Rare flavanone-diarylheptanoid hybrids from Typha angustifolia shows anti breast cancer activity via activating TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway.

Four new flavanone-diarylheptanoid hetero dimers, typhatifolins A-D (1-4), were separated from the pollen of a widely distributed medicinal plant Typha angustifolia. Structures of these rare hybrids were elucidated by detailed interpretation of spectroscopic data, and their absolute configurations were determined on the basis of Mosher's method and ECD analyses. All the four compounds showed moderate to significant cytotoxicities against a panel of tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.67 to 12.48 µM. Further in vitro antitumor evaluation for typhatifolin B (TTB, 2) on two breast cancer cells (4T1 and MDA-MB231) revealed that it could remarkably induce cell apoptosis and G0/G1 cycle arrest, as well as block cell migration and invasion. Mechanistically, TTB could exert its antitumor effect via activating the TGF-ß1 (transforming growth factor beta 1) signaling pathway as evidenced by RNA-seq analysis and immunoblotting experiments, which was further corroborated by treating cancer cells with a TGF-ß signaling inhibitor. Lastly, the in vivo anti breast cancer activity was demonstrated by applying the mixture of typhatifolins A-D to a preclinical animal model.

Comparison of the effects of rumen-protected and unprotected L-leucine on fermentation parameters, bacterial composition, and amino acids metabolism in in vitro rumen batch cultures.

This study was conducted to compare the effects of rumen-protected (RP-Leu) and unprotected L-leucine (RU-Leu) on the fermentation parameters, bacterial composition, and amino acid metabolism in vitro rumen batch incubation. The 5.00 g RP-Leu or RU-Leu products were incubated in situ in the rumen of four beef cattle (Bos taurus) and removed after 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 16, and 24 h to determine the rumen protection rate. In in vitro incubation, both RP-Leu and RU-Leu were supplemented 1.5 mmol/bottle (L-leucine HCl), and incubated after 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 h to measure gas production (GP), nutrient degradability, fermentation parameters, bacterial composition, and amino acids metabolism. Results from both in vitro and in situ experiments confirmed that the rumen protection rate was greater (p < 0.01) in RP-Leu than in RU-Leu, whereas the latter was slow (p < 0.05) degraded within incubation 8 h. Free leucine from RP-Leu and RU-Leu reached a peak at incubation 6 h (p < 0.01). RU-Leu supplementation increased (p < 0.05) gas production, microbial crude protein, branched-chain AAs, propionate and branched-chain VFAs concentrations, and Shannon and Sobs index in comparison to the control and RP-Leu supplementation. RU-Leu and RP-Leu supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, which Firmicutes increased (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that there are 5 bacteria at the genus level that may be positively correlated with MCP and propionate (p < 0.05). Based on the result, we found that RP-Leu was more stable than RU-Leu in rumen fluid, but RU-Leu also does not exhibit rapid degradation by ruminal microbes for a short time. The RU-Leu was more beneficial in terms of regulating rumen fermentation pattern, microbial crude protein synthesis, and branched-chain VFAs production than RP-Leu in vitro rumen conditions.

Comprehensive treatments of aluminum dross in China: A critical review.

Aluminum is an important lightweight and high-value metal that is widely used in the transportation, construction, and military industries. China is the largest producer of Al in the world, and vast quantities of Al dross (ash) are generated and stored every year. Aluminum dross contains fluoride and heavy metals, and easily reacts with water and acid to produce stimulating, toxic, and explosive gases. Owing to a lack of developed technologies, most of this dross cannot be safely treated, resulting in a waste of resources and serious environmental and ecological risks. This review briefly describes the distribution and proportions of bauxite deposits in China, the Al extraction process, and the hazardous solid waste that is generated. It also discusses the comprehensive treatments for Al dross, including the hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy recovery processes, and reuse of Al, Al2O3, SiO2, and chloride salts as a summarized comparison of their advantages and disadvantages. In particular, this review focuses on the efforts to analyze the relationship between existing processes and the attempts to establish a comprehensive technology to treat Al dross. Additionally, areas for future research are suggested, which may provide new ideas for the closed-loop treatment of Al dross.

Pregnane steroids and steroid glycosides with multidrug resistance reversal activity from Marsdenia tenacissima.

Twenty compounds comprising four pregnane steroids (2-4 & 20) and 16 pregnane glycosides (1 & 5-19) have been obtained from the ethanol extract of the roots of a Dai ethnological herb, Marsdenia tenacissima. Their structures were characterized on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses with 17 ones (1-17) being reported for the first time, including the rare cases (2 & 3) of free C21 steroids with 17α-acetyl substitution, compounds 4-7 bearing an unusual 14α-OH, and the first examples with simultaneous 14α-OH/17α-acetyl substitution (7) and glycosylation at C-12 position (10 & 11). An empirical rule for the identification of C-17 configuration, in C21 steroids incorporating the marsdenin constitution structure, was also proposed. All the isolates, along with an array of previously reported analogues in our compound library, were screened for their chemo-reversal ability against P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) in MCF-7/ADR cell line, and six compounds exhibited moderate MDR reversal activity with reversal folds ranging from 1.92 to 4.44.

Effects of compound of hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) and Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) extracts on growth performance, intestinal health, and immune function in weaned pigs.

Plant extracts were considered as natural resources to alleviate weaning stress in pig production. A 28-day study (Phase 1: d 0-14 and Phase 2: d 15-28) was conducted to investigate the effects of compound of hawthorn and yam extracts on growth performance, intestinal health, and immune function in weaned pigs. A total of 144 weaned pigs with average body weight (BW) of 7.89 ± 1.09 kg were assigned to three treatments with six replicates pens by BW and sex. Dietary treatments included negative control (NC), corn-soybean meal basal diet; positive control (PC), NC + 0.08% enzyme preparations and 0.3% acidifiers; and CHY, NC + 0.3% compound of hawthorn and yam extracts. Compared with NC-fed pigs, pigs fed CHY had greater (p < 0.05) growth performance in Phase 1. The CHY-fed pigs had greater (p < 0.05) activities of duodenal lipase, trypsin, and greater (p < 0.05) serum concentrations of total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase. The CHY-fed pigs had improved (p < 0.05) jejunal morphology and greater (p < 0.05) ileac valeric acid and colonic propionic acid, isobutyric acid concentrations than NC- and PC-fed pigs. In conclusion, CHY can improve growth performance and is a promising additive in weaned pig diets.

A Cohort Study of Surgical Indexes, Postoperative Complications, Recovery Speed, and Prognosis of Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection Compared with Traditional Sun's Operation.

Objective: The objective is to explore the surgical index, postoperative complications, recovery speed, and prognosis of Stanford type A aortic dissection (AD) compared with traditional 'Sun's operation. Methods: One hundred patients with Stanford type A AD treated from February 2018 to February 2021 were enrolled in our hospital. Patients were randomly divided into control and research group. The former group underwent traditional Sun's surgery, and the latter group underwent combined debranching surgery. The general data, surgical indexes, total amount of blood transfusion, renal function 72 hours after operation, postoperative indexes during hospitalization, and follow-up results after discharge were compared between the two groups. Results: The CPB time, ACC time, operation time, and postoperative total drainage volume of the study group were all lower than those of the control group, and the intraoperative urine volume of the study group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The total amount of RBC infused in the study group was higher than that in the control group, while the total amount of PLT, cryoprecipitate, and plasma infusion in the study group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). At 72 hours after operation, BUN, Scr, and UA in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The number of the secondary intubation, hemodialysis, neurological complications, and deaths in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both Sun's operation and branch removal are more effective treatment methods, and the two different surgical methods have different indications, advantages, and disadvantages, so different surgical methods can be chosen according to different conditions for Stanford AD. The possible postoperative complications should be comprehensively analyzed in the clinical work in order to reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications and improve the cure rate.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone regulates glycolipid metabolism in the jejunum via inhibiting AMPK phosphorylation of weaned pigs.

Maintenance of intestinal metabolic function is important for optimal growth performance in post-weaning pigs. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on maintaining intestinal glycolipid metabolism in weaned pigs. Seventy-two Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred pigs were divided into two groups: pigs fed a basal diet (CTRL group) and pigs fed a basal diet supplemented with 3.0 mg kg-1 PQQ (PQQ group). On d 14, serum was harvested from six pigs per group and the pigs were slaughtered to sample jejunal tissue. Compared with the CTRL group, pigs in the PQQ group had increased average daily gain (P < 0.05), decreased feed : gain (P < 0.05) and tended to have a reduced diarrhea ratio (P = 0.057). Jejunal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio were increased, and the crypt depth was decreased in the PQQ group (P < 0.01). The proteomics results showed that PQQ supplementation acted on three metabolic pathways, type I diabetes mellitus, the pancreatic secretion pathway and immune-related signalling. Compared with the CTRL group, PQQ supplementation increased (P < 0.05) serum insulin and jejunal mucosal pyruvate, triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the pigs. Jejunal mucosal lactic dehydrogenase and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the pigs were decreased by PQQ supplementation (P < 0.05). In addition, PQQ supplementation reduced glucose transporter 5 and phosphorylated-AMP-activated protein kinase expression in the jejunal mucosa of the pigs (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with PQQ improved the growth performance and jejunal morphology and regulated glycolipid metabolism via inhibiting AMPK phosphorylation in weaned pigs.

Triggers for the Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway and Its Nutritional Regulation: Potential Therapeutic Applications of Ulcerative Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC), which affects millions of people worldwide, is characterized by extensive colonic injury involving mucosal and submucosal layers of the colon. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a critical role in cellular protection against oxidant-induced stress. Antioxidant response element (ARE) is the binding site recognized by Nrf2 and leads to the expression of phase II detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant proteins. The Nrf2/ARE system is a key factor for preventing and resolving tissue injury and inflammation in disease conditions such as UC. Researchers have proposed that both Keap1-dependent and Keap1-independent cascades contribute positive effects on activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge on mechanisms controlling the activation process. We will further review nutritional compounds that can modulate activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway and may be used as potential therapeutic application of UC. These comprehensive data will help us to better understand the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and promote its effective application in response to common diseases induced by oxidative stress and inflammation.

Rumen Bacterial Community of Grazing Lactating Yaks (Poephagus grunniens) Supplemented with Concentrate Feed and/or Rumen-Protected Lysine and Methionine.

Traditionally, yaks graze only natural pasture all year round without supplements. Forage intake of lactating yaks is below energy and protein requirements, even in the summer, and suckling yaks lose a substantial amount of significant body weight. Today, to mitigate the loss in body weight, supplementary feed is being offered to lactating yaks. However, the effects of supplementary feed on ruminal bacterial communities in lactating yaks is unknown. In the current study, we examined the effect of supplementary feed on ruminal microbiota, using 16S rRNA sequencing, and on volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Twenty-four lactating yaks of similar body weight (218 ± 19.5 kg) and grazing natural pasture were divided randomly into four groups and received different supplements: (1) rumen-protected amino acids (RPA); (2) concentrate feed (C); (3) RPA plus C (RPA+C); and (4) no supplements (control-CON). The concentrations of total VFAs, acetate, and butyrate were greater (p < 0.05) when supplemented with concentrate feed (C and RPA+C) than without concentrate feed (CON and RPA). Bacteroidetes (B) and Firmicutes (F) were the dominant ruminal bacterial phyla in all groups. The ratio of relative abundance of F:B in RPA+C was greater than in the RPA group, while there was no difference between CON and RPC (interaction, p = 0.026). At the genus level, the relative abundances of Absconditabacteriales_SR1, Bacteroidales-RF16-group, Bacteroidales_BS11_gut_group, Prevotellaceae, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group were lesser (p < 0.05) with supplementary concentrate feed (C and RPA+C) than without concentrate feed (CON and RPA), whereas Butyrivibrio_2 and Pseudobutyrivibrio were greater (p < 0.05) with supplementary rumen-protected amino acids (RPA and RPA+C) than without rumen-protected amino acids (CON and C). These results demonstrate that supplementary feed: (1) alters the composition of rumen microbiota and concentrations of ruminal VFAs in lactating yaks; and (2) can be used to manipulate the composition of rumen microbiota.

Effect of the level and source of supplementary dietary zinc on egg production, quality, and zinc content and on serum antioxidant parameters and zinc concentration in laying hens.

Zinc is vital for proper functioning of an animal. Two sources of zinc are commonly supplemented in animal feed, organic and inorganic zinc, and there are reports that the former is absorbed to a greater extent than the latter. We hypothesized that supplementary zinc would increase zinc content in eggs of laying hens and that organic zinc would be more effective than inorganic zinc. To test these hypotheses, we examined the effect of levels and sources of supplemental dietary zinc on average daily feed intake (ADFI), egg production, and zinc content in eggs and on serum antioxidant capacity and zinc concentration in laying hens. A total of 720 Roman laying hens (21-week-old) were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups with 6 replicates, with 24 hens in each replicate. Two sources of zinc, organic (zinc amino acid complex) and inorganic (zinc sulfate), each with 2 levels, low (35 mg/kg) and high (70 mg/kg), comprised 4 treatment groups, and a control group without supplementary zinc was the fifth group. Seven days were allowed for adjustment to the conditions, and then measurements were taken over 42 D. There was no difference in ADFI, average egg weight (EW), ADFI-to-EW ratio, and egg quality (P > 0.05) among the 5 treatment groups; supplemental zinc increased serum concentrations of Zn2+ and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and tended to increase superoxide dismutase content (P = 0.065). Zinc content in eggs increased linearly with supplementary organic zinc (N = 18, R2 = 0.363, P = 0.008) and with supplementary inorganic zinc (N = 18, R2 = 0.366, P = 0.008) treatment, but there was no difference between the source treatments of zinc. Therefore, our first hypothesis was supported, but our second one was not supported. We concluded that zinc supplementation is effective in enhancing zinc content in eggs and in improving antioxidant capacity in laying hens.

Effect of Selenium Source and Level on Performance, Egg Quality, Egg Selenium Content, and Serum Biochemical Parameters in Laying Hens.

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of sodium selenite (SS) and selenium yeast (SY) on performance, egg quality, and selenium concentration in eggs and serum biochemical indices in laying hens. Seven hundred twenty healthy Roman laying hens (21 weeks old, 18 weeks in lay) with a similar laying rate (90.27% ± 1.05%) were randomly divided into 5 groups with 6 replicates of 24 hens each. Five diets were prepared as a 1+2×2 factorial arrangement with control and two sources of Se at two levels. Control diet (control) was prepared without adding exogenous selenium (analyzed basal Se content of 0.178 mg/kg). The other four diets were prepared with the control diet supplemented with SY or SS at 0.3 mg/kg (low; L) or 0.5 mg/kg (high; H) to give 5 diets designated as control, SY-L, SY-H, SS-L, and SS-H. The analyzed selenium content in the SY-L, SY-H, SS-L, and SS-H diets were 0.362, 0.572, 0.323, and 0.533 mg/kg respectively. The pre-trial period lasted 7 d, and the experimental period lasted 56 d (30 weeks old), during which the egg production, egg quality, and hen serum parameters were measured. Results showed that selenium source and level had no effect (P > 0.05) on average daily egg weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, the laying rate was different at the L and H levels of supplementation, regardless of source, such that hens that were supplemented had a higher performance than that of the control, and the H level of supplementation lead to a higher laying rate than that of the L level (P < 0.05). There was a difference in average daily feed intake (ADFI) with an interaction in selenium source and level (P < 0.05), such that SS-L was higher than other selenium supplemented treatment or control. There were no significant differences in egg quality (P > 0.05); at the high level, SY had higher egg yolk selenium compared with SS. However, within SY, adding 0.5 mg/kg selenium led to higher egg yolk selenium than 0.3 mg/kg selenium (P < 0.05). Moreover, adding 0.3 mg/kg SY, 0.3 mg/kg, or 0.5 mg/kg SS to the basal diet had no significant effect on the selenium content in the egg (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in serum biochemical indices among the five groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, adding a high level of selenium in the diet of laying hens significantly increased egg production, and addition of a high level of selenium in the form of SY led to a higher deposition of selenium in the yolk than that of SS. These results indicate that adding 0.5 mg/kg of SY in the diet of laying hens would result in Se-enriched eggs.

Improved Production of Arachidonic Acid by Combined Pathway Engineering and Synthetic Enzyme Fusion in Yarrowia lipolytica.

Arachidonic acid (ARA, C20:4) is a typical ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid with special functions. Using Yarrowia lipolytica as an unconventional chassis, we previously showed the performance of the Δ-6 pathway in ARA production. However, a significant increase in the Δ-9 pathway has rarely been reported. Herein, the Δ-9 pathway from Isochrysis galbana was constructed via pathway engineering, allowing us to synthesize ARA at 91.5 mg L-1. To further improve the ARA titer, novel enzyme fusions of Δ-9 elongase and Δ-8 desaturase were redesigned in special combinations containing different linkers. Finally, with the integrated pathway engineering and synthetic enzyme fusion, a 29% increase in the ARA titer, up to 118.1 mg/L, was achieved using the reconstructed strain RH-4 that harbors the rigid linker (GGGGS). The results show that the combined pathway and protein engineering can significantly facilitate applications of Y. lipolytica.

Net energy content of five fiber-rich ingredients fed to pregnant sows.

The present study was conducted to determine the net energy (NE) values and energy efficiency of wheat bran (WB), sugar beet pulp (SBP), corn gluten feed (CGF), soybean hulls (SBH), and defatted rice bran (DFRB) fed to pregnant sows. Thirty-six multiparous pregnant sows were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments with six replicates per treatment. Each period lasted for 21 days including 14 days for adaptation. On day 15, sows were moved into respiration chambers for heat production (HP) measurement and provided feed at 544 kJ/kg BW0.75 /day. On day 20, sows were fasted to measure the fasting heat production (FHP). Experimental diets included corn-soybean meal basal diet and five diets containing 29.20% WB, SBP, CGF, SBH, and DFRB, respectively. Results showed that inclusion of WB, SBP, CGF, SBH, and DFRB to basal diet decreased (p < 0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility of energy and nutrients. The average adjusted total HP and FHP were 418 kJ/kg BW0.75 /day and 326 kJ/kg BW0.75 /day, respectively. The average NE:ME ratio of experiment diets was 82.5%. In conclusion, the NE values of WB, SBP, CGF, SBH, and DFRB were 9.05, 8.59, 8.37, 7.64, and 7.93 MJ/kg DM, respectively.

Effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone supplementation on growth performance and small intestine characteristics in weaned pigs.

This study was conducted to explore the effect of graded levels of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium (PQQ·Na2) on the performance and intestinal development of weaned pigs. A total of 216 pigs weaned at 28 d were assigned in a randomized complete block design to 6 diets containing 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, or 7.5 mg/kg PQQ·Na2 for 28 d. Performance, diarrhea incidence, intestinal morphology, redox status, cytokines, and the expression of tight junction proteins were determined. Pigs had increased ADG (linear, P < 0.01), G:F (quadratic, P < 0.01), and lower diarrhea incidence (P < 0.01) with the increase of PQQ·Na2 supplementation. Villus height increased (quadratic, P < 0.01) in all segments of the small intestine, and crypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum was decreased (linear, P < 0.05) in pigs with the increase of PQQ·Na2 supplementation. Pigs fed PQQ·Na2-supplemented diets had higher (P < 0.05) activities of antioxidant enzymes including total superoxide dismutase in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in jejunum and ileum; catalase (CAT) in duodenum and ileum; and lower (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde concentrations in the intestinal mucosa of all segments. In the intestinal mucosa, cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, and interferon-γ were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed PQQ·Na2-supplemented diets. The protein expression of zonula occluden protein-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in the jejunum was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed diets containing PQQ·Na2. In conclusion, these results have indicated that dietary PQQ·Na2 supplementation improves growth performance and gut health in weaned pigs. Moreover, pigs fed diet with as low as 1.5-mg/kg PQQ·Na2 have better performance compared with pigs fed no PQQ·Na2-supplemented diet; pigs fed diet with 4.5-mg/kg PQQ·Na2 have highest G:F among treatments during the whole period.

Identification of Potent Ebola Virus Entry Inhibitors with Suitable Properties for in Vivo Studies.

Previous studies identified an adamantane dipeptide piperazine 3.47 that inhibits Ebola virus (EBOV) infection by targeting the essential receptor Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). The physicochemical properties of 3.47 limit its potential for testing in vivo. Optimization by improving potency, reducing hydrophobicity, and replacing labile moieties identified 3.47 derivatives with improved in vitro ADME properties that are also highly active against EBOV infection, including when tested in the presence of 50% normal human serum (NHS). In addition, 3A4 was identified as the major cytochrome P450 isoform that metabolizes these compounds, and accordingly, mouse microsome stability was significantly improved when tested in the presence of the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir that is approved for clinical use as a booster of anti-HIV drugs. Oral administration of the EBOV inhibitors with ritonavir resulted in a pharmacokinetic profile that supports a b.i.d. dosing regimen for efficacy studies in mice.

Synergistic immunoreaction of acupuncture-like dissolving microneedles containing thymopentin at acupoints in immune-suppressed rats.

Dissolving microneedles carried drug molecules can effectively penetrate the stratum corneum of skin to improve the transdermal drug delivery. The traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture is based on the needle stimulation at a specific location (acupoint) to generate and transmit biochemical and physiological signals which alter the pathophysiological state of patients. However, the pain associated with conventional acupuncture needles and the requirement of highly trained professionals limit the development of acupuncture in non-Asian countries. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the dissolving microneedles can be utilized as a self-administered painless replacement for acupuncture and locally released drug molecules can achieve expected therapeutic outcomes. Immunosuppressive rats were treated with acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint using microneedles containing thymopentin. The immune functions and psychological mood of the immunosuppressed animals were examined. The proliferation of splenocytes was examined by CCK-8 assay. CD4 and CD8 expression patterns in spleen cells were detected by flow cytometry. The current study showed that use of either microneedles containing thymopentin or conventional acupuncture both resulted in immune cell proliferation, which was confirmed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, either conventional acupuncture or microneedles were able to effectively mitigate the anxiety caused by immune-suppression when applied on the ST36.

Determination of net energy content of dietary lipids fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the NE content of different dietary lipids fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry. Thirty-six growing (initial BW: 41.1 ± 3.1 kg) barrows were allotted to 6 diets based on completely randomized design with 6 replicate pigs per diet. Diets included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 5 test diets each containing 10% palm oil, poultry fat, fish oil, corn oil, or flaxseed oil at the expense of corn and soybean meal. During each period, pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 14 d, which included 7 d for adaptation to feed, metabolism crates, and environmental conditions. On day 8, pigs were transferred to the open-circuit respiration chambers and fed 1 of the 6 diets at 2.3 MJ ME/kg BW0.6/day. Total feces and urine were collected and daily heat production (HP) was also calculated from day 9 to day 13. On the last day of each period (day 14), pigs were fasted and the fasting heat production (FHP) was measured. The results show that the FHP of pigs averaged 809 kJ/kg BW0.6·day-1 and was not affected by diet characteristics. The DE values were 35.98, 36.84, 37.11, 38.95, and 38.38 MJ/kg DM, the ME values were 35.79, 36.56, 36.92, 37.73, and 38.11 MJ/kg DM, and the NE values were 32.42, 33.21, 33.77, 34.00, and 34.12 MJ/kg DM, for the palm oil, poultry fat, fish oil, corn oil, and flaxseed oil, respectively. Based on our result, we concluded that the DE content of dietary lipid varied from 91% to 98% of its GE content, the ME content of dietary lipid was approximately 99% of its DE content, and the NE content of dietary lipid was approximately 90% of its ME content in growing pigs.

Determination of net energy content of soybean oil fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry.

The objectives of this experiment were: (i) to determine the net energy (NE) of soybean oil (SBO) fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry (IC); and (ii) to evaluate the effects of inclusion rate of SBO on heat production, oxidative status and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs. Eighteen growing barrows were allotted to three diets based on completely randomized design with six replicate pigs (period) per diet. Diets included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and two test diets containing 5% or 10% SBO at the expense of corn and soybean meal. During each period, pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 14 days, including 7 days to adapt to feed, metabolism crate and environmental conditions. On day 8, pigs were transferred to the open-circuit respiration chambers for measurement of daily O2 consumption and CO2 and CH4 production. During this time, pigs were fed one of the three diets at 2.4 MJ metabolizable energy/kg body weight (BW)0.6 /day. Total feces and urine were collected and daily total heat production (THP) was measured from days 9 to 13 and fasted on day 14 to evaluate their fasting heat production (FHP). The results show that trends of decreased apparent total tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (linear, P = 0.09) and acid detergent fiber (linear, P = 0.07) were observed as the content of dietary lipids increased. The average THP for the three diets were 1326, 1208 and 1193 kJ/kg BW0.6 /day, respectively. The FHP of pigs averaged 843 kJ/kg BW0.6 /day and was not affected by diet characteristics. A reduction of the respiratory quotients in the fed state as the inclusion level of SBO increased was observed. In conclusion, the NE values of SBO we determined by indirect calorimetry were 33.45 and 34.05 MJ/kg dry matter under two inclusion levels. THP could be largely reduced when SBO is added in the feed, but the THP of SBO included at 5% in a corn-soybean meal diet is not different from the THP of SBO included at 10%.

Design and analysis of linear fault-tolerant permanent-magnet vernier machines.

This paper proposes a new linear fault-tolerant permanent-magnet (PM) vernier (LFTPMV) machine, which can offer high thrust by using the magnetic gear effect. Both PMs and windings of the proposed machine are on short mover, while the long stator is only manufactured from iron. Hence, the proposed machine is very suitable for long stroke system applications. The key of this machine is that the magnetizer splits the two movers with modular and complementary structures. Hence, the proposed machine offers improved symmetrical and sinusoidal back electromotive force waveform and reduced detent force. Furthermore, owing to the complementary structure, the proposed machine possesses favorable fault-tolerant capability, namely, independent phases. In particular, differing from the existing fault-tolerant machines, the proposed machine offers fault tolerance without sacrificing thrust density. This is because neither fault-tolerant teeth nor the flux-barriers are adopted. The electromagnetic characteristics of the proposed machine are analyzed using the time-stepping finite-element method, which verifies the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.

Rare earth elements recycling from waste phosphor by dual hydrochloric acid dissolution.

This paper is a comparative study of recycling rare earth elements from waste phosphor, which focuses on the leaching rate and the technical principle. The traditional and dual dissolution by hydrochloric acid (DHA) methods were compared. The method of dual dissolution by hydrochloric acid has been developed. The Red rare earth phosphor (Y0.95Eu0.05)2O3 in waste phosphor is dissolved during the first step of acid leaching, while the Green phosphor (Ce0.67Tb0.33MgAl11O19) and the Blue phosphor (Ba0.9Eu0.1MgAl10O17) mixed with caustic soda are obtained by alkali sintering. The excess caustic soda and NaAlO2 are removed by washing. The insoluble matter is leached by the hydrochloric acid, followed by solvent extraction and precipitation (the DHA method). In comparison, the total leaching rate of the rare earth elements was 94.6% by DHA, which is much higher than 42.08% achieved by the traditional method. The leaching rate of Y, Eu, Ce and Tb reached 94.6%, 99.05%, 71.45%, and 76.22%, respectively. DHA can decrease the consumption of chemicals and energy. The suggested DHA method is feasible for industrial applications.