Publications by authors named "Maryam Basrai"

We recently showed that adherence to the Mediterranean diet increased the proportion of plasma -3 PUFA, which was associated with an improved intestinal barrier integrity. In the present exploratory analysis, we assessed faecal fatty acids in the same cohort, aiming to investigate possible associations with intestinal barrier integrity. Women from the Lifestyle Intervention Study in Women with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (LIBRE) randomised controlled trial, characterised by an impaired intestinal barrier integrity, followed either a Mediterranean diet (intervention group, 33) or a standard diet (control group, 35).

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Purpose: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with beneficial health effects, including gastrointestinal disorders. Preclinical studies suggest that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), found in Mediterranean foods like nuts and fish, improve intestinal barrier integrity. Here, we assessed possible effects of n-3 PUFAs on barrier integrity in a randomized controlled trial.

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Background: Omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are precursors of pro- and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators. Serum PUFA levels could influence the severity of inflammatory oral diseases, such as gingivitis.

Objective: The study analyzed serum PUFA levels in a six-week randomized controlled trial in individuals on the Mediterranean diet (MedD), associations with the intake of specific foods, and possible correlations with oral inflammatory parameters.

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Background: The Mediterranean diet is associated with the prevention of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, all of which are linked to intestinal barrier impairment.

Objectives: Here, we hypothesize that the Mediterranean diet, possibly via the induction of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), improves intestinal barrier integrity. Furthermore, we aim to establish novel personalized nutrition advice based on machine learning algorithms.

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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer survivors. Effective screening modalities to identify CVD risk are lacking in this population. Adrenomedullin (ADM) has been suggested as a biomarker for subclinical cardiac dysfunction in the general population.

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Individuals with suspected non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) often report better tolerance of spelt ( ssp. ) compared to wheat ( ssp. ) bakery products.

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This study aimed to evaluate the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) in a study investigating the anti-inflammatory effect of a 6-week Mediterranean diet intervention on periodontal parameters. Data from a randomized clinical trial were analyzed for correlations between the MEDAS score and oral inflammatory parameters (bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index (GI), and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA)) and select nutrient intakes estimated by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a 24-h dietary recall (24dr). A mixed model, calculations of Spearman ρ, Lin's Concordance Coefficient (CC), and Mann-Whitney U test were used for the statistical analyses.

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Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 6-week Mediterranean diet (MD) intervention on gingival inflammatory and anthropometric parameters of patients with gingivitis.

Materials And Methods: Forty-two participants were allocated to MD group (MDG) or control group (CG). After a 2-week equilibration period regarding dental care procedures, only MDG changed their diet to MD for 6 weeks, supported by a diet counselling.

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Purpose: Emerging evidence suggests that the progesterone-mediated receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK)/soluble RANK ligand (sRANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathway plays an important role in mammary carcinogenesis and is hyperactivated in germline (g)BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. We analyzed the effects of a 3-month intensive lifestyle intervention within the LIBRE-1 study on the serum levels of OPG and sRANKL and hypothesized that the intervention program provides a beneficial impact on the biomarkers by increasing OPG and reducing sRANKL serum concentrations.

Methods: Serum levels of OPG and sRANKL of 49 gBRCA1/2 mutation carriers were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

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Intestinal permeability is an important diagnostic marker, yet its determination by established tests, which measure the urinary excretion of orally administered tracer molecules, is time consuming and can only be performed prospectively. Here, we aim to validate proposed surrogate biomarkers, which allow measuring intestinal permeability more easily. In this cross-sectional study, we included two independent cohorts comprising nonobese (Healthy cohort, = 51) and individuals with obesity (Obesity cohort, = 27).

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Background: Germline BRCA1/2 mutation carriers (gBMC) face increased cancer risks that are modulated via non-genetic lifestyle factors whose underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. The peptides Neurotensin (NT) and Enkephalin (ENK)-involved in tumorigenesis and obesity-related diseases-are of interest. We wanted to know whether these biomarkers differ between gBMC and women from the general population and what effect a 1-year lifestyle-intervention has in gBMC.

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High consumption of fructose and high-fructose corn syrup is related to the development of obesity-associated metabolic diseases, which have become the most relevant diet-induced diseases. However, the influences of a high-fructose diet on gut microbiota are still largely unknown. We therefore examined the effect of short-term high-fructose consumption on the human intestinal microbiota.

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Background & Aims: Evidence-based concepts to prevent breast cancer in women with BRCA1/2 mutations are limited. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedD) has been associated with a lower risk for breast cancer, possibly due to a favorable fatty acid (FA) intake. Here, we studied in an at-risk population the effect of a lifestyle intervention that included the MedD on FA composition in red blood cell membranes (RBCM).

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Background: Case reports suggest a link between energy drinks (EDs) and adverse events, including deaths.

Objectives: We examined cardiovascular and metabolic effects of EDs and mixtures providing relevant ingredients of EDs compared to a similarly composed control product (CP) without these components.

Methods: This randomized, crossover trial comprised 38 adults (19 women, mean BMI 23 kg/m2, mean age 22 y).

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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is mainly treated with caloric restriction and consecutive weight reduction. Protein, in exchange for starch and sugar as well as monounsaturated and long chain omega-3-fatty acids and prebiotic β-glucan, are thought to be supportive.In a randomized controlled intervention study, two different dietary concepts were tested regarding effects on intrahepatic lipid content as well as on biochemical parameters in patients with a body-mass-index (BMI) > 30 kg/m and signs of fatty liver disease.

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Background: The consumption of high amounts of fructose is associated with metabolic diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown.

Objective: To determine the effects of high fructose intake on plasma metabolomics.

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Chronic kidney disease is associated with metabolic disorders. The nutrient requirement varies considerably and often it is not covered. This is why many patients experience severe deficiencies ("kidney disease wasting"), which limits their quality of life and prognosis.

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Background: Women with pathogenic BRCA germline mutations have an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer that seems to be modified by life-style factors. Though, randomized trials investigating the impact of lifestyle interventions on cancer prevention and prognosis in BRCA carriers are still missing.

Methods: We implemented a multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trial in BRCA1/2 patients, comparing a lifestyle intervention group (IG) with a control group (CG) with the primary aim to prove feasibility.

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Background: The aim of this analysis in a pilot study population was to investigate whether we can verify seemingly harmful lifestyle factors such as nicotine and alcohol indulgence, obesity, and physical inactivity, as well as a low socioeconomic status for increased cancer prevalence in a cohort of BRCA 1 and 2 mutation carriers.

Methods: The analysis data are derived from 68 participants of the lifestyle intervention study LIBRE-1, a randomized, prospective trial that aimed to test the feasibility of a lifestyle modification in BRCA 1 and 2 mutation carriers. At study entry, factors such as medical history, lifestyle behavior, and socioeconomic status were retrospectively documented by interview and the current BMI was determined by clinical examination.

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Background: Obesity and associated metabolic disorders are related to impairments of the intestinal barrier.

Objective: We examined lactulose:mannitol (Lac:Man) permeability in obese individuals with and without liver steatosis undergoing a weight-reduction program to test whether an effective weight-loss program improves gut barrier function and whether obese patients with or without liver steatosis differ in this function.

Design: Twenty-seven adult, nondiabetic individuals [mean ± SD body mass index (BMI; in kg/m): 43.

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Background: Optimal obesity therapy is a matter of debate. Besides weight reduction, other criteria such as safety and nutritional status are of relevance. Therefore, we compared a favored surgical intervention with the most effective conservative treatment regarding anthropometry and nutritional status.

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Purpose: The tyrosine-kinase receptor c-kit and its ligand stem cell factor are coexpressed in many small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines, leading to the hypothesis that this coexpression constitutes an autocrine growth loop. To further evaluate the frequency and pathogenic relevance of c-kit expression, tumor tissue together with the corresponding clinical data of SCLC patients was analyzed.

Experimental Design: Tumor tissue of 102 consecutive SCLC cancer patients was analyzed immunohistochemically using an affinity-purified polyclonal c-kit antibody.

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