TAS2R38 gene variants, which confer sensitivity to specific bitter tastants (e.g., 6-n-propylthiouracil), have been repeatedly associated with lower alcohol use via greater bitterness perception, but research exploring TAS2R38 variation in relation to smoking shows mixed results. In both, the working hypothesis is that 1 or more copies of the functional allele increases bitterness and may provide a barrier to early use. Such a barrier to initiation may, conceivably, manifest as differential rates of current use across diplotypes. Here, an age-diverse convenience sample (n = 886) of Denver Museum of Nature and Science guests was used to explore cross-sectional relationships between TAS2R38 diplotype, self-reported tobacco use (current, former, never smokers), and a rapid measure of 6-n-propylthiouracil phenotype (bitterness of filter paper discs). TAS2R38 diplotypes were determined by Sanger sequencing. After excluding rare diplotypes, data from 814 participants were analyzed. A mix of current (~10%), former (25%), and never smokers (65%) were included. As expected, there was a relationship between TAS2R38 diplotype and 6-n-propylthiouracil bitterness. However, contrary to our hypothesis, there was no evidence of a relationship between diplotype and smoker status among participants with common TAS2R38 diplotypes. Notably, we observed a relationship between of 6-n-propylthiouracil bitterness and smoking status, but the effect was opposite of what was expected: current smokers perceived higher (not lower) bitterness than never smokers. When all the various factors (diplotype, age, sex, and smoking status) were included in ANOVA, all remained predictive of 6-n-propylthiouracil bitterness. Reasons for greater phenotypic bitterness among current smokers are unknown and merit further study.
About 5% of B cells in healthy mice and humans are allelically or isotypically included and hence co-express two different antibodies. In mice, dual antibody B cells (B2R) expand with systemic autoimmunity, co-express autoreactive and non-autoreactive antibodies, and participate in immune responses, but this phenomenon is strain dependent. This study was developed with two goals: 1) to establish the contribution of TLR and IFN receptor signaling to the development of germinal center B cells that express two antibodies in MRL/lpr mice; and 2) to determine whether B2R B cells are increased and particularly activated in a subset of adult patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Results from the MRL/lpr studies indicate that the enhanced differentiation of dual-κ B cells into germinal center B cells is due to a heightened response to TLR7 and TLR9 signaling, further fueled by an increased response to type II IFN. To understand the clinical and translational implications of our observations in mouse B2R B cells, cohorts of SLE patients and healthy controls were recruited and evaluated for expression of dual BCRs. Results from flow cytometry and microscopy revealed supraphysiological frequencies of κ+λ+ B2R cells in one fourth of the SLE patients. Abnormal numbers of κ+λ+ B cells correlated with higher frequencies of activated naïve B cells and age-associated B cells, and a lower proportion of “B cells that are naïve IgD+” (BND). However, results from single cell V(D)J sequencing demonstrated that these high κ+λ+ SLE patients harbored normal frequencies of κ+λ+ and other B2R B cells. and we further show that their B cells were instead decorated by κ and λ VH4-34 autoantibodies. Thus, our findings indicate that elevated flow cytometric detection of isotypically-included B cells can identify patients with high titers of B cell-reactive VH4-34 autoantibodies and abnormal distribution of B cell subsets relevant to autoimmunity.
Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng. is an underutilized fruit-bearing indigenous plant in the Philippines with great potential due to its reported nutritional properties. The aril portion of the fruit was used because of its high carotenoid content. The aril was dried using oven drying (60°C) and freeze drying methods to a final moisture content of 15%, and then compared in terms of its lycopene, β-carotene, and Vitamin A contents as well as antioxidant activity. To determine the potential of the dried aril as an additive to produce a fortified product, it was added at an amount of 4 g per 100 g of cheese spread then its nutritional properties were evaluated. Results showed that freeze dried aril has high βcarotene (2090.28 µg/g) and Vitamin A (3483.80 IU/g) but is not significantly different than the oven-dried aril while the oven-dried aril has significantly higher lycopene content (405.22 µg/g) than the freeze dried aril (325.84 µg/g). Furthermore, the freeze dried aril has significantly higher antioxidant activity (29.81%) than the oven-dried aril (16.27%). The addition of the dried aril to cheese spread resulted to a product with significantly higher lycopene (30.15 µg/g), β-carotene (24.93 µg/g), Vitamin A (41.55 IU/g), and Vitamin C (1.20 mg/100 g) compared to the cheese spread with no aril powder. Thus, a serving size of 1 tbsp (20 g) of the cheese spread with aril powder can provide 17% daily value for Vitamin A and has satisfied the definition of fortified food as well as the USDA standard reference for Vitamin A. This functional ingredient can therefore address concerns on Vitamin A deficiency.
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