Bone Content Research Articles

Improvement of Bone Homeostasis Imbalance in Osteoporotic Fractures by Mesoporous Silica Carrying miR-302b

miR-302b and DKK1 are two molecules related to the regulation of bone metabolism. Mesoporous silica is a potential drug carrier. This article aims to study the mechanism of mesoporous silica carrying miR-302b targeting DKK1 regulation to improve bone homeostasis imbalance in osteoporotic fractures. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. miR-302b was loaded into mesoporous silica to form composite nanoparticles. In vivo rat model experiments were performed to evaluate bone metabolism. X-ray examination and μCT scan were used to detect the bone content and trabecular bone status of rats. Alcian blue/hematoxylin/Orange G staining was used to observe changes in trabecular bone in the tibial metaphysis. Immunohistochemical staining showed the formation of trabecular bone in rats in each group and changes in the number of bone cells. Calcein double labeling experiment showed the bone mineralization speed of mice in each group. Pure and stable mesoporous silica nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and miR-302b was successfully loaded into the nanoparticles. The osteoporotic fracture rat model was successfully created. In vivo experimental results showed that after injecting composite nanoparticles into mice, bone density and bone strength were significantly increased and osteoporotic fractures were improved. Mesoporous silica carries miR-302b to target DKK1 regulation, which can improve bone homeostasis imbalance in osteoporotic fractures. Composite nanoparticles can inhibit the expression of DKK1, promote bone formation, and inhibit bone resorption, thereby improving bone density and bone strength.

Depth and predation regulate consumption of dolphin carcasses in the hadal zone

Natural whale falls and falls of smaller-sized food have been reported for more than 30 years and are known to be important sources of nutrients and organic matter for the seafloor community. However, the associated species composition and ecological processes during such events in the hadal zone were unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the impact of depth and predation on the hadal community during the early stages of a food-fall event. This is the first study to investigate the preliminary stages of the two deepest artificial dolphin-fall events in the Philippine Basin (PB) (∼7729 m) and Mariana Trench (MT) (∼8200 m). A total of nine dives were conducted over a period of 86 days (PB) and 50 days (MT) using the deep-sea manned submersible “Fendouzhe.” Our observations in the PB indicated that the first stage (mobile-scavenger) was controlled by the feeding ecology of hadal amphipods and snailfish. In contrast, the absence of predatory snailfish in the MT enhanced the degradation rate of the carcass compared to that in the PB. Most soft tissues were entirely consumed by scavenging amphipods within days of the event in the MT, whereas in the PB, amphipods were observed taking a feeding hiatus on Day 10 to escape snailfish predation. The second stage (enrichment-opportunist), which hosted few grazing faunas, began at different times in each location and overlapped with the mobile-scavenger stage. Dolphin carcasses, being smaller than those of full-grown whales, can only sustain a large community of scavenging amphipods, and indirectly, predatory snailfish. After the first stage, the dispersed organic matter and limited lipid content in dolphin bones were likely insufficient to sustain an active grazing community or the chemosynthetic community that typically follows. We concluded that water depth influences the successional stages and decomposition rate of food falls in the hadal zone by controlling the dynamic relationship between prey and predators. Our study elucidates the ecology of food-fall events in the hadal zone and highlights the key differences in food-fall events at different depths.

ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ РОСТА И РАЗВИТИЯ ПОМЕСНОГО МОЛОДНЯКА ОВЕЦ В УСЛОВИЯХ РЕСПУБЛИКИ ТЫВА

The aim of the study is to investigate the growth and development of crossbreeds obtained by crossing Tuvan coarse-wool short-fat-tailed ewes and a Gorno-Altai breed stud ram. The studies were conducted in 2023 in a private subsidiary farm in the village of Bayan-Kol, Kyzyl District, Kuu-Dag locality. As a result of crossing, first-generation crossbreed offspring were obtained. The obtained Gorno-Altai-Tuvan crossbreed young animals (experimental group) and purebred young animals of the Tuvan coarse-wool short-fat-tailed breed (control group) were selected for the experiment. Live weight was studied; absolute, average daily and relative gains were calculated. Measurements were also taken from the animals under study and body condition indices were calculated. The studies showed that the live weight of the crossbred young animals at birth was 5.16 kg, and at six months of age it was 37.48 kg, which is 1.28 and 1.14 times higher than that of the Tuvan short-fat-tailed breed, respectively. The crossbred animals grew well in width and had a more developed skeleton: the width at the hips (18.18 cm), chest girth (93.13 cm) and metacarpus girth (8.88 cm) were 1.37, 1.04 and 1.1 times higher, respectively. The measurements confirm the calculated indices of constitution: the index of massiveness of the crossbred young animals was 165.2 %, the index of bone content was 15.75 %, which is higher than that of purebred animals by 1.08 times and 1.14 times, respectively. However, the relative increase was 1.05 times higher in purebred young animals and was 156.0 %, which is most likely a consequence of the higher adaptability of Tuvan short-fat-tailed sheep to natural and climatic, feed conditions and their resistance to unfavorable factors.

Effects of Seipin on Mouse Mesenchymal Stem Cell Osteo-Adipogenic Balance.

Seipin deficiency is an important cause of type 2 Berardinelli-Seip congenital dyslipidemia (BSCL2). BSCL2 is a severe lipodystrophy syndrome with lack of adipose tissue, hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and normal or higher bone mineral density. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are believed to maintain bone and fat homeostasis by differentiating into osteoblasts and adipocytes. We aimed to explore the role of seipin in the osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation balance of BMSCs. Seipin loxP/loxP mice are used to explore metabolic disorders caused by seipin gene mutations. Compared with wild-type mice, subcutaneous fat deficiency and ectopic fat accumulation were higher in seipin knockout mice. Microcomputed tomography of the tibia revealed the increased bone content in seipin knockout mice. We generated seipin-deficient BMSCs in vitro and revealed that lipogenic genes are downregulated and osteogenic genes are upregulated in seipin-deficient BMSCs. In addition, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) signaling is reduced in seipin-deficient BMSCs, while using the PPARγ activator increased the lipogenic differentiation and decreased osteogenic differentiation of seipin-deficient BMSCs. Our findings indicated that bone and lipid metabolism can be regulated by seipin through modulating the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Thus, a new insight of seipin mutations in lipid metabolism disorders was revealed, providing a prospective strategy for MSC transplantation-based treatment of BSCL2.

Bone citrate content as an indicator of post-mortem interval.

The citrate levels in the bone start to decrease after death. Therefore, it may be possible to estimate the post-mortem interval if the citrate content decreases at regular and predictable intervals. To verify this, it was used twelve fresh porcine tibiae and femora, fifteen recently buried porcine bones, two samples of human bones curated from the anatomical teaching collection from Bournemouth University, UK (never been buried) and fifteen samples of archaeological human bones from Saint Augustine the Less, Bristol, UK. The results obtained in this study align together with the data available in the literature, with higher citrate content in the fresh porcine bones and lower in the archaeological samples, however, a statistical significance was not found. Moreover, the formula used to estimate the time since death largely overestimated the known PMI. Further research should be done with a larger sample and a new formula to estimate the post-mortem interval is required.

The recent history of an insular bat population reveals an environmental disequilibrium and conservation concerns

With the global pandemic of Covid-19, the putative threats related to the increasing contact between wild animals, including bats, and human populations have been highlighted. Bats are indeed known to carry several zoonoses, but at the same time, many species are currently facing the risk of extinction. In this context, being able to monitor the evolution of bat populations in the long term and predict future potential contact with humans has important implications for conservation and public health. In this study, we attempt to demonstrate the usefulness of a small-scale paleobiological approach to track the evolution of an insular population of Antillean fruit-eating bats (Brachyphylla cavernarum), known to carry zoonoses, by documenting the temporal evolution of a cave roosting site and its approximately 250 000 individuals bat colony. To do so, we conducted a stratigraphic analysis of the sedimentary infilling of the cave, as well as a taphonomic and paleobiological analysis of the bone contents of the sediment. Additionally, we performed a neotaphonomic study of an assemblage of scats produced by cats that had consumed bats on-site. Our results reveal the effects of human-induced environmental disturbances, as well as conservation policies, on the bat colony. They also demonstrate that the roosting site is currently filling at a very fast pace, which may lead to the displacement of the bat colony and increased contact between bats and human populations in the near future. Our research outcomes advocate for a better consideration of retrospective paleobiological data to address conservation questions related to bat populations.

Associations of gestational diabetes and proton density fat fraction of vertebral bone marrow and paraspinal musculature in premenopausal women.

Fat content in bones and muscles, quantified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a proton density fat fraction (PDFF) value, is an emerging non-invasive biomarker. PDFF has been proposed to indicate bone and metabolic health among postmenopausal women. Premenopausal women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM) carry an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and an increased risk of fractures. However, no studies have investigated the associations between a history of GDM and PDFF of bone or of paraspinal musculature (PSM), composed of autochthonous muscle (AM) and psoas muscle, which are responsible for moving and stabilizing the spine. This study aims to investigate whether PDFF of vertebral bone marrow and of PSM are associated with a history of GDM in premenopausal women. A total of 37 women (mean age 36.3 ± 3.8 years) who were 6 to 15 months postpartum with (n=19) and without (n=18) a history of GDM underwent whole-body 3T MRI, including a chemical shift encoding-based water-fat separation. The PDFF maps were calculated for the vertebral bodies and PSM. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of PSM was obtained. Associations between a history of GDM and PDFF were assessed using multivariable linear and logistic regression models. The PDFF of the vertebral bodies was significantly higher in women with a history of GDM (GDM group) than in women without (thoracic: median 41.55 (interquartile range 32.21-49.48)% vs. 31.75 (30.03-34.97)%; p=0.02, lumbar: 47.84 (39.19-57.58)% vs. 36.93 (33.36-41.31)%; p=0.02). The results remained significant after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI) (p=0.01-0.02). The receiver operating characteristic curves showed optimal thoracic andlumbar vertebral PDFF cutoffs at 38.10% and 44.18%, respectively, todifferentiate GDM (AUC 0.72 and 0.73, respectively, sensitivity 0.58, specificity 0.89). The PDFF of the AM was significantly higher in the GDM group (12.99 (12.18-15.90)% vs. 10.83 (9.39-14.71)%; p=0.04) without adjustments, while the CSA was similar between the groups (p=0.34). A history of GDM is significantly associated with a higher PDFF of the vertebral bone marrow, independent of age and BMI. This statistical association between GDM and increased PDFF highlights vertebral bone marrow PDFF as a potential biomarker for the assessment of bone health in premenopausal women at risk of diabetes.

Assessment of the influence of testosterone concentration in blood serum on meat productivity and meat quality of Aberdeen Angus bulls

The studies were carried out on Aberdeen Angus bulls at the age of 18 months. The animals, depending on the level of somatotropin in the blood serum, were divided into three groups using the percentile method: group I – up to the 25th percentile; Group II – within the 25-75 percentile; Group III – above the 75th percentile. Testosterone content was determined in blood serum by enzyme immunoassay using an automatic microplate analyzer Infinite F200 PRO. To study the meat qualities of the bulls, a control slaughter was carried out. It was established that bulls with the maximum concentration of testosterone in the blood serum were superior to individuals with the minimum concentration in pre-slaughter live weight by 3.4% (P≤0.05), in fresh carcass weight by 4.7% (P≤0.05), slaughter weight – by 3.6% (P≤0.01), pulp weight – by 5.4% (P≤0.05), protein accumulation in pulp – by 8.3% (P≤0.05), dry matter content – by 0.24% (P≤0.05), protein concentration – by 0.65% (P≤0.05), protein quality indicator – by 1.3% (P≤0.05) ). At the same time, they were inferior to them in weight and yield of internal fat by 12.1 (P≤0.001) and 0.6% (P≤0.05), respectively, in terms of bone content in the carcass - by 0.63% (P≤0 .05), relative fat content by 0.84% (P≤0.05).

Antitoxic activity of spruce cone extract in acute lead acetate poisoning in experiment

Introduction. Lead contamination is continuing worldwide. The development of new effective drugs for lead poisoning is an urgent task. The aim of the work is to evaluate the effectiveness of dry aqueous extract of spruce cones in lead poisoning. Materials and methods. The experiment was carried out on 24 white mongrel rats of both sexes. Animals of the studied groups were administered aqueous solution of lead acetate. The animals of the third group were treated with the extract of cones of common spruce (extract) by intragastric administration 3 times a week for a month. Animals of the fourth group were treated with polypheman by intragastric administration 3 times a week for a month. The elemental composition of tissue samples of animals of the studied groups was determined on energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer QUANT’X. The free radical reaction with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl was used to determine the antioxidant activity of the extract. Results. In groups of animals injected with lead acetate solution and treated with the extract and the comparison preparation polyphepan, a decrease in lead content in bones and brain tissues was observed compared to the content in animals injected with lead acetate solution without treatment. No effect of the extract on the motor function of the intestine was revealed. When determining the antiradical activity, it was found that the extract showed a pronounced ability to bind free radicals, comparable to the known antioxidant rutin. Discussion. The use of the extract allows effective excretion of lead and prevents its deposition in bone tissue. Due to the ability of procyanidins to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, the extract is effective in brain damage caused by lead. The extract will also be effective in relieving oxidative stress resulting from lead poisoning. Conclusion. The dry aqueous extract of cones of common spruce shows the ability to reduce the lead content in bones and brain tissues in comparison with the group that did not receive treatment for lead acetate poisoning. The extract is able not only to effectively reduce the lead content in the body, but also to fight the consequences of poisoning, due to its pronounced antiradical activity.

Gut development following insulin-like growth factor-1 supplementation to preterm pigs

BackgroundReduced insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels may contribute to impaired organ development in preterm infants. Using preterm pigs as a model, we hypothesized that IGF-1 supplementation improves health and gut development during the first three weeks of life.MethodsFirst, clinical and organ endpoints were compared between artificially-reared, cesarean-delivered preterm pigs and vaginally-delivered, sow-reared term pigs at 5, 9 and 19 days. Next, preterm pigs were treated with recombinant human IGF-1 for 19 days (2.25 mg/kg/day, systemically).ResultsRelative to term pigs, preterm pigs had lower body weight, fat, bone contents, relative weights of liver and spleen and a longer and thinner intestine at 19 days. Preterm birth reduced intestinal villi heights and peptidase activities, but only at 5 and 9 days. In preterm pigs, IGF-1 reduced mortality primarily occurring from gastrointestinal complications and with a tendency towards salvaging smaller pigs. IGF-1 supplementation also increased spleen and kidney weights, small intestine length and maltase to lactase activity, reflecting gut maturation.ConclusionPreterm birth affects body composition and gut maturation in the first 1–2 weeks, but differences are marginal thereafter. Supplemental IGF-1 may improve gut health in pigs and infants in the first few weeks after preterm birth.ImpactInsulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) supplementation may improve gut health and development in prematurity, but whether the effects are sustained beyond the immediate postnatal period is unclear.In preterm pigs, the prematurity effects on IGF-1 and gut health deficiencies are most pronounced during the first week of life and diminishes thereafter.In preterm pigs, IGF-1 supplementation beyond the first week of life reduced mortality.The present study provides evidence of a sustained effect of IGF-1 supplementation on the gastrointestinal tract after the immediate postnatal period.

Absolute content of bone component in the body of Kyrgyz children with different somatotypes in the early childhood

Background. Improving pediatric observation globally and in Kyrgyzstan is essential for early detection of developmental issues and monitoring normal physical parameters. The purpose of the study was to investigate the indicators of bone composition in children of Kyrgyz nationality of both sexes in the early childhood period. Materials and methods. To achieve the goal, 800 children from 4 to 7 years old were examined using anatomical-anthropometric and bioimpedance methods. Results. It was revealed that the absolute content of bone component in male respondents at the age of 4 years ranges from 3.24 to 5.17 (4.10 ± 0.01) kg, 5 years — from 3.27 to 5.81 (4.26 ± 0.01) kg, 6 years — from 3.34 to 5.87 (4.39 ± 0.01) kg and 7 years — from 3.23 up to 6.02 (4.59 ± 0.01) kg. The absolute index of the bone component in 4-year-old girls has an individual variability of 3.04–5.17 (3.97 ± 0.01) kg, 5-year-old — 3.27–5.61 (4.20 ± 0.01) kg, 6-year-old — 3.34–5.77 (4.34 ± 0.01) kg and 7-year-old — 3.43–6.02 (4.40 ± 0.01) kg. Conclusions. The highest bone content was found in individuals with muscular somatotype, while the lowest values were in asthenoid and thoracic somatotypes for both males and females. Boys had higher bone component index at ages of 4 and 7.

Ecological desalination of anchovy residues and their mixture with soybean meal for the production of poultry feed: Optimization of waste through response surface methodology (RSM)

Salted anchovy bones are a non-recyclable waste product containing high salt levels. However, they also contain valuable minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and nitrogen. This study aimed to find a cost-effective method to desalinate anchovy bones while preserving their nutritional value and repurposing them as a raw material for poultry feed. Through various tests, we were able to reduce the salt content of the anchovy bones from 15.4% to 4.7% using a 50/50 percent mixture of tap water and from 15.4% to 3.7% using a mixture of tap water and soybean meal in a 30/70 percent ratio. Combining soybean meal with desalted anchovy bones resulted in a nutritional composition comparable to that found in poultry feed, reducing salt content. The response surface method (RSM) was employed to determine the optimal proportions of desalted anchovy bones (70-90%) and soybean meal (10-30%) and to study the variables affecting the concentrations of NaCl, Ca, P, Ash, and TNM. The study revealed the influence of desalted anchovy bone and soybean meal percentages on these concentrations. This study demonstrates that the method used provides an ideal approach for understanding the interactions between input parameters (% DAR, % SM) and output parameters (NaCl, Ca, P, Ash, and TNM) and shows promising results for the desalination of anchovy bones using a soybean meal cake as well as the feasibility of creating poultry feed.

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Melalui Pengelolaan Limbah Cangkang Telur Ayam Menjadi Pupuk Organik Di Desa Gitik Kecamatan Rogojampi Kabupaten Banyuwangi

Egg shells, chicken bones and beef bones are included in organic waste. According to Rahmayanti (2020), organic waste comes from living creatures which can be reused into organic fertilizer. The high phosphorus content in egg shells is 95% and the high nitrogen content in livestock bones is able to fulfill plant elements for growth and development. This research is in line with research by Lubis, et al., (2020), where the content of egg shells has a significant effect on increasing the height growth of Japanese Cambodian (Adenium obesum) starting from increasing plant height and increasing the number of plant leaves. On the other hand, the use of organic fertilizer from chicken, beef and egg shell waste can be an alternative in controlling environmental problems.

Effect of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation with different dietary available phosphorus levels for broilers

ABSTRACT 1. Based on the hypothesis that 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) inclusion would optimise dietary mineral digestibility and ameliorate growth performance and bone mineralisation in available phosphorus (AvP) deficient-fed broilers, a trial was conducted to evaluate its effect on diets with different levels of AvP. 2. Broilers aged 1–21 d were randomly assigned one of the eight treatments, consisting of four dietary levels of AvP (0.45%, 0.42%, 0.39%, and 0.36%) and with or without supplementation with 25-OH-D3 at 69 μg/kg of feed. All diets contained 100 µg/kg of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). 3. The addition of 25-OH-D3 resulted in higher feed intake and body weight gain, and lower FCR (P < 0.05) compared to non-supplemented diets, whereas AvP levels had a quadratic effect only on feed intake. There were no interactions between treatment factors. 4. Increasing AvP levels linearly reduced the ileal digestibility of Ca and P (P < 0.01) and supplementing 25-OH-D3 increased both Ca and P ileal digestibility (P < 0.05), without any interactions observed for ileal digestibility. 5. There was an interaction, whereby 25-OH-D3 inclusion increased serum metabolites in broilers fed 0.36% to 0.42% AvP compared to the non-supplemented diets (P < 0.001), whereas, at 0.45% AvP, diets with or without 25-OH-D3 had similar results. 6. The P content in bone linearly increased in line with AvP levels (P < 0.05) and supplementation of 25-OH-D3 increased ash bone content (P < 0.001). 7. Broilers can benefit from 25-OH-D3 supplementation combined with cholecalciferol with regard to Ca and P utilisation and vitamin D status, allowing for a reduction of dietary AvP levels down to 0.36% without impairing growth performance or bone status.

PSXII-16 Evaluation of a Grade Ruler Approach for Yield Grading of Veal Carcasses

Abstract Introduction: yield estimations in carcass grading systems are important for the meat industry to assign value and sort carcasses for different market specifications. Previous studies in different species have reported yield estimations performed using anatomical linear measurements that segregate carcasses into grades or classes. However, veal carcasses are not currently segregated in terms of carcass yield performance and the Canadian veal industry is now discussing the option of implementing yield assessments for veal carcass grading purposes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of a grade ruler approach to predict yield performance of veal carcasses for grading purposes. A total of ~300 (males and females) veal carcass sides representative of the current Canadian veal population (body weight: 127.5 to 189.2 kg; backfat: 0.5 to 20.7 mm) were use in the present study. Carcass sides were scanned using a Lunar iDXA unit to evaluate the content of total fat, lean and bone. Results and discussion: total carcass lean was mainly correlated with the hot carcass weight (r = 0.65), ¼ backfat thickness (r = -0.33) and rib eye area (REA: r = 0.58) at the 11th – 12th rib-eye location (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Because the time to grade veal carcasses at the grading stand is limited and the efficiency of the grading tools (e.g., ruler) has to be maximized, the ¼ backfat thickness and the width and length of the ribeye were the main factors considered to develop a prediction equation. These continues variables (backfat thickness and REA) were then categorized assigning fat classes (1-10) in 2 mm increments and 4 muscle scores (small-large). The new equation developed for the estimation of lean yield incorporating the anatomical traits of muscle score and fat class showed a R2 of 0.62 and a root mean square error of 2.14 %. Based on this equation, a matrix of estimated lean meat yield percentage using the fat class and muscle score descriptors (Table 1) was developed for the implementation in a yield ruler. The results of the present study suggest that lean yield percentage from veal carcasses might be objectively and accurately predicted applying a yield ruler approach. This tool will facilitate the veal yield grading by just determining the fat class (at ¼ backfat thickness) and muscle score at the 11th – 12th rib location.

Testing countermeasures to reduce 90Sr content in fish products

Activity concentrations of 90Sr in fish in lakes located within the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ) reach 100 kBq kg−1, which is several thousand times higher than the permissible level in Ukraine (35 Bq kg−1). This study was conducted in the natural conditions of the ChEZ to determine the effectiveness of keeping radioactively contaminated fish in “clean” water to reduce the 90Sr content of their muscle tissue, as previously shown in short-term laboratory experiments. It was found that transferring tench (Tinca tinca (Linnaeus, 1758)) from Lake Glubokoye one of the most contaminated lakes in the ChEZ, to a cage in the “clean” Lake Starukha for 45 days did not lead to a significant decrease in 90Sr content in both bone and muscle tissues.Establishing permissible levels of 90Sr concentration only in fish fillet, and not in the whole fish body (with bone tissue), is appropriate for human radiation protection, since the retention factors of 90Sr treatment for boiled bone tissue of crucian carp from the Chornobyl exclusion zone are less than 0.01, and up to 97% of strontium is contained in bone tissue.

Influence of Body Composition and Specific Anthropometric Parameters on SIBO Type.

Recent observations have shown that Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)affects the host through various mechanisms. While both weight loss and obesity have been reported in the SIBO population due to alterations in the gut microbiome, very little is known about the influence of SIBO type on body composition. This study aimed to evaluate whether there is a link between the three types of SIBO: methane dominant (M+), hydrogen dominant (H+), and methane-hydrogen dominant (H+/M+) and specific anthropometric parameters. This observational study included 67 participants (W = 53, M = 14) with gastrointestinal symptoms and SIBO confirmed by lactulose hydrogen-methane breath tests (LHMBTs) using the QuinTron device. Participants underwent a body composition assessment by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) using the InBody Analyzer. In the H+/M+ group, body weight (p = 0.010), BMI (p = 0.001), body fat in kg (p = 0.009), body fat in % (p = 0.040), visceral fat (p = 0.002), and mineral bone content (p = 0.049) showed an inverse correlation with hydrogen (H2) gas production. These findings suggest that body weight, BMI, body fat, and mineral bone content may be inversely linked to the production of hydrogen and the risk of hydrogen-methane SIBO.

Low-temperature thermal treatment’s impact on hydroxyapatite nanofiber characteristics

Bone fractures caused by trauma or injury have been a worldwide public health concern. Therefore, bone tissue engineering has emerged as a viable option for addressing these issues by providing a variety of novel scaffold construction approaches. Bone is composed primarily with hydroxyapatite and carbonated apatite, which is 65% of the total mass. Therefore, many strategies have been conducted in fabricating bone scaffold with hydroxyapatite as the main biomaterials. The combination of electrospinning procedure and sol–gel method in generating hydroxyapatite nanofibers has some advantages due to the ability in replicating the content or structure of natural bone's extracellular matrix (ECM). The fibers were electrospun from a mixture of sol formed from polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)as the carrier and the calcium phosphate (CaP) precursors, followed by a thermal treatment that alter the fiber characteristics. Based on previous studies, the thermal treatment of pure hydroxyapatite phase has been suggested at least 600 °C However, no studies have done the thermal treatment at low temperature. Thus, this study investigates the impact of low-temperature thermal treatment on hydroxyapatite nanofibers. Observation on diameter and porosity of the fabricated fibers was conducted based on SEM images. The diameter of the fibers was decreased form 35.23 nm to 24.69 nm after the thermal treatment. Besides, the Ca/P molar ratio of the fabricated nanofibers was decreased from 15 to 8.16 after thermal treatment showing the potential of this formulation in achieving hydroxyapatite phase stoichiometry of 1.67. For future study, formulation at different PVP concentrations and different temperatures also need to be done in achieving better hydroxyapatite nanofibers properties.

A comparative study of muscle nutrition and intermuscular bone number in improved diploid carp

The common carp (Cyprinus carpio L., COC, 2n = 100) is one of the most widely consumed and distributed freshwater fish in the world. It ranks fourth in total freshwater aquaculture volume in various regions of China, behind Ctenopharyngodon idella, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and Aristichthys nobilis. However, in recent years, environmental degradation, inbreeding, disordered breeding, and other adverse effects have caused problems such as low seed quality and poor disease and stress resistance of the carp. In our laboratory, we developed two types of improved diploid carp the hybrid F1 of common carp (♀) × blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala, BSB, 2n = 48) (♂). To investigate the differences between IDC and IDMC compared to COC, in this study we compared the relevant characteristics of these two types of improved carp with those of COC in terms of muscle nutrient composition, intermuscular bone type, and number. The results showed that among the muscle nutrients, IDC had a higher protein content (18.50%) and lower carbohydrate content (0.70%). In addition, the unsaturated fatty acid content of IDC (3.45%) and IDMC (1.25%) were significantly higher than that of COC (P < 0.05) (0.50%). For monounsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid (OA, C18:1 n-9) and linoleic acid (PA, C16:1), the content of IDC and IDMC were also abundant. In terms of intermuscular bone morphology, the morphology and type of intermuscular bone in IDC and IDMC medullary arch ossicles were consistent with those of COC. However, the number of intermuscular bones was different, and the average number of intermuscular bones of IDMC decreased by 14.77% (P < 0.05) compared with COC. The advantages of IDC and IDMC are different, with IDC having a higher value of muscle nutrients and IDMC having a lower intermuscular bone content. The distant hybridization of common carp (♀) × blunt snout bream (♂) developed two improved diploid carp varieties with excellent traits, which added carp germplasm resources with high muscle nutrition and lower intermuscular bone, and provided theoretical support for their production application.

Neuropilin 2 in osteoblasts regulates trabecular bone mass in male mice.

Neuropilin 2 (NRP2) mediates the effects of class 3 semaphorins and vascular endothelial growth factor and is implicated in axonal guidance and angiogenesis. Moreover, NRP2 expression is suggested to be involved in the regulation of bone homeostasis. Indeed, osteoblasts and osteoclasts express NRP2 and male and female global Nrp2 knockout mice have a reduced bone mass accompanied by reduced osteoblast and increased osteoclast counts. We first examined the in vitro effect of the calciotropic hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] on Nrp2 transcription in osteoblasts. We next generated mice with a conditional deletion of Nrp2 in the osteoblast cell lineage under control of the paired related homeobox 1 promoter and mice with a conditional Nrp2 knockdown in osteoclasts under control of the Lysozyme promoter. Mice were examined under basal conditions or after treatment with either the bone anabolic vitamin D3 analog WY 1048 or with 1,25(OH)2D3. We show that Nrp2 expression is induced by 1,25(OH)2D3 in osteoblasts and is associated with enrichment of the vitamin D receptor in an intronic region of the Nrp2 gene. In male mice, conditional deletion of Nrp2 in osteoblast precursors and mature osteoblasts recapitulated the bone phenotype of global Nrp2 knockout mice, with a reduced cortical cross-sectional tissue area and lower trabecular bone content. However, female mice with reduced osteoblastic Nrp2 expression display a reduced cross-sectional tissue area but have a normal trabecular bone mass. Treatment with the vitamin D3 analog WY 1048 (0.4 μg/kg/d, 14 days, ip) resulted in a similar increase in bone mass in both genotypes and genders. Deleting Nrp2 from the osteoclast lineage did not result in a bone phenotype, even though in vitro osteoclastogenesis of hematopoietic cells derived from mutant mice was significantly increased. Moreover, treatment with a high dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 (0.5 μg/kg/d, 6 days, ip), to induce osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, resulted in a similar reduction in trabecular and cortical bone mass. In conclusion, osteoblastic Nrp2 expression is suggested to regulate bone homeostasis in a sex-specific manner.