bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Standardized height for age was positively associated with nutritional adequacy and food intakes of U.S. children in NHANES 2007–2014
Authors: Kim Kijoon , Kim Dongwoo , Noh Hwayoung , Melough Melissa , Chun Ock K. 
Published: November 2023

It is well known that nutritional status directly affects childhood growth and development. However, studies on the associations of nutritional status and dietary behaviors with age‐standardized height in children are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between macro‐ and micronutrient intake and food consumption, and height for age Z score (HAZ) among US children in NHANES 2007–2014. This cross‐sectional population‐based study included 6,116 US children aged 2–18 years who had completed two 24‐h diet recalls in NHANES 2007–2014. After adjusting for gender, age, ethnicity and birth weight, HAZ was positively associated with intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and calcium. Children in the greatest tertile of HAZ were less likely to consume lower than the EAR of vitamin A (highest tertile (T3) vs. T1 ref. OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.49–0.88; P‐trend < 0.05) and calcium (T3 vs. T1 ref. OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.52–0.78; P‐trend < 0.001) after adjusting for potential confounders. Greater HAZ was also positively associated with increased intake of grains and dairy food groups among five food groups. While low HAZ children showed greater consumption of soft drinks, high fat milk products and legumes, high HAZ children consumed greater amount of low fat milk products, tea, low‐calorie fruits juice, 100% apple juice and milk‐based desserts. These findings suggest that adequate nutritional intake and food choices could be beneficial to childhood growth.Support or Funding InformationThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial, or not‐for‐profit sectors.
Metabolic Profiling Reveals Reprogramming of Lipid Metabolic Pathways in Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome with 3‐Iodothyronamine
Authors: Assadi‐Porter Fariba M , Alpergin Ebru Selen , Bolandnazar Zeinab , Sabatini Martina , Rogowski Michael , Chiellini Grazia 
Published: November 2023

ObjectivesT1AM is an endogenous compound, and an analog of the thyroid hormone, shows a great potential as a human weight loss drug. Subchronic treatment at a low dose of T1AM results in a rapid lipolysis and weight loss without an apparent change in food consumption in obese mice. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disease in women that is associated with intricate pathophysiological, hormonal and metabolic feedbacks, which makes the early diagnosis challenging, thus increasing the prevalence risks for infertility, obesity, cardiovascular and fatty liver diseases. Recently, we showed that women with PCOS exhibit significantly diminished lipid oxidation, and perturbed glucose and amino acid metabolism. Here, we investigated tissue specific effects of T1AM, a novel antihyperlipidemic agent, in the GC‐mice as a model for PCOS. This paper reveals T1AM action at the molecular level on metabolic pathways and associated transcriptional gene signaling in PCOS.MethodsTwo groups of spontaneously obese female GC mice were injected once daily with saline (n=5) and 25 mg/kg T1AM (n=5). Blood was drawn on study days ‐3, 4, and 7 and analyzed by 1H‐NMR. On day 7 of the study, animals were sacrificed and their organs were collected for 1H‐NMR metabolomics and real‐time PCR.ResultsMultivariate statistical analysis of the 1H ‐NMR based metabolomics data sets reveals increases in lipid oxidation pathways in plasma, muscle, and liver biomarkers by significantly increasing metabolites (glucogenic amino acids, carnitine and citrate) levels in T1AM treated mice compared to control mice. These metabolic changes are accompanied by significant reduction of liver cholesterol and triglycerides and with no differences in plasma glucose levels. T1AM administration induces lowering gene expression of key regulators of lipid metabolism, PTP1B and PLIN2 and increasing antioxidant levels. In contrast, T1AM has an opposing effect on the regulation of estrogenic pathways in the ovary by upregulating STAR, CYP11A1 and CYP17A1.ConclusionsT1AM regulates cellular metabolism through tissue specific targeted gene signaling and metabolic cross talks by inducing a profound tissue specific anti‐lipogenic effect in liver and muscle, while reducing oxidative stress. In contrast, T1AM has an opposing effect on the regulation of estrogenic pathways in ovary pointing to the origin of dysregulation of these pathways in PCOS. This study opens up new avenues for the treatment regimes and understanding tissue specific mechanism of PCOS pathophysiology.Support or Funding InformationGrantsThis research was supported by RC4 EY021357 and a Wisconsin Institute of Discovery Grant (WID‐135A039) to F.M.A.‐P. This study made use of the National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison for data collection, which is supported by NIH grant P41RR002301 (NIGMS).
Safety and Free Testosterone Boosting Efficacy of a Novel Curculigo orchioides Extract (Blamus™) in Male Rats
Authors: Bagchi Debasis , Swaroop Anand , Bagchi Manashi , Preuss Harry G 
Published: November 2023

Curculigo orchioides Gaertn (family Hypoxidaceae, also known as black or kali musli), is an endangered medicinal plant used for diverse medicinal purposes including impotency, aphrodisiac, tonic, jaundice, and skin ailments. phytochemical investigations of rhizomes revealed the presence of a novel phenolic glycoside, curculigoside, triterpenoid, saponins, flavones, cellulose, hemicellulose, and calcium oxalate. We developed a novel extract of Curculigo orchioides (commercially known as Blamus™) and assessed its dose‐dependent efficacy (0‐, 10‐, 25‐ and 50 mg/kg body weight p.o.) in male rats (200–230 grams; n = 6) over a period of 28 days. Dose‐ and time‐dependent efficacy of Blamus™ was evaluated on body weight, serum free and total testosterone levels. Furthermore, extensive histopathological analyses and blood chemistry analyses were performed to assess the liver function (SGOT and SGPT), kidney function (BUN) and heart function (creatinine) as the beginning and end of the study. Blamus™ didn't cause any marked elevation in serum free testosterone levels at either10‐ or 25 mg/kg body weight doses, however, a 50 mg/kg body weight dose of Blamus showed a significant increase in serum free testosterone level (*p < 0.0001). However, no significant increases were observed in serum total testosterone levels at 0‐, 10‐, 25‐ or 50 mg/kg body weight doses of Blamus™. No significant changes were observed in serum SGOT, SGPT, BUN and CK levels following treatment with either 0‐, 10‐, 25‐ or 50 mg/kg body weight doses of Blamus™, which demonstrated its broad spectrum safety. Histopathological analyses including investigations on the seminiferous tubules, spermatogenesis, sperm cell morphology, Leydig cells and Sertoli cells following treatment with either 0‐, 10‐, 25‐ or 50 mg/kg body weight doses of Blamus™ demonstrated dose‐dependent improvement in structural integrity. These data demonstrated that Blamus™ may serve as a safe and novel, natural testosterone booster and provide broad spectrum application is sports nutrition, muscle building and exercise pathophysiology.Support or Funding InformationThis project was funded by Cepham Inc, Piscataway, NJ
Protective Potential of Anthocyanin Rich Plant Extracts on an in vitro Model of Celiac Disease
Authors: Haggard Sage , West Leslie , DE MEJIA ELVIRA GONZALEZ 
Published: November 2023

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. When gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley is consumed, the immune system responds by targeting the small intestine and inhibiting the absorption of nutrients into the body. The objective was to evaluate the potential of anthocyanin‐rich plant extracts to protect human epithelial cells against a celiac toxic peptide (CTP). Healthy differentiated Caco‐2 epithelial like human cells were used to represent the intestine and treated with a known CTP from wheat protein, alpha‐gliadin H‐6712 Gliadorphin‐7, H‐Tyr‐Pro‐Gln‐Pro‐Gln‐Pro‐Phe‐OH (YPQPQPF). Anthocyanin‐rich extracts from fruits (red and purple grape), vegetables (purple sweet potato and purple carrot), grains (color corn, black rice, sorghum, and blue wheat), and legumes (black bean, black lentil, black peanut, and purple bean) were tested to evaluate their protective effects on Caco‐2 cells treated with CTP using a cell proliferation assay. The total monomeric anthocyanin were calculated as mg cyanidin‐3‐glucoside (C3G) equivalents (eq) per g of dry extract (DE), total polyphenols as mg gallic acid eq per g DE, and total tannins as mg catechin eq per g DE for each plant material. Cell protection was evaluated using 0.001–1 mg DE/mL in the presence of 25 mM CTP (C+) (IC95). A human inflammation array was performed comparing untreated Caco‐2 cells (C−) with Caco‐2 cells treated with C+, red corn acidified water extract (RAW), and purple corn acidified water extract (PAW) with additional ethyl acetate purification (PAWE) 1 mg/mL extract in the presence of C+. Total anthocyanin ranged from 0.0–287.5 (mg C3G eq/g DE), total polyphenols from 47.4–382.3 (mg gallic acid eq/g DE), and total tannins ranged from 0.2–9.4 (mg catechin eq/g DE) (p<0.05). Black rice had the highest amount of total anthocyanins and total polyphenols, while corn hybrid 6 was high in pelargonidin, catechin and had the highest tannins. PAW and black lentil presented a dose dependent response curve for cell protection. Corn hybrids increased protection (60–80%) except for hybrid 6 (pelargonidin, low acylated), purple corn pure water extract (PW) and PAW increased cell protection (60–78%) at low concentrations, and black peanut increased protection over 80% at low concentrations (p<0.05). PAWE exhibited a 3.6 fold decrease (FD) on granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) while exhibited a modest but significant fold increase (FI) on metallopeptidase inhibitor 2 (TIMP‐2) (p<0.05). Both PAWE and RAW exhibited a modest fold increase (FI) on interleukin (IL) 6, while only RAW had a 4.3 FI on IL‐11. Interleukin 11 and TIMP‐2 are anti‐inflammatory while IL‐6 and GM‐CSF are pro‐inflammatory. The ability of anthocyanin‐rich plant extracts to inhibit CTP has positive implication for human health; these extracts could potentially decrease the occurrence of inflammation for gluten sensitive individuals.Support or Funding InformationHatch funding
Anti‐lipogenic effect of betaine involves inhibition of homocysteine‐induced ER stress via upregulation of betaine‐homocysteine methyltransferase
Authors: Ahn Chul Won , Jun Doo Sung , Kim Young Chul 
Published: November 2023

We investigated the anti‐lipogenic effect of betaine in rats fed methionine and choline‐deficient diet (MCD). In the rats supplemented with betaine (1 % in drinking water) hepatic fat accumulation induced by MCD intake for 3 wk was prevented almost completely. Intake of MCD elevated hepatic homocysteine, but decreased methionine and S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) levels, but these changes were blocked or reversed by betaine supplementation, most probably via induction of betaine‐homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) in the liver. Phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinas (AMPK), acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC), sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c (SREBP‐1c) and liver kinase B1 (LKB1), all inhibited in the MCD‐fed rats, was enhanced by betaine supplementation. Homocysteine treatment decreased pAMPK, pACC, and pSREBP‐1c both in HepG2 cells and in H4IIE cells. Betaine treatment prevented the homocysteine‐induced reduction of pAMPK, pACC, pSREBP‐1c and pLKB1 in H4IIE cells, but not in HepG2 cells. Elevation of cellular homocysteine and inhibition of BHMT protein expression were prevented by betaine treatment in H4IIE cells. In addition, betaine supplementation prevented the induction of binding immunoprotein (Bip), phosphorylation of protein kinase R‐like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) and eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) in the MCD‐fed rats. Betaine and phenylbutyric acid (PBA), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress reducer, restored phosphorylation of AMPK, ACC, and SREBP‐1c in AML12 cells treated with homocysteine. The results suggest that the beneficial effect of betaine against liver steatosis is attributable to the reduction of homocysteine‐induced ER stress via upregulation of BHMT in hepatocytes.Support or Funding InformationSupported by National Research Foundation (NRF) grants (No. 2014‐R1A2A1A11052967 and No. 2009‐0083533) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), Korea.
Anti‐inflammatory Dietary Inflammatory Index Scores Are Associated with Lower Glycemic Index among College Students
Authors: Kim Yeonsoo , Chen Jie , Shivappa Nitin , Wirth Michael , Hebert James 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveInflammation is a normal biologic process needed for normal immune, vascular, and endothelial response, but chronic inflammation can be caused from chronic infection and unhealthy lifestyle patterns, such as diet. The dietary inflammatory index was developed to investigate the inflammatory potential of the diet based on the overall inflammatory properties of dietary components. The index classifies an individual's diet on a continuum from maximally anti‐inflammatory to maximally pro‐inflammatory. A majority of the dietary inflammatory index studies has been examined among middle‐aged population, and to date, no dietary inflammatory index has been determined in college students. Furthermore, the association between dietary inflammatory index and commonly used diet quality indices, such as healthy eating index, glycemic index (GI), and glycemic load (GL) is not known in college students. It was hypothesized that the lower dietary inflammatory index scores (the more anti‐inflammatory) are related to higher scores on healthy eating index and lower scores on glycemic index and glycemic load.MethodsUndergraduate students participated in this cross‐sectional study. Dietary information was collected via a 3‐day food diary provided. Dietary inflammatory index, Healthy Eating Index‐2010, GI, and GL were calculated based on a 3‐day food diary collected. Least square means and 95% confidence intervals of the HEI‐2010, GI, and GL were presented per DII tertile using generalized linear mixed models. Pearson correlations were performed for the dietary inflammatory index, HEI‐2010, GI, and GL using the scores as continuous variables.ResultsOne hundred ten participants completed the study. The dietary inflammatory index was related to HEI‐2010 (P<0.001) and GI (P=0.018), but not GL. College students in the lowest dietary inflammatory index tertile had higher scores for the HEI‐2010 than those in the highest dietary inflammatory index tertile (50.7 vs 35.4). In contrast, participants in the dietary inflammatory index tertile 1 had lower scores for the GI than those in the dietary inflammatory index tertile 3 (50.1 vs 54.8). The dietary inflammatory index was negatively correlated with the HEI‐2010 (r= −0.562, P<0.001), but positively correlated with the GI (r = 0.299, P=0.002).ConclusionsThe dietary inflammatory index may be a good tool to use in adopting anti‐inflammatory food and meals. The dietary inflammatory index suggests new directions for nutrition education and dietary approaches for preventing chronic diseases through decreasing systematic inflammation.
An Updated Meta‐Analysis of Cranberry and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women
Authors: Fu Zhuxuan , Liska DeAnn , Talan David , Chung Mei 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveCranberry (Vaccinium microcarpum) has been advocated for urinary tract infection (UTI); however, its efficacy is controversial. UTIs account for an annual cost of more than $2.6 billion in healthcare expenditures and are common in otherwise healthy women. In fact, a woman has a 50% risk of UTI over her lifetime, with an estimated 20–30% of these women having recurrent UTI (rUTI), most commonly cystitis. Few meta‐analyses have been published on cranberry and UTI, and these have combined data from studies of complicated UTIs with uncomplicated UTI (e.g., cystitis). Given the concerns for antibiotic resistance, and the differences in etiology of complicated and uncomplicated UTIs, we conducted a meta‐analysis on studies in healthy women at risk of rUTI. [Registered on International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: PROSPERO 2015CRD42015024439].MethodLiterature prior to January 2011 was obtained from two published systematic reviews with updated searches conducted in EMBASE (through 2015) and MEDLINE (through November 2016). Inclusion criteria were: randomized controlled trials (RCT), conducted in generally healthy non‐pregnant women aged ≥18 years with a history of rUTI, comparing cranberry intervention to a placebo or control, and reporting the outcome as number of subjects experiencing a UTI. Abstract and full‐text screenings, data extractions, and risk of bias assessments were conducted by two researchers independently. Meta‐analyses were performed using Stata SE (Version 13). A fixed‐effect model using Mantel‐Haenszel (M‐H) method was employed to estimate the summary risk if the heterogeneity was low to moderate (I2<50%). Otherwise a random‐effects model using the DerSimonian‐Laird method was applied.ResultsSeven RCTs in healthy women at risk of rUTI (n= 1498 subjects) were identified. Meta‐analysis found cranberry reduced the risk of rUTI by 23% (pooled RR=0.77; 95% CI: 0.64–0.93; I2=47%), and limited data from subgroup analysis suggested cranberry was more effective in interventions with cranberry as a capsule or tablet. Risk of bias indicated three studies had high loss‐to‐follow‐up or selective outcome reporting. Overall, studies were relatively small with only two having more than 300 subjects.ConclusionResults suggest cranberry may be effective in preventing rUTIs in generally healthy women; however, larger high‐quality studies are needed to confirm these findings.Support or Funding InformationZF, MC and DT received no funding for conduct of the study. DL was supported by a grant from Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
In Vitro Investigations of the Antidiabetic Action of Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Authors: Obih Patience Ogechi , Obih John‐Cliffor Agbasi , Brown April , Day Xiara 
Published: November 2023

Diabetes mellitus is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and it affects over 29 million people. In 2012 alone, diabetes‐associated medical expenditures cost over 245 million dollars. Consequently, there is a great need for alternative therapies with less adverse drug events and reduced medical costs. Recent studies point to phytotherapy as a viable alternative in the treatment of hyperglycemia. An approach to controlling postprandial blood glucose levels has involved α‐glucosidase inhibition, which delays the cleaving of polysaccharides and uptake of resulting monosaccharides. Acarbose and miglitol are marketed α‐glucosidase inhibitors; however, they both have marked side effects. As a result, there is a need for introduction of alternative antidiabetic medications. The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of aqueous extracts of ginger to inhibit α‐glucosidase activity. This herb was selected on the basis of supporting evidence in literature and its widespread use in traditional medicine. The extracts were assayed in vitro by the method of Ramirez et al., 2012 for alpha‐glucosidase inhibitory activity in a 96‐well micro titer plate. The result was read on a spectrophotometer at 400 nm using acarbose as a positive control. The results were promising, 200mg/ml ginger displayed 45% enzymatic inhibition compared to acarbose. The results suggest that the aqueous extracts of Zingiber officinale exhibit α‐glucosidase inhibitory potential and may be useful in the search for alternate treatment in the management of diabetes mellitus.Support or Funding InformationCenter of Excellence/BUILD
The Effects of Vitamin D Binding Protein (VDBP) Genotypes on Circulating 25(OH)D and VDBP Levels during Pregnancy
Authors: Wagner Carol L , Brady Sean K , Newton Danforth , Baatz John E , Shary Judy R , Hollis Bruce W 
Published: November 2023

Vitamin D deficiency is widespread and is particularly problematic during pregnancy, because vitamin D plays a major role in the development of the fetus and is associated with greater birth weights and fewer adverse outcomes. There are common polymorphisms in the Vitamin Binding Protein (VDBP) gene, which appear to be linked to 25(OH)D concentrations in the blood (this is the major circulating vitamin D metabolite). We hypothesize that these VDBP genotypes may be important factors to consider in interpretation of data in vitamin D supplementation studies of pregnant women, including any racial/ethnic differences in response. The objective of this study was to determine if specific VDBP polymorphisms are linked with circulating 25(OH)D concentrations during pregnancy. Subjects were pregnant women enrolled in a randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation (400 or 4400 IU/day) at our institution (C.L. Wagner, PI; W.K. Kellogg Foundation, sponsor). Genotypes were determined by RFLP analyses for 3 VDBP polymorphisms (Gc1S, Gc1F, Gc2) using DNA extracted from blood of 122 trial subjects. Plasma VDBP concentrations were determined by ELISA. The genotypes were compared by their associations with mean plasma 25(OH)D and VDBP concentrations using Students' t‐test (significant two‐tailed p‐value <0.05). It was found that there was a wide variation of VDBP alleles found in this population, with distinct racial/ethnic associations. Pregnant women homozygous for the VDBP Gc1S allele had significantly higher circulating 25(OH)D levels, while the Gc1F‐1F genotype, particularly common in African‐Americans, was associated with the lowest concentrations. However, plasma VDBP concentrations were not statistically correlated with genotype. In summary, this study demonstrated that VDBP polymorphisms affect circulating 25(OH)D concentrations in pregnant women (i.e., their “vitamin D status”). Certain genotypes were more common in different races, likely contributing to the known racial/ethnic disparities of vitamin D deficiency. These results strongly suggest that the VDBP genotype, which is relatively easy to analyze, is a valuable factor in interpreting data in vitamin D supplementation studies.Support or Funding InformationFunded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and by the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research (SCTR) Institute, with an academic home at the Medical University of South Carolina, NIH/NCAT Grant number UL1 TR000062. Vitamin D study drug and placebo provided by Church & Dwight.