bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IL‐13 mediates PDGF‐induced bronchial smooth muscle cell proliferation: Involvement of oxidant signaling
Authors: Bansal Geetanjali , Suzuki Yuichiro J 
Published: June 2021

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) hyperplasia contributes to airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling in asthma. IL‐13, a Th2 cytokine, is a critical mediator of asthma pathogenesis through its inflammatory and growth promoting functions. The present study investigated the role of IL‐13 in PDGF‐induced human bronchial SMC (HBSMC) growth. Cultured HBSMCs showed basal level of IL‐13 mRNA as observed by nested PCR that was upregulated by PDGF. Further, PDGF‐induced HBSMC growth was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with IL‐13 neutralizing antibody, implicating IL‐13 in PDGF‐induced HBSMC growth. Since oxidant signaling plays an important part in PDGF‐induced cell growth, we tested the involvement of metal‐catalyzed oxidation (MCO). Inhibitors of MCO, deferoxamine and HBED, inhibited PDGF‐induced increase in IL‐13 mRNA levels as well as PDGF‐induced HBSMC growth, suggesting a role for MCO in PDGF‐mediated effects on HBSMCs. Our data shows that PDGF, a potent growth factor involved in airway remodeling, causes human bronchial SMC proliferation by upregulating IL‐13 levels through oxidant signaling.This work was supported by NIH.
Population Differences of Nasofrontal Angle Expression: A Coordinate‐Based Study
Authors: Masters Alina , Yuan Derek Y. , Pagano Anthony S. , Marquez Samuel 
Published: June 2021

The nasofrontal angle has long been studied within the context of rhinoplasty and aesthetic surgery. However, few have observed the distribution of this trait over clinal zones ranging from temperate to tropical latitudes. This study tests the relationship between climate and nasofrontal angle on a sample (n=130) of dry crania from geographically diverse human populations. The nasofrontal angle was calculated from coordinate data collected among the landmarks glabella, nasion, and rhinion. Specimens of both sexes were used so that the maximum range of variation could be expressed in each population, thus allowing for a more stringent analysis. It was found that northern and southern Europeans are not significantly (p<0.05) different from each other or from North Africans and South East Asians. However, they possessed significantly (p<0.05) smaller (i.e., more acute) angles than the Inuit, Chinese, and East and West African samples, which did not exhibit any significant differences among each other or from the North Africans and South East Asians. Nasofrontal angle may share a closer relationship with nasal projection than climate as leptorrhine Europeans possess the most acute angles. However, the results may indicate separate population histories of Europeans and Inuit who, despite both inhabiting relatively northerly latitudes, developed separate adaptations to cold climate.Grant Funding Source: SUNY Downstate College of Medicine
A Unique Nervous Trunk in the Cervical Region. Vagal‐Hypoglossal Trunk with Unususal Organization Pattern of the Ansa Cervicalis
Authors: Veras Wilson Rafael 
Published: June 2021

During dissection of the cervical region in the anatomy laboratory a unique nervous trunk was found bilaterally just inferior to the base of the cranium. The length of this trunk is about 25 mm. The nervous trunk is placed lateral to the internal carotid artery and medial to the internal jugular vein, later the single trunk runs posterior to the internal carotid artery. At the level of the occipital artery both trunks divide into two branches. One branch loops around this artery and goes below the tendon of the digastric muscle. This branch correspond to the hypoglossal nerve. Another branch arising from this unique nervous trunk runs posterior to the internal carotid artery and then posterior to the common carotid artery and then descends toward the thorax. This branch corresponds to the vagus nerve.On the right side, the hypoglossal nerve gives rise a single branch that then divides into two branches one for the geniohyoid and another for the thyrohyoid muscles. The descending hypoglossal branch was absent. Thirteen millimeters from its origin the vagus nerve gives rise a long branch that anastomoses with a long branch arising from the accessory nerve forming a nerve loop, vagal‐accessory ansa cervicalis. From this loop the arise the branches to the stenohyoid, omohyoid and sternothyroid muscles.On the left side the unique trunk receive comunicating branches from C2, then C2 gives a long descendig branch that anastomoses with a long branch from the vagus nerve. This cervico‐vagal ansa cervicalis gives a branch to the omohyoid muscle. The vagus nerve gives a branch to the sternohyoid and sternothyroid muscles. The thyrohyoid muscle receives innervation directly from the hypoglossal nerve. Awareness of this unique anatomical variation in the cervical region is important to the surgeon during a reinnervation of the paralyzed larynx.
Functional morphology of the cranio‐cervical integument and constrictor musculature in Alligator mississippiensis
Authors: Hopkins Brooke Andriane , Homberger Dominique G 
Published: June 2021

The skin, superficial fascia, and constrictor muscles of alligators form a tri‐layered envelope of the neck. These structurally correlated layers determine the stretchability of the intermandibular, gular and cervical regions. The skin stretches only at the interscale skin, whose width is related to the size of the scales. The stretchability of the superficial fascia is determined by the organization of its fibers. In the stretchable intermandibular region, wide, longitudinal folds of interscale skin separate small scales laterally, and narrow interscale skin separates mid‐sized scales medially; the superficial fascia fibers are loosely organized. In the less stretchable gular region, wide interscale skin separates mid‐sized scales laterally, and narrow interscale skin separates larger scales medially; the superficial fascia splits into three laminae with crosswise oblique fibers. In the least stretchable cervical region, wide interscale skin separates mid‐sized scales laterally, and narrow interscale skin separates large scales medially; the superficial fascia fibers are mostly circumferential. During inertial feeding, food is propelled into the pharynx and stretches the intermandibular region, while the less stretchable skin and fascia of the rest of the neck assist the tri‐layered constrictor muscles in pushing the prey caudally and in repositioning the stretched tissues.Grant Funding Source: LSU Foundation
Production of a new transgenic mouse (Jtmt) that specifically overexpresses the antioxidant metallothionein in endothelial cells
Authors: Teiken Jennifer Mary , Grove Bryon D. , Epstein Paul N. , Carlson Edward C. 
Published: June 2021

Diabetes mellitus increases the risk for cardiovascular disease due, in part, to hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress. To investigate the potential for antioxidant protection of the vasculature, a transgenic mouse (Jtmt) that overexpresses the antioxidant metallothionein (MT) specifically in endothelial cells (EC) was produced. A 16kb transgene consisting of the murine Tie2 promoter and enhancer ligated to the human MTII gene was microinjected into FVB mouse embryos. Five Jtmt(1–5) founder mice were identified by PCR using human MTII primers. Two of these founder mice, Jtmt1 and Jtmt4, have generated numerous transgenic progeny. Further characterization of the Jtmt1 line showed that at 60 days of age heart, kidney and body weights as well as blood glucose, HbA1c, and urine albumin excretion levels were normal. Importantly, MT overexpression in EC in the micro‐ and macrovasculature of kidney, heart, and tail tissues was confirmed by immunohistochemical studies. Ongoing studies are assessing the amount of MT overexpression in renal, hepatic and myocardial tissues by competitive ELISA and Western blot analyses as well as the effect of MT overexpression on EC cytological features by TEM. Future studies include crossing Jtmt1 and OVE26 transgenic diabetic mice in an effort to determine the potential benefits of endothelial‐specific antioxidant protection of the diabetic vasculature.Grant Funding Source: North Dakota Lions Foundation
TEM stereometric analyses of glomeruli in aging OVE26 transgenic diabetic mice
Authors: Teiken Jennifer Mary , Laturnus Donna I. , Epstein Paul N. , Carlson Edward C. 
Published: June 2021

Glomerular lesions in diabetic nephropathy (DN) have been studied in numerous murine diabetic models, but the critical feature of aging is often absent. Since DN lesions may just begin to develop at about five months of age, we utilized the long‐lived OVE26 transgenic diabetic model for stereometric analyses of DN glomerulopathic aging. Albuminuria was determined by ELISA and TEM stereometry was utilized exclusively to demonstrate morphometric alterations in the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) in OVE26 mice at 60, 150 and 450 days of age. Relative to age‐matched controls, albuminuria in diabetic mice is significant at 60 days and profound at 120 days. At 150 days, glomerular volume, mesangial, endothelial, and total cell number are significantly increased, while podocyte, endothelial, and total cell density are significantly decreased. Dystrophic changes in the GFB include podocyte effacement, glomerular basement membrane thickening, and increased non‐fenestrated areas of glomerular capillary endothelium. At 450 days most stereometric alterations are exacerbated. Our data indicate that in OVE26 mice, intense albuminuria precedes morphological lesions and could be due to early‐onset hyperglycemia. Most morphological changes occur relatively late in life and appear unrelated to early renal decompensation. It is possible that they may result from prolonged hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress.Grant Funding Source: Supported in part by grants R01DK072032, COBRE P20 RR024489, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Grant 1‐200‐88 and the North Dakota Lions Foundation
Hindbrain neurovascular architecture in zebrafish and goldfish
Authors: Rahmat Sulman , Gilland Edwin 
Published: June 2021

Vascular dye injections and confocal microscopy, combined with transgenic or retrograde neuronal labeling, were used to document the hindbrain neurovascular architecture in larval and adult cyprinid fish (zebrafish & goldfish). The data provide initial assessments of the neurovascular territories of central arterial stems and the specific blood supplies to particular hindbrain nuclei. The hindbrain central arteries arose from the basilar artery as a segmental series of 8 to 11 unpaired vessels that penetrated the pial midline of each rhombomere (r). The arteries branched into vascular trees within the hindbrain neuroepithelium near the ventricular surface, continued branching towards the pial surface and ended as small, unbranched channels that traversed nuclei and fiber tracts. These capillaries then joined to form tributary vessels of a large pial venous plexus. Notably, the neurovascular territories supplied by central arterial stems in r3 and r8 were by far the largest. The r3 stem served trigeminal motor nuclei in r2–3, as well as migrated facial motoneurons in r6–7 via long descending branches. A single large stem in r8 served most of the vagal lobe, with stems in r4–7 and caudal r8 supplying smaller zones. The data showed that hindbrain vascular and CNS elements are patterned in relation to the early rhombomeric segmental framework, with aspects of the segmental plan being maintained in adult brains.Grant Funding Source: None
Variation in the Branching Pattern and Gross Appearance of Coronary Artery Branches
Authors: Im Jiye , Yee Alyssa , Lazar Jason , Pagano Anthony , Marquez Samuel 
Published: June 2021

Research on coronary arterial branching patterns is of great clinical importance as coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death in developed nations. This study examined 16 hearts excised from donor bodies whose coronary arterial systems have experienced 64 or more years of continuous function. Gross appearance in two branches of right (sinoatrial nodal artery and posterior interventricular artery) and left (anterior interventricular and posterior circumflex arteries) coronary arteries were graded as: extremely small (ES), moderately small (MS), normal (N), moderately hypertrophied (MH), extremely hypertrophied (EH), and absent. Dominance was also recorded. Results showed that most (12/16) hearts were right‐dominated with 3 exhibiting a dual origin of the posterior interventricular artery and one case of left‐dominance. This artery, graded MH, was found enlarged in 69% of specimens. The anterior interventricular artery was graded MH in 2 cases while one graded EH. Conversely, the posterior circumflex artery was graded MS in 6 specimens, ES in 2, and absent in 4 individuals. All 16 individuals graded N in sinoatrial nodal artery appearance. Results indicate that posterior and anterior interventricular arteries are the most frequently hypertrophied, which is confirmed from our coronary angiogram data, identifying them as the most common sites for blockage.Grant Funding Source: American Association of Anatomists
An anatomical study of variations in the brachial‐axillary artery
Authors: Khmara Kseniya , Zyloney Carolyn , Pagano Anthony , Marquez Samuel 
Published: June 2021

Previous studies have reported on variations in branching pattern of the brachial‐axillary artery. These include unusual branching of the thoracodorso‐subscapular trunk and duplication and early bifurcation of the brachial artery. This study observed the branching patterns and symmetry of the brachial‐axillary artery. A sample of 24 donor bodies was examined following dissection. The results show that 30 of the specimens (62.5%) had at least one variation identified in the brachial‐axillary artery and its branches. A total of 12 distinct patterns were observed with 5 of these (42%) expressed bilaterally. The most common variations included: (1) branch to deltoid or superficial back muscles coming from the axillary artery, (18.8%), (2) branch to serratus anterior muscle coming from the subscapular artery (16.7%), (3) circumflex humeral arteries branching off the subscapular artery (12.5%), and (4) branch to teres major muscle arising from the subscapular arteries (12.5%). The results indicate that variations in the arteries of the axilla and brachium are common. The observed patterns of variation in the brachial‐axillary artery are of particular importance in cases of ischemia as routes of collateral blood flow. Knowledge of these branching patterns may also help to avoid potential surgical complication.Grant Funding Source: n/a
Distinctive patterns of Hsp60 levels and localization in human colon mucosa
Authors: Cappello Francesco , David Sabrina , Rappa Francesca , Campanella Claudia , Pitruzzella Alessandro , de Macario Everly Conway , Macario Alberto JL , Zummo Giovanni 
Published: June 2021

Hsp60 is a Group I chaperonin highly conserved during evolution that in normal human cells is localized mainly in the mitochondrial matrix but stress causes changes in its levels and localization. We studied with a battery of techniques human mucosa from: a) normal colon (NM); b) hyperplastic polyps (HP); c) tubular adenomas with dysplasia (TAD); d) Crohn's disease (CD); e) ulcerative colitis (UC); and f) adenocarcinomas (AC). We observed patterns of Hsp60 levels and subcellular localization which depended on the pathology. Hsp60 levels in TAD, CD and UC (all pre‐tumoral conditions) were higher than in NM and HP but lower than in AC that showed the highest levels. Hsp60 was localized mainly in epithelial cells and, sparsely also in lamina propria. In epithelial cells of all the conditions examined (except NM and HP) Hsp60 was abundantly present not only in mitochondria but also in the cytosol, the latter being a pre‐requisite for its secretion. In conclusion, Hsp60 levels and localization patterns distinctively reflect the health status of these tissues and help to distinguish pathologic conditions.Grant Funding Source: University of Palermo
Landmark‐Based Shape Analysis of the Brain: An Error Study
Authors: Chollet Madeleine B , Aldridge Kristina , Pangborn Nicole , Weinberg Seth , Nopoulos Peg , DeLeon Valerie B 
Published: June 2021

Neuroanatomic phenotypes are often assessed using volumetric analysis. Although powerful and versatile, this approach is unable to 1) determine whether changes in size are global or local, 2) quantify changes in shape, or 3) describe how regions are interrelated. Statistical shape analysis is the preferred method for testing these aspects of phenotype. Coordinate data from biologically relevant landmarks are one commonly used way to quantify “shape” of an object. To date, approximately fifty landmarks have been used to study brain shape. Of the studies that used landmark‐based statistical shape analysis on the brain, most have not published the protocols they used for landmark identification or the results of reliability studies on these landmarks. The primary aims of this study were two‐fold: (1) to collaboratively develop detailed protocols for a set of brain landmarks, and (2) to complete an inter‐observer (n = 4) validation study of the set of landmarks on 10 MR scans of three trials each. Detailed protocols were developed for 29 cortical and subcortical landmarks. MANOVA revealed that this set of landmarks was able to accurately distinguish between individuals (p < 0.01). Precision varied between 0.71 – 6.50 mm. This was the first study to quantitatively assess landmarks for use in statistical shape analysis of the brain and documents the utility of landmark data for studies of neuroanatomic phenotypes.Grant Funding Source: NIDCR 1F31DE021302‐01
True Membranous Labyrinth in Human being
Authors: TANIOKA HISAYA , KAGA KIMITAKA 
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUDThe standard for studying temporal bone anatomy has been histopathological sectioning by microtome following chemical fixation and deossification of the temporal bone specimen. No one can observe the membranous labyrinth in a living body by any methods.PURPOSEDirect synthesize the membranous labyrinth from the conventional CT exam.SUBJECTS and METHODSA total 10 normal ears were studies. All CT images were acquired on a single row CT scanner (ProSpeed AI; GE). Scanning parameters were 120kV and 120mA. Scanning was performed using collimation and pitch values of 1.00mm and 0.50 respectively, and exposure duration of 22 sec. For high‐resolution reconstructions, we used 1mm slice thickness; the reconstructed interval was 0.50mm. The field of view was reduced 9.8cm, using a 512 matrix. The axial data were applied to create 3D images on the CT work station for post processing with the standard distributed software.RESULTS3D visualization of the different structures of the membranous labyrinth allowed display of the correct anatomy by high detail in all cases. We could see cochlear duct, ductus reunions, saccule, utricle and ampullae.DISCUSSIONThe microimaging techniques we have employed produce images that are similar in appearance to those acquired in the multiplanar atlas of preserved cadaver temporal bone specimens acquired with CT and MRI. But, the shape of saccule and utricle in human being was different from the cadaver temporal bone specimens. The normal shape of saccule was a semicylindrical shape, not balloon shape. The utricle was seen by a solid heart‐shaped form. These findings were inconsistent with previous text books. The main cause of these results was due to living or not living subjects.
Microanatomy Of The Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve In Relation To Inguinal Ligament
Authors: Chakravarthy Marx Sadacharan , D'Souza Antony Sylvan , Anitha Marx Chakravarthy 
Published: June 2021

AimMeralgia paresthetica is a painful mononeuropathy resulting from compression or focal entrapment of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) as it passes deep to or through the inguinal ligament (IL). There are no reports available on cross‐sectional microanatomy of LFCN. The aim of the study was an attempt to find the changes in non‐fascicular components (Adipose (FAT) and non‐adipose tissue (connective tissue) (nFAT)) of LFCN just above IL (LFCN‐1), at IL (LFCN‐2) and below IL (LFCN‐3).MethodsWe studied 21 human cadaveric LFCN‐1, LFCN‐2 and LFCN‐3 samples. Paraffin sections of these nerves were processed by Masson's trichrome stain for connective tissue. FAT and nFAT areas were calculated from the non‐fascicular areas of these nerves.ResultsFascicles was found to be more in LFCN‐3 when compared to LFCN‐1 and LFCN‐2. There was more nFAT in LFCN‐2 when compared to LFCN‐1 and LFCN‐3. The comparison of the nFAT and FAT between LFCN‐1 and LFCN‐2 (p<0.001), LFCN‐1 and LFCN‐3 (p<0.001), and LFCN‐2 and LFCN‐3 (p<0.001) were statistically significant.ConclusionsMore nFAT when compared to FAT was found in LFCN‐2. These results of the study might help to explain Meralgia paresthetica resulting from compression or focal entrapment of the LFCN as it passes deep to or through the IL. Microanatomical knowledge of the LFCN is essential for decompression and neurolysis of the nerve in the treatment of meralgia paresthetica.
Understanding radiation resistance using resistance‐promoting RecA mutants
Authors: Piechura Joseph R. , Petrova Vessela , Cox Michael M. 
Published: June 2021

Multiple bacterial species exist that can survive the extensive DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation, yet the exact mechanisms of this resistance are not entirely understood. Using a directed evolution protocol, our lab has generated several strains of E. coli that are extremely radiation‐resistant. The genomes of multiple isolates from the evolved populations have been sequenced to identify mutations responsible for this phenotype. Two alleles were identified which encode mutations in RecA (A289S and D276A), a central protein in DNA repair. Inserting these alleles into wildtype E. coli resulted in small increases in survival after exposure to radiation. Thus, understanding the altered activity of these mutants can provide insight into DNA repair mechanisms and how an organism can survive ionizing radiation.RecA D276A displays an increased ability to bind to DNA coated with the single stranded DNA binding protein (SSB). This suggests that faster activation of RecA may aid in cell survival after DNA damage. Conversely, the RecA A289S protein has a diminished capability to bind to SSB‐coated DNA, and thus, the RecF, RecO, and RecR loading proteins may have a greater role in facilitating RecA binding to SSB‐coated DNA with this mutant. Also, RecA A289S filaments disassemble faster when exposed to the inhibitory RecX protein. This data suggests that tighter regulation of RecA A289S activity may produce a filament form that enhances certain types of RecA‐mediated recombination events. This work was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, GM32335.