Effects of heating soybeans on postruminal amino acid bioavailability, performance, and ruminal fermentation in lactating cows.

Soybeans can provide ruminally degradable protein, lipid, and metabolizable amino acid (AA) to lactating dairy cows; however, soy-based trypsin inhibitors can limit protein digestion in nonruminants. Eight ruminally cannulated lactating Holstein cows were used to evaluate the impacts of soy-based trypsin inhibitors on nutrient disappearance, lactation, and plasma AA bioavailability. Treatments were abomasal infusion of 0 or 400 g/d casein or a crystalline AA analog of casein with unroasted or roasted soybeans fed at 10% dry matter (DM). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Measures of digestion were determined from fecal output determined with acid detergent insoluble ash and urine output determined from measures of urine creatinine. Neither soybean processing (P ≥ 0.20) nor the source of abomasal infusion (P ≥ 0.60) impacted nutrient digestibility. Ruminal ammonia, isobutyrate, and isovalerate were increased (P ≤ 0.01) among cattle consuming unroasted soybeans. Source of infusion did not affect (P ≥ 0.38) ruminal volatile fatty acids or nitrogen metabolism. Ruminal N metabolism was largely unaffected by soybean processing although microbial N efficiency was greater (P < 0.01) among cows fed unroasted soybeans. DM intake and energy-corrected milk were greater (P < 0.01) in cows fed roasted compared to unroasted soybeans. The proportion of fat, protein, lactose, and solids not fat (SNF) in milk did not differ between soybean processing or postruminal AA source, but fat, protein, lactose, and SNF yield was greater (P ≤ 0.01) when cows were fed roasted soybeans because milk yields were greater when cows were fed roasted vs. unroasted soybeans. As expected, infusion of casein or its crystalline AA analog increased plasma essential AA and milk urea nitrogen concentration. The rate of increase in essential AA concentration in plasma was 2.9× greater for casein than for crystalline AA. These data seem to indicate that soy-based trypsin inhibitors have no impacts on postruminal AA bioavailability when fed to cows and that metabolizable protein from casein is greater than from crystalline AA.

Soybeans contain antinutritional factors that may influence amino acid (AA) bioavailability to cattle. Holstein cows were used to evaluate if roasting whole soybeans influenced bioavailability of AA in diets containing soybeans. Roasting whole soybeans decreased ruminal ammonia and branched-chain volatile fatty acids. Yet, feeding unroasted soybeans decreased dry matter intake and energy-corrected milk yield. Roasting of soybeans had no impact on measures of postruminal AA bioavailability. Interestingly, however, bioavailability of milk specific proteins was greater than that of a crystalline AA analog of casein. Overall, roasting soybeans does not seem to increase AA bioavailability by mitigating antinutritional factors in soybeans; however, form of postruminal AA (i.e., protein vs. crystalline AA) may be important to efficiently providing metabolizable AA to cows.

Effects of long-term postgastric infusion of casein or glutamic acid on small intestinal starch digestion and energy balance in cattle.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate effects of postruminal flows of casein or glutamic acid on small intestinal starch digestion and to quantify changes in energy and nutrient balance. Twenty-four steers (body weight = 179 ± 4 kg) were duodenally infused with raw cornstarch (1.46 ± 0.04 kg/d) and either 413 ± 7.0 g casein/d, 121 ± 3.6 g glutamic acid/d or water (control). Measures of small intestinal starch digestion and nutrient excretion were collected across 4 d after 42 d of infusion and measures of respiration via indirect calorimetry were collected across 2 d after 48 d of infusion. Ileal starch flow was least among calves provided casein, but ileal starch flow was not different between glutamic acid or control. Small intestinal starch digestion tended to be greatest among calves provided casein, least for glutamic acid and intermediate for control. Casein increased ileal flow of ethanol soluble oligosaccharides compared to glutamic acid and control. Large intestinal starch digestion was not different among treatments. By design, N intake was greatest among cattle provided casein, intermediate among calves provided glutamic acid and least for control. Nitrogen retention was greater in response to casein compared to control and glutamic acid. Intake of gross energy from feed was similar across treatments, and gross energy from infusate was greatest for casein, intermediate for glutamic acid and least for control. Variation in gross energy intake from feed resulted in no difference in overall gross energy intake across treatments. Similar to measures of small intestinal starch digestion and N retention, casein increased calories of digestible energy and metabolizable energy, compared to glutamic acid and control, which did not differ. Postruminal infusions did not influence methane production, but heat production was greatest in steers infused with casein, intermediate for steers provided glutamic acid, and least for control. Overall, amounts of energy retained by casein tended to be nearly 34% greater than control, but glutamic acid had no impact on energy balance. Improvement in small intestinal starch digestion in response to casein increased energy and N retained; however, glutamic acid did not influence small intestinal starch digestion and energy or N balance in cattle, which seems to suggest that responses in small intestinal starch digestion to greater postruminal flows of glutamic acid become refractory across greater durations of time.

Small intestinal digestion of starch can provide greater energy from dietary starch in comparison to ruminal fermentation, which can increase performance and improve feed efficiency in cattle fed starch-based diets; however, small intestinal starch digestion in cattle is restricted in comparison to nonruminant animals or to ruminal fermentation of starch. In this experiment, long-term increases in postruminal protein but not glutamic acid increased small intestinal starch digestion, and increases in small intestinal starch digestion resulted in improvements in nitrogen and energy balance. Responses in this study compared to previous reports may suggest effects of increased postgastric flows of glutamic acid in cattle are transient, but that effects of casein are not.

Effects of corn processing and cattle size on total tract digestion and energy and nitrogen balance.

This study used 18 calves (295 ± 29 kg) and 18 yearlings (521 ± 29 kg) fed whole, cracked, or steam-flaked corn (SFC) to evaluate nutrient digestion and energy balance across different types of processed corn and sizes of cattle. Cattle were fed a diet comprised of 75% corn (dry matter [DM]-basis) from whole, cracked, or SFC to 2.5-times maintenance energy requirements. Subsequently, cattle were placed in individual stanchions, and urine and feces were collected together with measures of gas production via indirect calorimetry. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. There was no interaction between corn processing and cattle size (P ≥ 0.40). Time spent ruminating (min/d) and rumination rate (min/kg DM intake [DMI]) were not affected by corn processing or cattle size. The eating rate (min/kg DMI) was faster (P < 0.01) for yearlings compared with calves. Total tract starch digestion was greatest (P = 0.01) for cattle fed SFC (97.5%), intermediate in cattle fed cracked (92.4%), and least in cattle fed whole corn (89.5%). Dietary digestible energy and metabolizable energy (Mcal/kg DMI) were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for cattle fed SFC compared with cracked or whole. A greater proportion of digestible energy was lost to heat production (P = 0.01) in cattle fed whole corn compared with cracked and tended to be greater (P = 0.08) in cattle fed SFC than cracked. Conversion of digestible energy to metabolizable energy in this study was more closely related to a dynamic model used to estimate metabolizable energy of feeds to dairy cows than to a linear model used to predict metabolizable energy of feeds to beef cattle. If library estimates of net energy for maintenance are correct, then retained energy (Mcal/d) should have been similar between each type of processed corn; however, retained energy was greater (P < 0.01) for cattle fed cracked compared with whole corn and tended to be greater (P = 0.06) compared with SFC. Yet, observed amounts of net energy based on measures of retained energy were not different (P ≥ 0.60) between cracked and SFC. Nitrogen balance was not affected (P ≥ 0.30) by corn processing or cattle size, although cattle fed cracked had numerically greater (P ≤ 035) N retention. These data indicate that physical processing of corn provides greater net energy to cattle in comparison to whole corn.

Corrigendum to "Genetic variability and traits association in maize (Zea mays L.) varieties for growth and yield traits".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07939.].

Genetic variability and trait association in maize (Zea mays L.) varieties for growth and yield traits.

The present study was carried out to study the variation, broad-sense heritability, genetic advance, correlation among traits for growth, yield, and its attributing traits in maize genotypes. Ten maize genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications from June 2019 to September 2019. The results indicated that the genotypes were significantly different for all traits. For all traits, the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). The grain yield showed the highest PCV (26.91%) and GCV (25.9%) whereas leaf width at maturity showed the lowest PCV (4.07%) and GCV (6.05%). Genetic Advance over Mean (GAM) for the traits ranged from the lowest value (0.1%) for days to 50% anthesis to the highest value (51.36%) for grain yield. Higher values of heritability and GAM % were obtained for grain yield (0.93, 51.36%) and 1000 grain weight (0.99, 36.95%) whereas the lowest values of heritability and GAM% were found for leaf length (0.5, 7.25%) and leaf width (0.39, 5.25%). Grain yield showed positive and significant phenotypic correlation with test weight (r = 0.706), cob length (r = 0.671), cob diameter (r = 0.573) and number of rows per cob (r = 0.539), respectively. Therefore, traits having high variation can be used as selection indices for indirect selection for the improvement of maize productivity.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome presenting as refractory status epilepticus in a patient taking Mycophenolate mofetil for IgA nephropathy: A case report.

•Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is one of the numerous causes of status epilepticus and it should be kept in mind while encountering such clinical scenario.•Mycophenolate mofetil can be contributory cause of PRES.•Prompt recognition and timely intervention is a key to full recovery without any residual neurological deficits after refractory status epilepticus.

Influence of Arterial Blood Gas to Guide Extubation in Intensive Care Unit Patients after Spontaneous Breathing Trial.

BACKGROUND: Arterial blood gas is required for extubation decision after spontaneous breathing trial in most of intensive care unit. This study was conducted to assess the influence of arterial blood gas for extubation after successful spontaneous breathing trial in intensive care unit patients planned for extubation. METHODS: It was prospective observation study conducted in all patients of age greater than eighteen year admitted in intensive care unit of tertiary care hospital for one year. It was done in 108 patients who were planned for extubation. Patients were assessed by intensivist clinically and decided whether a patient can be extubated on clinical grounds. Spontaneous breathing trial was done for 2 hours by t-piece in patients who met clinical and objective criteria. Arterial blood gas was done in all patients who successfully completed spontaneous breathing trial. Patients with successful spontaneous breathing trial, acceptable arterial blood gas were extubated. Independent Student's t test and paired t test was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Out of 108 patients who passed the spontaneous breathing trial, 96(88.88%) patients had acceptable arterial blood gas and were extubated and 12(11.11%) patients did not have acceptable arterial blood gas level and were chosen to have other mode of weaning. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that arterial blood gas level has changed decision for extubation after successful spontaneous breathing trial. Further, arterial blood gas might help in identification of patients who can undergo extubation failure when rapid shallow breathing index failed to predict outcome of extubation.

Duodenal Infusions of Starch with Casein or Glutamic Acid Influence Pancreatic and Small Intestinal Carbohydrase Activities in Cattle.

BACKGROUND: Small intestinal starch digestion in ruminants is potentially limited by inadequate production of carbohydrases. Previous research has demonstrated that small intestinal starch digestion can be improved by postruminal supply of casein or glutamic acid. However, the mechanisms by which casein and glutamic acid increase starch digestion are not well understood. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of duodenal infusions of starch with casein or glutamic acid on postruminal carbohydrase activities in cattle. METHODS: Twenty-two steers [mean body weight (BW) = 179 ± 4.23 kg] were surgically fitted with duodenal and ileal cannulas and limit-fed a soybean hull-based diet containing small amounts of starch. Raw cornstarch (1.61 ± 0.0869 kg/d) was infused into the duodenum alone (control), or with 118 ± 7.21 g glutamic acid/d, or 428 ± 19.4 g casein/d. Treatments were infused continuously for 58 d and then steers were killed for tissue collection. Activities of pancreatic (α-amylase) and intestinal (maltase, isomaltase, glucoamylase, sucrase) carbohydrases were determined. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block (replicate group) design using the GLM procedure of SAS to determine effects of infusion treatment. RESULTS: Duodenal casein infusion increased (P < 0.05) pancreatic α-amylase activity by 290%. Duodenal glutamic acid infusion increased (P < 0.03) duodenal maltase activity by 233%. Duodenal casein infusion increased jejunal maltase (P = 0.02) and glucoamylase (P = 0.03) activity per gram protein by 62.9% and 97.4%, respectively. Duodenal casein infusion tended to increase (P = 0.10) isomaltase activity per gram jejunum by 38.5% in the jejunum. Sucrase activity was not detected in any segment of the small intestine. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that small intestinal starch digestion can be improved in cattle with increased small intestinal flow of casein through increases in postruminal carbohydrase activities.

What is the digestibility and caloric value of different botanical parts in corn residue to cattle?1.

Two experiments were conducted to measure rates of ruminal disappearance, and energy and nutrient availability and N balance among cows fed corn husks, leaves, or stalks. Ruminal disappearance was estimated after incubation of polyester bags containing husks, leaves or stalks in 2 separate ruminally cannulated cows in a completely randomized design. Organic matter (OM) that initially disappeared was greatest for stalks and least for husks and leaves (P < 0.01), but amounts of NDF that initially disappeared was greatest for husks, intermediate for stalks, and least for leaves (P < 0.01). Amounts of DM and OM that slowly disappeared were greatest in husks, intermediate in leaves, and least in stalks (P < 0.01). However, amounts of NDF that slowly disappeared were greatest in leaves, intermediate in husks, and least in stalks (P < 0.01). Rate of DM and OM disappearance was greater for leaves, intermediate for husks and least for stalks, but rate of NDF disappearance was greatest for stalks, intermediate for leaves, and least for husks (P < 0.01). Energy and nutrient availability in husks, leaves, or stalks were measured by feeding ruminally cannulated cows husk-, leaf-, or stalk-based diets in a replicated Latin square. Digestible energy lost as methane was less (P = 0.02) when cows were fed leaves in comparison to husks or stalks, and metabolizable energy (Mcal/kg DM) was greater (P = 0.03) when cows were fed husks and leaves compared with stalks. Heat production (Mcal/d) was not different (P = 0.74) between husks, leaves, or stalks; however, amounts of heat produced as a proportion of digestible energy intake were less (P = 0.05) among cows fed leaves in comparison to stalks or husks. Subsequently, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for net energy available for maintenance from leaves (1.42 Mcal/kg DM) to be greater than stalks (0.91 Mcal/kg DM), and husks (1.30 Mcal/kg DM) were intermediate. Nitrogen balance was greater when cows were fed leaves, intermediate for husks, and least for stalks (P = 0.01). Total tract digestion of NDF was greater (P < 0.01) for husks and leaves compared with stalks. Husks had greater (P = 0.04) OM digestibility in comparison to stalks, and leaves were intermediate. Apparently, greater production of methane from husks in comparison to leaves limited amounts of energy available for maintenance from husks even though total-tract nutrient digestion was greatest when cows were fed husks or leaves.