Entire Experimental Period Research Articles

Effect of radiation emitted from mobile phone on bone marrow haematopoietic stem cell in mice

The present research aims to explore the potential impact of mobile phone radiation on bone marrow haematopoietic stem cell in mice. 160 male BALB/C mice aged 3–4 weeks were randomly distributed into 4 groups as blank control, control, TD-SCDMA and LTE-Advanced respectively, with 40 mice in each group. Mice were designed to receive cell phone radiation for 2–8 weeks. 10 mice in each group were taken out for examinations given radiation exposure periods were 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively. Then terminal deoxynuclotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP Nick-end labelling technique was conducted to detect the apoptosis of stem cell, and morphological method was carried out for the examination of micronucleus and subpopulations of bone marrow haematopoietic stem cell, while enzyme immune technique was performed to analyse the subsets of T lymphocyte. As a result, no statistical differences were discovered on issues of apoptosis and micronucleus during the entire experimental period in the 2 sham radiation control groups. Notwithstanding similar results were seen in TD-SCDMA and LTE-Advanced groups after exposed to radiation for 2 or 4 weeks, apoptosis began to be enhanced and micronucleus to be increased given the mice experience longer exposure as 6 or 8 weeks. There were virtually negligible effects on subpopulations of stem cell, as well as on subsets of T lymphocyte of peripheral blood during the entire experimental period in the 4 groups. It could be concluded that long-term radiation from cell phone could induce apoptosis of haematopoietic stem cell in mice; moreover, it seems to stimulate the formation of micronucleus, yet with even negligible effect on the proportions of stem cell subpopulations and peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets.

Experimental investigation and dynamic modelling of an upright freezer under periodic door opening conditions

This paper performs a comprehensive experimental and modelling study to examine the dynamic behaviour of an upright freezer with adjustable shelving under periodic door opening conditions with different temperature, pressure and relative humidity values. An uncertainty analysis is carried out for the experimentally measured data. Additionally, the dynamic model is developed with crucial sub-components, such as discretized upright cabinet, frosted evaporator and semi-empirical door opening mechanism using an object-orientated programming language called Modelica. The present model is the validated with experimental data employing the values of the airflow from ambient into the cabinet along with the average cabinet air flowrate and back wall temperatures, transient evaporation and condensation pressures, cabinet average relative humidity change, compressor operation time and power consumption, and finally total energy consumption of refrigerator for both 85%RH and 65% RH conditions at 32 °C ambient. The results show that the model predictions have a similar trendline with the experimental findings within ±3 K error bands regarding average cabinet air and back wall temperature. In contrast, the dynamic cyclic trend before and after door opening is closer to the experiments within ±1 K. The current model predictions for the low and high pressures are found to be within ±3% and ±5% error bands, respectively, whereas the average relative humidity level of the cabinet is captured within ±10% deviation. Furthermore, transient compressor power is well predicted with deviations, but not exceeding 4.5%, and the total energy consumption level is compatible with 6% error bands during the entire experimental period.

Effect of Ornithine α-Ketoglutarate on Intestinal Microbiota and Serum Inflammatory Cytokines in Dextran Sulfate Sodium Induced Colitis.

Ornithine α-ketoglutarate (OKG), a nutritional compound, is an amino acid salt with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on humans and animals. Ulcerative colitis (UC), as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), leads to chronic intestinal inflammatory dysfunction. This study evaluated the optimal dosage of OKG in healthy mice. Then, a mouse model of acute colitis was established using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), and the preventive effect of OKG on DSS-induced colitis in mice was explored through analysis of serum inflammatory cytokines and fecal microbiota. Initially, the mice were randomly divided into a control group, a group given a low dose of OKG (LOKG: 0.5%), a group given a medium dose of OKG (MOKG: 1%), and a group given a high dose of OKG (HOKG: 1.5%); they remained in these groups for the entire 14-day experimental period. Our results demonstrated that 1% OKG supplementation increased body weight, serum growth hormone (GH), insulin (INS), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Tyr, and His and decreased urea nitrogen (BUN), NH3L, and Ile. Then, a 2 × 2 factor design was used for a total of 40 mice, with diet (a standard diet or a 1% OKG diet) and challenge (4% DSS or not) as the main factors. During days 14 to 21, the DSS mice were administered 4% DSS to induce colitis. The results revealed that OKG alleviated weight loss and reversed the increases in colonic histological damage induced by DSS. OKG also increased serum IL-10 secretion. Moreover, OKG enhanced the abundance of Firmicutes and decreased that of Bacteriodetes at the phylum level and particularly enhanced the abundance of Alistipes and reduced that of Parabacterioides at the genus level. Our results indicated that OKG promotes growth performance and hormone secretion and regulates serum biochemical indicators and amino acid concentrations. Furthermore, 1% OKG supplementation prevents DSS-induced colitis in mice via altering microbial compositions and reducing the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in serum.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF FLUORIDE RELEASE FROM A COMPOMER, A GIOMER AND A CONVENTIONAL GIC

Purpose: The aim of the study was to measure and compare the release of fluoride ions from three bioactive restorative materials used for restorations in primary dentition - conventional GIC Fuji IX GP Extra, compomer Dyract and giomer Beautifil II. Materials and methods: 20 samples with a diameter of 6 mm and a thickness of 2 mm were made from the tested materials. At the beginning of the test, all samples were immersed in 5 ml of deionized water and placed in an incubator for 24 hours at 37°C ± 0.5°C. After 24 hours, the concentration of fluoride ions in the medium was measured with an ion-selective electrode for fluorides connected to an ion meter. During this time, the removed cylindrical samples were washed with fresh deionized water, dried, and transferred to new vials with 5 ml of fresh deionized water. The described procedure was repeated every day for a week and then on the 14th, 21st and 28th days. Results: GIC outperformed compomer and giomer in terms of fluoride ions release for all time intervals with a statistically significant difference. The difference between compomer and giomer was not reliable, but compomer demonstrated higher values ​​for all time intervals. Conclusion: All studied materials released fluoride ions during the entire experimental period, with the highest concentrations being recorded on the first day of the study. GIC outperformed compomer and giomer many times in terms of fluoride release for all time intervals.

Supplementation of direct-fed microbial Enterococcus faecium 669 affects performance of preweaning dairy calves

Optimization and support of health and performance of preweaning dairy calves is paramount to any dairy operation, and natural solutions, such as probiotics, may help to achieve such a goal. Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of direct-fed microbial (DFM) Enterococcus faecium 669 on performance of preweaning dairy calves. In experiment 1, twenty 4-d-old Holstein calves [initial body weight (BW) 41 ± 2.1 kg] were randomly assigned to either (1) no probiotic supplementation (CON; n = 10) or (2) supplementation with probiotic strain E. faecium 669 during the preweaning period (DFM; n = 10) at 2.0 × 1010 cfu/kg of whole milk. Full individual BW was analyzed every 20 d for average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE) determination. In experiment 2, thirty 4-d-old Holstein calves (initial BW 40 ± 1.9 kg) were assigned to the same treatments as in experiment 1 (CON and DFM). The DFM supplementation period was divided into period I (from d 0 to 21) and II (from d 22 to 63), with weaning occurring when animals were 67 d of age. During the entire experimental period, DFM was mixed into the whole milk at a rate of 1.5 × 1010 and 2.5 × 109 cfu/kg of whole milk/calf per day for periods I and II, respectively (6-time reduction). Full individual BW was taken every 21 d. As a routine of the experiment, calves were monitored daily, and diarrhea cases were evaluated using a daily 3-point fecal score. For both experiments, all data were analyzed using calf as the experimental unit. In experiment 1, DFM-supplemented calves were heavier on d 40 (+ 4.5 kg) and 60 (+ 6.5 kg) and had a greater ADG (+ 118 g) versus CON. In experiment 2, supplementation with DFM significantly tended to reduce diarrhea occurrence. Treatment × day and treatment × week interactions were observed for BW, ADG, and gain-to-feed ratio. Dairy calves supplemented with DFM were 1.8 and 3.5 kg heavier on d 42 and at weaning, respectively, and had a greater ADG from d 21 to 42 (+ 52 g) and 42 to 63 (+ 77 g) and gain-to-feed ratio from d 42 to 63 (+ 8.6%). In summary, supplementation of E. faecium 669 to dairy calves improved preweaning performance, even when the dose of the DFM was reduced by 6- to 8-times. Additionally, initial promising results were observed on diarrhea occurrence, but further studies are warranted.

Rice Bran as an Alternative Feedstuff in Broiler Nutrition and Impact of Liposorb® and Vitamin E-Se on Sustainability of Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Biochemistry, and Antioxidant Indices

The impact of dietary rice bran with or without feed additives on the performance, carcasses, and blood profiles of chickens was examined. A total of 245 unsexed one-week-old broiler chicks were divided into seven groups, with seven replications of five chicks each. The treatments were: (1) control, (2) 5% rice bran, (3) 5% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg of Liposorb®, (4) 5% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E-Se, (5) 10% rice bran, (6) 10% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg Liposorb®, and (7) 10% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E-selenium. Considering the entire experimental period, it did not affect the in vivo performance of the broilers. However, all the experimental diets decreased dressing % compared with the control (p < 0.01) and the worst values were obtained for the 10% RB groups (75.7, 75.9, and 75.8%, respectively, for 10%RB, 10%RB + Liposorb, and 10%RB + Vit. E-Se groups). All the experimental diets decreased (p < 0.01) the albumin/globulin ratio due to an increased level of serum globulins. Differences in lipid profiles, antioxidants, and immunity parameters in plasma were not related to dietary treatments. In conclusion, the use of rice bran up to 10% in diets had no harmful effect on the overall growth performance of the broilers from 1 to 5 weeks of age. Still, carcass characteristics were negatively affected, except for heart percentage. In addition, the supplementation of Liposorb® or vitamin E-Se to rice bran diets did not recover these harmful effects. Thus, rice bran could be utilized at 10% in broiler diets when growth performance was considered; further research is required.

Milk metabolites can characterise individual differences in animal resilience to a nutritional challenge in lactating dairy goats

The aim of this study is built in two phases: to quantify the ability of novel milk metabolites to measure between-animal variability in response and recovery profiles to a short-term nutritional challenge, then to derive a resilience index from the relationship between these individual variations. At two different stages of lactation, sixteen lactating dairy goats were exposed to a 2-d underfeeding challenge. The first challenge was in late lactation, and the second was carried out on the same goats early in the following lactation. During the entire experiment period, samples were taken at each milking for milk metabolite measures. For each metabolite, the response profile of each goat was characterised using a piecewise model for describing the dynamic pattern of response and recovery profiles after the challenge relative to the start of the nutritional challenge. Cluster Analysis identified three types of response/recovery profiles per metabolite. Using cluster membership, multiple correspondence analyses (MCAs) were performed to further characterise response profile types across animals and metabolites. This MCA analysis identified three groups of animals. Further, discriminant path analysis was able to separate these groups of multivariate response/recovery profile type based on threshold levels of three milk metabolites: β-hydroxybutyrate, free glucose and uric acid. Further analyses were done to explore the possibility of developing an index of resilience from milk metabolite measures. Different types of performance response to short-term nutritional challenge can be distinguished using multivariate analyses of a panel of milk metabolites.

Evaluation of Effects of Spirulina Extracts on Immunologic Dysfunction and Inflammation Associated with Aflatoxin B1 Induced Toxicity in Mice

The contamination of foods by various mycotoxins has been reported as a major public health concern across the world. The most predominant type of fungal toxins are aflatoxins which are synthesized by certain fungi that contaminate agricultural crops or produce. The main aflatoxin producing fungi are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus which contaminate food crops in the farm and after harvesting. Out of all the types of aflatoxins, the most potent type is aflatoxin B1. The mechanism of toxicity and health effects of aflatoxins have been studied widely and it has been shown that aflatoxin B1 leads to liver necrosis, inflammation and liver cancer. The use of natural products as a remedy to health consequences of aflatoxins in humans and animals is gaining popularity. Owing to its anti-inflammatory effects, Spirulina plantesis has been studied for its immunomodulatory effects. This study evaluated the effects of spirulina extract on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced immune dysfunction and inflammation. Male BALB/c mice weighing 28-34g were randomly placed into 6 groups and orally treated as follows: Group 1 was not treated but received food and water for entire experimental period. Group 2 received 200 µg/kg b.w of aflatoxin B1 orally. Group 3 received 1g/kg b.w of activated charcoal and an hour later 200 µg/kg b.w of aflatoxin B1 orally. Group 4, 5 and 6 received 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg b.w of Spirulina plantesis respectively then an hour later each group received 200 µg/kg b.w of aflatoxin B1 orally. Treatments were done on a daily basis for 14 days. At the last day of the experiment, all the mice were denied food and water for 12 hours, thereafter sacrificed and samples processed for immunological studies. The results indicated that body weight significantly increased when treated with 100mg/kg spirulina+AFB1 and 150mg/kg spirulina+AFB1 groups in compared to AFB1 treated group (p &lt; 0.05). AFB1 was shown to increase serum level of IFN- γ and IL 2 and decrease levels of IL 4. Treatment with spirulina extract had no significant effect on the serum concentrations of IL-4 and IL-2 (p &gt; 0.05) in comparison with aflatoxin B1 treated group, the serum levels of IFN- γ and IL-2 reduced significantly (p&lt;0.05). Treatment with spirulina extract at different doses had no significant effect on serum levels of immunoglobulins A, G and M (p &lt; 0.05). The mRNA expression of IL-4 was downregulated while that of TNFα, and IFNγ were upregulated. The results showed that increasing mRNA expressions of TNFα, and IFNγ as a result of AFB1was prevented (p≤0.01) by administration of spirulina extract. These findings suggests that spirulina extract could be used as a remedy to AFB1 induced immune dysfunction and inflammation.

Prospects for the use of prostaglandin 11-deoxymisoprostol in obstetrics and gynecology: For medical abortion and the induction and initiation of labor (experimental work)

BACKGROUND: According to WHO (2015), abortion complications account for 8% of maternal deaths. These statistics have prompted the search for new ways to safely terminate early pregnancy. In 2010, at the World Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Lisbon, medical abortion was called a world revolution. Due to the introduction of medical abortion, maternal mortality after abortion decreased by 20,000 persons in 2012. Medical abortion using prostaglandin preparations, which can be used to solve this problem, is safer than surgical abortion, since curettage of the uterine cavity can cause inflammation, mechanical trauma, and infertility. In the Russian Federation, a prostaglandin preparation (misoprostol 200 mcg) has been certified for medical termination of pregnancy. However, this drug is expensive, as it is manufactured through complex chemical synthesis. At the Ufa Institute of Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (UIC, RAS), due to a directed search for uterotonics among 11-deoxyprostaglandins of the E- and F-groups, a promising analog of prostaglandin E1 with a higher uterotonic activity than misoprostol was revealed. The agent is 11-deoxymisoprostol (11-DMP), which is several times cheaper and more accessible for synthesis.&#x0D; AIM: This study aimed to compare the pharmacological properties of misoprostol and 11-deoxymisoprostol.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiments were performed on non-linear white rats weighing 190210 g. The animals were fed with a standard diet for the entire experimental period. Animals were monitored and assessed on a daily basis. Animals were divided into six experimental groups, using their body weight as the main criterion for randomization (deviation of body weight values within the group was no more than 10%), with 20 animals in each experimental group. The drug was administered intragastrically at a dose of 10 mg/kg.&#x0D; To assess the immunotoxic properties, we studied the indicators of nonspecific and specific humoral immunity and cellular immunity in rats and assessed its effect on the mass of lymphoid organs and their cellularity. The allergenic properties of 11-DMP were evaluated using the methods of anaphylactic shock, indirect reaction of mast cell degranulation, reaction of immune complexes, and conjunctival test.&#x0D; RESULTS: After administration of 11-DMP, a decrease in the rate of weight gain, changes in behavior, and death of animals were not observed in any of the studied groups of males or females. The fertility index did not differ significantly in all experimental groups.&#x0D; The average number of fetuses per female, the sex ratio of rat pups, and the death rate of newborn rat pups did not change in the broods of all experimental groups.&#x0D; The study of the allergenic effect of the drug revealed that 11-DMP does not have allergenic properties, as shown by the reactions of mast cell degranulation, immune complexes, and the conjunctival test.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: When studying the pharmacological properties, it was revealed that 11-DMP compared with misoprostol has higher uterotonic properties; the therapeutic margin is 2 times greater, the toxicity is 2 times lower, and it is more stable and has a more accessible route of chemical synthesis.

Drought Timing Modulates Soil Moisture Thresholds for CO2 Fluxes and Vegetation Responses in an Experimental Alpine Grassland

Drought timing determines the degree to which dry events impact ecosystems, with the ability of key processes to withstand change differing between drought periods. Findings indicate that drought timing effects vary across ecosystems, with few studies focusing on alpine grasslands. We conducted a mesocosm experiment using small grassland monoliths collected in September from the high Alps and left to overwinter at 0 °C until the experiment began in lowland Italy under late-winter outdoor conditions. Together with watered controls, we imposed three different drought treatments (zero precipitation): (1) one-month early-drought immediately after simulated snowmelt; (2) one-month mid-drought a month after melt-out; and (3) continuous two-month drought across the entire experimental period. Ecosystem responses were assessed by measuring CO2 fluxes, while vegetation responses were investigated by measuring aboveground net primary production (ANPP) of graminoids and forbs and post-harvest resprouting after one-month rehydration. We found that ecosystem respiration and gross ecosystem production (GEP) during the day were more negatively affected by mid-season drought compared to drought starting early in the season. By the end of treatments, GEP reduction under mid-season drought was similar to that of a continuous two-month drought. ANPP reduction was similar in early- and mid-drought treatments, showing a greater decrease under an enforced two-month period without precipitation. Plant resprouting, however, was only reduced in full- and mid-season drought pots, with forbs more negatively affected than graminoids. Seasonal soil moisture variation can account for these patterns: remaining winter moisture allowed almost full canopy development during the first month of the season, despite precipitation being withheld, while soil moisture depletion in the second month, resulting from higher temperatures and greater biomass, caused a collapse of gas exchange and diminished plant resprouting. Our data illustrates the importance of the timing of zero-precipitation periods for both plant and ecosystem responses in alpine grasslands.

Citrus Flavonoids Supplementation as an Alternative to Replace Zinc Oxide in Weanling Pigs' Diets Minimizing the Use of Antibiotics.

Since citrus flavonoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it was hypothesized that these compounds would become a suitable alternative to the use of therapeutic doses of zinc oxide at weaning. A total of 252 weaned pigs ([LargeWhite × Landrace] × Pietrain) were distributed according to BW (5.7 kg ± 0.76) into 18 pens (6 pens per diet, 14 pigs/pen). Three experimental diets for the prestarter (0-14 d postweaning) and starter (15-35 d postweaning) period were prepared: (i) a nonmedicated (CON) diet, (ii) a CON diet supplemented with zinc oxide at 2500 mg/kg, amoxicillin at 0.3 mg/kg and apramycin at 0.1 mg/kg (ZnO), and (iii) CON diet with the addition of a commercial citrus flavonoid extract at 0.3 mg/kg and amoxicillin at 0.3 mg/kg (FLAV). Pig BW, ADG, ADFI, and FCR were assessed on d7, d14, and d35. Samples of intestinal tissue, cecal content, and serum were collected on day seven (18 piglets). FLAV treatment achieved greater BW and ADG during the starter and for the entire experimental period compared with the CON diet (p < 0.05), whereas ZnO pigs evidenced intermediate results. Jejunum tissue analysis showed that pigs fed the FLAV diet overexpressed genes related to barrier function, digestive enzymes, and nutrient transport compared to those pigs fed the CON diet (p < 0.05). An increase in the abundance of bacterial genera such as Succinivibrio, Turicibacter, and Mitsuokella (p < 0.05) was observed in the FLAV compared with the CON and ZnO piglets. ZnO and FLAV increased the expression of TAS2R39, while ZnO pigs also expressed greater TAS2R16 than CON (p < 0.05) in the intestine. FLAV treatment improved the gut function, possibly explaining a higher performance at the end of the nursery period. Consequently, citrus flavonoids supplementation, together with amoxicillin, is a promising alternative to the use of zinc oxide plus amoxicillin and apramycin in weanling pigs, minimizing the use of antibiotics.

Poultry By-Product Meal as a Potential Protein Source in Broiler Diets with Exogenous Protease Supplementation

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of exogenous protease supplementation in diets formulated with poultry by-product meal on growth performance, small intestine magnitudes, and meat physiochemical characters in broiler chickens from 21 to 35 days post-hatch. A total of 120, one-day-old "Arbor Acres Plus" broiler chickens (male: female - 50:50) were allocated one of two dietary treatments to give six replicates and ten birds per cage. Two dietary treatments included a control diet (CON) and a diet supplemented with protease (CON+Pro). At day 35, body weight and feed intakes were measured to calculate the feed conversion ratio for the entire experiment period. Two birds from each pen were euthanized to measure the relative lengths and relative weights of three small intestine sections and meat samples were collected for physiochemical characteristic analyses at 35 days post-hatch. Exogenous protease supplementation did not influence (<i>P</i>&gt;0.05) growth performance but showed a tendency to improve FCR (<i>P</i>=0.082). Protease supplementation showed a tendency to reduce proximal small intestine length (<i>P</i>=0.091). Broilers offered dietary treatments influenced minced meat color where protease supplementation resulted in lower CIE b^* (<i>P</i>&lt;0.001) colorimetric value for yellowness and showed a significant trend (<i>P</i>=0.059) on reducing meat redness CIE a^*. In conclusion, the addition of exogenous protease to a broiler diet formulated with poultry by-product meal did not affect the growth performance, small intestine magnitudes, and meat physiochemical parameters (except CIE b^*) in broiler chickens.

Two Probiotic Candidates of the Genus Psychrobacter Modulate the Immune Response and Disease Resistance after Experimental Infection in Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus, Linnaeus 1758)

Probiotic bacteria are a recognized alternative to classical methods of disease prophylaxis and therapy. We tested the effects of their application on the immune reaction in juvenile turbot. To prevent digestion of the probiotics, rectal administration was applied to maximise colonization, by-passing digestion in the stomach. The application of Psychrobacter nivimaris and Psychrobacter faecalis showed beneficial effects on the inflammatory response and disease resistance after infection with the common pathogen Tenacibaculum maritimum. Treatment with P. nivimaris and P. faecalis resulted in 0% and 8% mortalities post-infection, while in the treatment control, an elevated mortality of 20% was observed. In the challenge controls (no infection), no mortalities were observed during the entire experimental period. After an experimental infection, mRNA expression of selected immune markers (mhc II α, il-1β, tcr, tgf β and tnf α) were determined by RT-QPCR at 0, 1 and 5 days post-infection (dpi). At 0 dpi, gene expression was comparable between the treatments and the treatment control, suggesting that probiotics did not act via immune stimulation of the host. At 1 dpi, all genes were up-regulated in the treatment control but not in the probiotic groups, indicating that the infection in probiotic-treated fish developed at a less severe level. At 5 dpi, mRNA expression returned to baseline levels. As a conclusion, the native probiotic candidates P. nivimaris and P. faecalis improved survival, whereas, in the control, mortality increased and expression of the immune markers was up-regulated post infection. This highlights a potential application of P. nivimaris and P. faecalis in disease prophylaxis, but further research is needed.

Effects of different levels of dietary crude protein on growth performance, blood profiles, diarrhea incidence, nutrient digestibility, and odor emission in weaning pigs.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary crude protein (CP) on growth performance, blood profiles, diarrhea incidence, nutrient digestibility, and odor emission in weaning pigs. A total of 240 weaning ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) pigs (8.25±0.050 kg body weight [BW]) were assigned to six treatments based on sex and initial BW, with five replicates of eight pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. Experimental diets with different crude protein levels for early and late weaning phases were as follows: i) CP16, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 16%/15% CP; ii) CP17, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 17%/16% CP; iii) CP18, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 18%/17% CP; iv) CP19, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 19%/18% CP; v) CP20, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 20%/19% CP; and vi) CP21, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 21%/20% CP. In the early weaning period, average daily feed intake increased when the dietary CP level decreased (linear, p<0.05). During the entire experimental period, average daily gain and the gain to feed ratio decreased when the dietary CP level increased (linear, p< 0.01). Additionally, a decrease in dietary CP level resulted in a linear increase in final BW (linear, p<0.05). In the early and late weaning periods, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) decreased when the dietary CP level decreased (linear, p<0.01). There were no significant differences in creatinine, glucose, total protein, triglyceride or insulin-like factor-1 levels over the experimental period. The concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG were not significantly affected by dietary CP levels during the experimental period. In the early weaning period, fecal and urine N decreased when the dietary CP level decreased (linear, p<0.01). No differences in nutrient digestibility among the treatments during the early weaning period were found. Throughout the whole experimental period, when the dietary CP level decreased in the weaning pig diet, the diarrhea incidence decreased linearly (linear, p<0.01). Throughout the whole experimental period, when the dietary CP level decreased in the weaning pig diet, ammonia, amines and hydrogen sulfide decreased linearly (linear, p<0.01). Reducing dietary CP could decrease diarrhea incidence, the concentration of BUN in serum and odor emission in manure. Furthermore, it could improve N excretion in feces and urine and growth performance in weaning pigs.

Impact of fermented Broussonetia papyrifera on laying performance, egg quality, lipid metabolism, and follicular development of laying hens

Hybrid Broussonetia papyrifera (BP) has been widely planted and commonly used as ruminant forage source after fermentation in China. Very less information is available to know the impact of fermented BP on laying hens, thus, we have investigated effects of dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum-fermented B. papyrifera (LfBP) on laying performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters, lipid metabolism, and follicular development of laying hens. A total of 288 HY-Line Brown hens (age, 23 wk) were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups: control group (Con, a basal diet), LfBP1 and LfBP5 group (a basal diet supplemented with 1% or 5% LfBP). Each group has 8 replicates of twelve birds each. The results demonstrated that dietary supplementation of LfBP increased average daily feed intake (linear, P < 0.05), feed conversion ratio (linear, P < 0.05), and average egg weight (linear, P < 0.05) during the entire experimental period. In addition, dietary inclusion of LfBP enhanced the egg yolk color (linear, P < 0.01) but decreased the eggshell weight (quadratic, P < 0.05) and eggshell thickness (linear, P < 0.01). In serum, the LfBP supplementation linearly decreased the content of total triglyceride (linear, P < 0.01) but increased the content of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (linear, P < 0.05). The gene expression related to hepatic lipid metabolism including acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARα) was down-regulated whereas liver X receptor was up-regulated in LfBP1 group. Moreover, LfBP1 supplementation remarkably reduced the F1 follicle number and ovarian gene expression of reproductive hormone receptors including estrogen receptor, follicle stimulating hormone receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, progesterone receptor, prolactin receptor, and B cell lymphoma-2. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of LfBP could improve feed intake, egg yolk color, and lipid metabolism, but may cause a decline in eggshell quality with higher inclusion level, herein, 1% is suggested.

Fructose Diet-Associated Molecular Alterations in Hypothalamus of Adolescent Rats: A Proteomic Approach

The enhanced consumption of fructose as added sugar represents a major health concern. Due to the complexity and multiplicity of hypothalamic functions, we aim to point out early molecular alterations triggered by a sugar-rich diet throughout adolescence, and to verify their persistence until the young adulthood phase. Thirty days old rats received a high-fructose or control diet for 3 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, treated animals were switched to the control diet for further 3 weeks, and then analyzed in comparison with those that were fed the control diet for the entire experimental period. Quantitative proteomics identified 19 differentially represented proteins, between control and fructose-fed groups, belonging to intermediate filament cytoskeleton, neurofilament, pore complex and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. Western blotting analysis confirmed proteomic data, evidencing a decreased abundance of mitochondrial respiratory complexes and voltage-dependent anion channel 1, the coregulator of mitochondrial biogenesis PGC-1α, and the protein subunit of neurofilaments α-internexin in fructose-fed rats. Diet-associated hypothalamic inflammation was also detected. Finally, the amount of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its high-affinity receptor TrkB, as well as of synaptophysin, synaptotagmin, and post-synaptic protein PSD-95 was reduced in sugar-fed rats. Notably, deregulated levels of all proteins were fully rescued after switching to the control diet. A short-term fructose-rich diet in adolescent rats induces hypothalamic inflammation and highly affects mitochondrial and cytoskeletal compartments, as well as the level of specific markers of brain function; above-reported effects are reverted after switching animals to the control diet.

Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Stabilized with Biopolymers for Application in Wound-Healing Mixed Gels

A method for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) gels was developed. ZnO NPs were obtained through a sol-gel method with zinc acetate usage as a precursor. Optimization of the method of synthesis of ZnO NPs gel has been carried out. It was observed that the most stable ZnO NPs gels are formed at room temperature, pH = 8 and molar concentration of zinc C(Zn2+) = 0.05-0.2 M. It was shown that the addition of polysaccharide significantly affects the rheological properties and microstructure of ZnO NPs gels. We found that the optimal polysaccharide for the synthesis of ZnO NPs gels is hydroxyethyl cellulose. It is shown that the microstructure of a gel of ZnO NPs stabilized with hydroxyethyl cellulose is represented by irregularly shaped particles that are assembled into aggregates, with sizes ranging from 150 to 1400 nm. A significant hysteresis region is observed in a gel of ZnO NPs stabilized with hydroxyethyl cellulose. The process of interaction of ZnO NPs with polysaccharides was investigated. It was shown that the interaction of ZnO NPs with polysaccharides occurs through a charged hydroxyl group. In the experiment, a sample of a gel of ZnO NPs modified with hydroxyethyl cellulose was tested. It was shown that the gel of ZnO NPs modified with hydroxyethyl cellulose has a pronounced regenerative effect on burn wounds, which is significantly higher than that of the control group and the group treated with a gel of ZnO microparticles (MPs) and hydroxyethyl cellulose. It is also shown that the rate of healing of burn wounds in animals treated with gel of ZnO nanoparticles with hydroxyethyl cellulose (group 3) is 16.23% higher than in animals treated with gel of ZnO microparticles with hydroxyethyl cellulose (group 2), and 24.33% higher than in the control group treated with hydroxyethyl cellulose. The average rate of healing of burn wounds for the entire experimental period in experimental animals of group 3 is 1.26 and 1.54 times higher than in animals of group 2 and control group, respectively. An experimental study of a gel of ZnO NPs modified with hydroxyethyl cellulose has shown the effectiveness of its use in modeling the healing of skin wounds through primary tension.

Treatment of Agricultural Wastewater Containing Pesticides by Hydrophytic Method as a Preliminary Method of Water Recovery

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using a hydrophytic method to degrade selected pesticides (pyraclostrobin and boscalid) from agricultural waste (wastewater) and to evaluate their removal efficiency. This will allow the recovery of water and raw materials from agricultural wastewater. In addition, a biopreparation was used to increase the efficiency of the process and the rate of degradation and reduce the half-life of the compounds in wastewater. Pesticides, which are commonly used in agriculture, were selected for the experiments. The study was conducted on a pilot scale, in two identical hydrophytic treatment systems supported and not supported by microorganisms. At the same time, in order to identify pesticides, an analytical method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was optimized, enabling the determination of applied pesticides in wastewater with satisfactory sensitivity, accuracy and precision. The kinetics of pesticide decomposition in the hydrophytic bed were determined on the basis of mathematical models and equations of the dynamics of pesticide disappearance in wastewater. The parameters of the DT50 half-life of pesticides in wastewater and the parameters of theoretical time to reach the concentration level of 0.01 mg/L were determined. The use of three different layers (0.15, 0.40 and 0.15 m) of chemically inactive granulometrically differentiated (2 ÷ 8, 8 ÷ 20 and 20 ÷ 80 mm) filter material influenced the high treatment efficiency. During the entire experimental period, the wastewater feeding the bed was treated satisfactorily. The determined parameters of the pesticide half-life in DT50 wastewater ranged from 2.33 to 3.29 for microorganisms and 3.42 to 3.79 without microorganisms. The determined parameters of the theoretical time to reach the concentration of 0.01 mg/L t0.01 were about 22 and 38 days for microorganisms and 33 and 44 days without microorganisms. Thus, it can be unequivocally concluded that the biopreparation has influence on reducing the half-life of the tested pesticides

Effect of heating, microbial fermentation, and enzymatic hydrolysis of soybean meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal microbiota of weaned piglets.

The macromolecular proteins, anti-nutritional factors, and allergens contained in soybean meal (SBM) have a negative impact on the growth of weaned piglets. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of heating, microbial fermentation, and enzymatically hydrolyzed SBM on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemistry, intestinal morphology, volatile fatty acids, and microbiota of weaned piglets. After the preparation of soaked SBM (SSBM), enzymatically hydrolyzed SBM (ESBM), and microbial fermented and enzymatically hydrolyzed SBM (MESBM), 72 weaned piglets were randomly allocated to three groups for a 21-d trial. In the three groups, 17% of conventional SBM in basal corn-soybean meal diet was replaced by an equivalent amount of SSBM (control group), ESBM, or MESBM. The results showed that the contents of glycinin, β-conglycinin, trypsin inhibitor, and proteins above 20 kDa were significantly decreased in ESBM and MESBM, compared with SSBM, and the surface of ESBM and MESBM had more pores and fragmented structure. In the second week and throughout the entire experimental period, the diarrhea index was reduced (P < 0.01) in ESBM and MESBM in contrast with SSBM. Furthermore, the inclusion of ESBM and MESBM in the diet improved the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and crude protein (P < 0.05), and increased the abundances of the genera Lactobacillus and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, respectively. Metagenomic sequencing further identified that members of six species of Proteobacteria, four species of Clostridiales, and three species of Negativiautes were enriched in the colon of piglets fed MESBM, while two bacterial species, Lachnoclostridium and Lactobacillus_points, were enriched in the colon of piglets fed ESBM. In conclusion, replacing SSBM with ESBM or MESBM in the diet decreased the diarrhea index, which could be associated with improved nutrient digestibility and microbial composition.

Effect of short-term fattening period and castration method on productivity, serum testosterone, and economic efficacy in Hanwoo cattle

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of castration method and short-term fattening periods on Hanwoo cattle. Thirty-two Hanwoo calves (average body weight: 148.4 ± 19.8 kg) were used. The calves were randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 factor according to two castration methods (castration or hemi-castration) and two short-term finishing periods (24 months or 26 months). The final body weight increased significantly as the fattening period increased (p < 0.05), and the average daily weight gain was higher in the hemi-castration groups than in the castration groups (p < 0.05). After surgical castration, testosterone concentration was higher in the hemi-castration group than in the castration group during the entire experimental period (p < 0.05). The rib eye area was wider in the hemi-castration group than in the castration group (p < 0.01).An interaction effect was observed between the castration method and short-term fattening period (p < 0.05). Marbling and auction price scores differed between castration methods and were higher in the castration group than in the hemi-castration group (p < 0.01). Gross receipts and net income increased in the castration group compared to the hemi-castration group (p < 0.01) and showed a tendency to increase with the short-term fattening period, but there was no significant difference. Thus, castration to remove both testicles is essential for economic profit through producing high-quality Korean beef meat, and short-term fattening for 26 months, rather than 24 months, can benefit more by increasing carcass weight and meat quality.