Benefits and safety of dietary protein for bone health-an expert consensus paper endorsed by the European Society for Clinical and Economical Aspects of Osteopororosis, Osteoarthritis, and Musculoskeletal Diseases and by the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

A summary of systematic reviews and meta-analyses addressing the benefits and risks of dietary protein intakes for bone health in adults suggests that dietary protein levels even above the current RDA may be beneficial in reducing bone loss and hip fracture risk, provided calcium intakes are adequate. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have addressed the benefits and risks of dietary protein intakes for bone health in adults. This narrative review of the literature summarizes and synthesizes recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses and highlights key messages. Adequate supplies of dietary protein are required for optimal bone growth and maintenance of healthy bone. Variation in protein intakes within the "normal" range accounts for 2-4% of BMD variance in adults. In older people with osteoporosis, higher protein intake (≥ 0.8-g/kg body weight/day, i.e., above the current RDA) is associated with higher BMD, a slower rate of bone loss, and reduced risk of hip fracture, provided that dietary calcium intakes are adequate. Intervention with dietary protein supplements attenuate age-related BMD decrease and reduce bone turnover marker levels, together with an increase in IGF-I and a decrease in PTH. There is no evidence that diet-derived acid load is deleterious for bone health. Thus, insufficient dietary protein intakes may be a more severe problem than protein excess in the elderly. Long-term, well-controlled randomized trials are required to further assess the influence of dietary protein intakes on fracture risk.

Diet diversity, growth and adiposity in healthy breastfed infants fed homemade complementary foods.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Infant complementary feeding is important for establishing food preferences. Few studies exist on the effects of infant complementary feeding choices (food preparation methods) on dietary intake, growth or adiposity. We examined whether provision of homemade complementary food is associated with the development of dietary diversity, nutrient intakes and quality of infant growth. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Secondary analysis of feeding practices from a randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation in 132 healthy breastfed 1-month-old infants from Montréal, Canada. This longitudinal study used diet records, anthropometric and body composition data (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) from assessments that occurred when infants were 6, 9, 12 and 36 months of age. Infants were grouped into three categories of food preparation method on the basis of whether or not they had consumed homemade or commercial meat or fruit and vegetable by 9 months (homemade, commercial and both). Multivariable regression controlled for family income, maternal education and infant sex. RESULTS: Dietary data were available for 65 infants. By 9 months, 22% of infants had exclusively received homemade (n=14), 14 infants had exclusively received commercial and 37 infants had received both. The development of dietary diversity (number of World Health Organization-recommended food groups) was higher (0.76 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14, 1.38); P<0.05) in the homemade group versus commercial. Energy and nutrient intakes did not differ by group over time. The homemade group had 773 g (-1364, -182; P<0.01) lower whole-body fat mass and 7.1% (-12.6, -1.6; P<0.05) lower % body fat at 12 months compared with the reference group (both homemade and commercial). Reduced whole-body fat mass in the homemade group persisted at 36 months (-696 g (95% CI: -1341, -52); P<0.05). There were no differences between groups for changes in growth Z-scores (length-for-age, weight-for-age and body mass index-for-age). CONCLUSIONS: Provision of homemade complementary food is associated with increased dietary diversity during the first year of life and reduced adiposity.

Factor V Leiden is associated with increased sperm count.

STUDY QUESTION: Is the thrombophilia mutation factor V Leiden (FVL) associated with an increased total sperm count? SUMMARY ANSWER: Carriers of FVL have a higher total sperm count than non-FVL-carriers, which could not be explained by genetic linkage or by observations in a FVL-mouse model. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: FVL has a high prevalence in Caucasians despite detrimental health effects. Carriers have been shown to have higher fecundity, which might partly explain this evolutionary paradox. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We determined FVL status in two cohorts (Dutch, n = 627; Danish, n = 854) of consecutively included men without known causes for spermatogenic failure, and performed an individual patient data meta-analysis of these two cohorts together with one previously published (Dutch, n = 908) cohort. We explored possible biological underpinnings for the relation between sperm count and FVL, by use of a FVL-mouse model and investigations of genetic linkage. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants were male partners of subfertile couples (two Dutch cohorts) and young men from the general population (Danish cohort): FVL carrier rate was 4.0%, 4.6% and 7.3%, respectively. There were differences in smoking, abstinence time and age between the cohorts. We corrected for these in the primary analysis, which consisted of a mixed linear effects model, also incorporating unobjectified population differences. In public haplotype data from subjects of European descent, we explored linkage disequilibrium of FVL with all known single nucleotide polymorphisms in a 1.5 MB region around the F5 gene with an R2 cutoff of 0.8. We sequenced exons of four candidate genes hypothesized to be linked to FVL in a subgroup of FVL carriers with extreme sperm count values. The animal studies consisted of never mated 15-18-week-old C57BL/J6 mice heterozygous and homozygous for FVL and wild-type mice. We compared spermatogenesis parameters (normalized internal genitalia weights, epididymis sperm content and sperm motility) between FVL and wild-type mice. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Human FVL carriers have a higher total sperm count than non-carriers, with an adjusted mean difference of 31 × 106 (95%CI 0.2-61.7; P = 0.048). Mice with the FVL mutation do not have increased spermatogenesis as compared to wildtype mice. None of the studied polymorphisms was in linkage disequilibrium, either in the public databases or in a subgroup of FVL carriers with extremely high sperm counts. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The difference in total sperm count would benefit from confirmation in other cohorts. The finding of higher count in carriers was consistent however, with no heterogeneity between the cohorts. The lack of effect of murine FVL might suggest there is no direct causality. The exploratory efforts on genetic linkage do not rule out that the association is a reflection of FVL co-inheritance with a non-studied causative polymorphism. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: A high sperm count in FVL-carrying males contributes to understanding the high prevalence of this otherwise disadvantageous mutation. The findings might provide directions for future research on male fertility. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): No conflicts of interest. Research was conducted with funding from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO, VIDI innovative research grant 016.126.364 awarded to S. Middeldorp). The Danish cohort was supported by the Innovation Fund Denmark (InnovationsFonden, grant no. 14-2013-4), The Danish Ministry of Health and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

Vitamin D supplementation in breastfed infants from Montréal, Canada: 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone health effects from a follow-up study at 3 years of age.

UNLABELLED: Whether infant vitamin D supplementation may have long-term bone benefits is unclear. In this study, breastfed infants who received vitamin dosages greater than 400 IU/day did not have higher bone mineralization at 3 years. This study provides important data to inform pediatric public health recommendations for vitamin D. INTRODUCTION: North American health agencies recommend breastfed infants should be supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D/day to support bone health. Few studies examined the long-term benefits of early life vitamin D supplementation on bone mineralization. The objective of this study was to determine if a dose-response relationship exists between infant vitamin D supplementation, vitamin D status, and bone outcomes at 3 years of age. METHODS: This was a double-blind randomized trial of 132, 1-month-old healthy, breastfed infants from Montréal, Canada, between 2007 and 2010. In this longitudinal analysis, 87 infants (66 %) returned for follow-up at 3 years of age, between 2010 and 2013. At 1 month of age, participants were randomly assigned to receive oral cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) supplements of 400, 800, 1200, or 1600 IU/day until 12 months of age. Lumbar spine vertebrae 1-4 (LS) bone mineral density (BMD), LS and whole body bone mineral content (BMC), and mineral accretion were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at 3 years. RESULTS: At follow-up, the treatment groups were similar in terms of diet, sun exposure, and demographics. There were no significant differences among the groups in LS or whole body BMC, BMD, or accretion. Although, 25(OH)D concentrations were not different among the groups, higher doses (1200 and 1600 IU/day) achieved higher 25(OH)D area under the curve from 1 to 36 months vs. 400 IU/day. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first longitudinal follow-up of an infant vitamin D dose-response study which examines bone mineralization at 3 years of age. Dosages higher than 400 IU/day do not appear to provide additional benefits to the bone at follow-up. Larger studies with more ethnically diverse groups are needed to confirm these results.

Physical activity assessment tools for use in overweight and obese children.

The prevalence of excess weight in children and adults worldwide has increased rapidly in the last 25 years. Obesity is positively associated with increased risk for many health issues such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and psychosocial problems. This review focuses on child populations, as it is known that the sedentary behaviors of overweight/obese youth often endure into adulthood. Assessment of physical activity (PA), among other factors such as diet and socio-economic status, is important in understanding weight variation and in designing interventions. This review highlights common subjective and objective PA assessment tools, the validity of these methods and acceptable ways of collecting and interpreting PA data. The aim is to provide an update on PA assessment in overweight/obese children, highlighting current knowledge and any gaps in the literature, in order to facilitate the use of PA assessments and interventions by health-care professionals as well as suggest future research in this area.

Toxicological assessment of kretek cigarettes Part 3: kretek and American-blended cigarettes, inhalation toxicity.

A typical Indonesian kretek cigarette brand and an experimental kretek reference cigarette were compared to the reference cigarette 2R4F in two 90-day inhalation studies. Male and female rats were exposed nose-only to mainstream smoke for 6 hours daily, for 90 consecutive days. Biological endpoints were assessed according to OECD guideline 413, with special emphasis on respiratory tract histopathology and on lung inflammation (broncho-alveolar lavage fluid levels of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes). Histopathological alterations included: in the nose, hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia of the respiratory epithelium and squamous metaplasia and atrophy of the olfactory epithelium; in the larynx, epithelial squamous metaplasia and hyperplasia; in the lungs, accumulation of macrophages in alveoli and goblet cell hyperplasia in bronchial epithelium. The findings were qualitatively consistent with observations from previous similar studies on conventional cigarettes. Compared to 2R4F cigarette, however, kretek smoke exposure was associated with a pronounced attenuation of pulmonary inflammation and less severe histopathological changes in the respiratory tract. Neutrophilic inflammation was also significantly lower (>70%). These results are consistent with the observations made on smoke chemistry and in vitro toxicology. They do not support any increased toxicity of the smoke of kretek cigarettes compared to conventional American-blended cigarettes.

Toxicological assessment of kretek cigarettes. Part 7: the impact of ingredients added to kretek cigarettes on inhalation toxicity.

The biological activity of mainstream smoke from experimental kretek cigarettes with and without three mixes of ingredients was assessed in a 90-day rat inhalation study and in a 4-day in vivo micronucleus assay. 350 ingredients, commonly used in various combinations and in a limited number in a given brand in the manufacture of marketed kretek cigarettes, were applied at a low and a high target level to test cigarettes with a typical Indonesian blend of tobaccos and cloves. In the 90-day inhalation study, effects commonly seen in rat inhalation studies with mainstream smoke were observed. In general, no ingredients-related histopathological changes were found in the respiratory tract. In the 4-day micronucleus assay exposure of male rats to mainstream smoke from the test cigarettes containing any of the three mixes did not increase the proportions of micronucleated cells in peripheral blood and bone marrow over the proportion of micronucleated cells in the control group. Based on the results of these studies, it can be concluded that the addition of ingredients commonly used in the manufacture of kretek cigarettes did not change the overall in vivo toxicity profile of the mainstream smoke.

Toxicological assessment of kretek cigarettes Part 5: mechanistic investigations, inhalation toxicity.

The biological effects of mainstream smoke (MS) from Indonesian-blended cigarettes with and without added cloves, cloves extracted with hot ethanol, and extracted cloves replenished with eugenol or clove oil were assessed in a 90-day inhalation study in rats. A separate 35-day inhalation study in rats was performed with MS from American-blended cigarettes with 0%, 2.5%, 5% or 10% added eugenol. Effects commonly seen in inhalation studies with MS were observed. These included histopathological changes indicative of irritation in the entire respiratory tract and inflammatory responses in the lung. Adding cloves to American- or Indonesian-blended cigarettes reduced the inflammatory response in the lung but with no difference between the two blend types. When the clove oil was extracted (∼ 75% reduction of eugenol achieved) from cloves, the inflammatory response in the lung was still reduced similarly to whole cloves but the severity of histopathological changes in the upper respiratory tract was less reduced. Add back of clove oil or pure eugenol reduced this response to a level similar to what was seen with whole cloves. When eugenol was added to American-blended cigarettes, similar findings of reduced lung inflammation and severity of histopathological changes in respiratory the tract was confirmed. These studies demonstrate a clear effect of cloves, and in particular eugenol, in explaining these findings.

Alteration of calcium homeostasis in primary preeclamptic syncytiotrophoblasts: effect on calcium exchange in placenta.

Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by maternal hypertension, proteinuria, oedema and, in 30% of cases, by intrauterine growth retardation. Causes are still unknown; however, epidemiological and clinical studies have suggested alterations in maternal calcium metabolism. We suggested that in PE, calcium transport by the syncytiotrophoblast (ST) is disturbed. From total placental tissues, we studied the expression of: calcium channels (TRPV5, TRPV6 [transient receptor potential vanilloid]), calcium binding proteins (CaBP-9K, CaBP-28K), plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA)1,2,3,4 pumps, ATP synthase, genes implicated in Ca(2+) release [inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R)1,2,3; Ryanodine receptor (RyR)1,2,3] and replenishment (SERCA1,2,3 [sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPases]) from endoplasmic reticulum, channels implicated in mitochondrial Ca(2+) accumulation (VDAC1,2,3 [voltage-dependent anion channels]) and a marker of oxidative stress (hOGG1 [Human 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase 1]), as well as the influence of these variations on calcium transport in primary ST cultures. The mRNA and protein levels were thereby examined by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively, in two different groups of pregnant women with similar gestational age: a normal group (n= 16) and a PE group (n= 8), diagnosed by a clinician. Our study showed a significant decrease in calcium transport by the ST cultured from preeclamptic placentas. We found a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in mRNA levels of TRPV5, TRPV6, CaBP-9K, CaBP-28K, PMCA1, PMCA4, ATP synthase, IP3R1, IP3R2, RyR1, RyR2 and RyR3 in PE group compared to normal one. We also noted a significant decrease in protein levels of TRPV5, TRPV6, CaBP-9K, CaBP-28K and PMCA1/4 in PE group. In contrast, SERCA1, SERCA2, SERCA3, VDAC3 and hOGG1 mRNA expressions were significantly increased in PE placentas. Calcium homeostasis and transport through placenta is compromised in preeclamptic pregnancies and it appears to be affected by a lack of ATP and an excess of oxidative stress.

Multiple receptor-mediated functions of activated protein C.

The central effector protease of the protein C pathway, activated protein C (APC), interacts with the endothelial cell protein C receptor, with protease activated receptors (PAR), the apolipoprotein E2 receptor, and integrins to exert multiple effects on haemostasis and immune cell function. Such receptor interactions modify the activation of PC and determine the biological response to endogenous and therapeutically administered APC. This review summarizes the current knowledge about interactions of APC with cell surface-associated receptors, novel substrates such as histones and tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and their implications for the biologic function of APC in the control of coagulation and inflammation.

Concurrent nematode infection and pregnancy induce physiological responses that impair linear growth in the murine foetus.

This study examined concurrent stresses of nematode infection and pregnancy using pregnant and non-pregnant CD1 mice infected 3 times with 0, 50 or 100 Heligmosomoides bakeri larvae. Physiological, energetic, immunological and skeletal responses were measured in maternal and foetal compartments. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was elevated by pregnancy, but not by the trickle infection. Energy demands during pregnancy were met through increased food intake and fat utilization whereas mice lowered their body temperature during infection. Both infection and pregnancy increased visceral organ mass and both altered regional bone area and mineralization. During pregnancy, lumbar mineralization was lower but femur area and mineralization were higher. On the other hand, infection lowered maternal femur bone area and this was associated with higher IFN-gamma in maternal serum of heavily infected pregnant mice. Infection also reduced foetal crown-rump length which was associated with higher amniotic fluid IL-1 beta.

[Out-of-hospital airway management with a laryngeal tube or endotracheal intubation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest : Influence on in-hospital mortality]. / Präklinisches Atemwegsmanagement mit Larynxtubus oder Endotrachealtubus bei präklinischem Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand : Einfluss auf die Krankenhausmortalität.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal (ET) intubation has been the gold standard in out-of-hospital airway management for a long time. Recent guidelines suggest an alternative airway management with supraglottic airway devices like the laryngeal tube (LT) especially for less experienced rescue personnel. However, scientific evidence on the prognostic impact of the laryngeal tube in the setting of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is limited. METHODS: We aimed to compare mortality outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients after preclinically initiated airway management with either ET or LT in a propensity score matched, single-center retrospective analysis. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients with OHCA were resuscitated and intubated with either ET (n = 160; 77%) or LT (n = 48; 23%) in the urban area of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and treated thereafter on the intensive care unit of the University Hospital Frankfurt from 2006-2014. In-hospital mortality was 84% versus 85% in the ET and LT group (p = 0.86). No difference regarding in-hospital mortality has been observed between the two airway management techniques in univariate as well as in multivariate mortality analysis (HR = 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69-1.39; p = 0.92; adjusted HR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.76-1.56; p = 0.62). To adjust for potential confounders, propensity score matching was additionally performed resulting in a cohort of 120 matched patients in a 3:1 ratio (ET:LT). Again, survival to hospital discharge was comparable between the two patient groups (propensity-adjusted HR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.65-1.51, p = 0.97). Further, preclinical airway management with LT or ET showed no difference in mortality within first 24 h (propensity-adjusted HR = 1.02; 95% CI 0.44-2.36; p = 0.96). CONCLUSION: Preclinical airway management with LT shows similar mortality outcomes in direct comparison to intubation with ET in OHCA patients. Further randomized studies are warranted.

Defective collagen binding and increased bleeding in a murine model of von Willebrand disease affecting collagen IV binding.

Essentials Defective binding to collagen IV has been seen in von Willebrand factor (VWF) A1 domain variants. We developed a murine model of defective VWF-collagen IV interactions with VWF variant p.R1399H. p.1399HH homozygous mice had decreased binding to collagen IV and increased bleeding times. p.1399HH homozygous mice had increased time to thrombosis and decreased platelet adhesion. SUMMARY: Background von Willebrand factor (VWF) binding to type IV collagen occurs via the VWF A1 domain, with p.R1399H being the most common VWF variant affecting this interaction. Objectives We generated a murine model of 1399H VWF to investigate its in vivo effects. Methods Mice expressing the murine 1399H variant were generated via gene targeting in embryonic stem cells. VWF antigen and VWF collagen binding were measured with ELISA. Tail bleeding time assays were performed by clipping a 3-mm segment. Ferric chloride-induced thrombosis was measured via ultrasound in the carotid artery. Platelet aggregation in response to collagens I and IV was measured. VWF-dependent platelet adhesion to collagen IV was measured under flow. Results Breeding of heterozygous p.R1399H and homozygous p.1399HH mice was observed to follow normal Mendelian ratios. No spontaneous bleeding was observed for any of the offspring. VWF expression was normal, but VWF binding to collagen IV was decreased in both heterozygous and homozygous offspring. Blood loss following tail resection was increased for p.1399HH mice, and occlusion times following ferric chloride-induced thrombosis were prolonged. Platelet aggregation was unaffected, but platelet adhesion to collagen IV under flow was diminished for p.1399HH mice. Conclusions These results show that a decrease in the ability of 1399H VWF to bind collagen IV under static conditions corresponds to a decrease in binding under flow conditions, an increased bleeding time, and a prolonged time to thrombosis. This study supports the potential for a bleeding phenotype in patients with aberrant VWF-collagen IV binding.

Evaluation of plasma and erythrocyte fatty acids C15:0, t-C16:1n-7 and C17:0 as biomarkers of dairy fat consumption in adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Pentadecanoic (C15:0), heptadecanoic (C17:0) and trans-palmitoleic (t-C16:1n-7) fatty acids (FAs) are often used as biomarkers for dairy fat in adults. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dairy product intake and these FAs in adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Healthy adolescents were randomized to one of three groups (Group 1: control; Group 2: consume 3 dairy servings/day; and Group 3: consume ≥ 4 servings/d). C15:0, C17:0 and t-C16:1n-7 were quantified using gas chromatography. Dietary intakes were assessed by 24 h diet recalls. RESULTS: No difference was observed in FAs at baseline or 6 months (mo), however, at 12 mo, erythrocyte C15:0 increased in group 3 (+0.37 µg/ml, p = 0.01). Dairy intake increased in both intervention groups (Group 2: +1.4 servings/d; Group 3: +2.4 servings/d, p < 0.0001) and positively correlated with erythrocyte C15:0 at 12 mo. CONCLUSION: Erythrocyte FAs appear to be associated with increasing dairy intakes during adolescence.

Litter quality and microtopography as key drivers to topsoil properties and understorey plant diversity in ancient broadleaved forests on decalcified marl.

In forest ecosystems, litter quality is a major driver for soil and understorey characteristics, but elevation, microtopography and subsoil properties may also be important. We tested the importance of each factor in two ancient mixed forests on decalcified marl, dominated by trees with different litter quality such as European hornbeam, with high-palatable litter, and beech, with low-palatable litter. We mapped elevation, differences in local height (microtopography), tree distribution and understorey cover on slopes ranging from crest to bottom, and sampled 200 7 × 7 m grid cells for characteristics of litter input, understorey, topsoil and subsoil. In both forests, elevation decreased gradually, but microtopography showed irregular patterns of depressions and mounds of a few cm below or above average local height. Tree distribution was not affected by elevation or subsoil properties, but clearly by microtopography. Adult beech was abundant on local mounds, while hornbeam was more common in local depressions. Topsoil and understorey characteristics were mainly affected by litter quality (tree species dominance) and microtopography. Litter quality had separate effects from microtopography, but could reinforce this. High litter quality (hornbeam) and low local height both led to high earthworm activity, low litter mass, high erosion, impermeable clay layers close to the surface, high pH, high soil moisture and high diversity of the understorey. Low litter quality (beech) and high local height both led to low earthworm activity, high litter mass, low erosion, low pH, low soil moisture and low plant diversity. Beech and hornbeam may act as ecosystem engineers, which change habitat conditions and local hydrology, and make habitats more suitable to themselves, and/or unsuitable to the other. However, they also increased spatial complexity of the forest and length of the habitat gradient. This may increase forest biodiversity as a whole, but also resilience to prolonged wet or dry periods.

Combined tissue factor pathway inhibitor and thrombomodulin deficiency produces an augmented hypercoagulable state with tissue-specific fibrin deposition.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and thrombomodulin (TM) are endothelial-associated anticoagulant proteins thought to control hemostasis in specific vascular beds. Here, we have examined the consequences of TFPI deficiency in the presence of a compounding procoagulant state caused by reduced TM function. METHODS AND RESULTS: TFPI(+/-)/TM(pro/pro) mice are born at less than expected frequency in either TFPI(+/-)/TM(pro/+) or TM(pro/pro) mothers but are born at near the expected frequency in TM(pro/+) mothers. Adult TFPI(+/-)/TM(pro/pro) mice have elevated thrombin-antithrombin complex and increased thrombus volume in an electrical injury model of venous thrombosis. In striking contrast to mice with single deficiency of TFPI or TM, TFPI(+/-)/TM(pro/pro) mice exhibit augmented fibrin deposition not only in the liver, but also in the cerebral microvasculature. CONCLUSIONS: TFPI(+/-)/TM(pro/pro) mice exhibit partial intrauterine lethality when carried by mothers with an underlying prothrombotic state, providing the first experimental evidence in an animal model that TFPI-dependent control of hemostasis in the vascular bed of the placenta fulfills a critical role for successful pregnancy outcome. In addition to the placenta, partial TFPI deficiency interacts with decreased TM function in an organ selective manner to produce fibrin deposition in other specific vascular beds, the liver and brain.

Endothelium-specific loss of murine thrombomodulin disrupts the protein C anticoagulant pathway and causes juvenile-onset thrombosis.

The thrombomodulin (TM) gene was ablated in mice in a cell type-restricted manner from vascular endothelium by Cre-recombinase-mediated excision controlled by the endothelial cell lineage-specific Tie2 promoter. Forty percent of mutant (TMLox-) mice display a distinct lethal embryonic phenotype not observed in completely TM-deficient embryos. The remaining 60% of TMLox mice survive beyond birth, but invariably succumb to a severe hypercoagulable state and massive thrombosis after 3 weeks, terminating in a lethal consumptive coagulopathy. The progression of thrombosis was age- and sex-dependent. Disruption of the TM/protein C pathway was not associated with a latent proinflammatory state. Disease onset and progression could be prevented by warfarin anticoagulation. These results show that in mice, loss of endothelial cell TM function causes spontaneous and fatal thrombosis in the arterial and venous circulation, resulting from unfettered activation of the coagulation system. The combination of complete disease penetrance, uniform disease onset at young age, large vessel thrombosis of the extremities and multiple organ systems, and consumptive coagulopathy as the disease end-point provides a unique mouse model of human thrombotic disease.

Feeding flaxseed oil but not secoisolariciresinol diglucoside results in higher bone mass in healthy rats and rats with kidney disease.

Flaxseed's oil and lignan, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), are implicated in attainment of health and treatment of renal injury and osteoporosis. To test for these benefits, weanling Han:SPRD-cy rats (n=171) with or without kidney disease were randomized to diets made with either corn oil or flaxseed oil and with or without SDG for 12 weeks. In females, weight was lower with the SDG diet. In males fed flaxseed oil, lean mass was higher and fat % was lower. In both sexes, fat % was lower in diseased rats. Bone mineral content (BMC) and density were higher in rats fed flaxseed oil and lower in diseased rats, additionally; BMC was lower in SDG-supplemented females. The benefit of flaxseed oil on body composition is sex specific but the effect on bone mass is not. Lastly, reduced weight due to early rat kidney disease is not due to loss of lean body mass.

Vitamin D supplementation trial in infancy: body composition effects at 3 years of age in a prospective follow-up study from Montréal.

BACKGROUND: The impact of vitamin D status on body composition is not well understood. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate how vitamin D supplementation in infancy affects body composition at 3 years of age. METHODS: Double-blind randomized trial of 132, 1-month-old healthy, breastfed infants randomly assigned to receive oral vitamin D3 supplements of 400, 800, 1200 or 1600 IU d-1 for 11 months. In the present analysis, 87 (66%) returned at 3 years of age. Body composition was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Anthropometry, body composition, diet, activity and demographics were similar across dosage groups at 3 years. Mean 25(OH)D concentration from 1 month to 3 years was higher (P < 0.001) in the 1200 IU group than 800 and 400 IU groups. Children with 25(OH)D concentrations above 75 nmol L-1 had lower fat mass (~450 g; P = 0.049). In multiple linear regression, mean 25(OH)D was associated with lean mass percent (ß = 0.06; CI: 0.00, 0.12; P = 0.042), fat mass (ß = -11.29; CI: -22.06, -0.52; P = 0.048) and body fat percent (ß = -0.06; CI: -0.12, -0.01; P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Higher vitamin D status from infancy through to 3 years of age associates with leaner body composition.