Alterations of the Muscular Fatty Acid Composition and Serum Metabolome in Bama Xiang Mini-Pigs Exposed to Dietary Beta-Hydroxy Beta-Methyl Butyrate

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary beta-hydroxy beta-methyl butyrate (HMB) supplementation on muscular lipid metabolism in Bama Xiang mini-pigs. Thirty-two piglets (8.58 ± 0.40 kg, barrow) were selected and fed a basal diet supplemented either with 0 (control), 0.13%, 0.64%, or 1.28% HMB for 60 days. Throughout the experiments, they had free access to clean drinking water and diets. Data of this study were analyzed by one-way ANOVA using the SAS 8.2 software package, followed by a Tukey’s studentized range test to explore treatment effects. The results showed that compared to the control, 0.13% HMB decreased the intramuscular fat (IMF) content and increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in Longissimus thoracis muscle (LTM), and increased the n3 PUFAs in soleus muscles (SM, p < 0.05). Moreover, HMB supplementation led to alterations in the mRNA expression of genes related to lipid metabolism. Serum metabolome profiling showed that in both LTM and SM of Bama Xiang mini-pigs, N-Methyl-l-glutamate was positively correlated with SFA and nummularine A was negatively correlated with C18:3n3 PUFA (p < 0.05). Therefore, N-Methyl-l-glutamate and nummularine A might be potential biomarkers of the HMB-supplemented group. These results suggested that dietary HMB supplementation could decrease the IMF content and increase n3 PUFAs as well as regulate the related metabolites (N-Methyl-l-glutamate and nummularine A) in the serum of pigs.

Job security and labor productivity:

Purpose – to investigate the relationship between job security and labor productivity among 45,506 companies from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Latvia. Design/Method/Approach. This article uses linear regression analysis based on data from the period of 2013-2017. Findings. The study indicates an inverse U-shaped relationship between employment volatility, as measured by the coefficient of variation, and labor productivity. Labor productivity increases along with employment fluctuation up to a certain point; however, when employees feel insecure, their labor productivity deteriorates. Surprisingly, for most companies, the relationship between employment fluctuation and labor productivity remains positive. Labor productivity gets affected positively by the security feeling rather than by guaranteeing the job position. Originality/Value. The results are consistent within the subsamples of the five individual countries in the sample and robust to two alternative measures of fluctuation, the mean absolute deviation, and the studentized range. Paper type – empirical.

KECERNAAN DAN FERMENTABILITAS SUBSTRAT KOMBINASI MINERAL– FUNGI DALAM RUMEN

This study aims to determine the digestibility and fermentability of mineral-fungal combinations. The benefit of this study was to obtain data from the digestibility and fermentability of mineral-fungi combinations. The study was carried out in vitro with a completely randomized factorial 2 × 4 design with 3 replications. The variables observed were dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, total VFA production (total volatile fatty acid), and NH3. The data obtained were then analyzed using variance test (ANOVA), if there was an influence on the variables measured, it will be followed by the Tukey’s Studentized Range test. The results showed that the combination of minerals gave a significant effect (P <0.05) and there was an interaction between mineral-fungi (P <0.05) in the digestibility of organic matter and VFA. The highest result was combination mineral with S. cerevisiae and as individual was combination Cu-Sc and Se-Sc. Keywords: Digestibility, Fermentability, Fungi, Mineral, Rumen.

Effect of Light Cure Methods for Intermediate Adhesive Layer on Microleakage of Sealants. An in Vitro Study

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of an adhesive layer and its photopolymerization on the microleakage of sealants. Study design: 0.5mm-deep standardized fissurectomies were performed on extracted molars (n = 72). Teeth were randomly assigned to 3 different sealant materials (n = 24/group). Teeth were further divided to receive sealants with or without an adhesive layer. Each sealant with adhesive was also divided into two groups: adhesive was light-cured separately or light cured together with the sealant. Following thermocycling, microleakage was assessed using dye penetration and image analysis. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's studentized ranged HSD tests. Results: Microleakage was not affected by type of sealant material (p&gt;0.05) but was significantly influenced by application (p&lt;0.05). Overall, placement of sealants without adhesive displayed greater microleakage than sealants with uncured adhesive (p&lt;0.05). Within individual sealant types, this difference was only significant for Ultraseal XT (p&lt;0.05). Sealants bonded with and without prior light curing did not show a significant difference in levels of leakage (Tukey's Studentized Range Test, p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: An adhesive layer should be placed beneath sealants, but whether it should be light cured or left uncured before sealant placement varies by the sealant type.

THE THEORY OF THE INTERNALLY STUDENTIZED RANGE DISTRIBUTION REVISITED

The present paper intends to revisit the distribution of the ratio of the range to the sample standard deviation, known as the distribution of the internally studentized range, in the normal case. This distribution has its importance recognized in several areas, as quality control and inference, for testing the lack of homogeneity of the data or kurtosis. An alternative distribution to the one presented by David et al. (1954), based on the distribution of the maximum, is proposed. We exhibit a detailed proof for the distribution of the internally studentized range in the normal case and sample size 3. We also provide a new result: the distribution for the uniform case with sample of size 3.

Use of 3D Prints to Compare the Efficacy of Three Different Calcaneal Osteotomies for the Correction of Heel Varus

Background: Cavovarus deformity of the hindfoot is typically caused by neurologic disorders. Multiple osteotomies have been described for the correction of varus deformity but without clinical comparison. In this study, we used 18 identical 3-dimensional (3D) prints of a patient with heel varus to compare the operative correction obtained with Dwyer, oblique, and Z osteotomies. Methods: A computed tomography (CT) scan of a patient with heel varus was used to create 18 identical 3D prints of the talus, calcaneus, and cuboid. Coordinate frames were added to the talus and calcaneus to evaluate rotation. The prints were then divided into 3 groups of 6 models each. A custom jig precisely and accurately replicated each osteotomy. Following the simulated operations, cut models were CT scanned and compared with 6 uncut models. Measurements were calculated using multiplanar reconstruction image processing. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the initial data to determine significant differences among the measured variables. A Tukey Studentized range test was run to compare variables that showed statistically significant differences using the ANOVA. Results: The coronal angle of the Dwyer and oblique osteotomies was significantly less than that of the Z osteotomy ( P < .05). The axial angle, lateral displacement, and calcaneal shortening of the uncut model and Z osteotomy were significantly less than the Dwyer and oblique osteotomies. Conclusions: Dwyer, oblique, and Z osteotomies did not create either lateral translation or coronal rotation without the addition of a lateralizing slide or rotation of the posterior tuberosity. Clinical Relevance: Dwyer and oblique osteotomies would be best suited for mild deformity, yet the amount of calcaneal shortening must be acknowledged. A Z osteotomy is a complex procedure that has the capability of correcting moderate-severe coronal plane rotation but fails to provide lateralization of the pull of the Achilles insertion.