Digital Microfluidics Chips for the Execution and Real-Time Monitoring of Multiple Ribozymatic Cleavage Reactions

In this paper, we describe the design and performance of two digital microfluidics (DMF) chips capable of executing multiple ribozymatic reactions, with proper controls, in response to short single-stranded DNA inducers. Since the fluorescence output of a reaction is measurable directly from the chip, without the need for gel electrophoresis, a complete experiment involving up to eight reactions (per chip) can be carried out reliably, relatively quickly, and efficiently. The ribozymes can also be used as biosensors of the concentration of oligonucleotide inputs, with high sensitivity, low limits of quantification and of detection, and excellent signal-to-noise ratio. The presented chips are readily usable devices that can be used to automate, speed up, and reduce the costs of ribozymatic reaction experiments.

Somatotropin increases plasma ceramide in relation to enhanced milk yield in cows

Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) changes metabolism to spare glucose for milk synthesis in cows. Ceramides inhibit insulin responsiveness in bovine adipocytes and are associated with insulin resistance and milk production in cows. The mechanisms by which rBST supports lactation may involve ceramide. Eight multiparous lactating Holstein cows were enrolled in a 2 × 2 replicated Latin square design with 14-d periods. Cows received a single rBST injection (Posilac; Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN; 0.062 mg/kg BW) or no injection (CON). An epinephrine challenge, insulin tolerance test, and liver biopsy were performed. Somatotropin enhanced the conversion of feed nutrients into milk components and increased plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations (P < 0.01). Area-under-the-curves for FFA in response to epinephrine and insulin were greater in rBST-treated cows. In response to insulin, glucose concentrations (20- and 30-min post-challenge) and insulin area-under-the-curve were higher with rBST treatment (P < 0.05, <0.10, and <0.01), suggesting insulin resistance. Somatotropin modified the plasma lipidome. For example, rBST decreased plasma di- and triacylglycerol levels (eg, DG-50:1 and TG-18:0/16:0/16:1), phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins (P < 0.05). Somatotropin increased plasma total and very-long-chain (C22:0-, C24:0-, C26:0-) ceramide concentrations (P < 0.01). Liver ceramide concentrations were not modified. Plasma ceramides were positively correlated with circulating FFA (r ~ 0.57; P < 0.05) and milk yield (r ~ 0.63; P < 0.05). We conclude that rBST administration modifies the bovine lipidome and increases plasma ceramide concentrations in association with increased milk production in cows.

Effects of dietary deoiled soy lecithin supplementation on milk production and fatty acid digestibility in Holstein dairy cows

Deoiled soy lecithin is a feed additive enriched in phospholipids. Our study evaluated the effects of dietary deoiled soy lecithin supplementation on (1) milk production and composition, (2) plasma and milk fatty acid (FA) content and yield, and (3) apparent FA digestibility and absorption in lactating dairy cows fed fractionated palm fat. In a split-plot Latin square design, 16 Holstein cows (160 ± 7 days in milk; 3.6 ± 1.2 parity) were randomly allocated to a main plot receiving a corn silage and alfalfa haylage-based diet with palm fat containing either moderate (MPA) or high palmitic acid (HPA) content at 1.75% of ration dry matter (72 or 99% palmitic acid, respectively; n = 8/palm fat diet). On each palm fat diet, deoiled soy lecithin was top-dressed at 0, 0.12, 0.24, or 0.36% of ration dry matter in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Following a 14-d covariate period, lecithin supplementation spanned 14 d, with milk and blood collected during the final 3 d. Milk composition and pooled plasma markers were measured. The statistical model included the fixed effects of palm fat type, lecithin dose, period, and the interaction between palm fat type and lecithin dose. The random effect of cow nested within palm fat group was also included. Lecithin linearly decreased dry matter intake. In cows fed HPA, lecithin feeding reduced milk fat content and tended to decrease milk fat yield. Although no changes in milk yield were observed, a quadratic reduction in 3.5% fat-corrected milk was observed with increasing lecithin dose. Lecithin linearly increased energy-corrected milk efficiency in cows fed MPA. Lecithin supplementation also decreased milk urea nitrogen, relative to unsupplemented cows. The proportion of 16-carbon FA in milk fat decreased linearly with lecithin dose, whereas 18-carbon FA increased linearly. Lecithin reduced de novo FA (<16-carbon) content and tended to increase preformed FA (>16-carbon) content in a linear manner. Compared with MPA, HPA diets reduced apparent total and 16-carbon FA digestibility and absorption. Deoiled soy lecithin feeding did not modify FA digestibility or absorption. Our observations suggest that soy lecithin feeding modifies rumen digestion to reduce dry matter intake and change milk composition.

The acute phase protein orosomucoid 1 is upregulated in early lactation but does not trigger appetite-suppressing STAT3 signaling via the leptin receptor

Dairy cows consume inadequate amounts of feed in early lactation and during conditions and diseases such as excessive fatness, heat stress, and infectious diseases. Affected cows often experience increases in plasma concentrations of acute phase proteins consistent with the negative effect of inflammation on appetite. The acute phase protein orosomucoid 1 (ORM1), also known as alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, was recently reported to reduce appetite in the mouse through its ability to bind the full-length leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) and activate appetite-suppressing signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. These observations raise the possibility that ORM1 exerts appetite-suppressing effects in dairy cattle during periods of increased inflammatory tone. The applicability of this model was assessed in 2 ways. First, we asked whether ORM1 is regulated during periods of inadequate appetite such as the transition from late pregnancy to early lactation and periods of increased inflammatory tone. Plasma ORM1 was invariant in late pregnancy but increased 2.5-fold between parturition and d 7 of lactation. Gene expression studies showed that liver was the major source of this elevation with little contribution by adipose tissue or mammary gland. Additional studies showed that plasma ORM1 was not increased further by excessive fatness or by reproductive dysfunction in early lactation and was completely unresponsive to inflammatory stimuli such as heat stress or intravascular administration of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide during established lactation. Second, we tested the ability of ORM1 to trigger STAT3 signaling through Ob-Rb using Chinese hamster ovary K1 (CHO-K1) cells transfected with a STAT3 expression plasmid. In this configuration, CHO-K1 cells did not express Ob-Rb and were incapable of leptin-induced STAT3 phosphorylation. Leptin responsiveness was conferred by co-transfecting with bovine Ob-Rb, with leptin causing increases of 5.7-fold in STAT3 phosphorylation and 2.1-fold in the expression of the STAT3-dependent gene, SOCS3. In contrast, neither bovine or human ORM1 triggered STAT3 phosphorylation irrespective of dose and period of incubation tested. In summary, bovine ORM1 is not increased during periods of increased inflammatory tone except in early lactation and is incapable of Ob-Rb-dependent STAT3 signaling. Overall, these data are inconsistent with ORM1 mediating the appetite-suppressing effects of inflammation in cattle through Ob-Rb.

Effects of body condition score on direct and indirect measurements of insulin sensitivity in periparturient dairy cows

Reductions in insulin sensitivity in periparturient dairy cows develop as a means to support lactation; however, excessive mobilization of fatty acids (FA) increases the risk for peripartal metabolic disorders. Our objectives were to investigate the effect of prepartum body condition score (BCS) on systemic glucose and insulin tolerance, and to compare direct and indirect measurements of insulin sensitivity in peripartal lean and overweight dairy cows. Fourteen multiparous Holstein cows were allocated into two groups according to their BCS at day -28 prepartum: lean (n = 7; BCS ≤ 3.0) or overweight; (n = 7; BCS ≥ 4.0). Liver biopsies were performed on day -27, -14 and 4, relative to expected parturition. Intravenous insulin or glucose tolerances tests were performed following each liver biopsy. Relative to lean cows, overweight cows exhibited lower dry matter intake, lost more BCS and displayed increased plasma FA and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations and elevated liver lipid content during peripartum. Glucose clearance rate was lower for all cows postpartum. Prepartum BCS had minimal effects on insulin and glucose tolerance; however, the ability of the cow to restore blood glucose levels following an insulin challenge was suppressed by increased BCS. Glucose-dependent parameters of insulin and glucose tolerance were not correlated with surrogate indices of insulin sensitivity. We conclude that prepartum BCS had minimal effect on systemic insulin sensitivity following parturition. The observed inconsistency between surrogate indices of insulin sensitivity and direct measurements of insulin and glucose tolerance adds support to growing concerns regarding their usefulness as tools to estimate systemic insulin action in periparturient cows.

Effects of abomasal infusions of fatty acids and one-carbon donors on hepatic ceramide and phosphatidylcholine in lactating Holstein dairy cows

Our objectives were to (1) determine whether the abomasal infusion of behenic acid (C22:0) elevated hepatic ceramide relative to palmitic acid (C16:0) or docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3) infusion; (2) assess whether the abomasal infusion of choline chloride or l-serine elevated hepatic phosphatidylcholine (PC) in cows abomasally infused with C16:0; and (3) characterize the PC lipidome in cows abomasally infused with C22:6n-3, relative to C16:0 or C22:0 infusion. In a 5 × 5 Latin square design, 5 rumen-cannulated Holstein cows (214 ± 4.9 DIM; 3.2 ± 1.1 parity) were enrolled in a study with 6-d periods. Abomasal infusates consisted of (1) palmitic acid (PA; 98% C16:0); (2) PA + choline chloride (PA+C; 50 g/d choline chloride); (3) PA + l-serine (PA+S; 170 g/d l-serine); (4) behenic acid (BA; 92% C22:0); and (5) an algal oil rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 44% C22:6n-3). Emulsion infusates provided 301 g/d of total fatty acids containing a minimum of 40 g/d of C16:0. Cows were fed a corn silage-based diet. Milk was collected on d -2, -1, 5, and 6. Blood was collected and liver biopsied on d 6 of each period. Although we did not detect differences in milk yield, milk fat yield and content were lower in cows infused with DHA relative to PA. Plasma triacylglycerol concentrations were lower with DHA treatment relative to PA or BA. Cows infused with DHA had lower plasma insulin concentrations relative to cows infused with PA only. For objective 1, hepatic ceramide-d18:2/22:0 was highest in cows infused with BA relative to other treatments. For objective 2, plasma free choline concentrations were greater in PA+C cows relative to PA; however, we did not observe this effect with PA+S. Plasma total PC concentrations were similar for all treatments. Regarding the hepatic lipidome, a total of 18 hepatic PC were higher (e.g., PC-16:1/18:2) and 25 PC were lower (e.g., PC-16:0/22:6) with PA+C infusion relative to PA. In addition, 17 PC were higher (e.g., PC-20:3/22:5) and 21 PC were lower (e.g., PC-18:0/22:6) with PA+S infusion relative to PA. For objective 3, hepatic concentrations of many individual saturated PC (e.g., PC-18:0/15:0) were lower with DHA relative to other treatments. Hepatic concentrations of highly unsaturated PC with very-long-chain fatty acids (e.g., PC-14:0/22:6) were higher in DHA-infused cows relative to PA, PA+C, PA+S, or BA. The abomasal infusion of emulsions containing palmitic acid, palmitic acid with choline chloride or serine, behenic acid, or docosahexaenoic acid influence the hepatic ceramide and PC profiles of lactating cows.

Circulating low-density lipoprotein ceramide concentrations increase in Holstein dairy cows transitioning from gestation to lactation

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ceramide causes insulin resistance in obese diabetic nonruminants. Because previous work suggests that liver-derived ceramide may impair insulin action in postpartum cows, our objectives were to characterize peripartal changes in lipoprotein ceramides. We further studied the effects of prepartum adiposity on lipoprotein ceramide levels. Twenty-eight pregnant Holstein cows (parity = 3.65 ± 1.62) with lean (body condition score, BCS = 2.97 ± 0.16; body weight, BW = 630 ± 55.2 kg; n = 15) or overweight (BCS = 3.93 ± 0.27; BW = 766 ± 46.1 kg; n = 13) body condition 28 d before expected parturition were evaluated. Sampling occurred on d -20.5 ± 1.74, -13.8 ± 1.71, -7.84 ± 4.07, -6.71 ± 1.00, -3.92 ± 0.64, and -1.28 ± 0.61 (before parturition); daily until d 8 postpartum; and on d 10, 12, 14, 21, and 28. Adipose tissue and liver were biopsied on d -7.84 ± 4.07 and 10. Postpartum insulin sensitivity was assessed using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Lipoprotein fractions were isolated using liquid chromatography. Sphingolipids were quantified using mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Overweight cows had a higher BCS and BW at enrollment relative to lean cows, but BCS and BW were similar postpartum. Overweight cows lost more body condition (0.97 ± 0.36 vs. 0.55 ± 0.16 BCS units) and BW (291 ± 67.3 vs. 202 ± 54.5 kg) during transition relative to lean cows. Adipocyte volume and counts declined from prepartum to postpartum (50.4 and 13.7%, respectively), and adipocyte volume was greater (48.2%) in overweight cows prepartum relative to lean cows. Although DMI was comparable between BCS groups, milk yield tended to be greater in overweight cows. Plasma free fatty acid and β-hydroxybutyrate and liver lipid levels were 40, 16, and 37% greater, respectively, in overweight cows compared with lean cows. Glucose infusion rate during the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp tended to be lower in overweight cows. Ceramide levels within triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein fractions declined postpartum, whereas LDL ceramide increased postpartum. Overweight cows had lower triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein C16:0-ceramide levels relative to lean cows. Prepartum LDL C24:0-ceramide levels were greater in overweight cows relative to lean cows. Independent of prepartum adiposity, we concluded that serum LDL ceramide levels are elevated in early-lactation cows experiencing adipose tissue free fatty acid mobilization and hepatic steatosis.

Methyl donor supplementation suppresses the progression of liver lipid accumulation while modifying the plasma triacylglycerol lipidome in periparturient Holstein dairy cows

Co-supplementation of methyl donors may lower hepatic lipid content in transition cows. To define the ability of methyl donor supplementation (MDS) to reduce hepatic lipid content and modify the plasma lipidome, 30 multiparous Holstein cows (2.04 ± 0.69 lactations; 689 ± 58 kg of body weight; 3.48 ± 0.10 units of body condition score) were fed a ration with or without rumen-protected methyl donors (22 g/d of Met, 10 g/d of choline chloride, 3 g/d of betaine, 96 mg/d of riboflavin, and 1.4 mg/d of vitamin B₁₂) from d -28 before expected calving through d 14 postpartum. Cows were randomly enrolled based on predefined selection criteria (body condition score and parity). Base diets without MDS were formulated for gestation (15.4% crude protein with a predicted Lys-to-Met ratio of 3.25; 1.44 Mcal of net energy for lactation/kg of dry matter) and lactation (16.6% crude protein with a predicted Lys-to-Met ratio of 3.36; 1.64 Mcal of net energy for lactation/kg of dry matter). Blood sampling occurred from d -28 relative to expected calving through d 14 postpartum. Liver tissue was biopsied at d -28 relative to expected calving and on d 5 and 14 postpartum. In addition to routine analyses, serum AA concentrations on d 10 and 12 were quantified using mass spectrometry. Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) and cholesteryl esters (CE) were qualitatively measured using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Dry matter intake and milk yield were not modified by MDS. The transition from d -28 relative to expected parturition to d 14 postpartum was characterized by increased plasma fatty acid (0.15 to 0.71 mmol/L) and β-hydroxybutyrate (0.34 to 0.43 mmol/L) levels and liver lipid content (3.91 to 9.16%). Methyl donor supplementation increased the serum Met level by 26% and decreased the serum Lys-to-Met ratio by 21% on d 10 and 12, respectively. Moreover, the increase in hepatic lipid content from d 5 through 14 postpartum was suppressed with MDS relative to control (3.57 vs. -0.29%). Dietary MDS modified the TAG and CE lipidome. For example, MDS increased plasma TAG 46:3 (carbon number:double bond) by 116% relative to control cows on d 5 postpartum. Moreover, MDS tended to increase plasma CE 34:6. In contrast, MDS lowered plasma TAG 54:8 by 39% relative to control cows on d 5 postpartum. We concluded that in the absence of gains in dry matter intake and milk and milk protein yields, dietary MDS slows the progression of hepatic lipid accumulation and modifies the plasma TAG lipidome in transition cows.

Hot topic: Ceramide inhibits insulin sensitivity in primary bovine adipocytes

In nonruminants, the sphingolipid ceramide inhibits insulin sensitivity by inactivating protein kinase B (AKT) within the insulin-signaling pathway. We have established that ceramide accrual develops with impaired systemic insulin action in ruminants during the transition from gestation to lactation, dietary palmitic acid supplementation, or controlled nutrient restriction. We hypothesized that ceramide promotes AKT inactivation and antagonizes insulin sensitivity in primary bovine adipocytes. Stromal-vascular cells were grown from bovine adipose tissue explants and cultured in differentiation media. To modify ceramide supply, we treated differentiated adipocytes with (1) myriocin, an inhibitor of de novo ceramide synthesis, or (2) cell-permeable C2:0-ceramide. Insulin-stimulated AKT activation (i.e., phosphorylation) and 2-deoxy-D-[³H]-glucose (2DOG) uptake were measured. Treatment of adipocytes with myriocin consistently decreased concentrations of ceramide, monohexosylceramide, and lactosylceramide. The insulin-stimulated ratio of phosphorylated AKT to total AKT was increased with myriocin but decreased with C2:0-ceramide. Moreover, adipocyte insulin-stimulated 2DOG uptake was decreased with C2:0-ceramide and increased with myriocin. We conclude that ceramide inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by downregulating AKT activation in primary bovine adipocytes.

Technical note: Characterization of ceramide in bovine lipoproteins

The hepatic synthesis and export of ceramide is enhanced in diabetic monogastrics. Moreover, ceramide in lipoproteins can mediate the development of insulin resistance. We have previously demonstrated that circulating ceramide increases during the progression of insulin resistance in postpartum dairy cows. Considering that the origins of circulating ceramide required investigation, our objective was to develop a method to characterize the ceramide profile of lipoprotein fractions collected from dairy cows. Serum was collected from 4 nonpregnant and nonlactating Holstein dairy cows. Serum lipoproteins were isolated using size exclusion chromatography by fast protein liquid chromatography (SEC-FPLC). Measurement of triacylglycerol (TAG), phospholipid, total cholesterol, and protein was performed using standard colorimetry practices. Following lipid extraction, fractions were analyzed using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using a mixed model. Lipoprotein isolation using SEC-FPLC and subsequent colorimetric analyses confirmed the presence of 4 distinct fractions: TAG-rich, low density (LDL), and large (buoyant) and small (dense) high density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses. As expected, the fraction representing mixed very low density lipoproteins and chylomicrons primarily contained TAG. Low density lipoprotein fractions were equally enriched with cholesterol and phospholipid. Buoyant HDL contained elevated levels of cholesterol, phospholipid, and protein. In contrast, the fraction containing dense HDL primarily contained protein. Our method revealed that LDL are enriched with ceramides. Ceramides were also compartmentalized to a lesser extent within both HDL subclasses and TAG-rich lipoproteins. Comparable to whole serum, C16:0-ceramide was the predominant ceramide quantified in all lipoprotein subclasses. Interestingly, the proportion of C24:0-ceramide to total ceramide was elevated in TAG-rich lipoproteins, relative to all other lipoprotein subclasses. We conclude that SEC-FPLC coupled with mass spectrometry is a means to quantify ceramides in lipoprotein fractions. Moreover, ceramides are enriched within bovine LDL, and lipoprotein ceramide profiles reflect levels observed in whole serum. Future investigation will need to determine the biological importance of lipoprotein ceramides with distinct C-chains at amide residues.

Toward reusable software components at the point of care

An architecture built from five software components -a Router, Parser, Matcher, Mapper, and Server -fulfills key requirements common to several point-of-care information and knowledge processing tasks. The requirements include problem-list creation, exploiting the contents of the Electronic Medical Record for the patient at hand, knowledge access, and support for semantic visualization and software agents. The components use the National Library of Medicine Unified Medical Language System to create and exploit lexical closure-a state in which terms, text and reference models are represented explicitly and consistently. Preliminary versions of the components are in use in an oncology knowledge server.

MEME-II supports the cooperative management of terminology

Health care enterprises need enterprise-wide terminologies to compare, reuse and repurpose health care descriptions. But once they are created, these terminologies need to be maintained and enhanced to sustain their utility and that of the descriptions encoded with them. MEME II (Metathesaurus Enhancement and Maintenance Environment, Version II) supports the required activities and enables enterprises to leverage their investment in terminology and descriptions by permitting remote-extra-enterprise-enhancements to terminology to be incorporated locally, and local-intra-enterprise-enhancements to be shared remotely. MEME II represents all changes to terminologies as data, or "actions," that can be interpreted by an "action engine." These actions, or messages, represent semantic "units of work" that can be interpreted by other copies of MEME II. The exchange of update messages increases the likelihood that the comparability of terminology-based health care descriptions can be sustained.