Indices of stress in exercising horses fed diets containing varying amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have shown substantial benefits in humans including lowered serum cholesterol, blood pressure and indices of stress. The caloric and extracaloric benefits of feeding fat supplemented diets to performance horses are well documented (Webb et al., 1987; Meyers et al., 1989; Julen et al., 1995). However, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have not been studied to any great extent. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of feeding omega-3 fatty acids on indices of stress and serum cholesterol in horses. Nine three- and four-year old horses were assigned to diet treatments according to sex, age and athletic ability. Concentrate diets consisted of: control (A), fatsupplemented diet with corn oil (B) and fat-supplemented diet with extruded/expelled soybean oil (C; N-3). Overall, heart rates were lower in horses fed the fat-supplemented diets compared to the control diet. On reining and cutting exercise days, heart rates were lower (P<.05) in horses fed fat-supplemented diets vs. the control diet. There were no differences (P>.05) in heart rates during exercise on reining and cutting days between horses fed the two fat-supplemented diets. Recovery heart rates following the SET from the end of exercise to 60 minutes recovery (R), were significantly quicker in horses fed diet C. Plasma cortisol concentrations were lowest in horses fed the soy oil-supplemented diet and highest in horses fed the corn oil-supplemented diet. Across treatments, plasma cortisol concentrations during the SET rose due to the onset of exercise and remained significantly higher (P<.05) than baseline during the SET. Serum cholesterol concentrations were higher in horses fed corn oil-supplemented diets than in the control or the soy oil-supplemented diets. There was no significant change (P>.05) in body weight between horses consuming these three diets. However, when compared to consuming diets B and C the horses fed diet A had higher (P<.05) concentrate intakes. There was no significant difference in hay intake (P>.05) between horses consuming the three diets

ApoA-I induced lipid efflux from adipocytes

Findings and Conclusions:These studies have sought to characterize the apoA-I dependent lipid efflux of adipocytes. The rates of CL and PL efflux from adipocytes upon apoA-I incubation were determined and show that lipid efflux from adipocytes is induced by apoA-I at a similar rate as from macrophages. The CL to PL stoichiometric efflux ratio of adipocytes was also similar to the lipid efflux ratio seen in cAMP-treated macrophages, implicating by comparison the ABCA1-mediated pathway in adipocytes.The 'efficiency' of apoA-I dependent lipid efflux, that is, lipid efflux normalized by ABCA1 cellular protein content, was found to be the same in both adipocytes and macrophages. To further test the role of ABCA1, the drugs GLYB, BFA and BLT4, which target the ABCA1 efflux pathway, were used to analyze apoA-I-dependent efflux from adipocytes. The results show patterns of inhibition expected for apoA-I induction of efflux via an ABCA1-mediated pathway. Collectively, the studies provide strong support for ABCA1 as the main transporter involved in lipid efflux from adipocytes to apoA-I.Investigation of apoA-I internalization through use of pka-tagged apoA-I revealed that apoA-I is recycled in adipocytes. PKA-ApoA-I recycling was found to be a specific process that human apoA-I could compete with, but not apoLp-III or Thrx. The recycling was also saturatable and this lead to the proposition of receptor involvement in apoA-I cellular uptake and re-secretion. To investigate this, ABCA1 was tested as a potential recycling receptor but the ABCA1-inhibitor BFA failed to block apoA-I recycling. Similarly the drug BLT1, which blocks SRBI-mediated CL flux to HDL, also had no effect on apoA-I recycling. The next receptor to be tested was the ectopically expressed cell surface ATP synthase subunit β. Surprisingly, the phosphorylation of pka-apoA-I was blocked by use of a monoclonal antibody to ATPase β.Finally, the ability of anti-ATPase β to block apoA-I internalization was used as a tool to directly analyze the relationship of apoA-I recycling to lipidation. CL and PL efflux assays carried out in the presence of anti-ATPase β showed that lipid efflux to apoA-I remained unaffected by antibody blocking of apoA-I recycling. This is the first direct study to show that apoA-I recycling is unrelated to apoA-I lipidation

A note on the use of FTA™ technology for storage of blood samples for DNA analysis and removal of PCR inhibitors

peer-reviewedFTA™ technology is widely used across many molecular disciplines for sample capture, storage and analysis. The use of this technology for the long-term storage of blood samples for DNA analysis was examined as well as its potential to remove inhibitors from DNA samples previously extracted from blood with PCR inhibitors remaining. It was found that blood spots stored on FTA™ cards for 8 years at room temperature gave successful PCR products and that FTA™ cards are a useful tool for removing substances in samples which interfere with or inhibit, the PCR reaction

Investigation of Prolific Sheep from UK and Ireland for Evidence on Origin of the Mutations in BMP15 (FecXG, FecXB) and GDF9 (FecGH) in Belclare and Cambridge Sheep

peer-reviewedThis paper concerns the likely origin of three mutations with large effects on ovulation rate identified in the Belclare and Cambridge sheep breeds; two in the BMP15 gene (FecXG and FecXB) and the third (FecGH) in GDF9. All three mutations segregate in Belclare sheep while one, FecXB, has not been found in the Cambridge. Both Belclare and Cambridge breeds are relatively recently developed composites that have common ancestry through the use of genetic material from the Finnish Landrace and Lleyn breeds. The development of both composites also involved major contributions from exceptionally prolific ewes screened from flocks in Ireland (Belclare) and Britain (Cambridge) during the 1960s. The objective of the current study was to establish the likely origin of the mutations (FecXG, FecXB and FecGH) through analysis of DNA from Finnish Landrace and Lleyn sheep, and Galway and Texel breeds which contributed to the development of the Belclare breed. Ewes with exceptionally high prolificacy (hyper-prolific ewes) in current flocks on Irish farms were identified to simulate the screening of ewes from Irish flocks in the 1960s. DNA was obtained from: prolific ewes in extant flocks of Lleyn sheep (n = 44) on the Lleyn peninsula in Wales; hyper-prolific ewes (n = 41); prolific Galway (n = 41) ewes; Finnish Landrace (n = 124) and Texel (n = 19) ewes. The FecXG mutation was identified in Lleyn but not in Finnish Landrace, Galway or Texel sheep; FecXB was only found among the hyper-prolific ewes. The FecGH mutation was identified in the sample of Lleyn sheep. It was concluded from these findings that the Lleyn breed was the most likely source of the FecXG and FecGH mutations in Belclare and Cambridge sheep and that the FecXB mutation came from the High Fertility line that was developed using prolific ewes selected from commercial flocks in Ireland in the 1960′s and subsequently used in the genesis of the Belclare.Financial support through the Teagasc Walsh Fellowship Scheme, Genesis Faraday SPARK award (Lleyn survey) and Science Foundation Ireland (07/SRC/B1156) is gratefully acknowledged

Comparison of the monoamine transporters from human and mouse in their sensitivities to psychostimulant drugs

BACKGROUND: The plasma membrane neurotransmitter transporters terminate neurotransmissions by the reuptake of the released neurotransmitters. The transporters for the monoamines dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (DAT, NET, and SERT) are targets for several popular psychostimulant drugs of abuse. The potencies of the psychostimulant on the monoamine transporters have been studied by several laboratories. However, there are significant discrepancies in the reported data with differences up to 60-fold. In addition, the drug potencies of the 3 monoamine transporters from mouse have not been compared in the same experiments or along side the human transporters. Further studies and systematic comparisons are needed. RESULTS: In this study, we compared the potencies of five psychostimulant drugs to inhibit human and mouse DAT, SERT and NET in the same cellular background. The K(I )values of cocaine to inhibit the 3 transporters are within a narrow range of 0.2 to 0.7 μM. In comparison, methylphenidate inhibited DAT and NET at around 0.1 μM, while it inhibited SERT at around 100 μM. The order of amphetamine potencies was NET (K(I )= 0.07–0.1 μM), DAT (K(I )≈ 0.6 μM), and SERT (K(I )between 20 to 40 μM). The results for methamphetamine were similar to those for amphetamine. In contrast, another amphetamine derivative, MDMA (3–4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine), exhibited higher potency at SERT than at DAT. The human and mouse transporters were similar in their sensitivities to each of the tested drugs (K(I )values are within 4-fold). CONCLUSION: The current and previous studies support the following conclusions: 1) cocaine blocks all 3 monoamine transporters at similar concentrations; 2) methylphenidate inhibits DAT and NET well but a 1000-fold higher concentration of the drug is required to inhibit SERT; 3) Amphetamine and methamphetamine are most potent at NET, while being 5- to 9-fold less potent at DAT, and 200- to 500-fold less potent at SERT; 4) MDMA has moderately higher apparent affinity for SERT and NET than for DAT. The relative potencies of a drug to inhibit DAT, NET and SERT suggest which neurotransmitter systems are disrupted the most by each of these stimulants and thus the likely primary mechanism of drug action

Associations between the K232A polymorphism in the diacylglycerol-O-transferase 1 (DGAT1) gene and performance in Irish Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle

peer-reviewedSelection based on genetic polymorphisms requires accurate quantification of the effect or association of the polymorphisms with all traits of economic importance. The objective of this study was to estimate, using progeny performance data on 848 Holstein-Friesian bulls, the association between a non-conservative alanine to lysine amino acid change (K232A) in exon 8 of the diacylglycerol-O-transferase 1 (DGAT1) gene and milk production and functionality in the Irish Holstein-Friesian population. The DGAT1 gene encodes the diacylglycerol-O-transferase microsomal enzyme necessary to catalyze the final step in triglyceride synthesis. Weighted mixed model methodology, accounting for the additive genetic relationships among animals, was used to evaluate the association between performance and the K232A polymorphism. The minor allele frequency (K allele) was 0.32. One copy of the K allele was associated (P < 0.001) with 77 kg less milk yield, 4.22 kg more fat yield, 0.99 kg less protein yield, and 1.30 and 0.28 g/kg greater milk fat and protein concentration, respectively; all traits were based on predicted 305-day production across the first five lactations. The K232A polymorphism explained 4.8%, 10.3% and 1.0% of the genetic variance in milk yield, fat yield and protein yield, respectively. There was no association between the K232A polymorphism and fertility, functional survival, calving performance, carcass traits, or any conformation trait with the exception of rump width and carcass conformation. Using the current economic values for the milk production traits in the Irish total merit index, one copy of the K allele is worth €5.43 in expected profitability of progeny. Results from this study will be useful in quantifying the cost-benefit of including the K232A polymorphism in the Irish national breeding programme

Effect of Preventive Home Visits by a Nurse on the Outcomes of Frail Elderly People in the Community: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Timely recognition and prevention of health problems among elderly people have been shown to improve their health. In this randomized controlled trial the authors examined the impact of preventive home visits by a nurse compared with usual care on the outcomes of frail elderly people living in the community. Methods: A screening questionnaire identified eligible participants (those aged 70 years or more at risk of sudden deterioration in health). Those randomly assigned to the visiting nurse group were assessed and followed up in their homes for 14 months. The primary outcome measure was the combined rate of deaths and admissions to an institution, and the secondary outcome measure the rate of health services utilization, during the 14 months; these rates were determined through a medical chart audit by a research nurse who was blind to group allocation. Results: The questionnaire was mailed to 415 elderly people, of whom 369 (88.9%) responded. Of these, 198 (53.7%) were eligible, and 142 consented to participate and were randomly assigned to either the visiting nurse group (73) or the usual care group (69). The combined rate of deaths and admissions to an institution was 10.0% in the visiting nurse group and 5.8% in the usual care group (p = 0.52). The rate of health services utilization did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Influenza and pneumonia vaccination rates were significantly higher in the visiting nurse group (90.1% and 81.9%) than in the usual care group (53.0% and 0%) (p \u3c 0.001). Interpretation: The trial failed to show any effect of a visiting nurse other than vastly improved vaccination coverage

The Finding Aid Container List Optimization Survey: Recommendations for Web Usability

This paper examines the results of a usability study for finding aids from the Special Collections Research Center at North Carolina State University. In 2005, the Special Collections Research Center reformatted its finding aids so that the container information, typically located on the left-hand side of the document, moved to the right-hand side of the document. The study tested the effectiveness of this change, and determined that traditional finding aids performed better. The analysis of the study's results is followed by a discussion about Web usability guidelines for online finding aids

Indices of stress in exercising horses fed diets containing varying amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have shown substantial benefits in humans including lowered serum cholesterol, blood pressure and indices of stress. The caloric and extracaloric benefits of feeding fat supplemented diets to performance horses are well documented (Webb et al., 1987; Meyers et al., 1989; Julen et al., 1995). However, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have not been studied to any great extent. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of feeding omega-3 fatty acids on indices of stress and serum cholesterol in horses. Nine three- and four-year old horses were assigned to diet treatments according to sex, age and athletic ability. Concentrate diets consisted of: control (A), fatsupplemented diet with corn oil (B) and fat-supplemented diet with extruded/expelled soybean oil (C; N-3). Overall, heart rates were lower in horses fed the fat-supplemented diets compared to the control diet. On reining and cutting exercise days, heart rates were lower (P<.05) in horses fed fat-supplemented diets vs. the control diet. There were no differences (P>.05) in heart rates during exercise on reining and cutting days between horses fed the two fat-supplemented diets. Recovery heart rates following the SET from the end of exercise to 60 minutes recovery (R), were significantly quicker in horses fed diet C. Plasma cortisol concentrations were lowest in horses fed the soy oil-supplemented diet and highest in horses fed the corn oil-supplemented diet. Across treatments, plasma cortisol concentrations during the SET rose due to the onset of exercise and remained significantly higher (P<.05) than baseline during the SET. Serum cholesterol concentrations were higher in horses fed corn oil-supplemented diets than in the control or the soy oil-supplemented diets. There was no significant change (P>.05) in body weight between horses consuming these three diets. However, when compared to consuming diets B and C the horses fed diet A had higher (P<.05) concentrate intakes. There was no significant difference in hay intake (P>.05) between horses consuming the three diets

Screening Seniors for Risk of Functional Decline: Results of a Survey in Family Practice

To measure functional status, determine risk of functional decline and assess consistency between responses and standardized instruments. Design: A mailed survey which measured functional impairment, recent hospitalization and bereavement. A positive response on at least one of these factors indicated that the individual was “at risk” for functional decline. A random sample (n=73) of “at risk” subjects (specifically, family practice patients aged 70 and older) were assessed by a nurse. Results: The response rate was 89% (369/415), 59% of seniors were female and the mean age was 77.1 (SD=5.5) years. Self-reported risk, based on activities of daily living (ADLs), was associated with impairment in at least one basic ADL (p\u3c0.0005) using a standardized instrument. The positive predictive value of the survey for ADL impairment was 65%. Conclusion: Response to a mailed survey was high and self-reported ADL risks were consistent with findings from standardized assessment tools