bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retrospective assessment of growth in infants exposed to HIV in utero
Authors: Manion Erika , Jones Lauren , Lawrence Robert , Borum Peggy R. 
Published: June 2021

The objective of the study was to evaluate growth in uninfected infants exposed to HIV.This retrospective study was approved by the UF Institutional Review Board. Infants exposed to HIV enrolled from 1997 to 2009 in the UF Pediatric Immunology Program (n=198) were stratified into 5 age groups ranging from birth to 24 months in age. An average height, weight, and BMI z‐score were calculated and compared to the 2000 CDC growth charts and WHO growth charts reference populations. The student's t test was conducted using the Palaside StatTools Program and SAS 9.2.The table below compares mean z‐scores of the exposed infant population to the mean z‐scores of the reference population. Height and weight z‐scores of this infant population are both below that of the reference population, but demonstrate different patterns of change during the first 24 months of life.Linear growth is stunted in infants exposed to HIV in utero. The BMI z‐score of this infant population is significantly larger than the reference population mean after 4 months of age. The growth of exposed infants should be followed more carefully and for a longer period of time.

Height
Weight
BMI

Birth
−0.698**
−0.961**
−0.683**

0–3 Months
−1.121**
−0.781**
−0.382**

4–6 Months
−0.581**
−0.173
0.209*

7–12 Months
−0.326**
−0.303*
0.333*

13–24 Months
−0.233*
−0.323**
0.771**

p<0.05
p<0.01
Use of the mobile telephone Food Record (mpFR) does not mitigate reduced dietary intake in adolescents
Authors: Schap TusaRebecca E. , Six Bethany L , Kerr Deborah A , Delp Edward J , Ebert David S , Boushey Carol J. 
Published: June 2021

The mobile phone Food Record (mpFR) is a novel diet assessment tool (Six, 2010; Zhu 2009). Zepeda (2008) suggested that use of image‐based food records leads to reduced food intake. However, no quantitative analysis comparing self‐reported energy to expected energy intake (EEI) was reported. Our objective was to investigate the influence of mpFR use on EEI for meals and 24‐hr dietary intake. Distribution of energy intake (breakfast 16%, lunch 27%, dinner 33%, snacks 24%) was derived from results among 8th graders (Dwyer, 2001) and used to determine EEI as a percent of estimated energy requirement (EER). In a controlled setting, 26 boys and 51 girls aged 11–18 y used the mpFR to record meals eaten to satiation. Adolescents ate breakfast (n=70), lunch (n=78), and dinner and snacks (n=15). There was no significant difference between the EER and known energy consumed over 24‐hr (n=15, p = 0.352). Boys consumed significantly less energy from snacks than expected (mean difference 324 kcal, SE 111, p = 0.014). Girls consumed significantly more energy at dinner than expected (mean difference 196 kcal, SE 43, p = 0.044). Those with a BMI for age in the 85–95th percentile ate significantly less energy at lunch than expected (p = 0.047, mean difference 88 kcal). These results suggest that mpFR use does not mitigate behavior change in adolescents. The mpFR holds promise to accurately assess daily energy intake in adolescents.NCI, NIDDK
Blood pressure responses to consumption of two different carbohydrate‐restricted diets versus a lower fat diet
Authors: Kern Mark , Petrisko Yumi , Kloss Rebecca , Bradley Patricia , Spindler Audrey 
Published: June 2021

During weight loss, carbohydrate‐restricted diets produce favorable metabolic effects; however, few studies have evaluated the potential role of the type of food consumed in these fat‐rich diets. Eighteen subjects (BMI=30–38) consumed three diets in a randomized, balanced cross‐over design for 4 weeks separated by 4‐week washout periods. Diets were designed to provide 1600 kcals for women (n=14) and 2200 kcals for men (n=4) to promote weight loss. Diets included approximately 61% of energy from carbohydrate (CHO), 18% protein (PRO), and 21% fat for the low fat (LF) diet and 10% CHO, 30% PRO, and 60% fat for the very low carbohydrate (VLC) diets. One of the VLC diets was primarily plant and mushroom (170 g/d) based (VLCPM) and the other provided more fat and protein from animal foods. Significant main effects for decreased (p<0.05) systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BPs) for the trials were detected. Post‐hoc examination with paired t‐tests revealed that only within the VLCPM trial were the decreases in both BPs statistically significant (p<0.05). The change in systolic BP during the LF diet bordered on significance (p=0.065). It is unclear whether the more robust decreases in BP after consuming the VLCPM diet is due to slightly greater loss of body weight or a diet component. Further investigation into the potential influence of plants and mushrooms on BP is warranted.Supported by the Mushroom Council.
Metabolic clearance and tolerance of Milk Thistle flavonolignans in chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: NATH SUBRATA , Alcantara Orlando , Bostanjian Ella , Gear Christine , Abboud Hanna , Al‐Shahrouri Hania , Fanti Paolo 
Published: June 2021

Milk thistle (MTh) flavonolignans are used as antioxidants. Little is known about the effectiveness of these compounds in subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We compared MTh flavonolignans pharmacokinetics (PK) in 9 male subjects with T2DM, albuminuria and different stages of CKD. Subjects were divided into Group 1 (G1; n=4; 55–75 yr) with normal or mildly compromised renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 67–113 ml/min) and microalbuminuria (108–234 mg/24‐hr); and Group 2 (G2; n=5; age 61–65 yr) with moderate to severely compromised renal function (eGFR 18–53 ml/min) and albuminuria (120–7243 mg/24‐hr). MTh flavonolignans were administered orally as phosphatidylcholine complex (Siliphos, Indena, USA). Each subject underwent PK study twice after oral intake of 160 mg Siliphos – in the naïve state and after 7 days twice‐daily intake of Siliphos. Serial blood samples were collected before (time 0) and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after Siliphos, and were analyzed by HPLC. Peak values of the active compound silybin were not different between groups: 476 ± 312 ng/ml at 1 hr in G1, and 365 ± 78 ng/ml at 4 hrs in G2. Silybin levels returned to baseline 8 and 12 hrs after Siliphos in G1 and G2, respectively. No difference in PK was noted when comparing the naïve state and the 7‐day exposure to Siliphos. All subjects tolerated Siliphos well, irrespective of renal function level.Supported by NIH AT4490‐01
Factors influencing shopping habits among low‐income families during a one‐month period of time
Authors: Darko Janice , Richards Rickelle 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate changes in shopping behaviors among low‐income families over a one‐month period of time.MethodsTwo researchers conducted thirteen 90‐minute focus groups among low‐income adults who had at least one child less than 18 years in their household (n=72). Transcripts were coded independently by two researchers, with any differences reconciled.ResultsShopping habits among low‐income families changed throughout the month and were impacted by use of food assistance programs, food prices, and shopping logistics. Participants reported purchasing more varied foods at the beginning of the month versus more starch‐based foods at the end of the month. To overcome economic barriers, participants used numerous strategies including weekly or monthly menu planning, price matching, and bulk buying.ConclusionsLow‐income families make strategic decisions based on economic circumstances and other factors, including participation in food assistance programs, or the timing of the month, in order to stretch food expenditures. Our results suggest limited economics throughout the month may hinder families’ ability to consume a varied, nutrient‐rich diet, which may impact future health status.This research study was internally funded by Brigham Young University.
Effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on calcium homeostasis in ovariectomized mice
Authors: Park Yooheon , Park Yeonhwa 
Published: June 2021

Previously, co‐supplementation of calcium and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has shown to improve bone mass in mice. In this study, we tested the possible beneficial effect of CLA on enhancing calcium's effect on bone mass during a bone loss period by employing ovariectomy. Ninety 16‐week‐old female CD‐1 mice were divided into experimental groups; 4 groups of ovarietomized animals (OVX) fed diet with 2 levels of calcium (0.5% and 1%) with or without CLA (0.5% CLA as mixed isomer) and two groups of sham‐operated animals (with or without 0.5% CLA). All data was analyzed with 2‐way analysis of variance (calcium and treatment diets among ovariectomized animals, and operation and treatment diets among 1% calcium). Uterine weight was significantly decreased (P<0.0001) in OVX while body weight was significantly increased (P<0.0001) showing that all the animals were successfully ovariectomized. Body weight as well as body fat contents were significantly reduced by all CLA treatments, but not by calcium supplementation alone. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were significantly increased by CLA treatments (P=0.0172), while PTH levels were decreased by calcium supplementation (P<0.0001). These results suggest that CLA influences calcium homeostasis by modulating PTH levels.Supported by NIH 1R21AT004456.
Hypoglycemia causes depressive‐like behaviors in mice
Authors: Park Min Jung , Yoo Samuel W , Choe Brian S , Dantzer Robert , Freund Gregory G 
Published: June 2021

Mood changes are induced by hypoglycemia in humans and their symptoms include a reduction in hedonic tone and in energetic arousal. While these clinical symptoms are well characterized, their underlying mechanism is not. C57BL/6J mice were administered insulin that generated a blood glucose nadir of 56 ± 6 mg/dl 0.75 h after 0.8 units/kg insulin injection. At 4 h post insulin administration, blood glucose had returned to normal (151 ± 19 mg/dl). Insulin administered mice had saccharin aversion (62 % vs 90.5 % of total fluid consumption) in the saccharin preference test and increased immobility in the forced swim test. In addition, insulin‐treated mice had a 14‐fold increase in liver IL‐6 when compared with saline‐treated mice. Insulin increased plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine in 24 h post insulin treatment. Importantly, blocking of the adrenergic receptors ablated the behaviors of insulin‐induced saccharine aversion and of increased immobility in forced swim test. Taken together, these data indicate that anhedonia and depressive‐like behaviors are induced by hypoglycemia and those behaviors are dependent on IL‐6, catecholamines, and adrenergic receptor‐mediated manner.This research was supported by Grants from the National Institutes of Health (DK064862, NS058525 and AA019357 to G.G.F.), USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project number #ILLU‐971‐32.
The protective effect of bee venom against ethanol‐induced hepatic injury via regulation of the mitochondria‐related apoptotic pathway
Authors: Park Kwan‐Kyu , Park Ji‐Hyun , Kim Kyung‐Hyun , Kim Soo‐Jung , Lee Woo‐Ram , Han Sang‐mi , Lee Kwang‐gil 
Published: June 2021

Alcohol consumption increases apoptosis of hepatocytes. Death of hepatocytes is a characteristic feature of chronic liver disease for various causes. Bee venom (Apis mellifera) has been traditionally used for the treatment of various chronic diseases, such as chronic inflammatory arthritis and chronic liver disease. However, the precise mechanism for bee venom in chronic liver disease is not still cleared. To assess the effects of bee venom in chronic liver disease, we investigated the potential role of the bee venom in the ethanol‐induced hepatocyte apoptosis. Bee venom treatment inhibited the apoptotic cell morphology and increased cell viability in ethanol‐induced hepatocyte apoptosis. With ethanol treatment, bee venom treated hepatocytes increased activity of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL, reduced activity of Bax, Caspase and PARP. In conclusion, bee venom treatment in ethanol‐induced hepatocyte apoptosis occurred through the regulation of Bcl‐family with subsequent inactivation of the Caspase and PARP. These results suggest that bee venom could be an effective agent to reduce ethanol‐induced hepatocyte apoptosis.This work was supported by a grant (2007030103400101) from Biogreen 21 Program, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.
Evaluation of a complementary treatment in experimental oncology – preliminary results
Authors: Verrier Guido F , Cavalcanti Karen Pena , Cabrita Antonio M 
Published: June 2021

Complementary medicine techniques (CMT) are a diverse procedures of health care practices and products that fall outside the traditional western medical theory and practice. The use of CMT have increased over the past decades, and more scientific evidence to sustain their use must be achieved.Our goal with this experiment is to investigate the possible benefic effects of “hands on treatment” in an experimental model of oncology.Two groups of nine Spargue‐Dawkey female rats, one month old, were submitted to the protocol of breast cancer. One group (I) was maintained with no other treatment for 24 weeks. The other group (II) was submitted to hands on treatment, three times a week, 15 minutes each, during 24 weeks. All the animals that survived were sacrificed after 24 weeks. All the animals were weighted weekly and a hemogram was done for each animal when sacrificed.In group I only five animals had survived and in group II survived seven animals. The group II animals were more quite and social in response to the researchers. The were no significant differences between the median weight of the groups, nor the hemograms.Although there were a small number of animals in each group, the results suggest that may be some influence by the treatment, because more animals survived in the treatment group and these animals were more quite. These results also justify a more detailed study of this treatment technique.
CTAS: a novel low‐cost capillary‐based cell and tissue acquisition system
Authors: Kudo Lili , Fields Tony , Bragin Anatol , Karsten Stanislav L. , Vi Nancy 
Published: June 2021

Heterogeneity in tissue samples and cell cultures is a limiting factor that hinders sound cell‐specific molecular studies of disease and health both for gene expression and proteomic analyses. Tissue microdissection and cell sorting technologies have advanced in the last decade from manual dissection to sophisticated but costly laser capture microdissection (LCM) instruments and high speed fluorescence assisted cell sorting systems (FACS). We have developed a low‐cost user‐friendly microdissection device that offers similar capabilities to LCM and FACS. This instrument is a novel capillary‐based vacuum‐assisted cell and tissue acquisition system (CTAS). CTAS is attached to an inverted microscope, and offers a way to dissect tissues and cell cultures at a cellular resolution. RNA and protein isolated from cells harvested with CTAS are of high quality fit for downstream applications, such as microarrays and Western blots. Further, cells collected using CTAS are viable, and can be used for cell cultures. CTAS is currently a fully functional prototype that has demonstrated its capabilities in the central nervous system samples, i.e. spinal cord and brain. This instrument can be applied for the collection of cells from various tissues, and is able to do so more cost effectively than the existing technology of LCM and FACS.This work was supported by NIH Grant RR024059‐01 (LCK).
TLR‐pathway is involved in the biological activity of triptolide, the active compound from a botanical clinically shown to alleviate RA symptoms
Authors: Dey Moul , Premkumar Vg , Raskin Ilya 
Published: June 2021

Triptolide is a diterpene triepoxide present in roots of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F., with known anti‐inflammatory, immunosuppressive and anti‐cancer properties. Although it is known that triptolide inhibits NFκB activation downstream of TLRs, involvement of TLR cascade in triptolide activity was not reported.Objective of the study was to investigate if triptolide suppresses expression of proinflammatory downstream effectors induced specifically by different TLR agonists.The results suggest that the suppression of agonist‐induced NFκB activation and chemokine expression by triptolide is mediated by targeting the early signaling of TLRs, particularly that of TLR4 in RAW 264.7 cells. Triptolide down regulated the expression of TLR4 proteins and that of TRIF adapter proteins in MyD88‐independent pathway of TLR4. In addition gene expression profiles in response to triptolide treatment suggest that triptolide may have multiple cellular targets contributing to its strong anti‐inflammatory and immune suppressive properties.This study reveals involvement of TLR signaling in triptolide activity and further increases understanding of how triptolide activity may down regulate NFκB activation during inflammatory conditions. Funding for this research came from multiple grants by National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD [to MD and IR] and in parts by Phytomedics Inc., Jamesburg, NJ [to IR].
The PON1 is a susceptibility gene for hypertension
Authors: Bakhit Dana Mohammed , Al‐Najai Mohammed , Vigilla Mary Grace B , Al‐Boudari Olyan , Muiya Paul , Meyer Brian F , Al‐Mohanna Futwan , Alshahid Maie , Dzimiri Nduna 
Published: June 2021

The role of PON1 in cardiovascular disease is not fully understood yet. In this study, we tested the possibility that mutations in this gene may predispose individuals to acquiring hypertension. We first sequenced the coding regions of the gene to identify variants of interest in a total of 250 Saudi individuals, and then selected five SNPs showing a frequency of >10% in the general population [rs854560 (7761T>A), rs662 (16399A>G), rs854552 (25921C>T), rs3947577(26137A>G), rs3735590 (26350C>T)], for further studies involving 2138 hypertensive patients versus 656 controls all of Saudi origin. Two of the five studied variants, rs662 [Odds ratio(95% Confidence Interval = 1.21(1.07–1.37); p=0.003] and rs3917577[1.19(1.01–1.40); p=0.039], individually conferred risk for hypertension. Interestingly, the same variants were also significantly associated with hyperlipidaemia (rs662, p=0.031; rs3917577, p=0.013), but not with coronary heart disease or type 2 diabetes mellitus. No confounding effect of gender, age, or obesity was observed on these relationships. The other three SNPs displayed no particular trends with any of the vascular diseases examined. These results point to PON1 as a susceptibility gene for HTN, but not CAD in the Saudi population.This work was supported through the Royal Cardiovascular Research Grant of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre
Substituted cysteine accessibility mutagenesis of P2X2 receptors suggests the position of the gate with structural implications for closed‐open transitions
Authors: Khakh Baljit S. , Kracun Sebastian 
Published: June 2021

P2X receptors are trimeric ligand‐gated cation channels that transition from closed to open states upon binding ATP. The crystal structure of the closed zebrafish P2X4.1 receptor reveals that the ion‐conducting pathway is formed by three transmembrane domain 2 (TM2) alpha‐helices. However, the transitions in TM2 that accompany channel opening are incompletely understood and remain unresolved. In the present study we used site‐directed mutagenesis (SDM) and electrophysiology to quantify gated access to Cd2+ at substituted cysteines in TM2 of P2X2. Our closed state data are consistent with the zfP2X4.1 structure, with I332 and T336 positioned one helical turn apart lining the channel wall on approach to the gate. Our open state data reveal gated access to deeper parts of the pore (T339, V343, D349 and L353), suggesting the closed channel gate is between T336 and T339. We also found unexpected interactions between native C348 and D349C that result in tight Cd2+ binding deep within the intracellular vestibule in the open state. Our data suggest that the channel gate opens near T336/T339 and is accompanied by movement of the pore‐lining regions, which narrow towards the cytosolic end of TM2. Such transitions would relieve the barrier to ion flow and render the intracellular vestibule less splayed during channel opening in the presence of ATP.This research was supported by the NIH.
Characterization of a novel Ca2+‐activated Cl channel activator.
Authors: Lee Hyo Eun , Lee Jun‐Ho , Shin Minkyu , Hong Moochang , Kim Yangseok , Bae Hyunsu 
Published: June 2021

Nelumbinis Semen is a traditional medicine that has been used for hundreds of years in East‐Asia. Nelumbinis Semen is used to treat insomnia, anxiety and women's post‐menstrual‐pause depression. In this study, the signal transduction mechanism of Nelumbinis Semen was investigated in Xenopus oocytes using two‐electrode voltage‐clamp technique. Nelumbinis Semen produced a large outward current at membrane potentials more positive than −20 mV when it was applied to the exterior of oocytes, but not when injected intracellularly. The effect of Nelumbinis Semen was concentration‐dependent and reversible. The effect of Nelumbinis Semen was completely blocked by bath application of the Ca2+‐activated Cl− channel blocker niflumic acid and by intracellular injection of the calcium chelator BAPTA or the IP3 receptor antagonist heparin. Moreover, the effect was partially blocked by bath‐applied U‐73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor and by intracellularly injected GTPγS, a non‐hydrolyzable GTP analogue. Whereas, it was not altered by pertussin toxin (PTX) pretreatment. These results indicate that interaction of Nelumbinis Semen with membrane component at the extracellular side leads to Ca2+‐activated Cl channel opening and this process involves PLC activation, the release of Ca2+ from the IP3‐sensitive intracellular store and PTX‐insensitive G protein activation.This work was supported by the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF) grant funded by the Korea government(MEST) (No. 2009‐0063466).
Angiotensin‐II induced protein kinase D activation via src kinase and protein kinase C mediates aldosterone secretion in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells
Authors: Olala Lawrence Ogweno , Bollag Wendy B. 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of angiotensin II (AngII) induced protein kinase D (PKD) activation in modulating aldosterone secretion in bovine adrenal glomerulosa (BAG) cells.MethodsAdenoviral vectors were used to overexpress S738/742A PKD mutant which is not phosphorylatable by protein kinase C (PKC), Y463F PKD mutant, and Src wildtype as well as a dominant negative K296R/Y528F Src mutant. Supernatants were stored for aldosterone assay, and the cells processed for immunoblot analysis. Samples were immunoprecipitated with either PKD, or anti‐phosphotyrosine antibodies and reciprocally blotted. Blots were quantified and statistically significant differences were determined when p<0.05.ResultsOverexpression of non‐phosphorylatable S738/742A and the Y463F PKD mutants downregulated PKD activation and decreased acute (30‐minute) aldosterone secretion. The dominant negative K296R/Y528F Src mutant, which blocks Src activation, attenuated PKD phosphorylation and aldosterone secretion. AngII induced an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of PKD presumably at the tyrosine 463 residue.ConclusionAngiotensin II (AngII) activates protein kinase D in BAG cells via a mechanism involving Src kinase and PKC, to underlie increased aldosterone production.Funding SupportNational Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung and Blood InstituteAmerican Heart Association