Efficacy and Safety of Empagliflozin Continuation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Hospitalised for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

There is little evidence on the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in hospitalised patients. This work aims to analyse the glycaemic and clinical efficacy and safety of empagliflozin continuation in patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalised for acute decompensated heart failure. This real-world observational study includes patients treated using our in-hospital antihyperglycaemic regimens (basal-bolus insulin vs. empagliflozin-basal insulin) between 2017 and 2020. A propensity matching analysis was used to match a patient on one regimen with a patient on the other regimen. Our primary endpoints were the differences in glycaemic control, as measured via mean daily blood glucose levels, and differences in the visual analogue scale dyspnoea score, NT-proBNP levels, diuretic response, and cumulative urine output. Safety endpoints were also analysed. After a propensity matching analysis, 91 patients were included in each group. There were no differences in mean blood glucose levels (152.1 ± 17.8 vs. 155.2 ± 19.7 mg/dL, p = 0.289). At discharge, NT-proBNP levels were lower and cumulative urine output greater in the empagliflozin group versus the basal-bolus insulin group (1652 ± 501 vs. 2101 ± 522 pg/mL, p = 0.032 and 16,100 ± 1510 vs. 13,900 ± 1220 mL, p = 0.037, respectively). Patients who continued empagliflozin had a lower total number of hypoglycaemic episodes (36 vs. 64, p < 0.001). No differences were observed in adverse events, length of hospital stay, or in-hospital deaths. For patients with acute heart failure, an in-hospital antihyperglycaemic regimen that includes continuation of empagliflozin achieved effective glycaemic control, lower NT-proBNP, and greater urine output. It was also safer, as it reduced hypoglycaemic episodes without increasing other safety endpoints.

De-Intensification of Antidiabetic Treatment Using Canagliflozin in Patients with Heart Failure and Type 2 Diabetes: Cana-Switch-HF Study.

Canagliflozin is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor that reduces glycemia as well as the risk of cardiovascular events. Our main objective was to analyze antidiabetic treatment de-intensification and the glycemic efficacy of replacing antidiabetic agents (excluding metformin) with canagliflozin in patients with heart failure and type 2 diabetes with poor glycemic control. In this observational, retrospective, real-world study, we selected patients treated with metformin in combination with ≥2 non-insulin antidiabetic agents or metformin in combination with basal insulin plus ≥1 non-insulin antidiabetic agent. Non-insulin antidiabetic agents were replaced with canagliflozin. Patients were followed-up on at three, six, and 12 months after the switch and a wide range of clinical variables were recorded. A total of 121 patients were included. From baseline to 12 months, the number of antidiabetic agents (3.1 ± 1.0 vs. 2.1 ± 0.8, p < 0.05), basal insulin dose (20.1 ± 9.8 vs. 10.1 ± 6.5 units, p < 0.01), and percentage of patients who used basal insulin (47.9% vs. 31.3%, p < 0.01) decreased. The proportion of patients who used diuretics also declined significantly. In addition, we observed improvement in glycemic control, with an increase in the proportion of patients with glycated hemoglobin <7% from 16.8% at three months to 63.5% at 12 (p < 0.001). Canagliflozin use was also beneficial in terms of body weight, blood pressure, heart failure status, functional class, and cardiovascular-renal risk. There were also reductions in the number of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for heart failure. Moreover, canagliflozin was well-tolerated, with a low rate of drug-related discontinuation. Mounting evidence from randomized controlled trials and real-world studies point to the beneficial profile of sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 inhibitors such as canagliflozin in patients with heart failure.

Effects of bismuth subsalicylate and calcium-ammonium nitrate on ruminal in vitro fermentation of bahiagrass hay with supplemental molasses.

There is a need to increase efficiency of beef production. Decreasing losses of CH4 and improving byproduct utilization are popular strategies. Two feed additives were tested to find potential solutions. Three randomized complete block design experiments were performed using batch culture systems to evaluate the effects of bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) and calcium-ammonium nitrate (CAN) on in vitro ruminal fermentation of bahiagrass hay and supplemental molasses. The first experiment contained four treatments: (1) basal substrate; (2) basal substrate with 0.75% urea (DM basis); (3) basal substrate with 1.2% CAN and 0.38% urea (DM basis); and (4) basal substrate with 2.4% CAN (DM basis). Treatments 2, 3, and 4 were isonitrogenous. The second experiment had a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with 4 concentrations of BSS (0.00, 0.33, 0.66, and 1.00%; DM basis) and 3 concentrations of CAN (0.0, 1.2, and 2.4%; DM basis). The third experiment had the following treatments: (1) basal substrate; (2) basal substrate with 0.05% BSS (DM basis); (3) basal substrate with 0.10% BSS (DM basis); and (4) basal substrate with 0.33% BSS (DM basis). For all experiments, basal substrate consisted of Pensacola bahiagrass hay (Paspalum notatum Flüggé; 80% substrate DM) and molasses (20% substrate DM). All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. In Exp. 1, in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility (IVOMD) was linearly reduced (P < 0.001) with the inclusion of CAN, and CH4, in mmol/g OM fermented, was decreased linearly (P < 0.001). The volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile was not impacted by the inclusion of nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) or CAN (P > 0.05). In Exp. 2, except for CH4 production (P < 0.05), there were no BSS × CAN interactions. Linear reductions in total gas production (P < 0.001), IVOMD (P < 0.001), and total concentration of VFA (P = 0.007) were observed with the inclusion of BSS up to 1%. The inclusion of BSS decreased H2S production in a quadratic manner (P = 0.024). In Exp. 3, IVOMD was not impacted by the inclusion of BSS (P > 0.05); however, production of H2S was linearly decreased (P = 0.004) with the inclusion of BSS up to 0.33%. In conclusion, in vitro fermentation was negatively impacted by the inclusions of BSS, up to 1%, and CAN, up to 2.4%; however, BSS decreased production of H2S when included up to 0.33% without impeding fermentation, while CAN decreased CH4 production.

Lifestyle Modification Improves Insulin Resistance and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in a Metabolically Healthy Obese Prepubescent Population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze effects of a 12-month lifestyle modification that involved a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and physical activity (PA) program in a population of metabolically healthy obese children (MHOCh). METHODS: We included a population of MHOCh with ≤1 of the following criteria: waist circumference and blood pressure ≥90 percentile, triglycerides >150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) <40 mg/dL, or impaired fasting glucose. After 12 months of intensive lifestyle modification, anthropometric measurements, glycemic and lipid profiles, adherence to the MedDiet, energy intake, PA, body composition, and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-one MHOCh (70 boys and 61 girls; P = 0.65, age: 7.9 ±â€Š1.3 years, body mass index [BMI]: 24.7 ±â€Š3.5 kg/m2) were included. After 12 months of intervention, a significant decrease in standard deviation (SD) units of body weight (-0.5 ±â€Š0.1; P < 0.001) and BMI (-0.5 ±â€Š0.1; P < 0.001) were observed in the total population. A significant improvement in adherence to the MedDiet (+2 points) and a significant reduction in protein, fatty acids, total fat, and cholesterol intake in the entire population were observed. All participants did more moderate-vigorous PA, which led to a significant increase in lean and total mass and decrease in total fat. Significant improvements in the glycemic profile (insulin levels [-6.6 µIU/mL, P < 0.001] and HOMA index [-1.2, P < 0.001]) were observed. Participants with pathological cIMT values reduced this cardiovascular predictor to normal values. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-month lifestyle modification intervention involving weight loss with MedDiet and PA in MHOCh yielded improvements in MedDiet adherence, lipid intake, moderate-vigorous PA, body composition, insulin resistance, and cIMT.

Epigenetic approach in obesity: DNA methylation in a prepubertal population which underwent a lifestyle modification.

BACKGROUND: Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) is a considerably controversial concept as it is considered a transitory condition towards the development of different pathologies (type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, or cardiovascular disease). MHO is closely related to lifestyle and environmental factors. Epigenetics has become an essential biological tool to analyze the link between obesity and metabolic status. The aim of this study was to determine whether MHO status is conditioned by the DNA methylation (DNAm) of several genes related to lipid metabolism (lipoprotein lipase, retinoid X receptor alpha, liver X receptor, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, sterol regulatory element binding factor 1), and inflammation (LEP) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 131 prepubertal subjects with MHO phenotype after lifestyle modifications with personalized Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) combined with a physical activity (PA) program. RESULTS: The DNAm of all studied genes were significantly modified in the population after 12 months of lifestyle modifications (MedDiet and PA). In addition, associations were found between the DNAm studies and BMI, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid, moderate-vigorous PA, fat mass, and adherence to MedDiet. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that DNAm of genes related to lipid metabolism and inflammation are also present in childhood and that this methylation profile can be modified by interventions based on MedDiet and PA.

The influence of yeast on chemical composition and sensory properties of dry white wines.

This study evaluates the impact on two varietal white wines from 'Chardonnay' and 'Verdejo' cultivars of different fermentative strategies: inoculation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (CT), sequential inoculation (Torulaspora delbrueckii/Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SI), and spontaneous fermentation (SP). The wines' chemical composition was characterized by oenological parameters, organic acids, metals, major volatile compounds, ester compounds and sensory analyses. The fermentative strategy (CT, SI and SP) was found to be a key factor for assessing different styles of white wines. SI wines showed enhanced 'mature fruit' nuances and a chemical profile characterized by higher content of ethyl propanoate, ethyl isobutyrate and ethyl dihydrocinnamate. Meanwhile, the SP wines presented enhanced "stone fruit" nuances possible related to the higher contents of 2-phenyl acetate and isobutyl acetate. After a chemometric approach the above esters were identified as the markers of each fermentative strategy, independently of the variety.

Effects of bismuth subsalicylate and dietary sulfur level on fermentation by ruminal microbes in continuous culture.

In ruminants, excess dietary sulfur can be associated with a reduction in DM intake, poor feedlot performance and sulfur-associated polioencephalomalacia. Bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) has been shown to decrease hydrogen sulfide in vitro. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate effects of BSS inclusion (0 or 0.5% of diet DM) and dietary sulfur (0.21 or 0.42% of diet DM) on microbial fermentation in continuous culture. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Eight dual-flow continuous culture fermenters were used during 2 consecutive 10-d periods consisting of 7 d for stabilization followed by 3 d of sampling. A pelleted feedlot diet containing 39% dry rolled corn, 32% earlage, 21% wet distillers grains, 3.2% corn silage, 1.5% soybean meal, 0.6% urea and 2.7% mineral premix (DM basis) was provided as substrate for microbes at a rate of 75 g of DM × fermenter-1 × d-1. Effluents from sampling days were composited by fermenter within period, resulting in 4 replicates/treatment. Bismuth subsalicylate inclusion decreased (P < 0.01) true OM digestion, while no effects were observed for NDF and ADF digestion. Total VFA concentrations, molar proportions of acetic, propionic, and branched-chained VFA decreased (P < 0.01) with BSS addition. The ratio of acetic to propionic acid and the molar proportion of butyric acid increased (P < 0.01) with BSS addition. In regard to nitrogen metabolism, BSS increased NH3-N concentration, NH3-N and dietary-N flows (P < 0.01), and decreased non-NH3-N flow, microbial-N flow, CP degradation, and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (P < 0.01). Inclusion of BSS increased mean, minimum, and maximum fermentation pH (P < 0.01). Amount of dietary sulfur and BSS inclusion influenced flows of amino acids and fatty acids from fermenters. Influences on fatty acid biohydrogenation and amino acid flows demonstrated an overall suppression of microbial fermentation. Results from this experiment indicate that BSS inclusion at 0.5% of diet DM has detrimental effects on in vitro rumen fermentation in continuous culture.

Effects of molasses and crude glycerol combined in a liquid supplement on ruminal fermentation in beef steers consuming bermudagrass hay.

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of 1) increasing supplementation doses of a 50:50 (as-fed) liquid supplement of molasses and crude glycerol (M:G) on ruminal fermentation parameters and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in beef steers consuming Tifton 85 bermudagrass ( spp.) hay and 2) different proportions of molasses and crude glycerol in a liquid supplement on in vitro fermentation and gas production kinetics. For Exp. 1, 8 ruminally cannulated, Angus-crossbred steers were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, had ad libitum access to Tifton 85 bermudagrass hay, and were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) CTRL, no supplementation; 2) SUP1, 0.45 kg/d (as fed) of 50:50 M:G; 3) SUP3, 1.36 kg/d (as fed) of 50:50 M:G; and 4) SUP5, 2.27 kg/d (as fed) of a 50:50 M:G. For Exp. 2 in vitro batch cultures were conducted to test the same treatments from Exp. 1 and effects of different proportions of a M:G mixture (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100) when added to a hay substrate simulating the proportions of hay and liquid supplement used in SUP5. In Exp. 1, increasing doses of liquid supplement linearly decreased ( < 0.001) concentrations of NH-N, BUN, and acetate molar proportions, whereas propionate ( = 0.002) and butyrate ( < 0.001) molar proportions increased linearly. Treatment × time interactions were observed for ruminal pH ( < 0.001), where the greatest decrease was observed at 3 h postfeeding for animals consuming SUP5 (from 6.82 at 0 h to 6.32 at 3 h). In Exp. 2, decreases in acetate molar proportions ( < 0.001) and increases ( < 0.001) in propionate and butyrate molar proportions were also observed for either increasing doses of a 50:50 mixture or increasing proportions of glycerol in the mixture. Total VFA and in vitro organic matter digestibility were increased linearly ( < 0.001) as doses of a 50:50 mixture increased. Increasing doses of 50:50 M:G to growing beef heifers consuming bermudagrass hay caused a shift in VFA profile toward increases in propionate and decreases in acetate molar proportions. This was also confirmed in vitro, as the proportions of crude glycerol increased in a molasses:crude glycerol mix. Thus, molasses and crude glycerol combined seem to be useful to enhance performance in growing cattle consuming forage-based diets.

Effects of dietary roughage and sulfur in diets containing corn dried distillers grains with solubles on hydrogen sulfide production and fermentation by rumen microbes in vitro.

Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) have been used in production animal diets; however, overuse of DDGS can cause toxic concentrations of ruminal hydrogen sulfide gas (HS), resulting in polioencephalomalacia, a deleterious brain disease. Because HS gas requires an acidic rumen environment and diet can influence ruminal pH, it has been postulated that dietary manipulation could help mitigate HS production. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of dietary roughage and sulfur concentrations on HS production and rumen fermentation. In Exp. 1, 7 dual-flow continuous culture fermenters were used in 4 consecutive 9-d periods consisting of 6 d of adaptation followed by 3 d of sampling. At the conclusion of each 9-d continuous culture period, adapted rumen fluid was used for inoculation of 24-h batch culture incubations for Exp. 2. For both experiments, 6 dietary treatments were formulated to consist of 0.3%, 0.4%, or 0.5% dietary sulfur (LS, MS, and HS, respectively) and 3% or 9% dietary roughage (LR and MR, respectively), using grass hay as the roughage source. A corn-based diet without DDGS was used as a control diet. Headspace gas was sampled to determine HS production and concentration. In Exp. 1, greater dietary roughage had no effect ( = 0.14) on HS production but did create a less acidic environment because of an increase ( < 0.01) in the in vitro pH. In Exp. 2, an increase in dietary sulfur caused an increase ( = 0.04) in ruminal HS production, but there was no direct effect ( = 0.25) of dietary roughage on HS production. Greater dietary roughage resulted in a less ( = 0.01) acidic final batch culture pH but a lower ( < 0.01) total VFA concentration. Further investigation is needed to determine a more effective way to mitigate ruminal HS production using dietary manipulation, which could include greater inclusion of dietary roughage or the use of different roughage sources.

Effect of management (organic vs conventional) on volatile profiles of six plum cultivars (Prunus salicina Lindl.). A chemometric approach for varietal classification and determination of potential markers.

The volatile profiles of six plum cultivars ('Laetitia', 'Primetime', 'Sapphire', 'Showtime', 'Songold' and 'Souvenir') produced under two management systems (conventional and organic) and harvested in two consecutive years were obtained by HS-SPME-GC-MS. Twenty-five metabolites were determined, five of which (pentanal, (E)-2-heptenal, 1-octanol, eucalyptol and 2-pentylfuran) are reported for the first time in Prunus salicina Lindl. Hexanal stood out as a major volatile compound affected by the management system. In addition, partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) achieved an effective classification of genotypes based on their volatile profiles. A high classification accuracy model was obtained with a sensitivity of 97.9% and a specificity of 99.6%. Furthermore, the application of a dual criterion, based on a method of variable selection, VIP (variable importance in projection) and the results of a univariate analysis (ANOVA), allowed the identification of potential volatile markers in 'Primetime', 'Showtime' and 'Souvenir' genotypes (cultivars not characterised to date).

Effect of hydroxytyrosol on quality of sulfur dioxide-free red wine.

In this work, the feasibility of two commercial products enriched in hydroxytyrosol (HT) as alternative to sulfur dioxide in Syrah red wines was evaluated. The HT enriched products came from synthesis and from olive waste. Wines treated with HT were compared with wines treated with sulfur dioxide at two winemaking stages: bottling and after 6 months of storage in bottle. Minor differences were found in enological parameters and volatile composition (esters, alcohols and acids). Significant differences were observed in color related parameters and sensory analysis. HT wines improved color parameters as well as scents and tasting at bottling. However, after 6 months of storage in bottle HT wines were more oxidized than SO2 wines. The olfactometry profile of HT wines supported sensory analysis. HT wines showed new odorant zones from both the added product and oxidation.

Mitigation of in vitro hydrogen sulfide production using bismuth subsalicylate with and without monensin in beef feedlot diets.

The objective of this study was to determine if a sulfur binder, bismuth subsalicylate (BSS), alone or combined with monensin (MON) could decrease the production of HS by rumen microbes. In Exp. 1, two 24-h batch culture incubations were conducted using a substrate consisting of 50% corn, 40% distillers grains, 9.75% hay, and 0.25% mineral premix, on a DM basis. Five treatments including BSS concentrations of 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4% of DM were assigned in 5 replicates to 120-mL serum bottles containing rumen fluid, buffer, and 0.5 g of dietary substrate. Addition of 2% and 4% BSS decreased ( < 0.05) gas production, whereas all concentrations of BSS reduced ( < 0.05) HS production by 18%, 24%, 82%, and 99% for 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4% BSS, respectively. Final pH increased ( < 0.05) with 2% and 4% BSS treatments. At 4% of DM, BSS decreased ( < 0.05) total VFA concentration (m) and propionate (mol/100 mol) but increased acetate (mol/100 mol) and acetate to propionate ratio. Concentration of branched-chain VFA increased ( < 0.05) with the addition of 0.5% BSS, compared with the control. On the basis of these results, addition of BSS (1% of DM) and MON (5 mg/kg) were used to assess their effects on metabolism and HS release by rumen microbes in 8 dual flow continuous culture fermenters during two 10-d periods (Exp. 2). Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Substrate similar to that used in Exp. 1 was provided at 75 g DM/fermenter daily. Headspace HS concentration was reduced ( < 0.05) by 99% with BSS treatment but was not affected ( = 0.21) by MON. An overall increase ( < 0.05) in fermentation pH was found following addition of BSS. Addition of BSS increased ( < 0.05) digestion of NDF and ADF but decreased ( < 0.05) nonfiber carbohydrate digestion and total VFA concentration. Acetate and propionate (mol/100 mol) increased ( < 0.05) with BSS, whereas butyrate (mol/100 mol) and branched-chain VFA (m) decreased ( < 0.05). Addition of BSS increased ( < 0.05) NH-N concentration and NH-N outflow but decreased ( < 0.05) microbial N outflow. Results from this study showed no response to monensin addition, but BSS markedly reduced HS production and altered microbial fermentation during in vitro rumen fluid incubations.

Effects of chitosan on nutrient digestibility, methane emissions, and in vitro fermentation in beef cattle.

Chitosan was evaluated as a feed additive to mitigate in vivo CH4 emissions in beef cattle. Twenty-four crossbred heifers (BW = 318 ± 35 kg) were used in a randomized block design replicated in 2 periods. The design included a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments, which included diet (high concentrate [HC] or low concentrate [LC]) and 0.0, 0.5, or 1.0% of chitosan inclusion (DM basis). Diets were offered ad libitum and individual intake was recorded. An in vitro experiment to analyze chitosan's effect on fermentation parameters and gas production kinetics was performed. A diet effect (P < 0.01) was observed for CH4 emissions expressed as grams/day, grams/kilogram of BW0.75, and grams/kilogram of DMI. Heifers consuming the LC diet produced 130 g of CH4/d vs. 45 g of CH4/d in those consuming the HC diet. Incubation fluid pH increased linearly (P < 0.05) when chitosan was included in HC substrates. In vitro CH4 production was not affected (P > 0.10) by chitosan in HC substrate; however, when incubated with the LC substrate, CH4 production increased quadratically (P < 0.01) as chitosan inclusion increased. A digestibility marker × diet interaction occurred (P < 0.05) for DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADF digestibility. Diet × chitosan interactions (P < 0.05) occurred for DM, OM, NDF, and ADF digestibility when Cr2O3 was used. When TiO2 was used, diet × chitosan interactions (P < 0.05) were observed for NDF and ADF. However, using indigestible NDF as an internal marker, DM and OM digestibility were improved (P < 0.05) by 21 and 19%, respectively, when chitosan was included in LC diets. In conclusion, feeding up to 1% of chitosan (DM basis) to heifers consuming a LC diet increased apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients. Enteric CH4 emissions were not affected by chitosan feeding, regardless of type of diet, and heifers consuming a 36% concentrate diet produced 2.6 times more methane per day than those consuming an 85% concentrate diet.

Effect of slow-release urea inclusion in diets containing modified corn distillers grains on total tract digestibility and ruminal fermentation in feedlot cattle.

Ruminal degradable intake protein (DIP) deficit may result when cattle are fed diets containing a greater inclusion of processed corn grain and small to moderate inclusion of corn distillers grains (DG). This deficit may arise from greater proportions of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates and RUP in corn grain. Urea-derived N is 100% DIP; however, rates of degradation of carbohydrates and conventional urea (CU) may not match. Therefore, beneficial effects may result from the use of slow-release urea (SRU) sources over CU when added to DIP-deficient diets. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of increasing DIP concentration through inclusion of 1 of 2 SRU sources or CU in DG-containing feedlot diets on ruminal fermentation and total tract digestibility. In addition, an in situ experiment was conducted to characterize N disappearance of urea sources from polyester bags. Four ruminally cannulated steers (initial BW = 588 ± 8 kg) were arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design and assigned randomly to 1 of 4 dietary treatments containing 0% (CON) or 0.6% urea in the form of CU (UREA) or SRU as Optigen II (polymer-encapsulated urea; OPTI) or NitroShure (lipid-encapsulated urea; NITRO), and 30% corn earlage, 20% modified corn DG with solubles, 7.8% corn silage, 4.3% dry supplement, and dry-rolled corn (DM basis). Dietary DIP was estimated at 6.6% and 8.3% for CON and urea-containing dietary treatments, respectively. Steers were fed ad libitum once daily. Differences in purine derivatives-to-creatinine (PDC) index between treatments were used as indicators of differences in microbial CP synthesis. Intake of OM, digestibility of OM, NDF, CP, and starch, ruminal pH, total VFA ruminal concentration, and PDC index were not affected by treatment ( ≥ 0.21). Concentration of ammonia-N noticeably peaked at 4 h after feed delivery for cattle fed UREA (treatment × time, = 0.06) and measured at least 5.5 mg/dL for any treatment and at any hour after feed delivery. During the first 12 h after incubation, N disappearance was greater for CU and NitroShure than Optigen II (urea source × time, < 0.01). Supplementing DIP through inclusion of CU or SRU did not affect feed intake, digestibility, or most of the ruminal fermentation parameters evaluated, which may relate to the lack of need of urea supplementation in the present experiment. More research is warranted to evaluate the use of SRU in DIP-deficient diets.

Effects of different levels of supplementation of a 50:50 mixture of molasses:crude glycerol on performance, Bermuda grass hay intake, and nutrient digestibility of beef cattle.

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of different levels of supplementation with a 50:50 (as-fed) mixture of molasses:crude glycerol on animal performance, total tract digestibility of nutrients, and ruminal in situ degradability of nutrients in beef heifers and steers consuming Tifton 85 Bermuda grass (Cynodon spp.) hay. For Exp. 1, 24 Angus crossbred heifers (380 ± 31 kg BW) were used in a generalized randomized block design. For Exp. 2, 8 ruminally cannulated Angus crossbred steers (323 ± 42 kg BW) were used in a 4 × 4 duplicated Latin square design. For both experiments, animals were housed in individual pens at the University of Florida Feed Efficiency Facility, had ad libitum access to Tifton 85 Bermuda grass hay, and were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) CTRL, no supplementation; 2) SUP1, 0.45 kg/d (as fed) of 50:50 mixture; 3) SUP3, 1.36 kg/d (as fed) of 50:50 mixture; and 4) SUP5, 2.27 kg/d (as fed) of a 50:50 mixture. Individual feed intake was recorded. Total DMI increased linearly (P = 0.005) as the level of supplementation increased. Hay intake ranged from 1.36 (CTRL) to 1.23% (SUP5) of BW, and was not affected (P ≥ 0.10) by liquid supplementation. Final BW was not affected by liquid supplementation ( ≥ 0.10). There was a linear increase (P = 0.027) in ADG as the liquid supplementation amounts increased. Liquid supplementation did not affect G:F (P ≥ 0.10). Apparent total tract digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, and ADF increased linearly (P < 0.001), while CP total tract digestibility decreased linearly (P = 0.002) as the level of supplementation increased. Ruminal pH was decreased linearly (P = 0.012) as the level of supplementation increased. No effect (P ≥ 0.10) of liquid supplementation was detected on lag time for NDF and ADF content of bermudagrass hay; however, rate of degradation (Kd) of NDF tended (P = 0.076) to be affected cubically by liquid supplementation. In addition, liquid supplementation linearly decreased (P < 0.05) ED of OM, CP, NDF, and ADF. In conclusion, supplementing up to 2.27 kg/d of a 50:50 mixture of molasses:crude glycerol may stimulate microbial growth and fermentative activity, thereby increasing nutrient digestibility. Increased fiber digestion, along with energy supplementation, led to increased ADG in heifers consuming Bermuda grass hay.

Role of the catechol group in the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of virgin olive oil components in rat brain.

The aim of the present study was to determine the role of the catechol group in the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of minor components of virgin olive oil in rat brain tissue. Hydroxytyrosol ethyl ether (HT, 2 OH), tyrosol ethyl ether (Ty, 1 OH) and 3,4-di-ortho-methylidene-hydroxytyrosol ethyl ether (MET, no OH) were compared. Oxidative stress was induced with ferrous salts (lipid peroxidation induction), diethylmaleate (depletion of glutathione) and hypoxia-reoxygenation in brain slices. Lipid peroxidation was inhibited in direct proportion to the number of OH groups: HT>Ty>MET. Exposure to HT led to partial recovery of the glutathione system after chemical inhibition or hypoxia-reoxygenation. All three compounds inhibited cell death in hypoxia-reoxygenation experiments (HT≥Ty>MET). Peroxynitrite formation (3-nitrotyrosine) and inflammatory mediators (prostaglandin E2 and interleukin 1ß) were inhibited by all three compounds. In conclusion, the presence of OH groups in the molecule of these phenolic compounds from virgin olive oil is a determinant factor in their antioxidant effect in brain tissue, but this antioxidant effect is not the only explanation for their neuroprotective effect.

Effect of urea inclusion in diets containing corn dried distillers grains on feedlot cattle performance, carcass characteristics, ruminal fermentation, total tract digestibility, and purine derivatives-to-creatinine index.

Increased availability of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates and a great proportion of corn-derived CP in the diet may result in a degradable intake protein (DIP) deficit. Therefore, ruminal DIP deficit may result from high dietary inclusion of processed corn grain and small to moderate inclusion of corn distillers grains (DG). Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of increasing dietary DIP concentration through the inclusion of urea on feedlot cattle performance, carcass characteristics, ruminal fermentation, total tract digestibility, and purine derivatives-to-creatinine (PDC) index. In Exp. 1, 42 steers (428 ± 5 kg initial BW) were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 diets containing (DM basis) 0 (control [CON]), 0.4 (low urea [LU]), or 0.6% urea (high urea [HU]) to provide 6.4, 7.5, or 8.0% dietary DIP, respectively, and 12% high-moisture corn (HMC), 20% corn dried DG with solubles (DDGS), 10% ryegrass haylage, 2.9% dry supplement, and dry-rolled corn (DRC). Steers were fed ad libitum once daily using a Calan gate system. Carcass-adjusted final BW and DMI were similar among treatments (P ≥ 0.58). Carcass-adjusted ADG was greater (P ≤ 0.04) for the HU diet compared with the LU and CON diets and was similar (P = 0.73) between the LU and CON diets. Carcass-adjusted G:F was greater (P = 0.03) for the HU diet compared with the LU diet, tended (P = 0.09) to be greater compared with the CON diet, and was similar (P = 0.61) between the LU and CON diets. Carcass characteristics were similar (P ≥ 0.34) among treatments. In Exp. 2, 4 ruminally cannulated steers (347 ± 18 kg initial BW) were randomly assigned to a replicated 2 × 2 Latin square design. Steers were fed the same CON or HU diet used in Exp. 1 ad libitum once daily. Differences in the PDC index were used as indicators of differences in microbial CP synthesis. Ruminal pH, OM intake, and starch and CP digestibility were not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.13). Digestibility of OM and NDF and ruminal concentration of ammonia-N and total VFA were greater (P ≤ 0.04) for the HU diet compared with the CON diet. The PDC index was similar (P = 0.81) between treatments at 2 h before feed delivery: 4% lower and 14% greater for the HU diet compared with the CON diet at 4 and 10 h after feed delivery, respectively (P < 0.01). These results suggest that, due to limited DIP supplied by a DRC- and HMC-based feedlot diet containing 20% DDGS, urea supplementation resulted in improved ruminal fermentation and feed digestibility, which may explain the concurrently improved cattle performance.

Effects of Temperature during Moist Heat Treatment on Ruminal Degradability and Intestinal Digestibility of Protein and Amino Acids in Hempseed Cake.

The objective of this study was to evaluate ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in hempseed cake (HC) that were moist heat treated at different temperatures. Samples of cold-pressed HC were autoclaved for 30 min at 110, 120 or 130°C, and a sample of untreated HC was used as the control. Ruminal degradability of CP was estimated, using the in situ Dacron bag technique; intestinal CP digestibility was estimated for the 16 h in situ residue using a three-step in vitro procedure. AA content was determined for the HC samples (heat treated and untreated) of the intact feed, the 16 h in situ residue and the residue after the three-step procedure. There was a linear increase in RUP (p = 0.001) and intestinal digestibility of RUP (p = 0.003) with increasing temperature during heat treatment. The 130°C treatment increased RUP from 259 to 629 g/kg CP, while intestinal digestibility increased from 176 to 730 g/kg RUP, compared to the control. Hence, the intestinal available dietary CP increased more than eight times. Increasing temperatures during heat treatment resulted in linear decreases in ruminal degradability of total AA (p = 0.006) and individual AA (p<0.05) and an increase in intestinal digestibility that could be explained both by a linear and a quadratic model for total AA and most individual AA (p<0.05). The 130°C treatment decreased ruminal degradability of total AA from 837 to 471 g/kg, while intestinal digestibility increased from 267 to 813 g/kg of rumen undegradable AA, compared with the control. There were differences between ruminal AA degradability and between intestinal AA digestibility within all individual HC treatments (p<0.001). It is concluded that moist heat treatment at 130°C did not overprotect the CP of HC and could be used to shift the site of CP and AA digestion from the rumen to the small intestine. This may increase the value of HC as a protein supplement for ruminants.

Effects of two halophytic plants (kochia and atriplex) on digestibility, fermentation and protein synthesis by ruminal microbes maintained in continuous culture.

Eight continuous culture fermenters were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate various nutritional values of Kochia (Kochia scoparia) compared with Atriplex (Atriplex dimorphostegia). Dried and pelleted samples (leaves and stems) provided substrate for metabolism by ruminal microbes maintained in a continuous culture fermentation system. Results indicated that there were no differences (p>0.05) in dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility between the two halophytic plants. Atriplex had higher (p<0.05) organic matter (OM) digestibility compared with Kochia. Neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) digestibility of Atriplex (411 g/kg) was higher (p<0.05) than that of Kochia (348 g/kg), however acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in Kochia compared with Atriplex (406 vs. 234 g/kg). There were no differences (p>0.05) between the two halophytic plants in molar proportion of acetate and propionate, but the concentration of butyrate and valerate in Kochia were about two fold of Atriplex (p<0.05). When Kochia provided substrate to the microbes, protein synthesis was higher (p<0.05) compared with feeding Atriplex (5.96 vs. 4.85 g N/kg of OM truly digested). It was concluded that Kochia scoparia and Atriplex dimorphostegia had similar digestibility of DM and CP. It appears that these halophytic plants may not have enough digestible energy for high producing ruminants.

Differences in the in vitro antiplatelet effect of dexibuprofen, ibuprofen, and flurbiprofen in human blood.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we compared the in vitro pharmacodynamic profile of dexibuprofen, ibuprofen, and flurbiprofen to identify possible differences in antiplatelet activity. METHODS: In whole blood samples from healthy volunteers, we measured platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate, collagen and arachidonic acid, platelet thromboxane B(2) (TxB(2)), lipopolysaccharide-induced prostaglandin E(2), leukocyte 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α) (PGF(1α)), and nitric oxide induced by both constitutive and inducible pathways before and after incubation with increasing concentrations of acetylsalicylic acid, dexibuprofen, ibuprofen, or flurbiprofen. The concentration that inhibited (IC(50)) or increased each variable by 50% was calculated. RESULTS: All 3 drugs inhibited platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner, TxB(2), prostaglandin E(2), and 6-keto-PGF(1α), and increased calcium-induced nitric oxide production. Dexibuprofen showed greater antiplatelet potency than ibuprofen and flurbiprofen, and its profile was similar to that of aspirin. For example, IC(50) values for arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation were 0.85 ± 0.06 µM for dexibuprofen, 14.76 ± 1.22 µM for ibuprofen, 6.39 ± 0.51 µM for flurbiprofen, and 0.38 ± 0.03 µM for aspirin. All drugs inhibited both thromboxane and prostacyclin synthesis, but the IC(50) anti-TxB(2)/IC(50) anti-6-keto-PGF(1α) ratio was 0.21 ± 0.03 for dexibuprofen, 1.05 ± 0.08 for ibuprofen, 0.79 ± 0.11 for flurbiprofen, and 0.46 ± 0.06 for aspirin. All drugs increased calcium-dependent nitric oxide production. CONCLUSIONS: The aryl propionic acid derivative dexibuprofen was the most potent antiplatelet drug, and its pharmacodynamic profile is similar to aspirin.