Dietary Energy Research Articles

Lysine requirement of weaned piglets

Lysine, often referred to as the ‘first limiting amino acid’ in pig nutrition, plays a pivotal role in growth performance. Variability in lysine requirements arises due to factors such as age, sex and environmental conditions. Optimising pig health and production efficiency and minimising nitrogen excretion require accurate knowledge of estimated lysine requirements accounting for factors such as genetics, feeding practices, scientific advancements, and environmental considerations. This study aimed to determine standardised ileal digestible (SID) lysine requirements of weaned piglets (5–30 kg) based on a literature review using meta-analytical approaches. The literature review yielded 344 studies that were screened for title and abstract. In total, 41 experiments met the inclusion criteria, resulting in a dataset of 206 treatment means. Linear, quadratic and linear-plateau models were used to gain insight into the effect of SID lysine addition on average daily gain and feed efficiency for the combined dataset and separately for the individual experiments. Regression analysis showed a predominant linear increase in average daily gain and feed efficiency as an overall response to increasing lysine levels across both the combined dataset and individual experiments. Breakpoint estimation from the linear-plateau models was inconclusive, indicating that the optimal SID lysine requirement to maximise piglet growth performance likely exceeded the upper lysine levels tested in most studies, thus surpassing 1.3 g SID lysine per MJ net energy. This review indicates high values for the lysine requirement to achieve maximum growth performance. Results may suggest that piglet feed formulation should focus on an optimal dietary SID lysine to CP ratio, rather than SID lysine per kg of diet or unit of net energy. However, more research is needed to investigate this suggestion.

268 - Does exercise preserve fat free mass during a very low energy diet in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and overweight or obesity?

268 - Does exercise preserve fat free mass during a very low energy diet in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and overweight or obesity?

Carcass Essential Amino Acids Profile of <i>Clarias gariepinus </i>(Burchell, 1822) Fingerlings Fed Different Levels of Maca (<i>Lepidium meyenii</i>, Walp.) Root Powder as Feed Additive

This research was carried out to determine the carcass essential amino acids profile of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed different levels of Maca root powder as a feed additive. Five (5) isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isocaloric (1,732kcal kg-1 gross energy) diets were formulated, where Maca root powder in the form of feed additive was included at 0.0g/100g (TM0), 0.25g/100g (TM1), 0.5g/100g (TM2), 0.75g/100g (TM3) and 1.0g/100g (TM4) inclusion levels, diet without Maca root powder (TM0), served as the control diet. Formulated diets were fed to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (n = 300, 10.0±0.00g) in fifteen (15) rectangular plastic tanks (n = 20) at a fixed feeding rate of 3% body weight twice daily between the hours of 8:00 - 9:00 am and 4:00 - 5:00 pm at regular interval and adjusted after every two (2) weeks of sampling for a period of twelve (12) weeks. At the end of the research three (3) Clarias gariepinus from each treatment were sacrificed with the carcass subjected to essential amino acids analysis. Data collected were analysed using one - way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P = 0.05. All the nine (9) essential amino acids were found in the final carcass profile of the Clarias gariepinus. Carcass histidine value (15.81mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (10.02mg/g) in the fish fed the control diet (TM0), carcass isoleucine value (25.42mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (18.20mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), while the carcass leucine value (14.17mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM4 and least (11.98mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), carcass lysine value (20.13mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (14.68mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), carcass methionine value (33.07mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (26.80mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), carcass phenylalanine value (22.24mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (17.69mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), carcass threonine value (22.23mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (15.13mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), carcass tryptophan value (25.74mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (20.92mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0) and the carcass valine value (39.77mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (32.95mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0).. The incorporation of Maca root powder as a feed additive into the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings increases the concentration of the carcass's essential amino acids and therefore the Clarias gariepinus can be a very important source of the essential amino acids. The incorporation of Maca root powder as a feed additive into the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings is recommended for improving the Clarias gariepinus carcass essential amino acids profile.

Effects of Dietary Energy Levels on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Barrier and Microflora in Sheep.

Dietary energy is crucial for ruminants' performance and health. To determine optimal dietary energy levels for growing sheep, we evaluated their growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, barrier function, and microbiota under varying metabolic energy (ME) diets. Forty-five growing Yunnan semi-fine wool sheep, aged 10 months and weighing 30.8 ± 1.9 kg, were randomly allocated to five treatments, each receiving diets with ME levels of 8.0, 8.6, 9.2, 9.8 or 10.4 MJ/kg. The results showed that with increasing dietary energy, the average daily gain (ADG) as well as the digestibility of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) increased (p < 0.05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased linearly (p = 0.01). The concentration of total VFA (p = 0.03) and propionate (p = 0.01) in the rumen increased linearly, while rumen pH (p < 0.01) and the acetate-propionate ratio (p = 0.01) decreased linearly. Meanwhile, the protein contents of Claudin-4, Claudin-7, Occludin and ZO-1 as well as the relative mRNA expression of Claudin-4 and Occludin also increased (p < 0.05). In addition, rumen bacterial diversity decreased with the increase of dietary energy, and the relative abundance of some bacteria (like Saccharofermentans, Prevotella and Succiniclasticum) changed. In conclusion, increasing dietary energy levels enhanced growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and barrier function, and altered the rumen bacterial community distribution. The optimal dietary ME for these parameters in sheep at this growth stage was between 9.8 and 10.4 MJ/kg.

Evaluating the dry matter content of raw yams using hyperspectral imaging spectroscopy and machine learning

Yams (Dioscorea spp.) are important food and commercial crops in West African countries. They contribute significantly to global food production and provide dietary energy. The quality of yam food products depends on specific internal and external parameters, such as the DMC and other biochemical traits. However, measuring these traits can be challenging, particularly when analyzing many genotypes. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging (932–1721 nm) along with machine learning to rapidly measure the dry matter content (DMC) of fresh, intact yam tubers. Hyperspectral images were acquired across the yam tuber’s cross-sections, and the resulting spectra from the images were averaged and preprocessed. Partial least square regression (PLSR) combined with successive progressions algorithms (SPA), Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS), Artificial Neural network (ANN) and Boruta algorithms (BA) were used to select the important wavelengths for developing a prediction model for DMC (g/100 g). The PLSR-SPA-CARS model showed the most accurate prediction performances with a coefficient of determinations in calibration (R2cal) and prediction (R2pred) of 0.974 and 0.958, respectively, and low root mean square error (RMSEP) of 0.898 g/100 g. The distribution of DMC was visually represented by projecting the developed model to generate color chemical maps. This study resolves that NIR hyperspectral imaging can rapidly assess the DMC of fresh, intact yam tubers.

Intestinal Energy Harvest Mediates Gut Microbiota-Associated Weight Loss Following Bariatric Surgery.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is the most effective treatment for class III obesity. The capacity to efficiently extract intestinal energy is potentially a determinant of varying weight loss outcomes post-MBS. Prior research indicated that intestinal energy harvest is correlated with post-MBS weight loss. Studies have also demonstrated that the gut microbiota is associated with weight loss post-MBS. We aim to investigate whether gut microbiota-associated weight loss is mediated by intestinal energy harvest in patients post-MBS. We examined the relationship between specific gut microbiota, intestinal energy harvest, diet, and weight loss using fecal metagenomic sequence data, bomb calorimetry (fecal energy content as a proxy for calorie absorption), and a validated dietary questionnaire on 67 individuals before and after MBS. Mediation analysis and amachine learning algorithm were conducted. Intestinal energy harvest was a mediator in the relationship between theintestinal microbiota (Bacteroides caccae) and weight loss outcomes in patients post-MBS at 18months (M). The association between the abundance of B. caccae and post-MBS weight loss rate at 18M was partly mediated by 1M intestinal energy harvest (β = 0.001 ± 0.001, P = 0.020). This mediation represents 2.83% of the total effect (β = 0.050 ± 0.047; P = 0.028). Intestinal microbiota and energy harvest improved random forest model's accuracy in predicting weight loss results. Energy harvest partly mediates the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and weight loss outcomes among patients post-MBS. This study elucidates a potential mechanism regarding how intestinal energy absorption facilitates the effect of intestinal microbiota on energy metabolism and weight loss outcomes.

Symptoms of Depression, Eating Disorders, and Binge Eating in Adolescents With Obesity

Depression and eating disorders are heightened for adolescents with obesity. Clinical reviews alongside self-report questionnaires are important to ensure appropriate intervention. To evaluate changes in self-report symptoms of depression, eating disorders, and binge eating in adolescents with obesity during the Fast Track to Health trial. This was a randomized clinical trial conducted from 2018 to 2023. It was a multisite trial conducted at children's hospitals in Sydney, New South Wales, and Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and included adolescents (13-17 years) with obesity (defined as adult equivalent body mass index ≥30; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) and 1 or more related complications. Duration was 52 weeks including a very low energy diet for 4 weeks followed by intermittent energy restriction (IER) or continuous energy restriction (CER). Self-report symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised 10-Item Version for Adolescents [CESDR-10]; scores 0-30), eating disorders (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire [EDE-Q]; scores 0-6), and binge eating (Binge Eating Scale [BES]; scores 0-46) were assessed. Adolescents were screened for depression and eating disorders (weeks 0, 4, 16, and 52) and monitored for the onset of new symptoms of disordered eating during dietetic consults. Of 141 adolescents (median [IQR] age, 14.8 [12.9-17.9] years; 71 male [50.4%]) enrolled, median baseline EDE-Q score was 2.28 (IQR, 1.43-3.14), median baseline CESDR-10 score was 9.00 (IQR, 4.00-14.50), and median baseline BES score was 11.00 (IQR, 5.00-17.00). There were no differences between groups for change in CESDR-10 (mean difference at week 52, 0.75; 95% CI, -1.86 to 3.37), EDE-Q (mean difference at week 52, 0.02; 95% CI, -0.41 to 0.45), or BES (mean difference at week 52, -2.91; 95% CI, -5.87 to 0.05). The within-group reductions at week 4 were maintained at week 52, for CESDR-10 and EDE-Q, indicating reduced symptoms of depression and eating disorders. Within-group reductions on the BES were maintained in the IER group only. Seventeen adolescents (12.1%) required support or referral for depression and/or disordered eating, including 7 (5%; 5 IER, 2 CER) adolescents who experienced the onset or reemergence of symptoms during the intervention. Results suggest that many treatment-seeking adolescents with obesity self-reported symptoms of depression and eating disorders. Although symptoms reduced for most, some required additional support. Obesity treatment is an opportune time to screen and monitor for depression and disordered eating. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12617001630303.

Effect of Dietary Energy Level during Late Gestation on Mineral Contents in Colostrum, Milk, and Plasma of Lactating Jennies.

This study investigated the effects of dietary energy levels during late gestation on mineral content in the plasma, colostrum, and milk of jennies postpartum. Twenty-four pregnant multiparous DeZhou jennies, aged 6.0 ± 0.1 years, with a body weight of 292 ± 33 kg, an average parity number of 2.7 ± 0.1, and similar expected dates of confinement (74 ± 4 days), were randomly allocated to three groups and fed three diets: high energy (12.54 MJ/kg, HE), medium energy (12.03 MJ/kg, ME), and low energy (11.39 MJ/kg, LE). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each jenny at time points of 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 5 d, 7 d, and 14 d after parturition. Additionally, milk samples were collected through manual milking, and an analysis of the mineral content was conducted. The results showed that compared with HE, both ME and LE significantly increased the levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and cobalt (Co) in the plasma and Ca, P, magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), Zn, selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and Co in the milk of jennies postpartum (p < 0.05); ME also increased the levels of potassium (K), iron (Fe), and Mn in plasma and K and Fe in milk (p < 0.05). The levels of Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Se, Zn, and Mo in plasma and milk gradually decreased with increasing postpartum time. Their contents were the highest at 0 h postpartum, rapidly decreased after 24 h postpartum, and declined to the lowest on day 14 postpartum. The interaction between dietary energy level and postpartum time showed that although the concentrations of the minerals Ca, P, K, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Co, Se, and Mo decreased in jennies' plasma and milk in the treatment groups with different energy levels as postpartum time increased, the pattern of change was also influenced by dietary energy level. The influence of dietary energy level in late gestation on the mineral content of milk and plasma during the postpartum colostrum phase was higher than that during the milk phase. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that, under the current experimental conditions, the mineral content of the colostrum, milk, and plasma of jennies after parturition was dependent on the dietary energy level during late gestation.

Full-Fat Soybean Meals as an Alternative Poultry Feed Ingredient-Feed Processing Methods and Utilization-Review and Perspective.

On a global scale, the poultry industry expands its wings in terms of meat and egg production to the masses. However, this industry itself requires a sustainable and permanent supply of different inputs, one of which is poultry feed and nutrition. Soybean is a versatile protein that is offered to poultry in different inclusion rates in commercial diets after being processed using various thermal and mechanical processing methods. Conventional commercial soybean meal is usually prepared by the extraction of oil from whole soybeans using solvents, producing a meal that has approximately 1% crude fat. Without oil extraction, full-fat soybean (FFSBM) is produced, and it is an excellent source of dietary energy and protein for poultry with a nutritional profile of 38-40% protein and 18-20% crude fat, on average. FFSBM has less crude protein (CP) than solvent-extracted soybean meal (SE SBM) but higher metabolizable energy due to higher fat content. Alternatively, extruded expeller processing produces defatted soybean meal containing approximately 6-7% crude fat. Studies have demonstrated that FFSBM can be used in poultry diets to improve poultry nutrition, performance, and quality of the poultry meat and eggs produced. This review aims to evaluate the nutrition and use of meals prepared from conventional and high-oleic soybeans using various feed processing methods.

Effects of Dietary Energy Levels on Growth Performance, Serum Metabolites, and Meat Quality of Jersey Cattle-Yaks.

Energy feed can provide animals with balanced nutrition, thereby enhancing their growth performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary energy levels on the growth performance, serum metabolites, and meat quality of Jersey cattle-yaks. A total of 24 male Jersey cattle-yaks were randomly divided into three groups. Each group was fed diets with metabolizable energy levels of 8.21 MJ/kg (LE), 9.50 MJ/kg (ME), and 10.65 MJ/kg (HE), respectively. The HE and ME groups showed significantly higher final body weight, average daily gain (ADG), and feed efficiency compared to the LE group (p < 0.05). The glucose (GLU) and total cholesterol (TC) concentrations were significantly increased in the serum of the ME and HE groups (p < 0.05). The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly higher in the serum of the HE group than in the ME group (p < 0.05). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels exhibited a significant decrease with increasing metabolizable energy levels in the diet (p < 0.05). Increasing dietary energy levels enhances the eye muscle area and intramuscular fat content of Jersey cattle-yaks (p < 0.05), with no effect on pH45 min, pH24 h, and shear force. In the HE group, the levels of heneicosanoic acid (C21:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1), elaidic acid (C18:1n9t), and eicosadienoic acid (C20:2n6) were notably elevated (p < 0.05) when compared to the LE group. We concluded that a higher dietary energy level enhanced the growth performance and meat quality traits of male Jersey cattle-yaks.

Effects of rumen-protected fat on performance, carcass and meat characteristics, and feeding behaviour of Nellore bulls finished in intensive grazing systems

Context Beef cattle production in the tropics is based on the grazing system. Concentrate supplementation has a significant influence on carcass gain and meat quality. Additionally, the inclusion of some lipid feedstuffs, such as rumen-protected fat (RPF), can increase the net energy for weight gain, and be an alternative to increase the productive performance and carcass traits of grazing beef cattle. Aims This study evaluated the effects of RPF on performance, carcass traits and feeding behaviour of Nellore bulls in an intensive grazing system during the rainy season. Methods Twenty-four Nellore bulls (initial bodyweight of 454.0 ± 46.1 kg) were used in a randomised completed block design, based on initial bodyweight. The animals were distributed in 12 paddocks (two bulls per paddock) in a continuous grazing system and randomly assigned to one of two treatments: control (n = 6), a concentrate without added protected fat provided ad libitum, and RPF (n = 6), a concentrate with the addition of 3% protected fat (Nutricorp, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil) provided ad libitum. Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 with paddock as the experimental unit (12 paddocks). The principal model included fixed effect of treatment and block as a random effect. For forage characteristics, the experimental period was a considered fixed effect. The study lasted 105 days, and was divided into four periods. At the end of each period, forage collections were performed, bulls were weighed and feeding behaviour was recorded. After 105 days, the bulls were slaughtered in a commercial slaughterhouse, and three 2.54-cm Longissimus dorsi steaks of each animal were collected to evaluate the colour, the chemical and physical composition, and the sensory analysis of the meat. Keys results The inclusion of RPF in the concentrate did not affect (P &gt; 0.05) the final bodyweight, average daily gain, concentrate intake and feed efficiency, but there was a tendency (P &lt; 0.07) for higher carcass weight for the bulls that received RPF. Bulls supplemented with RPF had a greater (P &lt; 0.05) average carcass gain. For meat quality, an effect (P &lt; 0.01) was observed for hue (25.32 and 27.91 for control and RPF, respectively). Conclusions The addition of 3% RPF in the concentrate ration has the potential to improve carcass traits and meat quality of beef cattle in an intensive pasture finishing system. Implications The inclusion of RPF will increase dietary energy density of grazing beef cattle with a tendency to increase carcass gain. This can be an opportunity to increase the production per animal and income of farmers.

Estimated changes in free sugar consumption one year after the UK soft drinks industry levy came into force: controlled interrupted time series analysis of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2011–2019)

BackgroundThe UK soft drinks industry levy (SDIL) was announced in March 2016 and implemented in April 2018, encouraging manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of soft drinks. This is the...

The influence of breed, dietary energy and lysine on laying persistency and body composition of laying hens

The effect of dietary energy and lysine levels on laying persistency and body composition in brown and white hens was studied. Dietary treatments with 2 Metabolizable Energy levels (ME lay; constant or reduction over time) and 2 apparent fecal digestible Lys levels (AFD Lys; constant or reduction over time), were fed to Lohmann white or brown hens, from 17 to 75 wk of age, in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design. Data were subjected to mixed model analyses. The egg production curve was modeled using a non-linear regression function. White hens showed an improved laying persistency and a higher number of total eggs per hen compared to brown hens, indicated by a shorter peak production phase but a significant lower slope of decline after peak (P < 0.05). Similarly, hensfed a reduced instead of a constant ME Lay diet had a better laying persistency, indicated by a shorter peak production phase and a significant smaller slope of decline after peak (P < 0.05). This improved laying persistency was probably related to a higher ADFI and nutrient intake of hens fed the reduced ME Lay diets (P < 0.05). A segmented regression analysis showed reasonable correlation between egg mass production and ME Lay intake, with an R2 adjusted of 0.78 for the overall model. The egg mass production was not increased for intakes above 330 kcal of ME Lay intake for white hens and 324 kcal for brown hens. Limited effects of dietary treatments on body crude fat and crude protein were found. Both energy and protein requirement seemed to increase over time, indicated by higher voluntary nutrient intake and a reducing body crude fat after wk 43 in all treatments. The egg mass production correlated poorly with the AFD Lys intake, with an R2 of 0.22. In conclusion, laying persistency was mostly influenced by breed and dietary ME Lay level, but not dietary AFD Lys level.

The latest evidence and clinical guidelines for use of meal replacements in very-low-calorie diets or low-calorie diets for the treatment of obesity.

Obesity is a complex chronic disease with increasing prevalence across the globe. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is an important component of obesity treatment, and low-calorie diets (LCDs) and very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) are part of the MNT toolbox. This narrative review focuses on the latest evidence and clinical guidelines regarding the use and impact of meal replacements (MRs) as part of LCDs/VLCDs for the treatment of obesity and some associated complications. MRs can be used in conjunction with food as partial diet replacement (PDR) or can be used exclusively to serve as the sole source of dietary energy (total diet replacement [TDR]). Use of MR may be associated with better control of cravings and hunger typically observed during reduced calorie intake through effects of ketosis or stimuli narrowing, although the exact mechanisms for these effects remain unclear. Several clinical guidelines have endorsed the use of MRs as a part of MNT for obesity, primarily based on evidence that shows an average weight reduction of ~10 kg or more with TDR over at least 12 months in large, randomized controlled trials. When compared to usual care controls, these effects are 6-8 kg greater, and when compared to food-based diets, the effects are nearly twice the effect of a food-based diet. MR-based diets have been found to be safe and associated with improvements in quality of life. These diets are also effective for improving key cardiometabolic health outcomes, including dysglycaemia, blood pressure, lipids, and metabolic associated fatty liver. The effectiveness, safety, and associated health improvement makes MRs use a valuable strategy for several higher risk clinical scenarios where weight reduction is indicated.

Obesity prevalence, nutritional status, and physical activity levels in Turkish adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although nutritional status is influenced by multidimensional aspects encompassing physical factors, there is limited research on this complex relationship. This study aimed to examine the interaction between physical activity level indicators and the nutritional status of adults in Türkiye. A total of 3,970 individuals aged 18 years or older, residing in Afyonkarahisar (Türkiye), participated in this study. Data were obtained through face-to-face interviews with a questionnaire, using simple random sampling among adults. One-day food consumption was recorded using a 24-h dietary recall (24HDR). Physical activity levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). This study comprised 3,970 participants: 2,087 (52.57%) men and 1,883 (47.42%) women. Among them, 32.64% smoked cigarettes, and 8.72% consumed alcohol. About 40% of adults were overweight, and 16.33% were obese. All participants had inadequate intake levels of potassium, calcium, and iron when compared to the recommended amounts. Physical activity levels showed a weak positive correlation with dietary energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and cholesterol, and a weak negative correlation with age, waist-to-hip ratio, and BMI of participants. This study provides insights into the importance of addressing both physical activity and nutritional status. It was found that the weekly duration of physical activity for women was lower than for men. As a result of the nutritional status evaluation, it was found that the daily energy intake of men was higher than that of women.

Do we neglect nutrition in childhood interstitial lung disease?

Growth failure and inadequate weight gain are common problems in childhood interstitial lung diseases (chILD) and these children usually need high calories. It is important to manage both pulmonary functions and nutrition as part of their overall treatment plan and early interventions will help children to improve their quality of life and slow the progression of chronic lung disease. Nutritional evaluation on routine clinical follow-up is important, although there are not any specific guidelines for chILD. Nutritional education, high balanced energy, protein, and fat diet will assist to improve weight gain and maintenance of adequate nutrition status in children with ILD.

Optimizing Nutrient Management for Pearl Millet: Insights from a Long-term Field Experiment

The study investigates the impact of integrated nutrient management strategies on the yield and nutrient uptake of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), a vital crop in arid and semi-arid regions. Pearl millet is a significant source of dietary energy and essential nutrients for rural populations in India. However, its productivity remains low compared to other millet-producing countries. This research aims to enhance pearl millet yield through a combination of organic manures, biofertilizers, and chemical fertilizers, addressing the need for sustainable agricultural practices. The experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya during the kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023. Twelve treatment combinations were tested, including 100% NPK along with farmyard manure (FYM) and seed treatments with biofertilizers. Results indicated that the treatment combining 100% NPK with FYM at 10 t/ha/year and biofertilizers significantly improved biological yield, nutrient uptake, and soil organic carbon content. Specifically, the highest biological yield recorded was 8026 kg/ha, with notable increases in total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake. This study underscores the importance of integrated nutrient management in enhancing pearl millet productivity while maintaining soil health. By adopting these practices, farmers can improve crop yields and contribute to food security in regions reliant on pearl millet. The findings provide a framework for future research and practical applications in sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the need for balanced nutrient supply systems to optimize crop performance and soil fertility.

A Dynamic Tool to Describe Lamb Growth and Its Use as a Decision Support System.

A dynamic model has been developed to simulate aspects of feedlot lamb growth and body composition, including energy and protein requirements, growth rate, composition of gain, and body mass. Model inputs include initial body mass (kg), standard final mass (kg), age (days), and dietary energy concentration (Mcal·kg-1). The model was assessed as a decision support tool using a dataset of 564 individual measures of final body mass and diet energy. The simulations provide graphical and numerical descriptions of nutrient requirements, composition of gain, and estimates of animal performance over time. The model is accurate and precise, with a root mean squared error of 7.79% of the observed final body mass and a coefficient of determination of 0.89 when simulating the same variable. The model can be used as a reliable decision support tool to estimate final body mass and the days on feed required to reach a certain final mass with precision and accuracy. Moreover, the dynamic model can also serve as a learning tool to illustrate practical principles of animal nutrition, nutrient requirement relationships, and body composition changes. This model holds the potential to enhance livestock management practices and assist producers in making informed decisions about feedlot lamb production.

Are dietary factors associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is intricately linked with dietary patterns and metabolic homeostasis. Therefore, the present study focused to investigate the relation between dietary patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors related to fatty liver in NAFLD patients. This cross-sectional study included 117 individuals whose body mass index (BMI) threshold of 25 or above diagnosed with NAFLD by magnetic resonance imaging. The hospital database was used to review the patients' medical records such as lipid parameters, and fasting blood sugar. Anthropometric measurements and body composition were measured by researchers. Likewise, data from 24-h dietary recalls of individuals were collected to analyze their energy and nutrient intakes besides calculating dietary insulin index (DII), dietary insulin load (DIL), dietary glycemic index (DGI), and dietary glycemic load (DGL). Participants consuming diets with distinct levels of DII, DIL, DGI, and DGL exhibited variations in dietary energy and nutrient intake. Specifically, differences were noted in carbohydrate intake across quartiles of DII, DIL, DGI, and DGL, while fructose consumption showed variability in DGL quartiles (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, sucrose intake demonstrated distinctions in both DII and DGL quartiles (p ≤ 0.05). No statistical difference was found in biochemical parameters and the fatty liver index among different levels of DII, DIL, DGI, and DGL (p > 0.05). After adjusting for potential confounders, participants with a higher DGI had four times greater odds of developing metabolic syndrome compared to those in the bottom quartile (OR, 4.32; 95% CI [1.42-13.11]). This study provides initial evidence of the intricate association between dietary factors and NAFLD, emphasizing the necessity for further research including prospective designs with larger sample sizes, to garner additional insights.

Effects of Supplemental Calcium Propionate and Concentrate Level: Growth Performance, Body Fat Reserves, and Health of High-Risk Beef Calves.

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of daily calcium propionate (CaPr) supplementation (0 or 20 g/calf) on growth performance, dietary energetics, body fat reserves, serum metabolites, and hematological responses in high-risk beef calves fed diets with varying (50, 60, or 70%) concentrate (CON) levels. In addition, a cost/income analysis of CaPr supplementation was carried out. Forty-eight crossbred bull calves (152.8 ± 1.56 kg body weight and 5.5 months of age) were involved in a fully randomized experimental design employing a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Calves were allocated (n = 8 per treatment) to individual pens (3.14 × 5.25 m) and were subjected to one of the following treatments during 42 d: No CaPr supplementation in diets containing 50, 60, or 70% CON (NoCaPr + 50, NoCaPr + 60, NoCaPr + 70, respectively) or daily CaPr supplementation dosed at 20 g/calf in diets containing 50, 60, or 70% CON (20CaPr + 50, 20CaPr + 60, 20CaPr + 70, respectively). Non-supplemented calves exhibited decreased dry matter intake (DMI) with increasing CON levels in their diets, while CaPr-supplemented calves displayed the opposite effect (interaction, p = 0.04). In calves fed a lower-CON diet (50%), those supplemented with CaPr showed greater average daily gain (ADG, 20.2%, p = 0.05) and lower DMI (2.2%, p = 0.03), resulting in improved ADG/DMI ratio, dietary energy, and energy retention (24.6, 14.4, and 18%, p < 0.05). These effects diminished when calves received diets with 60 or 70% CON but led to a 14.2% increase in rump fat thickness (p = 0.04). Only in non-supplemented CaPr calves, increasing the level of CON from 50 to 70% in the diet increased ADG (21.2%), decreased DMI (2.2%), and improved the ADG/DMI ratio (22.7%), with no impact on dietary net energy utilization. Non-supplemented calves exhibited an increase in lymphocytes as CON levels rose in their diets, whereas CaPr-supplemented calves showed the opposite effect (interaction, p = 0.05). Supplementation of CaPr decreased total protein (TP, p = 0.03) and albumin (ALB, p < 0.01) serum concentrations, with lower concentrations observed in 20CaPr + 50. CaPr supplementation reduced (p = 0.01) total cholesterol (TCHO) levels. An interaction between CaPr and CON level (p = 0.02) was observed since TCHO levels remained consistently low at higher CON levels. Glucose was decreased with increasing levels of CON (p = 0.02) but not (p = 0.85) for CaPr-supplemented calves. NoCaPr + 50 and NoCaPr + 70 increased (p = 0.05) ALB concentration. Gamma glutamyltransferase levels increased (p = 0.05) with increasing CON levels irrespective of CaPr supplementation. Comparing the profit within the same CON level in the diet, CaPr treatments yielded higher income, with the largest difference in profit observed when CaPr was supplemented at 50% CON level (USD 29 more/calf). In conclusion, CaPr supplementation proves to be an effective strategy for enhancing growth performance and dietary energy among high-risk beef calves, resulting in greater economic returns. The groups that received CaPr demonstrated superior profitability, particularly in calves fed diets with lower CON levels. Under the conditions in which this experiment was carried out, the optimal response occurred when the low-CON diet (50%) was supplemented with CaPr.