Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal nutrition and fetal development.

Nutrition is the major intrauterine environmental factor that alters expression of the fetal genome and may have lifelong consequences. This phenomenon, termed "fetal programming," has led to the recent theory of "fetal origins of adult disease. " Namely, alterations in fetal nutrition and endocrine status may result in developmental adaptations that permanently change the structure, physiology, and metabolism of the offspring, thereby predisposing individuals to metabolic, endocrine, and cardiovascular diseases in adult life. Animal studies show that both maternal undernutrition and overnutrition reduce placental-fetal blood flows and stunt fetal growth. Impaired placental syntheses of nitric oxide (a major vasodilator and angiogenesis factor) and polyamines (key regulators of DNA and protein synthesis) may provide a unified explanation for intrauterine growth retardation in response to the 2 extremes of nutritional problems with the same pregnancy outcome. There is growing evidence that maternal nutritional status can alter the epigenetic state (stable alterations of gene expression through DNA methylation and histone modifications) of the fetal genome. This may provide a molecular mechanism for the impact of maternal nutrition on both fetal programming and genomic imprinting. Promoting optimal nutrition will not only ensure optimal fetal development, but will also reduce the risk of chronic diseases in adults.
Dopaminergic control of angiotensin II-induced vasopressin secretion in vitro.

Because dopamine influences arginine vasopressin (AVP) release, the present studies were designed to ascertain the dopamine receptor subtype that potentiates angiotensin II-induced AVP secretion in cultured hypothalamo-neurohypophysial explants. Dopamine (a nonselective D1/D2 agonist), apomorphine (a D2 ≫ D1 agonist), and SKF-38393 (a selective D1 agonist) dose dependently increased AVP secretion. Maximal AVP release was observed with 5 μM dopamine, 307 ± 66% ⋅ explant-1 ⋅ h-1, 1 μM SKF-38393, 369 ± 41% ⋅ explant-1 ⋅ h-1, and 0.1 μM apomorphine, 374 ± 67% ⋅ explant-1 ⋅ h-1. Selective D1 antagonism with 1 μM SCH-23390 blocked AVP secretion to values no different from basal. Domperidone (D2 antagonist), phenoxybenzamine (nonselective adrenergic antagonist), and prazosin (α1-antagonist) failed to prevent release. D1 antagonism also prevented AVP secretion to 1 μM angiotensin II [angiotensin II, 422 ± 87% ⋅ explant-1 ⋅ h-1vs. angiotensin II plus SCH-23390, 169 ± 28% ⋅ explant-1 ⋅ h-1( P < 0.05)], but D2 and α1-adrenergic blockade did not. In contrast, AT1 receptor inhibition with 0.5 μM losartan blocked angiotensin II- but not dopamine-induced AVP release. AT2antagonism had no effect. Although subthreshold doses of the agonists did not increase AVP secretion (0.05 μM dopamine, 133 ± 44% ⋅ explant-1 ⋅ h-1; 0.01 μM SKF-38393, 116 ± 26% ⋅ explant-1 ⋅ h-1;and 0.001 μM angiotensin II, 104 ± 29% ⋅ explant-1 ⋅ h-1), the combination of dopamine and angiotensin II provoked a significant rise in AVP [420 ± 83% ⋅ explant-1 ⋅ h-1( P < 0.01)]. Similar results were observed with SKF-38393 and angiotensin II, and the AVP response was blocked to basal levels by either D1 or AT1 antagonism. These findings support a role for D1 receptor activation to increase AVP release and mediate angiotensin II-induced AVP release within the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system. The data also suggest that the combined subthreshold stimulation of receptors that use distinct intracellular pathways can prompt substantial AVP release.
Calculation of red blood cell folate steady state conditions and elimination kinetics after daily supplementation with various folate forms and doses in women of childbearing age.

BACKGROUND A maternal red blood cell (RBC) folate concentration > 906 nmol/L is thought to be optimal for lowering the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in pregnancy. Whereas the appearance of folate in RBCs has been followed during folic acid supplementation, data on elimination kinetics are not yet available. OBJECTIVE The aim of our investigation was to estimate the steady state conditions and elimination kinetics of folate in RBCs. DESIGN Data from 2 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind intervention trials were used for kinetic modeling. These studies were performed to investigate the appearance of folate in RBCs in healthy women of childbearing age after different supplementation strategies (study 1: n = 69; 400 microg folic acid/d and 416 microg [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate/d for 24 wk; study 2: n = 21; 800 microg folic acid/d for 16 wk). RESULTS For RBC folate concentrations, steady state conditions were not reached after 24 (study 1) and 16 (study 2) wk of folate supplementation. However, with the use of these data, we calculated the biological half-life (t(1/2)) of RBC folate to be approximately 8 wk. With the application of pharmacokinetic principles, steady state conditions for RBC folate should be reached after 40 wk (t(1/2) x 5). CONCLUSION With the use of pharmacokinetic principles, the appearance and elimination kinetics of RBC folate can be calculated on the basis of this t(1/2) value.
Consumption of high doses of chlorogenic acid, present in coffee, or of black tea increases plasma total homocysteine concentrations in humans.

BACKGROUND In population studies, high intakes of coffee are associated with raised concentrations of plasma homocysteine, a predictor of risk of cardiovascular disease. Chlorogenic acid is a major polyphenol in coffee; coffee drinkers consume up to 1 g chlorogenic acid/d. OBJECTIVE We studied whether chlorogenic acid affects plasma total homocysteine concentrations in humans. For comparison we also studied the effects of black tea rich in polyphenols and of quercetin-3-rutinoside, a major flavonol in tea and apples. DESIGN In this crossover study, 20 healthy men and women ingested 2 g (5.5 mmol) chlorogenic acid, 4 g black tea solids containing approximately 4.3 mmol polyphenols and comparable to approximately 2 L strong black tea, 440 mg (0.7 mmol) quercetin-3-rutinoside, or a placebo daily. Each subject received each of the 4 treatments for 7 d, in random order. RESULTS Total homocysteine in plasma collected 4-5 h after supplement intake was 12% (1.2 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.7) higher after chlorogenic acid and 11% (1.1 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.5) higher after black tea than after placebo. Total homocysteine in fasting plasma collected 20 h after supplement intake was 4% (0.4 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.0, 0.8) higher after chlorogenic acid and 5% (0.5 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.0, 0.9) higher after black tea than after placebo. Quercetin-3-rutinoside did not significantly affect homocysteine concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Chlorogenic acid, a compound in coffee, and black tea raise total homocysteine concentrations in plasma. Chlorogenic acid could be partly responsible for the higher homocysteine concentrations observed in coffee drinkers. Whether these effects on homocysteine influence cardiovascular disease risk remains to be established.
Correlation between Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy on individual carbon nanotubes and peapods

In this thesis, we investigate the possibility of filling carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with guest molecules directly on substrates. This requires the characterization of CNTs after synthesis. It is shown by high-resolution TEM and Raman spectroscopy that the diameter distribution and number of layers of as-grown CNTs depends on the growth temperature TCVD. HRTEM measurements are seen to induce defects, even when performed at electron energies as low as 80 keV. Raman spectroscopy, on the other hand, is non-destructive for individual CNTs at small laser intensities (P < 0.5mW). This fact motivated us to attempt a correlation of HRTEM and Raman spectroscopy, which allowed us to prove the radial phonon-coupling for an individual multi-walled CNT and a bundle of single-walled CNTs for the first time experimentally and to confirm our results by a simple numeric model. Furthermore, it could be shown that the width of the resonance profiles of radial Raman modes allows one to determine whether the investigated CNT is an individual single-walled CNT, located within a bundle or a layer of a multi-walled CNT. This makes a determination of the inter-molecular structure of CNTs possible without damaging the CNTs by TEM imaging. Moreover, resonant Raman spectroscopy provides important information about the electronic structure of the investigated CNTs, which is essential for interpreting future quantum transport measurements and permits the determination of the atomic structure of individual CNTs. A second part of this thesis deals with the synthesis of peapods, CNTs filled with fullerene molecules such as C60. We present a detailed characterization of individual CNTs after each step of the peapod synthesis, focusing especially on the opening of the as-grown CNTs. A UHV-chamber was built up to avoid reactions between the opened CNTs and the atmosphere, allowing for the in situ removal of excess fullerene molecules from the CNTs. Using this novel method, we obtain clean peapods in different yields and with different numbers of layers directly on the substrate, which opens the way for future quantum transport measurements of these systems.
Effect of parenteral glutamine supplementation on plasma amino acid concentrations in extremely low-birth-weight infants.

BACKGROUND Glutamine is one of the most abundant amino acids in both plasma and human milk and may be conditionally essential in premature infants. However, glutamine is not provided by standard intravenous amino acid solutions. OBJECTIVE We assessed the effect of parenteral glutamine supplementation on plasma amino acid concentrations in extremely low-birth-weight infants receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). DESIGN A total of 141 infants with birth weights of 401-1000 g were randomly assigned to receive a standard intravenous amino acid solution that did not contain glutamine or an isonitrogenous amino acid solution with 20% of the total amino acids as glutamine. Blood samples were obtained just before initiation of study PN and again after the infants had received study PN (mean intake: 2.3 +/- 1.0 g amino acids x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for approximately 10 d. RESULTS Infants randomly assigned to receive glutamine had mean plasma glutamine concentrations that increased significantly and were approximately 30% higher than those in the control group in response to PN (425 +/- 182 and 332 +/- 148 micromol/L for the glutamine and control groups, respectively). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the relative change in plasma glutamate concentration between the baseline and PN samples. In both groups, there were significant decreases in plasma phenylalanine and tyrosine between the baseline and PN samples; the decrease in tyrosine was greater in the group that received glutamine. CONCLUSIONS In extremely low-birth-weight infants, parenteral glutamine supplementation can increase plasma glutamine concentrations without apparent biochemical risk. Currently available amino acid solutions are likely to be suboptimal in their supply of phenylalanine, tyrosine, or both for these infants.
Simulation on Wheel Wear Prediction of High-Speed Train

In order to study the wheel wear problem of high-speed train,the coupled model of vehicle multi-body dynamics and wheel wear was set up. The nonlinearities arising from the vehicle suspension system,wheel/rail contact geometry and wheel/rail creep force were considered in the model. The numerical simulation method was used to predict the distribution and development of wheel profile wear. The vehicle passing through a length of typical track that was composed of several straight lines and different curved lines was taken into account. The dynamic simulation was used to obtain the wheel/rail contact state. FASTIM was adopted to calculate the wheel wear on wheel/rail contact patch. The wear volume on wheel profile was accumulated and the shape of wheel profile was updated. Then,the next wear simulation cycle can be carried out. Through comparison and analysis,the wheel profile was updated when the vertical wear depth reached 0.1 mm. The Archard wear model,wear model based on wear energy and wear model based on wear index were utilized respectively to predict the development of wheel profile wear,and the measured wheel wear of the vehicle running on actual lines was compared with the simulation results. It can be seen that the simulated wheel wear development had the same tendency with the measured results. The calculation results by the wear energy model and wear index model were similar,while the wheel flange wear calculated by the Archard model was relatively large. Therefore,the efficient wear model should be selected according to the actual track line,and the wheel profile wear can be predicted by the use of simulation method and that can provide the guidance for the safe and reliable operation of high speed trains.
Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of fructooligosaccharides in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND Interest in fructooligosaccharides as a health-promoting food component is increasing. Fructooligosaccharides are mainly indigestible and large amounts in the colon may provoke gastrointestinal symptoms. OBJECTIVE The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be provoked by large quantities of carbohydrates in the colon. The objective of this study was to determine whether regular consumption of fructooligosaccharides worsens gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS. DESIGN A multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group comparison was conducted at 24 sites. The study consisted of a 2-wk, single-blind run-in phase and a 12-wk, double-blind comparative phase. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive 20 g fructooligosaccharides powder/d (n = 52) or a placebo (n = 46). Efficacy was based on the patients' overall response to treatment at completion of the study and on the severity and duration of individual symptoms (abdominal distension, abdominal rumbling, abnormal flatulence, and abdominal pain). RESULTS Data from 96 patients (16 men and 80 women) were analyzed. After 4-6 wk of treatment, IBS symptoms improved more in the placebo group than in the fructooligosaccharide group. After completion of the study, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups: symptoms improved in 58% of the fructooligosaccharide group and in 65% of the placebo group and symptoms worsened in 8% of the fructooligosaccharide group and in 13% of the placebo group. CONCLUSION Although symptoms worsened in patients with IBS at the onset of treatment with 20 g fructooligosaccharides/d, continuous treatment for 12 wk resulted in no worsening of symptoms.
17β-Estradiol rapidly facilitates chemoinvestigation and mounting in castrated male rats.

Testosterone and estradiol act synergistically to stimulate male sexual behavior. Previous studies demonstrated that testosterone's actions are mediated genomically. Attempts to show that estradiol acts in a similar fashion have been inconclusive. However, estrogens have been shown to exert short-latency effects by acting directly on neuronal membranes. The present experiment examined whether testosterone or estradiol rapidly facilitates copulatory behaviors in castrated sexually experienced rats. Within 35 min of administration, estradiol stimulated chemoinvestigation and frequency of mounting and reduced mount latency in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, acute administration of testosterone did not alter sexual activity. These data demonstrate for the first time that estradiol exerts short-latency effects on copulatory behavior, providing indirect evidence that this action is mediated through a nontranscriptional mechanism.
Study of the effect of trans fatty acids from ruminants on blood lipids and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND The intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) from industrially hydrogenated vegetable oils (iTFA) is known to have a deleterious effect on cardiovascular health, the effects of TFA from ruminants (rTFA) are virtually unknown. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of rTFA and iTFA on plasma LDL concentrations and other cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy subjects. DESIGN In a double-blind, randomized crossover controlled study, 38 healthy men were fed each of 4 experimental isoenergetic diets lasting 4 wk each. The 4 diets were high in rTFA (10.2 g/2500 kcal), moderate in rTFA (4.2 g/2500 kcal), high in iTFA (10.2 g/2500 kcal), and low in TFA from any source (2.2 g/2500 kcal) (control diet). RESULTS Plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher after the high- rTFA diet than after the control (P = 0.03) or the moderate- rTFA (P = 0.002) diet. Plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations also were significantly (P = 0.02) higher after the iTFA diet than after the moderate-rTFA diet. Plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly (P = 0.02) lower after the high-rTFA diet than after the moderate-rTFA diet. Finally, all risk factors were comparable between the control and the moderate-rTFA diets. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that, whereas a high dietary intake of TFA from ruminants may adversely affect cholesterol homeostasis, moderate intakes of rTFA that are well above the upper limit of current human consumption have neutral effects on plasma lipids and other cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Oxidized low-density lipoprotein induces cytoskeletal disorganization in smooth muscle cells.

Vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic vessels proliferate and change from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. To determine whether oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is involved in this transformation, we chronically incubated cultured smooth muscle cells with native and oxidized LDL. Western blot analysis detected a decrease in actin and myosin content in treated cells. This was dependent on the time and concentration of oxLDL employed. Confocal microscopic images of cells immunostained for smooth muscle-specific α-actin and myosin showed a normal, elongated alignment of myofilaments in cells after incubation with native LDL. Surprisingly, when the cells were treated with oxLDL, actin and myosin filaments underwent a striking process of disorganization and accumulation into ball-shaped aggregates. These changes were dependent on the duration and concentration of oxLDL employed. Our results demonstrate that oxLDL has the capacity to decrease the content of myofilaments in smooth muscle cells. The loss in myosin and actin protein may be associated with an unusual formation of large cellular aggregates that appear to be in the process of being expelled from the cell.
Dietary fiber intake and retinal vascular caliber in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

BACKGROUND Dietary fiber appears to decrease the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Microvascular abnormalities can be observed by retinal examination and contribute to the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases. The impact of dietary fiber on the retinal microvasculature is not known. OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine the association between dietary fiber intake and retinal vascular caliber. DESIGN At the third visit (1993-1995) of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, a population-based cohort of adults in 4 US communities, the retinal vascular caliber of 10,659 participants was measured and summarized from digital retinal photographs. Usual dietary intake during the same period was assessed with a 66-item food-frequency questionnaire. RESULTS After control for potential confounders including hypertension, diabetes, lipids, demographic factors, cigarette smoking, total energy intake, micronutrients intake, and other cardiovascular disease risk factors, higher intake of fiber from all sources and from cereal were significantly associated with wider retinal arteriolar caliber and narrower venular caliber. Participants in the highest quintile of fiber intake from all sources had a 1.05-microm larger arteriolar caliber (P for trend = 0.012) and a 1.11-microm smaller venular caliber (P for trend = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS Dietary fiber was related to wider retinal arteriolar caliber and narrower venular caliber, which are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. These data add to the growing evidence of the benefits of fiber intake on various aspects of cardiovascular pathogenesis.
Birth weight and body composition in young women: a prospective twin study.

BACKGROUND The intrauterine environment may be critical for the development of obesity. Alternatively, the same genetic factors may influence both birth weight and adult body composition. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the association between birth weight and adult body composition in female twins, which allowed us to control for maternal and genetic influences. DESIGN Of 447 twin pairs randomly selected from the East Flanders Prospective Twin Survey, 238 pairs, aged 18-34 y, participated. Adult body mass, height, and lean body mass were measured, and the body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, and sum of skinfold thicknesses were calculated. The twins were considered as individuals and pairs. RESULTS When the twins were considered as individuals, twins who were heavier at birth were taller (3.3 cm/kg greater birth weight) and slightly heavier (1.13 kg/kg greater birth weight) as adults than were lighter twins. They also had more lean body mass and less subcutaneous and abdominal fat at birth. Pairwise comparison showed that for every level of intrapair birth weight difference (> or = 5%, > or = 10%, and > or = 15%), the twin who was heavier at birth was taller in adult life (0.8, 1.2, and 2.0 cm, respectively). When the intrapair birth weight difference exceeded 15%, the heavier twin was also heavier (3.1 +/- 6.08 kg) as an adult than her much lighter sister. CONCLUSION Birth weight accounts for some of the differences in adult body composition between twins.
Theoretical Links to Other Models

Recently, Leder and colleagues (2004) introduced an information-processing model to account for aesthetic experience. This model breaks the computation of the aesthetic response into five stages, associating each stage with a particular process of interest. In this paper we review results from recent neuroimaging studies of visual aesthetics to determine the extent to which they support this model. In addition, we derive specific hypotheses from the model that remain to be tested at a biological level. We argue that because all the cognitive and emotional processes that comprise the model are instantiated in the brain, one should in principle be able to test this model using biological methods. We conclude that the model is a promising framework within which to conduct such work on aesthetics.