Nutrition
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Rodents have been the most frequently flown animal model used to study physiological responses to the space environment. In support of future of space exploration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) envisions an animal research program focused on rodents. Therefore, the development of a rodent diet that is suitable for the spaceflight environment including long duration spaceflight is a high priority. ⋯ Depending on future animal habitat hardware and planned spaceflight experiments, modification of the NuRFB or development of a new diet formulation may be needed, particularly for long term spaceflights. Research in this area consists primarily of internal technical reports that are not readily accessible. Therefore, the aims of this contribution are to provide a brief history of the development of rodent spaceflight diets, to review the present diet used in rodent spaceflight studies, and to discuss some of the challenges and potential solutions for diets to be used in future long-term rodent spaceflight studies.
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Most glucose (and glutamine)-deprivation studies of cancer cell cultures focus on total depletion, and are conducted over at least 24 h. It is difficult to extrapolate findings from such experiments to practical anti-glycolytic treatments, such as with insulin-inhibiting diets (with 10%-50% carbohydrate dietary restriction) or with isolated limb perfusion therapy (which usually lasts about 90 min). The aim of this study was to obtain experimental data on the effect of partial deprivation of d-glucose and l-glutamine (to typical physiological concentrations) during 0 to 6-h exposures of HeLa cells. ⋯ These data reveal that glucose (and glutamine) deprivation to typical physiological concentrations result in significant cancer cell killing after as little as 2 h. This supports the possibility of combining anti-glycolytic treatment, such as a carbohydrate-restricted diet, with chemotherapeutics for enhanced cancer cell killing.
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Multicenter Study
The association of birth weight with cardiovascular risk factors and mental problems among Iranian school-aged children: the CASPIAN-III study.
Both high and low birth weights (HBW and LBW) are risk factors for adulthood diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of birth weight with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and mental problems among Iranian school-aged children. ⋯ Findings from this population-based study revealed a positive relation between birth weight categories and CVD risk factors. Compared with students born with normal weight, those born with HBW and LBW were at higher risk for mental problems, sleep disorders, and confusion.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Maternal dietary counseling reduces total and LDL cholesterol postpartum.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary counseling on blood lipid concentrations during and after pregnancy. ⋯ Maternal dietary counseling may lower maternal TC and LDL-C levels postpartum. A healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and postpartum may benefit women's cardiovascular health.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of bayberry juice on inflammatory and apoptotic markers in young adults with features of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Bayberries contain high levels of polyphenols that possess antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the consumption of bayberry juice beneficially alters the levels of oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic biomarkers in young individuals with features of NAFLD. ⋯ The consumption of bayberry juice for a period of 4 wk can protect against NAFLD in young adults by improving the plasma antioxidant status and inhibiting the inflammatory and apoptotic responses that are involved in this disease.