Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: stated that dairy based foods, particularly traditional fermented milks like dahi, yoghurts and dairy beverages which are already an integral part of the traditional Indian diet and are considered functional foods can be explored as the most appropriate carriers of probiotics to optimally express their health promoting functions in the gut. Dairy based probiotic foods represent the largest segment accounting for nearly 65% of the total world functional food market. Presently, dairy based probiotic food industry is firmly placed at the global level completely dominated by Europe, Japan and USA. Although, India is yet to make a mark in the probiotic product development in a big way, major global leaders like Yakult and Nestle, and National player: have undertaken the formidable task of introducing a new market for probiotics in India having covered much ground in a short span. He emphasized that to launch Indian probiotic products in the country, vital issues such as developing novel indigenous probiotic strains with proven functional efficacy both in vitro and in vivo, their inter-compatibility, effective dosage and colonization in the human gut, technological parameters during processing of the product, encapsulation and their impact on stability, survival and viability of probiotic strains along with validation of health claims and safety using different animal models as well as in human subjects through clinical studies would need to be worked out. Future success of probiotic formulations, in his opinion, will depend on consumer's acceptance. Dr. B. S. Ramakrishna, Professor and Head, Department of stated that although the FAO/WHO criteria provide excellent general principles for the characterization and evaluation of probiotics in food, they fall short of prescribing the specific tests that may need to be done in an individual case [17]. Given that metagenomic studies and metabolomic profiling of the microbiota and the human host have provided major advances in the ability to characterize the molecular aspects of the intestinal microbiota and understand the human-microbiota interaction, it can be hoped that these will eventually translate to more robust in vitro and animal testing procedures that can precede human trials and provide the additional evidence for health benefits. In addition, he emphasized that the health system would need to be harnessed in a way that would allow the reporting and capture of any adverse events that can be potentially related to use of probiotic foods or drugs and provide post-market surveillance of the kind available in the developed world.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: A vegetarian diet is automatically healthier than an omnivorous diet. [SEP] Text: This study shows that vegan, lacto-ovo-vegetarian and omnivorous sample diets, analyzed as separate groups, could result to be not different in any of the environmental variables (Table 1), nor in the calculated global nutritional & environmental score (Figure 5). Thus, on the basis of these in-silico-designed menus, it cannot be concluded that VEG diets, as a group, are per se better than LOV and OMN diets from an environmental & nutritional standpoint. Overall diet ranking apparently depends at large on which diet within each group is chosen, i. e. on within-group diet variability and, possibly, also on the limited number of diets here designed for each group. Therefore, although our diet design and choice may appear somehow subjective, our study demonstrate a potentially ample choice within and OMN diets, complying with different degrees of environmental footprint. The ranking of the menus in respect of the environmental variables appeared randomly scattered, and included a rather limited range too, irrespective of menu type (Figures 1-3). Although VEG menus apparently exhibited lower and total WF values than LOV and OMN menus (Figures 1, 2), these differences were not confirmed by comparing the three menus’ groups (Table 1). Furthermore, the relative difference between the lowest and the highest value(s) (irrespective of menu type), was approximately 0. 6 fold for LU (Figure 1), 1. 0-fold for total WF (Figure 2), and ≈1. 2-fold for GHGE (Figure 3). These ranges are either close to, or lower than, those previously reported for environmental footprint parameters of vegetal and animal single foods [9, 11, 14], as well as of dietary regimens [4, 9, 10, 14, 26]. Also the global EAA-NES did not cluster around any specific menu type (Figures 4 and 5), the relative difference between the lowest and the highest value being approximately by 50%. Although omnivorous diets are usually associated with worse carbon, water and ecological footprints, than those of both lacto-ovo-vegetarian and vegan diets [9,11-14, 26], a large intragroup variability within OMN diets was reported by others too [26].

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: The resulting vectors were transfected into cells according to a standard protocol using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) at 1 d after seeding on coverslips. The cell density was adjusted to reach 60–70% confluency at the time of transfection, and the cells were cultured in reduced (5%) FBS-containing medium to maintain the cell density until fixation. Western blotting. NIH 3T3 cells in 35 mm dishes were transiently transfected with 0. 25 μg of mBmal1 expression construct (mBmal1/pcDNA3) and 0. 25 μg of shRNA control vector (psiRNA-hH1-neoG1-scr) or shRNA expression construct for mBmal1 (psiRNA-mBmal1-204), using Lipofectamine 2000 as described above. Nuclear extracts were prepared using a Kit (Active Motif), mixed with three times SDS sample buffer, heated at 95°C for 3 min, and loaded onto a 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gel. After electrophoresis, the separated proteins were transferred to a polyvinylidene fluoride membrane and incubated in 5% ECL (GE Healthcare) at room temperature for 1 h. The membrane was then incubated at room temperature for 1 h with an anti-BMAL1 antibody (2F11) or anti-GAPDH antibody (Sigma-Aldrich) diluted in 0. 5% Western blocking reagent. An HRP-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG antibody (Zymed Laboratories) was used as the secondary antibody and detected with ECL (GE Healthcare). The chemiluminescent signals were quantified using a bioimage analyzer (LAS 1000 Plus; Fujifilm). Organotypic SCN culture. The details for the preparation and maintenance of organotypic slice cultures, yellow cameleon (yc) expression vectors, and Ca2+ imaging were described previously (Ikeda et al. , 2003a). Briefly, SCN slice cultures were prepared from 3-d-old male C57BL/6J mice. The animals were deeply anesthetized with pentobarbital, and the brain was quickly removed and dropped into ice-cold artificial CSF bubbled with 95% O2 and 5% CO2.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: Dr. extended the discussion further and illustrated in a very exciting presentation entitled "for Probiotics: by a Multi-Dimensional Approach" how predictability can be improved from in vitro tests for better selection and characterization of potential anti-infectious probiotic strains [1]. Presenting a multi-dimensional integrative approach applied by him and his team to screen 100 LAB strains in vitro, they developed novel host-bacteria heterotypic co-culture systems with and Dendritic cells that were incubated with strains of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium or Streptococcus and cytokine secretion profiles determined. In addition mannose adhesion and direct pathogen-inhibition on agar plates were tested. All the results were compiled and analyzed by Analysis in order to rank and compare the strains [18]. Two strains displayed distinct activity profiles of great interest for probiotic application, one for anti-inflammatory effect and the other one for anti-infectious purpose. Preliminary results, he shared, show anti-infectious effect in vivo using mice infection models.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: A vegetarian diet is automatically healthier than an omnivorous diet. [SEP] Text: These observations support the view that the difference(s) in the average environmental footprint among and OMN diets could be both quite limited, and affected by a large within-diet variability, enabling an imaginative approach in the design of vegan, vegetarian and omnivorous regimens with the best environmental footprint. In other words, adequate food combinations may optimize the nutritional and environmental parameters irrespective of the diet type. In regard of the impact of meat in the comparison between OMN, and either LOV or VEG diets, it may be argued that the amount of meat in OMN diets was modest (i. e. ≈150 g and 120 g of red and white meat, respectively, per week) (1), as opposed to greater amounts commonly reported for omnivorous diets [26, 35-37]. Although the relatively low meat amount included in our OMN diets was primarily due to the constraint of our approach (i. e. the focus on EAA requirements), a moderate intake of meat [preferably white, but not excluding small amounts of red and/or processed meat], is considered by recent dietary indications [3, 32, 38]. LOV menus as a group were associated to greater sodium and saturated fat content than the two other menu types (Table 1), although well below the maximum recommended intakes [16]. This was mostly due to the presence in LOV menus of dairy products, particularly of cheese, rich in [natural] saturated fat, as well as in salts [39-42]. Both sodium and saturated fat had been positively associated to cardiovascular disease [33, 38, 43, 44, 45]. In regard of saturated fat, its health-related effects should however be reconsidered in the light of recent meta-analyses and large prospective cohort studies [46, 47], outlining the inconsistency of the common claims about a negative role of saturated fatty acids on cardio-vascular diseases. In a State-of-the-Art review, the of Cardiology recently stated the absence of “beneficial effects of reducing saturated fat intake on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and total mortality”, rather the presence of “a protective effects against stroke” [47].

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: Coronal hypothalamic slices containing the SCN were cut using a vibrating-blade microtome, and placed in 0. 40 μm filter cups. The filters were placed in standard 6-well plates and cultured with 1 ml of medium consisting of 50% Eagle's basal medium, 25% Earle's balanced salt solution, and 25% heat-inactivated horse serum, supplemented with glucose and glutamax (Invitrogen). The cultures were maintained in a CO2 incubator at 36. 0 ± 0. 5°C under 5% CO2. of Care and approved all procedures involving animals. Cotransfection of yc and Bmal1 mutants into cultured SCN neurons. SCN slice cultures were transfected with YC expression vectors (YC2. 1, YC2. 6, YC3. 1 or YC3. 6) using a (Bio-Rad Laboratories). A HindIII-EcoRI fragment containing the cDNA encoding YC was isolated and subcloned into HindIII- and EcoRI-digested pBluescriptII (Stratagene). For neuron-specific expression, the 5′-flanking sequence (2. 7 kb) with exon-1 and intron-1 of rat neuron-specific enolase genomic DNA and SV40 polyadenylation signals from pRc/RSV (Invitrogen) were bound to the HindIII/EcoRI site of pBluescriptII containing the yc gene. For these YC sensors, we initially compared the signal-to-noise ratios of CCR for detection with YC2. 1 (primary Kd = 100 nm) > YC3. 6 (Kd = 250 nm) > YC2. 6 (Kd = 40 nm) > YC3. 1 (Kd = 1. 5 μm). These reported Kd values (Miyawaki et al. , 1999; Nagai et al. , 2004) are ∼1. 5 times lower in the presence of a competitive cation (1 mm MgCl2) and were thus lower in cells. Although the absolute amplitude of CCR in SCN neurons remains controversial (estimated as 120–440 nm by Ikeda et al. , 2003a using YC2. 1 and 80–120 nm by Enoki et al. , 2012 using YC3.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: Online first Effect of Probiotics on and Inflammation after SurgeryMin-+Division of Gastroenterology, Department of of Medicine, Seoul, KoreaCorrespondence to: hjpark21@yuhs. acReceived: April 18, 2024; Revised: June 10, 2024; Accepted: June 11, 2024This is an 4. 0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Gut Liver. Published online September 27, 2024 Copyright © Gut and Liver. to 2. 3,4 The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in influencing bowel diseases and various aspects of host physiology, including nutrient, xenobiotic, and drug metabolism, maintenance of the gut mucosal barrier’s structural integrity, immunomodulation, and protection against pathogens. 15-19 Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, a major concern for multiple diseases, is associated with the pathogenesis of both intestinal and extraintestinal conditions. 20-22 Prolonged stress or severe injury induced by surgery can hinder the recovery of intestinal microbiota, potentially leading to the emergence of lethal pathogens or the dominance of more virulent healthcare-associated ones. 23-25 A previous study on an animal model of POI demonstrated the induction of gut bacterial dysbiosis following surgery. Administration of probiotics before surgical intervention prevented a decrease in beneficial intestinal bacteria, butyrate production, and bowel movement. 26 However, the mechanisms connecting the improvement in colonic transit time and gut microbiota dysbiosis through probiotic pretreatment have not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which probiotic pretreatment improves POI. We measured intestinal permeability, intestinal inflammation, TJ protein expression in the GI epithelium, and plasma interleukin (IL)-17 levels in a guinea pig model of POI. to 1. Preparation of animals Adult male Hartley guinea pigs (Inc. , Seoul, Korea) weighing 250 to 350 g were acclimatized to controlled breeding conditions for at least 1 week prior to the surgical intervention. The conditions were a temperature of 20 to 22°C, humidity of 50%±10%, and a 12-hour light/dark cycle commencing at 7 AM. The guinea pigs had ad libitum access to water and feed consisting of ≥16% crude protein, ≥2.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: A vegetarian diet is automatically healthier than an omnivorous diet. [SEP] Text: Substitution of the current nutrients-based guidelines for food-group based macronutrient indications was recommended [47], and no available evidence from a large body of current studies would support a restriction in the intake of “whole-fat dairy, unprocessed meat, and dark chocolate” to prevent cardiovascular disease [48, 49]. The acceptance of such a recent position on saturated fat would obviously question the validity of including saturated fat among “the lower, the better” variables considered in the NES score (see Methods and Results). Therefore, waiting for an updated, unanimously-accepted position about the role of saturated fat on cardiovascular disease(s), our results should be taken with caution. All menus were intentionally designed to provide approximately the same energy to avoid a significant bias in menu comparisons (see the Method section and Supplementary details of methods). Furthermore, since the “focal” variable of our approach was the satisfaction of rather than energy provision, the calculated total food amounts, irrespective of menu type, resulted into an (unexpected) total caloric content by ≈20%-25% lower than reference intakes even in sedentary individuals [34, 50]. While we acknowledge such a limitation, an increase of the caloric content of the diet(s), approaching the “minimum” requirement of ≈2000 kcal/day, could be easily and freely attained at the consumer’s choice, by adding sucrose (not considered in our diets), either as such and/or as sucrose-containing soft drinks, sweets or cakes, as well as by increasing vegetal oil in the menus. These additional nutrients, if added at the same amount to all menus, will not modify the (relative) differences among the menus in the environmental footprint. We did not report here the calculated provision of other essential nutritional elements (oligo elements, vitamins, essential fatty acids etc. ) in respect to their individual RDAs (Tessari et al, unpublished results). The abundance of fruit and vegetables could anyway guarantee consistent amounts of some of these elements, that however need to be accurately determined. The design of an “ideal food system” requires an integrated approach, combining health science(s), food technologists, the food production system(s) and their environmental footprint, and else [12, 14]. Regional, income-related factors can condition the effects of replacement of animal-source foods with vegetal-based diets [10].

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: 6), we used YC2. 1 for the present study because of its better signal-to-noise ratio in our assay system. For biolistics, gold p2. 1 expression vector together with a vector carrying a Bmal1 mutant or a vector carrying the shRNA encoding Bmal1. The two vectors were suspended in Tris-EDTA buffer containing spermidine (Sigma-Aldrich) and then coated onto gold p0. 6 μm, 5 mg for 50 bullets) in a droplet of 1 m CaCl2 according to the manufacturer's instructions. The gene-gun bullet was made using a Station (Bio-Rad Laboratories) and blasted onto 7- to 9-d-old cultures with helium pressure (190–200 psi) using a (Bio-Rad Laboratories). The efficacy of this double-transfection technique has been evaluated using cell line models (Ikeda et al. , 2013). Immunohistochemistry. For immunofluorescence staining, SCN slice cultures were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS at pH 7. 4 for 15 min, rinsed three times with PBS, and incubated in 10% donkey serum (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories) in 0. 01% Triton X-100 (Sigma-Aldrich) in PBS overnight at 4°C to block nonspecific antibody binding. The samples were then incubated with 1:2000 diluted 2F11 antibody in 5% donkey serum and 0. 01% Triton X-100 in PBS for 48 h at 4°C. Following four 20 min rinses with PBS, the samples were incubated overnight with Cy3-conjugated donkey anti-mouse IgG (1:200 dilution; Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories) at 4°C. After another four 20 min rinses with PBS, the slices were embedded in VectaShield mounting reagent containing DAPI (Vector Laboratories). To examine the intracellular distribution of exogenous BMAL1, NIH 3T3 cells, and organotypic cultures of SCN were transfected with wild-type Bmal1 and DN-Bmal1 linked at the C-terminus with an Xpress-tag (Invitrogen), fixed, rinsed, and incubated in blocking solution as described above.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: 431); however, no significant differences were observed in the ileal tissue (Fig. 2). Administration of probiotics improved the expression of occludin in the proximal colon (p=0. 064), while no significant differences were observed in the ileum. Figure 2. (A) Occludin expression in the ileum and proximal colon of the control, POI, and probiotic groups. (B) Representative immunohistochemical occludin staining (×200) in the ileum and proximal colon of the control, POI, and probiotic groups 6 hours after the operation. Bars indicate the mean±SEM. POI, postoperative ileus; SEM, standard error of mean. Similar results were observed for ZO-1 expression levels. No significant differences were observed in the ileal tissue among the three groups. However, ZO-1 expression in the proximal colon of the POI group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p=0. 047). ZO-1 expression was greater in the probiotic group than in the POI group (p=0. 002) (Fig. 3). Figure 3. (A) Expression of ZO-1 in the control, POI, and probiotics group. (B) Representative immunohistochemical ZO-1 staining (×200) in the ileum and proximal colon of the control, POI, and probiotic groups 6 hours after the operation. Bars indicate the mean±SEM. ZO-1, zonula occludens 1; POI, postoperative ileus; SEM, standard error of mean. *p<0. 05 indicated significance with respect to that in the POI group. 3. Intestinal inflammation Analysis of leukocyte counts revealed that intestinal inflammation in both the ileal and proximal colonic muscle layers of the POI group was significantly higher than in the control group (p=0. 001). In contrast, the leukocyte count in both the ileal and proximal colonic muscle layers of the probiotic group was significantly lower than that in the POI group (p=0. 001 and p=0. 028 in the ileum and proximal colon, respectively (Fig. 4). Figure 4.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: A vegetarian diet is automatically healthier than an omnivorous diet. [SEP] Text: Energy-balanced, plant-based dietary regimens are associated with both healthy nutritional habits and a low environmental impact particularly in high-income and middle-income countries [10]. Conversely, their impact would be of lower magnitude in low-income countries, because of less efficient production systems and increase demand for environmental resources [10]. In our in silico, theoretical study, we did not aim at either examining these complex relationships, nor at analyzing extensive epidemiological data; rather we present here theoretical estimates of the environmental impact of some sample, in silico-designed, although applicable, dietary regimens. The conclusion(s) of our work should be placed in the context of many other social-economic variables, as well as applied and/or adapted to specific populations. The study of the association between the type of food production/consumption, and the environmental footprint is at the core of current debates. The agricultural system accounts for relevant fractions of the earth’s cultivable land (≈40%), of freshwater use (≈70%) and of the total greenhouse gas emission (≈20%) [49, 51]. The growing use of land and water, and the worsening of the greenhouse effect for food production, represent serious challenges to the earth’s sustainability [51, 52]. Therefore, dietary choices could represent key lifestyle-related factors capable of modifying and/or minimizing the environmental footprint due to agriculture and food production. Any intervention upon the agricultural food system should however be weighed in respect of the provision of adequate nutrition to people. High quality proteins are distinctly found in many animal foods, besides (red) meat. The heavy environmental impact of an [excessive] production of bovine meat [8, 9, 11, 49, 51], as well as the risk conveyed by an exaggerated consumption particularly of processed red meat on human health are well established [43]. The shift from current consumption patterns to “sustainable diets” rich in vegetal foods, could be associated to both human health protection and a reduced GHGE [52]. While keeping in mind these key observations, a comprehensive, unbiased and thoughtful analysis of all the variables involved in dietary planning, based on objective data, would nevertheless be advisable.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: The samples were then incubated with 1:200 diluted monoclonal antibody against Xpress (Invitrogen) dissolved in 5% donkey serum and 0. 01% Triton X-100 in PBS for 48 h at 4°C. Following four 20 min rinses with PBS, the samples were incubated overnight with Cy3-conjugated donkey anti-mouse IgG (1:200 dilution; Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories) at 4°C. After another four 20 min rinses with PBS, the slices were embedded in VectaShield mounting reagent containing DAPI. The fluorescence images were acquired using a confocal laser-scanning unit (LSM510; Carl Zeiss) mounted on an inverted microscope (Axiovert 200M; Carl Zeiss) with a 63×/1. 40 oil-immersion objective lens (Carl Zeiss). For quantitative analyses of anti-Xpress immunostaining in NIH 3T3 cells, the intensities of immunofluorescence in the cytosol and nucleus were compared with the intensity of DAPI nuclear staining. Calcium imaging. The YC fluorescence levels at 3 d after transfection were observed using an inverted fluorescence microscope (TE-2000s; Nikon) with a 10× objective lens (Plan-Fluor 10×, NA0. 3; Nikon) and a GFP filter set. SCN slices that exhibited successful gene transfection were carefully dissected from the filter cups and transferred to collagen-coated glass-bottom dishes (Industries) with the transfection surface on the bottom. Half of the culture medium (60–70 μl) was replaced every 1–2 d. On day 5 after gene transfection, the slices on the glass-bottom dishes were transferred to a recording system with an inverted fluorescence microscope (Axiovert 405M; Carl Zeiss) equipped with a custom-built microscope stage, CO2 incubator, mercury arc lamp, excitation filter (435. 8 nm DF10; Omega Optical), excitation neutral density filter (ND. 5; Omega Optical), dichroic mirror (455DRLP; Omega Optical), and 20× objective lens (Plan-Neofluor 20×, NA0. 5; Carl Zeiss).

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: 2020;21:6402. Changes in intestinal microbiota composition and metabolism coincide with increased intestinal permeability in young adults under prolonged physiological stress. 2017;312:G559-G571. Gut microbiota and probiotics in chronic liver diseases. Dis 2011;43:431-438. Gecse K, Róka R, Séra T, et al. Leaky gut in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and inactive ulcerative colitis. Digestion 2012;85:40-46. Early molecular and functional changes in colonic epithelium that precede increased gut permeability during colitis development in mdr1a(-/-) mice. Dis 2008;14:620-631. . Gut permeability in patients with acute pancreatitis. Gastroenterol 2000;35:1314-1318. . Clinical uses of probiotics for stabilizing the gut mucosal barrier: successful strains and future challenges. Leeuwenhoek 1996;70:347-358. The influence of probiotic supplementation on gut permeability in patients with metabolic syndrome: an open label, randomized pilot study. 2012;66:1110-1115. . Role of probiotics on gut permeability and endotoxemia in patients with acute pancreatitis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. J 2011;45:442-448. Randomised clinical trial: the effects of a multispecies probiotic vs. placebo on innate immune function, bacterial translocation and gut permeability in patients with cirrhosis. Ther 2016;44:926-935. . Probiotic therapy fails to improve gut permeability in a hapten model of colitis. Gastroenterol 2000;35:1266-1271. Ait- Prevention of gut leakiness by a probiotic treatment leads to attenuated HPA response to an acute psychological stress in rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2012;37:1885-1895. Ait- Probiotic gut effect prevents the chronic psychological stress-induced brain activity abnormality in mice. 2014;26:510-520. Probiotics alleviate autoimmune hepatitis in mice through modulation of gut microbiota and intestinal permeability. J 2021;98:108863. Günzel D, Yu AS. Claudins and the modulation of tight junction permeability. 2013;93:525-569.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: A vegetarian diet is automatically healthier than an omnivorous diet. [SEP] Text: From our data, balanced mixtures of vegetal and animal proteins, the latter including not only egg or dairy foods, but also poultry, fish, and/or moderate amounts of (preferably unprocessed) red meat, appear to be both feasible and recommended, from an environmental and a nutritional standpoint. In addition, food combinations would positively interact to end up into proportionally lower total amounts of food(s), thus contributing to the reduction of the environmental footprint. The conclusions of this study are based on published, peer-reviewed, often multiple, estimates of environmental parameters. From a methodological standpoint, these kind of data are per se quite difficult to be calculated, and often show a large variability, in particular those of beef meat and fish (seabass), largely because of differences between [semi]intensive and extensive production systems (see Supplementary Methods, Tables 2 and 3, and 3. 500 million people, of whom ≈850 million by undernutrition, vs. ≈2500 million, (≈35% of the current world population) by over nutrition [58]. Another billion of people suffer from “hidden hunger”, i. e. they have sufficient energy intake but are deficient in key nutrients, particularly of high-quality proteins, therefore of EAAs [59]. Appallingly, the number of “malnourished” individuals in the world is steadily rising [58]. Both undernutrition and over-nutrition are associated to altered growth, reduced life expectancy, and poor health, not to mention devastating psychological effects. Since malnutrition is frequently linked to poor food quality [59], the availability of high quality foods and suitable combinations would retain a significant impact on human health. In the calculation of the global EAA-NES score we roughly considered energy intake as a variable to be kept at a minimum to prevent overweight and obesity. However, energy intake should also be proportional to the actual needs of a given human being as well as of a population, and, more importantly, sufficient to prevent malnutrition. This considerations should be taken into account in specific conditions. It could be argued that any nutrient deficiency, including that of the EAAs themselves, could be replaced by appropriate supplements. While this possibility is logic and should be carefully considered, the cost and the feasibility of this approach should be balanced against both the effective in vivo availability of the supplemented nutrient(s), and the environmental impact and cost(s) associated to their production.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: Two emission bandpass filters (480DF30 and 535DF25; Omega Optical) were switched using a filter changer wheel (C4312; Hamamatsu Photonics). Resultant image pairs were acquired through a cooled charge-coupled device camera (C6790; Hamamatsu Photonics) at a sampling rate of one image-pair per 10 min for detecting circadian cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations. The electromagnetic shutter (Copal), filter changer wheel, and image acquisition were controlled using Argus-HiSCA imaging software (Hamamatsu Photonics). Statistical analyses. The amplitude and period of circadian cytosolic Ca2+ rhythms were calculated using a four-parameter sine curve fitted using Sigma-ver. 7. 0 software (SPSS). A two-tailed Student's t test was used for pairwise mean comparisons and ANOVA was used for multiple mean comparisons. of Bmal1 knockdown on CCR in SCN neurons To quantify the efficiency of Bmal1 RNAi, a cDNA encoding wild-type mBmal1 was cotransfected with a mBmal1 shRNA or scrambled-sequence shRNA into NIH 3T3 fibroblasts for Western blotting analyses (Fig. 1a). We observed a reduction in the protein expression level by more than half with mBmal1 shRNA (−59. 6% of scrambled RNA control), thereby confirming its efficiency. To examine the effect of Bmal1 knockdown on CCR in SCN neurons, we transfected SCN slice cultures using gene-gun bullets (gold p2. 1 cDNA/20 pg mBmal1 shRNA per dish), SCN neurons successfully expressed yellow cameleon fluorescence with reduced nuclear BMAL1 expression (Fig. 1c), with no effects on BMAL1 expression in the surrounding yellow cameleon-negative cells. Less than half of the yellow cameleon-positive SCN neurons showed CCR after transfection of mBmal1 shRNA (48. 9 ± 4%, 6 slices), whereas the majority of neurons displayed CCR after transfection of the scrambled control shRNA (81. 6 ± 6%, 6 slices; Fig. 1d). In addition, a positive correlation was observed between the magnitude of CCR and the intensity of nuclear BMAL1 staining in SCN neurons (r = 0. 66, p < 0.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: . Regulation of tight junction permeability by intestinal bacteria and dietary components. J Nutr 2011;141:769-776. Occludin as a possible determinant of tight junction permeability in endothelial cells. J 1997;110(Pt 14):1603-1613. . The tight junction protein ZO-1 establishes a link between the transmembrane protein occludin and the actin cytoskeleton. J 1998;273:29745-29753. Zhang B, Guo Y. Supplemental zinc reduced intestinal permeability by enhancing occludin and zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) expression in weaning piglets. Nutr 2009;102:687-693. . Increased iNOS activity is essential for intestinal epithelial tight junction dysfunction in endotoxemic mice. Shock 2004;21:261-270. üssler NC, et al. Constitutive expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the mouse ileal mucosa. Physiol 1997;272:G383-G392. . Expression, activity and cellular localization of inducible nitric oxide synthase in rat ileum and colon post-irradiation. 1998;74:255-264. Farro G, Gomez- Smooth muscle and neural dysfunction contribute to different phases of murine postoperative ileus. 2016;28:934-947. -Pierre DH, Lamontagne L. Crosstalk between intestinal microbiota, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle as an early event in systemic low-grade inflammation and the development of obesity and diabetes. 2015;31:545-561. Plaza-Díaz J, Ruiz-Ojeda FJ, Vilchez-Padial LM, Gil A. Evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics and synbiotics in intestinal chronic diseases. Nutrients 2017;9:555. Ayling RM, Kok K. Fecal calprotectin. Chem 2018;87:161-190. . Muscularis macrophages: key players in intestinal homeostasis and disease. 2018;330:142-150. Boeckxstaens GE, de Jonge WJ. Neuroimmune mechanisms in postoperative ileus. Gut 2009;58:1300-1311.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: A vegetarian diet is automatically healthier than an omnivorous diet. [SEP] Text: As a matter of fact, the goal of food-based dietary guidelines is to consume the full complement of essential nutrients from natural foods (i. e. not supplements). In conclusion, in silico-designed vegan diets do not necessarily rank better than lacto-ovo-vegetarian and omnivorous ones, when key environmental and nutritional parameters, such the are considered. More detailed analyses on the relationships between the nutritional quality of foods and their environmental footprint are warranted to guarantee both human health and the planet’s future. MethodsFood choice, composition, and data source Popular, staple foods utilized worldwide, but preferentially based on western countries traditions, included into the MD frame, and with a specific reference to Italy, were considered [32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 43] Among vegetal ones, we selected nuts (almond, hazelnut, pistachio, walnut), legumes (bean, pea, soybean, lentil), cereals as either flour (maize, wheat) or a refined food (rice), a pseudo-cereal (quinoa), a tuber (potato), a cucurbita (zucchini), a solanale (eggplant), lettuce, and cultivated mushroom type (pleurotus). Among animal ones, we selected: beef (and beef-derived bresaola); pork (and bacon); chicken egg; dairy products (milk, yogurt, ricotta, gorgonzola and parmesan); fish (cod and seabass); and poultry (chicken and turkey). Each meal also contained extra virgin olive oil [EVO], fruit (both fresh and dried), coffee and/or chocolate, and one serving of an alcoholic drink (either wine or beer). The composition of each food, including their amino acid concentration, was largely retrieved from the public, free database of the of Food and Nutrition (INRAN, renamed CREA[1] in 2015) [39]. For foods not considered by CREA/INRAN, we relied on additional sources, i. e. the database [40], that of the USDA [41], or that of the of Oncology [42]. For some foods, additional selected publications were retrieved, as reported in part previously [28] (See also the complete Reference list in the Supplementary material). The edible parts [e. p. ] of the foods, i. e.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: 01) on day 5 after mBmal1 shRNA transfection (Fig. 1d). Furthermore, SCN neurons displaying CCR on day 5 after mBmal1 shRNA transfection showed progressively damped oscillations thereafter until day 10 (Fig. 1e). During the damped circadian Ca2+ oscillations, the period (τ) of Ca2+ oscillations was significantly prolonged (τ = 28. 5 ± 1. 4 h, n = 10 in 3 slices) compared with the regular period after scrambled RNA transfection (τ = 23. 9 ± 0. 3 h, n = 18 in 3 slices; p < 0. 01 by Student's t test). These results indicated that (1) CCR were dependent on nuclear BMAL1 expression, and (2) impaired CCR were not rescued by surrounding SCN circuits. Download figureOpen in new tabDownload powerpointFigure 1. a, The efficacy of the Bmal1 shRNA was analyzed by Western blotting using NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. The cells cotransfected with wild-type mouse Bmal1 and Bmal1 shRNA (mBmal1 + shRNA) showed less protein synthesis than those cotransfected with the scrambled shRNA control (mBmal1 + Scramble). b, Representative BMAL1 immunofluorescence staining of the SCN (red). 3V, Third ventricle. Before fixation, this culture was cotransfected with Bmal1 shRNA and yellow cameleon. The subregion marked by the red square is enlarged in c. c, Triple-color scanning of yellow cameleon, BMAL1, and DAPI nuclear staining shows that two neurons successfully expressed yellow cameleon and had reduced BMAL1 expression. All other cells in this field show nuclear BMAL1 expression, but the intensity is variable. d, The intensity of nuclear BMAL1 immunoreactivity following Bmal1 shRNA cotransfection (black circles) or scrambled shRNA cotransfection (white circles) was plotted as a function of the circadian amplitude of CCR. The mean amplitude of CCR monitored by single YC2. 1 transfection was regarded as 100%. A positive correlation (r = 0. 66) was observed between the BMAL1 intensity and the magnitude of CCR.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: Inhibition of macrophage function prevents intestinal inflammation and postoperative ileus in rodents. Gut 2007;56:176-185. Mikkelsen HB. Interstitial cells of Cajal, macrophages and mast cells in the gut musculature: morphology, distribution, spatial and possible functional interactions. J Med 2010;14:818-832. de Jonge WJ, van der Stimulation of the vagus nerve attenuates macrophage activation by activating the Jak2-STAT3 signaling pathway. 2005;6:844-851. Mörkl. Probiotics and the microbiota-gut-brain axis: focus on psychiatry. Rep 2020;9:171-182. Gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids regulate IL-17 production by mouse and human intestinal γδ T cells. 2021;36:109332. Nueno-Palop C, Narbad A. Probiotic assessment of Enterococcus faecalis CP58 isolated from human gut. 2011;145:390-394. . Beneficial effects of Enterococcus faecalis in hypercholesterolemic mice on cholesterol transportation and gut microbiota. Biotechnol 2019;103:3181-3191. Perdigón. Interaction of lactic acid bacteria with the gut immune system. 2002;56 Suppl 4:S21-S26. . Probiotic Bio-Three induces Th1 and anti-inflammatory effects in PBMC and dendritic cells. Gastroenterol 2010;16:3529-3540. Probiotics have clinical, microbiologic, and immunologic efficacy in acute infectious diarrhea. 2010;29:135-138. Probiotic therapy (BIO-THREE) mitigates intestinal microbial imbalance and intestinal damage caused by oxaliplatin. Proteins 2022;14:60-71. . Listeria monocytogenes internalin and E-cadherin: from structure to pathogenesis. 2009;11:693-702. A comparative analysis of the intestinal metagenomes present in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) and humans (Homo sapiens). BMC Genomics 2012;13:514. Impact of birth weight and postnatal diet on the gut microbiota of young adult guinea pigs. PeerJ 2017;5:e2840.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: A vegetarian diet is automatically healthier than an omnivorous diet. [SEP] Text: Serra-Majem, L. , et al. Updating the Mediterranean diet pyramid towards sustainability: focus on environmental concerns. Int. J. Environ. Res. Nov 25;17 (23), 8758 (2020). doi: 10. 3390/ijerph17238758. Agnoli, G. , et al. A priori–defined dietary patterns are associated with reduced risk of stroke in a large Italian cohort. J. Nutr. 141, 1552–1558 (2011). FDA. Estimated daily calorie needs. (2020). Pounis, G. , et al. . Food group consumption in an Italian population using the updated food classification system FoodEx2: Results from the & [INHES] study. Nutr. Metab. Cardiovasc. Dis. 27; 4, 307-328 (2017). Mertens, E. , et al. Dietary choices and environmental impact in four European countries. J. Clean Prod. 237:117827 (2019). Vieux, F. , Perignon, M. , Gazan, R. , & Darmon, N. Dietary changes needed to improve diet sustainability: Are they similar across Europe? Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 72, 951-960 (2018). GBD 2017 Diet Collaborators. Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global EAA Burden of 2017. Lancet 393 (10184), 1958-1972 (2019). CREA. Tabelle di composizione degli alimenti. di Ricerca per gli Alimenti e la Nutrizione (INRAN). Rome (Italy). 2015. Retrieved in 2015-2018 from:646/tabelle_di_composizione_degli_alimenti. html, and since 2019 from: mobi/tabelle_alimenti. html. food composition table (2020). USDA (U. S. Department of Agriculture). Service. National nutrient database for standard reference. Release 25. databases. of Oncology. Food composition database for epidemiological studies in Italy (2015). FAO. Joint WHO/FAO expert consultation on diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. 3.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: e, Representative CCR in SCN neurons following Bmal1 shRNA cotransfection (4 representative cells are shown as blue, green, red, and black traces). Of these, three cells (blue, green, and red traces) had several sustained circadian oscillations, but the peak Ca2+ levels were decreased and the cycle periods were lengthened after Bmal1 shRNA cotransfection compared with control CCR following scrambled shRNA transfection (gray trace). Generation and characterization of DN-Bmal1 in SCN neurons The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) PER-ARNT-SIM (PAS) domain of BMAL1 binds to a partner clock gene product, CLOCK (Ikeda and Nomura, 1997). Although preserving the PAS domain, a 43 aa deletion at the C-terminus of Bmal1 reduces Per2 transcription activation and counteracts wild-type Bmal1 actions in Rat1 fibroblasts (Kiyohara et al. , 2006), suggesting that this Bmal1 mutant functions as a DN sequence in these cells. In addition, the region upstream of the bHLH-PAS domain contains putative nuclear localization signals, deletion of which inhibits the nuclear localization of BMAL1 in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts (Kwon et al. , 2006). The nuclear translocation of BMAL1:CLOCK heterodimers is a critical step for E-box regulation. Therefore, we generated a series of C-terminal and N-terminal deletion mutants from mBmal1 cDNA sequences (mBMF1R to mBMF2R6; Fig. 2a). NIH 3T3 fibroblasts expressing Per1-luciferase (Per1-luc) reporters were transfected with these Bmal1 analogs together with hClock. We found that a 182 aa deletion at the C-terminus with preservation of the PAS domain (mBMF1R5 or mBMF2R5) strongly inhibited Per1-luc induction (Fig. 2b). In addition, the effects of wild-type Bmal1 overexpression were dose-dependently inhibited by cotransfection of mBMF1R5 (Fig. 2c).

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: Effects of probiotic type, dose and treatment duration on irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed by Rome III criteria: a meta-analysis. BMC Gastroenterol 2016;16:62. Vassilopoulou L, Spyromitrou-Xioufi P, Ladomenou F. Effectiveness of probiotics and synbiotics in reducing duration of acute infectious diarrhea in pediatric patients in developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatr 2021;180:2907-2920. PDF Standard view Export citation 4. 0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Abstract Background/Aims: We explored the mechanisms underlying the improvement of postoperative ileus (POI) following probiotic pretreatment. We assessed intestinal permeability, inflammation, tight junction (TJ) protein expression in the gut epithelium, and plasma interleukin (IL)-17 levels in a guinea pig model of POI. Methods: Guinea pigs were divided into control, POI, and probiotic groups. The POI and probiotic groups underwent surgery, but the probiotic group received probiotics before the procedure. The ileum and proximal colon were harvested. Intestinal permeability was measured via horseradish peroxidase permeability. Inflammation was evaluated via leukocyte count in the intestinal wall muscle layer, and calprotectin expression in each intestinal wall layer was analyzed immunohistochemically. TJ proteins were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining, and plasma IL-17 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The POI group exhibited increased intestinal permeability and inflammation, whereas probiotic pretreatment reduced the extent of these POI-induced changes. Probiotics restored the expression of TJ proteins occludin and zonula occludens-1 in the proximal colon, which were increased in the POI group. Calprotectin expression significantly increased in the muscle layer of the POI group and was downregulated in the probiotic group; however, no distinct differences were observed between the mucosal and submucosal layers. Plasma IL-17 levels did not significantly differ among the groups. Conclusions: Probiotic pretreatment may relieve POI by reducing intestinal permeability and inflammation and TJ protein expression in the gut epithelium.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Skipping meals is the best way to lose weight quickly. [SEP] Text: diets do not make you lose weight, on the contrary, they make you gain weight! Wrong diets do not make you lose weight, on the contrary, they make you gain weight! 03. 05. 2024 - 11:45 Haber ile ilişkili SDG etiketleri DOI : Noting that people apply very wrong diets when they aim to lose weight quickly in a very short time, experts say that the wrong lists applied in the process started with the aim of weight loss and weight loss lists based on inadequate and unbalanced nutrition bring obesity along with it. Stating that the reason for the failure of popular diets is that they are not applicable, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan expressed that "Because every diet, every nutrition list prepared is like an individual's fingerprint, and it is unique to that person. The lists should be prepared specifically for the individual. " Üsküdar of Head of Nutrition and Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan evaluated the issue of rapid weight loss and shock diets. "Weight loss lists based on unbalanced nutrition bring obesity with it" Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan stated that wrong diets can actually trigger weight gain and adversely affect health, and that unbalanced nutrition and rapid weight loss goals can often lead to unexpected results, and said that "Adequate and balanced nutrition, that is, the intake of energy, macro and micronutrients, namely carbohydrates, proteins and fats, should be taken into the body in the amounts that the body needs. When people aim to lose weight quickly in a very short time, they apply very wrong diets. In this process, which they start with the goal of losing weight, there is the opposite effect, and they gain too much weight. Wrong lists, weight loss lists based on inadequate and unbalanced nutrition bring obesity along with it. " "System disorders may occur in parallel with severe, inadequate and unbalanced nutrition" Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan noted that there is a very serious information pollution on social media about diets, stating that dietitians can be reached through many channels, but people who have not been trained in this field give false information, and expressed that "In parallel with serious inadequate and unbalanced nutrition, there may be system disorders and many health problems.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: Therefore, we used mBMF1R5 as DN-Bmal1. Download figureOpen in new tabDownload powerpointFigure 2. a, Schematic illustrations of the structure of the mouse Bmal1 mutants generated. The sizes and locations of the structural amino acids are shown under the mutant names. bHLH, Basic helix-loop-helix domain; -ARNT-SIM domain; PAC, C-terminal motif of PAS likely contributing to PAS motifs. b, Effects of deletions (mBMF1R5 to mBMF2R6) on Per1-luc reporter expression in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Wild-type human Bmal1 and wild-type human Clock were cotransfected as controls. Plus and minus symbols denote the presence and absence of gene transfection. Cotransfection of human Bmal1 or wild-type mouse Bmal1 and human Clock significantly increased the Per1-luc signals compared with those in untransfected NIH 3T3 cells (dashed line). Cotransfection of Bmal1 mutants lacking the C-terminus (mBMF1R5 or mBMF2R5) and human Clock failed to increase the Per1-luc signals. c, Per1-luc induction by wild-type mouse Bmal1 and human Clock was dose-dependently inhibited by cotransfection of mBMF1R5 (0. 01, 0. 003, 0. 05, and 0. 1 μg/dish are shown as a slope). Data points indicate means ± SE. Each trial was repeated four or more times. Immunofluorescence staining for the Xpress-tag on the N-terminus of wild-type exogenous BMAL1 was predominantly located in the nucleus of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, and gradually decreased over 8 d in culture (−25. 1%, F(2,73) = 3. 46, p < 0. 05; Fig. 3a). However, the Xpress-tag immunostaining for DN-BMAL1 showed nuclear and cytoplasmic localizations with greater levels of nuclear expression (Fig. 3b), although both were still significantly decreased over 8 d in culture (−53. 2%, F(2,78) = 20. 4, p < 0.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: These findings suggest a potential therapeutic approach for POI management. Keywords: Interleukin-17, Ileus, Probiotics, Intestinal permeability, Tight junction proteins ileus (POI) refers to impaired gastrointestinal (GI) transit as a response to surgical stress. 1,2 It commonly occurs after GI surgery, affecting up to 30% of patients, although it can also manifest after other surgeries. 3 POI contributes to patient discomfort, complications, increased morbidity, and prolonged hospital stays, leading to significant healthcare costs, particularly for patients undergoing surgery. 4-6 Since knowledge of effective therapies for POI remains limited, it represents a major challenge in surgery, especially abdominal surgery. 1 Numerous studies have investigated the underlying mechanisms of POI, revealing the involvement of inflammatory, pharmacological, hormonal, and neurogenic factors. However, the precise pathophysiology of POI is still not completely understood. 7 Intestinal permeability, closely associated with intestinal inflammation, is regulated by tight junction (TJ) proteins in the GI epithelium. Alterations in intestinal permeability and TJ proteins have been observed in various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, tumoral disease, irritable bowel syndrome, metabolic diseases, and autoimmune diseases. 8-12 In a previous study on an animal model of POI, increased intestinal inflammation and permeability were accompanied by changes in TJ proteins such as claudin-1 and claudin-2. 3,4 The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in influencing bowel diseases and various aspects of host physiology, including nutrient, xenobiotic, and drug metabolism, maintenance of the gut mucosal barrier’s structural integrity, immunomodulation, and protection against pathogens. 15-19 Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, a major concern for multiple diseases, is associated with the pathogenesis of both intestinal and extraintestinal conditions. 20-22 Prolonged stress or severe injury induced by surgery can hinder the recovery of intestinal microbiota, potentially leading to the emergence of lethal pathogens or the dominance of more virulent healthcare-associated ones. 23-25 A previous study on an animal model of POI demonstrated the induction of gut bacterial dysbiosis following surgery. Administration of probiotics before surgical intervention prevented a decrease in beneficial intestinal bacteria, butyrate production, and bowel movement.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Skipping meals is the best way to lose weight quickly. [SEP] Text: " "Diet has become a market, unfortunately. . . " Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan stated that "When we look at the history of nutrition, popular diet lists come to the fore every period," and continued her remarks as follows: "There was a stone age diet, a blood group diet came. Hollywood diets, Korean diets. . . It will continue on future dates. What is the reason behind this? Because, unfortunately, diet has become a market. And the lack of knowledge of individuals on this subject, their lack of knowledge about the weight loss process, and their tendency to quick and temporary solutions have made these diets popular. I do not recommend any of this. The reason for this is that all of these diets are based on the same basis, but with different names. The single food group is based on inadequate and unbalanced nutrition. "diet. . . I definitely do not recommend it. . . " “For example, the so-called Korean diet is a diet in which liquids are predominant, fruits and vegetables are predominant, or there are protein-based diets. None of these are acceptable diets in terms of health. We definitely do not recommend it. The main thing is to lose weight healthily on the basis of adequate and balanced nutrition. The reason why popular diets fail is that they are not implementable because every diet, every nutrition list prepared is like an individual's fingerprint, and it is unique to that person. The lists should be prepared for the individual. What we call healthy eating is actually eating without skipping meals. " Obsession with healthy eating, that is, Orthorexia. . . Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan pointed out the disease of obsession with extremely healthy eating called Orthorexia and expressed that "The processes is turning into a disease and saying 'I have eaten so many grams of carbohydrates, there is so much fat in it, I should not do this' are transitioning to Orthorexia. In the later stages of this, there is now a position of not liking the body shape. Despite having a healthy body shape, she is starting to see herself overweight in the mirror. That's when you shift into anorexia. After that, the unhealthy process begins. " Is a no-bread list accurate? Pointing out that it is not right to eat with prison life for fear of gaining weight, Assoc. Prof.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: 01 for nuclear expression; −35. 3%, F(2,47) = 21. 36, p < 0. 01 for cytoplasmic expression). Therefore, we examined the function of the C-terminal sequence of Bmal1 for nuclear translocation in hypothalamic slice cultures from mice. Similar to the localization of exogenous BMAL1 in NIH 3T3 cells (Fig. 3) and HeLa cells (Kwon et al. , 2006), the wild-type form was localized to the nucleus of astrocytes (Fig. 4a, white asterisk) and SCN neurons (Fig. 4a). Exogenous wild-type BMAL1 degraded faster in SCN neurons than in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, and the immunostaining signals were almost undetectable at 8 d after transfection (−60. 8% on day 8, F(3,25) = 18. 24, p < 0. 01; Fig. 4b). DN-BMAL1 was only located in the cytoplasm of SCN neurons and did not degrade over 10 d in culture (F(3,36) = 0. 56, p > 0. 05; Fig. 4c). Therefore, the distribution and lifetime of BMAL1 analogs overexpressed in SCN neurons were similar, but not identical, to those in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Download figureOpen in new tabDownload powerpointFigure 3. Intracellular localization of wild-type mouse BMAL1 or DN-BMAL1 overexpressed in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts visualized by epitope tag immunostaining (anti-Xpress). a, 1 was located in NIH 3T3 fibroblast nuclei. Bottom, The mean exogenous BMAL1 expression declined over 8 d in culture (blue data points indicate means ± SE relative to the intensity of DAPI nuclear staining; n ≥ 6; gray data points indicate individual measurements;*p < 0. 05 by one-way ANOVA). b, DN-BMAL1 was distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and also declined over 8 d in culture; **p < 0. 01 by one-way ANOVA. Download figureOpen in new tabDownload powerpointFigure 4.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: 13 in the ileum and proximal colon, respectively), and pre-administration of probiotics decreased the permeability of the ileum (p=0. 021 and p=0. 236 in the ileum and proximal colon, respectively). 2. Occludin and ZO-1 expression Occludin and ZO-1 expression levels were measured by analyzing images of the immunohistochemically stained ileum and proximal colon tissues. In the proximal colon, occludin expression was lower in the POI group animals than in the control group animals (p=0. 431); however, no significant differences were observed in the ileal tissue (Fig. 2). Administration of probiotics improved the expression of occludin in the proximal colon (p=0. 064), while no significant differences were observed in the ileum. Figure 2. (A) Occludin expression in the ileum and proximal colon of the control, POI, and probiotic groups. (B) Representative immunohistochemical occludin staining (×200) in the ileum and proximal colon of the control, POI, and probiotic groups 6 hours after the operation. Bars indicate the mean±SEM. POI, postoperative ileus; SEM, standard error of mean. Similar results were observed for ZO-1 expression levels. No significant differences were observed in the ileal tissue among the three groups. However, ZO-1 expression in the proximal colon of the POI group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p=0. 047). ZO-1 expression was greater in the probiotic group than in the POI group (p=0. 002) (Fig. 3). Figure 3. (A) Expression of ZO-1 in the control, POI, and probiotics group. (B) Representative immunohistochemical ZO-1 staining (×200) in the ileum and proximal colon of the control, POI, and probiotic groups 6 hours after the operation. Bars indicate the mean±SEM. ZO-1, zonula occludens 1; POI, postoperative ileus; SEM, standard error of mean. *p<0.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: Skipping meals is the best way to lose weight quickly. [SEP] Text: Müge Arslan said that there are lists that include carbohydrates, proteins and fats in an adequate and balanced diet, and that there is no list without bread because bread is a type of carbohydrate. Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan stated that "The type of bread is very important. We do not recommend white bread because the concept of glycemic index is involved. Foods high in sugar are not recommended. However, we definitely do not recommend the bread-free list. We do not find such things right. It may be bread, but the amount is important. It is also not right to forcibly give bread to a person who says a person does not eat bread. It also has its alternatives. You can consume soup and rice, but we are in favor of preferring bulgur. You can go so far with lists of single food groups and prohibitions, and the weight lost is not weight loss, there is water loss. And then it is taken back again. " Blood sugar balance is important! Noting that they recommend grain breads with high fiber content, Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan said that "It can be grain bread, it can be made from einkorn flour, or it can be rye bread. We want to choose this type of bread because the amount of sugar in such breads is low. For this reason, it has a more supportive feature in the process of balancing blood sugar during the day. " Beware of shock diets! Stating that shock diets cause water loss, not weight, Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan said that "Think of it as a sauna effect. When you go in and out of the sauna, you come out two pounds lower and you cannot say I lost weight because it is a loss of water. This is the effect of crash diets. They are things that aim to reduce that figure on the scale quickly in a short time. Shock diets are diets that should definitely not be followed. " “You cannot apply a one-meal diet to the end of your life" Stating that it is not right to eat one meal, Assoc. Prof. Müge Arslan expressed that "It is not possible because the life process consists of a metabolic process. You need to have the energy to carry on your everyday life.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: a, Intracellular localization of wild-type mouse BMAL1 or DN-BMAL1 overexpressed in SCN neurons visualized by epitope tag immunostaining (anti-Xpress). Top, Cultured SCN neurons at 4 d after cotransfection with yellow cameleon (pNSE-yc) and mouse Bmal1 (pCMV-Bmal1). YC fluorescence is green in the overlaid panel. BMAL1 was visualized in YC-positive neuronal nuclei using anti-Xpress immunostaining (red). Strong expression can be seen in two nuclei in the middle (white asterisk), indicating BMAL1 expression in astrocytes that failed to express YC with the NSE promoter. Middle, YC signals remained high, whereas BMAL1 expression was significantly decreased at 8 d after transfection. Bottom, After cotransfection with DN-Bmal1, DN-BMAL1 was only expressed in the cytoplasm (visualized by anti-Xpress immunostaining) in SCN neurons throughout the experimental period. b, The mean exogenous BMAL1 expression decreased over 10 d in culture; **p < 0. 01 by one-way ANOVA. c, In SCN neurons, DN-BMAL1 was only distributed in the cytoplasm, and the expression level was stable over 10 d in culture. Effects of Ca2+ channel blockers and Bmal1 overexpression on CCR in SCN neurons Although we previously reported little effect of TTX and nimodipine on CCR (Ikeda et al. , 2003a), the involvement of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels was further examined using nimodipine (3 μm) together with ω-agatoxin TK (50 nm; P/Q-type Ca2+ channel blocker) and ω-conotoxin GVIA (100 nm; N-type Ca2+ channel blocker), which were previously reported to inhibit depolarization-induced Ca2+ flux in SCN neurons (Ikeda et al. , 2003b). We observed a partial reduction in the peak amplitude of the oscillating Ca2+ levels in a subpopulation of SCN neurons (Fig. 5a), although the emergence of the inhibitory actions required 2–3 d after bath application of the blockers.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: 05 indicated significance with respect to that in the POI group. 3. Intestinal inflammation Analysis of leukocyte counts revealed that intestinal inflammation in both the ileal and proximal colonic muscle layers of the POI group was significantly higher than in the control group (p=0. 001). In contrast, the leukocyte count in both the ileal and proximal colonic muscle layers of the probiotic group was significantly lower than that in the POI group (p=0. 001 and p=0. 028 in the ileum and proximal colon, respectively (Fig. 4). Figure 4. Leukocyte count per field (×400) in the ileum and proximal colon of the control, POI, and probiotic groups. Bars indicate the mean±SEM. POI, postoperative ileus; SEM, standard error of mean. *p<0. 05 indicated significance with respect to that in the POI group. 4. Calprotectin expression Calprotectin expression in each intestinal wall layer was analyzed immunohistochemically. We classified and designated the mucosal, submucosal, and muscle layers in the images for separate analysis. Calprotectin expressions in the ileal and proximal colonic mucosal and submucosal layers of the control, POI, and probiotic groups were not significantly different. However, calprotectin expression in the ileal or proximal colonic muscle layer of the POI group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p=0. 001) and probiotic group (p=0. 001 and p=0. 028 in the ileum and proximal colon, respectively (Fig. 5). Figure 5. Calprotectin expression in the intestinal wall mucosal, submucosal, and muscle layers of the ileum (A, C) and proximal colon (B, D) of the control, POI, and probiotics groups. (C, D) Representative immunohistochemical calprotectin staining (×200) in the ileum and colon. Bars indicate the mean±SEM. M, mucosal layer; SM, submucosal layer; Muscle, muscle layer; POI, postoperative ileus; SEM, standarderror of mean. *p<0. 05 indicated significance with respect to that in POI group. 5.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: All processed foods are inherently unhealthy. [SEP] Text: -19 PreprintsProtocolsVideosJournalsTools & a 10. 21203/rs. 3. rs-832447/v1This work is licensed under a CC BY 4. 0 LicenseStatus:PostedVersion 1posted You are reading this older preprint versionRead the latest preprint version →Show more versionsAbstractSmall-scale mining, referred to as galamsey in Ghana, is an important source of income for many rural populations. Although concerns have been raised in the media about the significant threats galamsey poses to the environment, health, and livelihoods, there is a representational paucity of evidence regarding its links with local food systems, particularly from the perspective of affected mining communities. The current study explored community perceptions and experiences of galamsey and its perceived effects on food security and livelihoods in the Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. Primary data was collected using photovoice, photo exhibition, and interviews. Results show that galamsey has Resulted in degradation of, otherwise, fertile agricultural land, and contamination of freshwater sources. This has resulted in reduced cultivable land, reduced crop production, shortage of essential staple foods, increases in food prices, and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. There is also perception of increased exposure to heavy metals like mercury in locally produced food. Given the adverse health consequences of both food/nutrition insecurity, and increased consumption of processed foods, it is important that public and policy discussions to minimize the effects of galamsey in Ghana should include considerations about food and nutrition insecurity in mining communities. Environmental Policysmall-scale mininggalamseyfood securityhuman healthagriculturedegradationpollutionprocessed foodFiguresFigure 1Figure 2Figure 3Figure 4Figure 5Figure 6Figure 7Figure 8Figure 9IntroductionSmall scale indigenous mining, popularly known in Ghana as ‘galamsey’, is a common rural livelihood activity that has been practiced in Ghana prior to arrival of colonial explorers on the [1]. Due to the often-crude methods employed, galamsey has been linked, notably, with adverse environmental and health impacts [2, 3]. Its damaging effects on water bodies, agricultural land, risk of death from collapsed mine shafts, and unprotected exposure of gold exploration hirelings to heavy metals have always been a political issue for past governments in Ghana.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: These results indicate indirect involvement of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel activity in the generation of CCR. Download figureOpen in new tabDownload powerpointFigure 5. a, Representative CCR in SCN neurons that received single yc transfection. Oscillations in three representative neurons are shown. On the fifth day of recordings, a mixture of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel blockers (VSCCX) was bath-applied. was repeatedly applied at the times of medium exchange (asterisks). The subpopulation of SCN neurons showed gradually reduced CCR. b, CCR temporarily ceased after cotransfection with wild-type mouse Bmal1, recovering with a shorter transition cycle period (τ = 20. 1 h; blue trace). c, No CCR occurred after cotransfection with DN-Bmal1 in the majority of SCN neurons (blue, green, and red traces). In these neurons, more than half of the neurons did not survive at 9–10 d after transfection (×, cell death). Several cells maintained intact CCR within the same slice (gray trace), but the amplitude was slightly reduced after cell death in the neighboring neurons. Overexpression of wild-type Bmal1 (40 ng DNA/dish) transiently reduced CCR, but the peak amplitude recovered after ∼8 d in culture (n = 15 in 3 slices; Fig. 5b). The rhythm period was significantly shorter during rhythm recovery (p < 0. 01 by Student's t test; τ = 21. 3 ± 0. 5 h at 7–9 d after transfection, n = 15 in 3 slices) than during the following steady-state (τ = 24. 2 ± 0. 4 h at 10–15 d after transfection). Although the majority of SCN neurons showed robust CCR under standard conditions (66. 3 ± 2. 4%; 93/138 neurons in 12 slices; τ = 23. 9 ± 0. 2 h), overexpression of DN-Bmal1 (40 ng DNA/dish) almost completely abolished CCR (40/42 neurons in 6 slices; Fig. 5c). Notably, more than half of these nonoscillatory cells (22/40 neurons) were dead at 9–10 d after DN-Bmal1 transfection under the optical recording conditions used (Fig. 5c).

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: Plasma IL-17 level measurement The plasma IL-17 levels did not differ significantly among the three groups (Fig. 6). Figure 6. Plasma IL-17 levels in the control, POI, and probiotic groups. Bars indicate the mean±SEM. IL, interleukin; POI, postoperative ileus; SEM, standard error of mean. are used to rectify gut microbiota dysbiosis in various diseases. 27 In this study, we found that intestinal permeability and inflammation were significantly downregulated in the probiotic group compared to those in the POI group. A previous study found that gut microbiota composition was significantly altered before and after surgical intervention in guinea pigs as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus (lactic acid-producing bacteria) decreased and Bacteroides and Blautia increased; pretreatment with probiotics prevented these changes and the delay in colonic transit time. 26 Furthermore, intestinal manipulation in a mouse model enhanced intestinal permeability and significantly increased the translocation of aerobes and anaerobes into the tissue compared to that seen with laparotomy alone, demonstrating an important factor influencing the development and persistence of POIs. 28 Additionally, gut microbiome dysbiosis increases intestinal permeability in various chronic diseases, which in turn causes secondary inflammation. 29 HRP, a 45 kDa protein antigen, serves as a marker for protein uptake and can trigger immune responses in humans. It typically enters cells through macropinocytosis and is easily detectable via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HRP is commonly employed in Ussing chambers for permeability studies. Using HRP, we previously demonstrated that increased gut paracellular permeability is strongly associated with the typical features of POI, particularly delayed contractile activity recovery and increased inflammation. 14 Our findings suggest that probiotic pretreatment may reduce the incidence and degree of POI by preventing increased intestinal permeability. Increased intestinal permeability after surgical stimulation enhances the movement of pathogen-associated molecules from the intestinal lumen to tissues, producing an inflammatory response in the intestinal muscle layer. 30,31 In this study, the increased leukocyte count in the muscle layer of the POI group animals compared to that in the control group animals supports this hypothesis.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: All processed foods are inherently unhealthy. [SEP] Text: When cooked, the kokonte looks very black, all because of the mercury deposits in the land. When eaten, the cassava powder causes stomach upset and diarrhea, so we don’t use the cassava anymore. A B Image 5 In addition to food-related issues, water contamination was also repeatedly highlighted in the photo-stories. There were several stories about village residents who have experienced blood in their urine, a health condition perceived to be the result of mercury deposits in water bodies: Some people are still mining in the forest closer to the source of the Brim River. When they wash the gold, the dirt flows downstream, as shown in this photo [Figure 6]. Last year, the primary school children in the town became infected from the river and had blood in their urine. They drank the water and bathed in the river. With the help of one medical doctor in town, and some medical students from University in the USA, all the school children were treated. So, the doctor advised the school children not to drink from this Brim River. However, not everyone has money to buy bottled water. Image 6 In addition to contaminating water and rendering them unpotable, galamsey was also said to affect fisheries and aquaculture, with severe implications for food security. Many participants described fish farming projects that have been collapsed due to mercury pollution: This photo here [Image 7] used to be a fishpond that produced fresh fish for the community. The galamsey miners pumped contaminated mercury water into the pond and killed all the fishes. We now travel elsewhere to buy fresh fish like tilapia. It’s now very expensive to access fresh fish here in town. There used to be about 30 acres of land at both sides of the fishpond. That land has also been destroyed. Image 7 During the photovoice exhibition, other stakeholders, including health professionals, shared many similar stories, confirming a growing incidence of illnesses linked to food and water contamination, as well as food insecurity in the study area. and Overreliance on The issue of dietary changes was the third most prominent theme that emerged from this research. Participants stressed that there has been an increasing trend towards unhealthy eating habits, perceived to be linked to galamsey. All the 36 participants took photos or shared stories showing a general difficulty in accessing food.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: The morphology of slices viewed under transmitted light following DN-Bmal1 transfection was indistinguishable from that of untransfected slices. In addition, CCR were observed in several neurons within the same DN-Bmal1-transfected slices, and survived until the end of the recordings, whereas the amplitude of CCR was reduced by 25% after cell death in neighboring neurons (2/42 neurons; Fig. 5c). These results indicate the dependence of CCR and cell viability on appropriate BMAL1 expression in SCN neurons. issues underlying CCR in SCN neurons A decade after robust CCR were monitored at the cell body of SCN neurons in mouse organotypic slice cultures (Ikeda et al. , 2003a), new evidence has recently been reported. For example, Enoki et al. (2012) transfected YC3. 6 into SCN slice cultures using an adeno-associated virus, and monitored CCR from nearly all SCN neurons in single slices. An overview of the SCN revealed propagation of Ca2+ waves from the dorsal to ventral SCN regions. This wave propagation was also reported by Brancaccio et al. (2013), who used GCaMP3 instead of YC3. 6. Inconsistent with three previous studies (Ikeda et al. , 2003a; Sugiyama et al. , 2004; Hong et al. , 2012), however, Enoki et al. (2012) reported a significant reduction in the total range of CCR by TTX treatment. The synaptic influence was further investigated by Brancaccio et al. (2013) using different approaches. They observed that inhibition of Gq-coupled receptor signaling significantly reduced CCR and the uncoupled phase of each cellular oscillation. Conceptually, these observations are more consistent with the TTX study by Enoki et al. (2012), because the Gq-coupled receptor is involved in particular synaptic signaling via action potential firing. The studies by Enoki et al. (2012) and Brancaccio et al. (2013) both used relatively low-affinity Ca2+ sensors. The affinities of YC3. 6 for Ca2+ (Kd = 250 nm) and GCaMP3 (Kd = 840 nm) are apparently lower than that of YC2. 1 (primary Kd = 110 nm).

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: Moreover, the decreased leukocyte count in the probiotic group compared to that in the POI group appears to be caused by the prevention of the increase in intestinal permeability. Several studies found that gut microbiota dysregulation is closely associated with increased intestinal permeability in chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, cirrhosis, autoimmune diseases, and prolonged psychological stress. 32-37 Moreover, intestinal permeability increases in some acute diseases, such as colitis and acute pancreatitis. 38,39 Probiotics are expected to improve altered intestinal permeability by modifying gut microflora, dietary proteins, and bacterial enzyme activity; however, most studies show that probiotics typically do not reduce the already increased intestinal permeability in colitis, and acute pancreatitis. 40-44 Only a few studies have reported that probiotic consumption improves intestinal permeability. Ait-Belgnaoui et al. 45,46 found that probiotic pretreatment prevented an increase in intestinal permeability in an acute psychological stress rat model but did not evidence a positive effect on the increase in intestinal permeability in a chronic psychological stress rat model. Liu et al. 47 reported occludin and ZO-1 restoration in an autoimmune hepatitis mouse model after compound probiotic treatment. Few animal studies, including ours, have confirmed the effect of probiotics on improving intestinal permeability. Although the reason for this improvement remains unclear, it may be related to the differences in the pathophysiology of each disease, intestinal permeability measurement methods, probiotic strains used, and probiotic intake method or dose. TJ proteins are integral transmembrane proteins found in the TJs of all epithelia and endothelia, which mediate cell-to-cell adhesion and seal the paracellular space between epithelial cells. 48 TJ structure regulation is influenced by various physiological and pathological stimuli, and its disruption increases intestinal permeability, which is closely related to various diseases. 49 Occludin and ZO-1 are TJ proteins localized at endothelial cell junctions, which associate with each other to create a complex compound. 50 Occludin maintains the integrity and barrier function of the TJ, and ZO-1 is an important liker protein in TJ, binding to C-terminal sequences of occludin and beta-actin and acting as a bridge between the plasma membrane and cytoskeleton proteins.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: All processed foods are inherently unhealthy. [SEP] Text: In these stories, the scarcity and increasing cost of food was consistently emphasized and contrasted with experiences in the past: Food is now scarce in this town due to the galamsey mining. There are no good food in the markets and the few farmers have raised their food prices. It wasn’t like that at first because about 90% of the people were farming. Other participants described the growing predominance of ultra-processed foods with refined ingredients, artificial flavours, and little nutritional value. Of these processed foods, one that was repeatedly mentioned was indomine, an instant noodle imported from Indonesia and marketed throughout Ghana. Study participants bemoaned the proliferation of indomine sale outlets even in the most rural galamsey sites in Ghana. They further emphasized that this food now constituted the main evening meal consumed by most households in sites affected by the environmental impacts of galamsey: Because galamsey has destroyed foods and farmlands, now indomine is sold all over in this area. In the evenings, indomie is usually the food available to most families. There are about fifteen indomie shops in a community of less than 900 people. Throughout the photo-stories, participants described the challenging times they find themselves in. Although fresh fruits and vegetables are known to be relatively cheaper in rural Ghanaian markets where they are often abundant, participants said that this situation has changed in their communities. They noted that in recent times, fresh fruits and vegetables have become not only incredibly expensive, but also risky to consume, mainly due to perceived mercury contamination. There were several photos taken to contrast food prices, food quality, and food variety, mainly between fresh fruits and vegetables and processed food options: With galamsey and its impacts on smallholder farming, we’re in an interesting time. We’ve entered a time where fresh fruits and vegetables are highly expensive than processed food options. So, most sellers now give you the option – either you pay more if you want fresh tomatoes, or you pay less if you want the processed, canned equivalent. This photo [Image 8], which I took from our local market, illustrates these options. One other contradiction is that it is even risky to eat the fresh farm produce due to the mercury deposits on the land. So now we’ve all turned to eating processed foods. Image 8 Almost all study participants begun their photo-stories with the phrase “our diets have changed.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: Because GCaMP3 linearly senses Ca2+ flux caused by action potential firings (Tian et al. , 2009), detection of the effect of synaptic influences on CCR (Brancaccio et al. , 2013) may be reasonable when considering the dynamic ranges of sensors. Therefore, the underlying issue may be the multiple components of CCR and differential dynamic ranges of Ca2+ sensors used in the experimental setups. To directly address depolarization-induced Ca2+ influx in the generation of CCR, the present study used inhibitor cocktails to block various voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. We observed progressive and irreversible reductions in CCR. However, these inhibitors are capable of blocking voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels quite rapidly in SCN neurons (Ikeda et al. , 2003b). Therefore, the present results suggest that CCR at cell bodies of SCN neurons within the detection limit of YC2. 1 were not driven by Ca2+ flux via voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. Thus, the present results support our original implication that synaptic interactions among cells are not the principal cause of CCR in SCN neurons. Relation of TTFLs to CCR After the discovery of CCR in SCN neurons, the issue was raised regarding the cellular clock as to whether TTFLs are generators of or generated by CCR (Ikeda, 2003, 2004). TTX treatment reversibly and significantly inhibits Per1-luciferase rhythms in SCN neurons (Yamaguchi et al. , 2003), suggesting a contribution of synaptic interactions to the production of a particular clock gene rhythm. Because circadian rhythms in cytosolic messenger cAMP have also been reported in SCN neurons, the importance of “cytoscillators” has been suggested for cellular circadian clockworks (Hastings et al. , 2008). Brancaccio et al. (2013) compared circadian phases of TTFLs and CCR by referring to the acrophase of Per2-luciferase rhythms. They estimated that the acrophase of circadian cytosolic Ca2+ waves is nearly at the phase of action potential firing rhythms, which is phase-advanced by 5–6 h relative to the Per2 transcriptional rhythms.

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: 51 Increased occludin and ZO-1 expression accompany reduced intestinal permeability. 52 In this study, occludin and ZO-1 expression decreased and increased in the colonic tissues of POI and the probiotic group, respectively. This supports the hypothesis that probiotics prevent an increase in intestinal permeability by preventing TJ protein downregulation, thereby preventing POI. However, TJ protein expression in the ileal tissue was not significantly different among the three groups. It is unclear why there were differences in the changes in TJ protein expression in each organ. In a previous study, the expression of claudin-1, another TJ protein that regulates intestinal permeability, was significantly reduced in both the ileum and proximal colon of a guinea pig POI group compared to that in the control group. 14 This suggests that the TJ proteins affected by the pathophysiology of POI in the proximal colon and ileum are different. Interestingly, one study showed that endotoxemia induced ileal mucosal permeability in mice and inhibited deterioration of gut mucosal barrier function in inducible NO synthase (iNOS) knockout mice, suggesting that iNOS-dependent NO production is involved in changes in intestinal mucosal permeability,53 and another study in mice have shown that in normal mice, iNOS mRNA and iNOS protein are detectable only in the ileum and that lipopolysaccharide injection is required to detect iNOS mRNA in the jejunum and colon. 54 And in another study, ionizing radiation exposure in rats increases iNOS activity significantly in 2 to 6 hours in the ileum, but not in the colon. 55 This allows us to hypothesize that earlier iNOS expression in the ileum than in the colon is responsible for the increase in intestinal permeability during the early stages of POI induction, but further experiments are required to confirm this. Leukocyte infiltration in the intestinal muscular layer increased in the POI group, indicating intestinal wall inflammation. According to several studies, POI pathophysiology consists of several steps involving various factors. 1,3,31 Neural dysfunction is predominant in the early stages, and intestinal inflammation is considered an important contributor in the late stages. 1,56 In a POI animal model, intestinal manipulation induced inflammation-mediated impaired smooth muscle contraction, which is one of the main mechanisms of POI.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: All processed foods are inherently unhealthy. [SEP] Text: ” This dietary change was explained in reference to the growing prevalence of processed foods, including instant noodles (indomine), canned fish, canned fruits, and canned vegetables. Others were packed sachets of hot cereals and beverages such as cocoa and coffee drinks. The way study participants described these processed foods was also noteworthy: reference was often made to the fact that these food options were “very new” to rural settings, and that galamsey miners were partly responsible both in creating shortages of traditional staple foods, and for facilitating the sale and consumption of ultra-processed foods: Due to galamsey mining and the difficulty in growing food, our diets have changed. Now there are instant noodles, cowbell coffee sachets, and many canned foods like tomatoes, fish, and other vegetables. I took this photo [Image 9] to illustrate these foods. These processed foods are very, very new to our community. They are now eaten by both adults and children. Image 9 Some study participants worried that if their children grew accustomed to these processed and imported foods, they may no longer appreciate cultural values around local foods and eating habits. DiscussionThe current study used photovoice to examine community perception and experiences of how small-scale mining affects farming, food security and dietary practices. The study identified that galamsey activities exacerbated community and household food insecurity on all fronts – availability, affordability, accessibility and safety. In one sense, galamsey is inflicting significant environmental costs on different community members by causing degradation of agricultural lands. Further, it is also reducing the quality and fertility of the land, as well as exposing consumers to potential food poisoning as reported in other settings [28–30], with several implications for dietary intake as well as for population health. While destruction of farmlands and potential contamination of the soil with heavy metals have been previously reported [14], the most interesting finding in this study relates to how community members linked galamsey to food shortages and the increasing consumption of processed foods. As many participants reported, the destruction of farmlands by galamsey operations have led to low production of food and food price spikes. Food prices in these situations are driven primarily by the relatively fewer arable lands, thus limiting the quantities of crops produced and farmers being overly dependent on inorganic fertilizer on reclaimed land for farming. Sudden increase in food prices, particularly among the poor, has been reported to lead to shifts toward unhealthy diet in addition to limiting food security.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: In addition, BMAL1 truncated by 178 or 43 aa at the C-terminus is located in the nucleus when overexpressed in COS7 cells (Kiyohara et al. , 2006). However, in SCN neurons, DN-BMAL1 is only located in the cytoplasm, suggesting differential intracellular machinery regarding BMAL1 translocation. Mutation of the casein kinase 2α phosphorylation site of BMAL1 at Ser90 results in impaired nuclear BMAL1 accumulation and disruption of clock function in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts (Tamaru et al. , 2009). In our study, Ser90 and other phosphorylation residues for casein kinase 1ε (Eide et al. , 2002) were preserved in DN-BMAL1. Furthermore, BMAL1 in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts is thought to be phosphorylated after translocation to the nucleus (Tamaru et al. , 2009), but this did not occur with DN-BMAL1 in SCN neurons in our study. Therefore, blocking of phosphorylation sites may not be the cause of the cytosolic immobilization of DN-BMAL1 in SCN neurons. An alternative explanation for the function of DN-BMAL1 is impaired interaction with the other clock component CRY, because the C-terminus contains the element responsible for the CRY1 interaction (Sato et al. , 2006). This protein-to-protein interaction is hypothesized to facilitate nuclear translocation (Kwon et al. , 2006). Therefore, these lines of evidence suggest differential involvement of the C-terminal motif of Bmal1 between SCN neurons and fibroblasts, and that nuclear translocation of BMAL1 is more strictly regulated in SCN neurons. Finally, the issue of how BMAL1 generates CCR in an SCN-specific manner remains to be resolved. Cyclic ADP ribose-mediated Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum stores is the proposed machinery for CCR in SCN neurons (Ikeda et al. , 2003a). In addition, expression of ryanodine receptors is reduced in Bmal1−/− SCN neurons (Pfeffer et al. , 2009).

Output: pass


Input: Claim: Probiotics can support gut health by improving the balance of bacteria. [SEP] Text: 56 In our study, probiotics prevented intestinal muscle layer inflammation followed by intestinal manipulation. Intestinal smooth muscle inflammation is associated with reduced smooth muscle contraction in multiple diseases and is clearly connected to the intestinal microbiota. Several studies have reported a crosstalk between the microbiota, intestinal wall adipose tissue, and muscle in intestinal inflammation,57 and probiotics should improve intestinal inflammation in various diseases. 58 In fact, several animal and human studies have reported that probiotics improve intestinal inflammation. However, no clear mechanism for suppressing the incidence or degree of inflammation in the intestinal muscle layer is known. We evaluated calprotectin expression in each layer, which was not significantly different in the mucosal and submucosal layers; however, calprotectin expression was markedly increased in the muscle layer of the POI animal model. Calprotectin, an abundant calcium-binding protein belonging to the S100 family, is derived predominantly from neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. It has direct antimicrobial effects and plays a role in innate immune responses. Clinically, fecal calprotectin is a useful surrogate marker of GI inflammation. 59 Previous work by our group has already shown that intestinal wall expression of calprotectin is elevated relative to control in the POI guinea pig model,14 but in this study, we analyzed calprotectin expression in each layer to determine whether the mechanism by which probiotics inhibit POI occurs through changes in the mucosal layer, where intestinal microorganisms and their products were in direct contact, but there were no noticeable changes in the mucosal layer. If toxic substances or bacteria penetrated the intestinal wall during POI and caused an inflammatory reaction in the muscle layer, an increase in calprotectin accompanied by an inflammatory reaction would have been confirmed in the mucosal and submucosal layers. However, this hypothesis was rejected by the results. The increased calprotectin expression in the muscle layer was attributed to increased macrophage activity. Macrophages residing in the muscularis externa of the GI tract are highly specialized cells essential for tissue homeostasis during steady-state conditions as well as during disease. 60 They closely communicate with the enteric nervous system and regulate colonic peristalsis by changing the pattern of smooth muscle contractions in both the inflammatory and steady states. 57 Particularly during inflammation, muscularis macrophages secrete inflammatory cytokines and recruit inflammatory cells, which further accelerate the inflammatory process.

Output: corroborate


Input: Claim: All processed foods are inherently unhealthy. [SEP] Text: -19 PreprintsProtocolsVideosJournalsTools & a “Now we’ve all turned to Foods”: A of the Food and Implications of ‘Galamsey’ in GhanaHanson Nyantakyi-and 1 moreThis is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. work is licensed under a CC BY 4. 0 LicenseStatus:PostedVersion 2posted You are reading this latest preprint versionShow more versionsAbstractBackground: Small-scale mining, referred to as galamsey in Ghana, is an important source of income for many rural populations. Although concerns have been raised in the media about the significant threats galamsey poses to the environment, and human health and livelihoods, there is a representational paucity of evidence regarding its links with local food systems, particularly from the perspective of affected mining communities. The current study explored community perceptions and experiences of galamsey and its perceived effects on food security and livelihoods in the Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. Methods: Primary data was collected in the District of Ghana, using photography, interviews based on the photographs, and a photo exhibition, all conducted. Thirty-six male and female adults were purposively selected with the help of a community focal person and advertisements in the study community. Respondents participants in a one-day photography training and thereafter, deployed to take at least fifteen photos that portray the effect of galamsey on food security and health. Subsequently, each participant was asked to selected five of the photographs and to explain the image and why they captured that in the photo. A photo exhibition was held to facilitate community conversation and perspectives on the effects of galamsey on food and nutrition security. Results: Galamsey has resulted in degradation of, otherwise, fertile agricultural land, and contamination of freshwater sources. As a consequence, there is reduced cultivable land, reduced crop production, shortage of essential staple foods, increase in food price, and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. There is also perception of increased exposure to heavy metals like mercury in locally-produced food. Conclusions: Given the adverse health consequences of both food and nutrition insecurity, and increased consumption of processed foods, it is important that public and policy discussions to minimize the effects of galamsey in Ghana should include considerations about food and nutrition insecurity in mining communities.

Output: contrast


Input: Claim: The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master regulator of circadian rhythms. [SEP] Text: OpenUrlAbstract/↵ Ikeda M, (1997) cDNA cloning and tissue-specific expression of a novel basic helix-loop-helix/PAS protein (BMAL1) and identification of alternatively spliced variants with alternative translation initiation site usage. 233:258–264, doi:10. 1006/bbrc. 1997. 6371, pmid:9144434. ↵ (2003a) Circadian dynamics of cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ in single suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons. Neuron 38:253–263, doi:10. 1016/S0896-6273(03)00164-8, pmid:12718859. ↵ (2003b) Developmental and circadian changes in Ca2+ mobilization mediated by GABAA and NMDA receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Neurosci 17:58–70, doi:10. 1046/j. 1460-9568. 2003. 02427. x, pmid:12534969. ↵ (2013) Ca2+ spiking activity caused by the activation of store-operated Ca2+ channels mediates TNF-α release from microglial cells under chronic purinergic stimulation. Acta 1833:2573–2585, doi:10. 1016/j. bbamcr. 2013. 06. 022, pmid:23830920. ↵ (1995) Circadian oscillation of cytosolic and chloroplastic free calcium in plants. Science 269:1863–1865, doi:10. 1126/science. 7569925, pmid:7569925. OpenUrlAbstract/↵ van der (2006) The BMAL1 C terminus regulates the circadian transcription feedback loop. 103:10074–10079, doi:10. 1073/pnas. 0601416103, pmid:16777965. OpenUrlAbstract/↵ (2010) Emergence of noise-induced oscillations in the central circadian pacemaker. PLoS Biol 8:e1000513, doi:10. 1371/journal. pbio. 1000513, pmid:20967239. ↵ (2006) Dual role of the CLOCK/BMAL1 circadian complex in transcriptional regulation. 20:530–532, doi:10. 1096/fj.

Output: pass