bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute Hypoxia and Ryanodine Receptor Activity in Pulmonary Arterial Myocytes of High Altitude Acclimatized Fetal and Adult Sheep
Authors: Goyenaga Geraldine , Yoo Timothy , Romero Monica , Puglisi Jose , Longo Lawrence D , Wilson Sean M 
Published: June 2021

Exposure to high altitude long term hypoxia (LTH) during the gestational period causes reprogramming of the fetal lung, increasing the likelihood of pulmonary hypertension. There is also regional acute hypoxia in the lung that causes hypoxia‐induced pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). This is an important process necessary to sustain arterial oxygenation. Further, ryanodine receptors (RYRs) play an important role in acute hypoxia through HPV and their function is reduced by LTH. In this study, we hypothesized that LTH would alter the activation of RyR by acute hypoxia. This was tested by measuring Ca2+ spark activity in pulmonary arterial (PA) myocytes of fetal and adult sheep, where PAs were isolated from sheep that resided at either low (335m, LA) or high (3801m, HA) altitude for <100 days. Ca2+ imaging was performed by loading cells with Fluo‐4 and imaging en‐face using line‐scan techniques on a Zeiss 710 confocal microscope. Images were analyzed using a customized software that allowed for detailed measurements of the frequency and spatial‐temporal aspects to the Ca2+ sparks. Results showed that acute hypoxia affected Ca2+ signaling in several ways. Specifically, the number of cells firing sparks increased in fetal myocytes at both elevations and in HA but not LA adults. In addition, Ca2+ spark frequency significantly decreased in LA and HA fetuses. Spark frequency decreased in LA adults; which contrasts a frequency increase in HA adults. Aside from these results, distinct differences in the spatial and temporal relationships of Ca2+ sparks were also observed. In conclusion, these findings support the proposition that high altitude fetal reprogramming affects RyR activity and acute hypoxia modifies their activation.Support or Funding InformationSupport from NIH, NSF, and the Walter E. Macpherson Society
Investigating the Half‐site Reactivity of a Member of the PNDOR Family of Proteins
Authors: Li Wuyi , To Daniel , Lee Jerry , Crane EJ , Sazinsky Matthew 
Published: June 2021

Half‐site reactivity is an enzyme characteristic in which the active sites of a multimeric enzyme “fire” alternately, which means that one‐half of the identical subunits is active at any one time (1). Many metabolically important enzymes, such as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), are known to exhibit half‐site reactivity (2). Two models, induced‐fit (or alternating sites cooperativity model) and preexistent asymmetry, were proposed in early literature to explain this half‐site reactivity (3). The pyridine nucleotide disulfide oxidoreductases (PNDORs) are members of a flavoprotein family that use NADH/NADPH as their reductive substrate, with most members of the PNDOR family being found in the form of homodimers. It has previously been observed that members of the PNDOR family show half‐site reactivity (via an alternating sites cooperativity model), as evidenced by subunit asymmetry (4,5): when their bound flavin coenzyme is reduced by NAD(P)H, only one subunit reduces, with the other subunit remaining oxidized. Recent data from our laboratory suggests that the CoADR from Pyrococcus horikoshii, a member of the PNDOR family, also shows half‐site reactivity.Although many enzymes with half‐site reactivity have been characterized kinetically and structurally, the cause of half‐site reactivity and its effect on enzymatic catalytic efficiency and mechanism remains unclear. We have designed asymmetrical dimers of a member of the PNDOR family which disrupts the ability of the subunits to react in an alternating fashion. Preliminary kinetic data suggests that in an asymmetrical dimer, in which one subunit has been inactivated by mutation of its redox‐active cysteine (with the other subunit remaining active), the phCoADR actually exhibits a 3‐fold increase in catalytic efficiency when compared to the wild‐type enzyme for a range of different substrates. In addition, a higher background oxidase activity is observed in the asymmetrical dimer. Our results suggest that subunit communication, in the induced fit model of half‐site reactivity, appears to slow the overall rate of the enzyme, perhaps acting as a control on enzyme activity. The mechanisms of this control will be discussed.Support or Funding InformationThis project is supported by NSF award MCB 1518306.
Structure‐Function Studies of the Thermotoga maritima ADPGlucose Pyrophosphorylase: Probing the role of the C‐terminus of the GlgD subunit
Authors: Tiet Jan , Kuipers Andrea , Vu Crystal , Orry Andrew , Meyer Christopher R 
Published: June 2021

ADP Glucose pyrophosphorylase (ADPG PPase) catalyzes the rate‐limiting step of glycogen and starch biosynthesis in plants and bacteria. Structure‐function studies of the enzyme from different sources will allow the engineering of a more active enzyme to produce more renewable and biodegradable carbon. In Thermotoga maritima (T.ma) there are two genes, glgC and glgD, which code for two subunits of this ADPG PPase. The recombinant His‐tagged subunits were successfully purified using a heat step and nickel chromatography. Previous studies performed at 37ºC (pH 7.5) had shown that the wild type (WT) glgD alone had no activity, while the glgC protein displayed a specific activity of ~ 3 Unit/mg with S0.5 values for ATP and magnesium (Mg2+) of 5.39 mM and 18.66 mM, respectively. However, the WT glgC/D complex at subsaturating substrate conditions was stimulated ~20‐fold compared to glgC alone and was also activated ~2‐fold by fructose‐1,6‐ bisphosphate (FBP). The apparent affinity for ATP and Mg increased ~2 and ~3 fold in the complex while the Vmax increased 4 fold. In the presence of FBP, the apparent affinity for ATP increased ~6‐fold for the complex with a modest ~30% increase in Vmax. Previous alignment studies and molecular modeling principally focused on the functional role of the N‐terminus. Therefore the truncation of 73 amino acids at the C‐terminal end of glgD was generated to test its potential functional role in the complex. In the absence of FBP, the truncated complex exhibited a modest decrease in ATP apparent affinity for ATP and Mg2+ with ~20‐fold and ~2 fold decreased in Vmax, respectively, compared to the WT complex. It was noted that in the presence of the truncated glgD, the Vmax was substantially lower than for glgC alone, indicating an inhibitory role. In the presence of FBP, the truncated complex displayed a ~6‐fold decrease in apparent affinity for ATP, ~3‐fold for Mg and a ~6‐fold lower Vmax compared to the WT complex. However, the Vmax of the truncated complex is close to the Vmax of the glgC alone indicating that FBP diminishes the inhibition by the truncated glgD. The primary effect of the truncation appears to be on the Vmax of the complex as well as a reduction in the K‐type activation by FBP observed with the WT. Complete kinetic and physical characterization of the altered enzyme complexes in the absence and presence of FBP, as well as crystallization of WT GlgC/WT GlgD are still underway.Support or Funding InformationSupported in part by NSF and NSF BIO MCB grant #0448676.
Getting the Word Out on Effective Ways to Teach: the Promoting Active Learning & Mentoring (PALM) Research Coordination Network
Authors: Wolyniak Michael J , Engen Katie , Peifer Mark , Prunuske Amy J , Ruedi Elizabeth , Wick Susan M 
Published: June 2021

The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), along with the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) and the Genetics Society of America (GSA), has received NSF funding for an incubator year of a network to promote best practices in active learning. The goal is to achieve sustained biology education reform in diverse institutions through a program that goes beyond short‐term training or individual workshops to develop long‐term teaching mentorships. As we outlined in the proposal overview, “The Promoting Active Learning & Mentoring (PALM) Research Coordination Network program allows faculty and postdoctoral fellows to gain hands‐on experience and long‐term mentorship (at least one semester) in bringing evidence‐based, effective active learning strategies into their own classrooms. PALM Fellows pair with mentors who have already reformed their classrooms, visit their mentors to observe and participate in redesigned classes, and develop an active learning based model for one of their classes with guidance from their mentors.” This initiative builds and expands on the ASCB Education Committee's current MALT (Mentoring in Active Learning and Teaching) program, which likewise pairs mentees with mentors experienced in active learning. Our goal is to use the network to reach instructors in the biological sciences from all types of institutions, particularly instructors of under‐represented students. We encourage EB society members who are interested in being a mentee, as well as members who have experience in active learning and could serve as mentors, to contact us.Support or Funding InformationNational Science Foundation #1539870
Examination of Sociodemographic Correlates of Plate Waste in Early Adolescent Girls
Authors: Panizza Chloe , Boushey Carol , Delp Edward , Lim Eunjung , Banna Jinan C 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundStudies have reported that the proportion of food that is plated, uneaten and thrown away is high among youth in the school environment. To our knowledge, no studies have collected data on food waste over a 24‐hr period in early adolescents in the U.S. Further, few studies have investigated differences in food waste according to demographic characteristics. The mobile food record (mFR) has been found to be a feasible and acceptable method for measuring dietary intake in youth and may be used to collect data on food waste over the course of a day in real time.PurposeTo examine differences in food waste according to age, race/ethnicity, total household income and mother's education level in early adolescent girls 9 to 13 years in Oahu, Hawaii using the mFR.MethodsParticipants (n=72) used the mFR for 3 days to capture food eaten and any leftovers. A trained analyst met with each girl to review images from the mFR to classify the outcome of food remaining after each eating occasion. Participants’ mothers provided demographic information. The amount of food wasted was estimated. Data were entered into the RapidCalc nutrition database to quantify amount of food waste by food groups. Differences in the proportion of each food group wasted according to demographics were examined using Wilcoxon or Kruskal‐Wallis nonparametric tests.ResultsAll participants’ mothers completed at least 4 years of college. Participants whose mothers only completed college had at least twice the amount of waste with regards to total energy (p=0.008), dairy (p=0.033) and grains (p=0.029) than those whose mothers had a higher level of education. Compared to girls who identified as white or Asian, girls in the other race category (Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African American, Some Other Race) had at least twice the amount of waste with regards to total energy (p=0.018), grains (p=0.012) and dairy (p=0.006). No differences in waste according to age and total household income were found.ConclusionDifferences were observed in food waste over 3 days among the girls according to mother's education level and race/ethnicity. No differences were found with regards to age and total household income. Findings suggest that educational campaigns to reduce food waste may benefit from tailoring to specific groups.Support or Funding InformationSupported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project, HAW02026‐H, Accession no. 1000090. Also supported by NIH grant U54MD007584.
Participants in the Shaping Healthy Choices Program Increased the Intensity of Physical Activity
Authors: Fetter Deborah S , Scherr Rachel E , Linnell Jessica D , Dharmar Madan , Schaefer Sara E , Brian Kelley M , Zidenberg‐Cherr Sheri 
Published: June 2021

Regular physical activity (PA) has been shown to aid with weight control and improve physiologic, metabolic, and immunologic processes, along with quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine whether intensity of PA improved in 4th‐graders participating in the multi component intervention Shaping Healthy Choices Program (SHCP). At pre‐ and post‐intervention assessments, students at the control and intervention schools were asked to wear a PolarActive monitor on their non‐dominant wrist 24 h/d for 5 consecutive days. The PolarActive used accelerometer technology to measure 3 dimensions of motion capturing time (minutes) spent in different activity intensity levels (very vigorous, vigorous, moderate, easy, and very easy). A total of 54 students at the intervention school and 38 students at the control school used the accelerometers for at least 2 days during both the pre‐ and post‐assessments. Analyses were conducted using STATA 14.0. Tests performed were Student's t‐test and paired t‐test, as appropriate. Mean moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) significantly increased at the intervention school from 81.43 ± 29.36 min/d at pre to 103.70 ± 40.76 min/d at post (P=0.01) and at the control school from 70.10 ± 29.42 min/d at pre to 100.03 ± 63.15 min/d at post (P=0.01). There were no significant differences for the change in MVPA between the intervention and control schools. Students at the intervention school significantly decreased mean time performing very easy activity from pre to post by 78.53 ± 119.12 minutes compared to the controls (16.55 ± 138.42 minutes; P=0.02). While there was no significant difference in the change of very vigorous PA between the control and intervention schools, mean very vigorous PA significantly increased in students at the intervention school from 5.57 ± 4.37 min/d at pre to 7.80 ± 9.23 min/d at post (P=0.04). This significant increase in very vigorous PA was not observed at the control school (P=0.44). Taken together, these results suggest students at the intervention school decreased very easy PA and increased very vigorous PA from pre to post; while these changes were not observed at the control school. These improvements in PA, concomitant with other positive behavioral outcomes, may have contributed to the significant decrease in BMI percentile observed in students participating in the SHCP. Due to the small sample size, significant changes in intensity of PA for those students that improved their BMI percentile were not evaluated. These data support that PA is an important area to target within a multi‐component nutrition intervention aimed at preventing childhood obesity.Support or Funding InformationFunding was provided by UCANR competitive grant #11‐1018, USDA 2011‐38420‐20082, and USDA NIFA Hatch project 221082.
Sensation Seeking Behaviors and Dietary Supplement Usage in Warfighters
Authors: Hatch Adrienne M , DiChiara Adam J , Sepowitz John J , Cole Renee E , Merrill Ellen P , Lieberman Harris R , Bukhari Asma S 
Published: June 2021

Military personnel use dietary supplements (DSs) for various reasons. Despite lack of evidence of effectiveness, safety concerns and increasing cost, Soldiers continue using DSs.PURPOSETo characterize how sensation seeking behaviors, which have been repeatedly associated with illicit drug abuse, smoking, and alcohol use, are related to DS use and other demographics factors in military populations.METHODSBackground and behavioral questionnaires were administered to 260 Army Soldiers (mean ± SD, 28 ± 6 y, 26± 3 kg/m2 BMI, 16% female) at three installations. The Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (40 total points (pts) with four 10‐point subscales: experience seeking, boredom susceptibility, thrill seeking, and disinhibition) and the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (80 total points with two 40‐point subscales: novelty and intensity) were used to assess Soldiers’ sensation seeking behaviors. One‐way ANOVA's were conducted to compare sensation seeking subscale scores of DS user and non‐users as well as tobacco products users, Army Physical Fitness Test score, and assignment type.RESULTSOverall, 79% of soldiers reported the use of DSs ≥1 time/week; 34% used sports beverages, 8% used sports bars or gels, and 6% used meal‐replacement beverages. The most commonly used DSs were protein powders (55%), multivitamin/mineral supplements (44%), amino acid mixtures (22%), and herbal supplements (10%). Vitamin/mineral users had higher experience seeking (8.1 ± 1.6 vs. 7.6 ± 2.0, P < 0.05) and novelty (13.8 ± 3.5 vs. 12.4 ± 4.3, P< 0.001) scores compared to non‐users. Protein/sport users had higher boredom susceptibility (7.2 ± 1.6 vs. 6.7± 1.7 P< 0.05), thrill seeking (7.4 ± 2.2 vs. 6.4 ± 2.1, P < 0.001), novelty (13.6 ± 3.8 vs. 12.3 ± 4.1, P< 0.05), and intensity (14.2 ± 4.3 vs. 12.6 ± 3.8, P < 0.05) scores than non‐users. Tobacco users reported greater susceptibility to boredom (7.5 ± 1.4 vs. 6.7 ± 1.7, P < 0.001), disinhibition (5.9 ± 2.3 vs. 5.1 ± 2.1, P < 0.001), novelty (14.0 ± 3.5 vs. 12.7 ±4.1, P < 0.05), and intensity (15.0 ± 3.7 vs. 13.0 ± 4.5, P < 0.001) scores compared to non‐users. Soldiers who scored higher on their (APFT) had greater thrill seeking scores. Soldiers assigned to combat arms units had greater disinhibition and intensity scores.CONCLUSIONThese data support previous studies, showing high supplement use among soldiers that may reflect the unique demands and stressors of military service. Soldiers with higher sensation seeking behavior scores are more likely to be users of DSs. Unit leaders and healthcare professionals can assess soldiers’ lifestyle factors to identify potential use of DSs and safety education.Support or Funding InformationSupported by USAMRMC.The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the author(s)and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Army or the Department of Defense.
Promotora‐academic partnership to reduce nutritional health disparities among Mexican‐heritage families in Texas border colonias
Authors: Sharkey Joseph , Meyer Renee Umstattd , St. John Julie 
Published: June 2021

The burden of obesity disproportionately affects marginalized populations, such as Mexican‐heritage (MH) children who reside in impoverished communities along the U.S.‐Mexico border. These areas are occupied by a growing population of people who share a similar Mexican heritage, language, and socioeconomic standing; have unacceptably high rates of poverty and financial stress, adult and childhood obesity, food insecurity, and physical inactivity; and limited access to affordable, healthy foods and physical activity opportunities. There has been success with traditional approaches: 1) top‐down, researcher‐driven approaches, 2) disregard for contextual dimensions (culture, sociocultural, network, and personal), 3) not reaching most in need, 4) language and literacy, and 5) lack of trust by the priority population. Promotoras de Salud (community health workers) are trusted members of underserved, at‐risk Hispanic communities experiencing social and health inequities. Promotoras have the unique ability and opportunity not only to provide outreach and education but also to be actively engaged in conducting research in their communities and serve as a cultural bridge between the community and researchers. The purpose of this study was develop an understanding of needs and assets of priority communities regarding opportunities for affordable healthy foods and physical activity. Data collected included neighborhood/community assessment (ground‐truthed enumeration of all food venues and physical activity opportunities, environmental infrastructure, neighborhood characteristics, assessment of physical activity places, and informal and formal policies). This was followed by separate panel series of focus groups with MH children (age 7–11 y) and mothers. Data documented colonia and community needs and assets and the voices of children and mothers. The constellation of health behaviors and settings that place children at increased risk for poor nutrition and obesity must be simultaneously addressed.Support or Funding InformationUSDA‐NIFA (#2015‐68001‐23234)
Nutrition Education for Low‐Income Population through Social Marketing: Insight from SNAP‐Ed Eligible Participants
Authors: Hagues Rachel , Childers Austin , Lee Jung Sun , Phua Joe 
Published: June 2021

Social Marketing (SM) has been used to deliver public health interventions, and has the potential to deliver nutrition education interventions targeted to large, low‐income population quickly at low‐costs. The purpose of this study was to conduct focus group interviews with those that qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP‐Ed) (185% of poverty) to learn their perspectives on benefits, barriers to accessing messages and food, suggested content, and media channels most useable for them to be able to best segment nutrition social marketing messages. Two focus groups in each quadrant of Georgia were conducted for a total of 8 focus group interviews. Groups were held in both rural and urban areas; settings ranged from community centers, to housing authorities, to schools. Sixty‐nine individuals participated, representing a range of rural – urban counties. The research team developed a semi‐structured interview guide. Focus groups were tape‐recorded and transcribed; a thematic analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti. To ensure findings were accurate and credible, a summary was distributed to each group to be given to all participants for member checking. Data from each group were compared across urban/rural and north/south/east/west. Participants understood some of the benefits of eating healthy foods and wanted to know more, such as how to cook for someone with chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes). Participants identified many barriers to healthy eating including culture, high costs and lack of availability of healthy food. Participants in the Atlanta area talked about having a lack of time due to long commutes. Many participants wanted to learn ways to reduce sodium in food, as well as ideas for cooking southern traditional foods they have typically fried through healthier means. Several African American participants emphasized the need to make messages culturally relevant. Participants expressed their interest and need for more education on serving sizes, measurement conversions, and healthy substitutions The majority of participants reported they can get online and access nutrition information via mobile devices, especially smart phones, unless they are out of data. While participants reported having Internet access, it is not always as accessible from home in rural areas as urban. Sometimes rural participants reported needing to go to public places to access it. Participants reported they search and obtain nutrition and health information often through Google and Facebook. In conclusion, a segmented marketing approach may help reach Georgians with low‐income, particularly if segmented by urban/rural and across the various cultures that exist within the State. Because participants have more access to the Internet than anticipated, social media marketing could be an effective intervention.Support or Funding InformationThis project was funded by USDA SNAP‐Ed