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BMC Microbiology May 2024Dairy buffaloes are typically fed a high-forage, low-quality diet with high fiber. These conditions result in an inherent energy and protein inefficiency. In order to...
Dairy buffaloes are typically fed a high-forage, low-quality diet with high fiber. These conditions result in an inherent energy and protein inefficiency. In order to make full and rational use of feed resources and improve the production level and breeding efficiency of dairy buffaloes, the effects of various roughages on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation parameters, and microorganisms in dairy buffaloes were studied in this experiment. Three ternary hybrid buffaloes, with an average body weight of 365 ± 22.1 kg, were selected and fitted with permanent rumen fistulas. They were fed six different diets, each consisting of 1 kg concentrate supplement and one of six types of roughage, including alfalfa hay (A diet), oat hay (O diet), whole corn silage (W diet), king grass (K diet), sugarcane shoot silage (S diet), and rice straw hay (R diet) according to an incomplete Latin square design of 3 × 6, respectively. The pre-feeding period of each period was 12 d. From day 13 to 15 was the official experimental period. During the prefeeding period, free feed intake for each roughage was determined, and during the experiment, the roughage was fed at 90% of the voluntary feed intake. Digestion and metabolism tests were carried out using the total manure collection method to determine the feed intake and fecal output of each buffalo, and to collect feed and fecal samples for chemical analysis. On day 15, rumen fluid samples were collected two hours after morning feeding to determine rumen fermentation parameters and bacterial 16 S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was performed. The results showed that DM and OM digestibility were greatest for the W diet and lowest for the S diet. The rumen pH of the O diet was significantly greater than that of the W diet. The concentration of rumen fluid NH-N (mg/dL) increased with increased CP content. The concentration of total volatile fatty acids (mmol/L) in the rumen decreased with increased NDF content but increased with increased NFC content. The relative abundances of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Spirochaetes were 57.03-74.84%, 14.29-21.86%, and 0.44-1.43% in the different quality roughage groups. Bacteroidetes were mainly Prevotellaceae1 and Rikenellaceae RC_gut_group with relative abundances of 30.17-45.75% and 3.23-7.82%. The relative abundance of Patescibacteria and Spirochaetes decreased with increasing roughage quality. These results provide a theoretical and practical basis for evaluating the nutritional value of dairy buffalo feed, utilizing feed resources, matching rations, feeding scientifically, and protecting animal health.
Topics: Animals; Buffaloes; Rumen; Fermentation; Animal Feed; Bacteria; Dietary Fiber; Silage; Nutrients; Digestion; Diet; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Female; Fatty Acids, Volatile
PubMed: 38811906
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03342-0 -
BMC Geriatrics May 2024Recent genetic evidence supports a causal role for sarcopenia in osteoarthritis, which may be mediated by the occurrence of obesity or changes in circulating...
BACKGROUND
Recent genetic evidence supports a causal role for sarcopenia in osteoarthritis, which may be mediated by the occurrence of obesity or changes in circulating inflammatory protein levels. Here, we leveraged publicly available genome-wide association study data to investigate the intrinsic causal relationship between sarcopenia, obesity, circulating inflammatory protein levels, and osteoarthritis.
METHODS
In this study, we used Mendelian randomization analyses to explore the causal relationship between sarcopenia phenotypes (Appendicular lean mass [ALM], Low hand-grip strength [LHG], and usual walking pace [UWP]) and osteoarthritis (Knee osteoarthritis [KOA], and Hip osteoarthritis [HOA]). Univariable Mendelian randomization (UVMR) analyses were performed using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger, weighted median method, simple mode, and weighted mode, with the IVW method being the primary analytical technique. Subsequently, the independent causal effects of sarcopenia phenotype on osteoarthritis were investigated using multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analysis. To further explore the mechanisms involved, obesity and circulating inflammatory proteins were introduced as the mediator variables, and a two-step Mendelian randomization analysis was used to explore the mediating effects of obesity and circulating inflammatory proteins between ALM and KOA as well as the mediating proportions.
RESULTS
UVMR analysis showed a causal relationship between ALM, LHG, UWP and KOA [(OR = 1.151, 95% CI: 1.087-1.218, P = 1.19 × 10, P = 7.14 × 10) (OR = 1.215, 95% CI: 1.004-1.470; P = 0.046, P = 0.055) (OR = 0.503, 95% CI: 0.292-0.867; P = 0.013, P = 0.027)], and a causal relationship between ALM, UWP and HOA [(OR = 1.181, 95% CI: 1.103-1.265, P = 2.05 × 10, P = 6.15 × 10) (OR = 0.438, 95% CI: 0.226-0.849, P = 0.014, P = 0.022)]. In the MVMR analyses adjusting for confounders (body mass index, insomnia, sedentary behavior, and bone density), causal relationships were observed between ALM, LHG, UWP and KOA [(ALM: OR = 1.323, 95%CI: 1.224- 1.431, P = 2.07 × 10), (LHG: OR = 1.161, 95%CI: 1.044- 1.292, P = 0.006), (UWP: OR = 0.511, 95%CI: 0.290- 0.899, P = 0.020)], and between ALM and HOA (ALM: OR = 1.245, 95%CI: 1.149- 1.348, P = 7.65 × 10). In a two-step MR analysis, obesity was identified to play a potential mediating role in ALM and KOA (proportion mediated: 5.9%).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that decreased appendicular lean mass, grip strength, and walking speed increase the risk of KOA and decreased appendicular lean mass increases the risk of HOA in patients with sarcopenia in a European population. Obesity plays a mediator role in the occurrence of KOA due to appendicular lean body mass reduction.
Topics: Humans; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Sarcopenia; Obesity; Genome-Wide Association Study; Osteoarthritis, Hip; Aged; Hand Strength; Male; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Female; Osteoarthritis; Multivariate Analysis; Phenotype
PubMed: 38811889
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-05098-8 -
BMC Pediatrics May 2024The search for other indicators to assess the weight and nutritional status of individuals is important as it may provide more accurate information and assist in...
OBJECTIVE
The search for other indicators to assess the weight and nutritional status of individuals is important as it may provide more accurate information and assist in personalized medicine. This work is aimed to develop a machine learning predictions of weigh status derived from bioimpedance measurements and other physical parameters of healthy younger volunteers from Southern Cuba Region.
METHODS
A pilot random study at the Pediatrics Hospital was conducted. The volunteers were selected between 2002 and 2008, ranging in age between 2 and 18 years old. In total, 776 female and male volunteers are studied. Along the age and sex in the cohort, volunteers with class I obesity, overweight, underweight and with normal weight are considered. The bioimpedance parameters are obtained by measuring standard tetrapolar whole-body configuration. The bioimpedance analyser is used, collecting fundamental bioelectrical and other parameters of interest. A classification model are performed, followed by a prediction of the body mass index.
RESULTS
The results derived from the classification leaner reveal that the size, body density, phase angle, body mass index, fat-free mass, total body water volume according to Kotler, body surface area, extracellular water according to Kotler and sex largely govern the weight status of this population. In particular, the regression model shows that other bioparameters derived from impedance measurements can be associated with weight status estimation with high accuracy.
CONCLUSION
The classification and regression predictive models developed in this work are of the great importance to assist the diagnosis of weigh status with high accuracy. These models can be used for prompt weight status evaluation of younger individuals at the Pediatrics Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
Topics: Humans; Male; Electric Impedance; Cuba; Female; Child; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Body Weight; Body Mass Index; Pilot Projects; Machine Learning; Body Composition; Nutritional Status; Thinness; Regression Analysis
PubMed: 38811864
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04841-9 -
Experimental Animals May 2024Rats were the first mammals to be domesticated for scientific research, and abundant physiological data are available on them. Rats are expected to continue to play an...
Rats were the first mammals to be domesticated for scientific research, and abundant physiological data are available on them. Rats are expected to continue to play an important role as experimental animals, especially with advancements such as CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Environmental enrichment aims to promote species-specific behaviors and psychological well-being. In the present study, we designed a double-decker (DD) cage, which utilizes two stacked plastic cages for rat enrichment, and investigated the influence of housing in the DD cage on rat mating behavior. The results indicated that mount frequency, total mount counts, and total ejaculation latency were significantly lower in the DD cages than in the single-decker (SD) cages. Notably, in the DD cages, the body weight loss of male rats after mating behavior was lower than that observed in the SD cage. Water consumption per day during mating behavior was also significantly lower in the DD cages, although no significant differences were observed in daily food intake during mating behavior. In addition, reproductive performance, including pregnancy rate and birth rate, did not change in the DD cages. In summary, our study demonstrated that DD cages reduce mount frequency and ejaculation latency during rat mating, resulting in decreased water consumption and weight loss in male rats. Therefore, housing in DD cages may serve as a beneficial enrichment for rats.
PubMed: 38811231
DOI: 10.1538/expanim.24-0026 -
Endocrine Journal May 2024The beneficial effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver...
Prolonged impacts of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in type 2 diabetes: a retrospective analysis through magnetic resonance imaging.
The beneficial effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have been suggested in several reports based on serological markers, imaging data, and histopathology associated with steatotic liver disease. However, evidence regarding their long-term effects is currently insufficient. In this retrospective observational study, 34 people with T2D and MASLD, treated with SGLT2 inhibitors, were examined by proton density fat fraction derived by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI-PDFF) and other clinical data before, one year after the treatment. Furthermore, 22 of 34 participants underwent MRI-PDFF five years after SGLT2 inhibitors were initiated. HbA1c decreased from 8.9 ± 1.8% to 7.8 ± 1.0% at 1 year (p = 0.006) and 8.0 ± 1.1% at 5 years (p = 0.122). Body weight and fat mass significantly reduced from baseline to 1 and 5 year(s), respectively. MRI-PDFF significantly decreased from 15.3 ± 7.8% at baseline to 11.9 ± 7.6% (p = 0.001) at 1 year and further decreased to 11.3 ± 5.7% (p = 0.013) at 5 years. Thus, a 5-year observation demonstrated that SGLT2 inhibitors have beneficial effects on liver steatosis in people with T2D and MASLD.
PubMed: 38811192
DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.EJ24-0005 -
Endoscopy Dec 2024
Topics: Humans; Stents; Anastomotic Leak; Bariatric Surgery; Female; Vacuum; Middle Aged; Obesity, Morbid
PubMed: 38810980
DOI: 10.1055/a-2320-1970 -
PloS One 2024Obesity, characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, is associated with various chronic health conditions. Body fat plays a crucial role in health outcomes, and...
BACKGROUND
Obesity, characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, is associated with various chronic health conditions. Body fat plays a crucial role in health outcomes, and nutrient intake is a contributing factor. Menopause further influences body fat, but the precise relationships between nutrients and fat mass distribution in pre- and post-menopausal women are unclear.
METHODS
Data from 4751 adult women aged ≥18 years old (3855 pre-menopausal, 896 post-menopausal) with completed information were obtained from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2018. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the associations between protein, carbohydrate, fat intake and total percent fat (TPF), android percent fat (APF), gynoid percent fat (GPF), android to gynoid ratio (A/G), subcutaneous adipose tissue mass (SAT), visceral adipose tissue mass (VAT). Subgroup analyses, stratified by menopausal status, were also conducted. Additionally, we employed smoothing curve fitting techniques to investigate potential non-linear relationships between fat mass distribution and nutrient intake.
RESULTS
Compared with pre-menopausal women, post-menopausal women had higher body fat, BMI, and metabolic indicators but lower nutrient intake (All p<0.05). In the overall analysis, we found significant correlations between nutrient intake and fat mass. Specifically, protein intake was negatively correlated with TPF (β = -0.017, 95% CI: -0.030, -0.005), APF (β = -0.028, 95% CI: -0.044, -0.012), GPF (β = -0.019, 95% CI: -0.030, -0.008), while fat intake showed positive correlations with these measures (SAT: β = 2.769, 95% CI: 0.860, 4.678). Carbohydrate intake exhibited mixed associations. Notably, body fat mass-nutrient intake correlations differed by menopausal status. Generally speaking, protein intake showed negative correlations with body fat distribution in pre-menopausal women but positive correlations in post-menopausal women. Carbohydrate intake revealed significant negative associations with abdominal and visceral fat in post-menopausal women, while fat intake was consistently positive across all fat distribution indices, especially impacting visceral fat in post-menopausal women.
CONCLUSION
Dietary intake plays a crucial role in body fat distribution, with menopausal status significantly influencing the impact of nutrients on specific fat distribution metrics. The study emphasizes the need for dietary guidelines to consider the nutritional needs and health challenges unique to women at different life stages, particularly concerning menopausal status, to effectively manage obesity.
Topics: Humans; Female; Postmenopause; Middle Aged; Adult; Premenopause; Nutrients; Body Fat Distribution; Body Mass Index; Dietary Proteins; Nutrition Surveys; Aged; Obesity; Adipose Tissue; Dietary Fats
PubMed: 38809895
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304098 -
National Toxicology Program Technical... May 2024Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent to which humans are widely exposed. Very limited data are available regarding the dermal toxicity and the carcinogenic...
Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent to which humans are widely exposed. Very limited data are available regarding the dermal toxicity and the carcinogenic potential of triclosan. In this study, groups of 48 male and 48 female B6C3F1/N mice were untreated or were dermally administered 0 (vehicle), 1.25, 2.7, 5.8, or 12.5 mg triclosan/kg body weight/day (mg/kg/day) in 95% ethanol, 7 days per week for 2 years. Vehicle control animals received 95% ethanol only; untreated, naive control mice were not dosed. There were no significant differences in survival among the groups. The highest dose of triclosan decreased the body weights of mice in both sexes, but the decrease was ≤8%. (Abstract Abridged).
Topics: Animals; Triclosan; Female; Mice; Male; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Administration, Cutaneous; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Body Weight; Carcinogenicity Tests; Mice, Inbred Strains; Carcinogens; Carcinogenesis
PubMed: 38809813
DOI: 10.22427/NTP-TR-604 -
JAMA Network Open May 2024Sweetened beverage taxes have been associated with reduced purchasing of taxed beverages. However, few studies have assessed the association between sweetened beverage...
IMPORTANCE
Sweetened beverage taxes have been associated with reduced purchasing of taxed beverages. However, few studies have assessed the association between sweetened beverage taxes and health outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between the Seattle sweetened beverage tax and change in body mass index (BMI) among children.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
In this longitudinal cohort study, anthropometric data were obtained from electronic medical records of 2 health care systems (Kaiser Permanente Washington [KP] and Seattle Children's Hospital Odessa Brown Children's Clinic [OBCC]). Children were included in the study if they were aged 2 to 18 years (between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2019); had at least 1 weight measurement every year between 2015 and 2019; lived in Seattle or in urban areas of 3 surrounding counties (King, Pierce, and Snohomish); had not moved between taxed (Seattle) and nontaxed areas; received primary health care from KP or OBCC; did not have a recent history of cancer, bariatric surgery, or pregnancy; and had biologically plausible height and BMI (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared). Data analysis was conducted between August 5, 2022, and March 4, 2024.
EXPOSURE
Seattle sweetened beverage tax (1.75 cents per ounce on sweetened beverages), implemented on January 1, 2018.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was BMIp95 (BMI expressed as a percentage of the 95th percentile; a newly recommended metric for assessing BMI change) of the reference population for age and sex, using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts. In the primary (synthetic difference-in-differences [SDID]) model used, a comparison sample was created by reweighting the comparison sample to optimize on matching to pretax trends in outcome among 6313 children in Seattle. Secondary models were within-person change models using 1 pretax measurement and 1 posttax measurement in 22 779 children and fine stratification weights to balance baseline individual and neighborhood-level confounders.
RESULTS
The primary SDID analysis included 6313 children (3041 female [48%] and 3272 male [52%]). More than a third of children (2383 [38%]) were aged 2 to 5 years); their mean (SE) age was 7.7 (0.6) years. With regard to race and ethnicity, 789 children (13%) were Asian, 631 (10%) were Black, 649 (10%) were Hispanic, and 3158 (50%) were White. The primary model results suggested that the Seattle tax was associated with a larger decrease in BMIp95 for children living in Seattle compared with those living in the comparison area (SDID: -0.90 percentage points [95% CI, -1.20 to -0.60]; P < .001). Results from secondary models were similar.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings of this cohort study suggest that the Seattle sweetened beverage tax was associated with a modest decrease in BMIp95 among children living in Seattle compared with children living in nearby nontaxed areas who were receiving care within the same health care systems. Taken together with existing studies in the US, these results suggest that sweetened beverage taxes may be an effective policy for improving children's BMI. Future research should test this association using longitudinal data in other US cities with sweetened beverage taxes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Body Mass Index; Child; Child, Preschool; Taxes; Sugar-Sweetened Beverages; Adolescent; Washington; Longitudinal Studies; Pediatric Obesity
PubMed: 38809555
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.13644 -
ALTEX May 2024Virtual control groups (VCGs) created from historical control data (HCD) can reduce the number of concurrent control group animals needed in regulatory toxicity studies...
Virtual control groups (VCGs) created from historical control data (HCD) can reduce the number of concurrent control group animals needed in regulatory toxicity studies by up to 25%. This study investigates the performance of VCGs on statistical outcomes of body weight development between treatment and control groups in legacy studies. The objective is to reproduce the statistical outcomes of 28-day sub-chronic studies (legacy studies) after replacing the concurrent control group with virtual ones. In rodent toxicity studies initial body weight is used as surrogate for the age of animals. For the assessment of VCG-sampling methods three different approaches are explored: (i) sampling VCGs from the entire HCD ignoring initial body weight information of the legacy study, (ii) sampling from HCD matching the legacy study's initial body weights, and (iii) sampling from HCD with assigned statistical weights derived from legacy study initial body weight information. It is shown that the ability to reproduce statistical outcomes by virtual controls is mainly determined by the congruence between the legacy study and the HCD weight distribution: regardless of the chosen approach, the ability to reproduce statistical outcomes was well for VCGs when the legacy study's initial-body-weight distribution was similar to the HCD's. When the initial body weight range of the legacy study was at the extreme ends of the HCD's distribution, the weighted-sampling approach was superior. This article highlights the importance of proper HCD-matching by the legacy study's initial body weight and discusses required conditions to accurately reproduce body weight development.
PubMed: 38809255
DOI: 10.14573/altex.2403141