bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examination of fruit and vegetable preferences of low‐income public elementary school children
Authors: Wong Wei‐Ping , Lakkakula Anantha , Zanovec Michael , Tuuri Georgianna 
Published: June 2021

High consumption of fruits and vegetables has established health benefits for children. Low income children may have reduced preferences for these nutrient‐dense foods due to lack of access to and familiarity with these items. The objective of this study was to examine fruit and vegetable preferences among low‐income elementary school children. A total of 280 third and fifth grade children (52% boys, 53% fifth graders) attending public schools in southeastern Louisiana participated. Children were shown pictures of 19 fruits and 19 vegetables and asked their opinion of each item. Apples, oranges, grapes, and bananas were the most liked fruits, and french‐fries, corn, green beans, and baked potatoes were the most liked vegetables. Papayas, avocados, apricots, mangos and kiwi were the least liked fruits, and coleslaw, cauliflower, onions, garlic, and spinach were the least liked vegetables. A factor analysis indicated that children's fruit and vegetable preferences grouped into 7 factors which explained 50% of the variance. All of the highly liked fruits grouped into the same factor while the most preferred vegetables were found in three different factors. Similarly the least liked fruits were found in the same factor while the least liked vegetables were found in four different factors. Children's preferences for fruit appear to be more consistent than that for vegetables.Funding: USDA Grant #2009‐35200‐05287
A comparison of nutrient intakes among older adults with regional and racial differences
Authors: Hsiao Pao Ying , Mitchell Diane C. , Hartman Terryl J. , Jensen Gordon L. , Coffman Donna L. , Still Christopher D. , Allman Richard M. , Sawyer Patricia 
Published: June 2021

Nutrient comparisons were made among subsets of older adults participating in the Geisinger Rural Aging Study (GRAS) (n=253) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Study of Aging (n=333) (mean age: GRAS=78.5 years, ± 3.8; UAB=72.4, ±5.21). The GRAS cohort is mainly Caucasian and rural. In contrast, the UAB cohort is 40% African American and includes both urban and rural participants. Preliminary data analysis, using t‐tests, revealed significant differences between blacks and whites in the UAB cohort (p<0.002) for intakes of key nutrients including energy, total fat, fiber, vitamin D, B12, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe). Consequently, successive analyses were completed comparing only the Caucasians in both cohorts. Significant differences (p<0.002) were found for almost all nutrients examined, including total and saturated fat, vitamin B6, B12, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Ca. Energy‐adjusted nutrient intakes tended to be higher in the GRAS cohort; however, both groups had inadequate intakes for key nutrients (fiber, vitamin D, B6, Mg, Fe, Zn, folate, and Ca). Subsequent analysis to compare dietary patterns will provide data to target specific foods to improve diet quality among diverse groups of older adults and will further our understanding of the association between food intake patterns, obesity and other health outcomes. USDA #1950‐51530‐010‐00Grant Funding Source: USDA
The link between obesity, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Chai Sheau C , Hooshmand Shirin , Saadat Raz L , Arjmandi Bahram H 
Published: June 2021

Previously, we have reported that BMI can be used as a predictor of hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and inflammation in osteopenic postmenopausal women. Although evidence suggests a link between osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the extent to which obesity contributes to both conditions is unclear. The present study aims were to examine the association between bone biomarkers, serum ALP, CRP, BMI and CVD risk factors including lipid profiles and fasting blood glucose in this population. Overnight fasting blood and urine samples were collected from one hundred and thirty two (132) osteopenic postmenopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy. The Pearson correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationship among variables of interest. Our findings suggest that CRP is positively correlated with LDL‐C and triglycerides, while negatively correlated with HDL‐C. Serum total ALP was also positively correlated with BMI and a number of CVD risk factors including fasting glucose, Apo (B), TC, LDL‐C and Lp (a). Similarly, bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (b‐ALP), a specific marker of bone turnover, followed the same pattern as did serum total ALP in reference to Apo (B), Lp (a) and BMI. These data suggest that serum ALP, b‐ALP, CRP and BMI can be used as predictors of CVD risk in postmenopausal women and perhaps these measurements should not be considered positive in bone studies.Grant Funding Source: USDA
Impacts of dietary L‐arginine supplementation during early gestation (d 0–25) on the reproductive performance of gilts
Authors: Li Xilong , Bazer Fuller W. , Johnson Gregory A. , Burghardt Robert C. , Erikson David W. , Frank James W. , Spencer Thomas E. , Shinzato Izuru , Wu Guoyao 
Published: June 2021

Between days 0 and 24 of gestation, 10 gilts per treatment were individually fed twice daily 1 kg of a corn‐ and soybean meal‐based diet supplemented with 0.0%, 0.4%, or 0.8% L‐arginine (Arg). The diets were made isonitrogenous by addition of appropriate amounts of L‐alanine (Ala). At day 25 of gestation, 30 min after consumption of Ala or Arg, gilts were hysterectomized to obtain conceptuses. Supplementation with 0.4% or 0.8% Arg increased (P<0.05) concentrations of Arg in maternal plasma (64% and 98%, respectively) as well as the vascularity of chorionic and allantoic membranes, compared with the control group. Numbers of corpora lutea (CL) and fetuses, placental and fetal weights, and embryonic mortality did not differ (P>0.05) between the 0.4% Arg and control groups. However, supplementation with 0.8% Arg decreased (P<0.05) uterine weight (−20%), total numbers of fetuses (−24%) and CL (−17%), total fetal weight (−34%), total volumes of allantoic and amniotic fluids (−34 to 42%), concentrations of progesterone in maternal plasma (−33%) as well as total amounts of progesterone (−35%), estrone (−40%), and estrone sulfate (−37%) in allantoic fluid, compared to the control group. Thus, supplementation with 0.8% Arg between days 0 and 25 of gestation, while enhancing placental vascularity, adversely affects the reproductive performance of gilts. Supported by USDA grants and TAMU Faculty of Nutrition.Grant Funding Source: USDA
Mechanical ventilation and sepsis induce skeletal muscle catabolism in neonatal pigs
Authors: Orellana Renán A , Srivastava Neeraj , Gazzaneo María C. , Torrazza Roberto Murgas , Suryawan Agus , El‐Kadi Samer W. , Fiorotto Marta L. , Davis Teresa A. , Nguyen Hanh V. 
Published: June 2021

Reduced rates of skeletal muscle accretion are a prominent feature of the metabolic response to sepsis in infants and children. Septic neonates often require medical support with mechanical ventilation (MV). The combined effects of MV and sepsis in muscle have not been examined in neonates, in whom there is normally rapid growth and protein deposition in skeletal muscle. Neonatal pigs (n=5–6/group) were subjected to MV and infused with endotoxin (LPS, 0 and 10 μg•kg−1•hr−1), dextrose, and a balanced amino acid mixture. After 9 hours, fractional protein synthesis rates (FSR) and translation and degradation signals were determined in the longissimus dorsi muscle. Compared to controls, MV alone decreased FSR by 22%, and by 36% in the presence of LPS. MV decreased eIF4G•4E association by 70% and by 95% in the MV+LPS group. The abundance of the E3 ligase, MURF‐1, was increased 6‐ and 9‐fold with MV and MV+ LPS respectively. These findings suggest that the MV‐associated induction of catabolism in peripheral skeletal muscle in neonatal pigs occurs by inhibition of protein synthesis and stimulation of protein degradation, appears aggravated by LPS‐induced sepsis, and promotes the skeletal muscle wasting associated with critical illness. NIH AR51563, NIH AR44474, and USDA 6250‐51000‐040Grant Funding Source: NIH AR44474, and USDA 6250‐51000‐040
Effect of age and sex on whole body protein metabolism at dietary protein intakes that span the range of adequacy
Authors: Campbell Wayne W , Conley Travis B , Yarasheski Kevin E , Lim Eunjung 
Published: June 2021

Purpose and methodsTo assess the effects of age and sex on protein metabolism responses to dietary protein, 39 younger (Y)(n=21, 22–46 y) and older (O)(n=18, 63–81 y) men (M) and women (W) completed three 18‐d trials with protein (pro) intakes of 0.50, 0.75, or 1.00 g pro•kg BW−1•d−1. Fasting and fed state leucine (leu) kinetics were quantified on day 12 using a primed, constant infusion of 1‐[13C]leu.ResultsIndependent of age and sex, higher pro intakes were associated with higher rates of fasting leu turnover (μmol leu•kg BW−1•min−1), oxidation and breakdown (P<0.05); synthesis rates were unchanged; and leu balance (balance; intake – oxidation) became less negative. Post‐feeding leu turnover, oxidation, synthesis, and leu balance increased and breakdown decreased. When expressed per kg fat‐free mass, fasting and fed state leu kinetics rates were not different between Y and O. In comparison to YM and OM, OW had higher fasting leu turnover, synthesis, breakdown, and balance, and higher leu turnover, synthesis, and balance after feeding.ConclusionOlder women achieved higher fasting and fed state leu balances versus other groups when consuming protein intakes that span the range of adequacy. Reasons for age and sex differences and mechanisms explaining the more positive leu balance observed in the OW need to be explored. Support: NIH R01 AG15750, M01 RR14288, and RR000954, and USDA 98‐35200‐6151
Effect of repeated water immersions on orthostatic tolerance and cardiovascular regulation during 70° head‐up tilt testing
Authors: Florian John P , Garner Christopher D 
Published: June 2021

Water immersion (WI) reduces orthostatic tolerance (OT) and alters physiological responses to orthostatic stress, but the effect of repeated WI is unknown. Eight healthy men (35±2 yrs; mean±SEM) underwent 70° head‐up tilt (HUT) testing before and after 6‐hr O2‐breathing WI on 5 consecutive days (e.g. WI/1..WI/5). Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP: SBP, DBP, MAP), cardiac output (Q), limb blood flow (BF), stroke volume (SV), plasma volume (PV) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were measured during supine baseline (BL) and HUT. All data are compared to pre‐WI/1 BL values. Supine: HR and MAP were unchanged after repeated WI. Q, SV, and PV were reduced, and SVR increased after WI/1 (p<0.001). The drop in SV (~15 ml) persisted despite a return of PV to BL before WI/4 and/5. HUT: After WI/1, HR increased more than pre‐WI/1 (+32±3 vs +23±3 bpm) to compensate for lower SV, but SBP was reduced (−10±4 mmHg) (p<0.001). The tachycardic response to HUT was augmented over the week (+42±3 bpm, p<0.001), and SBP was further reduced after WI/5 (p=0.03), even though SV, SVR, and limb BF at post‐WI/5 were comparable to post‐WI/1. OT (max ΔHR during HUT) declined after WI/1 (p<0.001) and continued to diminish over repeated WI (p=0.02). We conclude that repeated WI exposures exacerbate immersion‐related reductions in OT. The responses suggest a shift in systemic and regional mechanisms to maintain BP and BF.Support: ONR N0001409WX20220
Mitofusin 2 mRNA and mitochondrial DNA increase with exercise but not training
Authors: Dumke Charles L , Slivka Dustin R , Hailes Walter S , Cuddy John S , Ruby Brent C 
Published: June 2021

Exercise increases mRNA for genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. A common measure of changes in mitochondrial capacity is the ratio between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to genomic DNA (gDNA). In addition, little is known about the role of mitochondrial fusion in exercise training and mitochondrial development. The purpose was to examine the effects of acute and chronic exercise on mtDNA/gDNA ratio and mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) mRNA. Ten trained cyclists cycled ~100 miles a day for 21 days at a self selected workrate in the field. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis immediately pre‐ and post‐exercise on days 1, 11 and 21. Muscle samples were analyzed for gene expression of Mfn2 and mtDNA/gDNA. Data were analyzed using a 2 (exercise) × 3 (day) repeated measures ANOVA. Exercise caused an increase in Mfn2 mRNA (P=0.038) and mtDNA/gDNA ratio (P=0.03). There was not a significant effect of day on either of these two outcomes (P=0.44 and P=0.99 respectively). Acute exercise caused an increase in the mRNA for Mfn2, a protein involved in mitochondrial fusion. This may explain the increase observed in mtDNA/gDNA following one 5 hr bout of exercise. Mitochondrial fusion‐fission may artificially alter the mtDNA/gDNA ratio making this measure difficult to interpret after exercise training.Supported by AFRL, FA8650‐06‐1‐679 and the UM Grant Program.
The effects of feeding on the gas exchange pattern of Rhodnius prolixus
Authors: Contreras Heidy Lorena , Bradley Timothy J 
Published: June 2021

Insects show discontinuous gas exchange patterns (DGC) when metabolic rates are low, however if metabolic rate increases, the insect gas exchange pattern changes to meet aerobic demand. We have previously demonstrated that an increase in metabolic rate, as a result of increased temperature, causes insects to transition from DGC to cyclic to a more continuous GEP. We report here on the effects of increasing metabolic rates through feeding. In the insect Rhodnius prolixus, metabolic rates can increase ten‐fold after a blood meal. These insects therefore provide an excellent model for studying the effects of feeding on insect GEP. We will report comparisons of GEP in Rhodnius at identical metabolic rates achieved by varying temperature or feeding, respectively. Our goal is to understand the relationship between metabolic rate and GEP.Funding: APS Porter Physiology Development Award, NSF grant 105‐0920683
Bioengineered skeletal muscle for defect replacement in a rodent model
Authors: Machingal Masood Ahammed , Corona Benjamin T , Kesireddy Venu , Andersson Kristian , Herco Maja , Vishwjit Sonia , Bishwokarma Bimjhana , Zhao Weixin , Yoo James J , Christ George J 
Published: June 2021

Loss of functional skeletal muscle due to congenital and acquired conditions, such as traumatic injury, tumor excision, etc., produces a physiological deficit for which there is still no effective clinical treatment. The goal of these studies is to develop clinically relevant tissue engineered skeletal muscle (TESKM) that can eventually be used for functional restoration of injured muscle in vivo. TESKM constructs developed by seeding rat muscle precursor cells on porcine bladder acellular matrix were preconditioned in a bioreactor for one week and implanted in nude mice (for 1–2 months) to repair a defect created by excising 50% of the native Latissimus Dorsi muscle (LD). Isometric tetanic specific force (ITSF) generated by the un‐repaired defect only group (49.2± 1.8 mN/mm2) was significantly lower (p<0.01) than that of native LD (161.1± 22.4 mN/mm2). ITSF of TESKM constructs increased over time from one month (20.06± 6.4 mN/mm2) to two month (86.75± 45.7 mN/mm2) which is 53% of native LD. Besides this, the TESKM constructs recorded higher tension than the unrepaired group (12.6± 4.1 g) both at 1 month (16.88± 7.1 g) and 2 month (22.34± 5.6 g, p<0.05), with the latter being 73% of native LD (30.67± 4.4g). Taken together, these initial observations indicate that TESKM can generate approximately half the ITSF of native LD after two months of implantation, illustrating the potential clinical utility of this approach.Grant Funding Source: AFIRM
A novel secondary alcohol dehydrogenase from Micrococcus luteus WIUJH20: purification, cloning, and properties
Authors: Huang Jenq‐Kuen , Park Jung Ki , Dhungana Babu Ram , Youngblut Nicholas D , Lin Chi‐Tsai , Wen Lisa 
Published: June 2021

A novel NAD+‐dependent secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (2o‐ADH) has been purified to homogeneity from Micrococcus luteus WIUJH20 (M. luteus WIUJH20). It has a molecular weight of ~ 140 kDa as determined by gel filtration chromatography, and a molecular weight of ~ 34 kDa as determined by SDS‐PAGE. Thus, the enzyme is a homotetramer. The gene encodes for this enzyme has been amplified by PCR from the genome of M. luteus WIUJH20, cloned into pGEX2T expression vector, and recombinant protein overexpressed as a GST fusion protein (rGST‐2o‐ADH). Based on sequence homology, the enzyme is a NAD+‐dependent L‐3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase. But based on its catalytic activity, the enzyme belongs to secondary alcohol dehydrogenase. The rGST‐2o‐ADH fusion protein, the recombinant 2o‐ADH (r2o‐ADH) with GST‐tag removed, and the 2o‐ADH isolated from M. Luteus WIUJH20 had broad substrate specificity. Enzyme kinetics analysis showed that the r2o‐ADH possesses a Km and Vmax of 3.25 x 10−6 M and 150.3 μmol/min/mg respectively, when 12‐hydroxyoctadecanoic acid was the substrate. This r2o‐ADH prefers to use linear secondary alcohols as substrates over the cyclic secondary alcohols. The enzyme prefers long‐chain alcohol over short‐chain alcohol as shown by the decreasing in Km from 4‐heptanol (7 mM) to 6‐dodecanol (8 μM). Primary alcohols (particularly ethanol) are inhibitors to the 2o‐ADH and the inhibition constant Ki increases as the hydrocarbon chain length decreases.The research was supported in part by grants from USDA from USDA CSREES 04‐35504‐14712 and 02‐015470, Western Illinois University Foundation, College of Arts and Sciences and the Honors College at Western Illinois University.
Enhancing the catalytic activity of an engineered threonine protease
Authors: Lansang Mie , Baird Teaster 
Published: June 2021

In this study, the Cys‐42—Cys‐58 disulfide bridge of S195T trypsin was replaced with two valine residues to: 1) increase threonine protease activity and 2) better understand the structual limitations and requirements of this subsite with respect to catalysis. The activities of C42V/C58V and C42V/C58V/S195T trypsins (VV‐Tn and VVT‐Tn, respectively) were evaluated with benzyloxycarbonyl‐Gly‐Pro‐Arg (Z‐GPR) p‐nitroanilide (pNA) and 7‐amino 4‐methyl coumarin (AMC) substrates. VVT‐Tn was 150 and 10 times more active towards the pNA and AMC substrates, respectively, than C42A/C58V/S195T trypsin (AVT‐Tn; kcat/KM values). In a thermostability study, both variants and WT trypsin retained > 80% of their activity suggesting that the substitutions did not destabilize the enzymes. The pH dependence of activity profiles were identical to WT trypsin, suggesting that any structural differences do not perturb the pKas of catalytically relevant residues. Finally, the KI of p‐aminobenzamidine was identical for native and VV‐Tn but that of VVT‐Tn was half the KI for WT. Therefore, Thr‐195 may affect the primary binding pocket structure. Collectively, these results indicate that the activity of Thr‐195 trypsin variants may be increased by appropriate substitutions at positions 42 and 58. However, the structural pertubations induced by these substitutions make achievement of wild‐type levels of activity less likely.(This work was supported by NSF Award MCB‐0643988‐02)
Introducing extended substrate selectivity into trypsin through redesign
Authors: Najibi Sayeeda Phyllissity , Baird Teaster 
Published: June 2021

The objective of this research was to evaluate how a residue with hydrogen bond capability may affect substrate selection by a previously engineered threonine protease. C42S/C58V/S195T trypsin (SVT‐Tn) was characterized and compared to trypsin variants C42A/C58V/S195T‐Tn (AVT‐Tn) and C42A/C58A/S195T (AAT‐Tn). p‐Nitroanilide (pNA) and 7‐amino 4‐methyl coumarin (AMC) derivatives of benzyloxycarbonyl‐Gly‐Pro‐Arg (Z‐GPR) were use to kinetically evaluate the activity and specificity of SVT‐Tn. Their respective kcat/KM values show that SVT‐Tn is 8‐ and 40‐fold more efficient in Z‐GPR‐pNA and Z‐GPR‐AMC hydrolysis, respectively, than AVT‐Tn. Additionally, SVT‐Tn was 5‐fold less efficient in Z‐GPR‐pNA hydrolysis and 2‐fold more efficient in Z‐GPR‐AMC hydrolysis than AAT‐Tn. However, the (kcat/KM)pNA/(kcat/KM)AMC ratios show that SVT trypsin is 3.5‐fold more selective for the pNA substrate, less discriminatory than the AVT and AAT variants. The results suggest that a serine at position 42 in the S195T/C58V context significantly affects catalytic efficiency in a substrate dependent manner for the two substrates tested, but selectivity between the two substrates was only moderate. However, longer peptide substrates are needed to thoroughly evaluate the degree of the selectivity of SVT‐Tn.(This work was supported by NSF Award MCB‐0643988‐02)
Markers of Bone Turnover, Osteoprotegerin (OPG), and Vitamin D across Gestation in Pregnant Adolescents
Authors: Essley Bridget V. , McNanley Thomas , Cooper Elizabeth , McIntyre Allison , Kent Tera , Foehr Marisa , Witter Frank , Harris Leah , O'Brien Kimberly 
Published: June 2021

Pregnant adolescents may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency and bone loss across pregnancy. OPG is a soluble decoy receptor for RANKL, suppressing osteoclast differentiation and activity. To assess relationships between vitamin D, OPG and bone turnover, 25(OH)D, osteocalcin (OC; a marker of bone deposition), N‐telopeptide (NTX; a marker for bone resorption), and OPG were monitored in 88 pregnant adolescents (12–18 yrs) and their neonates. Blood samples were collected at mid‐gestation and at parturition when cord blood and placental tissue were also obtained. In these teens, OC (n=67), NTX (n=98), and OPG (n=66) were significantly elevated at delivery (p< 0.001). The gestational increase in OPG in these teens was larger than has been reported in mature women (p<0.001). Levels of NTX and OC were highly correlated (p<0.01) at mid‐gestation (n=87) and at delivery (n=75). At delivery, OC and NTX were significantly higher in neonatal than maternal circulation (p<0.001, n=69, n=84) while OPG was lower in cord versus maternal blood (p<0.001, n=67). Maternal vitamin D status was inversely related to OC at mid‐gestation (p<0.01, n=89) and at delivery (p=0.05, n=70). OPG was inversely related to vitamin D (p=0.01, n=69) in the neonate at birth. Recruitment and analyses are on‐going. Additional relationships between OPG, vitamin D status, and maternal bone loss and fetal bone accrual will be explored.Grant Funding Source: USDA: 2005‐35200