bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strain‐dependent metabolic phenotype responses to various exercise paradigms in inbred mice
Authors: Avila Joshua , Kim Seung , Massett Michael 
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to determine the interaction between genetic background and training volume (intensity x duration) on exercise performance and myogenic proteins. Male mice from four inbred strains: SJL/J, C57BL/6J, NON/ShiLtJ, and 129S1/SvlmJ completed a graded exercise test before and after four or eight weeks of treadmill training. Mice from each strain were assigned to one of three groups (n=6/group): sedentary control (Sed), continuous running (Low) (65% of max) and high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) (6 sets of 8 min at 85% of max for 8 min, followed by 2 min of low intensity at 50% of max for 2 min). Changes in exercise time were used to assess performance. Protein content of PGC‐1α, SIRT1, Glut4, Cytochrome C, Hexokinase, TFAM and NRF was examined in gastrocnemius muscle to assess the metabolic adaptation to the different intensities of exercise training. For change in time, there were significant main effects for strain, intensity and duration. There was a significant strain effect for protein content for all proteins, except PGC‐1α. Duration had a significant effect for all proteins, with protein content being greater at 8 weeks than 4 weeks. A significant intensity effect was observed for PGC‐1α and Cytochrome C with Low and HIIT being significantly greater than Sed. These data indicate that genetic background and training duration have a strong influence on adaptations to training in skeletal muscle protein. Adaptations to training in skeletal muscle proteins are not directly related to changes in exercise capacity.Supported by NIH grant HL085918 to MPM, Sydney and JL Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine and Human Performance to JJA, William Townsend Porter fellowship from the APS to JJA.
Pyruvate‐Enhanced Cardiocerebral Resuscitation Via Nrf2/ARE Pathway
Authors: Scott Gary 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundCardiac arrest‐cardiocerebral resuscitation (CA‐CCR) inflicts ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) brain injury and glutamate excitotoxicity‐related cognitive deficits. Plasma pyruvate lowers blood glutamate to enhance brain glutamate efflux and neurocognition. Purpose: To test pyruvate reduction of plasma glutamate via Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) regulated pathways. Methods: Swine subjected to CA received iv pyruvate or NaCl infusion to 4 mM during CCR. Carotid artery and frontal cortex lysates were assessed for Nrf2/ARE binding activity and glyoxalase1 (GLO1) activity, and pre‐ and post‐CA glutamate concentrations were measured in plasma. Results: In carotid artery and cortical lysates, Nrf2/ARE activity and Nrf2‐regulated GLO1 reductions were rescued by pyruvate. Plasma glutamate increased after CA‐CCR, but was sharply reduced by pyruvate.ConclusionsNrf2/ARE binding and GLO1 activity in cortex and carotid arteries were suppressed after CA‐CCR but partly restored by pyruvate. Similarly, post‐CA plasma glutamate surges were reversed by pyruvate in a manner supporting Nrf2‐regulated mechanisms of brain glutamate clearance, reduced excitotoxicity and brain protection.
image
Effects of Exercise Intensity on Cortisol, Antioxidant, and DNA damage in Smokers and Non‐Smokers
Authors: Ponte Luis , Valdez Ruben , Medina Erika , Martinez Diego , Park Kyung‐Shin 
Published: June 2021

The purpose of the study was to examine blood level changes of cortisol, total antioxidant status, and 8‐oxo deoxyguanisine (8‐OXO) before and after exercise at different intensities in smokers and non‐smokers.MethodsFourteen physically inactive smokers and non‐smokers were recruited. Each subject completed three treadmill runs at different intensities in a random order (60%, 70%, and 80% of VO2max). Running distance for all three runs was equivalent to a 30‐min run at 70% VO2max. Blood samples were collected at rest (PRE), immediately after (POST), and 1 hour following (1H) each run.ResultsSmokers (SM) showed higher levels of Cortisol (P=.043) and 8‐OXO (p=.024) and lower level of antioxidant (P=.001) as compared to non‐smokers (NS) (group effect). Cortisol levels were elevated in both SM and NS following the 80% VO2max run [SM (PRE:611.9±13.6nmol/L→POST:761.6±16.2, Mean±SE, P=.0001); NS(498.2±13.9→624.2±16.2, P=.0001)]. Total antioxidant increased only in SM following runs (60%:1.58±.04mM→1.76±.06, P=.0001; 70%:1.57±.04→1.72±.08, P=.001; 80%:1.59±.04→1.71±.09, P=.012). 8‐OXO elevated at POST following 70% (SM:3188±242pg/mL→4667±199, P=.001; NS:2432±181→3586± 199, P=.011 ) and 80% (SM: 3268±234→5832±488, P=.0001; NS:2473±200→3813±255, P=.003) VO2max runs.ConclusionHigher levels of cortisol and lower antioxidant status induced greater DNA damage in smokers, especially following runs at 70% and 80% VO2max, indicating that DNA damage in blood immune cells following moderate‐high and high intensity aerobic exercises is greater in Smokers than Non‐Smokers. Therefore, smokers may need to avoid high intensity aerobic exercise since combined stress from exercise and chronic smoking may aggravate immune function.
Relationship of VO2 with Cardiac Hemodynamics Improves During Exercise in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Van Iterson Erik , Wheatley Courtney , Baker Sarah , Snyder Eric 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundAlthough lower vs. healthy individuals, diffusion capacity of lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and nitric oxide (DLNO) (may influence oxygen uptake, VO2) are higher during exercise vs. rest in cystic fibrosis patients (CF). Thus, because the Fick equation suggests cardiac output (Q) increases linearly with VO2, we sought to study relationships between VO2 with cardiac function from rest to peak exercise as increases in Q, DLCO and DLNO occur during exercise in CF.Methods50 individuals participated (ages 22 ± 2 vs. 27 ± 2, BSA = 1.7 ± 0.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.0 m2, VO2peak = 24 ± 2 vs. 35 ± 2 ml/kg/min, CF (n = 19) vs. controls (CTL, n = 31), mean ± SEM, p<0.05 for all). Acetylene rebreathe was used to assess Q and calculate stroke volume (SV), and standard gas‐exchange was used to assess VO2 (mL/kg/min). Cardiac power (CP, Qi × MAP) and stroke work (SW, SVi × MAP) were calculated. Q and SV were indexed to BSA (Qi and SVi).ResultsLinear regression (R2) between VO2 with SVi, Qi, CP, and SW at rest were similarly negligible for CF vs. CTL (p=ns). At 50 % VO2peak, R2 between VO2 with SVi (0.25 and 0.43, p<0.05), Qi (0.37 and 0.41, p<0.05), CP (0.18, p=ns and 0.25, p<0.05), and SW (0.12 and 0.30, p=ns) improved for CF and CTL, respectively. At VO2peak, stronger R2 between VO2 with SVi (0.41, p<0.05), Qi (0.47, p<0.05), CP (0.24, p<0.05), and SW (0.19, p=ns) occurred in CF; but, R2 weakened in CTL (0.28, p<0.05; 0.33, p<0.05; 0.07, p=ns; 0.02, p=ns, respectively).ConclusionsFrom rest to VO2peak the relationship between VO2 with cardiac function improves in CF patients. Participation in exercise may benefit relationships between gas‐transfer with cardiac hemodynamics in CF patients.
Long‐Time Saturation Exposure Changes Gut Microbiota Composition And Intestinal Antimicrobial Defense In Mice
Authors: Xiang Dao , Luo Beibei , Fang Yiqun , Xu Ji , He Jia , Chen Xin , Chen Peijie 
Published: June 2021

PURPOSELong‐time saturation exposure may induce anxiety, loss of appetite, and digestive disorders, which relate to impairment of intestinal mucosal immune system and gut microbiota homeostasis. Our study examined the effects of 4‐day of saturation exposure on gut microbiota and intestinal antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in mice.METHOD20 male C57 Mice, 8‐week old, were randomly divided into saturation exposure group (SE, n=10) and control group (CON, n=10). SE exposed to N2/O2 mixed gas at 500kPa for 4 days in pressure chamber. Intestines were excised and stained with HE and AB‐PAS. Feces and Intestines were collected and extract gDNA and RNA respectively. We used qPCR to assay bacterial population (Bacteroides, Clostridia, Lactobacilli, Enterobacteria, and Akkermansia muciniphila) of the feces, and the AMPs (Defα5/β1, Retnlβ, Reg3β/γ) of small intestine and colon.RESULTSWithin 4 days, SE mice did not exhibit nitrogen narcosis behavior. By comparing with the 16S rRNA genes, results revealed a significant increase in the relative abundances of A. muciniphila (9.28±5.67) and Clostridia (3.45±0.63) in SE. The relative abundance of Lactobacilli was lower (0.40±0.24) in SE. Moreover, a distinct increase of Enterobacteria (23.34±8.88) was observed in SE compared with CON. Gene expressions for Defα5/β1 in SE were decreased in small intestine, while Defβ1 and Reg3γ in SE were significantly decreased, and Defα5 and Reg3β increased in colon.CONCLUSIONIn sum, the data showed that a four‐day saturation exposure induced changes in the mRNA level of AMPs, and the gut microbiota composition in mice.Found: NSFC 31471135
Recruitment of Ankle Flexor and Extensor Muscles during Leg Movements in Chick Embryos
Authors: Sun SooYeon , Bradley Nina 
Published: June 2021

Days prior to hatching, chick embryos produce repetitive leg movements (RLMs) in ovo featuring flexor and extensor muscle alternation at locomotor frequencies. Occasionally only repetitive ankle flexor activity accompanies RLMs. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine if recruitment differs between ankle flexor and extensor muscles during RLMs.Embryonic day 20, ankle muscles were implanted bilaterally for electromyographic (EMG) and kinematic recording of spontaneous muscle activity. Criteria for RLM sequence selection were 蠅 4 rhythmic EMG bursts (1‐12 Hz) in 1 or more muscles accompanied by leg movements.Flexor and extensor recruitment during RLMs was compared within‐subject (N=17). Left and right ankle muscle bursts were analyzed separately to account for effects of asymmetric posture. The number of flexor and extensor bursts (burst count) and recruitment failures (burst deletions) were determined. RLM burst amplitude and integrated amplitude were normalized to maximum value per muscle for statistical analyses.Preliminary results indicated flexor muscles were more frequently recruited than extensors. Flexor bursts outnumbered extensor bursts in 16 of 16 embryos (left ankle) and 15 of 17 (right ankle). In 2 embryos, right ankle extensor bursts outnumbered flexor bursts, and flexor burst deletions were more prevalent. However, flexor and extensor burst amplitude parameters were similar.Our data suggest locomotor drive for RLMs was greater to flexor motor pools than extensor motor pools. However, when active, flexor and extensor motor pools produced similar muscle recruitment amplitudes. Findings may indicate that there is selective locomotor drive to flexor and/or inhibitory drive to extensor motor pools during spatially constrained movement in ovo.
Higher Order Thinking is Required in an Anatomy and Physiology Course Utilizing the Flipped Model
Authors: DeRuisseau Lara , Binion Brooke , Willman Terri Anne , Bidwell Allen 
Published: June 2021

The flipped classroom was utilized in a two‐semester Anatomy and Physiology course enrolling 50‐80 students with pre‐requisites at a small, Liberal Arts College. With the flipped model, students watched 20‐minute lectures 2 days/week that were recorded via screen capture and accompanied by an outline, power point slides and review questions. During class time, the instructor went over common misconceptions, asked questions requiring higher order thinking and 5 case studies were performed each semester. To determine if the students exposed to the flipped model vs. traditional acquired enhanced higher order thinking skills, exam questions were analyzed via Blooms Taxonomy. To this end, the Blooming Biology Tool was used (Crowe, Dirks, Wenderoth, 2008) to compare assessments across two pedagogies taught by the same instructor where exams scores remained similar. In the flipped classroom vs. traditional, 30% vs. 62% of questions were on the knowledge level, requiring information recall only. Thirty‐eight percent vs. 28% of assessment questions were rated as comprehension in the flipped model vs. traditional, requiring understanding of concepts. Application level questions that required prediction of an outcome in a new scenario were 27% vs. 10%; flipped vs. traditional. The flipped model had the remaining questions as analysis and synthesis, while no questions in the traditional model reached this level. These data demonstrate the level of critical thinking assessed with this particular flipped model is higher compared to the traditional lecture format.Funding: Echo360 Newcomer's grant to LRD.
How Confident Are You‐ Using Knowledge Confidence to Learn Anatomy
Authors: Nelson Larissa , Webster Samuel 
Published: June 2021

The development of new and innovative methods to engage students in learning anatomy is a topic of great discussion. A new approach was developed using knowledge confidence as a tool to help teaching and learning. Sixty year 2 students carried out a short spot test on material covered in year 1. In addition to writing answers, students were asked to rate how confident they were on the answers. Answer sheets remained anonymous to reduce the psychological impact of the test. Upon completion, students were shown the answers and were given the opportunity to reflect on their confidence in their knowledge.Feedback from students was generally positive and the consensus was that they would like more similar sessions to be introduced in anatomy teaching. The students found it interesting that they often did not trust their own knowledge and did not have confidence in their abilities. In a few cases, students were surprised to find that answers that they were confident in were not always correct. Providing students with this opportunity proved to be a successful method of teaching that allowed students to gauge their own knowledge whilst identifying gaps and encouraging memory recall. Adding confidence into the equation made students reflect on their own thought processes and gave them the opportunity to consider how they react under exam situations and implications of this on their overall attainment and the wider clinical setting.
Dissonance among learning modality interest and achievement in anatomical instruction
Authors: Alsup Kathleen , Derstine Mia , Fox Glenn 
Published: June 2021

As creativity and technology offer more choices for anatomical instruction and while instructional hours decrease (Cottam, 1999), curricula can be made more efficient through incorporating effective modalities and tools for learning. To test the effectiveness among competing modalities for learning the human forearm, we assessed a wide array of adjunct instructional methodologies (prosections, plastinated specimens, plastic models, 3D atlas, atlas images, and videos) and their effects on student learning. Participants were randomized into one of six groups to investigate a list of learning objectives focusing on human forearm anatomy utilizing only their assigned modality and selected atlas images. Learning was assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Results indicate a positive correlation between interest and engagement with knowledge retention.Cottam WW. 1999. Adequacy of medical school gross anatomy education as perceived by certain postgraduate residency programs and anatomy course directors. Clinical Anatomy. 12(2): 55‐65.
Is Skull Shape Related to Aggressive Displays in Pinnipeds?
Authors: Dewar Eric , Crocker Carly , Bauchiero Ann , Livingstone John Paul 
Published: June 2021

Some pinniped species display aggression as male‐male vocal displays only. In highly‐aggressive species, outright combat is waged between males, and in other cases aggression can occur between males and females of the same species. Are these differences in behavior manifested in skeletal dimorphism? To answer this, we compared species' aggressive behaviors with skull proportions measured from photographs of museum specimens, including 26 species of seals (n = 143) and five species of fur seals and sea lions (n = 39).We predicted that there would be a difference in skull shape between males of highly‐aggressive and less‐aggressive species, and also between males and females of species with male‐male combat. On average, the highly‐aggressive species did have relatively wider zygomatic arches (p < 0.001), likely to allow the emplacement of large jaw‐closing muscles, but no difference in relative facial length between these two groups (p = 0.14). Most highly‐aggressive males also had substantial nuchal crests to allow fierce rear‐and‐slam behaviors. Males that were more aggressive also had wider zygomatic arches than less‐aggressive females (p < 0.001). We found a characteristic shape for “less‐aggressive” species, but the skull proportions of highly‐aggressive species were not uniform. We found no difference in skull shape for species in which both sexes displayed similar aggressive levels. From these trends, we were able to reconstruct the relative aggression of several extinct pinnipeds.
Notoginsenoside R1 Promotes SGC7901 Apoptosis by Up‐regulating the ProNGF Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yang jinwei , Ma wei , Du bin , Cheng jingru , Guo jianhui , Li liyan 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo investigate the affect of Notoginsenoside R1 on human gastric cancer cells (SGC7901) and its relationship with precursor nerve growth factor (proNGF) signal pathway.MethodsSGC‐7901 was cultured in vitro and randomly divided into normal, control and experimental groups, and then, each group was divided into 24, 48 and 72 h groups. The experimental group cells were co‐cultured with Notoginsenoside R1 at 2 mg/mL, but saline in control groups, and normal groups had no other treatment. After that,3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to detect the cell activity and terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect the apoptosis of the cells. Immunofluorescence was used to locate proNGF, p75 and Sortilin expression, and the proNGF, p75 and Sortilin mRNA was detected by Real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Western Blotting was used to detect the protein expression.Results1, SGC7901 was successfully cultured. 2, Cell viability in experimental groups was decreased compared with normal or control groups, but the apoptosis was increased. 3, proNGF, p75 and Sortilin mRNA or protein were up‐regulated in experimental groups.ConclusionNotoginsenoside R1 can decrease the biological activity and increase the apoptosis of SGC7901, and the mechanism may be by increasing the expression of proNGF apoptosis signal pathway.* Corresponding author: Jian‐hui Guo (guojianhuikm@163.com) and Li‐yan Li (kmliyanl@163.com)
Diminished Ang‐2 Expression and Microvascular Density in COX‐2 Knock‐out Mouse Cerebral Cortex in Moderate Hypobaric Hypoxia
Authors: Benderro Girriso , Xu Kui , LaManna Joseph 
Published: June 2021

Normal brain function is dependent on continuous and controlled oxygen delivery. Prolonged hypoxia leads to angiogenesis, suggesting a modulatory role for oxygen in expression of angiogenic factors that are responsible for brain microvascular adaptational plasticity. Angiopoetin‐2 (Ang‐2) is one of the critical molecules in brain microvascular remodeling in order to regulate cerebral oxygen homeostasis. The objective of this study was to determine effects of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) knock‐out (KO) on Ang‐2 expression and microvascular remodeling in the mouse cerebral cortexduring prolonged moderate hypobaric hypoxia. Three month old male COX‐2 gene KO and wild type (WT) mice were kept in a 0.4 ATM (290 torr) hypobaric hypoxia chamber for up to 21 days. Normoxic littermates were kept in the same room outside the chamber. The mice were sacrificed and brain samples collected were either lysated for Western blot protein analysis or paraffin embedded for immunohistochemistry (IHC), to determine microvascular count. Compared to wild type mice, we observed attenuated Ang‐2 protein induction in COX‐2 KO mice in hypoxic conditions. Baseline capillary count in normoxia is similar in both WT and COX‐2 KO mice, but hypoxia induced angiogenesis (microvascular density) was recorded to be diminished in COX‐2 KO mice compared to wild type cohorts during prolonged hypoxic conditions. These results imply the importance of COX‐2 in expression of important vascular remodeling protein (Ang‐2), and brain microvascular angioplasticity to acclimatize to ambient oxygen availability.This study was supported by National Institute of Health grant NS 38632.
Role of nuclear factor TDP‐43 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Buratti Emanuele 
Published: June 2021

TDP‐43 is one of the major components of the neuronal and glial inclusions observed in several neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and FTLD. These characteristic aggregates are a “landmark” of the disease but their role in the pathogenesis is still obscure. At the moment, in fact, very little is known regarding the biological processes that underlie TDP‐43 aggregation and, most importantly, its potential consequences on cellular metabolism.In our laboratory, aggregate formation has been recently assessed using a novel system capable of inducing TDP‐43 aggregation in experimental cell lines and primary neuronal cultures. Our experiments show that in cell lines and primary rat neuronal cultures the introduction of tandem repeats carrying the 331‐369 Q/N region from TDP‐43 can trigger the formation of phosphorylated and ubiquitinated aggregates that recapitulate many of the characteristics observed in patients (Figure 1A and 1B). We have recently better characterized their formation with regards to: (i) the ability of other regions of TDP‐43 to influence aggregate formation (ii) the composition of the aggregates (iii) the effects of these aggregates on cellular pre‐mRNA splicing regulation (iv) the physiological consequences of inducing these aggregates in Drosophila.In addition, we have recently started to engineer a wide range of Drosophila models to determine which of the major hnRNP proteins can induce neurodegeneration. For the moment, we have already gathered evidence that the interplay between the Drosophila homologues of TDP‐43 and hnRNP A/B can be critical for neurodegeneration. The final aim of this work is to determine how hnRNP proteins can generally contribute positively or negatively to the action of TDP‐43 in mediating neurodegeneration.