A dominant population of optically invisible massive galaxies in the early Universe.

Our current knowledge of cosmic star-formation history during the first two billion years (corresponding to redshift z > 3) is mainly based on galaxies identified in rest-frame ultraviolet light1. However, this population of galaxies is known to under-represent the most massive galaxies, which have rich dust content and/or old stellar populations. This raises the questions of the true abundance of massive galaxies and the star-formation-rate density in the early Universe. Although several massive galaxies that are invisible in the ultraviolet have recently been confirmed at early epochs2-4, most of them are extreme starburst galaxies with star-formation rates exceeding 1,000 solar masses per year, suggesting that they are unlikely to represent the bulk population of massive galaxies. Here we report submillimetre (wavelength 870 micrometres) detections of 39 massive star-forming galaxies at z > 3, which are unseen in the spectral region from the deepest ultraviolet to the near-infrared. With a space density of about 2 × 10-5 per cubic megaparsec (two orders of magnitude higher than extreme starbursts5) and star-formation rates of 200 solar masses per year, these galaxies represent the bulk population of massive galaxies that has been missed from previous surveys. They contribute a total star-formation-rate density ten times larger than that of equivalently massive ultraviolet-bright galaxies at z > 3. Residing in the most massive dark matter haloes at their redshifts, they are probably the progenitors of the largest present-day galaxies in massive groups and clusters. Such a high abundance of massive and dusty galaxies in the early Universe challenges our understanding of massive-galaxy formation.

Impact of Magnetic Field Configuration on Heat Transport in Stellarators and Heliotrons.

We assess the magnetic field configuration in modern fusion devices by comparing experiments with the same heating power, between a stellarator and a heliotron. The key role of turbulence is evident in the optimized stellarator, while neoclassical processes largely determine the transport in the heliotron device. Gyrokinetic simulations elucidate the underlying mechanisms promoting stronger ion scale turbulence in the stellarator. Similar plasma performances in these experiments suggests that neoclassical and turbulent transport should both be optimized in next step reactor designs.

Short communication: Production of antimicrobial peptide S100A8 in the goat mammary gland and effect of intramammary infusion of lipopolysaccharide on S100A8 concentration in milk.

This study aimed to determine the production site of antimicrobial peptide S100A8 in the goat mammary gland and changes in its concentration in milk after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Sixteen Tokara goats were used in this study for mammary gland tissue, blood leukocyte, and milk somatic cell collection and LPS challenge. The mRNA expression and protein localization of S100A8 in the mammary gland parenchyma and teat, blood leukocytes, and milk somatic cells were examined by reverse-transcription PCR and immunohistochemistry. The S100A8 concentration in milk was measured at 0 to 144 h after intramammary challenge of LPS by enzyme immunoassay. The mRNA of S100A8 was expressed in the parenchyma and teat, leukocytes isolated from blood, and milk somatic cells. Antimicrobial peptide S100A8 was immunolocalized in the outermost layer of the teat skin of udders with and without LPS infusion, whereas in the mammary gland it was immunolocalized only in the leukocytes infiltrated in the alveoli after LPS infusion. Antimicrobial peptide S100A8 was also immunolocalized in the blood and milk leukocytes. The number of S100A8-positive cells in milk was higher than that in blood. The concentration of S100A8 in milk increased significantly at 72 h after intramammary infusion of LPS. These results suggest that S100A8 is produced in the leukocytes and that its secretion into milk is affected by LPS stimulation.

Expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines during the ovulatory cycle and effects of aging on their expression in the uterine mucosa of laying hens.

The aim of this study was to examine whether cytokines and chemokines expressed in the uterine mucosa play a role in the process of eggshell formation in the chicken uterus. Changes in the expression levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the uterine mucosa during an ovulatory cycle (experiment 1) and effects of aging on their expression (experiment 2) were examined. In experiment 1, the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1ß, IL6, TNFSF15, and IFNγ, and a chemokine CX3CL1 was found to increase during eggshell biomineralization (16 h following oviposition), while anti-inflammatory TGFß2 expression was found to increase at 4 h following oviposition. In experiment 2, a higher expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokines TGFß2 and TGFß3, and chemokines CXCLi2 and CX3CL1, was observed in aged hens than in young hens. A significantly higher number of macrophages and CD8+ T cells were observed in the uterine tissue of aged hens than in young hens. Furthermore, the expression of adhesion molecules associated with leukocytic infiltration was found to be higher in aged hens than in young hens. We conclude that the eggshell formation process may be affected by the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The balanced expressions of these molecules might be disrupted in aged hens.

Changes in plasma concentrations of S100A7 and S100A8 in dairy cows during pregnancy.

This study was carried out to examine the changes in plasma concentrations of the Ca-binding antimicrobial proteins S100A7 and S100A8 during pregnancy in dairy cows. Holstein Friesian cows (n = 19) were inseminated with Holstein Friesian semen. Blood was collected at days 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240 and 270 after insemination. Plasma was used for measuring the concentrations of S100A7 and S100A8. Both S100A7 and S100A8 concentrations showed similar patterns during gestation; they increased during the midgestation, between days 90 and 180, and then declined before calving. The findings indicated that plasma concentrations of S100A7 and S100A8 did not change significantly during pregnancy in cows. Further studies are required to determine the roles of S100A7 and S100A8 in physiological function during pregnancy in dairy cows.

Suppression of Trapped Energetic Ions Driven Resistive Interchange Modes with Electron Cyclotron Heating in a Helical Plasma.

The resistive interchange mode destabilized by the resonant interaction with the trapped energetic ions is fully suppressed when the injected power of electron cyclotron heating exceeds a certain threshold. It is shown for the first time that the complete stabilization of the energetic-particle-driven mode without relaxing the energetic particle (EP) pressure gradient is possible by reducing the radial width of the eigenmodes δ_{w}, especially when δ_{w} narrows to a small enough value relative to the finite orbit width of EP.

Effect of steroid hormones on the innate immune response induced by Staphylococcus aureus in the goat mammary gland.

The objective of this study was to compare the dynamics of innate immune components after intramammary infusion of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) under conditions of high oestrogen and high progesterone in goats. In one group ("E-group"), controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices were inserted intravaginally from days -11 to -4. Prostaglandin F2α was administered immediately after removal of the CIDR device at day -3, and then oestradiol benzoate (E) was injected intramuscularly once a day from days -2 to 3. Heat-inactivated SA was then administered via intramammary infusion to the left udder at day 0, whilst only saline was infused to the right udder as a control. In a second group ("P-group"), CIDR devices were inserted intravaginally from days -3 to 7 and SA was infused at day 0 in the same way as in the E-group. The milk yield and the concentration of innate immune components (somatic cell count (SCC), lactoferrin (LF), S100A7 and goat ß-defensin 1 (GBD-1)) in the milk were measured. Milk yield decreased drastically in both SA and control udders in the E-group, whereas the P-group exhibited increased milk yield in both SA and control udders. SCC increased after SA infusion in both E- and P-groups, although it was higher in the E-group than in the P-group. There was no significant change in LF concentration in the E-group, but a decrease was observed in the P-group. Concentrations of S100A and GBD-1 were significantly increased after SA infusion in the E-group but not in the P-group. These results suggest that E enhances the innate immune response induced by SA in the goat mammary gland. This effect may be due to the reduction in milk yield and upregulation of innate immune components.

A case report and epidemiological investigation of axillary lymph node abscess caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans in an HIV-1-positive patient.

A human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-positive male undergoing antiretroviral therapy was diagnosed with an axillary lymph node abscess caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans, and an environmental survey revealed that the patient's cat as the source of infection.

Toll-like receptor signaling for the induction of mucin expression by lipopolysaccharide in the hen vagina.

We previously reported that bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a ligand of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), induced mucin mRNA to enhance the mucosal barrier in the hen vagina. The aim of this study was to determine the intracellular signaling molecules for that mucin induction, and the effect of molting and estrogen on their expression. The expression of TLR4, its adaptor molecules, and transcriptional factors in the vaginal mucosa of laying and molting hens treated with or without estradiol was examined by reverse-transcription PCR. The expression of mucin in the cultured mucosal tissue stimulated by LPS together with inhibitors of transcriptional factors was analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. The expression of TLR4, its adaptor molecule, namely, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) or Toll-interleukin 1 receptor domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-ß (TRIF), and transcriptional factors, namely, cFos and cJun, declined in molting hens compared with that in laying hens, and were upregulated by estradiol. In vagina of laying hens, mucin expression was upregulated by LPS, whereas it was suppressed by inhibitors of transcriptional factors, namely, ALLN (an inhibitor of IκB proteolysis), BAY-117085 (an NFκB inhibitor), U0126 [a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor], and transhinone IIA [an activated protein 1 (AP-1) inhibitor]. These results suggest that a MyD88-dependent pathway downstream of TLR4 and transcriptional factors of NFκB and AP-1 participate in the induction of mucin expression by LPS in the vaginal mucosa. These signaling functions may decline during molting owing to the decline in the level of circulating estrogen. Such mucin expression system may play a role in the mucosal barrier against infection in the vaginal mucosa.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol subfractions and lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity in collegiate soccer players.

Many of the published data on the lipid profile of athletes is based on studies of endurance athletes. The data on soccer players are rare. The purpose of this study was to examine serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol subfractions and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity in collegiate soccer players. 31 well-trained male collegiate soccer players were divided into 2 groups: 16 defenders and 15 offenders. They were compared with 16 sedentary controls. Dietary information was obtained with a food frequency questionnaire. The subjects were all non-smokers and were not taking any drug known to affect the lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. The offenders had significantly higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein2 cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I than the defenders and controls, whereas the defenders had the significantly higher high-density lipoprotein2 cholesterol than the controls. Both groups of athletes had significantly higher lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity than the controls. The results indicate that favorable lipid and lipoprotein profile could be obtained by vigorous soccer training.

Induction of mucin expression by estrogen and lipopolysaccharide in the lower oviductal segments in hens.

Mucins play an essential role as mucosal barrier to prevent invasion of pathogens in the oviductal tissue of hens. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of estradiol and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the mucin expression in the lower oviductal segments (vagina and uterus) of hens. The mucosal tissues of the vagina and uterus were collected from White Leghorn laying and molting hens, and molting hens with or without intramuscular injection with 1 mg of estradiol-benzoate (EB) daily for 7 d. Part of these tissues was cultured in TCM-199 culture medium with or without LPS (10, 100, or 1,000 ng/mL) for 1.5 or 3 h. Mucin expression in the mucosa of laying, molting, and EB-treated molting hens (EB-group) and in those tissues cultured with or without LPS was analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. Cultured tissues were also processed for paraffin sections and stained with Alcian blue (AB). In both the vagina and uterus, mucin expression and density of AB-positive mucopolysaccharide were reduced in molting hens compared with laying hens, and upregulated by EB. Mucin expression in the cultured vagina and uterus tissues of laying and molting hens was upregulated by LPS in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, there was no response to LPS for induction of mucin in the tissues of EB-group hens. The mucin expression level in the vagina and uterus tissues stimulated by LPS was lower in the EB-group hens than in laying and molting hens, and that in the uterus was lower in the molting hens than in laying hens. These results suggest that mucin expression is stimulated by LPS in the vagina and uterus of laying and molting hens. Estrogen may upregulate mucin expression in those tissues in association with epithelial development, whereas it may suppress the response to LPS for mucin induction. The mucin expression caused by LPS may enhance mucosal barrier function and play a role in preventing infections by bacteria in the vagina and uterus.

Aging-associated increased nitric oxide production is a potential cause of inferior eggshell quality produced by aged laying hens.

It is important to prolong the productive life of laying hens without compromising their welfare. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify the cause for inferior quality egg production of aged hens by investigating the aging-associated molecular changes related to eggshell formation in the isthmic and uterine mucosae and determining whether nitric oxide plays a role in decreasing the quality of eggs produced by aged hens. Young (35 weeks old) and aged (130 weeks old) White Leghorn laying hens were used in this study to determine the effects of age on the expression of proteins related to eggshell membranes formation in the isthmus and eggshell biomineralization and nitric oxide production in the uterus. Nitric oxide synthesis during the ovulatory cycle was examined in twenty-five laying hens (46-52 weeks old) euthanized at 0, 4, 7, 16, and 24 h after oviposition. S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (a nitric oxide donor) was added to the cultured isthmic and uterine mucosal cells to examine the effects of nitric oxide on the expression of genes related to eggshell membranes formation and eggshell biomineralization, respectively. The results showed that the protein abundance of collagen I and V in the isthmic mucosa and collagen V in the eggshell membranes were lower in aged hens than in young hens. The mRNA expression levels of calbindin, osteopontin, and ovocalyxin-36 and the protein abundance of calbindin and carbonic anhydrase-2 were lower in the uterine mucosa of aged hens than in that of young hens. Nitric oxide synthesis was higher in the uterine mucosa of aged hens than in that of young hens. Nitric oxide downregulated the mRNA expression levels of osteopontin and ovocalyxin-36 in cultured uterine mucosal cells. Our results indicated that the eggshell quality decreases with aging due to molecular changes in the uterine mucosa affecting the eggshell membrane formation and eggshell biomineralization. Moreover, nitric oxide overproduction may play a role in this dysfunction.

Intravaginal injection of Lactobacillus johnsonii may modulates oviductal microbiota and mucosal barrier function of laying hens.

The avian oviduct connects to the gastrointestinal tract through cloaca, where it is exposed to pathogenic bacteria from intestinal contents. Therefore, improvement of mucosal barrier function in the oviduct is important for safe poultry production. Lactic acid bacteria are known to contribute to strengthening the mucosal barrier function in the intestinal tract, and a similar effect is expected in the oviduct mucosa of chickens. This study aimed to clarify the effects of vaginal administration of lactic acid bacteria on the mucosal barrier function of the oviduct. White Leghorn laying hens (500-days old) were intravaginally administered 1 mL of Lactobacillus johnsonii suspension (1 × 105 and 1 × 108 cfu/mL: low concentration of Lactobacillus (LL) and high concentration of Lactobacillus (HL) groups, respectively) or without bacteria (control: C group) for 7 d (n = 6). The oviductal magnum, uterus, and vagina were collected for histological observations and mucosal barrier function-related gene expression analysis. Amplicon sequence analysis of oviductal mucus bacteria was also performed. Eggs were collected during the experimental period and their weight was measured. Vaginally administering L. johnsonii for 7 d caused 1) an increase in α-diversity of vaginal mucosa microbiota with an increase in the abundance ratio of beneficial bacteria and a decrease in pathogenic bacteria, 2) enhanced claudin (CLA) 1 and 3 gene expression in the magnum and vaginal mucosa, and 3) a decrease in avian ß-defensin (AvBD) 10, 11, and 12 gene expression in the magnum, uterus, and vaginal mucosa. These results suggest that transvaginal administration of L. johnsonii contributes to protection against infection in the oviduct by improving the microflora of the oviductal mucosa and strengthening the mechanical barrier function of the tight junctions. In contrast, transvaginal administration of lactic acid bacteria does not enhance the production of AvBD10, 11, and 12 in the oviduct.

Predicting the Readmission and Mortality in Older Patients Hospitalized with Pneumonia with Preadmission Frailty.

BACKGROUND: In older people, frailty has been recognized as an important prognostic factor. However, only a few studies have focused on multidimensional frailty as a predictor of mortality and readmission among inpatients with pneumonia. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to assess the association between preadmission frailty and clinical outcomes after the hospitalization of older patients with pneumonia. DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Acute phase hospital at Kobe, Japan. PARTICIPANTS: The present study included 654 consecutive older inpatients with pneumonia. MEASUREMENTS: Frailty status before admission was assessed using total Kihon Checklist (KCL) score, which has been used as a self-administered questionnaire to assess comprehensive frailty, including physical, social, and cognitive status. The primary outcome was a composited 6-month mortality and readmission after discharge. RESULTS: In total, 330 patients were analyzed (median age: 79 years, male: 70.4%, median total KCL score: 10 points), of which 68 were readmitted and 10 died within 6 months. After multivariate analysis, total KCL score was associated with a composited 6-month mortality and readmission (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.12; p = 0.006). The cutoff value for total KCL score determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 15 points (area under the curve = 0.610). The group with a total KCL score ≥ 15 points had significantly higher readmission or mortality rates than the groups with a total KCL score < 15 points (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preadmission frailty status in older patients with pneumonia was an independent risk factor for readmission and survival after hospitalization.

Psychological adjustment and psychosocial stress among Japanese couples with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effects of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) on the psychological adjustment of couples. The aim of this study was to elucidate psychological adjustment and RPL-associated psychosocial stress affecting Japanese couples with a history of RPL, focusing on gender differences and quality of the marital relationship. METHODS: The study included 76 RPL couples who visited the outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital. They completed self-administered questionnaires that assessed RPL-associated stress, quality of their marital relationship (Quality Marriage Index, QMI), depression (Beck Depression Index) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). RESULTS: Women showed significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety and RPL-associated personal and social stress compared with men. Although there were no differences in QMI scores and RPL-associated marital stress between men and women, women with a low perception of marital relationship quality (low QMI) had significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety compared with women with a moderate or high QMI. In contrast, depression and anxiety scores did not differ according to the quality of the marital relationship among men. Of 76 couples, 26 men (34%) and 45 women (59%) who had considered professional mental health consultations regarding their RPL status but had not yet initiated the process were more depressed and anxious than 48 men and 24 women, respectively, who had never considered such consultation. CONCLUSIONS: Women were significantly more distressed than men. Poor quality of the marital relationship was significantly associated with impaired psychological adjustment among women, but not among men. These gender discrepancies may foster a mutual worsening of psychological adjustment and marital relationships in RPL couples. The need to seek help not only in women but also in a substantial portion of men suggests the importance of couple-based psychological care in the management of RPL.

Effects of lipopolysaccharide and interleukins on the expression of avian ß-defensins in hen ovarian follicular tissue.

The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism by which expression of avian ß-defensins (AvBD) in the follicular theca tissue was regulated. It was examined whether their expression was stimulated directly by LPS or indirectly through proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-6) induced by LPS. Theca tissues of ovarian follicles were collected from White Leghorn hens. The specimens of those theca tissues were cultured in TCM-199 culture medium and stimulated by lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella minnesota (LPS), recombinant chicken IL-1ß, or recombinant chicken IL-6. In the first experiment, changes in the expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, AvBD10, and AvBD12 in response to LPS stimulation were examined by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. The AvBD10 and 12 had been known to be expressed in the theca. In the second experiment, changes in the expression of AvBD10 and 12 in response to recombinant chicken IL-1ß or IL-6 stimulation were examined by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. Density of AvBD12 protein after IL-1ß stimulation that showed changes in the gene expression was analyzed by Western blotting. In the first experiment, LPS was able to induce IL-1ß and IL-6, but not AvBD10 or AvBD12. In the second experiment, IL-1ß was able to upregulate significantly the expression of AvBD12 mRNA and protein. However, IL-6 did not exert significant effects on the expression of AvBD10 and AvBD12. It is suggested that LPS may stimulate theca cells to produce proinflammatory cytokines, whereas, in turn, IL-1ß stimulates those cells to synthesize AvBD12, which may be able to attack infectious gram-negative bacteria.

Differences in the mucosal surface barrier formed by mucin in the lower oviductal segments between laying and molting hens.

The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the mucin expression that forms a mucosal surface barrier in the oviduct between laying and molting hens. The lower segments of oviducts (isthmus, uterus, and vagina) of White Leghorn laying and molting hens were collected. Localization and gene expression of mucosal mucin were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR of mucin mRNA and mucin5AC immunohistochemistry. Sugar residues were localized by lectin (WGA or Jacalin) histochemistry. Expression of mucin mRNA was significantly declined in the lower oviductal segments in molting compared with laying hens. Immunoreactive-mucin5AC was localized in the mucosal epithelium and on the epithelial surface of laying hens, whereas it was reduced in molting hens. Substances positively stained by WGA and Jacalin were identified on the surface of the mucosal epithelium in the lower oviductal segments in laying and molting hens. These results suggest that mucin synthesis in the lower segments of the oviduct is reduced, although the existence of WGA- and Jacalin-positive sugars may be kept even in the molting phase. The reduction of mucin synthesis may result in a decline of mucosal barrier function in the molting phase.

Expression of Toll-like receptors and effects of lipopolysaccharide on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokine in the testis and epididymis of roosters.

The aim of this study was to determine the expression profiles of Toll-like receptors (TLR) in the testis and epididymis of rooster and whether the expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, CXCLi2, and TLR-4 was affected by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a TLR-4 ligand. Roosters were intravenously injected with LPS or phosphate-buffered saline. Testes and epididymis were collected before and after 3 or 6 h postinjection. Total RNA was isolated from those tissues and expression of TLR and proinflammatory cytokines was analyzed by reverse-transcription PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. Reverse-transcription PCR analysis revealed that 7 of the known 10 chicken TLR in the testis and 9 of 10 in the epididymis were expressed. Expression of TLR-4 was found in both tissues. Expression of TLR-4 was significantly upregulated by LPS in the testis but not in the epididymis. Injection with LPS upregulated the expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, and CXCLi2 in the testis and epididymis by 3 to 6 h postinjection. However, injection with phosphate-buffered saline (control) did not affect their expression. These results suggest that proinflammatory cytokines and chemokine expression was upregulated by LPS probably through TLR-4 activation, and thus the reproductive tissues are comprehensively equipped to deal with a pathogenic insult.

Association between BIA-derived Phase Angle and Sarcopenia and Improvement in Activities of Daily Living and Dysphagia in Patients undergoing Post-Stroke Rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive value of the BIA-derived phase angle with respect to the functional prognosis and baseline sarcopenia in patients undergoing post-stroke rehabilitation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Overall, 577 Japanese patients admitted to a post-acute care hospital from 2016 to 2020 were recruited. MEASUREMENTS: Body composition analysis, which included BIA-derived phase angle and skeletal muscle mass, was performed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Study outcomes included physical function assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM-motor) and the level of dysphagia assessed using the Food Intake LEVEL Scale (FILS). Sarcopenia was defined as the loss of skeletal muscle mass and decreased muscle strength. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to calculate the optimal cutoff value of BIA-derived phase angle to diagnose sarcopenia. Multivariate analyses were used to determine whether the BIA-derived phase angle at admission was associated with outcomes at discharge and baseline sarcopenia. RESULTS: After enrollment, 499 patients (mean age: 74.0 ± 13.1 years; 52.0% men) were examined. The median FIM-motor and FILS scores at admission were 47 (20-69) and 8 (7-10), respectively. Sarcopenia was observed in 43.2% of patients. After adjusting for potential confounders, BIA-derived phase angle was positively associated with FIM-motor scores at discharge (ß = 0.134, P < 0.001), FIM-motor score gain (ß = 2.504, P < 0.001), and FILS scores at discharge (ß = 0.120, P = 0.039). BIA-derived phase angle was negatively associated with the sarcopenia diagnosis at baseline (odds ratio = -0.409, P < 0.001); its cutoff value was 4.76° (sensitivity 0.800, specificity 0.790, P < 0.001) for sarcopenia diagnosis in men and 4.11° (sensitivity 0.735, specificity 0.829, P < 0.001) in women. CONCLUSION: BIA-derived phase angle was positively associated with the recovery of physical function and dysphagia level and negatively associated with baseline sarcopenia in patients undergoing post-stroke rehabilitation. The BIA-derived phase angle cutoff for sarcopenia diagnosis was 4.76° for men and 4.11° for women.

Lactoperoxidase activity in milk is correlated with somatic cell count in dairy cows.

Lactoperoxidase (LPO) is a milk protein with antimicrobial function. The present study was undertaken to examine the correlation between LPO activity and somatic cell count (SCC) in milk to use LPO activity as an indicator of mastitis. Composite milk of 36 cows and quarter milk of 3 cows were collected once per week from 0 to 300 d postpartum and twice per day for 1 wk, respectively. For the measurement of LPO activity, milk was mixed with tetramethylbenzidine solution and incubated at 37°C for 30 min, followed by the measurement of optical density. When only milk with low SCC (132±12×10(3) cells/mL) was used, a significant decrease in LPO activity was detected in primiparous cows from 0 to 4 mo postpartum. Lactoperoxidase activities of primiparous cows in mo 1, 2, and 3 postpartum were significantly higher than those in multiparous cows. When composite milk was divided based on LPO activity, the SCC was significantly higher in the groups with LPO activity >5 and from 3 to 3.9 U/mL in the second- and fourth-parity cows, respectively, compared with the group with LPO activity <2U/mL. Extremely high SCC were found in the ≥fifth-parity cows, even in low-LPO activity groups. In the case of quarter milk, higher LPO activity was associated with increased SCC in all 3 cows. The percentage of quarter milk samples with high SCC (4,062±415×10(3) cells/mL) increased with an increase in the LPO activity. The percentage of quarter milk samples with high SCC was 50.0 to 100% in the milk with LPO activity ≥5 U/mL. These results indicate that the correlation of LPO activity to the SCC in bovine milk may point to the potential use of the former as an indicator of SCC.