bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monocyte chemotactic protein induced protein 1 (MCPIP1) fails to affect adipogenesis in immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (iMEF) (LB149)
Authors: Holdaway Brett , Naik Chaitasi , Chang Yingzi 
Published: June 2021

Background: Increased adipogenesis is associated with chronic inflammation. MCPIP1 has been shown to suppress inflammation through regulating pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the immune system. Recent studies found that MCPIP1 is involved in the process of adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 cells but the results are controversial. Our preliminary data indicates that MCPIP1 knockout impaired hepatic insulin signaling. The current study was designed to deterimine if MCPIP1 affects adipogenesis by regulating the insulin signal transduction pathway. Methods: MEFs were isolated from both MCPIP1 heterozygous (no phenotypic changes) and knockout C57/BL6 mice and immortalized. At 2 days post‐confluency, the cells were treated with or without a differentiation cocktail containing dexamethasone, IBMX, trogliterazone, and different concentrations of insulin. After 48 hours, cells were switched to medium containing 10% FBS with or without the different concentrations of insulin for the remainder of the differentiation period. Adipocyte differentiation was measured using Oil Red‐O staining by visualizing the intracellular lipid droplets. Lipids were extracted with isopropanol. The concentration of lipid was measured, calculated, and expressed by normalizing to the protein concentration. Results: Although a slight increase in adipogenesis was seen in the MCPIP1 KO model compared to the heterozygous model, overall there was no significant difference between these groups (p>0.05). Also, no difference in adipogenesis was observed among the different concentrations of insulin groups in cells from either heterozygous or MCPIP1 KO mice (p>0.05). Conclusion: From the data we collected thus far, we conclude that MCPIP1 might not play a key role in adipogenesis in iMEFs. Insulin may not be required to stimulate adipogenesis in iMEFs isolated from MCPIP1 knockout and heterozygous mice.Grant Funding Source: Supported by ATSU‐KCOM Biomedical Sciences Program
Effect of Aloe Vera gel and Selenium on Cisplatin‐induced oxidative stress in Wister albino rats (LB155)
Authors: Imaga Ngozi , OSIME E , Ezeji S , Okafor Uzoma 
Published: June 2021

Cisplatin (Cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum II, CP) is an important chemotherapeutic agent, useful in the management of cancers, but with side effects like nephrotoxicity. The present study studied the effect of Aloe vera gel (AVG) and selenium on Cisplatin induced oxidative stress on the kidneys and livers of male and female Wister albino rats, injected with cisplatin (7mg/kg), selenium (6mg/kg) and Aloe vera (6mg/kg), alone or in combination. The results show that though CP increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations in male Wister albino rats compared to female Wister albino rats, treatment with Aloe vera; reversed CP‐induced kidney and liver damage in both male and female rats. While pre‐treatment with Selenium and Aloe vera limited CP‐induced alterations of antioxidant enzyme activities and significantly prevented CP‐induced kidney and liver damage. The levels of Liver and Renal functioning enzymes, Hematological parameters and Cholesterol, TG and LDL levels in the untreated group increased while the treated and pretreated groups had a lower level of these enzymes with the Aloe vera group having the lowest levels of these enzymes. Histological studies on the kidneys and livers of male and female Wister albino rats showed significant damage.In conclusion, research showed that Aloe vera and Selenium ameliorated oxidative stress and loss of cellular antioxidants, thus acting as an anti‐lipidemic agent and also an immune booster.
The role of MCPIP‐1 in maintaining lipid homeostasis (LB156)
Authors: Moody Joshua , Sedinkin Jessica , Chang Yingzi 
Published: June 2021

Background:Increased inflammation is associated with alterations of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Recent studies suggest that MCPIP1 (Monocyte Chemotactic Protein induced Protein‐1) may have a role in maintaining normal metabolic balance by negatively regulating chronic inflammation. Our preliminary data revealed that the MCPIP1 deficient (MCPIP1‐/‐) mice have reduced body lipid deposits compared to control mice. The current project was designed to test if MCPIP1 is involved in maintaining lipid homeostasis by affecting hepatic lipid production and distribution. Methods: MCPIP1‐/‐ mice (C57/BL6 background, 6 weeks old) were identified by PCR. The serum and liver from control and MCPIP1‐/‐ mice were collected after fasting. Serum lipids (LDL/VLDL‐cholesterol and total triglyceride) and liver lipids (total cholesterol and triglyceride) were measured using commercially available kits. Results: The data collected from sixteen samples (eight control and eight MCPIP1‐/‐) showed that in MCPIP1 ‐/‐ mice the mean serum HDL‐cholesterol and total triglyceride concentrations were about 49% and 31% lower respectively, compared to control mice. In contrast, serum concentration of LDL/VLDL‐cholesterol in MCPIP1‐/‐ mice increased about 66% when compared to control. Triglyceride in the liver tissue of MCPIP‐/‐ mice was also drastically decreased (72% lower than control). No changes were observed in total cholesterol in liver tissue. Conclusion: The lack of MCPIP1 is associated with alterations of lipid homeostasis.Grant Funding Source: Supported by KCOM Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences
Development of subclass‐specific antivirulence inhibitors against disulfide oxidoreductase DsbA (LB193)
Authors: Premkumar Lakshmanane , McMahon Roisin , Kurth Fabian , Duprez Wilko , Martin Jennifer 
Published: June 2021

The emergence of “superbugs” bacterial strains coupled with a steady decline in the new antibiotics is a growing public health and economic concern. Novel antibacterial strategies, new molecular targets and new classes of drugs with long‐term clinical effectiveness are urgently needed. Disulfide bond forming proteins (DsbA and DsbB) are a master regulator of bacterial virulence and pathogenesis. DsbA/DsbB disruption affects multiple downstream effector molecules, resulting in pleiotropic effects on the virulence of important human bacterial pathogens without exerting growth inhibition. These findings identify DsbA/DsbB as a target for a new class of bacterial antivirulence that disarm pathogenic bacteria rather than killing them. We explored the druggability of twelve well‐characterized DsbA enzymes for the overall fold, the surface properties, the conformations of three loops contributing to the binding surface and the sequence identity of residues contributing to these loops. Two distinct structural classes were identified, classes I and II, which are differentiated by their central β‐sheet arrangements and roughly separate the Gram‐negative from Gram‐positive DsbAs. The classes can be further subdivided into a total of four subclasses on the basis of surface features, which are supported by bioinformatic analyses and a wealth of biochemical/biophysical characterizations. In the context of inhibitor development, our findings point to the opportunity to develop a single antivirulence drug effective against DsbAs encoded by at least seven enterobacterial pathogens. I will present our current work on the development of structure‐based peptidomimetic inhibitors targeting this pivotal mediator of bacterial virulence.Grant Funding Source: australian research council
Effect of cytochrome c modification with co‐polymer on its apoptotic activity for cancer treatment (LB248)
Authors: Figueroa Miranda Cindy , Morales‐Cruz Moraima , Suarez Bethzaida , Griebenow Kai 
Published: June 2021

Treating cancer, while avoiding devastating side effects, has been a challenge throughout the years. Active targeted delivery has been extensively studied to overcome the inherent adverse effects of anticancer therapy. The apoptotic protein cytochrome c (cyt c) is highly effective at causing cancer cells cytotoxicity but as most proteins, its delivery is challenging. In this project, we synthesized a co‐polymer of hyaluronic acid (HA) and folic acid (FA) followed by cyt c binding. Both compounds of the co‐polymer were selected due to their receptors overexpression on cancer cells surface allowing endocytosis of the cyt c system. We used TNBSA assay to determine the amount of modified lysines in cyt c when reacted to HA‐FA: 2.1 ± 0.4. The residual activity of the protein was measured before and after its incorporation in HA‐FA using a caspase cascade assay which showed caspase activation by cyt c‐HA‐FA: 105 ± 1 % while HA‐FA did not activate caspase: 1.6 ± 0.8 %. CD spectroscopy showed minor changes in heme group and tertiary structure of cyt c following modification. HeLa cells were incubated with cyt c‐HA‐FA (0.1 mg/ml) to measure cell viability with MTS assay. Cell viability was measured after 2 and 6 hours of incubation: 108 ± 14 % and 83 ± 8 %, respectively. According to these results we successfully synthesized a promising drug delivery system for anticancer applications.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIH Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) Program with grant number: 2R25GM061151‐12.
Analysis of the validity of a carbohydrate intolerance questionnaire II (LB304)
Authors: Goodenough C , Levers K , Galvan E , Coletta A , Dalton R , Jung Y , O'Connor A , Simbo S , Seesselberg C , Bonin B , Koozehchian M , Sanchez B , Barringer N , Rasmussen C , Greenwood M , Kreider R 
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of responses to a carbohydrate intolerance (CI) questionnaire to body composition and markers of health. 108 women (31.6±13 yrs, 34.7±7% body fat, BMI 25.3±4) donated fasting blood samples, completed a CI, had body composition and health measures determined, and underwent a 75g, 2‐h OGTT. Having food cravings relieved with carbohydrate ingestion correlated with irritability (r=0.24), nervousness (r=0.32), forgetfulness (r=0.31), mental confusion (r=0.23), worrying (r=0.21), antisocial behavior (r=0.24), lack of sex drive (r=0.27), leg cramps/blurred vision (r=0.25), cravings for sweets (r=0.67), digestive disturbances (r=0.20), yawning (r=0.26), drowsiness (r=0.27), and dizziness/shakiness (r=0.20). Must have foods correlated with worrying (r=0.19), lack of sex drive (r=0.20), and food cravings (r=0.22). Having a waistline larger than hips correlated with age (r=0.23), waist circumference (r=0.28), lack of sex drive (r=0.21), and leg cramps/blurred vision (r=0.23). Gaining weight after age 30 correlated with glucose AUMC (r=0.22), age (r=0.64), DBP (r=0.24), waist circumference (r=0.37), BMI (r=0.21), fat mass (r=0.25), body fat % (r=0.36), insomnia (r=0.21), lack of sex drive (r=0.32), being more than 25 lbs overweight (r=0.20), and being overweight since youth (r=0.26). Results revealed that CI questions moderately correlated with body composition, health markers, and/or questions related to CI. Grant Funding Source: Curves International, Inc. (Waco, TX)
Maternal high fat diet during pregnancy induces similar miRNA changes in F1 generation male germ cells and F3 generation female mammary glands (LB309)
Authors: Nguyen Nguyen , De Assis Sonia , Yin Chao , Wehrenberg Bryan , Hilakivi‐Clarke Leena 
Published: June 2021

Maternal dietary exposures during pregnancy can initiate epigenetic inheritance of increased breast cancer risk, perhaps including changes in miRNAs. In this study, we investigated whether the epigenetic inheritance occurs through paternal lineage by studying changes in miRNAs in the male germ cells. Pregnant C57BL/6NTac mothers were fed either a control (CON, 6% corn oil) or isocaloric high n‐6 polyunsaturated fat (HF) diet (18% corn oil) between gestation days 8 and 21. Offspring in the subsequent generations (F1‐F3) were not exposed to any further dietary modifications and were kept on CON diet. F3 female HF offspring exhibited significantly higher mammary tumor incidence (50% had mammary tumors) than the control offspring (32%). We extracted germ line RNA from the sperm cells of 50‐day‐old F1 male offspring and RNA from the mammary glands of F3 female offspring. Expression levels of miRNAs were examined between CON and HF sperm cells and between CON and HF exposed mammary glands. A total of 10 miRNAs were significantly different (p<0.05) in the germ cells of F1 male offspring and 25 miRNAs were different in the mammary glands of F3 females. In addition, four miRNAs were down‐regulated in both F1 male germ cells and F3 mammary glands in the HF offspring: miR‐451, miR‐486, miR‐877, and snoRNA‐202. Down‐regulation of miR‐451 and miR‐486 have been linked to increased susceptibility to many cancers, including breast cancer. Further, recent findings suggest that snoRNAs are new players in cancer. Our study shows that miRNA modifications in F1 generation male germ cells, caused by in utero exposure to a high fat diet, might be carried through to their granddaughters in the F3 generation.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NCI RO1
Hyperlipidemia induces lipid accumulation and gene expression in adipocytes (LB317)
Authors: Li Yi , Conzalez Trevor , Fernandez‐Alegre Claudia 
Published: June 2021

Obesity is becoming a more and more serious health issue in the US and worldwide. This situation only started since a few of decades ago. It is certain that the human genomic coding has not been changed so dramatically by evolution during such short period of time. Evidence indicates that environmental factors including diets and behaviors are involved in affecting gene expressing in developing of human diseases. Since adipose tissues are significantly expanded in individuals with obesity, adipocytes were cultured in the conditions to mimic hyperlipidemia conditions that happen during the developmental process of obesity. We have observed that saturated lipid at high concentrations induces lipid accumulation in adipocytes. A few of new candidate genes that are regulated by the mimic hyperlipidemia conditions have been identified. These genes will be validated by qRT‐PCR and studied further.Grant Funding Source: Suported by startup funds from Texas A&M University‐Kingsville to YL
Increased body mass index adversely affects dyslipidemias, blood pressure and inflammation in men and women with metabolic syndrome (LB365)
Authors: Andersen Catherine , Aguilar David , Jones Jennifer , Blesso Christopher , Al‐Sarraj Taif , Dugan Chrsitine , Barona Jacqueline , Fernandez Maria‐Luz 
Published: June 2021

We investigated the effects of body mass index (BMI) on the parameters of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in men (n = 97) and women (n = 165) with MetS. MetS parameters were determined using the National Cholesterol Education Program: Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP: ATP III) criteria. We classified subjects into four BMI subgroups: normal MetS (BMI < 24.9 kg/m2, n= 11); overweight MetS (BMI 26‐29.9 kg/m2 n =57); obese MetS (30‐39.9 kg/m2, n =157) and morbidly obese MetS (BMI > 40 kg/m2, n = 35). In addition to the expected significant differences between groups in body weight and waist circumference (P < 0.001), there were significant differences in plasma lipids, blood pressure, plasma insulin and C‐reactive protein (CRP) associated with BMI classification.HDL‐cholesterol was significantly lower in the morbidly obese MetS group (43 ± 9 mg/dL) when compared to MetS subjects with a normal BMI (51 ± 11 mg/dL). In contrast, LDL‐cholesterol was incrementally higher as BMI increased (normal MetS: 111.7 ± 16.9 mg/dL vs. morbidly obese MetS: 129.0 ± 12.5 mg/dL).Similarly both diastolic and systolic blood pressures were lowest in the normal BMI group and higher in the other BMI groups. Plasma insulin and CRP were also significantly increased from the lowest to the highest BMI (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that even in those with MetS, as BMI increases, there is a higher risk of dyslipidemias, hypertension and inflammationGrant Funding Source: Egg Nutrition Center and Dairy Council
Sex determination from the distal humerus of 3D model based on the morphometric assessment (LB38)
Authors: Jung Go‐Un , Kim Dong‐Ho , Kwak Dai‐Soon , Lee U‐Young , Kim Myeoung Ju , Kim Yi‐Suk 
Published: June 2021

As for sexual dimorphism, the carrying angle has reported focusing on its evident disparity between sexes, so the distal humerus contributing to the formation of elbow joint is anticipated to be useful bone element for estimating sex in forensic anthropology. The purpose of this study is to develop sex‐determining equations from the distal humerus based on the 3D morphometrics and investigate whether the metric method for sexing the distal humerus could be helpful in diverse fields. The right 3D humeral models were obtained from 72 subjects (36 males and 36 females) from the CT‐based Digital Korean Collection. Seven variables including subtrochlear angle (SA), trochlear asymmetry (TA), angle of trochlear inclination (ATI), index (IOF) and depth (DOF) of olecranon fossa, dorsal projection of medial epicondyle (DPME), and distal humeral dimension (DHD) were measured. DOF, DHD, and DPME were selected for providing the equation and the prediction accuracy of 93.1% was postulated through the discriminant function analysis (Discriminant Function = 1.038 x DHD + 0.399 x DPME ‐ 0.383 x DOF). In conclusion, the equation prepared in this study would be expected as a useful method for sex determination especially when the bones are found as fragmentary conditions at excavation site.Grant Funding Source: This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF‐2013R1A1A2009306) and also by the NRF‐Global Ph.D. Felloship Program (NRF‐2013H1A2A1033069).
Detection of cranberry and blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) DNA by PCR amplification of the MatK gene. (LB386)
Authors: Herbst Nash , Wilson Ted , Klein Jennifer , Cooper Scott 
Published: June 2021

Potential liability related to food allergy and adulteration make documentation of food purity valuable for health and industry. MatK is a chloroplast gene in all plant species that can be used to identify a species based on the presence of an observed DNA sequence. This study sought to develop MatK primers and a PCR method for detection of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) DNA in cranberry food products. Genus specific MatK PCR primers were designed from multiple sequence alignments. DNA was isolated from homogenized whole fruit, juice, and solid foods followed by precipitation with isopropanol. DNA was amplified by PCR and detected with Sytox Green assays and gel electrophoresis. The MatK primers demonstrated specificity within the genus Vaccinium, but could not discriminate between V. macropcarpon and blueberry (V. corymbosum) after an optimized annealing temperature for PCR was established.The assay could discriminate Vaccinium DNA from that of other fruits including grape, apple and pear. DNA was isolated from bottled cranberry juice and sweetened dried cranberries, but shearing of the cranberry DNA during processing may have been responsible for a lack of observed PCR product. We have developed primers that can detect DNA from cranberry and blueberry. Future work will redesign the primers to make them species specific DNA for cranberry fruit and processed cranberry food products.
β‐carotene inhibits neuroblastoma tumorigenesis by regulating cell differentiation and cancer stem cell stemness (LB400)
Authors: Lim Ji Ye , Kim Yoo‐Sun , Kim Kyung‐Mi , Min Soo‐Jin , Kim Yuri 
Published: June 2021

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid cancer in young children and malignant NB cells possess cancer stem cells (CSCs) characteristics. The successful elimination of CSCs is a good strategy for developing effective preventive and chemotherapeutic agent. CSCs possess characteristics, including differentiation and turmorigenicity. Although β‐carotene has been associated with many anticancer mechanisms, there is the lack of evidence in the efficacy β‐carotene on CSCs. In the present study, we investigated the effects of β‐carotene on tumor cell differentiation and tumorigenicity using xenograft model which were injected with SK‐N‐BE(2)C NB cells subcutaneously. We found that β‐carotene supplementation significantly inhibited tumor incidence as well as growth compared to tumor control. Furthermore, β‐carotene was shown to induce tumor cell differentiation by up‐regulating vimentin, peripherin, and neurofilament expression. On the other hand, β‐carotene significantly suppressed tumor stemness by down‐regulating CSCs markers such as Oct3/4 and DLK1 expression. It has been reported that the increased expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor1‐α (HIF1‐α) is associated with cancer stemness. Our result has shown that β‐carotene treatment significantly down‐regulated HIF1‐α expression and its downstream target, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Taken together, these results suggest β‐carotene has chemotherapeutic effects on NB cells by regulating cell differentiation and CSCs stemness.Grant Funding Source: This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (Project No. 2011‐0008169) and Brain Korea 21 plus project (Project No. 22A20130012143).
Optimizing periconceptional folic acid supplementation: Steady‐state folate pharmacokinetics in pregnancy (LB416)
Authors: Shere Mahvash , Nguyen Patricia , Tam Carolyn , Stern Seth , Kapur Bhushan , O'Connor Deborah , Koren Gideon 
Published: June 2021

Background: Folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Although previous studies have investigated folate status in non‐pregnant women of childbearing age, steady‐state folate pharmacokinetics have never been evaluated in pregnant women to inform healthcare recommendations regarding the timing of prenatal multivitamin supplementation.Objective: To compare the steady‐state periconceptional and gestational RBC and plasma folate levels in pregnant women who supplement daily with prenatal multivitamins containing 1.1mg (regular dose) vs. 5mg (high dose) folic acid.Methods: 37 women, between 18‐45 years of age, who were early in pregnancy or trying to conceive, and were not previously taking folic acid‐containing supplements, were enrolled in this open‐label, 2‐arm, randomized clinical trial after obtaining informed consent. Participants were randomly assigned to take either 1.1mg or 5mg of folic acid‐containing prenatal multivitamins daily till 30 weeks gestational age (g.a.). Plasma and RBC folate levels were measured at baseline, and at 6, 12 and 30 weeks of gestation using a competitive‐binding receptor assay.Results: RBC folate levels significantly increased in both groups from baseline during pregnancy (p<0.0005). Sustained significant increase in RBC folate was observed in the 5mg group over the course of pregnancy between 6 and 30 weeks gestation, and between 12 and 30 weeks gestation (p<0.0001 and p<0.001), whereas a significant increase in RBC folate concentrations was observed in the 1.1mg group only between g.a.12 to g.a.30 (p<0.05). Plasma folate increased in both groups from baseline to 6 weeks gestation, and then decreased over the course of pregnancy between 6 and 30 weeks gestation, but the decrease was not statistically significant. Plasma levels at 30 weeks gestation in both groups were comparable to their respective baseline levels.Conclusion: The pharmacokinetics of folate in pregnancy are different than among healthy, non‐pregnant adult women. Despite supplementation over an extended period of time, steady‐state does not seem to be achieved in either group. The decrease in plasma folate in pregnancy may have clinical relevance for women with poor folate status, and may reflect the increased folate demands during pregnancy.Grant Funding Source: Duchesnay Inc.