The Effects of Dietary Selenium and Vitamin E and their Combination on the Fatty Acids of Erythrocytes,Bone Marrow and Spleen Tissue Lipids of Lambs

The object was to determine the influence of dietary vitamin E, selenium and their combination on the fatty acid con-tent of erythrocytes, bone marrow and spleen lipids of Akkaraman lambs. After supplementation for 15 days, the amount of all fatty acids was slightly higher (p < 0·05) in the vitamin E as compared to the control group, whereas the amount of longer fatty acids was significantly higher (p < 0·01, p < 0·001) in the selenium and combination groups. On the thirtieth day, the amount of all fatty acids was slightly high (p < 0·5) in all the supplemented groups in comparison with the control group. In the bone marrow lipids, the amount of longer fatty acids was decreased (p < 0·05, p < 0·01, p < 0·001) in the vitamin E and combination groups as compared to the control. Although the amount of some fatty acids was high (p < 0·05, p < 0·01) in the selenium group compared to the control, linoleic (18:2), linolenic (18:3) and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were lower (p < 0·05, p < 0·001). In the spleen lipids, the amount of longer fatty acids was slightly decreased (p < 0·05) in the vitamin E group as compared with the control; however the amount of longer fatty acids was significantly higher (p < 0·05, p < 0·01) in the selenium and combination groups in comparison to the control group. Thus dietary supplementation with selenium was more effective than dietary vitamin E supplementation in altering the fatty acid content of the erythrocyte, bone marrow and spleen lipids. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of long-term exposure of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from Wi-Fi equipment on testes functions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate long-term effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted from a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) system on testes. The study was carried out on 16 Wistar Albino adult male rats by dividing them into two groups such as sham (n: 8) and exposure (n: 8). Rats in the exposure group were exposed to 2.4?GHz RFR radiation for 24?h/d during 12 months (1 year). The same procedure was applied to the rats in the sham control group except the Wi-Fi system was turned off. Immediately after the last exposure, rats were sacrificed and reproductive organs were removed. Motility (%), concentration (×10⁶/mL), tail defects (%), head defects (%) and total morphologic defects (%) of sperms and weight of testes (g), left epididymis (g), prostate (g), seminal vesicles (g) were determined. Seminiferous tubules diameter (μm) and tunica albuginea thickness (μm) were also measured. However, the results were evaluated by using Johnsen’s score. Head defects increased in the exposure group (p?<?0.05) while weight of the epididymis and seminal vesicles, seminiferous tubules diameter and tunica albuginea thickness were decreased in the exposure group (p?<?0.01, p?<?0.001, p?<?0.0001). However, other alterations of other parameters were not found significant (p?>?0.05). In conclusion, we observed that long-term exposure of 2.4?GHz RF emitted from Wi-Fi (2420?μW/kg, 1?g average) affects some of the reproductive parameters of male rats. We suggest Wi-Fi users to avoid long-term exposure of RF emissions from Wi-Fi equipment.     

Impact of radiofrequency radiation on DNA damage and antioxidants in peripheral blood lymphocytes of humans residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations

Radiofrequency radiations (RFRs) emitted by mobile phone base stations have raised concerns on its adverse impact on humans residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations. Therefore, the present study was envisaged to evaluate the effect of RFR on the DNA damage and antioxidant status in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) of individuals residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations and comparing it with healthy controls. The study groups matched for various demographic data including age, gender, dietary pattern, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, duration of mobile phone use and average daily mobile phone use. The RF power density of the exposed individuals was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) when compared to the control group. The HPBLs were cultured and the DNA damage was assessed by cytokinesis blocked micronucleus (MN) assay in the binucleate lymphocytes. The analyses of data from the exposed group (n = 40), residing within a perimeter of 80 m of mobile base stations, showed significantly (p < 0.0001) higher frequency of micronuclei when compared to the control group, residing 300 m away from the mobile base station/s. The analysis of various antioxidants in the plasma of exposed individuals revealed a significant attrition in glutathione (GSH) concentration (p < 0.01), activities of catalase (CAT) (p < 0.001) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.001) and rise in lipid peroxidation (LOO) when compared to controls. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed a significant association among reduced GSH concentration (p < 0.05), CAT (p < 0.001) and SOD (p < 0.001) activities and elevated MN frequency (p < 0.001) and LOO (p < 0.001) with increasing RF power density.     

Importance of wing movements for information transfer during honey bee waggle dance

There is growing evidence indicating that dancing honeybees can transfer some information about the found food source by means of wing movements. However, the available data are limited and inconclusive in the case of the frequency of wing beats. Therefore, in this study, the hypothesis that the wing beats convey information about the foraging distance was re‐examined. Honeybee dances were recorded using a high‐speed camera, and foraging distances were decoded from the duration of waggle phases. Dancing honeybees moved their wings for almost half (47%) of the duration of waggle phases. The number of wing‐beating pulses and the combined duration of wing beating were strongly positively correlated with the duration of waggle phases (p < .0014), whereas the mean frequency of wing beats, the mean duration of wing‐beating pulses and the mean number of wing beats in one wing‐beating pulse were not correlated with the duration of waggle phases (p > .05). Nevertheless, both the mean frequency of wing beats and the mean number of wing beats in one wing‐beating pulse were positively correlated with the mean frequency of abdomen waggles (p < .0014). They were also positively correlated with the mean frequency of wing‐beating pulses (p < .0014). The correlation matrix revealed that there were two groups of dance components that were positively correlated within groups, but negatively correlated between groups. One of the groups provided information about distance to the food source. We hypothesise that the other group, including the number of wing beats in one pulse, the frequency of wing beats, the frequency of wing‐beating pulses and the frequency of abdomen waggles, may provide information about the motivational state of foragers.     

Climate is associated with prevalence and severity of radiographic hand osteoarthritis

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether geographic location and climatic factors are associated with prevalence and severity of radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA) in several samples of the same ethnicity.The total sample included 2079 ethnic Russians (900 males and 1179 females), belonging to 7 samples from different geographic locations in the former USSR. Places of residence were characterized by latitude, longitude, altitude and climatic parameters (mean temperatures, humidity, and daylight duration of January and July). Radiographs of the left hand were obtained from each individual. Osteoarthritis (OA) was evaluated in 14 hand joints according to Kellgren and Lawrence's grading system. OA was characterized by the presence of at least one affected joint and its severity by the number of affected joints (NAJ). Statistical analysis included prevalence estimation, polynomial and logistic regressions, ANOVA and correlation analyses.Prevalence of hand OA and NAJ were significantly associated with latitude and altitude and with most climatic parameters (except the inter-seasonal temperature amplitude and the mean atmospheric pressure of January and July). The highest correlations of hand OA prevalence were found with altitude (r = 0.29, p < 0.001), annual precipitation (r = −0.26, p < 0.001) and the mean temperatures of July (r = 0.26, p < 0.001). The highest correlations of NAJ were found with altitude (r = 0.51, p < 0.001), mean humidity in January (r = −0.44, p < 0.001) and the mean day duration in January (r = 0.0.37, p < 0.001).The present study demonstrates that the differences in prevalence and severity of radiographic hand OA among Russian samples are most likely dependent on climatic conditions in the place of residence.     

Echocardiographic Abnormalities in Normotensive Obese Patients: Relationship with Visceral Fat

Objective: To evaluate the relationship of echocardiographic characteristics and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) distribution in normotensive obese patients. Research Methods and Procedures: Echocardiographic parameters were assessed in 28 normotensive obese patients [7 men, 21 women, mean age, 43.2 years; mean body mass index (BMI), 37.2 kg/m²; 10 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT); 6 with type 2 diabetes] and 18 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy, normal‐weight controls (4 men, 14 women; mean age, 45.8 years; mean BMI, 22.4 kg/m²) by an M‐mode, color‐doppler videofluoroscope. VAT in the obese patients was assessed by computed tomography (at L4 level). Results: The obese patients had a significantly larger internal diastolic left ventricular (LV) diameter (p < 0.05), a thicker end‐diastolic septum (p < 0.001) and posterior wall (p < 0.001), a greater indexed (g/m^2.7) LV mass (p < 0.001), a higher atrial diastolic filling wave velocity (p < 0.001), a lower ratio between early and atrial diastolic filling wave velocities (p < 0.01), and a prolonged isovolumic relaxation time (p < 0.05). End‐diastolic septum and posterior wall thickness and the LV mass were significantly greater in patients with a VAT area >130 cm² than with <130 cm². In the multivariate regression analysis, only VAT (p < 0.0001), waist‐to‐hip ratio (p < 0.001), and sex (p < 0.001) were associated with the most important echocardiographic alterations. Discussion: The morphological and functional echocardiographic alterations usually found in normotensive obese patients closely correlate with the amount of intra‐abdominal fat deposition, even in the presence of diabetes or IGT.     

Sleep Parameters among Offshore Workers: An Initial Assessment in the Campos Basin,Rio De Janeiro,Brazil

Shift work has potentially adverse effects on health, particularly on sleep. The purpose of the present study was to assess sleep parameters among personnel working in oil and gas offshore installations in the Campos Basin, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One hundred and seventy-nine subjects were asked to complete a sleep questionnaire with multiple-choice answers. Offshore workers were divided into two groups according to their work schedule: (1) fixed daytime workers (n = 86; age: 35.8 ± 9.6 yrs) and (2) shift (n = 87) or night (n = 6) workers (total n = 93; age: 37.7 ± 9.7 yrs). Shift/night workers reported poor sleep more frequently than the daytime workers (20.4% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.01), as well as habitual difficulty in falling asleep (15.1% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.01), long latency of sleep onset (28% vs. 7%, p < 0.01), fragmented sleep (45.2% vs. 16.3%, p < 0.01), short sleep episodes (44.1% vs. 16.3%, p < 0.01), irregular bedtimes (29.0% vs. 12.8%, p < 0.01), and feeling tired upon awakening (15.1% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.01). Habitual napping and loud snoring were reported twice as often in shift/night than in day workers (p < 0.01). Nightmares, somnambulism, and unpleasant feeling in the legs were equality reported by both groups (p > 0.05). Few offshore workers had sought medical help for their sleep problems. A higher number of shift/night workers reported feelings of sadness compared with day workers (26.9% vs. 9.3%, p < 0.01). The findings of this study show that subjective reports of sleep-related problems are quite common among Brazilian offshore shift workers. Reliance on self-reported sleep problems and a cross-sectional design are the main limitations of our study.     

Biological functions as affected by summer season-related multiple environmental stressors (heat,nutritional and walking stress) in Malpura rams under semi-arid tropical environment

The study was conducted with the primary objective to establish the impact of simultaneously imposed multiple stressors (thermal, nutritional and walking) on various biological functions in Malpura rams. The study was conducted for a period of 45 days. Twenty adult Malpura rams (average BW 44.9 Kg) were used in the present study. The rams were divided into two groups, CON (n = 10; Control) and MS (n = 10; multiple stressors). Both body weight (p < 0.05) and body condition scoring (p < 0.01) were lower in MS compared with CON rams. All the scrotal measurements reduced significantly (p < 0.01) in MS rams. All the testicular measurements also reduced significantly (p < 0.01) in MS as compared to CON rams. The seminal attributes, individual motility (p < 0.05), rapid motility (p < 0.05) and curvilinear velocity (p < 0.05) were significantly reduced in CON rams. However, slowness (p < 0.05), linearity (p < 0.05) and straightness (p < 0.05) parameters significantly increased in MS as compared to CON rams. In addition, plasma testosterone concentration was lower (p < 0.05) in MS rams. The study established the impact of multiple stressors on growth and reproductive performance of Malpura rams. Further, the results revealed that the only semen quality was affected by multiple stressors, but the semen production remained intact between the groups, indicating the extreme adaptive capability of Malpura rams to hot semi-arid tropical environment.     

The reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Children's ChronoType Questionnaire (CCTQ) in preschool children

We aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Children's ChronoType Questionnaire (CCTQ) in preschool children. The CCTQ consists of 16 items on sleep–wake parameters for scheduled and free days, a 10-item of the Morningness/Eveningness Scale (CCTQ-M/E), and a single item on chronotype. Out of 502 children aged 3–6 years living in Okayama Prefecture, we evaluated 346 (188 boys and 158 girls) between May and June 2012. Their parents filled out the questionnaires two times at an interval of two weeks. Cronbach's α of the CCTQ-M/E was 0.77. For test–retest reliability, Pearson's correlation coefficient of the CCTQ-M/E between the two observations was 0.898 (p?<?0.001). Kruskal–Wallis test with post-hoc tests was used to compare sleep–wake parameters measured with the CCTQ among the three groups of children, morning (M)-type, neither (N)-type and evening (E)-type, who were classified according to the CCTQ-M/E score. Sleep–wake parameters in timing were significantly different among the children with M-type, N-type and E-type (p?<?0.001). Post-hoc pairwise comparisons revealed that sleep–wake parameters in timing were significantly delayed from the M-type to the N-type children (p?<?0.001), from the M-type to the E-type children (p?<?0.001), and from the N-type to the E-type children (p?<?0.001), except that wake-up time and get-up time were not significantly different between the children with N-type and E-type on scheduled days when their start time was regularly fixed. Out of these 346 children, we evaluated 72 (35 boys and 37 girls) to see the correlations between subjectively and objectively measured sleep–wake parameters from June to October 2012. Spearman's correlation coefficients between sleep–wake parameters measured with the CCTQ and an actigraph were 0.512–0.836 on scheduled days (p?<?0.001) and 0.380–0.786 on free days (p?<?0.001). Based on these findings we conclude that the Japanese version of the CCTQ is a reliable and valid measure for assessing chronotypes in preschool children.     

Increased serum HSP70 levels are associated with the duration of diabetes

The evolutionary conserved family of heat shock proteins (HSP) is responsible for protecting cells against different types of stress, including oxidative stress. Although the levels of HSPs can be readily measured in blood serum, the levels of HSP70 in patients with different durations of diabetes have not been studied before. We quantified serum HSP70 levels in a healthy control group (n = 36) and two groups of type 2 diabetic patients, defined as newly diagnosed diabetes (n = 36) and patients with diabetes duration of more than 5 years (n = 37). The clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters were evaluated in the studied population. We found that serum HSP70 levels were significantly higher in patients with diabetes when compared with controls (p < 0.001) and it was higher in patients with disease for more than 5 years than in newly diagnosed patients (p < 0.001). Serum HSP70 was inversely correlated with fasting blood sugar in patients with diabetes for more than 5 years (r = −0.500, p = 0.002), positively correlated with the history of hypertension in newly diagnosed patients (p < 0.001), and positively correlated with age in patients with diabetes (r = 0.531, p = 0.001). Serum level of HSP70 is significantly higher in patients with diabetes and correlates with the duration of disease. Higher HSP70 in prolonged diabetes versus newly diagnosed diabetes may be an indicator of metabolic derangement in the course of diabetes.     

Effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa) on cadmium-induced oxidative stress in the blood of rats

The protective effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa=NS) on cadmium-induced oxidative stress was studied in rats. The rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: A (conrol), B (Cd treated), and C (Cd+NS treated), each containing 10 animals. The Cd-treated and Cd+NS-treated groups were injected subcutaneously daily with CdCl₂ dissolved in isotonic NaCl in the amount of 2 mL/kg for 30 d, resulting in a dosage of 0.49 mg Cd/kg/d. The control group was injected with only isotonic NaCl (2 mL/kg/d) throughout the experiment (for 30 d). Three days prior to induction of CdCl₂, the Cd+NS-treated group received a daily intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 mL/kg NS until the end of the study. Cd treatment increased significantly the malondialdehyde levels in plasma and erythrocyte (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively) and also increased significantly the antioxidant levels (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) (p<0.05) compared to the control group. Cd+NS treatment decreased significantly the elevated malondialdehyde levels in plasma and erythrocyte (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively) and also reduced significantly the enhanced antioxidant levels (p<0.05). Cd treatment increased significantly the activity of iron levels (p<0.05) in the plasma compared to the control group. Cd+NS treatment decreased the activity of iron levels (p<0.05) in the plasma compared to the Cd-treated group. In the control group with no treatment, histology of erythrocytes was normal. In the Cd-treated group, there were remarkable membrane destruction and hemolytic changes in erythrocytes. In the Cd+NS treated group, these changes were less than in the Cd-treated group. Our results show that N. sativa exerts a protective effect against cadmium toxicity.     

Autonomic Nervous System Activity and the State and Development of Obesity in Japanese School Children

Objective: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an important role in regulating energy expenditure and body fat content; however, the extent to which the ANS contributes to pediatric obesity remains inconclusive. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether sympathetic and/or the parasympathetic nerve activities were altered in an obese pediatric population. We further examined a physiological association between the duration of obesity and the sympatho‐vagal activities to scrutinize the nature of ANS alteration as a possible etiologic factor of childhood obesity. Research Methods and Procedures: Forty‐two obese and 42 non‐obese healthy sedentary school children were carefully selected from 1080 participants initially recruited to this study. The two groups were matched in age, gender, and height. The clinical records of physical characteristics and development of the obese children were retrospectively reviewed to investigate the onset and progression of obesity. The ANS activities were assessed during a resting condition by means of heart rate variability power spectral analysis, which enables us to identify separate frequency components, i.e., total power (TP), low‐frequency (LF) power, and high‐frequency (HF) power. The spectral powers were then logarithmically transformed for statistical testing. Results: The obese children demonstrated a significantly lower TP (6.77 ± 0.12 vs. 7.11 ± 0.04 ln ms², p < 0.05), LF power (6.16 ± 0.12 vs. 6.42 ± 0.05 ln ms², p < 0.05), and HF power (5.84 ± 0.15 vs. 6.34 ± 0.07 ln ms², p < 0.01) compared with the non‐obese children. A partial correlation analysis revealed that the LF and HF powers among 42 obese children were negatively associated with the duration of obesity independent of age (LF: partial r = ?0.55, p < 0.001; HF: partial r = ?0.40, p < 0.01). The obese children were further subdivided into two groups based on the length of their obesity. All three spectral powers were significantly reduced in the obese group with obesity of >3 years (n = 18) compared to the group with obesity of <3 years. Discussion: Our data indicate that obese children possess reduced sympathetic as well as parasympathetic nerve activities. Such autonomic depression, which is associated with the duration of obesity, could be a physiological factor promoting the state and development of obesity. These findings further imply that preventing and treating obesity beginning in the childhood years could be an urgent and crucial pediatric public health issue.     

Effects of intraperitoneally‐administered vitamin E and selenium on the blood biochemical and haematological parameters in rats

The aim of this work was to determine the role of intraperitoneally‐administered vitamin E and selenium on the biochemical and haematological parameters in the blood of rats. Thirty‐two adult male Wistar rats were used in this study. All rats were randomly divided into four groups. The first group was used as the control. The second group was intraperitoneally administered with vitamin E (±‐α‐tocopheroryl acetate, 10 mg day⁻¹), the third group with Se (Na₂SeO₃ 0·2 mg over a day), and the fourth group with vitamin E and Se (vitamin E 10 mg + Na₂SeO₃ 0·2 mg over a day). This administration was done for 5 weeks. Blood samples were taken from animals at the end of the dosage period and biochemical parameters in serum samples and haematological parameters in total blood were determined. The levels of total cholesterol (p<0·01) and number of white blood cells (p<0·001) in blood were significantly higher in the vitamin E group than in the control group. The levels of ALP, total cholesterol (p<0·01) and number of white blood cells (p<0·01) in blood were significantly higher in the selenium group than in the controls. The levels of glucose (p<0·05), ALP (p<0·01), total cholesterol (p<0·001) and number of white blood cells (p<0·01) were higher in the vitamin E and selenium combined group than in the controls. Other parameters considered within this trial (ALT, LDH, creatinine, albumin, total protein, amylase, creatine kinase, HDL, triglycerides, total lipid, sodium, chloride, uric acids, red blood cell, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, MCV, MCH, MCHC) did not show statistically significant differences between the control and injected groups. The results indicated that blood glucose and total cholesterol levels, ALP activity and white blood cell counts were significantly increased by intraperitoneal administration of vitamin E and selenium in rats. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Explaining Sleep Duration in Adolescents: The Impact of Socio‐Demographic and Lifestyle Factors and Working Status

Previous studies found students who both work and attend school undergo a partial sleep deprivation that accumulates across the week. The aim of the present study was to obtain information using a questionnaire on a number of variables (e.g., socio‐demographics, lifestyle, work timing, and sleep‐wake habits) considered to impact on sleep duration of working (n=51) and non‐working (n=41) high‐school students aged 14–21 yrs old attending evening classes (19:00–22:30 h) at a public school in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected for working days and days off. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with sleep duration on weekdays and weekends. Work, sex, age, smoking, consumption of alcohol and caffeine, and physical activity were considered control variables. Significant predictors of sleep duration were: work (p < 0.01), daily work duration (8–10 h/day; p < 0.01), sex (p=0.04), age 18–21 yrs (0.01), smoking (p=0.02) and drinking habits (p=0.03), irregular physical exercise (p < 0.01), ease of falling asleep (p=0.04), and the sleep‐wake cycle variables of napping (p < 0.01), nocturnal awakenings (p < 0.01), and mid‐sleep regularity (p < 0.01). The results confirm the hypotheses that young students who work and attend school showed a reduction in night‐time sleep duration. Sleep deprivation across the week, particularly in students working 8–10 h/day, is manifested through a sleep rebound (i.e., extended sleep duration) on Saturdays. However, the different roles played by socio‐demographic and lifestyle variables have proven to be factors that intervene with nocturnal sleep duration. The variables related to the sleep‐wake cycle—naps and night awakenings—proved to be associated with a slight reduction in night‐time sleep, while regularity in sleep and wake‐up schedules was shown to be associated with more extended sleep duration, with a distinct expression along the week and the weekend. Having to attend school and work, coupled with other socio‐demographic and lifestyle factors, creates an unfavorable scenario for satisfactory sleep duration.     

Effect of long-term swimming exercise on zinc,magnesium, and copper distribution in aged rats

Trace element content of different tissues might be altered by both age and exercise training. We aimed to determine the effects of a 1-yr swimming protocol (60 min/d, 5 day/wk) on tissue levels and the distribution of zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) in aging rats. Three groups were formed: sedentary and trained old groups and a young control group. Tissue Zn, Mg, and Cu concentrations were measured in the kidney, heart, liver, lungs, and gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Kidney zinc concentration significantly decreased in the sedentary old group compared to the young control group (p<0.01) and was significantly higher in the trained old group compared to the sedentary old group (p<0.01), whereas Zn levels in the soleus muscle significantly increased in the sedentary old group in comparison to young controls (p<0.05). Tissue Mg concentrations remained unchanged. The sedentary old group exhibited a significant decrease in kidney Cu concentration compared to the young control group (p<0.01). Although kidney Cu levels also decreased in trained old rats in comparison to young controls (p<0.05), they were significantly higher than in sedentary old rats (p<0.01). The decrease in kidney Zn and Cu content as a result of aging was partly prevented by long-term swimming exercise.     

Indexing serum and mucous biochemical parameters of endangered Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis with implications for health assessment

The Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) is a critically endangered aquatic fish. Health monitoring and welfare assessments are critical for the conservation of Chinese sturgeon. In this study, biochemical parameters of serum and skin mucus in Chinese sturgeon were examined to evaluate the potential biomarkers. Serum and mucous samples were obtained from Chinese sturgeon, and the levels of total protein (TP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), lactic acid (LD), acid phosphatase (ACP), lysozyme (LYZ), glucose (GLU), and cortisol were determined. The concentrations of ALT, AST, cortisol, and LYZ were significantly higher in the mucous group than those in the serum group (p < 0.05). In addition, the concentrations of ALP, ACP, LD, LDH, CK, and TP were significantly higher level in the serum group than those in the mucous group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the correlations between serum and mucous biochemical parameters were established. Statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between serum and skin mucous markers (ACP, cortisol, and LYZ). AST versus ALT in serum and mucus showed a significant positive correlation (p < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between cortisol and CK in mucus (p < 0.01). Moreover, LD versus LDH in serum showed a significant but weak positive correlation (p < 0.01). Principal component analysis revealed a complete separation between the serum and mucous groups, with the biomarkers that contributed the most being ALP, TP, ALT, and AST. This study provides baseline data and reference intervals for serum and mucous biochemical parameters in presumably healthy Chinese sturgeons. The current study has important implications for the development of conservation strategies and the conservation status of critically endangered species.     

Altering meal timing to improve cognitive performance during simulated nightshifts

ABSTRACT

Altering meal timing could improve cognition, alertness, and thus safety during the nightshift. This study investigated the differential impact of consuming a meal, snack, or not eating during the nightshift on cognitive performance (ANZCTR12615001107516). 39 healthy participants (59% male, age mean±SD: 24.5 ± 5.0y) completed a 7-day laboratory study and underwent four simulated nightshifts. Participants were randomly allocated to: Meal at Night (MN; n= 12), Snack at Night (SN; n = 13) or No Eating at Night (NE; n = 14). At 00:30 h, MN consumed a meal and SN consumed a snack (30% and 10% of 24 h energy intake respectively). NE did not eat during the nightshift. Macronutrient intake was constant across conditions. At 20:00 h, 22:30 h, 01:30 h, and 04:00 h, participants completed the 3-min Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT-B), 40-min driving simulator, post-drive PVT-B, subjective sleepiness scale, 2-choice Reaction Time task, and Running Memory task. Objective sleep was recorded for each of the day sleeps using Actigraphy and for the third day sleep, Polysomnography was used. Performance was compared between conditions using mixed model analyses. Significant two-way interactions were found. At 04:00 h, SN displayed increased time spent in the safe zone (p < .001; percentage of time spent within 10 km/h of the speed limit and 0.8 m of lane center), and decreases in speed variability (p < .001), lane variability (p < .001), post-drive PVT-B lapses (defined as RT > 355 ms; p < .001), and reaction time on the 2-choice reaction time task (p < .001) and running memory task (p < .001) compared to MN and NE. MN reported greater subjective sleepiness at 04:00 h (p < .001) compared to SN and NE. There was no difference in objective sleep between eating conditions. Eating a large meal during the nightshift impairs cognitive performance and sleepiness above the effects of time of night alone. For improved performance, shiftworkers should opt for a snack at night.     

The Effects of Exercise and Zinc Deficiency on Some Elements in Rats

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of exercise and zinc deficiency on some elements in rats. Forty adult male Sprague–Dawley species male rats were allocated to four groups as follows: Group 1: control, Group 2: zinc-deficient, Group 3: exercise in which exercise group fed with a normal diet, Group 4: zinc-deficient exercise, exercise group fed by a zinc-deficient diet for 15 days. After the procedure ended, rats in groups 3 and 4 were exercised on the treadmill for 60 min at a speed of 6 m/min until the exhaustion. The rats were decapitated 48 h after exercise together with their controls, and blood samples were collected to determine copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) levels. The highest Cu and Fe values in the serum were obtained in group 2 (p < 0.01). The levels of these elements in group 4 were lower than those in group 2 and higher than the levels in groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.01). Serum Mg levels did not differ significantly between groups. Group 4 had the lowest serum Ca and P levels (p < 0.01). These same parameters in Group 2 were higher than those in group 4 but significantly lower than those in groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between Ca and P levels of groups 1 and 3. The results of the study indicate that zinc deficiency adversely affects copper, iron, calcium, and phosphorus mechanisms and that these adverse effects much more marked after an effort exercise.     

Effects of environmental enrichment on activity and lameness in commercial broiler production

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of commercially applied environmental enrichments on behavior and lameness in broilers. Two consecutive flocks of broilers were observed at 16 days and 30 days of age to investigate differences between enriched (peat, bales of lucerne hay, and elevated platforms) and control birds with regards to behavioral activities and lameness. More running (p < .001), worm running (p = .006), play fighting (p = .015), dust bathing (p = .009), and ground pecking while standing (p < .001) were observed at 16 days than at 30 days. Across both ages, enriched birds showed more wing flapping (p = .016), wing stretching (p = .002), body shaking (p = .002), ground scratching (p < .001), and ground pecking while standing (p < .001) and lying (p = .003) compared with control birds. Even when no enrichments were close, enriched birds showed more body shaking (p = .008) and ground pecking while standing (p < 0.001) and lying (p = .010) than birds in comparable locations in control pens. There was a tendency for a lower gait score (i.e., reduced lameness) with the enriched treatment (p = .077). In conclusion, enriched birds showed higher levels of several activities compared with control birds, and demonstrated higher levels in areas where no enrichments were present.     

Hematological parameters of Caspian salmon Salmo trutta caspius associated with age and season

Measurement of hematological parameters for Caspian salmon Salmo trutta caspius in two experimental trials was the main purpose of this work. There were no significant differences in RBC and large-lymphocyte counts between all seasons (p > 0.05). The proportions of monocyte, neutrophile and eosinophile were higher in winter than in other seasons (p < 0.05). The amount of Hb, RBC, MCHC, monocyte, neutrophile and eosinophile was higher in adult fishes in comparison with other ages (p < 0.05). However, the amount of HCT, WBC, MCV, MCH, lymphocyte and large-lymphocyte was greater in smolt fishes than the others (p < 0.05).