top of page
Published Science
Click Search to Filter.
Total Entries: 10690
Title:
Comment on " Systematic Review: Isocaloric Ketogenic Dietary Regimes for Cancer Patients " by Erickson et al
Authors:
Tóth, Csaba; Dabóczi, Andrea; Chanrai, Madhvi; Clemens, Zsofia
Abstract:
Erickson et al. recently published a review on the use of the ketogenic diet in cancer. The authors of this reply are clinicians who bring into play an evolutionary approach in the practice of medicine and specifically have been using the paleolithic ketogenic diet in the treatment of chronic diseases since 2011. We have instituted the paleolithic ketogenic diet in approximately 4000 patients, of whom several hundred have been followed up for at least one year, and 60 cancer patients who have been followed up for at least 6 months. Previously (prior to 2011) we had been using the classic paleolithic diet, which was useful in the treatment of certain diseases but proved to be ineffective in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Published:
July 25, 2017
Title:
New frontiers in metabolomics: from measurement to insight
Authors:
Riekeberg, Eli; Powers, Robert
Abstract:
Metabolomics is the newest addition to the “omics” disciplines and has shown rapid growth in its application to human health research because of fundamental advancements in measurement and analysis techniques. Metabolomics has unique and proven advantages in systems biology and biomarker discovery. The next generation of analysis techniques promises even richer and more complete analysis capabilities that will enable earlier clinical diagnosis, drug refinement, and personalized medicine. A review of current advancements in methodologies and statistical analysis that are enhancing and improving the performance of metabolomics is presented along with highlights of some recent successful applications.
Published:
July 18, 2017
Title:
Exploring cancer metabolism using stable isotope-resolved metabolomics (SIRM)
Authors:
Bruntz, Ronald C.; Lane, Andrew N.; Higashi, Richard M.; Fan, Teresa W.-M.
Abstract:
Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer. The changes in metabolism are adaptive to permit proliferation, survival, and eventually metastasis in a harsh environment. Stable isotope-resolved metabolomics (SIRM) is an approach that uses advanced approaches of NMR and mass spectrometry to analyze the fate of individual atoms from stable isotope-enriched precursors to products to deduce metabolic pathways and networks. The approach can be applied to a wide range of biological systems, including human subjects. This review focuses on the applications of SIRM to cancer metabolism and its use in understanding drug actions.
Published:
July 13, 2017
Title:
Effect of Antidepressant Switching vs Augmentation on Remission Among Patients With Major Depressive Disorder Unresponsive to Antidepressant Treatment: The VAST-D Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors:
Mohamed, Somaia; Johnson, Gary R.; Chen, Peijun; Hicks, Paul B.; Davis, Lori L.; Yoon, Jean; Gleason, Theresa C.; Vertrees, Julia E.; Weingart, Kimberly; Tal, Ilanit; Scrymgeour, Alexandra; Lawrence, David D.; Planeta, Beata; Thase, Michael E.; Huang, Grant D.; Zisook, Sidney; and the VAST-D Investigators; Rao, Sanjai D.; Pilkinton, Patricia D.; Wilcox, James A.; Iranmanesh, Ali; Sapra, Mamta; Jurjus, George; Michalets, James P.; Aslam, Muhammed; Beresford, Thomas; Anderson, Keith D.; Fernando, Ronald; Ramaswamy, Sriram; Kasckow, John; Westermeyer, Joseph; Yoon, Gihyun; D’Souza, D. Cyril; Larson, Gunnar; Anderson, William G.; Klatt, Mary; Fareed, Ayman; Thompson, Shabnam I.; Carrera, Carlos J.; Williams, Solomon S.; Juergens, Timothy M.; Albers, Lawrence J.; Nasdahl, Clifford S.; Villarreal, Gerardo; Winston, Julia L.; Nogues, Cristobal A.; Connolly, K. Ryan; Tapp, Andre; Jones, Kari A.; Khatkhate, Gauri; Marri, Sheetal; Suppes, Trisha; LaMotte, Joseph; Hurley, Robin; Mayeda, Aimee R.; Niculescu, Alexander B.; Fischer, Bernard A.; Loreck, David J.; Rosenlicht, Nicholas; Lieske, Steven; Finkel, Mitchell S.; Little, John T.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To determine the relative effectiveness and safety of 3 common alternate treatments for MDD. Editorial page 126 Supplemental content CME Quiz at jamanetwork.com/learning DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS From December 2012 to May 2015, 1522 patients at 35 US Veterans Health Administration medical centers who were diagnosed with nonpsychotic MDD, unresponsive to at least 1 antidepressant course meeting minimal standards for treatment dose and duration, participated in the study. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to 1 of 3 treatments and evaluated for up to 36 weeks. INTERVENTIONS Switch to a different antidepressant, bupropion (switch group, n = 511); augment current treatment with bupropion (augment-bupropion group, n = 506); or augment with an atypical antipsychotic, aripiprazole (augment-aripiprazole group, n = 505) for 12 weeks (acute treatment phase) and up to 36 weeks for longer-term follow-up (continuation phase). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was remission during the acute treatment phase (16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Clinician Rated [QIDS-C16] score Յ5 at 2 consecutive visits). Secondary outcomes included response (Ն50% reduction in QIDS-C16 score or improvement on the Clinical Global Impression Improvement scale), relapse, and adverse effects. RESULTS Among1522randomizedpatients(meanage,54.4years;men,1296[85.2%]),1137(74.7%) completedtheacutetreatmentphase.Remissionratesat12weekswere22.3%(n = 114)fortheswitch group, 26.9% (n = 136)for the augment-bupropion group, and 28.9% (n = 146) for the augmentaripiprazole group. The augment-aripiprazole group exceeded the switch group in remission (relative risk [RR], 1.30 [95% CI, 1.05-1.60]; P = .02), but other remission comparisons were not significant. Response was greater for the augment-aripiprazole group (74.3%) than for either the switch group (62.4%; RR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.09-1.29]) or the augment-bupropion group (65.6%; RR, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.04-1.23]). No significant treatment differences were observed for relapse. Anxiety was more frequent in the 2 bupropion groups (24.3% in the switch group [n = 124] vs 16.6% in the augmentaripiprazolegroup[n = 84];and22.5%inaugment-bupropiongroup[n = 114]).Adverseeffectsmore frequent in the augment-aripiprazole group included somnolence, akathisia, and weight gain. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among a predominantly male population with major depressive disorder unresponsive to antidepressant treatment, augmentation with aripiprazole resulted in a statistically significant but only modestly increased likelihood of remission during 12 weeks of treatment compared with switching to bupropion monotherapy. Given the small effect size and adverse effects associated with aripiprazole, further analysis including cost-effectiveness is needed to understand the net utility of this approach.
Published:
July 10, 2017
Title:
US Healthcare Experiences of Hispanic Patients with Diabetes and Family Members: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors:
Amirehsani, Karen A.; Hu, Jie; Wallace, Debra C.; Silva, Zulema A.; Dick, Sarah; West-Livingston, Lauren N.; Hussami, Christina R.
Abstract:
Hispanics in the United States experience significant health disparities. Using focus groups conducted in Spanish, we explored the perspectives of 172 Hispanic adults regarding their healthcare experiences. Many participants were women (64.5%) and primarily from Mexico (80%). Four major qualitative themes emerged: (a) provide us with information, (b) want attentive and respectful relationships, (c) want better care, and (d) perceived discrimination. Suboptimal patient-provider interactions were described. Research is needed to explore interventions that address these issues. Incorporating person-centered care principles and practices such as clear and understandable communication, culturally competent care, and customer service skills may benefit provider interactions with Hispanics.
Published:
July 2, 2017
Title:
Effect of Alternate-Day Fasting on Weight Loss, Weight Maintenance, and Cardioprotection Among Metabolically Healthy Obese Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors:
Trepanowski, John F.; Kroeger, Cynthia M.; Barnosky, Adrienne; Klempel, Monica C.; Bhutani, Surabhi; Hoddy, Kristin K.; Gabel, Kelsey; Freels, Sally; Rigdon, Joseph; Rood, Jennifer; Ravussin, Eric; Varady, Krista A.
Abstract:
Alternate-day fasting has become increasingly popular, yet, to date, no long-term randomized clinical trials have evaluated its efficacy.To compare the effects of alternate-day fasting vs daily calorie restriction on weight loss, weight maintenance, and risk indicators for cardiovascular disease.A single-center randomized clinical trial of obese adults (18 to 64 years of age; mean body mass index, 34) was conducted between October 1, 2011, and January 15, 2015, at an academic institution in Chicago, Illinois.Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 groups for 1 year: alternate-day fasting (25% of energy needs on fast days; 125% of energy needs on alternating “feast days”), calorie restriction (75% of energy needs every day), or a no-intervention control. The trial involved a 6-month weight-loss phase followed by a 6-month weight-maintenance phase.The primary outcome was change in body weight. Secondary outcomes were adherence to the dietary intervention and risk indicators for cardiovascular disease.Among the 100 participants (86 women and 14 men; mean [SD] age, 44 [11] years), the dropout rate was highest in the alternate-day fasting group (13 of 34 [38%]), vs the daily calorie restriction group (10 of 35 [29%]) and control group (8 of 31 [26%]). Mean weight loss was similar for participants in the alternate-day fasting group and those in the daily calorie restriction group at month 6 (–6.8% [95% CI, –9.1% to –4.5%] vs –6.8% [95% CI, –9.1% to –4.6%]) and month 12 (–6.0% [95% CI, –8.5% to –3.6%] vs –5.3% [95% CI, –7.6% to –3.0%]) relative to those in the control group. Participants in the alternate-day fasting group ate more than prescribed on fast days, and less than prescribed on feast days, while those in the daily calorie restriction group generally met their prescribed energy goals. There were no significant differences between the intervention groups in blood pressure, heart rate, triglycerides, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, or homocysteine concentrations at month 6 or 12. Mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at month 6 significantly increased among the participants in the alternate-day fasting group (6.2 mg/dL [95% CI, 0.1-12.4 mg/dL]), but not at month 12 (1.0 mg/dL [95% CI, –5.9 to 7.8 mg/dL]), relative to those in the daily calorie restriction group. Mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly elevated by month 12 among the participants in the alternate-day fasting group (11.5 mg/dL [95% CI, 1.9-21.1 mg/dL]) compared with those in the daily calorie restriction group.Alternate-day fasting did not produce superior adherence, weight loss, weight maintenance, or cardioprotection vs daily calorie restriction.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00960505
Published:
June 30, 2017
Title:
Hunted or Scavenged Neanderthals? Taphonomic Approach to Hominin Fossils with Carnivore Damage
Authors:
Camarós, Edgard; Cueto, Marián; Rosell Ardèvol, Jordi; Diez, Carlos; Blasco, Ruth; Duhig, Corinne; Darlas, Andreas; Harvati, Katerina; Jordá Pardo, Jesús; Montes, Lourdes; Villaverde, Valentín; Rivals, Florent
Abstract:
Carnivore damage on Neanderthal fossils is a much more common taphonomic modification than previously thought. Its presence could have different explanations, including predatory attacks or scavenging scenarios, which are both situations with important implications concerning Neanderthal behavior. In the present paper, we analyze several Neanderthal hominin fossils from a taphonomic and forensic perspective in order to infer the nature of the modifications observed on the bone surfaces. Fossils displaying carnivore modifications from Spain, Germany, Belgium, and Greece are evaluated from a taphonomic perspective for the first time in a significant sample of hominin specimens. Our results show that the materials analyzed have been modified by small to large carnivores and that both attacks and strictly carnivore scavenging events can be inferred. This study also points out the importance of developing taphonomic approaches to the analysis of hominin bone surfaces, which can contribute significantly to knowledge of several aspects of Neanderthal behavior.
Published:
June 30, 2017
Title:
Memantine inhibits degradation of the articular cartilage extracellular matrix induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs)
Authors:
Zhao, Jijun; Yu, Yinghao; Wu, Zhaofeng; Wang, Ling; Li, Wei
Abstract:
The accumulation of inflammation and cartilage damage induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are important hallmarks of osteoarthritis (OA). Memantine is a clinically licensed drug used for the treatment of moderate and severe Alzheimer’s disease. To date, little information has been reported regarding the effects of memantine on cartilage destruction. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of memantine on AGE-induced degradation of collagen II and aggrecans in human SW1353 chondrocytes. Our results indicate that memantine ameliorated AGE-induced degradation of collagen II and aggrecan at the post-translational level in SW1353 cells, which were mediated by matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 (ADAMTS-4), respectively. Mechanistically, memantine was found to attenuate the upregulation of the transcriptional factor interferon response factor-1 (IRF-1) induced by AGEs, as well as activation of the JAK2/STAT1 pathway. Our findings suggest that memantine may have a potential therapeutic effect in OA.
Published:
June 30, 2017
Title:
The Ketogenic Diet: Making a Comeback
Authors:
Walczyk, Thomas; Wick, Jeannette Y.
Abstract:
Americans have embraced a large number of diets in an attempt to manage obesity, improve quality of life, and address specific health problems. Among diets developed to address health problems, the ketogenic diet has had a long and variable history. Developed in the 1920s by a faith healer to help children with epilepsy, this diet induces a state that mimics carbohydrate starvation. As medications became available and effectively addressed seizures, the diet fell out of favor. During the last few decades, researchers and clinicians have learned that it can be useful in children and adults with refractory epilepsy and a variety of other conditions. Once again, pharmacists may encounter patients who are employing dietary management of serious health problems. This very high-fat diet almost eliminates carbohydrates from the patient's food selection. The result is the substitution of ketone bodies as a source of energy. Today's ketogenic diet has been modified with scientifically proven adjustments to increase palatability and help with adherence. Effective for some forms of epilepsy, the ketogenic diet also seems to have some utility in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and glaucoma, and many Americans are using it to lose weight. Consultant pharmacists may field questions about this diet, its potential to correct or alleviate health conditions, and its limitations. The article discusses the ketogenic diet's strengths, limitations, potential mechanisms, and use in a number of conditions with an emphasis on the elderly.
Published:
June 30, 2017
Title:
Iron Concentration in Deep Gray Matter Structures is Associated with Worse Visual Memory Performance in Healthy Young Adults
Authors:
Gergely, Darnai; Nagy, Szilvia; Horvath, Reka; Acs, Peter; Perlaki, Gabor; Orsi, Gergely; Kovács, Norbert; Altbacker, Anna; Plózer, Enikő; Tényi, Dalma; Weintraut, Rita; Schwarcz, Attila; John, Flora; Varga, Eszter; Bereczkei, Tamás; Clemens, Zsofia; Komoly, Samuel; Janszky, József
Abstract:
Abnormally high deposition of iron can contribute to neurodegenerative disorders with cognitive impairment. Since previous studies investigating cognition-brain iron accumulation relationships focused on elderly people, our aim was to explore the association between iron concentration in subcortical nuclei and two types of memory performances in a healthy young population. Gender difference was found only in the globus pallidus. Our results showed that iron load characterized by R2* value on the MRI in the caudate and putamen was related to visual memory, while verbal memory was unrelated to iron concentration.
Published:
June 26, 2017
Title:
Muscle development in the shark Scyliorhinus canicula: Implications for the evolution of the gnathostome head and paired appendage musculature
Authors:
Ziermann, Janine; Freitas, Renata; Diogo, Rui
Abstract:
Background The origin of jawed vertebrates was marked by profound reconfigurations of the skeleton and muscles of the head and by the acquisition of two sets of paired appendages. Extant cartilaginous fish retained numerous plesiomorphic characters of jawed vertebrates, which include several aspects of their musculature. Therefore, myogenic studies on sharks are essential in yielding clues on the developmental processes involved in the origin of the muscular anatomy. Results Here we provide a detailed description of the development of specific muscular units integrating the cephalic and appendicular musculature of the shark model, Scyliorhinus canicula. In addition, we analyze the muscle development across gnathostomes by comparing the developmental onset of muscle groups in distinct taxa. Our data reveal that appendicular myogenesis occurs earlier in the pectoral than in the pelvic appendages. Additionally, the pectoral musculature includes muscles that have their primordial developmental origin in the head. This culminates in a tight muscular connection between the pectoral girdle and the cranium, which founds no parallel in the pelvic fins. Moreover, we identified a lateral to ventral pattern of formation of the cephalic muscles, that has been equally documented in osteichthyans but, in contrast with these gnathostomes, the hyoid muscles develop earlier than mandibular muscle in S. canicula. Conclusion Our analyses reveal considerable differences in the formation of the pectoral and pelvic musculatures in S. canicula, reinforcing the idea that head tissues have contributed to the formation of the pectoral appendages in the common ancestor of extant gnathostomes. In addition, temporal differences in the formation of some cranial muscles between chondrichthyans and osteichthyans might support the hypothesis that the similarity between the musculature of the mandibular arch and of the other pharyngeal arches represents a derived feature of jawed vertebrates.
Published:
June 20, 2017
Title:
Fortifying Horticultural Crops with Essential Amino Acids: A Review
Authors:
Wang, Guoping; Xu, Mengyun; Wang, Wenyi; Galili, Gad
Abstract:
To feed the world’s growing population, increasing the yield of crops is not the only important factor, improving crop quality is also important, and it presents a significant challenge. Among the important crops, horticultural crops (particularly fruits and vegetables) provide numerous health compounds, such as vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids. Essential amino acids are those that cannot be produced by the organism and, therefore, must be obtained from diet, particularly from meat, eggs, and milk, as well as a variety of plants. Extensive efforts have been devoted to increasing the levels of essential amino acids in plants. Yet, these efforts have been met with very little success due to the limited genetic resources for plant breeding and because high essential amino acid content is generally accompanied by limited plant growth. With a deep understanding of the biosynthetic pathways of essential amino acids and their interactions with the regulatory networks in plants, it should be possible to use genetic engineering to improve the essential amino acid content of horticultural plants, rendering these plants more nutritionally favorable crops. In the present report, we describe the recent advances in the enhancement of essential amino acids in horticultural plants and possible future directions towards their bio-fortification.
Published:
June 18, 2017
Title:
Primate energy input and the evolutionary transition to energy-dense diets in humans
Authors:
Simmen, Bruno; Pasquet, Patrick; Masi, Shelly; Koppert, Georgius; Wells, Jonathan; Hladik, Annette
Abstract:
Humans and other large-brained hominins have been proposed to increase energy turnover during their evolutionary history. Such increased energy turnover is plausible, given the evolution of energy-rich diets, but requires empirical confirmation. Framing human energetics in a phylogenetic context, our meta-analysis of 17 wild non-human primate species shows that daily metabolizable energy input follows an allometric relationship with body mass where the allometric exponent for mass is 0.75+0.04, close to that reported for daily energy expenditure measured with doubly labelled water in primates. Human populations at subsistence level (n = 6) largely fall within the variation of primate species in the scaling of energy intake and therefore do not consume significantly more energy than predicted for a non-human primate of equivalent mass. By contrast, humans ingest a conspicuously lower mass of food (-64±6%) compared with primates and maintain their energy intake relatively more constantly across the year. We conclude that our hominin hunter–gatherer ancestors did not increase their energy turnover beyond the allometric relationship characterizing all primate species. The reduction in digestive costs due to consumption of a lower mass of high-quality food, as well as stabilization of energy supply, may have been important evolutionary steps enabling encephalization in the absence of significantly raised energy intakes. © 2017 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.
Published:
June 13, 2017
Title:
Head and Neck Musculature
Authors:
Diogo, Rui; Shearer, Brian; Potau, Josep Maria; Pastor, Francisco; De Paz, Félix; Arias-Martorell, Julia; Turcotte, Cassandra; Hammond, Ashley; Vereecke, Evie; Vanhoof, Marie; Nauwelaerts, Sandra; Wood, Bernard
Abstract:
In this chapter we describe the head and neck musculature of the bonobos dissected by us and by other previous authors, and compare it with that of common chimpanzees. The only major difference between the two chimpanzee species is that bonobos usually have a single belly of the omohyoideus, contrary to the two bellies that are usually present in both common chimpanzees and modern humans.
Published:
June 12, 2017
Title:
Introduction, Aims, Methodology and Materials
Authors:
Diogo, Rui; Shearer, Brian; Potau, Josep Maria; Pastor, Francisco; De Paz, Félix; Arias-Martorell, Julia; Turcotte, Cassandra; Hammond, Ashley; Vereecke, Evie; Vanhoof, Marie; Nauwelaerts, Sandra; Wood, Bernard
Abstract:
Strikingly, until the publication of this book comprehensive data about the soft tissues of our closest living relatives, the chimpanzees, was only available for common chimpanzees, as even Miller’s 1952 study of bonobo musculature was incomplete and restricted to a single individual. Few zoos keep bonobos and cadavers are difficult to come by, but thanks to the foresight of researchers at the Antwerp Zoo, which has one of the largest collections of bonobos in captivity, seven bonobo cadavers had been preserved. Thanks also to a collaboration between the Antwerp Zoo and the Applied Veterinary Morphology group of the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Antwerp, arrangements were made for a team of researchers, including the authors of this book, to dissect all seven cadavers, which comprise males and females and fetal, infant, adolescent and adult stages.
Published:
June 12, 2017
Title:
Lower Limb Musculature and Lumbosacral Plexus
Authors:
Diogo, Rui; Shearer, Brian; Potau, Josep Maria; Pastor, Francisco; De Paz, Félix; Arias-Martorell, Julia; Turcotte, Cassandra; Hammond, Ashley; Vereecke, Evie; Vanhoof, Marie; Nauwelaerts, Sandra; Wood, Bernard
Abstract:
In this chapter, we describe the lower limb musculature musculature of the bonobos dissected by us and by other previous authors and compare it with that of common chimpanzees. The three major differences between the two chimpanzee species are that bonobos usually retain a scansorius and have popliteus-fibula and extensor hallucis longus-proximal big toe phalanx attachments: all these three features are usually missing in common chimpanzees and humans.
Published:
June 12, 2017
Title:
Trunk, Diaphragmatic, Perineal and Coccygeal Musculature
Authors:
Diogo, Rui; Shearer, Brian; Potau, Josep Maria; Pastor, Francisco; De Paz, Félix; Arias-Martorell, Julia; Turcotte, Cassandra; Hammond, Ashley; Vereecke, Evie; Vanhoof, Marie; Nauwelaerts, Sandra; Wood, Bernard
Abstract:
In this chapter we describe the trunk, diaphragmatic, perineal and coccygeal musculature of the bonobos dissected by us and by other previous authors, and compare it with that of common chimpanzees. There are no major differences, for instance concerning the consistent presence of certain muscles in one species versus the consistent absence in the other, between the two chimpanzee species.
Published:
June 12, 2017
Title:
Upper Limb Musculature and Brachial Plexus
Authors:
Diogo, Rui; Shearer, Brian; Potau, Josep Maria; Pastor, Francisco; De Paz, Félix; Arias-Martorell, Julia; Turcotte, Cassandra; Hammond, Ashley; Vereecke, Evie; Vanhoof, Marie; Nauwelaerts, Sandra; Wood, Bernard
Abstract:
In this chapter we describe the upper limb musculature musculature of the bonobos dissected by us and by other previous authors, and compare it with that of common chimpanzees. The three major differences between the two chimpanzee species are: (1) the intermetacarpales and flexores breves profundi muscles in the hand of bonobos usually fuse to form dorsal interossei, a shared feature with modern humans; (2) bonobos usually have a stout tendon of the flexor digitorum profundus attaching to digit 1 (in modern humans the homologous tendon of the flexor pollicis longus to digit 1 is usually also stout; and (3) bonobos usually have an attachment between the pectoralis minor and the coracoid process of the scapula, as modern humans usually do.
Published:
June 12, 2017
Title:
Dietary protein and bone health: a systematic review and meta-analysis from the National Osteoporosis Foundation
Authors:
Shams-White, Marissa M.; Chung, Mei; Du, Mengxi; Fu, Zhuxuan; Insogna, Karl L.; Karlsen, Micaela C.; LeBoff, Meryl S.; Shapses, Sue A.; Sackey, Joachim; Wallace, Taylor C.; Weaver, Connie M.
Abstract:
ABSTRACT. Background: Considerable attention has recently focused on dietary protein’s role in the mature skeleton, prompted partly by an interest in nonpharma
Published:
May 31, 2017
Title:
Fred A. Kummerow, an Early Opponent of Trans Fats, Dies at 102
Authors:
Hafner, Katie
Abstract:
Artificial trans fats were ruled unsafe by the Food and Drug Administration partly in response to a lawsuit that Professor Kummerow filed against the agency.
Published:
May 31, 2017
Title:
School Meals, Re-accommodated
Authors:
Ruis, A. R.
Abstract:
Published:
May 28, 2017
Title:
Comparative musculoskeletal anatomy of chameleon limbs, with implications for the evolution of arboreal locomotion in lizards and for teratology
Authors:
Molnar, Julia; Diaz, Raul; Skorka, Tautis; Grant; Diogo, Rui
Abstract:
Chameleon species have recently been adopted as models for evo-devo and macroevolutionary processes. However, most anatomical and developmental studies of chameleons focus on the skeleton , and information about their soft tissues is scarce. Here, we provide a detailed morphological description based on contrast enhanced micro-CT scans and dissections of the adult phenotype of all the forelimb and hindlimb muscles of the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and compare these muscles with those of other chameleons and lizards. We found the appendicular muscle anatomy of chameleons to be surprisingly conservative considering the remarkable structural and functional modifications of the limb skeleton, particularly the distal limb regions. For instance, the zygodactyl autopodia of chameleons are unique among tetrapods, and the carpals and tarsals are highly modified in shape and number. However, most of the muscles usually present in the manus and pes of other lizards are present in the same configuration in chameleons. The most obvious muscular features related to the peculiar opposable autopodia of chameleons are: (1) presence of broad, V-shaped plantar and palmar aponeuroses, and absence of intermetacarpales and intermeta-tarsales, between the digits separated by the cleft in each autopod; (2) oblique orientation of the superficial short flexors originating from these aponeuroses, which may allow these muscles to act as powerful adductors of the " super-digits " ; and (3) well-developed abductor digiti minimi muscles and abductor pollicis/hallucis brevis muscles, which may act as powerful abductors of the " super-digits.
Published:
May 17, 2017
Title:
Fire for a Reason: Barbecue at Middle Pleistocene Qesem Cave, Israel
Authors:
Barkai, Ran; Rosell Ardèvol, Jordi; Blasco, Ruth; Gopher, Avi
Abstract:
Qesem Cave is a Middle Pleistocene site in Israel occupied between 420 and 200 ka. Excavations have revealed a wealth of innovative behaviors most likely practiced by a new hominin lineage. These include early evidence for the habitual and continuous use of fire, the repeated use of a central hearth, systematic flint and bone recycling, early blade production technologies, social hunting strategies and meat-sharing practices, and more. Fire was used throughout the 200,000 years of human occupation of the cave primarily for meat roasting and cooking. Roasting and cooking, we argue, had an important role in providing the necessary caloric intake of the cave’s inhabitants. We see fire as an essential element of the new post-Acheulian human adaptation in the Levant. The ample recurring evidence for focused and repeated use of fire for dietary purposes suggests that fire production, control, use, and maintenance were habitually practiced by the cave’s inhabitants and that fire-induced calories became central for their survival. We present an integrative view regarding the use of fire at Qesem Cave and discuss the role of fire within the framework of the significant cultural and biological transformations that took shape in the post-Acheulian Levant during the Middle Pleistocene.
Published:
May 16, 2017
Title:
Metabolomics of cancer cell cultures to assess the effects of dietary phytochemicals
Authors:
Brasili, Elisa; Filho, Valdir Cechinel
Abstract:
Cancer is a multi-factorial disease and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Dietary phytochemicals have been used for the treatment of cancer throughout history due to their safety, low toxicity, and general availability. Several studies have been performed to elucidate the effects of dietary phytochemicals on cancer metabolism, and many molecular targets of phytochemicals have been discovered. In spite of remarkable progress, their effects on cancer metabolism have not yet been fully clarified. Recent developments in metabolomics allowed to probe much further the metabolism of cancer, highlighting altered metabolic pathways and offering a new powerful tool to investigate cancer disease. In this review, we discuss the main metabolic alterations of cancer cells and the potentiality of phytochemicals as promising modulators of cancer metabolism. We will focus on the application of nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics on breast and hepatocellular cancer cell lines to evaluate the impact of curcumin and resveratrol on cancer metabolome with the aim to demonstrate the premise of this approach to provide useful information for a better understanding of impact of diet components on cancer disease.
Published:
May 14, 2017
Title:
Extracellular Vesicles in Cardiovascular Disease: Potential Applications in Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Epidemiology
Authors:
Jansen, Felix; Nickenig, Georg; Werner, Nikos
Abstract:
Extracellular vesicles originate from diverse subcellular compartments and are released in the extracellular space. By transferring their cargoes into target cells and tissues, they now emerge as novel regulators of intercellular communication between adjacent and remote cells. Because vesicle composition and biological content are specific signatures of cellular activation and injury, their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers has raised significant interest in cardiovascular diseases. Characterization of circulating vesicles- or nonvesicles-bound nucleic acids represents a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring cardiovascular diseases, recently referred to as a liquid biopsy. Circulating extracellular vesicles offer a noninvasive and almost continuous access to circulating information on the disease state in epidemiological investigations. Finally, genetic engineering and cell-specific application of extracellular vesicles could display a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about extracellular vesicles as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as their potential applications for longitudinal epidemiological studies in cardiovascular diseases.
Published:
May 11, 2017
Title:
Added Sugars and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Children: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors:
Vos Miriam B.; Kaar Jill L.; Welsh Jean A.; Van Horn Linda V.; Feig Daniel I.; Anderson Cheryl A.M.; Patel Mahesh J.; Cruz Munos Jessica; Krebs Nancy F.; Xanthakos Stavra A.; Johnson Rachel K.
Abstract:
Background:Poor lifestyle behaviors are leading causes of preventable diseases globally. Added sugars contribute to a diet that is energy dense but nutrient poor and increase risk of developing obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity-related cancers, and dental caries.Methods and Results:For this American Heart Association scientific statement, the writing group reviewed and graded the current scientific evidence for studies examining the cardiovascular health effects of added sugars on children. The available literature was subdivided into 5 broad subareas: effects on blood pressure, lipids, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity.Conclusions:Associations between added sugars and increased cardiovascular disease risk factors among US children are present at levels far below current consumption levels. Strong evidence supports the association of added sugars with increased cardiovascular disease risk in children through increased energy intake, increased adiposity, and dyslipidemia. The committee found that it is reasonable to recommend that children consume ≤25 g (100 cal or ≈6 teaspoons) of added sugars per day and to avoid added sugars for children
Published:
May 8, 2017
Title:
Doctors need more nutrition education
Authors:
Boston, 677 Huntington Avenue; Ma 02115 +1495‑1000
Abstract:
Despite the connection between poor diet and many preventable diseases, only about one-fifth of American medical schools require students to take a nutrition course, according to David Eisenberg, a…
Published:
May 8, 2017
Title:
Refitting bones to reconstruct human behaviour: the case of the Abric Romaní (Capellades, Barcelona, Spain)
Authors:
Modolo, Marta; Rosell Ardèvol, Jordi; Fernández-Laso, Maria Cristina; Blasco, Ruth
Abstract:
The spatial organization developed by Neanderthals in habitat places reflects different types of adaptive modes in response to internal and external constraints. An interdisciplinary study of archaeological records, spatial analysis and bone refits, properly compared with ethnographic data, are used as a methodology to facilitate the identification of relevant aspects in the management of space, which constitutes a formal tool for interpreting the Palaeolithic record. In this regard, the Abric Romaní archaeological site (Capellades, Barcelona, Spain) presents unique characteristics to analyse questions related to the temporal resolution of human occupations. The site, dated at MIS 3, was filled by a succession of travertine platforms of rapid formation that quickly sealed the levels, thus hampering possible post-depositional agents that may have disrupted the original location of the remains. Current excavations are documenting several different kinds of anthropogenic assemblages that range from very simple to complex human occupations. The importance of hearth-related areas indicates that the rock shelter had a residential function and was visited in different circumstances and for different purposes. This contribution addresses several aspects of the management of space observed on the H, I, Ja, K, L and M levels of the Abric Romaní site. Primary and immediate anthropogenic access to the carcasses (mainly horses and red deer, followed by bovids) and well established patterns of animal processing are observed. Dissimilar human occupational patterns can explain the differences that have emerged between the levels covered in this study: (1) the presence of small groups with reduced use of space at Level H (isolated activity areas without temporal relationships between them); (2) short-term human occupations, carried out by several groups at different times with at least one occupational event of higher intensity at Level I; (3) large groups occupations with important spatial requirements at Level Ja (with synchronic relationships between activity areas and toss zones); (4) intermediate intensity occupations with continuative and short-term patterns at Level K; (5) short repeated occupation patterns at Level L; and (6) long-term, more intense occupations characterized by larger groups at Level M (similar to those established at Level J). The aim of this paper is to improve data in order to understand the settlement patterns and social organization systems of the Neanderthal groups during MIS 3.
Published:
May 8, 2017
Title:
Assessment of statistical agreement of three techniquesfor the study of cut marks: 3D digital microscope, laserscanning confocal microscopy and micro-photogrammetry
Authors:
MAT´E-GONZ´ALEZ∗, MIGUEL´ANGEL; Aramendi, Julia; Yravedra, José; BLASCO, RUTH; Rosell Ardèvol, Jordi; GONZ´ALEZ-AGUILERA∗, DIEGO; DOM´INGUEZ-RODRIGo, MANUEL
Abstract:
In the last few years, the study of cut marks on bone surfaceshas become fundamental for the interpretation of prehistoricbutchery practices. Due to the difficulties in the correct iden-tification of cut marks, many criteria for their description andclassification have been suggested. Different techniques, suchas three-dimensional digital microscope (3D DM), laser scan-ningconfocalmicroscopy(LSCM)andmicro-photogrammetry(M-PG) have been recently applied to the study of cut marks.Although the 3D DM and LSCM microscopic techniques arethe most commonly used for the 3D identification of cut marks,M-PG has also proved to be very efficient and a low-costmethod. M-PG is a noninvasive technique that allows thestudy of the cortical surface without any previous prepara-tion of the samples, and that generates high-resolution mod-els. Despite the current application of microscopic and micro-photogrammetric techniques to taphonomy, their reliabilityhas never been tested. In this paper, we compare 3D DM,LSCM and M-PG in order to assess their resolution and results.In this study, we analyse 26 experimental cut marks generatedwith a metal knife. The quantitative and qualitative informa-tion registered is analysed by means of standard multivariatestatistics and geometric morphometrics to assess the similari-ties and differences obtained with the different methodologies.
Published:
May 4, 2017
Title:
Corrigendum: Early evidence of stone tool use in bone working activities at Qesem Cave, Israel
Authors:
Zupancich, Andrea; Cesaro, Stella; Blasco, Ruth; Rosell Ardèvol, Jordi; Cristiani, Emanuela; Venditti, Flavia; Lemorini, Cristina; Barkai, Ran; Gopher, Avi
Abstract:
Scientific Reports 6 : Article number: 37686; 10.1038/srep37686 published online: 25 November 2016 ; updated: 03 May 2017 . In the Supplementary Information file originally published with this Article, Figure S3 was elongated and of poor quality.
Published:
May 2, 2017
Title:
Meat and Nicotinamide: A Causal Role in Human Evolution, History, and Demographics
Authors:
Williams, Adrian C; Hill, Lisa J
Abstract:
Hunting for meat was a critical step in all animal and human evolution. A key brain-trophic element in meat is vitamin B3 / nicotinamide. The supply of meat and nicotinamide steadily increased from the Cambrian origin of animal predators ratcheting ever larger brains. This culminated in the 3-million-year evolution of Homo sapiens and our overall demographic success. We view human evolution, recent history, and agricultural and demographic transitions in the light of meat and nicotinamide intake. A biochemical and immunological switch is highlighted that affects fertility in the ‘de novo’ tryptophan-to-kynurenine-nicotinamide ‘immune tolerance’ pathway. Longevity relates to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide consumer pathways. High meat intake correlates with moderate fertility, high intelligence, good health, and longevity with consequent population stability, whereas low meat/high cereal intake (short of starvation) correlates with high fertility, disease, and population booms and busts. Too high a meat intake and fertility falls below replacement levels. Reducing variances in meat consumption might help stabilise population growth and improve human capital.
Published:
May 1, 2017
Title:
Assessment of statistical agreement of three techniques for the study of cut marks: 3D digital microscope, laser scanning confocal microscopy and micro-photogrammetry
Authors:
Yravedra, José; González, Miguel Ángel; rodrigo, manuel; Blasco, Ruth; Rosell Ardèvol, Jordi; Aramendi, Julia
Abstract:
In the last few years, the study of cut marks on bone surfaces has become fundamental for the interpretation of prehistoric butchery practices. Due to the difficulties in the correct identification of cut marks, many criteria for their description and classification have been suggested. Different techniques, such as three-dimensional digital microscope (3D DM), laser scanningconfocalmicroscopy( LSCM)andmicro-photogrammetry (M-PG) have been recently applied to the study of cut marks. Although the 3D DM and LSCM microscopic techniques are the most commonly used for the 3D identification of cut marks, M-PG has also proved to be very efficient and a low-cost method. M-PG is a noninvasive technique that allows the study of the cortical surface without any previous preparation of the samples, and that generates high-resolution models. Despite the current application of microscopic and microphotogrammetric techniques to taphonomy, their reliability has never been tested. In this paper, we compare 3D DM, LSCM and M-PG in order to assess their resolution and results. In this study,weanalyse26experimental cut marks generated with a metal knife. The quantitative and qualitative information registered is analysed by means of standard multivariate statistics and geometric morphometrics to assess the similarities and differences obtained with the different methodologies.
Published:
April 30, 2017
Title:
Low carbohydrate, high fat diet impairs exercise economy and negates the performance benefit from intensified training in elite race walkers: Ketogenic diet impairs performance in elite race walkers
Authors:
Burke, Louise M.; Ross, Megan L.; Garvican-Lewis, Laura A.; Welvaert, Marijke; Heikura, Ida A.; Forbes, Sara G.; Mirtschin, Joanne G.; Cato, Louise E.; Strobel, Nicki; Sharma, Avish P.; Hawley, John A.
Abstract:
Published:
April 30, 2017
Title:
Photographic and descriptive musculoskeletal atlas of bonobos - with notes on the weight, attachments, variations, and innervation of the muscles and comparisons with common chimpanzees and humans.
Authors:
Diogo, Rui; Shearer, Brian; Potau, Josep Maria; Pastor, Francisco; De Paz, Félix; Arias-Martorell, Julia; Turcotte, Cassandra; Hammond, Ashley; Vereecke, Evie; Vanhoof, Marie; Nauwelaerts, Sandra; WOOD, B.
Abstract:
Chimpanzees, including bonobos and common chimpanzees, are our closest living relatives. However, surprisingly, the information about the soft tissues of bonobos is very scarce, making it difficult to discuss and understand human evolution. This book, which is the first photographic and descriptive musculoskeletal atlas of bonobos (Pan paniscus), adopts the same format as the photographic atlases of other apes previously published by the same authors. These books are part of a series of monographs that will set out the comparative and phylogenetic context of the gross anatomy and evolutionary history of the soft tissue morphology of modern humans and their closest relatives. The present atlas, which includes detailed high quality photographs of the musculoskeletal structures from most anatomical regions of the body as well as textual information about the attachments, innervation, function and weight of the respective muscles, is based on dissections of seven bonobos, including adults, adolescents, infants and fetuses, and males and females, and on an extensive review of the literature for comparisons with common chimpanzees. It therefore provides an updated review of the anatomical variations within chimpanzees as well as an extensive list of synonyms used in the literature to designate the structures covered here. Moreover, contrary to the previous photographic atlases of apes, it also provides details on neurovascular structures such as the brachial and lumbrosacral plexuses. The book will therefore be of interest to students, teachers and researchers focusing on primatology, comparative anatomy, functional morphology, zoology, and physical anthropology and to medical students, doctors and researchers who are curious about the origin, evolution, homology and variations of the musculoskeletal and neurovascular structures of modern humans.
Published:
April 30, 2017
Title:
Ketamine for Depression, 1: Clinical Summary of Issues Related to Efficacy, Adverse Effects, and Mechanism of Action: (Clinical and Practical Psychopharmacolgy)
Authors:
Andrade, Chittaranjan
Abstract:
Ketamine is an anesthetic drug that is also used for off-label indications such as the mediation of analgesia and sedation in various settings. It is additionally recognized as an agent with antidepressant potential. For depression, it is most commonly administered as a slow intravenous infusion in subanesthetic doses (usually 0.5 mg/ kg). As an antidepressant, is strikingly different from conventional antidepressant drugs in that it brings about rapid and marked attenuation of depressive symptoms even in patients with refractory depression. The benefits are observed within hours of administration, peak after about a day, and are lost 3–12 days later. Patients who do not benefit after the initial dose may benefit with serial dosing or at higher doses. Benefits can be maintained for weeks to months by the continuation of ketamine sessions at 2- to 4-day intervals. Adverse effects include dissociative and psychotomimetic changes that are almost always mild and transient, if present; transient elevation of heart rate and blood pressure often occur. These changes are usually well tolerated and are very seldom responsible for treatment discontinuation. Whereas ketamine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, and whereas much is known about its different biological effects, its actions that mediate the antidepressant response are presently not known for certain. Although big data on ketamine are presently unavailable, the drug holds promise in the treatment of depression, especially refractory depression. J Clin Psychiatry 2017;78(4):e415–e419 https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.17f11567 © Copyright 2017 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.
Published:
April 25, 2017
Title:
Metabolic heterogeneity signature of primary treatment-naïve prostate cancer
Authors:
Lin, Dong; Ettinger, Susan L.; Qu, Sifeng; Xue, Hui; Nabavi, Noushin; Choi, Stephen Yiu Chuen; Bell, Robert H.; Mo, Fan; Haegert, Anne M.; Gout, Peter W.; Fleshner, Neil; Gleave, Martin E.; Pollak, Michael; Collins, Colin C.; Wang, Yuzhuo
Abstract:
To avoid over- or under-treatment of primary prostate tumours, there is a critical need for molecular signatures to discriminate indolent from aggressive, lethal disease. Reprogrammed energy metabolism is an important hallmark of cancer, and abnormal metabolic characteristics of cancers have been implicated as potential diagnostic/prognostic signatures. While genomic and transcriptomic heterogeneity of prostate cancer is well documented and associated with tumour progression, less is known about metabolic heterogeneity of the disease. Using a panel of high fidelity patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models derived from hormone-naïve prostate cancer, we demonstrated heterogeneity of expression of genes involved in cellular energetics and macromolecular biosynthesis. Such heterogeneity was also observed in clinical, treatment-naïve prostate cancers by analyzing the transcriptome sequencing data. Importantly, a metabolic gene signature of increased one-carbon metabolism or decreased proline degradation was identified to be associated with significantly decreased biochemical disease-free patient survival. These results suggest that metabolic heterogeneity of hormone-naïve prostate cancer is of biological and clinical importance and motivate further studies to determine the heterogeneity in metabolic flux in the disease that may lead to identification of new signatures for tumour/patient stratification and the development of new strategies and targets for therapy of prostate cancer.
Published:
April 17, 2017
Title:
Natural mortality and cause of death analysis of the captive chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes ): A 35-year review
Authors:
Laurence, Hannah; Kumar, Shyamesh; Owston, Michael; Lanford, Robert; Hubbard, Gene; Dick, Edward
Abstract:
We present the spontaneous causes of mortality for 137 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) over a 35-year period. A record review of the pathology database was performed and a primary cause of mortality was determined for each chimpanzee. The most common causes of mortality were as follows: cardiomyopathy (40% of all mortalities), stillbirth/abortion, acute myocardial necrosis, chimpanzee-induced trauma, amyloidosis, and pneumonia. Five morphologic diagnoses accounted for 61% of mortalities: cardiomyopathy, hemorrhage, acute myocardial necrosis, amyloidosis, and pneumonia. The most common etiologies were degenerative, undetermined, bacterial, traumatic, and neoplastic. The cardiovascular system was most frequently involved, followed by the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and multisystemic diseases. Degenerative diseases were the primary etiological cause of mortality of the adult captive chimpanzee population. Chimpanzee-induced trauma was the major etiological cause of mortality among the perinatal and infant population. This information should be a useful resource for veterinarians and researchers working with chimpanzees.
Published:
April 17, 2017
Title:
A resilient landscape at Teixoneres Cave (MIS 3; Moià, Barcelona, Spain): The Neanderthals as disrupting agent
Authors:
Rosell Ardèvol, Jordi; Blasco, Ruth; Rivals, Florent; María Gema, Chacón; Arilla, Maite; Camarós, Edgard; Rufà, Anna; Sánchez-Hernández, Carlos; Picin, Andrea; Andres, Miriam; Blain, Hugues-Alexandre; López-García, Juan; Iriarte, Eneko; Cebrià, Artur
Abstract:
The debate over hominidecarnivore interactions during the Pleistocene has been mainly approached from a human perspective, with the aim of contributing to the knowledge of the evolution of human cultural capabilities in the different periods. Regarding the European Middle Palaeolithic, it is most commonly concluded that Neanderthals were clearly superior to carnivores in the context of competitive relationships, with respect to both prey and the occupied space. Therefore, the presence of some human groups in the environments usually inhabited by carnivores could be perceived, from an ecological point of view, as a disturbance in the balance of the ecosystems. In order to assess the ecological impact of these human groups, the present study analyses the Unit III of Teixoneres Cave (MIS 3;Moià, Barcelona, Spain) through a comparison of palaeoecological and archaeological data. The site is located in the highlands between the two main rivers connecting the central region of Catalonia with the Mediterranean coast: the Llobregat and the Ter. Palynological and paleontological data indicate a cold landscape dominated by woodlands and some wet meadows. The high vertebrate diversity recorded in this stratigraphic unit suggests an environment marked by a balanced predatoreprey dynamic, which may have been interrupted by the occasional presence of small human groups. According to the archaeological data, these human groups tended to predate the same prey as did carnivores, which may have generated a certain perturbation in the system. However, the small size of the groups and the brevity of their visits to Teixoneres Cave seem to have minimised the perturbation, allowing the environment to recover its original balance.
Published:
April 11, 2017
Title:
Influence of diet on the gut microbiome and implications for human health
Authors:
Singh, Rasnik K.; Chang, Hsin-Wen; Yan, Di; Lee, Kristina M.; Ucmak, Derya; Wong, Kirsten; Abrouk, Michael; Farahnik, Benjamin; Nakamura, Mio; Zhu, Tian Hao; Bhutani, Tina; Liao, Wilson
Abstract:
Recent studies have suggested that the intestinal microbiome plays an important role in modulating risk of several chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. At the same time, it is now understood that diet plays a significant role in shaping the microbiome, with experiments showing that dietary alterations can induce large, temporary microbial shifts within 24 h. Given this association, there may be significant therapeutic utility in altering microbial composition through diet. This review systematically evaluates current data regarding the effects of several common dietary components on intestinal microbiota. We show that consumption of particular types of food produces predictable shifts in existing host bacterial genera. Furthermore, the identity of these bacteria affects host immune and metabolic parameters, with broad implications for human health. Familiarity with these associations will be of tremendous use to the practitioner as well as the patient.
Published:
April 7, 2017
Title:
Bonobo anatomy reveals stasis and mosaicism in chimpanzee evolution, and bonobos as most appropriate model for human-chimp ancestor
Authors:
Diogo, Rui; Molnar, Julia; Wood, Bernard
Abstract:
Common chimps and bonobos are our closest living relatives but almost nothing is known about bonobo internal anatomy. We present the first phylogenetic analysis to include musculoskeletal data obtained from a recent dissection of bonobos. Notably, chimpanzees, and in particular bonobos, provide a remarkable case of evolutionary stasis for since the chimpanzee-human split c.8 Ma among >120 head-neck (HN) and forelimb (FL) muscles there were only four minor changes in the chimpanzee clade, and all were reversions to the ancestral condition. Moreover, since the common chimpanzee-bonobo split c.2 Ma there have been no changes in bonobos, so with respect to HN-FL musculature bonobos are the better model for the last common ancestor (LCA) of chimpanzees/bonobos and humans. Moreover, in the hindlimb there are only two muscle absence/presence differences between common chimpanzees and bonobos. Puzzlingly, there is an evolutionary mosaicism between each of these species and humans. We discuss these data in the context of available genomic information and debates on whether the common chimpanzee-bonobo divergence is linked to heterochrony.
Published:
April 3, 2017
Title:
Supplementary Material
Authors:
Diogo, Rui; Molnar, Julia; Wood, Bernard
Abstract:
Published:
April 3, 2017
Title:
Expression of iNOS, CD163 and ARG-1 taken as M1 and M2 markers of microglial polarization in human glioblastoma and the surrounding normal parenchyma
Authors:
Lisi, L.; Ciotti, G. M. P.; Braun, D.; Kalinin, S.; Currò, D.; Dello Russo, C.; Coli, A.; Mangiola, A.; Anile, C.; Feinstein, D. L.; Navarra, P.
Abstract:
Microglia and macrophages appear to be the most common cells in the GBM microenvironment. In the present study we investigated the status of macrophages/microglia activation in surgical specimens from 41 patients diagnosed with grade IV GBM. For each patient we analyzed both the center of tumor and the parenchyma surrounding the tumor. The specimens were stained for: i) IBA1, a 17-kDa EF hand protein specifically expressed in microglia/macrophages ii) CD163, a cell surface antigen associated with M2 phenotype; iii) iNOS, taken as a functional marker of M1 phenotype, and iv) ARG-I, taken as a functional marker of M2 phenotype. Staining was scored in a double-blinded score on a scale from 0 to 5. Our results suggest that CD163 expression is higher within the tumor than in surrounding periphery in both male and female patients; while iNOS is higher within the tumor in males, no significant difference was found for ARG-1. In addition, analyzing the data in TGCA database, we found that CD163 expression was significantly and inversely correlated with mean survival times, with average survival times ranging from 448days in patients having low expression, to 319 in mid, and 353 in patients with high CD163 expressing tumors. In contrast, no significant association was found between survival time and ARG-1 or iNOS expression.
Published:
April 2, 2017
Title:
Favorable ecological circumstances promote life expectancy in chimpanzees similar to that of human hunter-gatherers
Authors:
Wood, Brian M.; Watts, David P.; Mitani, John C.; Langergraber, Kevin E.
Abstract:
Demographic data on wild chimpanzees are crucial for understanding the evolution of chimpanzee and hominin life histories, but most data come from populations affected by disease outbreaks and anthropogenic disturbance. We present survivorship data from a relatively undisturbed and exceptionally large community of eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda. We monitored births, deaths, immigrations, and emigrations in the community between 1995 and 2016. Using known and estimated ages, we calculated survivorship curves for the whole community, for males and females separately, and for individuals ≤2 years old when identified. We used a novel method to address age estimation error by calculating stochastic survivorship curves. We compared Ngogo life expectancy, survivorship, and mortality rates to those from other chimpanzee communities and human hunter-gatherers. Life expectancy at birth for both sexes combined was 32.8 years, far exceeding estimates of chimpanzee life expectancy in other communities, and falling within the range of human hunter-gatherers (i.e., 27–37 years). Overall, the pattern of survivorship at Ngogo was more similar to that of human hunter-gatherers than to other chimpanzee communities. Maximum lifespan for the Ngogo chimpanzees, however, was similar to that reported at other chimpanzee research sites and was less than that of human-hunter gatherers. The absence of predation by large carnivores may contribute to some of the higher survivorship at Ngogo, but this cannot explain the much higher survivorship at Ngogo than at Kanyawara, another chimpanzee community in the same forest, which also lacks large carnivores. Higher survivorship at Ngogo appears to be an adaptive response to a food supply that is more abundant and varies less than that of Kanyawara. Future analyses of hominin life history evolution should take these results into account.
Published:
March 31, 2017
Title:
Metabolomics for biomarker discovery in the diagnosis, prognosis, survival and recurrence of colorectal cancer: a systematic review
Authors:
Zhang, Fan; Zhang, Yuanyuan; Zhao, Weiwei; Deng, Kui; Wang, Zhuozhong; Yang, Chunyan; Ma, Libing; Openkova, Margarita S.; Hou, Yan; Li, Kang
Abstract:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains an incurable disease. There are no effective noninvasive techniques that have achieved colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis, prognosis, survival and recurrence in clinic. To investigate colorectal cancer metabolism, we perform an electronic literature search, from 1998 to January 2016, for studies evaluating the metabolomic profile of patients with CRC regarding the diagnosis, recurrence, prognosis/survival, and systematically review the twenty-three literatures included. QUADOMICS tool was used to assess the quality of them. We highlighted the metabolism perturbations based on metabolites and pathway. Metabolites related to cellular respiration, carbohydrate, lipid, protein and nucleotide metabolism were significantly altered in CRC. Altered metabolites were also related to prognosis, survival and recurrence of CRC. This review could represent the most comprehensive information and summary about CRC metabolism to date. It certificates that metabolomics had great potential on both discovering clinical biomarkers and elucidating previously unknown mechanisms of CRC pathogenesis.
Published:
March 29, 2017
Title:
Plasma Lipoproteins as Crucial Components of Host Defence Against Infections
Authors:
Bora, Kaustubh; Borah, Probodh
Abstract:
Published:
March 28, 2017
bottom of page