Randomised controlled trial of intermittent calorie restriction in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Calorie restriction (CR) ameliorates preclinical models of multiple sclerosis (MS) via multiple mechanisms. These include decreased leptin, a proinflammatory adipokine, but mechanistic studies in humans are lacking. Tests of daily and intermittent CR (iCR) in people with MS (pwMS) showed improvements in fatigue and well-being measures.

Twelve Weeks of Intermittent Caloric Restriction Diet Mitigates Neuroinflammation in Midlife Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study with Implications for Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a prototype neuroinflammatory disorder with increasingly recognized role for neurodegeneration. Most first-line treatments cannot prevent the progression of neurodegeneration and the resultant disability. Interventions can improve symptoms of MS and might provide insights into the underlying pathology.

Nutritional quality of calorie restricted diets in the CALERIE™ 1 trial.

Objectives: The aim was to determine the nutritional adequacy of calorie restricted (CR) diets during CR interventions up to 12 months.

Methods: The Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE™) phase 1 trial consisted of 3 single-site studies to test the feasibility and effectiveness of CR in adults without obesity. After baseline assessments, participants who were randomized to a CR intervention received education and training from registered dietitians on how to follow a healthful CR diet.

Alterations of host-gut microbiome interactions in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a complex genetic, immune and metabolic pathophysiology. Recent studies implicated the gut microbiome in MS pathogenesis. However, interactions between the microbiome and host immune system, metabolism and diet have not been studied over time in this disorder.

Alterations of the gut mycobiome in patients with MS.

Background: The mycobiome is the fungal component of the gut microbiome and is implicated in several autoimmune diseases. However, its role in MS has not been studied.

Methods: In this case-control observational study, we performed ITS sequencing and characterised the gut mycobiome in people with MS (pwMS) and healthy controls at baseline and after six months.

Contracted Extravelar Segments of the Levator Veli Palatini Muscle: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Morphometric Study.

Objectives: To provide detailed descriptions of contraction-induced morphometric changes in the extravelar segments of the levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle using 3-dimensional (3-D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Design: Three-dimensional MRI data were acquired at rest and during "silent /i/" from 4 singers. During silent /i/, participants voluntarily sustained velar elevation while breathing orally for the entire scan time.

A pilot investigation of twang quality using magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Twang quality is a bright, piercing quality often produced in contemporary pop/rock/country music, musical theatre singing, and character voices. Despite its potential application to voice therapy and singing pedagogy, limited information is available regarding the exact physiologic underpinnings of twang quality. The purpose of this study was to provide quantitative information regarding three-dimensional (3D) vocal tract configurations of twang quality using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Attenuated total reflection infrared difference spectroscopy (ATR-IRDS) for quantitative reaction monitoring.

Monitoring of chemical reactors is key to optimizing yield and efficiency of chemical transformation processes. Aside from tracking pressure and temperature, the measurement of the chemical composition is essential in this context. We present an infrared difference spectroscopy approach for determining the reactant (cyclooctene) and product (cyclooctane) concentrations during a catalytic hydrogenation reaction in the solvent cyclohexane, which is present in large excess.

Determination of glucose and cellobiose dissolved in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

The conversion of biogenic carbohydrate feedstock to chemicals or energy equivalents is a promising approach to solve the problem of limited fossil fuel reserves. Some concepts to accomplish these transformations are based on ionic liquids (ILs) due to their ability to dissolve biopolymers, such as cellulose, and even complex biopolymer mixtures, such as wood. However, concerning control of such conversions, a reliable tool for process analytics is required.

Infrared spectroscopy of a Wilkinson catalyst in a room-temperature ionic liquid.

Homogeneous catalysis in room-temperature ionic liquids (ILs) constitutes a most interesting field of research with high potential in technical applications. As concerns the hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons, Wilkinson's compound RhCl(PPh(3))(3) represents a catalyst that provides high selectivity and activity. Herein, we demonstrate the application of infrared spectroscopy to the quantitative analysis of the Wilkinson catalyst in the IL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][OAc]).

Influence of weekend lifestyle patterns on body weight.

Objective: To determine whether alterations in diet and/or activity patterns during weekends contribute to weight gain or hinder weight loss.

Methods And Procedures: Randomized, controlled trial comparing 1 year of caloric restriction (CR) with 1 year of daily exercise (EX). Subjects included 48 healthy adults (30F, 18M) aged 50-60 years with BMI 23.

Quantitative analysis of alpha-D-glucose in an ionic liquid by using infrared spectroscopy.

The applicability of infrared (IR) spectroscopy for quantitative concentration measurements in mixtures of carbohydrates and ionic liquids (ILs) is investigated. The compound 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [EMIM][OAc]-an "enzyme-friendly" ionic liquid with great application potential in the dissolution of various biomasses-is used as solvent in combination with alpha-D-glucose. Our study establishes a new way to monitor the concentration of sugars in ILs, thus providing a convenient method to follow the kinetics of, for example, enzymatic reactions in [EMIM][OAc].

Formal psychological testing in patients with paradoxical vocal fold dysfunction.

Objective: The etiology of paradoxical vocal fold dysfunction (PVFD) has been unclear, but it has long been hypothesized that there is a significant psychological component. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the psychological profiles of patients newly diagnosed with PVFD using psychometrically-sound psychological assessment instruments.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study of 45 adults newly diagnosed with PVFD at a tertiary university referral center.

Evaluation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) 5b as bone resorption marker in irradiated bone metastases.

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate if the determination of the active isoform 5b of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP 5b) provides the possibility to monitor the effect of local radiotherapy in bone metastases and if TRACP 5b will predict further osseous progression.

Materials And Methods: In 48 breast cancer patients with bone metastases, patients' characteristics, diagnostic imaging and laboratory investigation, tumor- and therapy-related parameters were registered at the beginning and the end of radiotherapy, as well as 6 and 12 weeks afterwards. TRACP 5b activity was measured using a solid phase immunofixed enzyme activity assay with the monoclonal antibody O1A.

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b as serum marker of bone metabolism in cancer patients.

Background: The serum marker tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRACP 5b) is considered a specific parameter of osteoclast activity and a useful marker of bone resorption. Regarding the utility of TRACP 5b in bone metastases, this review aims to draw clinically relevant conclusions.

Materials And Methods: The available literature data regarding the laboratory methods, the characteristics of TRACP 5b and the clinical data, as well as our own results about TRACP 5b in cancer patients has been reviewed.

Behaviour of beta 2-adrenoceptors on lymphocytes under continuous and pulsatile tocolysis with Fenoterol.

The present study investigates the population of beta 2-receptors on lymphocytes in pregnant women with premature labor between the 29th and 34th week of pregnancy. The population of receptors on lymphocytes correlates with that on the myometrium, which is not accessible for study during pregnancy. Fourteen patients received a pulsatile tocolysis, while ten women received a continuous tocolysis with Fenoterol.

MR imaging characteristics of osteoradionecrosis of the pelvis after radiation therapy on gynecological tumors.

Purpose: To describe MR imaging characteristics of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the pelvis as a result of radiation therapy (RT) on gynecological tumors.

Material And Methods: Radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed on 9 women (mean age 67.5 years) with gynecological tumors to identify ORN.

Modest lifestyle intervention and glucose tolerance in obese African Americans.

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated the benefit of short-term diets on glucose tolerance in obese individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of modest lifestyle changes in maintaining improvements in glucose tolerance induced by short-term energy restriction in obese African Americans with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Research Methods And Procedures: An intervention group (n = 45; 47 +/- 1 year [mean +/- SE]), 105 +/- 4 kg; body mass index: 39 +/- 1 kg/m(2)) received an energy-restricted diet (943 +/- 26 kcal/d) for 1 week, followed by a lifestyle program of reduced dietary fat (-125 kcal/d) and increased physical activity (+125 kcal/d) for 1 year.

Resistance exercise acutely increases MHC and mixed muscle protein synthesis rates in 78-84 and 23-32 yr olds.

We determined whether short-term weight-lifting exercise increases the synthesis rate of the major contractile proteins, myosin heavy chain (MHC), actin, and mixed muscle proteins in nonfrail elders and younger women and men. Fractional synthesis rates of mixed, MHC, and actin proteins were determined in seven healthy sedentary 23- to 32-yr-old and seven healthy 78- to 84-yr-old participants in paired studies done before and at the end of a 2-wk weight-lifting program. The in vivo rate of incorporation of 1-[(13)C]leucine into vastus lateralis MHC, actin, and mixed proteins was determined using a 14-h constant intravenous infusion of 1-[(13)C]leucine.

Resistance exercise training increases mixed muscle protein synthesis rate in frail women and men >/=76 yr old.

Muscle atrophy (sarcopenia) in the elderly is associated with a reduced rate of muscle protein synthesis. The purpose of this study was to determine if weight-lifting exercise increases the rate of muscle protein synthesis in physically frail 76- to 92-yr-old women and men. Eight women and 4 men with mild to moderate physical frailty were enrolled in a 3-mo physical therapy program that was followed by 3 mo of supervised weight-lifting exercise.

Exercise training improves fat distribution patterns in 60- to 70-year-old men and women.

Changes in body composition and fat distribution in response to endurance exercise training were compared in 47 men and 46 women, aged 60 to 70 yr. Body composition was assessed by hydrodensitometry and fat distribution was evaluated with skinfold thickness and circumference measures. The 9- to 12-mo exercise program consisted primarily of walking and/or jogging for 46 +/- 5 min.

Relation of cholesterol to oligodendroglial differentiation in C-6 glial cells.

The relation of cellular cholesterol content of a biochemical expression of oligodendroglial differentiation was studied in cultured C-6 glial cells. Induction of the oligodendroglial marker enzyme 2':3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNP) was determined after alteration of the sterol content of cellular membranes by exposure to compactin, a specific inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and cholesterol synthesis. The sterol content and, as a consequence, the sterol/phospholipid molar ratio of C-6 glial cells were decreased by treating the cells, in 10% lipoprotein-poor serum, with various concentrations of compactin for 24 h.

Interrelationships of ubiquinone and sterol syntheses in cultured cells of neural origin.

Ubiquinone synthesis has been studied in cultured C-6 glial and neuroblastoma cells by utilizing an inhibitor, 3-beta-(2-diethylaminoethoxy) androst-5-en-17-one hydrochloride (U18666A), of cholesterol biosynthesis. Exposure of C-6 glial cells to nanomolar quantities of U18666A caused a marked inhibition of total sterol synthesis from [14C]acetate or [3H]mevalonate within minutes. A 95% inhibition was apparent after a 3-h exposure to 200 ng/ml of U18666A.