Effect of high advanced-collagen tripeptide on wound healing and skin recovery after fractional photothermolysis treatment.

BACKGROUND: Collagens have long been used in pharmaceuticals and food supplements for the improvement of skin. AIM: We evaluated the efficacy of high advanced-collagen tripeptide (HACP) on wound healing and skin recovery. METHODS: Using an in vitro model, we performed HaCaT cell migration assays and collagen gel contraction assays using HACP concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 µg/mL. In this pilot study, eight healthy volunteers were randomly divided into two groups. Both the control and experimental groups received fractional photothermolysis treatment, but in the experimental group, four subjects received 3 g/day of oral collagen peptide (CP) for 4 weeks. To assess transepidermal water loss in each patient before and after the treatment, we used a Corneometer and a Cutometer, and we also assessed the patient's Erythema Index. RESULTS: The cell migration assay showed that HACP enhanced wound closure, but not in a dose-dependent manner. The collagen gel contraction assay showed increased contractility when patients were treated with 100 µg/mL HACP, but the results were not significantly different from those of controls. We found that post-laser erythema resolved faster in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the recovery of skin hydration after fractional laser treatment was greater in the experimental group than in the control group by day 3 (P < 0.05), and the experimental group showed significantly improved post-treatment skin elasticity compared with the controls by day 14 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Collagen tripeptide treatment appears to be an effective and conservative therapy for cutaneous wound healing and skin recovery after fractional photothermolysis treatment.

Effects of dietary sulfur and distillers dried grains with solubles on carcass characteristics, loin quality, and tissue concentrations of sulfur, selenium, and copper in growing-finishing pigs.

Inclusion of up to 0.38% S in diets that contain 30% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) has no negative effect on growth performance of growing-finishing pigs, but there is no information about the effects of dietary S on accumulation of S in tissues in pigs. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to determine if the concentration of S in diets containing DDGS affects carcass characteristics, loin quality, or tissue mineral concentrations in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 120 barrows (34.2 ± 2.3 kg BW) were allotted to 3 dietary treatments with 10 replicate pens and 4 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. Pigs were fed grower diets for 42 d and finisher diets for 42 d. At the conclusion of the experiment, the pig in each pen with the BW closest to the pen average was slaughtered. The control diet was based on corn and soybean meal and the finisher diet contained 0.14% S, 0.19 mg/kg Se, and 15.3 mg/kg Cu. The DDGS diet was formulated with corn, soybean meal, and 30% DDGS and the finisher diet with DDGS contained 0.16% S, 0.32 mg/kg Se, and 14.0 mg/kg Cu. The DDGS plus S (DDGS-S) diet was similar to the DDGS diet, except that 1.10% CaSO4 (16.2% S) was included in this diet, and the finisher diet with DDGS-S contained 0.37% S, 0.35 mg/kg Se, and 13.8 mg/kg Cu. Results indicated that organ weights and loin quality, 24-h pH, drip loss, loin subjective color, marbling, and firmness did not differ among treatments, but loin a* was greater (P < 0.05) for pigs fed the control diet than for pigs fed the DDGS-S diet. Concentrations of S in hair, liver, heart, loin, and all other tissues did not differ among treatments, but urinary S concentration was greater (P < 0.05) for pigs fed the DDGS-S diet than for pigs fed the other diets. Pigs fed the DDGS diet or the DDGS-S diet had greater (P < 0.01) concentrations of Se in hair, liver, heart, and loin than pigs fed the control diet, but liver concentrations of Cu did not differ among treatments. In conclusion, inclusion of 30% DDGS in diets fed to growing-finishing pigs did not influence carcass characteristics or tissue S concentrations regardless of S concentration in the diet, and excess dietary S was excreted in the urine. However, because of the greater concentration of Se in DDGS than in corn and soybean meal and, therefore, greater concentrations in DDGS-containing diets, tissue concentrations of Se were increased in pigs fed diets that contained DDGS. In contrast, dietary DDGS did not influence liver concentrations of Cu.

In growing pigs, the true ileal and total tract digestibility of acid hydrolyzed ether extract in extracted corn oil is greater than in intact sources of corn oil or soybean oil.

An experiment was conducted to determine the true ileal digestibility (TID) and the true total tract digestibility (TTTD) of acid-hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE) in extracted corn oil, high-oil corn, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn germ, and high protein distillers dried grains (HP DDG) and to compare these values to the TID and TTTD of AEE in full-fat soybeans. Nineteen barrows with an initial BW of 52.2 kg (SD = 3.8) were fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a 19 × 11 Youden square design with 19 diets and 11 periods. A basal diet based on cornstarch, casein, sucrose, and corn bran was formulated. Eighteen additional diets were formulated by adding 3 levels of extracted corn oil, high-oil corn, DDGS, corn germ, HP DDG, or full-fat soybeans to the basal diet. The apparent ileal and the apparent total tract digestibility of AEE were calculated for each diet. The endogenous flow of AEE associated with each ingredient and values for TID and TTTD were calculated using the regression procedure. Results indicated that digested AEE in ileal digesta and feces linearly increased as AEE intake increased regardless of ingredient (P < 0.001) and the regression of ileal and fecal AEE output against AEE intake was significant for all ingredients (P < 0.001; r(2) > 0.77). However, the ileal and fecal endogenous losses of AEE were different (P < 0.05) from 0 only for extracted corn oil, HP DDG, and full-fat soybeans. The TID of AEE was greater (P < 0.05) for extracted corn oil (95.4%) than for all other ingredients. The TID of AEE in HP DDG (76.5%) was not different from the TID of AEE in full-fat soybeans (85.2%) but greater (P < 0.05) than high-oil corn, DDGS, and corn germ (53.0, 62.1, and 50.1%, respectively). The TTTD of AEE was greater (P < 0.05) for extracted corn oil (94.3%) than for all other ingredients, and the TTTD in full-fat soybeans (79.7%) was greater (P < 0.05) than the TTTD of AEE in high-oil corn, DDGS, corn germ, and HP DDG (41.4, 51.9, 43.9, and 70.2%, respectively). The TTTD of AEE in HP DDG was also greater (P < 0.05) than in high-oil corn, DDGS, and corn germ. In conclusion, the intact sources of oil originating from high-oil corn, DDGS, corn germ, or HP DDG are much less digestible than extracted corn oil, and with the exception of HP DDG, these sources of corn oil are also less digestible than the intact oil in full fat soybeans.

Digestible and metabolizable energy concentrations in copra meal, palm kernel meal, and cassava root fed to growing pigs.

An experiment was conducted to measure DE and ME in copra (Cocos nucifera) meal (CM), palm kernel meal (PKM), and cassava (Manihot esculenta) root (CR) in growing pigs. Eight boars with an initial BW of 67.3 ± 5.8 kg were individually housed in metabolism crates that were equipped with a feeder and a nipple drinker. A replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design was used with 4 dietary treatments, 4 periods, and 8 animals. A basal diet mainly contained corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) meal. Three additional diets were formulated to contain 30% of CM, PKM, and CR. All diets contained the same proportion of corn:soybean meal ratio at 4.14:1. The apparent total tract digestibility of energy was 89.5, 84.1, 82.4, and 87.9% (P < 0.001) in the basal, CM, PKM, and CR diets, respectively. The DE in CM and PKM were greater (P < 0.05) than in CR (3440 and 3238 vs. 2966 kcal/kg as-fed). The ME in CM was greater (P < 0.05) than in CR (3340 vs. 2935 kcal/kg as-fed) but not different from the ME in PKM (3168 kcal/kg as-fed). In conclusion, CM and PKM have a higher DE value than CR, and CM has a higher ME value than CR.

Energy concentration and phosphorus digestibility in whey powder, whey permeate, and low-ash whey permeate fed to weanling pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to determine DE and ME, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P, and the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in whey powder (3,646 kcal/kg), whey permeate (3,426 kcal/kg), and low-ash whey permeate (3,657 kcal/kg) fed to weanling pigs. The DE and ME in the 3 whey products were determined using 32 barrows (9.2 ± 0.4 kg of BW). A basal diet based on corn, soybean meal, and fish meal and 3 diets containing 70% of the basal diet and 30% of each whey product were prepared. Each diet was fed to 8 pigs that were housed individually in metabolism cages. The total collection method was used for fecal and urine collections with 5-d adaptation and 5-d collection periods, and the difference procedure was used to calculate DE and ME in the 3 whey products. The concentrations of DE in whey powder and low-ash whey permeate were greater (P < 0.001) than in whey permeate (3,646 and 3,683 vs. 3,253 kcal/kg of DM). The concentrations of ME in whey powder and low-ash whey permeate were also greater (P < 0.001) than in whey permeate (3,462 and 3,593 vs. 3,081 kcal/kg of DM). The ATTD and STTD of P in the 3 whey products were determined using 32 barrows (11.0 ± 0.81 kg of BW). Three cornstarch-sucrose-based diets containing 30% of each whey product as the sole source of P were prepared. A P-free diet that was used to estimate the basal endogenous losses of P was also formulated. The ATTD of P in whey powder and in whey permeate was greater (P < 0.001) than in low-ash whey permeate (84.3 and 86.1 vs. 55.9%), but the STTD values for P were not different among the 3 ingredients (91.2, 93.1, and 91.8% in whey powder, whey permeate, and low-ash whey permeate, respectively). In conclusion, whey permeate contains less GE, DE, and ME than whey powder and low-ash whey permeate, but all 3 ingredients have an excellent digestibility of P.

Effect of virginiamycin on the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids by growing pigs.

The objective of this experiment was to measure the influence of virginiamycin on the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of AA by growing pigs. Fifteen barrows were surgically equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and used in the experiment (initial BW = 35.0 +/- 2.7 kg). Animals were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments with 5 pigs per treatment during a 6-wk experiment. Dietary treatments included 1) a basal corn-soybean meal diet, 2) the basal diet supplemented with 11 mg/kg of virginiamycin, and 3) the basal diet supplemented with 22 mg/kg of virginiamycin. Pigs were fed their respective treatment diets during wk 2, 3, and 4, but during wk 1, 5, and 6, all pigs were fed the basal diet. Ileal samples were collected on d 6 and 7 of each week. Results showed that the AID of all indispensable AA, except Arg, His, and Ile, increased (P < 0.05) during wk 2, 3, and 4 compared with wk 1 in pigs fed the diet containing 11 mg/kg of virginiamycin. Pigs fed 22 mg/kg of virginiamycin during wk 2, 3, and 4 had increased (P < 0.05) AID of Trp and Val during these weeks compared with the AID in wk 1. However, the increased AID of AA did not carry over to wk 5 and 6, when virginiamycin was withdrawn from the diet, regardless of the inclusion rate. In pooled data from wk 2, 3, and 4, the AID of CP, the mean of all indispensable AA, and Ile, Leu, Met, Phe, Trp, and Val increased (linear, P < 0.05) as virginiamycin was added to the diets, whereas a tendency (P < 0.10) for a linear or quadratic increase was observed for His, Lys, and Thr. These results indicate that addition of virginiamycin to corn-soybean meal diets fed to growing pigs increases the AID of AA, but this effect is not maintained after the removal of virginiamycin from the diet.

Amino acid digestibility and energy concentration in a novel source of high-protein distillers dried grains and their effects on growth performance of pigs.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate a novel source of high-protein distillers dried grains produced by Buhler Inc. (HP-DDG(Buhler)) and fed to growing pigs. The standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in HP-DDG(Buhler) and in soybean meal (SBM) was determined in Exp. 1. Nine pigs (109.8 +/- 2.78 kg of BW) were fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a triplicated 3 x 3 Latin square design with 3 diets and 3 periods per square. Diets containing HP-DDG(Buhler) or SBM as the only source of AA and an N-free diet were formulated. The SID of indispensable AA was less (P < 0.01) in HP-DDG(Buhler) than in SBM (Arg, 87.5 vs. 93.9%; His, 76.7 vs. 88.7%; Ile, 76.4 vs. 87.5%; Leu, 77.8 vs. 86.8%; Lys, 75.4 vs. 88.4%; Met, 82.8 vs. 88.4%; Phe, 77.9 vs. 87.3%; Thr, 72.5 vs. 83.5%; Trp, 85.1 vs. 91.0%; Val, 73.3 vs. 84.3%). The DE and ME in HP-DDG(Buhler) and in corn were measured in Exp. 2 using 16 growing barrows (24.6 +/- 1.66 kg of BW). A corn-based diet and a diet containing 50% corn and 48.2% HP-DDG(Buhler) were formulated. The total collection method and the difference procedures were used. The concentrations of DE and ME in HP-DDG(Buhler) were greater (P < 0.001) than in corn (5,043 vs. 4,002 kcal/kg of DM and 4,690 vs. 3,921 kcal/kg of DM, respectively). Experiment 3 was a 9-wk growth assay using 40 pigs (initial BW: 58.2 +/- 2.28 kg) allotted to 5 dietary treatments, with 8 replicates of individually housed pigs per treatment. Treatments included a control diet based on corn and SBM and 4 diets in which HP-DDG(Buhler) replaced 33, 66, 66, or 100% of the SBM in the control diet. All HP-DDG(Buhler) diets contained supplemental Lys and Thr to provide similar concentrations of SID Lys and Thr in all diets; one of the diets in which HP-DDG(Buhler) replaced 66% of the SBM and the diet in which HP-DDG(Buhler) replaced 100% of the SBM also contained crystalline Trp. Dietary treatments had no effect on ADG (1.15, 1.13, 1.16, 1.12, and 1.14 kg), ADFI (3.33, 3.35, 3.39, 3.30, and 3.33 kg), or G:F (0.35, 0.34, 0.34, 0.34, and 0.34 kg/kg). Carcass traits of pigs fed the diet in which HP-DDG(Buhler) replaced 100% of the SBM were not different from those of pigs fed the control diet. In conclusion, HP-DDG(Buhler) contains more DE and ME than corn, but has decreased SID values for AA compared with SBM. Soybean meal can be replaced by HP-DDG(Buhler) in diets fed to finishing pigs without any effect on growth performance or carcass characteristics, provided that diets are adequate in indispensable AA.

The effects of dietary chromium(III) picolinate on growth performance, blood measurements, and respiratory rate in pigs kept in high and low ambient temperature.

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of thermal stress and dietary Cr on growth performance and physiological variables in weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, a total of 54 pigs (BW of 5.95 +/- 0.84 kg) were allotted to a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement using 2 ambient temperatures (23.7 or 40.5 degrees C during d 14 to 28 postweaning) and 3 dietary concentrations of Cr (0, 1,000, or 2,000 microg/kg) as Cr(III) picolinate. In Exp. 2, a total of 54 pigs (BW of 5.94 +/- 1.29 kg) were allotted in the same treatment arrangement but with different ambient temperatures (26.5 or 16.0 degrees C during d 14 to 26 postweaning). In Exp. 3, a total of 36 pigs (BW of 6.40 +/- 0.72 kg) were allotted in the same treatment arrangement with ambient temperatures of 25.9 or 13.8 degrees C during d 14 to 28 postweaning. During d 0 to 14 of all experiments, a neutral ambient temperature (NT) was maintained. In Exp. 1, pigs in high ambient temperature (HT) gained less BW (575 vs. 663 g/d; P < 0.001) and consumed less feed (926 vs. 1,074 g/d; P = 0.001) than pigs in NT during d 14 to 28. However, G:F was not affected by ambient temperature (0.623 vs. 0.618 g/g; P = 0.702). Dietary Cr had no effect on growth performance. Pigs in HT had less plasma cortisol (42.0 vs. 53.7 ng/mL; P = 0.012) and glucose (6.68 vs. 6.96 ng/mL; P = 0.018). Respiratory rate of pigs in HT was greater compared with the pigs in NT (114.6 vs. 65.0 breaths/min; P < 0.001) on d 27. In Exp. 2 and 3 (pooled), pigs in low ambient temperature (LT) had decreased G:F (0.636 vs. 0.663 g/g; P < 0.01) associated with a tendency toward a greater ADFI (1,026 vs. 942 g; P = 0.079) during d 14 to 26 (28). Ambient temperature or dietary Cr supplementation had no effect on blood measurements. In Exp. 3, the respiratory rate measured on d 22 and 27 was less (43.2 vs. 54.2 breaths/min and 42.2 vs. 57.0 breaths/min, respectively; P < 0.001) in the pigs in LT than the pigs in NT with no effects of dietary Cr supplementation. These results indicate that growth performance is affected by thermal stress and plasma cortisol is decreased by heat stress, but these effects are not moderated by dietary Cr.

Efficacy of DL-methionine hydroxy analog free acid and DL-methionine as methionine sources for pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dietary DL-methionine hydroxy analog-free acid (MHA-FA, 88%) compared with DL-methionine (DLM, 99%) as Met sources in pigs. In Exp. 1, a total of 245 crossbred pigs (initial BW of 6.4 kg [SD = 0.5]) were allotted to 7 treatments in 7 replicates for an experimental period of 28 d. The basal diet (BD) was formulated to contain 17.5% CP and 0.21% Met. Dietary treatments included 1) BD, 2) BD + 0.030% DLM, 3) BD + 0.060% DLM, 4) BD + 0.090% DLM, 5) BD + 0.034% MHA-FA, 6) BD + 0.068% MHA-FA, and 7) BD + 0.103% MHA-FA; the MHA-FA was supplemented on an equimolar basis to the DLM. Because of a nonlinear response, exponential regression analysis was used to evaluate the responses, and a comparison of the equations was then made to determine the relative effectiveness of the 2 Met sources. With increases in dietary Met, weight gain increased (P < 0.05). Compared with DLM on a product-to-product (wt/wt) basis, the relative effectiveness of MHA-FA was calculated to be 73% for increasing weight gain and 54% for decreasing the feed:gain. In Exp. 2, a total of 30 weanling barrows [initial BW of 16.8 kg (SD = 2.8)] were used in a metabolism study to evaluate the relative value of MHA-FA to DLM. The BD was formulated to contain 16.9% CP and 0.21% Met. Dietary treatments included 1) BD, 2) BD + 0.030% DLM, 3) BD + 0.060% DLM, 4) BD + 0.046% MHA-FA, and 5) BD + 0.092% MHA-FA; the MHA-FA levels were chosen based on a pre-experiment estimate of bioequivalence in an attempt to provide approximately equal pig responses. There was no difference in fecal N output among the treatments; however, urine N linearly decreased with increasing concentrations of both sources (P = 0.034 for DLM, and P = 0.007 for MHA-FA), which resulted in a linear increase in retained N for both DLM (P = 0.012) and MHA-FA (P = 0.005). In addition, N retention (% of intake) linearly increased with increasing level of DLM (P = 0.014) and MHA-FA (P = 0.007). Using a slope-ratio procedure for comparison of the responses from the 2 sources, the relative biological equivalence value of MHA-FA to DLM in this experiment was 64.2% based on percent N retention and 66.3% based on the grams of N retained per day. Based on the results from both experiments, these data indicated that the mean relative bioequivalence of MHA-FA to DLM was 64% on a product-to-product (wt/wt) basis or 73% on an equimolar basis.

Protective effect of 4',5-dihydroxy-3',6,7-trimethoxyflavone from Artemisia asiatica against Abeta-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells.

Amyloid beta protein (Abeta)-induced free radical-mediated neurotoxicity is a leading hypothesis as a cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta increased free radical production and lipid peroxidation in PC12 nerve cells, leading to apoptosis and cell death. The effect of 4',5-dihydroxy-3',6,7-trimethoxyflavone from Artemisia asiatica on Abeta induced neurotoxicity was investigated using PC12 cells. Pretreatment with isolated 4',5-dihydroxy-3',6,7-trimethoxyflavone and vitamin E prevented the Abeta-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). The 4',5-dihydroxy-3',6,7-trimethoxyflavone resulted in concentration-dependant decreased Abeta toxicity assessed by 3-(4, 5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. However, treatment with these antioxidants inhibited the Abeta-induced neurotoxic effect. Therefore, these results indicate that micromolecular Abeta-induced oxidative cell stress is reduced by 4,5-dihydroxy-3',6,7-trimethoxyflavone from Artemisia asiatica.

Effect of Qi-training on blood pressure, heart rate and respiration rate.

To examine the physiological effects of Korean traditional Qi-training, we investigated the changes in blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates before, during and after ChunDoSunBup (CDSB) Qi-training. Twelve normal healthy CDSB Qi-trainees (19-37 years old; trained for 1.3 +/- 0.2 years; 9 men and 3 women) volunteered to participate in this study. Heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure and rate-pressure product were significantly decreased during Qi-training. From these results, we suggest that CDSB Qi-training has physiological effects that indicate stabilization of cardiovascular system.

Successful management with glue injection of arterial rupture seen during embolization of an arteriovenous malformation using a flow-directed catheter: a case report.

We present a case in which an arterial rupture occurring during embolization of an arteriovenous malformation of the left occipital lobe with a flow-directed microcatheter, was successfully sealed with a small amount of glue. We navigated a 1.8-Fr Magic catheter through the posterior cerebral artery, and during superselective test injection, extravasation was observed at the parieto-occipital branch. The catheter was not removed and the perforation site was successfully sealed with a small amount of glue injected through the same catheter. Prompt recognition and closure of the perforation site is essential for good prognosis.

A Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory profile of ChunDoSunBup qi-trainees: a preliminary study.

The aim of this study is to explore the effects of ChunDoSunBup Qi-training on personality traits. Twenty-six normal healthy subjects (mean age = 26.58 +/- 6.56) and 26 CDSB Qi-trainees (mean age = 27.74 +/- 5.21) participated in this study. Analysis of MMPI profiles showed that CDSB Qi-trainees scored significantly lower on Depression (D), Hysteria (Hy), Paranoia (Pa), Schizophrenia (Sc) and Frequency (F) and significantly higher on the Correction (K) Scales. In addition, CDSB Qi-trainees reported a significantly lower Cook-Medley Hostility (Ho) scale than that of controls. This preliminary study suggests that CDSB Qi-training may be effective in protection as well as restoration of emotional, psychological symptomatology and personality trait disorder.