Relationships between gross motor skills, cardiovascular fitness, and visuospatial working memory-related brain activation in 8- to 10-year-old children.

Relationships between gross motor skills and cardiovascular fitness with visuospatial working memory (VSWM) in children are hypothesized to be mediated by underlying functional brain mechanisms. Because there is little experimental evidence to support this mechanism, the present study was designed to investigate the relationships of gross motor skills and cardiovascular fitness with VSWM-related brain activation in 8- to 10-year-old children. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data obtained during a VSWM-task were analyzed for 80 children from grades 3 (47.5%) and 4 of 21 primary schools in the Netherlands (51.3% girls). Gross motor skills (Korper Koordinationstest für Kinder and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency - 2nd Edition) and cardiovascular fitness (20-meter Shuttle Run Test) were assessed. VSWM-related brain activation was found in a network involving the angular gyrus, the superior parietal cortex, and the thalamus; deactivation was found in the inferior and middle temporal gyri. Although behavioral results showed significant relations of gross motor skills and cardiovascular fitness with VSWM performance, gross motor skills and cardiovascular fitness were not related to VSWM-related brain activation. Therefore, we could not confirm the hypothesis that brain activation underlies the relationship of gross motor skills and cardiovascular fitness with VSWM performance. Our results suggest that either the effects of physical activity on cognition do not necessarily go via changes in gross motor skills and/or cardiovascular fitness, or that brain activation patterns as measured with the blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signal may not be the mechanism underlying the relationships of gross motor skills and cardiovascular fitness with VSWM.

Influence of a specific amino acid pattern in the diet on the course of an experimental Campylobacter jejuni infection in broilers.

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens worldwide. In Europe, the majority of the cases are caused by consuming contaminated poultry meat. The objective of the present study was to investigate potential effects of different crude protein levels in complete diets for broilers on infection dynamics of C. jejuni after experimental infection. In total, 300 commercial broilers line Ross 308 were divided into 4 different groups, including 5 replications of 15 chickens each. The chickens were fed a conventional diet (212 g CP/kg DM) and a protein-reduced test diet (190 g CP/kg DM) supplemented with essential amino acids. This resulted simultaneously in lower amino-acid concentrations preferentially utilized by C. jejuni, such as aspartate, glutamate, proline, and serine. One group of each feeding concept was infected artificially with C. jejuni at day 21 by applying an oral C. jejuni inoculum containing 4.17 ± 0.09 log10 cfu of C. jejuni to 3 of 15 chickens, called "seeders." Feeding the test diet resulted in a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in CP intake (31.5 ± 1.20 g CP/broiler/day and 27.7 ± 0.71 g CP/broiler/day, respectively), a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in crude mucin in excreta (55.7 ± 8.23 g/kg DM and 51.9 ± 7.62 g/kg DM, respectively), and in goblet cell number in cecal crypts (P < 0.05; 15.1 ± 5.71 vs. 13.6 ± 5.91 goblet cells/crypt). In groups receiving the test diet, the excretion of C. jejuni was significantly reduced in seeders by 1.9 log10 cfu/g excreta at day 23 (3.38a ± 2.55 vs. 1.47b ± 2.20; P = 0.033). At day 25, prevalence of C. jejuni in cloacal swabs amounted to 53.3% in the group fed the test diet and 75.7% in the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). In summary, a definite amino acid pattern in the broiler diets could contribute to a development of an effective feeding strategy to reduce the prevalence of C. jejuni infection in chickens (Patent No 17187659.2-1106).

The Effect of Stress and Recovery on Field-test Performance in Floorball.

Physical and psychosocial stress and recovery are important performance determinants. A holistic approach that monitors these performance determinants over a longer period of time is lacking. Therefore this study aims to investigate the effect of a player's physical and psychosocial stress and recovery on field-test performance. In a prospective non-experimental cohort design 10 female Dutch floorball players were monitored over 6 months. To monitor physical and psychosocial stress and recovery, daily training-logs and 3-weekly the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) were filled out respectively. To determine field-test performance 6 Heart rate Interval Monitoring System (HIMS) and 4 Repeated Modified Agility T-test (RMAT) measurements were performed. Multilevel prediction models were applied to account for within-players and between-players field-test performance changes. The results show that more psychosocial stress and less psychosocial recovery over 3-6 weeks before testing decrease HIMS performance (p≤0.05). More physical stress over 6 weeks before testing improves RMAT performance (p≤0.05). In conclusion, physical and psychosocial stress and recovery affect submaximal interval-based running performance and agility up to 6 weeks before testing. Therefore both physical and psychosocial stress and recovery should be monitored in daily routines to optimize performance.

Watering cattle (young bulls) with brackish water--a hazard due to its salt content?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this experimental study was primarily to test the effects and reactions of cattle offered salty water as the only source of drinking water. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mineral balance studies were carried out on three bull, continuously fed a ration based on hay, hay cobs, barley, soybean meal and a vitamin/mineral supplement. The salt content of the drinking water varied between the trials (trials I/II/III: 0.10/5.00/10.0 g/l; town water supplemented by different amounts of an additive containing 95.4% sodium chloride and 4.6% potassium chloride). RESULTS: Rising salt concentration of the drinking water led to significantly higher sodium, potassium and chloride intake (sodium: trial I/II/III = 5.42/59.5/ 157 g/day; potassium: trials I/II/III = 108/117/121 g/day; chloride: trials I/II/III = 22.8/112/266 g/day) mainly caused by a significantly higher water intake (trials I/II/III: 21.8 ± 2.03/30.4 ± 3.08/41.5 ± 5.89 kg/day). Amounts of urine increased significantly (trials I/II/III: 3.99 ± 0.46/ 9.66 ± 1.34/20.2 ± 3.14 kg/day). The concentrations of minerals in the urine (sodium: trials I/II/III = 123/3729/6705 mg/kg; potassium: trials I/II/III = 17345/9996/ 5496 mg/kg; chloride: trials I/II/III = 2020/ 9672/11870 mg/kg) and faeces (sodium: trials I/II/III = 1299/6544/ 7653 mg/kg; potassium: trials I/II/III = 6343/3719/3490 mg/kg; chloride: trials I/II/III = 3851/4580/4693 mg/kg) also changed significantly over time. Serum values of sodium tended to decrease (trials I/II/III: 142/137/137 mmol/l) within the physiological range, whereas those of chloride increased (trials I/II/III: 91.5/95.6/97.5 mmol/l) at higher salt concentrations in drinking water. The haematocrit, pH-value as well as urea content in blood were not affected by the higher salt intake. In balance trial III (highest salt load: 10.0 g/l), sodium intake of the bulls reached 0.57 ± 0.03 g/kg BW (~22.1 ± 0.9 g sodium/kg dry matter feed). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An increase of salinity in drinking water up to 10 g/l--with otherwise harmless water quality--had no measurable negative effects on animal health in the investigation period and subsequent periods (total of 58 days with more than 5.00 g of salt per litre drinking water).

Effects of feed particle size at dietary presence of added organic acids on caecal parameters and the prevalence of Salmonella in fattening pigs on farm and at slaughter.

In a field study with fattening pigs, effects of feed particle size at the dietary presence of organic acids on Salmonella prevalence were measured. On two farms (f1/f2), each holding ∼800 pigs, diets based on finely ground (control) or coarsely ground ingredients (experiment) were fed as crumbs. On f1 both control and experimental grower and finisher diets contained identical concentrations of formic and propionic acid (0.4% and 0.2% respectively). On f2 only finisher diet of the experimental group contained 1.2% potassium diformate. At the start of the fattening period no statistical differences were measured between Salmonella prevalence in animals fed control and experimental diets on both farms. At slaughter Salmonella prevalence in caecal contents was lower (p < 0.05) on f1 in animals fed the experimental diet. Furthermore, the number of seronegative meat juice samples taken from these animals [optical density (OD) <10] was higher (p < 0.001); seropositive as well as distinct seropositive samples (OD ≥20 and ≥40 respectively) were less frequent (p < 0.01) compared to samples from animals fed the control diet. Feeding the experimental diet on f2 resulted in a lower Salmonella detection rate in faeces before slaughter (p < 0.01). Salmonella prevalence was lower in caecal content at slaughter for pigs fed the experimental diet compared to those fed control diet (p < 0.0001). The number of distinct seropositive meat juice samples (OD ≥40) was lower (p < 0.01) for pigs fed the experimental than for those fed the control diet. In comparison to pigs in the control group, starch concentrations in the caecal content from pigs in the experimental groups on both farms were higher (p < 0.05) and the pH values lower (p < 0.05). Propionate (p < 0.0001) and butyrate (p < 0.01) concentrations were higher in the caecal content taken from pigs in the experimental group on f2.

[Occupational differentiation in dentistry 2. From Brueghel's syndrome to a radiant smile. An advanced postgraduate programme in oral kinesiology]. / Beroepsdifferentiatie in de tandheelkunde 2. Van Bruegel-syndroom tot stralende glimlach--masterprogramma orale kinesiologie.

Oral movement disorders, jaw pain, and tooth wear are examples of clinical problems that are part of the dental discipline 'oral kinesiology'. About half of the advanced postgraduate programme in oral kinesiology involves the diagnosis, indication, and management of patients with one or more oral kinesiologic problems. The remaining time is available for thematic courses and a research project. The breadth of the programme will hopefully lead to improved care for patients whose treatment until now has been dispersed between various dental specialists. Successful candidates will obtain an advanced postgraduate diploma in Oral Kinesiology, and can also apply to be recognized as a gnathologist.

Oral kinesiology. A new postgraduate programme in the Netherlands.

As one of the dental differentiations in The Netherlands, temporomandibular disorders (TMD) focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of pain and dysfunction of the masticatory system. Bruxism (i.e. tooth clenching and/or grinding) is thought to play an important aetiological role in TMD. Among others, bruxism may result in TMD pain and dental attrition. The close relationship between TMD, bruxism, and attrition necessitates an integrated approach to these clinical problems. This could be achieved through the multidisciplinary differentiation 'oral kinesiology', that covers not only the diagnosis and treatment of TMD and bruxism but also the restoration of worn dentitions. This article focuses on the background of oral kinesiology, as well as on the rationale to develop a curriculum for the postgraduate training of dentist-kinesiologists in the Netherlands. Further, the oral kinesiology curriculum of the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam will be introduced. This curriculum will ensure that specialized professionals, who are able to approach the different aspects of oral kinesiology in an integrated manner, are available not only for general dental practice but also for centres for special dental care and university departments. This will lead to improved care for patients, whose management is until now dispersed between various dental specialists.

[Treatment of bruxism: physiotherapeutic approach]. / Behandeling van bruxisme: de fysiotherapeutische benadering.

Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that there is a relationship between bruxism and pain in the orofacial region, and between bruxism and restricted mandibular movements. However, the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear. Therefore, up till now, the following working hypothesis is used: bruxism can lead to (chronic) pain complaints and restricted mandibular movements, when its intensity exceeds the adaptation capacity of the musculoskeletal structures. In that case, the aims of physical therapy treatment are twofold: to decrease symptoms, such as pain ('symptom therapy'), and to teach the patient to recognise and reduce the bruxism ('behavioral therapy'). Techniques used for symptom treatment are massage and stretching exercises. For the behavioral therapy exercises and myofeedback are often used.

The relationship between posture and curvature of the cervical spine.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between posture and curvature of the cervical spine in healthy subjects. SUBJECTS: The study was composed of 54 healthy students (25 men and 29 women) aged 20-31 yr with a mean age of 24.7 yr. METHODS: Lateral radiographs were taken of the head and cervical spine of the subjects while standing in a neutral position. Cervical spine posture was quantified by the angle of a reference line, composed of reference points of the upper six cervical vertebrae, with the horizontal axis. The curvature of the cervical spine was classified visually as lordotic, straight or reversed. RESULTS: A relationship was found between posture and curvature of the cervical spine (p = .006); a more forward posture of the cervical spine was related to a partly reversed curvature; and a more upright posture was related to a lordotic curvature. Moreover, men more often exhibited a straight curvature, and women more often exhibited a partly reversed curvature. CONCLUSION: The curvature of the cervical spine is related to the subject's posture and gender.