bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Substituting Starchy Noodles with Konjac Fiber Noodles on Satiety, Palatability and Subsequent Food Intake in Healthy Individuals: A Dose Response Study
Authors: Jenkins Alexandra , Au‐Yeung Fei , Jovanovski Elena , Zurbau Andreea , Ho Thanh , Vuksan Vladimir 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundFoods that provides satiety with little calories are in high demand. We evaluated the effect of substituting regular noodles with noodles made from Konjac fiber (KF) on signals of appetite and consecutive food intake in healthy individuals.MethodsFollowing an overnight fast, sixteen healthy volunteers (12F/4M; Age: 26±12 years; BMI: 23±3kg/m2) were randomly assigned to receive one of three‐isovolumetric pre‐load meals on three separate occasions. Meals differed by increments of ~250 kcal due to partial or full replacement of starchy noodles by KF Shirataki noodles (zero% KF:442kcal; 50% KF:259kcal and 100% KF:77kcal), followed 90min later by an ad libitum wafer cookies post‐load. Measures of satiety using a visual analogue scale were collected over 90 min and ad libitum food intake was assessed.ResultsHunger was significantly higher after 100%KF compared to zero%KF (control)(p=0.04). Fullness was lower and prospective consumption was higher after100%KF compared to 50% KF (p=0.03). Post‐load energy intake after all preloads were not significantly different (p=0.71), resulting in a net caloric deficit of 201 and 421 kcal in cumulative energy intake compared to control after 50% KF(p<0.001) and 100% KF (p<0.001), respectively. Cumulative energy intake was also significantly lower after the 100%KF meal compared to the 50% KF meal (p<0.05). There were no differences in palatability ratings between the meals.ConclusionReplacement of a high carbohydrate preload with a low energy konjac fiber food did not increase subsequent food intake in healthy individuals. The caloric deficit incurred from the volume‐matched preloads may have relevance in weight loss regimes however further studies should evaluate whether the effects of konjac fiber foods extend over the long term and its mechanisms of action.
How Ready Is Mexico to Launch an Effective National Program to Protect, Promote and Support Breastfeeding
Authors: de Cosio Teresita González , Ferre Isabel , Alonso Aranza , Bonvecchio Anabelle , Colmenares Mariana , Cauich Elena , Gris Perla , Hernández Sonia , Mendiola Karla , Piedras Ivonne , Villa Alejandría , Vilar Mireya , Hromi‐Fiedler Amber , Pérez‐Escamilla Rafael 
Published: November 2023

In Mexico, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in children under 6 months of age has decreased significantly from 22.3% in 1999 to 14.5% in 2012. The deterioration of breastfeeding practices has affected vulnerable groups of women: a) rural women in the southern region of the country, b) those in the lowest tertile of socioeconomic status, c) those with education lower than primary, d) those without access to health services or without paid employment. Currently, Mexico does not have a National Breastfeeding Program.The objective of this project was to assess the enabling environment to effectively scale up breastfeeding programs in Mexico using the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly Index (BBFI), which is comprised of 54 evidence based benchmarks reflecting 8 submetrics: advocacy (4 benchmarks); political will (3 benchmarks); legislation and policy (10 benchmarks), funding and resources (3 benchmarks), training and program delivery (17 benchmarks), promotion (3 benchmarks), research and evaluation (10 benchmarks), and coordination, goals and monitoring (3 benchmarks). An 11‐member expert country committee, composed of representatives of the Mexican federal government, civil society and researchers, has met four times to reach consensus on the BBFI subscores and total score in order to make recommendations to policy makers.BBFI submetric score(s) were calculated ranged from 0 (not present) to 3 (strong). Submetrics scores were: 1.3 (moderate) for advocacy; 2 (moderate) for political will; 2.1 (strong) for legislation and policy, 0.5 (weak) for funding and resources, 1.2 (moderate) for training and program delivery, 1.7 (moderate) for promotion, 0.9 (weak) for research and evaluation, and 2 (strong) for coordination, goals and monitoring. The overall BBFI score was 1.4 indicating a potential environment for scaling up breastfeeding programs in Mexico that needs substantial improvement.Findings indicate that it is crucial for civil society to continue engaging in evidence‐based advocacy to foster the political will to secure the funding and resources needed for the establishment of a solid Breastfeeding Protection, Promotion and Support National Strategy in Mexico. This strategy must consider as a priority the training of medical and allied students, health care providers, and breastfeeding paraprofessionals operating at the health facility and community levels. Multi‐level monitoring and evaluation is needed to share information from the local to the national level and to enable proper decision making across the quite fragmented Mexican Health SystemSupport or Funding InformationFunded by the Family Larsson‐Rosenquist Foundation.
Association of Vitamin D and Smoking in Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Sukhram Shiryn Devi , El‐Charabaty Elie , Fata Jimmie , El‐Sayegh Suzanne 
Published: November 2023

The eighth leading cause of death in the United States, kidney disease affects 20 million adults with the majority unaware of their condition. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as an abrupt or rapid decline in renal filtration function. Examining modifiable risk measures could add important insights to management in patients with AKI. Vitamin D dysfunction may influence common acute complications such as organ failure, leading to worse outcomes. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with inflammatory disease and smoking is a well‐known risk factor for inflammation. The study examined the associations between vitamin D and cigarette smoking in patients with AKI. A single‐center prospective cohort study was conducted among 60 AKI patients, aged 18 years and older, hospitalized at Staten Island University Hospital. Calcifediol [25(OH)D] and calcitriol [1,25(OH)D] serum levels were determined using LC‐MS/MS method. Smoking status was self‐reported. Linear regressions to evaluate the associations yield the following: 25(OH)D has a significant association with smoking (p = 0.008). Results revealed that smokers have approximately 50% less 25(OH)D levels as compared to non‐smokers. Prospective studies to determine cotinine levels to predict smoking status in patients with AKI are recommended to further verify these findings.Support or Funding InformationThis research project is funded by The Professional Staff Congress‐City University of New York (PSC‐CUNY) Research Award # 67543‐00 45.
Are more nutritious products available in the US food supply, and are they consumed more frequently?
Authors: Gressier Mathilde , Vlassopoulos Antonis , Masset Gabriel , Drewnowski Adam 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionReformulation of the food supply has been identified as one of the way to tackle food related chronic diseases (along with others e.g. nutrition education or promotion of physical activity). Several food producers use nutrient profiling systems to guide their reformulation strategy. An example is the Nestlé Nutritional Profiling System (NNPS), a category‐specific system, whose outcome is dichotomous to distinguish more nutritious options within food categories.The objective of this study was to assess the proportion of products meeting the NNPS standards in the food supply, and their respective frequency of consumption.MethodsFood intakes of US adults (aged 18y+) were retrieved from the first 24h recall of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–12. All consumed food and beverage products amenable for reformulation were assessed against the NNPS. The proportion of products compliant with the system was evaluated (i) as available in the food supply (i.e. among the food composition dataset, FNDDS 2011–12), and (ii) weighted by frequency of consumptions. The foods were then grouped using the USDA Major Commodity groups. The analysis was further stratified by Income‐to‐Poverty Ratio.ResultsAmong the 4110 food items consumed by the study population, 3111 could be assessed against the NNPS. The proportion of products meeting the NNPS standards in the food supply was 39.2%; whereas it was 49.6% when weighted by consumption. Within food groups, the consumption of more nutritious options (i.e. compliant with NNPS) did not appear to be associated with their availability (Figure). In dairy products, grain‐based products, sweets and beverages, and processed fruits, more nutritious options were more likely to be consumed. The opposite was observed in the other food groups. Further, there was a positive association between Income‐to‐Poverty Ratio and the consumption of more nutritious sweets and beverages and eggs products. The opposite was observed for legumes and processed fruits.ConclusionReformulation of the food supply can be an effective way to enhance consumers' intakes only if the resulting products are actually consumed. This study showed that for each major food group, products meeting the NNPS standards existed and were consumed, but with a great heterogeneity between groups. For some groups there was a selection towards products with a better nutrient profile, meaning that the reformulation of these categories may be more easily accepted by consumers. For categories in which consumption of foods with a better profile was low, more efforts should be put on the sensory characteristics of reformulated products.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by Nestec SA.
Milk oligosaccharides decrease pathogen associated molecular pattern induced inflammation in intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Henrick Bethany Michele , Erhlich Amy E , Vang Wendie , Cohen Josh , German J Bruce , Mills David A , Barile Daniela , Raybould Helen E 
Published: November 2023

Glycans are a distinguishing constituent of milk; oligosaccharides are the third largest component of milk but are not digestible by the infant and have no direct nutritional benefit. A major benefit of these complex sugars is to establish a healthy commensal microbiome in infants. However, given they are found in urine and blood and absorbed through intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), we hypothesized they function as innate immune modulators in the gut. Using the IEC line, Caco‐2, we investigated the direct effects of human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) on the intestinal epithelium. HMO at physiological concentrations (5–20 mg/mL) induced an immediate and significant decrease in COX‐2 (p=0.0052) expression, but did not alter TLR2 or TLR4 expression. Inulin, a plant based oligosaccharide had no significant effect on COX‐2 expression. Similarly, LPS‐induced production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL‐8 was significantly reduced when cells were incubated with HMO overnight. Exposure of cells to TLR2 or TLR4 ligands (LPS or Pam3CSK4) increased IL‐8 production (p<0.0001; p<0.0001, respectively), and significantly decreased LPS or Pam3CSK4 induced inflammation in a dose‐dependent manner by pretreatment with physiological range HMO (1.25, 5, 20 mg/mL; p=0.0032, p=0.0045, p=0.0007; p=0.0181, p=0.0309, p=0.0335, respectively). The modulating effect of individual oligosaccharides at physiological concentrations was determined. Lactoneotetraose, but not 2′ fucosyllactose (FL) or 3′FL, significantly decreased (p=0.0028) IL‐8 production in response to LPS. Conversely, Lacto‐N‐neotetraose (LNnT) significantly increased (p=0.0074) LPS‐induced IL‐8 production suggesting that IECs exposed to LnNT alone may be more susceptible to PAMP‐induced inflammation. Taken together, these data indicate that HMO may have a signaling ability that reprograms the epithelial cell monolayer in a way that makes it less susceptible to pathogen‐induced inflammation. HMO may serve as innate immune factors that directly provide a protective reprogramming effect to IECs.Support or Funding InformationNational Institute of Health
13C β‐Carotene stability during digestion in healthy humans
Authors: Kopec Rachel E. , Caris‐Veyrat Catherine , Nowicki Marion , Gleize Beatrice , Desmarchelier Charles , Borel Patrick 
Published: November 2023

Non‐provitamin A metabolites of β‐carotene may be produced after the consumption of β‐carotene, but to date, no study has investigated their formation during digestion. Nine healthy men were recruited in total, with seven men consuming a liquid test meal containing 20 mg of 13C β‐Carotene, and two men consuming a control meal. Gastric and duodenal samples were taken postprandially over 5 hours using a nasoduodenal tube, while plasma samples, from which the triglyceride‐rich lipoprotein (TRL) fraction containing chylomicrons was isolated, were taken over 7 hours. An LC‐MS/MS method was developed to identify and quantitate 13C β‐apo‐carotenals, 13C β‐apo‐carotenols, and 13C β‐apo‐carotenoic acids in gastric and duodenal digesta, plasma, and TRL samples using mixtures of standards. Gastric and duodenal digesta 13C β‐apo‐carotenal concentrations (including13C retinal) increased over 5 hours relative to 13C β‐carotene, with the exception of 13C β‐apo‐8′‐carotenal which peaked at 2 hours. 13C β‐apo‐carotenols and 13C β‐apo‐carotenoic acids were not observed in the digesta samples. 13C retinyl esters and 13C β‐carotene were observed in the whole plasma and in the TRL fraction, and 13C retinol was observed in whole plasma. However, no non‐vitamin A 13C β‐apo‐carotenals, 13C β‐apo‐carotenols, or 13C β‐apo‐carotenoic acids were observed in the plasma or TRL samples. Taken together, our data suggests that the conditions of digestion favor β‐apo‐carotenal formation. However, it is not clear if these β‐apo‐carotenals are absorbed at levels too low for our limit of detection, or whether they are not absorbed at all. The biological effect(s) of these compounds in the digestive tract remains to be elucidated.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by a grant from the PACA (Provence‐Alpes‐Côte d'Azur) region. Rachel Kopec received support from the European Union, in the framework of the Marie‐Curie FP7 COFUND People Programme, through the award of an AgreenSkills fellowship (under grant agreement n° 267196), as well as the Foundation Olga Triballat.
Cytochrome P450 4A14 and Vascular Restenosis
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Ye Shiqi , Guan Youfei 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundRestenosis after angioplasty remains a major clinical problem. Cytochrome P450 4A (CYP4A) plays an important role in vascular homeostasis. The present study aims to clarify the role and mechanism of CYP4A14 in the pathogenesis and development of restenosis. These would lead to new strategies for effective prevention and treatment for restenosis.Methods and ResultsWire‐mediated femoral artery injury was used to induce restenosis. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the levels of CYP4A14 protein were significantly elevated in the tunica media and neointima layer after vascular injury for 28 days. The levels of CYP4A14 mRNA and protein were markedly induced in mouse primary cultured VSMCs after stimulated with fetal bovine serum (FBS) or PDGF‐BB for 24 hours. To further determine the role of CYP4A14 in the restenosis, femoral artery injury was induced in CYP4A14−/− and CYP4A14+/+ mice. Neointimal hyperplasia and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were markedly attenuated in the injured arteries of the CYP4A14−/− mice compared with CYP4A14+/+ mice (P<0.05). Furthermore, adenovirus‐mediated overexpression of CYP4A14 substantially accelerated the proliferation and migration of cultured VSMCs. Mechanistic study revealed that overexpression of CYP4A14 in VSMCs activated the PI3K‐Akt/p27 Kip1/cyclinD1 and MAPK pathways, which induced cell cycle shifts from the G1 to S phase.ConclusionCYP4A14 promotes the proliferation and migration of VSMCs after vascular injury, leading to accelerated neointima formation and eventually restenosis. The underlying mechanism may depend on the activation of the PI3K‐Akt/p27 Kip1/cyclinD1 and/or MAPK signal pathways. CYP4A14 may represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of PTCA.Support or Funding Information81570636/81390351 from the National Nature Science Foundation; Shenzhen Peacock Program (KQTD20140630100746562); JCY20140418095735626 From the committee of science and technology innovation of shenzhen
Increased Fibrosis and Ductular Reaction in Liver of Offspring Exposed to Maternal High Fat Diet
Authors: Thompson Michael D , Cismowski Mary J , Rogers Lynette K , Brigstock David R 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundThe Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis states that a poor nutritional environment in utero can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases including non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Due to the high prevalence of maternal obesity, maternal high fat diet (HFD) is one nutritional exposure of significant concern. Animal models of maternal HFD exposure show that offspring have an increased risk for NAFLD. Whether this impacts disease progression is not clear, but a better understanding could help explain why some patients with NAFLD are prone to develop progressive disease and provide targets for preventative therapy. The goal of the current study was to determine the effect of maternal HFD exposure in utero and during lactation on offspring liver histopathology with a specific focus on fibrosis.MethodsFemale C57Bl6 mice were fed a control diet (CD, 10% kcal from fat) or HFD (60% kcal from fat) for 8 weeks and bred with lean males. Dams were continued on the same diet with offspring maintained on either CD or HFD for 12 weeks. Histology, gene, and protein expression analyses of liver from offspring were performed.ResultsOffspring exposed to perinatal HFD and then placed on HFD (HFD/HFD) at weaning showed more extensive hepatosteatosis than offspring which were placed on HFD after perinatal CD. Offspring exposed to perinatal HFD and then placed on CD (HFD/CD) for 12 weeks develop steatosis and significant pericellular fibrosis in the liver. Increased alpha‐smooth muscle actin positive stellate cells and cytokeratin‐19/beta‐catenin positive ductular reaction are present throughout the liver parenchyma in HFD/CD offspring. HFD/CD offspring liver also exhibit significant hepatocyte proliferation despite overall liver weight being smaller. No difference in F4/80 positive macrophages was observed between each group.ConclusionsPerinatal HFD exposure induces pathologic changes in liver of offspring that persist into adulthood and impact the response to dietary exposure including worsening steatosis and fibrosis. This indicates that exposure to perinatal HFD promotes more rapid disease progression of NAFLD in the adult offspring with a sustained fibrotic phenotype and ductular reaction even in the absence of post‐natal HFD exposure.Support or Funding InformationNationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute
Unraveling TNFalpha‐stimulated gene 6 (TSG‐6) function in switching stemness and biological properties of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Romano Barbara , Petti Luciana , Mascaraque Cristina , Lucchetti Donatella , Sgambato Alessandro , Danese Silvio , Vetrano Stefania 
Published: November 2023

Biological and functional features of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are not fully depicted to date, despite their promising use for several immune diseases. TSG‐6 is a crucial protein responsible of the anti‐inflammatory properties of MSCs in several models of in vivo inflammation. However, whether and how TSG‐6 affects MSC biology and activities has never been investigated. Aim of this study was to unravel the biological role of TSG‐6 in MSCs. MSCs were isolated from bone marrow of wild type (WT) or TSG‐6 deficient mice, cultured for 4 weeks and then sorted for Sca‐1+, CD31‐, cocktail lineage‐surface markers. WT and TSG‐6 MSCs deficient cells were successfully obtained to compare their morphological features as well as their ability in: proliferation, forming colonies, migration, differentiation and in maintaining their immunosoppressive activity. To these purposes, cell morphology was assessed by confocal F‐actin immunostaining and extracellular vesicles were extracted by ultracentrifugation and characterized by combining dynamic light scattering and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Cell proliferation was analyzed by [3H]thymidine incorporation assay, MSC colonies were revealed by Giemsa staining and cell migration by using scratch assay analysis. The adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation was revealed by the Oil Red O staining and van Kossa staining as well as by the quantification, using RT‐PCR, of the transcription factors for the differentiation genes (PPARg2 and RUNX). Finally the immunosuppressive activity was evaluated by using [3H] thymidine after co‐culture of MSCs with activated CD3‐CD28 primary splenocytes.MSCs lacking of TSG‐6 displayed different cell shape characterized by an enlarged cytoplasm and dissimilar actin‐cytoskeleton organization compared to MSC WT cells. Furthermore, the analysis of extracellular vesicles showed a significant reduced size of extracellular vesicles in MSC TSG‐6 deficient cells. Interestingly, the loss of TSG‐6 decreased dramatically cell proliferative rate, survival, colony forming unit capacities and wound healing compared to WT cells. On the other hand, despite the positivity to stemness markers such as Sca+1, MSCs lacking of TSG‐6 failed to differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes. In fact, the levels of PPARg2 and RUNX were undetermined after 14 days of differentiation in MSCs lacking of TSG‐6, whereas highly expressed in MSC WT. Finally, MSC TSG‐6 deficient cells maintained, even though with less efficiency compared to WT cells, immunosuppressive activity. Taken together, these data demonstrated that TSG‐6 has a crucial role in maintaining stemness and regulating biological properties of MSCs. The loss of TSG‐6 promoted the differentiation of MSC into fibroblast‐like cells with reduced immunosuppressive properties and loss of regenerative capacities.Support or Funding InformationGR‐2009 to SV