159 research outputs found
Measurement of B(/\c->pKpi)
The /\c->pKpi yield has been measured in a sample of two-jet continuum events
containing a both an anticharm tag (Dbar) as well as an antiproton (e+e- ->
Dbar pbar X), with the antiproton in the hemisphere opposite the Dbar. Under
the hypothesis that such selection criteria tag e+e- -> Dbar pbar (/\c) X
events, the /\c->pkpi branching fraction can be determined by measuring the
pkpi yield in the same hemisphere as the antiprotons in our Dbar pbar X sample.
Combining our results from three independent types of anticharm tags, we obtain
B(/\c->pKpi)=(5.0+/-0.5+/-1.2)
Correlated /\c-/\cbar production in e+e- annihilations at sqrt{s}~10.5 GeV
Using 13.6/fb of continuum two-jet e+e- -> ccbar events collected with the
CLEO detector, we have searched for baryon number correlations at the primary
quark level. We have measured the likelihood for a /\c+ charmed baryon to be
produced in the hemisphere opposite a /\c- relative to the likelihood for a
/\c+ charmed baryon to be produced opposite an anticharmed meson Dbar; in all
cases, the reconstructed hadrons must have momentum greater than 2.3 GeV/c. We
find that, given a /\c- (reconstructed in five different decay modes), a /\c+
is observed in the opposite hemisphere (0.72+/-0.11)% of the time (not
corrected for efficiency). By contrast, given a Dbar in one hemisphere, a /\c+
is observed in the opposite hemisphere only (0.21+/-0.02)% of the time.
Normalized to the total number of either /\c- or Dbar ``tags'', it is therefore
3.52+/-0.45+/-0.42 times more likely to find a /\c+ opposite a /\c- than a Dbar
meson. This enhancement is not observed in the JETSET 7.3 e+e- -> ccbar Monte
Carlo simulation.Comment: 19 pages, Latex, one figure separat
HIV-1 Tat protein directly induces mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and inactivates cytochrome c oxidase
The Trans-activator protein (Tat) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
is a pleiotropic protein involved in different aspects of AIDS pathogenesis. As
a number of viral proteins Tat is suspected to disturb mitochondrial function.
We prepared pure synthetic full-length Tat by native chemical ligation (NCL),
and Tat peptides, to evaluate their direct effects on isolated mitochondria.
Submicromolar doses of synthetic Tat cause a rapid dissipation of the
mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) as well as
cytochrome c release in mitochondria isolated from mouse liver, heart,
and brain. Accordingly, Tat decreases substrate oxidation by mitochondria
isolated from these tissues, with oxygen uptake being initially restored by
adding cytochrome c. The anion-channel inhibitor
4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) protects
isolated mitochondria against Tat-induced mitochondrial membrane
permeabilization (MMP), whereas ruthenium red, a ryanodine receptor blocker,
does not. Pharmacologic inhibitors of the permeability transition pore,
Bax/Bak inhibitors, and recombinant Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL proteins do not reduce
Tat-induced MMP. We finally observed that Tat inhibits cytochrome c
oxidase (COX) activity in disrupted mitochondria isolated from liver, heart, and
brain of both mouse and human samples, making it the first described viral
protein to be a potential COX inhibitor
Relationship between self-reported dietary intake and physical activity levels among adolescents: The HELENA study
Background
Evidence suggests possible synergetic effects of multiple lifestyle behaviors on health risks like obesity and other health outcomes. Therefore it is important to investigate associations between dietary and physical activity behavior, the two most important lifestyle behaviors influencing our energy balance and body composition. The objective of the present study is to describe the relationship between energy, nutrient and food intake and the physical activity level among a large group of European adolescents.
Methods
The study comprised a total of 2176 adolescents (46.2% male) from ten European cities participating in the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study. Dietary intake and physical activity were assessed using validated 24-h dietary recalls and self-reported questionnaires respectively. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to compare the energy and nutrient intake and the food consumption between groups of adolescents with different physical activity levels (1st to 3rd tertile).
Results
In both sexes no differences were found in energy intake between the levels of physical activity. The most active males showed a higher intake of polysaccharides, protein, water and vitamin C and a lower intake of saccharides compared to less active males. Females with the highest physical activity level consumed more polysaccharides compared to their least active peers. Male and female adolescents with the highest physical activity levels, consumed more fruit and milk products and less cheese compared to the least active adolescents. The most active males showed higher intakes of vegetables and meat, fish, eggs, meat substitutes and vegetarian products compared to the least active ones. The least active males reported the highest consumption of grain products and potatoes. Within the female group, significantly lower intakes of bread and cereal products and spreads were found for those reporting to spend most time in moderate to vigorous physical activity. The consumption of foods from the remaining food groups, did not differ between the physical activity levels in both sexes.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that dietary habits diverge between adolescents with different self-reported physical activity levels. For some food groups a difference in intake could be found, which were reflected in differences in some nutrient intakes. It can also be concluded that physically active adolescents are not always inclined to eat healthier diets than their less active peers.The HELENA study took place with the financial support of the European Community Sixth RTD Framework Programme (Contract FOOD-CT: 2005-007034). This work was also partially supported by the European Union, in the framework of the Public Health Programme (ALPHA project, Ref: 2006120), the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (FAS), the Spanish Ministry of Education (EX-2007-1124, and EX-2008-0641), and the Spanish Ministry of Health, Maternal, Child Health and Development Network (number RD08/0072) (JPRL, LAM)
Ideal cardiovascular health and inflammation in European adolescents: The HELENA study
Background and aims
Inflammation plays a key role in atherosclerosis and this process seems to appear in childhood. The ideal cardiovascular health index (ICHI) has been inversely related to atherosclerotic plaque in adults. However, evidence regarding inflammation and ICHI in adolescents is scarce. The aim is to assess the association between ICHI and inflammation in European adolescents.
Methods and results
As many as 543 adolescents (251 boys and 292 girls) from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study, a cross-sectional multi-center study including 9 European countries, were measured. C-reactive protein (CRP), complement factors C3 and C4, leptin and white blood cell counts were used to compute an inflammatory score. Multilevel linear models and multilevel logistic regression were used to assess the association between ICHI and inflammation controlling by covariates. Higher ICHI was associated with a lower inflammatory score, as well as with several individual components, both in boys and girls (p < 0.01). In addition, adolescents with at least 4 ideal components of the ICHI had significantly lower inflammatory score and lower levels of the study biomarkers, except CRP. Finally, the multilevel logistic regression showed that for every unit increase in the ICHI, the probability of having an inflammatory profile decreased by 28.1% in girls.
Conclusion
Results from this study suggest that a better ICHI is associated with a lower inflammatory profile already in adolescence. Improving these health behaviors, and health factors included in the ICHI, could play an important role in CVD prevention
Evaluation of iron status in European adolescents through biochemical iron indicators: the HELENA Study
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To assess the iron status among European adolescents through selected biochemical parameters in a cross-sectional study performed in 10 European cities. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Iron status was defined utilising biochemical indicators. Iron depletion was defined as low serum ferritin (SF8.5 mg/l) plus iron depletion. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) was defined as ID with haemoglobin (Hb) below the WHO cutoff for age and sex: 12.0 g/dl for girls and for boys aged 12.5-14.99 years and 13.0 g/dl for boys aged ≥15 years. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used as analytical method for SF, sTfR and C-reactive protein (CRP). Subjects with indication of inflammation (CRP >5 mg/l) were excluded from the analyses. A total of 940 adolescents aged 12.5-17.49 years (438 boys and 502 girls) were involved. RESULTS: The percentage of iron depletion was 17.6%, significantly higher in girls (21.0%) compared with boys (13.8%). The overall percentage of ID and IDA was 4.7 and 1.3%, respectively, with no significant differences between boys and girls. A correlation was observed between log (SF) and Hb (r = 0.36, P < 0.01), and between log (sTfR) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (r = -0.30, P < 0.01). Iron body stores were estimated on the basis of log (sTfR/SF). A higher percentage of negative values of body iron was recorded in girls (16.5%) with respect to boys (8.3%), and body iron values tended to increase with age in boys, whereas the values remained stable in girls. CONCLUSIONS: To ensure adequate iron stores, specific attention should be given to girls at European level to ensure that their dietary intake of iron is adequate.status: publishe
Dietary animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with obesity and cardio-metabolic indicators in European adolescents: The HELENA cross-sectional study
Background: Previous studies suggest that dietary protein might play a beneficial role in combating obesity and its related chronic diseases. Total, animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with anthropometry and serum biomarkers in European adolescents using one standardised methodology across European countries are not well documented. Objectives: To evaluate total, animal and plant protein intakes in European adolescents stratified by gender and age, and to investigate their associations with cardio-metabolic indicators (anthropometry and biomarkers). Methods: The current analysis included 1804 randomly selected adolescents participating in the HELENA study (conducted in 2006-2007) aged 12.5-17.5 y (47% males) who completed two non-consecutive computerised 24-h dietary recalls. Associations between animal and plant protein intakes, and anthropometry and serum biomarkers were examined with General linear Model multivariate analysis. Results: Average total protein intake exceeded the recommendations of World Health Organization and European Food Safety Authority. Mean total protein intake was 96 g/d (59% derived from animal protein). Total, animal and plant protein intakes (g/d) were significantly lower in females than in males and total and plant protein intakes were lower in younger participants (12.5-14.9 y). Protein intake was significantly lower in underweight subjects and higher in obese ones; the direction of the relationship was reversed after adjustments for body weight (g/(kg.d)). The inverse association of plant protein intakes was stronger with BMI z-score and body fat percentage (BF%) compared to animal protein intakes. Additionally, BMI and BF% were positively associated with energy percentage of animal protein. Conclusions: This sample of European adolescents appeared to have adequate total protein intake. Our findings suggest that plant protein intakes may play a role in preventing obesity among European adolescents. Further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the potential beneficial effects observed in this study in the prevention of obesity and related chronic diseases
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