Associations between milk cortisol and activity of the immune system of milk

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Abstract

Objectives

Both the immune system of human milk and milk cortisol have complex short- and long-term effects on child health and development. As understanding continues to grow of the independent effects of each of these components of milk, it is also important to investigate their intersection, including how milk cortisol affects the immune system of milk. We began this important endeavor through secondary analyses of archived milk specimens.

Methods

Participants were 31 lactating mothers from upstate New York. We estimated milk cortisol concentrations via enzyme immunoassay. We assessed milk proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6, IL-6) responses to pathogenic (Salmonella) and commensal (Escherichia, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) bacteria via in vitro stimulation. We estimated ordered logistic regression models to assess associations between milk cortisol and IL-6 responses to bacteria.

Results

Milk cortisol ranged from 0.098 to 1.007 μg/dL. Milk cortisol was positively associated with IL-6 responses to S. enterica (B: 4.035; 95% CI: 0.674, 7.395) and B. breve (B: 3.675; 95% CI: 0.426, 6.924); this association persisted after controlling for child age. Results were less clear for associations between milk cortisol and IL-6 responses to L. acidophilus (B: 2.318; 95% CI: −1.224, 5.859) and E. coli (B: 2.366; 95% CI: −0.960, 5.692).

Conclusions

Complex interactions between cortisol and the immune system extend to milk. Milk cortisol was positively associated with proinflammatory responses to some bacteria in vitro. This may suggest that milk cortisol is causally upstream of protective immune activity.

A newly developed bacteriocin like substance to replace monensin in diets of lactating ewes

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Abstract

The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the effect of feeding a newly produced bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) as a replacement for monensin in the diets of lactating ewes. In Experiment 1, the effects of BLS or monensin at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 g/kg diet on in vitro ruminal fermentation were compared. In Experiment 2, 30 multiparous Barki ewes were divided into three treatments in a complete randomized design for 90 days. The ewes were fed a basal diet without supplementation or supplemented with monensin or BLS at 0.5 g/kg DM diet. In Experiment 1, the highest levels of BLS and monensin decreased gas production, while all levels of additives linearly decreased methane production. In Experiment 2, BLS increased nutrient digestibility. Additives increased ruminal total and individual volatile fatty acids and decreased ruminal ammonia-N. The BLS increased serum albumin and decreased the concentrations of serum liver enzymes, while both additives increased serum glucose and decreased urea-N. Additives increased daily production of milk, while the BLS treatment increased the feed efficiency. It is concluded that dietary inclusion of BLS at 0.5 g/kg DM for lactating ewes is recommended to replace monensin.

Anticoagulation against portal vein thrombosis reduces mortality and liver cirrhosis‐related complications: A propensity score‐matched study

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Anticoagulation against portal vein thrombosis reduces mortality and liver cirrhosis-related complications: A propensity score-matched study

PVT was diminished under anticoagulation, along with improved liver function and reduced risks for cirrhosis-related complications. The incidence of bleeding events was not increased by the treatment. As a consequence, mortality was reduced in PVT patients by anticoagulation therapy.


Abstract

Aim

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is one of the common complications of liver cirrhosis. Although anticoagulation contributes to thrombus resolution and is considered the first-choice treatment, its impact on patients' prognosis is still controversial. This study aimed to clarify the benefit of anticoagulation on mortality, liver function, and the incidence of liver cirrhosis-related complications in cirrhotic PVT patients.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter retrospective review in which we included 78 eligible patients with PVT out of 439. After propensity score matching, 21 cirrhotic PVT patients were included in each one of the untreated control and anticoagulation groups.

Results

Overall survival was significantly improved in the anticoagulation group compared with the control group (p = 0.041), along with PVT size reduction (53.3% vs. 108.2%, p = 0.009). At the time of CT follow-up, the anticoagulation group showed a lower ALBI score (p = 0.037) and its prevalence of massive ascites was significantly lower (p = 0.043) compared with the control group. The incidence of overt encephalopathy was also lower in the anticoagulation group (p = 0.041). The cumulative incidence of bleeding events did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Conclusions

Anticoagulation improves the survival of patients with cirrhotic PVT. Preserved liver function and reduced risks of cirrhosis-related complications under the treatment may have contributed to a better prognosis. Given its efficacy and safety, anticoagulation is worth initiating in patients with PVT.

Rat brown adipose tissue thermogenic markers are modulated by estrous cycle phases and short‐term fasting

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Rat brown adipose tissue thermogenic markers are modulated by estrous cycle phases and short-term fasting

This study confirmed that BAT exhibits morphological and functional changes in proestrus and diestrus. Moreover, BAT undergoes additional dynamic functional and morphological changes during short-term fasting.


Abstract

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) converts chemical energy into heat to maintain body temperature. Although fatty acids (FAs) represent a primary substrate for uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-dependent thermogenesis, BAT also utilizes glucose for the same purpose. Considering that estrous cycle effects on BAT are not greatly explored, we examined those of 6-h fasting on interscapular BAT (iBAT) thermogenic markers in proestrus and diestrus. We found that the percentage of multilocular adipocytes was lower in proestrus than in diestrus, although it was increased after fasting in both analyzed estrous cycle stages. Furthermore, the percentage of paucilocular adipocytes was increased by fasting, unlike the percentage of unilocular cells, which decreased in both analyzed stages of the estrous cycle. The UCP1 amount was lower in proestrus irrespectively of the examined dietary regimens. Regarding FA transporters, it was shown that iBAT CD36 content was increased in fasted rats in diestrus. In contrast to GLUT1, the level of GLUT4 was interactively modulated by selected estrous cycle phases and fasting. There was no change in insulin receptor and ERK1/2 activation, while AKT activation was interactively modulated by fasting and estrous cycle stages. Our study showed that iBAT exhibits morphological and functional changes in proestrus and diestrus. Moreover, iBAT undergoes additional dynamic functional and morphological changes during short-term fasting to modulate nutrient utilization and adjust energy expenditure.

Dietary phosphorus requirement of silver CARP (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) fingerlings

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal dietary phosphorus (P) requirement and its effects on growth performance, body composition, mineralization and alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). A total of 360 fish with an average initial weight of 7.0 ± 0.15 g were divided into 18 tanks (70 L capacity each) with a stocking density of 20 fish per tank in triplicate. The fish were fed diets containing six levels of P (3.3, 4.4, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5 and 8.6 g/kg) up to satiation for 90 days twice daily at 09:00 and 16:00. The results showed that fish fed diets containing 6.5 and 7.5 g/kg dietary P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) growth performance in terms of final weight gain, average weight gain (AWG), weight gain% (WG%), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and specific growth rate (SGR) than fish fed other diets. The best value of the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in fish fed the 6.5 g/kg P diet, which was not significantly different from the 7.5 g/kg P diet. Increasing P supplementation above 6.5 g/kg significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the feed intake of silver carp. Whole-body composition analysis indicated that increasing P levels resulted in a decrease (p < 0.05) in crude fat (CF) and an increase (p < 0.05) in crude ash (CA) content, while crude protein (CP) and moisture content remained unaffected (p > 0.05). Fish fed diets containing ≥6.5 g/kg P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) Ca content in the whole body, bones and scales compared to those fed diets containing ≤5.5 g/kg P. A similar trend was observed for P and Mg contents in the whole body, bones and scales. The Zn content tended to decrease (p < 0.05) with increasing P supplementation in the whole body and bones, but fish fed diets containing ≥6.5 g/kg P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) Zn content compared to fish fed diets containing ≤5.5 g/kg P. The Ca/P ratio was significantly affected by P supplementation. Fish fed diets containing ≥6.5 g/kg P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) Ca and P contents in the serum than fish fed other diets. ALP activity increased (p < 0.05) with increasing P levels up to 6.5 g/kg P and decreased (p < 0.05) thereafter. In conclusion, supplementing P up to 6.35 g/kg is recommended for the optimal growth of silver carp.

Effectiveness and safety of secukinumab in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in real‐world practice

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Abstract

A number of randomized controlled trials and real-world studies have demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of secukinumab in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, whereas data on a large cohort of Chinese patients in long-term real-world practice are limited. This was a single-centre, uncontrolled, single-arm, prospective, observational cohort study that included 254 psoriatic patients treated with secukinumab between September 2019 and December 2022. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients, clinical response and adverse events were evaluated. The 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (PASI 75), PASI 90, and PASI 100 in the 300 mg secukinumab group at 12 weeks were 91.7%, 74.0% and 39.7% respectively, increasing to 94.5%, 74.5% and 47.6% at 52 weeks. High body mass index (BMI), previous exposure to biologic therapies and history of previous conventional systemic therapies were associated with lower rates of PASI response. During the study period, 68 patients reported 83 adverse events (AEs) and the most frequent AEs were eczematous lesions. Up to 14.5% patients withdrew treatment due to disease remission combined with inconvenient transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic at 52 weeks. The rate of psoriasis exacerbation after COVID-19 infection in patients treated with secukinumab was 24.3% (17/70). This real-world study confirmed the high effectiveness of secukinumab in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, with an acceptable safety profile.

Protein concentrations and activities of fatty acid desaturase and elongase enzymes in liver, brain, testicle, and kidney from mice: Substrate dependency

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Protein concentrations and activities of fatty acid desaturase and elongase enzymes in liver, brain, testicle, and kidney from mice: Substrate dependency

The liver had the highest capacity for PUFA biosynthesis, with limited activity in the brain, testicles, and kidney, while we failed to detect activity in the heart and lung. The protein content and activity of the enzymes were significantly correlated. The capacity for PUFA synthesis in mice mainly resides in the liver, with enzymes having preference for n-3 PUFAs.


Abstract

The synthesis rates of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in rodents and humans are not agreed upon and depend on substrate availability independently of the capacity for synthesis. Therefore, we aimed to assess the activities of the enzymes for n-3 and n-6 PUFA synthesis pathways in liver, brain, testicle, kidney, heart, and lung, in relation to their protein concentration levels. Eight-week-old Balb/c mice (n = 8) were fed a standard chow diet (6.2% fat, 18.6% protein, and 44.2% carbohydrates) until 14 weeks of age, anesthetized with isoflurane and tissue samples were collected (previously perfused) and stored at −80°C. The protein concentration of the enzymes (Δ-6D, Δ-5D, Elovl2, and Elovl5) were assessed by ELISA kits; their activities were assayed using specific PUFA precursors and measuring the respective PUFA products as fatty acid methyl esters by gas chromatographic analysis. The liver had the highest capacity for PUFA biosynthesis, with limited activity in the brain, testicles, and kidney, while we failed to detect activity in the heart and lung. The protein concentration and activity of the enzymes were significantly correlated. Furthermore, Δ-6D, Δ-5D, and Elovl2 have a higher affinity for n-3 PUFA precursors compared to n-6 PUFA. The capacity for PUFA synthesis in mice mainly resides in the liver, with enzymes having preference for n-3 PUFAs.

Secular trends and spatial network effect on the height of Chinese adult adolescents from 1985 to 2019

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Abstract

Objectives

To understand the distribution and secular trends of Chinese adult boys and girls and investigate their spatial network effects and determinants of spatial network effects.

Methods

Our study extracted data of 18-year-old boys and 17-year-old girls in China from the national students fitness and health survey reports in 1985, 2000, 2010, and 2019. A total of 89 839 participants were selected. The growth range and growth rate in each period were calculated. A neighborhood relationship network was created to share the common boundary.

Results

During the period 1985–2019, the average height of Chinese 18-year-old boys increased from 168.19 to 172.14 cm, and that of 17-year-old girls increased from 156.97 to 160.17 cm (all p trend <.05). Both boys and girls showed significant correlations in first- and second-level neighbors (all p < .05) with the most significant correlations in first-level neighbors (all p < .001). But there were no significant correlations in third-level neighbors. Height of girls and boys in each region was correlated with gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, urbanization rate, population density, longitude, and latitude. After controlling for factors with significance, only the initial regional height of girls in 2000 was positively correlated with first level neighborhood (p < .05).

Conclusion

Since 1985, the heights of Chinese boys aged 18 and girls aged 17 have been increasing and the increases accelerated. Height is related to nearer neighbors. After controlling GDP per capita, urbanization rate, population density, longitude and latitude, the correlations has almost disappeared.