bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The trepidatious return to in-person instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic: valuable lessons applied from online teaching using Lt in the face-to-face classroom
Authors: Ford Bridget 
Published: May 2023

The speed at which educators have embraced new technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic has been remarkable. This pivot to virtual instruction has been particularly difficult in courses where hands-on experiences are the norm, such as in anatomy and physiology laboratory courses. Now with the transition back to mostly in-person instruction, the anatomy and physiology lab environment has faced a new set of challenges where the want to return to a strictly hands-on experience is being met with the need to still maintain flexibility and accessibility for students placed in quarantine. The anatomy and physiology lab curriculum at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) has adapted to this varied set of needs by adopting the use of the web-based laboratory software platform, Lt. Students surveyed during strictly virtual semesters reported a high level of satisfaction with the Lt lab software. Ratings regarding ease of use, support of learning, and overall ratings increased each semester with the highest ratings occurring during the most recent semesters where instruction was mostly in-person and hands-on (Fall 2021 – Fall 2022). This helps to support the widely held belief that students perform best, and that instruction is more effective with face-to-face laboratory courses. With our continued use of Lt, we have found an effective combination of virtual and in-person instruction that best fits our course outcomes while still supporting the flexibility and accessibility our students require. 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.
Cardiorespiratory depression in mice receiving urethane anesthesia
Authors: Flores Laura , Vasileva Anastasiia , Vasilyev Mikhail , Tomasson Michael , DeRuisseau Lara , Bates Melissa 
Published: May 2023

Urethane is used in rats and dogs and is recognized to minimally suppress cardiorespiratory function, but little is known about its impact in mouse models. The overall purpose of this study was to comprehensively compare cardiorespiratory function in mice anesthetized with urethane, compared to conscious state. 16-week old C57BL6/J mice (n=30,15 males, 15 females), underwent measurements while conscious and urethane-anesthetized. Hemodynamic parameters including heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were acquired using non-invasive (CODA and MouseOx) and invasive (Cardiac catheterization, Millar PVR-1030) techniques. All experiments were repeated with supplemental oxygen. Urethane decreased HRV and SpO2. Oxygen supplementation restored HRV and SpO2. We found no significant difference between invasive and non-invasive measurements of HRV, HR, BP, and SpO2. Urethane depressed BP in a sex-dependent manner. In this first report of the HRV response to urethane anesthesia in mice we found an anesthesia-induced decline in various cardiovascular parameters that is likely the result of urethane-induced hypoxemia. Changes characterizing the autonomic responsiveness to urethane stimuli in mice are described and should be considered when choosing the appropriate anesthetic agent. NIH1R21HD099573 and NIH 1R56HL152365. 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.
The “form” and “function” of undergraduate anatomy & physiology curricular structure
Authors: Johnson Staci , Gallagher Eliza 
Published: May 2023

The life science sub-disciplines of anatomy and physiology are the study of the form and function of a living organism. Our project describes the “form” (curricular structure) and “function” (student experience and learning) in undergraduate anatomy & physiology courses. Prior literature describes student learning approaches within separated or integrated curricula in medical education. However, little information is available about the impact of these curricular structures in undergraduate anatomy and/or physiology courses. This study analyzed the processes used by students in two different undergraduate anatomy & physiology course structures through a comparative case study methodology. Participants were enrolled in either a 2-semester sequence of anatomy then physiology (A-->P, Case 1) or an integrated 2-semester sequence (A&P1-->A&P2, Case 2). Eleven students were interviewed three times and provided written responses to open-ended prompts throughout the courses. These qualitative data were analyzed with four cycles of coding. First, block coding categorized data based on the theoretical frameworks of Biggs, Fyrenius et al., and Pandey & Zimitat. Next, all passages identified in block coding were assigned process codes through an open coding procedure. In the transition phase, code mapping was completed to identify emerging themes. Finally, focus and axial codes were applied, and the cases were compared. While there were differences identified between the cases, these were not specifically linked to curricular structure as we normally define it. Rather, differences were due to instructional design and instructor choices, particularly the presence of formative assessment within the courses. Our findings indicate that the “function” of structure based on course topics or content is a less important detail, while instructional and assessment choices provide the “form” of a course from the student’s perspective. If “form follows function” in this context, instructors in anatomy and physiology courses should recognize the impact of their assessment practices and instructional choices on student affect and subsequent learning within the course. This project was not supported by any funding sources. 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.
Serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin/protein isolate binds to various opportunistic microbes along with associated virulence factors
Authors: Rose Alexis , Warner Christopher 
Published: May 2023

The gut microbiome consists of a complex population of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that aid the host in various physiological functions. When the microbiota is imbalanced, known as dysbiosis, symbiotic microbes can become opportunistic and excrete virulence factors that decrease intestinal barrier function, causing chronic inflammation that leads to disease. Therefore, maintaining gut microbiome balance is critical to overall health. Endogenous immunoglobulins play a positive role in gut homeostasis and immunoglobulin supplements can assist the body with microbiome maintenance. Serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin/protein isolate (SBI), a spray-dried protein powder enriched in immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM), is clinically proven to help manage loose and frequent stools associated with gastrointestinal enteropathies. A previous study used an in vitro cell culture model to show that SBI binds and neutralizes pattern-associated molecular patterns by steric/immune exclusion mechanisms. The goal of our study is to expand the list of antigens to which SBI binds. We hypothesize the IgG in SBI binds additional opportunistic microbes found in the gut and their associated virulence factors. Heliobacter pylori ( H. pylori), Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli ( E. coli), and Candida albicans ( C. albicans) are common microbes associated with human gastroenteropathies. Therefore, we initially tested the binding of SBI to H. pylori lysate, H. pylori cytotoxicity-associated immunodominant antigen (CagA), Shiga toxin type-1 (Stx1), E. coli cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), C. albicans lysate, and C. albicans agglutinin-like protein 3 (Als3) by a dot blot method. SBI demonstrated binding to all antigens except the H. pylori lysate. To validate specificity of IgG, further binding studies were completed using a modified ELISA. The absorbance of IgG bound to immobilized antigens increased proportionally to SBI concentration (CagA R2=0.98, Stx1 R2=0.97, CDT subunit A R2=0.99, CDT subunit C R2=0.99, C. albicans lysate R2=0.99, and Als3 R2=0.99). Control experiments verified effective blocking, non-specific binding, and functionality (denatured SBI), as no significant absorbance was measured for any antigen tested. Together, the dot blot and modified ELISA showed the IgG in SBI was found to bind to a variety of opportunistic microbes and their associated virulence factors, including CagA, Stx1, CDT subunit A, CDT subunit C, C. albicans lysate, and Als3. Future work will examine if IgG binding can promote gut microbiome balance. Proliant Health and Biologicals 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.
Hypothalamic CRH neurons contribute to elevated sympathetic outflow in primary hypertension
Authors: Zhang Hua , Li Depei 
Published: May 2023

The corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a neuropeptide that critically regulates neuroendocrine and automatic function, which are key two components of stress responses. Hypertension is associated with high stress response and CRH mRNA levels in the hypothalamus and the number of CRH-expression neurons in the hypothalamus are significantly increased in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus in primary hypertension patients. We determined if CRH-expressing neurons in the PVN (CRHPVN) were involved in the pathogenesis of primary hypertension. We found that firing activity of CRHPVN neurons was significantly increased in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) than those in normotensive control Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Inhibitory light-sensitive channel soma-targeted Guillardia theta anion-conducting channelrhodopsins (stGtACR2s) or excitatory light-sensitive channel ChR2s were CRH-Cre dependently expressed on CRHPVN neurons. Optical inhibition of CRHPVN neurons in SHRs significantly decreased blood pressure and renal sympathetic nerve discharge (RSND) in anesthetized SHRs and blood pressure measured by telemetry approach in conscious SHRs. In WKY rats, inhibition of CRHPVN neurons induced smaller decreases in blood pressure and RSND than those in SHRs. On the other hand, optical stimulation of CRHPVN neurons significantly increased the blood pressure in conscious WKY rats, RSND and blood pressure in anesthetized WKY rats. In brain slice from SHRs, we found that optical inhibition of CRHPVN neurons suppressed the firing activity of RVLM-projecting PVN neurons, an effect was abolished by bath application of CRH receptor antagonist astressin. Optical stimulation of CRHPVN neurons in brain slices from WKY rats increased the firing activity of RVLM-projecting PVN neurons, which was blocked by bath application of astressin. Moreover, selective ablation of CRHPVN neurons with FLEx-Casp3 plus CRH-Cre decreased blood pressure in adult SHRs and suppressed hypertension development in young SHRs. In addition, microinjection of CRHR2 specific antagonist, antisauvagine-30 (TFA) into the nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) induced the same degree of depressor responses in WKY rats and SHRs. These results suggest that the CRHPVN neurons play a pivotal role in regulating sympathetic outflow and blood pressure in hypertension through CRH receptors on the RVLM-projecting PVN neurons. Supported by grants from National Institutes of Health (HL139523, HL142133, and HL159157). 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.
Neonatal intermittent hypoxia-dependent oxidative stress prevents NMDAr subunit remodeling during the critical period producing deficits in synaptic plasticity and spatial memory during adulthood
Authors: Arias-Cavieres Alejandra , Garcia Alfredo J 
Published: May 2023

Early postnatal life represents a critical window of brain development that sets the foundation for neurophysiology later in adulthood. Apneas of Prematurity (AoP) is clinical condition that can emerge in neonates born less than 34 weeks and is hypothesized to have long-lasting impact on neurocognition. Untreated AoP produces periodic cessations in breathing leading to neonatal intermittent hypoxia (nIH). The objective of this study is to investigate how nIH impacts NMDAr-dependent synaptic plasticity during and following the critical period of development. To test this, neonatal mice (P4-5) were exposed to ten days of nIH. Biochemical analyses immediately following nIH, revealed that nIH caused oxidative stress corresponding with a greater GluN2B:GluN2A subunit ratio in the hippocampus. These effects were accompanied by a reduced contribution of GluN2A to LTP. Administration of the antioxidant MnTMPyP during nIH prevented these changes. In adult mice, six weeks after exposure to nIH, deficits in behavioral performance in spatial memory tasks were evident. These neurocognitive changes, correlated with a persistent increase in the GluN2B:GluN2A ratio and dysregulated LTP in the adult hippocampus. Administration of MnTMPyP, following nIH was not effective in mitigating the effects observed during adulthood. Our findings suggest that a narrow interventional window exists for mitigating oxidative stress that drive nIH‑dependent changes in hippocampal physiology and spatial memory during adulthood. This work was supported by NIH: R01NS107421 This work was supported by NIH: R01NS107421 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.
3D hyoid and tongue kinematics reveal mechanism of tongue base retraction during swallowing in Didelphis virginiana
Authors: Li Peishu , Gidmark Nicholas , Luo Zhe-Xi , Callum Ross 
Published: May 2023

In anthropoid primates, tongue base retraction (TBR) is a key event for airway protection and bolus propulsion during swallowing. In macaques, hyoid protraction and elevation during swallowing reduce the oral volume and squeeze the tongue base to retract. This novel hyoid-powered hydraulic TBR mechanism implies that the morphology and position of the hyoid are functionally relevant for TBR performance. However, macaque’s highly derived craniofacial and hyoid morphology precludes inference on the evolutionary history and driving mechanism of TBR across mammal phylogeny at large. Here we use biplanar videoradiography and the XROMM workflow to infer TBR mechanism in Didelphis virginiana through high-resolution 3D hyolingual kinematics. Similar to macaques, Didelphis has an incomplete hyoid cornu, which would enable a large hyoid range of motion that facilitates oral volume reduction. Unlike macaques, Didelphis hyoid has a more posteriorly resting hyoid position. We predict that TBR will occur in Didelphis through a similar hyoid-powered hydraulic mechanism. We find Didelphis deploys TBR during the first opening (O1) phase (liquid) or slow-open phase (solid) of jaw cycle with retraction and elevation of midline posterior tongue markers. Minimal retraction occurs in lateral tongue markers where extrinsic lingual muscles insert. The tongue base and posterior tongue are lengthening, narrowing and increasing in height during TBR, consistent with predictions based on muscular hydrostat model. The tongue base was not isovolumetric during TBR, but the volume change was orders of magnitude smaller than that observed in macaques. Hyoid protraction and elevation occur before and continue throughout TBR, which strongly suggest concurrent reduction of oral volume as well. Our preliminary data suggest the TBR mechanism in opossums may differ in important ways from that utilized by macaques, where opossums could employ a combination of hydrostatic deformation and hydraulic mechanism to drive retraction of tongue base. We provide novel insights into the conservation of TBR across therian mammals and extend our understanding on the form-function relationships between the hyolingual apparatus and swallowing biomechanics. Hinds Fund, University of Chicago 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.
Neonatal stress favors age related rise in sleep apnea and metabolic comorbidity in female rats
Authors: Guay Loralie Mei , Ambrozio Marques Danuzia , Fournier Stéphanie , Kinkead Richard 
Published: May 2023

Introduction: In women, the natural loss of ovarian function during menopause is associated with an increase in the number of cases of sleep apnea and its comorbidities, such as hypertension and obesity. However, only a subpopulation of women is affected by these disorders, a trajectory that is misunderstood. We know that stress and childhood adversity are linked with a sex specific increase in disease susceptibility in adults. In mammals, exposure to neonatal maternal separation (NMS) is an established pre-clinical model to address the consequences of early life stress. Therefore, we hypothesized that NMS increases respiratory control disorder and favors obesity in 1-year old female rats. Methodology: Rat pups were either undisturbed (CTRL) or subjected to NMS during which pups were placed in a temperature-controlled incubator 3h/day from postnatal day 3 to 12. At 60 weeks of age, we measured apnea frequency during sleep and chemoreflex response to hypoxia (10% O2; 40s) or hypercapnia (5% CO2; 10 minutes) using a whole-body plethysmography system. We also measured body weight and body length (to calculate the body mass index (BMI – g/cm2)), % of fat (using a magnetic resonance equipment – BRUKER) and leptin levels in the plasma (by Luminex® technology, a bead-based immunoassay). Results: Apnea frequency of NMS females was 20% higher than CTRL; the ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia were also significantly greater (30% and 94% respectively). The BMI of NMS was 18% higher than CTRL and greater than the threshold for obesity. Additionally, those animals presented 5% more fat in their body composition, 5% less lean tissue and the same % of fluids. As for leptin, the mean values were similar but the variation in blood levels was 34% higher in NMS than in CTRL. Conclusions: Age-related loss in ovarian function reveals the latent effects of early life stress on respiratory control. By predisposing to obesity and interfering with leptin signaling, NMS also favors metabolic disturbance commonly observed in ageing women. These data suggest that stress is an important factor in the development of sleep apnea and related co-morbidities in a subpopulation of menopausal women. DAM is supported by the FRQ-S (268346) and the Programme de complément de bourse from RSRQ (2021-22). This research is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (RK). 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.
A Novel Oxygen Cocktail for Renal Protection and Survival Extension During Prolonged Hemorrhagic Shock
Authors: Xiang Lusha 
Published: May 2023

The current study aimed to develop a novel oxygen cocktail (XC) in order to decrease hemorrhagic shock-induced complications including renal injury, acidosis, hyperlactatemia, hyperkalemia, and mortality when on-time resuscitation is unavailable. XC was designed by combining polyethylene glycol (PEG) and transcrocetinate (TSC) to improve both oxygen delivery and diffusion under hypotensive condition. Using an established model of prolonged hemorrhagic shock and acute kidney injury (AKI), we hypothesized that early XC treatment would improve compensatory mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal oxygen levels, and decrease shock related acidosis, hyperlactatemia, hyperkalemia, AKI, and mortality. Male rats were randomized into 4 groups based on treatment: saline (vehicle), PEG, TSC, XC (n = 7-8 for each group). Trauma was induced in anesthetized rats with muscle injury and fibula fracture, followed by pressure-controlled hemorrhagic shock (MAP = 55 mmHg) for 45 minutes. Rats then received an intravenous injection (0.3ml/kg) of saline, PEG, TSC, or XC. MAP, skeletal muscle perfusion and oxygen partial pressure (PO2), renal hemodynamics, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary flow, and mortality were monitored for another 2 hours. XC rapidly increased MAP, renal blood flow, oxygen delivery, GFR (saline 0.05 ± 0.01, TSC 0.12 ± 0.05, PEG 0.48 ± 0.10, XC 0.47 ± 0.05, ml/min/100g,), and urinary flow (saline < 0.1, TSC < 0.1, PEG 8.42 ± 2.82, XC 5.65 ± 0.88, ml/min), and decreased hyperlactatemia and mortality (saline 100%, TSC 75%, PEG 12%, XC 0%). The microcirculatory perfusion in skeletal muscle was similar between XC and PEG groups. However, the increase in PO2 was much more profound and prolonged in XC compared to PEG. Saline or TSC injection had no effect on these profiles. Our data suggest that XC is most effective in maintaining renal oxygen levels under hypovolemic conditions despite a lack of resuscitation. Due to its rapid- and long-acting beneficial effects on organ oxygenation, XC may be a potential option to protect organ function and extend survival during prolonged hemorrhagic shock when timely resuscitation with blood and blood products is unavailable. This study was funded by US Army Medical Research and Development Command. 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.