HIF-1–dependent repression of equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) in hypoxia

Extracellular adenosine (Ado) has been implicated as central signaling molecule during conditions of limited oxygen availability (hypoxia), regulating physiologic outcomes as diverse as vascular leak, leukocyte activation, and accumulation. Presently, the molecular mechanisms that elevate extracellular Ado during hypoxia are unclear. In the present study, we pursued the hypothesis that diminished uptake of Ado effectively enhances extracellular Ado signaling. Initial studies indicated that the half-life of Ado was increased by as much as fivefold after exposure of endothelia to hypoxia. Examination of expressional levels of the equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT)1 and ENT2 revealed a transcriptionally dependent decrease in mRNA, protein, and function in endothelia and epithelia. Examination of the ENT1 promoter identified a hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1)–dependent repression of ENT1 during hypoxia. Using in vitro and in vivo models of Ado signaling, we revealed that decreased Ado uptake promotes vascular barrier and dampens neutrophil tissue accumulation during hypoxia. Moreover, epithelial Hif1α mutant animals displayed increased epithelial ENT1 expression. Together, these results identify transcriptional repression of ENT as an innate mechanism to elevate extracellular Ado during hypoxia

From Galician waters to cetacean stomachs, a feeding story told by preys

34th European Cetacean Society Conference, O Grove, 16-20 April 2023Cetaceans play an important role in maintaining the health and stability of marine ecosystems. To understand the trophic relationships of these top predators in waters off the Northwest Iberian Peninsula, and to determine their possible competition with fisheries, the stomach contents of 751 common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), 60 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), 124 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and 72 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded on the Galician coast between 1990-2018 (almost 30 years) were analysed. Results indicated that their diets are mainly piscivorous (after identified 90 different taxa: 68 fish and 22 cephalopods), being the blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) and the European hake (Merluccius merluccius) the most important preys (in occurrence, number, and biomass) throughout all the years studied and for the four cetacean species. The long time series available allowed to detect interannual variation in the diet of both common dolphins and harbour porpoises by means of Generalised Additive Models (GAMs), observing an increase in the presence of European hake and a decrease of sardines (Sardina pilchardus) in the stomachs through time. Seasonal variation in the diets of the common and striped dolphins were also observed, with a higher consumption of blue whiting during the summer (May-September). Significant differences were found in the diet of the two bottlenose dolphin ecotypes present in Galicia, the coastal ecotype contains a higher percentage of demersal preys in the stomachs, while the oceanic ecotype contains more pelagic preys, confirming the habitat separation between the two. Results also confirmed an ontogenic variability in the diet of harbour porpoises, with juvenile animals showing a higher presence of coastal preys in the diet (e.g., pouting – Trisopterus luscus). There is an overlap between the diet of these four cetacean species and the fisheries‟ target species in the area, indicating competition for some resourcesN

Descifrando la dieta de las principales especies de cetáceos odontocetos en aguas de Galicia: 30 años de estudio

XIII Congreso de la Sociedad Española de Cetáceos (SEC), Eivissa, 27 – 30 octubre 2022N

Intensity-corrected light-in-flight imaging

Light-in-flight (LIF) imaging is the measurement and reconstruction of light's path as it moves and interacts with objects. It is well known that relativistic effects can result in apparent velocities that differ significantly from the speed of light. However, less well known is that Rayleigh scattering and the effects of imaging optics can lead to observed intensities changing by several orders of magnitude along light's path. We develop a model that enables us to correct for all of these effects, thus we can accurately invert the observed data and reconstruct the true intensity-corrected optical path of a laser pulse as it travels in air. We demonstrate the validity of our model by observing the photon arrival time and intensity distribution obtained from single-photon avalanche detector (SPAD) array data for a laser pulse propagating towards and away from the camera. We can then reconstruct the true intensity-corrected path of the light in four dimensions (three spatial dimensions and time).Comment: 10 pages, 9 figure

“He’d Be Happier if He Wasn’t Chonky” – Qualitatively Exploring Canine Obesity Perceptions Using YouTube^™ and Discussion Fora

Canine obesity is one of the top welfare problems of pet dogs. Owners are often unable to successfully recognize and manage their dog’s condition, even with assistance from veterinarians. The aim of this exploratory study was to appraise people’s perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors relating to canine obesity and weight management by analyzing comments made in online public fora and about online video clips. Data comprised 450 posts on 15 threads related to canine obesity from online discussion fora (www.petforums.co.uk, www.reddit.com, and www.mumsnet.com) and 637 comments posted about five videos published online (www.youtube.com). These fora sites either had a dedicated topic area or were entirely for discussions regarding pets. Threads and videos chosen represented a diversity of obesity-related topics, dog breeds, and a range of overweight severities. Data were anonymized and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four key themes emerged: (1) Balancing conflicting responsibilities–Individuals appeared to balance their responsibility in providing their dog with happiness, health, and love, and differences in emphasis placed on these impacted feeding habits and weight management; (2) Need vs. greed–Individuals felt compelled to alleviate perceived hunger in their dog, which made sticking to reduced food diets difficult for some; (3) Minimizing–Individuals varied in the extent to which they perceived excess body fat to be problematic, and language used to describe their dog’s body changed when excess body fat was seen as an issue; (4) Control–Individuals’ perceived control over their dog’s body condition and food intake varied hugely, with some owners believing they had little-to-no control. Whilst such publicly available data need to be interpreted with caution, due to self-selection bias, this study provides valuable insight into factors that impact feeding practices and could impact compliance with weight-reduction programs. These findings can be incorporated into future research and behavior-change initiatives to increase engagement and compliance

Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) regulates postischemic blood flow during acute kidney injury in mice

View from Jardin Anglais looking over the Etang des Carpes towards the island pavilion; Henry IV made considerable alterations and additions to Fontainebleau. He enclosed a new courtyard (begun 1599) to the north of the Galerie François I and Cour de l'Ovale around the Jardin de la Reine (now the Jardin de Diane). The Jardin de Diane is now named after the Fountain of Diana, the plinth of which bears bronze figures (1603) by Pierre Biard. Outside the château Henry IV created an island garden, the Jardin de l'Etang, in the lake in front of the Cour de la Fontaine, laid out as a parterre de broderie (1595; island destroyed 1713). He also built a pavilion in the middle of the lake (rebuilt 1664; restored ca. 1811) and laid out the Parterre du Tibre south of the Cour de l'Ovale and the Cour des Offices. It was so called because of the statue and fountain at its centre. Under Louis XIII, Louis Le Vau redesigned the Parterre du Tibre (1662) and created an architectural cascade (largely destroyed 1723) at the head of Henry IV's canal. In the grounds Napoleon commissioned (1810) Maximilien-Joseph Hurtault (1765-1824) to remodel the gardens south of the Aile Louis XV into a Jardin Anglais and to restore the Jardin de Diane

Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) regulates postischemic blood flow during acute kidney injury in mice

A complex biologic network regulates kidney perfusion under physiologic conditions. This system is profoundly perturbed following renal ischemia, a leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) — a life-threatening condition that frequently complicates the care of hospitalized patients. Therapeutic approaches to prevent and treat AKI are extremely limited. Better understanding of the molecular pathways promoting postischemic reflow could provide new candidate targets for AKI therapeutics. Due to its role in adapting tissues to hypoxia, we hypothesized that extracellular adenosine has a regulatory function in the postischemic control of renal perfusion. Consistent with the notion that equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) terminate adenosine signaling, we observed that pharmacologic ENT inhibition in mice elevated renal adenosine levels and dampened AKI. Deletion of the ENTs resulted in selective protection in Ent1–/– mice. Comprehensive examination of adenosine receptor–knockout mice exposed to AKI demonstrated that renal protection by ENT inhibitors involves the A2B adenosine receptor. Indeed, crosstalk between renal Ent1 and Adora2b expressed on vascular endothelia effectively prevented a postischemic no-reflow phenomenon. These studies identify ENT1 and adenosine receptors as key to the process of reestablishing renal perfusion following ischemic AKI. If translatable from mice to humans, these data have important therapeutic implications