Dietary supplementation with calcium propionate could beneficially alter rectal microbial composition of early lactation dairy cows

Dietary supplementation with calcium propionate can effectively alleviate negative energy balance and hypocalcemia of dairy cows in early lactation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of calcium propionate feeding levels on the immune function, liver function, and fecal microbial composition of dairy cows in early lactation. Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to four treatments after calving. Treatments were a basal diet plus 0, 200, 350, and 500 g calcium propionate per cow per day throughout a 5-week trial period. Cows were milked three times a day, and blood was sampled to measure immune function and liver function on d 7, 21, and 35. The rectal contents were sampled and collected on d 35 to analyze the microbial composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results indicated that increasing amounts of calcium propionate did not affected the serum concentrations of total protein, IgG, IgM, and calcium, but the concentrations of albumin and IgA changed quadratically. With the increase of calcium propionate, the activity of serum alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase increased linearly, in contrast, the activity of alkaline phosphatase decreased linearly. Moreover, dietary supplementation with increasing levels of calcium propionate tended to quadratically decrease the relative abundance of Firmicutes while quadratically increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes, and consequently linearly decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in the rectal microbiota. Additionally, the supplementation of calcium propionate increased the relative abundances of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 and Prevotellaceae_UCG-004 linearly, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 quadratically, but decreased the relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group and Family_XIII_AD3011_group quadratically. Compared with the CON group, the calcium propionate supplementation significantly decreased the relative abundance of Acetitomaculum but increased the abundances of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Alistipes. In summary, these results suggested that the supplementation of calcium propionate to dairy cows in early lactation could beneficially alter the rectal microbiota

Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance patterns of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from patients admitted at ICUs of a teaching hospital in Zunyi, China

BackgroundCarbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has emerged as a predominant strain of healthcare-associated infections worldwide, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). Therefore, it is imperative to study the molecular epidemiology of CRAB in the ICUs using multiple molecular typing methods to lay the foundation for the development of infection prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile, the molecular epidemiology and conduct homology analysis on CRAB strains isolated from ICUs.MethodsThe sensitivity to various antimicrobials was determined using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method, Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion (KBDD), and E-test assays. Resistance genes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Molecular typing was performed using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA).ResultsAmong the 79 isolates collected, they exhibited high resistance to various antimicrobials but showed low resistance to levofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracyclines. Notably, all isolates of A. baumannii were identified as multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MDR-AB). The blaOXA-51-like, adeJ, and adeG genes were all detected, while the detection rates of blaOXA-23-like (97.5%), adeB (93.67%), blaADC (93.67%), qacEΔ1-sul1 (84.81%) were higher; most of the Ambler class A and class B genes were not detected. MLST analysis on the 79 isolates identified five sequence types (STs), which belonged to group 3 clonal complexes 369. ST1145Ox was the most frequently observed ST with a count of 56 out of 79 isolates (70.89%). MLST analysis for non-sensitive tigecycline isolates, which were revealed ST1145Ox and ST1417Ox as well. By using the MLVA assay, the 79 isolates could be grouped into a total of 64 distinct MTs with eleven clusters identified in them. Minimum spanning tree analysis defined seven different MLVA complexes (MCs) labeled MC1 to MC6 along with twenty singletons. The locus MLVA-AB_2396 demonstrated the highest Simpson’s diversity index value at 0.829 among all loci tested in this study while also having one of the highest variety of tandem repeat species.ConclusionThe molecular diversity and clonal affinities within the genomes of the CRAB strains were clearly evident, with the identification of ST1144Ox, ST1658Ox, and ST1646Oxqaq representing novel findings

Shifts of Hydrogen Metabolism From Methanogenesis to Propionate Production in Response to Replacement of Forage Fiber With Non-forage Fiber Sources in Diets in vitro

The rumen microbial complex adaptive mechanism invalidates various methane (CH4) mitigation strategies. Shifting the hydrogen flow toward alternative electron acceptors, such as propionate, was considered to be a meaningful mitigation strategy. A completely randomized design was applied in in vitro incubation to investigate the effects of replacing forage fiber with non-forage fiber sources (NFFS) in diets on methanogenesis, hydrogen metabolism, propionate production and the methanogenic and bacterial community. There are two treatments in the current study, CON (a basic total mixed ration) and TRT (a modified total mixed ration). The dietary treatments were achieved by partly replacing forage fiber with NFFS (wheat bran and soybean hull) to decrease forage neutral detergent fiber (fNDF) content from 24.0 to 15.8%, with the composition and inclusion rate of other dietary ingredients remaining the same in total mixed rations. The concentrations of CH4, hydrogen (H2) and volatile fatty acids were determined using a gas chromatograph. The archaeal and bacterial 16S rRNA genes were sequenced by Miseq high-throughput sequencing and used to reveal the relative abundance of methanogenic and bacterial communities. The results revealed that the concentration of propionate was significantly increased, while the concentration of acetate and the acetate to propionate ratio were not affected by treatments. Compared with CON, the production of H2 increased by 8.45% and the production of CH4 decreased by 14.06%. The relative abundance of Methanomassiliicoccus was significantly increased, but the relative abundance of Methanobrevibacter tended to decrease in TRT group. At the bacterial phylum level, the TRT group significantly decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and tended to increase the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. The replacement of forage fiber with NFFS in diets can affect methanogenesis by shifting the hydrogen flow toward propionate, and part is directed to H2in vitro. The shift was achieved by a substitution of Firmicutes by Bacteroidetes, another substitution of Methanobrevibacter by Methanomassiliicoccus. Theoretical predictions of displacements of H2 metabolism from methanogenesis to propionate production was supported by the dietary intervention in vitro

Glucogenic and lipogenic diets affect in vitro ruminal microbiota and metabolites differently

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two glucogenic diets (C: ground corn and corn silage; S: steam-flaked corn and corn silage) and a lipogenic diet (L: sugar beet pulp and alfalfa silage) on the ruminal bacterial and archaeal structures, the metabolomic products, and gas production after 48 h in vitro fermentation with rumen fluid of dairy cows. Compared to the C and S diets, the L dietary treatment leaded to a lower dry matter digestibility (DMD), lower propionate production and ammonia-nitrogen concentration. The two glucogenic diets performed worse in controlling methane and lactic acid production compared to the L diet. The S diet produced the greatest cumulative gas volume at any time points during incubation compared to the C and L diet. The metabolomics analysis revealed that the lipid digestion especially the fatty acid metabolism was improved, but the amino acid digestion was weakened in the L treatment than in other treatments. Differences in rumen fermentation characteristics were associated with (or resulting from) changes in the relative abundance of bacterial and archaeal genera. The rumen fluid fermented with L diet had a significantly higher number of cellulolytic bacteria, including the genera of Ruminococcus, Butyrivibrio, Eubacterium, Lachnospira, unclassified Lachnospiraceae, and unclassified Ruminococcaceae. The relative abundances of amylolytic bacteria genera including Selenomonas_1, Ruminobacter, and Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 were higher in samples for diets C and S. The results indicated that the two glucogenic diets leaded to a higher relative abundance of bacteria which functions in succinate pathway resulting in a higher propionate production. The steam-flaked corn diet had a higher gas production and lower level of metabolites in fatty acids and amino acids. Most highly abundant bacteria were observed to be not sensitive to dietary alterations of starch and fiber, except for several amylolytic bacteria and cellulolytic bacteria. These finding offered new insights on the digesting preference of ruminal bacteria, which can assist to improve the rumen functioning

Traceability System of Pig-raising Process and Quality Safety on 3G

Abstract：In view of existed not flexibility and low efficiency in establishing feeding file of large-scale farms or farmer farms of pigs, by adopting intelligent PDA or mobile phone as application platform, combining with .Net 2005 language and SQL Server 2005 CE database as well as TD-SCDMA wireless wide band communication linking Internet as data transmission method，this study suggested data criterions on feeding process information collection of pigs, and developed a mobile PDA or phone system to track swine feeding process data, such as operators and main inputs, and to trace pork quality safety. The running of the system shows that it realized all kinds of data collecting and wireless submission including ear tag wearing and movements, immunity events, feeds and veterinary drugs used as well as casual inspection data，and also achieved remote data maintaining for pig′s feeding files and deepness inquiry to pork quality. The system not only makes up a deficiency from table data recording system for feeding file setting of a large-scale swine farm, but also is a kind of effective solution for farmer farm to set up swine feeding files. Furthermore, the system is a kind of mobile and convenient supervising tool to service official veterinarian to carry out their work. Finally, with the TD-SCDMA technology prevalence and communication fee decrease, the system will take part in a important role in constructing Chinese pork quality safety traceability system

DEVELOPMENT FOR BREEDING PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ON PIG FARMS

Abstract The study was conducted to supply systemic and dynamic analysis data to support a better operation on a breeding pig farm with process management, especially in reproduction parameters. A full simulation model on a breeding pig farm running was proposed in the study, and a series of definitions of process parameters related to service performance, farrowing performance and weaning performance was put forward. Some of them are described on the calculating models. The relationship structural database was designed and a set of digital management information system was developed, based on proposed definitions and models by using Visual Basic 6.0 Access databases and Crystal report combined with genetic characteristic of different pig breeds. The System supplies a series of convenient , intelligent input interfaces of original datum, and all different reproduction data can be counted, analyzed and graphically shown, based on different performances in a specific duration, and it can dynamically derive out all sows history card that shows a complete reproduction performances including some important indexes such as farrowing rate, farrowing interval, average gestation days and average weaned weight et al. in terms of parities, which can be used to decide whether a female needs to be fell into disuse. Therefore, with the help of system analysis and software design techniques, the system made it possible to realize information management and intelligence analysis for a breeding pig farm based on whole digital management of reproduction process from services through weaning and among different categories of breeding pigs and parities

Recent Advance in Division of Carbohydrate and Protein Fractions of Ruminant Feed and Their Metabolism in Digestive Tract

Accurate assessment of feed’s Carbohydrate (CHO) and protein nutritional values and rumen metabolism are significant for dairy production. Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) as an important method to evaluate feedstuff nutritional values, hasn’t been widely used in China. In order to illustrate updates of CNCPS systems deeply, the following sections were reviewed: (i) CHO and protein fractions were updated, CA was subdivided into CA1, CA2, CA3 and CA4 in CNCPS v6.1, protein was reclassified into PA1, PA2, PB1, PB2 and PC after CNCPS v6.1. Content of CHO and protein fractions vary in different feedstuff and affected by feed processing; (ii) Degradation rates (Kd) values for the new CA expanded scheme were updated to 0, 7, 5, 40-60 % h-1 respectively, Kd for PA and PB1 decreased to 200 % h-1 and 10-40 % h-1; (iii) Equations for passage rate (Kp) initially includes Kpf (Kp of forages) and Kpc (Kp of concentrates), and adjusted by effective NDF (eNDF), while in CNCPS v5.0, Kpl (Kp of liquids) equation was added and eNDF was replaced by physically effective NDF (peNDF). In CNCPS v6.1, FpBW and CpBW were integrated into Kp equations and peNDF was abandoned. (iv) The relationship and difference among Weende system of proximate analysis, Van Soest fiber analysis [35], NRC (2001) [28] and CNCPS were analyzed. The first two systems laid the foundation for NRC (2001) and CNCPS system. The latter two systems are different in CHO and protein division, also NRC (2001) developed separate Kp equations for wet and dry forages but no equation for Kpl. CNCPS developed a Kp equation that work for wet and dry forages, and Kpl equation was established. In conclusion, the division and development of CHO and protein fractions, the update of Kd and Kp equation were reviewed systematically

Traceability System of Pig-Raising Process and Quality Safety on 3G

Part 1: Decision Support Systems, Intelligent Systems and Artificial Intelligence ApplicationsInternational audienceIn view of existed not flexibility and low efficiency in establishing feeding file of large-scale farms or farmer farms of pigs, by adopting intelligent PDA or mobile phone as application platform, combining with .Net 2005 language and SQL Server 2005 CE database as well as TD-SCDMA wireless wide band communication linking Internet as data transmission method, this study suggested data criterions on feeding process information collection of pigs, and developed a mobile PDA or phone system to track swine feeding process data, such as operators and main inputs, and to trace pork quality safety. The running of the system shows that it realized all kinds of data collecting and wireless submission including ear tag wearing and movements, immunity events, feeds and veterinary drugs used as well as casual inspection data, and also achieved remote data maintaining for pig’s feeding files and deepness inquiry to pork quality. The system not only makes up a deficiency from table data recording system for feeding file setting of a large-scale swine farm, but also is a kind of effective solution for farmer farm to set up swine feeding files. Furthermore, the system is a kind of mobile and convenient supervising tool to service official veterinarian to carry out their work. Finally, with the TDSCDMA technology prevalence and communication fee decrease, the system will take part in a important role in constructing Chinese pork quality safety traceability system

Different Diets Change Milk Extracellular Vesicle-Protein Profile in Lactating Cows

We previously demonstrated that the partial replacement of forage with non-forage fiber sources (NFFS) in dairy cow diets could decrease the ruminal ratio of acetate to propionate, leading to changes in circulatory and milk extracellular vesicle (EV)-miRNAs expression. This study further explored the effects of the NFFS diets on milk EV proteins, which were proposed as food bio-active ingredients in recent research. We replaced 8.97% alfalfa hay and 2.51% corn silage with 5.72% whole cotton seed and 4.73% soybean hull in the cow diet, reducing the forage neutral detergent fiber from 20.92% to 15.67%. In total 488 proteins were identified by proteome, and 65 proteins were differentially expressed in response to the NFFS diets, the functions of which were mainly enriched in immune-related pathways, including complement and coagulation cascades, phagosome, Staphylococcus aureus infection, and chemokine signaling pathway. Moreover, 57 milk EV-proteins, mainly attributed to enzymes, cytoskeletal proteins, and transport proteins, were in the top 100 most identified EV-proteins in different species and body fluids, which might be related to the biogenesis, structure, and traffic of all vesicles. The results showed that NFFS diets could influence cow milk EV-protein composition, implying that we could take effective nutritional strategies to promote the synthesis of milk functional ingredients. Combined with all our studies, NFFS diets were recommended to improve the rumen fermentation model and enrich the milk EV proteins of dairy cows

Starch and Cellulose Degradation in the Rumen and Applications of Metagenomics on Ruminal Microorganisms

Carbohydrates (e.g., starch and cellulose) are the main energy source in the diets of dairy cows. The ruminal digestion of starch and cellulose is achieved by microorganisms and digestive enzymes. In order to improve their digestibility, the microbes and enzymes involved in starch and cellulose degradation should be identified and their role(s) and activity known. As existing and new analytical techniques are continuously being developed, our knowledge of the amylolytic and cellulolytic microbial community in the rumen of dairy cows has been evolving rapidly. Using traditional culture-based methods, the main amylolytic and cellulolytic bacteria, fungi and protozoa in the rumen of dairy cows have been isolated. These culturable microbes have been found to only account for a small fraction of the total population of microorganisms present in the rumen. A more recent application of the culture-independent approach of metagenomics has acquired a more complete genetic structure and functional composition of the rumen microbial community. Metagenomics can be divided into functional metagenomics and sequencing-based computational metagenomics. Both approaches have been applied in determining the microbial composition and function in the rumen. With these approaches, novel microbial species as well as enzymes, especially glycosyl hydrolases, have been discovered. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the major amylolytic and cellulolytic microorganisms present in the rumen of dairy cows. The ruminal amylases and cellulases are briefly discussed. The application of metagenomics technology in investigating glycosyl hydrolases is provided and the novel enzymes are compared in terms of glycosyl hydrolase families related to amylolytic and cellulolytic activities