Amino acids are building blocks for proteins in all animals. Based on growth or nitrogen balance, amino acids were traditionally classified as nutritionally essential or nonessential for mammals, birds and fish. It wa...Amino acids are building blocks for proteins in all animals. Based on growth or nitrogen balance, amino acids were traditionally classified as nutritionally essential or nonessential for mammals, birds and fish. It was assumed that all the ＂nutritionally nonessential amino acids （NEAA）＂ were synthesized sufficiently in the body to meet the needs for maximal growth and optimal health. However, careful analysis of the scientific literature reveals that over the past century there has not been compelling experimental evidence to support this assumption. NEAA （e.g., glutamine, glutamate, proline, glycine and arginine） play important roles in regulating gene expression, cell signaling, antioxidative responses, fertility, neurotransmission, and immunity. Additionally, glutamate, glutamine and aspartate are major metabolic fuels for the small intestine to maintain its digestive function and to protect the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. Thus, diets for animals must contain all NEAA to optimize their survival, growth, development, reproduction, and health. Furthermore, NEAA should be taken into consideration in revising the ＂ideal protein＂ concept that is currently used to formulate swine and poultry diets. Adequate provision of all amino acids （including NEAA） in diets enhances the efficiency of animal production. In this regard, amino acids should not be classified as nutritionally essential or nonessential in animal or human nutrition. The new Texas A＆M University＇s optimal ratios of dietary amino acids for swine and chickens are expected to beneficially reduce dietary protein content and improve the efficiency of their nutrient utilization, growth, and production performance.展开更多
A 3×3 factorial feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the production response of juvenile northern snakehead fish(Channa argus). Nine diets containing 3 protein levels(45%, 48% and 51%) and 3 lipid levels(9%,12...A 3×3 factorial feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the production response of juvenile northern snakehead fish(Channa argus). Nine diets containing 3 protein levels(45%, 48% and 51%) and 3 lipid levels(9%,12% and 15%) were formulated and fed to triplicate groups of juvenile northern snakehead(15.78 ± 0.09 g/fish) for 8 weeks. The formulated diets were named as P45 L9, P45 L12, P45 L15, P48 L9,P48 L12, P48 L15, P51 L9, P51 L12 and P51 L15(P-Protein, L-Lipid), respectively. Fish fed diets with the lowest protein and lipid combination(P45 L9) had the lowest growth performance. Weight gains(WG) of fish fed the 4 diets P48 L12, P48 L15, P51 L9, and P51 L12 were not significantly different(P> 0.05), but significantly higher(P < 0.05) than those of fish fed the other diets. Fish fed diets P48 L12 and P48 L15 had significantly lower(P < 0.05) feed conversion ratios(FCR) than the rest of the treatments. Protein retentions(PR) among fish fed the diets P45 L12, P45 L15, P48 L12, P48 L15, P51 L9, and P51 L12 were similar and significantly higher(P < 0.05) than those of fish fed the remaining diets. Protein sparing effect was observed in the treatments when fish was fed diets containing 45% or 48% dietary protein levels with dietary lipid increased from 9% to12%. Fish fed diets with 9% lipid tended to have lower viscerosomatic index(VSI), hepatosomatic index(HSI),and whole-body lipid. Increasing dietary protein level significantly increased(P < 0.05) liver moisture and lipid while dietary lipid level increased liver lipid. Intestinal lipase activity increased significantly(P < 0.05)with increasing dietary lipid and protein levels while intestinal a-amylase and protease activities were not significantly influenced(P > 0.05) by dietary treatments. Based on these results, the diet containing 48%protein with either 12% or 15% lipid is the optimal for supporting growth and feed utilization of juvenile northern snakehead under the current testing conditions.展开更多
In assessing an insect-resistant genetically engineered （IRGE） crop before its commercialization, researchers normally use so-called ＂Tier-1 assays＂ as the initial step to determine the effects of the crop on non-...In assessing an insect-resistant genetically engineered （IRGE） crop before its commercialization, researchers normally use so-called ＂Tier-1 assays＂ as the initial step to determine the effects of the crop on non-target organisms. In these tests, the insecticidal proteins （IPs） produced by the IRGEs are added to the diets of test organisms in the laboratory. Test organisms in such assays can be directly exposed to much higher concentrations of the test IPs than they would encounter in the field. The results of Tier-1 assays are thus more conservative than those generated in studies in which the organisms are exposed to the IPs by feeding on IRGE plant tissue or in the case of predators or parasites, by feeding on invertebrate prey or hosts that have fed on IRGE plant tissue. In this report, we consider three important factors that must be considered in Tier-1 assays： （i） methods for delivery of the IP to the test organisms; （ii） the need for and selection of compounds used as positive controls; and （iii） methods for monitoring the concentration, stability and bioactivity of the IP during the assay. We also analyze the existing data from Tier-1 assays regarding the toxicity of Bt Cry proteins to non-target arthropod species. The data indicate that the widely used Bt proteins have no direct toxicity to non-target organisms展开更多
Tissue and systemic inflammation have been the main culprit behind the cellular response to multiple insults and maintaining homeostasis.Obesity is an independent disease state that has been reported as a common risk ...Tissue and systemic inflammation have been the main culprit behind the cellular response to multiple insults and maintaining homeostasis.Obesity is an independent disease state that has been reported as a common risk factor for multiple metabolic and microvascular diseases including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),retinopathy,critical limb ischemia,and impaired angiogenesis.Sterile inflammation driven by high-fat diet,increased formation of reactive oxygen species,alteration of intracellular calcium level and associated release of inflammatory mediators,are the main common underlying forces in the pathophysiology of NAFLD,ischemic retinopathy,stroke,and aging brain.This work aims to examine the contribution of the pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory thioredoxin interacting protein(TXNIP)to the expression and activation of NLRP3-inflammasome resulting in initiation or exacerbation of sterile inflammation in these disease states.Finally,the potential for TXNIP as a therapeutic target and whether TXNIP expression can be modulated using natural antioxidants or repurposing other drugs will be discussed.展开更多
Serine and glycine are 2 of the first-affected nonessential amino acids in low crude protein(CP)diets for pigs.Therefore,we explored the effects of different dietary serine-to-glycine ratios on growth perfor-mance and...Serine and glycine are 2 of the first-affected nonessential amino acids in low crude protein(CP)diets for pigs.Therefore,we explored the effects of different dietary serine-to-glycine ratios on growth perfor-mance and lipid metabolism in growing-finishing pigs.A total of 160 crossbred healthy barrows,with a similar body weight of around 59.50 kg,were randomly allotted into 1 of 5 treatments(8 pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen).The serine-to-glycine ratios of the 5 dietary treatments were as follows:diet A(NORMAL group),1.18∶1(16%CP);diet B(LOW group),1.2∶1(12%CP);diet C(S2G1 group),2∶1(12%CP);diet D(S1G2 group),1∶2(12%CP);and diet E(S1G1 group),1∶1(12%CP).We found that the pigs fed a low CP diet(12%CP),when maintaining serine-to-glycine ratio at 1∶2 and a total amount of 1.44%,had the same average daily gain as the pigs fed a normal CP diet(16%CP)(P>0.05),but they had increased intramuscular fat(P<0.05).Furthermore,they exhibited higher expression of genes involved in lipid oxidation(P<0.05),which was regulated by modulating methylation levels in the promoters of acyl-CoA oxidase 1(ACOX1)and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase medium chain(ACADM).When compared with the pigs fed a normal CP diet,these pigs had more oxidative myofibers(P<0.05),which were regulated by AMPK-PGC-1αand Calcineurin-MEF2/NFAT pathways in a coordinated manner.Our findings suggested that a dietary serine-to-glycine ratio of 1:2 is beneficial for improving meat quality in pigs fed a low CP diet.展开更多
Purpose of Review: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a limited ability to excrete fluids, electrolytes, uremic toxins and other end-products of catabolism. Studies on adverse renal outcomes with dietary ...Purpose of Review: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a limited ability to excrete fluids, electrolytes, uremic toxins and other end-products of catabolism. Studies on adverse renal outcomes with dietary patterns are limited. Methods: Comprehensive search in PubMed of papers published until June 2024 describing prospective cohort studies on renal nutritional therapy (RNT) with at least 3 years of follow up. Results: RNT should include adequate yet limited amounts of calories, fluids, protein, lipids, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. RNT is an adjuvant to specific drug-therapy in 1) certain complications viz. fluid overload, anemia and renal osteodystrophy, and 2) specific kidney diseases viz. glomerulopathies, tubulopathies, polycystic kidney disease, calcium oxalates urolithiasis and cystinuria, as well as 3) types of renal failure viz acute and chronic and its treatment viz. hemodialysis, peritoneal and transplantation. Conclusion: RNT is patient-specific and should be systematically planned to delay the progression of CKD as well as to prevent and treat its complications.展开更多
基金supported by National Research Initiative Competitive Grants from the Animal Reproduction Program(2008-35203-19120 and 2011-67015-20028)Animal Growth&Nutrient Utilization Program(2008-35206-18764, 2008-35206-18762,2009-35206-05211,and 2014-67015-21770) of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Texas A&M AgriLife Research(H-8200),Ajinomoto Inc.(Tokyo,Japan),and Gentech Inc. (Shanghai,China)
文摘Amino acids are building blocks for proteins in all animals. Based on growth or nitrogen balance, amino acids were traditionally classified as nutritionally essential or nonessential for mammals, birds and fish. It was assumed that all the ＂nutritionally nonessential amino acids （NEAA）＂ were synthesized sufficiently in the body to meet the needs for maximal growth and optimal health. However, careful analysis of the scientific literature reveals that over the past century there has not been compelling experimental evidence to support this assumption. NEAA （e.g., glutamine, glutamate, proline, glycine and arginine） play important roles in regulating gene expression, cell signaling, antioxidative responses, fertility, neurotransmission, and immunity. Additionally, glutamate, glutamine and aspartate are major metabolic fuels for the small intestine to maintain its digestive function and to protect the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. Thus, diets for animals must contain all NEAA to optimize their survival, growth, development, reproduction, and health. Furthermore, NEAA should be taken into consideration in revising the ＂ideal protein＂ concept that is currently used to formulate swine and poultry diets. Adequate provision of all amino acids （including NEAA） in diets enhances the efficiency of animal production. In this regard, amino acids should not be classified as nutritionally essential or nonessential in animal or human nutrition. The new Texas A＆M University＇s optimal ratios of dietary amino acids for swine and chickens are expected to beneficially reduce dietary protein content and improve the efficiency of their nutrient utilization, growth, and production performance.
基金supported by a grant(No.201524) from the Technical Support Group in Aquaculture of Zhejiang Ocean and Fisheries Bureau
文摘A 3×3 factorial feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the production response of juvenile northern snakehead fish(Channa argus). Nine diets containing 3 protein levels(45%, 48% and 51%) and 3 lipid levels(9%,12% and 15%) were formulated and fed to triplicate groups of juvenile northern snakehead(15.78 ± 0.09 g/fish) for 8 weeks. The formulated diets were named as P45 L9, P45 L12, P45 L15, P48 L9,P48 L12, P48 L15, P51 L9, P51 L12 and P51 L15(P-Protein, L-Lipid), respectively. Fish fed diets with the lowest protein and lipid combination(P45 L9) had the lowest growth performance. Weight gains(WG) of fish fed the 4 diets P48 L12, P48 L15, P51 L9, and P51 L12 were not significantly different(P> 0.05), but significantly higher(P < 0.05) than those of fish fed the other diets. Fish fed diets P48 L12 and P48 L15 had significantly lower(P < 0.05) feed conversion ratios(FCR) than the rest of the treatments. Protein retentions(PR) among fish fed the diets P45 L12, P45 L15, P48 L12, P48 L15, P51 L9, and P51 L12 were similar and significantly higher(P < 0.05) than those of fish fed the remaining diets. Protein sparing effect was observed in the treatments when fish was fed diets containing 45% or 48% dietary protein levels with dietary lipid increased from 9% to12%. Fish fed diets with 9% lipid tended to have lower viscerosomatic index(VSI), hepatosomatic index(HSI),and whole-body lipid. Increasing dietary protein level significantly increased(P < 0.05) liver moisture and lipid while dietary lipid level increased liver lipid. Intestinal lipase activity increased significantly(P < 0.05)with increasing dietary lipid and protein levels while intestinal a-amylase and protease activities were not significantly influenced(P > 0.05) by dietary treatments. Based on these results, the diet containing 48%protein with either 12% or 15% lipid is the optimal for supporting growth and feed utilization of juvenile northern snakehead under the current testing conditions.
文摘In assessing an insect-resistant genetically engineered （IRGE） crop before its commercialization, researchers normally use so-called ＂Tier-1 assays＂ as the initial step to determine the effects of the crop on non-target organisms. In these tests, the insecticidal proteins （IPs） produced by the IRGEs are added to the diets of test organisms in the laboratory. Test organisms in such assays can be directly exposed to much higher concentrations of the test IPs than they would encounter in the field. The results of Tier-1 assays are thus more conservative than those generated in studies in which the organisms are exposed to the IPs by feeding on IRGE plant tissue or in the case of predators or parasites, by feeding on invertebrate prey or hosts that have fed on IRGE plant tissue. In this report, we consider three important factors that must be considered in Tier-1 assays： （i） methods for delivery of the IP to the test organisms; （ii） the need for and selection of compounds used as positive controls; and （iii） methods for monitoring the concentration, stability and bioactivity of the IP during the assay. We also analyze the existing data from Tier-1 assays regarding the toxicity of Bt Cry proteins to non-target arthropod species. The data indicate that the widely used Bt proteins have no direct toxicity to non-target organisms
文摘Tissue and systemic inflammation have been the main culprit behind the cellular response to multiple insults and maintaining homeostasis.Obesity is an independent disease state that has been reported as a common risk factor for multiple metabolic and microvascular diseases including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),retinopathy,critical limb ischemia,and impaired angiogenesis.Sterile inflammation driven by high-fat diet,increased formation of reactive oxygen species,alteration of intracellular calcium level and associated release of inflammatory mediators,are the main common underlying forces in the pathophysiology of NAFLD,ischemic retinopathy,stroke,and aging brain.This work aims to examine the contribution of the pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory thioredoxin interacting protein(TXNIP)to the expression and activation of NLRP3-inflammasome resulting in initiation or exacerbation of sterile inflammation in these disease states.Finally,the potential for TXNIP as a therapeutic target and whether TXNIP expression can be modulated using natural antioxidants or repurposing other drugs will be discussed.
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China(2018YFD0500405)Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS,Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region,Chinese Academy of Sciences(ISA2018304)the earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System(CARS-35).
文摘Serine and glycine are 2 of the first-affected nonessential amino acids in low crude protein(CP)diets for pigs.Therefore,we explored the effects of different dietary serine-to-glycine ratios on growth perfor-mance and lipid metabolism in growing-finishing pigs.A total of 160 crossbred healthy barrows,with a similar body weight of around 59.50 kg,were randomly allotted into 1 of 5 treatments(8 pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen).The serine-to-glycine ratios of the 5 dietary treatments were as follows:diet A(NORMAL group),1.18∶1(16%CP);diet B(LOW group),1.2∶1(12%CP);diet C(S2G1 group),2∶1(12%CP);diet D(S1G2 group),1∶2(12%CP);and diet E(S1G1 group),1∶1(12%CP).We found that the pigs fed a low CP diet(12%CP),when maintaining serine-to-glycine ratio at 1∶2 and a total amount of 1.44%,had the same average daily gain as the pigs fed a normal CP diet(16%CP)(P>0.05),but they had increased intramuscular fat(P<0.05).Furthermore,they exhibited higher expression of genes involved in lipid oxidation(P<0.05),which was regulated by modulating methylation levels in the promoters of acyl-CoA oxidase 1(ACOX1)and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase medium chain(ACADM).When compared with the pigs fed a normal CP diet,these pigs had more oxidative myofibers(P<0.05),which were regulated by AMPK-PGC-1αand Calcineurin-MEF2/NFAT pathways in a coordinated manner.Our findings suggested that a dietary serine-to-glycine ratio of 1:2 is beneficial for improving meat quality in pigs fed a low CP diet.
文摘Purpose of Review: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a limited ability to excrete fluids, electrolytes, uremic toxins and other end-products of catabolism. Studies on adverse renal outcomes with dietary patterns are limited. Methods: Comprehensive search in PubMed of papers published until June 2024 describing prospective cohort studies on renal nutritional therapy (RNT) with at least 3 years of follow up. Results: RNT should include adequate yet limited amounts of calories, fluids, protein, lipids, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. RNT is an adjuvant to specific drug-therapy in 1) certain complications viz. fluid overload, anemia and renal osteodystrophy, and 2) specific kidney diseases viz. glomerulopathies, tubulopathies, polycystic kidney disease, calcium oxalates urolithiasis and cystinuria, as well as 3) types of renal failure viz acute and chronic and its treatment viz. hemodialysis, peritoneal and transplantation. Conclusion: RNT is patient-specific and should be systematically planned to delay the progression of CKD as well as to prevent and treat its complications.
