South Asian Working Action Group on SARCOpenia (SWAG-SARCO) e A consensus document

The South Asian population is rapidly ageing and sarcopenia is likely to become a huge burden in this region if proper action is not taken in time. Several sarcopenia guidelines are available, from the western world and from East Asia. However, these guidelines are not fully relevant for the South Asian healthcare ecosystem. South Asia is ethnically, culturally, and phenotypically unique. Additionally, the region is seeing an increase in non-communicable lifestyle disease and obesity. Both these conditions can lead to sarcopenia. However, secondary sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity are either not dealt with in detail or are missing in other guidelines. Hence, we present a consensus on the screening, diagnosis and management of sarcopenia, which addresses the gaps in the current guidelines. This South Asian consensus gives equal importance to muscle function, muscle strength, and muscle mass; provides cost-effective clinical and easy to implement solutions; highlights secondary sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity; lists commonly used biomarkers; reminds us that osteo-arthro-muscular triad should be seen as a single entity to address sarcopenia; stresses on prevention over treatment; and prioritizes nonpharmacological over pharmacological management. As literature is scarce from this region, the authors call for more South Asian research guided interventions.

In silico genomic and proteomic analyses of three heat shock proteins (HSP70, HSP90-a, and HSP90-b) in even-toed ungulates

BACKGROUND Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play important roles in the responses to different environmental stresses. In this study, the genomic and proteomic characteristics of three HSPs (HSP70, HSP90-a and HSP90-b) in five even-toed ungulates (sheep, goats, water buffalo, Zebu cattle and cattle) were analyzed using Multiple sequence alignment, SWISS modeling and phylogenetics analysis tools. RESULTS The bioinformatic analysis revealed that the HSP70 gene in cattle, Zebu cattle, and goat is located on chromosome 23, and is intronless, while in water buffalo and sheep it is located on chromosomes 2 and 20, respectively, and contains two exons linked by one intron. The HSP90-a gene is located on chromosome 21 in cattle, Zebu cattle, and goat, while in water buffalo and sheep it is located on chromosomes 20 and 18, respectively. The HSP90-b gene is located on the same chromosome as the HSP70 gene and contains 12 exons interspersed by 11 introns in all studied animals. In silico Expasy translate tool analysis revealed that HSP70, HSP90-a and HSP90-b encode 641, 733, and 724 amino acids, respectively. The data revealed that goat HSP70 protein has seven variable amino acid residues, while in both sheep and cattle only one such amino acid was detected. CONCLUSIONS This study will be supportive in providing new insights into HSPs for adaptive machinery in these studied animals and selection of target genes for molecular adaptation of livestock

Altered milk yield and rumen microbial abundance in response to concentrate supplementation during the cold season in Tibetan sheep

BACKGROUND Weight loss and decline of milk yield in Tibetan sheep was a challenge for the dairy industry in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which were considered to be caused by underfeeding of the sheep during the harsh winter. The objective of this study was to assess the role of feed supplementation in the milk performance and rumen microbiome of ewes under forage-based diets. Based on parity, milking period, milk yield, and body weight, ten 1.5-yr-old ewes were allocated randomly into two groups. One group of ewes was fed no supplement Control group (CON) and the other group was fed with concentrate feed supplement (Treatment group, T). Individual milk yield was determined daily; both the milk composition and rumen bacterial characteristics were analyzed after the end of feeding trials. RESULTS Results showed that lactose in the milk of the CON group was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of the T group at days 30 and 60. Milk yield in the T group was greater than in the CON group at day 30 (P < 0.05). Additionally, the dominant ruminal bacteria (phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Verrucomicrobia) were shared by both groups through 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. Greater relative abundance of Bacteroidales RF16 group in family level, Victivallales in order level, Lentisphaeria in class level, and Lachnospiraceae bacterium in species level were observed in the T group than in the CON group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrated that supplementation of concentrate in the cold season improved milk lactose yield and milk production, and the rumen microbial abundance of Tibetan sheep.

C/EBPb converts bovine fibroblasts to adipocytes without hormone cocktail induction

BACKGROUND: Adipogenesis and fibrogenesis can be considered as a competitive process in muscle, which may affect the intramuscular fat deposition. The CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPb) plays an important role in adipogenesis, which is well-characterized in mice, but little known in bovine so far. RESULTS: In this study, real-time qPCR revealed that the level of C/EBPb was increased during the developmental stages of bovine and adipogenesis process of preadipocytes. Overexpression of C/EBPb promoted bovine fibroblast proliferation through mitotic clonal expansion (MCE), a necessary process for initiating adipogenesis, by significantly downregulating levels of p21 and p27 (p < 0.01). Also, the PPARc expression was inhibited during the MCE stage (p < 0.01). 31.28% of transfected fibroblasts adopted lipid-laden adipocyte morphology after 8 d. Real-time qPCR showed that C/EBPb activated the transcription of early stage adipogenesis markers C/EBPa and PPARc. Expression of ACCa, FASN, FABP4 and LPL was also significantly upregulated, while the expression of LEPR was weakened. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded C/EBPb can convert bovine fibroblasts into adipocytes without hormone induction by initiating the MCE process and promoting adipogenic genes expression, which may provide new insights into the potential functions of C/EBPb in regulating intramuscular fat deposition in beef cattle.

Identification of genetic variants the CCKAR gene and based on body measurement and carcass quality characteristics in Qinchuan beef cattle (Bos taurus)

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore genetic polymorphisms of the CCKAR gene and their relationship with the growth and development of Qinchuan cattle which could be used as molecular markers for the improvement of the breeding of Qinchuan cattle. RESULTS: Here, we have identified seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at loci g. 1463 C>G; g. 1532 T>A; g. 1570 G>A; g. 1594 C>A; g. 1640 T>C; g. 1677 G>C; and g. 1735 C>T in the coding region of the bovine CCKAR gene. The frequencies identified on allelic and genotypic characteristics have shown that all seven SNPs diverged from the Hardy-Weinberg-Equilibrium. The SNP2, SNP3, SNP6 and SNP7 had the lowest polymorphism information content values, and remaining SNPs were found to be moderate (0.25 < PIC < 0.50). The genotype CG in SNP1 at loci g.1463 C>G had the greatest association with WH, HW, CD and CCF, while the genotype TA at the very same loci was associated with BFT, ULA and IMF content in Qinchuan cattle. The CCKAR gene expression level in adipose tissue, small intestine, liver and skeleton muscle was found to be higher, whereas, the expression level of mRNA in organs of other digestive system including reticulum, abomasum and omasum was moderate. Some expression of CCKAR mRNA was found in the large intestine, kidney and rumen. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our finding suggested that the CCKAR gene could be used as a potential candidate for the improvement of carcass quality and body measurements of Qinchuan cattle.

Transcriptome profiling reveals differential expression of genes potentially involved in muscle and adipose tissue development of cattle

BACKGROUND: To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between muscle and adipose in cattle, we analyzed the data from the RNA sequencing of three Angus×Qinchuan crossbred cattle. RESULTS: Searched the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) for a microarray dataset of Yan yellow cattle, GSE49992. After the DEGs were identified, we used STRING and Cytoscape to construct a protein­protein interaction (PPI) network, subsequently analyzing the major modules of key genes. In total, 340 DEGs were discovered, including 21 hub genes, which were mainly enriched in muscle contraction, skeletal muscle contraction, troponin complex, lipid particle, Z disc, tropomyosin binding, and actin filament binding. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, these genes can be regarded as candidate biomarkers for the regulation of muscle and adipose development.

Cichoric acid from extracted Echinacea purpurea induces the proliferation and apoptosis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from yaks

BACKGROUND: Cichoric acid (CA) is extracted from Echinacea purpurea. It is well known and widely used for its immunological function. However, the effect of CA on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from yaks is still unclear. This study investigated the potential influences of CA on the proliferation, cytokine induction, and apoptosis of PBMCs from Datong yak in vivo, and aimed to provide a basis for exploring the pharmacological activities of CA on yaks. RESULTS: In this study, CA promoted PBMCs proliferation by combining concanavalin A (Con A) and exhibited a dose-dependent effect as demonstrated by a Cell Counting Kit-8. The concentration of 60 µg/ml CA was the best and promoted the transformation from the G0/G1 phase to the S and G2/M phases with Con A. Furthermore, 60 µg/ml CA significantly increased IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ levels and PCNA, CDK4 and Bcl-2 expression levels, but it significantly inhibited the TP53, Bax, and Caspase-3 expression levels. Transcriptome analysis revealed a total of 6807 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the CA treatment and control groups. Of these genes, 3788 were significantly upregulated and 3019 were downregulated. Gene Ontology and pathway analysis revealed that DEGs were enriched in cell proliferation and immune function signaling pathways. The expression level of some transcription factors (BTB, Ras, RRM_1, and zf-C2H2) and genes (CCNF, CCND1, and CDK4) related to PBMCs proliferation in yaks were significantly promoted after CA treatment. By contrast, anti-proliferation-associated genes (TP53 and CDKN1A) were inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, CA could regulate the immune function of yaks by promoting proliferation and inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis of PBMCs.

Effects ofExtract on Growth and Maturation of Isolated Mouse Ovarian Follicles in a Three-dimensional Culture System / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The aim of this study was to design and assess the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Matricaria chamomilla (MC) on preantral follicle culture of mouse ovaries in a three-dimensional culture system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Isolated preantral follicles were randomly divided into three main groups: the control group containing 10% fetal bovine serum without MC extract (G1), the first experimental group supplemented with 25 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile (G2), and the second experimental group supplemented with 50 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile (G3).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 12 days of culture, the survival rate (P < 0.05), antrum formation (P < 0.01), metaphase two oocytes (P < 0.01), and the expression of PCNA (P < 0.05) and FSHR (P < 0.05) genes significantly decreased in G3 as compared with G1. On the other hand, at the last day of culture (day 12), the mean diameter of follicles cultured in the medium which was supplemented with 50 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile significantly decreased as compared with the G1 (P < 0.05). In addition, the levels of progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone hormones significantly increased in the medium of G3 relative to G1 (P < 0.01), while in the medium of G1, the level of 17β-estradiol was significantly higher than that of other groups (P < 0.01). Reactive oxygen species levels of metaphase II oocytes were significantly decreased in G2 as compared with G1 (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Adding chamomile extract to culture media appeared to decrease follicular function and development.</p>

Diabetic patients and ramadan / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

@#More than 50 million people with diabetes mellitus fast during Ramadan, a religious obligation for all healthy adult Muslims. Fasting leads to several physiological changes in the body and these may result in acute complications in persons with uncontrolled diabetes such as hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, dehydration and thrombosis. Evidence from existing literature guides the physicians in their assessment of Muslim patients with diabetes who wish to fast. Assessment should include risk stratification based on existing control of diabetes and its chronic complications. In the light of this assessment medical recommendation is given which includes dose modification of oral medication and insulin, dietary advice and structured patient education.

Ankle brachial index as a screening test in suspected coronary artery disease patients

Abstract: The resting ankle- brachial index [ABI] is a non-invasive method to assess the patency of lower extremity arterial system and to screen for the presence of peripheral occlusive arterial disease. Diagnostic efficacy of ABI to predict atherosclerosis is well documented and reduction in index [< 0.9] is indicative of generalized atherosclerosis. Present study was planned to evaluate the role of ABI as a possible non- invasive marker for coronary atherosclerosis

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between ABI and the extent of coronary artery disease estimated by angiography. Study design: Cross Sectional Study. Settings: Departments of Medicine and Cardiology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Duration: Six months, from July 2006 to January 2007

Subjects: One hundred and fifty patients referred for coronary angiography were selected. ABI was calculated on each patient before undergoing angiography. A single cardiologist using a computer based quantitative coronary angiography made angiography interpretations

Results: The mean age of patients was 51.23+/-10.23 years. There were 147 [98%] patients with normal ABI [>0.9], 2[1.3%] with mild reduction in ABI [0.7- 0.89], and 1[0.7%] with moderate ABI [0.4- 0.69]. In patients with normal ABI 34 [22.7%] patients had normal coronary angiogram, 43 [28.7%] patients had single vessel disease, 33 [22%] patients had two vessels disease, 35 [23.3%] patients had three vessels disease, and 2 [1.3%] patients had four vessel disease. In patients with mild ABI [0.7- 0.89] there was 1[0.7%] patient who had single vessel disease, and 1 [0.7%] patient with four vessel disease. In the moderate ABI category [0.4 - 0.69] there was 1 [0.7%] patient with two vessel disease

Conclusion: Ninety eight percent of the studied population with otherwise symptomatic coronary artery disease had normal ABI. On the other hand 77% of patients with normal ABI had abnormalities on coronary angiogram. ABI lacks the sensitivity to screen atheromatous CAD and cannot be recommended as such

Acute myocardial infraction: comparison of clinical characteristics, treatment and early outcome among women and men

To compare the presentation [symptoms and signs], treatment and outcome of men and women with Acute Myocardial Infarction [AMI]. A prospective observational study. Accident and Emergency Department and Medical Department of a tertiary core hospital. Consecutive patients [total 272: 172 men and 100 women] presenting with Acute Myocardial Infarction [AMI]. Interventions: No intervention for the purpose of this study. Main outcome measures: Differences between men and women in presentation, hospital course, prognostic factors, therapeutic strategies, complications and outcome after AMI. Women presented later after start of chest pain, complained of dyspnoea more frequently and more commonly suffered from non-Q AMI than men. Other symptoms and haemodynamic and electrocardiographic findings were for the most part similar in both sexes. Women were older than men [63.84 vs. 59.25 years, p=0.029] and had higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and congestive cardiac failure. Women were almost one third as likely to undergo any intervention [thrombolysis, coronary angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery] during acute phase of AMI [odds ratio 0.3 [0.2 to 0.4]]. Thirty days mortality after AMI was higher in women than men [odds ratio 2.05 [0.8 to 5.2]]. Other independent predictors of mortality at 30 days after AMI included older age, low blood pressure and higher heart rate at presentation and presence of diabetes mellitus. Acute myocardial infarction is not as aggressively treated in women as in men. Outcome in women is also less favourable than in men. Other nongender-specific risk factors are also important as prognostic indicators and as indicators of early intervention after AMI