Limited transfer of podokinetic after-rotation from kneeling to standing

Following stepping in place on a rotating treadmill, subjects inadvertently rotate when asked to step in place without vision. This response is called podokinetic after-rotation (PKAR). The purpose of this study was to determine whether PKAR transfers across tasks with different lower limb configurations, that is, from kneeling to stepping. We hypothesized that PKAR would transfer from kneeling to stepping for two reasons. First, there have been several demonstrations of robust PKAR transfer from forward to backward walking, stepping to hopping, running to walking, and from one limb to another. Second, we thought that afferent information regarding hip rotation was likely a key source of information to guide podokinetic adaptation and since hip rotation would be preserved in both stimulation conditions we expected to see little difference between the conditions. We compared the PKAR responses recorded in standing from 13 healthy young volunteers after either standard stepping on a rotating treadmill or stepping while kneeling (kneel-stepping) on a rotating treadmill. Subjects performed two sessions of podokinetic (PK) stimulation, one stepping and one kneel-stepping on a rotating treadmill. Following the PK stimulation, subjects were blindfolded and asked to step in place in standing. Angular velocity of trunk rotation during PKAR from the two sessions was calculated and compared. The maximum angular velocities of PKAR recorded in stepping were significantly higher following the stepping session than following the kneel-stepping session (9.10 +/- 8.9 and 2.94 +/- 1.6 deg/s, respectively). This was despite the fact that hip rotation excursion during PK stimulation was significantly greater in kneel-stepping (18.7 +/- 3.6 deg) than in stepping (12.2 +/- 2.6 deg). These results indicate very little transfer from kneeling to stepping and suggest that afferent information regarding hip rotation is not the only or even the major source of limb position sense information used to drive locomotor trajectory adaptation.     

Podokinetic after-rotation in a simulated reduced gravity environment

Stepping in place on a rotating platform for a period of 15 minutes induces an adaptive response, podokinetic after-rotation (PKAR), which causes a blindfolded individual to inadvertently rotate when attempting to step in place on the floor. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether lower extremity load receptors were involved in this adaptation. As load receptor input is critical for locomotion, we hypothesized that manipulating load via body weight support (BWS) would influence PKAR. Eleven healthy female volunteers performed 15 minutes of stepping in place on a rotating treadmill (stimulation), followed by 10 minutes of stepping in place (response) without vision on a stationary surface. Response and stimulation periods were with 50% body weight support (BWS) and without body weight support (NoBWS) in all four possible combinations (BWS-BWS, NoBWS-NoBWS, BWS-NoBWS, and NoBWS-BWS). Conditions were randomly assigned to all subjects and performed on four separate occasions at least 48 hr apart. During the 10-min PKAR response period, trunk angular velocity was calculated and plotted versus time, and exponential models were applied to the data to obtain curve-fit parameters for each condition. Despite the manipulations of BWS, no significant differences were found for any parameter value (p = 0.13–0.98). BWS applied during stimulation only, response only, or during both stimulation and response does not appear to influence PKAR. This suggests that load receptors may not play a critical role in mediating adaptive changes in locomotor trajectory control in response to walking on a rotating surface.     

Podokinetic after-rotation in a simulated reduced gravity environment

Stepping in place on a rotating platform for a period of 15 minutes induces an adaptive response, podokinetic after-rotation (PKAR), which causes a blindfolded individual to inadvertently rotate when attempting to step in place on the floor. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether lower extremity load receptors were involved in this adaptation. As load receptor input is critical for locomotion, we hypothesized that manipulating load via body weight support (BWS) would influence PKAR. Eleven healthy female volunteers performed 15 minutes of stepping in place on a rotating treadmill (stimulation), followed by 10 minutes of stepping in place (response) without vision on a stationary surface. Response and stimulation periods were with 50% body weight support (BWS) and without body weight support (NoBWS) in all four possible combinations (BWS-BWS, NoBWS-NoBWS, BWS-NoBWS, and NoBWS-BWS). Conditions were randomly assigned to all subjects and performed on four separate occasions at least 48 hr apart. During the 10-min PKAR response period, trunk angular velocity was calculated and plotted versus time, and exponential models were applied to the data to obtain curve-fit parameters for each condition. Despite the manipulations of BWS, no significant differences were found for any parameter value (p = 0.13-0.98). BWS applied during stimulation only, response only, or during both stimulation and response does not appear to influence PKAR. This suggests that load receptors may not play a critical role in mediating adaptive changes in locomotor trajectory control in response to walking on a rotating surface.     

Effects of transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation on stepping patterns during walking

Effects of transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (tESCS) on the parameters of stepping movements in healthy subjects were investigated during two kinds of activity: walking on a moving treadmill belt (active treadmill) as well as pushing the treadmill belt by effort of the legs (passive treadmill). It was found that the total interference electromyogram (EMG) activity during stepping performance on a passive treadmill was 1.5–2 times higher than during stepping on an active treadmill. In addition, the amplitude of angular displacement of the hip joint and ankle was 2.5 times and 1.7 times higher, respectively, during passive vs. active treadmill, while the duration of stepping cycle decreased by 19%. Although the muscles were exposed to different load and the parameters of motion on the active and passive treadmill were different, tESCS caused an increase in the total EMG activity in 96% of cases both on the active and on the passive treadmill. In both cases, the stepping cycle period decreased by 4–43% in all subjects. These results suggest that tESCS can affect voluntary stepping patterns under conditions of different afferent control.     

The effects of walking speed on obstacle crossing in healthy young and healthy older adults

The effects of walking speed and age on the peak external moments generated about the joints of the trailing limb during stance just prior to stepping over an obstacle and on the kinematics of the trailing limb when crossing the obstacle were investigated in 10 healthy young adults (YA) and 10 healthy older adults (OA). The peak hip and knee adduction moments in OA were 21-43% greater than those in YA (p相似文献   

Gonadal response after a single-dose stimulation test with recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (rhCG) in patients with isolated prepubertal cryptorchidism

Background

The evaluation of prepubertal gonadal Leydig cells secretion requires gonadotropin stimulation. Urinary hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is currently unavailable in many countries, however, recombinant hCG (rhCG) can be used. Our aim was to evaluate rhCG-stimulated testicular hormones in a group of patients with cryptorchidism.

Methods

We evaluated 31 prepubertal boys (age range, 0.75–9.0 years) presenting with unilateral (n?=?24) or bilateral (n?=?7) cryptorchidism. Patients with other genital abnormalities, previous use of hCG or testosterone or previous surgeries were excluded. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and 7 days after a single subcutaneous dose of rhCG (Ovidrel® 250 mcg) to measure the testosterone, DHT (dihydrotestosterone), AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone), and inhibin B levels.

Results

rhCG stimulation significantly increased testosterone levels from 10 ng/dl to 247.8?±?135.8 ng/dl, increased DHT levels from 4.6?±?0.8 to 32.3?±?18.0 ng/dl, and increased the T/DHT ratio from 2.2?±?0.4 to 8.0?±?3.5. There was also a significant increase in inhibin B (from 105.8?±?65.2 to 132.4?±?56.1 pg/ml; p?<?0.05) and AMH levels (from 109.4?±?52.6 to 152.9?±?65.2 ng/ml; p?<?0.01) after the rhCG stimulation.

Conclusions

In this cohort, hormonal responses can be elicited after the rhCG stimulation test, suggesting that rhCG is a promising stimulation test to replace the urinary hCG test during the evaluation of gonadal Leydig cells function. The clinical applicability and adequate performance of rhCG testing must be investigated in future studies.

     

Analysis of genetic correlations of hip height with selection indices and mature weight in Nelore cattle

Body size is directly related to the productive and reproductive performance of beef cattle raised under free-range conditions. In an attempt to better plan selection criteria, avoiding extremes in body size, this study estimated the heritabilities and genetic correlations of yearling hip height (YH) and mature hip height (MH) with selection indices obtained at weaning (WI) and yearling (YI) and mature weight (MW). Data from 102,373 Nelore animals born between 1984 and 2010, which belong to 263 farms that participate in genetic evaluation programmes of beef cattle conducted in Brazil and Paraguay, were used. The (co)variance components and genetic parameters were estimated by Bayesian inference in multi-trait analysis using an animal model. The mean heritabilities for YH, MH and MW were 0.56?±?0.06, 0.47?±?0.02 and 0.42?±?0.02, respectively. The genetic correlation of YH with WI (0.13?±?0.01) and YI (0.11?±?0.01) was practically zero, whereas a higher correlation was observed with MW (0.22?±?0.03). Positive genetic correlations of medium magnitude were estimated between MH and WI and YI (0.23?±?0.01 and 0.43?±?0.02, respectively). On the other hand, a high genetic correlation (0.68?±?0.03) was observed between the indicator traits of mature body size (MH and MW). Considering the top 20 % of sire (896 sires) in terms of breeding values for the yearling index, the rank sire correlations between breeding values for MH and MW was 0.62. In general, the results indicate that selection based on WI and YI should not lead to important changes in YH. However, an undesired correlated response in mature cow height is expected, particularly when selection is performed using YI. Therefore, changes in the body structure of Nelore females can be obtained when MH and MW is used as a selection criterion for cows.     

Kinematics and kinetics of unanticipated misstep conditions: Femoral fracture implications in the elderly

Most hip fractures are thought to occur after falling during everyday activities. We speculated that hip fractures might also occur because of excessive loading of the hip joint during an unexpected misstep consequently leading to a fall. The aims of this study were to explore the kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremity joints during missteps as compared with regular stepping, as well as to compare the magnitude of forces acting upon the hip joint with the threshold forces expected to fracture the hip. Fourteen healthy adults performed two forward steps on a 17.8 cm high platform under the following four conditions: forward with and without vision, as well as a misstep (the box for the final step unexpectedly removed without participant awareness), and regular stepping down with eyes open. The results revealed no differences between stepping forward with and without vision. When compared with both stepping forward and regular stepping down, the misstep revealed altered joint positions accompanied by increased forces and moments acting upon the hip joint. For example, the peak vertical proximal thigh segment force was 3.05±0.55 BW vs. 1.23±0.14 BW and 0.91±0.09 BW (p<.001; misstep vs. regular stepping down and stepping forward, respectively), while the proximal thigh segment moment in frontal plane was 1.39±0.70 Nm/kg vs. 0.18±0.32 Nm/kg of adduction and 0.16±0.19 Nm/kg of abduction (p<.001). When compared with the literature data, the forces during misstep were within the range of those forces that could result in hip fractures in the elderly. Therefore, it may be possible for the elderly to experience hip/proximal femur fractures during missteps prior to falling.     

Endurance training in mice increases the unfolded protein response induced by a high-fat diet

Certain conditions, such as several weeks of high-fat diet, disrupt endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis and activate an adaptive pathway referred as the unfolded protein response. When the unfolded protein response fails, the result is the development of inflammation and insulin resistance. These two pathological states are known to be improved by regular exercise training but the mechanisms remain largely undetermined. As it has recently been shown that the unfolded protein response is regulated by exercise, we hypothesised that concomitant treadmill exercise training (HFD+ex) prevents ER homeostasis disruption and its downstream consequences induced by a 6-week high-fat diet (HFD) in mice by activating the protective unfolded protein response. Several well-documented markers of the unfolded protein response were measured in the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles as well as in the liver and pancreas. In HFD mice, an increase in these markers was observed (from 2- to 15-fold, P?<?0.05) in all tissues studied. The combination of HFD+ex increased the expression of several markers further, up to 100 % compared to HFD alone (P?<?0.05). HFD increased inflammatory markers both in the plasma (IL-6 protein, 2.5?±?0.52-fold; MIP-1α protein, 1.3?±?0.13-fold; P?<?0.05) and in the tissues studied, and treadmill exercise attenuated the inflammatory state induced by HFD (P?<?0.05). However, treadmill exercise could not reverse HFD-induced whole body glucose intolerance, assessed by OGTT (AUC, 1.8?±?0.29-fold, P?<?0.05). In conclusion, our results show that a HFD activated the unfolded protein response in mouse tissues in vivo, and that endurance training promoted this response. We speculate that the potentiation of the unfolded protein response by endurance training may represent a positive adaptation protecting against further cellular stress.     

Effects of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for oesophago-gastric cancer on neuro-muscular gastric function

Delayed gastric emptying symptoms are often reported after chemotherapy. This study aims to characterise the effects of chemotherapy on gastric neuro-muscular function. Patients undergoing elective surgery for oesophago-gastric cancer were recruited. Acetylcholinesterase, nNOS, ghrelin receptor and motilin expressions were studied in gastric sections from patients receiving no chemotherapy (n?=?3) or oesophageal (n?=?2) or gastric (n?=?2) chemotherapy. A scoring system quantified staining intensity (0–3; no staining to strong). Stomach sections were separately suspended in tissue baths for electrical field stimulation (EFS) and exposure to erythromycin or carbachol; three patients had no chemotherapy; four completed cisplatin-based chemotherapy within 6?weeks prior to surgery. AChE expression was markedly decreased after chemotherapy (scores 2.3?±?0.7, 0.5?±?0.2 and 0?±?0 in non-chemotherapy, oesophageal- and gastric-chemotherapy groups (p?<?0.03 each) respectively. Ghrelin receptor and motilin expression tended to increase (ghrelin: 0.7?±?0.4 vs 2.0?±?0.4 and 1.2?±?0.2 respectively; p?=?0.04 and p?=?0.2; motilin: 0.7?±?0.5 vs 2.2?±?0.5 and 2.0?±?0.7; p?=?0.06 and p?=?0.16). Maximal contraction to carbachol was 3.7?±?0.7?g and 1.9?±?0.8?g (longitudinal muscle) and 3.4?±?0.4?g and 1.6?±?0.6 (circular) in non-chemotherapy and chemotherapy tissues respectively (p?<?0.05 each). There were loss of AChE and reduction in contractility to carbachol. The tendency for ghrelin receptors to increase suggests an attempt to upregulate compensating systems. Our study offers a mechanism by which chemotherapy markedly alters neuro-muscular gastric function.     

Significance of peripheral feedback in stepping movement generation under epideral spinal cord stimulation

In acute experiments on decerebrated and spinalized cats, the role of peripheral afferent input from hindlimbs in stepping patterns formation under epidural spinal cord stimulation (ESCS), was investigated. The hindlimb muscles' electromyographic activity and kinematic parameters of evoked stepping were analyzed. It has been shown that epidural stimulation (20-100 microA, 5 Hz) of L4-L5 spine segments induced coordinated stepping on the treadmill belt. In conditions of weight-bearing support (stopped treadmill, hindlimbs lifted above the treadmill), the stepping rhythmic was unstable, stepping cycle period and its internal structure having changed as well. With increased speed of locomotion the stepping frequency increased due to the duration of the support phase decreasing. Forward stepping could be reversed to backward stepping by changing the direction of the treadmill belt movement. In 2-4 hours after complete spinal transection (T8-T9), the epidural stimulation elicited stepping movements on a moving treadmill only. It was found that the influence of peripheral feedback on initiation of the stepping after spinalization increased. Peripheral feedback seems to play a major role in determining the fundamental features of motor output during the ESCS.     

A new method for the activation of the locomotor circuitry in humans

We examined the possibility of initiation of involuntary stepping movements by spinal electromagnetic stimulation (SEMS) during leg suspension. The subject’s legs were supported by a special apparatus in a gravity neutral position that to provide horizontal rotation in the hip, knee and ankle. SEMS (3 Hz and 1.56 Tesla) over the T11–T12 vertebrae induced involuntary locomotor_like movements in the legs. The latency period from the initiation of stimulation to the first EMG burst was 0.68 1.0 s. Increasing the frequency of SEMS from 3 Hz to 20 Hz resulted in shortening of the latency period. Thus, SEMS is able to initiate involuntary stepping in humans.     

Dominance of local sensory signals over inter-segmental effects in a motor system: experiments

Legged locomotion requires that information local to one leg, and inter-segmental signals coming from the other legs are processed appropriately to establish a coordinated walking pattern. However, very little is known about the relative importance of local and inter-segmental signals when they converge upon the central pattern generators (CPGs) of different leg joints. We investigated this question on the CPG of the middle leg coxa?Ctrochanter (CTr)-joint of the stick insect which is responsible for lifting and lowering the leg. We used a semi-intact preparation with an intact front leg stepping on a treadmill, and simultaneously stimulated load sensors of the middle leg. We found that middle leg load signals induce bursts in the middle leg depressor motoneurons (MNs). The same local load signals could also elicit rhythmic activity in the CPG of the middle leg CTr-joint when the stimulation of middle leg load sensors coincided with front leg stepping. However, the influence of front leg stepping was generally weak such that front leg stepping alone was only rarely accompanied by switching between middle leg levator and depressor MN activity. We therefore conclude that the impact of the local sensory signals on the levator?Cdepressor motor system is stronger than the inter-segmental influence through front leg stepping.     

Reactive gait and postural adjustments following the first exposures to (un)expected stepdown

This study evaluated the reactive biomechanical strategies associated with both upper- and lower-body (lead and trail limbs) following the first exposures to (un)expected stepdown at comfortable (1.22 ± 0.08 m/s) and fast (1.71 ± 0.11 m/s) walking velocities. Eleven healthy adults completed 34 trails per walking velocity over an 8-m, custom-built track with two forceplates embedded in its center. For the expected stepdown, the track was lowered by 0-, −10- and −20-cm from the site of the second forceplate, whereas the unexpected stepdown was created by camouflaging the second forceplate (−10-cm). Two-way repeated-measurement ANOVAs detected no velocity-related effects of stepdown on kinematic and kinetic parameters during lead limb stance-phase, and on the trail limb stepping kinematics. However, analyses of significant interactions revealed greater peak flexion angles across the trunk and the trail limb joints (hip, knee and ankle) in unexpected versus expected stepdown conditions at a faster walking velocity. The −10-cm unexpected stepdown (main effect) had a greater influence on locomotor behavior compared to expected conditions due mainly to the absence of predictive adjustments, reflected by a significant decrease in peak knee flexion, contact time and vertical impulse during stance-phase. Walking faster (main effect) was associated with an increase in hip peak flexion and net anteroposterior impulse, and a decrease in contact time and vertical impulse during stepdown. The trail limb, in response, swung forward faster, generating a larger and faster recovery step. However, such reactive stepping following unexpected stepdown was yet a sparse compensation for an unstable body configuration, assessed by significantly smaller step width and anteroposterior margin-of-stability at foot-contact in the first-recovery-step compared with expected conditions. These findings depict the impact of the expectedness of stepdown onset on modulation of global dynamic postural control for a successful accommodation of (un)expected surface elevation changes in young, healthy adults.     

The Effects of Thoracic and Cervical Spinal Cord Lesions on the Circadian Rhythm of Core Body Temperature

Individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) have compromised afferent and efferent information below the lesion. Intact afferent information regarding skin temperature and the ability to regulate skin blood flow lead to an altered heat balance, which may impact the circadian variation in core body temperature (Tcore) and sleep-wake cycle. The authors assessed the circadian variation of Tcore in SCI individuals and able-bodied controls matched for the timing of the sleep-wake cycle. The authors examined subjects who had a high (cervical) or a low (thoracic) lesion. Intestinal Tcore (telemetry system) and physical activity (ambulatory activity monitor) levels were measured continuously and simultaneously in 8 tetraplegics, 7 paraplegics, and 8 able-bodied controls during one 24-h period of “normal” living. The regression slope between activity and Tcore was also calculated for each 2-h bin. Circadian rhythm parameters were estimated with partial Fourier time-series analysis, and groups were compared with general linear models, adjusted for the influence of individual wake-time. The (mean?±?SD) dominant period length for controls, paraplegics, and tetraplegics were 24.4?±?5.4?h, 22.5?±?5.0?h, and 16.5?±?5.1?h, respectively (p?=?.02). A significantly more pronounced 8-h harmonic was found for the variation in Tcore of SCI individuals (p = .05). Tetraplegics showed the highest nocturnal mean Tcore (p = .005), a 5-h phase-advanced circadian trough time (p = .04), and more variable relationships between physical activity and Tcore (p = .03). Taken together, tetraplegics demonstrate a pronounced disturbance of the circadian variation of Tcore, whereas the variation of Tcore in paraplegics was comparable to able-bodied controls. (Author correspondence: D.Thijssen@fysiol.umcn.nl)     

Complex podokinetic (PK) response to post-rotational vestibular stimulation

Recent studies identified an adaptive "Podokinetic" (PK) sensory motor system involved in sensing and controlling spatial orientation during locomotion, by referencing body orientation to the space-stable stance foot. This paper investigates the interaction of vestibular and PK systems by asking blindfolded subjects to 'step-in-place' (i.e. without turning) after exposing them to a unidirectional post-rotational vestibular stimulus. Six of the nine subjects consistently began by vigorously propelling themselves round in the direction of preceding turntable rotation, but notably without any sensation of turning. In all these subjects the speed of this PK-induced rotation progressively declined to zero over about the next 30 sec and then reversed direction with increasing speed for about 50 sec. Thereafter the speed of rotation declined slowly to zero over the next 4 to 5 minutes. Since the PK-generated body rotation presumably feeds back into the vestibular-PK drive, we formulated a closed loop model of the combined system to investigate the complex nature of the behavioral response. The simulated response of this model closely resembled the experimental data, suggesting that there is indeed a functionally closed loop operating between the vestibular and podokinetic systems in natural life.     

Can hydroxyurea serve as a free radical scavenger and reduce iron overload in β-thalassemia patients?

In this study, we hypothesize that hydroxyurea could provide an additional benefit as a free radical scavenger and/or iron chelator in β-thalassemia patients with iron overload. Twenty-one β-thalassemia intermedia patients who presented between 3 and 17 years but later required regular blood transfusions were enrolled for hydroxyurea therapy for a year. Fourteen patients responded to the therapy with hemoglobin levels maintained above 7.5?g/dl without transfusions. Hydroxyurea was discontinued after 6 months in seven patients who did not respond to the therapy and had to be continued on regular blood transfusions. We observed a statistically significant decrease in serum ferritin levels from 4194?±?4850?ng/ml to 2129?±?2380?ng/ml among the responders and from 2955?±?2909?ng/ml to 2040?±?2432?ng/ml among the non-responders and statistically significant decrease in labile iron pool from 18678.7?±?10067.4 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) to 14888.5?±?5284.0?MFI among responders and from 17986.3?±?9079.8?MFI to 15634.8?±?8976.9?MFI among the non-responders after therapy. Phosphatidylserine externalization also showed a statistically significant decrease from 44.2?±?22.2?MFI to 16.6?±?6.7?MFI among the responders and from 46.9?±?33.1?MFI to 39.8?±?7.4?MFI among the non-responders along with a statistically significant decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species from 72.8?±?35.5?MFI to 29.0?±?8.3?MFI among the responders and from 80.9?±?41.4?MFI to 40.5?±?15.8?MFI among the non-responders after therapy. A statistically significant increase in reduced glutathione levels was also observed from 430.8?±?201.1?MFI to 715.5?±?292.4?MFI among the responders and from 359.6?±?165.6?MFI to 450.3?±?279.5?MFI among the non-responders after therapy. This suggests the possible additional role of hydroxyurea as a free radical scavenger and/or iron chelator but requires a larger study for substantiation.     

Carbon, nitrogen and Greenhouse gases budgets over a four years crop rotation in northern France

Croplands mainly act as net sources of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), as well as nitrogen oxide (NO), a precursor of troposheric ozone. We determined the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) balance of a four-year crop rotation, including maize, wheat, barley and mustard, to provide a base for exploring mitigation options of net emissions. The crop rotation had a positive net ecosystem production (NEP) of 4.4?±?0.7 Mg C ha^-1 y^-1 but represented a net source of carbon with a net biome production (NBP) of -1.3?±?1.1 Mg C?ha^-1 y^-1. The nitrogen balance of the rotation was correlated with the carbon balance and resulted in net loss (?24?±?28 kg N ha^-1 y^-1). The main nitrogen losses were nitrate leaching (?11.7?±1.0 kg N ha^-1 y^-1) and ammonia volatilization (?9 kg N ha^-1 y^-1). Dry and wet depositions were 6.7?±?3.0 and 5.9?±0.1 kg N ha^-1 y^-1, respectively. Fluxes of nitrous (N₂O) and nitric (NO) oxides did not contribute significantly to the N budget (N₂O: -1.8?±?0.04; NO: -0.7?±?0.04 kg N ha^-1 y^-1) but N₂O fluxes equaled 16% of the total greenhouse gas balance. The link between the carbon and nitrogen balances are discussed. Longer term experiments would be necessary to capture the trends in the carbon and nitrogen budgets within the variability of agricultural ecosystems.     

Changes in Skeletal Muscle Vascular Resistance with Weight Gain: Associations with Insulin and Sympathetic Activity

BORNE, AGATHA T., ALYCIA A. TRUETT, MICHELLE P. MONTEIRO, JULIA VOLAUFOVA, AND DAVID B. WEST. Changes in skeletal muscle vascular resistance with weight gain: associations with insulin and sympathetic activity. Obes Res. 1999;7:68–75. Objective : This study was designed to characterize changes in peripheral vascular resistance with weight gain, and whether these changes are correlated with insulin and/or sympathetic activity. Research Methods and Procedures : Femoral vascular resistance (FVR), mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and plasma insulin were measured before and during overfeeding in seven dogs with unilateral lumbar ganglionectomy (L₃ to L₆). Measurements were taken standing and while walking on a treadmill. Results : There was a significant main effect of weight gain to increase mean arterial pressure (16.5±8.4 mmHg and 12.5±6.8 mmHg increase for standing and walking baseline, respectively) and heart rate (increase from week 1 of 31.6±10.6 beats/minute standing and 38.3±9.1 walking beat/minute). FVR increased immediately with overfeeding/ weight gain [standing: denervated (DNX):1.32±0.3 to 2.34±0.5; intact: 0.88±0.17 to 1.9±0.33 mmHg/mL-min^?1], but returned to baseline with continued weight gain. Return of FVR to baseline occurred between weeks 2 and 3 of overfeeding in the DNX limb, but did not return to baseline until week 6 in the innervated limb. These changes were not correlated with plasma insulin levels. Discussion : These data suggest that vascular resistance may be normal in the obese, but increases in vascular resistance occur early with weight gain (before changes in arterial pressure). This initial increase in vascular resistance could initiate the series of events leading to obesity-associated hypertension. Additionally, changing vascular resistance during weight gain may be influenced by sympathetic activity, because DNX limb FVR returned to baseline ?3 weeks earlier than the innervated limb.     

Reproductive parameters and life expectancy of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on 12 genotypes of melon and cucumber in laboratory condition

The effect of two host plant species including eight genotypes of melon (Cucumis melo L.) and four genotypes of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was studied on reproductive parameters: life expectancy and mortality of Tetranychus urticae (Koch) at 25?±?1?°C, 60?±?5% rh and a photoperiod of 16L:8D hours. The results indicated that the highest value of the gross fecundity rate of T. urticae was 96.72?±?16.70 (eggs/female) on Mir sultan and the lowest value was 14.33?±?0.88 on Ananasi. The maximum value of gross fertility rate (41.55?±?4.79) was recorded on Sultan, while the minimum value (1.38?±?0.08) was recorded on Ananasi. The net fecundity rate was varied from 0.47?±?0.09 on Ananasi to 23.53?±?3.96 eggs/female on Sultan. The net fertility rate was 12.96?±?2.18 on Sultan and 0.04?±?0.009 on Ananasi, which was the maximum and minimum values, respectively. The range of gross hatch rate on different melon and cucumber genotypes was 9.67% on Ananasi to 72.46% on Super sultan. The cohort reared on Super sultan had the highest mean eggs per day and those on Shah abadi had the lowest mean eggs per day. In addition, the mite demonstrated the maximum value of mean fertile eggs per day with the amount of 1.66?±?0.19 eggs/female when fed on Sultan, and Ananasi demonstrated the minimum value (0.09?±?0.005). The life expectancy of one-day-old adults of T. urticae was estimated to be 16?days on Garmak Isfahan and 26.62 days on Mir sultan which is the maximum and minimum values, respectively. Furthermore, the highest mortality percentage of immature stages of T. urticae was recorded on Ananasi and the lowest was recorded on Super sultan. Comparison of the data collected in this study revealed that the mites had considerably better performance on cucumber genotypes than melon genotypes, so we can assume that cucumber is the preferable host species for T. urticae. The use of preferable and resistant host plants is helpful in crop rotation and it will be one of the beneficial strategies to integrated pest management programmes.