1. Protein and energy requirements of pigs weaned at 2 d of age were studied. In Expt 1, three diets with crude protein (CP; nitrogen × 6.38) and fat contents (g/kg dry matter (DM)) of 268, 260 (diet A); 216, 415 (diet B) and 264, 405 (diet C) were compared, with and without a supplement of 2 g DL-methionine/kg. Diets A and B contained skim milk and soya-bean oil only, in different proportions. Casein was added to diet C to equalize the CP content to that of diet A. In Expt 2, diets containing 290 or 315 g CP/kg DM were used with either 310 or 405 g fat/kg. The diets contained different proportions of skim milk, soya-bean oil and casein. The same diets as used in Expt 2 were used in Expt 3 but fed to a scale based on live weight which was 25% less than that used in Expts 1 and 2.

2. Methionine supplementation had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the growth rate or feed: gain ratio of pigs from 2 to 28 d of age. The growth rate of the pigs from 2 to 28 d of age was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced when they were given the higher level of either CP or fat, with the exception that the effect of level of fat was not significant (P > 0.05) in Expt 3. The reduction in growth rate was associated with a decrease in feed intake. Feed: gain ratios were unaffected (P > 0.05) by the level of either CP or fat in the diet.

3. The higher protein level did increase the proportion of CP in the carcass DM (Expt 2 P < 0.01, Expt 3 P > 0.05) and gave an indication, which was not significant (P > 0.05), of improved N retention (g/d per kg live weight). The higher dietary fat level increased the proportion of lipid in the carcass DM, and this effect was significant (P < 0.05) in both Expts 2 and 3.

4. Diets containing additional casein were not fully consumed at the level of feeding used in Expt 2. This effect may be associated with the larger amounts of digesta in the stomachs of these pigs. Some differences in the composition of the digesta in the stomach were observed, but these did not affect the performance of the pigs.

5. It seems unlikely that either growth rate or feed:gain ratio (g DM consumed/g live-weight gain) can be improved by protein or energy levels exceeding those in a diet containing (g/kg DM) 730 skim milk (265–290 CP) and 310 fat. In this diet, containing (g/kg DM) 6.4 methionine and 3.5 cystine, sulphur amino acid requirements were satisfied.

1. Twenty herbages at different stages of maturity containing from 0·77 to 5·23 g nitrogen/100 g organic matter were harvested, and green herbages were rapidly frozen and stored at - 1·5°. Each herbage was offered at levels approximating to ad lib. to a group of three sheep, individually penned. Intake, digestion and retention of N were studied during a 10 d collec-tion period after a 9 d preliminary period.

2. General regressions relating apparently digested N (NA, g/d), urinary N excretion (UN, g/d) and retention of N (NR, g/d) to N intake (NI, g/d) were established: NA= 0·88NI-3·25 (±1·14; SEb = ±O·013); UN = 2·48+0·35 NI+O·0049 NI2 (±3·09; SEb1, =±0·156; SEb2 = ±0·003); NR = 0·25 NI- 1·92 (±2·40; SEb = ·o·029). These equations accounted for 99% of the variability in N apparently digested, 86% of the variability in urinary N excreted, and 63 % of the variability in N retained.

3. Concentrations of ammonia and trichloroacetic-acid-precipitable N in the reticulo-ruminal digesta and of urea and a-amino-N in plasma were determined immediately before feeding, and at I and 4 h after feeding. Relationships between concentrations of metabolites in the reticulo-ruminal digesta and in plasma, and N intake, N apparently digested, urinary N output and retained N were examined. Estimates of urinary N loss and of retained N based upon metabolite concentrations at individual sampling times were characterized by high residual variabilities. Error terms were in some instances reduced significantly when both thebasal (before feeding) metabolite concentrations and the increments in metabolite concentra-tions after feeding were included in the one equation. The best relationships, based on plasma urea concentrations, accounted for only 74 % of variability in urinary N output.

4. In multiple regressions a significant portion of the variability in urinary N output and in retained N which was not accounted for by N intake could be accounted for by inclusion of metabolite values.

5. The concentration of urea in plasma was the most effective basis for prediction of N utilization. However, no prediction equation accounted for more than 90% of the total variabilityin N output, and no equation accounted for more than 71 % of the total variability in N retention. The feasibility of developing techniques for examination of efficiency of N utilization by a particular class of animal, based upon digesta and plasma metabolite con-centrations is discussed.

Sepsis – syndrome of infection complicated by organ dysfunction – is responsible for over 750 000 hospitalisations and 200 000 deaths in the USA annually. Despite potential nutritional benefits, the association of diet and sepsis is unknown. Therefore, we sought to determine the association between adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet (Med-style diet) and long-term risk of sepsis in the REasons for Geographic Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort. We analysed data from REGARDS, a population-based cohort of 30 239 community-dwelling adults age ≥45 years. We determined dietary patterns from a baseline FFQ. We defined Med-style diet as a high consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish, cereal and low consumption of meat, dairy products, fat and alcohol categorising participants into Med-style diet tertiles (low: 0–3, moderate: 4–5, high: 6–9). We defined sepsis events as hospital admission for serious infection and at least two systematic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. We used Cox proportional hazard models to determine the association between Med-style diet tertiles and first sepsis events, adjusting for socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, and co-morbidities. We included 21 256 participants with complete dietary data. Dietary patterns were: low Med-style diet 32·0 %, moderate Med-style diet 42·1 % and high Med-style diet 26·0 %. There were 1109 (5·2 %) first sepsis events. High Med-style diet was independently associated with sepsis risk; low Med-style diet referent, moderate Med-style diet adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0·93 (95 % CI 0·81, 1·08), high Med-style diet adjusted HR=0·74 (95 % CI 0·61, 0·88). High Med-style diet adherence is associated with lower risk of sepsis. Dietary modification may potentially provide an option for reducing sepsis risk.

1. An isotope dilution method, known to be satisfactory for measurement of volatile fatty acid (VFA) production in the rumen under steady-state conditions, was tested for its applicability where the VFA pool in the rumen could vary irregularly. The method indicated mean production rates closely similar to those obtained when the pool size was virtually constant. Tests carried out in a model rumen confirmed this finding and the method was accepted as suitable for measurement of VFA production in grazing sheep.

2. The method, modified to allow continuous sampling of rumen acids by dialysis, was applied to sheep grazing a mixed pasture. Mean rates of VFA production determined in seven sheep during fourteen 3-day periods throughout winter, spring and summer months ranged from 3.4 to 5.3 moles daily, production increasing during the period of growth of the pasture, and declining again with its drying-off.

3. The pasture was at all times abundant; the findings are therefore considered to represent the pasture's full potential yield of VFA to the sheep and so to indicate its changing value in this respect as the seasons progressed.

4. Results from sheep given roughages and from the grazing sheep indicated that, despite irregular intake, good predictions of mean VFA production rates could be made from mean VFA concentrations in the rumen fluid.

The performance of immune system is vital for defending the body from pathogens, and it plays a crucial role in health homoeostasis. In a previous study, we have shown that LFP-20, a twenty-amino acid antimicrobial peptide in the N terminus of porcine lactoferrin, modulated inflammatory response in colitis. Here, we further investigated the effects of LFP-20 on immune homoeostasis to elucidate the mechanism of its anti-inflammation action. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-triggered systemic inflammatory response mice model was established. On the basis of observed mucosal lesions and apoptosis in small intestine, we found increased macrophage and neutrophil infiltration in ileum after LPS stimulation. Expectedly, LFP-20 pre-treatment attenuated the LPS-mediated immune disorders in ileum. Moreover, the flow cytometry results indicated pre-treatment with LFP-20 sustained the balance of CD3+CD8+ T cells, B cells and natural killer cells in LPS-triggered immune disturbance. Simultaneously, we demonstrated LFP-20 modulated the secretion of both activated Th1-related IL-12p70, interferon-γ, TNF-α and Th2-related IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6. Furthermore, we found LFP-20 facilitated a balanced Th1 and Th2 response, which triggered cellular defence mechanisms and induced B cells to produce opsonising antibodies belonging to certain IgG subclasses to defend against LPS stimulation. Collectively, our study indicated pre-treatment with LFP-20 could defend against LPS-triggered systemic inflammatory response in mice via modulating immune homoeostasis.

A direct comparison of systemic (spleen) and mucosal (intestine) antibody-producing systems was made in weanling male C57BL/6J mice subjected to wasting protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) by means of a low-protein protocol known to duplicate immunological and physiological features of human malnutrition. ELISA revealed low concentrations of biliary and gut lumen immunoglobulin (Ig) A in malnourished mice concomitantly with a high concentration of blood IgA. The low-protein model, therefore, exhibited fidelity to human protein-energy malnutrition in its influence on the concentrations of the mucosal Ig, IgA, in critical biological fluids. The number of IgA-, IgM- and IgG-containing cells was estimated morphometrically on a per organ basis. The low-protein protocol supported expansion in numbers of mucosal IgA-containing cells (18 x relative to a zero-time control group) and of splenic IgG- containing cells (135 x ), albeit an attenuated expansion in comparison with that of well-nourished control animals (132x and 571x respectively relative to zero-time controls). Up to terminal differentiation of Ig-containing cells, systemic and mucosal antibody-producing systems exhibited similarly remarkable resistance to wasting malnutrition. Epithelial transport of IgA may be an aspect of the mucosal antibody response which is particularly sensitive to PEM.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) insufficiency is very common in many countries. Yet, the extent to which 25(OH)D status affects cognitive performance remains unclear. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the cross-time association between midlife plasma 25(OH)D concentrations and subsequent cognitive performance, using a subsample from the French ‘SUpplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux AntioXydants’ randomised trial (SU.VI.MAX, 1994–2002) and the SU.VI.MAX 2 observational follow-up study (2007–9). 25(OH)D concentrations were measured in plasma samples drawn in 1994–5, using an electrochemoluminescent immunoassay. Cognitive performance was evaluated in 2007–9 with a neuropsychological battery including phonemic and semantic fluency tasks, the RI-48 (rappel indicé-48 items) cued recall test, the Trail Making Test and the forward and backward digit span. Cognitive factors were extracted via principal component analysis (PCA). Data from 1009 individuals, aged 45–60 years at baseline, with available 25(OH)D and cognitive measurements were analysed by multivariable linear regression models and ANCOVA, stratified by educational level. PCA yielded two factors, designated as ‘verbal memory’ (strongly correlated with the RI-48 and phonemic/semantic fluency tasks) and ‘short-term/working memory’ (strongly correlated with the digit span tasks). In the fully adjusted regression model, among individuals with low education, there was a positive association between 25(OH)D concentrations and the ‘short-term/working memory’ factor (P= 0·02), mainly driven by the backward digit span (P= 0·004). No association with either cognitive factor was found among better educated participants. In conclusion, higher midlife 25(OH)D concentrations were linked to better outcomes concerning short-term and working memory. However, these results were specific to subjects with low education, suggesting a modifying effect of cognitive reserve.

1. The Chorleywood Bread Process is a new method of making bread in which the 2–4 h of bulk fermentation of the dough normal in breadmaking is replaced by a few minutes of intense mechanical agitation to a controlled degree in special high-speed mixers. It is now being used to make over 30% of British bread. 2. Bread was made in a commercial bakery from two white flours by the Chorleywood Bread Process and a conventional method. 3. Both the bread and flours were analysed for moisture, protein, ash, fat, carbohydrate (by difference), thiamine, nicotinic acid and ascorbic acid. 4. More bread was made by the two processes from two other flours in a pilot-scale bakery. These breads and flours were used to determine net protein utilization values. 5. It was concluded that bread made by the Chorleywood Process cannot be distinguished from conventional bread in its content of protein, fat, ash and nicotinic acid, and in protein quality as indicated by its net protein utilization value. This was true for two grades of flour. In these tests the contents of thiamine and moisture were slightly higher and of carbohydrate slightly lower in Chorleywood than in conventional bread. No ascorbic or dehydroascorbic acid could be detected in any of the bread.

Improvement of vitamin D status of the general population has been a challenge for policymakers. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate whether vitamin D-fortified products can be a suitable solution for tackling vitamin D deficiency. Our secondary objective was to determine the effect of some variables including age, latitude and BMI on efficacy of this strategy. MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched and 231 studies were found in a preliminary search. After screening of titles and abstracts, 23 studies were selected. Pooled data comparing fortification with vitamin D +/- Ca with control showed statistically significant effect on total 25(OH)D concentrations (2002 participants, mean difference (MD): 25·4 nmol/l, (95 % CI 19·5, 31·3)). The subgroup analysis by duration of intervention (less than 12 weeks v. more than 12 weeks) and type of vehicle (dairy product, juice, grain product, oil and combination of dairy and grain products), isoform of the vitamin (D3v. D2) and dose of the fortificant (≥ 1000 IU/d v. < 1000 IU/d) also indicated significant effect of fortification with vitamin D on serum 25(OH)D concentrations. In conclusion, the circulating 25(OH)D response to vitamin D-fortified food consumption is influenced by age, BMI and the baseline 25(OH)D concentrations. Notwithstanding, an average of 2 nmol/l increase in circulating 25(OH)D concentration for each 100 IU vitamin D intake per d is expected for general adult population. These findings can be informative for policymakers to tackle vitamin D deficiency through food fortification strategy.

Uterine infections during pregnancy predispose to pre-term birth and postnatal morbidity, but it is unknown how prenatal bacterial exposure affects maturation of the immature gut. We hypothesised that a prenatal exposure to gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has immunomodulatory effects that improve resistance towards necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in pre-term neonates. At approximately 85 % gestation, pig fetuses were injected intramuscularly with saline or LPS (0·014 mg/kg), or intra-amniotically with LPS (0·4 mg/kg). Pigs were delivered by caesarean section 3–5 d later and fed colostrum (C) or formula (F) for 48 h. Gut indices did not differ between pigs injected intramuscularly with saline or LPS, and these groups were therefore pooled into two control groups according to diet (control-F, n 32 and control-C, n 11). Control-F pigs showed reduced villus heights, mucosal structure, gut integrity, digestive enzymes, elevated NEC incidence (38 v. 0 %, P < 0·05) and several differentially expressed immune-related genes, relative to control-C pigs. Compared with the control-F and control-C groups, values in formula-fed pigs given intra-amniotic LPS formula (n 17) were intermediate for villus height, enzyme activities, intestinal permeability and NEC incidence (18 %, P = 0·2 relative to control-F), and numbers of differentially expressed immune genes. In conclusion, prenatal exposure of the fetal gut to Gram-negative bacteria may modulate the immediate postnatal response to an enteral diet and colonising bacteria.

In mammals, short photoperiod is associated with high depression- and anxiety-like behaviours with low levels of the brain serotonin and its precursor tryptophan (Trp). Because the brain Trp levels are regulated by its ratio to large neutral amino acids (Trp:LNAA) in circulation, this study elucidated whether diets of various protein sources that contain different Trp:LNAA affect depression- and anxiety-like behaviours in C57BL/6J mice under short-day conditions (SD). In the control mice on a casein diet, time spent in the central area in the open field test (OFT) was lower in the mice under SD than in those under long-day conditions (LD), indicating that SD exposure induces anxiety-like behaviour. The SD-induced anxiety-like behaviour was countered by an α-lactalbumin diet given under SD. In the mice that were on a gluten diet before transition to SD, the time spent in the central area in the OFT under SD was higher than that in the SD control mice. Alternatively, mice that ingested soya protein before the transition to SD had lower immobility in the forced swim test, a depression-like behaviour, compared with the SD control. Analysis of Trp:LNAA revealed lower Trp:LNAA in the SD control compared with the LD control, which was counteracted by an α-lactalbumin diet under SD. Furthermore, mice on gluten or soya protein diets before transition to SD exhibited high Trp:LNAA levels in plasma under SD. In conclusion, ingestion of specific proteins at different times relative to photoperiodic transition may modulate anxiety- and/or depression-like behaviours, partially through changes in plasma Trp:LNAA.

Here we evaluated the effect of fermented milk supplemented with whey protein (approximately 80 % protein), probiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB12) and pomegranate juice (Punica granatum L.) on the physical performance, intestinal motility and villi structure, inflammatory markers and intestinal microbiota of rats under high-intensity acute exercise. In all, twenty-four Wistar rats were separated into groups: control (Ctrl), supplemented (Supp), exercised (Exe) and exercised and supplemented (Exe+Supp). Rats in the Supp groups received fermented milk during 6 weeks by oral administration. At the end of the supplementation period, the Exe groups were submitted to high-intensity acute exercise on a treadmill. We found that intense acute exercise caused changes in the intestinal villi interspace, changes in the proportion of Lactobacillus species and an increase in Clostridium species, as well as a decrease in intestinal motility. Supplementation increased intestinal motility, and maintained the intestinal villi interspace and the natural microbiota proportions of the exercised rats. Physical performance was not improved by fermented milk supplementation. We conclude that the fermented milk containing whey protein, B. animalis (BB12) and pomegranate juice can re-establish intestinal microbiota and protect the animals from the undesirable effects of intense acute exercise.

During the first 1000 d of life, gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) are considered critical determinants of nutritional status. This study examined the effect of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) during pregnancy on GWG and PPWR at 2 and 6 months among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using data from the Mother-Infant Study Cohort. The latter is a prospective study, for which pregnant women were recruited (n 243) during their third trimester and were followed up for 18 months. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were obtained. An eighty-six-item FFQ was used to examine dietary intake during pregnancy. Adherence to the MD was assessed using the alternate MD (aMED) and the Lebanese MD (LMD). Adherence to the MD, PPWR2 (2 months) and PPWR6 (6 months) were considered high if participants belonged to the third tertile of the respective measures. Results indicated that 57·5 % of participants had excessive GWG while 50·7 % and 45 % retained ≥ 5 kg at 2 and 6 months postpartum, respectively. After adjustment, adherence to both MD scores was associated with lower odds of excessive GWG (aMED, OR:0·41, 95 % CI:0·18, 0·93; LMD, OR:0·40, 95 % CI: 0·16, 0·98). Adherence to MD was also associated with PPWR2 (aMED: OR: 0·23, 95 % CI: 0·06, 0·88) and PPWR6 (aMED OR:0·26; 95 % CI:0·08–0·86; LMD, OR:0·32; 95 % CI: 0·1, 0·98). The findings of this study showed that adherence to the MD may reduce GWG and PPWR and, hence, underscored the importance of promoting the MD for better health of the mother and infant.

The zinc concentration of placental tissue and cord blood in sixteen mothers who gave birth to normal babies was measured. The blood volume of each placenta was estimated from measurements of haemoglobin concentration of placental homogenate and cord blood, and, by deduction, the Zn content of blood-free placental tissue was calculated. Results were compared with eleven mothers whose fetuses showed a low biparietal diameter velocity between 17 and 28 weeks gestation and with ten mothers who gave birth to intra-uterine growth-retarded (IUGR) babies. As expected, placental weight was significantly correlated with infant birth weight. Blood-free placental tissue contained about four times xmore Zn (approximately 10 µg Zn/g) than cord blood (approximately 2.5 µg Zn/ml). Concentrations of Zn in blood-free placental tissue were similar in all three groups, but the cord blood Zn of mothers producing IUGR babies was significantly lower than that of the other two groups. Results of the present study suggested that fetal growth retardation in the mothers studied could not be explained by differences in blood-free placental Zn concentration, but that there may be some association between lower cord blood Zn levels and intra-uterine growth retardation.

The effect of supplementation with different levels of all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate and the inclusion of different dietary contents of PUFA on the deposition of α-tocopherol stereoisomers in liver and thigh of chickens was evaluated. Ninety-six 1-d-old Ross female broiler chickens were randomly distributed into eight experimental treatments (three replicates each) resulting from four levels of α-tocopheryl acetate without supplementation and supplemented with 100, 200 and 400 mg α-tocopheryl acetate/kg and two levels of dietary PUFA (15 and 61 g/kg). The feeds supplemented with α-tocopheryl acetate contained a similar proportion of each stereoisomer. The diets without α-tocopheryl acetate had the following α-tocopherol stereoisomers (%): RRR 35·1, RRS 24·5, RSR 25·3, RSS 13·9 and total 2S forms 1·3. Consumption of different levels of α-tocopheryl acetate did not lead to statistical differences in α-tocopherol stereoisomer proportion in the liver and thigh. In general, the stereoisomer profiles in the tissues studied were similar, responding to the stereoisomer profile of the diet. Both tissues preferentially accumulated 2R stereoisomer (69–100%). However, when α-tocopheryl acetate was used the discrimination was not specific for the RRR α-tocopherol form. Furthermore, the 2R:2S ratio had a tendency to increase as the polyunsaturation level of the diet increased.

1. An experiment was designed to provide information on the alterations in body metabolism which would account for the loss of body-weight in cattle due to the specific effect (factors other than reduced food intake) of the tick Boophilus microplus.

2. Two groups of British (Shorthorn × Hereford) and Africander × British calves, each approximately 6 months old, were used: one group (treated) of each breed was tick-infested and the other (control) was tick-free. Within breeds, calves in the control group were pair-fed to calves in the treated group.

3. In both breeds, the effect of ticks: (a) depressed packed cell volume, serum alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) and amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) activities, plasma cholesterol and phospholipid levels, serum iron and albumin levels. (b) increased the plasma levels of urea-nitrogen and γ-globulin (c) increased rectal temperature, water intake, urine volume, urinary and faecal total N, urinary urea-N and α-amino acids, the excretion of water, sodium and potassium in the faeces and (d) reduced N balance, N and dry-matter digestibilities.

4. In the British breed, ticks increased the excretion of K with a corresponding decrease in the excretion of Na in the urine and inreased the plasma clearance of bromsulphthalein.

5. A second experiment showed that the specific effect of tick infestation increased the flow of organic matter (OM) from the abomasum and the fractional turnover of rumen fluid of Hereford steers. It was also shown that the decrease in OM digestibility in the gastrointestinal tract was largely due to a decrease in OM digestibility in the rumen and that the increased urinary urea excretion and plasma urea concentration was caused by higher production rates of urea despite a tendency for lowered urea degradation in the gastroinestinal tract.