bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of web‐based self‐reporting of dietary intake on college students’ self‐efficacy
Authors: Leibowitz Joshua , Cunningham Britni , Dols Amanda , Dumm Emily , Eng Angelica , Franke Kate , Gross Alison , Helinek Jonathan , Indig Jonathan , O'Connor Alexander , Russell Timothy , Sharma Aroon , Sahyoun Nadine 
Published: June 2021

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of an online diet‐tracking tool on college students’ self‐efficacy, specifically pertaining to their fruit and vegetable intake. A convenience sample of students was recruited and administered a self‐efficacy survey online before and after an 8 week intervention in which participants were asked to track their dietary intake online. Participants were assigned to a control group and 2 experimental groups. Experimental group 1 (n=41) had access to the website to track their intake without reminder emails and experimental group 2 (n=48) had access to the website with weekly reminder emails. A control group (n=62) was not given access to the intervention website. Within the control group, it was found that there was a significant decrease in the self‐efficacy of females (p= 0.020), but not for males (p= 0.069) However, within both experimental groups, the difference in pre‐ and post‐test self‐efficacy scores for females was not significant (p= 0.512). While the intervention did not show a general increase in participants’ self‐efficacy, it can be correlated with an increase in female self‐efficacy scores from a negative change to no change; therefore attenuating some of the observed sex differences.Research was supported by the Gemstone Program at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD
DASH Accordance among Older Hispanics: Comparison of Three DASH Scores
Authors: Sarkar Divyani , Tangney Christy Clare , Staffileno Beth A , Foley Sharon , Bacon Cheryl A , Wilbur JoEllen 
Published: June 2021

Hypertension prevalence is higher among non‐Hispanic whites compared to Hispanics, yet fewer Hispanics receive treatment. There are several approaches to assess accordance to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan and these rarely include Hispanics. A food frequency questionnaire was used to score and compare three DASH scoring paradigms (Fung et al 2008 (FUDASH), Toledo et al 2007(TODASH) and Folsom et al 2007(FODASH). Using SPSS, Spearman correlations and kappa tests were performed between DASH scores. In this cross‐sectional study of Hispanics, 169 participants were 66±9 years, obese (BMI 30±5) and 73 % female;29% were hypertensive. There were 17% accordant (score, 29–38) based on FUDASH 13% were accordant (score, 3–6) based on TODASH and 55% were accordant (score, 6–10) based on FODASH. Correlations and kappas are as follows: FUDASH‐TODASH (rs=0.46, p<0.001; kappa=0.25, p <0.001), TODASH‐FODASH (rs=0.43, p<0.001; kappa =0.10 p<0.01) and FUDASH‐FODASH (rs=0.69, p<0.001; kappa=0.16; p<0.0001). Based on these analyses, choice of the scoring paradigm to assess DASH accordance is critical and warrants further study.Grant Funding Source: Departmental
The environment of phytonutrients may contribute to their bioefficacy against cancer
Authors: Zhao Yi , Whelan Jay 
Published: June 2021

The reductionist approach contributes greatly to our understanding of anticancer properties of phytonutrients, but in vitro studies demand concentrations that are 100–1000 times higher than achievable in humans, producing results with little physiologic relevance, resulting in disappointing outcomes in clinical trials. However, maintaining these bioactives in the presence of other compounds originally derived from the food/extract of origin may synergistically lower the bioactive dose so translatability becomes feasible. The objective of this study was to determine if bioefficacy of phytonutrients can be enhanced when used in combination at doses that are ineffective when used in isolation. Proliferation of CWR22Rv1 PCa cells was evaluated and synergy was assessed when treated with turmeric, Chinese goldthread and their bioactives (curcumin and ar‐turmerone, berberine and coptisine) in isolation or in combination. Combining bioactives or herbal extracts were highly synergistic at physiologic concentrations where the dose reduction index was up to 190 fold. Berberine and curcumin (in isolation) were not as potent as their extracts of origin. Combinations of herbal extracts and/or their isolated bioactives lowered concentrations that approached physiologic relevance and may account for why foods/plant extracts are more likely to be beneficial against cancer compared with isolated components.Grant Funding Source: This research was supported in part by the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, UTK
Potential novel role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of myxomatous mitral valve disease
Authors: Thalji Nassir M , Hagler Michael A , Suri Rakesh M , Miller Jordan D 
Published: June 2021

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), if untreated, progresses to valve prolapse, mitral regurgitation, and heart failure. Molecular mechanisms contributing to MMVD are poorly understood, and surgery remains the primary treatment for this disease. In the current study, we used whole‐genome expression microarrays in normal (n = 12) and myxomatous (n = 11) mitral valves as a nonbiased approach to identify novel pathways contributing to MMVD. In addition to identifying known contributors to fibrosis in MMVD (e.g. TGFβ signaling), we found robust evidence of immune cell infiltration and activation in myxomatous valves. Specifically, toll‐like receptors (TLRs) 3 and 7, which play a key role in antigen recognition, alongside cell surface receptors CD14 and CD83, characteristic of antigen presenting cells of monocytic lineage, were overexpressed in myxomatous tissue. Interleukin‐7 and the chemokine receptor CX3CR1, implicated in monocyte activation and recruitment, were also upregulated. Interestingly, immune localization appeared independent of “classic” inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐6. Differential expression of a subset of genes was confirmed with qRT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, these data are the first to demonstrate infiltration of immune cells in MMVD, which may represent a critical process in the initiation and/or progression of this disease.NHLBI
Detection of the endocannabinoid metabolome in human plasma and breast milk
Authors: Durham Holiday A , Wood JodiAnne T , Vadivel Subramanian K , Makriyannis Alexandros , Lammi‐Keefe Carol J 
Published: June 2021

The endocannabinoid metabolome (ENDOMET), endogenous cannabinoids that are lipid messengers, is critical for early development, including fertilization, implantation and pre‐ and postpartum (PP). The regulation underlying these physiological effects remains to be completely elucidated. We evaluated the ENDOMET in plasma of i) non‐pregnant (n=6) and pregnant women (20–22weeks‐ delivery, n=68) and ii) breast milk (BM) at 2 and 10 weeks PP (n= 20). The plasma and BM ENDOMETs [arachidonoyl ethanolamide (ET) (AEA), palmitoyl ET (PEA), oleoyl ET (OEA), docosahexaenoyl ET (DHEA), 2‐arachidonol glycerol (GLY) (2‐AG), 2‐palmitoyl GLY (PEA), and 2‐oleoyl GLY (2‐OG)] were measured using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. ANOVA determined differences in the ENDOMET across time.Resultsplasma ETs increase with pregnancy and peak at delivery (AEA, PEA, OEA, DHEA, p<0.01); GLYs decrease during pregnancy and are stable (2‐AG, p=0.14; 2‐PG, p=0.07, 2‐OG, p=0.02). While BM ETs are considerably lower than plasma ET in pregnancy, BM levels remain stable during PP. BM GLYs are higher than plasma GLYs in late pregnancy. 2‐OG and 2‐AG decrease during PP (p=0.02; 0.05). Plasma and BM ETs are much lower in concentrations than GLYs. Our data point to a reciprocal relationship between ETs and GLYs during pregnancy and PP. Work is needed to better understand how maternal plasma and BM ENDOs regulate pre‐and postnatal outcomes.
Considering the constrained lever model: Feeding biomechanics of OH 5 assessed using finite element analysis
Authors: Smith Amanda L , Benazzi Stefano , Ledogar Justin A , Smith Leslie , Weber Gerhard W , Dechow Paul C , Grosse Ian R , Spencer Mark A , Wang Qian , Strait David S 
Published: June 2021

The craniofacial morphology of Paranthropus boisei exhibits a number of highly derived characteristics that have been argued to be functionally related to feeding. These features are hypothesized to either decrease structural stress, increase the mechanical advantage of the masticatory muscles, or both. But complications arise when the constrained lever model is considered. This study uses finite element analysis to test the hypothesis that the P. boisei cranium is structurally stronger and configured to more efficiently generate bite force than the crania of Pan troglodytes and Australopithecus africanus. To assess our analyses within the context of the constrained lever model of chewing biomechanics, joint reaction forces are also examined.A finite element model was created from a reconstruction of the OH 5 cranium. The model was assigned chimpanzee material properties, constrained at the TMJs and bite points, and subjected to scaled muscle forces derived from chimpanzees. Strains, bite forces and strain energy were recorded. The results were compared to those from FEA of other hominid crania. Results indicate the face of P. boisei is structurally strong and the extreme morphology of this species allows for the generation of high bite forces on posterior teeth without violating the constrained lever model.(NSF BCS 0725219, 0725183, 0725147, 0725141, 0725136, 0725126, 0725122, 0725078) and the EU FP6 Marie Curie Actions MRTN‐CT‐2005–019564 “EVAN”.
Impacts of Silver Nanoparticles on Bacterial Multidrug Efflux Pump
Authors: HE GUI , Zhang Wei , Chen Huizhong , Saliba Sam , Thorpe Conner , Rogers Eugene , Hsie Shufeng 
Published: June 2021

Although silver nanoparticles (NPs) has shown antibacterial function, however, its impacts on drug resistance are not clear. Here, we report the impacts of silver NPs on multidrug efflux pump (MDRP) of Enterobacter cloacae. Antibacterial tests were performed with CLSI broth dilution method. E. cloacae strains with and without MDRP, EmmdR were utilized. Also, ciprofloxacin, benzalkonium, ethidium bromide, and trimethoprim were utilized for susceptibility tests. The drug efflux alteration of EmmdR after exposure to silver NPs was determined. Also, we tested the antibiotic‐H+ antiport alteration after exposure to silver NPs by using a fluorescence quenching assay. The expression of emmdR were measured by using a real‐time PCR method.Susceptibility tests showed a silver NPs (< 50nm) enhancing the inhibition of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and benzalkonium on the growth of E. cloacae. The efflux of ethidium bromide was decreased after exposure to silver NPs. The ciprofloxacin‐H+ antiport activity was decreased after exposure to the silver NPs also. Also, the expression of emmdR did show a significant increase after exposure to the silver NPs.In conclusion, this study discovered that silver NPs is able to improve the antimicrobial effectiveness of antibiotics in E. cloacae. Also, the silver NPs affect expression and function of EmmdR in E. cloacae.
High solar salt and refined salt supplementation affects blood pressure differently in Dahl salt‐sensitive rats
Authors: Lee Bog‐Hieu , Yang Ae‐Ri , Kim Mi Young , Seo Mi‐na , Han Chan‐ Kyu 
Published: June 2021

Solar salts(SS) are sun‐dried sea salts containing less Na and more minerals like Ca, Mg, and K compared to refined salts(RS) with 99.9% NaCl. The study was conducted to investigate the effects of high levels of solar and refined salts on blood pressure in Dahl salt‐sensitive rats for 15 weeks. Fifty‐eight 13‐week‐old male Dahl rats were assigned to five groups; rat chow (CON), 4% SS(SS4), 4% RS (RS4), 8% SS(SS8), 8%RS (RS8). Blood pressure was measured by the tail cuff method. Body weight and blood pressure were measured weekly. Feed intake was the highest in SS8 and the lowest in CON, but FER and PER was vice versa (p<0.0001). Body weight and gain were the lowest in RS8 followed by SS8 and indifferent between CON and 4% salt groups. In case of systolic blood pressure (SBP), it was higher in order of RS8 (198.7mmHg) >; SS8(174.5mmHg) >; RS4(172.5mmHg)>; SS4(163.7mmHg) >;CON (136.5mmHg) (p<0.001). SBP of RS8 was increased 73 mmHg compared to 9.6 mmHg for CON group at 15 weeks. While diastolic blood pressure (DBP) have shown similar tendency to SBP, but the statistical significance was observed only in CON (92.5mmHg) and RS8(116.1mmHg) groups. In addition, heart and kidney weights of supplemented groups were heavier than those of CON(p<0.001). From the findings, both solar and refined salts raised SBP and DBP, but solar salts did not increase as much as refined salts, showing SS8 was similar BP to RS4 group. It suggests that solar salts, sun‐dried sea salts seem to curb the elevation of blood pressure than refined salts.Grant Funding Source: This research was supported by grants from the Globalization of Korean Foods R & D program, funded by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Republic of Korea
Lipoic acid‐based strategy to treat hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Yi Xiaohua , Pashaj Anjeza , Brauer Vanessa M. , Moreau Regis 
Published: June 2021

Epidemiologic and intervention studies show that lowering blood triglycerides (TG) decreases the risk for coronary heart disease, liver disease, and type‐2 diabetes. Yet over 65 million Americans have abnormally high blood TG (hypertriglyceridemia). This paradox points to a major limitation in the effectiveness of current TG‐lowering strategies. Using the Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF, fa/fa) rat as a model of hypertriglyceridemia, we found that (R)‐ alpha‐lipoic acid (LA), a naturally occurring food compound, prevents the rapid rise in plasma VLDL‐TG that predictably occurs between week 7 and week 8 of age in pair‐fed control rats. The objectives of the study are two‐fold i) determine to what extent dietary LA corrects hypertriglyceridemia once blood TG have become elevated, and ii) elucidate how LA acts to lower blood TG. Feeding LA to hypertriglyceridemic ZDF rats restored near normal blood TG when compared to pair‐fed controls. Preliminary evidence supports a role of fibroblast growth factor 21 in mediating the metabolic effect of LA. Elucidating the novel mechanism by which LA lowers TG will stimulate interest in its therapeutic use and justify further research on potential additive or synergistic effects of combined therapy with LA.Grant Funding Source: UNL ARD Hatch Act, Tobacco Settlement Funds, and Layman Seed Award
The role of Aurora‐A in curcumin‐enhanced chemosensitivity of human breast non‐metastatic cancer MCF‐7 and highly metastatic MDA‐MB‐231 cells
Authors: Su Chun‐Li , Yen Cheng‐Hsin , Liu Hsiao‐Sheng 
Published: June 2021

Curcumin, an active compound in turmeric and curry, has been revealed to induce tumor apoptosis and inhibit tumor proliferation and metastasis. Overexpression of Aurora‐A, a mitosis‐related serine‐threonine kinase, increases drug resistance and promotes lung metastasis of breast cancer cells. Our previous results indicate that curcumin suppresses Aurora‐A kinase activity, induces S and G2/M mitotic arrest, and decreases proliferation of MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. In the present study, combination therapy of curcumin with FDA‐approved anti‐cancer drugs (ixabepilone, cisplatin, vinorelbine, or everolimus) overrode chemoresistance in MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Addition of curcumin also enhanced cytotoxicity of ixabepilone in MCF‐7 cells. Induction of apoptosis and G2/M arrest, the consequences of Aurora‐A inhibition, were involved. However, addition of curcumin exhibited an antagonism effect in cisplatin, vinorelbine, or everolimus‐treated MCF‐7 cells due to not being able to suppress Aurora‐A kinase activity to a very low level. Therefore, the intake of diets rich in curcumin or curcumin‐containing supplements should be taken into consideration.(Supported in part by the National Science Council, Taiwan, No. NSC 98–2313‐B‐003–002‐MY3; the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan, No. 100‐EC‐17‐A‐17‐S1–152; and the National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan, No. NTNU100‐D‐06).
Intestinal adaptation to diet‐induced obesity involves an increase in intestinal epithelial stem cells but impaired stem cell function
Authors: Mah Amanda , Van Landeghem Laurianne , Gavin Hannah , Lund P. Kay 
Published: June 2021

Rates of renewal of the intestinal epithelium adapt to altered nutrient intake, but the impact of diet‐induced obesity (DIO) is not well defined.. We hypothesized that DIO alters intestinal epithelial renewal and mass, and preferentially affects intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESC). Sox9‐EGFP mice permit visualization and isolation of IESC and other cells based on levels of EGFP‐reporter (IESC: Sox9‐EGFP Low; progenitors: Sox9‐EGFP Sublow; enteroendocrine cells: Sox9‐EGFP High; other differentiated cells: Sox9‐EGFP Negative). Sox9‐EGFP mice were fed high fat diet for 20 weeks to induce DIO, or low fat standard chow. Obese mice were 40% heavier than control and had 15.5% and 10.6% increase in villus height and crypt density, respectively. Histology, labeling of S‐phase cells and flow cytometry revealed that DIO increases Sox9‐EGFP Low IESC and selectively increases proliferating IESC but not progenitors. Intrinsic IESC function assessed in vitro by number of organoids formed revealed significantly fewer IESC‐derived organoids from obese mice. We conclude that in vivo, DIO increases proliferation and number of IESC resulting in increased functional epithelial mass. However DIO impairs intrinsic IESC survival or growth indicating detrimental effects of DIO on IESC that may be compensated by extrinsic in vivo factors that promote IESC hyperproliferation. Grants: NIH DK040247–19, NIH 2‐T32‐DK07686Grant Funding Source: NIH
New, pathogenesis‐based pharmacologic approaches to gastrointestinal ulcers: Gene therapy with egr‐1 & cell therapy with bone marrow‐derived stem cells
Authors: Szabo Sandor , Deng Xiaoming , Chen Longchuan , Khomenko Tetyana , Sandor Zsuzsanna 
Published: June 2021

Our recent studies showed that the immediate‐early gene early growth response (egr‐1) that regulates the expression of angiogenic growth factors (e.g., VEGF, bFGF, PDGF) & neovascularization play a mechanistic role in experimental duodenal ulceration (DU). We thus hypothesized that gene therapy with adenovirus (AV) encoding egr‐1 & local administration of bone marrow‐derived stem cells (BMSC) may accelerate the healing of both upper & lower gastrointestinal ulcers, i.e., DU & ulcerative colitis (UC). Groups of rats were given cysteamine‐HCl (C, 85 mg/100g, x1, gavage) to induce DU or 6% iodoacetamide (IA, 0.1ml/rat, x1, enema) to cause UC. A single dose of either AV‐egr‐1 (2 × 109 pfu/rat) or BMSC (1 × 106 cells/rat) was given intraduodenally at laparotomy in DU rats on the 3rd day after C or intracolonically in UC rats on the 2nd day after IA. The rats were euthanized on the 7th or 14th day after C or IA administration. We found that DU & UC lesion areas were significantly reduced in rats treated with AV‐egr‐1 or BMSC compared to controls in both 7 & 14 days (p < 0.05). Increased levels (2‐ to 4‐folds) of growth factors VEGF, PDGF and bFGF were also seen at days 7 and 14 in the rats treated with AV‐egr‐1 or BMSC compared to the controls.Conclusionslocal egr‐1 gene or stem cell therapies seem to be a new option to achieve a rapid healing of DU & UC, possibly by promoting angiogenesis/vasculogenesis & restoring mucosal integrity.(This work was supported by the Veterans Health Administration Merit Review Grants to S. Szabo and Zs. Sandor).
Ethanol is a Significant Cofactor in HAART Induced Hepatotoxicity
Authors: Donde Hridgandh , Ghare Smita , Zhang Jingwen , Kirpich Irina , Joshi‐Barve Swati , McClain Craig , Barve Shirish 
Published: June 2021

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has significantly increased life expectancy of HIV patients; however, there are major side effects which include lipodystrophy and hepatotoxicity. Alcohol abuse is highly prevalent in HIV patients and can be a significant negative cofactor in HAART‐hepatotoxicity. Hence, the mechanisms underlying HAART and alcohol induced hepatotoxicity were investigated. Specifically, effects of HAART drugs (azidothymidine, and Indinavir sulphate) in combination with alcohol were examined both in vitro and in vivo. Individually, alcohol and AZT caused cytotoxicity in H4IIEC3 (a rat hepatoma) cells which was significantly increased in combination. These data indicate that alcohol can induce and further enhance HAART‐cytotoxicity.Assessment of Alcohol and HAART drug interaction and hepatotoxicity using an animal model of chronic alcohol feeding showed increased visceral adiposity compared to pair‐fed animals, suggesting disturbances in lipid metabolism. Lipodystrophy was seen as hepatic macro and microvesicular steatosis, elevated triglycerides and free fatty acids. These animals also exhibited increased inflammation and hepatic neutrophil infiltration. Overall, our data demonstrate that alcohol exacerbates HAART hepatotoxicity, and act as a significant cofactor in the development of hepatic steatosis and liver injury.
Oxytocin affects nitric oxide and cytokine production by sepsis‐sensitized macrophages
Authors: Oliveira‐Pelegrin Gabriela Ravanelli , Saia Rafael Simone , Cárnio Evelin Capellari , Rocha Maria José Alves 
Published: June 2021

Oxytocin (OXT) secretion during cecal ligation puncture (CLP)‐ induced sepsis has not yet been examined. Although immune properties have been attributed to OXT, its effect on CLP‐sensitized macrophages has never been investigated. We analyzed the OXT secretion during CLP and its effect in CLP‐sensitized macrophage cultures. Male Wistar rats were decapitated 4, 6 or 24h after CLP surgery or sham operation and blood, brain and neurohypophyses collected for OXT measurements. In another set of animals we studied the effect of OXT on nitrite, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐10 production of peritoneal macrophages harvested at 6 and 24h after CLP. In the early phase of sepsis (4–6h), OXT levels increased in plasma and decreased in hypothalamus and neurohypophysis. In the late phase (24h), plasma and neurohypophyseal levels remained basal. In the PVN, the OXT content remained low, but in SON increased. Macrophages of the early phase of sepsis pre‐treated with OXT and LPS‐stimulated showed decreased nitrite, TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels, but no alteration in IL‐10 production. In the late phase they showed reduction only on IL‐1 β. OXT secretion during sepsis may represent a neuroendocrine response contributing to the overall host response to infection by decreasing the proinflammatory response and oxidative stress.Financial support: FAPESP, CNPq/PROCAD