[Whole view of the immune microenvironment of biliary tract cancer].

Biliary tract cancer is a group of malignancies which originate from biliary epithelium, and adenocarcinoma is the main pathological type. Although surgical resection is the only radical treatment strategy, most biliary tract cancer patients are diagnosed at locally advanced stage or with distant metastasis. Biliary tract cancer is highly resistant to the conventional chemoradiotherapy and the emerging immunotherapy including immune checkpoint inhibitors, owing to the suppressive immune microenvironment. In a whole view, this paper discussed the anti-tumor and tumor-promoting immune responses of the various immune cells and stromal cells in the immune microenvironment of biliary tract cancer, as well as their correlation with prognosis. The understanding of the whole view of immune microenvironment in biliary tract cancer patients could further inform the design of clinical trials of immunotherapy or combination therapy.

[Preliminary study on the expression of MIF in HCC tissues and its relationship with ERK1/2 signaling pathway].

Objective: To investigate the expression of Macrophage migration-inhibitory factors (MIF) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and its interaction with ERK1/2 signaling pathway, so as to establish a theoretical basis for further studying the molecular mechanism of MIF promoting HCC. Methods: From February 2020 to August 2021, 52 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues based on hepatitis B cirrhosis (HBV-LC) and 52 cases of adjacent tissues in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital and 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA were collected as the experimental group, including 39 males and 13 females, aged 35-65 years. And 20 cases of normal liver tissue were selected as the control group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of MIF, ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 proteins in liver tissues of the two groups, and in situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of ERK1/2 nucleic acid in liver tissues of the two groups.HepG2 HCC cells and L-02 normal hepatocytes were co-cultured with different concentrations of rMIF, the expression and phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK1 proteins in the two kinds of liver cells were detected by Western-blot, and the expression levels of ERK1/2 nucleic acids in the two kinds of liver cells were detected by RT-PCR. One-way ANOVA was used for measurement data and χ2 test was used for counting data. Results: The expressions of MIF, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 mRNA were significantly increased in HCC and para-cancer tissues (the expression of MIF in HCC group was 78.8%, and that in adjacent group was 75.0%; ERK1/2 80.8% in HCC group and ERK1/2 71.8% in paracancerous group. The expression of p-ERK1/2 75.0 % in HCC group and 46.2% in paracancerous group were respectively detected. ERK1/2 mRNA was expressed in HCC group 76.9%, ERK1/2 mRNA expression in paracancerous group 78.8%), and the differences were statistically significant compared with normal liver tissues (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between HCC and para-cancer tissues (P>0.05). The expressions of ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 mRNA in HepG2 HCC cells were significantly increased with the increase of rMIF concentration, and the increase was most obvious when rMIF concentration was 200 ng/ml, and the difference was statistically significant compared with L-02 normal hepatocytes (P<0.05). Conclusion: MIF, ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 are highly expressed in HCC tissues and HepG2 HCC cells, suggesting that MIF promotes the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma through ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Prediction of active ingredients and mechanism of Siwei Jianbu decoction in the treatment of atherosclerosis by network pharmacology.

OBJECTIVE: Siwei Jianbu Decoction (SJD) has been shown to be effective in treating atherosclerosis (AS). However, its mechanism is still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active compounds and targets of SJD were identified from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. The target genes of AS were obtained from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), GeneCards, DrugBank, and Therapeutic Target (TTD) databases. Interactions between drug and disease targets were analyzed to obtain common targets. Subsequently, "herb-compound-target" and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed and analyzed using the Cytoscape software. Thereafter, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed by DAVID online database. Then, the results were visualized by R software. Finally, molecular docking was performed using AutoDockTools and PyMOL software. RESULTS: A total of 61 active compounds and 377 target genes were identified for SJD, as well as 726 target genes for AS. Interactive analyses revealed 126 common genes between SJD and AS. Quercetin, ellagic acid, baicalein, and kaempferol were the 4 key compounds in SJD. Moreover, eight key targets, namely TNF, SRC, RELA, AKT1, STAT3, JUN, MAPK1 and FOS were found. Results from enrichment analysis indicated that the MAPK pathway may play an important role. The analysis of molecular docking revealed that the key compounds formed strong bonds with their corresponding key targets. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that SJD could prevent AS by inhibiting the expression of genes associated with MAPK pathway such as MAPK1, RELA, and FOS.

MOTS-c improves osteoporosis by promoting the synthesis of type I collagen in osteoblasts via TGF-ß/SMAD signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether MOTS-c can regulate the synthesis of type I collagen in osteoblasts by regulating TGF-ß/SMAD pathway, thereby improving osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Viability of hFOB1.19 cells treated with MOTS-c was detected by CCK-8 assay. The mRNA and protein levels of TGF-ß, SMAD7, COL1A1 and COL1A2 in hFOB1.19 cells were detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. We then changed expressions of TGF-ß and SMAD7 by plasmids transfection to detect levels of COL1A1 and COL1A2 in hFOB1.19 cells by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Cell viability was significantly increased after treatment of 1.0 µM MOTS-c for 24 h or 0.5 µM MOTS-c for 48 h in a time-dependent manner. The mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-ß, SMAD7, COL1A1 and COL1A2 in hFOB1.19 cells were dependent on the concentration of MOTS-c. In addition, MOTS-c increased the expressions of COL1A1 and COL1A2, which were partially reversed by knockdown of TGF-ß or SMAD7. CONCLUSIONS: MOTS-c could promote osteoblasts to synthesize type I collagen via TGF-ß/SMAD pathway.

Topical calcineurin inhibitors in the treatment of oral lichen planus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: TCS (topical corticosteroids) are the first-line drug in the treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP). However, the value of topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI) including tacrolimus, pimecrolimus and ciclosporin for OLP is still controversial. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and safety of TCI vs. TCS for OLP. METHODS: The authors searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science and four Chinese databases from 1950 to May 2018. The randomized controlled trials comparing TCI and TCS for OLP reported at least one of the following outcomes: improvement of clinical signs and/or symptoms, relapse, blood levels of TCI and adverse events. RESULTS: Twenty-one trials involving 965 patients were included in the analysis. For the treatment of OLP (3-8 weeks), TCI including tacrolimus, pimecrolimus and ciclosporin were similar to TCS in efficacy. Tacrolimus-TCS resulted in similar outcomes, with relapse at 3 weeks to 6 months. Blood levels of TCI were usually undetectable. In addition, tacrolimus showed a statistically higher incidence of local adverse events than TCS for short-term treatment. A few systemic adverse events occurred in the tacrolimus and ciclosporin groups, but they were not serious. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence for tacrolimus (n = 12), pimecrolimus (n = 3) and ciclosporin (n = 6) demonstrated that treatment with TCI may be an alternative approach when OLP does not respond to the standard protocols. Tacrolimus 0·1% should be the first drug of choice when selecting TCI for short-term treatment in recalcitrant OLP. Further well-designed trials are warranted to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of TCI. What's already known about this topic? The main topical drug for oral lichen planus (OLP) is topical corticosteroids (TCS). Patients with OLP who are not responsive to TCS or are at risk of adverse events from TCS need other alternative drugs. Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI), including tacrolimus, pimecrolimus and ciclosporin, have become a hot topic in a variety of mucocutaneous immune-mediated diseases. What does this study add? TCI including tacrolimus, pimecrolimus and ciclosporin were similar to TCS in efficacy for the short-term treatment of OLP. The local adverse events of tacrolimus were higher than with TCS. A few systemic adverse events were reported with TCI, but they were all tolerable and not serious. The limited evidence for pimecrolimus (three trials) and ciclosporin (six trials) requires further studies to evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacy and safety of TCI compared with TCS.

Different endosperm structures in wheat and corn affected in vitro rumen fermentation and nitrogen utilization of rice straw-based diet.

Starchy grain is usually supplemented to diets containing low-quality forage to provide sufficient energy for ruminant animals. Ruminal degradation of grain starch mainly depends on the hydrolysis of the endosperm, which may be variable among grain sources. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of endosperm structure of wheat and corn on in vitro rumen fermentation and nitrogen (N) utilization of rice straw. The 3×4 factorial design included three ratios of concentrate to forage (35:65, 50:50 and 65:35) and four ratios of wheat to corn starch (20:80, 40:60, 60:40 and 80:20). The endosperm structure was detected by scanning electronic microscopy and a confocal laser scanning microscopic. An in vitro gas test was performed to evaluate the rumen fermentation characteristics and N utilization. Starch granules were embedded in the starch-protein matrix in corn, but more granules were separated from the matrix in the wheat endosperm. With the increasing ratio of wheat, rate and extent of gas production, total volatile fatty acids, and ammonia N increased linearly (P<0.01), but microbial protein concentration decreased (quadratic, P<0.01), with the maximum value at a ratio of 40% wheat. The efficiency of N utilization decreased linearly (P<0.01). Rumen fermentation and N utilization were significantly affected by the concentrate-to-forage ratio (P<0.01). Significant interactions between the concentrate-to-forage ratio and the wheat-to-corn ratio were detected in total volatile fatty acids and the efficiency of N utilization (P<0.01). In summary, the starch-protein matrix and starch granules in the wheat and corn endosperm mixture play an important role in the regulation of rumen fermentation and N utilization under low-quality forage.

[Association between serum lipid level and depression in patients with chronic heart failure].

Objective: To investigate the association between serum lipid level and depression in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods: A total of 348 patients with CHF from the First department of Cardiology of the people's hospital of Shaanxi province from September 2016 to June 2017 were included.The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate the degree of depression and some related clinical data were tested.The serum lipid level and depression scores in the patients were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis, and Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the confounding factors of depression. Results: There was significant difference in the proportion of depression between normal serum lipid group and dyslipidemia group (P=0.044). Pearson correlation analysis showed that depression score was linearly related to total cholesterol (r=0.326, P<0.001) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.354, P<0.001), and Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, BMI, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, total bilirubin, albumin, B type natriuretic peptide, total cholesterol (OR=3.523, P=0.007) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR=0.205, P=0.041) were associated with depression in CHF patients. Conclusion: Total cholesterol can increase the risk of depression, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol can reduce the risk of depression in CHF patients.

Effect of dietary supplements of biotin, intramuscular injections of vitamin B12, or both on postpartum lactation performance in multiparous dairy cows.

The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of biotin, intramuscular injections of vitamin B12 (VB12), or both beginning at the prepartum period on feed intake and lactation performance in postpartum dairy cows. Forty-eight dairy cows were allocated into 12 blocks, based on parity and milk yield of the previous lactation cycle, and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments. Supplementation of VB12 (weekly intramuscular injections of 0 or 10 mg) and biotin (dietary supplements of 0 or 30 mg/d) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design of 12 blocks with repeated measures. The study started at 3 wk before the expected calving date and ended at 8 wk after calving. Feed intake and lactation performance (milk yield and composition) were recorded weekly after calving. Blood variables were measured on d -10, 0, 8, 15, 29, 43, and 57 relative to calving. When VB12 was given, the cows had greater feed intake, better lactation performance and lower body weight loss in the postpartum period compared with animals without injection of VB12. The VB12-injected cows had lower plasma nonesterified fatty acids and ß-hydroxybutyrate concentrations but higher plasma superoxide dismutase activity compared with cows without VB12. Cows fed a biotin supplement had higher milk protein yield (6 and 8 wk) and lactose yield (6-8 wk), compared with animals without biotin. However, under the present experimental conditions, we found no additive effect of a combined supplement of biotin and vitamin B12 on lactation performance of dairy cows.

LncRNA FER1L4 suppressed cancer cell growth and invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) FER1L4 on biological behaviors of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells, such as proliferation and invasion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expressions of FER1L4 were detected in 42 pairs of ESCC tissues and corresponding para-carcinoma tissues and 5 kinds of ESCC cell lines via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and liposomes were used for FER1L4 expression or interference elimination assays, respectively. The proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells were detected via MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide), apoptosis assay, cell cycle assay, and transwell chamber. RESULTS: Results of qRT-PCR showed that, compared with that in normal tissues, FER1L4 was lowly expressed in ESCC tissues. Overexpression of FER1L4 could inhibit cell proliferation and invasion, promote apoptosis and increase the cell cycle distribution in G0/G1 phase. Knockout of FER1L4 could promote the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells, inhibit apoptosis and decrease the cell cycle distribution in G0/G1 phase. CONCLUSIONS: FER1L4 is involved in the occurrence and development of ESCC and plays a key role as a tumor suppressor gene in ESCC.

Short communication: Effects of dietary 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole supplementation on vitamin B12 supply, lactation performance, and energy balance in dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation.

The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole (DMB) supplementation to the feed during the transition period and early lactation on the vitamin B12 supply, lactation performance, and energy balance in postpartum cows. Twenty-four prepartum Holstein dairy cows were divided into 12 blocks based on their parity and milk yield at the last lactation and were then randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatments: a basal diet without DMB (control) or a treatment diet that contained 1.5 g of DMB/d per cow. The study started at wk 3 before the expected calving day and ended at wk 8 postpartum. The feed intake and the lactation performance were measured weekly after calving. Blood parameters were measured on d -10, 0, 8, 15, 29, 43, and 57 relative to the calving day. Body weight was measured on the calving day and on d 57 after calving. The yields of milk, protein, and lactose in cows fed DMB were higher than in the control throughout the whole postpartum stage. On wk 8 postpartum, the vitamin B12 content in the milk and sera was greater in cows fed DMB than in the control. The overall body weight loss from wk 1 to 8 postpartum was less in cows fed DMB than in the control. The plasma content of nonesterified fatty acids and ß-hydroxybutyric acid was significantly lower in cows fed DMB than in the control throughout the whole experimental stage. In conclusion, dietary DMB fed during the transition period and early lactation improved the vitamin B12 supply, milk production, and energy balance of postpartum dairy cows.

[The research progress of CO(2) laser in the treatment of oral lichen planus].

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common oral mucosal disease. The etiology of OLP is not clear. The treatment of OLP is difficult as some of the OLP patients have little effects to the conventional mucosal treatments. In recent years, laser therapy has been adopted to treat patients with OLP. The CO(2) laser therapy has drawn much attention of doctors and scholars because of its advantages in treating the OLP. This review article mainly discusses the principle, effects and some state-of-the-art progresses in OLP treatment using CO(2) laser.

Predictive value and modeling analysis of MSCT signs in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) to pathological risk degree.

OBJECTIVE: By analyzing MSCT (multi-slice computed tomography) signs with different risks in gastrointestinal stromal tumors, this paper aimed to discuss the predictive value and modeling analysis of MSCT signs in GISTs (gastrointestinal stromal tumor) to pathological risk degree. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 cases of primary GISTs with abdominal and pelvic MSCT scan were involved in this study. All MSCT scan findings and enhanced findings were analyzed and compared among cases with different risk degree of pathology. Then GISTs diagnostic model was established by using support vector machine (SVM) algorithm, and its diagnostic value was evaluated as well. RESULTS: All lesions were solitary, among which there were 46 low-risk cases, 24 medium-risk cases and 30 high-risk cases. For all high-risk, medium-risk and low-risk GISTs, there were statistical differences in tumor growth pattern, size, shape, fat space, with or without calcification, ulcer, enhancement method and peritumoral and intratumoral vessels (p<0.05). However, there were no statistical differences in the location of tumor and CT value at each period (plain scan, arterial phase, venous phase) (p>0.05). The apparent difference lied in plain scan, arterial phase and venous phase for each risk degree. The diagnostic accuracy of SVM diagnostic model established with 10 imaging features as indexes was 70.0%, and it was especially reliable when diagnosing GISTs of high or low risk. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative analysis of MSCT features is clinically significant for its diagnosis of risk degree and prognosis; GISTs diagnostic model established on the basis of SVM possesses high diagnostic value.

Characterization of miRNAs involved in response to poly(I:C) in porcine airway epithelial cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) have been implicated in a variety of pathological conditions including infectious diseases. Knowledge of the miRNAs affected by poly(I:C), a synthetic analog of viral double-stranded RNA, in porcine airway epithelial cells (PAECs) contributes to understanding the mechanisms of swine viral respiratory diseases, which bring enormous economic loss worldwide every year. In this study, we used high throughput sequencing to profile miRNA expression in PAECs treated with poly(I:C) as compared to the untreated control. This approach revealed 23 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), five of which have not been implicated in viral infection before. Nineteen of the 23 miRNAs were down-regulated including members of the miR-17-92 cluster, a well-known polycistronic oncomir and extensively involved in viral infection in humans. Target genes of DEMs, predicted using bioinformatic methods and validated by luciferase reporter analysis on two representative DEMs, were significantly enriched in several pathways including transforming growth factor-ß signaling. A large quantity of sequence variations (isomiRs) were found including a substitution at position 5, which was verified to redirect miRNAs to a new spectrum of targets by luciferase reporter assay together with bioinformatics analysis. Twelve novel porcine miRNAs conserved in other species were identified by homology analysis together with cloning verification. Furthermore, the expression analysis revealed the potential importance of three novel miRNAs in porcine immune response to viruses. Overall, our data contribute to clarifying the mechanisms underlying the host immune response against respiratory viruses in pigs, and enriches the repertoire of porcine miRNAs.

The functional analysis of MicroRNAs involved in NF-κB signaling.

Nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) is a transcriptional factor that regulates a large number of genes that controls diverse biological functions, ranging from inflammation, cell proliferation and tumor development to learning and memory. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules involved in most aspects of physiological and pathological processes, including cancer, viral infections, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. miRNAs also play an important role in the regulation of NF-kB signaling pathway, some being inhibitory and others activating. Here, we analyzed the convergence of miRNAs involved in NF-kB signaling regulation and dysregulation of miRNAs and NF-kB activation in human diseases, particularly in cancer. The function of miR-146, miR-125b, miR-21, miR-301a, miR-30b, and miR-199 and their impacts on tumorigenesis are analyzed in this work. miRNAs as one of the most abundant classes of regulatory molecules, deciphering their biological function and pathological contribution in NF-kB dysregulation is essential to understand the complexity of immune systems and to develop therapeutics against cancer.

Effects of Supplemental Levels of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product on Lactation Performance in Dairy Cows under Heat Stress.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of different supplemental levels of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP; Original XP; Diamond V) on lactation performance in Holstein dairy cows under heat stress. Eighty-one multiparous Holstein dairy cows were divided into 27 blocks of 3 cows each based on milk yield (23.6±0.20 kg/d), parity (2.88±0.91) and day in milk (204±46 d). The cows were randomly assigned within blocks to one of three treatments: 0 (control), 120, or 240 g/d of SCFP mixed with 240, 120, or 0 g of corn meal, respectively. The experiment was carried out during the summer season of 2014, starting from 14 July 2014 and lasting for 9 weeks with the first week as adaption period. During the experimental period, average daily temperature-humidity index (measured at 08:00, 14:00, and 20:00) was above 68, indicating that cows were exposed to heat stress throughout the study. Rectal temperatures tended to decrease linearly (p = 0.07) for cows supplemented with SCFP compared to the control cows at 14:30, but were not different at 06:30 (p>0.10). Dry matter intake was not affected by SCFP supplementation (p>0.10). Milk yield increased linearly (p<0.05) with increasing levels of SCFP. Feed efficiency (milk yield/dry matter intake) was highest (p<0.05) for cows fed 240 g/d SCFP. Cows supplemented with SCFP gained (p<0.01) body weight, while cows in the control lost body weight. Net energy balance also increased linearly (p<0.01) with increasing levels of SCFP. Concentrations of milk urea nitrogen (p<0.01) decreased linearly with increasing levels of SCFP, while no difference (p>0.10) was observed among the treatments in conversion of dietary crude protein to milk protein yield. In summary, supplementation of SCFP alleviated the negative effect of heat stress in lactating Holstein dairy cows and allowed cows to maintain higher milk production, feed efficiency and net energy balance. Effects of SCFP were dose-dependent and greater effects were observed from higher doses.

Telmisartan inhibited angiotensin II-induced collagen metabolic imbalance without directly targeting TGF-ß 1/Smad signaling pathway in cardiac fibroblasts.

AIM: Cardiac fibrosis is an important pathological process of cardiac remodeling. A large number of studies have shown that telmisartan can attenuate cardiac fibrosis through acting on angiotensin II 1 receptor (AT1R), and TGF-ß 1/Smad signaling molecule is an important pathway to achieve this effect. The aim of the study was to clarify whether, with excessive activation of RAAS system, telmisartan could also directly target TGF-ß 1/Smad signaling pathway to have the function of anti-cardiac fibrosis. METHODS: In this study, neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts were cultured and AngII or TGF-ß 1 was administered for treatment or pre-incubation, and then telmisartan was used for 24 hours' incubation. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests were performed to detect protein expressions. RESULTS: The results showed that telmisartan could inhibit collagen synthesis and collagen metabolic imbalance under the effect of Ang II, but telmisartan could not have such function in TGF-ß 1-induced cardiac fibroblasts. It was further confirmed by western blot method that telmisartan could inhibit TGF-ß 1/Smad signaling molecule expression under the effect of Ang II, but telmisartan had no effect on TGF-ß 1-induced Smad signaling molecule expression. CONCLUSION: According to the present study telmisartan played a role of anticardiac fibrosis without directly targeting TGF-ß 1/Smad signaling pathway molecule.

Early supplementation of starter pellets with alfalfa improves the performance of pre- and postweaning Hu lambs.

This study aims to determine the effects of alfalfa supplementation on the pre- and postweaning performance, rumen development, and feed transition in starter diet-fed lambs. Six of 66 male Hu lambs were slaughtered at the age of 10 d to serve as a control. The other 60 lambs were randomly allocated to 2 dietary treatments: milk replacer and starter pellets without (STA) or with free-choice chopped alfalfa (S-ALF). The animals were offered 300 g/d of the concentrate mixture and had free access to alfalfa after weaning at the end of wk 4 (age 38 d). The alfalfa inclusion in the S-ALF group tended to increase the starter intake before weaning, significantly increased the concentrate intake soon after weaning ( < 0.05), and increased the BW ( < 0.01) and ADG ( < 0.10) in pre- and postweaning lambs. The S-ALF group had heavier carcasses ( < 0.05), rumens ( < 0.05), reticula ( < 0.05), omasums ( < 0.10), abomasums ( < 0.05), and visceral organs ( < 0.10) than the STA lambs after weaning. Alfalfa supplementation increased ( < 0.05) the rumen papillae length and the ratio of the duodenal villus height to the crypt depth; it also decreased ( < 0.05) the concentration and molar proportion of propionate in wk 1 and 5. The STA lambs had higher ( < 0.01) blood concentrations of globulin and blood urea nitrogen and lower ß-hydroxybutyrate after weaning. The STA group also had a higher incidence of feed plaque. From the above results, we infer that the free-choice addition of chopped alfalfa to starter diets is beneficial to rumen development, relieves weaning stress, and improves the performance of lambs.

Effects of Replacement of Concentrate Mixture by Broccoli Byproducts on Lactating Performance in Dairy Cows.

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of feeding pelletized broccoli byproducts (PBB) on milk yield and milk composition in dairy cows. In Trial 1, an in vitro gas test determined the optimal replacement level of PBB in a concentrate mixture in a mixed substrate with Chinese wild ryegrass hay (50:50, w/w) at levels of 0, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% (dry matter basis). When the concentrate was replaced by PBB at a level of 20%, no adverse effects were found on the gas volume or its rate constant during ruminal fermentation. In trial 2, 24 lactating cows (days in milk = 170.4±35; milk yield = 30±3 kg/d; body weight = 580 ±13 kg) were divided into 12 blocks based on day in milk and milk yield and randomly allocated to two dietary treatments: a basic diet with or without PBB replacing 20% of the concentrate mixture. The feeding trial lasted for 56 days; the first week allowed for adaptation to the diet. The milk composition was analyzed once a week. No significant difference in milk yield was observed between the two groups (23.5 vs 24.2 kg). A significant increase was found in milk fat content in the PBB group (p<0.05). Inclusion of PBB did not affect milk protein, lactose, total solids or solids-not-fat (p>0.05). These results indicated that PBB could be included in dairy cattle diets at a suitable level to replace concentrate mixture without any adverse effects on dairy performance.