Changes In Mass Research Articles

Influence of medicinal plants on Blaberus craniifer cockroaches and their parasites, gregarines and nematodes

Cockroaches, especially those living in forest litter and feeding on foliage, have been consuming plants for millions of years. Can secondary metabolites of plants affect the parasite-host system and successfully treat the cockroaches’ parasites gregarines and nematodes? In our experiment, 204 Blaberus craniifer (Blattodea, Blaberidae) cockroaches consumed the standard diet supplemented with medicinal plants in a dose of 10% of the general fodder mass, particularly, plants of the families Acoraceae (Acorus calamus), Papaveraceae (Chelidonium majus), Rosaceae (Potentilla erecta), Juglandaceae (Juglans regia), Fagaceae (Quercus robur), Brassicaceae (Capsella bursa-pastoris), Hypericaceae (Hypericum perforatum), Gentianaceae (Centaurium erythraea), Lamiaceae (Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Thymus pallasianus), and Asteraceae (Achillea millefolium, Arctium lappa, Artemisia absinthium, Matricaria chamomilla, and Tanacetum vulgare). With age (i.e. gaining body mass), the intensity of infestation of cockroaches with female and male nematodes Cranifera cranifera significantly increased. The multifactor dispersion analysis found no significant effect of the number of parasites (two gregarines, Blabericola cubensis and Protomagalhaensia granulosae, and one nematode, Cranifera cranifera) on the rates of changes in body mass of the cockroaches during the experiment. Also, there was observed no effect of the number of parasites on the rates of cockroaches’ food consumption. The rates of body-mass gain during the experiment were closely associated with the initial body mass of the cockroaches: the larger the cockroach was in the beginning of the experiment, the greater the increase in its body mass later in the experiment. None of the three species of B. craniifer parasites that we studied significantly changed their numbers when subject to 10% dry medicinal plants in the hosts’ fodder, compared to the control group of cockroaches that did not consume the medicinal raw material. Intake of none of the 16 species of medicinal plants we tested led to significant changes in the rates of body-mass gain in the cockroaches. Compared to the control group, the experimental groups of cockroaches had no significant changes in the fodder consumption rates. Our experiment demonstrated that the cockroaches, together with their parasites, are substantially adapted to the influences of secondary metabolites of the 16 medicinal plants that we studied, although, in their natural range they had most likely never encountered any of those plants. Therefore, on the one hand, the considered parasite-host system was observed to be very balanced, the host being minimally harmed, and on the other hand, secondary metabolites of the plants had no significant effect either on the parasites (two species of gregarines and one species of nematodes) or on their hosts even in the highest tested concentrations (10% of the fodder mass).

Association between changes in lean mass, muscle strength, endurance, and power following resistance or concurrent training with differing high protein diets in resistance-trained young males.

We assessed the relationship of changes in upper and lower body lean mass with muscle strength, endurance and power responses following two high protein diets (1.6 or 3.2 g.kg-1.d-1) during 16 weeks of either concurrent training (CT) or resistance training (RT) in resistance-trained young males. Forty-eight resistance-trained young males (age: 26 ± 6 yr., body mass index: 25.6 ± 2.9 kg.m-2) performed 16 weeks (four sessions·wk.-1) of CT or RT with either 1.6 g.kg-1.d-1 protein (CT + 1.6; n = 12; RT + 1.6; n = 12) or 3.2 g.kg-1.d-1 protein (CT + 3.2; n = 12; RT + 3.2; n = 12). Relationships between upper (left arm + right arm + trunk lean mass) and lower body (left leg + right leg lean mass) lean mass changes with changes in muscle performance were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficients. For upper body, non-significant weak positive relationships were observed between change in upper body lean mass and change in pull-up (r = 0.183, p = 0.234), absolute chest press strength (r = 0.159, p = 0.302), chest press endurance (r = 0.041, p = 0.792), and relative chest press strength (r = 0.097, p = 0.529) while non-significant weak negative relationships were observed for changes in absolute upper body power (r = -0.236, p = 0.123) and relative upper body power (r = -0.203, p = 0.185). For lower body, non-significant weak positive relationships were observed between the change in lower body lean mass with change in vertical jump (r = 0.145, p = 0.346), absolute lower body power (r = 0.109, p = 0.480), absolute leg press strength (r = 0.073, p = 0.638), leg press endurance (r < 0.001, p = 0.998), relative leg press strength (r = 0.089, p = 0.564), and relative lower body power (r = 0.150, p = 0.332). Changes in muscle strength, endurance and power adaptation responses following 16 weeks of either CT or RT with different high protein intakes were not associated with changes in lean mass in resistance-trained young males. These findings indicate that muscle hypertrophy has a small, or negligible, contributory role in promoting functional adaptations with RT or CT, at least over a 16-week period.

Mechanical ventilation guided by driving pressure optimizes local pulmonary biomechanics in an ovine model.

Mechanical ventilation exposes the lung to injurious stresses and strains that can negatively affect clinical outcomes in acute respiratory distress syndrome or cause pulmonary complications after general anesthesia. Excess global lung strain, estimated as increased respiratory system driving pressure, is associated with mortality related to mechanical ventilation. The role of small-dimension biomechanical factors underlying this association and their spatial heterogeneity within the lung are currently unknown. Using four-dimensional computed tomography with a voxel resolution of 2.4 cubic millimeters and a multiresolution convolutional neural network for whole-lung image segmentation, we dynamically measured voxel-wise lung inflation and tidal parenchymal strains. Healthy or injured ovine lungs were evaluated as the mechanical ventilation positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was titrated from 20 to 2 centimeters of water. The PEEP of minimal driving pressure (PEEPDP) optimized local lung biomechanics. We observed a greater rate of change in nonaerated lung mass with respect to PEEP below PEEPDP compared with PEEP values above this threshold. PEEPDP similarly characterized a breaking point in the relationships between PEEP and SD of local tidal parenchymal strain, the 95th percentile of local strains, and the magnitude of tidal overdistension. These findings advance the understanding of lung collapse, tidal overdistension, and strain heterogeneity as local triggers of ventilator-induced lung injury in large-animal lungs similar to those of humans and could inform the clinical management of mechanical ventilation to improve local lung biomechanics.

Body mass changes of dabbling and diving ducks wintering in California

AbstractBird body mass is often used as an index of body condition and fluctuates throughout the year in response to environmental conditions and avian life‐history events. We examined the body mass of 59,572 ducks representing 13 species (7 dabbling duck species and 6 diving duck species) harvested within the 3 regions of the Central Valley in California, USA (Sacramento Valley, Suisun Marsh, San Joaquin Valley). Data collection occurred in winter during 5 hunting seasons (2014–2015, 2015–2016, 2017–2018, 2018–2019, 2019–2020). For all species, age, and sex classes, the body mass of dabbling ducks varied temporally and was lowest at the end of the hunting season in late January, declining from the beginning of the hunting season in mid‐October (northern pintail [Anas acuta]: −11.4% to −20.4%; northern shoveler [Spatula clypeata]: −3.5% to −17.3%; cinnamon teal [Anas cyanoptera]: −5.0% to −17.1%; American wigeon [Mareca americana]: −6.9% to −12.2%; American green‐winged teal [Anas carolinensis]: −5.9% to −11.9%; mallard [Anas platyrhynchos]: −1.8% to −9.6%; gadwall [Mareca strepera]: −2.2% to −8.4%). As expected, adults (after hatch‐year) were heavier than immature (hatch‐year) birds (within males: 0.6–8.6%; within females: 0.1–6.6%) and males were heavier than females (within adults: 3.1–38.6%; within immatures: 5.4–33.5%) at the end of the hunting season in all species. Within dabbling duck species, body masses did not differ among regions at the beginning of the hunting season but were heavier in the Sacramento Valley (0.5–14.4%) than other areas by the end of the hunting season. In contrast, body masses of diving ducks did not vary substantially during the hunting season or among regions. Diving ducks demonstrated inconsistent changes in mass from the beginning to the end of the season (lesser scaup [Aythya affinis]: 3.4% to 12.3%; canvasback [Aythya valisineria]: 5.1% to 6.1%; bufflehead [Bucephala albeola]: −3.2% to 1.6%; ring‐necked duck [Aythya collaris]: −4.9% to 2.6%; common goldeneye [Bucephala clangula]: −3.2% to −2.4%; ruddy duck [Oxyura jamaicensis]: −16.5% to 5.5%). The substantial temporal and spatial differences in dabbling duck body masses suggest that habitat quality (as measured by caloric value of the available food) or quantity may decline during winter and varies regionally within California's Central Valley.

Development of an Impedance and QCM-Based Electrochemical Biosensor for the Detection of Colon Cancer-Secreted Protein-2 (CCSP-2), a Potential Colorectal Cancer Biomarker

Research on colon cancer diagnosis is advancing due to the application of electrochemical biosensors. Early screening can significantly reduce the overall mortality rate from colorectal cancer (CRC). Colon cancer-secreted protein-2 (CCSP-2) is specifically overexpressed and secreted by cancerous cells and adenomas found in the colon. Utilizing a cost-effective and non-invasive electrochemical immunosensor for CCSP-2 detection can aid in the early diagnosis of disease recurrences in individuals with colon cancer. In this work, we designed a simplified electrochemical immunosensor consisting of a functionalized gold (Au) electrode using cysteine-modified recombinant protein G (RPGCys) to immobilize the CCSP-2 antibody. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) have been used to analyze the electrochemical response caused by the binding between the target CCSP-2 and anti-CCSP-2, and there are significant changes observed for charge transfer resistance (Rct) in EIS and current density in CV. The quantification of mass changes attributed to binding events within the sensor will be determined through the application of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) will be used for the characterization of the sensor surface. The sensor's sensitivity and specificity will be assessed through the determination of the limit of detection and comprehensive testing of the probe with varied proteins and cell lines sourced from both cancerous and non-cancerous patient samples. This electrochemical probe is expected to enable the rapid and direct detection of early-stage colorectal cancer.

2226 Assessing quantitative sonographic changes in the muscle mass of geriatric patients hospitalised using point of care ultrasound

Abstract Introduction One of the most important consequences of hospitalisation in older patients is sarcopenia. This study aims to determine the impact of hospitalisation on the muscle mass, functional status, nutritional status, and short-term clinical outcomes. Methods A prospective study of patients admitted to an Acute Geriatric Ward between 1st November and 30th December 2022. Muscle ultrasound, utilising Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) at bedside, was employed to estimate rectus femoris muscle thickness (MT), area (Ar), pennation angle (PA), and fascicle length (FL) at the time of hospital admission, 3 days post-admission, and at hospital discharge. Results 30 patients included, with a median age of 84 years (SD 72–93), 63.3% male, and 70% Clinical Frailty Scale score ≥ 4. Barthel Index and Functional Ambulation Category revealed median values of 72.33 and 3.87 respectively. Global Deterioration Scale median was 2.47. Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA) and total serum protein showed median values of 7.40 and 6.35 respectively. The median length of hospital stay was 5.79 days, with inpatient mortality rate of 10% and 53.3% incidence of delirium. Ultrasound showed a decrease in PA by 36.31%, Ar by 34.30%, and MT by 24.50%, and increase in FL by 10.47%. Sarcopenia classification at admission and discharge revealed an increase in mean index from 5.04 to 7.74. Conclusions In our cohort of patients admitted to an acute geriatric unit, POCUS identified real-time decreases in MT, Ar, and PA at the muscular level before these manifested as functional changes. It demonstrated an inverse relationship between frailty and muscle morphology as living with frailty associated further decreases in muscle mass at discharge. The study also established a direct relationship between MNA, muscle thickness, PA, and fascicles length at discharge. POCUS assessment of muscle mass could indirectly predict outcomes and guide decisions to address muscle mass abnormalities.

Thermotherapy has Sexually Dimorphic Responses in APP/PS1 Mice.

A thermoregulatory decline occurs with age due to changes in muscle mass, vasoconstriction, and metabolism that lowers core body temperature (Tc). Although lower Tc is a biomarker of successful aging, we have previously shown this worsens cognitive performance in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) [1]. We hypothesized that elevating Tc with thermotherapy would improve metabolism and cognition in APP/PS1 mice. From 6-12 months of age, male and female APP/PS1 and C57BL/6 mice were chronically housed at 23 or 30°C. At 12 months of age, mice were assayed for insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and spatial cognition. Plasma, hippocampal, and peripheral (adipose, hepatic, and skeletal muscle) samples were procured postmortem and tissue-specific markers of amyloid accumulation, metabolism, and inflammation were assayed. Chronic 30°C exposure increased Tc in all groups except female APP/PS1 mice. All mice receiving thermotherapy had either improved glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity, but the underlying processes responsible for these effects varied across sexes. In males, glucose regulation was influenced predominantly by hormonal signaling in plasma and skeletal muscle glucose transporter 4 expression, whereas in females, this was modulated at the tissue level. Thermotherapy improved spatial navigation in male C57BL/6 and APP/PS1 mice, with the later attributed to reduced hippocampal soluble amyloid-β (Aβ)42. Female APP/PS1 mice exhibited worse spatial memory recall after chronic thermotherapy. Together, the data highlights the metabolic benefits of passive thermotherapy, but future studies are needed to determine therapeutic benefits for those with AD.

Climate drives body mass changes in a mountain ungulate: shorter winters lead to heavier Alpine ibex

Climate affects seasonality and plant phenology, which can influence seasonal body mass dynamics of herbivores in temperate environments. We investigated long‐term trends of seasonal body mass changes in male Alpine ibex Capra ibex. We used SEM to test direct and indirect relationships between body mass, mass changes and environmental and climatic variables. Individually recognizable Alpine ibex were weighed repeatedly between 2000 and 2022 in Gran Paradiso National Park (Italy). Autumn mass increased substantially over these two decades, up to 15% in some age classes. Over the same time frame, both summer mass gain and winter mass loss decreased, suggesting that heavier autumn body mass was due to the cumulative effects of reduced mass loss over several winters. The environmental factor with the strongest effects on winter mass changes was the starting date of vegetation green‐up at low altitude, where ibex gather after winter to feed on new growth vegetation. Early springs led to lower winter mass loss, likely because ibex relied on stored fat for a shorter period and had greater access to forage. High population density also increased winter mass loss. Environmental conditions and resource availability, possibly also influenced by density in winter and early spring, seem therefore to directly affect the body mass dynamics of male Alpine ibex, while the effect of summer conditions appears less relevant. By affecting seasonal body mass dynamics, climate change may have consequences for life history and population dynamics of mountain herbivores, for example via earlier access of young males to reproduction.

Biogenic synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles via moringa oleifera seed extract: Photocatalytic and biological activity for textile dye degradation

This article presents a study on synthesizing cerium oxide nanoparticles utilizing cerium nitrate and Moringa oleifera seed extract as stabilizing and reducing agents. The XRD pattern of cerium oxide was a cubic structure with an average crystalline size of 11.92 nm. The surface feature of ceria nanoparticles has a foam-like nanostructure, type IV isotherms-mesoporous, with a 56.845 m2/g specific surface area. The UV–Vis absorbance and Tauc plot showed that the direct and indirect energy bandgap was 2.51 and 2.79 eV, respectively. TGA/DTA has established structural phase stability with corresponding mass changes by influencing bioactive molecules of seed extract in cerium nanoparticles. These nanoparticles exhibited effective antibacterial properties against S. aureus and E. coli pathogens, and the turbidimetry antioxidant properties were evaluated. Dye degradation through the photocatalyst was investigated, with the optimum degradation efficiency of 99.71 and 99.83 %, pseudo-first-order kinetics 4.62 × 10−2 and 5.07 × 10−2, respectively, for anionic-Congo red and cationic-Malachite green dye. The observed results concluded that green-mediated nanostructured ceria particles might effectively be used for antibacterial and photocatalytic purposes.

Influence of gestational window on offspring vascular health in rodents with in utero exposure to electronic cigarettes.

Studies have shown cerebrovascular dysfunction in offspring with full-gestational electronic cigarette (Ecig) exposure, but little is known about how individual trimester exposure impacts offspring health. This study aimed to determine if there is a critical window during gestation that contributes to vascular and anxiety-like behavioural changes seen with full-term exposure. To test this, rats were time-mated, and the pregnant dams were randomly assigned to Ecig exposure during first trimester (gestational day, GD2-7), second trimester (GD8-14), third trimester (GD15-21) or full-term gestation (GD2-21). We also assessed the effect of maternal preconception exposure. Both male and female offspring from all maternal exposure conditions were compared to offspring from dams under ambient air (control) conditions. Ecig exposure consisted of 60-puffs/day (5days/week) using either 5 or 30watts for each respective exposure group. We found that maternal exposure to Ecig in the second and third trimesters resulted in a decrease (23-38%) in vascular reactivity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) reactivity in 3- and 6-month-old offspring compared to Air offspring. Further, the severity of impairment was comparable to the full-term exposure (31-46%). Offspring also displayed changes in body composition, body mass, anxiety-like behaviour and locomotor activity, indicating that Ecigs influence neurodevelopment and metabolism. Maternal preconception exposure showed no impact on offspring body mass, anxiety-like behaviour, or vascular function. Thus, the critical exposure window where Ecig affects vascular development in offspring occurs during mid- to late-gestation in pregnancy, and both 5W and 30W exposure produce significant vascular dysfunction compared to Air. KEY POINTS: Exposure to electronic cigarettes (Ecigs) is known to increase risk factors for cardiovascular disease in both animals and humans. Maternal Ecig use during pregnancy in rodents is found to impair the vascular health of adolescent and adult offspring, but the critical gestation window for Ecig-induced vascular impairment is not known. This study demonstrates Ecig exposure during mid- and late-gestation (i.e. second or third trimester) results in impaired endothelial cell-mediated dilatation (i.e. middle cerebral artery reactivity) and alters anxiety-like behaviour in offspring. Maternal exposure prior to conception did not impact offspring's vascular or anxiety-like behavioural outcomes. Rodent models have been a reliable and useful predictor of inhalation-induced harm to humans. These data indicate maternal use of Ecigs during pregnancy should not be considered safe, and begin to inform clinicians and women about potential long-term harm to their offspring.

An Experimental Study on the Performance of Materials for Repairing Cracks in Tunnel Linings under Erosive Environments

Addressing the current lining cracking problem in coastal tunnels, this paper independently introduces a novel type of repair material for tunnel lining cracks—the composite repair material consisting of waterborne epoxy resin and ultrafine cement (referred to as EC composite repair material). Through indoor testing, we have analyzed the change rule of the mass change rate, compressive strength, flexural strength, and chloride ion concentration of the repair material samples in erosive environments, with the dosage of each component in the EC composite repair material being varied. We have also investigated the working performance, mechanical properties, and microstructure of the repair material. The results of this study show that when the proportion of each component of ultrafine cement, waterborne epoxy resin, waterborne epoxy curing agent, waterborne polyurethane, defoamer, and water is 100:50:50:2.5:0.5:30, the performance of the EC composite repair material in a chloride ion-rich environment is optimal in all aspects. When the mixing ratio of each component of the EC composite repair material is as stated above, the repair material exhibits the best performance in a chloride ion erosion environment. With this ratio of components in the EC composite repair material, the fluidity, setting time, compressive strength, flexural strength, and bond strength of the repair material in a chloride ion erosion environment can meet the requirements of relevant specifications, and it is highly effective in repairing tunnel lining cracks. The polymeric film formed by the reaction between the waterborne epoxy resin emulsion and the curing agent fills the pores between the hydration products, resulting in a densely packed internal structure of EC composite repair material with enhanced erosion resistance, making it very suitable for repairing cracks in tunnel linings in erosive environments.

Unfolding the leaf economics spectrum for wheat: Trait analysis and genomic associations across cultivars

The leaf economics spectrum (LES) is an ecophysiological concept that describes the trade-offs between leaf structural and physiological traits. It has been extensively studied across various scales. However, the coordination hypothesis has rarely been tested at the intraspecific scale, especially in crops, for understanding yield increases or predicting evolutionary trajectories. Here, we first tested the relationships among leaf traits and examined the genetic coordination among 209 wheat genotypes. Compared to non-crop grass species, wheat is a fast-growing species, and tends to have a higher value of photosynthetic rate, leaf nitrogen concentration and leaf respiration rate at a given leaf mass per area, although it does align with the predicted direction of the “fast-slow” spectrum. We conducted a principal component analysis (PCA) to compare different traits within wheat. The first axis from PCA (ranging from slow to fast of plant economic investment) is significantly positively associated with the agronomic traits, especially grain yield (R2=0.11, P<0.001). Partially independent changes in leaf nitrogen content and leaf mass per area may allow crops to maximize photosynthetic rates without sacrificing leaf lifespan. The results reveal that some loci are simultaneously associated with different traits, which may be the genetic basis for the formation of trait-trait relationships. The current study deepens the understanding of LES traits in wheat at the intraspecific and genetic levels, supporting the trait-based adaptation strategies to improve wheat productivity and resource-use efficiency.

Biodegradation of polypropylene microplastics by Bacillus pasteurii isolated from a gold mine tailing

Microplastics (MPs) are present throughout the environment, and due to their nature, they are extremely difficult to decompose. Reportedly, microorganisms play an important role in degrading and decomposing MPs. Bacillus pasteurii can degrade various complex organic matter, including MPs, which are a class of polymeric organic compounds. This study investigated the degradation effect of B. pasteurii on polypropylene MPs (PP-MPs) in soil. B. pasteurii was extracted from gold mine tailings. Herein, three experimental groups were established—a blank control treatment group, a group with bacteria without Ca2+ added (T2 group), and a group with bacteria supplemented with Ca2+ (T3 group)—for a 30-day indoor simulation of MP degradation in MP-treated soil. The results showed that the total mass change rate of the PP-MPs in the T2 group was 20.95 %, and grooves and holes appeared on the PP-MP surfaces. The total mass change rate of the PP-MPs in the T3 group was 23.22 %, and abundant fissures and pits appeared on the PP-MP surfaces. Additionally, new dominant phyla, such as Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, appeared after bacterial addition. The relative abundance of several common soil genera, such as Bacillus, Brevundimonas, Flavobacterium, and Arthrobacter, and genera capable of breaking down complex compounds increased after B. pasteurii addition. The soil microbial community diversity improved, with the distribution of each species being relatively uniform. These findings indicated that the B. pasteurii strain can be used to degrade PP-MPs. Additionally, the addition of Ca2+ generated microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation, which further improved the degradation of MPs. This study provides theoretical support for studying the degradation mechanism of PP-MPs.

In Vitro Comparative Evaluation of Change in Mass, pH and Fluoride Release of Cention-N and Glass–Ionomer Cement

In Vitro Comparative Evaluation of Change in Mass, pH and Fluoride Release of Cention-N and Glass–Ionomer Cement

Abstract We133: In Silico Model of Cardiomyopathy Caused by a MYBPC3-induced HCM Mutation

Introduction: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most frequent hereditary cardiomyopathy and a leading cause of sudden cardiac death, particularly in adolescent. Despite recent improved prognosis and FDA approved drugs, current cardiac therapeutics cannot efficiently prevent remodeling across all HCM patient populations due to genetic variability. Therefore, we require a systems biology approach to understand how the complex cardiac signaling networks regulate cardiomyocyte shape and size due to an HCM mutation. This study leverages a computational systems approach to explore MYBPC3-induced HCM mutation regulation of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Method: For the signaling network model, we employed a logic-based differential equations model (NETFLUX) to construct a signaling network validated using in vitro data from published studies. This model captured signaling dynamics and cross talks between pathways governing cardiomyocyte size and shape. Additionally, a MYBPC3 HCM mutation is integrated in the model as an input providing a comparison between a control and simulated HCM responses. Sensitivity analyses are performed to investigate the most influential signaling pathways that mediate changes in mass. Results: We created a MYBPC3-induced HCM model by integrating an additional cardiac myosin binding protein-C node to a previously validated inherited cardiomyopathy signaling network. This updated model predicted an increase in mass when the HCM mutation is simulated. The simulated inhibition of each node in the model revealed that inhibition of calcium pathway, growth factor receptor, and titin stiffness could mitigate the HCM phenotype by reducing mass. The sensitivity analysis results also suggested PI3K, Ras, and ERK1/2 pathways as potential mechanisms mediating the decrease in mass and served as potential therapeutic targets. Discussion and Future Work: Our systems approach gave insights on the mechanisms governing the cardiomyocyte response to a MYBPC3-induced HCM mutation. This will be further validated via a MYBPC3-HCM model using human iPSC-CMs with MYBPC3-induced mutations. This will create a cell line that will provide genetically precise comparisons for identifying new molecular mechanisms of disease, thereby offering a strategy for advancing precision medicine.

Testosterone with Silymarin Improves Diabetes-obesity Comorbidity Complications by Modulating Inflammatory Responses and CYP7A1/ACC Gene Expressions in Rats.

The co-morbidity of DMOB has become increasingly problematic among the world's population because of a high-calorie diet and sedentary lifestyle. DMOB is associated with lower testosterone (TN) levels, the male sex hormone. The phytochemical compound silymarin (SN) exerts antidiabetic activity by modifying β-cells and anti-obesity activity by inhibiting adipogenesis by methylxanthine. The goal of this study was to find out how well testosterone (TN) with silymarin (SN) protects against oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver of the experimental rats with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity (DMOB). The present study evaluates the efficacy of TN and SN combination (TNSN) on the levels of the potential parameters, such as body mass, serum marker enzymes, fasting glucose levels, HbA1c levels, lipid profile, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, proinflammatory cytokines, gene expression pathways, and histopathology in a DMOB comorbidity rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks with an administration of a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) i.p. injection (30 mg/kg) on the 9th week of the study. The procedure was to develop the DMOB co-morbidity model in the experimental animals. Co-treatment of TN and SN administration were followed throughout the experiment. Rats were sacrificed after overnight fasting to collect serum and liver tissue samples. Samples were analyzed using a clinical chemistry automated analyzer, spectrophotometry, and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) methods and protocols. Analyses of body mass changes, serum marker enzymes, fasting glucose levels, HbA1c levels, lipid profiles, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, TNF-α, IL-6, adiponectin, CYP7A1, ACC expression pathways, and histopathology showed significant abnormal levels (P ≤ 0.05) in the pathological group. These were efficiently treated to normal by the administration of TNSN. These results concluded that TNSN exerted protective efficacy against the liver abnormalities in the co-morbidity of the DMOB rat model.

Prognostic impact of shift to low visceral fat mass after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer.

Based on the JCOG1109 trial, it is suggested that the combination of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF) could potentially become a standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen, alongside the conventional 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (CF) therapy, for esophageal cancer. However, there are few reports on the impact of body composition changes associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy on prognosis. Our study aimed to explore the effect of different neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens on body composition during treatment and the impacts of body composition changes on their prognosis. This is a retrospective study of 215 patients with advanced thoracic esophageal cancer who had surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 2013 to 2019. Computed tomography scans were performed before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy to assess body composition. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was calculated by dividing total skeletal muscle mass at the 3rd lumbar level by the square of height, while visceral and subcutaneous fat masses were measured at the level of umbilicus. Patients in the lowest 25% of both sexes were classified into the low visceral fat and low subcutaneous fat groups, respectively. Of the patients enrolled, 178 were male and 37 were female. Among them, 91 had clinical Stage II disease, and 124 had clinical Stage III disease. Additionally, 146 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy CF, and 69 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy DCF. Comparing the DCF and CF groups, the DCF group consisted of significantly younger patients (p < .01), a higher proportion of males (p = .03), and a greater number of clinical Stage III cases (p < .01). However, although percent change in SMI and visceral fat mass was not significantly different between two regimens, percent change in subcutaneous fat mass was significant in the DCF group. The major prognostic factors for patients undergoing surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for thoracic esophageal cancer were clinical Stage III, transition to low visceral fat, and response rating (SD/PD), while the specific neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen did not significantly influence the outcomes. This study suggests that prevention of the shift to low visceral fat throughout the neoadjuvant chemotherapy process should improve patient outcomes.

Effect of high plant protein/peptide nutrition supplementation on knee osteoarthritis in older adults with sarcopenia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background & AimsSkeletal muscle is an important contributor to joint health. Previous studies have shown that age-related muscle mass and strength loss are closely associated with the development of knee osteoarthritis. The objective of this study is to investigate whether a high plant protein/peptide nutrition supplementation can alleviate knee osteoarthritis by improving muscle mass and strength. MethodsThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that included participants aged 50–70 years diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis and sarcopenia was conducted in China from February 2022 to September 2022 (ChiCTR2200056415). Participants were randomized to receive a 12-week high plant protein/peptide nutrition supplementation or a placebo twice daily, with one serving each after breakfast and lunch, respectively. The primary outcome analyzed using intention-to-treat analysis was difference in Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) from baseline to week 12 between the two groups. The secondary outcomes included changes in muscle mass, strength, symptom and imaging of knee osteoarthritis, body composition, biochemical parameters, and health quality scores. ResultsAfter 12 weeks, a total of 124 participants (38.7% male) completed the trial and were included in the final analysis. Over the 12-week follow-up, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in the SPPB total score (1.03, 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.38, P < 0.0001) compared with the placebo group. Grip strength (2.83 kg, 95% CI, 2.13–3.53, P < 0.0001) and skeletal muscle mass index (0.66 kg/m2, 95% CI, 0.45–0.86, P < 0.0001) were also significantly increased in the experimental group compared with the placebo group. The mean change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index total score was −3.95 points (95% CI, −5.02 to −2.89, P < 0.0001) in the experimental group and 0.23 points (95% CI, −0.17 to 0.63, P = 0.253) in the placebo group. Additionally, within the experimental group, nine participants experienced an improvement in osteophyte magnetic resonance imaging results, while no improvement was observed in the placebo group. The experimental group also exhibited significant improvements in health quality compared with the placebo group as assessed by Short Form 36, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Scale, and the Chalder Fatigue Scale. No serious adverse event was reported during the trial. ConclusionOral supplementation with high levels of plant protein/peptides can alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis in elderly individuals with minor and mild knee osteoarthritis and sarcopenia. The improvement may be attributed to the enhancement of muscle mass, strength, and physical performance.

Effects of Intermittent Calorie Restriction in Nondiabetic Patients With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Background & AimsWe compared the effects of a 12-week intermittent calorie restriction (ICR) and standard of care (SOC) diet on liver fat content (LFC) in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients. MethodsThis randomized controlled trial included patients with MRI-proton density fat fraction (PDFF) ≥8%. Patients were randomly assigned to the ICR (5:2 diet) or SOC (80% of the recommended calorie intake) groups and stratified according to the body mass index (≥ or <25 kg/m2). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who achieved a relative LFC reduction as measured by MRI-PDFF ≥30%. ResultsSeventy-two participants underwent randomization (36 patients with and 36 without obesity), and 63 (34 patients with and 29 without obesity) completed the trial. At week 12, a higher proportion of patients in the ICR arm achieved a relative LFC reduction of ≥30% compared to the SOC arm (72.2% vs. 44.4%; P=0.033), which was more prominent in the group with obesity (61.1% vs. 27.7%; P=0.033) than in the group without obesity (83.3% vs. 61.1%; P=0.352). The relative weight reduction was insignificant between the ICR and SOC arms (-5.3% vs. -4.2%; P=0.273); however, it was higher in the ICR arm compared to the SOC arm (-5.5% vs. -2.9%; P=0.039) in the group with obesity. Changes in fibrosis, muscle and fat mass, and liver enzyme levels were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). ConclusionsThe ICR diet reduced LFC more effectively than SOC in patients with MASLD, particularly in patients with obesity. Additional studies are warranted in larger and more diverse cohorts.

Disparity in the effect of partial gravity simulated using a new apparatus on different rat hindlimb muscles

The days of returning to the Moon and landing on Mars are approaching. These long-duration missions present significant challenges, such as changes in gravity, which pose serious threats to human health. Maintaining muscle function and health is essential for successful spaceflight and exploration of the Moon and Mars. This study aimed to observe the adaptation of rat hindlimb muscles to partial gravity conditions by simulating the gravity of space (microgravity (µG)), Moon (1/6G), and Mars (3/8G) using our recently invented ground-based apparatus. A total of 25 rats were included in this study. The rats were divided into five groups: control (1G), sham (1G), simulated Mars (3/8G), simulated Moon (1/6G), and simulated Space (µG). Muscle mass, fiber proportion, and fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) of four types of hindlimb muscles were measured: gastrocnemius (GA), tibialis anterior (TA), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), soleus (Sol). Sol and GA exhibited the most significant alterations in response to the changes in gravity after 10 days of the experiment. A notable decline in muscle mass was observed in the simulated µG, Moon, and Mars groups, with the µG group exhibiting the most noticeable decline. In Sol, a noteworthy decline in the proportion of slow-twitch type I fibers, CSA of slow-twitch type I fibers, and average CSA of the whole muscle fibers was observed in the simulated groups. The GA red, mixed, and white portions were examined, and the GA mixed portion showed significant differences in fiber proportion and CSA. A notable increase in the proportion of slow-twitch type I fibers was observed in the simulated groups, with a significant decrease in CSA of type IIb. In EDL or TA, no discernible changes in muscle mass, fiber proportion, or fiber CSA were observed in any of the five groups. These findings indicate that weight-bearing muscles, such as Sol and GA, are more sensitive to changes in partial gravity. Furthermore, partial gravity is insufficient to preserve the normal physiological and functional properties of the hindlimb muscles. Therefore, targeted muscle interventions are required to ensure astronauts' health and mission success. Furthermore, these findings demonstrate the viability and durability of our ground-based apparatus for partial gravity simulation.