bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of sun‐dried raisin consumption on gut microbiota composition
Authors: Wijayabahu Akemi , Waugh Sheldon , Ukhanova Maria , Caraughi Arianna , Mai Volker 
Published: November 2023

Dried fruit containing phytochemicals and dietary fibers, such as raisins, contribute to shaping a healthy commensal gut microbiota. Maintenance and targeted modification of microbiota composition and activities has potential for improving various health parameters. We performed a feeding study in human volunteers to determine how consumption of three ounces of sun‐dried raisins/day affects composition and activities of fecal microbiota. Thirteen adults were recruited from faculty, students and staff at the University of Florida to participate in a 14 day raisin feeding study. Fecal samples were collected at baseline, days 7 and 14 of the study period. While adherence to the study protocol was high, participants struggled to maintain an intake of three ounces of raisins/day over the study period. Based on high throughput 16S rRNA sequence analysis we observed stability in microbiota diversity indexes and in the proportions of bacterial phyla. Individual bacterial signature sequences suggested that the prevalence of up to 16 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) changed during the first week of raisin consumption compared to only 4 OTUs that changed during the second week of raisin consumption. We detected a significant reduction in an OTU closest to Klebsiella sp ., potentially an enteric pathogen. Our findings suggest that while adding raisins to the diet doesn't distort overall microbiota composition, it may potentially be beneficial to the host by reducing enteric inflammation associated with subclinical infections with an enteric pathogen. Potential health benefits of the observed microbiota changes, including reduction in enteric inflammation, should be determined in future studies in populations for which specific health benefits can be targeted.Support or Funding InformationThe study was sponsored by Sun‐Maid Growers of California. Investigators independently designed and performed the study.
Interactions Between Diet and Toxicant Exposure Lead to Increased Circulating Levels of the Cardiometabolic Disease Biomarker TMAO
Authors: Petriello Michael C. , Charnigo Richard , Pavuk Marian , Birnbaum Linda , Morris Andrew , Hennig Bernhard 
Published: November 2023

Cardiovascular disorders are largely caused by genetic and environmental factors. Understanding how these factors intersect to determine individual disease risk is a critical challenge. Well‐ studied “lifestyle dependent” determinants of increased cardiovascular disease risk include smoking, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition, but emerging data now implicate exposures to persistent environmental pollutants as an important contributor to inter‐individual variability in cardiovascular disease risk. It is also critical to identify novel biomarkers that link nutrition, toxicant exposure, and cardiometabolic disease risk. Interestingly, emerging diet‐derived biomarkers such as trimethylamine‐N‐oxide (TMAO), carnitine, certain fatty acids, and choline have strong positive relationships with heart disease risk, whereas plasma levels of other nutrients, for example plant‐derived carotenoids, sterols and polyphenols are correlated with reduced risk. Quantitating levels of these nutrient biomarkers in individuals with well‐defined environmental exposures and well documented metabolic disease histories may shed light on why certain people are more or less prone to environmentally induced diseases. For example, recently, we published that in preclincial models, exposure to dioxin‐like pollutants can increase circulating levels of TMAO. In our preclinical studies, dioxin‐like PCBs strongly increase the enzyme responsible for TMAO production, FMO3, resulting in amplified increases in TMAO levels. We have now begun to investigate if these associations between pollutant exposure and TMAO are evident in the highly exposed Anniston, Alabama population. We have used mass spectrometry methods to quantitate TMAO in archived plasma samples, and have determined that higher body burden of dioxin‐like pollutants is significantly associated with increased circulating TMAO levels in humans.Support or Funding InformationSupported in part by NIEHS/NIH grant P42ES007380, NCI/NIH intramural program, CDC, T32 postdoctoral training grant, and the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. This research was conducted in part with resources provided by the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Plasma Phospholipid Fatty Acid Profiles in Korean Adults With and Without Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Walker Maura Elizabeth , So Jisun , Matthan Nirupa R , Johnson Elizabeth J , Han Sung Nim , Chung Ick‐Mo , Lichtenstein Alice H 
Published: November 2023

Background and ObjectivesAcute coronary syndrome (ACS), a clinical manifestation of coronary artery disease presenting as unstable angina and/or myocardial infarction, is the third‐leading cause of death in South Korea. Plasma phospholipid (PL) fatty acid profiles are considered objective biomarkers of both dietary fat type and indicator of endogenous fatty acid metabolism, and have been associated with cardiovascular disease risk in multiple cohorts. Little data are available about the relationship between these biomarkers and ACS in the Korean population. Our objective was to assess the relationship of plasma PL fatty acid profiles among Korean adults with (cases) and without (controls) diagnosed ACS.MethodsPlasma was collected from newly diagnosed cases (n=30) and controls (n=29) at Ewha Womans University Medical Center (EUMC), Seoul, South Korea. Cases and controls were matched on the basis of age (51±7 y) and sex. PL fatty acids profiles were determined by gas chromatography, and expressed as molar percentage (mol%). Thirty‐six fatty acids were resolved. Fatty acid product‐to‐precursor ratios were calculated to estimate desaturase enzyme activities (stearoyl‐CoA‐desaturase [SCD1; 161n‐7/16:0], SCD2 [18:1n‐9/18:0], delta‐6‐desaturase [D6D; 20:3n‐6/18:2n‐6] and delta‐5‐desaturase [D5D; 20:4n‐6/3n‐6]). Data were analyzed using either paired t‐test or Wilcoxon signed rank test as appropriate. Fatty acids were categorized into tertiles and logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for ACS risk with the lowest tertile serving as the reference.ResultsMyristic (14:0; p = 0.041), gamma‐linolenic (18:3n‐6; p = 0.029), dihomo‐gamma‐linolenic (20:3n‐6; p = 0.050), docosadienoic acid (22:2n‐6; p = 0.050), docosatetraenoic (22:4n‐6; p = 0.037) and conjugated linoleic acid (18:2C; p = 0.025) were significantly higher, whereas nervonic acid (24:1n‐9; p = 0.042) and DHA/AA ratio (p = 0.030) were significantly lower in cases compared to the control subjects. A trend toward higher arachidonic (20:4n‐6; p = 0.068) was observed in the cases. ACS risk was significantly lower among those in the highest tertile of DHA/AA (OR: 0.25 [95% CI: 0.07– 0.94]) and significantly higher among those in the highest tertile of gamma‐linolenic (18:3n‐6; OR: 4.6 [95% CI: 1.2–18.1]).ConclusionsThese data indicate that ACS cases have a higher proportion of fatty acids in the endogenous omega‐6 pathway and lower DHA/AA ratio.Support or Funding InformationSources of Funding: This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF‐2012R1A1A2008597) and a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute T32 Nutrition and Cardiometabolic Disorders Pre‐doctoral Research Training Grant (NIH T32HL069772‐15).
Dietary advanced glycation end products and lipid profile in diabetes mellitus subjects with or without complications
Authors: Luevano‐Contreras Claudia , Chapman‐Novakofsky Karen 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundHyperglycemia leads to vascular damage in Diabetes Mellitus (DM) by endogenous production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In addition, high intake of dietary AGEs may contribute to tissue damage, increased levels of inflammatory markers and it has been associated with alteration in lipids.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between dietary AGEs and the lipid profile in subjects with DM type 2 with or without complications.MethodsThis was an observational study in DM type 2 subjects with 3–20 years since diagnosis. Participants' clinical history and presence of DM associated complications were obtained from their health care provider as well as results of lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol, and triglycerides), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and height/weight. Dietary intake was recorded with seven days of food records, and AGEs intake with a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that measured last year intake. Diet records were entered into the nutrient analysis software, Food Processor, for caloric and macronutrients, and AGEs intake calculated from published AGEs databases. Descriptive statistics, t‐student test for differences between groups, and spearman correlation used, in addition linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between dietary AGEs and lipids levels.ResultsThirty‐eight volunteers were recruited, but 3 participants were withdrawn because uncompleted questionnaires. The 35 subjects (63% women) had a mean age of 59.0±10.6 years, 9.0±5.4 years since diagnosis, and 54.3% (n=19) reported cardiovascular complications and/or neuropathy and 45.7% (n=16) reported no complications. Body mass index was 36.6±9.0 Kg/m2; lipid levels were 172.1±95.2 mg/dL for triglycerides; 94.5±43.1 mg/dL for LDL‐cholesterol and 172.8±52.3 mg/dL for cholesterol; HbA1c values were 7.5±1.3%. Dietary intake was 1992±529 Kcal, 205±62 g of carbohydrates, 93±30 g of proteins, 91±31 g of fat, 30±12 g of saturated fat, and for dietary AGEs 18183±8365 KUAGE. There were no differences for metabolic or dietary variables between the group with complications and those without complications. A positive correlation between AGEs and cholesterol (r=0.38 p=0.024) and triglycerides (r=0.47 p=0.004) were found; to further explore this relation, a multiple linear regression found that triglycerides were associated with dietary AGEs and remained significant after adjusting for caloric intake, gender and complications presence (F=3.7, p<0.014, R2=0.33). No association was found with any other dietary variable.ConclusionThis study shows a significant association between dietary AGEs intake and triglycerides levels independent of diabetes‐related cardiovascular or neuropathy complications.Support or Funding InformationFunded through CONACYT; PRODEP (UGTO‐PTC‐448); Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign.
Relationship between Levels of Serum Methylglyoxal and Fasting Plasma Glucose in Blacks with and without Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Chantarasinlapin Praew , Zarini Gustavo G. , Barbieri M. Alejandro , Wu Wensong , Huffman Fatma G. 
Published: November 2023

INTRODUCTIONMethylglyoxal is a dicarbonyl compound that has been reported to be associated with insulin resistance, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. However, such observation among Black populations, including African Americans and Haitian Americans, remains scarce.PURPOSEThe current study aimed to investigate the relationship between levels of serum methylglyoxal and fasting plasma glucose in African American and Haitian American participants, with and without type 2 diabetes.METHODSParticipants were recruited by community outreach in Broward and Miami‐Dade counties, Florida. The study included a total of 488 eligible participants (n = 234 controls and n = 254 cases) over 30 years of age who had complete data of serum methylglyoxal and fasting plasma glucose. Serum levels of prominent methylglyoxal adduct, methylglyoxal hydroimidazolone 1 (MGH1) were measured by using a commercially available competitive ELISA kit. Fasting plasma glucose levels were determined by hexokinase enzymatic methods. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the association of natural log‐transformed MGH1 and fasting plasma glucose.RESULTSThere was an increase in MGH1 levels of 0.23% for every 1% increase in fasting plasma glucose levels, after adjusting for pertinent variables (95% CI [0.01%, 0.46%], p=0.042). However, such association was not found in participants without type 2 diabetes (p=0.954). Interestingly, the geometric mean of MGH1 levels for African Americans with type 2 diabetes was about 20% lower than that for Haitian Americans with type 2 diabetes, holding other variables constant (95% CI [2.37%, 34.43%], p=0.028).CONCLUSIONThe findings suggest that methylglyoxal may be linked to hyperglycemia and metabolic changes in type 2 diabetes, and may differentially impact the development of the disease in Blacks.Support or Funding InformationFunding for this research was provided through NIH/NIDDK sponsored grant #SC1DK083060.
Is Workbench Height a Risk Factor for Occupational Health in Food Service System Workers?
Authors: Karabulut Ömer Faruk , Dikmen Derya 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionPhysical design of the kitchens, light level, noise level, materials, workbench height, ergonomics and working conditions are important factors in terms of occupational health and safety. According to the studies 90% of food service system workers, work in standing position and it could cause health problems like musculoskeletal injuries and pain. Anthropometry is can be defined as physical measures of a person's size and functional capacities. Generally, elbow height is considered to calculate optimum workbench heights.AimThis study was conducted in order to assess occupational health risk related workbench heights in food service system workers.Methods & MaterialsAt total 100 subjects (100% men) participated in the study from four different food service system kitchens located in Ankara, Turkey. All the kitchens light level, noise level, temperature and humidity level and also workbench heights were measured by the researcher. All the subjects completed a questionnaire which included questions about nutritional habits, physical activity, occupational health related questions and Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire. Anthropometric measures like weight and height were measured by researcher.ResultsThe mean of workers BMI and elbow heights were 28.59±5.16 kg/m2 and 108.91±4.95 cm respectively. Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire scores for different kitchens workers were between 24,1±28,5 and 151,7±266,5. Temperatures levels (26.1–31.7 °C) were high than optimum level. Light levels (137.2–275.9 lux) were low in some kitchens, noise levels (79.3–91.2 dB) were high, humidity levels (49.1%–54.1) were normal when we compare the optimal values. Totally, 79.4% of subjects had an occupational accident in workplace. Workbench heights in kitchens were between 83.3±8.2–86.1±5.68 cm. In order to calculate optimum workbench heights, we used elbow height measurements (Elbow height ‐ 7.5 cm) of the subjects. Optimum workbench height for kitchen workers were calculated and found as between 101.6±4.9–104.7±4.94 cm. None of the kitchen workbench heights were compatible with the subjects elbow height measurements.ConclusionKitchens had high risk for occupational accidents according to physical conditions and workbench height levels. Design of a kitchen in food service system is important that can cause occupational health problems in workplaces. Kitchen workbenches should be designed according to workers anthropometric measurements to save musculoskeletal injury and pains.
Differences in Calcium Metabolism of Adolescents among Races and between Sexes
Authors: Wastney Meryl E , McCabe Linda D , Martin Berdine R , McCabe George P , Weaver Connie M 
Published: November 2023

Nearly half of bone calcium is acquired during adolescence. To investigate whether there are racial differences in rates of calcium metabolism and accretion, a series of kinetic studies were performed in American adolescents (n=147) of Black (n=17), Chinese (n=29), Mexican (n=45) and White (W, n=56) ethnicities while on controlled diets containing 600 to 2300 mg Ca/d. After 1 week adjustment to the diet, stable Ca isotopes were given orally or intravenously. Blood was sampled and all urine and feces were collected for 14 d. Samples were analyzed for total calcium and tracer (expressed as % dose). Data were analyzed by a 3‐compartment model using WinSAAM; compartment 1 includes plasma, compartment 2 is extravascular and compartment 3 exchanges with bone. The model was used to estimate absorption (fraction), rates (mg/d) of calcium absorption (Va), excretion in urine (Vu), feces (VF) and by endogenous excretion (Vf), bone deposition (Vo+), bone resorption (Vo‐), balance (Vbal) and compartment mass (mg). A multiple regression model that included calcium intake, race, and sex was used to test for differences in metabolism among races and between sexes.Blacks had lower rates of calcium excretion than Mexicans or Whites, and higher rates of bone deposition than Chinese, Mexicans or Whites. Boys had higher calcium absorption and bone turnover, and lower rates of urinary calcium excretion than girls. The mass of compartment 2 was 50% larger in boys than in girls, and the mass of compartment 3 was twice as large as girls. We conclude that there are few differences in calcium metabolism between American Chinese, Mexican or White adolescents, but Black adolescents compared to other races on similar calcium intakes had lower rates of urinary calcium excretion and higher rates of calcium retention. Calcium requirements for adolescents of other races may be higher than for Blacks. We have previously reported that boys retain more calcium than girls on the same calcium intake; kinetics show the higher retention is due to higher absorption and differences in exchange between compartments resulting in significantly higher pool masses of calcium.Support or Funding InformationNIH HL128834
Effects of protein‐based supplementation and endurance training on muscle mass and mitochondrial enzyme activity in rats treated with hindlimb suspension
Authors: Chen Ching‐Han , Chen Pei‐Ni , Wu Chia‐Ying , Yang Yan‐Ting , Chen Chung‐Yu , Liao Yi‐Hung 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of endurance exercise training with or without protein‐based supplementation on muscle mass and mitochondrial enzyme activity in disuse skeletal muscle atrophy caused by hindlimb suspension (HS).MethodThirty‐two male Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats (230–280g) were weight‐matched and assigned to the following 4 groups: Free control (FC), Hindlimb Suspension Placebo (H), Hindlimb Suspension + Exercise (HE), Hindlimb Suspension + Exercise+ Nutrition supplementation (HEN). After 10‐days hindlimb suspension (HS) period, all rats were reloaded following one day of rest, thereafter endurance exercise procedure [treadmill running at a speed of 0.6 km/h to 1.2 km/h (+ 0.2 km/h per 3 days), 25 min/day (+ 5 min/3 days), 0% grade] and supplementation (10 ml/kg body wt of solution, containing 300 mg/kg body wt of leucine, 400 mg/kg of HMB, 400 mg/kg of whey protein, 200 mg/kg of casein, 600 mg/kg of glucose) were processed during the two‐weeks reloading period. At the end of intervention, the soleus muscle mass and soleus cross‐section area (CSA) were measured, and the intracellular level oxidative stress status, 4‐Hydroxynonenal protein were measured.ResultAfter two weeks of intervention, body weight, muscle mass and muscle fiber CSA in H, HE, and HEN groups could not be restored, and these parameters were still significantly lower than those of control group (p < 0.01). HEN group showed the greatest increase in muscle citrate synthase activity in compared with H and HE groups (p < 0.05). 4‐Hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE) expression was no significantly different among there four groups.ConclusionWe demonstrated that two weeks of hindlimb suspension caused muscle atrophy, decreasing body weight, muscle mass, and muscle fiber cross‐section area. However, although endurance exercise training and/or combined with protein supplementation could not full recover unused muscular structure, provision of protein‐based supplementation resulted in an increased muscle mitochondrial enzyme activity.
Branched‐chain fatty acids lower triglyceride levels in a fatty liver model in vitro
Authors: Liu Lei , Xiao Dingfu , Lei Hongyu , Peng Tao , Li Jiao , Cheng Tianyin , He Jianhua 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionBranched‐chain fatty acids (BCFA) are saturated fatty acids with one or more methyl groups. They are bioactive dietary components, and the estimated intake of BCFA in the U.S is about 500 mg/d. However, the functional role of BCFA as a nutrient has long been neglected. Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic metabolic syndrome characterized by the accumulation of triglycerides (TG) intracellularly. Its prevalence reaches a soaring rate, causing considerable public health concern globally. The present study aims to investigate the possible methodology of exploiting BCFA to decrease levels of TG in a fatty liver cell model.MethodsL02 cells, a non‐malignant human liver cell line, were induced with oleic acids and palmitic acids at a ratio of 2:1 to establish a fatty liver model. Iso‐15:0 (13‐methyltetradecanoic acid) and iso‐18:0 (16‐methylheptadecanoic acid), bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA), were added to cell culture medium and co‐incubated for 24 h, respectively. TG levels were measured in cell pellets. Gene expressions of key enzymes and transcription factors involved in lipid metabolism were measured by qPCR. PPARa and SREBP‐1c were also analyzed by western‐blotting (WB).ResultsCo‐incubation of L02 cells with iso‐15:0 and iso‐18:0 ranging from 0.1 mM to 0.8 mM did not significantly hamper cell viability as shown by MTT assay. Treatment with 0.25 mM iso‐15:0 and 0.25 mM iso‐18:0 both significantly decreased intracellular TG content compared with fatty liver model group (p<0.05). Gene expressions of ACOX1, CPT1, CPT2 and PPARa were enhanced by 0.25 mM iso‐15:0 and 0.25 mM iso‐18:0 (p<0.05, for PPARa p<0.01). mRNA levels of SREBP‐1c and ACC were increased by 0.25 mM iso‐15:0 (p<0.05), and mRNA levels of FASN were decreased by BCFA treatment (p<0.05). Protein levels of PPARa and SREBP‐1c were increased upon BCFA treatment as shown by WB.ConclusionThose data indicated that BCFA could lower intracellular triglyceride content in a fatty liver model in vitro mainly by enhancing gene expressions of key enzymes in lipid catabolism via PPARa. However, the molecular mechanism needs to be illustrated in further, and the TG‐lowering effect of BCFA needs to be confirmed in vivo.Support or Funding InformationAcknowledgement This work was supported by “the National Natural Science Foundation of China” (Grant No. 31502135), “the Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Education Department of Hunan Province” (Grant No. 16B124) and “Scientific Research Foundation for the introduction of talent in Hunan Agricultural University” (Grant No. 2016ZK17).