Proteomic-Level Responses of Early-Weaned Piglets to Dietary Arginine Supplementation

Dietary arginine supplementation enhances the immune status and protein synthesis in early-weaned pigs. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. To investigate how arginine affects the expression of key proteins that regulate growth and nutrient transport of jejunum, a total of 12 healthy piglets （21 day-old, similar body weight, Landrace x Yorkshire） delivered by four sows were randomly divided into two groups. Piglets in the test group were reared with feed supplemented L-arginine at a concentration of 6.0 g/kg, while piglets in the control group were fed with feed supplemented L-alanine at a concentration of 12.3 g/kg （isonitrogenous control）. After 7 d, jejunum mucosae was collected and analyzed with the 2-D PAGE MS technology. Compared with the control pigs, arginine decreased the levels of proteins that regulate the protein syn- thesis, intermediary metabolism and tissue growth （ similar to anterior gradient 2 homolog, cyclophilin_ABHJike, hypothetical protein FLJ39502 and tetratrioopeptide repeat domain 16, similar to KIAA0156, mitechondrial ATP synthase, hydrion transporting F1 complex, beta subunit and alpha-tu- bulin ubiquitous isoform 19, prolyl 4-hydroxylase, beta subunit precursor）. In addition, arginine increased the levels of proteins that are involved in proteolysis and immune response （ PGAM1, T cell receptor beta variable 20, membrane steroid binding protein, similar to myomesin-1, and chain A, structure of pig muscle Pgk complexed with MgATP）. Therefore, arginine influences the immune response and protein synthesis mechanisms as well as improves eady weaned stress syndrome of piglets.

Effects of Different Energy Levels on Nutrient Utilization and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Early-Weaned Calves

Current study was performed to investigate the effects of different energy levels on nutrient digestion metabolism and serum biochemical parameters of early-weaned calves. Twelve neonatal Holstein calves were selected and assigned randomly to receive 1 of 3 treatments that contained 18.51, 19.66 and 20.80 MJ kg^-1 gross energy, respectively （n=4 per treatment）. Digestion and metabolism trials were carried out in 5 phases （12-20, 22-30, 32-40, 42-50, and 52-60 d of age）. At the same time, blood metabolites were determined at 21, 31, 41, 51, and 61 d of age prior to morning feeding. The results indicated that either dry matter （DM）, organic matter （OM） and gross energy （GE） apparent digestibility or N and P retention tended to increase as age advanced; the average value of DM and OM apparent digestibility and Ca retention in high-energy treatment was significantly lower than that of other groups （P 〈 0.05）; there were no significant differences in the concentration of serum glucose, triglyceride and urea N among treatments, whereas a significant effect of age was found on the level of triglyceride （P 〈 0.05）. To sum up, medium-energy milk replacer seems to be more beneficial for GE digestibility and N utilization, whereas low-energy milk replacer appears to be more rewarding for Ca and P utilization.

Lactobacillus frumenti mediates energy production via fatty acid β-oxidation in the liver of early-weaned piglets

Background:Early-weaning of piglets is often accompanied by severe disorders,especially diarrhea.The gut microbiota and its metabolites play a critical role in the maintenance of the physiologic and metabolic homeostasis of the host.Our previous studies have demonstrated that oral administration of Lactobacillus frumenti improves epithelial barrier functions and confers diarrhea resistance in early-weaned piglets.However,the metabolic response to L.frumenti administration remains unclear.Then,we conducted simultaneous serum and hepatic metabolomic analyses in early-weaned piglets administered by L.frumenti or phosphatebuffered saline(PBS).Results:A total of 1006-day-old crossbred piglets(Landrace×Yorkshire)were randomly divided into two groups and piglets received PBS(sterile,2 m L)or L.frumenti(suspension in PBS,10~8 CFU/m L,2 m L)by oral administration once per day from 6 to 20 days of age.Piglets were weaned at 21 days of age.Serum and liver samples for metabolomic analyses were collected at 26 days of age.Principal components analysis(PCA)showed that L.frumenti altered metabolism in serum and liver.Numerous correlations(P<0.05)were identified among the serum and liver metabolites that were affected by L.frumenti.Concentrations of guanosine monophosphate(GMP),inosine monophosphate(IMP),and uric acid were higher in serum of L.frumenti administration piglets.Pathway analysis indicated that L.frumenti regulated fatty acid and amino acid metabolism in serum and liver.Concentrations of fatty acidβ-oxidation related metabolites in serum(such as3-hydroxybutyrylcarnitine,C4-OH)and liver(such as acetylcarnitine)were increased after L.frumenti administration.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that L.frumenti regulates lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism in the liver of early-weaned piglets,where it promotes fatty acidβ-oxidation and energy production.High serum concentrations of nucleotide intermediates,which may be an alternative strategy to reduce the incidence of diarrhea in early-weaned piglets,were further detected.These findings broaden our understanding of the relationships between the gut microbiota and nutrient metabolism in the early-weaned piglets.

Effect of Glutamine Supplementation on Intestinal Mucosal Protein,DNA and Mucosal Morphology of Early-Weaned Piglets

Forty piglets weaned at 21 days age were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The treatment group contained 1. 2% glutamine. The diets were calculated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic, each treatment contained five replicates of four piglets. Five piglets from each dietary treatment were killed at 35 days and 49 days age. The results showed that dietary glutamine supplementation increased jejunal DNA content of piglets in the treatment group at 35 days and 49 days age. There was no significant change of ileum DNA content and intestinal protein content between the treatment and control ones. Dietary glutamine supplementation increased mucosal thickness of piglets in treatment group markedly at 35 days age. The intestinal villus heights were significantly higher in treatment than that in control. The results of electron micrograph showed that dietary glutamine supplementation prevented deterioration of intestinal epithelium, and maintained normal intestinal microvillus structure. The results suggested that glutamine supplementation prevented villus atrophy, and had protective effect on intestinal structure.

SARC-CalF量表对亚洲老年人群肌肉减少症诊断价值的meta分析

目的 系统评价SARC-CalF量表筛检亚洲老年人群肌肉减少症风险的效果。方法 检索PubMed、Web of Science、Embase、Cochrane Library、CINAHL、中国知网、中国生物医学文献数据库、维普、万方中使用SARC-CalF量表筛查亚洲老年人群肌肉减少症的诊断/筛检试验研究,检索时间为建库至2023年4月。采用诊断准确性研究质量评价工具(QUADAS-2)对纳入文献进行质量评价,资料分析采用STATA15.1。结果 共纳入12篇文献,筛查老年人肌肉减少症5 406例,meta分析结果显示,SARC-CalF量表筛查老年人群肌肉减少症的合并敏感度为0.63[95%可信区间(95%CI)0.54~0.71],合并特异度为0.82(95%CI 0.74~0.88),阳性似然比为3.40(95%CI 2.50~4.80),阴性似然比为0.45(95%CI 0.37~0.56),诊断比值比为8(95%CI 5~12),拟合受试者操作特征曲线下面积(AUC)为0.78(95%CI 0.74~0.81)。结论 SARC-CalF量表对亚洲老年人群肌肉减少症筛查具有一定准确性,且不同研究人群、地区的诊断价值存在差异,但具体情况仍需联用其他筛查工具以提高敏感度,避免漏诊。

Relationship between Nonexercise Activity Thermogenesis and Calf Circumference in Older Women

Purpose: Frailty is a state of declined vitality of the body and mind with age in which life functions are impaired. In addition, there is a difference in the susceptibility of older women to frailty compared with that of older men. Therefore, assessing and encouraging physical activity in older adults before they become frail is essential. We aimed to clarify the relationship between calf circumference and body composition and assess the potential association between calf circumference and physical activity indices in older women. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 18 healthy older adults (age 69.0 ± 5.7 years). The physical characteristics, calf circumference, body composition, calf muscle thickness, and physical activity questionnaire that included items on exercise-related activity thermogenesis (EAT) and nonexercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) were assessed. The association between calf circumference and these additional measures was examined. Results: Positive and significant correlations were found between the calf circumference and body weight, body mass index (BMI), skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle mass index, calf muscle thickness, total questionnaire score, and NEAT score (r = 0.66 - 0.87). However, no significant correlations were observed between the calf circumference and EAT scores. Conclusion: Calf circumference in older women may reflect NEAT activity. Improving NEAT activity is an important health-promoting factor in older women.

Human Pro-insulin Transgenic Calf Derived from Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

The current study was undertaken to evaluate the possibility of producing a human pro-insulin transgenic cow by means of somatic cell nuclear transfer （SCNT）. A double selection system, Neomycin resistance （Neo^r） gene and enhanced green fluorescent protein （EGFP） gene linked through an inner ribosomal entry site （IRES） sequence directed by a Cytomegalovirus （CMV） promoter, was used for enrichment and selection of the transgenic cells and preimplantation embryos. Transgenes were introduced into bovine fetal fibroblast cells （BFF） cultured in vitro through electroporation （900 V/cm, 5 ms）. Transgenic bovine fibroblast cells （TBF） were enriched through addition of G418 in culture medium （800 μg/mL）. Before being used as a nuclear donor, the TBF cells were either cultured in normal conditions （10% FBS） or treated with serum starvation （0.5% FBS for 2-4 days） followed by 10 hours recovery for G1 phase synchronization. Transgenic cloned embryos were produced through GFP-expressing cell selection and SCNT. The results were the percentage of blastocyst development following SCNT was lower using TBF than BFF cells （23.2% VS 35.2%, P 〈 0.05）. No difference in the percentage of cloned blastocysts between the two groups of transgenic nuclear donor of normal and starvation cultures were observed （23.2% VS 18.9%, P 〉 0.05）. Two to four GFP-expressing blastocysts were transferred into the uterus of each synchronised recipient. One pregnancy from of seven recipients （21 embryos） was confirmed by rectum palpation 60 days after embryo transfer and one recipient has given birth to a calf at term. PCR and DNA sequencing analysis confirmed that the calf was produced using human proinsulin transgenic animal.

Current research progresses on calf rearing and nutrition in China

Calves are the reserve forces for dairy cattle. Scientific rearing strategy of calves is the basis of efficient cattle breeding. However, many problems exist in current rearing systems of calves and restrict the sustainable development of dairy cattle in China. The absence of basic research is the most highlighted problem among them. Recent researches on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical indices and rumen development in calves were summarized in this paper. Additionally, the optimal levels of energy and protein in milk replacer and starter diets for calves were indicated, and limiting amino acids for calves fed different diets were discussed. A variety of additives, such as acidifiers, probiotics and polysaccharides, are regarded as promising alternatives to antibiotics to reduce disease in calves. Dietary supplementations of these additives have positive effects on growth and health of calves. However, studies on the nutrition of vitamins and minerals in calves have been seldom done, and deserve our further researches. To sum up, the postnatal period is one of the most critical “windows” for rumen manipulation and epigenetic regulation. Any changes from environments, especially early nutrition, may produce long-term effects on growth, health and milk yields in adult cattle.

Vitamin A administration at birth promotes calf growth and intramuscular fat development in Angus beef cattle

Background: Marbling, or intramuscular fat, is an important factor contributing to the palatability of beef. Vitamin A, through its active metabolite, retinoic acid, promotes the formation of new fat cells(adipogenesis). As intramuscular adipogenesis is active during the neonatal stage, we hypothesized that vitamin A administration during the neonatal stage would enhance intramuscular adipogenesis and marbling.Methods: Angus steer calves(n = 30), in a completely randomized design, were randomly allotted to three treatment groups at birth, receiving 0, 150,000, or 300,000 IU of vitamin A at both birth and one month of age.A biopsy of the biceps femoris muscle was collected at two months of age. After weaning at 210 d of age, steers were fed a backgrounding diet in a feedlot until 308 d of age, when they were transitioned to a high concentrate finishing diet and implanted with trenbolone/estradiol/tylosin mixture. Steers were harvested at an average of 438 d of age. All diets were formulated to meet nutrient requirements.Results: Weaning weight and weight during the backgrounding phase were linearly increased(P < 0.05) by vitamin A level, though no difference in body weight was observed at harvest. Intramuscular fat of steers at 308 d of age, measured by ultrasound, quadratically increased(P < 0.05) with vitamin A level from 4.0±0.26 % to 4.9±0.26 %.Similarly, carcass marbling score in the ribeye quadratically increased(P < 0.05).Conclusion: Administration of vitamin A at birth increased weaning weight and enhanced marbling fat development.Thus, vitamin A administration provides a practical method for increasing marbling and early growth of beef cattle.

Low Calf Circumference Predicts Nutritional Risks in Hospitalized Patients Aged More Than 80 Years

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether low calf circumference(CC) could predict nutritional risk and the cutoff values of CC for predicting nutritional risk in hospitalized patients aged ≥ 80 years.Methods A total of 1,234 consecutive patients aged ≥ 80 years were enrolled in this study.On admission, demographic data, CC, and laboratory parameters were obtained.Patients with Nutritional Risk Screening 2002(NRS-2002) total score ≥ 3 were considered as having nutritional risk.Results CC values were significantly lower in patients with nutritional risk compared to those in patients without nutritional risk [27.00(24.50-31.00) vs.31.00(29.00-33.50], P < 0.001].CC was negatively correlated with age and nutritional risk scores.Logistic regression analysis of nutritional risk revealed that body mass index, albumin level, hemoglobin level, cerebral infarction, neoplasms, and CC(OR, 0.897;95% confidence interval, 0.856-0.941;P < 0.001) were independent impact factors of nutritional risk.Nutritional risk scores increased with a decrease in CC.In men, the best CC cutoff value for predicting nutritional risk according to the NRS-2002 was 29.75 cm.In women, the cutoff value was 28.25 cm.Conclusion CC is a simple, noninvasive, and valid anthropometric measure to predict nutritional risk for hospitalized patients aged ≥ 80 years.

Associations of Sarcopenia, Handgrip Strength and Calf Circumference with Cognitive Impairment among Chinese Older Adults

Objective To evaluate the associations of sarcopenia,handgrip strength and calf circumference with cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults.Methods Totally 2,525 older adults were recruited from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study.Cognitive impairment was assessed by the Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination.Handgrip strength was calculated from the means of the right and left hand values.Calf circumference was measured at the site of maximum circumference of the non-dominant leg.The formula developed by Ishii was used to define sarcopenia.Multiple logistic regression was performed to evaluate the associations of sarcopenia,handgrip strength,and calf circumference with cognitive impairment.Results The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 34.36%.The adjusted odds ratio(OR)for cognitive impairment in individuals with sarcopenia was 2.55[95% confidence interval(95%CI):1.86-3.50].Compared with individuals in the first quartile(Q1)of calf circumference,the adjusted ORs in the second,third,and fourth quartiles(Q_(2),Q_(3),and Q_(4))were 0.75(95% CI:0.58-0.96),0.59(95% CI:0.44-0.79),and 0.62(95% CI:0.45-0.8),respectively.Compared with individuals in Q1 of handgrip strength,the adjusted ORs for Q_(2),Q_(3),and Q_(4) were 0.49(95%CI:0.38-0.62),0.31(95% CI:0.23-0.41),and 0.30(95%CI:0.21-0.44),respectively.Conclusion Sarcopenia,identified by low handgrip strength and low calf circumference,was positively associated with cognitive impairment.

Ruthenium Coordination Compounds with Polypyridines(Ⅵ)--Interaction of Ruthenium Polypyridine Complexes with Calf Thymus DNA-An Example of Non-intercalative Binding

Two new ruthenium polypyridine complexes, L 2RuL 2+ (L represents 2,2 bipyridine(bpy) or 1,10 phenanthroline(phen); L represents Schiff base derived from 4,5 diazafluoren 9 one(AFO) and n propylamine) have been prepared and characterized by means of elementary analyses, electronic absorption and IR spectra. The binding of the complexes to calf thymus DNA has been investigated via absorption, emission spectrometry, emission quenching, equilibrium dialysis and circular dichroism spectrometry. The experimental results show that these two complexes bind to calf thymus DNA by electrostatic mode and by non intercalative binding mode respectively.

A case of exercise induced rhabdomyolysis from calf raises

A 27-year-old male presented to the emergency department with acute exercise induced rhabdomyolysis （EIR） following low intensity, high repetition physical activity. It is paramount for the clinician to consider this diagnosis in the differential of the patient presenting with a complaint of musculoskeletal pain. This case highlights the necessity of staying vigilant for a condition that can develop with seemingly minor, repetitive training of a single muscle group, such as in the exercise of calf raises.

RUTHENIUM COORDINATION COMPOUNDS WITH POLYPYRIDYL：Ⅱ THE INTERACTION OF RUTHENIUM（Ⅱ）MIXED－LIGAND COORDINATION COMPOUNDS CONTAINING PYRIDO［3，2－f］［1，7］PHENANTHROLINE WITH CALF THYMUS DNA

The binding of Rulpdphen2+ to calf thymus DNA was inveatigated using absorption fluorescence and CD spectroscopies, where pdphen is the planar ligand pyrido[3. 2- f] [1, 7] phenanthroline,L=2, 2' -bipyridine, phenanthroline. 2, 9-dimethyl phenanthroline and 5-nitro-phenanthroline. All coordination componds show abaorption typochromicity associated with binding to calf thymus DNA .Ru(bipy) pdphen3+ and Rn (phen) pdphen+ also show fluoreacence intensities and excited state lifetime Increase becanse of the interaction of coordination compounds with calf thymus DNA .CD apectra of dialylatea indicate enantioselectivity associated withe binding to DNA .

Report on a breeding objective that may reduce the carbon footprint of extensive cow-calf production systems

Most measurements for beef improvement in South Africa are per individual (weaning weight, calving interval, growth rate, etc.). A measurement that expresses performance per constant unit, e.g. kilogram calf weaned per Large Stock Unit (LSU) can eventually be translated to kilogram calf produced per kg CO2 equivalent. A LSU is defined as a bovine requiring 75 MJ Metabolisable Energy (ME) per day. If more kilogram weaner calf can be produced per LSU (KgC/LSU), the carbon footprint of beef can be reduced. This study used breed average values to investigate the KgC/LSU for the 30 beef and dual purpose breeds in South Africa. The breeds were categorized in the following breed types: Sanga (indigenous to South Africa) Sanga derived, Zebu, Zebu derived, British and European. No relationship was found between cow weights and KgC/LSU, indicating that it is independent of cow weight between breeds. However, when the data is summarized into breed types, the Sanga and European breed types produce the least KgC/ LSU and Sanga derived breed types the most. This high value of the Sanga derived breeds is probably due to retained heterosis. Composite breeds are mostly intermediate to parental breeds for individual traits but superior for composite traits and KgC/LSU is a composite trait. These calculations were only done on breed averages. A genetic analysis on a breed level to estimate genetic parameters for this trait, and its genetic correlations with other traits now needs to be done before a decision can be taken whether selection for KgC/LSU will be feasible. The ultimate aim with a trait like this is to reduce the carbon footprint of weaner calf production since more kilogram calf will be produced per LSU (constant feed unit).

Ruthenium Coordination Compounds with Polypyridines Ⅶ． Non－intercalative Binding of Ru（Ⅱ） Complexes with Calf Thymus DNA

Two new ruthenium polypyridine complexes. L2RuL2+ where L=2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and 2, 9-dimethyl-1. 10-phenanthroline (dmp); L' is Schiff base prepared from condensation of 4. 5 diazafluoren-9-one (AFO) and aniline. have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, electronic absorption, IR spectra. The binding of the complexes to calf thymus DNA has beeninvestics by absorption. emission spectra and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Experimental results show these two complexes bind to DNA by electrostatic mode and non-interactive binding mode.

The Interaction of Cobalt (Ⅲ) Mixed-Ligand Coordination Compound Containing Dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c] phenazine With Calf Thymus DNA -

The binding of Co (phen)2dppz3+ to calf thymus DNA,as investigated using absorption spectroscopy. viscosity and electrophoresis measurements,here dppz is dipyrido[3, 2-a: 2'3'-c]phenazine. The compound shows absorption hypochromicity and the specific viscosity increased upon binding to calf thymus DNA The complex is also shown to be more efficient photosensitisers for single strand breaks in plasmid DNA

Congenital sternal foramen in a stillborn Holstein calf

Congenital sternal foramen is an anomaly whose occurrence is rare in human but is especially unusual in animals.This defect was formed when fusion of multiple ossification centers was incomplete.It may be associated with other lesions in body organs especially cardiac anomalies.In the present study,we report a very rare case of congenital sternal foramen in a Holstein calf.The oval defect was like a gunshot wound and located at the lower third of the sternum.Apparently,the rest of skeleton system seems normal.The awareness of the anomaly is important for better diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Flow-injection Chemiluminescence Determination of Trace Calf Thymus DNA

A flow injection procedure for the determination of calf thymus DMA （CT DNA） over the range 2.1x10-6;.1x10-1 B.g mL-1 is described, based on measurement of the enhanced chemiluminescence emission of rhodamine B-Ce（IV） system, activated by imidazole-HCl buffer solution. This method is highly sensitive, with the linearity range broadened to five orders of magnitude. It has been applied to determine CT DNA in synthetic sample with satisfactory results.

Luminescence Studies on Interaction of an Isoquinoline Alkaloid with Calf Thymus DNA in Aqueous Medium and on Solid Substrate

The interaction of calf thymus DNA（ctDNA） with berberine（Ber） was systematically investigated via UV-Vis,fluorescence and phosphorescence spectroscopies in aqueous solution and on solid substrate.The very weak fluorescence intensity of Ber at 525 nm in aqueous solution can be greatly enhanced by ctDNA.The UV-Vis spectrum shows that Ber could bind with DNA by intercalation.In addition,strong fluorescence of Ber alone could be observed on filter paper substrate and can be quenched by ctDNA effectively,and the increase of fluorescence polarization of Ber on the filter paper implies the intercalation binding.Ber emits phosphorescence at 619 nm in the presence of thallium（I） acetate.The lifetime of Ber increased from 38.4 ms to 43.4 ms with the increase of ctDNA.The increase of lifetime is possibly attributed to the increase of rigidity of Ber after its intercalating into the ctDNA base pairs.This explanation is also augmented by the anionic quenching results.Ber behaves as a typical intercalating agent into ctDNA.The intrinsic binding constant between Ber and ctDNA is（1.84±0.12）×10^4 L/mol and n=0.16.