Fadi Li

Site preference of Fe in nanoparticles of ZnFe2O4

ZnFe 2O 4 nanoparticles have been prepared by sol-gel methods.Mssbauer spectra from 4.2 K to RT, showing that their magnetic ordering took place at a much higher temperature than that of bulk zinc ferrite.The large increase of T N for nanoparticles can be attributed mainly to the redistribution of Fe and Zn cations on the A and B sites.It was found that there are different hyperfine interactions between nanoparticles and bulk material.Nanoparticles with smaller size have bigger θ YK(Yaffet-Kittel angle).

Effects of early feeding on the host rumen transcriptome and bacterial diversity in lambs

Early consumption of starter feed promotes rumen development in lambs. We examined rumen development in lambs fed starter feed for 5 weeks using histological and biochemical analyses and by performing high-throughput sequencing in rumen tissues. Additionally, rumen contents of starter feed-fed lambs were compared to those of breast milk-fed controls. Our physiological and biochemical findings revealed that early starter consumption facilitated rumen development, changed the pattern of ruminal fermentation, and increased the amylase and carboxymethylcellulase activities of rumen micro-organisms. RNA-seq analysis revealed 225 differentially expressed genes between the rumens of breast milk- and starter feed-fed lambs. These DEGs were involved in many metabolic pathways, particularly lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and included HMGCL and HMGCS2. Sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes revealed that ruminal bacterial communities were more diverse in breast milk-than in starter feed-fed lambs, and each group had a distinct microbiota. We conclude that early starter feeding is beneficial to rumen development and physiological function in lambs. The underlying mechanism may involve the stimulation of ruminal ketogenesis and butanoate metabolism via HMGCL and HMGCS2 combined with changes in the fermentation type induced by ruminal microbiota. Overall, this study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of rumen development in sheep.

X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer studies of γ'-(Fe1-xSnx)4N compounds (0.0≤x≤0.3)

Abstract The structure and magnetic properties of γ′-(Fe 1− x Sn x ) 4 N samples have been studied using X-ray diffraction and 57 Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy. It has been shown that the single-phase (Fe 1− x Sn x ) 4 N compounds can be prepared in the composition range of 0.0⩽ x ⩽0.3, which have the similar structure as γ′-Fe 4 N The lattice parameter with the increase of Sn concentration can be well fitted with two linear relationships a 0 ( x )=3.795+0.019 x (with x ⩽0.10 ) and a 0 ( x )=3.797+0.228( x −0.10) (with 0.1⩽ x ⩽ 0.3). The fitting results of Mossbauer spectra indicate that the hyperfine parameters have the same changing tendency with lattice parameter, and the Sn atoms have a preference to be located at the corner site.

Association of residual feed intake with growth and slaughtering performance, blood metabolism, and body composition in growing lambs

The aim of this study was to determine the association of residual feed intake (RFI) with growth performance, blood metabolic parameters, and body composition factors in growing lambs. Individual body weight (BW) and dry matter intake (DMI) were determined in 137 male Hu lambs that were given a pellet feed four times a day for 50 d. RFI did not show a correlation with metabolic BW (MBW) or average daily gain (ADG), but it showed a positive correlation with DMI and feed conversation ratio (FCR). Organ weight and intestine length had a large influence on RFI in lambs. The low-RFI lambs have smaller rumen and longer duodenum indicating the less feed intake and more sufficient absorption rate of low-RFI lambs. The smaller organs like liver, lung and kidney in low-RFI lambs may be related to lower energy consumption and slower metabolic rate. The observed bigger testis was in low-RFI lambs was another cause of the improved feed efficiency. Finally, the plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were lower in the ELow-RFI group than in the EHigh-RFI group. This study provides new insight into the biological processes underlying variations in feed efficiency in growing lambs.

Supplementation with dietary linseed oil during peri-puberty stimulates steroidogenesis and testis development in rams

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs), such as α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid, are involved in male reproductive function. In this study, we investigated the effects of linseed oil (LO) as a source of ALA on the steroidogenesis and changes of testicular histology in rams. Sixteen 3-month old rams during peri-puberty were randomly assigned into two groups. Eight rams were assigned as the control group, and the other received LO (4% dry matter of total diet) as the LO treatment group. After an 81-day feeding trial, the rams were slaughtered and investigated. Results revealed that compared with control group, diet containing LO did not affect body weight (36.87xa0±xa00.53xa0kg vs. 37.65xa0±xa00.64xa0kg, respectively; Pxa0=xa00.361), average daily gain (227.47xa0±xa05.82xa0g vs. 237.95xa0±xa09.22xa0g, respectively; Pxa0=xa00.353) and epididymis weight (40.77xa0±xa04.41xa0g vs. 45.53xa0±xa04.01xa0g, respectively; Pxa0=xa00.398), however, it up-regulated PUFAs metabolism and steroidogenesis-related genes mRNA expression (Pxa0<xa00.05), and increased plasma estradiol concentration (14.88xa0±xa00.67xa0pg/mL vs. 19.50xa0±xa01.27xa0pg/mL, respectively; Pxa0<xa00.05). Therefore, LO stimulated seminiferous tubule development and increased the number of Sertoli cells (19.17xa0±xa02.14 vs. 27.2xa0±xa02.39, respectively; Pxa0<xa00.01), germ-cell layers, as well as testis weight (148.65xa0±xa022.66xa0g vs. 249.96xa0±xa030.63xa0g, respectively; Pxa0<xa00.05). All these results suggested that LO can improve testis development during peri-puberty by regulating steroidogenesis in rams testes.

Growth performance, rumen fermentation, bacteria composition, and gene expressions involved in intracellular pH regulation of rumen epithelium in finishing Hu lambs differing in residual feed intake phenotype

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of residual feed intake (RFI) on rumen function in finishing lambs. A total of 60 male Hu lambs (average initial BW = 25.2 ± 2.5kg) were used and were offered a pelleted high-concentrate diet, of which the forage to concentrate ratio was 25:75. Individual feed intake was recorded over a period of 42 d, then 10 lambs with the lowest RFI and the highest RFI were selected, respectively. The rumen fluid used for fermentation variables and relative abundance of bacteria measurement was obtained on d 10 and 20 after RFI measurement. At the end of this experiment, the selected lambs were slaughtered and rumen epithelium and liver tissues were collected for RNA extraction. Low-RFI lambs had lower ( < 0.01) DMI and greater ( < 0.05) G:F than the high-RFI ones, while the RFI groups did not differ in ADG and BW ( > 0.05). Additionally, RFI was positively ( = 0.57; < 0.01) correlated with DMI and negatively ( = -0.53; < 0.05) correlated with G:F. Total VFA and individual VFA decreased ( < 0.05) over time. The concentrations of total VFA, acetate, valerate, isobutyrate, isovalerate, and rumen pH ( > 0.05) were not affected by RFI classification. Nonetheless, low-RFI group lambs had a greater ( < 0.05) concentration of propionate, a lower ( < 0.05) concentration of butyrate, and a lower ( < 0.05) acetate to propionate ratio compared with the high-RFI group. There was a significant ( < 0.05) effect of RFI on the relative abundance of and . The relative abundance of , , and decreased ( < 0.05) over time in high-RFI group. And the relative abundance of in high-RFI group was greater ( < 0.05) than its low-RFI counterpart. Furthermore, RFI had no effect ( > 0.05) on gene expression associated with intracellular pH regulation (, , , , , , , and ) in rumen epithelium and β-hydroxybutyrate metabolism () in both rumen epithelium and liver tissues. In conclusion, even though low-RFI lambs had lower DMI, however, the number of was lower. Additionally, there was no difference in gene expressions level associated with intracellular pH regulation in rumen epithelium between RFI groups.

Effects of starter feeding and early weaning on GHR mRNA expression in liver and rumen of lambs from birth to 84 days of age

ABSTRACT The growth hormone receptor (GHR) is associated with animal growth and development. To investigate such effects on GHR gene expression, a total of 102 Hu lambs were randomly allocated to one of three groups (Group 1: starter diet from 7 d of age, weaning at 56 d of age; Group 2: starter diet from 42 d of age, weaning at 56 d of age; Group 3: starter diet from 7 d of age; weaning at 28 d of age). Six lambs from each group were sacrificed every 14 d to investigate the effects of starter feeding and weaning age on GHR mRNA expression in the liver and rumen. The results revealed that GHR mRNA expression was significantly higher in the liver and rumen (p < 0.05) than in other tissues. Early starter feeding up-regulated hepatic GHR mRNA expression on days 14, 28, 42 and 56 and ruminal GHR mRNA expression on days 28, 42, 70, and 84 (p < 0.05). Early weaning up-regulated hepatic GHR mRNA expression on days 56, 70 and 84 and ruminal GHR mRNA expression on days 42, 56, 70 and 84 (p < 0.05). Dietary and weaning regimes and age affected the hepatic and ruminal GHR mRNA expression.

A Comparative Study of the Structural and Magnetic Properties of γ‐Fe1—xNix Alloys and Their Nitrides γ′‐(Fe1—xNix)4N

X-ray diffraction and Mossbauer spectroscopy are performed to investigate γ-Fe 1-x Ni x alloys and their nitrides γ-(Fe 1-x Ni x ) 4 N with corresponding composition. X-ray diffraction shows that both alloys and nitrides have face-centered cubic crystal structure with approximately 18 to 20% expansion in volume of the nitrides. Mossbauer spectra at room temperature show drastic changes before and after nitrogenation. The changes are also rather different for the samples with lower nickel concentrations and those with the higher ones. For x = 0.25 and 0.30, the alloys mainly exhibit paramagnetic singlets while the nitrides exhibit complex ferromagnetic sextets. For x = 0.75 and 0.78, however, the alloys show ferromagnetic sextets while the nitrides show paramagnetic doublets. The reason for this is carefully discussed in terms of the lattice parameter dependence of Curie temperatures, which is caused by the introduction of interstitial nitrogen atoms into the Fe-Ni alloy structure.

Effect of early weaning on the intestinal microbiota and expression of genes related to barrier function in lambs

Weaning stress has been reported to impair intestinal health. The gut microbiota plays a vital role in the long-term health of the host. However, our understanding of weaning stress on gut microbiota and barrier function is very limited in livestock species, especially lambs. We investigated the effects of early weaning stress on intestinal bacterial communities and intestinal barrier function in lambs. A total of 24 neonatal male Hu lambs were randomly allocated into two groups, one weaned on day 28 and the other weaned on day 56. At 42 and 84 days, six lambs from each group were randomly selected and sacrificed. Ileal tissue and ileal digesta were collected to compare the differences in ileal microbiota and the mRNA levels of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and tight junction proteins between the early weaning group and the control group at day 42 when the early weaning group have been weaned for 14 days, and at day 84 when the 28 and 56 days weaning groups had been weaned for 56 and 28 days, respectively. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of ileal samples revealed that the ileal microbiota was very different between the two groups, even at 84 days of age. Early weaning significantly increased alpha diversity and altered the relative abundance of several bacterial taxa. The expression of genes related to intestinal barrier function was affected by early weaning. Early weaning significantly increased ileal mRNA levels of TLR1 on days 42 and 84; TLR2, TLR4, and TLR5 on day 84; claudin1 and claudin4 on day 42; and occludin on day 84. We demonstrate that early weaning not only altered the ileal microbiota on day 42 (compared with lambs that were not weaned), but also had lasting effects on the ileal microbiota at day 84; furthermore, early weaning impacts expression levels of genes related to intestinal barrier function.

Gallic acid caused cultured mice TM4 Sertoli cells apoptosis and necrosis

Objective The study was designed to determine the cytotoxic effect of gallic acid (GA), obtained by the hydrolysis of tannins, on mice TM4 Sertoli cells apoptosis. Methods In the present study, non-tumorigenic mice TM4 Sertoli cells were treated with different concentrations of GA for 24 h. After treatment, cell viability was evaluated using WST-1, mitochondrial dysfunction, cells apoptosis and necrosis was detected using JC-1, Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide staining. The expression levels of Cyclin B1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), and Caspase-3 were also detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western-blotting. Results The results showed that 20 to 400 μM GA inhibited viability of TM4 Sertoli cells in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 400 μM GA significantly inhibited PCNA and Cyclin B1 expression, however up-regulated BAX and Caspase-3 expression, caused mitochondrial membrane depolarization, activated Caspase-3, and induced DNA damage, thus, markedly increased the numbers of dead cells. Conclusion Our findings showed that GA could disrupt mitochondrial function and caused TM4 cells to undergo apoptosis and necrosis.