Effect of feeding frequency on reproductive performances and stress responses in gestating sows.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of feeding frequency on a sow's reproductive performance and stress response during gestation. A total of twenty multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) were used in a completely randomized design based on their parity, body weight (BW), and backfat thickness (BFT), and the sows were allotted to two different feeding systems: 1) once daily feeding (OF) and 2) twice daily feeding (TF) in corn-soybean meal based diets. The gestation diet was formulated to contain 3,265 kcal of metabolizable energy (ME) / kg, 12.

The Effect of Reduced Crude Protein on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Meat Quality in Weaning to Finishing Pigs.

This study aimed to evaluate optimal crude protein (CP) levels based on the National Research Council guidelines from 1998 and 2012 and their impacts on growth performance, fecal score, blood profiles, nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics of weaning to finishing pigs. Four diets were established in this experiment: high-protein (HP), medium-high-protein (MHP), medium-low-protein (MLP), and low-protein (LP). The HP diet followed the NRC (1998) guidelines, while the MHP diet reduced the CP content by 1%.

RNA-mediated demixing transition of low-density condensates.

Biomolecular condensates play a key role in organizing cellular reactions by concentrating a specific set of biomolecules. However, whether condensate formation is accompanied by an increase in the total mass concentration within condensates or by the demixing of already highly crowded intracellular components remains elusive. Here, using refractive index imaging, we quantify the mass density of several condensates, including nucleoli, heterochromatin, nuclear speckles, and stress granules.

Dietary enrichment of resistant starches or fibers differentially alter the feline fecal microbiome and metabolite profile.

Background: Cats are strict carnivores but possess a complex gastrointestinal (GI) microbial community that actively ferments dietary substrates that are not digested and reach the colon. The GI microbiota responses to dietary inclusion of resistant starches versus fibers have not been tested in cats. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the effects of diets enriched in resistant starch or fibers on the fecal characteristics, microbiome, and metabolite profiles of cats.

Engineering DNA-based synthetic condensates with programmable material properties, compositions, and functionalities.

Biomolecular condensates participate in diverse cellular processes, ranging from gene regulation to stress survival. Bottom-up engineering of synthetic condensates advances our understanding of the organizing principle of condensates. It also enables the synthesis of artificial systems with novel functions.

Formation of non-base-pairing DNA microgels using directed phase transition of amphiphilic monomers.

Programmability of DNA sequences enables the formation of synthetic DNA nanostructures and their macromolecular assemblies such as DNA hydrogels. The base pair-level interaction of DNA is a foundational and powerful mechanism to build DNA structures at the nanoscale; however, its temperature sensitivity and weak interaction force remain a barrier for the facile and scalable assembly of DNA structures toward higher-order structures. We conducted this study to provide an alternative, non-base-pairing approach to connect nanoscale DNA units to yield micrometer-sized gels based on the sequential phase transition of amphiphilic unit structures.

Palatability and apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility of retorted black soldier fly larvae-containing diets and their effects on the fecal characteristics of cats consuming them.

There is a growing interest in using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) due to its supposed sustainability and nutritional qualities. Because little research has been conducted to evaluate the use of BSFL in cats, our objective was to determine the palatability and apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility (ATTD) of BSFL-containing canned diets and the fecal characteristics of healthy adult cats consuming them. First, three palatability tests were conducted to compare the following diets: 1) diet with poultry byproduct meal (PBPM) and chicken serving as the primary protein sources (control) vs.

Dietary supplementation with fiber, "biotics," and spray-dried plasma affects apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility and the fecal characteristics, fecal microbiota, and immune function of adult dogs.

A variety of functional ingredients, including fibers, prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics may be added to pet foods to support gastrointestinal and immune health. While many of these ingredients have been tested individually, commercial foods often include blends that also require testing. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets containing blends of fibers, "biotics," and/or spray-dried plasma on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), stool quality, fecal microbiota and metabolites, and immune health outcomes of adult dogs.

The flexibility-based modulation of DNA nanostar phase separation.

Phase separation of biomolecules plays key roles in physiological compartmentalization as well as pathological aggregation. A deeper understanding of biomolecular phase separation requires dissection of a relation between intermolecular interactions and resulting phase behaviors. DNA nanostars, multivalent DNA assemblies of which sticky ends define attractive interactions, represent an ideal system to probe this fundamental relation governing phase separation processes.

Effects of Lysine Cell Mass Supplementation as a Substitute for L-Lysine·HCl on Growth Performance, Diarrhea Incidence, and Blood Profiles in Weaning Pigs.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lysine cell mass (LCM) as an alternative lysine source in diets for weaning pigs on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, and blood profiles. In experiment 1, a total of 200 weaning pigs, with an average body weight (BW) of 6.89 ± 1.

Effects of dietary macronutrient profile on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility and fecal microbiota, fermentative metabolites, and bile acids of female dogs after spay surgery.

Obesity and estrogen reduction are known to affect the gut microbiota and gut microbial-derived metabolites in some species, but limited information is available in dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary macronutrient profile on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and fecal metabolites of adult female dogs after spay surgery. Twenty-eight adult intact female beagles (age: 3.

Amino acid digestibility and digestible indispensable amino acid score-like values of black soldier fly larvae fed different forms and concentrations of calcium using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay.

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are an alternative protein source for animals, including dogs and cats. Dietary calcium source is an essential nutrient for BSFL development in the pupal stage. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) are common calcium sources but differ in solubility, acid-binding capacity, and calcium concentration.

Nutrient digestibility and fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites in dogs fed human-grade foods.

Human-grade (HG) pet foods are commercially available, but they have not been well studied. Our objective was to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of HG pet foods and evaluate their effects on fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites, serum metabolites, and hematology of dogs. Twelve dogs (mean age = 5.

Nutrient and AA digestibility of black soldier fly larvae differing in age using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay1.

Edible insects such as black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are alternative protein sources for animal feeds due to their high-protein content and potential low environmental footprint. However, protein quality and AA content may vary across insect species and age. Our objective was to determine the effects of age on nutrient and AA digestibility of BSFL intended for use in pet foods using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay.

End point determination of blending process for trimebutine tablets using principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) regression.

This study showed near Infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy with a multivariate calibration approach were very effective to determine blend uniformity end-point. A set of 36 trimebutine samples containing magnesium stearate, stearic acid, colloidal silicon oxide, talc as excipients (0.9%∼1.