bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumption of whole grain and cereal fiber with total and cause‐specific mortality: prospective analysis of 367,442 individuals (628.17)
Authors: Qi Lu , Xu Min , Huang Tao , Lee Albert , Cho Susan
Published: June 2021

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess the associations of intakes of whole grain and cereal fiber with all causes and cause‐specific mortality.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study included 367,442 participants from the prospective NIH‐AARP Diet and Health Study (enrolled in 1995 and followed through 2009). Participants with cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and self‐reported end‐stage renal disease at baseline were excluded.

EXPOSURE: Baseline intakes of whole grain and cereal fiber.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All‐cause mortality and death from CVD, cancer, diabetes, respiratory disease, and infections.

RESULTS: Over an average of 14 years of follow‐up, in total 46,067 deaths were documented. Consumption of whole grain was inversely associated with risk of all‐cause mortality and death from cancer, CVD, diabetes, respiratory disease, and infections. In multivariable models, as compared with individuals with the lowest intakes, those in the highest intake of whole grain had a 17% (95% CI 14‐19%) lower risk of all‐cause mortality and 11‐48% lower risk of disease‐specific mortality (all P for trend < 0.023); those in the highest intake of cereal fiber had a 19% (95% CI 16‐21%) lower risk of all‐cause mortality and 15‐34% lower risk of disease‐specific mortality (all P for trend < 0.005). When cereal fiber was further adjusted, the associations of whole grain with death from CVD, respiratory disease and infections became not significant; the associations with all‐cause mortality and death from cancer and diabetes were attenuated but remained significant (P for trend < 0.029).

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Consumption of whole grain and cereal fiber inversely associated with reduced total and cause‐specific mortality; and our data suggest cereal fiber is the potentially protective component.
Red meat intake and serum levels of leptin, TNF‐α, and CRP in the Multiethnic Cohort (628.21)
Authors: Chai Weiwen , Morimoto Yukiko , Cooney Robert , Le Marchand Loic , Franke Adrian , Wilkens Lynne , Maskarinec Gertraud
Published: June 2021

Objective: Given that chronic inflammation is considered a possible etiologic factor for cancer, the influence of dietary factors on inflammation is of interest. The current study examined the association of red meat intake with serum leptin, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and C‐reactive protein (CRP).

Methods: This study utilized the data from control subjects (312 males, 911 females) in two nested case‐control studies of cancer within the Multiethnic Cohort. Linear models were applied to assess the association between red meat consumption and serum biomarkers while adjusting for potential confounders. Log‐transformed values were used.

Results: Median time between the food frequency questionnaire and blood draw was 9.6 years. Red meat intake was positively associated with serum leptin levels in both men (β=0.18, P=0.003) and women (β=0.16, P=0.0001). In men, an inverse association was observed between red meat intake and serum TNF‐α levels (β=‐0.22, P=0.02). In women, higher red meat intake was significantly associated with higher serum CRP levels (β=0.10, P=0.001).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that red meat consumption may play a role in cancer etiology through an inflammatory pathway.

Grant Funding Source: National Cancer Institute grants R37 CA 54281 and P01 CA 33619
Relationship between left pulse wave velocity, atherogenic index and dietary nutrient density in middle‐aged female type 2 diabetes patients (628.26)
Authors: Kim Soyeon , Kim Hyesook , Choi Young Ju , Huh Kap Bum , Chang Namsoo
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between vascular complication risk factor such as left pulse wave velocity (PWV), atherogenic index (AI) and serum homocysteine (Hcy), folate and vitamin B12 levels and to identify dietary factors related with that in type 2 diabetes female patients. A total of 366 female subjects with type 2 diabetes participated in this study (age 50 yrs and over). Dietary intake data was assessed by using semi‐quantified food frequency questionnaire. Left PWV was negatively correlated with serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and dietary protein intake and positively correlated with serum Hcy level. AI was positively correlated with left PWV and serum Hcy level. Multiple regression analysis with covariates showed that left PWV was negatively associated with protein and niacin dietary nutrient density. AI was positively associated with carbohydrate dietary nutrient density and negatively associated with protein, fat dietary nutrient density. For the further analysis multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for confounding factors, there was a significant inverse association between above median intake of nutrients such as protein and niacin and serum Hcy level, left PWV and AI.
Reduced meal frequency is associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults (628.9)
Authors: Min Chanyang , Shin Sangah , Chung Sang Won , Joung Hyojee
Published: June 2021

Intermittent fasting which is eating only one or two meals rather than 3 times a day is popular for weight control recently. However, it is not clear how reduced meal frequency affects human health. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of meal frequency on metabolic syndrome risk and its risk factors in Korean adults. Our study subjects were 11,361 (4,306 men, 7,055 women) aged 20 to 50 years without diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or hypertriglyceridemia from the Korean National Health and Examination Survey data 2007‐2010. The meal frequency of subjects was obtained using a standardized questionnaire. We used both IDF and NCEP ATP III definitions for defining metabolic syndrome with central obesity criteria for Korean. The ‘1 meal/d’ group had a significantly higher risk of central obesity (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.29‐3.22), elevated fasting glucose (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.21‐3.39) and metabolic syndrome (OR of IDF definition: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.26‐4.03, OR of NCEP ATP III definition: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.06‐3.17) than ’3 meals/d’ group adjusting for age, gender, energy intake, physical activity, alcohol intake, and smoking. The results imply that reduced meal frequency might be associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome and its components.
Omega‐3 fatty acids and cognitive performance throughout the lifespan (629.3)
Authors: Giles Grace
Published: June 2021

Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFAs) may influence cognition throughout the lifespan. The neural influences of n‐3 PUFAs have been extensively studied in relation to psychological and neurological disorders, primarily depression. Despite the benefits of n‐3 PUFAs when brain functions go awry, as in psychological and neurological disorders, less research has examined the influence of n‐3 PUFAs on cognitive function in healthy individuals. Recent research has begun to fill this gap, by examining how n‐3 PUFA supplementation influences cognitive development in infants and children, cognitive performance in young adults, and age‐related cognitive impairment in older adults. Just as the brain changes throughout the lifespan, so too may nutritional influences on cognition. Thus, I will discuss recent research into the cognitive effects of n‐3 intake and physiological markers across the lifespan, focusing on infants, children, young adults and older adults. The majority of research into cognitive effects of n‐3 PUFA supplementation has occurred at either end of the lifespan: in infants and older adults and only a handful of studies have assessed the cognitive effects of n‐3 PUFA supplementation in young adults. Thus I will also discuss recent research in our lab examining the effects of n‐3 PUFA supplementation on stress‐induced changes in mood and cognitive behavior in young, healthy individuals.
Dietary status and dietary pattern by degree of cognitive function in Korean elderly (629.5)
Authors: Chang Moon‐Jeong , Lee Jung‐Sug , Chung Hae Kyung , Kim Hye‐Young
Published: June 2021

This study was performed to investigate the relationships among cognitive function, dietary pattern and dietary intake status. The subjects (n=416) were recruited from the Yongin dementia prevention and control center. The low cognitive functioning group (LC) had lower consumption of dietary fiber, vitamin B1 and vitamin B2. The Lower cognitive group had lower consumption of nuts and seeds and higher consumption of soft drinks. Using factor scores of seven factors, subjects were classified into 3 clusters. Cluster 1(65.8%) was a ‘simple, rice‐only eating’ group. Cluster 2(27.2%) was a ‘meat favoring’ group. Cluster 3 (6.7%) was a ‘healthy, diverse eating’ group. Cluster 3 had significantly higher consumptions of potatoes, nuts and seeds, vegetables, mushrooms and fishes than cluster 1 & 2. Cluster 3 also had higher consumption of milk and fruits, but lower consumption of rice than cluster 1 & 2. The higher portion of the normal cognitive functioning group was contained in Cluster 3 than lower cognitive functioning group.

Grant Funding Source: Supported by Korea Institute of Planning & Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry
Added‐sugar labeling: implications for consumers (630.11)
Authors: Bertino Mary , Liska DeAnn , Spence Kris , Sanders Lisa , Egan Veronica
Published: June 2021

The FDA is proposing to update the Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) to help consumers choose more nutrient‐dense, lower calorie foods. One consideration in this proposal is including “added sugar” on the NFP, yet there is little research to evaluate if this will help consumers make more informed food choices. We conducted an on‐line survey (N=1000) to assess how consumers interpret added sugar on the NFP. With the current NFP, only 5% of consumers inaccurately identified the amount of sugar in a cereal label, whereas, when added sugar was included on the label this increased to 36% inaccurate responses. Moreover, when presented with two labels and asked to pick the healthier option, over one‐third chose a food with lower added sugar, even though it contained higher calories, fat, and saturated fat. Consumers who were 50+ years, males, and self‐assessed diabetics/pre‐diabetics were more likely to incorrectly determine the amount of sugar present when “added sugars” was present on the label. These results suggest that including added sugars on the NFP could cause consumer confusion and may lead some consumers to less healthy food choices. As the goal of the nutrition facts panel is to help consumers make healthier choices, any proposed change in sugar labeling should be thoroughly evaluated to ensure it leads consumers to nutrient‐dense, lower calorie choices.
Changing fiber labeling: consumer understanding of functional/ added fiber (630.2)
Authors: Spence Kris , Bertino Mary , Liska DeAnn , Sanders Lisa , Egan Veronica
Published: June 2021

Nutrition labels in the U.S. currently use the term ‘dietary fiber’ to indicate the total amount of fiber in a product. FDA has asked for input on the consumer impact of changing the Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) to differentiate dietary fiber from functional/added fiber, reflecting the IOM fiber definition. We conducted two on‐line consumer surveys of fiber & food labels. In the first survey (N=1500), 53% of consumers indicated it is extremely/very important to know the amount of fiber in a food product. In the second (N=1000), 96% of consumers accurately identified the amount of fiber in a food when presented with a NFP as it exists today. However, when the NFP was changed to include ‘added fiber’ and ‘dietary fiber’, only 44% could accurately identify the amount of fiber. When ‘functional fiber’ was included on the label, 43% reported a higher level of fiber in the food than was actually present. The results indicate that partitioning dietary fiber into either functional or added fiber on the NFP is likely to confuse consumers and decrease understanding of the NFP. Fiber has been identified as a nutrient of concern, and since the majority of individuals in the U.S. are not meeting fiber intake goals, this could exacerbate an already concerning gap in fiber intakes.
Milk aversion can be reversed in both lactose digesters and maldigesters (631.2)
Authors: Savaiano Dennis , Eaton Tracy , O'Connor Lauren
Published: June 2021

It is difficult for adults to achieve the DRI for calcium without consuming dairy products; therefore, aversion to and avoidance of milk and dairy products puts US adults in danger of calcium deficiency. We examined whether a 21 day milk drinking intervention could reverse milk aversion in people who do not habitually consume milk due to lactose intolerance (LI), perceived LI or taste aversion. 445 potential participants responded to advertisements; 82 were screened, 27 completed the milk drinking intervention, 26 completed the 3 month follow up and 24 completed the 6 month follow up. Participants who entered the milk drinking phase were instructed to consume increasing amounts of liquid cow’s milk for a period of 21 days up to 1 cup two times/day with a pre and post hydrogen breath test. The lactose digesters and maldigesters both showed a decrease in overall symptom scores, with no significant difference between groups. Independent of digestive status, subjects demonstrated a significant decrease in aversion, an increase in likeness and an increase in milk and overall calcium consumption at 3 and 6 month following the intervention. These changes in milk consumption were independent of demographics or digestive status. The data reported here suggest a reversal of food avoidance and the possibility that milk avoiders are able to increase likeness and incorporate milk into their diet after increased exposure.
Barriers, facilitators, and interventions for tofu adoption among future nutritional gatekeepers (631.4)
Authors: Brumberg Adam , Wansink Brian , Shimizu Mitsuru
Published: June 2021

Objective: Although soy foods such as Tofu are generally considered as healthful and sustainable, Tofu is unfamiliar and irregularly cooked at home by most non‐vegetarian Westerners. To begin encouraging a wider adoption of Tofu among non‐Asian, non‐vegetarians, this research examines what factors impact the adoption of Tofu by future by nutritional gatekeepers, those who will eventually control the majority of the foods that are eaten within their households.

Methods: In‐depth laddering interviews were conducted with 83 young non‐vegetarian women and new mothers who were enthusiastic lovers of tofu. Following this, a questionnaire was designed and 502 women ranging from 20‐35 years old were surveyed through the internet. Finally, laboratory and in‐home cooking test were conducted to validate the impact of identified barriers on Tofu adoption Results: Several key barriers based in misinformation, including “Tofu is expensive” and “Tofu is difficult to cook” as well as “I don’t know how to cook Tofu” accounted for the majority of gatekeepers’ reluctance to try cooking tofu at home.

Conclusions: Correcting or educating on these issues significantly increased willingness to try Tofu. These efforts were more persuasive than promoting the health benefits of Tofu as a low calorie source of lean protein.

Grant Funding Source: House Foods America and The Cornell Food and Brand Lab
Nesting a project nutrition monitoring system within a public health network: experiences from Alive & Thrive Viet Nam (632.17)
Authors: Nguyen Tuan , Alayon Silvia , Tran Do , Tran Ngan , Hajeebhoy Nemat
Published: June 2021

Alive & Thrive (A&T), in partnership with the Government of Viet Nam, is among the first to manage a network of 780 franchises that provide good‐quality infant and young child nutrition counseling. This paper describes our experience in nesting the A&T project monitoring into the public health system and using monitoring data to strengthen franchise performance. Paper based forms are filled at village and commune level. Data are entered into excel forms at the district level, aggregated at the province level and submitted upwards to regional and national levels. The system has a 99% reporting rate. Training and regular supportive supervision ensure data quality. Data are analyzed on a monthly basis and shared back down the chain in user‐friendly formats to enable management decisions. Franchises with low performance receive targeted assistance on demand generation and quality improvement. High‐performing franchises receive performance‐based awards. Data reveal that services reach almost 2/3 of children 0‐23 months in the catchment areas. August 2013, a total of 95,000 monthly contacts was provided through the network with 73% of contacts being with repeat clients. A robust program monitoring can function well within a public health system, when the system is streamlined and user‐friendly; and its findings are shared back in a timely manner to facilitate evidence‐based decision making to improve quality.

Grant Funding Source: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, through Alive & Thrive Initiative, managed by FHI360
The 2nd Health Japan 21: goals and challenges (632.19)
Authors: Nishi Nobuo
Published: June 2021

Prevention of non‐communicable diseases is increasingly important in a super‐aged society of Japan. In 2000, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan started Health Japan 21 as goal‐oriented health promotion measures like the Healthy People in the US and the Health of the Nation in the UK. Its second term started in 2013 with the aim of extending healthy life expectancy and reducing health inequalities. Improvement of individuals' lifestyles and social environment will help achieve the goal of the 2nd Health Japan 21.

Target items on nutrition and dietary life in the 2nd Health Japan 21 are as follows.

1. Increase of people maintaining desirable body weight 2. Increase of people taking diet of appropriate quantity and quality a) Increase of people taking meals with staple food, main dish and side dish at least twice a day b) Reduction of salt intake c) Increase of consumption of fruit and vegetable 3. Decrease of children taking meals alone 4. Increase of food companies and restaurants that reduce salt and fat in food 5. Increase of 'special meal service facilities' that practice meal planning and cooking, and nutrition evaluation and improvement for users In some of the items, the National Health and Nutrition Survey is used to monitor current situation of the Japanese. In the presentation, methods and results of the survey are introduced, and challenges for the 2nd Health Japan 21 are discussed.
Proposal and discussion of policy considerations for expansion of function claims to drive better consumer understanding of dietary supplement benefits in Japan (632.20)
Authors: Amagase Harunobu , Sueki Kazuo , Stout Michelle
Published: June 2021

The regulatory symposium held in Japan in October 2013 brought together government, scientists, consumer groups and industry to discuss options for a regulatory framework for functional claims based on international trends and in response to recent decision of the Cabinet to promote expansion of claims as one way to stimulate the Japanese economy. The symposium drew more than 200 participations with speakers from Japan that included Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) responsible for developing the regulations for claims, several key members from the Regulatory Reform Committee including Deputy Director of the Cabinet, and 4 additional international speakers to compare US, EU and ASEAN. The information was well received with many questions. It was clear that the Regulatory Reform Implementation Plan called for introduction of “food with functional labeling” by the year 2015, would cover all foods including dietary supplement, processed food and agricultural and fishery products with functional claims. CAA is now investigating how the system should be set up that “describes functionalities based on scientific evidence and evaluation under corporate responsibility” and will refer to the US dietary supplement labeling system as a starting basis. CAA recognizes that there may be differences in Japan to accommodate for their situation and desire for functional claims to cover more than supplement products.
Will students eat more fruits and vegetables if school policies include longer lunch periods or letting students play first? (632.4)
Authors: Rosen Nila , Fenton Keenan , Patterson Tracey , Ritchie Lorrene
Published: June 2021

Aim: Simple school policies that increase fruit and vegetable intake in children are needed. The study aim was to evaluate the relationship of duration of lunch and order of play and eating during the lunch period with fruit and vegetables (FV) intake. A secondary aim was to examine if differences existed in these relationships by student gender, ethnicity, language spoken at home, and school lunch source.

Methods: A diary‐assisted 24‐hour recall was collected during the 2011‐12 school year from 3,463 4th‐5th graders attending 44 elementary schools in California. School lunch characteristics were attained from school staff and observation. The associations of play before eating and duration of lunch with FV intake were estimated using generalized estimation equations.

Results: FV intake did not significantly differ by lunch period length. Overall, lunch FV intake was not significantly higher for students who had a play before versus after eating lunch schedule. Variables in the model showed significant interaction with play before eating, requiring separate effect estimates by gender, ethnicity, language spoken at home, and lunch source. When a significant effect was predicted, play before eating had a positive impact among students who brought lunch from home.

Conclusions: Play before eating may help some elementary students to increase FV intake. Although these policies and other environmental school policies need further rigorous evaluation.

Grant Funding Source: Supported by the Orfalea Foundation
Policy change improves nutrition environments of central Texas child‐care centers (632.7)
Authors: Bates Kristin , Biediger‐Friedman Lesli , Thompson Courtney , Crixell Sylvia , Friedman B.J.
Published: June 2021

More than one third of US children are overweight or obese. With 70% of all children under the age of 6 cared for child‐care centers (CCCs), CCCs provide an optimal avenue for establishing healthy lifestyles. Nutrition practices and policies play an important role in influencing health behaviors. In this study, after Institutional Review Board approval, policies were collected from 32 central Texas CCCs; a training workshop was held offering instruction on creating policies to improve nutrition in CCCs, and policies were again collected from 24 CCCs post‐intervention. Centers’ policies were assessed and sorted into categories. Scores (0‐3) were assigned categorically for each CCC based on whether a policy existed, and on the degree of detail and implementation. Frequencies were determined and policy categories/themes were linked to other intervention data sets such as menu analysis and staff knowledge and behaviors using NVIVO 10. Pre‐intervention, more policies were related to meals, snacks, infant feeding, allergies, and celebrations. Post‐intervention, analysis showed that additional policies were created, including policies regarding breastfeeding and sweets (e.g. cupcakes). Comparison of pre‐ and post‐intervention scores suggests that the training workshop had a positive impact on policies influencing the nutrition environment of the CCCs.

Grant Funding Source: Texas State University Research Enhancement Program
Association between vitamin D status and physical performance in young adult females (634.4)
Authors: Townley Kirsten , Johnson Emily , Scholten Shane , Birger Chad , Sergeev Igor
Published: June 2021

Vitamin D concentration has been positively associated with muscular strength in elderly and children, primarily using hand grip strength. The purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between vitamin D status (serum concentration of 25(OH)D) and muscular performance in young adult females. Fourteen healthy females (20.6 ± 1.6 yrs) participated in physical performance tests, which included vertical jump (VJ), hand grip strength (HG), 10 meter dash time (10 m), isokinetic knee extension at 60 deg/s (IKE), and isokinetic elbow flexion at 60 deg/s (IEF). Data collection was performed in Sioux Falls, SD (latitude 43.5⁰N) between June and August of 2013. 25(OH)D was measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) (DiaSorin, Inc.). 25(OH)D serum concentration was 39.9 ± 11.4 ng/mL (mean ± SD), and all subjects were vitamin D sufficient (25 (OH)D >20 ng/mL). A positive correlation was found between 25(OH)D and IEF (r=0.578; p=0.019). However, 25(OH)D was not significantly associated with VJ (r=0.268), HG (r= ‐0.403), 10m (r= ‐0.114), and IKE (r=0.326). The results obtained suggest that vitamin D status at the level of 30‐50 ng/mL is sufficient for optimal physical performance in young adult females.

Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIH grant P20GM103443
Mouth rinsing with branched‐chain amino acids and carbohydrates on steady‐state metabolism, exercise performance, and the endocrine responses to exercise (634.6)
Authors: Sullivan Zebblin , Hsu Walter , King Douglas
Published: June 2021

Previous research suggests that mouth rinsing carbohydrates (CHO) improves exercise performance. The mechanisms for the improvement are not yet known, but may involve maintenance of insulin concentrations during exercise or attenuation of centrally‐mediated fatigue from putative, caloric‐responsive receptors in the oral cavity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mouth rinsing branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA) or CHO on cycle time trial performance, blood markers of central fatigue (prolactin), plasma insulin, glucose, and lactate concentrations, substrate oxidation during steady‐state exercise, and the subjective exercise experience. Ten healthy, endurance‐trained adult males (23.5 ± 3.8 y, 74.0 ± 9.0 kg, 180.5 ± 5.4 cm, 57.9 ± 6.9 ml/kg/min VO2 peak) volunteered for the study. Participants exercised at 65% Wattmax for 30 min then completed a time trial equivalent to 30 min cycling at 75% Wattmax. Participants rinsed the mouth with 6% glucose (CHO), 6% branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA), or water (PLA) for 10 s at the start and after every 10 min during the steady‐state exercise and cycle time trial. Treatment did not affect heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, affect, arousal, plasma glucose and lactate concentrations, and substrate oxidation during steady‐state exercise and a cycle time trial. Furthermore, mouth rinsing BCAA or CHO did not affect plasma insulin or prolactin concentrations during steady‐state exercise or a cycle time trial. Finally, mouth rinsing BCAA or CHO did not affect cycle time trial performance after steady‐state exercise. In conclusion, mouth rinsing BCAA or CHO does not improve cycle time trial lasting approximately 30 min when performed after 30 min steady‐state exercise.
Metabolic surgery influences gene expression profiles in offspring through gene‐environment interactions (636.1)
Authors: Guénard Frédéric , Lamontagne Maxime , Deshaies Yves , Cianflone Katherine , Kral John , Marceau Picard , Bossé Yohan , Vohl Marie‐Claude
Published: June 2021

Gestational weight gain and obesity predispose offspring to lifelong obesity and its comorbidities. We demonstrated that offspring born after maternal gastrointestinal bypass surgery (AMS) were less obese and exhibited improved cardiometabolic risk profiles compared to siblings born before maternal surgery (BMS). Objective: To examine relationships between gestational obesity and offspring gene variations and expression levels. Methods: Whole‐genome genotyping and gene expression of 22 BMS and 23 AMS siblings from 19 mothers were conducted using Illumina HumanOmni‐5‐Quad and HumanHT‐12 v4 Expression BeadChips, respectively. We tested gene‐by‐maternal surgical status interactions on offspring gene expression levels in whole blood using PLINK. Altered biological pathways were identified and visualized by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Results: A total of 16,060 genes were expressed in siblings. Significant gene‐by‐maternal surgical status interactions (p 蠄 1.22x10‐12) were found for 525 transcripts. Eighteen pathways were enriched for these transcripts, including 12 related to cellular stress and signaling, immune response and inflammation, and growth, proliferation and development. Conclusion: This study implies that gestational metabolic obesity interacts with offspring’s gene variations to modulate gene expression levels.

Grant Funding Source: Supported by the CIHR
Streptozotocin‐induced type‐1‐diabetes disease onset in rats is associated with altered intestinal microbiota composition coupled with decreased diversity (637.10)
Authors: Patterson Elaine , Marques Tatiana , O’Sullivan Orla , Fitzgerald Pat , Ross R. Paul , Fitzgerald Gerald , Cotter Paul , Dinan Timothy , Cryan John , Stanton Catherine
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of streptozotocin (STZ) induced type‐1‐diabetes (T1D) onset on intestinal microbiota composition in Sprague‐Dawley rats compared with healthy control animals over time. The data revealed that while intestinal microbiota composition between the groups was similar at week 0 (before STZ injection), a dramatic impact of T1D development and progression was apparent following STZ injection up to 5 weeks. Most notably, T1D onset was associated with a shift in the Bacteroidetes: Firmicutes ratio (P < 0.05), while at the genus level, increases in lactate producing bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were associated with the later stages of diabetes progression (P < 0.05). T1D onset was also associated with reduced intestinal microbiota diversity (P < 0.05). Principle coordinates analysis (PCoA) demonstrated temporal clustering in T1D and control groups over time with separation of the T1D clusters at each time point from the healthy control animals. The results provide a comprehensive account of how T1D onset is associated with progressively altered intestinal microbiota composition and reduced microbial diversity was seen with disease progression over time following T1D induction.

Grant Funding Source: Supported by Science Foundation of Ireland – funded Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology,
Impact of synbiotic‐induced alterations in gut microbiota on ANGPTL4, body composition and selected metabolic biomarkers in healthy overweight adults: a pilot study (637.15)
Authors: Shen Qing , Newton Samantha , Pham Priscilla , Friedman Bj , Crixell Sylvia , Vattem Dhiraj , Maitin Vatsala
Published: June 2021

Gut microbiota composition has emerged as a significant factor capable of regulating adiposity, host metabolism and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a synbiotic on the gut microbiota composition of healthy overweight subjects, and related changes in ANGPTL4, body composition and selected metabolic biomarkers. This was a 12‐week, parallel, double‐blind, randomized placebo‐controlled trial, with 57 healthy overweight adults. Analyses performed included fecal microbiota composition, body composition, fasting blood lipids, glucose, TNF‐α, adiponectin, ANGPTL4, and gene‐expression in colonocytes and PBMCs. Relative to placebo, the synbiotic‐intervention significantly increased Bifidobacterium and decreased Clostridium numbers. Additionally, the synbiotic group showed increases in Eubacterium and Propionibacterium. Synbiotic‐intervention promoted significant increases in ANGPTL4 gene expression in PBMCs, and plasma ANGPTL4. A significant positive correlation was seen between Bifidobacterium numbers and plasma ANGPTL4 levels in the synbiotic but not the placebo group. No significant changes were obtained in body composition, blood metabolic biomarkers or expression of any genes besides ANGPTL4. The synbiotic’s effects on gut microbiota and ANGPTL4 indicate its potential in reducing fat‐storage, which may become evident in a larger long‐term study.
Effects of obesity on gut microbiota using the obese Zucker rat model (637.2)
Authors: Hakkak Reza , Korourian Soheila , Foley Steven , Erickson Bruce
Published: June 2021

Obesity has been epidemic in the United States for more than two decades. Previously, we reported that obesity promotes DMBA‐induced mammary tumor development using the obese Zucker rat model. The intestinal microbiota is composed of a diverse population of obligate and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, and these organisms carry out a broad range of metabolic activities. Obesity has been linked to changes in the intestinal microbiota, but the composition of the bacterial population in lean and obese Zucker rats has not been carefully studied. Therefore, the objective of study was to determine the effects of obesity on the gut microbiota in this model strain. Lean and obese female Zucker rats (n=16) were assigned to AIN‐93‐G diet for 8 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at the end of the experiment. Quantitative group‐specific real‐time PCR was used to evaluate the composition of the fecal bacterial populations. Differences in the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratios and levels of Actinobacteria present were associated with the subsequent lean or obese state. Our preliminary results suggest that there are differences between gut microbiota of the lean and obese rats using the Zucker rat model. Further investigation will be needed to determine the effects of obesity on gut microbiota in relation to DMBA‐induced mammary tumor formation.

Grant Funding Source: UAMS Children University Medical Group
Intestinal microbiome colonization patterns differ prior to late onset sepsis in premature infants (637.3)
Authors: Taft Diana , Ward Doyle , Schibler Kurt , Yu Zhuoteng , Newburg David , Morrow Ardythe
Published: June 2021

Late onset sepsis (LOS), a major cause of illness and death in premature infants, may be caused by translocation of bacteria through the permeable gut of the preterm infant. To test this, we studied 28 LOS cases frequency matched on gestational age (GA) to 28 controls. Infants were <33 weeks GA from Cincinnati. Cases and controls did not differ by race, gender, delivery mode or birthweight. Stool samples were collected prospectively prior to sepsis for the first 2 weeks of life. Using DNA from stool samples, we sequenced the 16s rRNA gene with universal primers by Illumina MiSeq. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU) tables were analyzed by linear discriminant analysis effect size algorithm with significance at p<0.05. Week 1 of life case samples were significantly enriched in OTUs classified as Enterobacteriaceae. Analysis of week 2 samples found that infants who developed Gram positive LOS were significantly enriched in OTUs of Gram positive Staphylococcus, while infants who subsequently developed Gram negative LOS were significantly enriched in OTUs of Gram negative Enterobacteriaeae. The most common causative organisms in our study were Staphylococcus species in Gram positive LOS and Enterobacteriaceae species in Gram negative LOS. Our findings support the hypothesis that the gut microbiota contribute to increased risk of LOS. A larger study of LOS, infant genetics, and microbial colonization is ongoing.

Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIAID contract no. HHSN272200900018C; NICHD R01 HD059140; and NIEHS T32 ES010957
Dietary prebiotics improve memory and social interactions while reducing anxiety when provided early in life to normally developing rodents (637.5)
Authors: Waworuntu Rosaline , Hain Heather , Chang Qing , Thiede Lucinda , Hanania Taleen , Berg Brian
Published: June 2021

Modifying the intestinal microbiome has been shown to influence behavior and brain development in selected rodent models. This study assessed the impact of consuming dietary prebiotics polydextrose (PDX) and galactooligosaccharide (GOS) during normal early postnatal development on cognition, social‐ and anxiety‐related behaviors in rodents. Weanling male C57BL/6J mice, SD and LE rats (N=12 each) were fed control or prebiotic diet (7 g/kg and 15 g/kg PDX‐GOS for rat and mouse, respectively) from postnatal day (pd) 21 throughout the behavioral testing at pd 50. Memory was assessed using the time‐dependent version of novel object recognition. Social behavior was evaluated using the social interaction test and anxiety was assessed using the marble burying test. Mice fed the prebiotic diet buried fewer marbles (P<0.05) and prebiotic fed SD rats displayed more positive social interactions (P<0.01) than the control groups. The novel object recognition test revealed that prebiotic fed LE rats had a significantly higher recognition index than rats fed control diet (P<0.05). Body weight, water and food intake did not differ between the diet groups. These results indicate that dietary prebiotics have the potential to improve memory and social behaviors while reducing anxiety‐like behaviors in normally developing animals. Assessment of the gut microbiome is underway to probe possible mechanisms behind these effects.
Immunomodulatory and anti‐tumor activity of Petasites japonicus extract via splenocyte function and NK cell activity (639.7)
Authors: dela Cruz Joseph , Cho Yura , Kim Jung Woo , Hwang Seong Gu
Published: June 2021

There has been a growing interest in the field of herbal medicine research for plant‐derived health promoting products to increase protection against diseases. Herbal products are believed to enhance the natural resistance of the body against infection and numerous plants have been reported to have immunomodulating activities. The ethanolic root extracts of Petasites japonicus (PJE) was evaluated for potential immunomodulating and anti‐tumor activity in vitro. PJE (up to 400μg/ml) dose dependently enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes with or without mitogen stimulation. Flow cytometry analysis (FACS) demonstrated a dose dependent increase in the T cell and B cell population after PJE treatment for 24 hours. NK cells activity against effector (YAC‐I) cells was also significantly enhanced by the treatment of PJE. RT‐PCR and cytokine secretion analysis by splenocytes both showed that TNF‐α and IFN‐γ were significantly upregulated by PJE treatment. Cellular cytotoxicity assay showed that PJE inhibited the growth of human lung carcinoma cells (A549); human hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2) and human colorectal cancer cells (HT‐29) but have no cytotoxic effect against normal intestinal epithelial cells (IEC‐6). The present results indicate that PJE showed evidence of immunomodulating activity through stimulation of immune cell proliferation, cytokine secretion regulation and anti‐cancer effect that may be credited to its ability to act as a stimulant of NK cells’ activity
Soybean phytoestrogen enhances the antimicrobial peptides beta‐defensin‐2 synthesis in endometrial epithelial cells with lipopolysaccharides and polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid stimulation (639.8)
Authors: Srisomboon Yotesawee , Buathong Noratee , Kiatprasert Pongpat , Poonyachoti Sutthasinee , Deachapunya Chatsri
Published: June 2021

β‐defensins (BD) are antimicrobial peptides that contribute the mucosal innate immunity. Its expression is regulated by sex steroid hormones. Phytoestrogens genistein (Ge) and daidzein (Di) mostly found in soybean are structurally similar to estrogen. This study aims to examine the effect of phytoestrogens on the synthesis and secretion of BD in endometrial epithelial cells under pathogenic conditions. The cells were cultivated in estrogen‐free media in the presence of phytoestrogen for 48 h following with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) stimulation. The mRNA expression and the secretion of BD were analyzed by real‐time PCR and ELISA, respectively. The cells expressed and secreted BD2 with a greater extent than other BD subtypes (BD1, 3 or 4). A 4‐h inoculation with poly I:C decreased the BD2 secretion. Pretreatment with Ge (0.1 nM or 1 μM) increased both the expression and secretion of BD2 in response to LPS. However, Ge at 0.1 nM prevented the poly I:C suppressed BD2 secretion. Under poly I:C inoculation, Di (0.1 nM) induced the BD2 secretion but it did not affect the expression. This study provides the first evidence and a role of BD in mucosal defense against pathogen in glandular endometrial epithelium. The differential modulation of the expression and secretion of BD by soybean phytoestrogen could be applied for protection of female reproductive tract from pathogen invasions.

Grant Funding Source: Thailand Research Fund
Energy expenditure in obese and weight cycled mice (640.5)
Authors: Chusyd Daniella , Johnson Maria , Smith Daniel , Yang Yongbin , Allison David , Nagy Tim
Published: June 2021

Male C57BL/6J mice were used to investigate diet‐induced obesity with subsequent weight loss and regain (weight cycling – WC; n=9). Mice were ad libitum fed a high fat diet (45% cal from fat) from 2months until 24months of age (ever obese – EO; n=8), with a subset randomized at 11months of age to periodic caloric restriction and re‐feeding (WC). A full “weight cycle” was ~ 3.5months. Energy expenditure (EE) was measured at 17.5 and 24months of age after weight regain. There were no significant differences in body weight, fat mass, or lean mass between groups at either time point after weight regain, nor was there a significant difference in EE over time for either group (P>0.05). WC had a higher resting energy expenditure (REE) compared to the EO group at 24months of age when controlling for fat free mass (P=0.0257). WC may not affect EE as there were no differences between total energy expenditure, non‐resting energy expenditure, or respiratory exchange ratio at either time point, while the increased REE in the WC at 24months may indicate the animals were not yet in energy balance.

Grant Funding Source: This study was supported in part by NIH grants R01AG033682, P30DK056336, P60DK079626, and T32HL10053
Effects of pistachio consumption on body composition and blood lipids in healthy young women (640.6)
Authors: Burns‐Whitmore Bonny , Hall Laura , Bushnell Alison , Towne Amy , Roy Soma
Published: June 2021

Research regarding the beneficial regular pistachio intake on body composition and blood lipids is limited in healthy subjects. Thus, we sought to investigate the effects of pistachio consumption in young, healthy females (N=48, mean age=21±0.51). We utilized a free‐living crossover design with two 10‐week treatment periods‐ pistachios added (20% of Kcals), a no pistachio control treatment, and a 15‐week washout period. After a 12‐hour fast, blood lipids, waist circumference (WC), weight, body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis), and blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken at the beginning and end of each treatment. Pistachios were provided weekly in pre‐measured sealed snack bags to the participants, and empty bags and diet data were collected at that time. A mixed effects model determined the effect of the treatments. Neither treatment had a significant effect on blood lipids, body weight, WC, percent body fat, or BP; however, LDL (80.8±1.21 vs. 81.5±1.18), cholesterol (160±1.41 vs. 162±1.36), triglycerides (80.8±2.52 vs.84.0±2.46), WC (28.3±0.10 vs. 28.4±0.10), and systolic/diastolic BP (106±1.24/66.6±0.64 vs. 106±1.26/67.2±0.65) were slightly lower in the pistachio groups versus the habitual groups, respectively (P>0.05). Inclusion of 20% of Kcals as pistachios in the diet does not contribute to weight gain or body fat changes, and may even potentially improve blood lipids and BP.

Grant Funding Source: Supported by: Agricultural Research Institute
P‐selectin deficiency protects against high‐fat diet‐induced obesity and insulin resistance (641.1)
Authors: Yang Jing‐Wen , Day Yuan‐Ji , Hung Li‐Man
Published: June 2021

Chronic inflammation is widely observed in obese individuals, and trigger insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. P‐selectin is a cell adhesion molecule which expressed on the surface of activated vascular endothelial cells and platelet. P‐selectin participate the recruitment of leukocytes to injury area in the early stage of leukocyte attachment, and followed mediates inflammation. In addition, P‐selectin also activated platelets and contribution to leukocyte rolling.

The present study was aimed to investigate the impact of P‐selectin on high‐fat diet‐induced obesity, adipose tissue inflammation, and systemic insulin resistance. The experimental animal were randomly divided into four groups, wild‐type (wt) mice fed with chow diet or high‐fat diet and P‐selectin knockout mice ( P‐sel KO ) fed with chow diet or high‐fat diet.

The results show that high‐fat diet‐induced obesity, insulin resistance, and leukocyte‐endothelium adhesive interaction were significantly ameliorated in P‐sel KO mice. Furthermore, Irradiated wt or P‐sel KO mice received bone marrow transplants (BMT) from wt or ko mice to make wt/wt, ko/wt, wt/ko, or ko/ko (donor/recipient) BMT chimeric mice. Repeated the previously experiments, the results suggest that most protection from high‐fat diet induced injury is due to selectively lack of P‐selectin on endothelial cells because protection by wt/ko BMT chimera is minimal in ko/ko BMT chimera.

Taken together, our results demonstrate that P‐sel KO suppressed body weight gain after feeding with high‐fat diet. Blockade of high‐fat diet‐induced P‐selectin production maintained insulin sensitivity via suppression of leukocyte rolling, and followed suppressed inflammation.
American ginseng and its bioactive compounds inhibit preadipocyte differentiation by suppressing peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma in 3T3‐L1 cells and human primary preadipocytes (641.11)
Authors: Zhang Longyun , Si Hongwei
Published: June 2021

American ginseng, a well‐known therapeutic herbal medicine in Asian countries, and the fifth most commonly used natural product in US, has an array of health benefits including preventing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer; however, there are very few reports on obesity prevention. The objectives of the present study are to investigate whether and how American ginseng and its bioactive compounds prevent obesity development in preadipocytes. We found that the whole American ginseng extract (WH, 500‐2000 µg/ml) and its bioactive compounds ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2, 30, 40, 50, 60 µM), ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3, 1, 10, 50, 100 µM) and compound K (CoK, 30, 40, 50, 60 µM) dose‐dependently inhibited 3T3‐L1 cell differentiation, which was measured by oil red staining. Similarly, WH, Rh2, Rg3 and CoK also inhibited cell differentiation in human primary preadipocytes (HPP) at much lower concentrations 50‐1000 µg/ml, 5‐20 µM, 1‐50 µM and 5‐20 µM respectively. Further study showed that WH, Rh2, Rg3 and CoK dose‐dependently suppressed both of protein and RNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPAR‐γ), the key player of preadipocyte differentiation by western blot and real‐time PCR both in 3T3‐L1 and HPP. These results suggest that American ginseng and its selected bioactive compounds may prevent obesity by suppressing preadipocyte differentiation through inhibiting PPAR‐γ expression.

Grant Funding Source: Supported by USDA‐CBG grant (TENX‐2011‐02575)