Feeding Procedure Research Articles

Exploring the Freshwater Cladocera (Pleuroxus spp.) as New Potential Live Feed in Aquaculture

In freshwater lakes, cladocera play a crucial role in the food chain, as they are the primary source of nutrition for nearly all aquatic species. Pleuroxus spp. are very suitable for aquaculture due to their ease of handling, rapid growth, non-selective filter feeder, high nutritional value, and remarkable ability to adapt to many environmental conditions. Silver barbs are in high demand in the aquaculture business due to their excellent flavours and rapid development rate. In this study, Pleuroxus spp. was cultured in a control condition with water quality maintained at the room temperature of 26 ± 1 °C and pH of 7.0 ± 0.5. Five treatments of Pleuroxus spp. were prepared, which comprised of T1 (control) = unfed, T2 = coffee grounds, T3 = corn flour, T4 = wheat flour, and T5 = sugarcane waste. Pleuroxus spp. were fed with a selected diet solutions at a concentration of 0.5 g/L daily. The result shows that Pleuroxus spp. given T3 (24.88 ± 5.48 ind/mL) had a greater population density than T4 (22.13 ± 4.83 ind/mL), T2 (21.06 ± 5.27 ind/mL), and T5 (20.56 ± 4.92 ind/mL) dietary treatments. Pleuroxus spp. given T3 had the greatest survival rate (97.9 ± 9.8%) when compared to other diets, T4 (86.81 ± 19.07%), T2 (82.71 ± 16.56%), and T5 (75.00 ± 21.08%). Silver barb showed the highest amount of daily weight gain in treatment T3 (0.11 ± 0.001 mg/days; p < 0.05) compared with other dietary treatments. The maximum specific growth rate (SGR) (%) was achieved when fed with T3 (13.37 ± 0.02%; p < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was shown to be significantly different (p < 0.05). The FCR of larvae fed with different nutritional treatments ranged from 1.22 to 4.12, depending on the treatment. In comparison to other diets, the T3 treatment (1.22 ± 0.03) achieved the highest FCR ratio. In short, pre-feeding of zooplankton with prospective diets has built a baseline of improved aquaculture feeding procedures that may be employed in the future aquaculture businesses.

LACTIC ACID BACTERIA CONTRIBUTING TO UPGRADE FODDER QUALITY

A solid nutrition stock lays the basis for contemporary animal husbandry. Application of lactic acid bacteria and their metabolites to raise the standards of feed rations as ingredients of pre- and probiotic additives, is an evolutionarily grounded basic microecological technique to uphold health status and realize genetic potential of superproductive farm animals. Throughout several decades the studies are under way at the Institute of Microbiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on isolation of lactic acid bacterial strains from various natural sources, investigation of their properties, characterization of produced bioactive agents and elaboration of the derived technologies of manufacturing diverse microbial preparations for various purposes. Specially selected lactic acid bacteria isolated from various plant sources in Belarus and adapted to local ecological environment are distinguished by intense growth, capacity to compete with other microbial species, active acidogenesis, rapid acidification of substrates down to pH 4.2 or even lower, acid resistance, a broad spectrum of fermented carbohydrates (ability to utilize hexoses, pentoses, oligo- and polysaccharides) and they served as appropriate constituents of liquid biocompositions (Lacsil, Lacsil-M), dry preparation Lacsil-MS designed to improve quality of ensiled vegetable materials. Lacsil-MS2 concentrate includes homo- and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria consuming a wide range of carbohydrates: hexoses, pentoses, oligo- and polysaccharides, including major reserve polysaccharides of cereals and legume grasses (starch, polyfructosides). Supply of fastly growing coccoid forms of lactic acid bacteria enables to intensify the process of lactic acid fermentation at the earliest stages and swiftly reduce pH of vegetable mass. Addition of strains with elevated antagonistic activity ensures the suppression of growth of microorganisms responsible for spoilage of fodder. Upgrading consortium composition with heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria and propionic acid bacteria prevents spoilage of fodder caused by air access in the course of feeding procedure. Production by the selected microbial cultures of a set of enzymes (amylase, α-galactosidase, β-glucanase, pectinase, etc.) capable to hydrolyze hardly digestible oligosaccharides, starch-containing and non-starchy polysaccharides of plant substrates, promotes enhanced bioaccess, better assimilation, increased alimentary and energy value of feed rations. Evaluation of technology of producing feed additive based on lactic acid bacteria possessing high α-galactosidase activity acquired top relevance due to the need to eliminate deficit of fodder protein in farm rations by replenishing the share of legumes (alfalfa, lupine, soy, peas, etc.). Introduction of such feed additive incorporating lactic acid bacteria, fermenting recalcitrant oligo- and polysaccharides with α(1→6) glycoside bonds allows to raise digestibility and assimilation of proteins and carbohydrates, to increase the input ratio of legume components into composite fodder formulas, to rule out intestinal disorders (gut meteorism), contributing thereby to farm stock productivity. It was found that application of preparations comprising selected lactic acid bacteria resulted in economy of fodder expense up to 20% per each kilo of live weight increment, to augment average daily body gains by 9-12%, to increase productivity of lactating cows by 5-10%, and to diminish by 5.0% losses of digestible protein as compared with imported product analogues.

The Use of Rabbits Used to Propagate Human Lice for Research.

The globally important human diseases of trench fever, epidemic typhus, and relapsing fever are vectored by the human louse Pediculus humanus humanus. Although these conditions are epidemically quiescent at present, they persist in socially dysfunctional situations of war, deprivation, and crowding. The taxonomically closely related head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, does not respect economic or social status and is quite common in most countries. The 2 types of lice are now recognized as conspecific ecotypes of a single species. While the body louse has been adapted for propagation in the laboratory by feeding in vivo on live rabbits, a similar animal model has not been developed for the host-specific head louse. Accordingly, research for treatment and control of the head louse has largely been performed by using laboratory-reared body lice. This review describes methods for the propagation of body lice in the laboratory and outlines at least 4 areas of research that require sufficient numbers of aged body louse cohorts produced in rabbits for use in controlled studies: 1) pediculicide development and resistance, 2) immunity and vaccine potential, 3) endosymbiotic bacteria needed by lice for nutrition, and 4) lice as vectors of human disease. The review concludes with a discussion of several ethical issues involved with the standard method of using unsedated rabbits and recommends consideration of providing sedating anesthetics for rabbits used in louse feeding procedures.

Particle size of insoluble fibres and gelation of soluble fibres influence digesta passage rate throughout the gastrointestinal tract of finishing pigs

Fibres, as abundant in agricultural by-products, exhibit a large range of physicochemical properties that can influence digestive processes such as digesta mean retention time (MRT), thereby affecting nutrient digestion kinetics. In this study, we investigated the effects of particle size of insoluble fibres, and gelation of soluble fibres on MRT of liquids, fine solids, and fibrous particles in the different segments of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of pigs. Twenty-four boars (51.6 ± 4.90 kg) were allocated to four diets; two diets contained 15% wheat straw, either coarsely chopped or finely ground (1-mm screen), two diets contained 27% wheat bran without or with the addition of 10% low-methylated pectin. After 14 days of adaptation to the diet, a total collection of faeces was performed to determine the total tract digestibility of nutrients. Thereafter, pigs were fed diets supplemented with tracers for at least 5 days and dissected following a frequent feeding procedure to approach steady-state passage of digesta. The MRT of liquids (Co-EDTA), fine solids (TiO2), and fibrous particles (Chromium-mordanted fibres) in the different segments of the GIT were quantified. In the stomach, particle size reduction of straw decreased the MRT of fine solids by 02:39 h, and fibrous particles by 07:21 h (P < 0.10). Pectin addition to the wheat bran diet reduced the MRT of fine solids by 03:09 h, and fibrous particles by 07:10 h (P < 0.10), but not of liquids, resulting in less separation between digesta phases in the stomach compared with the bran diet (P < 0.05). In the mid−small intestine (SI), pectin addition reduced the MRT of fibrous particles and the separation between fibrous particles and fine solids. No further effects of particle size reduction of straw nor pectin addition on MRT and digestibility of starch, nitrogen, or fat were observed in the SI. In the large intestine (LI), particle size reduction of straw reduced separation between fibrous particles and fine solids (P < 0.10), while pectin addition had no effects. Total tract, non-starch polysaccharide degradation of straw was poor (∼31%), and unaffected by particle size reduction (P > 0.10). The complete fermentation of pectin did not influence the degradation of wheat bran fibres (∼51%). In conclusion, the effects of particle size of insoluble fibres and gelling properties of soluble fibres on the passage of digesta phases were most pronounced in the stomach, but less prominent in distal segments of the GIT.

Design parameters comparison of bubble column, airlift and stirred tank photobioreactors for microalgae production

Microalgae are the most propitious feedstock for biofuel production due to their lipid and fatty acid content. Microalgae cultivation shares many features with bioreactors, such as thermal and pH regulation, feeding procedures, and mixing to enhance heat and mass transfers. Aeration and stirring speeds are important parameters to reduce the costs of producing microalgae. In this study, three different photobioreactor types (stirred tank, airlift, bubble column) were characterized and compared for microalgae production. Hydrodynamics, mass transfer, and power consumption were determined for various aeration rates (0.9, 1.2, 1.5 L/min), and stirring speeds (100, 200 rpm), and Chlorella sorokiniana growth performance was compared under the conditions that provided the highest volumetric mass transfer and the lowest mixing time. Photo-bioreactor homogenization was good as indicated by low mixing times (< 10 s). Bubble column had the highest volumetric mass transfer due to its sparger design. Gas holdup and volumetric mass transfer coefficient were found to increase with the air flow rate and stirring speed. For stirred tank, bubble column, and airlift photobioreactors, maximum specific growth rates of C. sorokiniana were 0.053, 0.061, 0.057 h−1, and biomass productivities were 0.064, 0.097, 0.072 gdw/L.day, respectively. Under the conditions tested, growth was limited by the volumetric mass transfer in the airlift and stirred tank and bubble column was the best option for producing microalgae. These findings pave way for more extensive use of these systems in producing microalgae and provide a basis to compare photobioreactors of different designs.

Sustainability Indicators of Kalang Buffalo Production Systems in Swamp Ecosystems in South Kalimantan

This study aims to identify problems, identify and analyze stakeholders and determine indicators (qualitative and quantitative) for the sustainability of kalang buffalo production systems in swamp ecosystems in South Kalimantan. The kalang buffalo is a type of mud buffalo that is reared using the kalang system. In the local language, kalang is an enclosure built in the middle of swamp waters. This study is expected to be a source of information for academics, farmers, communities and policymakers in South Kalimantan Province regarding the strategic function of Kalang buffalo for the people of South Kalimantan. Data collection was done by describing the problem and determining relevant stakeholders. The literature study was conducted with expert discussion. FGDs were also conducted to explore important issues, followed by SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis and to determine relevant issues. Situation analysis and secondary data showed that the Kalang buffalo population is declining. Stakeholder identification identified the central and local governments as primary stakeholders; secondary stakeholders were scientists/academics, butchers, sellers, and consumers. The primary stakeholders selected were buffalo farmers, central and local governments, while secondary stakeholders consisted of scientists/academics, butchers, farmer sellers, and consumers. The selected indicators on the EES issue are economic indicators such as gross margin (GM), body weight, weaning weight, and reproduction (calf crop (%)); environmental indicators such as total grazing land use and waste disposal; and social indicators such total of buffalo, feeding procedures, mating system, cages, record keeping, time allocation for maintenance, social status and land use conflicts.

Enteral tube feeding for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease.

Maintaining adequate nutrition is critical for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND). Enteral tube feeding is offered to people experiencing difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) to prevent weight loss and aspiration pneumonia. Among the types of enteral tube feeding, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the typical procedure offered to people with ALS and will be mainly discussed here. To examine the effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy or other enteral tube feeding in people with ALS, compared to oral feeds without enteral tube feeding on: 1. survival; 2. nutritional status; 3. quality of life. To examine the incidence of minor and major complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and other enteral tube feeding procedures in people with ALS. On 3 January 2020 and 6 February 2021, we searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE. Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP. We screened the results to identify randomized controlled studies on enteral tube feeding in ALS. We reviewed all references from the search in published articles to identify any additional references. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs, and cross-over trials evaluating the effectiveness and complications of PEG or other enteral tube feeding placement in ALS. We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We found no RCTs or quasi-RCTs comparing the effectiveness of enteral tube feeding versus oral feeds without enteral tube feeding. There are no RCTs or quasi-RCTs to indicate whether enteral tube feeding is effective compared to continuation of oral feeding for any of the outcome measures. Such RCTs are very unlikely to be performed for ethical reasons. RCTs evaluating the effect of different enteral tube insertion techniques and timings of tube placement on survival and quality of life of people with ALS dysphagia are feasible and warranted.

Effect of replacing corn straw by sweet sorghum silage or whole plant corn silage in sheep diets on rumen fermentation and bacterial flora.

Sweet sorghum silage (SS; Sorghum dochna 'Dochna') has been extensively studied in recent years as a supplementary forage-to-corn silage (CS; Zea mays L.), but there are still relatively few studies on its effects on the rumen environment of sheep. Determining the short-term impact of converting roughage from corn straws to SS compared to CS on rumen fermentation and bacterial population dynamics was the main goal of the current study. Twelve female thin-tailed Han sheep (29.8±1.34kg) were randomly divided into one of two treatments: concentrate supplemented with SS or CS, respectively. During the 15-day pretest period, concentrate was fed in two separate feedings at 0800h and 1800h, and ensure that the animals were all consumed within an hour of being fed. Thereafter, the animals had free access to corn straw. The feeding procedures during the pretest period were the same as during the measurement period. Rumen fluid was collected via sheep esophageal tube on the last day of adaptation phase (1-7 days) and stabilisation phase (8-30 days), respectively. The results showed that there was a similarity in the total concentration of VFA (volatile fatty acid) and the proportions of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and branched-chain VFA (P>0.05) and microbial diversity indices (P>0.05) between the two silage groups throughout the experimental period. The concentration of Ammonia nitrogen (P=0.001) and proportion of valerate (P=0.028) decreased in the CS and SS groups, respectively. The abundance and predicted function of rumen bacteria in the SS group did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between the two measurement phases. However, the abundance of Prevotella_1 (P=0.038) was higher in the CS group than in the SS group at 7d. The abundances of Firmicutes (P=0.005) and Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group (P=0.002) increased, while the abundances of Bacteroidetes (P=0.044), Proteobacteria (P=0.046), and Prevotella_1 (P=0.009) decreased in the CS group at 30d. Genes related to pyruvate metabolism (P=0.020) were significantly higher at 30d than at 7d, whereas purine metabolism (P=0.007), pyrimidine metabolism (P=0.007), and metabolic pathways (P=0.010) were lower at 30d in the CS group. In conclusion, this study indicated that SS maintained a steady rumen environment, while CS caused high fluctuations in bacterial abundance and predicted function for sheep.

Synthesis of a polyester with a liquid crystalline silsesquioxane-contained backbone Chain

A one-pot multistep growth melt procedure utilizing multistep feeding has been developed to enable the synthesis of thermoplastic polymers based on 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA)with greater numbers of alternating units in their backbone chains. The decreased melting point (Tm) and glass transition temperature (Tg) indicated that the multistep feeding procedure helped to enhance the flexibility of the backbone chain due to the increasing number of alternating blocks, due to a reduction in the stacking between different main-chains, thus enabling the formation of liquid crystalline polyester (LCP) fibers with oriented structures. The covalent incorporation of rigid cage-like silsesquioxane groups led to a significant reduction of the melting point, resulting from the inevitable transformation of the original symmetrical backbone structure to a less ordered structure, due to the steric effect and hybrid feature of silsesquioxane. The presentation of silsesquioxane groups also enhanced the aggregation of ultrafine fibers with well-aligned orientation in the molten state and produce stronger fiber bundles.

Effect of IOF and its interaction with post-hatch feeding procedure on hatchability, some organs development and post-hatch performance in broiler chickens.

Under commercial conditions, chickens are fasted for the first 36 to 72h post-hatch. Delayed access to feed and water causes delayed development of the intestinal tract and retarded performance. This study focused on the chick's life as affected by in ovo feeding (IOF) and the animal's interaction with the feeding procedure. The birds in a factorial arrangement (2 × 3) were placed into six treatment groups in a completely randomised design. The treatment groups differed in feed procedure, 6h [early feeding (EF)] or 36h [common feeding (CF)] post-hatch, with or without IOF with beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl butyrate (HMB) or calcium gluconate (CG) in a saline solution, and were examined for hatchability and performance parameters until 24h post-hatch. In addition, physical and histological characteristics of breast, jejunum and serum indices in 14 days post-hatch and performance criteria until 35 days of age were recorded. On day 17 of the incubation period, eggs were subjected to the IOF procedure. One mL of sterile IOF solution including 0.1% HMB or 0.4% CG dissolved in 5% saline solution was injected into the eggs. Results showed that IOF groups had lower (p < 0.05) FCR than the control group. The highest mortality rate was noted in the control-CF group. The lowest myofibril density was related to the HMB-CF group. Myofibril periphery, area and diameter for the HMB-CF group were larger (p < 0.05) than those of the other groups. Results indicated that injection of HMB increased hatchability by almost 15%. The IOF of HMB improved the digestive tract and breast muscle development and improved FCR.

Mechanism determination on the interactive effects between host immunity and gut microbiome to resist consecutive hydrogen sulfide inhalation of laying hens

The study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of the interactions between intestinal microbiota and host immunity-related parameters in response to H2S inhalation of layer hens. A total of 180 healthy 300-day-old Lohmann pink hens with similar body weight were randomly allotted into the control (CON) and the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatments for an 8-wk-long feeding procedure. Productive performances, antioxidant capacities, immunity-related parameters, blood metabolites, and cecal microbiota were measured to determine the physiological and gastrointestinal responses to H2S treatment. Results showed that feed intake, egg production, eggshell strength, Haugh unit, and relative yolk weight significantly declined under H2S treatment compared with CON (P < 0.05). Antioxidant and immunity-related parameters showed that glutathione peroxidase, IL-4, and TNF-α contents significantly decreased, whereas contents of IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-6 significantly increased after H2S treatment (P < 0.05). Further metabolic results showed H2S treatment upregulated 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, D-glucopyranuronic acid, deoxyuridine, cholic acid, and mimosine, etc., which mainly enriched into the pyrimidine metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis, and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis pathways. Meanwhile, aceturic acid, 9-oxodecenoic acid, palmitoleic acid, lauric acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and valeric acid mainly contributed to the downregulated metabolites, and enriched into the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, tryptophan metabolism and linoleic metabolism. Moreover, H2S treatment significantly proliferated the relative abundances of Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcaceae, and Streptococcus, while decreased Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, and Campylobacter (P < 0.05). The altered bacteria were functionally enriched in the carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins pathways. H2S treatment also significantly downregulated the expression of ZO-1, Claudin 4, and Claudin 7 (P < 0.05). In summary, intestinal microbial communities altered significantly to make proper adaptations in interacting with the host immune systems through the immunity-related metabolites secretion, and epithelial tight-junction-related genes expressions, purposely to regulate the productive performance under hydrogen sulfide inhalation.

Developmental changes in lipid and fatty acid metabolism and the inhibition by in ovo feeding oleic acid in Muscovy duck embryogenesis.

Hepatic lipid and fatty acid (FA) metabolism are critical for regulating energetic homeostasis during embryogenesis. At present, it remains unclear how an exogenous FA intervention affects embryonic development in an avian embryo model. In Exp. 1, 30 fertilized eggs were sampled on embryonic days (E) 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31 and the day of hatch (DOH) to determine the critical period of lipid metabolism. In Exp. 2, a total of 120 fertilized eggs were divided into two groups (60 eggs/group) for in ovo feeding (IOF) procedures on E25. Eggs were injected into the yolk sac with PBS as the control group and with oleic acid (OA) as the IOF-OA treatment group. Samples were collected on E28 and E31. In Exp. 1, hepatic triacylglycerol (TG) and cholesterol (CHO) contents increased while serum TG content decreased from E16 to DOH (P<0.05). Both serum and liver displayed an increase in unsaturated FA and a decrease in saturated FA (P<0.05). There was a quadratic increase in the target gene and protein expression related to hepatic FA de novo synthesis and oxidation (P<0.05), whose inflection period was between E22 and E28. In Exp. 2, compared with the control embryos, IOF-OA embryos had an increased yolk sac TG content on E28 and E31, and a decreased serum TG and CHO content on E28 (P<0.05). The IOF-OA embryos had less OA in the yolk sac and liver on E28, and less unsaturated FA in the serum and liver on E31 than did the control embryos (P<0.05). Hepatic gene mRNA expression related to FA uptake, synthesis, and oxidation on E28 was lower in IOF-OA than in control embryos (P<0.05), not on E31 (P>0.05). Maximal metabolic changes in lipid and FA metabolism occurred on E22-E28 in Muscovy duck embryogenesis, along with the altered target gene and protein expression related to lipogenesis and lipolysis. IOF-OA intervention on E25 could inhibit the target gene expression related to FA uptake, synthesis, and oxidation, which may influence the normal FA metabolism on E28 during embryogenesis.

Early Tube Feeding after Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG): An Observational Study.

This study investigated whether enteral nutrition by early tube feeding led to changes in clinical parameters compared to tube feeding after 24 h. Starting on 1 January 2021, and following the latest update of the ESPEN guidelines on enteral nutrition, patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) received tube feeding 4 h after tube insertion. An observational study was conducted to analyze whether the new scheme affected patient complaints, complications, or hospitalization duration compared to the previous procedure of tube feeding starting after 24 h. Clinical patient records from one year before and one year after the introduction of the new scheme were examined. A total of 98 patients were included, and of those 47 received tube feeding 24 h after tube insertion, and 51 received tube feeding 4 h after tube insertion. The new scheme did not influence the frequency or severity of patient complaints or complications related to tube feeding (all p-values > 0.05). However, the study showed that the length of stay in hospital was significantly shorter when following the new scheme (p = 0.030). In this observational cohort study an earlier start of tube feeding did not produce any negative consequences but did reduce the duration of hospitalization. Therefore, an early start, as suggested in the recent ESPEN guidelines, is supported and recommended.

Metagenomic insights into the rumen epithelial integrity responses to the vitamin B1 supplement under high-concentrate diets treatments.

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) becomes the most common nutritional metabolic disease in high-yielding dairy cows and later fatting beef cattle because of the increasing consumption of high-concentrate diets in modern feeding patterns. Our previous research found a certain piece of evidence that adding 180 mg thiamine/kg DMI could increase the rumen pH and regulate the structure of the rumen microbial community in vivo. However, there is still limited experimental data on the effects of SARA on thiamine status, the damage to the structure of rumen epithelial cells, and the underlying mechanism of the epithelium alterations. For this purpose, a total of 18 Angus bulls (average 22.0-months-old) with an average live weight of 567.6 ± 27.4 kg were randomly allocated into a control treatment (CON), a high-concentrate diet treatment (HC), and a high-concentrate diet with the vitamin B1 supplement treatment (HCB). All bulls were conducted with a 7-day adjustment period followed by a 60-day-long main feeding procedure. Results indicated that ADFI and ADG significantly decreased in the HC treatment compared with CON (P < 0.05), while significantly increased after the VB1 supplement (P < 0.05). Besides, ruminal acetate content was significantly downregulated while propionate was significantly upregulated under the HC treatment compared with CON (P < 0.05); however, these alterations showed a completely inverse regulatory effect on the VB1 supplement compared with HC (P < 0.05). These changes causatively induced a significant decrease in the A/P ratio in the HC treatment compared with CON and HCB treatments (P < 0.05). Bacterial communities in the HC treatment could be separated from those in CON through PCoA axes 1 and 2. Meanwhile, the VB1 supplement significantly altered the bacterial communities compared with the HC treatment, except for HCB-3. Furthermore, the HC treatment significantly upregulated the expression of JNK, Bax, Caspase-8, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Cyt-C compared with CON, while significantly downregulated the expression of Bcl-2. The VB1 supplement showed a complete converse gene expression compared with HC. In conclusion, the VB1 supplement could effectively attenuate the alterations that occurred when exposed to high-concentrate diets, and help promote production performance through increased fermentability.

Effectiveness of immersive virtual reality training in nasogastric tube feeding education: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundGiven rapidly aging societies worldwide, improving the quality of long-term care through the cultivation of immense nursing assistants is critical. Accordingly, developing a satisfactory learning model to improve the learning outcomes of nursing assistant students is imperative. ObjectiveThis study tested the hypothesis that students in long-term care departments who underwent immersive virtual reality (IVR) training would have significantly (1) higher levels of knowledge about the skills of nasogastric tube feeding, (2) higher learning motivations (i.e., intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, task values, and self-efficacy), (3) lower cognitive load, and (4) higher satisfaction than a control group. DesignA randomized controlled trial with pretest and posttest design. Settings and participantsWe randomly assigned 107 students from the long-term care departments of two universities in central Taiwan to the IVR group (n = 54) or the control group (n = 53). MethodsThe IVR group learned the procedure of nasogastric tube feeding through IVR, whereas the control group watched a 15-min 2D video. The participants filled pretest and posttest questionnaires on nasogastric tube feeding knowledge. After the experiment was completed, the participants answered another questionnaire on their learning motivations, cognitive load, and learning satisfaction. ResultsThe nasogastric tube feeding knowledge improved significantly in the IVR and control groups after the intervention, with no significant between-group differences. The IVR group scored significantly higher than the control group on extrinsic goals, task value, and satisfaction; nevertheless, they also experienced a significantly higher cognitive load. ConclusionsBoth the IVR training and the traditional 2D video improved the learning outcomes of the nursing assistant students. The students were more satisfied with IVR than with the conventional learning model and indicated that IVR inspired their extrinsic learning motivations and perceived task value. However, IVR incurred a high cognitive load, which must be addressed in future course designs.

Membrane Feeding Devices to Blood Feed Mosquitoes in the Laboratory.

Husbandry protocols for medically important mosquito species in the laboratory have the blood feeding procedure as an inherent step in the maintenance routine for egg production. Artificial feeders have become the main solution for delivering blood meals to these hematophagous insects, circumventing the need for vertebrate hosts. Mimicking the skin, these devices both heat the blood and hold a membrane through which the blood can be ingested by mosquitoes. Several commercial and noncommercial artificial mosquito feeders are available, but obstacles like high cost and complex assembly can restrict their routine use. To address this issue, a number of feeders have been designed that can be built with common materials found in the laboratory. They are cheaper and more accessible, but the absence of built-in temperature control and heating units can limit their efficacy. One of the most accessible mosquito feeders is the Glytube. It consists of a 50-mL conical centrifuge tube with heated glycerol that delivers blood through a membrane. The Glytube has been used successfully to model mosquito blood feeding. Recently, 3D printing has emerged as an alternative method to create customized artificial feeders. This technology is expected to facilitate access to and reduce the cost of these devices with open-source 3D model files that can be shared among laboratories maintaining mosquitoes worldwide.

Microbial and metabolomic insights into the bovine lipometabolic responses of rumen and mammary gland to zymolytic small peptide supplementation.

Small peptides provide the easily utilized nitrogen for rumen microbial and promote acetate generation for milk fat synthesis. However, the impacts of peptide supplements on lipometabolic processes were still unclear. Therefore, a total of 800 multiparous dairy herds (with an average live weight of 667.6 ± 39.4 kg, an average lactation of 89.3 ± 18.8 days, and an average calving parity of 2.76 ± 0.47) were randomly allocated to the control (CON) and the small peptide (SP) supplement (100 g/day for each cow) treatments, respectively. A 35-day-long feeding procedure that includes a 7-day-long pretreatment test and a 28-day-long treatment test was followed for all cows. Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded every day and calculated by the deviation between the supply and residue, while the daily milk production was automatically recorded through the rotary milking facilities. Milk samples were collected from each replicate on the last day, followed by the milk quality and milk lipid composition measurement. Rumen fluid samples were collected on the last day through esophageal tubing 3 h after morning feeding for the determination of the underlying mechanism of the small peptide on lipid metabolism through the measurement of rumen lipometabolic-related metabolites and rumen bacterial communities. Results indicated that dry matter intake showed an increasing trend, while milk production and the milk fat content remarkably increased after SP supplement (P < 0.05). Further detailed detection showed the mainly increased milk composition focused on monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Acetate-producing microbes, such as Acetitomaculum, Bifidobacterium, Succiniclasticum, and Succinivibrio, and butyrate-producing microbes, such as Shuttleworthia and Saccharofermentans, significantly proliferated, which causatively brought the increased ruminal content of acetate, isobutyrate, and butyrate after SP supplement (P < 0.05) compared with CON. Lipometabolic metabolites such as phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), triacylglycerol (TG), and Acetyl-CoA also significantly increased after SP supplement. In summary, SP supplements help to increase milk fat content through the proliferation of rumen bacterial communities, which provided more acetate and butyrate for milk fat synthesis combined with the promotion of ruminal lipometabolism.

Impact on ruminant performance of feed additives

In order to elicit the desired reaction at animals, feed additives must be included in high concentrations in the diet. Microorganism-based feed additives for ruminants have been more popular over the last two decades, and this trend is expected to continue. Dairy farmers may utilize feed additives to enhance the nutritional content of their dairy cows' meals and boost revenues by using them properly. The use of supplements should not be seen as a substitute for well-balanced diets and sound feeding procedures, but rather as an addition to them. Although yeast biomass, a byproduct of the alcoholic beverage industry, has previously been employed as a protein source, research into feeding yeast as a probiotic began in the 1950s. Probiotics like yeast were only employed as a feed additive at a lesser level. It was in the 1940s and 1950s when Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) was first used as a probiotic in tiny doses added to animal feed. Anaerobic cellulitis bacteria count and ruminal PH value may be improved by adding yeast to ruminant diets, according to research. mineral absorption is influenced by the patterns of volatile fatty acids.

Screening of Mineralogenic and Osteogenic Compounds in Zebrafish-Tools to Improve Assay Throughput and Data Accuracy.

Bone disorders affect millions of people worldwide and treatments currently available often produce undesirable secondary effects or have limited efficacy. It is therefore of the utmost interest for patients to develop more efficient drugs with reduced off-target activities. In the long process of drug development, screening and preclinical validation have recently gained momentum with the increased use of zebrafish as a model organism to study pathological processes related to human bone disorders, and the development of zebrafish high-throughput screening assays to identify bone anabolic compounds. In this review, we provided a comprehensive overview of the literature on zebrafish bone-related assays and evaluated their performance towards an integration into screening pipelines for the discovery of mineralogenic/osteogenic compounds. Tools available to standardize fish housing and feeding procedures, synchronize embryo production, and automatize specimen sorting and image acquisition/analysis toward faster and more accurate screening outputs were also presented.

Validation of EOPs/FRGs Procedures Using LOHS Scenario

Validation of EOPs (Emergency Operating Procedures) and FRGs (Function Restoration Guidelines) can be achieved either through plant full scope simulator or on desk top exercises. The desk top exercise is conducted when for the given scenario plant full scope simulator is not suitable. In either verification cases predefined scenario should be evaluated and possible branching foreseen. The scenario presented is LOHS, with bleed and feed procedure initiated. Best estimate light water reactor transient analysis code RELAP5/mod3.3 was used in calculation. Standardized detailed plant model was used. Operator actions were modelled from beginning of the scenario to its termination.