bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma Lipid Metabolism is altered in Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Fonteh Alfred Nji , Castor Katherine , Im Eun Jung , Arakaki Xianghong , Dawlaty Jessica , Goldweber Robert T. , Harrington Michael 
Published: June 2021

Background and ObjectivesLipids are the source of signaling and inflammatory molecules that may contribute to trauma pathology. Accordingly, we examined levels of lipid species and a lipolytic enzyme activity in a one‐month longitudinal study of acute mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).MethodsWe recruited mTBI patients (n=21) and non‐head trauma controls (CT, n=9), aged 18–50 years from the emergency department of the Huntington Memorial Hospital (Pasadena, CA). Symptom progression was observed within days of injury (W1), and four weeks thereafter (W4). Plasma lipids collected at W1 and W4 were extracted and unesterified (UFA) and esterified fatty acids (EFA) quantified using negative ion/chemical ionization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Plasma glycerophospholipids (GP) and sphingolipids (SP) were analyzed using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Plasma phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity was determined using a fluorescence‐based activity assay.ResultsmTBI participants' plasma at W1 had higher levels of 24 UFA species that included seven saturated fatty acids (SAFA), seven monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), four omega‐3, and six omega‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The sum of all SAFAs, MUFAs, omega‐3 PUFAs, omega‐6 PUFAs, and PUFAs were higher in mTBI plasma at W1. For EFA at W1, two omega‐6 (homo‐g‐C20:3n‐6, C22:4n‐6), one omega‐3 (C20:5n‐3), the sum of omega‐3 PUFAs, and the omega‐3 to omega‐6 ratios (omega‐3 index) were lower in mTBI than in CT. At W4, esterified C19:0 and C22:3n‐3 levels were lower while C24:1 was higher in mTBI compared with CT. The UFA to EFA ratio that estimates endogenous lipolysis of fatty acids was higher in mTBI than CT for three SAFAs, two MUFAs, two omega‐6, two omega‐3, and the ratio of the sum of UFAs to the sum EFAs. Calcium‐dependent PLA2 activity was higher in mTBI plasma at W1 but not at W4. mTBI PLA2 activity at W1 positively correlated with most UFA species except C18:2n‐6 and C18:3n‐6 but correlated only with two UFA (C20:1, C22:1) in CT. PLA2 activity negatively correlated with seven EFA species.ConclusionsOur data showing higher UFA, UFA to EFA ratios, and correlation of UFA with PLA2 indicate excessive lipolysis in early mTBI. A lower omega‐3 index suggests the excessive oxidative breakdown of omega‐3 in mTBI. We propose that early intervention using strategies that reduce lipolysis may attenuate tissue damage linked to mTBI. Additionally, measurements of fatty acid fluctuations may be useful in discovering new therapies and monitoring resolution of mTBI.Support or Funding InformationFinancial support provided by the D.O.D. grant W81XWH‐13‐1‐0005. Thao Tran, David Strickland, Betty Chung, Darlene Royal, and David Buennagel assisted with data collection and patient recruitment.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Sex‐specific neurobiological differences in addiction neuropathology: An educational pilot program for next generation STEM workforce
Authors: Vieira Philip 
Published: June 2021

AIMCalifornia State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) is located in central Los Angeles county, servicing a diverse community. This region is considered a hotspot for drug abuse due to a variety of factors, including a close proximity with the Mexico border, an abundance of transportation facilities to support trafficking, and a substantial population of several at‐risk groups. While graduates from CSUDH often go on to work in the community, these students do not yet receive the education in the factors leading to substance addiction. The aim of this program is to provide a set of courses which will train students on the latest addiction prevention and treatment research. The initial pilot course focused on sex‐specific and neurobiological corollaries to drug dependence.METHODSDuring the 2016–2018 academic years, 6 classes of senior undergraduate students were targeted for this program. Students worked individually and in small groups to prepare discussions on the neurobiology of addiction, following several original and secondary literature sources, including Michael Kuhar's The Addicted Brain (2011), peer‐reviewed publications and published abstracts from the several conferences (including Experimental Biology) from 2014–2017. Discussions with addiction researchers were also included. Students submitted research proposals to address potential gaps in the neuropharmacology literature, focusing on sex‐specific studies. Survey data were collected before and after the course to assess learning outcomes and career trajectories for these next generation STEM workforce students.RESULTSThis pilot program has been well‐received by the participating students. While it was clear that some students struggled with the content, all of them were personally engaged in the material. Indeed, many students openly shared their own experiences with drug dependence.CONCLUSIONStudents need earlier exposure to the neurobiology of drug abuse to support their success in this course. We will therefore offer a psychopharmacology course to students prior to taking this course.Support or Funding InformationCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills Faculty Research GrantThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The effect of myotonic dystrophy on intracellular calcium handling and mitochondrial function.
Authors: Rios Gregory Herrera , Yamazaki Katrina 
Published: June 2021

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a multisystemic genetic disorder that leads to skeletal muscle, cardiac and neurological impairment. DM is characterized by multiple CUG repeats along the DMPK gene, with the severity of the disease increasing with the number of repeats. DM patients exhibit extended muscle contractions due to misregulated ion channels. As a result, normal ion balance, notably calcium, is disrupted leading to cellular damage and eventual death. While research has been aimed at identifying how the CUG repeats regulate gene expression, little is known regarding the effects of DM on organelle function. This study works to understand how DM affects calcium handling between the mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum to cause extended muscle contractions. An in vitro model of DM will be created by transfecting C2C12 cells with a plasmid containing 950 CUG repeats. This will allow for testing of overall calcium distribution and organelle functions in the control versus diseased state. We will run a mixture of fluorescent microscopy experiments to evaluate calcium distribution and organelle structure, as well as biochemical and functional assays to assess the difference in organelle function between these two groups. I hypothesize that DM cells will exhibit a misregulation of calcium handling leading to calcium overload in the mitochondria, thereby decreasing mitochondrial function. Results should indicate calcium mishandling and inhibited ATP production as shown by the results of the various assays. Therefore, if results should hold to be true, DM will indeed induce calcium mishandling through misregulation of calcium handling protein channels and a decrease in ATP synthesis due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Currently, there are limited DM treatments available and the identification of a new possible cell target may lead to the development of new pharmacological agents to combat the disease.Support or Funding InformationThe project will be supported and funded by the project advisor, Dr. Katrina Yamazaki.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
An overview of minority‐based research on Diabetes type II in the US between 2012–2017
Authors: Tajkarimi Ali 
Published: June 2021

In 2015, diabetes killed more people than breast cancer and AIDs combined. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects nearly 29 million Americans each year. The purpose of this research was to explore possible pattern with diabetes with respect to racial disparities in the United States. The method used to find available research articles based on the medical research search engine called PubMed within the years of 2012 until 2017 and 2010 bureau of census data. According to the results found in this study, there is a consistent quantity of race‐based study reports each year. The data demonstrated that percentage of research data on Diabetes in minorities are African American(20.02%), Native Americans (42.3%), Asian (22.0%)and Hispanics(15.7%). The percentages were calculated with the ratio between the number of articles made for each minority for the last 5 years. In light of findings of this study, there is a need for diabetes research in the African American and Hispanic groups.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Egg consumption and risk of cardiovascular diseases, evidence from China Health and Nutrition Survey 2000–2011
Authors: Zhang Ji , Du Wenwen , Huang Feifei , Su Chang , Zhang Jiguo , Jiang Hongru , Jia Xiaofang , Ouyang Yifei , Wang Yun , Li Li , Wang Huijun 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveThe morbidity and hospitalization of CVDs in China have kept increasing since 2000, outpacing the GDP growth. CVD may bring heavier burden in the coming decade to Chinese people, economically and physically. There are evidence indicating the strong relationship between high plasma concentration of cholesterol and CVDs, but the association between CVDs and dietary cholesterol intake remains unclear. We therefore conducted a longitudinal analysis with multifactor adjusting models to assess the nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke risks of egg consumption in a sample of Chinese adults.MethodFive rounds of China Health and Nutrition Survey from 2000 to 2011 were used in this study. 5289 non‐myocardial infarction or non‐stroke subjects >30y in 2000 and followed at least once in the subsequence rounds were included in the final analysis. Three consecutive 24h dietary recall was used to collect egg consumption data, and self‐reported nonfatal MI and stroke history at each follow‐up was used for the CVD diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards regression models with time‐dependent explanatory variables was conducted to compute relative risks and 95% CIs.ResultThe follow‐up time of the myocardial infarction(MI) patients was averagely 9.62 years, while that of the stroke patients was 9.59 years. In 2000, the average daily egg consumption of the whole population was 50.01±38.39g/day, while the figure slightly decreased in the year of 2011, at 46.52 ±34.18g/day. Adjusted for age, gender, education level, household income, urbanized level, geographic location, and individual behavioral factors (including drinking, smoking, physical activity level, weight status, and chronic disease history ), multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that egg consumption was not a significant risk factor of the CVDs in this study(MI and stroke).ConclusionOur study shows no significant relation between egg consumption and CVD risks in this population of which egg consumption was mostly below 100g/day.Support or Funding InformationThe authors thank the team at National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The China Health and Nutrition Survey data collection was in part funded by research grants from the NIH (R01‐HD30880, DK056350, R24 HD050924, and R01‐HD38700) and the NIH Fogarty International Center and by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The content of the paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funders.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Comparison of Field Measures Versus Imaging and Total Versus Regional Body Composition in Predicting Inflammation in Preadolescent Hispanic Girls
Authors: Bea Jennifer W. , Funk Janet , Hetherington‐Rauth Megan , Wertheim Betsy , Mosqueira Lucia , Thuraisingam Ravina , Lee Vinson , Blew Robert , Lohman Timothy , Going Scott B. 
Published: June 2021

ImportanceC‐reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker linked with obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. The optimal measure of adiposity to predict CRP in children is not known.ObjectiveTo compare total and regional estimates of body composition, by imaging and field techniques, for the prediction of CRP among Hispanic girls.DesignThis observational, cross‐sectional study examined participants from the STAR Study between October 2013 and November 2016.SettingA population‐based study performed at a research laboratory, with subject recruitment performed in schools and pediatric clinics in the greater area of Tucson, Arizona USA.ParticipantsHealthy girls aged 9 to 12 years, with no known metabolic disorders, were recruited. Of the 239 Hispanic subjects who provided informed consent to participate, 232 had complete data and were included in the current analysis.Main Outcomes and MeasuresStandard anthropometric techniques were used to measure height, weight, and waist circumference. Densitometric measures of total and regional lean and fat depots by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) were completed. Fasting serum CRP was measured by the Beckman Coulter AU5812 Clinical Chemistry Analyzer. Associations between each body composition parameter and CRP were tested using linear regression (log‐transformed, continuous CRP) and ordinal logistic regression (CRP <1, >1<3, ≥3 mg/L), controlling for maturation, dietary energy, physical activity, and medications.ResultsAll measures of total and regional body fat were positively associated with CRP (P<0.0001), except for intermuscular fat by pQCT. There were no clinically relevant differences between anthropometric (BMI; waist circumference) and DXA‐derived (total fat and regional fat: trunk, gynoid, android fat, leg) measures of fat in their associations with CRP. Total lean mass by DXA was significantly, inversely associated with CRP (P<0.0001).Support or Funding InformationFunding was provided by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD074565) and the National Cancer Institute (P30CA023074).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The Minimum Information About A Biosynthetic Gene Cluster Standard as a Means of Organizing Bioinformatic Data
Authors: Epstein Samuel C. , Medema Marnix H. , Charkoudian Louise K. 
Published: June 2021

Therapeutic agents play an increasingly large role in our daily lives, and it is important to study the source of these powerful chemical compounds. Biosynthetic gene clusters found in a diverse set of organisms are capable of manufacturing structurally complex organic compounds in a systematic way, by expressing suites of a enzymes to build the natural products. There is a growing need for a centralized database to connect data for related genes, enzymes, and compounds. This information is currently stored in a siloed fashion, across several repositories, creating an obstacle for modern researchers. The Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG) database aims to solve this problem by utilizing user‐inputted data to translate scientific discoveries into a format that can be analyzed computationally to connect genes to chemistry, understand biosynthetic gene clusters in the context of environmental diversity, and develop computer‐generated gene cluster engineering. As an effort to make MiBIG more accessible to an expanding scientific community, we developed a workflow, Excel templates, a tutorial video, a collection of review literature, and educational tools to facilitate the entry process have all been developed. To verify the effectiveness of the protocol and associated resources, MIBiG was deployed as a course‐based undergraduate research experience (CURE) in an upper‐level undergraduate course.Support or Funding InformationWe would like to acknowledge an NSF CAREER Award #R15GM120704 to Louise K. Charkoudian as a source of funding for this project.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Intravenous Self‐Administration of Synthetic Cathinones in Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: de Moura Fernando Barreto , Sherwood Alexander , Prisinzano Thomas Edward , Kohut Stephen John , Bergman Jack 
Published: June 2021

The recreational use of synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”) is a persistent public health challenge. However, there currently is a paucity of information regarding the reinforcing effects of varying types of cathinones in nonhuman primates. In this study, self‐administration of the cathinones methcathinone (MCAT), methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), methylone, and the norepinephrine (NE)‐preferring substituted phenethylamine PAL‐329 was compared to behavior maintained by the nonselective monoamine transporter blocker cocaine and the monoamine “releasers” d‐methamphetamine (dMA) and 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in rhesus monkeys (N=4) responding under a FR30/TO60‐s schedule of IV drug injections. All drugs produced inverted U‐shape dose‐response functions characteristic for drug‐maintained behavior, with a rank‐order potency of MDPV≥MCAT≥d‐MA>cocaine>MDMA>methylone≥PAL‐329. The peak number of infusions per session at optimal unit doses was comparable for cocaine, MCAT, MDPV, and d‐MA (40–50) and lower for PAL‐329 (30) and methylone or MDMA (16). Although the role of pharmacokinetic (especially time‐course) differences among drugs cannot be discounted, it is noteworthy that the cathinones MDPV (a transporter blocker) and MCAT (a monoamine releaser), which maintained the high levels of intake observed with cocaine or methamphetamine, have preferentially dopaminergic actions. In contrast, both methylone and PAL‐329 maintained lower levels of self‐administration, which may reflect the more prominent influence of their, respectively, serotonergic and noradrenergic actions. These studies provide a framework for the further evaluation of abuse‐related effects of novel cathinones based upon their neurochemical mechanisms of action.Support or Funding InformationSupported by DA 002519This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Autotaxin and Glutamate Dysregulation in Alzheimer's Mice Model
Authors: Jones Ellery , Govindarajulu Manoj , Knowlton Stella , Suppiramaniam Vishnu 
Published: June 2021

Without the development of new therapeutics, the number of cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) – currently estimated to be greater than 5.4 million – will rapidly increase in the coming decades. As well, the total estimated worldwide cost of dementia is US$818 billion, according to World Alzheimer's Report 2016. Current treatments provide, at best, only modest and temporary symptomatic relief, failing to alter the underlying pathophysiology, which leads to the onset and mediates the progression of the disease. Autotaxin, is an adipokine that is upregulated in type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, indicating a potential involvement of insulin resistance. Mounting evidence suggests that hyperactivation of the Autotaxin (ATX) pathway helps drive neurologic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The deleterious effects of Autotaxin activity on neuronal function appear to be strongly linked to the dysregulation of glutamate homeostasis. The goals of the proposed research were to test the involvement of the Autotaxin (ATX) pathway in glutamate dysregulation associated with AD. We utilized intracerebroventricular (ICV) Streptozotocin (STZ) treated mice to induce brain insulin resistance at 2 months of age and compared with control mice. Autotaxin levels in the hippocampus and cortex were quantified by performing western blot and rt‐PCR, measuring autotaxin mRNA at 4, 8 and 12 months of age. Behavioral studies and electrophysiological studies were performed to assess the cognitive deficits. Finally, biochemical assays to quantify levels of glutamate transporters, other glutamate regulatory proteins, expression of PSD‐95 and Arc proteins essential for synaptic maturity and plasticity and P38 MAPkinase were conducted with hippocampal and cortical lysates. Compared with controls, STZ mice showed significant memory impairment, reduction of synaptic long‐term potentiation and decreased synaptic proteins, which were mediated by the activation of the P38 MAPK Kinase pathway. We believe our studies demonstrate, for the first time, that an increase in autotaxin in the central nervous system directly triggers behavioral and cognitive deficits by promoting synaptic dysfunction, thereby uncovering the molecular mechanisms of autotaxin‐regulated glutamate dyshomeostasis in AD, and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.