Deciphering the interactome of Ataxin-2 and TDP-43 in iPSC-derived neurons for potential ALS targets.

Ataxin-2 is a protein containing a polyQ extension and intermediate length of polyQ extensions increases the risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Down-regulation of Ataxin-2 has been shown to mitigate TDP-43 proteinopathy in ALS models. To identify alternative therapeutic targets that can mitigate TDP-43 toxicity, we examined the interaction between Ataxin-2 and TDP-43.

Association of Adiposity Phenotypes with 27-Hydroxycholesterol and Sex Hormones: The Multiethnic Cohort Study.

Context: The distribution of body fat has been linked to circulating levels of lipids and sex-steroid hormones. The cholesterol metabolite and endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator, 27-hydroxychlolesterol (27HC), may be influenced by adiposity phenotypes, particularly among females. No study has examined the relationships of 27HC and steroid hormones with adiposity phenotypes.

Prediction of future visceral adiposity and application to cancer research: The Multiethnic Cohort Study.

Background: We previously developed a prediction score for MRI-quantified abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) based on concurrent measurements of height, body mass index (BMI), and nine blood biomarkers, for optimal performance in five racial/ethnic groups. Here we evaluated the VAT score for prediction of future VAT and examined if enhancement with additional biomarkers, lifestyle behavior information, and medical history improves the prediction.

Methods: We examined 500 participants from the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) with detailed data (age 50-66) collected 10 years prior to their MRI assessment of VAT.

Effect of Intermittent vs. Continuous Energy Restriction on Visceral Fat: Protocol for The Healthy Diet and Lifestyle Study 2 (HDLS2).

Obesity in the United States and Western countries represents a major health challenge associated with an increased risk of metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers. Our past work revealed a more pronounced obesity-cancer link in certain ethnic groups, motivating us to develop a tailored dietary intervention called the Healthy Diet and Lifestyle 2 (HDLS2). The study protocol is described herein for this randomized six-month trial examining the effects of intermittent energy restriction (5:2 Diet) plus the Mediterranean dietary pattern (IER + MED) on visceral adipose tissue (VAT), liver fat, and metabolic biomarkers, compared to a standard MED with daily energy restriction (DER + MED), in a diverse participant group.

Dietary intake and visceral adiposity in older adults: The Multiethnic Cohort Adiposity Phenotype study.

Background: There are established links between the accumulation of body fat as visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and the risk of developing obesity-associated metabolic disease. Previous studies have suggested that levels of intake of specific foods and nutrients are associated with VAT accumulation after accounting for total energy intake.

Objective: This study assessed associations between a priori selected dietary factors on VAT quantified using abdominal magnetic resonance imaging.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Population-Attributable Fractions of Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias.

Background And Objectives: Previous studies estimated that modifiable risk factors explain up to 40% of the dementia cases in the United States and that this population-attributable fraction (PAF) differs by race and ethnicity-estimates of future impact based on the risk factor prevalence in contemporary surveys. The aim of this study was to determine the race-specific and ethnicity-specific PAF of late-onset Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRDs) based on the risk factor prevalence and associations observed on the same individuals within a prospective cohort.

Methods: Data were from Multiethnic Cohort Study participants (African American, Japanese American, Latino, Native Hawaiian, and White) enrolled in Medicare Fee-for-Service.

Evaluation of new strain (AAD16) of Beauveria bassiana recovered from Japanese rhinoceros beetle: Effects on three coleopteran insects.

A strain (AAD16) of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin was isolated from field-collected Japanese rhinoceros beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma (L.) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Its virulence was compared with another strain (ARP14) recovered from a cadaver of Riptortus pedestris (F.

The association of a healthy lifestyle index and imaging-based body fat distribution with glycemic status and Type 2 diabetes in the Multi Ethnic Cohort: a cross-sectional analysis.

Introduction: As several behaviors captured by the Lifestyle Risk Factor Index (LSRI) are protective against Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and may affect body fat distribution, we examined its relation with both outcomes.

Methods: In a subset of the Multiethnic Cohort, participants from five ethnic groups (60-77 years) were assigned LSRI scores (one point each for consuming <1 (women)/<2 (men) alcoholic drinks/day, ≥1.5 physical activity hours/week, not smoking, and adhering to ≥3/7 dietary recommendations).

Synergism of a mixed diet of Myzus persicae and egg of Ephestia kuehniella on fitness of the predator Nabis stenoferus.

Nabis stenoferus is a zoophytophagous predator that lives in grasslands around agricultural fields. It is a candidate biological control agent for use via augmentation or conservation. To find a suitable food source for mass-rearing and to better understand this predator's biology, we compared the life history characteristics of N.

Diet Quality and Body Mass Index Over 20 Years in the Multiethnic Cohort.

Background: With increasing rates of overweight and obesity and disparities by ethnicity, it is important to understand the role of diet in ameliorating this health problem.

Objective: This study examined the relation of diet quality as measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2015 with body mass index (BMI; calculated as kg/m) and obesity among participants of the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) in cross-sectional analyses at 3 time points (T-1, T-2, and T-3) over 20 years.

Design: In a subset of 1,860 MEC participants, 3 cross-sectional analyses at cohort entry (1993 to 1996, T-1) and follow-ups in 2003 to 2008 (T-2) and 2013 to 2016 (T-3) were performed.

Association of Habitual Intake of Probiotic Supplements and Yogurt with Characteristics of the Gut Microbiome in the Multiethnic Cohort Adiposity Phenotype Study.

Consumption of probiotics and/or yogurt could be a solution for restoring the balance of the gut microbiota. This study examined associations of regular intake of probiotic supplements or yogurt with the gut microbiota among a diverse population of older adults (N=1,861; 60-72 years). Fecal microbial composition was obtained from 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V1-V3 region).

Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Differences in a Deficit Accumulation Frailty Index in the Multiethnic Cohort Study.

Background: Frailty status has been sparsely studied in some groups including Native Hawaiians and Asian Americans.

Methods: We developed a questionnaire-based deficit accumulation frailty index (FI) in the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) and examined frailty status (robust, FI 0 to <0.2, prefrail, FI 0.

A Phenotypic Screen Identifies Potent DPP9 Inhibitors Capable of Killing HIV-1 Infected Cells.

Although current antiretroviral therapy can control HIV-1 replication and prevent disease progression, it is not curative. Identifying mechanisms that can lead to eradication of persistent viral reservoirs in people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) remains an outstanding challenge to achieving cure. Utilizing a phenotypic screen, we identified a novel chemical class capable of killing HIV-1 infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

STUB1 is an intracellular checkpoint for interferon gamma sensing.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) leads to durable and complete tumour regression in some patients but in others gives temporary, partial or no response. Accordingly, significant efforts are underway to identify tumour-intrinsic mechanisms underlying ICB resistance. Results from a published CRISPR screen in a mouse model suggested that targeting STUB1, an E3 ligase involved in protein homeostasis, may overcome ICB resistance but the molecular basis of this effect remains unclear.

Puncturing apple fruits increases survival of Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in laboratory rearing.

Grapholita molesta (Busck) is a major pest in orchards of apple, peach, and plum. For better rearing in the laboratory, we compared the life history characteristics of G. molesta by providing larvae with either punctured or unpunctured apple fruits.

Modifying effects of race and ethnicity and APOE on the association of physical activity with risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Introduction: We investigated whether the protective association of physical activity with risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) has genetic or behavioral variations.

Methods: In the Multiethnic Cohort, we analyzed moderate or vigorous physical activity (MVPA) reported at ages 45 to 75 among 88,047 participants in relation to 13,039 incident diagnoses of late-onset ADRD identified in Medicare claims (1999 to 2014), by five racial and ethnic groups, hours sitting, and in a subset (16%), apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype.

Results: MVPA was inversely associated with ADRD (hazard ratio for ≥14 vs <2.

Dietary Intake Mediates Ethnic Differences in Gut Microbial Composition.

Background: The human gut microbiome (GM) has been observed to vary by race/ethnicity. Objective: Assess whether racial/ethnic GM variation is mediated by differences in diet. Design: Stool samples collected from 2013 to 2016 from 5267 healthy Multiethnic Cohort participants (age 59−98) were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to estimate the relative abundance of 152 bacterial genera.

Subcutaneous and visceral fat assessment by DXA and MRI in older adults and children.

Objective: Given the importance of body fat distribution in chronic disease development, feasible methods to assess body fat are essential. This study compared dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in measuring visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: VAT and SAT were assessed using similar DXA and MRI protocols among 1,795 elderly participants of the Adiposity Phenotype Study (APS) and 309 children/adolescents in Shape Up! Kids (SKids).

Prognostic utility of self-reported sarcopenia (SARC-F) in the Multiethnic Cohort.

Background: Age-related loss in skeletal muscle mass, quality, and strength, known as sarcopenia, is a well-known phenomenon of aging and is determined clinically using methods such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). However, these clinical methods to measure sarcopenia are not practical for population-based studies, and a five-question screening tool known as SARC-F has been validated to screen for sarcopenia.

Methods: We investigated the relationship between appendicular skeletal lean mass/height (ALM/HT ) (kg/m ) assessed by DXA and SARC-F in a subset of 1538 (778 men and 760 women) participants in the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) Study after adjustment for race/ethnicity, age, and body mass index (BMI) at the time of DXA measurement.

Risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia by sex and race/ethnicity: The Multiethnic Cohort Study.

Introduction: Data are limited for comparison of sex- and race/ethnicity-specific risks of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD).

Methods: In the population-based Multiethnic Cohort, we estimated the age-standardized diagnostic incidence rate (ASDIR) and relative risk of late-onset ADRD (n = 16,410) among 105,796 participants based on Medicare claims (1999-2014) by sex and race/ethnicity.

Results: The ASDIR for ADRD was higher for women (17.

Associations of the Dietary Inflammatory Index with total adiposity and ectopic fat through the gut microbiota, LPS, and C-reactive protein in the Multiethnic Cohort-Adiposity Phenotype Study.

Background: Mechanisms linking a proinflammatory diet to obesity remain under investigation. The ability of diet to influence the gut microbiome (GM) in creating chronic low-grade systemic inflammation provides a plausible connection to adiposity.

Objectives: Assess whether any associations seen between the Energy-Adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII score), total fat mass, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), or liver fat (percentage volume) operated through the GM or microbial related inflammatory factors, in a multiethnic cross-sectional study.

Functional response of Amblyseius eharai (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae).

Amblyseius eharai is a generalist predatory mite that consumes spider mites, rust mites, thrips, and pollen, with a high adaptability to various plants. To better understand ecological and behavioral aspects of this species, we investigated its functional response to different stages of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae. Furthermore, we compared its environmental adaptability with that of other referenced phytoseiids using a temperature-dependent model of the intrinsic rate of increase.

Race/ethnicity-associated blood DNA methylation differences between Japanese and European American women: an exploratory study.

Background: Racial/ethnic disparities in health reflect a combination of genetic and environmental causes, and DNA methylation may be an important mediator. We compared in an exploratory manner the blood DNA methylome of Japanese Americans (JPA) versus European Americans (EUA).

Methods: Genome-wide buffy coat DNA methylation was profiled among healthy Multiethnic Cohort participant women who were Japanese (JPA; n = 30) or European (EUA; n = 28) Americans aged 60-65.