Presentation_1_Alpha-Ketoglutarate in Low-Protein Diets for Growing Pigs: Effects on Cecal Microbial Communities and Parameters of Microbial Metabolism.pdf

<p>Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), a critical molecule in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, is beneficial to intestinal functions. However, its influence on intestinal microbiota and metabolism is not fully understood. We investigated the effects of a low-protein (LP) diet supplemented with AKG on cecal microbial communities and the parameters of microbial metabolism in growing pigs. Twenty-seven young pigs (Large White × Landrace) with an average initial body weight of 11.96 ± 0.18 kg were randomly allotted into three groups (n = 9): a normal protein (NP) diet containing 20% crude protein (CP); LP diet formulated with 17% CP (LP diet); or LP diet supplemented with 10 g kg^-1 of AKG (ALP diet). After a 35-day trial period, the digesta of the cecum were collected to analyze the concentrations of ammonia and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). We also performed a microbial analysis. Although no significant differences were found in performance among the diet groups, pigs fed the ALP diet had greater average daily gain (ADG) when compared with those in the LP group. Experimental diet did not affect cecal bacterial richness or diversity, as determined by Chao1 and ACE species richness measures and Shannon and Simpson indices, respectively. The predominant phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria increased in relative abundances in the cecum of pigs fed ALP diet. At the genus level, compared to the LP diet, the ALP diet significantly increased the abundances of Lachnospiraceae UCG-005, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, Phascolarctobacterium and Parabacteroides, while decreased Vibrio and Maritalea. Pigs fed the ALP diet increased Oribacterium and Lachnoclostridium when compared with the NP diet. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed that the distribution of microbiota at each group was distinctly clustered separately along principal coordinate. In addition, quantitative PCR revealed that the ALP diet was also associated with increases in the amounts of Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus, but a decrease in the level of Escherichia coli. Compared with the NP diet, the ALP diet enhanced the concentrations of valerate and propionate. This ALP diet also increased the concentrations of valerate and isobutyrate when compared with the LP diet. Moreover, the ALP diet was linked with a significant decline in the concentration of ammonia in the cecum. These results indicate that a LP diet supplemented with AKG can alter the balance in microbial communities, increasing the population of SCFA-producing bacteria and the amounts of Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium, while reducing the counts of Escherichia coli and the amount of ammonia in the cecum.</p

Data_Sheet_2_Construction of a nomogram to predict the probability of new vertebral compression fractures after vertebral augmentation of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a retrospective study.PDF

ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop and validate a new nomogram model that can predict new vertebral fractures after surgery for osteoporotic compression fractures to optimize surgical plans and reduce the incidence of new vertebral compression fractures.Methods420 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were randomly sampled using a computer at a fixed ratio; 80% of the patients were assigned to the training set, while the remaining 20% were assigned to the validation set. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression method was applied to screen the factors influencing refracture and construct a predictive model using multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between bone cement leakage, poor cement dispersion, the presence of fractures in the endplate, and refractures. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) results showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the training set was 0.974 and the AUC of the validation set was 0.965, which proves that this prediction model has a good predictive ability. The brier score for the training set and validation set are 0.043 and 0.070, respectively, indicating that the model has high accuracy. Moreover, the calibration curve showed a good fit with minimal deviation, demonstrating the model’s high discriminant ability and excellent fit. The decision curve indicated that the nomogram had positive predictive ability, indicating its potential as a practical clinical tool.ConclusionCement leakage, poor cement dispersion, and presence of fractures in the endplate are selected through LASSO and multivariate logistic regressions and included in the model development to establish a nomogram. This simple prediction model can support medical decision-making and maybe feasible for clinical practice.</p

Data_Sheet_1_Construction of a nomogram to predict the probability of new vertebral compression fractures after vertebral augmentation of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a retrospective study.PDF

ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop and validate a new nomogram model that can predict new vertebral fractures after surgery for osteoporotic compression fractures to optimize surgical plans and reduce the incidence of new vertebral compression fractures.Methods420 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were randomly sampled using a computer at a fixed ratio; 80% of the patients were assigned to the training set, while the remaining 20% were assigned to the validation set. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression method was applied to screen the factors influencing refracture and construct a predictive model using multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between bone cement leakage, poor cement dispersion, the presence of fractures in the endplate, and refractures. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) results showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the training set was 0.974 and the AUC of the validation set was 0.965, which proves that this prediction model has a good predictive ability. The brier score for the training set and validation set are 0.043 and 0.070, respectively, indicating that the model has high accuracy. Moreover, the calibration curve showed a good fit with minimal deviation, demonstrating the model’s high discriminant ability and excellent fit. The decision curve indicated that the nomogram had positive predictive ability, indicating its potential as a practical clinical tool.ConclusionCement leakage, poor cement dispersion, and presence of fractures in the endplate are selected through LASSO and multivariate logistic regressions and included in the model development to establish a nomogram. This simple prediction model can support medical decision-making and maybe feasible for clinical practice.</p

Analyzed AA composition of the experimental diets (%, as-fed basis).

*<p>Abbreviations: BD, Basal diet; HF, High fat diet; BDM, Basal diet +3% monosodium L-glutamate; HFM, High fat diet +3% monosodium L-glutamate.</p

Effect of dietary fat and MSG and their interaction on free AA concentrations in the kidney of growing pigs (n = 8).

*<p>Abbreviations: BD, Basal diet; HF, High fat diet; BDM, Basal diet +3% monosodium L-glutamate; HFM, High fat diet +3% monosodium L-glutamate.</p

Dietary fat and MSG supplementation changed the express profiles of free AA-sensing genes, T1R1 (A), CaR (B) and GPRC6A (C) (n = 8).

<p>The results were normalized by the expression of β-actin. Abbreviations, T1R1: Taste receptor type 1 member 1, CaR: Ca²⁺-sensing receptor and GPRC6A: G-protein-coupled receptor family C member 6A.</p

Composition of experimental diets.

a<p>Composition (%): CaHPO₄, 27.78; Mountain flour, 24.07; NaCl, 11.11; Medical stone, 12.33; Powdered rice hulls, 18.81; FeSO₄, 0.74; ZnSO₄, 0.74; Selenium powder (1%), 0.15; Iodine powder (1%), 0.15; CuSO₄, 0.37; MnSO₄, 0.30; Choline chloride, 2.22; Growth pig multidimensional, 1.11; Antioxidants (Ethoxyquin 66%), 0.11.</p

Dietary fat and MSG supplementation for one month effect the concentrations of serous biochemical parameters in growing pigs (n = 8).

<p>Abbreviation, ALB: Albumin, ALT: Alanine transaminase, AST: Aspartate aminotransferase.</p

Primers used in this study.

<p>Primers used in this study.</p

Dietary fat and MSG supplementation changed the express profiles of AA and peptide transporters in intestine: Duodenum (A), Jejunum (B), Ileum (C) and Colon (D) (n = 8).

<p>The results were normalized by β-actin. Abbreviation, EAAC1: Excitatory amino-acid carrier 1, LAT1: L-type AA transporter 1, B⁰⁺: B⁰⁺ AA transporter, ASCT2: ASC-like Na⁺-dependent neutral AA transporter 2 and PEPT1: Intestinal H⁺/peptide co-transporter.</p