bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engineering biochemical bypass to photorespiration to improve photosynthesis and crop production
Authors: South Paul , Ort Donald R 
Published: November 2023

Worldwide nearly 1 billion people are affected by hunger every day. As climate changes globally and human population increases, traditional methods of crop improvement have become less effective in adapting and improving agricultural production. In C3 crops such as wheat and rice approximately 25% of the fixed carbon dioxide is lost to photorespiration. Photorespiration is an energy expensive metabolic pathway that recycles toxic compounds produced by RubisCO oxygenation reactions. Reducing photorespiratory yield losses by 5% (i.e., to 31% for soybean and 15% for wheat) would be worth ~$500 million annually in the United States. Although photorespiration is tied to other important metabolic functions, the benefit of improving its efficiency appears to outweigh any potential secondary disadvantages. Synthetic biology has provided new opportunities in altering photorespiratory metabolism to improve photosynthetic efficiency. Indeed metabolic bypasses to photorespiration have been generated and have demonstrated improvements in growth. Using a synthetic biology approach we have assembled a series of multigene constructs that contain alternate biochemical pathways to bypass photorespiration. In addition, we designed a screen based approach to test a range of standardized parts (promoters, terminators) in the model plant Nicotiana tabacum. We have successfully transformed in large multigene constructs and have demonstrated detectable gene expression and improvements in photosynthesis and biomass in replicated greenhouse and field trails. Determining robust photorespiratory bypass constructs can provide insight into next generation crops and our utilization of standard parts provide a new tool kit for plant synthetic biology to engineer improvements in photosynthetic efficiency.Support or Funding InformationBill and Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1060461) titled “RIPE‐Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency for Sustainable Increases in Crop Yield.” United States Department of Agriculture‐Agriculture Research Service.
Liver X Receptor (LXR) Activation Decreases Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Cell Viability and Alters the Expression of Antiapoptotic and Cholesterol Genes
Authors: Andersen Catherine J. , Dupree Lydia , Doerr Adam , Cintron‐Rivera Layra , Murray Kristina , Ragonesi Nicholas 
Published: November 2023

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are oxysterol‐activated nuclear receptors involved in the regulation of cholesterol transport, glucose metabolism, and inflammatory responses. Recently, LXRs have been shown to possess anti‐cancer effects in a variety of cancer types, in part due its capacity to deplete essential lipids required for cell proliferation. However, the role of LXRs in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of LXR activation on the human erythroleukemia K562 cell line – a model for CML. K562 cells were treated with the LXR agonist TO901317 (0μM, 1μM, 5μM, 10μM) to determine dose‐ and time‐dependent effects on cell viability, cell number and size, and the mRNA expression of genes related to cholesterol metabolism (ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and HMG‐CoA reductase (HMGCR)) and anti‐apoptosis (B cell leukemia‐xL (Bcl‐xL)). TO901317 treatment significantly increased ABCA1 mRNA expression at 24hr and 72hr, with greater expression at the lowest treatment concentration (1μM). HMGCR and Bcl‐xL mRNA expression was dose‐dependently reduced by LXR activation after 72hr, as were decreases in total cell number. Average cell size similarly decreased from 24hr to 72hr with 10μM TO901317 treatment. Further, K562 viability was decreased by TO901317 treatment at all concentrations at 24hr, 48hr, and 72hr, with dose‐dependent effects observed at 48hr only. Together, these findings suggest that LXR agonism decreases CML cell viability and number, and that these changes may be related to modulation of cholesterol metabolism and apoptotic pathways. Current studies are underway to further investigate these pathways, in addition to the capacity of TO901317‐induced LXR activation to modulate cellular differentiation.Support or Funding InformationThe Science Institute of the College of Arts and Sciences and Faculty Research Committee, Fairfield University
Structural Mechanism of Viral Tethering by the Anti‐Viral Protein BST‐2
Authors: Ozcan Kadir , Berndsen Christopher 
Published: November 2023

BST‐2/tetherin is a human extracellular transmembrane protein that serves as a host defense factor against HIV‐1, HIV‐2, SIV, and other viruses by inhibiting viral budding. Structurally, BST‐2 is a homo‐dimeric coiled‐coil that is connected to the host cell membrane by N and C terminal transmembrane anchors. The coiled‐coil structure of BST‐2 is strengthened by three disulfide bonds between cysteine residues of the monomers. The structural mechanism of viral budding and tethering as mediated by BST‐2 is not clear. In order to describe the mechanism of viral tethering, we created a physiologically relevant model of BST‐2 embedded in a membrane. We also post‐translationally modified the BST‐2 with glycosylation at the known sites and equilibrated the model to create a stable structure of membrane associated BST‐2. Through steered molecular dynamics, viral tethering was simulated to illustrate the structural transitions in BST‐2 between the host cell membrane associated BST‐2 and the cell‐virus membrane bridging form. We find that the membrane and disulfides did not affect the structural transitions of BST‐2. Regardless of the disulfides, glycosylation, or presence of the membrane, BST‐2 consistently unwound at non‐ideal heptads. Therefore, sequence encoded weaknesses in the BST‐2 coiled‐coil region allow for a smooth transition between the host cell membrane associated BST‐2 and cell‐virus membrane bridging form.Support or Funding InformationNSF‐REU award CHE‐1461175 the 4‐VA organization
Small Molecule and Lipid Binding Mechanisms of Sortilin and Vps10 Indicated in Altered Trafficking Patterns and Membrane Fusion
Authors: Sparks Robert , Fratti Rutilio A. 
Published: November 2023

This study focuses on the regulation of sortilin/Vps10p‐directed protein trafficking. Human sortilin is a Vps10 domain‐containing transmembrane receptor that interacts with Apo B100‐containing VLDL, PCSK9 and LDL in the lumen of hepatic secretory vesicles. The Vps10 domain name comes from the yeast orthologue Vps10p, a carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) sorting receptor responsible for trafficking proteins to the vacuole in yeast. We have recently shown that vesicular VLDL contains phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)‐trisphosphate (PIP3). Furthermore, we found that sortilin directly binds PIP3 using liposome binding assays as well as surface plasmon resonance using nanodiscs. We found that small molecules designed to bind human sortilin were also effective in yeast, leading to altered protein sorting to the yeast vacuole and secretion of CPY. Additional efforts using liposome floatation assays and microscale thermophoresis show that Vps10p and sortilin bind to additional membrane lipids. We hypothesize that differential binding different types of membrane lipids regulates Vps10‐controlled protein sorting. Further characterization of sortilin probes in yeast identified a variety of potential protein targets including the Rab7 orthologue Ypt7. This late endosomal GTPase is required for retrograde trafficking to the Golgi, anterograde traffic to the endolysosomal pathway, and vacuole homotypic fusion. Both deletion of VPS10 or binding of the receptor with sortilin‐targeting compounds led to defective Ypt7 trafficking to vacuoles and inhibited homotypic vacuole fusion. To complement direct binding studies, yeast Vps10p homologues have been identified and structural research performed to better understand binding features of Vps10‐like luminal domains. Elucidation of the relationship between specific luminal binding interactions of sorting receptors and vesicle trafficking predestination should allow better understanding of mechanistic interactions of yeast Vps10p with cytosolic trafficking factors and components.Support or Funding InformationNIGMS R01‐GM101132
Membrane localization of metabolic enzyme and metabolic modulation in the Δmin mutant of Escherichia coli
Authors: Shih Yu‐Ling , Hung Chun‐Hsien , Wang Chung‐Kang 
Published: November 2023

It is generally believed that membrane association of a protein could cause conformational changes thus modulating its function. Our recent quantitative proteomic study suggested that a membrane‐associating protein oscillator, the E. coli Min system, may play a role in modulating membrane interaction and function of proteins. Functional analysis of the proteomic dataset revealed enrichment in metabolic enzymes, i.e. a significant number of metabolic enzymes were among the proteins affected by the Min system. In line with this observation, we identified imbalance of several metabolites in the Δmin mutant that were catalyzed by the enzymes identified in the functional enrichment analysis. The results suggested that the metabolic modulation may be an adaptive phenotype in the Δmin mutant, due to a modulated abundance of proteins on the inner membrane. Thus the membrane‐associating Min oscillator may have a global physiological impact in E. coli through regulating membrane association of proteins. To obtain direct evidence, we are focusing on selected enzymes of the glycolytic pathway to study their involvement in cell division by characterizing the cell division phenotypes and studying their subcellular localization.Support or Funding InformationAcademia Sinica, Taiwan
Serve Yourself from Overeating: Pre‐Served Portions Lead to Uniform Eating Across Distraction Levels
Authors: Tal Aner , Wansink Brian 
Published: November 2023

Following up on Tal et al. (2014), this study examines whether receiving pre‐plated portions, as opposed to self‐serving, changes the effects of distraction on eating. We predicted that when given pre‐plated amounts, participants would eat as much regardless of the nature of distractionParticipants (N = 200) snacked on three types of snacks while watching 20 minute programs. This sample includes the Tal et al. (2014) sample as well as a separate participant sample run in parallel. Half of the participants were served pre‐plated bowls of grapes, baby‐carrots, M&Ms and cookies (150 grams each), and half served as much of each snack as they desired. Each of the two groups was divided to three: A third of participants watched action movie “The Island,” a third watched “The Island” without sound, and a third watched “The Charlie Rose Show”. We compared the amounts of snacks consumed by each condition.For participants serving themselves, quantities eaten were 104.29 grams (214.58 calories) with Charlie Rose, 142.09 grams (314.48 calories) with The Island without sound, and 206.53 grams (354.13 calories) with The Island, as reported in Tal et al. (2014). However, for those receiving pre‐plated snacks, amounts consumed showed no difference across conditions. Participants who watched Charlie Rose consumed 214.88 grams (357.19 calories), those watching The Island without sound consumed 191.46 grams (325.54 calories), and those watching The Island with sound consumed 184.73 grams (280.73 calories). The effect of pre‐plating was significant at a .003 level: F(1,194)=13.37, p=.0003. Pre‐plating participants ate more than those serving themselves (196.45 vs. 151.46 grams, 319.34 vs. 295.03 calories). There was also significant effect of viewing content at a .05 level: F(1,194)=3.09, p=.05. finally, the interaction of content and pre‐plating was significant at a .0002 level: F(2,194)=9.21, p=.0002. There was no significant difference in amounts eaten when snacks were pre‐plated.Past research has shown that participants consume more food the more distracting the content they watch (Tal et al. 2014). However, in that study participants determined their own consumption amounts. The current study showed that receiving identical pre‐plated amounts eliminates the effects of level of distraction on food consumption. Participants uniformly ate more, with no influence of program, when given pre‐plated, pre‐determined quantities of food. Receiving pre‐portioned snacks can lead to mindless eating where participants eat greater amounts of food, while serving themselves can allow consumers to monitor and curb consumption, though not when highly distracted.
A Ketogenic Diet Prevents Abnormal Changes in Peripheral Nerve Function Caused By A High‐Fat Diet
Authors: Cooper Michael , Ryals Janelle , Wright Doug 
Published: November 2023

Mice given ad libitum access to a diet with high‐fat (54% kcal from fat) content begin to display clinical symptoms of prediabetic patients, including obesity, hyperglycemia, and mechanical allodynia. The molecular changes that underlie changes induced by a high‐fat diet that lead to neuropathic symptoms have yet to be identified. Our work has shown that mice given access to a running wheel while on a high‐fat diet develop mechanical allodynia over the first 6 weeks, which is then rescued to baseline levels during weeks 6–12. The current study examined how a ‘ketogenic’ diet (~90% kcal from fat) may alter prediabetic clinical symptoms to better understand how fat processing may impact the development of pre and overt diabetes, as well as to better understand the mechanism through which exercise may provide its benefits on high‐fat induced mechanical allodynia. Contrary to mice on a high‐fat diet, ketogenic fed animals never developed mechanical allodynia, suggesting maladaptations to utilizing carbohydrates as a fuel source may be key in leading to mechanical allodynia. Sensory nerve conduction velocities were also examined and mice fed a high fat diet displayed faster sensory conduction velocities compared to ketogenic and control mice. Motor nerve conduction velocities were also significantly faster in high‐fat sedentary and exercise mice, but were not changed in mice fed a ketogenic diet. Ketogenic diet‐fed mice displayed increased body weight and hyperglycemia, mirroring levels seen in high‐fat fed mice given access to exercise. Analyses of fat mass by percent of total mass revealed that both ketogenic‐diet fed and exercised mice had lower fat mass compared to high‐fat sedentary mice. Intriguingly, ketogenic‐diet fed mice had elevations in peripheral nerve fiber density in the hind paw relative to both normal chow and high‐fat fed mice. Together, these results suggest that a ketogenic diet is able to correct many of the clinical symptoms of high‐fat fed prediabetic mice, and importantly, mirrors many changes that can be corrected by exercise in in high‐fat fed mice.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the NIH grants P20GM1033418 and RO1NS43314 (D.E.W)
Inadequate zinc and calcium but adequate iron intakes in lactating women from southern Ethiopia
Authors: Girma Meron , Seid Haider , Tilahun Birkneh , Stoecker Barbara J 
Published: November 2023

Inadequate intake of micronutrients during lactation can compromise nutritional status of mothers and infants and lead to concurrent multiple micronutrient deficiencies. We assessed dietary intake of lactating women (n=119) in Southern Ethiopia to determine the prevalence of inadequate intakes for selected nutrients. One‐day weighed food records were analyzed for average energy and nutrient intakes for the group. A nonconsecutive second day weighed record was repeated in a sub sample of participants (n=40) to estimate with‐in and between person variation in nutrient intakes. Prevalence of inadequate intakes was then estimated with Intake Monitoring, Assessment and Planning Program (IMAPP) software. The EAR‐cutoff method based on the WHO/FAO Recommended Nutrient Intakes was used to evaluate inadequate intakes. Median (IQR) energy (kcal) intake for the group was 1649 (1282, 2133). Median intakes for Protein (g): 32 (25, 44), Vitamin C (mg): 3 (1,9), Vitamin A (RAE): 87 (21, 460), Ca (mg): 627 (389, 885) and Zn (mg): 9 (6, 11) were below recommendations. The median phytate: Zn ratio was 22 (19, 23) and phytate: Fe ratio was 5 (4, 6). Prevalence of inadequate intake was 100% for Vitamin C, 94 % for Vitamin A, 70 % for Ca and 21 % for Zn. In contrast, Fe intake was adequate for all mothers. The high to moderate prevalence of inadequacy for multiple micronutrients and low bioavailability of micronutrients from the diet emphasizes the need for continued interventions to improve diet diversity in these communities.Support or Funding InformationSupported by the Nutricia Research Foundation and OAES Regional Project W‐3002.
Reinforcement as a Parenting Strategy Related to Children Obesogenic Behaviors Is Associated to Mothers’ but not Fathers’ Education Level among Health Workshop Participants in Mexico City
Authors: Perez‐Lizaur Ana Bertha , Fernandez‐Gaxiola Ana Cecilia , Damacio Ma Jose , Moreno‐Landa Luz Irene 
Published: November 2023

Family environment and parental strategies can shape their children eating and health behaviors. However, little has been documented about the parenting strategies in Mexico, particularly related to food intake, physical activity and sedentary behaviors in the home.ObjectiveTo asses parenting strategies in parents and caregivers and its relationship to socioeconomic factors.MethodsWe did a cross‐sectional survey of 316 parents and caregivers who were attending workshops held by community health workers in poor urban areas in Mexico City with a previously validated, self‐administered questionnaire. We analyzed associations between parenting styles and socioeconomic factors with logistic regression.ResultsMost participants were mothers (71.8%), grandparents (13.6%) and uncles/aunts (4.4%). Mean ± SD age was 40.36±11.87 years and middle school was the most frequent schooling achieved by both fathers (34.2%) and mothers (41.8%). Mean ± SD number of family members living in the same household was 4.79±2.13 persons, including parents, children and usually other relatives. Limiting, monitoring and reinforcement were the most frequent parenting strategies used by the parents/caregivers. Control and discipline strategies are less used. We found a significant positive association with the used of Reinforcement and schooling of mothers (p=0.048) that explains only 5% of these strategy.ConclusionsMothers' schooling is a determinant in the use of reinforcement, which is an important positive strategy for influencing food intake, physical activity and sedentary behaviors in children. Negative strategies for influencing these behaviors are not frequently used. Parenting strategies can provide a framework for designing interventions for the prevention of obesity related behaviors at home level.Support or Funding InformationFundación SERTULL AC
Development and Testing of a Pilot Integrated Mental Health and Nutrition Education Program for Low‐Income Families in Southern California
Authors: Spitz Rachel P , Kim Loan Pham , Gavazza Judy Ho 
Published: November 2023

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally funded nutrition program which provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and a supplemental food package for low‐income mothers and children up to the age of five. Nationwide, approximately 25% of the individuals served are women, 25% are infants and the remaining 50% are children ages one to five. WIC services are available in every state and US territory, and currently WIC services are delivered to over 8 million participants each month. In Los Angeles County (LAC), WIC currently serves approximately 67% of all infants and about half of all children ages one to five, translating into approximately 500,000 individuals and 350,000 families each month. While nutrition education is a vital public health service for mothers and their children, a significant unmet need is for mental health support services for WIC participants. In 2014, an LA County survey of WIC families found that 13.6% of WIC mothers reported experiencing depressive symptoms, which included feeling down, depressed or hopeless, or having little interest or pleasure in doing things. Mental health factors such as stress and depressive symptoms are associated with poor food choices and obesity, particularly in low‐income households. Because WIC is a nutrition program, it is not staffed to provide mental health support services. However, many women would benefit from support to alleviate stress and depressive symptoms. The purpose of this Healthy Body and Mind pilot project was to fill this unmet need through a university and service delivery partnership to provide a holistic mental health, life skills, and nutrition education program to WIC participants in LA County. The six‐session program is based on Cognitive Behavioral Theory and developed in the form of reusable modules and handouts. These support groups will be delivered by advanced graduate students in psychology, under the supervision of nutrition and psychology faculty. In this presentation, we will discuss content development of the curriculum, provide an overview of the graduate and undergraduate training model, and share preliminary results of two pilot support groups, one that meets weekly for six weeks, and another that meets monthly for six months. Finally, we will discuss possible implications for future potential university and service delivery models of mental health support programs within WICSupport or Funding InformationThis research is funded by the Pepperdine Community‐Based Participatory Research (CBPR) grant, 2016.
Families with Preschool Children Meet Behavior Change Goals Using the HomeStyles Express Breakfast the Right Start Guide Paired with Telephone Counseling
Authors: Delaney Colleen , McKinley Jessica , Martin‐Biggers Jennifer , Byrd‐Bredbenner Carol 
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to describe the effectiveness of the HomeStyles Express Breakfast the Right Start guide coupled with a telephone counseling session in aiding families with pre‐school children have breakfast daily to promote weight management. Parents (n=41) completed a baseline survey, received 1 of 8 different instructional guides/week and chatted weekly via telephone with a dietitian. Most participants were white (76%), female (95%), and were college graduates (90%). At baseline, parents were confident that they could get their preschoolers to eat breakfast daily (mean=4.51±0.81SD, on 5‐point scale), yet reported eating breakfast together as a household just 3.76±2.74SD days/week. The Breakfast the Right Start guide describes how daily breakfast is an important weight‐management behavior and provides tips for making breakfast a reality each day. Content analysis of counseling sessions found that, after reading the guide, many planned to begin offering children more options at breakfast and start planning breakfast meals. Parents also were better able to describe the importance of breakfast (e.g., improved mood, satiety, more quality family time). After reading the guide, many intended to eat breakfast together as a family more often, offer children a greater variety of healthful options at breakfast, and prepare for breakfast ahead of time. Some also set goals to communicate the importance of breakfast to their families and spouses. Parents were very confident in their ability to meet these goals (mean=8.63±1.46SD, on 10‐point scale) and at subsequent counseling sessions, most reported successfully meeting goals. The Breakfast the Right Start guide, along with a telephone counseling session, has the potential to successfully aid families in having breakfast daily and, thus, better manage body weights.Support or Funding InformationUSDA NIFA #2011‐68001‐30170