[Effect of growth hormone supplementation on liver and lung function in patients with hypopituitarism].

To analyze the clinical features of patients with anterior hypopituitarism (HP) complicated with cirrhosis, and to explore the effects of growth hormone supplementation on liver and lung function. A total of 11 patients with HP complicated with cirrhosis admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2016 to December 2022 were included in the study, including 8 males and 3 females, aged [M(Q1, Q3)]31 (20, 37) years. There were 6 patients with pituitary stalk interruption syndrome, 4 patients after craniopharyngioma resection, and 1 patient after germinal cell tumor chemoradiotherapy. Cirrhosis appeared at [M(Q1, Q3)]7 (1, 16) years after the diagnosis of HP. There were 7 cases complicated with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). The liver and lung function of 5 patients were improved significantly after the addition of growth hormone, and the arterial partial pressure of oxygen increased from (47±11) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (84±12) mmHg. Timely supplementation of growth hormone can improve the symptoms of fatty liver, cirrhosis and HPS, and postpone or even avoid the transplantation of liver and other organs.

[Reflexology in patient rehabilitation with postoperative pain. (Literature review)]. / Refleksoterapiya v reabilitatsii patsientov s posleoperatsionnoi bol'yu. (Obzor literatury).

Postoperative pain is a pressing medical problem, as it significantly reduces the quality of life of patients after surgical treatment. Chronic postoperative pain further disables patients and impairs their functional activity. Being a widespread interdisciplinary problem, postoperative pain requires the integration of various pain management methods in complex multimodal pain management in the acute period and treatment programs for its chronicity. The paper examines the possibilities of reflexology methods for the relief of acute and treatment of chronic postoperative pain. Integration of reflex effects from the first days after surgery makes it possible to more effectively and safely solve the problems of acute and chronic postoperative pain.

[Correlation between Helicobacter pylori enrichment and clinical and pathological characteristics of colorectal adenoma].

Objective: Aim to observe the enrichment of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in adenoma tissue of patients with colorectal adenoma and analyze its effect on the clinical and pathological characteristics of colorectal adenoma. Methods: The data of 1 622 cases of gastroenteroscopy in the Endoscopy Center of Wenzhou Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to June 2021 were collected retrospectively. The general data, gastric HP infection, clinical and pathological features, HP methyl blue special staining, HP immunohistochemical staining and toll-like receptor5(TLR5) protein immunofluorescence of colorectal adenomas were compared between the colorectal adenoma group (743 cases) and the control group (879 cases). Results: There were 743 cases in the colorectal adenoma group, aged (54.5±12.3) years, and 56.0% were male. There were 879 cases in the control group, aged (55.6±12.1), and 58.4% were male. Gastric Hp was positive in 361 cases in the colorectal adenoma group with a positive rate of 48.6% and in 331 cases in the control group with a positive rate of 37.7%. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Gastric HP infection significantly increased the risk of Hp enrichment in colorectal adenomas (OR=28.590;95%CI:18.554-44.055; P<0.001). At the same time, Hp enrichment in colorectal adenomas was the promoting factor of positive events in adenoma diameter, pathological adenoma type, and adenoma malignancy (RR=0.804,3.163,3.089,2.463, P<0.001). It was also found that the expression of TLR5 protein was increased in HP-enriched adenomas. Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between gastric HP infection and intestinal HP enrichment. The effect of intestinal HP enrichment on the clinical and pathological characteristics of colorectal adenoma is statistically significant, and its tumor-promoting effect may be related to the upregulation of mucosal TLR5 protein.

A Dual-Function Antibiotic-Transporter Conjugate Exhibits Superior Activity in Sterilizing MRSA Biofilms and Killing Persister Cells.

New strategies are urgently needed to target MRSA, a major global health problem and the leading cause of mortality from antibiotic-resistant infections in many countries. Here, we report a general approach to this problem exemplified by the design and synthesis of a vancomycin-d-octaarginine conjugate (V-r8) and investigation of its efficacy in addressing antibiotic-insensitive bacterial populations. V-r8 eradicated MRSA biofilm and persister cells in vitro, outperforming vancomycin by orders of magnitude. It also eliminated 97% of biofilm-associated MRSA in a murine wound infection model and displayed no acute dermal toxicity. This new dual-function conjugate displays enhanced cellular accumulation and membrane perturbation as compared to vancomycin. Based on its rapid and potent activity against biofilm and persister cells, V-r8 is a promising agent against clinical MRSA infections.

Oral administration of short chain fatty acids could attenuate fat deposition of pigs.

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the main products of indigestible carbohydrates that are fermented by microbiota in the hindgut. This study was designed to investigate the effects of oral SCFAs administration on the lipid metabolism of weaned pigs. A total of 21 barrows were randomly allocated into three groups, including control group (orally infused with 200 mL physiological saline per day), low dose SCFAs group (orally infused with 200 mL SCFAs containing acetic acid 20.04 mM, propionic acid 7.71 mM and butyric acid 4.89 mM per day), and high dose SCFAs group (orally infused with 200 mL SCFAs containing acetic acid 40.08 mM, propionic acid 15.42 mM and butyric acid 9.78 mM per day). The results showed that the average daily feed intake of SCFAs groups were lower than that of control group (P<0.05). Oral administration of SCFAs decreased the concentrations of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and insulin (P<0.05), and increased the leptin concentration in serum (P<0.05). The total fat, as well as TC and TG levels in liver, was decreased by oral SCFAs administration (P<0.05). In addition, SCFAs down-regulated the mRNA expressions of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (P<0.05), and enhanced the mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1α (CPT-1α) in liver (P<0.05). SCFAs also decreased FAS, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor σ mRNA expressions in longissimus dorsi (P<0.05). And in abdominal fat, SCFAs reduced FAS and ACC mRNA expressions (P<0.05), and increased CPT-1α mRNA expression (P<0.05). These results suggested that oral administration of SCFAs could attenuate fat deposition in weaned pigs via reducing lipogenesis and enhancing lipolysis of different tissues.

Evaluation of potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Antrodia cinnamomea powder and the underlying molecular mechanisms via Nrf2- and NF-κB-dominated pathways in broiler chickens.

Antrodia cinnamomea, a precious and unique medical fungus existing exclusively in Taiwan, exhibits antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of A. cinnamomea powder (ACP) and to further illuminate its underlying antioxidant and immunomodulation molecular mechanisms in broilers. The functional compounds of ACP-crude triterpenoids, crude polysaccharides, and total phenolic content-were assayed, respectively. Two-hundred-forty one-day-old broilers (Ross 308) were assigned to 4 treatment groups receiving dietary supplementation with ACP at 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4% for 35 days. Each group had 4 replicate pens, with 15 birds per pen. During 1 to 21- and 22 to 35-day periods, chickens on ACP-supplemented diet demonstrated increased body weight gain, compared to those on the control diet, resulting in increased weight gain throughout the entire experimental period with an increased tendency in feed consumption yet no significant difference in FCR. Blood antioxidant potentiality, superoxide dismutase (SOD), increased in birds fed the supplemented diet at both 21 and 35 d, accompanied by higher catalase (CAT) activity at 21 days. In vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 2,2΄-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) capability showed that the diminished cell viability caused by both challenge factors was improved in ACP-supplemented groups. Antioxidant genes dominated by Nrf2 genes, such as HO-1 and GCLC, were up-regulated in 35-day-old birds. Inflammatory-related genes, such as IL-1ß and IL-6, ruled mainly by NF-κB, were rather down-regulated by 0.2% ACP addition at 21 and 35 days. Protein expression of Nrf2 and NF-κB in the liver supported the mRNA results, demonstrating that all ACP-supplemented groups showed significantly higher Nrf2 expression, whereas the NF-κB was inhibited. In conclusion, preferable microbial balance may putatively indicate the improvement of immunomodulatory-related capacity by ACP. Furthermore, ACP could induce the Nrf2-dependent pathway and decrease the NF-κB-dominated inflammatory signaling pathway. Antioxidant and immune capacity in terms of antioxidant enzymes and cell tolerance also was elevated by ACP. Concomitantly, body weight increasing with ACP supplementation as compared to the corresponding control group further implied the promising effects exerted by ACP.

[Effect of postoperative precision nutrition therapy on postoperative recovery for advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy].

Objective: To investigate the effect of postoperative precision nutrition therapy on postoperative recovery (PR) of patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC). Methods: 71 subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups. The 34 patients of research group were treated with postoperative precision nutrition treatment according to the indirect energy measurement method. The 31 patients of control group were treated with traditional postoperative nutrition treatment. All participants were measured for body mass index (BMI), NRS2002, PG-SGA and relevant laboratory test within the 1st day before surgery and 7th day after surgery. Moreover, the difference between two groups in short-term effects were evaluated. Results: The daily energy supply of control group was 30.1%-43.74% higher than that of the experimental group (P<0.05). The resting energy expenditure (REE) of the research group after surgery was lower than that before operation. The levels of prealbumin, albumin and lymphocyte count were higher in research group than the controls at the 7th day after surgery whereas the opposite was true for the creatinine, urea nitrogen, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin (P<0.05). Similarly, the rate of malnutrition and nutritional risk became lower in the research group (P<0.05). The gastrointestinal function recovery of patients in the research group was comparable to that of the control group (P>0.05). Moreover, the complication rate and hospitalization costs of in research group were significantly lower than that of in control group (P<0.05). For patients with or without nutritional risks before surgery, the nutritional index and inflammatory index in the research group were better than those in the control group. Conclusion: Postoperative precision nutrition therapy may improve the postoperative nutritional status and short-term effects of patients with AGC after NC.

Effects of fermented soybean meal on carbon and nitrogen metabolisms in large intestine of piglets.

Fermented soybean meal (FSM), which has lower anti-nutritional factors and higher active enzyme, probiotic and oligosaccharide contents than its unfermented form, has been reported to improve the feeding value of soybean meal, and hence, the growth performance of piglets. However, whether FSM can affect the bacterial and metabolites in the large intestine of piglets remains unknown. This study supplemented wet-FSM (WFSM) or dry-FSM (DFSM) (5% dry matter basis) in the diet of piglets and investigated its effects on carbon and nitrogen metabolism in the piglets' large intestines. A total of 75 41-day-old Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire piglets with an initial BW of 13.14±0.22 kg were used in a 4-week feeding trial. Our results showed that the average daily gain of piglets in the WFSM and DFSM groups increased by 27.08% and 14.58% and that the feed conversion ratio improved by 18.18% and 7.27%, respectively, compared with the control group. Data from the prediction gene function of Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) based on 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing showed that carbohydrate metabolism function families in the WFSM and DFSM groups increased by 3.46% and 2.68% and that the amino acid metabolism function families decreased by 1.74% and 0.82%, respectively, compared with the control group. These results were consistent with those of other metabolism studies, which showed that dietary supplementation with WFSM and DFSM increased the level of carbohydrate-related metabolites (e.g. 4-aminobutanoate, 5-aminopentanoate, lactic acid, mannitol, threitol and ß-alanine) and decreased the levels of those related to protein catabolism (e.g. 1,3-diaminopropane, creatine, glycine and inosine). In conclusion, supplementation with the two forms of FSM improved growth performance, increased metabolites of carbohydrate and reduced metabolites of protein in the large intestine of piglets, and WFSM exhibited a stronger effect than DFSM.

[Analysis on the relationship between Occupational Stress Factors and Psychological Stress Reaction among Petrochemical Workers].

Objective: Analyze the detection rates of occupational contraindication and suspected occupational disease from the employee exposure to noise and describe the distribution characteristics. Methods: According to the Technical Specifications for Occupational Health Surveillance (GBZ 188-2014) 、Diagnosis of Occupational Noise-induced Deafness (GBZ 49-2014) and Guideline of Identification of Contraindication to Job Placement (GBZ/T 260-2014) , calculate and analyze the occupational contraindication and suspected occupational disease detection rates of 149 271 workers from January 1st to December 31st in 2015 who were exposed to noise. Analyze the detection rates distribution characteristics between different gender, age, seniority, industry and enterprise scale. Results: The detection rates of occupational contraindication is 2.08%. The suspected occupational disease detection rates of absences workers (2.13%) is higher than during (2.03%) . The occupational contraindication detection rates of< age 20 (2.64%) , 41~50 years old (2.48%) and<1 working years (5.35%) , are higher than others. The detection rates of suspected occupational disease increases with the growth of ages and working years. The occupational contraindication detection rates of scientific research and technology services industry (10.46%) is the highest. The suspected occupational disease detection rates of transportation warehousing and postal services (5.88%) is the highest. The occupational contraindication detection rates of medium-sized enterprise (2.27%) is the highest, meanwhile, the microenterprise's (1.60%) is the lowest. The suspected occupational disease detection rates of large-scale enterprise (3.21%) is the highest, meanwhile, the microenterprise's (1.33%) is the lowest. Conclusion: Enterprise should insist on regular occupational health examination, strengthen screening of occupational contraindication in new workers, especially pre-job workers and detect the occupational disease patients early. Focus on non-traditional noise industries above mentioned, improve intensity of noise hazards prevention and control. The detection rates of occupational contraindication and suspected occupational disease can be used as a reference standard for the quality control of occupational examination and report of medical institutions.

Excess of dietary montmorillonite impairs growth performance, liver function, and antioxidant capacity in starter pigs.

Montmorillonite (MMT) is widely used as a mycotoxin adsorbent in animal feeds, but its safety remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the safety of MMT supplementation in diets fed to starter pigs. A total of 120 32-d-old piglets (initial weight, 8.0 ± 0.9 kg) were randomly allotted into dietary treatments with graded MMT levels (0 [FS 0], 0.5% [FS 0.5], 1.0% [FS 1.0], 2.5% [FS 2.5], and 5.0% [FS 5.0]) with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen. All diets were fed for 28 d. As the MMT level increased, ADG and G:F changed in a linear and quadratic manner, while ADFI was linearly decreased ( > 0.05). Compared with FS 0, ADG, ADFI, and G:F of pigs in FS 1.0 increased ( < 0.05). However, the ADFI in pigs of FS 5.0 was lower than that in pigs of FS 0 ( < 0.05). The relative liver weight activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) changed in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Compared with FS 0, pigs in FS 2.5 and FS 5.0 had a greater serum ALT ( < 0.05), while AST activity significantly increased in pigs of FS 5.0 ( < 0.05). Dietary MMT supplementation decreased serum Mg content in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05), while Zn and Cu contents were linearly decreased ( < 0.05). Serum Zn and Cu contents of pigs in FS 0.5, FS 2.5, and FS 5.0 groups were lower than those in the control. Pigs fed with 2.5% and 5% MMT showed hepatic histopathological changes, including swelling, granular and vesicular degeneration, and apparent vacuolar degeneration. In addition, the content of serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) decreased in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Compared to the control, 5.0% MMT significantly increased piglets' serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and decreased GSH-PX activity ( < 0.05). T-AOC concentration in the pigs fed 2.5% and 5.0% MMT was lower than that in the control group ( < 0.05). Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity changed in a quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Piglets in FS 1.0 showed a higher SOD activity when compared with the control ( < 0.05). These results indicate that supplementation of MMT higher than 1.0% can negatively affect liver structure and serum mineral content, and 5.0% MMT supplementation would also decrease feed intake, aggravate liver damage, and reduce the antioxidant capacity of starter pigs. Therefore, excess supplementation of MMT is not safe in starter pigs.

Effects of mulberry leaves on production performance and the potential modulation of antioxidative status in laying hens.

This study evaluated the antioxidant ability of Taisung No. 3 mulberry leaf extract (MLE) as well as the potential of mulberry leaf (ML)-based dietary supplementation for modulating the antioxidative status of laying hens. The results showed that the MLE had a total phenolic compound content of 7.4 ± 0.15 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight (DW) and a total flavonoid content of 4.4 ± 0.19 mg of quercetin equivalent/g DW. The 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free-radical-scavenging ability was 45.9% when 0.1 mg/mL MLE was added. The lipid oxidation inhibition ability was 43.9% when 50 mg/mL MLE was added. We subjected 96 laying hens (Hendrix Genetics) to 4 treatments, namely diets supplemented with dry ML at 0 (control), 0.5, 1, or 2% for 12 weeks. Each treatment involved 8 replicates with 3 hens each. The results indicated that the 0.5% ML-supplemented group exhibited significantly higher mRNA levels of antioxidant-regulated genes, such as Nrf2, HO-1, and GST, and significantly lower ROMO1 gene expression levels at wk 12. The serum malondialdehyde level was lower and the catalase activity and superoxide dismutase activity were higher in all the ML-supplemented groups than in the control group. The egg mass and feed conversion rate significantly improved in the ML-supplemented groups compared with the control group, and, overall, 1% ML supplementation had the most favorable effects at one to 12 weeks. The egg yolk weight, shell weight, shell strength, shell thickness, yolk color, and Haugh unit were increased among all ML-supplemented groups at one to 12 weeks. On the basis of these observations, we conclude that 0.5% ML can be used as a new feed additive to potentially modulate the antioxidative status of laying hens and improve their production performance and egg quality.

Benzoic acid beneficially affects growth performance of weaned pigs which was associated with changes in gut bacterial populations, morphology indices and growth factor gene expression.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of benzoic acid (BA) on growth performance, intestinal development and intestinal barrier function in weaned pigs. Ninety weaned pigs were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: a basal diet (CON), the basal diet supplemented with 2000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA1) and 5000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA2). At the end of days 14 and 42, six pigs per treatment were randomly selected to collect plasma and intestinal samples. Results showed that BA supplementation not only improved final body weight, daily growth and feed conversion ratio from days 15 to 42 and days 1 to 42, but also decreased the activity of plasma diamine oxidase (day 42) and the pH values of jejunal contents (day 14) (p < 0.05). Ileal Bacillus populations (day 14) were increased by BA, while Escherichia coli counts in the ileum and caecum (day 42) were decreased (p < 0.05). Higher Lactobacillus counts occurred in the ileum (day 14, 42) of BA1-fed piglets as compared to CON and BA2-fed piglets (p < 0.05). In addition, BA supplementation increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (day 14, 42) and decreased the crypt depth (day 14) (p < 0.05). Growth-stimulating factors (insulin-like growth factor-1, day 42; insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, day 14, 42) and tight junction protein (occludin, day 14, 42; zonula occludens-1, day 42)-related gene mRNA levels were upregulated in the jejunum of piglets fed BA diets (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence that BA has beneficial effects on intestinal development and intestinal barrier function of weaned pigs, which can partly explain why growth performance of pigs was improved by dietary BA supplementation.

Daidzein promotes osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in OCT1 cells through stimulating the activation of BMP-2/Smads pathway.

Daidzein, the most widely studied soy phytoestrogen, is not only a potential antiosteoporosis agent owing to its possible osteogenic activity, but also shows anticancer activity. However, the mechanisms through which daidzein affects osteoblast function have not been investigated thoroughly. Here, we show that daidzein stimulated cell proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, demonstrated by upregulation of XTT activity, enhancement of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and upregulation of osteoblast-specific marker genes, including Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Smad1, as well as upregulation of Runx2 and Smad1 protein expression. To determine the mechanisms underlying daidzein's effects on osteoblast differentiation, we first tested the role of daidzein in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 gene expression in OCT1 cells, and found that it significantly upregulated the expression of BMP-2. Furthermore, it significantly enhanced the phosphorylated protein level of Smad1/5/8 and the protein level of Osterix and increased the activity of 12xSBE-OC-Luc. Finally, we demonstrated that daidzein stimulated Col I, Runx2, and ALP expression, while these effects were significantly blocked by the BMP signaling inhibitor noggin. Together, our data indicate that daidzein acts through stimulating the activation of BMP-2/Smads pathway to promote osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.

Dietary spray-dried chicken plasma improves intestinal barrier function and modulates immune status in weaning piglets.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary addition of spray-dried chicken plasma (SDCP) as a replacement for spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on serum biochemistry, intestinal barrier function, immune parameters, and the expression of intestinal development-related genes in weaning pigs. One hundred and forty-four 25-d-old weaning piglets with BW of 6.43 ± 0.39 kg were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: 1) CON (basal diet; control), 2) SDPP (containing 5% SDPP), 3) SDPP + SDCP (containing 2.5% SDPP and 2.5% SDCP), and 4) SDCP (containing 5% SDCP). After a 28-d trial, 6 pigs from each treatment were randomly selected to collect serum and intestinal samples. On d 14 after the initiation of the trial, pigs in the SDPP, SDPP + SDCP, and SDCP groups had an increase ( < 0.05) in serum concentrations of total protein and IgG and a decrease ( < 0.05) in activities of alanine aminotransferase and diamine oxidase compared with the CON group. In the jejunum, supplementation with SDPP and SDCP reduced ( < 0.05) the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and upregulated ( < 0.05) the mRNA levels of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), zonula occludens 2 (ZO-2), occludin (OCLN), Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP2), and IGF-1 compared with the CON group. In the ileum, feeding SDPP, SDPP + SDCP, and SDCP decreased ( < 0.05) the concentrations of TNF-α and secretory IgA (sIgA) and upregulated ( < 0.05) the mRNA levels of claudin 1 (CLDN-1) and TLR2 compared with feeding CON. However, there were no differences among the SDPP, SDPP + SDCP, and SDCP groups. Furthermore, supplementation with SDCP reduced ( < 0.05) the concentration of IL-10 and upregulated ( < 0.05) the mRNA levels of GLP-2, mucin 2 (MUC2), and trefoil factor family 3 (TFF3) in the ileum compared with feeding CON. Collectively, the current results indicate that dietary addition of SDCP has a beneficial influence on the health condition of weaning pigs by alleviating liver damage, promoting intestinal development, improving intestinal barrier function, and reducing overstimulation of immune response. The efficacy of SDCP is comparable to that of SDPP.

[The features in preventing recurrent lower urinary tract infection].

This review outlines characteristics of medications most commonly used for preventing recurrent lower urinary tract infection (UTI). It shows that the treatment and prophylaxis of UTI should be comprehensive and include the restoration of the normal urogenital tract anatomy and use in addition to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs, agents, normalizing the function of the lower urinary tract, as well as drugs for local and systemic immunoprophylaxis, protection of the urothelium from recurrent infection, local hormone replacement therapy in menopause, and dietary supplements to acidify the urine.

Effects of co-fermented Pleurotus eryngii stalk residues and soybean hulls by Aureobasidium pullulans on performance and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens.

Soybean hulls are a by-product of soybean processing for oil and meal production; Pleurotus eryngii stalk residues (PESR) are by-products of the edible portion of the fruiting body enriched in bioactive metabolites. This study evaluated the effects of co-fermented PESR and soybean hulls with Aureobasidium pullulans on performance and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens. The in vitro experimental results showed that xylananse and mannanase activity of solid-state fermented soybean hulls (100% SBH) and soybean hulls partially replaced with PESR (75:25, SHP) reached peak at day 12; solid-state fermentation (SSF) enhanced the total phenolic content and trolox equivalency in both products as well. Additionally, FSHP had higher xylotriose and mannobiose levels than fermented FSBH did. A total of 400 broilers (Ross 308) were assigned randomly into four groups receiving the basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with 0.5% fermented SBH (0.5% FSBH), 0.5% fermented SBHP (0.5% FSHP) and 1.0% fermented SBHP (1.0% FSHP) until 35 d of age, respectively. Results demonstrated that 0.5% FSHP addition increased body weight gain as compared with corresponding normal diet fed control in birds during entire experimental period. Compared with the control group, 0.5% FSHP group significantly increased the ratio of lactic acid bacteria to Clostridium perfringens in ceca as well as ileum villus height and jejunum villus height/crypt depth ratio of 35 d old birds. In conclusion, 0.5% FSHP supplementation in the diet could obtain not only improved body weight gain, but optimal intestinal morphology by exerting its bioactive metabolite properties when fed to broilers.

Ruscogenin suppresses mouse neutrophil activation: Involvement of protein kinase A pathway.

Ruscogenin, a natural steroidal sapogenin, presents in both food and medicinal plants. It has been found to exert significant anti-inflammatory activities. Considering that activation of neutrophil is a key feature of inflammatory diseases, this study was performed to investigate the inhibitory effect of ruscogenin and its underlying mechanisms responsible for neutrophil activation. Ruscogenin displayed potent antioxidative effects against Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP)-induced extra- and intracellular superoxide generation in mouse bone marrow neutrophils, with IC50 values of 1.07±0.32 µM and 1.77±0.46 µM, respectively. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-elicited extra- and intracellular superoxide generation were also suppressed by ruscogenin, with IC50 values of 1.56±0.46 µM and 1.29±0.49 µM, respectively. However, ruscogenin showed weak inhibition in NaF-induced response. Inhibition of superoxide generation was mediated neither by a superoxide-scavenging ability nor by a cytotoxic effect. Furthermore, ruscogenin inhibited the membrane translocation of p47phox and p67phox. It reduced FMLP-induced phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and p21-activated kinase (PAK). The cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and protein kinase A (PKA) expression were increased by ruscogenin. Moreover, ruscogenin inhibited phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In addition, the inhibitory effects of ruscogenin on superoxide production and the phosphorylation of Akt, p38MAPK, and ERK1/2 were reversed by PKA inhibitor (H89), suggesting a PKA-dependent mechanism. In summary, our data suggest that ruscogenin inhibits activation of neutrophil through cPLA2, PAK, Akt, MAPKs, cAMP, and PKA signaling pathways. Increased PKA activity is associated with suppression of the phosphorylation of Akt, p38MAPK, and ERK1/2 pathways.

Use of food waste as fish feeds: effects of prebiotic fibers (inulin and mannanoligosaccharide) on growth and non-specific immunity of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

The effects of inulin and mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) on the growth performance and non-specific immunity of grass carp were studied. Two doses of prebiotic fiber with 0.2 or 2% of the fibers are being mixed into fish feed pellets. Fish growth as well as selected non-specific immune parameters of grass carp were tested in a feeding trial, which lasted for 8 weeks. Fish was fed at 2.5% body mass per day. INU02, INU2, and MOS2 significantly improved relative weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, and food conversion ratio of grass carp fed with food waste-based diet. In terms of non-specific immune response, grass carp showed significant improvement in all three tested parameters (total serum immunoglobin, bactericidal activity, and anti-protease activity). Adding 2% of inulin (INU2) into food waste diets seemed to be more preferable than other supplemented experimental diets (INU02, MOS02, MOS2), as it could promote growth of grass carp as well as improving the non-specific immune systems of grass carp.

Amino acid, phosphorus, and energy digestibility of Aspergillus niger fermented rapeseed meal fed to growing pigs.

Fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) contains greater levels of protein and less glucosinolates, NDF, and phytic acid than rapeseed meal (RSM) and might be an attractive feedstuff for swine, but its nutritional value has been poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of RSM fermented by for growing pigs. In Exp. 1, 6 barrows (21.20 ± 1.47 kg initial BW) fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum were allotted to a repeated 3 × 3 Latin square with 3 diets and 3 periods per square to determine the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA. A N-free diet and 2 diets containing RSM or FRSM as the only source of AA were formulated. Results indicated that there was no difference in AID and SID of CP and most AA between FRSM and RSM. However, the AID of 2 indispensable AA (Lys and Met) and 3 dispensable AA (Asp, Gly, and Tyr) were greater (P < 0.05) for FRSM than for RSM. The SID of only 2 dispensable AA (Gly and Tyr) were greater (P < 0.05) for FRSM than for RSM. In Exp. 2, 16 barrows (32.57 ± 2.67 kg initial BW) were allotted to 2 diets formulated to contain RSM or FRSM as the sole source of P to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P. The ATTD and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in FRSM were 72.10 and 77.31%, respectively. These values were greater (P < 0.01) than in RSM (34.79 and 41.34%, respectively). In Exp. 3, 24 growing barrows (32.23 ± 1.33 kg initial BW) were fed 3 diets with 8 replicate pigs per diet to measure concentration of DE and ME of FRSM. A corn diet consisting of 98.40% corn was formulated and 2 additional diets were formulated by mixing corn with 35% RSM or FRSM. The DE and ME in FRSM (2,887 and 2,650 kcal/kg of DM, respectively) were greater (P < 0.05) than those in RSM (2,609 and 2,328 kcal/kg of DM, respectively). In summary, solid-state fermentation of RSM by has a greater nutritional value than RSM and is a promising alternative high-quality protein source.