) on acetylation of mitochondrial proteins and SIRT3 in adult (6 mo) and aged (30 mo) rats subjected to ex‐vivo global ischemia‐reperfusion (IR). We hypothesized that XJB decreases the acetylation of mitochondrial proteins and increases the level of SIRT3 in aged rat hearts following IR. Acetylated proteins and SIRT3 levels were determined in cardiac mitochondria using acetyl‐lysine and SIRT3 antibodies. Mitochondria of aged hearts demonstrated a 58% (P<0.038) increase in protein acetylation compared to adult rats after IR. XJB reduced acetylation of mitochondrial proteins in aged hearts whereas no significant effect was observed in adult rats. Moreover, SIRT3 increased 37% (P<0.045 vs. untreated) in aged animals treated withXJB. Analysis of the gastrocnemius muscle (no IR) did not demonstrate significant alterations in protein acetylation and SIRT3 levels in mitochondria in adult and aged rats treated with or without XJB. In conclusion, the mitochondrial‐targeted ROS scavenger, XJB decreases the acetylation of mitochondrial proteins and increases mitochondrial SIRT3 in aged rat hearts following IR. This suggests that XJB could be of therapeutic use to reduce the progression of cardiac diseases with aging.Supported by the APS/NHLBI (1 R25 HL115473‐01) STRIDE Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship (L.J.), the NHLBI‐NIH grant SC1HL118669 (S.J.) and the UPR MSC.
Modifying Portapres™ Technology for Continuous Noninvasive Blood Pressure Measurements in the Hyperbaric Chamber
Authors: van der Bel René , Sliggers Bart , van Houwelingen Marc , van Lieshout Johannes , Stok Wim , van Hulst Rob , Krediet C 
Published: June 2021

For various (patho‐)physiological human study designs it would desirable to have a safe, noninvasive continuous blood pressure measurement for use under hyperbaric conditions. For this purpose we present the modifications to the Portapres™ system (Model 1) and its preliminary validation.The Portapres™ system was systematically analyzed according to “failure mode and effects analysis” principles. We identified possible failure modes related to pressure resistance and fire hazard in a hyperbaric and oxygen enriched environment, and adapted the device accordingly. 1) the carbon brush pump was replaced by a pressure reducing valve to be connected to a pressurized air supply. 2) gas‐filled electrolytic capacitors were replaced for solid equivalents. 3) the power supply was modified to fit the low voltage supply in the hyperbaric chamber.Preliminary validation of the modified system was performed in 5 healthy volunteers: against a standard Finapres® device (n=5) there was concurrence between measurements under normobaric conditions, with non‐significant (p > 0.2) mean differences of 1.03 and 4.93 mmHg in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Hyperbaric measurements proceeded without problems in two of the healthy volunteers.The modified system seems to provide safe and reliable measurements both under normo‐ and hyperbaric conditions. Further validation is warranted.