Engineering Soft Spring Gauges for In Situ Biomaterial and Tissue Weighing

Hydrogels have gained great attention and broad applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery due to their excellent biocompatibility and degradability. However, accurately and noninvasively characterizing the degradation process of hydrogels remains a challenge. To address this, we have developed a method using soft spring gauges (SSGs) for the in situ weighing of hydrogels. Our approach uses a simple hydrogel-based sacrificial template method to fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) SSGs. The SSGs used in this study can characterize hydrogels with a minimum wet weight of approximately 30 mg. Through theoretical derivations, numerical simulations, and experimental characterization, we confirmed that the length change of the SSGs in a buffer solution correlates linearly with the applied hanging weights. This allows us to track and assess the solid mass change of hydrogels during degradation with high feasibility and accuracy. Additionally, we have demonstrated the potential application of SSGs for the in situ characterization of engineered tissue growth. This method represents an advanced approach for in situ hydrogel weighing, holding great promise for advancing the development of hydrogels and other biomaterials in biomedical applications.

Implication of Pappalysins and Stanniocalcins in the Bioavailability of IGF-I in Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Context

Anomalies in the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis, are common in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), even in those reaching a normal or near-normal final height. However, concentrations of the IGF bioavailability regulatory factors (pappalysins [PAPP-As] and stanniocalcins [STCs]) have not been reported in children with T1DM.

Objective

To determine serum concentrations of PAPP-As and STCs in children at diagnosis of T1DM and after insulin treatment and the correlation of these factors with other members of the GH/IGF axis, beta-cell insulin reserve, auxology, and nutritional status.

Methods

A single-center prospective observational study including 47 patients (59.5% male), with T1DM onset at median age of 9.2 years (interquartile range: 6.3, 11.9) was performed. Blood and anthropometric data were collected at diagnosis and after 6 and 12 months of treatment.

Results

At 6 and 12 months after T1DM diagnosis, there was improvement in the metabolic control (decrease in glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] at 12 months -3.66 [95% CI: -4.81, -2.05], P = .001), as well as in body mass index SD and height SD (not statistically significant). STC2 increased (P < .001) and PAPP-A2 decreased (P < .001) at 6 and 12 months of treatment onset (P < .001), which was concurrent with increased total IGF-I and IGF-binding protein concentrations, with no significant modification in free IGF-I concentrations. HbA1c correlated with PAPP-A2 (r = +0.41; P < .05) and STC2 (r = -0.32; P < .05).

Conclusion

Implementation of insulin treatment after T1DM onset modifies various components of the circulating IGF system, including PAPP-A2 and STC2. How these modifications modulate linear growth remains unknown.

Effect of dietary supplementation with algae extracts on growth performance and caecal microbiota of broiler chickens

1. The objective of this study was to test the dose response of dietary supplementation with algae extracts rich in marine-sulphated polysaccharides (MSP1 and MSP2) on the growing performance, body composition at slaughter and caecal microbiota of broiler chickens.2. Male broiler Ross 308 chicks 1-d-old were distributed into eight groups, a control group (unsupplemented), four groups supplemented with increasing doses of algae extract MSP1 (40, 81, 121 and 162 g/ton feed) and three groups supplemented with increasing doses of algae extract MSP2 (40, 81 and 162 g/ton feed). Each group comprised six pens of 56 chickens.3. All chickens were reared under challenging conditions, i.e. high rearing density of 42 kg/m2, fed growing and finishing diets containing, palm oil, rye and high levels of wheat and subjected to short daily fasting periods. The growth performance was recorded during rearing. At 10, 22 and 31 d of age, 12 chickens per group were euthanised to collect the caecal contents and determine microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid levels. At d 35, the quality of litter and the condition of feathers, footpads and tarsals were scored. At d 36, 7 chickens per pen were slaughtered under commercial conditions to determine carcass composition and breast meat quality (ultimate pH and colour).4. Algal extract MSP1 increased the weight of the caeca and butyrate concentration in the caeca at d 22 (p ≤ 0.05). It increased the ultimate pH of breast fillet measured after slaughter at d 36 (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the group receiving 162 g/t MSP1 had a more diverse microbiota at d22. However, algal extract MSP2 had negligible effect on the different measured parameters.

Tree post-drought recovery: scenarios, regulatory mechanisms and ways to improve

Efficient post-drought recovery of growth and assimilation enables a plant to return to its undisturbed state and functioning. Unlike annual plants, trees suffer not only from the current drought, but also from cumulative impacts of consecutive water stresses which cause adverse legacy effects on survival and performance. This review provides an integrated assessment of ecological, physiological and molecular evidence on the recovery of growth and photosynthesis in trees, with a view to informing the breeding of trees with a better ability to recover from water stress. Suppression of recovery processes can result not only from stress damage but also from a controlled downshift of recovery as part of tree acclimation to water-limited conditions. In the latter case, recovery processes could potentially be activated by turning off the controlling mechanisms, but several obstacles make this unlikely. Tree phenology, and specifically photoperiodic constraints, can limit post-drought recovery of growth and photosynthesis, and targeting these constraints may represent a promising way to breed trees with an enhanced ability to recover post-drought. The mechanisms of photoperiod-dependent regulation of shoot, secondary and root growth and of assimilation processes are reviewed. Finally, the limitations and trade-offs of altering the photoperiodic regulation of growth and assimilation processes are discussed.

Lactic Acid Production by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AC 11S-Kinetics and Modeling

Lactic acid is a versatile chemical with wide application in many industries. It can be produced by the fermentation of different sugars by various lactobacilli and investigations on lactic acid production from different substrates and by different strains are still in progress. The present study aimed to study lactic acid production from lactose by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AC 11S and to choose a mathematical model describing in the best way the experimental data obtained. The influence of initial substrate concentration was investigated, and optimal pH and temperature were determined. An unstructured mathematical model was developed comprising equations for bacterial growth, substrate consumption, and product formation. The model was solved with different terms for specific growth rates considering substrate and/or product inhibition. The best bacterial growth and lactic acid production were achieved at pH = 6.5 and 30 °C. Production of lactic acid was mainly growth-associated, and at initial substrate concentration over 15 g/L, a considerable product inhibition was observed. The parameters of different models were determined and compared. The modified Gompertz equation gave the best fit when solving only the equation for biomass growth at different initial substrate concentrations. Solving the entire set of differential equations for bacterial growth, substrate consumption, and product formation, the best results were obtained when using a variant of the logistic equation for biomass growth. This variant included a term for product inhibition and described in the best way all experimental data. Solving the model for different biomass concentrations showed that an increase in biomass led to a shorter lag phase and the stationary phase was reached faster. The results obtained, optimum conditions and the kinetic model, are good bases for studying pH-controlled fermentation, as well as a continuous process.

Effect of Low Temperature on Content of Primary Metabolites in Two Wheat Genotypes Differing in Cold Tolerance

The study of cold-tolerance mechanisms of wheat as a leading cereal crop is very relevant to science. Primary metabolites play an important role in the formation of increased cold tolerance. The aim of this research is to define changes in the content of primary metabolites (soluble proteins and sugars), growth, and photosynthetic apparatus of freezing-tolerant and cold-sustainable wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under optimal conditions and after prolonged (7 days) exposure to low temperature (4 °C). In order to gain a deeper comprehension of the mechanisms behind wheat genotypes' adaptation to cold, we determined the expression levels of photosynthetic genes (RbcS, RbcL) and genes encoding cold-regulated proteins (Wcor726, CBF14). The results indicated different cold-adaptation strategies of freezing-tolerant and cold-sustainable wheat genotypes, with soluble proteins and sugars playing a significant role in this process. In plants of freezing-tolerant genotypes, the strategy of adaptation to low temperature was aimed at increasing the content of soluble proteins and modification of carbohydrate metabolism. The accumulation of sugars was not observed in wheat of cold-sustainable genotypes during chilling, but a high content of soluble proteins was maintained both under optimal conditions and after cold exposure. The adaptation strategies of wheat genotypes differing in cold tolerance were related to the expression of photosynthetic genes and genes encoding cold-regulated proteins. The data improve our knowledge of physiological and biochemical mechanisms of wheat cold adaptation.

Goethite and Hematite Nucleation and Growth from Ferrihydrite: Effects of Oxyanion Surface Complexes

The presence of oxyanions, such as nitrate (NO3-) and phosphate (PO43-), regulates the nucleation and growth of goethite (Gt) and hematite (Hm) during the transformation of ferrihydrite (Fh). Our previous studies showed that oxyanion surface complexes control the rate and pathway of Fh transformation to Gt and Hm. However, how oxyanion surface complexes control the mechanism of Gt and Hm nucleation and growth during the Fh transformation is still unclear. We used synchrotron scattering methods and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy to investigate the effects of NO3- outer-sphere complexes and PO43- inner-sphere complexes on the mechanism of Gt and Hm formation from Fh. Our TEM results indicated that Gt particles form through a two-step model in which Fh particles first transform to Gt nanoparticles and then crystallographically align and grow to larger particles by oriented attachment (OA). In contrast, for the formation of Hm, imaging shows that Fh particles first aggregate and then transform to Hm through interface nucleation. This is consistent with our X-ray scattering results, which demonstrate that NO3- outer-sphere and PO43- inner-sphere complexes promote the formation of Gt and Hm, respectively. These results have implications for understanding the coupled interactions of oxyanions and iron oxy-hydroxides in Earth-surface environments.

Characterization of a novel fast-growing zebrafish: a new approach to growth hormone transgenesis

The manipulation of the somatotropic axis, governing growth, has been a focus of numerous transgenic approaches aimed at developing fast-growing fish for research, medicine and aquaculture purposes. However, the excessively high growth hormone (GH) levels in these transgenic fish often result in deformities that impact both fish health and consumer acceptance. In an effort to mitigate these issues and synchronize exogenous GH expression with reproductive processes, we employed a novel transgenic construct driven by a tilapia luteinizing hormone (LH) promoter. This approach was anticipated to induce more localized and lower exogenous GH secretion. In this study, we characterized the growth and reproduction of these transgenic LHp-GH zebrafish using hormonal and physiological parameters. Our findings reveal that LHp-GH fish exhibited accelerated growth in both length and weight, along with a lower feed conversion ratio, indicating more efficient feed utilization, all while maintaining unchanged body proportions. These fish demonstrated higher expression levels of LH and GH in the pituitary and elevated IGF-1 levels in the liver compared to wild-type fish. An examination of reproductive function in LHp-GH fish unveiled lower pituitary LH and FSH contents, smaller follicle diameter in female gonads, and reduced relative fecundity. However, in transgenic males, neither the distribution of spermatogenesis stages nor sperm concentrations differed significantly between the fish lines. These results suggest that coupling exogenous GH expression with endogenous LH expression in females directs resource investment toward somatic growth at the expense of reproductive processes. Consequently, we conclude that incorporating GH under the LH promoter represents a suitable construct for the genetic engineering of commercial fish species, providing accelerated growth while preserving body proportions.

Impact of Deep Learning Denoising Algorithm on Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Growth Plate on Different Spatial Resolutions

To assess the impact of a deep learning (DL) denoising reconstruction algorithm applied to identical patient scans acquired with two different voxel dimensions, representing distinct spatial resolutions, this IRB-approved prospective study was conducted at a tertiary pediatric center in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. A General Electric Signa Premier unit (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) was employed to acquire two DTI (diffusion tensor imaging) sequences of the left knee on each child at 3T: an in-plane 2.0 × 2.0 mm2 with section thickness of 3.0 mm and a 2 mm3 isovolumetric voxel; neither had an intersection gap. For image acquisition, a multi-band DTI with a fat-suppressed single-shot spin-echo echo-planar sequence (20 non-collinear directions; b-values of 0 and 600 s/mm2) was utilized. The MR vendor-provided a commercially available DL model which was applied with 75% noise reduction settings to the same subject DTI sequences at different spatial resolutions. We compared DTI tract metrics from both DL-reconstructed scans and non-denoised scans for the femur and tibia at each spatial resolution. Differences were evaluated using Wilcoxon-signed ranked test and Bland-Altman plots. When comparing DL versus non-denoised diffusion metrics in femur and tibia using the 2 mm × 2 mm × 3 mm voxel dimension, there were no significant differences between tract count (p = 0.1, p = 0.14) tract volume (p = 0.1, p = 0.29) or tibial tract length (p = 0.16); femur tract length exhibited a significant difference (p < 0.01). All diffusion metrics (tract count, volume, length, and fractional anisotropy (FA)) derived from the DL-reconstructed scans, were significantly different from the non-denoised scan DTI metrics in both the femur and tibial physes using the 2 mm3 voxel size (p < 0.001). DL reconstruction resulted in a significant decrease in femorotibial FA for both voxel dimensions (p < 0.01). Leveraging denoising algorithms could address the drawbacks of lower signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) associated with smaller voxel volumes and capitalize on their better spatial resolutions, allowing for more accurate quantification of diffusion metrics.

Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy, anthropometrics, and metabolic health at age ten: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

We previously reported that children of mothers who received fish oil supplementation during pregnancy had higher body mass index [BMI (in kg/m2)] at 6 y of age as well as a concomitant increase in fat-, muscle, and bone mass, but no difference in fat percentage.

OBJECTIVES

Here, we report follow-up at age 10 y including assessment of metabolic health.

METHODS

This is a follow-up analysis of a randomized clinical trial conducted among 736 pregnant females and their offspring participating in the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood mother-child cohort. The intervention was 2.4 g n-3 (ω-3) Long-Chain PolyUnsaturated Fatty Acid (n-3 LCPUFA) or control daily from pregnancy week 24 until 1 wk after birth. Outcomes were anthropometric measurements, body composition from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, blood pressure, concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, and C-peptide from fasting blood samples, and a metabolic syndrome score was calculated. Anthropometric measurements and body composition were prespecified secondary endpoints of the n-3 LCPUFA trial, and others were exploratory.

RESULTS

Children in the n-3 LCPUFA group had a higher mean BMI at age 10 year compared to the control group: 17.4 (SD: 2.44) compared with 16.9 (2.28); P = 0.020 and a higher odds ratio of having overweight (odds ratio: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.33; P = 0.047). This corresponded to differences in body composition in terms of increased lean mass (0.49 kg; 95% CI: -0.20, 1.14; P = 0.17), fat mass (0.49 kg; 95% CI: -0.03, 1.01; P = 0.06), and fat percent (0.74%; 95% CI: -0.01, 1.49; P = 0.053) compared to the control group. Children in the n-3 LCPUFA group had a higher metabolic syndrome score compared to the control (mean difference: 0.19; 95% CI: -0.02, 0.39; P = 0.053).

CONCLUSIONS

In this randomized clinical trial, children of mothers receiving n-3 LCPUFA supplementation had increased BMI at age 10 y, increased risk of being overweight, and a tendency of increased fat percentage and higher metabolic syndrome score. These findings suggest potential adverse health effects from n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy and need to be replicated in future independent studies. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00798226.

Incongruent ontogenetic maturity indicators in a Late Triassic archosaur (Aetosauria: Typothorax coccinarum)

Maximum individual body size in pseudosuchian archosaurs is not well constrained in the fossil record, but it may be influenced by a variety of factors including basal metabolic rate, evolutionary relationships, and environmental conditions. Body size varies among the Aetosauria in which estimated total length ranges between 1 m (e.g., Coahomasuchus kahleorum) and 5 m (e.g., Desmatosuchus spurensis). A new, very large specimen of the aetosaurian Typothorax coccinarum from Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona is nearly twice the size of all other known specimens of Typothorax and is the largest aetosaur specimen currently known worldwide. The specimen lacks co-ossified neurocentral sutures in the trunk vertebrae which may suggest that the individual had not yet reached skeletal maturity, yet smaller specimens of T. coccinarum exhibit partially or fully co-ossified neurocentral sutures in the same region. If body size correlates with skeletal maturity in aetosaurs, this discrepancy warns that timing of neurocentral suture co-ossification in aetosaurs may not be a reliable indicator of ontogenetic stage. Osteohistological observations of a trunk rib demonstrate that although PEFO 42506 shows a large body size, the specimen did not deposit an external fundamental system despite depositing as many as 19 growth lines, further indicating that it had not yet reached skeletal maturity. Thus, at least within Aetosauria, neurocentral suture co-ossification and skeletal maturity may correlate, whereas body size can be incongruent in comparison. Furthermore, this specimen indicates that non-desmatosuchin aetosaurs could exhibit large body sizes and suggests that some aetosaurs may have experienced indeterminate growth.

Evidence that highly canalized fetal traits are sensitive to intergenerational effects of maternal developmental nutrition

OBJECTIVES

Maternal experiences before pregnancy predict birth outcomes, a key indicator of health trajectories, but the timing and pathways for these effects are poorly understood. Here we test the hypothesis that maternal pre-adult growth patterns predict pregnancy glucose and offspring fetal growth in Cebu, Philippines.

METHODS

Using multiple regression and path analysis, gestational age-adjusted birthweight and variables reflecting infancy, childhood, and post-childhood/adolescent weight gain (conditional weights) were used to predict pregnancy HbA1c and offspring birth outcomes among participants in the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey.

RESULTS

Maternal early/mid-childhood weight gain predicted birth weight, length, and head circumference in female offspring. Late-childhood/adolescent weight gain predicted birth length, birth weight, skinfold thickness, and head circumference in female offspring, and head circumference in male offspring. Pregnancy HbA1c did not mediate relationships between maternal growth and birth size parameters.

DISCUSSION

In Cebu, maternal growth patterns throughout infancy, childhood, and adolescence predict fetal growth via a pathway independent of circulating glucose, with stronger impacts on female than male offspring, consistent with a role of developmental nutrition on offspring fetal growth. Notably, the strength of relationships followed a pattern opposite to what occurs in response to acute pregnancy stress, with strongest effects on head circumference and birth length and weakest on skinfolds. We speculate that developmental sensitivities are reversed for stable, long-term nutritional cues that reflect average local environments. These findings are relevant to public health and life-history theory as further evidence of developmental influences on health and resource allocation across the life course.

Association between household food insecurity and stunting in children aged 0-59 months: Systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Household food insecurity (HFI) during childhood is associated with poor dietary diversity and malnutrition, placing children's growth at risk. Children with growth disorders, such as stunting, are more likely to have poor cognition and educational performance, lower economic status, and an increased risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases in adulthood. Our study aimed to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of cohort studies investigating the association between HFI and stunting in children aged 0-59 months. Peer-reviewed and grey literature were systematically searched in electronic databases with no language or date restrictions. Two reviewers independently assessed the studies for pre-established eligibility criteria. Data were extracted using a standard protocol. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used, and I2 > 40% indicated high heterogeneity across studies. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system to assess the quality of the evidence. Nine cohort studies comprising 46,300 children were included. Approximately 80% (n = 7) of the studies found a positive association between HFI and stunting. Pooled odds ratio was 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87-1.14; I2: 76.14%). The pooled hazard ratio between moderate and severe HFI and stunting was 1.02 (95% CI: 0.84-1.22; I2: 85.96%). Due to high heterogeneity, the quality of evidence was very low. Individual studies showed an association between HFI and stunting in children aged 0-59 months; however, this association was not sustained in the pooled analysis, possibly because of high heterogeneity across studies.

sebago) families in survival and growth traits across early life stages and in different environments

Endangered wild fish populations are commonly supported by hatchery propagation. However, hatchery-reared fish experience very different selective pressures compared to their wild counterparts, potentially causing genotype-by-environment interactions (G × E) in essential fitness traits. We experimentally studied early selection in a critically endangered landlocked Atlantic salmon population, first from fertilization to the swim-up stage in a common hatchery setting, and thereafter until the age of 5 months in two contrasting rearing environments. Swim-up progeny were moved either to standard indoor hatchery tanks involving conventional husbandry or to seminatural outdoor channels providing only natural food. After the first summer, sampled survivors were assigned to their families by genotyping. Early survival until the swim-up stage was mostly determined by maternal effects, but also involved significant variation due to sires and full-sib families (potential genetic effects). High on-growing survival in hatchery tanks (88.7%) maintained a more even distribution among families (relative share 1.5%-4.2%) than the seminatural environment (0.0%-5.4%). This heterogeneity was mostly maternal, whereas no independent paternal effect occurred. Heritability estimates were high for body size traits in both environments (0.62-0.69). Genetic correlations between the environments were significantly positive for body size traits (0.67-0.69), and high body condition in hatchery was also genetically linked to rapid growth in the seminatural environment (0.54). Additive and phenotypic growth variation increased in the seminatural environment, but scaling effects probably played a less significant role for G × E, compared to re-ranking of genotypes. Our results suggest that not only maternal effects, but also genetic effects, direct selection according to the environmental conditions experienced. Consistently high genetic variation in growth implies that, despite its low overall genetic diversity and long history in captive rearing (>50 years), this landlocked Atlantic salmon population still possesses adaptive potential for response to change from hatchery rearing back to more natural conditions.

Expression of chicken epidermal growth factor (cEGF) in Escherichia coli regulates the microflora structure of the duodenum to improve growth performance and intestinal morphogenesis in broilers

1. A study used gene synthesis to obtain the functional domains of chicken epidermal growth factor (cEGF) and examined their impact on broiler growth performance, small intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities in the intestinal contents and the structure of duodenal microflora.2. The pET-32a-cEGF recombinant expression vector was constructed. The specific band at 26 KDa was shown by SDS-PAGE analysis and WB results. The purified protein content was shown to be 1687 μg/ml by assay.3. A total of 180 healthy, one-day-old Arbor Acres male, white-feathered broilers were randomly divided into three dietary treatment groups (six replicate pens, 10 birds per replicate): A control diet (ND); cEGF diet (cEGF), control supplemented with 250 mg/kg cEGF and the control diet (CD) supplemented with 250 mg/kg chlortetracycline.4. The results showed that feeding the cEGF and CD diet reduced FCR of broilers aged 1-21 d, average daily feed intake (ADFI) at 22-42 d, and the FCR in the whole period (1-42 d; p < 0.05). Compared with the ND group, the cEGF diet increased duodenal α-amylase and alkaline phosphatase activities in the 1-21 d, duodenal lipase, alkaline phosphatase, and ileal alkaline phosphatase activities in the post-period and increased villus height in the duodenum and ileum (p < 0.05). In addition, the ACE and Chao1 index for the birds fed cEGF were higher than the ND group (p < 0.05). At the phyla level, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were dominant in all groups. At the genus level, the dominant genus was Lactobacillus. The LEfSe analysis showed that the cEGF group was enriched by 11 species including Brevibacillus, Eisenbergiella, Cloacibacterium, Butyricoccus spp.5. The addition of 250 mg/kg cEGF to the diet can increase growth performance by improving intestinal development and digestive enzyme activity, which may be related to the duodenal intestinal microflora. Therefore, cEGF is an effective alternative to antibiotics in broiler farming.

Exogenous 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) facilitates cell growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa under high temperatures by enhancing the photosynthetic energy utilization and alleviating oxidative damage

The microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa is cultivated extensively for its constituents, which are of significant economic worth. Large-scale growth of C. pyrenoidosa in outdoor environments is subject to various stressors such as elevated temperature. The purpose of this study was to assess the protective effects of exogenous 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on C. pyrenoidosa under high-temperature conditions. Compared to a temperature of 30°C, increasing the temperature to 43°C reduced the enzymatic capacity for carbon assimilation and resulted in the buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus reducing photosynthesis and proliferation. It was observed that exogenous EBL protected C. pyrenoidosa cells against high temperatures, with an optimal EBL concentration of 100 nM, resulting in enhanced capacity for photosynthetic carbon assimilation with a notable reduction in the imbalance between the absorption of light and energy used under high-temperature conditions. The addition of 100 nM EBL resulted in a 25.4% increase in cell density when exposed to elevated temperatures for 7 days. In addition, exogenous EBL reduced ROS production and increased the activities of critical antioxidant enzymes. This, in turn, mitigated heat-induced oxidative damage, resulting in advantageous outcomes in terms of cellular development and maintenance.

Probabilistic reaction norm reveals family-related variation in the association between size, condition, and sexual maturation onset in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

This study investigated the relationship between the size, condition, year class, family, and sexual maturity of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using data collected in an aquaculture selective breeding programme. Males that were sexually mature at 2 years of age (maiden spawn) have, on average, greater fork length and condition factor (K) at 1 year of age than their immature counterparts. For every 10-mm increase in fork length or 0.1 increase in K at 1 year of age, the odds of sexual maturity at 2 years of age increased by 1.48 or 1.22 times, respectively. Females that were sexually mature at 3 years of age (maiden spawn) have, on average, greater fork length and K at 2 years of age than their immature counterparts. For every 10-mm increase in fork length or 0.1 increase in K at 2 years of age, the odds of sexual maturity at 3 years of age increased by 1.06 or 1.44 times, respectively. The family explained 34.93% of the variation in sexual maturity among 2-year-old males that was not attributable to the average effects of fork length and K at 1 year of age and year class. The proportion of variation in sexual maturity among 3-year-old females explained by the family could not be investigated. These findings suggest that the onset of sexual maturation in Atlantic salmon is conditional on performance (with respect to energy availability) surpassing a threshold, the magnitude of which can vary between families and is determined by a genetic component. This could support the application of genetic selection to promote or inhibit the onset of sexual maturation in farmed stocks.

Development of a bronchopulmonary dysplasia nutrition focused physical examination tool: A modified Delphi study

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to identify factors impacting nutrition needs in infants and children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). A modified Delphi approach to obtain consensus among pediatric registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) was used to create a BPD-specific nutrition focused physical examination (NFPE) tool.

STUDY DESIGN

RDNs, recruited through pediatric nutrition professional associations, completed a survey rating proposed NFPE components on a Likert scale of 1-5 allowing open-ended responses in a two-round Delphi. Responses were analyzed, deidentified, and results were returned to panelists for in-round feedback. Consensus was defined a priori as 75% agreement for usefulness or relevance ± 1 standard deviation.

RESULTS

Six domains (anthropometrics, body composition, development, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and physical signs) and 38 components achieved consensus.

CONCLUSION

Components for an evidence-based tool to enhance nutrition assessment in infants and children with BPD were identified with consensus agreement by an expert panel of 19 pediatric RDNs.

Effects of soyhulls with different particle size on the growth performance, blood indices and gut microbiota of yellow feather broilers

1. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of soyhulls with different particle sizes on the growth performance, blood indices and gut microbiota of yellow feather broilers.2. Total of 240 healthy, one-day-old, yellow feather broilers were randomly divided into four groups, with six pen replicates within each group and ten birds per pen. The control group birds were fed the basal diet (Control). For the treatment groups, 5% soyhulls with different particle sizes were included in the basal diet. The particle size geometric mean diameters (dgw) of the soyhulls in the three treatment groups were 299.69 μm (LowPS), 489.85 μm (MediumPS) and 734.83 μm (HighPS) with geometric standard deviation (Sgw) 1.75 μm, 1.62 μm and 1.67 μm, respectively.3. Results showed that the growth performance variables and organ indices were not different among the four groups. The MediumPS group had increased TG, T-CHO, ALT, HDL-C, and GSH-PX levels and decreased T-AOC levels, whereas LowPS and HighPS groups had increased HDL-C and GSH-PX levels (p < 0.05). Microbial diversity analysis showed that the intestinal microbiota of yellow feather broilers mainly included Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Inclusion of 5% soyhulls with different particle size had no effect on alpha diversity indices of caecal microbiota. The HighPS group had significantly higher relative abundance of Firmicutes spp. and lower Bacteroidetes spp. compared with the LowPS and MediumPS group but this was not different from the Control group. The relative abundance of Cyanobacteria spp. was significantly higher in the HighPS group than the other three groups. LEfSe analysis showed that there were more enriched biomarker taxa in the groups with soyhulls than the control group.4. Overall, the inclusion of soyhulls with different particle sizes had limited effects on growth performance, blood indices and caecal microbiota composition of yellow feather broilers.

Association of Weight Trajectory With Severe Obesity: A Case-Control Study

Background: Early childhood weight trajectory is associated with future risk for obesity. However, little is known about the association of birth weight and weight trajectories before age 5.5 years with severe adult obesity. Methods: This study used a nested case-control design of 785 matched sets of cases and controls matched 1:1 on age and gender from a 1976 to 1982 birth cohort in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Cases with severe adult obesity were defined as individuals with a BMI ≥40 kg/m2 after 18 years of age. There were 737 matched sets of cases and controls for the trajectory analysis. Weight and height data from birth through 5.5 years were abstracted from the medical records, and weight-for-age percentiles were obtained from the CDC growth charts. Results: A two-cluster weight-for-age trajectory solution was identified as optimal, with cluster 1 having higher weight-for-age before age 5.5 years. While there was no association between birth weight and severe adult obesity, the odds of being in cluster 1, which includes children with higher weight-for-age percentiles, was significantly increased for cases compared with controls [odds ratio (OR) 1.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60-2.47]. The association between cluster membership and case-control status persisted after adjusting for maternal age and education (adjusted OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.66-2.61). Conclusions: Our data suggest that early childhood weight-for-age trajectories are associated with severe obesity status in adult life. Our results add to growing evidence that it is critical to prevent excess early childhood weight gain.

Estimate of Growth Parameters of Penaeus kerathurus (Forskäl, 1775) (Crustacea, Penaeidae) in the Northern Adriatic Sea

Crustacean fisheries are gaining prominence globally amid a decline in finfish stocks. Some decapod crustacean species have experienced increased landings in response to shifting market demands and environmental dynamics. Notably, the caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus-Forskål, 1775) in the northern Adriatic Sea, Geographical Sub Area (GSA) 17, has risen in both landings and economic importance in recent years. However, despite its significance, comprehensive information on fishery-dependent data, age, and growth in this region remains lacking. To address this gap, this study employs modal progression analysis and the ELEFAN approach, utilizing the "TropFishR" R package and newly developed functions, including bootstrapping procedures. These advancements aim to overcome issues identified in previous versions and enhance the accuracy and reliability of age and growth estimations. The study leverages one year of monthly length-frequency distributions (LFDs) collected from commercial bottom trawls in the northern Adriatic Sea. The results of the analysis confirm the presence of sexual dimorphism in the caramote prawn species, with females exhibiting faster growth rates compared to males. Additionally, the growth performance index supports this observation, further underscoring the importance of accounting for sexual dimorphism in growth modeling and fisheries management strategies. By contributing to a growing body of knowledge on the growth dynamics of the caramote prawn, this study provides valuable insights for sustainable fisheries management in the northern Adriatic Sea. Understanding the age and growth patterns of key crustacean species is essential for developing effective conservation measures and ensuring the long-term health and productivity of marine ecosystems. The findings of this study serve as a foundation for informed decision-making and proactive management practices aimed at preserving the ecological integrity and economic viability of crustacean fisheries in the region.

Strain-Specific Benefits of Bacillus Probiotics in Hybrid Grouper: Growth Enhancement, Metabolic Health, Immune Modulation, and Vibrio harveyi Resistance

In the realm of modern aquaculture, the utilization of probiotics has gained prominence, primarily due to their ability to enhance growth, boost immunity, and prevent diseases in aquatic species. This study primarily investigates the efficacy of Bacillus subtilis strains, both host-derived and from other sources, in influencing fish growth, immunity, lipid metabolism, and disease resistance. Employing a 42-day feeding trial, we divided hybrid grouper into four distinct groups: a control group on a basal diet and three experimental groups supplemented with 1 × 108 CFU/g of different Bacillus subtilis strains-BS, 6-3-1, and HAINUP40. Remarkably, the study demonstrated that the 6-3-1 and HAINUP40 groups exhibited significant enhancements across key growth parameters: final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), feed intake (FI), feed efficiency ratio (FER), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The investigation into lipid metabolism revealed that the 6-3-1 strain upregulated seven metabolism-related genes, HAINUP40 affected four metabolism-related genes, and the BS strain influenced two metabolism-related genes, indicating diverse metabolic impacts by different strains. Further, a notable reduction in liver enzymes AST and ALT was observed across all supplemented groups, implying improved liver health. Noteworthy was the BS strain's superior antioxidative capabilities, positively affecting all four measured parameters (CAT, GSH-Px, MDA). In the sphere of immune-related gene expression, the BS strain significantly decreased the expression of both inflammation and apoptosis-related genes, whereas the HAINUP40 strain demonstrated an upregulation in these genes. The challenge test results were particularly telling, showcasing improved survival rates against Vibrio harveyi infection in the BS and 6-3-1 groups, unlike the HAINUP40 group. These outcomes highlight the strain-specific nature of probiotics and their varying mechanisms of action within the host. In conclusion, this study reveals that probiotic strains, varying by source, demonstrate unique, strain-specific effects in promoting growth and modulating immunity in hybrid grouper. This research highlights the promise of tailored probiotic applications in improving aquaculture practices. Such advancements contribute to more sustainable and efficient fish farming methods.

Leaf Traits Explain the Growth Variation and Nitrogen Response of Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis and Dalbergia odorifera in Mixed Culture

Mixed cultivation with legumes may alleviate the nitrogen (N) limitation of monoculture Eucalyptus. However, how leaf functional traits respond to N in mixed cultivation with legumes and how they affect tree growth are unclear. Thus, this study investigated the response of leaf functional traits of Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis (E. urophylla × E. grandis) and Dalbergia odorifera (D. odorifera) to mixed culture and N application, as well as the regulatory pathways of key traits on seedling growth. In this study, a pot-controlled experiment was set up, and seedling growth indicators, leaf physiology, morphological parameters, and N content were collected and analyzed after 180 days of N application treatment. The results indicated that mixed culture improved the N absorption and photosynthetic rate of E. urophylla × E. grandis, further promoting seedling growth but inhibiting the photosynthetic process of D. odorifera, reducing its growth and biomass. Redundancy analysis and path analysis revealed that leaf nitrogen content, pigment content, and photosynthesis-related physiological indicators were the traits most directly related to seedling growth and biomass accumulation, with the net photosynthetic rate explaining 50.9% and 55.8% of the variation in growth indicators for E. urophylla × E. grandis and D. odorifera, respectively. Additionally, leaf morphological traits are related to the trade-off strategy exhibited by E. urophylla × E. grandis and D. odorifera based on N competition. This study demonstrated that physiological traits related to photosynthesis are reliable predictors of N nutrition and tree growth in mixed stands, while leaf morphological traits reflect the resource trade-off strategies of different tree species.

Effect of Addition of a Mixture of Ethyl Esters of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid of Linseed Oil to Liquid Feed on Performance and Health of Dairy Calves

This study aimed to determine the effect of supplementing liquid feeds with a mixture of ethyl esters of polyunsaturated fatty acid of linseed oil (EEPUFA; α-linolenic acid-64.5%, linoleic acid-16.1%, and oleic acid-19.4%) on feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, and health of dairy calves. Thirty-six healthy female Holstein-Friesian calves (7 d of age, 41.2 ± 4.0 kg) were assigned to one of two treatment groups (18 calves per group), i.e., control or EEPUFA, and fed liquid feed (whole milk (WM) or milk replacer (MR)) either without or with 10 mL/d of EEPUFA supplementation, respectively, for 56 days (till 63 d of age). Average daily intake of WM and MR was similar between treatments (p = 0.94). Average daily total DM intake and average daily starter feed DM intake were higher for the EEPUFA group (p = 0.05 and p = 0.01, respectively). The average daily body weight gain was also higher for the EEPUFA group (55 g/d; p = 0.03), although final body weight turned out not to be significantly different between groups (75.6 kg vs. 79.0 kg, control vs. EEPUFA, respectively; p = 0.20). Supplementation of liquid feeds with EEPUFA did not affect feed efficiency (p = 0.37) and most of investigated health parameters. However, the percentage of days with diarrhea relative to the number of days receiving treatment was higher in the control group than the EEPUFA group (76 vs. 42, respectively; p = 0.04). Although the results of this preliminary study are promising, further research is needed to establish the dose effect of EEPUFA on the performance and health of calves.

Physiological adaptation to irradiance in duckweeds is species and accession specific and depends on light habitat niche

Duckweeds span 36 species of free-floating aquatic organisms with body sizes ranging from 2 mm to 10 mm, where each plant body plan is reduced to a largely leaf-like structure. As an emerging crop, their fast growth rates offer potential for cultivation in closed systems. We describe a novel UK collection derived from low light (dLL) or high light (dHL) habitats, profiled for growth, photosynthesis, and photoprotection (non-photochemical quenching, NPQ) responses. Twenty-three accessions of three Lemna species and one Spirodela polyrhiza were grown under relatively low light (LL: 100 μmol m-2 s-1) and high light (HL: 350 μmol m-2 s-1) intensities. We observed broad within- and between-species level variation in photosynthesis acclimation. Duckweeds grown under HL exhibited a lower growth rate, biomass, chlorophyll, and quantum yield of photosynthesis. In HL compared with LL, carotenoid de-epoxidation state and NPQ were higher, whilst PSII efficiency (φPSII) and Chl a:b ratios were unchanged. The dLL plants showed relatively stronger acclimation to HL compared with dHL plants, especially Lemna japonica accessions. These achieved faster growth in HL with concurrent higher carotenoid levels and NPQ, and less degradation of chlorophyll. We conclude that these data support local adaptation to the light environment in duckweed affecting acclimation in controlled conditions.

Advancements in CHO metabolomics: techniques, current state and evolving methodologies

Background: Investigating the metabolic behaviour of different cellular phenotypes, i.e., good/bad grower and/or producer, in production culture is important to identify the key metabolite(s)/pathway(s) that regulate cell growth and/or recombinant protein production to improve the overall yield. Currently, LC-MS, GC-MS and NMR are the most used and advanced technologies for investigating the metabolome. Although contributed significantly in the domain, each technique has its own biasness towards specific metabolites or class of metabolites due to various reasons including variability in the concept of working, sample preparation, metabolite-extraction methods, metabolite identification tools, and databases. As a result, the application of appropriate analytical technique(s) is very critical. Purpose and scope: This review provides a state-of-the-art technological insights and overview of metabolic mechanisms involved in regulation of cell growth and/or recombinant protein production for improving yield from CHO cultures. Summary and conclusion: In this review, the advancements in CHO metabolomics over the last 10 years are traced based on a bibliometric analysis of previous publications and discussed. With the technical advancement in the domain of LC-MS, GC-MS and NMR, metabolites of glycolytic and nucleotide biosynthesis pathway (glucose, fructose, pyruvate and phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, arginine, valine, asparagine, and serine, etc.) were observed to be upregulated in exponential-phase thereby potentially associated with cell growth regulation, whereas metabolites/intermediates of TCA, oxidative phosphorylation (aspartate, glutamate, succinate, malate, fumarate and citrate), intracellular NAD+/NADH ratio, and glutathione metabolic pathways were observed to be upregulated in stationary-phase and hence potentially associated with increased cell-specific productivity in CHO bioprocess. Moreover, each of technique has its own bias towards metabolite identification, indicating their complementarity, along with a number of critical gaps in the CHO metabolomics pipeline and hence first time discussed here to identify their potential remedies. This knowledge may help in future study designs to improve the metabolomic coverage facilitating identification of the metabolites/pathways which might get missed otherwise and explore the full potential of metabolomics for improving the CHO bioprocess performances.

Gene expression analyses of GH/IGF axis in triploid crucian carp with growth heterosis

Hybridization and polyploid breeding are the main approaches used to obtain new aquaculture varieties. Allotriploid crucian carp (3n) with rapid growth performance was generated by mating red crucian carp (RCC) with allotetraploids (4n). Fish growth is controlled by the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis. In the present study, we examined the expression characteristics of GH/IGF axis genes in hybrids F1, 4n, 3n, RCC and common carp (CC). The results showed that GHRa, GHRb, IGF1, IGF2, and IGF-1Ra were highly expressed in 3n compared with RCC and CC, whereas IGF3 was undetectable in the liver in RCC, CC and 3n. GHRa and GHRb had low expression in the 4n group. In hybrid F1, GHRa expression was low, whereas GHRb was highly expressed compared to the levels in RCC and CC. Moreover, in hybrid F1, the expression of IGF3 was higher, and the expression of IGF1 and IGF2 was lower than that in the RCC and CC, whereas the expression of IGF-1Ra was similar to that in RCC and CC. For the IGFBP genes, IGFBP1 had higher expression in 3n compared than that in RCC and CC, while other IGFBP genes were not high expressed in 3n. Among the genes detected in this study, 11 genes were nonadditively expressed in 3n, with 5 genes in the transgressive upregulation model. We proposed that the 11 nonadditive expression of GH/IGF axis genes is related to growth heterosis in 3n. This evidence provides new insights into hybridization and polyploid breeding from the perspective of hormone regulation.

Hypothyroxinemia and weight velocity in preterm infants

OBJECTIVES

Hypothyroxinemia of prematurity (HOP) is characterized by low free thyroxine (FT4) associated with low or normal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The objective of this study is to define FT4 and TSH values in very preterm infants (<32 weeks postmenstrual age, PMA) and correlate hypothyroxinemia and levothyroxine treatment with growth velocity at 28 days and 36 weeks PMA.

METHODS

Preterm neonates <32 weeks PMA admitted to the regional neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Children's Hospital of Georgia (USA) between January 2010 and July 2022 were routinely screened for hypothyroxinemia. FT4 and TSH values were obtained on 589 eligible neonates between day of life (DOL) 4 and 14. Growth velocity (g/kg/day) from DOL 14 to DOL 28 and 36-weeks PMA were calculated for each neonate and potential explanatory variables (PMA, sex, and race) were incorporated into multivariate regression models to identify associations between HOP and growth velocity.

RESULTS

In 589 preterm infants, PMA at birth was strongly associated inversely with FT4 (R=0.5845) and modestly with TSH (R=0.2740). Both FT4 and gestational age, but not TSH or levothyroxine treatment, were associated with growth velocity at 28 days of life and at 36 weeks PMA.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide a large data set for identifying FT4 and TSH measurements and identify hypothyroxinemia of prematurity as a potential mediator of slow postnatal growth in very preterm infants.

A Dimensional Analysis of School Connectedness in Adolescents Newly Diagnosed With Cancer

Background: Adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer must navigate medical, psychosocial, and educational issues when confronting this life-threatening illness. Frequent hospitalizations and intense therapy disrupt attendance at school and social events. Research supports that school connectedness is a protective factor associated with improved adolescent health, psychological, and academic outcomes. However, this phenomenon is understudied in adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer. Method: This qualitative inquiry used a dimensional analysis method to uncover the nature of school connectedness in adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer prior to school reentry. Semistructured interviews with 19 adolescents explored school relationships and experiences at the time of cancer diagnosis. Data collection and inductive analysis occurred simultaneously. Results: Analysis revealed four key dimensions: "School Days and Ways," "The Boom," "The Pause," and "Connection Reconciliation: Me, You, and Learning." Additionally, "Social Scenes," "Shared Experiences," and "Seeing and Being With" emerged as subdimensions of "School Days and Ways." All adolescents in this study described being negatively impacted by the cancer experience with universal disruption in school relationships and diminished school connections. However, the desire to restore unraveled or broken relationships and reconcile connections with self, others from the school, and learning were highly salient. Discussion: This research uncovers the meaning and context of school connectedness prior to and following a cancer diagnosis, illuminating a deeper understanding of the impact of a cancer diagnosis on adolescents, school relationships, and learning. The findings provide direction in supporting adolescents as they confront the physical, psychosocial, and educational disruptions caused by their cancer.

YAP1-induced RBM24 promotes the tumorigenesis of triple-negative breast cancer through the β-catenin pathway

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype and refractory to current treatments. RBM24 is an RNA-binding protein and shows the ability to regulate tumor progression in multiple cancer types. However, its role in TNBC is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed publicly available profiling data from TNBC tissues and cells. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments were performed to determine the function of RBM24 in TNBC cells. The mechanism for RBM24 action in TNBC was investigated. RBM24 was deregulated in TNBC tissues and TNBC cells with depletion of SIPA1, YAP1, or ARID1A, three key regulators of TNBC. Compared to MCF10A breast epithelial cells, TNBC cells had higher levels of RBM24. Knockdown of RBM24 inhibited TNBC cell proliferation, colony formation, and tumorigenesis, while overexpression of RBM24 promoted aggressive phenotype in TNBC cells. YAP1 overexpression induced the expression of RBM24 and the RBM24 promoter-driven luciferase reporter. YAP1 was enriched at the promoter region of RBM24. Overexpression of RBM24 increased β-catenin-dependent transcriptional activity. Most importantly, knockdown of CTNNB1 rescued RBM24 aggressive phenotype in TNBC cells. Collectively, the YAP1/RBM24/β-catenin axis plays a critical role in driving TNBC progression. RBM24 may represent a novel therapeutic target for TNBC treatment.

The impact of dietary supplementation of polysaccharide derived from Polygonatum sibiricum on growth, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, digestive physiology, and gut microbiota in broiler chickens

Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP) has demonstrated diverse medicinal properties, extensively researched for human applications. Nonetheless, there is a lack of studies investigating the potential advantages of PSP in poultry farming. The present study investigated the impact of incorporating PSP into broiler diets on their growth performance, meat quality, blood metabolites, antioxidative status, and ileal histomorphology. Two hundred and forty-one-day-old male Ross-308 broiler chicks (44.98 ± 0.79 g) were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups, with 8 replicates of 10 birds each. The birds were fed diets supplemented with PSP at 0, 400, and 800 mg/kg (control, PSP400, and PSP800, respectively). The results revealed a linear (P > 0.05) improvement in body weight gain, European production efficiency index, and feed conversion ratio during the grower (22-35 d) and overall periods (1-35 d). The pH levels in the ingluvies, ileum, and cecum exhibited a linear reduction (P > 0.05) in the PSP800 group at d 21 and d 35, respectively. Villus height and crypt depth were increased in the PSP400 and PSP800 groups compared to the control group. PSP400 and PSP800 groups exhibited decreased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels and increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) at 21 d, while at 35 d, TAC and sulfhydryl concentrations were elevated, and H2O2 was reduced only in the PSP800 group compared to the untreated one. No significant variations between the groups at the phylum and genus levels were observed, with Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes being the dominant phyla. However, PSP supplementation notably augmented Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobiota while reducing Euryarchaeota and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, there was an increase in Akkermansia, Alistipes, CHKCI001, Erysipelatoclostridium, and a decrease in Methanobrevibacter. Conclusively, incorporating PSP into broiler diets, particularly at a dosage of 800 mg/kg, improved growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal architecture and resulted in alterations in cecal microbiota without discernible impacts on digestive function and meat quality criteria.

UV-A radiation increases biomass yield by enhancing energy flow and carbon assimilation in the edible cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides

Ultraviolet (UV) A radiation (315-400 nm) is the predominant component of solar UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. However, the underlying mechanisms of the positive effects of UV-A on photosynthetic organisms have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of UV-A radiation on the growth, photosynthetic ability, and metabolome of the edible cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides. Exposures to 5-15 W m-2 (15-46 µmol photons m-2 s-1) UV-A and 4.35 W m-2 (20 μmol photons m-2 s-1) visible light for 16 days significantly increased the growth rate and biomass production of N. sphaeroides cells by 18%-30% and 15%-56%, respectively, compared to the non-UV-A-acclimated cells. Additionally, the UV-A-acclimated cells exhibited a 1.8-fold increase in the cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) pool with an increase in photosynthetic capacity (58%), photosynthetic efficiency (24%), QA re-oxidation, photosystem I abundance, and cyclic electron flow (87%), which further led to an increase in light-induced NADPH generation (31%) and ATP content (83%). Moreover, the UV-A-acclimated cells showed a 2.3-fold increase in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity, indicating an increase in their carbon-fixing capacity. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics further revealed that UV-A radiation upregulated the energy-storing carbon metabolism, as evidenced by the enhanced accumulation of sugars, fatty acids, and citrate in the UV-A-acclimated cells. Therefore, our results demonstrate that UV-A radiation enhances energy flow and carbon assimilation in the cyanobacterium N. sphaeroides.IMPORTANCEUltraviolet (UV) radiation exerts harmful effects on photo-autotrophs; however, several studies demonstrated the positive effects of UV radiation, especially UV-A radiation (315-400 nm), on primary productivity. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms associated with the promotive effects of UV-A radiation on primary productivity can facilitate the application of UV-A for CO2 sequestration and lead to the advancement of photobiological sciences. In this study, we used the cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides, which has an over 1,700-year history of human use as food and medicine, to explore its photosynthetic acclimation response to UV-A radiation. As per our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that UV-A radiation increases the biomass yield of N. sphaeroides by enhancing energy flow and carbon assimilation. Our findings provide novel insights into UV-A-mediated photosynthetic acclimation and provide a scientific basis for the application of UV-A radiation for optimizing light absorption capacity and enhancing CO2 sequestration in the frame of a future CO2 neutral, circular, and sustainable bioeconomy.

Replacing alfalfa hay with a novel alfalfa leaf pellet product (ProLEAF MAX) and/or alfalfa stems (ProFiber Plus) in the diet of developing dairy heifers alters dry matter intake, but does not negatively impact growth or development

Alfalfa is a commonly grown forage in the Intermountain West region of the United States and is often included in the diet of dairy cattle. Alfalfa provides a variety of different nutrients, but the nutrient content of alfalfa varies depending on factors such as the soil, region, cutting, and climate. However, alfalfa leaves tend to have less variation in their nutrient content than alfalfa stems. Fractionating alfalfa may be one way to improve control of nutrients provided when developing a ration for developing dairy heifers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether including fractionated alfalfa in the diet impacts the growth or conception rates of developing dairy heifers. Heifers were allocated to one of three treatments: a control group fed a typical diet (CON; n = 8), a diet that replaced alfalfa with fractionated alfalfa leaf pellets and alfalfa stems (ProLEAF MAX + ProFiber Plus; PLM + PFP; n = 8), or a diet that replaced alfalfa with alfalfa stems (PFP; n = 8) for 85 d. Heifers were fed individually twice daily and weight, hip height (HH), and wither height (WH) were recorded every 14 d. Additionally, blood was collected every 28 d, and conception rates were recorded at the end of the trial. Heifers receiving the PFP diet consumed less dry matter (P = 0.001) than the CON treatment. Analyses were then conducted to determine nutrient intake and heifers receiving the PFP diet also consumed less neutral detergent fiber (P = 0.02), acid detergent fiber (P = 0.02), crude protein (P = 0.001), and net energy for maintenance (P = 0.001) than heifers consuming the CON diet; however, no differences (P > 0.10) were observed between heifers fed the CON and PLM + PFP diets. Analysis of body weight gain over the feeding period showed no difference (P = 0.52) among heifers consuming the different treatment diets. Additionally, treatment did not affect average daily gain (P = 0.49), gain:feed (P = 0.82), HH gain (P = 0.20), or WH gain (P = 0.44) among heifers receiving different diets. Treatment × time altered (P < 0.001) blood urea nitrogen when analyzed as a repeated measure. Total feed cost was lowest (P < 0.001) for the PFP diet and cost of gain tended (P = 0.09) to be increased for the PLM + PFP diet compared to the CON diet. Overall, these data indicate that including alfalfa stems in a developing heifer diet may decrease dry matter intake, lower input costs, and increase profitability, without negatively impacting growth.

Novel 4th-generation phytase improves broiler growth performance and reduces woody breast severity through modulation of muscle glucose uptake and metabolism

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of a novel (4th generation) phytase supplementation as well as its mode of action on growth, meat quality, and incidence of muscle myopathies. One-day old male broilers (n = 720) were weighed and randomly allocated to 30 floor pens (24 birds/pen) with 10 replicate pens per treatment. Three diets were fed from hatch to 56- days-old: a 3-phase corn-soy based diet as a positive control (PC); a negative control (NC) formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous to the PC and with a reduction in Ca and available P, respectively; and the NC supplemented with 2,000 phytase units per kg of diet (NC + P). At the conclusion of the experiment, birds fed with NC + P diet were significantly heavier and had 2.1- and 4.2-points better feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to birds offered NC and PC diets, respectively. Processing data showed that phytase supplementation increased live weight, hot carcass without giblets, wings, tender, and skin-on drum and thigh compared to both NC and PC diets. Macroscopic scoring showed that birds fed the NC + P diet had lower woody breast (WB) severity compared to those fed the PC and NC diets, however there was no effect on white striping (WS) incidence and meat quality parameters (pH, drip loss, meat color). To delineate its mode of action, iSTAT showed that blood glucose concentrations were significantly lower in birds fed NC + P diet compared to those offered PC and NC diets, suggesting a better glucose uptake. In support, molecular analyses demonstrated that the breast muscle expression (mRNA and protein) of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and glucokinase (GK) was significantly upregulated in birds fed NC + P diet compared to those fed the NC and PC diets. The expression of mitochondrial ATP synthase F0 subunit 8 (MT-ATP8) was significantly upregulated in NC + P compared to other groups, indicating intracellular ATP abundance for anabolic pathways. This was confirmed by the reduced level of phosphorylated-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPKα1/2) at Thr172 site, upregulation of glycogen synthase (GYS1) gene and activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (mTOR-P70S6K) pathway. In conclusion, this is the first report showing that in-feed supplementation of the novel phytase improves growth performance and reduces WB severity in broilers potentially through enhancement of glucose uptake, glycolysis, and intracellular ATP production, which used for muscle glycogenesis and protein synthesis.

Early ontogenesis from embryo to juvenile in Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis under laboratory conditions

Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis, is a flatfish of high commercial value in the world. It has been identified as an interesting and promising species for marine commercial aquaculture diversification in Europe for at least four decades and was introduced to China in 2003. Early ontogenesis from embryo to juvenile stages in S. senegalensis was analysed under controlled laboratory conditions to provide morphological information for aquaculture. From 0 to 59 days post hatching (dph), 10-20 larvae were sampled and measured each day (0-17 dph) or every 2-6 days (17-59 dph). Morphological characteristics from the egg to the juvenile stage were described. The eggs were separate and spherical with multiple oil globules. After 3 dph, the yolk sac was completely absorbed, mouth and anus were open, a swim bladder appeared, and larvae began feeding on rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis). The larvae began metamorphosis as the notochord flexed upward and the left eye migrated upward after 10 dph. The left eye migrated to the dorsal midline at 15 dph. At 19 dph, the left eye was translocated to the right-ocular side, and the juveniles adopted a benthic lifestyle. The swim bladder degenerated, and the juveniles completed metamorphosis at 23 dph. The growth patterns of some parameters (TL, SL, BH, BW) during larval and juvenile development stages were identified. The inflection points, which are slopes of growth changes, were calculated in growth curves. Three inflection points occurring in the growth curves of larvae and juveniles were found to be associated with metamorphosis, weaning, and transitions in feeding habits. The basic information of embryo development and ontogenesis in this study represents a valuable contribution to the S. senegalensis industry, especially in artificial breeding and rearing techniques.

Drought Stress Responses in Arabica Coffee Genotypes: Physiological and Metabolic Insights

Understanding the impact of drought stress on Arabica coffee physiology and metabolism is essential in the pursuit of developing drought-resistant varieties. In this study, we explored the physiological and metabolite changes in coffee genotypes exhibiting varying degrees of tolerance to drought-namely, the relatively tolerant Ca74110 and Ca74112, and the sensitive Ca754 and CaJ-19 genotypes-under well-watered conditions and during terminal drought stress periods at two time points (0 and 60 days following the onset of stress). The metabolite profiling uncovered significant associations between the growth and the physiological characteristics of coffee genotypes with distinct drought tolerance behaviors. Initially, no marked differences were observed among the genotypes or treatments. However, at the 60-day post-drought onset time point, notably higher shoot growth, biomass, CO2 assimilation, pigments, and various physiological parameters were evident, particularly in the relatively tolerant genotypes. The metabolite profiling revealed elevations in glucose, maltose, amino acids, and organic acids, and decreases in other metabolites. These alterations were more pronounced in the drought-tolerant genotypes, indicating a correlation between enhanced compatible solutes and energy-associated metabolites crucial for drought tolerance mechanisms. This research introduces GC-MS-based metabolome profiling to the study of Ethiopian coffee, shedding light on its intricate responses to drought stress and paving the way for the potential development of drought-resistant coffee seedlings in intensified agro-ecological zones.

Minipuberty in Male Full-term Neonates Appropriate and Small for Gestational Age and in Preterm Babies: Data from a Single Centre

Objective

The postnatal activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is usually known as “minipuberty”. There are still open questions about its biological function and significance depending on sex, gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) with few available longitudinal data.

Methods

A single-centre, longitudinal study to quantify urinary follicle stimulating hormone (uFSH), luteinizing hormone (uLH) and testosterone (uTs) in male neonates. Neonates were enrolled and stratified into three subgroups: full-term boys appropriate for GA (FT AGA); FT boys with BW ≤3rd centile [FT small for gestational age (SGA)]; and preterm (PT) boys ≤33 weeks of GA. Urinary hormones were correlated to simultaneous auxological parameters, linear growth and external genitalia at scheduled time-points.

Results

Forty-six boys were recruited, with subgroup sizes FT AGA n=23, FT SGA n=11 and PT n=12. PT boys display a pulsatile pattern of urinary gonadotropins (uGns) with higher levels of uLH and a gradual increase of uTs. Testicular descent started from 29-32 weeks with the peak of uTs. During the first 12-months post-term age (PTA), FT AGA boys displayed a better linear growth (p<0.05). PT showed higher uGns levels until 3-months PTA. PT babies had higher uLH levels than FT AGA, with a peak at 7 and 30 days, during the first 90 days of life (p<0.001) and higher uTs levels. Correlation analysis between penile growth of all neonates and uTs was significant (p=0.04) but not within subgroups.

Conclusion

This study investigated postnatal HPG axis activation in term and PT infants. Minipuberty may involve an early window of opportunity to evaluate the functionality of the HPG axis. Further studies with a long-term follow-up are needed with a special focus on possible consequences of GA and BW.

A novel imaging method (FIM-ID) reveals that myofibrillogenesis plays a major role in the mechanically induced growth of skeletal muscle

An increase in mechanical loading, such as that which occurs during resistance exercise, induces radial growth of muscle fibers (i.e. an increase in cross-sectional area). Muscle fibers are largely composed of myofibrils, but whether radial growth is mediated by an increase in the size of the myofibrils (i.e. myofibril hypertrophy) and/or the number of myofibrils (i.e. myofibrillogenesis) is not known. Electron microscopy (EM) can provide images with the level of resolution that is needed to address this question, but the acquisition and subsequent analysis of EM images is a time- and cost-intensive process. To overcome this, we developed a novel method for visualizing myofibrils with a standard fluorescence microscope (fluorescence imaging of myofibrils with image deconvolution [FIM-ID]). Images from FIM-ID have a high degree of resolution and contrast, and these properties enabled us to develop pipelines for automated measurements of myofibril size and number. After extensively validating the automated measurements, we used both mouse and human models of increased mechanical loading to discover that the radial growth of muscle fibers is largely mediated by myofibrillogenesis. Collectively, the outcomes of this study offer insight into a fundamentally important topic in the field of muscle growth and provide future investigators with a time- and cost-effective means to study it.

Sirtuin 1 serum concentration in healthy children - dependence on sex, age, stage of puberty, body weight and diet

Introduction

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is known to be involved in sensing cellular energy levels and regulating energy metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate fasting serum SIRT1 levels in healthy children, and to analyse the influence of age, sex, puberty, body weight, height, and diet on its concentration.

Methods

47 healthy children aged 4-14 with weight and height within normal range and no chronic disease were included into the study. Fasting serum SIRT1 concentrations were estimated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Results

Results showed that serum SIRT1 concentrations in healthy children did not differ with respect to sex, age, height, weight and puberty. Whereas, it appeared that a higher frequency of fruits, vegetables and dairy products consumption was associated with an increase in serum SIRT1 levels.

Discussion

Studying SIRT1 in the context of children's health may have implications for a broader understanding of growth processes, pubertal development, metabolic disorders and nutrition.

Knockdown of Kmt2d leads to growth impairment by activating the Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway

The KMT2D variant-caused Kabuki syndrome (KS) is characterized by short stature as a prominent clinical characteristic. The initiation and progression of body growth are fundamentally influenced by chondrocyte proliferation. Uncertainty persists regarding the possibility that KMT2D deficiency affects growth by impairing chondrocyte proliferation. In this study, we used the CRISPR/Cas13d technique to knockdown kmt2d in zebrafish embryos and lentivirus to create a stable Kmt2d gene knockdown cell line in chondrocytes (ATDC5 cells). We also used CCK8 and flow cytometric studies, respectively, to determine proliferation and cell cycle state. The relative concentrations of phosphorylated Akt (ser473), phosphorylated β-catenin (ser552), and cyclin D1 proteins in chondrocytes and zebrafish embryos were determined by using western blots. In addition, Akt inhibition was used to rescue the phenotypes caused by kmt2d deficiency in chondrocytes, as well as a zebrafish model that was generated. The results showed that a knockdown of kmt2d significantly decreased body length and resulted in aberrant cartilage development in zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, the knockdown of Kmt2d in ATDC5 cells markedly increased proliferation and accelerated the G1/S transition. In addition, the knockdown of Kmt2d resulted in the activation of the Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway in ATDC5 cells. Finally, Akt inhibition could partly rescue body length and chondrocyte development in the zebrafish model. Our study demonstrated that KMT2D modulates bone growth conceivably via regulation of the Akt/β-catenin pathway.

Corrigendum: Future impact of thymoquinone-loaded nanoemulsion in rabbits: prospects for enhancing growth, immunity, antioxidant potential and resistance against Pasteurella multocida

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1340964.].

Early life events associated with first lactation reproductive performance in southwest Victorian pasture-based dairy herds

This was a prospective cohort study to determine how events from birth until first calving affect reproductive performance in the first lactation in pasture-based dairy herds in Victoria, Australia. Events during the preweaning (0 to 84 days), weaning to first breeding (85 to 473 days) and first breeding to first calving periods (474 to 804 days) were recorded and their association with reproductive performance during the first lactation was quantified. Reproductive performance outcomes included the number of days from first mating start date to first service (MSD-S1) and the number of days from first mating start date to first conception (MSD-CON). Predictors for reproductive performance included: passive transfer status as a calf; season of birth; age and breed of the dam; breed; the presence or absence of dystocia at the time of the heifer's birth; active feeding of colostrum versus being left on the dam for colostrum intake; presence of twinning; the presence or absence of preweaning diarrhoea; preweaning, prepubertal and postpubertal average daily gain; the presence or absence of periparturient disease at first calving; age at first calving; body condition score at first calving; sex of the first-born calf; the presence or absence of a stillborn calf at the first calving and requirement of assistance at first calving. Two Cox proportional hazards regression models were developed: the first for early life event variables associated with MSD-S1 and the second for early life events associated with MSD-CON. Heifers born in autumn and winter had 2.89 (95% CI 1.50 to 5.59, P = 0.002) times and 1.97 (95% CI 1.12 to 3.44, P = 0.018) times the daily hazard of being inseminated compared with heifers born in spring, respectively. For the MSD-S1 analyses heifers that gave birth to a live calf had 1.64 (95% CI 1.14 to 2.36, P = 0.008) times the daily hazard of being inseminated compared with heifers that had a stillborn calf. Increases in weight gain during the first breeding to first calving period by 0.1 kg/day increments increased the daily hazard of first insemination by a factor of 1.10 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.22, P = 0.043). Heifers that experienced periparturient disease had a significantly lower hazard of conception per day compared with heifers that did not experience periparturient disease at the first calving (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.91, P = 0.009). Increases in weight gain during the first breeding to first calving period by 0.1 kg/day increased the daily hazard of conception by a factor of 1.10 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.21, P = 0.038). We conclude that of all the growth periods assessed in this study, events that occurred during the first breeding to first calving period (474 to 804 days) had the greatest association with reproductive performance in the first lactation. There should be a focus on increasing growth rates during this period and reducing the risk of stillbirth and periparturient disease to improve reproductive performance in the subsequent mating period after calving.

Human lower leg muscles grow asynchronously

Muscle volume must increase substantially during childhood growth to generate the power required to propel the growing body. One unresolved but fundamental question about childhood muscle growth is whether muscles grow at equal rates; that is, if muscles grow in synchrony with each other. In this study, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and advances in artificial intelligence methods (deep learning) for medical image segmentation to investigate whether human lower leg muscles grow in synchrony. Muscle volumes were measured in 10 lower leg muscles in 208 typically developing children (eight infants aged less than 3 months and 200 children aged 5 to 15 years). We tested the hypothesis that human lower leg muscles grow synchronously by investigating whether the volume of individual lower leg muscles, expressed as a proportion of total lower leg muscle volume, remains constant with age. There were substantial age-related changes in the relative volume of most muscles in both boys and girls (p < 0.001). This was most evident between birth and five years of age but was still evident after five years. The medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, the largest muscles in infancy, grew faster than other muscles in the first five years. The findings demonstrate that muscles in the human lower leg grow asynchronously. This finding may assist early detection of atypical growth and allow targeted muscle-specific interventions to improve the quality of life, particularly for children with neuromotor conditions such as cerebral palsy.

Evaluating the effects of tannic acid on rabbit growth performance, digestibility, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology and caecal fermentation and microbiota

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dietary supplementation with tannic acid (TA) on the growth performance, digestibility, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology and the caecal fermentation and microbiota in rabbits. A total number of 120 Ira rabbits (30 days of age) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatment groups: TA 0 (control), TA 0.75, TA 1.5 and TA 3, administered basal diets with 0, 0.75, 1.5 and 3 g TA/kg of feed for 28 days. Compared to the control group, dietary 3 g TA/kg inclusion decreased the average daily feed intake (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the digestibility among the groups (p > 0.05). Serum total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in the 3 g/kg TA group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in the concentration of propionic acid and butyric acid in the 3 g/kg TA group. The addition of TA had no effect on villus height and crypt depth of small intestine (p > 0.05). The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing results showed that at the phylum level, dietary 3 g/kg TA increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes in the caecum of rabbits (p < 0.05). Based on the results, dietary TA is effective in antioxidant capacity of rabbits, improving caecal fermentation and optimizing the caecal microflora. However, the appropriate dosage supplementation of TA in rabbits needs further research.

A COMPASS histone H3K4 trimethyltransferase pentamer transactivates drought tolerance and growth/biomass production in Populus trichocarpa

Histone H3 lysine-4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) activating drought-responsive genes in plants for drought adaptation has long been established, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms are unknown. Here, using yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, biochemical analyses, transient and CRISPR-mediated transgenesis in Populus trichocarpa, we unveiled in this adaptation a regulatory interplay between chromatin regulation and gene transactivation mediated by an epigenetic determinant, a PtrSDG2-1-PtrCOMPASS (complex proteins associated with Set1)-like H3K4me3 complex, PtrSDG2-1-PtrWDR5a-1-PtrRbBP5-1-PtrAsh2-2 (PtrSWRA). Under drought conditions, a transcription factor PtrAREB1-2 interacts with PtrSWRA, forming a PtrSWRA-PtrAREB1-2 pentamer, to recruit PtrSWRA to specific promoter elements of drought-tolerant genes, such as PtrHox2, PtrHox46, and PtrHox52, for depositing H3K4me3 to promote and maintain activated state of such genes for tolerance. CRISPR-edited defects in the pentamer impaired drought tolerance and elevated expression of PtrHox2, PtrHox46, or PtrHox52 improved the tolerance as well as growth in P. trichocarpa. Our findings revealed the identity of the underlying H3K4 trimethyltransferase and its interactive arrangement with the COMPASS for catalysis specificity and efficiency. Furthermore, our study uncovered how the H3K4 trimethyltransferase-COMPASS complex is recruited to the effector genes for elevating H3K4me3 marks for improved drought tolerance and growth/biomass production in plants.

Genetic diversity, growth and heart function of Auckland Island pigs, a potential source for organ xenotransplantation

One of the prerequisites for successful organ xenotransplantation is a reasonable size match between the porcine organ and the recipient's organ to be replaced. Therefore, the selection of a suitable genetic background of source pigs is important. In this study, we investigated body and organ growth, cardiac function, and genetic diversity of a colony of Auckland Island pigs established at the Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich. Male and female Auckland Island pig kidney cells (selected to be free of porcine endogenous retrovirus C) were imported from New Zealand, and founder animals were established by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Morphologically, Auckland Island pigs have smaller body stature compared to many domestic pig breeds, rendering their organ dimensions well-suited for human transplantation. Furthermore, echocardiography assessments of Auckland Island pig hearts indicated normal structure and functioning across various age groups throughout the study. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis revealed higher runs of homozygosity (ROH) in Auckland Island pigs compared to other domestic pig breeds and demonstrated that the entire locus coding the swine leukocyte antigens (SLAs) was homozygous. Based on these findings, Auckland Island pigs represent a promising genetic background for organ xenotransplantation.

45,X/46,XY mosaicism: Clinical manifestations and long term follow-up

45,X/46,XY chromosomal mosaicism presents a range of clinical manifestations, including phenotypes from Turner syndrome through genital abnormalities to apparently unaffected phenotypic males; however, the full clinical spectrum has not yet been fully delineated since prior studies on the clinical phenotype and associated risk of gonadal tumors included small cohorts and limited follow-up. To better describe the clinical manifestations and long-term outcome of patients with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with 45,X/46,XY from three health centers (Hospital for Sick Children and Mount Sinai Hospital in Canada, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in United States). Of 100 patients with 45,X/46,XY karyotype, 47 were raised as females and 53 as males. Females were significantly shorter than males (p = 0.04) and height Z-score was significantly decreased with age for both genders (p = 0.02). Growth hormone (GH) treatment did not result in a significant height increase compared to the untreated group (p = 0.5). All females required puberty induction in contrast to majority of males. Five females were diagnosed with gonadal tumors, while no males were affected. Around 58% of patients exhibited at least one Turner syndrome stigmata. This study expands the clinical spectrum, long-term outcomes, and associated tumor risk in a large cohort of patients with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism. Additionally, it highlights our experience with GH therapy and prophylactic gonadectomy.

Ovine model of congenital chest wall and spine deformity: From birth to 3 months follow-up

Background

The evolution and treatment of lung alterations related to congenital spine and chest wall deformities (CWD) are poorly understood. Most animal models of CWD created postnatally were not evaluated for respiratory function. The goal of our study was to evaluate the effects of a CWD induced in utero on lung growth and function in an ovine model.

Methods

A CWD was induced in utero at 70-75 days of gestation in 14 ovine fetuses by resection of the 7th and 8th left ribs. Each non-operated twin fetus was taken as control. Respiratory mechanics was studied postnatally in the first week and at 1, 2, and 3 months. Post-mortem respiratory mechanics and lung histomorphometry were also assessed at 3 months.

Results

Eight out of 14 CWD lambs (57%) and 14 control lambs survived the postnatal period. One severe and five mild deformities were induced. At birth, inspiratory capacity (25 vs. 32 mL/kg in controls), and dynamic (1.4 vs. 1.8 mL/cmH2O/kg), and static (2.0 vs. 2.5 mL/cmH2O/kg) respiratory system compliances were decreased in CWD lambs. Apart from a slight decrease in inspiratory capacity at 1 month of life, no other differences were observed in respiratory mechanics measured in vivo thereafter. Postmortem measurements found a significant decrease in lung compliance-for each lung and for both lungs taken together-in CWD lambs. No differences in lung histology were detected at 3 months in CWD animals compared to controls.

Conclusions

Our study is the first to assess the effects of a prenatally induced CWD on lung development and function from birth to 3 months in an ovine model. Our results show no significant differences in lung histomorphometry at 3 months in CWD lambs compared to controls. Resolution at 1 month of the alterations in respiratory mechanics present at birth may be related to the challenge in inducing severe deformities.

The Impact of Methylphenidate on Pubertal Maturation and Bone Age in ADHD Children and Adolescents: Results from the ADHD Drugs Use Chronic Effects (ADDUCE) Project

OBJECTIVE

The short-term safety of methylphenidate (MPH) has been widely demonstrated; however the long-term safety is less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of MPH in relation to pubertal maturation and to explore the monitoring of bone age.

METHOD

Participants from ADDUCE, a two-year observational longitudinal study with three parallel cohorts (MPH group, no-MPH group, and a non-ADHD control group), were compared with respect to Tanner staging. An Italian subsample of medicated-ADHD was further assessed by the monitoring of bone age.

RESULTS

The medicated and unmedicated ADHD groups did not differ in Tanner stages indicating no higher risk of sexual maturational delay in the MPH-treated patients. The medicated subsample monitored for bone age showed a slight acceleration of the bone maturation after 24 months, however their predicted adult height remained stable.

CONCLUSION

Our results do not suggest safety concerns on long-term treatment with MPH in relation to pubertal maturation and growth.

Effect of heat stress on the hypothalamic expression profile of water homeostasis-associated genes in low- and high-water efficient chicken lines

With climate change, selection for water efficiency and heat resilience are vitally important. We undertook this study to determine the effect of chronic cyclic heat stress (HS) on the hypothalamic expression profile of water homeostasis-associated markers in high (HWE)- and low (LWE)-water efficient chicken lines. HS significantly elevated core body temperatures of both lines. However, the amplitude was higher by 0.5-1°C in HWE compared to their LWE counterparts. HWE line drank significantly less water than LWE during both thermoneutral (TN) and HS conditions, and HS increased water intake in both lines with pronounced magnitude in LWE birds. HWE had better feed conversion ratio (FCR), water conversion ratio (WCR), and water to feed intake ratio. At the molecular level, the overall hypothalamic expression of aquaporins (AQP8 and AQP12), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and its related receptor AVP2R, angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1), and calbindin 2 (CALB2) were significantly lower; however, CALB1 mRNA and AQP2 protein levels were higher in HWE compared to LWE line. Compared to TN conditions, HS exposure significantly increased mRNA abundances of AQPs (8, 12), AVPR1a, natriuretic peptide A (NPPA), angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), CALB1 and 2, and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 and 4 (TRPV1 and TRPV4) as well as the protein levels of AQP2, however it decreased that of AQP4 gene expression. A significant line by environment interaction was observed in several hypothalamic genes. Heat stress significantly upregulated AQP2 and SCT at mRNA levels and AQP1 and AQP3 at both mRNA and protein levels, but it downregulated that of AQP4 protein only in LWE birds. In HWE broilers, however, HS upregulated the hypothalamic expression of renin (REN) and AVPR1b genes and AQP5 proteins, but it downregulated that of AQP3 protein. The hypothalamic expression of AQP (5, 7, 10, and 11) genes was increased by HS in both chicken lines. In summary, this is the first report showing improvement of growth performances in HWE birds. The hypothalamic expression of several genes was affected in a line- and/or environment-dependent manner, revealing potential molecular signatures for water efficiency and/or heat tolerance in chickens.