Mesh Floor Research Articles

The results of research on technological indicators in the experimental module for growing broiler chickens

Russia ranks fifth in the world in poultry meat production. In the period from 2010 to 2021, the volume of production of this type of product increased by 1.77 times, which in physical terms is 2,190 thousand tons. The largest volume of poultry meat production, 89.7%, falls on the meat of broiler chickens. This indicator is justified by consumer preferences of the retail market, a low feed conversion rate, a high level of automation of production processes, as well as the possibility of up to 8 production cycles per year. The main share, amounting to 93%, of broiler chicken meat production is accounted for by large agricultural enterprises. Households of the population and peasant farms account for 7% of production. This result is observed due to the lack of technical and technological solutions for small-scale production, providing for the use of automation of production processes, which leads to a decrease in productivity and an increase in poultry mortality. The combination of these factors increases the cost of finished products, making small-scale production uncompetitive. To solve this problem, a project has been developed and a prototype of a technological module for fattening broiler chickens has been manufactured. The production capacity of the module is 2,800 broiler chickens per year. The module uses a cellular method of keeping poultry on a mesh flooring. As a result of the conducted studies, the feed conversion rate was 1.66, the cost of water was 3.4 liters, electricity was 3.22 kWh and labor was 0.051 people per kilogram of live weight. The obtained indicators are comparable with those of large poultry farms, which allows us to conclude that it is advisable to use technological modules at small poultry enterprises.

Effect of PASLoc Meals on the Zootechnical and Nutritional Parameters of Young Wistar Rats Suffering from Induced Moderate Acute Malnutrition

Aims: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of four food products manufactured from locally sourced ingredients in restoring Wistar rats afflicted with induced moderate acute malnutrition. Study Design: The rats used in this research were kept in separate metabolic cages with wire mesh flooring. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the vivarium of the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, over a period of 38 days. Methodology: 42 male rats, with an average age of 80 ±5 days and an average weight of 103.46 ±5.10 g, were randomly divided into six batches of seven rats each. Two control batches (MID and PCD) and four experimental batches (PASLoc1A, PASLoc1B, PASLoc2A, and PASLoc2B) were formed. The experiment consisted of an adaptation phase (5 days), a malnutrition induction phase (19 days), and a nutritional rehabilitation phase (14 days). Zootechnical and nutritional parameters were assessed at the end of the induction and nutritional rehabilitation phases. Results: Malnourished animals experienced a body weight loss rate of -22.36 ±6.47%, leading to a decline in all zootechnical parameters, including weight gain (1.39 ±0.28 g/day), body length (0.95 ±0.64 cm), and feed efficiency coefficient (-24.98 ±5.47). The nutritional rehabilitation phase resulted in the correction of the dysfunctions observed during induction, especially in terms of body weight gain, with rates comprised between 20.84 ±5.03% and 34.59 ±3.33%. The minimum weight gain for the rats fed PASLoc diet was 1.66 ±0.54 g/d for Pasloc1B, respectively. PASLoc diets have a significant impact on nutritional value, with a minimum biological value of 94.04 ±0.25%. Conclusion: The result of this study suggest that PASLoc2A and PASLoc2B possess a robust nutritional potential, and their consumption can effectively address issues of moderate acute malnutrition after weaning.

Comparison of long-term clinical outcomes between transvaginal mesh and pelvic floor reconstruction with native tissue repair in the treatment of advanced pelvic organ prolapse

Objective: To study the long-term clinical effect of transvaginal mesh (TVM) and pelvic floor reconstruction with native tissue repair (NTR) in the treatment of advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods: Totally 207 patients with advanced POP who were treated in Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from Jan. 2016 to Sep. 2019 were enrolled. The patient's pelvic organ prolapse quantification were all at degree Ⅲ or above, and they all complained for different degree of symptoms. They were divided into two groups according to the different surgical methods, TVM group and NTR group. In TVM group, the mesh was implanted through the vagina for pelvic floor reconstruction, while in NTR group, the traditional transvaginal hysterectomy combined with uterosacral ligament suspension and anterior and posterior wall repair, as well as perineal body repair were performed. The median follow-up time was 60 months, during the follow up time, 164 cases (79.2%, 164/207) had completed follow-up, including 76 cases in TVM group and 88 cases in NTR group. The perioperative data and complication rates of the two groups were compared, and the subjective and objective outcomes of the two groups at 1, 3 and 5 years were observed, respectively. The objective efficacy was evaluated by three composite criteria, namely: (1) the distance from the farthest end of the prolapse of the anterior and posterior wall of the vagina to the hymen is ≤0 cm, and the descending distance of the top is ≤1/2 of the total length of the vagina; (2) determine the disappearance of relevant POP symptoms according to "Do you often see or feel vaginal mass prolapse？"; (3) no further operation or pessary treatment was performed due to prolapse. If the above three criteria were met at the same time, the operation is successful; otherwise, it was recurrence. The subjective efficacy was evaluated by the pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20) and pelvic floor impact questionnaire-short form 7 (PFIQ-7). Results: The median follow-up time of the two groups was 60 months (range: 41-82 months). Five years after the operation, the subjective and objective cure rates of TVM group were 89.5% (68/76) and 94.7% (72/76), respectively. The subjective and objective cure rates in NTR group were 80.7% (71/88) and 85.2% (75/88), respectively. There were significant differences in the subjective and objective cure rates between the two groups (χ2=9.869, P=0.002; χ2=3.969, P=0.046). The recurrence rate of TVM group was 5.3% (4/76), and that of NTR group was 14.8% (13/88). There was a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.046). The postoperative PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those before surgery, and there were significant differences of the two groups before and after surgery (all P<0.05). Postoperative mesh exposure in TVM group was 1.3% (1/76). Conclusions: The long-term outcomes between the two groups show that the subjective and objective outcomes of pelvic floor reconstruction in TVM group are significantly higher than those in NTR group, and the recurrence rate is significantly lower than that in NTR group. TVM has certain advantages in the treatment of advanced POP.

EXPERT EVALUATION OF MEAT OF BROILER CHICKENS FOR SALE ON THE AGRICULTURAL MARKET

In the course of broiler chicken meat production technology, various pathologies of the organs and systems of the bird's body may appear, and as a result, organoleptic, physico-chemical and toxic-biological parameters in the meat may deteriorate. The purpose of the study is to determine the quality indicators and to provide a toxicological assessment of the meat of broiler chickens, obtained by different technologies of poultry farming, and sold in the conditions of the agro-food market. Current organoleptic, physico-chemical research methods were applied. Colpoda steinii ciliate culture was used for toxicological assessment. The carcasses of broiler chickens, which were grown for meat in poultry farms using different technologies, were selected in accordance with the accompanying documents. They were divided into 3 groups: 5 carcasses each): control group (broiler chickens were raised in the conditions of a personal peasant farm), 1 – experimental group (broiler chickens were raised in the conditions of a poultry farm on a mesh floor) and 2 – experimental group (broiler chickens were raised in the conditions of a poultry farm in cage batteries). It was established that the meat of broiler chickens, which belonged to the control and 1 experimental groups, was fresh, non-toxic with sufficient biological value. On the other hand, the meat of broiler chickens of the 2 experimental groups was of questionable freshness and weakly toxic according to organoleptic and physicochemical parameters. This is confirmed by the fact that after 10 min of incubation, the number of mobile cells of Colpoda steinii on the nutrient medium with the meat of broiler chickens of experimental group 2 decreased by 25% (p &lt; 0.05) compared to the control group. At the same time, the number of non-motile cells of the infusoria decreased by 75% (p &lt; 0.001), and after 3 hours of incubation, the number of motile cells of Colpoda steinii decreased by 43.0% (p &lt; 0.05) compared to the control group. At the same time, the number of non-motile cells of the infusoria increased by 43.0% (p &lt; 0.001) compared to the control group. Therefore, the meat of broiler chickens of the 2nd research group cannot be sold in raw form. As a result of the conducted research, it is necessary to carry out bacteriological and microbiological studies of the selected carcasses of broiler chickens.

A Stepwise Guide to Freehand Bending of Orbital Floor Mesh.

Summary:Orbital fractures can often result in enophthalmos or diplopia. Orbital reconstruction with titanium meshes is the current treatment modality. Adapting the titanium orbital floor mesh is often challenging due to the complex anatomy of the orbital floor. Here, a stepwise free hand bending technique of a titanium orbital floor mesh is described. The bending can be done preoperatively, and mesh fit can be checked against a dry anatomical skull before sterilization. The methodical approach to free hand bending of titanium orbital floor mesh minimizes the intraoperative adjustments and permits quick orbital reconstruction. Trainees and less-experienced surgeons can benefit from the methodical approach to free hand bending of titanium orbital floor mesh.

INTENSIFICATION OF HY-PLUS HYBRID RABBIT BREEDING TECHNOLOGY

To intensify the technology of growing rabbits of the Hy-Plus hybrid, the indicators of daily live weight gains, and absolute and relative values of feed intake were studied, and the feed conversion of fattening young rabbits was calculated for the introduction of sodium butyrate in a protected form in the amount of 2 g/kg. An intensive (42-day) rabbit rearing rhythm was used. Weaning of rabbits was carried out at the age of 36 days, the average weight of weaned rabbits was 0.922±0.04 kg. The studies continued from the 47th to the 60th day of life. The following were taken into account: the number of rabbits at the end of the experiment, the average weight for each group at the end of the experiment, feed consumption, and the conversion was calculated. Statistical data processing was carried out using the accepted methods of variation statistics. According to the principle of groups-analogues, 100 normally developed rabbits at the age of 47 days were selected, which were placed five individuals without separation from sex in cages of 0.342 m2 on a mesh floor of 1.6×12×50 mm. The rabbits were constantly supplied with water (one nipple drinker for five individuals, pH of the water was 7.4-7.6) and complete mixed feed (plate-type bunker feeder). The average weight at the beginning of the experiment in each group was 1.419±0.006 kg (control) and 1.423±0.005 kg (experiment). The difference between the formed groups at the beginning of the experiment in terms of weight was incredible F (1.198=0.29; p=0.592). When calculating daily gains and feed costs, real data on the number of animals at the end of the experiment was used. It was found that the average daily gain in the experimental group was 16.32 % higher than in the control group and during the study period was 57 g/day. In the experimental group, compared to the control group, feed intake increased by 6.5 % and feed conversion improved by 7.59 % (3.12 in the control group and 2.90 in the experimental group). The use of protected sodium butyrate in a complete feed improves feed conversion rates and allows you to quickly reach the optimal condition of young rabbits.

Effect of housing enrichment and type of flooring on the performance and behaviour of female rabbits

This study investigated the effect of housing enrichments (scratching card, gnawing material and a platform), of a change in height and in the type of flooring on the live weight, reproductive performance and behaviour of female rabbits, as well as on the feed intake and spatial distribution of females and their kits. A total of 40 multiparous female rabbits were monitored in three consecutive reproductive cycles (48-d intervals). Four days before parturition in each reproductive cycle, the females were randomly assigned to one of the five types of housing: Control (CNT: 102×47×30 cm, L×W× H); Scratching card (SCT: containing a scratching card); Gnawing materials (GNW: CNT dimensions plus a compressed lucerne hay block and a wooden stick); Platform (PLT: 102×47×60 cm, including a platform with a plastic floor) and Combination (CBN: PLT dimensions with the scratching card, the gnawing materials and a platform). Data were only recorded during the first and third reproductive cycles. The living conditions did not significantly alter the females’ live weight (4889 g at housing; 4890 g at mid-lactation; 4867 g at weaning), reproductive performance (9.0 kits born alive), survival of the kits (90%), nor the feed intake of females and their litters (542 g/day). Providing animals with a gnawing block stimulated Gnawing behaviour (median frequency per group: CTL=0.00, SCT=0.00, GNW=4.69, PLT=0.00, and CBN=2.34; PRearing up behaviour (median frequencies per group: CTL=0.00, SCT=0.00, GNW=0.00, PLT=2.08, and CBN=3.12; P=0.06), and when a platform was present, the rabbits used it (mean values per group: CTL=0.00, SCT=0.00, GNW=0.00, PLT=1.79, and CBN=4.91; P=0.003). Regarding the type of floor, females appeared to prefer the plastic mesh flooring (31.2%) to the wire mesh flooring (18.8%). To sum up, providing female rabbits with simple enrichments appears to stimulate specific behaviours like Gnawing and Rearing up and may contribute to their wellbeing.

Health, performance and use of medication in professional Swiss meat rabbit production

Husbandry conditions for rabbits in Switzerland are at a high animal welfare level in international comparison. Wire mesh flooring is prohibited and group housing is mandatory up to the age of eight weeks. Despite these animal-friendly husbandry standards, animal losses seem to be a significant problem, although reliable data on professional Swiss meat rabbit production is lacking to date. A herd survey was carried out in 52 rabbit farms to address this situation. At the same time, each new litter and each fattening group was documented with a standardized form focusing on animal death and the use of medication by the farmer over a one year period. In the case of increased mortality or new health problems, dead rabbits were sent to the National Reference Center for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases (Zurich) for pathological examination including bacteriological and parasitological diagnostics. Data from 32 farms were evaluated. The average mortality of young animals (birth to weaning) was 14.9% (1.0-30.0%) and of fattening rabbits (weaning to slaughter) 17.3% (4.3-31.8%). Intestinal diseases, mainly dysentery, intestinal coccidiosis and mucoid enteropathies, were the primary cause of death (68.2%). Eimeria spp., Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens were identified as the most frequent pathogens. Respiratory diseases were found in 18.7% of the examined rabbits, with Pasteurella multocida identified as the most common pathogen. 60.0% of the farms used antibiotics during the study period and a third (34.7%) of all the fattening animals were medicated with at least one antibiotic. The present results confirm that despite high animal welfare standards infectious diseases and mortality rates represent a considerable problem in professional Swiss meat rabbit production. Risk factors of increased morbidity and mortality should be identified to improve rabbit health, to reduce the high mortality rate and the extensive use of antibiotics in professional Swiss meat rabbit production. Practicable management improvements with specific prevention strategies should be developed.

Health, performance and soiling of breeding does and their kits kept in two different housing systems on a German rabbit farm

&lt;p&gt;The aim of the present study was to compare a new housing (NC) for rabbit does and their kits that complies with German welfare regulations with established wire mesh cages (CC) on a commercial rabbit farm. Rabbit does were single-housed from five days antepartum until weaning at 31 d postpartum either in large pens (80×80 cm with an open top) with slatted plastic flooring (11 mm slats and 11 mm gaps), nestbox, elevated platform (15% perforated) and different manipulable materials (NC) or in cages (70×50×30 cm) with wire mesh flooring (12×70 mm holes and 3 mm wire diameter), nestbox and one gnawing stick (CC). Skin lesions, weight development, fertility, morbidity, cleanliness and kit performance of 272 rabbit does in a total of six batches were investigated. While there was no difference in performance of their kits, rabbit does showed an impaired performance with less weight gain and less body weight at weaning, lower fertility, more injuries and a higher incidence of mastitis and diarrhoea at the end of the rearing period in NC housing compared to CC housing. Additionally, soiling of hind feet was higher in NC than in CC housing. Overall, the poor hygienic conditions may have affected the animals’ health and make an improvement in the new housing system necessary, especially with regard to the floor design.&lt;/p&gt;

How can housing system affect growth and carcass traits, meat quality and muscle fiber characteristics in biceps femoris and mineral content of tibia and femur bones in growing rabbits?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of housing system (cages with wire mesh floor and pens with plastic mesh floor) and gender on growth performance, carcass and physical traits, muscle fibers and bone characteristics of growing rabbits. 160 rabbits were assigned to 4 groups by housing system and by gender. Sixty rabbits were kept in cages (0.15 m2 per rabbit; 90 × 50 × 45 cm; 3 rabbits/replicate; 10 replicates/gender), the other rabbits in pens (0.15 m2 per rabbit; 25 rabbits/replicate; 2 replicates/gender). Significant housing system (HS) × gender (G) interaction (P = 0.029) was found for dressing percentage, when pen housed females showed higher values compared to pen housed males. There was a higher percentage of hind part to reference carcass in pen housed than in cage housed rabbits (P = 0.001). The fiber cross-sectional area of αW (white fast twitch) was higher in pen housed (P = 0.009) than in cage housed rabbits in biceps femoris (BF). Pen housed males had larger diameter (P = 0.001) of BF muscle fibers in comparison with pen housed females. Additionally, pen housed rabbits had larger diameter (P = 0.001) of BF muscle fibers in comparison with cage housed rabbits. Moreover, significant interactions between HS × G were found in dry matter (P = 0.010), calcium (P = 0.024) and phosphorus (P = 0.049) content in tibias. Pen and cage housed males had higher content of dry matter compared to pen and cage housed females. Regarding calcium results, the highest values were observed in males and females from cages and from penned females, while penned males had the lowest values. The same results were found for phosphorus values. Furthermore, significant HS × G interaction was reported in dry matter content (P = 0.009), where the highest values were in pen housed males and the lowest in pen housed females in femurs. Additionally, the higher fracture toughness was found in pen housed rabbits.

Effect of long-term confinement on metabolic and physiological parameters in mice

Long-term and mild confinement or isolation in an enclosed environment can occur in situations such as disasters, specific political, economic or social events, nuclear shelters, seabed exploration, polar expeditions, and space travel. To investigate the effects of stress caused by long-term confinement in an enclosed environment in mammals, we divided 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice into four groups that were housed in a closed environment with a narrow metabolic cage (stress group), normal metabolic cage (control group), conventional cage (conventional group) or conventional cage with wire mesh floor (wire mesh group). The phenotypes of the mice were examined for four weeks, followed by behavioral tests. Weight gain suppression was observed in the stress group. Continuous analysis of these mice every two minutes for four weeks using an implanted measuring device showed a significantly decreased amount of spontaneous activity and subcutaneous temperature in the stress group. After housing in each environment for four weeks, the behavioral tests of mice in the stress group also revealed a shorter latency to fall off in the rotarod test and shorter stride length and interstep distance in the footprint test. Interestingly, the lower spontaneous activity of mice in the stress group was rescued by housing in conventional cages. These results suggest a temporary effect of long-term confinement in an enclosed environment as a chronic and mild stress on homeostasis in mammals.

Advanced broilers cultivation technology on mesh floors (review)

Advanced broilers cultivation technology on mesh floors (review)

Collision Detection of Virtual Powered Support Groups Under Complex Floors

Abnormal relative position and attitude offset may cause powered supports to collide during movement, affecting the stability of a longwall operation. This study proposed a collision detection method for virtual powered support groups in the undulating strata condition. First, a support workspace was developed by defining key points, and the Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) matrix coordinate system of powered supports was established to solve the key points. Then, based on the intersection rule of plane line segments, collision detection between powered supports was realized by calculating the coordinates of the key points. According to actual coal face data, a virtual simulation platform is established, and the sequential movement of support groups on the virtual floor was realized. Finally, contrast experiments of different virtual floor models were conducted, and the Mesh floor, which is closer to the actual coal seam, was selected for subsequent virtual simulation. The collision detection experiments of powered supports were conducted in both virtual and physical environments, and the results validated the feasibility of the collision detection method. This method improves the virtual simulation degree of longwall coal mining, and provides simulation reference for the attitude adjustment of actual powered support groups before moving.

Flock-level risk factors for outbreaks of infectious arthritis in lambs, Norway 2018

BackgroundOutbreaks of infectious arthritis in young lambs associated with Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae (SDSD) lead to reduced animal welfare, increased use of antibiotics and economic losses for sheep farmers. Understanding risk factors is essential when developing strategies to prevent such outbreaks. This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study classified sheep flocks of respondents as cases or controls. Flock-level risk factors for outbreaks of infectious arthritis were assessed using a multivariable logistic regression model.ResultsEighty-four of 1498 respondents (5.6%) experienced an outbreak of infectious arthritis in their flock in 2018, the year of study. Factors associated with a higher risk of outbreak were larger flock size (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.4, per 100 lambs), plastic mesh flooring in the lambing pen (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.7–5.3) and a lambing percentage greater than 200 (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.5). Flocks where farmers observed infections around the ear tags of lambs also had an increased risk of outbreak (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6–4.3).ConclusionsThe risk factors identified in this study are characteristic of modern and intensively managed sheep farms in Norway. A distinguishing feature of Norwegian sheep farming is winter housing and indoor lambing. One might expect that this in itself is a risk factor because of high stocking densities during lambing. However, outbreaks of infectious arthritis in young lambs are reported by the industry to be a more recent phenomenon. The current study indicates that intensification of indoor management systems with larger flocks and higher production per ewe may predispose to outbreaks. The results provide a basis for further studies on transmission dynamics of SDSD in sheep flocks with indoor lambing.

'What research was carried out on this vaginal mesh?' Health-related concerns in women following mesh-augmented prolapse surgery: a thematic analysis.

To understand health-related issues in women following mesh-augmented prolapse surgery. Inductive thematic analysis of free-text comments from participants in a cross-sectional study of laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy. Tertiary urogynaecology centres, United Kingdom. Women who underwent laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy by surgeons based at two tertiary urogynaecology centres between 2010 and 2018. A total of 1766 potential participants were contacted by post and invited to complete paper, online or telephone questionnaires containing a free-text comments section. Of 1121 participants (response proportion 63.5%), 752 (67.1%) provided such comments. These were analysed with a six-stage inductive thematic analysis, using NVivo 11® software. Themes developed from free-text comments. Following familiarisation, 29 codes and 189 sub-codes were identified. These defined six themes: pelvic floor symptoms, health status, treatment success, mesh, pain and care received. The majority of comments centred on the first of these six themes. There were concerns about mesh use and a desire for more information. A range of pain symptoms were mentioned, often associated with pelvic floor symptoms, prolapse surgery or mesh. Despite the mesh controversy, pelvic floor symptoms and their impact on quality of life remain the principle concern of women following mesh-augmented prolapse surgery. There is a need for quality, accessible and evidence-based information sources for those women with concerns, and for those considering such surgery in the future, particularly regarding mesh safety and postoperative recovery. The relationships between pain, prolapse, mesh and pelvic floor surgery require further study. Following mesh-augmented prolapse surgery, pelvic floor symptoms remain women's main focus; pain deserves further research.

Three-Dimensional Analysis of Isolated Orbital Floor Fractures Pre- and Post-Reconstruction with Standard Titanium Meshes and "Hybrid" Patient-Specific Implants.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the intraoperative bending of titanium mesh with the efficacy of pre-contoured “hybrid” patient-specific titanium mesh for the surgical repair of isolated orbital floor fractures. In-house 3D-printed anatomical models were used as bending guides. The main outcome measures were preoperative and postoperative orbital volume and surgery time. We performed a retrospective cohort study including 22 patients who had undergone surgery between May 2016 and November 2018. The first twelve patients underwent conventional reconstruction with intraoperative free-hand bending of an orbital floor mesh plate. The subsequent ten patients received pre-contoured plates based on 3D-printed orbital models that were produced by mirroring the non-fractured orbit of the patient using a medical imaging software. We compared the preoperative and postoperative absolute volume difference (unfractured orbit, fractured orbit), the fracture area, the fracture collapse, and the effective surgery time between the two groups. In comparison to the intraoperative bending of titanium mesh, the application of preformed plates based on a 3D-printed orbital model resulted in a non-significant absolute volume difference in the intervention group (p = 0.276) and statistically significant volume difference in the conventional group (p = 0.002). Further, there was a significant reduction of the surgery time (57.3 ± 23.4 min versus 99.8 ± 28.9 min, p = 0.001). The results of this study suggest that the use of 3D-printed orbital models leads to a more accurate reconstruction and a time reduction during surgery.

DETECTION OF SALMONELLA IN YOUNG CHICKS WITH CLOACAL SWABS

Background: A non-destructive method such as a cloacal swab is very important to the poultry industry because it allows the breeder companies to determine if Salmonella is present in the valuable breeder chicks without the necessity of sacrificing any birds.Objective: To evaluate a nondestructive procedure to detect the presence of Salmonella in valuable breeder chicks.Methodology: Day-of-age broiler chicks from a commercial hatchery were orally gavaged with a marker strain of Salmonella Typhimurium (ST), and then placed in isolation units with drinkers, mesh flooring and feeders. At 7 and 14 days, 10 birds were cloacally swabbed (shallow and deep). Swabs were inserted 1 cm (shallow) into the cloaca and 2 cm deep (into the colon). Each swab was immersed in 5.0 ml of buffered peptone water (BPW), then streaked onto brilliant green sulfa agar plates with 200 ppm nalidixic acid (BGSN). Tubes and plates were incubated 24 h at 370C. When plates were negative, the pre-enriched tubes were vortexed and once again plated onto BGSN. The procedure for the frozen swabs was the same, except that 15% glycerol was added to the BPW and then frozen at -20C for 14 days. They were then thawed and analyzed as above. After swabbing, the chicks were sacrificed. The ceca was removed, placed in a stomacher bag, and macerated with a rubber mallet. Enumeration of the marker strain followed.Results: When the level of the marker ST was greater than 106 CFU/g of ceca and cecal contents, detection with either shallow or deep swab was the same 94% (47/50). When the level of ST was less than 106 CFU/g, detection with either method fell to 63.3% (38/60). After 14 days freezing the swabs at -20C, the shallow method detected 50% (32/64), and the deep swab detected 64% (41/64).Conclusion: Regardless of the level of ST in the ceca, there was no difference in the detection rate between the shallow or the deep swab. Even when using low inoculum levels, a high rate of ST colonization in the ceca was reached, allowing both the shallow and deep swabs to almost all be positive at 7 days of age. Since the poultry companies may not be able to analyze the swab results on the same day as collection, we decided to evaluate if freezing the swabs for as long as 14 days would have any adverse effect on the recovery of ST. Freezing did not seem to make a difference in sensitivity. For frozen swabs the deep colonal swab yielded better results than the shallow swab. So you can freeze if you must, but doing the analysis the same day as the swabbing (unfrozen) techniques seems to be slightly more reliable.

Self-reinoculation with fecal flora changes microbiota density and composition leading to an altered bile-acid profile in the mouse small intestine

BackgroundThe upper gastrointestinal tract plays a prominent role in human physiology as the primary site for enzymatic digestion and nutrient absorption, immune sampling, and drug uptake. Alterations to the small intestine microbiome have been implicated in various human diseases, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and inflammatory bowel conditions. Yet, the physiological and functional roles of the small intestine microbiota in humans remain poorly characterized because of the complexities associated with its sampling. Rodent models are used extensively in microbiome research and enable the spatial, temporal, compositional, and functional interrogation of the gastrointestinal microbiota and its effects on the host physiology and disease phenotype. Classical, culture-based studies have documented that fecal microbial self-reinoculation (via coprophagy) affects the composition and abundance of microbes in the murine proximal gastrointestinal tract. This pervasive self-reinoculation behavior could be a particularly relevant study factor when investigating small intestine microbiota. Modern microbiome studies either do not take self-reinoculation into account, or assume that approaches such as single housing mice or housing on wire mesh floors eliminate it. These assumptions have not been rigorously tested with modern tools. Here, we used quantitative 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, quantitative microbial functional gene content inference, and metabolomic analyses of bile acids to evaluate the effects of self-reinoculation on microbial loads, composition, and function in the murine upper gastrointestinal tract.ResultsIn coprophagic mice, continuous self-exposure to the fecal flora had substantial quantitative and qualitative effects on the upper gastrointestinal microbiome. These differences in microbial abundance and community composition were associated with an altered profile of the small intestine bile acid pool, and, importantly, could not be inferred from analyzing large intestine or stool samples. Overall, the patterns observed in the small intestine of non-coprophagic mice (reduced total microbial load, low abundance of anaerobic microbiota, and bile acids predominantly in the conjugated form) resemble those typically seen in the human small intestine.ConclusionsFuture studies need to take self-reinoculation into account when using mouse models to evaluate gastrointestinal microbial colonization and function in relation to xenobiotic transformation and pharmacokinetics or in the context of physiological states and diseases linked to small intestine microbiome and to small intestine dysbiosis.4XA-zWEeGyrQSh45UEwNDtVideo abstract.

Amniotic Membrane Graft in the Management of Complex Vaginal Mesh Erosion.

Vaginal mesh erosion is a devastating complication after pelvic floor mesh surgery and it can be treated conservatively or with surgical revision. However, the management options following a failed primary revision or complex vaginal erosions are very limited. The aim of this study is to describe a novel treatment using an amniotic membrane as an inlay graft for such patients. Eight patients who failed conservative or primary surgical revision were enrolled. The complex erosions included vaginal agglutination, multiple vaginal erosions, recurrent erosions, and mesh cutting through the urethra. We used an amniotic membrane as a graft to cover the vaginal defect after partial excision of the mesh erosion and we describe the technique in this study. There were no intraoperative complications and none of the patients reported any further symptoms at a mean of 27 months follow-up. Only one patient had recurrent erosion, however, the erosion size was narrower and was subsequently successfully repaired. No further vaginal mesh erosions were noted in the other patients who all had good functional recovery. The use of an amniotic graft can be an economic and alternative method in the management of complex vaginal mesh erosions.

Meshy business: MRI and ultrasound evaluation of pelvic floor mesh and slings.

Pelvic floor disorders are a complex set of conditions including but not limited to stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse that generally affect older and multiparous women. Of the several surgical options available for treatment of these conditions, synthetic mid-urethral slings for stress urinary incontinence and vaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse are amenable to imaging evaluation by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Ultrasound can evaluate the sub- and immediate peri-urethral portions of sling due to its ability to differentiate synthetic material from native tissues with real-time imaging, while MRI is able to better depict the global pelvic floor anatomy and assess the more distant components of mesh and slings material. Given the high prevalence of pelvic floor disorders and complications after surgical repair, it is important that radiologists familiarize themselves with normal and abnormal imaging findings after these procedures. This article provides a review of the spectrum of imaging findings in patients after pelvic floor repair with synthetic mid-urethral slings and vaginal mesh.