Effects of Core Antigen Bacterin with an Immunostimulant on Piglet Health and Performance Outcomes When Challenged with Enteric and Respiratory Pathogens.

A total of 90 pigs, approximately one day of age, were used in a 42-day study to evaluate whether Endovac-Porci, a core antigen vaccine with an immunostimulant, provides piglets with broad-spectrum protection against the enteric and respiratory effects of Gram-negative bacteria. This study was a single-site, randomized, prospective, blinded, comparative placebo-controlled design. Individual pigs were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatments in a randomized design. An individual pig was considered the experimental unit for the farrowing phase (Study day 0 to 21), and the pen was considered the experimental unit for the nursery phase (Study day 21 to 42). Thus, there were 45 replications per treatment during the farrowing phase and 15 replications per treatment during the nursery phase. Treatments included a control product (saline; CP) and an investigational product (Endovac-Porci; IVP). On Study day 23, all pigs were challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain expressing K88 (F4) fimbriae and Pasteurella multocida. Individual pigs were weighed and feed consumption was measured to determine body weight gain, average daily gain, and feed-to-gain ratio. Clinical and fecal scores and overall health were recorded daily. Overall, administering the IVP to pigs led to an increase (p < 0.01) in body weight gain and average daily gain compared to pigs administered the CP. Pigs administered the IVP had reduced (p < 0.01) mortality compared to pigs administered the CP. There was a Study day × treatment interaction on clinical and fecal scores (p < 0.01). There was also a main effect of Study day where clinical and fecal scores increased (p < 0.01) as the Study day increased. Treatment also had an effect on clinical and fecal scores, where pigs administered the IVP had lower (p < 0.01) clinical and fecal scores compared to pigs administered the CP. In conclusion, administering pigs with the Endovac-Porci vaccination significantly improved the performance (i.e., body weight, body weight gain, and average daily gain) and health (i.e., clinical and fecal scores), while reducing the overall mortality in pigs challenged with E. coli K88 orally and Pasteurella multocida intranasally post-weaning. Results from this study suggest that Endovac-Porci could provide broad-spectrum protection against enteric and respiratory effects of Gram-negative bacteria in piglets.

Efficacy of Two Probiotic Products Fed Daily to Reduce Clostridium perfringens-Based Adverse Health and Performance Effects in Dairy Calves.

Clostridium perfringens is a spore-forming, anaerobic bacterium which produces toxins and exoenzymes that cause disease in calves, especially necro-hemorrhagic enteritis-associated diarrhea often resulting in death. Clostridium infections are currently being treated with antibiotics, but even with the prudent administration of antibiotics, there are significant rates of recurrence. Probiotics, an alternative to antibiotics, are commonly employed to prevent clostridial infections. The objectives of our study were to demonstrate that two commercially available products, when used as daily, direct-fed microbials, are effective in reducing adverse effects of an experimentally induced C. perfringens infection in dairy calves. We conducted a single site efficacy study with masking using a randomized design comprising 10 calves allocated to 3 treatment groups (probiotic 1, probiotic 2, and control). The procedures such as general health scores, body weight, blood samples, and fecal sample collections were done followed by experimental challenge of calves with C. perfringens. Daily feeding of L. animalis LA51 and P. freudenreichii PF24 without or with Bacillus lichenformis CH200 and Bacillus subtilis CH201, before, during and after an oral challenge of C. perfringens significantly reduced the incidence and severity of diarrhea while improving general impression and appearance scores of calves. Most notably, survival of calves in the two probiotic-fed groups was significantly higher than for control calves and further substantiates the potential economic and health benefits of feeding effective probiotics.

Efficacy of Lactobacillus animalis and Propionibacterium freudenreichii-Based Feed Additives in Reducing Salmonella-Associated Health and Performance Effects in Commercial Beef Calves.

Salmonella enterica, which causes typhoid fever, is one of the most prevalent food-borne pathogens. Salmonellosis in cattle can greatly impact a producer's income due to treatment costs, decreased productivity of the herd, and mortality due to disease. Current methods of treatment and prevention for salmonellosis consist of antibiotics and vaccinations, but neither of these options are perfect. Probiotics, categorized as antibiotic alternatives, are living microorganisms that are added to animal feeds in appropriate quantities in order to benefit health and productivity in adult and newborn livestock. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that Lactobacillus animalis and Propionibacterium freudenreichii, when used as a direct-fed microbial, was effective in reducing the adverse effects of experimentally induced Salmonella infection in beef calves. We conducted a single site efficacy study with masking using a randomized design comprising two groups of ten beef calves allocated to two treatment groups (control and probiotic). Procedures such as determining general health scores and body weight and collecting fecal samples were carried out following the experimental challenge of calves with Salmonella Typhimurium. The presence of at least one CFU of bacteria in feces was significantly higher among animals in the control than in the probiotic group, which was higher on days 0 to 7 than on days 8 to 14 (p = 0.012). Animals in the control group had a significantly higher presence of abnormal diarrhea scores than animals in the probiotic group (p < 0.001). Most notably, other health benefits in probiotic-fed group calves were obviously better than those for control calves and further substantiates the potential economic and health benefits of feeding effective probiotics.

Behavioral and performance response associated with administration of intravenous flunixin meglumine or oral meloxicam immediately prior to surgical castration in bull calves.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of flunixin meglumine or meloxicam on behavioral response and performance characteristics associated with surgical castration in crossbred bulls. Intact male Bos taurus calves (n = 252; averaging 176 kg) were randomly allocated into one of three treatment groups within pen: control (CON), flunixin meglumine (FLU; 2.2 mg/kg intravenous injection), or meloxicam (MEL; 2.0 mg/kg per os). The individual animal was the experimental unit. Calves were individually weighed on days 0 and 14 of the trial to evaluate performance outcomes. On study day 0, treatments were administered, according to their random allocation, immediately prior to surgical castration using the Henderson tool method. Visual analog scale (VAS) assessment and categorical attitude score (CAS) were collected on days -1, 0 (6 h post-castration), 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the study. The VAS was assigned using a 100 mm horizontal line with "normal" labeled at one end of the line and "moribund" at the other end of the horizontal line. The masked observer assigned a mark on the horizontal line based upon the observed severity of pain exhibited by that individual animal. The CAS was assigned by the same observer using five different categories with a score of 0 being "normal". Average daily gain tended (P = 0.09) to be associated with the treatment group, and MEL had a greater (P = 0.04) average daily gain through day 14 compared with CON. A significant (P < 0.01) treatment by day interaction was indicated for VAS score, and MEL had lower VAS scores on days 0, 1, 2, and 3 post-castration compared with CON; FLU had lower VAS scores on days 0 and 1 compared with CON. A significant treatment by day interaction was not present (P = 0.25) for CAS. The FLU had lesser percent CAS ≥1 (17.5%; P = 0.05) compared with CON (29.4%); MEL has lesser percent CAS ≥1 observations (14.9%; P = 0.01) compared with CON. The median VAS increased as CAS was more severe. Results indicated MEL and FLU calves temporally improved behavioral responses following surgical castration with positive numerical trends for a 14 d average daily gain (ADG). The VAS system appeared to be an effective method of subjective evaluation of pain in beef calves in this study. Route of administration, duration of therapy, and low relative cost make oral meloxicam a reasonable analgesic treatment in calves when administered at the time of surgical castration.

Effects of short-term sugary beverage consumption on glucose control and cardiovascular disease risk factors: A randomized controlled parallel-arm trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in glucose control and cardiovascular disease risk factors following three weeks of added soda, 100% fruit juice, or water in apparently healthy, college-aged adults. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six adults (18 males; 18 females) between the ages of 18 and 30 years of age. METHODS: A 3-arm randomized controlled parallel-arm trial; at baseline and after three weeks consuming the assigned beverage, participants completed glucose control and cardiovascular disease risk factor assessments. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between beverage conditions for glucose control or cardiovascular disease risk factors (ps > 0.05). There were no significant changes in caloric intake or differences in caloric intake between conditions, p = 0.17. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy, young adults, under free-living conditions, short-term consumption of two commercially packaged servings of SBs did not lead to significant glucose control or cardiovascular disease risk factor changes, indicating potential compensation and/or resilience to negative short-term effects.

Impact of online, video-based wellness training on Girl Scout leaders' wellness promotion self-efficacy, intention, and knowledge: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of tailored, online, video-based training on Girl Scout troop leaders' wellness promotion self-efficacy, intention, and knowledge regarding physical activity and fruit and vegetable practices during troop meetings. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty Girl Scouts leaders were randomized to control (CON; n = 16) or intervention (INT; n = 14) conditions. INT leaders received six online weekly training videos on implementation of physical activity (PA) and fruit and vegetable (FV) practices during troop meetings. Videos addressed leader-identified improvement areas and strategies to overcome barriers. Leaders set PA and FV goals for upcoming meetings and self-monitored their progress. Questionnaires were completed at baseline and post-intervention on leaders' task and barrier self-efficacy, intention, and knowledge regarding meeting-time PA and FV practices. Results: INT leaders increased PA practices barrier self-efficacy (INT = 16.5 ± 24.1%, CON = -4.8 ± 21.5%; p = 0.036), vegetable practices self-efficacy (INT = 10.3 ± 13.3%, CON = -3.5 ± 28.9%; p = 0.049), and FV practices barrier self-efficacy (INT = 12.4 ± 4.6%, CON = 1.6 ± 28.7%; p = 0.036), when compared to CON leaders. There were no changes (p > 0.05) in PA or FV knowledge. Conclusions and implications: Results suggest the potential for using online video-based training for improvements in wellness-promoting practices of Girl Scout troop leaders.

Wellness-Promoting Practices Through Girl Scouts: A Pragmatic Superiority Randomized Controlled Trial With Additional Dissemination.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of in-person versus online Girl Scout leader wellness training for implementation of wellness-promoting practices during troop meetings (phase I) and to assess training adoption and current practices across the council (phase II). DESIGN: Pragmatic superiority trial (phase 1) followed by serial cross-sectional study (phase II). SETTING: Girl Scout troop meetings in Northeast Kansas. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen troop leaders from 3 counties (phase 1); 113 troop leaders from 7 counties (phase II). INTERVENTION: Phase I: Troop leaders attended 2 wellness training sessions (first in groups, second individually), wherein leaders set wellness-promoting practice implementation goals, self-monitored progress, and received guidance and resources for implementation. Leaders received the intervention in person or online. MEASURES: Phase I: At baseline and postintervention, leaders completed a wellness-promoting practice implementation questionnaire assessing practices during troop meetings (max score = 11). Phase II: Leaders completed a survey about typical troop practices and interest in further training. ANALYSIS: Phase I: Generalized linear mixed modeling. RESULTS: Phase I: In-person training increased wellness-promoting practice implementation more than online training (in person = 2.1 ± 1.8; online = 0.2 ± 1.2; P = .022). Phase II: Fifty-six percent of leaders adopted the training. For 8 of 11 wellness categories, greater than 50% of leaders employed wellness-promoting practices. CONCLUSION: In-person training was superior to online training for improvements in wellness-promoting practices. Wellness training was adopted by the majority of leaders across the council.

Does chronic physical activity level modify the airway inflammatory response to an acute bout of exercise in the postprandial period?

Recent studies have confirmed that a single high-fat meal (HFM) leads to increased airway inflammation. However, exercise is a natural anti-inflammatory and may modify postprandial airway inflammation. The postprandial airway inflammatory response is likely to be modified by chronic physical activity (PA) level. This study investigated whether chronic PA modifies the airway inflammatory response to an acute bout of exercise in the postprandial period in both insufficiently active and active subjects. Thirty-nine nonasthmatic subjects (20 active, 13 males/7 females) who exceeded PA guidelines (≥150 min moderate-vigorous PA/week) and 19 insufficiently active (6 males/13 females) underwent an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion to determine peak oxygen uptake. Subjects were then randomized to a condition (COND), either remaining sedentary (CON) or exercising (EX) post-HFM. Exercise was performed at the heart rate corresponding to 60% peak oxygen uptake on a treadmill for 1 h post-HFM (63% fat, 10 kcal/kg body weight). Blood lipids and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO: marker of airway inflammation) were measured at baseline and 2 h and 4 h post-HFM. Sputum differential cell counts were performed at baseline and 4 h post-HFM. The mean eNO response for all groups increased at 2 h post-HFM (∼6%) and returned to baseline by 4 h (p = 0.03). There was a time × COND interaction (p = 0.04), where EX had a greater eNO response at 4 h compared with CON. Sputum neutrophils increased at 4 h post-HFM (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that airway inflammation occurs after an HFM when exercise is performed in the postprandial period, regardless of habitual activity level.

Realistic Test-Meal Protocols Lead to Blunted Postprandial Lipemia but Similar Inflammatory Responses Compared with a Standard High-Fat Meal.

Background: A substantial increase in triglycerides (TGs) after a meal is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Most studies investigating the effects of a meal on TGs have not used meals that reflect typical consumption. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the TG and inflammatory responses of true-to-life meals, containing moderate fat and energy contents, with a high-fat, high-energy, low-carbohydrate meal (HFM) typically used to test TG responses. Methods: Nine healthy, insufficiently active men [mean ± SD age: 25.1 ± 6.7 y; body mass index (in kg/m2): 25.8 ± 7.0; <150 min moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity/wk] completed 3 meal trials in random order: an HFM (17 kcal/kg, 60% fat), a moderate-fat meal (MFM; 8.5 kcal/kg, 30% fat), and a biphasic meal (BPM), in which participants consumed the full MFM at baseline and 3 h postmeal. Blood samples were collected via an indwelling catheter at baseline and hourly for 6 h. Results: Peak blood TGs were significantly greater (P = 0.003) after the HFM (285.2 ± 169.7 mg/dL) than after the MFM (156.0 ± 98.7 mg/dL), but the BPM (198.3 ± 182.8 mg/dL) was not significantly different from the HFM (P = 0.06) or the MFM (P = 0.99). Total area under the curve for TGs was greater after the HFM (1348.8 ± 783.7 mg/dL × 6 h) than after the MFM (765.8 ± 486.8 mg/dL × 6 h; P = 0.0005) and the BPM (951.8 ± 787.7 mg/dL × 6 h; P = 0.03), although the MFM and BPM were not significantly different (P = 0.72). There was a significant time-by-meal interaction for interferon γ, but not for interleukins 6, 8, or 10. Conclusion: These findings in insufficiently active, healthy young men suggest that the large TG response after HFMs in previous studies may not reflect the metabolic state of many individuals in daily life.

Wildcat wellness coaching feasibility trial: protocol for home-based health behavior mentoring in girls.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a major public health problem, with one third of America's children classified as either overweight or obese. Obesity prevention and health promotion programs using components such as wellness coaching and home-based interventions have shown promise, but there is a lack of published research evaluating the impact of a combined home-based and wellness coaching intervention for obesity prevention and health promotion in young girls. The main objective of this study is to test the feasibility of such an intervention on metrics related to recruitment, intervention delivery, and health-related outcome assessments. The secondary outcome is to evaluate the possibility of change in health-related psychosocial, behavioral, and biomedical outcomes in our sample of participants. METHODS/DESIGN: Forty girls who are overweight or obese (aged 8-13 years) will be recruited from a Midwestern college town. Participants will be recruited through posted flyers, newspaper advertisements, email, and social media. The volunteer convenience sample of girls will be randomized to one of two home-based wellness coaching interventions: a general health education condition or a healthy eating physical activity skills condition. Trained female wellness coaches will conduct weekly hour-long home visits for 12 consecutive weeks. Assessments will occur at baseline, post-intervention (3 months after baseline), and follow-up (6 months after baseline) and will include height, weight, waist circumference, body composition, pulmonary function, blood pressure, systemic inflammation, physical activity (Actical accelerometer), and self-reported survey measures (relevant to fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and quality of life). DISCUSSION: This study will evaluate the feasibility of home-based wellness coaching interventions for overweight and obese girls and secondarily assess the preliminary impact on health-related psychosocial, behavioral, and biomedical outcomes. Results will provide information regarding the feasibility of this new model for use in girls as an approach to reduce the burden of overweight and obesity toward the prevention of chronic disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01845480.

Postprandial lipemic and inflammatory responses to high-fat meals: a review of the roles of acute and chronic exercise.

Postprandial lipemia is an independent risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease. Postprandial inflammation following the prolonged elevation of triglycerides occurring subsequent to ingestion of high-fat meals, provides a likely explanation for increased disease risk. Substantial evidence has shown that acute exercise is an effective modality for attenuation of postprandial lipemia following a high-fat meal. However, much of the evidence pertaining to exercise intensity, duration, and overall energy expenditure for reducing postprandial lipemia is inconsistent. The effects of these different exercise variables on postprandial inflammation is largely unknown. Long-term, frequent exercise, however, appears to effectively reduce systemic inflammation, especially in at-risk or diseased individuals. With regard to an acute postprandial response, without a recent bout of exercise, high levels of chronic exercise do not appear to reduce postprandial lipemia. This review summarizes the current literature on postprandial and inflammatory responses to high-fat meals, and the roles that both acute and chronic exercise play. This review may be valuable for health professionals who wish to provide evidence-based, pragmatic advice for reducing postprandial lipemia and cardiovascular disease risk for their patients. A brief review of proposed mechanisms explaining how high-fat meals may result in pro-inflammatory and pro-atherosclerotic environments is also included.

The effect of moderate intensity exercise in the postprandial period on the inflammatory response to a high-fat meal: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Consuming a high-fat meal (HFM) may lead to postprandial lipemia (PPL) and inflammation. Postprandial exercise has been shown to effectively attenuate PPL. However, little is known about the impact of postprandial exercise on systemic inflammation and whether PPL and inflammation are associated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether moderate intensity exercise performed 60 min following a true-to-life HFM would attenuate PPL and inflammation. METHODS: Thirty-nine young adults (18-40 year) with no known metabolic disease were randomized to either a control group (CON) who remained sedentary during the postprandial period or an exercise (EX) group who walked at 60 % VO2peak to expend ≈ 5 kcal/kgbw one-hour following the HFM. Participants consumed a HFM of 10 kcal/kgbw and blood draws were performed immediately before, 2 h and 4 h post-HFM. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no differences between EX and CON groups for any metabolic or inflammatory markers (p > 0.05). Postprandial triglycerides (TRG) increased from baseline to 4 h in the EX and CON groups (p < 0.001), with no differences between groups (p = 0.871). High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased in both groups across time (p < 0.001) with no differences between groups (p = 0.137). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was significant as a quadratic function over time (p = 0.005), decreasing from baseline to 2 h then increasing and returning to baseline at 4 h in all participants with no difference between groups (p = 0.276). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was not different from baseline to 4 h between groups (p > 0.05). There was an increase in soluble vascular adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1) from baseline to 4 h (p = 0.027) for all participants along with a group x time interaction (p = 0.020). Changes in TRG were associated with changes in interleukin-10 (IL-10) from 0 to 2 h (p = 0.007), but were not associated with changes in any other inflammatory marker in the postprandial period (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite significant increases in PPL following a HFM, moderate intensity exercise in the postprandial period did not mitigate the PPL nor the inflammatory response to the HFM. These results indicate that in populations with low metabolic risk, PPL and inflammation following a HFM may not be directly related.

The Seated Inactivity Trial (SIT): Physical Activity and Dietary Outcomes Associated With 8 Weeks of Imposed Sedentary Time.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary time is an independent risk factor for chronic diseases and mortality. It is unknown whether active adults alter their dietary and/or physical activity behaviors in response to imposed sedentary time, possibly modifying risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether imposed sedentary time would alter typical behaviors of active adults. METHODS: Sixteen physically active, young adults were randomized to the no-intervention control (CON, n = 8) group or the sedentary-intervention (SIT, n = 8) group. SIT participants attended monitored sedentary sessions (8 wk, 10 h/wk). Assessments including diet and physical activity occurred at baseline, week 4, and week 9. RESULTS: There were no differences (P > .05) between CON and SIT groups for step counts or time spent in sedentary, light, moderate, or vigorous physical activity when comparing a week during imposed sedentary time (week 4) to baseline and week 9. At week 4, caloric intake was not different from baseline (P > .05) in either group. Caloric intake decreased significantly (P > .05) in SIT from baseline to week 9. CONCLUSIONS: Active adults did not alter physical activity or dietary behaviors during the imposed sedentary intervention. However, SIT reduced caloric intake from baseline to week 9, indicating a possible compensatory response to imposed sitting in active adults.

Does moderate intensity exercise attenuate the postprandial lipemic and airway inflammatory response to a high-fat meal?

We investigated whether an acute bout of moderate intensity exercise in the postprandial period attenuates the triglyceride and airway inflammatory response to a high-fat meal (HFM) compared to remaining inactive in the postprandial period. Seventeen (11 M/6 F) physically active (≥ 150 min/week of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)) subjects were randomly assigned to an exercise (EX; 60% VO 2peak) or sedentary (CON) condition after a HFM (10 kcal/kg, 63% fat). Blood analytes and airway inflammation via exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) were measured at baseline, and 2 and 4 hours after HFM. Airway inflammation was assessed with induced sputum and cell differentials at baseline and 4 hours after HFM. Triglycerides doubled in the postprandial period (~113 ± 18%, P < 0.05), but the increase did not differ between EX and CON. Percentage of neutrophils was increased 4 hours after HFM (~17%), but the increase did not differ between EX and CON. Exhaled nitric oxide changed nonlinearly from baseline to 2 and 4 hours after HFM (P < 0.05, η (2) = 0.36). Our findings suggest that, in active individuals, an acute bout of moderate intensity exercise does not attenuate the triglyceride or airway inflammatory response to a high-fat meal.