Tufts University

About: Tufts University is a education organization based out in Medford, Massachusetts, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 32800 authors who have published 66881 publications receiving 3451152 citations. The organization is also known as: Tufts College & Universitatis Tuftensis.

Consuming fructose-sweetened, not glucose-sweetened, beverages increases visceral adiposity and lipids and decreases insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese humans

Abstract: Studies in animals have documented that, compared with glucose, dietary fructose induces dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. To assess the relative effects of these dietary sugars during sustained consumption in humans, overweight and obese subjects consumed glucose- or fructose-sweetened beverages providing 25% of energy requirements for 10 weeks. Although both groups exhibited similar weight gain during the intervention, visceral adipose volume was significantly increased only in subjects consuming fructose. Fasting plasma triglyceride concentrations increased by approximately 10% during 10 weeks of glucose consumption but not after fructose consumption. In contrast, hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and the 23-hour postprandial triglyceride AUC were increased specifically during fructose consumption. Similarly, markers of altered lipid metabolism and lipoprotein remodeling, including fasting apoB, LDL, small dense LDL, oxidized LDL, and postprandial concentrations of remnant-like particle-triglyceride and -cholesterol significantly increased during fructose but not glucose consumption. In addition, fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels increased and insulin sensitivity decreased in subjects consuming fructose but not in those consuming glucose. These data suggest that dietary fructose specifically increases DNL, promotes dyslipidemia, decreases insulin sensitivity, and increases visceral adiposity in overweight/obese adults.

Biology of interleukin 1.

Abstract: Interleukin 1 (IL 1) is a polypeptide that is produced after infection, injury, or antigenic challenge. Although the macrophage is a primary source of IL 1, epidermal, epithelial, lymphoid, and vascular tissues synthesize IL 1. When IL 1 gains access to the circulation, it acts like a hormone and induces a broad spectrum of systemic changes in neurological, metabolic, hematologic, and endocrinologic systems. Some of the IL 1 that is synthesized remains associated with the plasma membrane and induces changes in local tissues without producing systemic responses. IL 1 affects mesenchymal tissue remodeling where it contributes to both destructive and repair processes. IL 1 activates lymphocytes and plays an important role in the initiation of the immune response. Receptors for IL 1 have been identified, but receptors are scarce and their affinities often do not match the potency of the biological response. The most consistent property of IL 1 is up-regulation of cellular metabolism and increased expression of several genes coding for biologically active molecules. IL 1 is a highly inflammatory molecule and stimulates the production of arachidonic acid metabolites. IL 1 also acts synergistically with other cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor. The multitude of biological responses to IL 1 is an example of the rapid adaptive changes that take place to increase the host's defensive mechanisms.

Dissolvable films of silk fibroin for ultrathin conformal bio-integrated electronics

Abstract: Electronics that are capable of intimate, non-invasive integration with the soft, curvilinear surfaces of biological tissues offer important opportunities for diagnosing and treating disease and for improving brain/machine interfaces. This article describes a material strategy for a type of bio-interfaced system that relies on ultrathin electronics supported by bioresorbable substrates of silk fibroin. Mounting such devices on tissue and then allowing the silk to dissolve and resorb initiates a spontaneous, conformal wrapping process driven by capillary forces at the biotic/abiotic interface. Specialized mesh designs and ultrathin forms for the electronics ensure minimal stresses on the tissue and highly conformal coverage, even for complex curvilinear surfaces, as confirmed by experimental and theoretical studies. In vivo, neural mapping experiments on feline animal models illustrate one mode of use for this class of technology. These concepts provide new capabilities for implantable and surgical devices. Electronics that are capable of intimate integration with the surfaces of biological tissues create opportunities for improving animal/machine interfaces. A bio-interfaced system of ultrathin electronics supported by bioresorbable silk-fibroin substrates is now presented. Mounting such devices on tissue and then allowing the silk to dissolve initiates a conformal wrapping process that is driven by capillary forces.