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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 37.

Relationship between dental development and skeletal growth in modern humans and its implications for interpreting ontogeny in fossil hominins
This study tests whether dental development and skeletal growth are conditionally independent given age using known‐age modern human skeletal samples and proportional odds logistic regression. The results suggest that dental development and skeletal growth are moderately correlated and thus not conditionally independent given age. That is, individuals that are dentally advanced relative to their peers also tend to be skeletally advanced. However, this relationship is moderate at best, so dental development does not appear to be a highly reliable proxy for skeletal growth, or vice versa, in modern humans. These findings h...
Source: American Journal of Physical Anthropology - December 20, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Maja Šešelj Tags: Human Biology Symposium Source Type: research

Interpreting skeletal growth in the past from a functional and physiological perspective
Abstract The study of juvenile skeletal remains can yield important insights into the health, behavior, and biological relationships of past populations. However, most studies of past skeletal growth have been limited to relatively simple metrics. Considering additional skeletal parameters and taking a broader physiological perspective can provide a more complete assessment of growth patterns and environmental and genetic effects on those patterns. We review here some alternative approaches to ontogenetic studies of archaeological and paleontological skeletal material, including analyses of body size (stature and body mass...
Source: American Journal of Physical Anthropology - December 20, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Christopher B. Ruff, Evan Garofalo, Megan A. Holmes Tags: Human Biology Symposium Source Type: research

Body mass growth in common marmosets: Toward a model of pediatric obesity
This article provides an overview of our understanding of early life growth in mass in marmoset monkeys, based primarily upon our past 20 years of research, culminating in our recent findings on early life obesity in this species. Common marmosets display variance in early life growth patterns that is related to both pre‐ and postnatal factors and the marmoset uterine environment is exquisitely designed to reflect resources available for the gestation of multiple offspring, making them an interesting model of developmental programming. We have demonstrated that obesity can be generated in very early life in captive marmo...
Source: American Journal of Physical Anthropology - December 20, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Suzette D. Tardif, Michael L. Power, Corinna N. Ross, Julienne N. Rutherford Tags: Human Biology Symposium Source Type: research

Genetic risk for earlier menarche also influences peripubertal body mass index
Abstract It is unclear whether earlier age at menarche is associated with higher body mass index (BMI) because they share a common genetic underpinning. We investigated the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) influencing menarche timing on peripubertal BMI. For 556 Fels Longitudinal Study children (277 boys/279 girls) born 1928–1992, a genetic risk score (GRS42) was computed as the sum of the number of risk alleles in 42 putative menarche SNPs. Serial BMI Z‐scores within ±6.99 years from each individual's age at peak height velocity (Age@PHV) were grouped into seven time points (−6 years, −4 years, �...
Source: American Journal of Physical Anthropology - December 20, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: William Johnson, Audrey C. Choh, Joanne E. Curran, Stefan A. Czerwinski, Claire Bellis, Thomas D. Dyer, John Blangero, Bradford Towne, Ellen W. Demerath Tags: Human Biology Symposium Source Type: research

Change in weight‐for‐length status during the first three months: Relationships to birth weight and implications for metabolic risk
This study was designed to analyze change in weight‐for‐length status according to birth weight in early infancy. Data were collected for 267 infants enrolled in the Jackson County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Postnatal measurements were collected at a clinic visit between birth and 12 weeks of age (mean = 5.7 weeks). Changes inWHO z‐scores (weight, length, weight‐for‐length) between birth and the clinic visit were calculated. Infants were classified as exclusively breastfed or as formula‐fed. Ethnicity was coded as Hispanic or non‐Hispanic. Infants were classified based on birth weight z‐sco...
Source: American Journal of Physical Anthropology - December 20, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Rich May, Daniel Kim, Debbie Mote‐Watson Tags: Human Biology Symposium Source Type: research

Growth of a species, an association, a science: 80 years of growth and development research
Abstract Physical anthropological research was codified in the United States with the creation of the American Association of Physical Anthropology (AAPA) in 1929. That same year, a study began in yellow springs, Ohio, with a goal of identifying “what makes people different.” The approach used to answer that question was to study the growth and development of Homo sapiens. The resulting study, the Fels Longitudinal Study, is currently the longest continuous study of human growth and development in the world. Although the AAPA and the Fels Longitudinal Study have existed as separate entities for more than 80 years now, ...
Source: American Journal of Physical Anthropology - December 20, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Richard J. Sherwood, Dana L. Duren Tags: Human Biology Symposium Source Type: research

High‐frequency dominant depression of peripheral vagal control of heart rate in rats with chronic heart failure
ConclusionChanges in the dynamic characteristics of the peripheral vagal control of HR may contribute to the manifestation of decreased high‐frequency components of HR variability observed in CHF.© 2012 The Authors Acta Physiologica © 2012 Scandinavian Physiological Society
Source: Acta Physiologica - December 20, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Toru Kawada, Meihua Li, Shuji Shimizu, Atsunori Kamiya, Kazunori Uemura, Michael J Turner, Masaki Mizuno, Masaru Sugimachi Tags: Regular Paper Source Type: research

Translation of a Tumor Microenvironment Mimicking 3D Tumor Growth Co-culture Assay Platform to High-Content Screening
For drug discovery, cell-based assays are becoming increasingly complex to mimic more realistically the nature of biological processes and their diversifications in diseases. Multicellular co-cultures embedded in a three-dimensional (3D) matrix have been explored in oncology to more closely approximate the physiology of the human tumor microenvironment. High-content analysis is the ideal technology to characterize these complex biological systems, although running such complex assays at higher throughput is a major endeavor. Here, we report on adapting a 3D tumor co-culture growth assay to automated microscopy, and we comp...
Source: Journal of Biomolecular Screening - December 20, 2012 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Krausz, E., de Hoogt, R., Gustin, E., Cornelissen, F., Grand-Perret, T., Janssen, L., Vloemans, N., Wuyts, D., Frans, S., Axel, A., Peeters, P. J., Hall, B., Cik, M. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Multiparameter In Vitro Assessment of Compound Effects on Cardiomyocyte Physiology Using iPSC Cells
A large percentage of drugs fail in clinical studies due to cardiac toxicity; thus, development of sensitive in vitro assays that can evaluate potential adverse effects on cardiomyocytes is extremely important for drug development. Human cardiomyocytes derived from stem cell sources offer more clinically relevant cell-based models than those presently available. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes are especially attractive because they express ion channels and demonstrate spontaneous mechanical and electrical activity similar to adult cardiomyocytes. Here we demonstrate techniques for measuring...
Source: Journal of Biomolecular Screening - December 20, 2012 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Sirenko, O., Crittenden, C., Callamaras, N., Hesley, J., Chen, Y.-W., Funes, C., Rusyn, I., Anson, B., Cromwell, E. F. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Genes That Act Downstream of Sensory Neurons to Influence Longevity, Dauer Formation, and Pathogen Responses in Caenorhabditis elegans
by Marta M. Gaglia, Dae-Eun Jeong, Eun-A Ryu, Dongyeop Lee, Cynthia Kenyon, Seung-Jae Lee The sensory systems of multicellular organisms are designed to provide information about the environment and thus elicit appropriate changes in physiology and behavior. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, sensory neurons affect the decision to arrest during development in a diapause state, the dauer larva, and modulate the lifespan of the animals in adulthood. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects are incompletely understood. Using whole-genome microarray analysis, we identified transcripts whose levels are altered...
Source: PLoS Genetics - December 20, 2012 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Marta M. Gaglia et al. Source Type: research

Systematic Identification of Rhythmic Genes Reveals camk1gb as a New Element in the Circadian Clockwork
by Adi Tovin, Shahar Alon, Zohar Ben-Moshe, Philipp Mracek, Gad Vatine, Nicholas S. Foulkes, Jasmine Jacob-Hirsch, Gideon Rechavi, Reiko Toyama, Steven L. Coon, David C. Klein, Eli Eisenberg, Yoav Gothilf A wide variety of biochemical, physiological, and molecular processes are known to have daily rhythms driven by an endogenous circadian clock. While extensive research has greatly improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that constitute the circadian clock, the links between this clock and dependent processes have remained elusive. To address this gap in our knowledge, we have used RNA sequencing (RNA�...
Source: PLoS Genetics - December 20, 2012 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Adi Tovin et al. Source Type: research

Conditional inactivation of the mouse Wwox tumor suppressor gene recapitulates the null phenotype
Abstract WW domain‐containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is highly conserved in both humans and murine. WWOX spans the second most common human chromosomal fragile site, FRA16D, and is commonly inactivated in multiple human cancers. Modeling WWOX inactivation in mice revealed a complex phenotype including postnatal lethality, defects in bone metabolism and steroidogenesis and tumor suppressor function resulting in osteosarcomas. For better understanding of WWOX roles in different tissues at distinct stages of development and in pathological conditions, Wwox conditional knockout mice were generated in which loxp sites flank ex...
Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Suhaib K. Abdeen, Sara Del Mare, Sadeeq Hussain, Muhannad Abu Remaileh, Zaidoun Salah, John Hagan, Maysoon Rawahneh, Xin‐an Pu, Stacey Russell, Janet L. Stein, Gary S. Stein, Jane B. Lian, Rami I. Aqeilan Tags: Rapid Communication Source Type: research

Reduced insulin secretion and glucose intolerance are involved in the fasting susceptibility of common vampire bats.
In conclusion, data presented here indicate lower insulinemia and impaired insulin secretion in D. rotundus, which is consistent with the limited ability to store body energy reserves, previously reported in these animals. Whether these metabolic and hormonal features are associated with their blood diet remains to be determined. The peculiar food sharing through blood regurgitation, reported to this species, might be an adaptive mechanism overcoming this metabolic susceptibility. PMID: 23262275 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: General and Comparative Endocrinology - December 19, 2012 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Freitas MB, Queiroz JF, Dias Gomes CI, Collares-Buzato CB, Barbosa HC, Boschero AC, Gonçalves CA, Pinheiro EC Tags: Gen Comp Endocrinol Source Type: research

Cellular Mechanisms of tissue fibrosis. 1. Common and Organ-Specific Mechanisms Associated with Tissue Fibrosis.
Abstract Fibrosis is a pathological scarring process that leads to destruction of organ architecture and impairment of organ function. Chronic loss of organ function in most organs, including bone marrow, heart, intestine, kidney, liver lung and skin is associated with fibrosis and fibrosis is involved in an estimated one third of natural deaths worldwide. Effective therapies to prevent or to even reverse existing fibrotic lesions are not yet available in any organ. There is hope that understanding of common fibrosis pathways will lead to development of anti-fibrotic therapies that are effective in all of these tis...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Zeisberg M, Kalluri R Tags: Am J Physiol Cell Physiol Source Type: research

Aggravation of Inflammatory Response by Co-Stimulation with Titanium Particles and Mechanical Perturbations in Osteoblast- and Macrophage- like Cells.
This study provides evidence that osteoprogenitor cells exhibit more inflammatory responses under mechanical strains than macrophages. Phagocytosis of particles and mechanical perturbation co-stimulate ERK1/2 pathway leading to expression of pro-inflammatory genes. PMID: 23255578 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Lee HG, Hsu A, Goto H, Nizami S, Lee JH, Cadet ER, Tang P, Shaji R, Chandhanayinyong C, Kweon SH, Oh DS, Tawfeek HA, Lee FY Tags: Am J Physiol Cell Physiol Source Type: research

AJP-Cell begins a Theme series on tissue fibrosis.
Abstract n/a. PMID: 23255579 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Lotersztajn S, Insel PA Tags: Am J Physiol Cell Physiol Source Type: research

Characterization of the R162W Kir7.1 mutation associated with Snowflake vitreoretinopathy.
Abstract KCNJ13 encodes Kir7.1, an inwardly rectifying K(+) channel that is expressed in multiple ion-transporting epithelia. A mutation in KCNJ13 resulting in an arginine to tryptophan change at residue 162 (R162W) of Kir7.1 was associated with Snowflake vitreoretinal degeneration (SVD), an inherited autosomal dominant disease with vitreous degeneration and mild retinal degeneration. We used the Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system to assess the functional properties of the R162W (mutant) Kir7.1 channel and determine how wild-type (WT) Kir7.1 is affected by the presence of the mutant subunit. Recordings via the...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Zhang W, Zhang X, Wang H, Sharma AK, Hughes BA Tags: Am J Physiol Cell Physiol Source Type: research

Real-time Determination of Sarcomere Length of a Single Cardiomyocyte during Contraction.
Abstract Sarcomere length of a cardiomyocyte is an important control parameter for physiology studies on a single cell level; Its accurate determination in real-time is essential for performing single cardiomyocyte contraction experiments, for instance. The aim of this work is to develop an efficient and accurate method for estimating a mean sarcomere length of a contracting cardiomyocyte using microscopy images as an input. The novelty in developed method lies in (i) using unbiased measure of similarities to eliminate systematic errors from conventional autocorrelation function (ACF) based methods when applied to ...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Peterson P, Kalda M, Vendelin M Tags: Am J Physiol Cell Physiol Source Type: research

The human organic anion transporter OAT1 is not responsible for glutathione transport but mediates transport of glutamate derivatives.
Abstract Due to their clearance function, the kidneys are exposed to high concentrations of oxidants and potentially toxic substances. To maintain cellular integrity, renal cells have to be protected by sufficient concentrations of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH). We tested whether GSH or its precursors are taken up by human organic anion transporters 1 (OAT1) and 3 (OAT3) stably expressed in HEK293 cells. GSH did not inhibit uptake of PAH or of estrone sulfate (ES) in OAT3-transfected HEK293 cells. In OAT1-transfected cells, GSH reduced the uptake of PAH marginally. Among the GSH constituent amino acids, glutama...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Renal Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Hagos Y, Burckhardt G, Burckhardt BC Tags: Am J Physiol Renal Physiol Source Type: research

EGFR activity is required for renal tubular cell dedifferentiation and proliferation in a murine model of folic acid-induced acute kidney injury.
Abstract Proliferation of dedifferentiated intrinsic renal tubular cells has been recognized to be the major cellular event that contributes to renal repair after acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the underlying mechanism that initiates renal tubular dedifferentiation in vivo remains unexplored. Here we investigated whether epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mediates this process in a murine model of folic acid-induced AKI using waved-2 mice that have reduced tyrosine kinase activity of EGFR and gefitinib, a specific EGFR inhibitor. Administration of folic acid (FA) induced EGFR phosphorylation in the kidney...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Renal Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: He S, Liu N, Bayliss G, Zhuang S Tags: Am J Physiol Renal Physiol Source Type: research

Hippocalcin and KCNQ Channels Contribute to the Kinetics of the Slow Afterhyperpolarization.
Abstract The calcium-activated slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP) is a potassium conductance implicated in many physiological functions of the brain including memory, aging, and epilepsy. In large part, the sAHP's importance stems from its exceedingly long-lasting time-course, which integrates action potential-induced calcium signals and allows the sAHP to control neuronal excitability and prevent runaway firing. Despite its role in neuronal physiology, the molecular mechanisms that give rise to its unique kinetics are, to our knowledge, still unknown. Recently, we identified KCNQ channels as a candidate potassium ...
Source: Biophysical Journal - December 19, 2012 Category: Physics Authors: Kim KS, Kobayashi M, Takamatsu K, Tzingounis AV Tags: Biophys J Source Type: research

High fat/fructose feeding during prenatal and postnatal development in female rats increases susceptibility to renal and metabolic injury later in life.
Abstract Accumulating evidence suggests that both an adverse prenatal and early postnatal environment increase susceptibility to renal and metabolic dysfunction later in life; however, whether exposure to adverse conditions during both prenatal and postnatal development act synergistically to potentiate the severity of renal and metabolic injury remains unknown. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a standard diet or a diet high in fat/ fructose throughout pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, female offspring were randomized to either standard diet or the high fat/high fructose diet, resulting in the following tr...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Flynn ER, Alexander BT, Lee J, Hutchens ZM, Maric-Bilkan C Tags: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Source Type: research

Sex-dependent nutritional programming:Fish oil intake during early pregnancy in rats reduces age-dependent insulin resistance in male, but not female, offspring.
In conclusion, the intake of more n-3 fatty acids (FO diet) during early pregnancy reduced both fat accretion and age-related decline in insulin sensitivity in male offspring but not in females. It is proposed that the lower adiposity caused by the increased n-3 fatty acids during the intrauterine life was responsible of the lower insulin resistance in male offspring. PMID: 23255588 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Sardinha FL, Fernandes FF, Tavares do Carmo MG, Herrera E Tags: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Source Type: research

TLR3 deficiency induces chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy in resistant mice following coxsackievirus B3 infection: role for IL-4.
In this study we found that TLR3 deficiency increased acute (p = 5.9x10(-9)) and chronic (p = 6.0x10(-7)) myocarditis compared to WT B6.129, a mouse strain that is resistant to chronic myocarditis and iDCM. Using left ventricular in vivo hemodynamic assessment we found that TLR3 deficient mice developed progressively worse chronic cardiomyopathy. TLR3 deficiency significantly increased viral replication in the heart during acute myocarditis from day 3 through 12 after infection, but infectious virus was not detected in the heart during chronic disease. TLR3 deficiency increased cytokines associated with a T helper (Th)2 re...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Abston ED, Coronado MJ, Bucek A, Onyimba JA, Brandt JE, Frisancho JA, Kim E, Bedja D, Sung YK, Radtke AJ, Gabrielson KL, Mitzner W, Fairweather D Tags: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Source Type: research

High-Intensity Interval Training Increases in vivo Oxidative Capacity With No Effect on Pi->ATP Rate in Resting Human Muscle.
High-Intensity Interval Training Increases in vivo Oxidative Capacity With No Effect on Pi->ATP Rate in Resting Human Muscle. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2012 Dec 19; Authors: Larsen RG, Befroy DE, Kent-Braun JA Abstract Mitochondrial ATP production is vital for meeting cellular energy demand at rest and during periods of high ATP turnover. We hypothesized that high-intensity interval training (HIT) would increase ATP flux in resting muscle (V(Pi)→ATP) in response to a single bout of exercise, whereas changes in the capacity for oxidative ATP production (V(max)) would require repeated bouts...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Larsen RG, Befroy DE, Kent-Braun JA Tags: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Source Type: research

DIETARY SODIUM INTAKE MODULATES THE RENAL EXCRETORY RESPONSES TO INTRA-RENAL ANGIOTENSIN (1-7) ADMINISTRATION IN THE ANAESTHETISED RAT.
This study investigated how manipulation of dietary sodium intake influenced the renal haemodynamic and excretory responses to intra-renal administration of Angiotensin (1-7). Renal interstitial infusion of Angiotensin (1-7) in anaesthetised rats fed a normal salt intake had minimal effects on glomerular filtration rate, but caused dose related increases in urine flow, absolute and fractional sodium excretions ranging from 150 to 200%. In rats maintained for two weeks on a low sodium diet, Angiotensin (1-7) increased glomerular filtration rate by some 45%, but the diuretic and natriuretic responses were enhanced compared t...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology - December 19, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: O'Neill J, Corbett A, Johns EJ Tags: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Source Type: research

Selective Attention in an Insect Visual Neuron.
Abstract Animals need attention to focus on one target amid alternative distracters. Dragonflies, for example, capture flies in swarms comprising prey and conspecifics [1], a feat that requires neurons to select one moving target from competing alternatives. Diverse evidence, from functional imaging and physiology to psychophysics, highlights the importance of such "competitive selection" in attention for vertebrates [2-5]. Analogous mechanisms have been proposed in artificial intelligence [6] and even in invertebrates [7-9], yet direct neural correlates of attention are scarce from all animal groups [10]. Here, w...
Source: Current Biology - December 19, 2012 Category: Biology Authors: Wiederman SD, O'Carroll DC Tags: Curr Biol Source Type: research

VEGF induces sensory and motor peripheral plasticity, alters bladder function, and promotes visceral sensitivity
Conclusions: For the first time, evidence is presented indicating that VEGF instillation into the mouse bladder promotes a significant increase in peripheral nerve density together with alterations in bladder function and visceral sensitivity. The VEGF pathway is being proposed as a key modulator of neural plasticity in the pelvis and enhanced VEGF content may be associated with visceral hyperalgesia, abdominal discomfort, and/or pelvic pain.
Source: BMC Physiology - Latest articles - December 18, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Anna MalykhinaQi LeiChris EricksonMiles EpsteinMarcia SabanCarole DavisRicardo Saban Source Type: research

TRPV1, TRPV4, and the kidney
Abstract Recent pre‐clinical data indicate that activators of transient receptor potential channels of the vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (TRPV1) may improve the outcome of ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI). The underlying mechanisms are unclear, but may involve TRPV1 channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons that innervate several tissues including kidney. Recent data identified TRPV4, together with TRPV1, to serve as major calcium influx channels in endothelial cells. In these cells, gating of individual TRPV4 channels within a four‐channel cluster provides elementary calcium influx (calcium sparklets) to open calcium�...
Source: Acta Physiologica - December 18, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Mario Kaßmann, Christian Harteneck, Zhiming Zhu, Bernd Nürnberg, Martin Tepel, Maik Gollasch Tags: Review Article Source Type: research

Cancer research pioneer Elwood Jensen dies at 92
Dr. Elwood Jensen, a distinguished professor at the University of Cincinnati and pioneer in the field of cancer research, died Sunday evening at the age of 92. According to a statement from Dr. Thomas Boat, dean of the UC College of Medicine, Jensen had been in declining health. He was known as the "Father of the Nuclear Receptor Field," and his name was often mentioned as a possible recipient for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He discovered hormone receptors that revolutionized molecular…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines - December 18, 2012 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: research

Imaging of intrarenal haemodynamics and oxygen metabolism.
Abstract The interruption of blood flow results in impaired oxygenation and metabolism. This can lead to electrophysiological alteration, functional impairment and symptoms in quick succession. Quantitative measures of organ perfusion, perfusion reserve and tissue oxygenation are crucial to assess normal tissue metabolism and function. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a number of quantitative methods to assess physiology in the kidney. Blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) MRI provides a method for the assessment of oxygenation. Blood flow to the kidney can be assessed using phase contrast MRI. Dynamic ...
Source: Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology - December 18, 2012 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Liss P, Cox EF, Eckerbom P, T Francis S Tags: Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol Source Type: research

The effect of microgrooved culture substrates on calcium cycling of cardiac myocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.
Abstract Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM) have been widely proposed as in vitro models of myocardial physiology and disease. A significant obstacle, however, is their immature phenotype. We hypothesised that Ca(2+) cycling of iPSC-CM is influenced by culture conditions and can be manipulated to obtain a more mature cellular behaviour. To test this hypothesis we seeded iPSC-CM onto fibronectin coated microgrooved polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) scaffolds fabricated using photolithography, or onto unstructured PDMS membrane. After two weeks in culture, the structure and function of iPSC-CM ...
Source: Biomaterials - December 18, 2012 Category: Materials Science Authors: Rao C, Prodromakis T, Kolker L, Chaudhry UA, Trantidou T, Sridhar A, Weekes C, Camelliti P, Harding SE, Darzi A, Yacoub MM, Athanasiou T, Terracciano CM Tags: Biomaterials Source Type: research

Branched-chain amino acids alter neurobehavioral function in rats.
Abstract Obesity is associated with mood disorders, but underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We have recently described a strong association of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and aromatic amino acids (AAA) with obesity and insulin resistance. In the current study, we have investigated the potential impact of BCAA on behavioral functions. We demonstrate that supplementation of either a high sucrose or a high fat diet with BCAA induces anxiety-like behavior in rats compared to control groups fed on unsupplemented diets. These behavioral changes are associated with a significant decrease in the concentrat...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism - December 18, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Coppola A, Wenner BR, Ilkayeva O, Stevens RD, Maggioni M, Slotkin TA, Levin ED, Newgard CB Tags: Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab Source Type: research

Glucose ingestion stimulates atherothrombotic inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome.
Abstract Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) have chronic low-grade inflammation which can increase the risk of atherothrombosis. We performed a cross sectional study to examine the effect of glucose ingestion on markers of atherothrombotic inflammation in mononuclear cells (MNC) of women with PCOS. Sixteen women with PCOS (8 lean, 8 obese) and 16 weight-matched controls (8 lean, 8 obese). Activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation and the protein content of early growth response-1 (EGR-1), matrix matalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2), and tissue factor (TF) were quantified from MNC obtained from blood drawn fasting and ...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism - December 18, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Gonzalez F, Kirwan JP, Rote NS, Minium J Tags: Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab Source Type: research

Metabolic programming effects initiated in the suckling period predisposing for adult-onset obesity could not be reversed by calorie restriction.
In this study, calorie restriction by pair-feeding was imposed on HC male rats (HC/PF) to normalize food intake similar to that of mother-fed (MF) rats from weaning until the postnatal day 140. A group of HC/PF rats were switched over to ad libitum feeding (HC/PF/AL) from day 90 to 140. Pair-feeding reduced body weight gains and serum insulin and leptin levels in HC/PF rats compared to HC rats but these parameters were restored to HC levels in the HC/PF/AL rats after ad libitum feeding. Interestingly, the heightened insulin secretory response of isolated islets from adult HC/PF and HC/PF/ AL rats to glucose, acetylcholine ...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism - December 18, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Srinivasan M, Mahmood S, Patel MS Tags: Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab Source Type: research

Selective SGLT2 inhibition by tofogliflozin reduces renal glucose reabsorption under hyperglycemic but not under hypo- or euglycemic conditions in rats.
Abstract To understand the risk of hypoglycemia associated with urinary glucose excretion (UGE) induced by sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitors, it is necessary to know the relationship between the ratio of contribution of SGLT2 versus SGLT1 to renal glucose reabsorption (RGR) and the glycemic levels in vivo. To examine the contributions of SGLT2 and SGLT1 in normal rats we compared the RGR inhibition by tofogliflozin, a highly specific SGLT2 inhibitor, and phlorizin, a SGLT1 and SGLT2 (SGLT1/2) inhibitor, at plasma concentrations sufficient to completely inhibit rat SGLT2 (rSGLT2) while inhibiting rSGLT1...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism - December 18, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Nagata T, Fukazawa M, Honda K, Yata T, Kawai M, Yamane M, Murao N, Yamaguchi K, Kato M, Mitsui T, Suzuki Y, Ikeda S, Kawabe Y Tags: Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab Source Type: research

Thermoneutrality Modifies the Impact of Hypoxia on Lipid Metabolism.
Abstract Hypoxia has been shown to rapidly increase triglycerides in mice by decreasing plasma lipoprotein clearance. However, the usual temperature of hypoxic exposure is below thermoneutrality for mice, which may increase thermogenesis and energy requirements resulting in higher tissue lipid uptake. We hypothesize that decreased lipid clearance and ensuing hyperlipidemia are caused by hypoxic suppression of metabolism at cold temperatures and therefore, would not occur at thermoneutrality. Twelve-week old, male C57BL6/J mice were exposed to 6 hours of 10% O(2) at usual temperature (22°C) or thermoneutrality (30�...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism - December 18, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Jun JC, Shin MK, Yao Q, Devera R, Bevans-Fonti S, Polotsky VY Tags: Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab Source Type: research

Chronic levothyroxine and acute T3 treatments enhance the amplitude and time course of uterine contractions in human.
This study compares the functional consequences of levothyroxine (T(4)) treatment during pregnancy, as well as the acute affects of Triiodothyronine (T(3)) on spontaneous uterine contractile activities observed in vitro. Uterine biopsies were obtained from consenting women undergoing elective caesarean at term (N=28). Spontaneous contractile activities from T(4)-treated pregnant women (N=8) were compared to control patients (N=20) by isometric tension measurements. Effect of acute T(3) and T(4) were also monitored on control tissues. Area under the curve, amplitude, time to peak, duration and frequency were quantified. In ...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism - December 18, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Corriveau S, Pasquier JC, Blouin S, Bellabarba D, Rousseau E Tags: Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab Source Type: research

Noise-induced alterations in cochlear mechanics, electromotility, and cochlear amplification.
Abstract Loud sounds are a common cause of hearing loss. Very intense sounds may result in permanent hearing loss, but lower levels typically cause a transient decrease in auditory sensitivity. Studies have arrived at different conclusions as regards the physiological mechanisms underlying such temporary threshold shifts. Here, we investigated the effect of acoustic overstimulation on the mechanics of the low-frequency areas of the guinea pig cochlea. We demonstrate that brief loud sound exposure results in an increased phase lag and a paradoxical frequency-specific increase of sound-evoked displacement. Despite th...
Source: Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology - December 18, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Jacob S, Johansson C, Fridberger A Tags: Pflugers Arch Source Type: research

The Functional Benefits of Criticality in the Cortex
Rapidly growing empirical evidence supports the hypothesis that the cortex operates near criticality. Although the confirmation of this hypothesis would mark a significant advance in fundamental understanding of cortical physiology, a natural question arises: What functional benefits are endowed to cortical circuits that operate at criticality? In this review, we first describe an introductory-level thought experiment to provide the reader with an intuitive understanding of criticality. Second, we discuss some practical approaches for investigating criticality. Finally, we review quantitative evidence that three functional...
Source: The Neuroscientist - December 18, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: Shew, W. L., Plenz, D. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research

Inhibition of Yersinia pestis DNA adenine methyltransferase in vitro by a stibonic acid compound: identification of a potential novel class of antimicrobial agents
Conclusions and ImplicationsWe have identified a novel class of potent Dam inhibitors. Treatment of bacterial cell cultures with these inhibitors resulted in a decrease in DNA methylation. Expression of virulence factors was affected, suggesting these inhibitors may attenuate bacterial infectivity and function as antibiotics.
Source: British Journal of Pharmacology - December 18, 2012 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: JC McKelvie, MI Richards, JE Harmer, TS Milne, PL Roach, PCF Oyston Tags: RESEARCH PAPER Source Type: research

Hyperthermia inhibits homologous recombination repair and sensitizes cells to ionizing radiation in a time and temperature dependent manner
Abstract Hyperthermia has long been known as a radio‐sensitizing agent that displays anti‐tumor effects, and has been developed as a therapeutic application. The mechanisms of hyperthermia‐induced radio‐sensitization are highly associated with inhibition of DNA repair. Our investigations aimed to show how hyperthermia inactivate homologous recombination repair in the process of sensitizing cells to ionizing radiation by using a series of DNA repair deficient Chinese Hamster cells. Significant differences in cellular toxicity attributable to hyperthermia at and above 42.5°C were observed. In wild type and non‐hom...
Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - December 18, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Stefan C. Genet, Yoshihiro Fujii, Junko Maeda, Masami Kaneko, Matthew D. Genet, Kiyoshi Miyagawa, Takamtisu A Kato Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research

Human monocyte‐derived macrophages spontaneously differentiated in vitro show distinct phenotypes
Abstract Tissue macrophages are resident phagocytes that acquire specific phenotypes according to the microenvironment. Morphological and functional heterogeneity has been evidenced in different homeostatic and pathological conditions. Indeed, the nature of macrophage subsets may have either harmful or beneficial functions in disease progression/resolution. Therefore the possibility to pharmacologically manipulate heterogeneity represents a relevant challenge. Since human tissue macrophages are not easily obtained, various in vitro models are currently used that do not adequately reflect the heterogeneity and plasticity of...
Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - December 18, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Sonia Eligini, Mauro Crisci, Elisa Bono, Paola Songia, Elena Tremoli, Gualtiero I. Colombo, Susanna Colli Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research

EMT markers in lung adenocarcinoma pleural effusion spheroid cells
Abstract Epithelial‐to‐Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a process in which cells undergo a developmental switch from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype. This process has been related to embryologic morphogenesis but also to cancer progression and metastasis. The aim of the current study was to investigate the expression of EMT related markers in adherent and spheroid cell cultures derived from Malignant Pleural Effusions (MPEs) of patients affected by lung adenocarcinoma. On the basis of efficient in vitro propagation, six cases of MPEs were selected and analyzed by immunocytochemistry staining for EMT markers and by R...
Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - December 18, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Enrico Giarnieri, Claudia De Vitis, Alessia Noto, Giuseppe Roscilli, Gerardo Salerno, Salvatore Mariotta, Alberto Ricci, Bruno Pierdonato, Giuseppe Russo, Andrea Laurenzi, Maria Rosaria Giovagnoli, Gennaro Ciliberto, Rita Mancini Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research

Disruption of immune regulation by microbial pathogens and resulting chronic inflammation
Abstract Activation of the immune response is a tightly regulated, coordinated effort that functions to control and eradicate exogenous microorganisms, while also responding to endogenous ligands. Determining the proper balance of inflammation is essential, as chronic inflammation leads to a wide array of host pathologies. Bacterial pathogens can instigate chronic inflammation via an extensive repertoire of evolved evasion strategies that perturb immune regulation. In this review, we discuss two model pathogens, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Porphyromonas gingivalis, which efficiently escape various aspects of the immune ...
Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - December 18, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Kenneth Barth, Daniel G. Remick, Caroline A. Genco Tags: Mini‐Review Source Type: research

IGF‐1 induces IP3 dependent calcium signal involved in the regulation of myostatin gene expression mediated by NFAT during myoblast differentiation
In this study, we report that the stimulation of skeletal myoblasts during differentiation with IGF‐1 induces a rapid and transient calcium increase from intracellular stores, which are principally mediated through the phospholipase C gamma (PLC γ)/inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate (IP3)‐ dependent signalling pathways. This response was completely blocked when myoblasts were incubated with LY294002 or transfected with the dominant‐negative p110 gamma, suggesting a fundamental role of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) in PLCγ activation. Additionally, we show that calcium released via IP3 and induced by IGF‐1 sti...
Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - December 18, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: J.A. Valdés, S. Flores, E.N. Fuentes, C. Osorio‐Fuentealba, E. Jaimovich, A. Molina Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research

NF‐κB mediated miR‐26a regulation in cardiac fibrosis
Abstract Cardiac fibrosis is an important pathological feature of structural remodeling which contributes to ventricular stiffness, diastolic dysfunction and arrhythmia (Creemers and Pinto, 2011; Weber, 1997). It is also a hallmark feature of left ventricular hypertrophy induced by pressure overload. The molecular and cellular basis for fibrosis is an uncontrolled accumulation of collagens and other ECM components include matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), fibronectin (Fn), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), etc., in the interstitium and in perivascular regions of the heart (Espira and Czubryt, 2009; Iwamoto et al., 201...
Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - December 18, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Chuanyu Wei, Il‐Kwon Kim, Sandeep Kumar, Samantha Jayasinghe, Nayeon Hong, Daniele CataluccI, Giovanna Castoldi, W. Keith Jones, Sudhiranjan Gupta Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research

Effects of PPARγ agonists on the expression of leptin and vascular endothelial growth factor in breast cancer cells
Abstract The obesity hormone leptin has been implicated in breast cancer development. Breast cancer cells express the leptin receptor and are able to synthesize leptin in response to obesity‐related stimuli. Furthermore, leptin is a positive regulator of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and high levels of both proteins are associated with worse prognosis in breast cancer patients. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) ligands are therapeutic agents used in patient with type 2 diabetes and obesity which have recently been studied for their potential anti‐tumor effect. Here, we studied if thes...
Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - December 18, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Marianna Terrasi, Viviana Bazan, Stefano Caruso, Lavinia Insalaco, Valeria Amodeo, Daniele Fanale, Lidia Rita Corsini, Clara Contaldo, Anna Mercanti, Elena Fiorio, Giuseppe Cicero, Eva Surmacz, Antonio Russo Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research

Itch, an e3 ligase of oct4, is required for embryonic stem cell self‐renewal and pluripotency induction
Abstract Itch, a C2‐WW‐HECT domain ubiquitin E3 ligase, plays an important role in various biological processes. However, its role in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) remains unknown. Here, we report that Itch interacts with and targets pluripotency‐associated transcription factor Oct4 for ubiquitination. Moreover, Itch enhances Oct4 transcriptional activities and controls Oct4 protein stability dependent on its catalytic activity. Importantly, silencing Itch expression compromises ESC self‐renewal capacity and somatic cell reprogramming efficiency. Taken together, our study identifies Itch as a regulator of Oct4 stabil...
Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - December 18, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Bing Liao, Xiaoming Zhong, Huiming Xu, Feng Xiao, Zhuoqing Fang, Junjie Gu, Yue Chen, Yingming Zhao, Ying Jin Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research

Defective autophagy in multidrug resistant cells may lead to growth inhibition by BH3‐mimetic gossypol
Abstract The clinical efficacy of many chemotherapeutic agents has been reduced due to the development of drug resistance. In this paper, we aimed to validate gossypol, a natural BH3 mimetic found in cottonseeds, as a potential therapeutic to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR). Gossypol was found to retain its efficacy in v‐Ha‐ras‐transformed NIH 3T3 cells that overexpressed P‐glycoprotein (Ras‐NIH 3T3/Mdr), which was similar to the efficacy observed in their parental counterparts (Ras‐NIH 3T3). A rhodamine assay revealed that the alteration of MDR activity did not contribute to the cytotoxic effect of gossypo...
Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - December 18, 2012 Category: Cytology Authors: Jun‐Ho Ahn, Gun‐Hee Jang, Michael Lee Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research