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Background: Hypoglycemia is the most common metabolic disorder seen in newborns and can cause long-term neurological damage, developmental disorders and poor later school performance. In recent years, the use of oral dextrose gel is widely used as a first-line treatment for prevention of asymptomatic neonatal hypoglycemia. Primary aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of 40 % dextrose gel at 30 or 60 min of life on the incidence of hypoglycemia in at-risk infants born by vaginal or cesarean delivery in the first 48 h of life. Secondary aim was to evaluate if the oral administration of 40 % dextrose gel can decrease the use of formula milk. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Buon Consiglio Fatebenefratelli Hospital. Newborns birth by vaginal or Caesarean section and that assumed 40 % dextrose gel at 30 or 60 min after birth were respectively divided in 4 groups (Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D). Glycemic monitoring was then carried out with serial measurements at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 48 h of life. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in the reduction of the incidence of hypoglycemia with respect to the timing of administration of the dextrose gel (χ2(3)=0,450; p = 0,930). The use of formula milk was higher in newborns born by Caesarean section that assumed dextrose gel at 30 min of life than other groups (χ2(3)=11,616; p = 0,009; OR (95 %CI)= 3,033 (1,286–7,153). Conclusions: The use of 40 % oral dextrose gel is a useful strategy for the prevention of hypoglycemia especially in infants at risk, independently to mode of delivery. Timing of administration of dextrose gel did not have effect on the incidence of hypoglycemia among groups. Newborns born by Caesarean section and that assumed 40 % oral dextrose gel at 30 min of life assume more formula milk compared to other groups.

The document "Oxidative Stress in Fetuses and Newborns" explores the impact of oxidative stress on fetal and neonatal health, highlighting the mechanisms by which free radicals contribute to cellular damage. It discusses how oxidative stress is linked to pregnancy-related complications and long-term health consequences for preterm infants. The text also delves into specific conditions affected by oxidative stress in newborns, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and kidney disease, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing oxidative stress in neonatal care. Additionally, the document presents research on the effects of gestational hypertension on maternal and fetal health, as well as the regulatory mechanisms of inflammation in developing lungs. [Extracted from the article]

Background/Aim: Late vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) during early infancy is a serious problem worldwide. Vitamin K (VK) deficiency commonly occurs in newborns who are exclusively breastfed. Protein Induced by VK Absence (PIVKA‐II) has been identified as an early indicator of subclinical VK deficiency in neonates, surpassing prothrombin time. To assess PIVKA‐II levels at 48 h, 1 and 3 months of age in full‐term newborns who were exclusively breastfed and received varying VKDB prophylaxis regimens. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in four hospitals, enrolling 105 newborns. PIVKA‐II levels were measured using a sandwich‐type enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: At 48 h of age, there was no significant difference in PIVKA‐II concentrations between newborns who received intramuscular administration of 1 mg of phylloquinone (VK1) and those who received oral administration of 2 mg of VK1 at birth. At 1 and 3 months of life, infants who received any supplementation regimen between 2 and 14 weeks exhibited significantly lower PIVKA‐II concentrations compared to infants who received only 1 mg of intramuscular VK1 at birth. The prophylaxis involving a dose of 1 mg of intramuscular VK1 at birth followed by oral administration of 150 μg/day of VK1 from the 2nd to the 14th week of life showed the lowest PIVKA‐II blood concentrations. Conclusions: Oral supplementation of VK1 after discharge significantly reduced PIVKA‐II concentrations in exclusively breastfed term infants. These findings suggest the importance of oral VK1 supplementation in exclusively breastfed infants during their first 3 months of life to avoid the risk of VK insufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation play a key role in the development of hypoxic–ischemic (H–I) induced brain damage. Following H–I, rapid neuronal death occurs during the acute phase of inflammation, and activation of the oxidant–antioxidant system contributes to the brain damage by activated microglia. So far, in an animal model of perinatal H–I, it was showed that neuroprostanes are present in all brain damaged areas, including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum. Based on the interplay between inflammation and OS, it was demonstrated in the same model that inflammation reduced brain sirtuin-1 expression and affected the expression of specific miRNAs. Moreover, through proteomic approach, an increased expression of genes and proteins in cerebral cortex synaptosomes has been revealed after induction of neonatal H–I. Administration of melatonin in the experimental treatment of brain damage and neurodegenerative diseases has produced promising therapeutic results. Melatonin protects against OS, contributes to reduce the generation of pro-inflammatory factors and promotes tissue regeneration and repair. Starting from the above cited aspects, this educational review aims to discuss the inflammatory and OS main pathways in H–I brain injury, focusing on the role of melatonin as neuroprotectant and providing current and emerging evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies on winter supplementation of growing cattle grazing stockpiled native Campos grasslands suggest that forage allowance (FA), herbage mass, and weather conditions before and during the supplementation period could all affect supplement feed efficiency (SFE)—that is, the difference or change in average daily gain (ADG) between supplemented (S) and control (C) animals (ADGchng, kg) per unit (kg) of supplement dry matter (DM) intake. In this study, we analyse data from fifteen collated winter supplementation trials carried out in Uruguay between 2004 and 2018. The working hypotheses of this research paper were: (i) that average substitution rates are positive, and (ii) that ADGchng is not constant throughout the supplementation period and that its variation may be attributed to sward, animal or weather variables. There were two main objectives: (i) to estimate the average supplement substitution rate (sSbR, kg forage, f, dry matter, DM intake reduction: kg supplement DM intake) and potential herbage intake substitution rate (hSbR, kg fDM intake reduction: kg fDM intake of control animals), and its association with SFE, and, (ii) to assess the existence of different phases and supplementation response patterns and its association with other relevant variables. Estimated substitution rates were always positive (sSbR = 0.3–1.1 kg/kg; hSbR = 0.1–0.3 kg/kg) and were negatively and moderately associated with SFE. Supplementation proved to be a dynamic process where three possible supplementation responses over the supplementation period were identified (linear, quadratic and Weibull). While linear patterns did not appear distinctly associated with any particular set of variables, quadratic models were mostly associated with herbage biomass and substitution rates, whereas Weibull models were the clearest in their association with frosts. Regardless of the response pattern, at the beginning of the trials it was the animals' body weight and supplement quality that most influenced supplement response, whereas towards the end, supplementation intake, supplemented animals' ADG and forage quality played a more relevant role. The estimated parameters and response patterns are expected to be used as inputs in decision support systems for livestock farmers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone health starts with maternal health and nutrition, which influences bone mass and density already in utero. The mechanisms underlying the effect of the intrauterine environment on bone health are partly unknown but certainly include the 'foetal programming' of oxidative stress and endocrine systems, which influence later skeletal growth and development. With this narrative review, we describe the current evidence for identifying patients with risk factors for developing osteopenia, today's management of these populations, and screening and prevention programs based on gestational age, weight, and morbidity. Challenges for bone health prevention include the need for new technologies that are specific and applicable to pregnant women, the foetus, and, later, the newborn. Radiofrequency ultrasound spectrometry (REMS) has proven to be a useful tool in the assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) in pregnant women. Few studies have reported that transmission ultrasound can also be used to assess BMD in newborns. The advantages of this technology in the foetus and newborn are the absence of ionising radiation, ease of use, and, above all, the possibility of performing longitudinal studies from intrauterine to extrauterine life. The use of these technologies already in the intrauterine period could help prevent associated diseases, such as osteoporosis and osteopenia, which are characterised by a reduction in bone mass and degeneration of bone structure and lead to an increased risk of fractures in adulthood with considerable social repercussions for the related direct and indirect costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main characteristics of the beef production chain are set out in order to identify the chain links that hamper its development. The Uruguayan experience is shown. The importance of the time devoted to the productive process as to biological particularities of the biological cycle of beef production and the multiplicity of products generated during the industrial stage are two of the traits that should be taken into account to design a strategy addressed to the development of this process. The application of production technologies that fasten cattle growth and fattening, as well as market differentiation to efficiently sell products (high- and low-quality meat cuts) and byproducts (hide, viscera, fat) are two alternatives that encourage beef production. The strategy implemented in Uruguay has permitted a significant reduction in slaughter age by including supplementation in enclosure feeding for cattle production systems. The development of a public policy based on obtainment of sanitary status, on total cattle traceability, and on an electronic information system in the beef industry has allowed gaining international confidence, reflected in entering the most demanding markets, besides fulfilling the domestic market intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the West Coast of Uruguay, on six ha of forage sorghum, the effect of supplementation with more soluble dry distillery grains and day confinement with shade was evaluated on the productive performance of Hereford steers, which graze forage sorghum. A total of forty-eight steers (267 ± 29.5 kg) were randomly assigned to four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement: free grazing without supplement, free grazing with supplement, day confinement without supplement, day confinement with supplement (n=2. 6 steers/repetition). It was grazed in weekly strips, with allocation of 8 kg of dry matter of grass/100 kg of live weight. Between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the animals with day confinement were moved from the grass to a near pen, provided with water and artificial shade. The supplementation with more soluble dry distillery grains improved productive performance, regardless of grazing management. Supplementation increased dry matter intake and increased live weight gain 2.9 times, with a weight gain response of 0.928 kg/d and supplement conversion efficiency of 3.1:1 (supplement intake, kg/response in LW gain, kg). The day confinement improved the thermal welfare of animals and did not affect the intake of dry matter or grazing activity. However, it was not enough to express improvements in mean daily gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplementing growing cattle grazing native subtropical Campos grasslands during winter improves the low, even negative, average daily weight gain (ADG) typical of extensive animal production systems in Uruguay. Nonetheless, to render the practice profitable, it is crucial to control supplement feed efficiency (SFE), that is, the difference in ADG between supplemented and control animals (ADGchng) per unit of supplement dry matter (DM) intake. Little has been studied specifically on how SFE varies in these systems. The objective of this study was to quantify the magnitude and variation in SFE of growing beef cattle grazing stockpiled native Campos grasslands during winter and assess putative associations with herbage, animals, supplements, and climatic variables. We compiled data from supplementation trials carried out in Uruguay between 1993 and 2018, each evaluating between one and six supplementation treatments. The average ADG of unsupplemented and supplemented animals were 0.13 ± 0.174 and 0.49 ± 0.220 kg/animal/day, respectively. In both cases, ADG decreased linearly as the proportion of green herbage in the grazed grassland was lower, but the ADG of unsupplemented animals was further reduced when winter frosts were numerous. Estimated SFE were moderately high, with an average of 0.21 ± 0.076 ADGchng/kg DM, resulting from average ADGchng of 0.38 ± 0.180 kg/animal/day in response to an average supplementation rate of 1.84 ± 0.68 kg supplement DM intake/animal/day (0.86%  ± 0.27% body weight). No association was found between SFE and supplementation rate or type (protein vs. energy-based; P  > 0.05), but forage allowance negatively affected it, and herbage mass positively affected it, yet in a smaller magnitude, suggesting that a balance is needed between the two to maximize SFE. Weather conditions during trials affected SFE (P  < 0.05), with greater SFE in winters with lower temperatures and more frosts. Daytime grazing time was consistently lower in supplemented animals compared to their unsupplemented counterparts, whereas ruminating time during the day was similar, increasing as the proportion of green herbage decreased. Herbage intake estimated from energy balance suggested the existence of some substitution effect. This agrees with the moderately high SFE and with the total digestible nutrients-to-protein ratio of these subtropical humid grasslands being higher than in semi-arid rangelands and dry-season tropical pastures but lower than in sown pastures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sorghum dry distiller gains with soluble can replace sorghum grain in finishing rations. • Feeding sorghum distiller grains up to 450 g/kg does not affect diet NEg. • Replacing sorghum grain for distiller grain modifies animal ingestive behavior. • Feeding sorghum distiller grains do not affect carcass weight but may reduce backfat. The present study evaluated the effect of increasing levels of inclusion of sorghum dry distillers' grains plus soluble in a sorghum-grain-based diet on the performance, apparent dry matter digestibility, ingestive behavior, and carcass traits of feedlot finishing steers. Thirty-two Hereford steers (331.2 ± 33.5 kg) were randomly allocated to four total mixed rations differing in SDDGS concentrations, 0, 150, 300, or 450 g/kg. The SDDGS replaced sorghum grain and sunflower meal in the control diet (Setaria italica hay 200 g/kg, ground sorghum 650 g/kg, sunflower meal 100 g/kg, and 50 g/kg premix) balancing for at least 125 g/kg of crude protein in the diet. Animals were fed in individual pens at 2.8 kg DM/ 100 kg body weight delivered in three meals over 12 weeks. Steers were all slaughtered on the same date. The experiment was analyzed according to a randomized plot design with repeated measures, and linear and quadratic effects associated with the SDDGS level were tested. Increasing SDDGS did not affect BW gain (1.52 kg/d, SE 0.06 kg/d), carcass weight (240.0 kg SE 5.3), carcass yield (542 g/kg SE 4.7), or ribeye area (49.1 cm2 SE 2.6). However, a negative linear tendency was observed for subcutaneous backfat (P < 0.10). No differences were observed in digestible DM or digestible energy intake (P> 0.10), nor in the gain-to-feed ratio (0.142, SE 0.01). Including SDDGS reduced steers' intake activity (P < 0.01), but linearly increased the intake rate during the first meal (g/min, P < 0.01), without affecting diet NEg (P> 0.10). Our data suggest that for sorghum grain-based diets it is feasible including SDDGS in up to 450 g/kg without affecting animal performance or carcass value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing levels of sorghum dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in high concentrate feedlot diets in the nutrient digestibility (%), ruminal degradability (%), pH, NH4 (µg N-NH4/ml) and volatile fatty acid (VFA, mM/l) concentration. Four ruminally cannulated steers (450 ± 63 kg) were used in a 4x4 Latin square design, evaluating four treatments in four periods of 19 days each, with 14 days of adaptation and 5 days of measurements. Animals received a TMR, 92% concentrate (63% sorghum grain, 25% soybean meal, 4% mineral commercial premix), with DDGS (90% DM, 29% CP, 51% NDF, 9% EE) in increasing levels generating 4 treatments: 0, 15, 30, or 45%. Replacing a combination of sorghum grain and soybean meal to maintain diets isoproteic. The TMR was offered ad-libitum to each animal in individual pens. Greater levels of DDGS increased the consumption of NDF (P = 0.0001) and EE (P = 0.0004), and NDF total tract apparent digestibility (linear; P = 0.038), but it decreased quadratically EE total tract apparent digestibility (P = 0.017). The DM (84.2 ± 0.17) and the CP total tract apparent digestibility (85.3 ± 2.0) was not affected by increasing levels of DDGS. Nevertheless, the ruminal degradability of total DM (P = 0.01) and CP decreased linearly (P = 0.01), without affecting NDF degradability (65.6 ± 4.3). Increasing levels of DDGS did not change ruminal pH (5.6 ± 0.14), acetate (45.1 ± 6.3), propionate (24.8 ± 3.6), and butyrate (5.2 ± 0.7) concentration, but NH4 concentration decreased linearly (P < 0.0001) directly related to the decreased CP ruminal degradability. Increasing levels of DDGS inclusion in a high concentrate diet reduce the CP ruminal degradability, without changes in total CP digestibility, what indicates a change of the site of digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the merit of wood chips (WCH, Exp. 1) or rice hulls (RH, Exp. 2) as the sole fiber source in a high-concentrate diet fed to early-weaned calves as well as their method of delivery (hand-feeding versus self-feeder). Rations were formulated to contain similar concentrations of N, energy and NDF and were offered ad libitum. In Exp. 1, 36 Hereford calves (84.4 kg SE 4.5) were randomly allocated to nine pens and one of three dietary treatments: (1) 160 g/kg of sorghum silage (SS) and 800 g/kg of concentrate hand-fed, 2) 80 g/kg of WCH and 920 g/kg concentrate hand-fed, and (3) same ration as in (2) but self-fed. In Exp. 2, 36 early-weaned Hereford calves (97.4 kg SE 1.7) blocked by BW were randomly allocated to nine pens and one of three dietary treatments: (1) 200 g/kg of alfalfa hay (AH) plus 800 g/kg of concentrate hand-fed, (2) 80 g/kg of RH plus 920 g/kg of concentrate hand-fed, and (3) same ration as in 2) but self-fed. In both experiments animals were weighed (BW) every 14 days, dry matter intake (DMI) was measured weekly, and daytime animal behavior was observed. Gain-to-feed ratio (GF), NEg and a sorting index to characterize the selective consumption of specific fractions, were calculated. Data were analyzed according to a randomized complete plot (Exp. 1) or block (Exp. 2) design, with repeated measures. Fiber source and delivery method effects were tested through orthogonal contrasts. In Exp. 1, replacing SS with WCH did not affect body BW gain, DMI, GF, or NEg. No differences were observed either in feed sorting or eating activity (EA). Using a self-feeder to deliver the WCH ration reduced EA (P < 0.05), without affect GF. In Exp. 2, replacing AH with RH did not affect BW gain or DMI but it improved GF (P < 0.05). Higher sorting against large particles (>8 mm) and ADF were observed for AH compared to RH (P < 0.05). Using a self-feeder to deliver the RH ration reduced DMI and EA (P < 0.05) without affecting BW gain and improving GF (P = 0.01) compared to hand-feeding. Also, it increased selective refusal of ADF (P < 0.05) but not of NDF, without affecting rumination. Treatments did not affect peNDF supply. Results from both experiments show the viability of the use of WCH and RH as a source of fiber in high-concentrate rations for early-weaned calves, as well as their suitability for delivery in self-feeders. • Wood chips and rice hulls can be used as a source of physically effective fiber for high-grain rations fed to early-weaned calves. • Each 1 % rice hulls can replace 2.5 % alfalfa hay in diet allowing higher inclusion of concentrate and gain efficiency. • Using self-feeder with non-forage rations reduces labor requirement without affecting or improving gain efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]