Feeding Conditions Research Articles

Improving diabetic wound healing: The therapeutic potential of allulose supplement in diabetic skin tissue repair and inflammation modulation

The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) worldwide presents significant challenges in the management of impaired tissue repair in diabetic skin wounds, which has emerged as a critical health concern. Addressing this issue while minimizing adverse effects remains crucial. Allulose has been shown to exhibit hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory properties, alleviating obesity and atherosclerosis by improving insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. However, its underlying effects and mechanisms in repairing diabetic skin damage remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that oral administration of allulose remarkably ameliorated T2DM-compromised skin tissue wound associated with the stimulation of skin granulation, surrounding tissue formation, and activated fibroblasts, under high-fat diet (HFD) feeding condition. In addition, administration partially promoted collagen deposition, reduced M1 macrophage polarization, facilitated neovascularization, and mitigated tissue inflammation in the T2DM rats upon HFD feeding. Moreover, allulose could significantly alleviate high glucose stress condition-induced inflammatory response, correlative with modulation of p38/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling. In addition, allulose could also ameliorate high glucose stress-compromised cell viability and proliferative capacity, related to stimulation of mTOR pathway in part. Taken together, our study revealed that T2DM compromised some certain factors which are crucial for skin tissue healing and wound repair upon HFD condition. The work highlighted the potential beneficial effects of orally administered allulose for healing diabetic skin wounds and supported a novel strategy for managing diabetes patients adjunctively with allulose dietary supplement.

Fish guts possess higher priority in assessing ecological risk of microplastics in both fish bodies and aquatic environments

Microplastics (MPs, ＜5mm in size) have rapidly spread across aquatic ecosystems, which urgently needs systematic assessment for their ecological risk. Fish species have frequently been selected as indicator organisms in evaluating MPs contaminants. However, it has been questioned that which organs of fishes should be examined due to tissue-specific results. In this study, we investigated the accumulation and depuration process of MPs in the main organs of zebrafish under different MPs concentrations as well as the presence and absence of food resources. Our results recorded consistently higher MPs accumulation in fish guts among different MPs concentrations, implying fish guts as stable organs representing organisms’ MPs contaminants. Meanwhile, MPs accumulated in fish guts increased significantly with increasing exposure concentrations, highlighting fish guts as sensitive organs in reflecting MPs contamination in aquatic environments. In addition, MPs accumulated in fish guts under non-feeding conditions followed a logistic “S” curve while fluctuated under feeding conditions, suggesting increased ecological MPs risk with the absence of food resources. The depuration rate in fish guts was significantly higher in the feeding group than in the non-feeding group, implying better expelling ability of MPs with the presence of food resources. Our study proposes fish guts as the optimal indicator organs in assessing the ecological risk of MPs contaminants in both fish bodies and aquatic environments, and highlights the importance of sustaining sufficient food resources in aquatic environments to reduce the MPs triggered adverse effects on fish species.

Effects of Different Dietary Combinations on Blood Biochemical Indicators and Rumen Microbial Ecology in Wenshan Cattle

With the continuous optimization of feed ingredients in livestock production, barley has garnered significant attention as a potential substitute for corn in feed. This study aims to investigate the effects of replacing part of the corn and soybean meal with barley, wheat bran, and rapeseed meal on Wenshan cattle, focusing on the rumen microbial community, blood physiological and biochemical indicators, and growth traits. Through an intensive feeding experiment with two different dietary ratios, we found that adding barley to the diet significantly reduced the host’s blood lipid concentration and significantly increased the height, body length, heart girth, and average daily weight gain of Wenshan cattle. Analysis of the rumen microbial community structure showed that the addition of barley significantly affected the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, with the relative abundance of Spirochaetes being significantly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). The dominant bacterial groups mainly included Acinetobacter, Solibacillus, and Lysinibacillus. In summary, this study reveals the potential of different feed ingredient ratios involving barley, wheat bran, and rapeseed meal in the production performance of Wenshan cattle. By regulating blood physiology and improving the rumen micro-ecological structure, it provides new scientific evidence for optimizing livestock and poultry feeding management strategies. Future research will further explore the optimal application ratio of barley under different feeding conditions and its long-term impact on animal health and production performance.

Dynamic Response of a Rotor Supported on Hybrid Bearings in Air, Water, and Liquid Nitrogen: Measurements and Comparisons to Predictions

Abstract Modern liquid rocket engine turbopumps implement hybrid bearings, which combine hydrostatic and hydrodynamic fluid film principles, in compact and lightweight units known for their superior reusability, durability, and reliability. This study aims to provide extensive and reliable test data for the purpose of anchoring and benchmarking predictive tools for these bearings. This paper provides comprehensive dynamic response measurements of a rotor weighing 10.40 kg and approximately 60 mm in diameter at the bearing locations. The test rotor is supported on two hybrid journal bearings with a bearing length to bearing diameter ratio of approximately 0.42 and a bearing radial clearance to rotor radius ratio of around 0.0017. The bearings are tested with air, water, and liquid nitrogen, serving as surrogate test fluids for common propellants in liquid rocket engines. Rotor run-up and speed coast-down tests are conducted to measure shaft motion responses. The results clearly demonstrate that the rotordynamic characteristics of the test rotor supported on the hybrid journal bearings largely rely on properties of the test fluids and their feeding conditions. Notably, when air is pressurized into the test bearings, the shaft motion responses differ markedly from those observed with water and liquid nitrogen, primarily due to significantly lower stiffness and damping coefficients. Furthermore, rotor speed coast-down tests for each test fluid exhibit notable differences in coast-down speed over time characteristics, depending on the test fluid properties. The predicted rotor imbalance responses exhibit excellent correlation with the measurement data. The steady increase of demand and growth of the fluid film bearing technology for reusable rocket engines require accurate bearing design tools, the extensive component testing, and the implementation of the technology. The validated and developed bearing predictive models from previous research demonstrate well the characteristics of bearings under various operating fluids conditions. The findings and database presented in this work contribute not only to comprehending the performance of hybrid bearings but also to understanding and enhancing the dynamic characteristics of rotor systems supported on hybrid bearings.

Functional study of amine oxidase copper-containing 1 (AOC1) in lipid metabolism

Amine oxidase copper-containing 1 (AOC1) is a key member of copper amine oxidase family, which is responsible for deamination oxidation of histamine and putrescine. In recent years, AOC1 has been reported to be associated with various cancers, with its expression levels significantly elevated in certain cancer cells, suggesting its potential role in cancer progression. However, its function in lipid metabolism still remains unclear. Through genetic analysis, we have discovered a potential relationship between AOC1 and lipid metabolism. To further investigate, we generated Aoc1 -/- mice and characterized their metabolic phenotypes on both chow diet and high-fat diet (HFD) feeding conditions. On HFD feeding conditions, Aoc1 -/- mice exhibited significantly higher fat mass and impaired glucose sensitivity, and lipid accumulation in white adipose tissue and liver was also increased. This study uncovers the potential role of AOC1 in lipid metabolism and its implications in metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, providing new targets and research directions for treating metabolic diseases.

Comparative analysis of intestinal flora community composition and diversity of Anas platyrhynchos and Anser fabalis in the Yellow River Delta

Abstract The Yellow River Delta wetland is a habitat for wintering waterfowl, where mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and tundra bean goose (Anser fabalis) are commonly observed. Although the intestinal flora plays a pivotal role in maintaining host health and promoting nutrient absorption, it remains unclear whether the same overwintering habitat and challenging feeding conditions specifically affect the composition and diversity of intestinal flora in both species. Here, high-throughput sequencing was used to compare the intestinal bacterial communities of mallard and tundra bean goose from the same region. There was no significant difference in alpha diversity and beta diversity between the two species. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the two predominant phyla, accounting for more than 50.00% of the total. They enhanced the nutrient absorption and metabolic efficiency during overwintering. Catellicoccus was the most dominant genus in the intestinal flora of tundra bean goose, accounting for 33.91%, whereas Clostridium sensu stricto 1 was the most dominant genus in mallard, accounting for 7.34%. This difference is considered to be related to the feeding habits of these two species. No significant differences in the structure and diversity of intestinal bacterial communities were observed between mallard and tundra bean goose, and the similarity of intestinal flora between them was high. This study deepens our understanding of the intestinal flora of two coexisting species with different dietary preferences in the Yellow River Delta. It also lays the foundation for waterfowl disease prevention in this area, carrying significant scientific and practical implications for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.

Comparative study on slaughter performance, meat quality, and rumen microbiota of Hainan Dong goat and its hybrid with Nubian goat.

The Hainan Dong goat (DG) is a local meat breed widely raised in Hainan, China because of its good adaptability to local hot and humid weather. However, the growth rate of these DG is much slower than that of commercialised breeds improved in European countries, resulting in poor carcase characteristics, including smaller slaughter weight and carcase weight, which have become increasingly prominent. In recent decades, Nubian goats have been continuously imported into China to improve the production performance of local breeds. In this study, the effects of breed on growth performance, carcase and meat quality, and ruminal microbiota were analysed in 40 goats, including 20 DGs and 20 hybrid F3 offspring generated by crossing the DG and Nubian hybrids (NH). All the goats were averagely aged 90 days and weighed at 11 ± 1.34 kg. They were assigned to two treatments, with three replicates per treatment. The two groups were fed the same diet for 90 days before slaughter. The results showed that the average daily gain, F/G ratio, slaughter weight, and carcase weight of the NH group were higher than those of the DG group (p < 0.05). However, tube circumference, meat-to-bone ratio, and eye muscle pH were lower in the NH group than in the DG group (p < 0.05). The NH group showed a smaller fibre crosssectional area and fibre diameter, but a larger fibre density than the DG group (p < 0.05). Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the most dominant phyla in the two groups; however, the two breeds had different ruminal microbial communities. In the present study, the differences in growth performance between two groups of goats under the same feeding environment and feed conditions were compared. The correlation between feed sources and rumen flora has been demonstrated, and the results of this study show that the same diet has similar effects on rumen microorganisms, which in turn have related effects on growth and production performance. In summary, hybrids can improve the growth and slaughter performance of local breeds, which may be related to changes in the rumen microorganisms. This study revealed that crossbreeding of Nubian goats with Dong goats has the potential to be used in a wide range of applications owing to its effectiveness in increasing production efficiency.

Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence of Two Powders of Azithromycin for Suspension: A Nonblinded, Single-Dose, Randomized, Three-Way Crossover Study in Fed and Fasting States Among Healthy Chinese Volunteers.

Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, is commonly used to treat mild-to-moderate bacterial infections. This research aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) properties and bioequivalence (BE) of two azithromycin (EQ 100 mg base/packet) powders for suspension in Chinese healthy participants in fed and fasting conditions. A total of 90 Chinese healthy participants were enrolled in this nonblinded, single-dose, randomized, semireplicate, three-period, three-sequence, crossover study. Of them, 42 and 40 were categorized to the fed and fasting conditions, respectively. The washout period between doses was 21 days. Blood specimens were harvested prior to administering the drug and 194 h following administration. The plasma levels of azithromycin were analyzed using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approach. PK parameters were measured using noncompartmental analysis. This research compared BE between the reference and test products using the average bioequivalence (ABE) or reference-scaled average bioequivalence (RSABE) method, considering the within-subject variability (SWR) of the reference preparation. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored to examine safety and tolerability. The RSABE method (SWR ≥ 0.294) was used to determine the BE of maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) in both fed and fasting conditions. In the ABE approach, (SWR < 0.294) was adopted to assess the BE of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the last measurable time point (AUC0-t) and determine the area under the plasma concentration time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUC0-inf). In the fasting condition, the point estimate of the test/reference ratio for Cmax was 1.08, with a 95% upper confidence bound of - 0.05 < 0.00. The geometric mean ratio (GMRs) for AUC0-t and AUC0-inf was 115.21% [90% confidence interval (CI) 107.25-123.27%] and 113.07% (90% CI 105.14-121.61%), respectively. In the fed condition, the point estimate of the test/reference ratio for Cmax was 0.94, with a 95% upper confidence bound of - 0.10 < 0.00. The GMR for AUC0-t and AUC0-inf was 99.51% (90% CI of 91.03-108.78%) and 99.43% (90% CI 91.73-107.78%), respectively. These data all satisfied the BE criteria for drugs with high variability. All AEs were transient and mild, and no severe AEs were observed. Our study indicated that the test and reference products of azithromycin (EQ 100 mg base/packet) powder for suspension were bioequivalent and safe in healthy Chinese participants, irrespective of the feeding condition. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION (CHINADRUGTRIALS.ORG.CN): CTR20232646, registered on 25 August 2023.

Medium‐chain fatty acid receptor GPR84 deficiency leads to metabolic homeostasis dysfunction in mice fed high‐fat diet

AbstractOverconsumption of food, especially dietary fat, leads to metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Long‐chain fatty acids, such as palmitoleate are recognized as the risk factors for these disorders owing to their high‐energy content and lipotoxicity. In contrast, medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs) metabolic benefits; however, their underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. GPR84 is an MCFA receptor, particularly for C10:0. Although evidence from in vitro experiments and oral administration of C10:0 in mice suggests that GPR84 is related to the metabolic benefits of MCFAs via glucose metabolism, its precise roles in vivo remain unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated whether GPR84 affects glucose metabolism and metabolic function using Gpr84‐deficient mice. Although Gpr84‐deficient mice were lean and had increased endogenous MCFAs under high‐fat diet feeding conditions, they exhibited hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia along with lower plasma insulin and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) levels compared with wild‐type mice. Medium‐chain triglyceride (C10:0) intake suppressed obesity, and improved plasma glucose and lipid levels, and increased plasma GLP‐1 levels in wild‐type mice; however, these effects were partially attenuated in Gpr84‐deficient mice. Our results indicate that long‐term MCFA‐mediated GPR84 activation improves the dysfunction of glucose and lipid homeostasis. Our findings may be instrumental for future studies on drug development with GPR84 as a potential target, thereby offering new avenues for the treatment of metabolic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis of gut microbiota in pigs fed with different diets in growing and finishing stages

The present study utilized full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the impact of dietary protein content on the composition and function of gut microbiota, and to analyze the gut microbiota of pigs in the growing (30 kg) and finishing (120 kg) stages under different feeding conditions. The results indicated that the gut microbiota was significantly different between pigs fed high- and low-protein diets. Comparing fecal samples from pigs at 30 and 120 kg, pigs at 30 kg showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Clostridium butyricum, whereas at 120 kg, the abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus johnsonii decreased. To access the functional profiles and metabolic pathways based on amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), the microbiome of the 120 kg exhibited significant enrichments in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways related to metabolism-related category, including Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, Tyrosine and Thiamin metabolism, and Inositol phosphate metabolism. Meanwhile, analysis using the MetaCyc database showed that the metabolic pathways of the 30 kg group were significantly distinct when compared to the 120 kg of fecal samples. Overall, the findings indicated that the gut microbiota composition and function in the 30 and 120 kg fecal samples were markedly shaped by different dietary protein levels.

The Effects of Concentrate Supplement Levels on Feed Utilization and Red Meat Production of Blackhead Somali Sheep Fed Natural Pasture Grass Hay as a Basal Diet.

In recent years, consumers have become aware of their health, and their preference has been rapidly changing to consume less fatty meat. Therefore, devising a strategy to produce lean meat is a concern in this study. One of the strategies, among others, for lean meat production is controlling the amount of supplements given to sheep. Hence, muscle (lean) and adipose tissue (fat) require different amounts of energy to lie down. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of concentrate supplementation levels on feed utilization and red meat production in Blackhead Somali sheep (BHS) fed natural pasture grass hay as a basal diet. A total of 16 BHS sheep weighing 19.5±0.2kg (mean±SE) at the beginning of the experiment were kept for 90 days by feeding two levels (1% [T1] and 1.75% [T2] body weight [BW] of sheep) of supplement. The sheep were blocked according to their initial BW (IBW), and the supplements were randomly assigned within a block. At the end of the feeding period, all sheep were slaughtered, and carcass and non-carcass data were recorded. Data were analysed using the SAS software version 9.1 of PROC GLM programme. Sheep fed T1 and T2 consumed 6.1 and 8.2MJ/day metabolizable energy (ME), respectively, and 73.1 and 93.6g/day crude protein (CP), in that order. Consequently, sheep fed T2 produced 1.37kg extra BW by growing an average rate of 15g/day greater (p<0.0001) over their counterpart fed T1. They also produced 0.9kg, 0.8 cm2 and 2.64% heavier carcasses, a wider rib eye area and a higher intramuscular fat content (p<0.0001), respectively, over the sheep fed T1. On the other hand, the lean-to-fat ratio was significantly lower in sheep fed T2 than T1. In most parameters considered in this study, sheep fed T2 (1.75% BW) were superior, but its intramuscular fat (IMF) content was much higher than the limit that the consumers needed. Therefore, it can be concluded that 1% BW supplementation is enough for BHS to produce lean meat containing the optimal fat content in stall feeding condition.

Integrated transcriptomics and untargeted metabolomics reveal bone development and metabolism of newly weaned mice in response to dietary calcium and boron levels.

Epidemiological and animal studies have indicated that calcium and boron are essential for bone development and metabolism. However, limited information is available regarding the effects of boron supplementation on bone development and metabolism in newly weaned infants with either calcium deficiency or calcium sufficiency. This study assessed the effects of dietary boron supplementation (0 and 3 mg kg-1) on bone development and metabolism, in a newly weaned mouse model, under both calcium deficiency and sufficiency feeding conditions. The results show that mice fed a calcium sufficient diet exhibited lower fat percentage and final body weight than those fed a calcium deficient diet. Boron supplementation reduced the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and up-regulated the mRNA levels of FABP3, PPAR-γ, and CaMK in the intestinal mucosa. Importantly, boron supplementation increased the tibial weight in mice on a calcium-sufficient diet and enhanced the tibial volume in those on a calcium-deficient diet. Metabolomic analysis highlighted calcium and boron's impact on metabolites like carboxylic acids and derivatives, fatty acyls, steroids and steroid derivatives, benzene and substituted derivatives, organonitrogen compounds, organooxygen compounds, and phenols, and were related to lipid metabolism and the neural signaling pathway. Transcriptomic analysis corroborated the role of calcium and boron in modulating bone metabolism via the JAK-STAT, calcium signaling, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory pathways. Multi-omics analysis indicated a strong correlation between calcium signaling pathways, lipid metabolism signaling, and dietary calcium and boron contents. This research provides insights into these complex mechanisms, potentially paving the way for novel interventions against calcium and boron deficiencies and bone metabolism abnormalities in clinical settings.

Food intake enhances hippocampal sharp wave-ripples.

Effective regulation of energy metabolism is critical for survival. Metabolic control involves various nuclei within the hypothalamus, which receive information about the body's energy state and coordinate appropriate responses to maintain homeostasis, such as thermogenesis, pancreatic insulin secretion, and food-seeking behaviors. It has recently been found that the hippocampus, a brain region traditionally associated with memory and spatial navigation, is also involved in metabolic regulation. Specifically, hippocampal sharp wave ripples (SWRs), which are high-frequency neural oscillations supporting memory consolidation and foraging decisions, have been shown to influence peripheral glucose metabolism. However, whether SWRs are enhanced by recent feeding-when the need for glucose metabolism increases, and if so, whether feeding-dependent modulation of SWRs is communicated to other brain regions involved in metabolic regulation, remains unknown. To address these gaps, we recorded SWRs from the dorsal CA1 region of the hippocampus of mice during sleep sessions before and after consumption of meals of varying caloric values. We found that SWRs occurring during sleep are significantly enhanced following food intake, with the magnitude of enhancement being dependent on the caloric content of the meal. This pattern occurred under both food-deprived and ad libitum feeding conditions. Moreover, we demonstrate that neuronal populations in the lateral hypothalamus, which regulates food intake, exhibit robust SWR-triggered increase in activity. These findings identify the satiety state as a factor modulating SWRs and suggest that hippocampal-lateral hypothalamic communication is a potential mechanism by which SWRs could modulate peripheral metabolism and food intake.

Analysis of heritability and environmental factors in preschool children with eczema: a case-control study

Eczema is common in children, and its onset is affected by both genetic and environmental factors. We investigated the effects of genetic and environmental factors on the incidence of eczema in preschool children. 515 preschool children with eczema and 515 children participating in the physical examination were enrolled. The study included the incidence of childhood eczema, the child’s birth and feeding conditions, the history of eczema in the parents, and relevant environmental risk factors, and to comprehensively analyze the genetic and environmental factors influencing childhood eczema. Among 1030 children, 173 parents (8.4%) had eczema, with a heritability of 73.59% for boys’ parents and 58.59% for girls’ parents. Multivariate logistic regression results showed that premature infants, low birth weight, children who had used antibiotics before the age of 1 year the living environment between the first year of mother pregnancy and the first year of the child is humid, a father with a history of eczema, a mother with a history of eczema are risk factors for eczema in children. Actively preventing environmental factors related to eczema may be an effective means to reduce the risk of eczema in children.

Abundance, habitat distribution and content of reserve energy substances in shrews (Sorex caecutiens, Sorex isodon) within the Seymchan-Buyundinskaya Depression (Upper Kolyma River region)

This research examined the influence of interspecific interactions among shrew species on their territorial distribution and trophic conditions within larch and poplar-chosenia forests along the upper Kolyma River. The study specifically analyzed the biotopic characteristics associated with the relative abundance and energy reserve content, including fat tissue mass and glycogen levels in the liver, of Sorex caecutiens and S. isodon. Fieldwork was conducted in the Seymchan- Buyunda depression during July and August in 2003 and 2010. A total of 1,588 individuals from both species were captured using pitfall traps. The assessment of energy reserve content in S. caecutiens (n = 736) and S. isodon (n = 113) was carried out between 2006 and 2010. The abundance of S. caecutiens in the examined habitats exhibited consistent trends and a strong correlation (RS = 0.95, p &lt; 0.01). Conversely, S. isodon displayed asynchronous fluctuations in abundance across various habitats, likely attributable to competition with Laxmann’s shrew, which tends to displace S. isodon from its preferred larch forest during periods of elevated population density. The interannual variations in energy reserve content for both shrew species were remarkably similar, with no significant differences observed between habitats. The nature of these variations suggested insufficient feeding conditions for the animals during years of high overall abundance, with the dominant species, S. caecutiens, contributing most significantly to this phenomenon in both habitats of the upper Kolyma. The results indicate that interspecific relationships play a crucial role in shaping both territorial distribution and food availability for these shrew species.

Comparative analysis of meat quality of Laiwu black, Minxinan black and Hyla rabbits

Abstract. The meat rabbit industry in China relies on foreign breeds and synthetic lines; the development of superior domestic breeds has not yet been fully realised. We compared the meat quality of two Chinese local breeds of black rabbits (Laiwu black and Minxinan black) and Hyla commercial rabbits, to provide a reference for the utilisation of meat rabbit breeds. In the present study, 35 d old Laiwu black rabbits, Minxinan black rabbits, and Hyla rabbits (20 rabbits each) were selected and reared under identical feeding and management conditions for 7 weeks, after which 10 randomly selected rabbits from each group were slaughtered for the analysis of meat quality. The a∗ (redness) value of the two local breeds was significantly higher than that of Hyla rabbits (p&lt;0.01). The shearing force and drip loss of Laiwu black rabbits were significantly lower than those of the other groups (p&lt;0.05). The two local breeds exhibited significantly higher myoglobin levels than Hyla rabbits (p&lt;0.01), while melanin was highest in the meat of Minxinan black rabbits. The essential amino acids (valine, isoleucine, leucine and lysine) were significantly lower in Minxinan black rabbits than in the other groups (p&lt;0.05). Aldehyde (heptanal, octanal) contents in Minxinan black meat were significantly higher than those of the other groups (p&lt;0.01); however, nucleotide (guanine, adenine) contents were significantly lower (p&lt;0.01). Unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic) were significantly higher in the meat of Laiwu black rabbits than in those of the other groups (p&lt;0.05). Both Laiwu black and Minxinan black rabbits have certain advantages in terms of nutritional indicators while also having good meat colour and flavour. The results of this study provide a theoretical reference for the research and development of meat rabbit breeds.

On gear time-varying meshing stiffness calculation considering indexing feeds and processing characteristics of gear shaping processing

Gear shaping causes processing characteristics on gear tooth surfaces (PCGTS), e.g., gear tooth surface deviation (GTSD) and processing textures (PT), which can affect gear meshing performances. Gear shaping simulation is operated to obtain PCGTS with different indexing feeds. An improved contact stiffness method of gear tooth surfaces is developed based on a wedge-shaped contact form to obtain tooth contact stiffness with PT caused by gear shaping. An improved time-varying meshing stiffness (TVMS) method for gears manufactured by gear shaping is developed to calculate TVMS of gears with GTSD and PT under different indexing feed conditions. Effectiveness of the improved TVMS method is validated using the finite element method. Analysis results of the proposed contact stiffness method of gear tooth surfaces indicate that PT caused by gear shaping can aggravate fluctuations of gear tooth contact stress. Analysis results of the proposed TVMS method for gears also indicate that GTSD of gear tooth surfaces caused by gear shaping can reduce their TVMS. The proposed TVMS method of gears can effectively analyze TVMS of gear tooth surfaces via gear shaping and evaluate processing settings of gear shaping to improve gear meshing performances.

Imipramine in dogs: A pharmacokinetic study following oral administration under fasted and fed conditions

This study investigates the pharmacokinetics (PK) of imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant used in human psychiatric disorders and increasingly considered in veterinary medicine. Despite its longstanding use in canines, prior research on imipramine's PK in dogs is lacking. This study aimed to determine the PK of imipramine in dogs in regards to feeding conditions, and to ascertain whether desipramine (active metabolite) is formed or not. In this study, six male Labrador dogs underwent oral administration (1.5 mg/kg) of imipramine tablets (10 mg each; Tofranil®, Novartis) in both fasted and fed conditions. Dogs were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups, employing an open, single-dose, two-treatment, two-phase, cross-over design, with a washout period of one week. Blood was drawn from the left cephalic vein to heparinized tubes at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 24, and 48 h. Plasma concentrations were quantified using a validated HPLC method, and the data were analyzed using PKanalix™ software with a non-compartmental approach.Concentrations of imipramine remained quantifiable up to 1.5 hr after administration under both conditions. Desipramine, in both feeding states, was detectable for a short duration, but not quantifiable. No significant differences were observed in the PK parameters of imipramine between the fasting and fed states. The rapid attainment of maximum concentration (Cmax) occurred within 0.25 h, indicating a swift absorption rate. Notably, the terminal half-life in dogs was remarkably short at 0.25 h, prompting a re-evaluation of dosing strategies. Considering the recommended therapeutic plasma concentrations in humans, the administered dose might result in effective levels for a brief period of time. Future research should explore intravenous administration, multiple-dose studies, and metabolic investigations to further elucidate imipramine's PK in dogs.

Major regulatory factors for reproductive performances of female chickens

The reproductive performance of female chickens is critical for determining the efficiency of production and productivity and thus profitability. Studies have shown that the reproductive performance of female chickens is mainly regulated by the feed, hormones, genes, and light conditions. Herein, we review the major factors regulating female chicken reproductive performance and assess the reproductive organs and their functions. In the current review, we highlight how the interconnections of hormones, candidate genes, and photo-stimulation regulate female chicken reproductive hormones and thus regulate the reproductive organ performance. In this regard, the roles of main hormones [gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) and genes (GnRH-I)] in regulating sexual maturation and ovarian development and maintenance by influencing the survival and function of follicular granulosa cells were also reviewed. In addition, the current review also highlights how feeding female chickens with diets and artificial light-emitting diodes (LEDs) support the effective functioning of their reproductive capacity through the stimulation of sexual maturity at an appropriate age and regeneration of aged reproductive organs.

Genomic selection for individual feed efficiency in the European seabass: Response to selection on efficiency, commercial traits and sex

Feed efficiency is a key factor in the sustainability of fish farming. Improving feed efficiency not only results in cost savings, but also helps to reduce the environmental footprint associated with feed production and to mitigate competition for feed resources. However, improving feed efficiency through genetic selection poses challenges, mainly due to the difficulty of accurately estimating it in a large population, especially under conventional rearing conditions. In a previous study, a methodology was developed to estimate the individual feed efficiency of sea bass in separate tanks under controlled feeding regimes during the juvenile phase. This approach allowed precise measurement of growth, feed intake and individual feed conversion ratio (iFCR) of each fish. Daily growth rate (iDGC) was found to be highly heritable (h2 = 0.75), and a reliable predictor of iFCR under restricted feeding conditions. In the present study, we aim to demonstrate the response to selection on feed efficiency, commercial traits and sex.From a cohort of 399 sea bass with known iDGC and genotyped for 1110 SNP markers, we selected 27 future efficient parents (Eff+), 35 intermediate parents (Eff0) and 29 inefficient parents (Eff-) by genomic selection (GBLUP). Three years later, 3 groups of offspring were produced from 9 Eff + parents, 13 Eff0 parents and 19 Eff- parents. Performances in individual aquaria (iDGC, iFCR) were assessed for 259 of them, as well as group feed efficiency (gFCR) from 142 g. At 240 g, the fish were slaughtered to assess processing traits.The results showed that the Eff + group had superior efficiency (iFCR and iDGC) and better adaptability to tank conditions compared to the other groups. In the group evaluation phase, significant differences in feed efficiency were observed between Eff- (gFCR = 1.83) and Eff + (gFCR = 1.61) (p < 0.001), with Eff0 being intermediate. In addition, Eff + fish were larger (266 g, 27.4 cm) and leaner with lower Fulton K values compared to Eff0 (234 g, 26.1 cm) and Eff- (223 g, 25.5 cm). Although there were no differences in fillet yield, Eff + had a slightly higher viscerosomatic index. There was also a higher proportion of females in the Eff- (57.1 %) and Eff0 (51.6 %) groups compared to Eff + (43.9 %).In conclusion, selection for feed efficiency in individual tanks is an effective strategy for improving the performance of sea bass, resulting in significant improvements with a marked effect on growth rates. Despite a slight increase in the viscerosomatic index, fillet yield was not significantly affected.