NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome gene polymorphism rs7512998 (C>T) predicts aging-related increase of blood pressure,the TAMRISK study

Background

The activation of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome by cellular stress leads to activation of the inflammasome, and NLRP3 gene polymorphisms have been associated with autoinflammatory diseases. Inflammasomes have also been implicated in the initiation or progression of metabolic disorders such as atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and obesity. The association of NLRP3 genetic variant rs7512998 with blood pressure and hypertension was studied in a 50-year-old Finnish cohort with a subpopulation who had available data on blood pressure measurements also at the age of 45 years.

Results

NLRP3 gene polymorphism rs7512998 C-allele was associated with higher systolic (p?=?0.006) and diastolic (p?=?0.011) blood pressure compared to the TT-genotype carriers in 50-year-old subjects. In addition, by analysis of variance for repeated measures between ages of 45- and 50 years there was a significant time by genotype interaction; blood pressure increased more in subjects with the C-allele both in systolic (p?=?0.035) and diastolic (p?=?0.012) values. However, no association with diagnosed hypertension was found.

Conclusion

We report for the first time that NLRP3 gene polymorphism rs7512998 was associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in 50-year-old subjects. In addition, an effect of this variation upon blood pressure was seen in these same subjects in a 5-year follow-up from a 45-year-old cohort to 50 years of age.

     

Lunar and temperature effects on activity of free-living desert hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii,Satunin 1903)

Time management of truly wild hamsters was investigated in their natural habitat in Alashan desert, Inner Mongolia, China during summer of 2009, 2010, and 2012. Duration of activity outside their burrows, duration of foraging walks, and nocturnal inside stays were analyzed with the aim to elucidate impact of moon, ambient, and soil temperature. Animal data were determined using radio frequency identification (RFID) technique; for that purpose, individuals were caught in the field and marked with passive transponders. Their burrows were equipped with integrated microchip readers and photosensors for the detection of movements into or out of the burrow. Lunar impact was analyzed based on moon phase (full, waning, new, and waxing moons) and moon disk size. A prolongation of aboveground activity was shown with increasing moon disk size (Spearman ρ?=?0.237; p?=?0.025) which was caused by earlier onsets (ρ?=?0.161; p?=?0.048); additionally, foraging walks took longer (Pearson r?=?0.037; p?=?0.037). Temperature of different periods of time was analyzed, i.e., mean of whole day, of the activity phase, minimum, and maximum. Moreover, this was done for the current day and the previous 3 days. Overall, increasing ambient and soil temperatures were associated with shortening of activity by earlier offsets of activity and shorter nocturnal stays inside their burrows. Most influential temperatures for activity duration were the maximum ambient temperature, 3 days before (stepwise regression analysis R?=?0.499; R ²?=?0.249; F?=?7.281; p?=?0.013) and soil temperature during activity phase, 1 day before (R?=?0.644; R ²?=?0.283; F?=?7.458; p?=?0.004).     

Effects of outdoor temperature on changes in physiological variables before and after lunch in healthy women

Previous studies of autonomic nervous system responses before and after eating when controlling patient conditions and room temperature have provided inconsistent results. We hypothesized that several physiological parameters reflecting autonomic activity are affected by outdoor temperature before and after a meal. We measured the following physiological variables before and after a fixed meal in 53 healthy Japanese women: skin temperature, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, salivary amylase, blood glucose, heart rate, and heart rate variability. We assessed satiety before and after lunch using a visual analog scale (100 mm). We recorded outdoor temperature, atmospheric pressure, and relative humidity. Skin temperature rose significantly 1 h after eating (greater in cold weather) (P?=?0.008). Cold weather markedly influenced changes in diastolic blood pressure before (P?=?0.017) and after lunch (P?=?0.013). Fasting salivary amylase activity increased significantly in cold weather but fell significantly after lunch (significantly greater in cold weather) (P?=?0.007). Salivary amylase was significantly associated with cold weather, low atmospheric pressure, and low relative humidity 30 min after lunch (P?P?=?0.001). The decreased low frequency (LF)/high frequency (HF) ratio, increased Δ LF/HF ratio, and increased Δ salivary amylase activity imply that cold outdoor temperature is associated with dominant parasympathetic activity after lunch. Our results clarify the relationship between environmental factors, food intake, and autonomic system and physiological variables, which helps our understanding of homeostasis and metabolism.     

Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances relate to arterial stiffness and blood pressure in 6 to 8-year-old boys stratified by maternal risk

Early cardiovascular disease (CVD) onset can be inflicted by familial cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors. We aimed to compare phenotypic characteristics and explore associations between oxidative stress and vascular function in boys stratified by maternal cardiovascular and lifestyle risk. We included 40 Black and 41 White boys (ages 6–8 years), along with the biological mother of each child. The study population was divided into two groups (nonmaternal risk vs. maternal risk) according to maternal risk predetermined by their selfreported cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured at various sites and blood pressures were recorded. Urine samples were collected for analyses of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG), albumin, and creatinine. Higher levels of urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (uACR) were found in the maternal risk group compared to the nonmaternal risk group (p?=?.038). Multiple regression analysis in the maternal risk group revealed diastolic blood pressure (R²?=?0.159; β?=?0.293; p?=?.050), carotid femoral PWV (R²?=?0.158; β?=?0.297; p?=?.038) and carotid dorsalis pedis PWV (adj R²?=?0.322; β?=?0.505; p?R²?=?0.161; β?=??0.261; p?=?.046) with TBARS was observed. Also, in the maternal risk group, independent associations of DBP (R²?=?0.273; β?=?0.289; p?=?.040) and uACR (R²?=?0.283; β?=?0.268; p?=?.027) with 8-OHdG were indicated. In boys, as young as 6 years of age, oxidative stress related to arterial stiffness and diastolic blood pressure was observed. This association was only evident in boys with linked maternal lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting potential family-related early onset of cardiovascular risk.     

Toxicological Status of Children with Autism vs. Neurotypical Children and the Association with Autism Severity

This study investigates both the level of toxic metals in children with autism and the possible association of those toxic metals with autism severity. This study involved 55 children with autism ages 5–16 years compared to 44 controls with similar age and gender. The study included measurements of toxic metals in whole blood, red blood cells (RBC), and urine. The autism group had higher levels of lead in RBC (+41 %, p?=?0.002) and higher urinary levels of lead (+74 %, p?=?0.02), thallium (+77 %, p?=?0.0001), tin (+115 %, p?=?0.01), and tungsten (+44 %, p?=?0.00005). However, the autism group had slightly lower levels of cadmium in whole blood (?19 %, p?=?0.003). A stepwise, multiple linear regression analysis found a strong association of levels of toxic metals with variation in the degree of severity of autism for all the severity scales (adjusted R ² of 0.38–0.47, p?<?0.0003). Cadmium (whole blood) and mercury (whole blood and RBC) were the most consistently significant variables. Overall, children with autism have higher average levels of several toxic metals, and levels of several toxic metals are strongly associated with variations in the severity of autism for all three of the autism severity scales investigated.     

Coronary microcirculatory dysfunction is associated with left ventricular dysfunction during follow-up after STEMI

Background

Coronary microvascular resistance is increased after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which may be related in part to changed left ventricular (LV) dynamics. Therefore we studied the coronary microcirculation in relation to systolic and diastolic LV function after STEMI.

Methods

The study cohort consisted of 12 consecutive patients, all treated with primary PCI for a first anterior wall STEMI. At 4 months, we assessed pressure-volume loops. Subsequently, we measured intracoronary pressure and flow velocity and calculated coronary microvascular resistance. Infarct size and LV mass were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Patients with an impaired systolic LV function due to a larger myocardial infarction showed a higher baseline average peak flow velocity (APV) than the other patients (26?±?7 versus 17?±?5 cm/s, p?=?0.003, respectively), and showed an impaired variable microvascular resistance index (2.1?±?1.0 versus 4.1?±?1.3 mmHg?cm^?1?s^?1, p?=?0.003, respectively). Impaired diastolic relaxation time was inversely correlated with hyperaemic APV (r?=??0.56, p?=?0.003) and positively correlated with hyperaemic microvascular resistance (r?=?0.48, p?=?0.01). LV dilatation was associated with a reduced variable microvascular resistance index (r?=?0.78, p?=?0.006).

Conclusion

A larger anterior myocardial infarction results in impaired LV performance associated with reduced coronary microvascular resistance variability, in particular due to higher coronary blood flow at baseline in these compromised left ventricles.     

Cyclophilin-A: a novel biomarker for untreated male essential hypertension

Abstract

Vascular cytokines, total nitrite, and cyclophilin-A (CyP-A) may be related to the pathogenesis of untreated hypertension. Forty males with normotensive and untreated essential hypertension were recruited in this cytokines survey. Body mass index (BMI), hyperlipidemia, and plasma CyP-A were increased in the hypertensive group (p?<?0.05). However, only BMI (p?=?0.022) and plasma CyP-A (p?=?0.020) were found to be significant contributors to hypertension by multiple regression analysis. CyP-A was also positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (p?=?0.029) and diastolic blood pressure (p?=?0.047). These findings indicated that plasma CyP-A is a critical molecular biomarker in the early pathogenesis of essential hypertension.     

Association of Hypertension,Body Mass Index,and Waist Circumference with Fluoride Intake; Water Drinking in Residents of Fluoride Endemic Areas,Iran

Hypertension is becoming a global epidemic for both rural and urban populations; it is a major public health challenge in Iran. Fluoride can be a risk factor for hypertension. Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in two study areas to assess the relation of fluoride with blood pressure prevalence, BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) among different age groups in both sexes. The mean value of fluoride concentration in the drinking water from the four study villages varied from 0.68 to 10.30 mg/L. The overall prevalence of HTN and prehypertension in all subjects was 40.7%. The prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension, isolated diastolic hypertension, systolic-diastolic hypertension, and prehypertension in the total sample population was 1.15, 0.28, 9.53, and 29.76%, respectively. The odd ratio of hypertension in residents who drank water with high fluoride levels was higher than that in residents who drank water with lower level of fluoride (OR 2.3, 1.03–5.14). Logistic regression results showed that age (P?<?0.001), sex (P?=?0.018), BMI (P?=?0.015), and the fluoride level in drinking water (P?=?0.041) had a significant relationship with increased blood pressure. There were no statistically significant correlations between fluoride and BMI, hip circumference, and waist to hip ratio (WHR). The findings of this study are important for health care personnel and policymakers.     

The relationship between arterial wall stiffness and left ventricular dysfunction

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and arterial wall stiffening.

Methods

A total of 218 patients over the age of 45 diagnosed with hypertension in Jinan City and hospitalised between 2010 and 2011 were included in this study. LV function was evaluated using echocardiography (ECHO). Blood pressure was monitored with an automated tonometric device, and the parameters of arterial wall stiffness were measured. In addition, the metabolic parameters of blood samples, such as glucose and lipids, were also determined using the Cobas E601 analyser.

Results

Stiffness parameter beta positively correlated with LV diastolic function (E/Em ratio) (r?=?0.255, p?<?0.001). LV end-diastolic diameter not only related to the E/Em ratio (r?=?0.196, p?=?0.009) but also with beta (r?=?0.220, p?=?0.002). The stiffness parameter beta was an early indicator of E/Em ratio as determined by multiple regression analysis (R ²?=?0.381, p?<?0.01). Age, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose contributed to stiffness parameter beta (p?<?0.05), as well as the E/Em ratio (p?<?0.01).

Conclusions

Our findings suggested that LV dysfunction may have a direct relationship to arterial stiffening, independently of having similar risk factors. In addition, arterial stiffness can be an independent predictor of LV diastolic function, suggesting that the severity of arterial stiffness directly correlates with the severity of LV dysfunction.     

Effects of Acidification, Sodium Chloride, and Moisture Levels on Wheat Dough: I. Modeling of Rheological and Microstructural Properties

The rheological attributes of polymers as wheat dough are strongly related to its microstructure. To quantify dough protein microstructure confocal laser scanning microscopy combined with image analysis was used. The effect of three experimental factors pH (addition of lactic acid and sodium hydroxide), water addition, and sodium chloride (NaCl) addition on empirical and fundamental rheological properties as well as microstructural protein properties were studied and modeled by applying a response surface methodology. The obtained models revealed high correlations between the experimental factors and the complex shear modulus (R ²?=?0.97), dough resistance (R_max ^k; R ²?=?0.91) and stickiness (R ²?=?0.93). Furthermore it was possible to determine microstructural attributes as the area fraction (R ²?=?0.88) and Feret??s diameter (R ²?=?0.86) as a function of pH, water and NaCl addition. Especially measures of R^k _max revealed highly significant correlations with the protein microstructure as the branching index (r?=?0.79).     

Higher insulin, triglycerides, and blood pressure with greater trunk fat in Tanner 1 Chinese

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate the body fat distribution pattern in prepubertal Chinese children and to investigate the relationship between central fat distribution and specific biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Research Methods and Procedures: The study was conducted in an urban Mainland Chinese (Jinan, Shandong) sample of children using a cross‐sectional design. Pubertal status was determined by Tanner criteria. Measurements included weight, height, waist circumference, DXA measures of total body fat and trunk fat; fasting serum measures of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol; and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Multiple regression models were developed with the biomarkers of cardiovascular risk factor as the dependent variables, and adjustments were made for significant covariates, including sex, age, height, weight, waist circumference, total body fat, trunk fat, and interactions. Results: A total of 247 healthy prepubertal subjects were studied. After co‐varying for age, weight, height, and extremity fat (the sum of arm fat and leg fat), girls had greater trunk fat than boys (p < 0.0001, R² for model = 0.95). Insulin and triglyceride were positively related to central fat measured by DXA‐trunk fat (p < 0.05) but not related to the waist circumference. In the blood pressure model, waist circumference was a significant predictor of both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, while DXA‐trunk fat was associated with diastolic blood pressure only. Significant interactions between sex and trunk fat, and sex and total fat, were found in relation to diastolic blood pressure. Discussion: In prepubertal Chinese children, greater trunk fat was significantly associated with higher insulin and triglyceride in boys and girls and was associated with higher diastolic blood pressure in boys only.     

Body temperature and respiratory dynamics in un-shaded beef cattle

In this study body temperature (BT, °C) and panting score (PS, 0–4.5; where 0?=?no panting/no stress and 4.5?=?catastrophic stress) data were obtained from 30 Angus steers housed outside over 120 days Steers were implanted with a BT transmitter on day ?31, BT was recorded at 30-min intervals to a data logger and downloaded each day to a database. The cattle were housed in ten outdoor un-shaded pens with an earthen floor, eight of which had a pen floor area of 144 m² (three transmitter steers plus five non-transmitter steers; 18 m²/steer) and two had an area of 168 m² (three transmitter steers and six non-transmitter steers; 18.7 m²/steer). Only data from the transmitter steers were used in this study. The PS of the steers was obtained daily (± 15 min) at 0600 hours (AM), 1200 hours (MD) and 1600 hours (PM). At the same times climate variables (ambient temperature, black globe temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, wind speed and rainfall) were obtained from an on-site weather station. PS observations were made from outside the pens so as not to influence cattle responses. The two closest BT values to the time when PS was obtained were downloaded retrospectively from a logger and averaged. A total of 8,352 observations were used to generate second order polynomial response curves: (AM) y?=?39.08?+?0.009?x +?0.137x ² (R ²?=?0.94; P? y?=?39.09?+?0.914x ? 0.080x ² (R ²?=?0.89; P? y?=?39.52?+?0.790x ? 0.068x ² (R ²?=?0.83; P?x?PS. These data suggest that PS is a good indicator of body temperature. The BT at MD corresponded to slightly lower PS compared with PM, e.g., for PS 1; BT at MD?=?39.1?±?0.05 °C whereas BT at PM?=?39.5?±?0.05 °C. However during AM, BT was lower (P?相似文献   

The Relationship Between Serum Calcium Level, Blood Lipids, and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive and Normotensive Subjects who Come from a Normal University in East of China

Previous studies revealed that low calcium intake is related to high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. However, the relationship between serum calcium and blood pressure was unclear. The prevalence of hypertension is high in China. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the serum calcium level between hypertensive and normotensive groups and to investigate the correlation between serum calcium, blood pressure, and blood lipid parameters. A total of 1,135 adult subjects participated in this study and were divide into two study groups: a hypertensive group (n?=?316) who had 140 mmHg or higher in systolic blood pressure (SBP) or 90 mmHg or higher in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and an age- and sex-matched normotensive group (n?=?819, 120 mmHg or less SBP and 80 mmHg or less DBP). Our results indicate a significant trend for men (60 years old or older) in the direction of decreasing blood pressure with increasing serum calcium level, but no trend for women was indicated. In the normotensive group, a significant positive correlation was found between DBP and total cholesterol (P?<?0.01) and triglyceride (P?<?0.01), Likewise, triglyceride was positively correlated with SBP (P?<?0.01). Overall, these data suggest that serum calcium may have an influence in the blood pressure of older male subjects with hypertension and in blood lipid profiles of normotensive subjects.     

Antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde, and total phenolic content of PEG-induced hyperhydric leaves in sugar beet tissue culture

Hyperhydricity is a physiological abnormality that frequently affects shoots that are vegetatively propagated in vitro. In this study, sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Felicita) shoot tip explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. We observed that higher concentrations of PEG 6000 and longer exposure (up to 4 wk) resulted in increasing levels of hyperhydration as well as browning and/or blackening of tissues in culture. A comparison of hyperhydric shoots with controls on the 28th day showed a marked increase in the content of water, phenolics, and malondialdehyde (MDA), which was positively correlated with an increase in the accumulation of PEG 6000. Selected antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (POX), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) also increased in hyperhydric shoots, especially at lower concentrations of PEG 6000. Regression analysis indicated that strong linear relationships exist between SOD–APX (R ²?=?0.932), SOD–CAT (R ²?=?0.753), SOD–total phenolic content (R ²?=?0.966), APX–PPO (R ²?=?0.842), APX–total phenolic content (R ²?=?0.904), POX–CAT (R ²?=?0.751), and CAT–total phenolic content (R ²?=?0.806). Despite the correlation between different antioxidant enzymes and between the antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant compounds, was not able to prevent ROS damage in hyperhydric shoots. The negative correlation between SOD–MDA, POX–MDA, CAT–MDA, and MDA–total phenolics also indicated an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities, yet the increase in these antioxidant compound contents did not prevent lipid peroxidation of in vitro propagated beet shoots.     

Association of Increased Hair Calcium Levels and Enhanced Augmentation Index (AIx): a Marker of Arterial Stiffness

Arterial stiffness is involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, and the degree of arterial stiffness is associated with the extent of vascular calcification. This study aimed to investigate the association of hair calcium levels with augmentation index (AIx), a simple, non-invasive measurement for arterial stiffness. Healthy Koreans (male, n?=?34, female, n?=?70) were enrolled in this study. Anthropometric parameters, lipid profiles, fasting glucose, hair mineral levels, and AIx were measured. Pearson/partial correlations and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between hair calcium levels and AIx. AIx positively correlated with hair calcium levels (r?=?0.275, p?=?0.005), age (r?=?0.283, p?=?0.004), systolic blood pressure (r?=?0.282, p?=?0.004), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (r?=?0.255, p?=?0.009), and hair magnesium (r?=?0.196, p?=?0.046), and negatively correlated with heart rate (r?=?-0.563, p?<?0.001) and fasting glucose (r?=?-0.262, p?=?0.005). Hair calcium levels significantly correlated with hair magnesium (r?=?0.926, p?<?0.001). Significant relationship between AIx and hair calcium levels was maintained after adjustment for sex, age, height, hear rate, blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose, and hair magnesium (r?=?0.244, p?=?0.018). Logistic regression model showed that AIx increased with the increment of hair calcium levels; log-AIx increased by 0.403% (95% CI: 0.139–0.515, p?=?0.001) per unit change in log-hair calcium level (sex-adjusted). After adjustment for all the variables above together with triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, increased significance of the association was 0.513% (p?=?0.016)]. This study supports the presence of the independent positive relationship between hair calcium levels and AIx. It suggests the possibility that hair calcium levels may be a useful index for reflecting arterial stiffness.     

The link between vascular deterioration and branched chain amino acids in a population with high glycated haemoglobin: the SABPA study

Globally the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes, are escalating. Metabolomic studies indicated that circulating branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are associated with insulin resistance, coronary artery disease and increased risk for cardiovascular events. We aimed to extend the current understanding of the cardiovascular risk associated with BCAAs. We explored whether BCAAs are related to markers of cardiovascular disease in a bi-ethnic population and whether this relationship was influenced by chronic hyperglycaemia. We included 200 African and 209 Caucasian participants, and determined their ambulatory blood pressure and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). We analysed blood samples for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and BCAAs. Participants were stratified into two groups according to their HbA1c value using the median cut-off value of 5.6 %. Ambulatory BP, cIMT and BCAAs were significantly higher (all p < 0.001) in the high HbA1c group. Single regression analyses indicated significant positive associations of ambulatory blood pressure and cIMT with BCAAs (all p < 0.05) in both the groups. These associations between ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.16, p = 0.035) and cIMT (r = 0.22, p = 0.004) with BCAAs remained in the high HbA1c group after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity and body mass index (BMI) and were confirmed in multiple regression analyses (ambulatory SBP: R ² = 0.17, β = 0.21, p = 0.005 and cIMT: R ² = 0.30, β = 0.19, p = 0.003). Our results demonstrate that BCAAs are independently related to ambulatory BP and cIMT in individuals with high HbA1c levels and suggest that potential cardiovascular deterioration accompany the rise in BCAAs in conditions of hyperglycaemia.     

Efficiency of genomic selection with models including dominance effect in the context of Eucalyptus breeding

We developed a simulation study to test the efficiency of genomic selection (GS) in the case of Eucalyptus breeding. We simulated a recurrent selection scheme for clone production over four breeding cycles. Scenarios crossing broad sense heritabilities (H ²?=?0.6 and 0.1) and dominance to additive variance ratios (R?=?0.1; 0.5; and 1) were compared. GS was performed with 1,000 SNPs and 22 QTLs per Morgan and tested against phenotypic selection (PS) based on best linear unbiased prediction of parents and clones. When the training population was made up of the first cycle progeny tests and the candidate populations were the progeny tests of three successive cycles, GS accuracy decreased with breeding cycles (e.g., from 0.9 to 0.4 with H ²?=?0.6 and R?=?0.1), whereas PS presented constant performances (accuracy of 0.8 with H ²?=?0.6 and R?=?0.1). When the training population set was updated by associating data of previous cycles, GS accuracy was improved from 25 % to 418 %, especially with H ²?=?0.1. The GS model including dominance effects performed better in clone selection (genotypic value) when dominance effects were preponderant (R?=?1), heritability was high (H ²?=?0.6 and with an updated training set), but no improvement was detected for parent selection (breeding value). The genetic gains over cycles were lower with the GS method without updating the data set but, with an updated training set, were similar to PS. However, the genetic gain per unit time with GS was 1.5 to 3 times higher than with PS for breeding and clone populations. These results highlight the value of GS in Eucalyptus breeding.     

Progress in Dodecafluoropentane Emulsion as a Neuroprotective Agent in a Rabbit Stroke Model

Dodecafluoropentane emulsion (DDFPe) in 250 nm nanodroplets seems to swell modestly to accept and carry large amounts of oxygen in the body at >29 °C. Small particle size allows oxygen delivery even into hypoxic tissue unreachable by erythrocytes. Using permanent cerebral embolic occlusion in rabbits, we assessed DDFPe dose response as a neuroprotectant at 7 and 24 h post-embolization without lysis of arterial obstructions and investigated blood pharmacokinetics. New Zealand White rabbits (N?=?56) received cerebral angiography and embolic spheres (diameter?=?700–900 μm) occluded middle and/or anterior cerebral arteries. Intravenous DDFPe dosing (2 %?w/v emulsion) began at 60 min and repeated every 90 min until sacrifice at 7 or 24 h post-embolization. Seven-hour groups: (1) control (embolized without treatment, N?=?6), and DDFPe treatment: (2) 0.1 ml/kg (N?=?7), (3) 0.3 ml/kg (N?=?9), (4) 0.6 ml/kg (N?=?8). Twenty-four-hour groups: (5) control (N?=?16), and DDFPe treatment: (6) 0.1 ml/kg (N?=?10). Infarcts as percent of total brain volume were determined using vital stains on brain sections. Other alert normal rabbits (N?=?8) received IV doses followed by rapid arterial blood sampling and GC-MS analysis. Percent infarct volume means significantly decreased for all DDFPe-treated groups compared with controls, p?=?<0.004 to <0.03. Blood DDFP (gas) half-life was 1.45?±?0.17 min with R?=?0.958. Mean blood clearance was 78.5?±?24.9 ml/min/kg (mean?±?SE). Intravenous DDFPe decreases ischemic stroke infarct volumes. Blood half-life values are very short. The much longer therapeutic effect, >90 min, suggests multiple compartments. Lowest effective dose and maximum effective therapy duration are not yet defined. Rapid development is warranted.     

Concentrations of Chromium,Selenium, and Copper in the Hair of Viscerally Obese Adults are Associated with Insulin Resistance

Visceral adiposity is linked to the development of insulin resistance, which is a condition that may contribute to metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease. Various minerals play essential roles in different metabolic functions in the body. Thus, the relationships between mineral concentrations in the hair and insulin resistance were analyzed in 144 Korean adults (71 viscerally obese subjects and 73 normal control subjects) in this cross-sectional study. Visceral obesity was measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and insulin resistance levels were assessed using the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. The viscerally obese group exhibited significantly higher levels of serum glucose (96.5 vs 91.0 mg/dL, P?=?0.023), insulin concentration (4.78 vs 2.98 μIU/mL, P?=?0.003), and the HOMA-IR index (1.18 vs 0.64, P?=?0.003) compared with the normal control group. After adjusting for age and sex, there was a positive correlation between copper levels in the hair and the HOMA-IR index in the viscerally obese group (r?=?0.241, P?=?0.046) whereas chromium and selenium levels in the hair were negatively correlated with the HOMA-IR index (r?=??0.256, P?=?0.034, and r?=??0.251, P?=?0.038, respectively). Thus, chromium and selenium levels in the hair of viscerally obese adults were inversely associated with insulin resistance, whereas copper levels in the hair were positively associated with insulin resistance. This suggests that the mineral status of viscerally obese adults might play a role in the development of insulin resistance.     

Distribution of detritivores in tropical forest streams of peninsular Malaysia: role of temperature,canopy cover and altitude variability

The diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrate shredders were investigated in 52 forested streams (local scale) from nine catchments (regional scale) covering a large area of peninsular Malaysia. A total of 10,642 individuals of aquatic macroinvertebrates were collected, of which 18.22 % were shredders. Biodiversity of shredders was described by alpha (α_average ), beta (β) and gamma diversity (γ) measures. We found high diversity and abundance of shredders in all catchments, represented by 1,939 individuals (range 6–115 and average per site of 37.29?±?3.48 SE) from 31 taxa with 2–13 taxa per site (α_average?=?6.98?±?0.33 SE) and 10–15 taxa per catchment (γ?=?13.33?±?0.55 SE). At the local scale, water temperature, stream width, depth and altitude were correlated significantly with diversity (Adj-R ²?=?0.205). Meanwhile, dissolved oxygen, stream velocity, water temperature, stream width and altitude were correlated to shredder abundance (Adj-R ²?=?0.242). At regional scale, however, water temperature was correlated negatively with β and γ diversity (r ²?=?0.161 and 0.237, respectively) as well as abundance of shredders (r ²?=?0.235). Canopy cover was correlated positively with β diversity (r ²?=?0.378) and abundance (r ²?=?0.266), meanwhile altitude was correlated positively with β (quadratic: r ²?=?0.175), γ diversity (quadratic: r ²?=?0.848) as well as abundance (quadratic: r ²?=?0.299). The present study is considered as the first report describing the biodiversity and abundance of shredders in forested headwater streams across a large spatial scale in peninsular Malaysia. We concluded that water temperature has a negative effect while altitude showed a positive relationship with diversity and abundance of shredders. However, it was difficult to detect an influence of canopy cover on shredder diversity.