Short communication: Colostrum versus formula: Effects on mRNA expression of genes related to branched-chain amino acid metabolism in neonatal dairy calves

Expression of specific signaling components related to muscle protein turnover and of branched-chain amino acid catabolic enzymes in muscle and adipose tissue of preterm and term calves

Postnatal metabolism depends on maturation of key metabolic pathways around birth. In this regard, endogenous glucose production is impaired in calves born preterm. Concerning protein metabolism, the rates of protein turnover are greater during the neonatal period than at any other period of postnatal life. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) are considered as the major regulators of cellular protein turnover. The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) the changes in plasma AA profiles, (2) the mRNA abundance of mTOR signaling and UPS-related genes in skeletal muscle, and (3) the mRNA abundance of branched-chain AA (BCAA) catabolic enzymes in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in neonatal calves with different degree of maturation during the transition to extrauterine life. Calves (n = 7/treatment) were born either preterm (PT; delivered by cesarean section 9 d before term) or at term (T; spontaneous vaginal delivery) and were left unfed for 1 d. Calves in treatment TC were also spontaneously born but were fed colostrum and transition milk for 4 d. Blood samples were collected from all calves at birth and at 24 h of life. Additional blood samples were taken 2 h after feeding (26 h of life) for PT and T calves, and on d 4 of life for TC, to determine plasma glucose, urea, and AA. Tissue samples from 3 muscles [M. longissimus dorsi (MLD), M. semitendinosus (MST), and M. masseter (MM)], and kidney fat were collected following euthanasia at 26 h after birth (PT, T) or on d 4 of life (TC) at 2 h after feeding. The concentrations of the majority of plasma AA (Ala, Gln, Asn, Cit, Lys, Orn, Thr, and Tyr), nonessential AA, and total AA were greater during the first 24 h and also before and 2 h after feeding in PT than in T. The ratio of plasma BCAA to the aromatic AA (Tyr and Phe) was greatest in TC, followed by T, and least in PT. The mRNA abundance of mTOR and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) in MLD and MM was greater in PT and T than in TC. The mRNA abundance of muscle-specific ligases FBXO32 (F-box only protein 32) in the 3 different skeletal muscles and TRIM63 (tripartite motif containing 63) in MLD was greater in PT and T than in TC; in MM, TRIM63 mRNA was greatest in PT. The mRNA for BCKDHA and BCKDHB (the α and β polypeptide of branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase) in kidney fat was elevated in PT and T compared with TC, suggesting a possible enhancement of BCAA oxidation as energy source to cover the energetic and nutritional postnatal demands in PT and T in a starved state. The increased abundances of mTOR-associated signaling factors and muscle-specific ligase mRNA indicate a greater rate of protein turnover in muscles of PT and T in a starved state. Elevated plasma concentrations of several AA may result from enhanced muscle proteolysis and impaired conversion to glucose in the liver of PT calves.

[Value of prediction models for prognosis prediction of colorectal cancer: an analysis based on TCPA database]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of the combination of multiple proteins in predicting the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) through bioinformatics analysis.

OBJECTIVE

The protein expression and clinical data were downloaded from TCPA database. Perl and R were used to screen the prognostic-related proteins, and through Cox analysis, the proteins that served as independent prognostic factors of CRC were identified to build the prediction model. Survival analyses were conducted for each of the proteins included in the prediction model and the risk score of the model, and risk curves was drawn for the risk score and the patients' survival status to verify the performance of the model. Independent prognosis analysis and ROC analysis were used to assess the value and advantages of the model in prognosis prediction. The interactions between the proteins included in the model and the differential expressions of the key genes related with the proteins were analyzed.

OBJECTIVE

Six proteins were screened for model construction. Compared with a single gene, the model showed much greater prognostic value for CRC. Independent prognostic analysis showed that the risk score of the prediction model was significantly related with the prognosis (P < 0.001), and the model could be used as an independent risk factor for prognostic assessment of the patients. ROC analysis showed that the model had good specificity and sensitivity for prognostic prediction (AUC=0.734). Protein interactions showed that BID, SLC1A5 and SRC_pY527 were significantly correlated with other proteins (P < 0.001), and SLC1A5 and SRC_pY527 had the most significant interactions with other proteins (P < 0.001). Except for those of INPP4B, the key genes related with the proteins in the prediction model had significant differential expressions at the mRNA level in CRC (P < 0.05).

OBJECTIVE

The prediction model constructed based on 6 proteins has good prognostic value for CRC. The proteins SLC1A5 and SRC_pY527 play key roles in the prognosis of CRC, and SRC_pY527 may regulate the occurrence and progression of CRC through the SRC/AKT/MAPK signal axis and thus may serve as a new therapeutic target of CRC.

Extended transition milk feeding for 3 weeks improves growth performance and reduces the susceptibility to diarrhea in newborn female Holstein calves

Dairy calves may benefit from extending the duration of feeding transition milk (TM; the subsequent two to six milkings after parturition) to enhance performance and health during early life. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of replacing pasteurized waste milk (non-saleable milk containing antibiotic and/or drug residues) with pasteurized TM for 3 weeks on the growth performance and health of dairy calves. A total of 84 healthy newborn female Holstein calves were blocked by birth order and assigned randomly to 4 treatment groups with partial replacement of pasteurized waste milk by TM (second milkings after parturition) at 0 (0 l/day TM + 6 l/day milk), 0.5 (0.5 l/day TM + 5.5 l/day milk), 1 (1 l/day TM + 5 l/day milk), or 2 l (2 l/day TM + 4 l/day milk) for a 21-day period. From day 22 onward, all calves were fed individually with 6 l/day pasteurized waste milk. Calves were weaned on day 60 and monitored until day 90 of the study. Liquid feed DM intake (DMI) was increased with increasing levels of TM (P = 0.001). Starter feed DMI and total DMI (liquid feed DMI + starter feed DMI) were not affected by the treatment effect. Calves were fed 2 l/day TM gained more BW compared with those in the control group during the postweaning and overall periods. The average daily gain tended (P = 0.06) to be higher in calves fed 2 l/day TM compared with calves fed 0 (+ 65 g/day), 0.5 (+ 53 g/day), or 1 (+ 76 g/day) l/day TM during the preweaning period. Daily weight gain was also higher in calves fed 2 l/day TM compared with calves in the control group during the postweaning (+ 137 g/day; P = 0.04) and overall (+89 g/day; P < 0.01) periods, respectively. Calves fed 2 l/day TM had a higher feed efficiency compared with calves in the control group during all studied periods. The calves fed TM2 had a lower chance of having diarrhea compared with other treatment groups. Duration but not the frequency of diarrhea was lower in calves fed TM2 vs TM0 (2.5 vs 4.2days; P = 0.03). In general, partial replacement of waste milk with TM (2 l/day) may be recommended to feed dairy calves at an early stage of life to support a higher growth rate and health benefits.