Comparison of calculated and experimentally determined SID of CP and AA in complex diets differing in AA contents for grower finisher pigs.

In practice, the content of standardized ileal digestible AA in complex feeds for pigs is calculated on the basis of tabulated values for individual feedstuffs. It comes into question, however, whether this truly reflects an accurate content based upon the estimate made for the individual feedstuffs. The objective of this study was to compare standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of crude protein (CP) and selected AA in complex feeds for grower and finisher pigs either calculated or experimentally determined. Six diets with increasing AA levels were prepared for grower (BW from 30 to 70 kg) and finisher (BW from 70 to 120 kg) feed. Crystalline L-lys, DL-met and L-thr were added to both diets, L-trp and L-val only to the grower feed. SID of both CP and AA was calculated from feed tables and experimentally determined in six adult minipigs (MINILEWE) with ileorectal anastomosis. With increasing AA levels, experimentally determined SID of supplemented AA increased (p < 0.05), but SID of CP (p ≥ 0.05) was not affected. In both grower and finisher feed, calculated and experimentally determined SID of CP, Met, Cys, Trp, Ile and Tyr differed by more than 2% units, but those of Lys and His only in the finisher feed. Yet this effect was not directly consistent. The margin of error following estimation of SID of AA via tabulated values for individual feedstuffs, however, seems to be acceptable for practical use.

Exploring effects of a natural combination medicine on exercise-induced inflammatory immune response: A double-blind RCT.

Traumeel (Tr14) is a natural, combination drug, which has been shown to modulate inflammation at the cytokine level. This study aimed to investigate potential effects of Tr14 on the exercise-induced immune response. In a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, healthy, untrained male subjects received either Tr14 (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) for 24 h after a strenuous experimental exercise trial on a bicycle (60 min at 80%VO2 max). A range of antigen-stimulated cytokines (in vitro), white blood cell count, lymphocyte activation and apoptosis markers, and indicators of muscle damage were assessed up to 24 h following exercise. The area under the curve with respect to the increase (AUCI ) was compared between both groups. The Tr14 group showed a reduced exercise-induced leukocytosis and neutrocytosis (P < 0.01 for both), a higher AUCI score of antigen-stimulated IL-1ß and IL-1α (absolute and per monocyte, all P < 0.05), a lower AUCI score of antigen-stimulated GM-CSF (P < 0.05) and by trend a lower AUCI score of antigen-stimulated IL-2 and IL-4 as well as a higher AUCI score of antigen-stimulated IL-6 (all P < 0.1). Tr14 might promote differentiated effects on the exercise-induced immune response by (a) decreasing the inflammatory response of the innate immune system; and (b) augmenting the pro-inflammatory cytokine response.

[Early and advanced rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosis and state of the art therapy strategy]. / Frühe und fortgeschrittene rheumatoide Arthritis : Diagnostik und aktuelle Behandlungsstrategie.

The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often based on classification criteria. In 2010 ACR and EULAR presented new classification criteria for RA which allow patients with a high risk for persistent, chronic and erosive arthritis and therefore fulfill the current definition of RA, to be defined. Therapy of RA should be initiated as early as possible. Methotrexate remains the first-line therapy of RA. In patients showing insufficient response of RA, biological agents have been demonstrated to be an effective second-line therapy. It is essential to define and follow an individual treatment target to obtain remission or low disease activity. This target should be reassessed regularly and treatment should be correspondingly adapted to achieve the target.

Oral magnesium supplementation reduces insulin resistance in non-diabetic subjects - a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

The incidence of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome correlates with the availability of magnesium (Mg). We studied the effect of oral Mg supplementation on insulin sensitivity and other characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in normomagnesemic, overweight, insulin resistant, non-diabetic subjects. Subjects were tested for eligibility using oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and subsequently randomized to receive either Mg-aspartate-hydrochloride (n = 27) or placebo (n = 25) for 6 months. As trial endpoints, several indices of insulin sensitivity, plasma glucose, serum insulin, blood pressure and lipid profile were determined. Mg supplementation resulted in a significant improvement of fasting plasma glucose and some insulin sensitivity indices (ISIs) compared to placebo. Blood pressure and lipid profile did not show significant changes. The results provide significant evidence that oral Mg supplementation improves insulin sensitivity even in normomagnesemic, overweight, non-diabetic subjects emphasizing the need for an early optimization of Mg status to prevent insulin resistance and subsequently type 2 diabetes.

Expression of nuclear receptor and target genes in liver and intestine of neonatal calves fed colostrum and vitamin A.

Nuclear receptors (NR), including retinoic acid and retinoid X receptors (RAR, RXR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), constitutive androstane receptor, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARalpha) modify the expression of other genes, such as cytochrome p450 enzymes (CYP), sulfotransferases (SULT), and UDP glucuronosyl transferases (UGT). Nuclear receptor expression is influenced by exposure to ligands (e.g., vitamin A). We tested the hypothesis that vitamin A feeding influences the expression of hepatic and intestinal NR and their target genes and that colostrum or formula feeding influence these traits differently. Calves (n = 7/ group) were fed colostrum (CO) or a milk-based formula with or without vitamin A (FA, FO, respectively) for 4 d and were euthanized on d 5, followed immediately by tissue collection. Thereafter, RNA was extracted and gene expression quantified by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Expression relative to housekeeping genes of mRNA was profiled for NR, CYP, SULT, and UGT enzymes. Hepatic mRNA levels of RARbeta and CYP26 were higher in FA than FO cows; expression of CYP2E1, CYP2C8, CYP26, and UGT1A1 was higher in CO than FO cows; and expression of CYP2E1, UGT1A1, and p450 reductase was higher in CO than FA. In colon tissue, abundance of RXRalpha mRNA was lower in FO than CO, and CYP2B6 expression was lower in FO than in CO and FA. In jejunal tissue, there were no significant differences in gene expression among groups. In conclusion, effects of vitamin A feeding were limited, but colostrum feeding had several selective effects on expression of nuclear receptors and target genes.

[Comparison of digital selenium radiography with an analog screen-film system in the diagnostic process of pneumoconiosis according to ILO classification]. / Vergleich der digitalen Selenradiographie mit einem analogen Film-Folien-System in der Diagnostik von Staublungenerkrankungen anhand der ILO-Klassifikation.

UNLABELLED: Comparison of digital selenium radiography with an analog screen-film system in the diagnostic process of pneumoconiosis according to ILO classification. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic value of digital selenium radiography in patients with pneumoconiosis. For this purpose chest x-rays by digital selenium radiography and analog screen-film system were compared according to the ILO classification of pneumoconiosis. METHOD: After approval of the study by the local ethic commission and the Federal German Office for Radiation Protection 50 patients were subjected to x-rays by digital selenium radiography (Thoravision; Philips Medical Systems, Hamburg, Germany) and analog screen-film system of the same day within the scope of an industrial medicine preventive checkup. Four investigators rated the chest x-rays according to the ILO classification of pneumoconiosis. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated by chest x-rays according to ILO classification were rated similar by digital selenium radiography and analog screen film systems. Image quality of the digital pictures was rated significantly better. CONCLUSION: The use of digital selenium radiography in evaluating chest x-rays according to the ILO classification does not result in over- or underestimation of pulmonary pathologies. Hence, in the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, digital selenium radiography can replace the tested analog screen-film system.

[Direct-current treatment of chemically induced mammary carcinoma in an animal model: MR volumetric assessment of the effect of the therapy]. / Gleichstrombehandlung des chemisch induzierten Mammakarzinoms im Tiermodell: MR-volumetrische Erfassung des Therapieeinflusses.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of direct current treatment (DCT) on the growth of mammary carcinomas in rats by MR-volumetry. METHODS: Chemically induced mammary adenocarcinomas in a control group (n = 17) were compared with treated tumours (18 C/cm3 in group A: n = 7 or 36 C/cm3 in group B: n = 12). 31 untreated tumours were situated near a treated tumour (group C). Experiments were carried out using one positive electrode in the tumour centre and three negative electrodes in the periphery. The tumour volume was measured by MRI before, and 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: 12 weeks after DCT, the mean tumour volume in group A (164% +/- 158%, p < 0.05) and group B (13% +/- 24%, p < 0.001) was significantly reduced compared to the control group (434% +/- 230, Mann-Whitney U-Test). Complete tumour regression occurred in 42% of tumours in group B and was not achieved in group A, C and control group. Tumour growth in group C was decreased compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of DCT was found to depend on the applied dosage -36 C/cm3 was more effective than 18 C/cm3. The effect of DCT is not limited to the area between the electrodes.

Anisotropy of chemical shift and J coupling for P-31 and Se-77 in trimethyl and triphenyl phosphine selenides.

The 31P and 77Se magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments for selenium-77 enriched (70%) trimethylphosphine selenide 1 and triphenylphosphine selenide 2 were carried out in order to determine the nuclear magnetic shielding tensors of both nuclei and to establish values of the phosphorus-selenium indirect spin-spin coupling anisotropy delta J. The m = +1/2 and m = -1/2 subspectra were analysed by the dipolar-splitting-ratio method of Eichele and Wasylischen. For the C(S) molecule 1, delta J was obtained to be +640 +/- 260 Hz from the 31P spectrum and +550 +/- 140 Hz from the 77Se spectrum. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations give a delta J value of about +705 Hz. The value of delta J could not be determined unambiguously by analysis of the 31P spectra for the C1 molecules 2; nevertheless, an estimation of delta J was possible. The principal axis 3 of the phosphorus shielding tensor was determined to be nearly parallel to the PSe bond in 1 and 2. For the selenium shielding of 1, the same orientation was found, whereas in 2, the principal axis 2 of the selenium shielding was found to be oriented nearly along the PSe bond. The experimentally determined phosphorus nuclear magnetic shielding tensors agree well with those calculated by the IGLO method. For those two principal values of the selenium-shielding tensors corresponding to directions nearly perpendicular to the SeP bond, the agreement between calculated and experimental values is satisfactory. For the third one, corresponding to the principal axis close to the SeP bond, the calculated deshielding contributions are distinctly too small for both compounds investigated. Trends observed for the calculated molecular orbital (MO) contributions to the shielding as well as possible reasons for the underestimation of the deshielding contributions along the SeP bond are discussed.

[Electron spin resonance spectroscopy investigations of fresh fruit. Evidence of treatment with ionizing radiation]. / Elektronenspinresonanz-spektroskopische Untersuchungen an frischen Früchten. Nachweis der Behandlung mit ionisierender Strahlung.

This paper describes the development of a method for the identification of irradiated fresh fruits by measurement of the e.p.r. spectra of pips, kernels or stones. Measurement parameters were optimized and the irradiation specific spectrum was assigned to a cellulose radical by comparison with the e.p.r. spectrum of pure cellulose. Several fruits especially different varieties of strawberries were examined giving the following results: Detectable minimum doses were between 0.4 kGy and 0.9 kGy and the intensity of the irradiation specific signals was found to be linear up to doses of 11 kGy. The lifetime of the specific radicals (at room temperature and at deep freezing temperatures) was long enough compared to the storage time of fresh fruits. Additional information about the nature of the unspecific central signal was gained measuring the samples which were stored at different temperatures. The main conclusion of this study is that the e.p.r. method seemes to be well suited for the use in routine control and should be tested in an intercomparison to establish a routine method for the identification of irradiated fresh fruits.

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance investigations on chlorocyclophosphazenes.

The present study deals with solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) investigations on hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (N3P3Cl6) and T and K form of octachlorocyclotetraphosphazene (N4P4Cl8). Using 31P NMR we have recorded spectra of different magic-angle spinning (MAS) frequencies and static powder spectra. By means of the analysis of spinning sideband intensities the isotropic chemical shifts and the principal values of the chemical shift tensor could be determined. Because of the interactions between phosphorus and the neighbouring chlorine nuclei in the MAS spectra of N3P3Cl6 and N4P4Cl8 more lines were found to exist than was expected with regard to the isotropic chemical shift values according to the crystallographic phosphorus positions. To support this evidence solid-state spectra of the geminally disubstituted compound 2,2,4,4-tetrachloro-6,6-bisthiophenylcyclotriphosphazene [N3P3Cl4(SPh)2] were used. In addition, by means of the individual gauched localized orbitals (IGLO) method 31P NMR chemical shifts, principal values and the orientation of the principal axes of the shielding tensor were calculated for the chlorocyclophosphazenes.