MAP Training My Brain™: Meditation Plus Aerobic Exercise Lessens Trauma of Sexual Violence More Than Either Activity Alone.

Sexual violence against women often leads to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental illness characterized by intrusive thoughts and memories about the traumatic event (Shors and Millon, 2016). These mental processes are obviously generated by the brain but often felt in the body. MAP Training My Brain™ is a novel clinical intervention that combines mental training of the brain with physical training of the body (Curlik and Shors, 2013; Shors et al., 2014). Each training session begins with 20-min of sitting meditation, followed by 10-min of slow-walking meditation, and ending with 30-min of aerobic exercise at 60-80% of the maximum heart rate (see maptrainmybrain.com). In previous studies, the combination of mental and physical (MAP) training together significantly reduced symptoms of depression and ruminative thoughts, while reducing anxiety (Shors et al., 2014, 2017; Alderman et al., 2016). We also documented positive changes in brain activity during cognitive control and whole-body oxygen consumption in various populations. In the present pilot study, we asked whether the combination of meditation and aerobic exercise during MAP Training would reduce trauma-related thoughts, ruminations, and memories in women and if so, whether the combination would be more effective than either activity alone. To test this hypothesis, interventions were provided to a group of women (n = 105), many of whom had a history of sexual violence (n = 32). Groups were trained with (1) MAP Training, (2) meditation alone, (3) aerobic exercise alone, or (4) not trained. Individuals in training groups completed two sessions a week for at least 6 weeks. MAP Training My Brain™ significantly reduced post-traumatic cognitions and ruminative thoughts in women with a history of sexual violence, whereas meditation alone, and exercise alone did not. MAP Training significantly enhanced a measure of self-worth, whereas meditation and exercise alone did not. Similar positive effects were observed for all participants, although meditation alone was also effective in reducing trauma-related thoughts. Overall, these data indicate the combination of meditation and exercise is synergistic. As a consequence, MAP Training is preferable and especially so for women who have experienced sexual violence in their past. Simply put, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) sparing effects of glucosamine hydrochloride through N-glycosylation inhibition; strategy to rescue stomach from NSAID damage.

Gastrointestinal or cardiovascular complications limit nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) prescription. Glucosamine hydrochloride (GS-HCl) alternatively chosen, but debates still exist in its clinical efficiency. COX-2 instability through inhibiting COX-2 N-glycosylation of GS-HCl raised the possibility of NSAID sparing effect. Study was done to determine whether combination treatment of glucosamine and NSAID contributes to gastric safety through NSAID sparing effect. IEC-6 cells were stimulated with TNF-α and compared the expressions of inflammatory mediators after indomethacin alone or combination of indomethacin and GS-HCl by Western blotting and RT-PCR. C57BL/6 mice injected with type II collagen to induce arthritis were treated with indomethacin alone or combination of reduced dose of indomethacin and GS-HCl after 3 weeks. TNF-α increased the expression of COX-2, iNOS and inflammatory cytokines, but GS-HCl significantly attenuated TNF-α-induced COX-2 expression. Decreased COX-2 after GS-HCl was caused by N-glycosylation inhibition as much as tunicamycin. Combination of reduced dose of indomethacin and GS-HCl significantly reduced the expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, IL-8, IL-1ß, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, and MMP-11 mRNA as well as NF-κB activation better than high dose indomethacin alone. These NSAID sparing effect of GS-HCl was further proven in collagen-induced arthritis model. Combination of GS-HCl and 2.5 mg/kg indomethacin showed significant protection from gastric damages as well as efficacious anti-arthritic effect. Taken together, COX-2 N-glycosylation inhibition by GS-HCl led to indomethacin sparing effects, based on which combination of GS-HCl and reduced dose of NSAID can provide the strategy to secure stomach from NSAID-induced gastric damage as well as excellent anti-arthritic effects.

Phytase improves iron bioavailability for hemoglobin synthesis in young pigs.

Dietary phytase supplementation improves bioavailabilities of phytate-bound minerals such as P, Ca, and Zn to pigs, but its effect on Fe utilization is not clear. The efficacy of phytase in releasing phytate-bound Fe and P from soybean meal in vitro and in improving dietary Fe bioavailability for hemoglobin repletion in young, anemic pigs was examined. In Exp. 1, soybean meal was incubated at 37 degrees C for 4 h with either 0, 400, 800, or 1,200 units (U) of phytase/kg, and the released Fe and P concentrations were determined. In Exp. 2, 12 anemic, 21-d-old pigs were fed either a strict vegetarian, high-phytate (1.34%) basal diet alone, or the diet supplemented with 50 mg Fe/kg diet (ferrous sulfate) or phytase at 1,200 U/kg diet (Natuphos, BASF, Mt. Olive, NJ) for 4 wk. In Exp. 3, 20 anemic, 28-d-old pigs were fed either a basal diet with a moderately high phytate concentration (1.18%) and some animal protein or the diet supplemented with 70 mg Fe/kg diet, or with one of two types of phytase (Natuphos or a new phytase developed in our laboratory, 1,200 U/kg diet) for 5 wk. In Exp. 2 and 3, diets supplemented with phytase contained no inorganic P. In Exp. 1, free P concentrations in the supernatant increased in a phytase dose-dependent fashion (P<.05), whereas free Fe concentrations only increased at the dose of 1,200 U/kg (P<.10). In Exp. 2 and 3, dietary phytase increased hemoglobin concentrations and packed cell volumes over the unsupplemented group; these two measures, including growth performance, were not significantly different than those obtained with dietary supplemental Fe. In conclusion, both sources of phytase effectively degraded phytate in corn-soy diets and subsequently released phytate-bound Fe from the diets for hemoglobin repletion in young, anemic pigs.

Adding wheat middlings, microbial phytase, and citric acid to corn-soybean meal diets for growing pigs may replace inorganic phosphorus supplementation.

Three experiments were conducted with 96 growing Landrace x Yorkshire x Duroc crossbreds to determine the collective effectiveness of cereal phytase from wheat middlings, microbial phytase, and citric acid in improving phytate-P bioavailability in corn-soy diets. In Exp. 1, 40 gilts (7 wk old) were fed five diets for 8 wk. Diets 1, 2, and 3 were low-P, corn-soybean meal diets (CSB) + 0, .1, or .2% inorganic P (Pi) as calcium phosphate, respectively. Diet 4 was a similar corn-soy diet that included 15% wheat middlings (461 cereal phytase U/kg). Diet 5 was the CSB + microbial phytase (1,200 U/kg; Natuphos, BASF, Mount Olive, NJ). In Exp. 2, 16 barrows (8 wk old) were fed two diets for 6 wk. Diet 1 was the same as Diet 3 of Exp. 1 (.2% Pi). Diet 2 was Diet 4 of Exp. 1 + microbial phytase (300 U/kg). In Exp. 3, 40 barrows and gilts (6 wk old) were fed four diets for 6 wk. Diets 1 and 2 were the same as those in Exp. 2. Diet 3 was Diet 2 of Exp. 2 + 1.5% citric acid. Diet 4 was similar to Diet 3 but contained 10 instead of 15% wheat middlings. In Exp. 1, pigs fed the low-P, CSB (Diet 1) had lower (P < .05) ADG, ADFI, plasma Pi concentration, bone strength, and mobility score than pigs of the other four treatments. Measurements for pigs fed the 15% wheat middlings diet were not significantly different from those of pigs fed the CSB + .1% Pi or microbial phytase. In Exp. 2, ADG (P=.06) during wk 1 to 3 and gain:feed ratio (P < .02) and plasma Pi concentration (P < .005) during all weeks favored pigs fed the CSB + .2% Pi compared with the other diet including 15% wheat middlings. In Exp. 3, identical ADG during all weeks and similar plasma Pi concentrations at wk 4 and 6 were observed between pigs fed the two citric acid diets (Diets 3 and 4) and the CSB + .2% Pi (Diet 1). Pigs fed Diet 4 (10% wheat middlings) had even higher (P < .02) gain:feed ratio during wk 1 to 3 than those fed Diet 1. It seems feasible to completely replace calcium phosphate with 10 to 15% wheat middlings, 300 U microbial phytase/ kg, and 1.5% citric acid in the corn-soy diets for growing pigs.

Renal angiomyolipoma: selective arterial embolization--effectiveness and changes in angiomyogenic components in long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of selective arterial embolization in symptomatic renal angiomyolipoma (AML) and the change in angiomyogenic components during long-term follow-up after embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen adult patients with symptomatic AMLs underwent 16 selective arterial embolizations. The embolic materials used were absolute alcohol with (n = 5) or without (n = 3) iodized oil, Gianturco coils (n = 4), and polyvinyl alcohol foam powder with gelatin sponge (n = 2). Follow-up ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) were performed in six and 14 patients, respectively. The effectiveness of selective arterial embolization was evaluated on the basis of the area of the angiomyogenic components in the AML on initial and follow-up images and clinical improvement. RESULTS: All patients showed devascularization of the tumor on the postembolization angiograms. In 13 patients, clinical symptoms disappeared. The follow-up period was 7-72 months (mean, 33 months). One patient underwent nephrectomy at 7 months after embolization because of a large cystic lesion found at 1 month. In long-term CT follow-up (> or =12 months) in 12 patients, nearly all angiomyogenic components disappeared, but fatty components partially shrank with liquefactive necrosis in tumors. CONCLUSION: Selective arterial embolization is an effective and safe treatment of AML. The angiomyomatous components crucial for the prevention of bleeding were very sensitive to the embolization.

Supplemental phytases of microbial and cereal sources improve dietary phytate phosphorus utilization by pigs from weaning through finishing.

This experiment was conducted to measure the nutritional and metabolic responses of pigs fed diets with continuous supplementation of microbial and cereal phytase from weaning to finishing, and to determine the feasibility of complete replacement of inorganic P addition by supplemental phytase in swine diets. Forty-eight Landrace x Hampshire x Meishan pigs were divided into four groups. In phase 1 (10 to 50 kg BW), pigs in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were fed a low-P, corn-soybean meal basal diet (BD), the BD plus microbial phytase (A. ficuum) at 1,200 units/kg, the BD plus 10% wheat bran (230 units of cereal phytase/kg), and the BD + .24% inorganic P (calcium phosphate), respectively. In phase 2 (51 to 90 kg BW), these pigs were fed a similar BD or the BD plus 1,000 microbial phytase units/kg, 20% wheat bran, or .20% inorganic P, respectively. Repeated measures included growth performance, P, Ca, and N balance, metatarsal and metacarpal bone strength, serum concentration of inorganic P, Ca, and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, and serum alkaline phosphatase activity. Pigs fed the BD supplemented with microbial phytase and pigs fed the BD supplemented with inorganic P showed almost identical responses for all variables. Pigs fed the BD supplemented with cereal phytase also had responses for various measures that were similar to those of pigs fed microbial phytase or inorganic P, except for some differences in serum inorganic P concentrations and bone strength in phase 1. Because of improvements in apparent digestibility of dietary P and N, fecal excretion of these two nutrients was reduced by 31 to 62% (P < .05) in pigs fed the BD supplemented with phytase compared with pigs fed inorganic P. It is physiologically feasible and environmentally advantageous to replace inorganic P with microbial or cereal phytase in corn-soybean meal diets for this type of pig through the entire growing-finishing period.

Factors affecting in vivo viability of DNA-injected bovine blastocysts produced in vitro.

In vitro matured and fertilized bovine ova were microinjected with pBL1, which consisted of the bovine beta-casein gene promoter, human lactoferrin cDNA and SV40 polyadenylation signal. Of the 2931 zygotes injected, 2505 (85.5%) survived 1 h after DNA injection and were cultured in 50-microl drops of CR1aa medium containing 3 mg/ml BSA under mineral oil at 39 degrees C, 5% CO2 in air. Cleaved (2- to 8-cell) embryos were selected at approximately 48 h after DNA injection and then cultured further in 50-microl drops of CR1aa medium supplemented with 10% (v/v) FBS. Blastocysts were classified into 4 quality grades and 3 developmental stages by morphological criteria. Then all but poor quality blastocysts were nonsurgically transferred to the uterus of heifers 7 to 8 d after natural estrus. Following transfer, the recipients were observed for signs of estrus, and pregnancy was confirmed by palpation per rectum at approximately 60 d of gestation. Although 72.0% (1804/2505 ) of the DNA-injected zygotes reached 2- to 8-cell stages only 5.2% (131/2505) developed to blastocysts. A total of 75 DNA-injected, in vitro cultured blastocysts were transferred to 59 recipients. When 2 blastocysts were transferred to a single recipient, only the better quality embryo was counted. The overall pregnancy rate was 30.5% (18/59 ) and reflected 1) an apparent correlation between the quality of embryos and the pregnancy rate. However, the difference was not statistically significant. 2) expanded blastocysts had a higher pregnancy rate (50.0%, 11/22 ) than early (13.3%, 2 15 ) or mid (22.7%, 5/22 ) blastocysts with a significant difference between expanded and early blastocysts (P < 0.05). 3) the pregnancy rate of DNA-injected blastocysts was higher when they were transferred at Day 7 (34.5%, 10/29 ) or 8 (36.8%, 7/19 ) than at Day 6 (9.0%, 1/11 ). The results indicate that the developmental stage of DNA-injected bovine embryos may be one of contributing factors in improving the pregnancy rate after transfer, although the effects of the quality and culture period of the embryos may not be inconsequential.

Lysine requirements of fast- and slow-growing broiler chicks.

Experiments were conducted to determine the lysine requirement of fast-growing (Hubbard x Hubbard) and slow-growing (New Hampshire x Columbian) broiler chicks during the period 8 to 21 days posthatching. A lysine-deficient diet (.51% digestible lysine; 23% CP; 3,200 kcal MEn/kg) based upon corn, feather meal, and soybean meal was supplemented with 10 graded increments of L-lysine.HCl to produce three- to fourfold responses in weight gain. Requirements for digestible lysine were determined to be not greater than 1.01% of the diet for maximal weight gain of both strains. Maximal gain:feed ratio was achieved in both strains at a digestible lysine level not greater than 1.21% of the diet. Daily feed consumption of the fast-growing strain was over twice that of the slow-growing strain, and the digestible lysine requirement for maximal feed efficiency was 675 mg/day for fast-growing chicks compared with 318 mg/day for slow-growing chicks. The portion of the weight gain comprised of protein was roughly the same in both strains. It is evident that the slow-growing crossbred broiler strain. Translating the digestible lysine requirement of 1.21% of the diet to practice, wherein a corn and soybean meal diet would be fed, results in a total lysine requirement of 1.41% of the diet (for maximal feed efficiency) during the broiler chick's 2nd and 3rd wk of life.

Histidine and tryptophan requirement of growing chicks.

Experiments were conducted to determine the His and Trp requirement of broiler chicks during the period 8 to 22 days posthatching. A His- or Trp-deficient diet (.32% total His; .18% total Trp; 25% CP; 3,200 kcal MEn/kg) based upon corn, feather meal, and soybean meal was supplemented with graded increments of either L-His.HCl.H2O or L-Trp to produce growth responses. Growth rate and feed efficiency of birds fed the fully fortified experimental diet were similar to those of birds fed a corn and soybean meal positive control diet (23% CP; 3,200 kcal MEn/kg). True digestibility of the protein blend (corn, feather meal, and soybean meal) used in the basal diet was 81.4% for His and 83.3% for Trp as established in precision-fed, cecectomized adult cockerels. Requirements for digestible His and Trp were determined to be not greater than .31% (1.24% of CP) and .20% (.80% of CP), respectively, for maximal weight gain and feed efficiency. Translating the requirement estimates to practice, wherein a 23% corn and soybean meal diet would be fed, results in a total His requirement of .32% and a total Trp requirement of .22% of the diet during the broiler chick's 2nd and 3rd wk of life.

Absorption and bioavailability of DL-methionine hydroxy analog compared to DL-methionine.

Intestinal absorption of crystalline DL-methionine (DL-MET) and DL-methionine hydroxy analog calcium (DL-HMA) were determined in a true-digestibility-balance assay using cecectomized (CEC) and sham-operated conventional (CONV) cockerels. The treatments consisted of fasted birds and birds crop-intubated (CI) with 30 g of a corn-soybean meal basal diet (16% CP) supplemented with 0, .2, or .4% of DL-MET or equimolar levels of DL-HMA. There was no detectable free D-MET or L-MET or HMA in the excreta of fasted birds or of those fed the unsupplemented basal diet. The intestinal absorption of DL-HMA was 95.9 +/- .8% (means +/- SE) for CEC and 98.8 +/- .8% for the CONV cockerels. The absorption of DL-MET was approximately 99.7 +/- .2% for the CEC and the CONV cockerels. In a second experiment procedures were developed for a bioavailability assessment by comparing the growth responses to CI and intraperitoneal-injected (IP) DL-MET or DL-HMA in chicks fed a crystalline-amino-acid diet deficient in methionine. Graded increments of pH-adjusted DL-MET or DL-HMA (in water solutions) were administered twice daily in a 7-day growth assay. Slope-ratio analysis indicated that bioavailability (+/- SE) of CI DL-HMA was 91.3 +/- 11.8% relative to the CI DL-MET on an equimolar basis. The bioavailability of CI DL-HMA was similar to that of IP DL-HMA, indicating that the intestinal absorption of DL-HMA was highly efficient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)