L-leucine, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid (HMB) and creatine monohydrate prevent myostatin-induced Akirin-1/Mighty mRNA down-regulation and myotube atrophy

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine if L-leucine (Leu), β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB), or creatinemonohydrate (Crea) prevented potential atrophic effects of myostatin (MSTN) on differentiated C2C12 myotubes. Methods: After four days of differentiation, myotubes were treated with MSTN (10 ng/ml) for two additional days and four treatment groups were studied: 1) 3x per day 10 mM Leu, 2) 3x per day 10 mM HMB, 3) 3x per day 10 mM Crea,4) DM only. Myotubes treated with DM without MSTN were analyzed as the control condition (DM/CTL). Following treatment, cells were analyzed for total protein, DNA content, RNA content, muscle protein synthesis (MPS, SUnSET method), and fiber diameter. Separate batch treatments were analyzed for mRNA expression patterns of myostatin-relatedgenes (Akirin-1/Mighty, Notch-1, Ski, MyoD) as well as atrogenes (MuRF-1, and MAFbx/Atrogin-1). Results: MSTN decreased fiber diameter approximately 30% compared to DM/CTL myotubes (p < 0.001). Leu, HMB and Crea prevented MSTN-induced atrophy. MSTN did not decrease MPS levels compared to DM/CTL myotubes, but MSTN treatment decreased the mRNA expression of Akirin-1/Mighty by 27% (p < 0.001) and MyoD by 26% (p < 0.01) compared to DM/CTL myotubes. shRNA experiments confirmed that Mighty mRNA knockdown reduced myotube size, linkingMSTN treatment to atrophy independent of MPS. Remarkably, MSTN + Leu and MSTN + HMB myotubes had similar Akirin-1/Mighty and MyoD mRNA levels compared to DM/CTL myotubes. Furthermore, MSTN + Crea myotubes exhibiteda 36% (p < 0.05) and 86% (p < 0.001) increase in Akirin-1/Mighty mRNA compared to DM/CTL and MSTN-only treated myotubes, respectively. Conclusions: Leu, HMB and Crea may reduce MSTN-induced muscle fiber atrophy by influencing Akirin-1/Mighty mRNAexpression patterns. Future studies are needed to examine if Leu, HMB and Crea independently or synergistically affectAkirin-1/Mighty expression, and how Akirin-1/Mighty expression mechanistically relates to skeletal muscle hypertrophyin vivo

Investigations into the taxonomy, toxicity and ecology of benthic cyanobacterial accumulations in Myall Lake, Australia

Large benthic accumulations of cyanobacteria occur in sheltered embayments within Myall Lake, New South Wales, Australia. The lake is shallow, with the entire bottom within the euphotic zone, and it is generally considered pristine, having low nutrient concentrations. The accumulations are highly organic and contain a mix of species mainly from the order Chroococcales, with two forms of Aphanothece being dominant. However polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis indicates a close similarity to Microcystis flos-aquae. The cells appear to lack aerotopes and form sticky mucilaginous amalgamations, which may enhance their benthic habit. Although Chroococcales also dominate the planktonic cyanobacterial community, the benthic species are seldom, if ever, found entrained within the water column. Some hepatotoxicity was indicated by mouse bioassay, protein phosphatase inhibition assay, enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) for microcystins, PCR and by chromatographic evidence for a microcystin. Ecological aspects of the distribution, gross morphology of the organisms and management implications for recreational water-users are discussed

Correction to: Prenatal alcohol exposure and infant gross motor development: A prospective cohort study (BMC Pediatrics (2019) 19 (149) DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1516-5)

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors opted to revise the first paragraph of the section "Characteristics associated with maternal drinking in pregnancy". Below is the updated version. Characteristics associated with maternal drinking in pregnancy Univariate tests compared whether abstainers and pregnancy drinkers (at any level) differed on background socio-demographics, other substance use, and physical and psychological factors (Table 3). The results show that, relative to abstainers, women who drank alcohol had greater odds of being older (e.g., 30-35 years, 1.97, 95% CI, 1.20-3.24); completing high school (2.61, 95% CI, 1.48-4.61); having moderate (2.29, 95% CI, 1.31-4.02) or high SES (4.42, 95% CI, 2.56-7.64); being born in an English speaking country (1.88, 95% CI, 1.33-2.66); and speaking English as their first language [2].34, 95% CI, 1.77-3.09); and lower odds of living in a single parent household (0.61, 95% CI, 0.39-0.95). Other factors associated with pregnancy drinking included: smoking in pregnancy (1.67, 95% CI, 1.18-2.36); higher estimated IQ (e.g., a score of 100-114, 3.02, 95% CI, 2.01-4.53); and lower anxiety (0.76, 95% CI, 0.57-0.99). Secondly, they revised the first paragraph under subsection "Characteristics of women drinking in pregnancy and their partners". Please see below: Characteristics of women drinking in pregnancy and their partners Consistent with past research, pregnant women who consumed alcohol differed on socio-demographic characteristics compared to abstainers [36, 37]. Specifically, they were more likely to be older, tertiary educated, have moderate to high SEIFA scores (reflective of socio-economic advantage), be born in Australia or another English speaking country, and be less likely to live in a single parent household. Other factors associated with pregnancy drinking included: smoking in pregnancy; higher estimated IQ; and lower levels of anxiety. These results suggest pregnancy drinking is common among women from more affluent socio-demographic backgrounds, and among specific at-risk groups, such as women who smoke cigarettes. Targeting these populations may result in more effective preventive intervention for pregnancy drinking