bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integration of Biochemistry and Problem Solving‐Based Pedagogy Throughout the Chemistry Curriculum in Support of Learning Outcomes Articulated by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the ASBMB and the American Chemical Society (ACS)
Authors: Jakubowski Henry V. , Graham Kate , McIntee Ed , Schaller Chris 
Published: November 2023

The Chemistry Department at the College of St. Benedict/St. John's University has integrated biochemistry throughout a dynamic and modern curriculum to enhance its appeal to students, to better prepare them for modern science and an early entry into research, and to increase our number of majors. In support of these changes we have adopted modern pedagogy that use a flipped pre‐class format and in‐class group problem solving activities. These changes align with biochemistry content and the scientific reasoning and inquiry skills (SIRS) represented in the MCAT2015. They support ASBMB calls for students to be trained in an interdisciplinary fashion that allows them to explain cross‐disciplinary concepts. They also align with the American Chemical Society (ACS) encouragements to create integrated foundation courses that combine traditional sub‐disciplines of chemistry and that are organized on integrative principles such as reactivity. Student start with a single introductory course (Chemical Structure and Properties) and then take three following courses in Chemical Reactivity which integrate one semester each of organic, inorganic and biochemistry. Traditional biochemistry lab skills are integrated into separate foundation lab courses in Chromatography, Synthesis, and Measurement. Upper division students take half‐semester in‐depth courses in such contemporary fields as Chemical Biology, Signal Transduction, and Medicinal Chemistry. Chemistry majors also taking an in‐depth Integrated Lab course with a three week “biophysical module”. Descriptions of this novel and integrative curriculum, how it prepares students for the MCAT and SIRS in general, and assessment of its effects will be presented. Especially interesting are changes in our number of majors and their diversity.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by NSF DUE 1043566
Dietary Depletion of Cow's Milk microRNAs Impairs Fecundity in Mice
Authors: Sadri Mahrou , Xie Fang , Wood Jennifer , Zempleni Janos 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundTraditionally, microRNAs have been considered endogenous regulators of gene expression. Recently, we have made the paradigm‐shifting discovery that humans absorb cow's milk microRNAs (encapsulated in exosomes) by endocytosis, and that body pools of circulating microRNAs decrease by >60% in mice fed milk microRNA‐depleted diets.HypothesisDietary depletion of microRNAs impairs fecundity in mice, i.e., causes phenotypes of sub‐optimal health.MethodsC57BL/6J mice were fed modified AIN‐93G diets depleted of microRNAs [denoted ExosomeMinus (E‐); <10% microRNAs compared with control diets, E+], starting at age 3 weeks through age 15 weeks. Mice were mated in all possible permutations (E+ males × E+ females, E+ × E−, E− × E +, E− × E−; n=8 pairs per group). Variables of fecundity were analyzed and statistical significance was assessed using one‐way ANOVA and Dunnett's post‐hoc test.ResultsSixty‐two to 75% of mating did not result in pregnancy if at least one parent was fed the E− diet, compared with only one (12.5%) failed mating in controls. The average litter size produced by E+/E+ breeders was twice the size in other groups: 7.6±1.9 pups for E+ males/E+ females, 3.6±3.2 for E+/E−, 3.5±3.0 for E−/E+, and 4.1±3.4 for E−/E−; P<0.05, n=8). The average birth weight of pups born to dams fed the E− diet (E+ males) was 1.13±0.11 g compared to 1.30±0.09 g in E+/E+ breeders (P<0.05). MicroRNA depletion also impaired survival of litters to weaning (3 weeks) if dams were continued on the previous diets: 100% survival in E+/E+, zero survival in E+/E− and E−/E+, and one surviving litter in E−/E−. The hepatic concentrations of purine metabolites were 65% higher in E‐females compared to E+ females (16.6±3.3 vs. 10.1±1.0 μmol/L xanthine; P<0.05, n=5), suggesting a potential mechanism leading to low fecundity.ConclusionsDepletion of dietary microRNAs elicits disease phenotypes.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NIFA/USDA 2015‐67017‐23181, NIH 1P20GM104320, Gerber Foundation, Egg Nutrition Center, USDA W‐3002 and Hatch
Factors Affecting Enrollment in a Nutrition Intervention Program for Low‐Income Mothers
Authors: Nitzke Susan , Chang Mei‐Wei , Brown Roger , Egan M. Jean , Bendekgey Christopher , Buist Diana 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundMothers In Motion (MIM) was a community based intervention study. MIM was designed to help overweight and obese mothers aged 18–39 year old prevent weight gain via promotion of stress management, healthy eating and physical activity.ObjectiveThis study explored whether stress, depression, chaotic life, smoking, and employment affected enrollment among low‐income overweight and obese young mothers who completed a baseline phone interview.MethodsWomen 6 weeks to 5 years postpartum were recruited from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Michigan in 2012–2015. Prior to enrollment in MIM, recruited participants completed a baseline phone interview and returned to the WIC office within 2 weeks of signing a consent form. Factors affecting enrollment were explored via logistic regression analyses.ResultsOf 697 recruited women who completed a baseline phone interview, 612 (87.8%) returned to WIC to be randomized and enroll in MIM. Women who lived in chaotic life situations and were smokers were more likely to enroll than non‐smoking women with less chaotic lives (OR 1.03 95% CI 1.00–1.07). Also, women who experienced higher stress levels and were unemployed were more likely to enroll than women who had a lower stress levels and were employed (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.21). Stress, depression and chaotic life were not directly associated with enrollment. No interactions among stress, depression and chaotic life were detected.ConclusionNeither stress nor chaotic life was independently associated with enrollment. However, chaotic life coupled with smoking appeared to increase enrollment while enrollment rates were lower for women with low stress coupled with being employed.Support or Funding InformationNIH R18‐DK‐083934‐01
Experiential Learning in the Undergraduate Nutrition Didactic Curriculum: Enhancing Student's Ability to Link Experience with Competencies Achieved
Authors: Scannavino Martine Ida 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveTo demonstrate an experiential learning model in undergraduate didactic education in dietetics as an approach to enhance students’ recognition of achievement of the Accreditation Council on Nutrition and Dietetics Education's Foundation Knowledge and Competencies.MethodsThe Cedar Crest College Didactic Program in Dietetics (CCC DP) systematically integrates an experiential learning model throughout select components of the curriculum. The active learning experiences were developed to achieve competency of specific Accreditation Council on Nutrition and Dietetics Educations’ (ACEND) Foundation Knowledge and Competencies for Dietitians. The didactic curriculum competencies are categorized into four Domains, each Domain is then delineated into Core Knowledge Competences referred to as KRDs. One example of an activity is a “one‐on‐one” wellness counseling experience to participants in the College's Campus Wellness program allowing students to achieve competency for several KRD competencies. This experience allows students to demonstrate effective and professional oral and written communication and documentation (KRD 2.1); demonstrate counseling techniques to facilitate behavior change (KRD 2.2); and develop an educational session or program education strategy for a target population (KRD 3.3). In addition, experiential activities in food service management allows the students to complete facility safety audits at assigned food service facilities and create an in‐service to address safety deficiencies achieving KRD 4.2, quality management of food and nutrition services.Summary of ResultsUpon completion of the CCC DP curriculum students are required to complete the “Graduation Exit Survey”. This survey is used to gauge students’ perceptions of their level of competency for all ACEND KRD competencies throughout the CCC DP curriculum. Students report a higher level of perceived competency for KRDs that were augmented with an experiential learning component, and are able to identify the actual activity where the competency was practiced and achieved.ConclusionThe integration of experiential learning within the CCC DP curriculum enhances both the achievement of select competencies by the student and the student's ability to identify and actualize theories, concepts and skills into practice.
Lessons Learned from the Development of a Prenatal Nutrition Online Training for EFNEP Paraprofessional Nutrition Educators
Authors: Baker Susan , Auld Garry , Chlipalski Micheline 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveTo share lessons learned from the development of a national online training for nutrition educators from the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) designed to prepare them to teach the prenatal lesson “Eating Smart and Being Active During Pregnancy” and to increase their self‐efficacy in teaching prenatal nutrition.MethodsSystematic development of a video based online training using Smith and Ragan's instructional design model, storyboards, scripts, Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning, and theoretical constructs that impact self‐efficacy.Summary of results obtainedA four hour video‐based online training was developed that included 41 short clips depicting a paraprofessional nutrition educator teaching the Eating Smart and Being Active During Pregnancy lesson to low‐income pregnant women. Clips also presented explanations of the nutrition lesson's content, so trainees could address pregnant participants’ questions and misconceptions.Lessons learned during the development process included the following: 1) the use of storyboards and scripts helped improve communication about expectations between the nutrition professional designing the training and the filming/editing crew; 2) filming locations need to provide adequate space for all elements in a scene and the filming crew and equipment; 3) environmental noise and light can affect video quality; poor quality videos can distract trainees and make the editing process longer; 4) editing can become the most time consuming step in the development process when raw footage is of bad quality; 5) nutrition professionals designing training need to be actively involved in reviewing footage at the end of every filming day to make sure that the nutrition messages are conveyed appropriately; 6) the use of a memorandum of understanding with anyone involved in the development of the video‐based training helps to clarify timelines, specify responsibilities, and provide alternative courses of actions when initial design or editing plans do not work as expected. In this era of visual learning, our development process can be informative to nutrition educators, charged with developing video‐based nutrition education materials.ConclusionThe development of video‐based online trainings is time consuming. The use of research based theories should facilitate the decision making process, increasing the likelihood that the online training will be an effective learning tool.Support or Funding InformationColorado's Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
Consumption of Low‐calorie Sweeteners in the United States 2011–12
Authors: Sylvetsky Allison Cara , Jin Yichen , Welsh Jean A , Rother Kristina I , Talegawkar Sameera A 
Published: November 2023

We have previously demonstrated that low‐calorie sweetener (LCS) consumption increased in the United States (US) between 1999 and 2008 (from 9% to 15 % in kids and from 27% to 32% in adults), but little is known about current consumption. We therefore analyzed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data collected in 2011–12 and compared LCS consumption patterns across socio‐demographic subgroups. Dietary sources of LCS were identified using NHANES food descriptions. Prevalence of consumption nationally and by age, race, gender, socio‐economic status, educational attainment, were estimated using two 24‐hour dietary recalls. F‐tests were used to evaluate differences in consumption across socio‐demographic subgroups. Forty percent of the adults and 25% percent of children reported consuming an LCS‐containing food or beverage in 2011–12. Twenty‐nine percent of adults consumed beverages and 10% consumed foods sweetened with LCS. In addition, 14% reported addition of LCS from packets to their foods or beverages. Similar findings were observed among children, with 18% and 8% consuming LCS‐containing beverages and foods, respectively. Less than 1% of children reported consuming LCS packets. LCS consumption was highest among non‐Hispanic white (45%) compared to non‐Hispanic black (28%), and Hispanic (33%) adults (p<0.001). More women (46%) than men (34%) consumed LCS (p<0.001). LCS consumption also increased with age (49% of adults aged 55+ years vs. 30% of adults 18–34 years, p<0.001), socio‐economic status (46% of adults in the highest vs. 28% in the lowest income tertile, p<0.001), and educational attainment (33% of adults with less than high school degree vs. 49% of those with college degrees or higher, p=0.001). Our results demonstrate that LCS consumption has continued to increase markedly in the US, with more striking increases in consumption among children. Consistent with prior data (12 % beverages with LCS vs. 4% foods and packets with LCS (combined) in kids and 25% beverages with LCS vs. 15% foods and packets with LCS (combined) in adults, in 2007–08) LCS‐containing beverage consumption continued to comprise the majority of reported LCS intake, among both children and adults.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University.
Medium and High Risk Alcohol Drinking Increases the Risk of Obesity in Korean Men: Prospective Cohort Analysis Based on the National Health Insurance Data
Authors: Kim Cho‐il , Kwon Sung‐Ok 
Published: November 2023

The prevalence of obesity (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) among Korean adults, albeit small, has increased rather rapidly over a couple of decades while that of overweight becomes stable. Although moderate drinking has been known for some health benefits, excessive ‐ drinking clearly provides extra energy and may result in unwanted weight gain. However, previous studies on this association have been limited and inconsistent. We estimated the relative risk (RR) of obesity in regards to alcohol drinking among Korean adults based on the health examination (HE) data from the National Health Insurance. We created a 10‐year prospective cohort data set from 2002–3 through 2012–13 period with 1,167409 men and 901,920 women (≥19 years) who were free of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, and normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 23.0 kg/m2) at baseline (year 2002–3). Alcohol drinking reported on a baseline questionnaire was used to classify subjects into 4 groups based on the WHO‐Criteria for risk of chronic harm. A total of 1,609 men and 2,015 women became obese during 10 year period. After adjusting for age, BMI, smoking status, dietary preference, physical activity, and health insurance premium deciles at baseline, the RRs of becoming obese across drinking groups were 1.00, 0.99 (95% CI: 0.87–1.13) and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.12–1.81) for abstainers, low risk drinking and medium & high risk drinking group, respectively, among men aged 19–49 years at baseline. In men aged 50–64 years at baseline, the corresponding RRs of becoming obese were 1.00, 0.94 (95% CI: 0.65–1.37), and 1.87 (95% CI: 1.12–3.11). On the other hand, RR for obesity was not significantly different in women, possibly due to small number of drinkers. This study clearly revealed that medium to high risk drinking increases the risk of obesity in Korean men and more so in older age. Onto the well‐known physiological and mental harm, chronic excessive drinking among men needs to be dealt with more comprehensive prospect in Korea and government's attention is warranted.Support or Funding InformationThis study was supported by a grant from the National Health Insurance Corporation in 2015.
Carbohydrates differentially influence children's efficiency during cognitive control tasks
Authors: Raine Lauren , Cohen Neal , Kramer Arthur , Hillman Charles , Khan Naiman 
Published: November 2023

Carbohydrates have received considerable attention for their role in modulating cognitive function due to the brain's preferential dependence on glucose as the primary energy source. However, the impact of different carbohydrates on children's cognitive abilities, particularly following an overnight fast, are unclear. This double‐blind, placebo controlled trial assessed the effects of formulae containing carbohydrates with varying glycemic properties on attentional and inhibitory control among 9–10‐year‐olds, following an overnight fast. All participants (N=95) consumed a non‐caloric placebo (artificially sweetened with sucralose) and were randomized to 1 of 3 isocaloric (150kcal) and macronutrient‐matched formulae containing different carbohydrate sources with varying absorption rates ((FAST [n=34], MODERATE [n=31], or SLOW [n=30])]). All groups were matched for key covariates including age, sex, SES, aerobic fitness, %Fat Mass, and fasted glucose. Cognitive control was assessed using a modified flanker task and an oddball task at baseline/fasted, 10min, and 65min postprandial. No significant differences in task performance were observed at 10min postprandial. At 65min postprandial, results from the flanker task revealed that the MODERATE group exhibited superior ability to maintain accuracy without concessions in reaction time (i.e., greater task efficiency [accuracy/reaction time]), relative to other caloric treatments. However, these changes were not significantly different from the placebo. On the other hand, the MODERATE group exhibited greater task efficiency, relative to the nutritive treatments and placebo, during the oddball task. These data demonstrate that ingestion of different sources of carbohydrates can influence how children meet their attentional and inhibitory demands while maintaining overall accuracy. Further, the neurocognitive effects observed for the non‐caloric placebo condition are suggestive of a beneficial impact of stabilizing glycemic conditions on short‐term fluctuations in cognitive control. Future research is needed to characterize the neurocognitive effects of fasting and to test the effects of modulating other macronutrients (e.g., lipids and proteins) on children's cognitive function in the morning.Support or Funding InformationSupported by the Center for Nutrition, Learning, and Memory at the University of Illinois, Abbott Nutrition, and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program grant (2011‐67001‐30101) to the Division of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Illinois.
Consuming 1 egg per day favorably alters diastolic blood pressure and plasma lipid profiles in a young, healthy population
Authors: DiMarco Diana M , Missimer Amanda M , Murillo Ana Gabriela , Lemos Bruno SO , Fernandez Maria Luz 
Published: November 2023

The effects of consuming 0 or 1 egg per day on weight, blood pressure, plasma lipids and plasma glucose was evaluated in young, healthy men and women (24.1 ± 2.2 years). Thirty eight participants (19 men and 19 women) underwent a two‐week washout period in which no eggs were consumed. This 2‐week period was followed by 4 weeks of intake of 1 egg per day. Following intake of 1 egg per day, a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) was observed. LDL cholesterol decreased by 11% from 83.5 ± 24.4 mg/dL to 74.5 ± 15.8 mg/dL as a result of the intervention (p < 0.025), while HDL cholesterol was significantly increased by 7% from 61.3 ± 12.9 to 64.0 ± 13.6 mg/dL (p < 0.05). Consequently, the LDL/HDL ratio was reduced by 15.4% (p < 0.001). We also observed a trend towards a decrease in total plasma cholesterol (p = 0.090). In addition, plasma glucose was decreased from 95.0 ± 7.0 mg/dL to 93.0 ± 7.4 mg/dL (p < 0.05) after the intake of 1 egg per day. No changes were observed in plasma triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, anthropometrics, liver enzymes, or C reactive protein (CRP). These data suggest that 1 egg per day may be an optimal intake to promote a healthy lipid profile in young, healthy individuals.Support or Funding InformationEsperance Family Foundation
RNA Sequencing: A Novel FADS2 Isoform Identified in Milk Fat Globule Suppresses FADS2 Mediated Delta 6‐Desaturation of Omega‐3 Fatty Acids
Authors: Kothapalli Kumar S.D , Park Hui Gyu , Guo Xiaoxian , Sun Xuepeng , Zou James , Hyon Stephanie S. , Qin Xia , Lawrence Peter , Ran‐Ressler Rinat R. , Zhang Ji Yao , Gu Zhenglong , Brenna James Thomas 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionHuman breastmilk is a complex oil‐in‐water emulsion, where lipid is primarily carried in milk fat globules (MFG). Breastmilk also carries mRNA and proteins that enable it, in principal, to be transcribed and make functional protein. Our objective was to investigate the appearance of mRNA transcripts with emphasis on the desaturase genes and their alternative transcripts relevant to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthesis.MethodsHuman breastmilk sample collected from a single donor was centrifuged to isolate MFG and to extract total RNA from MFG for construction of mRNA‐sequencing library. The library was sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq instrument operating in high output mode.ResultsRNA sequencing revealed >15,000 transcripts. Fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2), the central rate limiting enzyme in PUFA synthesis, is moderately expressed. A novel FADS2 alternative transcript (FADS2AT2) with 386 amino acids was identified. When FADS2AT2 (AT2) is transiently transfected to stable FADS2 MCF7 cells, suppression of delta 6 desaturation (D6D) product 18:4n‐3 and its downstream 20:4n‐3 and 20:5n‐3 fatty acids were observed compared to control cells. No significant changes were observed when incubated with omega‐6 fatty acid precursor 18:2n‐6. FADS2, FADS2AT1 and 5 out of 8 known FADS3AT were expressed in MFG. FADS1, FADS3AT3, and FADS3AT5 are undetectable. An in‐house built PERL script revealed existence of alternative splice sites for over 3500 MFG expressed genes.ConclusionThe noncatalytic regulation of FADS2 mediated D6D by AT2 is a plausible mechanism by which AT2 might regulate omega‐3 long chain PUFA biosynthesis.Support or Funding InformationR01 AT007003