Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the effect of dietary fat restriction with that of energy restriction on human lipid metabolism.

BACKGROUND Dietary fat and energy have been implicated as factors controlling circulating total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Whether these factors work independently or synergistically in regulating human cholesterol metabolism remains to be fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine whether the effects of fat restriction on circulating lipid concentrations and synthesis differ from those of energy restriction in hypercholesterolemic subjects fed controlled diets. DESIGN Eleven men (LDL > 3.6 mmol/L) participated in a randomized crossover study. Subjects consumed 4 prepared diets, each for 4 wk and separated by 6 wk, that contained either typical amounts of fat and energy (TF), low amounts of fat but adequate energy (LF), low amounts of fat and energy through carbohydrate restriction (LFE), or typical amounts of fat and low energy through carbohydrate restriction (LE). RESULTS Body weights declined (P < 0.001) after the LE and LFE diets. Total cholesterol concentrations were not significantly different between the diets. LDL cholesterol was lower (P < 0.05) after the LF and LFE diets (8.2% and 8.0%, respectively) than after the TF diet. The LE diet increased HDL cholesterol (46.8%) and decreased triacylglycerols (22.7%), whereas the LF diet increased triacylglycerols (23.6%), relative to the TF diet. LDL:HDL decreased after the LE and LFE diets (P < 0.05). Cholesterol fractional synthesis rates after the LF, LE, and LFE diets were lower (35.2%, 27.7%, and 25.5%, respectively; P < 0.05) relative to the TF diet. CONCLUSION Reductions in both dietary fat and energy may modify LDL cholesterol by lowering cholesterol biosynthesis; however, the increase in HDL cholesterol and the suppression of triacylglycerol concentrations and LDL:HDL suggests that favorable plasma lipid profiles were also achieved through energy restriction alone.
Vocabulary Facilitates Speech Perception in Children With Hearing Aids.

Purpose We examined the effects of vocabulary, lexical characteristics (age of acquisition and phonotactic probability), and auditory access (aided audibility and daily hearing aid [HA] use) on speech perception skills in children with HAs. Method Participants included 24 children with HAs and 25 children with normal hearing (NH), ages 5-12 years. Groups were matched on age, expressive and receptive vocabulary, articulation, and nonverbal working memory. Participants repeated monosyllabic words and nonwords in noise. Stimuli varied on age of acquisition, lexical frequency, and phonotactic probability. Performance in each condition was measured by the signal-to-noise ratio at which the child could accurately repeat 50% of the stimuli. Results Children from both groups with larger vocabularies showed better performance than children with smaller vocabularies on nonwords and late-acquired words but not early-acquired words. Overall, children with HAs showed poorer performance than children with NH. Auditory access was not associated with speech perception for the children with HAs. Conclusions Children with HAs show deficits in sensitivity to phonological structure but appear to take advantage of vocabulary skills to support speech perception in the same way as children with NH. Further investigation is needed to understand the causes of the gap that exists between the overall speech perception abilities of children with HAs and children with NH.
Low vitamin B-12 intake and status are more prevalent in Hispanic older adults of Caribbean origin than in neighborhood-matched non-Hispanic whites.

Vitamin B-12 deficiency is a recognized problem among older adults, although vitamin B-12 status among differing ethnic groups remains unclear. We examined vitamin B-12 intake and status in a representative sample of elderly Hispanics of Caribbean origin (Puerto Rican and Dominican) and non-Hispanic whites. Dietary intake and plasma values were available for 347 Puerto Ricans, 102 Dominicans and 154 non-Hispanic whites (60-93 y). Relative to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics had significantly lower vitamin B-12 intake and plasma concentrations; 17% of Hispanics and 10% of non-Hispanic whites had concentrations < 185 pmol/L (P < 0.05). Among Hispanics, log transformed vitamin B-12 intake was significantly associated with plasma concentration (beta = 60 pmol/L per log unit vitamin B-12 intake, P < 0.002 for supplement users and beta = 74 pmol/L per log unit vitamin B-12 intake, P < 0.01 for nonsupplement users). Intake and plasma concentrations were significantly associated among non-Hispanic whites only when supplement users were included (beta = 95 pmol/L per log unit vitamin B-12 intake, P < 0.0001). Hispanic supplement users (18%) had higher plasma concentrations than did nonsupplement users (364 +/- 17 and 297 +/- 8 pmol/L, respectively, P < 0.001). For Hispanics, consumption of breakfast cereal > 4 times/wk compared to no cereal was protective against lower plasma concentrations (8 vs. 24% < 185 pmol/L, P < 0.01). Approximately 40% of both groups with plasma vitamin B-12 < 185 pmol/L had homocysteine > 14 micromol/L, relative to < 17% of those with B-12 > 185 pmol/L. The high prevalence of low vitamin B-12 status in elderly Hispanics appears largely attributed to inadequate intake. As in other populations, sources of unbound vitamin B-12 such as supplements and fortified cereal appear to be protective. Dietary intervention programs targeted to the Hispanic population should promote these vitamin B-12 sources.
A prospective study of dietary glycemic load, carbohydrate intake, and risk of coronary heart disease in US women.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the effects of the amount and type of carbohydrates on risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the relations of the amount and type of carbohydrates with risk of CHD. DESIGN A cohort of 75521 women aged 38-63 y with no previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases in 1984 was followed for 10 y. Each participant's dietary glycemic load was calculated as a function of glycemic index, carbohydrate content, and frequency of intake of individual foods reported on a validated food-frequency questionnaire at baseline. All dietary variables were updated in 1986 and 1990. RESULTS During 10 y of follow-up (729472 person-years), 761 cases of CHD (208 fatal and 553 nonfatal) were documented. Dietary glycemic load was directly associated with risk of CHD after adjustment for age, smoking status, total energy intake, and other coronary disease risk factors. The relative risks from the lowest to highest quintiles of glycemic load were 1.00, 1.01, 1. 25, 1.51, and 1.98 (95% CI: 1.41, 2.77 for the highest quintile; P for trend < 0.0001). Carbohydrate classified by glycemic index, as opposed to its traditional classification as either simple or complex, was a better predictor of CHD risk. The association between dietary glycemic load and CHD risk was most evident among women with body weights above average ¿ie, body mass index (in kg/m(2)) >/= 23. CONCLUSION These epidemiologic data suggest that a high dietary glycemic load from refined carbohydrates increases the risk of CHD, independent of known coronary disease risk factors.
Effect of prestressing on the natural frequency of PSC bridges

Depending on the researcher, the effect of prestressing on the natural frequency of a PSC (prestressed concrete) structure appear to have been interpreted differently. Most laboratory tests on PSC beams available showed that the natural frequency is increased appreciably by prestressing. On the other hand, some other references based on field experience argued that the dynamic response of a PSC structure does not change regardless of the prestressing applied. Therefore, the deduced conclusions are inconsistent. Because an experiment with and without prestressing is a difficult task on a full size PSC bridge, the change in natural frequency of a PSC bridge due to prestressing may not be examined through field measurements. The study examined analytically the effects of prestressing on the natural frequency of PSC bridges. A finite element program for an undamped dynamic motion of a beam-tendon system was developed with additional geometric stiffness. The analytical results confirm that a key parameter in changing the natural frequency due to prestressing is the relative ratio of prestressing to the total weight of the structure rather than the prestressing itself.
Effects of a high-protein ketogenic diet on hunger, appetite, and weight loss in obese men feeding ad libitum.

BACKGROUND Altering the macronutrient composition of the diet influences hunger and satiety. Studies have compared high- and low-protein diets, but there are few data on carbohydrate content and ketosis on motivation to eat and ad libitum intake. OBJECTIVE We aimed to compare the hunger, appetite, and weight-loss responses to a high-protein, low-carbohydrate [(LC) ketogenic] and those to a high-protein, medium-carbohydrate [(MC) nonketogenic] diet in obese men feeding ad libitum. DESIGN Seventeen obese men were studied in a residential trial; food was provided daily. Subjects were offered 2 high-protein (30% of energy) ad libitum diets, each for a 4-wk period-an LC (4% carbohydrate) ketogenic diet and an MC (35% carbohydrate) diet-randomized in a crossover design. Body weight was measured daily, and ketosis was monitored by analysis of plasma and urine samples. Hunger was assessed by using a computerized visual analogue system. RESULTS Ad libitum energy intakes were lower with the LC diet than with the MC diet [P=0.02; SE of the difference (SED): 0.27] at 7.25 and 7.95 MJ/d, respectively. Over the 4-wk period, hunger was significantly lower (P=0.014; SED: 1.76) and weight loss was significantly greater (P=0.006; SED: 0.62) with the LC diet (6.34 kg) than with the MC diet (4.35 kg). The LC diet induced ketosis with mean 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations of 1.52 mmol/L in plasma (P=0.036 from baseline; SED: 0.62) and 2.99 mmol/L in urine (P<0.001 from baseline; SED: 0.36). CONCLUSION In the short term, high-protein, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets reduce hunger and lower food intake significantly more than do high-protein, medium-carbohydrate nonketogenic diets.
SmJAZ8 acts as a core repressor regulating JA-induced biosynthesis of salvianolic acids and tanshinones in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots

Jasmonates (JAs) are important plant hormones that regulate a variety of plant development and defense processes, including biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. The JASMONATE ZIM DOMAIN (JAZ) proteins act as negative regulators in the JA signaling pathways of plants. We first verified that methyl jasmonate (MeJA) enhanced the accumulation of both salvianolic acids and tanshinones in Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) hairy roots by inducing the expression of their biosynthetic pathway genes. Nine JAZ genes were cloned from Danshen and their expression levels in hairy roots were all increased by treatment with MeJA. When analyzed in detail, however, SmJAZ8 showed the strongest expression in the induced hairy roots. Overexpression or RNAi of SmJAZ8 deregulated or up-regulated the yields of salvianolic acids and tanshinones in the MeJA-induced transgenic hairy roots, respectively, and transcription factors and biosynthetic pathway genes showed an expression pattern that mirrored the production of the compounds. Genetic transformation of SmJAZ8 altered the expression of other SmJAZ genes, suggesting evidence of crosstalk occurring in JAZ-regulated secondary metabolism. Furthermore, the transcriptome analysis revealed a primary-secondary metabolism balance regulated by SmJAZ8. Altogether, we propose a novel role for SmJAZ8 as a negative feedback loop controller in the JA-induced biosynthesis of salvianolic acids and tanshinones.
Role of dietary factors in ethnic differences in early risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND The disparity in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes between African Americans and whites has been well established, and ethnic differences in several risk factors for these diseases are evident in childhood. OBJECTIVE The current study explored whether dietary factors explain ethnic differences in serum lipids and insulin profiles in children, independent of body composition and social class background. DESIGN The sample included 95 African American and white children (mean age: 10.0 y). Macronutrient and food group intakes were derived from three 24-h recalls. Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk were determined on the basis of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, insulin sensitivity (S(i)), and acute insulin response (AIR). Data were analyzed by using t tests, analysis of covariance, and multiple regression. RESULTS African American children had lower triacylglycerol (P < 0.01), lower S(i) (P < 0.001), and higher AIR (P < 0.001) than whites. Intake of fruit and vegetables was significantly higher, and dairy intake lower, in African American than in white children after adjustment for social class and total energy intake. Several direct relations were observed between diet and insulin action: carbohydrate and fruit intakes were positively associated with S(i) (P = 0.02), and vegetable intake was negatively associated with AIR (P = 0.01). However, neither macronutrient nor food group intake accounted for the ethnic differences in triacylglycerol and AIR. CONCLUSIONS The African American children in our sample showed a greater disease risk than did the white children, even after body composition, social class background, and dietary patterns were adjusted for.
Methionine kinetics are altered in the elderly both in the basal state and after vaccination.

BACKGROUND Inflammation is known to affect sulfur amino acid metabolism. Aging is associated with an increased prevalence of inflammatory conditions, but the metabolism of methionine has been poorly explored in the elderly. OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to compare methionine kinetics between elderly and young subjects and to explore the effect of aging on the response to a mild inflammatory challenge induced by a vaccination. DESIGN Seven elderly volunteers aged 66-76 y and 8 young volunteers aged 22-26 y were studied before and 2 d after a vaccination (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and typhoid vaccines). Methionine kinetics were measured by using an infusion of L-[1-13C, methyl-2H3]methionine in the postabsorptive and fed states. RESULTS Before vaccination, the contribution of homocysteine remethylation to methionine-methyl flux (Qm) and the ratio of remethylation to homocysteine transsulfuration were significantly lower in the elderly subjects than in the young subjects (P < 0.05). In contrast, the contribution of transsulfuration to methionine transmethylation was higher in the elderly (P < 0.05). Vaccination significantly increased the ratio of transsulfuration to transmethylation and decreased the ratio of remethylation to Qm (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The preferential methionine metabolism toward cysteine synthesis observed after vaccination suggests an increased requirement of sulfur amino acids even in mild inflammatory situations. The main finding of this study is a higher proportion of methionine entering the transsulfuration pathway in elderly subjects before vaccination. This finding suggests an increased cysteine demand during aging.
Disparities in Athletic Trainer Staffing in Secondary School Sport: Implications for Concussion Identification

Objective: First, to assess whether teams at schools with an athletic trainer (AT) on staff had a higher number of diagnosed concussions than teams without medical personnel present. Second, to assess whether the variability in employment of a certified AT by Washington state high schools is patterned by socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Washington state public high schools. Participants: Stratified random sample of football and soccer coaches (n = 270 teams, 144 schools). Independent Variables: Presence of an AT and school characteristics (percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced price lunch, rural location, enrollment). Results: Football and boys' soccer teams at schools with an AT had a significantly greater number of athletes with diagnosed concussions compared to teams at schools without an AT (P < 0.05). There was no difference in number of athletes with diagnosed concussions by AT staffing for girls' soccer. Schools with an AT on staff were significantly more likely than schools without an AT to be in an urban location (P < 0.001), to have an enrollment of 1000 students or more (P < 0.001), and to have a smaller proportion of students eligible for school lunch (P = 0.005). Conclusions: The present study provides empirical support for the benefit of ATs in diagnosing concussions in high school sport and underscores the challenges to AT staffing in lower resource settings. These findings cause us to critically reflect on the threshold for medical oversight in contact and collision sport from the perspective of risk prevention, and the extent to which disparities in this medical oversight are acceptable in the public school setting. Clinical Relevance: Strategies for increasing AT staffing in high school sports settings should be explored given their demonstrated benefit in diagnosing concussions.
Elevated urinary podocyte-derived extracellular microvesicles in renovascular hypertensive patients

Background An increased number of podocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (pEVs) may reflect podocyte injury in renal disease. Elevated glomerular pressure and other insults may injure podocytes, yet it remains unclear whether the numbers of pEVs are altered in hypertensive patients. We tested the hypothesis that urinary pEV levels would be elevated in patients with renovascular hypertension (RVH) compared with essential hypertension (EH) or healthy volunteers (HVs). Methods We prospectively enrolled patients with EH ( n = 30) or RVH ( n = 31) to study renal blood flow (RBF) and cortical perfusion using multidetector computed tomography under controlled condition (regulated sodium intake and renin-angiotensin blockade). After isolation from urine samples, pEVs (nephrin and podocalyxin positive) were characterized by flow cytometry. Fourteen RVH patients were studied again 3 months after stenting or continued medical therapy. HVs ( n = 15) served as controls. Results The fraction of pEV among urinary EVs was elevated in RVH compared with HVs and EH (11.4 ± 6.4, 6.8 ± 3.4 and 6.3 ± 3.7%, respectively; P < 0.001) and remained unchanged after 3 additional months of therapy and after controlling for clinical parameters. However, eGFR- and age-adjusted pEV levels did not correlate with any clinical or renal parameters. Conclusions In hypertensive patients under controlled conditions, urinary pEV levels are elevated in patients with RVH and low eGFR compared with patients with EH and relatively preserved renal function. These pEVs may reflect podocyte injury secondary to kidney damage, and their levels might represent a novel therapeutic target.
Delayed in vitro development of Up states but normal network plasticity in Fragile X circuits

A broad range of neurophysiological phenotypes have been reported since the generation of the first mouse model of Fragile X syndrome (FXS). However, it remains unclear which phenotypes are causally related to the cognitive deficits associated with FXS. Indeed, because many of these phenotypes are known to be modulated by experience, a confounding factor in the interpretation of many studies is whether some phenotypes are an indirect consequence of abnormal development and experience. To help diminish this confound we first conducted an in vitro developmental study of spontaneous neural dynamics in cortical organotypic cultures. A significant developmental increase in network activity and Up states was observed in both wild‐type and Fmr1−/y circuits, along with a specific developmental delay in the emergence of Up states in knockout circuits. To determine whether Up state regulation is generally impaired in FXS circuits, we examined Up state plasticity using chronic optogenetic stimulation. Wild‐type and Fmr1−/y stimulated circuits exhibited a significant decrease in overall spontaneous activity including Up state frequency; however, no significant effect of genotype was observed. These results demonstrate that developmental delays characteristic of FXS are recapitulated during in vitro development, and that Up state abnormalities are probably a direct consequence of the disease, and not an indirect consequence of abnormal experience. However, the fact that Fmr1−/y circuits exhibited normal homeostatic modulation of Up states suggests that these plasticity mechanisms are largely intact, and that some of the previously reported plasticity deficits could reflect abnormal experience or the engagement of compensatory mechanisms.
Two-photon calcium imaging of the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus without cortical invasion

In vivo two-photon calcium imaging currently allows us to observe the activity of multiple neurons up to ~900 µm below the cortical surface without cortical invasion. However, many important brain areas are located deeper than this. Here, we used an 1100 nm laser that underfilled the back aperture of the objective together with red genetically encoded calcium indicators to establish two-photon calcium imaging of the intact mouse brain and detect neural activity up to 1200 μm from the cortical surface. This imaging was obtained from the medial prefrontal cortex (the prelimbic area) and the hippocampal CA1 region. We found that neural activity before water delivery repeated at a constant interval was higher in the prelimbic area than in layer 2/3 of the secondary motor area. Reducing the invasiveness of imaging is an important strategy to reveal the intact brain processes active in cognition and memory.
Association of Admission Glucose Level and Improvement in Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Patients with Submassive-type Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Objective The admission glucose level is a predictor of mortality even in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). However, whether or not the admission glucose level is associated with the severity of APE itself or the underlying disease of APE is unclear. Methods This study was a retrospective observational study. A pulmonary artery (PA) catheter was used to accurately evaluate the severity of APE. The percentage changes in the mean PA pressure (PAPm) upon placement and removal of the inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) were evaluated. We hypothesized that the admission glucose level was associated with the improvement in the PA pressure in patients with APE. Patients A total of consecutive 22 patients with submassive APE who underwent temporary or retrievable IVCF insertion on admission and repetitive PA catheter measurements upon placement and removal of IVCFs were enrolled. Results There was a significant positive correlation between the admission glucose levels and the percentage changes in the PAPm (r=0.543, p=0.009). A univariate linear regression analysis showed that the admission glucose level was the predictor of the percentage change in PAPm (β coefficient=0.169 per 1 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval, 0.047-0.291; p=0.009). A multivariate linear regression analysis with the forced inclusion model showed that the admission glucose level was the predictor of the percentage change in PAPm independent of diabetes mellitus, PAPm on admission, troponin positivity, and brain natriuretic peptide level (all p＜0.05). Conclusion The admission glucose level was associated with the improvement in the PAPm in patients with submassive-type APE.