Amount Of Fat Research Articles

Potential of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Proton Density Fat Fraction for the Assessment of Liver Disorders

Proton density fat fraction MRI is a special MRI method used to evaluate liver disorders, especially in terms of assessing fat accumulation in the liver. PDFF MRI is based on the principle of magnetic resonance of hydrogen nuclei in the human body. Our bodies contain many hydrogen atoms, mainly in the form of water and fat. These hydrogen atoms will give different signals in response to magnetic fields and radiofrequency waves. Liver disorders, such as steatosis or fatty liver, are characterized by the accumulation of fat in liver cells. The literature search process was carried out on various databases (PubMed, Web of Sciences, EMBASE, Cochrane Libraries, and Google Scholar) regarding the Potential of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) proton density fat fraction for the assessment of liver disorders. This study follows the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) recommendations. Proton Density Fat Fraction (PDFF) MRI is a medical imaging technique that focuses on the magnetic resonance of hydrogen nuclei in the human body. This is a very effective method in the assessment of liver disorders related to fat accumulation, such as steatosis or fatty liver. PDFF MRI has very high accuracy in measuring the amount of fat in the liver, even in small amounts, thus providing very precise information about the level of fat accumulation.

Evidence that carbohydrate-to-fat ratio and taste, but not energy density or NOVA level of processing, are determinants of food liking and food reward

This virtual (online) study tested the common but largely untested assumptions that food energy density, level of processing (NOVA categories), and carbohydrate-to-fat (CF) ratio are key determinants of food reward. Individual participants (224 women and men, mean age 35 y, 53% with healthy weight, 43% with overweight or obesity) were randomised to one of three, within-subjects, study arms: energy density (32 foods), or level of processing (24 foods), or CF ratio (24 foods). They rated the foods for taste pleasantness (liking), desire to eat (food reward), and sweetness, saltiness, and flavour intensity (for analysis averaged as taste intensity). Against our hypotheses, there was not a positive relationship between liking or food reward and either energy density or level of processing. As hypothesised, foods combining more equal energy amounts of carbohydrate and fat (combo foods), and foods tasting more intense, scored higher on both liking and food reward. Further results were that CF ratio, taste intensity, and food fibre content (negatively), independent of energy density, accounted for 56% and 43% of the variance in liking and food reward, respectively. We interpret the results for CF ratio and fibre in terms of food energy-to-satiety ratio (ESR), where ESR for combo foods is high, and ESR for high-fibre foods is low. We suggest that the metric of ESR should be considered when designing future studies of effects of food composition on food reward, preference, and intake.

Nutritional Analysis of Raw, Cooked and Sprouted Cowpea Genotypes

Background: Four cultivars of cowpea NCK-15-01, NCK-15-05, NCK-15-08 and NCK-15-09 had been chosen for analysis in experiment. The raw cowpeas have been amassed from Pulse Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. Methods: After collection, samples were analysed under three exceptional processed states like raw, pressure cooking and sprouting. For the study the analysis of variance of the observed data was done using factorial complete randomized design (Factorial concept). The observations for every parameter had been taken with three repetitions. The critical difference at 5% level of the significance was worked out to compare the treatment means. Among the biochemical parameters some nutrient compositions like crude protein, albumin, globulin, prolamine, glutelin, total soluble sugar, crude fat, antioxidant activity, moisture content and crude fiber were analysed using standard methods. Result: The existing study found that, the cultivar NCK-15-09 contained maximum amount of albumin, prolamine, crude fat, antioxidant activity and crude fiber whereas NCK-15-08 showed highest quantity of crude protein and glutelin. NCK-15-05 had highest amount of globulin and NCK-15-01 is the richest cultivar for total soluble sugar, moisture content.The genotype NCK-15-09 confirmed the highest globulin content (4.84%) in sprouting treatment. Among the different cooking methods, the pressure cooking revealed highest crude protein (23.04%), albumin (3.93%), prolamine (4.04%), glutelin (5.41%), total soluble sugar (58.12 mg/g) and moisture content (12.25%). The highest crude fiber content was determined in sprouting (3.39%).

High-fat high-fructose diet and alpha-ketoglutarate affect mouse behavior that is accompanied by changes in oxidative stress response and energy metabolism in the cerebral cortex

BackgroundHigh caloric diets with high amounts of fats and sweeteners such as fructose may predispose organisms to neurodegenerative diseases. MethodsThis study aimed to examine the effects of a high-fat high-fructose diet (HFFD) on the behavior of mice, energy metabolism, and markers of oxidative stress in murine cerebral cortex. Dietary α-ketoglutarate (AKG) was chosen as a treatment which could modulate the putative effects of HFFD. ResultsWe found that HFFD stimulated locomotion and defecation in mice, whereas an AKG-supplemented diet had a proclivity to promote anxiety-like behavior. HFFD stimulated lipid peroxidation, and in turn, the AKG-supplemented diet led to a higher ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione, higher activity of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, and higher mRNA levels of UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase and transcription factor EB. Both diets separately, but not in combination, led to a decrease in the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and phosphofructokinase. All experimental diets resulted in lower levels of transcripts of genes encoding pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), glycine N-methyl transferase, and peroxisome proliferator receptor γ co-activator 1. ConclusionsOur results show that diet supplemented with AKG resulted in effects similar to those of HFFD on the cerebral cortex, but elicited substantial differences between these two diets with respect to behavior, glutathione-dependent detoxification, and processes related to autophagy. General significanceOur study provides insight into the metabolic effects of HFFD alone and in combination with alpha-ketoglutarate in the mouse brain.

HSP47 levels determine the degree of body adiposity

Adiposity varies among individuals with the influence of diverse physiological, pathological, environmental, hormonal, and genetic factors, but a unified molecular basis remains elusive. Here, we identify HSP47, a collagen-specific chaperone, as a key determinant of body adiposity. HSP47 expression is abundant in adipose tissue; increased with feeding, overeating, and obesity; decreased with fasting, exercise, calorie restriction, bariatric surgery, and cachexia; and correlated with fat mass, BMI, waist, and hip circumferences. Insulin and glucocorticoids, respectively, up- and down-regulate HSP47 expression. In humans, the increase of HSP47 gene expression by its intron or synonymous variants is associated with higher body adiposity traits. In mice, the adipose-specific knockout or pharmacological inhibition of HSP47 leads to lower body adiposity compared to the control. Mechanistically, HSP47 promotes collagen dynamics in the folding, secretion, and interaction with integrin, which activates FAK signaling and preserves PPARγ protein from proteasomal degradation, partly related to MDM2. The study highlights the significance of HSP47 in determining the amount of body fat individually and under various circumstances.

Zinc deficiency increases lung inflammation and fibrosis in obese mice by promoting oxidative stress

BackgroundZinc deficiency can lead to multiple organ damage. In this study, we investigated the effects of zinc deficiency on obesity-related lung damage. MethodsC57BL/6 J mice were fed a diet with differing amounts of zinc and fat over a 6-month period. Palmitic acid was used to stimulate A549 cells to construct a high-fat alveolar epithelial cell model. Western blotting and histopathological staining were performed on animal tissues. Nuclear expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was detected in cultured cells. A reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay kit was used to detect intracellular ROS. Furthermore, Nrf2 siRNA was used to examine zinc deficiency effects on A549 cells. ResultsPathological results showed significant damage to the lung structure of mice in the high-fat and low-zinc diet group, with a significant increase in the expression of inflammatory (IL-6, TNF-α) and fibrosis (TGFβ1, PAI-1) factors, combined with a decrease in the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 in the antioxidant pathway. In A549 cells, high fat and low zinc levels aggravated ROS production. Western blot and immunofluorescence results showed that high fat and zinc deficiency inhibited Nrf2 expression. After Nrf2-specific knockout in A549 cells, the protective effect of zinc on oxidant conditions induced by high fat was reduced. Phosphorylated Akt and PI3K levels were downregulated on the high-fat and low-zinc group compared with the high-fat group. ConclusionsZinc attenuated lung oxidative damage in obesity-related lung injury and Nrf2 activation is one of the important mechanisms of this effect. General significanceRegulating zinc homeostasis through dietary modifications or supplemental nutritional therapy can contribute to the prevention and treatment of obesity-related lung injury.

Automated Cow Body Condition Scoring Using Multiple 3D Cameras and Convolutional Neural Networks.

Body condition scoring is an objective scoring method used to evaluate the health of a cow by determining the amount of subcutaneous fat in a cow. Automated body condition scoring is becoming vital to large commercial dairy farms as it helps farmers score their cows more often and more consistently compared to manual scoring. A common approach to automated body condition scoring is to utilise a CNN-based model trained with data from a depth camera. The approaches presented in this paper make use of three depth cameras placed at different positions near the rear of a cow to train three independent CNNs. Ensemble modelling is used to combine the estimations of the three individual CNN models. The paper aims to test the performance impact of using ensemble modelling with the data from three separate depth cameras. The paper also looks at which of these three cameras and combinations thereof provide a good balance between computational cost and performance. The results of this study show that utilising the data from three depth cameras to train three separate models merged through ensemble modelling yields significantly improved automated body condition scoring accuracy compared to a single-depth camera and CNN model approach. This paper also explored the real-world performance of these models on embedded platforms by comparing the computational cost to the performance of the various models.

Pharmacological and Chemical Analysis of Bauhinia divaricata L. Using an In Vitro Antiadipogenic Model.

Obesity is characterized by an excessive and abnormal accumulation of fat. According to the 2022 National Health and Nutrition Survey, in Mexico, the prevalence of overweight and obesity-diagnosed if one's body mass index (BMI) was ≥25 kg/m2-in adults was 75.2%. A strong association between the amount of visceral fat and diseases such as diabetes mellitus type II has been recognized. Species of the Bauhinia genus have lipid-lowering and antidiabetic properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate the lipolytic and antiadipogenic activity of Bauhinia divaricata L. in 3T3-L1 cells and to identify the major compounds in the bioactive treatments. The extraction of aerial parts allowed us to obtain hexanic (BdHex), ethyl acetate (BdEAc), and hydroalcoholic (BdHA) extracts. Lipid levels were measured in 3T3-L1 cells differentiated into adipocytes. Our evaluation of cell viability identified an IC50 > 1000 μg/mL in all the extracts, and our evaluation of the antiadipogenic activity indicated that there was a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the accumulation of lipids with hydroalcoholic (60%) and ethyl acetate (75%) extracts of B. divaricate compared with metformin at 30 mM (65%). The major compounds identified in these extracts were as follows: triacetin (1), 2,3-dihydroxypropyl acetate (2), (3E)-2-methyl-4-(1,3,3-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-2-yl)-3-buten-2-ol (3), 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (4), (3R)-3-hydroxydodecanoic acid (5), kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside (6), and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside (7). Some of these naturally occurring compounds have been related to the anti-obesity effects of other medicinal plants; therefore, these compounds isolated from B. divaricata could be responsible for inhibiting the differentiation process from preadipocytes to mature adipocytes.

Peculiarities of the use of mushrooms Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus os-treatus and effect on the quality and microstructure of chicken batter

The low energy density and healthier ingredients can replace some or all of the fat in emulsified meat products according to some studies. Meat products with low fat content are the major trends in developing healthier meat products. Attention is drawn that the animal fat is essential for emulsified meat products to enhance the stability, flavor, cooking yield, and texture. As can be noted that compound fat substitutes, such as vegetable protein and carrageenan, vegetable oil and vegetable fibre, cellulose, and water, improved texture better than single fat substitutes. Nevertheless, the character of the emulsified meat product will eventually decrease as the amount of animal fat is reduced. The combination of Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms was employed as a fat substitute to replace the pork-back fat in chicken batters in order to create low-fat chicken products. The microstructure, color, texture, and water holding capability of chicken batters were examined. According to the findings, the combination of Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus enhanced the cooking yield, texture, water holding capacity, redness, and yellowness of chicken batters, while lowering their brightness. The greatest quality and a compact, uniform, and continuous microstructure were seen in the chicken batters when Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus at a ratio of 1:1 substituted 40 % pork-back fat. To summarize, Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus are a viable fat alternative in the production of low-fat chicken products.

Effect of Flammulina velutipes mushroom and soybean oil as a fat substitute on the quality of chicken sausage

Low-fat meat products are the major trends in developing healthier meat products. Attention is drawn that the animal fat is essential for emulsified meat products to enhance the stability, flavor, cooking yield, and texture. The low energy density and healthier ingredients can replace some or all of the fat in emulsified meat products according to some studies. As can be noted that compound fat substitutes, such as vegetable protein and carrageenan, vegetable oil and vegetable fibre, cellulose, and water, improved texture better than single fat substitutes. Nevertheless, the character of the emulsified meat product will eventually decrease as the amount of animal fat is reduced. Therewith, a little information is available about using Flammulina velutipes and soybean oil as fat alternatives in the manufacture of chicken meat products. The chicken sausage was used as the research object, and Flammulina velutipes and soybean oil were used as fat substitutes to study their effects on the quality of the chicken sausage. Chicken meat, salt and sodium polyphosphate were used for preparation of the sausages. Firstly, the mushroom and soybean oil were mixed in a ratio of 1:1.5, replacing the fats of 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 % respectively. Then, cooking yield, folding test, pH, color, and sensory evaluation were measured. The experimental results showed that when adding Flammulina velutipes and soybean oil, the cooking yield, pH, L* and b* value were increased; folding test values for the 75 % and 100 % experimental groups decreased; chicken sausage with 50% fat replacement had the highest sensory score. In summary, replacing 50% of the fat in chicken sausage with Flammulina velutipes and soybean oil was optimal. The addition of Flammulina velutipes and soybean oil increased the brightness and yellowness of the chicken sausages. The low addition of Flammulina velutipes and soybean oil decreased the redness of the sausage, which increased when Flammulina velutipes and soybean oil completely replaced the fat Flammulina velutipes and soybean oil compound is a promising fat substitute in the development of low-fat meat products.

249 The Effects of Breed and Early Supplementation on Bovine Intramuscular Fat Deposition, Adipogenic and Lipogenic Gene Expression

Abstract Wagyu cattle are known to deposit greater amounts of intramuscular fat, which can directly increase quality grade and carcass value. Supplementation can positively influence animal production and overall nutrient acquisition when used strategically. The objectives of this study were to evaluate 1) the effect of breed and early supplementation on intramuscular and subcutaneous fat deposition in Wagyu and Hereford cross calves, and 2) changes in adipogenic and lipogenic gene expression in longissimus muscle (LM) biopsies from Wagyu and Hereford cross calves during an early supplementation period. Angus cows (n = 34) were artificially inseminated with semen from a Wagyu bull. A Hereford bull was utilized as a clean-up bull. From this breeding, Wagyu cross steers (n = 8) and Hereford cross steers (n = 9) were produced and were placed on study on day 100 of age. At this time, calves were allowed access to four SuperSmart Feeder stalls and were individually supplemented with steam-rolled corn at 0.5% body weight (BWT). Calves were ultrasounded on day 0, day 43, and day 86 of the study to evaluate intramuscular fat deposition and backfat thickness. An longissimus muscle (LM) biopsy was taken on day 0 and day 86 of the study to evaluate gene expression. Supplemented steers tended (P &amp;lt; 0.10) to have more backfat than non-supplemented steers. Intramuscular fat amount differed (P &amp;lt; 0.05) by breed, while ribeye area tended (P &amp;lt; 0.10) to differ by breed. Wagyu exhibited a greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) amount of intramuscular fat at the beginning and at the end of the study. Breed did not (P &amp;gt; 0.05) influence backfat thickness. Neither breed nor supplementation affected (P &amp;gt; 0.05) average daily gain or final body weights. Platelet-derived growth factor alpha (PDGRFA) and SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) differed (P &amp;lt; 0.05) between biopsy phases. Fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4) and stearoyl-coA desaturase-1 (SCD1) did not differ (P &amp;gt; 0.05) between breed or biopsy phase. In conclusion, changes in gene expression could indicate enhanced preadipocyte proliferation during this stage of calf development. Overall, supplementation altered backfat deposition but did not alter intramuscular fat levels. Opposingly, sire breed influenced intramuscular fat levels at an early age. A deeper understanding of the physical and molecular effects of supplementation and sire breed could provide additional avenues for manipulating adipose tissue.

The role of lipotropic factors in the correction of metabolic disorders in women during the perimenopausal period

In women during perimenopause, changes in metabolic parameters are detected, such as weight gain, which triggers a cascade of pathological reactions leading to the formation of metabolic disorders (lipid, carbohydrate metabolism) and endothelial dysfunction, during the development of which a deficiency of sex hormones plays a certain role in the onset of menopause. There is a connection between hormonal changes and an increase in the amount of abdominal and/or visceral fat, which is accompanied by a weakening of oxidative processes in adipose tissue, a decrease in energy consumption and a predisposition to the development of metabolic syndrome. As a nutritional correction, it is advisable to introduce into the diet lipotropic substances that help catalyze the breakdown of fats and ensure the processes of hydroxylation and methylation of toxic substances in the liver, such as methionine, inositol and choline. Each of the lipotropic substances affects the mobilization of fats, and their combination can provide a synergistic effect and increase the natural metabolic function of the liver.

Comparative study of phytochemicals, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of infusion and decoction extracts from Pycnoporus sanguineus (L.) Murril collected in West Bengal

Mushrooms are well-known pharmaceutical agents as they possess bioactive secondary metabolites along with a large amount of proteins, carbohydrates, crude fiber, fat and other beneficial compounds. Due to their remarkable pharmacological property, they are used in traditional medicine in different countries of Asia. Pycnoporus sanguineus is a polypore fungus having a wide variety of bioactive substances and therapeutic activities that are reported previously in different countries of the world. The present study is focused to estimate different bioactive compounds and evaluate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of P. sanguineus using two different extraction procedures (infusion and decoction). In this study, total phenol, total flavonoid, β-carotene, lycopene and ascorbic acid contents are estimated. Antioxidant and inti-inflammatory activities are investigated by total antioxidant capacity, DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, chelating of ferrous ion (Fe2+), reducing power assays and protein denaturation assay respectively. The aim of the study is to establish P. sanguineus as a natural drug that could be used against oxidative stress and inflammation-related diseases substituting commercial drugs.

A nutraceutical with Citrus bergamia and Cynara cardunculus improves endothelial function in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

ObjectivePolyphenol intake may prevent hepatic steatosis and cardiovascular disease by potentially improving endothelial function. The purposes of this study are to investigate the association between fatty liver disease and endothelial dysfunction and to test the effects of a nutraceutical containing extracts made from Citrus bergamia and Cynara cardunculus on peripheral vascular endothelial function in adults with liver steatosis. MethodsWe analyzed data from 32 individuals with hepatic steatosis and endothelial dysfunction (reactive hyperemia index ≤ 1.67). Sixteen subjects took 1 capsule/d (300 mg/d) containing Cynara cardunculus extract and bergamot polyphenol fraction, while the other 16 subjects matched for age, sex, and body mass index took 1 capsule/d of placebo (maltodextrin) for 12 wk. All anthropometric parameters were assessed at baseline and after 12 wk as were lipids, glucose, and reactive hyperemia index using an EndoPAT 2000. ResultsThe mean age was 52 ± 9 y. The mean reactive hyperemia index was 1.15 ± 0.4. After 12 wk, we found a greater increase in reactive hyperemia index in the participants taking the nutraceutical rather than placebo (0.58 ± 0.5 versus 0.13 ± 0.5; P = 0.02, respectively). The stepwise multivariable analysis confirmed a positive association between reactive hyperemia index change and the nutraceutical treatment (B = 0.38; P = 0.025) and negative association with reactive hyperemia index values at baseline (B = –0.81; P < 0.001). No association was found between the reduction in the amount of intrahepatic fat and the improvement of endothelial function (B = 0.002; P = 0.56). ConclusionsA nutraceutical containing bergamot and artichoke extracts improves peripheral vascular endothelial function in adults with hepatic steatosis and early phase of atherosclerosis.

Effect of Adding Choline Chloride to the Diet in Milk Production of Holstein Cows

This study aimed to show the effect of adding choline chloride to the feed on milk production during the summer in central Iraq. This study was conducted at Al-Khalis cows station in Diyala Governorate during the period from 21/6 to 21/9/2022, where 25 Holstein cows between the ages of 3-5 years used, the cows were divided into five treatments, so that treatment T1 represents the control treatment (without adding Choline chloride), while treatments T2 and T3 add untreated and formaldehyde-treated choline chloride, respectively, to the concentrated feed with an amount of 35 g /cow /day, T4 and T5 add untreated and formaldehyde-treated Choline chloride, respectively, with an amount of 70 g /cow /day, It is noted from the results that there is a significant effect of the treatment of adding Choline chloride treated with formaldehyde T3 during the ninth and thirteenth weeks in the daily milk. In the ninth week, the average milk production was 14.50 kg / cow/day compared to 9.88 kg/cow/day in the control treatment, and the rest of the treatments were T4 and T5 were 11.25 and 10.00 kg/cow/ day respectively. In the thirteenth week milk yield was 12.50 kg/cow/day compared to 7.20 kg/cow/day in the comparison treatment, and the rest of the treatments T2, T4, and T5 were 8.75, 8.50, and 8.60 kg/cow/day, respectively. While the monthly and total milk production and the amount of fat and protein in milk for cows, there were no significant differences between the treatments, we conclude from the current experiment that adding Choline chloride treated with formaldehyde in an amount of 35 g / cow/day to the feed increases the daily milk production in some weeks for this experiment in the season Summer when the average Temperature Humidity Index for this season is 79 and cows are under heat stress.

Clinical predictors and significance of adherent periadrenal fat in laparoscopic adrenalectomy

BackgroundAdrenalectomy requires the anatomic preparation of the adrenal gland in the fat-rich retroperitoneal space. In the literature, it was shown that the retroperitoneal fat area affects surgical outcomes in laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA). Besides the quantity of retroperitoneal fat, its qualitative properties play hypothetically a significant role in the safety profile and perioperative parameters of LA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the factors associated with adherent periadrenal fat.MethodsThe prospectively obtained demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data of 44 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy in our clinic were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups as adherent periadrenal fat (APAF) and non-APAF group. Periadrenal fat tissue was defined as adherent or non-adherent by the attending surgeon according to the difficulty in dissection of the adrenal gland from the surrounding fat tissue during the operation.ResultsThe rate of female gender and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) was higher in the APAF group (respectively, p = 0.038 and p = 0.001). A ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off point was − 97 HU for APAF. On multivariable analysis using a stepwise regression model, we identified the presence of DM (OR = 5.073; 95% Cl = 2.192–12.387; p = 0.006) and ARFD > -97 HU (OR = 3.727; 95% Cl = 1.898–11.454; p = 0.008) as an independent predictor of APAF.ConclusionAPAF seems to affect the perioperative outcomes of LA in terms of operation duration but not perioperative complications.

Chocolate Byproducts and Protected Fats Enriched with Chromium to Replace Corn in Diets of Early Lactation Holstein Cows: Feed Utilization, Blood Profile, and Lactational Performance

Abstract The present experiment aimed to evaluate the partial replacement of corn with chocolate byproducts or protected fats in the diet of lactating cows on feed utilization, blood profile, and lactation performance. Fifty multiparous Holstein cows (560±22 kg BW, 3±1 parity, 7±1 days in milk, and previous milk production of 34±3 kg/d), were randomly assigned to 5 treatments in a completely randomized design for 90 days. The control diet contained a concentrate feed mixture containing (per kg DM) 412 g concentrate feed mixture, 412 g corn silage, and 176 g berseem hay. The control diet contained 17.6% crushed corn (DM basis). In another treatment, the control diet was supplemented with 1 g chromium daily (Chromium diet). In the other diets, each kg of crushed corn grain was replaced with 600 g chocolate byproducts (CH diet), 400 g protected fats (PF diet), or 500 g of chocolate byproducts and protected fats mixture (1:1 DM basis) (CHPF diet), DM basis, and each of the diets was also supplemented with 1 g chromium daily. Both amounts of protected fats and chocolate byproducts had the same energy concentration as 1 kg of corn. Without affecting feed intake, the replacement increased (P&lt;0.01) milk production, milk fat concentration, and feed efficiency. The replacement (P&lt;0.05) increased the concentrations of plasma total proteins, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and chromium in comparison with the control diet. Higher (P&lt;0.001) nutrient digestibility was observed with CH, PF, and CHPF treatments. It is concluded that chromium supplementation did not affect feed utilization or cows’ performance; however, partial replacement of corn with chromium supplemented protected fat, chocolate byproducts or their mixture improved milk production and feed efficiency.

Big boned: How fat storage and other adaptations influenced large theropod foraging ecology.

Dinosaur foraging ecology has been the subject of scientific interest for decades, yet much of what we understand about it remains hypothetical. We wrote an agent-based model (ABM) to simulate meat energy sources present in dinosaur environments, including carcasses of giant sauropods, along with living, huntable prey. Theropod dinosaurs modeled in this environment (specifically allosauroids, and more particularly, Allosaurus Marsh, 1877) were instantiated with heritable traits favorable to either hunting success or scavenging success. If hunter phenotypes were more reproductively successful, their traits were propagated into the population through their offspring, resulting in predator specialists. If selective pressure favored scavenger phenotypes, the population would evolve to acquire most of their calories from carrion. Data generated from this model strongly suggest that theropods in sauropod-dominated systems evolved to detect carcasses, consume and store large quantities of fat, and dominate carcass sites. Broadly speaking, selective forces did not favor predatory adaptations, because sauropod carrion resource pools, as we modeled them, were too profitable for prey-based resource pools to be significant. This is the first research to test selective pressure patterns in dinosaurs, and the first to estimate theropod mass based on metabolic constraints.

Effect of the Inclusion of Extruded Flaxseed in the Diet of Fattening Pigs on Performance Parameters and Blood Parameters

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the inclusion of 2%, 4% and 6% extruded flaxseed in the diet of fattening pigs on their growth performance parameters, carcass parameters, and selected blood parameters. The experiment was conducted on 160 weaners (from about 30 kg to about 110 kg BW) assigned to four experimental groups of 40 animals each (5 replicates with 8 individuals each). The animals in control group received a diet in which the source of fat was soybean oil. The other groups received extruded flaxseed (FE) in place of soybean meal in the amount of 2% (group 2FE); 4% (group 4FE) and 6% (group 6FE). Soybean oil was added to the diets in the experimental treatments to obtain equal amounts of fat. The inclusion of 2% and 4% extruded flaxseed in the diet of fatteners in place of soybean meal significantly improved the digestibility of basic nutrients, i.e. ether extract (by about 5%) and dietary fibre (by more than 20%) and led to better growth performance (higher BW by about 11%; higher ADG by about 20% and lower FCR by about 12%) vs group C. In the groups with 2% and 4% extruded flaxseed there was also an increase in the lean meat content of the carcasses (by about 6%) and the thickness of the backfat (by about 6.5%) vs group C. The inclusion of extruded flaxseed did not affect the animals’ condition, as indicated by the haematological and biochemical parameters of the blood, which were within reference ranges. The results for production, nutrient digestibility and carcass analysis between groups 2FE and 4FE were similar, and at this stage of research indicate that the use of 2% extruded flaxseed is economically more justified.

Effect of Time and Temperature in Sous-Vide Heat Treatment on Selected Physicochemical Properties of Horsemeat

The sous-vide technique is most commonly used for meat preparation, offering superior nutritional retention, a delicate texture, and enhanced juiciness in the resulting dishes. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of time and temperature in sous-vide heat treatment on selected physicochemical properties of horsemeat. Samples of m. longissimus thoracis were heated to 55, 60, 65 °C for 4, 8, 12, and 24 h, and the impact of these heat treatment parameters on chemical composition, physicochemical properties, amount of heme pigments, and color parameters of the tested raw material was determined. Horsemeat subjected to sous-vide heat treatment at 55 °C for 4 h was characterized by a high proportion of red color and oxymyoglobin. Sous-vide treatment carried out at low temperatures and for a short period of time reduces the amount of weight loss and the increase in the TBARS index, allowing the preservation of the red color of the raw material studied. Prolonging the duration or increasing the temperature of sous-vide processing results in a deterioration of the mentioned parameters and also leads to significant changes in the chemical composition of horsemeat, including a significant reduction in the water content and increase in the amount of fat in horsemeat.