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Archives of Animal Nutrition Jun 2024Dietary fibre is mainly classified according to its chemical characteristics but structure and particle size of fibre-rich feedstuff can also be decisive for digestion...
Dietary fibre is mainly classified according to its chemical characteristics but structure and particle size of fibre-rich feedstuff can also be decisive for digestion and performance. So far, only few studies investigated this in pigs. This experiment aimed to compare coarse and finely ground dried hemp plants and apple pomace regarding performance and ileal and total tract nutrient digestibility of growing pigs. Coarse or finely ground apple pomace or dried hemp plants were added to the diet of 56 nine weeks old growing pigs (DanBred x Duroc), housed in flat decks with each 2 animals. The growing pigs received the experimental diets for three weeks while performance was recorded. Eight pigs per group were sacrificed and digesta and organ tissue sampled. The stomach health was evaluated by visually scoring of the mucosa integrity. Apparent ileal (AID) and total tract digestibility (ATTD) were calculated using titanium dioxide as marker. Statistical analyses were performed using two-way ANOVA ( < 0.05). The highest feed intake (fibre particle size, = 0.018) and bodyweight gain (fibre particle size, = 0.018; fibre source x particle size interaction, = 0.040), was observed in animals fed finely ground apple pomace, while the feed conversion ratio was 8-12% lower in pigs fed finely ground fibre sources ( = 0.012). No differences in stomach mucosa integrity were detected between the groups. The relative pancreas ( = 0.045), stomach ( < 0.001), and jejunum ( = 0.010) weights were higher in animals fed diets containing apple pomace. In contrast, the relative liver, caecum and colon weights were not affected by fibre source or particle size. The AID of protein and amino acids was not affected, while ATTD was increased by fibre source (hemp vs. apple pomace) reducing faecal nitrogen excretion. The AID of calcium was increased when diets contained apple pomace ( < 0.001), while zinc AID and ATTD were enhanced when diets contained dried hemp ( = 0.016; = 0.016, respectively). Our results suggest that the structure as well as the chemical characteristics should be considered in a future fibre evaluation system in pigs.
PubMed: 38941242
DOI: 10.1080/1745039X.2024.2368284 -
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Jun 2024Malnutrition in cirrhosis is associated with poor outcomes, leading to guidelines for a high protein, low sodium diet; however, there is no guidance regarding the...
BACKGROUND
Malnutrition in cirrhosis is associated with poor outcomes, leading to guidelines for a high protein, low sodium diet; however, there is no guidance regarding the implementation of diet education in clinical practice.
METHODS
A mixed methods study enrolled 21 patients with cirrhosis and their caregivers. Semi-structured interviews on barriers and facilitators of dietary education and adherence were conducted. Demographic and clinical data were obtained, along with quantitative measures of dietary adherence, including 24-h food recall and spot urine sodium. Combined deductive and inductive coding was used to identify qualitative themes, along with a quantitative assessment of interviews. Quantitative data was reported using descriptive statistics with frequencies, mean and confidence intervals.
RESULTS
Participants were mostly male (16/21) with a mean age 57.8 years (SE 2.8) and MELD-Na 9 (SE 1.2). 4 themes emerged: 1. More than 50% of participants and caregivers endorsed no or inadequate diet education 2. They reported mostly negative experiences with dietary adherence with largest impact on social life 3. Facilitators of adherence included the presence of household support and fear of complications of cirrhosis 4. Overwhelmingly desired non-generic handouts and information. Dietary adherence was poor with only one participant meeting protein and sodium requirements based on food recall. Four participants who adhered to < 2000 mg sodium had inadequate daily caloric intake.
CONCLUSIONS
Dietary education is inadequate, and adherence to dietary recommendations is poor in patients with cirrhosis. Future studies should use these barriers and facilitators for intervention development.
PubMed: 38940972
DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08526-2 -
Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria Jul 2024ABCD syndrome (ABnormal Calcium, Calcinosis, and Creatinine in Down syndrome) is characterized by an association of hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, and...
ABCD syndrome (ABnormal Calcium, Calcinosis, and Creatinine in Down syndrome) is characterized by an association of hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, and impaired kidney function in patients with Down syndrome. Only 7 cases have been published worldwide, although it is believed to be underdiagnosed. This report describes 2 new patients with ABCD syndrome and compares them with the cases reported to date. Although it is a rare cause of pediatric hypercalcemia, it should be considered in children with Down syndrome once other more common etiologies have been ruled out. Once this diagnosis is confirmed, the recommended treatment is to reduce dietary calcium intake and work with an interdisciplinary team to maintain an adequate calorie and protein intake.
PubMed: 38940751
DOI: 10.5546/aap.2023-10306.eng -
Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and... Jun 2024Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non-IgE-mediated food allergy characterized by gastrointestinal symptom onset within 1-4 hours from trigger... (Review)
Review
Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non-IgE-mediated food allergy characterized by gastrointestinal symptom onset within 1-4 hours from trigger food ingestion. In the literature, some authors have previously described the possibility that a patient with FPIES may develop an IgE-mediated allergy to the same trigger food, especially cow's milk (CM). We reported five cases of CM-FPIES converting to IgE-mediated CM allergy presented at our tertiary pediatric Allergy Unit and performed a review of the literature, aiming to characterize the clinical features of patients who are at risk of developing such conversion. This phenomenon raises the question of whether IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated allergies represent a spectrum of the same disease and highlights the need for further investigation to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of this process.
Topics: Humans; Enterocolitis; Milk Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Female; Infant; Male; Animals; Milk Proteins; Syndrome; Child, Preschool; Cattle; Milk; Food Hypersensitivity
PubMed: 38940669
DOI: 10.1089/ped.2024.0023 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Jun 2024Farnesol salvage, a two-step pathway converting farnesol to farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), occurs in bacteria, plants, and animals. This paper investigates the presence...
UNLABELLED
Farnesol salvage, a two-step pathway converting farnesol to farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), occurs in bacteria, plants, and animals. This paper investigates the presence of this pathway in fungi. Through bioinformatics, biochemistry, and physiological analyses, we demonstrate its absence in the yeasts and , suggesting a likely absence across fungi. We screened 1,053 fungal genomes, including 34 from , for potential homologs to four genes (, , , and ) known to accomplish farnesol/prenol salvage in other organisms. Additionally, we showed that H-farnesol was not converted to FPP or any other phosphorylated prenol, and exogenous farnesol was not metabolized within 90 minutes at any phase of growth and did not rescue cells from the toxic effects of atorvastatin, but it did elevate the levels of intracellular farnesol (F). All these experiments were conducted with . In sum, we found no evidence for farnesol salvage in fungi.
IMPORTANCE
The absence of farnesol salvage constitutes a major difference in the metabolic capabilities of fungi. In terms of fungal physiology, the lack of farnesol salvage pathways relates to how farnesol acts as a quorum-sensing molecule in and why farnesol should be investigated for use in combination with other known antifungal antibiotics. Its absence is essential for a model (K. W. Nickerson et al., Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 88:e00081-22, 2024), wherein protein farnesylation, protein chaperones, and the unfolded protein response are combined under the unifying umbrella of a cell's intracellular farnesol (F). In terms of human health, farnesol should have at least two different modes of action depending on whether those cells have farnesol salvage. Because animals have farnesol salvage, we can now see the importance of dietary prenols as well as the potential importance of farnesol in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
PubMed: 38940563
DOI: 10.1128/aem.00874-24 -
The International Journal of Eating... Jun 2024Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is common among populations with nutrition-related medical conditions. Less is known about the medical...
OBJECTIVE
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is common among populations with nutrition-related medical conditions. Less is known about the medical comorbidity/complication frequencies in youth with ARFID. We evaluated the medical comorbidities and metabolic/nutritional markers among female and male youth with full/subthreshold ARFID across the weight spectrum compared with healthy controls (HC).
METHOD
In youth with full/subthreshold ARFID (n = 100; 49% female) and HC (n = 58; 78% female), we assessed self-reported medical comorbidities via clinician interview and explored abnormalities in metabolic (lipid panel and high-sensitive C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) and nutritional (25[OH] vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate) markers.
RESULTS
Youth with ARFID, compared with HC, were over 10 times as likely to have self-reported gastrointestinal conditions (37% vs. 3%; OR = 21.2; 95% CI = 6.2-112.1) and over two times as likely to have self-reported immune-mediated conditions (42% vs. 24%; OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.1-4.9). ARFID, compared with HC, had a four to five times higher frequency of elevated triglycerides (28% vs. 12%; OR = 4.0; 95% CI = 1.7-10.5) and hs-CRP (17% vs. 4%; OR = 5.0; 95% CI = 1.4-27.0) levels.
DISCUSSION
Self-reported gastrointestinal and certain immune comorbidities were common in ARFID, suggestive of possible bidirectional risk/maintenance factors. Elevated cardiovascular risk markers in ARFID may be a consequence of limited dietary variety marked by high carbohydrate and sugar intake.
PubMed: 38940228
DOI: 10.1002/eat.24243 -
Journal of Complementary & Integrative... Jul 2024The study provides a thorough examination of the rhizomes of Roxb., which is a medicinal substance sometimes referred to as black turmeric and has not been well studied.
OBJECTIVES
The study provides a thorough examination of the rhizomes of Roxb., which is a medicinal substance sometimes referred to as black turmeric and has not been well studied.
METHODS
The study examines the pharmacognostical characteristics, GC-MS profiling, and elemental analysis of the substance to determine its potential for use in medicine. The presence of heavy metal contamination in herbal products is a significant issue, which necessitates the use of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry to quantitatively analyze eight elements.
RESULTS
The investigation validates the existence of crucial trace elements while guaranteeing that the levels of heavy metals are within the toxicity limits set by the World Health Organization. This indicates that the rhizome is safe for medicinal purposes. The selection of a solvent has a substantial impact on the efficiency of extraction. Acetone has the highest extraction yield, followed by ethanol and ethyl acetate. The GC-MS analysis uncovers a wide range of phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, steroids, and proteins. Additionally, particular solvents exclusively detect specific molecules. Epicurzerenone and zederone are chemicals that show promise for use in reducing inflammation and fighting cancer.
CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of results it can be concluded that rhizome's quality based on acceptable physicochemical characteristics and provides a strong basis for future pharmacological research. The research has potential for the development of novel organic drugs, utilizing the abundant phytochemical composition of Roxb. rhizomes.
PubMed: 38940214
DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2024-0151 -
Biomeditsinskaia Khimiia Jun 2024The free radical and cytokine statuses of the cornea during its thermal burn and the possibility of its correction by lactoferrin have been studied in Soviet Chinchilla...
The free radical and cytokine statuses of the cornea during its thermal burn and the possibility of its correction by lactoferrin have been studied in Soviet Chinchilla rabbits. The development of a corneal thermal burn was accompanied by the development of oxidative stress (increased levels of TBA-reactive substances and carbonyl derivatives of proteins, decreased activity of SOD and GPx enzymes) and a pronounced inflammatory reaction with increased levels of TNF-1α, IL-10, TGF-1β. The use of lactoferrin had a pronounced therapeutic effect, which was manifested by accelerated healing, prevention of the development of complications (corneal perforations), a decrease in the severity of oxidative stress, an increase in the concentrations of TNF-1α (in the early stages), IL-10 (in the later stages), TGF-1β (throughout the experiment). At the same time, by the end of regeneration more severe corneal opacification was recognized compared to the control group. This may be associated with an increased level of anti-inflammatory cytokines, especially TGF-1β.
Topics: Animals; Lactoferrin; Rabbits; Cornea; Oxidative Stress; Cytokines; Eye Burns; Male; Free Radicals; Corneal Injuries; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38940206
DOI: 10.18097/PBMC20247003168 -
Animal Models and Experimental Medicine Jun 2024Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are major metabolites produced by the gut microbiota through the fermentation of dietary fiber, and they have garnered significant... (Review)
Review
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are major metabolites produced by the gut microbiota through the fermentation of dietary fiber, and they have garnered significant attention due to their close association with host health. As important mediators between the gut microbiota and the host, SCFAs serve as energy substrates for intestinal epithelial cells and maintain homeostasis in host immune and energy metabolism by influencing host epigenetics, activating G protein-coupled receptors, and inhibiting pathogenic microbial infections. This review provides a comprehensive summary of SCFAs synthesis and metabolism and offering an overview of the latest research progress on their roles in protecting gut health, enhancing energy metabolism, mitigating diseases such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes, modulating the gut-brain axis and gut-lung axis, and promoting bone health.
PubMed: 38940192
DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12464 -
Annals of Agricultural and... Jun 2024Correlations between the number of milk somatic cells (SCC), the number of microorganisms, and the content of basic components of milk were studied on five farms (F1-F5)...
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE
Correlations between the number of milk somatic cells (SCC), the number of microorganisms, and the content of basic components of milk were studied on five farms (F1-F5) with cows of the same breed, but with different milking systems.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
From each farm, 50 Holstein Friesien milk samples were collected once a month (250 samples/month; n=3,000) during March 2022 - February 2023. Samples from farms F1 and F5 were tested for fat, protein, lactose, no fat dry matter content (FTIR spectroscopy), for the SCC (Fossomatic 7), and for the differential cells (Vetscan DC-Q).
RESULTS
The highest fat content was confirmed on farm F5 (3.85 ± 1.70%) and F4 (3.82 ± 0.21%) with automatic milking system (AMS). However, from the point of view of protein content, these farms showed slightly lower values (<0.05). F1 did not meet the minimum required amount for fat content (2.84 ± 0.81%) set by the legislation of the Slovakia. The comparison shows that there is not much difference in cell size between healthy cells and mastitis cells. The average size of healthy cells was approximately 8.77 ± 0.49 μm. In the monitored period, the average values determined were at the level of 292,000/mL (5.46 ± 0.72 log10 SCC) in cow milk samples, while for the rest of the year, the values remained at 256,000/mL (5.40 ± 0.80 log10 SCC). F1 was categorized as a positive farm with a high TLC (total milk leucocyte count) concentration (5.58 log10 cells/mL, 406.65 ± 53.80 × 10 cells/mL) and a predominant NEU fraction (61%). Farms F2, F4, and F5 were classified as negative farms (TLC was 4.70 ± 0.26 log10 cells/ml).
CONCLUSIONS
According to the results, the size of SCCs in healthy milk does not differ from SCCs found in mastitis milk. From the results, it can be concluded that the transition to the latest generation of robotic milking method can positively affect milk production and its quality.
Topics: Animals; Milk; Dairying; Female; Cell Count; Cattle; Lactose; Slovakia; Milk Proteins; Lactation
PubMed: 38940103
DOI: 10.26444/aaem/187170