Effects of saturated fatty acids with lysophospholipids on production and nutrient digestibility in lactating cows

The objective of the experiment was to determine the effects of supplemental saturated fatty acid (SFA) sources, lysophospholipids (LPL), and their interaction on production and nutrient digestibility in lactating dairy cows. The experiment was conducted with 48 cows in a randomized complete block design. Cows were blocked (total 12 blocks) by parity and days in milk and randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments in each block (2 × 2 factorial arrangement), i.e., 2 sources of fat supplements, C16:0 (palmitic acid, PA)- or C18:0 (stearic acid, SA)-enriched fat, with or without LPL. The experiment was conducted for 6 wk to measure daily dry matter intake and milk yield and weekly milk composition. During the last week of the experiment, spot fecal and urine samples were collected to determine total-tract nutrient digestibility. Milk samples in the last week were also collected to analyze for milk fatty acid (FA) profile. All data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS where block was used as a random effect and FA, LPL, and the interaction of FA by LPL were used as fixed effects. Week and interactions of week by FA or LPL were included for production measures. Different sources of SFA did not affect dry matter intake and milk yield. However, PA increased (39.7 vs. 36.8 kg) energy-corrected milk compared with SA due to increased milk fat yield. No effect of LPL on production measures was observed. Total-tract digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and total FA were not different between PA and SA, but PA increased (41.4 vs. 38.8%) neutral detergent fiber digestibility compared with SA. Supplementation of LPL increased (64.7 vs. 60.5%) total FA digestibility, especially 18-carbon FA (74.1 vs. 68.2%). An interaction of SFA by LPL was found for 16-carbon FA digestibility. The PA diet increased the concentration of 16-carbon FA in milk fat and SA increased the concentration of preformed FA (≥18 carbons). Supplementation of LPL decreased the concentration of trans-10 C18:1. No difference in N utilization and excretion among treatments was observed. In conclusion, PA was more effective in improving milk fat yield of lactating cows compared with SA. Supplementation of LPL increased digestibility of total FA, especially 18-carbon FA but did not affect production.

Effects of lysophospholipids on short-term production, nitrogen utilization, and rumen fermentation and bacterial population in lactating dairy cows

An experiment was conducted to examine effects of supplemental lysophospholipids (LPL) in dairy cows. Eight ruminally cannulated lactating Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Dietary treatments were (1) a dairy ration [CON; 55% forage and 45% concentrate on a dry matter (DM) basis], (2) a positive control diet supplemented with monensin (MON; 16 mg/kg in dietary DM; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN], (3) a control diet supplemented with low LPL (0.05% of dietary DM; Lipidol Ultra, Easy Bio Inc., Seoul, South Korea), and (4) a control diet supplemented with high LPL (0.075% of dietary DM). Experimental periods were 21 d with 14-d diet adaptation and 7-d sample collection. Daily intake and milk yield were measured and rumen contents were collected for fermentation characteristics and bacterial population. Spot urine and fecal samples (8 samples/cow per period) were collected to determine nutrient digestibility and dietary N utilization. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC; group and cow within group were random effects and treatments, time, and their interaction were fixed effects). Preplanned contrasts were made to determine effect of MON versus CON, effect of LPL versus MON, and linear effect of increasing LPL. In the current study, responses to MON generally agreed with effects of monensin observed in the literature (increased milk yield and feed efficiency but decreased milk fat content). Supplementation of LPL to the diet did not alter DM intake but linearly increased milk yield, resulting in increases in feed efficiency (milk yield/DM intake) and milk protein and fat yields. However, total-tract digestibility of DM and organic matter tended to be lower (60.9 vs. 62.2% and 61.8 vs. 63.1%, respectively) for LPL compared with CON. Linear increases in milk N secretion and decreases in urinary N excretion were observed with increasing LPL in the diet. A slight decrease in acetate proportion in the rumen for LPL was found. Relative to MON, very few bacteria in the rumen were affected with increasing LPL. In conclusion, LPL is a potential feed additive that can increase milk yield and components and dietary N utilization. However, more studies with large numbers of animals are needed to confirm the effect of LPL on production. Similar positive effects on production were observed between LPL and MON, but individual mechanisms were likely different according to ruminal fermentation characteristics. Further studies are needed to explore the mode of action of LPL in dairy cows.

Effects of cashew nut testa levels as an alternative to wheat bran in gestating sow diets

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Relationship between skin color and solar elastosis in aged Asian skin: A colorimetric-pathologic correlation

Aged skin is reported to be associated with unattractive skin color changes and solar elastosis. However, comparative studies have not documented the possible correlation between the two factors. This study investigated the plausible relationship between the facial skin color of elderly Asians and solar elastosis. A total of 22 skin specimens were collected from 22 Korean patients who underwent cheek skin biopsies. Skin color was quantitatively measured using colorimetric photography techniques to produce CIE L*a*b* values; the degree of solar elastosis was quantifiably assessed using a histologic grading scale. These values were used to investigate a correlation between the CIE L*a*b* coordinates and solar elastosis grade. The solar elastosis grade increased according to patient age (r = 0.67, p = .0006). However, the extent of solar elastosis was not statistically correlated with the CIE L*a*b* values, including L*, a*, and b* (r = 0.02, p = .95; r = 0.15, p = 0.50; r = -0.07, p = 0.76, respectively). The results showed that the solar elastosis grade increased, according to patient age, because of cumulative actinic damage. However, colorimetric skin color data did not correlate with the degree of solar elastosis. Therefore, cutaneous color changes and solar elastosis are separate, age-related phenomena. Physicians should be aware of the possible histologic changes in actinically damaged facial skin, regardless of the skin color.

Rosacea Subtypes Visually and Optically Distinct When Viewed with Parallel-Polarized Imaging Technique

Background

Parallel-polarized light (PPL) photography evaluates skin characteristics by analyzing light reflections from the skin surface.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the significance of quantitative analysis of PPL images in rosacea patients, and to provide a new objective evaluation method for use in clinical research and practice.

Methods

A total of 49 rosacea patients were enrolled. PPL images using green and white light emitting diodes (LEDs) were taken of the lesion and an adjacent normal area. The values from the PPL images were converted to CIELAB coordinates: L^* corresponding to the brightness, a^* to the red and green intensities, and b^* to the yellow and blue intensities.

Results

A standard grading system showed negative correlations with L^* (r=−0.67862, p=0.0108) and b^* (r=−0.67862, p=0.0108), and a positive correlation with a^* (r=0.64194, p=0.0180) with the green LEDs for papulopustular rosacea (PPR) types. The xerosis severity scale showed a positive correlation with L^* (r=0.36709, p=0.0276) and a negative correlation with b^* (r=−0.33068, p=0.0489) with the white LEDs for erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) types. In the ETR types, there was brighter lesional and normal skin with white LEDs and a higher score on the xerosis severity scale than the PPR types.

Conclusion

This technique using PPL images is applicable to the quantitative and objective assessment of rosacea in clinical settings. In addition, the two main subtypes of ETR and PPR are distinct entities visually and optically.

Multiple cellobiohydrolases and cellobiose phosphorylases cooperate in the ruminal bacterium Ruminococcus albus 8 to degrade cellooligosaccharides

Digestion of plant cell wall polysaccharides is important in energy capture in the gastrointestinal tract of many herbivorous and omnivorous mammals, including humans and ruminants. The members of the genus Ruminococcus are found in both the ruminant and human gastrointestinal tract, where they show versatility in degrading both hemicellulose and cellulose. The available genome sequence of Ruminococcus albus 8, a common inhabitant of the cow rumen, alludes to a bacterium well-endowed with genes that target degradation of various plant cell wall components. The mechanisms by which R. albus 8 employs to degrade these recalcitrant materials are, however, not clearly understood. In this report, we demonstrate that R. albus 8 elaborates multiple cellobiohydrolases with multi-modular architectures that overall enhance the catalytic activity and versatility of the enzymes. Furthermore, our analyses show that two cellobiose phosphorylases encoded by R. albus 8 can function synergistically with a cognate cellobiohydrolase and endoglucanase to completely release, from a cellulosic substrate, glucose which can then be fermented by the bacterium for production of energy and cellular building blocks. We further use transcriptomic analysis to confirm the over-expression of the biochemically characterized enzymes during growth of the bacterium on cellulosic substrates compared to cellobiose.

Structural and biochemical basis for mannan utilization by Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus strain ATCC BAA-17

Hemicelluloses, the polysaccharide component of plant cell walls, represent one of the most abundant biopolymers in nature. The most common hemicellulosic constituents of softwoods, such as conifers and cycads, are mannans consisting of a 1,4-linked β-mannopyranosyl main chain with branch decorations. Efforts toward the utilization of hemicellulose for bioconversion into cellulosic biofuels have resulted in the identification of several families of glycoside hydrolases that can degrade mannan. However, effective biofermentation of manno-oligosaccharides is limited by a lack of appropriate uptake route in ethanologenic organisms. Here, we used transcriptome sequencing to gain insights into mannan degradation by the thermophilic anaerobic bacterium Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus. The most highly up-regulated genes during mannan fermentation occur in a cluster containing several genes encoding enzymes for efficient mannan hydrolysis as well as a solute-binding protein (CpMnBP1) that exhibits specificity for short mannose polymers but exhibited the flexibility to accommodate branched polysaccharide decorations. Co-crystal structures of CpMnBP1 in complex with mannobiose (1.4-Å resolution) and mannotriose (2.2-Å resolution) revealed the molecular rationale for chain length and oligosaccharide specificity. Calorimetric analysis of several active site variants confirmed the roles of residues critical to the function of CpMnBP1. This work represents the first biochemical characterization of a mannose-specific solute-binding protein and provides a framework for engineering mannan utilization capabilities for microbial fermentation.

Characterization of Cellulolytic and Xylanolytic Enzymes of Bacillus licheniformis JK7 Isolated from the Rumen of a Native Korean Goat

A facultative bacterium producing cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes was isolated from the rumen of a native Korean goat. The bacterium was identified as a Bacillus licheniformis on the basis of biochemical and morphological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequences, and has been designated Bacillus licheniformis JK7. Endoglucanase activities were higher than those of β-glucosidase and xylanase at all temperatures. Xylanase had the lowest activity among the three enzymes examined. The optimum temperature for the enzymes of Bacillus licheniformis JK7 was 70°C for endoglucanase (0.75 U/ml) and 50°C for β-glucosidase and xylanase (0.63 U/ml, 0.44 U/ml, respectively). All three enzymes were stable at a temperature range of 20 to 50°C. At 50°C, endoglucanse, β-glucosidase, and xylanase had 90.29, 94.80, and 88.69% residual activity, respectively. The optimal pH for the three enzymes was 5.0, at which their activity was 1.46, 1.10, and 1.08 U/ml, respectively. The activity of all three enzymes was stable in the pH range of 3.0 to 6.0. Endoglucanase activity was increased 113% by K⁺, while K⁺, Zn⁺, and tween 20 enhanced β-glucosidase activity. Xylanase showed considerable activity even in presence of selected chemical additives, with the exception of Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺. The broad range of optimum temperatures (20 to 40°C) and the stability under acidic pH (4 to 6) suggest that the cellulolytic enzymes of Bacillus licheniformis JK7 may be good candidates for use in the biofuel industry.

Cross-sectional study on the correlation of serum uric acid with disease severity in Korean patients with psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Hyperuricaemia is a common finding in patients with psoriasis. However, previous studies have reported inconsistent results about the association between serum uric acid concentration (SUAC) and psoriasis severity. Recent studies have also reported that SUAC is associated with metabolic dysregulation.

AIM

To assess any association between SUAC and clinical features of psoriasis, and to investigate the characteristics of patients with psoriasis with hyperuricaemia compared with similar patients with normouricaemia.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from 198 Korean patients with psoriasis who visited our clinic were analysed. Association of SUAC with clinical features of psoriasis, body mass index (BMI) and various laboratory values was assessed in both genders separately.

RESULTS

The average uric acid concentration of patients with psoriasis was not significantly different from that of the healthy population, for both genders (P > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between SUAC and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and BMI in patients with psoriasis (P < 0.05). There was no association with age of disease onset, family history of psoriasis, or other laboratory values (P > 0.05), in either gender. Of the other factors of disease severity, the extent of body surface involvement was correlated with uric acid concentration (P < 0.05) although there was no significant relationship with activity of individual lesions (P > 0.05). Mean PASI and extent of psoriasis were increased in hyperuricaemic compared with normouricaemic patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SUAC in patients with psoriasis is positively associated with PASI, extent of skin involvement and BMI for both genders independently.

Neural toxicity induced by accidental intrathecal vincristine administration

Described here is a case of accidental intrathecal administration of vincristine with pathologic findings in the central nervous system. A 3-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was given his ninth course chemotherapy. Vincristine was accidentally injected intrathecally. The clinical course was rapidly progressive (6-day course) and resulted in death. An autopsy was done. The brain and spinal cord was grossly edematous and congested without any specific feature. Histologically, profound loss of neuron was noted in the spinal cord. Remaining neurons in the spinal cord, particularly anterior horn cells were markedly swollen. The spinal nerves show diffuse axonal degeneration and myelin loss. The upstream portion of the spinal cord (brain stem, cerebellum, cerebrum) showed patchy loss of neurons, especially Purkinje cells and granular cells of the cerebellar cortex. Many neurons showed axonal reaction (chromatolysis) with swelling. Several neurons show intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion body. Myelin loss, axonal swelling and enlargement of perivascular spaces were seen throughout the white matter of central nervous system.