Effects of lysolecithins on performance, egg quality, blood profiles and liver histopathology in late-phase laying hens.

1. This study investigated the effects of lysolecithins (LL) on performance, egg quality, blood profiles, relative organ weight and liver histopathology in laying hens.2. A total of 480 healthy 65-week-old Lohmann laying hens were randomly allocated into four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement design with two levels of energy (AMEn, 11.08 MJ/kg and 12.94 MJ/kg) and two levels of LL (0 and 0.05%).3. Birds fed high energy diets had lower (P < 0.05) average daily intake and feed conversion rate during weeks 0-4, 5-8 and 0-8, but higher (P < 0.05) average egg weight (AEW) during trial weeks 0-4. There was an interaction in (P < 0.05) AEW during trial weeks 0-14 and 0-8 for energy and LL. The high energy diets increased yolk colour at the end of weeks 2 and 4, while addition of LL increased albumen height at the end of week 2. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) in yolk colour between energy and LL at the end of week 2. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) in serum superoxide dismutase and LDL-C throughout the experiment.4. The high energy diets increased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of abdominal fat compared with low energy diets. The high energy diets increased (P < 0.05) liver ether extract content and liver pathological injury score compared with low energy diets at the end of week 8, while the addition of LL decreased (P < 0.05) liver pathological injury score.5. The supplementation of LL in high energy diets could alleviate some negative effects on liver injury in late laying hens.

[Analysis of lung cancer screening through low-dose spiral computed tomography among petroleum company staffs in Sichuan-Chongqing Area in 2020].

Objective: To provide scientific evidence for early lung cancer screening, to analyze the incidence of pulmonary nodules among petroleum company staffs in Sichuan-Chongqing Area. Methods: In January 2021 , 6002 petroleum company staffs in Sichuan-Chongqing Area which scanned by low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) of chest in medical examination center in 2020 were retrospectively collected as objects. Their imaging and clinical data were collected. χ(2) test was used to analyze the differences in the detection rates of lung nodules and suspected lung cancer nodules among workers in petroleum company staffs of different genders, ages and types of work. Results: Among the 6002 objects, 3853 (64.2%) were male and 2149 (35.8%) were female, with an average age of (47.25±12.13) years old. A total of 431 cases (7.2%) of pulmonary nodules and 57 cases (0.9%) of suspected lung cancer nodules were detected. 45 cases were followed up with surgical treatment, and 41 cases (91.1%) of lung cancer were diagnosed by postoperative pathology. There were significant differences in the detection rates of pulmonary nodules and suspected lung cancer nodules between different age groups (χ(2)=51.23, 18.81 , P<0.001). The detection rates of pulmonary nodules in the age groups 51-60 years old and ≥61 years old were higher than those in the age groups≤40 years old and 41-50 years old (P<0.05). The detection rate of suspected lung cancer nodules in the age group≥ 61 years old was higher than those in the age groups≤40 years old, 41-50 years old and 51-60 years old (P< 0.05) . And the detection rate of suspected lung cancer pulmonary nodules in oil workers was higher than that of ordinary workers (P<0.05) . Among female objects, the detection rate of pulmonary nodules in oil workers was higher than that in ordinary workers (χ(2)=8.09, P=0.004) . The detection rate of pulmonary nodules in oil workers aged ≥61 years old was higher than ordinary workers (χ(2)=37.94, P<0.001) . Among male objects, the detection rate of suspected lung cancer pulmonary nodules in oil workers was higher than that in ordinary workers (χ(2)=8.42, P=0.004) . The detection rates of suspected lung cancer pulmonary nodules in oil workers aged 51-60 years old and ≥61 years old groups were higher than those of ordinary workers (χ(2)=4.70, 8.74; P=0.030, 0.003) . Conclusion: LDCT is suitable for early lung cancer screening for petroleum company staffs. During the clinical screening process, LDCT should be used as a routine physical examination item for petroleum workers older than 51 years old.

Effect of supplementing hydroxy selenomethionine on meat quality of yellow feather broiler.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing hydroxy selenomethionine (OH-SeMet) on performance, selenium (Se) deposition in the breast muscle, quality and oxidative stability, and expression of selenoprotein encoding genes of breast meat of the native slow-growing yellow-feathered broiler birds. A total of 375 one-day-old local yellow male birds were randomly assigned into 5 dietary treatments, supplemented with Se 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/kg in the form of OH-SeMet. Each treatment consisted of 5 replicates and each replicate had 15 birds, the birds were fed on basal diet containing corn and soybean meal, and the experiment lasted for 63 d. The results showed that dietary Se supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.001) Se contents in both serum and muscle, no significant changes (P > 0.05) were observed on growth performance, yield of breast, meat color, and intramuscular fat deposition of the breast muscle. Dietary Se addition improved water-holding capacity, the pH24h value, and tenderness of breast muscle, evidenced by a linear decreases of shear force (P < 0.05), accompanied by lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and higher glutathione reductase activity. The mRNA abundance of selenoprotein encoding genes also responded to dietary Se levels. It is concluded that, dietary supplementation with OH-SeMet improved muscular Se deposition and meat quality of the native yellow birds, with enhanced antioxidant capability and regulation in selenogenome.

Metagenomic analysis revealed the individualized shift in ileal microbiome of neonatal calves in response to delaying the first colostrum feeding.

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of colostrum feeding time on the ileal microbiome of neonatal calves. In this study, 22 male Holstein calves were randomly assigned to different colostrum feeding time treatments: after birth (at 45 min, n = 7); at 6 h after birth (n = 8); and at 12 h after birth (TRT12h; n = 7). At 51 h after birth, calves were killed and ileum digesta was collected for microbiome analysis using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes, and viruses were identified from the ileum microbiome. For the bacteriome, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the predominant phyla, and Escherichia, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus were the 3 most abundant genera. For the archaeal community, Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota were the 2 major phyla, and Methanosarcina, Methanobrevibacter, and Methanocorpusculum were the 3 most abundant genera. In total, 116 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were identified from the ileal microbiome, with "biosynthesis of vancomycin group antibiotics," "biosynthesis of ansamycins," "valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis," "ribosome," and "d-alanine metabolism" as the top 5 functions. When the ileal microbiomes were compared among the 3 treatments, the relative abundance of Enterococcus was higher in TRT12h calves, suggesting that calves may have a higher abundance of opportunistic pathogens when the feeding of colostrum is delayed for 12 h. Moreover, among all KEGG pathways, the enriched "taurine and hypotaurine metabolism" (KO00430) pathway was identified in the ileal microbiome of TRT12h calves; however, future studies are needed to understand the effect on the host. Additionally, 2 distinct ileal microbial profiles were identified across all samples, indicating that that host factors may play a significant role in driving varied microbiome changes in response to colostrum feeding time. Whether such microbiome shifts affect long-term gut function and calf performance warrants future studies.

[A clinical analysis of 14 cases of prostatic stromal tumor of uncertain malignant potential].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and pathologic characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and survival of prostatic stromal tumor of uncertain malignant potential. METHODS: Overall 14 patients with prostatic stromal tumor of uncertain malignant potential were treated from October 2008 to April 2020, the patient age ranged from 27 to 78 years (mean 54 years). The disease duration was 1 to 180 months (mean duration of 46 months). The clinical manifestations mainly included urinary obstructive symptoms and urethral irritating symptoms. The tumors were located in the peripheral zone or the transition zone. Digital rectum examination indicated prostatic tumor. Serum prostatic specific antigen level was always normal or elevated. Transrectal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging indicated prostatic tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging in showed large, round, well-defined masses, which were diffusely heterogeneous signal on T2 weighted imaging. Following the administration of intravenous contrast medium, the lesion had diffuse and heterogeneous enhancement. RESULTS: In the study, 3 cases underwent prostate biopsy, 2 cases underwent transurethral resection of the prostate, 9 cases underwent radical excision or transurethral resection of the prostate with definite diagnosis of pathologic features. Under the light microscope, the interstitial cells of stromal tumor of uncertain malignant potential were overgrowth and fusiform cells showed some degree of pleomorphism, nuclei with few mitotic figures, and necrosis was not often seen. Immunohistochemical staining showed that prostate specific antigen was negative, while vimentin was positive in the tumor tissue, CD34, progesterone receptor and smooth muscle actin were positive in the majority, and Ki67 positive index was 1%-20% (mean 6%). Twelve cases were followed-up, and the time of survival varied from 10 to 96 months (mean 65 months), two cases were lost to the follow-up, one case died of disease at the end of 10 months, nine cases were free of disease recurrence after surgery, two cases underwent more transurethral resection of the prostate due to local recurrence. CONCLUSION: STUMP is a very rare tumor of the specialized prostatic stroma with an unpredictable clinical behavior. The clinical manifestations, transrectal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging are valuable for the diagnosis of prostatic stromal tumor of uncertain malignant potential. Its definite diagnosis depends on pathological examination. Up to now, early surgery and combined therapy are effective treatments for prostatic stromal tumor of uncertain malignant potential.

[Interpretation of the connotation of the colored drawing of Neijing Tu in the Museum of Chinese Medical History].

Neijing Tu(, Chart of Inner Landscape), collected by the Museum of Chinese Medical History, is a colored drawing which is used to guide Taoist internal alchemy training pattern. It belongs to the inheritance of the immortals in the Tao Yin(physical and breathing exercise) of traditional Chinese medicine in folk. It is the essence for nurturing vitality of the traditional Chinese medicine. Its core tenet is that one practices with both Shen(spirit) and Qi(pneuma) and makes both to fuse in perfect harmony way. The specific practice process includes four phases: refining Jing and converting it into Qi, refining Qi and converting it into Shen, extracting and then restoring Xu(void)from Shen, purifying Xu to fit Dao. This process contains the contents of the Secret Alchemy such as sub-Meridian Circle Vessel, overcoming the roadblock and entering Primary Meridian Circle Vessel, getting Yangshen (highest level spirit) and harmonizing the body and spirit. Its important value lies in being able to treat the disease which has not yet completely developed and the disease developed already.

Altered mucosa-associated microbiota in the ileum and colon of neonatal calves in response to delayed first colostrum feeding.

The present study investigated whether delaying the first feeding of colostrum affected ileum and colon mucosa-associated microbiota in calves. Twenty-seven male Holstein calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups, fed colostrum at 45 min, 6 h, and 12 h after birth, respectively. Ileum and colon mucosa were collected at 51 h after birth, and their associated microbial profiles were assessed using amplicon sequencing. Both ileum and colon mucosa-associated microbiota were predominated by genus Escherichia-Shigella. The negative correlation between the molar proportion of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and ileum mucosa-associated opportunistic pathogens, and the positive correlation between the molar proportion of SCFA and colon mucosa-associated beneficial bacteria, suggest that SCFA might play an important role in maintaining the gut health of 2-d-old calves. A higher relative abundance of ileum mucosa-associated Enterococcus and Streptococcus was detected when the first colostrum feeding was delayed for 12 h. The relative abundance of colon mucosa-associated Lactobacillus tended to be lower in calves fed colostrum 12 h than those under the other 2 treatments, whereas that of Faecalibacterium tended to be lower in calves fed colostrum immediately after birth than those fed colostrum 6 and 12 h after birth, respectively. Our findings suggest that delayed first colostrum feeding affects the establishment of ileum and colon mucosa-associated bacteria, which may have long-term effects on gut health of calves.

Effects of residual superdoses of phytase on growth performance, tibia mineralization, and relative organ weight in ducks fed phosphorus-deficient diets.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of residual superdoses of phytase on growth performance, tibia mineralization, and relative organ weight in ducks fed phosphorus-deficient diets. In Exp. 1, 4 kinds of commercial phytase were used to determine retention rate of phyatse with the phytase C being the highest via both high water-bath temperature (90%) and pelleting (50%), followed by phytase A, B, and D. In Exp. 2, a total of 560 male ducks were blocked based on body weight, and then allocated randomly to 7 treatments (5 replicates with 16 birds per replicate). Treatments included a maize-soybean meal-based diet with recommended calcium and 4.0 g non-phytate phosphorus (nPP)/kg starter diet or 3.8 g nPP/kg grower diet (positive control; PC), an nPP-deficient diet with 1.3 g nPP/kg starter diet or 1.1 g nPP/kg grower diet (negative control; NC), NC diets with increasing levels of residual phytase C (500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 units/kg feed) after pelleting. Birds fed NC diets had lower (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) throughout the experiment compared with those fed PC diet. Supplementing NC diet with increasing residual superdoses of phytase improved (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI quadratically in the entire experiment, while reduced feed-to-gain ratio (P < 0.05) quadratically during day 0 to 14. On day 14 and 35, birds fed NC diet had lower (P < 0.05) tibia length, weight, ash, calcium, phosphorus, and manganese contents than those fed PC diet. Increasing residual superdoses of phytase in NC diet increased (P < 0.05) tibia weight and ash, calcium, phosphorus contents quadratically on day 14 and 35. NC treatment increased (P < 0.05) the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum index compared with other treatments on day 14 and 35. Taken together, feeding increasing residual superdoses of phytase could counteract or exceed the negative effects of NC diet on growth performance, tibia mineralization, and relative organ weight in ducks.

Postnatal differential expression of chemoreceptors of free fatty acids along the gastrointestinal tract of supplemental feeding v. grazing kid goats.

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of animals is capable of sensing various kinds of nutrients via G-protein coupled receptor-mediated signaling transduction pathways, and the process is known as 'gut nutrient chemosensing'. GPR40, GPR41, GPR43 and GPR119 are chemoreceptors for free fatty acids (FFAs) and lipid derivatives, but they are not well studied in small ruminants. The objective of this study is to determine the expression of GPR40, GPR41, GPR43 and GPR119 along the GIT of kid goats under supplemental feeding (S) v. grazing (G) during early development. In total, 44 kid goats (initial weight 1.35±0.12 kg) were slaughtered for sampling (rumen, abomasum, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum) between days 0 and 70. The expression of GPR41 and GPR43 were measured at both mRNA and protein levels, whereas GPR40 and GPR119 were assayed at protein level only. The effects of age and feeding system on their expression were variable depending upon GIT segments, chemoreceptors and expression level (mRNA or protein), and sometimes feeding system × age interactions (P0.05) on GPR43 expression; and there were no feeding system×age interactions (P>0.05) on GPR41 and GPR43 protein expression. The expression of GPR41 and GPR43 in rumen and abomasum linearly (P<0.01) increased with increasing age (from days 0 to 70). Meanwhile, age was the main factor affecting GPR40 expression throughout the GIT. These outcomes indicate that age and feeding system are the two factors affecting chemoreceptors for FFAs and lipid derivatives expression in the GIT of kids goats, and S enhanced the expression of chemoreceptors for FFAs, whereas G gave rise to greater expression of chemoreceptors for lipid derivatives. Our results suggest that enhanced expression of chemoreceptors for FFAs might be one of the benefits of early supplemental feeding offered to young ruminants during early development.

Dietary starch and rhubarb supplement increase ruminal dissolved hydrogen without altering rumen fermentation and methane emissions in goats.

Hydrogen is an important intermediate that is produced during carbohydrate fermentation to volatile fatty acid and utilized by methanogens to produce methane in the rumen. Ruminal volatile fatty acid and dissolved methane concentrations are more than 500 times greater than dissolved hydrogen concentration. Therefore, we hypothesized that dissolved hydrogen might have a higher sensitivity in response to dietary changes compared with volatile fatty acid and dissolved methane. Using goats, we investigated the effects of increasing dietary starch content (maize replaced with wheat bran) and supplementing with rhubarb rhizomes and roots on the relationships among dissolved hydrogen, dissolved methane and other fermentation end products. The study was conducted in a replicated 4×4 Latin square with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of four treatments: two starch levels (220 v. 320 g/kg dry matter (DM)), without and with rhubarb supplement (0% v. 2.8% of total mixed ration). Increased dietary starch and rhubarb supplementation did not alter volatile fatty acid concentrations or methane emissions in terms of g/day, g/g DM intake and g/g organic matter digested. However, goats fed the high-starch diet had greater dissolved hydrogen (P=0.005) and relative abundance of Selenomonas ruminantium (P<0.01), and lower (P=0.02) copy number of protozoa than those fed the low-starch diet. Rhubarb increased ruminal dissolved H2 (P=0.03) and total volatile fatty acid concentration (P<0.001), but decreased copies of bacteria (P=0.002). In conclusion, dissolved hydrogen appears to be more sensitive to dietary changes with starch content and rhubarb supplementation, when compared with volatile fatty acid concentrations and methane production.

Effect of delaying colostrum feeding on passive transfer and intestinal bacterial colonization in neonatal male Holstein calves.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of time of first colostrum feeding on the passive transfer of IgG and on bacterial colonization in the intestine of neonatal dairy calves. Twenty-seven male Holstein calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments at birth: calves were fed colostrum at 45 min (0 h, n = 9), 6 h (n = 9), or 12 h after birth (n = 9). Calves were fed pooled, heat-treated colostrum (62 g of IgG/L) at their respective feeding times at 7.5% of birth body weight and fed milk replacer at 2.5% of birth body weight per meal every 6 h thereafter. Blood samples were taken every 3 h using a jugular catheter and were analyzed for determination of serum IgG by radial immunodiffusion. At 51 h after birth, calves were euthanized for collection of tissue and digesta of the distal jejunum, ileum, and colon. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to estimate the prevalence of Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Fecalibacterium prausnitzii, Clostridium cluster XIVa, and total Escherichia coli. Delaying colostrum feeding by 6 h (35.6 ± 1.88%) and 12 h (35.1 ± 3.15%) decreased the maximum apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG compared with feeding colostrum immediately after birth (51.8 ± 4.18%) and delayed the time to maximum serum IgG concentration (24 h vs. 15 h, respectively). Moreover, 12-h calves tended to have a lower prevalence of Bifidobacterium spp. (0.12 ± 0.017%) and Lactobacillus spp. (0.07 ± 0.019%) associated with the colon mucosa compared with 0-h calves (1.24 ± 0.648% and 0.26 ± 0.075%, respectively). In addition, 6-h (0.26 ± 0.124%) and 12-h (0.49 ± 0.233%) calves had a lower prevalence of total E. coli associated with ileum mucosa compared with 0-h calves (1.20 ± 0.458%). These findings suggest that delaying colostrum feeding within 12 h of life decreases the passive transfer of IgG and may delay the colonization of bacteria in the intestine, possibly leaving the calf vulnerable to infections during the preweaning period.

A case of severe glutathione synthetase deficiency with novel GSS mutations.

Glutathione synthetase deficiency (GSSD) is a rare inborn error of glutathione metabolism with autosomal recessive inheritance. The severe form of the disease is characterized by acute metabolic acidosis, usually present in the neonatal period with hemolytic anemia and progressive encephalopathy. A case of a male newborn infant who had severe metabolic acidosis with high anion gap, hemolytic anemia, and hyperbilirubinemia is reported. A high level of 5-oxoproline was detected in his urine and a diagnosis of generalized GSSD was made. DNA sequence analysis revealed the infant to be compound heterozygous with two mutations, c.738dupG in exon 8 of GSS gene resulting in p.S247fs and a repetitive sequence in exon 3 of GSS gene. Treatment after diagnosis of GSSD included supplementation with antioxidants and oral sodium hydrogen bicarbonate. However, he maintained a variable degree of metabolic acidosis and succumbed shortly after his parents requested discontinuation of therapy because of dismal prognosis and medical futility when he was 18 days old.

A case of severe glutathione synthetase deficiency with novel GSS mutations

Glutathione synthetase deficiency (GSSD) is a rare inborn error of glutathione metabolism with autosomal recessive inheritance. The severe form of the disease is characterized by acute metabolic acidosis, usually present in the neonatal period with hemolytic anemia and progressive encephalopathy. A case of a male newborn infant who had severe metabolic acidosis with high anion gap, hemolytic anemia, and hyperbilirubinemia is reported. A high level of 5-oxoproline was detected in his urine and a diagnosis of generalized GSSD was made. DNA sequence analysis revealed the infant to be compound heterozygous with two mutations, c.738dupG in exon 8 of GSS gene resulting in p.S247fs and a repetitive sequence in exon 3 of GSS gene. Treatment after diagnosis of GSSD included supplementation with antioxidants and oral sodium hydrogen bicarbonate. However, he maintained a variable degree of metabolic acidosis and succumbed shortly after his parents requested discontinuation of therapy because of dismal prognosis and medical futility when he was 18 days old.

[A preliminary discussion on the contents and value of Shi er mai (Twelve Channels) and Bie mai (Allo-channels), the medical bamboo slips unearthed from Han tomb in Laoguanshan of Chengdu].

The 52 medical bamboo slips entitled Si er ma (Twelve Channels) and Bie mai (Allo-channels) , unearthed from Han tomb in Laoguanshan, are the exclusive medical books concerning channels. Shi er mai is the first work bearing the term " heart dominating channel" , and the running pathways and manifestations of 12 channels. This book could be the major original sources of the 12-channel theories described in the Chapter of Jing mai (Channels) of Ling shu (Miraculous Pivot) . While Bie mai suggests the coexistence of the multi-channel systems at the time when the book was compiled and, together with the 12 "channel" , and 3 "branched collaterals" , these 2 books represent the original condition before the establishment of the mode of channel circulation in Ling shu, and is significant to explore the nature and origin of channel.

Effect of wheat dried distillers grains and enzyme supplementation on growth rates, feed conversion ratio and beef fatty acid profile in feedlot steers.

The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the effect of wheat dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) inclusion, and (2) dietary feed enzyme (FE; Econase XT) supplementation in a finishing diet containing wheat DDGS on fatty acid profile of the pars costalis diaphragmatis muscle of beef cattle. A total of 160 crossbred yearling steers with initial BW of 495 ± 38 kg were blocked by BW and randomized into 16 pens (10 head/pen). The pens were randomly assigned to one of the four treatments: (1) control (CON; 10% barley silage and 90% barley grain-based concentrate, dry matter (DM) basis); (2) diet containing 30% wheat DDGS in place of barley grain without FE (WDG); (3) WDG diet supplemented with low FE (WDGL; 1 ml FE/kg DM); and (4) WDG diet supplemented with high FE (2 ml FE/kg DM). The pars costalis diaphragmatis muscle samples were collected from cattle at slaughter at the end of the finishing period (120 days) with a targeted live weight of 650 kg. No differences in organic matter intake, final BW and average daily gain were observed among treatments. However, steers fed WDG had greater (P<0.01) feed conversion ratio than those fed CON, and increasing FE application in wheat DDGS-based diets tended (P<0.10) to linearly decrease feed conversion ratio. In assessing the effects of including WDG diets without FE, concentration of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in muscle tended to be greater (P<0.10) for steers fed WDG than steers fed CON. In addition, inclusion of wheat DDGS into the diet increased (P<0.05) concentration of CLA and vaccenic acid (VA) in muscle and also resulted in a higher (P<0.05) ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA compared with that from steers fed CON diet. Increasing FE application in wheat DDGS-based diets did not modify the concentrations of individual or total fatty acids. These results suggest that inclusion of wheat DDGS in finishing diets may improve fatty acid profile of beef muscle which could benefit human health.

Effect of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles and fibrolytic enzymes on ruminal fermentation, digestibility, growth performance, and feeding behavior of beef cattle.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and fibrolytic enzymes (FE) on ruminal fermentation, in situ ruminal and in vivo total tract digestibility, growth performance, and feeding behavior of growing beef cattle. In Exp. 1, 6 ruminally cannulated Angus heifers (average BW of 794 ± 44.2 kg) were used in a 6 × 6 Latin square design with 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments were a control diet consisting of 50% barley silage, 10% grass hay, and 40% barley grain-based concentrate (CON) and the CON with 15% DDGS substituted for barley grain (WDG) combined with either 0, 1, or 2 mL FE/kg diet DM, respectively. Inclusion of DDGS increased total tract digestibility of CP ( < 0.01), NDF ( = 0.04), and ADF ( = 0.03). Increasing FE linearly ( = 0.03) increased CP digestibility without affecting the digestibility of other nutrients. There were no effects of DDGS inclusion or FE on ruminal pH or VFA concentration except that propionate was greater ( = 0.04) with the WDG. In situ ruminal DM and NDF disappearance of barley silage was greater ( < 0.04) in heifers fed the WDG than in heifers fed the CON after 24 h of incubation. Increasing FE linearly ( = 0.03) increased in situ NDF disappearance of barley silage after 24 h of incubation. In Exp. 2, 120 weaned steers (initial BW of 289 ± 11.0 kg) were fed diets similar to those in Exp. 1. The steers fed the WDG had greater ( < 0.01) final BW, ADG, DMI, and G:F compared with steers fed the CON. Increasing FE did not alter ADG or G:F but tended ( < 0.07) to linearly decrease DMI. There were interactions ( < 0.02) between DDGS and FE on eating rate and the time spent at the feed bunk. Supplementing FE decreased ( < 0.01) time at the bunk and increased ( < 0.01) eating rate for steers fed the WDG but not for steers fed the CON. Eating rate ( < 0.01) and meal frequency ( = 0.02) were greater but eating duration was shorter ( < 0.01) for steers fed the WDG than for those fed the CON. These results indicate that inclusion of wheat DDGS in a growing diet increased total tract digestibility of NDF and CP and improved the feed efficiency of steers. Moreover, supplementation of FE in barley silage-based growing diets may also have the potential to increase profits, with the evidence of the trend for a decline on DMI without decreasing ADG when adding FE.

Pilot-scale comparison of four duckweed strains from different genera for potential application in nutrient recovery from wastewater and valuable biomass production.

The application potential of four duckweed strains from four genera, Wolffia globosa 0222, Lemna japonica 0223, Landoltia punctata 0224 and Spirodela polyrhiza 0225, were compared in four parallel pilot-scale wastewater treatment systems for more than 1 year. The results indicated that each duckweed strain had unique potential advantages. Unlike L. japonica 0223 and La. punctata 0224, which grow throughout the year, S. polyrhiza 0225 and W. globosa 0222 do not survive cold weather. For year round performance, L. japonica 0223 was best not only in dry biomass production (6.10 g·m(-2) ·day(-1) ), but also in crude protein (35.50%), total amino acid (26.83%) and phosphorus (1.38%) content, plus recovery rates of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and CO2 (0.31, 0.085 and 7.76 g·m(-2) ·day(-1) , respectively) and removal rates of TN and TP (0.66 and 0.089 g·m(-2) ·day(-1) , respectively). This strongly demonstrates that L. japonica 0223 performed best in wastewater treatment and protein biomass production. Under nutrient starvation conditions, La. punctata 0224 had the highest starch content (45.84%), dry biomass production (4.81 g·m(-2) ·day(-1) ) and starch accumulation (2.9 g·m(-2) ·day(-1) ), making it best for starch biomass production. W. globosa 0222 and S. polyrhiza 0225 showed increased flavonoid biomass production, with higher total flavonoid content (5.85% and 4.22%, respectively) and high dominant flavonoids (>60%). This study provides useful information for selecting the appropriate local duckweed strains for further application in wastewater treatment and valuable biomass production.

Using a fibrolytic enzyme in barley-based diets containing wheat dried distillers grains with solubles: ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and growth performance of feedlot steers.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of adding an exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (FE) on ruminal pH and fermentation, digestibility, and growth performance of feedlot beef cattle fed a finishing diet containing wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). In Exp. 1, 4 ruminally cannulated Angus heifers (average BW of 807 ± 93.9 kg) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments were 1) control (CON; 10% barley silage and 90% barley grain-based concentrate), 2) CON diet substituting 30% wheat DDGS for barley grain (WDG), 3) WDG diet supplemented with low FE (WDGL), and 4) WDG diet supplemented with high FE (WDGH). Heifers fed WDG had less (P = 0.01) total tract DM digestibility than heifers fed CON. Increasing FE linearly (P < 0.05) increased starch digestibility without affecting digestibility of other nutrients. Addition of FE also reduced (P = 0.03) ruminal ammonia-N (NH3-N) concentration but did not affect VFA concentration. Moreover, application of FE to wheat DDGS linearly increased in situ ruminal DM (P < 0.01) and NDF (P = 0.02) disappearance after 48 h of incubation. In Exp. 2, 160 yearling steers (initial BW = 495 ± 37.9 kg) were fed the same diets as in Exp. 1. No differences in DMI, final BW, ADG, dietary NEg, or carcass characteristics were observed among diets. However, the steers fed WDG had less (P < 0.05) G:F and greater number of (P < 0.01) abscessed livers than steers fed CON. Increasing FE application in wheat DDGS diets did not affect DMI, final BW, or ADG but tended (P < 0.09) to linearly improve feed efficiency and decreased (P = 0.03) the incidence of abscessed livers. These results demonstrated adverse effects of including wheat DDGS in finishing diets on feed digestion, feed efficiency, and animal health. Application of FE in wheat DDGS-based diets potentially improved starch digestion, protein metabolism in the rumen, feed efficiency, and animal health.

Ginsenoside Rh2 promotes nonamyloidgenic cleavage of amyloid precursor protein via a cholesterol-dependent pathway.

Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) is a ginseng derivative used in Chinese traditional medicine. We investigated whether Rh2 can help prevent Alzheimer's disease symptoms and examined underlying mechanisms. We injected Rh2 into tg2576 Alzheimer's disease model mice and looked for behavioral improvement and senile plaque reduction in brain slices. We measured amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism species changes, amyloid beta40 and 42 levels and ß, γ secretase activity in primary hippocampal neurons. By living cell staining, we detected surface and endocytosed APP. We also measured cholesterol and lipid rafts in primary neurons. Rh2 treatment significantly improved learning and memory performance at 14 months of age; it also reduced brain senile plaques at this age. Based on in vitro experiments, we found that Rh2 treatment increased soluble APPα (sAPPα) levels, increased CTFα/ß ratios, and reduced amyloid beta 40 and 42 concentrations. Surface APP levels dramatically increased. Based on living cell staining, we found that Rh2 inhibited APP endocytosis. Based on lipid removal and reload experiments, we found that Rh2 can modulate APP by reducing cholesterol and lipid raft levels. We concluded that Rh2 improves learning and memory function in Alzheimer's disease model mice, and that this improvement is accomplished by reducing amyloid beta secretion and APP endocytosis, which in turn is achieved by reducing cholesterol and lipid raft concentrations.

Identification of differentially expressed genes involved in early bolting of Angelica sinensis (Apiaceae).

Angelica sinensis is a highly valued medicinal herb, known as female ginseng that is widely cultivated in China. Although A. sinensis is in great demand due to its multiple medicinal and food applications, its early bolting rate (almost 40%) seriously affects crop quality. To better understand its flowering mechanism, cDNA-amplified RFLP analysis was employed to look for gene expression differences between flower bud and shoot apical meristem tissues. Sixty-four primer sets were used, with each primer set amplified to 60 transcript-derived fragments. Some transcript-derived fragments were expressed only in the flower bud. After cloning, sequencing and a homology search, 46 distinct sequences were obtained; 26 of these were found to have homologous sequences in databases. These included trans-caffeoyl-CoA 3-O-methyltransferase, 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, 15-cis-zeta-carotene isomerase, isoamylase, and calmodulin-binding protein. These genes are closely related to pollen germination and pollen tube growth, terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, and other metabolic pathways. Confirmation of differential expression of 10 sequences was obtained by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, showing higher expression levels in flower buds.