Fiber Components Research Articles

Symbiotic defect-reinforced bimetallic MOF-derived fiber components for solar-assisted atmospheric water collection

Conversion of atmospheric water to sustainable and clean freshwater resources through MOF-based adsorbent has great potential for the renewable environmental industry. However, its daily water production is hampered by susceptibility to agglomeration, slow water evaporation efficiency, and limited water-harvesting capacity. Herein, a solar-assisted bimetallic MOF (BMOF)-derived fiber component that surmounts these limitations and exhibits both optimized water-collect capacity and short adsorption-desorption period is proposed. The proposed strategy involves utilizing bottom-up interface-induced assembly between carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube and hygroscopic BMOF on a multi-ply glass fiber support. The designed BMOF (MIL-100(Fe,Al)-3) skeleton constructed using bimetallic-node defect engineering exhibits a high specific surface area (1,535.28 m2/g) and pore volume (0.76 cm3/g), thereby surpassing the parent MOFs and other reported MOFs in capturing moisture. Benefiting from the hierarchical structure of fiber rods and the solar-driven self-heating interface of photothermal layer, the customized BMOF crystals realize efficient loading and optimized water adsorption-desorption kinetics. As a result, the resultant fiber components achieve six adsorption-desorption cycles per day and an impressive water collection of 1.45 g/g/day under medium-high humidity outdoor conditions. Therefore, this work will provide new ideas for optimizing the daily yield of atmospheric water harvesting techniques.

Laser ablation mechanism and performance of glass fiber-reinforced phenolic composites: An experimental study and dual-scale modelling

Both experimental and simulation approaches were employed to investigate the laser ablation mechanism and performances of Glass Fiber Reinforced Phenolic Composites (GFRP). During the ablation process, the difference in thermal conductivities of the glass fibers and the resin matrix as well as their discrepant physical and chemical reactions form a conical ablation morphology. The formation of a residual carbon layer effectively mitigates the ablation rate in the thickness direction. A higher power density results in a faster ablation rate, while a longer irradiation time leads to a larger ablation pit diameter. To account for the variation in thermal conductivity between the fiber and resin, a macro-mesoscale model was developed to differentiate the matrix from the fiber components. Finite element analysis revealed that laser irradiation leads to phenolic decomposition, glass fiber melting vaporization, and residual carbon skeleton evaporation. The dual-scale model exhibits precise prediction capabilities concerning the laser ablation process of GFRP, and its accuracy is confirmed through the comparison of simulation and experimental results for the GFRP laser ablation process. This model provides a feasible method for performance evaluation and lifetime prediction of GFRP subjected to continuous wave laser irradiation.

Use of Hydrosurgical Debridement System for Silicone Gel Removal after Breast Implant Rupture.

Breast implant rupture is one of the most common complications in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Furthermore, this problem is closely linked to capsular contracture. It is therefore crucially important to effectively and promptly remove silicone leakage from breast pockets. Several techniques are described in the literature and have been typically used for this procedure. Hydrosurgical debridement (HD), which is usually applied in wound care to treat wounds, could be useful for the removal of the silicone leaked from prosthesis pockets after breast implant rupture. An entire periprosthetic capsule that contained a ruptured implant with silicone leakage was removed from a left breast. Half of the capsule was treated with HD, whereas the other half was left untreated as a control. Samples were processed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy for morphological analyses. light microscopy demonstrated that the nontreated tissues had a typical synovial-like structure with a middle layer of connective tissue in which there were numerous rounded empty spaces which contained silicone. In contrast, the superficial connective region of the treated tissues (T) had fewer and flattened spaces where the silicone was detected. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed that in the T samples, the capsule thickness was compact compared with that of the nontreated tissues. Furthermore, the fibrous components appeared well organized with few and smaller silicone lacunae. HD is useful for the removal of silicone (ex vivo) from capsular surfaces after implant rupture. Because of its safety characteristics, this technique could be successfully used in vivo.

Phase and microstructure evolutions of fiber reinforced aerogel composites with different fiber components during calcination

In the high temperature industry, controlling the external surface temperature of the kiln shell is crucial for reducing heat loss, energy consumption, and carbon emissions. While aerogels are esteemed for their superior thermal insulation properties and considered as optimal materials in the thermal insulation layer of energy saving lining for burning zone of cement rotary kiln, their structural integrity at elevated temperatures confines their applications to medium and low temperature settings. To overcome this limitation, the fiber-reinforced aerogel composites have been developed to bolster the high-temperature endurance of aerogel products. Notably, composites containing ZrO2-enhanced fibers exhibit significantly higher resistance to thermal degradation from local overheating, such as flame impingement, compared to their counterparts without ZrO2. However, the mechanisms of performance degradation and the reinforcing role of ZrO2 in fiber reinforced aerogel composites at high temperatures especially above 1000 °C, remain unclear. This study specifically focuses on the thermal conductive properties of commercial aerogel felts, both with and without the inclusion of ZrO2 across a range of temperatures, and examines the subsequent phase transitions and microstructural evolutions upon thermal treatment. Critical analyses of heat flow, mass change, density, linear shrinkage, and pore size distribution during the calcination process were conducted. After 6 h of heat treatment, composites with ZrO2-enhanced fibers retained an 81.44 % porosity, unlike composites without ZrO2 which sintered and became denser. The experimental findings demonstrate that the performance of fiber reinforced aerogel composites mainly depends on the fiber’s framework microstructure and fiber-aerogel reactions, which provides the references for developing excellent aerogel composites and evaluating of the usability in high temperature zone of kiln.

The Characterization of Structures and Porosity of Abaca Fiber

Abstract Abaca fiber is one of the superior natural fibers in Indonesia. This fiber is also exported abroad as raw material for banknotes. Abaca fiber has superior mechanical properties including tensile strength and Young’s modulus test values. In this research, a more detailed characterization of abaca fiber has been carried out based on XRD, Gravimetry, SEM and BET analysis (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller). XRD characterization showed a relationship curve between intensity and 2θ resembling a cellulose curve. While gravimetric testing revealed three main components of abaca fibers in succession; cellulose 72.25%, hemicellulose 8.56% and lignin 8.69%. This high cellulose component caused abaca fiber to have high mechanical capabilities. BET analysis presented that abaca fiber has a Surface area 28.63 m2g−1, pore volume 0.09 ccg−1, and average pore size 4.94 nm. From the results of the analysis obtained proved that abaca fiber can be used as an alternative reinforcer in composite materials that can be applied as building materials (concrete) and acoustic materials (absorbers). In addition, abaca fiber is a natural fiber that is easily cultivated in Indonesia which is environmentally friendly and able to increase local wisdom if used scientifically.

Growth and development of epiglottis and preepiglottic space of larynx as it acquires vocal tract.

The growth and development of the epiglottis and preepiglottic space (PES) of the human larynx as it acquires the vocal tract were investigated. Three newborns, one infant, four children (2, 7, 8, and 12 years old), and two adult normal larynges were investigated and compared using the whole organ serial section technique. The newborn PES occupied a small area just anterior to the epiglottis. It was composed of immature adipose tissue and areolar tissue. The epiglottis lay on a somewhat horizontal axis and is partially obscured behind the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone overlapped the thyroid cartilage, partially obscuring the superior thyroid notch. The newborn epiglottic cartilage was immature elastic cartilage, and the elastic fiber component was sparse. In the first 8 years of life, as the PES grew, the PES was located not only anterior to but also posterolateral and inferolateral to the epiglottic cartilage and thyroepiglottic ligament. Meanwhile, the epiglottic cartilage matured. In order to develop the vocal tract for speech production, it is reported that the human larynx descends as the child grows in the first 9 years of life. This study showed that the PES, occupying a small area just anterior to the epiglottis, grew and existed astride the epiglottis as the larynx descended and the vocal tract developed. Consequently, its distribution allows the epiglottis to more effectively play the role of retroflection during swallowing in order to prevent aspiration. The human speech faculty likely develops in conjunction with swallowing physiology.

Aging of Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System of the Face-Novel Biomarkers and Micro-CT Relevance of Facial Anti-Gravity Support.

The soft superficial tissues of the face are against gravity through an intricate network of ligaments and ligamentous attachments. The aim of this investigation is to delineate the relationship between the muscular, fibrous, and vascular components of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system of the face (SMAS) at the level of its periosteal fixation areas from advanced radiological and novel biomarkers' perspectives. These areas represent key points underlying skin aging and the longevity of restorative surgery results. Methods: This study was carried out on 37 surgical specimens, excised from patients admitted for surgery. On the excised specimens, we used special immunohistochemical techniques, such as markers for collagen type III, angiogenesis, vascular endothelium (I-CAM2) and muscle fibers (MYH2). We performed a micro-CT evaluation of these 37 specimens. Results: The results of this study showed different radiologic and IHC characteristics of the means of periosteal fixation of the SMAS. Evidence of morphohistological and radiological peculiarities of the retaining ligaments highlights new data for future functional studies of these structures. Our research must be continued with larger groups of subjects and through detailed methodological studies of vascular microperfusion and could represent an important new step in biotissue engineering and the customization of surgical techniques involving the sub-SMAS layers.

First report of Diaporthe eres causing leaf spot on Rosa roxburghii Tratt in Guizhou Province, China.

Rosa roxburghii Tratt is a plant from the Rosaceae family whose fruits are rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other active components (Jiang, et al. 2024). In July 2023, about R. roxburghii 500 plants were investigated in a field of 6000 m2 in Guiding County (107°14'E, 26°45'N), Guizhou province, China, and the results showed a leaf spot incidence of s 20 to 30%. . The affected leaves had irregular, black lesions with a clear blackish brown boundary and faint black conidiomata in a brown center. Fifteen symptomatic leaves were collected from 10 plants washed with sterile distilled water, and 5 × 5 mm pieces of the infected tissues were cut. After surface sterilization for30 s with 75% ethanol, 2 min with 3% NaOCl, three washes in sterilized distilled water, the leaf pieces were dried and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25℃ for 5 days. Three isolates (H3-Y-1-1, H3-Y-1-2, H3-Y-1-3) with identical morphology were obtained, and the isolate H3-Y-1-1was selected for further study. The colonies on PDA exhibited irregular growth patterns, with white felty aerial mycelium on the upper surface, and white mycelium on the lower surface. Conidiomata were irregularly distributed over the agar surface. The isolate H3-Y-1-1 produced darkly pigmented pycnidia on PDA after 30 days and oozed milky mucilaginous drops. The fungus produced two types of conidia, α and β. Regular α conidia were 4.74 - 5.96 × 1.52 - 2.24 μm (n = 50), hyaline, elongated, biguttulate and non-septate. Beta conidia were 20.13 - 25.74 × 0.86 - 1.29 μm (n = 50), aseptate, hyaline, smooth, spindle shaped, slightly curved to bent. The morphological features were consistent with the description of Diaporthe eres (Pereira, et al. 2022). The pathogen was confirmed to be D. eres by amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the partial β-tubulin (TUB), the partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) genes using primers ITS1/ITS4, Bt-2a/Bt-2b, EF1-728F/EF1-986R, respectively. Sequences from PCR amplification were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers PP411998 (ITS), PP502153 (TUB), PP502156 (TEF). BLAST searches of the sequences revealed (96%) (500/523nt), 97% (479/494 nt) and 99% (334/338 nt) homology with those of D. eres CBS 138594 from GenBank (OM698848, OM752196 and OM752197), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian methods placed the isolate H3-Y-1-1 in a well-supported cluster with D. eres CBS 101742. The pathogen was thus identified as D. eres based on the morphological characterization and molecular analyses (Feng, et al. 2013; Tao, et al. 2020). To assess its pathogenicity, healthy R. roxburghii potted plants were inoculated with H3-Y-1-1 spore suspensions. Symptomatic leaves mirroring field symptoms were observed after XX days of incubations at XX°C, while control plants exhibited no symptoms. Diaporthe eres was consistently reisolated from the infected leaves showing brown irregular or round lesions at the initial stage of the disease, expanding and become more irregular over time ultimately causing leaf curling and plant death. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot on R. roxburghii caused by D. eres in China. The disease may become a serious threat to fruit of R. roxburghii production in China. Therefore, detection of this pathogen is very important to ensure timely disease management.

Ovine KRT81 Variants and Their Influence on Selected Wool Traits of Commercial Value.

Keratins are the main structural protein components of wool fibres, and variation in them and their genes (KRTs) is thought to influence wool structure and characteristics. The PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism technique has been used previously to investigate genetic variation in selected coding and intron regions of the type II sheep keratin gene KRT81, but no variation was identified. In this study, we used the same technique to explore the 5' untranslated region of KRT81 and detected three sequence variants (A, B and C) that contain four single nucleotide polymorphisms. Among the 389 Merino × Southdown cross sheep investigated, variant B was linked to a reduction in clean fleece weight, while C was associated with an increase in both greasy fleece weight and clean fleece weight. No discernible effects on staple length or mean-fibre-diameter-related traits were observed. These findings suggest that variation in ovine KRT81 might influence wool growth by changing the density of wool follicles in the skin, the density of individual fibres, or the area of the skin producing fibre, as opposed to changing the rate of extrusion of fibres or their diameter.

Identification of 30 transition fibre proteins in Trypanosoma brucei reveals a complex and dynamic structure.

Transition fibres and distal appendages surround the distal end of mature basal bodies and are essential for ciliogenesis, but only a few of the proteins involved have been identified and functionally characterised. Here, through genome-wide analysis, we have identified 30 transition fibre proteins (TFPs) and mapped their arrangement in the flagellated eukaryote Trypanosoma brucei. We discovered that TFPs are recruited to the mature basal body before and after basal body duplication, with differential expression of five TFPs observed at the assembling new flagellum compared to the existing fixed-length old flagellum. RNAi-mediated depletion of 17 TFPs revealed six TFPs that are necessary for ciliogenesis and a further three TFPs that are necessary for normal flagellum length. We identified nine TFPs that had a detectable orthologue in at least one basal body-forming eukaryotic organism outside of the kinetoplastid parasites. Our work has tripled the number of known transition fibre components, demonstrating that transition fibres are complex and dynamic in their composition throughout the cell cycle, which relates to their essential roles in ciliogenesis and flagellum length regulation.

A Systematic Review of Laser Treatment for Angiofibromas in Tuberous Sclerosis.

While mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors have revolutionized the management of angiofibroma in tuberous sclerosis complex (TS), physical modalities such as laser are still indicated for recalcitrant lesions. The authors performed a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of laser treatment for TS-related facial angiofibroma. The electronic databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science were searched from inception to October 10, 2023, for eligible records. Forty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria, representing a total of 217 patients with TS-related facial angiofibroma who received laser treatment. Several lasers have been trialed in patients including carbon dioxide ( n = 95, 43.7%), pulsed dye ( n = 21, 9.7%), argon ( n = 16, 7.4%), neodymium-doped: yttrium aluminum garnet ( n = 12, 5.5%), copper vapor ( n = 9, 4.1%), potassium titanyl phosphate ( n = 7, 3.2%), erbium: yttrium aluminum garnet ( n = 2, 0.9%), lasers and various combination therapies ( n = 55, 25.3%). Potassium titanyl phosphate, pulsed dye, and neodymium-dopsed:yttrium aluminum garnet lasers are better suited to manage the vascular components of angiofibroma while ablative lasers such as erbium: yttrium aluminum garnet and carbon dioxide lasers may present better options for lesions with a prominent fibrous component. While several lasers have been trialed with broadly favorable results, the low level of evidence precludes definitive conclusions, and no single laser appears superior.

Investigation of Surface Modification of Bagasse Fibers: Performance of Asphalt Binders/Mixtures with Bagasse Fibers

The influence of surface modification on the properties of bagasse fibers and asphalt binders/mixtures was investigated. Bagasse fibers were modified by single, binary, and ternary methods with hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and sodium chlorite, respectively. The physical and chemical properties of bagasse fibers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and an adsorption test, respectively. The rheological properties of asphalt binders with bagasse fibers or lignin fibers were analyzed by the dynamic shear rheometer test and bending beam rheometer test. In addition, the performance of asphalt mixtures with bagasse fibers or lignin fibers were evaluated by a wheel rutting test, bending test at a low temperature, and water stability test, respectively. In conclusion, the hydrophilic functional groups on the fiber surface were partially eliminated by modification, facilitating the degradation of different fiber components. Furthermore, the degree of fibrillation was improved, and more interfaces with asphalt components were formed, thus enhancing the high-temperature deformation resistance of asphalt binders, but slightly impairing its low-temperature performance. Among all modification methods, the ternary composite modification exerted important influences on fiber structure, oil absorption, and rheological properties of asphalt binders, significantly enhancing the performance of asphalt mixtures. Combined with surface modification methods, bagasse fibers would be promising reinforced pavement materials.

Immunohistochemical findings of lens capsules obtained from patients with dead bag syndrome.

To investigate the extracellular matrix and cellular components in lens capsules extracted from patients with dead bag syndrome (DBS) through immunohistochemistry. Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama, Japan, and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Immunohistochemical experimental study. 9 capsular bag specimens from DBS cases, as well as 2 control specimens from late-postoperative in-the-bag intraocular lens dislocation cases related to previous vitrectomy, pseudoexfoliation, and blunt trauma were included. They were processed for histopathology; unstained sections were obtained from each one and analyzed by immunohistochemistry targeting collagen type IV, laminin, vimentin, collagen type I, and fibronectin. Immunohistochemistry in DBS showed lens capsule stained for basement membrane components. The outer part of the anterior capsule that was split from the inner part was more markedly stained for type IV collagen as compared with the posterior part. Faint staining for fibrous posterior capsular opacification (PCO) components, for example, collagen type I and fibronectin, was detected in limited areas, but the major portion of the capsule was free from these components. Small spotty vimentin-positive materials, suggesting the presence of cell debris, were also detected in limited samples. Small amounts of fibrotic PCO components were detected in capsules extracted from patients with DBS, but their major parts were free from PCO components. Current findings suggest small amounts of lens epithelial cells were present after surgery and secreted fibrous components before undergoing cell death process.

Model prediction of unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites under finite deformation

The intuitive knowledge is that the mechanical modulus of unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites (UD-FRPs) decreases with higher fiber orientation angles. However, numerical results in this work and experimental results in previous literature indicate that the mechanical response of UD-FRPs has a U-shaped dependence on fiber orientation angle. To explain this phenomenon, we develop an anisotropic model to capture the mechanical behavior of UD-FRPs. The strain energy is decomposed into four components: matrix, fiber, fiber-matrix normal, and shear interactions. Each component can be determined by matching the mechanical responses of unit cells with 0°, 45°, and 90° off-axis. The results obtained from the presented model match well with the numerical response of unit cells with 15°, 30°, 60°, and 75° off-axis. With an increasing fiber orientation angle, the matrix part remains unchanged, the fiber component decreases, but the fiber-matrix normal component increases, and the fiber-matrix shear component increases and then decreases. The change in strain energy contributions explains the mechanism of the U-shaped dependence of the mechanical response on fiber orientation angle.

Full C- and L-band covered second-order OAM mode generator based on a thinned helical long-period fiber grating

A full C- and L-band covered second-order orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) mode generator has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which is realized by using a helical long-period fiber grating (HLPG) but inscribed in a thinned four-mode fiber. By optimizing the design of grating period and fiber diameter of the proposed HLPG, an ultra-broadband rejection filter with a depth of ∼23 dB, a bandwidth of ∼156 nm @-10 dB (ranging from 1522 nm to 1678 nm) and a bandwidth of ∼58 nm @-20 dB (ranging from 1574 nm to 1632 nm), has been successfully obtained as a typical sample. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of such ultra-broadband second-order OAM mode generator by using only one fiber component, i.e., the thinned HLPG. In addition, the proposed generator is less polarization-dependent and less temperature-sensitive than those of the conventional HLPGs, which is believed to be considerably helpful to find potential applications of the device itself in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and OAM mode division multiplexing (MDM) optical fiber communication systems.

170 Feeding the modern sow: Unlocking the value of dietary fiber

Abstract Our understanding of dietary fiber in sow nutrition is evolving rapidly, shifting from a once-overlooked portion of the diet to a critical component influencing intestinal functionality, gut microbiota, and modulation of digestion and metabolism. Recent advancements in fiber nutrition and analytical methods have highlighted its significance in optimizing sow lifetime productivity and welfare through its impact on nutrient utilization and overall health. Growing evidence supports the benefits of dietary fiber in gestation diets, notably contributing to sow well-being by reducing stress and behavioral issues observed in group housing systems (Sapkota et al., 2016). Accordingly, dietary fiber supplementation in gestation diets has been linked to the reduction of stillborn pigs, heavier piglet weights at birth, increased lactation feed intake, and reduced pre-wean mortality (Feyera et al., 2017). Supplementing dietary fiber during the peripartum phase has been shown to reduce the farrowing duration and the stillborn incidence (Theil et al., 2014); possibly linked to a reduction in constipation (Cardona et al., 2024) and enhanced sow energy status through greater short-chain fatty acids availability (Feyera et al., 2017). Despite the positive evidence, the practical application of dietary fiber supplementation in US sow diets has been limited due to insufficient characterization of fiber components in available ingredients. Recent advancements in analytical techniques, defining fiber components as total dietary fiber (TDF), soluble fiber (SF), and insoluble fiber (ISF), offer improved reliability and accessibility, overcoming previous barriers. Recent studies showed that a high fiber gestation diet (TDF 18% and 9% for high and low fiber diets, respectively) did not affect reproductive performance, liter size, individual piglet weight, or pre-wean mortality but it reduced weight loss during lactation (Paz et al., 2022). Moreover, studies conducted by Martinez et al. (2022) demonstrated that top-dressing dietary fiber during the peripartum phase reduced the wean-to-estrus interval (top-dress 0.45 kg or 0.90 kg/d, TDF 35%, ISF:SF ratios ranging from 2.6 to 7.4). These studies highlight the potential value of dietary fiber in US sow diets. However further research is warranted to determine the optimal level and desirable fiber characteristics to fully unlock its nutritional value in sow diets.

158 Nutrient digestibility in growing pigs fed a corn distiller’s dried grains with soluble-based diet with multi-enzyme supplementation

Abstract Dietary enzyme supplementation may enhance the digestibility and utilization of non-starch components in fiber-rich feedtuffs which are increasingly used in swine diets. A xylanase/cellulase enzyme product (ENZ) was previously shown to increase the digestibility of nutrients and energy in growing pigs fed a corn-SBM diet with 30% corn dried distiller’s grains with solubles (cDDGS). To better elucidate the effects of ENZ on these components, further analysis was conducted on the fiber, non-starch polysaccharide, and ash components. A total of 12 ileal-cannulated pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 31.7 kg ± 3.04] were housed in individual metabolic crates for 21 d (period 1) and subsequently transferred to individual floor pens for an additional 28 d (period 2). These animals were assigned to 2 diets (n = 6) in a completely randomized design (CRD). The diets contained the main ingredients corn, soybean meal and cDDGS (30%) without (CON) or with ENZ supplementation. The inclusion rate of the ENZ (proprietary xylanase/cellulase product, Kerry Inc.) was 200 g/ton. Feed was formulated to 1.15% SID lysine and met or exceeded nutrient requirements for growing pigs (NRC, 2012). The diets were fed to pigs at three times maintenance energy requirement based on BW, which was assessed at 2 wk intervals throughout the study. The diets contained 0.3% titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. In period 1, pigs had 14 d of adaptation, followed by 4 d of fecal and urine collection using the total collection method and 2 d of ileal digesta collection. In period 2, pigs had 23 days of adaptation, followed by 2 d of fecal collection and 2 d of ileal digesta collection. Data were analyzed as a CRD, using pig as the experimental unit and enzyme supplementation as the main effect. The ATTD of total NSP and galactose tended to improve in both periods 1 and 2. As consistent responses were observed in periods 1 and 2 and the ENZ X period interaction was not significant, the data from these time periods were combined for analysis. ENZ supplementation improved (P < 0.05) the ATTD of total NSP and galactose. Also, ENZ tended to improve (P < 0.10) the ATTD of cellulose and glucose from NSP. ENZ addition also increased the ATTD of calcium (P < 0.05) and tended to increase the ATTD of phosphorus (P < 0.10). In conclusion, supplementation of a corn-SBM-30% cDDGS diet with a multi-carbohydrase containing cellulase increased the ATTD of fiber, NSP and calcium in growing pigs. Novel enzymes represent a useful strategy to better utilize the nutrients in lower energy feedstuffs in monogastric animals.

A giant peripheral ossifying fibroma of the maxilla with extreme difficulty in clinical differentiation from malignancy: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundPeripheral ossifying fibroma is a nonneoplastic inflammatory hyperplasia that originates in the periodontal ligament or periosteum in response to chronic mechanical irritation. Peripheral ossifying fibroma develops more commonly in young females as a solitary, slow-growing, exophytic nodular mass of the gingiva, no more than 2 cm in diameter. While various synonyms have been used to refer to peripheral ossifying fibroma, very similar names have also been applied to neoplastic diseases that are pathologically distinct from peripheral ossifying fibroma, causing considerable nomenclatural confusion. Herein, we report our experience with an unusual giant peripheral ossifying fibroma with a differential diagnostic challenge in distinguishing it from a malignancy.Case presentationA 68-year-old Japanese male was referred to our department with a suspected gingival malignancy presenting with an elastic hard, pedunculated, exophytic mass 60 mm in diameter in the right maxillary gingiva. In addition to computed tomography showing extensive bone destruction in the right maxillary alveolus, positron emission tomography with computed tomography revealed fluorodeoxyglucose hyperaccumulation in the gingival lesion. Although these clinical findings were highly suggestive of malignancy, repeated preoperative biopsies showed no evidence of malignancy. Since even intraoperative frozen histological examination revealed no malignancy, surgical resection was performed in the form of partial maxillectomy for benign disease, followed by thorough curettage of the surrounding granulation tissue and alveolar bone. Histologically, the excised mass consisted primarily of a fibrous component with sparse proliferation of atypical fibroblast-like cells, partly comprising ossification, leading to a final diagnosis of peripheral ossifying fibroma. No relapse was observed at the 10-month follow-up.ConclusionsThe clinical presentation of giant peripheral ossifying fibromas can make the differential diagnosis from malignancy difficult. Proper diagnosis relies on recognition of the characteristic histopathology and identification of the underlying chronic mechanical stimuli, while successful treatment mandates complete excision of the lesion and optimization of oral hygiene. Complicated terminological issues associated with peripheral ossifying fibroma require appropriate interpretation and sufficient awareness of the disease names to avoid diagnostic confusion and provide optimal management.

253 The influence of corn-based fiber on digesta short chain fatty acid composition and pH in growing pigs

Abstract Pigs can obtain energy from fibrous feedstuffs through a symbiotic relationship with their gastrointestinal microbiome, which results in the production of metabolites, such as short chain fatty acids (SCFA). An experiment was conducted with the objective of investigating how different insoluble corn-based fiber sources influence changes in SCFA composition along the digestive tract of growing pigs. Two replicates of 28 gilts [n = 56; initial body weight (BW) = 26.7 ± 2.5 kg; PIC800 x Camborough], were randomly assigned to one of 7 semi-synthetic diets. Dietary treatments included a control (CTL) diet with a formulated total dietary fiber (TDF) value of < 1% and 6 diets with a CBF replacing 30% of the corn starch in CTL: dehulled degermed corn (DHDG; TDF = 1.09%), ground corn (COR; TDF = 3.24%), high protein dried distiller’s grains (HP; TDF = 8.79%), dried distiller’s grains (DDGS; TDF = 9.35%), corn gluten meal (CGM; TDF = 9.88%), and corn bran (BRN; TDF = 13.15%). Pigs were individually housed, and limit-fed at 2.4 times maintenance. On d 31, pigs were necropsied, and ileal, cecal, and colonic digesta were collected for immediate SCFA analysis and stomach, jejunal, ileal, and cecal digesta pH was measured. Data were analyzed as a linear mixed model with treatment as a fixed effect, replicate as a random slope or fixed effect, where appropriate, using the mixed procedure of SAS. There were no differences in jejunal nor stomach pH (P ≥ 0.51). Ileal pH was greatest (P = 0.01) in HP, DDGS, and CGM diets. Cecal pH was greatest (P < 0.01) in the BRN diet and lowest in COR and HP. Molar proportions of ileal SCFAs did not differ (P ≥ 0.74) among treatments. In the cecum, molar proportions of butyrate production did not differ (P = 0.74). Cecal acetate proportions were less (P = 0.03) in CTL, COR, and HP compared with all other treatments (51.54, 61.09, 51.92, 52.89, 59.16, 63.87, and 63.32%, for CTL, DHDG, COR, HP, DDGS, CGM, and BRN, respectively). Cecal propionate proportions were greatest (P = 0.01) in BRN and least in DHDG, COR, and CGM (30.85, 27.67, 27.67, 30.91, 30.47, 24.03, and 35.86% for CTL, DHDG, COR, HP, DDGS, CGM, and BRN, respectively). Relative to CTL, isobutyrate proportions in the cecum for COR, HP, and DDGS were reduced by 65%, 52%, and 53%, respectively (P < 0.01). In the colon, there were no differences in molar proportions of acetate, butyrate, nor isobutyrate (P ≥ 0.254). However, HP and CGM had a smaller (P = 0.04) proportion of propionate in the colon and COR and BRN had the greatest proportion of colonic propionate (33.92, 29.68, 38.41, 25.3, 30.00, 26.76, and 37.94% for CTL, DHDG, COR, HP, DDGS, CGM, and BRN, respectively). Collectively, the different fibrous components of CBFs can influence SCFA proportions in the growing pig.

Cutting-Edge of Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) for Improving Drought and Salinity Stress Tolerance in Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.): A Review

AbstractGenotyping by sequencing (GBS) is a very helpful approach and one of the most useful techniques for examining and analysing the genetic variation of various lines and varieties. GBS technology was used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and assess genetic variation in several watermelon accessions. GBS application in watermelon breeding programs has recently become a popular technique among many breeders. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) is a warm-season crop that is widely cultivated for its delicious fruit. And it is one of the most economically significant crops in the world. However, watermelon cultivation is frequently hampered by abiotic stressors such as drought and salinity. Recently, there has been a growing body of research on the mechanisms that allow watermelon to tolerate these stresses and improve crop yield. Generally, cucurbits are beneficial to human health, they provide necessary minerals, fibre, and nutrient components. Therefore, this review demonstrates the cutting edge of using GBS technology to identify genetic design of several features in watermelon to improve abiotic stresses (drought and saline). The application of the GBS technique has provided a distinct advantage in watermelon breeding studies. Based on GBS approach, many new candidate genes in watermelon lines control a variety of traits including saline and drought tolerance, fruit rind color, disease tolerance, nutrient components, size, and fruit shape were discovered. Modern breeding techniques are being used to develop economically viable vegetable crops that will meet customer preferences and needs. Further research is needed to enhance watermelon production.