Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cholesterol-lowering effect of beta-glucan from oat bran in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects may decrease when beta-glucan is incorporated into bread and cookies.

BACKGROUND Findings about the effects of beta-glucan on serum lipoproteins are conflicting. OBJECTIVE The study investigated the effects of beta-glucan from oat bran in bread and cookies (study 1) and in orange juice (study 2) on serum lipoproteins in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects. DESIGN In study 1, 48 subjects (21 men, 27 women) received for 3 wk control bread and cookies rich in wheat fiber. For the next 4 wk, by random assignment, 23 subjects continued to consume the control products, and 25 received bread and cookies rich in beta-glucan. Mean daily intake of beta-glucan was 5.9 g. Total dietary fiber intake did not differ significantly between the groups. In study 2, the same sources of control fiber and beta-glucan (5 g/d) as in study 1 were provided. For 2 wk, 25 of the original 48 subjects (10 men, 15 women) were randomly assigned to consume orange juice containing either wheat fiber (n = 13) or beta-glucan from oat bran (n = 12). After a washout period of 1 wk, dietary regimens were crossed over. RESULTS In study 1, the change in LDL cholesterol did not differ significantly (-0.12 mmol/L; P = 0.173) between the 2 groups. In study 2, the drink rich in beta-glucan decreased LDL cholesterol by 0.26 +/- 0.07 mmol/L (6.7 +/- 1.8%; P = 0.001) and the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol by 0.26 +/- 0.11 (5.4 +/- 2.1%; P = 0.029) compared with the other drink. HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS The food matrix or the food processing, or both, could have adverse effects on the hypocholesterolemic properties of oat beta-glucan.
Fortification contributed greatly to vitamin and mineral intakes in the United States, 1989-1991.

The objective of this work was to quantify the contribution of fortification (defined here as adding nutrients beyond traditional enrichment standards) to dietary nutrient intakes in the United States. A list of fortified foods was developed that was relevant at the time of the analyses, and prefortification (naturally occurring) nutrients in the fortified foods were determined from industry-supplied data. Using dietary data from the 1989-1991 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII), intakes of nine nutrients were determined both as reported in the CSFII (i.e., postfortification) and also by using prefortification nutrient levels for the identified fortified foods. We report data for the total population age >/= 1 y based on respondents (n = 11,710) with 3 d of dietary data, as well as select age/gender subgroups. All data were weighted. Fortification substantially increased the intakes of all nutrients examined except calcium, in all age/gender groups but especially in children. In numerous cases, fortification was responsible for boosting median or 25th percentile intakes from below to above the RDA. The breakfast cereal category was responsible for nearly all the intake of nutrients from fortified foods, except vitamin C for which juice-type beverages made as great or a greater contribution. These data from 1989 to 1991 serve as a useful baseline with which to compare contributions of fortification as the practice expands. The large contribution of fortification even in 1989-1991 suggests that continued monitoring of fortification practices, using methods such as those presented here, is important.
Urea-nitrogen production and salvage are modulated by protein intake in fed humans: results of an oral stable-isotope-tracer protocol and compartmental modeling.

BACKGROUND The influence of protein source on postprandial urea kinetics is poorly understood, despite its nutritional significance with respect to nitrogen homeostasis. Furthermore, traditional tracer infusion studies underestimate acute postprandial change in urea kinetics. OBJECTIVE We investigated postprandial, non-steady state urea kinetics and their modulation by qualitative and quantitative factors of protein intake by the combined use of robust clinical data on nitrogen postprandial distribution and mathematical modeling. DESIGN In healthy subjects standardized to a normal protein intake for 7 d, dietary and total nitrogen kinetics were measured for 8 h in plasma proteins, body, and urinary urea after the ingestion of a (15)N-labeled milk (n = 8), soy (n = 8), or wheat (n = 8) protein meal. In subjects who received the soy protein meal, these postprandial measurements were repeated after a further 7-d adaptation to a high protein intake. A 4-compartment model was developed to calculate from these data the postprandial kinetics of production, urinary excretion, and intestinal hydrolysis of urea nitrogen from both dietary and endogenous sources. RESULTS Urinary urea excretion was not influenced by the protein source in the meal but was influenced by the protein level in the diet. By contrast, urea production and hydrolysis were higher when ingesting plant versus animal protein, together with a higher efficiency of urea hydrolysis (50-60% versus 25% of the urea produced being hydrolyzed, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that urea hydrolysis is an acute nitrogen-sparing mechanism that can counterbalance a postprandial higher urea production, and the efficiency of this recycling is higher when the usual protein intake is lower.
FC-99 ameliorates sepsis-induced liver dysfunction by modulating monocyte/macrophage differentiation via Let-7a related monocytes apoptosis

Background The liver is a vital target for sepsis-related injury, leading to inflammatory pathogenesis, multiple organ dysfunction and high mortality rates. Monocyte-derived macrophage transformations are key events in hepatic inflammation. N1-[(4-methoxy)methyl]-4-methyl-1,2-benzenediamine (FC-99) previously displayed therapeutic potential on experimental sepsis. However, the underlying mechanism of this protective effect is still not clear. Results FC-99 treatment attenuated the liver dysfunction in septic mice that was accompanied with reduced numbers of pro-inflammatory Ly6Chi monocytes in the peripheral blood and CD11b+F4/80lo monocyte-derived macrophages in the liver. These effects were attributed to the FC-99-induced apoptosis of CD11b+ cells. In PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells, FC-99 repressed the expression of CD11b, CD14 and caspase3 and resulted in a high proportion of Annexin V+ cells. Moreover, let-7a-5p expression was abrogated upon CLP stimulation in vivo, whereas it was restored by FC-99 treatment. TargetScan analysis and luciferase assays indicated that the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-XL was targeted by let-7a-5p. BCL-XL was inhibited by FC-99 in order to induce monocyte apoptosis, leading to the impaired monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation. Materials and Methods Murine acute liver failure was generated by caecal ligation puncture surgery after FC-99 administration; Blood samples and liver tissues were collected to determine the monocyte/macrophage subsets and the induction of apoptosis. Human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) cells were pretreated with FC-99 followed by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) stimulation, in order to induce monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation. The target of FC-99 and the mechanistic analyses were conducted by microarrays, qRT-PCR validation, TargetScan algorithms and a luciferase report assay. Conclusions FC-99 exhibits potential therapeutic effects on CLP-induced liver dysfunction by restoring let-7a-5p levels.
Acute effects of moderate dietary protein restriction in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria and calcium nephrolithiasis.

BACKGROUND High dietary protein intake is a potential risk factor for nephrolithiasis because of its capacity to increase urinary calcium and to facilitate lithogenesis through many other mechanisms. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to verify the effects of moderate protein restriction in hypercalciuric patients. DESIGN We studied 18 patients (10 men and 8 women aged 45.6+/-12.3 y) with idiopathic hypercalciuria and renal calculi. Before and after 15 d of a diet with 0.8 g protein x kg(-1) x d(-1) and 955 mg Ca, all patients were evaluated for the main serum and urinary measures of calcium metabolism as well as for urinary uric acid, oxalate, citrate, and prostaglandin E2. RESULTS Urinary excretion of urea fell after the diet (P < 0.001). Urinary calcium (P < 0.001), uric acid (P < 0.005), oxalate (P < 0.01), and hydroxyproline (P < 0.01) decreased after protein restriction, whereas urinary citrate increased (P < 0.025). Blood pH increased after the hypoproteic diet (P < 0.05). 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) concentration fell significantly (P < 0.025) and parathyroid hormone increased (P < 0.001). Creatinine clearance tended to decrease (106.4+/-4.8 compared with 97.5+/-5.7 mL/min) after the diet. The decrease in urinary uric acid after the diet correlated with calcitriol concentration (r = 0.57, P < 0.05) and the decrease in urinary urea correlated positively with that in hydroxyproline excretion (r = 0.58, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS In hypercalciuric patients, moderate protein restriction decreases calcium excretion, mainly through a reduction in bone resorption and renal calcium loss; both are likely due to a decreased exogenous acid load. Moreover, dietary protein restriction ameliorates the entire lithogenic profile in these patients.
Evaluation of rapid post-mortem test kits for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) screening in Japan: Their analytical sensitivity to atypical BSE prions

ABSTRACT A classical type of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (C-BSE), recognized in 1987, had a large impact on public health due to its zoonotic link to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease by the human consumption of dietary products contaminated with the C-BSE prion. Thus, a number of countries implemented BSE surveillance using rapid post-mortem test kits that were approved for detection of the C-BSE prion in the cattle brain. However, as atypical BSE (L- and H-BSE) cases emerged in subsequent years, the efficacy of the kits for the detection of atypical BSE prions became a matter of concern. In response to this, laboratories in the European Union and Canada evaluated the kits used in their countries. Here, we carried out an evaluation study of NippiBL®, a kit currently used for BSE screening in Japan. By applying the kit to cattle brains of field cases of C-BSE and L-BSE, and an experimental case of H-BSE, we showed its comparable sensitivities to C, L-, and H-BSE prions, and satisfactory performance required by the European Food Safety Authority. In addition to NippiBL®, two kits (TeSeE® and FRELISA®) formerly used in Japan were effective for detection of the L-BSE prion, although the two kits were unable to be tested for the H-BSE prion due to the discontinuation of domestic sales during this study. These results indicate that BSE screening in Japan is as effective as those in other countries, and it is unlikely that cases of atypical BSE have been overlooked.
Factors involved in the clinical profile of carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract Clinical presentation of carpal tunnel syndrome may differ in relation to certain factors like sex, age, duration of symptoms and severity of compression. The objective of this study was an investigation into the hypothesis that several distinct factors are predictive of the clinical profile for the condition. The records of 1,117 patients: 909 women (81 %) and 208 men (19 %) with a mean age of 63 years, were analysed. The whole group was divided into subgroups, depending on the variables analysed: sex, age, duration of the condition, severity of symptoms, severity of electrophysiological abnormalities and occurrence or lack of comorbidities. Results. Of all the considered variables, the Levine symptom scores had the greatest impact on the condition’s clinical profile: the higher scores the more severe pain, poorer sensation, weaker grip and worse hand function. Also, ages greater than 80 years had a significant negative effect on most of the considered parameters. None of the remaining analysed variables had a substantial impact on the clinical profile of the condition.
Vitamin D Insufficiency : A Significant Risk Factor in Chronic Diseases and Potential Disease-Specific Biomarkers of Vitamin D Sufficiency Vitamin D Intake : A Global Perspective of Current Status 1

Global high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and re-emergence of rickets and the growing scientific evidence linking low circulating 25-hydroxyvitmain D to increased risk of osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders have stimulated recommendations to increase sunlight (UVB) exposure as a source of vitamin D. However, concern over increased risk of melanoma with unprotected UVB exposure has led to the alternative recommendation that sufficient vitamin D should be supplied through dietary sources alone. Here, we examine the adequacy of vitamin D intake worldwide and evaluate the ability of current fortification policies and supplement use practices among various countries to meet this recommendation. It is evident from our review that vitamin D intake is often too low to sustain healthy circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitmain D in countries without mandatory staple food fortification, such as with milk and margarine. Even in countries that do fortify, vitamin D intakes are low in some groups due to their unique dietary patterns, such as low milk consumption, vegetarian diet, limited use of dietary supplements, or loss of traditional high fish intakes. Our global review indicates that dietary supplement use may contribute 6–47% of the average vitamin D intake in some countries. Recent studies demonstrate safety and efficacy of community-based vitamin D supplementation trials and food staple fortification introduced in countries without fortification policies. Reliance on the world food supply as an alternative to UVB exposure will necessitate greater availability of fortified food staples, dietary supplement use, and/or change in dietary patterns to consume more fish. J. Nutr. 135: 310–316, 2005.
Docosahexaenoic acid concentrations are higher in women than in men because of estrogenic effects.

BACKGROUND During pregnancy there is a high demand for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is needed for formation of the fetal brain. Women who do not consume marine foods must synthesize DHA from fatty acid precursors in vegetable foods. OBJECTIVE We studied sex differences in DHA status and the role of sex hormones. DESIGN First, DHA status was compared between 72 male and 103 female healthy volunteers who ate the same rigidly controlled diets. Second, the effects of sex hormones were studied in 56 male-to-female transsexual subjects, who were treated with cyproterone acetate alone or randomly assigned to receive oral ethinyl estradiol or transdermal 17beta-estradiol combined with cyproterone acetate, and in 61 female-to-male transsexual subjects, who were treated with testosterone esters or randomly assigned for treatment with the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole or placebo in addition to the testosterone regimen. RESULTS The proportion of DHA was 15 +/- 4% (x +/- SEM; P < 0.0005) higher in the women than in the men. Among the women, those taking oral contraceptives had 10 +/- 4% (P = 0.08) higher DHA concentrations than did those not taking oral contraceptives. Administration of oral ethinyl estradiol, but not transdermal 17beta-estradiol, increased DHA by 42 +/- 8% (P < 0.0005), whereas the antiandrogen cyproterone acetate did not affect DHA. Parenteral testosterone decreased DHA by 22 +/- 4% (P < 0.0005) in female-to-male transsexual subjects. Anastrozole decreased estradiol concentrations significantly and DHA concentrations nonsignificantly (9 +/- 6%; P = 0.09). CONCLUSION Estrogens cause higher DHA concentrations in women than in men, probably by upregulating synthesis of DHA from vegetable precursors.
Topology of ferroelectric polarization at the BaTiO3(001) surface from ab initio calculations and electron microscopy-spectroscopy

At a surface or interface of a ferroelectric material, the polarization can be destabilized and even suppressed by the depolarizing field which arises from uncompensated polarization charge. In the absence of external (adsorbates, electrodes) or internal (defects, dopants) screening mechanisms, domain ordering is the most natural way for a system to remain ferroelectric and minimize its electrostatic energy. This thesis focuses on the study of the stability of various possible domain configurations, and on how it depends and interplays on size, chemical and elastic factors, at the (001) surface of BaTiO3.First-principles calculations, based on density functional theory, have been performed to enlighten the influence of surface terminations, in-plane strain, system thickness and domain size in ultrathin films on the polarization in different ferroelectric phases. The effect of surface oxygen vacancies on the polarization and electronic structure has also been investigated. Low Energy electron microscopy (LEEM) and photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) have been used to study the surface properties of ferroelectric polarization in reduced BaTiO3 single crystals, allowing to address the influence of oxygen vacancies on the ferroelectric polarization from experimental approaches, supporting the calculations results.
The Application of Gene Expression Profiling in Predictions of Occult Lymph Node Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer Patients

A key factor in determining the likely outcome for a patient with colorectal cancer is whether or not the tumour has metastasised to the lymph nodes—information which is also important in assessing any possibilities of lymph node resection so as to improve survival. In this review we perform a wide-range assessment of literature relating to recent developments in gene expression profiling (GEP) of the primary tumour, to determine their utility in assessing node status. A set of characteristic genes seems to be involved in the prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in colorectal patients. Hence, GEP is applicable in personalised/individualised/tailored therapies and provides insights into developing novel therapeutic targets. Not only is GEP useful in prediction of LNM, but it also allows classification based on differences such as sample size, target gene expression, and examination method.
Neural activation within the prefrontal cortices during the goal-directed motor actions of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Abstract. The primary aim of the study was to explore the prefrontal cortical (PFC) activation while performing a shape-matching motor task in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) as compared with typically developing (TD) children. Fifteen TD children (age = 5.9 ± 1.1 years) and 12 children with HCP (age = 6.8 ± 2.9 years) were included. We assessed the PFC activation while performing an ecologically valid upper extremity shape-matching task of different complexities by measuring the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. The motor task performance was assessed by quantifying the average number of shapes matched, reaction time (RT), task errors, nine-hole peg test (NHPT), and the box and block test (BBT). Overall, there was a systematic increase in the HbO in the PFC across the shape-matching complexity conditions. Our results also revealed that the children with HCP had an increased amount of PFC activation while performing all of the shape-matching tasks. The increased PFC activation paralleled the differences in the number of shapes matched, RT, task errors, NHPT, and BBT. The atypical motor actions seen in children with HCP may be partially related to the greater cognitive demands placed on the PFC.
ODS ferritic steels produced by an alternative route (STARS): Microstructural characterisation after atomisation, HIPping and heat treatments

The conventional PM ODS Ferritic Steel (FS) processing route includes gas atomisation of steel powder and its mechanical alloying (MA) with Y2O3 powder particles to dissolve yttrium and form, during consolidation, a dispersion of oxide nanoparticles (Y–Ti–O) in a nanostructured matrix. This work presents an alternative route to produce ODS steels avoiding MA: STARS (Surface Treatment of gas Atomized powder followed by Reactive Synthesis). STARS FS powders with composition Fe–14Cr–2W–0.3Ti–0.23Y, already containing the nanoparticles precursors, were gas-atomized. Oxygen, Y and Ti contents were tailored to the required values to form Y–Ti–O nanoparticles during processing. Powders were HIPped at 900, 1220 and 1300°C. Specimens HIPped at 900 and 1220°C were heat treated (HT) at temperatures ranging from 1200 to 1320°C. The microstructural evolution with HIP and HT temperatures, including characterisation of nanoparticles and feasibility of achieving complete dissolution of prior particle boundaries (PPBs) were assessed.
Low-Dimensional and Monotonic Preparatory Activity in Mouse Anterior Lateral Motor Cortex

Neurons in multiple brain regions fire trains of action potentials anticipating specific movements, but this “preparatory activity” has not been systematically compared across behavioral tasks. We compared preparatory activity in auditory and tactile delayed-response tasks in male mice. Skilled, directional licking was the motor output. The anterior lateral motor cortex (ALM) is necessary for motor planning in both tasks. Multiple features of ALM preparatory activity during the delay epoch were similar across tasks. First, most neurons showed direction-selective activity and spatially intermingled neurons were selective for either movement direction. Second, many cells showed mixed coding of sensory stimulus and licking direction, with a bias toward licking direction. Third, delay activity was monotonic and low-dimensional. Fourth, pairs of neurons with similar direction selectivity showed high spike-count correlations. Our study forms the foundation to analyze the neural circuit mechanisms underlying preparatory activity in a genetically tractable model organism. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Short-term memories link events separated in time. Neurons in the frontal cortex fire trains of action potentials anticipating specific movements, often seconds before the movement. This “preparatory activity” has been observed in multiple brain regions, but has rarely been compared systematically across behavioral tasks in the same brain region. To identify common features of preparatory activity, we developed and compared preparatory activity in auditory and tactile delayed-response tasks in mice. The same cortical area is necessary for both tasks. Multiple features of preparatory activity, measured with high-density silicon probes, were similar across tasks. We find that preparatory activity is low-dimensional and monotonic. Our study forms a foundation for analyzing the circuit mechanisms underlying preparatory activity in a genetically tractable model organism.