Effect of exposure to different light colors on embryonic development and neurophysiological traits in the chick embryo.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Many environmental factors exist that influence embryonic development which is missing in the poultry industry, such as light in incubation facilities or hatcheries. Light plays an important role in the growth and development of chick embryos, whereas dark environments can lead to hatching failure or embryo distortion. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate the importance of light and its various colors on the growth and development of broiler chick embryos. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four treatments were used to study the impact of various light colors on the growth of embryos and their neurophysiological traits: Dark without light (D), red light (RL), blue light (BL), and green light (GL), with three replicates per treatment (25 eggs/replicate) for a total of 300 fertile Ross 308 eggs. Each treatment was assigned to one incubator (75 eggs/incubator), whereas all other conditions were kept the same. RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase (p<0.01) in embryonic development for embryo weight, chick body weight, hatchability, and embryo index for RL, BL, and especially GL. RL, BL, and especially GL significantly increased (p<0.01) neurophysiological traits of the neurons, brain weight, and brain index. CONCLUSION: The use of light during the embryonic period affects the development of the embryo and its neurophysiological traits.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents: a multi-national comparison of eleven countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

A regional cross-country profile of fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is lacking in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). This study examines the prevalence of and differences in consumption of F&V ≥5 times/d among adolescents in eleven EMR countries, and describes differences in the proportions of taking F&V ≥5 times/d by sex, age and BMI. The study included 26 328 school adolescents (13-15 years) with complete data on consumption of F&V, age, sex, weight and height taken from the Global School-based Student Health Survey conducted in the EMR between 2005 and 2009. Overall, only 19·4 % of adolescents reported consuming F&V ≥5 times/d. The highest prevalence was reported in Djibouti (40·4 %) and the lowest was reported in Pakistan (10·0 %). Statistically significant differences in prevalence were observed across countries (P<0·05). With the exception of Oman, Libya and Djibouti, significantly more males than females ate F&V ≥5 times/d. The proportion of students consuming F&V ≥5 times/d also varied significantly in all countries based on BMI (P<0·0001), with students within normal BMI having the highest frequency. A negative trend was observed between age and intake of F&V ≥5 times/d in most of the eleven EMR countries except Jordan, Djibouti and Morocco. The prevalence of adequate intake of F&V is low in the eleven EMR countries. There is a need for interventions to increase the prevalence of adolescents consuming F&V ≥5 times/d. Interventions should take into consideration the psychosocial, environmental and socio-environmental factors influencing F&V intake within countries.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents: a multi-national comparison of eleven countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Regional cross-country profile of fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is lacking in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). This study examines the prevalence and differences of consuming F&V ≥5 times/d among adolescents in eleven EMR countries, and also describes differences in the proportions of taking F&V ≥5 times/d by sex, age and BMI. The study included 26 328 school adolescents (13-15 years) with complete data on consumption of F&V, age, sex, weight and height taken from the Global School-based Student Health Survey conducted in the EMR between 2005 and 2009. Overall, only 19·4 % of adolescents reported consuming F&V ≥5 times/d. The highest prevalence was reported in Djibouti (40·4 %) and the lowest was reported in Pakistan (10·0 %). Statistically significant differences in prevalence were observed across countries (P<0·05). With the exception of Oman, Libya and Djibouti, significantly more males than females ate F&V ≥5 times/d. Proportion of students consuming F&V ≥5 times/d also varied significantly in all counties based on BMI (P<0·0001), with students within normal BMI having the highest frequency. A negative trend was observed between age and the prevalence of taking F&V ≥5 times/d in most of the eleven EMR countries but Jordan, Djibouti and Morocco. The prevalence of adequate intake of F&V was low in the eleven EMR countries. There is a need for interventions to increase the prevalence of adolescents consuming F&V ≥5 times/d. Interventions should take into consideration psychosocial, environmental and socio-environmental factors influencing F&V intake within countries.

Evaluation of three devices used for measuring mouth opening.

Three devices used to measure the range of jaw movement were evaluated: the Willis bite gauge, a metal ruler and the Alma bite gauge.

Does the procedure of arthrography affect the range of movement in patients with locking of the temporomandibular joint?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether arthrography itself altered the range of mandibular movements, in a group of patients with locking of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The clinical records of a series of 161 patients who were diagnosed with locking of the TMJ were retrospectively analysed. Mouth opening had improved in 57 out of 161 patients (35%). Twenty-three patients (14%) had improved by 5 mm or less. Nineteen patients (11%) had improved by more than 5 mm but less than 10 mm, whereas 15 patients (9%) had improved by more than 10 mm. Of the patients who experienced an improved mouth opening, only nine (15%) had improved from their pre-arthrography restricted maximum opening to beyond the lower limit of normal. This suggests that the injection of contrast medium had an effect on the range of vertical opening in patients with displacement of the disc without reduction.

Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) is the most common temporomandibular disorder (TMD). There are many synonyms for this condition including facial arthromylagia, TMJ dysfunction syndrome, myofacial pain dysfunction syndrome, craniomandibular dysfunction and myofacial pain dysfunction. The aetiology of PDS is multifactorial and many different therapies have been advocated. OBJECTIVES: To establish the effectiveness of stabilisation splint therapy in reducing symptoms in patients with pain dysfunction syndrome. SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic databases (including the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2003; MEDLINE (1966 to June 2001); EMBASE (1966 to June 2001)) were searched. Handsearching of relevant journals was undertaken and reference lists of included studies screened. Experts in the field were contacted to identify unpublished articles. There was no language restriction. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs), in which splint therapy was compared concurrently to no treatment, other occlusal appliances, or any other active intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data extraction was carried out independently and in duplicate. Validity assessment of the included trials was carried out at the same time as data extraction. Discrepancies were discussed and a third reviewer consulted. The author of the primary study was contacted where necessary. The studies were grouped according to treatment type and duration of follow up. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty potentially relevant RCTs were identified. Eight trials were excluded leaving 12 RCTs for analysis. Stabilisation splint therapy was compared to: acupuncture, bite plates, biofeedback/stress management, visual feedback, relaxation, jaw exercises, non-occluding appliance and minimal/no treatment. There was no evidence of a statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of stabilisation splint therapy (SS) in reducing symptoms in patients with pain dysfunction syndrome compared with other active treatments. There is weak evidence to suggest that the use of SS for the treatment of PDS may be beneficial for reducing pain severity, at rest and on palpation, when compared to no treatment. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence either for or against the use of stabilisation splint therapy for the treatment of temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome. This review suggests the need for further, well conducted RCTs that pay attention to method of allocation, outcome assessment, large sample size, and enough duration of follow up. A standardisation of the outcomes of the treatment of PDS should be established in the RCTs.

A study of the relationship between lateral guidance and temporomandibular joint internal derangement.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between lateral retrusive and lateral protrusive tooth guidance and temporomandibular joint disc displacement. The control group comprised 55 symptomless students and dental nurses. The patient group consisted of 117 patients (90 women and 27 men). Fifty-four patients had temporomandibular joint clicking on the right side and 63 patients had clicking on the left side. The incidence of ipsilateral lateral retrusive tooth guidance was significantly higher in the patient group (87%) than in the control group (18.5%).

Inter- and intra-operator reliability of the recording of occlusal contacts using 'occlusal sketch' acetate technique.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a simple way of recording occlusal contacts with proven inter- and intra-operator reliability. SETTING: Clinical skills laboratory in the University Dental Hospital of Manchester. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The marked static occlusal contacts of 20 sets of models were recorded in a pseudo-clinical situation, by three dentists and in addition by one dentist on two occasions using a schematic representation of the dental arch - the 'occlusal sketch'. RESULTS: The median of Kappa agreement for inter- and intra-operator reliability was almost perfect. CONCLUSIONS: The occlusal sketch is a simple, inexpensive and easy way of recording the results of an occlusal examination using marking papers.

Use of opposing reflex stimuli and heart rate variability to examine the effects of lipophilic and hydrophilic beta-blockers on human cardiac vagal control.

Evidence from animal studies suggests that beta-blockers can act within the central nervous system to increase cardiac vagal motoneuron activity. We have attempted to determine whether such an effect is evident in healthy humans, by examining the effects of lipophilic and hydrophilic agents on heart rate variability and cardiac vagal reflexes. A total of 20 healthy volunteers took part in the study. Autonomic studies were performed after 72 h of treatment with placebo, atenolol or metoprolol in a blinded cross-over design. ECG recordings were taken at rest and during mental and orthostatic stress. Heart rate variability was measured in the time and frequency domains. The effects on heart rate of two opposing cardiac vagal reflexes were examined. Trigeminal stimulation causing vagal stimulation, and isometric forearm muscle contraction ('muscle heart reflex') causing vagal inhibition, were performed alone and simultaneously. At rest, during mental stress and during trigeminal stimulation, beta-blocker therapy was associated with significantly increased high-frequency beat-to-beat heart rate variability when compared with placebo. There were no significant differences in effects on heart rate or heart rate variability between atenolol and metoprolol. Analysis of the muscle heart reflex, alone and with simultaneous trigeminal stimulation, showed that the magnitude of the R-R interval response was significantly greater after beta-blocker therapy compared with placebo, but the effects of atenolol and metoprolol were equivalent. beta-Blocker therapy increased cardiac vagal activity, as shown by measures of high-frequency heart rate variability and reflex studies. Lipophilic and hydrophilic beta-blockers appeared to be equally efficacious in increasing the cardiac vagal modulation of heart rate.

Isometric contraction of arm flexor muscles as a method of evaluating cardiac vagal tone in man.

1. We have previously shown that brief voluntary isometric contractions of upper arm flexor muscles performed for one respiratory cycle elicit a significant decrease in the R-R interval. The present study was designed to determine if similar changes are produced by non-voluntary electrically evoked contractions and, if so, to establish the consistency and repeatability of the associated changes in the R-R interval. 2. The heart rate (R-R interval) response to voluntary or non-voluntary brief isometric contraction equivalent to 40% of the maximum voluntary contraction was studied in 10 healthy young male subjects during controlled ventilation at supine rest. 3. The absolute values of R-R intervals occurring in any one of 10 arbitrary phases of a respiratory cycle were measured and plotted by a computer. 4. Both voluntary and non-voluntary contractions elicited similar changes in heart rate and R-R interval, which were greater during expiration than during inspiration. 5. This confirms our previous finding that the magnitude of the R-R interval changes, with brief isometric contraction, is positively related to the degree of cardiac vagal tone. 6. Analysis of the variability between repeated tests initiated in either inspiration or expiration revealed that there was significantly less variability with the electrically induced contraction. 7. It was concluded that electrically induced contractions of 40% maximal voluntary contraction are a viable alternative to voluntary contractions and provide a more controllable means of measuring cardiac vagal withdrawal.

Sleep and blood pressure: spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity in dippers and non-dippers.

OBJECTIVE: Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) increases during sleep, whereas arterial blood pressure falls. Some hypertensive patients do not have a nocturnal fall in blood pressure (non-dippers). The objective was to ascertain whether there is a difference between 24 h BRS values in dippers and non-dippers that might account for the difference in nocturnal blood pressure behaviour. DESIGN: In a group of consecutive untreated hypertensive patients undergoing 24 h ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure (IABP) monitoring, 18 were non-dippers i.e., their mean IABP during sleep failed to drop by 10% of their waking IABP. Each non-dipper was matched for age and waking IABP with two dippers. The BRS had previously been assessed with the "Oxford' bolus phenylephrine technique; spontaneous BRS was assessed throughout the 24 h period by off-line computer analysis of spontaneous variations in IABP and R-R interval. RESULTS: In both groups there was a significant increase in spontaneous BRS during sleep (P < 0.0001 for dippers, P < 0.0001 for non-dippers). There was no significant difference between spontaneous BRS in dippers and non-dippers, when they were either awake or asleep. CONCLUSION: BRS did not differ significantly between dippers and non-dippers, when they were either awake or asleep. Changes in BRS during sleep are not likely to account for the abnormal dipping pattern in a minority of hypertensives and are not likely to contribute to the normally observed nocturnal fall in blood pressure.

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia and central respiratory drive in humans.

1. The influence of central inspiratory drive on heart rate variability was investigated in young human subjects using power spectral analysis of R-R intervals. 2. The area of the high-frequency component occurring at the respiratory frequency (0.2-0.25 Hz) in the power spectral density curves was used as an index of respiratory sinus arrhythmia. 3. Central inspiratory drive was increased by breathing a CO2-enriched (5%) gas mixture and this condition was compared with a similar degree of ventilation produced voluntarily. 4. Tests were conducted on eight young subjects with and without low-dose scopolamine (scopoderm TTS) in a double-blind cross-over trial. 5. Scopolamine decreased heart rate and increased the high-frequency peak, suggesting that its main action on the cardiac vagal pathway was a peripheral one, possibly increasing the efficacy of vagal impulses on the cardiac pacemaker. 6. With scopolamine, CO2 breathing increased the area of the high-frequency component significantly more than a similar degree of ventilatory movements produced by voluntary hyperventilation. 7. It is concluded that respiratory sinus arrhythmia in humans is at least partly dependent on a central respiratory-cardiac coupling, most probably similar to that shown in animal studies.

Changes in R-R variability before and after endurance training measured by power spectral analysis and by the effect of isometric muscle contraction.

The long-term conditioning effects of physical training on cardiorespiratory interaction in 11 young healthy males were studied. Significant increases in maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) (P < 0.05) and decreases in heart rate (P < 0.05) were achieved in all subjects following a 6-week training programme consisting of cycling for 25 min each day at a work level that increased heart rate to 85% of maximum. Heart rate variability, measured as the differences between the maximum and minimum R-R interval in a respiratory cycle, increased in nine of the subjects and decreased in two. The respiratory-cycle-related high-frequency peak in the power spectral plot of R-R variability also showed significant increases in the same nine subjects and decreases in two. The latter result was similar after normalisation of the data for changes in heart rate by calculating the common coefficient of variance [symbol: see text], where HF is the high-frequency component of the power spectral plots, using a further measure of vagal tone it was shown that, for all subjects, the R-R interval change in response to isometric contractions of the arm flexors in one respiratory cycle were significantly greater after training. These data suggest that cardiac vagal tone is increased by aerobic training for all subjects and that this is accompanied by a respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) in most, but may be associated with a decrease in RSA in subjects with a very low (< 50 beats.min-1 heart rate.

Exercise and diving, two conflicting stimuli influencing cardiac vagal tone in man.

1. In order to increase our understanding of the central regulation of human cardiac vagal motoneurones we studied the interaction between two opposing influences on cardiac vagal tone, one related to diving and the other to exercise. 2. The heart rate response to cooling the face (0 degrees C, trigeminal cutaneous receptor stimulation, TGS) and to a brief isometric muscle contraction was studied in fourteen healthy young adults (8 males, 6 females) during controlled ventilation at supine rest. 3. Fluctuations in R-R interval were quantified by spectral analysis. In addition the absolute values of R-R intervals occurring in any one of ten arbitrary phases of a respiratory cycle were measured over thirty to sixty cycles to give a graph of the changes in R-R interval throughout a respiratory cycle. 4. TGS produced a significant decrease in heart rate (-21 +/- 2 beats min-1 in females, -19 +/- 2 beats min-1 in males; means +/- S.E.M.). In addition the autospectral plots of R-R interval variability showed that during TGS there was a significant increase both in the high frequency peak and in the low frequency peak in all subjects. These data suggested that in these experiments the bradycardia of TGS was due to an increase in cardiac vagal tone. 5. Voluntary isometric contractions at 40 and 60% of maximum (40% MVC, 60% MVC) were timed to occur early in expiration or early in inspiration. Analysis of the changes in R-R interval produced by these contractions was confined to the respiratory cycle in which they were initiated. The early onset of these changes was interpreted as showing a decrease in cardiac vagal tone. 6. The 40% MVC and 60% MVC increased heart rate significantly within one respiratory cycle with maximum effects having a mean of 9.5 +/- 3 and 11 +/- 3 beats min-1, respectively. When isometric muscle contraction was initiated during TGS the 60% MVC but not the 40% MVC was able to significantly decrease R-R interval and hence increase heart rate. 7. It is concluded that the TGS excitatory inputs and the muscle inhibitory inputs to cardiac vagal neurones do not interact by one input gating the other early in the pathway but more probably by a process of algebraic summation closer to the cardiac vagal neurone.

Modulation of cardiac autonomic control in humans by angiotensin II.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) exerts an inhibitory action on vagal activity in animals and may also facilitate sympathetic activity. The object of this study was to compare autonomic activity resulting from equivalent steady-state baroreflex activation during intravenous Ang II infusion with that resulting from a control infusion of phenylephrine. Eight healthy subjects aged 22 to 34 years were studied in a single-blind, randomized, prospective crossover study. Autonomic activity was determined by computer analysis of RR interval variability in the time and frequency domains. Despite equal experimental hypertension with Ang II and phenylephrine infusion, at peak infusion rates the mean RR interval was significantly shorter with Ang II (983 +/- 179 milliseconds; mean +/- SD) than with phenylephrine (1265 +/- 187 milliseconds, P < .01). The variability of RR intervals was not significantly different, but the variability (median interquartile difference) of RR interval successive differences was significantly lower with Ang II (66 milliseconds) than with phenylephrine (104 milliseconds, P < .02). Power spectral analysis revealed the power of the 0.25-Hz component in normalized units to be significantly smaller during Ang II infusion (20.5 +/- 12.7 U) than during phenylephrine (38.2 +/- 14.7 U, P < .05), whereas the power of the 0.1-Hz component was significantly greater during Ang II infusion (67.8 +/- 17.1 U) than phenylephrine (38.8 +/- 20.3 U, P < .05). Measures of vagal modulation of heart rate were significantly attenuated, and sympathetic modulation appeared to be increased during Ang II infusion compared with control phenylephrine infusions. These observations may underlie reports of increased vagal activity during angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy.

Allogeneic transfusion of macrophages in acute urinary tract infection.

Three patients with acute urinary tract infections that failed to respond to antibiotics were treated by allogeneic peritoneal macrophage transfusions. No harmful effects were observed following macrophage transfusions and the urinary infections were eradicated in treated patients. It could be concluded that allogeneic macrophage transfusion is feasible between unrelated individuals and can combat severe resistant urinary infections.

An outbreak of pox among pheasants in Iraq.

Clinical manifestations of pox are described in caged pheasants in Iraq, which killed 28 out of 400 adult pheasants.