bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implications of Taste Receptor Polymorphisms in Dietary Interventions: TAS2R38 Polymorphisms Associate with Changes in Vegetable Intake
Authors: Schisler Jonathan C. , Calancie Larissa , Lenhart Kaitlin , Keyserling Thomas , Gizlice Ziya , Patterson Cam , Ammerman Alice 
Published: November 2023

Few Americans meet consumption recommendations for dark green and orange vegetables that are strongly associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases. The ability to detect propylthiouricil, or PROP, is linked to vegetable preference and frequency of vegetable consumption. The TAS2R38 gene encodes a g‐protein coupled receptor that binds PROP and phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). Both PROP and PTC resemble natural bitter compounds found in green vegetables. Our study examined if allele status of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, rs10246939) in the TAS2R38 gene associated with bitter taste perception in vegetables affects: 1) the frequency of reported vegetable consumption prior to, and 2) the change in frequency of vegetable consumption after six months of either an enhanced or a minimal nutrition counseling intervention within the Heart Healthy Lenoir (HHL) study. SNP status was obtained from HHL participants either through DNA isolated from peripheral blood cells using the Infinium Human Omni Express Exome+ BeadChip (Illumina) and standard imputation methods for missing genotypes. Frequency of vegetable intake and covariates (age, gender, race, income) were available for 491 and 373 participants at baseline and at the six‐month follow‐up, respectively. We found that bitter taste genotype at rs10246939 was not associated with vegetable intake at baseline (p=0.90). After the dietary intervention we found a significant difference in frequency of vegetable intake from baseline to follow‐up between groups defined by SNP status (p<0.001); participants that were heterozygous or homozygous for the bitter taste genotype in rs10246939 consumed fewer vegetables suggesting that dietary intervention success regarding dark green vegetable intake may be influenced by underlying genetic differences in taste perceptions. We completed imputation of all three bitter taste receptor gene clusters (chromosomes 5, 7, and 12) within our dietary intervention cohort as well as a plasma carotenoid panel and are currently performing additional association analyses between these additional bitter taste receptor polymorphisms, carotenoid levels, and reported vegetable intake. Our results suggest that bitter taste genetic variation could be utilized in designing interventions to promote healthy eating.Support or Funding Information1P50HL105184‐01 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Validation of Fatty Acids Regulated Genes in Adipocytes and Muscle Cells
Authors: Li Yi , Gonzalez Trevor , Wang Mengyuan , Cheng Elliott 
Published: November 2023

The prevalence of obesity/type 2 diabetes has dramatically increased during last two decades in the United States. Environmental factors including diets may play an important role in developing of these conditions. Adipose and muscle tissues are both significantly affected with these diseases. In order to study epigenetic modifications induced by environmental factors, we have been validating genes screened out from adipocytes and muscle cells by microarrays. In this study, 3T3‐L1 adipocytes and L6 muscle cells were cultured in media containing saturated fatty acids to mimic hyperlipidemia conditions, which occur during the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. DNA microarrays were used to identify differentially expressed genes in adipocytes and muscle cells by saturated and poly unsaturated fatty acids. We have validated some of the genes that were screened out by DNA microarrays including RASA2, MEF2C, GRP78, etc by real time PCR. RASA2 functions as a suppressor of Ras. It may be involved in growth suppression of muscle cells by saturated fatty acids. In addition, it has been confirmed by using Western Blots that saturated fatty acid palmitic acid induces stress in muscle cells and unsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid does not induce cell death through apoptosis pathway. We will further look into if epigenetic mechanisms are involved in regulation of the validated genes.Support or Funding InformationStartup funds from Texas A&M University‐Kingsville
Variation in ALDH4A1, Proline Intake and Plasma Proteins in a Population of Young Adults
Authors: Jamnik Joseph , Kim Mun Heui , Borchers Christoph , El‐Sohemy Ahmed 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundThe effects of dietary proline content on the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans have recently been shown to differ between wild‐type strains and those with a mutation in alh‐6, a gene involved in proline metabolism. However, this association has not been examined in humans.ObjectiveThe objective was to determine whether there is an interaction between dietary proline intake and common genetic variations in the ALDH4A1 gene, the human ortholog of alh‐6, on proteomic biomarkers in humans.MethodsSubjects were Caucasian participants of the Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health Study (n=488), a cross sectional examination of young adults aged 20–29 years. Dietary proline intake was estimated using a 196‐item semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A panel of 54 plasma proteins that become dys regulated during the progression of many chronic conditions were measured using a multiple reaction monitoring HPLC‐MS/MS assay. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ALDH4A1 gene (rs9117 and rs4912075) were genotyped and the association between these SNPs and the plasma proteome was examined using general linear models (GLMs) adjusted for age, sex, BMI and hormonal contraceptive use among women. GLMs were then used to determine whether stratification by the median value of energy‐adjusted proline intake modified any observed associations.ResultsThere was a significant interaction (p<0.05) between ALDH4A1 variant rs4917025 and proline intake on circulating levels of apolipoprotein I and histidine‐rich glycoprotein, as well as an interaction between rs9117 and proline intake on concentrations of apolipoprotein D, zinc‐α2‐glycoprotein and serum amyloid P‐component (p<0.05).ConclusionThese results indicate that genetic variation in ALDH4A1 may interact with dietary proline intake in humans to influence concentrations of various proteomics biomarkers of health.Support or Funding InformationResearch support from the Advanced Foods and Materials Network.
Untargeted Profiling of the Urinary Metabolomes of Smokers and Nonsmokers after a Strawberry Intervention
Authors: Teegarden Matthew D , Cichon Morgan J. , Cooperstone Jessica L. , Ahn‐Jarvis Jennifer H. , Weghorst Christopher M , Vodovotz Yael , Schwartz Steven J. 
Published: November 2023

A growing body of evidence suggests that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of several tobacco‐related cancers. This effect is possibly mediated by the rich profile of phytochemicals found in these products. Promising evidence from laboratory and clinical trials with berries suggest that these fruits and their associated phytochemicals may modulate several risk factors for oral and esophageal cancers. However limited research exists on the metabolic interaction of berry consumption and tobacco exposure. The objective of this work was to investigate changes in the urinary metabolomes of smokers and non‐smokers following a dietary intervention with confections made with whole strawberries. Samples were obtained from a previously conducted placebo‐controlled, randomized, crossover clinical trial, in which smokers and nonsmokers consumed confections containing lyophilized strawberry powder (24 g powder/day) and placebo confections, each for seven days. An untargeted UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS based metabolomic approach was used to profile metabolites present in urine collected during the last 24 hours of each intervention phase. Following multivariate statistical analyses of the over 3000 metabolites detected, metabolic profiles of subjects differentiated primarily by smoking status but also by strawberry or placebo confection consumption. Key distinguishing features included nicotine‐derived metabolites as well as compounds tentatively associated with metabolism of strawberry phytochemicals. These results will inform future work on the prevention of smoking‐related cancers with dietary interventions such as berries.Support or Funding InformationClinical trial was supported through the Oho Agricultural Research and Development Center.
Spontaneous Preterm Delivery, Dietary Choline Intake and DNA Hypomethylation of Tumor Related Genes in Pregnant Women
Authors: Chen Xinhua , Bai Guang , Scholl Theresa O. 
Published: November 2023

AimsPreterm delivery and sub‐optimal fetal growth are associated with each other and affect both mother and infant. Our aims were to determine (1) whether changes in maternal DNA methylation from entry are associated with spontaneous preterm delivery with and without reduced fetal growth and (2) whether dietary nutrient intake including choline and folate are different between preterm cases and term controls.MethodsWe conducted a case‐control study nested within a large prospective cohort (Camden Study). Gene specific methylation was measured by Methyl‐Profiler PCR Array in a Human Breast Cancer Signature Panel of 24 genes from maternal peripheral leukocytes genomic DNA at entry to care and the 3rd trimester (sampled at 16 and 30 weeks of gestation, respectively). Clonal bisulfite DNA sequencing was performed to confirm the changes in selected genes (CYP1B1, GADD45A and CXCL12). A 24‐hour recall of the previous day's diet was obtained at entry (<20 weeks) and weeks 20 and 28 gestation. The total daily intake of nutrients from all three 24‐hour recalls was averaged for the pregnancy. Multivariable ANOVA with control for confounding was used for data analysis.ResultsThere was significantly increased DNA unmethylation in 15 of 24 genes during the 3rd trimester in cases of spontaneous preterm delivery (n=23) as compared to the controls (n=19) (p<0.05 ‐ p<0.01 for each gene). Similar results were observed by bisulfite sequencing for 3 genes. The change in DNA methylation between late and early gestation was significantly different in cases (overall increase in unmethylation was 4.5 ± 1.4%) compared to the controls (overall decrease in unmethylation was −13.6 ± 2.8%, p<0.0001). A graded pattern of DNA unmethylation was observed in 15 genes. Cases who delivered preterm with reduced fetal growth had the highest level of unmethylation, cases delivering preterm without reduced fetal growth were next and term controls were lowest in unmethylation (p for trend <0.05 to p<0.01 for each gene). Cases of preterm delivery had significantly lower dietary free (p<0.05) and total choline intake (p<0.01) as well as a trend toward lower folate intake (p>0.05). There were no differences in the intake of macronutrients or other B vitamins.ConclusionsThese data are potentially significant for the identification of women at risk of preterm delivery as well as for the identification of modifiable factors like diet that modulate or influence epigenetic regulation.Support or Funding InformationNIH ‐ National Institute of Minority and Health Disparities (1R01MD007828 to XC) and University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Foundation Grant (PC75‐12 to XC).
Long chain Fatty Acid Receptor 4 (FFAR4) mediates EPA‐miR30b axis activation for promoting brown adipogenesis
Authors: Kim Jiyoung , Okla Meshail , Natarajan Sathish Kumar , Chung Soonkyu 
Published: November 2023

Emerging evidence suggests that n‐3 poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) promote BAT thermogenesis. However, underlying mechanisms remain elusive. It is well established that free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4) is the n‐3 PUFA receptor, and microRNAs (miR) play a key role for brown adipogenesis. However, regulation of miR by n‐3 PUFA is unknown. Here we hypothesized that activation of FFAR4 by n‐3 PUFA promote brown adipogenesis by modulating miR. To test this hypothesis, brown adipocyte precursor cells were induced to differentiate in the presence and absence of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and investigated the changes of miR during brown adipogenesis. The increase of brown signature genes (e.g., Ucp1, Cidea) by EPA was positively correlated with miR‐30b. Given that miR‐30b increases brown adipogenesis by targeting RIP140, a nuclear receptor corepressor, we further hypothesized that FFAR4 mediates EPA to miR‐30b for brown adipogenesis. Treatment of GW9805, a FFAR4 agonist, recapitulated the increase of brown adipogenic marker Ucp1, Cidea and miR‐30b expression, and the decrease of RIP140. The increase of Ucp1 expression by EPA was dampened by silencing of FFAR4, but augmented by exogenous miR‐30b mimics. Intriguingly, miR‐30b mimic alone was not sufficient to stimulate Ucp1 expression in FFAR4‐silenced cells, suggesting that a signaling interaction between FFAR4 and miR‐30b. Consistently, the blockage of miR‐30b expression by LNA inhibitor remarkably attenuated GW9805‐induced Ucp1 expression. Taken together, our results demonstrate that activation of FFAR4 by n‐3 PUFA increases miR‐30b expression, which further promotes transcriptional activation of brown adipogenesis by targeting transcriptional repressor RIP140.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NIH 1P20GM104320
Serum carotenoids, retinol, and retinyl esters in Midwestern premenopausal women
Authors: Mondloch Stephanie J , Binkley Neil , Arscott Sara , Tanumihardjo Sherry 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundVitamin A status assessment is not straightforward. Serum carotenoids are reflective of dietary intake of fruits and vegetables and thus, may be helpful in identifying populations with sufficient provitamin A carotenoid intake. These measurements may help support other biomarkers of vitamin A status.ObjectivesThis study measured serum carotenoids, retinol, and retinyl esters in 37–50‐year‐old women (n=118) screened for a recent clinical trial.MethodsSerum carotenoids, retinol, and retinyl esters were determined with ultra‐performance LC. Dietary intakes were determined by Harvard Food Frequency Questionnaire (n=118). Total and regional body fat percentages were determined by DXA (n=63). C‐reactive protein (EIA kit, Cayman Chemical Co., Ann Arbor, MI) was used as a measure of inflammationResultsMean total serum carotenoids (α‐ and β‐carotene, β‐cryptoxanthin, lutein, and lycopene) were 2.02 ± 0.76 μmol/L. When lycopene was not included, this value dropped to 1.42 ± 0.70 μmol/L. Provitamin A carotenoids were 1.03 ± 0.62 μmol/L. Serum retinol concentration was 1.55 ± 0.33 μmol/L, and five women had values ≤1.0 μmol/L. Retinyl esters were detected in 36% of subjects (n=43), with an average of 0.05 μmol retinyl esters/L. Retinyl ester percentage of total retinol ranged from 0–29%.ConclusionsSerum retinol concentration was low in 4.2% of the women. Vitamin A assessment may be enhanced by concurrently determining provitamin A carotenoid profiles and retinyl ester concentrations.Support or Funding InformationSupport: Funded by Standard Process, Inc., an endowment entitled “Friday Chair for Vegetable Processing Research”, and Global Health funds.
Acceptability of Iron‐Biofortified Pearl Millet Among Young Children in Urban Slums of Mumbai, India
Authors: Huey Samantha Lee , Udipi Shobha , Finkelstein Julia L. , Ghugre Padmini , Haas Jere , Thakker Varsha , Thorat Aparna , Salvi Ashwini , Kurpad Anura , Mehta Saurabh 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveTo examine the acceptability of iron‐biofortified (82 ppm Fe) pearl millet (FePM; ICTP 8203) compared to commercially available (28 ppm Fe) pearl millet (CPM) among young children living in urban slums of Mumbai, India, in preparation for an efficacy trial of the biofortified crop.MethodsEighteen standardized traditional feeding program recipes were prepared with either FePM or CPM staple cereal flour. Children (n=59; 6–24 months) were recruited from an urban slum in Mumbai to participate in the acceptability study over a one to three day period. The weight (g) of each food product was recorded before and after consumption. T‐tests were used to compare mean intakes of each food product developed for both types of pearl millet.ResultsThe consumption and acceptability of food products made with FePM and CPM flour were high in this population. There were no significant differences in consumption of foods developed from ICTP 8203‐Fe PM (mean ± SD = 22.6 ± 9.7 g), compared to the commercially available pearl millet (mean ± SD = 21.9 ± 6.4 g) across all 18 different recipes.ConclusionsConsidering the high acceptability and consumption of food products containing pearl millet and the similarity in the acceptance of recipes with either variety of pearl millet, we conclude that these varieties of pearl millet can be used in a proposed randomized, controlled feeding trial to test the efficacy of FePM for improving iron status, immune function, cognition, and growth in this population.Support or Funding InformationHarvest Plus
Prepregnancy Vitamin D Deficiency and Placental Growth and Development in Mice
Authors: Gernand Alison D , Cantorna Margherita T , Diaz Francisco J , Snyder Lyndsay M , Hester James M , Vasudevan Sreelakshmi , Kamat Manasi M , Ott Troy L 
Published: November 2023

The global prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in women of reproductive age is high. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to numerous adverse pregnancy outcomes with placental origins, including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Our objective was to examine the effect of prepregnancy and early pregnancy vitamin D deficiency on placental growth and vascular development. We modeled vitamin D deficiency using a Cyp27B1 genetic knockout (KO) mouse fed no dietary vitamin D (n=6); these mice cannot convert the circulating vitamin D metabolite to the biologically active metabolite. Wild‐type (WT) mice with a vitamin D sufficient diet were the control (n=6). All mice were fed the respective diet from 3 weeks of age onward. At 8 weeks of age, mice were mated to genetically dissimilar males to produce allogeneic embryos. Mice were euthanized at 12.5 days gestation and placental and fetal morphometry was measured which included fetal and placental weights and the area of the middle cross‐section of the placenta. Placental mRNA was estimated by qPCR for angiogenic proteins (angiopoeitin‐1 (Ang‐1), Ang‐2, vascular endothelial growth factor a (VEGFa), VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1), and placental growth factor (PlGF)). Linear regression models were fit with a generalized estimating equation (GEE) for each outcome examined to account for the clustering of placentas/fetuses within mothers. An interaction by fetal sex was also examined for each outcome. KO mice and WT mice had a similar number viable fetuses and a similar percentage of male fetuses at 12.5 days (7.0 vs. 8.3 per mother and 50% vs. 36%, respectively; both p>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences for KO vs. WT offspring for fetal weight or crown‐rump length (p>0.05). There were also no observed differences for placental weight between groups (p>0.05). However, the total area of the cross‐section of the placenta and the fetal area of the placenta were each larger for KO vs. WT mice (1.04 mm, p=0.024, and 0.600 mm, p=0.046, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences for KO vs. WT in placental Ang‐1, Ang‐2, or VEGFR‐1 mRNA (all p>0.05) but, KO placentas exhibited higher expression of PlGF (p=0.015). Further, placentas from KO mothers exhibited lower expression of VEGFa compared to WT placentas and this effect was stronger in placentas of female offspring (p=0.055 for interaction). Prepregnancy and early pregnancy maternal vitamin D deficiency in mice caused differential expression of angiogenic factors and growth of the placenta. These factors should further be studied in human pregnancies.Support or Funding InformationPenn State College of Health and Human Development
Dietary Protein Bioavailability in Bariatric Surgery Rat Models
Authors: Bruneau Ouafa , Cavin Jean‐Baptiste , Ribeiro‐Parenti Lara , Khodorova Nadezda , Tomé Daniel , Bado André , Le Gall Maude , Gaudichon Claire 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionBariatric surgery is an efficient treatment of massive obesity but can trigger nutritional deficiencies, especially regarding vitamins and proteins. Protein wasting may be observed, but with large variations of prevalence. Additionally to an insufficient protein intake, protein malabsorption logically appears as a risk factor. However, there is little data on protein digestion after bariatric surgery. This study aimed to clarify the risk of protein malabsorption in two rat models of bariatric surgery, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux‐en‐Y gastric by‐pass (RYGB).MethodsRats were fed a high fat diet for 3 months. They underwent RYGB (n=9) or SG (n=7) surgeries. Each group was paired with a sham pair‐fed group (n=4/group). During 15 d post‐surgery, dietary intake, weight and body composition were measured. At day 15 post‐surgery, rats were given a test meal containing 15N labeled proteins and sacrificed 6 h after the meal. Non‐absorbed 15N labeled dietary protein was quantified 6 h after the test meal in gastrointestinal segments (stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon) by elemental analyzer coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Small intestine morphology was studied by histology.Results3/9 rats and 7/7 rats survived to RYGB and SG, respectively. On d 15 post‐surgery, dietary intake was 49 % and 36 % decreased in RYGB and SG groups (P<0.001), respectively. Fat mass decreased by 32 % in both RYGB and SG groups and 21 % in sham pair‐fed groups (P=0.07). Lean mass loss ranged between 10 % in RYGB to 4 % in sham pair‐fed groups without any significant difference between groups. Hypoalbuminemia was observed in all groups. Non‐absorbed dietary nitrogen was similar between groups in small intestinal segments whereas it was higher in colon in RYGB compared to SG rats (2.8 ± 0.3 vs 1.1 ± 0.2 %, P=0.01). True protein digestibility was 93 ± 1.3 %, without any difference between groups. Histology revealed a hypertrophy of the jejunum mucosa after RYGB and SG and ileum mucosa after RYGB.ConclusionThis study did not show protein malabsorption after RYGB compared to SG or sham operated rats. Jejunum hypertrophy may have compensated the reduction of absorption area and preserved protein bioavailability. Further studies are needed to confirm this result.