Digital Commons Network^™

An Ovarian Bioreactor For In Vitro Culture Of The Whole Bovine Ovary: A Preliminary Report, Matthew R. Zanotelli, Joseph D. Henningsen, Patrick M. Hopkins, Aaron P. Dederich, Tessa Herman, Tracy J. Puccinelli, Sana M. Salih

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: Improved cancer therapeutics and enhanced cancer survivorship have emphasized the severe long-term side effects of chemotherapy. Specifically, studies have linked many chemotherapy agents with primary ovarian insufficiency, although an exact insult model has not yet been determined. To investigate and ultimately solve this problem, a novel device for extended study of mammalian ovaries in vitro was developed.

Methods: A bioreactor was fabricated for bovine ovarian culture that provides intravascular delivery of media to the ovary through isolation and cannulation of a main ovarian artery branch. Whole ovaries were cultured in vitro using three methods: (1) continuously supplied fresh culture …

Differential Pulmonary Effects Of Coo And La2o3 Metal Oxide Nanoparticle Responses During Aerosolized Inhalation In Mice, Jennifer D. Sisler, Ruibin Li, Walter Mckinney, Robert R. Mercer, Zhaoxia Ji, Tian Xia, Xiang Wang, Justine Shaffer, Marlene Orandle, Amy L. Mihalchik, Lori Battelli, Bean T. Chen, Michael Wolfarth, Michael E. Andrew, Diane Schwegler-Berry, Dale W. Porter, Vincent Castranova, Andre Nel, Yong Qian

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: Although classified as metal oxides, cobalt monoxide (CoO) and lanthanum oxide (La2O3) nanoparticles, as representative transition and rare earth oxides, exhibit distinct material properties that may result in different hazardous potential in the lung. The current study was undertaken to compare the pulmonary effects of aerosolized whole body inhalation of these nanoparticles in mice.

Results: Mice were exposed to filtered air (control) and 10 or 30 mg/m3 of each particle type for 4 days and then examined at 1 h, 1, 7 and 56 days post-exposure. The whole lung burden 1 h after the 4 day inhalation of CoO …

Effect Of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase On The Modulation Of Coronary Reactive Hyperemia: Role Of Oxylipins And Pparγ, Ahmad Hanif, Matthew L. Edin, Darryl C. Zeldin, Christophe Morisseau, Mohammed A. Nayeem

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Coronary reactive hyperemia (CRH) is a physiological response to ischemic insult that prevents the potential harm associated with an interruption of blood supply. The relationship between the pharmacologic inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and CRH response to a brief ischemia is not known. sEH is involved in the main catabolic pathway of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which are converted into dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). EETs protect against ischemia/reperfusion injury and have numerous beneficial physiological effects. We hypothesized that inhibition of sEH by t-AUCB enhances CRH in isolated mouse hearts through changing the oxylipin profiles, including an increase in EETs/DHETs ratio. Compared …

Organization Of The Zone Of Transition Between The Pretectum And The Thalamus, With Emphasis On The Pretectothalamic Lamina, Emmanuel Marquez-Legorreta, Jose De Anchieta C. Horta-Junior, Albert S. Berrebi, Enrique Saldana

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The zone of transition between the pretectum, derived from prosomere 1, and the thalamus, derived from prosomere 2, is structurally complex and its understanding has been hampered by cytoarchitectural and terminological confusion. Herein, using a battery of complementary morphological approaches, including cytoarchitecture, myeloarchitecture and the expression of molecular markers, we pinpoint the features or combination of features that best characterize each nucleus of the pretectothalamic transitional zone of the rat. Our results reveal useful morphological criteria to identify and delineate, with unprecedented precision, several [mostly auditory] nuclei of the posterior group of the thalamus, namely the pretectothalamic lamina (PTL; formerly …

Chromosome-End Knockoff Strategy To Reshape Alkaloid Profiles Of A Fungal Endophyte, Simona Florea, Timothy D. Phillips, Daniel G. Panaccione, Mark L. Farman, Christopher L. Schardl

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Molecular genetic techniques to precisely eliminate genes in asexual filamentous fungi require the introduction of a marker gene into the target genome. We developed a novel strategy to eliminate genes or gene clusters located in subterminal regions of chromosomes, and then eliminate the marker gene and vector backbone used in the transformation procedure. Because many toxin gene clusters are subterminal, this method is particularly suited to generating nontoxic fungal strains. We tested this technique on Epichloë coenophiala, a seed-transmissible symbiotic fungus (endophyte) of the important forage grass, tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum). The endophyte is necessary for maximal productivity and sustainability …

Noninvasive Fractional Flow Reserve Derived From Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography For Identification Of Ischemic Lesions: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Wen Wu, Dao-Rong Pan, Nicolas Foin, Si Pang, Peng Ye, Niels Holm, Xiao-Min Ren, Jie Luo, Aravinda Nanjundappa, Shao-Liang Chen

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Detection of coronary ischemic lesions by fractional flow reserve (FFR) has been established as the gold standard. In recent years, novel computer based methods have emerged and they can provide simulation of FFR using coronary artery images acquired from coronary computed tomography angiography (FFRCT). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate diagnostic performance of FFRCT using FFR as the reference standard. Databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medion and Web of Science were searched. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, including 833 stable patients (1377 vessels or lesions) with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD). The patient-based analysis showed pooled estimates …

Potential Inhibitory Influence Of Mirna 210 On Regulatory T Cells During Epicutaneous Chemical Sensitization, Carrie M. Long, Ewa Lukomska, Nikki B. Marshall, Ajay Nayak, Stacey E. Anderson

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a potent low molecular weight chemical sensitizer and a leading cause of chemical-induced occupational asthma. The regulatory potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been recognized in a variety of disease states, including allergic disease; however, the roles of miRNAs in chemical sensitization are largely unknown. In a previous work, increased expression of multiple miRNAs during TDI sensitization was observed and several putative mRNA targets identified for these miRNAs were directly related to regulatory T-cell (T_reg) differentiation and function including Foxp3 and Runx3. In this work, we show that miR-210 expression is increased in the mouse …

Gender Differences In Murine Pulmonary Responses Elicited By Cellulose Nanocrystals, Anna A. Shvedova, Elena R. Kisin, Naveena Yanamala, Mariana T. Farcas, Autumn L. Menas, Andrew Williams, Philip M. Fournier, Jeffrey S. Reynolds, Dmitriy W. Gutkin, Alexander Star, Richard S. Reiner, Sabina Halappanavar, Valerian E. Kagan

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: Cellulose-based materials have been used for centuries to manufacture different goods derived from forestry and agricultural sources. In the growing field of nanocellulose applications, its uniquely engineered properties are instrumental for inventive products coming to competitive markets. Due to their high aspect ratio and stiffness, it is speculated that cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) may cause similar pulmonary toxicity as carbon nanotubes and asbestos, thus posing a potential negative impact on public health and the environment.

Methods: The present study was undertaken to investigate the pulmonary outcomes induced by repeated exposure to respirable CNC. C57BL/6 female and male mice were exposed …

In Vivo Assessment Of Coronary Flow And Cardiac Function After Bolus Adenosine Injection In Adenosine Receptor Knockout Mice, Bunyen Teng, Stephen L. Tilley, Catherine Ledent, S. Jamal Mustafa

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Bolus injections of adenosine and the A2A adenosine receptor (AR) selective agonist (regadenoson) are used clinically as a substitute for a stress test in people who cannot exercise. Using isolated tissue preparations, our lab has shown that coronary flow and cardiac effects of adenosine are mostly regulated by the AR subtypes A1, A2A, and A2B. In this study, we used ultrasound imaging to measure the in vivo effects of adenosine on coronary blood flow (left coronary artery) and cardiac function in anesthetized wild-type, A1 knockout (KO), A2AKO, A2BKO, A3KO, A1, and A3 double KO (A1/3 DKO) and A2A and A2B …

Direct Stimulation Of Human Fibroblasts By Nceo2 In Vitro Is Attenuated With An Amorphous Silica Coating, Donna C. Davidson, Raymond Derk, Xiaoqing He, Todd A. Stueckle, Joel Cohen, Sandra V. Pirela, Philip Demokritou, Yon Rojanasakul, Liying Wang

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: Nano-scaled cerium oxide (nCeO2) is used in a variety of applications, including use as a fuel additive, catalyst, and polishing agent, yet potential adverse health effects associated with nCeO2 exposure remain incompletely understood. Given the increasing utility and demand for engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) such as nCeO2, “safety-bydesign” approaches are currently being sought, meaning that the physicochemical properties (e.g., size and surface chemistry) of the ENMs are altered in an effort to maximize functionality while minimizing potential toxicity. In vivo studies have shown in a rat model that inhaled nCeO2 deposited deep in the lung and induced fibrosis. However, little …

Prenatal And Early Postnatal Exposure To Cigarette Smoke Decreases Bdnf/Trkb Signaling And Increases Abnormal Behaviors Later In Life, Lan Xiao Phd, Vincent L. Kish Ms, Katherine M. Benders Ms, Zhong-Xin Wu Phd

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: Cigarette smoke exposure during prenatal and early postnatal periods increases the incidence of a variety of abnormal behaviors later in life. The purpose of this study was to identify the possible critical period of susceptibility to cigarette smoke exposure and evaluate the possibe effects of cigarette smoke during early life on brain-derived neurotrophic factor/neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor B signaling in the brain.

Methods: Three different age of imprinting control region mice were exposed to cigarette smoke or filtered air for 10 consecutive days beginning on either gestational day 7 by maternal exposure, or postnatal days 2 or 21 by …

Molecular Biology And Clinical Mitigation Of Cancer Treatment-Induced Neuropathy, Gerald M. Higa, Corbin Sypult

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Disruption of microtubule function is the antitumor mechanism of several classes of drugs used to treat cancer today. However, the significant beneficial effect on tumor outcomes is frequently counterbalanced by neurotoxic complications. Despite an abundance of scientific data, our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying this toxic reaction remains unclear, further hindering attempts to identify and develop effective preventive strategies. The primary goals of this review are to: (1) provide insight regarding the biology of the microtubule, (2) analyze the molecular and biochemical pathways that may be involved in the development of neurotoxicity, and (3) propose a unifying concept linking …

Glidar: An Opengl-Based, Real-Time, And Open Source 3d Sensor Simulator For Testing Computer Vision Algorithms, John O. Woods, John A. Christian

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

3D sensors such as LIDARs, stereo cameras, time-of-flight cameras, and the Microsoft Kinect are increasingly found in a wide range of applications, including gaming, personal robotics, and space exploration. In some cases, pattern recognition algorithms for processing depth images can be tested using actual sensors observing real-world objects. In many situations, however, it is common to test new algorithms using computer-generated synthetic images, as such simulations tend to be faster, more flexible, and less expensive than hardware tests. Computer generation of images is especially useful for Monte Carlo-type analyses or for situations where obtaining real sensor data for preliminary testing …

A Flight Sensory-Motor To Olfactory Processing Circuit In The Moth Manduca Sexta, Samual P. Bradley, Phillip D. Chapman, Kristyn M. Lizbinski, Kevin C. Daly, Andrew M. Dacks

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Neural circuits projecting information from motor to sensory pathways are common across sensory domains. These circuits typically modify sensory function as a result of motor pattern activation; this is particularly so in cases where the resultant behavior affects the sensory experience or its processing. However, such circuits have not been observed projecting to an olfactory pathway in any species despite well characterized active sampling behaviors that produce reafferent mechanical stimuli, such as sniffing in mammals and wing beating in the moth Manduca sexta. In this study we characterize a circuit that connects a flight sensory-motor center to an olfactory center …

The Influence Of Inhaled Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes On The Autonomic Nervous System, W. Zheng, W. Mckinney, M. Kashon, R. Salmen, V. Castranova, H. Kan

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: Heart rate and cardiovascular function are regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Heart rate variability (HRV) as a marker reflects the activity of autonomic nervous system. The prognostic significance of HRV in cardiovascular disease has been reported in clinical and epidemiological studies. The present study focused on the influence of inhaled multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on autonomic nervous system by HRV analysis.

Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats were pre-implanted with a telemetry device and kept in the individual cages for recovery. At week four after device implantation, rats were exposed to MWCNTs for 5 h at a concentration of 5 …

Genomic Insights Into The Ixodes Scapularis Tick Vector Of Lyme Disease, Monika Gulia-Nuss, Andrew B. Nuss, Jason M. Meyer, Daniel E. Sonenshine, R. Michael Roe, Robert M. Waterhouse, David B. Sattelle, Jose De La Fuente, Jose M. Ribeiro, Karine Megy, Jyothi Thimmapuram, Jason R. Miller, Brian P. Walenz, Sergey Koren, Jessica B. Hostetler, Mathangi Thiagarajan, Vinita S. Joardar, Linda I. Hannick, Shelby Bidwell, Martin P. Hammond, Sarah Young, Qiandong Zeng, Jenica L. Abrudan, Francisca C. Almeida, Nieves Ayllon, Ketaki Bhide, Brooke W. Bissinger, Elena Bonzon-Kulichenko, Steven D. Buckingham, Daniel R. Caffrey, Melissa J. Caimano, Vincent Croset, Timothy Driscoll, Don Gilbert, Joseph J. Gillespie, Gloria I. Giraldo-Calderon, Jeffrey M. Grabowski, David Jiang, Sayed M. S. Khalil, Donghun Kim, Katherine M. Kocan, Juraj Koci, Richard J. Kuhn, Timothy J. Kurtti, Kristin Lees, Emma G. Lang, Ryan C. Kennedy, Hyeogsun Kwon, Rushika Perera, Yumin Qi, Justin D. Radolf, Joyce M. Sakamoto, Alejandro Sanchez-Gracia, Maiara S. Severo, Neal Silverman, Ladislav Simo, Marta Tojo, Cristian Tornador, Janice P. Van Zee, Jesus Vazquez, Filipe G. Vieira, Margarita Villar, Adam R. Wespiser, Yunlong Yang, Jiwei Zhu, Peter Arensburger, Patricia V. Pietrantonio, Stephen C. Barker, Renfu Shao, Evgeny M. Zdobnov, Frank Hauser, Cornelis J. P. Grimmelikhuijzen, Yoonseong Park, Julio Rozas, Richard Benton, Joao H. F. Pedra, David R. Nelson, Maria F. Unger, Jose M. C. Tubio, Zhijian Tu, Hugh M. Robertson, Martin Shumway, Granger Sutton, Jennifer R. Wortman, Daniel Lawson, Stephen K. Wikel, Vishvanath M. Nene, Claire M. Fraser, Frank H. Collins, Bruce Birren, Karen E. Nelson, Elisabet Caler, Catherine A. Hill

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Ticks transmit more pathogens to humans and animals than any other arthropod. We describe the 2.1 Gbp nuclear genome of the tick, Ixodes scapularis (Say), which vectors pathogens that cause Lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, babesiosis and other diseases. The large genome reflects accumulation of repetitive DNA, new lineages of retrotransposons, and gene architecture patterns resembling ancient metazoans rather than pancrustaceans. Annotation of scaffolds representing B57% of the genome, reveals 20,486 protein-coding genes and expansions of gene families associated with tick–host interactions. We report insights from genome analyses into parasitic processes unique to ticks, including host ‘questing’, prolonged feeding, cuticle …

Population Genomic Analysis Reveals Differential Evolutionary Histories And Patterns Of Diversity Across Subgenomes And Subpopulations Of Brassica Napus L., Elodie Gazave, Erica E. Tassone, Daniel C. Ilut, Megan Wingerson, Erwin Datema, Hanneke M. A. Witsenboer, James B. Davis, David Grant, John M. Dyer, Matthew A. Jenks, Jack Brown, Michael A. Gore

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The allotetraploid species Brassica napus L. is a global crop of major economic importance, providing canola oil (seed) and vegetables for human consumption and fodder and meal for livestock feed. Characterizing the genetic diversity present in the extant germplasm pool of B. napus is fundamental to better conserve, manage and utilize the genetic resources of this species. We used sequence-based genotyping to identify and genotype 30,881 SNPs in a diversity panel of 782 B. napus accessions, representing samples of winter and spring growth habits originating from 33 countries across Europe, Asia, and America. We detected strong population structure broadly concordant …

Revisiting The Zingiberales: Using Multiplexed Exon Capture To Resolve Ancient And Recent Phylogenetic Splits In A Charismatic Plant Lineage, Chodon Sass, William J.D. Iles, Craig F. Barrett, Selena Y. Smith, Chelsea D. Specht

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The Zingiberales are an iconic order of monocotyledonous plants comprising eight families with distinctive and diverse floral morphologies and representing an important ecological element of tropical and subtropical forests. While the eight families are demonstrated to be monophyletic, phylogenetic relationships among these families remain unresolved. Neither combined morphological and molecular studies nor recent attempts to resolve family relationships using sequence data from whole plastomes has resulted in a well-supported, family-level phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships. Here we approach this challenge by leveraging the complete genome of one member of the order, Musa acuminata, together with transcriptome information from each of the …

Space Takes Time: Concentration Dependent Output Codes From Primary Olfactory Networks Rapidly Provide Additional Information At Defined Discrimination Thresholds, Kevin C. Daly, Samual Bradley, Phillip D. Chapman, Erich M. Staudacher, Regina Tiede, Joachim Schachtner

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

As odor concentration increases, primary olfactory network representations expand in spatial distribution, temporal complexity and duration. However, the direct relationship between concentration dependent odor representations and the psychophysical thresholds of detection and discrimination is poorly understood. This relationship is absolutely critical as thresholds signify transition points whereby representations become meaningful to the organism. Here, we matched stimulus protocols for psychophysical assays and intracellular recordings of antennal lobe (AL) projection neurons (PNs) in the moth Manduca sexta to directly compare psychophysical thresholds and the output representations they elicit. We first behaviorally identified odor detection and discrimination thresholds across an odor dilution …

Shp2 Acts Both Upstream And Downstream Of Multiple Receptor Tyrosine Kinases To Promote Basal-Like And Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Fatimah Matalkah, Elisha Martin, Hua Zhao, Yehenew M. Agazie

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Introduction: Dysregulated receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling is a common occurrence in basal-like and triple-negative breast cancer (BTBC). As a result, RTK-targeting therapies have been initiated but proved difficult, mainly owing to the multiplicity of dysregulated RTKs. Hence, targeting master regulators of RTK signaling might alleviate this obstacle. Before that, however, defining the mechanism of such molecules is required. In this report, we show that the Src homology phosphotyrosyl phosphatase 2 (SHP2) is a master regulator of RTK expression and signaling in BTBC.

Methods: Xenograft tumor growth studies were used to determine the effect of SHP2 inhibition on tumorigenesis and/or …

Biomechanical Signals Guiding Stem Cell Cartilage Engineering: From Molecular Adaption To Tissue Functionality, Y. Zhang, S. Chen, M Pei

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

In vivo cartilage is in a state of constant mechanical stimulation. It is therefore reasonable to deduce that mechanical forces play an important role in cartilage formation. Mechanical forces, such as compression, tension, and shear force, have been widely applied for cartilage engineering; however, relatively few review papers have summarized the influence of biomechanical signals on stem cell-based neo-cartilage formation and cartilage engineering in both molecular adaption and tissue functionality. In this review, we will discuss recent progress related to the influences of substrate elasticity on stem cell chondrogenic differentiation and elucidate the potential underlying mechanisms. Aside from active sensing …

In Vitro Expansion Of Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alters Dna Double Strand Break Repair Of Etoposide Induced Dna Damage, Ian Hare, Marieta Gencheva, Rebecca Evans, James Fortney, Debbie Piktel, Jeffrey A. Vos, David Howell, Laura F. Gibson

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are of interest for use in diverse cellular therapies. Ex vivo expansion of MSCs intended for transplantation must result in generation of cells that maintain fidelity of critical functions. Previous investigations have identified genetic and phenotypic alterations of MSCs with in vitro passage, but little is known regarding how culturing influences the ability of MSCs to repair double strand DNA breaks (DSBs), the most severe of DNA lesions. To investigate the response to DSB stress with passage in vitro, primary human MSCs were exposed to etoposide (VP16) at various passages with subsequent evaluation of cellular damage …

Effects Of Xiaoyaosan On Stress-Induced Anxiety-Like Behavior In Rats: Involvement Of Crf1 Receptor, You-Ming Jiang, Xiao-Juan Li, Zhen-Zhi Meng, Yue-Yun Liu, Hong-Bo Zhao, Na Li, Zhi-Yi Yan, Qing-Yu Ma, Han-Ting Zhang, Jia-Xu Chen

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background. Compared with antidepressant activity of Xiaoyaosan, the role of Xiaoyaosan in anxiety has been poorly studied. Objective. To observe the effects of Xiaoyaosan on anxiety-like behavior induced by chronic immobilization stress (CIS) and further explore whether these effects were related to CRF1R signaling. Methods. Adult male SD rats were randomly assigned to five groups (�� = 12): the nonstressed control group, vehicle-treated (saline, p.o.) group, Xiaoyaosan-treated (3.854 g/kg, p.o.) group, vehicletreated (surgery) group, and antalarmin-treated (surgery) group. Artificial cerebrospinal fluid (0.5 ��L/side) or CRF1R antagonist antalarmin (125 ng/0.5 ��L, 0.5 ��L/side) was bilaterally administered into the basolateral amygdala in …

Transcriptome Analysis Of Bovine Ovarian Follicles At Predeviation And Onset Of Deviation Stages Of A Follicular Wave, Pengfei Li, Jinzhu Meng, Wenzhong Liu, George W. Smith, Jianbo Yao, Lihua Lyu

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

For two libraries (PDF1 and ODF1) using Illumina sequencing 44,082,301 and 43,708,132 clean reads were obtained, respectively. After being mapped to the bovine RefSeq database, 15,533 genes were identified to be expressed in both types of follicles (cut-off RPKM > 0.5), of which 719 were highly expressed in bovine follicles (cut-off RPKM > 100). Furthermore, 83 genes were identified as being differentially expressed in ODF1 versus PDF1, where 42 genes were upregulated and 41 genes were downregulated. KEGG pathway analysis revealed two upregulated genes in ODF1 versus PDF1, CYP11A1, and CYP19A1, which are important genes in the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway. This …

Functional Olfactory Sensory Neurons Housed In Olfactory Sensilla On The Ovipositor Of The Hawkmoth Manduca Sexta, Christian F. Klinner, Christopher Konig, Christine Missbach, Achim Werckenthin, Kevin C. Daly, Sonja Bisch-Knaden, Monika Stengl, Bill S. Hansson, Ewald Grosse-Wilde

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Olfactory systems evolved to detect and identify volatile chemical cues, in many cases across great distances. However, the precision of copulatory and oviposition behaviors suggest that they may be guided by olfactory cues detected by sensory systems located on or near the ovipositor. Here we present evidence of a small number of functional olfactory sensilla on the ovipositor of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta. Gene expression analysis of isolated ovipositor tissue indicated active transcription of gustatory and both classes of olfactory receptor genes. Expression of the olfactory co-receptor ORCo and the antennal ionotropic co-receptors IR8a and IR25a suggests that functional olfactory …

Feasibility For Measuring Transverse Area Ratios And Asymmetry Of Lumbosacral Region Paraspinal Muscles In Working Dogs Using Computed Tomography, Bethany Cain, Jeryl C. Jones, Ida Holaskova, Larry Freeman, Bess Pierce

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Objectives: Describe computed tomographic (CT) anatomy of canine lumbosacral (LS) paraspinal muscles, a method for measuring paraspinal muscle transverse area ratios and asymmetry using CT, and application of this method in a small sample of working dogs with versus without LS pain.

Methods: Published anatomy references and atlases were reviewed and discrepancies were resolved by examination of anatomic specimens and multiplanar reformatted images to describe transverse CT anatomy of LS region paraspinal muscles. Sixteen Belgian malinois military working dogs were retrospectively recruited and assigned to LS pain positive versus negative groups based on medical record entries. A single observer unaware …

Bovine Lhx8, A Germ Cell-Specificnuclear Factor, Interacts With Figla, Liyuan Fu, Mingxiang Zhang, Kristen Mastrantoni, Mark Perfetto, Shuo Wei, Jianbo Yao

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

LIM homeobox 8 (Lhx8) is a germ cell-specific transcription factor essential for the development of oocytes during early oogenesis. In mice, Lhx8 deficiency causes postnatal oocyte loss and affects the expression of many oocyte-specific genes. The aims of this study were to characterize the bovine Lhx8 gene, determine its mRNA expression during oocyte development and early embryogenesis, and evaluate its interactions with other oocyte-specific transcription factors. The bovine Lhx8 gene encodes a protein of 377 amino acids. A splice variant of Lhx8 (Lhx8_v1) was also identified. The predicted bovine Lhx8 protein contains two LIM domains and one homeobox domain. However, …

Longer Lifespan In Male Mice Treated With A Weakly Estrogenic Agonist, An Antioxidant, An Α‐Glucosidase Inhibitor Or A Nrf2‐Inducer, Randy Strong, Richard A. Miller, Adam Antebi, Clinton M. Astle, Molly Bogue, Martin S. Denzel, Elizabeth Fernandez, Kevin Flurkey, Karyn L. Hamilton, Dudley W. Lamming, Martin A. Javors, Joao Pedro De Magalhaes, Paul Anthony Martinez, Joe M. Mccord, Benjamin F. Miller, Michael Muller, James F. Nelson, Juliet Ndukum, G. Ed. Rainger, Arlan Richardson, David M. Sabatini, Adam B. Salmon, James W. Simpkins, Wilma T. Steegenga, Nancy L. Nadon, David E. Harrison

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The National Institute on Aging Interventions Testing Program (ITP) evaluates agents hypothesized to increase healthy lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice. Each compound is tested in parallel at three sites, and all results are published. We report the effects of lifelong treatment of mice with four agents not previously tested: Protandim, fish oil, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and metformin – the latter with and without rapamycin, and two drugs previously examined: 17-a-estradiol and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), at doses greater and less than used previously. 17-a-estradiol at a threefold higher dose robustly extended both median and maximal lifespan, but still only in males. …

Unique Footprint In The Scl1.3 Locus Affects Adhesion And Biofilm Formation Of The Invasive M3-Type Group A Streptococcus, Beth A. Bachert, Soo J. Choi, Paul R. Lasala, Tiffany I. Harper, Dudley H. Mcnitt, Dylan T. Boehm, Clayton C. Caswell, Pawel Ciborowski, Douglas R. Keene, Anthony R. Flores, James M. Musser, Flavia Squeglia, Daniela Marasco, Rita Berisio, Slawomir Lukomski

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The streptococcal collagen-like proteins 1 and 2 (Scl1 and Scl2) are major surface adhesins that are ubiquitous among group A Streptococcus (GAS). Invasive M3-type strains, however, have evolved two unique conserved features in the scl1 locus: (i) an IS1548 element insertion in the scl1 promoter region and (ii) a nonsense mutation within the scl1 coding sequence. The scl1 transcript is drastically reduced in M3-type GAS, contrasting with a high transcription level of scl1 allele in invasive M1-type GAS. This leads to a lack of Scl1 expression in M3 strains. In contrast, while scl2 transcription and Scl2 production are elevated in …

Hypertrophy-Promoting Effects Of Leucine Supplementation And Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercise In Pre-Senescent Mice, Zhi Xia, Jason Cholewa, Yan Zhao, Yue-Qin Yang, Hua-Yu Shang, Lucas Guimaraes-Ferreira, Marshall Alan Naimo, Quan-Sheng Su, Nelo Eidy Zanchi

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Several studies have indicated a positive influence of leucine supplementation and aerobic training on the aging skeletal muscle signaling pathways that control muscle protein balance and muscle remodeling. However, the effect of a combined intervention requires further clarification. Thirteen month old CD-1® mice were subjected to moderate aerobic exercise (45 min swimming per day with 3% body weight workload) and fed a chow diet with 5% leucine or 3.4% alanine for 8 weeks. Serum and plasma were prepared for glucose, urea nitrogen, insulin and amino acid profile analysis. The white gastrocnemius muscles were used for determination of muscle size and …