Long-term enteral nutrition with a nasogastric tube can be safe and effective: A case report.

Home enteral nutrition (HEN) is a vital feeding practice for those who have chronic disorders that prevent them from eating normally. Although short-term feeding is predominantly done via nasogastric (NG) tubes and long-term feeding is done via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube, we present a case that demonstrates that the long-term use of NG tubes may be possible. Our case involves an adult woman who has been fed via an NG tube for >3 years with no complications.

Nutrition state of science and dementia prevention: recommendations of the Nutrition for Dementia Prevention Working Group.

Observational studies suggest that nutritional factors have a potential cognitive benefit. However, systematic reviews of randomised trials of dietary and nutritional supplements have reported largely null effects on cognitive outcomes and have highlighted study inconsistencies and other limitations. In this Personal View, the Nutrition for Dementia Prevention Working Group presents what we consider to be limitations in the existing nutrition clinical trials for dementia prevention.

Nutraceuticals and Nutrition Supplements: Challenges and Opportunities.

The term "nutraceuticals" is derived from "nutrition" and "pharmaceuticals" and is used fornutrition products that are also used as medicine [1] [...

Can individuals with celiac disease identify gluten-free foods correctly?

Background & Aims: Patients with celiac disease (CD) often report inadvertent gluten exposures and challenges reading labels. The most common cause of non-responsive CD is gluten exposure. We aimed to assess whether recently diagnosed CD patients can determine whether a food is gluten-free based on labeling, and to assess skills over time.

The plasma peptides of breast versus ovarian cancer.

Background: There is a need to demonstrate a proof of principle that proteomics has the capacity to analyze plasma from breast cancer versus other diseases and controls in a multisite clinical trial design. The peptides or proteins that show a high observation frequency, and/or precursor intensity, specific to breast cancer plasma might be discovered by comparison to other diseases and matched controls. The endogenous tryptic peptides of breast cancer plasma were compared to ovarian cancer, female normal, sepsis, heart attack, Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis along with the institution-matched normal and control samples collected directly onto ice.

Anti-Atherosclerotic Properties of Wild Rice in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Knockout Mice: The Gut Microbiome, Cytokines, and Metabolomics Study.

Background And Aim: We previously reported the anti-atherogenic properties of wild rice in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDL-r-KO) mice. The present study aimed to discover the mechanism of action for such effects.

Materials: Fecal and plasma samples from the wild rice treated and control mice were used.

The plasma peptides of ovarian cancer.

Background: It may be possible to discover new diagnostic or therapeutic peptides or proteins from blood plasma by using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry to identify, quantify and compare the peptides cleaved ex vivo from different clinical populations. The endogenous tryptic peptides of ovarian cancer plasma were compared to breast cancer and female cancer normal controls, other diseases with their matched or normal controls, plus ice cold plasma to control for pre-analytical variation.

Methods: The endogenous tryptic peptides or tryptic phospho peptides (i.

The plasma peptidome.

Background: It may be possible to discover new diagnostic or therapeutic peptides or proteins from blood plasma using LC-ESI-MS/MS to identify, with a linear quadrupole ion trap to identify, quantify and compare the statistical distributions of peptides cleaved ex vivo from plasma samples from different clinical populations.

Methods: A systematic method for the organic fractionation of plasma peptides was applied to identify and quantify the endogenous tryptic peptides from human plasma from multiple institutions by C18 HPLC followed nano electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) with a linear quadrupole ion trap. The endogenous tryptic peptides, or tryptic phospho peptides (i.

Phosphokinome Analysis of Barth Syndrome Lymphoblasts Identify Novel Targets in the Pathophysiology of the Disease.

Barth Syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked genetic disease in which the specific biochemical deficit is a reduction in the mitochondrial phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) as a result of a mutation in the CL transacylase tafazzin. We compared the phosphokinome profile in Epstein-Barr-virus-transformed lymphoblasts prepared from a BTHS patient with that of an age-matched control individual. As expected, mass spectrometry analysis revealed a significant (>90%) reduction in CL in BTHS lymphoblasts compared to controls.

The effects of L-cysteine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine on homocysteine metabolism and haemostatic markers, and on cardiac and aortic histology in subchronically methionine-treated Wistar male rats.

Methionine is the precursor of homocysteine, a sulfur amino acid intermediate in the methylation and transsulfuration pathways; methionine-rich diets were used to induce hyperhomocysteinemia, and cardiovascular pathology was often observed. Other sulfur amino acids interfere with this metabolism, i.e.

Expression of human monolysocardiolipin acyltransferase-1 improves mitochondrial function in Barth syndrome lymphoblasts.

The mitochondrial polyglycerophospholipid cardiolipin (CL) is remodeled to obtain specific fatty acyl chains. This is predominantly accomplished by the transacylase enzyme tafazzin (TAZ). Barth syndrome (BTHS) patients with gene mutations exhibit impaired TAZ activity and loss in mitochondrial respiratory function.

Symptoms of Functional Intestinal Disorders Are Common in Patients with Celiac Disease Following Transition to a Gluten-Free Diet.

Background: Celiac disease and functional intestinal disorders may overlap, yet the natural history of functional symptoms in patients with celiac disease is unknown.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD), and functional bloating (FB) symptoms among patients with celiac disease at diagnosis and during the first year of a gluten-free diet.

Methods: Adults with a new diagnosis of celiac disease were surveyed at baseline, 6 months and 1 year using standardized measures for intestinal symptoms [Rome III diagnostic questionnaire and celiac symptom index (CSI)] and gluten-free diet adherence [gluten-free eating assessment tool (GF-EAT) and celiac diet adherence test].

Metabolomics and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a major public health issue that encompass an array of physical, neurological, and behavioral effects due to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The classical biomarkers of FASD that are currently used lack sensitivity and specificity, and as such there is an opportunity through the use of novel metabolomics analysis to identify new biomarkers to identify those at risk for FASD, which could more effectively aid in early intervention. The focus of this minireview is to identify current work that is being done in the field of metabolomics in FASD in utero, and to highlight promising metabolites that could act as biomarkers in the future.

Characterization of endotoxins on orthopaedic fixation screws, using physicochemical surface analyses.

The objective of this study was to determine if surface analysis techniques could be used to detect endotoxin on stainless steel malleolus screws. New malleolus screws were compared to ones that had been coated in purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Artificial Test Soil (ATS) containing lipopolysaccharide. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and time-of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) were used to assess the fixation screws surface.

Generation of Bioactive Oxylipins from Exogenously Added Arachidonic, Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acid in Primary Human Brain Microvessel Endothelial Cells.

The human blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the restrictive barrier between the brain parenchyma and the circulating blood and is formed in part by microvessel endothelial cells. The brain contains significant amounts of arachidonic acid (ARA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which potentially give rise to the generation of bioactive oxylipins. Oxylipins are oxygenated fatty acid metabolites that are involved in an assortment of biological functions regulating neurological health and disease.

Wild rice (Zizania palustris L.) prevents atherogenesis in LDL receptor knockout mice.

Objectives: Dietary modifications including healthy eating constitute one of the first line strategies for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors including high cholesterol and atherosclerosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential cardiovascular benefits of wild rice in male and female LDL-receptor-deficient (LDLr-KO) mice.

Methods: Wild rice was used to create a semi-synthetic diet containing approximately 60% of total energy from carbohydrate.

Protection of cortical neurons from excitotoxicity by conjugated linoleic acid.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is an isomeric mixture of 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids with conjugated double bonds derived from linoleic acid. CLA is sourced nutritionally from dairy products and ruminant animal meat and is associated with beneficial heath effects in several disorders, including cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, and inflammation. We investigated the potential for CLA to protect neurons from death in stroke simulated by exposing cultured mouse embryonic cortical neurons to glutamate.

Lack of evidence for antiatherogenic effects of wheat bran or corn bran in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice.

Epidemiological studies have suggested that intake of whole grains is inversely associated with coronary artery disease. The mechanisms, however, are not completely clear. We tested the hypothesis that intake of wheat bran or corn bran would (1) increase the plasma concentration of phenolic antioxidants and (2) reduce atherosclerosis in apo E-knockout mice.

Pro-atherogenic effects of probucol in apo E-KO mice may be mediated through alterations in immune system: Parallel alterations in gene expression in the aorta and liver.

Objective: To establish underlying molecular mechanisms of pro-atherogenic effects of probucol in apo E-KO mice.

Methods: Affymetrix Gene Chip System, GenMAPP/MAPPFinder software and real-time PCR techniques were used to identify alterations in gene expression and biological pathways in the liver and aorta of both male apo E-KO and male wild-type mice treated with or without probucol (1%, w/w) for 18 weeks. Plasma levels of lipids, cytokines, liver function test, and the extent of atherosclerosis and liver histology were examined.

Functional and immunocytochemical characterization of D-serine transporters in cortical neuron and astrocyte cultures.

D-serine is an endogenous coagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors that plays an important role in synaptic function, neuronal development, and excitotoxicity. Mechanisms of D-serine transport are important in regulation of extracellular D-serine concentration and therefore of these critical processes. D-serine can be transported with low affinity through the Na(+)-dependent amino acid transporter termed ASCT2, whereas high-affinity D-serine uptake has been reported through the Na(+)-independent transporter termed asc-1.

Long-term phytosterol treatment alters gene expression in the liver of apo E-deficient mice.

Dietary phytosterols significantly reduce plasma cholesterol concentrations and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-knockout (apo E-KO) mice. We investigated the long-term effects of phytosterol treatment on gene expression in the liver of these mice. Male apo E-KO mice were fed an atherogenic diet supplemented with (n=6) or without (n=6) 2% (wt/wt) phytosterol mixtures for 14 weeks.

Dietary flaxseed inhibits atherosclerosis in the LDL receptor-deficient mouse in part through antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory actions.

Dietary flaxseed has been shown to have potent antiatherogenic effects in rabbits. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antiatherogenic capacity of flaxseed in an animal model that more closely represents the human atherosclerotic condition, the LDL receptor-deficient mouse (LDLrKO), and to identify the cellular mechanisms for these effects. LDLrKO mice were administered a regular diet (RG), a 10% flaxseed-supplemented diet (FX), or an atherogenic diet containing 2% cholesterol alone (CH) or supplemented with 10% flaxseed (CF), 5% flaxseed (CF5), 1% flaxseed (CF1), or 5% coconut oil (CS) for 24 wk.

Emerging challenges of assigning P2X7 receptor function and immunoreactivity in neurons.

Currently available antibodies to the P2X(7) receptor are unreliable determinants of neuronal P2X(7) immunoreactivity, owing to staining of a "P2X(7)-like" protein that is not eliminated by legitimate P2X(7) gene-knockout approaches. Despite this, compelling electrophysiological and pharmacological data strongly support a role for P2X(7) receptors in neuronal function and injury. A major priority for the field now is to identify the neuronal "P2X(7)-like" protein and develop effective antibodies selective for neuronal P2X(7) immunoreactivity.

alpha1-Adrenergic stimulation of FGF-2 promoter in cardiac myocytes and in adult transgenic mouse hearts.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), a mitogenic, angiogenic, and cardioprotective agent, is reported to be released from the postnatal heart by a mechanism of transient remodeling of the sarcolemma during contraction. This release can be increased with adrenergic stimulation. RNA blotting was used to assess whether FGF-2 synthesis in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes might also be regulated by adrenergic stimulation.