Impact of diabetic polyneuropathy and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy on the excretion of urinary 8-epi-PGF2α and its metabolites (2, 3-dinor and 2, 3-dinor-5, 6-dihydro)

The objective of this study was to establish if diabetes in the presence of polyneuropathy (PN) and/or cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is associated with alterations in the amounts of 8-epi-PGF_2α (IP) and its metabolites including 2, 3-dinor-8-epi-PGF_2α (dinor-IP) and 2, 3-dinor-5, 6 dihydro-8-epi-PGF_2α (dinor-dihydro-IP) in urine. Mass spectrometric separation showed that excretion of IP was similar in the PN+/CAN ? and PN+/CAN+ groups but higher than in the PN ? /CAN ? group (n = 103, 22 and 60, respectively; P < 0.05). By contrast, excretion of dinor-IP or dinor-dihydro-IP were similar in the PN ? /CAN ? and PN+/CAN ? groups but higher than in PN+/CAN+ group. Correlations were obtained between IP and dinor-IP or dinor-dihydro-IP (r = 0.30; P < 0.001 and r = 0.31; P < 0.001, respectively). A significant association was also observed between dinor-IP and dinor-dihydro-IP (r = 0.48; P < 0.001). In conclusion, these biomarkers should prove useful in studies evaluating the impact of therapeutic drugs or antioxidant interventions aimed at delaying the onset of diabetic complications.     

Patterns of Plant Invasions: A Case Example in Native Species Hotspots and Rare Habitats

Land managers require landscape-scale information on where exotic plant species have successfully established, to better guide research, control, and restoration efforts. We evaluated the vulnerability of various habitats to invasion by exotic plant species in a 100,000 ha area in the southeast corner of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah. For the 97 0.1-ha plots in 11 vegetation types, exotic species richness (log₁₀) was strongly negatively correlated to the cover of cryptobiotic soil crusts (r = −0.47, P < 0.001), and positively correlated to native species richness (r = 0.22, P < 0.03), native species cover (r = 0.23, P < 0.05), and total nitrogen in the soil (r = 0.40, P < 0.001). Exotic species cover was strongly positively correlated to exotic species richness (r = 0.68, P < 0.001). Only 6 of 97 plots did not contain at least one exotic species. Exotic species richness was particularly high in locally rare, mesic vegetation types and nitrogen rich soils. Dry, upland plots (n = 51) had less than half of the exotic species richness and cover compared to plots (n = 45) in washes and lowland depressions that collect water intermittently. Plots dominated by trees had significantly greater native and exotic species richness compared to plots dominated by shrubs. For the 97 plots combined, 33% of the variance in exotic species richness could be explained by a positive relationship with total plant cover, and negative relationships with the cover of cryptobiotic crusts and bare ground. There are several reasons for concern: (1) Exotic plant species are invading hot spots of native plant diversity and rare/unique habitats. (2) The foliar cover of exotic species was greatest in habitats that had been invaded by several exotic species.(3) Continued disturbance of fragile cryptobiotic crusts by livestock, people, and vehicles may facilitate the further invasion of exotic plant species. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cardiorespiratory power across adolescence in male soccer players

Despite the recognition of the beneficial role of cardiorespiratory power (CRP) for health and sport performance, the development of this physical fitness parameter in adolescent soccer players was not well studied. Aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the effect of age on CRP of adolescent soccer players, the influence of anthropometric characteristics and body composition on it, and to establish normative data. Male adolescent (N = 274; aged 12.07–20.98 y), classified in nine one-year age-groups, child (N = 12, aged 7.71–11.8 y) and adult players (N = 22; aged 21.12–31.59 y), all members of competitive soccer clubs, were examined for anthropometric characteristics and body composition and they performed Physical Working Capacity in heart rate 170 test (PWC₁₇₀) on cycle ergometer. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference between age groups with respect to PWC170 in absolute (F _10,.297 = 29.58, P < 0.001, η² = 0.5), relative to body mass (F _10,.297 = 5.28, P < 0.001, η² = 0.15) and relative to fat free mass values (F _10.297 = 4.98, P < 0.001, η²= 0.14). In addition, age was in positive association with these parameters (r = 0.6, P < 0.001, r = 0.24, P < 0.001 and r = 0.23, P < 0.001, correspondingly). The main finding of this study was that CRP increased during developmental period in soccer players, even when it was adjusted to body mass or FFM, which increased during development. This documentation of the development of CRP provided useful tool for coaches and fitness trainers in order to apply optimal exercise interventions for health and performance.     

Estimation of Free‐Living Energy Expenditure Using a Novel Activity Monitor Designed to Minimize Obtrusiveness

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a novel activity monitor designed to be minimally obtrusive in predicting free‐living energy expenditure. Subjects were 18 men and 12 women (age: 41 ± 11 years, BMI: 24.4 ± 3 kg/m²). The habitual physical activity was monitored for 14 days using a DirectLife triaxial accelerometer for movement registration (Tracmor_D) (Philips New Wellness Solutions, Lifestyle Incubator, the Netherlands). Tracmor_D output was expressed as activity counts per day (Cnts/d). Simultaneously, total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured in free living conditions using doubly labeled water (DLW). Activity energy expenditure (AEE) and the physical activity level (PAL) were determined from TEE and sleeping metabolic rate (SMR). A multiple‐linear regression model predicted 76% of the variance in TEE, using as independent variables SMR (partial‐r² = 0.55, P < 0.001), and Cnts/d (partial r² = 0.21, P < 0.001). The s.e. of TEE estimates was 0.9 MJ/day or 7.4% of the average TEE. A model based on body mass (partial‐r² = 0.31, P < 0.001) and Cnts/d (partial‐r² = 0.23, P < 0.001) predicted 54% of the variance in TEE. Cnts/d were significantly and positively associated with AEE (r = 0.54, P < 0.01), PAL (r = 0.68, P < 0.001), and AEE corrected by body mass (r = 0.71, P < 0.001). This study showed that the Tracmor_D is a highly accurate instrument for predicting free‐living energy expenditure. The miniaturized design did not harm the ability of the instrument in measuring physical activity and in determining outcome parameters of physical activity such as TEE, AEE, and PAL.     

Effect of starch application into the proximal duodenum of ruminants on starch digestibility in the small and total intestine

Four Slovakian Black‐and‐white bulls (LW 410 ± 12 kg; Exp. 1) and four Slovakian Black‐and‐white non lactating dairy cows (LW 475 ± 14 kg; Exp. 2) with permanent ruminal cannulas, duodenal T‐cannulas and ileal re‐entrant cannulas were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to determine the postruminal capacity of starch digestion.

In Exp. 1 bulls received 5.4 kg DM from corn silage and 3.6 kg DM from alfalfa hay, in Exp. 2 cows consumed only 2.1 kg DM corn silage and 1.9 kg DM alfalfa hay. Additionally, either 750 or 1500 g (Exp. 1) or resp. 1000 or 2000 g (Exp. 2) gelatinized corn or wheat starch per animal and day were applied as pulse doses or as infusion into the proximal duodenum.

In both experiments the duodenal and ileal nutrient flow, as well as the faecal excretion without starch application, were measured in a pre‐period. After starting starch application ileal digesta and faeces were sampled over 120 h after 9 or 23 days of adaptation respectively. Cr₂O₃ was used as a flow marker.

It was shown, that the capacity of starch utilisation in the small intestine was limited. The effect of different doses of bypass‐starch was more pronounced than the effect of different starch sources. Starch digestibility decreased with increasing amounts of starch in the intestine (Exp. 1: corn starch: from 74.3 to 68.0%, P < 0.001; wheat starch: from 76.7 to 67.4%, P <0.001; Exp. 2: corn starch: from 71.4 to 50.3%, P <0.001; wheat starch: from 73.8 to 53.1%, P <0.001). Corn starch was 0.6 to 2.4% units (P <0.05) and 2.4 to 2.8% units (P < 0.001) less digested than wheat starch in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively.

The decreased starch digestibility in the small intestine with increasing amounts of starch at the duodenum was not totally compensated in the large intestine. The starch digestibility in the total intestine for the low and high amounts of applied starch was: 83.7 and 81.0% (P < 0.001, corn starch, Exp. 1), 86.0 and 81.7% (P < 0.001, wheat starch, Exp. 1), 95.5 and 79.1% (P < 0.001, corn starch, Exp. 2), 99.8 and 81.7% (P < 0.001, wheat starch, Exp. 2).

Corn starch was 0.7 to 2.3% units (P <0.001) and 2.6 to 4.3% units (P <0.001) less digested than wheat starch in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively.

Model calculations were used to quantify the efficiency of starch utilisation. The recommended maximal amount of bypass‐starch is supposed to be 1.3 to 1.8 kg per animal and day.     

Bioimpedance Analysis Parameters and Epicardial Adipose Tissue Assessed by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Heart Failure

There is increasing evidence that body composition should be considered as a systemic marker of disease severity in congestive heart failure (CHF). Prior studies established bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as an objective indicator of body composition. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) quantified by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the visceral fat around the heart secreting various bioactive molecules. Our purpose was to investigate the association between BIA parameters and EAT assessed by CMR in patients with CHF. BIA and CMR analysis were performed in 41 patients with CHF and in 16 healthy controls. Patients with CHF showed a decreased indexed EAT (22 ± 5 vs. 34 ± 4 g/m², P < 0.001) and phase angle (PA) (5.5° vs. 6.4°, P < 0.02) compared to healthy controls. Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation of CMR indexed EAT with left ventricular ejection fraction (LV‐EF) (r = 0.56, P < 0.001), PA (r = 0.31, P = 0.01), total body muscle mass (TBMM) (r = 0.41, P = 0.001), fat‐free mass (FFM) (r = 0.30, P = 0.02), and intracellular water (ICW) (0.47, P = 0.0003). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that LV‐EF was the only independent determinant of indexed EAT (P < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated good predictive performance of PA and EAT (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.86 and 0.82, respectively) with respect to cardiac death. After a follow‐up period of 5 years, 8/41 (19.5%) patients suffered from cardiac death. Only indexed EAT <22 g/m² revealed a statistically significant higher risk of cardiac death (P = 0.02). EAT assessed by CMR correlated with the BIA‐derived PA in patients with CHF. EAT and BIA‐derived PA might serve as additional prognostic indicators for survival in these patients. However, further clinical studies are needed to elucidate the prognostic relevance of these new findings.     

Dual‐energy X‐ray Absorptiometry and Anthropometric Estimates of Visceral Fat in Black and White South African Women

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, and therefore, accurate methods to estimate VAT have been investigated. Computerized tomography (CT) is the gold standard measure of VAT, but its use is limited. We therefore compared waist measures and two dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) methods (Ley and Lunar) that quantify abdominal regions of interest (ROIs) to CT‐derived VAT in 166 black and 143 white South African women. Anthropometry, DXA ROI, and VAT (CT at L4–L5) were measured. Black women were younger (P < 0.001), shorter (P < 0.001), and had higher body fat (P < 0.05) than white women. There were no ethnic differences in waist (89.7 ± 18.2 cm vs. 90.1 ± 15.6 cm), waist:height ratio (WHtR, 0.56 ± 0.12 vs. 0.54 ± 0.09), or DXA ROI (Ley: 2.2 ± 1.5 vs. 2.1 ± 1.4; Lunar: 2.3 ± 1.4 vs. 2.3 ± 1.5), but black women had less VAT, after adjusting for age, height, weight, and fat mass (76 ± 34 cm² vs. 98 ± 35 cm²; P < 0.001). Ley ROI and Lunar ROI were correlated in black (r = 0.983) and white (r = 0.988) women. VAT correlated with DXA ROI (Ley: r = 0.729 and r = 0.838, P < 0.01; Lunar: r = 0.739 and r = 0.847, P < 0.01) in black and white women, but with increasing ROI android fatness, black women had less VAT. Similarly, VAT was associated with waist (r = 0.732 and r = 0.836, P < 0.01) and WHtR (r = 0.721 and r = 0.824, P < 0.01) in black and white women. In conclusion, although DXA‐derived ROIs correlate well with VAT as measured by CT, they are no better than waist or WHtR. Neither DXA nor anthropometric measures are able to accurately distinguish between high and low levels of VAT between population groups.     

Postural stability during static strain before and after a submaximal aerobic bicycle test in athletes

Control of static balance was studied in wrestlers (n = 31) in the normal state and against the background of physical fatigue, i.e., before and after a bicycle PWC ₁₇₀ test, respectively. The static balance was evaluated using a Ritm force platform (Russia) during normal basic stance (BS) and static strain (half-squatting position (HS) with the eyes open). Before physical exercise, i.e., during BS, the differences in postural control of the center of pressure (CP) between athletes and control subjects (n = 40) were nonsignificant. In the HS position, both linear and angular sway velocities of CP (LSV and ASV, respectively) were significantly lower in wrestlers (p < 0.001), and these parameters were negatively correlated with the PWC ₁₇₀ index (r = −0.454 and r = −455, p < 0.001 for LSV and ASV, respectively), which suggests that up to 20% of the sway velocity variance during static strain is dependent on the working capacity of the subjects. After the PWC ₁₇₀ test, the sway velocities of CP increased in both groups during BS (p < 0.01) and HS (p < 0.001), which testifies to the important role of muscular fatigue in the decrease in postural stability in both groups. During BS, an increase in LSV and ASV was about the same in both groups; however, during HS, an increase in the sway velocities of CP after PWC ₁₇₀ was lower in wrestlers (the intergroup differences at p = 0.037 and p = 0.008 for LSV and ASV, respectively); this parameter was negatively correlated with the recovery of the heart rate (HR) after the bicycle test (r = −0.378, p < 0.001 and r = −0.265, p < 0.05 for LSV and ASV, respectively), which suggests that rapid recovery contributes to a certain extent (about 6.5–14.2%) to the postural stability during static strain of wrestlers against the background of their physical fatigue.     

Enzymatic degradation of granular potato starch by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microbacterium aurum</Emphasis> strain B8.A

Microbacterium aurum strain B8.A was isolated from the sludge of a potato starch-processing factory on the basis of its ability to use granular starch as carbon- and energy source. Extracellular enzymes hydrolyzing granular starch were detected in the growth medium of M. aurum B8.A, while the type strain M. aurum DSMZ 8600 produced very little amylase activity, and hence was unable to degrade granular starch. The strain B8.A extracellular enzyme fraction degraded wheat, tapioca and potato starch at 37 °C, well below the gelatinization temperature of these starches. Starch granules of potato were hydrolyzed more slowly than of wheat and tapioca, probably due to structural differences and/or surface area effects. Partial hydrolysis of starch granules by extracellular enzymes of strain B8.A resulted in large holes of irregular sizes in case of wheat and tapioca and many smaller pores of relatively homogeneous size in case of potato. The strain B8.A extracellular amylolytic system produced mainly maltotriose and maltose from both granular and soluble starch substrates; also, larger maltooligosaccharides were formed after growth of strain B8.A in rich medium. Zymogram analysis confirmed that a different set of amylolytic enzymes was present depending on the growth conditions of M. aurum B8.A. Some of these enzymes could be partly purified by binding to starch granules.     

In Utero Gender Dimorphism of Adiponectin Reflects Insulin Sensitivity and Adiposity of the Fetus

Circulating adiponectin reflects the degree of energy homeostasis and insulin sensitivity of adult individuals. Low abundance of the high molecular weight (HMW) multimers, the most active forms mediating the insulin‐sensitizing effects of adiponectin, is indicative of impaired metabolic status. The increase in fetal adiponectin HMW compared with adults is a distinctive features of human neonates. To further understand the functional properties of adiponectin during fetal life, we have evaluated the associations of adiponectin with insulin sensitivity, body composition, and gender. Umbilical cord adiponectin, adiponectin complexes, and metabolic parameters were measured at term by elective cesarean delivery. The associations between adiponectin, measures of body composition, and insulin sensitivity were evaluated in relation to fetal gender in 121 singleton neonates. Higher total adiponectin concentrations in female compared with male fetuses (34.3 ± 9.5 vs. 24.9 ± 8.6, P < 0.001) were associated with a 3.2‐fold greater abundance in circulating HMW complexes (0.20 ± 0.03 vs. 0.08 ± 0.03, P < 0.001, n = 9). Adiponectin was positively correlated with neonatal fat mass (r = 0.27, P < 0.04) and percent body fat in female fetuses (r = 0.28, P < 0.03) and with lean mass in males (r = 0.28, P < 0.03). There was no significant correlation between cord adiponectin and fasting insulin concentrations or fetal insulin sensitivity as estimated by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR). The gender dimorphism for plasma adiponectin concentration and complex distribution first appears in utero. In sharp contrast to the inverse correlation found in adults, the positive relationship between adiponectin and body fat is a specific feature of the fetus.     

Leptin and Nitric Oxide Production in Normotensive and Hypertensive Men

Objective: Recent findings have shown that leptin, the product of the obesity gene, may actively participate in the regulation of blood pressure and other cardiovascular functions through the nitric oxide (NO)‐dependent mechanism. Research Methods and Procedures: In this study, to test the hypothesis that leptin regulation of NO metabolism is impaired in hypertension, we examined the possible relationship between circulating leptin and plasma NO metabolite level in normotensive (NT) and hypertensive (HT) men. Results: There were significant correlations between circulating leptin and BMI in both the NT and HT groups (NT: r = 0.64, n = 26, p < 0.01; HT: r = 0.59, n = 22, p < 0.01). The concentration of circulating leptin was similar between the NT and HT men, although the plasma NO metabolite level (nitrite and nitrate) was significantly reduced in the HT men compared with the NT men (NT: 51.0 ± 4.9 μM, n = 26; HT: 37.1 ± 2.5 μM, n = 22, p < 0.05). The circlating leptin was significantly correlated with the plasma NO metabolite level in the overall analysis of the NT and HT men (r = 0.35, n = 48, p < 0.05). When the analysis of the correlation for the NT and HT men was performed separately, there was a significant correlation between circulating leptin and plasma NO metabolites in the NT men (r = 0.45, n = 26, p < 0.05) but not in the HT men (r = 0.15, n = 22). The results of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that leptin‐related metabolism of NO might be altered in HT men.     

Effects of different starch sources on Bacillus spp. in intestinal tract and expression of intestinal development related genes of weanling piglets

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different starch sources on Bacillus spp. in intestinal tract and expression of intestinal development related genes of weanling piglets. Twenty-eight PIC male piglets were divided into four homogeneous groups according to initial body weight (similar birth and parity, weaned at 21 ± 1.5 days). Diets for the four treatments consisted of corn starch, wheat starch, tapioca starch and pea starch with the determined ratio for amylose to amylopectin of 0.21, 0.24, 0.12 and 0.52 respectively. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was applied to: (1) detect genomic DNA of Bacillus and to quantify the number of Bacillus in the intestinal tract chyme of piglets with the primers and probe which designed based on the 16S rRNA sequences of maximum species of Bacillus on GenBank; (2) measure the mRNA level of glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2), insulin-like growth factors 1 (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Results showed that the number of Baciilus and the percentage based on all bacteria in the whole intestinal content of piglets fed pea starch was highest in all groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant differance on copy numbers for all bacteria and Bacillus in the whole intestinal tract of piglets between the corn starch group and wheat starch group (P > 0.05). In addition, the expression level of GLP-2, IGF-1 mRNA in jejunum and ileum of pea starch treatment (the high amylose/amylopectin ratio) were increased while the tapioca starch decreased their mRNA level significantly compared to other three treatments (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference for the mRNA level of EGF in each group. The present study revealed that high amylose/amylopectin ratio of starches significantly enhanced the numbers of Bacillus in all segments of intestine and the mRNA level of intestinal development related genes.     

Relationship of Serum Adiponectin and Leptin Concentrations with Body Fat Distribution in Humans

Objective: We investigated whether serum concentrations of adiponectin are determined by body fat distribution and compared the findings with leptin. Research Methods and Procedures: Serum concentrations of adiponectin and leptin were measured by radioimmunoassay (n = 394) and analyzed for correlation with sex, age, and body fat distribution, i.e., waist‐to‐hip ratio, waist and hip circumference, and subcutaneous adipose tissue area of the lower leg as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Results: After adjusting for sex and percentage of body fat, adiponectin was negatively (r = ?0.17, p < 0.001) and leptin was positively (r = 0.22, p < 0.001) correlated with waist‐to‐hip ratio. Leptin, but not adiponectin, correlated with both waist (r = 0.49, p < 0.001) and hip circumference (r = 0.46, p < 0.001). Furthermore, leptin, but not adiponectin, correlated with the proportion of subcutaneous fat of the lower leg cross‐sectional area (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). Discussion: These data suggest that both adipocytokines are associated with central body fat distribution, and serum adiponectin concentrations are determined predominantly by the visceral fat compartment.     

Low IGF-1 levels are associated with cardiovascular risk factors in haemodialysis patients

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) constitute a significant risk and may, in part, explain the high morbidity and mortality rates among haemodialysis (HD) patients. Several studies have implicated reduced insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) levels in the development of CVD. However, it is not clear whether IGF-1, and its relationship with other hormones such as leptin, insulin, and growth hormone (GH), as well as anthropometric variables may explain the high incidence of vascular complications in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This study was designed to measure total serum IGF-1, leptin, insulin and GH levels in CKD patients and in age-matched control subjects and to elucidate the relationship between IGF-1 and GH, leptin, and insulin as well as other known aetiological risk factors for CVD including blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and age. The study consisted of 50 CKD patients [36 M and 14 F; mean age; 41.8 ± 10.3 years) on maintenance haemodialysis and 50 healthy control subjects (36 M and 14 F; mean age 41.6 ± 10.2 years) matched for age and sex. None of the subject among patients and controls reported either smoking or history of diabetes mellitus. The circulating levels of IGF-1 were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in both male and female patients compared to the control subjects. Moreover, IGF-1 was strongly and inversely correlated with both systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = −0.360; P < 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = −0.512; P < 0.001) in the CKD group, and when the two groups were combined SBP (r = −0.396; P < 0.001) and DBP (r = −0.296; P < 0.01). When adjusted for age, the correlation was more significant, however, when adjusted for BMI no significant correlation was observed between IGF-1 and blood pressure. IGF-1 was inversely correlated with age (r = −0.367; P < 0.01) and BMI (r = −0.310; P < 0.05) in the control group, but not the patient group. In controls and patients, respectively, a positive correlation between leptin and BMI (r = 0.358; P < 0.01; r = 0.640, P < 0.001) was observed. The results show that circulating levels of IGF-1 were significantly lower in CKD patients as compared to healthy normal subjects and were inversely correlated with SBP and DBP independent of age, but not BMI indicative of a strong relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and low IGF-1 levels. Although, the data do not clearly indicate low IGF-1 levels as a cause or an effect of these cardiovascular risk factors, they do point to an interesting relationship between low IGF-1 levels and increased cardiovascular risk factors among CKD patients as compared to age-matched healthy control subjects.     

Validation of a physical activity questionnaire in the elderly

The purpose of this study was to validate a physical activity (PA) questionnaire, Questionnaire d'Activité Physique Saint-Etienne (QAPSE), in an homogenous population of elderly subjects and to estimate its potential for application in routine PA assessments in that age group. A group of 65 (31 men and 34 women) community dwelling, healthy people aged 65–84 years volunteered to participate in a validation substudy comparing maximal oxygen uptake ( ) and anthropometric data. correlated positively with mean habitual daily energy expenditure (MHDEE) (r=0.56,P<0.0001), greater than 3MET (metabolic equivalent) daily energy expenditure (DEE) activity (r=0.371,P=0.002), leisure activity (r=0.368,P=0.003), sports activity (r=0.461,P<0.0001), basic daily activity (r=0.325,P=0.008) and moving DEE activity (r=0.273,P=0.028) in both sexes, with MHDEE (r=0.366,P=0.043) and moving DEE activity (r=0.388,P=0.031) in the men and with MHDEE (r=0.624;P<0.001), greater than 3MET DEE activity (r=0.513,P=0.002), leisure activity (r=0.388,P=0.024) and sports activity (r=0.683,P<0.001) in the women. The MHDEE was positively correlated with body mass (r=0.464) and with fat free mass (r=0.639) and negatively correlated with percentage body fat (r=−0.501). In a reproducibility substudy (n=44) a paired Student'st-test, based on mean differences between the two administrations of the questionnaire did not reach statistical significance for any of the QAPSE activity scores studied. Test-retest correlation coefficients ranged from 0.648 for moving score to 0.967 for MHDEE with correlation coefficientP values being less than 0.001 for all of the QAPSE activity scores. We concluded that QAPSE demonstrated excellent repeatability and good validity in relation to physical fitness and anthropometric data in the population of these healthy elderly volunteers.     

Impacts of Visceral Adipose Tissue and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue on Metabolic Risk Factors in Middle‐aged Japanese

Regional fat distribution rather than overall fat volume has been considered to be important to understanding the link between obesity and metabolic disorders. We aimed to evaluate the independent associations of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) with metabolic risk factors in apparently healthy middle‐aged Japanese. Participants were 1,119 men and 854 women aged 38–60 years who were not taking medications for diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. VAT and SAT were measured by use of computed tomography (CT) scanning. VAT and SAT were significantly and positively correlated with each other in men (r = 0.531, P < 0.001) and women (r = 0.589, P < 0.001). In multiple regression analyses, either measure of abdominal adiposity (VAT or SAT) was positively associated with blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and log triglyceride (P < 0.001) and inversely with high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol (P < 0.001). When VAT and SAT were simultaneously included in the model, the association of VAT with triglycerides was maintained (P < 0.001) but that of SAT was lost. The same was true for HDL‐cholesterol in women. For fasting plasma glucose, the association with VAT was strong (P < 0.001) and the borderline association with SAT was maintained (P = 0.060 in men and P = 0.020 in women). Both VAT and SAT were independently associated with blood pressure (P < 0.001). Further adjustment for anthropometric indices resulted in the independent association only with VAT for all risk factors. In conclusion, impacts of VAT and SAT differed among risk factors. VAT showed dominant impacts on triglyceride concentrations in both genders and on HDL‐cholesterol in women, while SAT also had an independent association with blood pressure.     

Relationship between plant species diversity and soil microbial functional diversity along a longitudinal gradient in temperate grasslands of Hulunbeir,Inner Mongolia,China

Numerous experiments have been established to examine the effect of plant diversity on the soil microbial community. However, the relationship between plant diversity and microbial functional diversity along broad spatial gradients at a large scale is still unexplored. In this paper, we examined the relationship of plant species diversity with soil microbial biomass C, microbial catabolic activity, catabolic diversity and catabolic richness along a longitudinal gradient in temperate grasslands of Hulunbeir, Inner Mongolia, China. Preliminary detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) indicated that plant composition showed a significant separation along the axis 1, and axis 1 explained the main portion of variability in the data set. Moreover, DCA-axis 1 was significantly correlated with soil microbial biomass C (r = 0.735, P = 0.001), microbial catabolic activity (average well color development; r = 0.775, P < 0.001) and microbial functional diversity (catabolic diversity: r = 0.791, P < 0.001 and catabolic richness: r = 0.812, P < 0.001), which suggested thatsome relationship existed between plant composition and the soil microbial community along the spatial gradient at a large scale. Soil microbial biomass C, microbial catabolic activity, catabolic diversity and catabolic richness showed a significant, linear increase with greater plant species richness. However, many responses that we observed could be explained by greater aboveground plant biomass associated with higher levels of plant diversity, which suggested that plant diversity impacted the soil microbial community mainly through increases in plant production.     

Treadmill desks: A 1‐year prospective trial

Objective: Sedentariness is associated with weight gain and obesity. A treadmill desk is the combination of a standing desk and a treadmill that allow employees to work while walking at low speed. Design and Methods: The hypothesis was that a 1‐year intervention with treadmill desks is associated with an increase in employee daily physical activity (summation of all activity per minute) and a decrease in daily sedentary time (zero activity). Employees (n = 36; 25 women, 11 men) with sedentary jobs (87 ± 27 kg, BMI 29 ± 7 kg/m², n = 10 Lean BMI < 25 kg/m², n = 15 Overweight 25 < BMI < 30 kg/m², n = 11 Obese BMI > 30 kg/m²) volunteered to have their traditional desk replaced with a treadmill desk to promote physical activity for 1 year. Results: Daily physical activity (using accelerometers), work performance, body composition, and blood variables were measured at Baseline and 6 and 12 months after the treadmill desk intervention. Subjects who used the treadmill desk increased daily physical activity from baseline 3,353 ± 1,802 activity units (AU)/day to, at 6 months, 4,460 ± 2,376 AU/day (P < 0.001), and at 12 months, 4,205 ± 2,238 AU/day (P < 0.001). Access to the treadmill desks was associated with significant decreases in daily sedentary time (zero activity) from at baseline 1,020 ± 75 min/day to, at 6 months, 929 ± 84 min/day (P < 0.001), and at 12 months, 978 ± 95 min/day (P < 0.001). For the whole group, weight loss averaged 1.4 ± 3.3 kg (P < 0.05). Weight loss for obese subjects was 2.3 ± 3.5 kg (P < 0.03). Access to the treadmill desks was associated with increased daily physical activity compared to traditional chair‐based desks; their deployment was not associated with altered performance. For the 36 participants, fat mass did not change significantly, however, those who lost weight (n = 22) lost 3.4 ± 5.4 kg (P < 0.001) of fat mass. Weight loss was greatest in people with obesity. Conclusions: Access to treadmill desks may improve the health of office workers without affecting work performance.     

Interrelations and associations of serum levels of steroids and pituitary hormones with markers of insulin resistance,inflammatory activity,and renal function in men and women aged >70 years in an 8-year longitudinal study of opposite-sex twins

Background: The physiological serum levels of steroids and pituitary hormones in older men and women have been sparsely reported in the literature.Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the normal variation and sex differences in steroids and pituitary hormones in those aged >70 years, and to study the interrelation between these hormones and indicators of the metabolic syndrome, inflammatory activity, and renal function.Methods: The investigation comprised a population-based sample of pairs of white opposite-sex twins from the Swedish Twin Registry. At baseline in 1996 and at the 8-year follow-uup in 2004, serum levels of progesterone, cortisol, testosterone, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, creatinine, C-reactive protein (CRP), and urea were analyzed. Serum levels of insulin and cystatin were analyzed only at the follow-up.Results: The study sample included 219 men and 183 women aged 71 to 80 years (mean [SD], 74.5 [2.5] years) at baseline in 1996, and 127 men and 135 women at follow-uup in 2004. At baseline, in both men and women, the variation of progesterone in serum was positively correlated with that of estradiol (men: r = 0.226, P < 0.01; women: r = 0.115, P = NS), testosterone (men: r = 0.178, P < 0.01; women: r = 0.315, P < 0.001), and cortisol (men: r = 0.314, P < 0.001; women: r = 0.296, P < 0.001). The values of progesterone and other steroid hormones were associated with markers of insulin resistance (iie, insulin, waist circumference), inflammatory activity (ie, CRP) for progesterone (men: r = 0.267, P < 0.001; women: r = 0.150, P < 0.05), and renal function (ie, creatinine) for progesterone (men: r = 0.424, P < 0.001; women: r = 0.212, P < 0.01). Estradiol and prolactin were associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, and renal function. Furthermore, progesterone was associated with prolactin (men: r = 0.275, P < 0.001; women: r = 0.172, P < 0.05).. Among both men and women, there was a strong correlation between testosterone and estradiol (men: r = 0.753, P < 0.001; women: r = 0.526, P < 0.001); in women, there was also a link between testosterone and cortisol at follow-up (r = 0.340, P < 0.01). For progesterone, there was a significant correlation between the values of the co-twins (in 1996: r = 0.16, P < 0.05; in 2004: r = 0.45, P < 0.001). Higher serum levels of progesterone (2.0 [0.7] nmol/L in men and 1.7 [0.8] nmol/L in women) and prolactin (6 [5] μg/L in men and 8 [10] μg/L in women) were found among those who were deceased at follow-up compared with survivors (progesterone: 1.8 [0.5] nmol/L in men and 1.4 [0.6] nmol/L in women, P < 0.01; prolactin: 4 [3] μg/L in men and 5 [2] μg/L in women, P < 0.001).Conclusions: In this study of opposite-sex Swedish twins aged >70 years, there was a sex difference in the serum levels of steroids and pituitary hormones between men and women. Progesterone and other steroid hormones were associated with markers of insulin resistance, inflammatory activity, and renal function. Progesterone and prolactin levels were associated with increased risk of mortality in this sample.     

Reactivity of isolated toad aortic rings to angiotension II: the role of nitric oxide

Little is known about the vascular actions of angiotensin II (Ang II) and nitric oxide (NO) in Amphibia. This study investigated (1) Ang II contractility, (2) NO concentrations, and (3) correlations between Ang II contractility, NO concentration and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in isolated Bufo arenarum toad aortic rings. Contractility was measured in isometric conditions, NO concentrations were determined by the Griess reaction, and MAP was determined by a direct method. In isolated toad aortic rings, Ang II produced a contractile response (292.7 ± 89.2 mg; n = 20). Furthermore, a contractile response to norepinephrine (NE) was also obtained. A significant correlation between both the Ang II and NE contractile responses was found (r = 0.89; n = 11; P < 0.01). Administration of Ang II increased MAP values (Basal 16.8 ± 1.7; n = 19 vs. Ang II 28.4 ± 1.8 mmHg; n = 19; P < 0.001), and the increase of MAP by Ang II was positively correlated with the Ang II contractile response (P < 0.01). Administration of L-NAME also increased MAP values, and this effect was higher in those toads that presented a lower pressure response to Ang II (Pearson r = −0.68; P < 0.05). NO was present in all aortic rings, and its concentrations were negatively related to the Ang II contractile response (P < 0.036) and pressure response (Pearson r = −7.08; P < 0.001). These findings suggest that, in the B. arenarum toad, the NO system contra-regulates both the contractile and pressure Ang II responses, although its action could be different in each specimen.