Biology subjects

Ulrich, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Ulrich, A..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Neuro-metabolic pathways of high-protein meal reducing food craving

Across species, high-protein foods have been shown to reduce appetite throughout the day. Although higher protein intake alters multiple metabolic responses, the exact neuro-metabolic mechanisms underlying food craving remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether a protein-rich diet modulates plasma tyrosine dynamics, the precursor of dopamine, thereby altering dopaminergic brain activity and reducing food craving in humans. In this within-subject, cross-over study, 30 healthy participants (age, Mean=23.63, SD=3.23 years) were provided with either a high- or low-protein/carbohydrate breakfast. Three and a half hours after breakfast, participants viewed high-or low caloric food images while undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and their subjective food craving was assessed using the validated Food Craving Questionnaire- State version. Through the experimental procedure, plasma tyrosine levels were continuously monitored. Our results show that the high-protein/carbohydrate breakfast significantly enhanced plasma tyrosine levels, which were negatively associated with subjective food craving several hours after meal intake. Importantly, we observed significantly stronger midbrain activity following the high-protein/carbohydrate breakfast, which was associated with greater reduction in subjective food craving. Furthermore, we analyzed brain gradients that characterize spatial patterns of large-scale neural activity, allowing us to examine the entire process underlying dietary choices at the whole-brain level. Compared with the low-protein/carbohydrate breakfast, the high-protein/carbohydrate breakfast reduced whole-brain functional reorganization, indicating lower neural sensitivity to high- versus low-caloric food stimuli. Notably, the degree of this high-protein/carbohydrate induced brain-state shift was related to the reduction in food craving. Together, these results provide strong evidence that high-protein/carbohydrate meals modulate dopaminergic mechanisms and large-scale whole-brain neural reorganization, contributing to reduced food craving throughout the day in humans.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Global Genotype by Environment Prediction Competition Reveals That Diverse Modeling Strategies Can Deliver Satisfactory Maize Yield Estimates

Predicting phenotypes from a combination of genetic and environmental factors is a grand challenge of modern biology. Slight improvements in this area have the potential to save lives, improve food and fuel security, permit better care of the planet, and create other positive outcomes. In 2022 and 2023 the first open-to-the-public Genomes to Fields (G2F) initiative Genotype by Environment (GxE) prediction competition was held using a large dataset including genomic variation, phenotype and weather measurements and field management notes, gathered by the project over nine years. The competition attracted registrants from around the world with representation from academic, government, industry, and non-profit institutions as well as unaffiliated. These participants came from diverse disciplines include plant science, animal science, breeding, statistics, computational biology and others. Some participants had no formal genetics or plant-related training, and some were just beginning their graduate education. The teams applied varied methods and strategies, providing a wealth of modeling knowledge based on a common dataset. The winners strategy involved two models combining machine learning and traditional breeding tools: one model emphasized environment using features extracted by Random Forest, Ridge Regression and Least-squares, and one focused on genetics. Other high-performing teams methods included quantitative genetics, classical machine learning/deep learning, mechanistic models, and model ensembles. The dataset factors used, such as genetics; weather; and management data, were also diverse, demonstrating that no single model or strategy is far superior to all others within the context of this competition.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2020

Eating to dare - Nutrition impacts human risk decision and related brain function

Macronutrient composition modulates plasma amino acids that are precursors of neurotransmitters and can impact brain function and decisions. Neurotransmitter serotonin has been shown to regulate not only food intake, but also economic decisions. We investigated whether an acute nutrition-manipulation inducing plasma tryptophan fluctuation affects brain function, thereby affecting risky decisions. Breakfasts differing in carbohydrate/protein ratios were offered to test changes in risky decision making while metabolic and neural dynamics were tracked. We identified that a high-carbohydrate/protein meal increased plasma tryptophan which mapped to individual risk propensity changes. Moreover, the meal-driven fluctuation in tryptophan and risk propensity changes were modulated by individual difference in body fat mass. Using fMRI, we further identified activation in the parietal lobule during risk-processing, of which activities 1) were correlated with the risk propensity changes in decision making, 2) were sensitive to the tryptophan fluctuation, and 3) were modulated by individuals body fat mass. Furthermore, the activity in the parietal lobule positively mediated the tryptophan-fluctuation to risk-propensity-changes relationship. Our results provide evidence for a personalized nutrition-driven modulation on human risky decisions and its metabolic and neural mechanisms.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2018

Genetic determinants of risk and survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension

BackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disorder leading to premature death. Rare genetic variants contribute to disease etiology but the contribution of common genetic variation to disease risk and outcome remains poorly characterized.\n\nMethodsWe performed two separate genome-wide association studies of PAH using data across 11,744 European-ancestry individuals (including 2,085 patients), one with genotypes from 5,895 whole genome sequences and another with genotyping array data from 5,849 further samples. Cross-validation of loci reaching genome-wide significance was sought by meta-analysis. We functionally annotated associated variants and tested associations with duration of survival.\n\nFindingsA locus at HLA-DPA1/DPB1 within the class II major histocompatibility (MHC) region and a second near SOX17 were significantly associated with PAH. The SOX17 locus contained two independent signals associated with PAH. Functional and epigenomic data indicate that the risk variants near SOX17 alter gene regulation via an enhancer active in endothelial cells. PAH risk variants determined haplotype-specific enhancer activity and CRISPR-inhibition of the enhancer reduced SOX17 expression. Analysis of median survival showed that PAH patients with two copies of the HLA-DPA1/DPB1 risk variant had a two-fold difference (>16 years versus 8 years), compared to patients homozygous for the alternative allele.\n\nInterpretationWe have found that common genetic variation at loci in HLA-DPA1/DPB1 and an enhancer near SOX17 are associated with PAH. Impairment of Sox17 function may be more common in PAH than suggested by rare mutations in SOX17. Allelic variation at HLA-DPB1 stratifies PAH patients for survival following diagnosis, with implications for future therapeutic trial design.\n\nFundingUK NIHR, BHF, UK MRC, Dinosaur Trust, NIH/NHLBI, ERS, EMBO, Wellcome Trust, EU, AHA, ACClinPharm, Netherlands CVRI, Dutch Heart Foundation, Dutch Federation of UMC, Netherlands OHRD and RNAS, German DFG, German BMBF, APH Paris, Inserm, Universite Paris-Sud, and French ANR.

genetics↗