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Hindered growth often occurs because of psychological and environmental stress during the weaning period of piglets. This study aimed to compare the effects of growth performance, diarrhea indices, digestibility of nutrients, antioxidant capacity, neurotransmitters levels and metabolism of weaned pigs fed diets supplemented with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and zinc oxide (ZnO). Pigs weaned at d 28 (n = 108) were fed with three different diets including: the basal diet (CTRL group), the basal diet supplemented with 3.0 mg/kg PQQ (PQQ group) and the basal diet containing 1,600 mg/kg ZnO (ZNO group). During the first 14 d, weaned pigs fed the diet supplemented with PQQ and ZnO decreased feed to gain ratio and diarrhea rate (P

An accurate estimation of net energy (NE) of wheat bran is essential for precision feeding of sows. However, the effects of inclusion level on NE of wheat bran have not been reported. Inclusion level was hypothesized to impact NE of wheat bran by regulating gut microbiota and partitioning of heat production. Therefore, twelve multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace; 2 to 4 parity) were assigned to a replicated 3 × 6 Youden square with 3 successive periods and 6 diets in each square. The experiment included a corn-soybean meal diet (WB0) and five diets including 9.8% (WB10), 19.5% (WB20), 29.2% (WB30), 39.0% (WB40) and 48.7% wheat bran (WB50), respectively. Each period included 6 d of adaptation to diets followed by 6 d for heat production measurement using open-circuit respiration chambers. Compared with other groups, WB30, WB40, and WB50 enriched different fiber-degrading bacteria genera (P

The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the net energy requirements for the maintenance of gestating sows based on indirect calorimetry, and (2) to explore the feasibility of predicting the net energy requirements for the maintenance of gestating sows based on daily heart rate monitoring. In Exp. 1, six Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred reproductive sows with an initial body weight of 229.5 ± 14.9 kg at d 56 of gestation were randomly assigned to six diverse energy feeding levels using a 6 × 6 Latin square design. The experimental diet was formulated using corn, soybean meal, and wheat bran as major ingredients, and the six feeding levels were set as 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, and 2.2 times metabolizable energy for maintenance (100 kcal ME/kg BW0.75·d−1), respectively. The animal trial lasted for six periods with 9 days per period, encompassing 5 days of adaptation, 3 days of calorimetry in fed state, and 1 day of calorimetry in fasting state. In Exp. 2, six Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred pregnant sows with an initial body weight of 232.5 ± 12.5 kg at d 64 were fed a corn–soybean meal diet. All sows were tested in a respiratory calorimetry chamber for a 4 day calorimetry test. The heat production of the gestation sows was measured every 5 min using indirect calorimetry, and the heart rate of the gestating sows was recorded every minute using a belt-shape monitor. The results showed that the net energy requirements for the maintenance of gestating sows significant increased as the gestational stage progressed (p < 0.05), and a linear regression model revealed the average net energy requirement for the maintenance of gestating sows was 410 kJ/BW0.75 d−1 during late gestation (days 70–110). Moreover, the average heart rate of the gestating sows was 84 bpm, and the mathematical model developed to predict the net energy requirements for the maintenance of gestating sows was NEm(kcal/h)=19901+exp⁡[136−HR(bpm)43]. In conclusion, the average net energy requirement for the maintenance of sows during late gestation was 410 kJ/BW0.75 d−1, and the utilization of the heart rate monitoring method was found to provide a relevant, accurate prediction for the net energy requirements of sows.

This study investigates the underlying mechanism through which dietary supplementation of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium (PQQ) alleviates intestinal inflammation and cell apoptosis in piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Seventy-two barrows were divided into three groups: control (CTRL), LPS challenged (LPS), and LPS challenged with PQQ supplementation (PQQ + LPS). On d 7, 11, and 14, piglets received intraperitoneal injections of LPS or 0.9% of NaCl (80 μg/kg). After a 4 h interval following the final LPS injection on d 14, blood samples were obtained, and all piglets were euthanized for harvesting jejunal samples. The results showed that dietary supplementation of PQQ improved the damage of intestinal morphology, increased the down-regulated tight junction proteins, and reduced the increase of serum diamine oxidase activity, the intestinal fatty acid binding protein, and TNF-α levels in piglets challenged with LPS (p < 0.05). The proteomics analysis revealed a total of 141 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), consisting of 64 up-regulated DEPs and 77 down-regulated DEPs in the PQQ + LPS group compared to the LPS group. The KEGG pathway analysis indicated enrichment of the tight junction pathway and the apoptosis pathway (p < 0.05). Compared to the LPS group, the piglets in the PQQ + LPS group had increased levels of Bcl-2 protein, reduced positive apoptosis signals, and a decrease in the abundance of MKK 3/6 and p-p38 proteins (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of PQQ could alleviate jejunal inflammatory damage and cell apoptosis in piglets challenged with LPS through the MKK3/6-p38 signaling pathway.

We investigated the effects of finely ground wheat bran on the nutrient digestibility, digesta passage rate, and gut microbiota structure in sows. A 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 test periods and 3 experimental diets was used. Six non-pregnant sows (parity: 5 to 7) were randomly assigned to 3 experimental diets with 2 replicates per treatment in each period. Each period lasted 19 d (12 d for adaptation and 7 d for experiment). The experimental diets included (a) a basal corn and soybean meal diet (CON), (b) a basal diet with 20% coarse wheat bran (CWB; particle size: 605 μm), and (c) a basal diet with 20% fine wheat bran (FWB; particle size: 438 μm). The results demonstrated that the apparent total tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and energy were reduced (P

The vibration of concrete is a typical concealed construction process, in which mature supervisory methods are lacking. The quality of vibration relies heavily on the subjective experience and sense of responsibility of the vibration operators. For the widely used hand-held concrete vibrators, existing methods for monitoring the quality of vibration primarily focus on the horizontal positioning of the vibrator. Due to the limited measurable range of vibration depth, these methods are inapplicable for monitoring the vibration depth during the vibration of deeper structures such as walls, columns, and large volumes of concrete. This paper makes the initial attempt to address the issue of monitoring concrete vibration depth, presenting a method that broadens the measurable range of depth in vibration monitoring. Inspired by the principles of optical and magnetic scales, this paper introduces a radio frequency identification (RFID) scales positioning system for the real-time monitoring of vibration depth. The proposed RFID scales vibration depth monitoring method theoretically has no upper limit on the measurable vibration depth, rendering it applicable to monitoring vibration depth of any extent. By comparing the positioning accuracy of different RFID scales hardware compositions, the optimal RFID scales hardware composition and the most effective RFID scales positioning algorithm were identified. The feasibility and accuracy of the vibration depth monitoring method based on RFID scales were validated through engineering field application. This method achieves centimeter-level accuracy in monitoring vibration depth, offers a tool for the precise control of vibration depth, and helps avoid potential quality issues in vibration.

Abstract Fatty acids are not only widely known as energy sources, but also play important roles in many metabolic pathways. The significance of fatty acids in modulating the reproductive potential of livestock has received greater recognition in recent years. Functional fatty acids and their metabolites improve follicular development, oocyte maturation and embryo development, as well as endometrial receptivity and placental vascular development, through enhancing energy supply and precursors for the synthesis of their productive hormones, such as steroid hormones and prostaglandins. However, many studies are focused on the impacts of individual functional fatty acids in the reproductive cycle, lacking studies involved in deeper mechanisms and optimal fatty acid requirements for specific physiological stages. Therefore, an overall consideration of the combination and synergy of functional fatty acids and the establishment of optimal fatty acid requirement for specific stages is needed to improve reproductive potential in livestock.

Objective The objective of this experiment was to determine the net energy (NE) value of 6 wheat bran and 1 wheat shorts by indirect calorimetry and establish the NE prediction equations of wheat bran fed to growing barrows. Methods Forty-eight growing barrows (28.5±2.4 kg body weight) were allotted in a completely randomized design to 8 dietary treatments that included a corn-soybean meal basal diet, 6 wheat bran diets and 1 wheat shorts diet. The inclusion level of wheat bran or wheat shorts in diets is 30%. Results The addition of wheat bran reduced the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients (p

Prestressing technology is an effective way to improve the seismic performance of masonry structures such as concrete masonry wall. Therefore, bonded prestressing technology applied to integrated concrete masonry wall (ICMW) was proposed in this study, and a cyclic loading test on specimens with different section types was conducted. It was found that the prestressing technology rendered thinner and denser cracks on the load-bearing component of the specimens, while the failure mode remained unchanged. The prestressing technology increased the initial stiffness of the specimens and accelerated their stiffness degradation. Although the prestressing technology advanced the yield displacement of the specimens, it had a positive influence on the displacement ductility of the specimens. Additionally, the energy dissipation of the specimens increased with the deepening of the damage state, while the influence of the prestressing on the energy dissipation of the specimens decreased with an increased in the drift ratio. Furthermore, the equivalent viscous damping of the specimens with a rectangular and T-shaped section finally converged at 8% and 14%, respectively. Overall, the aforementioned findings indicate that the prestressing technology proposed in this study is a useful method for improving the damage propagation and seismic performance of ICMW, which could be used to construct low-rise masonry structures in the future.

Though the energy requirement for maintenance is an important part of net energy system, little is known of the metabolic characteristics of maintenance energy expenditure. This study was investigated the effect of feeding level at metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance (FLM) on plasma metabolites in growing pigs. Ten barrows (22.5 ± 0.5 kg BW) were kept in metabolism crates and catheterized in the precaval vein during adaptation period. Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal diet at 782 kJ ME/kg BW0.6·d−1 during d 1 to 8 and then were refeeding at 2,400 kJ ME/kg BW0.6·d−1 on d 9. Plasma samples of each pig were collected by catheter on the morning of d 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10, respectively, for metabolomics testing. Results showed that the concentration of plasma urea nitrogen decreased under FLM (p < 0.01) and increased significantly after refeeding (p < 0.01). The concentration of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and albumin in plasma were decreased significantly after refeeding (p < 0.01). Eleven identified compounds were up-regulated and six ones were down-regulated under FLM. In conclusion, the energy metabolism of growing pigs was relatively stable after 4 days of feeding at FLM.

This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary starch-to-fat ratio on reproductive performance and lipid metabolism of sows and newborn piglets. A total of 75 Landrace × Yorkshire multiparous sows at d 84 of gestation were selected and randomly divided into three groups based on body weight. From d 85 of gestation to farrowing, sows were fed one of three dietary starch-to-fat ratios (20:1, 10:1, and 5:1). Dietary high starch-to-fat ratio increased the birth weight of piglets (p < 0.05). The apparent total digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy of sows was improved by an increasing starch-to-fat ratio during gestation (p < 0.05). Decreased dietary starch-to-fat ratio increased the concentration of plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and GSH-Px in sows (p < 0.05). During parturition, sows had increased plasma interleukin (IL) -1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α in the low ratio group (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Streptococcaceae in the low ratio group was significantly higher (p < 0.05). The medium dietary starch-to-fat ratio significantly increased the concentrations of short chain fatty acids. In conclusion, this study suggested that for sows a diet with ahigh starch to fat ratio could ameliorate lipid metabolism disorder and maternal inflammation during late gestation.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is important for the intestinal barrier to defend and regulate inflammation in the intestine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on regulating neuropeptide secretion by ENS neurons of rats challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to create enteritis. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups, namely, basal (CTRL), basal plus LPS challenge (LPS), basal with 2.5 mg/kg b.w./day of PQQ plus challenge with LPS (PQQ 2.5), basal with 5.0 mg/kg b.w./day PQQ plus challenge with LPS (PQQ 5), and basal with 10.0 mg/kg b.w./day PQQ plus challenge with LPS (PQQ 10). After treatment with basal diet or PQQ for 14 days, rats were challenged with LPS except for the CTRL group. Rats were euthanized 6 h after the LPS challenge. Rats showed an increased average daily gain in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, PQQ 5 and PQQ 10 rats showed increased villus height and villus height/crypt depth of jejunum (P < 0.05). In PQQ treatment groups, concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and intestine of rats were decreased, and IL-10 concentration was increased in serum compared with the LPS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the concentration of neuropeptide Y (NPY), nerve growth factor (NGF), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) in serum were decreased in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, ileal mRNA levels of BDNF, NPY, and NGF were decreased in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). Jejunal concentrations of SP, CGRP, VIP, BDNF, NPY, and NGF were decreased in PQQ treatment groups compared with the LPS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, phosphor-protein kinase B (p-Akt)/Akt levels in jejunum and colon were decreased in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, daily treatment with PQQ improved daily gain, jejunal morphology, immune responses. PQQ-regulated enteric neurochemical plasticity of ENS via the Akt signaling pathway of weaned rats suffering from enteritis.

This study investigated the effects of fine-grinding wheat bran on pregnant sow body condition, lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, and gut microbiota. In this study, wheat bran was crushed into three particle sizes. A total of 60 Landrace × Yorkshire second parity sows were allotted to two groups: CWB (a diet containing coarse wheat bran with particle size of 605 μm) and FWB (a diet containing fine wheat bran with particle size of 438 μm). Fine-grinding wheat bran had higher soluble dietary fiber concentration, swelling capacity, water-holding capacity, and fermentability than coarse wheat bran. Pregnant sows fed FWB throughout pregnancy had lower body weight and fat deposition than sows fed CWB. And the piglet body weight at birth of the FWB group was remarkably increased. Serum concentrations of lipids (triglycerides, total cholesterol, and free fatty acid), interleukin 6, leptin, and resistin were decreased on day 90 of pregnancy by fine wheat bran supplementation. Feeding FWB significantly decreased abundance of Firmicutes and dramatically increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes at phylum level. At genus level, the abundance of Terrisporobacter was decreased in FWB feeding sows, but the abundance of Parabacteroides was increased. Fecal total short-chain fatty acids, propionate, and butyrate contents were markedly increased in the FWB group. The results suggested that the physicochemical properties of finely ground wheat bran had been improved. Dietary supplementation with fine wheat bran changed the gut microbiota structure and enhanced the short-chain fatty acids level, which improved the maternal body condition, metabolic and inflammatory status, and reproductive performance in sows.

Fatty acids play important roles in maintaining ovarian steroidogenesis and endometrial receptivity. Porcine primary ovarian granulosa cells (PGCs) and endometrial epithelial cells (PEECs) were treated with or without medium- and short-chain fatty acids (MSFAs) for 24 h. The mRNA abundance of genes was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. The hormone levels in the PGCs supernatant and the rate of adhesion of porcine trophoblast cells (pTrs) to PEECs were measured. Sows were fed diets with or without MSFAs supplementation during early gestation. The fecal and vaginal microbiomes were identified using 16S sequencing. Reproductive performance was recorded at parturition. MSFAs increased the mRNA abundance of genes involved in steroidogenesis, luteinization in PGCs and endometrial receptivity in PEECs (p < 0.05). The estrogen level in the PGC supernatant and the rate of adhesion increased (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with MSFAs increased serum estrogen levels and the total number of live piglets per litter (p < 0.01). Moreover, MSFAs reduced the fecal Trueperella abundance and vaginal Escherichia-Shigella and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 abundance. These data revealed that MSFAs improved pregnancy outcomes in sows by enhancing ovarian steroidogenesis and endometrial receptivity while limiting the abundance of several intestinal and vaginal pathogens at early stages of pregnancy.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different SDF to IDF ratios on growth performance, serum indexes and fecal microbial community in pigs. Weaned and growing-finishing pigs were fed a diet containing five different ratios of SDF to IDF from 1:5 to 1:9 and from 1:3 to 1:7, respectively. Results showed a linear tendency that average daily gain (ADG) of weaned pigs decreased but the feed intake to weight gain ratio (F/G) increased as the ratio of SDF to IDF increased from 1:5 to 1:9 (p = 0.06). The ADG of growing-finishing pigs showed quadratic changes (p < 0.05) as ratios of SDF to IDF increased from 1:3 to 1:7. The Shannon index of fecal microbial diversity increased first and then decreased as the SDF to IDF ratio increased from 1:5 to 1:9 (p < 0.05). The Shannon and Chao indexes of fecal microbial diversity in growing-finishing pigs showed significant incremental linearly as the SDF to IDF ratio increased from 1:3 to 1:7 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the recommended inclusion ratios of SDF to IDF in weaned and growing-finishing pigs diets are 1:7 and 1:5.

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of reduced dietary protein at natural high temperature in summer on the growth performance and carcass quality of finishing pigs. A total of 72 crossbreed pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) at an average body weight (BW) of 77 ± 5.7 kg were randomly assigned to two treatments, based on BW and sex, in six replicates per treatment, with six pigs per pen, using a randomized complete block design. The dietary crude protein (CP) level of the normal protein diet (NP) and the reduced protein diet (LP) were 12% and 10%, respectively. The growth performance and serum biochemical parameters of the pigs were analyzed for a 28-day experimental period. At the end of the experiment, 12 pigs were harvested to measure carcass characteristics and pork quality. The average highest ambient temperature during the experiment period was about 32.4 °C. There was a trend for the average daily feed intake (ADFI) to be lower in the pigs on the reduced protein diet compared to the control (p < 0.10) in the 0–28 day period. The serum urea nitrogen was lower (p < 0.05) for pigs fed the reduced protein diets only on day 14. The carcass characteristics and pork quality were not affected by dietary treatments. In conclusion, decreasing dietary crude protein percentage from 12% to 10% in finishing pigs in summer may have no negative effects on growth performance and carcass quality.