Endothelin signaling in bone

The endothelin (ET) system includes 3 small peptide hormones and a pair of G-protein-coupled receptors. This review first outlines the ET signaling pathway and ET metabolism. Next, it summarizes the role of ET1 signaling in craniofacial development. Then, it discusses observations relating ET signaling to osteoblastic and other osteosclerotic processes in cancer. Finally, it describes recent work in our laboratory that points to endothelin signaling as an upstream mediator of WNT signaling, promoting bone matrix synthesis and mineralization. It concludes with a statement of some remaining gaps in knowledge and proposals for future research

Impact of frequent apheresis blood donation on bone density: A prospective,longitudinal, randomized, controlled trial

Background Blood for transfusion is lifesaving and essential to many elements of modern medical practice. The global blood supply relies on volunteer blood donors. Apheresis is increasingly used to collect blood and requires anticoagulant to prevent extracorporeal coagulation. Citrate, the standard apheresis anticoagulant, chelates ionized calcium with consequent perturbations of serum calcium, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and markers of bone remodeling in donors. Cross-sectional studies of bone mineral density (BMD) among apheresis donors exhibit conflicting results. Methods The longitudinal, randomized, controlled ALTRUYST trial (NCT02655055) was undertaken to determine whether BMD declined following high frequency apheresis blood donation over 1 year. The study was powered at 80% to detect the primary outcome of a 3% decline in BMD. Subjects new to apheresis agreed to make ≥20 apheresis donations in a one-year period and were randomized to treatment (high frequency apheresis) or control (no apheresis). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was performed before and after participation. Two-sided t-test and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess outcomes. Findings Mean lumbar spine BMD did not change during the study among control donors (−0.002 g/cm2, 95%CI [−0.020, 0.016], p = 0.78), or among donors in the apheresis arm (mean change = 0.007 g/cm2, 95%CI [−0.005, 0.018], p = 0.24). Mean total hip BMD did not change for control donors (mean change = 0.002 g/cm2, 95%CI [−0.006, 0.009], p = 0.63) or apheresis donors (−0.004 g/cm2, 95%CI [−0.10, 0.002], p = 0.16). Tests for differences in proportions of donors with change in BMD exceeding the least significant change at the lumbar spine in either a positive [8 apheresis (31%), 4 control (27%), p = 0.78] or negative direction [4 apheresis (15%), 5 control (33%)] were statistically non-significant (p = 0.18). Proportional increases [0 apheresis (0%), 1 control (7%), p = 0.18] and decreases [3 apheresis (12%), 1 control (14%)] were also not significantly different at the total hip (p = 0.61). Interpretation ALTRUYST is the first longitudinal trial to demonstrate that apheresis blood collection guidelines in the United States adequately protect the skeletal health of male volunteer blood donors

Quick Start Guide to Soil Methods for Ecologists

Increasingly biologists and ecologists are becoming aware of the vital importance of soil to processes observed above ground and are incorporating soil analyses into their research. Because of the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of soil, proper incorporation of soil analysis into ecological studies requires knowledge and planning. Unfortunately, many ecologists may not be current (or trained at all) in soil science.We provide this review, based on our cumulative \u3e60 years of work in soil science,to help familiarize researchers with essential information to appropriately incorporate soil analyses into ecological studies. Specifically, we provide a brief introduction into soils and then discuss issues related to soil sterilization, choosing a soil for a greenhouse project, sampling soils, and soil analyses

Who ate all the pies? The importance of food in the Australian sporting experience

Australians watch live sport in large numbers and traditionally consume high quantities of meat pies, chips and beer within stadiums. However the food and beverage preferences of stadium-attending Australian sports fans are not well understood, particularly in comparison to their North American and European peers. This paper utilised a survey-based approach to understand the satisfaction of fans of Australia’s national Rugby Union team with stadiums in Australia. While food and beverage offerings were found to be a particular point of dissatisfaction the price and service quality were found to be of greater concern than the healthiness of these. The study also drew on the researchers’ observations and knowledge of recent Australian stadium redevelopments to examine how the traditional offerings may be changing. We conclude that in order to attract greater attendances from a wider market, stadiums in Australia need to provide more varied, higher quality, healthy food and beverage offerings that are both affordable and easy to eat

Revisiting Soil C and N Sampling: Quantitative Pits vs. Rotary Cores

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide and its feedbacks with global climate have sparked renewed interest in quantifying ecosystem carbon (C) budgets, including quantifying belowground pools. Belowground nutrient budgets require accurate estimates of soil mass, coarse fragment content, and nutrient concentrations. It has long been thought that the most accurate measurement of soil mass and coarse fragment content has come from excavating quantitative soil pits. However, this methodology is labor intensive and time consuming. We propose that diamond-tipped rotary cores are an acceptable if not superior alternative to quantitative soil pits for the measurement of soil mass, coarse fragment content, C and total nitrogen (N) concentrations. We tested the rotary core methodology against traditional quantitative pits at research sites in California, Nevada, and New York. We found that soil cores had 16% higher estimates of less than 2-mm soil mass than estimates obtained from quantitative pits. Conversely, soil cores had 8% lower estimates of coarse fragment mass compared with quantitative pits. There were no statistical differences in measured C or N concentrations between the two methods. At the individual site level, differences in estimates for the two methods were more pronounced, but there was no consistent tendency for cores to overestimate or underestimate a soil parameter when compared with quantitative pits

Trends in influenza vaccination coverage rates in Germany over five seasons from 2001 to 2006

BACKGROUND: To assess influenza vaccination coverage from 2001 to 2006 in Germany, to understand drivers and barriers to vaccination and to identify vaccination intentions for season 2006/07. METHODS: 9,990 telephone-based household surveys from age 14 were conducted between 2001 and 2006. Essentially, the same questionnaire was used in all seasons. RESULTS: The influenza vaccination coverage rate reached 32.5% in 2005/06. In the elderly (> or years), the vaccination rate reached 58.9% in 2005/06. In those aged 65 years and older, it was 63.4%. Perceiving influenza as a serious illness was the most frequent reason for getting vaccinated. Thirteen percent of those vaccinated in 2005/06 indicated the threat of avian flu as a reason. The main reason for not getting vaccinated was thinking about it without putting it into practice. The major encouraging factor to vaccination was a recommendation by the family doctor. 49.6% of the respondents intend to get vaccinated against influenza in season 2006/07. CONCLUSION: Increasing vaccination rates were observed from 2001 to 2006 in Germany. The threat of avian influenza and the extended reimbursement programs may have contributed to the recent increase