bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elucidating the Antibiotic Resistance of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus Strains
Authors: Glover Janiece S. , Ticer Taylor , Engevik Melinda 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundAccording to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), antibiotic resistance is one of the largest public health challenges facing modern society. It has been estimated that 2.8 million people each year in the US are infected with an antibiotic‐resistant organism, resulting in >35,000 deaths. One of the multi‐drug resistant microbes listed on the CDC’s urgent threats list is Acinetobacter. The Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–Acinetobacter baumannii complex (ACB complex) is a group of clinically relevant Acinetobacter species that can cause pneumonia, urinary tract, skin and soft tissue infections. Although a lot of work has focused on antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii, the resistance of A. calcoaceticus is underexplored. To address this gap in knowledge, we obtained three commercially available A. calcoaceticus strains and four clinical isolates. We hypothesized that clinical isolates of A. calcoaceticus would be well adapted to withstand traditional antibiotics.Methods & ResultsTo test this hypothesis, we grew commercially available and clinical isolates of A. calcoaceticus in a fully defined bacterial media, termed ZMB1, which was then seeded into Biolog plates (12B) containing beta‐lactams (penicillin G, carbenicillin, oxacillin), tetracyclines (tetracycline, penimepicycline), aminoglycosides (polymyxin B, paromomycin, sisomicin, tobramycin, spectinomycin), glycopeptides (vancomycin), sulfonamides (sulfamethazine, sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, sulfa‐methoxazole), aminocoumarins (novobiocin), pteridines (2,4‐diamino‐6,7‐ diisopropyl‐ pteridine), biocides (benzethonium chloride), macrolides (spiramycin), antimycobacterials (rifampicin), amphiphiles (dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide), and acids (D,L‐Serine hydroxamate, 5‐fluoroorotic acid, L‐aspartic‐β‐ hydroxamate). All A. calcoaceticusstrains were resistant to penicillin G, tetracycline, carbenicillin, and sisomicin. Interestingly, although our commercially available strains were sensitive to sulfamethazine, we observed that all of our clinical isolates were resistant to this antibiotic. We also identified that 2 of our isolates were resistant to polymyxin B and one isolate was highly resistant to dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide. These data suggest significant differences in antibiotic resistance between strains.ConclusionsCollectively, these data demonstrate reveal a profile of resistance for A. calcoaceticus. This data also indicates that clinical isolates of A. calcoaceticus are much more resistant to antibiotics than lab adapted strains and should be incorporated into experimental study design.
Individuals with a Previous Symptomatic COVID‐19 Infection Have Altered Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability During Acute Exercise
Authors: Chan Jillian , Homitz Jessica , Cashin Niamh , Guers John 
Published: May 2022

As the number of COVID‐19 cases begin to diminish it is important to turn our attention to any long‐term issues that may be associated with a prior infection. Cardiovascular (CV) defects have been noted following infection. However, less is known how a previous COVID‐19 infection alters CV response during exercise (EX). Furthermore, differences may exist between COVID‐19 infected individuals who had symptoms (symptomatic) when compared with those that did not have symptoms (asymptomatic) during EX.HypothesisPreviously symptomatic (S) COVID‐19 recoveries have an altered CV response to acute EX relative to both control (CON; never infected), and asymptomatic (AS) individuals who were previously infected with COVID‐19.MethodsSubjects (n=14; CON=4; S=5; AS=5; Age = 21 ± 2.3) filled out a questionnaire before performing EX to determine if they were AS or S and if symptomatic what symptoms they experienced. Subjects next performed a 5‐minute warm‐up followed by 25 minutes of treadmill EX (5‐6 METS). During EX, blood pressure was recorded on the brachial artery every 5 minutes and 3‐lead electrocardiography was measured continuously. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed in the time‐domain using the standard deviation of the inter beat intervals of normal sinus beats (SDNN). Blood pressure variability (BPV) was computed as the average of the absolute differences between consecutive mean arterial pressure (MAP) measurements. A one‐way ANOVA with a Tukey’s post hoc was used to determine statistical differences between groups. Data are shown as mean ± SEM. Significance was set to p<0.05.ResultsBaseline MAP in a seated (CON=89 ± 6 mmHg; AS=92 ± 3 mmHg; S=87± 5 mmHg), standing (CON=86 ± 2 mmHg; AS=90 ± 7 mmHg; S=86 ± 3 mmHg) and supine (CON=86 ± 3 mmHg; AS=90 ± 6 mmHg; S=86 ± 4 mmHg) position were similar amongst all three groups. There were no differences (p>0.05) between HR (CON = 104 ± 4 BPM vs. AS=118 ±6 BPM vs. S=1112± 3 BPM) or MAP (Con = 108±4 mmHg vs. AS=105±13 mmHg vs. S=108±7 mmHg) between groups during EX. However, HRV (Con=139 vs. AS =156±6ms vs. S=77.7±11ms; S vs. CON; AS; p<0.05) and BPV (Con= 139 ± AS=13±1.1 mmHg vs. S=5±1.0mmHg; S vs. CON; AS; p<0.05) were different.ConclusionPreviously symptomatic subjects may have altered HRV and BPV during EX and thus indicates that experiencing symptoms associated with COVID‐19 may impact the ANS.
Alterations in Genes Associated with Bioactive Lipid Pathways during Development of Pulmonary Hypertension in Rat SU5416‐Hypoxia Model of Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: El‐Rabahi Tony , Panchakshari Sheethal , Chaudhary Ketul R. 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease of the pulmonary vascular system characterized by sustained elevation in resting mean pulmonary arterial pressure (>25 mmHg) with presence of occlusive vascular remodeling and progressive loss of microvasculature. PAH patients have a poor five‐year survival rate of only ~50% and the primary cause of death for PAH patients is the right (‐sided) heart failure. Better understanding of pathophysiology of PAH and RHF is required to find novel therapies. In this project, using a rat model of severe PAH, we explored the alterations in expression of genes involved in bioactive lipid pathways in the lungs and the right ventricle (RV) during development of PAH.MethodsAdult male Sprague Dawley rats were administered a single injection of SU5416 (SU; 20 mg/kg, subcutaneous) and subjected to 3 weeks of hypoxia (10% O2) followed by 4 weeks of normoxia (room air), SUHx model of sever PAH. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured, and heart and lung samples were collected at 1, 3, 7, 21 and 49‐days post SU injection. Histological analysis was conducted to confirm vascular remodeling in the lungs and development of RV hypertrophy (RVH; RV/LV+S). RTqPCR was performed to evaluate gene expression changes in the genes related to bioactive lipids pathways.ResultsIn response to SUHx, progressive increase in RVSP and RVH was observed. Histology of lungs and heart samples confirmed pulmonary vascular and RV remodeling at 7 weeks post SU in the SUHx model. We observed increase in expression of ALOX‐5 in the RV and lungs of SUHx rats, compared to controls. Furthermore, alterations in various cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes were observed in the RV and lungs of SUHx rats compared to controls.ConclusionsTogether, we have identified unique changes in bioactive lipid pathway genes in the lungs and the RV that were associated with development of PAH and RV remodeling in SUHx model. Further studies are ongoing to confirm the role of the candidate genes in pathophysiology of PAH and development of RHF.
The Effect of Protein Supplementation During Time Restricted Feeding in Overweight and Obese Adults
Authors: Bowie Rebecca , Komp Mary , Thomas Ada‐Miette , Boudrey Sydney , Taylor Hannah , Martin Brooke , Martin Grace , Baum Jamie I. 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveObesity in the United States continues to increase. Time restricted feeding (TRF) is a dietary intervention that has potential to serve as an effective weight loss strategy, however more data is needed to establish the effectiveness of a TRF eating pattern on health outcomes related to obesity. To our knowledge, manipulation of macronutrient distribution during a TRF intervention and the effect of TRF on sleep and mood have not been studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of protein supplementation during TRF on mood, sleep, and appetite in overweight and obese adults.MethodsOverweight and obese men and women (36.6±7.3 years; BMI: 32.8±6.5) participated in this randomized, controlled 12‐week dietary intervention. Participants were allocated to one of two groups: 1) control, TRF (n=7) and 2) TRF with whey protein supplementation (25 g/d; n=9). Protein supplements were consumed at the breaking of the fasting period each day. Anthropometrics, sleep (via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Global Sleeping Score; PSQI GSS), total mood disturbances (TMD; via Profile of Mood States (POMS) including six affect states of depression, fatigue, anger, tension, confusion, and vigor subscales), and appetite (using visual analog scales) were assessed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Sleep was also measured at 0 and 12 weeks via wrist Actigraphy. Body composition was measured via DXA at 0 and 12 weeks. Data was analyzed using two‐way ANOVA to assess the relationship.ResultsOverall, both interventions improved total body fat percentage (p<0.05) over 12 weeks. There was a significant difference in mood between intervention groups (p<0.001) and the control group total mood disturbance was significantly different (p<0.05) between week 1 and 12. However, there was no change in mood with protein supplementation over the span of 12 weeks. Sleep, self‐reported via PSQI, did not change from week 1 and week 12 within or between each of the interventions. Appetite did not show a significant difference between interventions or time points.ConclusionsThis pilot study suggests that protein supplementation during TRF has the potential to improve body composition in overweight and obese individuals. However, additional research is needed to determine the long‐term effect of protein supplementation in combination with TRF on mood, sleep, and appetite.
Sex differences in cerebrovascular dysfunction and hypertension in offspring of hypertensive pregnant rats
Authors: Smith Jonna B. , Cromartie Whitney E. , Powell Madison , Duncan Jeremy W. , Cunningham Mark W. 
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUNDOffspring from preeclamptic women have a greater risk of hypertension and cerebrovascular dysfunction later in life. One of the major contributors of cerebrovascular dysfunction is impaired cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation. In the USA, 1 in 25 pregnancies are preeclamptic. Preeclampsia, as defined as new‐onset hypertension during pregnancy, is an inflammatory condition characterized by elevated interleukin 17 (IL‐17), mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), mitochondrial dysfunction (mt‐Dys), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Preliminary work from our laboratory demonstrates that offspring from preeclamptic rats have sex differences. Males have hypertension and a greater impairment of CBF autoregulation, while females have no change in blood pressure with impaired CBF autoregulation. The exact mechanisms for the sex differences in cerebrovascular dysfunction and hypertension is unknown and is the focus of this study. We hypothesize that changes in cerebral mt‐Dys, cerebral mtROS, and circulating IL‐17 contributes to the sex differences in hypertension and cerebrovascular dysfunction in male and female offspring from preeclamptic rats.METHODSIn this study, we compared male and female offspring from normal pregnant and preeclamptic Sprague Dawley rats. All offspring were divided into controls (CON) and IUGR by sex. Hypertensive male and non‐hypertensive female offspring’s with impaired CBF autoregulation were examined at 17 weeks of age for changes in cerebral mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) protein complexes, cerebral manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and circulating IL‐17.RESULTSFemale CON (151±5% IU/Protein/male CON) and IUGR (149±8 %IU/Protein/male CON) offspring have increased MnSOD compared to CON (100±7 %IU/Protein/male CON) and IUGR (122±4 %IU/Protein/male CON) males (p<0.05). No changes in female ETC protein complexes between IUGR and CON. Male IUGR have a decrease in complex II (71±5 vs. 100±8 %IU/Protein/male CON, p<0.05) and V (57±2 vs. 100±10 %IU/Protein/male CON, p<0.05) ETC proteins, and elevated IL‐17 (944±370 vs. 412±115 pg/mL, ns) compared to CON males.CONCLUSIONMale IUGR offspring have mt‐Dys and elevated IL‐17, which may contribute to hypertension and a greater impairment in CBF autoregulation. Female IUGR offspring may be protected due to an increase in mitochondrial antioxidants. In summary, studying the dimorphic sex differences in the mechanisms of hypertension and cerebrovascular dysfunction in offspring of preeclamptic women, may improve the offspring’s risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cognitive dysfunction later in life.
Qualitative analysis of the role of teacher rapport on autism spectrum disorder student engagement while scanning for frontal lobe activation using fNIRS
Authors: Lahodny Avery , Critchfield‐Jain Isabella , Gentillon Rachel , Read Chloe , Banner Liz , Wisco Jonathan 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionPrevious research has indicated that students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show lower levels of engagement in the classroom and often struggle to focus in most learning environments compared to neurotypical students. It has been noted that the teacher plays a crucial role in creating a safe learning environment for ASD students. Successful teachers establish rapport with their students in order to create this safe learning environment. When teachers provide encouragement to students or make an effort to engage them through personal conversations, the student is more likely to engage in the material. The purpose of this study was to determine what teacher behaviors result in the highest brain activation in the frontal lobe of ASD students.MethodsTeachers and students wore functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) NIRSIT systems (Soterix Medical, Inc.) during a 30‐minute simulated math lesson consisting of three phases ‐ didactic instruction, facilitated practice problem solving, and supervised independent study. Teachers with 3 or fewer years experience teaching ASD students, and those with more than 3 years teaching high‐functioning ASD high school students ranging in grade‐level math from 6th grade to 12th grade were recruited for the study. Blood Oxygenation Level Dependence (BOLD) activation of the participants were monitored to indicate what teaching and learning moments resulted in the most frontal lobe activation of the students, and the results were compared between groups. In addition, we used grounded theory thematic analysis to analyze the video recordings of the learning space.ResultsWe observed that teacher rapport was an important factor in engaging students. Friendly remarks and encouragement allowed for students to feel comfortable to engage in learning the material, resulting in a successful lesson flow with increased participation from the students. When students were engaged with material due to teacher rapport, frontal lobe BOLD signal increased. In addition, some students were actively engaged when answering questions or providing explanations for answers, while others showed concomitant brain activation while quietly listening to the teacher or the other student.ConclusionsThe creation of a friendly learning environment is an important component in engaging students and should be emphasized for teachers seeking to engage both ASD students. The results of this study illustrate that students present different behaviors in a learning environment and can be actively engaged even when their behaviors deviate from what is typically defined as engagement.
Characterizing the Effects of High Fat and High Carbohydrate Diets on Feeding Behavior and Energy Expenditure in Mice
Authors: Linden Benjamin , Herz Hussein , Chu Yi , Mokadem Mohamad 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveWe sought to characterize how different compositions of the diet can alter feeding behavior and energy expenditure in mice, ultimately driven by changes in sympathetic activation and thermogenesis.HypothesisMice on a high fat diet (HFD) will consume more calories/day compared to high carbohydrate diet (HCD) and standard chow fed mice. Mice on HFD will have decreased expression of UCP1 in both brown and white adipose tissue. There will be decreased expression for several lipolytic enzymes in the white adipose of HFD mice.MethodsA total of 21 mice were divided into three ad libitum fed diet groups: HFD, HCD, and standard chow. Each group was fed their respective diet for 7 weeks. Changes in weight and percent body fat were recorded by NMR. At week 5, glucose tolerance tests were performed on all mice. Both a 24‐hour heat production and respiratory exchange ratio were collected on each group using a metabolic cage system. Mice were sacrificed at the conclusion of week 7 and organs were collected for molecular analysis.ResultsWe show that mice on both ad libitum HFD and HCD consume significantly more calories/day when compared to standard chow. Both HFD and HCD fed mice have a significantly increased body weight and percent body fat when compared to standard chow; however, the HFD mice had a far greater increase in weight compared to HCD fed mice despite no difference in calorie consumption. Mice on a HFD had a lower 24‐hour average heat production per body mass when compared to standard chow and HCD mice and a significantly impaired glucose tolerance test. Furthermore, UCP1 mRNA expression is significantly elevated in brown adipose tissue (BAT) of HCD mice compared to that of HFD and standard chow mice. There were no differences in UCP1 expression in subcutaneous or visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) among all groups. There were also no differences in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in BAT between all mice. Three markers of lipolysis were decreased in visceral WAT of HFD mice compared to HCD and standard chow counterparts.DiscussionMice consumed significantly more calories when fed a HFD or HCD. These mice gain significantly more weight compared to chow with HFD mice gaining weight far more than the HCD group. This major difference in weight gain despite no significant difference in calorie consumption between HFD and HCD suggests differences may be determined by energy expenditure. This evidence is further supported by the fact that HFD fed mice had a significantly lower daily heat production compared to HCD and standard chow mice. We also show that HCD increases thermogenesis in mouse BAT which may be protective against weight gain. Finally, lipolysis signaling seems to be impaired in HFD mice, but no data supports that this is due to differences in sympathetic activation. Further work will include analyzing the same tissues in isocaloric, restricted diet fed mice.
Increased Insulin Resistance in 10‐month compared to 5‐month Old Male Hepatic Androgen Receptor Knockout Mice
Authors: Lofton Taylor , Levey Josephine , Wilson Andre , Carr Kiana , Falzarano Claire , Andrisse Stanley 
Published: May 2022

Insulin resistance is an important component of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The liver plays an essential component in the metabolism of insulin and androgen signaling. Sex differences exist in type 2 diabetes with men having a higher prevelance than women. In our study we placed male liver androgen receptor knock‐out mice (Liv‐ARKO) on chow diets to determine if Liv‐ARKO had an effect on insulin resistance on younger age (5 month) compared to older age (10 month).In this study, male Liv‐ARKO mice were kept on chow diets for either 5 months or 10 months and then sacrificed. Some mice were given a dose of 0.5 U/kg insulin before sacrificing to investigate the effects of age on insulin signaling. Western blots were used to determine protein expression in tissue from the liver, skeletal muscle, white adipose tissue. BCA assays were used to standardize the protein concentration in each sample.Upon activation of the insulin signaling pathway, the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins, initiates activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3k) pathways, resulting in stimulation of protein kinases such as Akt. As seen in a previous study1 approximately 5 month old (22 week old) hepatic‐AR‐knockout chow mice showed that when stimulated with insulin there was an increase in PI3k activity. This study did not take it a step further to show what was going on with p‐AKT.It was hypothesized that p‐AKT is lowered in both 5 and 10 month old mice compared to mice not given insulin. Additionally, after 10 months, total AKT was increased. Insulin stimulated p‐Foxo was lowered at 5 months but at 10 months p‐Foxo was increased.Our results suggest that Liver Androgen Receptor is causing decreased insulin action at the level of p‐AKT in both young (5 month) and old (10 month) mice. If insulin is not stimulating p‐AKT, the body may try to make more total AKT to try to compensate; hence the increase in total AKT seen in the 10 month mice. Further investigation should also be performed on the gender differences in these results.
Human Milk Oligosaccharide L‐N‐Tetraose Activates GPR35 on Vagal Afferent Neurons In Vitroand Reduces High Fat Diet‐Induced Obesity in Male Mice
Authors: Zumpano Brucia Danielle L. 
Published: May 2022

Obesity is associated with altered gut microbiota; dietary supplementation with prebiotics improves metabolic outcomes in obesity, an effect ascribed to improved microbial dysbiosis. However, alternative mechanisms have not been fully explored. We have shown that prebiotic milk oligosaccharides (MOs) decrease weight gain and food intake in mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD), and improve cholecystokinin (CCK)‐induced satiety signaling. It has recently been shown that the human MO lacto‐N‐tetraose (LNT) is a ligand for the G‐protein coupled receptor, GPR35. GPR35 is highly expressed by vagal afferent neurons (VAN) where it is co‐expressed with the CCKAR. HFD reduces endogenous GPR35 ligands and sensitivity to CCK, but the role of GPR35 and its ligands eg LNT, in satiety signaling via the vagal afferent pathway have not been investigated. Here we test the hypothesis that LNT reduces HFD‐induced weight gain and hyperphagia in mice via a direct effect on GPR35 expressed by VAN.MethodsMice were maintained on low‐fat diet (10% kcal fat), HFD (45% fat kcal), or HFD supplemented with 10% LNT for 8 weeks (male, n=5‐9/group). To determine if VAN are directly activated by GPR35 ligands, VAN from adult male Wistar rats were cultured and treated with the GPR35 agonist zaprinast (100 µM), LNT (10 mM), or D‐lactose (constituent of LNT; 10 mM) for 15 minutes after 1 hour pre‐incubation with the GPR35 competitive antagonist CID‐2745687 (100 µM) or vehicle (n=4/treatment). Phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) relative to total ERK (pERK/ERK) was determined by western blot and used as an indicator of VAN activation.ResultsLNT administration significantly reduced body weight, fat mass, and improved HFD‐induced hyperphagia (p<0.05). Treatment of VAN with the GPR35 agonist zaprinast increased pERK/ERK (p<0.05) relative to vehicle; zaprinast‐induced activation was prevented by the CID‐2745687. LNT, but not D‐lactose, also activated VAN, an effect inhibited by the GPR35 antagonist.ConclusionsLNT may decrease food intake via a direct effect on VAN, possibly by increasing sensitivity to peripheral satiety signals. This work reveals a potential peripheral therapeutic target for ameliorating diet‐induced weight gain.