BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Our knowledge on the physiological function of the insect Neuropeptide F (NPF) mostly comes from studies in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, where NPF was shown to regulate diverse processes, such as feeding, learning and responding to stress. In the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, only a truncated form of the "full-length" NPF (the biologically active "trNPF") has been isolated. In this study, we investigated whether this peptide is involved in the regulation of feeding in this orthopteran species. In the S. gregaria EST-database, an NPF-precursor encoding transcript was found. Alignment with other insect NPF-precursors showed relatively highest sequence conservation within the trNPF region (and the flanking dibasic cleavage site), as compared to other regions of the NPF-precursor. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR revealed that the Schgr-NPF-precursor encoding transcript occurs throughout the central nervous system with relatively high transcript levels in the brain, optic lobes and suboesophageal ganglion. It was also detected at relatively high levels in the midgut, which suggests that the encoded peptide also functions in the digestive system. Moreover, Schgr-NPF-transcript levels were notably higher in starved animals than in animals fed ad libitum, while transcript levels were also shown to be regulated after the consumption of a meal. Injection of locust trNPF in adults stimulated food intake, while RNAi knockdown reduced food intake. Furthermore, injection of trNPF in adults stimulated weight increase, while RNAi knockdown reduced weight gain. This effect of trNPF on body weight gain may result from its stimulatory effect on food intake. Taken together, we provide clear evidence for an important role of trNPF in the regulation of feeding in the desert locust, S. gregaria.

背景与目标： ：我们对昆虫Neuropeptide F（NPF）的生理功能的了解主要来自对果蝇Drosophila melanogaster的研究，其中NPF被证明可以调节多种过程，例如进食，学习和应对压力。在沙漠蝗Schistocerca gregaria中，仅分离出了“全长” NPF（具有生物活性的“ trNPF”）的截短形式。在这项研究中，我们调查了该肽是否参与该直翅类动物的摄食调节。在S. gregaria EST数据库中，找到了一个N​​PF前体编码的转录本。与NPF前体的其他区域相比，与其他昆虫NPF前体的比对显示出在trNPF区域（和侧翼双碱基切割位点）内相对最高的序列保守性。实时定量RT-PCR显示，Schgr-NPF前体编码转录本遍布整个中枢神经系统，在大脑，视神经叶和食管下神经节中的转录本水平相对较高。在中肠中也以相对较高的水平检测到它，这表明编码的肽在消化系统中也起作用。此外，饥饿的动物中的Schgr-NPF转录水平显着高于随意喂养的动物，而进食后，转录水平也受到调节​​。在成年人中注射刺槐trNPF可以刺激食物摄取，而RNAi抑制则减少食物摄取。此外，在成年人中注射trNPF可以刺激体重增加，而RNAi抑制则可以减少体重增加。 trNPF对体重增加的这种影响可能是由于其对食物摄入的刺激作用。两者合计，我们提供了明确的证据证明trNPF在沙漠蝗S. gregaria的摄食调控中的重要作用。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:To analyse the psychometric properties of the structured Satisfaction Questionnaire with Gastrostomy Feeding (SAGA-8) in parents/caregivers of children with home enteral nutrition (HEN) by gastrostomy tube (GT). METHODS:Eighty-six caregivers (mothers) of paediatric patients with HEN by GT were recruited. Patients suffered from neurological disease (61.6%) and other chronic diseases. The SAGA-8 scale, a structured questionnaire to explore satisfaction with HEN by GT, and the Caregiver Burden Inventory (Zarit) were completed. The discriminating power of each of the SAGA-8 items, internal consistency and external validity were evaluated. An exploratory factor analysis and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) was performed as well. RESULTS:Eighty-four percent of the families expressed high satisfaction with GT feeding. All eight items of SAGA-8 gave additional information. The exploratory factor analysis revealed that a significant part of the items' variability could be explained by two independent factors: Factor 1 (direct benefit), which compiled the variables related to the perception of children's overall improvement by GT feeding; Factor 2 (indirect benefit), which grouped the variables related to a decrease in respiratory infections, feeding time and institutional support. Results from KMO (0.628) indicated the high adequacy of the items assessed in the factorial analysis. Moreover, the questionnaire presented high internal consistency (0.76), and the external validation analysis confirmed the correlation between SAGA-8 and Zarit, thereby emphasising the approptiate use of the SAGA-8 to detect carers' satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS:The SAGA-8 questionnaire has a high discriminatory power to assess the degree of satisfaction experienced by parents/caregivers of children with HEN by GT and, subsequently, the patients' wellbeing.

背景与目标： 背景：目的通过胃造口管（GT）分析胃肠道营养喂养（HEN）患儿父母/照顾者的胃造口喂养结构满意度调查表（SAGA-8）的心理计量学特征。
方法：招募了86例小儿HEN患者的GT照护者（母亲）。患者患有神经系统疾病（61.6％）和其他慢性疾病。已完成SAGA-8量表，用于探索GT对HEN满意程度的结构化问卷以及Caregiver Burden清单（Zarit）。评估了每个SAGA-8项目的辨别力，内部一致性和外部有效性。还进行了探索性因素分析和Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin（KMO）。
结果：84％的家庭对GT喂养表示高度满意。 SAGA-8的所有八项均提供了附加信息。探索性因素分析表明，项目差异的很大一部分可以由两个独立的因素解释：因子1（直接收益），该变量汇总了与GT喂养对儿童总体改善知觉有关的变量；因子2（间接收益），将与呼吸道感染减少，进食时间和机构支持有关的变量分组。 KMO（0.628）的结果表明，析因分析中所评估项目的充分性很高。此外，该问卷具有较高的内部一致性（0.76），并且外部验证分析证实了SAGA-8和Zarit之间的相关性，从而强调了合理使用SAGA-8来检测护理人员的满意度。
结论：SAGA-8问卷具有很高的判别力，可以评估GT患儿的父母/监护人对HEN的满意程度，并随后评估患者的幸福感。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Continuous observations of larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, revealed that feeding occurred at regular intervals throughout larval development. To investigate possible factors influencing meal-timing, the behaviours of diet-deprived Bombyx larvae were also analysed. Diet-deprivation resulted in longer durations of the first meals after diet replacement, but did not affect feeding patterns. Furthermore, long-term diet-deprivation promoted wandering behaviour and a consequent delay in feeding after diet replacement. Under diet-deprivation conditions, meal-starts appeared to be inducible by defecation and physical stimulation. However, stimulation-induced meal-starts were dependent on the time elapsed since the larvae's previous meals. Provided that more than 1h had elapsed since their previous meals, larvae could be induced to feed by defecation and tapping. At less than 1h post-meal, larvae were less likely to begin feeding after defecation or physical stimulation. Activated locomotions such as wandering and feeding were observed in the long-term diet-deprived larvae only after diet blocks were replaced, while long-term diet-deprived larvae did not show activated locomotion during the absence of diet blocks. Collectively, these data suggest that a combination of elevated locomotion activity and the presence of diet may be necessary for the initiation of feeding in diet-deprived larvae.

背景与目标： ：对蚕Bombyx mori幼虫的连续观察表明，在整个幼虫发育过程中，定期喂食。为了调查可能影响进餐时间的因素，还分析了饮食缺乏的家蚕幼虫的行为。饮食剥夺导致饮食替代后第一顿饭的时间更长，但不影响喂养方式。此外，长期的饮食剥夺促进了流浪行为，并因此在替代饮食后导致进食延迟。在缺乏饮食的情况下，排便和身体刺激似乎可以诱导进餐。然而，刺激引起的进餐开始取决于幼虫上一次进餐以来经过的时间。如果自从他们进餐以来已经超过1小时，则可以通过排便和敲打来诱使幼虫进食。餐后不到1小时，排便或身体刺激后，幼虫就不太可能开始进食。仅在更换饮食块后，长期饮食剥夺的幼虫才观察到激活的运动，如游荡和进食，而在缺乏饮食块的情况下，长期饮食剥夺的幼虫未表现出激活的运动。总体而言，这些数据表明，开始饮食剥夺的幼虫开始进食可能需要结合运动活动和饮食的存在。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Some evidence suggests that breast feeding is weakly but positively associated with cognitive function. This association has been robust to adjustment for various confounders. The aim of this paper is to determine if duration of breast feeding is associated with cognitive function in late childhood. Data was abstracted from the 1970 British Cohort Study. 11004 liveborn white singletons born during 5-11 April 1970 in the United Kingdom were followed from birth to 10 years. Cognitive function at 10 years is the dependent variable, a latent construct composed of one ability test and three performance measures. Estimates derived from multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling were compared. Effect sizes were estimated using standardized coefficients (SC). Differences in cognitive function according to breast feeding duration were estimated to be small by multiple linear regression (SC = 0.07) and much smaller and non-significant as estimated by structural equation modeling (SC = 0.02) after adjusting for parental socioeconomic status (SES), birth weight, parity, gestational age, maternal age and maternal smoking. Differences in cognitive function according to duration of breast feeding appear to be small and of little clinical importance as estimated by structural equation modeling.

背景与目标： ：一些证据表明，母乳喂养与认知功能弱但正相关。这种关联对于调整各种混杂因素非常有效。本文的目的是确定母乳喂养的持续时间是否与儿童晚期的认知功能有关。数据摘自1970年英国队列研究。 1970年4月5日至11日在英国出生的11004个活泼白色单身人士从出生到10岁一直被追踪。 10年时的认知功能是因变量，是由一项能力测验和三种表现测度组成的潜在构造。比较了从多元线性回归和结构方程建模得出的估计值。使用标准化系数（SC）估算效应大小。多元线性回归（SC = 0.07）估计根据母乳喂养时间的认知功能差异很小，而根据父母的社会经济地位（SES）调整后，通过结构方程模型（SC = 0.02）估计的差异要小得多且无统计学意义。 ，出生体重，胎次，胎龄，产妇年龄和产妇吸烟。结构方程模型估计，根据母乳喂养时间而定的认知功能差异似乎很小，临床意义不大。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :This study was undertaken to characterize the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) response to varied dietary protein intake, energy deficit (ED), and consumption of a mixed meal. A randomized, controlled trial of 39 adults consuming protein at 0.8 (recommended dietary allowance [RDA]), 1.6 (2×-RDA), or 2.4 (3×-RDA) g · kg(-1) · d(-1) for 31 d. A 10-d weight maintenance (WM) period was followed by 21 d of 40% ED. Ubiquitin (Ub)-mediated proteolysis and associated gene expression were assessed in the postabsorptive (fasted) and postprandial (fed; 480 kcal, 20 g protein) states after WM and ED by using muscle biopsies, fluorescence-based assays, immunoblot analysis, and real-time qRT-PCR. In the assessment of UPS responses to varied protein intakes, ED, and feeding, the RDA, WM, and fasted measures served as appropriate controls. ED resulted in the up-regulation of UPS-associated gene expression, as mRNA expression of the atrogenes muscle RING finger-1 (MuRF1) and atrogin-1 were 1.2- and 1.3-fold higher (P<0.05) for ED than for WM. However, mixed-meal consumption attenuated UPS-mediated proteolysis, independent of energy status or dietary protein, as the activities of the 26S proteasome subunits β1, β2, and β5 were lower (P<0.05) for fed than for fasted. Muscle protein ubiquitylation was also 45% lower (P<0.05) for fed than for fasted, regardless of dietary protein and energy manipulations. Independent of habitual protein intake and despite increased MuRF1 and atrogin-1 mRNA expression during ED, consuming a protein-containing mixed meal attenuates Ub-mediated proteolysis.

背景与目标： ：这项研究的目的是表征泛素蛋白酶体系统（UPS）对各种饮食蛋白质摄入量，能量缺乏症（ED）和混合餐的摄入量的反应。一项随机，对照试验，对39位摄入蛋白质的成人进行了研究，他们的蛋白质摄入量分别为0.8（建议的饮食允许量[RDA]），1.6（2×-RDA）或2.4（3×-RDA）g·kg（-1）·d（-1） 31天维持体重10天（WM），然后进行21天40％ED。通过使用肌肉活检，基于荧光的测定，免疫印迹分析和免疫印迹，在WM和ED后评估了吸收后（禁食）和餐后（进食； 480 kcal，20 g蛋白）状态下泛素（Ub）介导的蛋白水解和相关基因表达。实时定量RT-PCR。在评估UPS对各种蛋白质摄入量，ED和进食的反应时，RDA，WM和禁食措施可作为适当的对照。 ED导致UPS相关基因表达上调，因为ED的质子肌RING RING-1（MuRF1）和atrogin-1的mRNA表达分别比WM高1.2倍和1.3倍（P <0.05）。 。然而，由于进食的26S蛋白酶体亚基β1，β2和β5的活性比禁食的低（P <0.05），因此混合膳食的消耗减弱了UPS介导的蛋白水解，而与能量状态或膳食蛋白质无关。进食的肌肉蛋白质泛素化水平也比禁食的肌肉蛋白质泛素化水平低45％（P <0.05），而与饮食蛋白质和能量操作无关。与习惯性蛋白质摄入无关，尽管在ED期间MuRF1和atrogin-1 mRNA表达增加，但食用含蛋白质的混合粉会减弱Ub介导的蛋白水解作用。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Creep feed intake is variable and may be partly homeostatically and exploratory driven. We studied effects of maternal feed restriction and a 'play-feeder' on piglet behaviour and performance. 37 Litters received creep feed in a conventional (CON) or play-feeder (PL) and their sows were full-fed (FF) or restrictedly-fed (RES). Eaters were determined via rectal swabs. At weaning (d24) four piglets from the same treatment were grouped (n = 36 pens). RES hindered piglet growth by 41 g/d and enhanced time eating, creep feed intake and percentage of eaters at weaning versus FF. RES-PL had the largest proportion of moderate and good eaters. PL stimulated feeder exploration and attracted more piglets to the feeder than CON. Post-weaning, RES increased exploratory behaviours, feed intake between d0-5, and growth between d0-2, and reduced body lesions between d0-2 (within CON), drinking and ear biting. PL increased ingestive behaviours, feed intake and growth between d0-15, and BW at d15 post-weaning by 5%. PL also lowered the prevalence of watery diarrhoea, number of body lesions and piglets with ear (within FF) and tail (within RES) damage at d15 post-weaning. Treatments did not affect FCR. To conclude, RES and particularly PL (broader and for longer) result in less weaning-associated-problems.

背景与目标： ：深饲料的摄入量是可变的，可能部分由体内平衡和探索性驱动。我们研究了母乳喂养限制和“游戏饲养者”对仔猪行为和性能的影响。 37窝仔猪采用常规饲喂（CON）或饲喂饲喂（PL）进行creep饲，其母猪为全喂（FF）或受限制喂饲（RES）。通过直肠拭子确定食者。在断奶（d24）时，将来自同一处理的四只仔猪分组（n = 36头）。 RES使仔猪的生长速度提高了41μg/ d，并增加了断奶和断奶时的进食时间，creep饲料的采食量以及进食者的百分比。 RES-PL的中度和良好饮食者比例最高。 PL刺激了饲养者的探索，并且比CON吸引了更多的仔猪到饲养者中。断奶后，RES增加了探索行为，在d0-5之间采食，在d0-2之间生长，在d0-2之间（在CON内），饮酒和咬人减少了身体病变。在断奶后第15天时，PL在d0-15之间增加了摄食行为，采食量和生长，在d15时体重增加了5％。在断奶后第15天，PL还降低了水样腹泻的发生率，身体损伤的数量以及有耳朵（FF内）和尾巴（RES内）损伤的仔猪的患病率。治疗不影响FCR。总而言之，RES，尤其是PL（范围更广且时间更长）导致的断奶相关问题更少。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Feeding vessel sign is very sensitive radiological finding of septic pulmonary embolism. In the appropriate clinical context, if the CT scan of a patient with suspected sepsis shows this radiological sign, empirical antibiotics (including gram positive organisms) should be started at the earliest after sending all cultures to decrease mortality and morbidity. Here we are presenting a case of 14-years-old boy with left ankle septic arthritis and septic pulmonary embolism.

背景与目标： ：进食管征是化脓性肺栓塞的放射学非常敏感的发现。在适当的临床情况下，如果怀疑脓毒症患者的CT扫描显示出这种放射学迹象，则应在送出所有培养物后尽早开始使用经验性抗生素（包括革兰氏阳性生物）以降低死亡率和发病率。在这里，我们介绍了一个14岁男孩的左脚踝脓毒性关节炎和脓毒性肺栓塞的病例。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :High-fat-feeding in rats has been reported to enhance stress reactions, as assessed by elevation of blood glucose and corticosterone levels. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between changes in blood glucose and hypothalamic neuronal noradrenaline activity (HNNA), as indexed by the ratio of dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (DHPG) to noradrenaline (NA), following physiological stress in high-fat-fed rats. Two groups of adult male Wistar rats were fed isocaloric diets high in fat (59% of calories) or starch (70% of calories). After 3 weeks each of these groups was further subdivided into (a) control, (b) 2 min ambient temperature (20 degrees C) swim or (c) 2 min swim in ice-cold water. Animals were decapitated 20 min after commencing the swim; trunk blood and a sample of medial basal hypothalamus were obtained. Computerized gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to measure hypothalamic DHPG and NA concentrations. There were no differences between fat- and starch-fed rats in basal levels of serum glucose, insulin or corticosterone and no differences in DHPG, NA or DHPG/NA ratio. Compared to starch-fed rats, ambient swim stress in the fat-fed group produced significantly larger serum glucose (P less than 0.01), serum corticosterone (P less than 0.05), DHPG (P less than 0.05) and DHPG/NA (P less than 0.01) responses. Following cold swim stress similar differences between fat- and starch-fed animals were observed. In addition, serum insulin was found to be significantly suppressed in the fat-fed group (P less than 0.05) following cold swim.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

背景与目标： ：据报道，通过高血糖喂养大鼠可增强应激反应，可通过血糖和皮质酮水平的升高来评估。本研究旨在研究高脂饮食大鼠生理应激后血糖变化与下丘脑神经元去甲肾上腺素活性（HNNA）之间的关系，该关系以二羟基苯基乙二醇（DHPG）与去甲肾上腺素（NA）之比表示。两组成年雄性Wistar大鼠以高热量（占热量的59％）或淀粉（占热量的70％）的等热量饮食喂养。 3周后，将这些组中的每组进一步细分为（a）对照，（b）2分钟环境温度（20摄氏度）游泳或（c）在冰冷水中游泳2分钟。开始游泳后20分钟，将动物斩首。获得干血和内侧下丘脑基底样品。使用计算机气相色谱/质谱法测量下丘脑的DHPG和NA浓度。脂肪和淀粉喂养的大鼠之间的基础血糖，胰岛素或皮质酮水平无差异，DHPG，NA或DHPG / NA比也无差异。与用淀粉喂养的大鼠相比，用脂肪喂养的组的周围游泳应激产生的血清葡萄糖（P小于0.01），血清皮质酮（P小于0.05），DHPG（P小于0.05）和DHPG / NA（P显着更大）小于0.01）的响应。冷泳后，在脂肪和淀粉喂养的动物之间观察到相似的差异。此外，冷饮后脂肪喂养组的血清胰岛素被显着抑制（P小于0.05）。（摘要截断为250个字）

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND & AIMS:To assess the success rate of a self-propelling nasojejunal feeding tube in patients with acute pancreatitis. METHODS:All patients admitted for acute pancreatitis were included. A self-propelling nasojejunal feeding tube was introduced into the stomach, and gastrointestinal motility was stimulated using metoclopramide. If the tube failed to advance to the ligament of Treitz, a nasojejunal tube was placed endoscopically. RESULTS:A total of 108 patients, 94 with necrotizing pancreatitis (Balthazar D/E) and 14 with nonnecrotizing pancreatitis (Balthazar B/C), were referred for artificial nutrition. In 11 cases, ileus persisted and parenteral nutrition was initiated. Among the remaining 97 patients, 5 refused tube placement. The self-propelling feeding tube was inserted in 92 patients with successful migration to the ligament of Treitz in 61% (n = 56) and failure in 39% (n = 36). Of the 36 patients with an initial failed placement, endoscopic placement of a nasojejunal tube was successful 80% of the time (29 patients). The success rate of a nasojejunal self-propelling feeding tube placement correlated directly with the severity of the acute pancreatitis (92% in B/C vs 61% in D vs 48% in E; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS:Use of a self-propelling nasojejunal tube is a simple technique that can be successfully performed in the majority of patients with acute pancreatitis. The utility of this procedure in the most severe cases of acute pancreatitis continues to pose a challenge.

背景与目标： 背景与目的：评估自推进鼻空肠饲管在急性胰腺炎患者中的成功率。
方法：纳入所有因急性胰腺炎入院的患者。将自推进式鼻空肠喂养管插入胃中，并使用甲氧氯普胺刺激胃肠蠕动。如果试管无法前进至Treitz韧带，则在内窥镜下放置鼻空肠管。
结果：总共108例患者接受了人工营养，其中94例为坏死性胰腺炎（Balthazar D / E），而14例为非坏死性胰腺炎（Balthazar B / C）。在11例中，肠梗阻持续存在，并开始了肠胃外营养。在其余的97名患者中，有5名拒绝了导管的放置。自推进式饲管已插入92例成功迁移至Treitz韧带的患者中，占61％（n = 56），失败者占39％（n = 36）。在最初放置失败的36例患者中，鼻空肠管的内镜放置成功率为80％（29例）。鼻空肠自推进式饲管放置的成功率与急性胰腺炎的严重程度直接相关（B / C组为92％，D组为61％，E组为48％； P <.05）。
结论：使用自推进鼻空肠管是一种简单的技术，可以在大多数急性胰腺炎患者中成功进行。在最严重的急性胰腺炎病例中该方法的实用性继续构成挑战。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: -2

背景与目标： -2

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Diarrhoea is a common and serious complication of enteral tube feeding. Its pathogenesis involves antibiotic prescription, enteropathogenic colonization and abnormal colonic responses, all of which involve an interaction with the colonic microbiota. Alterations in the colonic microbiota have been identified in patients receiving enteral tube feeding and these changes may be associated with the incidence of diarrhoea. Preventing negative alterations in the colonic microbiota has therefore been investigated as a method of reducing the incidence of diarrhoea. Probiotics and prebiotics may be effective because of their suppression of enteropathogenic colonization, stimulation of immune function and modulation of colonic metabolism. Randomized controlled trials of probiotics have produced contrasting results, although Saccharomyces boulardii has been shown to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea in patients in the intensive care unit receiving enteral tube feeding. Prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharides have been shown to increase the concentration of faecal bifidobacteria in healthy subjects consuming enteral formula, although this finding has not yet been confirmed in patients receiving enteral tube feeding. Furthermore, there are no clinical trials investigating the effect of a prebiotic alone on the incidence of diarrhoea. Further trials of the efficacy of probiotics and prebiotics, alone and in combination, in preventing diarrhoea in this patient group are warranted.

背景与目标： ：腹泻是肠管喂养的常见和严重并发症。其发病机理涉及抗生素处方，肠致病菌定植和异常结肠反应，所有这些都涉及与结肠微生物群的相互作用。在接受肠管饲喂的患者中，结肠菌群发生了变化，这些变化可能与腹泻的发生有关。因此，作为减少腹泻发生率的方法，已经研究了预防结肠微生物群中的负面变化。益生菌和益生元可能是有效的，因为它们抑制了肠道致病菌定植，刺激了免疫功能并调节了结肠代谢。益生菌的随机对照试验产生了相反的结果，尽管已显示布拉氏酵母能减少接受肠管饲喂的重症监护病房患者腹泻的发生率。益生元低聚果糖已显示可在食用肠溶配方食品的健康受试者中增加粪便双歧杆菌的浓度，尽管尚未在接受肠管饲喂的患者中证实这一发现。此外，还没有临床试验研究仅益生元对腹泻发生率的影响。益生菌和益生元单独或组合使用以预防该患者腹泻的功效值得进一步研究。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Intra-nucleus accumbens (Acb) infusion of cholinergic muscarinic antagonist, scopolamine (10 microg/0.5 microl), markedly reduced fat intake elicited by intra-Acb treatment of the mu-opioid receptor agonist, DAMGO, with 30 min and 4h pretreatment intervals. Intra-Acb scopolamine infusions also reduced food intake in food-deprived rats, but not water intake in water-deprived rats. Hence, Acb muscarinic manipulations exhibit some specificity for feeding, perhaps via interactions with the striatal opioid system.

背景与目标： ：伏隔核内（Acb）输注胆碱能毒蕈碱拮抗剂东碱（10 microg / 0.5 microl），通过Acb内治疗类阿片受体激动剂DAMGO引起的脂肪摄入显着减少，治疗间隔为30分钟和4小时。 Acb内东in碱的输注也减少了食物匮乏大鼠的食物摄入，但没有减少水缺乏大鼠的水摄入。因此，Acb毒蕈碱操作可能通过与纹状体阿片样物质系统的相互作用而表现出某些喂养特异性。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :We investigated the effect of chromium (Cr) supplementation on the growth performance, energy metabolites, and hormonal variation in winter-exposed buffalo calves. Twenty-four female buffalo calves were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments (n = 6) for a period of 120 days. Feeding regimen was the same in all the groups, except the animals in the four respective groups were additionally supplemented with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg of Cr/kg DM in the form of CrCl3.6H2O. Calves were monitored daily for physiological variables and dry matter intake (DMI). Blood samples were collected at fortnightly intervals from each buffalo calves to measure concentrations of hormones (insulin, cortisol, and growth hormone), energy metabolites (glucose and non-esterified fatty acids), and plasma mineral levels. After 120 days of feeding trial, buffalo calves fed with Cr had lower (P < 0.05) circulating plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and cortisol hormones, whereas plasma thyroid hormone and non-esterified fatty acids concentrations were found similar (P > 0.05) among all the treatments. The results suggested that dietary Cr supplementation influenced plasma Cr levels without affecting the plasma concentrations of other trace minerals. However, physiological variables, nutrient intake, and growth performance of buffalo calves did not differ among all treatments (P > 005). In summary, the current study showed that supplementation of Cr at the level of 1.0 and 1.5 mg of Cr/kg DMI was more effective in improving glucose utilization by increasing potency of insulin hormone and reducing concentration of cortisol hormone. Results also suggested that supplemental Cr also improves blood plasma Cr levels.

背景与目标： ：我们研究了添加铬（Cr）对水牛犊冬季生长性能，能量代谢物和激素变化的影响。将24只雌性水牛犊随机分配给四种饮食疗法（n = 6），为期120天。除了四组动物分别补充了0.0、0.5、1.0和1.5 mg Cr / kg DM的CrCl3.6H2O形式外，所有组的喂养方案均相同。每天监测犊牛的生理变量和干物质摄入量（DMI）。每隔两周从每头水牛犊收集血样，以测量激素（胰岛素，皮质醇和生长激素），能量代谢物（葡萄糖和非酯化脂肪酸）和血浆矿物质的浓度。饲喂试验120天后，饲喂Cr的水牛犊的循环血浆葡萄糖，胰岛素和皮质醇激素浓度较低（P <0.05），而血浆甲状腺激素和未酯化脂肪酸的浓度相似（P> 0.05）在所有的治疗方法中。结果表明，膳食铬的添加影响血浆铬水平，而不会影响其他微量矿物质的血浆浓度。然而，水牛犊的生理变量，养分摄入和生长性能在所有处理之间均无差异（P> 005）。总之，当前的研究表明，以1.0和1.5 mg Cr / kg DMI的水平添加Cr通过增加胰岛素激素的效力和降低皮质醇激素的浓度，更有效地提高了葡萄糖的利用率。结果还表明，补充铬还可以改善血浆中的铬水平。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :This study aimed to investigate complementary feeding practices during children's first year of life in Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Practices were described according to the age range and the breastfeeding (BF) practice. Data were collected during a multi-vaccination campaign through the interview of 1,238 individuals who accompanied children younger than one year old being vaccinated. Differences associated with the BF situation were identified by the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. The early introduction of complementary food was observed, which led to the low frequency of exclusive breastfeeding (36.9% <4 months). Children younger than 4 months old consumed tea (30.7%); children between 4 and 6 months old consumed fruits (54.1%), soups (39.9%) and home-made food (19.2%). Juice was offered only to 15.2% of children younger than 4 months old who were completed weaned, 60% of the children was offered water. Data show that the consistence of the food consumed was inappropriate: children between 6 and 8 months old were offered the family's regular food (48.8%) and children older than 8 months (71.6%) were offered soup. Therefore, interventions focused on complementary feeding are justified on the city.

背景与目标： ：这项研究旨在调查巴西SP Botucatu儿童一岁时的补充喂养方法。根据年龄范围和母乳喂养（BF）习惯对实践进行了描述。在一次多重疫苗接种运动中，通过对1,238名伴随一岁以下儿童进行疫苗接种的个体进行访谈，收集了相关数据。通过卡方检验和Fisher精确检验确定了与高炉情况相关的差异。观察到早期补充食品的引入，导致纯母乳喂养的频率较低（36.9％<4个月）。 4个月以下的儿童喝茶（30.7％）； 4至6个月大的儿童食用水果（54.1％），汤（39.9％）和自制食品（19.2％）。仅对完全断奶的4月龄以下的孩子中的15.2％提供了果汁，为60％的孩子提供了水。数据显示，所食用食物的稠度不合适：向6至8个月大的孩子提供家庭常规食物（48.8％），向8个月以上的孩子（71.6％）提供汤。因此，针对该市补充干预措施的干预措施是合理的。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Elasmosaurs were extremely long-necked, aquatic reptiles that used four flippers for locomotion. Their distinctive long neck distinguishes them from all other Mesozoic forms, yet the potential uses and constraints of this structure are poorly understood, particularly with regard to feeding. Several associated series of elasmosaurian cervical vertebrae were used to measure ranges of potential flexion. Two-dimensional models, based on a complete specimen of the Late Cretaceous elasmosaur Aphrosaurus furlongi, were created to measure mobility in both vertical and horizontal planes. Accuracy of the models was assessed through comparative analyses with currently extant vertebrate analogues (e.g. snake, turtle, seal). Results suggest that the elasmosaurian neck was capable of a 75-177 degrees ventral, 87-155 degrees dorsal, and 94-176 degrees lateral range of movement depending upon the thickness of cartilage reconstructed between each vertebra. Neck postures such as a 'swan-like' S-shape are shown to be implausible because they require >360 degrees vertical flexion. However, maintenance of a straight neck while swimming, together with considerable lateral and/or ventral movement during prey capture and feeding are feasible.

背景与目标： ：Elasmosaurs是长颈的水生爬行动物，使用了四个鳍状肢进行运动。它们独特的长脖子将它们与所有其他中生代形式区分开来，但是对该结构的潜在用途和限制知之甚少，特别是在进食方面。几个相关的一系列弹力颈椎椎骨被用来测量潜在的屈曲范围。建立了二维模型，该模型基于白垩纪晚期的长尾龙Aphrosaurus furlongi的完整标本，以测量垂直和水平平面上的流动性。通过与目前存在的脊椎动物类似物（例如蛇，乌龟，海豹）进行比较分析，评估了模型的准确性。结果表明，根据每个椎骨之间重建的软骨厚度，弹性腕颈的腹侧运动范围为75-177度，背侧运动范围为87-155度，横向运动范围为94-176度。颈部姿势（例如“天鹅状” S形）被证明是不可信的，因为它们需要垂直弯曲> 360度。但是，在游泳时保持直颈以及在猎物捕获和喂养期间进行相当大的横向和/或腹侧运动是可行的。