bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Apoptotic signaling is augmented in the preeclamptic placenta (796.9)
Authors: Horvat Darijana , Leonard Dean , Allen Steven , Jones Richard , Beeram Madhava , Kuehl Thomas , Uddin Mohammad 
Published: June 2021

Objective: Preeclampsia (preE), a syndrome of hypertension and proteinuria in pregnancy, is thought to be initiated with alterations of placental function. Hypoxia and oxidative stress can lead to placental apoptosis. We assessed apoptotic signaling in tissues from patients and rats with or without preE. Methods: Samples of placenta and umbilical cord were collected from 10 normal pregnant (NP) and 10 preE consenting patients in an IRB approved prospective study. Ten rats with preE and 10 NP rats also were used. Apoptotic and stress signaling protein (Bax, Bcl2, Cox‐2) expression and p38 MAPK phosphorylation were assayed by western blot and immunohistochemistry. Comparisons were performed using ANOVA with Duncan’s post‐hoc test. Results: Expression of Bax (Placenta: 1.2 fold, Cord: 1.5 fold), Bcl2 (Placenta: 1.7 fold, Cord: 1.7 fold), Cox‐2 (Placenta: 0.8 fold, Cord: 2.5 fold) and p38 MAPK phosphorylation (Placenta: 1.5 fold, Cord: 1.7 fold) were up‐regulated (p<0.05) in placental tissues and umbilical cords of preE compared to NP patients. Apoptotic signaling was upregulated in preE rat placentas (Bax: 1.4 fold, Bcl2: 2.3 fold, Cox‐2: 2.5 fold, p38: 3.0 fold) compared to controls. Conclusions: Apoptotic signaling is augmented in preE which may lead to reduced nutrient transport capacity triggering placenta release of vascular factors that produce maternal vascular responses characteristic of this syndrome.Grant Funding Source: N/A
Characterizing intragenic suppressors of constitutively active alleles of Gs alpha (802.6)
Authors: Turcic Kyle , Dafour Alison , Carroll Julie , Rylaarsdam Robin 
Published: June 2021

Constitutive activity of Gs alpha is associated with several human diseases, including McCune‐Albright Syndrome (MAS). In this genetic disorder, Arg201 is mutated to His, Cys, or Ser, resulting in inhibition of GTP hydrolysis and subsequent overactivation of adenylyl cyclase and elevated basal cAMP levels. Previous studies identified three intragenic suppressor sites that blocked the constitutive activity caused by R201H: F142, R231, and L266. These mutations did not by themselves alter the activity of Gs alpha. The intragenic suppressors were examined for their ability to block the other MAS alleles. F142S and R231C suppressed the constitutive activity of both of MAS alleles. L266N suppressed R201S, and is currently being tested for the ability to block the constitutive activity of R201C. Thus, the intragenic suppressors may be useful drug targeting sites for MAS mutations generally, not just for R201H‐caused cases of the disease.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIH grant 1R15ED020190‐01
Postnatal injection of homocysteic acid leads to the development of behaviors consistent with major‐depressive disorder in female, but not male, Sprague Dawley rats (803.11)
Authors: Flores Guillermo , Johnson Jacob , Barney Christopher , Chase Leah 
Published: June 2021

Recent evidence suggests that hyperfunction of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors (NMDA) may be an important factor in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). The NMDA receptor agonist, homocysteic acid (HCA), is an endogenous compound that is formed from the oxidation of homocysteine. Since hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for several disorders, including MDD, we sought to test the hypothesis that elevated HCA levels in developing rats may lead to changes in NMDA receptor expression and the development of behaviors associated MDD. To test this hypothesis, we performed daily intraperitoneal injections of either HCA or saline in postnatal male and female rats for 14 days beginning at day P2. Six weeks later, we observed that female, HCA‐treated rats displayed increased risk‐taking behavior, anhedonia, deficits in pre‐pulse inhibition, and increased sensitivity to pain compared to control and male‐HCA treated rats, but no difference in motor performance or weight gain over the course of the experiment. Consistent with these findings, we observed that HCA exposure led to an increase in the expression of the NMDA E2 subunit and GAD‐67 in the cortex of female, but not male, rats. Given that MDD is sexually dimporphic and observed more often in females compared to males, these data suggest that early postnatal exposure to HCA may serve as an excellent animal model for MDD. This research was supported by the Hope College Neuroscience Program, Biology Department and Chemistry Department, and NSF‐REU # 0851194.Grant Funding Source: NSF‐REU # 0851194
Regulation of MOR‐1 variants during chronic morphine exposure in differentiated and undifferentiated SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells (803.9)
Authors: Monestime Peterson , Redmon Natalie , Goodman Carl 
Published: June 2021

Morphine and other analgesic drugs play a crucial role in pain modulation therapy. Morphine is an effective analgesic that functions by binding to the mu‐opioid receptor (MOR). Chronic administration of morphine leads severe side effects such as respiratory depression and the development of tolerance. There are several hypotheses about the development of tolerance, which include internalization, down regulation, and phosphorylation. Studies have identified several MOR‐1 variants, however their function is still unclear. The present study explores the regulation of the MOR‐1 spliced variant forms Mor1A, MorB1, B2, B3, B5 and Mor1‐K1 after chronic treatment with morphine (in differentiated and undifferentiated SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The SH‐SY5Y cells were grown in (1:1) DMEM/F‐12 media at 37°C, 95%air/5%CO2 and differentiated to a mature neuronal cell type using Retinoic acid (10μM) for six days. The cells where chronically treated with morphine (10μM) for 24 hours. Real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR is used to determine the changes in MOR‐1 and its variants expression. The results revealed that chronic morphine treatment caused a significant decrease in the MOR‐1 gene expression of differentiated SH‐SY5Y cells. Further studies will be performed to see if the expression of the MOR‐1 variants is also regulated after chronic morphine treatment in the SH‐SY5Y cells. In conclusion, these findings show that human SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells serve as a useful model to investigate MOR‐1 variants and their role in opioid tolerance.Grant Funding Source: NIH‐NIMHD G12MD007582
Design and validation of program to detect the gaps between micronutrients intake and their recommended values (804.11)
Authors: Biesalski Hans , Jati Ignasius , Widmer Christian , Gola Ute , Lambert Christine 
Published: June 2021

Micronutrient malnutrition (Hidden Hunger) is a burden for both developing and developed countries. To evaluate micronutrient intake, biochemical data are not very useful and food frequency questionnaires are time consuming and need a trained interviewer. The aim of our approach was to create an innovative, easy to use, and informative web‐based application to calculate the micronutrients intake based on the traditional and locally available diet.The Calculator of Inadequate Micronutrient Intake (CIMI) program is based on food survey data of Indonesian foods (122 foods) from 68800 household and was implemented in HTML5. CIMI was validated using data of children (n=118) and female adults (n=124) and the results were compared to data derived from using Nutrisurvey (NS).The average intake of energy and nutrients calculated using CIMI and NS were similar. Calculation by CIMI and NS with respect to two thirds of RNI as cut‐off showed that there were subjects with inadequate intake of energy and nutrients (Vitamin A, iron, zinc). High percentage of predictive value and a strong correlation between CIMI and NS were observed.CIMI is a simple tool to rapidly calculate the energy, nutrient intakes, and percentage of nutrient fulfillment, thus, can assist in detecting the gap between actual and required micronutrient intake and can be used to suggest changes in dietary patterns to improve nutrition quality.
Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in high Andean Ecuadorian children (804.13)
Authors: Mokhtar Rana , Hamer Davidson , Griffiths Jeffrey , Sempertegui Fernando , Estrella Bertha , Moore Lynn , Holick Michael 
Published: June 2021

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a global public health problem. Vitamin D levels in Andean Ecuador have been assumed to be sufficient given its equatorial high altitude, which is conducive to cutaneous production of vitamin D3. However, there is a dearth of data on 25(OH)D status in children in Andean Latin America.Objective: To determine the vitamin D status of children ages 6‐36 months residing in Quito, Ecuador who were categorized into normal, mildly, or clearly underweight, based on weight‐for‐age z‐scores (WAZ).Design: This study was conducted among a sub‐sample of subjects participating in a 2x2 factorial randomized controlled trial of Vitamin A and Zinc Prevention of Pneumonia (VAZPOP); 2400 children residing in 5 neighborhoods of northwestern Quito, received 48 weeks of supplementation with vitamin A, zinc, or both. Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as a serum 25(OH)D concentration of 20‐29 ng/mL and deficiency as < 20 ng/mL. Serum 25(OH)D levels were assayed using an automated immunoassay system (Immunodiagnostics Systems).Results: Of the 526 children studied, 183 (35%) were vitamin D deficient and 235 (45%) were insufficient, while only 108 (20%) had adequate serum levels (>29 ng/mL). Older children (蠅12 months) were less likely to be vitamin D sufficient than infants (<12 months) (OR=0.58, 95% CI:0.33 ‐0.89). Mildly and clearly underweight children were less likely to have sufficient 25(OH)D levels compared with normal weight children (OR=0.50, 95% CI:0.31 ‐0.89) and (OR=0.51, 95% CI:0.33 ‐0.80), respectively. Socio‐economic status indicators were not significant determinants of 25(OH)D status.Conclusions: Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were common (80%) in Ecuadorian children despite residence at equatorial high altitude. Pediatric supplementation with vitamin D and/or food fortification is warranted. Further studies are needed to ascertain other determinants of vitamin D deficiency in this region.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Sight and Life
Low vitamin D intake is associated with anemia in women of reproductive age in Vietnam (804.17)
Authors: Smith Ellen , Gonzalez‐Casanova Ines , Nguyen Phuong , Nguyen Hieu , Pham Hoa , Truong Truong , Nguyen Son , Martorell Reynaldo , Ramakrishnan Usha 
Published: June 2021

We used baseline data from the PRECONCEPT study (a preconceptual micronutrient trial) to examine associations between vitamin D intake and anemia (hemoglobin < 12 g/dL) in 4961 Vietnamese women of reproductive age.Nutrient intake was estimated using a semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire and Vietnamese food composition tables. Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with vitamin D intake and anemia, respectively.Mean hemoglobin concentration was 13.0 ± 1.4 g/dL and 19.6% were anemic. Median daily vitamin D intake was 0.2 µg (IQR: 0.4), below the recommended intake of 15 µg/day. Age, being a farmer, food insecurity, and body mass index were inversely associated with vitamin D intake (p<0.001), and socioeconomic status, total energy intake, and level of education were positively associated with vitamin D intake (p<0.001) in multiple linear regression analysis with vitamin D intake as the outcome. Vitamin D intake was significantly associated with the risk of anemia and, the association remained significant after adjusting for age and total energy intake (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.92).In conclusion, vitamin D intake was associated with better social status, and greater vitamin D intake may be protective of anemia.Supported by The Micronutrient Initiative and the Mathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of rural women from Sidama zone, southern Ethiopia concerning iodized salt, iodine and goiter (804.19)
Authors: Gebreegziabher Tafere , Stoecker Barbara 
Published: June 2021

Iodine deficiency remains a public health problem in Ethiopia and in the study area despite a proclamation in 2011 that all salt for human consumption should be iodized. A community‐based cross‐sectional study assessed prevalence of goiter and KAP of 193 randomly selected women. The mean (SD) age was 25.6 (8.1) years and the mean household size was 5.7 (2.1). Of the women 48.7% had no education, 17.6% knew some reading, 25.4% had attended or completed elementary school and 8.3% attended or completed high school. Goiter was assessed in 191 women by palpation; 23% had visible and an additional 33% had palpable goiter. Of the participants, 93.8% said they didn’t use iodized salt and 87.6% didn’t know the benefits of iodized salt. Of the 24 women who reported knowing the benefits of iodized salt, 23 said it prevents goiter but none mentioned cognitive effects. The women suggested causes of goiter to be drinking dirty water, drinking tap water, drinking rain water, but only two women said lack of iodine. The only apparent source of iodine for this population was iodized salt; however the salt contained minimal and inconsistent amounts of iodine. Lack of iodized salt may be further compounded by handling, storage, and cooking techniques. Although prevalence of goiter is high and visible in the community, knowledge of causes and prevention of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is minimal. Education and monitoring programs are required to combat IDD in Ethiopia.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Nestlé Foundation and Oklahoma State University
Zinc deficiency facilitates disease progression in early HIV infected adults in Botswana (804.26)
Authors: Luisi Sonya , Campa Adriana , Martinez Sabrina , Bussmann Hermann , Farahani Mansour , Makhema Joseph , Marlink Richard , Baum Marianna 
Published: June 2021

Objective: Zinc deficiency facilitates HIV disease progression in late stages of the disease. We examined the association between plasma zinc levels with CD4 cell count and HIV viral load in asymptomatic, ART naïve HIV+ adults in Botswana.Methods: A secondary analysis from the Nutrient Therapy in Botswana for zinc deficiency (plasma zinc<0.75mg/L) with CD4+ cell count, and log10 HIV viral load, used Mixed Model Linear Regressions from Baseline to 6‐months.Results: Among the 133 participants, mean age was 33.84, 52.21% were male and CD4 cell count was 463.69±162.05 cells/µL . The prevalence of zinc deficiency was 75.94%. Those with zinc deficiency had higher baseline viral load (4.19 vs. 3.64 log10 copies/mL). Over 6 months, participants with zinc deficiency had a lower CD4+ cell count [β=46.138, p=0.0503], and higher HIV viral load [β=‐0.2299, p=0.0518] controlling for age and gender.Conclusion: Zinc deficiency appears to have a detrimental effect on disease progression in HIV‐infected asymptomatic, ART naive adults. Further studies on the effect of normalizing zinc status and the mechanism through which adequate zinc contributes to slower disease progression are needed.Grant Funding Source: NIDA
Vitamin D and incidence of mortality, morbidity, and growth failure among a cohort of HIV‐infected and HIV‐exposed Tanzanian infants (804.5)
Authors: Sudfeld Christopher , Duggan Christopher , Aboud Said , Kupka Roland , Manji Karim , Kisenge Rodrick , Fawzi Wafaie 
Published: June 2021

Methods: Serum 25(OH)D was quantified by HPLC‐MS/MS at 5‐7 weeks of age for 253 HIV‐infected and 948 HIV‐exposed (uninfected) infants enrolled in a trial of multivitamins (not including vitamin D) conducted in Tanzania. Infants were prospectively followed at monthly clinic visits for 24 months.Results: The association of 25(OH)D with mortality appeared to be U‐shaped for both HIV‐infected and HIV‐exposed infants. After adjustment, 25(OH)D 蠅30 ng/mL (classically defined as sufficient) was significantly associated with increased mortality as compared to 25(OH)D 蠅20 and <30 ng/mL for HIV‐infected (HR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.13‐5.44; p=0.02) and HIV‐exposed infants (HR: 4.00; 95% CI: 1.67‐9.58; p<0.01). 25(OH)D levels <10 ng/mL also appeared to be associated with increased risk of mortality as compared to 蠅20 and <30 ng/mL in both groups, but results were not statistically significant. Among HIV‐exposed infants, 25(OH)D <10 ng/mL was significantly associated with incidence of wasting (p<0.01) and oral candidiasis (p=0.04), while 25(OH)D 蠅30 ng/mL was associated with increased diagnosis of malaria (p<0.01).Conclusion: These results suggest a complex relationship of vitamin D with infant mortality and morbidity in the context of HIV. Trials of vitamin D supplements appear to need rigorous monitoring of safety, particularly for malaria, among those who reach high vitamin D levels in this setting.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NICHD, NIAID and Harvard
Multi‐causal determinants of anemia among women of reproductive age in Vietnam (804.7)
Authors: Nguyen Phuong , Gonzalez‐Casanova Ines , Nguyen Hieu , Pham Hoa , Truong Truong , Nguyen Son , Martorell Reynaldo , Ramakrishnan Usha 
Published: June 2021

We examined the determinants of anemia using data obtained at baseline from 4986 women of reproductive age participating in a micronutrient supplementation trial in rural, North Vietnam. Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured from capillary blood samples using Hemocue. Plasma ferritin and retinol binding protein (RBP) were measured using the ELISA method. The prevalence of anemia (Hb<12 g/l), iron deficiency (Fe<12 µg/L), insufficient iron stores (Fe<30 µg/L) and iron deficiency anemia were 19.7%, 3.5%, 14.4% and 1.9%, respectively. The results using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques showed that ferritin concentration (0.29 per log‐mg/dl), number of children (‐0.19), and socioeconomic status (0.09) were directly associated with Hb concentration (p<0.05 for all). RBP was associated with Hb both directly (0.28 mg/dl) and indirectly (0.09 mg/dl) through ferritin (p<0.001), and hookworm infection was indirectly associated with Hb (‐0.11) through RBP and ferritin (p=0.025). Meat consumption, occupation, education, owning a hygienic toilet, and food insecurity however were not associated with Hb. Contrary to expectations, iron deficiency accounted for a very small proportion of anemia. These findings demonstrate the complex etiology of anemia and provide a useful framework that could be used to target and evaluate appropriate strategies for the prevention of anemia in similar settings and other populations.Supported by the Micronutrient Initiative and the Mathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition
Anemia, vitamin B12, and folate statuses during pregnancy, and their association with obstetric outcomes among HIV‐infected Ugandan women receiving ART (804.8)
Authors: Finkelstein Julia , Plenty Albert , Mehta Saurabh , Natureeba Paul , Clark Tamara , Kamya Moses , Charlebois Edwin , Cohan Deborah , Havlir Diane , Young Sera 
Published: June 2021

There are limited data on the micronutrient status or the sequelae of micronutrient deficiencies among HIV‐infected pregnant women, particularly in resource‐limited settings. Therefore, we examined the prevalence of anemia, and vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies, and their associations with pregnancy outcomes among 140 HIV‐infected pregnant women receiving antiretroviral therapy in rural Uganda (NCT00993031). Micronutrient status was assessed at enrollment in the study; binomial and linear regression models were used to evaluate the associations between maternal micronutrient status at baseline and pregnancy outcomes. Anemia was common; 45% of women were anemic (Hb<11.0 g/dL); 7% were vitamin B12 insufficient (<200 pmol/L), and 29% of women were folate deficient (<4 ng/mL) at enrollment. Maternal anemia during pregnancy predicted a two‐fold greater risk of low birth weight (RR: 2.22; p=0.03), with a 26% lower risk of low birth weight per g/dL increase in baseline hemoglobin (RR: 0.74; p=0.02). Higher maternal serum folate concentrations were associated with lower risk of preterm birth (RR: 0.85; p=0.04), and increased birth weight (mean difference per ng/mL increase in folate levels: 41.8 g; p<0.01). Anemia and folate deficiency were common in pregnancy in HIV‐infected pregnant women, and predicted increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIMH, NICHD, and PEPFAR.
DHA promotes presynaptic terminal maturation and function (804.9)
Authors: Nagendran Tharkika , Xiao Yan , Kuang Chenzhong , McMahon Robert , Hondmann Dirk , Marion Taylor Anne 
Published: June 2021

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega‐3 fatty acid enriched in the brain. Several studies have shown that DHA is an essential component for proper brain development and function. Though DHA is implicated to have a strong role in learning and memory, its role in regulating presynaptic function specifically remains unclear. To test if DHA is involved in promoting presynaptic function, we used microfluidic chambers to isolate hippocampal axons and presented them with poly‐lysine‐coated beads to induce presynaptic terminal formation. Both somatodendritic and axonal compartments were treated with either 20μm DHA or Vehicle (DMSO). Presynaptic terminals in DHA‐treated chambers show increased expression of active zone and synaptic vesicle‐associated proteins, Bassoon and Synapsin I compared to controls. In addition, DHA treatment increased synaptic vesicle pool size at the boutons, assessed by using FM dyes. The functional role of DHA in synaptic transmission was tested using FM dye unloading of synaptic vesicles in response to field stimulation. DHA treatment increased the rate of FM dye unloading compared to controls at both 9 days in vitro and 14 days in vitro. These results indicate that in hippocampal neurons, DHA enrichment increases the expression of presynaptic markers, and leads to increased synaptic vesicle pool size and synaptic vesicle release. Together, the data suggest that DHA enhances presynaptic terminal maturation and function.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Mead Johnson Nutrition
Household food security status is associated with anemia risk at 18 months among low income infants in Massachusetts (805.12)
Authors: Metallinos‐Katsaras Elizabeth , Siu Elizabeth , Colchamiro Rachel 
Published: June 2021

Both household (HH) food insecurity and infancy anemia are important public health concerns. This study examined the association between food security status (FSS) over the prior 12 month period and anemia (hemoglobin (Hgb)<11.0 g/dL) at 18 (± 3) months (mos)) among low‐income infants participating in MA/WIC (2001‐2009). All infants who were not anemic at 12 months, had Hgb and HH FSS measurements at 18 mos (representing the prior 12 mos) and data on covariates were included. Multivariate logistic regression controlling for child’s gender, race, breastfeeding duration, maternal education, and HH size was used. The sample (n=17,831) was diverse (56% non‐white), 20% lived in food insecure HHs, and 12% had anemia at 18 months. Infants living in HHs reporting low food security were 42% more likely (AOR (95% CI)=1.42 (1.27‐1.60) to have developed anemia by their 18 month visit compared to those living in food secure HHs. Other predictors of anemia risk were race/ethnicity, higher HH size; and < 12 years of maternal education. Low food security appears to affect risk of infancy anemia in this low‐income population. Funding: ERS/USDAGrant Funding Source: ERS/USDA