A quantitative study of the total fat content of developing salmon eggs

BackgroundThe Food Access Research Atlas (FARA) is a nationally used measure for community food environment that informs resource allocation to improve food access and population health. However, because FARA flags census tracts (CTs) as low-access solely based on CT population’s proximity to supermarkets, it assumes supermarkets as the gold standard of food stores and may not adequately capture the food environments in racial minority neighborhoods, where ethnic stores can play a critical role.ObjectiveTo examine the accuracy of FARA and its underlying assumption by comparing FARA with our novel Google Maps-based Measure and evaluating the healthfulness of diverse food store types with our multi-ethnic compilation of Nutritional Environment Measures Survey (NEMS).MethodsThis cross-sectional study in Durham, North Carolina, leveraged Google Maps to develop three CT-level variables for food store access (intensity, per capita count, and density) and compared them between low-access and not-low-access CTs classified by FARA. This study then developed the first multi-ethnic NEMS compilation and conducted it among small, large, conventional, and ethnic food stores in Durham to evaluate their respective ability to provide healthy, affordable, and quality food.ResultsThe geographic distribution of low-access CTs was not consistent with that of CT-level store count. The intensity, per capita count, and density of large stores and ethnic stores did not significantly differ between low-access and not-low-access CTs. From NEMS, ethnic and large food stores could provide healthier, more affordable, and higher quality food than conventional and small food stores.ConclusionBy highlighting FARA’s limitations in measuring community food environment and casting doubt on FARA’s underlying assumption, this study highlights the need to shift the discourse away from the binary narrative that a lack of supermarkets equals a food desert, and instead examine the food access provided by existing networks of grocery stores, particularly ethnic stores in minority neighborhoods.

Obesity-induced insulin resistance leads to abnormalities in glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. Our study examined the differences in insulin-mediated glucose, amino acid, and lipid metabolism between morbidly obese subjects with non-obese controls and the associated changes following sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Non-obese controls and individuals with morbid obesity and scheduled for SG were recruited. Metabolic assessments were performed for all subjects at baseline and at 6months after SG for eight subjects. The hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique together with comprehensive metabolomic profiling was used to quantify insulin-mediated glucose, amino acid, and lipid metabolism. Eleven morbidly obese non-diabetic subjects scheduled for SG and nine non-obese controls were recruited. Compared to controls, obese subjects had significantly lower glucose uptake (4.4 ± 0.6 vs. 17.3 ± 2.4mg/kg FFM/min per μU/mL·100) and higher concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs, 332.5 ± 26.8 vs. 235.3 ± 11.0μM), non-esterified fatty acid (52.9 ± 9.9 vs. 25.6 ± 6.7μM), and lipid-related acylcarnitines (intermediate chain 389.8 ± 32.5 vs. 285.9 ± 20.5; long chain 301.7 ± 22.1 vs. 236.0 ± 13.3nM) during insulin clamp. Body weight significantly reduced at 6months after bariatric surgery (92.5 ± 6.3 vs. 115.2 ± 6.9kg), together with improvements in insulin-mediated glucose uptake, and suppression of BCAAs, non-esterified fatty acids, and lipid-related metabolites. Morbid obesity in Asian individuals was associated with impairment in the regulatory actions of insulin on glucose, amino acid, and lipid metabolism, and these obesity-induced regulatory dysfunctions improved significantly 6months after SG.

Biochemical compositions and transcriptome analysis reveal dynamic changes of embryonic development and nutrition metabolism in Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)

Wasted cladodes from the cactus pear ( Opuntia ficus spp.) are an environmental nuisance, and alternative measures are required to utilize this product, such as utilizing it as a ruminant feedstuff. By simulating ruminal fermentation through in vitro gas production, the fermentation characteristics of dried cladodes were compared with that of lucerne hay and oat hay. A completely randomized design with six replications was used to assess the kinetic parameters of gas production (lag time, rate of gas production and maximum volume of gas (V-max)), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) and ammonia nitrogen (N-NH 3 ) production during an incubation period of 96 h. Cladodes were collected from containers for organic wastes at large food stores in Mexico. The Vmax was similar between the substrates but the rate of gas production and IVDMD was higher for dried cladodes than for lucerne and oat hays, though the lag time of the cladodes was longer (9.5 vs. 6.5 and 6.7 h, respectively). Acetic and total VFA concentrations were similar during fermentation of dried cladodes and lucerne hay. These results suggested that ruminal microorganism fermented dried cladodes as well as when lucerne hay or oat hay were used as substrates in an in vitro fermentation system. Keywords: Feedstuffs, gas production, prickly pear, ruminants, spineless cactus

Unlike orthodox species, seed recalcitrance is poorly understood, especially at the molecular level. In this regard, seed maturation and germination were studied in the non-orthodox Quercus ilex by using a proteomics strategy based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight (2-DE-MALDI-TOF).Cotyledons and embryo/radicle were sampled at different developmental stages, including early (M1–M3), middle (M4–M7), and late (M8–M9) seed maturation, and early (G1–G3) and late (G4–G5) germination. Samples corresponding to non-germinating, inviable, seeds were also included. Protein extracts were subjected to 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and changes in the protein profiles were analyzed. Identified variable proteins were grouped according to their function, being the energy, carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolisms, together with protein fate, redox homeostasis, and response to stress are the most represented groups. Beyond the visual aspect, morphometry, weight, and water content, each stage had a specific protein signature. Clear tendencies for the different protein groups throughout the maturation and germination stages were observed for, respectively, cotyledon and the embryo axis. Proteins related to metabolism, translation, legumins, proteases, proteasome, and those stress related were less abundant in non-germinating seeds, it related to the loss of viability. Cotyledons were enriched with reserve proteins and protein-degrading enzymes, while the embryo axis was enriched with proteins of cell defense and rescue, including heat-shock proteins (HSPs) and antioxidants. The peaks of enzyme proteins occurred at the middle stages (M6–M7) in cotyledons and at late ones (M8–M9) in the embryo axis. Unlike orthodox seeds, proteins associated with glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, carbohydrate, amino acid and lipid metabolism are present at high levels in the mature seed and were maintained throughout the germination stages. The lack of desiccation tolerance in Q. ilex seeds may be associated with the repression of some genes, late embryogenesis abundant proteins being one of the candidates.

This research was intended to investigate the fetal origins of changed birth weight of the offspring born through assisted reproductive technology (ART). The association between hormone and lipid metabolism or body weight has been generally accepted, and as the basic and specific treatment in ART procedure, gonadotropin stimulation might have potential effects on intrauterine lipid metabolism. In our studies, the mice were superovulated with two doses of gonadotropin. The cholesterol metabolism in ovaries and the triglyceride metabolism in embryos were analyzed. The results showed gonadotropin probably accelerated luteinization and induced a longer time follicle development and ovulation, which resulted in histological and morphological alteration of ovary, and increased the cholesterol content and the expressions of steroidogenesis-related genes. In embryos, gonadotropin increased lipid accumulation and decreased fatty acid synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the changes of fatty acid composition were also shown in superovulation groups. Our studies firstly provided the evidence that the superovulation might affect the maternal and fetal lipid metabolism. These variations of lipid metabolism in our results may be associated with birth weight of ART infants.

Peculiarities of amino acid and lipid accretion and metabolism during embryogenesis were studied in the meat-type hens, which are associated with different relative yolk contents (a model of conditions of embryonal development of altricial and precocial birds). Prior to the 18-day embryogenesis, intensive lipid catabolism without accumulation of macroergs was found in the group with a high yolk content, while a higher level of amino acid metabolism was typical of the group with a low lipid content at the 18th–21st days of embryogenesis. The character of egg arginine utilization by embryos indicates a possibility of synthesis of this amino acid at early stages of embryonal development. There were revealed significant differences in the glycine synthesis levels: whereas at the period between the days 0 and 17 glycine was intensively produced in the both groups, on the days 18–21 this amino acid was synthesized only in the group with the high relative yolk content. Differences in the body cystine concentration between the 17- and 21-day old embryos depended on the relative yolk content, which indicates effect of this sign on the time of onset of keratin synthesis. The obtained data indicate that the yolk composition affects essentially the direction of metabolic processes in embryos.

We hypothesized that the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the butterfly were probably derived from the diet and that there might be a great loss of body fat during metamorphosis. To substantiate these hypotheses, we analyzed the fatty acid composition and content of the diet, the larva, and the butterfly Morpho peleides. Both the diet and the tissues of the larva and butterfly had a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the diet, linolenic acid accounted for 19% and linoleic acid for 8% of total fatty acids. In the larva, almost 60% of the total fatty acids were polyunsaturated: linolenic acid predominated at 42% of total fatty acids, and linoleic acid was at 17%. In the butterfly, linolenic acid represented 36% and linoleic acid represented 11% of total fatty acids. The larva had a much higher total fatty acid content than the butterfly (20.2 vs. 6.9 mg). Our data indicate that the transformation from larva to butterfly during metamorphosis drastically decreased the total fatty acid content. There was bioenhancement of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the diet to the larva and butterfly. This polyunsaturation of membranes may have functional importance in providing membrane fluidity useful in flight.

To clarify the impact of drought stress during germination on proso millet's physiological responses and metabolic features, this study used physiological and targeted-like metabolomics methods. With Longmi No. 7 (drought-tolerant, L1) and Longmi No. 15 (drought-sensitive, L2) as materials, we studied the enzyme activities, osmotic adjustment substances, and differential metabolites of proso millet. Results showed that under drought stress, L1's enzyme activities and osmotic adjustment substance contents were significantly higher than L2's, especially at 48-h treatment. 1085 known metabolites were identified from 24 samples, under normal germination, L1's main differential metabolites (amino acids, flavonoids, phytohormone, lipids, sugars, etc.) were enriched in amino acid, lipid, sugar, and energy metabolism pathways. L2's (amino acids, sugars, flavonoids, etc.) were in sugar, lipid metabolism, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and amino acid metabolism pathways. At 24-h treatment, the metabolic pathways of L1 were mainly concentrated in carbohydrate and nucleotide metabolism, while those of L2 were mainly in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. At 48 h, the metabolic pathways of L1 were mainly in carbohydrate, energy and lipid metabolism, and those of L2 were mainly in carbohydrate, lipid metabolism, biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites and amino acid metabolism. Under stress, L1's main differential metabolites were organic acids, sugars, flavonoids, amino acids, etc.; L2's were phytohormones, organic acids, sugars, flavonoids, amino acids. This study provides a new direction for the development of proso millet sprouts. Meanwhile, it offers new ideas and theoretical bases for the development of functional foods and the regulation of nutritional components of proso millet.

Objectives Recent studies have demonstrated that inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase activity rapidly reduces tumor glucose metabolism in sensitive cell lines. This suggests that imaging of tumor metabolism with positron emission tomography (PET) with the glucose analog [ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) could be used clinically to monitor treatment with EGFR kinase inhibitors. In this study, I investigated whether EGFR kinase inhibition specifically affects glucose metabolism or whether it also affects lipid and amino acid metabolism. In doing so, I am attempting to determine the best PET tracers to identify malignancies responding to EGFR kinase inhibitors in the clinics. Methods The lung cancer cell lines H3255 and A549 served as models for tumors that are sensitive and resistant to EGFR kinase inhibition, respectively. Glucose, amino acid, and lipid metabolism were studied by measuring the uptake of radiolabeled analogs of glucose, tyrosine, and choline. Uptake of these tracers was assayed in vitro after incubating cells with increasing doses of the EGFR kinase inhibitor erlotinib and in vivo by PET imaging of tumor bearing mice before and after erlotinib treatment. In vitro blocking studies with specific reagents were performed to elucidate the mechanisms of tyrosine and choline uptake. Results In sensitive H3255 cells, erlotinib decreased glucose uptake 54 ± 2% within 4 hours, whereas tyrosine and choline uptake were unaffected. In resistant A549 cells, no reduction of tracer uptake was observed for any of the studied tracers. These in vitro findings were confirmed in H3255 xenografted mice, which demonstrated a selective reduction of glucose uptake by 50 ± 5% after two doses of erlotinib. In A549 xenografts, erlotinib had no measurable metabolic effects. In H3255 and A549 cells, 2-amino-2-norbornanecarboxylic acid, a specific inhibitor of l-type amino acid transport, reduced tyrosine uptake by 83 ± 1% and 75 ± 1%, and cold choline inhibited choline uptake with IC50s of 5 μM and 6 μM, respectively. Conclusion These observations suggest that efficacious erlotinib treatment specifically modulates glucose, but not amino acid or lipid metabolism, as EGFR kinase inhibition may not affect the l-type amino acid transport system or the high-affinity choline transport system. Thus, the glucose analog FDG is the most promising tracer for monitoring treatment with EGFR kinase inhibitors in the clinics.

Principal substrates of fetal metabolism.

The purpose of this article is to identify food deserts using a geographic information system (GIS)-based multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) approach in the city of Tehran. We have found that, compared to technocratic methods, GIS-based MCDM and taking into account people or their agents' opinions in the food deserts analysis leads to different results. Whereas measuring food deserts based on the distance to large retail food stores indicated that a large part of the northern neighborhoods of Tehran do not have access to large food stores, identifying the food desert through the GIS-based MCDM approach revealed that northern neighborhoods of Tehran have relatively good access to healthy, affordable food. In addition, results indicated that individual factors have a more effective role than environmental factors in food accessibility. Food accessibility analysis revealed that more than 26.6 percent of Tehran's people (2,049,796) are living in very low and low food accessibility areas. Accordingly, to achieve a relatively healthy and inclusive food environment, establishment of a food council, development of mobile food markets and farmers' markets, extension of public transport, enhancement of food literacy, and community-based development of small full-service grocery stores, especially in southern and western sections of Tehran, should be pursued. In addition, addressing Tehran's food desert issues would be incomplete without due attention to the wider political and economic environment.

Public health research has increasingly focused on how access to resources affects health behaviors. Mapping environmental factors, such as distance to a supermarket, can identify intervention points toward improving food access in low-income and minority communities. However, the existing literature provides little guidance on choosing the most appropriate measures of spatial access. This study compared the results of different measures of spatial access to large food stores and the locations of high and low access identified by each. The data set included U.S. Census population data and the locations of large food stores in the six-county area around Chicago, Illinois. Six measures of spatial access were calculated at the census block group level and the results compared. The analysis found that there was little agreement in the identified locations of high or low access between measures. This study illustrates the importance of considering the access measure used when conducting research, interpreting results, or comparing studies. Future research should explore the correlation of different measures with health behaviors and health outcomes.

Store profitability and public policies to improve food access in non-metro U.S. counties

Background: This study was part of a larger comprehensive project (BIOACID) addressing the physiological resilience of Polar cod, Boreogadus saida, to ocean acidification and global warming and aimed to unravel underlying molecular mechanisms of the observed physiological responses. Methods: Fish were acclimated long-term to three CO2 concentrations comprising control conditions (390 ppm) and two projected climate scenarios (780 ppm and 1170 ppm). Each CO2 treatment was combined with four temperatures: 0, 3, 6, and 8 °C. Here, we focused on the hepatic transcriptomic profiles from these previously physiologically characterized fish. Results: Generally, we did not detect signs of a classical stress response. Consistent with functional observations, warming induced much stronger molecular responses compared to elevated PCO2, but an interaction between both factors existed to some extent. Gene ontology analysis revealed a strong response in lipid, amino acid, and protein metabolism. With increasing temperature, we observed a shift away from lipid metabolism, while carbohydrate metabolic pathways remained stable. Conclusions: Although we found Polar cod to be quite resilient to ocean acidification, temperature will remain a critical parameter for this valuable Arctic keystone species, and the question remains as to whether the observed acclimation strategies can be implemented in its natural habitat, especially when food supply is limited.