Food Pad Research Articles

Efficacy of N-halamine compound on reduction of microorganisms in absorbent food pads of raw beef

The antimicrobial activity of N-halamine, 1-chloro-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-imidazolidinone (MC) loaded absorbent pads in meat packaging was investigated. Absorbent pads treated with MC reduced the levels of total aerobic bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., and lactic acid bacteria to under the detection limit (2 log CFU/g) for day 0 and day 1. On days 4, 7 and 11, the microbial loads were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in all MC treated absorbent pads. The levels of Enterobacteriaceae on the treated samples remained under the detection limit during the entire storage period. The lightness of packed beef with MC treated absorbent pads was not significantly increased until day 11, while in the control group there were significant differences compared to the initial meat from day 1. Microbial loads in meat samples with MC treated pads were also significantly lowered (p < 0.05) compared to the control on day 11. MC treated absorbent pads were able to reduce microbial loads in beef samples by 1 log CFU/g on average. MC was able to extend the shelf life of refrigerated raw beef.

Untersuchungen unterschiedlicher langsam wachsender Premiumhühner unter Tierschutz-Label-Konditionen. Teil II: Tiergesundheit

In the presented study, four slow growing broiler breeds were examined with the focus on animal-based welfare parameters. Results on litter quality, performance of fattening and slaughter yield of broilers were published in the first report (DAMME et al., 2015). For this investigation, unsexed chicks of the breeds Rowan Ranger, Hubbard JA 957, Hubbard JA 987 and Cobb Sasso 175 were housed at the Institute for Poultry Education and Applied Research in Kitzingen, Germany and fattened over a period of 42 days. At the end of the fattening period, animal-based welfare parameters were assessed in 50 broilers of each breed. The significantly best gait was performed by broilers of the breed Hubbard JA 957. About 52% of the assessed broilers of this breed showed a normal gait and 42% a mild inexplicit alteration. Even though, the broilers of the breeds Rowan Ranger and Cobb Sasso 175 were assessed with slightly inferior scores in the gait analysis, 90% of all assessed birds (score 0 or 1) coincided with the list of criteria for a livestock-appropriate housing and treatment of broilers in the scope of the animal welfare label issued by the German Animal Welfare Federation. This regulation defines that a maximum of 10% of broilers may be assessed with or may exceed the score 2 (DEUTSCHER TIERSCHUTZBUND, 2016). Broilers of the breed Hubbard JA 987 could not comply with the limit, because 26% of the examined broilers showed considerable deviations in the gait score analysis. A significant correlation was found between the gait score of the broiler and the weight, the soiling of plumage and the prevalence of hock burns. The food pads of the assessed broilers showed only isolated alterations. Lessions of the food pads were observed in 12% of the broilers of the breed Cobb Sasso 175. Thus, all breeds satisfy the list of criteria concerning food pad lessions of the animal welfare label by the German Animal Welfare Federation (DEUTSCHER TIERSCHUTZBUND, 2016). An apparent correlation between litter moisture and the prevalence of food pad alterations was observed. The most humid litter was assessed for the breed Cobb Sasso 175 in the first part of the study (DAMME et al., 2015). Considering the alterations of hock burns, similar observations were made, however no significant differences were detected between the breeds. In the breeds with lower weights (Rowan Ranger and Hubbard JA 957) fewer broilers with skin scratches (12 and 16%) were found than in the heavy breeds Cobb Sasso 175 (34%) and Hubbard JA 987 (46%). In this case, a significant weight effect was detected.

Stress and reactivity in three Italian chicken breeds

Heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, plasma corticosterone and tonic immobility test, plumage and leg score (Food Pad Dermatitis, FPD) are frequently used as indicators of welfare in chickens. Three traditional Italian chicken breeds (60 birds/group) were studied: Valdarnese Bianca (VB), Bionda Piemontese (BP) and Robusta Maculata (RM). At 80 days of age, reactivity was tested through Tonic Immobility (TI) and plumage and leg score tests. Immediately after phenotypical and behavioural tests, the blood samples were collected from the ulnar vein of chickens. TI duration was not significant among the breeds (VB 72.2 ± 8.3 s; BP 95.2 ± 9.0 s; RM 76.5 ± 8.6 s; mean ± SEM). RM and BP needed a mean number of induction significantly higher than VB (RM = 1.84 ± 0.1; BP = 1.96 ± 0.1; VB = 1.38 ± 0.1; p < 0.0001). The highest corticosterone mean concentration (3.4 ± 0.23 ng/mL) was found in the VB breed, whereas the lowest (1.71 ± 0.21 ng/mL) was found in BP birds. The heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the VB breed (0.86 ± 0.03) than BP (0.78 ± 0.02) and RM (0.75 ± 0.03). In all birds neither plumage damages nor FPD were found. In conclusion, the three breeds showed the typical reactivity of rural breeds adapted to alternative and organic rearing systems; the anti-predatory response, the plasma corticosterone concentration and the H/L ratio could be considered a positive adaptation indicator.

Effect of absorbent pads containing black seed or rosemary oils on the shelf life of sardine [Sardina pilchardus(Walbaum, 1792)] fillets

The effects of essential oils on the shelf life of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) fillets in cold storage were assessed at 4–6°C. The oils were sprayed on the fillets as well as with the addition of absorbent food pads that also contained essential oils. Sardine fillets were divided into eight test groups. Group A: fillets stored without treatment (control group); Group B: fillets packaged with food pads (without the addition of essential oils); Group C: Rosemary oil sprayed onto food pads (10 ml of 1.5% RO); Group D: Black seed oil sprayed onto the food pads (10 ml of 1.5%BSO); Group E: Rosemary oil sprayed onto both sides of the sardine fillets (10 ml of 1.5%RO); Group F: Black seed oil sprayed onto both sides of sardine fillets (10 ml of 1.5% BO); Group G: Rosemary oil sprayed onto both sides of the sardine fillets (10 ml of 1.5% RO) and on the food pads (+10 ml of 1.5% RO); and Group H: Black seed oil sprayed onto the sardine fillets and the food pads (10 ml of 1.5% BSO onto both sides of fillets +10 ml of 1.5% BSO onto food pads). Tests were carried out at days 0, 3, 5 and 7. When compared to the control group, food pads containing rosemary and black seed oils extended the shelf life of sardine fillets by approximately 2 days at 4–6°C. Group A and B exceeded the limit of consumption on day 3, and Group C and D exceeded this microbiological limit after day 5. RO and BSO both exhibited the same antimicrobial effects on the shelf life of sardine fillets. Groups E, F, G and H prolonged the microbiological threshold by 7 days compared to the control. However, Group G and H had 1–1.5 log lower TVC load than Group E and F. Food pads containing antimicrobial essential oils may be used to extend the shelf life of fresh fish, however, further investigations are needed to determine safety standards.

Absorbent food pads containing bacteriophages for potential antimicrobial use in refrigerated food products

The incessant search by the consumer for products that are ready for consumption and for new technologies aimed at ensuring the safety and quality of food has intensified with the adoption of measures that can reduce these risks. This work shows that an absorbent food pad used in chilled meat trays, containing a mix of six bacteriophages, BFSE16, BFSE18, PaDTA1, PaDTA9, PaDTA10 and PaDTA11 isolated and characterized by the work group, used as biocontrol, has application in the food preservation area. It is an excellent method of extending the shelf life of refrigerated processed foods ready for consumption. The system was evaluated for the ability, in vitro, to reduce the initial count of Salmonella Typhimurium present in the environment. Three different phage concentrations were incorporated in pads that have the ability to reduce 4.36, 3.66 and 0.87 log cycles at 15 °C, respectively, and an average 0.55 log cycles at 10 °C at the concentrations used. The higher the concentration of this bacteriophage, the better its effect on the host, having a greater capacity for infection. The viable phage remained on the pad during the treatment time of 48 h.

Influence of Photoperiod, Light Intensity and Their Interaction on Health Indices of Modern Broilers Grown to Heavy Weights

The effects of photoperiod, light-intensity and their interaction on health indices of broiler chickens grown to heavy weights under environmentally controlled conditions were evaluated in 2 trials. In each trial, 540 Ross x Ross 708 chicks were randomly distributed into 9 environmentally controlled chambers (30 male and 30 female chicks/chamber) at d of hatch, provided with 23L:1D with 20 lx of intensity from placement to 7 d and then subjected to the following treatments. The treatments consisted of 3 photoperiod (long/continuous (23L:1D) from d 8 to d 56; regular/intermittent (2L:2D) and short/non-intermittent (8L:16D) from d 8 to d 48 and 23L:1D from d 49 to d 56, respectively) and exposure to 3 light intensities (10, 5.0 and 0.5 lx) from d 8 through d 56 at 50% RH. All birds were fed the same nutritionally complete diet. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Ocular health and general health assessments were performed on d 42 and 49, respectively, while foot pad score was evaluated on d 56 of age. There were only significant (P < 0.05) effects of photoperiod on live BW and eye weight, but no differences on ocular weight relative to BW. Food pad lesions quality was significantly decreased with decreasing in photoperiod. There were no differences among treatments on ocular assessments, gait scoring test or tonic immobility responses, suggesting that these treatments did not compromise welfare of the birds. These results indicate that long/continuous and regular/intermittent photoperiods equally improved broiler performance compared with short/non-intermittent photoperiod and no significant effect of light intensity treatments was observed in this study.

Optimization of human hepatocellular cell clones with high lymphatic metastasis potential and the establishment of nude mouse model

Objective To isolate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell clones with high metastatic potentials from lymphatic metastatic HCC cell line and establish specific metastasis model in nude mice.Methods Cell cloning was conducted on the source cell line HCCLYM-H using limited dilution method,and 25 cell clones were obtained (No.1-25).On the first selection round,9 cell clones with potentials of continuous proliferation were seeded into the food pad off mice.The lymph node metastatic rate of 4 cell clones was 100％,and these cell clones were used for liver orthotopic transplantation for further selection.Metastasis in lungs and lymph nodes in mice was detected by series pathological examination,then cell clones with various metastatic potentials were screened.Results HCC cell clone with high lymphatic metastatic and low lung metastatic potential (HCCLYM-H2) was cstablished.The lymph node metastatic rate was 100％,while the pulmonary metastatic rate was 20％.Conclusion We established the specific lymphatic metastasis models,and the results confirmed the heterogeneity of tumor cells. Key words: Carcinoma,hepatocellular; Cell clone ; Metastasis ; Nude mouse model

Prevalence and severity of foot pad alterations in German turkey poults during the early rearing phase

In the previously performed field study from 2007 to 2009, it became evident that foot pad alterations were already commonly found in turkeys at the age of 6 wk. At this early age, 45% of the clinically examined birds were diagnosed with epithelial necrosis. Therefore, it became important to specifically analyze the situation during the early rearing phase. The present study reflects the prevalence and severity of foot pad alterations of turkey poults up to the age of 35 d (5 wk), starting as early as the age of 3 d. From 24 turkey farms throughout Germany, in general 5,531 turkeys [3,131 male and 2,400 female] of the British United Turkeys 6 strain from 46 flocks, were examined to that effect. Prevalence and severity increased within the duration of stay in the stable, and the prevalence was higher (P < 0.001) during the second visit between d 22 to 35 (factor: 0.94). Therefore, 27.3% (d 3 to 5; male/female: 39.1/25.0%) and 63.3% (d 22 to 35: 61.3/65.7%) of the examined poults had alterations of the foot pads, such as hyperkeratosis (d 3 to 5: 20.4/14.2%; d 22 to 35: 17.6/17.1%), high-grade hyperkeratosis with adhesive dirt (d 3 to 5: 8.7/10.7%; d 22 to 35: 29.2/39.3%), and epithelial necrosis (d 3 to 5: 0.1/0.1%; d 22 to 35: 14.6/9.3%). Female poults showed a higher risk (P < 0.001) of developing food pad alterations (factor: 0.76) than male poults. Male poults developed a higher percentage of epithelial necrosis than hens shortly before relocation. A higher stocking density during the very early rearing phase (d 3 to 5) led to a worse foot pad health status (P < 0.001). Because even mild alterations in the foot pad condition can be indicators for suboptimal design of the rearing environment and are to be seen as a pre-state for severe cases of foot pad dermatitis, it is important to set the main focus on the early rearing phase.

Granulomatous pneumonia and hepatitis associated with Providencia rettgeri infection in a crocodile monitor lizard (Varanus salvadorii)

The present report describes a case of granulomatous pneumonia and hepatitis in a male crocodile monitor lizard (Varanus salvadorii). During the necropsy of the monitor lizard, multifocal to coalescing pale yellow lesions were observed in both lung lobes, as well as similar, though milder, changes in the liver, and an ulcerative lesion on the food pad of the right hindlimb. Histopathologically, the presence of multiple necrotising, chronic granulomas containing bacterial clumps were observed in the parenchyma of the lung and the liver. By microbiological examination of the pathologically altered lung tissues, Providencia rettgeri was identified. Altogether, our findings indicate that the bacterial infection resulting in extensive chronic necrotising granulomatous inflammation was the primary cause of the reptile's death. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Providencia rettgeri-associated granulomatous pneumonia and hepatitis in the monitor lizard.

Development of a Mouse Food Pad Model for Detection of Sub Clinical Leprosy

Early diagnosis of leprosy and a multi-drug therapy (MDT) regimen will block the trajectory of nerve damage, disability and deformity that are the hallmarks of this chronic disease. However, the diagnosis of leprosy is made solely by recognition of clinical signs and symptoms, requiring special expertise. These limitations also result in the under reporting of worldwide prevalence and incidence rates for leprosy. Sorely needed is an objective laboratory test for detecting early leprosy. As the antigenic burden of M. leprae can be virtually undetectable in early clinical leprosy, cell mediated immunity and antibody responses will likely be weak. So the sensitivity of new diagnostic tests is as important as specificity. Major efforts are underway employing recombinant M. leprae antigens and synthetic peptides, to develop diagnostic assays for early leprosy infection, using in vitro T cell reactivity or serological tests. We have used the initial phase of the mouse foot pad model as an 'early' model of leprosy infection to screen T cell responses against M. leprae specific antigens and synthetic peptides. Unlike human disease in animal models we can control infection progress and monitor bacillary growth relative to time course of development of T cell response to specific M. leprae antigens. The study employed splenic T cells instead of draining lymph node T cells to model the systemic response as opposed to a local one. We found that 10(5) live M. leprae is the minimum dose required for any meaningful and consistent in vitro splenic IFN-gamma response against M. leprae antigens 3 months after foot pad inoculation. Using this model we found that several M. leprae recombinant proteins, ML0840, ML2028, ML2307, ML2346, ML2478, and ML2532, induced significant levels of IFN-gamma secretion. By controlling for variables that can be confounding factors in the sensitivity of human testing, this mouse model provides an interface between M. leprae diagnostic antigen development and the screening of these antigens in humans under field conditions.

THE EFFECT OF SUN RADIATION ON THE COURSE OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN BALB/C MICE

Objective(s) Studies have described immunomedulatory effects of sun exposure and ultraviolet radiation on infectious and neoplastic diseases. Here the effect of exposure to low potency radiation of sun on the course of leishmaniasis in mice was studied. Materials and Methods Fifteen BALB/c mice were exposed to suberythemogenic doses of sun (mean 180 mJ/cm2/day of UVB) 2 months before and 4 months after Leishmania major inoculation to food pad. Control group was kept in the sun protected environment. From 2nd to 17th week after inoculation, size of the lesion was recorded in each group weekly and at last week the parasite burden in spleen was detected. Results were compared between two groups. Results Seven mice from case group and 9 mice from control group survived up to last week. The mean lesion size was 0.90±0.59 cm in exposed and 4.01±3.59 cm in unexposed mice (P= 0.037). Parasite burden in spleen of case and control groups were 5.5±4.61 and 106.94±279.76 respectively (P= 0.006). Conclusion Chronic exposure of BALB/c mice to suberythemogenic doses of sun suppressed skin lesion and decreased the extension of L. major to spleen.

Localization and Function of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 in Dorsal Root Ganglia in a Rat Disc Herniation Model

we investigated the localization of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) using immunohistochemistry and the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on IGF-1 in dorsal root ganglions (DRG) in a rat lumbar disc herniation (LDH) model. to determine the localization and function of IGF-1 in DRG of an experimental model of LDH. mechanical compression and chemical irritation are 2 major causative factors of radiculopathy in LDH. IGF-1, Ccnd1, Cdc2a, and CyclinA2 genes have been shown to be significantly upregulated in the mechanical model, but not in the chemical model. However, the localization and function of IGF-1 in DRG remain unknown in the mechanical compression animals. twenty-six adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. A mechanical compression model was prepared by inserting a stainless rod. The rod was not inserted in the sham model. Expression of IGF-1 and Neuronal Nucli (NeuN) or glial fibrillary acidic protein was determined using double-fluorescence 7 days after mechanical compression (n = 5). Rats were randomly separated into 3 groups for the siRNA study (n = 7 in each group): (1) vehicle group; (2) siRNA group; and (3) sham group. The mechanical withdrawal threshold of the plantar food pad was examined using von Frey filaments for 35 days. IGF-1 was localized particularly in the neuronal cell body, and revealed that it colocalized with NeuN but not with glial fibrillary acidic protein. The threshold was reduced in the vehicle and siRNA groups compared with the sham group. The threshold of the siRNA group significantly recovered from reduction compared with the vehicle group at 5 days after surgery, and this effect persisted throughout the experimental period. CONCLUSION.: IGF-1 was localized with neuronal cell bodies in DRG. IGF-1 knockdown caused a reduction in mechanical allodynia. The upregulation of IGF-1 might be a key factor in painful radiculopathy induced by mechanical factors.

Inhibition of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Attenuates Monosodium Urate-induced Inflammation in Mice

The present study elucidated the effect of the selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor N6-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine (L-NIL) on monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced inflammation and edema in mice feet. L-NIL (5 or 10 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally 4 h before injection of MSU (4 mg) into the soles of mice hindlimb feet. Twenty-four hours after MSU injection, foot thickness was increased by 160% and L-NIL pretreatment reduced food pad swelling in a dose dependent manner. Pretreatment of 10 mg/kg/day L-NIL significantly suppressed the foot pad swelling by MSU. Plasma level of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites and gene expression and protein level of iNOS in feet were increased by MSU, which was suppressed by L-NIL pretreatment. Similar pattern of change was observed in nitrotyrosine level. MSU increased the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β and L-NIL pretreatment suppressed MSU-induced cytokines expression. The mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase1 were increased by MSU and L-NIL pretreatment normalized the gene expression. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 was increased by MSU, which was suppressed by L-NIL pretreatment. The mRNA levels of iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β were increased by MSU in human dermal fibroblasts, C2C12 myoblasts, and human fetal osteoblasts in vitro, which was attenuated by L-NIL in a dose dependent manner. This study shows that L-NIL inhibits MSU-induced inflammation and edema in mice feet suggesting that iNOS might be involved in MSU-induced inflammation.

Abstract 597: Bacteria targeting and tumor vascular destruction by S. typhimurium A1-R depend on the vascularity of the tumor site

Abstract Our laboratory has previously developed a tumor-targeting double-auxotrophic mutant of S. typhimurium termed A1-1 (Cancer Research 66, 7647-7652, 2006; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104, 10170-10174, 2007). The A1-R mutant has high tumor virulence but requires leucine and argentine which disables the bacteria from growing in normal tissue. Our previous studies suggested that the rich vascularity of tumors may contribute to bacterial tumor targeting by A1-R. The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of A1-R on the tumors growing at different sites with different vascularity. In this study, we administered A1-R to Lewis lung carcinoma-bearing mice with tumor growing at three different sites. We observed that tumor location influences the efficacy of targeting of A1-R to the Lewis lung tumor. RFP-expressing Lewis lung cancer cells (1×107 cells/ml) were transplanted subcutaneously in the ear (50 µl), back skin (100 µl), and foot pad (25 µl) of nestin-GFP transgenic nude mice, which selectively express GFP in nascent blood vessels. The tumor-bearing mice were then treated with A1-R bacteria (5×107) via tail-vein injection. Bacteria tumor targeting and vascular damage were evaluated by fluorescence imaging with the Olympus IV100 and OV100 small-animal imaging systems designed for fluorescence imaging. Tumors in the ear had the fastest growth rate and were the most sensitive to bacteria targeting and hemorrhaged severely the day after A1-R injection. Tumors growing in the back were the second most sensitive to bacteria targeting and appeared necrotic 3 days after A1-R injection. Tumors growing in the food pad were the least sensitive to A1-R. Tumor vascularity correlated positively with A1-R targeting with the ear being the most vascular site and the foot pad the least vascular site. The present study suggests that bacteria tumor targeting and hemorrhage of the tumor depend on the vascularity of the tumor site. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 597.

육계의 성비가 행동 및 복지지표에 미치는 영향

본 연구에서는 육계의 성비가 행동 및 복지지표에 미치는 영향에 대해서 조사하였다. 암수의 성비를 0:100 (T1), 25:75(T2), 50:50 (T3), 75:25 (T4) 및 100:0 (T5)의 5 처리를 하여서 4주간 조사하였다. 처리구에서 전체 행동 중 resting 행동 빈도가 74.4% 이상으로 가장 많이 차지하였다. 그 외 pecking 행동이 5.39∼23.07%, standing 행동이 1.78∼24.75%, moving 행동이 0.59∼11.46%로 나타났다. Pecking, standing resting 및 moving 행동 빈도는 성비 및 암수간에 유의한 차이는 인정되지 않았다(P>0.05). 그러나 pecking, resting 및 moving 행동 빈도는 일령의 변화에 따라서 유의한 차이가 인정되었다(P<0.05). Gait, foot pad 및 hock burn score는 성비의 차이에 따른 영향을 받지 않았지만, 모든 처리구에서 수컷보다 암컷에서 감소하는 경향이 나타났다. 21일령과 35일령에서의 발톱의 길이는 성비에 따라서, 또는 암수간에 차이는 인정되지 않았다. TI-reaction은 21령이 35일령보다, 암컷이 수컷보다 낮아지는 경향이 인정되었다. 본 연구에서 T4 처리구의 hock burn score, 발톱의 길이 및 TI-reaction이 다른 처리구보다 낮아지는 경향이 인정되었다. 결론적으로 육계를 암수 혼합 사육할 때, 암수의 성비는 육계의 복지지표에 영향을 미칠 가능성이 생각된다. The effect of sex ratio on behavior and welfare indexes in broiler chickens was investigated. Five variants of the sex ratio (male to female), namely, 100:0 (T1), 75:25 (T2), 50:50 (T3), 25:75 (T4) and 0:100 (T5) were tested in broilers between the ages of 7 to 35 days. It was found that the most common behavior in all sex ratios was resting behavior, ranging over 74.4 % of total behavioral frequency. The ranges of other behavior traits of total behavior traits were as follows: pecking, 5.4 to 23.1 %; standing, 1.8 to 24.8 %, and moving, 0.6 to 11.5 %. The behavioral frequency of resting, pecking, standing and moving were not affected by the sex ratio and between male and female. But the percentage of pecking, resting and moving behavioral frequency was significantly different by the age of birds (P<0.05). Age of birds had no effect on standing behavioral frequency. It seems that gait, food pad and hock burn score were no affect by sex ratio but tend to decreased in female than male. Claw length of 21 and 35 days was not affected by sex ratio and between male and female. The duration of tonic immobility (TI- reaction) was tend to decreased age of 21 than 35 days, and female than male. Both male and female of the study, hock burn score, claw length and TI-reaction were tend to lower in T4 than other treatments. The results suggest that, when male and female broilers are reared together, sex ratio can influence broiler welfare indexes in this study.

Effect of Oiling and Antimicrobial Spray of Litter on Performance of Broiler Chickens Reared on Leaves and Corn Cob Bedding Materials under Heat Stress Conditions

This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of surface spraying of antimicrobial solutions, oil and application of both on performance of broiler chicken under heat stress and reared on leaves and ground corn cobs as two alternative bedding materials. Six hundred seventy five day-old straighten Arian broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 45 pens (at density of 0.09 m 2 / bird) in an open sided partially-controlled shed. Three bedding materials viz. wood shavings (WS), ground corn cobs (GCC) (1.5 cm in length) and leaves were subjected to surface spraying of oil (0.4 L/m 2 animal food grade sunflower oil), anti microbial solutions (3%) and mix treatment of both. Data on performance traits, incidence of breast and food pad lesions and litter characteristics were gathered and analysed in an appropriate factorial arrangements. Body weight at 56 d, feed intake up to 14 d, litter moisture at 28 d, litter pH at 14 d and litter temperature at 14 and 56 d were significantly influenced by litter type (p<0.05). Litter treatment revealed significant impact on body weight at 28, 42 and 56 d, feed intake during 29-42 and 1-42 d, mortality up to 56 d, litter temperature at 28 and 56 d, and litter pH at 28 and 56 d. Leaves and ground corn cobs have shown good potential as alternative bedding materials for rearing broilers. Surface spraying of antimicrobial solutions, oil and applying both were not effective tools to promote the broiler's health and performance. Meat type poultry growers and integrators are considered as primary audiences of the results achieved.

Development and Fine Structure of the Reticulate Scales of the Turkey Foetuses with Regard to Occurrence of the Food Pad Lesions in Turkey Poults

Introduction: Most of the morphological studies on the skin of birds refer to chickens. Little can be found about the specific fine structure of the foot‐pad epidermis of turkeys and almost nothing is known about the developing reticulate scales in turkey foetuses. This study deals with the question as to whether the development and morphology of the reticulate scales of turkeys are similar to those of chickens. Since the first signs of food‐pad dermatitis can be observed in turkey poults at the age of four days, it was additionally examined if these alterations can be found in turkey foetuses already.Methods: Foot pad samples of heavy strain BUT Big 6 turkeys were collected at different developmental stages (day 20, 23, and 28 of incubation). The specimens were compared by light‐ and electron‐microscopic methods.Results: On the 20th day of incubation, the reticulate scales cover the food pads as small knob‐like structures. Between the embryonic epidermal cells wide inter‐cellular spaces are visible, and in the intermediate cells multigranular bodies (MGBs) are detectable. Peridermal cells cover the reticulate scales. They are characterized by peridermal granules and protuberances of the outer cell membrane. On the 23rd day of incubation, many lipid droplets are scattered within the intermediate cells. Because a thin stratum corneum has formed, the periderm is almost completely sloughing off. On the 28th day of incubation, the turkey poults hatch. The epidermis has almost reached maturity and a broad stratum corneum is detectable.Conclusions: The development and morphology of the reticulate scale epidermis of turkey is comparable to that of chicken, although little differences were found. Besides former investigations, which described the peridermal protuberances as microvilli, scanning‐electron microscopy proved that they also show a fingerprint‐like surface structure that has not been observed for birds previously. Up to the hatching day, no signs of food pad alterations are seen in developing turkeys.

TIRC7 deficiency causes in vitro and in vivo augmentation of T and B cell activation and cytokine response.

The membrane protein T cell immune response cDNA 7 (TIRC7) was recently identified and was shown to play an important role in T cell activation. To characterize the function of TIRC7 in more detail, we generated TIRC7-deficient mice by gene targeting. We observed disturbed T and B cell function both in vitro and in vivo in TIRC7(-/-) mice. Histologically, primary and secondary lymphoid organs showed a mixture of hypo-, hyper-, and dysplastic changes of multiple lymphohemopoietic compartments. T cells from TIRC7(-/-) mice exhibited significantly increased proliferation and expression of IL-2, IFN-gamma, and IL-4 in response to different stimuli. Resting T cells from TIRC7(-/-) mice exhibited decreased CD62L, but increased CD11a and CD44 expression, suggesting an in vivo expansion of memory/effector T cells. Remarkably, activated T cells from TIRC7(-/-) mice expressed lower levels of CTLA-4 in comparison with wild-type cells. B cells from TIRC7-deficient mice exhibited significantly higher in vitro proliferation following stimulation with anti-CD40 Ab or LPS plus IL-4. B cell hyperreactivity was reflected in vivo by elevated serum levels of various Ig classes and higher CD86 expression on B cells. Furthermore, TIRC7 deficiency resulted in an augmented delayed-type hypersensitivity response that was also reflected in increased mononuclear infiltration in the skin obtained from TIRC7-deficient mice food pads. In summary, the data strongly support an important role for TIRC7 in regulating both T and B cell responses.

Characterization of T lymphocyte subtypes in endotoxin-induced uveitis and effect of pentoxifylline treatment

Purpose. The aims of the study were twofold: 1) to investigate the role of T lymphocyte subtypes in the pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) and 2) to study the possible beneficial effect of pentoxifylline, an inhibitor of neutrophil motility, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-a on this disease. Methods. Forty-two inbred male Lewis rats were divided into seven equal groups. 200 µg of Escherichia coli 055: B55 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected in one hind footpad of the Group 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 rats. Group 5, 6, and 7 rats also received concomitant intraperitoneal pentoxifylline (PTX) during food pad injection of LPS. Group 1 rats were used as controls with intra-peritoneal normal saline injection. Eight, 24, and 48 hours after treatment, the rats were euthanized. Neutrophil leukocyte, mononuclear cells, and CD4+, CD8+, and CD45RA+ cell infiltration in the anterior uveal tissue were determined either by hematoxylin-eosin or monoclonal antibody staining. Tumor Necrosis Factor-a (TNF-a) levels were also measured in the aqueous and blood samples. We compared the numbers of infiltrating cells in the different groups. Results. We found that peak infiltration of lymphocyte, neutrophils, and CD4+ cells occurred at 24 hours. However, CD8+ and CD45RA+ cell number reached their highest levels at 48 hours. There was no inflammatory cell infiltration in the control rats. Concomitant pentoxifylline treatment did not affect any of these parameters, although it effectively reduced TNF-a concentrations in the anterior chamber and the serum. Conclusion. We conclude that, 1) T lymphocytes might be involved in the pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced uveitis. 2) The potential role of pentoxifylline in the treatment of human uveitis is questionable. However, these are initial findings and need confirmation by additional studies.

Who will care for older people? A case study of working with destructiveness and despair in long-stay care

The reduction of services for older people is illustrated in a case study of a long-stay NHS service which has been transferred to a private, profit-making company. The effects of cuts in this service are most keenly felt in the very poor conditions of employment now offered by the company to new carers. Other illustrations of cuts are described in attempts to make savings on food or incontinence pads. The difficulties for staff, patients, their relatives, or indeed society at large, in challenging such destructiveness, may be understood in terms of the particular vulnerability of older people to projections of a dreaded infantile dependency and helplessness, in a society in the grip of a destructive narcissism which views ordinary human needs as a weakness.