Bone Weight Research Articles

Key Trace Elements Zinc and Magnesium Levels Decline After Fracture in a Rat Model

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics; Basic Sciences/Biologics Introduction/Purpose: Zinc and magnesium are crucial for bone health, and their deficiencies can lead to impaired bone metabolism and repair. Although enhancing their bioavailability has been linked to better fracture healing, their levels during healing have not been studied. We hypothesized that zinc and magnesium levels transiently decrease at the fracture site compared to intact bone. This study is the first to explore temporal trace element levels during the initial stages of fracture healing. The findings will reveal when each element changes its concentration at the fracture site, which is associated with specific functions necessary for appropriate healing. Understanding the connection between trace element concentration and repair processes could lead to more effective treatment or supplementation during fracture healing. Methods: Following induction of a femur fracture in male BB Wistar rats, injured and intact contralateral femurs were harvested at 1- (n=3), 3- (n=4), and 7-days (n=3) after fracture. Fracture segments 10mm in length were resected 5mm from the center of the callus in either direction. Contralateral non-fractured femur segments were resected from the same region within the femoral diaphysis. Samples were analyzed via inductively coupled mass spectrometry using an Agilent ICP-MS 7900 (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA). Data was converted from ppb to percent weight zinc and magnesium per weight of bone (w/w%). The difference between zinc and magnesium in contralateral intact bone vs. fractured bone was calculated and averaged (∆) for each group. The average % change were also determined. An independent sample two-tailed t-test was performed comparing average w/w% of zinc and magnesium between fracture and contralateral samples. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: After 1-day post-fracture, there was a -29.09 average % change in zinc levels (∆ 6.90x10^-03 ± 5.05x10^-03) (p = 0.033) and a -25.76 average % change in magnesium levels (∆ 1.21x10^-01 ± 7.36x10^-02 w/w%) (p = 0.241) between fractured and non- fractured femurs. After 3-days post-fracture, there was a -22.51 average % change in zinc levels (∆ 5.45x10^-03 ± 3.95x10^-03 w/w%) (p = 0.022) and a -33.07 average % change in magnesium levels (∆ 1.84x10^-01 ± 1.05x10^-01 w/w%) (p = 0.025). After 7- days post-fracture, there was a -9.40 average % change in zinc levels (∆ 1.90x10^-03 ± 3.98x10^-03) (p = 0.377) and a -17.88 average % change in magnesium levels (∆ 9.04x10^-02 ± 1.24x10^-01 w/w%) (p = 0.159) between fractured and non-fractured femurs. Conclusion: Previous research has established the significance of trace elements, namely zinc and magnesium, in the process of fracture healing. Zinc has been shown to improve fracture healing, while magnesium has been found to play a role regulating inflammation during early fracture healing. The findings of this study corroborate our hypothesis that levels of these elements transiently decline following fracture. By evaluating these changes in trace element levels, we can gain a better understanding of their function in the fracture healing process. These observations may offer insight into potential therapeutic approaches utilizing zinc and magnesium for fracture healing in the future.

ORGANOLEPTIC PARAMETERS, TIBIA BONE GROWTH AND MINERAL RETENTION OF BROILER CHICKEN FED MORINGA OLEIFERA AND ALLIUM SATIVUM

Two hundred and forty (240) one-day-old, unsexed cobb 500 broiler chickens were used to determine the organoleptic attributes, tibia bone growth and mineral retention of broiler chicken fed Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) and Allium sativum bulb powder (ABP) inclusive diets. The birds were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments with 4 replicates of 12 birds each in a completely randomized design. The treatments were: T1- control diet, T2 − MLP replaced with soya bean meal at 1 %, T3 − MLP replaced with soya bean meal at 3 %, T4 − MLP replaced with soya bean meal at 1 %, added with 0.1 % ABP and T5 − MLP replaced with soya bean meal at 3 %, added with 0.3 % ABP. The feeding trial lasted for a 28-day starter phase and another 28-day finisher phase. Data were collected on organoleptic parameters, tibia bone growth and mineral retention. Data collected were subjected to General Linear Model Procedure of SAS v9.2. Significant means were separated using Tukey's Procedure tested at a 5 % level of significance. At the 4th week, the colour, taste and juiciness of broiler meat in dietary treatments (T2, T3, T4 and T5) were similar (P > 0.05) to T1, while other parameters were not influenced by the dietary treatments. At the 8th week, the taste of broiler meat in T1 was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in T4. The aroma in T1 was similar (P > 0.05) to T3 and T5, while tenderness in T1 was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in T3. At week 4, the bone's weight in T2 was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in T1. The diameter and ash weight in T2, T3, T4 and T5 were similar (P > 0.05) to those in T1. The calcium content in the dietary treatment (T2, T3, T4 and T5) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in T1. At the 8th week, the bone's weights in (T2, T3, T4 and T5) were similar (P > 0.05) to those in T1. The length was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T3 and T5 than in T1 and T4. The diameter in T1 was lower (P < 0.05) than that in T2. Calcium was progressively increased among the dietary treatments from T2 to T5. Therefore, T3 and T5 are, hereby, recommended for use in the livestock industry.

Research Note: In ovo and in-feed probiotic supplementation improves layer embryo and pullet growth

Probiotics are widely used as feed supplements in the poultry industry to promote growth and performance in chickens. Specifically, this supplementation starts around the time of lay and continues through the production cycle in laying hens. However, the embryonic period is critical to the growth and development of metabolically active organs thereby influencing subsequent health and productivity in adult birds. Therefore, the present study investigated the potential use of probiotics to promote embryonic growth in layers. Further, a pilot grow-out study was conducted to evaluate the effect of in ovo and in-feed probiotic application on pullet growth. For the study, fertile White Leghorn eggs were sprayed with phosphate buffered saline (control, CON) or probiotic cocktail (in ovo only, IO; Lactobacillus paracasei DUP 13076 and L. rhamnosus NRRL B 442) prior to and during incubation. The embryos were sacrificed on d 7, 10, 14, and 18 of incubation for embryo morphometry. On d 18, remaining eggs were set in the hatcher to assess hatchability and hatchling morphometry. For the pullet trial, hatchlings were raised on feed with or without probiotics until wk 5. Pullets were sacrificed weekly, and morphometric parameters were recorded. Results of our study demonstrate that in ovo probiotic application significantly improved relative embryo weight, crown-rump length, hatchability, and hatchling weight when compared to the control (P < 0.05). Further, this enhanced embryonic development was associated with a concomitant increase in posthatch growth. Specifically, pullets raised from probiotic-sprayed eggs had significantly improved crown-rump length, tibial length, tibial bone weight, and body weight when compared to the control (P < 0.05). Moreover, among the different treatment schemes employed in this study [CON (no probiotics), in-feed only (IF), IO only, and in ovo and in-feed probiotic supplementation (IOIF)], sustained probiotic supplementation (IOIF) was found to be the most effective in promoting growth. Therefore, in ovo and in-feed probiotic supplementation could be employed to promote embryo and pullet growth to support subsequent performance in layers.

Prediction of carcass tissues composition using the neck and shoulder traits in hair lambs with multiresponse multivariate adaptive regression splines

The present study aimed to predict the carcass tissue composition of hair sheep lambs using a multiresponse multivariate adaptive regression splines algorithm. The left half of sixty-six hair lambs were divided into five commercial cuts (neck, shoulder, rib, loin, and leg), each cut was weighed and dissected in total soft tissue (fat and muscle, TSTW) and bone (BOW). The independent variables included variables obtained from neck and shoulder dissection: weights of the neck (NWE) and shoulder (SWE), neck soft STW (NSTW), neck BW (NBOW), shoulder STW (SSTW), and shoulder BW (SBOW). The prediction of hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), carcass soft tissue weight (CSTW), and carcass bone weight (CBWE) had an R2 that ranged from 0.90 to 0.96. It is concluded that some neck traits and all shoulder traits could be used to predict the carcass tissue weights of hair-suckling lambs correctly.

Effects of L-arginine, guanidinoacetic acid and L-citrulline supplementation in reduced-protein diets on bone morphology and mineralization of laying hens.

The alterations in feed ingredients and the nutrient matrix to produce reduced-protein diets may affect bone morphology and mineralization in laying hens. This study was implemented to determine the effects of L-arginine (Arg), guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), and L-citrulline (Cit) supplementation to Arg-deficient reduced-protein diets on bone morphology, strength, and mineralization status of laying hens. Individually housed Hy-Line Brown laying hens were evenly distributed to five dietary treatments with 25 replicates per treatment from 20 to 40wk of age. Treatments consisted of a standard protein diet (17% crude protein, SP), a reduced-protein diet deficient in Arg (13% crude protein, RP), and RP supplemented with Arg (0.35% Arg, RP-Arg), GAA (0.46% GAA equivalent to 0.35% Arg, RP-GAA), or Cit (0.35% Cit equivalent to 0.35% Arg, RP-Cit) to reach the Arg level of SP diets. Birds fed the SP diet had similar bone weight, ash, length, width, Seedor index, breaking strength, and serum mineral concentration, but higher toe B level (P<0.001) compared to those fed the RP diet at wk 40. Birds fed the SP diet consumed more but also excreted more K and B compared to those fed the RP diet (P<0.01). Birds fed the SP diet had lower Cu digestibility (P=0.01) and higher B retention (P<0.01) compared to those offered the RP diet. Supplementation of Arg, GAA, and Cit to the RP diet increased relative femur weight and length (P<0.001). Citrulline supplementation also increased relative tibia and femur ash, and Zn digestibility (P<0.05). Supplementation of GAA to the RP diet decreased serum Ca, P, and Mg levels, decreased tibia Fe and Mg levels and toe Mg level, but increased Al, Fe, Zn, and Mn digestibility (P<0.05). The current findings demonstrated the capacity of laying hens to adapt to low mineral intake by increasing mineral utilization. Overall, bone morphology and breaking strength, and serum mineral level in laying hens were not influenced by dietary CP levels. Dietary Arg, GAA, or Cit supplementation were effective in improving bone morphology and mineralization in laying hens fed Arg-deficient RP diets.

Matrine From Sophora Flavescens Attenuates on Collagen-Induced Osteoarthritis by Modulating the Activity of miR-29B-3P/PGRN Axis.

Matrine is an active ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine that has been shown to be effective in treating bone disorders. The anti-osteoarthritis (OA) effects of matrine were assessed using both in in vitro and in vivo systems, and the mechanisms underlying the effects were investigated by focusing on the activity of miR-29b-3p/PGRN axis. The miR was chosen as potential target for matrine after chondrocytes were treated with both IL-1? and matrine. Changes in cell viability, cell apoptosis, inflammation, and miR-29b-3p/PGRN axis were detected. In vitro assays results were validated using collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat models. Incubation with IL-1? reduced cell viability, induced cell apoptosis, and inhibited production of cytokines in chondrocytes, which was associated with the up-regulation of miR-29b-3p and down-regulation of PGRN. In CIA rats, matrine reduced bone destruction and weight loss in a dose-dependent manner. Matrine also reduced the systemic levels of cytokines. At the molecular level, matrine inhibited the expression of miR-29b-3p while increasing the expression of PGRN. The findings outlined in the current study showed that matrine exerted its anti-OA effects by modulating the miR-29b-3p/PGRN axis.

Perception of burden of oral and inhaled corticosteroid adverse effects on asthma-specific quality of life

BackgroundA multistakeholder core outcome set created for asthma trials showed that asthma-specific quality of life (QoL) was a critically meaningful outcome. However, the definition and measurement methods were undetermined. The adverse effects (AEs) of corticosteroids may be a vital clinical trial outcome. Nevertheless, the AE burden from the patient perspective has not yet been elucidated in an asthma population. ObjectiveTo characterize patient burden of AEs in oral (OCS) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and how this relates to QoL within an asthma population. MethodsWe used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design with quantitative surveys of known ICS and OCS AEs that were distributed through the Allergy & Asthma Network database, social channels, and the Asthma UK newsletter. Participants rated the AEs that were (1) most burdensome and (2) most desired to be eliminated. Qualitative interviews and focus groups were performed to better understand patient views on barriers reported in the quantitative data, and to identify patient-important barriers that were not a part of the quantitative survey. ResultsThe 3 most burdensome AEs for OCS were bone mineral density, infectious complications, and weight gain, whereas weight gain was the most desired to be eliminated. The 3 most burdensome AEs for ICS were pneumonia, hoarse voice, and oral thrush, with concordant results for the most desired to be eliminated. In the focus groups, OCS AEs were concordant with quantitative findings. Focus groups identified unmeasured psychosocial effects, such as embarrassment. ConclusionThe most burdensome AEs may not be those that would cause patients to stop therapy. Furthermore, qualitative focus groups suggest a psychosocial burden associated with ICS, which needs further investigation.

Impacts of phytase and coccidial vaccine on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone development, and intestinal gene expression of broilers fed a nutrient reduced diet

An experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of phytase and coccidial vaccine on growth performance, bone ash, bone 3-D microstructure, nutrient digestibility, and gene expression of intestinal biomarkers in broilers fed a regular or nutrient-reduced diet. The experiment was conducted in a 2×4 factorial arrangement with 6 replicates per treatment and 10 birds per replicate. Two main factors were coccidial vaccine and dietary treatments. The dietary treatments included: 1) a positive control (PC; normal nutrient levels); 2) a negative control (NC; with a reduction of 0.15% of Ca and avP and 5% of essential amino acid (EAA) and crude protein relative to PC); 3) NC+500 FTU/kg of phytase; and 4) NC+1,500 FTU/kg of phytase. No interaction effect of phytase and coccidial vaccine on growth performance, bone ash, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) was observed. For the main effect, birds fed the NC diet showed lower (P=0.007) BWG during d 0 to 21 compared to PC birds, whereas supplementing 500 or 1,500 FTU/kg phytase increased BWG to the similar level to the PC. During d 0 to 21, vaccinated birds had a lower (P < 0.001) FI and better (P=0.045) FCR compared to unvaccinated birds. Birds fed the NC diet resulted a decrease in tibia fat-free dry bone weight (P=0.012), ash weight (P=0.005), ash percentage (P < 0.001), and ash concentration (P=0.019) compared to the PC group at d 21, whereas supplementing phytase at 500 or 1,500 FTU/kg in NC diet was able to improve these bone parameters to the similar level to the PC; however, vaccination did not have any effect on bone ash. Similarly, birds fed with the NC diet showed had significant lower bone microstructure levels including bone volume, bone mineral density, and bone mineral content (P < 0.001), and supplementing phytase at 1,500 FTU/kg improved these parameters. Vaccination improved AID of nitrogen (P < 0.001). Birds from the NC and both phytase supplementation groups had a higher (P=0.001) AID of Ca compared to the PC. Supplementing phytase at 500 FTU/kg or 1,500 FTU/kg improved (P < 0.001) AID of P compared to the NC. Additionally, the NC had a lower AID of DM than the PC, whereas supplementing phytase at 500 FTU/kg or 1,500 FTU/kg improved DM digestibility (P=0.0299). In conclusion, supplementation of phytase at 500 or 1,500 FTU/kg improved growth performance, bone mineralization, and nutrient digestibility regardless of vaccination, with a more pronounced effect when supplementing phytase at 1,500 FTU/kg.

A preliminary bioarchaeological study of the funerary urns from Los Tamarindos, Tierra Caliente, in Michoacan, Mexico

Abstract This article presents the results of a preliminary bioarchaeological study of 10 funerary urns containing human burned remains from the Los Tamarindos urn-field cemetery dated to the Postclassic period. I was able to determine the basic biological profile data. In addition, I determined the fragmentation rate as well as the thermal alternation of bones from funerary urns from Los Tamarindos, which allowed me to propose the first observations about the Pretarascan cremation burial practices in this region. The low weight of bones indicates that burials should be determined as partial burials; however, they contain fragments of bones from each anatomical region. The structure of the bones and the chromatic discoloration caused by the thermal alternation indicate that temperature during the cremation did not exceed 900°C, given that the cremains did not exhibit the recrystallization structure, which is interpreted as a characteristic feature of the high maximum temperature of a funerary pyre during the cremation.

Performance and carcass characteristics of native chicken fed with drinking water containing Indigofera zollingeriana aqueous extract

Currently, the use of herbal leaves is increasingly being used to improve the performance and health of poultry. Herbal leaves contain phytochemical compounds that can promote growth and improve the health of poultry. This study aims to examine the effect of giving Indigofera zollingeriana leaf aqueous extract (ILE) via drinking water from 2-10 weeks of age on the performance and carcass characteristics of native chickens. This study used a completely randomized design with four treatments and 5 replications, and each replication consisted of 25 native chickens aged 2 weeks with homogeneous body weight (94.36 ± 1.94 g). The four treatments are ILE levels in drinking water, namely: 0% (P1); 2% (P2); 4% (P3); and 6% (P4), respectively. The results showed that giving 2-6% ILE via drinking water had no significant effect (P≥0.05) on the growth and carcass of chickens. However, it has a significant effect (≤0.05) on feed consumption and carcass bones. Based on the results of the study it can be concluded that administration of Indigofera leaf aqueous extract via drinking water reduced feed consumption and increased carcass bone weight of native chickens.

Comprehensive transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of the effect of feed restriction on duck sternal development

Skeletal characteristics are important to the growth and development of poultry. In feeding management, constant free feeding (FF) of poultry may lead to imbalance between bone development and weight gain. Feed restriction (FR), to a certain extent, is one way to solve this problem. However, the effect of feed restriction on poultry bone development needs further elucidation at the molecular level. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of different levels of feed restriction (60% FR, 70% FR, 80% FR, and FF) on the sternum development of ducks at 7 and 8 wk old. In the seventh wk, with increasing feed restriction, the values of traits including body weight, breast muscle weight, sternal weight, keel length, and calcified keel length decreased. However, in the eighth wk, the sternum weight and keel length of ducks treated with 60% FR were unexpectedly higher than those of FF individuals, indicative of catch-up growth. Then, we conducted RNA-seq and metabolomic analysis on sterna from 7- and 8-wk-old FF and 60% FR ducks. The results identified multiple differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with sternum development that were influenced by feed restriction. Among them, we found that the mRNA expression levels of the chondroitin sulfate synthase 3 (CHSY3) and annexin A2 (ANXA2) which are involved in glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis and bone mineralization, had smaller changes over time under FR treatment than under FF treatment, implying that the FR treatment to a certain extent prevented the premature calcification and prolonged the development time of duck sternum. In addition, the metabolomic and integrative analyses revealed that several antiaging-related metabolites and genes were associated with sternal catch-up growth. Pyrimidine metabolism was identified as the most significant pathway in which most differential metabolites (DMs) between FF and 60% FR were enriched. The results from integrative analysis revealed that the content and expression of 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its related genes showed relatively higher activity in the 60% FR group than in the FF group. The present study identifies multiple biomarkers associated with duck sternum development that are influenced by feed restriction and suggests the potential mechanism of feed restriction-associated duck sternal catch-up growth.

Body Composition Estimation in Breeding Ewes Using Live Weight and Body Parameters Utilizing Image Analysis.

Farmers are continually looking for new, reliable, objective, and non-invasive methods for evaluating the conditions of ewes. Live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) are used by farmers as a basis to determine the condition of the animal. Body composition is an important aspect of monitoring animal condition. The body composition is the amount of fat, muscle, and bone; knowing the amount of each is important because the information can be used for better strategic management interventions. Experiments were conducted to establish the relationship between body composition and body parameters at key life stages (weaning and pre-mating), using measurements automatically determined by an image processing application for 88 Coopworth ewes. Computerized tomography technology was used to determine the body composition. Multivariate linear regression (MLR), artificial neural network (ANN), and regression tree (RT) statistical analysis methods were used to develop a relationship between the body parameters and the body composition. A subset of data was used to validate the predicted model. The results showed a correlation between fat, muscle, and bone determined by CT and the fat, muscle, and bone weight estimated by the live weight and body parameters calculated using the image processing application, with r2 values of 0.90 for fat, 0.72 for muscle, and 0.50 for bone using ANN. From these results, farmers can utilize these measurements to enhance nutritional and management practices.

Transcriptomic analysis the mechanisms of anti-osteoporosis of desert-living Cistanche herb in ovariectomized rats of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Desert-living Cistanche herb (DC), as a traditional Chinese medicine for tonifying kidney yang, is often used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). Total phenylethanoid glycosides are instruction ingredients for discrimination and assay according to the China pharmacopoeia for DC. This research aimed to reveal the anti-osteoporosis mechanism of total phenylethanoid glycosides of DC (PGC) by transcriptomic analysis of ovariectomized rats. Serum levels of BGP were evaluated by ELISA, the bone weight was measured, and transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of osteoblasts in rats. In addition, micro-CT was used to detect the bone volume (Tb.BS/BV), bone mineral density (Tb.BMD), and bone mineral content (Tb.BMC) in trabecular bone, and the ratio of cortical bone area to total area (Ct.ar/Tt.ar), and the level of bone mineral content (Ct.BMC) in cortical bone. Differential expressed genes (DEGs) after PGC treatment were analyzed by transcriptomics. Then, a bioinformatics analysis of DEGs was carried out through GO enrichment, KEGG enrichment, and selection of the nucleus gene through the protein-protein interaction network. Through qRT-PCR analysis, the DEGs were verified. The analysis results indicated that PGC increased the secretion of osteogenic markers, and ultrastructural characterization of osteoblasts and bone morphology were improved in ovariectomized rats. A total of 269 genes were differentially expressed, including 201 genes that were downregulated and 68 genes that were upregulated between the model group and the PGC group. Bioinformation analysis results prompt the conclusion that PGC could promote the bone metabolism by muscle cell development, myofibril assembly, etc. In addition, our study also found that PGC has a good effect on osteoporosis complicated with cardiomyopathy, and it also provided evidence for the correlation between sarcopenia and osteoporosis.

A Graph-Based Approach to Identify Factors Contributing to Postoperative Lung Cancer Recurrence among Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

The accurate identification of the preoperative factors impacting postoperative cancer recurrence is crucial for optimizing neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies and guiding follow-up treatment plans. We modeled the causal relationship between radiographical features derived from CT scans and the clinicopathologic factors associated with postoperative lung cancer recurrence and recurrence-free survival. A retrospective cohort of 363 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who underwent lung resections with a minimum 5-year follow-up was analyzed. Body composition tissues and tumor features were quantified based on preoperative whole-body CT scans (acquired as a component of PET-CT scans) and chest CT scans, respectively. A novel causal graphical model was used to visualize the causal relationship between these factors. Variables were assessed using the intervention do-calculus adjustment (IDA) score. Direct predictors for recurrence-free survival included smoking history, T-stage, height, and intramuscular fat mass. Subcutaneous fat mass, visceral fat volume, and bone mass exerted the greatest influence on the model. For recurrence, the most significant variables were visceral fat volume, subcutaneous fat volume, and bone mass. Pathologic variables contributed to the recurrence model, with bone mass, TNM stage, and weight being the most important. Body composition, particularly adipose tissue distribution, significantly and causally impacted both recurrence and recurrence-free survival through interconnected relationships with other variables.

Pubertal Stage-Dependent Anthropometric Variations in Turkish Children with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An In-Depth Analysis.

BACKGROUND Identifying predictive factors for anthropometric changes during puberty in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is critical for prognosis and management. This study aimed to discern these factors in the Turkish AIS population, by analyzing variations against female breast development stages and male testicular volume, benchmarked against national standards. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and 2022, involving children aged 10 to 18 years from the Orthopedics and Pediatrics Clinics. AIS patients and controls were assessed concerning pubertal status (Tanner stage), chronological age, skeletal maturation (Tanner-Whitehouse), and anthropometric parameters (height, weight, and body mass index). RESULTS AIS patients were compared to controls, stratified by pubertal stages. In girls across all stages, significant differences emerged in bone age, BMI, and weight between AIS and controls (p<0.01). In boys, AIS patients significantly differed in bone age from controls across all stages (p<0.001). At stage V, controls demonstrated higher BMI than AIS boys (p<0.001), while at stage I, AIS boys had significantly higher height and weight compared to controls (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS AIS patients demonstrate distinctive pubertal growth abnormalities, with males and females presenting divergent patterns. Understanding these variations could inform better management of AIS during the critical pubertal growth period.

Effect of strontium ranelate and cerium oxide addition in the diet on bone quality and expression level of osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase genes in broiler chicken.

In the modern broiler industry, leg and gait disorders are considerable problems. Fast-growing broilers are especially susceptible to bone abnormalities, causing major problems for broiler producers. Strontium ranelate (SrR) has been used successfully for the treatment of osteoporosis in humans. In addition, cerium oxide (CeO) is an anti-stress agent applied in the biological system. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of SrR, CeO, and their combinations on tibia quality in broilers. A total of 384 one-day-old Ross chicks were divided into six treatments, with four replicates per treatment (16 birds per replicate). The control group was fed a standard diet, and other groups were fed SrR at levels 450, 900mg/kg feed, CeO at levels 300 and 600mg/kg feed and a combination of 450 SrR + 300 CeO mg/kg feed. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone strength (BS), tibia area, tibia weight, bone Length, bone diameter, minerals in tibia bone of male broilers, alkaline phosphatase gene (ALP) and osteocalcin gene (OC) in male broilers were analysed. The results showed that the addition of SrR and CeO had no significant influence (p > 0.01) on BMD, BMC, BS, bone weight, bone length and bone diameter. While there was a significant interaction between sex and treatments, especially in the combination group, BS in females significantly (p < 0.01) increased compared to the control group. Generally, females were found to be more responsive to treatments than males. Significant increases in gene expression were noticed in OC with the addition of low levels of SrR and CeO and mixed group compared to the control. The gene expression of ALP was increased significantly only in a combination group compared to the control group. It is concluded that SrR and CeO can be used as beneficial additives in the feed to improve the tibia quality of broilers.

Effects of obesity on the rat incisor enamel and dentine thickness, as well as on the hemimandible shape over generations

Obesity has several effects on the general body metabolism. However, little is known about the impact of obesity on the growth and shape of mineralized tissues like mandibles and teeth, as well as if it effects are passed down from generation to next. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate, over nine generations using the consanguineous mating (inbreeding), the effect of the obesity condition produced by the reduction in the number of rats per litter during the lactation period on the hemimandible shape, dentine, and enamel of the rat incisor. Litters were reduced to two males and two females after birth, and were consanguinity mated in adulthood for nine generations. For all evaluations performed in this investigation, only males were used. The control group was formed by a non-consanguineous litter containing eight males. The parameters evaluated were food consumption, body weight, Lee Index, and bone density of the hemimandible bone. Incisor enamel and dentine thickness were also evaluated. The hemimandible shape was evaluated using geometric morphometry. The results show a significant and progressive increase in food intake, Lee Index, body weight, hemimandible weight, and enamel thickness, and a decrease in dentine thickness. The linear measurements of the length of the ramus ascending hemimandibular segment were found to be shorter, while its height was increased. In contrast, the geometric morphometry shows that the general hemimandible shape changed over the consanguineous obesity generations. We conclude that over generations, obesity increases and maintains the parameters evaluated with significant changes in hemimandible shape as well as in the dimensions of enamel and dentine of incisors, suggesting that enamel and dentine could be used as phenotype biomarkers to detect changes in tooth and craniofacial development related to obesity effects.

Dynamics of the growth of exterior and interior indicators in ontogenesis in chickens of gene pool populations and broilers

Conformities of intensity of growth of muscles and bones of the skeleton in relation to the growth of body weight in chickens of the combined type of productivity and broilers have been studied . The research subject were chickens of meat and egg populations : experimental golden-striped (GS), Pushkinskaya from the bioresource collection of Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding and broilers of the Ross 308 cross . The absolute values of body weight , muscle mass , length and thickness of skeletal bones in different age periods were calculated . Studies have shown that the mass of the pectoral and leg muscles has the highest growth rate in all the studied groups . The growth rate of the exterior and interior indicators decreases unevenly with age , especially in broiler chickens . The intensity of the growth of muscles and bones of the skeleton relative to the growth of body weight has been studied using an allometric equation . Studies have shown that the growth of the pectoral and leg muscles in all groups of chickens in the period up to 10 weeks of life outstrips the growth of the body as a whole . The growth of skeletal bones is characterized by negative allometry . Knowledge of the patterns of growth and development of the bird organism and its individual parts allows to adjust the feeding diet depending on the growth period , monitor the correctness of development and deviations from the standard , as well as choose the most informative periods for the selection of breeding birds .

Establishing age-adjusted trabecular bone score curves using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in Chinese women and men: a cross-sectional study.

Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a relatively new gray-level textural parameter that provides information on bone microarchitecture. TBS has been shown to be a good predictor of fragility fractures independent of bone density and clinical risk factors. Estimating the normal reference values of TBS in both sexes among the Chinese population is necessary to improve the clinical fracture risk assessment. This retrospective study enrolled healthy Chinese participants living in Guangzhou, China, including 1,018 men and 3,061 women (aged 20-74 years). Bone mineral density images were obtained with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning of the lumbar region (L1-4). Lumbar spine TBS values were calculated. The correlations between the scores and bone mineral density, age, height, and weight were calculated for men and women. A TBS reference plot was established in relation to age (20-74 years). Values 2 standard deviations below the mean score for each sex were used as the cutoff values for low-quality bone. The TBS (L1-4) was significantly higher in Chinese men than in Chinese women. The scores peaked at 25-29 years (1.47±0.08 years) in men and at 20-24 years (1.43±0.08 years) in women. According to the statistical confidence interval, in Chinese males, a TBS ≥1.39 is considered normal, a TBS between 1.31 and 1.39 indicates partially degraded microarchitecture, and a TBS ≤1.31 indicates degraded microarchitecture. In Chinese females, a TBS ≥1.35 is considered normal, a TBS between 1.27 and 1.35 indicates partially degraded microarchitecture, and a TBS ≤1.27 indicates degraded microarchitecture. This study provides normative reference ranges for the TBS in Chinese men and women. Chinese men with a TBS score ≤1.31 and Chinese women with a TBS score ≤1.27 are can be considered to have reduced bone microarchitecture and may be at higher risk of having osteoporosis fractures.

Symptoms and signs of lung cancer prior to diagnosis: case–control study using electronic health records from ambulatory care within a large US-based tertiary care centre

ObjectiveLung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in the USA. While most patients are diagnosed following symptomatic presentation, no studies have compared symptoms and physical examination signs...