bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating genotypes of influenza virus in India and their correlation with clinical features and metereological factors
Authors: Jain Amita , Dangee Tanushree , jain Bhawna , Singh Kaleshwar Prasad , Singh Jaiveer , Singh Ajai , Dwivedi Mukesh 
Published: June 2021

The present study was undertaken to investigate the prevalent genotypes of influenza viruses in India and study their correlation with meteorological factors and clinical features. A total of 1175 patients were enrolled and divided into two severity groups; influenza like illness (ILI; 961) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI; 214). Confirmation of influenza A and B positives was done by one step real‐time RT‐PCR using group specific primers. Influenza A positives were further subtyped into H1, H3 and pandemic H1 and correlated with various environmental factors to determine seasonality. Association of Influenza A and B infection with clinical parameters was also studied. Prevalence of influenza virus infection during study period was 12.37% (145/1175); influenza A was more prevalent (8.7%) than influenza B (3.7%). Positivity for influenza virus was significantly higher in ILI patients (13.9%, 134/961) than SARI patients (5.14%, 11/214). Positivity of influenza peaks significantly correlated with rainfall and dew point while temperature difference and atmospheric pressure were inversely related. No significant correlation was found with humidity and wind speed. Nasal discharge is significantly associated with Influenza A infection while seizers and vomiting are significantly associated with influenza B infection.Pandemic (2009) H1N1 was circulating till October 2010 which was entirely replaced by H3N2 genotype of influenza A. The seasonality of influenza virus infection varies from region to region is associated with environmental factors.
The effect of industrial pollution from a smeltery of heavy metals in Mitrovica (Kosova) on the duration of Drosophila melanogaster preadult development
Authors: Bajrakti Ismet Dervish , Alija Avdulla , Gashi Agim , Halili Fetah 
Published: June 2021

The effect of enormous environmental pollution by heavy metals on genes controlling the duration of wild type Drosophila melanogaster preadult development in the region of a lead and zinc smeltery in Mitrovica (Kosova) was investigated. Also the natural population of this species from the vicinity of Prizren, which represents an unpolluted area, was exposed near the smeltery of heavy metals for intervals of 100 and 175 days. The second chromosome of wild type flies was isolated and transferred either in homozygous (+′/+′) and heterozygous (+′/+″) state using Cy/Pm line. Individuals of this line contain dominant mutations (Cy – curly wings and Pm – plum eyes) and long inversions, which prevent recombination with analyzed chromosomes, with the end result of stable heredity in the descendants.The shorter total duration of preadult development (9,5 days) had the population exposed to pollution for 100 days; whereas the population exposed for 175 days and that from the region with enormous pollution had a very similar total means values of duration of preadult development (10,5 days respectively 10,8 days) as the control (10,7 days).We propose that such enormous environmental pollution by heavy metals for 100 days exposure caused a high number of dominant mutations on genes controlling duration of D. melanogaster preadult development on the second chromosome. However, such mutations with their carriers are eliminated by natural selection after 175 days exposure.
Rare Case of Multicentric Castlemanˈs Disease and Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in a Severely Immunocompromised Patient
Authors: Solieman Noha , Chapman Sherita , Mehta Preema , Kurukumbi Mohankumar 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundHIV‐associated Multicentric Castleman's Disease (MCD) is a rare malignant lymphoproliferative disorder in which human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) has been found to be a universal factor. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare disease of the central nervous system white matter, which has an increased risk in severely immunocompromised patients. Here we present an interesting patient with newly diagnosed HIV infection with PML and Castleman's disease.Case PresentationForty‐six year old female presented with progressive speech difficulty and left facial droop. Clinical examination was normal except for axillary lymphadenopathy, mild motor dysphagia, and decreased visual acuity on the left eye. Imaging revealed a left temporal lesion and significant cervical lymphadenopathy. HIV testing was positive with CD‐4 count of twenty‐six. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was negative for malignancy; few scattered lymphoid cells present and JC virus (John Cunningham virus) was detected. Biopsy of axillary nodes showed atypical lymphoid hyperplasia with regressed germinal centers, paracortical expansion and increased plasma cells, suggestive of Castleman's disease. Immunohistochemical stain with HHV8 was negative.ConclusionThis case is presented because of the rarity of occurrence of HIV infection, PML and MCD that has never been reported in the literature.
Immature serotonergic regulation of anxiety‐like behavior in adolescent male rats
Authors: Arrant Andrew E , Kuhn Cynthia M 
Published: June 2021

Novelty seeking and risk taking peak during adolescence. The goal of this study was to investigate whether immature serotonergic function contributes to adolescent risk taking using the light/dark (LD) test as a model of rodent behavior in an aversive environment.Adult (PN67–70) and adolescent (PN28–32) male rats were given a single dose of fluoxetine (10 mg/kg), the 5‐HT1A agonist 8‐hydroxy‐2‐(dipropylamino)tetralin (8‐OH DPAT, 0.25 or 0.5 mg/kg), the 5‐HT2 agonist meta‐chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP, 0.5 or 1 mg/kg), or vehicle and placed in the LD box. The latency to emerge into the light and time in the light compartment were measured for 15 minutes. The effects of fluoxetine (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg i.p.) on extracellular serotonin in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) were measured by microdialysis followed by HPLC. Adolescents were less sensitive to the anxiogenic effects of fluoxetine and 8‐OH DPAT, but not mCPP. There was no age difference in the increase in mPFC serotonin after fluoxetine. Adolescents treated with 8‐OH DPAT exhibited reduced activation of the central amygdala and paraventricular hypothalamus, as shown by c‐Fos immunostaining.These data show that serotonergic induction of behavioral inhibition in the LD test is deficient in adolescent rats. This may be due to immature 5‐HT1A receptor modulation of the neural circuits mediating LD behavior.Supported by DA019114 and F31DA032532
Protective effect of resveratrol on serum deprivation induced cell death in primary fibroblasts
Authors: Tábi Tamás , Pálfi Melinda , Wagner Zsolt , Freisinger Ádám , Bagdy György , Magyar Kálmán , Szökõ Éva 
Published: June 2021

Resveratrol is an active compound isolated from red grape. In the literature contradictory data are available, as both its pro‐ and antiapoptotic effect have been described. The cell type used can be one of the major differences between the various models. The compound might differentially affect tumorigenic and normal cells. In this study we aimed to study its effect in non‐transformed cells, thus primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts have been used. Apoptosis has been induced by serum deprivation resulting in significant caspase 3 activation within 3 hours.Resveratrol showed dose dependent inhibitory effect on caspase 3 activation in primary fibroblasts with IC50 of 100 microM. Along with this effect it also ameliorated the cell death assessed by lactate dehydrogenase release. Among the major regulatory pathways, only inhibition of p38 kinase prevented the protective effect of resveratrol suggesting the role of mild stress in its effect, thus the effect of oxidative stress has also been studied.Our results show that resveratrol exerts protective rather than proapoptotic effect on non‐transformed cells.This work was supported by TÁMOP‐2.2.1.B‐09/1/KMR‐2010‐0001.
Sestrin2 Gene Induction by Nrf2‐ARE Pathway
Authors: Ki Sung Hwan , Shin Bo Yeon , Jin So Hee , Cho Je 
Published: June 2021

The Sestrin2 (Sesn2) gene encodes a conserved antioxidant protein that is induced upon oxidative stress and protects cells against ROS. Nrf2 is an essential transcription factor that regulates expression of a variety of antioxidant genes via binding to the antioxidant‐response element (ARE), but the role of Nrf2 in Sesn2 gene expression has not been elucidated yet. The present study investigated whether the Nrf2‐ARE pathway regulates Sesn2 gene expression and the identification of the molecular mechanism. The Nrf2 activators up‐regulated Sesn2 expression in a dose‐and time‐dependent manner in hepatocytes. The specific role of Nrf2 in Sesn2 induction was verified by using Nrf2 over‐expression plasmid and Nrf2 knockout or knockdown cells. In silico analysis of the 5′ upstream region of Sesn2 gene identified a putative ARE sequence. Deletion of the putative ARE demonstrated that ARE from −550 to −539 bp in the human Sesn2 promoter was critical for the Nrf2‐mediated response. Knockdown experiments with Sesn2 siRNA showed that Sesn2 is required for the Nrf2‐mediated cytoprotective activity against hydrogen peroxide. Our results suggest that the Nrf2‐ARE pathway is critical for Sesn2 gene expression and might protect against oxidative stress.This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (No. R13‐2008‐010‐00000‐0)
The Role of Beta Receptors in Olfactory Induced Learning: Morphological Changes in the Mitral Cells of Rat Olfactory Bulb after Propranolol and Isoproterenol Treatment
Authors: Jafari Fahim Haider , Khilji Muhammad S , Naveed Abdul Khaliq 
Published: June 2021

Study ObjectivesThis study was designed to see the histological changes in the olfactory bulb after the administration of propranolol and isoproterenol.MethodsThirty Albino (Sprague‐Dawley) rats were divided into equal groups (n=10). Control group was treated with normal saline, experimental group I was treated with propranolol and experimental group II was treated with Isoproterenol. The morphology of the mitral cells was studied after staining with H & E and silver staining under microscope.ResultsThe histology of the olfactory bulb of the control group revealed the classic six laminae. Mitral cell layer consisted of a layer of cells, which were pyramidal in shape with prominent nucleoli.Differences in the morphological characteristics of mitral cells were observed in experimental groups. Experimental group I showed mitral cells had a vacuolar appearance; however, the nucleus was rounded in appearance with prominent nucleoli. Experimental group II showed that mitral cells present in the mitral cell layer had indistinct boundaries. Nucleus was less basophilic with prominent nucleoli.ConclusionWe conclude that by neuromodulating norepinephrine using propranolol and isoproterenol histological changes can be observed in the rat olfactory bulb especially in the morphology of the mitral cells.Research Support: Research was supported by University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Reduced α2 Na+ pump expression in arterial smooth muscle elevates blood pressure: lessons from smooth muscle‐specific α2‐dominant negative (α2smDN) mice
Authors: Chen Ling , Song Hong , Kotlikoff Michael I. , Lee Jane C. , Li Meng , Blaustein Mordecai P. 
Published: June 2021

To test the hypothesis that arterial smooth muscle (ASM) α2 Na+ pumps help regulate blood pressure (BP), we generated α2smDN mice, which express a smooth muscle (sm)‐specific, truncated, non‐functional, dominant negative (DN), flag‐tagged α2 peptide [α2(1–120)f] (Song et al., J Biol Chem 281:12929, 2006). α2(1–120)f expression was controlled by the sm myosin heavy chain promoter. α2 Na+ pump expression is reduced in ASM and urinary bladder, but not heart or brain, of α2smDN mice. DN heterozygotes (α2smDN/−, offspring from α2smDN x WT outbreeding) have slightly reduced α2 Na+ pump expression and normal mean BP (MBP, measured with telemetry). Nevertheless, the MBP increases with chronic 4% NaCl (7 ± 1 vs 0 ± 1 mm Hg; n = 6 each), and with 0.24 mg/kg/min angiotensin II (21 ± 2 vs 11 ± 1 mm Hg, n = 6 each) are significantly greater in α2smDN/− mice than in WT littermates. In contrast, DN ‘homozygotes’ (α2smDN/DN, offspring from α2smDN x α2smDN inbreeding) have greatly reduced α2 Na+ pump expression and high MBP [telemetry: 111±3 mm Hg (n=7) vs WT = 96±1 mm Hg (n=6), P<0.01; intra‐femoral artery catheter under anesthesia: 104±5 mm Hg (n=15) vs WT = 82±3 mm Hg (n=6), P<0.01]. Thus, ASM α2 Na+ pump expression correlates inversely, and BP correlates directly, with α2(1–120)f gene dose.ConclusionASM α2 Na+ pumps help control BP and the sensitivity of BP to salt and to vasoconstrictors. Supported by NHLBI.
Nonlinear parameters of heart rate variability during mental stress
Authors: Dimitriev Dmitry , Saperova Elena 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionThis study investigates the variations of nonlinear parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) due to an arithmetic stress test.Material and methodsWe tested 83 healthy students with a mean age of 21.12±0.21 years. The students were examining in the following sequence: recording of HRV at rest and during mental arithmetic. HRV was assessed by applying Poincare plot analysis (SD1, SD2, SD2/SD1, SS) to the R‐R interval series on a 10‐min ECG. The traditional (GI) and redefined Guzik's index (GIp) (Karmakar, 2010) was calculated for each subjects in each phase of the experiments.Results and discussionSD1 during mental arithmetic was significantly smaller (24.51±1.77) than that at rest (34.57±2.05; p<0.0001). SD1/SD2 ratio during mental stress was significantly lower than that at rest (0.331±0.013 vs 0.469±0.017; p<0.00001). SS was significantly lower during the test than that at rest (2756.13±313.97 vs 3822.66±370.57; p=0.008). There was no significant difference in the GI during mental stress (0.495±0.008) than that at rest (0.485±0.005; p>0.05). But after redefinition, we have found pronounced changes in this parameter with a maximum at rest day and minimum during arithmetic test (0.446±0.024 vs 0.398±0.018; p<0.05).This findings suggest that nonlinear HRV analysis could be effective in automatically detecting functional status during mental stress.
Toll‐like receptors 2 and 4 are involved in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro
Authors: Gailser-Silva Fernanda , Carneiro-Ramos Marcela Sorelli 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveThe innate immune response can exerts innumerous effects in vast number of tissues and organs. It's well established that cytokines and Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) participate of cardiac trophism modulation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of agonists of TLR 2 and 4 modulating cardiomyocyte trophism in vitro.MethodsPrimary cultures of cardiomyocytes were prepared from neonatal ventricles of Wistar rats by collagenase/pancreatin method. Cardiomyocytes primary cultures were treated for 24hs with LPS (1μM – TLR4 agonist), Zymozan (Zym 10μM – TLR2 agonist) or LPS + Zym combined. ANF and Alpha‐actin mRNA levels were used as cardiac hypertrophy markers. Gene expression was evaluated by Real‐time PCR. The results were expressed as mean±SD and P<0.05.ResultsThe LPS and Zym promoted an increase on ANF and alpha‐actin expression (p<0.05). The administration of LPS combined with Zym did not potentiate this effect. The MyD88 mRNA levels, an adaptor protein of TLR cascade, were increase after both LPS (30%) and Zym (50%) treatment compared to control cells. These results suggest an important role for TLRs in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro.Financial Support: FAPESP.
Elevation of fetoplacental vascular resistance by chronic hypoxia in isolated blood perfused rat placenta
Authors: Kafka Petr , Vajnerova Olga , Hampl Vaclav , Herget Jan 
Published: June 2021

In isolated rat placenta chronic hypoxic exposure causes a small increase in fetoplacental vascular resistance during high perfusion flows of physiological salt perfusate. No elevation was found in basal perfusion flows. We expected that perfusion with more viscous fluid will increase differences between normoxia and chronic hypoxia. Rats were exposed to normobaric hypoxia (10% O2) during the last week of the 3‐week pregnancy. One day before expected delivery the animals were anaesthetized with Thiopental (50 mg/kg i.p.). We dually perfused an isolated rat placenta with homologous blood at a constant flow rate 1 ml/min. We found significantly elevated fetoplacental basal vascular resistance to flow in chronically hypoxic rats. Vascular resistance was measured as a relationship of vascular perfusion pressure to continually rising flow (P/Q). The slope of the P/Q line was higher in the hypoxic than the normoxic rats. The pressure axis intercepts with P/Q line did not differ. We conclude that chronic hypoxia elevates resistance of fetoplacental vessels in isolated blood perfused rat placenta.Supported by 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Czech Science Foundation 305/08/0108.
Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenger, Tempol, Decreases Vasoconstriction after Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Mizera Roman , Hodyc Daniel , Hampl Vaclav , Herget Jan 
Published: June 2021

Pulmonary vasoconstriction is an important mechanism contributing to the development of pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary embolism (PE) probably due to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our aim was to investigate the change of NO production and to determine the effect of ROS scavenger, Tempol, on pulmonary hypertension after PE.Using the model of in vivo pulmonary embolism and isolated, perfused rat lungs we measured the perfusion pressure and its changes after sodium nitroprusside administration and after NO synthase inhibition by L‐NAME.We used 6 groups of Wistar male rats:NN: control group + sodium nitroprusside (SN) (n=5), EN: PE + SN (n=5), TN: Tempol + PE + SN (n=5), NL: control group + L‐Name (n=5), EL: PE + L‐Name (n=5), TL: Tempol + PE + L‐name (n=5). Tempol was administered before PE.PE caused higher pulmonary pressure. Tempol‐treated rats (TN, TL) had significantly lower perfusion pressure than the animals without Tempol (EN, EL). The decrease of perfusion pressure after application of SN was higher in EN than in NN. Administration of L‐Name after PE (EL) increased the pressure more than in the controls (NL). PE also caused increased NOx production.ROS‐induced vasoconstriction contributed to the pulmonary hypertension after PE. Also, PE caused increased production of NO and NOx. Tempol decreased pulmonary hypertension after PE by inhibiting the free radicals production.
Aging impairs flow‐induced dilation in skeletal muscle feed arteries: role of Akt‐dependent phosphorylation of eNOS
Authors: Luttrell Meredith , Seawright John , Trott Daniel , Woodman Christopher 
Published: June 2021

We tested the hypothesis that impaired nitric oxide (NO)‐mediated, endothelium‐dependent dilation in aged soleus muscle feed arteries (SFA) is due to an age‐related decrement in PI3K/Akt‐dependent phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) on serine 1177 (p‐eNOSser1177). SFA from young and old Fischer 344 rats were cannulated for examination of flow‐induced dilation (FID). To determine how aging affected FID, dilator responses were assessed in the absence and presence of pharmacological inhibitors of NOS (L‐NNA), PI3K (LY‐294002), or Akt (AktI). Results indicate that FID was blunted in old SFA, while dilation to sodium nitroprusside was not compromised. Age‐group differences in FID were abolished in the presence of L‐NNA, LY‐294002, or AktI. In a separate experiment, FID was assessed in SFA from young and old rats. After FID assessment, SFA were then removed from the pipettes, snap frozen, and immunoblot analysis was used to assess p‐AktSer473, p‐eNOSser1177, total Akt and total eNOS protein content. FID was blunted in old SFA; however, the p‐AktSer473/Akt and p‐eNOSser1177/eNOS ratios were similar in young and old SFA. Collectively, these results indicate that NO‐mediated dilation is impaired in old SFA, but is not due to reduced PI3K/Akt‐dependent phosphorylation of eNOS.Research supported by AHA 0765043 and AHA 4150031 (CRW), and Sydney and J. L. Huffines Institute of Sports Medicine Graduate Student Research Grants (MJL, JWS, and DWT).
RENAL ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION INDUCED CARDIAC HYPERTROPHY IN MICE: CONTRIBUTION OF CARDIAC RENIN ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM
Authors: Abrahao Mariana Vieira , Carneiro-Ramos Marcela Sorelli 
Published: June 2021

ObjectivesThis study aims to characterize the role of cardiac RAS in models of cardiac hypertrophy induced by ischemic renal injury in mice.MethodsC57bl/6J mice were subjected to unilateral 60 min kidney ischemia, followed by reperfusion of 12, 15 and 20 days. The animals were randomized and equally divided into three groups: (i) untreated, (ii) treated with Losartan (Los ‐ 10mg/kg/day) for 5 days before ischemia protocol and (iii) treated with Los for 5 days after, with respective sham controls for all groups. Levels of urea were measured to confirm renal failure and gene expression were analyzed by real time PCR.ResultsThe heart weight/body weight or tibia length ratios and mRNA ANF were increased on 12 and 15 days mice untreated with Los. Pre and post treatment with Los were able to prevent and reverse, respectively, the increase on mRNA ANF levels induced by renal/ischemia protocol only at the 15 days time point (p<0.01). Cardiac mRNA AT1a levels were decreased after post treatment with Los after 15 days of renal ischemia when compared to 15 days untreated mice.ConclusionThe renal ischemia/reperfusion model was able to induce cardiac hypertrophy that was prevented and reversed with Los administration. Moreover, cardiac mRNA AT1 levels are decreased in 15 days mice post treated with Los, suggesting a local modulation of cardiac RAS in this cardiac hypertrophy model. Financial Support: FAPESP, CNPq and UFABC.
Influence of a redox‐signaling supplement on biomarkers of physiological stress in athletes: a metabolomics approach
Authors: Shanely R. Andrew , Nieman David C. , Henson Dru A. , Knab Amy M. , Cialdella-Kam Lynn , Meaney Mary Pat , Baxter Sara , Sha Wei 
Published: June 2021

We determined if drinking ASEA™, a redox‐signaling molecule beverage, would improve cycling performance, counter inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune dysfunction, and alter the metabolite profile. Cyclists (n = 20) participated in a randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled, crossover study. Subjects completed two 75km time trials (TT) after 1 wk ingestion of 118 mL/d ASEA or placebo (PL). Subjects ingested 473 mL ASEA or PL during the TT. Blood samples were taken pre, post, 1h post‐exercise (Ex). ASEA did not improve TT performance (p = .95). The Ex‐induced pattern of change in inflammation, oxidative stress, and immunity did not differ (p>.05) between ASEA vs. PL. The metabolomic profiles (GC/MS) of ASEA and PL samples were clearly separated by partial least square discriminant analysis when using pre‐Ex data (Q2Y = .71), and when using the ratio of 1h post‐Ex to pre‐Ex (Q2Y = .68). Linear modeling found that ASEA supplementation caused a significant shift in 43 metabolites pre‐Ex, especially free fatty acids, suggesting an enhanced fat oxidation and amino acid sparing, with an increase in ascorbic acid, during Ex. Within the context of this study, 1‐wk ASEA supplementation caused extensive fatty acid mobilization before and during Ex, with no apparent influence on TT performance and traditional biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and immunity.Funding, Reoxcyn Discoveries Group