Effect of Cereals and Legumes Processing on In Situ Rumen Protein Degradability: A Review

The determination of the ruminal degradability rate of feeds, mainly starch and crude protein, is one of the most common methods to evaluate the nutritional value of ruminant feed. The protein requirements for ruminants are met from microbial protein and undegraded dietary protein digested in the small intestine. In order to reach maximum productivity, high-quality proteins are needed, and the requirement for undegraded dietary protein increases with the performance of the animal. This protein can be supplied by reducing the ruminal degradation to increase the amount of protein digested post-rumen, but the form in which a feed is administered influences degradability, and grain processing, especially, is a common practice to improve feed efficiency. Despite these aspects, studies on the effects of feed processing methods on protein degradability are limited, even though more and more ruminants are fed with processed feeds. For these reasons, this review investigated the protein degradability of different processed cereals and legumes in ruminants based on the analysis of available literature in order to take stock of the state of the art on this topic. Results showed that: First, the majority of the papers are focused on the energy aspects mainly due to carbohydrate-rich feeds; second, the majority of the studies in the literature are quite old, probably because the changes occurred in the animal testing legislation that made in vivo studies more and more difficult in the last 20 years; third, as a consequence, the few data available in recent years concern in vitro experiments; fourth, we found a high variability of the experimental conditions thus affecting protein degradability and making it quite difficult to compare the different results

Effects of Sorghum silage in lactating buffalo cow diet: Biochemical profile, milk yield, and quality

The influence of replacing silage with sorghum silage in the diet of dairy buffalo cows on metabolic status and on milk yield, chemical characteristics, and fatty acid profile was studied. Forty dairy buffalo cows were included in the trial and divided into two homogeneous groups (SS, sorghum silage and CS, corn silage). Blood was collected at the end of the trial (120 days), individual milk yield was registered daily. Samples of milk were monthly collected and analyzed for fat, protein, and lactose. Moreover, fatty acid profiles of silages and milk were determined. Buffalo cows fed sorghum silage showed an average milk yield higher than group CS (kg/d 10.120 vs. 9.270; p < 0.05), probably due to the lower lignin content of sorghum silage (31.0 g/kg dry matter (DM)) compared to corn silage (47.0 g/kg DM) and, by consequence, to the higher digestibility of SS diet. The percentage of linoleic acid was significantly higher in milk of group CS (C18:2: 1.27 vs. 2.05%; p < 0.01) due to the higher content of these acids in corn than in sorghum silage. The omega 6/omega 3 ratio was significantly lower in milk from buffalo cows fed sorghum than those fed corn silage (7.8 vs. 12.9; p < 0.01). Serum biochemistry showed no negative effects of the corn replacing with sorghum

Higher forage:concentrate ratio and space availability may favor positive behaviors in dairy cows

A novel livestock management system (LMS) for dairy cows mainly based on a high forage:concentrate ratio, no silage, and large outdoor paddocks, has been introduced in Italy during the last five years. It was proved that such system, further than improving the quality of milk, benefits the health status of cows. The goal of the present research was to compare the behavioral responses of a group of animals kept with the LMS and outdoor paddocks of 200 m2, and cows reared in a traditional semi-intensive manner and outdoor paddocks of 100 m2. The study was carried out on Italian Friesian cows analyzing the feeding and social behaviors and the locomotor activity. The statistical analysis of locomotor activity showed that the HFC group spent lower time lying down and standing and higher time walking; they also showed a longer rumination time and spent less time drinking. Furthermore, the HFC group displayed longer allogrooming and social rubbing times. Results suggest that the novel LMS could be the basis for an improvement of the cows' welfare

Effects of Linseed Supplementation on Milk Production, Composition, Odd-and Branched-Chain Fatty Acids, and on Serum Biochemistry in Cilentana Grazing Goats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of linseed supplementation on milk yield and quality, serum biochemistry and, in particular, to evaluate its possible effects on the production of odd-and branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFA) in the milk of Cilentana grazing goats. Twelve pregnant Cilentana dairy goats were divided into two groups (CTR, control, and LIN, linseed supplementation group). After kidding, the goats had free access to the pasture and both groups received a supplement of 400 g/head of concentrate, but the one administered to the LIN group was characterized by the addition of linseed (in a ratio of 20% as fed) to the ingredients. During the trial, milk samples were taken from April to August in order to evaluate milk production, composition, and fatty acid profile. In addition, blood samples were taken for evaluating the effects of linseed supplementation on goats’ health status. The health status of the goats was not influenced by the linseed supplementation, as confirmed by blood analyses. Concerning the effects on milk, the supplementation positively affected (p < 0.001) milk production and fat percentage and the fatty acid profile was markedly influenced by the lipid supplementation. In particular, milk from the LIN group was characterized by significantly lower concentrations of saturated fatty acids (FA; p < 0.001) and higher proportions of monounsaturated FA, polyunsaturated FA, and conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) than milk from the CTR group (p < 0.001). In contrast, the OBCFA were negatively influenced by the linseed supplementation (p < 0.0001). Further studies are needed to test the effects of different fat sources and other nutrients on the diets

Breast tumor cell invasion and pro-invasive activity of cancer-associated fibroblasts co-targeted by novel urokinase-derived decapeptides

Among peritumoral cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major facilitators of tumor progression. This study describes the effects of two urokinase-derived, novel decapeptides, denoted as Pep 1 and its cyclic derivative Pep 2. In a mouse model of tumor dissemination, using HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells, Pep 2 reduced the number and size of lung metastases. Specific binding of fluoresceinated Pep 2 to HT1080 and telomerase immortalised fibroblasts (TIF) cell surfaces was enhanced by αv overexpression or abolished by excess vitronectin, anti-αv antibodies or silencing of ITGAV αv gene, identifying αv-integrin as the Pep 2 molecular target. In 3D-organotypic assays, peptide-exposed TIFs and primary CAFs from breast carcinoma patients both exhibited a markedly reduced pro-invasive ability of either HT1080 fibrosarcoma or MDA-MB-231 mammary carcinoma cells, respectively. Furthermore, TIFs, either exposed to Pep 2, or silenced for αv integrin, were impaired in their ability to chemoattract cancer cells and to contract collagen matrices, exhibiting reduced α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels. Finally, peptide exposure of αv-expressing primary CAFs led to the downregulation of α-SMA protein and to a dramatic reduction of their pro-invasive capability. In conclusion, the ability of the novel decapeptides to interfere with tumor cell invasion directly and through the down-modulation of CAF phenotype suggests their use as lead compounds for co-targeting anti-cancer strategies

Serum Oxytocin, Cortisol and Social Behavior in Calves: A Study in the Impossible Task Paradigm

In this study, we explored the correlations between circulating levels of oxytocin, cortisol, and different social behaviors toward humans in 26 Italian Red Pied calves (all females, with an average age of 174 ± 24 days) using the impossible task paradigm. This paradigm has proved fruitful in highlighting the effect of socialization on the willingness to interact with humans in several domesticated species. The test consists of the violation of an expectation (recovering food from an experimental apparatus) while a caregiver and a stranger are present. Immediately after the end of the test (less than one minute), blood was collected from the coccygeal vein. Statistics were performed by the Spearman’s rank correlation; significant differences were adjusted according to Bonferroni’s correction. Cortisol correlates positively (ρ = 0.565; p < 0.05) with the latency of behaviors directed at the caregiver, and the duration of behaviors directed at the apparatus correlates negatively with both the caregiver (ρ = −0.654; p < 0.05) and a stranger (ρ = −0.644; p < 0.05). Contrary to what is reported in the literature on cows, no correlations were found between oxytocin levels and direct behaviors toward the caregiver. This highlights a different behavioral strategy between calves and cows when placed in front of an impossible task

Molecular imaging for detection of sensitivity and resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer

Advancing knowledge of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has provided new treatment options based on the specific gene alterations found in individual tumors. The presence of activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in NSCLC is strongly associated with a high sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and is also a criterion used to identify candidates for first-line therapy with these drugs among patients with advanced disease. However, acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs invariably emerges over time due in part to secondarymutations in EGFR or redundant lateral signaling. Molecular imaging, allowing the visualization of cellular processes and their modulation by both conventional anticancer drugs and molecularly targeted agents, may be effectively used in NSCLC patients during treatment with EGFR TKIs. In particular, positron emission tomography with 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT has been performed in both preclinical and clinical settings to distinguish treatment- sensitive from treatment-resistant NSCLCs. Here we provide a short overview of the mechanisms underlying sensitivity and resistance of NSCLCs to EGFR TKIs and then focus on the contribution that molecular imaging can make to the development of tailored therapy in NSCLC patients

Preclinical imaging in oncology: advances and perspectives.

Preclinical imaging with radiolabeled probes became an integral part of the complex translational process that moves a newly developed compound from laboratory to clinical application. Imaging studies in animal tumor models may be undertaken to test a newly synthesized tracer, a newly developed drug or to interrogate, in the living organism, specific molecular and biological processes underlying tumor growth and progression. The aim of the present review is to outline the current knowledge and future perspectives of preclinical imaging in oncology by providing examples from recent literature. Among the biological processes and molecular targets that can be visualized with radiolabeled probes in animal tumor models, we focused on proliferation, expression of targets suitable for therapy, glycolytic phenotype, metastatic dissemination, tumor angiogenesis and survival. The major contribution of preclinical imaging emerging from these studies is the development and validation of imaging biomarkers that can be translated into the clinical context for patient selection and evaluation of tumor response to molecularly targeted agents

3'-Deoxy-3'-18F-Fluorothymidine PET/CT to guide therapy with epidermal growth factor receptor antagonists and Bcl-xL inhibitors in non–small cell lung cancer

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutational status, activation of downstream signaling, and effective apoptotic cascade are all factors that may affect the tumor response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here we test whether 39-deoxy-39-18F-fluoro- thymidine (18F-FLT) PET/CT can provide clues for the selection of patients with NSCLC as candidates for treatment with reversible and irreversible EGFR TKIs or combination treatment with Bcl-xL inhibitors. Methods: HCC827, H1975, and H1650 NSCLC cells were subcutaneously injected into flanks of nude mice. Tumor-bearing animals were treated daily for 3 d by oral gavage with erlotinib at 50 and 150 mg/kg, CL-387,785 (an irreversible EGFR TKI) at 50 mg/kg, WZ4002 (a more potent irreversible EGFR TKI) at 25 and 50 mg/kg, ABT-263 (a Bcl-xL inhibitor) at 6.25 mg/kg, and a combination of erlotinib (50 mg/kg) and ABT-263 (6.25 mg/kg). Imaging studies were performed before and after 3 d of treatment by intravenous injection of 7.4 MBq of 18F-FLT and small-animal PET/CT of animals at 1 h after injection. Quantitative analysis of reconstructed images of baseline and posttreatment scans was performed, and the percentage change in 18F-FLT uptake in each animal was determined. Tumor sections were tested for Ki67 immunostaining and the percentage of apoptotic cells. Results: Sensitive tumors (HCC827) showed mean decreases in 18F-FLT uptake of 45% and 28% with high- and low-dose regimens of erlotinib, respectively. Resistant NSCLC cells bearing a T790M mutation (H1975) showed mean increases in 18F-FLT uptake of 27% and 33% with high and low doses of erlotinib, respectively. Treatment with CL-387,785, low-dose WZ4002, and high-dose WZ4002 caused mean decreases in tracer uptake of 21%, 26%, and 36%, respectively. NSCLC cells that were resistant because of dysregulation of Bcl-2 family members (H1650) showed mean reductions in 18F-FLT uptake of 49% and 23% with high and low doses of erlotinib, respectively, whereas the addition of ABT-263 did not affect tracer uptake but significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells in tumor sections. Conclusion: PET/CT with 18F-FLT may contribute to the selection of patients who may benefit from treatment with reversible and irreversible EGFR TKIs and may provide clues about which patients with NSCLC may be candidates for combination treatment with erlotinib and Bcl-xL inhibitors