bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neural crest αN‐catenin function in cranial ganglia assembly (344.1)
Authors: Taneyhill Lisa 
Published: June 2021

Neural crest cells are crucial for proper vertebrate development, building the craniofacial skeleton and, together with epidermal placode cells, the cranial ganglia of the peripheral nervous system. Defective ganglia function can lead to conditions such as neuralgia and peripheral neuropathies and contribute to other diseases. Migratory neural crest cells are generated from immotile precursors possessing adherens junctions composed of cadherins and αN‐catenin, a protein that also controls formation of central nervous system structures. Although αN‐catenin down‐regulation is critical for initial neural crest cell emigration from the neural tube, a later role for αN‐catenin in the peripheral nervous system is not known. To this end, we evaluated αN‐catenin spatio‐temporal distribution and perturbed αN‐catenin function to elucidate effects on cranial trigeminal ganglia formation in the chick. We find that migratory neural crest cells forming the trigeminal ganglia re‐express αN‐catenin and, as in the trunk, express Cadherin‐7. αN‐catenin perturbation alters trigeminal ganglia assembly through changes in neural crest and placode cell contribution to the ganglia as well as Cadherin‐7 distribution and levels. Importantly, αN‐catenin function is likely conserved in other cranial ganglia. Together, our results highlight a novel role for neural crest cell αN‐catenin in cranial gangliogenesis.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NSF IOS‐0948525
Food sources of flavonoids for adults in the United States: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007‐2008 (369.5)
Authors: Sebastian Rhonda , Goldman Joseph , Wilkinson Enns Cecilia , Martin Carrie , Steinfeldt Lois , Dwyer Johanna , Moshfegh Alanna , Milner John 
Published: June 2021

Flavonoids are compounds from plants that may play important roles in preventing chronic diseases including heart disease and cancer. This study’s objective was to identify top food contributors of 6 classes of flavonoids (including only the 29 most predominant dietary flavonoids) to the diets of American adults. One day of dietary data from 5,420 adults age 蠅20 years in What We Eat in America (WWEIA), NHANES 2007‐2008 was analyzed. Based on a preliminary version of USDA’s Expanded Flavonoid Database for the Assessment of Dietary Intakes, flavonoid values were calculated for every food in USDA’s Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies 4.1, the database used in coding foods reported in WWEIA 2007‐2008. Similar foods were grouped using the WWEIA Food Categories before determining percentage contributions to flavonoid intake. Overall, tea accounted for 81% of total flavonoid intake. Tea was also the food category providing the largest percentage of flavan‐3‐ols (94% of total) and flavonols (40% of total). Other top contributors to intake of flavonoid classes were soy‐based protein powders (isoflavones); berries and wine (anthocyanidins); citrus fruits and juices (flavanones); and mixed dishes and vegetables (flavones). Findings derived using new public‐use databases can inform efforts to monitor flavonoid intakes and educate the public about connections between foods and health.Grant Funding Source: Supported by ARS, USDA, with additional funding provided by the Office of Dietary Supplements
A cell death assay for assessing the mitochondrial targeting of proteins (373.3)
Authors: Teixeira Daniel , Cordonier Elizabeth , Wijeratne Subhashinee , Huebbe Patricia , Jamin Augusta , Jarecke Sarah , Wiebe Matthew , Zampleni Janos 
Published: June 2021

Some of the 800 mitochondrial diseases are linked with aberrant protein localization. We devised a high‐throughput cell survival assay for assessing mitochondrial localization of proteins. Cells are transfected with plasmids coding for fusion constructs of mitochondrial proteins and the peptide KLAKLAKKLAKLAK (KLAK), which disrupts the mitochondrial membrane potential and causes cell death; cell survival of KLAK fusion proteins and empty KLAK plasmids (control) is assessed using the MTT assay (ΔMTT). KLAK fusion constructs of proteins that localize in mitochondrial membrane (acetyl‐CoA carboxylase 2, ACC2, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, and uncoupling protein 1), or are of uncertain mitochondrial localization (holocarboxylase synthetase), produced ΔMTT values between 0.211 and 0.411. The assay has a wide dynamic range (Z‐Prime = 0.58) and a low coefficient of variation (4.8%). The assay is also useful to investigate effects of bioactive compounds on the mitochondrial localization of proteins, evidenced by the observation that chlorogenic acid and gallic acid increased cell survival by 131% and 78%, respectively, in HEK293 transfected with ACC2‐KLAK, presumably due to a loss of mitochondrial ACC2. We conclude that our assay identifies both mitochondrial proteins and compounds that alter mitochondrial localization.Grant Funding Source: Supported by ARD Hatch, NIFA, and NIH.
The assets of ASSET: improving surgical performance confidence through an anatomy and skills review course for surgeons (536.11)
Authors: Garofalo Evan , Shackelford Stacy , Holmes Megan , Mackenzie Colin , Bowyer Mark 
Published: June 2021

Rapid control of major hemorrhage is a primary goal in trauma surgery. However, many surgeons have little practical experience with the required vascular exposures. To address this, the American College of Surgeons developed the Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma (ASSET) course to review anatomy, skills and techniques for major vascular exposures. Since 2008, a broad range of participants have attended, including surgeons of many specialties, deploying military surgeons and surgery residents.We compared self‐reported confidence of participants (n=562) in surgical tasks (n=47) at baseline and directly after ASSET training to examine the effect of the course stratified by surgical experience level (resident/fellow; <8 years post‐residency; 8+ years post‐residency), specialty (trauma/vascular; general surgery; other specialties), and body region.Results of Freeman‐Halton 3x2 tests indicated significant gains in confidence scores for all specialties (p<0.02), particularly for general surgeons (p<0.01) and exposures in the chest (p<0.001), after ASSET. There was no difference in confidence gained by surgical experience. This study demonstrates the value of continuing education in applied anatomy for clinical practice. Given the frequency of vascular trauma in current military conflicts, the impact of ASSET is particularly relevant for preparing deploying surgeons for the theatre.Grant Funding Source: Supported by: US Army W81XWH‐13‐2‐0028
Site‐specific variation in cortical porosity and histomorphometry as a reflection of growth and mechanical adaptation in the human tibia (541.12)
Authors: Goldman Haviva , Hampson Naomi , Guth J , Kent Lindsey , Lin David , Rajapakse Chamith , Jepsen Karl 
Published: June 2021

Previous research has shown that individuals with more slender (narrow relative to length) tibiae may suppress remodeling as a means of increasing tissue stiffness. To test this hypothesis, we quantified cortical porosity (using µCT) and histomorphometry (using light microscopy) in human cadaveric tibia samples (N=10; obtained from 38% and 66% distance proximal to distal endplate) and examined correlations with robustness (total cross‐sectional area/length) and elastic modulus (determined by finite element analysis). Data were analyzed for whole cross‐sections and by anatomically determined regions of interest (ROIs) to determine site‐specific variability.Porosity and histomorphometric variables correlated significantly with robustness (at 66%) and elastic properties, suggesting that remodeling was modulated relative to robustness and affected bone properties at a local level. In addition, anatomical location was a significant (p < 0.001) predictor of variability in all histological measures. This variation could be explained by expected anterior‐posterior [AP] bending loading, as well as by variation in tissue age due to medial drift patterns during growth. Both loading and growth history need to be considered, in addition to global regulators of remodeling such as robustness, when interpreting intra and inter‐individual variability in bone structure and properties.Grant Funding Source: Supported by US Department of Defense
Directed evolution toward inteins with alternative protein splicing mechanisms (566.2)
Authors: Cahn Sarah , Reitter Julie , Mills Kenneth 
Published: June 2021

Protein splicing is a four‐step post‐translational event in which an intervening polypeptide, the intein, is removed and flanking polypeptides, the exteins, are ligated. We want to use directed evolution to discover inteins that splice by alternative mechanisms. The intein from Thermobifida fusca is similar in sequence to inteins that can bypass the first step of the protein splicing mechanism. However, the Thermobifida fusca intein requires this step. We want to create an intein that can bypass this step using selection systems that are based on intein‐dependent activity of thymidylate synthase or aminoglycoside‐phosphotransferase. We currently have tested a model system for the kanamycin‐resistance selection and are in the process of generating a pool of random mutants.Grant Funding Source: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant MCB‐124408
Investigating the roles of eIF4F and eIFiso4F in Arabidopsis thaliana (566.7)
Authors: Cole Nicola , Browning Karen 
Published: June 2021

Eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4F, the cap‐binding complex, binds to the messenger RNA (mRNA) in an early step in eukaryotic protein synthesis to recruit the mRNA to the protein making or translational machinery, the 40S ribosomal subunit. Higher plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana contain a plant‐specific cap‐binding complex, eIFiso4F, in addition to the conserved eIF4F complex found in eukaryotes. Genotypic and phenotypic differences between these complexes suggest functional differences. In an effort to define these functional differences, experiments performing RNA immunoprecipitation (RNA‐IP) using wild type Arabidopsis thaliana plant tissue, followed by deep sequencing, have been carried out to determine if there are different mRNA populations bound by the two different isoforms. Messages found to be differentially bound by one isoform over the other will be validated using other methods such as quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and In vitro translation assays.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NSF
Dimethylsulfide metabolism in marine isolates and their role in the biogeochemical cycling of sulfur (575.8)
Authors: Oduaran Erica 
Published: June 2021

Microbial degradation is a major sink for dimethylsulfide (DMS), a volatile organosulfur compound which has been implicated in climate control and the biogeochemical cycling of sulfur. While the majority of marine bacteria which are capable of growth on DMS are members of the Methylophaga genus and belong to the Gammaproteobacteria class, recent studies have demonstrated that bacteria belonging to the Alphaproteobacteria class are also able to metabolize DMS. For example, a DMS monooxygenase, which carries out the first step in the DMS degradation pathway, was recently isolated from Hyphomicrobium sulfonivorans, the first enzyme of its kind to be isolated and characterized.1 The enzyme is a member of the flavin‐linked monooxygenases of the luciferase family and is most closely related to nitrilotriacetate monooxygenases. This work reports on the DMS monooxygenase activity of several bacteria isolated from Mount Hope Bay, RI.Grant Funding Source: NSF
Molecular evolution of CYCLOIDEA in plant order Dipsacales (589.6)
Authors: Flatebo Charlotte , Berger Brent , Howarth Dianella 
Published: June 2021

CYCLOIDEA (CYC) is a TCP transcription factor that has been shown to be involved in specifying dorsal identity in the petals of bilateral flowers. In the plant order Dipsacales, DNA sequencing has provided evidence that multiple, different functional copies of CYC have evolved, most likely via whole genome duplication events in the past. Previous studies of Dipsacales have generated gene trees for the various CYC copies; however, no one has tested if the different copies of CYC are under different selection pressures. Using several programs on the Datamonkey web server, we attempt to determine: (1) whether negative (purifying) selection, neutral evolution, or positive selection are acting on CYC; (2) are the different copies of CYC under different selective pressures; (3) is selection acting on the entire gene, certain amino acids or specific nucleotide sites; and (4) are shifts in selection detected following gene duplication and speciation.Grant Funding Source: Supported by National Science Foundation
Discovery of small molecule hyperlipid accumulating triggers of algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii identified via in vivo phenotype based screen (597.1)
Authors: Wase Nishikant , Boqiang Tu , Adamec Jiri , Cerny Ron , Black Paul , DiRusso Concetta 
Published: June 2021

A large scale in vivo high throughput screen (HTS) was performed to identify small compounds that stimulate lipid production and accumulation using the model organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The HTS employed a 384‐well microplate format in which cells were allowed to grow in the presence of the compounds at 10 μM final concentration for 72 hours. Accumulation of intracellular lipids was assessed using the lipophilic dye Nile Red and growth was monitored at OD600. The screening library included 43,736 compounds (ChemBridge, Corp). A total of 367 active compounds were identified that stimulated lipid accumulation to > 2.5‐fold and did not affect cell viability to give a hit rate of 0.8%. Primary hits were “cherry picked” and the sub‐set of compounds were retested using an 8‐point dose response assay (0.25‐30 µM). Hits were further assessed visually using a Nikon Ti‐inverted microscope (60X) to reconfirm lipid droplet accumulation was induced.. The final set of hits included 306 compounds. These were further compared for structural similarities using Tibco Spotfire Lead Discovery package and resulted in three main structural clusters: compounds with a piperazine, nitrobenzene, and/or adamantine group. The impact of the compounds on cellular metabolism was also characterization by quantifying Chl A, B, starch, protein and toxicity analysis. Currently, we are examining compound effectiveness in additional algal species such as Chlorella sorokiniana UTEX 1230, Tetrachlorella alterans UTEX 2453, C. protothecoides UTEX 29, C. vulgaris UTEX 395, Nannochloropsis sp.Grant Funding Source: Supported by EPSCoR
Lipid‐dependent proliferation of breast and pancreatic cancer cell lines (605.7)
Authors: Pyrek Sebastian , Fahmi Tariq , Saeed Lamya , Biris Alex , Radominska‐Pandya Anna 
Published: June 2021

Cancer cells rely heavily on anaerobic glycolysis for energy production, and have the capacity to synthesize their own sup¬ply of biologically active compounds of predominantly lipid origin. We hypothesize that any perturbation of this lipid pool, caused by drug treatment or changes in lipid metabolism, will result in significant alterations in the biological processes of these cells and result in cell death. In these studies, the lipid content of breast and pancreatic cell culture models has been assessed. Staining with Nile Red and Oil Red O indicate that primary cancer cell lines contain significantly higher lipid levels than metastatic lines and that the subcellular localization of these lipids also varies. Separation, identification, and quantitation of total lipid extracts by TLC and LCMS indicates that the proportions of phospholipids also vary in relation to the level of tumor cell differentiation. Treatment with drugs and transfection of cells with plasmids for specific UGT isoforms, which are known to conjugate various bioactive lipids and to be down regulated in several cancers, affects the lipid content and results in decreased cell proliferation and death. Nanodelivery of these drugs and plasmids significantly enhances these effects. Examining the role of lipids in cancer cell homeostasis is a novel approach to cancer research.Grant Funding Source: Supported By DoD‐W81XWH1110795 and UAMS TRI ABCRP
A family 1 galactosyl hydrolase performs galactosyltransferase activity requiring Mg2+ and conferring freezing tolerance (617.8)
Authors: Roston Rebecca , Kuhn Leslie , Benning Christoph 
Published: June 2021

The two most abundant photosynthetic thylakoid membrane lipids are monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG). Understanding galactolipid metabolism is therefore critical to understanding thylakoid formation and subsequent photosynthetic activity. The first enzymatic activity described to synthesize DGDG was named galactolipid: galactolipid galactosyl transferase (GGGT), as it removed a galactosyl head group from MGDG and transferred it to another MGDG making DGDG. Though it is now understood that a separate enzyme, DGD1, synthesizes most of the DGDG in vivo, GGGT was re‐identified in Arabidopsis as the gene product of SENSITIVE TO FREEZING 2 (SFR2). SFR2 was shown to protect Arabidopsis from freezing damage, to be located on the chloroplast outer envelope and to be similar to family‐1 β‐glycosidases. Here, we present a model of the 3‐dimensional structure of SFR2 based on its homology to family‐1 β‐glycosidases and show the functional significance of several unique regions. Using the model, we identify residues required for SFR2 activity that are not conserved among family‐1 β‐glycosidases. We experimentally define pH and temperature optimums for enzymatic activity in vitro. Unexpectedly, we show that SFR2 is a metalloenzyme, unlike its family members. Our data suggest that while SFR2 retains the core structure and active site residues of a family‐1 β‐glycosidase, it has unique residues, regions, and co‐factors required to alter its function to that of a transferase.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the Department of Energy
Using biochemistry and molecular biology alignment tables to improve assessment and outcomes (618.17)
Authors: Sensibaugh Cheryl , Caldwell Ben , Provost Joseph , Bell Ellis 
Published: June 2021

The ASBMB has begun the next phase of the Research Coordination Networks in the Undergraduate Biology Education (RCN UBE) project funded by the National Science Foundation. The goal of the RCN UBE is to support groups of investigators and educators to provide opportunities to foster new collaborations focusing on ways to improve participation, learning or assessment in undergraduate biology curriculum. November, 2013 the ASBMB hosted its first in a series of meetings to implementing concept‐driven teaching strategies to implement the overarching goals of AAAS’ “Vision and Change” with the RCN UBE meeting. The goal of the meeting, held at the Chemistry and Biochemistry department of the University of San Diego was to create a scientific teaching took kit for biochemistry and molecular biology educators. Participants were introduced to the core concepts/BMB foundations developed by the BMB community, assessment and how to take a scholarly approach to teaching. Faculty, post‐docs and graduate students from a diverse set of institutions were then guided to craft specific learning goals and objectives that included assessment mechanism and teaching strategies using a careful and stepwise approach. The learning goals and assessments were created using the biochemistry and molecular biology foundational core concepts defined by the BMB community with the ASBMB. Each group’s “toolkit” of goals, objectives and methods to assess these foundational concepts were shared with the entire group and will be available to the BMB community as additional workshops create more items. Work funded by NSF Grant 0957205 to EBGrant Funding Source: NSF
Data‐driven assessment techniques to catalyze student learning (618.19)
Authors: Offerdahl Erika 
Published: June 2021

As we rearticulate the undergraduate biochemistry curriculum to emphasize deep foundations in core biochemical principles and skills, we must also reconsider the assessment of student learning. Assessment is perhaps an instructor’s most powerful tool for affecting student learning, particularly when it is used to diagnose student understanding and to subsequently adjust activities to address learning difficulties. Yet, in undergraduate science teaching, assessment is largely employed as a summative activity, reducing its effectiveness as a tool for developing student understanding. While extensive research at the K‐12 level provides several insights into best practices for assessment, there is less research at the undergraduate level in general, and undergraduate science in particular.The purpose of the research presented here is to contribute to the growing literature base on effective assessments for undergraduate learning in the molecular life sciences. We designed and tested the efficacy of two formative assessment tools in large‐enrollment, introductory biochemistry courses for majors. Both tools make use of Learning Management Systems (e.g. Desire2Learn, Blackboard, WebCT) to formatively assess and diagnose student understanding and provide responsive feedback for instructors and students to inform learning. Data collected for analysis include: student clickstream data from Learning Management System usage, student open‐response items, student achievement data, and self‐report data. We will present results demonstrating the effectiveness of these tools in terms of (1) ability to uncover the range and extent of student reasoning difficulties, (2) ease and use by instructors, (3) utility to predict student performance and enact early warning systems for at‐risk students, and (4) impact on student learning.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the National Science Foundation, HRD‐0811239
A church‐based, diet and supervised physical activity behavioral intervention for rural, southern African American adults improves diet and physical activity‐related psychosocial constructs (624.1)
Authors: Thomson Jessica , Tussing‐Humphreys Lisa 
Published: June 2021

Obesity and its comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes, are largely preventable or modifiable through behavioral factors, such as diet and physical activity (PA). We examined post intervention changes in psychosocial constructs of behavioral change [decisional balance (pro and con), self‐efficacy, and social support] related to fruit, vegetables, whole grains, sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSB), and PA. Data are from 409 participants enrolled in a 6‐month, church‐based, diet and supervised PA intervention conducted in a rural, southern, African American population. Group differences were assessed using mixed model regression analysis. Separate analyses revealed significant diet quality improvements for fruit, vegetables, and discretionary calories (as measured by the Healthy Eating Index‐2005), and increased PA in the intervention group. The present analyses revealed significant increases in all 5 social support scales for the intervention group, with only fruit and vegetable scale increases for the control group. Self‐efficacy for SSB increased in both groups, while decisional balance (pro) for whole grains increased only in the control group. Results indicate that social support may be a more important mediator of behavioral change for diet and PA than decisional balance or self‐efficacy in this population of rural, southern, African American adults.Grant Funding Source: Supported by US DHHS HRSA Grant # 6 U1FRH07411and the USDA Agricultural Research Service.