bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing glutaminolysis in glutamine dependent breast cancer cells with TRO provides a therapeutic window for GDH inhibition by EGCG inducing massive cell death
Authors: Friday Ellen , Oliver Robert , Turturro Francesco , Welbourne Tomas 
Published: June 2021

We previously demonstrated that breast cancer cells depend upon glutaminolysis and derived glutamate metabolized via GDH (NH4+) rather than ALT (ALA production). One strategy for limiting tumor growth is to enhance glutaminolysis and then block GDH. To effect this, MCF‐7 cells were incubated for 24h in DMEM containing 5mM Glc + 2mM Gln or 2mM Gln resulting in increased NH4+and decreased ALA; NH4+/ Gln utilized increased (1.1 to 1.4) indicating increased GDH flux. Lactate production (Lac) in Glc/Gln reversed to utilization consistent with reentry of pyruvate into mitochondria subserving anaplerosis. Cell protein content had increased incorporation of 14C‐U‐glutamine and mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψm) increased. Adding 25 uM TRO to Gln media enhanced NH4+ and the NH4+/ Gln ratio (1.4 to 1.8) consistent with accelerated GDH flux while Ψm increased; Lac uptake reversed to production while ALA plummeted (↓85% vs Gln alone) consistent with limiting mitochondrial pyruvate uptake. Addition of 100 uM EGCG to Gln media reduced the NH4+/gln ratio(1.4 to 1.0) with GDH inhibition; cell protein content decreased 32%. EGCG added to Gln media + TRO reduced NH4+ and NH4+/gln ratio(1.8 to 1.0) and prevented Lac‐ formation. Cell protein content dropped 55% while Ψm decreased 17% associated with an 8 fold increase in cell death.Research support: Southern Arizona Research Foundation (TW) and Feist‐Weiller Cancer Center (FT)
Consumption of higher dairy and dietary protein during diet‐ and exercise‐induced weight loss promotes a metabolically favourable body composition change in overweight and obese young women
Authors: Josse Andrea R , Atkinson Stephanie A , Tarnopolsky Mark A , Phillips Stuart M 
Published: June 2021

While diet and exercise induced body weight loss has significant health benefits, the ratio of fat:lean tissue loss may be more important. We aimed to determine how daily exercise and different hypoenergetic diets, varying in protein and calcium, affected changes in the tissue composition of weight lost in otherwise healthy young, overweight and obese women over 16wk. Ninety subjects were randomized to 3 groups (n=30 ea): HiDairyPro (HDP), DairyPro (DP) and Control (CON). They differed in the type of protein consumed (high, moderate or low dairy, respectively) and amount (30%, 15% and 15% of energy, respectively). Body composition (DXA) was measured at 0, 8 and 16wk, and a subset of subjects (n=39) underwent MRI to assess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume at 0 and 16wk. All groups lost body weight and fat (P<0.05, for all), however, the net loss of fat during 8–16wk was greater in HDP versus DP and CON. HDP gained muscle with a greater increase during 8–16wk than the other groups while DP maintained muscle and CON lost muscle. HDP also lost more VAT versus CON. We conclude that diet and exercise induced weight loss regimens with higher dairy, calcium and protein versus those without promoted weight loss in women with a more metabolically favourable body composition change characterised by greater total and visceral fat loss and muscle mass gain.Grant Funding Source: The Dairy Farmers of Canada, CIHR, and The US Dairy Research Institute
Transglutaminase response during differentiation and apoptosis in myelogenous leukemia cells
Authors: Miller Logan Tyler 
Published: June 2021

Tissue transglutaminase (tTg) covalently modifies proteins by the formation between an ε‐amino group of a lysine residue and a γ‐carboxamide group of a glutamine residue. The expression of tTG is a widely used marker for apoptosis and cellular differentiation. The K562 cells, a myelogenous leukemia cell line, are differentiation‐incompetent, programmed cell death‐competent cancer cells. The objective of the study was to examine tTg response following exposure to chemicals known to induce differentiation and/or apoptosis.The K562 cells were treated with various chemicals including sodium butyrate and heteroarontinoids (HETS), retinoids with one aromatic ring and at least one heteroatom. The chemicals were introduced to cellular suspensions of K562 cells and McCoy's Modified 5a media. After 48 hours of exposure the cells were processed using trypan blue exclusion, Hoechst/propidium iodide assay, and a morphology evaluation from May Grunwald‐Giemsa stained cytospin slide preparations. The expression of tTg was evaluated using SDS‐PAGE Electrophoresis/Western Blotting.Preliminary results show that tissue transglutaminase is unresponsive to retinoic acid treatments. The heteroarotinoids showed varying levels of tissue transglutaminase expression as well as differing levels of apoptosis. Sodium butyrate effected the growth of K562 cells by decreasing the growth rate. Support was provided by SRU.
Uncovering novel therapeutic targets and pathways against neurodegeneration elicited by oxidative stress
Authors: Cho Kyoungin , Yi Haiqing , Ferreira Paulo A 
Published: June 2021

Oxidative stress is linked to a plethora of diseases and aging manifestations. Identification of factors modulating oxidative stress may uncover therapeutic targets to unmet clinical needs. We report that haploinsufficiency of RAN‐binding protein‐2 (RANBP2+/−) protects photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from degeneration by light damage, whereas it increases and decreases the susceptibility of dopaminergic neurons of the brain and retina to MPTP toxicity, respectively. RANBP2+/− mice upon light‐elicited oxidative stress suppresses membrane dysgenesis and modulates the levels of a subset of functionally diverse partners of RANBP2 (e.g. RAN GTPase, ubc9, S1 subunit of the 26S proteasome), ubiquitylated proteins and a set of orphan nuclear receptors. RANBP2+/− suppresses also the oxidative stress‐induced formation of lipid deposits in the RPE. On the other hand, MPTP in RANBP2+/− decreases the locomotor activity and leads to damage of TH+‐neurons of SNpc, whereas it promotes an increase of GFAP+‐glial cells and TH+‐amacrine neurons of the retina. We found also ten brain metabolites significantly modulated by MPTP between RANBP2+/+ and RANBP2+/−. Hence, insufficiency of RANBP2 leads to cell‐type‐dependent regulation of proteostasis and lipid homeostasis acting on functionally interconnected pathways in response to oxidative stress.NIH support GM083165 & EY019492
Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase modulates sleep and sleep homeostasis in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Vanderheyden William M , Shaw Paul J 
Published: June 2021

Although humans spend a third of life asleep, the function this sleep serves is still unknown. Using the model system Drosophila melanogaster, we have begun to identify genes that alter either sleep or sleep homeostasis, the increase in sleep observed after sleep loss. One of the genes we have identified, extra‐cellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), is of particular interest given its role in synaptic plasticity. Thus, we expressed an activated form of ERK (UAS‐ERKact) in adult flies using the pan neuronal Geneswitch driver Gsw‐elav. We have found that RU486 (RU) fed GSw‐elav/+>UAS‐ERKact/+ display a significant increase in sleep compared to vehicle (ETOH) fed controls. Importantly, the pan neuronal expression of ERKact in the adult fly also results in a significantly larger sleep rebound than controls. Consistent with these results, we have observed a reduction in sleep time and an attenuated sleep rebound in two loss of function lines for the Drosophila homologue of ERK, rolled (rl1) and GSw‐elav/+>rlRNAi. Surprisingly, no sleep rebound is observed when ERKact is expressed in the adult Mushroom Body (MB) indicating that ERKact plays a circuit dependent role in sleep regulation. Given the relationship between sleep and synaptic plasticity, it will be interesting to further elucidate the common signaling cascades linking ERK, sleep and plasticity.Research funded by 5 R01 NS051305‐03.
Effects of pistachios on emerging CVD risk factors in moderately hypercholesterolemic individuals
Authors: Holligan Simone , Gebauer Sarah , West Sheila , Kay Colin D , Kris‐Etherton Penny 
Published: June 2021

Pistachios are a known source of several cardioprotective, bioactive components. A randomized, crossover, controlled feeding study was conducted to determine their dose‐related effects on emerging CVD risk factors in persons (N=28) with moderately elevated LDL‐C levels (≥ 2.86 mmol/L). Three test diets (2100 kcal/d; SFA ~ 8%; cholesterol < 300mg/dl) of either a low‐fat, control diet (CON; 25% total fat); a low‐dose diet (1 PD) with 32–63 g/d pistachios (CON + 10% energy from pistachios, 30% total fat); or a high‐dose diet (2 PD) with 63–126 g/d pistachios (CON + 20% energy from pistachios, 34% total fat) were evaluated. We report a significant difference (P < 0.05) in small‐dense LDL levels (sdLDL) between the 2 PD (34.96 ± 1.74 mg/dl) and the CON diet (44.10 ± 2.58 mg/dl) with no significant difference between the 1 PD (42.37 ± 3.29 mg/dl) and CON diet or between the 1 PD and 2 PD diets. No significant effects on Lipoprotein (a) or HDL subpopulations were detected. Similar, significant decreases in LDL‐C for both the 1PD and 2PD versus CON were seen but differences in sdLDL are important since this is a strong predictor of CVD risk status. These results support the use of 63–126 g/d of pistachios in a cholesterol‐lowering diet due to their effects on LDL‐C and sdLDL levels.Funding provided by The Western Pistachio Association and the General Clinical Research Center of The Pennsylvania State University (NIH grant M01RR10732).Grant Funding Source: ASN
The Hartland Institute of Health Education's residential lifestyle intervention improves patients' BMI, blood lipids and fasting plasma glucose profiles
Authors: Pawlak Roman , Gligor Maria 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of residential lifestyle intervention which consisted of a la carte vegan diet and physical activity.MethodsLifestyle intervention based on Hartland Institute of Health Education consisted of between 10 to 18 days of a la carte vegan diet and between 20 to 120 minutes of daily walking. Anthropometric (weight and height) and biochemical (total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose) measurements were taken at baseline and at the end of the program.ResultsMean (SD) age of participants (n = 309) was 56.5 (14.3) years. 69.9% of participants were females, 48.5% were Caucasian, 34.5% were African American and 8.5% were Hispanics. There were statistically significant differences between baseline and post‐intervention values except for the HDL cholesterol. The mean pre‐ and post‐intervention BMI was 31.6 vs. 29 (t (df = 276) = 3.21; p = 0.001), respectively. Mean T‐chol. changed from 187 to 172 (t(df = 274) = 7.46); p = 0.001). Mean LDL‐chol. decreased from 106 to 95 (t(df = 254) = 5.79); p = 0.001). And mean fasting blood glucose changed from 107 to 101 (t(df = 273) = 3.32); p = 0.001).ConclusionA short‐term residential lifestyle intervention program was effective in improving anthropometric and biochemical markers including BMI, blood lipids and fasting glucose profile.*East Carolina University** Hartland InstituteThis study was not funded
Relationship between self‐efficacy, unhealthy food purchasing, and depressive symptoms among adult African American churchgoers in Baltimore
Authors: Flamm Laura , Lenis Chen , Surkan Pamela , Martins Paula , Gittelsohn Joel 
Published: June 2021

We investigated the relationship between self‐efficacy for making healthy food choices, food purchasing behavior, and depressive symptoms among non‐diabetic African American churchgoers. Participants included 130 adult respondents, 31.5% males and 68.5% females from 6 African American churches in Baltimore. This is baseline cross‐sectional data from the Healthy Bodies Healthy Souls project, a multi‐site church‐based environmental diabetes prevention intervention. Information about unhealthy (defined as high fat and/or high sugar) food purchasing was measured according to frequency of purchasing 52 items. Food and activity‐related self‐efficacy was measured using a 13 question scale. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the 10‐item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D). We found a significant association between low self‐efficacy and more frequent unhealthy food purchasing, controlling for income (β= −0.69, R2 =0.10, p =0.009) but not between self‐efficacy and healthy food purchasing. Depressive symptoms were associated with self‐efficacy (r = 0.357, p < 0.001); due to the collinearity between depressive symptoms and self‐efficacy, depressive symptoms were excluded from the final model. Findings suggest that African American churchgoers with low self‐efficacy make more unhealthy food purchasing decisions.Grant Funding Source: American Diabetes Association
A comparison of the literature on the association between intakes of bran, cereal fiber, and whole grains and risk and biomarkers of heart disease
Authors: Qi Lu , Cho Susan , Fahey George , Kim In , Klurfeld David 
Published: June 2021

A literature review was conducted on the association between intakes of cereal fiber, bran, and whole grains, and risk reduction of heart disease. The purpose of this review was to compare health‐related benefits from bran/cereal fiber and whole grains from observational studies. MEDLINE was used to search the scientific literature for relevant studies. Other studies were identified by bibliographic searches for relevant articles. Intakes of cereal fiber, bran, mixtures of whole grains and bran, and whole grains are inversely associated with risk of heart disease and/or heart disease biomarkers. A majority of prospective studies comparing bran/cereal fiber and whole grains for risk of heart disease showed that bran or cereal fiber intake was more protective than whole grain intake. Most studies included cereals containing at least 25% of whole grain or bran content by weight in the whole grain food category. In the scientific literature, whole grain effects have been confounded with those from bran. Limited studies investigated the association between whole grain as defined by FDA (excludes ≥25% bran and bran cereals) and heart disease risk and/or biomarkers of heart disease. The data indicate that bran and cereal fiber play a role in the health benefits gained from whole grains. Implications of these findings will be discussed.Funded by a grant from the Kellogg company.
The effect of one avocado per day on established and emerging cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors: study design
Authors: Wang Li , Bordi Peter L , Rothblat George H , Sankaranarayanan Sandhya , Fleming Jennifer A , Kris‐Etherton Penny M 
Published: June 2021

Clinical studies have demonstrated consistently that diets high in monounsaturated (MUFA) and low in saturated fatty acids (SFA) lower total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) as effectively as lower‐fat, low SFA diets. Avocados are a good source of MUFA and also are rich in vitamins, minerals and phytosterols which could beneficially affect CVD risk. A randomized, 3‐period cross‐over, controlled feeding study was designed to evaluate the effects of avocados on established and emerging risk factors for CVD. Overweight and obese (BMI 25–35 kg/m2) men and women with moderately elevated LDL‐C (25 – 90th) will consume 3 treatment diets with a 2 week run‐in Western diet. Treatment diets are matched for SFA (<7% energy) and include a low‐fat diet (LF: 24% fat, 12% MUFA), a moderate fat diet (MF: 34% fat, 18% MUFA), and a moderate fat diet providing 1 avocado per day (AV: 34% fat, 18% MUFA) with the equivalent fatty acid profile of the MF diet. We hypothesize that the inclusion of 1 avocado per day in a cholesterol‐lowering moderate fat diet will improve CVD risk factors including lipids, lipoproteins, markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, and improve reverse cholesterol transport compared to a heart‐healthy low fat diet and a moderate fat diet without avocado.This study is supported by the Hass Avocado Board of California. ClincalTrials.gov identifier: NCT0123582
Pilot environmental intervention trial in carry‐outs in low‐income neighborhoods of Baltimore City
Authors: Lee Seung Hee , Rowan Megan T , Dennisuk Lauren , Klassen Ann C , Frick Kevin D , Powell Lisa , Gittelsohn Joel 
Published: June 2021

Among low‐income African Americans in Baltimore City, a significant proportion of daily caloric intake is derived from prepared foods served at carry‐outs. However, little is known about the city's carry‐out food environment and strategies to improve accessibility and consumption of healthy foods in these settings. We conducted a two‐month pilot intervention trial in 3 carry‐outs in low income areas of the city. We assessed acceptability of environmental interventions including: replacing the menu board to promote existing healthy menu options with photos, promotional posters, and the substitution of low‐fat for regular mayonnaise on sandwiches. All 3 carry‐out owners were Korean Americans who owned their restaurants for 15–29 years. Each carry‐out conducted business from behind Plexiglas, with little direct customer contact. Acceptability and fidelity of the new menu board and poster interventions were high (3 out of 3) and use of low‐fat mayo was moderate (2 out of 3). Perceived sustainability of the modified menu board and poster interventions were high (3 out of 3), but low‐fat mayo was low (0 out of 3). Low fat mayo purchasing was the primary barrier, given the lack of bulk availability and price at wholesalers. Our findings will be used to test the feasibility and impact of these carryout interventions using a larger sample size.Grant Funding Source: Diabetes Research and Traning Center
Impact of Baltimore Health Eating Zones Study on Psychosocial Factors among African American Caregivers
Authors: Lwin Julia , Dennisuk Lauren , Martins Paula , Sharma Sangita , Shin Ahyoung , Coutinho Anastasia , Christiansen Karina , Yong Rachel , Rowan Megan , Gittelsohn Joel 
Published: June 2021

Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern in the US. The Baltimore Healthy Eating Zones (BHEZ) study is a point‐of‐purchase intervention trial to improve access and consumption of healthy foods in low‐income neighborhoods. During 9‐month intervention trial in recreation centers (7 intervention, 7 control) and corner stores, we led youth‐led health education and nutrition promotion. In evaluation, 242 dyads of African‐American youths (ages 10–14) and their adult caregivers were surveyed at pre‐ and post‐ intervention. Three food‐related psychosocial variables were assessed: self‐efficacy (SE) (Cronbach's α=0.623); intentions (I) (α=0.706); knowledge (K) (α=0.282). Paired sample t‐ tests for pre‐ and post‐intervention data compared the impact between control and intervention groups, and showed no significant changes among adult caregivers in the intervention zone; SE (p=0.593), I (p=0.216) and K (p=0.671). Using independent samples t‐test, the changes in scores showed no significant difference between among adults in comparison areas; SE (p=0.237), I (p=0.300) and K (p=0.520). The preliminary findings showed no improvements in caregivers, which may be attributable to the intervention's primary focus of impacting youths and/or to the reliability of the scales. Future interventions should focus impact on caregivers because caregivers buy and prepare many of the foods that youth consume.Grant Funding Source: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Potential 1H NMR urinary metabolomic biomarkers for Lung cancer in hamster model
Authors: GOJA ARVIND , Geamanu Andreea , Sadaat Nadia , Gupta Smiti 
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to use the metabolomic approach to investigate early potential biomarkers for lung cancer. Golden Syrian hamsters were randomized into 2 groups. Lung cancer was induced in treatment group by a chemical carcinogen, N‐nitrosobis‐2‐(oxopropyl) amine (BOP). Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectra, acquired using 500 MHz magnet were processed using ACD labs software. The processed, digitized NMR spectral data was analyzed using multivariate data analysis software, SIMCA P+. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) score plots showed significant separation between the cancer and control groups. The metabolites responsible for the differences between the two groups as observed from the PCA loading plots, were quantified using CHENOMX NMR metabolite database. The metabolites (n=26) found to be significantly different in the two groups were traced back to their respective biochemical pathways in an effort to gain mechanistic insight into lung cancer progression from the metabolite view point. Some of these metabolites such as glycine, sarcosine, and alanine have been previously reported to be increased in other cancer types. These could potentially serve as potential biomarkers of cancer in general. In addition, some metabolites may be of specific relevance to progression of lung cancer and may therefore be further explored as possible biomarkers of this aggressive cancer type.Grant Funding Source: This work was funded by start up funds from Wayne State University.
Factors affecting HPLC analysis of vitamin K in serum, food and dietary supplements
Authors: Craft Neal E , Park Heasoon 
Published: June 2021

Vitamin K (VK) is one of 4 fat‐soluble vitamins essential for humans. It is most well‐known for its role in blood clotting. Recently, VK was shown to be involved in bone growth. It presents a difficult challenge to measure in blood and food due to its low level and lack of a specific chromaphore.AimTo examined the effects of sample preparation, HPLC separation and detection on the measurement of K1, K2, and MK‐7 in blood and dietary sources. Normal‐phase (NPLC) and reversed‐phase (RPLC) methods were tested. In RPLC, detection was compared using UV and post‐column reduction with fluorescence (PCFL). Reduction modes included: Pt, Zn, and coulometric.ResultsNPLC required gradient elution, failed to resolve all components, and was not amenable to PCFL detection. PCFL was >10x more sensitive than UV detection. Zn and Pt reduction were equally effective but Zn was more practical. Food and supplements were extracted with DMSO then partitioned into hexane. Blood serum was precipitated with alcohol and extracted with hexane, then loaded on Si SPE cartridges. The recovery of K1 or K2 spiked into samples was nearly 100%. Acceptable method performance in serum samples was verified through the KEQAS program.
Morphometric differences of cavitating Z joints
Authors: Cramer G , Ross K , Raju PK , Bora P , Press R , Cantu J , Selby S , Cambron J , Dexheimer J 
Published: June 2021

A previous study of 40 subjects undergoing spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) assessed cavitation measured by accelerometry and L3/L4 – L5/S1 zygapophysial (Z) joint space separation (gapping) measured from MRI scans. An unexpected (and previously unreported) finding was that 6 joints cavitated multiple times.MethodsWe performed an IRB‐approved comparative study (n=18) assessing morphometric analysis of multiple‐cavitating (MC), single‐cavitating (SC), and non‐cavitating (NC) Z joints (joints matched for segmental level, side, and gender). The medial, central, and lateral aspects of the Z joint spaces were measured from pre‐SMT MRI scans. Group comparisons using the Kruskal‐Wallis Test were made for the measurements from the 3 locations and the total of the 3 measurements (total measurement = TM, the primary outcome).ResultsTM and medial joint space were smaller/narrower for the MC group (TM, p=0.008; medial, p=0.04). No differences were found for the central and lateral joint spaces (central, p=0.18; lateral, p=0.29).ConclusionsMultiple cavitations during SMT may be related to the “close packed” nature of a joint in the neutral position (particularly the medial aspect of the joint). These findings provide information about the characteristics of Z joints cavitating during SMT. Funding: NIH/NCCAM Grant # 3R01AT000123‐06S2.