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Title:
Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2017-2019
Authors:
American Cancer Society
Abstract:
Published:
2017
Title:
Comparative Anatomy and Histology
Authors:
Abstract:
The second edition of Comparative Anatomy and Histology is aimed at the new rodent investigator as well as medical and veterinary pathologists who need to expand their knowledge base into comparative anatomy and histology. It guides the reader through normal mouse and rat anatomy and histology using direct comparison to the human. The side by side comparison of mouse, rat, and human tissues highlight the unique biology of the rodents, which has great impact on the validation of rodent models of human disease.
Published:
2017
Title:
Comparison of Australian recommended food score (ARFS) and plasma carotenoid concentrations: A validation study in adults
Authors:
Ashton, L.; Williams, R.; Wood, L.; Schumacher, T.; Burrows, T.; Rollo, M.; Pezdirc, K.; Callister, R.; Collins, C.
Abstract:
Diet quality indices can predict nutritional adequacy of usual intake, but validity should be determined. The aim was to assess the validity of total and sub-scale score within the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS), in relation to fasting plasma carotenoid concentrations. Diet quality and fasting plasma carotenoid concentrations were assessed in 99 overweight and obese adults (49.5% female, aged 44.6 ± 9.9 years) at baseline and after three months (198 paired observations). Associations were assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficients and regression analysis, and agreement using weighted kappa (Kw). Small, significantly positive correlations were found between total ARFS and plasma concentrations of total carotenoids (r = 0.17, p < 0.05), β-cryptoxanthin (r = 0.18, p < 0.05), β-carotene (r = 0.20, p < 0.01), and α-carotene (r = 0.19, p < 0.01). Significant agreement between ARFS categories and plasma carotenoid concentrations was found for total carotenoids (Kw 0.12, p = 0.02), β-carotene (Kw 0.14, p < 0.01), and α-carotene (Kw 0.13, p < 0.01). In fully-adjusted regression models the only signification association with ARFS total score was for α-carotene (β = 0.19, p < 0.01), while ARFS meat and fruit sub-scales demonstrated significant relationships with α-carotene, β-carotene, and total carotenoids (p < 0.05). The weak associations highlight the issues with self-reporting dietary intakes in overweight and obese populations. Further research is required to evaluate the use of the ARFS in more diverse populations. © 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Published:
2017
Title:
Comparison of the effects of diets high in animal or plant protein on metabolic and cardiovascular markers in type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial
Authors:
Sucher, Stephanie; Markova, Mariya; Hornemann, Silke; Pivovarova, Olga; Rudovich, Natalia; Thomann, Ralph; Schneeweiss, Rosemarie; Rohn, Sascha; Pfeiffer, Andreas F. H.
Abstract:
AIM: To compare high animal protein (AP) with high plant protein (PP) diets, differing in amino acid composition, in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared isocaloric diets containing 30% of energy either as AP or PP, using newly developed PP-enriched foods, both combined with 30% energy as fat and 40% as carbohydrates in 44 patients with T2DM over 6 weeks in a randomized parallel-group study. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamps and cardiovascular variables were measured. RESULTS: Uric acid decreased in both groups, but significantly more in the AP than the PP group. There were no significant differences in other variables, although glycated haemoglobin levels, diastolic blood pressure and fasting non-esterified fatty acid levels improved significantly in the PP but not in the AP group. Insulin sensitivity (M-value), C-reactive protein and fasting glucose improved significantly in the AP but not in the PP group. Total and LDL cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in both groups, and the urinary albumin excretion rate decreased from baseline in participants with microalbuminuria. CONCLUSIONS: Isocaloric diets high in AP or PP allow similar improvements in metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors in people with T2DM, indicating that the differences in amino acid composition do not affect the metabolic responses to the interventions.
Published:
2017
Title:
Complementary Feeding: A Position Paper by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) Committee on Nutrition
Authors:
Fewtrell, Mary; Bronsky, Jiri; Campoy, Cristina; Domellöf, Magnus; Embleton, Nicholas; Fidler Mis, Nataša; Hojsak, Iva; Hulst, Jessie M.; Indrio, Flavia; Lapillonne, Alexandre; Molgaard, Christian
Abstract:
This position paper considers different aspects of complementary feeding (CF), focussing on healthy term infants in Europe. After reviewing current knowledge and practices, we have formulated these recommendations: Timing: Exclusive or full breast-feeding should be promoted for at least 4 months (17 weeks, beginning of the 5th month of life) and exclusive or predominant breast-feeding for approximately 6 months (26 weeks, beginning of the 7th month) is a desirable goal. Complementary foods (solids and liquids other than breast milk or infant formula) should not be introduced before 4 months but should not be delayed beyond 6 months. CONTENT: Infants should be offered foods with a variety of flavours and textures including bitter tasting green vegetables. Continued breast-feeding is recommended alongside CF. Whole cows' milk should not be used as the main drink before 12 months of age. Allergenic foods may be introduced when CF is commenced any time after 4 months. Infants at high risk of peanut allergy (those with severe eczema, egg allergy, or both) should have peanut introduced between 4 and 11 months, following evaluation by an appropriately trained specialist. Gluten may be introduced between 4 and 12 months, but consumption of large quantities should be avoided during the first weeks after gluten introduction and later during infancy. All infants should receive iron-rich CF including meat products and/or iron-fortified foods. No sugar or salt should be added to CF and fruit juices or sugar-sweetened beverages should be avoided. Vegan diets should only be used under appropriate medical or dietetic supervision and parents should understand the serious consequences of failing to follow advice regarding supplementation of the diet. METHOD: Parents should be encouraged to respond to their infant's hunger and satiety queues and to avoid feeding to comfort or as a reward.
Published:
2017
Title:
Complexity and conflicts of interest statements: a case-study of emails exchanged between Coca-Cola and the principal investigators of the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE)
Authors:
Stuckler, David; Ruskin, Gary; McKee, Martin
Abstract:
Statements on conflicts of interest provide important information for readers of scientific papers. There is now compelling evidence from several fields that papers reporting funding from organizations that have an interest in the results often generate different findings from those that do not report such funding. We describe the findings of an analysis of correspondence between representatives of a major soft drinks company and scientists researching childhood obesity. Although the studies report no influence by the funder, the correspondence describes detailed exchanges on the study design, presentation of results and acknowledgement of funding. This raises important questions about the meaning of standard statements on conflicts of interest.
Published:
2017
Title:
Congenital anomalies: Cluster detection and investigation
Authors:
Bermejo-Sánchez, Eva; Posada de la Paz, Manuel
Abstract:
This work summarizes the main aspects to be considered around birth defects (or congenital anomalies) clusters. Most birth defects (BD), considered individually, fall into the definition of rare diseases (RD), according to their low frequency. Likewise, many RD are congenital, because their manifestations are present at birth or can be even evident before the delivery. It has been estimated that overall 7.9 million children are born each year with serious BD of genetic or partially genetic origin, and additional hundreds of thousands more are born with serious BD of post-conception origin. A “birth defect cluster” can be defined as an unusual aggregation of cases (grouped in place and time) that is suspected to be greater than expected, even though the expected number may not be known. These clusters are incidents or occurrences that let us turn the challenge of identifying the causal agent(s) involved in the origin of such clusters, into an opportunity to exert primary prevention, and thus achieve the ultimate goal of enabling infants being born healthy. Therefore, any program or system involved in BD surveillance and research should devote part of its activities to detect and investigate clusters, to ensure that such opportunity for primary prevention will be conveniently leveraged. Regardless the type of cluster, there are several phases that must be undertaken sequentially for proper control and the maximum benefit for the population: cluster detection, evaluation and investigation, management, adoption of preventive measures, and communication of the results to the public or target population.
Published:
2017
Title:
Consumption of red meat, but not cooking oils high in polyunsaturated fat, is associated with higher arachidonic acid status in Singapore chinese adults
Authors:
Seah, J.Y.H.; Gay, G.M.W.; Su, J.; Tai, E.-S.; Yuan, J.-M.; Koh, W.-P.; Ong, C.N.; Van Dam, R.M.
Abstract:
High arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 n − 6) status may have adverse effects on inflammation and risk of cardiovascular diseases. Concerns about high intake of n − 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are based on the premise that endogenous conversion from linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n − 6) is an important source of AA, but few population-based studies have investigated dietary determinants of AA status. In this study, we examined habitual food consumption in relation to plasma concentrations of AA and other PUFAs in population-based studies. We used cross-sectional data from 269 healthy, ethnic Chinese participants (25-80 years old) with contrasting intakes of fish and red meat from the Singapore Prospective Study Program and 769 healthy participants (44-74 years old) from the Singapore Chinese Health Study as a validation set. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine PUFA intake (% energy) and food sources of PUFA (fish, red meat, poultry, soy and cooking oils) in relation to plasma PUFAs (AA, LA, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3 n − 6), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3 n − 3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n − 3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n − 3)) concentrations. Higher intake of red meat was associated with higher plasma AA concentrations. High intake of PUFA or PUFA-rich oils was associated with higher plasma ALA but not with plasma AA. Higher intakes of soy were associated with higher ALA and fish with higher DHA and EPA concentrations. These associations were statistically significant (p
Published:
2017
Title:
Contemporary issues regarding nutrition in cardiovascular rehabilitation
Authors:
Lacroix, S.; Cantin, J.; Nigam, A.
Abstract:
In this article, we discuss certain contemporary and controversial topics in cardiovascular (CV) nutrition including recent data regarding the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, the role of saturated fatty acids, red meat and the microbiome in CV disease and the current role of personalized CV nutrition. Findings from the PREDIMED study now demonstrate the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet even in the absence of heart disease. The study highlighted that even small, sustained and easily implementable changes to diet can provide significant health benefits even in Mediterranean regions. Likewise, observational data in secondary prevention show that increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with good long-term clinical outcomes among subjects with stable coronary heart disease. The role of saturated fats in the development of CV disease remains controversial, although data suggest that these fats are associated with modestly increased risk of CV events. In contrast, the obesity epidemic currently driving the CV risk worldwide is in large part due to excess consumption of refined carbohydrates. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence suggests that the intestinal microbiome is highly sensitive to lifestyle choices and may play a pivotal role in modulating CV disease development. For example, recent evidence linking processed and unprocessed meats to increased CV risk pointed to the gut microbial metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide as a potential culprit. Finally, given the high interindividual variability in response to interventions including diet, personalized nutrition has potential to play a major role in tailoring diets based on genetic make-up to maximize health benefits. This approach is still in its infancy but is highly promising. © 2016
Published:
2017
Title:
Coronary atherosclerosis in indigenous South American Tsimane: a cross-sectional cohort study
Authors:
Kaplan, Hillard; Thompson, Randall C.; Trumble, Benjamin C.; Wann, L. Samuel; Allam, Adel H.; Beheim, Bret; Frohlich, Bruno; Sutherland, M. Linda; Sutherland, James D.; Stieglitz, Jonathan; Rodriguez, Daniel Eid; Michalik, David E.; Rowan, Chris J.; Lombardi, Guido P.; Bedi, Ram; Garcia, Angela R.; Min, James K.; Narula, Jagat; Finch, Caleb E.; Gurven, Michael; Thomas, Gregory S.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Conventional coronary artery disease risk factors might potentially explain at least 90% of the attributable risk of coronary artery disease. To better understand the association between the pre-industrial lifestyle and low prevalence of coronary artery disease risk factors, we examined the Tsimane, a Bolivian population living a subsistence lifestyle of hunting, gathering, fishing, and farming with few cardiovascular risk factors, but high infectious inflammatory burden. METHODS: We did a cross-sectional cohort study including all individuals who self-identified as Tsimane and who were aged 40 years or older. Coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring done with non-contrast CT in Tsimane adults. We assessed the difference between the Tsimane and 6814 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). CAC scores higher than 100 were considered representative of significant atherosclerotic disease. Tsimane blood lipid and inflammatory biomarkers were obtained at the time of scanning, and in some patients, longitudinally. FINDINGS: Between July 2, 2014, and Sept 10, 2015, 705 individuals, who had data available for analysis, were included in this study. 596 (85%) of 705 Tsimane had no CAC, 89 (13%) had CAC scores of 1-100, and 20 (3%) had CAC scores higher than 100. For individuals older than age 75 years, 31 (65%) Tsimane presented with a CAC score of 0, and only four (8%) had CAC scores of 100 or more, a five-fold lower prevalence than industrialised populations (p≤0·0001 for all age categories of MESA). Mean LDL and HDL cholesterol concentrations were 2·35 mmol/L (91 mg/dL) and 1·0 mmol/L (39·5 mg/dL), respectively; obesity, hypertension, high blood sugar, and regular cigarette smoking were rare. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was elevated beyond the clinical cutoff of 3·0 mg/dL in 360 (51%) Tsimane participants. INTERPRETATION: Despite a high infectious inflammatory burden, the Tsimane, a forager-horticulturalist population of the Bolivian Amazon with few coronary artery disease risk factors, have the lowest reported levels of coronary artery disease of any population recorded to date. These findings suggest that coronary atherosclerosis can be avoided in most people by achieving a lifetime with very low LDL, low blood pressure, low glucose, normal body-mass index, no smoking, and plenty of physical activity. The relative contributions of each are still to be determined. FUNDING: National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health; St Luke's Hospital of Kansas City; and Paleocardiology Foundation.
Published:
2017
Title:
Cost-of-illness in rare diseases
Authors:
Linertová, Renata; García-Pérez, Lidia; Gorostiza, Iñigo
Abstract:
Cost-of-illness (COI) studies quantify the economic burden of a disease, including direct healthcare and non-healthcare costs and productivity losses. Different approaches can be adopted to evaluate the resources associated to a disease and to calculate the total costs. Prevalence-based studies estimate the total costs of a disease during a given period, while incidence-based studies measure lifetime costs from onset until death. Data can be collected from individuals, using a bottom-up approach, or from population statistics, using a top-down approach. Different perspectives are possible, but the broadest and also mostly used is the societal one. Appropriate discounting should be applied for future costs and a sensitivity analyses of main parameters should be performed. The main limitation of COI studies is that they don't account the outcomes or benefits of possible treatments. There is a lack of COI studies in the field of rare diseases. A multinational COI study (BURQOL-RD) evaluated recently the burden of 10 rare diseases in Europe, using a prevalence-based method with a bottom-up approach to quantify resources from a societal perspective, which is the mostly used methodology for COI studies in rare diseases; however, several other studies illustrate different approaches to conduct COI analysis in this field, such as incidence-based methods or narrower perspectives. COI studies are useful to inform policy-makers about the magnitude of a disease. To support correctly the decision-making process, it is necessary to identify the cost-drivers through COI studies with robust design and standardized methodology.
Published:
2017
Title:
Current views on hunter-gatherer nutrition and the evolution of the human diet
Authors:
Crittenden, Alyssa N.; Schnorr, Stephanie L.
Abstract:
Diet composition and food choice are not only central to the daily lives of all living people, but are consistently linked with turning points in human evolutionary history. As such, scholars from a wide range of fields have taken great interest in the role that subsistence has played in both human cultural and biological evolution. Central to this discussion is the diet composition and nutrition of contemporary hunters and gatherers, who are frequently conscripted as model populations for ancestral human nutrition. Research among the world's few remaining foraging populations is experiencing a resurgence, as they are making the final transition away from diets composed of wild foods, to those dominated by domesticated cultigens and/or processed foods. In an effort to glean as much information as possible, before such populations are no longer hunting and gathering, researchers interested in the evolution of human nutrition are rapidly collecting and accessing new and more data. Methods of scientific inquiry are in the midst of rapid change and scholars are able to revisit long-standing questions using state of the art analyses. Here, using the most relevant findings from studies in ethnography, nutrition, human physiology, and microbiomes, we provide a brief summary of the study of the evolution of human nutrition as it has specifically pertained to data coming from living hunter-gatherers. In doing so, we hope to bridge the disciplines that are currently invested in research on nutrition and health among foraging populations.
Published:
2017
Title:
Data quality in rare diseases registries
Authors:
Kodra, Yllka; Posada De La Paz, Manuel; Coi, Alessio; Santoro, Michele; Bianchi, Fabrizio; Ahmed, Faisal; Rubinstein, Yaffa R.; Weinbach, Jérôme; Taruscio, Domenica
Abstract:
© Springer International Publishing AG 2017. In the field of rare diseases, registries are considered power tool to develop clinical research, to facilitate the planning of appropriate clinical trials, to improve patient care and healthcare planning. Therefore high quality data of rare diseases registries is considered to be one of the most important element in the establishment and maintenance of a registry. Data quality can be defined as the totality of features and characteristics of data set that bear on its ability to satisfy the needs that result from the intended use of the data. In the context of registries, the ‘product' is data, and quality refers to data quality, meaning that the data coming into the registry have been validated, and ready for use for analysis and research. Determining the quality of data is possible through data assessment against a number of dimensions: completeness, validity; coherence and comparability; accessibility; usefulness; timeliness; prevention of duplicate records. Many others factors may influence the quality of a registry: development of standardized Case Report Form and security/safety controls of informatics infrastructure. With the growing number of rare diseases registries being established, there is a need to develop a quality validation process to evaluate the quality of each registry. A clear description of the registry is the first step when assessing data quality or the registry evaluation system. Here we report a template as a guide for helping registry owners to describe their registry.
Published:
2017
Title:
Dendritic overgrowth and elevated ERK signaling during neonatal development in a mouse model of autism
Authors:
Cheng, Ning; Alshammari, Fawaz; Hughes, Elizabeth; Khanbabaei, Maryam; Rho, Jong M.
Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorder (hereafter referred to as "ASD") is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social communication and interactions, and restricted, repetitive activities or interests. Alterations in network connectivity and memory function are frequently observed in autism patients, often involving the hippocampus. However, specific changes during early brain development leading to disrupted functioning remain largely unclear. Here, we investigated the development of dendritic arbor of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in the BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) mouse model of autism. BTBR mice display the defining behavioural features of autism, and also exhibit impaired learning and memory. We found that compared to control C57BL/6J (B6) animals, the lengths of both apical and basal dendrites were significantly greater in neonatal BTBR animals. Further, basal dendrites in the BTBR mice had higher branching complexity. In contrast, cross-sectional area of the soma was unchanged. In addition, we observed a similar density of CA1 pyramidal neurons and thickness of the neuronal layer between the two strains. Thus, there was a specific, compartmentalized overgrowth of dendrites during early development in the BTBR animals. Biochemical analysis further showed that the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) pathway was up-regulated in the hippocampus of neonatal BTBR animals. Since dendritic structure is critical for information integration and relay, our data suggest that altered development of dendrites could potentially contribute to impaired hippocampal function and behavior observed in the BTBR model, and that this might be related to increased activation of the ERK pathway.
Published:
2017
Title:
Depression in epilepsy
Authors:
Mula, Marco
Abstract:
Published:
2017
Title:
Diagnosis and management of idiopathic facial palsy in children
Authors:
A., Mardassi; A., Sayeh; S., Turki; A., Hachicha; S., Benzarti
Abstract:
on behalf of the SMILE-4 Working Party Io cite: Borghi C, Omboni S, Cicero AFG, et al Randomised comparison of zofenopril and ramipril plus acetylsalicylic acid in postmyocardial infarction patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a post hoc analysis of the SMILE-4 Study in patients according to levels of left ventricular ejection fraction at entry. ABSTRACT Objective: Conflicting evidence exists on the benefits of treating patients with coronary artery disease and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with an ACE inhibitor.
Published:
2017
Title:
Diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder using imaging and signal processing techniques
Authors:
Sridhar, Chaitra; Bhat, Shreya; Acharya, U. Rajendra; Adeli, Hojjat; Bairy, G. Muralidhar
Abstract:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common childhood psychiatric disorder that may continue through adolescence and adulthood. Hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity are the key behavioral features observed in children with ADHD. ADHD is normally diagnosed only when a child continues to have symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention at a greater degree than the normal for six months or more. In recent years there has been significant research to diagnose ADHD in a quantitative way using medical imaging and signal processing techniques. This paper presents a review of recent research on diagnosis of ADHD using medical imaging and signal processing techniques. This research is especially valuable for early diagnosis of ADHD.
Published:
2017
Title:
Dietary Corn Bran Fermented by Bacillus subtilis MA139 Decreased Gut Cellulolytic Bacteria and Microbiota Diversity in Finishing Pigs
Authors:
Liu, Ping; Zhao, Jinbiao; Guo, Pingting; Lu, Wenqing; Geng, Zhengying; Levesque, Crystal L.; Johnston, Lee J.; Wang, Chunlin; Liu, Ling; Zhang, Jie; Ma, Ning; Qiao, Shiyan; Ma, Xi
Abstract:
Solid-state fermentation feed by Bacillus subtilis MA139 can reduce insoluble dietary fiber content in vitro and improve growth performance in pigs. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of dietary corn bran (CB) fermented by B. subtilis on growth performance and gut microbiota composition in finishing pigs. A total of 60 finishing pigs were allocated into 3 dietary treatments, and pigs in each group received control (CON) diet, 10% CB diet, and 10% fermented CB (FCB) diet, respectively. The treatment lasted 21 d. Growth performance and nutrient digestibility were evaluated. Fecal samples were determined for bacterial community diversity by 16s rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The dietary CB and FCB did not affect growth performance of finishing pigs. The digestibility of organic matter was decreased in both CB and FCB treatments compared with CON group (P < 0.05). The α-diversity for bacterial community analysis of Chao 1 in FCB treatment was lower than CON treatment (P < 0.05). The Fibrobacteres belongs to cellulolytic bacteria was isolated, and their relative abundance in CB group showed no difference between CON and FCB treatments. The abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group in CB treatment was higher than CON and FCB groups (P < 0.05), whereas the population of norank_f_Prevotellaceae was higher in FCB group compared to CON and CB groups (P
Published:
2017
Title:
Dietary composition independent of weight loss in the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors:
Eslamparast, T.; Tandon, P.; Raman, M.
Abstract:
Poor dietary composition is an important factor in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The majority of NAFLD patients follow diets with overconsumption of simple carbohydrates, total and saturated fat, with reduced intake of dietary fiber and omega-3 rich foods. Although lifestyle modifications including weight loss and exercise remain the keystone of NAFLD management, modifying dietary composition with or without a calorie-restricted diet may also be a feasible and sustainable strategy for NAFLD treatment. In the present review article, we highlight the potential therapeutic role of a “high quality healthy diet” to improve hepatic steatosis and metabolic dysfunction in patients with NAFLD, independent of caloric restriction and weight loss. We provide a literature review evaluating the evidence behind dietary components including fiber-, meat- and omega-3-rich diets and, pending further evidence, we concur with the EASL-EASD-EASO Clinical Guidelines recommendation of the Mediterranean diet as the diet of choice in these patients. © 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Published:
2017
Title:
Dietary fat guidelines have no evidence base: Where next for public health nutritional advice?
Authors:
Harcombe, Zoë
Abstract:
Introduction National dietary guidelines were introduced in 1977 and 1983, by the US and UK governments, with the aim of reducing coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. The 2 specific dietary fat recommendations were to reduce total fat and saturated fat consumption to 30% and 10% of total energy intake, respectively.Methods 4 systematic reviews (3 with meta-analysis) were undertaken to examine the evidence for these dietary fat guidelines: (1) randomised controlled trial (RCT) and (2) prospective cohort (PC) evidence at the time the guidelines were introduced; and (3) RCT and (4) PC evidence currently available. This narrative review examines all evidence collated.Results The RCT and PC evidence available to the dietary committees did not support the introduction of the dietary fat guidelines. The RCT and PC evidence currently available does not support the extant recommendations. Furthermore, the quality of the evidence is so poor that it could not be relied on had it provided support.Conclusions Dietary fat guidelines have prevailed for almost 40 years. The evidence base at the time of their introduction has been examined for the first time and found lacking. Evidence currently available provides no additional support. Public health opinion differed when the guidelines were introduced. Opposition to the guidelines is becoming more strident. Substantial increases in diet-related illness over the past four decades, particularly obesity and type 2 diabetes, indicate that a review of dietary advice is warranted.
Published:
2017
Title:
Differences in Beef Quality between Angus (Bos taurus taurus) and Nellore (Bos taurus indicus) Cattle through a Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Approach
Authors:
Rodrigues, Rafael Torres de Souza; Chizzotti, Mario Luiz; Vital, Camilo Elber; Baracat-Pereira, Maria Cristina; Barros, Edvaldo; Busato, Karina Costa; Gomes, Rafael Aparecido; Ladeira, Marcio Machado; Martins, Taiane da Silva
Abstract:
Proteins are the major constituents of muscle and are key molecules regulating the metabolic changes during conversion of muscle to meat. Brazil is one of the largest exporters of beef and most Brazilian cattle are composed by zebu (Nellore) genotype. Bos indicus beef is generally leaner and tougher than Bos taurus such as Angus. The aim of this study was to compare the muscle proteomic and phosphoproteomic profile of Angus and Nellore. Seven animals of each breed previously subjected the same growth management were confined for 84 days. Proteins were extracted from Longissimus lumborum samples collected immediately after slaughter and separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Pro-Q Diamond stain was used in phosphoproteomics. Proteins identification was performed using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Tropomyosin alpha-1 chain, troponin-T, myosin light chain-1 fragment, cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase, alpha-enolase and 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein were more abundant in Nellore, while myosin light chain 3, prohibitin, mitochondrial stress-70 protein and heat shock 70 kDa protein 6 were more abundant in Angus (P<0.05). Nellore had higher phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain-2, alpha actin-1, triosephosphate isomerase and 14-3-3 protein epsilon. However, Angus had greater phosphorylation of phosphoglucomutase-1 and troponin-T (P
Published:
2017
Title:
Disparities in Obesity, Physical Activity Rates, and Breast Cancer Survival
Authors:
Ford, M.E.; Magwood, G.; Brown, E.T.; Cannady, K.; Gregoski, M.; Knight, K.D.; Peterson, L.L.; Kramer, R.; Evans-Knowell, A.; Turner, D.P.
Abstract:
The significantly higher breast cancer (BCa) mortality rates of African-American (AA) women compared to non-Hispanic (NHW) white women constitute a major US health disparity. Investigations have primarily focused on biological differences in tumors to explain more aggressive forms of BCa in AA women. The biology of tumors cannot be modified, yet lifestyle changes can mitigate their progression and recurrence. AA communities have higher percentages of obesity than NHWs and exhibit inefficient access to care, low socioeconomic status, and reduced education levels. Such factors are associated with limited healthy food options and sedentary activity. AA women have the highest prevalence of obesity than any other racial/ethnic/gender group in the United States. The social ecological model (SEM) is a conceptual framework on which interventions could be developed to reduce obesity. The SEM includes intrapersonal factors, interpersonal factors, organizational relationships, and community/institutional policies that are more effective in behavior modification than isolation from the participants’ environmental context. Implementation of SEM-based interventions in AA communities could positively modify lifestyle behaviors, which could also serve as a powerful tool in reducing risk of BCa, BCa progression, and BCa recurrence in populations of AA women.
Published:
2017
Title:
Dissecting the relationship between obesity and hyperinsulinemia: Role of insulin secretion and insulin clearance
Authors:
Kim, Mee Kyoung; Reaven, Gerald M.; Kim, Sun H.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to better delineate the complex interrelationship among insulin resistance (IR), secretion rate (ISR), and clearance rate (ICR) to increase plasma insulin concentrations in obesity. METHODS Healthy volunteers (92 nondiabetic individuals) had an insulin suppression test to measure IR and graded-glucose infusion test to measure ISR and ICR. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 , and IR was defined as steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) ≥10 mmol/L during the insulin suppression test. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, ISR, and ICR were compared in three groups: insulin sensitive/overweight; insulin sensitive/obesity; and insulin resistant/obesity. RESULTS Compared with the insulin-sensitive/overweight group, the insulin-sensitive/obesity had significantly higher insulin area under the curve (AUC) and ISR AUC during the graded-glucose infusion test (P \textless 0.001). Glucose AUC and ICR were similar. The insulin-resistant/obesity group had higher insulin AUC and ISR AUC compared with the insulin-sensitive/obesity but also had higher glucose AUC and decreased ICR (P \textless 0.01). In multivariate analysis, both BMI and SSPG were significantly associated with ISR. CONCLUSIONS Plasma insulin concentration and ISR are increased in individuals with obesity, irrespective of degree of IR, but a decrease in ICR is confined to the subset of individuals with IR.
Published:
2017
Title:
Eating to Learn, Learning to Eat: The Origins of School Lunch in the United States
Authors:
Ruis, A. R.
Abstract:
Published:
2017
Title:
Effect of Baseline Nutritional Status on Long-term Multivitamin Use and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Secondary Analysis of the Physicians' Health Study II Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors:
Rautiainen, Susanne; Gaziano, J. Michael; Christen, William G.; Bubes, Vadim; Kotler, Gregory; Glynn, Robert J.; Manson, JoAnn E.; Buring, Julie E.; Sesso, Howard D.
Abstract:
Importance: Long-term multivitamin use had no effect on risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Physicians' Health Study II. Baseline nutritional status may have modified the lack of effect. Objective: To investigate effect modification by various baseline dietary factors on CVD risk in the Physicians' Health Study II. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Physicians' Health Study II was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial testing multivitamin use (multivitamin [Centrum Silver] or placebo daily) among US male physicians. The Physicians' Health Study II included 14 641 male physicians 50 years or older, 13 316 of whom (91.0%) completed a baseline 116-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and were included in the analyses. This study examined effect modification by baseline intake of key foods, individual nutrients, dietary patterns (Alternate Healthy Eating Index and Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score), and dietary supplement use. The study began in 1997, with continued treatment and follow-up through June 1, 2011. Interventions: Multivitamin or placebo daily. Main Outcomes and Measures: Major cardiovascular events, including nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and CVD mortality. Secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction, total stroke, CVD mortality, and total mortality individually. Results: In total, 13 316 male physicians (mean [SD] age at randomization, 64.0 [9.0] years in those receiving the active multivitamin and 64.0 [9.1] years in those receiving the placebo) were observed for a mean (SD) follow-up of 11.4 (2.3) years. There was no consistent evidence of effect modification by various foods, nutrients, dietary patterns, or baseline supplement use on the effect of multivitamin use on CVD end points. Statistically significant interaction effects were observed between multivitamin use and vitamin B6 intake on myocardial infarction, between multivitamin use and vitamin D intake on CVD mortality, and between multivitamin use and vitamin B12 intake on CVD mortality and total mortality. However, there were inconsistent patterns in hazard ratios across tertiles of each dietary factor that are likely explained by multiple testing. Conclusions and Relevance: The results suggest that baseline nutritional status does not influence the effect of randomized long-term multivitamin use on major CVD events. Future studies are needed to investigate the role of baseline nutritional biomarkers on the effect of multivitamin use on CVD and other outcomes. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00270647.
Published:
2017
Title:
Effect of personalized nutrition on health-related behaviour change: Evidence from the Food4Me European randomized controlled trial
Authors:
Celis-Morales, C.; Livingstone, K.M.; Marsaux, C.F.M.; Macready, A.L.; Fallaize, R.; O'Donovan, C.B.; Woolhead, C.; Forster, H.; Walsh, M.C.; Navas-Carretero, S.; San-Cristobal, R.; Tsirigoti, L.; Lambrinou, C.P.; Mavrogianni, C.; Moschonis, G.; Kolossa, S.; Hallmann, J.; Godlewska, M.; Surwiłło, A.; Traczyk, I.; Drevon, C.A.; Bouwman, J.; Van Ommen, B.; Grimaldi, K.; Parnell, L.D.; Matthews, J.N.S.; Manios, Y.; Daniel, H.; Martinez, J.A.; Lovegrove, J.A.; Gibney, E.R.; Brennan, L.; Saris, W.H.M.; Gibney, M.; Mathers, J.C.
Abstract:
Background: Optimal nutritional choices are linked with better health, but many current interventions to improve diet have limited effect. We tested the hypothesis that providing personalized nutrition (PN) advice based on information on individual diet and lifestyle, phenotype and/or genotype would promote larger, more appropriate, and sustained changes in dietary behaviour. Methods: Adults from seven European countries were recruited to an internet-delivered intervention (Food4Me) and randomized to: (i) conventional dietary advice (control) or to PN advice based on: (ii) individual baseline diet; (iii) individual baseline diet plus phenotype (anthropometry and blood biomarkers); or (iv) individual baseline diet plus phenotype plus genotype (five diet-responsive genetic variants). Outcomes were dietary intake, anthropometry and blood biomarkers measured at baseline and after 3 and 6 months' intervention. Results: At baseline, mean age of participants was 39.8 years (range 18-79), 59% of participants were female and mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.5 kg/m2. From the enrolled participants, 1269 completed the study. Following a 6-month intervention, participants randomized to PN consumed less red meat [-5.48g, (95% confidence interval:-10.8,-0.09), P=0.046], salt [-0.65g, (1.1,-0.25), P=0.002] and saturated fat [-1.14 % of energy, (1.6,-0.67), P<0.0001], increased folate [29.6μg, (0.21,59.0), P=0.048] intake and had higher Healthy Eating Index scores [1.27, (0.30, 2.25), P=0.010) than those randomized to the control arm. There was no evidence that including phenotypic and phenotypic plus genotypic information enhanced the effectiveness of the PN advice. Conclusions: Among European adults, PN advice via internet-delivered intervention produced larger and more appropriate changes in dietary behaviour than a conventional approach. © The Author 2016; all rights reserved.
Published:
2017
Title:
Effects of Chromium Methionine Supplementation with Different Sources of Zinc on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality, Serum Metabolites, Endocrine Parameters, and the Antioxidant Status in Growing-Finishing Pigs
Authors:
Xu, X.; Liu, L.; Long, S.-F.; Piao, X.-S.; Ward, T.L.; Ji, F.
Abstract:
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium methionine with/without zinc sulfate or zinc amino acid complex on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, serum parameters, endocrine parameters, and antioxidant status of growing-finishing pigs. A total of 180 (32.0 ± 1.7 kg body weight, BW) crossbred pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were used in a completely randomized design with three dietary treatments and 10 replicates per treatment (five pens of barrows and five pens of gilts with six pigs per replicate). Three treatments were corn-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with 100 mg Zn/kg from zinc sulfate (ZnSO 4 ), 100 mg Zn/kg from ZnSO 4 + 0.2 mg Cr/kg from chromium methionine complex (CrMet), or 50 mg Zn/kg from ZnSO 4 + 50 mg Zn/kg from zinc amino acid complex (ZnAA) + 0.2 mg Cr/kg from CrMet, respectively. The experiment lasted 105 days, of which was divided into three stages including phase 1 (30 to 50 kg BW), phase 2 (50 to 80 kg BW), and phase 3 (80 to 110 kg BW). Results showed that supplementation with CrMet and ZnAA improved (P < 0.05) the feed conversion of the pigs in phase 2, phase 3, and the overall experiment. Hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and a longissimus dorsi muscle area were increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed with diets supplemented with both CrMet and ZnAA compared with pigs fed with diets containing only ZnSO 4 (P < 0.05). There was also an increase (P < 0.01) pH 24 h in the longissimus dorsi muscle in pigs fed with diets supplemented with CrMet and ZnAA. The concentration of serum glucose in pigs fed with diets containing CrMet and ZnAA was decreased (P < 0.05) compared with that in pigs fed with the diet containing ZnSO 4 . Supplementation with CrMet and ZnAA increased (P < 0.05) the circulating levels of insulin and decreased (P < 0.05) cortisol. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in total serum antioxidant capacity and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity as well as a decrease (P < 0.05) in serum malondialdehyde concentrations in pigs fed with diets supplemented with CrMet and ZnAA compared with pigs fed with the diet supplemented only with ZnSO 4 . In conclusion, supplementation of CrMet only or CrMet together with ZnAA improved feed conversion, carcass traits, and meat quality in the growing-finishing pigs. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
Published:
2017
Title:
Effects of a dietary ketone ester on hippocampal glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates and amino acids in a 3xTgAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors:
Pawlosky, Robert J.; Kemper, Martin F.; Kashiwaya, Yoshihero; King, Michael Todd; Mattson, Mark P.; Veech, Richard L.
Abstract:
In patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in a triple transgenic (3xTgAD) mouse model of AD low glucose metabolism in the brain precedes loss of memory and cognitive decline. The metabolism of ketones in the brain by-passes glycolysis and therefore may correct several deficiencies that are associated with glucose hypometabolism. A dietary supplement composed of an ester of D-β-hydroxybutyrate and R-1,3 butane diol referred to as ketone ester (KE) was incorporated into a rodent diet and fed to 3xTgAD mice for 8 months. At 16.5 months of age animals were killed and brains dissected. Analyses were carried out on the hippocampus and frontal cortex for glycolytic and TCA (Tricarboxylic Acid) cycle intermediates, amino acids, oxidized lipids and proteins, and enzymes. There were higher concentrations of d-β-hydroxybutyrate in the hippocampus of KE-fed mice where there were also higher concentrations of TCA cycle and glycolytic intermediates and the energy-linked biomarker, N-acetyl aspartate compared to controls. In the hippocampi of control-fed animals the free mitochondrial [NAD+ ]/[NADH] ratio were highly oxidized, whereas, in KE-fed animals the mitochondria were reduced. Also, the levels of oxidized protein and lipids were lower and the energy of ATP hydrolysis was greater compared to controls. 3xTgAD mice maintained on a KE-supplemented diet had higher concentrations of glycolytic and TCA cycle metabolites, a more reduced mitochondrial redox potential, and lower amounts of oxidized lipids and proteins in their hippocampi compared to controls. The KE offers a potential therapy to counter fundamental metabolic deficits common to patients and transgenic models. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 162.
Published:
2017
Title:
Effects of mind-body training on cytokines and their interactions with catecholamines
Authors:
Jang, Joon Hwan; Park, Hye Yoon; Lee, Ui Soon; Lee, Kyung Jun; Kang, Do Hyung
Abstract:
© 2017 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association. Objective Mind-body training (MBT) may control reactions to stress and regulate the nervous and immune systems. The present study was designed to assess the effects of MBT on plasma cytokines and their interactions with catecholamines. Methods The study group consisted of 80 subjects who practice MBT and a control group of 62 healthy subjects. Plasma catecholamine (norepinephrine, NE; epinephrine, E; and dopamine, DA) and cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IFN-gamma, and IL-10) levels were measured, and the differences between the MBT and control groups and the interactions of cytokines with catecholamines were investigated. Results A significant increase in IL-10+IFN-gamma was found in females of the MBT group compared with controls. Also, a significant inc rease of IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) in the MBT group was shown in a specific condition in which TNF-alpha and IL-6 (pro-inflammatory cytokines) are almost absent (≤1 ng/L) compared with controls. In the MBT group, significant positive correlations were found between IL-10 and the NE/E ratio and between IL-10 and the DA/E ratio, whereas the control group did not show any such correlations. Conclusion MBT may increase IL-10, under specific conditions such as a decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines or E, which may regulate the stress response and possibly contribute to effective and beneficial interactions between the nervous and immune systems.
Published:
2017
Title:
Effects of whole crop rice silage on meat quality and adipokine gene expression in fattening wagyu cattle
Authors:
Yamada, T.; Higuchi, M.; Nakanishi, N.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of whole crop rice silage (WCRS) feeding on the lipid stability of beef and fat depot-specific adipokine gene expression patterns in Wagyu cattle. Wagyu steers were fed a control diet (CT, n=4) or a high-vitamin diet containing WCRS (HV, n=4) from 10 to 30 months of age. The a-tocopherol concentration of the longissimus muscle was significantly higher in the HV group than in the CT group. The percentage of metmyoglobin in the longissimus muscle was significantly lower in the HV group than in the CT group. The 2-Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance values of the longissimus muscle were also significantly lower in the HV group than in the CT group. The plasma 8-isoprostane concentration, which is a biomarker of oxidative stress, was significantly lower in the HV group than in the CT group. The expression of adipokine genes (VEGF, FGF-2, and leptin) in mesenteric adipose tissue was significantly lower in the HV group than in the CT group. These results suggest that feeding beef cattle on WCRS improves both the quality of meat and the oxidative stress status.
Published:
2017
Title:
Efficacy of low carbohydrate diet for type 2 diabetes mellitus management: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors:
Meng, Yan; Bai, Hao; Wang, Shijun; Li, Zhaoping; Wang, Qian; Chen, Liyong
Abstract:
Aims The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of Low Carbohydrate Diet (LCD) compared with a normal or high carbohydrate diet in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library database for randomized controlled trials. Researches which reported the change in weight loss, blood glucose, and blood lipid levels were included. Results A total of 9 studies with 734 patients with diabetes were included. Pooled results suggested that LCD had a significantly effect on HbA1c level (WMD: −0.44; 95% CI: −0.61, −0.26; P = 0.00). For cardiovascular risk factors, the LCD intervention significantly reduced triglycerides concentration (WMD: −0.33; 95% CI: −0.45, −0.21; P = 0.00) and increased HDL cholesterol concentration (WMD: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.11; P = 0.00). But the LCD was not associated with decreased level of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Subgroup analyses indicated that short term intervention of LCD was effective for weight loss (WMD: −1.18; 95% CI: −2.32, −0.04; P = 0.04). Conclusions The results suggested a beneficial effect of LCD intervention on glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The LCD intervention also had a positive effect on triglycerides and HDL cholesterol concentrations, but without significant effect on long term weight loss.
Published:
2017
Title:
Emerging role of mitophagy in human diseases and physiology
Authors:
Um, Jee Hyun; Yun, Jeanho
Abstract:
Mitophagy is a process of selective removal of damaged orunnecessary mitochondria using autophagic machinery. Mitophagy plays an essential role in maintaining mitochondrialquality control and homeostasis. Mitochondrial dysfunctionsand defective mitophagy in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and metabolic diseases indicate a close link betweenhuman disease and mitophagy. Furthermore, recent studiesshowing the involvement of mitophagy in differentiation anddevelopment, suggest that mitophagy may play a more activerole in controlling cellular functions. A better understanding ofmitophagy will provide insights about human disease and offernovel chance for treatment. This review mainly focuses on therecent implications for mitophagy in human diseases andnormal physiology. [BMB Reports 2017; 50(6): 299-307].
Published:
2017
Title:
Epidemiology of rare lung diseases: The challenges and opportunities to improve research and knowledge
Authors:
McCarthy, Cormac; Lara Gallego, Beatriz; Trapnell, Bruce C.; McCormack, Francis X.
Abstract:
© Springer International Publishing AG 2017. Rare lung diseases encompass a broad spectrum of conditions and affect an estimated 1.2-2.5 million people in North America and 1.5-3 million people in Europe. While individual rare lung diseases affect less than 1 in 2000 individuals, collectively they have a significant impact upon the population at large. Hence it is vital to understand firstly the epidemiology and subsequently the pathogenesis and clinical course of these disorders. Through a greater understanding of these aspects of disease, progress can be made in reducing symptoms, containing healthcare costs and utilizing resources efficiently. Furthermore, a greater understanding of the pathobiology of rare lung diseases can inform both the pathogenesis and management of more common pulmonary disorders. In this chapter we review how epidemiological approaches and the utilization of patient registries has improved the knowledge and management of rare lung diseases. We further focus on the epidemiology of several of the more widely known rare pulmonary disorders, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), cystic fibrosis (CF) and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). To conclude we describe how patient advocacy groups and foundations have driven advances in research and management of ultra-rare lung diseases, namely, the major strides made in the management and understanding of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). We conclude that the models used to study some of the rarest of diseases may be successfully adopted by other rare and common disease communities, leading to improved care and the possibility of novel therapeutic options.
Published:
2017
Title:
Epigenetic clock analysis of diet, exercise, education, and lifestyle factors
Authors:
Quach, A.; Levine, M.E.; Tanaka, T.; Lu, A.T.; Chen, B.H.; Ferrucci, L.; Ritz, B.; Bandinelli, S.; Neuhouser, M.L.; Beasley, J.M.; Snetselaar, L.; Wallace, R.B.; Tsao, P.S.; Absher, D.; Assimes, T.L.; Stewart, J.D.; Li, Y.; Hou, L.; Baccarelli, A.A.; Whitsel, E.A.; Horvath, S.
Abstract:
Behavioral and lifestyle factors have been shown to relate to a number of health-related outcomes, yet there is a need for studies that examine their relationship to molecular aging rates. Toward this end, we use recent epi genetic biomarkers of age that have previously been shown to predict all-cause mortality, chronic conditions and age-related functional decline. We analyze cross-sectional data from 4,173 postmenopausal female participants from the Women's Health Initiative, as well as 402 male and female participants from the Italian cohort study, Invecchiare nel Chianti. Extrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (EEAA) exhibits significant associations with fish intake (p=0.02), moderate alcohol consumption (p=0.01), education (p=3x10-5), BMI (p=0.01), and blood carotenoid levels (p=1x10-5)-an indicator of fruit and vegetable consumption, whereas intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (IEAA) is associated with poultry intake (p=0.03) and BMI (p=0.05). Both EEAA and IEAA were also found to relate to indicators of metabolic syndrome, which appear to mediate their associations with BMI. Metformin-the first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes-does not delay epigenetic aging in this observational study. Finally, longitudinal data suggests that an increase in BMI is associated with increase in both EEAA and IEAA. Overall, the epigenetic age analysis of blood confirms the conventional wisdom regarding the benefits of eating a high plant diet with lean meats, moderate alcohol consumption, physical activity, and education, as well as the health risks of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Published:
2017
Title:
Evidence from prospective cohort studies does not support current dietary fat guidelines: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors:
Harcombe, Zoë; Baker, Julien S.; Davies, Bruce
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES National dietary guidelines were introduced in 1977 and 1983, by the US and UK governments to reduce coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality by reducing dietary fat intake. Our 2016 systematic review examined the epidemiological evidence available to the dietary committees at the time; we found no support for the recommendations to restrict dietary fat. The present investigation extends our work by re-examining the totality of epidemiological evidence currently available relating to dietary fat guidelines. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies currently available, which examined the relationship between dietary fat, serum cholesterol and the development of CHD, were undertaken. RESULTS Across 7 studies, involving 89 801 participants (94% male), there were 2024 deaths from CHD during the mean follow-up of 11.9±5.6 years. The death rate from CHD was 2.25%. Eight data sets were suitable for inclusion in meta-analysis; all excluded participants with previous heart disease. Risk ratios (RRs) from meta-analysis were not statistically significant for CHD deaths and total or saturated fat consumption. The RR from meta-analysis for total fat intake and CHD deaths was 1.04 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.10). The RR from meta-analysis for saturated fat intake and CHD deaths was 1.08 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.25). CONCLUSIONS Epidemiological evidence to date found no significant difference in CHD mortality and total fat or saturated fat intake and thus does not support the present dietary fat guidelines. The evidence per se lacks generalisability for population-wide guidelines.
Published:
2017
Title:
Evidence that supports the prescription of low-carbohydrate high-fat diets: A narrative review
Authors:
Noakes, Timothy David; Windt, Johann
Abstract:
Low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diets are a highly contentious current topic in nutrition. This narrative review aims to provide clinicians with a broad overview of the effects of LCHF diets on body weight, glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk factors while addressing some common concerns and misconceptions. Blood total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations show a variable, highly individual response to LCHF diets, and should be monitored in patients adhering to this diet. In contrast, available evidence from clinical and preclinical studies indicates that LCHF diets consistently improve all other markers of cardiovascular risk - lowering elevated blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride, ApoB and saturated fat (especially palmitoleic acid) concentrations, reducing small dense LDL particle numbers, glycated haemoglobin (HbA 1c) levels, blood pressure and body weight while increasing low HDL-cholesterol concentrations and reversing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This particular combination of favourable modifications to all these risk factors is a benefit unique to LCHF diets. These effects are likely due in part to reduced hunger and decreased ad libitum calorie intake common to low-carbohydrate diets, allied to a reduction in hyperinsulinaemia, and reversal of NAFLD. Although LCHF diets may not be suitable for everyone, available evidence shows this eating plan to be a safe and efficacious dietary option to be considered. LCHF diets may also be particularly beneficial in patients with atherogenic dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, and the frequently associated NAFLD.
Published:
2017
Title:
Evidence-based medicine and rare diseases
Authors:
Day, Simon
Abstract:
This chapter discusses the meaning of evidence-based medicine and where it relates to randomised controlled trials, but also where it does not. The need for good quality evidence is stressed through a discussion of high failure rates in drug development and arguments against access to unlicensed (and largely untested) treatments are set out (despite the good intentions of those who advocate such access to treatments). Good quality, reliable evidence does not always have to come from clinical trials. Other forms of evidence are discussed. Meta-analyses of individual trials may help to resolve the problem that, in rare diseases, it may be very difficult or impossible to do adequately powered clinical trials - but that does not imply those trials have no value at all. The importance of patients' choices is stressed but the difficulties of making choices and the general poor understanding of risk makes patients very vulnerable to making poor decisions. They need to be adequately guided through the evidence to make proper informed decisions.
Published:
2017
Title:
Exploring the Links between Diet and Health in an Irish Cohort: A Lipidomic Approach
Authors:
O'Gorman, Aoife; Gibbons, Helena; Ryan, Miriam F.; Gibney, Eileen R.; Gibney, Michael J.; Frost, Gary S.; Roche, Helen M.; Brennan, Lorraine
Abstract:
Epidemiology and clinical studies provide clear evidence of the complex links between diet and health. To understand these links, reliable dietary assessment methods are pivotal. Biomarkers have emerged as more objective measures of intake compared with traditional dietary assessment methods. However, there are only a limited number of putative biomarkers of intake successfully identified and validated. The use of biomarkers that reflect food intake to examine diet related diseases represents the next step in biomarker research. Therefore, the aim of this study was to (1) identify and confirm biomarkers associated with dietary fat intake and (2) examine the relationship between those biomarkers with health parameters. Heatmap analysis identified a panel of 22 lipid biomarkers associated with total dietary fat intake in the Metabolic Challenge (MECHE) Study. Confirmation of four of these biomarkers demonstrated responsiveness to different levels of fat intake in a separate intervention study (NutriTech study). Linear regression identified a significant relationship between the panel of dietary fat biomarkers and HOMA-IR, with three lipid biomarkers (C16, PCaaC36:2, and PCae36:4) demonstrating significant associations. Identifying such links allows us to explore the relationship between diet and health to determine whether these biomarkers can be modulated through diet to improve health outcomes.
Published:
2017
Title:
F4/80 as a Major Macrophage Marker: The Case of the Peritoneum and Spleen
Authors:
dos Anjos Cassado, Alexandra
Abstract:
Tissue macrophages are a heterogeneous cell population residing in all body tissues that contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis and trigger immune activation in response to injurious stimuli. This heterogeneity may be associated with tissue-specific functions; however, the presence of distinct macrophage populations within the same microenvironment indicates that macrophage heterogeneity may also be influenced outside of tissue specialization. The F4/80 molecule was established as a unique marker of murine macrophages when a monoclonal antibody was found to recognize an antigen exclusively expressed by these cells. However, recent research has shown that F4/80 is expressed by other immune cells and is not equivalently expressed across tissue-specific macrophage lineages, including those residing in the same microenvironment, such as the peritoneum and spleen. In this context, two murine macrophage subtypes with distinct F4/80 expression patterns were recently found to coexist in the peritoneum, termed large peritoneal macrophages (LPMs) and small peritoneal macrophages (SPMs). However, the presence of phenotypic and functional heterogeneous macrophage subpopulations in the spleen was already known. Thus, although F4/80 surface expression continues to be the best method to identify tissue macrophages, additional molecules must also be examined to distinguish these cells from other immune cells.
Published:
2017
Title:
Facilitating clinical studies in rare diseases
Authors:
Gopal-Srivastava, Rashmi; Kaufmann, Petra
Abstract:
In recent years, there have been many scientific advances and new collaborations for rare diseases research and, ultimately, the health of patients living with rare diseases. However, for too many rare diseases, there still is no effective treatment, and our understanding of the incidence, prevalence, and underlying etiology is incomplete. To facilitate the studies needed to answer the many open questions there is a great need for the active involvement of all stakeholders, most importantly of patient groups. Also, the creation of streamlined infrastructure for performing multi-site clinical studies is critical, as is the engagement of multi-disciplinary teams with shared focus on a group of diseases. Another essential component of such efforts is to collect standardized data so that downstream meta-analyses and data sharing can be facilitated. To ensure high-quality protocols and datasets, a central data management and coordinating center is important. Since there are more than 6000 rare diseases, instead of focusing on single rare disease, it is more impactful to create platforms and methods that can support a group of rare diseases.
Published:
2017
Title:
Factors Associated with Achievement of Clinically Significant Weight Loss by Women in a National Nonprofit Weight Loss Program
Authors:
Mitchell, Nia S.; Furniss, Anna L.; Helmkamp, Laura J.; Van Pelt, Rachael E.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Clinically significant weight loss (CSWL) is ≥5% of initial weight. The purpose of the study is to determine factors associated with women achieving CSWL in Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a national, nonprofit weight loss program. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 48,674 females who joined TOPS from 2005 to 2011 and had a birth date in the database. Predictors of CSWL were evaluated using log-binomial regression and adjusted relative risks [99% CI] for participant age, initial weight, number of members per chapter, and chapter age. RESULTS: Older women were more likely to achieve CSWL, with women ≥70 years 1.23 (1.18, 1.28) times more likely to achieve CSWL compared to women 18 to <45 years. Women who weighed 113 to <136 kg and ≥136 kg were 1.06 (1.02, 1.10) and 1.07 (1.02, 1.14) times more likely to achieve CSWL compared to women <80 kg, respectively. Women in chapters with 25 to
Published:
2017
Title:
Fasting, cellular cleansing and cancer – is there a connection? - Diet Doctor
Authors:
Fung, Jason
Abstract:
Fasting, cellular cleansing and cancer - is there a connection?
Published:
2017
Title:
Fermented Foods in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: An Overview
Authors:
Wilburn, J.R.; Ryan, E.P.
Abstract:
Fermentation is the second oldest known method used for food preservation after drying, and is used for food processing a vast array of meats and fish, dairy, legumes, cereal grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as by-products of each of these categories. Fermented foods and beverages are gaining tremendous attention globally because of their natural, nutritional, and potential functional utility for health promotion. Specific claims about the health benefits of fermented foods and beverages should be based on accurate evidence-based scientific information. One major challenge for epidemiological studies, biomedical studies, and clinical nutrition intervention trials is the lack of dietary biomarkers associated with consumption of fermented foods. Details regarding the daily amount or consumption level of a fermented food or beverage needs to be further understood in humans. An accurate assessment of fermented food bioavailability of the bioactive compounds is also required for stronger linkages to health promotion or disease prevention actions. The purpose of this introductory chapter is to highlight fermented foods and beverages with an emphasis on those that have scientific information available regarding their bioactive constituents, and those which have been studied for specific host mechanisms in animals and for human health. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Published:
2017
Title:
Fibrin Formation, Structure and Properties
Authors:
Weisel, John W.; Litvinov, Rustem I.
Abstract:
Published:
2017
Title:
Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Metabolic Approach Grounded in Biochemistry for the Remission of Symptoms
Authors:
Lattanzio, Silvia Maria
Abstract:
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic, complex, and heterogeneous disorder of still poorly understood etiopathophysiology associated with important musculoskeletal widespread pain, fatigue, non-restorative sleep, and mood disturbances. It is estimated to afflict 2-3% of the worldwide population, with clean prevalence among women. The objective of this paper is to propose a novel treatment for symptomatic remission of FMS, grounded in biochemistry and consisting in the withdrawal from the diet of molecules that can indirectly trigger the symptoms. The hypothesis develops from the evidence that low serotonin levels are involved in FMS. Serotonin is synthesized starting from the essential amino acid tryptophan. The presence of non-absorbed molecules in the gut, primarily fructose, reduces tryptophan absorption. Low tryptophan absorption leads to low serotonin synthesis that triggers FMS symptoms. Moreover not-absorbed sugars could also produce a microbiota deterioration activating a positive feedback loop: the increasing microbiota deterioration reduces the functionality of absorption both of fructose and tryptophan in the gut, entering a vicious circle. The therapeutic idea is to sustain serotonin synthesis allowing the proper tryptophan absorption. The core of the cure treatment is the exclusion from the diet of some carbohydrates and the marked reduction of some others. The main target is the limitation of total dietary fructose as marked as possible. It could be an effective strategy to get the remission of symptoms acting on the impaired biochemical pathways. The straying from the treatment is expected to cause the reappear of the symptoms.
Published:
2017
Title:
Financial Conflict of Interest and Academic Influence Among Experts Speaking on Behalf of the Pharmaceutical Industry at the US Food and Drug Administration's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee Meetings
Authors:
Lammers, Austin; Edmiston, Jonathan; Kaestner, Victoria; Prasad, Vinay
Abstract:
Published:
2017
Title:
Food consumption survey of Shanghai adults in 2012 and its associations with phthalate metabolites in urine
Authors:
Dong, R.; Zhou, T.; Zhao, S.; Zhang, H.; Zhang, M.; Chen, J.; Wang, M.; Wu, M.; Li, S.; Chen, B.
Abstract:
Background Diet is considered to be a significant exposure pathway for phthalates. In this study, we assessed the associations between food consumption and urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites among Shanghai adults. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 2418 participants was conducted in the fall of 2012. Recent food consumption was assessed by a 24-h dietary recall survey, and a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) characterized long-term dietary patterns. Urinary metabolites of six phthalates were measured. Results Both the 24-h recall survey and FFQ identified wheat, dairy, and fruits as being positively associated with the excretion of phthalate metabolites. The 24-h recall data also showed positive associations with processed meats and alcohol. We evaluated the impact of reported consumption of multiple food categories simultaneously (wheat, fruits, meats, etc.) on metabolite excretion and found that, as more food types were consumed, the number of metabolites excreted, as well as their concentrations, increased with high significance (p values < 0.0001). We also evaluated the two survey instruments together. When both surveys reported consumption of fruits and dairy, the numbers of metabolites and their concentrations were significantly higher compared to when both surveys reported non-consumption, (p values
Published:
2017
Title:
Food, Colonialism and the Quantum of Happiness
Authors:
Earle, Rebecca
Abstract:
Published:
2017
Title:
Gene Expression, Oxidative Stress, and Senescence of Primary Coronary Endothelial Cells Exposed to Postprandial Serum of Healthy Adult and Elderly Volunteers after Oven-Cooked Meat Meals
Authors:
Laura, C.; Robertina, G.; Piacenza, F.; Basso, A.; Pacetti, D.; Balzano, M.; Gagliardi, R.; Frega, N.G.; Mocchegiani, E.; Provinciali, M.; Malavolta, M.
Abstract:
Epidemiological studies have linked high consumption of meat with major age-related diseases including cardiovascular diseases. Abnormal postprandial increases in plasma lipids after a meat meal have been hypothesized among the pathogenetic mechanisms. However, it is still unknown if the postprandial serum derived after a normal meat meal is able to affect endothelial function, and if the type of meat and the age of the donors are critical factors. Here, we show the effects of postprandial sera derived from healthy adults and elderly volunteers who consumed meat meals on human coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC) oxidative stress, gene expression, DNA damage, and cellular senescence. We observed that a single exposure to postprandial serum induces a slight increase in ROS that is associated with modulation of gene expression pathways related to oxidative stress response and metabolism. The postprandial-induced increase in ROS is not associated with a measurable DNA oxidative damage. However, repeated exposure to postprandial serum induces an acceleration of cellular senescence. Taking into account the deleterious role of cellular senescence in age-related vascular diseases, the results suggest a new mechanism by which excessive meat consumption and time spent in postprandial state may affect health status during aging. © 2017 Costarelli Laura et al.
Published:
2017
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