Indigestible internal markers for estimating the digestibility of feedlot beef cattle diets

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the adequacy of indigestible neutral detergent fiber (NDFi) and indigestible acid detergent fiber (ADFi) as internal markers to estimate the digestibilities of three feedlot beef cattle diets containing 60% corn silage and 40% concentrates, including sunflower meal and urea plus either 25% ground corn grain (GCG); 8.2% GCG, and 19.3% soybean hulls; or 8.5% GCG and 20% corn germ meal. Twenty-seven Nellore steers in confinement were distributed among the three treatments. The NDFi and ADFi percentages were quantified after 144h of in vitro incubation of ingredients, orts and faecal samples. The mean digestibilities of dry matter (59.9 vs 59.8%), crude protein (54.4 vs 54.3%), NDF (52.2 vs 51.8%) and ADF (40.4 vs 40.9%) estimated by NDFi and ADFi, respectively, were similar with no effect of ingredients used. It was concluded that the NDFi (18.9%) and ADFi (11.8%) concentrations of the 25% GCG diet were adequate to estimate the digestibility coefficients in diets with 40% of concentrate, independent of the inclusion of fiber-rich ingredients in partial substitution of ground corn

Discovery of Bile Acid Derivatives as Potent ACE2 Activators by Virtual Screening and Essential Dynamics

The angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) is a key molecular player in the regulation of vessel contraction, inflammation, and reduction of oxidative stress. In addition, ACE2 has assumed a prominent role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic-causing virus SARS-CoV-2, as it is the very first receptor in the host of the viral spike protein. The binding of the spike protein to ACE2 triggers a cascade of events that eventually leads the virus to enter the host cell and initiate its life cycle. At the same time, SARS-CoV-2 infection downregulates ACE2 expression especially in the lung, altering the biochemical signals regulated by the enzyme and contributing to the poor clinical prognosis characterizing the late stage of the COVID-19 disease. Despite its important biological role, a very limited number of ACE2 activators are known. Here, using a combined in silico and experimental approach, we show that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) derivatives work as ACE2 activators. In detail, we have identified two potent ACE2 ligands, BAR107 and BAR708, through a docking virtual screening campaign and elucidated their mechanism of action from essential dynamics of the enzyme observed during microsecond molecular dynamics calculations. The in silico results were confirmed by in vitro pharmacological assays with the newly identified compounds showing ACE2 activity comparable to that of DIZE, the most potent ACE2 activator known so far. Our work provides structural insight into ACE2/ligand-binding interaction useful for the design of compounds with therapeutic potential against SARS-CoV-2 infection, inflammation, and other ACE2-related diseases

Selectivity and feeding behavior of Saanen goats subjected to three nutritional levels

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of selective feeding habits on the quality of the ingested diet and the effect of feed restriction on the selectivity and behavior of goats in feedlots. Differences were found only in the amount of feed given to the animals, with a difference in the amount of feed rejected as a function of the nutritional level. Higher levels of orts were measured for those animals that received the ad libitum diet. For the composition of orts, differences were measured only in the ether extract fraction. Animals fed the ad libitum diet increased their intake of ether extract and energy, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber. Thus, they had a preference for consuming the fibrous and energetic portions of the diet to the detriment of the mineral matter. The granulometry influenced the leftovers for the male and female treatments only in the diet that contained the 2.00- and 0.063-mm sized particles, with larger leftovers for the females. There were statistical differences as a function of feeding level for time spent in rumination, with stereotypical behavior, and in time spent standing up or lying down. As a function of sex, the differences were the same variables, including the time spent with agonistic behavior. Animals that received the ad libitum diet had a greater gain and final weight, whereas the animals that received the 60% restricted diet had the lowest performance, as did the females. Feed restriction changed the natural feeding behavior of goats, with smaller feed particles preferred. The feed restriction and sex also influenced the time spent on nonproductive activities, and the animals became more restless, with females having a higher social behavior than males

Methane and carbon dioxide production in vitro in ruminal liquid from different types of bovines fed with total mixed ration

The objective of this research was to measure the in vitro methane and carbon dioxide emission potential by bovines. Six Holsteins with ruminal cannulas were utilized, including two bulls, two steers and two lactating cows. The animals were fed a diet of 45% corn silage and 55% concentrate composed by corn grain, sunflower meal, soybean hulls and soybean meal. Gas emission of each dietary component and of the total ration, were evaluated through individual incubation in ruminal liquid. The experiment was conduct in four periods, with three animal categories (females, adult males and steers). Bulls and cows showed similar methane emission values for all the ingredients, denoting similar emission behavior. However, steers gave lower methane and higher carbon dioxide values for soybean meal and corn silage, indicating greater fermentation of these ingredients by this type of bovine. It was concluded that there are differences among the cattle categories regarding methane and carbon gas emission (Pt)

Discovery of a Potent and Orally Active Dual GPBAR1/CysLT1R Modulator for the Treatment of Metabolic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are two highly prevalent human diseases caused by excessive fat deposition in the liver. Although multiple approaches have been suggested, NAFLD/NASH remains an unmet clinical need. Here, we report the discovery of a novel class of hybrid molecules designed to function as cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1R) antagonists and G protein bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1/TGR5) agonists for the treatment of NAFLD/NASH. The most potent of these compounds generated by harnessing the scaffold of the previously described CystLT1R antagonists showed efficacy in reversing liver histopathology features in a preclinical model of NASH, reshaping the liver transcriptome and the lipid and energy metabolism in the liver and adipose tissues. In summary, the present study described a novel orally active dual CysLT1R antagonist/GPBAR1 agonist that effectively protects against the development of NAFLD/NASH, showing promise for further development

What’s new with numbers? Sociological approaches to the study of quantification

Calculation and quantification have been critical features of modern societies, closely linked to science, markets, and administration. In the past thirty years, the pace, purpose, and scope of quantification have greatly expanded, and there has been a corresponding increase in scholarship on quantification. We offer an assessment of the widely dispersed literature on quantification across four domains where quantification and quantification scholarship have particularly flourished: administration, democratic rule, economics, and personal life. In doing so, we seek to stimulate more cross-disciplinary debate and exchange. We caution against unifying accounts of quantification and highlight the importance of tracking quantification across different sites in order to appreciate its essential ambiguity and conduct more systematic investigations of interactions between different quantification regimes

PROCAPRI – Programa de gerenciamento de rebanhos caprinos: atualização e aprimoramento

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram atualizar o programa de gerenciamento produtivo de rebanhos caprinos - PROCAPRI, e com os dados produtivos de leite do usuários do PROCAPRI, coletados entre 1994 e 2005, avaliou-se a melhor função matemática que represente os dados produtivos e definiu-se fatores de correção para idade a fim de estimar a produção aos 305 dias para cabras leiteiras. Para atualizar o programa foi utilizado a linguagem de programação em PHP e o gerenciador de banco de dados MYSQL, que são ferramentas de desenvolvimento dinâmico na web. O PROCAPRI foi atualizado de forma a interagir rápido e fácil com o usuário, ficando disponível pelo site (www3.fcav.unesp.br/procapri), onde é acessado o sistema. Foram testadas cinco equações matemáticas a fim de predizer a produção leiteira aos 305 dias. Ambas as equações, Função Gama Incompeta e Função Polinomial Inversa, representam os dados dos usuários do PROCAPRI, uma vez que os R²a foram respectivamente, 85,82% e 85,87%, e a Função gama Incompleta quem forneceu os melhores fatores de correção.The objectives of this study was to update the program of productive management of goat - PROCAPRI, and with the productive milk data, collected between 1994 and 2005 between the users of the PROCAPRI, evaluated the best mathematical function that represents the productive data and defined factors of correction for age to estimate the production to the 305 days for milk goats. To update the program it was used the programming language in PHP and the gerenciador of data base MYSQL, that is tools of dynamic development in web. The PROCAPRI was updated to interact fast and easy with the user, being available to access from the site (www3.fcav.unesp.br/procapri). Five mathematical equation had been tested to predict the milk production to the 305 days. The equation that best represents the data of users of PROCAPRI after the consistency of data was the Polynomial Inverse Function, with a R ²a = 85.87%, and graphics consistent with the expected of a lactation curve equation and the factors that provided the best of correction was the Gamma Incomplete Function, with R²a=85.82%, where it obtained the minor deviations in relation to total production observed.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Determinação in vitro do potencial de produção de metano e dióxido de carbonode líquido ruminal proveniente de bovinos de diferentes categorias

The objective of this research was to measure the in vitro methane and carbon dioxide emission potential by bovines. Six Holsteins with ruminal cannulas were utilized, including two bulls, two steers and two lactating cows. The animals were fed a diet of 45% corn silage and 55% concentrate composed by corn grain, sunflower meal, soybean hulls and soybean meal. Gas emission of each dietary component and of the total ration, were evaluated through individual incubation in ruminal liquid. The experiment was conduct in four periods, with three animal categories (females, adult males and steers). Bulls and cows showed similar methane emission values for all the ingredients, denoting similar emission behavior. However, steers gave lower methane and higher carbon dioxide values for soybean meal and corn silage, indicating greater fermentation of these ingredients by this type of bovine. It was concluded that there are differences among the cattle categories regarding methane and carbon gas emission.O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar in vitro o potencial emissivo de metano e dióxido de carbono em bovinos. Foram utilizados seis bovinos da raça holandesa, canulados no rúmen, sendo dois bois, dois novilhos e duas vacas em lactação. Os animais receberam dietas composta por 45% de silagem de milho e 55% de concentrado composto por milho, farelo de girassol, casca de soja e farelo de soja. Foram avaliadas as emissões de gases de cada componente dietético, assim como da ração total, incubados individualmente em líquido ruminal. O experimento foi conduzido em quatro períodos, onde os animais foram divididos em três categorias (fêmeas, machos adultos e novilhos). Foi observado que bois e vacas apresentam valores de emissão semelhantes para todos os ingredientes, indicando mesmo comportamento emissivo. No entanto, para novilhos foram obtidos valores de metano para farelo de girassol e silagem menores que aqueles apresentados por bois e vacas e maiores valores de gás carbônico, indicando maior fermentação destes ingredientes. Assim, conclui-se que existem diferenças entre as categorias na emissão do metano e gás carbônico