bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Food insecurity during pregnancy and the early postpartum period is associated with reduced exclusive breastfeeding at four months postpartum in a cohort of women in Western Kenya
Authors: Bates Marlana , Hartman Terryl , Grant Frederick , Girard Amy Webb 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundHousehold food insecurity (FIS) is a global public health issue in both developed and developing countries with consequences for maternal physical and mental health and women's capacity to care for young children. Research on whether FIS influences breastfeeding practices is limited and inconsistent.ObjectiveWe assessed the effects of household FIS experienced during pregnancy and the early postpartum period on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first four months of life.MethodsData were from 399 mother‐child dyads residing in Western Kenya and participating in a nested cohort study examining the impacts of an integrated agriculture, nutrition, and health intervention on maternal and child nutrition. Data on FIS were collected with the FANTA household food insecurity access scale at three time points: enrollment in early pregnancy, one month prior to delivery and at four months postpartum. Breastfeeding practices were assessed by maternal recall at 4 months postpartum and included timing of breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity of breastfeeding in the first week postpartum, exclusivity from birth to four months, and EBF in the previous 24‐hours. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the associations of these exposures with the four outcomes.Results47.9% of infants initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. While 64.4% reported EBF in the 24 hours prior to the four month postpartum visit, only 34.8% reported EBF from birth through to the four months postpartum visit. During at least two study visits, 62.4% of women reported household FIS; only 19.3% were food secure during all three study visits. In adjusted analyses, household FIS was not associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding. Compared to women who were never FIS during the follow‐up period, women reporting household FIS for at least two of three follow‐up visits had a 45% lower odds of EBF from birth through four months of life (aOR: 0.55 [95% CI: 0.30–0.99]), and a 61% lower odds of EBF in the previous 24 hours (0.39 [0.20–0.76]). Compared to never FIS, those who reported FIS only once during the follow‐up period had 55% lower odds of EBF from birth through 4 months (0.45 [0.22–0.94]) and 60% lower odds of EBF in the previous 24 hours (0.40 [0.18, 0.87]).ConclusionsBoth chronic and acute household FIS were each associated with reduced EBF at four months postpartum in Western Kenya. FIS should be considered when devising strategies to improve exclusive breastfeeding initiation and maintenance.Support or Funding InformationThis project was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Emory University.
Experiences of Household Food Insecurity in Rural Colombia: Qualitative Analysis of Women Smallholder Farmers
Authors: Burkhardsmeier Britni , Rhodes Elizabeth , Girard Amy Webb , Yount Kathryn M. , Hines Deborah 
Published: November 2023

Women's views on the consequences of household food insecurity (FIS) are underexplored in Colombia. This study explored women's perspectives on the influence of household FIS on their family's health and dietary diversity.We carried out qualitative research in two departments in Colombia (Cauca and Caquetá). We recruited women from 14 smallholder farmers associations and conducted 22 in‐depth interviews (IDIs) (11 in each department). IDIs were conducted in Spanish using a semi‐structured, pilot tested, in‐depth interview guide. All IDIs were digitally recorded. Interview recordings were transcribed verbatim into Spanish, translated into English, and analyzed using a grounded theory approach.In a preliminary analysis, we identified key themes around women's experiences with FIS. Most of the 22 women indicated that they could provide food for their families. However, they struggled to purchase nutritious and diverse foods because of the high cost of fruits and vegetables. Women emphasized the importance of eating fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet. They worried that not having these foods available in their households limited their children's consumption of healthy foods and negatively impacted their children's health. Many women indicated that, while it was not the main worry, accessing healthy foods was also a concern for their partners. They described how the worries around access to food contributed to stress in the household. Women coped with difficulties in food access in a variety of ways, such as obtaining loans from family, friends, and neighbors, using a store's layaway service, or consuming products from their own farms. Together, these initial findings provide insights on the range of adverse consequences of FIS from the perspectives of women.A rich understanding of how women smallholder farmers in Cauca and Caquetá experience FIS can help agriculture programs be responsive to the needs articulated by women in these departments. The results of this study provide in‐depth knowledge of the food security challenges that women smallholder farmers in two departments face, enabling appropriate planning of future interventions targeting this population.Support or Funding InformationRollins School of Public Health, Emory University; UN WFP Colombia (country office, sub‐offices of Pasto, Florencia, and Cali); Universidad Nacional de Colombia; and UN Women
Predicting weight gain in adults – results from a multi‐center cohort approach
Authors: Boeing Heiner , Steffen Annika 
Published: November 2023

The aim of the study was to develop a risk score for substantial weight gain among German adults. Substantial weight gain was defined as gaining ≥10% of weight between baseline and end of follow‐up. Information on 15 variables (age, sex, baseline weight, education, sport smoking, alcohol, sleep disorders, fruits and vegetable, meat, fish, whole‐grain, cake and cookies, chocolate, soft drinks) from 32,204 participants of five population‐based German cohort studies was used for the prediction model. All participants had a follow‐up time of more than 6 years. The cohort‐specific background survival probabilities at 5 years were estimated based on the average value of each predictor over all individuals of the five cohorts and subsequently meta‐analytically combined. The meta‐analysed beta‐coefficients of the predictors were transformed into score points. Cross‐validation was used to evaluate the score's discriminatory accuracy. On average, study participants gained 299g to 429g weight per year, depending on the cohort. With the 15 variables, a cross‐validated c index (95% CI) was 0.71 (0.67 to 0.75) obtained. Baseline age and weight most strongly determined risk. A cut‐off value of ≥475 score points yielded a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 63%. The corresponding positive and negative predictive values were 10.4% and 97.6%, respectively. The study showed that substantial weight gain can moderately be predicted. In view of the low prediction ability, the rate of false positives could be high if a high sensitivity is aspired. Nevertheless, the proposed risk score could support health care providers in a proper decision‐making and also facilitate an efficient selection of subjects into intervention trials.Support or Funding Information“Kompetenznetz Adipositas (Competence Network Obesity)” funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (FKZ: 01GI1121B).
Maternal Diet‐Induced Hypercholesterolemia Programs Lipoprotein Metabolism by Increasing VLDL Particle Number and Size in C57BL6/J Mouse Progeny
Authors: Mathew Joyce , Dumolt Jerad H , Raslawsky Amy , Rideout Todd C 
Published: November 2023

Early exposure to excessive cholesterol, in utero or in the early postnatal life, may program lipid metabolism in later life and predispose adult offspring to cardiovascular disease risk. However, little is known regarding the influence of maternal hypercholesterolemia on blood lipids and lipoprotein distribution throughout the life course. To better understand the influence of maternal hypercholesterolemia on blood lipids and lipoprotein distribution in offspring, blood lipid phenotyping was performed on newly‐weaned offspring (postnatal day 21) and chow‐fed adult offspring (postnatal day 84) born to mothers fed a chow diet or a chow diet supplemented with 0.15% cholesterol throughout gestation and lactation (n=6/group). Blood lipids including total‐C, HDL‐C, and LDL‐C were measured with enzymatic assay, and blood lipoprotein particle number and size were determined through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Maternal serum total‐C during gestation (week 2) was higher (p≤0.05) in cholesterol‐supplemented dams compared with chow‐fed dams (87.5 ± 3.7 vs. 67.0 ± 3.5 mg/dL). Newly‐weaned and adult pups from chow or cholesterol‐supplemented mothers did not differ (p≥0.05) in serum lipid profile (total‐C, LDL‐C, or HDL‐C) or LDL and HDL particle number and size. However, both newly‐weaned pups and adult offspring born to cholesterol‐supplemented mothers demonstrated an increase (p≤0.05) in VLDL particle number and VLDL size compared with offspring from chow‐fed mothers. These results suggest that early exposure to cholesterol through maternal diet‐induced hypercholesterolemia influences VLDL distribution and size in newly‐weaned mouse offspring that persists into adulthood.Support or Funding InformationSupported by the National Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Hypercaloric Diet Does Not Induce Metabolic Syndrome in Wistar Rats
Authors: Medeiros Alessandra , Moura Elizabeth O. C. , Gomes Moisés F. P. , Cardoso Naiara Magalhães , Santos Ana Carolina C. , Kubota Melina C. , Estadella Débora 
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUNDStudies have shown that metabolic syndrome (MS) is an important predictor of cardiovascular events. Although genetic susceptibility is essential, the MS components generally arise as a result of a sedentary lifestyle and diet rich in carbohydrates and lipids. To better understand the pathophysiological process of the disease becomes necessary to establish experimental models that have the same characteristics of the disease in humans.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of a hypercaloric diet (HFFD 25% fructose and 25% saturated fat) in the induction of MS.METHODSYoung (5 weeks old) or adult rats (12 weeks old) were randomly assigned into control or HFFD groups: control young (CTL‐Y, n=10) and HFFD young (HFFD‐Y, n=10); control adult (CTL‐A, n=10) and HFFD adult (HFFD‐A, n=10). All groups were subjected to analysis of blood glucose, triacylglycerol (TAG), body mass (BM) and blood pressure (BP) by tail plethysmography weekly, for 14 weeks. Furthermore, in the 13th week were performed ITT and GTT tests.RESULTSEven though the animals presented BM difference in the last week of the protocol (CTL‐Y=380.8 g vs. HFFD‐Y=451.7 g, p<0.001) and (CTL‐A=423.7 g vs. HFFD‐A=495.4 g, p<0.05), there were no significant changes in systolic BP (CTL‐Y=134 mmHg vs. HFFD‐Y=150 mmHg, p>0.05) and (CTL‐A=137 mmHg vs. HFFD‐A=127 mmHg, p>0.05) or diastolic BP (CTL‐Y=74 mmHg vs. HFFD‐Y=77 mmHg, p>0.05) and (CTL‐A=79 mmHg vs. HFFD‐A=64 mmHg, p>0.05). The TAG profile did not change, except in adult rats, when we performed t test only with the data from the last week (CTL‐Y=97 mg/dL vs. HFFD‐Y=95 mg/dL, p>0.05) and (CTL‐A=88 mg/dL vs. HFFD‐A=137 mg/dL, p<0.001; F=2.90). However, there was no difference in the two‐way analysis of variance in this variable in both groups. Finally, HFFD‐Y showed glucose tolerance, GTT (CTL‐Y=82 mg/dL vs. HFFD‐Y=92 mg/dL, p<0.001; F=6.94), but insulin tolerance ITT (CTL‐Y= 66 mg/dL vs. HFFD‐Y=63 mg/dL, p> 0.05, F=0.43). While HFFD‐A was not significantly different from CTL‐A in GTT (CTL‐A=78 mg/dL vs. HFFD‐A=79 mg/dL, p>0.05, F=0.06) and ITT (CTL‐A=78 mg/dL vs. HFFD‐A=79 mg/dL, p>0.05, F=0.07).CONCLUSIONThese data demonstrate that the hypercaloric diet used in our study was ineffective for the development of MS components in young and adult rats.Support or Funding InformationFAPESP e CNPq
Maternal Obesity Increases Sweet Taste Response and Sweet Taste Receptor mRNA Expression in Adult Offspring
Authors: Choo Ezen , Dando Robin 
Published: November 2023

Maternal body mass index and gestational weight gain predict future over‐weight/obese status in children and adolescents. Based on animal studies, in both rodents and non‐human primates, maternal obesity predicts a preference for palatable foods in the offspring, suggesting an increased preference for foods rich in fat, sugar, and/or salt. In this study, we investigate whether the underlying basis for an increase in palatable food consumption in the offspring of maternally obese mice is due to a change in taste. Mice were fed a control or high fat diet before and during gestation/lactation, with all offspring subsequently maintained on control diet after weaning; thus, the only experience with high fat diet for the offspring was through maternal exposure during early development. Taste response was assessed in offspring after reaching maturity, using brief‐access taste testing. The female offspring of maternal obesity showed an enhanced response to sucrose (F4,146=3.986, p=0.004), whereas the males did not (F4,118=0.512, p=0.7271). We hypothesize that this enhanced response results from changes in the expression profile of taste buds for sweet taste receptors. We performed qPCR to assay taste receptor expression, and found that both subunits composing the sweet receptor heterodimer, T1R2 and T1R3, to be increased in the female offspring of obese dams compared to lean (T1R2 p=0.035, T1R3 p=0.00053). In male offspring of obese dams, T1R2 (p=0.000091) expression was also increased compared to lean, but not T1R3 (p=0.21). The results indicate that behavioral changes in the adult offspring induced by maternal obesity correlate with increased expression of sweet taste receptors in the taste buds, which may drive the increased preference for palatable foods reported in offspring of maternally obese mice. These findings highlight the importance of maternal health and the long‐term impacts of maternal obesity on offspring health.Support or Funding InformationCenter for Vertebrate Genomics
Root Bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Ameliorates Alcohol‐induced Hepatic Steatosis in Mice by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress‐mediated MAPK Activation
Authors: Pan Jeong‐Hoon , Lim Yejin , Shin Hyeji , Kim Jun Ho , Lee Ki Yong , Kim Jae Kyeom , Lee Jinhyup , Kim Young Jun 
Published: November 2023

Alcohol‐induced hepatic steatosis and apoptosis are key drivers of alcohol‐induced liver injury which is mainly caused by oxidative stress. Roots bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica has been known for its strong anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory potency. In the present study, we examined if this plant is able to ameliorate alcohol‐induced liver injuries due to their anti‐oxidative capacity. C57BL/6J mice were treated with 100 mg/kg bodyweight root bark extract of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (RUE) and 1 g ethanol for 5 days. Alcohol‐induced liver injury markers were evaluated and putative molecular mechanisms responsible for protection of RUE were investigated. As results, in histological analysis, mice treated with RUE exhibited noticeable protection against alcohol‐induced hepatic steatosis. Oxidative stress‐induced p38 and JNK MAPK activation increased lipogenic signaling genes (e.g. SREBP‐1c, FAS, ACC) whereas the RUE significantly reduced reactive oxygen species level which in turn, reduced activation of p38, JNK MAPK, and its down‐stream genes expression. The results herein indicate that RUE counteracts alcoholic liver injury in mice possibly through suppressing MAPK signaling‐mediated steatosis.Support or Funding InformationThe research was supported by the International Science and Business Belt Program through the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (Grant Number: 2015K000388).
Muscadine Grape (Vitis rotundifolia) or Wine Supplement Alleviates Intestinal Inflammation in a Chronic Colitis Mice Model
Authors: Li Ruiqi , Zhao Shaomin , Yagiz Yavuz , Gu Liwei 
Published: November 2023

Our previous study showed that phytochemicals extracted from muscadine grapes or wine attenuated the intestinal inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced acute colitis in mice. The objective of this study was to determine whether whole muscadine grapes or dealcoholized muscadine wine had similar protective effects against chronic colitis in mice. Forty‐eight mice (C57BL/6J, female, 6‐week‐old) were randomized into four groups: healthy control, disease control, muscadine grape powder (MGP, 7% w/w in diet), and dealcoholized muscadine wine (DMW, 3.5% w/w in diet). After 4 weeks of feeding, mice in the disease control, MGP, and DMW feeding groups were given 3% DSS in drinking water for 7 days. Following DSS removal, mice developed chronic colitis in week 6–8. The severity of colonic inflammation was evaluated using disease activity index, colon length, histopathological analysis, myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), and levels of cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α) in the colon. Short chain fatty acids in fecal samples were determined at the beginning of week 1, 4, 5, and 8. The results showed that a diet supplemented with MGP or DMW alleviated chronic colitis symptoms by preventing weight loss, reducing disease activity index, and preserving colonic length. The MGP or DMW diets also significantly decreased the MPO activity and levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α in colon tissues (P < 0.05). Histological analysis showed significant (P < 0.05) protective effects on the colon structure integrity in mice fed MGP or DMW diets. These were in accordance with significantly (P < 0.05) increased levels of butyric acid in feces of mice fed MGP or DMW diets. These results suggested that muscadine grapes or wine are promising dietary strategy in mitigating inflammatory bowel diseases.Support or Funding Information This research was funded in part by Florida Viticulture Advisory Council and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Service.
Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) improves gut health in animal model of colon cancer
Authors: Costa Neuza MB , Grancieri Mariana MB , Viana Mirelle L , Tostes Maria GV , Ignacchiti Mariana DC 
Published: November 2023

Colorectal cancer (CC) affects the integrity, permeability and the barrier function of the intestinal cells. Yacon flour (YF) (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a rich source of prebiotics, fructo‐oligosaccharides (FOS), with potential benefits to intestinal health. Its effect on the CC, however, is still unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the intestinal effects of YF supplementation in animal model of induced colon cancer. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into groups S (without CC and without YF, n=10), C (with CC and without YF, n=12), Y (without CC and with YF, n=10) and CY (with CC and YF, n=12). Groups C and CY received, subcutaneously, a weekly dose of 25 mg/kg body weight of 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine (DMH) for 5 weeks, followed by eight weeks for CC development. During this period of 13 weeks, all groups received commercial chow. Thereafter, the AIN‐93 M diet was provided, and the Y and CY groups consumed YF in amounts sufficient to provide 7.5% of FOS. After 8 weeks, were determined: intestinal permeability, intraluminal pH, endotoxemia (Lipopolysaccharides ‐ LPS), aberrant crypt foci (ACF), qualitative histology (apical diameter, baseline diameter and crypt depth, beyond the crypts count per field), Secretory IgA (SIgA), and butirate. The data were analyzed by two‐way ANOVA (analysis of variance) followed by Newman‐Keuls test (p <0.05) to evaluate the effect of the CC, YF and the interaction between them. The protocol was approved by the Ethic Committee (CEUA‐UFES#004/2014). Yacon flour exerted beneficial and significant effect on intestinal permeability, given that the urinary excretion of lactulose and mannitol was lower in Y and CY groups compared to control groups (S and C). Furthermore, there was a positive action in reducing the intraluminal pH, the percentage of ACF levels, in addition to increased number and depth of the colonic crypts. There was also a significant increase in butyrate and SIgA secretion in the groups fed YF. However, it was not observed effectiveness of YF on the number of ACF and in LPS. In conclusion, the YF was effective in the modulation of gut health in animal model of colorectal cancer.Support or Funding InformationCNPq ‐ Brazil
Systemic Metabolomic Changes in Mice Fed a High Fat Diet and Supplemented with Lactobacillus plantarum
Authors: Martinic Alice , Mishchuk Darya , Barouei Javad , Bendiks Zach , Heeney Dustin , Kieffer Dorothy , Martin Roy , Marco Maria , Slupsky Carolyn 
Published: November 2023

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in developed nations and is characterized by a group of factors that raise the risk for developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It has previously been shown that ingestion of certain strains of Lactobacillus are associated with improvement in MetS risk factors, however the mechanisms of these beneficial effects are largely unknown. In this study, C57BL/6J male mice were fed a lard‐based high fat diet (45% of calories from fat) for nine weeks followed by supplementation with Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 (Lp) for six weeks (n=10 per group). NMR metabolomics, gene expression, and microbiota composition were analyzed to assess the systemic effects of probiotic supplementation. Significant differences in metabolite concentrations (including amino acids in serum and colon contents) and gene expression (including tight junctions in intestine and inflammation in adipose) were observed between groups. No significant differences were found in body or organ weight with Lp supplementation and no global microbiota structure changes were observed in the cecum; however, a significantly greater abundance of OTUs aligning to Lactobacillus plantarum were observed in the treatment group. These results indicate Lp supplementation impacts systemic phenotype without broad changes to the microbiome. Furthermore, this study supports the notion that consumption of Lp may be beneficial in the context of a high fat diet.Support or Funding InformationFunding was provided by the American Diabetes Association.
Alacalase‐Hydrolyzed Camellia Seed Hull Inhibited Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Activity and Lowered Blood Pressure in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Pan Jeong‐Hoon , Lim Ho‐Jeong , Shin Eui‐Cheol , Kim Jae Kyeom 
Published: November 2023

High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for various diseases and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) plays a critical role in the renin‐angiotensin‐aldesterone system; specifically, ACE can elevate blood pressure by converting decapeptide angiotensin I to oxtapeptide angiotensin II, a potent vasopressor. In our study, the responsive surface methodology was adopted to establish optimal Alcalase‐hydrolysis conditions of camellia seed hull against ACE activity. The optimum conditions are hydrolysis temperature of 50.98°C, Enzyme/Substrate ratio of 2.85%, and hydrolysis pH of 7.12. In an animal feeding study, SHRs were treated with either a low or high dose of hydrolysed C. japonica seed cake over 5 weeks. Even though SBP was not statistically different, the high dose of C. japonica hydrolysate lowered DBP (106±4.4 mmHg vs. 145±5.9 mmHg) at 5th week. A similar trend was also observed in serum ACE activity. Lipid markers, (total plasma cholesterol, total plasma triacylglycerol, and plasma HDL cholesterol) were not influenced by the C. japonica hydrolysate. Considering that this camellia seed hull is a major resource of this plant, our study provides interesting preliminary data to utilize this plant for both academic and industrial applications.Support or Funding InformationThis research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF‐2014R1A1A2058119).