Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease short food frequency questionnaire (version 1.0)

A short food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) to assess habitual intakes of food items related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Playing from the Edge: Music Festivals and Broadcasting Practices in the West Cork Region of Ireland

A study of arts festivals\u27 experiences of adopting digital practices in the period 2020-2022. The context is rural and the qualitative data were gathered in West Cork in the south west of Ireland

Copper(11) complex of a tridentate N-Donor ligand with unexpected Cu-H interaction

The new pyridineâamine ligand, meophdpa (bis(dipyridylmethyl)-4-methoxyaniline) was synthesised and reacted with copper(II) perchlorate. The X-ray crystal structure of the resulting complex revealed a monomeric copper(II) site, with the copper bound to the three ligand nitrogens in a relatively unusual meridional fashion, as well as a chloride and a water molecule. The sixth coordination site was, unexpectedly, occupied by a phenyl ring hydrogen atom. Graphical abstract A new pyridineâamine ligand has been prepared and its reaction with copper perchlorate characterised. An interesting phenyl-HâCu interaction was observed

Dietary carbohydrates and fats in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

This Review discusses the role of dietary fats and carbohydrates in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Studies on the dietary habits of patients with NAFLD, and the effect on liver fat accumulation of altering dietary macronutrients, are also reviewed. The global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has dramatically increased in parallel with the epidemic of obesity. Controversy has emerged around dietary guidelines recommending low-fat-high-carbohydrate diets and the roles of dietary macronutrients in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease. In this Review, the topical questions of whether and how dietary fats and carbohydrates, including free sugars, differentially influence the accumulation of liver fat (specifically, intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content) are addressed. Focusing on evidence from humans, we examine data from stable isotope studies elucidating how macronutrients regulate IHTG synthesis and disposal, alter pools of bioactive lipids and influence insulin sensitivity. In addition, we review cross-sectional studies on dietary habits of patients with NAFLD and randomized controlled trials on the effects of altering dietary macronutrients on IHTG. Perhaps surprisingly, evidence to date shows no differential effects between free sugars, with both glucose and fructose increasing IHTG in the context of excess energy. Moreover, saturated fat raises IHTG more than polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats, with adverse effects on insulin sensitivity, which are probably mediated in part by increased ceramide synthesis. Taken together, the data support the use of diets that have a reduced content of free sugars, refined carbohydrates and saturated fat in the treatment of NAFLD.Peer reviewe

Wide-and narrow-rim functionalised calix[4]arenes: synthesis and characterisation

Functionalisation of calix[4]arene at both the wide and narrow rims leads to the formation of compounds containing bipyridyl, via an amide linkage, at the wide rim and having either a butyl chain, a benzyl group or an alkyl ester functionality at the narrow rim. All compounds were characterised using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies. Initial binding studies with Ru(bipy)2Cl2 are reported. Graphical abstract Functionalisation of calix[4]arene was carried out such that metal complexation could occur at both the wide and narrow rims, a rare occurrence in calixarene chemistry

Mandibular fractures in short-finned pilot whales, \u3ci\u3eGlobicephala macrorhynchus\u3c/i\u3e

This study’s objective was to investigate mandibular fractures in 50 short-finned pilot whales, Globicephala macrorhynchus, from two mass strandings. Based on current theories that this species is sexually dimorphic and polygynous, hypotheses were: (1) males should suffer more frequent or more substantial mandibular fractures than should females, and (2) fracture occurrence should increase with male reproductive maturity and potential correlates of maturity, such as age and length. Fractures were described and correlated with physical characteristics to infer possible explanations for injuries. Mandibular fractures were surprisingly common in males and females, being found in more than half of the animals examined (27/50, or 54% overall; 17/36 or 47% of females and 10/14 or 71% of males). Length was the only correlate of fracture presence; the proportion of animals showing evidence of fracture increased with length. These results offer some support to initial hypotheses, but there must be another set of consequences that contribute to mandibular fractures in females. A combination of intra- and interspecific interactions and life history characteristics may be responsible for fractures. Further research from a larger sample of this and other cetacean species are suggested to help elucidate both the causes and implications of mandibular fractures

Differences in leukocyte profile, gene expression, and metabolite status of dairy cows with or without sole ulcers

peer-reviewedSole ulcers are one of the most severe pathologies causing lameness in dairy cows and are associated with abnormal behavior and impaired production performance. However, little is known about how or whether lameness caused by sole ulcers affects the cow systemically. This study compared hematology profile, leukocyte gene expression, and physiological responses [metabolite, cortisol, the endogenous steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and haptoglobin concentrations] of cows with sole ulcers and healthy cows. Twelve clinically lame cows (lame) were identified as having at least one sole ulcer and no other disorder, and matched with a cow that had good locomotion and no disorders (sound), using days in milk, liveweight, body condition score, and diet. Blood samples were taken from all 24 cows within 24 h of sole ulcer diagnosis. Leukocyte counts were obtained using an automated cell counter, cortisol and DHEA concentration by ELISA, and plasma haptoglobin, urea, total protein, creatine kinase, and glucose were analyzed on an Olympus analyzer. Expression of 16 genes associated with lameness or stress were estimated using reverse transcription-PCR. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS software (version 9.3; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Lame cows had a higher neutrophil percentage, a numerically lower lymphocyte percentage, and tended to have a higher neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio than sound cows. Serum cortisol and DHEA concentrations were higher in lame than in sound cows. Lame cows also tended to have higher haptoglobin and glucose levels than sound, as well as higher protein yet lower urea levels. Sound cows tended to have higher relative expression of the gene coding for colony-stimulating factor 2 than lame, but in all other cases where differences were detected in cytokine gene expression (IL-1α, IL-1β, CXCL8, and IL-10), relative gene expression in sound cows tended to be, or was, lower than in lame. Relative expression of MMP-13, GR-α, Fas, haptoglobin, and CD62L were, or tended to be, higher in lame than sound cows. A high neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio in combination with higher cortisol levels in cows with ulcers is indicative of physiological stress. Moreover, increased DHEA and a higher cortisol:DHEA ratio, as well as a tendency for higher haptoglobin levels and increased haptoglobin mRNA expression, are indicative of systemic inflammation. Increased cytokine mRNA expression indicates activation of the immune system compared with healthy cows. Increased expression of MMP-13 mRNA has been found in cows with impaired locomotion and thus could be implicated in development of claw horn disorders.This study was funded by a Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship (FP7-People 2009-IEF; grant agreement number: 252611) to Keelin O'Driscoll