Cent Of Body Weight Research Articles

Haematological responses of replacement levels of fish meal with chicken offal in catfish (Clarias gariepinus) diets

Fish demand by consumers keeps increasing, yet constraints to the production of fish are encountered, the commonest of which is the high cost and difficulty in acquiring fish feeds in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the formulated test diets of 40% protein concentrate using varying levels of chicken offal diets on the haematological parameters of the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The chicken offal was used to replace fish meal at inclusion levels of 0% (control, treatment A), 25% (treatment B), 50% (treatment C), 75% (treatment D) and 100% (treatment E) respectively. Three hundred (300) fingerlings of average length, 8.12±0.48 cm, and average weight, 3.68±0.00 g, were stocked in concrete tanks. Fish were fed at 5 per cent body weight for 8 months. Physicochemical parameters including; water temperature (°C), pH, dissolved oxygen and ammonia were monitored every four days and maintained within acceptable ranges for fish culture. Data obtained were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed haemoglobin (Hb), Packed cell volume (PCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) to be statistically different (ANOVA, p<0.05) between the treatments, although no significant difference (ANOVA, p>0.05) was observed in white blood cell (WBC), Mean Corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Haematological parameters results were within the ranges for fish well-being. Chicken offal were suitable as partial replacement at (25, 50, 75 and 100%) for fish meal, it enhanced the hematological performance of C. gariepinus due to its mineral components.

Prospective evaluation of canine partial limb amputation with socket prostheses.

Canine prostheses have been commercially available for many years but are still in early stages of research, development, and clinical application. To prospectively investigate mid-term clinical outcomes of partial limb amputation with a socket prosthesis (PLASP) in canine patients via a descriptive prospective clinical case series and to describe a clinical protocol for PLASP. Client-owned dogs (n = 12) with distal limb pathology for which total limb amputation was recommended were enrolled. Partial limb amputation was performed and a socket prosthesis was moulded and fitted to the limb. Complications, clinical follow-up, and objective gait analysis (OGA) were recorded for at least 6 months. An online survey was completed by owners after study completion. Ten dogs with thoracic limb pathology and two with pelvic limb pathology were included. The most common site of amputation was mid-radius (n = 5). Eleven of 12 dogs demonstrated quadrupedal gait on OGA with mean per cent body weight distribution (%BWD) of 26% on thoracic limb prostheses and a %BWD of 16% for the one pelvic limb prosthesis that OGA data were available for. Complications included prosthesis suspension difficulties (n = 5), pressure sores (4), bursitis (4), postoperative infection (3), prosthesis aversion (2), dermatitis (1), and owner noncompliance (1). Two owners elected to discontinue prosthesis use. PLASP allowed restoration of quadrupedal gait patterns in most patients. Owners reported overall positive satisfaction, though a high complication rate was observed. PLASP should be considered in select cases as an alternative to total limb amputation for dogs with distal limb pathology.

Coronavirus disease 2019 related parosmia: an exploratory survey of demographics and treatment strategies.

To investigate the clinical features, therapeutic efficacy and symptom time course of post-coronavirus disease 2019 parosmia. A 22-item online questionnaire was distributed to AbScent research group and Facebook coronavirus disease 2019 anosmia group adult members to assess clinical features, interventions and their subjective efficacy for parosmia. A total of 209 participants (86 per cent females) reported: smell loss on average 3 days after coronavirus symptoms, recovery 4 weeks later, and first parosmia symptoms 12 weeks post infection. Respondents reported 10 per cent body weight loss, and listed onion and garlic as significant parosmia triggers. Regarding quality of life, depression was the most cited item (54 per cent). Smell training was trialled by 74 per cent of participants, followed by nasal corticosteroid spray (49 per cent). Stellate ganglion block, trialled by 16 per cent of respondents, had the highest reported improvement (45 per cent), with 21 per cent reporting a sustained benefit - the highest rate amongst registered treatment options. Post-coronavirus parosmia has a significant impact and remains challenging to treat. Stellate ganglion block appears to be successful relative to other reported treatments. Further research into the pathophysiology, efficacy and mechanism of stellate ganglion block effect is warranted.

The association between weight change after gastric cancer surgery and type 2 diabetes risk: A nationwide cohort study.

Although gastric cancer patients generally experience drastic weight decrease post-gastrectomy, the impact of weight decrease on type 2 diabetes risk remains unclear. We investigated the type 2 diabetes risk after gastric cancer surgery according to postoperative weight decrease in gastric cancer survivors in South Korea, the country with the world's highest rate of gastric cancer survival. This retrospective nationwide cohort study included gastric cancer surgery recipients between 2004 and 2014 who survived for ≥5years post-surgery. We included patients without a history of diabetes at the time of surgery and those who had not received adjuvant chemotherapy before or after the surgery. Postoperative weight loss was defined as the per cent body weight loss at 3years post-surgery compared with the baseline. The type 2 diabetes risk was evaluated using Cox regression analyses for five groups of postoperative weight decrease. In 5618 included gastric cancer surgery recipients (mean age, 55.7 [standard deviation, SD, 10.9] years; 21.9% female; mean body mass index, 23.7 [SD, 2.9] kg/m2 ), 331 patients (5.9%) developed postoperative type 2 diabetes during follow-up duration of 8.1years (median; interquartile range, 4.8years; maximum, 15.2years). Compared with those who gained weight post-surgery, patients with ≥-15% to <-10% of postoperative weight decrease (hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.49-0.87; P=0.004) had the lowest type 2 diabetes risk. A non-linear association occurred between postoperative weight decrease and the type 2 diabetes risk in gastrectomy recipients (Akaike's information criterion [AIC] for non-linear model, 5423.52; AIC for linear model, 5425.61). A U-shaped non-linear association occurred between the type 2 diabetes risk and postoperative weight decrease in gastric cancer survivors who underwent gastrectomy. The lowest type 2 diabetes risk occurred in patients with ≥-15% to <-10% of postoperative weight decrease at 3years.

Synergistic Protective Effect of Interactions of Quercetin with Lycopene Against Ochratoxin A-Induced Ulcerative Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease responsible for the inflammation of the innermost lining of the colon and rectum. The present study's objective is to determine the potential synergistic impact of quercetin (QR) and lycopene (LP) in ulcerative colitis (UC) induced in rats by ochratoxin A (OTA) by biochemical and morphological alterations. QR and LP were administered alone and in combination with the OTA for 7days. OTA administration caused UC generation, resulting in significant changes in body weight percentage, disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic evaluation, colon weight/length ratio, and histological score. In addition to the above parameters, it also leads to elevated oxidative stress, i.e. increased malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and hydroxyproline levels and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Histological changes in the colon architecture were also observed suggestive of extensive mucosal damage. In addition, a high level of matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) was observed in immunohistochemistry, and a high level of gene expression of osteopontin (OPN), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), MMP-7, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was observed in OTA administered animals. The combination of QR and LP significantly restored the per cent body weight loss and DAI score and improved macroscopic and histological changes, colon weight/length ratio, and macroscopic damages. It also improved the biochemical parameters to near-normal levels, i.e. reduced MDA, NO, MPO, and hydroxyproline levels and increased SOD and GSH levels. In addition, OPN, Runx2, MMP-7, and IL-6 gene expression decreased compared to the OTA-induced UC group. Outcomes of the present study indicate the potential of QR + LP as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents against OTA-induced UC in rats.

Goat Husbandry Practices followed by Farmers in the Vicinity of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, India

The study was performed among 30 villages near the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, with 12 livetsock reares chosen from each village, thus making 360 total respondents who were exposed to a structured interview schedule. The study explored that only 60 farmers were rearing goats as a source of their livelihood. Goat keepers followed the nuclear family hence average household size and herd size of goat were around 4 and 14 per household, respectively. Existing goat practices were grouped in four categories; breeding, feeding, health care, and management practices. Inbreeding, common signs of estrus, mating time after heat detection etc. were common practices adopted by the respondents. Among feeding practices farmers adopted practices such as allowing the kid to suckle teats of his mother, off ering milk at the rate of 10 per cent of body weight, and stall feeding followed by grazing up to 8 hours. Farmers were quite aware of health care practices but farmers were not having a good house structure for their animals and were not good at keeping records of their animals. Age, family size, family education ststus, social participation, community cohesiveness and mass media exporew were signifi cant for the followed of goat husbandry practices

Phenotypic differences between people varying in muscularity.

BackgroundBody mass is the primary metabolic compartment related to a vast number of clinical indices and predictions. The extent to which skeletal muscle (SM), a major body mass component, varies between people of the same sex, weight, height, and age is largely unknown. The current study aimed to explore the magnitude of muscularity variation present in adults and to examine if variation in muscularity associates with other body composition and metabolic measures.MethodsMuscularity was defined as the difference (residual) between a person's actual and model‐predicted SM mass after controlling for their weight, height, and age. SM prediction models were developed using data from a convenience sample of 492 healthy non‐Hispanic (NH) White adults (ages 18–80 years) who had total body SM and SM surrogate, appendicular lean soft tissue (ALST), measured with magnetic resonance imaging and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, respectively; residual SM (SMR) and ALST were expressed in kilograms and kilograms per square meter. ALST mass was also evaluated in a population sample of 8623 NH‐White adults in the 1999–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Associations between muscularity and variation in the residual mass of other major organs and tissues and resting energy expenditure were evaluated in the convenience sample.ResultsThe SM, on average, constituted the largest fraction of body weight in men and women up to respective BMIs of 35 and 25 kg/m2. SM in the convenience sample varied widely with a median of 31.2 kg and an SMR inter‐quartile range/min/max of 3.35 kg/−10.1 kg/9.0 kg in men and 21.1 kg and 2.59 kg/−7.2 kg/7.5 kg in women; per cent of body weight as SM at 25th and 75th percentiles for men were 33.1% and 39.6%; corresponding values in women were 24.2% and 30.8%; results were similar for SMR indices and for ALST measures in the convenience and population samples. Greater muscularity in the convenience sample was accompanied by a smaller waist circumference (men/women: P < 0.001/=0.085) and visceral adipose tissue (P = 0.014/0.599), larger liver (P = 0.065/<0.001), kidneys (P = 0.051/<0.009), and bone mineral (P < 0.001/<0.001), and larger magnitude resting energy expenditure (P < 0.001/<0.001) than predicted for the same sex, age, weight, and height.ConclusionsMuscle mass is the largest body compartment in most adults without obesity and is widely variable in mass across people of similar body size and age; and high muscularity is accompanied by distinct body composition and metabolic characteristics. This previously unrecognized heterogeneity in muscularity in the general population has important clinical and research implications.

Effect of supplementation of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes on milk yield and composition in early lactating crossbred dairy cows

A study was conducted to examine the effect of supplementation of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) carboxymethylcellulase (CMC) and xylanase (Xy) on milk yield and composition in early lactating crossbred dairy cows fed on total mixed ration (TMR). Fifteen cows within ten days of calving were selected from University Livestock Farm and Fodder Research and Development Scheme (ULF &amp; FRDS), Mannuthy and were randomly divided into three groups. The animals were fed with isonitrogenous TMR (3.5 per cent of body weight) for a period of 90 days and the dietary treatments included; T1 offered with the control diet (TDN - 60 per cent, CP - 13 per cent), T2 offered with control diet supplemented with EFE (CMC 3500 units/kg and Xy 16000 units/kg), and T3 given a diet lower in TDN (TDN - 55 per cent) supplemented with EFE (CMC 3500 units/kg and Xy 16000 units/kg).The results of the study revealed that milk yield remained unaffected (p&gt;0.05) with dietary treatments. Milk composition also remained similar, except for milk urea nitrogen which was lower (p&lt;0.05) in enzyme supplemented groups. Thus, it could be inferred that EFE supplementation in cows during early lactation is more beneficial in diets with low TDN since the milk yield and milk composition of cows fed with TMR having low TDN supplemented with EFE had comparable values with those offered with TMR having higher TDN.

Evaluation of Meniscal Load and Load Distribution in the Canine Stifle after Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy with Postoperative Tibia Plateau Angles of 6 and 1 Degrees.

The aim of the study was to investigate the kinetic and kinematic changes in the stifle after a tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) with a postoperative tibia plateau angle (TPA) of either 6 or 1 degrees. Biomechanical ex vivo study using seven unpaired canine cadaver hindlimbs from adult Retrievers.Hinge plates were applied and a sham TPLO surgery was performed. Motion sensors were fixed to the tibia and the femur for kinematic data acquisition. Pressure mapping sensors were placed between femur and both menisci. Thirty per cent bodyweight was applied to the limbs with the stifle in 135 degrees of extension. Each knee was tested with intact cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), deficient CCL, 6 degrees TPLO and 1degree TPLO. Transection of the CCL altered kinematics and kinetics. However, comparing the intact with both TPLO set-ups, no changes in kinematics were detected. After 1 degree TPLO, a significant reduction in the force acting on both menisci was detected (p = 0.006). Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy restores stifle kinematics and meniscal kinetics after transection of the CCL ex vivo. The contact force on both menisci is reduced significantly after TPLO with a TPA of 1 degree. Increased stifle flexion might lead to caudal tibial motion.

Dietary taurine in practical diet for two sizes of snubnose silver pompano, Trachinotus blochii

Two separate feeding experiments determined taurine requirement levels in diets for growth of two sizes of snubnose silver pompano. The first experiment was conducted for 14 weeks using pompano with average weight of 0.4 ± 0.01 g. Experimental diets were isonitrogenic, isolipidic and isoenergetic. Inclusion of 0.346% taurine in diet served as control, while five diets were with graded taurine levels at 0.5 (0.846%), 1.0 (1.346%), 1.5 (1.846%), 2.0 (2.346%) and 2.5 (2.846%) %. Three hundred and sixty pompano fishes were randomly distributed to experimental tanks (250-L, 15 fish per tank) in quadruplicate. Pompano fed diets with 1.0% taurine had significantly higher (p < .05) specific growth rate, per cent body weight gain (PWG) and feed utilization efficiency. The second experiment was conducted for 17 weeks using 104 ± 1.82 g pompano. Similar treatments were used except for diets with 0.5% and 2.5% taurine. Fifteen pompano were stocked in floating net cages in triplicate. Quadratic regression analysis of PWG and taurine levels revealed that pompano weighing 0.4 g required 1.55 g taurine 100 g-1 diet (0.352 g taurine 100 g-1 protein) while larger-sized pompano weighing 104 g required 0.937 g taurine 100 g-1 diet (0.213 g taurine 100g-1 protein).

THE EFFECTS OF IBD FIBROGUM-BOVAC VACCINE AND A COMMERCIAL VACCINE ON THE BODY WEIGHT BURSAL WEIGHT AND DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIBODIES IN BROILERS

A CHICKEN embryo-fibroblast (CEF) cell culture-adapted infectious bursal disease vaccine (Fibrogumbovac) and a commercial vaccine were studied for their effects on the rate of growth, bursal atrophy and the attainment of antibody level in 450 broilers. &#x0D; No appreciable difference in weight was observed in vaccinated birds when compared with unvaccinated control birds. The birds were vaccinated at the age of 4 week and at 9 week of age the average weights for birds vaccinated with IBD Fibrogum-bovac, the commercial vaccine and unvaccinated controls were respectively 1.949, 2.014 and 1,900kg. The vaccinated birds did not gain weight as rapidly as the controls between the 9th and 14th week (Table 1).&#x0D; The relative weight loss per week for the last five weeks (10th to 14th week) averaged 0.7 per cent for the IBD Fibrogumbovac vaccinated birds as compared with control birds. &#x0D; The highest antibody levels recorded in vaccinated birds at the end of two weeks were 1:1024 for Fibrogumbovac, and 1:16 for the commercial vaccine. On the third day after vaccination when the bursa of Fabricius was expected to be largest the average weight of the buçsa of 5 birds was found to be 0.250, 0.135 and 0.245 per cent of body weight respectively for birds vaccinated with IBD Fibrogun-bovac vaccine, the commercial vaccine, and unvaccinated controls.

Replacement of soybean meal with levels of inclusion of soya waste in the diet of growing goats.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of replacing soybean meal with soya waste at different levels on intake, digestibility and growth in goats. Eighteen male goat kids with initial body weight (BW) of 13.0kg were distributed equally to three dietary groups. They were fed Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and concentrate mixture, and each goat was assigned to an individual pen. Soybean meal in the concentrate mixture was replaced with soya waste at 0% (T1), 50% (T2) and 100% (T3) levels in respective dietary groups. These diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Results showed that animals fed T3 diet exhibited higher Napier grass intake than those fed T1 or T2 diet. There was no influence on total intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), metabolic BW, per cent BW and metabolisable energy by the dietary groups. However, there was an increasing trend on intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) with increasing levels of soya waste in the diets. Animals fed T3 diet showed higher intake and digestibility of NDF than those fed T1 diet. There was no influence of the dietary groups on digestibilities of DM, OM and CP. Similarly, there was no effect of them on the final BW, total BW gain, daily BW gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost. Soya waste can replace 100% soybean meal in diets for growing goats, because no change was observed in nutrient intake, digestibility and growth performance; inclusion of soya waste enhanced the intake and digestibility of NDF.

Effects of cassava peel mash on chemical composition, nutrient intake, and rumen environment parameters of West African dwarf rams supplemented with dried Ficus thonningii foliage

The study evaluated effects of feeding cassava peel mash (CPM) supplemented with dried foliage of Ficus thonningii (DFF) on the performance of rams. Twenty rams were allotted to four dietary treatments (ad libitum CPM+2 per cent urea (control), ad libitum CPM supplemented with DFF at 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 per cent of body weight respectively) for 90 days. From the results, crude protein content ranged from 1.99 per cent in CPM to 10.35 per cent in CPM+2 per cent urea. The total dry-matter intake ranged from 247.94 g.d−1 for rams fed with CPM+2 per cent urea to 377.00 g.d−1 for rams supplemented with DFF at 1.8 per cent BW. Higher (P < 0.05) rumen ammonia nitrogen was obtained in animals fed diets containing CPM+2 per cent urea. As the supplementation of DFF increased, total volatile fatty acids concentration as well as microbial contents increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of basal diet of cassava peel mash with dried Ficus thonningii foliage up to 1.8 per cent of body weight of rams is recommended for improved animal performance.

Construal beliefs moderate the usability and effectiveness of a novel healthy eating mobile app

Reduced self-control is a strong predictor of overeating and obesity. Priming a high construal level mind-set has been shown to enhance self-control and reduce snack consumption in the lab but the long-term and real-world effects are not known. The use of digital technology is an efficient way to deliver priming cues in real-world settings. Many mobile apps claim to support healthy eating but few are grounded in psychological theories of self-control. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel, construal-theory-based mobile app to promote self-control and healthy eating. In an exploratory analysis, the moderating influence of user characteristics was also examined. Using an iterative process involving users at every stage of the process, a prototype mobile app was developed. The final version included a high construal, self-control priming task, sent personalised reminder cues before each eating occasion, provided a just-in time ‘crave-buster’ for unanticipated eating opportunities and an optional food log. In a longitudinal trial the app was used over an eight-week period (N=71; 51 females; M (SD) Age = 33.34 (11.68) years; M (SD) BMI = 26.22 (4.94)) with pre-post measures of weight, percent body fat and dietary intake. The app received high usability ratings on the System Usability Scale (M=76.55; SD=11.35), however food intake, per cent body fat and weight pre- and post- app use showed no significant change (p>.05). Exploratory analyses showed that baseline construal belief moderated the extent to which engagement with the app predicted dietary changes (p<.05). These findings indicate that this novel app was user-friendly and effective but that this was dependent on the user's characteristics. Future development in this area should consider tailoring apps to the specific characteristics of the user for improved support and effectiveness.

Mixed methods pilot study of a low-carbohydrate diabetes prevention programme among adults with pre-diabetes in the USA

Objectives(1) To estimate weight change from a low-carbohydrate diabetes prevention programme (LC-DPP) and (2) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an LC-DPP.Research designSingle-arm, mixed methods (ie, integration of quantitative...

Treating exotics when your colleague has limited expertise

![Graphic][1] Aneesa Malik qualified as a veterinary nurse from Warwickshire College in 2008. Her main interests include ethics and welfare, emergency and critical care patients, end of life care, and...

Effect of Feeding Milk Replacer on Dry Matter Intake and Feed Efficiency in Holstein x Kankrej Crossbred Calves

An experiment was conducted on HF x Kankrej crossbred calves to study the effect of formulated milk replacer on nutrients intake, feed conversion efficiency, cost of feeding and disease incidence. Eighteen newly born calves of either sex were selected. The calves were fed colostrum up to 3 days and from 4th to 9th day whole milk at the rate of 12.5% of body weight. From 10th day the calves were randomly distributed in to three treatment group. The calves of T1 group received whole milk as per routine farm practice; T2 group was fed whole milk and commercial milk replacer as per manufacturer’s recommendation, whereas T3 group calves received formulated milk replacer @ 12.5 % of body weight with upper limit of 4 kg per day. The overall initial (day 10) and final (day 94) body weight of calves were 27.71±6.53 and 44.96±10.60 kg, respectively. Overall average dry matter intake (DMI) per day, as per cent body weight and per kg metabolic body weight (W0.75) was 0.52±0.02 kg, 1.45±0.03 kg and 35.34±0.78 g, respectively. The dry matter intake in T1 was significantly higher followed by T2 than T3. Overall intake of total digestible nutrients (TDN) on daily, per cent body weight and per kg W0.75 basis was 0.546±0.02 kg, 1.28±0.04 kg and 31.03±0.87 g, respectively. The DM intake for each kg gain was significantly lower in T3 (3.07 kg) and T1 (3.02) than T2 (4.79 kg) calves. The feed conversion efficiency (TDN intake kg/kg gain) was significantly superior in T3 (2.22) followed by T2 (4.23), whereas in T1 (2.95) it was intermediate. The feed cost and total rearing cost were lower (p less than 0.05) for farm formulated milk replacer (T3) than commercial milk replacer (T2) and was highest for milk feeding (T1) group. The feed cost and total rearing cost per unit gain in weight were also lower (p less than 0.05) for farm formulated milk replacer (T3) than other two groups. The disease incidences were intermediate in farm formulated milk replacer (T3). Thus, raising crossbred calves on farm formulated milk replacer can be a better option for economic gain of farmers, health of calves and (sparing) more milk for humans.

Effect of Feeding of Dried Distillers Grains on Feedlot Performance of Tellicherry Goats

A trial was conducted to assess the postweaning growth performance of Tellicherry kids under feeding varying levels of dried distillers grains in an organized goat farm, Injambakkam, Chennai. Thirty six numbers of Tellicherry male kids were randomly divided into four groups. The kids fed with concentrate and roughage in a ratio of 60:40 based on 4 per cent body weight. The concentrate mixture contained varying levels of dried distillers grains T1 (0 per cent) as a control diet, T2 (5 per cent DDG), T3 (10 per cent DDG) and T4 (15 per cent DDG). Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) straw was used as a sole source of roughage. The results showed that there was significant increase in postweaning body weight in T4 followed by T3, T2 and T1. The average daily dry matter intake and body measurements were not significant different among treatment groups but higher in dried distillers grains supplemented groups than control. The average daily gain was significant higher in T4, T3 and T2. The feed conversion ratio was lower in dried distillers grains supplemented group than control. However, inclusion of dried distillers grains up to 15 per cent in concentrate diet as an alternative feed for goats and it can replace a portion of soybean meal and maize up to 15 per cent of the concentrate diet in growing meat goats.

Running speed increases plantar load more than per cent body weight on an AlterG® treadmill

ABSTRACTAlterG® treadmills allow for running at different speeds as well as at reduced bodyweight (BW), and are used during rehabilitation to reduce the impact load. The aim of this study was to quantify plantar loads borne by the athlete during rehabilitation. Twenty trained male participants ran on the AlterG® treadmill in 36 conditions: all combinations of indicated BW (50–100%) paired with different walking and running speeds (range 6–16 km · hr–1) in a random order. In-shoe maximum plantar force (Fmax) was recorded using the Pedar-X system. Fmax was lowest at the 6 km · hr–1 at 50% indicated BW condition at 1.02 ± 0.21BW and peaked at 2.31 ± 0.22BW for the 16 km · hr–1 at 100% BW condition. Greater increases in Fmax were seen when increasing running speed while holding per cent BW constant than the reverse (0.74BW–0.91BW increase compared to 0.19–0.31BW). A table is presented with each of the 36 combinations of BW and running speed to allow a more objective progression of plantar loading during rehabilitation. Increasing running speed rather than increasing indicated per cent BW was shown to have the strongest effect on the magnitude of Fmax across the ranges of speeds and indicated per cent BWs examined.

Extensive macrophage accumulation in young and old Niemann–Pick C1 model mice involves the alternative, M2, activation pathway and inhibition of macrophage apoptosis

We have studied the pathophysiology of lung disease which occurs in two mouse models of Niemann–Pick C1 disease. We utilized Npc1−/− mice transgenic for normal gene expression in glia or neurons and glia at ages several fold the usual and a mouse model of the juvenile form of NPC1, a point mutation, at one age to confirm some findings. Lung weights, as per cent of body weight, increase much more than liver and spleen weights. Although pulmonary function parameters only vary for hysteresis between young and older Npc1−/− mice, they are markedly different than those found in normal control mice. Cholesterol accumulation continued in the older mice but sphingosine-1-phosphate was not increased. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) showed a massive increase (26×) in the number of macrophages. Histologic examination from the older, transgenic Npc1−/− mice showed small foci of alveolar proteinosis and evidence of hemorrhage, as well as dense macrophage accumulation. A large subset of macrophages was immunopositive for Fizz1 or arginase-1, markers of the alternative activation pathway, while no Fizz1 or arginase-1 positive macrophages were found in wild-type mice. The percentage of marker positive macrophages was relatively stable at 5–10% at various ages and within the 2 transgenic models. Phosphohistone H3 and Ki67 showed low levels of proliferation of these macrophages. Apoptosis was prominent within lung capillary endothelial cells, but limited within macrophages. Thus, activation of the alternative pathway is involved in Niemann–Pick C1 associated pulmonary macrophage accumulation, with low proliferation of these cells balanced by low levels of apoptosis.