Effects of Different Fatty Acids and Levels on the Lipogenesis Capacity and Lipolysis Rate of Broilers In Vitro

Lien, T.F.,Wu, C.P.,Chen, K.L.,Yang, K.H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.9

This study investigated the lipogenesis capacity of hepatocytes and lipolysis rate of adipocytes of broilers as affected by different fatty acids (trial one) and different linoleic acid (C18:2) levels (trial two). Twenty 6-wk old broilers were used; their hepatocytes and adipocytes were isolated for the in vitro study. In trial one, four treatments were tested. The control group in which no fatty acid was added, and the test groups to which were added $300{\mu}M$ of C16:0, C18:1 and C18:2, respectively. For trial two, different levels (0, $300{\mu}M$ and 1 mM) of C18:2 combined to fatty acid-free bovine serum albumin (BSA) were added to the medium. According to results of trial one, added fatty acids significantly reduced the incorporation by hepatocytes of [U,$^{14}C$]glucose into total lipid (p<0.05); the lipogenesis capacity in C18:2 group was the lowest. Although a similar pattern was found with [l,$^{14}C$]acetate, the groups only slightly differed in terms of lipogenesis capacity (p=0.11). In addition, the C18:2 group had a significantly (p<0.05) greater lipolysis rate than the C16:0 and control groups. Results of trial two indicated that C18:2 significantly (p<0.05) reduced lipogenesis capacity both for [U,$^{14}C$]glucose and [l,$^{14}C$]acetate, and markedly stimulated the lipolysis rate (p<0.05), displaying a dose response. Results presented herein demonstrate that C18:2 can reduce lipogenesis capacity and stimulate the lipolysis rate in broilers.

Variants in hormone-related genes and the risk of biliary tract cancers and stones: a population-based study in China

Park, S. K.,Andreotti, G.,Sakoda, L. C.,Gao, Y.-T.,Rashid, A.,Chen, J.,Chen, B. E.,Rosenberg, P. S.,Shen, M.-C.,Wang, B.-S.,Han, T.-Q.,Zhang, B.-H.,Yeager, M.,Chanock, S.,Hsing, A. W. Oxford University Press 2009 Carcinogenesis Vol.30 No.4

<P>Biliary tract cancers, encompassing gallbladder, extrahepatic bile duct and ampulla of Vater cancers, are uncommon but often fatal malignancies. Hormone-related factors, including parity, oral contraceptive use, obesity, and gallstones, have been implicated in the etiology of these cancers. To further clarify the role of hormones in biliary tract cancers and biliary stones, we genotyped 18 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nine genes involved in steroid hormone biosynthesis, metabolism and transport in a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China. This study included subjects who completed an interview and provided blood, which totaled 411 biliary tract cancer and 893 biliary stone patients and 786 healthy Shanghai residents. The CYP1A1 IVS1 + 606 (rs2606345) T allele was associated with gallbladder [odds ratio (OR) = 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3-3.0] and bile duct cancers (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1-3.1), whereas the CYP1A1 Ex7 + 131 (rs1048943) G allele was associated with ampulla of Vater cancer (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.5-5.4). After taking into account multiple comparisons for SNPs within each gene, CYP1A1 was significantly associated with gallbladder (P = 0.004) and ampulla of Vater cancers (P = 0.01), but borderline with bile duct cancer (P = 0.06). The effect of CYP1A1 IVS1 + 606 on gallbladder cancer was more pronounced among non-obese (body mass index < 23) (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.8-6.1; P interaction = 0.001). Among women taking oral contraceptives, the effect of SHBG Ex8 + 6 (rs6259) on gallbladder cancer (OR = 6.7, 95% CI = 2.2-20.5; P interaction = 0.001) and stones (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1-4.9; P-interaction = 0.05) was statistically significant. Our findings suggest that common variants in hormone-related genes contribute to the risk of biliary tract cancers and stones, possibly by modulating hormone metabolism.</P>

Effects of Heat-oxidized Soy Protein Isolate on Growth Performance and Digestive Function of Broiler Chickens at Early Age

Chen, X.,Chen, Y.P.,Wu, D.W.,Wen, C.,Zhou, Y.M. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.4

This study was conducted to investigate effects of heat-oxidized soy protein isolate (HSPI) on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, apparent nutrient digestibility and digestive function of broiler chickens. A total of 320 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates of 10 birds, receiving diets containing soy protein isolate (SPI, control group) or the same amount of SPI heated in an oven at $100^{\circ}C$ for 1, 4, or 8 h, for 21 days, respectively. The results indicated that compared with the control group, body weight gain and feed intake of birds fed diet containing SPI heated for 8 h were significantly lower (p<0.05). Serum urea nitrogen concentration was higher in the broilers fed diet containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). In contrast, serum glucose content was decreased by HSPI substitution at d 21 (p<0.05). The relative pancreas weight in HSPI groups was higher than that in the control group at d 21 (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the opposite effect was observed for relative weight of anterior intestine and ileum in broilers fed a diet containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h had a decreased lipase activity in anterior intestinal content at d 14 and 21 (p<0.05), respectively. In addition, the same effect was also noted in broilers given diets containing SPI heated for 1 h at d 21 (p<0.05). Similarly, amylase, protease and trypsin activity in anterior intestinal content were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) from d 8 to 10 and DM, crude protein (CP), and ether extract from d 15 to 17 were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Besides, birds given diets containing SPI heated for 4 h also exhibited lower CP apparent digestibility from d 15 to 17 (p<0.05). It was concluded that HSPI inclusion can exert a negative influence on the growth performance of broilers, which was likely to result from the simultaneously compromised digestive function.

Effects of Heat-oxidized Soy Protein Isolate on Growth Performance and Digestive Function of Broiler Chickens at Early Age

X. Chen,Y.P. Chen,D.W. Wu,C. Wen,Y.M. Zhou 아세아·태평양축산학회 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.4

This study was conducted to investigate effects of heat-oxidized soy protein isolate (HSPI) on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, apparent nutrient digestibility and digestive function of broiler chickens. A total of 320 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates of 10 birds, receiving diets containing soy protein isolate (SPI, control group) or the same amount of SPI heated in an oven at 100°C for 1, 4, or 8 h, for 21 days, respectively. The results indicated that compared with the control group, body weight gain and feed intake of birds fed diet containing SPI heated for 8 h were significantly lower (p<0.05). Serum urea nitrogen concentration was higher in the broilers fed diet containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). In contrast, serum glucose content was decreased by HSPI substitution at d 21 (p<0.05). The relative pancreas weight in HSPI groups was higher than that in the control group at d 21 (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the opposite effect was observed for relative weight of anterior intestine and ileum in broilers fed a diet containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h had a decreased lipase activity in anterior intestinal content at d 14 and 21 (p<0.05), respectively. In addition, the same effect was also noted in broilers given diets containing SPI heated for 1 h at d 21 (p<0.05). Similarly, amylase, protease and trypsin activity in anterior intestinal content were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) from d 8 to 10 and DM, crude protein (CP), and ether extract from d 15 to 17 were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Besides, birds given diets containing SPI heated for 4 h also exhibited lower CP apparent digestibility from d 15 to 17 (p<0.05). It was concluded that HSPI inclusion can exert a negative influence on the growth performance of broilers, which was likely to result from the simultaneously compromised digestive function.

Functional Characterization of Mammary Gland of Holstein Cows under Humid Tropical Summer Climates

Lu, C.H.,Chang, C.J.,Lee, P.N.,Wu, C.P.,Chen, M.T.,Zhao, X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.7

Physiological parameters were measured on six primiparous, non-pregnant Holstein cows prior to peak lactation over a 3-month summer season in southwestern Taiwan. The objectives were to characterize heat stress-induced change in functionality of mammary gland under natural climates of tropical summer and to establish physiological indices applicable to this environment in referring to this change. Environmental and physiological readings, milk and blood samples were taken at 15:00 h biweekly for totally five time points during the study. Climate readings showed that the afternoon humidex value reached the highest (53.5) around mid summer. Rectal temperature of cows taken simultaneously varied between $38.26^{\circ}C$ and $40.02^{\circ}C$ in parallel to humidex. Milk production declined drastically from 29.2 to 22.2 kg/d the first month entering summer but leveled up at end of the summer season suggesting effects exerted by heat stress rather than stages of lactation. Lactose content decreased linearly (p<0.05) with times in summer, from 4.69 to 4.38%. On the other hand, activity of N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase) in milk increased linearly to over two folds (p<0.05) during the same intervals. Elevations of fractional constituent of BSA in whey protein and serum cortisol level were also noticed in the course. Measurement of arteriovenous concentration (A-V) difference across the mammary gland demonstrated net uptake of glucose and net release of urea throughout the study period. The amount of urea released from mammary gland increased (p<0.05) progressively from 1.54 to 7.76 mg/dl during summer. It is concluded that gradual regression of mammary gland occurred along the humid tropical summer season. This regression is likely initiated through elevation of body temperature, which is irreversible above certain point. The increased release of urea from mammary gland during heat stress suggests its potential role as an early indicator of suboptimal mammary function.

Cytoskeletal Patterns, In Vitro Maturation and Parthenogenetic Development of Rabbit GV Oocytes

Ju, J.C.,Chen, T.H.,Tseng, J.K.,Tsay, C.,Yeh, S.P.,Chou, P.C.,Chen, C.H.,Liu, C.T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.12

The purposes of this study were to optimize the in vitro maturation (IVM) and culture (IVC) systems of rabbit oocytes. Cytoskeletal structures in the germinal vesicle stage (GV) and during IVM are also investigated. Ovaries were transported from local slaughterhouses and the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from ovarian follicles (${\geq}1mm$). COCs were randomly allocated to TCM199-based medium ($T_1$, TCM-199) supplemented with $NaHCO_3$, glucose, sodium pyruvate and FSH ($T_2$), $T_2+E_2+LH$ ($T_3$), $T_3+FBS$ ($T_4$), or $T_1+E_2+LH+FSH+FBS$ ($T_5$), for IVM. In Experiment 1, COCs were retrieved from the follicles and 51 GV oocytes were fixed in the fixative (MTSB-XF) for nuclear and cytoplasmic examinations. In Experiment 2, progressive changes of both the nucleus and the cytoskeleton were examined at 0, 6, 16, and 20 h after IVM. Maturation (MR) and developmental rates were assessed in Experiment 3. Cytoplasmic microtubules (MT) were clearly observed in rabbit GV oocytes. To our knowledge, this is the first report that describes the appearance of MT structures in the GV stage ooplasm. Tremendous variations in cytoskeletal alterations were observed among treatments with the exception of the vitelline ring (VR), which is constantly visible and unchanged during maturation. Germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) does not occur at 6 h after onset of maturation culture. When the oocytes for IVM were collected within 2 h, results from Experiment 3 showed that rates of nuclear maturation were 42, 8, 42, 37 and 65% at 16 h of IVM for $T_1$ through $T_5$, respectively, in which $T_1$, $T_4$ and $T_5$ had significantly greater MR than those in other groups (p<0.05). Morula/blastocyst development after parthenogenetic activation ranged from 20 to 63% with significantly greater rates in $T_3$, $T_4$ and $T_5$ (p<0.05). These results suggested that oocytes recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries can be matured and parthenogenetically activated in vitro, but the MR remained low in this study. Addition of $E_2$ and LH in the medium may be beneficial for cytoplasmic maturation, but FBS exerts a nega- tive role in the subsequent development of parthenogenetic embryos when energy substrates are provided in the IVC media. More studies are required for improving the MR and further development of the GV stage rabbit oocytes.

A Comparison of Natural (D-α-tocopherol) and Synthetic (DL-α-tocopherol Acetate) Vitamin E Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Oxidative Status of Broilers

Cheng, K.,Niu, Y.,Zheng, X.C.,Zhang, H.,Chen, Y.P.,Zhang, M.,Huang, X.X.,Zhang, L.L.,Zhou, Y.M.,Wang, T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.5

The present study was conducted to compare the supplementation of natural (D-${\alpha}$-tocopherol) and synthetic (DL-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate) vitamin E on the growth performance, meat quality, muscular antioxidant capacity and genes expression related to oxidative status of broilers. A total of 144 1 day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 3 groups with 6 replicates of 8 birds each. Birds were given a basal diet (control group), and basal diet supplemented with either 20 IU D-${\alpha}$-tocopherol or DL-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate for 42 days, respectively. The results indicated that treatments did not alter growth performance of broilers (p>0.05). Compared with the control group, concentration of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol in the breast muscle was increased by the supplementation of vitamin E (p<0.05). In the thigh, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol content was also enhanced by vitamin E inclusion, and this effect was more pronounced in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Vitamin E supplementation increased the redness of breast (p<0.05). In the contrast, the inclusion of synthetic vitamin E decreased lightness of thigh (p<0.05). Dietary vitamin E inclusion reduced drip loss at 24 h of thigh muscle (p<0.05), and this effect was maintained for drip loss at 48 h in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Broilers given diet supplemented with vitamin E showed decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the breast (p<0.05). Additionally, natural rather than synthetic vitamin E reduced MDA accumulation in the thigh (p<0.05). Neither natural nor synthetic vitamin E supplementation altered muscular mRNA abundance of genes related to oxidative stress (p>0.05). It was concluded that vitamin E supplementation, especially the natural vitamin E, can enhance the retention of muscular ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, improve meat quality and muscular antioxidant capacity of broilers.

THE TAOS PROJECT: RESULTS FROM SEVEN YEARS OF SURVEY DATA

Zhang, Z.-W.,Lehner, M. J.,Wang, J.-H.,Wen, C.-Y.,Wang, S.-Y.,King, S.-K.,Granados, Á,. P.,Alcock, C.,Axelrod, T.,Bianco, F. B.,Byun, Y.-I.,Chen, W. P.,Coehlo, N. K.,Cook, K. H.,de Pater, I.,Kim American Institute of Physics 2013 The Astronomical journal Vol.146 No.1

<P>The Taiwanese-American Occultation Survey (TAOS) aims to detect serendipitous occultations of stars by small (~1 km diameter) objects in the Kuiper Belt and beyond. Such events are very rare (<10<SUP>–3</SUP> events per star per year) and short in duration (~200 ms), so many stars must be monitored at a high readout cadence. TAOS monitors typically ~500 stars simultaneously at a 5 Hz readout cadence with four telescopes located at Lulin Observatory in central Taiwan. In this paper, we report the results of the search for small Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) in seven years of data. No occultation events were found, resulting in a 95% c.l. upper limit on the slope of the faint end of the KBO size distribution of q = 3.34-3.82, depending on the surface density at the break in the size distribution at a diameter of about 90 km.</P>

A phase I/II and pharmacogenomic study of pemetrexed and cisplatin in patients with unresectable, advanced gastric carcinoma

Chen, Jen-Shi,Chao, Yee,Bang, Yung-Jue,Roca, Enrique,Chung, Hyun C.,Palazzo, Felipe,Kim, Yeul H.,Myrand, Scott P.,Mullaney, Brian P.,Shen, Li J.,Linn, Carlos Lippincott Williams Wilkins, Inc. 2010 ANTICANCER DRUGS Vol.21 No.8

This phase I/II study was conducted to determine the maximum recommended dose of pemetrexed when given in combination with a fixed dose of cisplatin, and the efficacy, toxicity and association of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) variants with this pemetrexed--cisplatin combination, in patients with unresectable, advanced gastric carcinoma. Patients 18–70 years of age, with stage IV disease or post-surgery recurrence, no earlier palliative chemotherapy, 0 or 1 Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, were included. The cisplatin dose was 75 mg/m. In phase I, the initial dose of pemetrexed was 600 mg/m, escalated in 100 mg/m increments. In phase II, efficacy, including overall response rate, overall survival, as well as toxicity and MTHFR pharmacogenetics were investigated. Phase I enrolled 16 patients; 700 mg/m was defined as pemetrexed recommended dose. Thirteen serious adverse events were reported; the most common grade 3/4 toxicities were haematologic (10 of 13, 76.9%). Phase II enrolled 73 patients, 69 qualified for safety and 68 for efficacy analysis; 65 for pharmacogenomic analysis. Overall response rate was 23.5% (14.1%, 35.4%), disease control rate 55.9%, median overall survival 11.8 months (95% confidence interval, 7.2–18.5 months), progression-free survival 4.9 months (95% confidence interval, 2.8–7.1 months), and median response duration 5.4 months. Patients with MTHFR A1298C variants had median overall survival of 6.6 months, significantly shorter than patients with the wild type (median 18.5 months, P=0.001). The pemetrexed--cisplatin combination in patients with advanced gastric cancer generates modest efficacy and a manageable toxicity profile. The reduced overall survival in patients with MTHFR A1298C polymorphism variants deserves further investigation.

Evaluating Nutritional Quality of Single Stage- and Two Stage-fermented Soybean Meal

Chen, C.C.,Shih, Y.C.,Chiou, P.W.S.,Yu, B. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.5

This study investigated the nutritional quality of soybean meal (SBM) fermented by Aspergillus ($FSBM_A$) and/or followed by Lactobacillus fermentation ($FSBM_{A+L}$). Both fermented products significantly improved protein utilization of SBM with higher trichloroacetic acid (TCA) soluble true protein content, in vitro protein digestibility and available lysine content, especially in $FSBM_{A+L}$. Moreover, $FSBM_{A+L}$ produced a huge amount of lactic acid resulting in lower pH as compared to the unfermented SBM or soybean protein concentrate (SPC) (p<0.05). $FSBM_A$ and $FSBM_{A+L}$ raised 4.14% and 9.04% of essential amino acids and 5.38% and 9.37% of non-essential amino acids content, respectively. The ${\alpha}$-galactoside linkage oligosaccharides such as raffinose and stachyose content in $FSBM_A$ and $FSBM_{A+L}$ decreased significantly. The results of soluble protein fractions and distribution showed that the ratio of small protein fractions (<16 kDa) were 42.6% and 63.5% for $FSBM_A$ and $FSBM_{A+L}$, respectively, as compared to 7.2% for SBM, where the ratio of large size fractions (>55 kDa, mainly ${\beta}$-conglycinin) decreased to 9.4%, 5.4% and increased to 38.8%, respectively. There were no significant differences in ileal protein digestibility regardless of treatment groups. SPC inclusion in the diet showed a better protein digestibility than the SBM diet. In summary, soybean meal fermented by Aspergillus, especially through the consequent Lactobacillus fermentation, could increase the nutritional value as compared with unfermented SBM and is compatible with SPC.