Cumulative Intake Research Articles

Dietary iodine, seaweed consumption, and incidence risk of metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women: a prospective analysis of the Korean Multi-Rural Communities Cohort Study (MRCohort).

Despite a beneficial role of iodine and seaweed consumption against metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is high in postmenopausal women, few studies investigated such associations in a prospective study.This study aimed to investigate the association of dietary iodine and seaweed consumption with the incidence of MetS and its components in postmenopausal women. A total of 2588 postmenopausal women aged ≥ 40years were recruited between 2005 and 2011 in the Multi-Rural Communities Cohort (MRCohort). A validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary intake data. MetS was defined as three of five components [abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, glucose, triglyceride, and low-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] and the incidence of MetS was checked every 2-4years. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) was estimated using a modified Poisson regression model with a robust error estimator. During the mean follow-up period (3.4 ± 2.1years), MetS occurred in 481 participants. The median cumulative average iodine intake was 108.9µg/day (interquartile range, 60.8-190.2µg/day). In multivariable analyses, average iodine and seaweed consumption were inversely associated with MetS (IRR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.47-0.78 in the highest quartile of iodine intake, P for trend = 0.0018; IRR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.39-0.69 in the highest quartile of seaweed consumption, P for trend = 0.0004). Among MetS components, blood glucose (> 100mg/dL), blood pressure (≥ 130/85mmHg), and lipid profiles (triglyceride, ≥ 150mg/dL and HDL-C, < 50mg/dL) were significantly inversely associated with dietary iodine and seaweed consumption, but there was no clear association for waist circumference (≥ 85cm). Dietary iodine and seaweed consumption may be inversely associated with MetS incidence and its individual abnormalities in postmenopausal women.

Fentanyl self-administration impacts brain immune responses in male Sprague-Dawley rats

Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects over two million in the United States and is an increasing public health crisis. The abuse of fentanyl and the emergence of potent fentanyl derivatives increases the risk for the user to succumb to overdose, but also to develop OUD. While intense attention is currently focused on understanding the complexity of behaviors and neural functions that contribute to OUD, much remains to be discovered concerning the interactions of opioid intake with the immune response in the central nervous system (CNS). In the present studies, we tested the hypothesis that short-term abstinence from fentanyl self-administration associates with altered expression of innate immune markers. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer fentanyl (0.0032 mg/kg/infusion) to stability followed by 24 h of abstinence. Several innate immune markers, as well as opioid receptors (ORs) and intracellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), were interrogated within nodes of the neurocircuitry involved in OUD processes, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), caudate putamen (CPu), hippocampus (HIP) and midbrain (MB). In the present study, few immune targets were impacted in the PFC and MB during short-term abstinence from fentanyl (relative to saline) self-administration. However, increased expression of cytokines [e.g., interleukin (IL)1β, IL5], chemokines [e.g., C–C motif chemokine 20 (MIP3α)], tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interferon (IFN) proteins (e.g., IFNβ and IFNγ)] was seen in the NAc, while decreased expression of cytokines (e.g., several ILs), chemokines [e.g., granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) MCP1, MIP3α], the chemokine ligand 5 (RANTES) and interferons (e.g., IFNβ and IFNγ) in the HIP. Positive correlations were observed between cumulative fentanyl intake and expression of IL1β and IL6 in the NAc, and significant negative correlations with fentanyl intake and IFN β, IL2, IL5, IL12p70 and IL17 in the HIP. Few changes in OR expression was observed during early abstinence from fentanyl self-administration. Excitingly, the expression of the PRR, stimulator of interferon genes (STING) negatively correlated with cumulative fentanyl intake and significantly correlated to specific cytokines, chemokines and interferon proteins in the HIP. Although the CPu appears relatively invulnerable to changes in innate immune markers, the highest correlations between cumulative fentanyl intake with MAVS and/or STING was measured in the CPu. Our findings provide the first evidence of CNS innate immune responses and implicate STING as novel mechanistic targets of immunomodulation during short-term abstinence from fentanyl self-administration.

Comparison of mathematical and comparative slaughter methodologies for determination of heat production and energy retention in broilers

Understanding factors affecting ME availability for productive processes is an important step in optimal feed formulation. This study compared a modelling methodology with the comparative slaughter technique (CST) to estimate energy partitioning to heat production and energy retention (RE) and to investigate differences in heat dissipation. At hatch, 50 broilers were randomly allocated in one of 4 pens equipped with a precision feeding station. From day 14 to day 45, they were either fed with a low-ME (3,111 kcal/kg ME) or a high-ME (3,383 kcal/kg ME) diet. At day 19, birds were assigned to pair-feeding in groups of 6 with lead birds eating ad libitum (100%) and follow birds eating at either 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90% of the paired lead's cumulative feed intake. Heat production and RE were estimated by CST and with a nonlinear mixed model explaining daily ME intake (MEI) as a function of metabolic BW and average daily gain (ADG). The energy partitioning model predicted MEI = (145.10 + u) BW0.83 + 1.09 × BW−0.18 × ADG1.19 + ε. The model underestimated heat production by 13.4% and overestimated RE by 22.8% compared with the CST. The model was not able to distinguish between net energy for gain values of the diets (1,448 ± 18.5 kcal/kg vs. 1,493 ± 18.0 kcal/kg for the low-ME and high-ME diet, respectively), whereas the CST found a 148 kcal/kg difference between the low-ME and high-ME diets (1,101 ± 22.5 kcal/kg vs. 1,249 ± 22.0 kcal/kg, respectively). The estimates of the net energy for gain values of the 2 diets decreased with increasing feed restriction. The heat increment of feeding did not differ between birds fed with the low- or high-ME diet (26% of MEI). Additional measurements on heat dissipation, physical activity, and immune status indicated that the energetic content of the diet and feed restriction affect some parameters (shank temperature, feeding station visits) but not others (leukocyte counts, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and immune cell function).

Is Mother’s Own Milk Lactoferrin Intake Associated with Reduced Neonatal Sepsis, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, and Death?

Introduction: Lactoferrin (LF) is a protective protein present in milk with anti-infective and immune-modulating properties. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the association of maternal LF intake and mother’s own milk intake in the first 10 days of life on the prevention of late-onset sepsis (LOS), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), or death in the first 8 weeks of life in newborns with a birth weight <2,000 g. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, with the exposure being the consumption of mother’s own LF and mother’s own milk in the first 10 days of life, and the outcome being LOS, NEC, or death during days 11 and 56 of life, analyzed by Cox regression. Results: Two hundred and ninety-nine infants were enrolled, including 240 with human LF intake information. The average daily human LF intake over days 4–10 of life was 283 mg/kg/day (IQR 114–606 mg/kg/day). The hazard ratio (HR) of mother’s own milk LF intake ≥100 mg/kg/day in days 4–10 for LOS, NEC, or death was 0.297 (95% CI 0.156–0.568, p < 0.001); the adjusted HR was 0.752 (95% CI 0.301–1.877, p = 0.541). The adjusted HR of mother’s own milk cumulative intake (days 4–10) of 54–344 mL/kg (25–75 quartiles) for LOS, NEC, or death was 0.414 (95% CI 0.196–0.873, p = 0.02). Infants who developed an event (LOS, NEC, or death) had significantly less median daily human LF intake than those that did not (89 vs. 334 mg/kg/day, respectively, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Consumption of higher amounts of mother’s own milk in the first days of life is associated with less infection, NEC, and death. Early human milk intake should be strongly encouraged in all newborns.

Cumulative sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with higher concentrations of circulating ceramides in the Framingham Offspring Cohort

Ceramides have been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Limited data exist on how habitual dietary intake of foods that can alter hepatic lipid metabolism may influence circulating ceramide concentrations. We investigated the cross-sectional association of cumulative sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption with concentrations of 3 circulating ceramides and ceramide ratios. We examined participants from the Framingham Heart Study's Offspring Cohort who had 3 ceramides measured (n=1561, mean age 66 y, 59% women). SSB consumption was measured 4 times over ∼14 y. Participants were categorized by cumulative SSB intake as nonconsumers (0 to <1 SSB serving/mo) and occasional (1 SSB serving/mo to <1 serving/wk), frequent (1 SSB serving/wk to <1 serving/d), and daily (≥1 SSB serving/d) consumers. Multivariable linear regression models were used to relate cumulative SSB consumption (independent variable) to blood concentrations of ceramides (C16:0, C22:0, and C24:0) and ceramide ratios (C22:0/C16:0 and C24:0/C16:0). In adjusted models, more frequent cumulative SSB consumption was positively associated with concentrations of the C16:0 and C22:0 ceramides (Ptrend<0.05). Compared with nonconsumers, daily consumers had 0.01 μg/mL (95% CI: 0.002, 0.017 µg/mL) and 0.06 µg/mL (95% CI: 0.018, 0.092 µg/mL) higher mean concentrations of the C16:0 and C22:0 ceramides, respectively. Results were consistent when modeling continuous cumulative SSB consumption per 1 serving/d. We observed effect modification by diabetes status in the relation between cumulative SSB consumption and concentrations of the C24:0 ceramide (Pinteraction=0.014). In a stratified analysis, more frequent cumulative SSB consumption was positively associated with concentrations of the C24:0 ceramide only in individuals with prediabetes or diabetes (Ptrend=0.001). Our study raises the possibility that higher concentrations of distinct ceramide species, previously associated with adverse metabolic health, may be one mechanism by which SSB consumption contributes to higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases.

Safety of astaxanthin for its use as a novel food in food supplements.

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the safety of astaxanthin when used as a novel food in food supplements at maximum levels of 8 mg/day, taking into account the overall cumulative intake of astaxanthin from all food sources. In 2014, the NDA Panel assessed the safety of the novel astaxanthin‐rich ingredient derived from microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis in the context of an application submitted under Regulation (EC) No 258/1997. In that opinion, the NDA Panel considered that the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for astaxanthin was 0.034 mg/kg body weight (bw) set by the EFSA FEEDAP Panel in 2014. In 2019, the FEEDAP Panel adopted an opinion which concerned the renewal of the authorisation of dimethyldisuccinate‐astaxanthin and a new use of the additive for crustaceans and other fish than salmonids. In that assessment, the FEEDAP Panel derived a new ADI of 0.2 mg astaxanthin/kg bw which replaced the ADI of 0.034 mg/kg bw established in 2014. By taking into account an updated exposure assessment for astaxanthin from the background diet (fish and crustaceans) in combination with 8 mg from food supplements, the NDA Panel concludes that (i) such combined exposure to astaxanthin is safe for adults, (ii) 14 to < 18 years old adolescents reach the ADI, and (iii) the ADI is exceeded by 28% in children aged 10 to < 14 years and up to 524% in infants aged 4–6 months.

Dalgalı Aydınlatma Programının Etlik Piliçlerin Verim ve Karkas Özellikleri Üzerine Etkisi

Bu araştırma etlik piliçlerde dalgalı aydınlatma programının verim ve karkas özellikleri üzerine etkininin belirlenmesi amacıyla 42 günlük bir yetiştirme süresince yürütülmüştür. Bu amaçla, özel sektörden temin edilen 300 adet Ross 308 etlik civciv kullanılmıştır. Civcivler normal aydınlatma ve dalgalı aydınlatma programı olmak üzere 2 gruba ayrılmış ve her grup 50‘şer adetlik 3 tekerrürden oluşturulmuştur. Aydınlatma, günlük 23 saat aydınlık 1 saat karanlık dönem olarak düzenlenmiştir. Kontrol grubuna 0-21 günler arasında 20 lüx/m2, 22-42 günler arasında 5 lüx/m2 şiddetinde sabit aydınlatma yapılmıştır. Dalgalı aydınlatma programında ise saatlik periyotlar halinde 45 dakika süreyle 5 lüx/m2 ve kalan 15 dakikalık sürede ise ilave 20 lüx/m2 şiddetinde aydınlatma yapmak suretiyle dalgalı bir aydınlatma uygulanmıştır. Her iki aydınlatma yönteminde üzerinden durulan verim özelliklerinden dönem sonu canlı ağırlık, haftalık canlı ağırlık artışı, kümülatif yem tüketimi, kümülatif yemden yararlanma oranı, yaşama gücü, ayak ve bacak kusurları oranı, sıcak karkas, soğuk karkas, but, göğüs, kanat, sırt, karaciğer ve kalp ağırlıkları bakımından farklılık bulunmadığı, ancak, taşlık ve abdominal yağ ağırlıkları arasındaki farklılığın önemli olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak dalgalı aydınlatma yönteminde yetiştirilen piliçlerin taşlık ve abdominal yağ ağırlıklarının normal aydınlatmadan daha düşük olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Özellikle etlik piliçlerde önemli bir problem olan abdominal yağ miktarının düşürülmesinde dalgalı aydınlatmanın bir yöntem olarak kullanılabileceği kanaatine varılmıştır.

β2 adrenergic receptors and leptin interplay to decrease food intake in chicken

ABSTRACT1. The present study was designed to examine the effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of different α and adrenergic receptor antagonists on leptin-induced hypophagia in broiler chickens.2. The study consisted of six experiments. In all experiments, chickens were deprived of feed for 3 h prior to the ICV injections and thereafter were returned immediately to the individual cages and cumulative feed intake, based on the percentage of body weight, was measured at 30, 60 and 120 min post-injection.3. In experiment 1, leptin (2.5, 5 or 10 µg) were injected in birds. In experiment 2, groups received either control solution, prazosin (10 nmol), leptin (10 µg) or a co-injection of prazosin (10 nmol) and leptin (10 µg). The other experiments were conducted as experiment 2, but instead of prazosine (10 nmol), yohimbine (13 nmol) was used in experiment 3, metoprolol (24 nmol) in experiment 4, ICI 118,551 (5 nmol) in experiment 5 and SR 59230R (5 nmol) in experiment 6 were injected either in a group or in combination with leptin (10 µg).4. The results of this study revealed a dose-dependent hypophagic effect of leptin and, in experiment 5, ICV co-injection of ICI118, 551 (5 nmol) and leptin (10 µg) significantly attenuated this effect (P˂0.5). These results suggest that the hypophagic effect of leptin is probably mediated by β2 adrenergic receptors in chickens.

Residual feed intake divergence during the preweaning period is associated with unique hindgut microbiome and metabolome profiles in neonatal Holstein heifer calves

BackgroundRecent studies underscored that divergence in residual feed intake (RFI) in mature beef and dairy cattle is associated with changes in ruminal microbiome and metabolome profiles which may contribute, at least in part, to better feed efficiency. Because the rumen in neonatal calves during the preweaning period is underdeveloped until close to weaning, they rely on hindgut microbial fermentation to breakdown undigested diet components. This leads to production of key metabolites such as volatile fatty acids (VFA), amino acids, and vitamins that could potentially be absorbed in the hind-gut and help drive growth and development. Whether RFI divergence in neonatal calves is associated with changes in hindgut microbial communities and metabolites is largely unknown. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to determine differences in hindgut microbiome and metabolome in neonatal Holstein heifer calves retrospectively-grouped based on feed efficiency as most-efficient (M-eff) or least-efficient (L-eff) calves using RFI divergence during the preweaning period.MethodsTwenty-six Holstein heifer calves received 3.8 L of first-milking colostrum from their respective dams within 6 h after birth. Calves were housed in individual outdoor hutches bedded with straw, fed twice daily with a milk replacer, and had ad libitum access to a starter grain mix from birth to weaning at 42 d of age. Calves were classified into M-eff [n = 13; RFI coefficient = − 5.72 ± 0.94 kg DMI (milk replacer + starter grain)/d] and L-eff [n = 13; RFI coefficient = 5.61 ± 0.94 kg DMI (milk replacer + starter grain)/d] based on a linear regression model including the combined starter grain mix and milk replacer DMI, average daily gain (ADG), and metabolic body weight (MBW). A deep sterile rectal swab exposed only to the rectum was collected immediately at birth before colostrum feeding (i.e., d 0), and fecal samples at d 14, 28, and 42 (prior to weaning) for microbiome and untargeted metabolome analyses using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and LC-MS. Microbiome data were analyzed with the QIIME 2 platform and metabolome data with the MetaboAnalyst 4.0 pipeline.ResultsNo differences (P > 0.05) in body measurements including body weight (BW), body length (BL), hip height (HH), hip width (HW), and wither height (WH) were detected between M-eff and L-eff calves at birth and during preweaning. Although milk replacer intake did not differ between groups, compared with L-eff, M-eff heifers had lower starter intake (P < 0.01) between d 18 to 42 of age, whereas no differences (P > 0.05) for ADG, cumulative BWG, or body measurements were observed between RFI groups during the preweaning period. Microbiome and metabolome profiles through the first 42 d of age indicated greater hindgut capacity for the production of energy-generating substrates (butyrate and propionate) and essential nutrients (vitamins and amino acids) in heifers with greater estimated feed efficiency.ConclusionDespite consuming approximately 54.6% less solid feed (cumulative intake, 10.90 vs. 19.98 ± 1.66 kg) from birth to weaning, the microbiome-metabolome changes in the hindgut of most-efficient heifers might have helped them maintain the same level of growth as the least-efficient heifers.

Effect of supplementation of multiple enzymes to the diets containing variable protein sources on performance and nutrient utilization in commercial broilers.

The effect of supplementation of multiple enzymes at 0, 1X, and 2X concentration to the diet containing variable protein sources (replacement of soybean meal with 10% guar meal (GM), 10% rapeseed meal (RSM), and 10% cottonseed meal (CSM)) was studied in a factorial manner on performance, carcass yield, protein, and energy utilization in commercial broiler males. For this purpose, 600-day-old commercial male broiler chicks (Ross) were randomly divided into 12 treatment groups with 10 replications of 5 birds each and reared in battery brooders up to 42days of age. Treatment groups are as follows: T1 control and T2 and T3 corn-soya diet with enzymes at 1X and 2X concentrations, respectively. From T4 to T12 treatments, corn-soya meal was replaced by 10% GM, RSM, and CSM without, with 1X and 2X concentration of enzyme supplementation, respectively. The cumulative body weight gain was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in control and birds fed with GM diet in pre-starter and starter as well as during overall period. Supplementation of multiple enzymes at 1X and 2X did not influence body weight, feed intake, and FCR (P > 0.05) during 0-42days of age. During experimental period, birds fed with the control diet and 10% GM diet showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher cumulative feed intake and better FCR compared to birds fed with 10% RSM diet and 10% cottonseed meal (CSM). Supplementation of multiple enzymes did not influence the mortality and slaughter variables and protein utilization in broilers.

Effect of feeding different levels of rice distillers dried grains with soluble (RDDGS) on performance of broiler

Rice distillers dried grains with solubles (RDDGS) is a co-product of rice-based ethanol production that can be a valuable source of energy, digestible amino acids, and available phosphorus in poultry feeds. The present study was conducted for 5 weeks to study the effect of different dietary inclusion levels of rice DDGS on performance of broiler chickens. The diets were prepared using conventional feed ingredients: maize, deoiled soybean cakes, soy oil, rice DDGS and premixes containing trace minerals and vitamins. The average body weight of chicks at the end of pre-starter and starter phase was significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed diet with 10 and 15% rice DDGS as compared to control, however, at 35 d the difference in body weight was not significant amongst the group. No significant effect of rice DDGS inclusion on weekly and cumulative feed intake was observed. The cumulative FCR up to 3 weeks was significantly (P<0.05) better in all the treatment groups irrespective of level of rice DDGS, however, at the end of experiment the difference amongst the group was not significant. No significant effect of different dietary inclusion levels of rice DDGS on metabolizability of DM was observed. The N and Ca balance also did not vary significantly among the groups, however, the P balance was significantly (P<0.05) higher in all the treatment groups irrespective of level of rice DDGS. Birds fed diet with 10% DDGS gave best response in terms of net profit per kilogram of body weight. It is therefore concluded that rice DDGS can be incorporated at 10% level in broiler feed.

Repeatability of traits for characterizing feed intake patterns in dairy goats: a basis for phenotyping in the precision farming context

In ruminants, feeding behaviour variables are parameters involved in feed efficiency that show variation among individuals. This study aimed to evaluate during the first two production cycles in ruminants the repeatability of feed intake pattern, which is an important aspect of feeding behaviour. Thirty-five dairy goats from Alpine or Saanen breeds were housed in individual pens at four periods (end of first gestation, middle of first and second lactations and middle of second gestation which is also the end of first lactation) and fed a total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum. Individual cumulative dry matter intake (DMI) was automatically measured every 2 min during the last 4 days of each period. Feed intake pattern was characterized by several measures related to the quantity of feed eaten or to the rate of intake during the 15 h following the afternoon feed delivery. Two main methods were used: modelling cumulative DMI evolution by an exponential model or by a segmentation-clustering method. The goat ability to sort against dietary fibre was also evaluated. There was a very good repeatability of the aggregate measures between days within a period for a given goat estimated by the day effect within breed and goat, tested on the residual variance (P > 0.95). The correlations between periods were the highest between the second and either the third or fourth periods. With increasing age, goats sorted more against the fibrous part of the TMR and increased their initial rate of intake. Alpine goats ate more slowly than Saanen goats but ate during a longer duration. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on all the aggregate measures of feed intake patterns. The factor score plots generated by the PCA highlighted the opposition between the different measures of feed intake patterns and the sorting behaviour. The projection of the animals on the scoring plots showed a breed effect and that there was a continuum for the feed intake pattern of goats. In conclusion, this study showed that the feed intake pattern was highly repeatable for an animal in a given period and between periods. This means that phenotyping goats in a younger age might be of interest, either to select them on feeding behaviour and choose preferentially the slow eaters or to adapt the quantity offered and restrict feed delivery to the fast eaters in order to increase feed efficiency and welfare by limiting the occurrence of acidosis, for example.

Effect of Early Post-Hatch Feeding Time on Growth and Carcass Performance of Mule Ducks Reared Intensively in the Humid Tropics

A prolonged period without feed access negatively impacts the growth and development of poultry. This study evaluated the effect of early post-hatch feeding times on the growth and carcass performance of Mule ducks reared intensively in the tropics. A total of 48 Mule ducklings were obtained from a local hatchery and assigned in a completely randomized design to 4 treatments based on 4 feeding regimes, (T) as follows: T1 3hrs, T2 24hrs, T3 36hrs and T4 48hrs post-hatch. On day 1 the ducklings were individually weighed, followed by weekly weighing until harvest at 63 days. Feed and feed refusal was measured daily for a period of 63 days. At harvest the body weight at slaughter, eviscerated and hot carcass weight, as well as the initial pH and pH24 of the breast, leg, and thigh quarters was evaluated. Weights of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract were then taken. The feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed intake and meat: skin: bone ratio was calculated. At 0-7 days cumulative feed intake and FCR was influenced by treatment (p=0.022, p=0.026; respectively). Body weight at slaughter ranged from 2969-3382.5g. Treatment did not affect the weights of the bone, fat, muscle and skin, of the breast quarter (p=0.698, p=0.893, p=0.940; respectively). However, weight of the bone for the leg and thigh quarter differed among treatments. A lower pH24 was observed for both breast and leg and thigh quarters. The study suggests that early post-hatch feeding at 3-48hrs does not affect the performance of Mule ducks.

An Exposure Assessment of Arsenic and Other Trace Elements in Ha Nam Province, Northern Vietnam.

Concentrations of As and other trace elements were measured in groundwater, rice, hair, urine, and blood samples of people consuming As-contaminated groundwater in a village of Ha Nam province, northern Vietnam to understand the recent status of contamination and assess the possible risks of human exposure. Elevated concentrations of As in groundwater were still observed, exceeding the WHO guideline value in most of the tube wells investigated. Significant positive correlations between As concentrations in groundwater and human samples (hair and urine) were observed. Arsenic concentrations in human and hair appeared to be related to the groundwater usage habit, with higher levels found in drinking group than those in the washing group. Significant good correlations were also encountered between cumulative intakes of As, Mn, and Ba through groundwater consumption and hair concentrations. All these results indicate the chronic exposure to As and some other elements such as Mn and Ba. The total intakes of As, Mn, and Ba through rice and groundwater consumption were estimated to be ranged from 80–836, 49.3–1850, and 311–97100 µg/day, respectively. The daily intakes of As of the study area ranged from 1.6–16.7 µg/kg body wt./day, mean: 7.15 µg/kg body wt./day, in which about 85% of the subjects were above the provisional tolerable daily intake proposed by WHO.

Less Is More?—A Feasibility Study of Fluid Strategy in Critically Ill Children With Acute Respiratory Tract Infection

Background: Fluid overload is common in critically ill children and is associated with adverse outcome. Therefore, restricting fluid intake may be beneficial. This study aims to study the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing a conservative to a standard, more liberal, strategy of fluid management in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI).Methods: This is a feasibility study in a single, tertiary referral pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Twenty-three children receiving mechanical ventilation for ARTI, without ongoing hemodynamic support, admitted to the PICU of the Emma Children's Hospital/Amsterdam UMC between 2016 and 2018 were included. Patients were randomized to a conservative (<70% of normal intake) or standard (>85% of normal intake) fluid strategy, which was kept throughout the period of mechanical ventilation.Results: Primary endpoints were adherence to fluid strategy and safety parameters such as calorie and protein intake. Secondary outcomes were cumulative fluid intake (CFI) and cumulative fluid balance (CFB) on day 3. In the conservative group, in 75% of the mechanical ventilation days patients achieved their target fluid intake. Median [25th−75th percentiles] calorie intake over all mechanical ventilation days was 67.9 [51.5–74.0] kcal/kg/day in the conservative vs. 67.2 [58.0–75.2] kcal/kg/day in the standard group (p = 0.878). Protein intake was 1.6 [1.3–1.8] gr protein/kg in the conservative and 1.5 [1.2–1.7] gr protein/kg in the standard group (p = 0.598). No adverse effects on hemodynamics or electrolyte imbalances were noted. Mean (±SD) CFI on day 3 was 262.3 (±58.9) ml/kg in the conservative group vs. 360.5 (±52.6) ml/kg in the standard fluid group (p < 0.001), which did not result in a lower CFB.Conclusions: A conservative fluid strategy in mechanically ventilated children with ARTI seems feasible, without limiting metabolic needs. However, in our study a conservative fluid strategy surprisingly did not reduce the degree of fluid overload. This study aids the design and sample size calculation of a future larger multicenter RCT, in which we need to redefine the target fluid strategy, possibly by even further fluid restriction and early initiation of active diuresis.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02989051.

88 Dietary supplementation of branched-chain amino acids higher than recommended levels in nursery pigs fed with moderately low protein diet: effects on growth performance

Abstract Feed cost and excess nutrients excretion are threatening the swine industry. Moderately low protein (MLP) diets are less expensive and reduce the nitrogen excretion, but they may have negative influence on growth performance of pigs. The aim of current study was to investigate the effect of MLP diets supplemented with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA; leucine, isoleucine and valine) higher than Nutrients Requirements of Swine (NRC) recommendation on the growth performance of nursery pigs. Forty-eight weaned barrows at 3 weeks of age were weighed, individually housed and randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments including: 1) PCON: 20% crude protein (CP), 2) NCON: 14% CP; 3) C25: NCON+ limiting amino acids (LAA, i.e. lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan) 25% more than NRC levels, 4) C50: NCON+LAA 50% higher than NRC recommendations; 5) CB25: NCON + (LAA+BCAA) 25% more than NRC; 6) CB50: NCON + (LAA+BCAA) 50% higher than NRC. The data were analyzed with univariate GLM with Tukey’s post-hoc test (SPSS®). The CB50 had higher final body weight, average daily gain, average daily water intake and average daily feed intake than C50 with the latter tended to be higher than NCON. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain and gain to feed ratio tended to be greater for CB25 and CB50 relative to C25 and C50, respectively. Compared to C50, CB50 improved the mean and cumulative feed intake in all the weeks. CB50 also tended to improve the body weight gain and gain: feed in week 2 relative to C50. In conclusion, supplementing MLP diets with limiting amino acid at 25% or 50% higher than NRC recommendations was failed to recover the negative effects of these diets on growth performance. Adding BCAA more than NRC levels to MLP diets improved the growth performance with the effects of added BCAA level being negligible.

Inclusion of Different Level of Khesari for Promotion in Broiler

An experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Parwanipur, Bara for 38 days to test the effect of Khesari leaves inclusion in broiler feed and its effect on growth performance. Altogether 135 day-olds Cobb-500 broiler birds were procured from Shivam Hatchery, Birgung and divided into 3 treatments with 3 replications (15 birds in each replication) by using completely randomized design. Concentrate feed was purchased from Posak Feed industry, Birgung. Control group (T1) was fed without inclusion of Khesari leaves and whereas T2 and T3 groups were fed 5% and 10 % Khesari leaves added feed respectively. Diet replaced with 5 % and 10 % Khesari leaves were offered from 14th day of trial to T2 and T3 broilers group respectively. Experimental birds were provided adlib amount of grower feed (B1) for 21 days and that after finisher feed (B3) for 21 days and had easily access to drinking water. Feed intake was recorded daily and body weight gain was measured in 7 days interval. Experiment revealed that highest weight gain was observed in T3 (2.55 kg) followed by T1 (2.48) where inclusion of 10 % Khesari leaves and normal feed respectively, which was also significant among diet groups. Similarly, highest cumulative feed intake was also observed for T3 (4.23 kg) followed by T1 (3.90 kg) which was also significant among diet groups. Experiment suggested that further study should be carried out to precise the appropriate level of organic acids inclusion and higher cost benefit ratio.

Highlights of This Issue

Mapping breast cancer survival can help cancer-control programs prioritize efforts with limited resources. Wiese and colleagues used Bayesian spatial models to assess whether geographic variation in breast cancer survival among patients in New Jersey persists after adjusting for key individual and neighborhood measures of poverty and economic inequality. The results support a growing understanding of the independent association between neighborhood socioeconomic measures and breast cancer survival. More effective health interventions could be developed if geographic variations were examined more routinely in the context of neighborhood socioeconomic inequalities in addition to individual characteristics.The impact of processed meat intake on the risk of bladder cancer is not clear. In this study, Xu evaluated the association of processed meat intake with bladder cancer using data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) cohort. As a result, intake of processed red meat was significantly associated with the incidence of bladder cancer after multivariate adjustment. By contrast, there was only a suggestive but not significant association between total processed meat intake and bladder cancer risk. The study suggests that bladder cancer risk is increased with cumulative intake of processed red meat.Infection with Helicobacter pylori can lead to chronic atrophic gastritis, a gastric cancer precursor. Autoimmune gastritis is an alternative form of gastritis that may be marked by autoantibodies against parietal cells (APCA). Wang and colleagues measured seropositivity to APCA in a nested case–control study of upper gastrointestinal cancers in a rural Chinese cohort. The authors found that APCA positivity was associated with lower risk of gastric cancer that was strongest in the gastric cardia. APCA negativity when assessed along with a serologic marker for atrophic gastritis revealed complex and strong associations with gastric cancer that may be useful in risk stratification.Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common hematologic malignancy preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Chang and colleagues aimed to identify a new clinical predictor to guide MGUS management. Multivariable analyses were performed using data from the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. The rate of rise in serum monoclonal protein concentration of &gt;0.1 g/dL in the year following MGUS diagnosis was positively associated with progression of MGUS to MM. These findings enhance the current risk stratification. The identified clinical predictor is a dynamic measure for disease progression with prognostic value. It has the potential to inform MGUS management and MM prevention.

Processed Meat Intake and Bladder Cancer Risk in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cohort

The association between processed meat intake and bladder cancer risk has been evaluated by several observational studies with inconsistent results. In a cohort of 101,721 subjects in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, we analyzed the association of processed meat intake with bladder cancer risk. After a median of 12.5 years of follow-up, 776 new cases of bladder cancer were identified. Intake of processed red meat was significantly associated with the incidence of bladder cancer after multivariate adjustment [highest vs. lowest quintile: HR, 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12-1.93; P trend = 0.008]. In contrast, there was only a suggestive but not significant association between intake of total processed meat and bladder cancer risk after multivariable adjustment (highest vs. lowest quintile: HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.89-1.50; P trend = 0.073). This large prospective study suggests that intake of processed red meat is associated with a higher risk of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer risk is increased with cumulative intake of processed red meat.

Antifeeding effects of azadirachtin on the fifth instar Spodoptera litura larvae and the analysis of azadirachtin on target sensilla around mouthparts.

To clarify the types, number, and distribution of sensilla on the head of the fifth instar Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae and identify the main sensilla of azadirachtin acting on larvae, scanning electron microscopy was used to study the morphology of the head and sensilla on the mouthparts. The four sensilla-sensillum basiconicum, sensillum chaeticum, sensillum styloconicum, and sensillum trichodeum-on the head of the fifth instar larvae were treated with 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg azadirachtin by a microdrop method. The larvae showed an obvious antifeeding effect with azadirachtin. And higher the concentration of azadirachtin, the more obvious the phenomenon of antifeeding activity. The sensillum styloconicum and the sensillum trichodeum were the main sensilla for azadirachtin. When 1 mg/kg azadirachtin was used to treat sensillum styloconicum and sensillum basiconicum, the fifth instar larvae of S. litura showed obvious antifeedant activity and the cumulative feed intake for 24 hr was no more than 30% of the leaf area. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction verified the expression patterns of some Grs, indicating that Grst43a was upregulated by 1.3- and 3.9-fold, Gor24 was upregulated by 2.5- and 3.3-fold, Gr5a was downregulated by 0.6-fold and upregulated by 2.0-fold, and Gr28a was downregulated by 0.8-fold and upregulated by 3.6-fold upon treatment with 0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg azadirachtin in 24 hr. Gr genes participated in the identification of bitterness and we speculated that Gr genes may indirectly lead to the occurrence of antifeeding behavior.