Restricted Feeding Regimens Improve White Striping Associated Muscular Defects In Broiler Chickens

Background: Ad libitum (AD) feeding is crucial to profitable commercial broiler chicken production. However, it partly disrupts muscle development, causing myopathies like white striping in broilers’ breast meat. For this reason, this study investigated the impacts of intermittent feeding (IF) and fasting strategies as potential alternatives to AD feeding. A total of 384 one-day-old broilers were randomly allotted into 4 groups - ad libitum, 1h-IF group (4 times/day, 1 hour each time), 1.5h-IF (4 times/day, 1.5hrs each time), and acute fasting (1-day acute fasting, 6-days free access to feed). Feed intake, weight gain, muscle structure, differential genes, and protein expressions were assessed in the broiler breast muscles. Results: IF and fasting significantly reduced ectopic fat deposit and muscle fiber size (p < 0.05). Notably, 1.5h-IF promoted PAX7+ satellite cell proliferation supporting muscle growth and repair activities in fast-growth broiler chickens. Consistently, the restricted regimens downregulated the collagen protein synthesis of skeletal muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases (TRIM63 and MAFBX) in 42 – days old breast muscle samples (p < 0.05), especially in the 1.5h-IF group. Compared to AD-fed birds, 1.5h-IF and fasting feeding significantly decreased white striping scores in the breast meat muscle (p < 0.05). ConclusionChronic IF or acute fasting improved muscle health of broiler chickens without significant compromise on growth rate and feed efficiency compared to AD feeding. Therefore, this study presents potential feeding frequencies relevant for optimal growth pace while alleviating the occurrence of myopathic pathophysiology in broiler chickens.

191 Pulsatile Administration of Leucine Promotes mTOR Signaling and Protein Synthesis in Skeletal Muscle of Continuously Fed Preterm Pigs

Continuous feeding does not elicit an optimal anabolic response but is required for some premature infants. We reported previously that intermittent intravenous pulses of Leu (800 μmol Leu·kg-1·h-1 every 4 h) to continuously fed pigs born at term enhanced skeletal muscle mTOR signaling and protein synthesis (PS). The objective of this study was to determine if the anabolic response of skeletal muscle to intermittent Leu pulses is altered following premature birth. Pigs delivered 10 d preterm by cesarean section were advanced to full oral feeding over four days (195 kcal·kg-1·d-1; 13.5 g protein·kg-1·d-1). Pigs were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) ALA (continuous feeding; 800 μmol Ala·kg-1·h-1 every 4 h; n = 7); 2) L1× (continuous feeding; 800 μmol Leu·kg-1·h-1 every 4 h; n = 6); 3) L2× (continuous feeding; 1600 μmol Leu·kg-1·h-1 every 4 h; n = 6); and 4) INT (intermittent feeding every 4 h; n = 5). Pigs received a Phe tracer 30 min following the amino acid pulse or intermittent feeding to measure PS in longissimus dorsi muscle. Anabolic signaling downstream of mTOR was determined by immunoblot.ResultsPS was higher in L2× and INT compared to ALA (P &lt; 0.05) but was not different between L2× and INT; PS in L1× was intermediate and not different from other groups. Phosphorylation of 4EBP1 and S6K1 was higher in INT compared to L1× and ALA groups (P &lt; 0.05) but was not different compared to L2×. Phosphorylation of 4EBP1, but not S6K1, was higher in L2× compared to ALA (P &lt; 0.05); phosphorylation of 4EBP1 and S6K1 was not different between L1× and L2×.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that intravenous Leu enhances mTOR activation and PS in LD muscle of continuously fed preterm pigs. However, the amount required may be higher than in pigs born at term.Source of Research SupportNIH and USDA.

Low-temperature combustion of methane over graphene templated Co3O4 defective-nanoplates

Transition metal oxides are the potential catalysts to replace noble-metal based catalyst for the catalytic combustion of methane due to the tolerable reactivity and low cost. However, these catalysts are challenged by the low temperature reactivity. Herein, the surface defective Co3O4 nanoplates are realized through a facile co-precipitation and thermal reduction method with the association of GO. The resultant catalysts (CoGO50) demonstrate a superior low-temperature reactivity for the methane oxidation to CO2 and H2O in comparison with the common Co3O4 catalyst. The reliable stability of CoGO50 catalyst was proved by 80 h testing with intermittent feeding of water vapor. The experimental analysis demonstrates that the presence of a small amount of GO significantly affects the catalysts in surface valence state, active oxygen species and surface oxygen vacancies through reacting with the cobalt oxide as a reductant. Moreover, GO plays as 2D confine template to form smaller and thinner nanoplates. This work provides a facile method to control the surface properties of catalyst not only for Co3O4 based catalysts but also for wider solid catalysts.

Intermittent Leucine Pulses Enhance Skeletal Muscle mTOR Signaling and Protein Synthesis in Continuously Fed Preterm Pigs

Objectives Extrauterine growth restriction in premature infants is associated with reduced lean mass and long-term morbidities. We have reported previously that intermittent parenteral pulses of Leu promote skeletal muscle mTOR signaling and protein synthesis of continuously fed neonatal pigs born at term. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of prematurity on the response of skeletal muscle anabolic pathways to intermittent parenteral Leu pulses in continuously fed pigs. Methods Pigs delivered 10 d preterm by C-section were fitted with jugular vein and carotid artery catheters and an orogastric feeding tube. Pigs were advanced from parenteral to enteral feeding over 4 d (195 kcal · kg−1 · d−1; 13.5 g protein · kg−1 · d−1). On day 4, pigs were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) ALA (continuous feeding, 7.5 mL · kg−1 · h−1; 800 μmol Ala · kg−1 · h−1 every 4 h; n = 7); 2) L1 × (continuous feeding; 800 μmol Leu · kg−1 · h−1 every 4 h; n = 6); 3) L2 × (continuous feeding; 1600 μmol Leu · kg−1 · h−1 every 4 h; n = 6); and 4) INT (intermittent feeding; 30 mL · kg−1 fed over 15 min every 4 h; n = 5). On day 5, pigs received L-[ring-2H5]-Phe 30 min after starting the pulse (groups 1, 2, and 3) or meal feeding (group 4). Pigs were euthanized 30 min after isotope injection and longissimus dorsi muscle was collected. Protein synthesis was determined by LC/MS-MS. Indices of amino acid signaling and mTOR activation were determined by immunoprecipitation and immunoblot assays. Results Skeletal muscle protein synthesis was higher in L2 × (+37%) and INT (+31%) compared to ALA (P &lt; 0.05), but was not different between L2 × and INT; protein synthesis in L1 × was intermediate and not different from all other groups. The phosphorylation of 4EBP1, downstream of mTOR, was higher in L2 × and INT compared to ALA (P &lt; 0.05), whereas 4EBP1 phosphorylation in L1 × was lower compared to INT (P &lt; 0.05) but not different compared to ALA and L2 × . The abundance of mTOR · RagA complex, upstream of mTOR and activated in response to Leu, was higher in L2 × and INT compared to ALA and L1 × (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions These results show that parenteral Leu can enhance anabolic signaling and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle during continuous feeding in preterm pigs, but the dose required is higher than in pigs born at term. Funding Sources Research was supported by NIH and USDA.

Intermittent feeding in intensive care – the theory and practice

Introduction: Nutrition therapy becomes one of the fundamental conditions of a successful outcome in malnourished patients and in critically ill patients. The administration of enteral feeding in critically ill patients is mostly performed by continuous or cyclic feeding. On the contrary, the potential benefits of intermittent feeding include increased muscle protein synthesis. This review outlines the theory of a possible anabolic effect of intermittent feeding. The authors describe their experience with implementation of this method of administration in the intensive care unit including the follow-up of possible complications and adverse effects. Methods: Six patients with intermittent feeding were followed retrospectively during the study period. In addition to demographic data, potential complications related to intermittent enteral feeding (aspiration pneumonia, increased gastric residual volume, abdominal discomfort, osmotic diarrhoea) were evaluated. Results: The average time of intermittent feeding was 8 days. The sum of intermittent feeding days was 63. No aspiration followed by pneumonia was detected during this period. The gastric residual volume did not increase, either. Abdominal discomfort and osmotic diarrhoea were not observed in any patient. Conclusion: Although continuous and cyclic enteral feeding in critically ill patients remains the standard and the most common practice, it is considered as a non-physiological method with possible negative consequences for the patient. On the other hand, intermittent feeding is theoretically associated with respecting of the circadian rhythm and with activation of autophagy. Intermittent feeding increases muscle protein synthesis and supports the release of fatty acids. As shown by our observational study, intermittent administration of enteral nutrition in intensive care can be implemented without any adverse effects; however, it is more time consuming for the nurses.

Productivity and process performance in a manual trimming cell exploiting Lean Six Sigma (LSS) DMAIC – a case study in laminated panel production

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to investigate inefficiency and downtime factors within a panel lamination process cell at a timber component manufacturing company. Areas of concern related predominantly to the manual trimming or finishing of a range of laminated timber panels for the caravan and leisure industry. The intermittent feeding of inputs and material outputs was also investigated during this case study.Design/methodology/approachThe case study was conducted over a six-month period using the Six Sigma defining, measuring, analysing, improving and controlling (DMAIC) construct. But was equally supported through a combination of tools both applied in lean manufacturing and statistical properties commonly assigned to Six Sigma projects.FindingsThis paper provides insights about the identification of the root causes for poor productivity and overall equipment effectiveness issues experienced by manual trimming/finishing operations in a laminated timber panel production cell. It also identifies solutions to overcome these issues and benefits (such as improved OEE, reduced downtime and savings in staffing costs) that were obtained due to the application of these solutions. This study contributes to understanding the interconnections of fork-lift truck movements with staff members working within manual finishing areas connected to a panel lamination cell.Originality/valueThis paper contributes new knowledge into the root causes of poor productivity and process performance within manual finishing operations in a laminated timber panel production cell at a small medium enterprise. By applying elements of Six Sigma' quality focussed analytical methods within the DMAIC structure, and simultaneously applying the waste reduction method of lean manufacturing, this paper provides useful perspective on why both these quality improvement-based ideologies are applied to overcome process issues in manufacturing.