Category Archives: ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Skeletal muscle mass in competitive physique‐based athletes (bodybuilding, 212 bodybuilding, bikini, and physique divisions): A case series

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Abstract

Objectives

(1) To examine the muscle thickness of various muscle groups of the body to estimate the absolute and relative skeletal muscle mass (SM) in competitive physique-based athletes (Bodybuilding, 212 Bodybuilding, Bikini, and Physique divisions) and (2) to compare values across various divisions of competition and to resistance trained and non-resistance trained individuals.

Methods

Eight competitive physique-based athletes (2 M and 6 F), two recreationally resistance trained (1 M and 1 F) and two non-resistance trained (1 M and 1 F) participants had muscle thickness measured by ultrasound at nine sites on the anterior and posterior aspects of the body. SM was estimated from an ultrasound-derived prediction equation and SM index was used to adjust for the influence of standing height (i.e., divided by height squared).

Results

SM values ranged from 19.6 to 60.4 kg in the eight competitive physique-based athletes and 16.1 to 32.6 kg in the four recreationally resistance trained and non-resistance trained participants. SM index ranged from 7.2 to 17.9 kg/m2 in the eight competitive physique-based athletes and 5.8 to 9.3 kg/m2 in the four recreationally resistance trained and non-resistance trained participants.

Conclusion

Overall, varying magnitudes of SM and SM index were present across competitors and their respective divisions of bodybuilding. The Men's Open Bodybuilder in the present study had greater values of total SM and SM index compared to previously published values in the literature. Our data provides insight into the extent of SM present in this population and further extends the discussion regarding SM accumulation in humans.

Photosynthetic nitrogen utilization of Robinia pseudoacacia, an invasive species, grown in contrasting light conditions: A leaf scale approach

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Photosynthetic nitrogen utilization of Robinia pseudoacacia, an invasive species, grown in contrasting light conditions: A leaf scale approach

To understand the lifeform of the invasive temperate legume tree, Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust) grown under both open and shaded sites (a), we investigated their growth and nitrogen use characteristics (b, c).​ Our results (b, c) suggested that individuals in shaded sites, would not be well acclimated to their growth environment.


Abstract

Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), an alien species in Japan, has been commonly planted to rehabilitate degraded land and as a resource for the production of honey. Although very few R. pseudoacacia adult trees are found in established mature forests, the management of R. pseudoacacia is a vital and urgent matter because of astounding growth potential, which negatively affects biodiversity and native vegetation. For this reason, we evaluated the seasonal shade-acclimation capacity of black locusts from the viewpoint of photosynthetic nitrogen use (PNU) and their partitioning. We assessed in situ photosynthetic N use traits of R. pseudoacacia leaves at open sites (relative photosynthetic photon flux density: (rPPFD) > 90%) and shaded sites (rPPFD < 22%) on the forest floor in larch (Larix kaempferi Carr.) plantations. Leaf unfolding started in late May and leaves turned yellow by mid-October just before leaf shedding. Shoot length at open sites was three times longer than at shaded sites. R. psudoacacia at open sites has more the leaflet number of each pinnate compound leaf than shaded sites from mid-August to October, and the size of leaflets at shaded sites was about 20% smaller than it was at the open sites. Leaf mass per area showed (mean ± standard deviation) 40.00 ± 2.14 g m−2 at the open sites and 22 ± 1.56 g m−2 at the shaded sites from June to October. The light-saturated photosynthetic rate peaked at 22 μmol m−2 s−1 at the open sites in July. At the shaded sites, it gradually increased to 7–10 μmol m−2 s−1 around August, and then decreased at both sites toward zero in mid-October. The total N content during the growth period was 1.60 ± 0.17 g m−2 at open sites and 1.16 ± 0.15 g m−2 at shaded sites. Unlike other tree species, N partitioning to photosynthetic organs was not affected by light conditions. These findings suggested R. psudoacacia cannot acclimate to shady conditions.

Distinctive aspects of the immune status of the Kola Saami and Russians living in the Far North

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Abstract

Objective

The level of immunological reactivity of the indigenous inhabitants of the Far North may depend on the extreme-discomfort factors of the climatic environment and genetic traits of the population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the distinctive elements of the immune status of the Kola Saami and Russians living in the Far North (Murmansk Region).

Methods

A complex immunological study of peripheral venous blood composition was performed and involved 67 Saami and 81 Russian inhabitants of the Far North (Murmansk Region) who were aged 21–55. Blood was collected from the cubital vein on an empty stomach in the morning. For the peripheral venous blood, we obtained a hemogram and phagocytic activity of neutrophils, determined the content of lymphocytes with CD4, CD8, CD16, and CD71 phenotypes by indirect immunoperoxidase reaction and flow cytometry using an Epics XL apparatus (Beckman Coulter, United States), obtained concentrations of IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-10, IgA, M, G, E, sCD54, and sCD62L, transferrin, and sCD71 by enzyme immunoassay using the “Evolis” enzyme immunoassay analyzer from Bio-RAD (Germany), and obtained circulating immune complexes by precipitation using 3.5%, 4.0%, and 7.5% PEG-6000. The sIgA content was determined in morning saliva, urine, and gastrointestinal tract secretions. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-criterion, and Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

A decrease in the total number of leukocyte cells in the Saami was associated with a high incidence of leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia. Deficiency in active phagocytes and serum IgA and sIgA concentrations was revealed as well as increased contents of CD4+ and CD8+ receptor lymphocytes, membrane and free adhesion molecules, and transferrin. Leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis, and eosinophilia with increased contents of natural killer cells, IL-6, and IL-10 were recorded more frequently in the Russians. High levels of IgE and IFN-γ, which have the most pronounced cytotoxicity and are indicative of strained immune mechanisms, were characteristic of the Saami and Russians.

Conclusion

The distinctive aspects of the immune status of the Kola Saami is related to the deficit in the active phagocyte and serum IgA and sIgA concentrations as well as the increase in the contents of cytotoxic lymphocytes, intercellular adhesion molecules, transferrin, and IFN-γ proinflammatory cytokines. The Russian inhabitants of the Far North are characterized by an adaptive response manifested by an increase in antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, involving IL-6 and IL-10.

Efficacy of different lures for Phloeosinus aubei and other native and exotic bark and ambrosia beetles

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Efficacy of different lures for Phloeosinus aubei and other native and exotic bark and ambrosia beetles

Phloeosinus aubei may be a potential pest of junipers, thujas and cypresses in nurseries and cities. P. aubei beetles are attracted to juniper branches with ethanol placed in traps.


Abstract

Phloeosinus aubei is invasive in Central Europe, spreading northward from the Mediterranean region because of climate change. P. aubei has the potential to become a pest of mature, naturally occurring juniper trees (Juniperus communis) in protected areas, as well as junipers, thujas and cypresses in nurseries and urban environments. In 2020 and 2021, we conducted two experiments to compare various lures for trapping P. aubei. In the first experiment, we compared four lures: α-pinene; turpentine; a mixture of cade oil, juniper berry oil and ethanol; and a juniper branch (8–10 cm long, 3–5 cm wide) deployed with ethanol. In the second experiment, we compared Hostowit® with a juniper branch (8–10 cm long, 3–5 cm wide) deployed with ethanol. In both experiments, juniper branches deployed with ethanol attracted a greater number of P. aubei beetles compared to the other lures. In total, we captured 1056 individuals belonging to 36 species of Scolytinae. Among the most abundant species, Xyleborinus saxesenii, Xyleborus monographus and Anisandrus dispar were lured by ethanol in combination with other substances or deployed with juniper branches. Xyleborus dryographus showed a positive association with turpentine. Ips typographus was positively associated with α-pinene, while Orthotomicus laricis, Hylastes attenuatus and Gnathotrichus materiarius were positively associated with Hostowit® lure.

Physical fitness of Tibetan adolescents at different high altitudes in Tibet, China: A comparative study

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Abstract

Objective

High altitude hypoxic environment has a certain negative impact on physical fitness of adolescents. We aimed to understand the physical fitness status of Tibetan adolescents in different high-altitude areas in Tibet, China.

Methods

Physical fitness items, such as grip strength, standing long jump, sit and reach, 50 m dash, 1000 m run for boys, and 800 m run for girls were tested on 3806 Tibetan adolescents by using stratified whole group sampling method in class units. The mean age of the participants was (15.51 ± 1.69) years for Tibetan males and (15.54 ± 1.69) years for females. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and other methods were used to make cross-sectional comparisons of physical fitness performance of Chinese Tibetan adolescents in different high-altitude regions.

Results

The standing long jump scores of boys (203.37 ± 28.36) were higher than that of girls (152.97 ± 19.46) and the lowest standing long jump scores of adolescents in Shigatse region (166.39 ± 35.04). The highest level of sit and reach was found among boys (10.69 ± 5.34) in Nyingchi and the lowest level of sit and reach was found among girls (8.42 ± 5.84) in Shigatse. Shigatse region adolescents had the lowest performance in 50 m dash (9.09 ± 1.72) while the best performance in 1000 m run (266.23 ± 35.82) and 800 m run (245.40 ± 27.92).

Conclusion

There is variability in the physical fitness of Tibetan adolescents in different high-altitude regions of Tibet, China. Targeted physical fitness interventions should be carried out for Tibetan adolescents in different high-altitude regions. The focus should be on improving the endurance quality of Tibetan adolescents in Lhasa and the lower limb muscle strength, flexibility, and speed quality of adolescents in Shigatse.

Influences of flavonoid (quercetin) inclusion to corn‐soybean‐gluten meal‐based diet on broiler performance

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Abstract

Quercetin (a predominant flavonoid) is considered to have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of graded doses of quercetin (QS) on growth efficiency, nutrient retention, faecal score, footpad lesion score, tibia ash and meat quality. In a 32-day feeding test, a total of 576 1-day-old Ross 308 broilers (male) were allocated arbitrarily with an average body weight of 41 ± 0.5 g. The trial had four dietary treatments with eight repetitions of 18 birds per pen and a basal diet incorporating 0%, 0.02%, 0.04% and 0.06% of QS. As the QS dosage increased, body weight gain tended to increase linearly on Days 9–21 (p = 0.069) and overall period (p = 0.079). Similarly, feed intake increased (p = 0.009) linearly with the increasing doses of QS on Days 9–21. Likewise, there was a linear improvement in dry matter (p = 0.002) and energy (p = 0.016) digestibility after QS administration. Moreover, the inclusion of QS supplement (0%–0.06%) linearly increased (p = 0.012) tibia ash in broilers. However, the faecal score and footpad lesion score showed no significant outcome (p > 0.05). By giving broilers a graded amount of QS, the relative organ weights of breast muscle (p = 0.009) and spleen (p = 0.006) improved linearly, meat colour lightness increased (p = 0.015), redness tended to improve (p = 0.065) linearly and drip loss decreased (p = 0.015) linearly. The inclusion of QS in the graded-level diet led to improvements in growth efficiency, nutrient absorption, meat quality and tibia ash, which recommended it as a beneficial feed additive for the broiler.

Effects of mixed fibres and essential oils blend on growth performance and intestinal barrier function of piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88

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Abstract

This study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing mixed dietary fibres (MDF) and essential oils blend (EOB) either alone or in combination on growth performance and intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (ETEC). Forty-two piglets (28 days old) were randomly allocated into six treatments in a 25-day experiment, and fed the basal diet (CON or ETEC) either with antibiotics (AT), MDF, EOB or MDF + EOB. On Day 22 of the experiment, pigs in CON and challenged groups (ETEC, AT, MDF, EOB and MDF + EOB) were orally administered sterile saline and ETEC containing 6 × 1010 CFU/kg body weight respectively. On Day 26, all pigs were euthanized to collect samples. Before ETEC challenge, piglets in MDF and EOB had lower diarrhoea incidence (p < 0.01) than others. After ETEC challenge, piglets in ETEC had lower average daily gain and higher diarrhoea incidence (p < 0.05) than those of CON. Furthermore, compared to CON, ETEC group increased the serum lipopolysaccharide concentration and diamine oxidase activity, and decreased mRNA levels of genes relating to barrier function (aquaporin 3, AQP3; mucin1, MUC1; zonula occludens-1, ZO-1; Occludin), and increased the concentration of cytokines (interleukin-1β/4/6/10, IL-1β/4/6/10) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in jejunal mucosa (p < 0.05). However, these deleterious effects induced by ETEC were partly alleviated by MDF, EOB, MDF + EOB and AT. Additionally, compared to ETEC group, MDF increased Bifidobacterium abundance in cecal digesta and butyrate concentration in colonic digesta (p < 0.05). Also, EOB improved propionate concentration in cecal digesta, and MDF + EOB decreased IL-10 concentration in jejunal mucosa (p < 0.05) compared with ETEC. Conclusively, MDF and EOB either alone or in combination can improve growth performance and alleviate diarrhoea via improving intestinal barrier function of piglets after ETEC challenge, and all may serve as potential alternatives to AT for piglets.

Predictive model containing gene signature and shear wave elastography to predict patient outcomes after Kasai surgery in biliary atresia

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Abstract

Aims

Infants with biliary atresia (BA) are treated with Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) surgery, but many BA patients need subsequent salvage liver transplants. The aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive gene-clinical model based on two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2DSWE), liver gene expression, and other clinical parameters to predict response to KPE for BA patients.

Methods

Differentially expressed gene patterns between liver samples of BA (n = 102) and non-BA control (n = 14) were identified using RNA sequencing analysis. Biliary atresia patients were then randomly assigned to training and validation cohorts. Gene classifier based on the differentially expressed genes was built in the training cohort. Nomogram models with and without gene classifier were further constructed and validated for predicting native liver survival of BA patients. The utility of the nomograms was compared by C-index.

Results

Using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator model, we generated a nine-gene prognostic classifier. The nomogram based on the nine-gene classifier, age, preoperative 2DSWE, and albumin had the better C-index compared to gene classifier alone in the training cohort (0.83 [0.76–0.90] vs. 0.69 [0.61–0.77], p = 0.003) and the validation cohort (0.74 [0.67–0.82] vs. 0.62 [0.55–0.70], p = 0.001). Using risk scores developed from the nomogram, the 12-month survival rates of BA patients with native liver were 35.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.7–56.3) in the high-risk group and 80.8% (95% CI, 63.4–100.0) in the low-risk group in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

The comprehensive genetic-clinical nomogram based on preoperative 2DSWE, liver gene expression, and other clinical parameters can accurately predict response to KPE.

Dried blood spot‐based host genome analysis technique targeting pathological associations with hepatitis B: Development and clinical application in the Cambodian population

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Dried blood spot-based host genome analysis technique targeting pathological associations with hepatitis B: Development and clinical application in the Cambodian population

Genetic analysis based on the DBS system is a feasible strategy for getting a deeper understanding of HBV epidemiology, especially in countries with inadequate infrastructure. Based on the DBS system, we successfully clarified the associations of HLA-DPB1 alleles with chronic HBV infection in the Cambodian population for the first time.


Abstract

Aim

Reports of patients with hepatitis B have highlighted associations between polymorphisms in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DPB1, CXCL13, and CXCR5 genes and disease pathology. Owing to its potential to contribute to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic methods, we aimed to establish a reliable host genome analysis technique that can be used in countries with inadequate infrastructure.

Method

We compared multiple commercially available kits for dried blood spot (DBS)-based sample collection to develop a basic DBS-based host genome analysis technique. We then collected blood samples from Cambodian patients with hepatitis  B and performed single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping and HLA allele typing by the DBS system.

Result

We were able to perform single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping and HLA allele typing with host DNA samples obtained using a combination of a HemaSpot™ filter paper-based device and a SMITEST® EX-R&D DNA extraction kit. The accuracy of genotyping using samples obtained by this method was not inferior to one using samples obtained by venipuncture. In the Cambodian population, significant associations of HLA-DPB1*04:01 with protection against chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and HLA-DPB1*05:01 and HLA-DPB1*13:01 with susceptibility to chronic HBV infection were identified.

Conclusion

Based on the DBS system, we clarified the associations of HLA-DPB1 alleles with chronic HBV infection in the Cambodian population for the first time. Because the DBS is a low-cost, durable, transportable, and easy-to-handle modality, genetic analysis based on the DBS system is a feasible strategy for obtaining a deeper understanding of HBV epidemiology, especially in middle- or low-income countries.

The impact of thawing duration on leptin and adiponectin levels in frozen human milk samples

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Abstract

Background

Measurements of hormone concentrations in human milk from understudied populations across the world is of growing scientific interest. Due to limited access to suitable laboratory facilities at many research sites, human milk samples are often shipped frozen to distant laboratories for analysis. Shipping and handling exposes samples to the risk of thawing and degradation as the results of delays, mishandling, or other unforeseen circumstances. Similar degradation risk factors are well known in serum samples. However, the vulnerability of hormone degradation in human milk to thawing during transportation is largely unexplored. Leptin and adiponectin are of particular importance due to their roles in feeding behavior and metabolism in infants, hence our focus on these two hormones. In addition, leptin and adiponectin have been shown to be vulnerable to pasteurization temperature degradation in human milk samples.

Aims

We tested the degradation of human milk metabolic hormones – leptin and adiponectin – in a controlled environment in response to a variety of freeze/thaw conditions that are reflective of potential temperature fluctuations during transportation.

Materials & Methods

Human milk samples were experimentally subjected to thaw durations ranging from 4 to 16 h and assayed for hormonal levels to observe changes from baseline. Samples were also subjected to two additional experimental conditions, re-freezing after an extended period outside freezers or remaining thawed with additional ice packs, to investigate the impact of common transportation conditions.

Results

We found the assayed levels of leptin were not significantly impacted by an extended thaw cycle of 16 h. However, leptin levels were impacted by the extended period of 40 h outside of the freezer. Adiponectin showed a decrease in concentration percentage after the initial 16-h thaw period, but the increased degradation between 0–16 h and 16–40 h was not as severe as that seen in the leptin samples.

Discussion & Conclusion

The results of this experiment can be used to inform hormone measurement consistency given different thawing lengths or freezing conditions during transportation. Additionally, this research informs decisions regarding transportation, storage/handling, and data analysis in human milk research.