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A SNP (IGF2 G3072A) within intron 3 of disrupts a binding site for the repressor zinc finger BED-type containing 6 (ZBED6), leading to increased carcass lean yields in pigs. However, the relative contributions of prenatal as opposed to postnatal increased IGF2 expression are unclear. As muscle fiber number is set at birth, prenatal and neonate skeletal muscle development is critical in determining mature growth potential. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the contributions of hyperplasia and hypertrophy to increased muscle mass and to delineate the effect of the mutation on the expression of myogenic genes during prenatal and postnatal growth. Sows (IGF2 A/A) were bred to a single heterozygous (IGF2 A/G) boar. For fetal samples, sows were euthanized at 60 and 90 d of gestation (d60 and d90) to obtain fetuses. Male and female offspring were also euthanized at birth (0d), weaning (21d), and market weight of approximately 130 kg (176d). At each sampling time, the LM, psoas major (PM), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles were weighed. Samples of the LM were used to quantify the expression of IGF family members, myogenic regulatory factors (MRF), myosin heavy chain isoforms, and growth factors, myostatin, and . Liver samples were used to quantify and expression. At 176d, weights of LM, PM, and ST muscles were all increased approximately 8% to 14% (P < 0.01) in pigs with paternal A (A(Pat)) alleles compared with those with paternal G (G(Pat)) alleles. Additionally, total muscle fiber number in the ST at 176d tended to be greater (P = 0.10), whereas muscle fiber cross-sectional area tended to be reduced ( P= 0.08) in A(Pat) pigs compared with G(Pat) pigs. In addition to the expected 2.7- to 4.5-fold increase (P ≤ 0.02) in expression in the LM in A(Pat) compared with G(Pat) pigs at postnatal sampling times (21d and 176d), IGF2 expression was also increased (P ≤ 0.06) 1.4- to 1.5-fold at d90 of gestation and at birth. At d90, expression of myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), a MRF expressed in proliferating myoblasts, in the LM was greater (P = 0.01) in A (Pat) pigs than in G(Pat) pigs. Interestingly, at 21d hepatic expression was greater (P = 0.01), whereas expression decreased (P = 0.01) in A(Pat) pigs compared with G(Pat) pigs; however, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.18) in hepatic expression between genotypes at 0d and 176d. These data suggest that prenatal hyperplasia of muscle fibers stimulated by increased IGF2 expression may contribute to increased muscle mass of A(Pat) pigs.

Recent evidence suggests that fructose consumption is associated with weight gain, fat deposition and impaired cognitive function. However it is unclear whether the detrimental effects are caused by fructose itself or by the concurrent increase in overall energy intake. In the present study we examine the impact of a fructose diet relative to an isocaloric glucose diet in the absence of overfeeding, using a mouse model that mimics fructose intake in the top percentile of the USA population (18% energy). Following 77 days of supplementation, changes in body weight (BW), body fat, physical activity, cognitive performance and adult hippocampal neurogenesis were assessed. Despite the fact that no differences in calorie intake were observed between groups, the fructose animals displayed significantly increased BW, liver mass and fat mass in comparison to the glucose group. This was further accompanied by a significant reduction in physical activity in the fructose animals. Conversely, no differences were detected in hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive/motor performance as measured by object recognition, fear conditioning and rotorod tasks. The present study suggests that fructose per se, in the absence of excess energy intake, increases fat deposition and BW potentially by reducing physical activity, without impacting hippocampal neurogenesis or cognitive function.

Objectives Myostatin ( Mstn ) inhibits while insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 ( Igf1 and Igf2 ) increase skeletal muscle growth. However, there is little known regarding Mstn regulation of Igf1 and Igf2 expression. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify the expression of IGF family members in skeletal muscle and liver throughout the growth phase of Mstn null (MN) mice. Further, differences between male and female mice were investigated. Methods Male and female wild type (WT) and MN mice were euthanized at birth (0d), 7days (7d), weaning (21d), sexual maturity (42d), and 70d. For the neonatal periods, 0d and 7d, all muscles from the hind limbs were compiled for RNA extraction. At 21d, 42d, and 70d, biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior, triceps brachii (TB), and gastrocnemius–soleus complex were collected. Results As expected, muscle weights were up to 90% greater in MN mice compared with WT mice at 21d, 42d and 70d. However, Igf1 expression was reduced ( P ≤0.04) at 7d and 21d in MN mice compared to WT mice. Expression of Igf2 did not differ between genotypes at 0d and 7d, but, at 21d, 42d and 70d in BF and TB muscles, Igf2 expression was 1.9–2.9 fold greater ( P Igf1 and Igf2 levels were minimally affected by genotype; with the exception of a 1.4-fold reduction ( P =0.04) in Igf1 expression in 21d MN mice compared with WT mice. Though male mice were heavier than females starting at 21d of age, expression differences in Igf1 , Igf2 , their receptors and binding proteins do not account for growth differences. In every case, when expression was different between sexes, female expression was increased despite increased growth in male mice. Conclusion This study is the first to provide evidence that Mstn may negatively regulate Igf2 expression to control postnatal skeletal muscle growth, however differences in growth between male and female mice are not readily explained by changes in expression of Igf family members.

Myostatin inhibits while insulin-like growth factors (IGF) 1 and 2 increase pre- and postnatal skeletal muscle growth. However, the contribution of altered IGF expression to the hypermuscular pheno...

Objectives To compare the efficacy of diamorphine administered by a patient-controlled pump (patient-controlled analgesia) with intramuscular administration for pain relief in labour. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting The South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust. Sample Primigravidae and multigravidae in labour at term (37–42 weeks). Methods Women were randomised in labour to the study (patient-controlled analgesia) or control group (intramuscular). Randomisation was achieved through a random permuted block design stratified by parity. Study group women were given a loading dose of 1.2 mg diamorphine intravenously and then attached to the pump. Control group women received intramuscular diamorphine as per hospital protocol. Participants were also given 3 mg of buccal Stemetil. Data were collected throughout labour and at six postnatal weeks. Main outcome measures Analgesia requirements during labour and women's satisfaction with the method of pain relief. Results Women in the study group (patient-controlled analgesia) used significantly less diamorphine than women in the control group (intramuscular) but were significantly more likely to state that they were very dissatisfied with their use of diamorphine and were significantly more likely to opt out of the trial before the birth of the baby. The majority of women in both groups used other analgesia concurrent with diamorphine such as Entonox, aromatherapy or TENS. Conclusions Patient-controlled analgesia administration of diamorphine for the relief of pain in labour offers no significant advantages over intramuscular administration. The results also suggest that diamorphine is a poor analgesic for labour pain irrespective of the mode of administration.

This study of psychiatric personnel involved with admissions procedures at a leading New England mental health center demonstrates on a small scale that the psychiatric community is generally unaware of patients' legal rights at the time of their admission and during subsequent hospitalization. The hospital staff's awareness of these rights can mean the difference between incarceration and freedom for the patient. The authors conclude that there is a need for educational programs on law for psychiatric personnel; they suggest possible approaches.