A comparative study for the evaluation of CT-based conventional, radiomic, combined conventional and radiomic, and delta-radiomic features, and the prediction of the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma manifesting as ground-glass nodules.

AIM: To investigate and compare the performance of conventional, radiomic, combined, and delta-radiomic features to predict the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma manifesting as ground-glass nodules (GGNs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present retrospective study included 216 GGNs confirmed surgically as pulmonary adenocarcinomas. All the thin-section computed tomography (CT) images were imported into the software of the United Imaging Intelligence research portal, and radiomic features were extracted with three-dimensional (3D) regions of interest. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator was used to select the optimal radiomic features. Four models were constructed, including conventional, radiomic, combined conventional and radiomic, and delta-radiomic models. The receiver operating characteristic curves were built to evaluate the validity of these. RESULTS: The type, long diameter, shape, margin, vacuole, air bronchus, vascular convergence, and pleural traction exhibited significant differences between pre-invasive lesions (PILs)/minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and invasive adenocarcinoma (IA) groups were selected for conventional model building. Nine radiomic features were selected to build the radiomic model. The four models indicated optimal performance (AUC > 0.7). The radiomic and combined models exhibited the highest diagnostic efficiency, and their AUC were 0.89 and 0.88 in the training set, and 0.87 and 0.88 in the validation set, respectively. The delta-radiomic model indicated that the AUC was 0.83 in the training set, and 0.76 in the validation set. Finally, the conventional model exhibited an AUC in the training and validation sets of 0.78 and 0.76. CONCLUSIONS: The radiomic model and combined model, in particular, and the delta-radiomic model all demonstrated improved diagnostic efficiency in differentiating IA from PIL/MIA than that of the conventional model.

Research and application of a new multilevel fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method for cold stress in dairy cows.

Effective and comprehensive evaluation of cold stress is critical for healthy dairy cow breeding in the winter. Previous studies on dairy cow cold stress have considered thermal environmental factors but not physiological factors or air quality. Therefore, this study aimed to propose a multilevel fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) method for cold stress in dairy cows based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and a genetic algorithm (GA). First, the AHP was used to construct an evaluation index system for cold stress in dairy cows from 3 dimensions: thermal environment (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and illumination), physiological factors (respiratory rate, body surface temperature), and air quality [NH3, CO2, inhalable particulate matter (PM10)]. Second, the consistency test of the judgment matrix was transformed into a nonlinear constrained optimization problem and solved using the GA. Next, based on fuzzy set theory, the comment set and membership function were established to classify the degree of cold stress into 5 levels: none, mild, moderate, high, and extreme. Then, the degree of cold stress in cows was obtained using multilevel fuzzy comprehensive judgment. To investigate the effect of illumination indicators on cold stress in dairy cows, 24 prelactation cows from the south and north sides were selected for a 117-d comprehensive cold stress evaluation. The results showed that the mean mild cold stress durations were 605.3 h (25.22 d) and 725.5 h (30.23 d) and the moderate cold stress durations were 67.2 h (2.8 d) and 96 h (4.0 d) on the south and north sides, respectively. Simultaneously, generalized linear mixed model showed that there were significant correlations between the daily cold stress duration and milk yield, feeding time, lying time, and active steps in the cows on both sides. This method can reasonably indicate cow cold stress conditions and better guide cold protection practices in actual production.

Dietary supplementation with arginine and glutamic acid alters the expression of amino acid transporters in skeletal muscle of growing pigs.

Sixty Duroc × Large White × Landrace pigs with an average initial body weight (BW) of 77.1 ± 1.3 kg were selected to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with arginine (Arg) and/or glutamic acid (Glu) on free amino acid (FAA) profiles, expression of AA transporters, and growth-related genes in skeletal muscle. The animals were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups (basic diet, iso-nitrogenous, Arg, Glu, and Arg + Glu groups). The results showed that plasma Glu concentration was lowest in the Arg + Glu group and highest in the Glu group (P < 0.05). In the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle, the concentrations of histidine, Arg, and taurine in the Arg + Glu group were higher, and the concentrations of 3-methylhistidine was lower, than in the basic diet group (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of ASC amino acid transporter-2 (ASCT2), L-type AA transporter 1, and sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 in the LD muscle, as well as the mRNA levels of ASCT2 and proton-assisted amino acid transporter in the biceps femoris (BF) muscle, were higher in the Arg + Glu group compared to the basic diet group (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of the muscle-specific RING finger-1 and muscle atrophy F-box genes in the LD muscle were downregulated in the Glu and Arg + Glu groups compared to the basic diet group (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that dietary supplementation with both Arg and Glu increases intramuscular FAA concentrations and decreases the mRNA levels of genes involved in protein degradation in skeletal muscle.

Stages of pregnancy and weaning influence the gut microbiota diversity and function in sows.

AIMS: The gut microbiota is believed to play important roles in the health of pregnant mammals, including their nutrient metabolism, immune programming and metabolic regulation. However, until recently, the shifts in gut microbiota composition and faecal and blood metabolic activity during different stages of pregnancy had not been investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated the shifts in backfat thickness, plasma and faecal metabolites and gut microbiota on days 30, 60, 90 and 110 of pregnancy and on day 21 after parturition (weaning) in sows. The backfat thickness of sows did not significantly differ among the different stages of pregnancy. The plasma concentrations of lipid metabolites, including triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and calcium were reduced (P < 0·05) during pregnancy. In addition, the concentration of these metabolites, except TG, reached their maximum at the time of weaning. We also found that Tenericutes, Fibrobacteres and Cyanobacteria varied significantly according to the stages of pregnancy in sows (P < 0·05). Most of the genera, such as Clostridiales, Desulfovibrio, Mogibacteriaceae and Prevotella, increased (P < 0·05) with the progression of pregnancy and decreased (P < 0·05) at weaning. The alpha diversity values (i.e., Shannon diversity and observed species) of sow gut microbiota increased (P < 0·05) from pregnancy to weaning. Pregnancy stages also significantly influenced (P < 0·05) the community structure (beta diversity) of gut microbiota. The progression of pregnancy was associated with changes in lipid metabolism and several carbohydrate-degradation bacteria (i.e., Prevotella, Succinivibrio, Bacteroides and Parabacteroides). CONCLUSIONS: Although causal links between the measured parameters remain hypothetical, these findings suggest that the increased diversity and concentration of beneficial gut microbes are associated with the metabolism of pregnant sows. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Manipulation of the sow gut microbiota composition may potentially influence metabolism and health during pregnancy.

The effect of dietary amylose/amylopectin ratio on serum and hepatic lipid content and its molecular mechanisms in growing-finishing pigs.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary amylose/amylopectin ratio (DAR) on serum and hepatic lipid content, luminal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, and the expression of host genes involved in fat and glucose metabolism in liver and mucosa in growing-finishing pigs. Forty-eight Duroc × Landrace × Large White pigs (49.8 ± 2.8 kg) were randomly allocated to low amylose/amylopectin ratio (LR) and high amylose/amylopectin ratio (HR) groups, each group consisting of six replicates (pen) with four pigs per pen. The DAR was 12/88 for LR and 30/70 for HR. Experiment lasted for 67 days. Results showed that, compared with HR group, ingestion of LR significantly increased the liver total lipid and cholesterol concentration (p < .05) and decreased the serum LDL-C concentration (p < .05). The concentration of propionate, butyrate and total SCFAs in caecum digesta was significantly lower in LR group than in HR group (p < .05). We observed a significant increase in glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) gene expression in LR-fed pigs in the jejunum mucosa (p < .01). A decrease in Na+-coupled monocarboxylate transporter (SMCT1) and free fatty acid receptor 3 (FFAR3) expression was found in the ileum mucosa with LR group (p < .05). Ingestion of LR diet significantly decreased the hexokinase (p < .01) and tend to decrease the pyruvate kinase (p = .050) activities in the liver. Meanwhile, the present results indicated that ingestion of LR diet significantly increased the transcription of gluconeogenesis and lipogenic genes such as forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), fatty acid synthetase3 (FAS3) (p < .05). These findings demonstrated that high amylopectin has harmful effects on hepatic lipid deposit through the modulation of the liver Foxo1 signalling and should be avoided from one's diet.

Branched-chain amino acid ratios in low-protein diets regulate the free amino acid profile and the expression of hepatic fatty acid metabolism-related genes in growing pigs.

Liver metabolism is affected by nutrients. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of low-protein diets (17% crude protein, CP) supplemented with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile) and valine (Val), on hepatic amino acid profile and lipid metabolism in growing pigs. The ratio of Leu : Ile : Val in all groups was 1 : 0.51 : 0.63 (20% crude protein, CP), 1 : 1 : 1 (17% CP), 1 : 0.75 : 0.75 (17% CP), 1 : 0.51 : 0.63 (17% CP) and 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 (17% CP) respectively. Results revealed that compared to the positive control group (1 : 0.51 : 0.63, 20% CP), the low-protein diets significantly augmented the concentrations of most essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids (p < .05), with the greatest values observed in the 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 group. Moreover, relative to the control, the low-protein diets with the Leu : Ile : Val ratio ranging from 1 : 0.75 : 0.75 to 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 markedly downregulated the mRNA abundance of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP-4) (p < .05), and upregulated the mRNA expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-g coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) and liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (L-CPT-1) (p < .05). Therefore, our data suggest that protein-restricted diets supplemented with optimal BCAA ratio, that is, 1 : 0.75 : 0.75-1 : 0.25 : 0.25, induce a shift from fatty acid synthesis to fatty acid oxidation in the liver of growing pigs. These effects may be associated with increased mitochondrial biogenesis.

Short-term supplementation of isocaloric meals with L-tryptophan affects pig growth.

L-Tryptophan (Trp) and some of its metabolites regulate the circadian rhythm in mammals. We aimed to investigate the effects of short-term supplementation of Trp in isocaloric meals on growth performance using the parameters of multiple blood biomarkers and free amino acids in growing pigs. A total of 32 Landrace × Yorkshire barrows with a mean body weight of 8.64 (±1.13) kg were randomly assigned to four groups and then fed with various concentrations of Trp diets daily. Our results showed that sequential supplementation of different concentrations of Trp in isocaloric meals decreased the feed:gain (F:G) ratio (P = 0.079) and plasma urea and albumin (P = 0.019), whereas the level of total protein did not. Among the essential and conditionally essential amino acids, the concentrations of histidine, isoleucine, proline, threonine, arginine, and valine in the plasma decreased (P < 0.05), whereas the concentrations of Trp, glycine, serine, and methionine increased (P < 0.01). In addition, concentrations of branched chain amino acids also significantly decreased (P = 0.004), while the rate of conversion of Trp to branched chain amino acids increased (P < 0.001). Taken together, we show that administration of a high concentration of Trp in breakfast with decreasing concentrations of Trp in lunch and dinner positively affected feed utilization and improved feed efficiency, at least in part, through the optimization of amino acid interconversions and nitrogen utilization.

Reduced dietary protein level influences the free amino acid and gene expression profiles of selected amino acid transceptors in skeletal muscle of growing pigs.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of reduced dietary protein level on growth performance, muscle mass weight, free amino acids (FAA) and gene expression profile of selected amino acid transceptors in different fibre type of skeletal muscle tissues (longissimus dorsi, psoas major, biceps femoris) of growing pigs. A total of 18 cross-bred growing pigs (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) with initial body weight (9.57 ± 0.67 kg) were assigned into three dietary treatments: 20% crude protein (CP) diet (normal recommended, NP), 17% CP diet (low protein, LP) and 14% CP diet (very low protein, VLP). The results indicated improved feed-to-gain ratio was obtained for pigs fed LP and NP diets (p < 0.01), while the pigs fed VLP diet showed the worst growth performance (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the weights of longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscle between LP and NP groups (p > 0.05). Majority of the determined FAA concentration of LP group were greater than or equal to those of NP group in both longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscle (p < 0.01). Further, the mRNA expression levels of sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transceptor 2, L-type amino acid transceptor 1 and proton-assisted amino acid transceptors 2 were higher in skeletal muscle tissue in LP group compared to those of the pigs fed NP or VLP diet. These results suggested that reduced dietary protein level (3 points of percentage less than recommended level) would upregulate the mRNA expression of amino acid transceptors to enhance the absorption of FAA in skeletal muscle of growing pigs. There seems to be a relationship between response of AA transceptors to the dietary protein level in skeletal muscle tissue of different fibre type. To illustrate the underlying mechanisms will be beneficial to animal nutrition.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography for the localization of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas at 3T.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (DCE-MRA) in the precise location and demonstration of fistulous points in spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs). METHODS: Fifteen patients (14 men, 1 woman; age range: 40-78 years; mean: 55.5 years) harboring SDAVF who underwent preoperative DCE-MRA and spinal digital subtraction angiography (DSA) between January 2012 and January 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. Two reviewers independently evaluated the level and side of the arteriovenous fistula and feeding artery on 3T DCE-MRA and DSA images. The accuracy of DCE-MRA was assessed by comparing its findings with those from DSA and surgery in each case. RESULTS: All 15 patients underwent DCE-MRA and DSA. DSA was unsuccessful in two patients due to technical difficulties. All cases were explored surgically, guided by the DCE-MRA. Surgery confirmed that 14 AVF sites were located in the thoracic spine, 5 in the lumbar spine, and 1 in the cervical spine. The origin of the fistulas and feeding arteries was accurately shown by DCE-MRA in 11 of the 15 patients. DCE-MRA also detected dilated perimedullary veins in all 15 patients. Overall, DCE-MRA facilitated DSA catheterization in 10 cases. In six patients, the artery of Adamkiewicz could be observed. In 15 out of 20 fistulas (75%), both readers agreed on the location on DCE-MRA images, and the κ coefficient of the interobserver agreement was 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.87). In 13 of 16 shunts (75%), the DCE-MRA consensus findings and DSA findings coincided. The intermodality agreement was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.35-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Our DCE-MRA studies benefited from the use of a high-field 3T MR imaging unit and reliably detected and localized the SDAVF and feeding arteries. As experience with this technique grows, it may be possible to replace DSA with DCE-MRA if surgery is the planned treatment.

[Value of jugulo-omohyoid lymph nodes in predicting lateral cervical occult metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the value of jugulo-omohyoid lymph nodes (JOHLN) in predicting occult lateral cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: The clinicopathological data of 136 out of 2 100 PTC patients, who had a high risk of lateral neck lymph node metastasis and treated by us from January 2010 to December 2015, were retrospectively analyzed. Super selective neck dissection (SSND, level Ⅲ and Ⅳ)was performed and JOHLNs were sent for frozen section in all the 136 cases. The clinicopathological data was analyzed and the significance of JOHLN in predicting lateral cervical LNM was calculated using the SPSS software package. Results: Of the 136 patients, total thyroidectomy was performed in 76 cases (55.9%) and unilateral lobectomy plus isthmus was performed in the other 60 cases (44.1%). SSND was performed in 72 patients (52.9%), level Ⅱ-Ⅳ dissection in 15 (11.0%), and level Ⅱ-Ⅴ dissection in 49 (36.0%). According to the pathological results, 38 patients were pN0(27.9%), 18 (13.2%) were pN1a and 80 (58.8%) were pN1b. The lymph node metastasis(LNM) rates at level Ⅱ-Ⅵ were 19.9%, 43.4%, 42.6%, 2.9%, and 59.6%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of JOHLN in predicting lateral neck metastasis were 58.8%, 62.9%, and 76.7%, respectively. The rates for predicting level Ⅱ metastasis were 81.5%, 43.2%, and 59.4%, respectively. None of the patients died in the follow-up. Only 1 recurrence was found in level Ⅱ and regional control was achieved after level Ⅱ and Ⅴ dissection. Conclusions: JOHLN has a high accuracy for predicting lateral cervical lymph node metastasis and high sensitivity for level Ⅱ metastasis. For patients with high risk of lateral cervival metastasis, super-selective neck dissection including level Ⅲ and Ⅳ can confirm the stage and reduce the risk of reoperation. Dissection for level Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ is recommended.

[Clinical effect and safety of pegylated interferon-α-2b injection (Y shape, 40 kD) in treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients].

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect and safety of long-acting pegylated interferon-α-2b (Peg-IFN-α-2b) (Y shape, 40 kD) injection (180 µg/week) in the treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, with standard-dose Peg-IFN-α-2a as positive control. Methods: This study was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, and positive-controlled phase III clinical trial. Eligible HBeAg-positive CHB patients were screened out and randomized to Peg-IFN-α-2b (Y shape, 40 kD) trial group and Peg-IFN-α-2a control group at a ratio of 2:1. The course of treatment was 48 weeks and the patients were followed up for 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Plasma samples were collected at screening, baseline, and 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 weeks for centralized detection. COBAS® Ampliprep/COBAS® TaqMan® HBV Test was used to measure HBV DNA level by quantitative real-time PCR. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay with Elecsys kit was used to measure HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe). Adverse events were recorded in detail. The primary outcome measure was HBeAg seroconversion rate after the 24-week follow-up, and non-inferiority was also tested. The difference in HBeAg seroconversion rate after treatment between the trial group and the control group and two-sided confidence interval (CI) were calculated, and non-inferiority was demonstrated if the lower limit of 95% CI was > -10%. The t-test, chi-square test, or rank sum test was used according to the types and features of data. Results: A total of 855 HBeAg-positive CHB patients were enrolled and 820 of them received treatment (538 in the trial group and 282 in the control group). The data of the full analysis set showed that HBeAg seroconversion rate at week 72 was 27.32% in the trial group and 22.70% in the control group with a rate difference of 4.63% (95% CI -1.54% to 10.80%, P = 0.1493). The data of the per-protocol set showed that HBeAg seroconversion rate at week 72 was 30.75% in the trial group and 27.14% in the control group with a rate difference of 3.61% (95% CI -3.87% to 11.09%, P = 0.3436). 95% CI met the non-inferiority criteria, and the trial group was non-inferior to the control group. The two groups had similar incidence rates of adverse events, serious adverse events, and common adverse events. Conclusion: In Peg-IFN-α regimen for HBeAg-positive CHB patients, the new drug Peg-IFN-α-2b (Y shape, 40 kD) has comparable effect and safety to the control drug Peg-IFN-α-2a.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding occupational blood-borne pathogen exposure amongst students in two Chinese dental schools.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding occupational blood-borne pathogen exposure amongst dental students at two Chinese dental schools, as well as important factors that are associated with their career choice and attitudes towards infected patients. SUBJECT AND METHODS: The study was conducted using a student self-administered questionnaire from March to June 2013 at two Chinese dental schools. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to compare the categorical variables and identify the variables related to attitudes. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-one students answered the questionnaire (response rate 83%). Most participants had incomplete knowledge about occupational exposure and participants' compliance with the infection control programme during routine clinical work was low. Fifty-six participants (34%) experienced at least one occupational exposure, but only one reported the incident. Percutaneous injuries and mucous membrane exposures were the main causes for exposure. Protection of the eyes and post-exposure management were inadequate. According to most participants, they had received insufficient education. Their concerns about the risk of infectious professional exposure would influence their career choice and approach to patients. Only 14% and 26% of the participants were willing to treat human immunodeficiency virus- and hepatitis B virus-infected patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: More effective education on prevention and management is required for dental students to reduce the harm caused by occupational exposure. It is important to ensure dental students' knowledge and understanding before allowing them to enter clinical training.

Protective effect of ultrafiltered XinMaiJia extract against H2O2-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells through NHE1 downregulation.

We examined the protective effects of ultrafiltered XinMaiJia (XMJ) extract in a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced injury model in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and determined the corresponding changes in the Na(+)-H(+) exchanger (NHE1) protein content and NHE1 gene expression. H2O2-induced HUVECs were treated with different concentrations of XMJ extract and the corresponding changes in morphology, activity, membrane permeability, biochemical indicators, cytokine concentration, NHE1 protein content, and NHE1 gene expression were determined. H2O2 significantly promoted HUVEC injury, whereas ultrafiltered XMJ extract significantly improved the morphological changes in injured HUVECs, increased their activity, and decreased NHE1 gene and protein expression, as well as limited the decrease in membrane permeability and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and nuclear factor-kB. Ultrafiltered XMJ extract inhibited H2O2-induced HUVEC injury by inhibiting NHE1 activity.

Effects of formulating growing pig diet with increasing levels of wheat-corn distillers dried grains with solubles on digestible nutrient basis on growth performance and nutrient digestibility.

Formulating swine diets containing fibrous coproducts based on net energy (NE) and standardized ileal digestible amino acid (SID AA) values is recommended for optimizing pig performance. However, the effects of applying this approach to diets with increasing dietary levels of wheat-corn-derived distillers dried grains with soluble (wcDDGS) on pig performance have not been evaluated. Thus, 48 pigs with an average body weight [BW] of 25.5 kg were used to determine the effects of increasing wcDDGS (1:1 wheat to corn ratio) content in grower diets on performance and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and nutrients. Pigs were housed in pens of either 2 barrows or gilts balanced for BW and fed 4 diets within sex for 42 days. Diets were a nutrient adequate corn-barley-soybean meal-based diet with 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% wcDDGS, and were similar in calculated NE and SID AA values. Acid insoluble ash was used as the indigestible marker. Final BW and overall average daily gain (ADG) linearly decreased (p < 0.05) and feed efficiency tended to decrease (p = 0.07) with increased dietary wcDDGS. Overall average daily feed intake was not affected (p > 0.10) by dietary treatment. The ATTD of dry matter and energy linearly decreased (p < 0.01), whereas the ATTD of neutral detergent fibre linearly increased (p < 0.01) with increasing dietary level of wcDDGS. Increasing dietary wcDDGS content did not affect (p > 0.10) ATTD of Ca and P. In conclusion, increasing dietary wcDDGS content reduced growth performance and ATTD of energy in growing pigs. Thus, the risks of high dietary wcDGGS content may not be completely alleviated by formulating growing pig diets on the basis of NE and SID AA systems.

Clinical value and effectiveness profiles of oblique lateral interbody fusion and posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar brucellosis spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for lumbar brucellosis spondylitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2018 and December 2021, 80 cases of lumbar brucellosis spondylitis admitted to our institution were evaluated for eligibility and randomly assigned to either PLIF (group A, lesion removal by posterior approach + interbody fusion + percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation) or OLIF (group B, lesion removal by anterior approach + interbody fusion + percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation). The outcome measures included operative time, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay, preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification, Cobb angle, and interbody fusion time. RESULTS: PLIF resulted in shorter operative time and hospital stay and less intraoperative bleeding vs. OLIF (p<0.05). All eligible patients showed significantly lower VAS scores, and smaller ESR values and Cobb angles after treatment (p<0.05), but no significant intergroup differences were observed (p>0.05). The two groups showed similar preoperative ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) classification and interbody fusion time (p>0.05). PLIF was associated with better ASIA classification at three months postoperatively vs. OLIF (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both surgical techniques are efficient at removing the lesion, relieving pain, maintaining spinal stability, promoting implant fusion, and facilitating prognostic inflammation control. PLIF features a shorter surgical duration and hospital stay, less intraoperative bleeding, and greater neurological improvement vs. OLIF. Nevertheless, OLIF outperforms PLIF in the excision of peri-vertebral abscesses. PLIF is indicated for posterior spinal column lesions, particularly those with spinal nerve compression in the spinal canal, whereas OLIF is indicated for structural bone deterioration in the anterior column, particularly for those with perivascular abscesses.

Effects of dietary L-arginine or N-carbamylglutamate supplementation during late gestation of sows on the miR-15b/16, miR-221/222, VEGFA and eNOS expression in umbilical vein.

Placental vascular formation and blood flow are crucial for fetal survival, growth and development, and arginine regulates vascular development and function. This study determined the effects of dietary arginine or N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) supplementation during late gestation of sows on the microRNAs, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in umbilical vein. Twenty-seven landrace×large white sows at day (d) 90 of gestation were assigned randomly to three groups and fed the following diets: a control diet and the control diet supplemented with 1.0% L-arginine or 0.10% NCG. Umbilical vein of fetuses with body weight around 2.0 kg (oversized), 1.5 kg (normal) and 0.6 kg (intrauterine growth restriction, IUGR) were obtained immediately after farrowing for miR-15b, miR-16, miR-221, miR-222, VEGFA and eNOS real-time PCR analysis. Compared with the control diets, dietary Arg or NCG supplementation enhanced the reproductive performance of sows, significantly increased (P<0.05) plasma arginine and decreased plasma VEGF and eNOS (P<0.05). The miR-15b expression in the umbilical vein was higher (P<0.05) in the NCG-supplemented group than in the control group. There was a trend in that the miR-222 expression in the umbilical vein of the oversized fetuses was higher (0.05

Dietary amylose and amylopectin ratio and resistant starch content affects plasma glucose, lactic acid, hormone levels and protein synthesis in splanchnic tissues.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding different starch sources on piglets. Four diets were formulated with maize, brown rice, sticky rice and Hi-Maize 1043 as starch sources, with resistant starch (RS) contents of 2.3%, 0.9%, 0.0%, 20.6%, and amylose and amylopectin ratio of 0.23%, 0.21%, 0.18%, 0.06% respectively. Fifty-six pigs weaned at 28 days of age were randomly assigned to one of the four diets. In Exp. 1, six piglets in each group were fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter. After 25 days of feeding trial, venous blood samples were obtained at time zero and every 1 h for 4 h. In Exp. 2, the remaining piglets were used to determine the effects of different starch sources on the fractional synthesis rate (FSR). The results indicated that feeding the Hi-Maize 1043 diet decreased (p < 0.05) plasma contents of glucose, insulin, lactic acid and T(3), while sticky rice increased plasma contents of glucose and insulin. The insulin contents in piglets fed the sticky rice diet was 69.2 microIU/ml at 1 h post-feeding which was highest among the starch diets. The FSR in the pancreas, spleen, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon in the corn group were much higher (p < 0.05) than that in the sticky rice group. These results suggest that RS is potentially beneficial for improving insulin sensitivity in young pigs and that the ratio of amylose and amylopectin have significantly effects on the FSR in splanchnic tissues in weaned piglets. Another finding of this study indicated maize with a ratio of amylose and amylopectin of 0.23 has the best starch sources for pig production.

The role of zinc chelate of hydroxy analogue of methionine in cadmium toxicity: effects on cadmium absorption on intestinal health in piglets.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that poses a threat to the health of humans and animals. It can cause serious damage to the small intestine, which is the main absorption site of Cd and the primary target organ after oral administration. Our previous study found that zinc chelate of hydroxy analogue of methionine (Zn-HMTB), a new type of feed additive, decreased Cd accumulation in the liver and kidneys. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Zn-HMTB on Cd absorption and Cd-induced toxicity in the small intestine of piglets. Twenty-four piglets (Landrace × Large White, 13.22 ± 0.58 kg BW) were randomly divided into four dietary treatment groups: basal diet, and diets containing 30 mg/kg Cd from CdCl2 and 0, 100 or 200 mg/kg Zn from Zn-HMTB. The experiment lasted 27 days. The feed intake and final BW of each piglet were recorded at the end of the experiment. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract tissue and samples of liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung and longissimus muscle tissue and faeces were collected. The concentrations of Cd and metal trace elements in the GI tract and organs were analysed, as was the relative messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of inflammatory cytokines and metal element transporters in the small intestine, and epithelial apoptosis in the small intestine. The results showed that, compared with Cd-treated piglets, piglets in the Zn-HMTB and Cd cotreatment groups had less Cd deposition in the stomach, ileum, caecum, colon, liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, heart and muscles (P < 0.05), and lower Cd concentrations in faeces (P < 0.05), suggesting that Zn-HMTB increased Cd absorption and the excretion of Cd in other forms (possibly urine). Zinc chelate of hydroxy analogue of methionine increased Zn deposition in the jejunum and the relative mRNA expression of divalent metal transporters 1 and zinc transporter 5 in the duodenum (P < 0.05), indicating that Zn-HMTB may promote the absorption and transportation of Cd and Zn together by upregulating metal element transporters. Competition between Zn and Cd may be responsible for accelerating Cd excretion. Furthermore, Zn-HMTB reduced Cd-induced apoptosis of enterocytes and inflammatory stimuli in the small intestine, suggesting that Zn-HMTB reduced Cd-induced toxicity to the small intestine. These results suggest that Zn-HMTB can be helpful in decreasing Cd accumulation in the GI tract and organs of piglets and relieving Cd-induced toxicity to the small intestine but cannot reduce the absorption of Cd.

MiRNA-324-5p inhibits inflammatory response of diabetic vessels by targeting CPT1A.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the regulatory role of microRNA-324-5p (miRNA-324-5p) in inhibiting inflammatory response of diabetic vessels by regulating CPT1A level, thus alleviating the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Arterial vessels (splenic artery) and serum exosomes were extracted from 30 T2DM patients and 30 non-T2DM subjects treated in Binzhou People's Hospital from 2015 to 2019. Relative levels of miRNA-324-5p and CPT1A in each subject were detected. Then, VSMCs were induced with high-glucose, followed by detection of inflammatory factor levels. Next, the regulatory effects of miRNA-324-5p and CPT1A on viability, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU)-positive ratio, and release of inflammatory factors in VSMCs were determined. Finally, Dual-Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the interaction between miRNA-324-5p and CPT1A. RESULTS: The results revealed that compared with non-T2DM subjects, miRNA-324-5p was downregulated in splenic arteries and exosomes in T2DM patients. High-glucose treatment in VSMCs triggered the release of the inflammatory factors. In addition, the overexpression of miRNA-324-5p in VSMCs reduced viability and inflammatory factor levels, and the inhibited trends were partially reversed by overexpression of CPT1A. CPT1A was indicated to be the target gene binding miRNA-324-5p. CONCLUSIONS: MiRNA-324-5p exerts an inhibitory effect on T2DM-induced inflammation in blood vessels by negatively regulating CPT1A level and reducing the release of inflammatory factors. MiRNA-324-5p might be a promising therapeutic target for T2DM.

The growth performance, intestinal digestive and absorptive capabilities in piglets with different lengths of small intestines.

The small intestine is an important digestive organ and plays a vital role in the life of a pig. We tested the hypothesis that the length of the small intestine is related to growth performance and intestinal functions of piglets. A total of 60 piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire), weaned at day 21, were fed an identical diet during a 28-day trial. At the end of the study, all piglets were sacrificed, dissected and grouped according to small intestine lengths (SILs), either short small intestine (SSI), middle small intestine (MSI) or long small intestine (LSI), respectively. Positive relationships between SIL and BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain-to-feed ratios (G : F) were observed. Final BW, ADG, ADFI and G : F significantly increased (P < 0.05) in MSI and LSI piglets compared with SSI piglets. Short small intestine and MSI had greater jejunal mucosa sucrase and alkaline phosphatase activities (P < 0.05) than LSI piglets. The mRNA level of solute carrier family 2 member 2 (Slc2a2) in the jejunal mucosa of SSI piglets was the greatest. The MSI piglets had a greater (P < 0.05) ileal villus height than other piglets and greater (P < 0.05) villus height-to-crypt depth ratios than LSI piglets. However, the LSI piglets had a greater (P < 0.05) ileal crypt depth than SSI piglets. No significant differences in duodenal, jejunal, caecal and colonic morphologies were detected among the groups. Moreover, luminal acetate, propionate, butyrate and total short-chain fatty acid contents were greater (P < 0.05) in SSI and MSI piglets than those in LSI piglets. In addition, there was greater serum glucose concentration in MSI piglets than other piglets. Serum albumin concentration in SSI piglets was the lowest. In conclusion, these results indicate that SIL was significantly positively associated with growth performance, and in terms of intestinal morphology and mucosal digestive enzyme activity, the piglets with a medium length of small intestine have better digestion and absorption properties.