bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gastrointestinal biotransformation of resveratrol in mice
Authors: Li Fang , Sun Yue , Song Mingyue , Wu Xian , Xiao Hang 
Published: June 2021

Resveratrol, a stilbenoid compound present in various berries, has been associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, obesity and diabetes. Accumulated evidence indicates that biotransformation plays important roles in the biological activities of dietary compounds. We investigated the gastrointestinal biotransformation of resveratrol in mice fed with resveratrol for 5 weeks. LC‐MS analysis revealed that the major site of biotransformation for resveratrol was the small intestine, although there was a low degree of biotransformation occurring in the stomach. In the small intestine, resveratrol underwent phase I metabolism to produce dihydroresveratrol and piceatannol. Subsequently, resveratrol, dihydroresveratrol and piceatannol all underwent phase II metabolism to yield their corresponding sulfate and glucuronide conjugates. However, in the colon, resveratrol, dihydroresveratrol and piceatannol mainly existed in the non‐conjugated forms, presumably due to the deconjugation by colonic microbiota. Moreover, the level of dihydroresveratrol in the colon was much higher that of resveratrol, suggesting that dihydroresveratrol may be essential for potential beneficial biological effects in the colon, such as anti‐inflammation and anti‐carcinogenesis. In summary, our results provided detailed information on the metabolic fate of resveratrol in the gastrointestinal tract, which is important for better understanding of the health benefits of resveratrol.Support or Funding InformationThis study was supported by funding from USDA.
Programming Effects of Infant Diet on Cholesterol/Bile Acid Synthesis and Absorption in Piglets
Authors: Mercer Kelly E , Diaz‐Rubio Maria Elena , Bhattacharyya Sudeepa , Sharma Neha , Yeruva Laxmi 
Published: June 2021

Unlike breast milk, infant milk formula contains little cholesterol, and requirements necessary for normal growth and development are met through increased endogenous cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Human studies looking at the long‐term metabolic implications of manipulating cholesterol homeostasis during infancy have reported lower circulating cholesterol and triglycerides in adults that were breast fed when compared those that received formula. To determine the molecular etiology of diet‐associated changes in early‐life cholesterol metabolism, we employed a neonatal piglet feeding model to investigate differences in cholesterol homeostasis between two infant diets (sow's milk and a cow's milk‐based formula). Male and female piglets (n=12) were breast fed and compared to piglets (n=12) receiving a commercially available milk‐based formula from postnatal day 2 to day 21. As expected, we observed a significant up‐regulation of liver transcripts associated with hepatic cholesterol synthesis, including 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐Co‐A synthase (HMGCS1) and reductase (HMGR) in formula fed piglets. Using a non‐targeted metabolomic approach in the liver, we identified 47 significant features that differed between breast fed and formula fed piglets. Pathway analysis identified taurine metabolism and bile acid metabolism among the top pathways elevated in formula fed piglets compared to those breast fed. Presently, we have confirmed increases in hepatic taurine (p=0.02), taurochenodeoxycholic acid (p=0.002) and glycoursodexoycholic acid, (p=0.002) and a decrease in taurocholic acid (p=0.01) in the formula fed group compared to breast fed piglets. Consistent with these data, in formula fed males and females we also observed a significant increase in cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase (CYP7A1) mRNA and protein expression (p<0.05), indicating excessive bile acid production. In the liver farnesoid X receptor (FXR) regulation of bile acid synthesis and export were intact. We observed a significant decrease in CYP8B1 mRNA expression, with 2‐fold increases in mRNA expression of the bile acid export pump (BSEP) and multidrug resistance protein 2 (MDR2), p<0.05. In females, intestinal mRNA expression of the cholesterol pathway regulator fibroblast factor 19 (FGF 19) was reduced by 4‐fold in response to the formula diet (p<0.05), suggesting that loss of intestinal FGF19 signaling is responsible for the increase in CYP7A1 expression. In conclusion, formula feeding elicits profound metabolic programming effects on hepatic and intestinal regulation of cholesterol/bile acid metabolism in a neonatal piglet model of human infant nutrition.Support or Funding InformationThis work was funded by USDA‐ARS Project 6026‐5100‐010‐05S.
Comparison of Morphology and Bending Mechanics of Femora in Response to Chronic Exercise in Three Strains of Mice
Authors: Middleton Kevin M , Peacock Sarah J , Coats Brittney R , Kirkland J Kyle , Garland Theodore 
Published: June 2021

Analyses of bone cross‐sectional geometry are frequently used to predict the loading histories of past populations. We investigated the interplay between genetic background and exercise, as well as the relationship between bone cross‐sectional geometry and bending mechanics, in three mouse strains: high bone density (C3H/He), low bone density (C57BL/6), and a high‐runner strain homozygous for the Myh4Minimsc allele (MM). Each strain was divided into exercise (wheel) or control (no wheel) treatment groups. After seven weeks, morphometric and mechanical loading analyses were conducted on dissected femora. Comparisons of exercise versus control treatments revealed no significant differences within any strain, although exercising MM mice ran significantly more than their C3H/He and C57BL/6 counterparts (P < 0.001). Thus, predictions that exercise would alter bone phenotype were not supported in this sample. Results of cross‐sectional geometry predicted that MM femora would be most resistant to bending forces and C3H/He femora least resistant. Mechanical tests, however, showed that C3H/He mice had significantly stiffer bones than both MM (P < 0.001) and C57BL/6 (P < 0.001) mice. Thus, predictions of low bending strength in C3H/He femora, made without factoring in their high mineral content, were not supported. Overall, we did not find the expected associations between exercise, cross‐sectional geometry, and mechanical properties. Accordingly, our results suggest that predicting loading response from cross‐sectional geometry alone only partially informs such hypotheses. Our study questions common paleoanthropological conventions in which bone mineral composition is assumed to be constant, and differences in cross‐sectional geometry are interpreted as indicative of differential loading regimes.Support or Funding InformationThis project was supported by an EARDA award from National Institutes of Health National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (KMM), the University of Missouri Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences (SJP, KMM), the University of Missouri Bond Life Sciences Fellowship program (SJP), the California State University, San Bernardino Department of Biology (BRC, KMM), Associated Students Incorporated of California State University, San Bernardino (BRC), the University of Missouri School of Medicine (JKK), and the National Science Foundation (TG, Jr.; IOB‐0543429).
Gastrointestinal Microbial Changes Following Whole Grain Barley and Oat Consumption in Healthy Men and Women
Authors: Thompson Sharon V. , Swanson Kelly S. , Novotny Janet A. , Baer David J. , Holscher Hannah D. 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundWhole grain fiber consumption is a promising approach to positively alter the human gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends half of all grain servings be consumed as whole grains to minimize chronic disease risk. However, little is known about the effects of whole grain barley and oat consumption in their whole food forms on GI microbial profiles in healthy individuals.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the impact of whole grain barley and oat consumption on the GI microbiota in healthy men and women and determine whether effects of whole grain consumption on the GI microbiota are associated with metabolic and immunological improvements.MethodsA 6‐week randomized, double‐blinded, parallel‐arm, controlled‐feeding intervention was undertaken in healthy adults (n=68) fed at weight maintenance. Male and female participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) a control diet containing 0.8 daily servings of whole grain/1800 kcal, 2) a diet containing 4.4 daily servings of whole grain barley/1800 kcal or 3) a diet containing 4.4 daily servings of whole grain oats/1800 kcal. Blood, urine, and fecal samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the intervention period for metabolic, immunologic, and microbial analyses. Bacterial, fungal, and archaeal sequences were generated using an Illumina MiSeq and analyzed with QIIME 1.8. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4.ResultsPrior to treatments, associations between bacterial taxa and host metabolism were observed. The Bacteriodes:Firmicutes ratio was negatively correlated with BMI (r=−0.31, p=0.009). The abundance of Bifidobacterium was negatively correlated with age (r=−0.40, p=0.0008). Alternatively, Collinsella was positively correlated with age (r=0.26, p=0.03), LDL cholesterol (r=0.21, p=0.09), and triglycerides (r=0.23, p=0.06). Microbial community structure was affected by whole grain barley and oat consumption. Total species richness was higher in participants consuming oats compared with control (p=0.01). Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) of UniFrac distances between samples based on their 97% OTU composition and abundances indicated that the microbiota of participants within a treatment were more similar than between treatments (p=0.03).ConclusionsOur findings are congruent with previous research demonstrating associations between the GI microbiota, weight status, age, and serum lipids. Ecological analyses revealed that whole grain barley and oats induced changes in the microbial community structure of the Gl microbiota. Additional study is ongoing to delineate the microbial taxa driving these shifts and the interrelationships among changes in the GI microbiota and metabolic improvements.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by USDA and the Kellogg Company.
Parents of Preschoolers: Weight‐Related Cognitions and Behaviors
Authors: Martin‐Biggers Jennifer T , Quick Virginia , Povis‐Alleman Gayle , Hongu Nobuko , Worobey John , Byrd‐Bredbenner Carol 
Published: June 2021

Parents are gatekeepers of the home environment; their weight‐related cognitions and behaviors have a strong likelihood of affecting child growth, development, and body fatness. The purpose of this study was to benchmark weight‐related (diet, physical activity [PA], and sleep) cognitions and behaviors of 702 parents of preschool children (ages 2 to 5 years) at the outset of their participation in the HomeStyles childhood obesity prevention randomized controlled trial via survey. Participants were 92% female, 58% white, aged 32.40±5.78SD years. Analysis of parent dietary behaviors showed limited fruit/vegetable intake (21.51±8.44SD on a 0–56 point scale); intake from sugar sweetened beverages was 101.77±117.03SD calories/day and percent calories from fat was 37.07±6.18. Parents reported eating family meals 12.82±4.84SD times/week (most frequently dinner followed by breakfast) with most meals (4.83±2.35 days/week) eaten at a dining table, but were ambivalent about planning family meals (3.45±1.03SD) and expending effort to prepare meals (3.55±0.90SD). An examination of diet‐related cognitions using 5‐point scales revealed that parents felt family meals were important (4.38±0.70SD), rated their family meals as calm (4.02±0.90SD), were fairly neutral about the importance of modeling healthy eating to their children (3.63±0.78SD), and tended to not pressure children to eat (2.33±1.00SD) or use food to reward children for desired behavior (2.43±0.79SD). Parent PA behaviors were low, averaging 15.9±9.99SD on a 0–42 point scale with 85% of parents exceeding the 2 hour recommended daily screentime limit. With regard to PA cognitions, 5‐point scale results indicated that parents felt it was important to model PA to children (3.92±0.83SD) but scored lower on actually modeling PA behavior (3.25±1.27SD) and engaging in PA with children (3.69±1.84SD) despite reporting fairly good access to PA opportunities in and around their homes (3.59±0.63SD) and strongly agreeing there were many health benefits to exercising (4.43±0.60SD). Results indicate that parents barely met minimum recommendations for sleep (7.08+1.27SD hours/night) and reported only moderate sleep quality (3.21+0.91SD; 5‐point scale). Parents tended to disagree that they were concerned about their children's risk for becoming overweight (2.07±1.06SD). Parents’ weight‐related cognitions and behaviors coupled with their limited concern about overweight risk in children indicate important opportunities for promoting simple changes in the home environment that may help protect family health and well‐being.Support or Funding InformationUSDA NIFA #2011‐68001‐30170
HomeStyles: Recruitment Strategies for a Childhood Obesity Prevention Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Martin‐Biggers Jennifer T , Delaney Colleen , Koenings Mallory , Byrd‐Bredbenner Carol 
Published: June 2021

Participant recruitment is one of the biggest challenges when conducting research. HomeStyles is an online 18‐month childhood obesity prevention randomized control trial with intervention families receiving weight‐related diet, activity, and sleep instructional guides and control families receiving home safety guides. A literature review of recruitment strategies was conducted and a systematic plan for recruitment was created and iteratively refined to be responsive to emerging and receding opportunities. All methods used program branded printed materials, uniform scripted communications on cash stipends and nonfinancial benefits of participation, and brief study description to establish credibility. The following recruitment efforts were used: 1) emails posted to listservs of workplaces, philanthropic, community, preschools/day care centers, professional associations, extracurricular activity groups sent ≥3 times over 16 month recruitment period; 2) postings to websites, such as online community newspapers, local businesses, parent blogs, and HealthyHomeStyles.com intervention site; 3) social media, including project Facebook and Pinterest pages; 4) printed newspapers and child cooking magazine articles (i.e., ChopChop); 5) face‐to‐face recruitment at community events, parent resource centers, WIC offices, farm markets; 6) community partners who distributed program branded printed informational flyers at their sites (e.g., community centers, pediatrician offices, fitness centers, schools and preschool/day care centers); 7) radio and Spanish‐speaking television interviews; 8) personal contact with colleagues, family, friends, neighbors, and professional listservs. Follow‐up phone calls to partners and personal contacts were made ≥twice to confirm receipt of program information and answer questions. Materials created for recruitment in English and Spanish included: flyers of varying reading levels, bookmarks, posters, and brief informational videos for dietitians, pediatricians, and educators. Families successfully recruited into the program reported learning about HomeStyles from their child's school, preschool, or daycare; a family member or friend; Facebook ad; or their doctor (16.2%, 15.2%, 9% and 0.4%, respectively). Most learned about HomeStyles through other sources (44.5%), including electronic listserv notices, workplace presentations, and marketing survey company (41%). The results coupled with the extend recruitment period (16 months) indicates a need for intensive, varied recruitment strategies.Support or Funding InformationUSDA NIFA #2011‐68001‐30170
The Impact of Nutrition Label Usage on Food Selection and Consumption in a University Dining Setting
Authors: Christoph Mary Jane , Ellison Brenna D 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundAlthough adding nutrition labels at the point of purchase is commonly recommended to improve food choice, most studies have relied on self‐reported dietary intake or have inferred usage based on sales data without examining actual food selection and consumption of label users and non‐users. In this study, we combine survey and plate photo data to compare food selection and consumption of label users and non‐users in a university dining hall setting.MethodsWe surveyed n=606 diners in two university dining halls in the Fall 2014 semester. Food selections were recorded, and pre‐ and post‐meal photos were taken of each diner's plate. Photos were coded to identify the presence, servings, and consumption of MyPlate food categories. We compared the plates of self‐reported label users (those who agreed they used nutrition labels to make their food choices at the meal surveyed) and non‐users.ResultsAcross the entire sample, the most commonly selected categories were protein (86.1% of diners selected protein items), refined grains (79.0%), and vegetables (70.6%); whole grains (5.3%), beans (14.0%), and low‐fat dairy (15.4%) were the least commonly selected categories. Label users were more likely to select vegetables and beans and less likely to select potatoes (all P<0.05) than non‐users. Serving sizes only differed between label users and non‐users for the vegetables, beans, potatoes, and refined grains categories. On average, label users selected 0.53 ± 0.51 cups vegetables versus 0.38 ± 0.40 cups for non‐users (P=0.0001), and 0.18 ± 0.46 ounces beans versus 0.09 ± 0.28 ounces for non‐users (P=0.0055). Users selected an average of 0.22 ± 0.27 cups potatoes while non‐users selected 0.31 ± 0.31 cups (P=0.0024). For refined grains, label users served themselves 1.35 ± 1.2 ounces on average, whereas non‐users selected 1.59 ± 1.31 ounces (P=0.0485). Net consumption, calculated by multiplying serving size by the percentage consumed, showed label users consumed 1/10 cup more vegetables (p=0.0538) and 1/5 ounce fewer refined grains (p=0.0320) compared to non‐users.ConclusionsLabel users behave differently than label non‐users in selecting and consuming food. Further, since our results suggest both groups must improve significantly to meet current dietary guidelines, educational efforts beyond nutrition labeling may be needed.Support or Funding InformationThis research was supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture as part of the AFRI Childhood Obesity Prevention Challenge (2011‐67001‐30101) to the Division of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Illinois Funding began on 02/01/2011.
Intermittent Leucine Pulses during Continuous Feeding Alters Novel Components Involved in Skeletal Muscle Growth of Neonatal Pigs
Authors: Suryawan Agus , Boutry Claire , Manjarín Rodrigo , Cánovas Angela , Islas‐Trejo Alma , Medrano Juan F , Nguyen Hanh , Fiorotto Marta L. , Davis Teresa A. 
Published: June 2021

Extra‐uterine growth restriction in low‐birth‐weight (LBW) infants is associated with the development of chronic metabolic derangements, and emphasizes the need for improved nutritional protocols to optimize growth. Supplementation with intermittent pulses of leucine in continuously fed neonatal pigs enhanced skeletal muscle protein synthesis through the upregulation of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling. Piglets (n = 23, 7‐d‐old) were continuously fed a milk formula via orogastric tube for 21 d, with an additional parenteral infusion of either leucine (800 μmol·kg−1·h−1, LEU) or alanine (CON) for 1 h every 4 h. To identify novel genes by which LEU may promote neonatal muscle growth, we performed RNA‐Seq analysis of longissimus dorsi muscle from 4 pigs per group, followed by gene ontology (GO) analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEG). In addition, protein abundance/activation of DEG products involved in both muscle protein anabolic or catabolic pathways was assessed by immunoblots. RNA‐Seq was performed on a HiSeq2000 sequencer analyzer. Reads were analyzed using CLCBio Genomics workbench software, assembled against the porcine reference genome, and normalized by a threshold of ‘reads per kilo base per million mapped reads’ (RPKM) ≥ 0.2. A total of 465 genes were differentially expressed between LEU and CON groups (RPKM P < 0.05). GO analyses showed developmental processes, cell junction assembly, regulation of cellular process and organ development as the terms most significantly enriched among the 465 genes. Applying more stringent parameters (RPKM P < 0.01 + >2 fold change), 18 differential expressed genes were identified between CON and LEU pigs, of which tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and mammalian Ste20‐like kinase 1 (MST1), both negative regulators of muscle growth, were decreased by > 2‐fold (P < 0.01) in LEU compared to CON. Western blot analysis also showed a downregulation of MST1 and TRAF6 abundance in LEU animals (P < 0.01) compared to CON. Together, these findings suggest that intermittent leucine pulses in continuously fed neonate pigs lead to downregulation in the gene and protein expression of signaling components that limit muscle growth.Support or Funding InformationNIH AR444474, NIHHD072891, USDA NIFA 2013‐67015‐20438, and USDA/ARS 6250‐51000‐055
A Conceptual Framework for the Core Concept of Cell‐Cell Communications
Authors: Michael Joel , Cliff William , McFarland Jenny , Wright Ann , Modell Harold , Martinkova Patricia 
Published: June 2021

Physiology faculty regard Cell‐Cell Communications as one of the core concepts their students should understand and be able to apply. This concept has been summarized as follows: the function of the organism requires that cells pass information to one another to coordinate their activities. We have developed a conceptual framework that describes the core concept of Cell‐Cell Communications and have begun the process of validating its content.This framework consists of 51 items, descriptions of physiological phenomena, which are arranged in as many as four hierarchical levels under the core concept: critical components (e.g. binding of the messenger molecule to its receptor gives rise to signal transduction), constituent ideas (e.g. there are two basic mechanisms for transduction), elaborations (e.g., the speed of the response of the two systems is different), and amplifications (e.g.the speed of response in a second‐messenger system . . .).Thirty‐seven faculty were surveyed about the importance of each of the 51 items (5=Essential, 4=Important, 3=Moderately Important, 2=Slightly Important, 1=NOT Important). Written feedback about the items was also solicited from the respondents.Respondents teach at 2‐year colleges, 4‐year colleges offering only bachelors degrees, 4‐year colleges offering some masters degrees, research universities, and professional schools.Mean responses over all 51 items ranged from 4.92 (slightly less than Essential) to 3.46 (between Important and Moderately Important). No more than 2 respondents rated any item as Not Important, and all items were rated as Essential by at least 2 respondents. We conclude that our respondents found the framework as a whole to be important for students to understand. Written feedback did point to one item that needed to be re‐written to conform with current understanding of the phenomenon referred to in the framework.There seems to be strong and linear dependence of importance on level of hierarchy, with items on the main level being deemed the most important and with lower importance for items at lower levels.Although our respondents teach at different educational levels, analyses support the conclusion that there are no differences in the ratings based on the different categories of institutions.The generation of a validated conceptual framework is the first step in the process of writing a concept inventory to be used to assess student understanding of this core concept.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NSF grant DUE‐104344