Weight loss surgery not only shrinks waists but also affects genes

Apr. 11, 2013 ? Gastric bypass surgery can drastically reduce the body weight of obese individuals in a short timeframe. For reasons that are not entirely clear, the surgery also leads to early remission of type 2 diabetes in the vast majority of patients. Researchers report online April 11 in Cell Reports, published by Cell Press, the discovery of gene-expression alterations in individuals who underwent the surgery compared with obese individuals who did not.

"We provide evidence that in severely obese people, the levels of specific genes that control how fat is burned and stored in the body are changed to reflect poor metabolic health," says senior author Professor Juleen Zierath, of the Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm, Sweden. "After surgery, the levels of these genes are restored to a healthy state, which mirrors weight loss and coincides with overall improvement in metabolism."

When the investigators probed deeper, they found that weight loss after surgery causes changes in DNA modifications that control gene expression in response to the environment. Specifically, changes in methylation, or chemical markings, on two genes that control glucose and fat metabolism (called PGC-1alpha and PDK4) correlate with obesity but are reversed after surgery-induced weight loss. The findings suggest that the environment -- in this case food intake or weight loss -- can affect gene expression through this mechanism.

"The novelty of our work originates with the finding that DNA methylation is altered by weight loss." says first author Romain Barr?s, of the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark.

The findings may be useful for the design of new drugs that mimic this weight-loss-associated control of gene regulation.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

---

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Cell Press, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Romain Barres, Henriette Kirchner, Morten Rasmussen, Jie Yan, Francisc R. Kantor, Anna Krook, Erik N?slund, Juleen R. Zierath. Weight Loss after Gastric Bypass Surgery in Human Obesity Remodels Promoter Methylation. Cell Reports, 11 April 2013 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.03.018

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/health_medicine/genes/~3/OYIEyBZtT6Y/130411123845.htm

chariots of fire nbc Medal Count Sam Mikulak London 2012 diving Tim Berners-Lee Olympics 2012 Schedule

Malawian government harshly criticizes Madonna

BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) ? Malawi issued a scathing critique of pop diva Madonna on Wednesday, accusing her of exaggerating her contributions to the southern African country and unreasonably demanding special treatment during her tour there last week.

The pop star denied the accusations. Her spokesman suggested they were prompted by the recent removal of the president's sister as head of Madonna's humanitarian organization there.

The singer has a long history with the country, which she first visited in 2006. She adopted two children from Malawi and runs several projects there. She was granted VIP treatment during previous visits, including when she last jetted into the country on April 1. But Madonna apparently was surprised when she learned upon leaving Malawi that that was no longer the case, and that she and her travelling party would have to line up with ordinary passengers and be frisked by airport security.

"There was a directive that Miss Louise Ciccone, travelling on an American passport, and her children Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, Rocco Ritchie, Mercy James, David Banda Ciccone Ritchie should use the ordinary passenger terminal on their way to their jet," said an aviation official who refused to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

A strongly worded statement by the president's office accused Madonna of trying to use her fame and money to press Malawi into giving her special treatment.

"Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician. But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory Madonna finds herself, including Malawi, to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary not obligatory," the statement said.

The presidential statement also questioned Madonna's intentions behind her humanitarian efforts in Malawi, alleging that the singer "wants Malawi to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude."

"Kindness, as far as its ordinary meaning is concerned, is free and anonymous. If it can't be free and silent, it is not kindness; it is something else. Blackmail is the closest it becomes," the statement said.

President Joyce Banda was reportedly angered by Madonna's claims that she has built 10 schools in Malawi, and questioned that statement in widely quoted remarks last week.

"Where are the 10 schools she has built? She is just building school blocks at already existing schools. In some cases she just renovated an already existing block. This is an insult to the people of Malawi. She can't be lying to the world at our expense," Banda said.

In a statement released by her spokesperson, Madonna said he was "saddened" that Banda "has chosen to release?lies about what we've accomplished, my intentions, how I personally conducted myself while visiting Malawi and other untruths. I have no intentions of being distracted by these ridiculous allegations."

"I came to Malawi seven years ago with honorable intentions," Madonna said in the statement. "I returned earlier this month to view the new schools we built.?I did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere during my visit. ?I will not be distracted or discouraged by other?people's political agendas.? I made a?promise to the children of Malawi and I am keeping that promise."

A spokesman for Madonna expressed surprise at the most recent criticism and called the claim that the singer had requested special treatment "nonsense."

"Obviously these attacks are influenced by the fact that the President's sister was removed as the head of Madonna's organization in Malawi due to concerns about mismanagement of $3.8 million," said Trevor Neilson, whose Global Philanthropy Group is managing Madonna's projects in Malawi.

"As the largest private philanthropist to Malawi we would think that the government would be pleased that she is giving her time and money to one of the poorest countries in the world," Neilson said.

The statement from the president's office dismissed the claim that Banda is angry because her younger sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, was fired as the CEO for Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi.

The presidential statement said Malawi has played host to other international stars like Chuck Norris, Bono, David James, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville "who have never demanded state attention or decorum despite their equally dazzling stature."

Despite the furor, Madonna seemed unfazed.

"My reasons for being here have never changed, I am here because I care deeply about the children of Malawi, that is my main priority," she said last week at the end of her trip.

Madonna traveled there with her two adopted Malawian children, David Banda and Mercy James, both 8, and her children Lourdes, 14, and Rocco, 12.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/malawian-government-harshly-criticizes-madonna-190009063.html

Tyrann Mathieu noaa Jessica Ridgeway ipad mini Kevin Krim Autumn Pasquale ann coulter

Tesla Announces "Revolutionary" Lease-To-Own Program For ...

Tesla's big announcement today is that you'll soon be able to lease-to-own cars like the Model S with help from a number of banks. And prices start at $1,199 a month, or $500 thanks to some creative reasoning.

Here are some details:

• US Bank and Wells Fargo have agreed to provide 10% down financing for purchase of a Model S (on approved credit). -- The 10% down payment is covered or more than covered by US Federal and state tax credits ranging from $7,500 to $15,000. New Jersey, Washington and DC also have no sales tax for electric vehicles. These advantages are not available when leasing.
• When considering the savings from using electricity instead of gasoline, depreciation benefits and other factors, the true net out of pocket cost to own a mid-range Model S drops to less than $500 per month. -- After 36 months, you have the right, but not the obligation to sell your Model S to Tesla for the same residual value percentage as the iconic Mercedes S Class, one of the finest premium sedans in the world, made by Daimler (also a Tesla partner and investor).
• Not only is Tesla guaranteeing that resale value, but Tesla CEO Elon Musk is personally standing behind that guarantee to give customers absolute peace of mind about the value of the asset they are purchasing.

So it's not a new car, it isn't about the big sale, but it is pretty good.

With this move, Tesla will be able to get their cars into more hands with a financing program. The $500 price tag isn't a straight $500 though. The base cost is actually $1,199 for an 85kWH model, but the savings of gas prices, tax credits, depreciation, not replacing brake pads, costs of electricity, etc, actually make it worth $500, which is the net out of pocket. They're assuming a lot, like the price of gas and what exact model of the car you bought.

Tesla has a calculator up on its site to show your "effective savings." If you drive 37,000 miles a year and live in West Virginia, it's basically free! Based on how I drive my personal car, I'd shell out around $900 a month to have a Model S.

This is a 5.5 year loan and, after year three, you have the opportunity to bow out and Tesla will buy the car back from you at the residual value of the S-Class.

Mike Ballaban makes a good point about the depreciation of the S-Class, the benchmark for the Model S:

Doesn't the Mercedes S-class have some pretty horrible depreciation rates? Or am I missing something?

For a 2010 Mercedes S-Class (one that's 36 months old), with 80,000 miles on it, Kelley Blue Book gives a value of $44,266.

That's about a 50% depreciation rate. Is it too early to calculate the actual market rate depreciation on a Tesla Model S?

Still, it's a great opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Tesla Model S instead of being a rich eco-mogul that can plunk down $80k in cash all willy nilly.

Source: http://jalopnik.com/tesla-announces-revolutionary-lease-to-own-program-fo-466126813

madonna halftime m i a mia super bowl tom coughlin eli manning eli manning kelly clarkson national anthem

Cory Monteith Leaves 'Glee' to Check Into Rehab

Cory Monteith is putting singing and dancing aside to get some help. The Glee star, who has admitted to having a drug problem when he was a teenager, has voluntarily checked himself into rehab for substance addiction. Thankfully, the cast and crew are standing behind him, even though he'll miss the last two episodes of Season 4.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/cory-monteith-checks-rehab-will-he-miss-glee-finale/1-a-531572?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Acory-monteith-checks-rehab-will-he-miss-glee-finale-531572

love actually strikeforce davy jones deep impact miesha tate vs ronda rousey idiocracy usssa baseball

Another GOP Senator Endorses Same-Sex Marriage

Many Americans have embraced frugality in recent years, but sometimes money-saving strategies backfire when taken to extremes. Manisha Thakor, author of "On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girl's Guide to Personal Finance" and founder and CEO of Santa Fe-based investment advisory firm MoneyZen Wealth Management, says this can occur among Americans across all income levels. "It's a mindset that comes from a healthy desire to not live beyond your means, but it crosses the line when it cuts into joy," she says.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/another-gop-senator-endorses-same-sex-marriage-162414958--abc-news-politics.html

anderson cooper adrian peterson chicago bears netflix george h w bush Belk Led Zeppelin

Shooting reported outside northeast Ohio church

ASHTABULA, Ohio (AP) ? Police in northeast Ohio are investigating a shooting outside a church that has left one man dead after an Easter service.

A member of the Hiawatha Church-God in Christ says the man was shot outside after Easter services, at about 1:15 p.m. Sunday. Joan Crockett says a suspect was taken into custody.

Media reports have identified the victim as 52-year-old Richard Riddle and say his son was the shooter.

Ashtabula Police Chief Robert Stell tells the Star Beacon in Ashtabula that a mass shooting was feared after dispatchers received multiple calls from inside the church. He says at least six other law enforcement agencies rushed in to assist local police.

There were no immediate reports of any other injuries.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/shooting-reported-outside-northeast-ohio-church-233920543.html

secret service fenway park philadelphia flyers 4/20 student loan forgiveness ufc 145 weigh ins record store day 2012

Tourism down after sex attacks in India

NEW DELHI (AP) ? The rape and murder of a young woman in New Delhi in December followed by two attacks on foreign female travelers has altered how tourists view India and led to a sharp fall in the numbers of foreign tourists, especially women, a study said.

In the three months since that attack, the number of foreigners travelling to India has dropped by 25 percent, according to the study by the New Delhi-based Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The number of women tourists has dropped by 35 percent, the study released late Sunday said.

The gang rape of the 23-year-old university student on a bus in the heart of the Indian capital shocked a country often inured to such sexual violence. It brought hundreds of thousands of angry citizens out in the streets to demand more safety for women and harsher laws to deter the perpetrators of such acts.

The study surveyed 1,200 tour operators from across the country who said that "concerns about the safety of female travelers" had impacted how foreign travelers viewed India.

Since the December gang rape there have been two widely publicized incidents where foreign female travelers have been attacked.

Last month a Swiss woman was gang raped in central India as she and her husband camped in a remote forest. In the second incident a young British woman says she was forced to jump out of the window of her hotel room to avoid a sexual attack in Agra, the city that is home to the Taj Mahal.

According to the study, the three incidents have hurt tourism and nearly 72 percent of the tour operators said cancelations of holiday bookings came mostly from women tourists, most of them from Britain, the United States, Canada and Australia.

The study said that travelers planning trips to India had instead opted for other Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

The winter months from November to March mark the peak tourist season in India.

According to India's Tourism Ministry, 6.6 million foreign tourists visited India in 2012, earning the country $17.74 billion in foreign exchange.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/india-study-says-sex-attacks-scared-off-tourists-124726960--finance.html

james harden breeders cup Mitch Lucker Red Cross CMA Awards 2012 election day Electoral College map