Dry Body Weight Research Articles

Extending the 2% rule: the effects of heavy internal tags on stress physiology, swimming performance, and growth in brook trout

The use of internal telemetry has greatly advanced fisheries research in the past two decades, permitting researchers to observe movements and distributions of organisms in their natural environment. For many years, the prevailing opinion has been that internal tags should not weigh more than 2% of the dry body weight of a fish. Some studies indicate that tags weighing up to 12% dry body weight do not have a negative effect on swimming performance, but few authors have examined impacts to fish physiology and health. This study investigated how tags greater than 2% body mass affected the mortality, tag retention, swimming performance, and physiological indicators of stress in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill). No mortality was observed between treatment groups, but tag retention was lowest in the heavy tag treatment group in which 80% (12 fish) lost tags. Swimming performance and physiological indices of stress were not significantly impacted by tag mass. Fish tagged with heavy tags showed slower growth in the 3 weeks after tagging, but growth rates appeared to recover by the end of the study, although this result may be confounded by tag loss. The results of this study suggest that for brook trout, the 2% rule is a highly conservative guideline that can be substantially extended but should not exceed 7% body weight due to concerns about tag retention.

Effect of vitamin E supplementation to dry murrah buffaloes on dry matter intake, body condition score, metabolic shifts pre and postpartum

This study as designed to evaluate effect of vitamin E supplementation to dry Murrah buffaloes on dry matter intake, body condition score and metabolic shifts pre and postpartum in response to vitamin E supplementation from day -56, relative to parturition. Total twelve numbers of healthy dry Murrah buffaloes were selected from National Dairy Research Institute Murrah herd and randomly distributed in to two groups treatment and control consisting six buffaloes in each group. Buffaloes in treatment group were supplemented with 2,000 IU α-tocopheryl acetate/day/head from -56 days prepartum to + 21 days postpartum in addition to the control feed. Dry matter intake, body weight and body condition score were recorded at fortnightly interval. Blood samples were taken from each buffalo by jugular vein puncture at weekly interval from day -56 to day + 56 relative to parturition. Vitamin E supplemented buffaloes registered significantly higher levels of glucose (P < 0.05) and albumin (P < 0.05) whereas plasma NEFA and DMI was low in these buffaloes. There was no effect of vitamin E supplementation on body weight, BCS, β-HBA and BUN levels. The changes occurring in peripheral levels of these blood metabolites were within the normal physiological range in both the groups.

Hypertension in post-renal transplant patients: Pilot study

Post-transplant hypertension is a major risk factor for graft loss and patient survival; therefore, hypertension following renal transplantation must be treated strictly. There seems to be a strong association between hypertension, total body water (TBW) and dry weight. In this study, we report the relationship of body water and body composition with hypertension in post-renal transplant patients. Forty-five post-transplant patients were enrolled in the study. Blood pressure (BP) was labeled as controlled if BP was 120/80 mm Hg and not under good control if BP was above 120/80 mm Hg. Based on the number of antihypertensive medications a patient was taking, patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 patients on one antihypertensive drug and Group 2 patients on more than one antihypertensive drug. Nutritional status of the patients was assessed. Body composition (water compartments, body fat and lean mass) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Patient data were compared with 30 healthy volunteers. In patients, systolic BP was associated with TBW (P = 0.016), extracellular water (ECW Lt; r = 0.99), ECW% (r = 0.78) and diastolic BP with TBW% (P = 0.003), dry weight (r = 0.76) ECW% (r = 0.95) and percent intracellular water (ICW%) (r = 0.79). Compared with controls, ECW and ECW% was higher in patients, and the ICW% was less in patients. There was significant difference in the actual weight of the patients and BIA-derived dry weight, although patients were clinically not edematous. The study showed a significant increase in diastolic BP with increase in dry weight. Significant difference in TBW was observed when the patients were grouped on the basis of the antihypertensive medication a patient was taking (one antihypertensive drug versus more than one antihypertensive drug). This study also showed an association between hypertension and overhydration. BIA may be a useful tool for the clinical assessment of overhydration in non-edematous patients.

Relaciones longitud-biomasa en macroinvertebrados bentónicos de un arroyo serrano del sur de Córdoba, Argentina

biometricas) ABSTRACT. Length-biomass relationships in benthic macroinvertebrates of a mountain stream of the south of Cordoba, Argentina: The methods used for indirect determination of invertebrates biomass are based on mathematical equations that relate body linear dimensions and weight of the organism. However, these relationships depend on biotic and physicochemical conditions of each particular environment. The aim of this study was to determine the equations to estimate the relationship between lenght and weight of benthic macroinvertebrate of Achiras stream, located in the southwest of Cordoba province (Argentina). The benthos was collected with Surber nets, with a seasonal occurrence (fall, winter, spring and summer), between 2006 and 2007. Body length and dry weight for the specimens of the more represented taxonomic groups were registered and the regression equations that best explain the relationship between the two variables were calculated. We evaluated three models, simple linear, potential and exponential, and we selected the better expression that associate the variables. Equations were estimated for 24 macroinvertebrates taxa (three species, 12 genera, three subfamilies, four families and two orders). Most regressions were highly significant and explain a large proportion of the variation of the dry weight. The estimated equations suggest that for most of the benthic macroinvertebrates of Achiras stream, the relationship between length and biomass is alometric and can be explained by a power or exponential model, while only for four taxa simple linear regression best fit length and body weight values. Regression models applied to lower level taxonomic groups (family and genus) explained a greater proportion of the variation in weight, with regard to the order level regressions. In addition two general equations were estimated following the power model. In most analyzed taxa the value of the slope was less than three, and the average determination coefficient found in our study was 0.77, which coincide with the variation range of the published results for benthic fauna of other lotic environments.

Role of Dialysis Sodium Gradient on Intradialytic Hypertension: An Observational Study

Introduction: The causes of intradialytic hypertension (IDHyper) are not well understood and this condition can complicate the clinical management of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Aim: To evaluate the potential role of intradialytic sodium gradient (NaG) on blood pressure values and IDHyper during HD. Patients and Methods: 206 prevalent HD patients on 3 times weekly HD treatment for at least 6 months (dialytic vintage 6-240 months) followed at our institution were studied. Mean age was 68 ± 14 years, 129 were men. For 2 consecutive months (24 HD sessions) after the start of observation, the following variables were evaluated in predialysis after the long interdialysis interval: pre-HD plasma sodium (pNa, mmol/l) and potassium (pK, mmol/l) concentrations (mean value of 8 determinations), pre- and post-HD systolic (SBP, mm Hg) and diastolic (DBP, mm Hg) blood pressure, dry body weight (dBW, kg), interdialytic weight gain (IDWG, kg), ultrafiltration rate (UFR, ml/kg/h), dialysis dose (Kt/V), protein catabolic rate (PCRn, g/kg/day), hemoglobin (Hb, g/dl). SBP, DBP, IDWG, UFR are the mean values of the 24 HD sessions. 76% of patients were on antihypertensive therapy, 171 patients were on bicarbonate HD, and 35 on HDF. Dialysate Na concentration was set at 140 mmol/l in all patients. Duration of HD and the blood and dialysate flow rate were kept constant during observation. Statistical Analysis: Data are expressed as mean ± SD; linear and multiple regression analysis and t test for unpaired data were employed. Significant differences were defined as p < 0.05. Results: Pre-HD pNa was 138.1 ± 2.3 mmol/l, pK 5.0 ± 0.4 mmol/l, dBW 67 ± 14 kg, IDWG 2.9 ± 0.8 kg, UFR 11.2 ± 3.7 ml/kg/h, Kt/V 1.43 ± 0.18, PCRn 1.13 ± 0.17 g/kg/day, and Hb 11.2 ± 0.8 g/dl. Pre- and post-HD SBP values were 139 ± 13 and 134 ± 12 mm Hg (p < 0.0001); pre- and post-HD DBP did not change significantly. A dialysis Na gradient (NaG) (dialysate Na - pre-HD pNa) was calculated, as well as the delta of SBP (ΔSBP) (post-HD SBP - pre-HD SBP). IDHyper was defined as ΔSBP >0. A significant direct correlation was found between NaG and ΔSBP (p < 0.0001) and multiple regression analysis with ΔSBP as dependent variable confirmed the strong correlation with NaG (p < 0.00001). According to ΔSBP behavior, 171 patients (83%) had a decrease or no change in post-HD SBP (group 1; no IDHyper); 35 patients (17%) increased their post-HD SBP (group 2; IDHyper). NaG values were significantly greater in patients in group 2 (group 1: 1.5 ± 2.2 vs. group 2: 3.3 ± 2.5, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study shows that the intradialytic ΔSBP is independently and strongly associated with the dialytic NaG. The more positive the NaG (net intradialytic Na gain), the more positive the ΔSBP and IDHyper.

CLA induced milk fat depression reduced dry matter intake and improved energy balance in dairy goats

The extent to which CLA supplements inhibit milk fat synthesis is highly dependent on the amount of trans-10, cis-12 CLA reaching the mammary gland. Secondary events such as changes in milk yield, dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW) and energy balance (EB) may also occur depending on the magnitude of milk fat depression. This study investigated the effects of feeding a rumen unprotected CLA methyl ester supplement on milk fat yield and fatty acid (FA) profile, yield of milk and other milk components, DMI and metabolic variables in dairy goats. Twenty primiparous, non-pregnant Toggenburg goats, paired by BW, days in milk (DIM) and milk yield (MY) [2.8±0.4 (mean±SEM)kgmilk/day, BW of 40±3.7kg and 75±3 days in milk] were used in a crossover design with 14 days treatment periods and a 6 days washout. Goats were randomly assigned to the following treatments: Control (30g/day of calcium salts of FA) or CLA [30g/day of a rumen unprotected CLA methyl ester supplement (29.9% trans-10, cis-12 CLA)]. There was no treatment effect on BW, milk yield, or milk protein and lactose content and yield. However, compared to Control, CLA decreased milk fat content and yield by 13.9 and 13.3%, respectively, and CLA treated goats consumed 6.5% less corn silage. The CLA treatment increased the concentration of both CLA isomers (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12) in milk fat. The concentration of short and medium chain milk FA (C16) was decreased by CLA, while long chain FA were increased. However, the daily secretion was lower for FA of all chain lengths in CLA treated goats. Glucose and insulin were not affected by treatment, while CLA treatment decreased non esterified FA by 22.2%. The CLA treatment improved calculated EB by 0.3Mcal/day. Overall, CLA methyl ester supplements are effective in causing milk fat depression in lactating dairy goats and improving EB, which may be used as a nutritional tool in some circumstances.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to Estimate Body Composition Measurement: High Variability Due to Presence of Ascites

Purpose: Body composition assessment can be utilized for the nutrition evaluation of protein calorie malnutrition in patients with end stage liver disease (ESLD). Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) is a widely utilized method to assess total body composition. The Bodystat® 4000 (Bodystat Limited, UK) machine has been introduced for body composition analysis. By affecting the signal conduction, fluid retention such as ascites may pose difficulties in assessing the degree of malnutrition and estimation of nutrition support by BIA. There is limited data on the effect of fluid retention/ascites on the accuracy of body composition analysis in patients with ESLD. Therefore, we aim to assess the accuracy in the BIA before and after large volume abdominal paracentesis (LVP) in patients with ESLD. Methods: A prospective cohort study in patients with ESLD with ascites was performed at our institution. Adult (≥18 years) patients with ESLD who were scheduled to receive LVP were included in our study. Patients with low-volume paracentesis (<2 liters) and patients who cannot give informed consent were excluded from the study analysis. The total volume of paracentesis fluid, patient's height and weight (before and after LVP) were recorded. A Bodystat® 4000 machine was utilized to obtain BIA measurements (at five Ohm, 50 Ohm, 100 Ohm, and 200 Ohm). The machine estimated the total body composition components: total body fat, lean body mass, dry body weight, and body cell mass, total body fluid, extracellular fluid and intracellular fluid. We obtained these measurements just before and immediately after LVP. Measurements after LVP were obtained using new weight after paracentesis. We compared these measurements using paired t test (p≤0.05). Results: A total of 25 patients with ESLD were recruited. After excluding four patients with low-volume paracentesis volume (<2 liters), a total 21 patients were included in our final analysis. The mean age of the patients was 61.4 years (71% male). The average amount of abdominal paracentesis was 6.8 liters (range 2 - 13 liters). The results of the BIA and total body composition measurements before and immediately after LVP are shown in table.Table: Table. Comparison of total body composition components before and after LVP using paired two tailed t testConclusion: Our study found significant variability in all body compartments measured by BIA using Bodystat® 4000 machine in ESLD patients undergoing LVP. The accuracy of body composition measurements using a Bodystat® 4000 machine is not reliable in patients with ESLD patients with ascites.

Graft function and nutritional parameters in stable post renal transplant patients

Abstract Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a noninvasive and bedside tool for assessment of nutritional status. It is expected that patients who have undergone successful renal transplant will have good nutritional intake and steadily the patient will return to normal health and have good nutritional status. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate effect of graft function on nutritional status in post renal transplant patients with borderline to good allograft function using BIA. Material and methods For this study, 45 post-renal transplant patients with mean serum creatinine 1.42 ± 0.42 mg% and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 45.1 ± 14.1 ml/min were subjected to bioimpedance analysis. Several parameters were evaluated. Based on BIA derived GFR, patients were divided into two groups (group 1: borderline graft function GFR Results There was significant difference between healthy controls and the post transplant patients. Based on GFR, there was significant difference in patient groups in body weight ( p = 0.01), serum creatinine ( p = 0.005), BMI ( p = 0.000), fat free mass ( p = 0.003), fat mass ( p = 0.003), body cell mass ( p = 0.000), dry weight ( p = 0.001). Patients with borderline GFR had higher serum creatinine but significantly lower body weight, BMI, FFM, FM, and dry weight, indicating poorer nutritional status as compared to those with good graft function. Based on phase angle, there was significant difference between groups A and B in GFR ( p = 0.000), extracellular water ( p = 0.015), intracellular water ( p = 0.002), plasma fluid ( p = 0.016), interstitial fluid ( p = 0.016), body cell mass ( p = 0.024). SGA scores showed that transplant patients had normal nutritional status, but when compared with healthy individuals, there was significant difference in the fat mass, fat free mass and body cell mass as assessed by BIA. Conclusion Compared to patients with good graft function, patients with borderline GFR showed evidence of early nutritional depletion as picked up by BIA implying nutritional deficiency sets in with reduction in GFR (

Palmitic acid increased yields of milk and milk fat and nutrient digestibility across production level of lactating cows

The effects of palmitic acid supplementation on feed intake, digestibility, and metabolic and production responses were evaluated in dairy cows with a wide range of milk production (34.5 to 66.2kg/d) in a crossover design experiment with a covariate period. Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows (151±66 d in milk) were randomly assigned to treatment sequence within level of milk production. Treatments were diets supplemented (2% of diet DM) with palmitic acid (PA; 99% C16:0) or control (SH; soyhulls). Treatment periods were 21 d, with the final 4 d used for data and sample collection. Immediately before the first treatment period, cows were fed the control diet for 21 d and baseline values were obtained for all variables (covariate period). Milk production measured during the covariate period (preliminary milk yield) was used as covariate. In general, no interactions were detected between treatment and preliminary milk yield for the response variables measured. The PA treatment increased milk fat percentage (3.40vs.3.29%) and yields of milk (46.0vs. 44.9kg/d), milk fat (1.53vs.1.45kg/d), and 3.5% fat-corrected milk (44.6vs. 42.9kg/d), compared with SH. Concentrations and yields of protein and lactose were not affected by treatment. The PA treatment did not affect dry matter (DM) intake or body weight, tended to decrease body condition score (2.93vs. 2.99), and increased feed efficiency (3.5% fat-corrected milk/DM intake; 1.60vs.1.54), compared with SH. The PA treatment increased total-tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (39.0vs.35.7%) and organic matter (67.9vs.66.2%), but decreased fatty acid (FA) digestibility (61.2vs.71.3%). As total FA intake increased, total FA digestibility decreased (R2=0.51) and total FA absorbed increased (quadratic R2=0.82). Fatty acid yield response, calculated as the additional FA yield secreted in milk per unit of additional FA intake, was 11.7% for total FA and 16.5% for C16:0 plus cis-9 C16:1 FA. The PA treatment increased plasma concentration of nonesterified FA (101vs.90.0μEq/L) and cholecystokinin (19.7vs. 17.6pmol/L), and tended to increase plasma concentration of insulin (10.7vs. 9.57μIU/mL). Results show that palmitic acid fed at 2% of diet DM has the potential to increase yields of milk and milk fat, independent of production level without increasing body condition score or body weight. However, a small percentage of the supplemented FA was partitioned to milk.

PP142-SUN QUICK AND EASY IN THEORY BUT COSTLY IN PRACTICE? IMPLICATIONS OF POORLY PERFORMING NUTRITION SCREENING TOOLS IN HIP FRACTURE

Methods: Ninety four consecutive renal patients were included in the study, 53 received transplant from a deceased donor (DD) and 41 from a live donor (LD). Body mass index (BMI), based on dry body weight, triceps skinfold (TSF), mid arm circumference and corrected mid arm muscle area (cMAMA) were measured. After the transplantation medical records were reviewed until patient’s discharge and data regarding delayed graft function (DGF), dialysis sessions, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and proteinuria were recorded. Results: Compared to patients in the LD group those in the DD group had more years of dialysis before transplantation (p < 0.001), higher BMI (p = 0.04) and TSF (p = 0.03) and tended to have lower cMAMA (p = 0.01). In the DD group, those with DGF had higher BMI (p = 0.02) and TSF (p = 0.02) and those needed haemodialysis tended to have higher BMI (p = 0.09) and had higher TSF (p = 0.05). Moreover, both BMI and TSF tended to correlate with GFR (rs = 0.26, p = 0.06 and rs = 0.25, p = 0.08, respectively). In the LD group, those needed haemodialysis tended to have higher BMI (p = 0.1), while GFR was negatively correlated with BMI (rs = 0.33, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Higher BMI and TSF negatively affected graft function during the early post-transplantation period, especially in the DD group.

The effect of size, weight, body compartment, sex and reproductive status on the bioaccumulation of 19 trace elements in rope-grown Mytilus galloprovincialis

Numerous trace elements (TEs) can be considered as potential pollutants of the environment, their mining productions and industrial uses increasing worldwide. Their monitoring can be achieved through the use of bioindicator species, such as the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819). That species has been widely used to monitor the chemical pollution of coastal ecosystems by Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, Ag and V. Conversely, environmental levels of Be, Al, Fe, Mn, Co, Se, Mo, Sn, Sb and Bi have been little or not monitored so far in mussel watch programs. Bioaccumulation processes of these 19 TEs in rope-grown M. galloprovincialis purchased from a salt pond with good chemical water quality were thus investigated in the present study.Mussels efficiently accumulated the 19 studied TEs. Bioaccumulation processes were driven by numerous mutually dependent biological parameters such as the mussel size and flesh weight, the sex and the reproductive status and the body compartment considered. TE bioaccumulation was a power function of the mussel soft body dry weight; total contents linearly increased with the shell length. Small-size mussels overall concentrated more TEs, with a high inter-individual variability, consequently influencing the modelling of their bioaccumulation in the whole rope population. Although a large range of rope-grown M. galloprovincialis sizes can be used for monitoring purposes, one will thus take care not to use extreme size individuals. The influence of gametogenesis in determining female body higher TE concentrations prior to spawning could not be neglected and varied depending on the element. TEs were preferentially accumulated in the hepatopancreas, except for Zn, Se, Cd and Mo, more concentrated in gills. Gametogenesis did not influence TE distribution between body compartments, but likely diluted their concentrations as a direct consequence of massive reproductive tissue production.So, results from the present study underline the potential use of M. galloprovincialis in the biomonitoring of numerous little studied TEs and give some insights into the decisive role played by some relevant biological parameters in bioaccumulation processes of the 19 investigated TEs in rope-grown mussels.

English

BACKGROUND: medicinal plants are rich in a numerous variety of secondary metabolites of antimicrobial properties. Psidium guajava is one of the parts in folk medicine that has been used for the management of various disease conditions and is believed to be active. As a consequence of the intense fight against infections, bacteria have evolved through numerous defenses against antimicrobial agents. OBJECTIVE: to determine the inhibitory effect of P guajava Linn. stem bark extracts on multidrug resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus’isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stock cultures of 51 Staphylococcus aureus’isolated from healthy individuals maintained on nutrient agar slants at 4°C were used for this study. The disc diffusion method was used to determine the resistance of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates to methicillin (oxacillin) and to other conventional antibiotic susceptibility discs using standard concentration. The plant materials were extracted and phytochemicals quantified using standard techniques. The agar well diffusion procedure was used for the assessment of the sensitivity of the extracts. RESULTS: nine isolates were resistant to at least 4 of the antibiotics used. The mean inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of the extracts ranged from 10-16 mm with ethanolic extracts exhibiting higher activities. Five isolates showed complete resistance to Psidium guajava extracts. Inhibitory activities of both water and ethanolic extracts were distributed across 4 isolates with organism E14 showing maximum susceptibility profile. The phytochemicals estimated in mg/g dry body weight included: total phenol (111.86±0.47), tannin (141.92±0.51), flavonoids (3.37±0.04), vitamin C (1.67±0.03), saponin (285.76±0.81), and alkaloid (111.065±0.38). The extracts of Psidium guajava stem bark though showed high phytochemical contents have relatively low inhibitory activity on the multidrug resistant (MDR) community acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) isolates. CONCLUSION: the results of this study demand the introduction of antimicrobials with novel modes of action.

Renal Replacement Therapy in Slovenia: Excerpts From 2011 Data

This report provides a summary of the 2011 Slovenian renal replacement therapy (RRT) data. Data were obtained from 24 renal centers: 23 dialysis and one transplant center, referred as of 31 December 2011, with 100% response rate to individual patient questionnaires. Slovenia has a population of approximately 2 million (2 052 496 in 2011). The total number of patients treated by RRT was 2011,that is, 980 per million of population (pmp); 0.4% decrease compared to 2010. 1347 (67.0%) were treated by hemodialysis, 60 (3.0%) by peritoneal dialysis, and 604 (30.0%) had a functioning kidney graft. A total of 236 incident patients, 115 pmp (at day one), started RRT, their median age was 68 years, 64.8% were men, 36.4% were diabetics. Regarding hemodialysis patients, 59.3% were treated with on-line hemodiafiltration, 86% with ultrapure dialysis fluid. Median weekly duration of hemodialysis was 12.5 h, median dry body weight 70 kg, mean blood flow 275 ± 46 mL/min, 7.1% were dialyzed in a single-needle mode. Vascular accesses were native arteriovenous fistula in 79%, polytetrafluoroethylene graft in 6%, and catheter in 15%. The crude death rate was 15.9% in dialysis patients, 1.9% in transplant recipients, and 12.0% in all RRT patients (both dialysis and transplant, incident patients at day 1 included). Slovenia has been a member of Eurotransplant since 2000. Forty-six kidney transplantations were performed in 2011, all from deceased donors. A slight decrease in prevalent number of RRT patients was observed in 2011, for the first time in 40 years. The number and proportion of patients with functioning kidney grafts is increasing, reaching 30% in 2011.

Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor and angiogenin are positively related to erythropoietin dose in hemodialysis patients

Experimental data confirmed that erythropoietin (EPO) administration alters the course of various pathological situations such as heart failure and tumor growth by inducing vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) expression. The effect of EPO dose on plasma VEGF-A level in hemodialysis (HD) patients was evaluated. The effect of EPO dose on plasma angiogenin level in HD patients was also evaluated, since angiogenin is necessary for angiogenesis induced by VEGF-A. Thirty two HD patients (10 diabetics) enrolled into the study. Patients were iron replete and did not suffer from infections, autoimmune diseases or malignancies. Plasma VEGF-A and angiogenin, as well as serum interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured by means of ELISA. Weekly EPO dose per kg of dry body weight was positively related to both VEGF-A and angiogenin, whereas no relation was detected among VEGF-A or angiogenin and hemoglobin, inflammation or presence of diabetes mellitus. These relations among EPO dose and VEGF-A or angiogenin remained after adjustment for hemoglobin concentration or inflammation or presence of diabetes mellitus. EPO dose may affect plasma VEGF-A and angiogenin concentrations in HD patients.

The effect of more vegetable intake on risk factors for cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of more vegetable intake on cardiovascular disease risk factors in hemodialysis (HD) patients.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional study. All subjects were outpatients from Taipei Medical University Hospital. Fifty‐four HD patients and thirty‐five subjects with eGFR more than 60 ml/min/1.73m2 from department of Family Medicine (control group) were completed this study. The dietary components and nutrients intake was calculated from the average of 3‐day dietary record. Besides, the nutritional markers (dry body weight and serum albumin), inflammatory markers (serum C‐reactive protein), lipid profile (serum total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride), serum folate, homocysteine, and potassium, and insulin resistance index were analyzed by Department of Laboratory Medicine of Taipei Medical University Hospital. Both HD patients and control group were dichotomy by median of vegetable intake adjusted by energy, and the cut point in HD patients was 1.05 servings of vegetable/1000 kcal.ResultsComparing with control group, HD patients had significantly higher serum level of C‐reactive protein and homocysteine, and insulin resistance index, but lower serum albumin level. Despite the vegetable intake was not significantly different between HD patients and control group, even after adjusting for energy intake. HD patients with higher vegetable intake had lower serum C‐reactive protein and homocysteine, and insulin resistance index, but did not achieve statistical significance.ConclusionIn HD patients, more vegetable intake may not be associated with improving selected risk factors for cardiovascular disease in this study.

Magnitude of End-Dialysis Overweight is Associated with All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality: A 3-Year Prospective Study

Background: We hypothesized that the difference between the prescribed end-dialysis body weight, defined end-dialysis over-weight (edOW; kg), and the body weight which is actually attained could impact survival in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate if edOW could influence survival in a cohort of prevalent HD patients, controlled for multiple dialysis and clinical risk factors and followed for 3 years. Methods: One hundred and eighty-two patients (117 men, age 65 ± 13 years) on regular HD treatment for at least 6 months [median 48 months (range: 6-366)] were followed from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010. Eighty-four patients (46%) did not achieve their prescribed dry body weight (dBW); their median edOW was 0.4 kg (range: 0.1-1.4). Ninety-eight died during observation, mainly from cardiovascular reasons (69%). Multivariate Cox regression analysis was utilized to evaluate the effect edOW, ultrafiltration rate (UFR), interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), age, sex, dialytic vintage, cardiovascular disease, antihypertensive therapy, diabetes, duration of HD, dBW, BMI, mean arterial blood pressure, Kt/V, and protein catabolic rate (PCRn) had on mortality. Results: Age (HR: 1.04; CI: 1.03-1.05; p <0.0001), IDWG (HR: 2.62; CI: 2.06-3.34; p < 0.01), UFR (HR: 1.13; CI: 1.09-1.16; p< 0.01), PCRn (HR: 0.02; CI: 0.01-0.04; p <0.001), and edOW (HR: 2.71; CI: 1.95-3.75; p < 0.02) were independently correlated to survival. The relative receiver operating characteristic curve identified a cutoff value of 0.3 kg for edOW in predicting death. Conclusions: High edOW is independently associated with an increased long-term risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in HD patients. Better survival was observed in patients with edOW <0.3 kg. For patients with higher edOW, longer or more frequent dialysis sessions should be considered in order to prevent the deleterious consequences of excessive body fluid expansion.

Effects of Sulfur Dioxide Inhalation on Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Membrane Fluidity of Alveolar Macrophage in Rats

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a ubiquitous air pollutant which causes kinds of damage to human and other organisms. However, the effects and mechanisms on the plasma membrane when cells and tissues were exposed to SO2were still unknown. The results herein showed a gradual reduction in body weight and dry lung weight for rats exposed to SO2. The wet lung weights were increased. The changes indicated SO2 inhalation caused pulmonary tissue permeability edema.Subscript textThe pulmonary permeability was increaseSubscript textSubscript textSubscript textd by the determination of protein contents in BALs and pulmonary permeability index (PPI). The intracellular proteins were penetrated into extracellular matrix. The total leukocytes in BALs of rats in each group exposed to SO2were significantly increased, and the granulocytes were also increased significantly. However, the lymphocytes in BALs of rats exposed SO2were to some extent different to the control groups. The activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in BALs were increased to some extent. The results showed that the functions of plasma membrane were damaged with the damage of membrane structure, parts of the membrane bound enzymes and intracellular enzymes were released into BALs. The membrane fluidity in AM cells were significantly decreased by the determination of steady-state fluorescent polarization degree (P) and fluorescence microviscosity (η) of the AM.

Effects of cobalt supplementation and vitamin B12 injections on lactation performance and metabolism of Holstein dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine lactation performance and metabolism of primiparous and multiparous dairy cows fed different levels and sources (inorganic and organic) of Co or given weekly vitamin B12 injections. Forty-five primi- and multiparous cows at 60d prepartum were blocked by expected calving date, and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments in a randomized complete block design with treatments starting at 60d prepartum. The 5 treatments were (1) no supplemental dietary Co (control, CON), (2) 25mg/d of supplemental dietary Co from Co carbonate (CoCarb), (3) 25mg/d of supplemental dietary Co from Co glucoheptonate (LCoGH), (4) 75mg/d of supplemental dietary Co from Co glucoheptonate (HCoGH), and (5) CON diet plus weekly 10mg i.m. of vitamin B12 injections (IB12). Cows remained on their respective treatment until 150d after calving. Cobalt concentrations (mg/kg of dry matter) in the lactating diets were 1.0, 1.9, 2.3, and 5.1 for CON/IB12, CoCarb, LCoGH, and HCoGH, respectively. Dry matter intake, body weight, and body condition score were not affected by treatment. The LCoGH treatment tended to have greater milk yield than CoCarb, and CON had similar milk yields to the mean of LCoGH and HCoGH. Cobalt supplementation or the use of vitamin B12 injections did not influence plasma or liver measures of energy metabolism. Injections of vitamin B12 increased plasma, liver, and milk vitamin B12 contents. Dietary Co addition did not affect plasma vitamin B12 concentrations; however, it did increase milk vitamin B12 concentrations throughout lactation and liver vitamin B12 at calving with no effect of source or level of Co. Folate status of cows in the study was low and possibly limited the effect of improved vitamin B12 status on lactation performance. Overall, Co supplementation (inorganic and organic) or vitamin B12 injections improved measures of vitamin B12 status, but not lactation performance compared with CON possibly due to Co being above requirements in the CON diet.

Effect of plant maturity stage on digestibility and distance walked for diet selection by goat at north Kordofan State, Sudan

The main objective was to study grazing behavior of goats; diet selection, nutritive value, digestibility of range plant and body gained at flowering and seed setting stage at September and November 2010 respectively in El-khuwei locality (El Rosa). A completely randomized design was used (CRD). Sampling was done by two stage flowering and seed sating stage were selected diets and feed intake locating a 2000 x 2000 m plots. The average weights gains during the flowering and seed setting stage were 17 and 18.28kg respectively. Goats during the flowering stage was preference on bite counts of the different species, however highly (P < 0.0001) at the flowering and least during the seed setting stage. Goat preference ranked Bano (Eragrostis tremula) , Huskneet ( Cenchrus biflorus) , Difra ( Echinocloa colonum) , leflef ( Luffa aegyptiaca) , Gaw ( Aristida spp. ) , Fisiya ( Fimbristyls hispidula) , Himeira (Hymenocardia acida) , Nuida ( Sida cordofolia) , Tmrfar ( Oldenlandia senegalensis) and Aboelrakhus ( Andropogon gayanus ) , while Gadgad ( Geigeria alata) , Buid ( Commelinia subulata) , Simeima ( Sesamum alatum) , Abodaib ( Ceraotheca sesamoid) and Rabaa ( Zalea spp) least than that. A significant higher (P < 0.001) goats selective feed intake, in vitro dry matter digestibility, dry matter, organic matter and crude protein higher at flowering stage and lowers during the seed setting stage. However; ash contents and crude fiber of plants were significantly higher at the seed setting stage. Body weight gain was significantly highest during the flowering stage, while the distance walked by goats for diet search was significantly longest during the seed setting stage. It was concluded that flowering stage beneficially goats highly preference and selectivity different species, feed intake and inviter dry matter digestibility and body weight gained. The seed setting stage was highly ash contents, crude fiber distant walked Availability, palatability, selectivity, digestibility, distant walked and body weight gains.

Eggs and hatchlings variations in desert locusts: phase related characteristics and starvation tolerance.

Locusts are grasshopper species that express phase polyphenism: modifying their behavior, morphology, coloration, life history and physiology in response to crowding. Desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria, epigenetically modify progeny quality and quantity in response to crowding. Gregarious (crowded) females produce larger but fewer progeny than do solitarious (isolated) ones. The variability of progeny quality within single egg pod and the reasons why gregarious progeny have a better survival rate than solitarious ones remains unclear. This study investigated 1) the effects of rearing density on the variation in egg size within single egg pods 2) the starvation tolerance of hatchlings from mothers with different phases and 3) the physiological differences in hatchling energy reserve. Isolated females produced smaller but more eggs than did crowded ones. The variation in egg size within egg pods was greater in the latter than in the former. A negative relationship between egg size and number of eggs per egg pod was observed for both groups. Under starvation conditions, gregarious hatchlings survived significantly longer than solitarious ones. Among the solitarious hatchlings, the survival time was longer with increased hatchling body size. However, small individuals survived as long as large ones among the gregarious hatchlings. The percentage of water content per fresh body weight was almost equal between the two phases, before and after starvation. In contrast, the percentage of lipid content per dry body weight was significantly higher in gregarious hatchlings than in solitarious ones before starvation, but became almost equal after starvation. These results demonstrate that female locusts not only trade-off to modify their progeny size and number, but also vary progenies' energy reserves. We hypothesize that gregarious females enhance their fitness by producing progeny differently adapted to high environmental variability and particularly to starvation conditions.