bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lead exposure, dietary magnesium and glucose homeostasis in Chinese adults
Authors: Mendez Michelle A. , Liu Liping , Du Shufa , Wang Huijun 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundThere is mounting evidence that pollutants, including toxic metals, contribute to the global epidemic of diabetes. Along with laboratory data suggesting that lead (Pb) exposure may disrupt insulin secretion and promote glucose intolerance, a handful of epidemiological studies have reported associations between Pb and poor glucose homeostasis. A growing literature also suggests that nutrients such as dietary magnesium (Mg)—an essential metal critical for insulin action—may delay the progression of impaired glucose regulation. Our aim was to evaluate whether this beneficial dietary metal may help to reduce the impaired glucose regulation associated with toxic metals such as Pb.MethodsWe used a subsample of more than 4000 adults aged 18–65y who provided fasting serum and toenail samples in the 2009 wave of the China Health and Nutrition Survey. We measured Pb concentrations in toenail samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP‐MS), and measured fasting glucose using colorimetric assay methods. Dietary Mg intake was estimated from three days or 24‐h dietary recalls. We estimated the association between toenail Pb concentrations and fasting glucose levels using multivariable linear regression adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, waist circumference, physical activity, urbanicity, education level, toenail arsenic and selenium, and intakes of energy, meat and rice. Interactions with dietary Mg were examined using tertiles of intake.ResultsThe median (interquartile range) toenail Pb concentration was 1.15 (1.45) mg/kg, and the mean (SD) Mg intake was 296 (107) mg/dL. The mean fasting serum glucose level was 95.8 (24.7) mg/dL. After multivariable adjustment, among individuals in the lowest tertile of dietary Mg, there was a significant increase in fasting glucose associated with a 1‐unit increase in log‐transformed toenail Pb (β±SE 0.64±0.27 mg/dL, P<0.05). However, among individuals in the highest intake tertile, toenail Pb was associated with a non‐significant reduction in fasting glucose (β±SE −0.34±0.28 mg/dL NS; interaction P<0.05).ConclusionFindings suggest that exposure to Pb may promote impaired glucose homeostasis, and that dietary Mg may help to reduce the diabetogenic effects of Pb exposure. Further research is needed to determine whether essential metals such as Mg may help to mitigate the risk of diabetes associated with toxic metals such as Pb.Support or Funding InformationThis research uses data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)(R01‐HD30880). We also are grateful to the Carolina Population Center (R24 HD050924) for general support.
Dietary Sialyllactose Influences Magnetic Resonance Imaging Outcomes in the Piglet Corpus Callosum
Authors: Mudd Austin T , Fleming Stephen A , Chichlowski Maciej , Berg Brian M , Donovan Sharon M , Dilger Ryan N 
Published: November 2023

Sialyllactose is a milk oligosaccharide composed of a sialic acid conjugated to a lactose molecule that is present in human, bovine and porcine milks. Animal studies have demonstrated a variety of biological effects associated with provision of dietary sialyllactose, including gut maturation, immune function and increasing brain sialic acid levels. This study aimed to examine the dose response effects of sialyllactose (Lacprodan SAL‐10®; SL) on piglet brain development. Beginning at 2 d of age, 38 (n = 9–10 per treatment) vaginally‐derived male piglets received one of four diets formulated to contain: control (CONT) [0 mg SL/L milk replacer], low (LOW) [130 mg SL/L], moderate (MOD) [380 mg SL/L], and high (HIGH) [760 mg SL/L]. All diets contained 4 g/L of a 1:1 mixture of polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides. At 32 or 33 d of age, piglets were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures to assess macrostructural and microstructural brain development. All outcomes were analyzed using a one‐way ANOVA to assess differences between dietary treatments, significant outcomes were accepted at P ≤ 0.05 and trends at 0.05 < P < 0.10. Absolute brain volumes were not different (P > 0.05) between dietary treatments. Moreover, assessment of ten individual brain regions did not yield differences (P > 0.05) due to diet in absolute or relative volume measures. Axial, mean and radial diffusivity are used to assess white matter integrity and have been shown to change with age. We measured changes in these variables in different brain regions associated with feeding different levels of dietary SL. Diffusion tensor imaging revealed differences due to dietary treatment in measures of axial diffusivity (P = 0.002), mean diffusivity (P = 0.004), and radial diffusivity (P = 0.007) of the corpus callosum. In each of these outcomes, piglets provided the MOD diet exhibited the highest diffusivity measures compared with all other dietary treatments. Mean diffusivity (P = 0.075) and radial diffusivity (P = 0.051) in the left hippocampus tended to differ by dietary treatment, with piglets provided the MOD diet exhibiting the highest diffusivity measures. Recent evidence in piglets suggests provision of SL resulted in increased corpus callosum sialic acid. While the results presented herein do not assess sialic acid concentrations of the corpus callosum, our results corroborate recent evidence suggesting sensitivity of the corpus callosum to provision of dietary SL. The differences in corpus callosum MRI measures in response to dietary SL merit future research to assess the impact of SL on specific aspects of corpus callosum development and associated functions.Support or Funding InformationThis project was supported by Mead Johnson Nutrition.
ZnT2 regulates lysosomal acidification and biogenesis during mammary gland involution
Authors: Rivera Olivia C. , Hennigar Stephen R. , Lee Sooyeon , Kelleher Shannon L. 
Published: November 2023

Precocious involution may be an underlying cause of early infant weaning or overt lactation failure. The initial phase of mammary gland (MG) involution is characterized by lysosomal‐mediated cell death (LCD), which requires extensive upregulation of lysosomal biogenesis, acidification and activity. We recently showed that in response to the pro‐involution signal TNFα, the zinc transporter ZnT2 traffics from secretory vesicles to lysosomes, is critical for lysosome biogenesis, and is associated with LCD and activation of MG involution. Moreover, obesity‐induced inflammation is also associated with ZnT2 and zinc accumulation in lysosomes, and the promotion of LCD and precocious involution. However, the role of ZnT2 in LCD is currently not understood. We hypothesized that ZnT2 modulates proton transport, mediating lysosomal biogenesis, acidification, and activity, thereby driving proper execution of MG involution. Histology of involuting MGs from ZnT2‐null mice (ZnT2ko) had reduced alveolar regression, more closely resembling a lactating MG than that of involuting MGs from their wild‐type (wt) littermates. The MG area repopulated by adipocytes only increased by 12% in ZnT2ko mice compared to a 37% increase in wt mice (P<0.001). Furthermore, activation of the involution marker Stat3 was significantly reduced in ZnT2ko involuting MGs (P<0.05), indicating insufficient involution. Co‐immunoprecipitation studies of ZnT2 and the vacuolar ATPase (v‐ATPase) proton transporter in cultured mammary epithelial cells (MECs) revealed that ZnT2 interacts with both the cytoplasmic (V1) and membrane‐embedded (V0) subunits of v‐ATPase, suggesting a role for ZnT2 in v‐ATPase assembly and proton transport. Consistent with this finding, ZnT2 over‐expression in MECs significantly increased the number, size and acidification of lysosomes, while ZnT2‐attenuated MECs were not able to undergo lysosome biogenesis or acidification. Immunofluorescent imaging revealed that lysosomal abundance of V1 was reduced by ~75% (P<0.01) which was associated with a significant decrease in lysosome abundance (P<0.001) and size (P<0.01) in the involuting MGs of ZnT2ko mice compared to wt mice, suggesting impaired lysosomal biogenesis. Our results establish ZnT2 as a critical regulator of v‐ATPase activity and lysosomal acidification, which is essential for the activation of involution. Given the identification of numerous mutations and non‐synonymous genetic variants in ZnT2 that result in impaired ZnT2 function and breast dysfunction, these findings suggest that genetic variants in ZnT2 may modulate lysosome biogenesis and activity, thereby affecting lactation duration.Support or Funding InformationIntramural Funds from Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Department of Surgery
In Vitro Supplementation of Leucine Increases Murine HC11 Cell Proliferation
Authors: McGuckin Molly Mae , Suryawan Agus , Davis Teresa A , Peterson Daniel G , Manjarin Rodrigo 
Published: November 2023

Mammary tissue undergoes multiples cycles of cell growth and proliferation during the lifetime of the female to meet the nutrient demand of the suckling neonate. On the basis of studies in rodents, pigs and humans demonstrating the anabolic effects of leucine (Leu) through the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, there has been recent interest in the potential of supplementary Leu to improve skeletal muscle protein synthesis and overall nitrogen retention. To determine whether Leu supplementation also upregulates mTOR pathway in mammary tissue and increases mammary cell proliferation, a murine mammary cell line (HC11) was cultured in different concentrations of Leu (0, 1, and 2 mM). Cell proliferation was measured using flow cytometry at 0, 8, and 16 days. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR was performed to measure mRNA abundance of mammary Leu transporter LAT1 (SLC7A5), the intracellular Leu sensor for the mTOR signaling pathway leucyl‐tRNA synthetase (LARS2), mTOR and its downstream effector ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RPS6K1), and cyclin D (CCND1), a marker for cell proliferation. Guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT), RNA polymerase 3 (POL3), and ribosomal protein L3a (RPL3a) were used as reference genes. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA using a linear mixed model to account for treatment and replication effects. After 16 d cell proliferation increased in response to 1 mM Leu compared to 0 mM (P < 0.05), and increased further (P < 0.05) in cells supplemented with 2 mM Leu. Gene expression of SLC7A5, LARS2, mTOR, RPS6K1, and CCND1 did not differ between groups. Taken together, these results suggest that Leu supplementation increases mammary cell proliferation in vitro, but this effect is not associated with an increase in mRNA abundance of aforementioned genes. Further work is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which dietary Leu supplementation increases mammary cell proliferation, as it may hold the potential to enhance mammary growth and subsequent milk production in animals.Support or Funding InformationARI 58982
Analysis of Food Advertising in Children's TV Programming
Authors: Cosenza Emma Lucia , Morales‐Juárez Analí , Kroker‐Lobos Maria Fernanda , Vandevijvere Stefanie , Ramirez‐Zea Manuel 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundGuatemala, as most middle‐income countries, experiences a rise of overweight and obesity in school‐aged children. Food advertising on TV has been shown to affect children's food choices and intake.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess, for the first time, the extent and nature (e.g. persuasive techniques and claims) of food advertisements, targeted at children on the most watched TV channels featuring children's shows.MethodsThe methodology of the International Network for Food and Obesity Non‐Communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) was used. We recorded 864h (from 6:00 am to 12:00 am) of TV programming during 4 weekend days and 4 weekdays on the 6 most viewed TV channels featuring children's shows (1 local and 5 cable channels), during the period July–September 2016, excluding school holidays. Foods advertised were classified in the following groups: sugar‐sweetened beverages, snacks and sweets, sugar‐sweetened cereals, fast food restaurants, and dairy products with sugar.ResultsOf all advertisements, 19% (2,709 of 14589) were food related commercials, of which 54% (n= 1,459) were for energy‐dense foods. Forty one percent of energy‐dense food ads used both promotional characters (i.e., cartoons, famous personalities, and elements related to kids) and premium offers (i.e., collectibles, gifts, discounts, apps). Premium offers were most of the times accompanied by promotional characters (99% of cases). Concerning claims, 22% of energy‐dense food ads used both brand benefit claims (i.e., emotive claims) and health claims (i.e., health related ingredient claims), 72% presented only brand benefit claims, and 6% depicted exclusively health claims.ConclusionThis study revealed that Guatemalan TV channels featuring children's shows have a high frequency of energy‐dense food ads and of persuasive marketing techniques in them. There is a need of monitoring and regulating food advertisements in TV channels featuring children's shows to reduce exposure.Support or Funding InformationInternational Development Research Center (IDRC)
Are Diets with a Lower Carbon Footprint More Nutritious? Evidence in the United States from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Rose Diego , Willits‐Smith Amelia , Heller Martin , Meyer Robert 
Published: November 2023

Although the US is the second highest‐ranked country in the world in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), and food production is a significant contributor to this, little is known about the impact of individual food choices in the US on GHGE or how this might relate to nutrient intakes. To address this gap, we developed a novel approach to study the environmental impacts of individual food choices in the US. Individual 24‐hour recall data on foods consumed by adults, 18–65 years of age (N= 13,204), from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for 2005–2010 were converted to commodity form using resources from the US Environmental Protection Agency. The GHGE of these commodities were aggregated from a comprehensive review of life cycle assessment studies, which estimate environmental impacts throughout the “life” of a product, in this case foods. After matching the food choices of individuals to these GHGE, we ranked their 1‐day diets into quintiles based on GHGE per 1000 kilocalories, and compared the lowest and highest GHGE quintile groups. We focused on 12 key nutrients of concern that were identified in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as either being under‐consumed by the US population or over‐consumed by it. T‐tests for differences in means were conducted using Stata 13.0 and made use of sample weights and survey design parameters published with the datasets. We estimate that the production of foods consumed by U.S. adults contributed 5.49 carbon dioxide‐equivalents per person per day (95% CI = 5.38 to 5.60), a value which is within the range of GHGE impacts found in European countries. The lowest GHGE diets (bottom quintile) scored better on five of the key nutrients, with significantly (p < 0.001) more vitamin E, folate, and dietary fiber per 1000 kilocalories and significantly (p < 0.001) less sodium and saturated fat than the highest GHGE diets. However, there was a higher content of three of the nutrients ‐‐ calcium, vitamin D, and potassium ‐‐ in the highest GHGE diets. We found similar results when limiting the sample to only those recalls that respondents identified as representing a “usual” amount. These results suggest that food patterns which are less environmentally impactful are more nutritious on several key dimensions, although not on all of them. The links between food choice, nutritional outcomes and environmental impacts are nuanced, which calls for more research and understanding of these interactions.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the Wellcome Trust (grant # 106854/Z/15/Z).
Regular Consumption of a Functional Symbiotic Yogurt Increases Calcium Absorption in Young Adult Women
Authors: Cornes Rafael , Peña Amparo , Sintes Celia , Albin Santiago , O'Brien Kimberly O. , Donangelo Carmen Marino 
Published: November 2023

We investigated the effect of daily consumption of a yogurt containing prebiotic fiber and probiotics (functional yogurt) compared to a common yogurt (control), on calcium absorption in adult women (21–33 years; n=30) using a cross‐over design. Each yogurt was consumed during 3 weeks separated by a 3 week wash‐out period. Calcium absorption was measured at the end of each yogurt‐consumption period, using an oral isotope tracer (42Ca) administered along with a standard breakfast meal. Recovery of 42‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Ca in urine was measured in complete collections at 4h, 24h, and 36h post‐dosing using magnetic sector thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Bone mass, PTH and vitamin D status were evaluated at baseline. Bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) at total body (TB), lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) and trochanter (TR) were measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Serum 25(OH)D and intact PTH were determined by chemiluminescent assays. Temporal changes in urinary 42‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Ca recovery were analyzed by repeated‐measures ANOVA. Comparison between treatments at each time point was evaluated by paired t test. Relationships between variables were examined by correlation analysis. Average Z scores of bone measurements were adequate, 0.59 (TBBMC), 0.49 (TBBMD), 0.05 (LSBMD), 0.99 (FNBMD), −0.54 (TRBMD) although TRBMD and LSBMD Z scores were lower than −1 in 30% and 7% of the women, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D was 37.9 ± 9.9 ng/mL indicating vitamin D sufficiency. As expected, urinary 42‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Ca recovery increased over time for each type of yogurt (P<0.01). There were no significant differences by yogurt type at 4h or 24h but at 36h, 42‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Ca recovery in urine was 37% higher after consumption of the functional yogurt compared to the control yogurt (P=0.05). Urinary recovery of 42‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Ca was not related to vitamin D, PTH or bone mass measurements. These results suggest that the functional yogurt tested increased calcium absorption possibly by passive processes in the distal small intestine or in the colon.Support or Funding InformationCooperativa Nacional de Productores de Leche (CONAPROLE), Uruguay
Risk Factors of Poor Complementary Feeding Practices in Pakistani Children Aged 6–23 months: A Multi‐Level Analysis of the Demographic and Health Survey 2012–2013
Authors: Na Muzi , Aguayo Victor M , Arimond Mary , Stewart Christine P. 
Published: November 2023

Appropriate feeding practices are crucial for survival, growth, and development in childhood. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with poor complementary feeding practices in Pakistani children. We analyzed Pakistan's Demographic and Health Survey 2012–2013 using multi‐level models to fit the multistage cluster sample of 2827 children aged 6–23 months from 489 communities. Timely introduction of solid, semi‐solid or soft foods was achieved in 67% infants aged 6–8 months. Among children aged 6–23 months, the proportion of children meeting minimum meal frequency (MMF), dietary diversity (MDD) and acceptable diet (MAD) criteria were 63%, 22% and 15%, respectively. The mean (95%CI) dietary diversity score was 1.8 (1.7, 1.9), 2.6 (2.5, 2.7) and 3.0 (2.8, 3.1) food groups in children aged 6–11, 12–17 and 18–23 months, respectively. Consumption of legumes and nuts, flesh foods, and vitamin A‐rich fruits and vegetables was low in all children (6–19%), even among children who met the minimum dietary diversity criterion (15–55%). Younger child age, especially between 6–11 months, delayed maternal postnatal checkup and household poverty were significant individual‐level risk factors that consistently increased the risk of not meeting the four criteria examined. Insufficient antenatal clinic visits (1–3 times) was independently associated with not introducing complementary foods on time and not meeting MMF. Additional significant risk factors associated with not meeting MDD and MAD included small perceived birth weight and younger maternal age. Community‐level risk factors included living in the Punjab region and having poor access to maternal and child health care services. The overall quality of complementary diets in Pakistani children was very poor. This situation calls for stronger policy and program action to promote the consumption of key nutrient‐dense foods, especially among 6–11 month old infants, while prioritizing interventions for the most vulnerable children and regions.Support or Funding InformationUNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA)
Milk cell gene expression of mothers with low breast milk production
Authors: Geddes Donna T. , Twigger Alecia‐Jane , Savigni Donna L. , Kent Jacqueline C. , Kakulas Foteini 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionPerceived or actual low milk supply is the leading cause of early breastfeeding cessation worldwide. Monitoring 24 hour milk production profiles can help diagnose low milk production which may be improved with pumping regimes and support. Despite this, some cases of low milk production persist. Human milk cells are increasingly being utilised to provide non‐invasive access to mammary epithelial cells allowing investigations into lactocyte characteristics and metabolism.Problem StatementThe molecular mechanisms behind impaired lactation in the female mammary gland are not well understood.Procedures/Data/ObservationsThis study examines human milk cell gene expression from 12 participants with low milk production profiles (<600 mL in 24 hrs) and 14 participants with normal production profiles (>600 mL in 24 hrs). Genes (n=28) were examined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and were representative of progenitor and myoepithelial cells and lactocytes, as well as genes identified as intrinsic to milk production. Students t‐test was used to compare gene expression between the two groups. Alternatively, Welch's t‐test was used in the case of unequal variances as determined by Bartlett's test.ResultsInitial analysis found cells isolated from women with low milk production showed significantly lower expression of the genes estrogen related receptor beta (ESRRB, p=0.027) and neurotrophin receptors sortilin (SORT, p=0.010) and tyrosine receptor kinase 2 splice variant 1 (TRKB1, p=0.007) and higher expression of a progenitor marker (REX1, p=0.025) compared with cells isolated from women with normal production.ConclusionsPreliminary findings suggest variations in cell signalling and function, examined through gene expression that might contribute to low milk production. Further investigations will potentially determine significant roles of key genes enabling successful human lactation.Support or Funding InformationThis research was funded by an unrestricted research grant from Medela AG.