bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic blood pressure predicts disease severity of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (884.13)
Authors: Sun Xing‐Guo 
Published: June 2021

Introduction: NYHA class and objective measurements obtained during cardiac catheterization (CATH) and incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) are all used to assess the severity of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the first visiting data from 86 IPAH patients without known systemic hypertension evaluated. After signed consent forms, CATH and CPET data were obtained without intervening changes in therapy. We correlated % predicted peak O2 uptake (%pkVO2) and NYHA class with systolic blood pressure at rest (SBPr) and peak exercise (SBPp) during CPET and the following resting CATH measures: mean right atrial pressure (mRAP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), total pulmonary vascular resistance (TPVR), SV, and CO. Data are reported as mean±SD. Results: The mean age was 44±14 yr, NYHA class 2.8±0.6, %pkVO2 48±14%, and SBPp was 160±28 mmHg. Correlations from highest to lowest for %pkVO2 were: SBPp=0.51 (p<0.0001), SBPr=0.48 (p<0.0001), SV=0.36 (p<0.01), TPVR=‐0.34 (p<0.01), CO=0.27 (p<0.05), mPAP=‐0.26 (p<0.05), and mRAP=‐0.07 (p>0.05). Correlations for NYHA class were: SV=‐0.29 (p<0.05 and SBPp=‐0.25 (p<0.05) only. Conclusion: In IPAH patients, easily non‐invasive measured resting systemic systolic blood pressure during CATH and CPET correlate better with NYHA, and especially by %pkVO2, than more commonly‐employed invasive measures obtained during CATH.Grant Funding Source: Chinese National High Technology Research and Development Program (863 Program) Project2012AA021009
PGC‐1α gene transfer rescues dystrophic muscle from advanced disease progression (884.18)
Authors: Hollinger Katrin , Barton Elisabeth , Selsby Joshua 
Published: June 2021

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive, fatal, muscle wasting disease caused by a dystrophin deficiency. The benefits of exercise for DMD patients are unclear and advanced disease progression may limit exercise capacity. We found previously that gene transfer of the exercise mimetic, PGC‐1α, increased abundance of utrophin as well as increased mitochondrial biogenesis using prevention and rescue paradigms. It is well accepted that increased abundance of the dystrophin‐related protein, utrophin, serves as an adequate substitute for dystrophin in dystrophic skeletal muscle. Our purpose in this investigation was to determine the extent to which PGC‐1α gene transfer would rescue dystrophic muscle following prolonged disease progression. One year old male mdx mice from our colony were injected in one hind limb with a virus driving expression of PGC‐1α while the contralateral limb was injected with empty capsid. Following three months of treatment we found that virus caused a 5‐fold increase in PGC‐1α expression in the gastrocnemius. Muscle function was measured in the soleus, in vitro. Muscle weight, tetanic force, and cross sectional area were similar between groups. Soleus muscles over‐expressing PGC‐1α increased specific tension by approximately 60% (p<0.05) and were more resistant to fatigue when stimulated over the course of 10 minutes (p<0.05). Force produced during the final contraction was 60% greater in treated soleus muscles than control (p<0.05). These data indicate that PGC‐1α pathway activation may interrupt the disease process even if initiated within the context of advanced disease. Supported in part by CIAG and Physiological Assessment Core of the Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Center at the University of Pennsylvania.Grant Funding Source: CIAG
KCa3.1 in the early stages of ischemic stroke (893.19)
Authors: Chen Yi‐Je , Yuen Natalie , Wallace Breanna , Wulff Heike , O'Donnell Martha 
Published: June 2021

In the early hours of ischemic stroke, a luminal Na‐K‐Cl cotransporter (NKCC) at the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) works with an abluminal Na/K pump to transport Na+ (with water following) from blood to brain. Ischemic factors (hypoxia, aglycemia and vasopressin) increase BBB NKCC activity in a manner dependent on elevation of intracellular Ca2+. Here, we identified the presence of the calcium‐activated KCa3.1 channel on cultured bovine BBB endothelial cells (CMEC). In airway and gastrointestinal epithelia, inhibition of KCa3.1 channels slows Cl‐ efflux and increases intracellular Cl‐ ([Cl‐]i). Since NKCC activity is highly sensitive to inhibition by [Cl‐]i increasing [Cl‐]i in BBB endothelial cells should reduce Na+ secretion into the brain during ischemic stroke. We therefore hypothesized that pharmacological blockade of KCa3.1 will reduce or prevent brain edema. The KCa3.1 blocker TRAM‐34 reduced Rb86 efflux in a dose‐dependent manner and inhibited vasopressin‐induced rises in CMEC [Ca2+]i MR spectroscopy and imaging studies in rat middle cerebral artery occlusion showed that pre‐treatment with TRAM‐34 (40mg/kg, IP) significantly slowed brain Na+ uptake and cytotoxic edema at a time when the BBB is still largely intact. Our findings suggest that KCa3.1 blockade constitutes an attractive approach for reducing edema in the early stages of ischemic stroke or during brain surgeries.Grant Funding Source: Supported by AHA & NIHGM
Role of PARP‐1 in the modulation of neutrophil function: relevance for inflammatory bowel disease (902.5)
Authors: Larmonier Claire , Shehab Kareem , McFadden Rita‐Marie , Ghishan Fayez , Kiela Pawel 
Published: June 2021

Aberrant immune response has been proposed as the underlying cause of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Disease progression and relapse are attributed to a hyperactive adaptive immune response to the bowel luminal contents accompanied by a disproportionate and persistent neutrophil (PMN) influx. Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerases (PARPs), including its most abundant isoform PARP1, catalyzes the transfer of ADP‐ribose units from NAD+ to a number of target proteins. In vivo studies have demonstrated that genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of PARP1 ameliorates the experimental colitis pathophysiological changes. Considering the essential role of PARP1 in the regulation of inflammation, we propose to evaluate the effect of Parp1 deletion on neutrophil function in a model of Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis. In comparison to WT mice, Parp1‐/‐ were protected from the effects of DSS, with significantly lower weight loss, and reduced proinflammatory mediators, including metalloproteinases and chemoattractants. The regulation of neutrophil‐related gene in the colon was also studied by microarray. Similarly, Parp1‐/‐ neutrophils demonstrated an impaired chemotaxis in vitro and reduced motility in vivo in a model of aseptic peritonitis. In light of these current findings, we postulate that the pathogenic role of PARP1 may be mediated in part by the regulation of neutrophil function.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIH Grant 1K01DK099268‐01
Quantifying adaptive evolution: three‐dimensional phenotypes provide new insight into mechanisms of rapid evolutionary change in threespine stickleback (918.28)
Authors: Jamniczky Heather 
Published: June 2021

How do evolutionary transitions occur following environmental change? Threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) are among the most well‐studied natural examples of rapid evolutionary change. They provide an ideal model with which to examine the means by which many parallel examples of adaptive phenotypic modification can occur over very short periods of time. Here we discuss the results of two studies employing a three‐dimensional (3D) approach to phenotypic quantification, combining the techniques of micro‐computed tomography and geometric morphometrics with the tools of molecular ecology to gain new insight into the mechanisms driving adaptive change. First, we tested the hypothesis that two freshwater populations originating from the same putative ancestral population have diverged to more closely resemble each other than they do their recent common ancestor. We demonstrate that sticklebacks establishing new populations in Alaskan freshwater lakes follow similar phenotypic trajectories. Second, we used a quantitative trait locus analysis of a marine‐freshwater cross from British Columbia to test the hypothesis that a small number of loci of large effect are responsible for marine‐freshwater phenotypic divergence. We recover both previously identified QTL as well as a new, previously unreported loci with the potential for wide‐ranging effects on skeletal development. We discuss the framework of an integrative research program aimed at elucidating the means by which key characteristics of the phenotype may allow organisms to adapt rapidly to changing environments.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Investigating the function of the caudofemoralis longus muscle and musculoskeletal plasticity in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) (919.9)
Authors: Joneson J , Medina A , Owerkowicz T , Elsey R 
Published: June 2021

The CFL ‐ a major retractor/medial rotator of the thigh ‐ is substantial in reptiles with a sprawling gait and long tail. The CFL originates on the transverse processes and chevrons of the caudal vertebrae and inserts on the fourth trochanter of the femur. Evolutionary changes to the hindlimb/tail module in archosaurs have been ascribed to a reduced role of the CFL in terrestrial locomotion, but no alteration of CFL function has been attempted. To discern its role in locomotion, and investigate muscular plasticity, we used bilateral tenotomy to deactivate the CFL in juvenile alligators (Mb=180±30g, SVL=213±28mm). After surgery, we found no significant differences between experimental animals and sham‐operated controls (n=6 each) in average speed, stride length or hip height during walking, when filmed on a level grid trackway. Eight months post‐surgery, CFL wet mass and fiber length were significantly reduced, by 23% and 13% respectively, in experimental animals compared to controls (n=12 per group). This suggests that the contribution of the CFL to hindlimb stance/movement is limited, or compensatory mechanisms are present in the hip during slow and steady locomotion. Further study of muscle fiber phenotype and bone growth/remodeling following tenotomy will provide insight into the nature of plasticity associated with disuse atrophy, and help elucidate the role of musculoskeletal strain in evolutionary transformations of the hindlimb and tail locomotor modules in archosaurs.Grant Funding Source: Supported by: Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE), National Institutes of Health
Hexane fraction of Costus afer Ker Gawl leaf inhibited mitochondrial permeability transition, F1F0 ATPase and scavenged nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide (957.1)
Authors: Anyasor Godswill , Onajobi Funmilayo , Osilesi Odutola , Adebawo Olugbenga 
Published: June 2021

Recent implication of mitochondria in the etiology of inflammatory diseases especially rheumatoid arthritis led to the evaluation of in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of an indigenous medicinal plant, Costus afer leaf hexane fraction (CAHFL) on mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), F1F0 ATPase, nitric oxide (NO•) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using spectrophotometric methods. Results showed that 10, 20, 40 and 60 µg/ml CAHFL significantly (P<0.05) inhibited Ca2+ induced MPT in a concentration dependent manner by 85.66%, 86.93%, 87.47% and 90.47% respectively when compared with untreated mitochondria in vitro. Spermine potentiated CAHFL MPT inhibition by 88.20%, 90.20%, 92.12% and 93.51% respectively. The In vivo study showed that 50, 100 and 250 mg/kg body weight CAHFL significantly (P<0.05) inhibited MPT in arthritic rats by 52.22%, 61.11% and 65.0% respectively in a dose dependent manner compared with control group (untreated) in 7 days. Concentrations of 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 µg/ml CAHFL significantly (P<0.05) reduced F1F0 ATPase activity in a concentration dependent manner with 3.93 ± 0.01, 3.88 ± 0.04, 3.63 ± 0.07, 3.51 ± 0.05 and 3.49 ± 0.04 mg/ml phosphate (Pi) liberated respectively compared with 10 µg/ml 2,4‐dinitrophenol (6.60 ± 0.03 mg/ml Pi.). CAHFL scavenged NO• and H2O2 in a concentration dependent manner with an IC50¬¬ of 1.77 mg/ml and 0.33 mg/ml respectively. These data indicated that CAHFL possess the ability to protect mitochondria from damage which may account for its anti‐inflammatory action, further strengthening the claim that CAHLF could be a candidate for anti‐inflammatory drug development.Grant Funding Source: Babcock University research grant [BU/RIC/003]
Genesis of antibiotic resistance V: transport of antibiotic medication across United States ‐ Mexico border regulated by federal agencies (986.5)
Authors: Kannan Subburaj , Subburaj Prabavathy 
Published: June 2021

It is a popular perception that antibiotics could be purchased freely from Mexico and taken in to the United States with ease. Unrestricted flow of antibiotics and the misuse of the antibiotics by the general public on both sides of the United States ‐ Mexico border regions have been at the forefront when discussing the underlying mechanisms for the emergence of “Antibiotic Resistance” in bacterial pathogens triggered by infectious diseases. To dispel the popular misconception, a systematic inquiry has been made at the Port of Entry in Eagle Pass, Texas ‐ United States ‐ Mexico border inspection station. As per the counsel of the Customs and Border Patrol, with the supervisory regulation form FDA ‐ Washington D.C, the prescription medicines that are allowed to pass through the port of entry must be for personal use only. It must have the Doctor’s written prescription for a three month period maximum. Next, the drug must be on the list of the medications approved by The United States Food and Drug Administration which available on the www.FDA.gov. This information was affirmed by the Station Chief of Operation, FDA, stationed at the Eagle Pass ‐ United States ‐ Mexico ‐ Port of Entry. If the antibiotic medication exceeds allowed quantity, it will be referred to the Import Section of the FDA stationed elsewhere for further processing without entry in to the United States. However, the trepidation over factors such as rate of inflow of the travelers, the time of consumption to screen and evaluate each visitor is a serious and significant concern. Further details of issues and concerns shall be discussed in Experimental Biology of 2014Grant Funding Source: Professional Development Funds from SWTJC, Eagle Pass, Texas
Methylation of hippo pathway genes in bone, kidney, breast and prostate cancer cells (991.1)
Authors: Alokail Majed , Alenad Amal 
Published: June 2021

Salvador‐Warts‐Hippo pathway, regulates tissue growth in a wide variety of organisms and plays fundamental roles in cancer. DNA hypermethylation being widely used as a feature of many cancers. We identified differential methylation patterns in bone, kidney, breast and prostate cancer cell lines. Methylation analysis of CpG islands revealed by methylation specific PCR. The preliminary finding shows that there are number of genes were differentially methylated in investigated cancer cell lines. Methylation of this pathway vary between these cells. Methylation frequency was detected in number of cancer cells. In MST1 and MST2 analysis, 1 out of 3 bone cancer cells showed methylation of the MST1 and MST2 and 3 out of 6 breast cancer cells showed methylation of MST1 and MST2. In case of prostate cancer cells, 1 out of 4 these cell lines showed methylation of the MST1 without detection of any methylation in MST2. In SAV1, 3 kidney and breast cells showed methylation was detected compared with 2 of prostate cells and non of the bone cancer cells showed any methylation status. In LATS1 and LATS2 many kidney cell lines observed methylation patter for both LATS1 and LATS2, however, only 2 breast cells showed methylation of LAST1 compared with 1 of bone cells and non of prostate cancer cells showed any methylation. In conclusion, hippo pathway observed epigenetic variations in different cancer cell lines within the same cancer type.Grant Funding Source: King Saud University
Concordance of Affymetrix GeneChip® Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 and USB® VeriQuest™ real‐time PCR data (LB207)
Authors: Ujvari Andrea , Chamnongpol Sangpen , Kourennaia Olga , Myers Kim , Bressler Vincent , Hubbard Jason , Schweitzer Anthony , Kubu Chris 
Published: June 2021

Global gene expression analysis using Affymetrix GeneChip Human Transcriptome Array (HTA) 2.0 combined with Affymetrix Transcriptome Analysis Console (TAC) Software empowers scientists not only to gain information about RNA expression at the gene‐level, but also about RNA alternative splicing at the exon‐level. Real‐time PCR is routinely used to verify microarray results due to its high sensitivity and wide dynamic range, and was used in this study to validate Affymetrix GeneChip HTA 2.0 data. Gene‐level expression data for the classic MAQC A and MAQC B samples (used by the MicroArray Quality Control Consortium) were validated with commercially available primers and design software. Excellent fold‐change correlation of microarray and qPCR data were observed using USB VeriQuest Probe real‐time PCR (R=0.96, slope=0.70). For alternative splicing validation of Affymetrix GeneChip HTA 2.0, total RNA from three different tissues (liver, muscle and brain) were used. Exon level information provided by TAC Software was utilized to design custom PCR primers for USB VeriQuest SYBR Green real‐time PCR. All alternative splicing events selected for validation were confirmed by real‐time PCR. We show excellent inter‐platform concordance between Affymetrix microarray and VeriQuest real‐time PCR data.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Affymetrix, Inc.
Exposition of Müller AO classification of tibial fractures using cadaveric bone models (LB23)
Authors: Abdullatif Victor , Kirakosian Arman , Nusse Gloria 
Published: June 2021

The Müller AO classification system of bone fractures has substantially served osteology education and medicine for many decades. The present study aims to provide a physical representation using castings of cadaveric tibial bones. These models will illustrate the fracture classifications in accordance with said system. Castings will have simulated fractures using surgical and mechanical‐force methods. Proximal, diaphysieal, distal, and malleolar fractures will be showcased. Cadavers are supplied by the University of California San Francisco’s Willed Body Program and San Francisco State University’s Human Anatomy Laboratory.Grant Funding Source: none
Ethnomedicinal survey of folkloric plants used in managing breast cancers by the traditional medical practitioners of North‐east Nigeria (LB240)
Authors: Mohammed Zainab , Hamza Hajja , Daja Aliyu , Gidado Abubakar , Hussaini Isa 
Published: June 2021

Cancer is a major leading cause of death in the world today. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in 140 countries. The widespread use of medicinal plants is not limited to the developing countries, there’s a renewed interest by the public and scientific organisations concerning plants and cure for diseases. The increasing cost of modern health care has made the role of ethnomedicine a very important one. A majority of the Nigerian population use traditional medicine for relief from various ailments largely due to inadequate medical facilities, high poverty rate and many other socio‐ economic/ socio‐ cultural factors. Local herbalists claim the possession of remedies useful in curing different cancer types. However, such knowledge is secretive and kept within close family circle.This work is aimed at providing an inventory of North East Nigerian plants with anti‐ breast cancer potentials for future verification and scientific validation. Semi‐structured questionnaire and oral interview were used to obtain relevant ethnomedicinal data. Twenty five different plant species were identified to possess possible anti‐ breast cancer potentials. Plant names, family, part used, relevant pharmacologic activities and pictures of plants were documented.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) expression in the ovarian artery during the estrous cycle in overfed or underfed sheep treated with arginine (Arg). (LB324)
Authors: Redmer Dale , Bass Casie , Kaminski Samantha , Grazul‐Bilska Anna 
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to determine if Arg supplementation to control, overfed, and underfed ewes impacts protein and mRNA expression of eNOS and sGC in the ovarian artery. Ewes were categorized by weight and randomly assigned to one of three different nutrition groups: control (C; 2.14 Mcal/kg; n=37), overfed (O; 2xC Mcal/kg; n=37), and underfed (U; 60% of C Mcal/kg; n=37) beginning 60 days prior to Arg treatment and were randomly assigned to one of two treatments; Arg (L‐Arg‐HCl; 155 µmol Arg/kg BW) or saline (~10 ml) i.v. beginning on day 0 of the first estrous cycle until tissue collection at the late‐luteal phase of the first estrous cycle, or early or mid‐luteal phases of the second estrous cycle. Ovarian vascular pedicle was fixed and imaged, and RNA was extracted from the ovarian artery (OA). Compared to saline controls, Arg increased mRNA expression of eNOS nearly 300‐fold and sGC approximately 150‐fold in OA for O group during the mid‐luteal phase (P<0.0001; n=5 for each group). Arg (n=3) increased eNOS 7‐fold (P<0.06) compared to saline (n=7) in U during the early luteal phase. No other Arg effects were observed in either other diet groups or on other luteal phases. eNOS protein was localized in blood vessel endothelium of the ovarian pedicle, whereas sGC‐beta protein was expressed in both vascular smooth muscle and endothelium of blood vessels. During the early or mid‐luteal phase when the corpus luteum is actively growing or fully functional, Arg can dramatically influence the NO system in OA by increasing mRNA expression of eNOS and sGC in U or O, and suggests that Arg supplementation may alter vascular function and blood flow to the ovary in compromised animals.Supported by USDA‐AFRI grant 2011‐67016‐30174, and Hatch Projects ND01754 and ND01748 to ATGB and DAR.
Inhibition effect of Vitamine E δ‐tocotrienol on PhIP/DSS‐induced colon carcinogenesis in CYP1A‐humanized mice (LB325)
Authors: Chen Yu‐Kuo , Liu Anna , Lee Mao‐Jung , Wang Hong , Cheung Connie , Yang Chung S. 
Published: June 2021

Our previous research indicated that combination of 2‐amino‐1‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine (PhIP), the most abundant heterocyclic amine produced during the cooking of meats and fish, with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) rapidly induced colon carcinogenesis in transgenic CYP1A‐humanized mice (hCYP1A‐mice). Herein, we modulated the dosage of DSS (0.8‐1.5%) to establish a suitable model for cancer prevention research and to evaluate the inhibition effect of δ‐tocotrienol (δ‐T3) on colon carcinogenesis. The treatment with 200 mg/kg PhIP, followed by 1% DSS in the drinking water for 7 days moderately induced colon carcinogenesis in hCYP1A‐mice with a tumor multiplicity of 4.17 ± 0.58 at week 8. Tumor multiplicity was reduced in 0.025% and 0.5% δ‐T3 treatment groups by 49% (P < 0.05) and 58% (P < 0.01), respectively. Supplementation with δ‐T3 also increased the respective levels of tocotrienol in the serum and colon tissues. These results demonstrate the inhibitory effect of δ‐T3 against colon carcinogenesis, and the inhibitory activity may be due mainly to the actions of δ‐T3.Grant Funding Source: NSC‐102‐2221‐E‐020‐021