Dual X-ray Research Articles

259 Effect of very low calcium diet supplemented with microbial phytase in post-weaning piglets

Abstract Young piglets have an immature intestine that provides limited gastric acidity to digest nutrients compared with later stages of growth. Food has the intrinsic capacity to modify gastric acidity, particularly in relation to their concentrations of limestone, the ingredient with the greatest capacity to bind to acid. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impacts of reducing dietary calcium (Ca) by reducing calcium supplementation immediately after weaning; compared with the recommendations of the NRC (2012), in association with phytase supplementation. The treatments were distributed during 3 phases [Phase 1 (P1, d 0-9), 2 (P2, d 10-16) and 3 (P3, d 17-35)]. Treatments were: 1) a diet low Ca that did not contained limestone during phase 1 (LowCa), P1 to P3 respectively, 0.51-0.60-0.65 % Ca and 0.48-0.43-0.38 % standardized ileal digestible P (STTD P), 2), diet 1 with microbial phytase (LowCa+PhytM); P1 to P3 respectively, 0.51-0.60-0.65 % Ca and 0.48-0.43-0.38% STTD P with 750 FTU phytase, and 3) a diet fulfilling requirement (NormalCa+PhytM) P1 to P3 respectively, 0.85-0.80-0.70 % Ca and 0.48-0.43-0.38 % STTD P with 750 FTU phytase. Piglets (n = 120) were allocated to 6 pens of 5 piglets per treatment in function of initial body weight (BW; 6.12 ± 0.028 kg). On d 0, 15 and 36, dual X-ray (DXA) bone densitometry was used to measure body fat, lean and mineral content (BMC) compositions using 8 piglets per treatment. At the end of phase 1 (d 9) a blood sample was collected. Data were analyzed using the SAS MIXED procedure with Tukey’s test to compare means. No differences were observed in growth performance or DXA measurements during the first phase. On d 9, LowCa piglets showed signs of hypocalcaemia with reduced plasma Ca (P = 0.03), increased plasma P (P = 0.02) and a lower Ca:P ratio in plasma (P = 0.04). From d 9-15, piglets that had received LowCa+PhytM showed greater average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.002) while other criteria did not differ between treatments. On d 15, the body composition evaluated by DXA showed no difference among dietary treatments. During phase 3, final BW and average daily feed intake were not modified by dietary treatments, while average daily gain and feed efficiency were greater in LowCa than in NormalCa+PhytM (+7.3 and 6.7%, respectively), and LowCa+PhytM was intermediate. Body composition on d 35 showed no difference among treatments while a tendency (P = 0.095) for greater BMC deposition (g/d) in LowCa in comparison with NormalCa+PhytM (+1.3 %). The implemented LowCa strategy resulted in momentary hypocalcemia which probably activated homeostatic mechanisms allowing piglets to be more efficient in using minerals and possibly other nutrients leading to better growth performance, without impact on bone mineralization.

239 Variation in muscle protein synthesis in growing gilts is partially associated with insulin resistance and sensitivity

Abstract Pigs with similar body weight (BW), same genetic background and sex vary in protein deposition (PD) overgrowth. We aimed to study metabolic factors influencing PD in 65 kg BW gilts. Gilts were fed ad libitum a diet balanced to maximize PD. Dual X-rays were conducted to estimate body protein mass on d 1 and 21, allowing calculation of PD by difference. On d 23, the gilts were categorized into Low (157 g/d) and High (219 ± 9.97 g/d) PD groups. In each group, eight pigs underwent jugular vein cannulation. After a 48-h recovery period, where they were fed at 90% of the measured feed intake, they were fasted for 8 h. All pigs were then given a 300 g meal at time 0, and blood samples were collected at 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 90, 120, 150, 178, and 178 min, to study insulin and glucose responses. At 180 min post-meal, a solution of L-13C valine was administered i.v. (18 ape – flooding dose), and liver, duodenum, and longissimus dorsi muscle samples were collected within 5 minutes of slaughter. The fractional synthesis rate (FSR, %/d), absolute synthesis rate (ASR, g/d), ribosomal capacity for protein synthesis (Cs), and the efficiency of protein synthesis (KRNA) based on total RNA concentration in skeletal muscle were calculated. The insulin resistance index (HOMA-B) and insulin sensitivity index (QUICKI) were also determined. The difference between Low and High PD gilts was compared using a F-test. The longissimus dorsi muscle exhibited a 31% greater (P = 0.01) FSR in High compared with Low PD group. No significant differences were observed in the FSR of the jejunum and liver. High PD gilts showed a 55% greater ASR in whole-body muscles (P = 0.003) and 42% greater ASR in the liver (P = 0.04) compared with Low PD gilts, with no difference for the ASR in the jejunum. The KRNA in the longissimus dorsi was 48% greater in High PD gilts (P = 0.01), with no differences in KRNA for the jejunum or liver. Cs did not differ between Low and High PD gilts. The QUICKI index tended to be greater in High PD gilts (P = 0.10). Spearman’s correlation revealed that longissimus dorsi FSR was negatively correlated with the HOMA-B index (r = -0.53; P = 0.04). Increases in the HOMA-B index tended to be associated with greater KRNA (r = -0.49; P = 0.06). These correlations highlight the complex interplay of metabolic and hormonal factors involved in the observed differences in protein synthesis and efficiency in growing gilts. Insulin resistance and sensitivity may play a role in influencing skeletal muscle PD variations.

Channel-Boosted and Transfer Learning Convolutional Neural Network-Based Osteoporosis Detection from CT Scan, Dual X-Ray, and X-Ray Images.

Osteoporosis is a word used to describe a condition in which bone density has been diminished as a result of inadequate bone tissue development to counteract the elimination of old bone tissue. Osteoporosis diagnosis is made possible by the use of medical imaging technologies such as CT scans, dual X-ray, and X-ray images. In practice, there are various osteoporosis diagnostic methods that may be performed with a single imaging modality to aid in the diagnosis of the disease. The proposed study is to develop a framework, that is, to aid in the diagnosis of osteoporosis which agrees to all of these CT scans, X-ray, and dual X-ray imaging modalities. The framework will be implemented in the near future. The proposed work, CBTCNNOD, is the integration of 3 functional modules. The functional modules are a bilinear filter, grey-level zone length matrix, and CB-CNN. It is constructed in a manner that can provide crisp osteoporosis diagnostic reports based on the images that are fed into the system. All 3 modules work together to improve the performance of the proposed approach, CBTCNNOD, in terms of accuracy by 10.38%, 10.16%, 7.86%, and 14.32%; precision by 11.09%, 9.08%, 10.01%, and 16.51%; sensitivity by 9.77%, 10.74%, 6.20%, and 12.78%; and specificity by 11.01%, 9.52%, 9.5%, and 15.84%, while requiring less processing time of 33.52%, 17.79%, 23.34%, and 10.86%, when compared to the existing techniques of RCETA, BMCOFA, BACBCT, and XSFCV, respectively.

Dual X-ray- and Neutron-Shielding Properties of Gd2O3/NR Composites with Autonomous Self-Healing Capabilities.

The neutron- and X-ray-shielding, morphological, physical, mechanical, and self-healing properties were investigated for natural rubber (NR) composites containing varying gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) contents (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 parts per hundred parts of rubber; phr) to investigate their potential uses as self-healing and flexible neutron- and X-ray-shielding materials. Gd2O3 was selected as a radiation protective filler in this work due to its preferable properties of having relatively high neutron absorption cross-section (σabs), atomic number (Z), and density (ρ) that could potentially enhance interaction probabilities with incident radiation. The results indicated that the overall neutron-shielding and X-ray-shielding properties of the NR composites were enhanced with the addition of Gd2O3, as evidenced by considerable reductions in the half-value layer (HVL) values of the samples containing 100 phr Gd2O3 to just 1.9 mm and 1.3 mm for thermal neutrons and 60 kV X-rays, respectively. Furthermore, the results revealed that, with the increase in Gd2O3 content, the mean values (± standard deviations) of the tensile strength and elongation at break of the NR composites decreased, whereas the hardness (Shore A) increased, for which extreme values were found in the sample with 100 phr Gd2O3 (3.34 ± 0.26 MPa, 411 ± 9%, and 50 ± 1, respectively). In order to determine the self-healing properties of the NR composites, the surfaces of the cut samples were gently pressed together, and they remained in contact for 60 min; then, the self-healing properties (the recoverable strength and the %Recovery) of the self-healed samples were measured, which were in the ranges of 0.30-0.40 MPa and 3.7-9.4%, respectively, for all the samples. These findings confirmed the ability to autonomously self-heal damaged surfaces through the generation of a reversible ionic supramolecular network. In summary, the outcomes from this work suggested that the developed Gd2O3/NR composites have great potential to be utilized as effective shielding materials, with additional dual shielding and self-healing capabilities that could prolong the lifetime of the materials, reduce the associated costs of repairing or replacing damaged equipment, and enhance the safety of all users and the public.

Current Status of the Diagnosis and Management of Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis has been defined as the silent disease of the 21st century, becoming a public health risk due to its severity, chronicity and progression and affecting mainly postmenopausal women and older adults. Osteoporosis is characterized by an imbalance between bone resorption and bone production. It is diagnosed through different methods such as bone densitometry and dual X-rays. The treatment of this pathology focuses on different aspects. On the one hand, pharmacological treatments are characterized by the use of anti-resorptive drugs, as well as emerging regenerative medicine treatments such as cell therapies and the use of bioactive hydrogels. On the other hand, non-pharmacological treatments are associated with lifestyle habits that should be incorporated, such as physical activity, diet and the cessation of harmful habits such as a high consumption of alcohol or smoking. This review seeks to provide an overview of the theoretical basis in relation to bone biology, the existing methods for diagnosis and the treatments of osteoporosis, including the development of new strategies.

Low sclerostin levels after long-term remission of acromegaly

PurposeBone health is compromised in acromegaly resulting in vertebral fractures (VFs), regardless of biochemical remission. Sclerostin is a negative inhibitor of bone formation and is associated with increased fracture risk in the general population. Therefore, we compared sclerostin concentrations between well-controlled acromegaly patients and healthy controls, and assessed its relationship with bone mineral density (BMD), and VFs in acromegaly.MethodsSeventy-nine patients (mean age 58.9 ± 11.4 years, 49% women) with controlled acromegaly, and 91 healthy controls (mean age 51.1 ± 16.9 years, 59% women) were included. Plasma sclerostin levels (pg/mL) in patients were measured with an ELISA assay, whereas in controls, serum levels were converted to plasma levels by multiplication with 3.6. In patients, VFs were radiographically assessed, and BMD was assessed using dual X-ray absorptiometry.ResultsMedian sclerostin concentration in controlled acromegaly patients was significantly lower than in healthy controls (104.5 pg/mL (range 45.7–234.7 pg/mL) vs 140.0 pg/mL (range 44.8–401.6 pg/mL), p < 0.001). Plasma sclerostin levels were not related to age, current growth hormone (GH) or insulin-like factor-1 (IGF-1) levels, gonadal state, treatment modality, remission duration, or BMD, VF presence, severity or progression.ConclusionPatients with long-term controlled acromegaly have lower plasma sclerostin levels than healthy controls, as a reflection of decreased osteocyte activity. Further longitudinal studies are needed to establish the course of sclerostin during different phases of disease and its exact effects in acromegalic osteopathy.

Association of sedentary patterns with body fat distribution among US children and adolescents: a population-based study.

Background/ObjectivesChildren and adolescents spend a substantial amount of time being sedentary. The impact of prolonged sedentary patterns on fat distribution has not been elucidated especially in the context of physical activity level. Our objective is to examine the independent and joint associations of prolonged sedentary patterns and physical activity level with fat distribution among children and adolescents.Subjects/MethodsThis included US children (8-11 y) and adolescents (12-19 y) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006. Sedentary patterns comprises accelerometer-measured average sedentary bout duration and self-reported time of sitting watching TV/videos. Fat distribution (trunk and total fat percentage) was determined via dual X-ray absorptiometry.ResultsAmong 810 children and 2062 adolescents, average sedentary bout duration was associated with greater total and trunk fat percentages only among male children, after adjusting for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) level by accelerometer. Prolonged sitting watching TV/videos was associated with higher total and trunk fat percentages in male children and all adolescents, independent of levels of MVPA (all P for trend<0.05). Compared with ≤1 h/d, male children who spent ≥4 h/d sitting watching TV/videos had 4.43% higher trunk fat (95% CI, 1.69% to 7.17%), with similar associations for female (3.53%; 95% CI, 1.03% to 6.03%) and male adolescents (4.78%; 95% CI, 2.97% to 6.60%). About 13-17% children and adolescents spent <1 h on MVPA and ≥4 h sitting watching TV/videos per day. Compared with the most active group (MVPA ≥1 h/d and sitting watching TV/videos ≤1 h/d), trunk fat in this least active group was 6.21% higher in female children, 9.90% higher in male children, 6.84% higher in female adolescents and 5.36% higher in male adolescents.ConclusionsProlonged time spent on sitting watching TV/videos was associated with fat accumulation among children and adolescents, independent of physical activity level.

62 Growth Performance and Mineral Status of 6 Kg Piglets Fed Reduced Levels of Dietary Calcium

Abstract Imbalances between calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) impair growth performance and bone mineralization. However, reducing dietary limestone may change the buffering capacity of feed in early nursery piglets, which may help prevent post-weaning diarrhea. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of reducing Ca post weaning compared to recommendations outlined by NRC (2012) or a low P diet. Dietary treatments consisted of 1) Low Ca (LCa; Phase 1, 0.51% Ca and 0.47% STTD P), 2) NRC recommendations (NRC; Phase 1, 0.85% Ca and 0.42% STTD P), and 3) a recommendation lower in phosphorus (LP; Phase 1, 0.65% Ca and 0.36% STTD P). Each diet was fed over 4 phases. Piglets (n = 953; 276/275 Fast X PIC 800 genetics) were blocked by room, sex, and initial BW (6 kg). Feed intake and pig weights were recorded weekly. At 12 d and 41 d, blood was collected and Dual-X ray (DXA) measurements were taken using 8 piglets per treatment. Fecal scores were evaluated during wk 4 and 5. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). There were no differences observed in mortality, overall growth performance, plasma Ca and P, and scour scores at either time point. At 12 d, the bone mineral content was reduced (P = 0.001) in LP pigs compared to LCa and NRC. At 41 d, bone mineral content was reduced in NRC in comparison to LCa while LP was intermediate (P = 0.001). Plasma parameters showed an increased magnesium (Mg) and Ca:Mg in LCa (P &amp;lt; 0.01) that can be related to bone resorption to face Ca hypocalcemia. Pigs were healthy with no enteric challenges, limiting the ability to observe a benefit in fecal scores. In conclusion, piglets can maintain growth and bone mineralization through a short-term limestone removal program.

Do components of adult height predict body composition and cardiometabolic risk in a young adult South Asian Indian population? Findings from a hospital-based cohort study in Pune, India: Pune Children’s Study

ObjectivesWe investigated whether the relationship between components of height and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk may be explained by body composition. We also examined relationships between parental heights and offspring CVD...

Accuracy of Resting Energy Expenditure Predictive Equations in Patients With Cancer.

Our purpose was to assess the accuracy of resting energy expenditure (REE) equations in patients with newly diagnosed stage I-IV non-small cell lung, rectal, colon, renal, or pancreatic cancer. In this cross-sectional study, REE was measured using indirect calorimetry and compared with 23 equations. Agreement between measured and predicted REE was assessed via paired t-tests, Bland-Altman analysis, and percent of estimations ≤ 10% of measured values. Accuracy was measured among subgroups of body mass index (BMI), stage (I-III vs IV), and cancer type (lung, rectal, and colon) categories. Fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were assessed using dual x-ray absorptiometry. Among 125 patients, most had lung, colon, or rectal cancer (92%, BMI: 27.5±5.6kg/m2 , age: 61±11years, REE: 1629±321kcal/d). Thirteen (56.5%) equations yielded REE values different than measured (P<0.05). Limits of agreement were wide for all equations, with Mifflin-St. Jeor equation having the smallest limits of agreement, -21.7% to 11.3% (-394 to 203 kcal/d). Equations with FFM were not more accurate except for one equation (Huang with body composition; bias, limits of agreement: -0.3±11.3% vs without body composition: 2.3±10.1%, P<0.001). Bias in body composition equations was consistently positively correlated with age and frequently negatively correlated with FM. Bias and limits of agreement were similar among subgroups of patients. REE cannot be accurately predicted on an individual level, and bias relates to age and FM.

Association of sarcopenic obesity with the risk of all-cause mortality among adults over a broad range of different settings: a updated meta-analysis

BackgroundPrevious cohort studies investigating the association between sarcopenic obesity (SO) and all-cause mortality among adult people have been inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis to determine if SO is a predictor of all-cause mortality.MethodsProspective cohort studies that evaluated the association between SO and mortality in older people were identified via a systematic search of three electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library). A random-effects model was applied to combine the results. We considered the methods recommeded by consensuses (dual X-ray absorptiometry,bio-impedancemetry, anthropometric measures or CT scan) to assess sarcopenic obesity.ResultsOf the 603 studies identified through the systematic review, 23 (Participants: 50866) were included in the meta-analysis. The mean age ranged from 50 to 82.5 years.SO was significantly associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality among adult people (pooled HR = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.10–1.32, p < 0.001, I2 = 64.3%). Furthermore, the subgroup analysis of participants showed that SO was associated with all-cause mortality (pooled HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.06–1.23) among community-dwelling adult people; similarly, this association was found in hospitalized patients (pooled HR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.17–2.33). Moreover, the subgroup analysis demonstrated that SO was associated with all-cause mortality when using skeletal muscle mass (SMM) criteria, muscle strength criteria, and skeletal muscle index (SMI) criteria (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01–1.23; HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05–1.33; and HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13–2.07, respectively). In addition, we analyzed SO on the basis of obesity definition and demonstrated that participants with a SO diagnosis based on waist circumference (WC) (HR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09–1.40), body mass index (BMI) (HR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.04–1.59), or visceral fat area (HR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.83–3.53) have a significantly increase mortality risk compared with those without SO.ConclusionBased on our update of existing scientific researches, SO is a significant predictor of all-cause mortality among older people, particularly hospitalized patients. Therefore, it is important to diagnose SO and to treat the condition to reduce mortality rates among older people.

Comparison of physical activity and body composition in a cohort of children born extremely preterm or with extremely low birth weight to matched term-born controls: a follow-up study

ObjectivesTo compare physical activity and body composition in a cohort of children born extremely preterm/extremely low birth weight (EP/ELBW) with term-born (TB) controls.MethodsA regional cohort of children born during 1999–2000...

Wybrane pomiary antropometryczne i MNA (mini nutritional assessment) a niektóre czynniki predykcyjne niedożywienia osób starszych

ABSTRACTIntroduction: To a vast extent the body’s ageing process affects changes in the human nutritional status and body composition. The nutritional status of elderly people is assessed by means of nutritional history, physical examinations, somatometric measurements, biochemical and immunological tests. Moreover, survey tools (questionnaires, scales) are used in order to perform a screening and in-depth analysis of food intake and nutrition in the elderly. Today, an accurate assessment of body composition is conducted by means of specialist devices, such as those used for bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual X-ray absorptiometry.The objective of the thesis was to analyse the usage of selected anthropometric measurements in correspondence with an mini nutritional assessment (MNA) in studies on the identification of undernourishment in seniors, with consideration of some of the initiating factors of nourishment disorders in the population of the elderly.Methods: A review of articles considered essential from the point of view of the study objective was performed by analysing the PubMed database. The search query used was: “mini nutritional assessment MNA elderly”.Results: Nutritional status measured with the MNA may evaluate the way seniors feel. Overweight and obesity usually results in a worse assessment of the quality of the elderly’s life. A disordered nutritional status could stem from a range of medical, psychological and social factors.Conclusions: The results of anthropometric measurements are essential for an optimal identification of the risk of undernourishment in senior citizens by means of an MNA. They also complement information onthe initiating factors of eating disorders in the population of elderly people. In order to be able to widely use anthropometric measurements to complement knowledge on the nutritional status of the elderly, it is indispensable to conduct studies among healthy senior citizens to obtain information that will serve as reference data.

Late vertebral side effects in long-term survivors of irradiated childhood brain tumor.

PurposeLong-term side effects of the treatments are common in survivors of irradiated pediatric brain tumors. Ionizing radiation in combination with surgery and chemotherapy during childhood may reduce vertebral height and bone mineral density (BMD), and cause growth failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the late consequences of tumor treatments on vertebrae in survivors of childhood brain tumors.Methods72 adult survivors (mean age 27.8 years, standard deviation 6.7) of irradiated childhood brain tumor were studied by spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for vertebral abnormalities from the national cohort of Finland. Patients were treated in five university hospitals in Finland between the years 1970 and 2008. Subject height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The morphology and height/depth ratio of the vertebrae in the middle of the kyphotic thoracic curvature (Th8) and lumbar lordosis (L3) were examined. Vertebrae were analyzed by Genant’s semiquantative (SQ) method and spinal deformity index (SDI) was calculated. BMD was measured by using dual X-ray absorptiometry.Results4.2% (3/72) of the patients had undiagnosed asymptomatic vertebral fracture and 5.6% (4/72) of patients had radiation-induced decreased vertebral body height. Male patients had flatter vertebrae compared with females. Patient age at the time of irradiation, BMI and irradiation area correlated to vertebral morphology differentially in males and females. BMD had no association with the vertebral shape. Patients who had received craniospinal irradiation were shorter than the general population.ConclusionChildhood brain tumor survivors had a high number of vertebral abnormalities in young adulthood. Irradiation was associated with abnormal vertebral morphology and compromised final height. Male gender may predispose vertebrae to the side effects of irradiation.

Body Composition in Iraqi Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

BACKGROUND &amp;amp; OBJECTIVE: SLE is one of systemic diseases, targeting young patients, so we try to study the one of factors that affected these patients. &#x0D; &#x0D; The aim of our study is to describe the body composition in Iraqi lupus patients, and assess the effect of the disease activity, disease duration, treatment, and patients&amp;rsquo; social class in development of sarcopenia. &#x0D; &#x0D; PATIENTS &amp;amp; METHOD: Sixty women, age &amp;gt; 18years with SLE and 56 matched controls were studied. Disease activity measured by systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index, and functional status measured by systemic lupus erythematosus quality of life questionnaire. Body mass index, waist circumference measured for patients and controls. Body composition analyzed by dual energy absorptiometry x-ray. &#x0D; &#x0D; RESULTS: Mean age for patients was 31.75&amp;plusmn;10.06 years, and mean disease duration was 19.62&amp;plusmn;10.76 months. No differences in body mass index, central obesity, lean mass percentage, fat mass percentage, appendicular lean mass index, and bone mineral density between patients and controls. Z score was lower in lupus patients as compared with controls (-1.61&amp;plusmn;0.8 for patients, -1.26&amp;plusmn;0.71 for control, p= 0.013). Treatment with azathioprine found to decrease the risk of sarcopenia (p= 0.046). Medical social class and working social class show lower risk for sarcopenia compared to unemployed class (p= 0.003, 0.002 respectively). However disease duration, disease activity, using prednisolone, and functional status had no effect. &#x0D; &#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences in body mass index, fat mass percentage, lean mass percentage, and appendicular lean mass index in lupus patients and controls. Lupus patients have higher risk to loss their bone density.

Hypothalamic Gliosis by MRI and Visceral Fat Mass Negatively Correlate with Plasma Testosterone Concentrations in Healthy Men.

Objective:To determine whether a relationship was evident between gliosis in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) and plasma testosterone concentrations in menMethods:41 adult men (ages 18–50 years) from 23 twin pairs underwent fasting morning blood draw and brain MRI. T2 relaxation time was used to quantify gliosis in the MBH and control areas in the putamen and amygdala. Plasma concentrations of testosterone and 17β-estradiol were measured by LC-MS/MS. Body composition including visceral adiposity was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry.Results:A negative association was found between MBH T2 relaxation time and plasma concentrations of both free and total testosterone (r = −0.29, P<0.05 and r = −0.37, P<0.01, respectively). Visceral adiposity exhibited a negative correlation with plasma total testosterone concentration (r = −0.45, P=0.001) but a positive correlation with MBH T2 relaxation time (r = 0.24, P=0.03). The negative correlation between plasma total testosterone and MBH T2 relaxation time remained significant after adjustment for visceral adiposity, age, BMI, and insulin resistance.Conclusions:In healthy men across a range of BMIs, MBH gliosis was associated with higher visceral adiposity but lower endogenous testosterone. These findings suggest that MBH gliosis could provide novel mechanistic insights into gonadal dysfunction in men with obesity.

Dietary Whole Egg Consumption Attenuates Body Weight Gain and Is More Effective than Supplemental Cholecalciferol in Maintaining Vitamin D Balance in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by vitamin D insufficiency owing to excessive urinary loss of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D]. We previously reported that a diet containing dried whole egg, a rich source of vitamin D, was effective at maintaining circulating 25(OH)D concentrations in rats with T2D. Furthermore, whole egg consumption reduced body weight gain in rats with T2D.Objective: This study was conducted to compare whole egg consumption with supplemental cholecalciferol with respect to vitamin D balance, weight gain, and body composition in rats with T2D.Methods: Male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats (n = 24) and their lean controls (n = 24) were obtained at 5 wk of age and randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: a casein-based diet (CAS), a dried whole egg-based diet (WE), or a casein-based diet containing supplemental cholecalciferol (CAS+D) at the same amount of cholecalciferol provided by WE (37.6 μg/kg diet). Rats were fed their respective diets for 8 wk. Weight gain and food intake were measured daily, circulating 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by ELISA, and body composition was analyzed by dual X-ray absorptiometry.Results: Weight gain and percentage of body fat were reduced by ∼20% and 11%, respectively, in ZDF rats fed WE compared with ZDF rats fed CAS or CAS+D. ZDF rats fed CAS had 21% lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations than lean rats fed CAS. In ZDF rats, WE consumption increased serum 25(OH)D concentrations 130% compared with CAS, whereas consumption of CAS+D increased serum 25(OH)D concentrations 35% compared with CAS.Conclusions: Our data suggest that dietary consumption of whole eggs is more effective than supplemental cholecalciferol in maintaining circulating 25(OH)D concentrations in rats with T2D. Moreover, whole egg consumption attenuated weight gain and reduced percentage of body fat in ZDF rats. These data may support new dietary recommendations targeting the prevention of vitamin D insufficiency in T2D.

Moderate, but not vigorous, intensity exercise training reduces C-reactive protein

Background: Sprint interval cycle training is a contemporary popular mode of training but its relative efficacy, under conditions of matched energy expenditure, to reduce risk factors for cardiometabolic disease is incompletely characterised, especially in young women. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relative efficacy of six weeks of moderate-intensity cycling (MOD-C) and vigorous sprint-interval cycling (VIG-SIC) on lipid profile, insulin (INS) and insulin resistance using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in inactive, overweight/obese (OW/OB) young women.Methods: Participants (BMI ≥25 kg/m2, waist circumference ≥88 cm) were randomly assigned to MOD-C (20–30 min at 60–70% of heart rate reserve(HRR)) or VIG-SIC (5–7 repeated bouts 30-second maximal effort sprints, followed by four minutes of active recovery) supervised training three days/week for six weeks, with each group matched on energy expenditure. Adiposity (%Fat) was measured using dual x-ray absorptiometry.Results: Forty-four participants (20.4 ± 1.6 years, 65.9% Caucasian, 29.8 ± 4.1 kg/m2) were included in the analysis. The improvement in CRP observed in the MOD-C group was larger than the VIG-C group (p = .034). Overall, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels improved following training (p < .05); however, total cholesterol, triglyceride, INS and HOMA-IR did not improve (p > .05).Conclusion: These results indicate MOD-C training may be more effective in reducing CRP than VIG-SIC.

Antioxidant Effect of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi Aqueous Extract in Ovariectomized Rats Is Mediated through Nox4-ROS-NF-κB Pathway.

Purpose: This study is designed to explore whether Fructus ligustri lucidi (FLL) exhibits antioxidant effect in ovariectomized (OVX) rats, and to identify the signaling pathway involved in this process.Methods: OVX rats were treated with FLL aqueous extract (3.5 g/kg) for 12 weeks. Serum, uteri, and tibias were harvested from the rats and the levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-desoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. Changes in the levels of NF-κB-p65, phosphorylation of NF-κB-p65 (NF-κB-pp65), NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IκBα), phosphorylation of IκBα (p-IκBα), and NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) in uteri and tibias were determined by western blot, immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical analysis, respectively. In addition, the expression of cytochrome C (Cyto-C) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) were determined in the tibias of rats. Histopathological changes in the bones were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined in rat femurs by dual X-ray absorptiometry.Results: Treatment of OVX rats with FLL aqueous extract improved redox homeostasis by increasing the levels of TAC and NO as well as decreasing the levels of MDA and 8-OHdG in serum, tibias, and uteri. Further, FLL extract also downregulated the expression of Nox4, NF-κB-p65, NF-κB-pp65, and p-IκBα in the uteri and tibias. Furthermore, administration of FLL–OVX rats increased Bcl-2 expression and prevented cytoplasmic release of mitochondrial Cyto-C in the tibias. In addition, FLL treatment also improved bone microstructure and increased cortical bone thickness as well as increased BMD values in the femurs of OVX rats.Conclusions: FLL treatment may suppress oxidative stress response in OVX rats via regulating the Nox4/ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway. These results suggest the potential of using FLL as a natural antioxidant agent in preventing the development of osteoporosis.

Anatomic fat depots and cardiovascular risk: a focus on the leg fat using nationwide surveys (KNHANES 2008\u20132011)

BackgroundAlthough central fat is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiometabolic disorders, the effect of other regional fats or muscle distribution on CVD risk has not been fully investigated.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study using nationally representative samples of 15,686 subjects from the 2008–2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Individual CVD risk was evaluated in adults aged ≥20 without prior CVD, using atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk equations according to the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines. Body composition was assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry.ResultsRatio of leg fat to total fat (LF/TF ratio) was the most predictive for CVD among body fat or muscle distribution parameters (AUC = 0.748, 95% CI 0.741–0.755). ASCVD risk score was gradually increased with decreased LF/TF ratio (P < 0.001), and individuals whose LF/TF ratio in lowest tertile tended to belong to the high-risk (10-year risk >10%) group compared to those in the highest tertile (OR = 6.25, 95% CI 5.60–6.98). Subjects in the lowest tertile showed increased risk of cardiometabolic risk factor components including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, and albuminuria (OR range 2.57–11.24, all P < 0.001). In addition, a higher LF/TF ratio was associated with decreased ASCVD risk, even in subjects with multiple CVD risk factors. Multiple logistic regression analyses also demonstrated this association (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.36–2.52).ConclusionsAmong various body composition parameters, LF/TF ratio was superior in predicting higher CVD risk and a higher LF/TF ratio was independently associated with decreased risk of CVD and each cardiometabolic risk factor.