LO Group Research Articles

Effect of sumac extract on serum oxidative status, RANKL/OPG system and alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis in rats

Objectives Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) is widely used spice which has several properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. The purpose of this animal study was to evaluate the effects of sumac extract on levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression, serum oxidative status, and alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis.Material and Methods Twenty-four Wistar rats were separated into three groups: non-ligated (NL, n=8), ligature only (LO, n=8), and ligature and treated with sumac extract (S, n=8) (20 mg/kg per day for 11 days). A 4/0 silk suture was placed around the mandibular right first molars subgingivally; after 11 days, the rats were sacrificed, and alveolar bone loss was histometrically measured. The detection of RANKL and OPG were immunohistochemically performed. Levels of serum total antioxidant status (TAS)/total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were also analyzed.Results Alveolar bone loss was significantly greater in the LO group compared to the S and NL groups (p<0.05). The number of inflammatory cell infiltrate (ICI) and osteoclasts in the LO group was significantly higher than that of the NL and S groups (p<0.05). The number of osteoblasts in the LO and S groups was significantly higher than that of the NL group (p<0.05). There were significantly more RANKL-positive cells in the LO group than in the S and NL groups (p<0.05). OPG-positive cells were higher in S group than in LO and NL groups (p<0.05). TOS and OSI levels were significantly reduced in S group compared to LO group (P<0.05) and TAS levels were similar in S and NL group (p>0.05).Conclusions The present study showed that systemic administration of sumac extract may reduce alveolar bone loss by affecting RANKL/OPG balance, TOS and OSI levels in periodontal disease in rats.

Metabolic and biochemical changes in plasma of the periparturient rabbit does with different litter size

The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic and biochemical changes in plasma that occur in the reproductive rabbit doe close to the parturition, as well as if the number of offspring affects the metabolism and the health status of the doe. At −3, 4 and 12 days from parturition (–D3, D4, and D12, respectively) nine rabbit does at their third parity from a commercial hybrid line (HYPLUS PS 19) selected for high prolificacy were weighted and blood was collected for a wide inflammometabolic profile. According to the number of offspring the does were retrospectively divided in two groups: high litter size group (HI; n=5) and low litter size group (LO; n=4). BW was higher (P<0.01) at –D3 and had the lowest values at D4. At D12, the BW was lower (P<0.05) in LO compared with HI. Several metabolites significantly changed from dry to lactation period. Glucose and cholesterol had the lowest levels at –D3; non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and aspartate aminotransferase had the highest values before parturition (P<0.05); creatinine and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) were higher at –D3 with respect to D4 (P<0.05). The lowest value of paraoxonase was observed in does at –D3 (P<0.05), whereas at this time ceruloplasmin and total bilirubin had the highest concentration (P<0.05). The differences for blood profile parameters between does grouped according to litter size were mainly evident before parturition (–D3). In particular, BHBA, NEFA and total bilirubin had higher concentrations (P<0.05) in HI v. LO group, whereas albumin and PON were lower in HI group (P<0.01). After parturition there were no significant differences for the metabolic parameters between the two groups. The results show that for reproductive rabbit doe the last days of gestation are very stressful from a metabolic and inflammatory point of view. The genetic selection of does for higher litter size has increased their ability to mobilize body reserves in order to guarantee the nutrients to a high number of kits. This exposes them to a more severe metabolic and inflammatory challenge during the transition period. Consequently, feeding and managerial strategies for high prolificacy periparturient rabbit does should be revised.

The distribution and vertical flux of fecal pellets from large zooplankton in Monterey bay and coastal California

We sampled zooplankton and fecal pellets in the upper 200m of Monterey Bay and nearby coastal regions in California, USA. On several occasions, we observed high concentrations of large pellets that appeared to be produced during night-time by dielly migrating euphausiids. High concentrations of pellets were found in near-surface waters only when euphausiids co-occurred with high concentrations of large (>10μm) phytoplankton. Peak concentrations of pellets at mid-depth (100 or 150m) during the day were consistent with the calculated sinking speeds of pellets produced near the surface at night. At these high flux locations (HI group), pellet concentrations declined below mid-depth. In contrast, at locations where the phytoplankton assemblage was dominated by small phytoplankton cells (<10μm), pellet production and flux were low (LO group) whether or not euphausiid populations were high. Protozooplankton concentrations did not affect this pattern. We concluded that the day and night differences in pellet concentration and flux in the HI profiles were mostly due to sinking of dielly-pulsed inputs in the surface layer, and that small zooplankton (Oithona, Oncaea), heterotrophic dinoflagellates, and bacterial activity probably caused some pellet degradation or consumption below 100m. We estimated that consumption of sinking pellets by large copepods was insignificant. High fluxes of pellets were episodic because they required both high concentrations of large phytoplankton and large stocks of euphausiids. Under these conditions, flux events overwhelmed retention mechanisms, resulting in large exports of organic matter from the upper 200m.

Changes in site of obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea patients according to sleep position: a DISE study.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in obstruction site in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients according to sleep position. Prospective case series. Eighty-five patients who had undergone level 1 sleep study and drug-induced sleep endoscopy in the supine and lateral positions were included. Obstruction sites were classified as soft palate (SP), tongue base (TB), lateral wall (LW), and larynx (LX). Subgroup analysis was performed according to lateral apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): those with an AHI of ≥ 10 (lateral obstructors, LO) and those with an AHI of < 10 (lateral nonobstructors, LNO). Prevalence in obstruction site of SP, TB, and LX decreased significantly after change from supine to lateral position (P < 0.05). However, the prevalence of LW obstruction was not affected by position change. LW collapse in moderate OSA decreased (from 66.7% to 35.9%) after change to lateral sleep, whereas it persisted in severe OSA patients (81.6%-89.5%). In the lateral position, persistent obstruction at the LW was observed more frequently in the LO group compared to the LNO group (83.3% vs. 33.3%). When sleep posture is changed from supine to lateral, obstruction due to structures such as tongue base and larynx improves dramatically. Obstruction in lateral position is mostly due to obstruction at the oropharyngeal LWs. Therefore, position dependency is mostly determined by LW collapsibility. Evaluating the changes of the upper airway according to sleep position can further characterize the upper airway collapsibility and can be used for tailored treatment planning.

Introduction: Symposium on Convergence, Interconnectedness, and Crises: Insurance and Banking

A conference on Convergence, Interconnectedness, and Crises: Insurance and Banking was held at Temple University in Philadelphia from December 8 to 10, 2011. The conference was cosponsored by Temple University's Advanta Center for Research on Financial Institutions, SCOR Group, The Canada Research Chair in Risk Management, HEC Montreal, CIRPEE (Quebec, Canada), and The Journal of Risk and Insurance. Seventeen research papers and two keynote addresses were presented at the conference, and six papers from the conference are published in this symposium. The conference key note addresses were delivered by Denis Kessler, Chairman and CEO of SCOR Group, and Andrew W. Lo, Harris & Harris Group Professor of Finance, MIT Sloan School of Management. The Financial Crisis of 2007-2010 revealed significant interrelationships both within and between the insurance and banking industries that contributed significantly to the magnitude of the crisis and the resulting government bailout. The need for additional research on interconnectedness provided the motivation for the Conference. The objective was to help minimize or avoid future crises through careful scholarly explorations of these interconnections. Researchers from around the world spent 3 days delving into numerous insurance and banking topics, ranging from systemic risk to implications of financial services mergers to extreme correlations within the insurance industry. The introductory article in this symposium, by Denis Kessler, is based on his keynote speech at the Conference. In his article, Kessler argues that the (re)insurance industry is not a significant source of systemic risk. Kessler emphasizes that (re)insurance failures are very rare, orderly, long-term processes, unlike banking crises, which are short term and associated with panics. He points out that a failing (re)insurance company does not terminate its contracts overnight but continues to settle claims. Thus, (re)insurance failures do not require sudden liquidation of assets and liabilities, as in the case of many banking failures. One reason that banks are susceptible to systemic risk is the interbank lending market, where risk is strongly concentrated due to a network of very short-term, bilateral exposures. In contrast, the structure of the (re)insurance market is hierarchical, in the sense that primary insurers cede a single risk to many other reinsurers, which in turn often cede it to different retrocessionnaires. In contrast to retail bank deposits and wholesale market bank funding, (re)insurance reserves are not instantaneously puttable and thus cannot be redeemed on demand by policyholders. Also unlike banks, which tend to borrow short term and lend long term, (re)insurers' asset and liability maturities tend to be well matched. Therefore, regulators should resist the temptation to put (re)insurers in the same category as banks and other financial institutions. Neither insurers nor reinsurers create significant systemic risk. Therefore, Kessler argues, designating (re)insurers as systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs) would reduce insurers' and reinsurers' profitability at the expense of solvency. The second article in the symposium is a macro-overview analysis of systemic risk in the insurance industry by J. David Cummins and Mary A. Weiss. Their article examines the potential for the U.S. insurance industry to cause systemic risk events that spill over to banking or other segments of the economy. They examine primary indicators of systemic risk as well as contributing factors that exacerbate vulnerability to systemic events. The evaluation of systemic risk is based on a detailed financial analysis of the insurance industry, its role in the economy, and the interconnectedness of insurers. Insurers are shown to have very low default risk and low susceptibility to financial crises. However, life insurers have higher leverage and more exposure to asset-backed securities and illiquid privately placed bonds than property-casualty (P-C) insurers. …

Do Comorbid Fibromyalgia Diagnoses Change After a Functional Restoration Program in Patients With Chronic Disabling Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders?

A retrospective study of prospectively collected data. To determine whether comorbid fibromyalgia, identified in patients with chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders (CDOMDs), resolves with a functional restoration program (FRP). Fibromyalgia involves widespread bodily pain and tenderness to palpation. In recent studies, 23% to 41% of patients with CDOMDs entering an FRP had comorbid fibromyalgia, compared with population averages of 2% to 5%. Few studies have examined whether fibromyalgia diagnoses resolve with any treatment, and none have investigated diagnosis responsiveness to an FRP. A consecutive cohort of patients with CDOMDs (82% with spinal disorders and all reporting chronic spinal pain) and comorbid fibromyalgia (N = 117) completed an FRP, which included quantitatively directed exercise progression and multimodal disability management. Diagnosis responsiveness, evaluated at discharge, created 2 groups: those who retained fibromyalgia and those who did not. These groups were compared with chronic regional lumbar pain only patients (LO group, n = 87), lacking widespread pain and fibromyalgia. Of the patients with comorbid fibromyalgia, 59% (n = 69) retained the fibromyalgia diagnosis (RFM group) and 41% (n = 48) lost the fibromyalgia diagnosis (LFM group) at discharge. Although all 3 groups reported decreased pain intensity, disability, and depressive symptoms from admission to discharge, RFM patients reported higher symptom levels than the LFM and LO groups at discharge. The LFM and LO groups were statistically similar. At 1-year follow-up, LO patients demonstrated higher work retention than both fibromyalgia groups (P < 0.03). Despite a significant comorbid fibromyalgia prevalence in a cohort of patients with CDOMDs entering an FRP, 41% of patients with an initial fibromyalgia diagnosis no longer met diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia at discharge and were indistinguishable from LO patients on pain, disability, and depression symptoms. However, both fibromyalgia groups (LFM and RFM) had lower work retention than LO patients 1 year later, suggesting that an FRP may suppress symptoms of fibromyalgia in a subset of patients, but prolonged fibromyalgia-related disability may be more difficult to overcome. 2.

The effect of dexmedetomidine on remifentanil induced postoperative hyperalgesia in patients undergoing thyroidectomy

Objective To observe the effects of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on postoperative mechanical pain threshold,and to identify whether Dex can prevent postoperative hyperalgesia induced by remifentanil.Methods we taked the completely random grouping method.60 patients undergoing elective Thyroidectomy were randomly divided into three groups:Dex group (HD group):The patients received Dex 1.0 μg/kg in 10 min before induction of anesthesia,then given 0.4 μg·kg-1·h-1 continuous infusion of Dex until 1 h before the end of surgery together with the continuous infusion of remifentanil 0.2 μg ·kg-1 ·min-1.Low dose remifentanil group (LO group) and high dose remifentanil group (HI group):The patients received normal saline infusion replaced Dex,then given remifentanil 0.05 μg·kg-1 ·min-1 and 0.2 μg·kg-1 ·min-1 respectively.Mechanical pain thresholds on forearm and periincisional area were assessed by yon Frey filament.Mechanical pain thresholds were recorded before surgery,and at 2,4,8,12,24,48 h postoperation,additional visual analogue scale(VAS) score and postoperative adverse reactions within 48 h were recorded.Results Mechanical pain threshold described by the median,interquartile range (M±QR),Compared with mechanical pain thresholds on forearm with the preoperative(13±43),mechanical pain thresholds in the HI group at 2 h(10±28),4 h(11±22),8 h(8±14),12 h(6± 25),24 h(8±18),48 h(8±19) are significantly decreased(P＜0.05),In the HD group at 8 h(16±58),12 h(22±63),24 h(30±72),48 h(20±109),compared with the preoperative(10±20),the mechanical pain thresholds are significantly increased(P＜0.01),In the LO group,the mechanical pain thresholds are decreased when compared with the preoperative,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The HD group(16±58),(22±63),(30±72) are higher at 8,12,24 h compared with the HI group(8±14),(6± 25),(8±18)(P＜0.05),HI group compared with the LO group (15±45),(19±32),(17±24),(13±33),(16±21),(15±26) is significantly lower in the postoperation (P＜0.01).The change in pain threshold on the periincisional area was similar among the groups.Additional VAS values compared with preoperative were significantly increased (P=0.004),but VAS value compared among the three groups is not statistically significant.Conclusions The application of Dex in Thyroidectomy can increase postoperative mechanical pain threshold,which can prevent remifentanil induced postoperative hyperalgesia. Key words: Dexmedetomidine ; Remifentanil; Mechanical pain threshold

Beef heifer growth and reproductive performance following two levels of pasture allowance during the fall grazing period.

The objective of this study was to compare heifer growth and reproductive performance following 2 levels of stockpiled fall forage allowance of orchardgrass (30.5%) and tall fescue (14.1%). Spring-born heifers (n = 203 and BW = 246 ± 28.9 kg) of primarily Angus background were allocated to 2 grazing treatments during the fall period (November 12 to December 17 in yr 1, November 7 to January 4 in yr 2, and November 7 to January 14 in yr 3) each replicated 3 times per year for 3 yr. Treatments consisted of daily pasture DM allowance of 3.5% of BW (LO) or daily pasture DM allowance of 7.0% of BW (HI) under strip-grazing management. Throughout the winter feeding period, mixed grass-legume haylage and soybean hulls were fed. Heifers were grazed as 1 group under continuous stocking after the winter period. Heifers in the LO group gained less than heifers in the HI group during the fall grazing period (0.12 vs. 0.40 kg/d; P < 0.0001). For each 1 10 g increase in NDF/kg fall pasture (DM basis), fall ADG decreased 0.14 kg (P = 0.01). During winter feeding, ADG was 0.30 and 0.39 kg/d for LO vs. HI heifers, respectively (P = 0.0008). During the spring grazing period (April 16 to May 24 in yr 1, April 22 to May 26 in yr 2, and April 5 to May 16 in yr 3), LO heifers had numerically greater ADG than HI heifers (1.38 vs. 1.30 kg/d; P = 0.64). Hip height (122.7 vs. 121.4 cm; P = 0.0055), BCS (5.8 vs. 5.6; P = 0.0057), and BW (356 vs. 335 kg; P < 0.0001) at the end of spring grazing was greater for HI than LO heifers. Heifers in the LO group compensated with greater summer ADG than heifers in the HI group (0.74 vs. 0.66 kg/d; P = 0.03). Total ADG from treatment initiation (November) through pregnancy diagnosis (August) was greater for HI than LO heifers (0.61 vs. 0.55 kg/d; P < 0.001) as was BW at pregnancy diagnosis (415 vs. 402 kg; P = 0.0055). Percentage of heifers reaching puberty by the time of AI was 34% for both groups (P = 0.93). Percentage of heifers becoming pregnant to AI tended (P = 0.13) to be greater for HI (44%) than for LO heifers (32%). Fall ADG across treatment groups affected the probability of a heifer becoming pregnant by AI (P = 0.01). Percentage pregnant by natural service (61% for LO vs. 59% for HI; P = 0.80) and final pregnancy rate (74% for LO vs. 77% for HI; P = 0.61) was not different for the 2 groups. These results indicate that altering fall forage allowance may delay the majority of BW gain until late in heifer development without negatively affecting overall pregnancy rates.

Effects of Low-Dose and High-Dose Postoperative Radioiodine Therapy on the Clinical Outcome in Patients with Small Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Having Microscopic Extrathyroidal Extension

It is unclear whether differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients classified as intermediate risk based on the presence of microscopic extrathyroidal extension (ETE) should be treated with low or high doses of radioiodine (RAI) after surgery. We evaluated success rates and long-term clinical outcomes of patients with DTC of small tumor size, microscopic ETE, and no cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis treated either with a low (1.1 GBq) or high RAI dose (5.5 GBq). This is a retrospective analysis of a historical cohort from 2000 to 2010 in a tertiary referral hospital. A total of 176 patients with small (≤2 cm) DTC, microscopic ETE, and no cervical LN metastasis were included. Ninety-six patients were treated with 1.1 GBq (LO group) and 80 patients with 5.5 GBq (HI group). Successful RAI therapy was defined as (i) negative stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) in the absence of Tg antibodies, and (ii) absence of remnant thyroid tissue and of abnormal cervical LNs on ultrasonography. Clinical recurrence was defined as the reappearance of disease after ablation, which was confirmed by cytologically or pathologically proven malignant tissue or of distant metastatic lesions. There was no significant difference in the rate of successful RAI therapy between the LO and HI groups (p=0.75). In a subgroup analysis based on tumor size, success rates were not different between the LO group (34/35, 97%) and the HI group (50/56, 89%) in patients with a tumor size of 1-2 cm (p=0.24). In patients with smaller tumor size (≤1 cm), there was no significant difference in success rates between the LO (59/61, 97%) and HI groups (22/24, 92%; p=0.30). No patient had clinical recurrences in either group during the median 7.2 years of follow-up. Low-dose RAI therapy is sufficient to treat DTC patients classified as intermediate risk just by the presence of microscopic ETE.

Efficacy of axillary nerve block in elbow arthroscopic surgery: a randomized trial

The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative pain levels after arthroscopic elbow surgery under general anesthesia and to determine whether an axillary nerve block provides additional pain management benefits compared with a portal site injection of local anesthetic. Thirty-six patients undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery under general anesthesia were randomized to either a study group receiving axillary nerve block (Ax group) or a control group receiving portal site injections of local anesthetic (Lo group). During the first 48 hours after surgery, pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores (0-100), total amount of oral analgesics required, and patient satisfaction were assessed. Among all 36 patients, mean pain VAS scores at rest were 37, 18, and 9 for the first 12-hour period and at 24 and 48 hours after surgery, respectively. The mean pain VAS scores during physiotherapy were 47 and 33 at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively, respectively. No intergroup differences were observed between the Ax and Lo groups at any time point after surgery (P value range, .41 to .87). The mean number of loxoprofen tablets required during the 48-hour study period was 5.1 in the Ax group and 4.5 in the Lo group (P = .90). The Ax and Lo groups had mean overall patient satisfaction scores of 91 and 91, respectively (P = .98). Postoperative pain levels after arthroscopic elbow surgery could be well managed with oral analgesics and local anesthetic. An axillary nerve block was not found to provide any postoperative pain control benefits.

Factors Influencing the Impact Force of the Taekwondo Roundhouse Kick

The roundhouse kick is a powerful taekwondo move, commonly used in sparring matches. The kick’s power could be derived from the angular position and activation of muscles controlling the ankle joint. The aim of this study was to investigatethe ankle joint angle and activation of the lower leg muscles at different levels of impact force. Twenty Thai,black-belt, male, Taekwondo athletes performed roundhouse kicks with their maximal effort. Ankle joint motion was recorded using an electrogoniometer sensor. Activations of gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles were monitored using surface electromyography. The athletes were divided into two groups based on their maximal impact forces: high (HI; 172.03 ± 19.36 N) and low (LO; 110.14 ± 20.20 N). Comparisons between the two groups showed that the HI group demonstrated significantly less plantarflexion angle and gastrocnemius activation than the LO group (P < 0.05). This indicates that impact force of the roundhouse kick may depend on the ankle joint position and gastrocnemius activation.

LASIK following Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) Lenticule Re-Implantation: A Feasibility Study of a Novel Method for Treatment of Presbyopia

Presbyopia remains a major visual impairment for patients, who have previously undergone laser refractive correction and enjoyed unaided distance vision prior to the onset of presbyopia. Corneal stromal volume restoration through small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) lenticule re-implantation presents an opportunity for restoring the patients’ non-dominant eye to previous low myopia to achieve a monovision. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of performing LASIK after lenticule re-implantation as a method to create presbyopic monovision. A -6.00D SMILE correction was performed in 9 rabbit eyes. The lenticules were cryopreserved for 14 days and re-implanted. Five weeks later, 3 of these eyes underwent LASIK for -5.00D correction (RL group); 3 underwent LASIK flap creation, which was not lifted (RN); and no further procedures were performed on the remaining 3 eyes. These groups were compared with 3 eyes that underwent standard LASIK for a -5.00D correction (LO); 3 that underwent creation of non-lifted flap (LN); and 3 non-operated eyes. Rabbits were euthanized 1 day post-surgery. Tissue responses were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, slit lamp and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). Intrastromal irregularities and elevated reflectivity levels of the excimer-ablated plane were observed on slit lamp and IVCM, respectively in the RL group. The results were comparable (P = 0.310) to IVCM findings in the LO group. RL and LO groups showed similar fibronectin expression levels, number of CD11b-positive cells (P = 0.304) and apoptotic cells (P = 0.198). There was no difference between the RN and LN groups in reflectivity levels (P = 0.627), fibronectin expression levels, CD11b-positive cells (P = 0.135) and apoptotic cells (P = 0.128). LASIK can be performed following lenticule re-implantation to create presbyopic monovision. The tissue responses elicited after performing LASIK on corneas that have undergone SMILE and subsequent lenticule re-implantation are similar to primary procedure.

Ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block: a comparison between four different infragluteal probe and needle alignment approaches

Our aim was compare onset time of sciatic nerve blockade (SNB) performed distal to the subgluteal fold using four different ultrasound (US)-guided approaches in patients undergoing foot or ankle surgery. Patients were assigned to one of four groups: SI patients received SNB using short-axis (SA) view of the SN and in-plane (IP) placement of block needle (SA-IP approach); LI patients received SNB using long-axis (LA) view of the SN and IP needle placement (LA-IP approach); SO patients received the block using SA view of the SN and out-of-plane (OP) needle placement (SA-OP approach); LO patients received SNB using LA view of the SN and OP needle placement (LA-OP). Primary outcome included onset time of sensory and motor SNB. Patient satisfaction concerning the postoperative analgesia was noted. The LI group had significantly faster onset of sensory blockade on the distribution of tibial nerve (16.0 ± 5.6 vs. 23.5 ± 3.6) and common peroneal nerve (12.5 ± 4.3 vs. 19.1 ± 5.4 min) in comparison with the LO group. The LI group had significantly faster onset of motor blockade on the distribution of tibial nerve (21.1 ± 6.2 vs. 26 ± 3.1) and common peroneal nerve (17.7 ± 4.8 vs. 23.7 ± 5.8 min.) in comparison with the LO group. The LI group had the highest rate of patient satisfaction for postoperative analgesia and the LO group had the lowest. The LA-IP approach resulted in a rapid onset of SNB and was associated with the best satisfaction for postoperative analgesia in comparison with LA-OP, SA-IP, and SA-OP approaches for patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery.

Reducing the Intensity and Volume of Interval Training Diminishes Cardiovascular Adaptation but Not Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Overweight/Obese Men

ObjectiveThe purpose of this research was to determine if the adaptations to high intensity interval training (HIT) are mitigated when both intensity and training volume (i.e. exercise energy expenditure) are reduced.Methods19 overweight/obese, sedentary males (Age: 22.7±3.9 yrs, Body Mass Index: 31.4±2.6 kg/m2, Waist Circumference: 106.5±6.6 cm) performed 9 sessions of interval training using a 1-min on, 1-min off protocol on a cycle ergometer over three weeks at either 70% (LO) or 100% (HI) peak work rate.ResultsCytochrome oxidase I protein content, cytochrome oxidase IV protein content, and citrate synthase maximal activity all demonstrated similar increases between groups with a significant effect of training for each. β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase maximal activity tended to increase with training but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α and silent mating type information regulator 2 homolog 1 protein contents also increased significantly (p = 0.047), while AMP-activated protein kinase protein content decreased following the intervention (p = 0.019). VO2peak increased by 11.0±7.4% and 27.7±4.4% in the LO and HI groups respectively with significant effects of both training (p<0.001) and interaction (p = 0.027). Exercise performance improved by 8.6±7.6% in the LO group and 14.1±4.3% in the HI group with a significant effect of training and a significant difference in the improvement between groups. There were no differences in perceived enjoyment or self-efficacy between groups despite significantly lower affect scores during training in the HI group.ConclusionsWhile improvements in aerobic capacity and exercise performance were different between groups, changes in oxidative capacity were similar despite reductions in both training intensity and volume.

Usefulness of Running Wheel for Detection of Congestive Heart Failure in Dilated Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model

BackgroundInherited dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a progressive disease that often results in death from congestive heart failure (CHF) or sudden cardiac death (SCD). Mouse models with human DCM mutation are useful to investigate the developmental mechanisms of CHF and SCD, but knowledge of the severity of CHF in live mice is necessary. We aimed to diagnose CHF in live DCM model mice by measuring voluntary exercise using a running wheel and to determine causes of death in these mice.Methodology/Principal FindingsA knock-in mouse with a mutation in cardiac troponin T (ΔK210) (DCM mouse), which results in frequent death with a t1/2 of 70 to 90 days, was used as a DCM model. Until 2 months of age, average wheel-running activity was similar between wild-type and DCM mice (approximately 7 km/day). At approximately 3 months, some DCM mice demonstrated low running activity (LO: <1 km/day) while others maintained high running activity (HI: >5 km/day). In the LO group, the lung weight/body weight ratio was much higher than that in the other groups, and the lungs were infiltrated with hemosiderin-loaded alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, echocardiography showed more severe ventricular dilation and a lower ejection fraction, whereas Electrocardiography (ECG) revealed QRS widening. There were two patterns in the time courses of running activity before death in DCM mice: deaths with maintained activity and deaths with decreased activity.Conclusions/SignificanceOur results indicate that DCM mice with low running activity developed severe CHF and that running wheels are useful for detection of CHF in mouse models. We found that approximately half of ΔK210 DCM mice die suddenly before onset of CHF, whereas others develop CHF, deteriorate within 10 to 20 days, and die.

Effects of dissolved oxygen and dietary lysine levels on growth performance, feed conversion ratio and body composition of grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella

In order to investigate the effects of lysine and dissolved oxygen on grass carp, the grass carp were fed with 13, 15 and 17 g kg −1 lysine diet at about 6 mg L−1 (high dissolved oxygen, HO group) or 3.5 mg L−1 (low dissolved oxygen, LO group) dissolved oxygen level, for 8 weeks. The fish were fed to apparent satiation by hand. The results showed that apparent digestibility of protein, energy and dry matter were decreased significantly when grass carp were fed at 3.5 mg L−1 dissolved oxygen, and feed intake (FI) was also inhibited by low dissolved oxygen (P < 0.05). Weight gain, protein retention, protein efficiency, feed conversion ratio and amino acid retention of fish at 6 mg L−1 dissolved oxygen level were significantly improved at 3.5 mg L−1 dissolved oxygen level (P < 0.05). Weight gain, protein and amino acid retention, and feed efficiency of grass carp at the two dissolved oxygen levels were significantly improved by lysine supplementation (P < 0.05). The dietary lysine level and dissolved oxygen of water had an interaction effect on feed conversion ratios (P < 0.05). Grass carp fed at low dissolved oxygen level showed lower liver protein and fat contents. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity of grass carp fed at 3.5 mg L−1 dissolved oxygen level was significantly increased compared to 6 mg L−1 dissolved oxygen level (P < 0.05). Our results show that low dissolved oxygen level of water is harmful to the liver of grass carp.

Intrauterine protein restriction combined with early postnatal overfeeding was not associated with adult-onset obesity but produced glucose intolerance by pancreatic dysfunction

We investigated if whether intrauterine protein restriction in combination with overfeeding during lactation would cause adult-onset obesity and metabolic disorders. After birth, litters from dams fed with control (17% protein) and low protein (6% protein) diets were adjusted to a size of four (CO and LO groups, respectively) or eight (CC and LC groups, respectively) pups. All of the offspring were fed a diet containing 12% protein from the time of weaning until they were 90 d old. Compared to the CC and LC groups, the CO and LO groups had higher relative and absolute food intakes, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production; lower brown adipose tissue weight and lipid content and greater weight gain and absolute and relative white adipose tissue weight and absolute lipid content. Compared with the CO and CC rats, the LC and LO rats exhibited higher relative food intake, brown adipose tissue weight and lipid content, reduced oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and spontaneous activity, increased relative retroperitoneal adipose tissue weight and unaltered absolute white adipose tissue weight and lipid content. The fasting serum glucose was similar among the groups. The area under the glucose curve was higher in the LO and CO rats than in the LC and CC rats. The basal insulinemia and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were lower in the LO group than in the other groups. The total area under the insulin curve for the LO rats was similar to the CC rats, and both were lower than the CO and LC rats. Kitt was higher in the LO, LC and CO groups than in the CC group. Thus, intrauterine protein restriction followed by overfeeding during lactation did not induce obesity, but produced glucose intolerance by impairing pancreatic function in adulthood.

Ultrasound‐guided infragluteal sciatic nerve block: a comparison between four different techniques

Ultrasound guided sciatic block can be performed by different techniques. We compared namely short or long axis views of the sciatic nerve with in-plane or out-of-plane needle insertion techniques for the infragluteal sciatic nerve block (ISNB). One hundred twenty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III, scheduled for foot surgery were assigned into four groups. Group SI: patients received ultrasound-guided SNB using short axis (S) view of the SN and in-plane (I) insertion of needle. Group LI: patients received SNB using long axis (L) view of SN and (I) insertion of the needle. Group SO: patients received SNB using (S) view of SN and out-of-plane (O) insertion of the needle. Group LO: patients received SNB using (L) view of SN and (O) insertion of the needle. Primary outcomes included the time to perform the block (recognition and performance time) and the level of patient discomfort during block placement. The recognition time and performance time were shortest in LI group (51 ± 16.4 and 87.7 ± 14.8 s), while they were longest in LO group (138.7 ± 21.4 and 160.3 ± 17.5 s). There were no significant differences between the groups as regards the number of attempts and needle redirections to elicit sciatic motor response. The level of patient discomfort was significantly less in the LI group in comparison with the SI and LO groups. The LI approach required less time to complete the infragluteal sciatic nerve block procedure and it was more comfortable for the patients in comparison to the SO, SI and LO approaches.

Effects of Rice Bran Oil on the Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolism of Isoflavones in Adult Mice

This study examined the effects of rice bran oil (RBO) on mouse intestinal microbiota and urinary isoflavonoids. Dietary RBO affects intestinal cholesterol absorption. Intestinal microbiota seem to play an important role in isoflavone metabolism. We hypothesized that dietary RBO changes the metabolism of isoflavonoids and intestinal microbiota in mice. Male mice were randomly divided into two groups: those fed a 0.05% daidzein with 10% RBO diet (RO group) and those fed a 0.05% daidzein with 10% lard control diet (LO group) for 30 days. Urinary amounts of daidzein and dihydrodaidzein were significantly lower in the RO group than in the LO group. The ratio of equol/daidzein was significantly higher in the RO group (p < 0.01) than in the LO group. The amount of fecal bile acids was significantly greater in the RO group than in the LO group. The composition of cecal microbiota differed between the RO and LO groups. The occupation ratios of Lactobacillales were significantly higher in the RO group (p < 0.05). Significant positive correlation (r = 0.591) was observed between the occupation ratios of Lactobacillales and fecal bile acid content of two dietary groups. This study suggests that dietary rice bran oil has the potential to affect the metabolism of daidzein by altering the metabolic activity of intestinal microbiota.

Local Transplantation of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor-Mobilized Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells for Unhealing Bone Fractures

We previously reported the therapeutic potential of human peripheral blood (hPB) CD34+ cells for bone fracture healing via vasculogenesis/angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Transplantation of not only hPB CD34+ cells but also hPB total mononuclear cells (MNCs) has shown their therapeutic efficiency for enhancing ischemic neovascularization. Compared with transplantation of purified hPB CD34+ cells, transplantation of hPB MNCs is more attractive due to its simple method of cell isolation and inexpensive cost performance in the clinical setting. Thus, in this report, we attempted to test a hypothesis that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized (GM) hPB MNC transplantation could also contribute to fracture healing via vasculogenesis/angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Nude rats with unhealing fractures received local administration of the following materials with atelocollagen: 1 × 107 GM hPB MNCs (Hi group), 1 × 106 GM hPB MNCs (Lo group), or PBS (PBS group). Immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated human cell-derived vasculogenesis and osteogenesis in the Hi and Lo groups, but not in the PBS group at week 1. Intrinsic angiogenesis and osteogenesis assessed by rat capillary, osteoblast density, and real-time RT-PCR analysis was significantly enhanced in the Hi group compared to the other groups. Blood flow assessment by laser doppler perfusion imaging showed a significantly higher blood flow ratio at week 1 in the Hi group compared with the other groups. Morphological fracture healing was radiographically and histologically confirmed in about 30% of animals in the Hi group at week 8, whereas all animals in the other groups resulted in nonunion. Local transplantation of GM hPB MNCs contributes to fracture healing via vasculogenesis/angiogenesis and osteogenesis.