Mechanisms of hypocalcemia and markers of bone turnover in alcohol-intoxicated drinkers

Studies of hypocalcemia and osteoporosis frequently encountered in heavy users of alcohol have previously been performed on alcoholic people who have already recovered from alcohol intoxication. Bone and mineral metabolism during and after the intoxication may be different. We measured serum parameters of bone and mineral metabolism in 26 alcohol-intoxicated men and in 19 healthy control men. Although serum ionized calcium was 12% (P < 0.0001) lower in the patients than in the controls, serum intact parathyroid hormone was similar in the study groups. As reflected by decreased serum levels of osteocalcin (−43%; P < 0.001), bone formation was depressed in the patients. Serum cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of human type I collagen (ICTP), a novel parameter of bone matrix degradation, was 9% higher in the patients (P = 0.03) than controls. The positive correlation between serum osteocalcin and ICTP in the controls (r = 0.59, P < 0.01) was absent in the patients (r = 0.05, P = 0.8). We conclude that in alcohol-intoxicated alcohol users, the parathyroid glands do not respond normally to a hypocalcemic stimulus, and that depressed bone formation is uncoupled from accelerated bone resorption.     

Modelling and optimizing of calcium and non-phytate phosphorus requirements of male broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age using response surface methodology

The skeleton is the main site of P and Ca deposition; therefore, accurate estimation of Ca and P requirements is necessary to maintaining health and optimum performance of broiler chickens. A response surface methodology (RSM) using a central composite design (CCD) was used for evaluating and optimizing of Ca and non-phytate P (NPP) requirements of broiler chickens for optimal performance, ileal nutrient digestibility and bone mineralization from 1 to 21 days of age. A total of 750 one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomly distributed into 50 cages including 9 treatments, each replicated 5 times (except central treatment with 10 replicates) and 15 birds in each cage by CCD. The dietary Ca levels of 4.3, 5.6, 8.6, 11.7 and 13.0 g/kg and NPP of 2.5, 2.9, 4.0, 5.0 and 5.4 g/kg were used for nine treatments of CCD. The results indicated that the linear and quadratic effects of NPP, quadratic effects of Ca and Ca × NPP were significant for average weight gain (AWG, P < 0.05), average feed intake (AFI, P < 0.05), feed conversion ratio (FCR, P < 0.05) and Ca and P apparent ileal digestibility (AID, P < 0.05); however, the linear effect of Ca was significant only for FCR (P < 0.05). On the other hand, tibia and toe ash were affected by NPP (linear and quadratic, P < 0.01) and Ca (quadratic, P < 0.01). The second-order polynomial regression model was significant for AWG (R² = 0.93, P < 0.001), AFI (R² = 0.88, P < 0.001), FCR (R² = 0.78, P < 0.001), AID of Ca (R² = 0.78, P < 0.001) and P (R² = 0.88, P < 0.001), tibia ash (R² = 0.86, P < 0.001) and toe ash (R² = 0.85, P < 0.001). The multi-objective optimization indicated that broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age need 7.03 and 4.47 g/kg of Ca and NPP, respectively, to achieve optimal AWG, FCR, tibia and toe ash. However, the dietary Ca and NPP levels can be reduced to 6.57 and 3.95 g/kg with a slight negative impact on performance and bone mineralization, respectively. In conclusion, the findings indicate that using multi-objective optimization model such as RSM provides more information regarding optimum Ca and NPP requirements of broiler chickens, considering the complex interaction between these two minerals. While the NPP levels are in line with current recommended requirements, Ca levels are considerably lower and suggest that current recommended Ca requirements may be in excess of the needs of the broiler.     

Schistosoma mansoni: Correlation between lipid partition coefficients and the transintegumental uptake of nonelectrolytes

Comparison of transintegumental membrane permeability and partition coefficients of selected nonelectrolytes attempted to correlate the parameters of lipid solubility and membrane permeation in male and female Schistosoma mansoni. Transintegumental uptakes and octanol:water partition coefficients were determined for 10 nonelectrolytes (acetamide, antipyrine, benzyl alcohol, caffeine, ethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, sucrose, thiourea, and urea). Linear regression analyses comparing the logarithm of the partition coefficient to the transintegumental uptakes yielded values of R = 0.80 (P < 0.001) for males, R = 0.84 (P < 0.001) for females, and R = 0.82 (P < 0.001) for a combined analysis of males and females. The male and female schistosomes showed no statistically significant differences in correlation of these parameters. The evidence, then, suggests that the multilaminate membrane functions in a way similar to the function of a lipid bilayer with regard to the parameters studied.     

Bone microarchitecture in ankylosing spondylitis and the association with bone mineral density,fractures, and syndesmophytes

Introduction

Osteoporosis of the axial skeleton is a known complication of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but bone loss affecting the peripheral skeleton is less studied. This study on volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone microarchitecture in AS was conducted to compare peripheral vBMD in AS patients with that in healthy controls, to study vBMD in axial compared with peripheral bone, and to explore the relation between vertebral fractures, spinal osteoproliferation, and peripheral bone microarchitecture and density.

Methods

High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) of ultradistal radius and tibia and QCT and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of lumbar spine were performed in 69 male AS patients (NY criteria). Spinal radiographs were assessed for vertebral fractures and syndesmophyte formation (mSASSS). The HRpQCT measurements were compared with the measurements of healthy controls.

Results

The AS patients had lower cortical vBMD in radius (P = 0.004) and lower trabecular vBMD in tibia (P = 0.033), than did the controls. Strong correlations were found between trabecular vBMD in lumbar spine, radius (r_S = 0.762; P < 0.001), and tibia (r_S = 0.712; P < 0.001).When compared with age-matched AS controls, patients with vertebral fractures had lower lumbar cortical vBMD (-22%; P = 0.019), lower cortical cross-sectional area in radius (-28.3%; P = 0.001) and tibia (-24.0%; P = 0.013), and thinner cortical bone in radius (-28.3%; P = 0.001) and tibia (-26.9%; P = 0.016).mSASSS correlated negatively with trabecular vBMD in lumbar spine (r_S = -0.620; P < 0.001), radius (r_S = -0.400; p = 0.001) and tibia (r_S = -0.475; p < 0.001) and also with trabecular thickness in radius (r_S = -0.528; P < 0.001) and tibia (r_S = -0.488; P < 0.001).Adjusted for age, syndesmophytes were significantly associated with decreasing trabecular vBMD, but increasing cortical vBMD in lumbar spine, but not with increasing cortical thickness or density in peripheral bone. Estimated lumbar vBMD by DXA correlated with trabecular vBMD measured by QCT (r_S = 0.636; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Lumbar osteoporosis, syndesmophytes, and vertebral fractures were associated with both lower vBMD and deteriorated microarchitecture in peripheral bone. The results indicate that trabecular bone loss is general, whereas osteoproliferation is local in AS.     

The Correlation of Reproduction-Related Gene Expression with Germ Cell Number in DM and PLL Gilts

In this study, the ovarian germ cell number was counted in 3-week-old Duroc × Meishan (DM, n=30) and PIC × (Landrace × Large White) (PLL, n=53) gilts, and the mRNA expression levels of four reproduction-related genes were investigated by quantitative RT-PCR. Correlation of germ cell number with the expression level of these genes was analyzed. Results showed that the germ cell number of DM was significantly higher than that of PLL gilts (P<0.01), although there was no significant difference between the ovarian weight of DM and PLL gilts (P=0.269). No significant correlation existed between germ cell number and ovarian weight in the two gilt groups (R=0.335, P=0.07; R=0.119, P=0.398, respectively). A significant correlation was found between the germ cell number and expression level of ESR and IGF1R mRNA in DM gilts (R=0.648, P<0.05; R=0.757, P<0.01, respectively), but the correlation between the germ cell number and expression level of FSHR and INHBA mRNA did not reach statistical significance. Significant correlation was found between the germ cell number and the expression level of ESR, FSHR, and IGF1R mRNA in PLL gilts (R=0.435, P<0.01; R=0.438, P<0.01; R=0.292, P<0.05, respectively), but not with INHBA mRNA in PLL gilts.     

Decreased serum osteocalcin levels in patients with liver cirrhosis

Serum levels of osteocalcin (OC) have been found to be a specific biochemical parameter of bone formation. We measured serum levels of osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in 49 patients with liver cirrhosis, who are known to have an increased prevalence of metabolic bone disease, and a matched control group (n = 35). Serum levels of OC were significantly decreased in the patients with liver cirrhosis when compared to control subjects (P < 0.001). Serum levels of 25(OH)D were decreased (P < 0.001), whereas no statistical difference was found between the serum levels of PTH in the patients with liver cirrhosis and those of the controls. In a subgroup of 23 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and 34 control subjects, the bone mineral content (BMC) of the non-dominant forearm was determined by single photon absorptiometry. BMC was significantly lower in the patient with liver cirrhosis than the control subjects (P < 0.04). Our data demonstrate vitamin D deficiency, decreased bone formation and a decreased BMC in patients with liver cirrhosis.     

Growth,blood, carcass and meat quality traits from local pig breeds and their crosses

Contrary to intensive pig production, local pig breeds and their production systems are able to respond to the high criteria and expectations of modern society in regard to some environmental aspects, animal welfare, food quality and healthiness. This study proposes the recovery, study and use of a cross between two local breeds, contributing to animal biodiversity conservation and to the income of local pig producers. This work studied the growth performance and blood, carcass and meat quality traits of Alentejano (AL), Bísaro (BI) and Ribatejano (RI) (AL × BI, BI × AL) castrated male pigs. Raised outdoors, pigs were fed commercial diets ad libitum and killed at ~65 kg (trial 1, n = 10 from each genotype) and ~150 kg BW (trial 2, n = 9 from each genotype). In trial 1, AL and AL × BI attained slaughter weight later than BI and BI × AL pigs, with AL presenting lower average daily gains than the other genotypes (P < 0.001). Alentejano and RI pigs presented higher (P < 0.01) levels of plasma total protein than BI. Overall, carcass traits were affected by genotype, with length (P < 0.01), yield (P = 0.07) and lean cut proportions (P < 0.01) lower in AL than BI, and intermediate values for crossed pigs. Conversely, AL pigs presented higher fat cut proportion (P < 0.01), average backfat thickness (P < 0.001) and ‘zwei punkte’ fat depth (P < 0.01) than BI and RI pigs. Alentejano pigs also presented higher Longissimus lumborum (LL) intramuscular fat (P < 0.05), myoglobin content and ultimate pH (P < 0.01), but lower total collagen (P < 0.05), drip (P < 0.001) and cooking losses (P < 0.01), and shear force (P < 0.001) than all other genotypes. Finally, LL showed a more intense red colour in AL than in BI pigs. In trial 2, AL pigs confirmed to be a slow-growing obese breed with lower bone and lean cut proportions than BI, and higher LL intramuscular fat, richer colour, lower water loss and higher tenderness. In both trials, RI pigs grew faster, with higher lean and lower fat cut proportions and backfat thickness, and with overall LL characteristics comparable to those observed in AL pigs. This work demonstrates some clear differences between AL and BI breeds while showing that their crosses present intermediate characteristics in most studied traits. These data on RI pigs can be useful to breeders’ associations and farmers in order to consider the use of these crosses as an option or complement to pure line breeding.     

Risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder following an industrial disaster in a residential area: A note on the origin of observed gender differences

Background: Studies indicate that differences in trait anxiety and trauma-related distress may mediate the gender differences observed in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Objective: We examined the contributions of gender, trait anxiety, and trauma-related distress to the development of PTSD after an industrial disaster.Methods: Three months after a massive explosion in a fireworks factory in Kolding, Denmark, in November 2004, residents in the surrounding area were asked to complete the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire, and a questionaire designed for the present study. Using multivariable logistic regression with PTSD as the dependent variable, we examined 4 explanatory models: (1) gender; (2) gender and trait anxiety; (3) gender, trait anxiety, and perceived danger; and (4) gender, trait anxiety, perceived danger, perceived hostility, feeling isolated, depersonalization, and behavioral self-blame.Results: Fifty-one percent (N = 516; 265 women and 251 men) of the area residents participated in the study. The female-to-male ratio of PTSD was 2.4:1. Women experienced significantly more trait anxiety (P < 0.001), feelings of isolation (P < 0.005), and behavioral self-blame (P = 0.018), and less perceived danger (P = 0.034) than did men. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, gender alone predicted 3.7% of the variance in PTSD status (odds ratio [OR] = 2.40; 95% CI, 1.35-4.27; P < 0.005); however, in all other models, gender was not significant. The final model comprised trait anxiety (OR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.11-1.30; P < 0.001), perceived danger (OR = 4.62; 95% Cl, 2.24-9.50; P < 0.001), perceived hostility (OR = 5.21; 95% CI, 1.93-14.09; P < 0.001), feeling isolated (OR = 3.34; 95% CI, 1.55-7.16; P < 0.002), depersonalization (OR = 2.49; 95% CI, 1.42-4.37; P < 0.001), and behavioral self-blame (OR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24-0.86; P = 0.015), explaining 48.9% of the variance in PTSD severity.Conclusion: This cross-sectional study found that gender was no longer associated with PTSD status when trait anxiety, perceived danger and hostility, feeling isolated, depersonalization, and behavioral selfblame were taken into account.     

Can self-rated health identify us women and men with low bone mineral density? a cross-sectional population study

Background: Despite its simplicity, self-rated health (SRH) is a significant dimension of health assessment, with demonstrated means to identify individuals at increased risk of morbidity and mortality.Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess whether SRH, age, and modifiable osteoporosis risk factors in a hypothetical screening situation could identify individuals with low bone mineral density (BMD).Methods: Data were analyzed from a multiethnic sample of 4905 women and men aged 50 to 79 years from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Low BMD was assessed according to the World Health Organization definition using gender- and race/ethnicity-specific young adult mean values to calculate T-scores. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine whether BMD was lower among those with poorer SRH; multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether poor SRH was associated with low BMD.Results: The study population included 616 and 589 African American; 522 and 564 Mexican American; and 1312 and 1302 white women and men, respectively. The distributions of SRH responses differed for African American and Mexican American women and men compared with the distributions for samegender whites, with significantly more white women and men reporting excellent or very good health (P < 0.05) and significantly greater proportions of African American and Mexican American women and men reporting poorer health (P < 0.05). Among women and nonwhite men, there was no evidence of an association between BMD and SRH. Linear trends of decreasing BMD with declining SRH were detected for all men with low or normal body mass index (P < 0.001) and overweight men (P < 0.001). When stratified by race/ethnicity, a linear trend of decreasing BMD with declining SRH was found for nonobese white men only (P-trend: <0.001). The likelihood of having low BMD among nonobese white men who reported excellent or very good health was two-thirds that of their male counterparts with poor SRH (P < 0.001).Conclusions: Independent of age and modifiable osteoporosis risk factors, poor SRH may be a relevant risk factor for low BMD among older nonobese white men. Further research is needed to determine whether SRH may be a useful risk assessment tool for low BMD in this group of men.     

Lipiodol as an Imaging Biomarker of Tumor Response After Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization: Prospective Clinical Validation in Patients with Primary and Secondary Liver Cancer

PURPOSE:To prospectively investigate whether Lipiodol can be used as a potential imaging biomarker of tumor response after conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) for both primary and secondary liver cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective single-center single-arm clinical trial enrolled a total of 39 patients with primary or secondary liver malignancy [hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), n = 22 and non-HCC, n = 17]. Patients were treated with cTACE according to a standardized protocol and underwent multimodality imaging at baseline [magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/computed tomography (CT)/positron emission tomography (PET)]; at 24 hours post-TACE (CT); and at 30, 90, and 180 days post-TACE (MRI/CT/PET). Image data analysis included quantitative assessment of tumor characteristics, Lipiodol deposition, fluorodeoxyglucose uptake, and tumor response assessment. Statistical analysis included linear regression, Student's t tests, Wilcoxon rank sum and signed rank test, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Image analysis demonstrated that baseline tumor diameter (R² = 0.4, P = .0001), area (R² = 0.45, P < .0001), volume (R² = 0.3, P < .002), and enhancing volume (cm³, R² = 0.23, P < .002) at baseline correlated inversely with Lipiodol tumor coverage and response rates. Baseline tumor enhancement in % of the total tumor was the only parameter to positively correlate with Lipiodol coverage (R² = 0.189, P = .0456). Patients with high Lipiodol coverage of the tumors showed a higher tumor quantitative European Association for the Study of the Liver response rate at 30-day follow-up (P = .004). Lipiodol retention in both primary and secondary liver tumors was sustained over time, while nontarget hepatic deposits demonstrated near-complete elimination at 30-day follow-up (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Lipiodol deposition in liver tumors can be predicted using quantitative baseline imaging characteristics and correlates with tumor response. This supports another role for Lipiodol, namely, that of an imaging biomarker of tumor response after cTACE.     

Effect of pre-slaughter handling,exercise and the presence of a dog on lamb welfare and meat quality

Before slaughter, lambs may experience several stressors such as feed and water deprivation, handling and transport that have the potential to negatively impact welfare and meat quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pre-slaughter handling, exercise and the presence of a dog on the behaviour and physiology of lambs and meat quality at slaughter. At 6 months of age, 60 lambs (n=20 lambs/replicate; three replicates) were allocated to one of the two treatment groups (n=30 lambs/treatment): low (LOW) intensive handling or high (HIGH) intensive handling. LOW lambs were moved short distances, quietly and without the use of a dog before transport. HIGH lambs were moved quickly, long distances and with a dog present before transport. Lamb behaviour (standing, lying, rumination and panting) was recorded for 1 h before (post-treatment) and after transport (post-transport), and for 30 min before slaughter (pre-slaughter). Blood samples were collected before (baseline), after transport (post-transport) and at exsanguination (at slaughter) to assess cortisol, lactate and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. At slaughter, lamb carcases (M. longissimus lumborum) were evaluated for pH levels, drip and cook loss, and tenderness. HIGH lambs spent more time standing (P<0.001) and panting (P<0.001) and less time lying (P<0.001) and ruminating (P<0.001) post-treatment than LOW lambs, but more (P<0.001) time ruminating post-transport. All lambs spent more time standing (P<0.001) and less time lying (P<0.001) and panting (P<0.001) post-transport and pre-slaughter than post-treatment. Cortisol concentrations were greater (P<0.001) in lambs post-transport and at slaughter compared with baseline values. Lactate concentrations were lower (P=0.002) in HIGH than LOW lambs. In addition, NEFA concentrations were higher (P<0.001) post-transport and at slaughter in HIGH compared with LOW lambs. Ultimate pH was higher (P<0.001) in HIGH than LOW lambs and pH declined quicker (P=0.012) in LOW than HIGH lambs. Cook loss, drip loss and shear force were lower (P⩽0.05) in HIGH than LOW lambs. The HIGH intensive pre-slaughter handling regime used in the present study caused stress in lambs and increased ultimate pH that could potentially negatively impact welfare, product quality and consistency.     

Effects of dry period length on milk production and energy balance in two cow breeds

Shortening the dry period (DP) has been proposed as a strategy to improve energy balance (EB) in cows in early lactation. This study evaluated the effects of shortening the DP on milk yield (MY), EB and residual feed intake (RFI) in two breeds; Swedish Red (SR) and Swedish Holstein (SH). Cows were blocked by breed and parity and then randomly assigned to one of two treatments; short DP of 4 weeks (4W, n=43) or conventional DP of 8 weeks (8W, n=34). Cows were kept and fed under the same conditions, except for the 4 weeks when the 4W group were still lactating prepartum and thus kept with the lactating cows. Milk yield and BW were recorded and body condition score (BCS) was rated from 10 weeks prepartum to 12 weeks postpartum. Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded for lactating cows postpartum. Milk yield was reduced by 6.75 kg/day during the first 12 weeks postpartum (P<0.001) for the 4W cows compared with 8W cows, but there was no significant difference in total MY (3724 kg compared with 3684 kg, P=0.7) when the milk produced prepartum was included. Protein content was higher in 4W cows (3.42%) than in 8W cows (3.27%) (P<0.001) postpartum. In the 8W group, cows lost more BCS after calving (P<0.05). Cows of SR breed had higher BCS than cows of SH breed (SR=3.7, SH=3.2, P<0.001), but no differences in BW were found between breed and treatment. Energy balance was improved for cows in the 4W group (P<0.001), while feed efficiency, expressed as RFI, was reduced for 4W cows than for 8W cows (5.91 compared with −5.39, P<0.01). Shortening the DP resulted in improved EB postpartum with no difference between the breeds and no milk losses when including the milk produced prepartum.     

The effect of dietary cadmium supplementation on performance,egg quality,tibia biomechanical properties and eggshell and bone mineralisation in laying quails

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of cadmium supplementation (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) in the diet on performance, egg quality, tibia biomechanical properties and eggshell and bone mineral contents in laying quails. In this 10-week trial, a total of 96 laying quails, aged 21 weeks, were randomly distributed among six experimental groups. Each experimental group contained four replicates of four birds each. The performance parameters were adversely affected quadratically when cadmium was added to the diets in the concentrations of 20 mg/kg and above (P<0.01). The specific gravity and eggshell weight were maximal with the addition of 20 mg/kg cadmium to the diet. The biomechanical properties of the tibia were negatively affected by cadmium supplementation in quails (P<0.05). The eggshell boron content decreased linearly (P<0.001) with cadmium supplementation to the diet. The cadmium content in bone increased when cadmium was added to the diets (P<0.001). The bone boron concentration decreased as dietary cadmium supplementation was increased (P<0.001).     

Correlation of Body Mass Index and Age with Osteoporosis Probability in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism

ObjectiveCurrently, there are limited markers to predict the osteoporosis probability in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. We studied the relationship between various parameters and results of DXAs at various skeletal sites.MethodsRetrospective review of data for 218 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism was performed. Age, BMI, bone mineral density, serum total calcium, ionized calcium, intact parathyroid hormone, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, phosphate, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, 24-hour urinary calcium levels and parathyroid tumor weight were analyzed. Two different statistical models- linear regression and multivariate logistic regression were performed.ResultsAt the lumbar spine, with the linear model, BMI (P < .001), alkaline phosphatase (P < .001), and ionized calcium (P < .001) significantly correlated with T scores; whereas with the logistic model, BMI was the only variable predicting osteoporosis probability.At the femoral neck, BMI (P < .022), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (P < .001), 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (P < .034) correlated with T scores; whereas both BMI (P < .029) and age (P < .051) were the significant variables that predicted osteoporosis.At the total hip, BMI (P < .001) and age (P < .001) correlated with T scores; whereas with the logistic model, only BMI (P < .016) predicted osteoporosis. At the forearm, a model could not be generated due to limited number.ConclusionIn patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, BMI strongly correlated with T scores and probability of osteoporosis.     

Vastus medialis cross-sectional area is positively associated with patella cartilage and bone volumes in a pain-free community-based population

Introduction

Although vastus medialis and lateralis are important determinants of patellofemoral joint function, their relationship with patellofemoral joint structure is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine potential determinants of vastus medialis and lateralis cross-sectional areas and the relationship between the cross-sectional area and patella cartilage and bone volumes.

Methods

Two hundred ninety-seven healthy adult subjects had magnetic resonance imaging of their dominant knee. Vastus medialis and lateralis cross-sectional areas were measured 37.5 mm superior to the quadriceps tendon insertion at the proximal pole of the patella. Patella cartilage and bone volumes were measured from these images. Demographic data and participation in vigorous physical activity were assessed by questionnaire.

Results

The determinants of increased vastus medialis and lateralis cross-sectional areas were older age (P ≤ 0.002), male gender (P < 0.001), and greater body mass index (P ≤ 0.07). Participation in vigorous physical activity was positively associated with vastus medialis cross-sectional area (regression coefficient [beta] 90.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 38.2, 141.7) (P < 0.001) but not with vastus lateralis cross-sectional area (beta 10.1; 95% CI -18.1, 38.3) (P = 0.48). The cross-sectional area of vastus medialis only was positively associated with patella cartilage volume (beta 0.6; 95% CI 0.23, 0.94) (P = 0.001) and bone volume (beta 3.0; 95% CI 1.40, 4.68) (P < 0.001) after adjustment for potential confounders.

Conclusions

Our results in a pain-free community-based population suggest that increased cross-sectional area of vastus medialis, which is associated with vigorous physical activity, and increased patella cartilage and bone volumes may benefit patellofemoral joint health and reduce the long-term risk of patellofemoral pathology.     

Celastrol protects human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells from rotenone-induced injury through induction of autophagy

Celastrol, an active component found in the Chinese herb tripterygium wilfordii has been identified as a neuroprotective agent for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD) through unknown mechanism. Celastrol can induce autophagy, which plays a neuroprotective role in PD. We tested the protective effect of celastrol on rotenone-induced injury and investigated the underlying mechanism using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The SH-SY5Y cells were treated with celastrol before rotenone exposure. The cells survival, apoptosis, accumulation of α-synuclein, oxidative stress and mitochondrial function, and autophagy production were analyzed. We found celastrol (500 nM) pre-treatment enhanced cell viability (by 28.99%, P < 0.001), decreased cell apoptosis (by 54.38%, P < 0.001), increased SOD and GSH (by 120.53% and 90.46%, P < 0.01), reduced accumulation of α-synuclein (by 35.93%, P < 0.001) and ROS generation (by 33.99%, P < 0.001), preserved MMP (33.93 ± 3.62%, vs. 15.10 ± 0.71% of JC-1 monomer, P < 0.001) and reduced the level of cytochrome C in cytosol (by 45.57%, P < 0.001) in rotenone treated SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, celastrol increased LC3-II/LC3 I ratio by 60.92% (P < 0.001), indicating that celastrol activated autophagic pathways. Inhibiting autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) abolished the protective effects of celastrol. Our results suggested that celastrol protects SH-SY5Y cells from rotenone induced injuries and autophagic pathway is involved in celastrol neuroprotective effects.     

Sow behaviour and piglet weight gain after late cross-fostering in farrowing crates and pens

Determining best practices for managing free farrowing systems is crucial for uptake. Cross-fostering, the exchange of piglets between litters, is routinely performed amongst crate-housed sows. However, cross-fostering can increase fighting amongst the litter and may be more challenging within free farrowing systems as sows have more freedom to respond to cross-fostered piglets. This study compared the effect of either cross-fostering (FOS), or a control of sham-fostering (CON), of four focal piglets per litter on Day 6 postpartum in crates (CRATE) and free farrowing pens (PEN). The post-treatment behavioural responses of sows were recorded (Day 6 = 60 min; Day 7 = 300 min; n = 48), as were the average daily gain (ADG; g/day), total weight gain (TWG; kg) and body lesion scores of focal piglets and their littermates throughout lactation (Day 6, Day 8, Day 11 and Day 26; n = 539) and the post-weaning period (Day 29, Day 32 and Day 60; n = 108). On Day 6, though post-reunion latency to nursing did not differ, latency to successful nursing was longer amongst FOS than CON litters (P < 0.001), more so amongst CRATE FOS than PEN FOS (P < 0.01). On Day 7, PEN FOS sows had fewer successful nursing bouts (P < 0.05) and exhibited decreased lateral (P < 0.01) and increased ventral lying frequencies (P < 0.01) compared to all other housing and treatment combinations. Focal piglet ADG was lower for FOS than CON in the CRATE during Day 6 to Day 8 (P < 0.01) and lower in the PEN during Day 6 to Day 8 (P < 0.001), Day 8 to Day 11 (P < 0.01) and Day 11 to Day 26 (P < 0.05). The TWG of pre-weaned focal piglets (Day 6 to Day 26) was higher amongst CON than FOS litters (P = 0.01). Post-weaning, piglet ADG was higher for PEN than CRATE during Day 26 to Day 29 (P < 0.01) and higher for FOS than CON during Day 26 to Day 29 (P < 0.05), Day 29 to Day 32 (P < 0.001) and Day 32 to Day 60 (P < 0.01); thus, TWG was higher for FOS than CON during the weaner (P = 0.001) and the combined lactation and weaner periods (P = 0.09). In conclusion, sow behaviour was disrupted by cross-fostering in the crates and pens and continued to be disturbed on the following day amongst penned sows. FOS piglets exhibited reduced ADG after cross-fostering, which extended throughout lactation in the pens. However, the increased post-weaning weight gain of FOS piglets meant that their TWG was higher than CON piglets, irrespective of the farrowing system used.     

Use of enzymatic solubility with ficin (EC 3.4.22.3) to predict in situ feed protein degradability

The applicability of the plant enzyme ficin (EC 3.4.22.3) for the prediction of protein degradability of ruminal feeds was examined. Optimum pH and the effect of enzyme concentration, incubation time and amylase pretreatment for high-starch feeds on protein solubility with ficin (FS) were determined. The predictive ability of ficin assay in the conditions specified for particular groups of feeds was estimated using 61 feeds including protein meals (7), cereal grains (2), silages (9), sugar beet pulp, dried forages (29) and compound feeds (13) of known in situ effective protein degradability (ED) determined with cows.Optimum incubation time was 2–3 h, enzyme amount (per 100 mg of crude protein in feed sample) equivalent to 9 U for compound feeds and concentrate ingredients not treated with amylase, 18 U for forages. Close linear relationships between the in vitro FS (X, %) and in situ estimates of ED (Y, %) were found. The regression equation for all samples (n = 61) was Y = 1.018 X + 1.331, R² = 0.92 (P < 0.001), SEE 4.17. After splitting to forages (FOR) and compound feeds and ingredients (CON) SEEs were 4.25 and 3.56%, respectively. FS values accounted for 85, 92 and 95% of the variation in ED measured in situ for FOR, FOR + CON and CON samples, respectively.     

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

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

Timed artificial insemination plus heat II: gonadorelin injection in cows with low estrus expression scores increased pregnancy in progesterone/estradiol-based protocol

The use of tail chalk and estrus/heat expression scores (HEATSC) evaluation is instrumental in identifying cows with greater estrus expression and greater artificial insemination pregnancy rates (P/AI) in cows submitted to timed artificial insemination (TAI), and cows with low or no estrus expression present lower P/AI. It was intended in this study to improve the pregnancy rates in TAI for Bos indicus beef cows, and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injection was hypothesized to increase pregnancy rates in a TAI program for cows submitted to progesterone–estradiol-based protocols with low or no estrus expression, evaluated by HEATSC. Cows (n= 2284) received a progesterone device and 2 mg estradiol benzoate, after 8 days the device was removed and 1 mg estradiol cypionate, 150 μg of d-cloprostenol and 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin was administered. All cows were marked with chalk and HEATSC evaluated (scales 1 to 3) at TAI performed on day 10. Animals with HEATSC1 and HEATSC2 (n= 937) received 100 μg de gonadorelin (GNRH group; n= 470), or 1 ml saline (Control group; n= 467), and cows with HEATSC3 (named HEAT group; n= 1347) received no additional treatment. The larger dominant follicle, evaluated on day 8and at TAI (day 10), was greater in HEAT group (P= 0.0145 and P <0.001, respectively). Corpus luteum (CL) area and progesterone concentration was evaluated on day 17, and CL area was larger in HEAT group, intermediary in Control and lower in GnRH group (Control= 2.68 cm², GnRH= 2.37 cm², HEAT group= 3.07 cm², P <0.001). Greater progesterone concentrations were found in HEAT group than in Control and GnRH groups (Control= 4.74 ng/ml, GnRH= 4.29 ng/ml, HEAT group= 6.08 ng/ml, P<0.001). There was a difference in ovulation rate, greater in HEAT group than GnRH and Control groups (Control= 72.5%; GnRH= 81.25%; HEAT group= 90.71%; P= 0.0024). Artificial insemination pregnancy rates was greater in HEAT group (57.09% (769/1347) than in Control and GNRH groups, with positive effect of GnRH injection at the time of TAI in P/AI (Control= 36.18% (169/467), GnRH= 45.95% (216/470); P<0.0001). In conclusion, GnRH application in cows with low HEATSC (1 and 2) is a simple strategy, requiring no changes in TAI management to increase pregnancy rates in postpartum beef cows submitted to progesterone–estradiol-based TAI protocols, without reaching, however, the pregnancy rates of cows that demonstrate high estrus expression at the TAI.