bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal Treatment of Renovascular Hypertensive Rats with Hydrogen Sulfide Inhibited Hypertension in Offspring
Authors: Wu Yuming , Guo Qi , Feng Xiaohong , Xue Hongmei 
Published: November 2023

AimRecently, Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been demonstrated to be a powerful vasodilator of the placental vasculature and can improve intrauterine growth restriction. In this study, we tested the fetal programming effect of H2S on renovascular hypertensive rats (RVH), a rat model of secondary hypertension.MethodsMaternal hypertensive rats were treated with H2S (56 μmol/Kg per day) during pregnancy and lactation periods and the offspring without H2S after weaning. Another treatment group was maternal hypertensive rats treated without H2S and the offspring with H2S (56 μmol/Kg per day) after weaning till 16 weeks old. Blood pressure was measured non‐invasively by tail cuff plethysmography in conscious offsprings. Baroreflex sensitivity was induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), phenylephrine (PHE), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in conscious rats. The cardiac autonomic tonus was tested by atropine and propranolol during two consecutive days in a reverse order. Western blot was used to check the expression of protein in central.Results(1) The blood pressure in male offspring of renovascular hypertensive rats was higher than normal SD rats, even up to borderline hypertension. Although the blood pressure of female offspring was higher than that of normal rats, but it did not reach the critical hypertension. (2) Baroreflex sensitivity induced by Ang II and PHE in the offspring of renovascular hypertension decreased. (3) The sympathetic system in the offspring of renovascular hypertension was activated and the autonomic nervous system was imbalance. (4) Ang II /AT1R pathway, in nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), was activated in offspring of renovascular hypertensive rats and the downstream level of oxidative stress and inflammation‐related protein was also increased. The expression of cystathionine beta synthase (CBS), which was an endogenous generating enzyme of H2S, decreased in male offspring but increased in female, and there were differences between male and female offspring. (5) Both maternal and offspring treatment with H2S could improve the above effects.ConclusionThese long‐lasting improved effects of H2S were accompanied by downregulating central Ang II/AT1R pathway in offspring.Support or Funding InformationThis study was supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 31671185, 31171098], the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China [NO. 20121323110008], the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University from the Education Ministry of China Grant NCET‐07‐0252.
Salinity‐Dependent Expression of ncc‐like 2 in the Gill and Opercular Epithelium of Euryhaline Killifish
Authors: Doud James , Popovski Christine , Ritter Eleanore , Tipsmark Christian , Breves Jason 
Published: November 2023

Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) can tolerate abrupt changes in environmental salinity because of their ability to rapidly adjust the activities of ionocytes in the gill and opercular epithelium. Salinity acclimation responses often entail the coordinated and dynamic expression of genes encoding effectors of ion transport. For example, exposure to seawater (SW) induces elevated gene transcription of Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter (nkcc) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (cftr) in support of the ion‐extrusion capacities of SW‐type ionocytes. On the other hand, it has not been fully resolved how freshwater (FW)‐type ionocytes in teleosts, including F. heteroclitus, actually mediate ion uptake at the sub‐cellular level. A recently characterized Na+/Cl− cotransporter (Ncc) has been proposed as a conduit for the uptake of Na+ and Cl− across the apical surface of FW‐type ionocytes in a subset of teleosts. To examine whether killifish employ an Ncc‐dependent ion‐uptake pathway, we first identified a putative ncc‐like 2 in F. heteroclitus that was highly expressed in the gill and opercular epithelium. Transfer of killifish from SW to FW elicited an increase in ncc‐like 2 levels in both gill and opercular epithelium in parallel with reductions in nkcc and cftr levels. On the other hand, transfer from FW to SW resulted in a marked reduction in ncc‐like 2 levels concurrent with increases in nkcc and cftr. We will describe the distribution of Ncc‐like 2 immunoreactivity in the gill and operculum epithelium by employing an anti‐killifish Ncc‐like 2 antibody. We propose that ncc‐like 2‐expressing ionocytes support the capacity of F. heteroclitus to acclimate to freshwater environments.Support or Funding InformationSupported by Start‐Up funds to J.P.B.
Expression and Function of an Animal MEP/Amt Ammonia Transporter, AeAmt2 in the Larvae of the Mosquito, Aedes aegypti
Authors: Durant Andrea Claire , Donini Andrew 
Published: November 2023

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses. Larvae are commonly found in freshwater habitats; however, it was shown that ammonia rich septic tanks in the Caribbean also serve as habitats for larval development and adult emergence which can explain the prevalence of disease during the dry season. Since ammonia (NH3/NH4+) is toxic to animals an understanding of how the larvae of A. aegypti can survive in septic tanks is important. Our previous studies showed that A. aegypti possess two Rhesus‐like proteins, AeRh50‐1, AeRh50‐2, and a MEP/Amt transporter, AeAmt1. Those studies demonstrated that these ammonia transporters are expressed in the anal papillae, finger like sacs that surround the anus and actively transport ions, where they play a role in ammonia excretion. This study reports on a fourth ammonia transporter in A. aegypti, a MEP/Amt transporter, AeAmt2. The AeAmt2 is expressed in the anal papillae epithelium where it is co‐localized with the V‐type H+‐ATPase on the apical (water facing) membrane. To elucidate the function of AeAmt2 in anal papillae, larvae were treated for double stranded RNA knockdown of AeAmt2 and ammonia fluxes were recorded at the anal papillae with the scanning ion selective electrode technique (SIET). The effects of AeAmt2 knockdown on larvae were assessed by tracking survival over time and measuring the ammonia and proton (pH) levels of the hemolymph with ion selective microelectrodes. Ammonia excretion is a vital physiological process in all animals and this study further elucidates ammonia excretion mechanisms of larval disease vector mosquitoes, which is of particular significance given their ability to inhabit areas of high environmental ammonia.Support or Funding InformationNational Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Antibodies Against Sodium‐Dependent Cation Chloride Cotransporters in the Yellow Fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti
Authors: Viel Kenyatta CMF , DeBrosse Adrienne C. , Riley Grace F. , Piermarini Peter M. , Gillen Christopher M. 
Published: November 2023

Sodium‐dependent cation‐chloride cotransporters (CCCs) participate in ion secretion and absorption across animal phyla. The genome of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti has three genes with sequence similarity to vertebrate sodium‐dependent CCCs. One of these sequences (AAEL006180) codes for a protein with 50% identity to the human secretory Na‐K‐Cl cotransporter NKCC1 and 70% identity to a Drosophila melanogaster Na‐K‐Cl cotransporter with a role in secretion by Malpighian tubules. The other two of these sequences (AAEL009888 and AAEL009886) code for proteins with approximately 40% identity to the human Na‐K‐Cl cotransporter NKCC1 and approximately 55% identity to uncharacterized proteins in Drosophila and other insects. To begin evaluating the role of the proteins coded for by AAEL009888 and AAEL009886, we conducted experiments to determine their developmental and tissue expression patterns. Polyclonal antibodies were developed by injecting two rabbits with two peptide sequences from each paralog. Antiserum from both rabbits reacted with proteins in larvae, adult male, and adult female whole body tissues, as well as in adult Malpighian tubules and larval anal papillae, with the most prominent bands above 150 kDa size markers on 7.5% SDS‐PAGE gels. To develop paralog‐specific antibodies, we affinity purified the antiserum against peptides from either the AAEL009888 or AAEL009886 sequences. We confirmed specificity of these antibodies with peptide competition experiments on dot blots. Similar to the unpurified serum, the affinity purified antibodies reacted with proteins above 150 kDa on Western blots of lysates and membrane preps from whole body samples of larvae and adults. We are testing the effectiveness of the affinity purified antibodies on Western blots of isolated tissue samples and on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded sections of larvae.Support or Funding InformationNSF‐IOS‐1557230
Do ion‐motive pumps contribute to cold‐acclimation in Drosophila?
Authors: Yerushalmi Gil , MacMillan Heath , Donini Andrew 
Published: November 2023

At low temperatures Drosophila, like most insects, lose the ability to regulate ion and water flux across the gut epithelia, which leads to a lethal accumulation of K+ in the hemolymph. Cold‐acclimation can mitigate or entirely prevent these ion imbalances, but the physiological mechanisms that facilitate these plastic changes are not understood. This study assessed the activity of Na+/K+‐ATPase (NKA), and V‐Type H+ ATPase (VA) in the primary ionoregulatory tissues of Drosophila (the gut and the Malpighian tubules) to test whether modulation of their activity is a potential mechanism of cold‐acclimation. Upon adult emergence, D. melanogaster females were subjected to seven days at 25°C (warm acclimation) or 10°C (cold acclimation). Cold‐acclimation reduced the critical thermal minimum (CTmin), sped up recovery from chill coma, and improved survival following prolonged cold stress, suggesting that cold acclimation may be mitigating ion imbalance resulting from cold in our flies. We then quantified both NKA and VA activity in the hindgut, midgut, and the Malpighian tubules of warm‐ and cold‐acclimated flies. Using Ramsay assays, Malpighian tubule fluid secretion rates were compared for warm and cold acclimated flies, and the Na+ and K+ concentrations of secreted fluid were measured with ion‐selective microelectrodes. The scanning ion‐selective electrode technique was used to measure the Na+ and K+ flux across the midgut and hindgut epithelia of warm and cold acclimated flies. The effects of cold acclimation on ionomotive pump activity, Malpighian tubule function and ion fluxes across the Drosophila gut are presented. This study sheds light on the underlying physiological mechanisms that facilitate changes that mitigate the loss of ion balance upon a cold stress.Support or Funding InformationNSERC Discovery Grant to Andrew DoniniBanting Postdoctoral Fellowship to Heath MacMillan
Temperature effect on cardiorespiratory responses and autonomic modulation of heart rate in premetamorphic bullfrog tadpoles, Lithobates catesbeianus
Authors: Longhini Leonardo S , Zena Lucas A , da Silva Glauber SF , Bícego Kênia C , Gargaglioni Luciane H 
Published: November 2023

American bullfrog tadpoles exhibit an inhibitory vagal tone in the heart, while in adults; vagal tone becomes considerably reduced and virtually independent of temperature. Temperature effects on cardiac autonomic tonus in amphibian's larval stages have never been investigated. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of different temperatures (15, 25, and 30°C) on the cardiorespiratory responses and cardiac autonomic tonus of premetamorphic bullfrog tadpoles, Lithobates castebeianus. A non‐invasive method for measuring ECG and breathing frequency (fR) was developed. For pharmacological study, intraperitoneal injections of ringer solution (control), atropine (cholinergic muscarinic antagonist), and sotalol (β‐adrenergic antagonist) were performed. Ringer injections did not affect heart rate (fH) and fR across temperatures. Cardiorespiratory parameters were significantly augmented by temperature [fH (beats.min−1): 15°C: 24.5±1.0; 25°C: 54.5±2.0; 30°C: 75.8±2.8 and fR (breaths.min−1): 15°C: 30.3±1.1; 25°C: 73.1±4.0; 30°C: 100.6±3.7]. A predominant vagal tone was observed at 15 (32.0±3.2%) and 25°C (27.2±6.7%) relative to the adrenergic tone. At 30°C, adrenergic tone increases relative to the lower temperature. This study provides a suitable non‐invasive method for studying cardiorespiratory function (ECG and electromyography of the buccal floor) in tadpoles. Furthermore, cholinergic and adrenergic tone seems to be independent of temperature for the thermal interval between 15 and 25°C, while animals' exposure to 30°C is followed by a significant increase in adrenergic tone that may reflect cardiovascular adjustment in order to match oxygen delivery to demand.Support or Funding InformationFAPESP and CNPq
Reciprocal Inhibitory Integration and Respiratory Modulation of Arterial Chemoreceptor and Baroreceptor Inputs to Nucleus Tractus Solitarii
Authors: Moraes Davi J.A. , Da Silva Melina P. , Machado Benedito H. , Paton Julian F.R. 
Published: November 2023

The cardiovascular and respiratory reflex responses to activation of the arterial chemoreceptors or baroreceptors are dependent on the phase of respiratory cycle. To determine if the respiratory modulation of the chemoreflex and baroreflex occurs within the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), whole cell patch clamp recordings of NTS neurons were obtained in in situ preparations from juvenile rats. Thirty non‐respiratory NTS neurons that were depolarized following activation of the carotid body chemoreceptors (by intra‐arterial injection of sodium cyanide) also exhibited excitatory post‐synaptic currents (EPSCs) in response to electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral carotid sinus nerve (CSN; standard deviation of latency: 0.51 ± 0.02). These cells were also tested for the presence of convergent inputs from both the ipsilateral carotid sinus and aortic baroreceptors. Convergent post‐synaptic inhibition from both carotid sinus and aortic baroreceptors was observed in all chemoreceptive NTS neurons tested. CSN evoked EPSCs were averaged separately during different phases of respiratory cycle. Amplitude of carotid sinus‐evoked EPSCs were significant enhanced during expiration relative to inspiration (p<0.05). Additionally, fifty non‐respiratory NTS neurons were depolarized following activation of either ipsilateral carotid (carotid sinus pressure) or aortic baroreceptors (aortic depressor nerve stimulation; standard deviation of latency: 0.2 ± 0.01) and were found to be more sensitive to aortic than carotid sinus activation (p<0.05). Twenty one neurons depolarized only by activation of aortic baroreceptors, while eleven neurons depolarized only by activation of carotid sinus baroreceptors. Convergent post‐synaptic inhibition from arterial chemoreceptors was observed in all tested NTS baroreceptive neurons. Similar to chemoreceptive NTS neurons, amplitude of aortic baroreceptors‐evoked EPSCs were enhanced during expiration relative to inspiration (p<0.05). The results of the present study suggest that: i) there is respiratory modulation of arterial chemoreceptor and baroreceptors inputs by central respiratory drive at this early stage of the reflex arc and; ii) both baroreceptor modulation of arterial chemoreflex, and chemoreceptor modulation of arterial baroreflexes occurs at the level of the NTS. These data reveal a potential mechanism for the baroreflex enhancement observed when peripheral chemoreceptor afferents are denervated.Support or Funding InformationFAPESP: SÃO PAULO RESEARCH FOUNDATIONBHF: BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
Simulating Selected Human Hormonal Pathways During a 24‐Hour Period and Its Implications for Aging Research
Authors: Garan Steven A. , Efe Gizem , Cheung Kevin , Khurramb Maaz A. , Brooks George A. 
Published: November 2023

A subset of compounds that regulate functions that are affected by aging and in turn affect the aging process in humans have been simulated in a quantitative temporal model using the Center for Research and Education in Aging Language (CREAL). CREAL is a language that can be used to describe biological systems designed by integrating data yielded from different research studies, and events that take place in a simulated 24‐hour period. It has been used to develop a simulation of glucose intake, absorption and and subsequent modulation of insulin and glucagon levels in humans. Example of the compounds that are simulated are hormones such as orexin, glucocorticoids and melatonin. The release of orexin, which modulates the human hunger response is simulated with respect to insulin, leptin, and ghrelin. This is achieved by modeling the concentrations of gut hormones based on food intake within 24 hours. The release of glucocorticoids, which is the primary modulator of the stress response is simulated with respect to actions that take place in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis). Furthermore, the release of melatonin, which modulates the sleep cycle is simulated with respect to events that take place in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The model also shows changes in many other compounds that are involved in regulating daily processes. Ultimately, such a program can be used to simulate whole organism homeostatic processes.Support or Funding InformationCenter for Research and Education in Aging, University of California at Berkeley, LBNL, CA, USA
GeneLab: Multi‐Omics Investigation of Rodent Research‐1 Biobanked Tissues
Authors: Chakravarty Kaushik , Lai San‐Huei , Boyko Valery , Berrios Daniel , Fogle Homer , Dueck Sandra , Timucin Linda , Galazka Jonathan , Reinsch Sigrid , Stotzky Olga , Skidmore Mike 
Published: November 2023

NASA's Rodent Research (RR) project is playing a critical role in advancing biomedical research on the physiological effects of space environments. Due to the limited resources for conducting biological experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS), it is imperative to use crew time efficiently while maximizing high‐quality science return. NASA's GeneLab project has as its primary objectives to 1) further increase the value of these experiments using a multi‐omics, systems biology‐based approach, and 2) disseminate these data without restrictions to the scientific community. The current investigation assessed viability of RNA, DNA, and protein extracted from archived RR‐1 tissue samples for epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic assays. During the first RR spaceflight experiment, a variety of tissue types were harvested from subjects, snap‐frozen or RNAlater‐preserved, and then stored at least a year at −80°C after return to Earth. They were then prioritized for this investigation based on likelihood of significant scientific value for spaceflight research. All tissues were made available to GeneLab through the bio‐specimen sharing program managed by the Ames Life Science Data Archive and included mouse adrenal glands, quadriceps, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, soleus, eye, and kidney. We report here protocols for and results of these tissue extractions, and thus, the feasibility and value of these kinds of omics analyses. In addition to providing additional opportunities for investigation of spaceflight effects on the mouse transcriptome and proteome in new kinds of tissues, our results may also be of value to program managers for the prioritization of ISS crew time for rodent research activities.Support or Funding InformationSupport from the NASA Space Life and Physical Sciences Division and the International Space Station Program is gratefully acknowledged
Comprehensive Coverage of Rat Models for Human Diseases at the Rat Genome Database
Authors: Wang Shur‐Jen , Laulederkind Stanely JF , Smith Jennifer R , Hayman George Thomas , Petri Victoria , Dwinell Melinda , Shimoyama Mary 
Published: November 2023

Rat Genome Database (RGD) is a model organism database where organized functional annotations for rat, mouse and human are integrated and displayed in a portal style. These annotations, either imported from other sources or manually curated at RGD are associated with genes, strains or QTL. Recently, curation efforts have been focused on diseases and 11 area‐specific disease portals have been created. In this poster RGD is presenting its curation effort on rat disease models. To facilitate searching and browsing registered rat strains are organized in a nomenclature structure (Rat Strain Ontology), where relationships with related strains are the basis of the structure. The rat strain‐disease association is made based on disease markers, genomic or genetic association curated from published literature or user submission. These curated disease annotations are organized by RGD Disease Ontology/ vocabulary to facilitate query in either very granular disease terms or a higher level broad disease branch. Three rat disease models are presented in this poster as examples to show how rats are used in human disease study and how these data are organized and displayed at RGD. We first discuss the naturally occurring rat model of Hirschsprung disease, the spotting lethal (Sl) rat. The deletion mutation of Ednrb causes aganglionic megacolon and pigmentary disorder in rats. Both the disease and coat color phenotypes were curated at RGD. Another example is the ENU‐induced malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PMST) model between inbred BDIX and BDIV strains. From these two strains which exhibit different responses to ENU, several disease QTL and congenic rat strains were developed. The last example is the collection of genetically modified rats created by the “Gene Editing Rat Resource Center” by researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The disease and phenotypes association of these genetic models, captured by qualitative disease and phenotype terms and the quantitative measurements of associated traits, are available at RGD. In conclusion RGD is a comprehensive data resource for the laboratory rat used in disease study. Disease and phenotype data from various sources have been integrated and organized by controlled vocabularies for easy querying and browsing by biomedical researchers.Support or Funding InformationRGD is funded by grant HL64541 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute on behalf of the NIH.