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Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Florida confirms sexually transmitted Zika case
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/zika-virus-florida-confirms-first-sexually-transmitted-case-2017/
Mediterranean diet benefits some more than others
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mediterranean-diet-works-better-for-wealthy/
Mom warns of indoor heatstroke after daughter's scare
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mom-warns-of-indoor-heatstroke-after-finding-2-year-old-minutes-from-death/
#MayoClinicNeuroChat about Aneurysms and 3D Modeling
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nTbwez6e7c
Weight Gain Between Babies Linked to Diabetes
Danger is greatest for women whose weight was normal before they got pregnant, study finds
From: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20170801/weight-gain-between-babies-linked-to-diabetes?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Pregnant? Get A Flu Shot, Study Says
Study rebuts concerns about multiple vaccination timing
From: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20170801/pregnant-get-a-flu-shot-study-says?src=RSS_PUBLIC
‘Forest Bathing’ Harnesses Nature to Boost Health
Research shows a simple walk in the woods can do a body -- and a mind --- good.
From: http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20170801/forest-bathing-harnesses-nature-to-boost-health?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Infection Concern Halts Kidney Disease Drug Trial
Doctors should weigh risks, benefits related to corticosteroid use, study suggests
From: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20170801/infection-concern-halts-kidney-disease-drug-trial?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Making Mayo's Recipes: Cook once, eat twice!
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmaxLCw5T1Y
Making Mayo's Recipes: Cook with citrus
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FKgOfNg2Yw
‘Forest Bathing’ Harnesses Nature to Boost Health
Research shows a simple walk in the woods can do a body -- and a mind --- good.
From: http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20170801/forest-bathing-harnesses-nature-to-boost-health-?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Do you really need to take all those antibiotics?
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/do-you-really-need-to-take-all-those-antibiotics/
Hospitals set record for fast heart attack care
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hospitals-set-record-for-fast-heart-attack-care/
"Startling" number of Americans prescribed opioids
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/more-than-one-third-americans-prescribed-opioids-in-2015/
‘Forest Bathing’ Harnesses Nature to Boost Health
Research shows a simple walk in the woods can do a body -- and a mind --- good.
From: http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/forest-bathing-harnesses-nature-to-boost-health-?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Making Mayo's Recipes: Black Bean Quesadillas
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyXry9XyhK0
Ablation of Arginase II Spares Arginine and Abolishes the Arginine Requirement for Growth in Male Mice [Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions]
Background: Arginine is considered a semiessential amino acid in many species, including humans, because under certain conditions its demand exceeds endogenous production. Arginine availability, however, is determined not only by its production but also by its disposal. Manipulation of disposal pathways has the potential to increase availability and thus abolish the requirement for arginine.
Objective: The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that arginase II ablation increases arginine availability for growth.
Methods: In a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement of treatments, postweaning growth was determined for 3 wk in male and female wild-type (WT) mice and arginase II knockout mice (ARGII) on a C57BL/6J background fed arginine-sufficient [Arg(+); 8 g arginine/kg] or arginine-free [Arg(–)] diets. Tracers were used to determine citrulline and arginine kinetics.
Results: A sex dimorphism in arginine metabolism was detected; female mice had a greater citrulline flux (~30%, P < 0.001), which translated to greater de novo synthesis of arginine (~31%, P < 0.001). Female mice also had greater arginine fluxes (P < 0.015) and plasma arginine concentrations (P < 0.01), but a reduced arginine clearance rate (P < 0.001). Ablation of arginase II increased plasma arginine concentrations in both sexes (~27%, P < 0.01) but increased arginine flux only in males (P < 0.01). The absence of arginine in the diet limited the growth of male WT mice (P < 0.01), but had no effect on male ARGII mice (P = 0.12). In contrast, WT females on the Arg(–) diet grew at the same rate and achieved final weight similar to that of female WT mice fed the Arg(+) diet (P = 0.47).
Conclusion: The ablation of arginase II in male mice spares arginine that can then be used for growth and to meet other metabolic functions, thus abolishing arginine requirements.
From: Didelija, I. C., Mohammad, M. A., Marini, J. C. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/short/147/8/1510?rss=1
Making Mayo's Recipes: Soba Noodle Stir Fry with Coconut Curry Sauce
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdOlqhB9wh0
Creating an inclusive culture highlights 2017 President-Elect's Conference
From: By Kimber Solana http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/creating-an-inclusive-culture-highlights-2017-president-elects-conference
'Walk in the shoes of some of the patients'
From: By Michelle Manchir http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/walk-in-the-shoes-of-some-of-the-patients
NYC woman dies after cosmetic buttocks procedure
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/latesha-bynum-dies-after-cosmetic-buttocks-procedure-new-york/
Mayo Clinic Minute: A chef's advice at the farmers market
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K-897AHazE
Making Mayo's Recipes: Sundried Tomato Pesto Mayo
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9rQq0oNXhw
Easy hacks to understand new terms on food labels
Confession: I hardly go food shopping anymore. Too many choices and too many square feet in the grocery store make grabbing a few ingredients more like a dizzying test of attention and focus. Fortunately, my husband Jay is our hunter-gatherer. When he has a question about a particular item, he texts me — usually about some new food term. “Organic tomatoes or conventional?” he’ll ask, or “Is farm-raised salmon okay?”
Jay isn’t the only one asking these questions. “I think that people of all ages are confused by this,” says Vasanti Malik, a nutrition researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Quick hacks
Definitions of food terms vary depending on the farm, manufacturer, and federal or state rules. Generally speaking, however, here’s what the terminology means.
Natural. The FDA doesn’t have a definition for “natural,” although it doesn’t object to the term if a food does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances.
Organic. For food to be certified “organic,” the USDA has strict requirements:
- Plant food must be produced according to strict farming and production standards, without genetic engineering, radiation, sewage sludge, or synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
- Animals raised on organic farms receive no antibiotics or growth hormones, are given feed that has been grown organically, and are able to roam around outside.
Free-range chickens. The USDA defines free-range chickens only as poultry allowed access to the outdoors. Some third-party organizations will certify poultry as free-range if the birds are allotted about two square feet per bird on the farms where they’re raised and are fed corn- or soy-based feed.
Pasture-raised chicken. This certification comes from third parties, not the government. These chickens are given at least 108 square feet each (1,000 birds per 2.5 acres), and they consume feed as well as grass and bugs they find outdoors.
Grass-fed meat. Only third-party organizations provide certifications for grass-fed meat. The term means that animals (such as cows) were allowed to graze in pastures. Grass is higher in healthful nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins than the corn- or soy-based feed that animals are typically fed.
Wild-caught salmon. This indicates that the salmon was caught in the wild, such as the ocean, and not obtained from a fish farm. If it’s certified, it’s by third-party organizations. All Alaskan salmon is wild-caught.
Non-GMO foods. These foods contain no genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMOs are created when scientists alter plant DNA. This can make crops resistant to bugs or fungi. Common GMOs include corn, soybeans, and sugar beets. GMOs are in many products, but labeling is only voluntary.
Gluten-free foods. These foods are free of the protein gluten, which is found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. In order for a food to be labeled “gluten-free,” the FDA says that the food can contain no more than 20 parts per million of gluten. Foods made with non-gluten grains, such as millet, may also carry the gluten-free label.
Better for health?
Organic foods don’t appear to have a nutritional advantage over conventionally grown food. And it’s unclear if the pesticides used in organic farming are safer than pesticides used in conventional farming.
We don’t know yet know if the lack of hormones and antibiotics in organic animal products makes them healthier than conventional animal products, but it’s a reasonable possibility.
Malik offers these insights: “Pasture-raised chicken contains more healthy omega-3 fatty acids and other vitamins because of the more natural diet. Grass-fed beef is leaner. Wild-caught salmon tends to have lower levels of toxins such as mercury. It’s heavily debated whether using GMOs alters the nutritional quality of food or poses a threat to health.”
What you should do
Knowing that many of these terms are still debated makes food buying even more challenging. So does the fact that many of these foods cost more than conventionally produced foods. Should you make the investment?
“Choose an abundance of fruits and vegetables to best fit your budget — a combination of organic, conventional, and frozen. If you can, go with wild-caught fish and pasture-raised chickens and their eggs, where available,” recommends Malik.
It’s a good rule of thumb, whether you’re in the store or texting the hunter-gatherer in your family.
The post Easy hacks to understand new terms on food labels appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Heidi Godman http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/easy-hacks-to-understand-new-terms-on-food-labels-2017080112142
Gum Disease Linked to Cancer Risk in Older Women?
Esophageal, breast and lung cancer, among others, seen in postmenopausal women in large study
From: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20170801/gum-disease-linked-to-cancer-risk-in-older-women?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Making Mayo's Recipes: Roasted Red Bell Pepper Pineapple Salsa
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtevInEgg3A
Babies and mothers worldwide failed by lack of investment in breastfeeding
From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/lack-investment-breastfeeding/en/index.html
Doctors Still Overprescribing Opioids in U.S.
Nearly 92 million Americans used a powerful prescription painkiller in 2015, survey shows
From: http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20170731/doctors-still-overprescribing-opioids-in-us?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Blood Proteins Tied to Severity of Chronic Fatigue
Inflammation drives the often debilitating condition, new research suggests
From: http://www.webmd.com/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/news/20170731/blood-proteins-tied-to-severity-of-chronic-fatigue?src=RSS_PUBLIC
The emerging role of mast cells in liver disease
The depth of our knowledge regarding mast cells has widened exponentially in the last 20 years. Once thought to be only important for allergy-mediated events, mast cells are now recognized to be important regulators of a number of pathological processes. The revelation that mast cells can influence organs, tissues, and cells has increased interest in mast cell research during liver disease. The purpose of this review is to refresh the reader’s knowledge of the development, type, and location of mast cells and to review recent work that demonstrates the role of hepatic mast cells during diseased states. This review focuses primarily on liver diseases and mast cells during autoimmune disease, hepatitis, fatty liver disease, liver cancer, and aging in the liver. Overall, these studies demonstrate the potential role of mast cells in disease progression.
From: Jarido, V., Kennedy, L., Hargrove, L., Demieville, J., Thomson, J., Stephenson, K., Francis, H. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/2/G89?rss=1
Emerging concepts in biliary repair and fibrosis
Chronic diseases of the biliary tree (cholangiopathies) represent one of the major unmet needs in clinical hepatology and a significant knowledge gap in liver pathophysiology. The common theme in cholangiopathies is that the target of the disease is the biliary tree. After damage to the biliary epithelium, inflammatory changes stimulate a reparative response with proliferation of cholangiocytes and restoration of the biliary architecture, owing to the reactivation of a variety of morphogenetic signals. Chronic damage and inflammation will ultimately result in pathological repair with generation of biliary fibrosis and clinical progression of the disease. The hallmark of pathological biliary repair is the appearance of reactive ductular cells, a population of cholangiocyte-like epithelial cells of unclear and likely mixed origin that are able to orchestrate a complex process that involves a number of different cell types, under joint control of inflammatory and morphogenetic signals. Several questions remain open concerning the histogenesis of reactive ductular cells, their role in liver repair, their mechanism of activation, and the signals exchanged with the other cellular elements cooperating in the reparative process. This review contributes to the current debate by highlighting a number of new concepts derived from the study of the pathophysiology of chronic cholangiopathies, such as congenital hepatic fibrosis, biliary atresia, and Alagille syndrome.
From: Fabris, L., Spirli, C., Cadamuro, M., Fiorotto, R., Strazzabosco, M. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/2/G102?rss=1
FFA2 activation combined with ulcerogenic COX inhibition induces duodenal mucosal injury via the 5-HT pathway in rats
Serotonin (5-HT), predominantly synthesized and released by enterochromaffin cells, is implicated in gastrointestinal symptoms such as emesis, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Because luminal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) release 5-HT from enterochromaffin cells, which express the SCFA receptor free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2) in rat duodenum, we examined the effects of the selective FFA2 agonist phenylacetamide-1 (PA1) on duodenal 5-HT release with consequent bicarbonate secretion [duodenal bicarbonate secretion (DBS)] and on indomethacin (IND)-induced enteropathy. Intestinal injury was induced by IND (10 mg/kg sc) with or without PA1. We measured DBS in vivo in a duodenal loop perfused with PA1 while measuring 5-HT released in the portal vein. Duodenal blood flow was measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry. IND induced small intestinal ulcers with duodenal sparing. PA1 given with IND (IND + PA1) dose dependently induced duodenal erosions. IND + PA1-induced duodenal lesions were inhibited by the FFA2 antagonist GLPG-0974, ondansetron, or omeprazole but not by RS-23597 or atropine. Luminal perfusion of PA1 augmented DBS accompanied by increased portal blood 5-HT concentrations with approximately eight times more release at 0.1 mM than at 1 µM, with the effects inhibited by coperfusion of GLPG-0974. Luminal PA1 at 1 µM increased, but at 0.1 mM diminished, duodenal blood flow. Cosuperfusion of PA1 (0.1 mM) decreased acid-induced hyperemia, further reduced by IND pretreatment but restored by ondansetron. These results suggest that, although FFA2 activation enhances duodenal mucosal defenses, FFA2 overactivation during ulcerogenic cyclooxygenase inhibition may increase the vulnerability of the duodenal mucosa to gastric acid via excessive 5-HT release and 5-HT3 receptor activation, implicated in foregut-related symptoms such as emesis and epigastralgia.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY Luminal free fatty acid receptor 2 agonists stimulate enterochromaffin cells and release serotonin, which enhances mucosal defenses in rat duodenum. However, overdriving serotonin release with high luminal concentrations of free fatty acid 2 ligands such as short-chain fatty acids injures the mucosa by decreasing mucosal blood flow. These results are likely implicated in serotonin-related dyspeptic symptom generation because of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which is hypothesized to generate excess SCFAs in the foregut, overdriving serotonin release from enterochromaffin cells.
From: Akiba, Y., Maruta, K., Narimatsu, K., Said, H., Kaji, I., Kuri, A., Iwamoto, K.-i., Kuwahara, A., Kaunitz, J. D. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/2/G117?rss=1
A common NHE3 single-nucleotide polymorphism has normal function and sensitivity to regulatory ligands
Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3 mediates the majority of intestinal and renal electroneutral sodium absorption. Dysfunction of NHE3 is associated with a variety of diarrheal diseases. We previously reported that the NHE3 gene (SLC9A3) has more than 400 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) but few nonsynonymous polymorphisms. Among the latter, one polymorphism (rs2247114-G>A), which causes a substitution from arginine to cysteine at amino acid position 799 (p.R799C), is common in Asian populations. To improve our understanding of the population distribution and potential clinical significance of the NHE3-799C variant, we investigated the frequency of this polymorphism in different ethnic groups using bioinformatics analyses and in a cohort of Japanese patients with cardiovascular or renal disease. We also characterized the function of human NHE3-799C and its sensitivity to regulatory ligands in an in vitro model. NHE3-799C had an allele frequency of 29.5–57.6% in Asian populations, 11.1–23.6% in European populations, and 10.2–22.7% in African populations. PS120/FLAG-NHERF2 fibroblasts stably expressing NHE3-799C had lower total protein expression but a higher percentage of surface expression than those expressing NHE3-799R. NHE3-799C had similar basal activity to NHE3-799R and was similarly stimulated or inhibited, by serum or forskolin, respectively. Tenapanor, a small-molecule NHE3 inhibitor, dose-dependently inhibited NHE3-799R and NHE3-799C activities. The IC50 values of tenapanor for NHE3-799C and NHE3-799R were significantly different, but both were in the nanomolar range. These results suggest that NHE3-799C is a common variant enriched in Asian populations, is not associated with compromised function or abnormal regulation, and is unlikely to contribute to clinical disease.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study reports results on the functional significance of human NHE3-799C under basal conditions and in response to regulatory ligands, including a novel NHE3 inhibitor called tenapanor. We demonstrate that NHE3-799C is a common variant of NHE3 that is enriched in Asian populations; however, in contrast to our previous studies using rabbit NHE3, its presence seems to have limited clinical significance in humans and is not associated with compromised function or abnormal transport regulation.
From: Yin, J., Tse, C.-M., Cha, B., Sarker, R., Zhu, X. C., Walentinsson, A., Greasley, P. J., Donowitz, M. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/2/G129?rss=1
CD151 supports VCAM-1-mediated lymphocyte adhesion to liver endothelium and is upregulated in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma
CD151, a member of the tetraspanin family of receptors, is a lateral organizer and modulator of activity of several families of transmembrane proteins. It has been implicated in the development and progression of several cancers, but its role in chronic inflammatory disease is less well understood. Here we show that CD151 is upregulated by distinct microenvironmental signals in a range of chronic inflammatory liver diseases and in primary liver cancer, in which it supports lymphocyte recruitment. CD151 was highly expressed in endothelial cells of the hepatic sinusoids and neovessels developing in fibrotic septa and tumor margins. Primary cultures of human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSECs) expressed CD151 at the cell membrane and in intracellular vesicles. CD151 was upregulated by VEGF and HepG2 conditioned media but not by proinflammatory cytokines. Confocal microscopy confirmed that CD151 colocalized with the endothelial adhesion molecule/immunoglobulin superfamily member, VCAM-1. Functional flow-based adhesion assays with primary human lymphocytes and HSECs demonstrated a 40% reduction of lymphocyte adhesion with CD151 blockade. Inhibition of lymphocyte adhesion was similar between VCAM-1 blockade and a combination of CD151/VCAM-1 blockade, suggesting a collaborative role between the two receptors. These studies demonstrate that CD151 is upregulated within the liver during chronic inflammation, where it supports lymphocyte recruitment via liver endothelium. We propose that CD151 regulates the activity of VCAM-1 during lymphocyte recruitment to the human liver and could be a novel anti-inflammatory target in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular cancer prevention.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY Chronic hepatitis is characterized by lymphocyte accumulation in liver tissue, which drives fibrosis and carcinogenesis. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the tetraspanin CD151 supports lymphocyte adhesion to liver endothelium. We show that CD151 is upregulated in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is regulated on endothelium by tissue remodeling and procarcinogenic factors. These regulatory and functional studies identify CD151 as a potential therapeutic target to treat liver fibrosis and HCC.
From: Wadkin, J. C. R., Patten, D. A., Kamarajah, S. K., Shepherd, E. L., Novitskaya, V., Berditchevski, F., Adams, D. H., Weston, C. J., Shetty, S. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/2/G138?rss=1
Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation through the regulation of miR-129-5p-VCP-I{kappa}B
Long non-coding RNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) plays an important role in the pathogenesis and development of several types of cancer. However, the functional mechanism of NEAT1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. NEAT1 and microRNA (miR)-129-5p expression in HCC tissues and cell lines was quantified by means of quantitative PCR. The effects of NEAT1 expression inhibition or upregulation in HCC cell lines were analyzed in terms of cell viability and apoptosis. Biological software was used to predict the binding sites of NEAT1 and miR-129-5p. The expression of the miR-129-5p target molecules valosin-containing protein (VCP) and IB was detected using Western blotting. The effect of NEAT1 on tumor growth was observed in mouse models of transplanted hepatoma. In the present study, it was concluded that the expression of NEAT1 was significantly increased in the HCC tissues and cell lines. Meanwhile, after downregulating NEAT1 expression in HepG2/Huh7 cell lines, the cell viability was significantly lowered, whereas the corresponding rate of apoptosis was significantly increased. Additionally, it was found that the NEAT1 and miR-129-5p expression showed a negative correlation in HCC tissues. It was further proved that there was a certain negative regulatory mechanism between NEAT1 and miR-129-5p, which was related to the expression of VCP and IB. The mouse model experiments confirmed that the interference with NEAT1 expression inhibited tumor growth. The study concluded that the overexpression of NEAT1 inhibited the expression of miR-129-5p by regulating VCP/IB, thereby promoting the proliferation of HCC cells. This study provides new insights into the pathogenesis of HCC, as well as identifying new target genes for diagnosis and treatment.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY The results provide strong evidence that upregulated NEAT1 promotes the proliferation of cancer cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and this regulatory mechanism depends on the microRNA (miR)-129-5p-valosin-containing protein-IB axis. The study also indicates that NEAT1 could be a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
From: Fang, L., Sun, J., Pan, Z., Song, Y., Zhong, L., Zhang, Y., Liu, Y., Zheng, X., Huang, P. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/2/G150?rss=1
Declare opioid epidemic a national emergency, Trump panel urges him
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/declare-opioid-epidemic-a-national-emergency-trump-panel-urges-him/
Making Mayo's Recipes: Balsamic Feta Chicken
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78BGkpjR6UU