bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consumption of three supplements with identical micronutrient content in pregnant Mexican women
Authors: Dominguez Clara P , Neufeld Lynnette M , Cabrera Amira Hernandez , Cordero Sonia Hernandez 
Published: June 2021

The objective of this analysis was to compare consumption of three nutritional supplements with identical micronutrient content for pregnant women. Communities (18 per supplement) were randomly assigned to receive a fortified beverage (FB, 54 g of milk‐based powder dissolved in a glass of water), tablets (TB, 1 tablet) or Sprinkles (SK, 1 g dissolved in food). Pregnant women, beneficiaries of the Oportunidades program were recruited before 25 wk pregnancy. Supplements were delivered daily (6 mo) then weekly during pregnancy until 3 m postpartum (pp). Compliance and consumed amount (0, 1 for TB; 0, ¼, ½, ¾, 1 of portion served for FB and SK) was recorded. Appropriate statistical analyses for cluster randomized trials were used. 715 women were recruited (FB n=233; TB n=238; SK n=244). Supplement was consumed for 180±39 days and there was no difference in the mean proportion of days offered that any supplement was consumed between groups (91.0%). The mean proportion of days that the complete dose was consumed was significant lower in the FB group (86.4%) than the TB (91.1%) or SK (90.8%) groups. The proportion of days offered that any supplement was consumed was significantly higher pp than during pregnancy in the FB (+3.6%) and TB (+2.9%) groups, but there was no difference in the SK group (+1.2%). Despite the controlled nature of this study, consumption of the entire dose was lower among women consuming the FB.The Oportunidades program financed this study and holds the rites to the data presented.
Direct visualization of adenosine A2A and dopamine D2L receptor oligomers in a neuronal cell model
Authors: Vidi Pierre‐Alexandre , Chemel Benjamin R. , Watts Val J. 
Published: June 2021

Dopamine D2 and adenosine A2A receptors are co‐expressed in GABAergic neurons in the basal ganglia where they antagonistically regulate adenylyl cyclase activity. Interactions between D2 and A2A are thought to play an important role in drug addiction and in the pharmacotherapy of Parkinson's disease. Molecular mechanisms may involve the formation of receptor oligomers signaling to alternative pathways. D2 and A2A have been shown to form homo‐ and heterooligomers both in recombinant cells and in native brain tissues. However, the stoichiometry of these complexes, as well as the regulation or their formation (notably by ligands) remain to be characterized.We have used bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) for direct visualization of A2A homodimers and A2A ‐ D2 heterodimers in a neuronal cell model. Initial studies revealed that the receptor‐BiFC fusion proteins remained functional. Preliminary experiments using multicolor BiFC indicated that prolonged exposure to D2 antagonist spiperone promotes A2A ‐ D2 dimerization whereas D2 agonist quinpirole treatment upregulates A2A homodimerization. In addition, studies combining BiFC with FRET provided evidence for the formation of higher‐order A2A D2 oligomers.This project was funded by Purdue University and NIMH grant award MH060397 to VJW.
The transcription of tryptase gene in human mast cells is regulated by mi transcription factor
Authors: Lee Sun‐Hee , Lee Ji‐Eun , Kim Bum‐Tae , Lee Young‐Mi , Moon Woo‐Sung , Kim Dae‐Ki 
Published: June 2021

Mast cells play a central role in initiation and development of allergic diseases through release of various mediators. Tryptase may be a key mediator in mast cell‐mediated inflammatory reactions. In the present study, we investigated whether the transcription of tryptase gene in human mast cells was involved in mi transcription factor (MITF). Human mast cells express strongly MITF‐A, which is one of MITF isoforms. We observed that overexpression of MITF‐A elevates the production of tryptase in the immature human mast cell line HMC‐1, while the introduction of specific siRNA against MITF attenuated their expression. The level of granules in mast cells also was increased by overexpression of MITF‐A. Moreover, the transfection of MITF‐A into Jurkat cells (MITF‐negative) increased significantly the luciferase activity. Using mutant constructs of tryptase promoter, we identified that two E‐box motifs associate with MITF‐A to transactivate tryptase gene. An experiment by EMSA also showed that these E‐box are major motifs binding to MITF for tryptase transcription. These data suggest that MITF might play a role in regulating the transcription of tryptase gene in human mast cells.Supported by the Korea Research Foundation Grant (KRF‐2006‐E00103).
Role of C‐type lectins and activation receptors in the transmission of HIV‐1 from B cells to CD4+ T cells
Authors: Wasil Laura Rose , Rappocciolo Giovanna , Piazza Paolo , Rinaldo Charles 
Published: June 2021

Objective: Based on our previous findings that DC‐SIGN‐expressing B cells could transmit HIV‐1 to T cells (PLoS Pathog. 2:e70, 2006), we determined the relative role of other B cell surface markers in this process.Methods: B cells were activated with T‐dependent and T‐independent ligands CD40L, BAFF, CpG DNA, PHA, and LPS, and monitored for expression of C type lectins and activation markers by flow cytometry. Mabs specific for lectins or cell surface receptors were used to block transmission of HIV‐1 to T cells.Results: B cells stimulated with CD40L, BAFF or LPS had enhanced expression of C type lectins and activation receptors, and transmitted HIV‐1 to T cells. In contrast, B cells stimulated with CpG DNA and PHA were activated but did not transmit HIV‐1 to T cells. Blocking DC‐SIGN with mAb prior to loading with HIV‐1 inhibited virus transmission to T cells.Conclusions: B cells can be activated by both T‐dependent and T‐independent ligands to express C type lectins. This activation state determines their ability to transmit HIV‐1 to T cells, extending our previous results that DC‐SIGN is needed for B cell mediated transmission of HIV‐1 to T cells. (AI35041, CA82053, AI41870)
The effect of all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation on increased expression of Foxp3 and IL‐10
Authors: Ju Sun‐Young , Cho Kyung‐Ah , Jung Yun‐Jae , Cho Su‐Jin , Ryu Kyung‐Ha , Seoh Ju‐Young , Woo So‐Youn 
Published: June 2021

PURPOSE: It has been known that MSCs have the capability of regenerating organs, as well as modulating immune function. Recent studies suggest that the vitamin A metabolite, ATRA is capable of promoting anti‐inflammatory Treg cell differentiation. With this, we analyzed expressional changes of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs with mice injected MSCs and/or ATRA.METHOD: MSCs (1×106) prepared from C57BL/6 mice bone marrow were adoptively transferred into syngenic mice via a tail vein. After one day, the MSCs injected mice were I.P. immunized with OVA (100 μg/mouse) and Alum (1 mg). After immunization, ATRA (10 mg/kg) was I.P. injected everyday. Two weeks after postimmunization, we obtained spleen cells and measured Treg cells related markers of CD4, CD25, Foxp3 and cytokine pofiles of IL‐10, IL‐4, IL‐12 and IFN‐r by flow cytometry analysis.RESULTS: Compared to the group that did not undergo MSCs transplantation, the group that received transplantation showed to have a high expression of Foxp3 within the spleen cells, and more so with ATRA‐treatment. Also, expressions of IL‐4 and IL‐10 were higher in the group with that received transplantation and more so in the ATRA‐treated group.CONCLUSION: MSCs and ATRA treatment might have immunomodulatory effet in immunized mice through the up‐regulation of Foxp3 and IL‐10 expression.
Modification of a food frequency questionnaire for use in African Americans in the rural South
Authors: Shikany James , Bovell‐Benjamin Adelia , Dawkins Norma , Hubbell Anne , Pace Ralphenia 
Published: June 2021

Experimental and anecdotal data suggest that dietary practices of African Americans in the rural South differ from those of other groups and regions of the US. Existing instruments that seek to assess long‐term dietary intake, such as food frequency questionnaires (FFQs), may not be sensitive to the dietary practices of African Americans in the rural South. This study used focus groups in African‐American men and women in Macon County, AL, to generate information about dietary practices, food preferences, and food preparation methods in this population to modify an existing FFQ – the Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ) from the National Cancer Institute. Based on the completed focus groups, examples of foods to be added to the modified DHQ include pig ears, pork neck bones, pork skin, purple hull peas, fried okra, succotash, cornbread in buttermilk, and fried cornbread. Examples of foods to be deleted include bagels, English muffins, low‐fat processed meats, soy‐based foods, egg substitutes, and sorbets and ices. Following modification of the DHQ, we will assess the validity of the modified DHQ by comparing nutrient intakes calculated from the modified DHQ to those calculated from multiple 3‐day food records and 24‐hour dietary recalls. We hypothesize that the modified FFQ created in this study will better reflect true dietary intake in this population, facilitating future epidemiologic studies of diet and disease risk.(Supported by NIH grant 2 U54 CA118948‐03)
Conditional cash and in‐kind transfers improve the quality of the household diet in rural Mexico
Authors: Leroy Jef L , Gadsden Paola , Gutiérrez Juan Pablo , Rodríguez Sonia , González‐Cossío Teresa 
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the differential impact of conditional cash versus in‐kind transfers on the monetary value (MV) and nutrient composition (NC) of household food consumption. Transfers were part of a government program. The study was conducted in poor rural communities in Southern Mexico.A total of 208 communities were randomly allocated to one of four groups: a monthly food basked (FB) with or without nutrition and health education, a cash transfer equivalent to the cost of the FB (about 13 USD/month) with education or the control group. In each community 33 households were randomly selected to be surveyed at baseline. The follow‐up survey was conducted in the same households 2 years later. A double difference model with household fixed effects was used to estimate program impact.The program significantly improved the household diet (P<0.05). The largest impacts were found in the MV of animal source foods, fruits and vegetables and in consumption of micronutrients (Zn, vitamins C and A). There were no differences between intervention groups in MV but the impact on NC was significantly larger in the FB group (P<0.05), due to the consumption of a micronutrient fortified milk. The results show that household dietary quality can be effectively improved through a conditional transfer program. Studies of household food consumption data benefit from analyzing both the MV and NC.
Dermytol, A Novel Compound For The Prevention Of Melanoma Skin Cancer Tested For Efficacy In Mice
Authors: Evans Malkanthi , Lloyd Jonathan , Guthrie Najla 
Published: June 2021

A novel proprietary compound, trade named Dermytol™ has been shown to reduce melanoma tumor cell growth in male mice. Six Male C57BL mice (3–4 weeks old) were treated by oral gavage with 6.0% Dermytol™ w/v 0.2ml Canola oil. Mice in a control group were administered Canola oil. In a second treatment group of 6 male C57BL mice, a topical application of 6.0% Dermytol™ w/v in a cream base was applied to a shaved 1cm2 area of the right hind flank. Control group mice for this treatment received an application of a placebo cream base. Both treatments were applied for 7 consecutive days followed by subcutaneous injection in the right hind flank of B16‐F1 malignant melanoma tumor cells (2.0x105) in 100μl saline. Oral and topical Dermytol™ treatments were continued for 25 days after tumor cell injection. Results showed that orally treated mice showed an average decrease in tumor volume of 44.5%. Tumor volume was decreased by 61.2% in topically treated mice. This pronounced decrease in tumor volume for both applications indicates that Dermytol™ is effective at inhibiting the proliferation of B16‐F1 melanoma tumor cells and that a topical application of the compound produces a more potent effect.Source: KGK Synergize, Inc.
Performance of Cancer/Testis Antigens and EEF1A2 mRNAs measured by qRT‐PCR as tissue biomarkers for NSCLC
Authors: Franklin Wilbur A , Haney Jerry , Sugita Michio , Mitchell John D , Weyant Michael J , Bemis Lynne , Gu Jesse , Feng Zideng 
Published: June 2021

Candidate genes were cloned into TOPO TA plasmids (Invitrogen) to serve as standards in a qRT‐PCR assay in which copy numbers for the candidate biomarker genes were normalized to 106 copies of β‐actin. A panel of biomarkers was selected to directly test sensitivity and specificity in frozen tissue samples from 103 NSCLC, 60 matched non‐malignant tissue samples from the same resected lung specimens and 18 normal lung tissue samples from never smokers. Mean copy numbers/106 copies β‐actin are shown below.Performance of individual markers and combinations of markers was analyzed by ROC. Maximum AUC for an individual marker was obtained for MAGE A (0.712 tumor vs adjacent lung and 0.784 tumor vs never smoker lung). AUC for the combined five gene panel was 0.885 for tumor versus adjacent lung, 0.957 for tumor vs never smoker lung and 0.945 for adjacent lung vs never smoker lung. A logistic model using percentiles had an AUC of 0.814 for tumor vs adjacent lung. We conclude that rigorous marker by marker testing in tumor tissue may yield candidate RNA biomarkers that can be assembled into a highly sensitive and specific panel.
Type‐specific reproducibility of the Roche Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test
Authors: Steinau Martin , Swan David C , Unger Elizabeth R 
Published: June 2021

Type‐specific detection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is increasingly important. The impact of sampling, extraction and assay characteristics on HPV results is increasingly recognized. Inter‐assay comparability studies have been performed, but the robustness of type‐specific results has not been emphasized, nor has the degree of intra‐assay reproducibility been addressed.The objective was to assess the general and type specific reproducibility of the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test (Roche Molecular Diagnostics, Alameda, CA). Extracts of 276 cervical samples from two ongoing epidemiologic HPV studies were retested while blinded to prior results. The testing involved 5 different reagent lots and three technologists. Concordance for HPV detection (sample positive versus negative for any of the 37 types) was high (98.2%, kappa = 0.959). Type‐specific concordance for individual HPV types was also high (99.4%, kappa = 0.915), and most samples (83.0%) showed complete concordance for all types. Reliability of this HPV test is important as type‐specific assays are considered for clinical management and post‐vaccination surveillance.
Impact of Gαz on axon growth and synaptic transmission
Authors: Hultman1 Rainbo C , Casey Patrick J 
Published: June 2021

Heterotrimeric G proteins such as Gz play essential roles in cell biology. Gz is differentially expressed in certain brain regions and neuroendocrine cells, and has been shown to couple to endogenous D2 dopamine, 2A adrenergic, and E prostanoid receptors. Furthermore, Gz‐null mice are insensitive to catecholaminergic uptake inhibitor antidepressants. In order to further understand the neurobiology of Gz, its mechanism of action in neurons was characterized. Differential centrifugation was used to separate synaptic membrane components to characterize their Gαz levels. Interestingly, while some Gz was found at the pre‐synaptic plasma membrane, a larger pool of Gz co‐localized with synaptic vesicles. Regulation of synaptic vesicle loading, docking, or release could account for Gz‐null mouse phenotypes, and suggest Gz as a possible target for treatment of monoamine‐related disorders such as schizophrenia, ADHD, and depression.Activated Gz has also been shown to interact with Rap1GAP, a GTPase activating protein for the monomeric G‐protein Rap1. Brain‐derived neurotrophin factor (BDNF), an important regulator of normal neuron growth, signals through Rap1. We show that BDNF‐stimulated axon growth in cortical neurons is inhibited by constitutively active Gαz, suggesting Gz as an intriguing target for further study.This work was supported by Grant GM55717 from the National Institutes of Health
Microdialysis delivery of morphine sulfate to rat pontine reticular formation (PRF) decreases PRF adenosine levels
Authors: Nelson Ariana Marie , Ignasiak Diane , Baghdoyan Helen A. , Lydic Ralph 
Published: June 2021

Opioids disrupt sleep even in the absence of pain and sleep disruption intensifies the perception of pain. The essential role of opioids in pain management encourages development of adjunctive therapies that preserve analgesia while avoiding the unwanted side effect of sleep disruption. Delivery of adenosine agonists to the PRF promotes sleep and analgesia (Anesthesiology 103: 1268, 2005) but no studies have determined whether opioids alter endogenous adenosine levels in the PRF. This study is testing the hypothesis that microdialysis delivery of morphine to rat PRF causes a concentration dependent decrease in PRF adenosine levels. During isoflurane anesthesia, the PRF of adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats (n=5) was dialyzed with Ringer.s solution containing 100 μM morphine. Compared to Ringer.s alone, morphine caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in adenosine levels. Studies of additional rats (n=5) determined that co‐administration of naloxone (10 μM) prevented the decrease in adenosine caused by morphine. These results and ongoing concentration response studies support the interpretation that morphine decreases adenosine levels in a receptor‐dependent manner in the PRF, a brain region known to regulate sleep and nociception.Supported by the National Institute of Health grants HL57120, HL40881, MH45361, and the U. of Michigan Department of Anesthesiology and Medical School Office of Student Programs.
Prolonged amelioration of LV dysfunction after withdrawal of chronic CNS blockade of AT1 receptors in rats with CHF post MI
Authors: Huang Bing S. , Ahmad Monir , White Roselyn A. , Leenen Frans H. H. 
Published: June 2021

In rats post‐MI, LV dysfunction is attenuated by CNS AT1 receptor blockade with icv infusion of losartan at doses which are ineffective when administered peripherally. The present study tested whether after withdrawal of the blockade these effects of icv losartan continue. As of 2 days after coronary artery ligation, Wistar rats were infused icv via osmotic minipumps with losartan (1 mg/kg/d) or vehicle, or injected sc daily with losartan (100 mg/kg/d), for 4 wks. Rats with sham ligation served as control. Echocardiography was performed at 4 wks. Two wks after withdrawal of losartan treatment, echo was repeated and LV function assessed with a Millar catheter.These results indicate that in Wistar rats, in contrast to general blockade specific CNS blockade of AT1 receptors early post MI effectively ameliorates LV systolic dysfunction, and these effects remain for at least 2 weeks after withdrawal of icv losartan.Supported by a grant from Heart Stoke Foundation of Ontario.
Effect of 4 days of intermittent hypoxia on oxidative stress in healthy men
Authors: Pialoux Vincent , Foster Glen E , Brugniaux Julien V , Duggan Cailean T , Hanly Patrick J , Poulin Marc J 
Published: June 2021

Periodic occlusion of the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) leads to intermittent hypoxia (IH). IH is characterized by repeated episodes of hypoxia/reoxygenation, which is known to increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Causal relationships between OSA, IH and oxidative stress have not been established because of confounding effects of medical co‐morbidities and obesity which are frequently associated with OSA. The aim of this study was to determine if IH changes oxidative stress in healthy volunteers. Nine men (29.3 ± 1.7 years; BMI, 25.0 ± 0.4 kg.m−2; mean±SD) were studied. Following baseline measurements breathing room air (day zero (D0)), all subjects were exposed to 4 days (D1 to D4) of IH while awake (2 min at PetO2 = 45 Torr and 2 min at PetO2 = 88 Torr) 6 hours.d−1. Lipid peroxidation (malondialdehides, MDA), DNA oxidation (8‐Hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine, 8‐OHdG) and oxidation protein products (AOPP) were assessed in plasma. MDA increased significantly between baseline (D0) and D1 (+39%: 3.48 ± 1.17 vs 4.85 ± 0.90 μmol.l−1) and then tended to return to baseline levels. 8‐OHdG increased significantly between D0 and D1 (+51%: 53.84 ± 54.63 vs 83.30 ± 45.49 μmol.l−1) and remained elevated until D4 (+67%: 53.84 ± 54.63 vs 89.71 ± 36.06 μmol.l−1). These findings demonstrate that IH increases oxidative stress and suggest that IH may contribute to ROS overproduction in OSA.Supported by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Time‐lapse imaging reveals an extra‐cardiac contribution to the endocardium and cardiac jelly in avian embryos
Authors: Aleksandrova Anastasiia , Lansford Rusty D. , Little Charles D. , Rongish Brenda J. 
Published: June 2021

Dynamic imaging of transgenic quail expressing histone 2B‐YFP under the control of the Tie1 promoter allowed endocardial progenitor cells to be followed through time and space during avian tubular heart morphogenesis. Simultaneous imaging of the nearby cardiac jelly/extracellular matrix (ECM) was performed as an indicator of the relative tissue motion during tubular heart formation. Monoclonal antibodies to fibronectin, fibrillin‐2, and laminin were fluorochrome‐conjugated and microinjected into the splanchnopleura of transgenic avian embryos at HH 8, prior to tubular heart formation. Time‐lapse recording was conducted until HH12, when cardiac looping is underway. Endocardial precursor cells were observed streaming into the anterior and posterior cardiac poles, as well as traversing the floor of the foregut to enter the heart via the dorsal mesocardium. Simultaneously, ECM fibrils were recruited from extracardiac sources to form portions of the cardiac jelly. In some cases, endocardial cells were observed to travel on aligned ECM fibrils to enter the heart. Ongoing cellular and ECM tracking will allow computation of endocardial cell movements relative to the surrounding ECM to determine the extent of cell autonomous motility versus tissue‐level convection during tubular heart morphogenesis. Supported by NIH HL085694 and the Mathers Foundation.Grant Funding SourceSupported by NIH HL085694 and the Mathers Foundation.