Muscle Fiber Type Characterization in the Ames Dwarf Mouse: A Model of Delayed Aging

Introduction: Normal muscle wasting due to aging, known as sarcopenia, has many implications in society, especially with a growing population of elderly people. In this study, muscle fiber size and count, nuclei count, and ratio of fast- to slow-twitch fibers was studied between Ames dwarf mice (df), an established model of aging, and wild-type mice (WT) to learn more about the mechanisms of aging, specifically related to skeletal muscle. Methods: Four hind limb muscles were harvested from two Ames dwarf mice and two wildtype mice, sliced cross-sectionally and mounted on slides. After mounting, the slides were stained three different ways to reveal fast-twitch fibers, slow-twitch fibers and nuclei. Results: Data regarding size and number were collected from images of the stained slices. Statistically significant differences between the two species included mean cross-sectional area of the individual soleus muscle fibers (1973.9 μm WT, 770.3 μm df) —Pdf); and total number of fibers per soleus muscle (833 WT, 219 df.) Conclusion: The differences seen between dwarf and wild-type skeletal muscle found in this study are attributed to the genetic mutation of the Ames dwarf mouse, specifically the lack of GH action, causing a decreased cross-sectional area of muscle fibers and decreased number of fibers resulting in decreased cross-sectional area of the whole muscle, as well as decreased nuclear count, and decreased number of fast-twitch fibers to each slow-twitch fiber. The same characteristics of skeletal muscle will need to be studied in older mice (multiple age groups) for both mouse lines in future studies to make this study’s results conclusively applicable to GH effect on sarcopenia

Differential cross sections for the reactions γp→pη and γp→pη′

High-statistics differential cross sections for the reactions γp→pη and γp→pη′ have been measured using the CEBAF large acceptance spectrometer (CLAS) at Jefferson Lab for center-of-mass energies from near threshold up to 2.84 GeV. The η′ results are the most precise to date and provide the largest energy and angular coverage. The η measurements extend the energy range of the world’s large-angle results by approximately 300 MeV. These new data, in particular the η′ measurements, are likely to help constrain the analyses being performed to search for new baryon resonance states

Differential cross sections and spin density matrix elements for the reaction γp→pω

High-statistics differential cross sections and spin-density matrix elements for the reaction γp→pω have been measured using the CEBAF large acceptance spectrometer (CLAS) at Jefferson Lab for center-of-mass (c.m.) energies from threshold up to 2.84 GeV. Results are reported in 112 10-MeV wide c.m. energy bins, each subdivided into cosθωc.m. bins of width 0.1. These are the most precise and extensive ω photoproduction measurements to date. A number of prominent structures are clearly present in the data. Many of these have not previously been observed due to limited statistics in earlier measurements

Partial wave analysis of the reaction γp→pω and the search for nucleon resonances

An event-based partial wave analysis (PWA) of the reaction γp→pω has been performed on a high-statistics dataset obtained using the CLAS at Jefferson Lab for center-of-mass energies from threshold up to 2.4 GeV. This analysis benefits from access to the world’s first high-precision spin-density matrix element measurements, available to the event-based PWA through the decay distribution of ω→π+π−π0. The data confirm the dominance of the t-channel π0 exchange amplitude in the forward direction. The dominant resonance contributions are consistent with the previously identified states F15(1680) and D13(1700) near threshold, as well as the G17(2190) at higher energies. Suggestive evidence for the presence of a JP=5/2+ state around 2 GeV, a “missing” state, has also been found. Evidence for other states is inconclusive

The multiphysics modeling of heat and moisture induced stress and strain of historic building materials and artefacts

The basic structure of historic sites and their associated interior artefacts can be damaged or even destroyed by climate change. The evaluation of combined heat and moisture induced stress and strain (HMSS) can predict possible damage-related processes. In this paper, the development of one- and two-dimensional HMSS models of building materials and artefacts in COMSOL Multiphysics Version 4, a commercial finite element software, is presented. The validation of the numerical models is revealed using analytical, numerical and experimental solutions. As a result, the HMSS model was shown to be an adequate predictive tool to determine possible damage-related processes in building assemblies and artefacts

Antiparasitic activity of chicory (Cichorium intybus) and its natural bioactive compounds in livestock: a review

Increasing drug resistance in gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of livestock and concerns about chemical residues in animal products and the environment are driving the development of alternative control strategies that are less reliant on the use of synthetic drugs. An increasingly investigated approach is the use of bioactive forages with antiparasitic properties as part of the animal’s diet (nutraceuticals) or as potential sources of novel, natural parasiticides. Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a multi-purpose crop and one of the most promising bioactive forages in temperate regions, and numerous in vivo trials have explored its potential against parasitic nematodes in livestock. However, it is unclear whether chicory can induce a direct and broad activity against various GI parasites in different livestock species, and the levels of chicory in the diet that are required to exert an efficient antiparasitic effect. Moreover, the mechanisms leading to the reported parasiticidal activity of chicory are still largely unknown, and its bioactive phytochemicals have only recently been investigated. In this review, we summarise the progress in the study of the antiparasitic activity of chicory and its natural bioactive compounds against GI parasites in livestock, through examination of the published literature. The available evidence indicates that feeding chicory can reduce faecal egg counts and/or worm burdens of abomasal nematodes, but not infections with intestinal worms, in ruminants. Highly chicory-rich diets (≥ 70% of chicory dry matter in the diet) may be necessary to directly affect abomasal parasitism. Chicory is known to synthesise several bioactive compounds with potential antiparasitic activity, but most research has been devoted to the role of sesquiterpene lactones (SL). Recent in vitro studies have confirmed direct and potent activity of SL-rich extracts from chicory against different GI helminths of livestock. Chicory SL have also been reported to exhibit antimalarial properties and its potential antiprotozoal activity in livestock remains to be evaluated. Furthermore, the detailed identification of the main antiparasitic metabolites of chicory and their pharmacokinetics need further confirmation. Research gaps and perspectives on the potential use of chicory as a nutraceutical forage and a source of bioactive compounds for parasite control in livestock are discussed

Increased prevalence of precancerous changes in relatives of gastric cancer patients: critical role of H. pylori

Background & Aims:Helicobacter pylori is believed to predispose to gastric cancer by inducing gastric atrophy and hypochlorhydria. First-degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer have an increased risk of developing gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of atrophy and hypochlorhydria and their association with H. pylori infection in first-degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer. Methods:H. pylori status, gastric secretory function, and gastric histology were studied in 100 first-degree relatives of patients with noncardia gastric cancer and compared with those of controls with no family history of this cancer. Results: Compared with healthy controls, relatives of patients with gastric cancer had a higher prevalence of hypochlorhydria (27% vs. 3%) but a similar prevalence of H. pylori infection (63% vs. 64%). Relatives of cancer patients also had a higher prevalence of atrophy (34%) than patients with nonulcer dyspepsia (5%) matched for H. pylori prevalence. Among the relatives of cancer patients, the prevalence of atrophy and hypochlorhydria was increased only in those with evidence of H. pylori infection, was greater in relatives of patients with familial cancer than in relatives of sporadic cancer index patients, and increased with age. Eradication of H. pylori infection produced resolution of the gastric inflammation in each subject and resolution of hypochlorhydria and atrophy in 50% of the subjects. Conclusions: Relatives of patients with gastric cancer have an increased prevalence of precancerous gastric abnormalities, but this increase is confined to those with H. pylori infection. Consequently, prophylactic eradication of the infection should be offered to such subjects

Post Traumatic Growth Amongst Australian Bravery Award Recipients

This study explored aspects of Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) amongst Australian Bravery Award recipients exposed to serious or life-threatening trauma. PTG is the process whereby some people experience growth following traumatic experiences. Previous PTG research has focused on specific disasters, incidents or cohorts of survivors. We explored a range of incidents in both civilian and non-civilian award recipients. Sixty-five Australian Bravery Award recipients (37 civilian and 28 non-civilian) completed the Post Traumatic Growth Inventory and provided additional demographic information about their bravery incident. Results showed that civilians experienced significantly higher growth (mean PTG score = 49.7 than non-civilians (mean PTG score = 29.5). PTG varied by gender, with female award recipients having much higher PTG scores (mean 65.9) than males (mean 29.5). Australian Bravery Award recipients involved in violent incidents reported significantly higher PTG, with civilians involved in firearm related incidents reporting a mean PTG score of 65.5 compared to non-civilians at 34.8. Not all individuals involved in traumatic incidents have PTG, however we found that 73% of civilian bravery award recipients experienced moderate to high levels of growth following serious life-threatening incidents compared with 22.1% of non-civilians

Neurological impairment in nephropathic cystinosis: motor coordination deficits

Nephropathic cystinosis is a rare genetic metabolic disorder that results in accumulation of the amino acid cystine in lysosomes due to lack of a cystine-specific transporter protein. Cystine accumulates in cells throughout the body and causes progressive damage to multiple organs, including the brain. Neuromotor deficits have been qualitatively described in individuals with cystinosis. This study quantitatively examined fine-motor coordination in individuals with cystinosis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were also performed to determine whether structural changes were associated with motor deficits. Participants were 52 children and adolescents with infantile nephropathic cystinosis and 49 controls, ages 2–17 years, divided into preacademic and school-age groups. Results indicated that both the preacademic and school-age cystinosis groups performed significantly more poorly than their matched control groups on the Motor Coordination Test. Further, the level of performance was not significantly different between the preacademic and school-age groups. There were no significant differences in motor coordination scores based on MRI findings. This is the first study to document a persistent, nonprogressive, fine-motor coordination deficit in children and adolescents with cystinosis. The fact that these difficulties are present in the preschool years lends further support to the theory that cystinosis adversely affects neurological functioning early in development. The absence of a relationship between brain structural changes and motor function suggests that an alternative cause for motor dysfunction must be at work in this disorder