Publications by authors named "Jessica Alvarez"

Background: Maintaining optimal nutrition is often an important concern for persons with cystic fibrosis (PWCF). With the introduction of effective modulators, the focus has now shifted from preventing malnourishment to instead stabilizing weight and preventing further weight gain. Research on how PWCF experience and manage their nutrition in this new era remains limited.

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Vitamin D deficiency is a common pathology in people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) due to the malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin D plays an integral role in bone health and lung immunity; therefore, treating deficiencies is a clinical priority in PwCF. Highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT) improves the function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein that is altered in PwCF, resulting in improved lung function and fat absorption.

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Obesity is a worldwide epidemic affecting adults and children, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Significant progress has been made in understanding the genetic causes contributing to obesity, shedding light on a portion of cases worldwide. In young children with severe obesity however, recessive mutations, i.

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Background: Childhood maltreatment and HIV are both associated with a greater risk for adverse mental health, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and increased systemic inflammation. However, it remains unknown whether childhood maltreatment and HIV interact to exacerbate PTSD, depression, and inflammation in a manner that may further increase the risk of adverse health outcomes in people living with HIV. This study investigated the interaction between childhood maltreatment and HIV status on PTSD and depression symptom severity, and on peripheral concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in women.

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Background: The impact of integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) on steatotic liver disease in women with HIV (WWH) is unknown.

Methods: Using data collected in the Women's Interagency HIV Study from 2007-2020, change in Fibrosis-4 index (FIB4), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS) over 5 years was compared between virologically-suppressed WWH who switched to or added an INSTI to their antiretroviral therapy (ART) and WWH remaining on non-INSTI ART. In participants with transient elastography (TE) measures, estimates of hepatic steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter, CAP), fibrosis (liver stiffness, LS), and steatohepatitis (FibroScan-aspartate aminotransferase scores, FAST) were compared by group.

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Introduction: People with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) are at high risk for developing cystic fibrosis (CF)-related diabetes (CFRD), which worsens morbidity and mortality. Although the pathological events leading to the development of CFRD are complex and not completely understood, dietary factors may play a role. For example, habitual intake of dietary added sugar (i.

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Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a severe hematological disorder characterized by erythrocyte sickling that causes significant morbidity and mortality. Skeletal complications of SCD include a high incidence of bone loss, especially in vertebrae, leading to fragility fractures that contribute to disease burden. Whether hydroxyurea (HU), a front-line therapy for SCD ameliorates bone disease has not been established.

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Background: The Overall Plant-based Diet Index (PDI), the Healthful Plant-based Diet Index (hPDI), and the Unhealthful Plant-based Diet Index (uPDI) are relatively new tools for characterizing the quality of plant-based dietary patterns in epidemiologic studies. Reproducibility and validity of these indices have not been assessed across populations.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility and validity of PDI, hPDI, and uPDI in a racially and ethnically diverse population.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cystic fibrosis (CF) modulators have improved patient outcomes, but individual responses vary, especially regarding respiratory issues; the study explores the effects of ketone monoester (KME) on CF patients by boosting D-beta hydroxybutyrate concentrations and assessing quality of life and inflammation.
  • Fourteen adults on modulator therapy were divided into two groups: one received KME and the other a placebo for 5-7 days while hospitalized or as outpatients; KME was well tolerated, showing significant increases in D-βHB levels and better self-reported respiratory scores compared to the placebo group.
  • Although short-term KME administration didn’t significantly change plasma inflammatory markers, there were notable differences in
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Purpose Of Review: As advances in antiretroviral therapy for people with HIV (PWH) have prolonged lifespans, prevalence of aging and obesity related metabolic disorders have increased. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent research assessing sex differences in metabolic disorders among PWH, including weight gain/obesity, steatotic liver disease, insulin resistance/diabetes, dyslipidemia, bone loss/osteoporosis, and sarcopenia.

Recent Findings: A growing body of evidence shows that women with HIV are at increased risk of developing metabolic disorders compared to men, including body weight gain and obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, bone loss, and sarcopenia, while men with HIV are at higher risk for hepatosteatosis and hepatic fibrosis.

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Interferon (IFN) induced activities are critical, early determinants of immune responses and infection outcomes. A key facet of IFN responses is the upregulation of hundreds of mRNAs termed interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that activate intrinsic and cell-mediated defenses. While primary interferon signaling is well-delineated, other layers of regulation are less explored but implied by aberrant ISG expression signatures in many diseases in the absence of infection.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers identified three subclasses of ISGs in uninfected human tissues and found that the cellular metabolic environment (either aerobic glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation) significantly affects ISG expression, particularly in response to different IFNs.
  • * The study revealed that while the metabolic conditions altered the expression of certain ISG proteins, like IRF1 and IFITM3, the levels of viral replication from poxvirus (vaccinia) varied based on glucose or galactose environments
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Article Synopsis
  • A study investigated long-term body weight changes in people with HIV (PWH) who switched to antiretroviral therapies containing integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), comparing them with those on non-INSTI therapies and people without HIV (PWOH).
  • The analysis included 3464 participants and revealed that women experienced significantly greater weight gain and increases in hip and thigh circumference after switching to INSTIs compared to men, with women gaining +3.0 kg and men +1.8 kg over 5 years.
  • The findings suggest a 2-fold higher weight change in women versus men following the switch to INSTIs, although the long-term health implications of this difference are still uncertain.
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Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multi-organ disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Individuals with CF often have gastrointestinal (GI) dysbiosis due to chronic inflammation and antibiotic use. Previous studies suggested a role for vitamin D in reversing the GI dysbiosis found in CF.

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Advances in cystic fibrosis (CF) diagnostics and therapeutics have led to improved health and longevity, including increased body weight and decreased malnutrition in people with CF. Highly effective CFTR modulator therapies (HEMT) are associated with increased weight through a variety of mechanisms, accelerating trends of overweight and obesity in the CF population. Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with improved pulmonary function in CF, yet the incremental improvement at overweight and obese BMIs is not clear.

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Article Synopsis
  • Thiamine (Vitamin B1) plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, but its impact on overall metabolism during critical illness remains unexplored.
  • The study analyzed the connection between whole blood thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) levels and various plasma metabolites in critically ill patients, using advanced metabolomics techniques.
  • Findings indicated that thiamine status is linked to multiple key metabolic pathways related to energy, carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids in critically ill adults.
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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates the effects of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and well-being among people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) and their caregivers.
  • - Results show that adult PwCF currently on modulator therapy experience better physical and mental health compared to those who have stopped or never used the treatments, but some (23%) report declines in mental well-being.
  • - The findings aim to inform future research, policy, and communication efforts that could enhance the well-being of PwCF by understanding their experiences with modulator therapies.
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Background: Linoleic acid (LNA), an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), plays a crucial role in cellular functions. However, excessive intake of LNA, characteristic of Western diets, can have detrimental effects on cells and organs. Human observational studies have shown an inverse relationship between plasma LNA concentrations and bone mineral density.

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Omics methods are widely used in basic biology and translational medicine research. More and more omics data are collected to explain the impact of certain risk factors on clinical outcomes. To explain the mechanism of the risk factors, a core question is how to find the genes/proteins/metabolites that mediate their effects on the clinical outcome.

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Background: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genes may modify dietary fatty acid requirements and influence cardiometabolic health (CMH).

Objectives: We evaluated the role of selected variants in maternal and offspring FADS genes on offspring CMH at the age of 11 y and assessed interactions of genotype with diet quality and prenatal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation.

Methods: We used data from offspring (n = 203) born to females who participated in a randomized controlled trial of DHA supplementation (400 mg/d) from midgestation to delivery.

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Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) have dysfunctional intestinal microbiota and increased gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation also known as GI dysbiosis. It is hypothesized that administration of high-dose cholecalciferol (vitamin D) together with a prebiotic (inulin) will be effective, and possibly additive or synergistic, in reducing CF-related GI and airway dysbiosis. Thus, a 2 x 2 factorial design, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, pilot and feasibility, clinical trial was proposed to test this hypothesis.

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Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) have dysfunctional intestinal microbiota and increased gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation also known as GI dysbiosis. It is hypothesized that administration of high-dose cholecalciferol (vitamin D) together with a prebiotic (inulin) will be effective, and possibly additive or synergistic, in reducing CF-related GI dysbiosis and improving intestinal functions. Thus, a 2 × 2 factorial design, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial was proposed to test this hypothesis.

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Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) often incur damage to pancreatic tissue due to a dysfunctional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, leading to altered chloride transport on epithelial surfaces and subsequent development of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD). Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with the development of CFRD. This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in adults with CF hospitalized for an acute pulmonary exacerbation (APE), known as the Vitamin D for the Immune System in Cystic Fibrosis (DISC) trial (NCT01426256).

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Background And Aim: Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is an essential micronutrient and a co-factor for metabolic functions related to energy metabolism. We determined the association between whole blood thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) concentrations and plasma metabolites using high resolution metabolomics in critically ill patients.

Methods: Cross-sectional study performed in Erciyes University Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.

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Objective: Poor diet quality contributes to metabolic dysfunction. This study aimed to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between dietary macronutrient quality and glucose homeostasis in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Design: This was a cross-sectional study of  = 27 adults with CF with glucose tolerance ranging from normal ( = 9) to prediabetes ( = 6) to being classified as having cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD,  = 12).

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