Guangdong Province Special Equipment Testing and Research Institute Zhuhai Testing Institute

ABSTRACTThis study was to evaluate the effects of lysolecithin on the growth performance, serum biochemical indices, and rumen environment of Holstein calves. A total of 26 calves were divided into a control group with a basal diet (CON) and a treatment group that added 5 g/d lysolecithin (LY). Compared to the CON, the proportion of feces in the middle sieve was higher, and the proportion of the bottom sieve was lower in the LY (p < 0.05). Serum biochemical parameters indicated that the LY had higher albumin, total antioxidant capacity, and total cholesterol, whereas non‐esterified fatty acid, blood urea nitrogen, and triglyceride were lower than the CON (p < 0.05). The NH3‐N of rumen fluid in the LY was lower than that of the CON (p < 0.05). The rumen fluid percentage of butyrate, iso‐butyrate, valerate, and iso‐valerate in the LY was higher than in the CON (p < 0.05), with a tendency for lower propionate compared to the CON (p < 0.10). In the rumen microorganism, the abundance of Ruminococcus in the LY was higher than in the CON (p < 0.05). Mantel test indicated that the percentage of acetate was found significantly positively correlated with Candidatus_Saccharimonas, whereas propionate exhibited positive correlations with Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and unclassified Lachnospiraceae (p < 0.05). Additionally, the NK4A214_group showed a significant positive correlation with the acetate/propionate, and the concentration of iso‐valerate was positively correlated with norank_f__norank_o__Clostridia_UCG‐014 (p < 0.05). In summary, dietary lysolecithin supplementation could positively influence the rumen microbial community, enhance rumen fermentation, and improve antioxidant ability, without affecting growth performance in Holstein calves.

Previous research indicates that spatial cognition limits the human ability to appreciate complexity in aesthetics. As early and middle childhood are critical periods for developing this ability, this study investigates how spatial cognition influences developmental changes in children's aesthetic preferences for abstract patterns and paintings. We presented 184 elementary school children with geometric patterns of varying symmetry and abstract paintings, asking them to select their preferences. Results showed distinct developmental trends: younger children preferred horizontal and rotational symmetry, while older children developed a broader preference for vertical and diagonal symmetry. Furthermore, stronger spatial processing ability predicted a greater preference for complex geometric patterns, though not for complexity in artistic compositions. These findings highlight the crucial role of spatial cognition in the development of aesthetic judgment and provide valuable insights for designing educational tools.

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common symptom in cancer patients, affecting their quality of life. Prunella vulgaris and its seed oil (PVSO) are edible-medicinal foods with bioactive compounds that may alleviate CRF. The present study aimed to test the effects of PVSO on CRF and underlying mechanisms. We found PVSO improved fatigue-like behaviors in both LPS-induced and tumor-bearing models. In the breast cancer tumor-bearing animals, PVSO reduced tumor growth, and suppressed serum and hypothalamic inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and NF-κB signaling. Furthermore, the hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) expression and serum CRH/cortisol levels dampened in tumor-bearing animals were normalized by PVSO. Our results suggest that PVSO exhibits potent anti-CRF effects likely via attenuation of cancer-induced hypothalamic inflammation and subsequent normalization of the dysregulated HPA axis. PVSO may be developed as a functional food for breast cancer-related fatigue.