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Among exclusively breastfed infants, human milk (HM) provides complete nutrition in the first mo of life and remains an important energy source as long as breastfeeding continues. Consisting of digestible carbohydrates, proteins, and amino acids, as well as fats and fatty acids, macronutrients in human milk have been well studied; however, many aspects related to their relationship to growth in early life are still not well understood. We systematically searched Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science to synthesize evidence published between 1980 and 2022 on HM components and anthropometry through 2 y of age among term-born healthy infants. From 9992 abstracts screened, 57 articles reporting observations from 5979 dyads were included and categorized based on their reporting of HM macronutrients and infant growth. There was substantial heterogeneity in anthropometric outcome measurement, milk collection timelines, and HM sampling strategies; thus, meta-analysis was not possible. In general, digestible carbohydrates were positively associated with infant weight outcomes. Protein was positively associated with infant length, but no associations were reported for infant weight. Finally, HM fat was not consistently associated with any infant growth metrics, though various associations were reported in single studies. Fatty acid intakes were generally positively associated with head circumference, except for docosahexaenoic acid. Our synthesis of the literature was limited by differences in milk collection strategies, heterogeneity in anthropometric outcomes and analytical methodologies, and by insufficient reporting of results. Moving forward, HM researchers should accurately record and account for breastfeeding exclusivity, use consistent sampling protocols that account for the temporal variation in HM macronutrients, and use reliable, sensitive, and accurate techniques for HM macronutrient analysis.

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Reducing ice cream fat content without losing its quality characteristics is a nutritional requirement of many consumers and it is a challenge for the ice cream industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate low-fat hard ice cream formulations using modified cassava starch as a fat substitute. It was used in a proportion of 10% and hydrocolloids such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), guar gum, and xanthan gum were used as stabilizers. Mixture viscosity, drip-through time, melting percentage, total solids, titratable acidity, pH, and hardness were determined. The best formulations were the treatments with a mixture of 67% CMC, 33% guar gum, and 100% xanthan gum; they had a viscosity above 5000 cP, melting percentage lower than 7%, and overrun higher than 93%. In addition, a sensory acceptance evaluation was performed on the two best treatments and compared to a low-fat ice cream using a commercial stabilizer and an ice cream with a 7% fat ratio. The sensory results showed that the samples did not present significant differences, which is important because the best formulations can compete with the commercial stabilizers currently used for this type of ice cream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study investigates the energetic costs associated with Oldowan‐style flake production and how skill differences influence these costs. Materials and Methods: Nine adult participants, including novice and expert toolmakers, underwent a 2‐h experimental session where we measured energy expenditure and flaking outcomes. We measured body mass (kg), percent body fat, and fat‐free mass (kg) and used open‐circuit indirect calorimetry to quantify energy expenditure. The lithic analysis used standard linear and mass measurements on the resulting cores and flakes. Qualitative observations from the video recordings provide insight into the subject's body positions and hand grips. Results: Results reveal significant differences in energy expenditure between novice and expert toolmakers, with experts demonstrating lower overall energy expenditure. Additionally, experts produced more flakes, reduced greater core mass per unit of energy expenditure, and exhibited distinct body positions, hand grips, and core/flake morphologies compared with novices. Discussion: The study provides novel insights into the bio‐cultural impacts of stone toolmaking skill acquisition, suggesting that skilled performance reduces the metabolic costs of stone tool production. These findings contribute to debates surrounding the origins of human cultural capacities and highlight the importance of including energy expenditure measures in knapping experiments. Moreover, the results suggest that the presence or absence of expertise in the Paleolithic would have fundamentally altered selective pressures and the reliability of skill reproduction. This study enhances our understanding of differences in stone toolmaking skill and their implications for human energy allocation strategies during early technological evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental goal of modern face and neck lifting is to enhance and restore a more youthful facial appearance by addressing soft tissue descent. There are variations in described facelift technique including superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) flaps, composite flaps, deep plane, skin flaps, and subperiosteal facelifts, among others. The term "deep plane rhytidectomy" was originally described by Hamra. This term has since been linked with facelift surgery with recent advances including incision placement, treatments of SMAS–platysma complex, and mastoid crevasse among others. In the lead authors' experience, using deep plane techniques have demonstrated superior facial surgical rejuvenation results with less dependence on ancillary measures such as fat grafting or implantation for midface volumization. In order to successfully perform any face or neck lift, it is key to understand the relationship of the skin, the fat compartments, and the ligamentous attachments. This chapter details the anatomy of the deep plane of the face and neck and explains some nuances as it relates to surgical lifting. We also describe recent anatomical revelations of the mandibular ligament and its management in deep plane face lifting. In this chapter, given this opportunity to share personal experiences and preferences, the authors hope to describe relevant anatomy for the deep plane and provide some clarity on the merits of deep plane face and neck lift technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhytidectomy has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, particularly in the realms deep plane facelift and more aggressive neck contouring. As the procedures have become increasingly intricate and invasive, the imperative to develop refined tools and methodologies has risen. These tools and methods are essential not only for the evaluation of aesthetic outcomes but also for the comprehensive assessment of inherent risks and the holistic enhancement of patients' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document deals with food metaphors in Baroque farce, highlighting the interconnection between the festive cycle of carnival-Lent. It emphasizes the importance of seasonal fluctuations in food availability in pre-industrial societies and the transition between periods of celebration and food deprivation. The text highlights the "fat" and "thin" characters in farces, emphasizing their symbolism and evolution over time. Finally, it addresses the transition from carnival to commercial entertainment and the gradual disappearance of popular festive practices in favor of professional theater. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Cognitive biases, such as applying stricter body evaluation for oneself than for others, are presumed to promote the development and maintenance of eating disorders. While questionnaire data have demonstrated a familial transmission of body image, these self-deprecating double standards (DS) have not been studied among female adolescents, and a potential familial transmission of DS through feedback/role-modeling is yet to be explored. The present study thus addresses these questions. Methods: Female adolescents and their mothers viewed pictures of their own and peer bodies presented with their own and another peer's face, and were asked to rate arousal, valence, body attractiveness, and body fat for each body. Results: Daughters evaluated their own, an average-weight, and an overweight build as less attractive and with more body fat when presented with their own than with another face, while mothers mainly applied such self-deprecating DS for an overweight build. Regarding familial transmission, higher negative maternal feedback was associated with more self-deprecating DS of body fat and attractiveness in daughters when viewing an overweight build. Conclusions: Female adolescents and their mothers apply self-deprecating DS, suggesting that DS are widespread. Psychoeducation and training regarding communication, feedback, and body functionality might support the prevention of DS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous study found that mass transfer occurring during the osmotic dehydration (OD) process. This phenomena is possible causing modification in physicochemical properties; therefore, understanding the OD effect on quality attributes is important. This research aimed to study the impact of sucrose concentration and immersion time on the kinetics of mass transfer and the physicochemical properties of avocado (Persea americana var. Miki) during the OD process. The samples were immersed in a sucrose solution (45, 55 and 65 ° Brix) for up to 300 min, then the mass transfer parameter and physicochemical properties were evaluated. The results showed that the highest rate of water removal (WR) was -0.037 g.g-1.h-1 using the 55 ° Brix solution, which also led to an increase in the soluble solid gain (SSG) value to 0.0126 g.g-1.h-1, while the highest WR/SSG ratio was obtained after 180 min of immersion using 65 ° Brix (2.451). A 2nd-order polynomial model accurately describes avocado mass transfer kinetics and their relationship to physicochemical properties. The model showed the best adjustment for WR, SSG, and weight loss (WL), as pointed out by R2 = 0.9671, 0.8968 and 0.9573, respectively. WR has a negative effect on firmness (R2 = 0.9278), vitamin C (R2 = 0.9349), and total fat (R2 = 0.8954). The uptake of sucrose correlated with decrease of vitamin C (R2 = 0.9391), whereas WL also affected the loss of total fat (R2 = 0.8288). The OD process modified the chroma of the avocado by reducing lightness, increasing greenness and yellowness, and yet protecting the flesh from the browning effect. Overall, this study provides insights into the relationship between mass transfer and physicochemical properties, and it is useful to predict the final condition of the osmo-avocado before subsequent processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caloric intake can greatly affect many aspects of an organism's life. A deficiency of calories can lead to stress resulting in decreased fecundity, insufficient calories to maintain tissues and increased lifespan. Conversely, increasing caloric density increases fecundity and decreases lifespan. Despite decades of work exploring food quality and quantity on physiology in the model species Drosophila melanogaster Meigan 1830 (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and the melanogaster group in general, relatively little work explores the physiological responses to diet manipulation in other Drosophila species, like the obscura species group. Here, we looked at the effects of five different caloric densities (0.5×, 0.75×, 1.0×, 1.5× and 3.0×) on food intake, body weight, body fat, fecundity and longevity in D. pseudoobscura Frolova & Astaurov, 1929 (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Comparing longevity and fecundity across diets, we found that heavy caloric concentration (3.0×) decreases lifespan and that calorie restriction (0.5× and 0.75×) led to significant decreases in fecundity and body weight. However, calorie concentration did not significantly increase D. pseudoobscura body fat. By expanding our understanding of the physiological responses to diet stress to D. pseudoobscura, we establish the framework for comparative work across Drosophila species. With this information, we can then identify which physiological responses to diet manipulation might be most conserved and comparable across species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Following consumption of a meal, circulating glucose concentrations can rise and then fall briefly below the basal/fasting concentrations. This phenomenon is known as reactive hypoglycaemia but to date no researcher has explored potential inter-individual differences in response to meal consumption. Objective: We conducted a secondary analysis of existing data to examine inter-individual variability of reactive hypoglycaemia in response to breakfast consumption. Methods: Using a replicate crossover design, 12 healthy, physically active men (age: 18–30 y, body mass index: 22.1 to 28.0 kg⋅m− 2) completed two identical control (continued overnight fasting) and two breakfast (444 kcal; 60% carbohydrate, 17% protein, 23% fat) conditions in randomised sequences. Blood glucose and lactate concentrations, serum insulin and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations, whole-body energy expenditure, carbohydrate and fat oxidation rates, and appetite ratings were determined before and 2 h after the interventions. Inter-individual differences were explored using Pearson's product-moment correlations between the first and second replicates of the fasting-adjusted breakfast response. Within-participant covariate-adjusted linear mixed models and a random-effects meta-analytical approach were used to quantify participant-by-condition interactions. Results: Breakfast consumption lowered 2-h blood glucose by 0.44 mmol/L (95%CI: 0.76 to 0.12 mmol/L) and serum NEFA concentrations, whilst increasing blood lactate and serum insulin concentrations (all p < 0.01). Large, positive correlations were observed between the first and second replicates of the fasting-adjusted insulin, lactate, hunger, and satisfaction responses to breakfast consumption (all r > 0.5, 90%CI ranged from 0.03 to 0.91). The participant-by-condition interaction response variability (SD) for serum insulin concentration was 11 pmol/L (95%CI: 5 to 16 pmol/L), which was consistent with the τ-statistic from the random-effects meta-analysis (11.7 pmol/L, 95%CI 7.0 to 22.2 pmol/L) whereas effects were unclear for other outcome variables (e.g., τ-statistic value for glucose: 0 mmol/L, 95%CI 0.0 to 0.5 mmol/L). Conclusions: Despite observing reactive hypoglycaemia at the group level, we were unable to detect any meaningful inter-individual variability of the reactive hypoglycaemia response to breakfast. There was, however, evidence that 2-h insulin responses to breakfast display meaningful inter-individual variability, which may be explained by relative carbohydrate dose ingested and variation in insulin sensitivity of participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Obesity leads to severe health issues like cardiovascular disease. Natural substances with anti-obesity properties are gaining attention. This study investigates the impact of taurine on lipid levels in rats fed a high-fat diet. Materials and Methods: The SD rats were fed a high-fat diet and treated with or without taurine for 21 weeks. Taurine was added to their drinking water, and an adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) inhibitor was injected for one week. The study evaluated the impact of taurine supplementation on the rats' body weight, Lee index, body fat content, serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), fatty acid synthase (FAS), ATGL, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) in the liver. Fat accumulation in the liver and aortic arch was assessed through histopathological observations. Results: The study found that taurine reduced body weight, body fat, serum TG, TC, LDL-C levels, and lipid deposition in the liver and aortic arch while increasing serum HDL-C levels. Taurine intake also increased FAS and ATGL expression in the liver. Interestingly, the ATGL inhibitor atglistatin did not affect FAS and ATGL expression in the presence of taurine. Conclusion: Taurine can reduce fat deposition caused by a high-fat diet in SD rats by decreasing FAS content and increasing ATGL content. However, taurine does not fully regulate FAS and ATGL expression through the ATGL pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In bee diets, nectar is the primary source of carbohydrates. During scarcity of bee flora, such as in winter, beekeepers typically provide supplemental sugar syrup as a nectar substitute. We examined four types of sugars (sucrose, fructose, glucose, and a mixture of fructose and glucose) on bee longevity, bee appetitive, and their impact on pollen digestion. The results showed that sucrose and glucose had extended the longevity in cages. Bees preferred sucrose at a 50% concentration since they consumed more than the other sugar types in cages and in the multiple-choice test experiment in apiary. Bees given sucrose solution consumed the most pollen. In contrast, the cages provided the fructose solution consumed the least amount of pollen, increasing body fat percentage, which can be considered evidence of a digestive disorder. Generally, the type of sugar affects bee's benefits from nutrition. Finally, sucrose is the best type of sugar and is considered the ideal substitute for nectar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To develop a framework for simultaneous three‐dimensional (3D) mapping of T1$$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$, T2$$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$, and fat signal fraction in the liver at 0.55 T. Methods: The proposed sequence acquires four interleaved 3D volumes with a two‐echo Dixon readout. T1$$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$ and T2$$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ are encoded into each volume via preparation modules, and dictionary matching allows simultaneous estimation of T1$$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$, T2$$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$, and M0$$ {M}_0 $$ for water and fat separately. 2D image navigators permit respiratory binning, and motion fields from nonrigid registration between bins are used in a nonrigid respiratory‐motion‐corrected reconstruction, enabling 100% scan efficiency from a free‐breathing acquisition. The integrated nature of the framework ensures the resulting maps are always co‐registered. Results: T1$$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$, T2$$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$, and fat‐signal‐fraction measurements in phantoms correlated strongly (adjusted r2>0.98$$ {r}^2>0.98 $$) with reference measurements. Mean liver tissue parameter values in 10 healthy volunteers were 427±22$$ 427\pm 22 $$, 47.7±3.3 ms$$ 47.7\pm 3.3\;\mathrm{ms} $$, and 7±2%$$ 7\pm 2\% $$ for T1$$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$, T2$$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$, and fat signal fraction, giving biases of 71$$ 71 $$, −30.0 ms$$ -30.0\;\mathrm{ms} $$, and −5$$ -5 $$ percentage points, respectively, when compared to conventional methods. Conclusion: A novel sequence for comprehensive characterization of liver tissue at 0.55 T was developed. The sequence provides co‐registered 3D T1$$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$, T2$$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$, and fat‐signal‐fraction maps with full coverage of the liver, from a single nine‐and‐a‐half‐minute free‐breathing scan. Further development is needed to achieve accurate proton‐density fat fraction (PDFF) estimation in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Breath‐held fat‐suppressed volumetric T1‐weighted MRI is an important and widely‐used technique for evaluating the abdomen. Both fat‐saturation and Dixon‐based fat‐suppression methods are used at conventional field strengths; however, both have challenges at lower field strengths (<1.5T) due to insufficient fat suppression and/or inadequate resolution. Specifically, at lower field strengths, fat saturation often fails due to the short T1 of lipid; and Cartesian Dixon imaging provides poor spatial resolution due to the need for a long ΔTE, due to the smaller Δf between water and lipid. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate a new approach capable of simultaneously achieving excellent fat suppression and high spatial resolution on a 0.55T whole‐body system. Methods: We applied 3D stack‐of‐spirals Dixon imaging at 0.55T, with compensation of concomitant field phase during reconstruction. The spiral readouts make efficient use of the requisite ΔTE. We compared this with 3D Cartesian Dixon imaging. Experiments were performed in 2 healthy and 10 elevated liver fat volunteers. Results: Stack‐of‐spirals Dixon imaging at 0.55T makes excellent use of the required ΔTE, provided high SNR efficiency and finer spatial resolution (1.7 × 1.7 × 5 mm3) compared Cartesian Dixon (3.5 × 3.5 × 5 mm3), within a 17‐s breath‐hold. We observed successful fat suppression, and improved definition of structures such as the liver, kidneys, and bowel. Conclusion: We demonstrate that high‐resolution single breath‐hold volumetric abdominal T1‐weighted imaging is feasible at 0.55T using spiral sampling and concomitant field correction. This is an attractive alternative to existing Cartesian‐based methods, as it simultaneously provides high‐resolution and excellent fat‐suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) suffers from geometric distortion and chemical shift artifacts due to the commonly used Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) trajectory. Even with fat suppression in DWI, severe B0 and B1 variations can result in residual fat, which becomes both a source of image artifacts and a confounding factor in diffusion‐weighted contrast in distinguishing benign and malignant tissues. This work presents a method for acquiring distortion‐free diffusion‐weighted images using spatiotemporal acquisition and joint reconstruction. Water‐fat separation is performed by chemical‐shift encoding. Methods: Spatiotemporal acquisition is employed to obtain distortion‐free images at a series of echo times. Chemical‐shift encoding is used for water‐fat separation. Reconstruction and separation are performed jointly in the spat‐spectral domain. To address the shot‐to‐shot motion‐induced phase in DWI, an Fast Spin Echo (FSE)‐based phase navigator is incorporated into the sequence to obtain distortion‐free phase information. The proposed method was validated in phantoms and in vivo for the brain, head and neck, and breast. Results: The proposed method enables the acquisition of distortion‐free diffusion‐weighted images in the presence of B0 field inhomogenieties commonly observed in the body. Water and fat components are separated with no obvious spectral leakage artifacts. The estimated Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) is comparable to that of multishot DW‐EPI. Conclusion: Distortion‐free, water‐fat separated diffusion‐weighted images in body can be obtained through the utilization of spatiotemporal acquisition and joint reconstruction methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study explores the effect of differential food treatment on the migratory phenology of redheaded bunting (Emberiza bruniceps). Birds were divided into four groups (N = 10 each) on the basis of the food provided. Group I was fed with seeds of Setaria italica (kakuni), while group II was provided with protein-rich diet (combination of; 3 parts egg white and 1 part kakuni seeds). Likewise, group III birds received fat-rich food (i.e. 3 parts sesame seeds and 1 part kakuni seeds). Birds in group IV were provided with all three food items mentioned above separately. The experiment continued until the appearance of 7 cycles of zugunruhe. The results reveal a significant impact of food on locomotor activity and food intake behavior of birds, although the physiological response as demonstrated by a gain in body mass, fat score, and gonadal recrudescence was mainly influenced by the LHS. Besides the behavioral and physiological responses, the hypothalamic expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in infundibular complex (INc) was significantly high for group IV, highlighting the importance of “variety” in food intake. Thus, the present study suggests a significant role of food in influencing seasonal responses via hypothalamic NPY stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior studies have shown that interrupting the growth hormone/insulin‐like growth factor‐I (GH/IGF‐I) signaling axis extends laboratory mouse lifespan, but confounding effects of additional gene or hormone deficiencies that exist in commonly used models of GH/IGF‐I interruption obscure the specific effect of GH on longevity. We address this issue by using mice with a specific knockout of the GH gene and show that both males and females on a mixed genetic background display extended lifespans resulting from GH deficiency. Our physiological assessment of these mice revealed that in addition to weighing significantly less and displaying significantly greater body fat (as a percentage of body weight), GH deficient mice display significant impairments in glucose metabolism and preferential fat utilization. These data provide strong evidence that GH deficiency is directly responsible for the altered nutrient utilization and extended lifespan that is commonly observed in mouse models of GH/IGF‐I interruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populism is hard to contain in democracies because it is the sugar, salt, and fat of contemporary politics. I borrow from research on ultraprocessed foods to develop this metaphor. The modern food industry creates ultraprocessed foods by oversupplying naturally occurring macronutrients (sugar, salt, and fat) and recombining them to create new foods that are distortions of the real thing. These new pretend foods are both addictive and toxic. Likewise, I argue that authoritarian-populist leaders take natural tenets of democracy—for example, policies to help the voiceless (sugar), competition against opponents (salt), and reform agenda saturation (fat)—and supply them in combinations and quantities that end up distorting democracy. The result is a new regime that veers easily into authoritarianism (toxicity) while in the process generating hard-core followership (addictiveness). I also discuss the way authoritarian populists from both the left and the right have emulated each other since the 1980s, while introducing their own tweaks to their steals. In the end, despite important differences, both left and right-wing populism are far more similar to each other than they each care to recognize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut microbiota is considered a key player modulating the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in cancer. The effects of dietary pattern on this interaction is not well-studied. A prospective multicenter cohort of 95 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing ICI therapy were enrolled. Stool shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed. Three-day dietary patterns before ICI were assessed. Patients were categorized as hyperprogressive disease (HPD) if they exhibited a time to treatment failure of less than 2 months. All others were categorized as non-hyperprogressive disease (non-HPD). The correlation between dietary patterns, gut microbiome, and response to ICI therapy was analyzed. In the multivariate analysis, a high abundance of Firmicutes unclassified and the Ruminococcaceae family correlated with a significantly diminished progression-free survival (PFS) with an HR of 2.40 [P = 0.006] and 4.30 [P = 0.005], respectively. More specifically, within the subset of NSCLC patients treated solely with ICI therapy, a high abundance of Intestinimonas and the Enterobacteriaceae family were associated with substantially reduced PFS with an HR of 2.61 [P = 0.02] and HR 3.34 [P = 0.005], respectively. In our comprehensive dietary pattern analysis, the HPD group showed increased consumption of cholesterol, sodium, and fats beyond recommended levels compared to the non-HPD group. This group also displayed a tendency towards higher food pattern scores characterized by a high intake of fat and dairy products. Our study revealed a distinct association between the gut microbiome composition and treatment outcomes. The overall composition of diet might be related to ICI therapeutic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) signalling pathway has a key role in tissue remodelling during insect metamorphosis by regulating programmed cell death. However, multiple members of the JNK pathway in Lepidoptera remain uncharacterized. In this study, two key genes of the JNK pathway, BmJun and BmFos, were cloned from the silkworm Bombyx mori, a lepidopteran model insect, and their effects on reproductive development were investigated. BmJun and BmFos encode 239 and 380 amino acids, respectively. Both proteins have typical basic leucine zipper domains and form a BmJUN‐BmFOS dimer activator protein to exert transcriptional regulation. During the wandering stage of silkworm development, interference in BmJun expression had no effect on pupation, whereas B. mori vitellogenin (BmVg) expression, which is essential for egg development, was suppressed in the fat body and egg laying was significantly reduced. Additionally, numerous eggs appeared shrivelled and deformed, suggesting that they were nutritionally stunted. Inhibition of the JNK pathway caused abnormal pupal metamorphosis, an increase in shrivelled, unfertilized eggs, a decrease in fat body synthesis, and accumulation of BmVg in the ovaries of female B. mori. The results indicated that BmJUN and BmFOS can form an AP‐1 dimer. Interfering with BmJun or inhibiting the phosphorylation of BmJUN leads to a reduction in the synthesis of BmVg in the fat body and its accumulation in the ovaries, thereby affecting the quality and production of the progeny eggs. These findings suggest that regulating Jun in the JNK pathway could be a potential way to inhibit female reproduction in Lepidoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Design Participants Measurements Results Conclusion The aetiology of impairments in autonomic modulation of heart rate variability (HRV) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear, as does the impact of aerobic physical training (APT) on controlling endocrine‐metabolic disorders and HRV. This is because these women often present excess body fat. Therefore, we assessed whether the dysregulation in autonomic modulation of HRV in women with PCOS is due to endocrine‐metabolic disorders and whether the combination of excess body fat with endocrine‐metabolic disorders amplifies cardiovascular autonomic deficits. We also investigated whether APT positively influences autonomic modulation of HRV in PCOS.Non‐randomised clinical trial.Women with and without PCOS with different percentages of body fat.Participants were divided into four groups: women without PCOS with a body fat percentage between 22% and 29% (CONTROL group; 22%–29%); CONTROL (30%–37%) group; PCOS (22%–29%) group; and PCOS (30%–37%) group. Hemodynamic, metabolic, and hormonal characteristics and HRV parameters were obtained before and after 16 weeks of APT.The PCOS (22%–29%) group exhibited lower vagal modulation than the CONTROL (22%–29%) group. In contrast, no significant differences were observed between the CONTROL (30%–37%) and PCOS (30%–37%) groups. Furthermore, the PCOS (30%–37%) group demonstrated lower sympathetic modulation than the PCOS (22%–29%) group. After APT, the PCOS (22%–29%) group increased in vagal modulation, while the PCOS (30%–37%) group increased in sympathetic modulation.PCOS affects vagal modulation; however, this effect may be masked at elevated levels of body fat. Additionally, the combination of excess body fat with endocrine‐metabolic dysregulation appears to reduce sympathetic modulation, possibly due to sympathetic drive hyperactivity. APT positively affected HRV in both PCOS groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health (MH) disorders are one of the most prevalent global public health issues for a significant portion of the population. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the mealtime distribution of macronutrients and MH in Iranian adults. We used a convenience sampling technique to perform this cross-sectional study. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess the MH outcome. Dietary consumption was assessed using multiple 24-hour dietary recalls. The coefficient of variation (CV) was then used to compute the macronutrient distribution at mealtime. In all, 54.6%, 53.9%, and 56.6% were classified as having anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, respectively. The CV scores for carbohydrate were relatively evenly distributed across all meal times, with a mean of 0.38, 0.38, and 0.39 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively. We observed no significant association between the mealtime distribution of carbohydrates and mental health indices in any of the analyzed models. However, a more skewed distribution of protein intake towards dinner (i.e. a higher protein CV value) was positively associated with anxiety (OR: 1.69; CI: 1.02-2.78) and stress symptoms (OR: 1.93; CI: 1.17-3.16). We also observed a significant association between fat distribution and depression symptoms, with subjects in tertile 2 having higher odds of depression compared to T1 (OR: 1.63; CI: 1.00-2.63). In conclusion, a skewed distribution of protein and fat intake may be associated with mental health problems. Future studies are warranted to validate these findings and gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objectives Study Design Settings Participants Main Outcome Measures Results Conclusions We aimed to assess the outcomes of fat graft myringoplasty augmented with hyaluronic acid in closing large‐sized eardrum perforations compared to the traditional underlay cartilage‐perichondrium composite myringoplasty (CPCM).It was a prospective randomised comparative study.It was held in tertiary referral institutions between May 2020 and April 2022.We included 100 patients with a large‐sized eardrum perforation (50%–75% of the eardrum surface area). Using the endoscopic transcanal approach, 50 patients were managed by fat graft myringoplasty augmented with hyaluronic acid, while CPCM managed the other 50 patients.We evaluated the closure rates 1, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Also, we assessed the audiological performance of the patients with a successful closure before and 1 year after the operation.Fat graft myringoplasty operation was statistically shorter than the CPCM. The closure rate 1 year after surgery was 92% in the first group and 86% in the second group, without a statistically significant difference between both groups. Successful air‐bone gap closure to less than 10 dB occurred in 93.5% of group A and 81.4% of group B without a statistically significant difference. The mean postoperative air‐bone gap was 5.3 ± 3.95 dB in the first group and 7.95 ± 5.17 dB in the second group, with a statistically significant difference.Fat graft myringoplasty augmented with hyaluronic acid was a reliable, safe, simple, and effective manoeuvre to close large‐sized eardrum perforations compared to the conventional CPCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the impact of physical activity indicators monitored by the POLAR accelerometer on body obesity indicators, metabolic syndrome parameters, and energy metabolism hormones in postmenopausal women. Was included 71 participants from this study program (68.8 ± 4.3 years). We divided participants into LPA and MVPA groups based on their level of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week; Physical activity levels over 7 days were assessed using a POLAR accelerometer, with daily step counts and sedentary time recorded. Measurements included waist circumference, visceral fat volume, body fat percentage, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride levels, HDL cholesterol, and energy metabolism hormone levels (leptin, resistin, adiponectin). The MVPA group displayed lower waist circumference, body fat percentage, abdominal fat, and BMI compared to the LPA group (p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between daily step count and obesity indicators, including waist circumference (r = -0.301), body fat percentage (r = -0.295), abdominal fat (r = -0.318), and BMI (r = -0.238). Conversely, sedentary time showed a positive correlation with obesity indicators such as waist circumference (r = 0.258), body fat percentage (r = 0.239), and abdominal fat (r = 0.244). Moreover, daily step count exhibited a significant negative correlation with leptin levels (r = -0.245), while sedentary time was positively correlated with the energy metabolic factor leptin (r = 0.279). Waist circumference demonstrated significant positive correlations with triglycerides, blood glucose, adiponectin, resistin, and leptin levels. Postmenopausal women who engage in at least 150 min of MVPA weekly show lower obesity indices. There is a significant correlation between physical activity levels and obesity indicators, which relate to metabolic syndrome and energy metabolism factors. Thus, increased physical activity may help prevent metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global obesity epidemic results from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, with diet being a prominent modifiable element driving weight gain and adiposity. Although excess intake of energetic macronutrients is implicated in causing obesity, ongoing debate centers on whether sugar or fat or both are driving the rising obesity rates. This has led to competing models of obesity such as the “Carbohydrate Insulin Model”, the “Energy Balance Model”, and the “Fructose Survival Hypothesis”. Conflicting evidence from studies designed to focus on individual energetic macronutrients or energy rather than macronutrient mixtures underlies this disagreement. Recent research in humans and animals employing the nutritional geometry framework (NGF) emphasizes the importance of considering interactions among dietary components. Protein interacts with carbohydrates, fats, and dietary energy density to influence both calorie intake (“protein leverage”) and, directly and indirectly, metabolic physiology and adiposity. Consideration of these interactions can help to reconcile different models of obesity, and potentially cast new light on obesity interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sub-thermoneutral housing increases facultative thermogenesis in mice, which may mask the pre-clinical efficacy of anti-obesity strategies that target energy expenditure (EE). Here, we quantified the impact of protonophore treatment on whole-body energetics in mice housed at 30°C. Methods: C57BL/6J mice (n = 48, 24M/24F) were housed at 24°C for 2 weeks; 32 (16M/16F) were then transitioned to 30°C for a further 4 weeks. Following 2 weeks acclimation at 30°C, mice (n = 16 per group, 8M/8F) received either normal (0 mg/L; Control) or supplemented (400 mg/L; 2,4-Dinitrophenol [DNP]) drinking water. Mice were singly housed in metabolic cages to determine total EE (TEE) and its components via respiratory gas exchange. Mitochondrial respiratory function of permeabilized liver tissue was determined by high-resolution respirometry. Results: Transitioning mice from 24°C to 30°C reduced TEE and basal EE (BEE) by 16% and 41%, respectively (both P < 0.001). Compared to 30°C controls, TEE was 2.6 kcal/day greater in DNP-treated mice (95% CI: 1.6–3.6 kcal/day, P < 0.001), which was partly due to a 1.2 kcal/day higher BEE in DNP-treated mice (95% CI: 0.6–1.7 kcal/day, P < 0.001). The absolute TEE of 30°C DNP-treated mice was lower than that of mice housed at 24°C in the absence of DNP (DNP: 9.4 ± 0.7 kcal/day vs. 24°C control: 10.4 ± 1.5 kcal/day). DNP treatment reduced overall body fat of females by 2.9 percentage points versus sex-matched controls (95% CI: 1.3%–4.5%, P < 0.001), which was at least partly due to a reduction in inguinal white fat mass. Conclusion: Protonophore treatment markedly increases EE in mice housed at 30°C. The magnitude of change in TEE of mice receiving protonophore treatment at 30°C was smaller than that brought about by transitioning mice from 24°C to 30°C, emphasizing that housing temperature must be considered when assessing anti-obesity strategies that target EE in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic inflammation is reported in normal-weight obesity (NWO) and metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), which may be linked to their increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Yet, drivers of this inflammation remain unclear. We characterized factors known to influence inflammatory status (i.e., intestinal permeability, adipose tissue, diet quality, microbiota), and their relationships with measured inflammation, in NWO and MHO, healthy control subjects (CON), and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO; N = 80; n = 20/group). Serum indicators of intestinal permeability and inflammation were assessed by ELISA and/or multiplex. Total, visceral, and percent body fat were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Fecal microbiota composition was assessed via 16S rRNA sequencing (n = 9–10/group). For C-reactive protein (CRP), MUO > NWO > CON (P < 0.0001). In MHO, CRP was intermediate and similar to both MUO and NWO. Lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and the ratio of LBP to soluble CD14 (sCD14) were higher in MHO and MUO vs. CON/NWO (P < 0.0001). Across correlation and regression analyses, LBP consistently displayed the strongest relationships with CRP in the entire sample (r = 0.78; β = 0.57; P < 0.0001) and in MHO (r = 0.74; P < 0.01) but not NWO (r = 0.37; P = 0.11). Shannon index was higher in CON compared with MUO (P < 0.05) and inversely correlated with CRP in the full sample (r = −0.37; P < 0.05). These data are consistent with the notion that intestinal permeability is associated with low-grade inflammation in MHO, which could be implicated in this population's reported CVD risk. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: This is the first study to our knowledge to examine biomarkers of intestinal permeability in normal-weight obesity and one of few assessing microbiota compositions in this population. Additionally, we report that individuals with metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy obesity displayed similar evidence of intestinal permeability, which was more strongly associated with systemic inflammation than total and visceral adipose tissue mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant‐based diets reduces the risk of chronic conditions. The interaction between protein source and other macronutrients—fat (F) and carbohydrate (C)—has yet to be investigated. The aim was to assess the main and interactive effects of protein‐source (plant vs. animal) and F:C (high or low) and the transition from an Australian diet to a whole food diet on various health markers in older individuals. This single‐blinded, parallel, randomised experimental trial used a 2 × 2 factorial design to compare pro‐vegetarian (70:30 plant to animal) versus omnivorous (50:50 plant to animal) diets at 14% protein and varying fat‐to‐carbohydrate ratios (high fat ~40% vs. low fat ~30%) over 4 weeks. Study foods were provided, alcohol consumption was discouraged, and dietary intake was determined through food records. Analysis included both RCT and observational data. Changes in appetite, palatability of diets, and dietary intake were assessed. Body composition, muscle strength, function, gut microbiome, and cardiometabolic health parameters were measured. Data from 113 (of the 128 randomised) individuals aged 65–75 years were analysed. Pro‐vegetarian diets reduced diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and glucose levels. Moreover, the overall sample exhibited increased short‐chain fatty acids and FGF21 levels, as well as improvements in body composition, function, and cardio‐metabolic parameters irrespective of dietary treatment. Transitioning to a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, fibre, and moderate protein was associated with improved health markers in older age, with added benefits from pro‐vegetarian diets. Further research on long‐term effects is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary change can be a strong evolutionary force and lead to rapid adaptation in organisms. High-fat and high-sugar diets can challenge key metabolic pathways, negatively affecting other life history traits and inducing pathologies such as obesity and diabetes. In this study, we use experimental evolution to investigate the plastic and evolutionary responses to nutritionally unbalanced diets. We reared replicated lines of larvae of the housefly Musca domestica on a fat-enriched (FAT), a sugar-enriched (SUG), and a control (CTRL) diet for thirteen generations. We measured development time in each generation and larval growth and fat accumulation in generations 1, 7, and 13. Subsequently, all lines were reared for one generation on the control diet to detect any plastic and evolutionary changes. In the first generation, time to pupation decreased on a fat-rich diet and increased on a sugar-rich diet. The fat-rich diet increased fat accumulation and, to a lesser extent, the dry weight of the larvae. Multigenerational exposure to unbalanced diets caused compensatory changes in development time, dry weight, and absolute and relative fat content, although pattern and timing depended on diet and trait. When put back on a control diet, many of the changes induced by the unbalanced diets disappeared, indicating that the diet has large plastic effects. Nevertheless, fat-evolved lines still grew significantly larger than the sugar-evolved lines, and sugar-evolved lines had consistently lower fat content. This can be an effect of parental diet or an evolutionary change in nutrient metabolism as a consequence of multigenerational exposure to unbalanced diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is a strong and independent risk factor that increases the probability of endometrial carcinoma (EC) recurrence and reduces the survival rate of patients. Purpose: To investigate the value of amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) and mDixon-Quant techniques in evaluating EC lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI). Material and Methods: Data of 50 EC patients (18 LVSI+ and 32 LVSI–) confirmed by surgery and pathology were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans included APTw and mDixon-Quant imaging. APT, transverse relaxation rate (R2*), and fat fraction (FF) plots were obtained by postprocessing. The APT, R2*, and FF values of the two groups of cases were measured by two observers. Results: The agreement between the two observers was good. The mean APT, R2*, and FF values of LVSI+ EC were 2.947% ± 0.399%, 20.605 /s (range = 18.525–27.953), and 2.234% ± 1.047%, respectively, while the parameters of LVSI– EC were 2.628% ± 0.307%, 18.968 /s (range = 16.225–20.544), and 2.103% ± 1.070%, respectively. The APT and R2* values of LVSI+ EC were higher than those of LVSI– EC (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in FF value between the two groups. The AUC values of APT, R2*, and APT + R2* for LVSI were 0.751, 0.713, and 0.781, respectively (all P > 0.05). APT value was moderately correlated with R2* value (r = 0.528, P < 0.001) and weakly correlated with FF value (r = 0.312, P = 0.027). Conclusion: APTw and mDixon-Quant techniques could evaluate the LVSI status of EC, and their combined application could improve diagnostic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the main endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age worldwide. This condition is often associated with various metabolic alterations that contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Recent research suggests that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) dysregulation is observed in PCOS. This study aims to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns, body composition, metabolic analytes, and serum amino acid levels in Mexican women with PCOS. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, we found that both study groups, PCOS (n = 24) and PCOS + MetS (n = 21), exhibited increased relative fat mass and dietary habits characterized by high simple sugar intake and low protein consumption, correlating with levels of relative fat mass and leptin. Notably, serum concentrations of BCAAs and glutamic acid were significantly elevated in the PCOS + MetS group. Our findings suggest that a metabolic approach may enhance the prediction and management of MetS in women with PCOS, highlighting the importance of dietary interventions in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Clarifying paraspinal muscle (PM) change in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) is positive to evaluate the progression of scoliosis. This research compares the characteristic of PM change among different coronal sub‐types of DLS and explores its potential clinical significance. Methods: A total of 84 DLS patients between June 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into three types based on the coronal balance distance (CBD): Type A, CBD <3 cm; Type B: C7 Plumb Line (C7PL) shifted to the concave side of the curve, and CBD >3 cm; Type C: C7PL shifted to the convex side of the curve, and CBD >3 cm. Fat infiltration rates in the multifidus (MS) and erector spinae (ES) at the apex of the main and fractional curves, and spinopelvic parameters were analyzed statistically. Pearson's or Spearman's correlation was applied to analyze the correlation between asymmetric degree of PM change and these parameters in three types. Results: There were 62 cases with coronal sub‐Type A, 6 cases with Type B, and 16 cases with Type C. Patients in Type B and C demonstrated higher fat infiltration in MS on the concave side of both the main and fractional curves when compared to those in Type A. The asymmetric degree of ES change was positively correlated with CBD at the apex of the main curve in Type B and at the apex of the fractional curve in Type C respectively, and that of MS was positively correlated with apical vertebral rotation, while negatively strong‐correlated with pelvic incidence and sacral slope in Type C. Conclusion: PM fatty infiltration presented difference among varied coronal sub‐types of DLS patients. The CBD in Type B and C patients was correlated with the asymmetric degree of ES change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A better understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiac fat depots is crucial to describe their role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. To this end, we have developed a method to isolate mature fat cells from the pericardial adipose tissue (PAT), the most accessible cardiac fat depot during cardiac surgery. Using enzymatic isolation, we were able to successfully obtain mature fat cells together with the corresponding cells of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). We subjected the PAT adipocytes to thorough morphological and molecular characterization, including detailed fatty acid profiling, and simultaneously investigated their reactivity to external stimuli. Our approach resulted in highly purified fat cells with sustained viability for up to 72 h after explantation. Remarkably, these adipocytes responded to multiple challenges, including pro-inflammatory and metabolic stimuli, indicating their potential to trigger a pro-inflammatory response and modulate endothelial cell behavior. Furthermore, we have created conditions to maintain whole PAT in culture and preserve their viability and reactivity to external stimuli. The efficiency of cell recovery combined with minimal dedifferentiation underscores the promise for future applications as a personalized tool for screening and assessing individual patient responses to drugs and supplements or nutraceuticals. [Display omitted] • Cardiac fat's impact on heart function and disease is not clear. • We developed an isolation procedure of adipocytes from pericardial adipose tissue. • Adipocytes morphological, molecular and functional properties are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Ramadan fasting (RF) is associated with various physiological and metabolic changes among fasting Muslims. However, it remains unclear whether these effects are attributable to changes in meal timing or changes in dietary energy and macronutrient intakes. Furthermore, the literature on the associations between RF, meal timing, and energy and macronutrient intakes is inconclusive. Objectives This systematic review aimed to estimate the effect sizes of RF on energy and macronutrient intakes (carbohydrates, protein, fats, dietary fiber, and water) and determine the effect of different moderators on the examined outcomes. Data Sources The Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, ProQuest Medical, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to January 31, 2022. Data Extraction The studies that assessed energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, and water intakes pre- and post-fasting were extracted. Data Analysis Of the 4776 identified studies, 85 relevant studies (n = 4594 participants aged 9–85 y) were selected. The effect sizes for the studied variables were as follows: energy (number of studies [K] = 80, n = 3343 participants; mean difference [MD]: −142.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −215.19, −69.71), carbohydrates (K = 75, n = 3111; MD: −23.90; 95% CI: −36.42, −11.38), protein (K = 74, n = 3108; MD: −4.21; 95% CI: −7.34, −1.07), fats (K = 73, n = 3058; MD: −2.03; 95% CI: −5.73, 1.67), fiber (K = 16, n = 1198; MD: 0.47; 95% CI: −1.44, 2.39), and water (K = 17, n = 772; MD: −350.80; 95% CI: −618.09, 83.50). Subgroup analyses showed age significantly moderated the 6 dietary outcomes, and physical activity significantly moderated water intake. There were significant reductions in energy, carbohydrate, and protein intakes during RF. Conclusions The change in meal timing rather than quantitative dietary intake may explain various physiological and health effects associated with RF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations among sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), liver fat content, and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, 5,690 women (53%) and men (47%) without preexisting diabetes were included and followed for incident T2D. SHBG concentrations were measured in all participants, VAT was measured using MRI, and liver fat content was measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in a random subset of 1,822 participants. We examined associations between SHBG and liver fat using linear regression and bidirectional Mendelian randomization analyses and between SHBG and T2D using Cox regression adjusted for confounding and additionally for VAT and liver fat to examine mediation. Mean age was 56 (SD 6) years, mean BMI was 30 (SD 4) kg/m2, median SHBG was 47 (interquartile range [IQR] 34–65) nmol/L in women and 34 (26–43) nmol/L in men, and median liver fat was 3.4% (IQR 1.6–8.2%) in women and 6.0% (2.9–13.5%) in men. Compared with the highest SHBG quartile, liver fat was 2.9-fold (95% CI 2.4, 3.4) increased in women and 1.6-fold (95% CI 1.3, 1.8) increased in men, and the hazard ratio of T2D was 4.9 (95% CI 2.4, 9.9) in women and 1.8 (1.1, 2.9) in men. Genetically predicted SHBG was associated with liver fat content (women: SD −0.45 [95% CI −0.55, −0.35]; men: natural logarithm, −0.25 [95% CI −0.34, −0.16]). VAT and liver fat together mediated 43% (women) and 60% (men) of the SHBG-T2D association. To conclude, in a middle-aged population with overweight, the association between low SHBG and increased risk of T2D was, for a large part, mediated by increased VAT and liver fat. Article Highlights: The objective of this study was to unravel the associations between sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The extent to which the association between low SHBG and increased risk of T2D was mediated by visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and liver fat was examined. VAT and liver fat were found to mediate a large part of the association between SHBG and T2D. Both lifestyle and medical interventions that increase SHBG may reduce VAT, liver fat, and the risk of T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, both cultivated and wild plants are pollinated by the honey bee, Apis mellifera. Bee numbers are declining as a result of a variety of factors, including increased pesticide use. Cyflumetofen controls pest mites in some plantations pollinated by bees, which may be contaminated with residual sublethal concentrations of this pesticide, in nectar and pollen. We evaluated the effects of a sublethal concentration of a cyflumetofen formulation on the midgut, hypopharyngeal gland, and fat body of A. mellifera workers orally exposed for 72 h or 10 days. The midgut epithelium of treated bees presented digestive cells with cytoplasm vacuoles and some cell fragmentation, indicating autophagy and cell death. After being exposed to the cyflumetofen formulation for 72 h, the midgut showed a higher injury rate than the control bees, but after 10 days, the organs had recovered. In the hypopharyngeal gland of treated bees, the end apparatus was filled with secretion, suggesting that the acaricide interferes with the secretory regulation of this gland. Histochemical tests revealed differences in the treated bees in both exposure periods in the midgut and hypopharyngeal glands. The acaricide caused cytotoxic effects on the midgut digestive cells, with apical protrusions, plasma membrane rupture, and several vacuoles in the cytoplasm, features of cell degeneration. In the hypopharyngeal glands of the treated bees, the secretory cells presented small electron‐dense and large electron‐lucent secretory granules. The fat body cells had no changes in comparison with the control bees. In conclusion, the cyflumetofen formulation at sublethal concentrations causes damage to the midgut and the hypopharyngeal glands of honey bee, which may compromise the functions of these organs and colony fitness. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2455–2465. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissues' nearly incompressibility was well reported in the literature but little effort has been made to compare volume variations computed by simulations with in vivo measurements. In this study, volume changes of the fat pad during controlled indentations of the human heel region were estimated from segmented medical images using digital volume correlation. The experiment was reproduced using finite element modelling with several values of Poisson's ratio for the fat pad, from 0.4500 to 0.4999. A single value of Poisson's ratio could not fit all the indentation cases. Estimated volume changes were between 0.9% − 11.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that the regularity of the extremal function of a compact subset of a compact Kähler manifold is a local property, and that the continuity and Hölder continuity are equivalent to classical notions of the local L-regularity and the locally Hölder continuous property in pluripotential theory. As a consequence we give an effective characterization of the (\mathscr {C}^\alpha, \mathscr {C}^{\alpha '})-regularity of compact sets, the notion introduced by Dinh, Ma and Nguyen [Ann. Sci. Éc. Norm. Supér. (4) 50 (2017), pp. 545–578]. Using this criterion all compact fat subanalytic sets in \mathbb {R}^n are shown to be regular in this sense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations into everyday food practices during the Umm an‐Nar period (c.2700–2000 bc) in the Oman Peninsula are limited. We studied lipid residues in pottery from Salūt‐ST1, an Umm an‐Nar stone tower in central Oman, to understand domestic practices and vessel use in locally‐produced Sandy Wares, regionally‐produced Fine Red Omani Wares and imported Indus Black‐Slipped Jars between c. 2460–2150 bc. Degraded animal fats were found in a majority of the vessels, and we report the first direct detection of dairy products in Umm an‐Nar vessels. The use of non‐ruminant fats, plants and/or mixtures of different products is also suggested. Variations in lipid concentrations and contents of Fine Red Omani Wares and Sandy Wares suggest different uses for these vessel categories. Finally, the detection of a range of products (ruminant meat, dairy fats, non‐ruminant fats and mixtures) in Indus Black‐Slipped Jars from the site indicates vessel multifunctionality and reuse of the vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Objective: There is no conclusive epidemiological evidence regarding the relationship between OA, depression, and whole-body fat mass. In this study, we conducted a two-step Mendelian randomization analysis to determine the causal relationships between them. Design: The published summary-level data are from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Our study included 357,957 samples and 10,828,862 SNPs. Finally, the outcome GWAS data for OA came from a GWAS on the genetic architecture of OA using UK Biobank data. This study included 50,508 samples and 15,845,511 SNPs. We used five different modes of analysis, including inverse variance weighted meta-analysis (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode, to explore causal relationships. Results: We found a positive correlation between depression and body fat mass, with depression leading to body fat mass an increase in (IVW result: p = 3.39E-07, OR (95 % CI) =2.16 (1.61, 2.90)). We also found a positive correlation between body fat mass and OA, with body fat mass increasing the risk of OA (IVW result: p = 1.65E-33, OR (95 % CI) = 1.98 (1.77, 2.21). Body fat mass played an important role as a mediator in the causal relationship between depression and OA, with approximately 14 % of the risk of OA caused by depression being mediated by body fat mass. Conclusions: Our study offers reliable evidence that depression has a detrimental impact on the risk of OA. Future research can support these associations from improving depressed effect, including social, biological, and behavioral factors, to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. And we identified high-risk variation of alleles which associated with OA and depression can be used to predict disease and provide a basis for clinical intervention and treatment of OA. • The study introduces an innovative approach in utilizing two-step and multivariable Mendelian Randomization (MR) for causal mediation analysis, catering to the exploration of the effect of body fat mass on Osteoarthritis (OA) through the mediating role of depression. • By sidestepping the requirement for individual-level data, this research efficiently leverages genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to gather population-scale data, enhancing the robustness and scope of its findings. • Approximately 14% of the risk of osteoarthritis caused by depression is mediated through body fat as a variable. • The study identified a series of susceptibility genes related to depression and osteoarthritis, providing new potential targets for the treatment of osteoarthritis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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