Quality of handling and holding yard environment, and beef cattle temperament: 2. Consequences for stress and productivity

This experiment assessed the effects of different quality and quantity of handling and quality of the holding yard environment on the productivity and physiological parameters indicative of stress in beef cattle. One-hundred-and-forty-four steers were given one of three human handling and yarding experiences on six occasions during a 12-month grazing period post-weaning (backgrounding): Good handling/yarding, Poor handling/yarding and Minimal handling/yarding. At the end of this phase the cattle were lot-fed for 78 days, with no handling/yarding treatments imposed, before being transported for commercial slaughter. Temperament was assessed by flight speed (FS) and a fear of humans (FOH) test, which measured the proximity to a stimulus person (ZA), the closest approach to the person (CA) and the amount the cattle moved around the test arena (TT). Mid-way through backgrounding, the Minimal treatment group was heavier than the Good, which was heavier than the Poor (mean weights 207, 201 and 194 kg, respectively; P = 0.05; LSD = 5.4), but by the end of backgrounding there was no difference between treatments and treatment did not affect liveweight during lot-feeding. At the end of backgrounding, plasma cortisol levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the Good treatment group compared to the Poor and Minimal groups but at the end of lot-feeding there was no significant difference between the groups. Treatment affected plasma non-esterified fatty acid levels in backgrounding (P = 0.060) and lot-feeding (P = 0.046) with levels being higher in the Minimal than the Good and Poor groups (backgrounding: 0.52, 0.44 and 0.47 nmol/L, respectively; SE 0.02; lot-feeding: 0.46, 0.41 and 0.41 mmol/L, respectively; LSD = 0.05). Significant weak to moderate (r-value <0.50) negative correlations were found between FS and average daily gain, but there were no consistent correlations between measures from the FOH test and productivity. FS and TT were weakly positively correlated with plasma l-lactate, glucose and cortisol levels, and CA was weakly to moderately negatively correlated with l-lactate and glucose levels. The results indicate that, whilst being imposed, the Good treatment reduced stress and the Poor treatment negatively impacted on liveweight gain. Minimal handling/yarding appeared to cause the cattle to experience stress, perhaps because of the relative novelty of being handled and confined. This work also confirms previous findings that cattle with high FS have poorer liveweight gains under both pasture and feedlot conditions and FS has some value as a predictor of productivity. Correlations also indicated that agitated cattle show a heightened arousal and stress responses when being handled. Fear of humans, as assessed by ZA, CA and TT, did not adversely affect productivity.     

Interleukin 1 beta −511 C/T gene polymorphism and susceptibility to febrile seizures: a meta-analysis

One previous meta-analysis found no evidence that interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) −511 gene polymorphism was associated with febrile seizures (FS) by pooling a limited number of studies. However, it is necessary for the meta-analysis to reevaluate the relationship with more recent findings. Electronic databases were systematically searched for studies published before June 2011. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated by means of a genetic model free approach. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed. All statistical analyses were conducted using Stata 9.0. A total of eight studies, 728 FS cases and 1,223 controls, met the selection criteria. The results show a significant association between IL-1β −511 C/T gene polymorphism and FS (recessive genetic model TT vs. CC + CT: OR = 1.361, 95% CI: 1.065–1.738, P = 0.014). Subgroup analyses show a significant association in Asia (OR = 1.394, 95% CI: 1.005–1.935, P = 0.047), but not in Europe (OR = 1.387, 95% CI: 0.750–2.565, P = 0.298). IL-1β −511 C/T gene polymorphism may play a role in susceptibility to FS, especially in Asia. Geographic differences may be a critical factor in the risk of FS.     

Are dairy cows with a more reactive temperament less efficient in energetic metabolism and do they produce more enteric methane?

It remains unknown whether dairy cows with more reactive temperament produce more enteric methane (CH₄) and are less bioenergetically efficient than the calmer ones. The objectives of this study were (a) to evaluate the relationship between cattle temperament assessed by traditionally used tests with energetic metabolism and enteric CH₄ emissions by crossbred dairy cows; (b) to assess how cows’ restlessness in respiration chambers affects energetic metabolism and enteric CH₄ emissions. Temperament indicators were evaluated for 28 primiparous F1 Holstein-Gyr cows tested singly in the handling corral (entrance time, crush score, flight speed, and flight distance) and during milking (steps, kicks, defecation, rumination, and kick the milking cluster off). Cows’ behaviors within respiration chambers were also recorded for each individual kept singly. Digestibility and calorimetry trials were performed to obtain energy partitioning and CH₄ measures. Cows with more reactive temperament in milking (the ones that kicked the milking cluster off more frequently) spent 25.24% less net energy on lactation (P = 0.04) and emitted 36.77% more enteric CH₄/kg of milk (P = 0.03). Furthermore, cows that showed a higher frequency of rumination at milking parlor allocated 57.93% more net energy for milk production (P < 0.01), spent 50.00% more metabolizable energy for milk production (P < 0.01) and 37.10% less CH₄/kg of milk (P = 0.04). Regarding the handling temperament, most reactive cows according to flight speed, lost 29.16% less energy as urine (P = 0.05) and tended to have 14.30% more enteric CH₄ production (P = 0.08), as well as cows with a lower entrance time (most reactive) that also lost 13.29% more energy as enteric CH₄ (P = 0.04). Temperament and restless behavior of Holstein-Gyr cows were related to metabolic efficiency and enteric CH₄ emissions. Cows’ reactivity and rumination in the milking parlor, in addition to flight speed and entrance time in the squeeze chute during handling in the corral, could be useful measures to predict animals more prone to metabolic inefficiency, which could negatively affect the sustainability of dairy systems.     

Incidence of Hemorrhagic Disease in White-Tailed Deer Is Associated with Winter and Summer Climatic Conditions

Hemorrhagic disease (HD) is an important vector-borne disease of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The objective of this study was to determine whether temperature and precipitation were associated with a measure of annual incidence of HD in white-tailed deer from Virginia. The annual percentages of deer with hoof wall growth interruptions (a clinical sign of HD) from four climate divisions in the HD endemic area of Virginia recorded during 1993–2006 were used as indicators of annual HD incidence. Pearson’s correlation coefficients between these indicators of incidence and average temperature (°F) or total precipitation (in.) for each month, as well as for winter (January–February), early summer (June–July), and late summer/fall (August–September–October) seasons were calculated. Strong direct correlations between the measure of annual HD incidence and average temperature for winter (r = 0.39, P = 0.003, n = 57), early summer (r = 0.51, P < 0.0001, n = 57), and late summer/fall (r = 0.42, P = 0.001, n = 57) were evident. There also was a strong inverse correlation between the measured annual HD incidence and June precipitation (r = −0.44, P = 0.0006, n = 57). Poisson regression models of seasonal temperatures and June precipitation to annual percentage of deer with hoof wall growth interruptions were developed. Based on Akaike’s Information Criterion with small sample size correction (AICc), the global model was selected as the top model. Higher winter and summer temperatures may increase vector capacity and competence, and lower precipitation in June may create favorable breeding sites for midges.     

Switch to checkpoint inhibition after targeted therapy at time of progression or during ongoing response: A retrospective single‐centre experience in patients with BRAF‐mutated melanoma

BRAF + MEK inhibition is preferentially applied as first‐line therapy in BRAF V600‐mutated melanoma patients with unfavourable prognostic features, due to the ability of targeted therapy (TT) to induce rapid symptom control, decrease tumour burden and normalize lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. In addition, short‐term TT transiently increases tumour antigen presentation and tumour influx of T cells. Therefore, it might be favourable to switch TT to checkpoint inhibition (CPI) before progression (PD). We retrospectively analysed melanoma patients treated first line with TT (TT1) and who subsequently switched to CPI during response to TT (sDR group) or at progression upon TT (sPD group). We identified 74 patients (n = 37 sDR group and n = 37 sPD group). ORR to CPI was 27.0% in the sDR group versus 24.3% in the sPD group (p = .790). Median was PFS 2.5 months versus 1.2 months (p = .145), and median OS was 30.6 versus 14.1 months (p = .007). After adjusting for baseline differences and known prognostic factors, hazard ratios (HRs) favouring sDR were 0.89 for PFS upon CPI (p = .956) and 0.48 for OS (p = .055). Thus, patients switching to CPI during ongoing clinical benefit from TT do not have an inferior outcome. Due to baseline imbalances and small patient population, a favourable trend for the sDR group can be hypothesized only.     

Caveolin-1 overexpression correlates with tumour progression markers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

The assessment of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) as a marker of tumor aggressiveness in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this study, we examined the expression of Cav-1 in 34 human PDAC tissue samples and the associated peritumoral tissues by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Additionally, we correlated Cav-1 expression with other tissue (Ki-67, p53) and serum (CA 19-9) tumor markers. In the tumor-derived tissue, both tumor cells and blood vessels expressed Cav-1. In contrast, in peritumoral tissue, Cav-1 expression was confined mainly to blood vessels and was only occasionally expressed in ductal or parenchymal cells. Western blot analysis confirmed the overexpression of Cav-1 in pancreatic tumors compared with peritumoral tissue. Cav-1 expression in tumor tissues was correlated with both the Ki-67 LI (r = 0.95, P < 0.0001) and p53 expression (χ2 = 9.91, P < 0.005). Overexpression of Cav-1 was associated with tumor size, grade and stage and Cav-1 expression in tumors was correlated with an increased serum level of CA 19-9 (r = 0.795, P < 0.001). Based on the results of this study, the inclusion of Cav-1 in a putative panel of biomarkers predicting pancreatic cancer aggressiveness is warranted.     

Analysis of correlation between blood biochemical indicators and bone mineral density of post-menopausal women

Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease of the skeletal system, and its major complication is fracture that severely influences the living quality of the middle-aged and the aged. The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of sex hormones and some biochemical indicators related to bone metabolism in the genesis and development of osteoporosis. The plasma samples were collected from 244 post-menopausal women of Xi’an urban area, and their plasma contents of testosterone, estradiol, calcitonin, osteocalcin and N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen were detected by ELISA. The activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase was determined by spectrophotometric method, and the content of nitric oxide was measured by Griess method. Bone mineral density (BMD) in lumbar vertebrae (L1–L4) and hips was measured by QDR-2000 dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The concentrations of the biochemical indicators were compared among the three groups (normal bone mass group, osteopenia group and osteoporosis group), and Pearson correlation analysis was used to verify the correlations between the indicators and BMD. The comparison results of blood biochemical indicators of BMD-based groups showed that the plasma contents of estradiol (P = 0.006), testosterone (P = 0.038) and calcitonin (P = 0.042) decreased more significantly in the osteoporosis group, but the content of osteocalcin (P = 0.008) increased significantly in osteoporosis group than those in the other groups. The correlation analysis between BMD of different parts and the blood biochemical indicators showed that there was a significant positive correlation between estradiol and the BMD of lumber vertebra (r = 0.200, P = 0.002), femoral neck (r = 0.160, P = 0.013), and great trochanter (r = 0.204, P = 0.001). Significant positive correlations between calcitonin and BMD of lumber vertebra (r = 0.166, P = 0.018) and femoral great trochanter (r = 0.152, P = 0.041), and between testosterone and BMD of femoral great trochanter (r = 0.158, P = 0.014) were also observed. In addition, there existed significant negative correlations between osteocalcin and BMD of lumber vertebra (r = −0.220, P = 0.001), femoral neck (r = −0.259, P < 0.000), and great trochanter (r = −0.221, P = 0.001), and between the activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and BMD of femoral great trochanter (r = −0.135, P = 0.037). The partial correlation analysis also showed that there were significant correlations between estradiol (r = 0.160, P = 0.014), calcitonin (r = 0.240, P = 0.013), osteocalcin (r = −0.226, P = 0.023) and BMD when the influence of age was excluded. The Pearson correlation analysis of biochemical indicators showed there were positive correlations between the contents of testosterone and calcitonin, testosterone and osteocalcin, calcitonin and osteocalcin, calcitonin and PINP, calcitonin and NO, osteocalcin and NO, and PINP and NO, but negative correlations between the contents of testosterone and PINP, estradiol and calcitonin, estradiol and osteocalcin, and estradiol and NO. The blood contents of sex hormones and calcitonin significantly influence BMD and osteoporosis development, and the increase of osteocalcin contents could be used as a biomarker to indicate the degree of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.     

Association of thrombospondin 1 gene with schizophrenia in Korean population

Thrombospondin 1 (THBS1), a multi-domain glycoprotein, is secreted from astrocytes and promotes synaptogenesis. Increasing evidence has suggested that not only various markers for synaptic pathology, but also astrocytes are affected in schizophrenia. In this study, we investigated whether coding region single nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNPs) of the THBS1 gene were associated with schizophrenia and with the clinical symptoms of schizophrenia patients. We genotyped two cSNPs [rs2228261 (Asn470Asn) and rs2292305 (Thr523Ala)] using direct sequencing in 220 schizophrenia patients and 376 control subjects. In this study, rs2228261 revealed significant association with schizophrenia in both codominant (TT vs. CC, P = 0.009, OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.23–3.59) and recessive models (TT vs. CC/CT, P = 0.0012, OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.38–3.77). Also, rs2292305 was associated with schizophrenia in the recessive model (GG vs. AA/AG, P = 0.0052, OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.24–3.38). Additionally, in the analysis of the haplotype, the CA and TG haplotypes consisting of rs2228261 and rs2292305 were associated with schizophrenia in the dominant (P = 0.019, OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.10–2.90) and recessive models, respectively (P = 0.0086, OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.31–0.84). In further analysis according to the clinical symptoms, rs2292305 showed a weak association with the poor concentration symptoms of schizophrenia patients in the dominant model (AG/GG vs. AA, P = 0.024, OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.09–3.83). The results suggest that the THBS1 gene may contribute to the susceptibility of schizophrenia.     

Validity of Global Physical and Emotional SUDS

Despite the wide-spread use of Subjective Units of Discomfort Scales, or SUDS, to measure anxiety to specific stimuli, little information has been published on the validity of such scales and even less on their use as global measures of emotional and physical discomfort. Data was examined for 182 consecutive admissions to a psychology clinic to determine the relationship of self-rating of emotional and physical discomfort to one another and of the emotional self-rating to the clinician rating of general functioning (GAF). As expected, patients’ ratings of their emotional discomfort were significantly higher than ratings of their physical discomfort (t = 9.077, p < .001). Emotional SUDS were significantly and negatively related to clinicians’ GAF ratings (r = − 0.439, p < .001), indicating that the two ratings measured related global constructs. Data for the 53 patients who also completed the MMPI-2 was drawn from the larger sample to determine the nature of the relationship between SUDS and two measures of general emotional distress, with patients’ SUDS significantly related to both the A scale (r = 0.351, p < .05) and the neurotic index (r = 0.366, p < .01). Finally, there was a significant decrease in the emotional SUDS (t = 4.686, p < .001) but not the physical SUDS (t = 0.788, p = .434) after 3 months of psychotherapy. The data supports SUDS as global measures of both physical and emotional discomfort.     

The effect of low energy electric shock on cortisol, β-endorphin, heart rate and behaviour of cattle

Electrical stimuli are used increasingly to confine cattle, whether through conventional electric fencing or the development of ‘virtual’ fencing systems. Two experiments were conducted to assess behavioural, heart rate and stress hormone responses of cattle to electrical stimuli typically used in such confinement applications. In the first experiment, 30 steers (18-months old; n = 10 per treatment) were held in a handling crush for 15 min after receiving one of the following treatments: nothing (control); delivery of three shocks at 2 s intervals (600 V, 250 mW); and restraint in a head bail for 3 min. Plasma cortisol and β-endorphin concentrations were measured at 0, 5, 10, 15 min, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. In a second experiment, heart rate and behaviour were measured in 17 heifers (18 months of age) subjected to one of the following treatments whilst held in a crush for 10 min: nothing (control; n = 5); delivery of three shocks at 2 s intervals (600 V, 250 mW; n = 6); and restraint in a head bail for 3 min (n = 6). Cortisol and β-endorphin concentrations did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). Whilst animals were receiving the treatments, heart rate was lower when head restrained compared with shock or control treatments (P = 0.009) and did not differ between control and electric shock treatments (P = 0.35). Upon release from the crush, heart rate was higher in shock and head restrained treatments than the control treatment (P = 0.005). Animals receiving the electric shock treatment tossed their heads more frequently whilst in the crush than control animals (P = 0.012) but did not differ from the other treatments in the number of vocalisations, tail swishes, steps back and forward, head tilts and head turns. There was a significant effect of treatment on flight time (P = 0.005); animals receiving the electric shocks were faster to leave the crush than control animals (P = 0.005) and there was no difference between head restraint and shock treatment (P = 0.86). In 10 min following release from the crush, there was no treatment difference in the time to start feeding. This study suggests that the stress response of cattle to low energy electric shocks is minimal and is similar to that induced by restraint in a crush.     

Interactions of bacterial cytokinins and IAA in the rhizosphere may alter phytostimulatory efficiency of rhizobacteria

Phytohormones from rhizobacterial origin have been linked to their phytostimulation potential. However, while studying the efficacy of plant growth promoting bacteria, focus has always been on a single hormone. The role of plant hormones often overlay and they mutually modulate their effect. In current study focus was on the role of two hormones (cytokinins and indole acetic acid) in phytostimulation by rhizobacteria. Endogenous rhizosphere bacteria were isolated and screened for the presence of phytohormones. Bacterial strains from three different genera (Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Azospirillum) were screened positive for cytokinins and IAA. Phytohormones were simultaneously determined in SPE purified bacterial extract by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer through electrospray interface. Cytokinins and IAA were determined in positive and negative mode, respectively with MRM scan. Zeatin, zeatin riboside and dihydrozeatin riboside were detected and quantified in the selected strains. Significant positive correlation between cytokinins and IAA in bacterial culture and plant endogenous hormones (r = 0.933 and r = 0.983; P = 0.01, respectively) was observed. However, strains with high IAA to cytokinins ratio could hardly enhance in-planta cytokinins, indicating antagonistic relation between the two hormones. Significant correlation of cytokinin with shoot length (r = 0.797; P = 0.01), fresh weight (r = 0.685; P = 0.01) and dry weight (r = 0.704; P = 0.01) was reported under axenic conditions. Bacterial IAA was correlated negatively to root length (r = 0.853; P = 0.01) and positively correlated to the number of roots (r = 0.964; P = 0.01). In natural conditions maximum increase in spike length (33%), number of tillers (71%) and weight of seeds (39%) was documented at final harvest in bacterially inoculated plants.     

Genetic markers that influence feed efficiency phenotypes also affect cattle temperament as measured by flight speed

Flight speed is a predictive indicator of cattle temperament and is associated with feed efficiency phenotypes. Genetic markers associated with both traits may assist with selection of calmer animals with improved economic value. A preliminary genome‐wide association study determined chromosomal regions on BTA9, and 17 were associated with flight speed. The genes quaking (QKI), glutamate receptor, ionotropic, AMPA 2 (GRIA2) and glycine receptor β (GLRB) were identified in these regions as potential functional candidates. Beef steers (n = 1057) were genotyped with SNPs located within and flanking these genes. One SNP located near QKI and one near GRIA2 were nominally associated with flight speed (P ≤ 0.05) although neither was significant after Bonferroni correction. Several studies have shown a correlation between flight speed and feed intake or gain; therefore, we also analyzed SNPs on BTA6:38–39 Mb known to be associated with average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) for association with flight speed. Several SNPs on BTA6 were associated with flight speed (P ≤ 0.005), and three were significant after Bonferroni correction. These results suggest that the genes tested are unlikely to contribute to flight speed variation for our cattle population, but SNPs on BTA6 associated with ADG and ADFI may influence temperament. Use of these markers to select for economically important feed efficiency phenotypes may produce cattle with more desirable temperaments.     

Phytostimulation and biofertilization in wheat by cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are commonly used for the phytostimulation and biofertilization of agriculture crops due to their nitrogen-fixing ability. However, the contribution by their phytohormones has been neglected. This study focuses on the screening of rhizospheric and free-living cyanobacteria for in vitro phytohormones production and growth stimulation in wheat. Selected isolates were shown to release cytokinin and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by using UPLC coupled with MS/MS via an electrospray interface. The maximum cytokinin and IAA concentration was 22.7 pmol mg⁻¹ ch-a and 38 pmol mg⁻¹ ch-a, respectively, in the culture medium of Chroococcidiopsis sp. Ck4 and Anabaena sp. Ck1. The growth of wheat inoculated with cyanobacterial strains was stimulated under axenic as well as field conditions. Seed germination, shoot length, tillering, number of lateral roots, spike length, and grain weight were significantly enhanced in inoculated plants. The maximum increase in grain weight (43%) was demonstrated in wheat plants inoculated with Chroococcidiopsis sp. Ck4 under natural conditions. Positive linear correlation of cyanobacterial cytokinin with shoot length (r = 0.608; P = 0.01), spike length (r = 0.682; P = 0.01), and grain weight (r = 0.0.869; P = 0.01) was recorded. Similarly, cyanobacterial IAA was correlated with the root growth parameters shoot length (r = 0.588; P = 0.01), spike length (r = 0.0.689; P = 0.01), and weight of seeds (r = 0.480; P = 0.05). The endogenous phytohormones pool of the plant was enhanced significantly as a result of the plant–cyanobacteria association in the rhizosphere. It was concluded that cyanobacterial phytohormones are a major tool for improved growth and yield in wheat.     

Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Dairy Cattle in the Northeast of China: Genetic Diversity of ITS Gene and Evaluation of Zoonotic Transmission Potential

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequently diagnosed microsporidian species in humans. It has been found in a wide range of animals and is considered an important zoonotic pathogen. To date, little information is available on the role that cattle play in the epidemiology of human microsporidiosis caused by E. bieneusi in China. In this study, 133 fecal specimens from dairy cattle were collected in Heilongjiang Province, China. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was identified and genotyped by nested PCR analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene, with 30.1% positive. Nine ITS genotypes were identified: six known genotypes—O (n = 26), EbpA (n = 2), I (n = 2), J (n = 2), D (n = 1) and BEB4 (n = 1)—and three novel genotypes named as CC‐I to CC‐III (two each). Genotype O was identified in cattle for the first time. The observation of all the six known genotypes here reported previously in humans, and also the fact of all the three novel genotypes (CHN‐DC1 to CHN‐DC3) falling into zoonotic group 1, indicate the possibility of cattle in the transmission of E. bieneusi to humans.     

Periostin gene polymorphisms, protein levels and risk of incident coronary artery disease

Vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor the kinase domain receptor play critical roles in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. Periostin is an up-regulator of kinase domain receptor expression. The purpose of this study was to determine whether polymorphisms in periostin are associated with the risk of coronary artery disease. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP C-33G, SNP A-953T) within the promoter region were chosen for further analyses. A case–control study was carried out with patients of Han Chinese ethnicity, which consisted of 492 coronary artery disease cases and 498 controls. Genotyping was performed by means of PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) and the plasma level of periostin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In our study, the TT genotype of SNP-A953T was present in the general Chinese population (3.5%), but not in the Han Chinese from Beijing Project (HAPMAP CHB). Plasma periostin concentrations were elevated significantly in patients with coronary artery disease (7.96 ± 8.33 nmol/l) compared with those in healthy volunteers (3.93 ± 1.71 nmol/l) (P = 0.005). There was a significant correlation between the 953T genotype and the plasma level of periostin (r ² = −0.490, P = 0.039). The prevalence of the TT genotype in patients was associated with a slightly lower risk of coronary artery disease (OR = 0.443, 95% CI = 0.200–0.982), but was not significant after correction (OR = 0.427, 95% CI = 0.146–1.250). The periostin-33G allele frequency was not significantly different in cases versus controls. Our data suggest that plasma periostin level may serve as a biomarker for the risk of coronary artery disease, but the periostin polymorphisms SNPC-33G and SNPA-953T were not significantly associated with the risk of coronary artery disease in this Chinese population. Although a major effect of the SNPs in the periostin genes on coronary artery disease susceptibility was excluded, the effect of the A-953T SNP on susceptibility and protein expression needs further investigation.     

Validity of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire in the assessment of heterocyclic amine intake using 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) levels in hair

Several case-control studies have reported possible associations between heterocyclic amine (HCA) intake and the risk of cancer. The validity of questionnaires used to assess HCA intake has hardly been examined, however; in particular, no biomarker able to serve as an independent measure of habitual HCA intake has been established. In this study, we examined the validity of HCA intake estimated from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) using 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) level in hair as a reference method. Study subjects were 20 volunteers (7 men and 13 women) aged 25–57 years residing in Tokyo or neighboring cities in Japan. The subjects completed the FFQ, and gave 3–5 g of hair twice at an interval of 1–3 months for use in establishing validity. Results showed that intakes of PhIP, MeIQ, Trp-P-1, and total HCA by the FFQ were significantly correlated with PhIP levels in hair when adjustment was made for melanin content (r = 0.47, r = 0.50, r = 0.55, and r = 0.51, respectively). The present study indicates that HCA intake estimated from this FFQ provides a reasonable ranking of individuals to allow the analysis of associations between HCA intake and risk of cancer in large-scale epidemiological studies.     

Relationships between carbon allocation and partitioning of soil respiration across world mature forests

Partitioning of soil CO₂ flux (FS) into autotrophic and heterotrophic components depends on how the plant carbon is allocated above- vs. belowground and how the belowground carbon is allocated for respiration and production of roots and their microbial associations. Data of litterfall (FA), root respiration (FR), and FS of world old-growth or mature forests (≥45 ages) were compiled, and the relationship between carbon allocation above- vs. belowground (indexed as the FA/FS ratio) and FS partitioning (indexed as the FR/FS ratio) was examined. The FA/FS ratio ranged from 0.08 to 0.64 and was positively correlated with mean annual air temperature and mean annual precipitation. The ratio increased from boreal to temperate to tropical forests, and was higher in broadleaved forests than in coniferous forests. Site-specific belowground carbon use efficiency (BCUE, root production per unit carbon used by roots and microbial associations) varied from 0.10 to 0.87, contrasting with the common assumption of a constant BCUE. Site-specific FR/FS ranged from 0.09 to 0.71 and increased with FS due to a decrease in BCUE. Deciduousness had a significant effect on the FR/FS ratios, with FR/FS ratios greater in deciduous forests than in evergreen forests. Methods of separating root respiration from soil heterotrophic respiration had a significant effect on estimated FR/FS. The estimated FR/FS ratio was negatively related to the FA/FS ratio, indicating that factors favouring carbon allocation belowground over aboveground will increase the autotrophic contribution to total soil respiration. The relatively low explaining power (r ² = 0.270) of this relationship resulted from deviations from assumptions of constant BCUE and a near steady-state belowground pools.     

Increased circulating IL-8 is associated with reduced IGF-1 and related to poor metabolic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Background: A dysregulated growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis is well-recognized in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Decreased IGF-1 levels can also be found in chronic inflammatory diseases, while hyperglycemia promotes inflammatory cytokine production. Therefore, inflammatory cytokines may link poor metabolic control with GH/IGF-1 axis changes. This study examined the relationship between serum inflammatory cytokines and IGF-1 in adolescents (age 13–18) with TIDM in chronic poor (n = 17) or favorable (n = 19) glucose control. Poor control (PC) was defined as 3, consistent HbA1C > 9% during the previous 2 years, while favorable control (FC) was consistent levels of HbA1C < 9%. Results: HbA1C (FC: 7.5 ± 0.6%; PC: 10.5 ± 0.9%, p < 0.001) and interleukin (IL)-8 (FC: 3.7 ± 4.0 pg/ml; PC: 7.4 ± 4.3 pg/ml, p = 0.01) were increased and IGF-1 (FC: 536.5 ± 164.3 ng/ml; PC: 408.9 ± 157.1 ng/ml, p = 0.03) was decreased in patients with poor control compared to patients with favorable control. Moreover, IL-8 was inversely correlated with IGF-1 (r = −0.40, p = 0.03) and positively correlated with HbA1C (r = 0.36, p = 0.03). Conclusions: In adolescents with T1DM and chronic, poor glucose control, increased serum IL-8 is associated with reduced IGF-1 suggesting a pro-inflammatory milieu that may contribute to alterations in the GH/IGF-1 axis.