Days Of Trial Research Articles

Evaluation of Whole Cottonseed Intake and in Situ digestibility in Beef Cattle

Abstract Whole cottonseed (WCS) is a byproduct of the cotton industry and can be used to supplement protein and energy to beef cattle. Given rapid industry changes in cotton variety use and their influence on WCS size, density, and quality characteristics, periodic evaluation of cotton byproducts is needed to determine appropriate feeding strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate total WCS intake, gossypol intake, and digestibility of a widely-planted common variety of WCS in the southeastern U.S., Delta Pine 1646 (DP1646), compared with a low-gossypol variety, Ultra-Low Gossypol Cottonseed (ULGCS). Six Angus and Angus-cross calves (two steers and one bull per group) were used in a 28-day feeding trial in a crossover design. Each group was fed either DP1646 or ULGCS for a 7-d acclimation period followed by a 7-d measured intake period. Treatment groups were then switched to the other variety for a second acclimation and measured period. Intake was greater (P = 0.0011) for ULGCS than for DP1646, with an average intake of 2.20 ± 0.24 kg and 1.06 ± 0.24 kg, respectively. Free gossypol intake was not different (P = 0.9371) among treatments with an average daily intake of 13 ± 0.1 ppm and 2 ± 0.8 ppm for DP1646 and ULGCS, respectively. An in situ digestibility trial was conducted using two ruminally-cannulated steers to compare the 72-h digestibility of DP1646 and ULGCS. There were no differences (P = 0.5910) between treatments in total DM digestibility between WCS varieties or treatment by time interaction (P = 0.1270). When evaluating digestibility relative to time, differences were observed (P ≤ 0.0013) at 24, 48, and 72 h. These results indicate that WCS intake was greater for the ULGCS than DP1646, and significant digestibility of either variety was not observed until 24 h of digestion.

A Nigerian‐Made Modified Atkins Diet: Hope for Patients with Intractable Epilepsy

Introduction : Modified Atkins diet (MAD), a variant of ketogenic diet (KD) has been reported in many studies to have equal potency to the classical KD. The unpalatable taste of the classical KD has led to its unpopular use, making it necessary to use it variants. This work involved investigating the anti-epileptic and nootropic effect of a Nigerian-made Modified Atkins Diet that failed in some acute seizure tests in mice. Research Hypothesis : It was hypothesized that the formulated MAD will produce significant anti-convulsant activity in mice. Methods Ethical Approval: Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the ABU Committee on Animal Use and Care. Dietary Pre-treatment: The mice, at P28 were given appropriate diet (Normal Laboratory diet or MAD) for thirty (30) days. Twenty-one (21) litters were weaned at P28 onto modified Atkins diet for 4 weeks. Other litters were fed normal laboratory diet and started on MAD at P56 (8 weeks) for 30 days. PTZ-Induced Kindling: Protocol described by Shimada and Yamagata (2018) was adopted. Each mouse was observed for 30 minutes after every PTZ administration and the seizure behavior was scored as follows; 0: normal behavior, no abnormality; 1: immobilization, lying on belly; 2: head nodding, facial, forelimb, or hindlimb myoclonus; 3: continuous whole-body myoclonus, myoclonic jerks, tail held up stiffly; 4: rearing, tonic seizure, falling down on its side; 5: tonic-clonic seizure, falling down on its back, wild rushing and jumping; 6: death. Morris Water Maze: The effect of the diet on learning and reference memory was investigated using the Protocol described by Zhao et al. (2004) with adopted with slight modifications: 4 daily trials instead of 6 daily trials were done, non-toxic blue dye was used in place of non-fatty milk to make the pool opaque. Statistical analysis: Data were analyzed aligned-rank test followed by Mann-U Whitney correction, Kruskal-Wallis test and Kaplan Meier survival analysis where appropriate. Results As shown in the fig.1a, MAD statistically significantly increased seizure threshold in the first half of epilepsy induction before the mice in the two diet eventually became refractory to the effect of PTZ at sub-convulsive doses. Kaplan Meier survival analysis revealed the ability of Modified Atkins Diet to decrease seizure susceptibility as shown in fig.1b; Mice treated with MAD had a tonic-clonic seizure survival probability of approximately 60% while mice on LD has a probability of just 20% at the end of the injection period. Modified Atkins diet did not negatively impair learning and memory. As shown in fig. 2a, it significantly increased escape latency of the mice over time when compared to the laboratory diet group in which the escape time was not different in all test days. There however, was no significant difference (p<0.05) in the time spent in all quadrants in both diet groups, an indication of a lack of influence on reference memory. Fig. 2b. Conclusion The formulated modified Atkins diet has potential for use in the management of intractable epilepsy in humans. The diet has also shown superiority over the classical ketogenic diet in its ability to not impair visual-spatial learning and memory.

If I fits I sits: A citizen science investigation into illusory contour susceptibility in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus)

A well-known phenomenon to cat owners is the tendency of their cats to sit in enclosed spaces such as boxes, laundry baskets, and even shape outlines taped on the floor. This investigative study asks whether domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) are also susceptible to sitting in enclosures that are illusory in nature, utilizing cats’ attraction to box-like spaces to assess their perception of the Kanizsa square visual illusion. Carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study randomly assigned citizen science participants Booklets of six randomized, counterbalanced daily stimuli to print out, prepare, and place on the floor in pairs. Owners observed and videorecorded their cats’ behavior with the stimuli and reported findings from home over the course of the six daily trials. This study ultimately reached over 500 pet cats and cat owners, and of those, 30 completed all of the study’s trials. Of these, nine cat subjects selected at least one stimulus by sitting within the contours (illusory or otherwise) with all limbs for at least three seconds. This study revealed that cats selected the Kanizsa illusion just as often as the square and more often than the control, indicating that domestic cats may treat the subjective Kanizsa contours as they do real contours. Given the drawbacks of citizen science projects such as participant attrition, future research would benefit from replicating this study in controlled settings. To the best of our knowledge, this investigation is the first of its kind in three regards: a citizen science study of cat cognition; a formal examination into cats’ attraction to 2D rather than 3D enclosures; and study into cats’ susceptibility to illusory contours in an ecologically relevant paradigm. This study demonstrates the potential of more ecologically valid study of pet cats, and more broadly provides an interesting new perspective into cat visual perception research.

Development and Validation of Equations for Predicting the Metabolizable Energy Value of Double-Low Rapeseed Cake for Growing Pigs.

Simple SummaryDouble-low rapeseed cake could be a cost-effective feed resource for swine, providing amino acids and energy. Accurate evaluation of the energy values of different double-low rapeseed cakes is of great significance to economically and effectively formulate diets when double-low rapeseed cakes are used as an alternative ingredient in diets fed to pigs. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to develop and validate an equation to predict the metabolizable energy of double-low rapeseed cake for growing pigs based on chemical compositions. Results indicated that the best-fit prediction equation for metabolizable energy (MJ/kg) was 9.33 − 0.09 × neutral detergent fiber −0.25 × crude fiber + 0.59 × gross energy (R2 = 0.93). Increasing levels of double-low rapeseed cake linearly reduced apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, but did not affect growing performance and caloric efficiency of metabolizable energy of growing pigs fed diets balanced for standardized ileal digestibility Lys/metabolizable energy ratio. The best-fit prediction equation in this experiment can be used to accurately estimate the metabolizable energy value of double-low rapeseed cake fed to growing pigs under practical conditions.The study was conducted to develop and validate an equation to predict the metabolizable energy (ME) of double-low rapeseed cakes (DLRSC) for growing pigs based on their chemical compositions. In Experiment 1, 66 growing pigs (initial body weight 36.6 ± 4.1 kg) were allotted randomly to a completely randomized design with 11 diets. The diets included a corn–soybean meal basal diet and 10 test diets containing 19.22% DLRSC supplemented at the expense of corn, soybean meal, and lysine. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude fiber (CF), and gross energy (GE) were the best predictors to determine ME. The best-fit prediction equation of ME (MJ/kg) was ME = 9.33 − 0.09 × NDF − 0.25 × CF + 0.59 × GE (R2 = 0.93). In Experiment 2, a total of 144 growing pigs (initial body weight 29.7 ± 2.7 kg), with six pigs per pen and six pens per treatment, were assigned randomly to four treatments in a completely randomized block design for a 28-day feeding trial. A corn–soybean meal basal diet was prepared, and three additional diets were formulated by adding 7%, 14%, and 21% DLRSC to the basal diet at the expense of soybean meal. All diets were formulated to provide equal standardized ileal digestibility (SID) Lys/ME ratio and SID essential amino acids/SID Lys ratio. Increasing dietary levels of DLRSC had no effect on average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed-to-gain ratio. The caloric efficiency of ME (31.83, 32.44, 31.95, and 32.69 MJ/kg, respectively) was not changed by increasing the dietary concentration of DLRSC. Increasing dietary levels of DLRSC linearly reduced (p < 0.05) the concentrations of triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine in serum, as well as apparent total tract digestibility of DM, GE, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and organic matter of the diet. In conclusion, the ME prediction equation obtained in Experiment 1 accurately estimates the ME value of DLRSC fed to growing pigs.

Respiratory muscle imaging by ultrasound and MRI in neuromuscular disorders.

Respiratory muscle weakness is common in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) and leads to significant respiratory difficulties. Therefore, reliable and easy assessment of respiratory muscle structure and function in NMDs is crucial. In the last decade, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have emerged as promising imaging techniques to assess respiratory muscle structure and function. Respiratory muscle imaging directly measures the respiratory muscles and, in contrast to pulmonary function testing, is independent of patient effort. This makes respiratory muscle imaging suitable to use as a tool in clinical respiratory management and as an outcome parameter in upcoming drug trials for NMDs, particularly in children. In this narrative review, we discuss the latest studies and technological developments in imaging of the respiratory muscles by ultrasound and MRI, and its clinical application and limitations. We aim to increase understanding of respiratory muscle imaging and facilitate its use as an outcome measure in daily practice and clinical trials.

A 28-day clinical trial of aerosolized hyaluronan in alpha-1 antiprotease deficiency COPD using desmosine as a surrogate marker for drug efficacy

IntroductionA previous 2-week clinical trial of aerosolized hyaluronan (HA) in COPD showed a rapid reduction in lung elastic fiber breakdown, as measured by sputum levels of the unique elastin crosslinks, desmosine and isodesmosine (DID). To further assess the therapeutic efficacy of HA and the utility of DID as surrogate markers for the development of pulmonary emphysema, we have conducted a 28-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial of HA involving 27 subjects with alpha-1 antiprotease deficiency COPD. MethodsThe study drug consisted of a 3 ml inhalation solution containing 0.03% HA with an average molecular weight of 150 kDa that was self-administered twice daily. DID levels were measured in urine, sputum, and plasma using tandem mass spectrometry. ResultsFree urine DID in the HA group showed a significant negative correlation with time between days 14 and 35 (r = -1.0, p = 0.023) and was statistically significantly decreased from baseline at day 35 (15.4 vs 14.2 ng/mg creatinine, p = 0.035). A marked decrease in sputum DID was also seen in the HA group between days 1 and 28 (0.96 vs 0.18 ng/mg protein), but the difference was not significant, possibly due to the small number of adequate specimens. Plasma DID remained unchanged following HA treatment and no significant reductions in urine, sputum, or plasma DID were seen in the placebo group. ConclusionsThe results support additional clinical trials to further evaluate the therapeutic effect of HA and the use of DID as a real-time marker of drug efficacy.

The growth performance of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) co-cultured with different vegetable plants in aquaponics system

A 28-days trial was conducted in an aquaponics culture system to determine the effect of the different vegetable plants application on the growth performance and survival rate of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Common carp seeds were obtained from local fish farmers in Aceh Besar District. A total of 360 common carp fingerlings (size 3-5 cm) were used and placed in 12 containers with the capacity of 80 L each. The study used four treatments, namely A (control), B Kale (Ipomoea aquatica), C Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and D Pakcoy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis), with three replications for each treatment. The result showed that different vegetable plants' applications significantly affected (P 0.05) the absolute weight gain, absolute length gain, and survival rate of common carp fingerlings. The highest value obtained was in treatment B (Ipomoea aquatic) with an absolute weight gain of 3.93 ± 0.28 g, absolute length gain of 3.81±0.21 cm, and survival rate of 100±0.0%, while the lowest was in treatment A (control) with an absolute weight gain of 1.21±0.76 g, absolute length gain of 1.70±0.10 cm and survival rate of 91±0.86%. Water quality was also collected in this study and the parameters during rearing were still within the tolerance limits of common carp rearing. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Kale plant, Ipomoea aquatica is the most recommended vegetable plant to be co-cultured with common carp in the aquaponics system.Keywords:AquaponicsCommon CarpVegetable Plants

Moringa oleifera polysaccharides regulates caecal microbiota and small intestinal metabolic profile in C57BL/6 mice

This study investigated the effects of Moringa oleifera polysaccharides (MOP) on the serum indexes, small intestinal morphology, small intestinal metabolic profile, and caecal microbiota of mice. A new type of polysaccharides with 104,031 Da molecular weight and triple helix structure was isolated from M. oleifera leaves for in vivo experiment. Forty male SPF C57BL/6 mice aged 4 weeks were average divided into four groups randomly according to the MOP gavaged daily (0, 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg body weight MOP). After a 7-day preliminary trial period and a 28-day official trial period, the mice were slaughtered. Results showed that MOP reduced glucose, total cholesterol, and malondialdehyde. It also improved superoxide dismutase and catalase in serum (P < 0.05). For small intestinal morphology, MOP improved the villi length and crypt depth in both ileum and jejunum (P < 0.05); the ratio of villi length to crypt depth in jejunum increased (P < 0.05). MOP could cause the increase of beneficial bacteria and the decrease of harmful bacteria in caecum, further affecting the function of microbiota. In addition, MOP regulated 114 metabolites enriched in the pathway related to the synthesis and metabolism of micromolecules. In sum, MOP exerted positive effects on the serum indexes and intestinal health of mice.

SCRATCH Trial: An Initiative to Reduce Excess Use of High-Flow Nasal Cannula

We aimed to reduce unnecessary use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) at lower flow rates through the implementation of a standard daily trial off HFNC at a medium-sized academic center. We used an interprofessional quality improvement collaboration to develop and implement interventions to reduce HFNC waste in children aged 1 month to 24 months with bronchiolitis who were admitted to the inpatient ward or ICU. Key interventions included development and implementation of the Simple Cannula/Room Air Trial for Children (SCRATCH Trial), a standard trial off HFNC for eligible infants. Process measures were selected as metrics of use of the newly developed trial. The primary outcome measure was hours of treatment with ≤8 L per minute (LPM) of HFNC. Additional outcome measures included total hours of treatment with HFNC and length of stay. A total of 271 patients were included in this study, 131 in the preimplementation group and 140 in the postimplementation group. The mean hours of treatment below our a priori determined waste line (≤8 LPM of HFNC) decreased from 36.3 to 16.8 hours after SCRATCH Trial implementation, and mean length of stay decreased from 4.1 to 3.0 days. The SCRATCH Trial was successfully implemented across hospital units, with a significant reduction in hours on ≤8 LPM of flow. Rapid discontinuation of HFNC appears feasible and may be associated with a shorter length of stay.

Effects of medical herbs in Tian‐Dong‐Tang‐Gan powder on non‐specific immune responses and resistance to acute ammonia stress in Litopenaeus vannamei

Tian-Dong-Tang-Gan powder (TDTGP) is a newly developed immune enhancer in Litopenaeus vannamei. In vitro, TDTGP was non-toxic to haemolymph at 400 µg ml−1 and increased the activities of phenol oxidase (PO), acid phosphatase (ACP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) after incubation with haemolymph for 8–48 h. In vivo, the activities of PO, SOD, ACP and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in the shrimp haemolymph could be increased during the 28-day feeding trials. An acute ammonia stress test was performed after the feeding trials were terminated. We studied the immunological parameters and histology diagnosis. In the drug group, the immune index burst following acute ammonia exposure was higher than that in the negative control and control groups. Histological detection showed that the integrity of the hepatopancreas cells in the TDTGP groups was higher than that in the negative control group at 72 h after ammonia exposure. The results showed that feeding shrimp TDTGP for 28 days could improve the immunity and resistance to ammonia stress by Litopenaeus vannamei and protect the integrity of the hepatopancreas during ammonia stress. These findings showed that TDTGP can be developed and used as an immunoenhancer in Litopenaeus vannamei.

Standardized ileal digestible tryptophan to lysine ratios affect performance and regulate intestinal mRNA expression of amino acid transporters in weaning pigs fed a low crude protein diet

The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of standardized ileal digestible (SID) tryptophan (Trp) to lysine (Lys) ratios on growth performance and jejunal expression of amino acid transporters in weaning pigs. A total of 240 hybrid [(Duroc, male) x (Large White x Landrace, female)] piglets (6.52 ± 0.42 kg) were used in a 28-day growth trial and randomly allotted to one of four diets providing SID Trp to Lys ratios of 0.15, 0.18, 0.21, or 0.24 and were allocated in 6 pens per treatment with 10 pigs per pen. The average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and serum levels of Trp, serine, isoleucine and leucine in pigs significantly increased when the SID Trp to Lys ratios increased from 0.15 to 0.18, 0.21, or 0.24 (P < 0.05). The pigs fed the diet with the 0.24 ratio had a reduced serum urea nitrogen (SUN) concentration compared with the pigs fed the 0.15 ratio diet (P < 0.05). The villus heights of the duodenum and jejunum in pigs fed the diet with a 0.21 ratio were greater than those of pigs fed the 0.15 ratio diet (P < 0.05). The increase in the SID Trp to Lys ratio from 0.15 to 0.18 decreased the intestinal ASCT2 mRNA level in weaning pigs (P < 0.05). The increase in the SID Trp to Lys ratio from 0.15 to 0.21 or 0.24 increased the mRNA abundance of intestinal B°AT1 (P < 0.05). The increase in the SID Trp to Lys ratio from 0.15 to 0.18 increased the mRNA abundances of intestinal CAT-1 and rBAT (P < 0.05). The intestinal b0,+AT mRNA level in the pigs fed the 0.21 ratio diet was higher than that in pigs in other three treatments (P < 0.05). The mRNA abundances of y+LAT1 and 4F2hc in the pigs fed the 0.15 ratio diet were lower than those in pigs in other three treatments (P < 0.05). The intestinal PepT-1 mRNA level in the pigs fed the 0.15 or 0.24 ratio diet was lower than that of the pigs fed the 0.21 ratio diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the optimal SID Trp to Lys ratio was determined to be 0.18 for weaning pigs that were fed a low crude protein diet using ADG and jejunal amino acid transporter mRNA expression as the response criteria.

Personalisation of Therapies in COVID-19 Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Using Electrical Impedance Tomography.

IntroductionEach patient suffering from severe coronavirus COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), requiring mechanical ventilation, shows different lung mechanics and disease evolution. Therefore, lung protective strategies should be personalised for the individual patient.Case presentationA 64-year-old male patient was intubated ten days after the symptoms of COVID-19 infection presented. He was placed in the prone position for sixteen hours, resulting in a marked improvement in oxygenation. However, after being returned to the supine position, his SpO2 rapidly dropped from 98% to 91%, and electrical impedance tomography showed less ventilation at the dorsal region and a ventral shift of ventilation distribution. An incremental and decremental PEEP trial under electrical impedance tomography monitoring was carried out, confirming that the dependent lung regions were recruited with increased pressures and homogenous ventilation distribution could be provided with 14 cmH2O of PEEP. The optimal settings were reassessed next day after returning from the second session of the prone position. After four prone position-sessions in five days, oxygenation was stabilised and eventually the patient was discharged.ConclusionsPatients with COVID-19 associated ARDS require individualised ventilation support depending on the stage of their disease. Daily PEEP trial monitored by electrical impedance tomography can provide important information to tailor the respiratory therapies.

Effect of honey-flavoured diets on the performance and relative organ weights of finisher broiler chickens

A 28-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of honey-flavoured diets on performance, nutrient retention, organ weights and economy of production. 0ne hundred and twenty 4-weeks old 'Anak 2000' broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four treatments, replicated three times with 10 birds each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Four diets were formulated such that diet 1(0%) contained no honey and served as the control, while diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% honey-flavour, respectively. The results showed that diet 4 containing 1.5% honey flavour significantly (P &lt; 0.05) improved the final body weight (1977g), weight gain (1327g), daily weight gain (47.29), feed/gain (2.18) and protein efficiency ratio (2.16) than broiler fed other diets including the control. Broilers on the control diet had the least values of body weight gain (1754g), weight gain (1104g), daily weight gain (39.43g), worst feed/gain (2.59) and protein efficiency ratio (1.80). Broilers fed diet 4 had the highest (P&lt;0.05) nutrient retention of protein (83.80 %), ether extract (86.80 %) and crude fibre (70.50%) while broilers on the control diet had the lowest retention values of protein (65.20%), crude fibre (63.30%) and ether extract (73.70%). The dry matter retentions were similar across the treatments with highest numerical values of 82.80% recorded by birds on diet 4 and least value of 78.80% on diet 1(control). The liver, heart, lungs, kidney and caecum weights did not differ significantly (P&gt;0.05) across the treatments but were numerically higher with increased in the honey-flavoured diets. The gizzard and caecum weights were significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased with increase in honey flavoured diets. Cost per kg feed increased as the level of honey-flavoured inclusion in the diets increased 1.5 % with value of ? 58.00/kg compared to the control diet with ? 47.01/kg while the revenue generated showed that birds fed diet 4 (1.5% honey) were the most economical to produce with value of ? 597.15/bird compared with those on the control (₦ 496.80/bird). Addition of honey at 1.5% demonstrated superiority in this study with no adverse effect on bird's performance and organ.

Growth and carcass yield of finishing broiler chickens fed lablab leaf meal

The inclusion of lablab (Lablab purpureus) leaf meal (LLM) at 0, 50 and 100g/kg in finisher diets on broiler performance and carcass yields were evaluated in a 28-day feeding trial. Results showed that LLM in broiler finisher diets resulted in significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in feed intake relative to the control diet. The control diet and 50LLM kg diet supported similar (P&gt;0.05) final body weight and weight gain, but these parameters were significantly (P&lt;0.05) depressed in broilers fed 100gLLM/kg diet. Feed conversion ratio became poorer with increase in level of LLM. Carcass yield was not significantly influenced (P&gt;0.05) by dietary treatments. Cut-up parts as a percentage of dressed weight showed that thigh and drumstick had a non-significant decrease in weight while back and wing had a non-significant increase in level of dietary LLM. Breast, neck and abdominal fat pad were significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased with increased LLM. Broilers fed 100gLLM/kg diet exhibited a significantly lower weight for liver, spleen, lung and heart in comparison with the control diet. Only the gizzard is significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) in broilers fed LLM compared to the control diet (without LLM). It can be concluded that LLM inclusion at 100g/kg diet had a negative effect on performance but not on carcass parameters whereas LLM at 50g/kg diet gave comparable response with the control diet in all parameters measured.

Comparative performance of broiler chicks fed diets containing differently processed Mucuna pruriens seed meals

A 28-day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary inclusion of Mucuna seeds: soaked in Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) solution, soaked in Ca(OH)2 and cracked water-soaked and cooked, on the performance of broiler chicks. Two batches of raw Mucuna seeds were used. The first batch was soaked in 3% Ca(OH)2 for 48 hours. Part of the soaked seeds were sun-dried and milled. The remaining part were cooked, sun-dried and milled. The second batch was cracked, soaked in water for 48 hours and cooked before sun drying and milling. Both meals were analyzed for their proximate composition and included in broiler starter diets at 20% dietary level respectively. The control diet contained no mucuna meal. Each diet was fed to a group of 40 broiler chicks in a completely randomized design replicated four times. At 20% dietary level containing Ca(OH)2 soaked seed meal significantly (P&lt;0.05) depressed the performance of the birds in terms of feed intake, growth rate and feed conversion ratio. However, soaking in Ca(OH)2, prior to cooking and cracking prior to soaking in water and cooking did not adversely affect the performance of the birds in all parameters measured.

Effect of dietary inclusion of Anthonata macrophyla meal on the performance of broiler starter chicks

A 28-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of Anth:-:: macrophylla meal on the performance of broiler starter chicks. Anthonala macrophyla was harvested from the wild, wushed, chopped into tablets, sun-dried and milled to produce the test meal. The meal contained un diy matter basis 21.11% crude protein, 1.90% crude fat, 2.00% total ash, 5.03% crude fibre and 54.36% nitrogen free extract. Five (5) broiler starter diets were formulated to contain the meal at 0,5,10,15 and 20% level, respectively. One hundred and eighty (180) day-old Anak broiler chicks were divided into 5 groups of thirty-six birds each and randomly allocated to the five treatment rations in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficient ratio, cost of production of one kilogramme of each test feed among others and carcass characteristics. At 15 and 20% dietary levels. Anthonata macrophylla significantly (p&lt;0.05) depressed feed intake, daily weight guin, feed conversion and protein efficiency ratios and final weight gain of the birds. Organ weight parameters showed no significant (P&gt;0.05) differences among the treatments. The results of this investigation suggest that Anthonata macrophyla meal can be included in broiler starter ration up to 10% without any deleterious effect on the birds and at this level of inclusion, feed cost was reduced by 10%.

The Predialysis Serum Sodium Level Modifies the Effect of Hemodialysis Frequency on Left-Ventricular Mass: The Frequent Hemodialysis Network Trials

Introduction: The Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Daily and Nocturnal trials aimed to compare the effects of hemodialysis (HD) given 6 versus 3 times per week. More frequent in-center HD significantly reduced left-ventricular mass (LVM), with more pronounced effects in patients with low urine volumes. In this study, we aimed to explore another potential effect modifier: the predialysis serum sodium (SNa) and related proxies of plasma tonicity. Methods: Using data from the FHN Daily and Nocturnal Trials, we compared the effects of frequent HD on LVM among patients stratified by SNa, dialysate-to-predialysis serum-sodium gradient (GNa), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, time-integrated sodium-adjusted fluid load (TIFL), and extracellular fluid volume estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: In 197 enrolled subjects in the FHN Daily Trial, the treatment effect of frequent HD on ∆LVM was modified by SNa. When the FHN Daily Trial participants are divided into lower and higher predialysis SNa groups (less and greater than 138 mEq/L), the LVM reduction in the lower group was substantially higher (−28.0 [95% CI −40.5 to −15.4] g) than in the higher predialysis SNa group (−2.0 [95% CI −15.5 to 11.5] g). Accounting for GNa, TIFL also showed more pronounced effects among patients with higher GNa or higher TIFL. Results in the Nocturnal Trial were similar in direction and magnitude but did not reach statistical significance. Discussion/Conclusion: In the FHN Daily Trial, the favorable effects of frequent HD on left-ventricular hypertrophy were more pronounced among patients with lower predialysis SNa and higher GNa and TIFL. Whether these metrics can be used to identify patients most likely to benefit from frequent HD or other dialytic or nondialytic interventions remains to be determined. Prospective, adequately powered studies studying the effect of GNa reduction on mortality and hospitalization are needed.

Gingipains Identified in Alzheimer's Disease Brains Differentially Fragment ApoE Proteins

Gingipains are protease virulence factors from the periodontal bacterial pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and were recently identified in greater than 90% of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains. Studies in wild-type mice and rats have demonstrated that P. gingivalis invades the brain after oral infection and triggers characteristic AD pathology. The APOE4 gene is the greatest genetic risk factor for sporadic AD, and ApoE protein fragments have been identified in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid of AD patients, but the protease(s) responsible for ApoE fragmentation remain unknown. Here we report that gingipains directly cleave ApoE proteins in vitro, with ApoE4 preferentially cleaved compared to ApoE3 and ApoE2. Cerebrospinal fluid analyzed from a 28-day phase 1b clinical trial of atuzaginstat, a brain-penetrant gingipain inhibitor, in mild-to-moderate AD patients revealed a significant reduction of low-molecular-weight ApoE fragments compared to placebo that was strongly correlated with a reduction in the pathologic decline of CSF Aβ 1-42 levels.

Virgin Coconut Oil Improved Discriminative Learning and Working Memory in Aging Cycling and Non-Cycling Female Sprague-Dawley Rats Supporting Its Beneficial Effect in Retarding Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Aim: Beneficial effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) consumption to improve cognition in menopausal females remain inconclusive. This study examined the effect of VCO supplementation in aging cycling and non-cycling rodents to assess its impact on cognition. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (10 - 18 months) were randomly assigned to a supplemented VCO group (SVCO) that received oral doses of 1.42 mL/kg/day VCO (n = 10) and a non-supplemented (NVCO) group (n = 10). Their performance in a biased Y-maze discriminative learning paradigm was assessed over a 16-week period. Rats were initially allowed 3 minutes to explore the maze (habituated) and subsequently pre-trained in the non-preferred, white chamber to associate the presentation of a tone with a treat (reward). Training involved 4 daily trials initially for 3 weeks during which rats were rewarded if they entered the white arm within 15 sec after tone presentation. Time (days) to attain at least 75% correct responses (CR) determined acquisition latency (AL). Memory retention (MR1) of the learned task was assessed following a 1-week break from training and absence of supplementation (session T1). Following an additional 2-week break, supplementation of SVCO animals resumed and continued to week 16. In week 14, all animals received re-training for 1 week (session T2) followed by another 1-week break and subsequent assessment of memory (MR2). Vaginal smear cytology determinations were performed throughout the study to identify cycling and non-cycling rats. Student’s t-test and ANOVA with Brown-Forsythe and Tukey’s post-hoc tests were used to compare means. Results: C-SVCO rats attained lower AL, and higher CR and MR scores vs their NVCO counterparts (p Conclusion: VCO supplementation attenuated cognitive decline with a more positive impact on non-cycling rodents suggesting a beneficial effect on brain health in females in menopausal transition.

The Spanish Republic’s Diplomatic Mission to Moscow during Civil War. Part 1

The Spanish Civil War played a unique role in the Soviet Union’s geo-political strategies in the second half of the 1930s. The conflict marked the first occasion that Moscow had participated in a foreign war beyond its traditional spheres of influence. But Soviet involvement in the Spanish war went far beyond the sale of armor and aviation to the beleaguered Spanish Republic. While Moscow organized and supported the creation of the International Brigades, on the cultural front, the Soviets sought to roll out a broad program of propaganda, employing film, poster art and music to link the destinies of the Slavic and Hispanic peoples. If scholars have succeeded in recent years to rewrite the history of many components of Soviet participation in the Spanish Civil War, diplomatic relations between the Republic and Moscow remain an unexplored theme. This is the first instalment of a two-part article, unpublished official documents, as well as memoirs, newsreels, private letters and the press, to offer the first narrative history of the Republican embassy in Moscow. The diplomatic rapprochement between the USSR and Spain in 1933 is explored as a prelude to the exchange of ambassadors following the outbreak of the Civil War in summer 1936. The appointment of the young Spanish doctor Marcelino Pascua to a newly recreated Moscow embassy is examined in detail, up to autumn 1937. This article allows the reader hitherto unavailable access to the daily trials, disappointments and occasional breakthroughs experienced by the Spanish Republican ambassador in Stalin’s Soviet Union.