bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Supplement of three eggs a week improves protein malnutrition in Thai children from rural areas
Authors: Mayurasakorn Korapat , Sitphahul Prapunpis , Hongto Pun‐orn 
Published: June 2021

Our goal was to compare nutritional status on serum proteins and lipids, and to determine the effect of egg supplements in primary school students aged 6–15 years. 417 children were randomized to an addition of either three or ten eggs per week to their basal diets for 12 weeks. Anthropometric and biochemical indices were continuously monitored. 29.1% and 20.8% of the participants had evidence of protein malnutrition according to low serum albumin and prealbumin levels, respectively. Albumin and prealbumin levels positively correlated with total cholesterol and LDL‐C levels. No difference in any biochemical index was found comparing 3 vs 10 eggs/wk. During egg supplement, total cholesterol, LDL and ratio of total cholesterol to HDL levels decreased by 6.4±1.8, 19.3±2.5 and 28.5±2.1% in three eggs diet and by 8.0±1.9, 15.7±3.0 and 31.2±1.9% in 10 eggs diet, respectively (p < 0.001). Albumin, prealbumin and HDL levels all the significantly increased (p < 0.001). Our study demonstrated that in Thailand there are still primary school students with protein malnutrition in rural areas. Supplement of at least 3 eggs/wk can effectively correct parameters of protein malnutrition in Thai primary school students, and have beneficial outcomes on blood lipid levels.Supported by National Research Council of Thailand 2549Grant Funding Source: The ASN/Procter & Gamble Graduate Student Research Awards Competition
Assessment of the General Nutrition Knowledge Level of Medical Students Attending Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Oman
Authors: Waly Mostafa I , Al‐Mukhaini Yahya , Ali Amanat 
Published: June 2021

Several surveys, 1992–1993, 1997–1999, and 2006–2007 in the US indicate that medical students receive relatively little education in nutrition. There is a lack of such surveys in Oman, so the following survey was conducted on 4th year medical students at SQU to evaluate their nutrition knowledge.A questionnaire was developed for this study and after being tested for validity and reliability it has been distributed to the students. The questionnaire has two sections; the first section focused on the impact of diet on total energy intake, chronic diseases and deficiencies disorders. The second section focused on attendance of nutrition seminars and workshops with relevance to Oman.Completed questionnaires were received from 143 participants and data analysis of the first section revealed that the average correct response was 75%. By contrast the sampled subjects have 5% score in terms of nutrition seminars and workshops attendance. Chi‐square analysis revealed no statistical significant difference between male and female students (χ2= 4.95 and χ2 = 7.69 respectively), P>0.05.Our study indicates that the 4th year medical students were generally aware of nutrition information relevance but they have poor knowledge of current important topics of nutrition and health in Oman. Based on these results, we recommend the adoption of a comprehensive educational approach through seminars and workshops in relevance to Oman.
Association of bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and serum lipids in Hispanics with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ojo Emmanuel , Beeson Lawrence , Chukwueke Ihuoma , Shulz Eloy , Firek Anthony , DeLeon Marino , Balcazar Hector , Cordero‐MacIntyre Zaida 
Published: June 2021

O: To evaluate the association of bone mineral density, bone mineral content and serum lipids in Hispanics with diabetes.M: Baseline bone density and bone mineral measurements of 39 Hispanic subjects (mean age=53.9 ± 11.2, M=16, F=23) were obtained using the Fan Beam DXA Discovery A, software V 12.6. Serum lipid values were analyzed using the Beckman CX7 (Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, California) instrument and Beckman CX4CE instrument. Pearson's correlation was used to evaluate correlations between lipids and body composition values.R: There was a significant positive correlation between HDL and lumbar spine L1 BMC (r = 0.38, p=0.012), L2 BMC (r = 0.40, p=0.011), L4 BMC (r = 0.33, p=0.04), L2 BMD (r = 0.38, p=0.017), and L total BMD (r = 0.32, p=0.04). There was a significant negative association between serum triglycerides and lumbar spine L2 BMC (r = −0.378, p = 0.017).C: Bone mineral content and bone mineral density are significantly associated with selected lipid parameters.
Quality protein of Argentinean Northwest quinoa crops: Study based on amino acids composition
Authors: Vidueiros Silvina Mariela , Dyner Luis , Bertero Daniel , Pallaro Anabel 
Published: June 2021

Quínoa, (Chenopodium quínoa W) is a native cultivar of the Andean region of South America that has played an important role in the diet and culture of its pre‐Hispanic inhabitants and has a high nutritious value. In contrast to cereal proteins, the protein of quinoa contains a relatively high amount of lysine and sulfur amino acids and then a higher quality protein. No data on the amino acids composition of argentinean varieties is known.Aimto study the quality protein of ten different crops from quinoa of the Argentinean Northwest (NOA) based on the amino acids composition.Material and MethodsAmino acids composition was determined by HPLC (AOAC.994.12). It was compared to the reference protein for pre‐school (FNB/IOM, 2002) to calculated the chemical score (CS).ResultsCS ranged from 75.5 to 84.1 being tryptophan the limiting essential amino acid; only one variety had CS 97.6 limiting isoleucine.ConclusionThe results indicate that quinoa seeds from NOA have a high quality protein. This fact suggest it would be used as an alternative protein source for the complementation of cereals protein usually deficient in lysine, in order to improve human diet.Supported by UBACyT B098 and ANPCYT (PICT 2005 20‐23382)
Cell phones as a new m‐Health opportunity for mass cervical cancer screening
Authors: Markovic Olivera , Markovic Nenad 
Published: June 2021

Lacking an efficient preventive screening, cervical cancer is a problem in developing world taking one woman's life every three minutes. At the prior EB meetings, we presented our MarkPap® platform technology for early detection of abnormal cells on cervical specimens, subsequently upgraded with telecytopathology using digital imaging and web networking. We will present expanding this platform into m‐Health using a modified cellphone camera technology for capturing microscopic images and their wireless transmission for distant evaluation.The biomarker is a unique connecting link between the microscopic evaluation on site and a remote, digital image evaluation by experts at distant locations. One of the still unresolved challenges to enable wider application of this wireless technology is the positioning and keeping the camera sensor in a proper illumination position to the ocular plane. We are currently testing several cellphone adapters to develop a universal adapter to connect “any microscope” and “any cellphone camera.” Comparing images taken with standard digital camera and the cellphone camera with our new adapters we have shown sufficient cytological details enabling cytological diagnosis with high inter‐observer reliability.These results indicate this tool (m‐Health) as a new affordable prospective for cervical cancer screening and for saving women's lives in the low‐resource areas.
VEGFxxxb is relatively down‐regulated in malignant neuroblastoma but not in benign ganglioneuroma
Authors: Peiris Maria , Bates Dave , Ramani Pramila 
Published: June 2021

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key mediator of angiogenesis and is up‐regulated by variety of tumours. An endogenous family of anti‐angiogenic isoforms termed VEGFxxxb has been identified in many normal, non‐angiogenic tissues, and, in contrast with the angiogenic VEGFxxx isoforms, is down‐regulated in epithelial tumours including colorectal and prostate carcinoma. This is the first study of the anti‐angiogenic variant VEGF165b in neuroblastic tumours of childhood, which range from highly malignant neuroblastoma to benign ganglioneuroma.Twenty neuroblastic tumour samples were assessed for VEGFxxx and VEGFxxxb mRNA and protein expression by RT‐PCR and ELISA, respectively. VEGFxxx but not VEGFxxxb was up‐regulated in neuroblastoma (N=12) when compared with ganglioneuroma (N=6) at mRNA level. At the protein level, the ratio between VEGFxxxb and total VEGF was significantly lower in neuroblastomas (0.53±0.08; N=15) than in ganglioneuromas (0.96±0.23; N=4). Immunohistochemistry identified VEGF165b in ganglioneuroma but not neuroblastoma, which showed higher expression of total VEGF. These results suggest that alternative splicing of VEGF in neuroblastoma may contribute to its malignant characteristics. Research funded by the CLIC Sargent
P2 Receptors and ATP Enhance the Migration of Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Peters Wachen , Sikes Robert A , Duncan Randall , Maguire Christine 
Published: June 2021

Purinergic signaling stimulates many biological processes. Two classes of purinergic receptors, GPCR (P2Y) and gated channels (P2X), have been identified that bind ATP as a ligand, which can promote cell migration, a critical component of metastasis. ATP also has been shown to have an anticancer effect in vivo. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of ATP on the migration of an isogenic progression series of prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines on three different extracellular matrices. We hypothesize that ATP treatment activates purinergic receptors that increases cell migration on all three extracellular matrices (ECM).RT‐PCR was used to determine the mRNA expression profile of P2 receptors and ecto‐nucleotidases. Migration was examined using wound healing assays as followed by photo microscopy for four days, as well as RT‐PCR to determine effect of interaction with each ECM on the mRNA profile. ATP increased the migration of LNCaP cells on Collagen I to a higher degree than on both Schwann and matrigel over vehicle alone. Peak wound closure occurred after 48 hours. Differential expression of P2 receptors and ectonucleotidases was seen when cells were grown on different matrices.ATP is necessary for PCa migration on collagen I, matrigel and Schwann cell matrix. The differential expression of P2 receptors is speculated to be responsible for variable wound healing on extracellular matrices.
Increased catecholamine content and release from adrenal chromaffin cells of DOCA‐salt hypertensive rats
Authors: Fhaner Matthew J , Swain Greg , Galligan James J 
Published: June 2021

Sympathetic neuroeffector transmission to mesenteric arteries is disrupted in DOCA‐salt hypertension but the molecular mechanisms responsible are unknown. Due to their small size, sympathetic nerve terminals are inaccessible to analysis by electrophysiological approaches. Therefore, we used secretory adrenal chromaffin cells as model for sympathetic nerve terminals. These cells store and release catecholamines, norepinephrine and epinephrine. HPLC analysis revealed higher catecholamine content in adrenal gland of DOCA‐salt compared to control rats. Amperometry with microelectrodes was used to measure catecholamine release evoked by acetylcholine stimulation of individual chromaffin cells. Catecholamine release were measured as an oxidation current. Amperometric recordings show in increase in frequency and number of release events per stimulus and quantal amount per event, along with a decrease in rise time and the half‐width for individual events. Results indicate that adrenal tissue stores more catecholamines in DOCA‐salt hypertension. Catecholamines are released from vesicles at a higher frequency and with a larger quantal content.(Supported by HL70687)
Influence of ACE gene polymorphisms on antihypertensive efficacy, left ventricular mass and proteinuria in children undergoing ramipril monotherapy
Authors: Buescher Rainer , Finkelberg Ilja , Hoyer Peter F. 
Published: June 2021

OBJECTIVEIt is unclear whether ACE gene polymorphisms influence the therapeutic outcome of a ACE‐inhibitor therapy. We therefore investigated the role of the ACE I/D polymorphism on 24‐hour blood pressure (ABPM), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) an proteinuria in children following ramipril monotherapy.METHODSSixty children (age 14.4±3.8 years) with various chronic nephropathies and hypertension received ramipril monotherapy (mean maximum dose 5.3±1.6 mg/m2). Their ACE I/D genotype was correlated to results of the 24‐h ABPM, LVMI and amount of proteinuria before and 6 months after treatment.RESULTSMean SDS blood pressure (BP) significantly dropped within 6 months (2.2±1.7 vs. 0.4±1.1 after 6 months, P<0.0001). This effect remains when patients are stratified according to the ACE II or DD genotype (mean SDS‐BP; II: 3.3±0.5 vs. 1.2±0.3, P=0.019; DD: 2.3±0.5 vs. 0.3±0.4, P=0.013). LVMI did not significantly differ before and following initiation of ramipril treatment and a stratification by ACE genotype did not reveal a difference either. However, proteinuria remained significantly higher in patients with the DD genotype.CONCLUSIONSRamipril is an efficacious antihypertensive therapy in children. Whereas the ACE genotype does not have an impact on the LVMI development, the DD‐allele seems to be negatively associated with the antiproteinuric effect of ramipril.
Nitroglycerin Reduces TNF‐α Toxicity To Endothelial Cells but Compromises the Protective Effects of Propofol
Authors: Liu Hui‐min , Lei Shaoqing , Luo Tao , Xia Zhong‐yuan , Liu Yanan , Leung George P , Vanhoutte Paul M , Irwin Michael G , Xia Zhengyuan 
Published: June 2021

Supplementation of nitroglycerin (NTG) may increase cardiomyocyte death during ischemia (Histol Histopathol 2009;24(12):1487–98) and the underlying mechanism is unknown. Vascular endothelial cell apoptosis precedes cardiomyocyte apoptosis during myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion, a situation that is associated with increased tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF) production. We postulated that NTG may exacerbate TNF induced endothelial cell apoptosis by enhancing nitrative stress. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were either not treated (control), treated with TNF (40 ng/ml) alone or TNF in the presence of NTG, propofol (an anesthetic that scavenges peroxynitrite), or NTG plus propofol, respectively, for 16 hr. TNF increased endothelial cell apoptosis, accompanied by increased protein expression of nitrotyrosine, a footprint of peroxynitrite and an index of nitrative stress. Both NTG and propofol attenuated TNF‐induced cell apoptosis, however this protective effect diminished when NTG and propofol were used in combination and this was accompanied by increased nitrotyrosine expression and protein kinase C‐β2 phosphorylation at site ser660. NTG may have compromised propofol cellular protection by counteracting its peroxynitrite scavenging capacity.Supported by a Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Research Starter Grant and NSFC grants (30700789 and 30872447).
Activation of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Reduces Nitroglycerin‐Induced Cardiac Damage
Authors: Sun Lihan , Mochly‐Rosen Daria 
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTIONNitroglycerin (GTN) tolerance remains a critical barrier to its full benefit of vasodilation. Recent evidence suggests that GTN tolerance is due to inactivation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). We previously showed that activation of ALDH2 by its activator, Alda‐1, reduced cardiac damage after myocardial infarction (MI). Since sustained treatment of GTN inactivates ALDH2, patients on chronic GTN regimen may be at risk of increased cardiac injury after MI. The current study aims to determine whether sustained GTN treatment increases cardiac injury after MI and, if so, whether Alda‐1 can protect from GTN‐induced exacerbation of cardiac damage.METHODSWe used a rat model of MI induced by LAD occlusion. Animals were treated with GTN with or without Alda‐1. Animals were sacrificed at various time points after MI to determine the infarct size and cardiac function. In another study, the effect of Alda‐1 on GTN‐induced inactivation of ALDH2 was determined, in vitro.RESULTSProlonged treatment of GTN reduced ALDH2 activity by 30%, in vivo. GTN caused a two‐fold increase in infarct size and decreased fractional shortening, compared with untreated controls. In contrast, we found that Alda‐1 prevented GTN‐induced ALDH2 inactivation, in vitro. Mechanisms of such inactivation will be discussed. Further, animals given Alda‐1 along with GTN had 40% decrease in infarct size and 15% increase in fractional shortening, indicating that Alda‐1 inhibited GTN‐induced cardiac injury. The data suggested a dilemma that patients under sustained GTN treatment are likely to have more severe cardiac damage after MI. Alda‐1 can be a potential therapeutic to protect these patients from such damage.
Hydrogen Peroxide Enhances the Expression of Gi Protein in Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells : Relationship with Adenylyl Cyclase
Authors: Mbong Nathan , Anand‐Srivastava Madhu 
Published: June 2021

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of many diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. We have recently shown that ROS contribute to enhanced expression of Giα protein in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The current study was undertaken to investigate the effect of H2O2, an experimental mimicker of oxidative stress, on Giα protein expression and the implication of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK1/2), and phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K) signaling in H2O2‐induced altered expression of Giα protein. Aortic VSMC were treated with different concentrations of H2O2 (50 μM to 250 μM) for different periods of time (30 min to 4 hr). The protein expression was determined by Western Blotting using specific antibodies. H2O2 enhanced the expression of Giα in a concentration and time‐dependent manner with a maximum increase at 100μM for 1hr, whereas Gsα expression remained unchanged. The enhanced expression of Giα was demonstrated by the increased inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by inhibitory hormones such as angiotensin II, oxotremorine, and C‐ANP4–23. We also found that H2O2 induced the phosphorylation of the serine/threonine kinases ERK1/2, and AKT/PKB (protein kinase B). Moreover, MEK, and PI3K inhibitors restored the H2O2–induced enhanced expression of Giα proteins to control levels, suggesting the implication of these proteins kinases in the enhanced level of Giα. In conclusion, the modulation of Gi protein expression by H2O2 in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells involves the ERK1/2, and PI3K signaling pathways.This study was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant
Human mast cell degranulation is distinguished from selective secretion of TNF through intracellular calcium, energy and mitochondrial morphology dynamics
Authors: Zhang Bodi , Angelidou Asimenia , Alysandratos Konstantinos‐Dionysios , Tagen Michael , Kempuraj Duraisamy , Asadi Shahrzad , Theoharides Theoharis 
Published: June 2021

The mast cells are unique bone‐marrow derived immune cells that can secrete pre‐stored mediators through degranulation, such as triggered by Substance P (SP) or release de novo synthesized cytokines stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, differences in these modes secretion are largely unknown. We examined energy production, calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial morphological dynamics in LAD2 mast cell degranulation and selective secretion. A) Mast cells degranulation triggered by SP (10 μM) had two times higher energy consumption than LPS (10 ng/ml) treated cells and control cells. Mitochondria ATP pump blocker Oligomycin (2 μM) inhibited 68% of TNF secretion due to degranulation, but has little effects on de novo synthesized TNF release. B) Mast cells have increased intracellular calcium level 10 seconds after SP stimulation, while LPS did not induce significant intracellular calcium increase. C) Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) absorbs calcium from intracellular region and protects cells from calcium toxicity. UCP2 mRNA expression level enhanced ten times after 7 hours SP stimulation, but was unchanged with LPS. D) Mitochondria morphology has tight connection with its function. We showed mast cells treated with SP (10 μM) had significant mitochondrial fragmentation, which was no appeared in LPS stimulation. The present findings indicate that secretion from human mast cells can occur through distinct pathways. Mitochondria may play key role in regulating mast cell activation.This work was supported in part by NIH grant R01 AR47652 to TCT.
Hog manure extract and porcine pancreatic elastase modulate airway epithelial cell EGF receptors, calcium signaling, and cytokine release.
Authors: Zimbelman Audrey C. , Dodmane Puttappa R. , Schulte Nancy A. , Heires Art J. , Romberger Debra J. , Toews Myron L. 
Published: June 2021

Workers in swine confinement facilities develop chronic inflammatory lung disease, and an aqueous hog‐barn dust extract (HDE) stimulates IL‐6/8 release from BEAS‐2B human airway epithelial cells. HDE also induces both rapid (15‐min) and slower (18‐hr) decreases in cell surface EGF receptor (EGFR) binding, and EGFRs are involved in HDE stimulation of IL6/8 release. We hypothesized that components derived from hog manure would also alter EGFRs and contribute to the cellular effects of HDE. Treatment of BEAS‐2B cells with a lyophilized manure extract (LME) induced a decrease in EGFR binding at 18 hr similar to HDE, but LME did not mimic the 15‐min decrease in EGFR binding seen with HDE. LME also stimulated IL6/8 release and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization as did HDE. Porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) was identified in HDE, and PPE stimulated IL6/8 release and decreased EGFR binding at 18 hr but not at 15 min, similar to LME. These data indicate that a portion of the disease‐relevant activity of HDE likely derives from hog manure and that PPE may be one of the active components of LME and HDE.Supported by NIH R01‐OH008539.
Lacritin, a Novel Tear Glycoprotein, is an Effective Topical Treatment in Dry Eye Animal Models
Authors: Hosseini Alireza , Samudre Sandeep S. , Sheppard John D. , McKown Robert L. , Laurie Gordon W. , Lattanzio Frank A. , Williams Patricia B. 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionDry eye is a common and debilitating disease. Lacritin, a natural tear glycoprotein, has been shown to safely increase tear flow in normal rabbits with no effect on tear composition (FASEB J. (2008)22: 1137.8). These experiments test topical lacritin in two dry eye animal models.MethodsIn dry eye rat model (n=8) the ex‐orbital lacrimal gland was unilaterally and surgically removed; contralateral eye served as naïve control. Bilateral ovariectomized (BLOE) macaques (n=8) (resembling post menopausal dry eye) were compared to naïve macaques (n=4). In both models non‐stimulated tear flow was measured at baseline (T0) and 2 hrs (T120) after a single topical dose in that eye. Rats received 20μl lacritin (1–100μg/ml) and macaques received 50μl lacritin (25–250μg/ml).ResultsIn rats, 50μg/ml lacritin was optimal and increased dry eye tear flow at T120 (25.1±4.7 mm) vs T0 (17.8±3.6 mm) (p<0.05). Vehicle (PBS) had no effect in either rat eye. In BLOE macaques 50μg/ml lacritin (OD) was optimal and increased tear flow at T120 (9.1±7.2 mm) vs T0 (3.1±2.4 mm) (p<0.05), when PBS treatment of the contralateral eye (OS) had no effect. In naïve macaques, neither lacritin (OD) nor vehicle (OS) increased tear flow. PBS treatment of both eyes of either BLOE or naïve macaques had no effect.ConclusionLacritin significantly increases tear flow in clinically relevant amounts in animal dry eye models.