bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glucose Induced Alterations in Fractal Fibrin Patterns
Authors: Snow Austin , Cordner Ryan 
Published: May 2023

Arterial and venous thrombosis are major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. As hyperglycemia is known to enhance the risk of thrombosis, our work sought to evaluate the effects of hyperglycemia on fibrin polymerization patterns. Utilizing a novel method combining light microscopy images of blood clots and The Workflow of Matrix Biology Informatics, we were able to quantitatively evaluate alterations in fractal fibrin patterns. We found that increasing glucose concentrations correlated with decreased branch points, lacunarity, total length, and area. These changes suggest that glucose has a direct effect on fibrin polymerization, decreasing the total amount of polymerized fibrin, and altering the fractal patterns in a way that can be detected using light microscopy. Further work will be required to fully elucidate the impact of altered fibrin patterns on the development of arterial and venous thrombi in patients with diabetes. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Alterations in mitochondrial function in endothelial and epithelial cells by plasma from E-cigarette users
Authors: Chitteti Ramamurthy , Juan Pablo Zuniga Hertz , Jorge A. Masso Silva , John Shin , Laura E. Crotty Alexander , Hemal H Patel , David M Roth 
Published: May 2023

Background: Mitochondria play vital roles in cellular function and homeostasis. Inhalation of aerosols generated by E-cigarettes (E-Cig) may affect mitochondrial physiology. Data on risks of E-Cigs and vaping devices on mitochondria physiology remain incomplete. Our objective was to investigate novel effects of E-Cig plasma mediators on mitochondrial physiology in human endothelial (EA.hy 926) and lung epithelial cells (A549). Hypothesis: Plasma from E-Cig users will induce alterations in mitochondrial physiology. Methods: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted on subjects who used E-cigarettes (n=21) and 10 non-smoking, non-vaping controls. Inclusion criteria were active E-Cig use without known lung disease and with normal lung function, between the ages of 18-30 years. E-Cig use was confirmed with in-person interviews and plasma cotinine levels. Active E-Cig use was defined as use of >0.5-1 mL e-liquid/day or 3.5-7 mL/week for >6 months. Plasma was isolated and stored at -70°C. The metabolic stress effects of E-Cig plasma (1%, 1h conditioning) mediators were assessed in vitro on endothelial cells (8x104/well) and epithelial cells (5x104/well) using the Seahorse XF Energy phenotype Test. The mitochondrial copy number in E-Cig user plasma was estimated by digital droplet PCR. Membrane potentials and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified by Cytation5. Results: E-Cig plasma altered the metabolic stress phenotype of mitochondria of EA.hy 926 and A549 cells. Metabolic stress was evidenced by increased oxygen consumption and glycolytic rates in both cell types. The mitochondria membrane potential and ROS levels significantly increased in E-Cig plasma subjected cells. Mitochondrial gene copy number levels were significantly increased in E-Cig user plasma suggesting mitochondrial stress in vivo. Conclusions: Plasma of E-cig users enhances maximal metabolic stress on human endothelial and lung cells in vitro and shows evidence for mitochondrial stress in vivo. These results may have important implications regarding the effects of E-Cig use on mitochondrial function and eventual public health recommendations. T31IP1929 and R21 AG058174-01A1 This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Role for insulin sensitivity in the cerebrovascular response to hyperinsulinemia in young adults
Authors: Gonsalves Anna , Shariffi Brian , Harper Jennifer , Manrique-Acevedo Camila , Padilla Jaume , Limberg Jacqueline 
Published: May 2023

Objective: Cerebral blood flow is highly regulated and cerebrovascular responsiveness to vasodilatory stimuli is predictive of brain health. In preclinical animal models, insulin elicits cerebrovascular dilation and subsequent increases in cerebral blood flow. Contrary to this, preliminary data from our group in a large cohort of healthy humans indicate surrogate measures of cerebral blood flow remain at baseline levels during hyperinsulinemia – although responses were highly variable. In the peripheral circulation, insulin-stimulated vasodilation is closely associated with markers of insulin sensitivity (e.g., elevated fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR); whether these associations translate to the cerebral circulation remains unclear. With this information in mind, we hypothesized the degree of insulin-mediated increases in cerebral blood flow would correlate with indices of peripheral insulin sensitivity.Methods: Middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv) was measured with transcranial Doppler ultrasound in 17 adults (11M/6F, 28±2 yrs, 24±1 kg/m2) at baseline and following a 60-min hyperinsulinemic (40 mU/m2 body surface area/min), euglycemic infusion. Correlations between MCAv and indices of peripheral insulin sensitivity [i.e., fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, glucose infusion rate, weight, body mass index (BMI), age, physical activity] were determined. Results: Intravenous insulin infusion increased plasma insulin concentrations (6±1 to 49±3 μIU/mL, p<0.001) with blood glucose maintained (73±4 to 82±6 mg/dL, p=0.196). There was no net change in MCAv during hyperinsulinemia (60±4 to 60±4 cm/s, p=0.930). We observed negative associations between the change in MCAv during hyperinsulinemia (Δ=Insulin–Baseline) and both body weight (R=-0.49, p=0.047) and BMI (R=-0.50, p=0.040). No correlations between ΔMCAv and fasting glucose (p=0.435), insulin (p=0.733), HOMA-IR (p=0.960), age (p=0.132), physical activity (p=0.179), or glucose infusion rate (p=0.599) were observed. Conclusions: As previously shown in these participants, hyperinsulinemia in young adults elicits no net change in MCAv. Any increases in MCAv during hyperinsulinemia occur primarily in individuals with lower body weight and lower BMI. Future studies are needed to translate results to disease states (e.g., diabetes). Margaret W. Mangel Faculty Research Catalyst Fund (JP, JKL), NIH HL137769 (JP), NIH HL130339 (JKL) This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Effects of temperature and water content on wet perception during the static touch of moist paper
Authors: Kato Issei , Masuda Yuta , Nagashima Kei 
Published: May 2023

[Background] Wet perception plays an essential role in behavioral thermoregulation. It has been suggested that mechanical and thermal stimuli affect wet perception; however, the mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the effects of water content and temperature on the wet perception of moist papers. [Methods] Twenty-seven healthy volunteers (14 males and 13 females, age 25 ± 5 years) participated in this study, which comprised two experimental trials. In Experiment 1, participants placed the index finger on 2 x 2 cm filter paper of 6 different water content (0.00, 3.75, 7.50, 11.25, 15.00, or 18.75 μg/cm2) for 15 s, of which temperature was controlled at 30ºC with Peltier apparatus. During the last 5 s of the stimulation period, participants were asked to report if they had wet perception or not. Each water content was presented five times, and the percentage rate of wet perception was calculated. In Experiment 2, participants placed the index finger on 2 x 2 cm filter paper of water content of 18.75 μg/cm2 for 15 s, of which temperature was controlled at either 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40°C with Peltier apparatus. During the last 5 s of the stimulation period, participants were asked to report the intensity of their thermal and wet sensations with a visual analog scale. Each temperature was presented five times. [Results] Experiment 1: The percentage rates of wet perception of 3.75, 7.50, 11.25, 15.00, and 18.75 μg/cm2 were significantly higher than that of 0.00 μg/cm2 ( p < 0.05). The percentage rates of wet perception of 11.25, 15.00, and 18.75 μg/cm2 were significantly greater than those of 3.75 μg/cm2 ( p < 0.01) and 7.5 μg/cm2 ( p < 0.005). Experiment 2: Thermal sensation of the stimuli of 25, 30, 35, and 40ºC was greater than that of the 20ºC stimulus ( p < 0.001). Wet perception of the stimulus of 20ºC was greater than that of 25, 30, 35, and 40ºC. Wet perception of the stimulus of 25ºC was higher than those of 30, 35, and 40ºC ( p < 0.05). [Discussion and Conclusions] The percentage rate of wet perception increased with the water content of the paper. Thus, participants could discriminate such small differences in the water content. The wet perception was augmented by stimulus temperature lower than 30ºC, while stimulus temperature above 30ºC did not show a clear relationship with the intensity of wet perception. The cold sensation may play an important role in modulating wet perception. Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research A 19H01128. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Untangling purinergic regulation through the stellate ganglion
Authors: Bussey Carol , Davis Harvey , Bogart Emma , Paterson David , Paton Julian 
Published: May 2023

Sympathetic nerve overactivity is a key contributor to cardiovascular diseases, and related morbidity and mortality. Denervation of the stellate ganglion has been explored as a therapeutic strategy for heart failure, but there is a need for targeted, non-invasive approaches. Upregulation of P2X3 purinergic receptors in stellate ganglia of Spontaneously Hypertensive (SHR) compared to Wistar rats (16-week-old), revealed by RNASeq transcriptional profiling, leads us to hypothesize that purinergic signalling may play a role in the excessive sympathetic drive to the heart in cardiovascular disease.Cardiac effects of stellate ganglion purinergic stimulation were investigated in the working heart-brainstem preparation of Wistar rats (4-5 week old). Microinjection of ATP (100ng) directly into the right stellate ganglion increased heart rate (Wistar 13±6 Δbpm, n=6; SHR 25±8 Δbpm, n=2). This tachycardia was attenuated by either systemic P2X3 inhibition with AF-353 (Wistar 2±2 Δbpm, n=4), or abolished by denervation of the cardiac sympathetic nerve emanating from the stellate ganglion. However, bradycardic responses were also observed (Wistar -24 ± 12 bpm, n=5), likely indicating contrasting signalling by purinergic components such as adenosine.These findings were echoed in isolated post-ganglionic sympathetic neurones from the stellate ganglia of Wistar rats (4-6 weeks), wherein ATP evoked a significant increase (Median; 0.21) in [Ca2+]i as measured by Fura-2AM imaging (n=15, Wilcoxon matched-pairs test; p<0.0001) with a high degree of variability suggestive of responding and non-responding cells. This ATP-induced calcium transient was inhibited by specific P2X3 receptor antagonism with either NF-10 or AF-130.Further, immunofluorescence analysis shows clustering of neurones expressing P2X3 within the stellate ganglion.Stellate ganglion P2X3 purinergic receptors contribute to cardiac chronotropic regulation, with apparent heterogeneity in neuronal expression and differential purinergic responses. P2X3 receptor overexpression is likely to contribute to cardiac sympathetic overactivity and hypertension, making them a promising novel therapeutic target. Funding: Support provided by Health Research Council of New Zealand. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Dynamic homeostatic plasticity within cerebellar circuitry
Authors: Han Victor , Han Victor , Zhang Yueping , Magnus Gerhard 
Published: May 2023

The cerebellum has proved useful as a model system due to its uniform modular organization and explicit physiological significance of input and output signals. The cerebellum of the mormyrid fish provides a special opportunity to directly determine how single PCs affect their target cells. Such an approach is nearly impossible in mammals.In this study of the mormyrid cerebellum, a Purkinje cell and its target cell were simultaneously patch-recorded in a slice preparation, as focal stimuli were used to activate the PC's parallel fibers (PFs) or single climbing fiber (CF). Upon establishment of synaptic connection between two PCs or a PC-DCN cell pair, three signals – PF responses in both cells and the synaptic inhibition from the pre- to the post-synaptic cell – were recorded as controls, followed by the conventional manipulations of pairing PF and CF inputs to induce long-term potentiation (LTP) or depression (LTD) at parallel fiber synapses onto the presynaptic cell. Then, the three signals are recorded again and contrasted with the controls.Surprisingly, we found that after PF-LTP was induced in the presynaptic cell, the synaptic inhibition from the same cell to the postsynaptic cell was significantly attenuated; conversely, after PF-LTD was induced in the presynaptic cell, the synaptic inhibition from same cell to postsynaptic cell was significantly enhanced. These results indicate that synaptic plasticity at input synapses of the mormyrid Purkinje cell are not simply conveyed to the same cell’s output synapses, as assumed in conventional theories of motor learning, but rather that the strength of a PC’s output synapses onto its target cells is up- and downregulated following LTD and LTP, respectively, at the same cell’s input synapses. We hypothesize that the runaway nature of Hebbian plasticity in a central neural network is buffered in an online fashion by changes generated by negative feedback at the same neuron’s output synapse, a phenomenon which we have termed dynamic homeostatic plasticity. National Science Foundation, Grant/Award Number: 1929489 to VZH This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Using Supplemental Instruction through the EMPOWER Program to Increase Diversity in STEM Fields
Authors: King Adrienne , Wright Christa 
Published: May 2023

The underrepresentation of women and racial minorities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields is of national concern. Despite recent increases, females continue to be underrepresented in math, physical science, and engineering related fields compared to their male counterparts. There is also evidence showing a troubling inequity trend in enrollment of most graduate and all post graduate degrees in STEM fields. These factors ultimately impact the workforce with women less likely than men with similar degrees to actually be employed in these fields, constituting 23% of the science and engineering labor force and only 10 % of employed physicists. Well-structured interventions are needed to support African American women in overcoming barriers to increase their representation in STEM. What is Needed to Make a Difference? Extracurricular instruction in the form of supplemental educational programming is needed to identify, engage and retain African American female students to ensure their level of post-secondary education STEM success and beyond. The R25 Summer Research Education Program is designed to support education activities that complement and or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. Methods: The Engaging Multidisciplinary Professional Opportunities for Women in Environmental Research (EMPOWER) program was created to address the diversity in STEM. This summer research experience program was developed to educate high school science teachers in tandem with outstanding African American and Hispanic women from metro Atlanta high schools in the research approaches and competencies required for a deeper understanding of how to measure and assess environmental exposures, including air and water in the urban environment and link them to health effects. Results/Discussion: Students and teachers participated in a four-week summer program. The primary objectives of EMPOWER were two-fold including:1) Enhance teaching capacity within the sciences and assist in the development of public and environmental health curriculum along with in class activities intended to promote interest in STEM. 2) Provide African-American and LatinX women opportunities to engage in faculty lead research projects, obtain hands-on training in tandem with professional and soft skill development. EMPOWER’s major contribution will be to continue to enhance STEM education in high schools leading to higher quality post-secondary opportunities and greater workforce diversity. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Sex differences in the relationship between physical activity levels and cerebral pulsatility
Authors: Gaynor-Metzinger Sarean Harmoni , Fico Brandon , Moir M. , Miller Kathleen , Corkery Adam , Pearson Andrew , Loggie Nicole , Howery Anna , Rowley Howard , Rivera-Rivera Leonardo , Johnson Kevin , Johnson Sterling , Wieben Oliver , Barnes Jill 
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND: Greater cerebral blood flow pulsatility, measured as pulsatility index (PI), has recently been under investigation as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, physical activity (PA), which has been associated with improved cognitive function and holds therapeutic effects for cardiovascular function, may be linked with lower cerebral pulsatility, especially in postmenopausal women (PMW). PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between PA and PI in PMW and determine if these relationships are maintained in age-matched men. We hypothesized that there would be an inverse relationship between PA and PI in PMW, and that this relationship would diminish in age-matched men. METHODS: Fifty-two healthy PMW (age 63 ± 4 years) and 25 age-matched men (63 ± 4 years) were recruited for this study. PA was self-reported via the Godin Questionnaire (Godin Score) and using the metabolic equivalent to exercise in minutes per week (MET-Min). Cerebral blood flow was measured through the internal carotid arteries (ICAs), middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), and the basilar artery using 4D Flow MRI. PI was calculated as (maximum flow – minimum flow)/mean flow. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in PA between groups via Godin Score (PMW: 37 ± 21 vs. Men 37 ± 13, p = 1.00) or MET-Min (PMW: 1586 ± 901 vs. Men: 1831 ± 901, p = 0.28). When combined, there was a significant inverse association between MET-Min and basilar PI (r = -0.24, p = 0.04). In PMW, there was a trend for greater MET-Min to be associated with lower basilar PI (r = -0.24, p = 0.08), however this trend was not observed in men (r = -0.25, p = 0.25). Interestingly, in men, there was a significant positive association between MET-Min and MCA PI (r = 0.46, p = 0.03). There were no significant associations observed between PA and ICA PI. CONCLUSION: Greater PA may be linked to lower PI in PMW, but not in in age-matched men. The influence of regular physical activity on cerebral PI may be specific to certain cerebral vessels. This study was funded by the Virginia Horn Henry Research Grant, NIH grant (AG070469-01), and the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (P30-AG062715). This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Restoration of cardiac metabolic flexibility by glutathione in ecstasy-treated male Wistar rats is dependent of circulating testosterone and xanthine oxidase/uric acid/caspase 3 modulations
Authors: Ajayi Ayodeji , Akhigbe Roland , Aborisade Solomon , Ajayi Oluwatobi , Hamed Moses 
Published: May 2023

Introduction and objectives: The abuse of ecstasy as a recreational drug is widespread, despite its complications such as cardiac injury and dyslipidaemia. Till date, the involvement of testosterone and xanthine oxidase (XO)/ uric acid (UA)/ caspase 3 signaling in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury and dysmetabolism is yet to be reported. The possible effect of glutathione in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury is also yet to be documented. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the involvement of circulating testosterone and XO/UA/caspase 3 pathway in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury and dysmetabolism. Also, the effect of glutathione in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury was explored. Methods: Forty eight male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into six groups (n= 8). The control rats received distilled water, glutathione-treated rats received 15 mg/kg of glutathione, low dose ecstasy-treated (LDE) and high dose ecstasy-treated (HDE) rats received 5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg of ecstasy respectively, LDE + glutathione-treated rats received 15 mg/kg of glutathione and 5 mg/kg of ecstasy, and HDE + glutathione-treated rats received 15 mg/kg of glutathione and 15 mg/kg of ecstasy via gavage for 8 weeks. Results: Ecstasy significantly increased the relative cardiac mass, but did not significantly alter the body weight gain and absolute cardiac mass. It also caused increased mean arterial pressure, diastolic pressure, heart rate, PR interval, and QT interval. In addition, it led to insulin resistance and improved β-cell function, increased fasting levels of insulin and plasma and cardiac lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase, troponin I and T, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, lipid peroxidation, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and NF-kB levels. These alterations were accompanied by increased plasma and cardiac levels of XO, UA, and caspase 3, reduced circulating testosterone, glutathione content, and glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase, and distortion of cardiac histo-architecture. However, glutathione administration averted ecstasy-driven cardiac injury and metabolic derangement. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings infer that ecstasy induces defective cardiac metabolic flexibility, which is associated with upregulation of XO/UA/caspase 3 signaling and downregulation of circulating testosterone and glutathione defense mechanisms. Also, these results indicate that glutathione alleviates ecstasy-induced cardiac metabolic inflexibility by suppressing XO/UA/caspase 3 signaling and enhancing circulating testosterone and glutathione defense mechanisms. Self funded This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.