The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of three different formulas to predict the parturition date in German Shepherds, using the ultrasonographic fetometry method involving inner ...chorionic cavity diameter (ICC) and biparietal diameter (BP) measurements in the same population of a single breed. Overall, 53 ICC and 42 BP measurements were taken on 34 bitches. The measured values were substituted into breed-specific formulas for the German Shepherd as well as non-specific formulas for medium-sized bitches. Comparisons of clinical accuracy and statistical analyses of regression lines were performed to test the compatibility of the formulas used. We confirmed the similarity of our clinical results to outcomes obtained using the one breed–specific (Groppetti et al. 2015) and non–specific fetometry models (Luvoni and Grioni 2000), whereas another breed–specific formula (Milani et al. 2013) showed rather low accuracy. Comparing the clinical accuracy of the three formulas, the authors demonstrated that the Luvoni and Grioni (2000) formula for ICC dedicated to medium-sized dogs can also be effectively used in the German Shepherd, even with better results than breed-specific formulas by Groppetti et al. (2015). By contrast, the evaluation of BP formulas proves the successful usage of the Groppetti et al. (2015) formula to determine the date of birth by measuring scull bone structures (p < 0.05). The statistical analysis of regression lines were in agreement with the clinical results and confirmed the higher predictability of Groppetti et al. (2015) and Luvoni and Grioni (2000) formulas, than those of Milani et al. (2013).
•We evaluate the suitability of three different formulas of ICC and BP to predict the parturition date in population of German Shepherds.•Comparing the clinical accuracy of the three formulas, the authors demonstrated that the Luvoni and Grioni (2000) formula for ICC can be effectively used in the German Shepherd.•The evaluation of BP formulas proves the successful usage of the Groppetti et al. (2015) formula to determine the date of birth by measuring scull bone structures (p < 0.05).•The statistical analysis of regression lines confirmed the higher predictability of Groppetti et al. (2015) and Luvoni and Grioni (2000) formulas, than those of Milani et al. (2013).
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC) are two very closely related autoimmune liver diseases with overlapping clinical features and similar management ...strategies. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of quantitative imaging markers to distinguish ASC from AIH in paediatrics. 66 participants (N = 52 AIH, N = 14 ASC) aged 14.4 ± 3.3 years scheduled to undergo routine biopsy and baseline serum liver biochemistry testing were invited to undergo MRI (non-contrast abdominal MRI and 3D fast spin-echo MRCP). Multiparametric MRI was used to measure fibro-inflammation with corrected T1 (cT1), while the biliary tree was modelled using quantitative MRCP (MRCP +). Mann–Whitney U tests were performed to compare liver function tests with imaging markers between patient groups (ASC vs AIH). Receiver operating characteristic curves and stepwise logistic regressions were used to identify the best combination of markers to discriminate between ASC and AIH. Correlations between liver function tests and imaging markers were performed using Spearman’s rank correlation. cT1 was significantly correlated with liver function tests (range 0.33 ≤ R ≤ 56,
p
< 0.05), as well as with fibrosis, lobular and portal inflammation (range 0.31 ≤ R ≤ 42,
p
< 0.05). 19 MRCP + metrics correlated significantly with liver function tests (range 0.29 ≤ R ≤ 0.43,
p
< 0.05). GGT and MRCP + metrics were significantly higher in ASC compared to those with AIH. The best multivariable model for distinguishing ASC from AIH included total number of ducts and the sum of relative severity of both strictures and dilatations AUC: 0.91 (95% CI 0.78–1). Quantitative MRCP metrics are a good discriminator of ASC from AIH.
Background & Aims Homozygous loss of function mutations in interleukin-10 ( IL10 ) and interleukin-10 receptors ( IL10R ) cause severe infantile (very early onset) inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ...Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was reported to induce sustained remission in 1 patient with IL-10R deficiency. We investigated heterogeneity among patients with very early onset IBD, its mechanisms, and the use of allogeneic HSCT to treat this disorder. Methods We analyzed 66 patients with early onset IBD (younger than 5 years of age) for mutations in the genes encoding IL-10, IL-10R1, and IL-10R2. IL-10R deficiency was confirmed by functional assays on patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (immunoblot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses). We assessed the therapeutic effects of standardized allogeneic HSCT. Results Using a candidate gene sequencing approach, we identified 16 patients with IL-10 or IL-10R deficiency: 3 patients had mutations in IL-10, 5 had mutations in IL-10R1, and 8 had mutations in IL-10R2. Refractory colitis became manifest in all patients within the first 3 months of life and was associated with perianal disease (16 of 16 patients). Extraintestinal symptoms included folliculitis (11 of 16) and arthritis (4 of 16). Allogeneic HSCT was performed in 5 patients and induced sustained clinical remission with a median follow-up time of 2 years. In vitro experiments confirmed reconstitution of IL-10R−mediated signaling in all patients who received the transplant. Conclusions We identified loss of function mutations in IL-10 and IL-10R in patients with very early onset IBD. These findings indicate that infantile IBD patients with perianal disease should be screened for IL-10 and IL-10R deficiency and that allogeneic HSCT can induce remission in those with IL-10R deficiency.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Study design Overweight/obese children with NAFLD ...(n = 76; median age, 13 years; IQR, 11.1-15.2 years) were eligible to participate in the study. The diagnosis of NAFLD was based on elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to ≥30% of the upper limit of normal (ULN) and liver hyperechogenicity on ultrasound. Patients were randomized to receive omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, 450-1300 mg/day) or placebo (omega-6 sunflower oil). The primary outcome was the number of patients who demonstrated decreased ALT activity by ≥0.3 times the ULN. Secondary outcomes included alterations in liver function tests, liver hyperechogenicity, insulin resistance, and other metabolic markers after 6 months of intervention. Results Out of 76 enrolled patients, 64 completed the trial and were analyzed. After 6 months, we found no significant differences between the omega-3 and placebo groups in the number of patients with decreased ALT by ≥0.3 times the ULN (24 vs 23) or in median (IQR) ALT activity (48.5 31-62 U/L vs 39 27-55 U/L), liver hyperechogenicity, insulin resistance, or serum lipid levels. However, patients in the omega-3 group had lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase (28 25-36 U/L vs 39 27-55 U/L; P = .04) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (26 17.5-36.5 U/L vs 35 22-52 U/L; P = .04), and significantly higher levels of adiponectin. Conclusion Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation did not increase the number of patients with decreased ALT levels and it did not affect liver steatosis on ultrasound, but it improved aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels in children with NAFLD compared with placebo. Trial registration Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT01547910.
Vitamin D was studied in regards to its possible impact on body mass reduction and metabolic changes in adults and children with obesity yet there were no studies assessing the impact of vitamin D ...supplementation during a weight management program in children and adolescence. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of 26 weeks of vitamin D supplementation in overweight and obese children undergoing an integrated 12-months' long weight loss program on body mass reduction, body composition and bone mineral density.
A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Vitamin D deficient patients (<30 ng/ml level of vitamin D) aged 6-14, participating in multidisciplinary weight management program were randomly allocated to receiving vitamin D (1200 IU) or placebo for the first 26 weeks of the intervention.
Out of the 152 qualified patients, 109 (72%) completed a full cycle of four visits scheduled in the program. There were no difference in the level of BMI (body mass index) change - both raw BMI and BMI centiles. Although the reduction of BMI centiles was greater in the vitamin D vs. placebo group (-4.28 ± 8.43 vs. -2.53 ± 6.10) the difference was not statistically significant (
= 0.319). Similarly the reduction in fat mass-assessed both using bioimpedance and DEXa was achieved, yet the differences between the groups were not statistically significant.
Our study ads substantial results to support the thesis on no effect of vitamin D supplementation on body weight reduction in children and adolescents with vitamin D insufficiency undergoing a weight management program.
Adiposity and obesity result from the interaction of genetic variation and environmental factors from very early in life, possibly mediated by epigenetic processes. Few ...Epigenome-Wide-Association-Studies have identified DNA-methylation (DNAm) signatures associated with BMI and body composition in children. Body composition by Bio-Impedance-Analysis and genome-wide DNAm in whole blood were assessed in 374 pre-school children from four European countries. Associations were tested by linear regression adjusted for sex, age, centre, education, 6 WBC-proportions according to Houseman and 30 principal components derived from control probes. Specific DNAm variants were identified to be associated with BMI (212), fat-mass (230), fat-free-mass (120), fat-mass-index (24) and fat-free-mass-index (15). Probes in genes SNED1(IRE-BP1), KLHL6, WDR51A(POC1A), CYTH4-ELFN2, CFLAR, PRDM14, SOS1, ZNF643(ZFP69B), ST6GAL1, C3orf70, CILP2, MLLT4 and ncRNA LOC101929268 remained significantly associated after Bonferroni-correction of P-values. We provide novel evidence linking DNAm with (i) altered lipid and glucose metabolism, (ii) diabetes and (iii) body size and composition in children. Both common and specific epigenetic signatures among measures were also revealed. The causal direction with phenotypic measures and stability of DNAm variants throughout the life course remains unclear and longitudinal analysis in other populations is required. These findings give support for potential epigenetic programming of body composition and obesity.
Developing modified dietary fibers that maintain prebiotic benefits without significantly affecting meal taste is of high importance in the midst of the obesity pandemic. These benefits include ...regulating the composition of gut microbiota, increasing feelings of fullness, and improving human metabolic parameters. This study investigated the use of a resistant dextrin (RD) derived from potato starch, which possesses prebiotic properties, as a potential additive in vegetable–fruit preparations that aid weight loss and improve health markers in overweight children. HPLC was employed to examine metabolites like lactic acid, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs; formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, and valeric acids), and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs; isobutyric and isovaleric acids). The activities of α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, and β-glucuronidase enzymes in fecal samples were measured using spectrophotometric analysis at a wavelength of 400 nm. Incorporating the RD into vegetable–fruit preparations yielded favorable outcomes in terms of increased concentrations of the tested metabolites (SCFAs and BCFAs) and enhanced fecal enzyme activities after 6 months of consuming the preparations. Furthermore, these effects were found to last for an extended period of 3 months even after discontinuing the treatment. The study has shown that including RD into vegetable–fruit preparations enhances the metabolic parameters of obese and overweight children, hence providing a strong rationale for the widespread usage of these preparations in the industry.
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) on body mass index (BMI) and fat mass index (FMI) in children over the course of five years and ...identify potential bi-directional associations.
Data were drawn from the EU Childhood Obesity Project (CHOP). PA and SB were measured with the SenseWear Armband 2 at the ages of 6 (T1), 8 (T2) and 11 (T3) years. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated at each time point, resulting in 1254 complete observations from 600 children. Bio impedance analysis was used to measure body fat mass and eventually calculate FMI. To examine the longitudinal association between PA/SB and BMI/FMI as well as to account for repeated measure on these children, mixed model analysis was employed.
Higher levels of total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were associated with lower BMI and FMI and higher SB with higher BMI and FMI over the five year period. When looking at the age dependent effects, negative associations of MVPA (β
: - 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): - 0.09 - -0.01, p = 0.007) and positive associations of SB (β
: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02-0.06, p < 0.001) increased with each year of age. In a model combining these two effects, only SB x age interaction remained significant (β
: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.03-0.06, p = 0.01). No significant interaction between MVPA and SB could be discerned. Light Physical activity showed no significant associations with BMI or FMI. When reversing outcome and predictor; higher BMI or FMI showed a negative association with MVPA and a positive association with SB, but no age dependency.
More time per day in SB was associated with a higher BMI over the course of five years, whereas higher MVPA had an inverse effect. In a combined model, only effects of higher SB remained significant, emphasizing the importance of SB in obesity prevention. Present bidirectional associations, where lower body size was associated with higher PA and lower SB, indicated the need for an integrated approach of activity and weight control for obesity prevention.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00338689 . Registered: June 19, 2006 (retrospectively registered).
Natural reservoirs of Yersinia (Y.) enterocolitica comprise different animal species, but little is known about the role of wild animals in the epidemiology of yersiniosis. The aim of the study was ...to evaluate the prevalence of Y. enterocolitica among game animals in Poland. The bio-serotypes and the pathogenicity markers of the analyzed isolates were determined. The experimental material comprised rectal swabs from 857 free-living animals hunter-harvested over a period of 2 years (2013-2014) in hunting districts across Poland. The isolates from bacteriological studies were confirmed by PCR and bio-serotyped based on the results of biochemical and agglutination tests. In the group of the 218 analyzed isolates of Y. enterocolitica, 133 were derived from wild boars, 70 from red deer, 11 from roe deer and 4 from fallow deer, and they accounted for 61.0%, 32.1%, 5.1% and 1.8% of all isolates, respectively. Bio-serotyping assays revealed that 91.7% of the examined isolates belonged to biotype 1A (200/218). The remaining 18 isolates belonged to bio-serotypes 1B/NI (3/218, 1.4%), 1B/O:8 (1/218, 0.5%), 2/NI (6/218, 2.8%), 2/O:27 (1/218, 0.5%), 2/O:3 (1/218, 0.5%), 2/O:9 (2/218, 0.9%), 3/NI (2/218, 0.9%), 4/O:3 (1/218, 0.5%) and 4/O:9 (1/218, 0.5%). The ail gene, a suggestive virulence gene for Y. enterocolitica, has been found in 30 isolates from 20 wild boars, in 6 isolates from red deer, and in 1 isolate from roe deer. Our study demonstrated that Y. enterocolitica is frequently isolated from game animals in Poland, which poses a risk of spreading these infectious agents to other animal species and humans.
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