bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Survey of Student Preconceptions About Physiology
Authors: Walton Kristen LW
Published: November 2023

Students' pre‐conceived ideas about the difficulty of specific classes or the topics they expect to learn in those classes can affect their experience in the course. Anxiety, motivation, and engagement with topics regarded as difficult to learn could potentially impact student success in these courses. The current study attempted to identify students' perceptions about physiology, including its relevance to other aspects of biology, level of biological organization that it encompasses, and overall difficulty. The study population was drawn from students enrolled in two biology majors courses at Missouri Western State University, a regional, comprehensive, primarily undergraduate institution with a large proportion of first‐generation college students. A survey using a Likert‐type scale plus an open‐ended question was administered on the first day of class. 50% of the respondents had previously taken a physiology course (anatomy & physiology or plant physiology). Students generally agreed with statements about the importance of molecules and cellular communication in understanding organismal function. Survey responses to the statement “numbers and equations are rarely used when describing physiological events” were neutral on the Likert scale, suggesting that students do not anticipate using math in physiology courses. Open‐ended responses to the question “Do you view physiology as a difficult subject to learn?” frequently included comments about “complexity of the organism” and “a lot of information to learn”. Data from this survey can be used to help address specific student concerns about course content and may be useful to inform teaching strategies.
Building Bridges: Addressing Real World Problems with Technology but without a Protocol using Design Instruction in a Physiology Lab
Authors: Vaidyam Aditya , Batts Jacob T , Chan Hayley , Pelaez Nancy
Published: November 2023

Research methods, physiology equipment, and undergraduate students have changed. The next generation of students readily use social networking tools to informally interact, and memorized knowledge has been devalued since the Internet is always available everywhere. Being able to search the Internet quickly, to find the right information, and to apply it in a lab course to the current culture is imperative to making instruction relevant to biomedical innovation. Unlike most physiology lab courses where students learn about technology (how instruments work, what each does) but with few opportunities to explore, here we describe technology use in a course where components were made available and students were encouraged to build and calibrate their own instruments for addressing a particular problem. Findings show benefits when modular components were used to bring theoretical knowledge closer to ‘real world’ applications with technology. Building their own instrument was more active than using an instrument. Given autonomy to solve problems in real‐life scenarios, the students experimentally tested their own solutions and critiqued how well design features may work. A gap between two ends of the spectrum for students who were learning about technology use was bridged by building from principles to the complex system of research methods done with new technology. Furthermore, time and other costs were a relevant concern when an idea was pitched to a client focused on innovation. In conclusion, the modular components now available for physiology research make it feasible to shift physiology lab courses toward designing and building from scratch an instrument to address a given problem instead of taking measurements to confirm existing knowledge. By doing this, students developed originality and confidence for achieving success collaboratively. Volunteers from other institutions are being recruited to pilot tools and rubrics to support and evaluate online team dialogue for this and other projects like this one.

Support or Funding Information

This work was supported in part by Purdue University Instructional Equipment Funding awards in 2014 and 2016.
AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO TEACHING THE HISTORY OF PHYSIOLOGY
Authors: Anjur Sowmya
Published: November 2023

Physiology and Disease (PAD) is a Biology elective at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Aurora, Illinois, which is a residential magnate school for students gifted in math and science. My PAD class is based upon student centered learning which is the best way to challenge the students to take responsibility for their own learning. After covering the major physiological concepts for the semester, a novel assessment has been introduced as the final project in the class to help integrate the concepts and promote student creativity and learning. Students are asked to create and present several skits on the history of physiology for specific time periods ranging from times before Christ to the 21st century. The general idea is to have students research the history of physiology and inject their creativity into their understanding to create with these skits. By completing this assessment, students gain an overview of important discoveries in Physiology and Medicine in a very novel way. Students are also required to write a screenplay for their skits, incorporating the political and physiological oddities of their time periods by creating hypothetical scenes from the lives of people in their time period. Students have the option to dress up in period costumes and bring in props to customize their presentation. The purpose of this assessment is for them to engage their creative skills and take responsibility for their own learning. At the end of their presentation, students play an interactive game with the audience, to help them review the material presented. This is then followed by a short quiz to gauge audience understanding. The evaluation of this assessment includes appraisal of the quality, accuracy, creativity and portrayal of the respective time period and the intensity of the interactive game. Since implementing this assessment, student feedback has been very positive and students all agreed that they have learned a lot more from this non‐conventional assessment than they would have from writing a traditional research paper. It is hoped to continue building upon this non‐traditional method of assessment for other physiology concepts next semester to further enhance student learning.
Lessons from a hybrid undergraduate Human Biology course
Authors: Seiler Kathleen
Published: November 2023

Undergraduate online education has increased in popularity in recent years and can used as a means to deliver undergraduate general education science courses. Delivery of laboratory material can be problematic in an online format. The hybrid course delivery method can alleviate this constraint by allowing lecture material to be delivered in an online format with a weekly meeting for in‐person laboratory exercises. This hybrid model was used to deliver a general education science course called Introduction to Human Biology (SCI‐115) at Champlain College in Spring and Fall 2016 semesters. Class sizes were very small (9 students in one section and 14 in another). Information regarding the outcomes of the two courses with student feedback and instructor reflection will be presented.

Support or Funding Information

NA
The Wright Cardiac Cycle Table: A Novel Tool to Teach the Cardiac Cycle
Authors: Wright Bruce Eric
Published: November 2023

The Wiggers Diagram has been the standard tool for teaching the events of the cardiac cycle for nearly 100 years. However, as it often displays related cardiac cycle events on different figures in the diagram, many students have trouble grasping how these components work together to pump blood into arteries. The Wright Cardiac Cycle Table is a new teaching tool that provides a more integrative view.

In this four‐row stacked‐figures table, each row displays the events that occur in each phase of the cardiac cycle. From top to bottom, the rows depict the compartmental pressures and other events of 1) slow passive filling of a ventricle (atrial and late ventricular diastole); 2) active filling (atrial systole); 3) active ventricular emptying (ventricular systole); and 4) rapid filling (atrial/early ventricular diastole). Each column represents one of four compartments (venous, atrium, ventricle, and artery) placed in a linear orientation. In the top row (slow filling in diastole), pressures in each compartment are displayed which demonstrate why the atrioventricular valve is open and the other valve (pulmonic or aortic) is closed. A blood bolus is shown following its pressure gradient from the venous compartment into the atrium. The second row displays changes in pressures following the P wave (active filling/atrial systole) and the bolus moving into the ventricle. The third row (ventricular systole) follows QRS. It displays changes in pressures, valve openings and closings, heart sounds, and blood flow from ventricle to artery during this phase. Finally, following the T wave actions of the rapid filling phase of early ventricular diastole are displayed.

When the four different rows are stacked one below another the ECG is represented vertically as each wave drives the events of the subsequent phase. One can then track either each column to note which events occur in each compartment over time, or each row for the events that occur in every compartment in each phase of the cardiac cycle. Either the right or left heart can be depicted. Pathologies (e.g. aortic stenosis) can be demonstrated from the point of view of pressure change and/or fluid flow change. If animated, one can also represent filling and emptying of the chambers to further demonstrate changes in volumes of the atrium and ventricle during the cycle. One can also insert start/end volumes numerically into the table but this is not recommended.

For sheer detail, nothing can truly replace the Wiggers Diagram. Still, this table has potential to supplement the Wiggers Diagram and reach a population of students who need a more concrete depiction of the cardiac cycle. The author has used this table as a medical teaching tool with great success. Future studies may more adequately assess its effectiveness across a wider group of students.
Observation, Observation, Observation! Anomalies seen and learned from a Prosected Cadaver
Authors: Mullens Cody , Klinkhachorn Penprapa S.
Published: November 2023

Here, we share and discuss unique anomalies seen in a prosected cadaver, when observed very carefully and knowledgably. They include some rare anatomical variations and pathological conditions, which are rarely appreciated and perhaps unheard of with all of these variants in a single cadaver. The specimen was an 87‐year‐old male and was a muscular construction worker. The cadaver died of coronary disease and hyperlipidemia but had a number of other co‐morbid conditions including chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Several interesting anomalies were observed during the prosection, and each was appreciated, measured, and photographed. A literature review was performed for each anatomical variant in order to determine each of their prevalence. These anatomical anomalies include a coracobrachialis muscle variation involving the median nerve and brachial vasculature, which had potential functional impact and surgical awareness. The second variation appreciated was a flat, transverse muscle in the extensor retinaculum of the right forearm, with hardly any literature reference. Thirdly, this specimen was found to have an ulnar nerve palsy in his right hand at the level of the wrist. Atrophy was noticed in the hand's intrinsic musculature innervated by the ulnar nerve. Fourth, a sizeable cyst was found along the inserting tendon of the cadaver's left infraspinatus muscle with a smaller cyst found on the right side. Further inspection of the shoulder musculoskeletal anatomy demonstrated damage to the articular surfaces and synovial fluid leakage beyond the joint capsule. In conclusion, this cadaver is an example of the importance of careful attention to detail when prosecting and dissecting specimens. Not only is this cadaver unique in a number of its variations but it also can be used as a useful teaching tool for students to appreciate and compare normal and abnormal human cadaveric anatomy.
Flipping the Anatomy and Neuroanatomy Classrooms in the First Year of Dental School
Authors: Druzinsky Robert E , Doubleday Allison F
Published: November 2023

Over the past few years, faculty in the UIC College of Dentistry have found that attendance at lectures has been poor, often 50% or less, in the first year curriculum. All lectures in the D1 curriculum are recorded automatically using the Echo360 system and these videos are used routinely by students. Pass rates for D1 students at UIC for Part I of the National Board Examination, which is taken in the middle of the second year of the curriculum, have been extremely high ‐ 100% for the past five years. In other words, many of our students are successful in spite of the fact that they rarely attend the lectures in the basic sciences and many students often watch recordings of lectures rather than attend in person.

Since students use recorded lectures to study already, we believe that classroom time can be used more productively. Therefore, in the current academic year we are flipping the classroom for many sessions. Rather than presenting new material in the classroom, we ask students to prepare ahead of time by reading from assigned texts and completing various assignments online. We are using several software tools to create these online activities.

Rather than simply editing videos from previous years, new videos, usually less than 30 minutes long, are produced. The TechSmith Camtasia© add in for Microsoft Powerpoint© is used to create videos with audio narration over the slides. Presentations are in tablet mode so that the instructor can draw on the slides and the drawings are recorded. The videos opened in Camtasia© where the video and audio are edited. The most recent version of Camtasia© also allows quizzes to be created and added to the videos. Students are required to watch the videos and complete the quizzes before they attend the classroom session. Scores on these quizzes are exported automatically to the Blackboard© gradebook for the class.

Applications such as SoftChalk© and Explain Everything©, along with the testing function in Blackboard, are also being used to produce interactive materials that students must finish before coming to the classroom. These activities hold students accountable for the content and act as formative assessment for both faculty and students.

Face to face classroom sessions now include very few traditional didactic lectures. Students are quizzed on the relevant material using TurningPoint Cloud©, Kahoot©, and other polling tools. TurningPoint Cloud© is particularly useful because it is very flexible and, like Camtasia©, scores are recorded automatically in Blackboard©. Most of the face to face class time is used as a question and answer session.

Although the flipped classroom approach is new to us, and we have no hard data for any real evaluation, we have found that questions asked by students indicate that they are coming to the classroom far better prepared than they have in previous years.
CD47 is Required for Activation and Clustering of the TCR/CD3/Intraflagellar Transport Complex to the Immune Synapse
Authors: Nugooru Aishwarya , Kaur Sukhbir , Singh Satya P. , Roberts David D.
Published: November 2023

Intraflagellar Transport Protein 57 (IFT 57) and Intraflagellar Transport Protein 20 (IFT 20) have been recently shown as important components of the immune synapse and are required for CD3 clustering on the surface and T cell activation. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data analysis, we found that CD47 positively co‐related with expression of IFT57 in several cancer types. CD47 is also a regulatory molecule for T cell activation. We hypothesized that IFT57 may play role in activation by a CD47 dependent mechanism. To elucidate, we over‐expressed IFT57‐Flag using Jurkat (Wild‐Type) and CD47 deficient (JinB8) Jurkat T cell lines. We have confirmed that IFT57 expression is positively co‐related with CD47 in Jurkat (Wild‐Type) and JinB8 T cells. We have further found that the up‐regulation of IFT57 leads to an increase in Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα) and downregulates Signal‐Regulatory Protein Gamma (SRP‐γ) mRNA expression. Our preliminary results indicate that cell surface localization of CD3 differs between Jurkat (Wild‐Type) and JinB8 T cells. Currently, we are working on the localization of CD3 and IFT57 during T cell activation and localization to the Immune Synapse. Future studies will examine differential regulation of SIRP‐α, SIRP‐β1 and SIRP‐γ in relation to IFT57 and CD47 using T cells and Raji cells.
Metal drives chemistry: dual‐function of acireductone dioxygenase enzymes
Authors: Deshpande Aditi Rajiva , Wagenpfeil Karina , Pochapsky Thomas Charles , Petsko Gregory , Ringe Dagmar
Published: November 2023

Acireductone dioxygenase (ARD) from the methionine salvage pathway of Klebsiella oxytoca is the only known naturally occurring metalloenzyme which exhibits dual‐chemistry in vivo determined solely by the identity of the divalent transition metal ion (Fe2+ or Ni2+) in the active site. The Fe2+ containing isozyme catalyzes the on‐pathway reaction using substrates acireductone and dioxygen to generate formate and the ketoacid precursor of methionine, whereas the Ni2+ containing isozyme uses the same substrates to catalyze an off‐pathway shunt to methylthiopropionate, carbon monoxide and formate. We recently have shown that mammalian homologs of ARD (mouse and human) are also capable of this metal‐dependent dual‐chemistry in vitro. The possibility of this dual chemistry in mammals is interesting since carbon monoxide, one of the products of off‐pathway reaction, is an anti‐apoptotic molecule. In addition, several biochemical and genetic studies have indicated an inhibitory role of human ARD in cancer. Recombinant mouse and human ARD isozymes were expressed and purified to obtain a homogeneous single transition metal (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) bound form of the enzymes. The Fe2+‐bound ARD showed highest activity compared to the other metal‐bound forms of ARD. Similar to ARD from Klebsiella, both human and mouse ARD bound to Ni2+, Co2+ or Mn2+ catalyzed the off‐pathway reaction whereas Fe2+‐bound ARD catalyzed the on‐pathway reaction of the methionine salvage pathway. Thermal stability indicated a large difference in melting temperatures of the proteins; with Ni2+‐bound ARD being the most stable followed by Co2+ and Fe2+ and Mn2+ being the least stable. Crystal structures of Ni2+‐bound mouse ARD co‐crystallized with product and substrate analogs provided insight into metal coordination, substrate and product binding coordination and catalytic mechanism. Solution NMR data of Fe2+, Ni2+ and Co2+‐bound human ARD isozymes indicate that the metal center imparts significant structural differences to the overall protein structure.

Support or Funding Information

This work was supported in part by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (GM26788 to G.A.P. and D.R.)
Genistein and daidzein influence lipid metabolism in human and murine cells via liver X receptor
Authors: Luo Ting F , Shay Neil F
Published: November 2023

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear hormone receptors which are involved in the regulation of cholesterol and lipid metabolism. In mice, soy isoflavone consumption reduces hepatic lipid accumulation, however, it is not clear whether these effects are mediated via LXR along with other regulatory factors. We therefore investigated whether the regulation of lipid‐related gene expression by soy isoflavones was via the involvement of LXR. Study 1: HepG2 cells were cultured with or without 30μM genistein. After 24h, RNA was isolated and gene expression was determined using RT‐PCR. Genistein treatment significantly increased the relative mRNA levels of the following: the rate‐limiting enzyme for fatty acid β‐oxidation, carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1α (CPT1α; 1.5‐fold); the expression of oxidative‐stress related NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1; 1.3 fold); the phase II enzyme, glutathione S‐transferase theta‐2 (GSTT2; 1.5 fold); ATP‐binding cassette transporter ABCA1, which mediates the efflux of cholesterol and phospholipids to lipid‐poor apolipoproteins (ABCA1; 1.4 fold); and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase alpha, which catalyzes the rate‐limiting step in fatty acid synthesis (ACACA; 1.2 fold) (all P<0.05). However, the expression of other genes such as cytochrome P450 family 8 subfamily B member 1 (CYP8B1), heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX‐1), and Apolipoprotein A (APOA) was not significantly changed. Study 2: Mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells and MEF cells knocked‐in with LXRs (MEF+) were used to determine the dependence of LXRs on lipid accumulation as influenced by genistein. MEF and MEF+ cells were exposed to genistein (40μM), daidzein (40μM), or the LXR agonist TO0901713 (2μM). The relative expression of mRNAs for sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1a (Srebp1a), Abca1 and Stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1 (Scd1) were determined by RT‐PCR. We found that in MEF+ cells, Srebp1a, Abca1 and Scd1 gene expression was significantly increased in agonist‐and genistein‐treated cells. Incubation of MEF cells not expressing LXRs with genistein or TO0901713 had no effect, suggesting the effect of genistein on Srebp1a, Abca1 and Scd1 gene expression was via LXR action. Presently, on‐going studies are utilizing transient transfection assays using LXR expression vectors and LXRE‐regulated lucifierase reporter vectors to further confirm the effect of isoflavones on LXR and donwstream gene expression. Our data suggest that soy isoflavones stimulate the activation of LXRs, resulting in metabolic changes in cholesterol and lipid metabolism. Although other mechanisms are most likely involved, we suggest that LXR plays a role in isoflavone regulation of gene expression.

Support or Funding Information

Oregon Agricultural Research Foundation
Total Usual Intake of Most Shortfall Nutrients Varies with Poverty among U.S. adults
Authors: Bailey Regan L , Akabas Sharon R , Paxon Erin E , Saklani Shilpa , Thuppal Sowmyanarayanan V , Tucker Katherine L
Published: November 2023

Demographic trends indicate that the proportion of Americans living in poverty has been steadily increasing, and that those in poverty are more likely to be overweight or obese. Paradoxically, a combined over‐consumption of energy exists simultaneously with nutrient shortfalls. However, little is known about how poverty affects total micronutrient intakes, including dietary supplements. The objective of this study was to examine total usual shortfall micronutrient intakes (i.e., calcium, folate, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D, E) by poverty‐to‐income ratio (PIR). Adults (≥19 y) who participated in NHANES 2011–2012, a nationally‐representative, cross‐sectional survey, and had complete data on poverty status and diet were included (n = 4,524); three PIR categories were constructed: <130%, 130%–350%, and ≥350%. The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate total usual micronutrient intakes from foods, beverages, medications, and dietary supplements reported on 2 24‐hour dietary recalls using measurement error correction. Dietary supplement use was significantly different in each PIR group: 38% (<130%), 49% (130–350%), and 63% (≥350%); women had a higher prevalence of supplement use, and a higher percentage of micronutrients contributed from dietary supplements than men across all PIR categories. Within each PIR category, mean intakes of folate, vitamin C, vitamin D significantly increased in men and magnesium significantly increased in women. Except for calcium in men and vitamin C in women, the highest PIR category had significantly higher mean total usual intakes of all remaining shortfall micronutrients. Importantly, men and women in the highest PIR category (≥350%) were significantly less likely to have intakes below the Estimate Average Requirement (EAR) across all micronutrients compared with those in the lower PIR categories. Even with dietary supplements, large proportions of U.S. adults have micronutrient intakes below the EAR. Adults at the highest adjusted income have higher micronutrient intakes and lower risk of inadequacy than those than those with lower incomes.

Support or Funding Information

This work was supported through an unrestricted educational grant to Columbia University by Pharmavite, LLC.
Legume Consumption, Diet Quality and Body Weight: Results from NHANES 2009–2012 and the Food Patterns Equivalent Database 2009–2012
Authors: Garcia‐Bailo Bibiana , Jain Neha , Keeler Chelsey , Smith Jessica
Published: November 2023

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines recommend legume consumption as part of a healthy diet, and consumer interest in non‐meat protein sources has increased. This study describes legume intakes across demographic groups in the U.S. and their association with nutrient intakes and body weight, using Day 1 24‐hour recalls from NHANES 2009–12 and the USDA Food Patterns Equivalent Database 2009–2012. In adults aged 19+ years, the prevalence of legume consumption differed by ethnicity, ranging from 14% among Non‐Hispanic (NH) Blacks (n=2399), to 18% in NH Whites (n=4710) to 31% among Hispanics (n=2671). Among legume consumers, mean intakes also varied by ethnicity, from 2.2 protein oz eq/d among NH White adults, to 2.8 oz eq/d in NH Blacks, to 3.2 oz eq/d among Hispanics. Similar trends were observed in children aged 4 to 18 years (n=5155). Nutrient intakes differed between legume consumers and non‐consumers. Both adults and children who consumed legumes had significantly higher intakes of key nutrients such as fiber, protein, folate, iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. However, legume consumers also had higher sodium and total energy intakes. Overall, legume consumers exhibited healthier eating patterns. Those who ate legumes consumed a smaller percentage of their total energy from both total and added sugar and ate more oz eq/d of total protein foods. Adult legume consumers also ate more of encouraged food groups such as whole grains, fruit and vegetables. Body weight measures differed between legume consumers and non‐consumers. Adults who ate legumes had significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumferences than those who did not, despite consuming more total energy. Among children, those who ate legumes had smaller waist circumferences, a lower prevalence of obesity, and a non‐significant trend for lower BMI z‐scores than those who did not eat legumes. These findings suggest that people who eat legumes have healthier diets, and legumes contribute to favorable nutrient intakes in adults and children. In addition, legume consumption may be associated with healthier body weights.

Support or Funding Information

Funded by the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, General Mills, Inc.
The Capacity of the US Food System to Accommodate Improved Diet Quality: Projections to 2030
Authors: Conrad Zach , Peters Christian , Johnson LuAnn K , Jahns Lisa
Published: November 2023

Objective

To estimate the capacity of the US agricultural system to produce enough food to accommodate a population shift toward healthier diet patterns. This analysis has immediate and long‐term implications for the nutritional quality of the food supply, as well as for environmental sustainability because food production depends on adequate land and water resources.

Design

The US Foodprint Model was used to estimate the proportion of the national population that can be fed a variety of diets that differ by diet quality with domestically‐produced food. The US Foodprint Model accepted data inputs on current (2012) and projected (2030) population size, food intake, and crop yields. Data on current and projected population size were obtained from the US Census Bureau. Data on current food intake were acquired from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2012 (N=8,386 individuals), and these data were projected to 2030 with regression models that used food availability data from 1980–2012 acquired from the USDA Loss‐Adjusted Food Availability data series (N=20 food groups); quintiles of the Healthy Eating Index‐2010 (HEI‐2010) were used to quantify diet quality. Current and historical (1980–2016) crop yields were obtained from USDA Agricultural Surveys (N=112 crops), and regression models used historical data to project crop yields to 2030. Measures of variation for projected model simulations were estimated using Monte Carlo simulations with 1,000 draws.

Results

The agricultural system in the US currently has the capacity to feed 140% (135%–146%) of the national population, based on currently‐consumed diets; and can deliver a high quality diet (HEI‐2010=82 out of 100) to 170% (151%–192%) of the population or a low quality diet (HEI‐2010=35 out of 100) to 143% (133%–153%) of the population (P=0.019). However, no linear relationship was observed between the proportion of the population fed and quintiles of diet quality (P=0.251). Based on projected (2030) estimates of population size, food intake, and crop yields, the US agricultural system could provide a high quality diet to 178% (172%–183%) of the population or a low quality diet to 149% (139%–152%) of the population (P<0.001). No linear relationship was observed between the proportion of the projected population fed and quintiles of diet quality (P=0.139). No difference was observed between the current and projected estimates of the percent of the population fed for the same diet quality score.

Conclusions

The US agricultural system currently has more than enough capacity to feed the national population. Incremental improvements in Americans' diet quality are not associated with an increase in the number of people fed, except at high levels of diet quality. Future studies are needed to assess the relationship between diet quality and additional indicators of environmental sustainability.

Support or Funding Information

USDA‐ARS 3062‐51000‐051‐00D
Demographics, Anthropometric Measurements, Vegetable Consumption, and Food Waste of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Members in Central Minnesota
Authors: Heying Emily , Butkowski Kendra
Published: November 2023

Lack of fruit and vegetable consumption is often dependent on accessibility, affordability, and geographic location. While industrialization of food processing and growth in agricultural technology have provided methods to feed masses, there is a growing concern with the lack of knowledge provided and sustainability of how food is produced. The discrepancies among consumers regarding this has led to the rise of the sustainable food movement, which includes Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). While CSA popularity is increasing, information regarding membership and efficacy of CSA programs in encouraging healthy eating habits is limited. This study investigated the demographics, anthropometric measurements, vegetable consumption, and food waste of CSA members (n = 22) receiving a weekly vegetable share in central Minnesota. An initial survey regarding demographic and anthropometric measurements was administered to study participants at the beginning of the CSA season. Surveys regarding vegetable consumption and food waste were then administered 10 days post CSA share pickup four times during the season. Vegetables in weekly shares varied based on the growing season, but typically consisted of salad greens (ex: spinach or lettuce), cruciferous vegetables (ex: broccoli), and root vegetables (ex: potatoes). Average body mass index (BMI) of participants was 26.1 ± 4.3 kg/m2, average family size consuming a CSA share was 3.1 ± 1.2 persons, and average distance traveled to CSA pickup site was 3.4 ± 5.8 miles. Percentage of vegetable consumed each week was dependent on type of vegetable and family size, but not BMI. Leafy greens were thrown away by participants in higher amounts compared to other vegetables, but were also available most often in weekly shares. 80% of participants indicated that participating in the study increased awareness of food waste, but only 53% of participants believed their food waste actually decreased during the CSA season and awareness of food waste had no correlation with vegetable consumption or likelihood of throwing away vegetables. Ultimately, CSA vegetable shares provide a consistent nutritious food source as well as an educational opportunity for sustainable food systems. CSA members report eating more vegetables during the CSA growing season than the rest of the year and enjoy being part of a community focused on local food sources. Increasing awareness of CSA vegetable shares has the potential to benefit both small, local agriculture and populations seeking to improve dietary habits.

Support or Funding Information

College of Saint Benedict‐ New Faculty Startup Research Fundand College of Saint Benedict Undergraduate Research Fund
Reduced citrulline flux and concentration in patients with ketosis‐prone diabetes compared to healthy controls and typical type 2 diabetes suggest impaired gut function
Authors: Hsu Jean W , Mulukutla Surya N , Bohren Kurt M , Balasubramanyam Ashok , Jahoor Farook
Published: November 2023

A‐β+ Ketosis‐Prone Diabetes (KPD) is a unique subset of type 2 diabetes (T2D) characterized by non‐autoimmune β cell dysfunction causing unprovoked ketoacidosis, followed by partial restoration of insulin secretory function. Production of citrulline occurs almost exclusively in the intestine and in a previous study, we reported significant positive correlations between urinary mannitol excretion and citrulline flux and concentration in healthy adults suggesting that plasma citrulline flux or concentration is a good marker of gut function. The objective of this ongoing study is to assess gut function in KPD, T2D and healthy subjects (12/group) using parameters of citrulline metabolism. Subjects are given 6h primed, constant intravenous infusions of 2H2‐Cit after an overnight fast to measure citrulline flux. Preliminary results are shown in the table.

Our preliminary results show that citrulline flux and concentration were lower in patients with KPD compared to controls and “usual” T2D. These results suggest that patients with KPD have reduced gut function.

Support or Funding Information

Supported by NIH Grant # 5R01DK101411

Citrulline flux and concentration in control subjects, T2D and KPD patients

Controls
T2D
KPD
P‐Value

Citrulline Flux μmol/kg LBM/h
9.23 ± 0.71a
10.1 ± 1.01a
5.64 ± 0.33b
0.0121

Citrulline Concentration μmol/L
27.2 ± 1.31a
21.6 ± 2.21a
12.4 ± 3.02b
0.0002

Means with different superscript letters are significantly different, P < 0.05 (post‐hoc Tukey's multiple comparison test).
Body Fat Changes in The Beef WISE Study: Beef's Role in Weight Improvement, Satisfaction, and Energy
Authors: Sayer Richard Drew , Speaker Kristin J , Pan Zhaoxing , Peters John C , Wyatt Holly J , Hill James O
Published: November 2023

Higher protein (HP) diets may increase satiety, postprandial thermogenesis, and preservation of lean mass compared to normal protein diets, which has contributed to the popularity of HP diets for weight loss. However, recommendations to restrict red meats – a major contributor to overall protein intake – are common among dietary patterns for weight loss. Therefore, the objective of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the impact of consuming lean beef as part of a HP diet on body fat changes during a 16‐week weight loss intervention. 119 adults (98 female) with overweight or obesity (BMI: 35.7 ± 7.0 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to either a HP diet with ≥ 4 weekly servings of lean beef (B; n = 60) or a HP diet restricted in all red meats (NB; n = 59). Among all study participants, % body fat decreased from 40.7 ± 7.6% to 35.6 ± 8.1% and fat mass decreased from 40.3 ± 13.8 kg to 32.4 ± 13.0 kg during the intervention (p < 0.001 for both). % body fat and fat mass were compared between B and NB using ANCOVA with age, sex, and baseline % body fat or fat mass as covariates. At the end of the 16‐week intervention, % body fat (B: 35.1 ± 3.5% vs. NB: 34.9 ± 3.7%, p = 0.70) and fat mass (B: 31.2 ± 5.0 kg vs. NB: 31.1 ± 5.2 kg, p = 0.90) were not different between B and NB. Results of this study demonstrate that HP diets – either rich or restricted in red meat intakes – are effective for decreasing body fat and suggest that lean beef can be consumed as part of a HP diet for weight loss.

Support or Funding Information

The Beef Checkoff, NIH NHLBI (T32 HL116276), NIH/NCRR Colorado CTSI (UL1 RR025780)
Differences in the Enterocyte Cytoplasmic Lipid Droplet Proteome in Mice Resistant (Acyl CoA: Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 1 Deficient) versus Susceptible to Diet‐Induced Obesity
Authors: Carreiro Alicia , Buhman Kimberly K
Published: November 2023

The highly efficient absorption of dietary fat is essential for survival but can contribute to obesity and related metabolic diseases when dietary fat is consumed in excess. The digestive products of dietary fat are taken up by absorptive cells of the small intestine (enterocytes), re‐esterified into triacylglycerol (TAG), and either packaged on chylomicrons (CMs) for secretion into circulation or stored within cytoplasmic lipid droplets (CLDs). Altered enterocyte TAG storage and secretion impacts susceptibility to high fat diet‐induced diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and hepatic steatosis, but molecular mechanisms directing TAG toward these fates are unclear. Acyl CoA: diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGATs) are the enzymes that catalyze the final and committed step of TAG synthesis, and DGAT1 is the major DGAT enzyme present in the small intestine. Whole body Dgat1 deficient (Dgat1−/−) mice are resistant to diet‐induced obesity and exhibit improved glucose tolerance and blunted postprandial triglyceridemia compared to high fat fed wild‐type mice. In addition, these mice exhibit an accumulation of TAG within large CLDs in enterocytes in response to an acute dietary fat challenge. We hypothesized that the lean, insulin sensitive phenotype of these mice when fed a chronic high fat diet may be due to alterations in intestinal TAG storage that are regulated by the proteins that associate with enterocyte CLDs. To investigate this we isolated enterocyte CLDs from wild‐type and Dgat1−/− mice after 12 weeks of high fat feeding and determined their proteomes using LC‐MS/MS. Label‐free quantification resulted in the identification of 125 proteins spanning diverse cellular processes, including lipid metabolism. Several of the identified proteins were differentially expressed in Dgat1−/− compared to wild‐type mice, and over a third of these proteins were only identified in the Dgat1−/− model. Further investigation of these proteins will contribute to molecular knowledge of the regulation of enterocyte CLD stores, as well as the role of CLDs in the process of dietary fat absorption. This knowledge can be used to identify potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Support or Funding Information

This project was supported by the Purdue University Ingestive Behavior Research Center NIH Training Grant (5T32DK076540‐06, 5T32DK076540‐07) and the American Diabetes Association Innovation Award (7‐13‐IN‐05).
Short Term Fast Food and Mediterranean Diet are able to Change the HDL lipidome with Different Patterns
Authors: Zhu Chenghao , Sawrey‐Kubicek Lisa , Beals Elizabeth , Hughes Riley L , Rhodes Chris H , Sacchi Romina , Zivkovic Angela M
Published: November 2023

HDL (high density lipoprotein) is the key mediator in reverse cholesterol transport. Recent research has also shown that it plays a role in immune modulation. Diet has a significant impact on the HDL lipidome, which is associated with HDL's function. In this present study, we examined the effects of two common diets, the fast food (FF) diet and the Mediterranean (Med) diet, on the HDL lipidome. Five male and five female (n=10) were recruited to participate in a randomized order cross‐over study. Subjects were healthy, non‐smokers, age 18–65, BMI 18.5–25. Each subject was randomized to consume either the Med or FF diet for 4 days in the first treatment period, followed by a 7‐day wash‐out, followed by the other diet for 4 days in the second treatment period. All food was provided to the subjects during the Med diet, and during the FF diet period subjects were given gift cards to purchase specific meals at fast food restaurants. Fasting blood draw was taken before and after each dietary intervention. HDL was isolated using a density‐based sequential ultra centrifugation method, using density 1.63 – 1.21 g/ml. HDL was then extracted using an MTBE‐methanol method and injected into a LC‐QTOF for lipidomic analysis. Feature annotation was done using MS‐DIAL. Quantification was done using lipid class‐specific standard curves. HDL cholesterol efflux capacity was measured using a commercial kit with THP monocytes transformed to macrophages. The Med diet and FF diet differentially altered the HDL lipidome. The FF diet increased lysophospholipids and triglycerides, and fatty acid saturation, while more unsaturated lipids were observed after the Med diet. These change in the HDL lipidome were correlated with cholesterol efflux capacity.
Gut Microbiota Increased by Omega‐3 Fatty Acids is Negatively Correlated with Hepatic Lipid Metabolism‐Associated Genes in mice with High Carbohydrate Diet‐Induced Steatosis
Authors: Huang Kuan‐Hsun , Nichols Robert G. , Sebastian Aswathy , Albert István , Patterson Andrew D. , Ross A. Catharine
Published: November 2023

Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the development of hepatic steatosis and the progression of obesity‐related non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Studies have indicated that lean NAFLD, an understudied but a clinically relevant condition, is positively associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Our previous study showed that Omegaven®, a lipid emulsion (LE) rich in n‐3 fatty acids (FA), reversed hepatic triacylglycerol (TG) accumulation and markers of inflammation in mice with preexisting high carbohydrate diet (HCD)‐induced hepatic steatosis. However, it remains unclear whether the reversal effect of Omegaven® is partially contributed by nutrient‐gut‐microbiota interactions. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Omegaven® will alter gut microbiota, while regulating lipid metabolism associated genes in the liver, after the onset of steatosis.

Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice were fed chow (a reference group for normal mouse diet) for 5 weeks or HCD (Clinimix‐E® supplemented with vitamins and minerals and containing 3% total energy as Intralipid®, a LE rich in n‐6 FA, to ensure adequacy of essential FA) for 2.5 weeks to develop hepatic steatosis. At this time, mice were randomized into 2 groups: continuation of HCD alone (HCD5), or change to HCD with 13.5% (energy‐%) of Omegaven® (HCDF) for an additional 2.5 weeks (n= 3–4/group). Liver transcriptomics, metagenomics, and correlations of liver genetic and gut microbiome were analyzed.

Results

RNA sequencing analysis revealed that the genes associated with lipid and glucose metabolism were downregulated after Omegaven® supplementation. HCDF‐fed mice had lower transcripts of genes involved in de novo lipogenesis, unsaturated FA synthesis, arachidonic acid synthesis, lipid localization, TG synthesis, and lipid droplet synthesis, while HCD‐fed mice had lower transcripts for steroid metabolism and pyruvate metabolism (all, adj P<0.001). Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) analysis suggested that HCDF mice had higher abundance of Bacteroidetes, Actinobateria, and Proteobacteria, which were negatively correlated with the genes associated with lipid synthesis and TG synthesis. Overall, the inclusion of 13.5% Omegaven® into the HCD lowered the transcripts for lipid synthesis in association with a partial alteration of the compositions of gut microbiota in mice with preexisting HCD‐induced hepatic steatosis.
Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Abnormal Hepatic Energy Metabolism in β, β‐Carotene‐9′, 10′‐Oxygenase 2 Knockout Mice
Authors: Lyu Yi , Wu Lei , Guo Xin , Davis Abby , Clarke Stephen , Lucas Edralin , Smith Brenda , Wang Weiqun , Medeiros Denis M. , Shen Xinchun , Lin Dingbo
Published: November 2023

Objective

β,β‐carotene‐9′, 10′‐dioxygenase 2 (BCO2) is a mitochondrial protein. Ablation of BCO2 impairs mitochondrial function leading to oxidative stress. The purpose of this study is to define the metabolomic profile and to explore the functional roles of BCO2 in liver energy metabolism.

Methods

Six‐week‐old male BCO2 systemic knockout (BCO2−/−, KO), heterozygous (BCO2+/−, Het), and wild‐type (BCO2+/+, WT) mice in the 129S6 background fed a chow diet were used in this present study. Untargeted liver metabolomics analysis was conducted using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectroscopy (UPLC‐MS/MS) and gas chromatography‐mass spectroscopy (GC‐MS). Western blot was employed to confirm the altered metabolic pathways.

Results

The results of the metabolomics profiling and bioinformatics analysis revealed that there were distinct differences in metabolites in liver of KO mice, compared to WT and Het mice. However, no marked difference was found in the Het liver, compared to WT. Oxidation of amino acids, such as leucine, tryptophan, and lysine, which is dependent on mitochondria, was restricted in KO mice. On the other hand, metabolites associated with the TCA cycle, including succinate, fumarate, and malate, were significantly increased in KO liver. Moreover, metabolites related to carnitine biosynthesis, which is important for lipid metabolism, were significantly decreased in KO mice. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, such as 4‐hydroxynonenal‐glutathione and S‐lactoylglutathione, were elevated in KO mice compared to WT and Het. Additionally, stable arachidonate (AA) derivatives of the lipoxygenase (lox) pathway were elevated in liver, suggesting that AA‐mediated inflammatory processes were stimulated in BCO2 KO mice. The results also showed that sterol metabolism and the conversion of cholesterol to primary and secondary bile acids were altered in BCO2 KO mice.

Conclusions

BCO2 is essential to macronutrient metabolism in the liver of mice. The ablation of BCO2 causes alteration of energy metabolism, resulting in oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver of mice.
Effect and regulatory mechanisms of low‐density lipoprotein on the growth and migration of A549 human lung cancer cells
Authors: Tsao Shu Ping
Published: November 2023

Lung cancer is one of the most causative factors of death in cancer. Accumulating evidences implicated the possible effects of hyperlipidemia on increased risk for cancer progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), a critical hyperlipidemia effector, has potential roles to modulate the cell growth and migration of lung cancer cells as well as to understand its possible regulatory mechanisms. Cell viability and migration were examined by MTT and wound healing assays, respectively. The translational and transcriptional expressions were monitored by Western blot and RT‐PCR, respectively. Experimental data showed that LDL can significantly increase cell growth and migration of A549 non‐small cell lung cancer cells by activating the ERK1/2‐MAPK pathway. Our study suggested that LDL might play as a stimulator for the progression of lung cancer in the hyperlipidemic condition. Application of lipid lowering agents may be a poteintial remedy for lung cancer therapy.