Feeding a brown midrib corn silage-based diet to growing beef steers improves growth performance and economic returns

Saunders, C. S., Yang, S. Y., Eun, J.-S., Feuz, D. M. and ZoBell, D. R. 2015. Feeding a brown midrib corn silage-based diet to growing beef steers improves growth performance and economic returns. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 625–631. A feedlot experiment was performed to determine growth performance, ruminal fermentation characteristics, and economic returns for growing beef steers when fed a brown midrib corn silage-based total mixed ration (BMRT) compared with a conventional corn silage-based total mixed ration (CCST). Twenty-four Angus crossbred steers (initial body weight=258±23.2 kg) in individual pens were used in a completely randomized design (n=12). Intake of dry matter was not different between the treatments. Steers fed the BMRT tended to have greater average daily gain (1.54 vs. 1.42 kg d−1; P=0.09) and gain-to-feed ratio (0.165 vs. 0.146; P=0.07) compared with those fed the CCST. Feeding the BMRT increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration (P=0.01) compared with the CCST, while it decreased molar proportion of acetate (P<0.01), and increased propionate proportion (P=0.01), resulting in decreased acetate-to-propionate ratio compared with the CCST (P<0.01). Steers fed the BMRT increased feed margin (P=0.05) and net return (P=0.02) compared with those fed the CCST throughout the trial. Overall results of this study indicate that feeding the BMRT to growing beef steers enhanced ruminal fermentation and beneficially shifted VFA profiles, which contributed to improved growth and economic performance of steers.

Mutational analysis of BRCA1/2 gene and pathologic characteristics from Kazakh population with sporadic breast cancer in northwestern China

Mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but no large-scale research have examined the BRCA1/2 mutations in Chinese Kazakh women. We evaluated the frequency and distributions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations in Kazakh sporadic breast cancer patients and healthy women in China. The association between the clinical-pathologic features of Kazakh breast cancer patients and BRCA1/2 mutations were also investigated. Two unclassified variants (T539M and T1915M) and 16 polymorphisms were detected in this study, 4 of which (G356A, His743, Asn991Asp, Val1269) were detected more frequently in breast cancer patients than in healthy controls. We observed a higher prevalence of BRCA1/2 common sequence alterations and a large number of Kazakh women carrying multiple co-existing BRCA1/2 mutations. The prevalence of BRCA1 mutations was similar to that of BRCA2 mutations. Although no significant differences were observed, BRCA1/2 carriers were generally younger at diagnosis of wild-type breast cancer patients. BRCA1-associated Kazakh sporadic breast cancers present with high tumor grade, early stage, negative lymph node status, absence of estrogen receptor expression and progesterone-positive status. Estrogen receptor expression was the only predominant histological type in BRCA2 carriers. In this study, we determined the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation status and determined the association with clinical-pathologic characteristics in a Chinese Kazakh population. Larger population-based screening studies screening the entire coding region of BRCA1/2 are required to evaluate the breast cancer risk induced by the sequence alterations detected in this study.

Effects of feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay on neutral detergent fiber digestion, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and lactational performance by dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to determine effects of feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay-based diets in comparison with an alfalfa hay-based diet on N utilization efficiency, ruminal fermentation, and lactational performance by mid-lactation dairy cows. Nine multiparous lactating Holstein cows (131 ± 22.6 d in milk), 3 of which were rumen fistulated, were fed 3 experimental diets in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 periods of 14 d of adaptation and 7 d of data and sample collection. Within squares, cows were randomly assigned to diets as follows: alfalfa hay-based diet (AHT), alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil hay-based diet (ABT), and birdsfoot trefoil hay-based diet (BT). Intakes of dry matter and crude protein were similar across treatments, whereas ABT and BT diets resulted in decreased fiber intake compared with AHT. Feeding BT tended to increase neutral detergent fiber digestibility compared with AHT and ABT. Milk yield tended to increase for cows consuming ABT or BT diets. Milk true protein concentration and yield were greater for cows consuming ABT relative to those fed AHT. Concentration of total volatile fatty acids tended to increase by cows fed BT compared with those fed AHT and ABT. Feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay in a total mixed ration resulted in a tendency to decrease acetate proportion, but it tended to increase propionate proportion, leading to a tendency to decrease acetate-to-propionate ratio. Whereas concentration of ammonia-N was similar across treatments, cows offered BT exhibited greater microbial protein yield relative to those fed AHT and ABT. Cows offered birdsfoot trefoil hay diets secreted more milk N than AHT, resulting in improved N utilization efficiency for milk N. The positive effects due to feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay were attributed to enhanced neutral detergent fiber digestion, and thus it could replace alfalfa hay in high-forage dairy diets while improving N utilization efficiencies and maintaining lactational performance compared with alfalfa hay.

Antidepressant Prescription Pattern in the Presence of Medical Co-morbidity: REAP-AD 2013 Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prescription pattern of antidepressants in patients with medical co-morbidity from major psychiatric centres in Asia.

METHODS

The Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Pattern for Antidepressants (REAP-AD 2013) collected data from 42 psychiatric centres in 10 Asian countries and regions. Antidepressant prescriptions of 2320 patients with various psychiatric disorders were evaluated. Of these, 370 patients who had specified medical co-morbidities formed the study cohort.

RESULTS

Escitalopram (20%) and mirtazapine (20%) were the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in patients with medical co-morbidity followed by sertraline (16%), trazodone (15%), and paroxetine (12%). Overall, more than half (52%; 247/476) of prescriptions comprised selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Slightly less than two-thirds (63%; n = 233) of patients received at least 1 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. In addition, 79% of patients were prescribed only 1 antidepressant. The mean number of antidepressants used per patient was 1.25 (standard deviation, 0.56). There were subtle differences in the most preferred antidepressant across medical illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, liver dysfunction, acid peptic disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Differences were also seen in prescription patterns across different countries.

CONCLUSION

Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors formed the bulk of antidepressant prescriptions in the presence of medical co-morbidity, mirtazapine was also commonly used in the presence of medical co-morbidities. Specified medical morbidities do influence the selection of antidepressants.

CLOSED FEMORAL NAILING WITH THE TECHNIQUE OF USING A NEW FEMORAL DISTRACTOR: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

This study introduces the application of a new femoral distractor in the treatment of femoral fracture restoration with internal fixation of intramedullary nail. Sixty-three patients with femoral fracture from the Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University underwent femoral facture restoration with the new femoral distractor in combination with internal fixation of an intramedullary nail from June 2011 to March 2014. There were 18 cases of proximal femur fractures, 44 cases of middle femoral shaft fractures and 1 case of distal femur fracture. Follow-up was on the 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 24th week after operation. All 63 patients successfully underwent the surgery and the steel needles used did not cause injury to the adjacent vessels or nerves. Five cases had to have steel needles reinserted, as they had failed in the distraction reduction due to being unsteadily fixed because of an improper position. Patients were followed up for 10~24 months (mean 16 months), and the total healing rate was 100%. Operative time was 93.5 minutes averagely. Average time of patients’ exposure to X-ray was 26.8 seconds. Bleeding volume was averagely 219.1 ml. There were no complications either during the operations or after them. All cases healed within 12 weeks (average 7.6 weeks). This study proves that, the new femoral distractor can help the closed reduction of fractures in treating femoral fractures with intramedullary nails to avoid the inconvenience of applying traction tables and the occurrence of potential complications.

Intracranial aneurysm risk factor genes: relationship with intracranial aneurysm risk in a Chinese Han population

Few studies have examined the genes related to risk fac-tors that may contribute to intracranial aneurysms (IAs). This study in Chinese patients aimed to explore the relationship between IA and 28 gene loci, proven to be associated with risk factors for IA. We recruited 119 patients with aneurysms and 257 controls. Single factor and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of IA and IA rup-ture with risk factors. Twenty-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 22 genes were genotyped for the patient and control groups. SNP genotypes and allele frequencies were analyzed by the chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis identified hypertension as a factor that increased IA risk (P = 1.0 x 10(-4); OR, 2.500; 95%CI, 1.573-3.972); IA was associated with two SNPs in the TSLC2A9 gene: rs7660895 (P = 0.007; OR, 1.541; 95%CI, 1.126-2.110); and in the TOX gene: rs11777927 (P = 0.013; OR, 1.511; 95%CI, 1.088-2.098). Subsequent removal of the influence of family relationship identified between 12 of 119 patients enhanced the significant association of these SNPs with IA (P = 0.001; OR, 1.691; 95%CI, 1.226-2.332; and P = 0.006; OR, 1.587; 95%CI, 1.137-2.213 for rs7660895 and rs11777927, respectively). Fur-thermore, the minor allele of rs7660895 (A) was also associated with IA rupture (P = 0.007; OR, 2.196; 95%CI, 1.230-3.921). Therefore, hypertension is an independent risk factor for IA. Importantly, the TSL-C2A9 (rs7660895) and TOX (rs11777927) gene polymorphisms may be associated with formation of IAs, and rs7660895 may be associated with IA rupture.

Mechanical force-induced specific MicroRNA expression in human periodontal ligament stem cells

It remains unclear how the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) might respond to mechanical stretch. To investigate specific miRNA expression in stretched PDLSCs, we used a Flexcell® FX-5000™ tension system to achieve external mechanical stimulation. Then, a custom-designed microarray assay was performed to investigate and describe the genome-wide differential expression of miRNAs in normal and stretched PDLSCs. Finally, we implemented integrative miRNA target prediction and network analysis approaches to construct an interaction network of the key miRNAs and their putative targets. We found that stretching induced morphological changes and increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (OCN), and bone sialoprotein (BSP) expression in PDLSCs. The microarray data showed that 53 miRNAs were differentially expressed with stretching. With an interaction network, we examined the connections between 10 selected key miRNAs and their putative target genes, which were related to mechanical force. The results from the interaction network provided a basis for postulating the functional roles of miRNAs in PDLSCs.

Meta-analysis on postoperative complications of wristband acupoint pressure therapy

Through searching database such as MEDLINE, CNKI, etc., this paper assesses the effect of wristband acupoint pressure, acting on the neiguan acupoint, to relieve postoperative complications of adults (mainly nausea and vomiting) using nine randomized controlled trials (RCT) and RevMan5.0. In the experimental group, acupoint pressure wristband effectively reduced the incidence rate of postoperative vomiting by acting on the neiguan point, compared to the placebo control group (RR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.37~0.66, P < 0.01). As to the incidence rate of postoperative nausea, there was no statistical significance between the experimental group and the placebo control group (RR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.72~1.00, P < 0.05). It was revealed that the application of acupoint pressure wristband on neiguan point in postoperative care could effectively relieve postoperative vomiting; while postoperative vomiting was not relieved distinctly. Therefore, researchers are required to carry out more reliable RCT test for further study and discussion, and nurses can bring in acupoint pressure wristband for researches on its effectiveness and adaptability.

Identification of 2127 new HLA class I alleles in potential stem cell donors from Germany, the United States and Poland

We describe 2127 new human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles found in registered stem cell donors. These alleles represent 28.9% of the currently known class I alleles. Comparing new allele sequences to homologous sequences, we found 68.1% nonsynonymous nucleotide substitutions, 28.9% silent mutations and 3.0% nonsense mutations. Many substitutions occurred at positions that have not been known to be polymorphic before. A large number of HLA alleles and nucleotide variations underline the extreme diversity of the HLA system. Strikingly, 156 new alleles were found not only multiple times, but also in carriers of various parentage, suggesting that some new alleles are not necessarily rare. Moreover, new alleles were found especially often in minority donors. This emphasizes the benefits of specifically recruiting such groups of individuals.

Maintenance Crude Protein Requirement of Penned Female Korean Spotted Deer (Cervus nippon)

This study was conducted to evaluate the protein requirement for maintenance of 2-year-old female Korean spotted deer. In the course of the experiment, each of three hand-reared female spotted deer was fed three diets that were iso-calorically formulated to contain low (approximately 7%), medium (12%), and high (17%) levels of crude protein (CP). Each of six trials included a 5-day transition, a 10-day preliminary, and a 7-day collection period. Dietary protein levels affected the apparent digestibility of CP (p<0.05) but not the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, or acid detergent fiber. All of the deer showed a positive CP balance on all of the diets. The maintenance CP requirement estimated by regression analysis was 4.17 g/kg metabolic body weight (W^0.75)·d. The maintenance digestible CP requirement was 1.42 g/kg W^0.75·d. The metabolic fecal CP was 1.95 g/kg W^0.75·d. The blood urea nitrogen of spotted deer increased (p<0.05) as the dietary protein levels increased.

Screening of the residual normal ovarian tissue adjacent to orthotopic epithelial ovarian carcinomas in nude mice

The objective of this study was to explore the feasibility and methods of screening the residual normal ovarian tissue adjacent to orthotopic ovarian carcinomas in nude mice. Human epithelial ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR3) were subcutaneously implanted for a tumor source and ovarian orthotopic transplantation. The cancer tissue, proximal paraneoplastic tissue, middle paraneoplastic tissue, remote paraneoplastic tissue, and normal ovarian tissue were removed. CK-7, CA125, p53, survivin, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 expression was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We obtained 35 paraneoplastic residual ovarian tissues with normal biopsies from 40 cases of an orthotopic epithelial ovarian carcinoma model (87.5%). CK-7, CA125, p53, survivin, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 expression was lower in proximal paraneoplastic tissue than in cancer tissue (P < 0.05) and higher than in middle and remote paraneoplastic tissue (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the expression of these genes in middle and proximal paraneoplastic tissue as well as among residual normal ovarian tissues with different severity (P > 0.05). In ovarian tissues of 20 normal nude mice, the expression of CK- 7, CA125, p53, survivin, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 was negative. Overall, the expression levels of CK-7, CA125, p53, survivin, MMP-2, TIMP-2, and other molecular markers showed a decreasing trend in the non-cancer tissue direction. The expression levels can be used as standards to screen residual normal ovarian tissue. We can obtain relatively safe normal ovarian tissues adjacent to epithelial ovarian cancer.

Predicting targeted polypharmacology for drug repositioning and multi- target drug discovery

Prediction of polypharmacology of known drugs and new molecules against selected multiple targets is highly useful for finding new therapeutic applications of existing drugs (drug repositioning) and for discovering multi-target drugs with improved therapeutic efficacies by collective regulations of primary therapeutic targets, compensatory signalling and drug resistance mechanisms. In this review, we describe recent progresses in exploration of in-silico methods for predicting polypharmacology of known drugs and new molecules by means of structure-based (molecular docking, binding- site structural similarity, receptor-based pharmacophore searching), expression-based (expression profile/signature similarity disease-drug and drug-drug networks), ligand-based (similarity searching, side-effect similarity, QSAR, machine learning), and fragment-based approaches that have shown promising potential in facilitating drug repositioning and the discovery of multi-target drugs.

Virtual screening methods as tools for drug lead discovery from large chemical libraries

Virtual screening methods have been developed and explored as useful tools for searching drug lead compounds from chemical libraries, including large libraries that have become publically available. In this review, we discussed the new developments in exploring virtual screening methods for enhanced performance in searching large chemical libraries, their applications in screening libraries of ~ 1 million or more compounds in the last five years, the difficulties in their applications, and the strategies for further improving these methods.

8-Chloro-methyl-5-(2,5-dioxooxolan-3-yl)-3,3a,4,5-tetra-hydro-1H-naphtho-[1,2-c]furan-1,3-dione

The title compound, C17H13ClO6, is an asymmetric alicyclic dianhydride containing a chloro-methyl-substituted tetra-hydro-naphthalene moiety. The cyclo-hexene ring in the tetra-hydro-naphthalene moiety exhibits an envelope conformation with the tertiary C atom as the flap The dihedral angle between the two anhydride rings is 79.96 (6)°, while those between the benzene ring and the non-fused and fused anhydride rings are 71.03 (5) and 42.57 (7)°, respectively. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected by weak C-H⋯O inter-actions, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular structure.

Gas Penetrations in Symmetrical Tapping Ribs during Gas-Assisted Injection Molding

The system of gas penetrations through melt at symmetrical rib channels is found unstable. By varying cross-sectional area of gas channel along the flow length, this research is devoted to observing the effect of the gas penetrations system in tapering symmetrical ribs during gas-assisted injection molding. With decreasing the cross section along the flow length and decelerate the penetration of gas-tip fronts, the degree of uneven gas penetrations can be reduced and stability is improved.

Effect of ketamine as an adjunct to intravenous patient-controlled analgesia, in patients at high risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting undergoing lumbar spinal surgery

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the effect of ketamine as an adjunct to a fentanyl-based i.v. patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients at high risk of PONV undergoing lumbar spinal surgery.

METHODS

Fifty non-smoking female patients were evenly randomized to either the control or ketamine group. According to randomization, patients received either ketamine 0.3 mg kg(-1) i.v. or normal saline after anaesthetic induction with fentanyl-based IV-PCA either with or without ketamine mixture (3 mg kg(-1) in 180 ml). The incidence and severity of PONV, volume of IV-PCA consumed, and pain intensity were assessed in the postanaesthesia care unit, and at postoperative 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of PONV during the first 48 h after surgery was similar between the two groups (68 vs 56%, ketamine and control group, P=0.382). The total dose of fentanyl used during the first 48 h after operation was lower in the ketamine group than in the control group [mean (SD), 773 (202) μg vs 957 (308) μg, P=0.035]. The intensity of nausea (11-point verbal numerical rating scale) was higher in the ketamine group during the first 6 h after operation [median (interquartile range), 6 (3-7) vs 2 (1.5-3.5), P=0.039], postoperative 12-24 h [5 (4-7) vs 2 (1-3), P=0.014], and postoperative 36-48 h [5 (4-7) vs 2 (1-3), P=0.036]. Pain intensities were similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Ketamine did not reduce the incidence of PONV and exerted a negative influence on the severity of nausea. It was, however, able to reduce postoperative fentanyl consumption in patients at high-risk of PONV.

Flow Visualization of Filling Process during Micro-Injection Molding

Micro-injection molding has been under development for the mass manufacture of micro parts. This paper presents fundamental research on the filling characteristics during micro-injection molding. Flow visualization was employed to observe the fast filling process. A lab-made impact type micro-injection machine was developed and used in this study. Filling of 4 × 4 × 0.2 mm3 and 2 × 2 × 1 mm3 cavities in quartz glass molds was recorded with a high-speed video camera. The effects of the processing conditions on the filling behaviors are systematically studied. The processing parameters include air pressure, mold temperature, and melt temperature. Based on the analysis of flow patterns, it was found that the melt fronts advanced quickly and filled the cavity in less than 0.1 seconds. The filling process can be divided into impact-filling and pressure-filling stages. Mold temperature and air pressure are found to be the dominant processing parameters.

Unstable Gas Penetrations in Symmetrical Rib Channels During Gas-assisted Injection Molding

During gas-assisted filling, gas penetrations in symmetrical rib channels are found never symmetrical. The development of this unsymmetry is observed and its cause is analyzed. The system of gas penetrations in melt in symmetrical rib channels is found unstable. Symmetry is upset upon perturbation. Symmetrical gas-channel ribs in gas-assisted injection molded parts should be avoided.

Experimental Study on the Injection Compression Molding of Parts with Precision Contours

The thermomechanical history of the melt under injection compression molding follows a quadrilateral-shaped path, rather than conventional triangular-shaped path, over the P-v-T diagram. The control capacity and flexibility over post-filling is significantly enhanced. It thus can produce parts with better dimensional control with less frozen-in orientation than those from conventional injection molding. This paper is devoted to study its technological application on the precision molding of parts with precision contours. A modified injection molding machine incorporating compression mechanism, and a mold with movable wall and shut-off mechanism, are used. The quality of injection-compression-molded polysytrene convex lenses is defined and compared with those injection molded. With the same cooling time, injection compression can produce lenses with better quality than those without compression

Study on the Performance of Cooling Systems in Precision Injection Molds

Mold temperature is one of the most important factors regarding the quality and production rate in injection molding. Enhancing the performance of mold as heat exchanger is expecially critical to precision molding. In this study, mold temperatures measured at four selected points are used to assess the effects of cooling channel layout and core material on the cooling performance of injection molds for precision molding. Measured data indicate that mold temperature is a complex function of space and time (in-cycle and cycle-to-cycle). Three performance indices based on the measured data are first established for comparing the cooling performance between molds with various design parameters. They are the response to reach equilibrium, the thermal uniformity, and the average mold temperature. Molds implemented with three typical cooling channel configurations and inserted with three core materials are constructed. Their cooling performances during injection molding of disks with steps have been compared. Information from computer-aided simulation of the mold cooling process further facilitates the evaluation of mold cooling performance. General guidelines for planning of cooling channel layouts and selection of core materials are drawn from this study. Experimental and theoretical results suggest that high thermal conductivity of the cores enhances the thermal uniformity, while high heat capacity retards the response of the system to reach thermal equilibrium. High convective area to mold volume improves the overall performance of mold as heat exchanger.

Flow Visualization of Filling with Aid of Colored Billets During Impact Micro-Injection Molding

Injection molding of thermoplastic parts with micro shot-weight has been developed for many Micro-Electro-Mechanical (MEMS) applications. A lab-made high speed impact type micro-injection machine was developed to perform the micro-injection molding. Many phenomena regarding impact micro-injection molding is not clear and needs systematical investigation. In this study, the filling phenomena during impact micro-injection was observed and investigated. Molds of spiral cavity of four different depths were constructed and employed. One side of the cavity was implemented with transparent window to observe the filling, and the filling phenomena were recorded with a high-speed video camera. To aid detailed observation, in the injection sleeve of the machine, sequential transparent and colored billets were inserted. The recorded images of filling flows of the colored melt in the spiral cavity were used for visualization and analysis of the filling with impact-type micro-injection molding machine. It is observed that melt behind from the sleeve will flow through the core of melt ahead and lead the melt front. Fountain flow in high speed micro-injection molding is dominant. During penetration, the colored melt, which is behind the transparent melt originally, is comparatively hot and flows along the core, following the inner side of core to seek shortest flow path.