Mixed Diet Research Articles

Mixed diets can meet nutrient requirements with lower carbon footprints.

Achieving sustainable dietary change is essential for safeguarding human and environmental health. However, dietary recommendations based on broad food groups may not accurately reflect real-world realities because individuals select and consume dishes with multiple food items influenced by diverse context-specific factors. Therefore, here we explored the sustainability trade-offs of dietary choices at the dish level through an optimization modeling approach tested in Japan. We estimated the nutritional quality, price, and carbon footprint of major Japanese dishes and examined 16 dietary scenarios to identify options that meet the nutritional requirements and minimize carbon footprint. Overall, mixed diets contain more combinations of dishes that meet nutritional requirements with lower carbon footprints compared to more restrictive dietary scenarios. We argue that the approach developed here enables a better understanding of dietary trade-offs, complements existing methods, and helps identify sustainable diets by offering nuanced information at the national and sub-national levels.

How to reduce waste using black soldier fly larvae and produce a high-quality product

Abstract With the growing human population the demand for protein is rising and waste production is increasing. Insects can provide a sustainable solution for both problems and produce food (protein and fat) from waste. Our study tested the ability of the black soldier fly (BSF) to reduce agricultural waste and produce a high-value product rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Initially, we tested the diet limitations of the larvae. We tested the composition of the agricultural wastes (brewery and avocado wastes) and the ability of the larvae to grow on them. A mixed diet based on brewery and avocado wastes was composed to increase larval weight and improve their fatty acid composition. The larvae were limited by the protein and water content of the diet (7% and 70%, respectively). The mixed diet that met the requirements of a minimal ratio of protein (7%) and optimal water content (70%), did not improve larval weight but increased the unsaturated fatty acid content. Therefore, using BSF larvae to reduce waste and produce protein is feasible; however, the end product should be considered when composing their diet from a waste mixture.

The impact of unmet treatment need on oral health related quality of life: a questionnaire survey

BackgroundBased on the present global burden of oral diseases, unmet dental needs affect a more significant population worldwide. It is characterised by the need for dental care but receiving delayed or no care. The contributing factors include lack of knowledge about oral health, its consequences, and the availability of dental services. We need to find out the scale of the problem of unmet dental needs for the south Indian population. Therefore, the objective was to determine the relationship between the presence of oral disease and the quality of life-related to oral health using the OHIP-14 tool.MethodsThe unmet dental requirements of the south Indian population were determined using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Close-ended questions were used to obtain data from two investigators trained to record the answers from the patients. The data was collected using the OHIP-14 questionnaire, which consists of 14 items divided into seven domains with two questions each. Physical pain, psychological impairment, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability, and disability were all considered. An additional analysis of artificial neural network (ANN) was done.ResultsThe response rate was 100 per cent. N = 1029 people replied to the questionnaire about their unmet dental needs. N = 497 (48.3%) were men, whereas N = 532 (51.7%) were women. The average age was 31.7811.72. As their current occupation, most of the included subjects (60.1%) were students. The respondents had no known personal habits and a mixed diet (94.93%). The average BMI was 24.022.59 (14-30.9). OHIP was present in 62.3% of the population. The average OHIP-14 severity score was 10.97. (8.54). The severity and degree of unmet dental need were substantial (p0.01) due to pain in the mouth/teeth/gums, malocclusion, and gum bleeding. The most common OHIP-14 domains affected by unmet oral needs were psychological discomfort, psychological limitation, social limitation, and feeling handicapped. The analysis of ANN revealed that high OHIP scores were primarily attributed to dental caries, poor oral health, and dental aesthetics.ConclusionThe severity and degree of unmet dental needs were significant among the south Indian population. The most common oral health status that impacted OHIP-14 domains were pain, malocclusion, and bleeding gums. These patients were significantly impacted by psychological discomfort and social limitations and felt handicapped.

Zuurberg (Eastern Cape, South Africa) revisited: human remains, dating and archaeological findings

ABSTRACT The Later Stone Age (LSA) site of Zuurberg in the Cape Fold Mountains of South Africa was excavated in the 1920s by F.W. FitzSimons. As with his other excavations, not much is known about the exact provenance and detailed archaeological context of the remains. This paper reports the re-analysis and dating of the human skeletal remains from Zuurberg. The remains were commingled but here sorted according to previously published sources. The remains of eight individuals are present, of which only one (Zg3) is fairly complete. The assemblage includes four older adults, two younger or middle-aged adults, an adolescent and a child. Two of the three individuals who could be assessed showed signs of enamel hypoplasia, which probably attests to some hardship. One of the individuals was dated to 4795 ± 42 BP (Ua-61976), which places this site into the Wilton period of the South African LSA. However, the different levels of burials, as well as the presence of potsherds, may suggest an extended use of the site. Isotopic analysis suggests a mixed diet, which was not depleted of protein. The reassessment, sorting and dating of these remains add value to the collection, especially as they come from an open-air, non-coastal forager site. This assemblage can now be included in future studies of southern African Stone Age foragers.

Effects of Garlic Oil and Cinnamaldehyde on Sheep Rumen Fermentation and Microbial Populations in Rusitec Fermenters in Two Different Sampling Periods.

Garlic oil (GO) and cinnamaldehyde (CIN) have shown potential to modify rumen fermentation. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of GO and CIN on rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis (MPS), and microbial populations in Rusitec fermenters fed a mixed diet (50:50 forage/concentrate), as well as whether these effects were maintained over time. Six fermenters were used in two 15-day incubation runs. Within each run, two fermenters received no additive, 180 mg/L of GO, or 180 mg/L of CIN. Rumen fermentation parameters were assessed in two periods (P1 and P2), and microbial populations were studied after each of these periods. Garlic oil reduced the acetate/propionate ratio and methane production (p < 0.001) in P1 and P2 and decreased protozoal DNA concentration and the relative abundance of fungi and archaea after P1 (p < 0.05). Cinnamaldehyde increased bacterial diversity (p < 0.01) and modified the structure of bacterial communities after P1, decreased bacterial DNA concentration after P2 (p < 0.05), and increased MPS (p < 0.001). The results of this study indicate that 180 mg/L of GO and CIN promoted a more efficient rumen fermentation and increased the protein supply to the animal, respectively, although an apparent adaptive response of microbial populations to GO was observed.

Hematological parameters of sheep and goats fed diets containing various amounts of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).

A major global barrier to increased animal output is nutrition. The use of aquatic plants, which were previously considered to be waste and needed a lot of labor to eliminate, has recently come to light due to the lack of feed during the dry season in the majority of tropical regions of Africa. The objectives of this study were therefore to see how different dietary Eichhornia crassipise inclusion rates affect the hematological indicators of Ethiopian Doyogena sheep and Woyto-Guji goats. Blood samples were taken from the jugular veins of 12 Doyogena sheep and 12 Woyto-Guji goats in a 2 × 4 randomized crossover design with two animal species, four diets, and four random periods (15 - day adaption period followed by a 7- day experimental diet in each period). The dietary inclusion rates E. crassipise were 0, 25, 50, and 75% that was used as a replacement for commercial concentrate mix diet in the treatment groups. The data was analyzed using the SAS software programme PROC GLM, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between hematological markers. The hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCHC) results revealed substantial, RDW-SD, and WBC differences between animal species (P < 0.001). Sheep had greater WBC, Hb, RBC, PCV, RDW-SD, and RDW-CV levels, while goats had higher MCH and MCHC values (P < 0.001). For the analyzed hematological measures, the Pearson's correlation coefficient ranged from low to strong in terms of positive and negative associations (P < 0.05). Since all hematological indicators were closer to those of clinically healthy native Ethiopian sheep and goat breeds, feeding water hyacinth to sheep and goats up to a 75% inclusion level in diets without producing sickness may provide a remedy for adverse feed shortages.

Enhanced dietary reconstruction of Korean prehistoric populations by combining δ13C and δ15N amino acids of bone collagen.

Compound specific stable isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA) is a powerful tool for determining dietary behaviors in complex environments and improving dietary reconstructions. Here, we conducted CSIA-AA on human (n = 32) and animal (n = 13) remains from two prehistoric archaeological sites (Mumun, Imdang) to assess in more detail the dietary sources consumed by prehistoric Korean populations. Results of estimated trophic position (TP) using Δ15NGlx-Phe show that the Imdang individuals consumed aquatic resources, as well as terrestrial resources. Principal component analysis (PCA) using δ13C and δ15N essential amino acid (EAA) values show that the Imdang humans closely cluster with game birds and terrestrial herbivores, whilst the Mumun humans closely cluster with C4 plants. Quantitative estimation by a Bayesian mixing model (MixSIAR) indicates that the Imdang humans derived a large proportion of their proteins from terrestrial animals and marine fish, whereas the main protein sources for the Mumun humans were C4 plants and terrestrial animals. Additionally, the comparison between the EAA and bulk isotope models shows that there is a tendency to overestimate the consumption of plant proteins when using bulk isotopic data. Our CSIA-AA approach reveals that in prehistoric Korea there were clear differences in human diets through time. This study adds to a growing body of literature that demonstrates the potential of CSIA-AA to provide more accurate estimations of protein consumption in mixed diets than previous bulk isotopic studies.

Dietary Habit and Lifestyle of Secondary School-Going Students in Dhaka City of Bangladesh

Introduction: Understanding the dietary habits and lifestyle choices of secondary school-going students is crucial for developing targeted health interventions. This study aims to analyze these aspects among secondary school-going students in Dhaka, Bangladesh, focusing on dietary preferences, physical activity, screen time, and sleep patterns. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study involved 600 secondary school students in Dhaka. Data were collected through structured questionnaires by assessing age, gender, BMI, dietary habits, meal frequency, water intake, fruit and vegetable consumption, fast-food and sweets intake, breakfast habits, physical activity, screen time, sleep patterns, self-perceived health status, and chronic health conditions. Bivariate correlations were analyzed to understand the relationships between these variables. Result: The majority of participants were 15 years old (37.83%), with more females (61.33%) than males. Most students were in grade 10 (77.67%), and the predominant BMI category was normal (54.67%). Dietary preferences showed a preference for a mixed diet (56.17%). Regular fruit and vegetable consumption was reported by 34.00% and 59.83% of students, respectively. High rates of fast food (23.00% regularly) and sweets (33.00% regularly) consumption were observed. Breakfast was often skipped by 15.50% of participants. Physical activity levels indicated that 45.33% engaged in physical training, but 19.67% were not involved in any sports. The average screen time was 2.42 hours, and the mean sleep time was 7.02 hours. Most students rated their health as good (61.17%), and 95.17% had no known chronic health conditions. Conclusion: The study highlights a mix of healthy and unhealthy dietary and lifestyle patterns among secondary school students in Dhaka. While there is a reasonable intake of fruits and vegetables, the prevalence of fast food and sweets consumption, combined with suboptimal breakfast habits and physical ..........

Domestic pig husbandry strategy during the Shuangdun Culture period (ca. 7300–6800 BP) from the stable isotopic perspective: A case study of the Yuhuicun site in Anhui Province, China

Shuangdun Culture, spanning from about 7300 to 6800 BP, was primarily distributed along the middle Huai River valley. This study aimed to elucidate the domestic pig husbandry strategy of Shuangdun Culture using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes on animal bones from the Yuhuicun site. The results revealed that most of the Sus, displaying δ13C values from −20.5 to −17.1‰, had diets based on C3 plants, comparable to the diets of large and middle-sized deer whose δ13C values ranged from −20.7 to −18.1‰. Previous zooarchaeological investigations have suggested that domestic pigs were predominant among the faunal assemblage of the Yuhuicun site, with few wild boars and feral pigs present. However, the present study found no significant differences regarding the diet among the Sus population. Domestic pigs at Yuhuicun were inferred to be reared loosely and fed with wild plants, given that the human inhabitants primarily relied on gathering, with rice cultivation being small in scale. A comparison of pig husbandry strategies among the Yuhuicun, Houjiazhai, and Shuangdun sites revealed that most Sus from these three archaeological sites had similar diets. However, three Sus individuals with mixed diets of C3 and C4 plants were identified from the Shuangdun site, which may have been introduced from an outside area where millets were widely planted. The Shuangdun site is a central settlement in the middle Huai River valley, and its inhabitants likely had access to introduced food sources. This differentiation in the diet of domestic pigs is indicative of varying settlement patterns during this time period.

The Pleistocene high-elevation environments between 2.02 and 0.6 Ma at Melka Kunture (Upper Awash Valley, Ethiopia) based upon stable isotope analysis

Pleistocene environments are among the most studied issues in paleoecology and human evolution research in eastern Africa. Many data have been recorded from archaeological sites located at low and medium elevations (≤ 1500 m), whereas few contexts are known at 2000 m and above. Here, we present a substantial isotopic study from Melka Kunture, a complex of prehistoric sites located at 2000—2200 m above sea level in the central Ethiopian highlands. We analyzed the stable carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of 308 faunal tooth enamel samples from sites dated between 2.02 and 0.6 Ma to investigate the animal diets and habitats. The carbon isotopic results indicate that the analyzed taxa had C4-dominated and mixed C3-C4 diets with no significant diachronic changes in feeding behavior with time. This is consistent with faunal and phytolith analyses, which suggested environments characterized by open grasslands (with both C3 and C4 grasses), patches of bushes and thickets, and aquatic vegetation. However, palynological data previously documented mountain forests, woodlands, and high-elevation grasslands. Additionally, the carbon isotopic comparison with other eastern African localities shows that differences in elevation did not influence animal feeding strategies and habitat partitioning, even though plant species vary according to altitudinal gradients. In contrast, the oxygen isotopic comparison suggests significant differences consistent with the altitude effect. Our approach allows us to detect diverse aspects of animal behavior, habitat, and vegetation that should be considered when reconstructing past environments.

Assimilation of fish farm wastes by the ecosystem engineering bivalve Atrina zelandica

As feed-additive aquaculture expands to open ocean areas, there is concern that ecologically important habitats may be adversely impacted by sedimentation of farm wastes. In this study, we investigated assimilation of salmon faecal wastes by an ecosystem engineering bivalve that occurs in open ocean environments (Atrina zelandica), as well as effects on physiology and fatty acid metabolism. A. zelandica were subjected to one of 3 treatment diets (fish faeces, 1:1 mix of algae:faeces and algae) in a 51 d laboratory trial. We found a diet-related response in fatty acid composition, including increased prevalence of oleic acid (OA) in digestive tissues of A. zelandica fed on both the fish faeces diet and the mixed diet, indicating fish wastes were assimilated in both treatments. Fish waste consumption was related to a more marked reduction in fatty acid content of digestive gland, as well as lower proportions of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in digestive tissues. Fatty acid composition in gonad and muscle tissues was more strongly influenced by sex. Regardless of dietary treatment, females accumulated C18 fatty acids in gonad tissues, particularly OA, which may preclude the use of OA as a fish waste tracer in this organ. The accumulation of specific fatty acids according to sex may indicate a capacity for preferential selection and retention or biosynthesis of biologically important fatty acids. If present, these mechanisms may increase resilience of A. zelandica to stress from deficiencies in LC-PUFA when using fish wastes as a trophic subsidy.

3 Measuring feed intake in cows

Abstract In recent years, substantial progress has been made in understanding the sources of biological variation and genetic components of feed efficiency in growing animals consuming energy-dense mixed diets during the post-weaning phase. Much less is known about within-animal variation of feed efficiency for beef cows consuming moderate to low-quality forage diets common to most cow/calf production systems. Considerable evidence indicates the existence of a genetic by environment interaction for feed efficiency. Phenotype for feed intake and feed efficiency are most practically and cost effectively determined during the post-weaning growing stage. However, due to the additional nutrient sinks associated with gestation and lactation, and the cost, labor and technology required to measure economically relevant traits in mature cows, little is known about forage utilization efficiency in beef cows. The beef cow/calf segment of the industry represents, by far, the greatest opportunity to reduce beef production input costs and reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. We reason that selection tools for feed intake and feed efficiency developed over the last 20 years are effective for the post-weaning growing and finishing phases, although only marginally effective for beef cows consuming unprocessed, moderate to low-quality forage. In this session, we will discuss challenges, opportunities, and experiences associated with measuring forage intake and recovered energy in beef cows.

Food and time: dietary plasticity of different sources of a generalist insect herbivore.

Painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui L.,Nymphalidae) are generalist herbivores and serve as a model system across several fields of biology. While it has been demonstrated that V. cardui caterpillars can develop on different host plants, much of this work has been done on commercially sourced caterpillars, which could limit our understanding of wild V. cardui populations. In this study, we sought to explore possible differences in how commercial and wild V. cardui caterpillars may respond to feeding on different host plants, and subsequently, how their diet impacts immune response and survival. Here, we analyzed performance, survival, and immune response of wild and commercially sourced V. cardui caterpillars over several generations on diets that consisted of either 1 of 4 different host plant species or a mixed diet including all 4 species. Qualitatively, we observed that wild larvae had a better larval performance and hemocyte counts compared to the commercial larvae. The results demonstrate that both wild and commercially sourced caterpillars grew and survived best on the same diet treatments (mallow, narrowleaf plantain, and a mixed diet) during development across generations. Immune responses showed similar patterns across host plants between wild and commercial populations, with individuals showing lowered immune responses on dandelion and lupine and higher ones on mallow, plantain and the mixed diet; although the relative rankings on those 3 diets varied. Survival also demonstrated similar patterns, in that individuals reared on dandelion and lupine had the lowest survival.

Variation in stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope compositions along antlers of Qamanirjuaq caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus).

Annual antler growth begins in the spring and is completed by late summer for male caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) from the Qamanirjuaq herd (Nunavut, Canada), aligned with both the spring migration and a seasonal dietary shift. Antlers may provide a non-lethal means of studying short- and long-term changes in caribou ecology through incorporated isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N). We sampled the antlers of 12 male caribou from the Qamanirjuaq herd culled in September 1967. We predicted that serial sampling of antlers would reflect the known seasonal dietary change from lichen to grass-like and shrub diet based on rumen contents from individuals culled during the same period. The δ13C and δ15N were analyzed in food sources and every 3 cm along each antler's length. The carbon isotope compositions of collagen (δ13Ccol) varied by ~0.5‰ among individuals and within antlers, while the carbon isotope compositions of antler bioapatite (δ13CCO3) increased by 1-1.5‰ from pedicle to tip. Values of δ15Ncol increased within antlers by 1-3‰ from pedicle to tip and varied by 3‰ among the individuals sampled. Antler collagen was lower in δ15Ncol by ~1‰ relative to bone collagen. Bayesian mixing models were conducted to test for changes in dietary proportions from antler isotope compositions. Mixing models did not indicate significant dietary shifts for any individual during antler formation, showing consistently mixed diets of fungi, horsetail, lichen, and woody plants. Increases in δ15Ncol in antler tissue could, therefore, correspond to subtle seasonal dietary changes and/or the physiological stress of antler tissue development.

Nutrition and Foods

“Why do you complain that you cannot afford meat? Why do you not just eat beans?”, by a well-meaning public figure to a gathering of people. It is ok if one is a vegetarian for whatever reason. You might be a vegetarian for religious or health reasons. You might even decide to eat a meatless diet on a whim. However, if your family is regular and not restricted in what they can eat, then suddenly fail to access a diverse diet, then one must think nutrition very seriously. Say a family has young children who have a good appetite and have been drinking milk, then all of a sudden milk is curtailed, advice cannot be “give them any other beverage”. Satiety-wise yes, but not nutrition-wise. So is meat a must in the diet? Yes, because of the unique essential nutrients it provides. And when we talk of meat we have to remember there are different types of meat. There is red meat from cattle, sheep, goats, and wild animals. Then there is white meat from poultry, fish, rabbits, and insects. Consumers delight in such meats for different reasons. Then the milk or eggs of these provide more or less the same nutrients. The human body requires certain essential nutrients, already determined scientifically as far as amounts needed. In most cases, it is a mixed diverse diet, which means both plant and animal sources. So, humans who consume only animal-source food, miss plant-source nutrients, and vice versa. For example, in Kenya, we have the Maasai who eat meat and drink blood and milk. But guess what? That is not all. They also take intestinal juices which help to digest the meat they consume, sometimes in raw form. We did some studies on Maasai eating patterns and found out that, their diet includes fruits, roots, and herbs from the wild. These provide vitamins and minerals to supplement what their meat-lacto diet provides. So, human beings need a mixed diet to be able to meet fully the body's nutritional requirements. Should you choose to, or find yourself eating only meats or vegetables, you will most likely suffer certain nutritional deficiencies. Where you can affordably access good supplements, you better get a doctor's advice to start taking these before you develop nutrient deficiency symptoms. Most cultures seem to have diets where foods complement each other. More studies are needed on this topic. Meantime, let us continue to research and learn more. All these nutrients our body needs work in unison and when you study them carefully, you find out that they are interdependent, in that if you take too much of one or some, the functioning of the others is affected, likely to lead to negative effects on your health.

Additive effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal and pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel powder on productive performance, carcass attributes and histological morphology of ileum in Japanese quails

ABSTRACT The experiment aimed to evaluate the combined effects of supplementing Japanese quail diets with Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) and pomegranate peel powder (PPP) on growth, carcass quality and ileum histology. Four groups were formed: a control group, MOLM (0.2%), PPP (7.5%) and a combination of both (0.2% MOLM + 7.5% PPP). The control group exhibited the highest weight gain, followed by the MOLM group, with no significant differences in feed intake or conversion ratio. Carcass analysis showed significant differences in liver, heart and gizzard weights, with the mixed diet group having the highest values. However, wings and dressed weight percentages were unaffected by the treatments. Sensory evaluation revealed improved organoleptic properties in the mixed diet group. Histological examination demonstrated enhanced ileum morphology in the mixed diet group, with significant improvements in villi length and villus/crypt depth ratio. Overall, supplementation with 0.2% MOLM and 7.5% PPP positively impacted carcass quality, sensory attributes and bird health. These findings suggest the potential benefits of combining MOLM and PPP in quail diets to enhance growth and overall health, highlighting the importance of further research in poultry nutrition.

Assessing the diet of modern and archaeological guanacos from the Great Chaco in Córdoba, Argentina, through stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N) of bone and dentin collagen Implications for paleoenvironmental and zooarchaeological studies

The application of stable isotope analyses allows a diachronic characterisation of species habitat and feeding behaviour, information of utmost importance for zooarchaeological research. In South America, the former distribution of the guanaco ( Lama guanicoe) encompassed a much larger territory than the current one. Within the Argentinean Great Chaco, only a small native population persists in Northwestern Córdoba province, Central Argentina, where it was once widely distributed. In this paper, we present the first set of dentin and collagen δ13C and δ15N values for this relict population ( N = 18) along with archaeological data of guanaco specimens ( N = 19) dated to the Middle and Late Holocene from the nearby Ongamira valley. Neither deciduous and permanent teeth nor males and females show marked differences within the modern samples. Both modern and archaeological guanaco δ13C values indicate a mixed diet of C3 and, to a lesser extent, C4 plants. Conversely, the δ15N values exhibit distinct signals between the Arid and the Mountain Chaco subregions. The diet breadth of the archaeological guanacos suggests the use of transitional or ecotonal environments, also reflected in the size of their isotopic niche as opposed to modern guanacos. Regarding the timing of the species retraction in the region, there is no evidence of a shift in its habitat during the period between ~4700 and 190014C years BP. We suggest their retraction probably occurred later than previously proposed in regional zooarchaeological models.

Comparative production performance and rumen bacterial diversity of fattening beef cattle supplemented with different levels concentrated feed

The production performance and rumen bacterial diversity were compared for different silage-based diets supplemented with common concentrate or bio-concentrate to develop an alternative of common concentrate for fatten cattle feeding. The daily gain of fattening cattle was increased by 0. 99 kg and 1.04 kg, respectively, when fed with single corn silage or mixed silage-based diet supplemented with bio-concentrate. There was no significant difference in water loss rate and cooked meat rate among groups (P&gt;0.05), but the tenderness of beef in the bio-concentrate group was significantly higher than that in the common concentrate group (P&lt;0.05). There were no adverse effects on beef quality and blood biochemical indexes in each group. Compared with the normal concentrate group, the OTU number and α-diversity index of rumen microorganisms of fattening cattle fed with mixed silage as the basic diet supplemented with bio-concentrate increased significantly. At generic level, the relative abundances of Prevotella, Porphyromonadaceae (unclassified), and Succiniclasticum were increased by adding bio-concentrate in the diets based on mixed silage and single sorghum silage. Relative abundances of Bacteroidetes (unclassified), Ruminococcaceae (unclassified), and Firmicutes (unclassified) decreased. In conclusion, the bio-concentrate might be a better choice than common concentrate for beef cattle breeding.

Complex dental wear analysis reveals dietary shift in Triassic placodonts (Sauropsida, Sauropterygia)

Placodonts were durophagous reptiles of the Triassic seas with robust skulls, jaws, and enlarged, flat, pebble-like teeth. During their evolution, they underwent gradual craniodental changes from the Early Anisian to the Rhaetian, such as a reduction in the number of teeth, an increase in the size of the posterior palatal teeth, an elongation of the premaxilla/rostrum, and a widening of the temporal region. These changes are presumably related to changes in dietary habits, which, we hypothesise, are due to changes in the type and quality of food they consumed. In the present study, the dental wear pattern of a total of nine European Middle to Late Triassic placodont species were investigated using 2D and 3D microwear analyses to demonstrate whether there could have been a dietary shift or grouping among the different species and, whether the possible changes could be correlated with environmental changes affecting their habitats. The 3D analysis shows overlap between species with high variance between values and there is no distinct separation. The 2D analysis has distinguished two main groups. The first is characterised by low number of wear features and high percentage of large pits. The other group have a high feature number, but low percentage of small pits. The 2D analysis showed a correlation between the wear data and the size of the enlarged posterior crushing teeth. Teeth with larger sizes showed less wear feature (with higher pit ratio) but larger individual features. In contrast, the dental wear facet of smaller crushing teeth shows more but smaller wear features (with higher scratch number). This observation may be related to the size of the food consumed, i.e., the wider the crown, the larger food it could crush, producing larger features. Comparison with marine mammals suggests that the dietary preference of Placochelys, Psephoderma and Paraplacodus was not exclusively hard, thick-shelled food. They may have had a more mixed diet, similar to that of modern sea otters. The diet of Henodus may have included plant food, similar to the modern herbivore marine mammals and lizards.

Effect of exogenous and endogenous ketones on respiratory exchange ratio and glucose metabolism in healthy subjects.

This study examined the effect of exogenous ketone bodies (KB) on oxygen consumption (V̇o2), carbon dioxide production (V̇co2), and glucose metabolism. The data were compared with the effects of endogenous ketonemia during both, a ketogenic diet or fasting. Eight healthy individuals [24.1 ± 2.5 yr, body mass index (BMI) 24.3 ± 3.1 kg/m2] participated in a crossover intervention study and were studied in a whole-room indirect calorimeter (WRIC) to assess macronutrient oxidation following four 24-h interventions: isocaloric controlled mixed diet (ISO), ISO supplemented with ketone salts (38.7 g of β-hydroxybutyrate/day, EXO), isocaloric ketogenic diet (KETO), and total fasting (FAST). A physical activity level of 1.65 was obtained. In addition to plasma KB, 24-h C-peptide and KB excretion rates in the urine and postprandial glucose and insulin levels were measured. Although 24-h KB excretion increased in response to KETO and FAST, there was a modest increase in response to EXO only (P < 0.05). When compared with ISO, V̇o2 significantly increased in KETO (P < 0.01) and EXO (P < 0.001), whereas there was no difference in FAST. V̇co2 increased in EXO but decreased in KETO (both P < 0.01) and FAST (P < 0.001), resulting in 24-h respiratory exchange ratios (RER) of 0.828 ± 0.024 (ISO) and 0.811 ± 0.024 (EXO) (P < 0.05). In response to EXO there were no differences in basal and postprandial glucose and insulin levels, as well as in insulin sensitivity. When compared with ISO, EXO, and KETO, FAST increased homeostatic model assessment β-cell function (HOMA-B) (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, at energy balance exogenous ketone salts decreased respiratory exchange ratio without affecting glucose tolerance.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our findings revealed that during isocaloric nutrition, additional exogenous ketone salts increased V̇o2 and V̇co2 while lowering the respiratory exchange ratio (RER). Ketone salts had no effect on postprandial glucose metabolism.