Quantitative 3D evaluation of step ascent and descent in individuals with Down syndrome--analysis of a daily challenging task.

BACKGROUND: Step ascent and descent can perturb stability increasing the incidence of falls, especially in older individuals with functional limitations and intellectual disabilities, such as those with Down syndrome (DS). The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanics and motor coordination of step ascent and descent in adults with DS and compare them with a group of healthy individuals, considering movement kinematics and kinetics. METHOD: Fourteen adults with DS and 12 similarly aged adults without DS who were free of known motor problems were quantitatively assessed during ascending and descending a step using an optoelectronic system (BTS SMART-D), force platforms and video recording. Kinematic and kinetic parameters were identified and calculated for each study participant and comparisons were made between the DS and a control group (CG). RESULTS: Despite similar age ranges, subjects in the DS group performed the step ascent and descent movements slower, with longer duration and with a more accentuated range of motion of the trunk and of the ankle joint than those in the CG. Additionally, the double stance phase on the step was substantially longer in the DS group when represented as a percentage of the entire stepping sequence (ascent, double stance on the step and descent). In terms of kinetics, ground force platform data revealed that the DS subjects showed higher instability in the medio-lateral direction during double support phase than similarly aged CG subjects and cannot be attributed to age-associated changes in stability. CONCLUSIONS: These findings help to elucidate the complex biomechanical strategy of people with DS during a step ascent and descent movement task and may have a major role in the multidimensional evaluation and tailored management for them.

Dietary crude protein has minimal effect on the activity of selected enzymes of methionine catabolism in kittens fed diets near-limiting in methionine.

Previous experiments have shown that increasing the dietary crude protein (CP) of cats does not increase urea cycle enzymes or alanine amino transferase as occurs in rats. Also when an essential amino acid (EAA) is limiting in a diet for growing kittens, the kittens do not exhibit an amino acid imbalance when other EAAs are added to the diet. To study the metabolic basis for these observations which are different from that found in omnivores and herbivores, the hypothesis that increased dietary CP decreases methionine catabolism, so more is spared for growth, was tested. Fifteen male kittens were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments. Each diet contained 2.5 g l-methionine/kg diet and 200, 300 or 500 g CP/kg diet. The livers and kidneys were removed and assayed for methionine transaminase (MTA), cystathionase (CASE) and cystathionine synthase (CS). Free amino acid concentrations were determined in liver, kidney and plasma. The 300 and 500 g CP/kg groups had significantly greater kidney weights and body weight gains than the 200 g CP/kg group. Hepatic MTA activity was lower in the 300 than the 200 or 500 g CP/kg groups (p < 0.05). Renal MTA and CASE activities were 35% and 50% greater, respectively, for the 500 g CP/kg group than for the 200 g CP/kg diet group (p < 0.05). Renal CS activities for the 300 and 500 g CP/kg groups were 29% (p > 0.05) and 38% (p < 0.05) greater, respectively, than the 200 g CP/kg group. Cyst(e)ine concentrations were lower in the livers of the 500 g CP/kg group than the 200 g CP/kg group (p < 0.05). Cystathionine was lower in plasma and kidney from the 500 g CP/kg diet group than from the 200 g CP/kg diet group (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the metabolic basis for the increased growth of kittens fed diets marginally limiting in methionine, with increasing concentrations of dietary CP, was not mediated through decreased enzyme activity associated with the catabolism of methionine, but was the result of an increase in food (methionine) intake.

The effects of multifocal refractive lenses on occipital extension and forward head posture during a visual task.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a change in forward head posture and occipital extension occurred in participants who wore multifocal lenses vs. those persons with non-multifocal lenses while performing an 8-min visual reading task on a visual display unit (VDU). Forty-two healthy human participants were recruited for this study. Thirty-three participants completed the study. Fourteen participants wore multifocal lenses and 19 wore frames with non-multifocal lenses. To evaluate the degree of change of forward head posture and occipital extension digital photographs of cervical posture were taken at four different time intervals: prior to performing the reading task and at 3, 5 and 8 min during the reading task. The digital photographs were analysed utilizing a computer program. Two one-way ANOVA were utilized to determine the degree of change of forward head posture and occipital extension between groups. A significant difference was identified between groups for changes in degrees of forward head posture while performing a visual reading task on a VDU. However, no significant difference between groups was found for occipital extension while performing the same task. Multifocal wearers exhibit greater degrees of change in forward head posture and occipital extension than non-multifocal wearers. These postural changes may place them at a greater risk for musculoskeletal disorders and headaches.

Arousal-modulated attention at four months as a function of intrauterine cocaine exposure and central nervous system injury.

CNS-compromised neonates are poor modulators tending to prefer less stimulation in all arousal conditions. Cocaine-exposed neonates also are poor modulators but tend to prefer more stimulation in all arousal conditions. Infants (N = 359, M = 4 months) were divided into 6 CNS injury groups and 1 cocaine-exposed, non-CNS-injured group and tested in three arousal conditions: less aroused (after feeding), more around-endogenous (before feeding), and more aroused-exogenous (after feeding with additional stimulation prior to each trial). Infants with CNS injuries still showed some degree of influence of arousal on attention that was now similar to that seen in normal neonates and 1-month-olds, while cocaine-exposed infants, 4-month-old normal and mild or moderate CNS-injury infants did not.

Threonine is catabolized by L-threonine 3-dehydrogenase and threonine dehydratase in hepatocytes from domestic cats (Felis domestica).

Isolated hepatocytes were used to study threonine catabolism in kittens, and dietary threonine and crude protein were varied to study enzyme adaptation. Cells were isolated from 21-wk-old kittens which had been fed diets containing threonine at 4 or 8 g/kg of diet with either 200 or 500 g crude protein/kg of diet (2 x 2 factorial, n = 4/group). Production of CO2, glucose and various metabolites from [U-14C]threonine were measured. Inclusion of 10 mmol/L glycine, or glycine in combination with 10 mmol/L acetaldehyde +ethanol, in the incubation medium decreased formation of 14CO2 and [14C]glucose. At the same time, large amounts of [14C]glycine but no [14C]ethanol was formed. Inclusion of 10 mmol/L 2-ketobutyrate + 2-hydroxybutyrate decreased 14CO2 but not [14C]glucose production and resulted in the formation of [14C]2-hydroxybutyrate. Under all incubation conditions, 14CO2 and [14C]glucose production changed in response to alterations in dietary protein but not dietary threonine. It appears that threonine dehydratase and L-threonine 3-dehydrogenase, but not threonine aldolase, are active pathways for threonine metabolism in cats, and both enzymes are sensitive to levels of dietary protein.

Effects of estrogen on gluconeogenesis and related parameters in male rainbow trout.

To investigate the effects of estrogen, the hormone responsible for vitellogenesis, on gluconeogenesis, male rainbow trout were implanted with 17 beta-estradiol or given a sham procedure. Plasma glucose concentration in estrogenized fish was 50% of the control fish (6.4 mM). Glucose synthesis from physiological concentrations of alanine was 0.08 mumol.g cells-1 x h-1 compared with 0.20 mumol.g cells-1 x h-1 in control fish; synthesis from physiological concentrations of lactate was reduced by over 50% (0.88 vs. 0.36 mumol.g cells-1 x h-1) in implanted fish. Gluconeogenesis from 5 mM lactate was also significantly depressed in implanted fish. Oxidation of alanine, serine, and lactate was not significantly affected by estrogen implantation. The maximum clearance velocity of a key enzyme negatively regulating gluconeogenesis, pyruvate kinase, was 3.03 mumol.g cells-1 x h-1 in estrogen (E2) implanted fish compared with 7.83 mumol.g cells-1 x h-1 in control fish. No significant differences in plasma insulin or glucagon were found in the two groups. We conclude that estrogen depresses gluconeogenesis and that this reduction contributes to the lower plasma glucose concentration seen in vitellogenic trout.

Motion-based detection by 14-week-old infants.

Three experiments using standing wave stimuli with 14-week-old human infants are reported. Two competing hypotheses regarding the detection of these standing wave line stimuli were tested in these studies. Amplitude-based (positional) detection was contrasted with speed-based (motion) detection. Temporal oscillation frequencies of 0.15, 0.30, 0.60 and 1.20 Hz were used. The detectability of a standing wave of fixed amplitude was influenced significantly by the temporal frequency of the oscillation. By inference, the results of the three experiments supported the motion-based detection hypothesis.

Effects of estrogen on whole animal and tissue glucose use in female and male rainbow trout.

Reports of changes in carbohydrate metabolism during vitellogenesis in fish prompted an investigation of the effects of estrogen on glucose utilization in rainbow trout. Estrogen pellets were implanted in both female and male fish, and a third group of male fish was given a sham operation. After cannulation of the dorsal aorta, D-[1-3H]glucose and 2-deoxy-D-[U-14C]glucose were injected into the fish to observe whole animal and tissue glucose use. We found that estrogen does not affect glucose turnover rate or transit time but causes a decrease in plasma glucose concentration and size of the glucose mixing pool. Adipose tissue in female fish utilized glucose at a higher rate than sham fish. Ovarian tissue used more glucose per kilogram of body weight than the testes of the male fish. Regardless of treatment, brain had the highest rate of glucose consumption per gram of tissue, followed by gonads and red blood cells. Muscle and adipose tissue utilized only small amounts (< 1 nmol.g tissue-1.min-1) of glucose. We conclude that an increase in the rate of whole body glucose use is not responsible for the fall in plasma glucose caused by estrogen and seen during vitellogenesis.

Bilirubin production and conjugation from newly formed heme in isolated rat hepatocytes.

1. Heme synthesis from delta-aminolevulinic acid (delta-ALA) in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes was maximal at 100 microM with a rate of approx. 7 nmol being synthesized per g wet weight cells. 2. Approximately 8% of synthesized heme was converted to bilirubin and 50% of the newly synthesized bilirubin was conjugated. 3. The ratio of di to monoconjugate was approx. 2.5. Incorporation of delta-ALA into bilirubin was increased by additional delta-ALA, heme and was also doubled in cells isolated from animals treated with CoCl2. 4. Bilirubin formation was inhibited approx. 90% by in vitro treatment with heme oxygenase inhibitors zinc and tin protoporphyrin.

Bile pigments in gallbladder and freshly-secreted hepatic duct bile from fed and fasted rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

1. Chromatographic analyses of bile pigments in rainbow trout reveal the presence of primarily unconjugated biliverdin (BV) and bilirubin (BR) glycosyl conjugates. Only trace amounts of unconjugated BR are present in hepatic duct (HD) bile: no beta-glucuronidase activity is detectable. 2. The per cent of BV and BR in HD and gallbladder biles is similar in fasted trout; however, the per cent of BV is significantly increased in HD bile from fed fish. 3. Fasting decreases the rate of choleresis but does not alter the excretory rate of endogenous BV or BR. 4. Erythrocyte life span is estimated to be approximately 500 days.

Fasting hyperbilirubinemia in normal squirrel monkeys.

The plasma of Bolivian squirrel monkeys, unlike that of Brazilian squirrel monkeys, is markedly yellow due to unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia after an overnight fast. The fasting hyperbilirubinemia in Bolivian squirrel monkeys is likely due to two mechanisms. First, a twofold increase in the bilirubin turnover/production rate occurs during a 24-hour fast. A second mechanism is the decreased hepatic conjugation potential for bilirubin due to the presence of a higher bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase UDPGAKm and a lower Vm; this results in higher steady-state plasma and hepatic bilirubin levels during a fast when hepatic UDP-glucuronic acid levels are low. The Bolivian squirrel monkey provides an excellent animal model for human Gilbert's syndrome type I in which to study rate-limiting mechanisms in the movement of bilirubin from plasma to bile.

Effects of dietary fibers on nonfasting plasma lipoprotein and apolipoprotein levels in rats.

This study was undertaken to determine whether selected dietary fibers had an effect on plasma lipoproteins, apolipoproteins and enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism in rats. Each experimental diet contained 8% dietary fiber by weight; all animals were killed in a nonfasted state. After 4 wk, final body weight and liver cholesterol were similar in fiber-free controls and in rats fed diets containing cellulose, pectin, oat bran or wheat bran. Pectin-fed animals has significantly lower plasma cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels, and exhibited significantly higher hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity than did the fiber-free control group. In addition, plasma triglyceride concentrations were lowest in pectin-fed animals. These multiple effects on lipid metabolism were not observed when oat bran, containing one-third soluble fiber, was used. Although total plasma cholesterol levels in wheat bran-fed animals were not different from those in the fiber-free controls or the cellulose-oat bran-fed animals, the LDL cholesterol level was significantly higher than in fiber-free controls or pectin-fed animals. This study demonstrate that dietary fibers included in the diet of rats are able to alter nonfasting lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoproteins and that pectin, a soluble fiber, was most effective in lowering plasma cholesterol levels.

The effect of pyruvate or dihydroxyacetone on parenterally induced liver lipid accumulation in the rat.

Orally fed pyruvate (pyr) and dihydroxyacetone (DHA) have been shown to decrease liver lipid accumulation in animal models. These compounds lessen the degree of fatty liver in ethanol-fed rats and in a genetic strain of hens predisposed to fatty liver. Total parenteral nutrition can result in liver dysfunction, including fatty infiltration of the liver. In this study, rats were assigned to either control, pyr, or DHA groups. All rats were fitted with jugular vein catheters, and following a 3-day recovery, were infused continuously for 7 days. The infusate provided adequate nutrition (including 7% kcal as fat) with 5% pyr or 5% DHA (g/liter) substituted for dextrose in the experimental groups. Plasma triglycerides were lower in the pyr groups relative to controls: 62.2 +/- 34.7 (SE) vs 96.8 +/- 44.3 mg/dl, though this was significant only at P less than 0.10. Neither pyr nor DHA decreased liver lipids. Pyr and DHA were administered intravenously in this study, and therefore passed through the heart and to peripheral tissues first. These compounds may need to be fed orally, passing via the portal system, to produce the liver lipid-lowering effects seen in other studies.

Time course changes in glycogen accretion, 6-phosphogluconate, fructose-2,6-bisphosphate, and lipogenesis upon refeeding a high sucrose diet to starved rats.

1. Starved rats refed 60% sucrose diets were used to determine in vivo lipogenesis and levels of hepatic metabolites. 2. Fatty acid synthesis increased 11-fold 4 hr after refeeding. 3. Glycogen rose from 3 to 100 mg/g liver after 8 hr. 4. Fructose-2,6-bisphosphate rose to 6 nmol/g at 1 hr and remained constant. 5. 6-Phosphogluconate increased from 10 to 45 nmol/g liver after 2 hr and remained constant.

Kinetic properties of bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase in squirrel monkeys exhibiting fasting hyperbilirubinemia.

1. Bolivian squirrel monkeys (BoSM), unlike Brazilian squirrel monkeys (BrSM), exhibit a marked fasting hyperbilirubinemia (FH) and serve as animal models for Gilbert's syndrome type I. 2. Compared to BrSM, BoSM possess a higher apparent UDPGAKm (0.51 vs 0.29 mM) and lower Vm (0.36 vs 0.48 nmol BR conjugated/min per mg microsomal protein) for hepatic bilirubin (BR) UDP-glucuronyl-transferase (BR UDPG-T). 3. Lineweaver-Burk plots are linear and obey Michaelis-Menten kinetics when UDP-acetylglucosamine is used as activator and UDPGA substrate concentrations are within the physiologic range present in the liver during the fed and fasted state (0.10-0.71 mM); above these concentrations, there is a discontinuity of kinetic plots as noted in other species. 4. There is no effect of fasting on the Km of BR conjugation (i.e. sum of mono- and diglucuronides) in either monkey; however, fasting is associated with lower Vm values (15-20%) in each subspecies. 5. By calculating the potential BR flux (nmol BR conjugated/min per kg) using known hepatic UDPGA concentrations, liver weights and in vitro Km and Vm, a markedly lower BR flux is observed in BoSM (58.4 nmol/min per kg) than in BrSM (91.6 nmol/min per kg). 6. Significantly higher apparent UDPGAKm and lower Vm of BR UDPG-T for conjugation of BR to BR monoglucuronide appears responsible in part for the four- to five-fold elevations in unconjugated BR in the liver and plasma in the fasted BoSM.

Effects of propionate on lipid biosynthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes.

The effects of propionate, a product of intestinal fiber fermentation, on fatty acid and sterol synthesis were studied in isolated rat hepatocytes. Fatty acid synthesis, as measured by tritium incorporation from 3H2O, was inhibited in the presence of 1 mmol/L propionate with no substrate additions or additions of acetate, butyrate, lactate or oleate. Incorporation of [1-14C]acetate into fatty acids was also inhibited in the presence of propionate. Although propionate markedly depressed [1-14C]acetate incorporation into sterols in hepatocyte preparations, tritium incorporation from 3H2O into sterols was not inhibited, indicating that overall sterol synthesis was not affected. Thus, in vitro, the effect of propionate on lipid metabolism is apparently limited to inhibition of de novo fatty acid synthesis.

The effects of dietary fiber feeding on cholesterol metabolism in rats.

The flux through the sterol biosynthetic pathway was studied in hepatocytes isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats fed diets containing one of four fiber sources: cellulose, pectin, oat bran and wheat bran. Sterol synthesis measured by the incorporation of tritiated water or [2-14C]mevalonic acid was not inhibited in hepatocytes isolated from animals fed diets containing cellulose, pectin, oat bran or wheat bran when compared to animals fed a fiber-free diet. Based on these results, it is concluded that the intake of fiber has no inhibitory effect on endogenous sterol synthesis. In fact, in comparison to that in fiber-free controls, sterol synthesis was markedly elevated in pectin- and wheat bran-fed animals. In the case of the pectin-treated animals, the higher synthetic rate corresponded to an increase in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity.

Contribution of several amino acids and lactate to gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes isolated from rats fed various diets.

The contribution under various nutritional regimens of several amino acids and lactate to gluconeogenesis was estimated by measuring the glucose formation from 14C-labeled substrates. Isolated rat hepatocytes were incubated for 60 min in a Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer pH 7.4 containing lactate, pyruvate and all the amino acids at concentrations similar to their physiological levels found in rat plasma, with one precursor labeled in each flask. In all conditions, lactate was the major glucose precursor, providing over 60% of the glucose formed. Glutamine and alanine were the major amino acid precursors of glucose, contributing 9.8% and 10.6% of the glucose formed, respectively, in hepatocytes isolated from starved rats. Serine, glycine and threonine also contributed to gluconeogenesis in the starved liver cells at 2.6, 2.1 and 3.8%, respectively, of the glucose formed. The rate of glucose formation from the isolated hepatocytes of the starved rats and those fed either high protein or high fat was higher than that from rats fed a nonpurified diet.