Hind Leg Bone Research Articles

Genome-Wide Association Study for Somatic Skeletal Traits in Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) Pigs.

The pig bone weight trait holds significant economic importance in southern China. To expedite the selection of the pig bone weight trait in pig breeding, we conducted molecular genetic research on these specific traits. These traits encompass the bone weight of the scapula (SW), front leg bone weight (including humerus and ulna) (FLBW), hind leg bone weight (including femur and tibia) (HLBW), and spine bone weight (SBW). Up until now, the genetic structure related to these traits has not been thoroughly explored, primarily due to challenges associated with obtaining the phenotype data. In this study, we utilized genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to discern single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with four bone weight traits within a population comprising 571 Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) hybrid pigs (DLY). In the analyses, we employed a mixed linear model, and for the correction of multiple tests, both the false discovery rate and Bonferroni methods were utilized. Following functional annotation, candidate genes were identified based on their proximity to the candidate sites and their association with the bone weight traits. This study represents the inaugural application of GWAS for the identification of SNPs associated with individual bone weight in DLY pigs. Our analysis unveiled 26 SNPs and identified 12 promising candidate genes (OPRM1, SLC44A5, WASHC4, NOPCHAP1, RHOT1, GLP1R, TGFB3, PLCB1, TLR4, KCNJ2, ABCA6, and ABCA9) associated with the four bone weight traits. Furthermore, our findings on the genetic mechanisms influencing pig bone weight offer valuable insights as a reference for the genetic enhancement of pig bone traits.

Drynaria Naringin alleviated mechanical stress deficiency-caused bone loss deterioration via Rspo1/Lgr4-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway.

Osteoporosis is a metabolic condition distinguished by the degradation of bone microstructure and mechanical characteristics. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been employed in China for the treatment of various illnesses. Naringin, an ingredient found in Drynariae TCM, is known to have a significant impact on bone metabolism. For this research, we studied the precise potential effect of Drynaria Naringin on protecting against bone loss caused by stress deficiency. In this study, a tail-suspension (TS) test was performed to establish a mouse model with hind leg bone loss. Some mice received subcutaneous injections of Drynaria Naringin for 30 d. Trabecular bone microarchitecture was evaluated using micro-computed tomography analysis and bone histological analysis. Bone formation and resorption markers were quantified in blood samples from mice or in the supernatant of MC3T3-E1 cells by ELISA analysis, Western blotting, and PCR. Immunofluorescence was utilized to visualize the location of β-catenin. Additionally, siRNA was employed to knockdown-specific genes in the cells. Our findings highlight the efficacy of Drynaria Naringin in protecting against the deterioration of bone loss and promoting bone formation and Rspo1 expression in a mouse model following the TS test. Specifically, in vitro experiments also indicated that Drynaria Naringin may promote osteogenesis through the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. Moreover, our results suggest that Drynaria Naringin upregulates the expression of Rspo1/Lgr4, leading to the promotion of osteogenesis via the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. Therefore, Drynaria Naringin holds potential as a therapeutic medication for osteoporosis. Drynaria Naringin alleviates bone loss deterioration caused by mechanical stress deficiency through the Rspo1/Lgr4-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway.

Genetic dissection and genomic prediction for pork cuts and carcass morphology traits in pig

BackgroundAs pre-cut and pre-packaged chilled meat becomes increasingly popular, integrating the carcass-cutting process into the pig industry chain has become a trend. Identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of pork cuts would facilitate the selection of pigs with a higher overall value. However, previous studies solely focused on evaluating the phenotypic and genetic parameters of pork cuts, neglecting the investigation of QTLs influencing these traits. This study involved 17 pork cuts and 12 morphology traits from 2,012 pigs across four populations genotyped using CC1 PorcineSNP50 BeadChips. Our aim was to identify QTLs and evaluate the accuracy of genomic estimated breed values (GEBVs) for pork cuts.ResultsWe identified 14 QTLs and 112 QTLs for 17 pork cuts by GWAS using haplotype and imputation genotypes, respectively. Specifically, we found that HMGA1, VRTN and BMP2 were associated with body length and weight. Subsequent analysis revealed that HMGA1 primarily affects the size of fore leg bones, VRTN primarily affects the number of vertebrates, and BMP2 primarily affects the length of vertebrae and the size of hind leg bones. The prediction accuracy was defined as the correlation between the adjusted phenotype and GEBVs in the validation population, divided by the square root of the trait's heritability. The prediction accuracy of GEBVs for pork cuts varied from 0.342 to 0.693. Notably, ribs, boneless picnic shoulder, tenderloin, hind leg bones, and scapula bones exhibited prediction accuracies exceeding 0.600. Employing better models, increasing marker density through genotype imputation, and pre-selecting markers significantly improved the prediction accuracy of GEBVs.ConclusionsWe performed the first study to dissect the genetic mechanism of pork cuts and identified a large number of significant QTLs and potential candidate genes. These findings carry significant implications for the breeding of pork cuts through marker-assisted and genomic selection. Additionally, we have constructed the first reference populations for genomic selection of pork cuts in pigs.

Alleviation of Spinal Cord Injury by MicroRNA 137-Overexpressing Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMMSC) is reported to promote spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery via secreting exosomes to deliver RNAs, proteins, lipids, etc. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of microRNA 137 (miR-137)-overexpressing BMMSC exosomes on SCI rats. BMMSCs were extracted from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat hind leg bone marrow, and then BMMSC-secreted exosomes were collected. MiR-137 mimic and negative control (NC) mimic were transfected into BMMSCs, and then the corresponding exosomes were collected. Subsequently, SD rats were treated with sham operation + phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), SCI operation + PBS, SCI operation + NC mimic BMMSC exosomes, or SCI operation + miR-137-overexpressing BMMSC exosomes. MiR-137 was downregulated in the spinal cord tissue of SCI rats compared to sham rats. Furthermore, BMMSC exosome injection elevated the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores and neuronal viability and reduced tissue injury and proinflammatory cytokine expression in the spinal cord tissue of SCI rats compared to PBS treatment. Subsequently, miR-137-overexpressing BMMSC exosome injection improved the BBB score and neuron viability, and decreased tissue injury as well as proinflammatory cytokine expression in SCI rats compared to NC-overexpressing BMMSC exosomes. Additionally, miR-137-overexpressing BMMSC exosomes also diminished neuronal apoptosis in the spinal cord tissue of SCI rats compared to NC-overexpressing BMMSC exosomes. In conclusion, miR-137-overexpressing BMMSC exosomes reduce tissue injury and inflammation while improving locomotor capacity and neuronal viability in SCI rats. These findings suggest that miR-137-overexpressing BMMSC exosomes may serve as a treatment option for SCI recovery.

Comparative anatomical study to skeleton for same species of Turtles in Iraq

Bones were recorded in the skeleton of some species of Iraqi turtle Mauremys rivulata; the objectives of this study came in light of current conditions, environmental developments, talents and techniques of biological studies taking place in the country, need for an anatomy guide in river turtles of Iraqi species, to identify all kinds of similarities and differences with their preaching, this work or study has become written in response to those modern needs. It is designed to be one of the resources for those interested in biological studies, beginners or professionals, and veterinarians, distinguishing them from marine and global species. Turtles were dissected in the laboratories of the Research Center and Museum of Natural History / the University of Baghdad. The specimen was dissected by removing the abdominal cortex, muscles, and internal viscera and imaging the bone starting from the skull to the hind leg bones. This first study was in Iraq. Keywords: Turtles (Mauremys rivulata), anatomy, skeleton, bone, Iraq

An Innovative Bioceramic Bone Graft Substitute for Bone Defect Treatment: In Vivo Evaluation of Bone Healing

This study aimed to analyze characteristics of an innovative α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α-CSH) bioceramic and bone healing and regeneration characteristics following its implantation on artificially created defects of rat models and human jaw defects. The α-CSH bioceramic was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and thermal-imaging instruments. The material was implanted on artificially created defects in a rat’s right hind leg bone and observed histologically after three days and seven weeks. The material was also implanted in patients with bone defects in the posterior maxillary, then observed immediately and six months post-treatment by panoramic and computed tomography image. The FE-SEM confirm this material is a uniform-shaped short column crystal, while the EDS measurement reveals calcium as the most component in this material. Thermal observation shows temperature change during the setting time is less than 2 °C, and the maximum temperature reached is 31 °C. In the histological analysis, α-CSH bioceramic shows new trabecular bone formation and absorbed material at seven weeks post-treatment. Moreover, panoramic and computed tomography image shows intact bone six months post-treatment. Therefore, this study suggests that the innovative α-CSH bioceramic can be useful in bone defect treatment.

Effect of cage and pen housing on the live performance, carcase, and meat quality traits of growing rabbits

The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of housing growing rabbits in enriched cages with small groups (eight rabbits/cage, C; n = 96; stocking density: 15 rabbits/m2) or in enriched pens with large groups (65 rabbits/pen, P; n = 130; stocking density: 15 rabbits/m2) on their growth performance and on slaughter and meat quality traits. The C rabbits showed higher final body weight (2540 vs. 2443 g, p < .01), better feed conversion ratio (5–11 weeks: 3.39 vs. 3.61, p < .05), lower mortality rate (5.2 vs. 31.5%, p < .001), and lower fecal corticosterone level (26.3 vs. 29.4 nmol/g, p < .05) compared to P rabbits. The increased possibility of physical activity of P compared to C rabbits resulted in more developed hind part of the reference carcase, thicker hind leg bones (34.8 vs. 33.4 g, p < .05), lower perirenal fat (15.1 vs. 20.8 g, p < .001) and hind leg meat lipid content (2.00 vs. 2.42%, p < .05), as well as higher haem iron content of the hind leg meat (5.29 vs. 4.22 mg/kg, p < .01). However, pen housing was detrimental for the dressing out percentage and for the hind leg meat to bones ratio. Physical meat quality traits were not affected by the housing system.HighlightsHousing of growing rabbits in large cages and large pens was compared.Caged rabbits had better productive performance, lower mortality and stress.Penned rabbits resulted in lower dressing out percentage, carcase adiposity and meat lipids content.Most of the meat quality traits were independent of the housing system.

The effects of quercetin supplementation on New Zealand White grower rabbit carcass and meat quality – A short communication

Control and quercetin dihydrate-supplemented (2 g/kg) feeds were fed to 32 New Zealand White rabbits (both sexes) from 5 to 12 weeks old. Slaughter weight, carcass and organ weights, meat yields and physical and proximate meat quality were determined. Quercetin increased the hindleg meat:bone ratio (P < .001) by reducing hindleg bone weight (P = .01), contrary to the current understanding of the effect of quercetin on the skeletal system. However, this and the increase in skin weight (P = .03) may have been due to the effects of quercetin on connective tissue. Sex affected spleen weight (P = .04; female > male), head weight (P < .001; male > female), reference carcass yield (P = .02, female > male) and loin pHu (P = .02; male > female), without commercial implications. Other physical and chemical meat quality traits were not affected by diet or sex.

Pemberian Ekstrak Etanol Akar Purwoceng pada Tikus Bunting Selama Masa Organogenesis Memperpanjang Ukuran Tulang Anak Tikus (ADMINISTRATION ROOTS ETHANOL EXTRACT OF PAMPINELLA ALPINA OPREGNANT RATS DURING ORGANOGENESIS EXTENDS THE BONE OF THEIR PUPS)

Pregnancy is an integral part of the circulatory system between pups and mother. Growth anddevelopment of pups is determined by intake from their mother. The purpose of this study was to measurethe growth of pup’s bones given ethanol extract purwoceng (Pampinella alpine) for 1 to 13 days of ratgestation. Eight pregnant rats were divided into two groups: control group and purwoceng group that wasgiven ethanol extract purwoceng at a dose of 25 mg/300 g bw. The born pups were observed for 70 days tomeasure the growth and development of head bone, back bone, front legs bone, and hind legs. The resultsshowed that the growth and development of all bones parameters of female pups were higher on purwocenggroup than control the bone while male pups did not difference between purwoceng and control group exceptback bone and hind leg bone. The conclusion of this study is that administration of purwoceng roots ethanolextract on pregnant rats during organogenesis phase can extends the bone length of their pups.

Oregano, rosemary and vitamin E dietary supplementation in growing rabbits: Effect on growth performance, carcass traits, bone development and meat chemical composition

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with different natural additives (aqueous extracts) on the performance of growing rabbits, the nutritional composition and oxidative stability of their meat and on their hind leg bone traits. For this experiment, 200 New Zealand White rabbits weaned at 30 days of age were randomly allocated into five dietary groups (n=40 rabbits/group) until 80 days of age, when they were sacrificed. Dietary groups were: S (standard diet with no supplementation), E (standard diet+150ppm vitamin E positive control), O (standard diet+0.2% oregano, Origanum vulgare, aqueous extract), R (standard diet+0.2% rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, aqueous extract) and OR (standard diet+0.1% oregano extract+0.1% rosemary extract). An additional 50ppm vitamin E was added to each diet. Rabbits in the O and OR groups showed the highest final live weight and carcass weight (P<0.001). Oregano supplemented animals also had the best feed conversion ratio. Longissimus dorsi (LD) meat of E and R rabbits had higher protein content compared to O and OR (P<0.001) which had a higher moisture content than E rabbits (P<0.005). All dietary treatments improved the oxidative stability of the LD meat compared to the S group. Treatments O and E were the most effective in delaying the lipid oxidation of LD meat, followed by the OR and R diets (P<0.005). No significant differences among groups in composition of the hind leg meat (HL) were observed. The O rabbits had a higher bone weight (P<0.05) than E animals and this difference was mainly ascribable to femur weight (P<0.01). In conclusion, the study showed that supplementation with 0.2% oregano can have a positive effect on productive performance and meat quality of rabbits.

Chemokines CCL14 and CCL3 Facilitate Monocytes/Macrophage Infiltration in Multiple Myeloma Bone Marrow

Drug resistance is the most common reason for treatment failure in multiple myeloma (MM), a plasma cell cancer of the bone marrow (BM). Our previous studies have shown that macrophage (MΦ) infiltration is increased in MM BM, and these MM-associated MΦs induce MM drug resistance by protecting MM cells from chemotherapeutic-induced cell death. A recently published clinical study also suggests that the number of BM MΦs negatively correlates with MM drug response and patient survival. Why MM BM harbors more MΦ is not well understood. In general, MΦs are derived from circulating monocytes, and monocytes are recruited to tissues by chemokines and differentiate into MΦs. In this study, we examined monocyte/MΦ chemokine expression in MM BM and determined that CCL14 and CCL3 were functional chemokines that regulated monocyte/MΦ infiltration in MM BM.To identify chemokines that regulate monocyte/MΦ infiltration in the MM tumor bed, we examined a panel of chemokines expressed in MM patient BM cells. Specifically, total BM cells (both CD138+ and CD138- cells) from MM patients were assayed by qPCR for target gene expression analysis. MM BM cells highly expressed CCL2 (MCP-1), CCL3 (MIP-1α), CCL4 (MIP-1β), CCL5 (RANTES), and CCL14 (HCC-1), but not CCL8 (MCP-2), CCL7 (MCP-3) or CCL13 (MCP-4). Next, we compared expression of those chemokines in MM BM vs. healthy BM aspirates by ELISA. MIP-1 α and HCC-1 were highly expressed in MM BM aspirates (n=11), but not in BM from healthy donors (n=7; P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry staining also confirmed that MM BM (n=5 patients) highly expressed MIP-1 α and HCC-1. Based on our findings, we hypothesized that elevated MΦ infiltration in MM BM might be due to MM BM overexpression of MIP-1α and HCC-1. To test this hypothesis, we first examined MIP-1α and HCC-1 function in monocyte migration. In vitro chemotactic assay showed that adding MIP-1α or HCC-1 neutralizing antibody inhibited monocyte migration to cocultured BM stromal cells (BMSCs) and MM cells (P<0.05). The antibodies also inhibited monocyte migration to ex vivo cultured BM cells from MM patients (P<0.05). In a murine MM mouse model, C57BL/KawRij mice inoculated with 5TGM1, a murine MM cell line, developed tumors in hind leg bones. Both flow cytometry analysis and immunohistochemistry staining suggested that the tumor-bearing mice had an increased number of MΦs in the BM, compared with healthy mice (P<0.05). Because HCC-1 does not have murine homology but it has the highest amino acid sequence similarity to MIP-1α, we treated the mice with MIP-1α neutralization antibody. Intra-peritoneal injection of mouse MIP-1α antibody decreased the MΦ number in BM (P<0.05). Such in vivo findings strongly suggest that MIP-1α regulates MΦ infiltration in MM BM. We also examined the source cells that contributed to high MIP-1 α and HCC-1 expression in MM BM. Primary MM cells (CD138+) and non-malignant BM cells (CD138-) were isolated from patient (n=5) BM aspirates. qPCR analysis showed that both CD138+ and CD138- cells had high MIP-1α and HCC-1 expression. Further, BMSC/MM coculture stimulated MIP-1α overexpression in BMSCs. Finally, we examined the association between MIP-1α or HCC-1 expression and the number of BM MΦ in MM patients. The chemokine expression in BM aspirates was determined by ELISA, and the number of MΦ was measured by flow cytometry analysis for CD14+/CD68+ cells. We found that MIP-1α expression was positively associated with the number of BM MΦs (P<0.05).To summarize, our findings suggest that CCL14 and CCL3 facilitate monocyte/MΦ infiltration in MM BM. Inhibiting these 2 chemokines may decrease the number of MM-associated MΦs, therefore increasing MM cell vulnerability to chemotherapy. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

A quantification strategy for missing bone mass in case of osteolytic bone lesions

Most of the patients who died of breast cancer have developed bone metastases. To understand the pathogenesis of bone metastases and to analyze treatment response of different bone remodeling therapies, preclinical animal models are examined. In breast cancer, bone metastases are often bone destructive. To assess treatment response of bone remodeling therapies, the volumes of these lesions have to be determined during the therapy process. The manual delineation of missing structures, especially if large parts are missing, is very time-consuming and not reproducible. Reproducibility is highly important to have comparable results during the therapy process. Therefore, a computerized approach is needed. Also for the preclinical research, a reproducible measurement of the lesions is essential. Here, the authors present an automated segmentation method for the measurement of missing bone mass in a preclinical rat model with bone metastases in the hind leg bones based on 3D CT scans. The affected bone structure is compared to a healthy model. Since in this preclinical rat trial the metastasis only occurs on the right hind legs, which is assured by using vessel clips, the authors use the left body side as a healthy model. The left femur is segmented with a statistical shape model which is initialised using the automatically segmented medullary cavity. The left tibia and fibula are segmented using volume growing starting at the tibia medullary cavity and stopping at the femur boundary. Masked images of both segmentations are mirrored along the median plane and transferred manually to the position of the affected bone by rigid registration. Affected bone and healthy model are compared based on their gray values. If the gray value of a voxel indicates bone mass in the healthy model and no bone in the affected bone, this voxel is considered to be osteolytic. The lesion segmentations complete the missing bone structures in a reasonable way. The mean ratio vr∕vm of the reconstructed bone volume vr and the healthy model bone volume vm is 1.07, which indicates a good reconstruction of the modified bone. The qualitative and quantitative comparison of manual and semi-automated segmentation results have shown that comparing a modified bone structure with a healthy model can be used to identify and measure missing bone mass in a reproducible way.

The effect of sex and age at slaughter on some carcass and meat quality traits of Boer kids

This study investigated some carcass and meat quality traits of Boer kids (17 male and 17 female) at two different average slaughter ages (83 and 139 days). Jointed cuts of half carcasses arranged from the greatest to the smallest were: hind leg (28.5%), rib and flank (21.2%), shoulder (19.3%), back (8.5%), loin (7.9%), neck (7.6%) and chuck (3.4%). Male kids had significantly higher percentage of the neck cuts (p≤0.001) while females had significantly higher percentage of rib and flank cuts (p≤0.05). At higher slaughter ages neck (p≤0.05) and chuck (p≤0.001) percentages significantly decreased and rib and flank (p≤0.001) percentage significantly increased. On average, hind leg had 72.2 % of muscle, 8.6 % of fat and 18.8 % of bone. Female kids had higher muscle and lower bone hind leg content than males (p≤0.01). Hind leg bone content significantly decreased at higher slaughter age (p≤0.01). Meat from male kids displayed significantly higher cie L*(p≤0.001) and b*(p≤0.05) values than females. At higher slaughter age L* values significantly decreased (p≤0.01) while a* and b* values significantly increased (p≤0.001; p≤0.01).

Endostatin Affects Osteoblast Behavior In Vitro, but Collagen XVIII/Endostatin Is Not Essential for Skeletal Development In Vivo

Endostatin, a fragment of collagen XVIII, can inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. VEGF is known to be crucial for bone development. The aims of this study were to investigate the influences of endostatin on osteoblast behavior in vitro and the roles of collagen XVIII/endostatin on bone development in vivo. For the in vitro experiments, MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were treated with VEGF-A, 2 microg/ml endostatin, 20 microg/ml endostatin, VEGF-A + 2 microg/ml endostatin, or VEGF-A + 20 microg/ml endostatin. Osteoblast proliferation and matrix mineralization were analyzed. Faxitron, pQCT, and histological analyses were performed on hindleg bones of transgenic mice overexpressing endostatin (ES-tg) and mice lacking collagen XVIII (Col18a1 (-/-)) to study bone development in vivo. Treatment of cells with endostatin decreased osteoblast proliferation. Moreover, VEGF-A together with endostatin (2 microg/ml) decreased osteoblast proliferation and matrix mineralization. In vivo, Col18a1 (-/-) and ES-tg mice displayed no differences in bone density or mineral content during bone development, but ES-tg bones grew in length more slowly compared to the controls. The formation of secondary ossification centers was delayed in Col18a1 (-/-) mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed collagen XVIII in basement membranes of periosteal and bone marrow vessels and at muscle attachment sites. In conclusion, endostatin affects osteoblast behavior in vitro, the effects being boosted by simultaneous treatment with VEGF. In vivo, Col18a1 (-/-) and ES-tg mice show mild delays in bone development. These changes are transitory and suggest that collagen XVIII/endostatin does not play an indispensable role in skeletal development.

Response of fattening rabbits reared under different housing conditions. 2. Carcass and meat quality

This 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to study the effects of housing system (pair caged – cage – : 2 rabbits/0.122 m 2 vs open top pen housed – pen – : 13 rabbits/0.86 m 2; same stocking density), floor type (wire mesh vs plastic net), and environmental enrichment (with vs without gnawing stick) on the meat quality of Pannon White growing rabbits ( n = 64). The housing system significantly influenced slaughter weight (2590 vs 2531 g in cage or pen, respectively; P < 0.01), reference carcass (RC) weight (1266 vs 1234 g; in cage or pen, respectively; P < 0.05), and the hind leg meat to bone ratio (6.11 vs 5.62 in cage or pen, respectively, P < 0.001). The animals reared in pens showed paler meat with lower pH u than that of those reared paired in cages. Hind leg meat dry matter and protein content were also influenced by the housing system (26.3 vs 25.9%, 21.9 vs 21.6%; in cage or pen, respectively; P < 0.05). Pen housed rabbits had significantly heavier femur and tibia bone weight and higher fracture toughness than pair caged rabbits. Floor type affected the fore part/RC weight ratio (29.2 vs 29.6% of the RC on plastic net or wire mesh, respectively). Gnawing stick presence increased slaughter yield (59.0 vs 58.3%; P < 0.05), RC weight (1266 vs 1236 g; P < 0.05) and the forepart/RC ratio (29.6 vs 29.2% RC; P < 0.05) while significantly reducing the meat colour b⁎ value and increasing m. Longissimus dorsi shear force (0.60 vs 0.50 kg/cm 2; P < 0.01). The hind leg meat fatty acid profile was only slightly influenced by experimental factors. Although this study showed pair caged rabbits to have increased carcass weight with better meatiness and other meat quality traits, hind leg bone strength was shown to be higher in pen housed rabbits.

Frogs as a part of the Eneolithic diet. Archaeozoological records from the Czech Republic (Kutná Hora-Denemark site, Řivnáč Culture)

Within the site of Kutná Hora-Denemark (Kutná Hora distr., central Bohemia – Eneolithic, Řivnáč Culture, 3000–2800 BC), 893 frog bones or bone fragments were present in five archaeological features. All identified specimens are of the Common Frog ( Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758). Males predominate, according to humeral morphology, and only adult individuals are present. The most important findings come from feature 36, where an accumulation of 739 frog bones (MNI = 123) were found, of which 10% (NISP) were burned. This and other contextual evidence indicates that they relate to activity of the Eneolithic people in the settlement. The predominance of hind leg bones and other circumstantial evidence suggest that the frogs were part of the human diet. Behavioural studies of this species suggest that the frogs were gathered from small ponds during the months of March or April. Similar findings are rare.

Características da carcaça de cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro

Este estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de FDN na dieta sobre as características de carcaça de cordeiros confinados e abatidos com 30 kg de PV. Foram utilizados 20 cordeiros machos, não-castrados, cruza Ile de France x Texel, distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro tratamentos (25, 31, 37 e 43% de FDN na dieta). O volumoso utilizado foi silagem de sorgo híbrido (AG 2005 E) e o concentrado foi composto de milho desintegrado, farelo de soja, sal comum, calcário calcítico e fosfato bicálcico. As dietas foram isoprotéicas (17% de PB) e as características avaliadas foram: peso de carcaça quente (PCQ), peso de carcaça fria (PCF), rendimento de carcaça quente (RCQ), rendimento de carcaça fria (RCF), índice de quebra ao resfriamento (IQ), área de olho-de-lombo (AOL), espessura de gordura subcutânea (EG), comprimento da carcaça (CC), largura da perna (LP), profundidade do peito (PPEITO), comprimento de perna (CPERNA), peso e proporção de perna, paleta, costilhar e pescoço e pesos e proporções de osso, músculo e gordura da perna dos cordeiros. O aumento do nível de FDN nas dietas reduziu linearmente o PCQ, PCF, RCQ, RCF e o peso de costilhar. Houve efeito quadrático do nível de FDN sobre o CPERNA. As demais variáveis analisadas não foram influenciadas pelos níveis de FDN das dietas.

Detection of irradiated lamb meat with bone: effect of chilled storage and cooking on esr signal strength

Summary The effect of gamma‐irradiation doses of 1, 2, 4 and 5 kGy on ESR signal intensity in pre‐packed irradiated lamb meat chunks containing bones was studied. Irradiation‐induced a characteristic ESR signal in bone that was not detected in non‐irradiated samples and its intensity was proportional to irradiation dose up to 5 kGy. In samples irradiated to 2.5 kGy for shelf‐life enhancement, ESR signal intensity was monitored immediately after irradiation and subsequently at weekly intervals during storage at 0–3 °C and after cooking by different methods. Hind leg bones (femur) displayed a higher signal intensity than rib bones. The ESR signal intensity faded by 30 and 42% during 4 weeks at 0–3 °C in hind leg and rib bones, respectively. The magnitude of ESR signal in hind leg bone declined by a maximum of 30% upon pressure cooking (for 15 min), 10% on microwave cooking (for 5 min) and 13% after boiling (for 30 min). However, in the case of rib bones, all cooking methods reduced the ESR signal by about 40%. Storage of irradiated freeze‐dried bone powder samples at ambient temperature also resulted in slight reduction in ESR signal intensity. Results point to the suitability of ESR technique for detection of irradiated lamb meat even after storage or cooking, and also in samples that had been stored and then cooked.

The effects of long-term intake of restricted calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin E and cadmium-added diets on various organs and bones of mice: a histological and the roentgenological study

The toxic effects of long-term administration of cadmium (Cd) on the kidneys, liver, and hind leg bones were studied histologically and roentgenologically in 29-day-old female ICR-strain mice separated into groups variously fed 1) a commercial (calcium [1.17%], vitamin D [220IU/100g], vitamin E [10mg/100g]) diet, 2) a low Ca (0.18% diet, 3) a low Ca and low D (50IU/100g) diet, and 4) a low Ca, low D and low E (5mg/100g) diet. Though the levels of vitamin D and vitamin E were designed to be low in each diet, their amounts fulfilled the nutritional requirements. Three subgroups in each category were fed Cd at dietary concentrations of 0, 20 or 40 ppm. After 12, 18 or 24 months on these diets the mice were sacrificed. 1) In the groups fed the commercial diet containing Cd, prominent swelling of the glomerulus and thickening of the basement membrane of glomerulus were observed. This did not occur in the groups fed the commercial diet without Cd. 2) In the groups fed the Cd-added low-Ca diet the following findings were more prominent compared with the low-Ca diet group. In the kidneys, swelling of the glomerulus, hyaline casts in tubular lumina and cellular infiltration of the interstitial tissue were present. In the liver, cellular infiltration on the interstitial tissue were present. In the liver, cellular infiltration of the interstitial tissue occurred. In the hind leg bones, thinning of trabeculae and ossification of the Achilles's tendon were seen. 3) In the Cd-added low-Ca, D diet groups, there was atrophy of glomerulus, thickening of basement membrane of glomerulus, and atrophy of tubular epithelial cells in the kidneys, while in the liver, binuclate cells, anisonucleosis and enlargement of Kupffer cells were seen. In the hind leg bones, thinning of the cortex and trabeculae were present. All of these findings were more prominent in this group than in the low-Ca, group. 4) In the Cd-added low-Ca, D, E, diet groups subjects the following findings were more prominent than in the low-Ca, D, E, diet group. In the kidneys, there was swelling of glomerulus and in the liver, there were binuclate cells, anisonucleosis, and cellular infiltration into interstitial tissue. In the hind leg bones, thinning of the cortex and trabeculae, a decrease of cartilage cells and a decrease of osteocytes were seen. These histological and roentgenological changes were seen to increase in a dose-dependent manner with the amount of dietary Cd.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Hematopoietic colony-forming cells from mice after wound trauma

The changes produced in the pluripotential and progenitor cell compartments of the hind leg bone marrow and spleen of skin-wounded mice were examined over a 2-week post-trauma period. Pluripotent cells (colony-forming unit-spleen, CFU-s) were significantly increased in the spleen and slightly reduced in the leg marrow the first week after trauma. Granulocyte macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) were significantly increased in the spleen throughout the 2-week period and were increased in the leg marrow during the first post-trauma week. Macrophage colony-forming cells (M-CFC) were significantly decreased in the spleen during the 2-week period and were slightly elevated in the leg marrow during that time. The peripheral blood contained significantly increased concentrations of CFU-s and GM-CFC but not M-CFC. Serum of wounded mice supported growth of GM-CFC but not M-CFC. The growth-promoting factor was extractable by CHCl 3 treatment. Serum C-reactive protein concentrations were significantly increased for a 5-day period after wound trauma.