bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chewing gum influences grocery shopping behavior (273.4)
Authors: Wansink Brian , Tal Aner , Miquel‐Kergoat Sophie 
Published: June 2021

The studies aimed to examine whether chewing gum during grocery shopping can increase lower calorie food purchases. Participants (N = 59) in a lab study were asked to shop at a simulated online grocery store while chewing gum or not (determined by random assignment). Participants chewing gum selected 21.25% fewer bags of chips and Doritos and 17.89% more fruits and vegetables compared to those who were not chewing gum. The overall ratio of less caloric foods to more caloric foods in their total grocery choices increased by 14.69% from 62% to 77% (p = 0.03). In a pilot field study designed to examine the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, shoppers (N = 289) were randomly assigned to gum‐chewing or no gum‐chewing conditions, and asked to report on their level of hunger and cravings at the end of their shopping trip. There was a significant reduction in self‐reported hunger for those chewing (p = .03), as well as directional reductions in self‐reported cravings. Chewing gum while shopping appears to lead consumers to select healthier food, possibly due to reduced hunger and cravings.Grant Funding Source: Wrigley’s Science Institute
Getting a head: changing perspectives on craniofacial development (340.1)
Authors: Noden Drew 
Published: June 2021

This occasion prompts reflection on questions raised related to craniofacial development. Lineage tracing methods have clarified movements and fates of paraxial and lateral mesoderms and neural crest cells in several model species. These approaches have delineated shared, conserved from specialized, derived patterns of tissue dispersal. For example, laryngeal cartilages, which traditionally were homologized with pharyngeal arch elements, receive substantial contributions from lateral mesoderm.“Migratory” is an attribute frequently applied to crest cells. However, underlying locomotory mechanisms are varied and both active locomotion and passive displacement contribute. Paraxial mesodermal cells display a panoply of behaviors, from stationary pre‐chondroblasts to directed pre‐osteoblasts to undirected, invasive movements of angioblasts. These bring mesodermal populations to the interface with crest cells, but crossing is selectively controlled.Musculoskeletal assembly is hierarchical, with crest‐derived connective tissue progenitors at the top. Executing these assemblies requires progressive interactions that bring redundancy to the process. Some of these interactions are similar to those operating in other body regions, whilst others are unique to each niche. These features of craniofacial development will be discussed in the context of questions yet unanswered.
Introduction of an anatomy multi‐station integrated table conference (343.1)
Authors: Morton David , Hutcheson David 
Published: June 2021

Assessment is the culmination for any educational activity. Anatomy assessments in medical school traditionally consist of multiple choice and cadaver practical exams. When the University of Utah School of Medicine adopted an integrated curriculum the mode of assessments also changed including the addition of Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs) as the summative form of clinical assessment. An OSCE is a one‐on‐one exam with multiple stations testing communication, physical exam, clinical knowledge, and radiographic interpretation among other skills. We asked the question, “How can we as anatomy professors create an assessment similar to the OSCE?” We implemented an anatomy multi‐station, integrated table conference into the dissection schedule. Three times throughout the Foundations of Medicine Unit medical and dental students were tested one‐on‐one regarding their knowledge of anatomy. The anatomy questions were standardized and had correlations to clinical medicine, histology, embryology and radiology. The students rotated from station to station using a combination of cadavers, skeletons, and images (either on iPads or printed and placed on the wall) to answer the questions. As a result, students were graded not only on their knowledge of anatomy but also their verbalization of this knowledge within an integrated context of medicine and clinical sciences.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
A gift in disguise: teaching opportunities that are overlooked in the gross anatomy laboratory (343.7)
Authors: Rae Guenevere , McGoey Robin , Newman William , Del Valle Luis , Swartz William 
Published: June 2021

The Anatomy faculty worked in collaboration with the Department of Pathology to enhance the first year medical student’s gross anatomy laboratory experience. Pathology faculty visited the laboratory three times during the gross anatomy course to identify pathology encountered in the cadavers and to discuss these clinico‐pathologic incidences with the medical students. Pathologists took tissue samples from the cadaveric specimens and presented a 45‐minute PowerPoint slide show at the end of the course. This collaboration enabled the pathology and anatomy faculty to incorporate both vertical and horizontal integration of disciplines taught within the undergraduate medical curriculum. As a result of this interdepartmental collaboration, there were several learning opportunities that were captured by the pathology faculty that would have been overlooked by the anatomy faculty. As an assessment of this interdepartmental collaboration on first year medical students, the students were asked questions on their course evaluation about the impact of the clinico‐pathologic course material on their learning. In addition, the student’s end of the year reports on their cadaver were qualitatively analyzed for clinico‐pathologic references and compared to those of previous years. In conclusion, the addition of pathology into the anatomy course can be beneficial to both students and faculty.Grant Funding Source: Academy for the Advancement of Educational Scholarship LSUHSC
Cell intercalation and migration mediated by actin contractility are key cellular behaviors in fusion of the mammalian secondary palate (344.2)
Authors: Bush Jeffrey , Kim Seungil 
Published: June 2021

Fusion of two distinct embryonic prominences is a process common to numerous developmental contexts and often requires the removal of an intervening epithelium. Upon fusion of the mammalian secondary palatal shelves, the resulting medial epithelial seam (MES) must be removed to allow formation of a continuous secondary palate. This problem has been studied at great length, leading to three main cellular explanations. Whereas considerable investigation has been made into epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and programmed cell death of the intervening epithelium as the definitive cellular mechanisms, the contribution of cell migration of the intervening epithelium in this process is not clear. By combining confocal live imaging in explant culture with functional molecular genetics in mice, we now provide direct evidence that cell migration is a key component of removal of the MES. Further, we find that integration of a disorganized multi‐layered epithelium into a shared single layer epithelium is an essential early step in secondary palate fusion. Both integration and migration of the MES requires an actin contractility pathway involving Rho Kinase (ROCK), Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and culminating with activation of Non‐muscle myosin IIA (NMIIA). Together, these data provide direct support for cell migration in removal of the MES, and allow us to begin to assemble a molecular pathway controlling this action.Grant Funding Source: Supported by R03 DE022818 from NIH/NIDCR
A nucleolar role for FGFR2 in bent bone dysplasia syndrome (344.5)
Authors: Neben Cynthia , Idoni Brian , Salva Joanna , Tuzon Creighton , Rice Judd , Krakow Deborah , Merrill Amy 
Published: June 2021

Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2) promotes osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and differentiation during bone development, yet it remains unclear how the receptor couples these distinct cellular processes. Analysis of the new FGFR2‐skeletal disorder Bent Bone Dysplasia Syndrome (BBDS) suggests that the receptor, in addition to its canonical activities, regulates bone formation within the nucleolus. We previously showed that the FGFR2 mutations in BBDS reduce receptor levels at the plasma membrane and markedly diminish responsiveness to extracellular FGF2. Despite decreased canonical FGF signaling, cells with mutant FGFR2 show enhanced nucleolar localization with intracellular FGF2. The nucleolus is the site of ribosome biogenesis, and ribosome dysfunction is linked to skeletal birth defects. By employing the BBDS mutations in cultured preosteoblasts, we found that nucleolar FGFR2, along with FGF2 and the rDNA transcription factor UBF1, interacts at the rDNA promoter to promote transcription and subsequently cell proliferation. Our studies also show that nucleolar FGFR2 blocks the transcriptional repressor activities of RUNX2, the master regulator of osteoblast differentiation, at rDNA. Together this data suggest that nucleolar FGFR2 links proliferation and differentiation in preosteoblasts by regulating rRNA transcription, the rate‐limiting step in ribosome production.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIH/NIDCR #T90DE021982 to C.L.N., MOD #5‐FY12‐166 to A.E.M., NIDCR 5 P30 DE020750‐02
Exploring Lebanese children’s experiences of food insecurity (378.2)
Authors: Ghattas Hala , Aqeel Marah , Sassine AnnieBelle , Hwalla Nahla , Sahyoun Nadine 
Published: June 2021

Recent studies from the USA show that child‐specific instruments to assess food insecurity describe childhood food insecurity more accurately than parent reports, and that this experience is unique in terms of content and context. Whether this is true in cultural contexts outside of the USA is unknown. We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 37 mother‐child (aged 8‐12 years) dyads living in food insecure families in Lebanon, and explored children’s experiences and perceptions of food insecurity. We found that children were able to rationalize economic aspects of food insecurity including the value of money, the importance of salary as household income and the unaffordable nature of specific foods. Children expressed emotions such as worry and empathy related to food insecurity, particularly for their siblings and parents. Children were physically aware of hunger and participated in various coping strategies, including decreasing the amount of food they consumed, prioritizing younger siblings, saving money, working and managing with whatever was available. These data can be used to better understand and assess childhood food insecurity and to develop child‐specific insights to inform interventions to alleviate food insecurity in Lebanese children.Grant Funding Source: Supported by University Research Board, American University of Beirut and Nestle Middle East
Household food insecurity associated with child cognitive development in a rural Kenyan community on Lake Victoria (378.6)
Authors: Milner Erin , Fiorella Kathryn , Hickey Matthew , Salmen Charles , Omollo Dan , Mattah Brian , Magerenge Richard , Brashares Justin , Fernald Lia 
Published: June 2021

Household food insecurity around Kenya’s Lake Victoria is widespread. The goal of this study was to examine the associations between food insecurity, child anthropometry and child development in 300 children 0‐2 years old living in a rural lakeside community in Kenya. Outcome measures obtained included anthropometric measurements (length and weight) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire [ASQ] (Gross Motor, Personal‐Social, and Communication sub‐scales). Household food insecurity was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale [HFIAS], and a scale of household food security was created using standard techniques. Results indicate that household food insecurity was associated with scores on the ASQ. In sub‐scale analyses, performance on the Gross Motor sub‐scale was most strongly associated with food insecurity (p=0.008). Stunting is significantly associated with gross motor scores (β=‐0.012, 95%CI:‐0.022 to ‐0.0029, p=0.01) and personal‐social scores (β=‐0.021, 95%CI:‐0.042 to ‐0.00079, p=0.04). Mediation analyses suggest that some of the association between household food security and child development is explained by child anthropometry (length‐for‐age). The associations between food insecurity and child development have potential policy and program implications. Understanding these findings may also inform future interventions designed to improve child cognitive development.Grant Funding Source: NSF‐GEO grant #115057, NAS Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research
Bioenergetic characterization of macrophage inflammatory responses attenuated by anthocyanins (383.2)
Authors: Komarnytsky Slavko , Chen Amelia , Thor Yiwen , Palatini Kimberly , Wilson Mickey , Esposito Debora 
Published: June 2021

Anthocyanins present strong anti‐inflammatory properties, thus leading to the potential use as functional food ingredients for the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases and increased intestinal permeability to endotoxins, notably LPS. However, the differences between individual anthocyanins and their effects on cellular signaling and metabolism need to be further elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the protection afforded by anthocyanins against LPS‐induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophages and determined changes in oxygen consumption rates (OCR) and extracellular acidification rates (ECAR) during the macrophage activation. Basal OCR and ECAR increased as the macrophages underwent LPS stimulation from 283.3±38.4 to 361.7±47.9 pmol/min, and from 9.7±2.4 to 27.6±3.8 mpH/min, respectively, suggesting that energy required for activation is rapidly provided by changes in glycolytic pathways. When tested in physiological concentrations (0.1‐3 uM), malvidin and, to a certain degree, delphinidin, were more effective than cyaniding or pelargonidin in the reduction of mRNA and protein biomarkers of inflammation. Different effects exerted by individual anthocyanins suggested that the presence of the methylated hydroxyls on the B ring may be critical for their greater biological activity. Anthocyanin‐treated macrophages developed a distinct metabolic profile with respect to glycolysis versus oxidative phosphorylation, in part by increasing spare respiratory capacity and therefore shifting to mitochondria as their main source of ATP.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NCSU faculty start up funds to SK.
Low‐grade inflammation and weight gain in reproductive‐aged women (391.4)
Authors: Perng Wei , Rich‐Edwards Janet , Stuebe Allison , Oken Emily 
Published: June 2021

Objective To investigate whether low‐grade inflammation is related to weight gain in reproductive‐aged women.Methods We quantified C‐reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in plasma of 440 Project Viva mothers at 3 y postpartum, and obtained research measures of weight and waist circumference (WC) at 3 and 7 y postpartum. There were no intervening pregnancies during the study period. Using multivariable linear regression, we examined the relation of CRP and IL‐6 quartiles with weight and WC change over 4 y of follow‐up.Results At 3 y postpartum, median age was 37 y (range: 20 ‐ 48). Mean ± SD BMI was 26.3 ± 6.4 kg/m2, waist circumference 87.5 ± 12.8 cm, CRP 2.02 ± 3.74 mg/L, and IL‐6 1.57 ± 2.94 pg/mL; 73.6% were white. Weight (2.6 ± 5.8 kg) and WC (2.4 ± 6.5 cm) increased during follow‐up. After adjustment for age, parity, race, education level, delivery method, anthropometry at 3 y postpartum, and time lag between the 3 and 7 y anthropometric assessments, there were no associations of CRP or IL‐6 with weight or WC change.Conclusions Inflammation was not related to weight gain in this sample of reproductive‐aged women. Future studies with a longer duration of follow‐up are warranted.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the National Institutes of Health
Essential role for Notch1 mediated myofibroblast differentiation in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis (406.5)
Authors: Hu Biao , Liu Tianju , Wu Zhe , Liu Jianhua , Ullenbruch Matthew , Phan Sem 
Published: June 2021

Notch signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of cell fate, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Previous studies indicate that Notch1 activates myofibroblast differentiation, a key feature of lung fibrosis. However, the in vivo importance of Notch1 mediated myofibroblast differentiation is not clear. In this study, the effects of mesenchymal‐specific deletion of Notch1 on pulmonary fibrosis were examined. Crossing of mice with the floxed notch1 gene with α2(I) collagen enhancer‐CreER(T)‐bearing mice successfully generated progeny with a conditional knockout (CKO) of notch1 in collagen I‐expressing (“mesenchymal”) cells only upon treatment with tamoxifen (notch1 CKO). When treated with endotracheal bleomycin injection, Notch1 CKO mice showed significant attenuation of pulmonary fibrosis relative to control mice as examined by collagen deposition, myofibroblast differentiation and histopathological analyses. No significant differences in inflammatory/immune cell influx were observed in the mutant mice relative to the control mice as showed by flow cytometry analysis. These findings confirmed an essential role for Notch1 mediated myofibroblast differentiation in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.Grant Funding Source: Supported by National Institute of Health grants (HL52285, HL91775, HL112880 and DK020572)
miR‐223 a new signaling hub accounting for DNA damage signaling and STAT3 activation in pulmonary arterial hypertension (406.6)
Authors: Vinck Jerome , Ruffenach Gregoire , Potus François , Sandra Breuils‐Bonnet , Provencher Steeve , Bonnet Sebastien 
Published: June 2021

Background: We reported that pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated with an increased activation of Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) and the transcription factor STAT3 within the pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC). PARP‐1/STAT3 are common denominators to numerous pathways implicated in PAH including inflammation, Warburg effect; DNA repair; proliferation and apoptosis; thus PARP‐1/STAT3 activation can eventually leads to PAH. Despite extensive research PARP‐1/STAT3 activation mechanism remains elusive. Micro‐RNAs are non‐coding small RNA implicated in PAH etiology, in sillico analysis revealed that an interaction between the transcription factor CEBPα and miR‐233 is likely implicated in PARP‐1/STAT3 activation. We hypothesized that miR‐223 is downregulated in PAH contributing to PARP‐1/STAT3 activation.Methods and results: Using qRT‐PCR, we demonstrated that miR‐223 is significantly downregulated in Human PAH lungs, distal pulmonary arteries (<800μm) and cultured PAH‐PASMCs compare to control donors (n=3 to 5 patients). Downregulation of miR‐223 was associated with a significant downregulation at both mRNA (qRT‐PCR) and protein levels (immunoblot and immunofluorescence) of CEBPα, a transcription factor known to regulate miR‐223. Interestingly, the CEBPα‐dependent downregulation of miR‐223 was associated with PARP‐1 and STAT3 activation in PAH‐PASMC contributing to their prolifération.Conclusion: We provide preliminary evidences of the implication of a CEBPα/miR‐223 axis in the etiology of PAH, and its likely implication in the activation of PARP‐1/STAT3 signaling known to regulates PASMC proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. Therefore, CEBPα/miR‐223 represents a new avenue of investigation and a putative new therapeutic target for PAH.
Conformational exchange in the mechanism of multidrug efflux by EmrE (470.3)
Authors: Henzler‐Wildman Katherine 
Published: June 2021

EmrE is a small multidrug resistance efflux pump found in the inner membrane of E. coli. As a secondary active transporter, it imports two protons down their electrochemical gradient to drive the export of one polyaromatic cation substrate. By pumping polyaromatic cations out of the cell, it thus confers resistance to this broad class of substrates and contributes to antibiotic resistance.As a multidrug transporter, EmrE transports a broad range of substrates with widely varying affinities. How does such a small transporter with a single small active site bind and transport this broad array of ligands? We have studied a series of tetrahedral compounds, as well as several planar substrates, to examine multidrug recognition and transport by EmrE. Using ZZ‐exchange NMR spectroscopy and lineshape analysis we find that the rate of conformational exchange between inward‐ and outward‐facing states varies over several orders of magnitude even within this limited set of substrates. Thus, the identity of the bound ligand controls the rate of this critical step in the transport process. The binding affinity also varies over a similar range and our data indicate that ligand off‐rate and conformational exchange rate are of similar magnitude for most ligands, indicating both processes may influence the rate of overall drug efflux. Our results suggest that tight binding ligands may stabilize the ground state sufficiently to block conformational exchange, and thus efflux. Assay in E. coli support this hypothesis, demonstrating that tight binding substrates reduce the rate of ethidium efflux by EmrE in its native environment.
The role of phosphorylation and acetylation in modulating mitochondrial metabolism (474.1)
Authors: Pagliarini Dave 
Published: June 2021

Mitochondria are complex and dynamic organelles that are essential to the survival of nearly every eukaryotic cell. To generate a foundation for systematic investigations of mitochondrial function and adaptation, we recently established a protein compendium of these organelles across a wide range of tissues. This resource, termed MitoCarta, provides a robust, yet static view of the mitochondrial proteome. We are now applying MitoCarta as a framework for quantifying how mitochondrial proteins and post‐translational modifications (PTMs) change during metabolic perturbations, and to elucidate the roles of these changes in regulating mitochondrial activity. To do so, we blend large‐scale mass spectrometry‐based proteomics with focused biochemistry and molecular biology approaches.In particular, we have recently taken this approach to capture the mitochondrial proteome dynamics during fasting, the onset of obesity, aging, caloric restriction and acute iron deprivation. Our analyses have revealed hundreds of dynamic phosphorylation and acetylation events and have enabled the production of quantitative, searchable maps of mitochondrial alterations across a spectrum of metabolic states. We have leveraged these data to demonstrate that key steps in ketogenesis and branched‐chain amino acid degradation are regulated by reversible PTMs. Moving forward, we plan to further elucidate the mitochondrial signaling network by identifying the regulatory enzymes responsible for managing mitochondrial PTMs, and to define the functions of additional mitochondrial PTMs that are altered in human disease.