bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CaM kinase activation and cancer cell growth are controlled by AKAP7 (613.4)
Authors: McFarland Hannah , Dodge‐Kafka Kimberly , Schmitt John 
Published: June 2021

Estrogen (E2) activates the calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinases (CaM Kinases) in breast cancer cells. The CaM Kinases regulate ERK leading to transcription and cell growth. CaM Kinase activation of ERK may be blocked by PKA phosphorylation and inhibition of CaM KK. The ability of PKA to phosphorylate its cellular targets may be dictated by protein kinase A anchoring proteins (AKAPs). Hormones that activate PKA, such as vitamin D (VitD) and epinephrine (Epi), may utilize AKAPs to facilitate the assembly of protein complexes and signal transduction. AKAP7 participates in intracellular calcium signaling and therefore may regulate CaM Kinases. Our goal was to evaluate the role of AKAP7 in regulating E2 activation of the CaM KK and CaM KI cell growth pathway in MCF‐10, MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Our results suggest that E2 treatment of MCF‐7 cells activates CaM KI, an effect that is blocked by the CaM KK‐inhibitor STO‐609 but not by the ERK‐inhibitor U0126. Interestingly, purified GST‐RII subunit of PKA pulled down both CaM KK and CaM KI from MCF‐7 cells. Similarly, precipitation with STag‐AKAPs showed that CaM Kinases bind to AKAP7 but not AKAP5, an effect that is enhanced with E2. Purified AKAP7 directly binds purified CaM KK, and endogenous AKAP7 is expressed in MCF‐10, MCF‐7, and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Precipitation of endogenous AKAP7 revealed a robust association with CaM KK in E2‐, but not in STO‐609‐ or VitD‐treated cells. Similarly, VitD pre‐treatment blocked E2’s ability to increase CaM KI phosphorylation and activation. Interestingly, siRNA knockdown of AKAP7 increased basal ERK phosphorylation and prevented E2’s activation of ERK. Finally, E2‐stimulated cell growth was inhibited by pre‐treatment with VitD, STO‐609, and the AKAP inhibitor, Ht‐31. Taken together, these results suggest that AKAP7 directly associates with CaM KK in a complex with CaM KI, an effect that is blocked by VitD via PKA’s inhibition of CaM KK. Finally, VitD and Ht‐31 inhibit growth in breast cancer cells.Grant Funding Source: Supported by M.J.Murdock Charitable Trust #2011267
Small World Initiative: crowdsourcing research of new antibiotics to enhance undergraduate biology teaching (618.41)
Authors: Barral Ana Maria , Makhluf Huda , Soneral Paula , Gasper Brittany 
Published: June 2021

The Small World Initiative (SWI) developed at the Center for Scientific Teaching at Yale uses an undergraduate research course approach to crowdsource the search for new antibiotics. The SWI framework has both a research and an educational component. Research consists of culturing soil microbes, screening for antibiotic activity against pathogens, 16s rRNA gene sequencing, and extracting metabolites. The educational component is embedded in the research framework as students take ownership of the project that includes experimental design, data analysis and presentations, while learning core biological concepts within a number of different introductory courses. Giving the students the opportunity to experience the excitement and process of research in the first years of college provides a positive, realistic reflection of science, resulting in higher retention rates within STEM fields. SWI is currently piloted at 25 diverse institutions from around the country, including community colleges and non‐traditional universities. In the pilot phase, student attitudes about learning science, experiences as a scientist, and relationship to a laboratory research project are evaluated using pre‐ and post surveys. We present the framework of the SWI and different implementation strategies as well as preliminary results of both isolation of antibiotic producers and student responses.Grant Funding Source: Supported by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Davis Educational Foundation, HHMI
Assessing implementation fidelity of a community‐based infant and young child feeding intervention in Ethiopia identifies gaps in delivery that limit reach to communities (624.11)
Authors: Kim Sunny , Ali Disha , Kennedy Andrew , Tesfaye Roman , Rawat Rahul , Menon Purnima 
Published: June 2021

Implementation fidelity is defined by adherence to intervention design, exposure or dose, quality of delivery, and participant responsiveness. As part of the process evaluation (PE) of Alive &amp; Thrive, a large‐scale initiative to improve IYCF, our study assessed the four elements in training of frontline workers (FLWs), delivery of program tools and messages, and supervision and feedback. Data from a qualitative study among three levels of FLWs (n=54 in 2012), i.e. supervisors, health extension workers (HEWs), and community volunteers; and baseline and PE surveys with FLWs (n=225 in 2010, n=504 in 2013) and mothers (n=1,481 in 2010, n=750 in 2013) in two regions (Tigray and SNNPR) were analyzed to examine fidelity of key program components. There was strong adherence to intended cascading format (i.e. information transfer from higher to lower FLW levels) and high exposure to training (95% HEWs and 94% volunteers in Tigray, 68% and 81% respectively in SNNPR). Training quality, assessed by IYCF knowledge and self‐reported capacity, was high and increased since baseline. Job aids were used regularly by most supervisors and HEWs, but only 54% of volunteers in Tigray and 39% in SNNPR received them. Quality of program message delivery was lower among volunteers, and aided recall of key messages among mothers was also low. Although supervision exposure was high, frequency was irregular with weak content fidelity. There is evidence of strong fidelity in training and delivery of tools and messages at higher FLW levels, but gaps in the reach of these to volunteers and mothers and variability between regions limit the potential for intervention impact.Grant Funding Source: Supported by: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, through Alive & Thrive, managed by FHI360
Factors associated with growth in disadvantaged preschoolers attending daycares in Salvador, NE Brazil (624.26)
Authors: Lander Rebecca , Williams Sheila , Costa‐Ribeiro Hugo , Mattos Angela , Barreto Danile , Houghton Lisa , Bailey Karl , Lander Alastair , Gibson Rosalind 
Published: June 2021

Growth of preschool children from poor urban households of NE Brazil can be affected by multiple factors through complex pathways. Structural equation modelling examined the direct and indirect inter‐relationships between socio‐demographic, biological, environmental, and nutritional factors on z‐scores for height‐for‐age (HAZ) and body‐mass‐index (BMIZ) in a cross‐sectional study of 264 disadvantaged preschoolers aged 3‐6 years in 7 philanthropic daycares in Salvador. Statistically significant (p<0.05) direct effects, as shown by standardized regression coefficients, for i) HAZ were maternal height (0.38), being white (‐0.10), of high birth order (‐0.16), and having a helminth infection (‐0.08); and for ii) BMIZ were maternal weight (0.21), haemoglobin (0.14), and extremely low SES (‐0.19). Significant (p<0.05) indirect effects for i) HAZ were sex (‐0.02) and serum Se (‐0.02); and for ii) BMIZ was having a helminth infection (‐0.003). One of the most complex indirect pathways influencing both stature and ponderal growth involved helminths, which acted on serum Se and then serum Zn. In conclusion, multiple factors influence linear growth and body mass indices of these preschoolers, of which treatment of helminth infections with deworming is a modifiable risk factor with the potential to enhance somatic growth.Grant Funding Source: Funded by University of Otago Research Fund and Nutrition Department PBRF fund
Evaluating a promotor‐led, nutrition and physical activity community intervention (624.4)
Authors: Friedman Maya , Jara Eddy , Fajardo Alexander 
Published: June 2021

With Hispanic Americans 1.2 times more likely to be obese and 1.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared to non‐Hispanic Whites, El Sol Neighborhood Education Center and Loma Linda University School of Public Health developed a project to promote healthy eating and physical activity among Spanish‐speaking Latino homemakers and their families. This community‐based project utilized a promotor (i.e., community health worker) approach to implement six session curriculum (1.5 hours per session). A total of 600 Spanish‐speaking Latinas participated in the series. The behavioral objective was for participants to experience a change in key indicators of capacity to eat healthier and be more physically active (i.e., perceived benefits, knowledge, self‐efficacy, intention and behavior). Evaluation methods included a pre‐and post‐test design and administration of modified Photovoice tool that asked participants to draw what they felt impacted them the most from participating in the curricular sessions. Pre‐post community participant survey responses revealed significant increases (p<0.05) in: 13 out of the 18 knowledge questions and all nine of the behavioral intention questions (e.g., to exercise more; decrease sugary drinks; eat more fruits and vegetables, prepare healthy snacks for their children and decrease the frequency of eating out at fast‐food restaurants). The Photovoice drawings corroborated the survey results, highlighting positive changes in knowledge, intention, motivation and behavior. Findings suggest that that the promotor‐led nutrition and physical activity curriculum promotes healthier eating and physical activity among Spanish‐speaking Latinas. The authors recommend implementing this intervention with non‐Latino communities to see if these results can be validated and reproduced.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Desert Health Care District and Loma Linda University Office of Public Health Practice
Impact of a course‐based nutrition intervention on health‐related behavior change based on the transtheoretical model (626.13)
Authors: Fernandes Nicolle 
Published: June 2021

Readiness to change is a key factor in successful behavior change. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a course‐based nutrition intervention on behavior change in college students and to identify factors that promote/obstruct positive health behaviors. Participant‐categorized stages of change were identified to test the impact of the intervention to induce change. Of the 53 participants, majority were female (93%) and Caucasian (89%), and had an average age of 20 (18‐25) and body mass index (BMI) of 24.5 (19.1‐39.1). Health behaviors that students were most likely to engage in during and after the intervention were exercise (35%), increasing intake of fruits and vegetables (33%), whole grains (19%) and calcium (13%). Interestingly, the highest transformation according to the stages of change i.e. from pre‐contemplation or contemplation to preparation, action or maintenance was observed for reducing sodium intake (45%). This was followed by increasing calcium intake (32%), reducing fat (26%) and increasing fruits and vegetables (19%). While 22% of students indicated course attendance as a factor that aided success in behavior change, 43% indicated motivation (personal and external) to be the highest contributor to their success. Time seemed to be the most common barrier as indicated by 60% of participants. Although participants were predominantly health‐majors, only 39% identified health as a priority value in the pretest (39%). This increased to 56% posttest. In conclusion, course‐based nutrition education may be an effective approach in impacting students to adopt health behaviors based on their readiness to change.Grant Funding Source: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), Ball State Univeristy
Neuroprotective effects of cheonggukjang prepared with B. amyloliquefaciens MJ1‐4 and Bacillus sp EMD17 (629.12)
Authors: Woo Ji Eun , Seo Ji Yeon , Kang Hye Ryung , Kim Seong Soon , Zakharova Alexandra , Kim Mi Hye , Kim Bo Ram , Han Mi Kyung , Kim Jeong Hwan , Kim Jong‐Sang 
Published: June 2021

The health benefits of cheonggukjang are widely accepted. However, the sensory property of cheonggukjang such as unique odor is still a challenging issue which hampers extensive consumption.In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective activity of cheonggukjang prepared with B. amyloliquefaciens MJ1‐4 (MJ1‐4) and Bacillus sp. EMD17(EMD17) which have better odor. Cheonggukjang was made with MJ1‐4 alone or combination with MJ1‐4 and EMD17 as well as with different incubation times. Aqueous ethanol (80%, v/v) extracts of each cheonggukjang prepared with MJ1‐4 alone and combination with MJ1‐4 and EMD17 were subjected to determination of neuroprotective activities, using MTT cytotoxicity and 2´,7´‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF‐DA) assays. The results showed that cheonggukjang prepared with MJ1‐4 alone and combination with MJ1‐4 and EMD17 had relatively high protective effect against glutamate‐induced cytotoxicity, decreased ROS accumulation, and caused higher NQO1 induction, compared to normal cheonggukjang in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NRF‐2010‐0027204 and 2011‐0009782 and IPET (High Value‐added Food TechnologyDevelopment Program, 2012, 112066‐3), S. Korea
Improvement of memory and cognitive function by alantolactone and isoalantolactone in mouse model (629.9)
Authors: Seo Ji Yeon , Kim Seong Soon , Kang Hye Ryung , Kim Bo Ram , Zakharova Alexandra , Woo Ji Eun , Kim Mi Hye , Han Mi Kyung , Kim Jong‐Sang 
Published: June 2021

Our previous study demonstrated that alantolactone and its isoform isolated from Inula helenium had neuroprotective and antioxidative effects in primary cortical neurons. This study was conducted to assess the preventive effect of both sesquiterpenes from the impairment of memory and cognitive function in scopolamine‐induced mice. ICR mice (5 week‐old, male) were injected i.p. with 1 mg/kg body weight of scopolamine to induce amnesia. The memory and spatial learning ability of mice were evaluated by passive avoidance test, Y‐maze test, and Morris water maze test. We found that these two sesquiterpenes improved the cognitive function of mice injected with scopolamine in a dose‐dependent manner. In particular, the group treated with 1 mg isoalantolactone per kg body weight showed the longer latency time than positive control group. Moreover, isoalantolactone reversed the scopolamine‐induced spatial memory impairment of mice as assessed by Y‐maze test. The inhibition of acetylcholine esterase in hippocampus and cerebral cortex was postulated as the potential mechanism of the memory improvement by the compound. In conclusion, these results suggest that sesquiterpenes attenuate scopolamine‐induced memory impairment maybe through enhancement of the cholinergic nervous system via acetylcholinesterase inhibition.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NRF‐2010‐0027204 and 2011‐0009782 and IPET (High Value‐added Food TechnologyDevelopment Program, 2012, 112066‐3), S. Korea
Opportunities and challenges for intersectoral convergence in the delivery of nutrition interventions in India (632.16)
Authors: Avula Rasmi , Kim Sunny , Ved Rajani , Pradhan Mamata , Menon Purnima 
Published: June 2021

Background: In India, delivery of interventions to improve child nutrition requires active IC between the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) and Women and Child Development (MWCD). This in turn requires linked actions in policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring &amp; evaluation (M&amp;E), but little is known about IC or how to optimize it.Objectives: To identify opportunities and challenges to achieving IC in policy, implementation and M&amp;E for nutrition at the national level and in 2 states.Methods: Content analysis of policy &amp; program documents, stakeholder interviews (n=38 national; 26 state).Results: Policy: Some shared objectives, an articulated need for IC, and diverse task forces support convergence in policy. Nutrition interventions are part of MOHFW programs, but nutrition is not a core objective. Implementation: Operational designs recognize need for coordinated frontline service delivery; delivery structures provide IC opportunities. However, personal relationships and shared understanding of work needs, rather than formal mechanisms facilitated IC. At state &amp; district levels, facilitators were political commitment, will and leadership. M&amp;E: Lack of common indicators and monitoring systems limit IC.Conclusions: There is potential to optimize IC but strong leadership, explicit roles and linked M&amp;E systems could facilitate better IC for nutrition impact in India.Grant Funding Source: Supported by: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, through POSHAN , led by IFPRI
Daidzein enhances efferocytosis via transglutaminase 2 and augmentation of Rac1 activity (639.10)
Authors: Yen Jia‐Hau , Chen Hsiao‐Ling , Tsay Gregory 
Published: June 2021

Objective: Defective efferocytosis is cumulatively recognized in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Based on our previous finding, an ethanolic extract from Glycine tomentella Hayata (GTH) can enhance mouse macrophage Raw264.7 efferocytosis (clearance of apoptotic cells). We have previously demonstrated that the major components of GTH are daidzein, catechin, epicatechin and naringin. Here, we explore the potential of each component for modulating efferocytosis activity.Methods and results: For detecting the effect of daidzein, catechin, epicatechin and naringin on efferocytosis, RAW264.7 cells were cultured with CFDA‐stained apoptotic cells and assayed by flow cytometry. We found that daidzein is the main component of GTH, and it can enhance Raw264.7 efferocytosis dose‐dependently. Moreover, the increased effect of daidzein on macrophage efferocytosis activity is accompanied by TG2 at both the mRNA and protein levels. Conversely, TG2 knockdown attenuated the effect of daidzein on increased macrophage efferocytosis activity. After treatment with daidzein, increased phosphorylation was observed in Erk, but not P38 and JNK. Finally, we report that after daidzein treatment, Raw264.7 macrophages markedly increased Rac1 activity and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, which may contribute to efferocytosis.Conclusion:Taken together, these data suggest that daidzein enhancement of macrophage efferocytosis activity was mainly through up‐regulation of TG2 expression and Rac1 activity. Daidzein may have the potential for treatment strategies for inflammatory diseases.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NSC 99‐2811‐B‐040‐005, Taiwan
The proportion of stressed individuals who, on any given day, do not have a cold/flu may be increased by the intake of bifidobacteria: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study (639.13)
Authors: Langkamp‐Henken Bobbi , Rowe Cassie , Ford Amanda , Christman Mary , Dahl Wendy 
Published: June 2021

Psychological stress is associated with cold/flu. This study determined whether probiotics increased the proportion of academically stressed students who, on any given day, did not have a cold/flu (ie, healthy day). Before, during, and after final exams (6‐wk period), students (20±2 y) took a probiotic (L. helveticus R0052, B. bifidum R0071, or B. longum ssp. infantis R0033) or placebo (n=142 to 147/grp) and self‐reported level of stress and symptom intensity (SI, 0=not experiencing to 3=severe) of 9 cold/flu symptoms. SI scores were summed; a score 蠄6 was counted as a healthy day. The effects of intervention, week, gender, sleep, stress, and categorized baseline SI scores (to control for individual variation), and 2‐way interactions were in the generalized linear mixed model. There was an effect of gender and an interaction between the intervention and stress, sleep, and SI category on the proportion of “healthy” individuals on any given day. B. longum showed a positive relationship with hrs of sleep on likelihood of reporting a healthy day. Pairwise comparisons (averaged over other effects) indicated that B. bifidum (0.99 ± 0.003) and B. longum (0.99 ± 0.003) differed from the placebo (0.97 ± 0.005) in the proportion of healthy individuals but L. helveticus (0.98 ± 0.004) did not. The data suggest that the proportion of stressed individuals who, on any given day, do not have a cold/flu may be increased by Bifidobacteria.Grant Funding Source: Lallemand Health Solutions
Relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers in urine and erythrocytes, and to estimates of fecal Giardia intestinalis intensity in Guatemalan preschool children with a common menu offering (639.3)
Authors: Soto‐Méndez María , Aguilera Concepción , Mesa María , Campaña‐Martín Laura , Martín‐Laguna Victoria , Solomons Noel , Schümann Klaus , Gil Angel 
Published: June 2021

Objectives: To describe urine oxidative stress biomarkers and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes activity, and explore any association with prevalence or intensity of Giardia intestinalis infection (Gi) in preschoolers attending 3 government‐subsidized daycare centers in the Guatemalan Western Highlands Methods: 74 24‐h urine, blood and fecal samples were collected the same week, among 36 F and 38 M to measure oxidative damage to DNA (8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine {8‐OHdG}) and lipid (15‐Isorpostane F2t {F2‐Iso}), the erythrocyte activity of Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Glutathione Reductase (GSHR) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSHPx). Gi prevalence and intensity were assessed by ELISA kit procedures Results: CAT activity correlates significantly with 8OHdG (r=0.242, p=0.038) and F2‐Iso (r=0.468, p<0.001), whereas SOD activity correlates only with F2‐Iso (r=0.256, p=0.028). Positive correlations were also found between Gi intensity and CAT (r=0.337, p=0.003) and F2‐Iso (r=0.291, p=0.012). Median values of rbc CAT activity (p=0.016) and urine F2‐Iso (p=0.023) differed between children who were Gi+ and Gi‐.Conclusion: We find heretofore unrecognized associations between rbc and urine oxidative stress biomarkers and with the prevalence and intensity of Gi in our study population Funded by: Fundación Iberoamericana de Nutrición (FINUT), Spain and The Hildegard Grunow Foundation (HGF), GermanyGrant Funding Source: Supported by Fundación Iberoamericana de Nutrición (FINUT) and The Hildegard Grunow Foundation (HGF)
1,25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D alters the pentose phosphate pathway in Harvey‐ras oncogene transfected MCF10A breast epithelial cells (644.3)
Authors: Wilmanski Tomasz , Zheng Wei , Donkin Shawn , Raftery Daniel , Bequette Brian , Burgess John , Teegarden Dorothy 
Published: June 2021

The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) has emerged as a mediator of cell proliferation and redox balance with its up‐regulation observed in early stages of cancer progression. Here we demonstrate that the active vitamin D metabolite, 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D), alters the PPP in untransformed (MCF10A) and Harvey‐ras oncogene transformed (MCF10A‐ras) breast epithelial cells. Following four day treatment with 10 nM 1,25D, [13C6] glucose flux into the PPP was decreased by 23% in MCF10A and 16% in MCF10A‐ras cells compared to vehicle. Additionally, 1,25D reduced the abundance of nucleosides measured by NMR by 24% and 25% in MCF10A and MCF10A‐ras cells, respectively. There was no difference following 1,25D treatment in mRNA expression of transaldolase, an enzyme in the nonoxidative branch of the PPP. Interestingly, mRNA levels of the rate limiting enzyme glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) were increased 2.3±0.31 fold in MCF10A and 2.18±0.17 fold in MCF10A‐ras cells compared to vehicle. G6PD is a central antioxidative enzyme; however its up‐regulation correlated with a paradoxical 50% increase in reactive oxygen species, as measured by the fluorescent probe dichlorofluorescein diacetate. Together these results suggest 1,25D inhibits glycolytic flux into the PPP, thereby potentially decreasing the reducing potential and biosynthetic substrates necessary for proliferation.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIH R25CA128770 and NCI CCSG CA23168