Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary nucleotides and fecal microbiota in formula-fed infants: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Dietary nucleotides are nonprotein nitrogenous compounds that are thought to be important for growth, repair, and differentiation of the gastrointestinal tract. A higher nucleotide intake may also have favorable effects on the fecal microbial composition and incidence of diarrhea in infancy. However, few studies have tested this hypothesis with an experimental study design. OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that nucleotide supplementation of infant formula has beneficial effects on fecal bacteriology. DESIGN Oligonucleotide probes were used to measure bacterial genus-specific 16S ribosomal RNA in stools of a subset of infants (mean age: 20.4 wk) who were randomly assigned to nucleotide-supplemented (31 mg/L; n = 35) or control formula (n = 37) from birth until age 20 wk or were breastfed (reference group; n = 44). The microbial pattern was assessed as the ratio of Bacteroides-Porphyromonas-Prevotella group (BPP) to Bifidobacterium species. RESULTS The ratio of BPP to Bifidobacterium spp. rRNA in infants randomly assigned to the nucleotide-supplemented formula was lower than in infants receiving the control formula (mean difference: -118%; 95% CI: -203%, -34%; P = 0.007), but it did not differ in infants who were breastfed. The difference between randomized formula-fed groups was independent of potential confounding factors (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Our data support the hypothesis that nucleotide supplementation improves the composition of the gut microbiota in formula-fed infants. Because this effect could contribute to previously described benefits of nucleotide supplementation for gastrointestinal tract and immune function, these findings have important implications for optimizing the diet of formula-fed infants.
Resetting of renal blood autoregulation during acute blood pressure reduction in hypertensive rats

Iversen, Bjarne M. , Fred Ivan Kvam, Knut Matre, and Jarle Ofstad. Resetting of renal blood autoregulation during acute blood pressure reduction in hypertensive rats. Am. J. Physiol. 275 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 44): R343–R349, 1998. —Decrease in systemic blood pressure, duration of pressure decrease, and change in the activity of the renin or the sympathetic nervous system may represent mechanisms involved in resetting the renal blood flow (RBF) autoregulation found in hypertensive rats. Autoregulation of RBF, plasma renin concentration (PRC), and the time needed for resetting to take place were studied in the nonclipped kidney before and after removal of the clipped kidney of twokidney, one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats and before and after mechanical reduction of the renal arterial pressure (RAP) for 10 min in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and in the nonclipped kidney of 2K1C hypertensive rats with and without renal denervation. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) fell from 147 to 107 mmHg 30 min after removal of the clipped kidney, and the lower pressure limit of RBF autoregulation decreased from 113 to 90 mmHg (P , 0.01); PRC fell. Mechanical reductions of RAP from 161 to 120 mmHg in the nonclipped kidney for 10 min did not change RBF, but at 120 mmHg, the lower pressure limit of RBF autoregulation was reduced from 115 mmHg before pressure reduction to 96 mmHg afterwards (P , 0.02). In SHR, similar pressure reduction for 10 min decreased the lower pressure limit of RBF autoregulation from 106 to 86 mmHg (P , 0.01). PRC was unchanged in both models, and denervation did not change RBF autoregulation. When RAP was reduced below the lower pressure limit of RBF autoregulation, RBF decreased ,20%; the lower pressure limit of RBF autoregulation remained unchanged. In normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats, pressure reduction did not change the range of RBF autoregulation. These results indicate that acute normalization of the pressure range of RBF autoregulation in hypertensive rats is dependent on the degree of pressure reduction of RAP, whereas renal innervation and PRC do not play a major role. We propose that the mechanism of resetting is due to afterstretch of noncontractile elements of the vessel wall or is caused by pure myogenic mechanisms. An effect of intrarenal angiotensin cannot be excluded.
A Collaborative Self-Governing Privacy-Preserving Wireless Sensor Network Architecture Based on Location Optimization for Dynamic Service Discovery in MANET Environment

Due to the characteristics of a MANET, none of the existing solutions for service discovery work well in decentralized mobile environments. In this paper, we propose a collaborative self-governing privacy-preserving wireless sensor network architecture to address the issue of service discovery in MANET environment. The proposed architecture is able to dynamically adjust the working modes between directory-based and directory-less modes according to the network status of a MANET. The dynamic network status of a MANET is monitored by a wireless sensor network. Two location optimization algorithms are developed for topology control and the preservation of user location privacy. Simulation results show that the proposed architecture can greatly improve the performance of service discovery.
Associations between objectively assessed physical activity and indicators of body fatness in 9- to 10-y-old European children: a population-based study from 4 distinct regions in Europe (the European Youth Heart Study).

BACKGROUND The rising prevalence of obesity in children may be due to a reduction in physical activity (PA). OBJECTIVE Our aim was to study the associations of objectively measured PA volume and its subcomponents with indicators of body fatness. DESIGN A cross-sectional study of 1292 children aged 9-10 y from 4 distinct regions in Europe (Odense, Denmark; the island of Madeira, Portugal; Oslo; and Tartu, Estonia) was conducted. PA was measured by accelerometry, and indicators of body fatness were the sum of 5 skinfold thicknesses and body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)). We examined the associations between PA and body fatness by using general linear models adjusted for potential confounding variables. RESULTS After adjustment for sex, study location, sexual maturity, birth weight, and parental BMI, time (min/d) spent at moderate and vigorous PA (P = 0.032) and time (min/d) spent at vigorous PA were significantly (P = 0.015) and independently associated with body fatness. Sex, study location, sexual maturity, birth weight, and parental BMI explained 29% (adjusted R(2) = 0.29) of the variation in body fatness. Time spent at vigorous PA explained an additional 0.5%. Children who accumulated <1 h of moderate PA/d were significantly fatter than were those who accumulated >2 h/d. CONCLUSIONS The accumulated amount of time spent at moderate and vigorous PA is related to body fatness in children, but this relation is weak; the explained variance was <1%.
Aging and spectral characteristics of the nonharmonic component of 24-h heart rate variability.

To examine whether heart rate variability (HRV) during daily life shows power law behavior independently of age and interindividual difference in the total power, log-log scaled coarse-graining spectra of the nonharmonic component of 24-h HRV were studied in 62 healthy men (age 21-79 yr). The spectra declined with increasing frequency in all subjects, but they appeared as broken lines slightly bending downward, particularly in young subjects with a large total power. Regression of the spectrum by a broken line with a single break point revealed that the spectral exponent (β) was greater in the region below than above the break point (1.63 ± 0.23 vs. 0.96 ± 0.21, P < 0.001). The break point frequency increased with age ( r = 0.51, P < 0.001) and β correlated with age negatively below the break point ( r = 0.39) and positively above the break point ( r = 0.70). The contribution to interindividual difference in total power was greater from the differences in the power spectral density at frequencies closer to both ends of the frequency axis and minimal from that at -3.25 log(Hz), suggesting hingelike movement of the spectral shape at this frequency with the difference in total power. These characteristics of the 24-h HRV spectrum were simulated by an artificial signal generated by adding two noises with different β values. Given that the power law assumption is fundamental to the analysis of dynamics through the log-log scaled spectrum, our observations are substantial for physiological and clinical studies of the heartbeat dynamic during daily life and suggest that the nonharmonic component of HRV in normal subjects during daily life may include at least two 1/ f β fluctuations that differ in dynamics and age dependency.
Serum retinol-binding protein 4 concentrations in response to short-term overfeeding in normal-weight, overweight, and obese men.

BACKGROUND Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a novel adipokine that induces insulin resistance in mice. Studies in humans have shown a correlation between serum RBP4 and insulin resistance in obese subjects and in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Few data are available regarding the nutritional regulation of RBP4. OBJECTIVE The study investigated the relation of RBP4 with phenotypes of glucose and lipid metabolism at baseline and in response to a 7-d overfeeding protocol in young men. DESIGN Sixty-five men participated in the study. Subjects were classified on the basis of body mass index (BMI; kg/m(2)) as normal-weight (</=24.9) or as overweight or obese (>/=25.0). Serum RBP4, interleukin-6, visfatin, glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol (calculated), and triacylglycerols were measured. Insulin resistance and beta cell function were assessed by using the homeostasis model. Percentage body fat was measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS No significant differences were found in serum RBP4 between the 2 groups at baseline. Likewise, no significant differences were observed in fasting serum RBP4 in response to overfeeding. Baseline RBP4 was negatively correlated with the change in insulin resistance in normal-weight subjects, independent of age and BMI. No significant correlation was found between serum RBP4 and visfatin, interleukin-6, or any other variables measured. CONCLUSIONS Short-term overfeeding did not induce significant changes in RBP4. Baseline RBP4 concentrations may predict insulin resistance when exposed to a positive energy challenge in normal-weight men.
Investigation of the attitudes of university students to discrimination of the elderly

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the attitudes of university students studying in different fields toward discrimination of the elderly. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with students who were still studying in the 2015-2016 period. A sample size of 416 students was determined by the stratified sampling method, and students were selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected using an identifying information form and an Age Discrimination Attitude Scale (ADAS) by face-to-face interview. Statistical analysis was performed using the program SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: The mean total ADAS score of students was 67.7±6.0. The total ADAS scores and the scores of male students on limiting the life of the elderly was significantly higher than those of female students (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was determined that university students studying in different fields have a positive attitude toward the elderly. Action must be taken to remove discrimination of the elderly, and policies must be developed to increase social sensitivity.
The Pentagram Map is Recurrent

The pentagram map is defined on the space of convex n-gons (considered up to projective equivalence) by drawing the diagonals that join second-nearest-neighbors in an n-gon and taking the new n-gon formed by the intersections. We prove that th is map is recurrent; thus, for almost any starting polygon, repeated application of the pentagram map will show a near copy of the starting polygon appear infinitely often under various perspectives.
Dose Efficiency of Quarter-Millimeter Photon-Counting Computed Tomography: First-in-Human Results

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the clinical feasibility, image quality, and radiation dose implications of 0.25-mm imaging mode in a cohort of humans, achieved by dividing the photon-counting detector (PCD) size in half compared with standard-resolution photon-counting computed tomography (CT) (0.5 mm). Methods In this technical feasibility study, a whole-body prototype PCD-CT scanner was studied in the 0.25 mm detector mode (measured at isocenter). A high-resolution PCD-CT protocol was first tested in phantom and canine studies in terms of image noise and spatial resolution. Then, 8 human subjects (mean age, 58 ± 8 years; 2 men) underwent axial PCD 0.25-mm scans of the brain, the thorax, and at the level of the upper left kidney. Filtered backprojection reconstruction was performed with a sharp kernel (B70) for standard-resolution and high-resolution data at 0.5-mm isotropic image voxel. High-resolution data, in addition, were reconstructed with an ultrasharp kernel (U70) at 0.25-mm isotropic voxels. Results Image reconstructions from the PCD 0.25-mm detector system led to an improvement in resolution from 9 to 18 line pairs/cm in a line pair phantom. Modulation transfer function improved from 9.5 to 15.8 line pairs/cm at 10% modulation transfer function. When fully exploiting this improvement, image noise increased by 75% compared with dose-matched 0.5-mm slice PCD standard-resolution acquisition. However, when comparing with standard-resolution data at same in-plane resolution and slice thickness, the PCD 0.25-mm detector mode showed 19% less image noise in phantom, animal, and human scans. Conclusion High-resolution photon-counting CT in humans showed improved image quality in terms of spatial resolution and image noise compared with standard-resolution photon-counting.
Estimation of conjugated linoleic acid intake by written dietary assessment methodologies underestimates actual intake evaluated by food duplicate methodology.

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are conjugated isomers of linoleic acid, which may promote health with regard to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, bone formation, growth modulation and immunity. The c9,t11 isomer of CLA, rumenic acid (RA), is the major isomer present in the diet. However, dietary intakes of CLA and RA by humans have not been examined rigorously, nor has the relationship between dietary CLA or RA and health (e.g., body composition). Three-day dietary records (DR) were collected from adult men (n = 46) and women (n = 47) and analyzed using a nutrient database modified to contain total CLA and RA. Simultaneously, 3-d food duplicates (FD) were collected to determine analytically individual fatty acid intakes, including those of total CLA and RA. Chronic total CLA and RA intakes were estimated using a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Body composition was estimated using body mass index and percentage of body fat. Total CLA intake was estimated from FD to be 212 +/- 14 and 151 +/- 14 mg/d (mean +/- SEM) for men and women, respectively; RA intake was estimated to be 193 +/- 13 and 140 +/- 14 mg/d for men and women, respectively. In general, CLA and RA intakes estimated by DR and FFQ were significantly lower than those estimated by FD. Body composition was not significantly related to dietary total CLA or RA intake. In conclusion, results suggest that DR and FFQ methodologies are not reliable estimators of individual total CLA and RA intakes and may underestimate total CLA and RA intakes of groups. Intake of total CLA and RA was found to be significantly lower than that suggested previously by others.
Effect of Two Different Types of Olympic Rotation Order on Cardiovascular and Metabolic Variables in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics

Abstract The rotation sequence-order differs from a gymnast to another according to the draw at the time of the qualifying competitions in men’s artistic gymnastics. Only the six best gymnasts start on the floor exercises, the others could start on any of the other five apparatuses. It has been demonstrated that some gymnastics events are physiologically less taxing than others; hence some gymnasts could experience lower and/or higher levels of cardiovascular and metabolic stress compared to others, depending on the apparatus they start with. In this regard, the objective of this investigation was to compare cardiovascular and metabolic variables between two different types of Olympic rotation-order; one began with the floor exercises and the other began with the pommel horse. Six elite male gymnasts took part in this investigation. Heart rates, synchronized with real-time video acquisition, as well as capillary lactate concentration following each apparatus routine were monitored. Cardiovascular and metabolic stresses were significantly higher when gymnasts started their rotation with the pommel horse in all apparatuses except the pommel horse. The floor exercises’ score was significantly affected when gymnasts ended up their competition on this apparatus. As a conclusion, starting gymnastics’ competition on the floor exercises implicates less cardiovascular and metabolic stress associated with better performance compared with the other rotation order. As a matter of fact, best gymnasts who start on this apparatus could have a slight advantage compared with the other athletes.
Plant sterol ester-enriched spread lowers plasma total and LDL cholesterol in children with familial hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND Naturally occurring plant sterol esters (SEs) favorably affect serum cholesterol concentrations in humans and could aid in the treatment of children with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). OBJECTIVE We studied the effect of SE-enriched spread on serum lipids, lipoproteins, carotenoids, fat-soluble vitamins, and physiologic variables in children with FH aged 7-12 y. DESIGN In a randomized, double-blind crossover study comprising two 8-wk interventions, 38 children with FH consumed 18.2 +/- 1.5 g SE spread/d, corresponding to 1.60 +/- 0.13 g SEs, or a control spread. Blood samples were analyzed at the start and end of each diet period. RESULTS Plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations decreased by 10.2% (P = 0.003) during the SE period compared with the control period. Total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations were reduced by 7.4% (P = 0.007 and P = 0.020, respectively) during the SE period. No changes were observed in HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, or apolipoprotein A-I. Serum concentration of lipid-adjusted lycopene decreased by 8.1% (P = 0.015) in the SE period, with no changes in the other carotenoids. Lipid-adjusted retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations increased by 15.6% (P < 0.001) and 7.1% (P = 0.027), respectively. There was an increase (16.8%, P = 0.04) in alanine transaminase in the SE period, but this was explained by a significantly lower starting concentration in the SE period than in the control period. The children consumed a recommended American Heart Association Step I diet during both intervention periods. CONCLUSION A daily intake of 1.6 g SEs induces an additional reduction in LDL-cholesterol concentrations in children with FH consuming a recommended diet.
Child malnutrition in Ifanadiana district, Madagascar: associated factors and timing of growth faltering ahead of a health system strengthening intervention

ABSTRACT Background: Child malnutrition, a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, is particularly severe in Madagascar, where 47% of children under 5 years are stunted (low height-for-age) and 8% are wasted (low weight-for-height). Widespread poverty and a weak health system have hindered attempts to implement life-saving malnutrition interventions in Madagascar during critical periods for growth faltering. Objective: This study aimed to shed light on the most important factors associated with child malnutrition, both acute and chronic, and the timing of growth faltering, in Ifanadiana, a rural district of Madagascar. Methods: We analyzed data from a 2014 district-representative cluster household survey, which had information on 1175 children ages 6 months to 5 years. We studied the effect of child health, birth history, maternal and paternal health and education, and household wealth and sanitation on child nutritional status. Variables associated with stunting and wasting were modeled separately in multivariate logistic regressions. Growth faltering was modeled by age range. All analyses were survey-adjusted. Results: Stunting was associated with increasing child age (OR = 1.03 (95%CI 1.02–1.04) for each additional month), very small birth size (OR = 2.32 (1.24–4.32)), low maternal weight (OR = 0.94 (0.91–0.97) for each kilogram, kg) and height (OR = 0.95 (0.92–0.99) for each centimeter), and low paternal height (OR = 0.95 (0.92–0.98)). Wasting was associated with younger child age (OR = 0.98 (0.97–0.99)), very small birth size (OR = 2.48 (1.23–4.99)), and low maternal BMI (OR = 0.84 (0.75–0.94) for each kg/m2). Height-for-age faltered rapidly before 24 months, then slowly until age 5 years, whereas weight-for-height faltered rapidly before 12 months, then recovered gradually until age 5 years but did not reach the median. Conclusion: Intergenerational transmission of growth faltering and early life exposures may be important determinants of malnutrition in Ifanadiana. Timing of growth faltering, in the first 1000 days, is similar to international populations; however, child growth does not recover to the median.
Effects of moderate-fat (from monounsaturated fat) and low-fat weight-loss diets on the serum lipid profile in overweight and obese men and women.

BACKGROUND Little evidence of the effects of moderate-fat (from monounsaturated fat) weight-loss diets on risk factors for cardiovascular disease exists because low-fat diets are typically recommended. Previous studies in weight-stable persons showed that a moderate-fat diet results in a more favorable lipid and lipoprotein profile (ie, lower serum triacylglycerol and higher HDL cholesterol) than does a low-fat diet. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effects of energy-controlled, low-fat and moderate-fat diets on changes in lipids and lipoproteins during weight loss and subsequent weight maintenance. DESIGN We conducted a parallel-arm study design in overweight and obese [body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 29.8 +/- 2.4] healthy men and women (n = 53) assigned to consume a low-fat (18% of energy) or moderate-fat (33% of energy) diet for 6 wk to achieve weight loss, which was followed by 4 wk of weight maintenance. All foods were provided and body weight was monitored to ensure equal weight loss between groups. RESULTS The moderate-fat diet elicited favorable changes in the lipoprotein profile. Compared with baseline, HDL cholesterol was unchanged, whereas triacylglycerol and the ratios of total and non-HDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol were lower at the end of the weight-maintenance period in the moderate-fat diet group. Despite similar weight loss, triacylglycerol rebounded, HDL cholesterol decreased, and the ratios of total and non-HDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol did not change during the 10-wk interval in the low-fat diet group. CONCLUSIONS A moderate-fat weight-loss and weight-maintenance diet improves the cardiovascular disease risk profile on the basis of favorable changes in lipids and lipoproteins. There is merit in recommending a moderate-fat weight-loss diet.