An evaluation of the implementation of a parent-led, games-based physical activity intervention: the Active Play at Home quasi-randomized trial.

Trial Registration: NCT02058342. Registered 6 February 2014 retrospectively registered.

Obestatin and adropin in Prader-Willi syndrome and nonsyndromic obesity: Associations with weight, BMI-z, and HOMA-IR.

The roles of obestatin and adropin in paediatric obesity are poorly understood. We compared obestatin and adropin concentrations in younger (n = 21) and older children (n = 14) with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and age and BMI-z-matched controls (n = 31). Fasting plasma obestatin and adropin were higher in younger children with PWS than controls; adropin was also higher in older children with PWS. Growth hormone treatment had no effects on obestatin or adropin in PWS. The ratio of ghrelin to obestatin declined from early to late childhood but was higher in older PWS than older controls. Adropin correlated with fasting glucose in the PWS group only. Changes in the ratio of ghrelin to obestatin may suggest changes in the processing of preproghrelin to ghrelin and obestatin during development and differential processing of preproghrelin in PWS.

Changes in cardiometabolic markers in children with Prader-Willi syndrome and nonsyndromic obesity following participation in a home-based physical activity intervention.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is associated with improved cardiometabolic markers in children with nonsyndromic obesity (NSO). Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by obesity. OBJECTIVE: To compare cardiometabolic changes in response to a home-based parent-facilitated physical activity intervention between children with PWS or with NSO. METHODS: Participants included 18 children with PWS (age = 10.5 ± 0.7y; body fat = 44.6 ± 2.0%) and 30 children with NSO (age = 9.7 ± 0.2y; body fat = 44.8 ± 1.2%). Active Play @ Home was a 24-week physical activity intervention curriculum containing playground-based and active video games completed 4 days per week. Pre- and post-intervention measurements included physical activity, body composition, blood samples analysed for glucose, insulin, lipids and cytokines, and insulin resistance computed using the homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: All children (n = 48) showed a significant decrease in Interleukin-8 (3.64 ± 0.24 vs. 3.06 ± 0.22 pg/mL). Children with obesity who did not gain or who lost body fat percentage (n = 18) demonstrated a significant decrease in HOMA-IR (3.17 ± 0.39 vs. 2.72 ± 0.34) and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (44.30 ± 2.51 vs. 47.29 ± 2.59 mg/dL). All other measurements showed no significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: The most favourable changes in cardiometabolic factors were observed in children with nonsyndromic obesity who demonstrated no gain or a decrease in body fat percentage.

The effect of perch availability during pullet rearing and egg laying on musculoskeletal health of caged White Leghorn hens.

A major skeletal problem of conventionally caged hens is increased susceptibility to osteoporosis mainly due to lack of exercise. Osteoporosis is characterized by a progressive decrease in mineralized structural bone. Whereas considerable attention has been given to enriching laying cages, little research has been conducted on providing caged pullets with furnishments, in particular perches. The objective of the current study was to determine if metal perches during all or part of the life cycle of White Leghorns affected hen musculoskeletal health, especially at end of lay. Treatments during the pullet phase (hatch to 16.9 wk) entailed cages with and without perches. Four treatments were used during the laying phase (17 to 71 wk of age). Treatment 1 chickens never had access to perches at any point during their life cycle, typical of egg industry practices in the United States for conventional cages. Treatment 2 chickens had access to perches only during the egg-laying phase, which was from 17 to 71 wk of age. Treatment 3 chickens had access to perches only during the pullet phase (0 to 16.9 wk of age). Treatment 4 chickens had perch access throughout their entire life cycle (0 to 71 wk of age). Musculoskeletal health was assessed by measuring muscle weights, bone mineralization, bone fracture incidence, and keel bone deviations. Muscle deposition of 71-wk-old hens increased when given access to perches as pullets. Bone mineralization of 71-wk-old hens also increased if given perch access as adults. However, the disadvantage of the adult perch was the higher incidence of keel deviations and keel fractures at end of lay. The increase in bone mineralization of the keel bone as a result of perch access during the pullet and laying phases was not great enough to prevent a higher incidence of keel bone fractures at end of lay. Perch redesign and placement of perches within the cage to minimize keel fractures and deviations are possible solutions.

The effect of perches in cages during pullet rearing and egg laying on hen performance, foot health, and plumage.

Enrichment of pullet cages with perches has not been studied. Our objective was to determine if access to metal perches during all or part of the life cycle of caged White Leghorns affected egg traits, foot health, and feather condition. Treatment 1 represented control chickens that never had access to perches during their life cycle. Treatment 2 hens had perches only during the egg laying phase of the life cycle (17 to 71 wk of age), whereas treatment 3 chickens had perches during the pullet phase (0 to 16.9 wk of age). Treatment 4 chickens always had access to perches (0 to 71 wk of age). Comparisons between chickens that always had perches with controls that never had perches showed similar performance relative to egg production, cracked eggs, egg weight, shell weight, % shell, and shell thickness. More dirty eggs occurred in laying cages with perches. Feed usage increased resulting in poorer feed efficiency in hens with perch exposure during the pullet phase with no effect during egg laying. Perches did not affect hyperkeratosis of toes and feet. The back claw at 71 wk of age broke less if hens had prior experience with perches during the pullet phase. In contrast, during egg laying, the back claw at 71 wk of age broke more due to the presence of perches in laying cages. Perches in laying cages resulted in shorter trimmed claws and improved back feather scores, but caused poorer breast and tail feather scores. In conclusion, enriching conventional cages with perches during the entire life cycle resulted in similar hen performance compared with controls. Fewer broken back claws but poorer feed efficiency occurred because of prior experience with perches as pullets. Perch presence during egg laying improved back feather scores with more trimmed nails but caused more dirty eggs, broken back claws, and poorer breast and tail feather scores. Although perches allow chickens to express their natural perching instinct, it was not without causing welfare problems.

Differential diagnosis of an unusual shoulder articular lesion in an ancient domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris L., 1758).

A proximal humeral articular surface from an ancient domestic dog deliberate burial was examined during survey of small mammal bones from a prehistoric early Late Woodland archeological site. An unusual lesion on the caudolateral articular surface prompted micro-computed tomography to define detailed structure. Results indicate cortical or immature woven bone arising subchondrally, replacing normal trabeculae, extending through a breach in the cortical surface, and having sharp transition with surrounding normal bone. Organized bone within the lesion indicates that the dog lived for months-to-years following insult. Differential diagnoses initially included: sharp penetrating trauma; intrinsic or extrinsic blunt fracturing force; osteochondrosis or complication of an osteochondral lesion; unusual osteoarthritis; and neoplasia. Computed tomography ruled out normal or unusual osteoarthritis, and neoplasia. The nature and small size of the lesion, relatively small size of the dog, and lack of evidence for complicating infection, suggest against sharp penetrating trauma as a sole cause. The most plausible differential diagnoses include: uncommon fracture-producing force in a companion animal, and blunt intrinsic or extrinsic force causing fracture at a weak point, such as an early osteochondral lesion, that was obliterated by healing. Combined gross examination, micro-computed tomography, and archeological-anthropological influences facilitated refinement of differential diagnosis.

Early access to perches in caged White Leghorn pullets.

Osteoporosis, a progressive decrease in mineralized structural bone, causes 20 to 35% of all mortalities in caged White Leghorn hens. Previous research has focused on manipulating the egg laying environment to improve skeletal health, with little research on the pullet. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of perch access on pullet health, bone mineralization, muscle deposition, and stress in caged White Leghorns. From 0 to 17 wk of age, half of the birds were placed in cages with 2 round metal perches, while the other half did not have perches (controls). Bone mineralization and bone size traits were determined in the tibia, femur, sternum, humerus, ulna, radius, and phalange (III carpometacarpal) using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Muscle weights were obtained for the breast and left leg (drum and thigh). A sample of pullets from each cage was evaluated for foot health, BW, right adrenal weight, and packed cell volume. Most measurements were taken at 3, 6, and 12 wk of age. Access to perches did not affect breast muscle weight, percentage breast muscle, percentage leg muscle, bone mineral density, bone length, bone width, adrenal weight, packed cell volume, and hyperkeratosis of the foot-pad and toes. There were no differences in BW, bone mineral content, and leg muscle weight at 3 and 6 wk of age. However, at 12 wk of age, BW (P = 0.025), bone mineral content of the tibia, sternum, and humerus (P = 0.015), and the left leg muscle weight (P = 0.006) increased in pullets with access to perches as compared with controls. These results suggest that perch access has beneficial effects on pullet health by stimulating leg muscle deposition and increasing the mineral content of certain bones without causing a concomitant decrease in bone mineral density.

Testosterone responses to intensive interval versus steady-state endurance exercise.

Free testosterone (FT) hormonal responses were compared between high-intensity interval exercise (IE) and steadystate endurance exercise (SSE) in endurance trained males (no.=15). IE session was repeated periods of 90-sec treadmill running at 100-110% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and 90-sec active recovery at 40% VO2max for 42-47 min. The SSE session consisted of a continuous 45-min run at 60-65% VO2max. Total work output was equal for each exercise session. A 45-min supine rest control session (CON) was also performed. All three sessions were on separate days. Pre-session (PRE), immediate post-session (POST), and 12-h post-session (12POST) blood samples were collected and used to determine FT, SHBG, LH, 3- α-androstanediol glucuronide (3-α Diol G) and cortisol. Analysis of variance compared IE and SSE biomarker responses to the reference CON session. IE and SSE each caused an increase (p<0.01) in FT, but IE more so than SSE (p<0.05). The 5α-reductase marker 3-α Diol G response at 12POST IE was elevated while FT was reduced (p<0.05); no such change occurred following SSE. These findings suggest IE might produce a more pronounced turnover of FT by androgen sensitive tissue than the SSE form of exercise.

Footwear and running cardio-respiratory responses.

This study compared cardio-respiratory responses during running wearing a motion control shoe (MC) or a cushioning shoe (CU) in a cross-over single blinded design. Fourteen runners (10F/4M, age=27.3+/-5.1 years, body mass=64.1+/-12.2 kg, height=167.8+/-7.5 cm, VO (2)max=52.3+/-8.8 ml/kg/min) completed a 40-min run at approximately 65% VO (2) max under both shoe conditions. Oxygen uptake (mL/kg/min; L/min), minute ventilation (L/min), respiratory exchange ratio, and heart rate were measured at minutes 8-10, 18-20, 28-30 and 38-40 of exercise. Rating of perceived exertion was obtained at minutes 10, 20, 30 and 40. Two (footwear) by four (time) repeated measures ANOVAs showed no differences between footwear conditions in overall oxygen consumption (MC=36.8+/-1.5 vs. CU=35.3+/-1.4 mL/kg/min, p=0.143), minute ventilation (MC=50.4+/-4 vs. CU=48.5+/-3.8, p=0.147), respiratory exchange ratio (MC=0.90+/-0.01 vs. CU=0.89+/-0.01, p=0.331), heart rate (MC=159+/-3 vs. CU=160+/-3, p=0.926), or rate of perceived exertion. The design of motion control footwear does not appear to affect cardio-respiratory or perceived exertion responses during submaximal running. The findings are specific to the shoes tested. Nonetheless, the outcomes suggest that footwear selection to reduce certain overuse injuries does not increase the work of running.

Vigorous physical activity and cytokines in adolescents.

Habitual physical activity and chronic exercise may positively influence circulating cytokines in youth as in adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if adolescents reporting higher amounts of physical activity had a better cytokine profile independent of weight status. We compared the concentrations of cytokines in highly active (n = 60) and less active adolescents (n = 60) of different weight status [normal weight (BMI < 75th percentile), and overweight (BMI > 95th percentile)]. Vigorous physical activity (VPA) was obtained through a questionnaire and included activities with a MET level of > or =6. Adiponectin, resistin, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in fasting plasma samples. Anovas indicated that girls with high VPA had higher adiponectin than girls with low VPA (P < 0.05), but similar resistin, TNF-alpha and IL-6 concentrations (P > 0.05). Boys with high VPA had only a trend to lower resistin than those with low VPA (P = 0.052). Differences between VPA groups were independent of weight status. In adolescents, higher amounts of accumulated habitual VPA may improve some cytokines, reducing the risk of inflammation associated with increased adiposity and insulin resistance. The effect of physical activity appears to be independent of weight status.

Relationship between stress hormones and testosterone with prolonged endurance exercise.

Previous pharmacological and pathological studies have reported negative relationships between circulating testosterone and certain stress hormones (i.e., cortisol and prolactin) in humans. These relationships have subsequently been used in hypotheses explaining the subclinical resting testosterone levels often found in some endurance-trained males, but as of yet no one has specifically examined these relationships as they relate to exercise. Thus, we examined the relationship between total and free testosterone levels and cortisol, and between total and free testosterone and prolactin following prolonged endurance exercise in trained males. Twenty-two endurance-trained males volunteered to run at 100% of their ventilatory threshold (VT) on a treadmill until volitional fatigue. Blood samples were taken at pre-exercise baseline (B0); volitional fatigue (F0); 30 min (F30), 60 min (F60), and 90 min (F90) into recovery; and at 24 h post-baseline (P24 h). At F0 [mean running time = 84.8 (3.8) min], exercise induced significant changes (P<0.05) from B0 in total testosterone, cortisol and prolactin. All three of these hormones were still significantly elevated at F30; but at F60 only cortisol and prolactin were greater than their respective B0 values. Free testosterone displayed no significant changes from B0 at F0, F30, or the F60 time point. At F90, neither cortisol nor prolactin was significantly different from their B0 values, but total and free testosterone were reduced significantly from B0. Cortisol, total testosterone and free testosterone at P24 h were significantly lower than their respective B0 levels. Negative relationships existed between peak cortisol response (at time F30) versus total testosterone (at F90, r=-0.53, P<0.05; and at P24 h, r=-0.60, P<0.01). There were no significant relationships between prolactin and total or free testosterone. In conclusion, the present findings give credence to the hypothesis suggesting a linkage between the low resting testosterone found in endurance-trained runners and stress hormones, with respect to cortisol.

Evaluating the ligand specificity of zebrafish parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptors: comparison of PTH, PTH-related protein, and tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues.

Homologs of mammalian PTH1 and PTH2 receptors, and a novel PTH3 receptor have been identified in zebrafish (zPTH1, zPTH2, and zPTH3). zPTH1 receptor ligand specificity is similar to that of mammalian PTH1 receptors. The zPTH2 receptor is selective for PTH over PTH-related protein (PTHrP); however, PTH produces only modest cAMP accumulation. A PTH2 receptor-selective peptide, tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues (TIP39), has recently been purified from bovine hypothalamus. The effect of TIP39 has not previously been examined on zebrafish receptors. The zPTH3 receptor was initially described as PTHrP selective based on comparison with the effects of human PTH. We have now examined the ligand specificity of the zebrafish PTH-recognizing receptors expressed in COS-7 cells using a wide range of ligands. TIP39 is a potent agonist for stimulation of cAMP accumulation at two putative splice variants of the zPTH2 receptor (EC50, 2.6 and 5.2 nM); in comparison, PTH is a partial agonist [maximal effect (Emax) of PTH peptides ranges from 28-49% of the TIP39 Emax]. As TIP39 is much more efficacious than any known PTH-like peptide, a homolog of TIP39 may be the zPTH2 receptor's endogenous ligand. At the zPTH3 receptor, rat PTH-(1-34) and rat PTH-(1-84) (EC50, 0.22 and 0.45 nM) are more potent than PTHrP (EC50, 1.5 nM), and rPTH-(1-34) binds with high affinity (3.2 nM). PTH has not been isolated from fish. PTHrP-like peptides, which have been identified in fish, may be the natural ligands for zPTH1 and zPTH3 receptors.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee menisci.

MRI remains the most useful noninvasive test for diagnosis of meniscal tears. Knowledge of normal anatomy and familiarity with patterns of meniscal tears are prerequisites when interpreting MRI studies of the knee. Radiologists should pay close attention to technical factors, normal variants, and associated abnormalities to maintain high diagnostic accuracy. Details of meniscal tears should be described as to best aid in orthopedic decision-making.

Assessment of visually lossless irreversible image compression: comparison of three methods by using an image-comparison workstation.

PURPOSE: To determine the degree of irreversible image compression detectable in conservative viewing conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An image-comparison workstation, which alternately displayed two registered and magnified versions of an image, was used to study observer detection of image degradation introduced by irreversible compression. Five observers evaluated 20 16-bit posteroanterior digital chest radiographs compressed with Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) or wavelet-based trellis-coded quantization (WTCQ) algorithms at compression ratios of 8:1-128:1 and x2 magnification by using (a) traditional two-alternative forced choice; (b) original-revealed two-alternative forced choice, in which the noncompressed image is identified to the observer; and (c) a resolution-metric method of matching test images to degraded reference images. RESULTS: The visually lossless threshold was between 8:1 and 16:1 for four observers. JPEG compression resulted in performance as good as that with WTCQ compression at these ratios. The original-revealed forced-choice method was faster and as sensitive as the two-alternative forced-choice method. The resolution-metric results were robust and provided information on performance above visually lossless levels. CONCLUSION: The image-comparison workstation is a versatile tool for comparative assessment of image quality. At x2 magnification, images compressed with either JPEG or WTCQ algorithms were indistinguishable from unaltered original images for most observers at compression ratios between 8:1 and 16:1, indicating that 10:1 compression is acceptable for primary image interpretation.

Current concepts and controversies in meniscal imaging.

Analyzing meniscal abnormalities on MR images depends on a thorough understanding of the normal appearance of meniscal structures and on strict adherence to the MR imaging criteria for meniscal tears. When proper MR imaging technique is followed, meniscal tears can be diagnosed more acutely than with clinical examination alone, even in the presence of associated ligament injuries. The value of MR imaging lies in its ability to reveal details of meniscal tears, including location, morphology, length, depth, and possible stability. If this MR imaging information can be synthesized, it will dramatically affect treatment planning by helping to predict meniscal tears that are potentially reparable and tears that might not need surgical intervention.

Pains, strains, and fasciculations: lower extremity muscle disorders.

Muscle injuries that were suspected only on the basis of clinical examination are now readily demonstrated and characterized using MR imaging. Imaging is used not only for assessment of location, type, and severity of muscle injuries; it plays an important role in treatment planning, and the detection of complications. MR imaging also is useful in nontraumatic muscle disorders including congenital, inflammatory, and infectious myositis, and in cases of denervation, MR imaging is valuable for diagnosis, staging, and prognostication. In cases where the origin of myopathy is unknown, MR imaging can direct biopsy to increase diagnostic yield.

Treatable chondral injuries in the knee: frequency of associated focal subchondral edema.

OBJECTIVE: In the knee, chondral flaps and fractures are radiographically occult articular cartilage injuries that can mimic meniscal tears clinically; once correctly diagnosed, these injuries can be treated surgically. We investigated an associated MR imaging finding--focal subchondral bone edema--in a series of surgically proven lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively reviewed the MR studies of 18 knees with arthroscopically proven treatable cartilage infractions, noting articular surface defects and associated subchondral bone edema; subchondral edema was defined as focal regions of high signal intensity in the bone immediately underlying an articular surface defect on a T2-weighted or short inversion time inversion recovery (STIR) image. RESULTS: The first observer saw focal subchondral edema deep relative to a cartilage surface defect in 15 (83%) of the 18 cases; in two additional cases a surface defect was seen without underlying edema. The second observer identified 13 knees (72%) with surface defects and associated subchondral edema and three with chondral surface defects and no associated edema. Subchondral edema was seen more frequently on fat-suppressed images and on STIR images than non-fat-suppressed images. CONCLUSION: Focal subchondral edema is commonly visible on MR images of treatable, traumatic cartilage defects in the knee; this MR finding may prove to be an important clue to assist in the detection of these traumatic chondral lesions.

Zebrafish express the common parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide receptor (PTH1R) and a novel receptor (PTH3R) that is preferentially activated by mammalian and fugufish parathyroid hormone-related peptide.

To further explore the evolution of receptors for parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related peptide (PTHrP), we searched for zebrafish (z) homologs of the PTH/PTHrP receptor (PTH1R). In mammalian genes encoding this receptor, exons M6/7 and M7 are highly conserved and separated by 81-84 intronic nucleotides. Genomic polymerase chain reaction using degenerate primers based on these exons led to two distinct DNA fragments comprising portions of genes encoding the zPTH1R and the novel zPTH3R. Sequence comparison of both full-length teleost receptors revealed 69% similarity (61% identity), but less homology with zPTH2R. When compared with hPTH1R, zPTH1R showed 76% and zPTH3R 67% amino acid sequence similarity; similarity with hPTH2R was only 59% for both teleost receptors. When expressed in COS-7 cells, zPTH1R bound [Tyr(34)]hPTH-(1-34)-amide (hPTH), [Tyr(36)]hPTHrP-(1-36)-amide (hPTHrP), and [Ala(29),Glu(30), Ala(34),Glu(35), Tyr(36)]fugufish PTHrP-(1-36)-amide (fuguPTHrP) with a high apparent affinity (IC(50): 1.2-3.5 nM), and was efficiently activated by all three peptides (EC(50): 1.1-1.7 nM). In contrast, zPTH3R showed higher affinity for fuguPTHrP and hPTHrP (IC(50): 2.1-11.1 nM) than for hPTH (IC(50): 118.2-127.0 nM); cAMP accumulation was more efficiently stimulated by fugufish and human PTHrP (EC(50): 0.47 +/- 0.27 and 0.45 +/- 0.16, respectively) than by hPTH (EC(50): 9.95 +/- 1.5 nM). Agonist-stimulated total inositol phosphate accumulation was observed with zPTH1R, but not zPTH3R.

A G protein-coupled receptor from zebrafish is activated by human parathyroid hormone and not by human or teleost parathyroid hormone-related peptide. Implications for the evolutionary conservation of calcium-regulating peptide hormones.

Genomic and cDNA clones encoding portions of a putative catfish parathyroid hormone (PTH) 2 receptor (PTH2R) led to the isolation of a cDNA encoding a full-length zebrafish PTH2R (zPTH2R). The zPTH2R shared 63 and 60% amino acid sequence identity with human and rat PTH2Rs, respectively, 47-52% identity with mammalian and frog PTH/PTHrP receptors (PTH1R), and less than 37% with other members of this family of G protein-coupled receptors. COS-7 cells expressing zPTH2R(43), a 5' splice variant that lacked 17 amino acids in the amino-terminal extracellular domain, showed cAMP accumulation when challenged with [Tyr(34)]hPTH(1-34)-amide (hPTH) (EC(50), 1.64 +/- 0. 95 nM) and [Ile(5),Trp(23),Tyr(36)]hPTHrP-(1-36)-amide ([Ile(5), Trp(23)]hPTHrP) (EC(50), 46.8 +/- 12.1 nM) but not when stimulated with [Tyr(36)]hPTHrP-(1-36)-amide (hPTHrP), [Trp(23), Tyr(36)]hPTHrP-(1-36)-amide ([Trp(23)]hPTHrP), or [Ala(29),Glu(30), Ala(34),Glu(35),Tyr(36)]fugufish PTHrP-(1-36)amide (fuguPTHrP). FuguPTHrP also failed to activate the human PTH2R but had similar efficiency and efficacy as hPTH and hPTHrP when tested with cells expressing the human PTH1R. Agonist-dependent activation of zPTH2R was less efficient than that of zPTH2R(43), and both receptor variants showed no cAMP accumulation when stimulated with either secretin, growth hormone-releasing hormone, or calcitonin. The zPTH2R thus has ligand specificity similar to that of the human homolog, which raises the possibility that a PTH-like molecule exists in zebrafish, species which lack parathyroid glands.