Bioavailability of the calcium salt of dl-methionine hydroxy analog compared with dl-methionine for nitrogen retention and the preference of nursery pigs for diets based on the 2 forms of methionine.

Experiments were conducted to determine the relative bioavailability (RBV) of the calcium salt of the hydroxy analog of dl-methionine (MHA-Ca, 84%) to dl-methionine (dl-Met, 99%) as Met sources fed to pigs. In experiment 1, 42 crossbred barrows (initial BW of 15.0 ± 0.7 kg) were allotted to 7 treatments in an N-balance study. The basal diet (BD) was formulated to contain 15.4% CP and 0.22% Met (70% of requirement). Diets included (1) BD, (2) BD + 0.025% dl-Met, (3) BD + 0.050% dl-Met, (4) BD + 0.075% dl-Met, (5) BD + 0.038% MHA-Ca, (6) BD + 0.077% MHA-Ca, and (7) BD + 0.115% MHA-Ca. An increase in dietary inclusion rates of both Met sources linearly increased (P < 0.01) N retained (g/d) and N retention (% of intake). Using linear slope-ratio regression, the RBV value of MHA-Ca to dl-Met for N retained (g/d) was 63.0% on a product-to-product basis (75.0% on an equimolar basis). In experiment 2, 40 crossbred barrows (initial BW of 15.5 ± 1.5 kg) were allotted to 5 treatments in another N-balance study. The BD was formulated to contain 17.0% CP and 0.22% Met (70% of requirement). Diets included (1) BD, (2) BD + 0.030% dl-Met, (3) BD + 0.060% dl-Met, (4) BD + 0.046% MHA-Ca, and (5) BD + 0.092% MHA-Ca. Increasing levels of dl-Met or MHA-Ca increased N retained (g/d) and N retention (% of intake) linearly (P < 0.001) and quadratically (P < 0.05). Using linear slope-ratio regression, a product-to-product RBV value of MHA-Ca to dl-Met was 68.4% (81.4% on an equimolar basis) for N retained (g/d). In experiment 3, 276 pigs (12 barrow and 11 gilt replicates; initial BW of 7.09 ± 1.1 kg) were used in 3 diet preference studies. Pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatment comparisons of feed choice: (1) BD (0.23% Met) or BD + 0.07% dl-Met; (2) BD or BD + 0.0825% MHA-Ca, and (3) BD + 0.07% dl-Met or BD + 0.0825% MHA-Ca. Pigs consumed a higher percentage (55 vs. 45%; P = 0.008) of their total feed intake from the diet supplemented with 0.07% dl-Met in Comparison 1, but a lower percentage (45 vs. 55%; P = 0.003) of their total feed intake from the diet supplemented with 0.0825% MHA-Ca in Comparison 2. There was no diet preference for dl-Met or MHA-Ca in Comparison 3. The observed Met source preference differences occurred in the barrow replicates but not in the gilt replicates. These results demonstrated the mean RBV of MHA-Ca to dl-Met of 65.7% on a product-to-product (wt/wt) basis or 78.2% on an equimolar basis and that a preference for Met sources was observed in barrows but not in gilts.

Toxicity of canola-derived glucosinolates in pigs fed resistant starch-based diets.

A study was conducted to determine effects of reducing hindgut pH through dietary inclusion of high-amylose cornstarch (HA-starch) on growth performance, organ weights relative to live body weight (BW), blood thyroid hormone levels, and glucosinolate degradation products of nursery pigs fed cold-pressed canola cake (CPCC). A total of 240 pigs (initial BW: 7.1 kg), which had been weaned at 21 d of age, were housed in 40 pens (6 pigs per pen) and fed 4 diets (10 pens per diet) in a randomized complete block design for 28 d. Four diets were a basal diet with CPCC at 0 or 40%, and with HA-starch at 0 or 40% in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The diets were fed in two phases: Phase 1 from day 0 to 14 and Phase 2 from day 14 to 28 and were formulated to have the same net energy, standardized ileal digestible AA, Ca, and standardized total tract digestible P contents. Dietary inclusion of CPCC and HA-starch was achieved by a partial or complete replacement of corn, soybean meal, and soy protein. At the end of the study, one pig from each pen was euthanized to determine organ weights, blood parameters, hindgut pH, and glucosinolate degradation products. Dietary CPCC reduced (P < 0.05) overall average daily gain (ADG) by 15%; increased (P < 0.05) relative weights of liver and thyroid gland by 27% and 64%, respectively; and reduced (P < 0.05) serum tetraiodothyronine (T4) level from 30.3 to 17.8 ng/mL. Heart, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract weights; serum triiodothyronine level; and hindgut pH of pigs were unaffected by dietary CPCC. Dietary HA-starch reduced (P < 0.05) overall ADG, relative weight of thyroid gland, cecal, and colonic pH; but increased (P < 0.05) relative weight of colon; tended to increase (P = 0.062) serum T4 level. Dietary CPCC and HA-starch interacted (P = 0.024) on relative weight of thyroid gland such that dietary CPCC increased (P < 0.05) weight of thyroid gland for HA-starch-free diet (120 vs. 197 mg/kg of BW) but not for HA-starch-containing diet (104 vs. 130 mg/kg of BW). Dietary CPCC and HA-starch interacted (P = 0.001) on cecal isothiocyanate content such that dietary CPCC increased (P < 0.05) level of isothiocyanates for HA-starch-containing diet but not for HA-starch-free diet. In conclusion, dietary CPCC reduced growth performance, increased liver, size and interfered with thyroid gland functions of pigs. However, the negative effects of dietary CPCC on thyroid gland functions of nursery pigs were alleviated by dietary HA-starch.

Dissipation, persistence, and risk assessment of fluxapyroxad and penthiopyrad residues in perilla leaf (Perilla frutescens var. japonica Hara).

The objective of this study was to determine the residual characteristics and to calculate the persistence of the fungicides fluxapyroxad (15.3% suspension concentrate) and penthiopyrad (20% emulsifiable concentrate) on the leaves of greenhouse-cultivated perilla (Perilla frutescens var. japonica Hara). Fluxapyroxad was diluted 2,000-fold and penthiopyrad was diluted 4,000-fold. Each solution was sprayed 3 times onto crops at 7-d intervals before harvest. Leaf samples were collected at 3 h (0 d), 1, 3, 5 and 7 d after the third and final treatment. The recovery ranges of fluxapyroxad and penthiopyrad and their metabolites were 74.2%-104.1%. Pesticide residue analyses indicated that fluxapyroxad and penthiopyrad residues in perilla leaves dissipated over time. The persistence of fluxapyroxad and penthiopyrad residues 7 d after the final spray were 50.0% ± 4.9% and 44.2% ± 2.8% of those measured 3 h (0 d) after the final spray, respectively. The percent acceptable daily intake (%ADI)-which was assessed according to the daily food intake by Koreans according to age-was < 7.3%. Therefore, it was determined that the health risk was low. The perception that residual pesticides are present in large amounts in perilla leaf has led to consumer concern. However, in this study, the amounts of pesticide in perilla leaf decreased over time. Although it has been hypothesized that the risk of pesticide intake would be higher in younger children, the results actually suggest the opposite. Therefore, the pesticides in question are considered to be safe for use on perilla leaves.

Favorable outcomes of culture-based Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in a region with high antimicrobial resistance.

BACKGROUND: The eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori has declined, mainly due to antimicrobial resistance. To overcome resistance-associated treatment failure, the efficacy of culture-based, susceptibility-guided therapy was demonstrated as the first-line eradication therapy for H pylori infection. AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of culture-based therapy as the first-line eradication therapy in regions with high levels of antimicrobial resistance. METHODS: Helicobacter pylori-positive patients without previous eradication treatment history were recommended to undergo culture to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). If they consented, 7-day clarithromycin-containing PPI triple; 7-day esomeprazole, moxifloxacin, and amoxicillin (MEA) therapy; or 7- or 14-day esomeprazole, bismuth, metronidazole, and tetracycline (quadruple) therapy were administered based on the agar dilution-determined MIC. Eradication, treatment compliance, and adverse events were examined. RESULTS: In total, 74 patients were enrolled, and 69 patients completed the protocols. The overall resistance rates to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, and moxifloxacin were 6.7%, 31.0%, 41.8%, and 39.2%, respectively. The patients were allocated to the PPI triple (n = 50), MEA (n = 8) or quadruple (n = 16) therapy. The eradication rate in the intention-to-treat analysis was 93.1% (69 of 74 patients). The eradication rates in the per-protocol analysis were 100.0% (69 of 69 patients). Epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting were less common than those of other empirical therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Culture-based, susceptibility-guided therapy is effective first-line eradication therapy, especially in regions with high levels of antimicrobial resistance.

Risk of dermal and inhalation exposure to chlorantraniliprole assessed by using whole-body dosimetry in Korea.

BACKGROUND: We determined the characteristics and evaluated associated risks of sprayed pesticide exposure among workers cultivating Korean cabbage. The test pesticide, a mixture of 3% chlorantraniliprole and 4% indoxacarb wettable granules diluted 2000 times, was sprayed on Korean cabbage within a 3000 m2 area in Goesan, Korea. Dermal exposures were measured using a whole-body dosimetry method. RESULTS: Exposure to chlorantraniliprole was observed among ten individuals, ranging from 140.4 to 4234.0 µg person-1 . The legs were the most prominent exposure area (86.35%), with the face being the least exposed (0.06%). Exposure risk was assessed by calculating the margin of safety (MOS) on the exposure amount for each body part. The MOS based on dermal and inhalation exposure doses ranged from 59 to 1765. CONCLUSION: Exposure was the greatest for the legs, probably as a result of the low height of the crop and the use of a long-wand sprayer. An MOS value >1 indicates a low risk for applicators using this method of application. However, with tall crops, exposure level and MOS values can vary widely, as MOS increases or decreases based on exposure dose. Therefore, future research is needed to better understand appropriate safety precautions when working with potent pesticides. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Relationship of cytokine levels and clinical effect on platelet-rich plasma-treated lateral epicondylitis.

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is difficult to manage and can result in significant patient morbidity. Currently, the clinical use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for painful tendons has received attention, but its efficacy remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of PRP and its biological components. A total of 156 patients with LE were randomly divided into group 1, treated with a single injection of 2-ml autologous PRP, and group 2, treated with a control received only physical therapy without injection. Both groups used a tennis elbow strap and performed stretching and strengthening exercises during 24 weeks' follow-up. Pain and functional improvements were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), Modified Mayo Clinic Performance Index for the elbow, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). White blood cell count, platelet count, and levels of platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB), PDGF-BB, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), vascular endothelial growth factor, epithelial growth factor, and interleukin-1 ß in PRP were measured and investigated for statistical correlation with the clinical score. At 24 weeks, all pain and functional variables, including VAS score, Mayo Clinic performance scores, and MRI grade, improved significantly in group 1 (p < 0.05). PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, and TGF-ß levels were more significantly increased in PRP than in whole blood. TGF-ß level significantly correlated with Mayo Clinic performance score and MRI grade improvement. Thus, TGF-ß level in PRP is considered to play a pivotal role in tendon healing. These results may contribute to identifying the best protocol for PRP application in tendinopathies. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:913-920, 2018.

Decrease of GSK3ß phosphorylation in the rat nucleus accumbens core enhances cocaine-induced hyper-locomotor activity.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß), which is abundantly present in the brain, is known to contribute to psychomotor stimulant-induced locomotor behaviors. However, most studies have been focused in showing that GSK3ß is able to attenuate psychomotor stimulants-induced hyperactivity by increasing its phosphorylation levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). So, here we examined in the opposite direction about the effects of decreased phosphorylation of GSK3ß in the NAcc core on both basal and cocaine-induced locomotor activity by a bilateral microinjection into this site of an artificially synthesized peptide, S9 (0.5 or 5.0 µg/µL), which contains sequences around N-terminal serine 9 residue of GSK3ß. We found that decreased levels of GSK3ß phosphorylation in the NAcc core enhance cocaine-induced hyper-locomotor activity, while leaving basal locomotor activity unchanged. This is the first demonstration, to our knowledge, that the selective decrease of GSK3ß phosphorylation levels in the NAcc core may contribute positively to cocaine-induced locomotor activity, while this is not sufficient for the generation of locomotor behavior by itself without cocaine. Taken together, these findings importantly suggest that GSK3ß may need other molecular targets which are co-activated (or deactivated) by psychomotor stimulants like cocaine to contribute to generation of locomotor behaviors.

Mutations of Helicobacter pylori associated with fluoroquinolone resistance in Korea.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Fluoroquinolone resistance of Helicobacter pylori is known to be dependent on mutations in the QRDR of gyrA. This study was performed to investigate the distribution of gyrA point mutations and to evaluate the impact of the mutations on second-line H. pylori eradication therapy. METHODS: After H. pylori isolation from gastric mucosal specimens, fluoroquinolone resistance was examined using the agar dilution method. DNA sequencing of the QRDR of gyrA was performed in 89 fluoroquinolone-resistant and 27 fluoroquinolone-susceptible isolates. Transformation experiments were performed to confirm mutations in the resistant strains. The eradication rates of moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy were evaluated depending on the resistance of fluoroquinolone. RESULTS: The gyrA mutations were detected in 75.3% (55 of 73 strains) of the primary resistant strains and 100% (16 strains) of the secondary resistant strains. The most common mutations were Asp-91 (36.0%) and Asn-87 (33.7%). The MIC values in the transformed strains differed depending on the gyrA mutations, N87, and D91. Six patients with fluoroquinolone-resistant strains received moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy as the second-line therapy, and two of three patients with Asn-87 mutations (66.7%) failed in the eradication. By contrast, three patients with Asp-91 mutations had successful eradication treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoroquinolone resistance of H. pylori was caused by gyrA Asn-87 and Asp-91 point mutations. The Asn-87 mutation seems to be an important determinant of failure of fluoroquinolone-containing triple eradication therapy based on eradication results.

Ten-day sequential therapy as first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection in Korea: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The eradication rate of proton-pump inhibitor-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection is low due to increasing antibiotics resistance, especially clarithromycin. Recently, it was reported in Europe that a 10-day sequential strategy produced good outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of sequential therapy as first-line treatment for eradication of H. pylori in clinical practice in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 98 patients (mean age 55.2 years and male 47, female 51) with proven H. pylori infection received 10-day sequential therapy (20 mg of rabeprazole, and 1 g of amoxicillin, twice daily for the first 5 days, followed by 20 mg of rabeprazole, 500 mg of clarithromycin, and 500 mg of metronidazole, twice daily for the remaining 5 days). Eradication was evaluated 4 weeks later, after completion of treatment by 13(C)-urea breath testing. Eradication rates were calculated by intention-to-treat (ITT) and by per protocol (PP). Compliance and adverse events were also assessed in study group. RESULTS: The eradication rate of sequential therapy was 91.8% (90/98) by ITT and same result was reported by PP analysis (89/97). The study group consisted of 66 H. pylori associated gastritis, 7 gastric ulcer, and 25 duodenal ulcer patients (67.3%, 7.1%, 25.5%, respectively). Mild adverse events happened frequently (21.4%) but the treatment was well tolerable. The most common adverse event was a bitter taste (9.2%) followed by nausea and diarrhea (4.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Ten-day sequential therapy is found to effectively eradicate H. pylori infection as first-line treatment in Korea.