bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adipocyte‐Specific Ablation of Long‐Chain Acyl‐CoA Synthetase‐4 (ACSL4) in Mice Protects Against Diet‐Induced Obesity‐Associated Decreases in White Adipocyte Oxygen Consumption and Whole Body Energy Expenditure
Authors: Killion Elizabeth A. , Kong Dong , Greenberg Andrew S. 
Published: June 2021

Obesity‐associated alterations in adipocyte metabolism are important to the development of metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, a leading cause of chronic disease and death in the United States. However, we have limited understanding of the role of white adipocyte oxygen consumption in the development of obesity and its complications. Of particular interest, long‐chain acyl‐CoA synthetases (ACSL) catalyze the addition of a coenzyme‐A group to fatty acids (FA) within cells and have been hypothesized to direct FA to distinct fates within cells. Intriguingly, the ACSL4 isoform is suggested to preferentially activate polyunsaturated fatty acids, but little is known about its function in regulating adipocyte metabolism. Previously, we have demonstrated that mice with adipocyte‐specific ACSL4 ablation (Ad‐KO) on a high fat diet (HFD) are protected against obesity‐associated body weight & fat mass gain and insulin resistance compared to their wildtype littermates (ACSL4floxed) without any phenotypic differences on a low fat diet (Killion et al., FASEB Journal, 2015; 29:743.1). The purpose of the current research is to investigate the role of ACSL4 in regulating obesity‐associated adipocyte dysfunction, including adipocyte oxygen consumption and systemic energy expenditure. Energy expenditure in ACSL4floxed and Ad‐KO mice was measured by TSE metabolic chamber system before mice were switched to HFD, 3 weeks of HFD, and 7 weeks of HFD (before body composition differences are observed between ACSL4floxed and Ad‐KO mice). Interestingly, after 7 weeks on HFD, but not earlier, rates of energy expenditure (kcal/gram lean mass/day) were 10% higher in Ad‐KO mice than ACSL4floxed littermates without differences in food intake or activity. To specifically determine the role of white adipocyte oxygen consumption, gonadal white adipocytes were isolated from mice after 12 weeks of HFD and ex vivo oxygen consumption of isolated adipocytes was measured using a Clark electrode. Remarkably, isolated adipocytes from Ad‐KO mice have 4‐fold higher rates of basal respiration in the presence of glucose (nmol O2/min/106 adipocytes) without differences in FCCP uncoupled respiration or changes in UCP1 expression compared to ACSL4floxed littermates. In conclusion, adipocyte ablation of ACSL4 significantly protects against diet‐induced obesity‐associated decreases in adipocyte oxygen consumption and whole body energy expenditure without beiging of white adipocytes.Support or Funding InformationFunding for this work is supported by NIH Training Grant 5T32DK062032‐20, DK098606‐02, P30‐DK‐46200, USDA agreement #58‐1950‐7‐70, and NIH K01DK094943.
Fasting plasma metabolomics reveal specific dietary patterns in sow‐fed neonatal piglets compared to soy‐ or dairy‐based formula feeding.
Authors: Piccolo Brian D , Diaz‐Rubio Maria Elena , Mercer Kelly E , Yeruva Laxmi 
Published: June 2021

The beneficial effects of breastfeeding on infant health is well‐known; however, the mechanisms underlying these effects have not been fully elucidated. To characterize the impact of formula‐vs. sow‐feeding on metabolic pathways, we used untargeted metabolomics on fasting sera samples from neonatal piglets to compare effects of sow‐fed and infant formula‐based diets. A total of 36 piglets were weaned exclusively on ad‐libitum sow‐feeding for 2 days after birth and then equally split into 3 exclusive dietary groups for 21 consecutive days: continuation of ad‐libitum sow‐feeding, dairy‐, or soy‐based infant formula fed diets. Total energy intake in dairy‐and soy‐based infant formula diets were given to match weight gain in ad‐libitum sow‐fed piglets (i.e., piglets were matched by digestible energy intake). Fasting serum samples were collected at the end of the feeding period and analyzed using LC‐MS. Partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) models were used to identify ions that discriminate dietary group differences. Data were split into model training and test datasets to determine PLS‐DA model accuracy and only training data was used for model development and feature selection. Optimal cross‐validation accuracy was reached with 21 metabolites included in the model, and permutations of final model revealed a significant difference between nested cross‐validated model accuracy relative to nested permuted accuracy (P < 0.01). Classification of data held out in test set was correctly predicted using 2 latent variables. Amino acids and amino acid derivatives, including phenylalanine, arginine, kynurenine, dimethylglycine, urea, and pipecolic acid, were selected in the final model and found to be significantly different among dietary groups (all P < 0.05; 1‐way ANOVA; Benjamini and Hochberg adjusted). Phosphoric acid, citric acid, and sphingosin‐1‐phosphate were also featured in final PLS‐DA model. Other phospholipid species were identified in the final model and validation of these species are ongoing. Our data suggest that amino acid and lipid metabolism is significantly altered by infant formula‐based diets matched for digestible energy intake in a neonatal piglet model, likely due to the disparate protein and lipid composition of the three diets. Future work will be to assess and integrate the metabolomic profile in liver, ileum, and urine to provide a comprehensive overview of metabolic changes associated with infant formula feeding.Support or Funding InformationUSDA‐ARS Project 6026‐5100‐010‐05S
Iron Status Predicts EEG Measures of Brain Function During a Memory Task in 4–6 Month Old Infants and May Reveal Associations Between Early Iron Status and Memory Behavior
Authors: Nevins Julie E.H. , Robertson Steven S. , Canfield Richard L. , Haas Jere D. 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundIron deficiency (ID) during late gestation and infancy—the period of peak brain development—is associated with longterm cognitive deficits. Infants of weaning age (4–6 mo) have an elevated risk of low iron stores, yet no clinical definition of ID exists for infants <12 mo. Previous studies are limited by non‐specific measures of cognition.ObjectiveWe hypothesized that decreased neural responses mediate the relationship between low iron status and memory performance.MethodsIn a cross‐sectional study of infants (4–6 mo, n = 23), we assessed iron status with hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin (sFt), as well as brain activity with electroencephalography (EEG) during a memory task and novelty preference (%Nov) during a second memory task. Both tasks measured infant response to novel versus familiar visual stimuli. We used mixed regression models to determine whether the between‐stimulus difference in amplitude of the EEG “slow wave” (ΔLSW), a known correlate of memory, mediates the association between iron status and novelty preference. Relevant covariates were also included.ResultsAs expected, the LSW was more negative for novel vs control stimuli (p = 0.04). For every 1 μV change in ΔLSW, %Nov increased 0.52 ± 0.26 (SE)% (p=0.05). The ΔLSW parameter estimate increased to 0.56 ± 0.24 (p=0.02) when anemia (Hb <110 g/L; β= −4.97 ± 1.64, p<0.01) and age (β= 0.65 ± 0.26, p=0.01) were added to the model. Having low iron stores (sFt <45.0 μg/L) produced a similar result as anemia, except that ΔLSW was no longer significantly associated with %Nov after adding ferritin status to the model.ConclusionsThe infants had a greater neural response to novel versus familiar stimuli, and anemia status predicted the magnitude of ΔLSW. Preliminary analyses suggest that ΔLSW was not a mediator because the relationship between anemia and %Nov was strengthened, not diminished, when ΔLSW was added to the model. ΔLSW could be a negative confounder. The biological theory and data from animal studies provide a strong case for the presence of a mediating relationship between iron status, brain function, and memory performance in early infancy. Our methods should be repeated in a longitudinal follow‐up and ideally a randomized controlled trial, as it may be that the hypothesized mediation is only related to the change in Fe status.Support or Funding InformationFunded by USDA/CUAES (#NYC‐399413) & Cornell Human Ecology Alumni Association; JN supported by NSF GRFP
Hydroxytyrosol is more a more potent antioxidant than tyrosol
Authors: Rodríguez‐Morató Jose , de la Torre Rafael , Blumberg Jeffrey , Chen C‐Y. Oliver 
Published: June 2021

Tyrosol (Tyr), a phenolic present in olive oil and wine, is converted to hydroxytyrosol (Hty) via hepatic phase I enzymes in vitro and in vivo. Tyr and Hty possess an array of potential bioactions, including antioxidant, cardioprotectant, antitumor, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and neuroprotection. However, the relative efficacy of these 2 compounds has not been characterized. Thus, we compared the capacity of Tyr vs. Hty in vitro for antioxidant actions in HepG2 cells. Using the FRAP and ORAC assays, we noted total antioxidant capacity of Hty was 25‐ and 3.5‐fold higher than Tyr, respectively. At physiological concentrations of 1–25 μmol/L, neither Tyr nor Hty altered HepG2 cell viability determined after 24‐h incubation with the MTT assay. Hty at 5 μmol/L displayed 40% greater cellular protection against 250 μmol/L H2O2‐induced apoptosis than Tyr. Similarly, at 5 μmol/L, Hty was 4‐ and 3.5‐fold more effective than Tyr in reducing 50 μmol/L AAPH‐ and 500 μmol/L H2O2‐induced production of reactive oxygen species, respectively, determined using the CM‐H2DCFDA assay. Using LC‐MS/MS, sulfated and methylated metabolites of Hty and Tyr were detected in the HepG2 cell lysates, but neither glucuronidated nor hydroxylated forms were detected. In conclusion, Hty (and potentially its phase II metabolites) displayed more potent antioxidant activity than Tyr, possibly due to an additional hydroxyl group in its phenol ring.Support or Funding InformationFIS‐ISCIII‐FEDER, CIBEROBN, FI‐DGR2012 Predoctoral Fellowship, and USDA
Online and In‐Person Nutrition Education Reduces Sodium Intake: A Randomized Trial to Assess Knowledge, Self‐Efficacy and Behaviors in WIC Participants
Authors: Au Lauren , Whaley Shannon , Rosen Nila J , Meza Martha , Ritchie Lorrene D 
Published: June 2021

High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality in the U.S., and low‐income populations are at increased risk. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the impacts of online and in‐person group nutrition education on changes in knowledge, self‐efficacy, and behaviors related to sodium reduction in a diverse sample of low‐income women enrolled in Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) between November 2014‐May 2015. The content of the lesson focused on ways to reduce sodium intake and promoted healthy low‐salt cooking options. 580 WIC participants from 3 Los Angeles, CA WIC clinics were randomly assigned to receive in‐person group education (n=294) or online education (n=286). Questionnaires assessing knowledge, self‐efficacy, and behaviors related to sodium reduction were administered before and after education, and 2 to 4 months later. T‐tests and x 2 tests were used to compare changes within and between in‐person and online groups. ANCOVA and GEE were used to assess differences in change between groups. Positive changes in knowledge and self‐efficacy improved between pre‐ and post‐questionnaire and were retained 2–4 months later for both groups (P<0.05). Both groups reported significant improvements in behaviors related to using less salt in cooking, and eating less salt, processed foods, fast‐food, and restaurant foods (all P<0.001). Overall, this study demonstrates that both online and in‐person group education can result in improvements in knowledge, self‐efficacy, and behaviors related to reducing sodium intake in a low‐income population. Findings support the use of innovative and effective nutrition education to low‐income populations to improve long‐term dietary behaviors.Support or Funding InformationThis project has been funded with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service through grant WIC NEI‐12‐TX to Baylor College of Medicine to the Nutrition Policy Institute at the University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (formally the Center for Weight and Health at the University of California, Berkeley). The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Social Media Usage Pattern among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP‐Ed) eligible Individuals in Georgia
Authors: White Alice , Hagues Rachel , Childers Austin , Lee Jung Sun , Olubajo Babatunde , Phua Joe 
Published: June 2021

Social media has a potential to deliver nutrition education messages effectively and efficiently to large, underserved populations, but little is known about the current social media usage pattern among SNAP‐Ed eligible population. The purpose of this study was to understand the current social media practices in a sample of SNAP‐Ed eligible Georgians who participated in a series of focus group interviews to examine the feasibility of developing a statewide social marketing intervention as part of the SNAP‐Ed programming in Georgia. A total of 68 participants representing a range of rural and urban counties in Georgia completed a social media use survey prior to the focus group (n=68, mean age 40.3±14.4, 94.1% female, 75.0% minority). About 63% of the study sample reported they use social media on a day‐to‐day basis, and 82.4% have a membership to at least 1 social media platform. Most of the study sample reported to have a Facebook membership (76.5%), and access social media through smartphones (73.5%). Through social media, participants preferred to receive health and nutrition information on a daily to weekly basis (92.6%) especially recipes and food tips. Those who are regularly using social media were more likely to be female, have at least 1 membership to a social media platform, and more likely to read health and nutrition information on social media. The findings from this study identified and suggest approaches that social media can be used as an effective means of engaging SNAP‐Ed eligible individuals as part of the statewide SNAP‐Ed Social Marketing intervention in Georgia.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by USDA SNAP‐Ed.
The Impact of Limonin on Gut Microbiota
Authors: Gu Min , Sun Jin , Qi Ce , Cai Kun Xiao , Goulette Tim , Song Yue Ming , You Meng xiao , Sela David , Xiao Hang 
Published: June 2021

The gut microbiota play critical roles in human health, and diet can modulate the compositions of the gut microbiota, which in turn may contribute to altered health outcomes such as changes in the risks of chronic diseases. Limonin is one of the major bioactive compounds found in citrus fruits and have been reported to possess various beneficial health effects. This study was aimed to determine the effects of dietary limonin on the gut microbiota. Mice were fed limonin in the diet (0.05% w/w) for 5 weeks, and the microbiota were isolated for composition analysis. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) patterns and Misequencing analysis were used to profile gut microbiota in the cecum, colon and feces of the mice. The results showed that compared to the control mice, treatment of limonin did not cause significant change on the diversity of the cecal microbiota, while significant changes were observed in the diversity of colonic microbiota after limonin treatment. In the colon, abundance of colonic Enterobacteriaceae was decreased by 10‐fold, while the abundance of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus was increased significantly in the mice treated with limonin (p<0.001). Moreover, the abundance of colonic Clostridiales was reduced to one third of that of the control mice by the administration of limonin. Overall, our study provide the first line of evidence that dietary limonin could alter gut microbiota, which warrants further investigation to determine its implication in human health.Support or Funding InformationThis study was partially supported by fund form USDA.
Impact of Body Mass Index and Metabolic Health Status on All‐Cause Mortality Risk among Older Adults
Authors: Cheng Feon W. , Gao Xiang , Mitchell Diane C. , Wood Craig , Still Christopher , Jensen Gordon L. 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionReduced all‐cause mortality has been reported for older persons with overweight or class I obesity (body mass index, BMI 25.0–29.9 or 30.0–34.9 kg/m2, respectively) compared to those of desirable BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2). The explanation for this observation remains unclear. Our objective was to investigate the joint effects of BMI and metabolic health status on all‐cause mortality in a well characterized cohort of advanced age.MethodsAmong 4,551 older adults with a mean age of 74 ± 4.7 years at baseline, we categorized individuals into eight groups according to BMI categories (18.5–24.9, 25.0–29.9, 30.0–34.9, and ≥35.0 kg/m2) and the presence or absence of a metabolically healthy phenotype, defined as having 0 or 1 of the metabolic risk factors based on a modified Adult Treatment Panel III guideline proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Metabolically unhealthy was 2 or more risk factors. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for age, sex, smoking, alcohol, laboratory values, and comorbidity status.ResultsThere were 2,294 mortality cases over a mean 10.9 years of follow up. Compared to metabolically healthy persons of desirable BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2, metabolically unhealthy participants of all BMI groups had increased risk of all‐cause mortality (Figure 1). Compared with metabolically healthy BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 individuals, their metabolically healthy overweight and obesity class I counterparts were not at greater all‐cause mortality risk (HR, 0.89; 95 CI%, 0.74–1.06 and HR, 0.75; 95 CI%, 0.59–0.94, respectively) (P‐Interaction: 0.03, Figure 1).ConclusionsAmong older adults, metabolically healthy overweight or mild obesity (class I) is not associated with a higher mortality risk and unhealthy metabolic status may be a risk factor for all‐cause mortality regardless of BMI group. It appears that metabolically healthy overweight and mildly obese persons of advanced age account for the “obesity paradox”.Support or Funding InformationSupported by United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 8050‐51530‐012‐01A.
Toward closing the dietary fiber gap: candidate genes associated with dietary fiber content in common bean
Authors: Brick Mark A , Thompson Henry J 
Published: June 2021

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is known as an important source of protein, mineral nutrients and dietary fiber in the human diet. These compounds have dietary health implications, including lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of advanced colorectal cancer, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Common bean also contain oligosaccharides such as raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose that have been reported to enhance human health. This research was conducted to better understand the genetic control of components of dietary fiber including oligosaccharides in common bean. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted on 280 lines from Middle American common bean germplasm to map the genomic regions responsible for soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, and oligosaccharides. GWAS coupled with common bean whole genome sequence data could lead to higher resolution mapping and facilitate candidate gene discovery. We used 15,127 SNPs with minor allele frequency of 5% and greater in a population of 263 genotypes from the BeanCAP project to map fiber and oligosaccharide traits. We identified strong candidate genes for soluble and insoluble dietary fiber content, and oligosaccharides.Support or Funding InformationSupported by the USDA/NIFA Common Bean Coordinated Agricultural Project (BeanCAP), the Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station, and PHS grant R01‐CA172375 from the National Cancer Institute.
Dietary Flavonoid Intake Is Negatively Associated with Anthropometric Risk Factors for Chronic Disease in Some Population Subgroups But Not Others: Results from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007–2010
Authors: Sebastian Rhonda S , Enns Cecilia Wilkinson , Goldman Joseph D , Steinfeldt Lois C , Moshfegh Alanna J 
Published: June 2021

Flavonoids, bioactive compounds found in plants, are considered beneficial for human health. Whereas favorable associations between flavonoid intakes and anthropometric measures that are risk factors for chronic disease have been found in various studies, little research has examined whether similar associations exist in the U.S. population overall or in specific racial/ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether flavonoid intake is related to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in a large, nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Data from one 24‐hour recall for 5,378 males and 5,480 non‐pregnant, non‐lactating females age 20 years and over participating in What We Eat in America (WWEIA), NHANES 2007–2010 were analyzed. Intakes of total flavonoids and six flavonoid classes (anthocyanidins, flavan‐3‐ols, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, and isoflavones) were determined by applying the recently released, comprehensive database Flavonoid Values for USDA Survey Foods and Beverages 2007–2008. The few plant‐based foods/beverages that were new in the 2009–2010 survey were assigned the flavonoid profile of the most similar 2007–2008 item. For total flavonoids and for each class, individuals were divided into four categories of intake, and trends in BMI and WC were determined using orthogonal polynomial contrasts with adjustment for confounding variables. For all adults age 20 years and over, negative trends in both BMI and WC were found with increasing category of intake of total flavonoids, anthocyanidins, flavan‐3‐ols, and flavanones (p<0.001). Identical trends were seen among men, but only anthocyanidins and flavanones were inversely associated with BMI and WC among women. No significant associations were found between anthropometric measures and intakes of flavones, flavonols, or isoflavones. Among non‐Hispanic (NH) whites (both genders together), inverse associations were found between WC and total flavonoid intake and between both BMI and WC and intakes of anthocyanidins, flavan‐3‐ols, and flavanones. Among Hispanics, inverse associations were found between both BMI and WC and anthocyanidin intake. Among NH blacks, no relationships were identified between anthropometric measures and flavonoid intakes. Negative associations between flavonoid intake and BMI and WC are not uniform across flavonoid classes, gender, or race/ethnicity. The finding of significant negative associations between flavonoid intakes and BMI and WC in some populations but not others suggests that further examination by race/ethnicity of intake of flavonoids and flavonoid‐containing foods/beverages might contribute to understanding of disparities in chronic disease occurrence.Support or Funding InformationARS, USDA