Feed Bags Research Articles

Additive efficacy of natural versus synthetic feed additive on cellular immunity and egg quality in layers

Feed additives are the products used in animal diets for the purpose of improving the quality of feed and the quality of food from animal origin or to improve animal performance and health. The present study was planned to evaluate the beneficial effect of two edible dried mushrooms, probiotics, antioxidant and antibiotic on layer performance, cellular immunity, and antioxidant activities under hot climatic conditions. In this trial, three hundred W-98 commercial hens of 35th week of age were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments, replicated five times with 10 hens per replicate for 12 weeks. Dietary treatments were as follows; antibiotic (enramycin) 50g/ 50 kg, probiotics 50g/ 50 kg, antioxidant (ethoxyquine) 60 ppm, organic acid 50g / 50 kg; Oyster mushroom and button mushroom 1% of feed bag. The data revealed that initial, final body weight, egg production (%) and feed intake, egg specific gravity, egg shape index, egg yolk index and shell thickness and livability were non-significant (p<0.05) in all treatments. Egg weight, feed to egg mass ration, Haugh unit and damaged eggs were significantly (p>0.05) higher among different treatment groups. Total anti-oxidative capacity was significantly (p>0.05) higher in ethoxyquine, followed by oyster mushroom, button mushroom, negative control (without any feed additives), probiotics and enramycin (positive control / antibiotic). Antioxidant parameters like super oxide dismutase was significantly (p>0.05) higher in ethoxyquine followed by probiotics, oyster mushroom, button mushroom, negative control, and positive control treatments groups. Immunity parameters like catalase (interferon gamma) was non-significant (p>0.05) in all treatment’s groups. IFN-γ (Interferon-gamma) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in oyster mushroom and ethoxyquine followed by probiotics, button mushroom, negative control (without any feed additives) and positive control (with antibiotic). IL-10 (Interleukin-10) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in button mushroom, oyster mushroom and probiotics followed by ethoxyquine, negative control (without any feed additives) and positive control (with antibiotic). On whole mushrooms are effective feed additives in poultry production IFN-γ (Interferon-gamma) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in oyster mushroom and ethoxyquine followed by probiotics, button mushroom, negative control (without any feed additives) and positive control (with antibiotic). IL-10 (Interleukin-10) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in button mushroom, oyster mushroom and probiotics followed by ethoxyquine, negative control (without any feed additives) and positive control (with antibiotic). On whole mushrooms are effective feed additives in poultry production

Replacing soybean meal with microalgae biomass in diets with contrasting carbohydrate profiles can reduce in vitro methane production and improve short-chain fatty acid production

The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction of dietary carbohydrate profile and soybean meal (SBM) replacement with either Chlorella pyrenoidosa (CHL) or Spirulina platensis (SPI) on in vitro fermentation. This experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design, with fermentation run (3 runs) considered as blocks. The treatments were arranged in a 2 × 5 factorial design, where the first factor was the carbohydrate profile, which was composed of diets containing 42.5% NDF and 26.8% starch (HF-LS) or 26.8% NDF and 40.6% starch (LF-HS) and the second factor was the protein source, in which a control diet (100% SBM), partial replacement of SBM with CHL (1/2 CHL) or SPI (1/2 SPI), or total replacement of SBM with CHL or SPI were used. All experimental diets were formulated to have 17% crude protein. The ruminal fluid was collected from 2 lactating Holstein cows, buffered with Van Soest medium at a ratio of 1:2 and added to serum bottles containing 0.50 g of the experimental diets. Bottles were incubated at 39°C for 24 and 48 h in triplicate; headspace pressure was measured, along with gas collection for methane (CH4) quantification at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, and 48 h after incubation. The final medium was used to measure pH, ammonia, and volatile-fatty acid (VFA). After incubation, feed bags were recovered and used for estimation of degradability of DMD, NDF, and OMD. Statistical analysis was carried out using the MIXED procedure of SAS, with carbohydrate profile, protein source, assay, and its interactions as fixed effects, with run and bottle as random effects. Orthogonal contrasts were used to compare carbohydrate profile, algae species, carbohydrate profile × algae interaction, and linear and quadratic effects of SBM replacement with CHL or SPI. There was no interaction effect between carbohydrate profile and algae source. LF-HS improved gas production, degradability of nutrients, and VFA, mainly increasing the production of butyrate and propionate. When compared with CHL, SPI had a greater degradability of nutrients and branched VFA, along with reduction in total gas production and tended to reduce total CH4 yield. The replacement of SBM with algae linearly reduced the degradability of nutrients, along with a linear reduction in gas production. When replacement of SBM with only SPI was evaluated, SPI slightly reduced the degradability of nutrients; however, it promoted a linear reduction in CH4 yield, as well as reduction in CH4 yield by unit of degraded DM, NDF, and OM. In summary, there was no interaction of carbohydrate profile and protein source, which means that SBM replacement had a similar effect, regardless of dietary carbohydrate profile. Spirulina may be a more suitable algae source when compared with Chlorella due to the potential to reduce CH4.

Antimicrobial Sensitivity of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Poultry Feed, Water, and Eggshell

Poultry is the most important source of proteins forconsumption. Egg shell and drinking water contributes significantly to the spread of viral, bacterial, and protozoan infections in poultry. A total of 150 samples from poultry feed (feeders n=25, feed bags n=25), water (water tanks n=25, drinkers n=25), and eggshell (n=50) were collected from ten layer farms of district Tando Allahyar. Overall results showed that higher 52% bacterial infection was recorded from the poultry feed, 42% was recorded from water samples while the lowest prevalence recorded from the eggshell 32%. The isolated bacterial species were E. coli, Salmonellatyphi, Shigella sonnei, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. In poultry feed, a higher prevalence percentage of E. coli(16%) was recorded, followed by S. sonnei (14%), S.typhi(8%), S. aureus (8%),P. mirabilis (6%), and K. pneumonia (4%). In water, a higher prevalence of E. coli(12%) was recorded, followed by S. aureus (14%),S.typhi(11%), S. sonnei (11%), P. mirabilis (4%), and K. pneumonia (2%). In eggshells, a higher prevalence of E. coli(10%) was recorded followed by S. typhi(6%), S. sonnei (6%), S. aureus (6%), K. pneumonia (2%), and P. mirabilis (2%). E. coli species were susceptible to Tetracycline and Streptomycin. Salmonella typhi was susceptible to Ciprofloxacin and Tetracycline. Shigella sonnei was susceptible to Ciprofloxacin, and Tetracycline.Klebsiella pneumonia was susceptible to Streptomycin and Gentamicin.Proteus mirabilis was susceptible to Streptomycin and Gentamicin.Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to Gentamicin and Erythromycin. In conclusion higher (52%) bacterial infection was recorded from the poultry feed,(42%) was recorded from water samples and the lowest prevalence was recorded from the eggshell (32%). It is concluded from the present study that bacterial contamination of E. coli, S. typhi, S. sonnei, K. pneumonia, P. mirabilis, S. aureus is common in poultry feed, water, and eggshell.

Evaluation of Rodent Diet Stability when Stored in Conditions that Diverge from Guide Parameters.

An essential aspect of animal resource programs is the storage and provision of food for a variety of species. Environmental parameters for feed storage conditions (temperature less than 70 °F; relative humidity less than 50%) are recommended in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, along with aspects of nutrition such as palatability, vermin-control measures, diet quality, and integrity of feed bags. After receiving a suggestion for improvement for environmental conditions in 2 feed storage locations during an AAALAC accreditation visit, we hypothesized that the packaging of contemporary rodent feed could sustain wider environmental variations in temperature and humidity without adverse impact on integrity and palatability. This study evaluated representative feed storage sites across campus buildings to capture the variation in environmental conditions that are inherent to large and diverse animal care programs. Each test storage location held 2 identical bags of feed (same type, lot, and expiration date) that were stored from June to September of 2021; some aspects of the project were repeated during summer 2022 with a similar rodent feed. Baseline nutrients were analyzed from feed samples collected at time 0 (control) and again after 1 and 3mo of storage. The overall nutritional values measured in feed at the end of the study were not significantly different from control values, regardless of test site and variation in environmental parameters. Retinol (as a measure of Vitamin A) was the only component that decreased significantly; however, final retinol levels were consistently above those necessary for appropriate nutrition for mice. Our animal care program stakeholders were briefed on the outcomes of this study with the intent to verify at future AAALAC site visits that our storage conditions are adequate for maintaining the nutritional quality of packaged rodent feed.

85 Evaluation of an Oral Supplemental Cannabidiol Product for Acceptability in Mature Horses

Abstract Thirty stock type geldings (15 ± 3 y; 556 ± 63 kg BW) were used in a randomized complete design for a 28-d trial to evaluate the influence of cannabidiol (CBD) oil supplementation on health of mature horses by conducting a blood chemistry panel and evaluating the presence of banned substances. Horses were stratified by BW and age, and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments formulated with canola oil to provide.50 mg CBD/kg BW (TRT1; n = 10), 0.75 mg CBD/kg BW (TRT2; n = 10), or 0.00 mg CBD/kg BW (canola oil; CON; n = 10) only as determined by manufacturer (Arrowhead Labs). Treatments were individually fed and top-dressed onto a commercially available concentrate twice daily at 12 h intervals using attachable feed bags. Diets were formulated to meet or slightly exceed nutritional requirements for mature horses at maintenance. Between meals, horses were maintained in adjacent dry lots and received coastal bermudagrass hay ad libitum. Body weight was obtained, and body condition scores (BCS) were assigned every4 d. On d 0 and 28, blood was collected via jugular venipuncture and serum was harvested to perform a blood chemistry panel and drugs of abuse screening at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL; College Station, TX). Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (v9.4), and the model included treatment, time, and the treatment × time interaction for BW and BCS. Blood chemistry variables on d 0 were used as a covariate and the main effect tested was treatment. Linear and quadratic orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to partition sum of squares. Analysis of supplement samples revealed supplemented products contained lower CBD concentrations then indicated from initial testing. Therefore, horses in TRT1 and TRT2 received an average of 0.13 mg CBD/kg and 0.12 mg CBD/kg BW, respectively. Dietary treatments did not affect concentrate intake, BW, or BCS. Supplementation of CBD did not result in the presence of any banned substances in serum, including CBD, 7-carboxycannabidiol, 7-Nor-7-carboxycannabidiol, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Following 28 d of supplementation, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) responded quadratically (P = 0.06) to treatment, with a peak in GGT in horses receiving TRT2. Serum creatinine concentration tended (P = 0.06) to decrease with increasing inclusion of CBD in the diet. In contrast, the main effect of treatment on Ca concentrations was linear (P = 0.01) and characterized by decreased Ca values for TRT1 compared with TRT2 and CON. Canola based CBD oil was well-accepted by mature horses, banned substances were not detectible in blood, and blood chemistry parameters were not adversely affected as a result of supplementation; however, more information is needed to improve stability of CBD used in dietary products.

Major clinical approaches to macro and micronutrients in enteral therapy according to international guidelines and clinical studies: a systematic review

Introduction: In the context of Nutritional Therapy (NT), critically ill patients are associated with a state of catabolic stress and a systemic inflammatory response. Patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) have a prevalence of malnutrition greater than 35%. The main objective of parenteral nutrition (PN) is to provide a nutrient mix closely related to requirements safely and avoid complications. However, PN poses a considerable risk of overfeeding, which can be just as harmful as underfeeding. Long-term survival data (expressed as 6-month survival) will also be considered a relevant outcome measure. Objective: It was performed a systematic review to evaluate the main clinical approaches of macro and micronutrients in enteral therapy according to international guidelines and clinical studies. Methods: The present study followed a concise systematic review model, following the systematic review rules (PRISMA). The literary search process was carried out from August to October 2022 and was developed based on Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar, using scientific articles from 2011 to 2022. The low quality of evidence was attributed to case reports, editorials, and brief communications, according to the GRADE instrument. The risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results and Conclusion: It was found 118 studies that underwent eligibility analysis, and then 20 of the 22 total studies were selected for this systematic review. According to the GRADE instrument, most studies showed homogeneity in their results, with I2 =97.7% >50%. Standard crystalline amino acid solutions, while devoid of side effects, remain incomplete regarding their composition (eg glutamine). Lipid emulsions have come a long way and are now included in bi- and tri-compartment feeding bags, allowing for true total PN as long as daily micronutrients are prescribed. The issue of exact individual needs for energy, macro, and micronutrients has not yet been resolved. Many complications attributed to total PN are the consequence of under or overfeeding. Total PN indications have evolved towards its use alone or in combination with enteral nutrition. The start time varies by country between admission (Australia and Israel), day 4 (Swiss), and day 7 (Belgium, USA). The most important issue may be an individualized and time-dependent prescription of the feeding pathway, energy, and substrates.

High-frequency depth changes in Atlantic cod studied with implanted data storage tags

The main aim of this study was to investigate high-frequency depth changes in wild adult Atlantic cod Gadus morhua. The analysis was based on depth measurements collected with implanted data storage tags. The study was part of a ranching project carried out in an Icelandic fjord. In the project, net bags with frozen fish were regularly provided during the daytime at 4 stations where some cod formed distinct ‘herds’ (‘herd cod’) that did not mingle much with the rest of the unconditioned cod in the fjord (‘wild cod’). After tagging, some of the cod resumed life in the herds, whereas other cod left the herds immediately. On 20 subsequent Mondays, the electronic tags were programmed to measure at the highest frequency (every 30 s), and these results were used to study high-frequency depth changes in 4 wild cod and 4 herd cod, the latter as a control group. Several times, rapid cyclical depth changes were observed in both groups. This behaviour, which sometimes lasted for hours, was highest during dawn and dusk in wild cod but peaked during daytime in herd cod after deployment of the feed bags. The occurrence and properties of these vertical undulations varied greatly between fish, dates, and time of day. Most commonly, the periods of the cycles varied between 1 and 4 min and the heights between 2 and 4 m, but there were examples of much larger undulations. The results indicate that wild adult cod swim along vertically undulating paths when searching for prey, most likely to optimize foraging.

Low risk for microbial contamination of syringe and tube feeding bag surfaces after multiple reuses with home blenderized tube feeding.

Guidelines for the reuse of enteral tube feeding (ETF) equipment guidelines are limited to manufacturer recommendations. ETF equipment reuse studies are needed as the enteral population has increased, along with blenderized tube feeding (BTF). This experiment tested microbial contamination of a reusable gravity feeding bag and syringe after 15 BTF reuses and cleanings. Eight bags and syringes were filled with the BTF, held at room temperature for 20 min, and then emptied, washed, and air dried. After the last air drying, the inner surfaces of the bag and syringe were swabbed, and aerobic microbial counts were performed using serial dilutions and plate counts. The microbial counts for all syringes and six bags were <1 colony-forming unit (CFU)/cm2 ; one bag was <5 CFU/cm2 and one bag was 12.5 CFU/cm2 . No legal guidelines for surface cleanliness exist for the food sector. Several studies propose a safe microbial level to be <2.5 CFU/cm2 , and the European Commission recommended <10 CFU/cm2 . Based on these proposed guidelines, microbial counts of all syringes and seven bags were within the proposed guidelines, except for one bag just above 10 CFU/cm2 . The feeding bag used in this study may be used multiple times for BTF with a reduced risk of microbial contamination when manufacturer's cleaning guidelines are followed. Although bolus tube feeding is an off-label use for syringes, they are frequently used for BTF, and in this study the cleaning after 15 uses over 5 days was effective to reduce microbial counts.

Effects of Cooked Pigeon Pea seed meal on the performance, dressed and organ weight characteristics of broilers

Seeds of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) grown in Enugu State in the South East Agricultural zone of Nigeria were studied to determine its effect on performance, dressed weight and organ weight characteristics of broilers. The dry, brown coat coloured pigeon pea seeds were cooked in boiling water for 60minutes, sun-dried, made into a meal and stored in feed bags. The cooked pigeon pea seed meal (CPSM) at 0, 20, 30, 40, and 50% dietary levels replaced 0, 40, 60, 80 and 100% of soybean meal and 0, 20, 30, 40 and 50% of maize, respectively in formulated broiler starter diets. CPSM also replaced 0, 50, 75 and 100% of soybean meal and 0, 18.18, 27.27, 36,36 and 54.54% of maize, respectively in formulated broiler finisher diets. The formulated broiler starter and finisher diets were fed to 7 - day old hubbard broilers in two successive regimes of 28 days each, for the starter and finisher phases respectively. At 63 days of age, 3 broilers of comparable live weights per replicate were selected, starved of feed for 12 hours, slaughtered and eviscerated to determine the dressed weights and internal organ weights. Broilers fed 0% CPSM diet recorded significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher live weight gains than those on CPSM diets except broilers fed 20% CPSM. Feed intake was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher among broilers fed 50%CPSM diet and significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower among birds on the control (0%CPSM) diet. Results obtained also indicated a significant (P&lt;0.05) difference in dressed weight between birds fed CPSM diets and the control diet (0%CPSM). Birds fed 20% CPSM diet recorded the highest dressed weight. Liver weight decreased progressively with increasing dietary inclusion level of CPSM with birds fed 50% CPSM diet recording significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower weights. Weight of gizzard was also significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower for birds fed 50% CPSM diet. Heart and spleen weights followed a similar pattern with birds fed 20%CPSM diet recording significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher weights for heart and lower weight for spleen respectively, It would appear that dietary CPSM tend to improve the dressed weight of broilers.

Comparative study between the effect of intermittent and hospital blended enteral feeding on intensive care patients’ outcomes

Background: Patients treated in the intensive care unit require enteral feedings to maintain adequate nutrition during critical illness. Aim of the study: to compare the effect of intermittent enteral feeding by using syringe pump versus hospital blended formula by using feeding bag on patients’ outcomes. Setting: was carried out in three settings at Assiut university hospital. Sample: A randomized controlled experimental study in which seventy patients were selected by convenience sampling and assigned into two equal groups (35 patients each). Both groups received 2000 ml of feed per day and the same formula per day which was 30-35ml/kg of water, 1.5 g/kg of protein. The only manipulation was in the flow rate and the device by which the feed was administered. Tools: The three tools used in this study were developed by the researcher based on reviewing of the literatures. The first tool was general assessment sheet, the second tool is the feeding assessment sheet, The third tool is Patients' outcomes evaluation sheet Results: There were significant statistical differences between the outcomes of the two groups. The complications in the intermittent enteral feeding group were lower than those in feeding bag group as in gastrointestinal (P<0.001), mechanical (P=0.033) and metabolic complication (P0.005). Conclusion: intermittent enteral feeding by using syringe pump is extremely effective in reducing complications and improving the nutritional status among ICU patients. Recommendations: Intermittent enteral feeding should be used as a standard enteral feeding for patients in the ICU.

Innovative approach to nutrition of patients in intensive care unit

Enteral nutrition is defined as the continuous or intermittent delivery of nutrients through nasoenteric (nasogastric, nasojejunal) gastrostomy, or jejunostomy when gastrointestinal system functions are normal. In enteral nutrition, nutrients may be administered continuously or intermittently. Continuous feeding is the continuous delivery of food using an infusion pump. Intermittent feeding is the delivery of food to the patient as bolus over a short time period via large-diameter syringe or gravity drip through a hanging food bag. Continuous feeding is recommended because it reduces gastrointestinal complications and is easily administered. This article aims to describe an alternative method to the feeding bag for the nutrition of patients treated at the Intensive Care Unit of the Evliya Celebi Training and Research Hospital of Kutahya Health Sciences University.

Knowledge and practices of Sri Lankan critical care nurses on enteral nutritional care (details tbc)

Introduction: Enteral Nutrition (EN) is considered as the preferred method of nutrition for critically ill patients. Critical Care Nurses (CCN) play a major role in maintaining nutritional support at a desired level. Their knowledge and practice related to EN will affect the clinical outcomes in critical care. Objectives/Aims: The study was conducted to assess CCN knowledge and practices in EN and to identify the barriers in reaching quality nutritional targets. Methods: The study was undertaken using quantitative descriptive method. One hundred and fifty CCN randomly selected from three state hospitals participated in the study. Nurses were requested to fill in a structured and pretested questionnaire regarding their knowledge and practice in EN. Results: The response rate was 138(92%). The majority of the study participants considered aspiration as a major risk factor associated with EN (89.9%). They further mentioned that positioning of head of the bed to a minimum of 30° will reduce this risk. Importance of starting EN within the first 48h was appreciated by 54(39.1%) and 56(40.6%) have identified continuous feeding as the preferred method. Specialised formula feeds for EN in critically ill were used by 96(69,6%). Only 40(29%) CCN were using feeding bags and infusion pumps for the purpose. The major limitations observed were the lesser importance given to EN care over other procedures, irregular EN formulae supply and the limited nutritional specialty support. Conclusion: The study identified some limitations in good practices of EN care by CCN of Sri Lanka. We recommend that CCN need specific training programs to improve knowledge and skills in nutritional support for critically ill. The study team stresses the importance of increasing professional resources and regular supply of nutritional products to maintain high quality nutritional support.

Simultaneous determination of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and diisononylcyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate and their monoester metabolites in four labile blood products by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a common plasticizer that is largely used for PVC blood bags. The migration of DEHP from medical devices into labile blood products (LBP) is a well-known situation. While DEHP has beneficial effects on the storage of red blood cells, it can have toxicological impact due to its potential reprotoxic effects (classified group 1B). Since July 1st, 2015, the French law prohibits the use of tubing made in DEHP-plasticized PVC in paediatric, neonatal and maternity wards. This provision, which could extend in several years more widely to medical devices used for drugs infusion, dialysis, feeding and blood bags, has led manufacturers to replace DEHP to alternative plasticizers such as diisononylcyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH). In this paper, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the determination of DEHP, DINCH and their corresponding monoester metabolites (MEHP and MINCH) in four labile blood products (LBP): whole blood (WB), red cells concentrate (RCC), plasma and platelet concentrate (PC). Due to strong contamination of blank LBP by DEHP because of its ubiquitous presence in working environment and despite the attention paid to avoid contamination of solvents and glassware, a trap chromatographic column was implemented between the solvent mixing chamber and the injector of the LC system. This set-up permitted to discriminate DEHP present in the sample to DEHP brought by the environmental contamination. In the optimized conditions, all compounds were separated in less than 10 min. The analytes were extracted from LBP samples using a liquid-liquid extraction. After optimization, recoveries were ranged from 47 to 96 %, depending on the analytes and the nature of LBP. Except for DEHP which exhibited RSD values of intermediate precision higher than 20 % at a concentration of 25 nM, all the precision results (repeatability and intermediate precision) were lower than 16 % and trueness values ranged from -16.2–19.8%. Using the validated method, the leachability of DEHP and DINCH from corresponding PVC-blood bags was investigated and the concentrations of their corresponding metabolites, MEHP and MINCH, were determined in whole blood, red cells concentrate, plasma and platelet concentrate.

PSVII-13 Effects of corn supplementation on muscle microRNA profiles within horses

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of corn supplementation on muscle microRNA (miRNA) profiles. Twelve mares were blocked by weight and BCS and assigned to one of two treatments (6 hd/treatment): 1) control, (basal diet: 9 Kg/hd/d of chopped mixed grass hay and ad libitum mixed grass hay), 2) basal diet supplemented with 454 g/d steam flaked corn individually using feed bags. All mares were placed on the basal diet and in the same pen 14 days prior to the beginning of corn supplementation. Mares were weighed and BCS on d -7 and 28. Muscle biopsies of the gluteus medius were taken from all horses on d0 and d26. Muscle samples were analyzed using real time RT-qPCR for 277 endogenous miRNAs. Raw CT values were normalized with the geometric mean of three consistently appearing endogenous miRNAs. Sixteen miRNAs that consistently appeared in at least 8 horses including 3 relating to metabolic disorders appearing at d0, d26, or both were analyzed. Differential abundances of miRNAs using log transformed fold change and differences between BW and BCS of treatment groups were determined by ANOVA and LS means analysis. There was no difference between BW (P &amp;lt; .05) and BCS (P &amp;lt; .05) between the two treatment groups. Feeding corn lead to higher quantities (P &amp;lt; .05) of mir 133a, 1515p, 6155p, 770, and 99b within muscle compared to control group. Lower quantities of mir 382 and 433 were found within muscle of horses fed corn compared to the control group (P &amp;lt; .05). Based upon the results of this study corn supplementation appears to influence endogenous miRNA expression profiles within muscle of horses.

The Comparison of Financial Performance among the Broiler Duck Farming Based on Farm-Scales at Banyuwangi Regency of Indonesia

Study was held at Banyuwangi Regency, East Java of Indonesia. The research aimed to investigate financial performance of the broiler duck farming based on farm-scales. 10 respondents who joining in farmer group were obtained by multistage sampling method that categorized into three farm-scales namely, small-scale (having 200-1,266 birds, n = 6), medium-scale (controlling 1,266-2,533 birds, n = 2) and large-scale: rearing more than 2,533 birds, n = 2). Data were collected during one year with six production periods. Analysis data involved profit, break-even point (BEP), R/C ratio, and rentability. Results discovered that the third production period for the large-scale achieved the best profit of IDR 6,681/bird. It was IDR 22,809 of production cost that composed by 60.53% of concentrate feed cost and 27.51% of DOD; and IDR 28,923 of revenue with consisting of 99.01% from the selling of live broiler duck and 0.99% from others (feed bags, excreta and cardboard). This farm also exhibited the efficient venture on the basis of IDR 21,797 of price BEP; 1.40 of R/C ratio; and 36.45% of rentability.

Accuracy of Water Delivery in Enteral Nutrition Pumps.

Adequate delivery of both enteral formula and water in patients receiving enteral nutrition (EN) is critical. Pump accuracy has been identified as a factor impeding enteral formula delivery; however, rarely is enteral water delivery investigated. The purpose of this study was to explore accuracy of delivering 1 L of water by EN pumps using different flush volumes and hang heights. Three EN pumps were used in vitro to flush 1 L of water at 50 mL every hour for 20 hours (50 mL, 20 times per day) and 500 mL every 4 hours for 8 hours (500 mL, 2 times per day) at 0 in. and 18 in. (or 45.72 cm) hang heights. Fifteen runs were conducted at each volume and hang height per pump. Actual delivered enteral water, remaining volume in enteral feeding bags, and volume reported per pump were recorded. Hang height of 18 in. delivered a mean 3.91% (95% CI, 3.25-4.57) more water than bags hung at 0 in. (P < .0005). When delivering water in 500 mL increments, 1.57% (95% CI, 0.92-2.23) more water was delivered than when delivered in 50 mL increments (P < .005). Appropriate hang height recommendations improve enteral water delivery in patients receiving EN. The most accurate setting was 500 mL at 18 in., resulting in accurate water delivery in 97.8% of runs, whereas 50 mL at 0 in. delivered accurately 17.8% of the time. Appropriate bag hang height and water delivery volume is critical to maintain hydration status of patients receiving EN.

PSI-14 Humic substances alter ammonia production and the microbial populations within a RUSITEC fed a mixed hay – concentrate diet.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of humic substances on fermentation characteristics and microbial communities using the rumen stimulation technique (RUSITEC). The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design over a 15-d period with 3 treatments duplicated in 2 runs with 2 replicates per run. Treatments consisted of a control diet (forage:concentrate; 60:40) without humic substances or humic substances added at either 1.5 g/d or 3.0 g/d. Dry matter disappearance, pH, fermentation parameters and gas production were measured from d 8 to 15. Samples for microbial profiling were taken on d 5, 10 and 15 using the digested feed bags for solid-associated microbes (SAM) and fermenter fluid for liquid-associated microbes (LAM). The inclusion of humic substances had no effect (P ≥ 0.19) on DM disappearance, pH or the concentrations of VFA. The production of NH3 was linearly decreased (P = 0.04) with increasing levels of humic substances in the diet. There was no effect (P ≥ 0.43) of humic substances on total gas, CO2 or CH4 production. The number of OTUs was significantly reduced in the 3.0 g/d treatment compared to the control on d 10 and 15; however, the microbial community structure was largely unaffected (P > 0.05). In the SAM samples, the genera Lachnospiraceae XPB1014 group, Succiniclasticum, and Fibrobacter were reduced in the 3.0 g/d treatment and Anaeroplasma, Olsenella, and Pseudobutyrivibrio were increased at d 5, 10, or 15. Within the LAM samples, Christensenellaceae R-7 and Succiniclasticum were the most differentially abundant genera between the control and 3.0 g/d HS treatment samples (P < 0.05). This study highlights the potential use of humic substances as a natural feed additive which may play a role in nitrogen metabolism without negatively affecting the ruminal microbiota.

Reducing home enteral feed wastage and associated cost saving by an established adult home enteral nutrition team

Studies in the UK in recent years have demonstrated that targeted dietetic time can improve oral nutritional supplement wastage and costs to community NHS services1. It is usual that these projects exclude home enteral nutrition (HEN) prescriptions from audit, yet these also present potential for wasted product. As well as feed waste being a significant cost2, if entire volumes of containers are not used this could present complications in terms of ease of use, storage and safety (notably if changing feed bags to complete regimens).

Estimating red deer (Cervus elaphus) population size in the Southern Black Forest: the role of hunting in population control

Numerous studies have addressed the question of whether hunting is capable of limiting the abundance of ungulates in the northern hemisphere. We investigated whether the hunting of red deer (Cervus elaphus) has reduced their abundance in the Southern Black Forest (area 17,500 ha), Southern Germany, since 2006. Red deer abundance was estimated using data obtained from visual counts at winter feeding sites, track counts, and bag records. An age- and sex-structured population model to estimate the winter population size was also constructed using bag records. The estimated red deer population size was evaluated according to a non-invasive genetic mark-recapture approach. The results showed that the hunting of red deer can reduce their population size if the hunting regime is part of a holistic management concept that takes into account the uncertainty of population size estimates and is implemented at scales appropriate to the management of this species.

Humic Substances Alter Ammonia Production and the Microbial Populations Within a RUSITEC Fed a Mixed Hay - Concentrate Diet.

Humic substances are a novel feed additive which may have the potential to mitigate enteric methane (CH4) production from ruminants as well as enhance microbial activity in the rumen. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of humic substances on fermentation characteristics and microbial communities using the rumen stimulation technique (RUSITEC). The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with 3 treatments duplicated in 2 runs (a 15-day period each run) with 2 replicates per run. Treatments consisted of a control diet (forage:concentrate; 60:40) without humic substances or humic substances added at either 1.5 g/d or 3.0 g/d. Dry matter disappearance, pH, fermentation parameters and gas production were measured from day 8 to 15. Samples for microbial profiling were taken on day 5, 10, and 15 using the digested feed bags for solid- associated microbes (SAM) and fermenter fluid for liquid- associated microbes (LAM). The inclusion of humic substances had no effect (P ≥ 0.19) on DM disappearance, pH or the concentrations of VFA. The production of NH3 was linearly decreased (P = 0.04) with increasing levels of humic substances in the diet. There was no effect (P ≥ 0.43) of humic substances on total gas, CO2 or CH4 production. The number of OTUs was significantly reduced in the 3.0 g/d treatment compared to the control on d 10 and 15; however, the microbial community structure was largely unaffected (P > 0.05). In the SAM samples, the genera Lachnospiraceae XPB1014 group, Succiniclasticum, and Fibrobacter were reduced in the 3.0 g/d treatment and Anaeroplasma, Olsenella, and Pseudobutyrivibrio were increased on day 5, 10, and 15. Within the LAM samples, Christensenellaceae R-7 and Succiniclasticum were the most differentially abundant genera between the control and 3.0 g/d HS treatment samples (P < 0.05). This study highlights the potential use of humic substances as a natural feed additive which may play a role in nitrogen metabolism without negatively affecting the ruminal microbiota.