Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of withdrawal of calcium and vitamin D supplements on bone mass in elderly men and women.

BACKGROUND Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D reduces bone loss and prevents fractures in elderly people, but it is not known whether any lasting benefit remains if the supplements are discontinued. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine whether gains in bone mineral density (BMD) induced by calcium and vitamin D supplementation persist after supplement withdrawal. DESIGN Two-hundred ninety-five healthy, elderly men and women (aged >/=68 y) who had completed a 3-y randomized, placebo-controlled trial of calcium and vitamin D supplementation were followed for an additional 2 y during which no study supplements were given. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and biochemical variables related to calcium metabolism and bone turnover were measured. RESULTS In the 128 men, supplement-induced increases in spinal and femoral neck BMD were lost within 2 y of supplement discontinuation, but small benefits in total-body BMD remained. In the 167 women, there were no lasting benefits in total-body BMD or at any bone site. Consistent with the observations on BMD, the bone turnover rates in both men and women (as measured by serum osteocalcin concentrations) returned to their original higher concentrations within the same 2-y period. CONCLUSION Discontinued calcium and vitamin D supplementation has limited cumulative effect on bone mass in men and women aged >/=68 y.
SAV1 promotes Hippo kinase activation through antagonizing the PP2A phosphatase STRIPAK

The Hippo pathway controls tissue growth and homeostasis through a central MST-LATS kinase cascade. The scaffold protein SAV1 promotes the activation of this kinase cascade, but the molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we discover SAV1-mediated inhibition of the PP2A complex STRIPAKSLMAP as a key mechanism of MST1/2 activation. SLMAP binding to autophosphorylated MST2 linker recruits STRIPAK and promotes PP2A-mediated dephosphorylation of MST2 at the activation loop. Our structural and biochemical studies reveal that SAV1 and MST2 heterodimerize through their SARAH domains. Two SAV1–MST2 heterodimers further dimerize through SAV1 WW domains to form a heterotetramer, in which MST2 undergoes trans-autophosphorylation. SAV1 directly binds to STRIPAK and inhibits its phosphatase activity, protecting MST2 activation-loop phosphorylation. Genetic ablation of SLMAP in human cells leads to spontaneous activation of the Hippo pathway and alleviates the need for SAV1 in Hippo signaling. Thus, SAV1 promotes Hippo activation through counteracting the STRIPAKSLMAP PP2A phosphatase complex.
Physics of higher orbital bands in optical lattices: a review

The orbital degree of freedom plays a fundamental role in understanding the unconventional properties in solid state materials. Experimental progress in quantum atomic gases has demonstrated that high orbitals in optical lattices can be used to construct quantum emulators of exotic models beyond natural crystals, where novel many-body states such as complex Bose–Einstein condensates and topological semimetals emerge. A brief introduction of orbital degrees of freedom in optical lattices is given and a summary of exotic orbital models and resulting many-body phases is provided. Experimental consequences of the novel phases are also discussed.
Staphylococcus aureus &agr;‐Toxin Induces Actin Filament Remodeling in Human Airway Epithelial Model Cells

&NA; Exposure of cultured human airway epithelial model cells (16HBE14o−, S9) to Staphylococcus aureus &agr;‐toxin (hemolysin A, Hla) induces changes in cell morphology and cell layer integrity that are due to the inability of the cells to maintain stable cell‐cell or focal contacts and to properly organize their actin cytoskeletons. The aim of this study was to identify Hla‐activated signaling pathways involved in regulating the phosphorylation level of the actin‐depolymerizing factor cofilin. We used recombinant wild‐type hemolysin A (rHla) and a variant of Hla (rHla‐H35L) that is unable to form functional transmembrane pores to treat immortalized human airway epithelial cells (16HBE14o−, S9) as well as freshly isolated human nasal tissue. Our results indicate that rHla‐mediated changes in cofilin phosphorylation require the formation of functional Hla pores in the host cell membrane. Formation of functional transmembrane pores induced hypophosphorylation of cofilin at Ser3, which was mediated by rHla‐induced attenuation of p21‐activated protein kinase and LIM kinase activities. Because dephosphorylation of pSer3‐cofilin results in activation of this actin‐depolymerizing factor, treatment of cells with rHla resulted in loss of actin stress fibers from the cells and destabilization of cell shape followed by the appearance of paracellular gaps in the cell layers. Activation of protein kinase A or activation of small GTPases (Rho, Rac, Cdc42) do not seem to be involved in this response.
Choice of instrument influences relations between food insecurity and obesity in Latino women.

BACKGROUND The results of studies examining food insecurity and obesity in adults are conflicting. Discrepancies could be due to the use of different instruments or to cultural factors that influence response patterns. OBJECTIVE The goal was to examine the relation of food insecurity to weight status in low-income Latino women. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 559 low-income Latino women selected by convenience sampling. The survey included the 18-item US Household Food Security Scale, 2 items related to current and past food insufficiency, demographic information, and measured heights and weights. Data were collected between February and May 2001 in 6 California counties. The main outcomes were frequency of overweight and obesity, defined by a body mass index (in kg/m(2)) of 25-29.9 (overweight) and >30 (obese). Data analysis included analysis of variance, Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test, and logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of food insecurity was 50-60%, and that of obesity was 37.4%. Controlling for years spent in the United States, per capita income, and parity, food insecurity with hunger, measured by the 10-item adult scale of the Food Security Scale, was significantly related to obesity (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.53). No interaction between years spent in the United States and current food insecurity was observed. Current food insufficiency, as measured by a single item, was not related to obesity. However, severe past food insufficiency was related to obesity in the US-born population only. CONCLUSION Food insecurity appears to be related to obesity in Latino women, but choice of instruments might influence the results.
Protective Effects of Quercetin on Necrotizing Enterocolitis in a Neonatal Rat Model

Abstract Introduction Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the major health problems of newborn period. To date, a large amount of chemicals have been tested for NEC and some showed limited beneficial effects. The research for better results still continues. This study aims to investigate the effects of quercetin (QE) on NEC treatment in rats. Methods Newborn rats were divided into control, NEC, and NEC + QE groups. In NEC and NEC + QE groups, experimental NEC was induced. NEC + QE group animals were also given QE. Weight changes of the animals were recorded, and serum total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured. Histologic evaluation of the distal ileum and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining were performed. Results A significant increase in the TAS levels was observed in NEC + QE group. Only NEC group exhibited significantly higher TOS and MDA levels and lower GSH levels. Rats in the NEC + QE group had better histopathology and less apoptosis than NEC group. Conclusion QE is effective in enhancing antioxidant defense mechanism, limiting oxidative stress, reducing intestinal damage, and preventing NEC development.
Diversity and abundance of leafhoppers in Canadian vineyards

Abstract Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) are pests of many temperate crops, including grapevines (Vitis species). Uncontrolled populations can induce direct and indirect damage to crops due to feeding that results in significant yield losses and increased mortality in infected vineyards due to virus, bacteria, or phytoplasmas vectored by leafhoppers. The main objective of this work was to determine the diversity of leafhoppers found in vineyards of the three main Canadian production provinces, i.e., in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. Approximately 18,000 specimens were collected in 80 commercial vineyards from 2006 to 2008. We identified 54 genera and at least 110 different species associated with vineyards, among which 22 were predominant and represented more than 91% of all the leafhoppers. Species richness and diversity were estimated by both Shannon's and Pielou's indices. For each province, results indicated a temporal variation in species composition. Color photographs provide a tool to quickly identify 72 leafhoppers commonly associated with vineyards.
Burning mouth syndrome

Objective To review the clinical entity of primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), its pathophysiological mechanisms, accurate new diagnostic methods and evidence-based treatment options, and to describe novel lines for future research regarding aetiology, pathophysiology, and new therapeutic strategies. Description Primary BMS is a chronic neuropathic intraoral pain condition that despite typical symptoms lacks clear clinical signs of neuropathic involvement. With advanced diagnostic methods, such as quantitative sensory testing of small somatosensory and taste afferents, neurophysiological recordings of the trigeminal system, and peripheral nerve blocks, most BMS patients can be classified into the peripheral or central type of neuropathic pain. These two types differ regarding pathophysiological mechanisms, efficacy of available treatments, and psychiatric comorbidity. The two types may overlap in individual patients. BMS is most frequent in postmenopausal women, with general population prevalence of around 1%. Treatment of BMS is difficult; best evidence exists for efficacy of topical and systemic clonazepam. Hormonal substitution, dopaminergic medications, and therapeutic non-invasive neuromodulation may provide efficient mechanism-based treatments for BMS in the future. Conclusion We present a novel comprehensive hypothesis of primary BMS, gathering the hormonal, neuropathic, and genetic factors presumably required in the genesis of the condition. This will aid in future research on pathophysiology and risk factors of BMS, and boost treatment trials taking into account individual mechanism profiles and subgroup-clusters.
Differences in calcium metabolism between adolescent and adult females.

A 3-wk metabolic study measured calcium balance in 14 white adolescent girls and 11 young adult women. Subjects were housed in a sorority to simulate a free-living environment. A 6-d menu cycle consisted of foods typically eaten by teenagers and averaged 1332 mg Ca/d. Adolescents had a significantly higher calcium balance of 326 +/- 107 mg/d (mean +/- SD) than adults, who averaged 73 +/- 104 mg/d (P < 0.001). No adult > age 21 y was in positive calcium balance. Adolescents had lower urinary calcium excretion values (P < 0.001), lower fecal calcium excretion (P < 0.01), and greater net absorption (P < 0.001) than adults. Calcium balance was negatively correlated with years postmenarche (r = -0.788, P = 0.0001) and height (r = -0.650, P = 0.001). Net calcium absorption was positively correlated with parathyroid hormone concentrations (r = 0.537, P = < 0.01). Thus, the growth demands of adolescents are met by more efficient net absorption and retention of calcium compared with young adults.
The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 is able to distinguish among different eating patterns in a general population.

A revised version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) was developed in an obese population, but its applicability to the general population was not assessed. We aimed to define the relationship between eating behavior and reported food intake. This was a cross-sectional study of 529 middle-aged adults and 358 teenagers and young adults recruited on a geographical basis. The TFEQ-R18 measures 3 aspects of eating behavior: cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled eating (UE), and emotional eating. Reported food intake was calculated from a food frequency questionnaire. Girls who scored higher on restrained eating had a lower energy intake than the other girls (9164 kJ vs. 13,163 kJ, P < 0.001). In adult men, energy intake increased with UE (9663 kJ vs. 11,029 kJ in the lower and higher UE tertiles, respectively, P < 0.05). When specific food groups were analyzed, higher CR was positively associated in adults with healthy food groups like green vegetables [OR = 1.92 (0.68-2.44)] and negatively associated with French fries [OR = 0.35 (0.22-0.57)] and sugar [OR = 0.38 (0.23-0.61)]. Energy-dense foods, such as fat, were positively associated with UE [OR = 2.28 (1.46-3.57) for dietary fat]. Finally, emotional eaters had a higher snacking food intake. In teenagers and young adults, most associations were seen with CR. Converse to observations in adults, teenagers and young adults who exhibited a high cognitive restraint reported consumption of fewer energy-dense foods rather than more "healthy foods. " The TFEQ-R18 was therefore able to distinguish among different eating patterns in our sample of a French general population.
A multicenter, double‐blind, randomized trial of deflazacort versus prednisone in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

We randomized 18 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) boys whose age ranged from 5.2 to 14.6 years (mean, 7.3 years) for treatment with either deflazacort (0.9 mg/kg/day) or prednisone (0.75 mg/kg/day) on the basis of age and functional score at the onset of treatment. We followed the patients every 3 months for 1 year, evaluating four limb muscles with the Medical Research Council scale and performance of four functions (walking, climbing stairs, Gowers' maneuver, and rising from a chair). Side effects were monitored by a questionnaire and by routine blood examination, and weight and height were recorded at each visit. At 12 months, the effect of both steroids was examined by comparing the status of the treated patients with another group of untreated DMD patients that served as natural history control. The two steroids were equally effective in improving motor function and functional performances. At 9 months, the average weight increase with respect to baseline value was 5% (2 kg) in the deflazacort group but 18% in the prednisone group (P < 0.005), and the change remained significant after 12 months (P < 0.05). Other minor but nonsignificant side effects were observed. Steroid treatment with deflazacort appears to cause fewer side effects than with prednisone, particularly weight gain, which could be important to maximize motor performances. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 1344–1347, 2000.
Nitric oxide triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) of adult rat ventricular myocytes in culture.

Excessive nitric oxide (NO) production within the heart is implicated in the pathogenesis of myocyte death, but the mechanism whereby NO kills cardiac myocytes is not known. To determine whether NO may trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) of adult rat ventricular myocytes in culture, the NO donor S-nitroso- N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) was shown to kill purified cardiac myocytes in a dose-dependent fashion. In situ analysis of ventricular myocytes plated on chamber slides using nick-end labeling of DNA demonstrated that SNAP induces cardiac myocyte apoptosis, which was confirmed by the identification of oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation on agarose gel electrophoresis. Similarly, treatment of cardiac myocytes with cytokines that induce inducible NO synthase was shown to cause an NO-dependent induction of apoptosis. Addition of reduced hemoglobin to scavenge NO liberated by SNAP extinguished both the increase in percentage of apoptotic cells and the appearance of DNA ladders. Treatment with SNAP (but not with N-acetylpenicillamine or SNAP + hemoglobin) not only induced apoptosis but resulted in a marked increase in p53 expression in cardiac myocytes detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. These data indicate that NO has the capacity to kill cardiac myocytes by triggering apoptosis and suggest the involvement of p53 in this process.
Multimode drug inducible CRISPR/Cas9 devices for transcriptional activation and genome editing

Abstract Precise investigation and manipulation of dynamic biological processes often requires molecular modulation in a controlled inducible manner. The clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) has emerged as a versatile tool for targeted gene editing and transcriptional programming. Here, we designed and vigorously optimized a series of Hybrid drug Inducible CRISPR/Cas9 Technologies (HIT) for transcriptional activation by grafting a mutated human estrogen receptor (ERT2) to multiple CRISPR/Cas9 systems, which renders them 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) inducible for the access of genome. Further, extra functionality of simultaneous genome editing was achieved with one device we named HIT2. Optimized terminal devices herein delivered advantageous performances in comparison with several existing designs. They exerted selective, titratable, rapid and reversible response to drug induction. In addition, these designs were successfully adapted to an orthogonal Cas9. HIT systems developed in this study can be applied for controlled modulation of potentially any genomic loci in multiple modes.
Coffee, tea, and incident type 2 diabetes: the Singapore Chinese Health Study.

BACKGROUND Increasing coffee intake was inversely associated with risk of type 2 diabetes in populations of European descent; however, data from high-risk Asian populations are lacking as are data on tea intake in general. OBJECTIVE We investigated the prospective associations between intakes of coffee, black tea, and green tea with the risk of type 2 diabetes in Singaporean Chinese men and women. DESIGN We analyzed data from 36 908 female and male participants in the Singapore Chinese Health Study aged 45-74 y in 1993-1998 who had multiple diet and lifestyle measures assessed and then were followed up between 1999 and 2004. We used Cox regression models to investigate the association of baseline coffee and tea intakes with incident type 2 diabetes during follow-up, with adjustment for a number of possible confounding or mediating variables. RESULTS In multivariate models participants reporting > or =4 cups of coffee/d had a 30% reduction in risk of diabetes [relative risk (RR): 0.70; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.93] compared with participants who reported nondaily consumption. Participants reporting > or =1 cup of black tea/d had a suggestive 14% reduction in risk of diabetes (RR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.74, 1.00) compared with participants who reported 0 cups/d, and we observed no association with green tea. CONCLUSION Regular consumption of coffee and potentially black tea, but not green tea, is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes in Asian men and women in Singapore.
Biochemical and Molecular Actions of Nutrients Maternal Zinc Deficiency Raises Plasma Prolactin Levels in Lactating Rats

There is an inverse relation between zinc (Zn) intake and plasma prolactin in men and nonpregnant women. Whether a relation exists in lactating women is unknown, despite the potential consequences of perturbations in prolactin regulation on lactation performance. We examined the effects of low Zn intake on prolactin concentration, the prolactin regulatory pathway in the pituitary gland, and lactation performance in lactating rats. Female rats were fed diets containing 7 (zinc deficient; ZD), 10 (marginally zinc deficient; MZD) or 25 mg Zn/kg (control) from 70 d preconception to lactation d 11. Rats were killed, pituitary glands dissected, and tissues and plasma collected and analyzed for prolactin concentration. Pituitary gland pituitary factor 1 (Pit-1), dopamine 2 receptor (D2R), and prolactin receptor mRNA expression were measured in the pituitary gland. Liver, mammary gland, plasma, and milk Zn were measured. Milk intake of the pups was also recorded. Plasma prolactin concentration was higher in rats fed the ZD (125.9 g/L) diet compared with control rats (21.7 g/L). Pituitary gland prolactin concentration was higher in rats fed the ZD diet (69.8 mg/g total protein) compared with controls (29.0 mg/g). Plasma Zn concentration was lower in rats fed the MZD and ZD diets, and mammary gland and milk Zn concentrations were lower in rats fed the ZD diet compared with control rats. Rats fed the ZD diet had lower D2R, prolactin receptor, and Pit-1 mRNA levels, whereas rats fed the MZD diet had lower prolactin receptor and Pit-1 mRNA levels compared with control rats. Milk intake was lower in pups of rats fed the MZD and ZD diets. Our results suggest that marginal Zn nutriture may compromise milk production despite increased prolactin levels. In addition, increased circulating prolactin concentration is not due to altered nursing behavior, but may be due to alterations in the prolactin regulatory pathway in the pituitary gland. J. Nutr. 134:
Small differences in the effects of stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid on the serum lipoprotein profile of humans.

BACKGROUND Studies have suggested that oleic and stearic acids, as well as oleic and linoleic acids, have comparable effects on the serum lipoprotein profile. If so, then substituting these three 18-carbon fatty acids for each other would result in similar effects on the serum lipoprotein profile. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare simultaneously the effects of stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids on the serum lipoprotein profile of healthy subjects. DESIGN Forty-five subjects (27 women and 18 men) consumed in random order 3 experimental diets, each for 5 wk. The diets provided 38% of energy from fat, of which 60% was supplied by the experimental fats. The dietary compositions of the diets were the same, except for 7% of energy, which was provided by stearic, oleic, or linoleic acid. At the end of each intervention period, serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were measured. In addition, LDL, HDL, and VLDL particle sizes and particle concentrations of lipoprotein subclasses were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RESULTS No significant diet-induced changes in serum lipids and lipoproteins were found. Mean (+/-SD) serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations were 3.79 +/- 0.91, 3.71 +/- 0.79, and 3.65 +/- 0.91 mmol/L with the high-stearic acid, high-oleic acid, and high-linoleic acid diets, respectively (P = 0.137 for diet effects). Mean (+/-SD) HDL-cholesterol concentrations were 1.45 +/- 0.43, 1.46 +/- 0.45, and 1.46 +/- 0.44 mmol/L (P = 0.866). LDL, HDL, and VLDL particle sizes and lipoprotein subclass distributions also did not differ significantly between the 3 diets. CONCLUSIONS With realistic intakes of stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids, differences between their effects on the serum lipoprotein profile are small.