Publications by authors named "J S Welles"

ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) synthesizes acetyl-CoA for de novo lipogenesis (DNL), which is elevated in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Hepatic ACLY is inhibited by the LDL-cholesterol-lowering drug bempedoic acid (BPA), which also improves steatosis in mice. While BPA potently suppresses hepatic DNL and increases fat catabolism, it is unclear if ACLY is its primary molecular target in reducing liver triglyceride.

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Article Synopsis
  • Recent genomic studies have found common genetic factors among alcohol, opioid, tobacco, and cannabis use disorders, though the specific genes and variants involved remain largely unknown.
  • Researchers utilized advanced genomic datasets from various human cell types to investigate genomic regions related to these disorders, identifying significant heritability enrichments in specific cell types, especially in iPSC-derived cortical neurons and pancreatic beta cells.
  • The study also uncovered important genetic connections between substance use disorders and Type 2 diabetes, suggesting that certain cell types play crucial roles in understanding the mechanisms behind these disorders.
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Floodplains provide critical ecosystem services to people by regulating floodwaters and retaining sediments and nutrients. Geospatial analyses, field data collection, and modeling were integrated to quantify a portfolio of services that floodplains provide to downstream communities within the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds. The portfolio of services included floodplain sediment and nutrient retention and flood regulation.

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Background: Sestrins (SESN1-3) act as proximal sensors in leucine-induced activation of the protein kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) in complex 1 (mTORC1), a key regulator of cell growth and metabolism.

Objective: In the present study, the hypothesis that SESNs also mediate glucose-induced activation of mTORC1 was tested.

Methods: Rats underwent overnight fasting, and in the morning, either saline or a glucose solution (4 g⋅kg BW/10 mL⋅kg) was administered by oral gavage; mTORC1 activation in the tibialis anterior muscle was assessed.

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Background And Aims: Exercise remains a key component of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) treatment. However, mechanisms underpinning the improvements in NAFLD seen with exercise are unclear. Exercise improved liver fat and serum biomarkers of liver fibrosis in the NASHFit trial.

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