bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
252 Combined soluble fiber improve the obesity phenotype and insulin sensitivity of diet-induced obese mice by regulating the intestinal microbial composition
Authors: Xu Chuanhui , Liu Jianhua , Zheng Rong , Peng Jian 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
With the global spread of obesity, we recognize the importance of healthy diet and it is necessary to increase the dietary fiber intake. To investigate the effects of the combined soluble fiber (CSF) on the health of obese individuals, we divided 14 obese C57BL/6J male mice into two groups: Control group (n = 7) and CSF group (n = 7). Both groups received a 12-week high-fat diet (Period 1) and a 4-week low-fat chow diet (Period 2), but CSF was added into diets for the CSF group and equivalently replaced for cellulose. Compared with the Control group, the CSF group maintained a similar body weight and feed intake, but had higher insulin sensitivity, during the period 1. During the period 2, both groups lost weight, but the CSF group lost more weight, and decreased the Lee’s index as well as the daily feed intake, improved the insulin sensitivity. The CSF group increased the levels of PYY and GLP-1 in the postprandial blood, and increased the level of adiponectin while decreased the levels of endotoxin, leptin, interleukin-6 and TNF-α in the fasting blood. The CSF group increased mucosal layer thickness, crypt length and Brdu positive cell rate of the colon tissue. Stool samples were collected at the 16th week and analyzed with 16s rRNA gene sequencing. Results indicated that the CSF group reduced the relative abundance of the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, while increased Bacteroides and the Bacteroides/Firmicutes ratio. CSF group had higher levels of acetic acid, propionic acid and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in stool. These results suggest that CSF may promote the production of SCFAs by regulating intestinal microbial composition, promote the releases of satiety hormones, thereby reducing feed intake. On the other hand, CSF improves the intestinal integrity, reduces inflammation, and then improve insulin sensitivity.
79 Effect of source and dietary concentration of trace minerals on serum mineral status, ruminal pH, and ruminal volatile fatty acids in lactating Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Briggs Nicole T , Hatew Bayissa , Steele Michael A 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Inorganic sources of trace minerals are commonly supplemented in dairy cow diets; however, there has been an increase in the supplementation of minerals complexed with organic compounds. These organic trace minerals are thought to have greater bioavailability which may enhance rumen fermentation and absorption. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dietary concentration and source of supplemental trace minerals on serum trace mineral status and rumen fermentation. Six lactating Holstein cows were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square design with a 23-day adaptation and 5-day experimental period. Cows were fed the same basal diet daily except for the difference in source [organic (ORG) versus inorganic (INO)] and concentration (50%, 100%, and 200% based on NRC recommendations) of trace mineral supplemented. During the experimental period feed intake and blood were collected daily. Rumen fluid was collected on the final two days of the experimental period. Data was analyzed with PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4. Dry matter intake (18.1 ± 0.70 kg), serum mineral concentrations (Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn), and rumen pH (6.5 ± 0.64) did not differ among the treatments. However, serum concentration of Co was higher in 200% ORG compared to 50% and 100% INO and 50% ORG. Ruminal concentration of acetate was higher in 50% and 100% ORG compared to 200% ORG. Butyrate ruminal concentration was higher at 50% ORG compared to 200% ORG. Ruminal propionate concentration was higher in 50% INO and 50% ORG compared to 100% INO and 200% ORG. These findings demonstrate serum trace mineral status and ruminal pH are not tightly controlled by the source of trace minerals when supplemented at 50%, 100% and 200% of the NRC recommendations, however rumen fermentation may be affected by the dietary concentration of trace minerals in the diet.
82 Effect of by-product feed supplementation of a hay-based diet on rumen fermentation, diet digestibility, methane production and protozoal population in an artificial rumen (RUSITEC)
Authors: Robinson Sidonie P , Saleem Atef , Ominski Kim , Wittenberg Karin , McAllister Tim A , McGeough Emma 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
This study investigated the effects of adding sunflower screenings, flax screenings and quinoa to a hay-based diet on ruminal fermentation, DM digestibility (DMD) and enteric methane (CH4) production in an artificial rumen system (RUSITEC). The experiment was a RCBD with 4 treatments assigned to 16 fermentation vessels (n = 4/treatment) in 2 RUSITEC apparatuses. The control diet was 100% hay, with treatments consisting of sunflower screenings, flax screenings and quinoa dockage at inclusion rates of 1.10, 1.38, and 1.59 g DM, respectively. The study period was 15 d, with an 8-d adaptation and 7-d sample collection period. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS with fixed effects of treatment, day of sampling and their interaction as fixed effects. Compared to control, the addition of sunflower screenings decreased (P = 0.020) CH4produced per g of DM digested (10.43 vs. 7.88 mg/g DMD). Inclusion of sunflower screenings reduced (P &lt; 0.01) DMD (67.6 vs. 57.8 %) and the number of protozoa (2.2x104vs. 1x103ml) compared to the control. The addition of flax screenings versus the control diet increased (P = 0.001) CH4produced per g of DMD (10.43 vs. 15.05 mg/g). However, inclusion of flax screenings resulted in a decrease (P &lt; 0.05) in DMD and number of protozoa compared to the control (1.07x103vs. 2.2x104ml, 64.33 vs. 67.64 %, respectively). The addition of flax screenings decreased DMD (P = 0.04). Quinoa inclusion had no effect on DMD or protozoa count, while CH4production increased (P = 0.0003) compared to the control (15.15 vs 10.43 mg/g DMD). Disappearance of NDF did not differ between treatments (P = 0.72). Inclusion of sunflower screenings and quinoa did not affect molar proportions of propionate or and butyrate, while decreased (P &lt; 0.05) by adding flax screenings. In conclusion, the addition of sunflower screenings provided the greatest potential to reduce CH4 emissions associated with supplemented hay-based diets.
83 The impact of xylanase on arabinoxylan hydrolysis when included in corn or wheat based diets fed to swine
Authors: Wightman Dakota L , Izydorczyk Marta , Gonzalez-Ortiz Gemma , Beaulieu Denise A 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Carbohydrases added to swine diets hydrolyze non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) to smaller oligosaccharides, decreasing their degree of polymerization (DP). Wheat contains more NSP in the form of arabinoxylans (AX), however corn AX have higher arabinose:xylose. This experiment determined the potential for a differential response to the carbohydrase, xylanase, when added to corn or wheat based diets for swine. Twelve ileal cannulated barrows (BW 37±2.1kg) were used in a modified crossover design with a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments in two periods (n = 6). Grain (81.5% corn or 90.5% wheat) and xylanase (±0.01%, 16,000 XU/kg feed) were main effects. The crossover occurred only between xylanase; pigs remained on the same grain throughout and pig was randomized within sequence. Isoenergetic/isonitrogenous (3,500 Kcal ME/kg, 0.87% SID Lys) diets were fed at 3x maintenance for 18d; fecal and digesta samples were collected on d15-16 and d17-18, respectively. Ileal energy digestibility tended to improve with xylanase (71.3–73.8%; P &lt; 0.10). Fecal energy digestibility was improved by xylanase in wheat, but not corn, based diets (grain*xylanase, P &lt; 0.05). Ileal butyric acid was highest when pigs received the wheat diet without xylanase (grain*xylanase, P &lt; 0.05). Xylanase had no effect on fecal short chain fatty acids (P &gt; 0.10). Pigs fed wheat diets had increased percent fecal propionic and lower butyric and valeric acid than those fed corn diets (P &lt; 0.05). Ileal arabinose:xylose ratio was reduced with xylanase in corn, but not wheat diets, while the opposite was observed in fecal samples (grain*xylanase, P &lt; 0.05). Ileal samples from pigs receiving corn without xylanase had the highest AX-DP (grain*xylanase, P &lt; 0.05). Fecal AX-DP was reduced with xylanase inclusion (P &lt; 0.05) and was lower in wheat, than corn based diets (P &lt; 0.05). Xylanase decreased AX-DP throughout the gastrointestinal tract and tended to improved ileal energy digestibility in corn and wheat based diets.
95 Betaine improves growth performance by increasing digestive enzymes activities, and ameliorating intestinal structure of piglets
Authors: Li Sisi , Wang Haichao , Feng Jie 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
This study was aimed to investigate the effects of betaine on intestinal structures and digestive enzyme activities of piglets. A total of 150 crossbred piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire), with an average initial body weight of 8.52 ± 0.26 kg and age of 39-day, were randomly divided into three dietary treatments, each of which was replicated five times with ten pigs per replicate. The dietary treatments were basal diet supplemented with 0, 1250, 2500 mg/kg betaine, respectively. The experiments lasted for 30 days. The results showed that supplementation of betaine in the diet significantly increased average daily gain (P &lt; 0.05), decreased diarrhea rate (P &lt; 0.05), and improved feed conversion rate (P &lt; 0.05) of piglets. The villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth of small intestine were significantly increased with betaine supplementation (P &lt; 0.05). The addition of betaine in diet also increased the expression of tight junction proteins in small intestine (P &lt; 0.05) and decreased the diamine oxidase in plasma (P &lt; 0.05). The apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein and ether extract (P &lt; 0.05) and the activities of amylase, trypsin, and lipase (P &lt; 0.05) in small intestinal were increased with betaine addition. Enzyme kinetic experiments in vitro indicated that hypertonic environment formed by NaCl could inhibit the activities of amylase and trypsin. While betaine addition improved the affinity of amylase and trypsin with their corresponding substrates, thereby counteracted the inhibitory effect of hyperosmolarity. In conclusion, the supplementation of betaine in diet could improve growth performance of piglets by ameliorating intestinal structure, increasing digestive enzymes activities, promoting the digestion of nutrients and decreasing the diarrhea rate.
106 Virginia Tech Graduate Extension Scholars program: Artificial insemination course for inmates
Authors: Dias Nicholas W , Sales Alvaro , Currin John , Redifer Tracey , Scherer Hannah H , Mercadante Vitor R G 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The Graduate Extension Scholar program has the purpose of providing graduate students a unique professional development opportunity to develop high quality outreach programs, where the students actively participate extension and outreach. Weekly seminars are held by the program director and the graduate assistants, where program development and engagement strategies are presented to prepare the scholar. The program has existed since 2014, with 14 scholars participating. The present report is related to a single program during the fall of 2018. An artificial insemination course was taught for inmates with the Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC). A total of 16 students were taught, being 4 farm employees and 12 inmates from two locations within VDOC. Inmates with minor offenses and good behavior get the opportunity to often work in the prison farms and learn farming as a skill. The objective of the present work was to provide inmates with an extra valuable skill in the farm and improve their work experience. The course was held in the Greenville correction facility for 2 days in the fall of 2018 and consisted of two portions: Hands-on theoretical, and live animal interaction. The theoretical portion was planned to provide students basic knowledge of reproductive anatomy and physiology of the cow, the artificial insemination (AI) technique, and proper semen handling. This portion consisted of a power point presentation and practice of technique on tracts from slaughter animals and simulation of rectal palpation with a mannequin (Breed’n Betsy). During the animal interaction portion of the class, students were able to practice the technique on culled cows and were asked to perform the technique correctly on 3 different animals. At the completion of the program, a survey was performed and all students considered the program positive and claimed to have gained knowledge and become confident with the technique.
262 Brassicas as an alternative forage in the northeastern United States
Authors: Billman Eric D , Dillard S Leanne , Soder Kathy J 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
In the northeastern United States, winter forage management has traditionally necessitated either: a) feeding conserved forages, or b) stockpiling grazeable perennial forage. Forage brassicas offer a low-cost alternative to these strategies. This project evaluated performance of different annual forage brassicas in northeastern forage production systems. Three brassicas, ‘Barisca’ rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), ‘Inspiration’ canola (B. napus L.), and ‘Appin’ turnip (B. rapa L.) were compared against ‘KB Supreme’ annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) for dry matter yield and nutritive value over two autumn production seasons. Replicated plots were 5.5 × 9.1 m and seeded (brassicas at 5.6 kg/ha; ryegrass at 22.4 kg/ha) in August of 2015 and 2016 in a randomized complete block design. Four harvests occurred each year at two-week intervals following initial harvest. Statistical analyses were conducted using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS 9.4; harvest and species were fixed effects, while year and its interactions were considered random. Harvest date had no significant impact on DM yield (P &gt; 0.05). All brassica yields (734 – 861 kg/ha) were significantly greater (P &lt; 0.001) than annual ryegrass (344 kg/ha). This indicated brassica yield was superior under environmental stress conditions that hinder annual ryegrass growth. Nutritive value concentration suggested ryegrass had greater CP (28.1%) than the brassicas (24.2 – 25.4%) and minimal differences in net energy content (&lt; 2%) among species (P &lt; 0.001). However, per-area (kg/ha) values resulted in consistently greater (P &lt; 0.001) CP (176 – 204 kg/ha), and NEL (1.2 – 1.5 Mcal/ha) than annual ryegrass (CP = 88 kg/ha; NEL = 0.56 Mcal/ha). Therefore, the greater yield potential of forage brassicas allows them to supply greater nutrient supplementation during periods of low forage availability, at a reduced feeding cost.
265 Determination of microbial enzyme efficacy on fiber digestion of bermudagrass hay supplemented with either DDGS or corn
Authors: Althaber Colton , Coffey K P , Compart Devan Paulus , Shelby Sarah , Hays Melanie , Niyigena Valens , Bignar John 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Certain enzymes have improved fiber digestion of low-quality forages. Our objective was to determine the efficacy of a combination of a protease and Aspergillus oryzae and A. niger fermentation extracts on fiber digestion and rumen fermentation of bermudagrass hay supplemented with different energy concentrates. Bermudagrass hay was chopped and offered for ad libitum consumption to 20 ewes per study (33.1 ± 10.65 kg BW; Exp. 1; 36.0 ± 11.10 kg BW; Exp. 2) housed individually in 1 × 1.5-m pens (n = 5/trt). In Exp. 1, hay supplemented with DDGS at 0.25% BW, 1% BW, 1% BW + 2.3 g enzyme, or 1% BW + 3.5 g enzyme. In Exp. 2, hay was supplemented with cracked corn at the same levels as used in Exp. 1. Each experiment consisted of a 14-d dietary adaptation followed by 7 d of total fecal collection. On d 21, rumen samples were taken at 3 h intervals from each ewe for analysis of pH and VFA concentrations. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS and orthogonal contrasts compared 0.25% vs. 1% BW, no enzyme vs. 2.3 g/d enzyme and 2.3 g/d vs. 3.5 g/d enzyme. In Exp. 1 NDF digestibility was greater (P &lt; 0.05) from 1% vs. 0.25% BW supplement. Ruminal acetate and the acetate:propionate ratio were greatest (P &lt; 0.05) from 0.25% BW vs. the other diets. Exp. 2, DM and OM intake were greater (P &lt; 0.05) from the 1% BW diets and tended (P = 0.08) to be greater from 1% BW alone vs. 1% BW + 2.3 g enzyme. Ruminal acetate concentrations were greatest (P &lt; 0.05) from 0.25% BW. Therefore, the blend of A. oryzae and A. niger fermentation extracts and a protease was not effective under the conditions of this study.
341 Up-regulation of wound healing pathway may trigger adipogenic potentials of intramuscular progenitor cells in Wagyu as compared to Angus cattle
Authors: Du Min , Zhou Xiang , Fu Xing , Zhang Yangzi , Zhang Shuwen , Michal Jennifer J , Wang Hongyang , Jiang Zhihua 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Marbling and muscle growth are significantly different between Angus and Wagyu cattle, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The objective of the present study was to unravel genetic information flows specific to each phenotype. Biopsies of the Biceps femoris muscle were collected from three animals per breed. Intramuscular progenitor cells were isolated from the biopsies and alternative polyadenylation (APA) events were profiled using the WTTS-seq (whole transcriptome termini site sequencing) method. In adipogenic progenitor cells, 271 and 341 differentially expressed (DE) APA sites were identified as upregulated in Angus and Wagyu, respectively (adjusted P &lt; 0.1). Pathway enrichment revealed that cellular wound healing events are unique to Wagyu. For these seven pairs of gene family members (in a broad sense), AKT1, CD47 and CD99, IGFBP3, KIF3A, RIOK1, RUNX1 and THBS1 were upregulated in Angus, while AKT3, CD59 and CD200, IGFBP2 and IGFBP4, KIF3B, RIOK3, RUNX2 and THBS2 were upregulated in Wagyu. There were 313 and 171 upregulated DE-APA sites in satellite cells derived from Angus and Wagyu, respectively (adjusted P &lt; 0.1). Muscle system related pathways were enriched specifically for Angus. The CAPZA1, FAM227B, LDB2 and TTLL4 genes contained at least one DE-APA site that was specifically abundant in Angus or Wagyu. For these six gene family member pairs, ANKRD1, CD82, FBXO17, IGFBP2, PDLIM3 and THBS1 were abundantly expressed in Angus, but ANKRD28, CD9, CD14 and CD164, FBXO33, IGFBP5, PDLIM1 and THBS2 were upregulated in Wagyu. In brief, intramuscular progenitor cells and satellite cells may be characteristically different between Angus and Wagyu. Based on DE-APA events, the myogenesis pathways are enriched in cells from Angus, but the adipogenesis pathways are dominant in cells derived from Wagyu. This research was supported by the USDA-NIFA under Award Numbers 2016-67015-24470/2018-67051-27500 to ZJ and 2015-67015-23219/2016-68006-24634 to MD.
345 The effects of maternal nutrient restriction followed by re-alimentation on offspring growth and metabolism in sheep
Authors: Smith Brandon I , Vásquez-Hidalgo Manuel A , Vonnahme Kimberly A , Swanson Kendall C , Grazul-Bilska Anna T , Reed Sarah A , Zinn Steven A , Govoni Kristen E 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The duration and timing of inadequate maternal nutrition can have detrimental effects on metabolism and organogenesis in the offspring. Re-alimentation, a common management practice that involves feeding full nutrient requirements following a period of nutrient restriction, may reduce the negative impacts of maternal nutrient restriction. To determine the effects of maternal nutrient restriction and re-alimentation on offspring growth,48 primiparous ewes, confirmed pregnant with singletons, were fed a control diet consisting of100% NRC requirements (CON) starting on day25 of gestation. On day50 of gestation, ewes (n = 7) were euthanized and fetal liver, muscle, and blood samples were collected. The remaining animals were fed either CON or60% NRC requirements (RES). On day90 of gestation, a portion of ewes were euthanized (n = 7 per treatment) and fetal samples and weights were collected. Remaining ewes were maintained on the current diet (CON-CON, n = 6; RES-RES, n = 7) or switched to the alternative diet (CON-RES, RES-CON; n = 7/treatment). On day130 of gestation, all remaining ewes were euthanized. All fetal BW, liver, longissimus muscle, semitendinosus, and triceps brachii weights were determined for each day of gestation. Fetal BW’s were not different between treatment groups (P = 0.29; P = 0.83). Fetal liver weights decreased12.89% in RES-RES compared with CON-CON at day130 (P = 0.049), but were not different at day90 (P = 0.69). There was a tendency for decreased semitendinosus weight in RES group compared with CON at day90 (P = 0.055). Liver lipid droplet accumulation was analyzed for day90 and130 using histochemistry and an effect of maternal nutrition was not observed (P = 0.562). In summary, maternal nutrient restriction reduces offspring muscle and liver growth. To gain insight into the effects of maternal nutrient restriction and re-alimentation on liver development and metabolism, analysis of liver morphology, gene expression, and global metabolomics are needed. Supported by USDA-AFRI grant2016-67016-24884
68 ASAS-EAAP Exchange Speaker Talk: Natural feed additives enhancing innate immunity: the gateway to sustainable animal health
Authors: Fink-Gremmels Johanna 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Sustainable animal health is one of the key objectives in modern livestock management, as animal health is also directly linked to performance and feed efficiency. The feed industry, however, faces an increasing number of uncertainties associated with declining resources, climate change and increasing world market prices for feed materials. Specialized feed ingredients and feed additives can promote feed utilization and animal health by increasing the resilience to infectious disease thereby meeting also societal demands to reduce the need for an undesirable use of antibiotics in the absence of severe infectious diseases. Feed additives are commonly originating from natural substances such as organic acids, pre- and probiotics and are already widely accepted and used. Understanding their mechanism of action on pathogen exclusion and improvement of gut health, are the drivers for the development of new additives, including phytogenic agents, which are added due to their multiple actions as antimicrobials, antioxidants and digestives and measurable beneficial effect on the innate immune system. Such innovative solutions require a multi-disciplinary cooperation with the aim to understand the specific mode of action on digestive functions, the gut microbiome and the cross-talk between the intestinal mucosal barrier and other mucosal organs such as the lungs and the innate immune system. Moreover, specific pharmaceutical technologies are needed for a targeted release of feed additives within the intestinal tract and to guarantee their stability during feed and drinking water application. Bridging these insights with the physiological development of animals at different stages of life and the unavoidable risk for endogenous and environmental stressors, enables a cost-effective integration of natural feed additives into sustainable health programs of livestock operations, ultimately contributing also to animal wellbeing and food safety and security.