The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with chromium yeast (Cr-yeast) and dihydropyridine (DHP) on nutrient utilization, milk composition, and antioxidative status of prepartum dairy cows under heat stress. Twenty-four perinatal dairy cows (600 ± 14 kg; parity 2-3) were divided into three groups and fed the same basal diet with no supplement (control group), 8 g of Cr-yeast (Cr-yeast group), or 3 g of DHP (DHP group) per day. The experimental period consisted of a 7-d adaptation period and a 30-d data collection period from day 27 prepartum to day 3 postpartum. The temperature humidity index (THI) observed at daytime during the trial period exceeded 72, and the mean daily THI was 79.43. Norepinephrine in the Cr-yeast group decreased in prepartum cows. Serum cortisol in Cr-yeast or DHP group cows was lower in the postpartum period than in the control; however, serum cortisol levels decreased in the DHP group in the prepartum period. Dietary supplementation with Cr-yeast increased the digestibility of ether extract and the concentration of milk fat, while the solid non-fat (SNF) level was reduced. In the DHP group, the lactoprotein content was higher than the control. Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was higher and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content tended to increase before calving in the Cr-yeast and DHP groups. Dietary supplementation with Cr-yeast or DHP can relieve the adverse impact caused by heat stress in prepartum dairy cows.

The current study aimed to assess the effects of the addition of dietary fermented feed (FF) on the growth performance, blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and number of cecal microorganisms of Sichuan white geese from 1 to 28 d of age. A total of 240, 1-day-old female geese were randomly divided into five groups with six replicates (eight birds per replicate). Geese in the control group were fed the basal diet (0.0% FF) and the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% FF, respectively. The 5.0% FF and 7.5% FF groups had greater body weights (BW), average daily feed intakes (ADFI), and average daily gains (ADG) than the control group. The feed/gain ratio (F/G) in the 7.5% FF group was higher than the control group. The concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IGA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the 5.0% FF group were higher than those in the control group, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the 5.0% FF group was lower. Moreover, the FF did not affect the plasma biochemical indicators, number of cecal microorganisms, and intestinal morphology of geese in the groups. These findings indicate that 5.0% FF may improve the growth performance (BW, ADG, and ADFI), immunological function, and antioxidant capacity of Sichuan white geese from 1 to 28 days of age.

ABSTRACT Geese (Anser cygnoides) possess stronger ability of roughage digestion and utilization than other poultries, hence, it has become the focus of attention of scientists. Duodenal, jejunum and ileum were mainly participated in food digestion and nutrient absorption, while the cecum was responsible for biological fermentation. Effects on the geese’s cecal microbiota community by feeding with the all-grass diet have been investigated, however, whether it had an influence on the geese’s duodenal microbiota community remains unexplored. To address this problem, geese feeding with the basal diet for 28 days (G1), the basal diet for 28 days and the all-grass diet for the following 14 days (G2), the basal diet for 42 days (G3) were selected, respectively. The duodenal segments of geese were collected and the hypervariable V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequencing. A total of 4 main phyla and 16 main genera were identified. Moreover, we also successfully identified that two taxa including the Helcococcus and Clostridium could be used as distinguishing biomarkers specific to G2. The functional profiles of the duodenum microbiota were mainly involved in the membrane transport (e.g. ABC transporters), amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, and cellular processes and signaling pathways in geese feeding with the all-grass diet. In conclusion, the all-grass diet could impact the composition of duodenal microbiota. However, to resolve the underlying mechanism of the fiber digesting and utilization in geese’s gut microbiota, the whole intestinal system needs to be assessed by further studies.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyse the incidence of long and short corrected QT (QTc) in a healthy sample of the population of Changsha in China. Methods: Standard 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were performed on 4025 subjects in Changsha of China, whose age ranged from 6 minutes after birth to 83 years, between January 1993 and December 2012. Heart rate and QT interval were measured and recorded. Corrected QT was calculated with Bazett´s formula (QTc = QT/RR0.5). All recruited individuals had taken healthy examination, ruling out general health issue, in The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 16.0 software (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: The incidence of short QTc was 7.13% (287/4025 cases). The peak values of the incidence were in the 30–40 years group (15.71%). The low values were in the 1–3 months group and 3–6 months group (0%, 0.76%), respectively. The incidence of long QTc was 3.16% (127/4025 cases). The values diminished significantly after adulthood. The low values were in the age groups of 18–30 years (0.86%) and 30–40 years (0.71%), respectively. After the age of 50 years, the incidence of long QTc increased with age 50–60 years and 60–70 years and 70–83 years (7.89%, 9.06%, 14.06%), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the genders (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The peak incidences of long and short QTc existed in two separate age groups in the healthy sample. The peak incidence of short QTc was in the age group of 18–40 years, and the peak incidence of long QTc was in the age group beyond the 50 years. For these two age groups, it was recommended to pay close attention to the changes in their QTc in order to prevent cardiovascular events.

To explore the effects of supplementing a basal diet with green sweet sorghum stalks on the gut microbiota in geese, one hundred and twenty 28-day-old geese were divided into two groups. Group 1 was fed a basal diet and group 2 was fed 92% of the same basal diet with green sweet sorghum stalks ad libitum for 42 days. Three male geese from each group were killed at 70 days old, four gastrointestinal tract segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and caecum) were collected, and the hypervariable V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. There were obvious changes of microbiome in the caecum compared with the other three intestinal segments after green sweet sorghum stalks were added to the diet. Group 2 had significantly higher alpha diversity in the caecum compared with group 1 (P <0.05). The phyla of bacterial communities in the caecum differed. Group 2 had more abundant Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, but Proteobacteria were more abundant in group 1. At genus level, Bacteroides was more prevalent in group 2, as were Prevotella and YRC22 (P <0.05). Functional analysis revealed that the carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transport, endocrine system and digestive system metabolic pathways were overrepresented in group 2. In conclusion, caecal microbes might play an important role in digesting green sweet sorghum stalks in geese.

Mining method selection is one of the most important decisions to be made by mining engineers. To solve the decision-making problem regarding selection of the optimal longwall mining method for thin coal seams, we propose an approach that combines Monte Carlo simulation and the conventional analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Economic, technical, and ergonomic factors are taken into consideration in the process. With this approach, the confidence level of each method's score, as calculated by AHP, is determined by Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed approach is applied to a panel in Liangshuijing coal mine in China and the appropriate mining methods for this panel are ranked.

Poor performance measurement practices in the oil and gas industry can cause project cost overruns, schedule delays, and scope increases. Earned value management, as an integrated project planning and control method measuring cost and schedule performance, enables the early detection of performance issues, and allows corrective actions to be implemented in a timely manner. Through a structured interview survey, this study aimed to identify the current maturity level of earned value management practice in Malaysian oil and gas firms to determine the barriers hindering the use of this practice, and to identify critical success factors for enhancing earned value management implementation in the oil and gas industry. The findings revealed the major barriers to earned value management implementation, and potential strategies to improve the effectiveness of earned value management practice in this industry.

Swak prestasiebestuurpraktyke in die olie- en gasindustrie lei tot die oorskryding van projek begrotings, skedule vertragings en omvang toenames. Verdiendewaarde bestuur wat as 'n geïntegreerde projekbeplanning en -beheermetode gebruik word om koste en skedule prestasie te meet stel die bestuurder in staat om prestasie probleme vroegtydig op te spoor. Dienooreenkomstige korrigerende stappe kan dan tydig geneem word. Hierdie studie se doelstelling was om deur middel van 'n gestruktureerde onderhoud opname die huidige volwassenheidsvlak van verdiendewaarde bestuurpraktyke in die Maleisiese olie- en gasindustrie te bepaal, om hindernisse tot die gebruik van hierdie praktyk te bepaal, en om kritiese suksesfaktore wat die implementering van verdiendewaarde bestuur aanmoedig te identifiseer. Die bevindinge het groot hoof hindernisse tot die implementering van verdiendewaarde prestasiebestuur in hierdie industrie ontbloot.

Characteristics of microcracks in vanadium-titanium magnetite crushed by high pressure grinding roll (HPGR) and conventional jaw crusher (JC) were investigated. In crushing by both HPGR and JC, stress cracks, intragranular cracks, and cleavage cracks were developed. Stress cracking was the initial stage and fundamental basis of fracture. The intragranular cracking could accelerate the comminution process and thus increase the content of fine particles in the crushed products. Cleavage cracking could enhance the liberation of valuable minerals and gangue minerals. Narrow size fraction samples were prepared and characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) method, mineral liberation analyser (MLA), and Bond ball mill. The specific surface area and pore volume of the HPGR products were found to be significantly higher than for JC products due to the presence of abundant microcracks and a higher fraction of fine particles. Compared to the JC products, the HPGR products showed a better degree of liberation and lower Bond ball mill work index (BWI), although the difference gradually decreased with increasing fineness of grind. The application of HPGR not only reduces the energy consumption in the subsequent grinding process, but also optimizes the separation of vanadium-titanium magnetite and improves the TiO2 recovery in ilmenite.

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to investigate the mechanism by which dietary energy concentration regulates laying performance in geese. Eighty 558-day-old female Sichuan White geese were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments, each treatment was fed 1 of 2 experimental diets containing 10.00 (deficient) or 11.80MJ/kg metabolizable energy (sufficient) for 30 days. Laying performance, hormone concentration and gene expressions in hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis were examined in geese. Birds fed the sufficient-energy diet had significantly higher average egg weight, daily laying rate, and lower feed to egg ratio than those fed the deficient-energy (p<0.05). The birds fed sufficient-energy diet had higher concentration of serum insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) than those in deficient-energy diet (p<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of GnRH in the hypothalamus, FSH in the pituitary and E2 in the ovary of birds fed sufficient-energy diet were higher than the corresponding counterpart in deficient-energy diet (p<0.05), respectively. In conclusion, the study implied that dietary energy modifies laying possibly through regulating reproductive hormone secretion and gene expression in hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis in laying geese.

ABSTRACT This study was carried to express the interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) in vitro and examine its function in inhibition of avian reovirus (ARV) replication. The recombinant prokaryotic vector expressing yellow-feathered broiler IFITM3 was successfully constructed, and the recombinant protein was expressed in competent Escherichia coli BL21 cells. New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with the purified recombinant protein to prepare a polyclonal antibody, with a titer of 1:128,000. Immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-PCR, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that IFITM3 was distributed in the yellow-feathered broiler immune organs, and the expression of IFITM3 in bursa of Fabricius was more than in spleen and thymus. It was found that in the thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius the mRNA expression levels of IFNα and IFITM3 were significantly induced after ARV infection. And it was also certified in the chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) which infected with ARV. Then the IFNα was added into the cell culture medium before CEFs were infected with ARV. The results indicated that the mRNA of IFITM3 expression was significantly increased and ARV multiplication was significantly inhibited. And when the expression of IFITM3 was knocked down by siRNA-IFITM3, the expression of IFITM3 was significantly reduced, but the ARV multiplication was significantly increased, which indicated that IFITM3 protein could inhibit the ARV replication.

Mineral homeostasis is often disrupted in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) infants. Most studies focus on calcium or phosphorus metabolism of IUGR infants via determining serum mineral concentrations instead of tissues. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of IUGR on the mineralization and physiological functions of tissue in a piglet model. Six normal birth weight (NBW) and six IUGR neonatal piglets were slaughtered at 35 days. Mineral concentrations in blood and selected tissues (liver, kidney, lungs, heart, and longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM)), hepatic lipid, mRNA expressions of magnesium (Mg) metabolism, and autophagy were analysed. Results showed that IUGR pigs showed significantly lower phosphorus (P) in LDM, and lower Mg in the liver and LDM, and higher Mg in lungs than NBW pigs. There were no significant differences in concentrations of selenium (Se), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), aluminium (Al), and lithium (Li) in selected tissues. IUGR pigs had similar mRNA expression of TRPM7 and MagT1 to NBW pigs, but significantly lower expressions of HNF1B and Mrs2 in the liver than NBW pigs. Hepatic triglyceride was significantly increased, and MAP1LC3B expression was significantly decreased in IUGR pigs compared with those of NBW pigs. These result suggested that IUGR pigs had tissue mineralization disturbance, especially for Mg, and liver dysfunction (increased hepatic lipid and inhibited autophagy). Hepatic Mg deficiency might result from increased Mg efflux via reducing HNF1B expression.

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus coagulans on the growth performance and immune functions of the intestinal mucosa of yellow broilers. Three hundred and sixty one-day-old yellow chicks were randomly allocated to four treatments groups with six replicates of 15 chicks each. The broilers were randomly subjected to one of the following treatments for 28 days: control group (group1, fed a basal diet) and three treatments (group 2, 3, 4) fed the basal diet supplemented with 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg Bacillus coagulans , respectively). The results showed that for 28 days, compared with the control diet, the dietary addition of 200 mg/kg Bacillus coagulans significantly decreased the feed/gain ratio (F/G) (p<0.05), improved the thymus index, spleen index and bursa index (p<0.05), increased the villus height to crypt depth ratio (V/C) in the duodenum (p<0.05), increased the number of secretory immunoglobulin (sIgA) positive cells ( p<0.05). The dietary addition of 200 mg/kg Bacillus coagulans promoted a significant increase in Lactobacillus spp. populations and suppressed Escherichia coli replication in cecum, compared with the control (p<0.05). Moreover, the dietary addition of 200 mg/kg Bacillus coagulans also significantly enhanced the levels of interferon alpha (IFNα), toll-like receptor (TLR3), and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5(MDA5) in the duodenum (p<0.05). In conclusion, the dietary addition of Bacillus coagulans significantly improved broiler performance, and enhanced the intestinal mucosal barrier and immune function. The optimal dosage of Bacillus coagulans for yellow broilers was determined as 2×108 cfu/kg.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of feeding conditions on methylation status of FATP1 gene, which is an important candidate gene of Intramuscular fat and important indicator of chicken meat quality. We selected Daninghe (DNH) and Qingjiaoma (QJM) chickens under scatter-feeding and captivity-feeding conditions as experimental animals, and detected the methylation status of FATP1 genes in chicken breast muscle using Bisulfite Sequencing PCR method. The results showed that the methylation level of FATP1 in scatter-fed chicken was lower than in captivity-fed conditions in DNH and QIM chicken breast tissues; DNA methylation in the promoter and exon1 region was demonstrated to negatively regulate the expression of the FATP1 gene. These results suggested that feeding conditions affect the methylation status and expression level of FATP1, thereby affecting the Intramuscular fat content in DNH and QJM chicken breast muscle.

ABSTRACT Background: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common orthostatic blood pressure (BP) regulation disorder. Orthostatic hypertension (OHT), on the other hand, is not so common but has relevancy with autonomic neuropathy and diabetes. Orthostatic hypotension is prevalent in females and elderly person. But prevalence of OHT in age and gender is poorly studied. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Data collection was from January 2000 to August 2012. Inclusion criteria were patients referred for syncope of unknown origin, headache, dizziness, chest tightness or sighing. Comparisons were made between males and females, and those < 12 year and those ≥ 12 years of age. First outcomes included OHT frequency. Secondary outcomes included age and gender differences in head-up tilt test (HUTT) results and its reaction type, the increment of systolic pressure and diastolic pressure at three minutes of HUTT. Results: Out of a total of 2089 children, OHT was noted in 498 cases. Orthostatic hypertension frequency was higher in males (25.93% vs 21.63%, p < 0.05) and those ≥ 12 years of age (20.48% vs 28.05%, p < 0.05). In OHT children, HUTT positive rate was higher in females (48.6% vs 38.1%, p < 0.05) and those ≥ 12 years of age (51.5% vs 33.2%, p < 0.01). No significant age and gender differences were noted in systolic and diastolic BP in OHT children within three minutes during HUTT. Conclusions: Orthostatic hypotension in children was more often seen in males and in those aged ≥ 12.

RESUMEN Antecedentes: La hipotensión ortostática (HO) es un trastorno de la regulación ortostática común de la presión arterial (PA). Por otro lado, la hipertensión ortostática (HTO) no es tan común, pero tiene importancia en relación con la neuropatía y la diabetes autonómicas. La hipotensión ortostática es frecuente en mujeres y personas mayores. Pero la prevalencia de HTO con respecto a edad y género no ha sido muy estudiada. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de corte transversal. La recogida de datos se realizó de enero de 2000 hasta agosto de 2012. Los criterios de inclusión fueron los pacientes remitidos por síncope de origen desconocido, dolor de cabeza, mareos, opresión en el pecho o suspiros. Se realizaron comparaciones entre varones y hembras, y aquellos de < 12 y ≥ 12 años de edad. Los primeros resultados incluyeron la frecuencia de HTO. Los resultados secundarios incluyeron diferencias de edad y de género en los resultados de la prueba de inclinación (PI) y sus tipos de reacción, el incremento de la presión sistólica y la presión diastólica a los tres minutos de PI. Resultados: De un total de 2089 niños, se observó HTO en 498 casos. La frecuencia de hipertensión ortostática fue mayor en los varones (25.93% vs 21.63%, p < 0.05) y aquellos con ≥ 12 años de edad (20.48% vs 28.05%, p < 0.05). En niños con HTO, la tasa de PI positivos fue mayor en las hembras (48.6% vs 38.1%, p < 0.05) y en aquellos con ≥ 12 años de edad (51.5% vs 33.2%, p < 0.01). No se observó ningún tipo de depresión cardíaca. El tipo mixto fue visto más a menudo en hembras (25.2% vs 13.2%, p < 0.05). No se observó ninguna diferencia significativa de edad y género en la PA sistólica y diastólica en niños con HTO en el plazo de tres minutos durante la PI. Conclusiones: La hipotensión ortostática en niños fue vista más a menudo en varones y en aquellos de edad ≥ 12.

Since it was first identified in 1817, selenium has received considerable interest. Native selenium and a few selenium minerals were discovered several decades later. With the increasing number of selenium minerals, the occurrence of selenium minerals became the focus of much research. A great number of selenium deposits were reported all over the world, although few independent selenium deposits were discovered. Selenium is obtained mainly as a byproduct of other metals, and is produced primarily from the anode mud of copper refineries. This paper presents a comprehensive review of selenium minerals, as well as the treatment of copper refinery anode slimes for the recovery of selenium. Our focus is on the selenium minerals, including their discovery and occurrence, and the distribution of selenium resources. In addition, the main methods of recovering selenium from copper anode slimes are summarized.