bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Food Safety Interventions are Effective in Increasing Knowledge within Different Ethnic Groups
Authors: Dixon Zisca , Huffman Fatma 
Published: June 2021

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the most effective method to deliver food safety information to consumers. Culturally appropriate food safety tools were used to train a convenience sample (n=576). Group 1 (n=264) received food safety training using lectures and videotapes. Group 2 (n=130) received the same training as Group 1, with a hands‐on demonstration component. The Control group (n=182) received nutrition education. Knowledge was measured using a pre‐/post‐/follow up test design. Most of the participants from Group 1 were older, female, Hispanic, skilled with a 12th grade/GED education. For Group 2, participants were young, female, Black, unskilled and had 12th grade/GED education. The Control group were young, female, Hispanic, unskilled with a 12th grade/GED education. Means and SEM for pre‐/post‐/follow up test for Group 1 were 56.9±1.0, 71.2±64.0 and 64.0±1.1, respectively. For Group 2 the results were 51.3±1.4, 75.0±1.5 and 63.9±1.5, respectively. Control group results were 56.9±1.2, 58.3±1.2 and 62.0±1.3, respectively. Food safety knowledge was not significantly different between groups at pre‐test. However at post‐test, there were significant (p<0.001) differences in knowledge with Group 2 showing the greatest increase. Group 2, with mostly Black participants and similar educational background as the other groups, demonstrated greater knowledge with the hands‐on demonstrations.This study was supported by funding from the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, of the United States Department of Agriculture No. 2003‐04270.
Adenosine contributes to complement‐activation‐related paradoxical bradycardia
Authors: Bedocs Peter , Baranyi Lajos , Szebeni Janos , Bunger Rolf 
Published: June 2021

Intravenous injection of complement (C)‐activating drugs in pigs can cause immediate cardiac anaphylaxis associated with myocardial ischemia and relative bradycardia during severe hypotension. We tested whether this paradoxical bradycardia could be mediated by myocardial adenosine. Pigs were injected i.v. with adenosine or various C‐activating drugs with or without pretreatment with nonselective adenosine receptor (A) blocker theophylline, or selective adenosine A1/A2 receptor antagonists cyclopentyl‐xanthine (CPX) and ZM24135, respectively. ECG and hemodynamic parameters were recorded.Results:Injection of 20–40 mg/kg adenosine caused a sharp hypotension with transient bradycardia, which mimicked the effect of C‐activating drugs. Both of these bradycardias were significantly inhibited by theophylline and CPX, but not by ZM24135, providing first pharmacological evidence that the phenomenon was mediated by the cardiac A1 receptor. In presence of CPX C‐activation related paradoxical bradycardia was converted to the physiological tachycardia.Conclusion:Complement activation related pseudoallergy (CARPA), severe bradyarrhythmia is mediated in part by cardiac adenosine, activating the A1 receptor subtype. Blockade of the A1 receptor using CPX could prevent potentially lethal paradoxical bradyarrhythmias due to liposomal drugs or hemorrhagic shock. Support: USUHS and Bay‐Nano
The COG complex interacts with Syntaxin5a to stabilize intra‐Golgi SNARE complex and to direct trafficking of recycling intra‐Golgi vesicles
Authors: Lupashin Vladimir , Smith Richard D , Shestakova Anna M 
Published: June 2021

The COG complex is an eight subunit evolutionary conserved peripheral Golgi membrane hetero‐oligomeric protein complex. In humans, mutations in COG1, COG7 or COG8 subunits cause type II Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation. Knockdown of COG3 or COG4 induces accumulation of intra‐Golgi transport vesicles and Golgi ribbon breakdown. Life microscopy of HeLa cells stably expressing CFP‐COG6 and YFP‐COG3 reveals significant diversity in molecular dynamic of COG complex subunits.The COG complex interacts with intra‐Golgi SNARE molecules. In yeast cells the COG complex preferentially binds to the SNARE complexes containing Golgi t‐SNARE Sed5p. In HeLa cells hCog4p and hCog6p interact with Syntaxin5a, the mammalian homolog of Sed5p. FRET reveals an in vivo interaction between Syntaxin5a and the COG complex. Knockdown of the mammalian COG complex decreases Golgi SNARE mobility, produces an accumulation of free Syntaxin5, and decreases the steady‐state levels of intra‐Golgi SNARE complex. Finally, overexpression of the hCog4p N‐terminal Syntaxin5a‐binding domain destabilizes intra‐Golgi SNARE complexes, disrupting the Golgi. These data suggest that the COG complex orchestrates vesicular trafficking similarly in yeast and mammalian cells by binding to the t‐SNARE Syntaxin5a/Sed5p and enhancing the stability of intra‐Golgi SNARE complexes.Supported by grant from the NSF (MCB‐0645163)
Vitamin B6 status of Ghanaian infants
Authors: Dewey K G , Yang Z , Miller J W , Adu‐Afarwuah S , Lartey A , Brown K H , Briend A , Zlotkin S 
Published: June 2021

Vitamin B6 intake from complementary foods is often low, but data are lacking on prevalence of B6 deficiency. We measured erythrocyte pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate concentration (EPLP) by HPLC in Ghanaian infants enrolled in an efficacy trial of Sprinkles (SP), Nutritabs (NT) and Nutributter (NB) added to home‐prepared complementary foods. SP contained Fe, Zn, vitamins A and C and folic acid; NT and NB contained these and several other micronutrients including 0.3 mg of B6. Infants (n = 313) were randomly assigned to receive SP, NT or NB daily from 6 to 12 mo of age. Non‐Intervention (NI) infants (n=96) were assessed at 12 mo only. EPLP was <51.6 nmol/L (the 10th percentile for Finnish breastfed infants) in 57.5% at 6 mo and 56.5% at 12 mo. However, there was no significant impact of NT or NB on EPLP at 12 mo [mean (SD): SP 53.2 (36.7), NT 53.5 (21.3), NB 52.0 (22.1), NI 59.9 (46.4)]. EPLP was inversely related to number of siblings at 6 (r=−0.20, p<0.01) and 12 mo (r=−0.13, p<0.05) and to socioeconomic status at 12 mo (r=−0.13, p<0.05). EPLP at 6 mo was not associated with subsequent growth or motor development after controlling for intervention group and potential confounders. Although B6 deficiency appears to be common in this population, provision of one RDA of B6 daily for 6 mo did not alter EPLP at 12 mo. Further research is needed to evaluate potential functional consequences of low EPLP.Supported by Nestle Foundation and USAID.
Macrophage Killing of Intracelluar Pathogen Fransicella tularensis: Functional Genomic Analysis
Authors: Zhou Hongwei , Browning Erica , Tan Fengxiao , Kobzik Lester 
Published: June 2021

Francisella tularensis (FT) is a highly virulent, facultative intracellular bacterium which causes tularemia, and is a potential bioweapon. Interferon‐γ has been reported to play a crucial role in inhibition of intracellular replication of FT in human monocyte‐derived macrophages and in mice, but the mechanisms for this protective effect are poorly characterized. Our hypotheses were that IFN‐g limits intracellular pathogen FT by activation of specific genes, and functional genomic screening can identify these genes. We transduced human macrophage THP‐1 cells with a genome‐wide lentiviral siRNA library targeting ~47,000 human genes and ESTs. We screened for RNA interference resulting in a phenotype that failed to show the beneficial effects of IFN‐g on intracellular FT. We sorted macrophages with highest GFP‐FT load. The siRNA inserts were amplified by PCR from genomic DNA in these cells, and siRNA targets were identified by cloning and DNA sequencing. From 5 sorting experiments, a total 4078 clones were sequenced, and 3386 genes/transcripts/ESTs were identified. We found 212 genes of interest, with 61 found in > 3 sorts, and 2 found in 4 sorts. Validation is underway using PCR arrays to confirm expression in IFN‐g‐activated primary human macrophages challenged with FT. This approach may prove useful to identify mechanisms in macrophage innate immunity against intracellular pathogens.Supported by DTRA grant (Defense Threat Reduction Agency)
IMAGEtags for imaging gene expression in living cells in real‐time
Authors: Ilgu Muslum , Shin Ilchung , Haarberg Hans Eirik , Gupta Vinayak , Kraus George A , Nilsen‐Hamilton Marit 
Published: June 2021

The use of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase in cellular imaging has enabled significant advances in cellular imaging in vitro and in vivo. However, these imaging systems have the disadvantages of very slow response times and a high energy costs for synthesizing and maintaining reporter protein levels. For example, they are not amendable to imaging changes in gene expression in real time. Also, the energy requirements of protein reporter systems are potentially debilitating in vivo when cells such as stem cells need to proliferate and populate a niche in a damaged tissue where the oxygen and nutrient concentrations are limiting. Therefore, our goal is to establish an alternative reporter system that can be used for real‐time imaging and for imaging stem cells in vivo with minimal metabolic perturbation. This new reporter system involves the use of IMAGEtags (Intracellular Multiaptamer Genetic tags), which are strings of RNA aptamers expressed from a promoter of choice. To establish this RNA‐based reporter system, we utilized available aptamers that recognize small target molecules such as neomycin, tobramycin and theophylline and constructed vectors that express multiple repeats of these aptamers. The target molecules were labeled with fluorescent moieties for intracellular imaging. To increase signal/noise the aptamer targets were separately labeled with fluorescent FRET pairs. IMAGEtags are currently being developed for reporting gene expression changes in yeast and cultured mammalian cells. Once optimized for imaging, this new reporter system will have imaging applications such as real‐time detection of changes in gene expression and mRNA processing, and tracking cell movements in vivo.Supported by grants from the NIH (R01HL078659) and the DOE (OBER).
Green tea extract (GTE) reduces hepatic injury by inhibiting lipid accumulation and peroxidation in steatotic livers of obese mice
Authors: Chung Min‐Yu , O'Connor Meeghan , Park Hea Jin , DiNatale Dana , Koo Sung I. , Manautou Jose E , Bruno Richard S 
Published: June 2021

Steatotic livers are vulnerable to oxidative insults that lead to hepatic lipid peroxidation and injury. Based on our finding that green tea extract (GTE) protected against hepatic steatosis and injury, we hypothesized that GTE would decrease hepatic lipid peroxidation and inflammation. Obese (ob/ob) mice (n = 38) were fed a diet containing GTE at 0, 0.5, or 1%, and lean mice (n = 12) were fed 0% GTE for 6‐wk. Then, hepatic lipid and malondialdehyde (MDA), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α were measured. Body weight was 33% greater (p<0.05) in obese compared to lean controls and was 18% lower in obese mice fed GTE at 1%. Hepatic lipid was 2.3‐times higher in obese mice and GTE at 1% reduced it by 13%. Hepatic MDA was 40% higher in obese compared to lean mice and GTE reduced it 16‐22%. Serum ALT was 7.3‐fold higher in obese controls and GTE at 1% decreased it 25%. MDA was correlated (p < 0.05) to ALT (r = 0.358) and total lipid (r = 0.383). Immunohistochemical evidence suggested that obese mice had greater hepatic iNOS expression and may be decreased with GTE at 1%. TNF‐α expression was unaffected by GTE. These data suggest that GTE protects against hepatic injury by decreasing hepatic lipid accumulation, peroxidation, and potentially obesity‐induced inflammation. Supported by a USDA‐NRI grant (2007‐02303) to RSB.Grant Funding SourceUSDA
Understanding why some elementary schools offer competitive snacks contrary to recommendations
Authors: Gonzalez Wendy , Jones Sonya J. , Frongillo Edward A. 
Published: June 2021

US children have inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Schools have an important role to play in increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables. We previously found that children in schools with restricted competitive snack availability were less likely to report consuming fruits and vegetables throughout the day than children in schools without such restriction, supporting recommendations that schools should restrict snack availability. Snack sales are claimed, however, to provide important revenue to schools. To test this, we examined whether school resources (i.e., federal funding, personnel, facilities) are associated with snack availability using data from 1,318 schools from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study‐Kindergarten cohort. With logistic regression, we found that, for schools with and without the School Breakfast Program, schools with adequate facilities were, respectively, 1.8 and 3.2 more likely to have snacks available than schools with inadequate facilities. For every five years of having the same principal in the school, there was a 12% lower odds of having snacks available. These results suggest that schools with capital resources to provide adequate facilities are more likely to make competitive snacks available, and that restricting snack availability may negatively impact school resources.Funded by: USDA/ERS
Chondrogenic cell proliferation and signaling pathways induced by bioassayable growth hormone
Authors: Gosselink Kristin L. , Ramos Yamil , Cooper Rasalin D. , Herrera Gloria V. 
Published: June 2021

Bioassayable growth hormone (BGH) was previously shown to stimulate growth of the tibial epiphyseal plate in rats in vivo, but the mechanisms contributing to this response have not been elucidated. The objective of this study, therefore, was to investigate the ability of BGH to induce cartilage proliferation in vitro, and examine the cellular signaling pathways responsible for this effect. The RCJ3.1C5.18 chondrogenic cell line was cultured to 10 days post‐confluence and stimulated with BGH‐containing plasma or conditioned media samples. Proliferation was measured by immunocytochemical staining for bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and quantified by cell counting. Intracellular protein fractions from control and stimulated cultures were isolated and subjected to Western blotting for phosphotyrosine, phosphoERK‐1/2 and phosphoMEK‐1/2. RCJ3.1C5.18 cell proliferation was significantly and dose‐dependently increased by BGH. BGH also increased the overall level of protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and elevated the cellular concentration of phosphorylated ERK‐1 and ERK‐2 in a dose‐dependent fashion. In addition, BGH enhanced the Ser/Thr phosphorylation of MEK‐2. The results demonstrate that BGH directly stimulates cartilage proliferation in vitro, and may utilize multiple signaling molecules to achieve this effect.Support: NIH/NCRR 5G12 RR008124, NIH/NIGMS 5R25GM0490, NSF DBI‐0353887
Separate but equal? Relating morphological divergence to functional performance in the evolution of primate chewing
Authors: Vinyard Christopher J 
Published: June 2021

A long‐standing hypothesis in studies of primate mastication argues that musculoskeletal form has changed markedly during primate evolution while masticatory behaviors, such as the jaw‐muscle activation sequence during chewing, has remained relatively similar across primates. If morphology has evolved within this conserved behavioral framework, then we predict that jaw‐muscle activity patterns exhibit limited variation across primates and show little association with jaw‐muscle and skull form among species.To examine these relationships, we compared jaw‐muscle electromyography (EMG) data to musculoskeletal measures of the masticatory apparatus across several primates including strepsirrhines, monkeys and humans and one non‐primate treeshrew.Contrary to the prediction of little association between jaw‐muscle activity and musculoskeletal form, we find strong associations between the timing and magnitude of jaw‐muscle EMGs and masticatory apparatus shapes. These associations fit in vivo observations and theoretical predictions linking patterns of jaw loading to morphologies providing increased load resistance. We hypothesize that several functional modules exist in the primate masticatory apparatus incorporating both neuromuscular activation and musculoskeletal form. Jaw‐muscle activity patterns appear to be an integrated and evolving part of the primate masticatory apparatus.Supported by NSF.
B‐vitamin deficiency is protective in experimental colitis
Authors: Benight Nancy Marie , Stoll Barbara , Puiman Patrycja , Bauchart‐Thevret Caroline , Marini Juan , Burrin Douglas 
Published: June 2021

Methionine (Met) cycle activity is critical for normal cell functions and requires B‐vitamin (B6/B12) as cofactors. S‐adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) is a Met cycle intermediates that is known to inhibit methyltransferases. Met metabolism is altered in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but Met's role in IBD is poorly understood. We hypothesize that accumulation of Met metabolites due to B‐vitamin deficiency is protective in experimental colitis. Mice received either a control diet (C) or a B6/B12‐deficient diet (D) to disrupt Met metabolism for 2 weeks and were challenged for 5 days with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce colitis. Clinical and histological disease indices were reduced in D compared to C, along with the colonic expression of the proinflammatory genes (TNFα and iNOS) and myeloperoxidase activity. Whole body Met flux was assessed by infusing 13C‐2H3‐Met and measuring transmethylation (TM), transsulfuration (TS) and remethylation (RM). Plasma TS was reduced but RM was increased in D mice. TM was not different between groups. Colonic SAH and plasma Met abundance also were elevated in D mice compared to C. The protective effect of B‐vitamin deficiency is associated with reduced inflammation and tissue injury. We postulate that colonic SAH accumulation reduces methyltransferase activity and leads to epigenetic suppression of proinflammatory gene expression. Funded by USDA.Grant Funding Source: USDA
Heterochrony of cranial features associated with wide jaw gapes in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Mork Amy Lovejoy , Vinyard Christopher J 
Published: June 2021

Marmosets are unique among platyrrhines for habitually gouging trees with their anterior teeth to stimulate exudate flow. We previously demonstrated that marmosets exhibit cranial features that facilitate biting at wide jaw gapes during gouging, as compared to skulls of non‐gouging tamarins. Here we examine the role of heterochronic shifts during the ontogeny of cranial features facilitating wide gapes.Three cranial dimensions associated with wide gapes were measured, as well as three dimensions related to load resistance in ontogenetic series from neonates to adults of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus, N=129) and tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis, N=135). All specimens were captive individuals housed at Oak Ridge Associated Universities' Colony with known ages at death.Marmosets exhibit a complex pattern of heterochronic shifts in cranial features linked to wide gape throughout ontogeny relative to tamarins. The relatively elongated anteroposterior glenoid, condyle and mandible of marmosets consistently appear peramorphic during ontogeny. Corporal and symphyseal dimensions associated with load resistance consistently appear paedomorphic in marmosets.Results support a hypothesis that the shape differences facilitating wide jaw gapes are the result of multiple heterochronic shifts in ontogenetic trajectories between gouging marmosets and non‐gouging tamarins.Supported by NSF (BCS‐0412153, BCS‐0094666).Grant Funding Source: Supported by NSF (BCS‐0412153, BCS‐0094666)
The Varied Roles of Conserved Arginine Residues near Beta‐turns in Glyoxysomal Malate Dehydrogenase
Authors: Hedrick Shannon , Bell Ellis 
Published: June 2021

In previous experiments, poly‐glutamine insertion mutants, Q301 and Q240, at pre‐existing glutamines within or very near beta turns we made. The crystal structure of Q301 indicated minimal overall changes. Q240 interacted with other proteins to form aggregates. We decided to investigate the roles of beta turns. Analysis of temperature factors of gMDH indicated a flexible beta turn. Within this “hot‐spot” flexible loop, lies R130 and R124, part of the malate binding site, which also includes R196. These arginines and R185 were mutated to a variety of amino acids. Arginine to glutamate mutations showed a large reduction in activity, however NADH was bound more tightly and oxaloacetate more weakly. R130Q and R130L had activities similar to native with R130L showing enhanced activity. R130Q and R130L also had similar CD spectra. R130E, however, had a significantly altered spectrum suggesting increased beta‐strand formation. Thermal denaturation studies indicated that R130Q had similar stability to native, but R130E had significantly lower stability. R130L, however, may be more stable due to the hydrophobicity of the mutation. We conclude that various arginine residues play roles both in substrate binding and catalysis.This work is supported by NSF Grant MCB 0448905 to EB
How Does the DRI and Other Prediction Equations for Energy Intake Compare to Energy Fed?
Authors: Souza Elaine , Keim Nancy L. , Adams Sean H , Watson Julie , Stoffel Sara , Burnett Dustin , Blankenship Jeanne , Van Loan Marta D 
Published: June 2021

Assessing energy needs is critical to dietary prescriptions for weight loss. We compared estimated calories from the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) equation and other accepted equations [Harris‐Benedict (HB) and Mifflin‐St.Jeor (MSJ)] to calories Fed in a controlled feeding study. Caloric needs were calculated for 79 overweight and obese (BMI: 27.5 – 37.5) women (n=56) and men (n=23) in a controlled feeding study. Calories were based on the DRI equation and adjusted during the controlled feeding period to maintain body weight (WT). WT was measured daily in the fasted state with clothing and without shoes. Calories were adjusted after 5 days of a consistent upward or downward slope in WT; further adjustments were made if body weight did not stabilize. WT stabilization was achieved in 21 days. Comparison between actual Fed calories and predicted calories from DRI, HB and MSJ equations are in Table 1.

Fed
DRI
Harris‐Benedict
Mifflin‐ St. Jeor

Mean
2585.9
2580.2
2506.8
2384.0

STD
416.8
412.6
451.7
401.9

Significant correlations were observed among Fed calories and predicted calories for DRI (R2 = 0.97), HB (R2=0.85) and MSJ (R2 = 0.82). MSJ equation under estimated calories in 57% of people by −100 to −600 kcal/d. HB deviations in estimated calories ranged from +220 to −400 kcal/d in 49% of subjects. DRI estimated calories had the fewest deviations; 16.5% of subjects ranging from +200 kcal/d to −200 kcal/d.Funding: National Dairy Council, USDA, ARS, WHNRC, Dairy Council of California, CTS, Clinical Research Center, University of California (1M01RR19975‐01), and National Center for Medical Research (UL1 RR024146)