bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of cooperation between image capture and digital recording of evening meals among adults
Authors: Schap TusaRebecca E , Franks Melissa M , Boushey Carol J 
Published: June 2021

Two broad categories of mobile applications for monitoring dietary intake are image‐capture and digital versions of traditional recording methods. A study examining marital interactions among 21 spouse pairs (n = 42, aged 47–82 y) allowed for a comparison of cooperation between capturing an image of the evening meal and digitally recording the foods and amounts of those same meals at the end of the day. Participants were provided a digital camera to take an image of their evening meals for 7 days. A fiducial marker was provided to include in each image. An HTC mobile telephone was provided for recalling and recording the same evening meals. Based on the images, meals were consumed at home and at a variety of restaurants. There were significantly more images captured than digital entries (mean difference 1.67, p <0.000). Whereas all participants provided at least 3 images of eating events, 8 participants did not complete any digital entries. Over 50% of the participants completed 7 digital entries (n=22, 52%). Over 75% of the participants captured images for each of the 7 days (n=32, 76%), and 97% of these images included the fiducial marker. These results reinforce the ease of taking images of meals over digital recording even among older adults. The possibility exists that couples may support one another with tasks related to monitoring dietary intakes, which would be a phenomena to exploit to enhance image capture.Grant Funding Source : National Cancer Institute (1U01CA130784‐01) and the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Disorders (1R01‐DK073711‐01A1). TusaRebecca Schap is a recipient of the Indiana CTSI Career Development Award (TL1 RR025759‐03; A. Shekhar, PI).
Dissecting the BCL‐2 family interaction network with stapled peptides: mechanistic insights and pharmacologic opportunities
Authors: Walensky Loren David 
Published: June 2021

The BCL‐2 family of apoptotic proteins regulates the critical balance between cellular life and death. Because so many medical conditions can be categorized as diseases of either too many or too few cells, elucidating the structure and function of BCL‐2 members and developing pharmacologic strategies to target them have become high priority scientific objectives. When overexpressed in cancer, anti‐apoptotic BCL‐2 family proteins such as BCL‐2 and MCL‐1 neutralize the pro‐apoptotic stimuli delivered by modern treatments, enforcing cancer cell survival. The pro‐apoptotic executioner proteins, BAX and BAK, are retained in most cancer cells but remain shackled by their anti‐apoptotic counterparts. Drugs to control the “on” and “off” switches of BCL‐2 family proteins would provide a new generation of treatments to modulate the rheostat that controls cellular life and death. BCL‐2 family members interact with one another via a conserved alpha‐helical domain that we have chemically recapitulated in the form of Stabilized Alpha‐Helices of BCL‐2 domains or SAHBs. These “stapled” peptide helices demonstrate alpha‐helical structure, protease resistance, cellular uptake, and the capacity to engage their intracellular protein targets with high affinity and specificity. We have applied SAHBs to elucidate the binding specificities of BCL‐2 proteins, uncover novel sites of functional interaction, dissect mechanism of apoptotic activation, and advance a new series of prototype therapeutics for modulating apoptosis in diseases of pathologic cell survival.This research was supported by NIH grants R01CA050239 and P01CA92625 to L.D.W.
Sensory exploration of seasonally and locally available vegetables and their effects on vegetable consumption of Western Massachusetts Head Start preschool children
Authors: Sojkowski Shannon , Severin Suzanne , Kannan Srimathi 
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sensory exploration of vegetables on children's willingness to try, preferences for, and consumption of the target vegetables within a classroom setting. Preschool children (n=88) from six Head Start classrooms in Western Massachusetts participated in the 6‐week study (baseline, 4‐week intervention, follow‐up). In Fall, 2011,using a nutrition curriculum centered on the 5 senses, trained student facilitators introduced the children to eight vegetables (2 pairs/week: pea pods‐green beans, broccoli ‐cauliflower, etc). Classrooms were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 sensory conditions; facilitator‐guided exploration (45 children; 3 classrooms) of vegetable A (e.g broccoli) and self‐guided‐exploration of vegetable B (e.g cauliflower); or facilitator‐guided exploration (43 children; 3 classrooms) of vegetable B and self‐guided exploration of vegetable A. Pre‐post vegetable cup measurements and Willingness to Taste Rating Scale provided consumption data and an observational measure of tasting respectively. At baseline, the “most tried” vegetables, defined by at least 2 children per classroom having consumed more than half of the 7 gram serving of the respective vegetable were: beets, carrots and pea pods. Sensory‐based creative strategies must be emphasized to facilitate vegetable‐preferences, willingness and consumption in this setting.Project funded by USDA HATCH Grant.
Anti‐cancer effects of daurinol, a plant arynaphthalane lignan, with low hematological toxicity compared to etoposide
Authors: Kang Kyungsu , Oh Seung Hyun , Yun Ji Ho , Jho Eun Hye , Kang Ju Hee , Batsuren Dulamjav , Tunsag Jigjidsuren , Park Kwang Hwa , Nho Chu Won 
Published: June 2021

We investigated the cancer suppression effects of daurinol, a plant lignan from Haplophyllum dauricum, and their molecular mechanism in human colon cancer cells. Myelosuppression is one of the most common and serious side effects of cancer chemotherapy usually caused by chemotherapeutic agents such as etoposide. Etoposide, a topoisomerase II poison, is known to induce G2/M arrest, severe DNA damage, and the formation of giant nuclei in HCT116 cells. We hypothesized that the induction of DNA damage and nuclear enlargement due to abnormal chromosomal conditions could lead to genomic instability resulting in the side effects of etoposide. We found that daurinol inhibits DNA synthesis in HCT116 cells through a catalytic inhibition of human topoisomerase IIα. Daurinol induces S‐phase arrest but did not cause DNA damage or nuclear enlargement in vitro. Finally, we confirmed the in vivo antitumor effects and side effects of daurinol and etoposide in nude mice xenograft models. Daurinol displayed potent antitumor effects without any significant loss of body weight or hematological toxicity, whereas etoposide treatment led to decreased body weight, white blood cell and red blood cell counts. Therefore, daurinol could be a promising potential anticancer agent with low hematological toxicity.Grant Funding Source : This work was supported by an intramural grant from KIST and a grant from the Center Project for Korea‐Mongolia Science and Technology Cooperation, MEST (2U04260), Korea.
School lunches and children′s fruit and vegetable consumption
Authors: Teixeira Amy M , Jones Sonya J , Childers Casey D , Ball Jackie M 
Published: June 2021

The average US child consumes no vegetables and less than half a cup of fruit per day. Children that participate in school meals eat slightly more vegetables and fruit (FV) than children who do not. Given the number and types of FV available in school meals programs based on School Meals Initiative Guidance, children have the opportunity to eat many more FV at school each day. The purpose of this study was to examine what factors in a school cafeteria might explain low FV consumption. We conducted a photographic plate waste study at a SC elementary school and used ethnographic notes to document the cafeteria environment. Photos were taken of 183 trays at the time of payment and at the disposal of the uneaten portion. Photos were compared and food consumption data of FV, entrées, and a la carte items (ALC) were recorded as none, bite, ¼, ½, 3/4, or whole. Bi‐variate analysis was conducted using STATA 12. The data revealed the influence of offer versus serve and a la carte snacks in an otherwise excellent cafeteria environment. Fruits were offered while vegetables were served and the percentage of students who had at least a bite was greater for vegetables (54.1%) than fruit (31.2%). ALC negatively influenced the amount of FV children consumed (mean FV servings= 0.63 in no ALC and 0.25 in ALC, p<0.05) For new guidance on school meals to positively influence diet, other supportive policies are also needed.Grant Funding Source : RIDGE Center for Targeted Studies through the Southern Rural Development Center.
Dietary protein source influence on growth and body composition in zebrafish
Authors: Smith Daniel Larry , Barry R. Jeff , Powell Mickie L. , Nagy Timothy R. , Watts Stephen A. 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveThe utility of zebrafish as a model of nutrition research has been limited, partly due to the lack of standardized, defined diets and non‐invasive body composition assessment technologies.MethodsFour‐ to six‐week post‐fertilization fish were randomized to 1 of 5 diets (standard: 48% protein by weight) with different protein sources (n=60 fish per diet): 1) fish protein, 2) casein, 3) soy, 4) wheat gluten and a 5) mixed protein source (all 4 combined). Fish were group housed (n≤10 fish/tank), and ad libitum (AL) fed for 12 weeks. Lengths were measured every 3 wks, and final body weight at study end. Body composition measures of lean and fat mass were performed by quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR) and compared with chemical carcass analysis (fat: r2=0.59, p<0.001; lean: r2=0.65, p<0.001). Group differences were assessed by ANOVA.ResultsA significant growth difference between diet groups was observed despite AL feeding (p<0.001; shortest: wheat; lightest: wheat and casein). Percent body fat was significantly higher in fish protein and wheat fed diet groups.ConclusionFeeding defined diets with isolated protein sources revealed significant growth and body composition differences between groups – with wheat fed fish being shorter and lighter, but still relatively fat – and demonstrates the utility of a zebrafish nutrition/obesity research model. This research was supported by P30DK056336.
Green Tea Extract Protects Against Fibrogenesis Associated With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis In Diet‐Induced Obese Rats
Authors: Bower Allyson M , Park Hea Jin , Chung Min-Yu , Lee Jiyoung , Bruno Richard S 
Published: June 2021

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by oxidative stress and liver injury that increases fibrosis risk. We hypothesized that the antioxidant activity of green tea extract (GTE) would protect against NASH‐related liver injury, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. Wistar rats (16 wk old, n = 63) were fed a low‐fat (LFD) or high‐fat (HFD) diet containing 0, 1, or 2% GTE for 8 wk. The HFD compared to the LFD increased (P<0.05) body mass and plasma aspartate (AST) and alanine (ALT) aminotransferases. The HFD also increased hepatic α‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expression and hydroxyproline (HYP) concentrations whereas hepatic total glutathione (tGSH) was lower. GTE (1–2%) normalized body mass to that of LFD controls, independent of energy intake. Rats fed GTE had lower ALT and AST compared to those fed a HFD. Rats fed GTE at 2% had lower αSMA whereas both GTE levels normalized HYP. tGSH was greater in rats fed GTE at 2% compared to those fed a HFD. tGSH was inversely related (P<0.05; r = −0.33 to −0.31) to αSMA and HYP, supporting that oxidative stress induces fibrogenesis. AST was also correlated (P<0.05; r = 0.30–0.31) to αSMA and HYP, supporting that liver injury promotes fibrogenesis. Thus, GTE protects against fibrogenesis during NASH by reducing hepatic injury and oxidative stress otherwise leading to hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen accumulation.Grant Funding Source : USDA‐NRI
Association of serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations with dietary patterns in US children
Authors: Martineau Bernadette , Van Fleit Bill , Ganji Vijay 
Published: June 2021

Contribution of dietary sources to vitamin D status is not clearly known. Although sunlight exposure is a major source of circulating serum 25(OH)D, diet is an important contributor in absence of or reduced exposure. Objective of this study was to determine relation between dietary patterns and serum 25(OH)D concentrations of US children using assay‐adjusted serum 25(OH)D data. Data from 2 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004 and 2005–2006 for individuals aged ≤ 19 y, were used to study the association between dietary patterns and serum 25(OH)D. Dietary patterns were established using factor analysis based on food‐frequency questionnaire data. Eigenvalues and Scree plot were used to derive 2 major principle factors. They were labeled as Western and Healthy dietary patterns. Serum 25(OH)D was significantly lower in Healthy dietary pattern group compared to Western dietary pattern group (61.9 vs 66.1 nmol/L; P<.002). In multivariate analysis, children with higher Western dietary contribution scores to overall diet showed a significant positive relation with serum 25(OH)D (β=33.8, P=.046). Serum 25(OH)D is associated with Western dietary pattern but not with Healthy pattern. Children consuming healthy pattern diet may benefit from vitamin D supplementation and sunlight exposure (outdoor activities).Grant Funding Source: None
A new molecular mechanism for blockade of prostaglandin E2 expression by sulforaphane
Authors: Templeton Dennis J. , Zhou Jiping , Cross Janet V. 
Published: June 2021

Molecular mechanisms for cancer prevention by sulforaphane (SFN) are becoming known. We hypothesized that Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an inflammatory lipid that promotes cancer cell proliferation and tumor progression, may control cancer in part through interfering with PGE2 synthesis in cancer cells.SFN suppressed PGE2 expression in the human lung carcinoma cell line A549, and in A549 xenograft tumors in mice. Only transient suppression of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) was detected. In contrast, SFN blocked transcription of the microsomal PGE2 synthase (mPGES‐1) gene by blocking hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF‐1α) mediated transcription of mPGES‐1. HIF‐1α itself was reduced at the protein but not mRNA level. Loss of HIF‐1α protein was not a result of HIF‐1α protein destabilization. Instead, SFN inhibition of HIF‐1α translation was dependent on internal ribosome entry site (IRES) sequences in the 5′ untranslated portion of the HIF‐1α mRNA.These results demonstrate a new mechanism through which SFN can reduce PGE2 synthesis, through IRES‐dependent inhibition of HIF‐1α protein expression and suppression of mPGES1.This work was supported by NIH grants R01AT004323 (JVC) and R01CA113899 (DJT).
Differences in carotenoid content of normal elderly and Alzheimerˈs brains
Authors: Craft Neal E. , Gierhart Dennis , Dorey C. Kathy 
Published: June 2021

Alzheimerˈs Disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease that inflicts >4,500,000 US elderly. Antioxidants, such as carotenoids, have been implicated in the prevention of degenerative diseases and recent data correlates blood and macular carotenoid levels with cognition.PurposeTo measure and compare the major carotenoids in normal elderly and AD human brain.MethodsSamples of normal and AD brain tissue from frontal lobe cortex and occipital cortex were examined. Sections were dissected into gray and white matter, extracted with organic solvents, and analyzed by HPLC.ResultsAt least 16 carotenoids, 3 tocopherols, and retinol were present in human brain. Xanthophylls accounted for >70% of carotenoids in the brain. Mean concentrations of carotenoids ranged from 3.5–15.3 pmol/g. Combining all brains, lutein (LUT, P<0.001) and zeaxanthin (ZX, P<0.02) were higher in gray vs white matter. ZX and LUT were lower in AD brain (P<0.002, P<0.04, respectively). Healthy brain had 2× more ZX and 30% more LUT than AD brain. Retinol and α‐tocopherol were lower in AD brain, (p<0.002, P<0.006).ConclusionsAD status is negatively correlated with levels of ZX, LUT, vitamins A and E in specific brain tissue.
ZnT2 accumulates zinc in lysosomes and mitochondria to signal mammary gland involution
Authors: Hennigar Stephen R , Sharma Supriya , Seo Young Ah , Kelleher Shannon L 
Published: June 2021

Post‐lactation, the mammary gland (MG) undergoes massive apoptotic‐ and lysosomal‐mediated cell death and involutes back to the pre‐pregnant state. Recent data from our lab suggests zinc (Zn) import into specific intracellular compartments regulates this process. We found that the Zn transporter ZnT2 imports Zn into vesicles, which is required for Zn transfer into milk during lactation. In addition, ZnT2 imports Zn into mitochondria, which decreases ATP and activates apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells (MECs). Thus, we hypothesized that ZnT2‐mediated Zn accumulation into lysosomes and mitochondria signals MG involution (INVO). We determined that ZnT2 accumulates in lysosomes using sucrose gradient fractionation of MG from involuting mice. This increased lysosomal Zn and activity of the Zn‐dependent lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase (AP), a marker of INVO. ZnT2 overexpressed in MECs in vitro co‐localized with lysosomes (LAMP1) and mitochondria (Mitotracker) and increased AP activity, apoptosis and cell death. ZnT2 overexpressed in MG using a recombinant adenovirus in vivo increased mitochondrial Zn, activated apoptosis and increased AP activity, which activated premature INVO. Collectively, these data suggest Zn accumulation into lysosomes and mitochondria acts as a regulatory signal to induce MG INVO. Dysregulation in this process may lead to premature INVO and suboptimal lactation.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIH R01 HD058614 to SLK
Caveolin‐1 silencing induces the inhibition of osteosarcoma cells proliferation
Authors: Gasperi-Campani Anna , Pancotti Fabia , Roncuzzi Laura 
Published: June 2021

Caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1) is a multifunctional scaffolding protein regulating multiple processes in cancer. A growing body of evidence links elevated expression of Cav‐1 to an aggressive phenotype of cancer cells and to a poor prognosis in several tumors. In this study, we analyzed the effect of Cav‐1 silencing in cell lines from osteosarcoma (OS), the most common primary malignancy of the bone, where metastasis is a primary cause of death, despite intensive chemotherapy and surgical resections. We utilized cancer cell lines in which we first found Cav‐1 expressed at high levels and we knocked‐down it by small interfering RNA (siRNA) duplex. Results show that siRNA‐mediated down‐regulation of Cav‐1 caused a highly significant reduction of protein levels in each cell line. 72 hours after transfection, fresh medium was added to the cells, which were maintained in culture for further three days and the inhibition of Cav‐1 expression remained stable up to that time. Cav‐1 inhibition in OS cells induced a marked increase in the expression of p21 and a significant decrease of cyclin E/CDK2, phosphoRb and Akt, associated with the scaffolding domain of Cav‐1 and which down‐regulates p21 expression. These findings indicate that Cav‐1 silencing may represent a new potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma treatment and provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the tumor‐promoting functions of the protein.Grants from MIUR (RFO, PRIN), Roberto Pallottiˈs Legacy for Cancer Research, Cornelia Pallottiˈs Legacy for Cancer Research, University of Bologna, Italy
Late remodeling of extracellular matrix after acute inflammatory injury or chronic distension
Authors: Prist Iryna Hirata , Salles Alessandra Grassi , de Lima Salgado Thais M. , de Souza Heraldo Possolo 
Published: June 2021

Extracellular matrix remodeling is a crucial step in the healing process after inflammatory or infectious insult. We studied the role of matrix metalloproteinases in models of disease secondary to an acute inflammatory injury (burned skin) or chronic aggression (skin from obese patients submitted to gastroplasty).Skin samples were extracted using a 4 mm punch from abdomen of patients in late post‐operative of bariatric surgery, recovered from third degree burns or control subjects. RNA was extracted by TRIzol and evaluated by quantitative PCR. MMPs activity was determined by zymography.In skin from burned patients, MMPs 2 and 9 expression was not different from control subjects. Obese patients present a higher MMP2 expression, compared to controls (2.4±0.56 × 1.0±0.1, respectively, p<0.05), however MMP9 mRNA was not detectable in these patients, even when conventional PCR was used. Interestingly, in spite of higher mRNA amounts, MMP2 activity was reduced in burned patients compared to controls (1.3±0.1 × 2.6±0.5 A.U., respectively, p<0.05), while MMP9 activity had a large variability, preventing any conclusion.We conclude that an acute inflammatory stimulus leads to late decreased MMP2 activity, what can explain the extensive fibrosis observed in these patients. In a more prolonged injury, due to chronic skin distension caused by obesity, MMP9 expression is affected leading to flabby skin deposits.
Effect of incorporating avocados in meals on self‐reported subjective feelings related to satiety in healthy overweight adults
Authors: Sabaté Joan , Wien Michelle , Haddad Ella 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundAvocados are a rich source of fiber and monounsaturated, which are nutritional factors linked to enhanced satiety. The benefit of consuming avocados at a meal on post‐meal satiety is unknown.Aim and MethodsA randomized 3×3 single‐blind crossover design (three 1‐day study periods scheduled 1 week apart) in 26 healthy overweight adults (16 women,10 men; mean±SD age 40.8±11.0 years; BMI 28.1±2.4 kg/m2) was conducted. Subjects consumed a standardized breakfast meal containing 25% of their daily energy needs on each of the 3 days, followed by 1 of 3 lunch meals [Control, avocado‐free (35% of daily energy needs); isocaloric Avocado Inclusive (AI; 35% of daily energy needs); and, Avocado Added (AA; 41% of daily energy needs). Visual analog scales (VAS) were administered 30, 60, 120, 180 and 300 minutes after the start of the lunch meal to assess subjective feelings related to satiety. The area under the curve (AUC; %*min) was evaluated using the trapezoidal method (mixed model included treatment and phase as fixed effects and subjects nested within sequence as random effects).ResultsThere was no significant difference between the 3 treatments in the AUC for the self‐reported subjective feelings related to satiety (P = 0.19–0.87).ConclusionThe inclusion or addition of avocado to a lunch meal does not influence self‐reported subjective feelings related to satiety over a 5 hour post‐meal period.Funded by the Hass Avocado Board