bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
3D visualization of vertebrate soft tissues using spiceCT (Selectively Perfusable Iodine‐based Contrast‐Enhanced CT) as a rapid alternative to diceCT
Authors: Witmer Lawrence , Porter Wm. Ruger , Cerio Donald , Nassif James , Caggiano Emily G. , Griffin Christine , Ridgely Ryan C. 
Published: June 2021

The treatment of vertebrate specimens with radio‐opaque substances to enhance soft‐tissue contrast in CT scans has revolutionized morphological analysis. DiceCT has produced spectacular results and involves immersing specimens in Lugol's iodine. A shortcoming of diceCT is that diffusion (the “d” in “diceCT”) can take days, weeks, or months in large, intact, unskinned specimens. Moreover, long diffusion times can cause marked shrinkage. Alternatively, our team has developed spiceCT, which involves perfusing specimens with Lugol's iodine, yielding excellent results—literally within hours. The vascular system of thawed, unfixed, unskinned specimens (mostly birds and reptiles thus far) is cannulated, and then hypertonic (2.5 or 5%) aqueous Lugol's iodine is injected with a syringe. The solution perfuses well, easily filling capillary beds. Perfusion can be visually monitored in key areas, as well as tactilely via syringe pressure. Staining is rapid, and specimens can be scanned immediately, yielding same‐day results. There is no time for shrinkage, which is a well‐known problem for diceCT specimens immersed in iodine for long periods. The absence of prior fixation shortens processing time and also opens new avenues for final storage in that the specimen can be fixed, refrozen, or even skeletonized. Perfusion rather than diffusion also allows targeting of tissues—selective perfusion (the “sp” of “spiceCT”)—by injecting their vascular supply. One shortcoming of spiceCT is that iodine is too large to cross the blood‐brain barrier (BBB), even in cadaveric specimens. Our team is currently exploring ways to overcome this problem, experimenting with adding EDTA to the Lugol's injection medium to disrupt the cadherins forming the tight junctions of the endothelial cells of the cerebral vasculature. Initial results are promising. SpiceCT is intended to supplement, not replace, diceCT in the toolkit of morphologists.Support or Funding InformationUS National Science Foundation (IOB‐0517257, IOS‐1050154, IOS‐1456503)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Dissecting the Mechanisms of Cell Division
Authors: Torres Jorge Z 
Published: June 2021

Human cell division is a highly coordinated set of events that ensures the proper transmission of genetic material from one mother cell to two newly formed daughter cells. Key to this process is the proper assembly and functioning of the mitotic microtubule spindle, which relies on a multitude of protein complexes, protein‐protein interactions, and regulatory mechanisms driven by enzymatic activities. Cell division is an essential step in cellular proliferation and misregulation of the cell division machinery can lead to premature sister chromatid separation, chromosomal instability, aneuploidy (a hallmark of many types of cancers) and resistance to cancer therapeutics like antimitotics. Therefore, understanding what the full complement of the cell division machinery is, what their functions are, how they are regulated, and how they cooperate to ensure proper cell division is critical to understanding cell division, tumorigenesis and the response of tumor cells to antimitotic drugs. Here, we present our integrative computational, chemical, proteomic, and genetic approaches to dissect the mechanisms governing cell division and for developing novel cancer therapeutics. We highlight our proteomic approaches to identify novel mitotic microtubule associated proteins with critical roles in cell division and for generating affinity and proximity protein association networks to interrogate their functions. We discuss our efforts to chemically dissect the cell cycle with an emphasis on the discovery of novel cell division inhbitors that can be used to dissect the mechanisms of cell division and for developing new cancer drugs. We are optimistic that our studies will increase our understanding of the mechanisms that ensure proper cell division and how their misregulation can lead to tumorigenesis and chemotherapeutic resistance.Support or Funding InformationThis work was funded by NSF MCB1243645, NIH R01GM117475‐01, ACS 123880‐RSG‐13‐398‐01‐CCG, a Cottrell Scholar Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA), a V Scholar Award from the V Foundation for Cancer Research and a Basil O'Connor Award from the March of Dimes Foundation.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Differential protein splicing of salt‐dependent inteins from Haloquadratum walsbyi
Authors: Lynch Abigeal , Amunya Shirley , Gomez Alvin , Reitter Julie N. , Mills Kenneth 
Published: June 2021

Protein splicing is a self‐catalyzed, post‐translational process in which an intervening polypeptide sequence, or an intein, catalyzes its removal from two flanking polypeptide sequences, or exteins, as well as the ligation of the exteins. We are interested in the splicing capabilities of two inteins that interrupt the cdc21 protein from Haloquadratum walsbyi (Hwa). Hwa is a halophilic archaeon found in high salt environments such as the Red Sea. For this reason, we hypothesize that protein splicing may be salt dependent. We are interested in studying the splicing capabilities of both inteins separately and when expressed as part of the same protein. One intein, Cdc21a, does not splice on overexpression in E. coli, but can be induced to splice in vitro on incubation with 2.5 M sodium chloride at 28°. The other intein, Cdc21d, splices in vivo, and can be induced to splice further with higher concentrations of salt. When expressed in the same precursor fusion protein, the inteins continue to show differential activity conditional on salt concentration, leading to alternative spliced products. We hypothesize that this differential protein splicing is due to the folding of the protein under different salt conditions.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the National Science Foundation (grants MCB‐1244089), the Dreyfus Foundation (KVM), and Diane D. Brink P12 to the Alumni/Parent Summer Research Scholarship Fund. ALThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The onset and magnitude of cardiovascular drift depend on exercise intensity in recreational runners.
Authors: Winger Jena , Murphy Kristi , Stavrianeas Stasinos 
Published: June 2021

PURPOSETo examine the potential effects of cardiovascular drift (CVD) on aerobic and anaerobic metabolism.METHODRecreational runners (n=10, age 40.3±8.3years, height 176±7cm, weight 71.29±10.76kg, VO2max 57.29±5.96ml▸kg−1▸min−1) participated and each performed 5 running tests 2‐4 days apart: a VO2max test (2‐min stages to exhaustion), a Maximal Lactate Steady State test (MLSS), and 3 prolonged (45 min) submaximal bouts at intensities corresponding to 95%, 100%, and 105% of the MLSS velocity (1% grade). HR and VO2 were recorded continuously; blood lactate was measured after each stage during the first 2 tests, and every 10 minutes for the 3 prolonged bouts.RESULTSOnset of CVD was different for every participant, often with no HR plateau in the 105% MLSS bout. Small differences in exercise intensity (0.22 m▸sec−1) yielded significant differences (p < 0.05) across the 3 intensities in the amplitude of CVD (increases of 7 BPM, 14 BPM, and 18 BPM for the 95%, 100%, and 105%), VO2 (1.42 ml▸kg−1▸min−1, 1.8 ml▸kg−1▸min−1, and 1.39 ml▸kg−1▸min−1), and blood lactate (0.25 mmol▸L−1, 0.88 mmol▸L−1, and 1.08 mmol▸L−1) between steady state and minute 40.CONCLUSIONWe successfully measured changes associated with the metabolic cost of exercise during CVD. The onset of CVD is affected by the intensity of exercise and the amplitude of CVD is greater as exercise intensity increases.Supported by the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation and an NSF grant (DUE 0511219).
Dgrip79 resembles g‐tubulin interacting proteins but serves distinct functions
Authors: Zahm Christopher , Riederer Allison , Son Sona , Weise Christiane 
Published: June 2021

The centrosome plays a crucial role in the faithful transmission of chromosomes during cell division and serves as a nucleator and organizer of the microtubules that make up the mitotic spindle. Despite its indispensable function many aspects of centrosome biology remain unknown. An essential component of the centrosome is γ‐tubulin, which is required for microtubule nucleation. The Drosophila melanogaster γ‐tubulin interacts with at least five additional proteins (Grips) to form a 'γ‐tubulin ring complex' (γTuRC). The grips are related to one another by the presence of one or two regions of homology named 'grip motifs'. Grip motifs are rare: only seven grip‐containing proteins exist in the Drosophila genome. Because five of these are components of the γTuRC, it is possible that the grip motifs are somehow involved in γTuRC and/or centrosome function. To gain a better understanding of the function of the grip motif, we have begun to analyze the cell biology of Dgrip79, a 79kDa protein that contains both grip motifs. We show that Dgrip79 is expressed only in testes. In developing sperm, Dgrip79 localizes along the long axis of the nucleus, most likely associating with a bundle of microtubules of unknown function that runs along the length of the sperm head. Sucorse gradient analysis confirms that Dgrip79 is unlikely to be a part of the gTuRC. Together, our data suggest that Dgrip79 may be a microtubule binding protein involved in spermatogenesis.Grant Funding SourceNSF
A nutrition and physical activity intervention using smart phones in physical education classes at a junior high school
Authors: Mosqueda Martha I , Martinez Cathy L , Orr Barron J , Merchant Nirav C , Going Scott B , Hongu Nobuko 
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to implement smart phone based nutrition and physical activity (NPA) as part of a physical education class at a junior high school in Pinal County, Arizona, where over 70% of enrolled students are participating in free or reduced meals program. Four interactive activities (Treasure Hunt, Mapping, Earth Drawing, and Tag) that included nutrition information were implemented using a social networking and smart phone with multi‐featured mapping (global positioning system and digital photography). Daily NPA factoids were delivered to participants using automated message delivery applications developed by the University of Arizona Stealth Health Project team. Weight and height were measured, and food behavior and physical activity were assessed in 30 participants in a pre and post intervention. 9 females and 21 males (mean ± SD; age 12.9 ± 0.7 years, weight 47.7 ± 9.2 kg, height 159 ± 7.9 cm, BMI 18.76 ± 2.4 kg/m2) participated in the 8‐weeks study. Before each interactive activity participants were asked to wear a pedometer (Yamax Digi‐Walker, SW200). After each activity a feedback survey was answered and total steps were recorded. Preliminary data suggests that smart phone‐based NPA interventions have a potential to enhance physical activity and healthy eating habits in adolescents.Supported by USDA, NIFA, Human Nutrition and Obesity Program and American Dietetic Association FoundationGrant Funding Source : USDA
Peer led behavioral intervention and changes in weight status in female college freshman
Authors: Evans Ellen M , Schmidt Michael D. , Mojtahedi Mina C. , Guest Dolores D. , Das Bhibha M. , Mailey Emily L. 
Published: June 2021

Weight gain is common during the first year of college and interventions to attenuate weight gain have had equivocal results. The study aim was to assess the effectiveness of a peer‐delivered, self‐efficacy based, weight management intervention in female freshman (n=257; 18.0±0.3 y; 73.5% White) in a university setting. Participants were randomized to an intervention group (PEER) or control group (CON) and were assessed for body weight (WT), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). At baseline, 75.5% of the sample was normal weight (62.3±9.6 kg, BMI 23.0±3.1 kg/m2, WC 82.3±8.3 cm). Adjusting for baseline measures, changes over the academic year were not significantly different between PEER and CON for WT (1.4±2.5 vs. 1.6±3.1 kg, p=0.61), BMI (0.49±0.96 vs. 0.54±1.14 kg/m2, p=0.72), or WC (0.07±4.19 vs. 1.11±4.80 cm, p=0.07). However, weight status change among the total sample was highly variable with 27.3% increasing WT by >=5% and 23.4% increasing WC by >=5% over the academic year with no difference between PEER and CON (25.8% vs. 28.8%, p=0.60; 19.2% vs. 27.7%, p=0.12, respectively). Weight gain may be a health issue for some female freshman transitioning to college. More research is needed to determine effective and sustainable intervention with appropriate dose‐response to elicit behavior change in this increasing at‐risk population for weight management.Grant Support: USDA 2008‐55215‐18825
Neonatal and maternal iron status, but not serum folate, is related to placental expression of the proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT)
Authors: Cao Chang , Bemis Thomas , Young Melissa , McNanley Thomas , Cooper Elizabeth , Pressman Eva , Westerman Mark , Guillet Ronnie , O'Brien Kimberly 
Published: June 2021

The proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT) has been identified as a major tissue folate transporter but this protein also exhibits a low‐affinity for heme iron (Fe). This study aimed to characterize placental PCFT expression in relation to maternal and neonatal folate and Fe status in 104 pregnant adolescents (ages 13–18y) enrolled in a prospective study examining effects of maternal nutrition on neonatal health. Fe status indicators (hemoglobin, serum ferritin (SF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), total body Fe) were assessed at mid‐gestation (wks 23.4±3.4), delivery (wks 39.9±1.3) and in cord blood. Expression of PCFT, heme oxygenase (HO)‐1 and HO‐2 were assessed by Western blot in placental tissue collected at delivery. Placental PCFT was associated with neonatal sTfR (p=0.01, n=91, R2=0.07) and hepcidin (p=0.04, n=83, R2=0.05). Significant relationships were found between expression of PCFT with HO‐1 (p=0.009, n=55, R2=0.12) and HO‐ 2 (p=0.006, n=50, R2=0.15). Adolescents with depleted Fe stores (SF<12μg/L) at delivery had elevated PCFT expression compared to Fe sufficient adolescents (p=0.03, n=91). Placental PCFT was not related to folate levels in maternal mid‐gestation sera or in cord sera. A multivariate model that included neonatal sTfR and placental HO‐1 explained 20% variation in placental PCFT (n=48, p=0.0027). Placental PCFT expression was related to neonatal and maternal Fe status and placental HO‐1 expression, suggesting an involvement of PCFT in placental Fe utilization and transport. The lack of relationship of PCFT with maternal and cord serum folate suggests a folate‐independent regulation of PCFT expression in the human placenta. Funded by USDA: 2005‐35200 & 2008‐0857Grant Funding Source : USDA
Induction of VEGF expression in monocytes by alpha‐tocopherol and alpha‐tocopheryl phosphate via PI3Kgamma/Akt and hTAP1/SEC14L2‐mediated lipid exchange (1000.1)
Authors: Zingg Jean‐Marc , Azzi Angelo , Meydani Mohsen 
Published: June 2021

In several studies, vitamin E has been observed to influence angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. We recently observed that the phosphorylated form of α‐tocopherol (αT), α‐tocopheryl phosphate (αTP), increases the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which may stimulate angiogenesis and vasculogenesis and enhance the survival of cells. Here we investigated the molecular signaling mechanisms by which αTP induces VEGF expression using cultured THP‐1 monocytes and HEK293 cells as model systems. αT and more so αTP increased VEGF‐promoter activity in a phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase gamma (PI3Kγ) ‐dependent manner. In contrast, after over‐expression of PI3Kγ and/or Akt, VEGF promoter activity is inhibited by αT and more so by αTP. PI3Kγ‐induced VEGF expression was reduced when the human tocopherol associated protein 1 (hTAP1/SEC14L2) was over‐expressed, that could be reverted by αT and more so by αTP. Recombinant hTAP1/hSEC14L2 binds both αT and αTP and reduces the in vitro activity of the PI3Kγ most likely by forming a stalled/inactive hTAP1/PI3Kγ heterodimer. The addition αT, βT, γT, δT or αTP differentially stimulates PI3Kγ. We suggest a novel signaling mechanism by which αT or αTP stimulate PI3Kγ activity by facilitating egress and presentation of sequestered PI from hTAP1 to the enzyme and/or dissociating the inactive heterodimer. Supported by USDA Contract #58‐1950‐0‐014.Grant Funding Source: Supported by USDA Contract #58‐1950‐0‐014
Identification and characterization of fatty acid alkyl esterases found in Staphylococcus aureus (1002.3)
Authors: Saylor Benjamin , Love John 
Published: June 2021

Identification and Characterization of Fatty Acid Alkyl Esterases Found in Staphylococcus aureus Alternative energy is a major field of current research. Biodiesel, a mixture of fatty acid alkyl esters, is the most versatile biofuel in current use. This is due to the fact that it is similar enough to gasoline that it is compatible with the diesel engines found throughout the existing global infrastructure. Biodiesel precursor lipids are abundant in cultivated feedstock organisms such as algae and bacteria. However, the standard process for converting oil to biodiesel is heat‐intensive and requires complete removal of water, greatly reducing the net energy gained in its manufacture. Our work constitutes an attempt to explore enzymatic synthesis of biodiesel with lipids like those derived from emerging fuel crops.Previous literature describes fatty acid alkyl ester formation in Staphylococcal lesions, formed by partially characterized esterase activity from an unidentified source. We have identified the enzymes responsible for this activity by using a combination of size exclusion chromatography, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and mass spectrometric protein sequencing. These two highly similar enzymes in the glycerol ester hydrolase (geh) family of proteins catalyze the synthesis of fatty acid alkyl esters in aqueous conditions at or near room temperature. We have demonstrated that other, similar lipases do not exhibit this behavior. We have expressed one of these Staphylococcal esterases in E. coli, and shown via gas chromatography that the expressed protein catalyzes the formation of fatty acid alkyl esters. Based on sequence similarity to homologous proteins that have already been crystallized, we have predicted a structure for these enzymes and intend to engineer mutants with higher rates of catalysis.Grant Funding Source: NSF
Low‐abundance plasma protein differences between African‐American and Caucasian early pubertal females following supplementation with 9 mg Zn (1043.10)
Authors: Grider Arthur , Lewis Richard , Laing Emma , Wickwire Kathie 
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this research was to determine whether supplementation with oral zinc levels near the RDA for 4 wks would affect plasma protein levels in African‐American (AA) and Caucasian (C) early pubertal females. The subjects were given either 9 mg elemental zinc (n=75; 40 C, 35 AA) or placebo (n=71; 40 C, 31 AA) to consume for 4 wks. Plasma was collected from subjects at baseline (BL) and 4 wks, and was analyzed for zinc by atomic absorption. Plasma from subjects that were most responsive to zinc supplementation (BL to 4wk; n=5), or exhibited the least difference between BL and 4wk (placebo; n=5) were analyzed. Individual plasma samples were prefractionated on immunoaffinity columns to remove 14 high‐abundant plasma proteins. Effluent proteins were separated by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (400 µg; 15% acrylamide 2nd dimension). The gels were stained with Coomassie blue G‐250 and analyzed by densitometry. Significant differences were determined by Student’s t‐test. Comparisons were made between untreated (UnTrt; n=15) vs. zinc‐treated (ZnTrt; n=5) plasma. Two proteins were affected by zinc consumption, 33.8kDa/pI 5.4 (UnTrt C: 0.70±0.11 (SEM), ZnTrt C: 1.56±0.46 (SEM; p=0.02); UnTrt AA: 0.73±0.10 (SEM), ZnTrt AA: 0.64±0.24 (SEM; p=0.67) and 32.4kDA/pI 5.8 (UnTrt C: 1.14±0.22 (SEM), ZnTrt C: 1.58±0.18 (SEM; p=0.16); UnTrt AA: 1.97±0.22(SEM), ZnTrt AA: 1.02±0.28 (SEM; p=0.03). These zinc‐responsive proteins were affected by the race of the supplemented individuals, suggesting there are subtle differences in the zinc metabolism of individuals from different racial or cultural backgrounds.Grant Funding Source: Supported by USDA Hatch GEO00682
Urinary proanthocyanidin A2 as a biomarker of consumption of cranberry juice ő a pilot study (1044.3)
Authors: Chen C‐Y. , Zampariello Carly , Blumberg Jeffrey 
Published: June 2021

The absence of a validated biomarker of cranberry intake has limited the ability to interpret results from many human studies, particularly long‐term clinical trials examining the effect of cranberries on health outcomes. Cranberries are rich in type A proanthocyanins, a flavonoid found in very few other foods. The objective of this study was to determine whether proanthocyanin dimer A2 (PAC‐A2) could be a useful biomarker of cranberry intake. Five healthy, premenopausal women were asked to consume 237 mL/d cranberry beverage containing 140 mg PAC, according to a weekly dosing schedule of 0 to 7 times daily over a 7 wk period. Eleven 24‐h and morning spot urine samples each were collected for PAC‐A2 analysis. Urine samples were treated with β‐glucuronidase and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate fraction was dried under N2 gas, reconstituted in a NH4HCO2 buffer, and extracted with an activated solid phase Bond Elut PBA cartridge. PAC‐A2 was separated by a Kinetex C18 column (4.6 x 150 mm x 2.6 µm) and quantified by LC‐MS/MS operating in negative ion mode. The variation in response of PAC‐A2 spiked to 11 urine samples collected from non‐study volunteers was 4.8%. The assay limit of quantification for urinary PAC‐A2 is 0.25 ng/mL. Results from this pilot study suggest that PAC‐A2 is not excreted in the urine in a frequency‐dependent manner corresponding with intake. Funded by the Cranberry Institute and USDA.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Cranberry Institute and USDA
Role of WWOX and NF‐κB in lung cancer progression (1049.2)
Authors: Chang Nan‐Shan 
Published: June 2021

The pro‐inflammatory, pro‐survival transcription factor NF‐κB is considered as a tumor promoter. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α or TNF) mediates NF‐κB activation. Tumor suppressor WWOX (FOR or WOX1) is a downstream effector of the TNF signaling. Thus, activation of both WWOX (FOR or WOX1) and NF‐κB may occur during TNF signaling and/or under stress conditions. Indeed, the first WW domain of WWOX induces the activation of NF‐κB‐responsive promoter without TNF participation. It appears that WWOX counteracts with NF‐κB in regulating cell survival and death. For example, WWOX becomes activated with Tyr33 phosphorylation and relocates together with NF‐κB and many transcription factors to the nucleus to cause neuronal death in sciatic nerve‐transected rats. While WWOX is frequently lost in lung cancer and many other cancers, NF‐κB activation‐induced cancer promotion probably requires WWOX‐independent signaling networks to induce expression of pro‐survival factors. The antagonistic role of WWOX and NF‐κB in the regulation of lung cancer progression is discussed.Grant Funding Source: NSC and NHRI, Taiwan, and DoD, USA