Effects of rumen-encapsulated methionine and lysine supplementation and low dietary protein on nitrogen efficiency and lactation performance of dairy cows.

Low crude protein (CP) diets might be fed to dairy cows without affecting productivity if the balance of absorbed AA were improved, which would decrease the environmental effect of dairy farms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing ruminally protected Lys (RPL) and Met (RPM) at 2 levels of dietary CP on nutrient intake, milk production, milk composition, milk N efficiency (MNE), and plasma concentrations of AA in lactating Holstein cows and to evaluate these effects against the predictions of the new NASEM (2021) model. Fifteen multiparous cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 21-d periods. The 3 treatments were (1) a high-protein (HP) basal diet containing 16.4% CP (metabolizable protein [MP] balance of -130 g/d; 95% of target values), (2) a medium-protein diet containing 15% CP plus RPL (60 g/cow per day) and RPM (25 g/cow per day; MPLM; MP balance of -314 g/d; 87% of target values), and (3) a low-protein diet containing 13.6% CP plus RPL (60 g/cow per day) and RPM (25 g/cow per day; LPLM; MP balance of -479 g/d; 80% of target values). Dry matter intake was less for cows fed MPLM and LPLM diets compared with those fed the HP diet. Compared with the HP diet, the intake of CP, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and organic matter, but not starch, was lower for cows fed MPLM and LPLM diets. Milk production and composition were not affected by MPLM or LPLM diets relative to the HP diet. Milk urea N concentrations were reduced for the MPLM and LPLM diets compared with the HP diet, indicating that providing a low-protein diet supplemented with rumen-protected AA led to greater N efficiency. There was no significant effect of treatment on plasma AA concentrations except for proline, which significantly increased for the MPLM treatment compared with the other 2 treatments. Overall, the results supported the concept that milk performance might be maintained when feeding lactating dairy cows with low CP diets if the absorbed AA balance is maintained through RPL and RPM feeding. Further investigations are needed to evaluate responses over a longer time period with consideration of all AA rather than on the more aggregated MP and the ratio between Lys and Met.

Effect of Xianling Gubao capsules on bone mineral density in osteoporosis patients.

This paper aimed to analyze the clinical effects of Xianling Gubao capsules on the bone mineral density (BMD) of 94 patients with osteoporosis. After reviewing and analyzing the clinical information in our hospital from January 2015 to January 2016, the patients were divided into a control group and a treatment group with 47 cases in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with routine Western medicine, while the treatment group received Xianling Gubao capsules. Both groups were treated continuously for 3 courses (30 days each course) and had their BMD analyzed and compared. The effective rates of the treatment group and control group were 91.48% and 70.21%, respectively, with statistical significance (P less than 0.05). Compared with the same group before the treatment, the bone metabolic indexes (blood calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphate) and the BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae (L1-2, L3-4, L2-4) of both groups were all improved with statistical significance (P less than 0.05) after the treatment. The above indexes of the treatment group were all significantly higher than those of the control group, with statistical significance (P less than 0.05). Compared with the same group before treatment (P less than 0.05), the osteocalcin (OC) levels of both groups were increased, and the Cross-linked N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX-1) levels were decreased after the treatment. The OC level in the treatment group was higher when compared with the control group, while the CTX-1 level was lower compared to the control group (P less than 0.05). Moreover, no significant side-effects or adverse events were observed during the treatment and observation period. The Xianling Gubao Capsule possesses a therapeutic effect for BMD in osteoporosis patients, which can effectively increase their BMD, improve their bone metabolism, and control the loss of bone mass, therefore, can be used in clinical promotion and application.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products on dairy calves: Ruminal fermentation, gastrointestinal morphology, and microbial community.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SCFP) in the calf starter and milk on ruminal fermentation, gastrointestinal morphology, and microbial community in the first 56 d of life. Thirty Holstein bull calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: a texturized calf starter containing 0 (CON), 0.5, or 1% SCFP (XPC, Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA) of dry matter from d 4 to 56. In addition, the XPC-supplemented calves were fed with 1 g/d SCFP (SmartCare, Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA) in milk from d 2 to 30. All calves were fed 4 L of colostrum within 1 h of birth and were subsequently fed milk twice daily until weaned on d 56. Rumen fluid was collected by an esophageal tube 4 h after the morning feeding on d 28 and 56 to determine ruminal pH, ammonia-N, and volatile fatty acids concentrations. On d 56, 15 (5 per treatment) calves were harvested and slaughter weight, gastrointestinal morphology parameters, and bacteria community were recorded. Papilla length, width, and surface area were measured from 5 locations within the rumen. Villus height, width, surface area, crypt depth, and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio were measured in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Next-generation sequencing technology was used to test the microbial community of the rumen and duodenum samples on d 28 and 56. Data were analyzed by MIXED procedure in SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) with contrast statements to declare CON versus all SCFP and 0.5 versus 1% SCFP in starter grains. Ruminal pH, ammonia-N, and total volatile fatty acids were not altered by SCFP. However, the supplemented groups exhibited higher ruminal butyrate concentrations coinciding with higher Butyrivibrio and lower Prevotella richness than CON group. Supplementation of SCFP increased papilla length in the rumen. In the small intestine, SCFP reduced crypt depth of jejunum, and increased villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in all segments of the small intestine, especially when supplemented at a higher dosage in the starter. In conclusion, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products improved gastrointestinal morphology, possibly due to increased Butyrivibrio and decreased Prevotella richness of the rumen fluid, which resulted in an increase in butyrate production, and the effect was slightly greater with the higher dosage of SCFP in the starter.

Colostrum quality affects immune system establishment and intestinal development of neonatal calves.

The first meal of a neonatal calf after birth is crucial for survival and health. The present experiment was performed to assess the effects of colostrum quality on IgG passive transfer, immune and antioxidant status, and intestinal morphology and histology in neonatal calves. Twenty-eight Holstein neonatal male calves were used in the current study, 24 of which were assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: those that received colostrum (GrC), transitional milk (GrT, which was obtained after the first milking on 2-3 d after calving), and bulk tank milk (GrB) only at birth. The 4 extra neonatal calves who were not fed any milk were assigned to the control group and were killed immediately after birth to be a negative control to small intestinal morphology and histology detection. Calves in GrC gained more body weight than in GrT, whereas GrB calves lost 0.4 kg compared with the birth weight. Serum total protein, IgG, and superoxide dismutase concentrations were highest in GrC, GrT was intermediate, whereas GrB was the lowest on d 2, 3, and 7. Apparent efficiency of absorption at 48 h, serum complement 3 (C3), and complement 4 (C4) on d 2, 3, and 7 in GrB was low compared with GrC and GrT. On the contrary, malondialdehyde on d 7 increased in GrB. Calves in GrC had better villus length and width, crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth (V/C) value, and mucosal thickness in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, whereas GrT calves had lower villus length and width, crypt depth, and mucosal thickness than those fed colostrum. Villi of calves in GrB were nonuniform, sparse, severely atrophied, and apically abscised, and Peyer's patches and hydroncus were detected. Overall, colostrum is the best source for calves in IgG absorption, antioxidant activities, and serum growth metabolites, and promoting intestinal development. The higher quality of colostrum calves ingested, the faster immune defense mechanism and the more healthy intestinal circumstances they established.

Nano-structural bioactive gradient coating fabricated by computer controlled plasma-spraying technology.

The poor mechanical property of hydroxyapatite was the major problem for load bearing and implant coating in clinical applications. To overcome this weakness, a bioactive gradient coating with a special design composition of hydroxyapatite (HA), ZrO2, Ti, bioglass was developed. This 120 microm coating with an upper layer of 30-50 microm porous HA produced by computer controlled plasma spraying which maintained energy level of the plasma which ensure proper melting of powder. The crystal size of the coating was 18.6-26.2 nm. Transformation of t-ZrO2 to m-ZrO2 reduced the thermal stress that weakened the coating and lowered down interfacial strength of the coating and metal substrate. Thermal stress of sprayed coating was 16.4 MPa which was much smaller than the sample without thermal treatment of 67.1 MPa. Interfacial strength between the coating and metal substrate was 53 MPa which is much higher than conventional Hydroxyapatite coating. Based on XRD analysis crystallinity of HA approached 98%. Therefore, high temperature treatment improved long term stability of the coating through improved crystallinity of hydroxyapatite and reduced other impure calcium phosphate phase.

Case study on nitrogen and phosphorus emissions from paddy field in Taihu region.

The agricultural non-point source pollution by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loss from typical paddy soil (whitish soil, Bai Tu in Chinese) in the Taihu Lake region was investigated through a case study. Results shown that the net load of nutrients from white soil is 34.1 kg ha(-1) for total nitrogen (TN), distributed as 19.4 kg ha(-1), in the rice season and 14.7 kg ha(-1) in the wheat season, and for total phosphorus (TP) 1.75 kg ha(-1), distributed as 1.16 kg ha(-1) in the rice season and 0.58 kg ha(-1) in the wheat season. The major chemical species of N loss is different in the two seasons. NH4-N is main the form in the rice season (53% of TN). NO3-N is the main form in wheat season (46% of TN). Particle-P is the main form in both seasons, (about 56% of TP). The nutrient loss varied with time of the year. The main loss of nutrients happened in the 10 days after planting, 64% of TN and 42% of TP loss, respectively. Rainfall and fertilizer application are the key factors which influence nitrogen and phosphorus loss from arable land, especially rainfall events shortly after fertilizer application. So it is very important to improve the field management of the nutrients and water during the early days of planting.

Effects of growth hormone (rhGH) and glutamine supplemented parenteral nutrition on intestinal adaptation in short bowel rats.

This study was performed to compare the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), glutamine (Gln) and simultaneous treatment with rhGH and Gln in rats subjected to 75% intestinal resection and maintained with parenteral nutrition (PN) for 6 days. Morphological changes including mucosal thickness, villus height, crypt depths and villus surface area of the residue jejunum were measured under a light microscope; expression of PCNA as an index of cell proliferation and apoptotic cells were observed using immunohistochemical staining; Ileal IGF-1 mRNA was determined by Northern blot analysis. The morphological parameters of the jejunal mucosa in rats treated with PN alone were only about 52-62% of those in reference group (P<0.01), this atrophy of the jejunal mucosa was accompanied by a 2.5-fold decrease in absolute counts of PCNA and a 10-fold increase in apoptotic index (P<0.01), IGF-1 mRNA transcript in residue ileum was decreased significantly (P<0.01). However, with rhGH or Gln, the mucosal architecture was improved significantly and was further improved when rhGH and Gln were given together, the morphological values in rats treated with Gln+rhGH was 79% higher than those with PN alone, and was associated with a 2-fold increase in PCNA counts and a 4-fold decrease in apoptotic index (P<0.01), IGF-1 mRNA expression was 78% higher than those with PN alone (P<0.01). We conclude that rhGH and Gln have synergistic effects on adaptation of the intestinal remnant in parenterally fed, short-bowel rats. The underlying mechanisms are associated with increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis in the intestinal epithelial cells. Local intestinal production of IGF-1 plays an important role in adaptation of the small intestine. Our findings support the concept that specific gut-trophic nutrients and growth factors may be combined to enhance the intestinal adaptation.

Modulation of postoperative immune and inflammatory response by immune-enhancing enteral diet in gastrointestinal cancer patients.

AIM: To evaluate if the administration of an enteral diet supplemented with glutamine, arginine and omega-3-fatty acids modulates inflammatory and immune responses after surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomized double-blind, clinical trial was performed. Forty-eight patients with gastrointestinal cancer were randomized into two groups, one group was given an isocaloric and isonitrogenous standard diet and the other was fed with the supplemented diet with glutamine, arginine and omega-3-fatty acids. Feedings were started within 48 hours after operation, and continued until day 8. All variables were measured before operation and on postoperative day 1 and 8. Immune responses were determined by phagocytosis ability, respiratory burst of polymorphonuclear cells, total lymphocytes lymphocyte subsets, nitric oxide, cytokines concentration, and inflammatory responses by plasma levels of C-reactive protein, prostaglandin E2 level. RESULTS: Tolerance of both formula diets was excellent. There were significant differences in the immunological and inflammatory responses between the two groups. In supplemented group, phagocytosis and respiratory burst after surgery was higher and C-reactive protein level was lower (P<0.01) than in the standard group. The supplemented group had higher levels of nitric oxide, total lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, T-helper cells, and NK cells. Postoperative levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were lower in the supplemented group (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: It was clearly established in this trial that early postoperative enteral feeding is safe in patients who have undergone major operations for gastrointestinal cancer. Supplementation of enteral nutrition with glutamine, arginine, and omega-3-fatty acids positively modulated postsurgical immunosuppressive and inflammatory responses.

[Preliminary investigation on the pathogeny, diagnosis and treatment of chondromalacia patella].

This paper presents the preliminary investigation on chondromalacia patella at our department in recent years. A random cluster sampling survey covering 2743 normal persons was carried out. The prevalence rate is 36.2%. It was found that, applying transmission electron microscope and immunohistochemical methods on to cartilage tissues of the abnormal region, articular cartilage necrosis was in direct proportion with the abnormal pressure, while the restoration capability of local chondrocytes was in inverse proportion with pathological changes and the pressure. The chondromalacia patella was produced by repeated abnormal stress acting on the cartilage. The stress derived from the uncongruency and the decreasing in the contact area of patellofemoral joint when the subluxation or tilt of patellae was caused by the abnormal anatomical and biomechanical relationship. The initial lesion was at the matrix of cartilage, the collagen network was disrupted, then proteoglycan was lost. The microenvironment of chondrocytes was changed with degradation of matrix. So the chondrocytes became degenerative and necrosis from superficial to deep layer, then feed back the matrix again. Finally, the total cartilage layer might disappear, and the bone under cartilage might proliferate. At late stage, the cartilage was completely destroyed and had no self-restorative ability. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are necessary. It is highly suggested axis radiograph of the knee with the tibiae tuberositas localization are helpful to early diagnosis. Furthermore, JKY-Muscle Rehabilitation Instrument is invented for non-operative therapy. It enhances muscle power by selective training of the vastus medialis muscle using electrical stimulator to relieve pain and correct subluxation of patella with 90% efficiency (63% of excellent-effective rate). In late stage, patellofemoral replacement is recommended. The excellent-effective rate is 86.3%.

Long-term animal feeding trial of the refined konjac meal. I. Effects of the refined konjac meal on the calcium and phosphorus metabolism and the bone in rat.

Effects of refined konjac meal (RKM) on the calcium and phosphorus metabolism and bone parameters were observed in rats of both sexes fed with food containing 1% of RKM for 18 months. A comparable group of rats fed on basic diet only was used as a control. Results obtained indicate that all the measured parameters (serum calcium and phosphorus level, femur weight and its calcium and phosphorus content, and the osteometry of the tibia) showed no significant difference between the experimental and the control groups. Thus there is no adverse effect either on the calcium and phosphorus metabolism or on the bone after a long-term intake at a moderate dosage.

Quantitation of Fc gamma RII mRNA in platelets and megakaryoblastic cell lines by a new method of in situ hybridization.

We have developed a highly sensitive and quantitative, non-isotopic method of in situ hybridization in which the level of probe binding to intracellular mRNA is determined using an ELISA based detection method. Highly purified cell preparations or cells from a cultured cell line are centrifuged into 96 well microtiter plates. The cells are fixed with formalin and pre-treated with Triton X-100 and Nonidet P40 before photobiotin labeled cDNA probes are applied. The biotin from the hybridization is detected using multiple applications of streptavidin and biotinylated alkaline phosphatase and then visualized by the p-NPP (p-nitrophenyl phosphate) conversion method. We have determined a number of the optimal parameters in the procedure including the effects of cell numbers per well, development times and standardization of data using ubiquitous beta-actin mRNA and poly-A+ RNA expression as controls. We have used the technique to study the level of expression of FcgR mRNA in platelets and precursors. We found that platelets and megakaryoblastic cell lines only express mRNA for Fc gamma RII. The presence of the Fc gamma RII molecules was confirmed by complementary studies using immunohistochemistry with specific monoclonal antibodies IV.3 and KB61.

Normal gestation after 5 years on home parenteral nutrition.

A case of normal gestation after 5 years on HPN is reported. The patient had her entire jejunum and ileum and right colon resected because of gangrene and has subsisted normally on HPN ever since. From the second trimester on, her HPN formula was supplemented to meet the requirement for growth and development of the foetus. Anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, low plasma zinc levels and jaundice became manifest in the final trimester. These responded readily to readjustment of her HPN formula. A normal baby weighing 2020 g was delivered by Caesarean section at 36 weeks. Long-term HPN, final trimester abnormalities and HPN formula adjustments are discussed.

[Structural determination of ningpeisinoside isolated from Fritillaria ningguoensis S.C. Chen et S.F. Yin].

A new steroidal alkaloidal glucoside, C34H57NO7, mp 284-286 degrees C, named ningpeisinoside, was isolated from the bulb of Fritillaria ningguoensis S.C. Chen et S.F. Yin. Based on preparation of derivatives and IR, MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR spectral studies, the structure of ningpeisinoside has been established as N-methyl-5 alpha-veratranine-6-oxo-3 beta-O-beta-D-glucoside(I).