Body Weight In Group Research Articles

PSXI-20 Effects of Termite Meal Supplementation on Egg-Laying Hens and Their Egg Quality

Abstract Recently, the interest in utilizing insect meal as an alternative protein and energy source in chicken production has emerged in developed and developing countries. The damp wood termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti is most unlikely to be a pest among termite species, which enhances its expectation as a potential feed source. Furthermore, termites are generally known for their longevity. This study investigated the effects of termite (H. sjostedti) meal supplementation on BW, feed intake, laying performance, egg quality, and blood plasma profiles for aged Japanese Momiji layer hens as a small-scale preliminary trial. Ten laying aged hens [initial age 99.4 wk old and body weight (BW) 1.98 kg] resided in individual pens were randomly divided into two groups for similar mean BW, egg laying rate, and egg weight and offered either a high-performance commercial formula [COM; 18.0% crude protein (CP) and > 2,850 kcal/kg metabolic energy] or [TM; 2.5% inclusion of freeze-dried ground termite meal (19.1% CP)]. After 12 d of an adaptation period with the treatment diets, eggs were collected daily for 8 d. Each sampled egg was measured for a whole egg, albumen, and yolk weight, albumen and yolk height, yolk diameter, and yolk color referring to the DSM Yolk Color Fan, and eggshell thickness and strength. The egg-laying rate and Haugh unit were calculated. At the end of the study, BW and feed intake were measured individually, and blood samples were collected from the brachial wing vein. All the egg quality values were averaged by hen so that data with one value per hen were analyzed by GLM of SAS. Final BW (P = 0.069) and egg yolk height (P = 0.082) tended to be greater for TM hens than COM hens, whereas feed intake, egg weight, feed efficiency, egg laying rate, and also egg quality traits were similar between the treatments. The whole egg and albumen weights of hens were greater than regular eggs because of their old age. All the hens had increased blood Ca, triglyceride, and phospholipid concentrations, probably because of the base diet formulation and their old age. On the other hand, blood urea nitrogen for TM hens tended to be less (P = 0.055) than COM hens, despite the greater CP concentration in the TM diet. Blood total protein was numerically greater for TM than COM, which implies greater protein metabolism in the diet for TM hens and may support and explain their greater final BW. In conclusion, termite meal supplementation in the high-performance commercial chicken diet enhanced the protein concentration and potential metabolization that suggested preferable tendencies in aged laying hens, which requires further investigation.

Studi Kecernaan dan Konsumsi Pakan pada Kambing Peranak Etawah Jantan Muda yang diberi Pakan Hijauan Mengandung Tannin Kondensasi

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of using various levels of forage sengon leaves (Albizia falcataria) as a source of condensed tannin on dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), digestible dry matter intake (DDMI), digestible organic matter intake (DOMI), dry matter digestibility (DMD), and organic matter digestibility (OMD). This study used sixteen young male ettawa cross-breed goats aged 8–12 months with an average body weight range of 19±1.8 kg. The study was arranged in a randomized block design (RBD) with four treatments and four bodyweight groups as replicates. Diet treatments consisted of R0: 60% Brachiaria mutica (BM) + 0% A. falcataria (AF) Leaf + 40% Concentrate (CON), R1: 50% BM + 10% AF Leaf + 40% Concentrate, R2: 40% BM + 20% AF Leaf + 40% CON, and R3: 30% BM + 30% AF Leaf + 40% CON. The results showed that the use of sengon leaves as a source of condensed tannin in diets significantly (P 0.05) reduced DMI, OMI, DDMI, and DOMI but did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect DMD and OMD values. This study concluded that AF leaf as a forage source containing condensed tannin made up as much as 30%, or equivalently, 50%, of the forage in the diet of young male ettawa cross-breed goats without having any effect on diet intake or digestibility.

294 Evaluation of Variation in Nursery Pig Growth Performance Utilizing Different Allotment Strategies

Abstract A total of 720 pigs (200×400, DNA) were used in two 42-day nursery trials (initial BW = 6.20 ± 0.12 kg and 5.63 ± 0.16 kg, respectively) to evaluate multiple strategies for allotting pigs to pens in research. At placement, the population was split into 3 cohorts with similar average BW and standard deviation. Each cohort was randomly assigned 1 of 3 allotment strategies. Strategy 1 (random) utilized a simple randomization strategy with each pig randomized to pen independent of all other pigs. Strategy 2 [bodyweight (BW) distribution] sorted each pig within the cohort into 1 of 5 BW groups. One pig from each weight group was then randomly assigned to pen, such that distribution of BW within pen was uniform across pens. Strategy 3 (BW grouping) sorted pigs within the cohort into 3 BW categories: light, medium, and heavy. Within each BW category, pigs were randomized to pen to create pens of pigs from each BW category. Within each experiment, there were 72 pens with 5 pigs per pen and 24 pens per allotment strategy. For all strategies, once pigs were allotted to pens, pens were allotted to 1 of 2 treatments for a concurrent trial. In Exp. 1, environmental enrichment using ropes tied near the pan of the feeder was compared with a control with no enrichment. In Exp. 2, treatment diets consisted of basal levels of Zn and Cu from the trace mineral premix for the duration of the study (110 and 17 mg/kg, respectively; NC), or diets (PC) with carbadox (50 g/ton; Mecadox, Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck, NJ) fed in phase 1 and 2, pharmacological levels of Zn and Cu (2,414 mg/kg Zn from ZnO; 168 mg/kg Cu from CuSO4) in phase 1 and only Cu (168 mg/kg Cu from CuSO4) in phase 2. There were no meaningful allotment × treatment interactions (P > 0.10) for either study (Table). In Exp. 1, there were no effects of environmental enrichment on growth performance (P > 0.10). In Exp. 2, pigs fed the PC diet had greater (P < 0.001) ADG, ADFI, G:F, and final BW compared with pigs fed the NC diet. The coefficient of variation (CV) within pen between all pens on that allotment strategy and for the entire population of that allotment strategy were calculated for both trials. For between-pen CV, pigs allotted using BW distribution and BW grouping strategies had the least CV at allotment and final weigh day in both trials. Results were used to estimate the replication required with each allotment strategy to obtain significant differences with different percentage responses. Fewer replications are required to discern significant differences in ADG when allotting pigs utilizing BW grouping. However, there is no meaningful difference between allotment strategies in replications required to detect significant differences for G:F.

4G mobile phone radiation alters some immunogenic and vascular gene expressions, and gross and microscopic and biochemical parameters in the chick embryo model.

The risks to human health have grown over the past 10 years due to the excessive use of mobile phones. The study was designed to determine the harmful effects of 4G mobile phone radiation on the expression of immunogenic and vascular genes and gross, microscopic and biochemical alterations in the development of chicken embryos. Sixty individuals in the exposure group were subjected to mobile phones with a specific absorption rate of 1.4W/kg and a frequency of 2100MHz positioned at a distance of 12cm in the incubator for 60min/night for 14 days. The histopathological examination involved hematoxylin and eosin staining, whereas cresyl violet staining was used to evaluate the condition and number of neurons in the brain. The biochemical parameters of amniotic fluid were analysed using the photometry method, and the expression of VEGF-A and immunity genes (AvBD9, IL6) was measured using the real-time PCR (qPCR) technique. Compared to the control, the exposure group's body weight and length significantly decreased (p<0.05). Subcutaneous bleeding was seen in the exposure group. Urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were all significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.05). The exposed group showed pathological lesions in the liver and degenerated neurons with lightly stained nuclei in the cerebral cortex. Hyperchromatic neurons were significantly higher in the exposure group (58.8±2.28) compared to the control (6.6±0.44) (p<0.05). 4G exposure reduced lymphocyte count in the caecal tonsil (86.8±5.38) compared to the control (147.2±9.06) (p<0.05). Vascular gene mRNA expression was higher, but immune gene expression was lower in the exposed group. Exposure to mobile phone radiation may result in gross, microscopic and biochemical changes, as well as alterations in gene expression that could hinder embryonic development.

Effects of progressive body-weight versus barbell back squat training on strength, hypertrophy and body fat among sedentary young women

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of progressive bodyweight training and barbell back squat on muscle strength, muscluar hypertrophy, and body fat percentage in sedentary young women. Thirteen sedentary young women (aged 19.77 ± 0.83 years, height 164.91 ± 6.01) were randomly assigned to either the progressive bodyweight group (n = 6, consisting of 10 levels of movements progressing from bilateral to unilateral) or the barbell squat group (n = 7, 60–80% 1RM). Both groups underwent two training sessions per week for 6 weeks. Measurements of muscle strength (isokinetic knee extensor and flexor muscle peak torque of each leg), muscle thickness (gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles), and body fat percentage were taken at baseline and post-testing. Both groups showed a significant increase in isometric peak torque of the knee extensor and flexor (p < 0.05), but there were no significant between-group differences in isometric peak torque of the knee extensor and flexor (p > 0.05) or in the mean concentric peak torque of the knee H/Q ratio (p > 0.05). Both groups also showed significant increases in muscle thickness (p < 0.05), with no significant differences in Gastrocnemius, Rectus femoris and Gluteus maximus (p > 0.05). The percentage of body fat significantly decreased in the barbell group (pre: 28.66 ± 4.58% vs post: 24.96 ± 5.91%, p = 0.044), but not in the bodyweight group (pre: 24.18 ± 4.63% vs post: 24.02 ± 4.48%, p = 0.679). Our findings indicate that while both training methods increased maximum strength and muscle mass, barbell back squat training may be more effective in reducing body fat percentage.

Production environment is determinant in the genetic relationship between growth traits of Nile tilapia through a reaction norm model

Genotype by environment interaction (G × E) has been a matter of interest for breeders and fish producers around the world, mainly because the selection performed in one environment may not have the desired response in other environments. Most studies conducted on G × E in aquaculture species have used a single trait approach; however, breeding programs have selected for multiple traits simultaneously. Thus, it was of interest in this study to use a multiple trait reaction norm model to analyze the genetic relationship between growth traits of Nile tilapia in the presence of G × E in a (sub)tropical environment. A multiple trait reaction norm model was applied to data from 12,192 animals evaluated for body weight (BW), trunk length (TL) and head percentage (HP). The adopted environmental descriptor was the solution of contemporary groups for BW. The ratio between slope and additive genetic intercept of the reaction norms ranged from 0.59 to 0.70, which demonstrated the presence of G × E for BW, TL, and HP. The mean of the heritability estimates showed variation of up to 300% along the environmental descriptor. Thus, the selection responses for BW, TL, and HP should be different depending on the production environment. The genetic correlations within each trait across different levels of the environmental descriptor were high and positive between closer environments and reached values close to or below zero between distant environments (−0.34, −0.31, and 0.07 for BW, TL, and HP, respectively). Therefore, the best individuals in one environment will not necessarily be the same in a different environment. Given genetic correlation estimates greater than 0.85 between BW and TL across the environmental descriptor, selection for increased BW or TL will lead to a favorable reciprocal correlated response regardless of the environment. The genetic correlations between BW and HP and between TL and HP across environmental descriptor reached negative values of −0.63 and − 0.77 in better environments, respectively. Thus, selection to increase BW or TL contributes to a more expressive reduction in HP in favorable production environments compared to more restrictive ones.

Pancreatic Protection Effects of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria Ternatea) Flower Extract Against White Rattus Novergicus Induced By Alloxan

The pancreas is an endocrine gland that produces the peptide hormones insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, and also an exocrine gland that produces digestive enzymes. These hormones play an important role in regulating the body's metabolic activities, especially blood glucose homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the ethanolic extract of butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L) against white rats (Rattus novergicus) induced by alloxan and to I the level of its damage. Fifteen male wistar rats (150-200 g) body weight (BW) were divided into 5 groups. The control healthy group, the placebo group and the extract treated group that received 150 mg/kg BW (group I), 300 mg/kg BW (group II) and 450 mg/kg BW (group III) orally. Placebo (Na-CMC) and extract were given for 5 consecutive days before alloxan administration (150 mg/kg BW) on days 6 and 7. Blood samples were taken to determine the glucose and albumin levels on day 0 (before treatment), on day 5 (after treatment of the extract but before the administration of alloxan), and on 6 and 7 after 24 h administration of alloxan. Alloxan induced gives a significant increase in glucose and albumin levels. The average of glucose level was 236.6±37.6 mg/dl in the health control, 252±28.1 mg/dl in the placebo group, 137±35.5 mg/dl in the extract of group I, 115.9±19.1 mg/dl in the extract of 300 mg of group II and 145.2±58.6 mg/dl of group III. Meanwhile the average of albumin level in the healthy group was 3.39±0.8 g/dl, the placebo group was 2.7±0.2 g/dl, the group I was 1.9±0.04 g/dl, the group II was 1.77±0.16 g/dl, and the group III was 1.85±0.19 g/dl. This study showed that at highest dose of C. ternatea was able to significantly prevent the elevation pancreatic damage biomarkers and this finding was associated with the result of histopathological analysis of the pancreas. These results suggest that the ethanol extract of C. ternatea at a dose of 450 mg/kg BW (group III) has a good protective effect on the function and structure of pancreatic tissue.

Association of underweight and obesity with adverse postoperative renal outcomes in infants and young children undergoing congenital heart surgery.

Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is a prevalent condition and associated with increased morbidity and mortality following cardiac surgery. This study aimed to investigate the association of underweight and obesity with adverse postoperative renal outcomes in infants and young children undergoing congenital heart surgery. This retrospective cohort study included patients aged from 1month to 5years who underwent congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2016 to March 2022. On the basis of the percentile of body mass index (BMI) for age and sex, eligible participants were divided into three nutritional groups: normal bodyweight, underweight (BMI P5), and obesity (BMI P95). Primary outcomes included postoperative AKI and major adverse kidney events within 30days (MAKE30). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the association of underweight and obesity with postoperative outcomes. The same analyses were reproduced for classifying patients using weight-for-height instead of BMI. A total of 2,079 eligible patients were included in the analysis, including 1,341 (65%) patients in the normal bodyweight group, 683 (33%) patients in the underweight group, and 55 (2.6%) patients in the obesity group. Postoperative AKI (16% vs. 26% vs. 38%; P < 0.001) and MAKE30 (2.5% vs. 6.4% vs. 9.1%; P < 0.001) were more likely to occur in the underweight and obesity groups. After adjusting for potential confounders, underweight (OR1.39; 95% CI 1.08-1.79; P = 0.008) and obesity (OR 3.85; 95% CI 1.97-7.50; P < 0.001) were found to be associated with an increased risk of postoperative AKI. In addition, both underweight (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.14-3.14; P = 0.014) and obesity (OR 3.14; 95% CI 1.08-9.09; P = 0.035) were independently associated with MAKE30. Similar results were also found when weight-for-height was used instead of BMI. Conclusion: In infants and young children undergoing congenital heart surgery, underweight and obesity are independently associated with postoperative AKI and MAKE30. These results may help assess prognosis in underweight and obese patients, and will guide future quality improvement efforts. What is Known: • Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is prevalent and associated with increased morbidity and mortality following pediatric cardiac surgery. • Major adverse kidney events within 30days (MAKE30) have been recommended as a patient-centered endpoint for evaluating AKI clinical trajectories. A growing concern arises for underweight and obesity in children with congenital heart disease. What is New: • Prevalence of underweight and obesity among infants and young children undergoing congenital heart surgery was 33% and 2.6%, respectively. • Both underweight and obesity were independently associated with postoperative AKI and MAKE30 following congenital heart surgery.

Ameliorative effects of 6‑gingerol in cerebral ischemia are mediated via the activation of antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory pathways.

Focal ischemia occurs when an embolus or thrombus occludes an artery, causing the rapid obstruction of cerebral blood flow. Although stroke represents a main cause of disability and mortality in developing countries, therapeutic approaches available for this condition remain very limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the phytochemical, 6-gingerol, on the brain infarct volume, neuronal loss and on the oxidative stress parameters, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin (IL)-6, in an animal model of focal ischemic stroke. Male Wistar rats, weighing 250-300 g, were divided into the following six groups: i) The control; ii) right middle cerebral artery occlusion (Rt.MCAO) + vehicle; iii) Rt.MCAO + piracetam; iv) Rt.MCAO + 6-gingerol (6-Gin) at 5 mg/kg body weight (BW); v) Rt.MCAO + 6-Gin at 10 mg/kg BW; and vi) the Rt.MCAO + 6-Gin at 20 mg/kg BW group. The rats in each group received the vehicle or piracetam or 6-gingerol intraperitoneally for 7 days following Rt.MCAO. The brain infarct volume, neuronal loss and alterations in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory levels were assessed in the cortex and hippocampus. The results revealed that the brain infarct volume, malondialdehyde level and the density ratio of COX-2 and IL-6 to β-actin were significantly decreased following treatment with 6-gingerol. In addition, neuronal density and superoxide dismutase activity in the cortex and hippocampus were increased. On the whole, the findings of the present study suggest that 6-gingerol exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo, which effectively ameliorate the brain damage induced by focal cerebral ischemic strok.

The effects of letrozole-induced maternal hyperandrogenism on sexual behaviors, testicular histology, and serum biochemical traits in male offspring rats: An experimental study.

Intrauterine endocrine abnormalities have profound effects on the development of physiological disorders. This study aimed to assess the effects of in utero exposure to letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor) and its late consequences on the reproductive and metabolic performance of an adult male offspring. 15 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (8 wk, 155 gr) were randomly assigned into 5 experimental groups (n = 3/each) and orally received either letrozole at doses of 0.25, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 mg/kg body weight (BW) or vehicle (control) on the gestation days of 16, 17, and 18. Pregnancy outcome, sexual behaviors on postnatal day 60, serum biochemical features, and the histopathology of testes were assessed in male offspring. Compared to control group, delayed labor (21.83 vs. 24.25, p 0.0001) and reduced litter size (n = 12.25 vs. n = 2, p 0.0001) were recorded in 1.25 mg/kg BW group. A reduction in high-density lipoprotein level and the elevation of testes weight, BW gain, anogenital distance, as well as the serum concentrations of testosterone, triglycerides, cholesterol, and glucose were observed in 1.25 mg/kg BW (p 0.0001) and 1.00 mg/kg BW (p 0.0001) groups in comparison to control. A larger number of anogenital female sniffing, pursuit, and mounting behaviors were also observed in 1.25 mg/kg BW group in comparison to control (p 0.0001). Severe testicular defects including necrosis and disruption of the epithelium of seminiferous tubules, sloughing of epithelial cells, and spermatogenesis arrest were observed in letrozole-treated groups, in a dose-dependent manner. Maternal exposure to letrozole can adversely affect the reproductive and metabolic performance of male offspring rats, suggesting an incomplete sex differentiation.

Dietary Protein Levels Modulate the Antioxidant Capacity during Different Growth Stages in Huanjiang Mini-Pigs.

Adequate crude protein (CP) levels in diets play potential roles in swine production. This study determined the impacts of different CP levels on the antioxidant capacity of pigs during different body weight (BW) stages. Three hundred and sixty Huanjiang mini-pigs were allocated to one of three independent experiments, including a 5-10 kg BW group, where CP levels included 14%, 16%, 18%, 20%, and 22%; a 10-20 kg BW group, where CP levels included 12%, 14%, 16%, 18%, and 20%; and a 20-30 kg BW group, where CP levels included 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, and 18%. These independent experiments were conducted for 28, 28, and 26 days, respectively. Results showed that the 20% CP level increased (p &lt; 0.05) the plasma CAT and GSH-Px activities and the GSH concentration of pigs than in the pigs supplemented with the 14-18% CP levels, and the 20% CP level up-regulated (p &lt; 0.05) the ileal oxidative stress-related gene expression levels of pigs than in the pigs supplemented with the 14% CP level at the 5-10 kg BW. In addition, diets supplemented with 18% CP level increased (p &lt; 0.05) the ileal GSH concentration of pigs than in the pigs supplemented with the 14% and 20% CP levels, and the 16-18% CP levels increased (p &lt; 0.05) the jejunal SOD activity of pigs than in the pigs supplemented with the 14% CP level. At 10-20 kg BW, the 16% CP level presented the strongest jejunal and ileal antioxidant capacity, the 18% CP level had the lowest plasma concentrations of MDA and highest GSH, and the 14-16% CP levels increased the plasma CAT and SOD activities (p &lt; 0.05). Moreover, the 16-20% CP levels up-regulated (p &lt; 0.05) the oxidative stress-related gene expression levels. At 20-30 kg BW, diets supplemented with the 16% CP level increased the plasma CAT activity of pigs than in the pigs supplemented with the 12-14% CP levels, and the 14-16% CP levels decreased the MDA concentration compared with the 10% CP levels (p &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, these findings indicate adequate CP levels of 20%, 16%, and 14% for Huanjiang mini-pigs at the 5-10, 10-20, and 20-30 kg BW stages, respectively.

Dietary supplementation with tryptophan increases the plasma concentrations of tryptophan, kynurenine, and melatonin in Yili mares

Context Tryptophan (Trp) is the precursor of melatonin (MT) and the latter plays vital physiological roles in mares. Aims The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary Trp supplementation on the plasma Trp, kynurenine (Kyn), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT), and melatonin (MT) concentrations in female Yili horses. Methods Twenty Yili mares aged 2 years with mean bodyweight (BW) of 263.5 ± 14.77 kg and of similar stature were selected and randomly allocated to the control (CON; basal diet), basal diet plus Trp at 20 mg/kg BW (TRP1), basal diet plus Trp at 40 mg/kg BW (TRP2), or basal diet plus Trp at 60 mg/kg BW (TRP3) group. Key results The plasma total Trp, Kyn, and MT concentrations in all Trp groups steadily increased, reached their peak values, and gradually decreased after Trp supplementation between 0 h and 12 h. However, the plasma 5-HT concentration displayed the opposite trend. Peak plasma total Trp and 5-HT concentrations were attained between 1 h and 3 h, while those of KYN and MT appeared between 4 h and 6 h after Trp supplementation. The plasma total Trp and Kyn concentrations were significantly higher in TRP2 and TRP3 than in CON between 1 h and 12 h (P &lt; 0.05) after Trp supplementation. The plasma 5-HT concentration was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) lower in TRP1 than in CON at 3 h, 4 h, 6 h, 9 h, and 12 h after Trp supplementation. The plasma MT concentrations in TRP1 and TRP2 were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher than in CON at 3 h, 4 h, and 12 h, and at 0 h, 1 h, and 12 h after Trp supplementation (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions Dietary Trp supplementation can increase the plasma total Trp, Kyn, and MT concentrations in Yili mares and the optimal Trp dosage was 20 mg/kg BW. Implication The addition of Trp to a basal diet or feed may increase the plasma total Trp, Kyn, and MT concentrations in female horses.

The Pain-Related Fear Scale: The validation of an instrument to measure pain-related fear in younger adults under 45 years of age with obesity

Background: The existence of pain-related fear appears to present an obstacle for health promoting behaviour change, particularly among younger adults with obesity. Measures developed and validated for middle-and-older age groups lack validity in younger adults under 45 years of age. This paper reports on the development and psychometric properties of a new instrument, based on a conceptual framework, to measure pain-related fear in younger adults. Methods: A cross sectional survey design was employed. 236 participants aged 18 to 45 years were recruited to participate. Participants completed three existing pain-related fear instruments mapped to a conceptual framework. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis identified the dimensions of the new Pain-Related Fear Scale. Construct validity was assessed by comparing scores between physical activity groups; criterion validity by correlation with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and reliability by Cronbach’s alpha. Differences in scores in the Pain-Related Fear Scale were explored across BMI subgroups. Results: A four-factor model with 12 items met the most acceptability thresholds for a good fitting model (CFI = 0.983; GFI = 0.953; RMSEA = 0.046; SRMR = 0.0301). Higher mean scores on the PainRelated Fear Scale were seen among those reporting low activity compared to high activity levels (F= 4.684; P= 0.01). Modest correlation was observed between the new instrument and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (r= 0.508;95% CI= 0.389-0.612). Cronbach’s alpha was 0.842. Scores were higher in the obese subgroup compared to the healthy bodyweight group (mean difference= -7.42; CI= -12.26 - -2.58; P= 0.001). Conclusion: The Pain-Related Fear Scale is a psychometrically valid measurement of pain-related fear for adults with obesity aged between 18 to 45 years. The instrument can support research relating to barriers to physical activity, and potentially has clinical utility as a screening and outcome measurement.

Relation between the Dam's Weight on Superficial Temperature of Her Puppies at Different Stages of the Post-Partum.

The thermal stability of newborns is an essential parameter that can be recorded to evaluate neonatal care. Knowing the thermal windows to evaluate and maintain a constant temperature helps significantly reduce neonatal mortality. This study aimed to assess the superficial temperature alterations in the distinct thermal windows of puppies with mothers of diverse weights and their repercussions. We evaluated the superficial temperature using infrared thermography at eight thermal windows and seven different times: when wet due to the fetal fluid immediately after birth until 24 h of life in newborn puppies from bitches divided into four bodyweight groups. The results revealed a positive correlation between the dam's weight and the ability to achieve thermostability in the newborn puppies in all the evaluated thermal windows. The time effect showed the lowest temperatures when the puppies were still wet, a gradual increase, and the highest temperature at 24 h after birth. The thermal windows with the highest temperatures were abdominal, thoracic, nasal, and upper left palpebral, and those with the lowest were the thoracic limb brachial biceps, thoracic limb elbow, metacarpal, and femoral pelvic limb. A significant increase in the temperatures in the thermal windows of the abdominal, thoracic, and upper left palpebral immediately after ingesting colostrum was observed. The weight of the dams is an important factor that positively intervenes in the thermoregulatory capacity of the puppies, especially when newborns are dry and have been passed 24 h after birth.

Cognitive impairment is associated with increased central arterial stiffness in an animal model of chronic kidney disease.

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia in end‐stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been estimated at 30‐60%. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including increased central arterial stiffness (CAS) accompany CKD development and contribute to CI. Elevated pulse wave velocity (PWV) is associated with higher mortality in CVD and CKD independently of blood pressure (BP). Marinobufagenin (MBG) is a pro‐fibrotic factor, which increases in CKD and contributes to CAS. The aim of this study was to determine whether CKD potentiates CI development via CAS and cardiovascular remodeling in a rat model of CKD.MethodFour months old male Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed with 0.25% adenine (n=19; CKD group) diet to induce CKD or regular diet (n=16; CTRL group) for 8 weeks. Body weight (BW), BP, heart rate (HR), aortic PWV (aPWV), and behavioral tests were conducted at the end of the study. The level of anxiety was tested in an open field test (OFT). Morris water maze (MWM) was used to test spatial memory. Blood was collected for measurements of plasma sodium, potassium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), hematocrit and MBG. The data were analyzed using two‐tailed unpaired t‐test and linear regression.ResultAnimals in the CKD group had higher levels of plasma creatinine and BUN, which indicate the development of CKD, higher plasma sodium, potassium, and MBG, and higher aPWV, lower hemoglobin, hematocrit, BW, HR, enlarged hearts, aortae, and kidneys, vs. CTRL group (Table 1). BP was similar in both groups. .Rats in CKD group spent less time in the center of open field compared to their CTRL counterparts, indicating increased anxiety‐like behavior (Figure 1 A, B). Although there was no difference in performance in MWM between the groups, there was a positive correlation between aortic weight and ability to find a hidden platform in the CKD group (Figure 1C).ConclusionWe demonstrated that CKD development in young Sprague‐Dawley rats was accompanied by increased CAS, estimated as aPWV, which developed in blood pressure‐independent manner. Higher PWV was associated with a higher level of anxiety, and aortic tissue remodeling was associated with spatial memory in CKD model.Supported by NIH/NIA IRP

The role of hen body weight and diet nutrient density in an extended laying cycle

The egg production (EP), egg quality and health of heavier or lighter hens fed a diet of either higher nutrient density (HND) or lower nutrient density (LND) during early lay, was assessed at very late lay. Based on their body weight (BW) at 18 wk of age (WOA) ISA Brown pullets were allocated as either heavier weight (HW; average 1.65 kg) or lighter weight (LW: average 1.49 kg). Half of each BW group received the HND (2,901 kcal/kg; 17.6% crude protein (CP) or LND (2726 kcal/kg, 16.4% CP) diet from 18 to 24 WOA. From 25 to 90 WOA all birds received identical early, then mid and late-lay diets. Hen BW was measured after peak-lay (36 WOA) and at 90 WOA. At 89 WOA and across 18 to 36 and 18 to 89 WOA feed intake (FI), EP, egg mass (EM), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Eggshell quality, breast score, relative ovary weight and liver and bone health were evaluated in very late lay. Differences in BW continued to 90 WOA. At 36 WOA HW hens produced heavier eggs, and had higher 18 to 36 WOA cumulative FI, EM (P < 0.001) and FCR (P < 0.05). When 89 WOA HW birds consumed more feed (P < 0.001) but EP, EM and FCR did not differ from LW hens. Cumulatively, 18 to 89 WOA FI and EM were higher for HW hens (P < 0.05), but cumulative EP and FCR was not different. The early-lay HND diet improved very late lay eggshell thickness (P < 0.05) and shell breaking strength (P=0.05). Lighter hens fed HND and HW hens fed LND diet produced heavier eggs, higher relative oviduct weight and lower liver lipid peroxidase in very late lay (P < 0.05). Bone strength did not differ, but LW hens had higher femoral manganese and zinc (P < 0.05), lowering their likelihood of osteoporosis. Overall LW hens sustained EP throughout a longer laying cycle with beneficial bone characteristics. The HND diet improved eggshell strength and, in LW hens reduced hepatic oxidation.

Nonclinical safety evaluation of food colorant lac dye via systematic toxicity profiling with assessment of in vivo antigenic potential.

Lac dye is a natural colorant derived mainly from the insect Kerria lacca (Kerr) and has been used in food and beverage as a red-coloring additive. Despite its increasing use for human consumption as an alternative for allergy-associated cochineal, its toxicity profile remained incomplete to sufficiently assess its safety for the intended use. In this study, we evaluated systemic and genetic toxicity by performing acute and subacute oral toxicity studies in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats using highly purified lac dye (LD) formulated in water and a battery of genotoxicity tests, respectively. To assess antigenic potentials, we carried out an in vivo passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test. A single dose of LD did not cause mortality at 5000mg/kg body weight (BW), setting oral LD50 of >5000mg/kg BW in SD rats. In the 90-day study, transient salivation without accompanying histopathological lesions in the salivary glands in 200 and 500mg/kg BW groups and red-purple pigmentation on the surface of femora and skulls in 500mg/kg groups were observed as nonadverse effects associated with LD, and no adverse effect was detected in all of the parameters examined, establishing a 500mg/kg BW as no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL). Furthermore, LD was not mutagenic nor clastogenic in the genotoxicity tests. When tested for antigenicity, LD did not induce anaphylactic skin responses as opposed to the positive reaction by ovalbumin, suggesting a lack of antigenicity. Taken together, these findings provide extended toxicity information on LD with direct evidence supporting the lack of antigenicity, providing essential guidance for its safe use in humans.

Acute and Subchronic Oral Toxicity of Anthraquinone in Sprague Dawley Rats.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the acute and subchronic toxicity of anthraquinone. An acute toxicity test was performed in female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, and the oral median lethal dose (LD50) of anthraquinone was estimated to be >5000 mg/kg body weight (BW). In the subchronic study, groups of 10 male and 10 female rats were dosed with anthraquinone by gavage at 0, 1.36, 5.44, 21.76, and 174.08 mg/kg BW, 7 days/week for 90 days followed by a recovery period of 28 days. No appreciable toxic-related changes were observed in the 1.36 mg/kg BW group. When the animals received 5.44 mg/kg BW or more of anthraquinone, hyaline droplet accumulation in the renal tubules was observed in both the male and female rats, and anemia was observed in the females. When the anthraquinone dose reached 174.08 mg/kg BW, mild hepatocellular hypertrophy around the central vein of the hepatic lobule and hypothyroidism were observed in the female rats. During the recovery period, changes in clinical symptoms and parameters were considerably alleviated. Based on the results of this study, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for anthraquinone in rats was set at 1.36 mg/kg BW, and the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) was 5.44 mg/kg BW.

Impact of bodyweight-based starting doses on the safety and efficacy of lenvatinib in primarily Japanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The phase III REFLECT study utilized bodyweight-based lenvatinib dosing in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, based on results of the phase II Study 202. This post hoc analysis compared efficacy and safety in patients with lower and higher bodyweights. This comparison included patients from Study 202 (Japanese, n=43; Korean, n=3) and Japanese patients from REFLECT (n=81) who received lenvatinib. In Study 202, all patients received a starting dose of lenvatinib 12mg/day; in REFLECT, patients received starting doses based on bodyweight (patients <60kg, 8mg/day; ≥60kg, 12mg/day). Safety and efficacy were assessed in both studies according to bodyweight. In Study 202, treatment-related, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) led to dose reductions in 80.8% and 55.0% of patients in the lower and higher bodyweight groups, respectively. In REFLECT, treatment-related TEAEs led to dose reductions in 52.5% and 70.7% of patients in the 8 and 12mg groups, respectively. In Study 202, median overall survival (OS) was 16.2months (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.8-25.1) and 21.3months (95% CI, 10.1-not estimable) in the lower and higher bodyweight groups, respectively. In REFLECT, median OS was 15.8months (95% CI, 10.4-27.6) and 18.2months (95% CI, 11.3-26.9) in the 8 and 12mg groups, respectively. Comparison between patients in Study 202 and REFLECT demonstrates efficacy was maintained with improved safety in patients with lower bodyweights who received lenvatinib 8mg/day in REFLECT versus patients who received lenvatinib 12mg/day in Study 202.

The influence of hen size and diet nutrient density in early lay on hen performance, egg quality, and hen health in late lay

The effect of hen size and diet nutrient density during early lay on egg production (EP) at 24 and 69 wk of age (WOA) and late lay egg quality and hen health was evaluated. Based on bodyweight (BW) at 18 WOA ISA Brown hens were assigned as heavier (HW; n = 120) or lighter weight (LW; n =120). Sixty birds from each BW group were fed an early-lay diet of higher nutrient density (HND), or lower nutrient density (LND) between 18 and 24 WOA. From 25 WOA all hens received the same early-lay diet and then from 40 WOA the mid-lay diet. Hen average daily feed intake (ADFI), hen-day EP, egg weight (EW), egg mass (EM), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were assessed at 24 and 69 WOA. Between 66 and 70 WOA eggshell and internal egg quality was evaluated and at 70 WOA BW, liver and bone health were assessed. At 24 WOA BW was highest in HW birds and birds receiving the HND diet (P < 0.01). Concurrently ADFI, and FCR were higher and hen-day EP was lower in HW compared to LW birds (P < 0.05). The HND diet resulted in lower ADFI and FCR at 24 WOA, but higher EW and EM compared to the LND diet (P < 0.01). At 69 WOA HW birds had higher ADFI, EW (P < 0.02) and heavier 70 WOA BW compared to LW hens. The lower FCR of the LW birds at 69 WOA was approaching significance (P = 0.054). Hen weight and diet density did not affect 69 WOA egg production. Between 18 and 69 WOA cumulative FI and EM were higher in HW hens (P < 0.01) than LW hens, as was cumulative FCR (P = 0.053). Hen weight and diet density did not alter 66–70 WOA internal egg quality, but the HND diet generated thicker eggshells and higher eggshell breaking strength (P < 0.05). Seventy WOA liver health, keel curvature and femur breaking strength did not differ. Overall LW hens had lower FCR than HW hens and the early-lay HND diet facilitated improved eggshell integrity during late lay compared to the LND diet.