Trabecular Plate Loss and Deteriorating Elastic Modulus of Femoral Trabecular Bone in Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures

Osteoporotic hip fracture is associated with significant trabecular bone loss, which is typically characterized as low bone density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry （DXA） and altered microstructure by micro-computed tomography （pCT）. Emerging morphological analysis techniques, e.g. individual trabecula segmentation （ITS）, can provide additional insights into changes in plate-like and rod-like trabeculae, two major micro- structural types serving different roles in determining bone strength. Using ITS, we evaluated trabecular microstructure of intertrochanteric bone cores obtained from 23 patients undergoing hip replacement surgery for intertrochanteric fracture and 22 cadaveric controls. Micro-finite element （~FE） analyses were performed to further understand how the abnormalities seen by ITS might translate into effects on bone strength. ITS analyses revealed that, near fracture site, plate-like trabeculae were seriously depleted in fracture patients, but trabecular rod volume was maintained. Besides, decreased plate area and rod length were observed in fracture patients. Fracture patients also showed decreased elastic moduli and shear moduli of trabecular bone. These results provided evidence that in intertrochanteric hip fracture, preferential loss of plate-like trabeculae led to more rod-like microstructure and deteriorated mechanical competence adjacent to the fracture site, which increased our understanding of the biomechanical pathogenesis of hip fracture in osteoporosis.

Whole-body heat exposure induces membrane changes in spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis of laboratory mice

This study was carried out to determine if exposure to hot environmental temperatures had a direct, detrimental effect on sperm quality. For this the effect of whole-body heat exposure on epididymal spermatozoa of laboratory mice was investigated. C57BL/6 mice （n = 7） were housed in a microclimate chamber at 37℃-38℃ for 8 h per day for three consecutive days, while control mice （n = 7） were kept at 23℃-24℃. Cauda epididymal spermatozoa were obtained 16 h after the last heat treatment. The results showed that sperm numbers were similar in the two groups （P = 0.23）, but after heat treatment, a significant reduction in the percentage of motile sperm was present （P 〈 0.0001）. Membrane changes of the spermatozoa were investigated by staining with phycoerythrin （PE）- conjugated Annexin V, which detects exteriorization of phosphotidylserine from the inner to the outer leaflet of the sperm plasma membrane, and 7-aminoactinomycin D （7-AAD）, which binds to the sperm nucleus when the plasma membrane is damaged. The percentage of spermatozoa showing positive staining with Annexin V-PE or 7-AAD or both, was significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） in heat-exposed mice compared with controls. These results show that whole-body heat exposure to 37℃-38℃ induces membrane changes in the epididymal spermatozoa of mice, which may lead to apoptosis.

Histopathological Investigation of the Stomach of Rats Fed a 60% Genetically Modified Corn Diet

Genetic modification (GM) represents new opportunities for enhanced crop features such as improved insect resistance and herbicide tolerance. The technology allows for cross-species alterations, therefore potentially allowing a vast array of novel traits. Many GM crops have been developed and approved for human and animal consumption. The present study investigated a triple-stacked GM corn variety containing modifications for insect resistance (via cry1Ab and cry3Bb1 genes) and herbicide tolerance (via an EPSPS gene), which was fed to rats for six months. The study investigated the mucosa of the stomach. Alterations to tight junction apposition, gland dilatations with epithelial elongation and dysplasia in the GM-fed rats were observed. These results indicate that GM-corn may have an effect on rat stomach mucosa, which may have health implications.

Dietary Fats and Oils: Some Evolutionary and Historical Perspectives Concerning Edible Lipids for Human Consumption

Consumption of fats and oils in the ancient world was examined as a window to human nutritional needs and compared with lipid usage in the modern world, post-1900. In earlier periods, the natural and only source of edible fats and oils came from both animals and plants. These fats and oils played a vital role in the evolution of the human body structure, supporting many biochemical functions. Artifacts from prehistoric periods and the ancient world had indicated that humans were evolutionarily adapted to consume saturated lipids. They also consumed unsaturated fats and oils extracted from animals and plants, now identified as omega-3 to omega-6 in the fatty acid ratio of 1:1, commonly derived from naturally consumed unprocessed products and food sources. These fats and oils assisted in providing the ingredients for the building up of cells and maintaining their structural integrity in tissues, including the brain and other important internal organs, as well as providing energy for many biochemical processes in the body. The double bonds distributed throughout fatty acid carbon chains are a characteristic of unsaturated vegetable oils. They are more structurally diverse in polyunsaturated fats and oils with the greater preponderance for carbon-to-carbon double bonds distributed in the carbon chains. These double bonds are susceptible to generating free radicals. This article considers potential problems that proponents of the prevailing diet-heart cholesterol paradigm of the past 60 years may have neglected. It also presents the possible consequences of abandoning the evolutionarily inherited foods containing extracted natural saturated and monounsaturated fats and oils. Furthermore, the article addresses the contribution of docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids to immunity and the possible connection of excess consumption of omega-6 fatty acid to the marked rise in obesity and other non-communicable diseases in modern civilization.

Analysis of spontaneous adverse drug reactions to echinacea, valerian,black cohosh and ginkgo in Australia from 2000 to 2015

Objective: Assessing adverse drug reactions(ADRs) is a proven method to estimate the safety of medicines. The ADRs to herbal medicines in Australia(and by inference, the safety of herbal medicines in Australia) remain unknown. This study examines spontaneous ADR cases to four of the most popular herbs in Australia from 2000 to 2015: echinacea(Echinacea purpurea), valerian(Valeriana officinalis), black cohosh(Actaea racemosa) and ginkgo(Ginkgo biloba).Methods: ADRs of echinacea, valerian, black cohosh and ginkgo reported to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration(TGA) between 2000 and 2015 were obtained from the TGA database. Data were collated and analysed according to age, sex, severity, type of ADR and body system affected. Statistics were calculated using Graph Pad Prism software.Results: Most ADRs were mild or moderate. However, every herbal medicine was associated with lifethreatening ADRs. In each life-threatening case, the herbal medicine was taken concomitantly with prescription medications. Black cohosh was associated with a significant number of severe ADRs(30.3% of the total), with 39.4% of these ADRs being associated with abnormal hepatic function, hepatitis or hepatotoxicity.Conclusion: This study highlights the lack of public awareness with regard to herb–drug interactions,since most of the severe ADRs involved a herb–drug interaction.

Intracranial pressure is elevated at 24h post-stroke inmice

Background:It has long been assumed that post-stroke intracranial pressure(ICP)elevation occurs because of large infarct and edema volumes.However,we have repeatedly shown IcP elevation at 24 h post-stroke in the presence of little to no edema in rats.Biological processes are often conserved across species and types of injury.Therefore,we aimed to determine if an ICP rise occurs at 24 h post-stroke in the presence of small infarct and edema volumes in mice.Methods:Mice were randomized by random number table to either photothrombotic stroke or sham surgery(n=15).Epidural ICP was recorded using a fiber optic catheter at 1 h post-stroke(baseline)and between 23 and 24hpost-stroke.Results:ICP was significantly higher at 24 h compared to baseline in stroke animals(n=6;10.71±6.45mmHg vs.3.74±2.20mmHg,respec-tively;p=0.03).ICP at 24 h was also significantly higher in stroke mice compared to sham(n=6;3.45±1.43mmHg;p=0.02).There was no change in ICP in sham mice(p=0.9).Edema volumes in stroke animals were small(0.04±0.04 mm3)and unlikely to have caused significant ICP elevation.Conclusion:This study provides evidence of an edema-independent ICP elevation following small ischemic stroke in mice.The occurrence of this rise supports our findings in other species and suggests it is caused by a previously undescribed mechanism.

Reproductive biology of an old endemic murid rodent of Australia, the Spinifex hopping mouse, Notomys alexis:adaptations for life in the arid zone

The Spinifex hopping mouse(Notomys alexis Thomas,1922)is an arid adapted Australo–Papuan old endemic rodent that undergoes boom and bust population cycles.In this communication,we review our findings on the timing of reproduction and the potential reproductive rate of this species.To investigate the first question,the reproductive condition of adult females,and occurrence of immatures,in a population on a cattle station in central Australia was determined and,for the second,data from a laboratory colony compared to those previously published on closely related species in other environments.The findings show that,at least in the population at the times that monitoring was performed,reproductive activity was only taking place in spring and early summer,whereas the laboratory study indicates that females have a similar gestation length and litter size to those of most close relatives occurring in other environments.Males have extremely small testes and store relatively few sperm.The findings suggest that Notomys alexis might show some seasonality of reproduction at least in this region of central Australia and that this species does not have a higher reproductive rate than that of related species in other,more predictable,environments.

Identification of a Driver from the Analysis of Specific Injuries

Determining who was driving a vehicle is often an important part of the assessment of a crash because of the potentially significant medicolegal ramifications.A case is reported of a vehicle containing two occupants.The male occupant had a blood alcohol reading of 85 mg/100 ml and the female occupant(who claimed to be the driver)of 0 mg/100 ml.However,the injuries to the male were more consistent with an impact against the steering wheel and from the posterior displacement of the floor toward the driver’s seat.The injuries sustained by the female occupant were less severe and fewer in number.Blood stains on the edge of the driver’s window and the steering wheel were from the male occupant.It was concluded,therefore,that the male occupant had been the driver and not the female occupant as was being claimed.This result had significant implications in terms of insurance claims and potential criminal charges.