Differential plasma branched-chain amino acid responses following the consumption of Greek-style yogurt and skimmed milk.

We examined postprandial branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), insulin, and glucose responses in blood for 4 h following the consumption of two isonitrogenous doses (2 × 20 g protein) of Greek-style yogurt (GY) and skimmed milk (MILK) in young males. Peak leucine and BCAA concentrations and areas under the curve were greater after GY versus MILK, and time to maximal leucine/BCAA concentrations was similar between conditions. We demonstrated that different protein-matched wholefood dairy products elicit different postprandial aminoacidemic responses.

Dynamics of dual-polarization VCSEL-based optical frequency combs under optical injection locking.

The present experimental work studies the dynamics of dual-polarization optical frequency combs (OFCs) based on gain switching (GS) vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) diodes under optical injection locking (OIL). This study presents two main results. First, we have obtained an overall comb formed by two orthogonally polarized sub-combs with comparable span and power. The overall comb shows enhanced optical span and flatness and high coherence between its modes. The second result is that we have been able to control the polarization state of the overall comb by tuning the polarization state of the injected light by locking the same single teeth of the comb. This produces an overall comb with single polarization that is parallel or orthogonal. These are novel findings that provide for the development of efficient and compact OFCs based on GS VCSEL sources with versatile polarization dynamics.

The diabetic pregnancy and offspring blood pressure in childhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Offspring of diabetic mothers have increased risk of the metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Studies examining BP in offspring of diabetic mothers have conflicting conclusions. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting offspring BP in children born to diabetic mothers. METHODS: Citations were identified in PubMed. Authors were contacted for additional data. Systolic and diastolic BP in offspring of diabetic mothers and controls were compared. Subgroup analysis of type of maternal diabetes and offspring sex were performed. Fixed-effects models were used, and random-effects models where significant heterogeneity was present. Meta-regression was used to test the relationship between offspring systolic BP and prepregnancy BMI. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included in the review and 13 in the meta-analysis. Systolic BP was higher in offspring of diabetic mothers (mean difference 1.88 mmHg [95% CI 0.47, 3.28]; p = 0.009). Offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes had similar diastolic BP to controls, but higher systolic BP (1.39 mmHg [95% CI 0.00, 2.77]; p = 0.05); results for type 1 diabetes were inconclusive and there were no separate data available on offspring of type 2 diabetic mothers. Male offspring of diabetic mothers had higher systolic BP (2.01 mmHg [95% CI 0.93, 3.10]; p = 0.0003) and diastolic BP (1.12 mmHg [95% CI 0.36, 1.88]; p = 0.004) than controls; in female offspring there was no difference (systolic: 0.54 mmHg [95% CI -1.83, 2.90], p = 0.66; diastolic: 0.51 mmHg [95% CI -1.07, 2.09], p = 0.52). The correlation between offspring systolic BP and maternal prepregnancy BMI was not significant (p = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Offspring of diabetic mothers have higher systolic BP than controls. Differences related to sex and type of maternal diabetes require further investigation.

The diabetic pregnancy and offspring BMI in childhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Offspring of mothers with diabetes are at increased risk of metabolic disorders in later life. Increased offspring BMI is a plausible mediator. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining offspring BMI z score in childhood in relation to maternal diabetes. METHODS: Papers reporting BMI z scores for offspring of diabetic (all types, and pre- and during-pregnancy onset) and non-diabetic mothers were included. Citations were identified in PubMed; bibliographies of relevant articles were hand-searched and authors contacted for additional data where necessary. We compared offspring BMI z score with and without adjustment for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. We performed fixed effect meta-analysis except where significant heterogeneity called for use of a random effects analysis. RESULTS: Data were available from nine studies. In the diabetic group unadjusted mean offspring BMI z score was 0.28 higher (all diabetic mothers vs controls (95% CI 0.09, 0.47; p = 0.004; nine studies; offspring of diabetic mothers n = 927, controls n = 26,384) and with adjustment for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, 0.07 higher (95% CI -0.15, 0.28; p = 0.54; three studies; offspring of diabetic mothers n = 244, controls n = 11,206). There was no evidence of a difference in offspring BMI z score in relation to type of diabetes (gestational vs type 1, p = 0.95). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Maternal diabetes is associated with increased offspring BMI z score, although this is no longer apparent after adjustment for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI in the limited number of studies in which this is reported. Causal mediators of the effect of maternal diabetes on offspring outcomes remain to be established; we recommend that future research includes adjustment for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI.

Effects of a selective DP receptor agonist (BW 245C) and antagonist (BW A868C) on the canine colonic epithelium: an argument for a different DP receptor?

Earlier studies showed that PGD2 produced both increases and decreases in short-circuit current across the canine proximal colon. PGD2 metabolites had opposing effects: 11 beta-PGF2 alpha elicited only increases in Isc, and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGD2 elicited only decreases. The stimulant effects involved FP receptors, but the receptors involved in mediating the inhibitory effects remained undefined. Here we show that the tissue, although it is capable of producing both PGD2 and PGE2, did not produce 11 beta-PGF2 alpha in measurable amounts. The selective DP receptor agonist BW 245C did not mimic the inhibitory effects of PGD2, producing only dose-dependent increases in short-circuit current. Further, these responses were not significantly inhibited by BW A868C. Cross-desensitization experiments suggested that the stimulant effects of BW 245C involved the EP receptor. However, on a standard preparation (rabbit platelets), both PGD2 and BW 245C inhibited ADP-induced aggregation and were antagonized by BW A868C. 11 beta-PGF2 alpha had no effects. The decreases in short-circuit current across the canine colonic epithelium elicited by PGD2 and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGD2 are not mimicked by other prostanoids, nor by the selective agonist BW 245C, and thus appear to involve receptors other than the classical DP receptor.

Hodgkin's disease in homosexual men. An AIDS-related phenomenon?

Five cases of Hodgkin's disease in young homosexual men at risk for the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are reported. The mixed cellularity histologic subtype was present in each. Two also showed features of lymphocyte depletion. Four of the five patients had pathologic stage IIIB or IVB disease at presentation. In the fifth, recurrent Hodgkin's disease developed in a previously irradiated field. Three patients had opportunistic infections characteristic of AIDS. Hodgkin's disease may pursue a more fulminant course in patients at risk for AIDS and may itself be a manifestation of AIDS in this high-risk population.