Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D intake to attain a desired serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration.

BACKGROUND Indirect evidence suggests that optimal vitamin D status is achieved with a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration >75 nmol/L. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the intake of vitamin D(3) needed to raise serum 25(OH)D to >75 nmol/L. DESIGN The design was a 6-mo, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, double-dummy, placebo-controlled study of vitamin D(3) supplementation. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by radioimmunoassay. Vitamin D(3) intake was adjusted every 2 mo by use of an algorithm based on serum 25(OH)D concentration. RESULTS A total of 138 subjects entered the study. After 2 dose adjustments, almost all active subjects attained concentrations of 25(OH)D >75 nmol/L, and no subjects exceeded 220 nmol/L. The mean (+/-SD) slope at 9 wk [defined as 25(OH)D change/baseline dose] was 0.66 +/- 0.35 (nmol/L)/(microg/d) and did not differ statistically between blacks and whites. The mean daily dose was 86 microg (3440 IU). The use of computer simulations to obtain the most participants within the range of 75-220 nmol/L predicted an optimal daily dose of 115 microg/d (4600 IU). No hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria was observed. CONCLUSIONS Determination of the intake required to attain serum 25(OH)D concentrations >75 nmol/L must consider the wide variability in the dose-response curve and basal 25(OH)D concentrations. Projection of the dose-response curves observed in this convenience sample onto the population of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggests a dose of 95 microg/d (3800 IU) for those above a 25(OH)D threshold of 55 nmol/L and a dose of 125 microg/d (5000 IU) for those below that threshold.
Increase in intranuclear nuclear factor kappaB and decrease in inhibitor kappaB in mononuclear cells after a mixed meal: evidence for a proinflammatory effect.

BACKGROUND In view of the stimulatory effect of glucose on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, we investigated the possibility that a mixed meal stimulates ROS generation and possibly induces concomitant proinflammatory changes. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine whether the intake of a 900-kcal mixed meal induces an increase in ROS generation by leukocytes and an inflammatory response at the cellular level. DESIGN Nine normal-weight subjects were given a 900-kcal mixed meal, and 8 normal-weight subjects were given 300 mL water after an overnight fast. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, and 3 h. ROS generation by mononuclear cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the expression of p47(phox) subunit were measured. Intranuclear nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding and the expression of inhibitor kappaBalpha (IkappaBalpha), IkappaB kinase alpha (IKKalpha), and IkappaB kinase beta (IKKbeta) were measured. Plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule were also measured. RESULTS ROS generation by mononuclear cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes and p47(phox) expression increased significantly. The expression of IKKalpha and IKKbeta and DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB increased significantly, whereas IkappaBalpha expression decreased. Plasma CRP concentrations increased. The intake of 300 mL water did not induce a change in any of the above indexes. CONCLUSIONS These data show that the intake of a mixed meal results in significant inflammatory changes characterized by a decrease in IkappaBalpha and an increase in NF-kappaB binding, plasma CRP, and the expression of IKKalpha, IKKbeta, and p47(phox) subunit. These proinflammatory changes are probably relevant to the state of chronic hypertension and obesity and to its association with atherosclerosis.
Increased intestinal contents viscosity reduces cholesterol absorption efficiency in hamsters fed hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that increased intestinal contents viscosity lowers plasma cholesterol concentrations by decreasing cholesterol absorption. Male Golden Syrian hamsters were fed for 4 wk diets containing 0.12% cholesterol, and either 4% cellulose or four different viscosity grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Dietary HPMC confers viscosity in the small intestine but is resistant to fermentation. Cholesterol absorption efficiency was measured using the dual isotope ratio method, and plasma and liver cholesterol concentrations were determined enzymatically. Ex vivo viscosity of intestinal contents supernatants was measured using a Wells-Brookfield cone/plate viscometer, and the means of treatment groups ranged from 6 to 6532 mPa.s. Relative to dietary cellulose, all viscosity grades of HPMC resulted in significantly lower cholesterol absorption efficiency, lower plasma cholesterol concentration, and lower liver cholesteryl ester content. The logarithm of intestinal contents ex vivo viscosity was inversely correlated with dietary cholesterol absorption (r2 = 0.84, P = 0.028). Furthermore, dietary cholesterol absorption was positively correlated with plasma cholesterol concentration (r2 = 0.89, P = 0.017) and liver cholesteryl ester content (r2 = 0.96, P = 0.0031). Thus, the data suggest an independent role of intestinal contents viscosity in lowering plasma cholesterol concentration and liver cholesteryl ester content by reducing cholesterol absorption efficiency.
Temporal trends in energy intake in the United States: an ecologic perspective.

BACKGROUND The causes of recent increases in the prevalence of overweight in the United States are perplexing because national survey data do not show clear patterns of change in energy intake or expenditure. OBJECTIVE Ecologic data regarding the quantities and types of foods and nutrients available in the United States between 1970 and 1998 were reviewed to provide an alternative perspective on trends in energy intake. DESIGN Literature searches in agriculture, business, and medical library databases were conducted to identify data regarding the quantities and types of foods and nutrients available in the United States between 1970 and 1998. RESULTS Per capita energy availability estimates from the US Department of Agriculture, US Food Supply Series, indicate that energy availability increased by 15% between 1970 and 1994. Data regarding trends in food purchasing and preparation suggest that Americans are eating more meals outside the home, relying more heavily on convenience foods, and consuming larger food portions. Americans appear, in some cases, to be selecting lower-fat foods over higher-fat alternatives. In addition, availability and sales of reduced-energy and reduced-fat products have increased. CONCLUSION Consistent with trends in overweight, most of the ecologic data reviewed suggest that energy intake has increased over the past several decades and is likely a major contributor to increases in average body weight.
Invalidation in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: Clinical and Psychological Framework

Objective. The term “invalidation” refers to the patients’ perception that their medical condition is not recognized by the social environment. Invalidation can be a major issue in patients’ lives, adding a significant burden to symptoms and limitations while increasing the risk of physical and psychological disability. In this study in patients with rheumatic diseases, we investigated the relationship between invalidation and sociodemographic, clinical, psychological, and personality characteristics. Methods. This international cross-sectional study included 562 adults with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 124), spondyloarthritis (n = 85), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 112), or fibromyalgia (FM; n = 241). Assessed were the family and health professionals subscales of the Illness Invalidation Inventory (3*I), happiness (Subjective Happiness Scale), personality (Ten-Item Personality Inventory), pain, and loneliness (numerical rating scales). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to test different models. Results. Invalidation occurred in all rheumatic diseases, but patients with FM reported the most invalidation. Including all correlated variables in the multivariate model, pain remained as a determinant of invalidation by health professionals, but not by family. Regarding psychological variables, loneliness remained as a determinant of invalidation by family, but not by health professionals. FM and low levels of happiness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were associated with invalidation while taking account of other variables. Conclusion. Invalidation occurs in all rheumatic diseases and patients with FM experience the most invalidation. Psychological factors (happiness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness), loneliness, and pain intensity are associated with invalidation, irrespective of the rheumatic disease and may deserve dedicated interventions.
Establishment and long-term maintenance of primary intestinal epithelial cells cultured from the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

ABSTRACT A novel method for the establishment and long-term maintenance of ex vivo cultures from intestinal regions of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), is reported. Adherence of cells was observed within hours, epithelial island formation recorded at 48 h and rapid proliferation with confluence achieved between 9-14 days. In addition to metabolic characterisation, basic morphology of growing cells was characterised using histology, immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Regional differences in intestinal ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylation (ECOD) activities in these primary grown enterocytes were compared following exposure to model inducers [i.e. α-NF, β-NF, B(a)P] which demonstrated significant differences. Regional differences in dietary uptake and metabolism of contaminants can therefore be studied in this in vitro system to increase our understanding of fundamental processes, while concurrently providing a means to reduce the number of fish required for biological studies in line with the principles of the 3Rs (Reduce, Refine and Replace). This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Understanding chemical uptake from the diet is difficult in live fish: we developed long-term intestinal cell cultures that enables the science and provides an alternative method.
Milk fat synthesis in dairy cows is progressively reduced by increasing supplemental amounts of trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements containing a variety of isomers reduce milk fat yield. We have recently identified trans-10, cis-12 CLA as the isomer responsible for inhibiting milk fat synthesis in dairy cows. Our objectives were to determine milk fat yield and fatty acid composition responses to different doses of trans-10, cis-12 CLA. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 4) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of a 5-d abomasal infusion of four doses of trans-10, cis-12 CLA, i.e., 0.0, 3.5, 7.0 and 14.0 g/d. Milk fat yield was decreased 25, 33, and 50%, and milk fat concentration was reduced 24, 37 and 46% when cows received 3.5, 7.0 and 14.0 g/d of trans-10, cis-12 CLA, respectively. Feed intake, milk yield, and milk protein content and yield were unaffected by treatment. Milk fatty acid composition revealed that de novo synthesized fatty acids (short and medium chain) were extensively reduced when cows received the two highest doses, but at the low dose (3.5 g/d), decreases in de novo synthesized fatty acids and preformed fatty acids were similar. Changes in milk fatty acid composition also demonstrated that (9)-desaturase activity was inhibited at the two high doses of trans-10, cis-12 CLA, but was unaffected by the low dose. Results indicate minimal quantities of trans-10, cis-12 CLA (0.016% of dietary dry matter) markedly inhibited milk fat synthesis (25% reduction) and that a curvilinear reduction in milk fat yield occurred with increasing quantities of trans-10, cis-12 CLA.
Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate in dentistry: An update

Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), milk derivative helps in remineralization of the carious lesion by replenishing lost minerals like calcium, phosphate ions into the tooth structure. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have proven that CPP-ACP to be useful in the treatment of white spot lesions, early childhood caries, dental erosion, root caries, and dentin hypersensitivity. CPP-ACP is delivered in the form of oral hygiene products such as chewing gum, tooth cream, and even incorporated in dental restorative materials also.
The Significance of Preschool Teacher’s Personality in Early Childhood Education: Analysis of Eysenck’s and Big Five Dimensions of Personality

Considering the significance of the preschool teacher’s influence on early childhood, it is relevant to put in the research focus their personality characteristics. Therefore, the main question of this study was to explore personality traits of preschool teachers. A personality analysis was run and discussed within two personality models: Eysenck’s and Big Five personality model. Subjects were preschool teachers (N=92), all females, with the mean age of 30 years, ranged from 21 to 49 years. Personality traits analyses within both personality models showed higher levels of extraversion, agreeableness, consciousness, openness to experience and social conformity than normative sample. Psychoticism level was similar to the one from normative sample, and neuroticism levels (Eysenck’s and Big5) were lower than in normative sample. The results were discussed in the frame of the significance of preschool teacher personality as a role models and (none)desirable personality traits in the context of early and preschool care and education.
Randomized controlled trial of nutritional supplementation in patients with newly diagnosed tuberculosis and wasting.

BACKGROUND Nutritional support is often recommended as part of the treatment of tuberculosis, but it has never been properly tested. OBJECTIVE We assessed the effects of early nutritional intervention on lean mass and physical function in patients with tuberculosis and wasting. DESIGN Patients who started antituberculous therapy within the previous 2 wk were randomly assigned to receive standard nutritional counseling (control group) or nutritional counseling to increase their intake through diet and high-energy supplements (nutritional supplement group) for 6 wk. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and physical function was assessed by maximum grip strength. RESULTS Patients in the nutritional supplement group (n = 19) had a significantly greater increase in body weight (2.57 +/- 1.78 compared with 0.84 +/- 0.89 kg, P = 0.001), total lean mass (1.17 +/- 0.93 compared with 0.04 +/- 1.26 kg, P = 0.006), and grip strength (2.79 +/- 3.11 compared with -0.65 +/- 4.48 kg, P = 0.016) than did the control subjects (n = 17) at week 6. During subsequent follow-up, the increase in body weight remained greater in the nutritional supplement group, but this increase was due mainly to a greater gain in fat mass in the nutritional supplement group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Early intervention to increase nutritional intake increases lean mass and physical function. This adjunct to tuberculosis therapy could confer socioeconomic and survival benefits that deserve investigation in large-scale trials. Nutritional intervention after the initial phase of treatment could be less beneficial because it mainly increases fat.
Padua Research Archive - Institutional Repository

The languages developed by deaf communities are unique for using visual signs produced by the hand. In the present study, we explored the cognitive effects of employing the hand as articulator. We focused on the arbitrariness of the form-meaning relationship—a fundamental feature of natural languages—and asked whether sign languages change the processing of arbitrary non-linguistic stimulus-response (S-R) associations involving the hand. This was tested using the Simon effect, which specifically requires such type of associations. Differences between signers and speakers (non-signers) only appeared in the Simon task when hand stimuli were shown. Response-time analyses revealed that the distinctiveness of signers’ responses derived from an increased ability to process memory traces of arbitrary S-R pairs related to the hand. These results shed light on the interplay between language and cognition as well as on the effects of sign language acquisition.
Effects of systemic hypoxia on R-R interval and blood pressure variabilities in conscious rats.

The effects of systemic hypoxia with different levels of CO2 on R-R interval (RRI) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) variabilities were investigated in conscious rats. Wistar rats chronically instrumented for the measurement of blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were exposed to hypocapnic (Hypo), isocapnic (Iso), and hypercapnic (Hyper) hypoxia. On another day, the rats were treated with atropine and exposed to the same type of hypoxia. Sinoaortic denervation (SAD)-treated rats were exposed to Iso and Hyper, and RRI and SBP variabilities before and during hypoxia were analyzed using the maximum-entropy method with high resolution. With regard to RRI variability, very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), and high frequency (HF) powers all decreased during Hypo, increased during Hyper, and did not change during Iso in intact rats. Changes during Hypo were attenuated by atropine, and those during Hyper were abolished by either atropine or SAD. The ratio of LF power to HF power decreased independently of increases in RSNA during each type of hypoxia. On the other hand, there were no changes in VLF, LF, or HF power in SBP variability during each type of hypoxia in intact rats. In atropine-treated rats, LF power increased during Iso and Hyper and HF power increased during each type of hypoxia. There was no difference in respiratory frequency among the three kinds of hypoxia in both intact and atropine-treated rats. The results suggest that arterial[Formula: see text] level rather than respiration frequency produces changes in powers of RRI variability through changes in parasympathetic nerve activity and that with regard to SBP variability, parasympathetic nerve activity masks changes in LF power that reflect an increase in RSNA and those in HF power that reflect a mechanical consequence of respiration.
The metabolic consequences of critical illness: acute effects on glutamine and protein metabolism.

Net protein loss and large decreases in plasma glutamine concentration are characteristics of critical illness. We have used [2-15N]glutamine and [1-13C]leucine to investigate whole body glutamine and leucine kinetics in a group of critically ill patients and matched healthy controls. Glutamine appearance rate (Ra,Gln) was similar in both groups. However, in the patients, the proportion of Ra,Gln arising from protein breakdown was higher than in the control group (43 ± 3 vs. 32 ± 2%, P < 0.05). Glutamine metabolic clearance rate (MCR) was 92 ± 8% higher ( P < 0.001), whereas plasma glutamine concentration was 38 ± 5% lower ( P < 0.001) than in the control group. Leucine appearance rate (whole body proteolysis) and nonoxidative leucine disposal (whole body protein synthesis) were 59 ± 14 and 49 ± 15% higher in the patients ( P < 0.001). Leucine oxidation and MCR were increased in the patients by 104 ± 37 and 129 ± 39%, respectively ( P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that critical illness is associated with a major increase in protein turnover. The acute decrease in plasma glutamine concentration and the unaltered plasma Ra,Gln suggest that the increase in proteolysis is insufficient to meet increased demand for glutamine in this severe catabolic state.
Age, burnout and physical and psychological work ability among nurses.

Background The ageing of the US labour force highlights the need to examine older adults' physical and psychological ability to work, under varying levels of occupational burnout. Aims To examine how age and burnout interact in predicting physical and psychological work ability. Methods Using a cohort of actively working nurses, we assessed factors on the Work Ability Index at 12-month follow-up and determined how these were related to age and exhaustion-related burnout at baseline. Results The study group consisted of 402 nurses aged 25-67 (mean = 41.7). Results indicated age by burnout interactions in which decrements in physical work ability with greater age were observed at all but the lowest level of burnout (1.5 SD below mean: β = -0.14, 95% CI -0.36, 0.07; 1 SD below: β = -0.23, 95% CI -0.39, -0.06; mean: β = -0.39, 95% CI -0.50, -0.29; 1 SD above: β = -0.56, 95% CI -0.70, -0.42; 1.5 SD above: β = -0.64, 95% CI -0.83, -0.46). In contrast, we observed decrements in psychological work ability with age at higher levels of burnout only (1 SD above: β = -0.20, 95% CI -0.35, -0.05; 1.5 SD above: β = -0.30, 95% CI -0.49, -0.11); at lower levels of burnout, older age was associated with improvements in this (1 SD below: β = 0.19, 95% CI 0.03, 0.35; 1.5 SD below: β = 0.29, 95% CI 0.08, 0.50). Conclusions Findings indicated physical and psychological dimensions of work ability that differed by age and occupational burnout. This emphasizes the need for interventions to reduce burnout and to address age-related strengths and vulnerabilities relating to physical and psychological work ability.
Concordant lipoprotein and weight responses to dietary fat change in identical twins with divergent exercise levels 1.

BACKGROUND Individuals vary greatly in their lipoprotein responses to low-fat diets, with some of this variation being attributable to genes. OBJECTIVE The purpose was to test the extent to which individual lipoprotein responses to diet can be attributed to genes in the presence of divergent exercise levels. DESIGN Twenty-eight pairs of male monozygotic twins (one twin mostly sedentary, the other running an average of 50 km/wk more than the sedentary twin) went from a 6-wk 40%-fat diet to a 6-wk 20%-fat diet in a crossover design. The diets reduced fat primarily by reducing saturated and polyunsaturated fat (both from 14% to 4%) while increasing carbohydrate intake from 45% to 65%. RESULTS Despite the twins' differences in physical activity, the dietary manipulation produced significantly correlated changes (P < 0.05) in the twins' total cholesterol (r = 0.56); LDL cholesterol (r = 0.70); large, buoyant LDL [Svedberg flotation rate (S(f)) 7-12; r = 0.52]; apolipoprotein A-I (r = 0.49); lipoprotein(a) (r = 0.49); electrophoresis measurements of LDL-I (LDLs between 26 and 28.5 nm in diameter; r = 0.48), LDL-IIB (25.2-24.6 nm; r = 0.54), and LDL-IV (22-24.1 nm; r = 0.50); and body weight (r = 0.41). Replacing fats with carbohydrates significantly decreased the size and ultracentrifuge flotation rate of the major LDL and the LDL mass concentrations of large, buoyant LDL; LDL-I; HDL cholesterol; and apolipoprotein A-I and significantly increased concentrations of LDL-IIIA (24.7-25.5 nm) and lipoprotein(a). CONCLUSIONS Even in the presence of extreme differences in exercise, genes significantly affect changes in LDL, apolipoprotein A-I, lipoprotein(a), and body weight when dietary fats are replaced with carbohydrates.