Effects of Diet with"Lianhuang"Additive of Chinese Herb Medicine on Growth Performance and Metabolic Rates of Dietary Nutrients in Donglan Black Chicken

[Objectives]The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diet with"Lianhuang"additive of Chinese herbal medicine(LACHM)on growth performance and metabolic rates of dietary nutrients in Donglan black chickens(DBCs).[Methods]80 DBCs aged 1 d were blocked into 4 groups randomly and assigned to 6 replicates in each group with 20 chicks in each replicate.Group A as control group fed basal diet.Groups B,C and D as treatment groups consumed the basal diet added with 0.25%,0.50%and 1.00%of LACHM,respectively during the test period of 70 d.In the end of feeding test,24 DBCs with similar body weight from each group were chosen out and used for a metabolism test to determine the metabolic rates of dietary nutrients from each treatment.The metabolism test was conducted as the same design as the feeding test and the DBCs from each group were fed the same diet as previous test.[Results]The ADG of chickens in the test increased by 5.00%-9.15%(P<0.05)except the stage of 50-70 d,and the individual average body weight(IABW)at 70 d in group B also increased by 4.86%(P<0.05).Compared with group A,the ADG of group C in the stages of 36-49,1-49 and 1-70 d and the IABW in the end of 70 d increased by 5.90%,2.66%,2.68%and 2.57%(P>0.05),respectively.The ADFI in the stage of 36-49 d from group A was 6.04%more than that from group B(P<0.01),and 5.12%and 4.13%more than those from groups C and D(P<0.05),respectively,and the ADFI of group A in the stage of 1-49 d was still 2.86%more than that from group C(P<0.05).However,no differences in ADFI were found in other stages in the test among the 4 groups(P>0.05).The F/G in the stages of 22-35 and 1-70 d from group B was 6.32%and 3.41%lower than those from group A(P<0.05),respectively,and even 11.43%and 7.31%lower in the stages of 36-49 and 1-49 d from group B than those from group A(P<0.01),respectively.The F/G of group C in the stage of 36-49 d was also 10.15%lower than that of group A(P<0.05),and still 5.29%lower than that from group A in 1-49 d(P<0.01),but no differences were found in other stages between the two groups(P>0.05).The metabolic rates of MD,CP,CF,NFE,CA,TE,Ca and P in the 3 treatment diets for group B,C and D all increased to some extent.Among them,the increasing extents of diets with 0.25%and 0.50%of LACHM for groups B and C were much greater.Therefore,the diet with 0.25%of LACHM could improve the growth performance and metabolic rates of dietary nutrients in DBCs significantly.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical reference for the effects of traditional Chinese medicine additives on the growth and metabolic rates of DBCs.

Seasonal acclimatization and temperature acclimation in small passerine birds is achieved via metabolic adjustments

Temperature and other environmental factors play an integral role in the metabolic adjustments of animals and drive a series of morphological,physiological,and behavioral adaptions essential to survival.However,it is not clear how the capacity of an organism for temperature acclimation translates into seasonal acclimatization to maintain survival.Basal metabolic rate(BMR),evaporative water loss(EWL),and energy budget were measured in the Chinese Hwamei(Garrulax canorus)following winter and summer acclimatization,and in those acclimatized to 15℃(cold)and 35℃(warm)under laboratory conditions for 28 days.In addition to the above indicators,internal organ masses,as well as state 4 respiration and cytochrome c oxidase(COX)activity were also measured for the liver,skeletal muscle,heart,and kidney.Both winter-acclimatized and cold-acclimated birds exhibited significantly higher BMR,EWL,and energy budget,as well as organ masses,state 4 respiration,and COX activity compared with the summer-acclimatized and warm-acclimated birds.This indicated that the Chinese Hwamei could adapt to seasonal or just temperature changes through some physiological and biochemical thermogenic adjustments,which would be beneficial to cope with natural environmental changes.A general linear model showed that body mass,BMR,GEI,state 4 respiration in the liver and kidney,and COX activity in the skeletal muscle,liver,and kidney were significantly affected by temperature and acclimation.A positive correlation was observed between BMR and each of the other parameters(body mass,EWL,energy budget,heart dry mass,kidney dry mass,state 4 respiration)in the muscle,heart,and kidney and also between BMR and COX activity in the muscle and kidney.The results suggested that similar to seasonal acclimatization,Chinese Hwameis subjected to temperature acclimation also exhibited significant differences in metabolism-related physiological and biochemical parameters,depending on the temperature.The data also supported the prediction that metabolic adjustment might be the primary means by which small birds meet the energetic challenges triggered by cold conditions.

The role of temperature as a driver of metabolic flexibility in the Red-billed Leiothrix(Leiothrix lutea)

Background:The thermoregulatory ability of animals is strongly influenced by the temperature of their environment.Acclimation to cold requires a range of physiological and morphological adjustments.In this study,we tested the hypothesis that a small passerine,the Red-billed Leiothrix(Leiothrix lutea),can maintain homeothermy in cold conditions by adjusting the physiology and biochemistry of its tissue and organs and return to its former physiological and biochemical state when moved to a warm temperature.Methods:Phenotypic variation in thermogenic activity of the Red-billed Leiothrixs(Leiothrix lutea)was investigated under warm(35℃),normal(25℃)or cold(15℃)ambient temperature conditions.Oxygen consumption was measured using an open-circuit respirometry system.Mitochondrial state-4 respiration and cytochrome-c oxidase(COX)activity in liver,kidney heart and pectoral muscle were measured with a Clark electrode.Results:Birds acclimated to an ambient temperature of 15℃ for 4 weeks significantly increased their basal metabolic rate(BMR)compared to a control group kept at 25℃.Birds acclimated to 35℃ decreased their BMR,gross energy intake(GEI)and digestible energy intake(DEI).Furthermore,birds acclimated to 15℃ increased state-4 respiration in their pectoral muscles and cytochrome-c oxidase(COX)activity in their liver and pectoral muscle,compared to the 25℃ control group.Birds acclimated to 35℃ also displayed lower state-4 respiration and COX activity in the liver,heart and pectoral muscles,compared to those kept at 25℃.There was a positive correlation between BMR and state-4 respiration,and between BMR and COX activity,in all of the above organs except the liver and heart.Conclusions:Our study illustrates that the morphological,physiological,and enzymatic changes are associated with temperature acclimation in the Red-billed Leiothrix,and supports the notion that the primary means by which small birds meet the energetic challenges of cold conditions is through metabolic adjustments.

Short photoperiod increases energy intake, metabolic thermogenesis and organ mass in silky starlings Sturnus sericeus

Environmental cues play important roles in the regulation of an animal＇s physiology and behavior. One such cue, photoperiod, plays an important role in the seasonal acclimatization of birds. It has been demonstrated that an animal＇s body mass, basal metabolic rate （BMR）, and energy intake, are all affected by photoperiod. The present study was designed to examine photoperiod induced changes in the body mass, metabolism and metabolic organs of the silky starling, Stumus sericeus. Captive silky starlings increased their body mass and BMR during four weeks of acclimation to a short photoperiod. Birds acclimated to a short photopedod also increased the mass of certain organs （liver, gizzard and small intestine）, and both gross energy intake （GEl） and digestible energy intake （DEI）, relative to those acclimated to a long photoperiod. Furthermore, BMR was positively correlated with body mass, liver mass, GEl and DEI. These results suggest that silky starlings increase metabolic thermogenesis when exposed to a short photoperiod by increasing their body and metabolic organ mass, and their GEl and DEI. These findings support the hypothesis that bird species from temperate climates typically display high phenotypic flexibility in thermogenic capacity.

Modeling on Metabolic Rate and Thermoregulation in Three Layered Human Skin during Carpentering, Swimming and Marathon

Metabolisms play a vital role in thermoregulation in the human body. The metabolic rate varies with the activity levels and has different behaviors in nature depending on the physical activities of the person. During the activity, metabolic rate increases rapidly at the beginning and then increases slowly to become almost constant after a certain time. So, its behavior is as logistics in nature. The high metabolic rate during activity causes the increase of body core temperature up to 39˚C [1] [2]. The logistic model of metabolic rate is used to re-model Pennes’ bioheat equation for the study of temperature distribution in three layered human dermal parts during carpentering, swimming and marathon. The finite element method is used to obtain the solution of the model equation. The results demonstrate that there is a significant change in tissue temperature due to sweating and ambient temperature variations.

Loss of behavioral stress response in blind cavefish reduces energy expenditure

The stress response is essential for animal self-defense and survival. However, species may exhibit stress response variation depending on their specific environmental and selection pressures. Blind cavefish dwell in cave environments, which differ markedly in stressors and resource availability compared to surface aquatic environments. However, whether blind cavefish exhibit differences in stress response as an adaptation to their cave environments remains unclear. Here, we investigated differences in stress response in six closely related Triplophysa species, including three blind cavefish (T. longibarbata, T. jiarongensis, and T. rosa) and three normal-sighted river fish (T. nasobarbatula, T. dongsaiensis, and T. bleekeri). Results showed that blind cavefish exhibited a range of distinct behavioral responses compared to sighted river fish, including greater levels of activity, shorter duration of freezing, absence of erratic movements or thrashing behavior, and opposite behavioral trends over time. Furthermore, the cavefish species demonstrated attenuated increases in metabolic rate in response to stressors related to novel environments. Cave-dwelling T. rosa also exhibited lower basal hypothalamic-pituitary-inter-renal (HPI) axis-related gene expression levels and stress hormone concentrations compared to river-dwelling T. bleekeri. These results suggest that blind cavefish may have lost their behavioral stress response, potentially mediated by a reduction in basal activity of the HPI axis, thus enabling the conservation of energy by reducing unnecessary expenditure in energy-limited caves.

New Mathematical Modelling on BMR and Weight Prediction for Ghanaians

Background: Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the quantum of calories needed for optimum body function when at rest. This has long been an indicator of one’s health and the basis for determining the metabolic age of individuals. Many scholastic projects have led to the establishment of mathematical models and inventions that measure the BMR and other body composition parameters. However, existing computations have limitations as they do not offer accurate results for Ghanaians. Aim: The purpose of the study was to model BMR metrics that are most suitable for Ghanaians and to investigate the effect of caloric difference on weight, Lean Body Mass (LBM) and % fat composition that can be implemented with Information Technology. Research Methods and Procedures: This was an experimental study that adopted a quantitative approach. BMR and body composition were measured in a sample of 242 Ghanaian adults (141 males and 101 females) from 19 to 30 years of age. Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impendence analysis (BIA) in all participants. Each participant was under study for 7 days. A simple linear regression model was used to examine associations between BMR/calorie intake and total body weight and LBM. Results: There was a significant statistical relation between BMR and LBM and between BMR and weight of both men and women. Equations for BMR and weight were established for males and females. Furthermore, caloric intake differences affected changes in total weight as well as differences in % fat composition. Caloric intake however did not affect the difference in LBM. Conclusion: Caloric difference had an impact on total body weight and Lean Body Mass. The model derived from the study predicts weight change and BMR of Ghanaians from 19 to 30 years of age. It is termed the Health and Age Monitoring System (HAMS).

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.

Seasonal phenotypic flexibility in body mass,basal thermogenesis,and tissue oxidative capacity in the male Silky Starling(Sturnus sericeus)

Background: Acclimatization to winter conditions is an essential prerequisite for the survival of small birds in the northern temperate zone.Changes in photoperiod,ambient temperature and food availability trigger seasonal physiological and behavioral acclimatization in many passerines.Seasonal trends in metabolic parameters are well known in avian populations from temperate environments;however,the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying these trends are incompletely understood.In this study,we used an integrative approach to measure variation in the thermogenic properties of the male Silky Starling(Sturnus sericeus) at different levels or organization,from the whole organism to the biochemical.We measured body mass(Mb),basal metabolic rate(BMR),energy budget,the mass of selected internal organs,state 4 respiration and cytochrome c oxidase(COX) activity in the heart,liver and muscle.Methods: Oxygen consumption was measured using an open-circuit respirometry system.The energy intake of the birds were then determined using an oxygen bomb calorimeter.Mitochondrial state 4 respiration and COX activity in heart,liver and pectoral muscle were measured with a Clark electrode.Results: The results suggest that acclimatization to winter conditions caused significant change in each of the measured variables,specifically,increases in Mb,organ mass,BMR,energy intake and cellular enzyme activity.Furthermore,BMR was positively correlated with body mass,energy intake,the mass of selected internal organs,state 4 respiration in the heart,liver and muscle,and COX activity in the heart and muscle.Conclusions: These results suggest that the male Silky Starling's enhanced basal thermogenesis under winter conditions is achieved by making a suite of adjustments from the whole organism to the biochemical level,and provide further evidence to support the notion that small birds have high phenotypic plasticity with respect to seasonal changes.

The Effects of Chronic Hypoxia on Thermoregulation and Metabolism in Phrynocephalus vlangalii

Phrynocephalus vlangalii are widely distributed on Tibetan plateau spanning diverse altitudes and habitats. In the present study, P vlangalii were exposed to 8% oxygen concentration in a hypoxic chamber for 6 weeks. Then the body temperature （Tb）, standard metabolic rate （SMR）, heart rate and metabolic enzyme activities of the lizards were measured at 20℃ and 30℃. The results indicated that hypoxia exposure decreased Tb, SMR and heart rate. Lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） activity of 8% 02 group became significant elevated in liver and skeletal muscle compared with control group at 20℃, but descended significantly in heart. Using electrophoresis we found that LDH contains five isozymes （LDH1, LDH2, LDH3, LDH4 and LDH5） and are expressed specifically in liver, skeletal muscle and heart. Citrate synthase （CS） activity in the liver also decreased at 20℃ and 30℃. No significant difference of CS activity was found between the two groups in skeletal muscle and heart.

Interspecific variation of thermoregulation between small migratory and resident passerines in Wenzhou

Physiological adaptation arises from several fundamental sources of phenotypic variation. Most analyses of metabolic adaptation in birds have focused on the basal metabolic rate （BMR）, the lower limit of avian metabolic heat production. In this study, we investigated thermoregulation in three passerine species; the yellow-billed grosbeak Eophona migratoria, white-rumped munia Lonchura striata and black-throated bushtit Aegithalos concinnus, in Wenzhou, China. Metabolic rate was measured using the closed-circuit respirometer containing 3.5 L animal chambers. Body temperature （Tb） was measured during metabolic measurements using a lubricated thermocouple. The minimum thermal conductance of these species was calculated by measuring their Tb and metabolic rates. The yellow-billed grosbeak remained largely normothermic, and the white-rumped munia and black-throated bushtit exhibited variable Tb at ambient temperatures （Ta）. Mean metabolic rates within thermal neutral zone were 2.48±0.09 02 （mL）/g/h for yellow-billed grosbeaks, 3.44±0.16 02 （mL）/g/h for white-rumped munias, and 3.55±0.20 O2 （mL）/g/h for black-throated bushtits, respectively. Minimum thermal conductance of yellow-billed grosbeak, white-rumped munia and black-throated bushtit were 0.13±0.00, 0.36±0.01, and 0.37±0.01 02 （mL）/g/h/℃, respectively. The ecophysiological characteristics of these species were： （1） the yellowbilled grosbeak had relatively high Tb and BMR, a low lower critical temperature and thermal conductance, and a metabolic rate that was relatively insensitive to variation in Ta; all of which are typical of cold adapted species and explain its broader geographic distribution; （2） the white-rumped munia and black- throated bushtit had high thermal conductance, lower critical temperature, and relatively low BMR, all which are adapted to warm environments where there is little selection pressure for metabolic thermogenesis. Taken together, these data illustrate small migratory and resident passerines that exhibit the different characteristics of thermoregulation.

Effect of food restriction on the energy metabolism of the Chinese bulbul（Pycnonotus sinensis）

Food resources play an important role in the regulation of animals’ physiology and behavior. We investigated the effect of short-term food restriction on metabolic thermogenesis of Chinese bulbuls（Pycnonotus sinensis） by measuring changes in body mass, body fat, basic metabolic rate（BMR）, and organ mass of wild-caught Chinese bulbuls from Wenzhou, China. Short-term food restriction induced a significant decrease in body mass and body fat but body mass returned to normal levels soon after food was no longer restricted. Food restriction caused a significant reduction in BMR after 7 days（P〈0.05）, which returned to normal levels after food restriction ceased. Log total BMR was positively correlated with log body mass（r2=0.126, P〈0.05）. The dry masses of livers and the digestive tract were higher in birds that had been subject to temporary food restriction than in control birds and those subject to continual food restriction（P〈0.001 and P〈0.05, respectively）. There was also significant differences in the dry mass of the lungs（P〈0.05）, heart（P〈0.01）, and spleen（P〈0.05） in birds subject to short-term food restriction compared to control birds and those subject to continual food restriction. BMR was positively correlated with body and organ（heart, kidney and stomach） mass. These results suggest that the Chinese bulbul adjusts to restricted food availability by utilizing its energy reserves, lowering its BMR and changing the weight of various internal organs so as to balance total energy requirements. These may all be survival strategies that allow birds to cope with unpredictable variation in food abundance.

Thermogenic responses in Eurasian Tree Sparrow(Passer montanus)to seasonal acclimatization and temperature-photoperiod acclimation

Background:Small birds in temperate habitats must either migrate,or adjust aspects of their morphology,physiology and behavior to cope with seasonal change in temperature and photoperiod.It is,however,difficult to accurately measure how seasonal changes in temperature and photoperiod affect physiological processes such as basal metabolic rate(BMR)and metabolic activity.To address this problem,we collected data in each month of the year on body mass(Mb)and BMR,and conducted a series of experiments to determine the effect of temperature and photoperiod on Mb,BMR and physiological markers of metabolic activity,in the Eurasian Tree Sparrow(Passer montanus).Methods:In one experiment,we measured monthly change in Mb and BMR in a captive group of birds over a year.In another experiment,we examined the effects of acclimating birds to two different temperatures,10 and 30℃,and a long and a short photoperiod(16 h light:8 h dark and 8 h light:16 h dark,respectively)for 4 weeks.Results:We found that these treatments induced sparrows to adjust their Mb and metabolic rate processes.Acclimation to 30℃for 4 weeks significantly decreased sparrows’Mb,BMR,and energy intake,including both gross energy intake and digestible energy intake,compared to birds acclimated to 10℃.The dry mass of the liver,kidneys and digestive tract of birds acclimated to 30℃also significantly decreased,although their heart and skeletal muscle mass did not change significantly relative to those acclimated to 10℃.Birds acclimated to 30℃also had lower mitochondrial state-4 respiration(S4R)and cytochrome c oxidase(COX)activity in their liver and skeletal muscle,compared to those acclimated to 10℃.Birds acclimated to the long photoperiod also had lower mitochondrial S4R and COX activity in their liver,compared to those acclimated to the short photoperiod.Conclusions:These results illustrate the changes in morphology,physiology,and enzyme activity induced by seasonal change in temperature and photoperiod in a small temperate passerine.Both temperature and photoperiod probably have a strong effect on seasonal variation in metabolic heat production in small birds in temperate regions.The effect of temperature is,however,stronger than that of photoperiod.

Longitudinal bending stiffness does not affect running economy in Nike Vaporfly Shoes

Purpose This study aimed to determine the independent effect of the curved carbon-fiber plate in the Nike Vaporfly 4%shoe on running economy and running biomechanics.Methods Fifteen healthy male runners completed a metabolic protocol and a biomechanics protocol.In both protocols participants wore 2 different shoes,an intact Nike Vaporfly 4%(VF_(intact))and a cut Nike Vaporfly 4%(VF_(cut)).The VF_(cut) had 6 medio-lateral cuts through the carbon-fiber plate in the forefoot to reduce the effectiveness of the plate.In the metabolic protocol,participants ran at 14 km/h for 5 min,twice with each shoe,on a force-measuring treadmill while we measured metabolic rate.In the biomechanics protocol,participants ran across a runway with embedded force plates at 14 km/h.We calculated running economy,kinetics,and lower limb joint mechanics.Results Running economy did not significantly differ between shoe conditions(on average,0.55%±1.77%(mean±SD))worse in the VF_(cut) compared to the VF_(intact);95%confidence interval(-1.44%to 0.40%).Biomechanical differences were only found in the metatarsophalangeal(MTP)joint with increased MTP dorsiflexion angle,angular velocity,and negative power in the VF_(cut).Contact time was 1%longer in the VF_(intact).Conclusion Cutting the carbon-fiber plate and reducing the longitudinal bending stiffness did not have a significant effect on the energy savings in the Nike Vaporfly 4%.This suggests that the plate's stiffening effect on the MTP joint plays a limited role in the reported energy savings,and instead savings are likely from a combination and interaction of the foam,geometry,and plate.

Increased BMR in Overweight and Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes may Result from an Increased Fat-free Mass

The study aimed to determine the relationships between the basal metabolic rate（BMR） and body composition of overweight and obese Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus（DM）. This cross-sectional clinical study enrolled 193 Chinese adults with type 2 DM who were overweight（24 kg/m2≤BMI〈28 kg/m2, n=99）, or obese（BMI ≥28 kg/m2, n=94）. Ninety-seven adults with normal BMIs, including 50 DM patients and 47 healthy adults, were recruited as a control group. BMR was measured by indirect calorimetry; predicted BMR was calculated according to the Schofield equation; and the relationships between BMR, body composition, and biochemical results were determined by the Pearson correlation. The results showed that obese DM patients had significantly higher BMRs than both overweight patients（P〈0.05） and patients with normal BMI did（P〈0.05）. The measured BMR was significantly lower than the predicted BMR（P〈0.05） in all groups. Obese and overweight DM patients had significantly greater weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI, body surface area, body fat percentage, fat mass, and fat-free mass than patients with normal BMI. Except for waist circumference, these body composition measurements were significantly increased in obese DM patients when compared with those in overweight DM patients（P〈0.05）. Fat-free mass was closely correlated with BMR in both DM patients（r=0.874, P〈0.01） and in healthy controls（r=0.902, P〈0.01）. It was concluded that overweight and obese Chinese adults with type 2 DM had increased BMRs compared with normal-weight controls, which may result from the difference in fat-free mass.

Declining metabolic scaling parallels an ontogenetic change from elongate to deep-bodied shapes in juvenile Brown trout

Body shape and metabolic rate can be important determinants of animal performance,yet often their effects on influential traits are evaluated in a non-integrated way.This creates an important gap because the integration between shape and metabolism may be crucial to evaluate metabolic scaling theories.Here,we measured standard metabolic rate in 1-and 2-years old juvenile brown trout Salmo trutta,and used a geometric morphometrics approach to extricate the effects of ontogeny and size on the link between shape and metabolic scaling.We evidenced near-isometric ontogenetic scaling of metabolic rate with size,but also a biphasic pattern driven by a significant change in metabolic scaling,from positive to negative allometry.Moreover,the change in metabolic allometry parallels an ontogenetic change from elongate to deep-bodied shapes.This is consistent with the dynamic energy budget(DEB)and surface area(SA)theories,but not with the resource transport network theory which predicts increasing allometric exponents for trends towards more robust,three-dimensional bodies.In addition,we found a relationship between body shape and size independent metabolic rate,with a positive correlation between robustness and metabolic rate,which fits well within the view of Pace-of-Life Syndromes(POLS).Finally,our results align with previous studies that question the universality of metabolic scaling exponents and propose other mechanistic models explaining the diversity of metabolic scaling relationships or emphasizing the potential contribution of ecological factors.

Energy intake, oxidative stress and antioxidant in mice during lactation

Reproduction is the highest energy demand period for small mammals, during which both energy intake and expenditure are increased to cope with elevated energy requirements of offspring growth and somatic protection. Oxidative stress life history theory proposed that reactive oxygen species（ROS） were produced in direct proportion to metabolic rate, resulting in oxidative stress and damage to macromolecules. In the present study, several markers of oxidative stress and antioxidants activities were examined in brain, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscle and small intestine in non-lactating（Non-Lac） and lactating（Lac） KM mice. Uncoupling protein（ucps） gene expression was examined in brain, liver and muscle. During peak lactation, gross energy intake was 254% higher in Lac mice than in Non-Lac mice. Levels of H2O2 of Lac mice were 17.7% higher in brain（P〈0.05）, but 21.1%（P〈0.01） and 14.5%（P〈0.05） lower in liver and small intestine than that of Non-Lac mice. Malonadialdehyde（MDA） levels of Lac mice were significantly higher in brain, but lower in liver, kidneys, muscle and small intestine than that of Non-Lac mice. Activity of glutathione peroxidase（GSH-PX） was significantly decreased in brain and liver in the Lac group compared with that in the Non-Lac group. Total antioxidant capacity（TAOC） activity of Lac mice was significantly higher in muscle, but lower in kidneys than Non-Lac mice. Ucp4 and ucp5 gene expression of brain was 394% and 577% higher in Lac mice than in Non-Lac mice. These findings suggest that KM mice show tissuedependent changes in both oxidative stress and antioxidants. Activities of antioxidants may be regulated physiologically in response to the elevated ROS production in several tissues during peak lactation. Regulations of brain ucp4 and ucp5 gene expression may be involved in the prevention of oxidative damage to the tissue.

COHERENT HEMODYNAMICS SPECTROSCOPY BASED ON A PACED BREATHING PARADIGM-REVISITED

A novel hemodynamic model has been recently introduced,which provides analytical relation-ships between the changes in cerebral blood volume(CBV),cerebral blood flow(CBF),andcerebral metabolic rate of oxy gen(CMRO2),and associat ed changes in the tissue concentrationsof oxy-and deoxy-hemoglobin(AO and AD)measured with near-infrared,spectroscopy(NIRS)[S.Fantini,Neuroimage 85,202-221(2014)].This novel model can be applied tomeasurements of the amplit ude and phase of induced hemodynamic oscillations as a function ofthe frequency of oscillation,realizing the novel technique of coherent hemodynamics spectroscopy(CHS)[S.Fantini,Neuroimage 85,202-221(2014);M.L.Pierro et al.,Neuroimage 85,222-233(2014)]:In a previous work,,we have demonstrated an in vivo application of CiHS on hunanSubjects during paced breat hing[M.L.Pierro et al,Neuroimage 85,222-233(2014)].In thiswork,we present a new analysis of the collected data duringpaced breat hing based on a slightlyrevised formulation of the hemodynamic model and ann efficient fitting procedure.While we haveinitially treated all 12 model parameindeependent,we have found that,in this new in-plementation of CHS,the number of independent is eight.In this article,we identifythe eight independent model parameters and,we show that our previous results are consistentwith the new formulation,once the individual parameters of the earlier analysis are combinedinto the new set of independent parameters.

Effects of Chinese Herbal Medicine Feed Additives on Growth Performance and Dietary Nutrient Metabolism of Black-bone Chickens

[Objectives]To study the effects of Chinese herbal medicine feed additives on the growth performance and dietary nutrient metabolic rate of black-one chickens.[Methods]480 pieces of 1-day-old Donglan Black-bone Chickens were selected and divided into 4 groups,with 6 replicates in each group,with 20 pieces in each replicate.Among them,group A was the control group and was fed the basal diet;the groups B,C,and D were the experimental groups,which were separately supplemented with 0.25%,0.50%and 1.00%of Chinese herbal medicine additives in the basal diet,and the experimental period was 70 d.At the end of the feeding experiment,24 experimental chickens with similar body weight were selected from each group,and the same design of the feeding experiment was used to continue to feed the original diet for the metabolic experiment to determine the nutrient metabolic rate.[Results]Except the 50-70 d stage,the average daily gain(ADG)of group B in other stages was increased by 5.00%-9.15%(P<0.05),and the average body weight of group B at 70 d was also increased by 4.86%(P<0.05);the ADG of group C at 36-49,1-49 and 1-70 d and the average individual weight at 70 d were also higher than that of group A by 5.90%,2.66%,2.68%and 2.57%,respectively(P>0.05);at 36-49 d,the average daily feed intake(ADFI)of group A was higher than that of group B by 6.04%(P<0.01),and was also higher than that of groups C and D by 5.12%and 4.13%(P<0.05),respectively;at 1-49 d,the ADFI of group A was higher than that of group C by 2.86%(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between the four groups of experimental chickens at each stage(P>0.05);at 22-35 and 1-70 d,the feed to gain ratio(F/G)of group B was 6.32%and 3.41%lower than that of group A(P<0.05),and at 36-49 and 1-49 d,the F/G of group B was even lower;at 36-49 d,the F/G of group C was 10.15%lower than that of group A(P<0.05),and at 1-49 d,it was also lower than that of group A by 5.29%(P<0.01);there was no significant difference between the two groups at other stages.In terms of nutrient metabolism:the three different amounts of this additive have increased the metabolic rate of DM,CP,CF,NFE,CA,Ca,P,TE and other nutrients in the diet to varying degrees,especially the addition of 0.25%and 0.50%had the significant increase.[Conclusions]The addition of 0.25%Chinese herbal medicine additives in the diet can significantly improve the growth performance and main nutrient metabolic rate of Donglan Black-bone Chickens.

Beyond Biological Aging: Table Analysis

Keeping in mind the relationship between the basal metabolic rate and the change in weight in the aging process, we propose to verify the holographic description of the same. For this we set ourselves the following objectives: Verify the correlation between total energy dissipation and energy dissipation per unit body mass, and verify the correlation between the total energy dissipation and the body mass. As a result of the data analysis, we obtained a coherent representation of our proposal. A high degree of correlation between the total energy dissipation in an organism and the basal metabolic rate/dry kg was found. Such a condition implies that the stated biological system satisfies the Holographic Principle.