Publications by authors named "J I Alcantara"

: Body image dissatisfaction is elevated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as well as other chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine if the higher rate of body image dissatisfaction in IBD is specific to IBD or characteristic of chronic disease in general by comparing body image dissatisfaction in IBD patients with age- and gender-matched healthy individuals and those with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). : In this New Zealand-based case-control study conducted in a secondary care hospital, consecutive IBD patients aged 16 years and older were matched 1:1 with healthy individuals and T1DM patients based on age and gender.

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The optimal eating window for time-restricted eating (TRE) remains unclear, particularly its impact on visceral adipose tissue (VAT), which is associated with cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality. We investigated the effects of three TRE schedules (8 h windows in the early day, late day and participant-chosen times) combined with usual care (UC, based on education about the Mediterranean diet) versus UC alone over 12 weeks in adults with overweight or obesity. The primary outcome was VAT changes measured by magnetic resonance imaging.

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Functional analysis of non-coding variants associated with congenital disorders remains challenging due to the lack of efficient in vivo models. Here we introduce dual-enSERT, a robust Cas9-based two-color fluorescent reporter system which enables rapid, quantitative comparison of enhancer allele activities in live mice in less than two weeks. We use this technology to examine and measure the gain- and loss-of-function effects of enhancer variants previously linked to limb polydactyly, autism spectrum disorder, and craniofacial malformation.

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Plant-plant interactions are major determinants of the dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems. There is a long tradition in the study of these interactions, their mechanisms and their consequences using experimental, observational and theoretical approaches. Empirical studies overwhelmingly focus at the level of species pairs or small sets of species.

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Background: Mammalian cells possess molecular clocks, the adequate functioning of which is decisive for metabolic health. Exercise is known to modulate these clocks, potentially having distinct effects on metabolism depending on the time of day. This study aimed to investigate the impact of morning vs.

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