Dietary fatty acids differentially modulate messenger RNA abundance of low-density lipoprotein receptor, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein in Golden-Syrian hamsters.

Dietary fatty acids modulate plasma and intracellular cholesterol concentrations. Circulating non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (nHDL-C) concentration is determined by rates of hepatic very low-density lipoprotein assembly and secretion, and clearance of subsequent metabolic products. The effect of dietary fat (butter, traditional margarine, soybean oil, and canola oil) was assessed with respect to plasma lipids, hepatic lipid composition, and messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) 2, and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) in the Golden-Syrian hamster (Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, MA).

The 2005 USDA Food Guide Pyramid is associated with more adequate nutrient intakes within energy constraints than the 1992 Pyramid.

The USDA issued the Food Guide Pyramid (FGP) to help Americans choose healthy diets. We examined whether adherence to the 1992 and 2005 FGP was associated with moderate energy and adequate nutrient intakes. We used data for 2138 men and 2213 women > 18 y old, from the 2001-2002 U.

The maximal amount of dietary alpha-tocopherol intake in U.S. adults (NHANES 2001-2002).

The current study was designed to determine the maximal amount of alpha-tocopherol intake obtained from food in the U.S. diet, and to examine the effect of different food group intakes on this amount.

Intake of a single morning dose of standard and novel plant sterol preparations for 4 weeks does not dramatically affect plasma lipid concentrations in humans.

Recommendations for decreasing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease include increasing the intake of plant sterols and fish oil. The cholesterol-lowering action of plant sterols, when provided in a fish-oil fatty acids vehicle, remains to be investigated in humans. A randomized, crossover-feeding, single-blind trial was conducted in 30 subjects with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia to study the effects on plasma lipids of 2 novel forms of plant sterols: those combined with, or esterified to, fish-oil fatty acids.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on serum markers of cardiovascular disease risk: a systematic review.

Greater fish oil consumption has been associated with reduced CVD risk, although the mechanisms are unclear. Plant-source oil omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) have also been studied regarding their cardiovascular effect. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of consumption of fish oil and ALA on commonly measured serum CVD risk factors, performing meta-analyses when appropriate.

Oncogenic RAS mutations in myeloma cells selectively induce cox-2 expression, which participates in enhanced adhesion to fibronectin and chemoresistance.

Oncogenic RAS expression occurs in up to 40% of multiple myeloma (MM) cases and correlates with aggressive disease. Since activated RAS induces cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) expression in other tumor models, we tested a role for cox-2 in mutant RAS-containing MM cells. We used the ANBL-6 isogenic MM cell lines in which the IL-6-dependent parental line becomes cytokine independent following transfection with mutated N-RAS or K-RAS.

Mechanism by which mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors sensitize multiple myeloma cells to dexamethasone-induced apoptosis.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors curtail cap-dependent translation. However, they can also induce post-translational modifications of proteins. We assessed both effects to understand the mechanism by which mTOR inhibitors like rapamycin sensitize multiple myeloma cells to dexamethasone-induced apoptosis.

Dietary recommendations for children and adolescents: a guide for practitioners.

Since the American Heart Association last presented nutrition guidelines for children, significant changes have occurred in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and nutrition behaviors in children. Overweight has increased, whereas saturated fat and cholesterol intake have decreased, at least as percentage of total caloric intake. Better understanding of children's cardiovascular risk status and current diet is available from national survey data.

Soy protein, isoflavones, and cardiovascular health: an American Heart Association Science Advisory for professionals from the Nutrition Committee.

Soy protein and isoflavones (phytoestrogens) have gained considerable attention for their potential role in improving risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This scientific advisory assesses the more recent work published on soy protein and its component isoflavones. In the majority of 22 randomized trials, isolated soy protein with isoflavones, as compared with milk or other proteins, decreased LDL cholesterol concentrations; the average effect was approximately 3%.

Fiber and cardiovascular disease risk: how strong is the evidence?

Dietary fiber consists of edible parts of plants or analogous carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small intestine. Fiber can be classified as a dietary source (eg, cereal, fruit, vegetable, or legume) or as a supplement. Based on chemical properties, fiber can be divided to water-soluble (eg, beta-glucans, pectin, and guar) and insoluble (eg, cellulose and lignin) forms.

Concentration and isolation of DNA from biological fluids by agarose gel isotachophoresis.

Isotachophoresis is an electrophoretic method of separation of charged substances. The method is characterized by a discontinuous buffer system, constant velocity of separated molecules, and the distribution of separated components in the form of narrow concentrated bands located one right after another. As a rule, isotachophoresis is not used for the separation of nucleic acids because the mobility of polynucleotides in this system does not depend on their size.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on selected arrhythmia outcomes in animal models.

Epidemiological studies and clinical trials report the beneficial effects of fish or fish oil consumption on cardiovascular disease outcomes including sudden death. We performed a systematic review of the literature on controlled animal studies that assessed the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on selected arrhythmia outcomes. On the basis of predetermined criteria, 27 relevant animal studies were identified; 23 of these were feeding studies, and 4 were infusion studies.

Cyclooxygenase-2-dependent activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 by interleukin-6 in non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are elevated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These molecules affect numerous cellular pathways, including angiogenesis and apoptosis resistance, and, therefore, may act in concert in NSCLC.

Experimental Design: We examined IL-6 and phosphorylated STAT3 in COX-2-overexpressing [COX-2 sense-oriented (COX-2-S)] NSCLC cells and control cells.

Experimental observation and theoretical description of the pure Fano effect in the valence-band photoemission of ferromagnets.

The pure Fano effect in angle-integrated valence-band photoemission of ferromagnets has been observed for the first time. A contribution of the intrinsic spin polarization to the spin polarization of the photoelectrons has been avoided by an appropriate choice of the experimental parameters. The theoretical description of the resulting spectra reveals a complete analogy to the Fano effect observed before for paramagnetic transition metals.

Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors activate the AKT kinase in multiple myeloma cells by up-regulating the insulin-like growth factor receptor/insulin receptor substrate-1/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase cascade.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, such as rapamycin and CCI-779, have shown preclinical potential as therapy for multiple myeloma. By inhibiting expression of cell cycle proteins, these agents induce G1 arrest. However, by also inhibiting an mTOR-dependent serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), they may enhance insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) signaling and downstream phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT activation.

Dietary recommendations for children and adolescents: a guide for practitioners: consensus statement from the American Heart Association.

Since the American Heart Association last presented nutrition guidelines for children, significant changes have occurred in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and nutrition behaviors in children. Overweight has increased, whereas saturated fat and cholesterol intake have decreased, at least as percentage of total caloric intake. Better understanding of children's cardiovascular risk status and current diet is available from national survey data.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on coronary restenosis, intima-media thickness, and exercise tolerance: a systematic review.

Greater omega-3 fatty acid consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk. Though the mechanisms of their effect are unclear, they may involve lesion formation and heart function. We conducted a systematic review of the clinical literature on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on measures of vascular structure and function.

Cereal fiber and whole-grain intake are associated with reduced progression of coronary-artery atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease.

Background: Higher intake of fiber, especially cereal fiber, has been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. However, there are limited data on the effect of fiber intake on measures of progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim was to examine the association between intakes of total fiber and fiber from different dietary sources and progression of coronary-artery atherosclerosis among women with established CAD.

Essential nutrients: food or supplements? Where should the emphasis be?

The consumption of adequate levels and proper balance of essential nutrients is critical for maintaining health. The identification, isolation, and purification of nutrients in the early 20th century raised the possibility that optimal health outcomes could be realized through nutrient supplementation. Recent attempts using this approach for cardiovascular disease and lung cancer have been disappointing, as demonstrated with vitamin E and beta carotene.

Determinants of plasma dihydrophylloquinone in men and women.

Commercial hydrogenation results in the formation of trans fatty acids. An unintended consequence of the hydrogenation process is conversion of phylloquinone (vitamin K1) to dihydrophylloquinone. Plasma dihydrophylloquinone concentrations have yet to be characterized in population-based studies.

Effects of fish oil supplementation on kidney transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on various kidney transplant-related outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed of published randomized, controlled trials (RCT). There were 16 kidney transplant RCT with a total of 812 patients.

TRL, IDL, and LDL apolipoprotein B-100 and HDL apolipoprotein A-I kinetics as a function of age and menopausal status.

Objective: To determine mechanisms contributing to the altered lipoprotein profile associated with aging and menopause, apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) and apoA-I kinetic behavior was assessed.

Methods And Results: Eight premenopausal (25+/-3 years) and 16 postmenopausal (65+/-6 years) women consumed for 6 weeks a standardized Western diet, at the end of which a primed-constant infusion of deuterated leucine was administered in the fed state to determine the kinetic behavior of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apoB-100, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) apoA-I. Data were fit to a multicompartmental model using SAAM II to calculate fractional catabolic rate (FCR) and production rate (PR).