Automated recognition of the major muscle injury in athletes on X-ray CT images1.

BACKGROUND: In this research, imaging techniques such as CT and X-ray are used to locate important muscles in the shoulders and legs. Athletes who participate in sports that require running, jumping, or throwing are more likely to get injuries such as sprains, strains, tendinitis, fractures, and dislocations. One proposed automated technique has the overarching goal of enhancing recognition. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine how to recognize the major muscles in the shoulder and leg utilizing X-ray CT images as its primary diagnostic tool. METHODS: Using a shape model, discovering landmarks, and generating a form model are the steps necessary to identify injuries in key shoulder and leg muscles. The method also involves identifying injuries in significant abdominal muscles. The use of adversarial deep learning, and more specifically Deep-Injury Region Identification, can improve the ability to identify damaged muscle in X-ray and CT images. RESULTS: Applying the proposed diagnostic model to 150 sets of CT images, the study results show that Jaccard similarity coefficient (JSC) rate for the procedure is 0.724, the repeatability is 0.678, and the accuracy is 94.9% respectively. CONCLUSION: The study results demonstrate feasibility of using adversarial deep learning and deep-injury region identification to automatically detect severe muscle injuries in the shoulder and leg, which can enhance the identification and diagnosis of injuries in athletes, especially for those who compete in sports that include running, jumping, and throwing.

Effects of taurine on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion, rumen bacterial community and metabolomics and nitrogen metabolism in beef steers.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of taurine on rumen fermentation, rumen bacterial community and metabolomics, nitrogen metabolism and plasma biochemical parameters in beef steers. Six castrated Simmental steers (liveweight 402 ± 34 kg) and three levels of taurine (0, 20, 40 g d-1 ) were assigned in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Each experimental period included 15 days for adaptation and 5 days for sampling. RESULTS: Supplementing taurine did not affect the ruminal pH or concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids (P > 0.10), but linearly increased the ruminal concentrations of taurine (P < 0.001) and microbial crude protein (P = 0.041). Supplementing taurine linearly increased the neutral detergent fiber digestibility (P = 0.018), and tended to linearly increase dry matter digestibility (P = 0.095), tended to increase the fecal nitrogen excretion (P = 0.065) and increased the urinary taurine excretion (P < 0.001). Supplementing taurine quadratically increased the plasma concentration of triglycerides (P = 0.017), tended to linearly decrease growth hormone (P = 0.074), but did not affect other plasma parameters (P > 0.10). Supplementing taurine modified the rumen bacterial community and increased the ruminal concentration of taurine metabolite 2-hydroxyethoxysulfonic acid (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that taurine improved ruminal microbial crude protein synthesis and increased fiber digestibility through modifying rumen bacterial community. It is necessary to clarify the ruminal hydrolysis of taurine in steers. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Feed tossing behaviour of Holstein cows: evaluation of physiological stress state and rumen fermentation function.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal or stereotyped behaviours in dairy cows are common in large-scale indoor farms and are usually accompanied by high physiological stress levels. Feed tossing is an abnormal behaviour commonly seen in cows while being fed, making farm management difficult. However, the reasons behind this behaviour have not been sufficiently reported. The objective of this study was to explore the changes in rumen fermentation, serum indicators, inflammatory conditions and the performance of cows with feed tossing behaviour. Holstein cows with similar lactation stages in the same barn were subjected to behaviour observations two times per day for 21 consecutive days. Ten cows with feed tossing behaviour (FT) and ten cows without abnormal behaviours (CON) were selected for further sampling. Plasma samples, rumen fluid, milk yield data of cows, and an indoor environment temperature-humidity index (THI) were collected. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in average daily milk yield during the observation period between feed-tossing cows (n = 68) and the other cows (n = 112). The number of cows showing FT behaviour had a moderately strong negative linear correlation with the THI of the environment. Compared to the CON cows, the FT cows had higher cortisol, norepinephrine and urea nitrogen levels in plasma, as well as higher plasma levels of inflammatory indicators, including total protein, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase levels, and the ratio of aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase. The FT cows had no significant variations from the CON cows regarding their rumen fermentation indicators, such as pH, ammonia nitrogen, and volatile fatty acids. In addition, 16S rRNA analysis revealed that there might be no clear association between the diversity and abundance of rumen bacteria and feed tossing behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that cows might have suffered from high levels of physiological stress and immune state for a long period when they exhibited FT behaviour. The environmental THI could affect the FT behaviour of cows; as the THI increases, the willingness of cows to throw decreases. This work provided the first evidence that feed tossing might be a response associated with high levels of physiological stress and immune. It also explored our insights into a commonly observed behavioural response to cow welfare traits.

Thiocyanate increases the nitrous oxide formation process through modifying the soil bacterial community.

BACKGROUND: Nitrous oxide (N2 O) is a potent greenhouse gas depleting the stratospheric ozone. Previous studies reported that the thiocyanate (TC) excretion in the urine of cattle fed rapeseed meals containing glucosinolates was positively correlated with the N2 O-nitrogen (N) emissions. The objectives of the experiment were to verify the effects and the mechanism of TC on the N2 O-N emissions from the soil applied with artificial urine using static incubation technique. Four levels of TC, that is 0.00, 0.26, 0.78 and 2.33 mmol L-1 were composited in artificial urine as experimental treatments. Soil inorganic N and bacterial community were analyzed to elucidate the effects of TC on the N2 O-N emissions of artificial urine. RESULTS: Adding TC increased the N2 O-N fluxes, the N2 O-N to N application ratio, and the estimated N2 O-N emissions from the soil applied with artificial urine both linearly and quadratically. The estimated N2 O-N emission (Y, in µmol) was increased with the TC adding level (X, in µmol) in a quadratic manner: Y = 52.57 + 4.47 X - 0.123 X 2 (R 2  = 0.70). Adding TC did not affect the soil bacterial diversity and richness, but increased the relative abundances of Nitrosomonas (both for nitrification and denitrification) and Hyphomicrobium, Lysobacter and Terrimonas (for denitrification), and tended to increase the relative abundances of denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium. CONCLUSION: TC increased the N2 O-N emissions of the soil applied with artificial urine possibly through enhancing the denitrification of nitrifiers in the soil. Field experiments are necessary to verify the laboratory results. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of different levels of rapeseed cake containing high glucosinolates in steer ration on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility and the rumen microbial community.

This trial was conducted to study the effects of dietary rapeseed cake (RSC) containing high glucosinolates (GLS) on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion and the rumen microbial community in steers. Eight growing steers and four rations containing RSC (GLS 226·1 µmol/g DM) at 0·00, 2·65, 5·35 and 8·00 % DM were assigned in a replicate 4 × 4 Latin square design. The results indicated that increasing RSC levels increased the ruminal concentration of thiocyanate (SCN) (P < 0·01), decreased the ruminal concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and the molar proportion of isovalerate (P < 0·05), did not affect the ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids (P > 0·05), decreased the crude protein (CP) digestibility (P < 0·05) and increased the ether extract (EE) digestibility (P < 0·01). Increasing RSC levels tended to decrease the abundances of ruminal Ruminobacter amylophilus (P = 0·055) and Ruminococcus albus (P = 0·086) but did not affect methanogens, protozoa, fungi and other bacteria (P > 0·05). Increasing RSC levels in the ration did not affect the ruminal bacterial diversity (P > 0·05), but it increased the operational taxonomic units and the bacterial richness (P < 0·05) and affected the relative abundances of some bacteria at the phylum level and genus level (P < 0·05). In conclusion, RSC decreased the ruminal concentration of NH3-N and the CP digestibility, increased the EE digestibility and partly affected the ruminal bacterial community. SCN, as the metabolite of GLS, could be a major factor affecting these indices.

Comparison between the effects of feeding copper sulphate-treated and untreated rapeseed cake containing high glucosinolates on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion and nitrogen metabolism in steers.

Two trials were carried out to study the effects of copper sulphate (CuSO4 ) on detoxifying glucosinolates (GLS) in rapeseed cake (RSC) and compare the effects of feeding CuSO4 -treated and untreated RSC on nutrient digestion and nitrogen (N) metabolism in steers. In Trial 1, different concentrations of CuSO4 solution (1.6 vs. 3.2 g CuSO4 ·5H2 O L-1 ), soaking temperatures (25 vs. 60°C) and drying methods (air drying at 60°C vs. freeze drying) were allocated in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in vitro. In Trial 2, six steers and dietary inclusions of untreated RSC (control), CuSO4 -treated RSC and CuSO4 -added RSC were assigned in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. CuSO4 treatment in vitro decreased the contents of GLS and thiocyanate (TC) in RSC (p < 0.001). The total amount of GLS and TC decreased by 62.7-68.5% for all treatments. The animal trial showed that CuSO4 -treated RSC inclusion decreased ruminal concentration of valerate (p < 0.01), whereas it did not affect ruminal pH, ammonia N and total volatile fatty acids. Compared with the control, feeding CuSO4 -treated or CuSO4 -added RSC had no effect on plasma concentrations of triiodothyronine and thyroxine, N excretion and N retention. CuSO4 -treated RSC tended to increase neutral detergent fibre digestibility (p = 0.072) and urinary excretion of urea (p = 0.056). Urinary excretion of purine derivatives (p = 0.076) and rumen microbial N supply (p = 0.084) tended to decrease when feeding CuSO4 -treated RSC versus control. TC was found to be the only metabolite of GLS in rumen fluid, plasma and urine. It was feasible to detoxify GLS in RSC using low CuSO4 at room temperature. However, feeding CuSO4 -treated or CuSO4 -added RSC had minor effects on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion and N metabolism in steers. CuSO4 treatment on RSC for feeding steers seems to be unnecessary.

Dietary Supplementation with Sodium Sulfate Improves Rumen Fermentation, Fiber Digestibility, and the Plasma Metabolome through Modulation of Rumen Bacterial Communities in Steers.

Six steers were used to study the effects of dietary supplementation with sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion, rumen microbiota, and plasma metabolites. The animals were fed a basal ration with Na2SO4 added at 0 g/day (sulfur [S] content of 0.115% dry matter [DM]), 20 g/day (S at 0.185% DM), or 40 g/day (S at 0.255% DM) in a replicate 3-by-3 Latin square design. The results indicated that supplementing with Na2SO4 increased the ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids, the molar proportions of acetate and butyrate, the ruminal concentrations of microbial protein, SO42--S, and S2--S, and the digestibility of fiber, while it decreased the molar proportion of propionate and the ruminal concentration of ammonia nitrogen. Supplementing with Na2SO4 increased the diversity and the richness of rumen microbiota and the relative abundances of the phylum Firmicutes and genera Ruminococcus 2, Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, and Desulfovibrio, whereas it decreased the relative abundances of the phylum Bacteroidetes and genera Prevotella 1, Prevotellaceae UCG-001, and Treponema 2 Supplementing with Na2SO4 also increased the plasma concentrations of amino acids (l-arginine, l-methionine, l-cysteine, and l-lysine), purine derivatives (xanthine and hypoxanthine), vitamins (thiamine and biotin), and lipids (acetylcarnitine and l-carnitine). It was concluded that supplementing the steer ration with Na2SO4 was beneficial for improving the rumen fermentation, fiber digestibility, and nutrient metabolism through modulating the rumen microbial community.IMPORTANCE Essential elements like nitrogen and sulfur greatly affect rumen fermentation and metabolism in ruminants. However, little knowledge is available on the effects of sulfur on the rumen microbiota and plasma metabolome. The results of the present trial demonstrated that supplementing the steer ration with sodium sulfate markedly improved rumen fermentation, fiber digestibility, and metabolism of amino acids, purine derivatives, and vitamins through effects on the ruminal microbiome. The facts obtained from the present trial clarified the possible mechanisms of the positive effects of sulfur on rumen fermentation and nutrient utilization.

Dietary supplementation of rumen-protected methionine decreases the nitrous oxide emissions of urine of beef cattle through decreasing urinary excretions of nitrogen and urea.

BACKGROUND: Two consecutive trials were carried out to study the effects of dietary supplementation of rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) metabolism (Trial 1), and consequently the nitrous oxide (N2 O) emissions from urine in beef cattle (Trial 2). Eight 24-month-old castrated Simmental bulls with liveweights of 494 ± 28 kg, and four levels of dietary supplementation of RPM at 0, 10, 20, and 30 g head-1 d-1 , were allocated in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square for Trial 1 and the N2 O emissions from the urine samples collected in Trial 1 were measured using a static incubation technique in Trial 2. RESULTS: Supplementation of RPM at 0, 10, 20, and 30 g head-1 d-1 to a basal ration deficient in methionine (Met) did not affect the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, or acid detergent fiber (P > 0.05), but decreased the urinary excretions of total N (P < 0.05) and urea (P < 0.001), increased the ratio of N retention / digested N (P < 0.05) in beef cattle, and decreased the estimated cattle urine N2 O-N emissions by 19.5%, 23.4%, and 32.6%, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Supplementation of RPM to Met-deficient rations was effective in improving the utilization rate of dietary N and decreasing the N2 O emissions from urine in beef cattle. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of dietary crude protein and tannic acid on rumen fermentation, rumen microbiota and nutrient digestion in beef cattle.

The objectives of the trial were to study the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) and tannic acid (TA) on rumen fermentation, microbiota and nutrient digestion in beef cattle. Eight growing beef cattle (live weight 350 ± 25 kg) were allocated in a 2 × 2 crossover design using two levels of dietary CP [111 g/kg dry matter (DM) and 136 g/kg DM] and two levels of TA (0 and 16.9 g/kg DM) as experimental treatments. Each experimental period lasted 19 d, consisting of 14-d adaptation and 5-d sampling. The impacts of dietary CP and TA on ruminal microbiota were analysed using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. Results indicated that no interactions between dietary CP and TA were found on rumen fermentation and nutrient digestibility. Increasing dietary CP level from 111 to 136 g/kg DM increased the ruminal concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) (p < 0.01) and improved the CP digestibility (p < 0.001). Adding TA at 16.9 g/kg DM inhibited rumen fermentation and decreased the digestibility of dietary CP (p < 0.001), DM (p < 0.05) and organic matter (p < 0.01). Increasing the dietary CP level or adding TA did not affect the relative abundances of the major bacteria Firmicutes and Proteobacteria at the phylum level and Prevotella_1 and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group at the genus level, even though adding TA increased the Shannon index of the ruminal bacterial community. TA was partly hydrolysed to pyrogallol, gallic acid and resorcinol in rumen fluid and the inhibitory effects of TA on rumen fermentation and nutrient digestibility could have been resulted from the TA metabolites including pyrogallol, gallic acid and resorcinol as well as the protein-binding effect.

Effects of dietary crude protein and tannic acid on nitrogen excretion, urinary nitrogenous composition and urine nitrous oxide emissions in beef cattle.

Two consecutive trials were carried out to study the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) and tannic acid (TA) on nitrogen (N) metabolism of beef cattle and consequently, the N2 O emissions from the urine of cattle. In Trial I, eight growing castrated cattle were used as the experimental animals. Two levels of dietary CP (110.6 and 135.7 g/kg dry matter [DM]) and two levels of TA (0 and 16.9 g/kg DM) were allocated in a replicated 2 × 2 crossover design. In Trial II, the N2 O emissions from the urine of cattle collected from Trial I were determined using the static incubation technique. An interaction between dietary CP and TA on the urinary N excretion (p < .05) was found but not on the N2 O-N emission of cattle urine. Increasing dietary CP level from 110.6 g/kg DM to 135.7 g/kg DM increased the total N excretion (p < .001), the N retention (p < .05) and the ratio of urinary urea-N/urinary N (p < .01), did not affect the N use efficiency (NUE; p > .05) and shifted the N excretion from faeces to urine. Increasing the dietary CP level increased the N2 O-N emission of cattle urine. Dietary addition of TA decreased the urinary excretions of urea (p < .001) and shifted the N excretion from urine to faeces, did not affect the NUE of beef cattle (p > .10), and decreased the N2 O-N emission of cattle urine. Pyrogallol and resorcinol of the TA metabolites were detected in urine with dietary addition of TA. Feeding beef cattle with relatively low CP level and adding TA in rations are effective approaches to mitigate the N2 O-N emissions from cattle urine.

Bacterial community composition and fermentation in the rumen of Xinjiang brown cattle (Bos taurus), Tarim red deer (Cervus elaphus yarkandensis), and Karakul sheep (Ovis aries).

The rumen microbiota plays a major role in the metabolism and absorption of indigestible food sources. Xinjiang brown cattle (Bos taurus), Tarim red deer (Cervus elaphus yarkandensis), and Karakul sheep (Ovis aries) are important ruminant species for animal husbandry in the Tarim Basin. However, the microbiota and rumen fermentation of these animals are poorly understood. Here, we apply high-throughput sequencing to examine the bacterial community in the rumen of cattle, red deer, and sheep and measured rumen fermentation products. Overall, 548 218 high-quality sequences were obtained and then classified into 6034 operational taxonomic units. Prevotella spp., Succiniclasticum spp., and unclassified bacteria within the families Succinivibrionaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Veillonellaceae were the dominant bacteria in the rumen across the 3 hosts. Principal coordinate analysis identified significant differences in the bacterial communities across the 3 hosts. Pseudobutyrivibrio spp., Oscillospira spp., and Prevotella spp. were more prevalent in the rumen of the cattle, red deer, and sheep, respectively. Among the 3 hosts, the red deer rumen had the greatest amounts of acetate and butyrate and the lowest pH value. These results showed that Prevotella spp. are the dominant bacteria in the rumen of the cattle, red deer, and sheep, providing new insight into the rumen fermentation of ruminants distributed in the Tarim Basin.

Effect of dietary supplementation of gallic acid on nitrogen balance, nitrogen excretion pattern and urinary nitrogenous constituents in beef cattle.

The objective of the trial was to study the effects of dietary supplementation of gallic acid (GA) on nitrogen (N) balance, N excretion pattern and urinary N constituents in beef cattle. In a 4 × 4 Latin square design, four male 30-month-old Simmental cattle (443 ± 22 kg live weight) received four levels of GA (purity ≥ 98.5%), i.e. 0, 5.3, 10.5, 21.1 g/kg DM, added to a basal ration. Each experimental period lasted 17 d, consisting of 12 d adaptation and 5 d sampling. The results showed that supplementation of GA at 5.3, 10.5 or 21.1 g/kg DM did not affect the N balance but regulated the N excretion pattern by increasing the ratio of faecal N/urinary N and decreasing the ratio of urinary urea N/total urinary N in beef cattle fed at maintenance level.

Supplementing Vitamin E to the Ration of Beef Cattle Increased the Utilization Efficiency of Dietary Nitrogen.

The objectives of the trial were to investigate the effects of supplementing vitamin E (VE) on nutrient digestion, nitrogen (N) retention and plasma parameters of beef cattle in feedlot. Four growing Simmental bulls, fed with a total mixed ration composed of corn silage and concentrate mixture as basal ration, were used as the experimental animals. Four levels of VE product, i.e. 0, 150, 300, 600 mg/head/d (equivalent to 0, 75, 150, 300 IU VE/head/d), were supplemented to the basal ration (VE content 38 IU/kg dry matter) in a 4×4 Latin square design as experimental treatments I, II, III and IV, respectively. Each experimental period lasted 15 days, of which the first 12 days were for pretreatment and the last 3 days for sampling. The results showed that supplementing VE did not affect the nutrient digestibility (p>0.05) whereas decreased the urinary N excretion (p<0.01), increased the N retention (p<0.05) and tended to increase the microbial N supply estimated based on the total urinary purine derivatives (p = 0.057). Supplementing VE increased the plasma concentrations of VE, glucose and triglycerol (TG) (p<0.05) and tended to increase the plasma concentration of total protein (p = 0.096) whereas did not affect the plasma antioxidant indices and other parameters (p>0.05). It was concluded that supplementing VE up to 300 IU/head/d did not affect the nutrient digestibility whereas supplementing VE at 150 or 300 IU/head/d increased the N retention and the plasma concentrations of VE and TG (p<0.05) of beef cattle.

Comparison of the effects of lanthanum, cerium and praseodymium on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion and plasma biochemical parameters in beef cattle.

The objectives of the trial were to compare the effects of supplementing rare earth elements (REE) lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce) and praseodymium (Pr) on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion, methane (CH4) production, nitrogen (N) balance and plasma biochemical parameters in beef cattle. Four Simmental male cattle, aged 12 months, with initial average liveweight of 333 ± 9 kg and fitted with rumen cannulas, were fed with a basal ration composed of concentrate mixture and maize silage. Animals received a basal ration without adding REE (Control) or three treatments, i.e. supplementing LaCl3, CeCl3 or PrCl3 at 204 mg/kg DM to the basal ration, respectively, which were allocated in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each experimental period lasted 15 d, consisting of 12 d for pre-treatment and three subsequent days for sampling. Results showed that all tested levels of REE tended to increase neutral detergent fibre digestibility (p = 0.064) and tended to decrease rumen CH4 production (p = 0.056). Supplementing LaCl3 and CeCl3 decreased total N excretion and urinary N excretion, increased N retention (p < 0.05), tended to increase total urinary purine derivatives (PD) (p = 0.053) and microbial N flow (p = 0.095), whereas supplementing PrCl3 did not affect N retention, urinary PD and microbial N flow. No differences were found in the effects of nutrient digestibility, CH4 production and plasma biochemical parameters among LaCl3, CeCl3 and PrCl3. Further trials using graded levels of LaCl3, CeCl3 and PrCl3 in a wide range are needed to obtain more pronounced results for comparing effects of La, Ce and Pr on rumen fermentation and nutrient digestion in beef cattle.

Impact of dietary supplementation with ß-alanine on the rumen microbial crude protein supply, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in beef steers elucidated through sequencing the rumen bacterial community.

This study investigated the effects of ß-alanine (ß-Ala) on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) metabolism, plasma biochemical parameters, and rumen bacterial communities in beef steers. Six steers with initial liveweight of 252.8 ± 5.2 kg and 3 treatments of supplementing with 0, 30, or 60 g ß-Ala per day to basal diet were allocated in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Each experimental period was 20 d, of which the first 15 d were for adaptation and the subsequent 5 d were for sampling. The results showed that ß-Ala linearly increased the ruminal concentration of microbial crude protein (MCP) (P = 0.005), but it did not affect the ruminal concentrations of ammonia N and total volatile fatty acids (P > 0.10). ß-Ala also linearly increased the dry matter (DM) (P = 0.009), organic matter (OM) (P = 0.017) and crude protein (CP) (P = 0.043) digestibility, tended to decrease the acid detergent fiber digestibility (P = 0.077), but it did not affect the neutral detergent fiber digestibility (P = 0.641). ß-Ala quadratically increased the relative abundance of ruminal Bacteroidota (P = 0.021) at the phylum level, and increased Prevotella (P = 0.028) and Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 (P = 0.014), and decreased the relative abundance of NK4A214_group (P = 0.009) at the genus level. Feeding steers with ß-Ala linearly increased the urinary N (P = 0.006), urea excretions (P = 0.002) and the N retention (P = 0.004), but it did not affect the N utilization efficiency (P = 0.120). ß-Ala quadratically increased the plasma concentration of the total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.011) and linearly increased the plasma concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (P < 0.001). In summary, dietary supplementation with ß-Ala improved the rumen MCP supply and increased the digestibility of DM, OM, CP and the N retention. Further research is necessary to verify the ruminal degradability of ß-Ala and to investigate the mechanism of the impact of absorbed ß-Ala on the anti-oxidative ability in steers.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Serve as the First-Line Treatment for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has demonstrated substantial benefits for certain patients. We try to evaluate the merits and demerits of each immunotherapy to aid clinical treatment. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized clinical trials published as of June 10, 2023. Our study included published clinical trials of ICI monotherapy or combination therapy, along with data on treatment-related adverse events (TRAE). Data regarding survival efficacy and adverse events of each randomized controlled trial (RCT) were collected. The Bayesian random effects model was utilized for the network meta-analysis (NMA). RESULTS: This study incorporated 19 RCTs, involving 5900 patients. Among 14 treatment regimens, Pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy emerged as the most promising primary treatment for overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). Toripalimab combined with chemotherapy exhibited the highest likelihood of becoming the primary treatment for extending progression-free survival (PFS). Durvalumab showed the lowest probability of adverse events, suggesting a safer profile compared with other drugs. Camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy demonstrated a heightened risk of adverse events. Dual ICI Nivolumab/Ipilimumab surpassed Durvalumab/Tremelimumab in terms of ORR and adverse events. The standard of care (SOC) regimen did not exhibit strong performance across the four outcome indicators. CONCLUSION: Our analysis suggests that the integration of chemotherapy agents with ICIs enhances its efficacy as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced head and neck cancer (HNC). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Laryngoscope, 134:749-761, 2024.

Metagenomic analysis reveals a dynamic rumen microbiome with diversified adaptive functions in response to dietary protein restriction and re-alimentation.

Understanding the dynamics of the rumen microbiome is crucial for optimizing ruminal fermentation to improve feed efficiency and addressing concerns regarding antibiotic resistance in the livestock production industry. This study aimed to investigate the adaptive effects of microbiome and the properties of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZy) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in response to dietary protein shifts. Twelve Charolais bulls were randomly divided into two groups based on initial body weight: 1) Treatment (REC), where the animals received a 7 % CP diet in a 4-week restriction period, followed by a 13 % CP diet in a 2-week re-alimentation period; 2) Control (CON), where the animals were fed the 13 % CP diet both in the restriction period and the re-alimentation period. Protein restriction decreased the concentrations of acetate, propionate, isovalerate, glutamine, glutamate, and isoleucine (P < 0.05), while protein re-alimentation increased the concentrations of arginine, methionine sulfoxide, lysine, and glutamate (P < 0.05). Protein restriction decreased the relative abundances of Bacteroidota but increased Proteobacteria, with no difference observed after re-alimentation. Protein restriction decreased relative abundances of the genera Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Bifidobacterium. Following protein recovery, Escherichia was enriched in CON, while Pusillibacter was enriched in REC, indicating that distinct microbial adaptations to protein shifts. Protein restriction increased GH97 while reducing GH94 and GT35 compared to CON. Protein restriction decreased abundances of KO genes involved in VFA production pathways, while they were recovered in the re-alimentation period. Protein restriction reduced tet(W/32/O) abundances but increased those of tet(X), nimJ, and rpoB2. Following protein re-alimentation, there was a decrease in ErmQ and tet(W/N/W), and an increase in Mef(En2) compared to CON, highlighting the impact of dietary protein on the distribution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Overall, comprehensive metagenomic analysis reveals the dynamic adaptability of the microbiome in response to dietary shifts, indicating its capacity to modulate carbohydrate metabolism and ARGs in response to protein availability.

Relationship between the Methane Production and the CNCPS Carbohydrate Fractions of Rations with Various Concentrate/roughage Ratios Evaluated Using In vitro Incubation Technique.

The objective of the trial was to study the relationship between the methane (CH4) production and the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) carbohydrate fractions of feeds for cattle and the suitability of CNCPS carbohydrate fractions as the dietary variables in modeling the CH4 production in rumen fermentation. Forty-five rations for cattle with the concentrate/roughage ratios of 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, and 50:50 were formulated as feed samples. The Menke and Steingass's gas test was used for the measurement of CH4 production. The feed samples were incubated for 48 h and the CH4 production was analyzed using gas chromatography. Statistical analysis indicated that the CH4 production (mL) was closely correlated with the CNCPS carbohydrate fractions (g), i.e. CA (sugars); CB1 (starch and pectin); CB2 (available cell wall) in a multiple linear pattern: CH4 = (89.16±14.93) CA+ (124.10±13.90) CB1+(30.58±11.72) CB2+(3.28±7.19), R(2) = 0.81, p<0.0001, n = 45. Validation of the model using 10 rations indicated that the CH4 production of the rations for cattle could accurately be predicted based on the CNCPS carbohydrate fractions. The trial indicated that the CNCPS carbohydrate fractions CA, CB1 and CB2 were suitable dietary variables for predicting the CH4 production in rumen fermentation in vitro.

Evaluation of Holstein cows with different tongue-rolling frequencies: stress immunity, rumen environment and general behavioural activity.

BACKGROUND: The tongue-rolling behaviour of cows is regarded as an outward sign of stressed animals in a low welfare status. The primary aim of this observational study was to evaluate the association between the frequency of tongue-rolling behaviour and its physiological function. The secondary aim was to explore the relationship between general activities and the frequency of tongue-rolling behaviour of cows. A total of 126 scan sampling behavioural observations were collected over 7 d on 348 Holstein cows with the same lactation stage in the same barn. The tongue-rolling frequency was defined as the number of tongue-rolling observations as a percentage to the total observations per individual cow. According to their tongue-rolling frequency, the cows were grouped into the CON (no tongue-rolling), LT (frequency 1%), MT (frequency 5%), and HT (frequency 10%) groups. Six cows from each group were randomly selected for sampling. Serum samples, rumen fluid, milk yield, and background information were collected. The general behaviour data during 72 continuous hours of dairy cows, including eating time, rumination time, food time (eating time + rumination time), and lying time, were recorded by the collar sensor. RESULTS: Cortisol (P = 0.012), γ-hydroxybutyric acid (P = 0.008), epinephrine (P = 0.030), and dopamine (P = 0.047) levels were significantly higher in tongue-rolling groups than in the CON group. Cortisol levels and tongue-rolling frequency had a moderate positive correlation (linearly r = 0.363). With the increase in tongue-rolling frequency, the rumen pH decreased first and then increased (P = 0.013), comparing to the CON group. HT cows had significantly less food time than CON cows (P = 0.035). The frequency of tongue-rolling had a moderate negative relationship with rumination time (r = -0.384) and food time (r = -0.492). CONCLUSIONS: The tongue-rolling behaviour is considered as a passive coping mechanism, as the stress response in cows with high tongue-rolling frequency increased. Food intake and rumination activities were all closely related to the occurrence of tongue-rolling behaviour.