Effect of crude protein content and undegraded intake protein level on productivity, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, and production economics of Hanwoo steers.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine how feeding diets differing in crude protein (CP) and undegraded intake protein (UIP) levels affected productivity, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, and the production economics of Hanwoo steers. METHODS: Thirty-six Hanwoo steers (age = 8.2±0.5 mo; body weight = 254±16.1 kg) were assigned at random to one of three treatments (4 steers/pen; 3 pens/treatment): i) a low-CP diet (LP; control) containing 12.1% CP with 35.1% UIP, 12.0% CP with 36.8% UIP, and 12.9% CP with 48.8% UIP, in the growing, fattening, and finishing periods, respectively; ii) a high-CP, low-UIP diet (HPLU) containing 15.0% CP with 33.7% UIP, 14.0% CP with 35.7% UIP, and 13.1% CP with 46.7% UIP, respectively; and iii) a high-CP, high-UIP diet (HPHU) containing 15.0% CP with 45.8% UIP, 14.0% CP with 44.6% UIP, and 13.0% CP with 51.1% UIP, respectively. RESULTS: The treatments did not affect feed intake and growth performance, except for average daily gain during the fattening period that tended to be the lowest (p = 0.08) in the HPLUfed steers. The feed CP conversion ratio over the entire feeding period was higher with high-CP diets. The treatments did not affect most blood metabolites; however, blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentrations during the fattening and finishing periods were the lowest in steers fed a HPLU diet. The treatments had negligible effects on cold carcass weight, yield traits including longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness, yield index, and yield grade, plus quality traits including meat color, fat color, texture, and maturity. However, marbling score and frequency of carcass quality grade 1++ were greater in HPHU-fed steers. CONCLUSION: Feeding diets with higher CP and UIP levels did not affect growth performance but tended to improve the carcass quality of Hanwoo steers, resulting in greater economic return.

Co-ensiling garlic stalk with citrus pulp improves the fermentation quality and feed-nutritional value.

OBJECTIVE: Ensiling is a simple and effective method for long-term preservation; however, less information exists about the ensilability characteristics of garlic stalk (GS). Therefore, the objectives were to examine the ensiling feasibility of GS. METHODS: The GS was ensiled alone or inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum KU5 in the presence or absence of 5% molasses and ensiled for 7, 14, and 28 d. As an alternative storage method, GS was co-ensiled with wet citrus pulp (CP) at different proportions (GS:CP: 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, and 40:60). Analysis was made on physicochemical, fermentative, and nutritional parameters. RESULTS: The GS was found to be a biomass which is difficult to ensile. A combination of microbial inoculant and molasses was successful in the improvement of the silage fermentation quality of GS. Co-ensiling of GS with wet CP at the mixing ratio of 50:50 provided the most desirable silage fermentation parameters, including the substantial lactic acid formation, low final pH, minor effluent loss, and the more favorable organoleptic properties. CONCLUSION: Co-ensiling GS with CP appears to be a simple and viable method of conservation, enabling the more efficient utilization of these by-product resources over a prolonged period.

Long-term anaerobic conservation of fruit and vegetable discards without or with moisture adjustment after aerobic preservation with sodium metabisulfite.

The high moisture and soluble carbohydrates contents of fruit and vegetable discards accelerate putrefaction; thus, the immediate use of preservatives is necessary to prevent their decay and allow further use. Two series of experiments were performed to evaluate the conservation stability of fruit and vegetable discards through ensiling. Fruit and vegetable discards were not treated or treated with 6 g sodium metabisulfite/kg fruit and vegetable discards and aerobically challenged for 7 days. In Experiment 1, sodium metabisulfite-treated fruit and vegetable discards were ensiled alone as high-moisture biomass. Silage fermentation was not effective in preventing the deterioration and mold control, which resulted in the rapid depletion of sugars and dry matter loss in control silage (without sodium metabisulfite). Conversely, the low number of undesirable microorganisms resulted in the negligible loss of nutrients in the sodium metabisulfite-treated silage. In Experiment 2, sodium metabisulfite-treated fruit and vegetable discards were co-ensiled with dry by-product feeds at varying proportions to provide sodium metabisulfite loads of 1.6, 2.4, 3.2, and 4 g/kg biomass. Based on microbiological, nutrient composition, and organoleptic evaluations, the sodium metabisulfite load of 3.2 g/kg biomass provided the most desirable conservation parameters. This study provides a clean route to the safe utilization of the discards for a prolonged period, with negligible dry matter and nutrient loss.

Fecal microbiota transplantation for refractory Crohn's disease.

Approximately one-third of patients with Crohn's disease do not respond to conventional treatments, and some experience significant adverse effects, such as serious infections and lymphoma, and many patients require surgery due to complications. Increasing evidence suggests that specific changes in the composition of gut microbiota, termed as dysbiosis, are a common feature in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dysbiosis can lead to activation of the mucosal immune system, resulting in chronic inflammation and the development of mucosal lesions. Recently, fecal microbiota transplantation, aimed at modifying the composition of gut microbiota to overcome dysbiosis, has become a potential alternative therapeutic option for IBD. Herein, we present a patient with Crohn's colitis in whom biologic therapy failed previously, but clinical remission and endoscopic improvement was achieved after a single fecal microbiota transplantation infusion.

Usefulness of assisted procedures for arteriovenous fistula maturation without compromising access patency.

INTRODUCTION: To increase the rate of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) use, assisted procedures for immature AVF have been strenuously performed. However, this is controversial in that an AVF matured by these assisted procedures may require more frequent intervention to maintain its patency, and have decreased long-term patency. METHODS: Eighty four AVFs that were matured with assisted maturation procedures and 266 AVFs that matured spontaneously without intervention, created between November 2009 and March 2013 from the hemodialysis (HD) vascular access (VA) cohort, were compared retrospectively and we also investigated the factors that may influence AVF long-term patency. Median follow-up was 26.8 months (interquartile range, 6.6-45.0 months). FINDINGS: Access survival did not differ between AVFs matured by assisted procedures and spontaneously mature AVFs (P = 0.29). In multivariate Cox regression analysis of AVF survival, age (HR, 1.029; 95% CI, 1.004-1.056; P = 0.024), maturation without assisted procedures 4-6 weeks after AVF creation (HR, 0.233; 95% CI, 0.107-0.506; P < 0.001), and AVF thrombosis (HR, 26.511; 95% CI, 10.986-63.978; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with AVF survival. Performance of assisted procedures to induce AVF maturation did not influence AVF survival (HR, 0.437; 95% CI, 0.191-1.002; P = 0.05). DISCUSSION: Our results support that idea that assisted maturation procedures can ensure the success of immature AVF without compromising long-term patency. These procedures can be considered more positively for increasing AVF use for VA placement in HD patients.

Effects of by-product feed-based silage on feeding, rumination, and excretion in growing Hanwoo heifers.

This study investigated the effects of feeding by-product feed (BF)-based silage on the behavior of growing Hanwoo heifers. Twelve Hanwoo heifers (13.2 months-old, 315 kg body weight; four heifers per pen) were assigned to three diets: a rice straw (RS) diet (concentrate mix and free access to RS), a RS and BF-based silage (RSBFS) diet (concentrate mix and free access to RS and BF-based silage), and a BF-based silage (BFS) diet (concentrate mix and free access to BF-based silage). Behavior was recorded for 5 days using camcorders. Compared to the RS group, the BFS group showed 21.7% higher dry matter intake, shorter feeding, rumination, and chewing times, as well as longer resting time (p < 0.05). Although all groups exhibited similar drinking, urination, and defecation frequencies, the BFS group exhibited higher feeding rates, rumination efficiency, and chewing efficiency than the RS group (p < 0.05). Compared to the BFS group, the RSBFS group showed higher peNDF8.0 intake (15.2% vs. 25.0% dry matter intake), longer feeding and sitting times, lower defecation frequency (p < 0.05), and similar rumination efficiency. In conclusion, complete replacement of conventional RS with BF-based silage reduced rumination and chewing activity in growing Hanwoo heifers, and BF-based silage feeding with large-particle straw is an effective approach in improving heifer behavior.

Secondary prophylaxis of docetaxel induced diarrhea with loperamide: case report.

Diarrhea is a common adverse event of docetaxel with 20%-40% of incidence and severe diarrhea occurs in 5%-6%. Several treatment guidelines for chemotherapy induced diarrhea (CID) exist, however the prophylaxis for that is not well known. We describe a new prophylactic approach for the CID with loperamide. A 72-yr-old male patient with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer developed diarrhea repeatedly after docetaxel-cisplatin chemotherapy. His diarrhea persisted despite treatment including loperamide and fasting. However, the diarrhea was successfully prevented when loperamide was given before and after the chemotherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of prophylactic approach for the CID with loperamide.

Clinical usefulness of kidney biopsy in liver transplant recipients with renal impairment.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease is a common complication after liver transplantation. In this study, we analyzed the results of kidney biopsy in liver transplantation recipients with renal impairment. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2012, 544 liver transplants were performed at our hospital. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and histological data of 10 liver transplantation recipients referred for kidney biopsy. RESULTS: The biopsies were performed at a median of 24.5 months (range, 3-73 months) after liver transplantation. The serum creatinine level was 1.81±0.5 mg/dL at the time of kidney biopsy. There were no immediate complications. The most common diagnosis was glomerulonephritis (GN), such as immunoglobulin A nephropathy (n=4), mesangial proliferative GN (n=1), focal proliferative GN (n=1), and membranous GN (n=1). Typical calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-induced nephrotoxicity was detected in three cases (30%). Chronic tissue changes such as glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy were present in 90%, 80%, and 80% of cases, respectively, and mesangial proliferation was detected in 40% of cases. We began treatment for renal impairment based on the result of kidney biopsy; for example, angiotensin-receptor blockers or steroids were prescribed for GN, and the CNI dose was reduced for CNI nephrotoxicity. As a result, eight of 10 patients showed improvement in glomerular filtration rate, but two progressed to end-stage renal disease. CONCLUSION: Kidney biopsy is a safe and effective method for determining the cause of renal impairment after liver transplantation. Management of patients based on the result of kidney biopsy may improve renal outcomes.

Effects of fenofibrate therapy on circulating adipocytokines in patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia.

BACKGROUND: We investigated effects of fenofibrate therapy on endothelial dysfunction and adipocytokine profiles. METHODS: A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was conducted in 53 patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia. We administered placebo or fenofibrate 160mg daily for 8 weeks. RESULTS: When compared with placebo, fenofibrate therapy substantially lowered plasma levels of TNF-α by 6±3% (P=0.014) and hsCRP from 1.10 to 0.90mg/l (P=0.004). When compared with placebo, fenofibrate therapy increased plasma levels of adiponectin by 17±4% (P=0.001), insulin sensitivity by 4±1% (as assessed by QUICKI, P=0.009), and decreased plasma levels of leptin and resistin by 4±7% (P=0.022) and 10±3% (P=0.001), respectively. There were correlations between percent changes in QUICKI and percent changes in adiponectin levels (r=0.279, P=0.043) or leptin (r=-0.280, P=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Fenofibrate therapy significantly reduced pro-inflammatory biomarkers and improved adipocytokines levels and insulin sensitivity in hypertriglyceridemic patients.

Asymmetry of protracted tongue: can it replace the Wada test?

Some asymmetry of body parts (thumbs, cubital crease levels, popliteal crease levels, toes, breasts, gonads and facial structures) is commonly observed. And there is also neurobehavioral asymmetry such as handedness and language lateralization. Since right-handedness is closely associated with left-hemisphere dominance for language, it is known that handedness can be linked with language lateralization. But because cultural and social pressures influence handedness, handedness is able to shift. If so, handedness can't always reflect language lateralization. We can also detect another asymmetry in protracted tongue which is thought to be inherently unchangeable. Some midline deviation of fully protracted tongue is observed in every person. Protractor of the tongue, genioglossus muscle, is solely innervated by contralateral corticobulbar fibers from the inferior part of precentral gyrus. This part is closely related with language expressive area. Therefore, the midline deviation of tongue observed when it is fully protracted could be more related with language lateralization than handedness changeable to external pressures.