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Title:
Saturated fat intake and cardiovascular disease in Japanese population. [Review]
Authors:
Yamagishi, Kazumasa; Iso, Hiroyasu; Tsugane, Shoichiro
Abstract:
The evidence for the impact of saturated fat intake on cardiovascular disease remains inconsistent. One reason for this inconsistency may be the large difference in the distribution of saturated fat intake between the East and West. In this review, we focus on the published literature on this topic among Japanese population. Three studies have examined the link between saturated fat intake and intraparenchymal hemorrhage, consistently showing an inverse association. However, the association for ischemic stroke is less clear, although it is generally inverse. As for myocardial infarction, the findings in Japanese studies are inconsistent, as are those of Western studies. The JPHC study, however, found a positive association, the first report in Asia. Taken together with the results of the JPHC and Western studies, a saturated fat intake of around 20 g/day (approximately 10% of total energy) may be optimal, which corresponds to 200 g of milk a day and 150 g of meat every other day.
Published:
2015
Title:
Selenium status is associated with colorectal cancer risk in the European prospective investigation of cancer and nutrition cohort
Authors:
Hughes, D.J.; Fedirko, V.; Jenab, M.; Schomburg, L.; Méplan, C.; Freisling, H.; Bueno-De-Mesquita, H.B.; Hybsier, S.; Becker, N.-P.; Czuban, M.; Tjønneland, A.; Outzen, M.; Boutron-Ruault, M.-C.; Racine, A.; Bastide, N.; Kühn, T.; Kaaks, R.; Trichopoulos, D.; Trichopoulou, A.; Lagiou, P.; Panico, S.; Peeters, P.H.; Weiderpass, E.; Skeie, G.; Dagrun, E.; Chirlaque, M.-D.; Sánchez, M.-J.; Ardanaz, E.; Ljuslinder, I.; Wennberg, M.; Bradbury, K.E.; Vineis, P.; Naccarati, A.; Palli, D.; Boeing, H.; Overvad, K.; Dorronsoro, M.; Jakszyn, P.; Cross, A.J.; Quirós, J.R.; Stepien, M.; Kong, S.Y.; Duarte-Salles, T.; Riboli, E.; Hesketh, J.E.
Abstract:
Suboptimal intakes of the micronutrient selenium (Se) are found in many parts of Europe. Low Se status may contribute to colorectal cancer (CRC) development. We assessed Se status by measuring serum levels of Se and Selenoprotein P (SePP) and examined the association with CRC risk in a nested case-control design (966 CRC cases; 966 matched controls) within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Se was measured by total reflection X-ray fluorescence and SePP by immunoluminometric sandwich assay. Multivariable incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression. Respective mean Se and SePP levels were 84.0 μ/L and 4.3 mg/L in cases and 85.6 μ/L and 4.4 mg/L in controls. Higher Se concentrations were associated with a non-significant lower CRC risk (IRR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.82-1.03 per 25 lg/L increase). However, sub-group analyses by sex showed a statistically significant association for women (ptrend=0.032; per 25 μ/L Se increase, IRR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.70-0.97) but not for men. Higher SePP concentrations were inversely associated with CRC risk (ptrend=0.009; per 0.806 mg/L increase, IRR50.89, 95% CI: 0.82-0.98) with the association more apparent in women (ptrend=0.004; IRR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.72-0.94 per 0.806 mg/L increase) than men (ptrend50.485; IRR50.98, 95% CI: 0.86-1.12 per 0.806 mg/L increase). The findings indicate that Se status is suboptimal in many Europeans and suggest an inverse association between CRC risk and higher serum Se status, which is more evident in women. © 2014 UICC.
Published:
2015
Title:
Self-Deception
Authors:
von Hippel, William
Abstract:
This chapter suggests that self-deception evolved to facilitate interpersonal deception by allowing people to avoid the cues of conscious deception that might reveal deceptive intent. Self-deception also eliminates the costly cognitive load that is typically associated with deceiving, and can minimize retribution if the deception is discovered. Beyond its role in specific acts of deception, self-deceptive self-enhancement also allows people to display more confidence than is warranted, which has a host of social advantages. Self-deception manifests itself in a number of different psychological processes, and this chapter reviews various types of self-deception. Finally, the chapter provides a brief review of recent research on self-deception and its role in deceiving others.
Published:
2015
Title:
Sleep Deficiency and Deprivation Leading to Cardiovascular Disease
Authors:
Kohansieh, Michelle; Makaryus, Amgad N.
Abstract:
Sleep plays a vital role in an individual's mental, emotional, and physiological well-being. Not only does sleep deficiency lead to neurological and psychological disorders, but also the literature has explored the adverse effects of sleep deficiency on the cardiovascular system. Decreased quantity and quality of sleep have been linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. We explore the literature correlating primary sleep deficiency and deprivation as a cause for cardiovascular disease and cite endothelial dysfunction as a common underlying mechanism.
Published:
2015
Title:
Socio-economic status and ethnicity are independently associated with dietary patterns: the HELIUS-Dietary Patterns study
Authors:
Dekker, Louise H.; Nicolaou, Mary; van Dam, Rob M.; de Vries, Jeanne H. M.; de Boer, Evelien J.; Brants, Henny A. M.; Beukers, Marja H.; Snijder, Marieke B.; Stronks, Karien
Abstract:
The adoption of the Western diet has been suggested to increase the risk of adverse health effects such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (9), also among ethnic minority groups (10). [...]this paper aims to describe the dietary patterns of one of the largest ethnic minority groups in the Netherlands (South Asian and African origin Surinamese) in comparison with the majority, Dutch origin, population and to investigate to what extent SES characteristics of these populations contribute to differences in dietary patterns both between and within ethnic groups. Assessment of dietary patterns Dietary patterns were derived on the basis of principal components analysis (PCA), which assesses the correlations between food groups to identify the underlying patterns in the data.\n A prospective cohort study of dietary patterns of non-western migrants in the Netherlands in relation to risk factors for cardiovascular diseases:
Published:
2015
Title:
Soybean Oil Is More Obesogenic and Diabetogenic than Coconut Oil and Fructose in Mouse: Potential Role for the Liver
Authors:
Deol, Poonamjot; Evans, Jane R.; Dhahbi, Joseph; Chellappa, Karthikeyani; Han, Diana S.; Spindler, Stephen; Sladek, Frances M.
Abstract:
The obesity epidemic in the U.S. has led to extensive research into potential contributing dietary factors, especially fat and fructose. Recently, increased consumption of soybean oil, which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), has been proposed to play a causal role in the epidemic. Here, we designed a series of four isocaloric diets (HFD, SO-HFD, F-HFD, F-SO-HFD) to investigate the effects of saturated versus unsaturated fat, as well as fructose, on obesity and diabetes. C57/BL6 male mice fed a diet moderately high in fat from coconut oil and soybean oil (SO-HFD, 40% kcal total fat) showed statistically significant increases in weight gain, adiposity, diabetes, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance compared to mice on a diet consisting primarily of coconut oil (HFD). They also had fatty livers with hepatocyte ballooning and very large lipid droplets as well as shorter colonic crypt length. While the high fructose diet (F-HFD) did not cause as much obesity or diabetes as SO-HFD, it did cause rectal prolapse and a very fatty liver, but no balloon injury. The coconut oil diet (with or without fructose) increased spleen weight while fructose in the presence of soybean oil increased kidney weight. Metabolomics analysis of the liver showed an increased accumulation of PUFAs and their metabolites as well as γ-tocopherol, but a decrease in cholesterol in SO-HFD. Liver transcriptomics analysis revealed a global dysregulation of cytochrome P450 (Cyp) genes in SO-HFD versus HFD livers, most notably in the Cyp3a and Cyp2c families. Other genes involved in obesity (e.g., Cidec, Cd36), diabetes (Igfbp1), inflammation (Cd63), mitochondrial function (Pdk4) and cancer (H19) were also upregulated by the soybean oil diet. Taken together, our results indicate that in mice a diet high in soybean oil is more detrimental to metabolic health than a diet high in fructose or coconut oil.
Published:
2015
Title:
Statins and Changing Number Needed to Treat (NNT)
Authors:
Grimes
Abstract:
The absolute and proportionate benefits of statins for the primary prevention of deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD) are well-established. However its utility and cost-benefit depend on the prevalence of CHD and the incidence of deaths from it. At a time of very significant decline of deaths from CHD, the utility of statin medications for primary prevention of death must be continually reviewed. The number needed to treat (NNT) to delay one death will exponen-tially increase towards infinity and the time will be reached when statins for primary prevention will no longer be justi-fied. We might have reached this point as at present. The current NNT for death is about 1000 for men and 5000 for women aged less than 50 years, corresponding to prices of \pounds200 000, $300 000 and \pounds1million, $1.5 million respectively. We must remember that the major decline of deaths from CHD occurred before the introduction of statins. endpoint. The initial definitive statin primary prevention trial was the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS) [11] and the main endpoint was death. The data was presented clearly and it provides a good example for further assessment. The mortality reduction was from 4.2% in the control group to 3.1% in the treated group after five years. There was thus an absolute reduction of deaths by 1.1% (4.2-3.1) and this is the way in which people can most easily understand the effectiveness of the medication. However it sounds more dramatic if it is presented as a proportionate reduction of 26%, ((4.2-3.1)/4.2) x100. This is the result of the dubious process of taking percentages of percentages. 26% does not apply to the study groups directly but it is 26% of the mortality rate in the control group, and this usually not made clear. In this study, for 100 men treated for five years 1.1 men did not die. The NNT was thus (100/1.1) = 91, meaning that 91 high risk men in the west of Scotland, aged between 55 and 65 years with serum cholesterol greater than 6.5 mmol/L, needed to be treated (with pravastatin) for five years to prevent one death. The men were recruited in about 1980 and they had what was about the world's highest incidence of CHD deaths, a peak of 960 per 100 000 per annum in 1970. [12] The prospect of treating 91 such men for five years to prevent, or delay, one death has been judged to be reasonable. In clinical practice the age range, the serum cholesterol limits, and the geography of residence have been extended considerably. At the time of the study only propriety pravastatin was available and the cost of one death delayed was \pounds166 075 (91x365x5x\pounds1), $249 000, at current prices of proprietary pravastatin (\pounds1, $1.5 per day) [13].
Published:
2015
Title:
Stress, meditation, and Alzheimer's disease prevention: Where the evidence stands
Authors:
Khalsa, Dharma Singh
Abstract:
Although meditation is believed to be over five thousand years old, scientific research on it is in its infancy. Mitigating the extensive negative biochemical effects of stress is a superficially discussed target of Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevention, yet may be critically important. This paper reviews lifestyle and stress as possible factors contributing to AD and meditation's effects on cognition and well-being for reduction of neurodegeneration and prevention of AD. This review highlights Kirtan Kriya (KK), an easy, cost effective meditation technique requiring only 12 minutes a day, which has been successfully employed to improve memory in studies of people with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and highly stressed caregivers, all of whom are at increased risk for subsequent development of AD. KK has also been shown to improve sleep, decrease depression, reduce anxiety, down regulate inflammatory genes, upregulate immune system genes, improve insulin and glucose regulatory genes, and increase telomerase by 43%; the largest ever recorded. KK also improves psycho-spiritual well-being or spiritual fitness, important for maintenance of cognitive function and prevention of AD. KK is easy to learn and practice by aging individuals. It is the premise of this review that meditation in general, and KK specifically, along with other modalities such as dietary modification, physical exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization, may be beneficial as part of an AD prevention program.
Published:
2015
Title:
The 2015 US dietary guidelines: Lifting the ban on total dietary fat
Authors:
Mozaffarian, Dariush; Ludwig, David S.
Abstract:
Every 5 years, the US Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services jointly release the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines have far-reaching influences across the food supply, including for schools, government cafeterias, the military, food assistance programs, agricultural production, restaurant recipes, and industry food formulations. An accurate revision of the Dietary Guidelines is crucial to the health of millions of people. Integral to this process is the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) report, just released,1 prepared by appointed scientists who systematically review the literature and provide evidence-based recommendations to the secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. In the coming months, the secretaries will review the DGAC recommendations; consider comments from the public, academics, advocacy groups, and industry; and finalize the Dietary Guidelines.
Published:
2015
Title:
The Difference in Depression and Anxiety Rate between Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians: A National Study among Icelandic Adolescents
Authors:
Pétursdóttir, Karen Gréta Minney
Abstract:
English Previous studies on vegetarianism have shown various health benefits of a vegetarian diet but the aim of this study was to examine the effects of a vegetarian diet on mental health, namely on depression and anxiety. Results from studies in this field vary a lot; some researches indicate that a vegetarian diet decreases the likelihood of depression and anxiety while others suggest that it can increase their likelihood. The data used in this study was collected by the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis (ICSRA) in 2013. Participants were 2150 Icelandic high school students between the ages of 16 and 24. Results suggested that there was no significant difference in depression and anxiety between vegetarians and nonvegetarians when both meat and fish consumption were examined. However there was a difference between the groups when meat consumption was looked at separately. Those who did not eat meat had significantly higher scores on the depression scale than those who ate meat. There was not a difference on the anxiety scale. These results lead to the conclusion that excluding meat from your diet can increase the likelihood of depression.
Published:
2015
Title:
The Importance of Dietary Carbohydrate in Human Evolution
Authors:
Hardy, Karen; Brand-Miller, Jennie; Brown, Katherine D.; Thomas, Mark G.; Copeland, Les; Dykhuizen, Handling Editor Daniel E.
Abstract:
AbstractWe propose that plant foods containing high quantities of starch were essential for the evolution of the human phenotype during the Pleistocene. Although previous studies have highlighted a stone tool-mediated shift from primarily plant-based to primarily meat-based diets as critical in the development of the brain and other human traits, we argue that digestible carbohydrates were also necessary to accommodate the increased metabolic demands of a growing brain. Furthermore, we acknowledge the adaptive role cooking played in improving the digestibility and palatability of key carbohydrates. We provide evidence that cooked starch, a source of preformed glucose, greatly increased energy availability to human tissues with high glucose demands, such as the brain, red blood cells, and the developing fetus. We also highlight the auxiliary role copy number variation in the salivary amylase genes may have played in increasing the importance of starch in human evolution following the origins of cooking. Salivary amylases are largely ineffective on raw crystalline starch, but cooking substantially increases both their energy-yielding potential and glycemia. Although uncertainties remain regarding the antiquity of cooking and the origins of salivary amylase gene copy number variation, the hypothesis we present makes a testable prediction that these events are correlated.
Published:
2015
Title:
The Ketogenic Diet and Sport: A Possible Marriage?
Authors:
Paoli, Antonio; Bianco, Antonino; Grimaldi, Keith A.
Abstract:
The ketogenic diet (KD) is used widely as a weight loss strategy and, more rarely, as therapy for some diseases. In many sports, weight control is often necessary (boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, etc.), but the KD usually is not considered. Our hypothesis is that KD might be used to achieve fat loss without affecting strength/power performance negatively.
Published:
2015
Title:
The Prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors:
Anderson, Emma L.; Howe, Laura D.; Jones, Hayley E.; Higgins, Julian P. T.; Lawlor, Debbie A.; Fraser, Abigail
Abstract:
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Narrative reviews of paediatric NAFLD quote prevalences in the general population that range from 9% to 37%; however, no systematic review of the prevalence of NAFLD in children/adolescents has been conducted. We aimed to estimate prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in young people and to determine whether this varies by BMI category, gender, age, diagnostic method, geographical region and study sample size. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all studies reporting a prevalence of NAFLD based on any diagnostic method in participants 1-19 years old, regardless of whether assessing NAFLD prevalence was the main aim of the study. RESULTS: The pooled mean prevalence of NAFLD in children from general population studies was 7.6% (95%CI: 5.5% to 10.3%) and 34.2% (95% CI: 27.8% to 41.2%) in studies based on child obesity clinics. In both populations there was marked heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 98%). There was evidence that prevalence was generally higher in males compared with females and increased incrementally with greater BMI. There was evidence for differences between regions in clinical population studies, with estimated prevalence being highest in Asia. There was no evidence that prevalence changed over time. Prevalence estimates in studies of children/adolescents attending obesity clinics and in obese children/adolescents from the general population were substantially lower when elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was used to assess NAFLD compared with biopsies, ultrasound scan (USS) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CONCLUSIONS: Our review suggests the prevalence of NAFLD in young people is high, particularly in those who are obese and in males.
Published:
2015
Title:
The Role of Uric Acid and Methyl Derivatives in the Prevention of Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors:
Cutler, Roy G.; Camandola, Simonetta; Malott, Kelli F.; Edelhauser, Maria A.; Mattson, Mark P.
Abstract:
High uric acid (UA levels have been correlated with a reduced risk of many neurodegenerative diseases through mechanisms involving chelating Fenton reaction transitional metals, antioxidant quenching of superoxide and hydroxyl free radicals, and as an electron donor that increases antioxidant enzyme activity (e.g. SOD. However, the clinical usefulness of UA is limited by its' low water solubility and propensity to form inflammatory crystals at hyperuricemic levels. This review focuses on the role of UA in neuroprotection, as well as potential strategies aimed at increasing UA levels in the soluble range, and the potential therapeutic use of more water-soluble methyl-UA derivatives from the natural catabolic end-products of dietary caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine.
Published:
2015
Title:
The Vegetarian Habit in Italy: Prevalence and Characteristics of Consumers
Authors:
Ponzio, Elisa; Mazzarini, Giorgia; Gasperi, Gaia; Bottoni, Maria Chiara; Vallorani, Sarah
Abstract:
Many individuals around the world follow vegetarian diet. The aim of this study was to examine the variables associated to a vegetarian diet. Data were drawn from the national cross-sectional survey "Health and use of health care in Italy". Vegetarian habit was prevalent in 0.79% of sample, mainly females. Multivariate model has confirmed the association between vegetarianism and females, age, level of education, marital status separated/divorced/single, diabetes, bad state of perceived health. Little to no research has been conducted in this area until now. As for all types of diet, the vegetarian one should be controlled.
Published:
2015
Title:
The causal conundrum: the diet-heart debates and the management of uncertainty in American medicine.
Authors:
Olszewski, Todd M.
Abstract:
Starting in the 1950s, physicians and researchers began to debate the exact nature of the relationship among blood cholesterol, diet, and cardiovascular risk. Using professional medical, public health, and scientific journals, this article examines the history of a series of intense and sustained debates regarding the credibility of the diet-heart hypothesis, which proposed that diet was causally linked to coronary artery disease. Brought about by intellectual disagreements and illuminated by personal quarrels, these debates created a profound professional rift among researchers who debated whether observational data could be used to prove that dietary intake caused heart disease and who sought to differentiate between "good" and "bad" science. But while the debate persisted into the early 1980s, Americans had begun to adopt the diet-heart hypothesis as public health truth as early as the 1960s, embracing cookbooks promoting "heart healthy" diets that promised to prevent coronary artery disease. Although critics and advocates of diet-heart continued to debate the theory's finer points, the widespread adoption of diet-heart in American homes meant that the debate had become almost moot by the time the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute officially endorsed the hypothesis in the 1980s.
Published:
2015
Title:
The effect of statins on average survival in randomised trials, an analysis of end point postponement
Authors:
Kristensen, Malene Lopez; Christensen, Palle Mark; Hallas, Jesper
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To estimate the average postponement of death in statin trials. SETTING A systematic literature review of all statin trials that presented all-cause survival curves for treated and untreated. INTERVENTION Statin treatment compared to placebo. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES The average postponement of death as represented by the area between the survival curves. RESULTS 6 studies for primary prevention and 5 for secondary prevention with a follow-up between 2.0 and 6.1 years were identified. Death was postponed between -5 and 19 days in primary prevention trials and between -10 and 27 days in secondary prevention trials. The median postponement of death for primary and secondary prevention trials were 3.2 and 4.1 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Statin treatment results in a surprisingly small average gain in overall survival within the trials' running time. For patients whose life expectancy is limited or who have adverse effects of treatment, withholding statin therapy should be considered.
Published:
2015
Title:
The effect of transportation of broilers during summer on the expression of heat shock protein 70, postmortem metabolism and meat quality
Authors:
Xing, T.; Xu, X.L.; Zhou, G.H.; Wang, P.; Jiang, N.N.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different transport times on broilers during summer on stress, meat quality, and early postmortem muscle metabolites. Arbor Acres broiler chickens (n = 105) were randomly categorized into 5 treatments: unstressed control, 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h transport. Each treatment consisted of 3 replicates with 7 birds each. All birds (except the control group) were transported according to a designed protocol. With the extension of transport time, the activities of plasma creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) gradually increased. The content of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) did not change significantly during 0.5 h transport compared to the control group, but was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at 1 h or more of transport time. Also, transport times of 2 h or more resulted in a death rate of 20%–33% of broilers. We found that the breast meat in the 0.5 h transport group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher L* values, drip loss, cooking loss, AMP/ATP ratio, and phosphorylation of AMPactivated protein kinase (p-AMPK). In addition, pH24h was lower compared to the control group, increasing the likelihood of pale, soft, and exudative (PSE)-like meat. However, no significant variations were found in meat color, drip loss, or cooking loss in other transport groups compared to the control group under the condition of this study. Muscle glycogen content decreased with time of transportation. There were significant correlations among p-AMPK and meat quality (P
Published:
2015
Title:
The effects of a protein enriched diet with lean red meat combined with a multi-modal exercise program on muscle and cognitive health and function in older adults: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors:
Daly, R.M.; Gianoudis, J.; Prosser, M.; Kidgell, D.; Ellis, K.A.; O'Connell, S.; Nowson, C.A.
Abstract:
Background: Age-related muscle wasting has been strongly implicated with falls and fractures in the elderly, but it has also been associated with cognitive decline and dementia. Progressive resistance training (PRT) and adequate dietary protein are recognised as important contributors to the maintenance of muscle health and function in older adults. However, both factors also have the potential to improve brain function and prevent cognitive decline via several pathways, including the regulation of various growth and neurotrophic factors [insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)]; brain-derived growth factor (BDNF)] and/or the modulation of systemic inflammation. The primary aim of this study is to investigate whether a modest increase in dietary protein achieved through the consumption of lean red meat three days per week, when combined with PRT, can enhance muscle mass, size and strength and cognitive function in community-dwelling older people. Methods/Design: The study design is a 48-week randomised controlled trial consisting of a 24-week intervention with a 24-week follow-up. Men and women (n=152) aged 65 years and over residing in the community will be randomly allocated to: 1) PRT and provided with 220 g (raw weight) of lean red meat to be cooked and divided into two 80 g servings on each of the three days that they complete their exercise session, or 2) control PRT in which participants will be provided with and advised to consume ≥1 serving (~1/2 cup) of rice and/or pasta or 1 medium potato on each of the three training days. The primary outcome measures will be muscle mass, size and strength and cognitive function. Secondary outcomes will include changes in: muscle function, neural health (corticospinal excitability and inhibition and voluntary activation), serum IGF-1 and BDNF, adipokines and inflammatory markers, fat mass and inter-/intra-muscular fat, blood pressure, lipids and health-related quality of life. All outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and 24 weeks, with the exception of cognitive function and the various neurobiological and inflammatory markers which will also be assessed at week 12. Discussion: The findings from this study will provide important new information on whether a modest increase in dietary protein achieved through the ingestion of lean red meat can enhance the effects of PRT on muscle mass, size and strength as well as cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. If successful, the findings will form the basis for more precise exercise and nutrition guidelines for the management and prevention of age-related changes in muscle and neural health and cognitive function in the elderly. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12613001153707 . Date registered 16th October, 2013. © 2015 Daly et al.
Published:
2015
Title:
The effects of depriving feed to facilitate transport and slaughter in sheep – a case study of cull ewes held off pasture for different periods
Authors:
Fisher, M.W.; Muir, P.D.; Gregory, N.G.; Thomson, B.C.; Smith, N.B.; Johnstone, P.D.; Bicknell, N.
Abstract:
Abstract: AIM: To determine the ability of sheep to mobilise their body reserves after being deprived of feed prior to transport for slaughter. METHODS: A total of 240 3- and 4-year-old cull ewes were held off pasture for 0, 9, 18 or 30 hours (n=60 per group) then transported 1 hour by road, unloaded and washed, held in lairage for 3 hours then slaughtered. Blood samples were collected from a subsample of 60 unfasted ewes 1 week earlier, and from all ewes at exsanguination to determine concentrations of serum metabolites indicative of adaptation to fasting. In addition, several attributes of carcass quality were measured. RESULTS: At slaughter, increased time off pasture prior to transport resulted in no change in glucose concentrations in serum (p=0.140). There were differences (p0.05) on carcass weights (mean 22.7, min 13.2, max 32.9 kg) or dressing out percentages (mean 40.9, min 27, max 49%). Meat ultimate pH was unaffected (p>0.05) by the period of feed deprivation but meat became darker (p<0.05) and had reduced redness (p
Published:
2015
Title:
The effects of whey protein with or without carbohydrates on resistance training adaptations
Authors:
Hulmi, Juha J.; Laakso, Mia; Mero, Antti A.; Häkkinen, Keijo; Ahtiainen, Juha P.; Peltonen, Heikki
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Nutrition intake in the context of a resistance training (RT) bout may affect body composition and muscle strength. However, the individual and combined effects of whey protein and carbohydrates on long-term resistance training adaptations are poorly understood. METHODS: A four-week preparatory RT period was conducted in previously untrained males to standardize the training background of the subjects. Thereafter, the subjects were randomized into three groups: 30 g of whey proteins (n = 22), isocaloric carbohydrates (maltodextrin, n = 21), or protein + carbohydrates (n = 25). Within these groups, the subjects were further randomized into two whole-body 12-week RT regimens aiming either for muscle hypertrophy and maximal strength or muscle strength, hypertrophy and power. The post-exercise drink was always ingested immediately after the exercise bout, 2-3 times per week depending on the training period. Body composition (by DXA), quadriceps femoris muscle cross-sectional area (by panoramic ultrasound), maximal strength (by dynamic and isometric leg press) and serum lipids as basic markers of cardiovascular health, were analysed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Twelve-week RT led to increased fat-free mass, muscle size and strength independent of post-exercise nutrient intake (P < 0.05). However, the whey protein group reduced more total and abdominal area fat when compared to the carbohydrate group independent of the type of RT (P < 0.05). Thus, a larger relative increase (per kg bodyweight) in fat-free mass was observed in the protein vs. carbohydrate group (P
Published:
2015
Title:
The glucose ketone index calculator: a simple tool to monitor therapeutic efficacy for metabolic management of brain cancer
Authors:
Meidenbauer, Joshua J.; Mukherjee, Purna; Seyfried, Thomas N.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Metabolic therapy using ketogenic diets (KD) is emerging as an alternative or complementary approach to the current standard of care for brain cancer management. This therapeutic strategy targets the aerobic fermentation of glucose (Warburg effect), which is the common metabolic malady of most cancers including brain tumors. The KD targets tumor energy metabolism by lowering blood glucose and elevating blood ketones (β-hydroxybutyrate). Brain tumor cells, unlike normal brain cells, cannot use ketone bodies effectively for energy when glucose becomes limiting. Although plasma levels of glucose and ketone bodies have been used separately to predict the therapeutic success of metabolic therapy, daily glucose levels can fluctuate widely in brain cancer patients. This can create difficulty in linking changes in blood glucose and ketones to efficacy of metabolic therapy. METHODS: A program was developed (Glucose Ketone Index Calculator, GKIC) that tracks the ratio of blood glucose to ketones as a single value. We have termed this ratio the Glucose Ketone Index (GKI). RESULTS: The GKIC was used to compute the GKI for data published on blood glucose and ketone levels in humans and mice with brain tumors. The results showed a clear relationship between the GKI and therapeutic efficacy using ketogenic diets and calorie restriction. CONCLUSIONS: The GKIC is a simple tool that can help monitor the efficacy of metabolic therapy in preclinical animal models and in clinical trials for malignant brain cancer and possibly other cancers that express aerobic fermentation.
Published:
2015
Title:
The influence of buddhist meditation traditions on the autonomic system and attention
Authors:
Amihai, Ido; Kozhevnikov, Maria
Abstract:
Cognitive and neuroscience research from the past several years has shed new light on the influences that meditative traditions have on the meditation practice. Here we review new evidence that shows that types of meditation that developed out of certain traditions such as Vajrayana and Hindu Tantric lead to heightened sympathetic activation and phasic alertness, while types of meditation from other traditions such as Theravada and Mahayana elicit heightened parasympathetic activity and tonic alertness. Such findings validate Buddhist scriptural descriptions of heightened arousal during Vajrayana practices and a calm and alert state of mind during Theravada and Mahayana types of meditation and demonstrate the importance of the cultural and philosophical context out of which the meditation practices develop.
Published:
2015
Title:
The value of mindfulness meditation in the treatment of insomnia
Authors:
Martires, Joanne; Zeidler, Michelle
Abstract:
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Insomnia is the most common reported sleep disorder with limited treatment options including pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Pharmacotherapy can be complicated by tolerance and significant side-effects and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia providers are limited in number. This article reviews mindfulness meditation as an additional therapy for insomnia.$\backslash$n$\backslash$nRECENT FINDINGS: Both mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia (MBTI) have been studied in the treatment of insomnia. Randomized controlled studies of MBSR and MBTI have shown overall reduction in sleep latency and total wake time and increase in total sleep time after mindfulness therapy using both patient reported outcome and quantitative measures of sleep. Mindfulness techniques have been shown to be well accepted by patients with long-lasting effects. A three-arm randomized study with MBSR, MBTI, and self-monitoring showed similar improvement in insomnia between the MBSR and MBTI groups, with possibly longer duration of efficacy in the MBTI group. Recent data show that MBTI is also an effective and accepted treatment for insomnia in older patients.$\backslash$n$\backslash$nSUMMARY: Increasing evidence shows that mindfulness meditation, delivered either via MBSR or MBTI, can be successfully used for the treatment of insomnia with good patient acceptance and durable results.
Published:
2015
Title:
Transcriptomic analysis of skeletal muscle from beef cattle exposed to illicit schedules containing dexamethasone: identification of new candidate biomarkers and their validation using samples from a field monitoring trial
Authors:
Elgendy, Ramy; Giantin, Mery; Montesissa, Clara; Dacasto, Mauro
Abstract:
Growth promoters (GPs) such as the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) and the beta-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol (CLEN) are still used abusively in beef cattle production. Transcriptomic markers for indirect detection of such GPs have been discussed in either experimentally treated animals or commercial samples separately. In the present study we examine the transcriptomic signature of DEX alone or in combination with CLEN in skeletal muscle of experimentally treated beef cattle, and, furthermore, compare them with previously screened commercial samples from a field-monitoring study, as well as with proteomics data representing the same set of samples. Using DNA microarray technology, transcriptomic profiling was performed on 12 samples representing three groups of animals: DEX (0.75 mg/animal/day, n = 4), a combination of DEX (0.66 mg/animal/day) and CLEN (from 2 to 6 mg/animal/day, n = 4) and a control group (n = 4). Analyses showed the differential expression of 198 and 39 transcripts in DEX and DEX-CLEN groups, respectively. Both groups had no common modulated genes in between, neither with the proteomics data. Sixteen candidate genes were validated via qPCR. They showed high correlation with the corresponding microarray data. Principal component analysis (PCA) on both the qPCR and normalised microarray data resulted in the separation of treated animals from the untreated ones. Interestingly, all the PCA plots grouped the DEX-positive samples (experimental or commercial) apart from each other. In brief, this study provides some interesting glucocorticoid-responsive biomarkers whose expression was contradictory to what is reported in human studies. Additionally, this study points out the transcriptomic signature dissimilarity between commercial and experimentally treated animals.
Published:
2015
Title:
Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration Ratio Identifies Accentuated Cardio-Metabolic Risk
Authors:
Armato, John; Reaven, Gerald; Ruby, Ronald
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Plasma triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios (TG/HDL-C) have been shown to identify apparently healthy individuals at increased cardio-metabolic risk. This study evaluates the utility of this approach in patients at risk of developing diabetes. METHODS: Individuals (n=1010) in a private practice identified at increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) by American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist criteria, were evaluated. Subjects had measurements of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), lipid/lipoprotein concentrations, highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and glucose, insulin and c-peptide concentrations during a 75gm, glucose challenge. The TG/HDL-C ratio was used to stratify individuals into high (highest quartile) vs. low (lowest 3 quartiles) risk categories. RESULTS: TG/HDL-C ratios identifying the highest quartile differed in men (\textgreater/= 3.0) and women (\textgreater/= 2.0). Using these cut-points, the high risk group for men and women had significantly higher BP, a more adverse lipid profile, was more insulin resistant as assessed by HOMA-IR, or the Matsuda index and had higher hs-CRP concentrations for men and women. Combined, approximately 25% of highest quartile patients expressed values \textgreater/= 3.0 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: The TG/HDL-C ratio provides a simple approach to identify individuals at accentuated cardio-metabolic risk within a population of perceived increased risk of T2DM. This was particularly the case as regards the presence of insulin resistance. Given the many syndromes associated with insulin resistance, including T2DM and coronary heart disease, an elevated TG/HDL-C ratio supports more aggressive efforts to enhance insulin sensitivity.
Published:
2015
Title:
Trimethylamine N-Oxide From Gut Microbiota in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Focus on Diet
Authors:
Moraes, C.; Fouque, D.; Amaral, A.C.F.; Mafra, D.
Abstract:
Low-protein diet is the recommended nutritional intervention for nondialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients because excess protein intake can damage kidney function and produce uremic toxins. Some of these toxins are generated from amino acids breakdown by gut microbiota as p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate that have been clearly associated with cardiovascular mortality in CKD patients. Another uremic toxin, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a degradation product of choline and L-carnitine (which come mainly from animal protein such as red meat and eggs) is now considered as a proatherogenic metabolite. In the present review, we will highlight the relationship between TMAO, diet and cardiovascular aspects, and the potential concerns about TMAO in nondialysis CKD patients. © 2015 National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
Published:
2015
Title:
Urinary metabolic signatures of human adiposity
Authors:
Elliott, P.; Posma, J.M.; Chan, Q.; Garcia-Perez, I.; Wijeyesekera, A.; Bictash, M.; Ebbels, T.M.D.; Ueshima, H.; Zhao, L.; Van Horn, L.; Daviglus, M.; Stamler, J.; Holmes, E.; Nicholson, J.K.
Abstract:
Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide. We used 24-hour urinary metabolic profiling by proton (1H) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and ion exchange chromatography to characterize the metabolic signatures of adiposity in the U.S. (n = 1880) and UK (n = 444) cohorts of the INTERMAP (International Study of Macro- and Micronutrients and Blood Pressure) epidemiologic study. Metabolic profiling of urine samples collected over two 24-hour time periods 3 weeks apart showed reproducible patterns of metabolite excretion associated with adiposity. Exploratory analysis of the urinary metabolome using 1H NMR spectroscopy of the U.S. samples identified 29 molecular species, clustered in interconnecting metabolic pathways, that were significantly associated (P = 1.5 × 10-5 to 2.0 × 10-36) with body mass index (BMI); 25 of these species were also found in the UK validation cohort. We found multiple associations between urinary metabolites and BMI including urinary glycoproteins and N-acetyl neuraminate (related to renal function), trimethylamine, dimethylamine, 4-cresyl sulfate, phenylacetylglutamine and 2-hydroxyisobutyrate (gut microbial co-metabolites), succinate and citrate (tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates), ketoleucine and the ketoleucine/leucine ratio (linked to skeletal muscle mitochondria and branched-chain amino acid metabolism), ethanolamine (skeletal muscle turnover), and 3-methylhistidine (skeletal muscle turnover and meat intake). We mapped the multiple BMI-metabolite relationships as part of an integrated systems network that describes the connectivities between the complex pathway and compartmental signatures of human adiposity. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Published:
2015
Title:
Urinary prostaglandin E2 metabolite and pancreatic cancer risk: Case-control study in urban Shanghai
Authors:
Zhao, J.; Wang, J.; Du, J.; Xu, H.; Zhang, W.; Ni, Q.-X.; Yu, H.; Risch, H.A.; Gao, Y.-T.; Gao, Y.
Abstract:
Pancreatic cancer has been increasing in importance in Shanghai over the last four decades. The etiology of the disease is still unclear. Evidence suggests that the COX-2 pathway, an important component of inflammation, may be involved in the disease. We aimed to evaluate the association between urinary prostaglandin E2 metabolite (PGE-M) level and risk of pancreatic cancer. From a recent population-based case-control study in Shanghai, 200 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cases and 200 gender- and age- frequency matched controls were selected for the present analysis. Urinary PGE-M was measured with a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric assay. Adjusted unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A positive association was observed between PGE-M leve and pancreatic cancer risk: OR = 1.63 (95% CI 1.01-2.63) for the third tertile compared to the first. Though the interactions were not statistically significant, the associations tended to be stronger among subjects with diabetes history (OR = 3.32; 95% CI 1.20-9.19) and higher meat intake (OR = 2.12; 95% CI 1.10- 4.06). The result suggests that higher urinary PGE-M level may be associated with increased risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. © 2015 Zhao et al.
Published:
2015
Title:
Use of Urine Biomarkers to Assess Sodium Intake: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors:
Cogswell, Mary E.; Maalouf, Joyce; Elliott, Paul; Loria, Catherine M.; Patel, Sheena; Bowman, Barbara A.
Abstract:
This article summarizes current data and approaches to assess sodium intake in individuals and populations. A review of the literature on sodium excretion and intake estimation supports the continued use of 24-h urine collections for assessing population and individual sodium intake. Since 2000, 29 studies used urine biomarkers to estimate population sodium intake, primarily among adults. More than half used 24-h urine; the rest used a spot/casual, overnight, or 12-h specimen. Associations between individual sodium intake and health outcomes were investigated in 13 prospective cohort studies published since 2000. Only three included an indicator of long-term individual sodium intake, i.e., multiple 24-h urine specimens collected several days apart. Although not insurmountable, logistic challenges of 24-h urine collection remain a barrier for research on the relationship of sodium intake and chronic disease. Newer approaches, including modeling based on shorter collections, offer promise for estimating population sodium intake in some groups.
Published:
2015
Title:
Variation in serotonin neurotransmission genes affects neural activation during response inhibition in adolescents and young adults with ADHD and healthy controls
Authors:
van Rooij, Daan; Hartman, Catharina A.; van Donkelaar, Marjolein M. J.; Bralten, Janita; von Rhein, Daniel; Hakobjan, Marina; Franke, Barbara; Heslenfeld, Dirk J.; Oosterlaan, Jaap; Rommelse, Nanda; Buitelaar, Jan K.; Hoekstra, Pieter J.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: Deficits in response inhibition have been associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Given the role of serotonin in ADHD and impulsivity, we postulated that genetic variants within the serotonin pathway might influence response inhibition. METHODS: We measured neural activation during stop-signal task performance in adolescents with ADHD (N = 185), their unaffected siblings (N = 111), and healthy controls (N = 124), and investigated the relationship of two serotonin gene polymorphisms (the rs6296 SNP of the HTR1B gene and HTTLPR variants of the 5-HTT gene) with the neural correlates of response inhibition. RESULTS: The whole-brain analyses demonstrated large scale neural activation differences in the inferior and medial frontal and temporal/parietal regions of the response inhibition network between the different variants of both the HTR1B and 5HTT genes. Activation in these regions was significantly associated with stop-task performance, but not with ADHD diagnosis or severity. No associations were found between HTR1B and 5HTT variants and ADHD or ADHD-related neural activation. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide novel evidence that serotonin may play an important role in the neurobiology of response inhibition. Although response inhibition is strongly linked to ADHD, serotonin linked genetic variants associated with response inhibition and its neural correlates do not explain variance of the ADHD phenotype.
Published:
2015
Title:
Vegetarian diets across the lifecycle: impact on zinc intake and status
Authors:
Foster, Meika; Samman, Samir
Abstract:
Optimal zinc status is an important consideration when evaluating the nutritional adequacy of vegetarian diets. In the absence of animal tissue sources of zinc and with increased intake of inhibitors of zinc absorption, phytic acid in particular, the bioavailability of zinc is thought to be lower from vegetarian as compared to omnivorous diets. The aim of this chapter is to review the research that examines the effects of vegetarian compared to omnivorous diets on zinc intake and zinc status in the elderly, adults, children, pregnancy, and lactation. A narrative review of the published literature was undertaken, focusing on observational studies in humans that reported zinc intake and biomarkers of zinc status at various stages of the life cycle. Compared to their respective nonvegetarian control groups, adult male and female vegetarians have lower dietary zinc intakes and serum zinc concentrations. However in the elderly, children, and in women during pregnancy and lactation, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether zinc intake and status are lower in vegetarians compared to omnivores. Inconsistencies in study findings reflect variations inherent in the definition of vegetarian diets, and in many instances compromised statistical power due to a small sample size. Improved methods for the assessment of zinc status are required to determine whether homeostatic responses are sufficient to maintain an adequate zinc status in vegetarians, particularly during times of increased requirement. Appropriate dietary advice to increase the zinc content and bioavailability of vegetarian diets throughout the life cycle is prudent.
Published:
2015
Title:
Warburg effect or reverse Warburg effect? A review of cancer metabolism
Authors:
Xu, Xiao Dong; Shao, Shi Xiu; Jiang, Hai Ping; Cao, Yan Wei; Wang, Yong Hua; Yang, Xue Cheng; Wang, You Lin; Wang, Xin Sheng; Niu, Hai Tao
Abstract:
Cancer is a major threat to human health. A considerable amount of research has focused on elucidating the nature of cancer from its pathogenesis to treatment and prevention. Tumor cell metabolism has been considered a hallmark of cancer. Cancer cells differ from normal cells through unlimited cell division, and show a greater need for energy for their rapid growth and duplication. Research on glycometabolism, as the key point of energy metabolism, has played a unique role. In the 1920s, Warburg found that cancer cells prefer to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by glycolysis, which is a less efficient pathway compared to oxidative phosphorylation. This striking discovery, called 'the Warburg effect', has influenced and guided the study of the mechanism and treatment of tumors for generations, but its causal relationship with cancer progression is still unclear. Some studies have now shown contradicting evidence and a new hypothesis, the reverse Warburg effect, has been put forward, in which cancer cells produce most of their ATP via glycolysis, even under aerobic conditions. In this review we discuss the new points concerning the energy metabolism of a tumor, as well as the current facts and perspectives.
Published:
2015
Title:
Which foods may be addictive? The roles of processing, fat content, and glycemic load
Authors:
Schulte, Erica M.; Avena, Nicole M.; Gearhardt, Ashley N.
Abstract:
© 2015 Schulte et al. Objectives: We propose that highly processed foods share pharmacokinetic properties (e.g. concentrated dose, rapid rate of absorption) with drugs of abuse, due to the addition of fat and/or refined carbohydrates and the rapid rate the refined carbohydrates are absorbed into the system, indicated by glycemic load (GL). The current study provides preliminary evidence for the foods and food attributes implicated in addictive-like eating. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: University (Study One) and community (Study Two). Participants: 120 undergraduates participated in Study One and 384 participants recruited through Amazon MTurk participated in Study Two. Measurements: In Study One, participants (n = 120) completed the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) followed by a forced-choice task to indicate which foods, out of 35 foods varying in nutritional composition, were most associated with addictive-like eating behaviors. Using the same 35 foods, Study Two utilized hierarchical linear modeling to investigate which food attributes (e.g., fat grams) were related to addictive-like eating behavior (at level one) and explored the influence of individual differences for this association (at level two). Results: In Study One, processed foods, higher in fat and GL, were most frequently associated with addictive-like eating behaviors. In Study Two, processing was a large, positive predictor for whether a food was associated with problematic, addictive-like eating behaviors. BMI and YFAS symptom count were small-to-moderate, positive predictors for this association. In a separate model, fat and GL were large, positive predictors of problematic food ratings. YFAS symptom count was a small, positive predictor of the relationship between GL and food ratings. Conclusion: The current study provides preliminary evidence that not all foods are equally implicated in addictive-like eating behavior, and highly processed foods, which may share characteristics with drugs of abuse (e.g. high dose, rapid rate of absorption) appear to be particularly associated with "food addiction."
Published:
2015
Title:
Whole-foods, plant-based diet alleviates the symptoms of osteoarthritis
Authors:
Clinton, Chelsea M.; O'Brien, Shanley; Law, Junwen; Renier, Colleen M.; Wendt, Mary R.
Abstract:
Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of a whole-foods, plant-based diet (WFPB) to reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis. Methods. Six-week, prospective randomized open-label study of patients aged 19-70 with osteoarthritis. Participants were randomized to a WFPB (intervention) or continuing current diet (control). Outcomes were assessed by mixed models analysis of participant self-assessed weekly SF-36v2 domain t scores, weekly Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scales, and mean weekly Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain assessment. Mixed models analysis also evaluated pre-post change from baseline level for standard clinical measures: weight, BMI, body temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. Results. Forty participants were randomized. Thirty-seven of them, 18 control and 19 intervention, completed the study. The intervention group reported a significantly greater improvement than the control group in SF-36v2 energy/vitality, physical functioning, role physical, and the physical component summary scale. The differences between the intervention and control PGIC scales were statistically significant over time. Intervention group improvement in VAS weekly mean was also significantly greater than that of the control group from week 2 onward. Conclusion. Study results suggest that a whole-foods, plant-based diet significantly improves self-assessed measures of functional status among osteoarthritis patients.
Published:
2015
Title:
Why Sleep Is Important for Health: A Psychoneuroimmunology Perspective
Authors:
Irwin, Michael R.
Abstract:
Sleep has a critical role in promoting health. Research over the past decade has documented that sleep disturbance has a powerful influence on the risk of infectious disease, the occurrence and progression of several major medical illnesses including cardiovascular disease and cancer, and the incidence of depression. Increasingly, the field has focused on identifying the biological mechanisms underlying these effects. This review highlights the impact of sleep on adaptive and innate immunity, with consideration of the dynamics of sleep disturbance, sleep restriction, and insomnia on (a) antiviral immune responses with consequences for vaccine responses and infectious disease risk and (b) proinflammatory immune responses with implications for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and depression. This review also discusses the neuroendocrine and autonomic neural underpinnings linking sleep disturbance and immunity and the reciprocal links between sleep and inflammatory biology. Finally, interventions are discussed as effective strategies to improve sleep, and potential opportunities are identified to promote sleep health for therapeutic control of chronic infectious, inflammatory, and neuropsychiatric diseases.
Published:
2015
Title:
Zinc supplementation reduced DNA breaks in Ethiopian women
Authors:
Joray, M.L.; Yu, T.-W.; Ho, E.; Clarke, S.L.; Stanga, Z.; Gebreegziabher, T.; Hambidge, K.M.; Stoecker, B.J.
Abstract:
Assessment of zinc status remains a challenge largely because serum/plasma zinc may not accurately reflect an individual's zinc status. The comet assay, a sensitive method capable of detecting intracellular DNA strand breaks, may serve as a functional biomarker of zinc status. We hypothesized that effects of zinc supplementation on intracellular DNA damage could be assessed from samples collected in field studies in Ethiopia using the comet assay. Forty women, from villages where reported consumption of meat was less than once per month and phytate levels were high, received 20 mg zinc as zinc sulfate or placebo daily for 17 days in a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Plasma zinc concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cells from whole blood at the baseline and end point of the study were embedded in agarose, electrophoresed, and stained before being scored by an investigator blinded to the treatments. Although zinc supplementation did not significantly affect plasma zinc, mean (±SEM) comet tail moment measurement of supplemented women decreased from 39.7 ± 2.7 to 30.0 ± 1.8 (P
Published:
2015
Title:
BLOOD, BULBS, AND BUNODONTS: ON EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY AND THE DIETS OF ARDIPITHECUS, AUSTRALOPITHECUS, AND EARLY HOMO
Authors:
Sayers, Ken; Lovejoy, C. Owen
Abstract:
Beginning with Darwin, some have argued that predation on other vertebrates dates to the earliest stages of hominid evolution, and can explain many uniquely human anatomical and behavioral characters. Other recent workers have focused instead on scavenging, or particular plant foods. Foraging theory suggests that inclusion of any food is influenced by its profitability and distribution within the consumer’s habitat. The morphology and likely cognitive abilities of Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, and early Homo suggest that while hunting and scavenging occurred, their profitability generally would have been considerably lower than in extant primates and/or modern human hunter-gatherers. On the other hand, early hominid diet modelers should not focus solely on plant foods, as this overlooks standard functional interpretations of the early hominid dentition, their remarkable demographic success, and the wide range of available food types within their likely day ranges. Any dietary model focusing too narrowly on any one food type or foraging strategy must be viewed with caution. We argue that early hominid diet can best be elucidated by consideration of their entire habitat-specific resource base, and by quantifying the potential profitability and abundance of likely available foods.
Published:
2014-12
Title:
Epigenetic DNA Methylation of Anti-oxidative Stress Regulator NRF2 in Human Prostate Cancer
Authors:
Khor, Tin Oo; Fuentes, Francisco; Shu, Limin; Paredes-Gonzalez, Ximena; Yang, Anne Yuqing; Liu, Yue; Smiraglia, Dominic J.; Yegnasubramanian, Srinivasan; Nelson, William G.; Kong, Ah-Ng Tony
Abstract:
Epigenetic control of NRF2, a master regulator of many critical anti-oxidative stress defense genes in human prostate cancer (CaP) is unknown. Our previous animal study found decreased Nrf2 expression through promoter CpG methylation/histone modifications during CaP progression in TRAMP mice. In this study, we evaluated CpG methylation of human NRF2 promoter in 27 clinical CaP samples and in LNCaP cells using MAQMA analysis and bisulfite genomic DNA sequencing. Prostate cancer tissue microarray (TMA) containing normal and prostate cancer tissues were studied by immunohistochemistry. Luciferase reporter assay using specific human NRF2 DNA promoter segments and ChIP assay against histone modifying proteins were performed in LNCaP cells. Three specific CpG sites in the NRF2 promoter were found to be hypermethylated in clinical CaP samples (BPH<ADT-RCaP
Published:
2014-12
Title:
Food material properties and early hominin processing techniques
Authors:
Zink, Katherine D.; Lieberman, Daniel E.; Lucas, Peter W.
Abstract:
Although early Homo is hypothesized to have used tools more than australopiths to process foods prior to consumption, it is unknown how much the food processing techniques they used altered the material properties of foods, and therefore the masticatory forces they generated, and how well they were able to comminute foods. This study presents experimental data on changes to food material properties caused by mechanical tenderization (pounding with a stone tool) and cooking (dry roasting) of two foods likely to have been important components of the hominin diet: meat and tubers. Mechanical tenderization significantly decreased tuber toughness by 42%, but had no effect on meat toughness. Roasting significantly decreased several material properties of tubers correlated with masticatory effort including toughness (49%), fracture stress (28%) and elastic modulus (45%), but increased the toughness (77%), fracture stress (50%-222%), and elastic modulus of muscle fibers in meat (308%). Despite increasing many material properties of meat associated with higher masticatory forces, roasting also decreased measured energy loss by 28%, which likely makes it easier to chew. These results suggest that the use of food processing techniques by early Homo probably differed for meat and tubers, but together would have reduced masticatory effort, helping to relax selection to maintain large, robust faces and large, thickly enameled teeth.
Published:
2014-12
Title:
It is time to revisit current dietary recommendations for saturated fat. [Review]
Authors:
Lamarche, Benoit; Couture, Patrick
Abstract:
The extent to which a high intake of saturated fat (SFA) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become a highly controversial topic. Dietary SFA primarily raises low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while having a relatively neutral impact on other key CVD risk factors. Recent epidemiological data also challenge the concept that SFA increases the risk of CVD. This short review provides arguments for the urgency to re-assess the association between dietary SFA and CVD risk in light of recent data on the subject.
Published:
2014-12
Title:
Low-fat and high-fat dairy products are differently related to blood lipids and cardiovascular risk score
Authors:
Huo Yung Kai, Samantha; Bongard, Vanina; Simon, Chantal; Ruidavets, Jean-Bernard; Arveiler, Dominique; Dallongeville, Jean; Wagner, Aline; Amouyel, Philippe; Ferrieres, Jean
Abstract:
CONCLUSION: Participants with the highest intake of low-fat dairy products had the lowest mortality risk score and exhibited the best LDL-C profile. Such favourable associations were not observed with cheese consumption. Copyright © The European Society of Cardiology 2013 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.
Published:
2014-12
Title:
Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for circulating phylloquinone concentrations
Authors:
Dashti, Hassan S.; Shea, M. Kyla; Smith, Caren E.; Tanaka, Toshiko; Hruby, Adela; Richardson, Kris; Wang, Thomas J.; Nalls, Mike A.; Guo, Xiuqing; Liu, Yongmei; Yao, Jie; Li, Dalin; Johnson, W. Craig; Benjamin, Emelia J.; Kritchevsky, Stephen B.; Siscovick, David S.; Ordovás, José M.; Booth, Sarah L.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Poor vitamin K status is linked to greater risk of several chronic diseases. Age, sex, and diet are determinants of circulating vitamin K; however, there is still large unexplained interindividual variability in vitamin K status. Although a strong genetic component has been hypothesized, this has yet to be examined by a genome-wide association (GWA) study. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to identify common genetic variants associated with concentrations of circulating phylloquinone, the primary circulating form of vitamin K. DESIGN: We conducted a 2-stage GWA meta-analysis of circulating phylloquinone in 2 populations of European descent from the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology Consortium Nutrition Working Group. Circulating phylloquinone was measured by using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Results from adjusted cohort-specific discovery GWA analyses were meta-analyzed with inverse variance weights (n = 2138). Associations with circulating phylloquinone at P < 1 × 10(-6) were then evaluated in a second-stage analysis consisting of one independent cohort (n = 265). RESULTS: No significant association was observed for circulating phylloquinone at the genome-wide significance level of 5 × 10(-8). However, from the discovery GWA, there were 11 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations with circulating phylloquinone at P < 1 × 10(-6), including a functional variant previously associated with warfarin dose and altered phylloquinone metabolism. These SNPs are on 5 independent loci on 11q23.3, 8q24.3, 5q22.3, 2p12, and 19p13.12, and they fall within or near the candidate genes APOA1/C3/A4/A5 cluster (involved in lipoprotein metabolism), COL22A1, CDO1, CTNAA2, and CYP4F2 (a phylloquinone oxidase), respectively. Second-stage analysis in an independent cohort further suggests the association of the 5q22.3 locus with circulating phylloquinone (P
Published:
2014-12
Title:
Motives for adherence to a gluten-free diet: a qualitative investigation involving adults with coeliac disease
Authors:
Dowd, A. J.; Tamminen, K. A.; Jung, M. E.; Case, S.; McEwan, D.; Beauchamp, M. R.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Currently , the only treatment for coeliac disease is life long adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet is challenging, with recent reports suggesting that adherence rates range from 42% to 91%. The present study aimed to: (i) identify motives for adhering to a gluten-free diet and (ii) explore factors implicated in adherence and non-adherence behaviour in terms of accidental and purposeful gluten consumption among adults with coeliac disease. METHODS: Two hundred and three adults with coeliac disease completed an online questionnaire. Using a qualitative design, relationships were examined between reported adherence and motivation to follow a gluten-free diet, as well as the onset, duration and severity of symptoms. RESULTS: Feelings of desperation (‘hitting rock bottom’) and needing to gain or lose weight were associated with the strictest adherence to a gluten-free diet. Participants who accidentally consumed gluten over the past week developed symptoms the most quickly and reported the most pain over the past 6 months. Participants who consumed gluten on purpose over the past week reported a shorter duration of symptoms and less pain over the past 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Hitting rock bottom and needing to gain or lose weight were factors associated with the strictest adherence, when considered in the context of both accidental and purposeful gluten consumption. Future research is warranted to develop resources to help people with coeliac disease follow a strict gluten-free diet.
Published:
2014-12
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