Feeding Phase Research Articles

Partial substitution of soybean meal with microalgae meal (Arthrospira spp. – Spirulina) in grower and finisher diets for broiler chickens: implications on performance parameters, footpad dermatitis occurrence, breast meat quality traits, amino acid digestibility and plasma metabolomics profile

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal with microalgae meal (MM; Arthrospira spp.) during grower and finisher phases on productive performance, footpad dermatitis (FPD) occurrence, breast meat quality, amino acid digestibility and plasma metabolomics profile of broiler chickens. One thousand day-old Ross 308 male chicks were divided into 5 experimental groups (8 replicates, 25 birds/each): CON, fed a commercial soybean-based diet throughout the trial (0-41 d); F3 and F6, fed the CON diet up to 28 d of age and then a finisher diet (29-41 d) with either 30 or 60 g MM/kg, respectively; and GF3 and GF6, receiving CON diet until 14 d and then diets containing 30 or 60 g MM/kg from 15 to 41 d, respectively. All diets were iso-energetic and with a similar amino acid profile. Growth performances were recorded on a pen basis at the end of each feeding phase and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility was determined at 41 d. Footpad dermatitis occurrence was assessed on all processed birds, while breast and plasma samples were collected for meat quality and metabolomics analysis (proton nuclear magnetic resonance - 1H-NMR). At 41 d, CON group showed higher body weight than F6 and GF6 ones (2,541 vs. 2,412 vs. 2,384 g, respectively; P < 0.05). Overall, GF6 group exhibited the highest feed conversion ratio, while F3 did not present significant differences compared to CON (1.785 vs. 1.810 vs. 1.934 g feed/g gain, respectively for CON, F3 and GF6; P < 0.01). The occurrence and the risk of developing FPD were similar among groups. MM administration increased breast meat yellowness and reduced amino acid digestibility (P < 0.001). The 1H-NMR analysis revealed variations in the levels of some circulating metabolites, including histidine, arginine and creatine, which play important metabolic roles. Overall, these findings can contribute to expand the knowledge about the use of Arthrospira spp. as protein source in broiler diets.

Risk factors associated with case fatality and treatment success following initial bovine respiratory disease treatment in feedyard cattle

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is an important disease of fed cattle and knowledge gaps exist regarding factors predict­ing treatment success. The study objective was to identify po­tential relationships between risk factors known at the time of initial BRD treatment with 3 post-treatment outcomes: first treatment success (FTS), non-cause specific case fatal­ity risk (CFRALL), and cause-specific case fatality risk (CFRBRD). This retrospective analysis used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate relationships between covariates of interest with each outcome. Analysis included 132,521 individual-animal initial BRD treatment re­cords from 14 central U.S. feedyards (May 2017 to Dec 2020) with overall FTS of 67.8%, CFRALL of 10.0%, and CFRBRD of 6.3%. The FTS was associated (P &lt; 0.05) with all covariates ex­cept sex, CFRALL was associated with all covariates, and CFR­BRD was associated with all covariates except day-of-week treated. Treatments early in the feeding phase (DOF 0-10, 11- 20) resulted in lower (P &lt; 0.05) FTS (49.2% ± 0.8; 55.3% ± 0.8), higher (P &lt; 0.05) CFRALL (12.5% ± 1.3; 12.6% ± 1.4) and higher (P &lt; 0.05) CFRBRD (6.3% ± 1.1; 6.1% ± 1.0) compared to cattle treated on days 21-70. Rectal temperature in the 103.1-104.0 (39.4-40.0 °C) category had higher (P &lt; 0.05) CFRALL (15.3% ± 1.5) and CFRBRD (9.2% ± 1.5) compared to other rectal tempera­ture categories. Specific risk factors including days on feed at treatment, sex and weight at the time of treatment were associ­ated with treatment outcomes. Results can be useful for defin­ing expectations following first treatment for BRD.

Effect of dietary treatments on performance, oocysts shedding and lesion scores in broiler chickens experimentally challenged with Eimeria infection

Although anticoccidials effectively control coccidiosis, a needed reduction in the reliance on antimicrobials in animal production leads to the exploration of alternative compounds. The present study aimed to test five different dietary treatments to counteract the negative impact of coccidiosis on broiler chickens’ health and performance. 1-day-old male Ross 308 broilers (n = 960) were randomly assigned to one of eight treatments, with six cages per treatment (20 birds/cage). To the diet of the broiler chickens of treatments (Trt) 1–5, a synbiotic was added from d0-10. From d10–28, birds of Trt1 and Trt2 were fed synbiotics, whereas birds of Trt3 were fed diets with glutamine, and birds of Trt4 and Trt5 were fed diets with a combination of β-glucans and betaine. From d28-35 onwards, birds of Trt1 were fed a diet with a synbiotic, whereas birds of Trt2-4 received diets with glutamine, and birds of Trt5 were fed a non-supplemented diet. Birds of the positive control group (PC; Trt6) were fed a standard diet supplemented with an anticoccidial (Decoquinate). The challenged negative control (NCchall; Trt7) and non-challenged negative control (NC) Trt8 were fed a standard diet without anticoccidial or other dietary treatment. At 7 days (d) of age, all birds were inoculated with 1 023, 115, and 512 sporulated oocysts of E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. tenella, respectively, except for Trt8. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were assessed for each feeding phase (d0-10, d10-28 and d28-35) and overall experimental period (d0-35). Oocyst shedding, Eimeria lesion scores, cecal length, and relative weight were assessed at d13, d22, d28 and d35. Additionally, oocyst shedding was determined at d9 and d17. Litter quality was evaluated at d27 and d34, and footpad lesions at d34. During the starter (d0-10) and finisher (d28-35) periods, performance did not differ between the treatments. During the grower period (d10-28), Trt6 (PC) and Trt8 (NC) chickens had the highest BWG of all treatments (P < 0.001). Dietary treatment had no effect on litter quality and severity of footpad lesions. In the PC group (Trt6), low oocyst excretion and lesion scores were found. When comparing Trt1-5 with NCchall (Trt7), none of the treatments significantly reduced oocyst output or lesion scores. In conclusion, in this experiment, none of the dietary treatments performed similar or better compared to the PC group (Trt6) regarding performance or reducing Eimeria oocyst shedding or lesion scores.

27 Standardized ileal digestible lysine to metabolizable energy ratio equations for 12 to 127 kg boars, gilts, immunocastrated gilts and boars

Abstract We aimed to determine the standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) to metabolizable energy (ME) ratio equations for 12 to 127 kg boars, gilts, immunocastred gilts (IC gilts), and barrows (IC barrows). An average of 3,545 split-gender pigs (PIC 337×Camborough, initially 11.98 ± 1.26 kg) were used in a 21-d trial followed by a 21-d wash-out period in 2 replicates, totaling six feeding periods. In feeding phase 6, both genders were immunized against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (administrated with Vivax, Zoetis, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). Pens of pigs were weighed, blocked by body weight, and randomly allotted to 1 of 5 treatments consisting of 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120% of PIC SID Lys:Mcal of ME recommendations for mixed gender between boars, barrows, and gilts for each phase. The treatment diets were corn-soybean-meal-based and contained 3,300 Kcal of ME/kg. There were six split-gender pens•treatment-1•replicate-1 •phase-1 and 30 pigs/pen. Data were analyzed using generalized linear and nonlinear mixed models with a pen as the experimental unit. Competing models included linear, quadratic polynomial (QP), broken-line linear (BLL), and broken-line quadratic (BLQ) for average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F). There was no significant gender by quadratic coefficient interactions in all phases of this study (P &amp;gt; 0.05), then the mixed gender equation was determined, and the intact boars and gilts equation was estimated by the PIC overall difference in efficiency between genders. In the immunocastrated phase, after second dose, the mixed gender optimum level was determined and the equations for IC gilts and barrows was estimated by the differences in efficiency observed in the phase 6 of the two replicates. The SID Lys to calorie ratio recommended is based on the average for ADG and G:F (Table 1). Approximately 98.4% and 99.2% of maximum ADG and G:F were achieved at these levels, respectively, and these equations were similar compared with previous PIC biological requirements (Orlando et al., 2021).

140 Response of 6 to 13 kg nursery pigs to increasing SID Arg:Lys

Abstract Newly weaned pigs (n = 480; PIC 337 × 1050; Genus, Hendersonville, TN) with an initial body weight (BW) of 6.20 ± 0.61 kg were used in a dose-response study to evaluate the effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible (SID) Arg:Lys in nursery pigs. At weaning, pigs were placed into 48 pens with five barrows and five gilts per pen and randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments. The experimental diets were formulated with increasing levels of SID Arg by replacing corn starch, glycine, and L-alanine with L-arginine. Levels of SID Arg:Lys ranged from 45 to 145%. Diets were sub-limiting in SID Lys and exceeded all other essential amino acid requirements. Furthermore, diets were formulated to be isocaloric, isonitrogenous, and met or exceeded NRC (2012) vitamin and mineral recommendations. The experimental diets were fed in two feeding phases from d 0 to 10 and d 10 to 27, with adjustments made to account for the decreasing Lys requirement of the pigs. Pigs were subsequently fed a common diet for the remaining 14 d of the nursery period to determine carryover effects. Pigs and feeders were weighed at the beginning and end of each dietary phase for the calculation of average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency (gain to feed ratio; G:F). The data were fit using linear regression with R version 4.3.1 (R Core Team, 2023). The model included linear and quadratic effects of SID Arg:Lys and initial BW. Pen was the experimental unit, and results were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05 and a tendency at 0.05 &amp;lt; P ≤ 0.10. There was a significant linear and quadratic effect of SID Arg:Lys on BW on d 27 (P ≤ 0.024), where BW was maximized at a SID Arg:Lys 97.09%. From d 0 to 27 there was a linear and quadratic tendency of SID Arg:Lys on ADFI (P = 0.069), where feed intake was maximized at a SID Arg:Lys of 97.00%. Furthermore, there tended to be a linear and quadratic effect of SID Arg:Lys on ADG from d0 to 27 (P ≤ 0.081), where ADG was maximized at a SID Arg:Lys of 95.65%. There was no evidence for an effect of SID Arg:Lys on G:F at any timepoint throughout the trial (P ≥ 0.298). In conclusion, SID Arg:Lys linearly and quadratically impacted ADFI and ADG in 6 to 13 kg nursery pigs, where ADG was maximized at a SID Arg:Lys of 95.65%, but ADFI was maximized at a SID Arg:Lys of 97.00%. Together, these data suggest that the SID Arg:Lys requirement of nursery pigs is greater than NRC (2012) recommendations, and excessive Arg supplementation may have negative consequences on growth performance.

241 Immunophysiology and performance of broilers supplemented with macroalgal sulfated polysaccharides during a subclinical necrotic enteritis challenge

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of a sulfate polysaccharide extracted from marine algae product on performance, intestinal lesion scores, and mRNA abundance of various tight junction proteins and immune response genes. A total of 600 one-day old male broilers (Ross 708) were allocated to one of four treatment groups (6 replicate floor pens, 25 birds/pen): negative control (NC) group fed a corn-soybean meal diet; positive control (PC) fed NC + 15 ppm Avilamycin and 125 ppm Amprolium, an additive group (AGS) fed NC + Algoguard added at 0.1% of the diet, and (AGH) fed NC + Algoguard added at 0.2% of the diet. To predispose the birds to NE, birds were orally gavaged with 2,000 Eimeria maxima sporulated oocysts on d 14 followed by a dose of approximately 1×108 CFU/mL of C. perfringens on d 19. On d 21, four birds/pen were necropsied for NE lesions and on d 14, 21, and 42 jejunal samples were collected to assess mRNA abundance. Birds and feed were weighed on d 14, 21, 28, and 42 on a per pen basis. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated during each feeding phase and adjusted for daily mortality. The data were analyzed using ANOVA (JMP, Pro 16) and significance (P ≤ 0.05) was determined by the LSD test. During d 14-21, 0-21, 0-28, and 0-42, mortality rate and ADFI were significantly less in AGS, AGH, and PC compared with NC. ADG was greater while FCR was significantly less in PC, AGS, and AGH during d 21-28, 0-28, and 0-42 compared with NC (P ≤ 0.05). Lesion severity was also significantly less in AGS, AGH, and PC compared with NC. On d 14, 21, and 42 there were no toxins present in the tested serum samples. Calprotectin concentration was greater in PC and NC on d 21 and 42 compared with the supplemented groups. C. perfringens toxin was not detected in serum samples of any of the four treatment groups. mRNA abundance of CLDN1, IL1β, IL12B, and IL10 was greater in AGS compared with NC on d 14 and 42. ZO1 was significantly greater on d 21 in PC treatment and was less than both AGS and AGH on d 42 (P ≤ 0.05). Compared with all other treatments, mRNA abundance of OCLDN was greater and those of IFN-γ and ZO2 were less in PC, while that of CLDN3 showing no significant difference among all 4 treatments. To conclude, dietary inclusion of this algal product in broiler diets could be considered as a beneficial alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in the context of this challenge model.

247 Evaluating the use of soybean hulls on growth performance, carcass composition, and digestibility when fed to grow-finish pigs

Abstract The addition of fiber to grow-finish diets is commonly utilized in swine production formulation as energy costs increase. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding soybean hulls (SBH) at increasing levels to grow-finish pigs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients. Utilizing 192 grower pigs [PIC 337×1050, initial body weight (BW) = 21.99 ± 2.75 kg] that were randomly assigned to split sexed pens (n = 12 pens/treatment), pens were assigned to one of four dietary treatments and fed over three feeding phases for the estimated BW ranges of 22 to 50 kg, 50 to 86 kg, and 86 to 127 kg. Diets were formulated to represent conventional corn and soybean meal diets, containing increasing levels of SBH at: 1) 0% SBH (0%); 2) 7.5% SBH (7.5%); 3) 15% SBH (15%); and 4) 22.5% SBH (22.5%). Within phase, diets had equal SID Lys:ME and energy was allowed to float. Individual BW and pen feed disappearance were collected for each phase to calculate pen average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency gain to feed ratio (G:F). On d 56 of study and during phase 2, 32 gilts (n = 8) were placed into individual metabolism crates, where total urine and feces were collected for 72 h to measure ATTD of gross energy (GE), nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF), then returned to original pens. At the completion of study, carcass weight, backfat depth, and loin depth were collected. Data were analyzed with the fixed effects of dietary treatment by ANOVA, linear, and quadratic contrasts. Pen served as the experimental unit for performance and carcass characteristics and pig as the experimental unit for ATTD analyses. Overall, as SBH increased from 0% to 22.5%, ADG tended to decrease (linear P = 0.060) with no difference in ADFI (P &amp;gt; 0.05), resulting in an overall decrease in G:F (0.38, 0.37, 0.36, 0.35; linear P &amp;lt; 0.001; 0, 7.5, 15 and 22.5% SBH, respectively). Final BW tended to decrease (linear P = 0.069) and carcass weight decreased (102.9, 102.7, 99.7, and 96.5 kg, linear P &amp;lt; 0.001) as SBH increased in diet. Carcass fat depth (P = 0.014) and loin depth (P = 0.006) linearly decreased with increasing levels of SBH in the diet. Increasing levels of SBH from 0% to 22.5% decreased ATTD of GE and N (linear P &amp;lt; 0.001) and tended to increase ATTD NDF and ADF (linear P = 0.056 and P = 0.073, respectively). Altogether, these data suggest increasing dietary SBH in grow-finish pig diets decreases growth efficiency and the digestibility of GE and N. Further, feeding high inclusion rates of SBH negatively impacts carcass yield, backfat and loin depth.

PSV-19 Impact of precision feeding and bump feeding strategy during gestation on the performance of post-weaning pigs

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the post-weaning growth performance of piglets from sows of parities 1 to 3 fed with 4 different feeding programs during gestation; Flat feeding (FF, constant concentration and feed intake), Bump feeding (BF, constant concentration and variable feed intake), precision feeding by parity (PFP, variable concentration and variable feed intake using the average weight per parity), individual precision feeding (PFI, variable concentration and variable feed intake using the weight of each sow at breeding). At weaning of each parity, five litters from each of the dietary treatments were selected and five average piglets from each of these litters were transferred to a nursery building with 20 pens. All pens received the same feeding program in 3 phases of 14 d each. Piglets were weighed at the beginning and end of each feeding phase. The quantity of feed was noted for each phase. At the end of phases 1 and 3, one piglet per pen was scanned on the DXA to assess its body lean, fat, and bone mineral composition. During phase 1, average daily gain (ADG) was greater for piglets from parity 1 sows than those from parity 2 and 3 while average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion (FC) were greater for piglets from parity 3 sows (P &amp;lt; 0.05; Table). Dietary treatments during gestation did not affect performances in phase 1. In phase 2, ADG and ADFI were greater while FC was decreased for piglets from sows of parity 2 and 3 (P&amp;lt; 0.001). Piglets from FF treatment had a greater ADG and a lesser FC (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than piglets from BF, piglets from PFP and PFI being intermediate. In phase 3, piglets from parity 2 sows and those from FF treatment had greater ADG and ADFI than piglets from PFI treatment, piglets from PFP and BF treatments being intermediate (P &amp;lt; 0.005). For all post-weaning period, piglets from parity 2 sows had greater ADG, ADFI and body weight at 42 d (P &amp;lt; 0.001) while piglets from the FF treatment had better ADG and weight at 42 d (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than those from BF and PFI (P &amp;lt; 0.05), PFP being intermediate. The lean ADG was greater for piglets from FF treatment (P &amp;lt; 0.021) than piglets from PFI, piglets from BF and PFP being intermediate. Piglets from sows of parity 2 and 3 had also greater lean ADG (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Fat ADG was also higher for piglets from parity 2 sows (P &amp;lt; 0.010) than piglets from parity 1 sows, piglets from parity 3 sows being intermediate. Piglets from parity 2 sows clearly had better post-weaning performances. The FF treatment during gestation led to better post-weaning performance, suggesting that energy or nutrient intake in early gestation affects offspring growth and development in post-weaning period.

PSIII-21 Impact of high zinc oxide supplementation or lignocellulose supplement on chronic markers of intestinal inflammation and growth of weaned piglets

Abstract The objective of this project was to study the effects of high zinc oxide (ZO) supplementation and fiber supplement from lignocellulose (LIGCEL) on chronic markers of intestinal inflammation and growth of weaned piglets. At weaning (21 d), 150 piglets (body weight = 6.39 ± 0.276 kg) were transferred from a farrowing farm to a nursery farm where they were divided into 30 pens of 5 piglets per pen according to their weanling weight. Each pen was assigned to one of the following three treatments: Control (CON, 150 mg/kg of zinc), ZO (2,500 mg/kg of zinc), and LIGCEL (CON+3% lignocellulose). The ZO and LIGCEL supplements were added to a phase 1 diet. The experimental diets (phase 1) were distributed for 14 d. Subsequently, all piglets received the same diets from phases 2 and 3 for two periods of 14 d. During the experiment, piglets were weighed upon arrival and after phases 1, 2, and 3. The feed was distributed every day and the total quantities calculated for each of the feeding phases. The average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion (FC) were subsequently calculated (Table 1). On d 6 and 13, the blood of two piglets per pen was collected to determine the content of D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO). Fecal samples from these two piglets were also taken to evaluate the calprotectin and neopterin contents. During phase 1, ADG was greater for ZO piglets compared with the CON animals with an intermediate value for the LIGCEL group (P &amp;lt; 0.001). The ADFI was greater for the ZO compared with the CON and LIGCEL treatments (P &amp;lt; 0.003). Piglets in the ZO and LIGNOCELL treatments had less FC than those in the CON group (P &amp;lt; 0.001). During phase 2, only the FC was greater for the ZO and LIGCEL treatments compared with CON animals (P &amp;lt; 0.013). During phase 3, growth performances were not affected by the dietary treatments. For the entire experiment, ZO piglets had greater ADG than those in the CON group with an intermediate value for LIGCEL treatment (P &amp;lt; 0.019). D-lactate decreased from d 6 to 13 while DAO increased (P &amp;lt; 0.001). The DAO was also greater for ZO and LIGCELL piglets compared with CON animals (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Neopterin was greater for ZO treatment but only on d 13 (Trt × day, P &amp;lt; 0.010). Finally, calprotectin decreased from d 6 to 13 (P &amp;lt; 0.001) but was not affected by dietary treatments. In conclusion, ZO and LIGCEL fiber act positively on growth by modulating markers of intestinal inflammation. LIGCEL fiber could, therefore, be an alternative to ZO in the diet of weaned piglets.

136 Effects of acid-binding capacity in low-zinc diets on growth performance of weaned pigs

Abstract Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) of piglets remains a concern in the pork industry. Historically, PWD has been controlled with dietary solutions such as antibiotics as growth promotors and high dietary inclusion of ZnO. However, such use of antibiotics is not permitted any longer and such use of ZnO has already been banned in the EU. In the present trial, the objective was to study the effects on growth performance of acid binding capacity (ABC) as dietary solution in low zinc diets compared to control diet with high zinc. In total, 1,445 pigs (Camborough F1 female x 800 boar line; PIC Canada) were weaned at 20 ± 1 d of age, comprising of equal number of gilts and barrows, and were randomly placed into one of 50 mixed-gender pens (50% barrows and 50% gilts) in two rooms filled four d apart, for 28 or 29 pigs per pen. In total, five dietary regimes were tested during Phase 1 (d 0-7) and 2 (d 7-21): one high in Zn (2,000-3,000 ppm ZnO; 412 mEq/kg ABC-4) and 4 low in Zn (150 ppm) with incremental reductions in ABC-4 from 326 to 150 mEq/kg. Reductions in ABC-4 were accomplished using a combination of changes; added organic acids (formic, fumaric, benzoic), Ca formate to replace limestone, and a low ABC-4 soy protein concentrate to replace regular soy protein concentrate. Pigs were fed a common diet during Phase 3 (d 21-42). For each feeding phase all diets were formulated to equal net energy and standardized ileal digestible amino acids and contained phytase. At d 21, pigs fed high Zn were 1.6 kg heavier (11.3 vs 9.7 kg; P &amp;lt; 0.01) than pigs fed low Zn with greatest ABC-4. Within low Zn diets, reducing ABC-4 linearly increased body weight (BW; 9.7 vs. 10.1 kg). These differences continued until d 42: pigs fed high Zn were 1.8 kg heavier (24.1 vs 22.3 kg; P &amp;lt; 0.01) than pigs fed low Zn with greatest ABC-4). Within low Zn diets, reducing ABC-4 for the first 3 wk after weaning linearly increased BW (22.9 vs. 22.3 kg; P &amp;lt; 0.01). This increased growth was caused by a combination of increased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) feed intake and increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) gain-to-feed and coincided with reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.01) incidence of scours. In conclusion, weaned pigs fed high Zn diets grew more than pigs fed low Zn diets. Dietary ABC-4 is a dietary solution to consider for ameliorating the reduced growth by pigs fed low Zn diets: 33% of the reduced growth could be compensated for by feeding diets low in dietary ABC-4 during the first 3 wk after weaning.

Motor function is not impaired in all components of the oral phase of feeding in a rat rotenone model of Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease results in pathological swallowing, or dysphagia, in up to 90% of cases. Severity and extent of functional impairment of feeding is highly variable in this disease. Feeding is a multi step neuromuscular process of tightly coordinated orofacial behaviors -transport, food reduction, pharyngeal swallowing- involving multiple musculoskeletal systems — tongue, jaw muscles, hyolaryngeal muscles — innervated by multiple cranial and cervical spinal nerves. The type of food being ingested further affects this sequence. The pesticide rotenone, a type II mitochondrial inhibitor, has been epidemiologically linked to Parkinson’s disease. The goal of this project is to identify how parkinsonian neurodegeneration affects this sequence in an animal model. We hypothesize that not all elements of the sequence will be equally affected. Twelve young adult male Lewis rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of either 2.75 mg/kg of rotenone or vehicle control for 8 days. The rats were trained to eat breakfast cereal and drink water mixed with barium in front of a high speed (200 fps) videofluoroscope. From the high speed video recording duration of intraoral transport and chewing of solid food as well as lick duration for liquid drinking were measured for multiple swallows per individual on day 0 (before injection), day 1, day 4, and day 7. On day 8 animals were perfused and brains harvested, sliced, stained with immunofluorescent markers for striatal tyrosine hydroxylase to confirm effectiveness of the model. Mixed model ANOVA was used to test the hypothesis that duration of the phases varied over the course of treatment. Duration of intra oral transport changed in neither control nor rotenone treated animals (p=0.1136), but duration of chewing increased in rotenone treated rats only by day 4 (p&lt;0.001). Duration of licks increased in liquid drinking rats from day 0. Different components of the oral feeding process vary in degree and timing of impairment in the rat rotenone model of Parkinson’s disease, with coordinated rhythmic tongue and jaw movements (licking and chewing) being most sensitive. The neurological basis for this differential sensitivity remains unclear. Internal Rowan funds to Dr. Gould supported this work. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Impact of using glucose as a sole carbon source to analyze the effect of biochar on the kinetics of biomethane production

The adaptation of biochar in anaerobic digestion (AD) positively influences the conversion of substrate to biomethane and promotes system stability. This study investigated the influence of biochar (BC) doses (0 to 8 g/L) on the Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) of glucose during a 60-day AD in a mesophilic batch-type reactor. The first 6.5 weeks of the experimentation were dedicated to the microorganism’s adaptation to the biochar and degradation of organics from the used inoculum (3 phases of the glucose feeding). The last 2 weeks (4th phase of glucose feeding) represented the assumption, that glucose is the sole carbon source in the system. A machine learning model based on the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) method was used to model the cumulative BMP. The results showed that the BMP increased with the amount of BC added. The highest BMP was obtained at a dose of 8 g/L, with a maximum cumulative BMP of 390.33 mL CH4/g-VS added. Likewise, the system showed stability in the pH (7.17 to 8.17). In contrast, non-amended reactors produced only 135.06 mL CH4/g-VS and became acidic at the end of the operation. Reducing the influence of carbon from inoculum, sharpened the positive effect of BC on the kinetics of biomethane production from glucose.

Short-term impact of a healthy and typical Australian dietary pattern on cardiometabolic outcomes: insights from a randomised, cross-over feeding study

Immune Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305 Australia.Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major cause of global mortality. Poor diet quality, characterised by excessive consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and insufficient intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, is associated with an increased risk of CVD(1). This study compares the impact of two short-term dietary interventions, a Healthy Australian Diet adhering to national guidelines and a Typical Australian Diet representing current national consumption patterns, on several cardiometabolic outcomes. These outcomes include body weight, waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BFP), blood pressure (BP), fasting blood lipids and glucose concentrations. Data from an eight-week randomised, cross-over feeding study involving 34 adults (53% female, age 38.4 ± 18.1 years) were analysed, with participants randomly assigned to consume each diet for two weeks, separated by a two-week washout period. During each feeding phase, all food items were provided to ensure compliance. The Healthy Australian Diet adhered to the Australian Dietary Guidelines(2), including a balanced intake of the five food groups and meeting Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range targets(3), with saturated fat limited to ≤10% of energy. The Typical Australian Diet was formulated based on apparent consumption patterns in Australia(4), setting total fat intake at 40% of energy and total saturated fat at 15% of energy. Comprehensive data collection occurred at four key visits: week 0 (end of run-in; baseline 1), week 2 (post-feeding phase 1), week 4 (end of washout, baseline 2), and week 8 (post-feeding phase 2). Trained personnel measured WC using a tensible tape, while body weight and BFP measurements were obtained using bioimpedance analysis (Inbody 270; Biospace Co, Seoul, Korea). Blood pressure was recorded using the Uscom BP+ supra-systolic oscillometric central blood pressure device. Blood glucose and lipid (triglycerides, total-, low-density lipoprotein- [LDL] and high-density lipoprotein- [HDL] cholesterol) concentrations were measured after a 12-hour fast by an accredited pathology service. Differential changes in cardiometabolic variables between intervention groups were evaluated using linear mixed-effect models, adjusting for diet sequence, feeding phase, and subject ID as a random variable to account for potential autocorrelation. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons were conducted to assess the impact effects of each diet. There were no significant differences between the Healthy Australian Diet and the Typical Australian Diet with respect to weight, BFP, WC, blood triglycerides, systolic and diastolic BP. However, the Healthy Australian Diet led to a significantly greater decrease in total-, LDL-, HDL- and non-HDL cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose relative to the Typical Australian Diet (p&lt;0.001). The results underscore the importance of promoting dietary intakes that align with Australian Dietary Guidelines for optimising the risk of CVD and impaired glucose tolerance. Conversely, the Typical Australian Dietary pattern demonstrated detrimental cardiometabolic effects over a short period of just two weeks.

Short-term skin carotenoid changes following consumption of a typical Australian diet versus a healthy Australian diet: findings from a randomised crossover feeding trial

Carotenoids, a group of phytochemicals found in plant-based foods with yellow, red, or orange pigments, have been shown to be stored in the skin upon consumption of carotenoid-rich foods(1). Skin carotenoid levels can be measured using skin reflectance spectroscopy, which assesses skin lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*)(2). Previous research has demonstrated significant increases in skin yellowness (b*) after a 4-week high-carotenoid diet(2). The aim was to examine shorter-term changes (two weeks) in skin yellowness following the consumption of a Healthy Australian Diet rich in carotenoids compared to a Typical Australian Diet with low carotenoid content. The study analysed data from an eight-week randomised, cross-over feeding trial involving 34 adults (53% female, aged 38.44 ± 18.05 years). Participants were randomly assigned to each diet for two weeks, separated by a two-week washout period. The Healthy Australian Diet adhered to the Australian Dietary Guidelines(3), emphasising the consumption of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, tomatoes, red capsicum, and sweet potatoes. In contrast, the Typical Australian Diet was formulated based on apparent consumption patterns in Australia(4) and emphasised the intake of fruits and vegetables low in beta-carotene, such as white potatoes, onions, cauliflower, and pears. Skin carotenoids were measured using skin reflectance spectroscopy at three sites (palm, inner and outer arm), and each measurement was taken thrice. Overall skin yellowness (b*) was calculated as the average of all three measurements at all three sites. Measurements were conducted at four key visits: week 0 (end of run-in; baseline 1), week 2 (post-feeding phase 1), week 4 (end of washout; baseline 2), and week 8 (post-feeding phase 2). Differential changes in skin carotenoid levels between intervention groups were assessed using linear mixed-effect models, adjusting for diet sequence, feeding phase, body fat percentage, total fat intake, and subject ID as a random variable to account for potential autocorrelation. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons were conducted to evaluate the relative effects of each diet. Although there was a trend towards higher skin yellowness (0.215 ± 0.517; p = 0.41) following consumption of the Healthy Australian diet relative to baseline, and an inverse trend following the Typical Australian Diet (−0.118 ± 0.539, p = 0.56), the difference in change between the two diets was not statistically significant (p = 0.32). Notably, baseline values within this participant cohort were higher than previously reported at b* = 16.7(1) (baseline 1 b*: 17.57 ± 2.23, baseline 2 b*: 17.71 ± 2.26), which may influence the magnitude of observable change. The findings suggest that the two-week intervention duration may be insufficient to achieve statistically significant changes in skin carotenoid levels. Future investigations into whether plasma carotenoids increase first, with skin changes occurring later, could offer valuable insights into the potential utility of this as a biomarker validation of change in fruit and vegetable intake.

Trk-fused gene plays a critical role in diet-induced adipose tissue expansion and is also involved in thyroid hormone action.

Mutations in the Trk-fused gene (TFG) cause hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with proximal dominant involvement, which reportedly has high co-incidences with diabetes and dyslipidemia, suggesting critical roles of the TFG in metabolism as well. We found that TFG expression levels in white adipose tissues (WATs) were elevated in both genetically and diet-induced obese mice and that TFG deletion in preadipocytes from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) markedly inhibited adipogenesis. To investigate its role in vivo, we generated tamoxifen-inducible adipocyte-specific TFG knockout (AiTFG KO) mice. While a marked down-regulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma target, de novo lipogenesis (DNL), and mitochondria-related gene expressions were observed in subcutaneous WAT (scWAT) from AiTFG KO mice, these effects were blunted in SVF-derived adipocytes when the TFG was deleted after differentiation into adipocytes, implying cell nonautonomous effects. Intriguingly, expressions of thyroid hormone receptors, as well as carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein β, which mediates the metabolic actions of thyroid hormone, were drastically down-regulated in scWAT from AiTFG KO mice. Reduced DNL and thermogenic gene expressions in AiTFG KO mice might be attributable to impaired thyroid hormone action in vivo. Finally, when adipocyte TFG was deleted in either the early or the late phase of high-fat diet feeding, the former brought about an impaired expansion of epididymal WAT, whereas the latter caused prominent adipocyte cell death. TFG deletion in adipocytes markedly exacerbated hepatic steatosis in both experimental settings. Collectively, these observations indicate that the TFG plays essential roles in maintaining normal adipocyte functions, including an enlargement of adipose tissue, thyroid hormone function, and thermogenic gene expressions, and in preserving hypertrophic adipocytes.

Impact of Thermal Stress on Biological Parameters of Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben Petersen) under Laboratory Conditions

Aphid lions (Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi, Esben-Petersen) are important predators in integrated pest management for field crops and vegetables (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). It is found in almost every environment on Earth, except temperate ones. One of the most significant environmental variables influencing an insect species' growth rate is temperature. Five consistent temperatures were observed: 20±1°C, 25±1°C, 30±1°C, 35±1°C, and 40±1°C. The impact of temperature on biological parameters and developmental phases of Aphid lions feeding on rice moth eggs was noted. The development time of C. zastrowi sillemi was found to be 47.26 days at 20°C and 22.18 days at 40°C. The lifespan of adult males and females was more than twice as long at the lower temperature range as it was at the higher one. The temperature of 25°C produced the greatest duration of oviposition (55.12 days), the highest percentage of pupils (91.43%) and adults’ emergence (90.25%), the maximum fecundity (903.33 eggs/female), and the maximum degree of hatchability (90.84%) of eggs, suggesting that this temperature regime was more suited for the C. zastrowi sillemi that originated in Delhi. The results demonstrate significant variations in the developmental cycle of the immature stages at five distinct temperatures, with a negative relation between temperature increase and developmental duration.

Modeling of liquid-liquid hollow fiber supported membrane equilibrium including the non-ideality of the aqueous and organic phases in the recovery systems of radionuclides in sulphate-halide/aliquat-336 in O-xylene

Study of modeling of L/LHFSLM equilibrium based on the Non-ideality of the Aqueous and Organic Phases in the Recovery of 152+154Eu in H2SO4-Halides/Aliquat-336 in 20% kerosene as feeding phase at pH 3.78–4.55, by the ratio 89.7%,while separation of 90Sr and 134Cs there was a problem between them by using hollow HFSLM only, the reason for that the organic solvents affect the rate of reaction in the Diamino-1,2-cyclohexane/tetraacetic acid (DCTA) as stripping phase concentration from 0.15 to 0.55 mol/L. The system has been developed; this led to the extraction of elements in the same time. The Matlab software program was introduced to obtain some mathematical parameters like, standard deviation (SD), equilibrium constant Kex and standard deviation coefficient (SDC).

Early Childhood Anemia in Rural Bangladesh: The Role of Iron Deficiency, Infections, and Inadequate Complementary Feeding Techniques

Anemia and iron deficiency increased quickly until 8 to 9 months of age, while the prevalence of subclinical infections remained stable. Apart from age and male sex, iron deficiency and subclinical infections were the main risk factors for anemia. Similarly, age, male sex, and subclinical illnesses were important risk factors for iron deficiency. In early rural Bangladeshi newborns, the burden of anemia and iron deficiency is particularly severe during the key transition period of increased physiological Fe requirements corresponding to the early phase of supplementary feeding, which lasts from 6 to 11 months of age. Nutritional and infection control strategies alone are insufficient. as soon as they begin providing them with complimentary foods. The increasing prevalence of anaemia and Iron Deficiency during the first 3 months of the complementary feeding period highlights the need to support mothers to introduce Fe supplements or Fe-rich foods or products in their infants’ diet as soon as they start giving them complementary foods. In order to reduce anemia and Iron Deficiency in this population, it is imperative to incorporate methods related to water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as parasitic disease control, given the high prevalence of subclinical infections and their role in these conditions. In order to avoid anemia during infancy in Bangladesh, a multipronged approach involving both infection control techniques and dietary Fe consumption improvements is required. A person&amp;apos;s capacity to work is restricted by anemia and iron deficiency, which can potentially have serious negative economic repercussions and impede the advancement of the country. Because of all of this, it is generally accepted that lowering the global burden of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia is a top priority in public health nutrition.

A review of the role played by cilia in medusozoan feeding mechanics.

Cilia are widely present in metazoans and have various sensory and motor functions, including collection of particles through feeding currents in suspensivorous animals. Suspended particles occur at low densities and are too small to be captured individually, and therefore must be concentrated. Animals that feed on these particles have developed different mechanisms to encounter and capture their food. These mechanisms occur in three phases: (i) encounter; (ii) capture; and (iii) particle handling, which occurs by means of a cilia-generated current or the movement of capturing structures (e.g. tentacles) that transport the particle to the mouth. Cilia may be involved in any of these phases. Some cnidarians, as do other suspensivorous animals, utilise cilia in their feeding mechanisms. However, few studies have considered ciliary flow when examining the biomechanics of cnidarian feeding. Anthozoans (sessile cnidarians) are known to possess flow-promoting cilia, but these are absent in medusae. The traditional view is that jellyfish capture prey only by means of nematocysts (stinging structures) and mucus, and do not possess cilia that collect suspended particles. Herein, we first provide an overview of suspension feeding in invertebrates, and then critically analyse the presence, distribution, and function of cilia in the Cnidaria (mainly Medusozoa), with a focus on particle collection (suspension feeding). We analyse the different mechanisms of suspension feeding and sort them according to our proposed classification framework. We present a scheme for the phases of pelagic jellyfish suspension feeding based on this classification. There is evidence that cilia create currents but act only in phases 1 and 3 of suspension feeding in medusozoans. Research suggests that some scyphomedusae must exploit other nutritional sources besides prey captured by nematocysts and mucus, since the resources provided by this diet alone are insufficient to meet their energy requirements. Therefore, smaller particles and prey may be captured through other phase-2 mechanisms that could involve ciliary currents. We hypothesise that medusae, besides capturing prey by nematocysts (present in the tentacles and oral arms), also capture small particles with their cilia, therefore expanding their trophic niche and suggesting reinterpretation of the trophic role of medusoid cnidarians as exclusively plankton predators. We suggest further study of particle collection by ciliary action and its influence on the biomechanics of jellyfishes, to expand our understanding of the ecology of this group.

Abstract WMP34: Impact of Complete Oral Feeding Resumption on Nutrition and Hydration in the Rehabilitation Inpatient With Stroke

Objective: Oral feeding resumption after feeding tube placement is an important therapeutic goal for stroke patients with dysphagia. Available information on nutrition and hydration status in stroke is limited after changing intake from commercial formula for tube feeding to dysphagia diet for oral. The aim is to explore the impact on nutrition and hydration after complete oral feeding. Methods: A total of 134 stroke patients who recovered from tube feeding to complete oral feeding were enrolled in rehabilitation hospital from Jan. 2020 to Jul. 2023. The swallow function was detected by the modified Volume-viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST). If a patient completed every viscosity more than 5 mL, feeding tube would be removed. We assessed the nutritional status of stroke patients and provided strategies of dysphagia diet for patients’ food and fluid intakes. Thickeners were used to prevent the risk of aspiration. Serum biochemical measures were obtained for nutrition (prealbumin) and hydration status (BUN/Cr ratio) at admission, before removing feeding tube and within the first week following oral feeding resumption. Results: 48.51% patients could regain oral intake within 14 days from admission. Compared to admission and tube feeding phase, the level of prealbumin (mg/L) after oral feeding was significantly higher. (19.26±5.32. vs 22.57±5.03; P&lt;0.001) (20.68±5.10 v 22.57±5.03; P=0.003). Based on prealbumin 20 mg/dL, 58.21 % of patients demonstrated poor nutrition at admission and 34.33 % after oral feeding resumption. BUN/Cr &gt; 20:1 identified deficient hydration in 53.72 % of patients in tube feeding phase and 46.27 % of patients after oral intake. Differences in nutrition and hydration status were attributed to complete oral feeding resumption. Conclusion: Clinical practice of complete oral feeding resumption including evaluating swallow function of varying viscosities, dietary and fluid recommendations could achieve better nutrition and hydration status.