bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutrition Sensitivity in Ethiopia's Productive Safety Net Programme: Tracing the Movement of an Idea in Ethiopia's Development Landscape
Authors: Warren Andrea M. , Frongillo Edward A. , Gillespie Stuart 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundNutrition sensitivity has emerged over the past 5–10 years as an influential idea in international development programming. The Ethiopian government has subscribed to the health and economic potential of a focus on nutrition and nutrition sensitivity more recently, as evidenced by the 2013 introduction of their comprehensive, multi‐sectoral National Nutrition Programme. In one of the first moves of its kind at this scale, the government explicitly “sensitized” the 2015 fourth iteration of their well‐known social protection scheme, the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP).ObjectiveThe objective of this qualitative study was to investigate how understandings of and negotiations toward the operationalization of the idea of nutrition sensitivity developed during the early phases of “sensitizing” a large social protection scheme to nutrition.MethodsSixty in‐depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with stakeholders at the international, federal, district, subdistrict, village, and household levels over a period of 18 months. Interviews were recorded or detailed notes were taken. They were coded to identify, compare, and contrast themes within and across levels. Relevant program documents were also collected and analyzed.ResultsIn the Ethiopian context, the inherent flexibility within the idea of nutrition sensitivity, which allows for its key characteristic of adaptability, prevented intended audiences from being confident in their understanding of how to implement this concept. Stakeholders at all levels anticipated that pre‐existing systemic constraints around implementation capacity of both national health and agriculture programs would significantly inhibit successful implementation of nutrition‐sensitive programming within the PSNP. Despite potential implementation barriers, stakeholders indicated that the powerful, government‐backed momentum around the idea would continue, ideally leading to positive impacts on nutritional outcomes within the next decade.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of 1) how understandings around the operationalization of nutrition sensitivity take shape and begin to materialize at multiple levels of operation and within multiple sectors, and 2) the contextual factors that influence the design and uptake of nutrition‐sensitive programming. Recommendations derived from this study are relevant for stakeholders engaged in the design, dissemination, and implementation of multi‐level and multi‐sectoral approaches to nutrition.Support or Funding InformationThis work is supported through Transform Nutrition funded by UK aid from the UK government, through the CGIAR Agriculture for Nutrition and Health Programme and through the Stories of Change Project from the Children's Investment Fund Foundation.
The Effect of Genetic Variation on the Human Milk Proteome
Authors: Lemay Danielle G , Beck Kristen L , Kwok Eric , Phinney Brett S , Korf Ian 
Published: November 2023

Milk proteins provide more than amino acids to offspring. Many milk proteins have been shown to have other biological roles such as digestion, nutrient absorption, and immunodevelopment. We previously catalogued proteins in human milk by LC‐MS/MS using a reference database for the peptide spectrum matching (PSM). However, proteins can only be identified via PSM if the sequence of the protein is present in the database. To address this problem, we used RNA‐sequencing to develop a comprehensive database of protein sequences for milk samples from three subjects with different ethnicities: Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic. We then used these databases to search the spectra generated from LC‐MS/MS analysis of whole milk samples from the same three subjects. Using these custom proteome databases, we identified 85 milk proteins with genetic variation relative to the reference sequence. These 85 milk proteins contained 184 single amino acid polymorphisms and one insertion. Importantly, these genetic variants include common isoforms of the major proteins in milk such as the caseins and lactoferrin. Based on exclusive spectrum counts, some of the variants identified are more common in milk than the protein sequence derived from the reference database. Examination of the exclusive spectrum counts also demonstrates genetic differences between the milk from these subjects of different ethnicities. The presence of different isoforms of the major milk proteins may have biological consequences for offspring. Our study also suggests that genetic differences should be considered when comparing milk proteomes between different human populations.Support or Funding InformationFunded in part by California National Primate Research Center Postdoc Pilot Grant to D.L., supplement to NIH/NCRR P51 RR00169, K.B. was supported in part by a fellowship under the Training Program in Biomolecular Technology (NIGMS‐NIH T32‐GM008799) at the University of California, Davis.
Cardiac Kids Club Improves Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Intake, and Fitness Among 4th & 5th Graders
Authors: Beck Megan , Spence Marsha , Clay Kristen , Perry‐Burst Carolyn , Colby Sarah , Kavanagh Katie 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThe purpose of Cardiac Kids Club, an afterschool obesity prevention program for 4th and 5th graders, is to create healthful nutrition behavior changes and increase fitness levels among participants.MethodsChildren from 7 schools in East Tennessee, which were selected due to high rates of overweight and obesity among students, participated in the program (n=114). The program ran for 10‐weeks, with 20 sessions that included 45 minutes of nutrition education and 1 hour of physical activity. The nutrition curriculum included didactic and interactive components, along with taste tests; the physical activity component included non‐competitive games to keep children engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity throughout the physical activity time. Trained research assistants measured height and weight and assisted in collecting FITNESSGRAM measures pre‐ and post‐intervention. Children self‐reported dietary intake using a validated survey, the CATCH ‘EM 2: What Did You Eat Yesterday Questionnaire, and answered questions about nutrition‐related behaviors when selecting foods at home and school.ResultsFrom pre‐ to post‐implementation, children significantly decreased the average number of less‐healthy foods from 7.69 to 6.44 (p=0.01). Using Go, Slow and Whoa food categories to select foods increased in frequency and was significantly different pre‐ to post‐intervention (p=0.01). All FITNESS gram measurements significantly increased, including curlups, trunk lifts, sit and stretch right, sit and stretch left, push‐ups, and the mile‐run (p<0.01 for all measures). BMI percentile significantly decreased among all participants from 78.2 to 77.2 (p<0.01); further analysis revealed that pre‐ and post‐differences for participants classified as normal weight (BMI <85th percentile) did not significantly decrease, while participants classified as overweight or obese (BMI ≥85th percentile) did significantly decrease from 94.77 to 93.80 (p=0.02).ConclusionThis research‐based obesity prevention program has the potential to positively impact the nutritional health and fitness levels of enrolled participants.Support or Funding InformationSponsorship from Tennova, grant funding from the East Tennessee Cardiovascular Research Foundation, 21st Century Grant Funding
Eating episodes and low calorie sweetener intake in the US adult population: NHANES 2007–2012
Authors: Marriott Bernadette Pergrin , Hunt Kelly J. , Malek Angela M. , Greenberg Danielle , St. Peter John 
Published: November 2023

Based on research in rodents, use of Low Calorie Sweeteners (LCS) have been hypothesized to disrupt the expected relationship between sweet oral taste cues and post‐ingestive caloric outcomes potentially affecting dietary eating patterns, however human data is absent. To explore this proposed association we used the first 24 hour recall dietary data from the NHANES 2007–2012 (19+y;sample n=15,610) to assess by LCS intake the reported number, timing, type, and macronutrient content of eating episodes (n=83,216). Eating episodes were based on respondent‐defined intake of reported items consumed within a 15 minute window. Those who reported intake of LCS containing foods, beverages and condiments evidenced more eating episodes per day, which started earlier in the morning and lasted longer across the day, than non‐LCS episodes. In a given day, estimated macronutrient intake per eating episode and overall was significantly lower among individuals who reported LCS intakes. These data are consistent with other published reports that show a larger number of eating episodes and lower caloric intake associated with LCS consumption.Support or Funding InformationResearch Support: PepsiCo, Inc. Global R&D.

Comparing all reported intakes during eating episodes in US adults for foods & beverages with and without low calorie sweetener (LCS). (% or mean ± SEM)

No LCS (64.2%)
Yes LCS (35.8%)

Number of Episodes (n)
5.37 ±0.04
5.84 ±0.04**

Time of First Episode
7:39am ±3.0
7:16am ±4.2**

Time of Last Episode
8:22pm ±1.6
8:24pm ±2.6

Time Span of Daily Eating (all categories)**

Less than 10.9 hours/24 (%)
22.58 ±0.69
17.28 ±0.81

>10.9 to <14.2 hours/24 (%)
53.68 ±0.72
54.04 ±0.85

Greater than 14.2 hours/24 (%)
23.74 ±0.74
28.68 ±0.79

Type of Eating Episode (all categories)*

Food Only (%)
28.12 ±0.53
26.46 ±0.68

Food and Beverage (%)
43.26 ±0.59
45.42 ±0.62

Beverage Only (%)
28.62 ±0.38
28.13 ±0.48

Nutrients per Eating Episode

Grams (g)
657 ±7
608 ±7**

Energy (kcal)
415 ±3
344 ±3**

Energy Food (kcal)
307 ±2
274 ±2**

Energy Beverage (kcal)
83 ±2
46 ±1**

Energy Condment (kcal)
25 ±1
24 ±1

Energy density (kcal/g)
1.18 ±0.01
1.09 ±0.01**

Protein (g)
15.56 ±0.13
14.01 ±0.17**

Carbohydrate (g)
51.15 ±0.44
39.98 ±0.31**

Total Sugars (g)
23.86 ±0.34
16.29 ±0.16**

Dietary Fiber (g)
3.14 ±0.04
2.99 ±0.05*

Total Fat (g)
15.29 ±0.15
13.60 ±0.16**

Energy (kcal) for all eating episodes
2233 ±18
2013 ±17**

Note: P‐values compared differences between eating episodes with and without LCS by pairwise analysis of mean values and global analysis of categorical variables.
Statistically significant at p<0.05
Statistically significant at p<0.001
A High Fat diet containing Fish oil reduces weight gain and metabolic syndrome associated with glucocorticoid therapy
Authors: van der Merwe Marie , Beech LeeAnna , Godwin Simone , Buddington Randy , Ringwald‐Smith Karen 
Published: November 2023

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are now recognized as significant health concerns for survivors of pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and are consequences of their treatment. The majority of weight gain occurs during the induction phase of therapy (first 28 days), when patients receive various chemotherapies in addition to high dose glucocorticoids. Physiological levels of glucocorticoids are required for metabolic control, but chronic exposure to elevated doses has been linked to metabolic disease including type 2 diabetes and obesity. Nutrition plays an important role in the development of obesity and is also amongst the few adjustable parameters in the treatment of pediatric ALL. We therefore determined if a diet high in omega‐3 fatty acids provided by fish oil can reduce the weight gain and metabolic syndrome phenotype associated chronic high dose glucocorticoid treatment. 3 week old C57BL/6 male mice were fed a “Western type” diet (45% calories from fat (lard) (HFL)) ad libitum. At 6 weeks of age, mice received the synthetic glucocorticoid, Prednisolone, at a dose of 40 mg/m2/day for 28 days. During the Prednisolone treatment, mice either remained on the HFL diet or were switched to an isocaloric diet containing 45% fat from fish oil (HFO). Body weight, food consumption, fat deposition in the liver, accumulation of epididymal adipose tissue and adipocyte size were determined. Mice on the HFO diet gained less weight during the treatment period (P = 0.03), with a dramatic decrease in fat deposition in the liver irrespective of glucocorticoid treatment. Epididymal adipose depots were smaller in mice consuming the HFO diet (P < 0.0001) with a concomitantly decrease in systemic Leptin levels (P = 0.05). Interestingly, glucocorticoid therapy caused a significant increase in adipocyte size when the mice are consuming the HFL diet (P = 0.001). The results from this study suggest that a dietary intervention in the form of fish oil during glucocorticoid treatment can reduce weight gain and metabolic syndrome and reduce long term consequences of ALL treatment.Support or Funding InformationFY16 Faculty Research Grant (University of Memphis)
Inactive Matrix Gla Protein is Associated with Arterial Stiffness and Vascular Endothelial Function in African‐American Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Fain Mary Ellen , Nguyen Joshua , Kapuku Gaston K , Paulson William D , White John J , Dong Yanbin , Pollock Norman K 
Published: November 2023

Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a marker of aortic stiffness, and brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of endothelial dysfunction, are both independent predictors of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality. Given that end‐stage renal disease patients receiving hemodialysis are at marked increased risk for CVD combined with recent data suggesting that African Americans (AA) are three times more likely to experience kidney failure, it is vital to identify modifiable CVD related factors that could represent therapeutic targets in this population. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a vascular calcification inhibitor that needs vitamin K to be activated, and recent evidence suggest that higher circulating levels of inactive MGP, known as dephospho‐uncarboxylated MGP (dp‐ucMGP), are linked to CVD events and mortality. Currently, the relationship between inactive MGP and markers of arterial stiffness and endothelial function has not been investigated in AA hemodialysis patients. This study was conducted 1) to compare plasma levels of dp‐ucMGP between AA hemodialysis patients and age‐ and race‐matched controls; and 2) to determine associations of dp‐ucMGP with PWV and FMD in the cohort of AA hemodialysis patients. Fasting plasma dp‐ucMGP concentrations, carotid‐femoral PWV by applanation tonometry, and brachial artery FMD by ultrasound were measured in 37 AA hemodialysis patients (mean age: 47.7 ± 10.4 years). Thirty‐seven AA adults without renal disease (mean age: 47.7 ± 7.4) served as controls for plasma dp‐ucMGP levels. Plasma dp‐ucMGP levels were significantly higher in hemodialysis patients compared to controls (2129 ± 1117 vs. 382 ± 181 pmol/L, P < 0.01). In analyses with multivariate linear regression adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and mean arterial pressure, PWV (β = 0.42) and FMD (β = −0.52) were associated with dp‐ucMGP (both P < 0.01). These data suggest that higher levels of dp‐ucMGP found in AA hemodialysis patients may be associated with increased arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction. Experimental trials are needed to determine whether vitamin K supplementation slows arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction by increasing MGP carboxylation.Support or Funding InformationGeorgia Regents University's Intramural Grant Program
Redundant role of catenins in maintaining tight junctional integrity
Authors: Pradhan‐Sundd Tirthadipa , Zhou Lili , Jiang An , Russell Jacquelyn Olivia , Singh Sucha , Poddar Minakshee , Ranganathan Sarangarajan , Nejak‐Bowen Kari , Monga Satdarshan Singh Pal 
Published: November 2023

Adherens Junctional Complex (AJC) consisting of catenins and cadherins adhere the neighbouring cells by linking the actin cytoskeleton. B‐Catenin, a member of the catenin family, is required for cell‐cell adhesion as well as for canonical Wnt signaling. We have shown that loss of β‐catenin from the AJCs between adjacent hepatocytes or of g‐catenin from desmosomes, are well‐tolerated. In the present study we generated and characterized mice with liver‐specific knockout of β and γ‐catenin. Here, we used albumin‐cre and double floxed‐b‐catenin‐g‐catenin mice to generate hepatocyte and cholangiocyte specific double knockouts (DKO). These animals showed failure to thrive, increased morbidity and 80% of mice die in the first month after birth. The DKO mice exhibited increased serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and cholesterol and mimicked progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) like phenotype with inflammation, fibrosis and ductular reaction shown by histology and biochemical studies. Furthermore, AAV8‐cre mediated deletion of b‐ and g‐catenin from hepatocytes only, showed notable irregularities in serum and histology similar to DKOs. Next, we analyzed liver samples from PFIC patients (n=8). One patient showed substantial reduction of both β‐ and γ‐catenin proteins, along with loss of association to E‐cadherin. Molecular and histochemical analysis revealed significant reduction in expression of tight junction protein claudin‐2 and occludin, in both DKO mice and patient's samples. Thus, we have identified a notable cross talk between the catenins and TJ proteins which may be of essence in barrier function in the liver. Profound understanding of this regulation of tight junction protein stability by catenins will be useful in the context of liver developmental and pathophysiology.Support or Funding InformationThis research is supported by NIH. The presenting author is supported by T32 post doctoral training programme grant number 5T32DK063922‐13.
Vesicle fusion protein, YKT6, is a novel regulator of epithelial cell‐matrix adhesion and migration
Authors: Ivanov Andrei , Naydenov Nayden , Joshi Supriya , Feygin Alex 
Published: November 2023

Epithelial cell migration is a key regulatory element of a variety of biological and pathological processes, including embryonic morphogenesis, tissue repair, and tumor metastasis. This is a multistage process involving epithelial cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and remodeling of the cortical cytoskeleton. Trafficking of ECM adhesion proteins and other membrane and signaling proteins to the migrating cellular edge plays an essential role in regulating cell motility. YKT6 is a key component of the vesicle fusion machinery that regulates ER‐Golgi trafficking, however its functions in cell migration remain uninvestigated. In this study, we found that siRNA‐mediated knockdown of YKT6 in DU145 and p69 human prostate epithelial cells significantly accelerated planar cell migration in a wound closure assay and 3‐D cell invasion into Matrigel. These effects were accompanied by a significant increase in cell adhesion to ECM and cell spreading. Immunoblotting analysis of different focal adhesion proteins revealed two vivid effects of YKT6 knockdown. One effect was defective Golgi‐dependent glycosylation of β1‐integrin while the other involved decreased levels of phosphorylated paxillin. However, subsequent experiments demonstrated that neither of these effects is responsible for the increased motility of YKT6‐depleted cells. We also investigated the effects of YKT6 knockdown on the expression of cell‐cell adhesion proteins and observed a marked and selective increase in the expression of Junctional Adhesion Molecule A (JAM‐A) protein. Given the known pro‐migratory role of JAM‐A in different cell types, we probed JAM‐A upregulation to determine if it could mediate the increased motility of YKT6‐depleted cells. Co‐knockdown of JAM‐A and YKT6 reversed the accelerated migration of DU145 cells caused by YKT6 depletion. Since JAM‐A can promote epithelial cell migration by activating Rap1 small GTPase, we next investigated if Rap1 activity mediates the increased motility of YKT‐6 depleted epithelial cells. We observed that pharmacological Rap1 inhibitor, GGTI 298, reversed the accelerated wound healing in YKT6‐depleted epithelial cell monolayers. These results reveal a novel role for YKT6 in limiting epithelial cell migration via mechanisms involving the suppression of the JAM‐A‐Rap1 signaling nexus.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NIH grants DK083968 and DK084953 to AII and by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America grant 254881 to NGN.
The Specialized Pro‐resolving Lipid Mediator Resolvin E1 Promotes Intestinal Mucosal Wound Repair
Authors: Quiros Miguel , Nishio Hikary , Leoni Giovanna , Agarwal Rachit , Bernal Gabriela , Gerner‐Smith Christian , Colas Romain , Graham Kareem , Serhan Charles , Garcia Andres , Parkos Charles , Nusrat Asma 
Published: November 2023

Resolution of inflammation and wound healing are active processes that are required to repair the epithelial barrier at mucosal surfaces following injury. Protein/peptides and lipid mediators referred to as specialized pro‐resolving mediators (SPM) play an important role in the reparative response. Resolvin E1 (RvE1), a SPM derived from omega‐3 fatty acids has been reported to decrease the inflammatory response and promote repair. Using an endoscopic biopsy‐based wound healing model, we observed increased RvE1 synthesis in healing wounds. Delayed intestinal mucosal wound closure was observed in mice lacking the RvE1 G protein coupled receptor Chemokine Like Receptor 1 (CMKLR1). Complimentary in vitro experiments demonstrated that RvE1 treatment of model intestinal epithelial cells promoted wound repair by increasing epithelial cell proliferation through activation of the mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, in‐vivo local administration of RvE1‐encapsulated synthetic nanoparticles into healing intestinal wounds promoted mucosal wound repair. Together, our results support a therapeutic role of RvE1 in facilitating intestinal mucosal wound repairSupport or Funding InformationCCFANIH