Leg Weight Research Articles

Growth Performances and Serum Biochemical Response of Broiler Chickens Fed on Diet Supplemented with Cyproheptadine as Substitute Growth Promoters

The aim of our study is to know the effect of adding cyproheptidine as a feed additive (growth promoter) to the broiler diet. Sixty birds (Ross breed) one day old were been grouped randomly into two groups: a treatment group and a control group, and the chicks were housing and feeding for 49 days (from 1/11 – 19/12/2022). and measure some serum biochemical parameter and growth performance. The result showed significantly affected (p<0.05) by the treatment group throughout the production period (1-49) days, an increase in body weight, Live body weight gain, Food intake, and weight of abdominal fat, heart, and leg, all other carcass parameters. The serum content of creatinine tends to drop (0.91 mg/dl) while the urea content tends to increase (1.30 mg/dl) in the treatment group. Cyprohptadine was significantly affected (p<0.05) on the serum protein content in the treatment group (2.12 g/dl) than the control group (2.84 g/dl) and there was no significant effect of cyproheptadine in serum contents of (ALAT) and (ASAT), decreased serum content of Cholesterol compared than the control group. From these results, Cyproheptadine is an effective and well-tolerated appetite stimulant in the broiler. So, it can be used to increase the weight of broilers in a shorter period of time than usual.

An Origanum majorana Leaf Diet Influences Myogenin Gene Expression, Performance, and Carcass Characteristics in Lambs.

Myogenin is a protein in the myogenic regulatory factor family that plays an important role in determining carcass and meat traits and is vital for the growth and development of livestock muscles. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of Origanum majorana leaf (MOL) on the myogenin gene expression of lambs. Twenty-four male Kermani lambs were used in a completely randomized design using two experimental groups (0% Origanum majorana L. = MOL0 and 4% Origanum majorana L. = MOL4). Final weight, average daily gain, hot and cold carcass weight, feed conversion ratio, empty body weight, hot and cold dressing percentage, the weight of the shoulder, loin, leg, and lean meat, and the lean/bone ratio were measured. A standard kit was used for extracting total RNA from the loin, leg, and shoulder muscles of the lambs’ tissues. The cDNA was synthesized, a real-time PCR was performed, and the obtained data were analyzed. The results of this study showed that the effect of MOL4 on dry matter intake is not significant. The MOL4 diet increased final weight by 8.22%, average daily gain by 28.57%, hot carcass weight by 11.38%, cold carcass weight by 13.43%, feed conversion ratio by 31.03%, empty body weight by 9.38%, hot dressing percentage by 2.92%, cold dressing percentage by 3.75%, shoulder weight by 56.70%, loin weight by 8.98%, leg weight by 10.90%, lean meat weight by 14.62%, and the lean/bone ratio by 2.85% (p < 0.05) compared to the MOL0. Along with adding MOL4 in the lambs’ diets, in comparison with MOL0, there was higher expression of myogenin in the loin (3.5 times), leg (3.9 times), and shoulder (3.6 times) muscles of the lambs. Due to the fact that adding Origanum majorana to the diet of the lambs enhanced the expression of the myogenin gene in the loin, leg, and shoulder muscles and increased parameters related to growth, it can be used to improve the parameters related to growth and to increase myogenin gene expression in the muscle of lambs.

Effects of tannic acid supplementation on growth performance, gut health, and meat production and quality of broiler chickens raised in floor pens for 42 days.

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of tannic acid (TA) supplementation on growth performance, gut health, antioxidant capacity, gut microbiota, and meat yield and quality in broilers raised for 42days. A total of 700 one-day-old male broiler chickens (Cobb500) were allocated into 5 treatments with 7 replicates of 20 birds per pen. There were five treatments: 1) tannic acid 0 (TA0: basal diet without TA); 2) tannic acid 0.25 (TA0.25: basal diet+0.25g/kg TA); 3) tannic acid 0.5 (TA0.5: basal diet+0.5g/kg TA); 4) tannic acid 1 (TA1: basal diet+1g/kg TA); and 5) tannic acid 2 (TA2: basal diet+2g/kg TA). The dietary phases included starter (D 0 to 18; crumble feed), grower (D 18 to 28; pellet feed), and finisher (D 28 to 42; pellet feed). On D 18, the supplementation of TA linearly reduced body weight (BW) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p < 0.05), and on D 28, the supplementation of TA linearly reduced BW, average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). Relative mRNA expression of genes related to mucin production (MUC2), tight junction proteins (CLDN2 and JAM2), and nutrient transporters (B0AT1 and SGLT1) was linearly increased by the supplementation of TA (p < 0.05). The supplementation of TA tended to linearly increase the relative abundance of the family Enterobacteriaceae (p = 0.08) and quadratically increased the relative abundance of the families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae in the cecal microbial communities (p < 0.05). On D 36, the ratio of the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes was quadratically reduced by the supplementation of TA (p < 0.05). On D 42, bone mineral density and the lean to fat ratio were linearly decreased by the supplementation of TA (p < 0.05). On D 43, total chilled carcass weight was linearly reduced (p < 0.05), and proportion of leg weight was increased by supplementation of TA (p < 0.05). The supplementation of TA linearly reduced pH of the breast meat (p < 0.05) and linearly increased redness (a*) (p < 0.05). Although the supplementation of TA positively influenced gut health and gut microbiota in the starter/grower phases, it negatively affected overall growth performance, bone health, and meat production in broilers on D 42.

Identification and genetic analysis of major gene ST3GAL4 related to serum alkaline phosphatase in chicken

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a marker of osteoblast maturation and an important indicator of bone metabolism. The activity of ALP can reflect the bone metabolism and growth traits of animals, so the polymorphism affecting ALP expression deserves further study. In this study, we identified an SNP site in ST3GAL4 found by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in previous studies, 8 SNPs were also identified by DNA sequencing. Interestingly, there were 4 SNPs (rs475471G > A, rs475533C > T, rs475621A > G, rs475647C > A) completely linked by haplotype analysis. Therefore, we selected a tag SNP rs475471G > A to further analyze the ALP level of different genotypes in Hubbard leg disease population and an F2 chicken resource population produced by Anka and Gushi chickens and carried out population genetic analysis in 18 chicken breeds. Association analysis showed that this QTL within ST3GAL4 was highly correlated with ALP level. The mutant individuals with genotype AA had the highest ALP level, followed by GA and GG carriers. The mutant individual carriers of AA and GA genotype had higher values for body weight (BW), chest width (CW), body slanting length (BSL), pelvis width (PW) at 4-week, the semi-evisceration weight (SEW), evisceration weight (EW) and Leg weight (LW) than GG genotypes. The amplification and typing of 4852 DNA samples from 18 different breeds showed GG genotype mainly existed in egg-type chickens and dual-type chickens, while the AA genotype was mainly distributed in commercial broilers and F2 resource population. The individual carriers of the AA genotype had the highest ALP and showed better growth performance. Besides, tissue expression analysis used Cobb broiler showed significant differences between different genotypes in the spleen and duodenum. Taken together, this was the first time to determine 9 SNPs within ST3GAL4 related to ALP in chickens, 4 of them were complete linkage with each other, which provides useful information on the mutation of ST3GAL4 and could predict the serum ALP level of chicken early and as an effective potential molecular breeding marker for chickens.

Sex-Specific Brain Activations during Single-Leg Exercise.

Females have an increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries compared to males. Sex differences in neuromuscular control has been widely studied regarding the dynamics and muscle activity during preplanned movements. While muscle activation patterns and movement biomechanics are understood to differ between sexes, it is not well understood how sex influences brain activity for lower extremity movement. Since the brain plays a vital role for voluntary movement and joint stability, it is important to understand the sex differences in brain function in order to better understand neuromuscular control associated with increased musculoskeletal injury risk in female. The purpose of this study is to understand the differences in brain activation patterns between sexes during a simple active knee extension-flexion movement. It was hypothesized that females would demonstrate higher cortical activation in the somatosensory areas compared to males as a compensatory strategy. Cross-Sectional Study. Thirteen males and seventeen females who were healthy and physically active participated in this study (Male: 23.7±3.8 years, 74.5±13.5 kg, 172.3±6.4 cm; Female: 20.6±1.6 years, 65.4±12.8 kg, 163±6.1 cm). Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained during a simple left knee extension-flexion exercise with their own leg weight while lying on the MRI table. The blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signals were compared between sexes. There was significantly greater activation in the visual cortices and premotor cortex in females compared to males during the studied movement. Males demonstrated significantly greater activation in the right cerebellum. The results revealed sex differences in BOLD signal during simple knee extension-flexion movement. The results suggest that sex may be a biological factor in understanding brain activity associated with knee motor control. Level 3.

Polymorphisms of CRELD1 and DNAJC30 and their relationship with chicken carcass traits

Carcass traits play important roles in the broiler industry and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) can be efficient molecular markers for marker-assisted breeding of chicken carcass traits. Based on our previous RNA-seq data (accession number GSE58755), cysteine rich with epidermal growth factor like domains 1 (CRELD1) and DnaJ heat shock protein family member C30 (DNAJC30) are differentially expressed in breast muscle between white recessive rock chicken (WRR) and Xinghua chicken (XH). In this study, we further characterize the potential function and SNP mutation of CRELD1 and DNAJC30 in chicken for the first time. According to protein interaction network and enrichment analysis, CRELD1 and DNAJC30 may play some roles in chicken muscle development and fat deposition. In WRR and XH, the results of the relative tissue expression pattern demonstrated that CRELD1 and DNAJC30 are not only differentially expressed in breast muscle but also leg muscle and abdominal fat. Therefore, we identified 5 SNP sites of CRELD1 and 7 SNP sites of DNAJC30 and genotyped them in an F2 chicken population. There are 4 sites of CRELD1 and 3 sites of DNAJC30 are associated with chicken carcass traits like breast muscle weight, body weight, dressed weight, leg weight percentage, eviscerated weight with giblet percentage, intermuscular adipose width, shank length, and girth. These results suggest that the SNP sites of CRELD1 and DNAJC30 can be potential molecular markers to improve the chicken carcass traits and lay the foundation for marker-assisted selection.

Imageless robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty is accurate in vivo: a retrospective study to measure the postoperative bone resection and alignment.

Conventional instruments for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have limited accuracy. The occurrence of outliers can negatively influence the clinical outcome and long-term survival of the implant. Orthopaedic robotic systems were developed to increase the accuracy of implant positioning and bone resections. Several systems requiring preoperative imaging have shown a higher degree of precision compared to conventional instrumentation. An imageless system needs less preoperative time and preparation and is more cost effective. Aim of this study was to find out whether this system is as precise, reproduces accurately the surgeon's planning and reduces the occurrence of outliers. This retrospective study included the first 71 robotic-assisted TKA and 308 conventional TKA in 374 patients. Intraoperatively planned and actual bone resections were compared. Postoperative alignment, measured on full leg weight bearing radiographs, was related to the respective planning and statistically compared between the groups. Baseline characteristics (age, BMI, ASA, preoperative Knee Society Score and deformity) between both groups were comparable. According to the planned alignment, the postoperative mean difference was -1.01° in the robotic versus 2.05° in the conventional group. The maximum deviation was -2/+ 2.5° in the robotic and -6.6/ + 6.8° in the conventional group. According to the plan, there were no outliers above ± 3° in the robotic versus 24% in the conventional group. The mean difference between planned and measured bone resection was 0.21mm with a maximum of 2mm. The 95% confidence interval was at each position 1mm or below. The described imageless robotic system is accurate in terms of coronal alignment and bone resections. In precision, it is superior to conventional instrumentation and could therefore be used to evaluate new alignment concepts.

Improvement in gait stability in older adults after ten sessions of standing balance training.

Balance training aims to improve balance and transfer acquired skills to real-life tasks. How older adults adapt gait to different conditions, and whether these adaptations are altered by balance training, remains unclear. We hypothesized that reorganization of modular control of muscle activity is a mechanism underlying adaptation of gait to training and environmental constraints. We investigated the transfer of standing balance training, shown to enhance unipedal balance control, to gait and adaptations in neuromuscular control of gait between normal and narrow-base walking in twenty-two older adults (72.6 ± 4.2 years). At baseline, after one, and after ten training sessions, kinematics and EMG of normal and narrow-base treadmill walking were measured. Gait parameters and temporal activation profiles of five muscle synergies were compared between time-points and gait conditions. Effects of balance training and an interaction between training and gait condition on step width were found, but not on synergies. After ten training sessions step width decreased in narrow-base walking, while step width variability decreased in both conditions. Trunk center of mass displacement and velocity, and the local divergence exponent, were lower in narrow-base compared to normal walking. Activation duration in narrow-base compared to normal walking was shorter for synergies associated with dominant leg weight acceptance and non-dominant leg stance, and longer for the synergy associated with non-dominant heel-strike. Time of peak activation associated with dominant leg stance occurred earlier in narrow-base compared to normal walking, while it was delayed in synergies associated with heel-strikes and non-dominant leg stance. The adaptations of synergies to narrow-base walking may be interpreted as related to more cautious weight transfer to the new stance leg and enhanced control over center of mass movement in the stance phase. The improvement of gait stability due to standing balance training is promising for less mobile older adults.

The First Identification and Some Carcass Characteristics of The 7 Lumbar Vertebrae in Sheep in Türkiye

The purpose of this study was to draw attention to the number of the lumbar vertebrae in BA B1 crosses (Bafra×F1 (Bafra×Akkaraman)) lambs (75% Bafra and 25% Akkaraman), and the effect of 7 lumbar vertebrae on some carcass traits. Even though some studies reported that the number of the lumbar vertebrae might be considerably different dependent on the sheep genotype, this has not been reported for Turkish breeds. While a study on the BA B1 lambs has been performed, seven lumbar vertebrae have been identified in four of the eighteen lambs. The means of the carcass length (80.800±0.583 and 84.375±1.375 cm) (P=0.036), leg weight (5.942±0.079 and 6.209±0.052kg) (P=0.032), loin weight (1.560±0.096 and 1.849±0.060 kg) (P=0.048), and loin’s lean weight (0.875±0.059 and 1.058±0.032 kg) (P=0.040) were statistically different between the groups of lambs (6 and 7 lumbar vertebrae, respectively). In conclusion, the number of lumbar vertebrae has economically affected important parts of the carcass.

The effect of different early feeding regimens involving a hydrated nutritious gel on productive performance, immune variables, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens

The present research aimed to evaluate the effect of early feeding (EF) with a hydrated nutritious gel (HNG) on productive performance, carcass traits, immune variables, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 490 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were allotted to 5 EF regimens with 7 replicates each. Treatments were as follows: the group deprived of both feed and water during the first 24 hours post-hatch (control); group fed with 2g HNG/bird in chick box and then with 2g HNG + 2g starter feed/bird immediately after placement (T1); group fed with 2g HNG + 2g starter feed/bird in chick box (T2); group fed with 2g HNG/bird in chick box (T3); and the group fed with 2g HNG + 2g starter feed/bird immediately after placement (T4). The results showed that HNG-treated groups had lower relative yolk sac weight compared to the control group (P < 0.05). During the starter period, T2, T3, and T4 groups had significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) than the control group. At 24 d of age, the T2 group had the highest BW, differing significantly from those of the control and T1 groups. During the grower period, the T4 group had higher FI than the control group (P < 0.05). Antibody response against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was improved in the T1, T2, and T3 groups (P < 0.05). The highest relative leg weight was found in the T2 group. In conclusion, the HNG administration in chick box and/or immediately after placement had beneficial effects on the health and performance of broiler chickens. Highlights Receiving the nutritious gel resulted in significant increments in yolk sac absorption. Early nutrition with the nutritious gel showed positive effects on weight gain and feed intake during the first 10 d post-hatch. On the 25th day after hatch, gel-receiving groups had higher antibody titers against infectious bronchitis virus as compared to the control group.

The Impact of Fetal Programming in Ewe Nutrition with Chromium Propionate or Calcium Salts of Palm Oil on the Meat Quality and Bone of the Progeny.

This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of chromium propionate or calcium salts of palm oil in ewes' diet during the final third of gestation and lactation on progeny performance, carcass characteristics, non-carcass components, and bone density. Forty-three ewe, Santa Inês and Dorper breed, three ± one-year-old, and body weight 57 ± 10 kg were used. The experimental design was in casual blocks in three treatments, CTL treatment (n = 15) with starch from corn; CR (n = 15) diet CTL plus chromium propionate; PF (n = 13) diet CTL plus calcium salts of palm oil. After weaning, 23 male lambs from these ewes were confined in individual stalls, with the same diet for 60days, slaughtered. The data were analyzed using the SAS program, PROC GLM, and compared the means using Tukey's test at 5% probability. The maternal diet did not alter the dry matter intake, feeding efficiency, and average daily weight gain. Therefore, weights (weaning and slaughter) and carcass yield were higher for CR and PF groups than for CTL (P < 0.05). The treatment did not influence the loin eye area and fat thickness (P > 0.05). The spleen and the respiratory tract were smaller for PF and larger for CTL (P < 0.05). Leg weight was higher for CR. The perimeter and depth of the shank for the CR and PF lambs were higher, indicating an effect of maternal nutrition in this commercial cut. The CR group had a smaller epiphysis measurement and femur length than the CTL group. We concluded that the fetal programming effect in ewes fed with Cr propionate and Ca salts of palm oil benefited the progeny by increasing their body weight, better carcass yield, and a higher proportion of prime cuts.

A novel 27-bp indel in the intron region of the YBX3 gene is associated with growth traits in chickens

ABSTRACT 1. The DNA/RNA binding protein YBX3 is associated with gene transcription, DNA repair, and the progression of various diseases and is highly conserved from bacteria to humans. 2. The following experiment found a 27-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the intron region of the YBX3 gene through resequencing. In cross-designed, F2 resource groups, the indel was significantly associated with broiler weight and body size at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age and several other traits (semi evisceration weight (SEW), evisceration weight (EW), semi evisceration rate (SER), evisceration rate (ER), head weight (HW), claw weight (CLW), wing weight (DWW), gizzard weight (GW), pancreas weight (PW), chest muscle weight (CMW), leg weight (LW), leg muscle weight (LMW), shedding weight (SW), carcase weight (CW) and pectoral area (PA)) (P < 0.05). 3. The insertion-insertion (II) genotype was significantly associated with the greatest growth traits and carcase traits, whereas the values associated with the insertion-deletion (ID) genotype were the lowest in the F2 reciprocal cross chickens. 4. The mutation sites were genotyped in 3611 individuals from 13 different chicken breeds and cross-designed F2 resource groups. The II genotype is the most important in commercial broilers, and the I allele frequency observed in these breeds was relatively high. However, there is still considerable potential in breeding dual-purpose chickens and commercial laying hens. 5. The mRNA expression of the YBX3 gene in tissues from different breeds and developmental stages demonstrated that the 27-bp indel may affect the entire development process of poultry by affecting muscle development. These findings are beneficial for elucidating the function of the YBX3 gene and facilitating enhanced production in the chicken industry.

The Effect of Fermented Rice Straw with Eco Enzyme on Percentage Non Carcas of Local Sheep

Most sheep are kept in the countryside as it is easy to maintain and have high economic value. This study aims to determine the effect of feeding fermented rice straw combine with odot grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv ) on the percentage of non-carcass of local sheep. Rice straw was fermented by eco enzyme. The research method used was a completely randomized design experiment (CRD) with five treatments and four replications while the treatments were given as P0 = 0% fermented rice straw, P1 = 25% fermented rice straw, P2 = 50% fermented rice straw, P3 = 75% fermented rice straw and P4= 100% fermented rice straw. Parameters observed were head weight percentage without skin, leg weight percentage without skin, skin weight percentage, tail weight percentage without skin, trachea and lungs weight percentage, liver weight percentage, heart weight percentage, blood weight percentage, intestine weight percentage, compound belly weight percentage. The results showed that the administration of 25% fermented rice straw combine with odot grass caused better non-carcass percentage, such as the percentage of skin, the percentage of the head without skin, the percentage of the leg without skin, the percentage of liver, the percentage of the heart, the percentage of the trachea and lungs, the percentage of the stomach compound and blood percentage. Based on the results of the study, it is known that the use of 25% fermented rice straw combine with odot grass on male local sheep give the best result on non-carcass and can be an alternative feed for sheep.

Intrinsic foot muscle size and quality in a single leg weight bearing position across foot posture types in individuals with Patellofemoral Pain compared to healthy

ObjectiveTo identify if any differences exist in IFM size and quality in single leg weight bearing position between healthy and PFP participants based on foot posture. DesignCross-sectional, matched case-comparison study SettingUniversity Laboratory Setting Participants35 PFP (age:20.46 ± 3.79yrs, mass:73.28 ± 26.58 kg, height:170.80 ± 11.91 cm) and 35 healthy (age:20.40 ± 3.16yrs, mass:64.76 ± 11.52 kg, height:169.55 ± 9.10 cm) participants MethodsAfter measuring Foot Posture Index (FPI), ultrasound images (USI) of Abductor Hallucis (AH), Flexor Digitorum Brevis (FDB) and Quadratus Plantae (QP) were taken in a single limb weight bearing position. Cross-sectional area (CSA) and echogenicity were measured on the USI. ResultsFPI was not different between groups (PFP:2.34 ± 3.76, Healthy:2.34 ± 3.10, 9 pronated and 26 non-pronated in both groups). AH CSA was smaller in PFP than healthy group (PFP:0.030 ± 0.01 cm2/kg, Healthy:0.042 ± 0.01 cm2/kg, P < 0.001) with a large effect (d = −1.20(-1.71, −0.69). There were no other significant group main effects or group-by-FP interactions in AH/FDB/QP CSA or echogenicity. ConclusionAH CSA was smaller in PFP than healthy controls, but no difference in CSA or echogenicity of FDB/QP exist, as well as no difference in foot posture between groups. While single limb weight bearing, the PFP group presented with a smaller IFM which provides eccentric control of medial longitudinal arch, which may have implications up the chain during weight bearing functional tasks.

Effects of caponization on growth performance and certain particulars in domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus) cockerels

This study was conducted to assess the impacts of caponization on feed intake, comb height, carcass weight and weight of particular visceral organs (i.e., liver, spleen and adrenal gland) in domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus) cockerels. Twenty (20) apparently healthy cockerels were randomly selected and equally distributed into two groups: Group I (control group) and Group II (experimental group). The cockerels in both groups were carefully reared and provided with formulated feed during the research. For Group II, the 8-week-old birds were caponized, and further the capons were slaughtered at 16 weeks of age for conducting this study. In both groups, daily feed intake (g) and body weight (kg) of the cockerels were recorded at 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks of age, while the comb height (mm) of the birds were recorded at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age; and the weight (g) of leg, breast, liver, spleen and adrenal gland were recorded at only 16 weeks of age. The body weight, daily feed intake, and weight of leg, breast, liver, spleen and adrenal gland were significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased mostly at 14-16 weeks of age in Group II. On the contrary, the comb heights were significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased at 12-16 weeks of age in Group II than Group I. These findings indicated that caponization was effective to promote growth performance influencing the meat production and particular physical traits in domestic cockerels.

Eccentric and Concentric Motion Motion of Hamstring during the Leg Curl

The force experienced by the hamstring during the leg curl has been numerically investigated using the conservation theorem. The center of the meniscus is assumed to be the pivot point along with the uniform distribution of forces in the frictionless environment. The variation of force experienced by the hamstring during the concentric motion of the leg curl has been derived and graphically illustrated. It is found that the force experienced by the hamstring increases with the increase in length of the lower leg and its weight as well. The magnitude of force decreases with the increase in distance from the pivot to insertion. However, the magnitude of force increases from about 3.60 to 4.79 kN in the practically valid region 3 to 4 cm distance from the pivot to insertion with the increase in weight of lower leg from 5 to 15 kg. On the other hand, the magnitude of force increases from about 3.75 to 9.80 kN with the increase in weight suspended on the machine from 10 to 40 kg. In addition, the force decreases with the increase in upper leg dimension, but it linearly increases with the increase in the angle of suspension.

Abstract 12913: Under Pressure: An Unusual Case of Pulmonary Hypertension and Pericardial Effusion

A 50-year-old male smoker with hypertension presented with subacute bilateral leg swelling, weight gain, and dyspnea. Exam revealed tachycardia, jugular venous distention, peripheral edema, diminished breath sounds, and pulsus paradoxus. Labs were notable for elevated creatinine and leukocytosis. ECG showed sinus tachycardia and low voltages. CXR showed left hemithorax opacification. TTE revealed normal LV function, septal flattening, severely dilated RV with reduced function, RVSP 81 mmHg, and a large pericardial effusion with exaggerated respirophasic variation in mitral inflow but no chamber collapse. The elevated RVSP with RV failure raised concern for acute pulmonary embolism (PE). CT chest excluded PE but revealed a large mediastinal mass compressing both pulmonary arteries (PA) and large left pleural effusion. Pulmonary angiogram demonstrated a totally occluded left PA and severe stenosis of the right PA. Right heart catheterization showed RAP 24, RV 83/21, PA 84/29 (mean 53), intrapericardial pressure 15 mmHg, and low cardiac index (1.6 L/min/m2). Pericardiocentesis was performed with close monitoring by PA catheter. Removal of 500cc fluid was well tolerated with stable hemodynamics, cardiac output, and intracardiac pressures. Pericardial fluid cytology and lymph node biopsy demonstrated small cell lung cancer. Cautious diuresis was initiated. After one cycle of chemotherapy, repeat CT chest showed reduced extrinsic compression of the right PA with improved lung perfusion. Repeat TTE showed dramatic improvement with normal RV size and function, RVSP 22 mmHg, and trivial pericardial effusion. Pericardial effusion in the setting of severe PH is associated with poor outcomes and presents both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Classic findings of tamponade (e.g. right sided chamber collapse) may be masked by elevated right heart pressures. Compression of the PA by a mediastinal mass is an unusual cause of PH and right heart failure that can mimic acute PE. This rare clinical scenario presents the following challenges: (1) diuresis may precipitate tamponade, (2) pericardiocentesis may enable an already enlarged RV to acutely dilate and thus worsen RV failure, and (3) there is uncertainty regarding the role for PA stenting.

Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) oil in growing rabbit nutrition: effects on meat physicochemical traits, sensory profile and shelf-life

To determine the effect of the replacement of a dietary vegetable oil with the silkworm oil on the rabbit meat quality, two experimental diets were prepared: the control diet (commercial diet with 13 g/kg sunflower oil), and the control diet with total replacement of sunflower oil by silkworm oil (SWO). Rabbits received the control diet from 5 to 7 weeks of age, followed by the two experimental diets until slaughter at 10 weeks of age. Physical traits, proximate composition and sensory evaluation of the hind leg meat were considered. A seven-day shelf-life at retail display of the loin meat evaluated water holding capacity, pH, L*a*b* colour, Warner-Bratzler shear force, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) attributed to time and to dietary treatment within time. Experimental diets did not modify any of the considered traits measured on the hind leg meat, with exception of the hind leg weight, heavier in the SWO group (P&lt;0.05). Shelf-life trial showed significant differences for L* and b* colour values of loin meat at day 0 of retail display, with higher values for SWO than control group (P&lt;0.05). However, at day 3 and at day 7 no statistical difference was observed between the dietary groups. These colour differences were not attributable to the meat oxidation as TBARs did not vary neither between treatments, nor among retail display time. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the total dietary replacement of sunflower oil with silkworm oil in fattening rabbits did not modify the physicochemical and sensory traits of the meat, as well as its shelf-life.

Differential Effects of Green Tea Powders on the Protection of Brown Tsaiya and Kaiya Ducklings against Trichothecene T-2 Toxin Toxicity.

Simple SummaryThe objective of this study is to examine the effects of T-2 toxin (T-2) and green tea powders (GTP) on growth performance, hematology, and pathology parameters in Brown Tsaiya ducklings (BTDs) and Kaiya ducklings (KDs). T-2 toxin shows a strong and differential toxicity in growth suppression, as well as abnormalities in the hematological and pathological parameters of BTDs and KDs. We found that GTP could potentially prevent T-2-induced poor growth performance and improve some hematological parameters. Moreover, BTDs were more sensitive than KDs in terms of responses to T-2 toxicity and GTP detoxification.A 3-week feeding trial in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design was conducted with three concentrations (0, 0.5, and 5 mg/kg) of T-2 toxin (T-2) and two levels (0% and 0.5%) of green tea powder (GTP) supplements used in the diets of female brown Tsaiya ducklings (BTDs) and Kaiya ducklings (KDs), respectively. Breed had a significant effect on the growth performances and the relative weights of organs and carcass. In general, the growth performances of KDs were better than BTDs. The relative weights of organs and carcass of BTDs were typically heavier than those of KDs; however, the breast of KDs was heavier than those of BTDs. Both ducklings received 5 mg/kg of T-2 blended in the diet showed lower feed intake and body weight gain (BWG) in the second and the third week. The diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 and 0.5% GTP improved the BWG compared to those fed the diet supplemented with 5 mg/kg of T-2 without GTP in BTDs. Ducklings fed the diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 induced hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia, as well as decreased concentrations of creatine phosphokinase and alkaline phosphatase. The concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) were increased in KDs and BTDs fed the diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 without GTP, respectively. However, duckling diets containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 with 0.5% GTP lowered concentrations of BUN and GOT in the blood plasma of KDs and BTDs, respectively. The diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 increased the relative kidney weight but decreased the relative breast weight of ducklings. Enlarged gizzards and reduced relative leg weights were observed in BTDs fed the diets containing 5 mg/kg of T-2. In summary, BTDs are more sensitive than KDs in responding to T-2 toxicity and GTP detoxification. Green tea powder has detoxification ability and could potentially mitigate T-2 toxicity on BWG, BUN, and GOT in ducklings.

A 104-bp Structural Variation of the ADPRHL1 Gene Is Associated With Growth Traits in Chickens

Analyzing marker-assisted breeding is an important method utilized in modern molecular breeding. Recent studies have determined that a large number of molecular markers appear to explain the impact of “lost heritability” on human height. Therefore, it is necessary to locate molecular marker sites in poultry and investigate the possible molecular mechanisms governing their effects. In this study, we found a 104-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 5′UTR of the ADPRHL1 gene through resequencing. In cross-designed F2 resource groups, the indel was significantly associated with weight at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 10 weeks and a number of other traits [carcass weight (CW), semi-evisceration weight (SEW), evisceration weight (EW), claw weight (CLW), wings weight (DWW), gizzard weight (GW), pancreas weight (PW), chest muscle weight (CMW), leg weight (LW), leg muscle weight (LMW), shedding Weight (SW), liver rate (LR), and leg muscle rate (LMR)] (P < 0.05). In brief, the insertion-insertion (II) genotype was significantly associated with the greatest growth traits and meat quality traits, whereas the values associated with the insertion-deletion (ID) genotype were the lowest in the F2 reciprocal cross chickens. The mutation sites were genotyped in 4,526 individuals from 12 different chicken breeds and cross-designed F2 resource groups. The II genotype is the most important genotype in commercial broilers, and the I allele frequency observed in these breeds is relatively high. Deletion mutations tend to be fixed in commercial broilers. However, there is still considerable great potential for breeding in dual-purpose chickens and commercial laying hens. A luciferase reporter assay showed that the II genotype of the ADPRHL1 gene possessed 2.49-fold higher promoter activity than the DD genotype (P < 0.05). We hypothesized that this indel might affect the transcriptional activity of ADPRHL1, thereby affecting the growth traits of chickens. These findings may help to elucidate the function of the ADPRHL1 gene and facilitate enhanced reproduction in the chicken industry.