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Title:
The Design, Development and Evaluation of the Vegetarian Lifestyle Index on Dietary Patterns among Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians
Authors:
Le, Lap T.; Sabaté, Joan; Singh, Pramil N.; Jaceldo-Siegl, Karen
Abstract:
Traditionally, healthful diets and lifestyles have been examined only in relation to single nutrients, foods, or food groups in terms of dietary exposure. An alternative approach is to conceptualize an index based on vegetarian food pyramid guidelines as a measure of overall diet and lifestyle quality. Our objectives were to: (1) develop the Vegetarian Lifestyle Index (VLI); and (2) evaluate adherence to the Vegetarian Food Guide Pyramid (VFGP) among a low-risk population of Adventists. The index was based on the operationalization of 14 dietary and lifestyle components. All components were equally weighted. Higher score reflected greater adherence to the VFGP. The analytic sample (n = 90,057) comprised 47.7% non-vegetarians, 5.6% semi-, 10.1% pesco-, and 29.0% lacto-ovo-vegetarians, and 7.7% vegans, of which 1.1% were current smokers and 9.9% were alcohol consumers. Population mean VLI score was 7.43 (SD = 1.75) ranging from 1 to 12.5. Non-vegetarians (6.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 6.06⁻6.21) had a significantly lower mean compared to semi- (7.31; 95% CI, 7.22⁻7.40), pesco- (7.41; 95% CI, 7.32⁻7.49), and lacto-ovo-vegetarians (8.16; 95% CI, 8.08⁻8.24), as well as vegans (8.88; 95% CI, 8.78⁻8.96). Vegetarians scored on average 1.18 to 2.73 more points than their non-vegetarian counterparts. Results demonstrate that the index has strong discriminant ability across distinct dietary patterns. Additionally, the VLI provides a useful measure of diet and lifestyle adherence to further refine vegetarian food pyramid guidelines.
Published:
April 26, 2018
Title:
Health consequences for mother and baby of substantial pre-conception weight loss in obese women: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors:
Price, Sarah; Nankervis, Alison; Permezel, Michael; Prendergast, Luke; Sumithran, Priya; Proietto, Joseph
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Current guidelines for the management of obesity in women planning pregnancy suggest lifestyle modification before conception. However, there is little evidence that lifestyle modification alters pregnancy outcomes. Bariatric surgery results in significant weight loss. This appears to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for the mother but may increase the risk of adverse outcomes for the infant. In order to reduce the risks of obesity-related adverse pregnancy outcomes for both mother and offspring, alternative approaches to the management of obesity in women planning pregnancy are needed. METHODS/DESIGN: This study, a two-arm, parallel group, randomized control trial, will be conducted at the Metabolic Disorders Centre, University of Melbourne. This trial will recruit 164 women aged 18-38 years with a body mass index of 30-55 kg/m2 who plan to conceive in the next 6-12 months. Women will be randomized to one of two 12-week interventions (Group A and Group B). Group A will aim for modest weight loss (MWL; ≤ 3% body weight) using a hypocaloric diet. Group B will aim for substantial weight loss (SWL; 10-15% body weight) using a modified very low energy diet (VLED) program. All participants will be asked to comply with National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines for exercise and will be provided with standard pre-pregnancy advice according to Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology guidelines. All participants will then be observed for the subsequent 12 months. If pregnancy occurs within the 12-month follow-up period, data on weight and metabolic status of the mother, and pregnancy outcomes of mother and offspring will be recorded. The primary outcome is maternal fasting plasma glucose at 26-28 weeks' gestation, given that this is known to correlate with pregnancy outcomes. Time to conception, live birth rate, gestational weight gain, and a composite of adverse pregnancy outcomes for mother and baby will comprise the secondary outcomes. DISCUSSION: There is increasing emphasis on obese women losing weight before conception. To date, no randomized controlled trial has demonstrated an effective means of weight loss that results in improved pregnancy outcomes for both mother and baby. This study intends to determine if substantial pre-conception weight loss, achieved using a VLED, improves pregnancy outcomes for mother and baby when compared with standard care. This research will potentially change clinical care of an obese woman planning pregnancy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ANZCTR, 12,614,001,160,628 . Registered on 5 November 2014.
Published:
April 24, 2018
Title:
Limit red and processed meat
Authors:
Abstract:
One of our Cancer Prevention Recommendations is to eat no more than moderate amounts of red meat, such as beef, pork and lamb, and eat little, if any, processed meat. There is strong evidence that consumption of either red or processed meat are both causes of colorectal cancer.
Published:
April 24, 2018
Title:
Abnormal Development of Human Musculature: Linking Development, Anatomical Variations and Defects, Atavisms, Order and Chaos and Medicine
Authors:
Alghamdi, Malak; Ziermann, Janine; Diogo, Rui
Abstract:
Most studies of birth defects in humans tend to focus on external features or hard tissues. Therefore, there are few descriptions of the anomalies of the musculoskeletal system and particularly there is a lack of detailed comparisons of anomalies between individuals with diierent syndromes and with other species. Such comparisons are key to shed light on both normal and abnormal developmental mechanisms and disturbances, and on development and evolution of our own species. For this study, a 28-week-old Trisomy 18 (T18) fetus and a 35-week-old Anencephaly fetus were dissected using standard micro-and macro-dissection tools and a hand-held camera, as well as a dissection microscope with an attached camera, and CT scans were performed for the analysis of skeletal structures. These data were combined with an extensive literature review of the ontogeny and development of the muscular system in normal and abnormal individuals. Regarding our own dissections of the T18 and anencephalic fetuses, we observed several anomalies. For example, in the right forearm of the T-18 fetus, the 3rd layer of the forearm exors had two muscle belies: the medial ((exor pollicis longus) sent two tendons to digits 1 & 2 and the lateral ((exor digitorum profundus) sent three tendons to digits 3, 4 & 5. The spatial relation of those muscle bellies provides information that helps us to understand the links between normal and abnormal development and evolution because this is a case of atavism: the exor pollicis longus was acquired during human evolution through a separation from the exor digitorum profundus. Langer's axillary arch (a supernumerary muscle extends from latissimus dorsi to pectoralis major) was observed unilaterally in the T-18 fetus. However, this muscle was also observed by us as a variation in two 'normal' fetuses (15 & 28 weeks of gestation) and described as a variation in a few 'normal' adults, showing the complex thin line between variations in the 'normal' population and anomalies in karyotypically 'abnormal' individuals. In fact, this link between variations and birth defects is also evidenced by the fact that, in general, the number of muscle anomalies in the lower limbs was lower than that in the upper limbs, a pattern that is also seen in variations of the normal population. Importantly, our dissections and comparisons revealed that certain anatomical patterns are often found in conditions that have very different genetic and pathological backgrounds, supporting the ill-named “logic of monsters” hypothesis of Pere Alberch, according to which even in the extreme cases of birth defects there is still a discernible, marked “order”, instead of random, chaotic phenotypes. This is related to strong internal constraints limiting the amount of possible developmental outcomes, that is the same phenotype is produced over and over despite the fact that the species causes leading to the anomalies are different. Such “order” is only disturbed in very rare and extreme anomalies, including cases of marked asymmetry, such as those mentioned above, which indicate a relaxation of local homeostasis but, importantly, do not result in a global lack of homeostasis that would lead to completely random phenotypes. These important links between development, anatomical variations and defects, and order and chaos are crucial for medicine because they add a very important element in the detection and potential resolution (e.g. through surgeries) of congenital malformations: the element of predictability.
Published:
April 20, 2018
Title:
Understanding the Development, Variations, and Defects of the Muscular System in Normal Human Embryos, Fetuses, and Newborns
Authors:
Alghamdi, Malak; Ziermann, Janine; Diogo, Rui
Abstract:
There has been, until now, a limited knowledge on the development of the human muscular system, as most textbooks and atlases on human development described in detail the development of the skeletal system and other structures such as the internal organs without mentioning-or doing it in a very brief way-the muscular system. Moreover, within the few published works that did focus on the ontogeny of human muscles, most of them were restricted to a single muscle, a muscle group, a region, or a speciic period of time (e.g. before 7 weeks of gestation). This makes the study of muscle anomalies, as well as of variations, very diicult due to the lack of good comparative models about normal development. We recently dissected 17 phenotypically 'normal' human newborns, fetuses and embryos between 7 and 39 weeks of development, and compared our results with the scarce literature available on the normal development of the muscular system in humans. Importantly, in the individuals dissected by us there was an indirect relationship between the ages of the fetuses and the number of seemingly fused (i.e. undiierentiated) muscles. That is, muscle anlagen in the early embryonic development often give rise to several muscles even after 7 weeks of gestation. This would contradict what is often described in the literature that by end of week 7 of gestation, all muscles resemble those of the adults (i.e. are diierentiated). In addition, the number of the variations (i.e. phenotypes that deviate from the norm, within the 'normal' human population) per upper limbs dissected is significantly higher than the number of variations per lower limb studied, a pattern that is strikingly similar to that often reported in the literature about birth defects. Therefore, these and other results support Alberch's (1989) ill-named "logic of monsters" theory that predicts a parallel between the variant phenotypes of the 'normal' populations and the defective phenotypes of genetically 'abnormal' individual due to the strong internal constraints that limit the number of possible outcomes. Furthermore, we present, for the first time, detailed data about the development of each head and limb human muscle from late embryonic stages to newborn configuration, and discuss the broader implications of these new data within a broad comparative and developmental framework.
Published:
April 20, 2018
Title:
Proteomic Profiles of Adipose and Liver Tissues from an Animal Model of Metabolic Syndrome Fed Purple Vegetables
Authors:
Ayoub, Hala M.; McDonald, Mary Ruth; Sullivan, James Alan; Tsao, Rong; Meckling, Kelly A.
Abstract:
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder that predisposes an individual to Cardiovascular Diseases and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Proteomics and bioinformatics have proven to be an effective tool to study complex diseases and mechanisms of action of nutrients. We previously showed that substitution of the majority of carbohydrate in a high fat diet by purple potatoes (PP) or purple carrots (PC) improved insulin sensitivity and hypertension in an animal model of MetS (obese Zucker rats) compared to a control sucrose-rich diet. In the current study, we used TMT 10plex mass tag combined with LC-MS/MS technique to study proteomic modulation in the liver (n = 3 samples/diet) and adipose tissue (n = 3 samples/diet) of high fat diet-fed rats with or without substituting sucrose for purple vegetables, followed by functional enrichment analysis, in an attempt to elucidate potential molecular mechanisms responsible for the phenotypic changes seen with purple vegetable feeding. Protein folding, lipid metabolism and cholesterol efflux were identified as the main modulated biological themes in adipose tissue, whereas lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and oxidative stress were the main modulated themes in liver. We propose that enhanced protein folding, increased cholesterol efflux and higher free fatty acid (FFA) re-esterification are mechanisms by which PP and PC positively modulate MetS pathologies in adipose tissue, whereas, decreased de novo lipogenesis, oxidative stress and FFA uptake, are responsible for the beneficial effects in liver. In conclusion, we provide molecular evidence for the reported metabolic health benefits of purple carrots and potatoes and validate that these vegetables are good choices to replace other simple carbohydrate sources for better metabolic health.
Published:
April 6, 2018
Title:
Extracellular matrix glycation and receptor for advanced glycation end-products activation: a missing piece in the puzzle of the association between diabetes and cancer
Authors:
Rojas, Armando; Añazco, Carolina; González, Ileana; Araya, Paulina
Abstract:
This review is an insightful assessment of the potential role of RAGE-dependent mechanisms for cancer initiation and progression with a special focus on glycati
Published:
April 5, 2018
Title:
Episode 41 – Dr.Ken Ford on AI, ketosis, evolution and better science
Authors:
breaknutrition
Abstract:
Published:
April 3, 2018
Title:
A Culturally Tailored Community Health Worker Intervention Leads to Improvement in Patient-Centered Outcomes for Immigrant Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors:
Islam, Nadia S.; Wyatt, Laura C.; Taher, M. D.; Riley, Lindsey; Tandon, S. Darius; Tanner, Michael; Mukherji, B. Runi; Trinh-Shevrin, Chau
Abstract:
IN BRIEF This article reports results from a patient-centered intervention to improve management of type 2 diabetes in the New York City Bangladeshi community. The DREAM (Diabetes Research, Education, and Action for Minorities) intervention is a randomized trial among Bangladeshi immigrants with type 2 diabetes comparing those enrolled in a community health worker (CHW) intervention to those in usual care. Participants in the intervention group received five group-based educational sessions and two one-on-one visits delivered by a trained CHW, whereas those in the control group received only the first group educational session. Main outcomes include changes in A1C, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, weight, BMI, and patient-centered outcomes such as knowledge and behavior related to type 2 diabetes management.
Published:
April 1, 2018
Title:
Grass leaves as potential hominin dietary resources
Authors:
Paine, Oliver C. C.; Koppa, Abigale; Henry, Amanda G.; Leichliter, Jennifer N.; Codron, Daryl; Codron, Jacqueline; Lambert, Joanna E.; Sponheimer, Matt
Abstract:
Discussions about early hominin diets have generally excluded grass leaves as a staple food resource, despite their ubiquity in most early hominin habitats. In particular, stable carbon isotope studies have shown a prevalent C4 component in the diets of most taxa, and grass leaves are the single most abundant C4 resource in African savannas. Grass leaves are typically portrayed as having little nutritional value (e.g., low in protein and high in fiber) for hominins lacking specialized digestive systems. It has also been argued that they present mechanical challenges (i.e., high toughness) for hominins with bunodont dentition. Here, we compare the nutritional and mechanical properties of grass leaves with the plants growing alongside them in African savanna habitats. We also compare grass leaves to the leaves consumed by other hominoids and demonstrate that many, though by no means all, compare favorably with the nutritional and mechanical properties of known primate foods. Our data reveal that grass leaves exhibit tremendous variation and suggest that future reconstructions of hominin dietary ecology take a more nuanced approach when considering grass leaves as a potential hominin dietary resource.
Published:
April 1, 2018
Title:
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Morbidly Obese Individuals Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: Prevalence and Effect of the Pre-Bariatric Very Low Calorie Diet
Authors:
Schwenger, Katherine J. P.; Fischer, Sandra E.; Jackson, Timothy D.; Okrainec, Allan; Allard, Johane P.
Abstract:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 75 to 100% of the patients undergoing bariatric surgery (BSx), with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) being present in 24 to 98% of the patients. We do not know whether these rates were before or after a very low calorie diet (VLCD) often prescribed before laparoscopic BSx and what is the prevalence of NAFLD post-VLCD.
Published:
April 1, 2018
Title:
Targeting hepatic glutaminase activity to ameliorate hyperglycemia
Authors:
Miller, Russell A; Shi, Yuji; Lu, Wenyun; Pirman, David A; Jatkar, Aditi; Blatnik, Matthew; Wu, Hong; Cárdenas, César; Wan, Min; Foskett, J Kevin; Park, Junyoung O; Zhang, Yiyi; Holland, William L; Rabinowitz, Joshua D; Birnbaum, Morris J
Abstract:
Published:
April 1, 2018
Title:
Higher carbohydrate intake is associated with increased risk of all-cause and disease-specific mortality in head and neck cancer patients: results from a prospective cohort study
Authors:
Arthur, Anna E.; Goss, Amy M.; Demark-Wahnefried, Wendy; Mondul, Alison M.; Fontaine, Kevin R.; Chen, Yi Tang; Carroll, William R.; Spencer, Sharon A.; Rogers, Laura Q.; Rozek, Laura S.; Wolf, Gregory T.; Gower, Barbara A.; University of Michigan Head and Neck SPORE Program
Abstract:
No studies have evaluated associations between carbohydrate intake and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) prognosis. We prospectively examined associations between pre- and post-treatment carbohydrate intake and recurrence, all-cause mortality, and HNSCC-specific mortality in a cohort of 414 newly diagnosed HNSCC patients. All participants completed pre- and post-treatment Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) and epidemiologic surveys. Recurrence and mortality events were collected annually. Multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards models tested associations between carbohydrate intake (categorized into low, medium and high intake) and time to recurrence and mortality, adjusting for relevant covariates. During the study period, there were 70 deaths and 72 recurrences. In pretreatment analyses, high intakes of total carbohydrate (HR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.23-4.25), total sugar (HR: 3.03; 95% CI: 1.12-3.68), glycemic load (HR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.15-3.83) and simple carbohydrates (HR 2.26; 95% CI 1.19-4.32) were associated with significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to low intake. High intakes of carbohydrate (HR 2.45; 95% CI: 1.23-4.25) and total sugar (HR 3.03; 95% CI 1.12-3.68) were associated with increased risk of HNSCC-specific mortality. In post-treatment analyses, medium fat intake was significantly associated with reduced risk of recurrence (HR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01-0.69) and all-cause mortality (HR 0.27; 95% CI 0.07-0.96). Stratification by tumor site and cancer stage in pretreatment analyses suggested effect modification by these factors. Our data suggest high pretreatment carbohydrate intake may be associated with adverse prognosis in HNSCC patients. Clinical intervention trials to further examine this hypothesis are warranted.
Published:
March 31, 2018
Title:
Global Correlates of Cardiovascular Risk: A Comparison of 158 Countries
Authors:
Grasgruber, Pavel; Cacek, Jan; Hrazdíra, Eduard; Hřebíčková, Sylva; Sebera, Martin
Abstract:
The aim of this study was a large-scale ecological analysis of nutritional and other environmental factors potentially associated with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the global context. Indicators of CVDs from 158 countries were compared with the statistics of mean intake (supply) of 60 food items between 1993 and 2011, obesity rates, health expenditure and life expectancy. This comparison shows that the relationship between CVD indicators (raised blood pressure, CVD mortality, raised blood glucose) and independent variables in the global context is influenced by various factors, such as short life expectancy, religiously conditioned dietary customs, the imprecision of some statistics and undernutrition. However, regardless of the statistical method used, the results always show very similar trends and identify high carbohydrate consumption (mainly in the form of cereals and wheat, in particular) as the dietary factor most consistently associated with the risk of CVDs. These findings are in line with the changing view of the causes of CVDs. Because the statistics of raised blood glucose only include people using medications and do not reflect true prevalence that is independent of healthcare, more objective data on the prevalence of CVDs are needed to confirm these observed trends.
Published:
March 26, 2018
Title:
Rationale for Dietary Antioxidant Treatment of ADHD
Authors:
Verlaet, Annelies A. J.; Maasakkers, Carlijn M.; Hermans, Nina; Savelkoul, Huub F. J.
Abstract:
Increasing understanding arises regarding disadvantages of stimulant medication in children with ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). This review presents scientific findings supporting dietary antioxidant treatment of ADHD and describes substantial alterations in the immune system, epigenetic regulation of gene expression, and oxidative stress regulation in ADHD. As a result, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress could develop, which can lead to ADHD symptoms, for example by chronic T-cell-mediated neuroinflammation, as well as by neuronal oxidative damage and loss of normal cerebral functions. Therefore, modulation of immune system activity and oxidant-antioxidant balance using nutritional approaches might have potential in ADHD treatment. The use of natural antioxidants against oxidative conditions is an emerging field in the management of neurodegenerative diseases. Dietary polyphenols, for example, have antioxidant capacities as well as immunoregulatory effects and, therefore, appear appropriate in ADHD therapy. This review can stimulate the development and investigation of dietary antioxidant treatment in ADHD, which is highly desired.
Published:
March 24, 2018
Title:
Flyer chordates book
Authors:
Diogo, Rui; Ziermann, Janine; Molnar, Julia; Siomava, Natalia; Abdala, Virginia
Abstract:
Published:
March 19, 2018
Title:
MUSCLES OF CHORDATES: DEVELOPMENT, HOMOLOGIES, AND EVOLUTION
Authors:
Diogo, Rui; Ziermann, Janine; Molnar, Julia; Siomava, Natalia; Abdala, Virginia
Abstract:
Chordates comprise lampreys, hagfishes, jawed fishes, and tetrapods, plus a variety of more unfamiliar and crucially important non-vertebrate animal lineages, such as lancelets and sea squirts. This will be the first book to synthesize, summarize, and provide high-quality illustrations to show what is known of the configuration, development, homology, and evolution of the muscles of all major extant chordate groups. Muscles as different as those used to open the siphons of sea squirts and for human facial communication will be compared, and their evolutionary links will be explained. Another unique feature of the book is that it covers, illustrates, and provides detailed evolutionary tables for each and every muscle of the head, neck and of all paired and median appendages of extant vertebrates. Features: - Has more than 200 high-quality anatomical illustrations, including evolutionary trees that summarize the origin and evolution of all major muscle groups of chordates - Includes data on the muscles of the head and neck and on the pectoral, pelvic, anal, dorsal, and caudal appendages of all extant vertebrate taxa - Examines experimental observations from evolutionary developmental biology studies of chordate muscle development, allowing to evolutionarily link the muscles of vertebrates with those of other chordates - Discusses broader developmental and evolutionary issues and their implications for macroevolution, such as the links between phylogeny and ontogeny, homology and serial homology, normal and abnormal development, the evolution, variations, and birth defects of humans, and medicine.
Published:
March 19, 2018
Title:
Muscles of Chordates Development, Homologies, and Evolution SAVE 20% SELECTED CONTENTS
Authors:
Diogo, Rui; Ziermann, Janine; Molnar, Julia; Siomava, Natalia; Abdala, Virginia
Abstract:
Chordates comprise all vertebrates plus a variety of unfamilar, distantly related and crucially important lineages (sea squirts, acorn worms, others). This book will be the first volume to synthesize and summarize what is known of the organization, development, homology and evolution of the muscles of all chordate animals. Muscles as different as those used by sea squirts and for human facial expression will be included. For the first time muscles of the entire body and both the pectoral and pelvic regions will be reviewed. KEY FEATURES • Includes data on the pectoral and pelvic appendage and head and neck muscles • Describes taxa from all major vertebrate clades • Examines experimental observations from evolutionary developmental biology studies of chordate muscle development • Discusses broader issues linking the study of muscles and their implications for macrevolution, the links between phylogeny and ontogeny, homology and serial homology, regeneration, evo-devo, and medicine. SAVE 20% when you order online and enter Promo Code FLR40 FREE standard shipping when you order online.
Published:
March 16, 2018
Title:
Nutritional Considerations for the Vegetarian and Vegan Dancer
Authors:
Brown, Derrick D.
Abstract:
Vegetarianism provides a catchall term for a variety of diets that exclude the consumption of some or all animal products. Contrary to popular claims, appropriately designed and managed vegetarian diets contain foods nutritionally sufficient for health, well-being, and physical performance. Vegetarian dancers can meet their protein needs from primarily or exclusively (vegan) plant-based sources when a variety of these foods are consumed daily and energy intake is adequate. However, the quality and timing of dietary intake is of key importance to meet the physical demands typical of high intensity, intermittent types of dance styles. Poorly planned, calorically restrictive, and nutrient poor diets confer a host of deficiencies that diminish health and ultimately performance. The recommendation for dietary macronutrient composition of carbohydrate, fat, and protein of 55%, 20% to 30%, and 12% to 15%, respectively, offers an acceptable baseline for all dancers across different dance styles. Vegetarians, in particular vegans, should ensure sufficient caloric and adequate intake of Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, ω-3 fatty acids, calcium, and zinc. Many of these micronutrients are derived from animal products, but, with sufficient knowledge, can be obtained from plantbased sources. However, the diminished bioavailability of iron from plants and lack of plant sources of Vitamin B12 in vegan type diets can have detrimental effects on physical performance. Thus, to prevent long-term deficiencies, vegan dancers require more diligence when preparing and managing dietary intake. This article reviews literature on vegetarian diets with regard to dance, gleaning findings from epidemiologic, clinical, and sport nutrition research. It also highlights potential micronutrient deficiencies that may occur in some plant-based diets and presents potential strategies to improve nutrient and caloric intake for dancers who opt for a plant-based diet.
Published:
March 15, 2018
Title:
Effect of a Protein Supplement on the Gut Microbiota of Endurance Athletes: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study
Authors:
Moreno-Pérez, Diego; Bressa, Carlo; Bailén, María; Hamed-Bousdar, Safa; Naclerio, Fernando; Carmona, Manuel; Pérez, Margarita; González-Soltero, Rocío; Montalvo-Lominchar, Maria Gregoria; Carabaña, Claudia; Larrosa, Mar
Abstract:
Nutritional supplements are popular among athletes to improve performance and physical recovery. Protein supplements fulfill this function by improving performance and increasing muscle mass; however, their effect on other organs or systems is less well known. Diet alterations can induce gut microbiota imbalance, with beneficial or deleterious consequences for the host. To test this, we performed a randomized pilot study in cross-country runners whose diets were complemented with a protein supplement (whey isolate and beef hydrolysate) (n = 12) or maltodextrin (control) (n = 12) for 10 weeks. Microbiota, water content, pH, ammonia, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed in fecal samples, whereas malondialdehyde levels (oxidative stress marker) were determined in plasma and urine. Fecal pH, water content, ammonia, and SCFA concentrations did not change, indicating that protein supplementation did not increase the presence of these fermentation-derived metabolites. Similarly, it had no impact on plasma or urine malondialdehyde levels; however, it increased the abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum and decreased the presence of health-related taxa including Roseburia, Blautia, and Bifidobacterium longum. Thus, long-term protein supplementation may have a negative impact on gut microbiota. Further research is needed to establish the impact of protein supplements on gut microbiota.
Published:
March 10, 2018
Title:
Lipedema: friend and foe
Authors:
la Torre, Yanira Sanchez-De; Wadeea, Rita; Rosas, Victoria; Herbst, Karen L.
Abstract:
Background Lipedema is a chronic disorder presenting in women during puberty or other times of hormonal change such as childbirth or menopause, characterized by symmetric enlargement of nodular, painful subcutaneous adipose tissue (fat) in the limbs, sparing the hands, feet and trunk. Healthcare providers underdiagnose or misdiagnose lipedema as obesity or lymphedema. Materials and methods The benefits (friend) and negative aspects (foe) of lipedema were collected from published literature, discussions with women with lipedema, and institutional review board approved evaluation of medical charts of 46 women with lipedema. Results Lipedema is a foe because lifestyle change does not reduce lipedema fat, the fat is painful, can become obese, causes gait and joint abnormalities, fatigue, lymphedema and psychosocial distress. Hypermobility associated with lipedema can exacerbate joint disease and aortic disease. In contrast, lipedema fat can be a friend as it is associated with relative reductions in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. In new data collected, lipedema was associated with a low risk of diabetes (2%), dyslipidemia (11.7%) and hypertension (13%) despite an obese average body mass index (BMI) of 35.3 ± 1.7 kg/m2. Conclusion Lipedema is a painful psychologically distressing fat disorder, more foe than friend especially due to associated obesity and lymphedema. More controlled studies are needed to study the mechanisms and treatments for lipedema.
Published:
March 9, 2018
Title:
Organisms as the key active players in Organic Nonoptimal Constrained Evolution (ONCE): constraints, plasticity, epigenetics, behavioral shifts, niche construction, natural selection, and morphological evolutionary trends
Authors:
Diogo, Rui
Abstract:
Organic Nonoptimal Constrained Evolution (ONCE) is a multidisciplinary attempt to bridge the gap between internalists and externalists, Neo-Darwinists and Neo-Lamarckists, the ideas of authors such as Baldwin, Waddington and Goldschmidt, and current Evo-Devo thought. In particular, ONCE aims to contribute to the explanation of an apparent paradox that has unfortunately not been often discussed in the literature: that eco-morphological mismatches commonly occur in an evolutionary process that often leads to macroevolutionary trends and in which organisms are supposedly optimally, or almost optimally 'designed' for their habitats. Here I summarize the major ideas of ONCE and the theoretical and empirical framework behind these ideas. Specifically, internal constraints and internal selection tend to decrease plasticity/hidden variation. In turn, homeostasis/canalization constrains adult phenotypes but tends to increase hidden variation so, together with epigenetic factors influenced by the external environment, it confers plasticity that allows organisms to shift their behavior in response to changes in the environment. Due to behavioral persistence related to behavioral/ecological inheritance, organisms as diverse as bacteria, plants and animals help to construct their own niches and are thus the central, active players in their evolutionary history, as proposed in Baldwin's idea of Organic Selection. Externally influenced epigenetic phenomena explore physiological/behavioral/anatomical plasticity within the new niches that organisms helped to construct, and therefore help to direct evolution, as potentially do phenomena such as genetic drift. Darwinian natural selection then comes into play as a secondary, but crucial, player. That is, due to organismal behavioral persistence, the random mutations/epigenetic factors that happen to be advantageous within those constructed niches will be selected by the external environment, further directing evolution and increasing the match between behavior, phenotype, and that environment. This process can extend for long periods of time, leading to macroevolutionary trends and PeerJ reviewing PDF | Manuscript to be reviewed further increasing etho-eco-morphological optimality and potentially resulting in successful phenotypic overspecialization. However, behavioral persistence, loss of plasticity due to natural selection, genetic drift, overspecialization, and internal constraints can often make it difficult for the organisms to respond behaviorally and/or anatomically to new environmental changes, resulting in etho-ecological and/or eco-morphological mismatches and potentially in extinction. This paper thus compiles a wide range of information that can be of interest to historians and philosophers of science and to students, teachers and researchers within fields such as Evo-Devo, paleontology, evolutionary biology, comparative anatomy, ecomorphology, functional anatomy, ecology, and ethology. PeerJ reviewing PDF |
Published:
March 7, 2018
Title:
An Integrated Understanding of the Rapid Metabolic Benefits of a Carbohydrate-Restricted Diet on Hepatic Steatosis in Humans
Authors:
Mardinoglu, Adil; Wu, Hao; Bjornson, Elias; Zhang, Cheng; Hakkarainen, Antti; Räsänen, Sari M.; Lee, Sunjae; Mancina, Rosellina M.; Bergentall, Mattias; Pietiläinen, Kirsi H.; Söderlund, Sanni; Matikainen, Niina; Ståhlman, Marcus; Bergh, Per-Olof; Adiels, Martin; Piening, Brian D.; Granér, Marit; Lundbom, Nina; Williams, Kevin J.; Romeo, Stefano; Nielsen, Jens; Snyder, Michael; Uhlén, Mathias; Bergström, Göran; Perkins, Rosie; Marschall, Hanns-Ulrich; Bäckhed, Fredrik; Taskinen, Marja-Riitta; Borén, Jan
Abstract:
Published:
March 6, 2018
Title:
Health literacy in a complex digital media landscape: Pediatric obesity patients’ experiences with online weight, food, and health information
Authors:
Holmberg, Christopher; Berg, Christina; Dahlgren, Jovanna; Lissner, Lauren; Chaplin, John
Abstract:
This study aimed to explore experiences with online information regarding food, weight management, and health in a group of adolescents in treatment for obesity. Individual semi-structured interviews with 20 adolescents were conducted. Participants used a screen-recorded laptop to demonstrate their search procedures and online information sources. The transcribed interviews were categorized using qualitative content analysis. The adolescents described both encouraging and discouraging experiences. On one hand, they said that online forums could provide nutritious meal ideas and inspiration as well as social support for behavior change. On the other hand, they mentioned that there was a confusing amount of misleading commercial content online and also experiences of peer-facilitated food marketing in online networks. An overarching theme was generated: social media might be a resource for health inspiration, health information, and social support, but requires awareness and competencies. Implications for clinical practice are discussed in light of these findings.
Published:
March 2, 2018
Title:
Association of Dietary Inflammatory Potential With Colorectal Cancer Risk in Men and Women
Authors:
Tabung, Fred K.; Liu, Li; Wang, Weike; Fung, Teresa T.; Wu, Kana; Smith-Warner, Stephanie A.; Cao, Yin; Hu, Frank B.; Ogino, Shuji; Fuchs, Charles S.; Giovannucci, Edward L.
Abstract:
Importance
Inflammation is important in colorectal cancer development. Diet modulates inflammation and may thus be a crucial modifiable factor in colorectal cancer prevention.
Objective
To examine whether proinflammatory diets are associated with increased colorectal cancer risk by using an empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) score based on a weighted sum of 18 food groups that characterizes dietary inflammatory potential based on circulating levels of inflammation biomarkers.
Design, Settings, and Participants
Cohort study of 46 804 men (Health Professionals Follow-up Study: 1986-2012) and 74 246 women (Nurses’ Health Study: 1984-2012) followed for 26 years to examine associations between EDIP scores and colorectal cancer risk using Cox regression. We also examined associations in categories of alcohol intake and body weight. Data analysis began January 17, 2017, and was completed August 9, 2017.
Exposures
EDIP scores calculated from food frequency questionnaires administered every 4 years.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Incident colorectal cancer.
Results
We documented 2699 incident colorectal cancer cases over 2 571 831 person-years of follow-up. Compared with participants in the lowest EDIP quintile (Q) who had a colorectal cancer incidence rate (per 100 000 person-years) of 113 (men) and 80 (women), those in the highest Q had an incidence rate of 151 (men) and 92 (women), leading to an unadjusted rate difference of 38 and 12 more colorectal cancer cases, respectively, among those consuming highly proinflammatory diets. Comparing participants in the highest vs lowest EDIP Qs in multivariable-adjusted analyses, higher EDIP scores were associated with 44% (men: hazard ratio [HR], 1.44; 95% CI, 1.19-1.74;P < .001 for trend), 22% (women: HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02-1.45;P = .007 for trend), and 32% (men and women: pooled HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.12-1.55;P < .001 for trend) higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. In both men and women, associations were observed in all anatomic subsites except for the rectum in women. In subgroups (P ≤ .02 for all interactions), associations differed by alcohol intake level, with stronger associations among men (Q5 vs Q1 HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.05-2.49;P = .002 for trend) and women (Q5 vs Q1 HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.97-1.81;P = .03 for trend) not consuming alcohol; and by body weight, with stronger associations among overweight/obese men (Q5 vs Q1 HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.12-1.94;P = .008 for trend) and lean women (Q5 vs Q1 HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.99-1.74;P = .01 for trend).
Conclusions and Relevance
Findings suggest that inflammation is a potential mechanism linking dietary patterns and colorectal cancer development. Interventions to reduce the adverse role of proinflammatory diets may be more effective among overweight/obese men and lean women or men and women who do not consume alcohol.
Published:
March 1, 2018
Title:
Dietary fiber and health outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Authors:
Veronese, Nicola; Solmi, Marco; Caruso, Maria Gabriella; Giannelli, Gianluigi; Osella, Alberto R.; Evangelou, Evangelos; Maggi, Stefania; Fontana, Luigi; Stubbs, Brendon; Tzoulaki, Ioanna
Abstract:
ABSTRACTBackground. Several studies have suggested that higher consumption of dietary fiber is beneficial for a variety of health outcomes. However, many resul
Published:
March 1, 2018
Title:
The Ketogenic Diet as a Potential Therapy in Down syndrome
Authors:
Kaneko, Kyle
Abstract:
Down syndrome is a common genetic intellectual disability seen in humans. Currently, therapeutic interventions are inadequate in improving the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome that have cognitive and behavioral impairments. Nutrition therapies for Down syndrome have focused on addressing obesity but not intellectual disability and cognitive decline. The ketogenic diet is a very low carbohydrate, moderate protein, and high fat diet used to treat childhood and adult epilepsy, however, there is growing interest in its potential to improve cognition and behavior. There is evidence suggesting that the ketogenic diet may be effective in treating comorbidities associated with Down syndrome such as early onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This review aims to discuss the ketogenic diet and the potential benefits that the diet may provide in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. We propose that the ketogenic diet may be a therapeutic option for cognitive decline in Down syndrome and warrants investigation.
Published:
March 1, 2018
Title:
Violent Crime and Park Use in Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods
Authors:
Han, Bing; Cohen, Deborah A.; Derose, Kathryn P.; Li, Jiang; Williamson, Stephanie
Abstract:
Introduction Crime and safety are often cited as potential hurdles to park use and park-based physical activity. Using comprehensive data sources including both objective and subjective measurements at the park level and the individual level, this study aimed to assess the association between crime rates and use of local parks in low-income urban neighborhoods. Methods The authors observed 48 parks and conducted local resident surveys in low-income neighborhoods in Los Angeles during a 2-year study period (2013–2015). Crime data were geocoded within a 1-mile radius of parks’ addresses and longitudinal models were fitted to estimate the association between crime rates and park use outcomes in 2017. Results One gun-related violent crime per 10,000 people during the 6-month period prior to data collection was associated with an average of 13.5%–15.8% reduction in observed park use and park-based moderate to vigorous physical activity (p<0.05) in the 6-month observation period. The relationship was significant in seniors (33%–40% reduction) and adults (13%–18%), but insignificant for teenagers (2%–4%) and children (10%–12%). Homicide rates were also significantly related to lower self-reported park use (p
Published:
March 1, 2018
Title:
Targeting oncogenic Myc as a strategy for cancer treatment
Authors:
Chen, Hui; Liu, Hudan; Qing, Guoliang
Abstract:
The cancer gene myc is the subject of a variety of research strategies aimed at developing anti-cancer therapies. Myc, which regulates at least 15% of all genes including those involved in cell development and survival, is mutated and overexpressed in many cancer types. While inhibiting myc is an obvious anti-cancer strategy, directly targeting myc has proved difficult. Dr Guoliang Qing and colleagues from Wuhan University have reviewed advances in myc-targeting strategies as potential cancer therapies. Current strategies include indirectly targeting myc by inhibiting its regulation and stability, and interaction with its partner Max, which is necessary for its regulation of gene expression. Other strategies involve inducing a mutation in a gene that interacts with myc to kill cancer cells. These and future innovative approaches provide promise for effective therapeutics against myc-dependent cancers.
Published:
February 23, 2018
Title:
Metabolic Responses in Endothelial Cells Following Exposure to Ketone Bodies
Authors:
Meroni, Erika; Papini, Nadia; Criscuoli, Franca; Casiraghi, Maria C.; Massaccesi, Luca; Basilico, Nicoletta; Erba, Daniela
Abstract:
The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet based on the induction of the synthesis of ketone bodies (KB). Despite its widespread use, the systemic impact of KD is not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of physiological levels of KB on HMEC-1 endothelial cells. To this aim, DNA oxidative damage and the activation of Nrf2, a known transcriptional factor involved in cell responses to oxidative stress, were assessed. The exposure of cells to KB exerted a moderate genotoxic effect, measured by a significant increase in DNA oxidative damage. However, cells pre-treated with KB for 48 h and subjected to a secondary oxidative insult (H2O2), significantly decreased DNA damage compared to control oxidized cells. This protection occurred by the activation of Nrf2 pathway. In KB-treated cells, we found increased levels of Nrf2 in nuclear extracts and higher gene expression of HO-1, a target gene of Nrf2, compared to control cells. These results suggest that KB, by inducing moderate oxidative stress, activate the transcription factor Nrf2, which induces the transcription of target genes involved in the cellular antioxidant defense system.
Published:
February 22, 2018
Title:
Effect of Low-Fat vs Low-Carbohydrate Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults and the Association With Genotype Pattern or Insulin Secretion: The DIETFITS Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors:
Gardner, Christopher D.; Trepanowski, John F.; Gobbo, Liana C. Del; Hauser, Michelle E.; Rigdon, Joseph; Ioannidis, John P. A.; Desai, Manisha; King, Abby C.
Abstract:
Importance
Dietary modification remains key to successful weight loss. Yet, no one dietary strategy is consistently superior to others for the general population. Previous research suggests genotype or insulin-glucose dynamics may modify the effects of diets.
Objective
To determine the effect of a healthy low-fat (HLF) diet vs a healthy low-carbohydrate (HLC) diet on weight change and if genotype pattern or insulin secretion are related to the dietary effects on weight loss.
Design, Setting, and Participants
The Diet Intervention Examining The Factors Interacting with Treatment Success (DIETFITS) randomized clinical trial included 609 adults aged 18 to 50 years without diabetes with a body mass index between 28 and 40. The trial enrollment was from January 29, 2013, through April 14, 2015; the date of final follow-up was May 16, 2016. Participants were randomized to the 12-month HLF or HLC diet. The study also tested whether 3 single-nucleotide polymorphism multilocus genotype responsiveness patterns or insulin secretion (INS-30; blood concentration of insulin 30 minutes after a glucose challenge) were associated with weight loss.
Interventions
Health educators delivered the behavior modification intervention to HLF (n = 305) and HLC (n = 304) participants via 22 diet-specific small group sessions administered over 12 months. The sessions focused on ways to achieve the lowest fat or carbohydrate intake that could be maintained long-term and emphasized diet quality.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Primary outcome was 12-month weight change and determination of whether there were significant interactions among diet type and genotype pattern, diet and insulin secretion, and diet and weight loss.
Results
Among 609 participants randomized (mean age, 40 [SD, 7] years; 57% women; mean body mass index, 33 [SD, 3]; 244 [40%] had a low-fat genotype; 180 [30%] had a low-carbohydrate genotype; mean baseline INS-30, 93 μIU/mL), 481 (79%) completed the trial. In the HLF vs HLC diets, respectively, the mean 12-month macronutrient distributions were 48% vs 30% for carbohydrates, 29% vs 45% for fat, and 21% vs 23% for protein. Weight change at 12 months was −5.3 kg for the HLF diet vs −6.0 kg for the HLC diet (mean between-group difference, 0.7 kg [95% CI, −0.2 to 1.6 kg]). There was no significant diet-genotype pattern interaction (P = .20) or diet-insulin secretion (INS-30) interaction (P = .47) with 12-month weight loss. There were 18 adverse events or serious adverse events that were evenly distributed across the 2 diet groups.
Conclusions and Relevance
In this 12-month weight loss diet study, there was no significant difference in weight change between a healthy low-fat diet vs a healthy low-carbohydrate diet, and neither genotype pattern nor baseline insulin secretion was associated with the dietary effects on weight loss. In the context of these 2 common weight loss diet approaches, neither of the 2 hypothesized predisposing factors was helpful in identifying which diet was better for whom.
Trial Registration
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01826591
Published:
February 20, 2018
Title:
The paleolithic ketogenic diet may ensure adequate serum magnesium levels
Authors:
Clemens, Zsofia; Dabóczi, Andrea; Tóth, Csaba
Abstract:
Magnesium plays an essential role in several enzymatic reactions. Its deficiency is known to be widespread and has been associated with a variety of pathological conditions characterized by chronic inflammation and/or oxidative stress. The connection between the metabolism of glucose and magnesium at the cell level is wellestablished. We hypothesize that magnesium deficiency in chronic conditions is primarily due to Western type carbohydrate based metabolism. In previous case studies we have shown that magnesium levels are normal on the paleolithic ketogenic diet. Here we assessed magnesium levels in a larger sample (n=50) to address whether the paleolithic ketogenic diet is able to ensure normal blood magnesium levels. Materials and Methods To assess magnesium levels in patients and healthy controls on the paleolithic ketogenic diet in a larger sample, we retrospectively analysed laboratory data obtained from 50 patients/subjects who were following the diet and were also not taking magnesium or other supplements. Correlation calculation was performed between magnesium and glucose levels. Results We found magnesium levels to be in the normal range in all but one patient/subject. There was a significant inverse correlation between glucose and magnesium levels. Discussion Our results indicate that the paleolithic ketogenic diet ensures normal magnesium levels in various pathological conditions as well as in healthy subjects. We believe that the high prevelance of magnesium deficiency reported earlier for a variety of chronic conditions is correlated with carbohydrate-based Western type nutrition rather than that of the chronic condition itself. We discuss underlying mechanisms. Keywords magnesium, paleolithic, ketogenic, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, diabetesn
Published:
February 20, 2018
Title:
Paleomedicina Hungary: Clinical Open Days
Authors:
Clemens, Zsofia; Tóth, Csaba
Abstract:
Published:
February 19, 2018
Title:
Chronic Ketogenic Low Carbohydrate High Fat Diet Has Minimal Effects on Acid-Base Status in Elite Athletes
Authors:
Carr, Amelia J.; Sharma, Avish P.; Ross, Megan L.; Welvaert, Marijke; Slater, Gary J.; Burke, Louise M.
Abstract:
Although short (up to 3 days) exposure to major shifts in macronutrient intake appears to alter acid-base status, the effects of sustained (>1 week) interventions in elite athletes has not been determined. Using a non-randomized, parallel design, we examined the effect of adaptations to 21 days of a ketogenic low carbohydrate high fat (LCHF) or periodized carbohydrate (PCHO) diet on pre- and post-exercise blood pH, and concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO₃-) and lactate (La-) in comparison to a high carbohydrate (HCHO) control. Twenty-four (17 male and 7 female) elite-level race walkers completed 21 days of either LCHF (n = 9), PCHO (n = 7), or HCHO (n = 8) under controlled diet and training conditions. At baseline and post-intervention, blood pH, blood [HCO₃-], and blood [La-] were measured before and after a graded exercise test. Net endogenous acid production (NEAP) over the previous 48-72 h was also calculated from monitored dietary intake. LCHF was not associated with significant differences in blood pH, [HCO₃-], or [La-], compared with the HCHO diet pre- or post-exercise, despite a significantly higher NEAP (mEq·day-1) (95% CI = [10.44; 36.04]). Our results indicate that chronic dietary interventions are unlikely to influence acid-base status in elite athletes, which may be due to pre-existing training adaptations, such as an enhanced buffering capacity, or the actions of respiratory and renal pathways, which have a greater influence on regulation of acid-base status than nutritional intake.
Published:
February 18, 2018
Title:
Inadequate Iodine Intake in Population Groups Defined by Age, Life Stage and Vegetarian Dietary Practice in a Norwegian Convenience Sample
Authors:
Brantsæter, Anne Lise; Knutsen, Helle Katrine; Johansen, Nina Cathrine; Nyheim, Kristine Aastad; Erlund, Iris; Meltzer, Helle Margrete; Henjum, Sigrun
Abstract:
Inadequate iodine intake has been identified in populations considered iodine replete for decades. The objective of the current study is to evaluate urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and the probability of adequate iodine intake in subgroups of the Norwegian population defined by age, life stage and vegetarian dietary practice. In a cross-sectional survey, we assessed the probability of adequate iodine intake by two 24-h food diaries and UIC from two fasting morning spot urine samples in 276 participants. The participants included children (n = 47), adolescents (n = 46), adults (n = 71), the elderly (n = 23), pregnant women (n = 45), ovo-lacto vegetarians (n = 25), and vegans (n = 19). In all participants combined, the median (95% CI) UIC was 101 (90, 110) µg/L, median (25th, 75th percentile) calculated iodine intake was 112 (77, 175) µg/day and median (25th, 75th percentile) estimated usual iodine intake was 101 (75, 150) µg/day. According to WHOs criteria for evaluation of median UIC, iodine intake was inadequate in the elderly, pregnant women, vegans and non-pregnant women of childbearing age. Children had the highest (82%) and vegans the lowest (14%) probability of adequate iodine intake according to reported food and supplement intakes. This study confirms the need for monitoring iodine intake and status in nationally representative study samples in Norway.
Published:
February 17, 2018
Title:
Sea-level change and demography during the last glacial termination and early Holocene across the Australian continent
Authors:
Williams, Alan N.; Ulm, Sean; Sapienza, Tom; Lewis, Stephen; Turney, Chris S. M.
Abstract:
Future changes in sea-level are projected to have significant environmental and social impacts, but we have limited understanding of comparable rates of change in the past. Using comprehensive palaeoenvironmental and archaeological datasets, we report the first quantitative model of the timing, spatial extent and pace of sea-level change in the Sahul region between 35-8 ka, and explore its effects on hunter-gatherer populations. Results show that the continental landmass (excluding New Guinea) increased to 9.80 million km2 during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), before a reduction of 2.12 million km2 (or ∼21.6%) to the early Holocene (8 ka). Almost 90% of this inundation occurs during and immediately following Meltwater Pulse (MWP) 1a between 14.6 and 8 ka. The location of coastlines changed on average by 139 km between the LGM and early Holocene, with some areas >300 km, and at a rate of up to 23.7 m per year (∼0.6 km land lost every 25-year generation). Spatially, inundation was highly variable, with greatest impacts across the northern half of Australia, while large parts of the east, south and west coastal margins were relatively unaffected. Hunter-gatherer populations remained low throughout (<30,000), but following MWP1a, increasing archaeological use of the landscape, comparable to a four-fold increase in populations, and indicative of large-scale migration away from inundated regions (notably the Bass Strait) are evident. Increasing population density resulting from MWP1a (from 1/655 km2 to 1/71 km2) may be implicated in the development of large and complex societies later in the Holocene. Our data support the hypothesis that late Pleistocene coastal populations were low, with use of coastal resources embedded in broad-ranging foraging strategies, and which would have been severely disrupted in some regions and at some time periods by sea-level change outpacing tolerances of mangals and other near-shore ecological communities.
Published:
February 15, 2018
Title:
Complexity of Advanced Glycation End Products in Foods: Where Are We Now?
Authors:
Zhu, Yingdong; Snooks, Hunter; Sang, Shengmin
Abstract:
Recent clinical trials indicate that consumption of dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may promote the development of major chronic diseases. However, the outcomes of human studies have proven inconclusive as a result of estimates of the total AGE intake being taken with a single AGE in most of the studies. In this perspective, we summarized the major types of AGEs derived from proteins, nucleic acids, and phospholipids during food processing and suggested a panel of AGEs as markers to better measure the intake of total dietary AGEs in human studies.
Published:
February 14, 2018
Title:
Detailed Musculoskeletal Study of a Fetus with Trisomy-18 (Edwards Syndrome) with Langer’s Axillary Arch, and Comparison with Other Cases of Human Congenital Malformations
Authors:
Alghamdi, Malak; Diogo, Rui; Izquierdo, Raquel; Pastor, Francisco; De Paz, Félix; Ziermann, Janine
Abstract:
Background: Trisomy-18 is the second most prevalent autosomal aneuploidy after trisomy-21. Trisomy-18 individuals present with major multisystem alternations including craniofacial and musculoskeletal anomalies. The study of trisomic cases provides us with magnified clues to the complex history of individual muscles during development and also allows us to record the development of variable human phenotypes more accurately. Methods and Findings: In this study, we describe in detail the musculoskeletal system of a premature female with trisomy-18 and compare it with previous studies of trisomies-13, -18 and -21 as well as karyotypically normal individuals. This study is a part of a long-term project aimed at contributing to the renaissance of comparative anatomy in general and comparative myology in particular and to a better understanding of both “normal” and abnormal development and its links to evolution, and birth defects. Five head features suggested developmental delay, supporting the idea that delayed development of the skeletal muscular system may be a crucial diagnostic feature for all human aneuploidy syndromes. More anomalies were found in the muscles of the upper and lower limbs than in the muscles of the head. These included the fusion of some muscles and the presence of supernumerary muscles such as the so-called "Langer’s axillary arch". In general, there is uniformity between the anomalies observed in the dissected fetus and in human fetuses with other trisomies. This supports Alberch’s ill-named “logic of monsters” theory because one finds the same malformations occurring in different syndromes, and moreover often mirroring phenotypes often seen in the normal configuration of other organisms. Furthermore, there are other clear cases of patterns found in human congenital malformations. Conclusions: As noted above, the upper limbs often have more muscular defects than the lower limbs, and many of human congenital malformations in human trisomies are related with developmental delay. The study of trisomy thus provides us with magnified clues to understand the evolution, development, and pathology of human anatomical structures, and to discuss broader subjects with major implications for both evolutionary and developmental biology and for medicine. Keywords: Trisomy-18; Musculoskeletal; Anomalies; Variations; Birth defects; Comparative anatomy
Published:
February 14, 2018
Title:
Dietary patterns and their association with adiponectin and leptin concentrations throughout pregnancy: a prospective cohort
Authors:
Alves-Santos, Nadya H.; Cocate, Paula G.; Eshriqui, Ilana; Benaim, Camila; Barros, Érica G.; Emmett, Pauline M.; Kac, Gilberto
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of dietary patterns (DP) with maternal adiposity indicators, leptin, adiponectin and insulin concentrations during pregnancy. A prospective cohort of pregnant women followed up at the 5th-13th, 20th -26th and 30th-36th gestational weeks and 30-40 d postpartum was conducted in Rio de Janeiro. A FFQ was administered in the third trimester (30th-36th gestational weeks). The reduced rank regression procedure was used to identify DP that explain response variables (dietary fibre and total fat) related to indicators of maternal adiposity (postpartum weight retention and gestational weight gain (GWG) adequacy), and plasma leptin, adiponectin and insulin concentrations. The associations between tertiles of DP and the outcomes were determined using logistic regression or longitudinal linear mixed-effect regression models. The mean daily energy intake during pregnancy was 10 104 (SD 3234) kJ (2415 (SD 773) kcal), and GWG was 11·9 (SD 4·2)kg. In all, 40% of women presented pre-gestational overweight/obesity. Excessive GWG occurred in 34·7% of pregnant women and 56·6% were overweight/obese at postpartum. The 'common-Brazilian' DP (characterised by higher intake of beans, rice and lower intake of fast food/snacks, candies/table sugar and processed meats/bacon) was positively associated with adiponectin (β=1·07; 95% CI 0·17, 1·98). The 'Western' DP (characterised by higher intake of fast food/snacks and processed meat/bacon and lower intake of noodles/pasta/roots/tubers and sodas) was negatively associated with adiponectin (β= -1·11; 95% CI -2·00, -0·22) and positively associated with leptin concentrations (β=64·9; 95% CI 22·8, 107·0) throughout pregnancy. It may be suggested that the 'common-Brazilian' is a healthy DP and beneficial for serum concentrations of adiponectin and leptin.
Published:
February 14, 2018
Title:
Therapeutic protocol of Paleomedicina Hungary
Authors:
Tóth, Csaba; Dabóczi, Andrea; Schimmer, Mária; Clemens, Zsofia
Abstract:
Paleolithic ketogenic diet (PKD): A diet covering and limited to our physiological needs We have developed the PKD in 2010-2011. Previously we have been using the paleolithic diet which proved to be ineffective in the vast majority of chronic conditions. We believe that the PKD is the only evolutionary adapted diet for humans. Rehabilitation of chronic diseases is most effective when the diet is limited to our real physiological needs. Eating fruits and vegetables does not form part of our physiological need but are associated with risks. Plant foods can only be regarded as "relatively" safe and only when certain plant food items are consumed and only in limited amounts. The diet was derived from clinical evidence and was not primarily influenced by archeological or ethnographic evidence, given that the application of the diet is clinical too. Altogether clinical experience was derived from about 4000 patients. Characterizaton of the PKD • 70-100% animal based food, 0-30% plant based foods (in volume) "Diet exactly confined to our needs" "Physiologically still tolerable diet"
Published:
February 13, 2018
Title:
Archaeology and ichnology at Gombore II-2, Melka Kunture, Ethiopia: everyday life of a mixed-age hominin group 700,000 years ago
Authors:
Altamura, Flavio; Bennett, Matthew R.; D’Août, Kristiaan; Gaudzinski-Windheuser, Sabine; Melis, Rita T.; Reynolds, Sally C.; Mussi, Margherita
Abstract:
We report the occurrence at 0.7 million years (Ma) of an ichnological assemblage at Gombore II-2, which is one of several archaeological sites at Melka Kunture in the upper Awash Valley of Ethiopia, 2000 m asl. Adults and children potentially as young as 12 months old left tracks in a silty substrate on the shore of a body of water where ungulates, as well as other mammals and birds, congregated. Furthermore, the same layers contain a rich archaeological and palaeontological record, confirming that knapping was taking place in situ and that stone tools were used for butchering hippo carcasses at the site. The site gives direct information on hominin landscape use at 0.7 Ma and may provide fresh perspective on the childhood of our ancestors.
Published:
February 12, 2018
Title:
A Plant-Based Dietary Intervention Improves Beta-Cell Function and Insulin Resistance in Overweight Adults: A 16-Week Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors:
Kahleova, Hana; Tura, Andrea; Hill, Martin; Holubkov, Richard; Barnard, Neal D.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to test the effect of a plant-based dietary intervention on beta-cell function in overweight adults with no history of diabetes. Participants (n = 75) were randomized to follow a low-fat plant-based diet (n = 38) or to make no diet changes (n = 37) for 16 weeks. At baseline and 16 weeks, beta-cell function was quantified with a mathematical model. Using a standard meal test, insulin secretory rate was calculated by C-peptide deconvolution. The Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA-IR) index was used to assess insulin resistance while fasting. A marked increase in meal-stimulated insulin secretion was observed in the intervention group compared with controls (interaction between group and time, Gxt, p < 0.001). HOMA-IR index fell significantly (p
Published:
February 9, 2018
Title:
The Difference Between M1 & M2 Macrophages
Authors:
Abstract:
Macrophages are a diverse group of white blood cells known for eliminating pathogens through phagocytosis. Learn more about the M1 and M2 classifications.
Published:
February 8, 2018
Title:
The Assessment of Bone Regulatory Pathways, Bone Turnover, and Bone Mineral Density in Vegetarian and Omnivorous Children
Authors:
Ambroszkiewicz, Jadwiga; Chełchowska, Magdalena; Szamotulska, Katarzyna; Rowicka, Grażyna; Klemarczyk, Witold; Strucińska, Małgorzata; Gajewska, Joanna
Abstract:
Vegetarian diets contain many beneficial properties as well as carry a risk of inadequate intakes of several nutrients important to bone health. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum levels of bone metabolism markers and to analyze the relationships between biochemical bone markers and anthropometric parameters in children on vegetarian and omnivorous diets. The study included 70 prepubertal children on a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet and 60 omnivorous children. Body composition, bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Biochemical markers-bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), osteoprotegerin (OPG), nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), sclerostin, and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (Dkk-1)-were measured using immunoenzymatic assays. In vegetarians, we observed a significantly higher level of BALP (p = 0.002) and CTX-I (p = 0.027), and slightly lower spine BMC (p = 0.067) and BMD (p = 0.060) than in omnivores. Concentrations of OPG, RANKL, sclerostin, and Dkk-1 were comparable in both groups of children. We found that CTX-I was positively correlated with BMC, total BMD, and lumbar spine BMD in vegetarians, but not in omnivores. A well-planned vegetarian diet with proper dairy and egg intake does not lead to significantly lower bone mass; however, children following a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet had a higher rate of bone turnover and subtle changes in bone regulatory markers. CTX-I might be an important marker for the protection of vegetarians from bone abnormalities.
Published:
February 7, 2018
Title:
Primate modularity and evolution: First anatomical network analysis of primate head and neck musculoskeletal system
Authors:
Powell, Vance; Esteve-Altava, Borja; Molnar, Julia; Villmoare, Brian; Pettit, Alesha; Diogo, Rui
Abstract:
Network theory is increasingly being used to study morphological modularity and integration. Anatomical network analysis (AnNA) is a framework for quantitatively characterizing the topological organization of anatomical structures and providing an operational way to compare structural integration and modularity. Here we apply AnNA for the first time to study the macroevolution of the musculoskeletal system of the head and neck in primates and their closest living relatives, paying special attention to the evolution of structures associated with facial and vocal communication. We show that well-defined left and right facial modules are plesiomorphic for primates, while anthropoids consistently have asymmetrical facial modules that include structures of both sides, a change likely related to the ability to display more complex, asymmetrical facial expressions. However, no clear trends in network organization were found regarding the evolution of structures related to speech. Remarkably, the increase in the number of head and neck muscles - and thus of musculoskeletal structures - in human evolution led to a decrease in network density and complexity in humans.
Published:
February 5, 2018
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