Food for thought: Making the case for food produced via regenerative agriculture in the battle against non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs).

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a global health challenge, leading to substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic strain. Our review underscores the escalating incidence of NCDs worldwide and highlights the potential of regenerative agriculture (RA) products in mitigating these diseases. We also explore the efficacy of dietary interventions in NCD management and prevention, emphasizing the superiority of plant-based diets over those high in processed foods and red meat. Examining the role of the gut microbiome in various diseases, including liver disorders, allergies, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer, we find compelling evidence implicating its influence on disease development. Notably, dietary modifications can positively affect the gut microbiome, fostering a symbiotic relationship with the host and making this a critical strategy in disease prevention and treatment. Investigating agricultural practices, we identify parallels between soil/plant and human microbiome studies, suggesting a crucial link between soil health, plant- and animal-derived food quality, and human well-being. Conventional/Industrial agriculture (IA) practices, characterized in part by use of chemical inputs, have adverse effects on soil microbiome diversity, food quality, and ecosystems. In contrast, RA prioritizes soil health through natural processes, and includes avoiding synthetic inputs, crop rotation, and integrating livestock. Emerging evidence suggests that food from RA systems surpasses IA-produced food in quality and nutritional value. Recognizing the interconnection between human, plant, and soil microbiomes, promoting RA-produced foods emerges as a strategy to improve human health and environmental sustainability. By mitigating climate change impacts through carbon sequestration and water cycling, RA offers dual benefits for human and planetary health and well-being. Emphasizing the pivotal role of diet and agricultural practices in combating NCDs and addressing environmental concerns, the adoption of regional RA systems becomes imperative. Increasing RA integration into local food systems can enhance food quality, availability, and affordability while safeguarding human health and the planet's future.

Isolation of Primary Human Colon Tumor Cells from Surgical Tissues and Culturing Them Directly on Soft Elastic Substrates for Traction Cytometry.

Cancer cells respond to matrix mechanical stiffness in a complex manner using a coordinated, hierarchical mechano-chemical system composed of adhesion receptors and associated signal transduction membrane proteins, the cytoskeletal architecture, and molecular motors. Mechanosensitivity of different cancer cells in vitro are investigated primarily with immortalized cell lines or murine derived primary cells, not with primary human cancer cells. Hence, little is known about the mechanosensitivity of primary human colon cancer cells in vitro. Here, an optimized protocol is developed that describes the isolation of primary human colon cells from healthy and cancerous surgical human tissue samples. Isolated colon cells are then successfully cultured on soft (2 kPa stiffness) and stiff (10 kPa stiffness) polyacrylamide hydrogels and rigid polystyrene (~3.6 GPa stiffness) substrates functionalized by an extracellular matrix (fibronectin in this case). Fluorescent microbeads are embedded in soft gels near the cell culture surface, and traction assay is performed to assess cellular contractile stresses using free open access software. In addition, immunofluorescence microscopy on different stiffness substrates provides useful information about primary cell morphology, cytoskeleton organization and vinculin containing focal adhesions as a function of substrate rigidity.

Efficacy and safety of traditional medical therapies for chronic constipation: systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Constipation is common, and its treatment is unsatisfactory. Although many agents have been tried, there are limited data to support their use. Our aim was to undertake a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of traditional medical therapies for chronic constipation and to make evidence-based recommendations. METHODS: We searched the English literature for drug trials evaluating treatment of constipation by using MEDLINE and PUBMED databases from 1966 to 2003. Only studies that were randomized, conducted on adult subjects, and published as full manuscripts were included. Studies were assigned a quality score based on published methodology. Standard forms were used to abstract data regarding study design, duration, outcome measures, and adverse events. By using the cumulative evidence of published data for each agent, recommendations were made regarding their use following the United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. RESULTS: Good evidence (Grade A) was found to support the use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and tegaserod. Moderate evidence (Grade B) was found to support the use of psyllium, and lactulose. There was a paucity of quality data regarding many commonly used agents including milk of magnesia, senna, bisacodyl, and stool softeners. CONCLUSIONS: There is good evidence to support the use of PEG, tegaserod, lactulose, and psyllium. Surprisingly, there is a paucity of trials for many commonly used agents. These aspects should be considered when designing trials comparing new agents with traditional therapies because their use may not be well validated.

Gastroduodenal motility.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The neuromuscular function of the stomach and duodenum provides the mechanical forces that drive digestion and are responsible for sensations of satiety and of dyspepsia. This article reviews (1) the neuroendocrine factors controlling upper gastrointestinal motility, (2) noninvasive techniques to evaluate gastroduodenal motility, and (3) the pathophysiology and treatment of gastroparesis. RECENT FINDINGS: Nutrients in the duodenum inhibit gastric emptying via a feedback pathway that involves release of cholecystokinin and serotonin (5-HT) from neuroendocrine cells; both act peripherally, cholecystokinin via cholecystokinin A receptors and serotonin via 5-HT3 receptors. The dorsal vagal complex plays a central role in the gastric inhibition mediated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The construction of maps that define intestinal movements in time and space has now been extended to the stomach. MRI compares favorably with the barostat in assessing gastric volume accommodation to meals and drugs and has the advantage of being noninvasive and showing contractions. Gastroparesis is increasingly recognized as a complication of end-stage liver disease; ascites plays no role in this, but portal hypertension stiffens the gastric walls and creates hypoxic conditions that may interfere with the neuromuscular functions of the stomach. Promising for the treatment of gastroparesis are clonidine, sildenafil, and intrapyloric botulinum toxin. Electrical stimulation triggers a vagally mediated relaxation of the stomach. SUMMARY: Drugs may be designed that specifically act on 5-HT3, cholecystokinin, or TNF-alpha receptors. Spatiotemporal maps should boost the diagnostic yield from dynamic imaging of motility using ultrasound, computed axial tomography scan, or MRI and the understanding of the mechanical forces driving digestion. Symptomatic benefit in gastroparesis may derive more from improved accommodation than gastric emptying.