Independent and Combined Effects of Menhaden Oil and High Fructose on Hepatic Lipid Metabolism

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The Lipogenic Effect of High-Fructose Consumption on NAFLD During Weight Loss

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United States Department of Defense (DoD) Real Property Repair, Alterations, Maintenance, and Construction Project Contract Data: 2009–2020

Nearly one-half of all construction projects exceed planned costs and schedule, globally [1]. Owners and construction managers can analyze historical project performance data to inform cost and schedule overrun risk-reduction strategies. Though, the majority of open-source project datasets are limited by the number of projects, data dimensionality, and location. A significant global customer of the construction industry, the Department of Defense (DoD) maintains a vast database of historical project data that can be used to determine the sources and magnitude of construction schedule and cost overruns for many continental and international locations. The selection of data provided by the authors is a subset of the U.S. Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation (FPDS-NG), which stores contractual obligations made by the U.S. Federal Government [2]. The data comprises more than ten fiscal years (1 Oct 2009 – 04 June 2020) of construction contract attributes that will enable researchers to investigate spatiotemporal schedule and cost performance by, but not limited to: contract type, construction type, delivery method, award date, and award value. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the most extensive open-source dataset of its kind, as it provides access to the contract data of 132,662 uniquely identified construction projects totaling $865 billion. Because the DoD\u27s facilities and infrastructure construction requirements and use of private construction firms are congruent with the remainder of the public sector and the private sector, results obtained from analyses of this dataset may be appropriate for broader application

Effects of Human Apolipoprotein E3 and E4 Genotypes on Cardiometabolic Disease Risk

Apolipoprotein (apo) E isoforms have specific effects on the etiology of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but data is limited on the effects of these genotypes for the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and related cardiometabolic alterations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of human apoE3 and E4 genotypes on risk factors for T2DM and cardiac metabolism. Cardiac tissue from human apoE3 (n=8) and E4 (n=8) knock-in (KI) mice were compared to lean (n=11) and diet-induced obese (n=12) B6D2F1 mice to characterize the cardiac metabolic activity of AMPK, as well as for lipid and glycogen levels. Plasma was analyzed for lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, as well as glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR. An ANOVA was used to identify differences between groups. Statistical significance was set at a P\u3c0.05. ApoE3 and E4 mice displayed mild insulin resistance (Table 1) despite for having a body mass similar to the lean mice. In addition, apoE3 mice had a 1.5 fold greater HOMA-IR than apoE4 mice. Interestingly, apoE3 and E4 mice had significantly lower TC, Tg and HDL-C than both lean and obese mice. In apoE3 mice, nonHDL-C was significantly lower than both the lean and obese mice and the apoE4 mice. In apoE3 mice, cardiac cholesterol was greater than both lean and obese controls and apoE4 mice. In contrast, apoE4 mice had 2.5 and 2.9 fold greater cardiac triglyceride levels than the lean and obese mice, respectively. In the absence of an obesogenic diet, apoE3 and E4 mice displayed an insulin resistant metabolic state combined with altered lipid and lipoprotein metabolism that paralleled an increase in cardiac lipid deposition. These alterations in cardiac metabolism may contribute to the increased risk of CVD observed in apoE3 and E4 genotypes

Mouse models of preterm birth: Suggested assessment and reporting guidelines

Preterm birth affects approximately 1 out of every 10 births in the United States, leading to high rates of mortality and long-term negative health consequences. To investigate the mechanisms leading to preterm birth so as to develop prevention strategies, researchers have developed numerous mouse models of preterm birth. However, the lack of standard definitions for preterm birth in mice limits our field\u27s ability to compare models and make inferences about preterm birth in humans. In this review, we discuss numerous mouse preterm birth models, propose guidelines for experiments and reporting, and suggest markers that can be used to assess whether pups are premature or mature. We argue that adoption of these recommendations will enhance the utility of mice as models for preterm birth

The effect of two β-alanine dosing strategies on 30-minute rowing performance: a randomized, controlled trial

Background: β-alanine (βA) supplementation has been shown to increase intramuscular carnosine content and subsequent high-intensity performance in events lasting <4 minutes, which may be dependent on total, as opposed to daily, dose. The ergogenic effect of βA has also been demonstrated for 2000-m rowing performance prompting interest in whether βA may be beneficial for sustained aerobic exercise. This study therefore investigated the effect of two βA dosing strategies on 30-minute rowing and subsequent sprint performance. Methods: Following University Ethics approval, twenty-seven healthy, male rowers (age: 24±2 years; body-height: 1.81±0.02m; body-mass: 82.3±2.5kg; body-fat: 14.2±1.0%) were randomised in a double-blind manner to 4 weeks of: i) βA (2.4 g·d-1, βA1); ii) matched total βA (4.8g on alternate days, βA2); or iii) cornflour placebo (2.4 g·d-1, PL). Participants completed a laboratory 30-minute rowing time-trial, followed by 3x30s maximal sprint efforts at days 0, 14 and 28 (T1-T3). Total distance (m), average power (W), relative average power (W·kg-1), cardio-respiratory measures and perceived exertion were assessed for each 10-minute split. Blood lactate ([La-]b mmol·L-1) was monitored pre-post time-trial and following maximal sprint efforts. A 3-way repeated measures ANOVA was employed for main analyses, with Bonferonni post-hoc assessment (P≤0.05). Results: Total 30-minute time-trial distance significantly increased from T1-T3 within βA1 only (7397±195m to 7580±171m, P=0.002, ƞp2 = 0.196), including absolute average power (194.8±18.3W to 204.2±15.5W, P=0.04, ƞp2=0.115) and relative average power output (2.28±0.15W·kg-1 to 2.41±0.12W·kg-1, P=0.031, ƞp2= 0.122). These findings were potentially explained by within-group significance for the same variables for the first 10 minute split (P≤0.01), and for distance covered (P=0.01) in the second 10-minute split. However, no condition x time interactions were observed. No significant effects were found for sprint variables (P>0.05) with comparable values at T3 for mean distance (βA1: 163.9±3.8m; βA2: 161.2±3.5m; PL: 162.7±3.6m), average power (βA1: 352.7±14.5W; βA2: 342.2±13.5W; PL: 348.2±13.9W) and lactate (βA1: 10.0±0.9mmol·L-1; βA2: 9.2±1.1mmol·L-1; PL: 8.7±0.9mmol·L-1). Conclusions: Whilst daily βA may confer individual benefits, these results demonstrate limited impact of βA (irrespective of dosing strategy) on 30-minute rowing or subsequent sprint performance. Further investigation of βA dosage > 2.4 g·d-1 and/or chronic intervention periods (>4-8 weeks) may be warranted based on within-group observations

International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Nutritional recommendations for single-stage ultra-marathon; training and racing

Background. In this Position Statement, the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) provides an objective and critical review of the literature pertinent to nutritional considerations for training and racing in single-stage ultra-marathon. Recommendations for Training. i) Ultra-marathon runners should aim to meet the caloric demands of training by following an individualized and periodized strategy, comprising a varied, food-first approach; ii) Athletes should plan and implement their nutrition strategy with sufficient time to permit adaptations that enhance fat oxidative capacity; iii) The evidence overwhelmingly supports the inclusion of a moderate-to-high carbohydrate diet (i.e., ~60% of energy intake, 5 – 8 g⸱kg−1·d−1) to mitigate the negative effects of chronic, training-induced glycogen depletion; iv) Limiting carbohydrate intake before selected low-intensity sessions, and/or moderating daily carbohydrate intake, may enhance mitochondrial function and fat oxidative capacity. Nevertheless, this approach may compromise performance during high-intensity efforts; v) Protein intakes of ~1.6 g·kg−1·d−1 are necessary to maintain lean mass and support recovery from training, but amounts up to 2.5 g⸱kg−1·d−1 may be warranted during demanding training when calorie requirements are greater; Recommendations for Racing. vi) To attenuate caloric deficits, runners should aim to consume 150 - 400 kcal⸱h−1 (carbohydrate, 30 – 50 g⸱h−1; protein, 5 – 10 g⸱h−1) from a variety of calorie-dense foods. Consideration must be given to food palatability, individual tolerance, and the increased preference for savory foods in longer races; vii) Fluid volumes of 450 – 750 mL⸱h−1 (~150 – 250 mL every 20 min) are recommended during racing. To minimize the likelihood of hyponatraemia, electrolytes (mainly sodium) may be needed in concentrations greater than that provided by most commercial products (i.e., >575 mg·L−1 sodium). Fluid and electrolyte requirements will be elevated when running in hot and/or humid conditions; viii) Evidence supports progressive gut-training and/or low-FODMAP diets (fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide and polyol) to alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal distress during racing; ix) The evidence in support of ketogenic diets and/or ketone esters to improve ultra-marathon performance is lacking, with further research warranted; x) Evidence supports the strategic use of caffeine to sustain performance in the latter stages of racing, particularly when sleep deprivation may compromise athlete safety