Quadratic Manner Research Articles

Dietary L-arginine supplementation enhances growth performance, intestinal antioxidative capacity, immunity and modulates gut microbiota in yellow-feathered chickens

This study investigated the effects of dietary Arginine (Arg) on performance, intestinal antioxidative capacity, immunity, and gut microbiota in Chinese yellow-feathered chickens. One thousand two hundred 1-day-old female Qingyuan partridge chickens were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 6 replicates of 40 birds each. Chickens were fed diets with 5 levels of total Arg (8.5, 9.7, 10.9, 12.1, and 13.3 g/kg) without antibiotics for 30 d. The ADFI, ADG, and feed conversion ratio were improved with dietary Arg levels (P < 0.05). The proportions of CD3+ and CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes responded in a linear (P < 0.05) manner and those of CD4+ in a linear or quadratic (P < 0.05) manner as dietary Arg levels increased. Dietary Arg level had a linear (P < 0.05) or quadratic (P < 0.05) effect on the gene expression of glutathione peroxidase 1, heme oxygenase 1, nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2, and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidative capacity in the jejunum and ileum. The relative expression of IL-1β, myeloid differentiation primary response 88, and Toll-like receptor 4 decreased linearly (P < 0.05) in the ileum with increasing dietary Arg levels; secretory IgA contents were increased. In addition, sequencing data of 16S rRNA indicated that dietary Arg increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum, Romboutsia and Candidatus Arthromitus genera, while decreased that of Clostridium sensu stricto 1. A diet containing 12.1 g Arg/kg promoted growth performance, intestinal antioxidation, and innate immunity and modulated gut microbiota in yellow-feathered chickens.

Effect of Lonicera japonica extract on lactation performance, antioxidant status, and endocrine and immune function in heat-stressed mid-lactation dairy cows

Here, we examined the effects of Lonicera japonica extract (LJE) on lactation performance, antioxidant status, and endocrine and immune function in heat-stressed mid-lactation dairy cows. Twenty-four healthy Chinese Holstein mid-lactation dairy cows, all with similar milk yield (30.0 ± 1.0 kg/d), parity (2.5 ± 0.3), and days in milk (105 ± 5 d) were allocated to 4 groups using a randomized complete block design: a negative control group (without LJE supplementation; CON) and groups that received LJE at 14, 28, and 56 g/d. The experiment lasted 10 wk over a hot summer, with a pre-feeding period of 2 wk. Cows were exposed to heat stress, as the average temperature-humidity index was greater than 72. The results showed that LJE had no effect on respiration rate; however, it reduced the rectal temperature of dairy cows experiencing heat stress in both a linear and quadratic manner; the lowest (39.03°C) was recorded for the LJE-28 group, lower than the CON group. Supplementation with LJE did not affect dry matter intake, milk yield, or milk composition. The majority of biochemical parameters in serum were unaffected by supplementation with different amounts of LJE; the exception was creatinine, which was reduced quadratically. Compared with the CON group, serum triiodothyronine concentrations increased significantly in the LJE-28 group. Addition of LJE to the diet increased thyroxine concentrations quadratically; values peaked at 18.62 ng/mL in the LJE-28 group. Furthermore, supplementation with increasing amounts of LJE quadratically increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity in serum but decreased concentration of malondialdehyde. Although we detected no differences in the concentrations of IgA, IgM, or cytokines, dairy cows in the LJE-28 group had higher IgG and IL-4 concentrations than did cows in the CON group. Supplementation with LJE increased concentrations of IgG and IL-4 in the serum quadratically but decreased that of IL-2. Finally, heat shock protein 72 concentrations in the serum tended to fall quadratically as the amount of LJE increased. In summary, LJE had no negative effects on lactation performance but helped to alleviate heat stress by improving antioxidant status and promoting endocrine and immune functions. Supplementation with LJE at 28 g/d is recommended for lactating dairy cows experiencing heat stress during hot summers.

Dietary microbial muramidase improves feed efficiency, energy and nutrient availability and welfare of broilers fed commercial type diets containing exogenous enzymes

ABSTRACT 1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of graded levels of the microbially derived feed lysozyme, muramidase (MUR) on feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), European Performance Index (EPI), dietary N-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn), footpad dermatitis score (FPD) and other welfare variables, when fed to broilers from 0 to 42d age. 2. A four-phase dietary programme and four experimental pelleted diets were used; a control diet (following breeder recommendations without MUR supplementation), and three diets based on the control diet supplemented with 25,000, 35,000 and 45,000 LSU (F)/kg of MUR, respectively. In addition, all experimental diets contained exogenous xylanase, phytase and a coccidiostat. Each diet was fed to birds in 24 pens (20 male Ross 308 chicks in each pen) following randomisation. Dietary AMEn was determined at 21 d of age, and FPD was evaluated at the end of the study. Data were analysed by ANOVA, using orthogonal polynomials for assessing linear and quadratic responses to MUR activity. 3. The inclusion of MUR did not change FI (P > 0.05), but increased WG in a linear manner (P < 0.05) and reduced FCR in a quadratic manner, with optimum WG and FCR observed in birds fed approximately 35 000 LSU (F)/kg. In accordance with the improvement in FCR, 35 000 LSU (F)/kg MUR supplementation produced the highest EPI (P < 0.05). FPD score was linearly decreased with increased addition of MUR (P < 0.05). Dietary AMEn responded in a quadratic fashion to the MUR inclusion, as the highest values were obtained with the highest inclusion rate (P < 0.05). 4. In conclusion, the results showed that inclusion of MUR improved feed efficiency and the foot health of birds.

Dietary menthol essential oil enhanced the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, immune-related genes, and resistance against acute ammonia exposure in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Dietary supplementation of herbal essential oils is recommended for aquatic animals due to their growth-promoting, immune, and antioxidative potential. Hence, the present study evaluated the inclusion of menthol essential oil (MNT) at 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4% on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, immunity, and antioxidative responses of Nile tilapia. After eight weeks, samples were collected, and fish was exposed to acute ammonia challenge at 5 mg TA-N/L for 6 h. The results displayed that dietary MNT significantly enhanced the final body weight (FBW), weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in a linear and quadratic manner (P < 0.05). The regression analysis revealed that the optimum rate of dietary MNT required for the best FBW is 0.26% and 0.30% for FCR. Dietary MNT enhanced the protease activity at the rate of 0.30% (P < 0.05) while lipase and amylase activities did not influence by MNT supplementation. Before and after the ammonia challenge, lysozyme (LZM), phagocytic activities (PA), phagocytic index (PI), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were higher in fish fed MNT than fish fed MNT free diet. On the other hand, cortisol, glucose, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were decreased by dietary MNT in a linear and quadratic manner (P < 0.05). Ammonia stress induced reduced LZM, PA, and PI but increased the SOD, CAT, GPx, MDA, cortisol, and glucose levels. The related inflammatory genes (IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-1β) were reduced by dietary MNT either before or after the ammonia exposure, and the mRNA levels of these genes were increased after ammonia stress. The ammonia exposure upregulated the expression of HSP70, and dietary MNT displayed reduced HSP70. The study assumed that MNT inclusion at the rate of 0.22% to 0.30% is recommended to increase the growth performance, protease activity, immunity, antioxidative response, and the resistance against ammonia exposure in Nile tilapia.

Intrinsic quantum confinement in formamidinium lead triiodide perovskite.

Understanding the electronic energy landscape in metal halide perovskites is essential for further improvements in their promising performance in thin-film photovoltaics. Here, we uncover the presence of above-bandgap oscillatory features in the absorption spectra of formamidinium lead triiodide thin films. We attribute these discrete features to intrinsically occurring quantum confinement effects, for which the related energies change with temperature according to the inverse square of the intrinsic lattice parameter, and with peak index in a quadratic manner. By determining the threshold film thickness at which the amplitude of the peaks is appreciably decreased, and through ab initio simulations of the absorption features, we estimate the length scale of confinement to be 10-20 nm. Such absorption peaks present a new and intriguing quantum electronic phenomenon in a nominally bulk semiconductor, offering intrinsic nanoscale optoelectronic properties without necessitating cumbersome additional processing steps.

Chromium yeast alleviates heat stress by improving antioxidant and immune function in Holstein mid-lactation dairy cows

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chromium yeast (CY) on lactation performance, antioxidant status and immune function, and chromium concentrations in the plasma of mid-lactation dairy cows under heat stress. Twenty-four healthy Chinese Holstein mid-lactation dairy cows with similar milk yield (27.0 ± 1.9 kg/day), parity (2 or 3), and days in milk (DIM, 105 ± 15 d) received the same basal diet containing 0.11 mg Cr/kg of DM. All the animals were divided into 2 blocks according to milk yield (block 1 and block 2 for low- and high-producing cows). Cows of block 1 or block 2 each were randomly allocated to four treatments: a negative control group (without CY supplementation, CON), and groups that received CY at 0.18, 0.36, and 0.54 mg Cr/kg DM, respectively. The experiment lasted 10 wk over a hot summer, including a pre-feeding period of 2 wk. Cows were experiencing heat stress as the average temperature-humidity index (THI) is greater than 72. The averagerespiration rates (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) of the cows in CON group were 81.11 ± 1.42 breath/min and 39.66 ± 0.05 ℃, respectively. The results showed that supplementation with CY reduced the RR and RT of dairy cows under heat stress in both a linear and quadratic manner; the lowest was 75.33 ± 0.76 breath/min and 39.40 ± 0.09 ℃ for the CY-0.36 group (P < 0.05). CY supplementation did not affect milk yield or milk composition, but linearly increased dry matter intake and milk lactose content (P < 0.05). Furthermore, increasing amounts of CY increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity in serum, but decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde (P < 0.05). Although no differences were observed in the concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, IgA, and IgM, supplementation with CY decreased the concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-1β, but increased that of IgG (P < 0.05). The plasma Cr concentration increased as the dose of supplemented Cr increased (P < 0.05). In summary, CY supplementation improved the welfare of mid-lactation dairy cows by reducing RT and RR, and increased dry matter intake and milk lactose content. Supplementation with CY improved the antioxidant and immune function in mid-lactation dairy cows. The appropriate dose of CY at 0.36 mg Cr/kg DM is recommended for lactating dairy cows experiencing heat stress during hot summers.

Effects of lipopolysaccharide exposure in primary bovine ruminal epithelial cells

The objective of this study was to investigate whether cultured ruminal epithelial cells (REC) responded to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation and determine whether LPS induced a proinflammatory response. Primary bovine REC were isolated and grown in culture for 2 studies. In study 1, REC were isolated from Holstein bull calves (n = 8) and grown in culture for 10 to 12 d. Cells were then exposed to 0, 10,000, 50,000, or 200,000 endotoxin (E)U/mL of LPS (Escherichia coli O55:B5) for either 6 or 24 h. The effect of LPS exposure on cell viability was analyzed by flow cytometry using a propidium iodide stain. In study 2, cells were isolated from Holstein bull calves (n = 5) and yearling beef heifers (n = 4). Cells were exposed to either 1,000 or 50,000 EU/mL of LPS using the following conditions: (1) medium alone time-matched controls, (2) 12-h LPS exposure, (3) 24 h of LPS exposure, (4) 36 h of LPS exposure, (5) 12 h of LPS exposure followed by LPS removal for 24 h before restimulating with LPS for an additional 12 h (RPT), and (6) 12 h of LPS exposure followed by LPS removal for 36 (RVY). For both experiments, total RNA was extracted from REC and real-time quantitative PCR was performed to determine relative expression of genes for toll-like receptors (TLR2 and TLR4), proinflammatory cytokines (TNF and IL1B), chemokines (CXCL2 and CXCL8), a lipid mediator (PTGS2), and growth factor-like cytokines (CSF2 and IL7). In study 1, LPS exposure did not negatively affect cell viability. Treatment of cells with LPS resulted in increased transcript abundance for all genes analyzed. The TLR2, IL7, and TLR4 had a greater magnitude of change at 6 h compared with 24 h. Quadratic expression patterns were detected for TNF, IL1B, CXCL2, CXCL8, and CSF2. These results suggested that REC increase expression of proinflammatory genes following exposure to LPS. In study 2, all genes analyzed were upregulated in a quadratic manner following exposure to LPS for different time intervals. The TLR4, TNF, CXCL2, CXCL8, CSF2, and IL7 gene expression was significantly greater after a single 12 h of LPS exposure than after RPT exposure, suggesting repeated exposure of REC to LPS may induce a tolerogenic effect. When LPS was removed from the medium (RVY), transcript abundance for all genes analyzed decreased and expression of TLR2, TLR4, and IL7 returned to baseline levels, suggesting REC recovered following exposure to LPS. Overall, the data suggest cultured REC respond to LPS stimulation by increasing transcription of proinflammatory genes and this transcriptional response was influenced by the dose, duration, and frequency of LPS exposure.

Light-induced ultrastructure changes of amyloplasts and effect of nitrogen fertilization on greening in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract Tuber greening causes potato quality decline and economic loss. We investigated physiological mechanisms of greening by fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. We then explored the effect of nitrogen level (0, 210, and 315 kg N ha−1) on starch granule size and tuber greening of three commercial cultivars. Results showed that chlorophyll content of tuber skin increased (5–8 times) in a quadratic manner with increasing duration of light exposure (0–7 d) in all cultivars. Light-induced greening occurred in cortical parenchyma 0–1.5 mm below the periderm, where chloroplast auto-fluorescence was evident under ultraviolet light. The greening process involved membrane lose, starch granule dissolution, and grana formation in amyloplasts, along with chloroplast development. Formation of grana lamellae was observed around amyloplasts with a diameter of 9–30 μm. Nitrogen application increased the percentage of small granule starch (

Priming of intestinal cytoprotective genes and antioxidant capacity by dietary phytogenic inclusion in broilers.

The potential of a phytogenic premix (PP) based on ginger, lemon balm, oregano and thyme to stimulate the expression of cytoprotective genes at the broiler gut level was evaluated in this study. In particular, the effects of PP inclusion levels on a selection of genes related to host protection against oxidation (catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], glutathione peroxidase 2 [GPX2], heme oxygenase 1 [HMOX1], NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 [NQO1], nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 [Nrf2] and kelch like ECH associated protein 1 [Keap1]), stress (heat shock 70 kDa protein 2 [HSP70] and heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 [HSP90]) and inflammation (nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 [NF-κB1], Toll-like receptor 2 family member B (TLR2B) and Toll-like receptor 4 [TLR4]) were profiled along the broiler intestine. In addition, broiler intestinal segments were assayed for their total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Depending on PP inclusion level (i.e. 0, 750, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg diet) in the basal diets, 1-d-old Cobb broiler chickens (n = 500) were assigned into the following 4 treatments: CON, PP-750, PP-1000 and PP-2000. Each treatment had 5 replicates of 25 chickens with ad libitum access to feed and water. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and means compared using Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) test. Polynomial contrasts tested the linear and quadratic effect of PP inclusion levels. Inclusion of PP increased (P ≤ 0.05) the expression of cytoprotective genes against oxidation, except CAT. In particular, the cytoprotective against oxidation genes were up-regulated primarily in the duodenum and the ceca and secondarily in the jejunum. Most of the genes were up-regulated in a quadratic manner with increasing PP inclusion level with the highest expression levels noted in treatments PP-750 and PP-1000 compared to CON. Similarly, intestinal TAC was higher in PP-1000 in the duodenum (P = 0.011) and the ceca (P = 0.050) compared to CON. Finally, increasing PP inclusion level resulted in linearly reduced (P ≤ 0.05) expression of NF-κB1, TLR4 and HSP70, the former in the duodenum and the latter 2 in the ceca. Overall, PP inclusion consistently up-regulated cytoprotective genes and down-regulated stress and inflammation related ones. The effect is dependent on PP inclusion level and the intestinal site. The potential of PP to beneficially prime bird cytoprotective responses merit further investigation under stress-challenge conditions.

Clostridium butyricum relieves diarrhea by enhancing digestive function, maintaining intestinal barrier integrity, and relieving intestinal inflammation in weaned piglets

The current study aimed to determine how Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) relieved diarrhea by evaluating its effects on intestinal digestive enzyme activity, barrier integrity, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress in weaned piglets. A total of 360 weaned piglets that were 25 days old (180 males and 180 females) were randomly assigned to 5 groups in 6 pens, with 12 pigs per pen, and offered the same antibiotic-free corn-soybean-type basal diet for 30 d. The groups were as follows: no additives (control), basal diet + 250 mg/kg C. butyricum (CB1), basal diet + 500 mg/kg C. butyricum (CB2), basal diet + 1,000 mg/kg C. butyricum (CB3), and basal diet + 2,000 mg/kg C. butyricum (CB4). The incidence of diarrhea decreased quadratically as the amount of C. butyricum supplementation was increased, and this decrease was minimized in the CB2 group. Compared with those in the control group, the duodenal amylase and lipase activities were increased quadratically and maximized in the CB2 group, and the jejunal lipase activity was increased cubically in the CB1 group, while the pancreatic trypsin activity was increased linearly and maximized in the CB4 group. The serum concentration of D-lactic acid responded to the increases in the levels of C. butyricum in a quadratic manner; the minimum level was observed in the CB2 group. Jejunal zonula occludens-1 expression displayed linear and quadratic trends following C. butyricum supplementation, with the maximum response observed in the CB3 group. Quadratic and cubic increases were observed in jejunal alkaline phosphatase activity in the CB3 group. The jejunal IL-10 concentration increased, while the jejunal vascular endothelial growth factor concentration decreased quadratically in response to dietary C. butyricum supplementation in the CB2 group. No significant differences among the groups were observed in terms of the jejunal mucosal concentrations of oxidation-associated enzymes and products. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with appropriate doses of C. butyricum could relieve diarrhea in weaned piglets by enhancing digestive enzyme activity, maintaining intestinal barrier integrity, and relieving intestinal inflammation.

Comparison of Selenium Source in Preventing Oxidative Stress in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells.

Simple SummarySelenium (Se) is recognized as an essential trace element in maintaining antioxidant status in humans and animals. Se supplementation in the diets of livestock exist in two forms: Organic and inorganic forms. The organic Se source hydroxy-selenomethionine (HMSeBA) has been proven to be more biologically efficient than inorganic Se to improve antioxidant capacity when fed to dairy cows, since its approval as a feed additive by the European Commission in 2013. However, information on the comparison between HMSeBA and other Se sources in preventing oxidative stress in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) is limited. The current study compared the effects of HMSeBA, selenomethionine (SeMet) and sodium selenite (SS) on antioxidant capacity and the ability to resist oxidative stress induced by H2O2 in BMEC. HMSeBA was shown to enhance cellular antioxidant status to resist oxidative damage when compared with SS, but there was no difference between HMSeBA and SeMet. The results of this study provide more information for antioxidant potential of different Se sources in BMEC.Oxidative stress can cause cell damage. Hydroxy-selenomethionine (HMSeBA) is an organic Se source with emerging antioxidant advantages. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of HMSeBA, selenomethionine (SeMet) and sodium selenite (SS) on the antioxidant response and the ability to resist oxidative stress in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC). The BMEC were treated with 0 (Control), 20, 50, 100 and 150 nM HMSeBA, 100 nM SeMet and100 nM SS for 48 h. The results showed that HMSeBA and SeMet treatments had higher glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.01) and catalase (p = 0.01) activities and mRNA abundance of GPX3 (p = 0.02), but lower superoxide dismutase activity compared with SS (p = 0.04). The catalase activity (p < 0.05) and mRNA abundance of GPX3 (p = 0.04) changed in a quadratic manner with the increase of HMSeBA levels. To assess the potential protection of different Se sources against oxidative stress on BMEC, 0 or 50 μM H2O2 was added to BMEC culture for 3 h after Se pre-treatment for 48 h. The results showed that HMSeBA and SeMet, which did not differ (p > 0.05), but further decreased malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species production compared with SS (p < 0.05). In conclusion, HMSeBA showed an enhanced cellular antioxidant status to resist oxidative damage induced by H2O2 when compared with SS, whereas the effects were similar to SeMet.

Effects of dietary n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio on growth performance, plasma fatty acid profile, intestinal morphology, and immune function of pigs

A total of 185 crossbred pigs (Yorkshire x Landrace; 20.7 ± 2.5 d of age and 6.7 ± 1.1 kg BW) from 3 weaning groups were used to evaluate dietary n-6:n-3 fatty acid (FA) ratios on nursery and growing pigs. Within each weaning group, pigs were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with balanced sex and 4 or 5 pigs/pen within each block. The dietary treatments were: 1) low n-6:n-3 FA ratio (LO): 5.0% menhaden oil (MO) and 0.0% corn oil (CO); 2) low-medium n-6:n-3 FA ratio (LO-MED): 3.5% MO and 1.5% CO; 3) medium n-6:n-3 FA ratio (MED): 1.5% MO and 3.5% CO; 4) high-medium n-6:n-3 FA ratio (HI-MED): 0.2% MO and 4.8% CO; and 5) high n-6:n-3 FA ratio (HI): 0.0% MO and 5.0% CO. The diets were fed in 2 phases as d 0 to 28 (nursery phase) and d 29 to 70 (grower phase). In vivo cell-mediated immune response was assessed on d 14 and 28 for Group 1 and 2 by measuring the inflammatory response to an intradermal injection of 100 µL of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA, 0.5 mg/mL of PBS). One pig was euthanized from each pen in Group 1 and 2 at the end of the nursery and grower phase to assess intestinal morphology. During the nursery or grower phase, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio were not affected by increasing dietary n-6:n-3 FA ratios (P > 0.16). However, pigs fed the LO diet had lower (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI compared to those fed diets containing greater n-6:n-3 FA ratios during the nursery phase. Increasing dietary n-6:n-3 FA ratio altered plasma n-6:n-3 FA ratios on d 15 and d 29 (quadratic, P < 0.01). In vivo cell-mediated immune response to PHA did not differ among treatments. Duodenum and jejunum villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio did not differ among pigs on different treatments at the end of either the nursery or grower phase (P > 0.10). Jejunum crypt depth increase in a quadratic manner at the end of the nursery phase (P < 0.05) but not at the end of the grower phase (P > 0.10). In summary, increasing dietary n-6:n-3 FA ratios altered plasma n-3 FA concentration and n-6:n-3 FA ratio and might influence the intestinal morphology, but did not generally affect growth performance or the skin inflammatory response of pigs in the nursery or grower phases.

The effects of dietary Se on productive and reproductive performance, tibial quality, and antioxidant capacity in laying duck breeders

This study evaluated the optimal concentrations of dietary Se for the productive and reproductive performance, tibial quality, and antioxidant status in duck breeders aged 23 to 49 wk. In total, 432 Longyan duck breeders aged 22 wk were allotted randomly to 6 treatments, each with 6 replicates of 12 individually caged birds. The experiment lasted for 27 wk, and birds were fed corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 0.11, 0.19, 0.27, 0.35, 0.43, or 0.51 mg Se/kg, respectively. The tested dietary Se levels did not affect egg production and tibial quality of duck breeders. The Se contents of the shell, yolk or albumin, whole egg, and the fertility of set eggs increased in a linear and quadratic manner (P < 0.05) in response to the increased dietary Se level, whereas the yolk malondialdehyde (MDA) and embryonic mortality decreased. The activities of glutathione peroxidase 3 (Gpx3) in plasma and Gpx1 in the erythrocytes and livers of breeder ducks increased in a linear and quadratic manner (P < 0.05) in response to increased dietary Se levels, whereas the total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity increased and the MDA concentration decreased in the liver. The activity of Gpx3 in the plasma and Gpx1 in the erythrocytes and livers of newly hatched ducklings increased linearly (P < 0.01) with the increase in Se level, whereas the T-SOD activity and MDA concentration did not change. In conclusion, diets containing 0.27 mg Se/kg led to the highest egg fertility and hatchability in Longyan duck breeders, and using levels >0.19 mg Se/kg diet enhanced the antioxidant capacity in breeders and their offspring. The regression model indicated that dietary Se levels 0.19, 0.27, 0.28, 0.24, and 0.30 mg/kg are optimal levels to obtain maximum Se deposition efficiency in eggs, egg fertility, Gpx1 activity in erythrocytes and liver in duck breeders, and plasma activity of Gpx3 in newly hatched ducklings, respectively.

The ideal protein profile for late-finishing pigs in precision feeding systems: Threonine

Optimal amino acid ratios for pigs have been established for conventional phase feeding systems, but these ratios may differ for precision feeding systems. Our objective was to assess the impact of different dietary Thr inclusion levels (70, 85, 100, 115, or 130% of the estimated ideal 0.65 Thr:Lys ratio) on growth performance, plasma biochemical parameters, and splanchnic and muscle AA composition in pigs raised in a conventional group phase feeding (GPF) system and in an individual precision feeding (IPF) system. A total of 110 finishing pigs (110 ± 7.02 kg initial body weight; 11 pigs per treatment) were housed in the same room for 21 d. Pigs were randomly assigned to a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement and fed using automatic feeders. Individual pigs were considered the experimental units. Five pigs per treatment were slaughtered at the end of the trial. The gain:feed ratio was not affected by feeding system, but there was a quadratic effect of Thr inclusion rate (P < 0.05). Lysine intake was 16% greater and Thr intake was 15% greater for the GPF pigs than for the IPF pigs (P < 0.05). Protein deposition (g/d) was not affected by any treatment. Protein deposition in daily gain was affected by the interaction between Thr inclusion rate and feeding system, with a quadratic (P < 0.05) effect for the GPF pigs and a cubic (P < 0.10) effect for the IPF pigs. The pigs in IPF consumed 14% less (P < 0.05) crude protein and excreted 17% less (P < 0.05) N than the GPF pigs did. The pigs in IPF retained 9% more (P < 0.05) N than the GPF pigs. Plasma urea values were 9% higher (P < 0.05) in GPF than those in IPF. The gamma-glutamyl transferase enzyme decreased (P < 0.05) in a quadratic manner within IPF but increased (P < 0.05) in a quadratic manner within GPF. In the IPF systems, the average concentration of albumin and C-reactive protein tended (P < 0.10) to be 2 and 22% lower, respectively, than in GPF. Changes in amino acid concentrations occurred mainly in the liver of the IPF pigs. The pigs in IPF had higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of collagen in the longissimus dorsi than the pigs in GPF. Lastly, IPF allowed standardized ileal digestible Lys and Thr intakes to decrease by 16 and 15%, respectively, without differences in average daily gain and gain:feed ratio in comparison with GPF.

Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Yield and Associated Revenues in No-tillage Pumpkin

The use of no tillage (NT) integrated with cover cropping is a management practice that is becoming more popular with commercial ‘jack-o-lantern’ pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) growers in the eastern and midwestern United States, although little is known about nitrogen (N) fertilizer requirements for this production system. A field study was established at the Southern Illinois University Horticulture Research Center in Carbondale to evaluate the yield response of pumpkin and associated revenues to N fertilization in a NT production system after wheat (Triticum aestivum) harvest. Nitrogen application rate affected pumpkin leaf chlorophyll content, and resulting yields and revenues. At all sampling dates, pumpkin fertilized with 224 kg·ha−1 N had the greatest leaf chlorophyll content. Quadratic relationships best described pumpkin fruit size and diameter increase with N rates from 0 to 224 kg·ha−1. Furthermore, pumpkin fruit number and weight per hectare also increased in a quadratic manner, as N application rates increased from 0 to 224 kg·ha−1. The application of 168 kg·ha−1 N also provided high yields and large fruit sizes, although quadratic models indicated that maximum net revenues for NT pumpkins were achieved with 224 kg·ha−1 N. Growers applying 224 kg·ha−1 N would increase net revenues by ≈54%, 52%, and 51% at pumpkin fruit price points of $0.33, $0.44, $0.55 per kg, respectively, compared with 0 kg·ha−1 N fertilization. An additional 123 kg·ha−1 N from fertilizer was required for NT pumpkin production after wheat harvest in fields with high amounts of cereal straw residues on the soil surface compared with the 101 kg·ha−1 N recommended for conventional tillage systems with no cover crop residues. This study suggests that N fertilizer investments will provide significant monetary returns in NT pumpkin systems. However, the 168 kg·ha−1 N rate provided the highest return on fertilizer investment at all pumpkin pricing points compared with all other N rates evaluated. Additionally, pumpkins grown in NT systems using a winter grain crop that is ended at flowering should require similar N amounts, because little N is used during heading and grain ripening. Although growers often look for ways to reduce input costs in vegetable production systems, N fertilization is clearly an important investment that provides increased yields and revenues in NT pumpkins. The results of this study should provide additional information to establish N fertilizer recommendations for NT pumpkin production.

Effects of galacto-oligosaccharide on growth performance, feacal microbiota, immune response and antioxidant capability in weaned piglets

ABSTRACT The present experiment investigated the effects of galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) on growth performance, faecal microbiota, immune response and antioxidant capability in weaned piglets. Ninety 28-day-old weaned piglets were randomly allocated into 5 treatments with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 3 piglets per pen (n = 18). These five diets were formulated by adding 0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg GOS to the basal diet, respectively. The experiment was lasted for 28 days. Body weight and feed intake were determined. Faeces samples were collected to detect the amount of microbiota. Blood samples were used to determine antioxidative and immune parameters. The results indicated that GOS supplementation improved the growth performance, increased the number of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria and decreased the number of Escherichia coli in a linear or quadratic dose-dependent manner. Dietary GOS decreased serum concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a quadratic dose-dependent manner, but increased anti-inflammatory cytokines in a linear or quadratic dose-dependent manner. Moreover, GOS supplementation promoted the activities of antioxidant enzyme in a linear or quadratic dose-dependent manner during the experiment. The levels of MDA quadratically decreased on d 28. These results suggested that GOS exhibited positive effects on growth performance, immune function and antioxidant capability in weaned piglets.

Digestible tryptophan requirement for tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fingerlings

The objective of this study was to determine the digestible tryptophan requirement of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fingerlings and its relationship with digestible lysine. A total of 300 tambaqui fingerlings with three initial weights (2.12 ± 1.19, 8.13 ± 0.75, and 15.18 ± 1.91 g) were distributed in a randomized complete block design, consisting of six treatments (0.225, 0.256, 0.288, 0.319, 0.350, and 0.381% of digestible tryptophan) and five replicates of 10 fish per plot. The tryptophan to lysine ratio was estimated using a 1.78% level of digestible lysine. Variables regarding performance, food efficiency, and body deposition of protein, fat, and ashes, and nitrogen retention efficiency were evaluated. Feed intake and nitrogen retention efficiency did not vary. For the digestible tryptophan intake, feed conversion and body deposition of ashes, the model that best fit was the Linear Response Plateau, with these variables improving with the elevation of digestible tryptophan concentration up to the levels of 0.335, 0.276 and 0.259%, respectively. Weight gain, specific growth rate, digestible tryptophan efficiency for weight gain, and body deposition of protein and fat increased in a quadratic manner with elevated digestible tryptophan levels; the estimated optimal levels were 0.320, 0.310, 0.280, 0.323 and 0.299%, respectively. The recommended digestible tryptophan level in rations for tambaqui fingerlings is 0.323%, corresponding to 0.108%/Mcal of digestible energy with a digestible tryptophan to lysine ratio of 18%.

Fiber levels in laying quail diets.

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of inclusion levels of dietary fiber in the Japanese quail diets. 480 Japanese quail were distributed in a completely randomized design, with 5 treatments and 12 replicates composed of 8 birds each. The treatments were constituted by five increasing levels of fiber in the diet: 2.78; 3.08; 3.38; 3.68; 3.98%. The parameters of productive performance, water consumption, egg quality, total lipids in the egg, excreta humidity, weight of digestive organs and intestinal morphology were evaluated. There was no significant effect of the use of different fiber levels on feed intake, egg production, viability, live weight, relative and absolute weight of gizzard, small intestine and cecum, and in excreta moisture of Japanese quais. Higher dietary fiber levels resulted in improvements in feed conversion per mass and per dozen eggs and higher water consumption. There was no significant difference for egg quality, except fot the color of the yolk where it was observed higher pigmentation of this structure with higher levels of fiber inclusion, and the lipid concentration in the buds was influenced in a quadratic manner. The inclusion of fiber promoted improvement in the villi of the duodenum and cecum.

Potential of walnut (Juglans regia) leave ethanolic extract to modify ruminal fermentation, microbial populations and mitigate methane emission

Series of in vitro trials were conducted to evaluate dose–response effects of walnut leaf ethanolic extract (WLEE) on ruminal fermentation, microbial populations, mitigation of methane emission and acidosis prevention. The treatments were conducted according to a 5 × 3 factorial arrangement in a completely randomised design formulated to contain corn (corn-based diet, CBD) and barley grain (barley-based diet, BBD), or equal amounts of barley and corn (barley and corn diet, BCD), consisting of either basal diets alone (0) or basal diets with 250, 500, 750 or 1000 µL of WLEE (W0, W250, W500, W750 and W1000 respectively) per litre of buffered rumen fluid. Three fistulated cows fed diets containing alfalfa hay and concentrate mixes (same as the control diet) plus minerals and vitamins were used for collection of ruminal fluid. The asymptote of gas production and methane emission was decreased and lag time increased in a linear and quadratic manner with an increasing dose of WLEE (P &amp;lt; 0.001). However, gas production rate reduced linearly as WLEE dose increased (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Methane production was significantly reduced linearly (L) and quadratically (Q) when walnut ethanolic extract was increased from 250 to 1000 μL/L (L and Q; P &amp;lt; 0.001). The addition of WLEE significantly altered the volatile fatty acid profile in comparison to control, reducing the molar proportion of acetate and increasing that of propionate (P &amp;lt; 0.001), and also decreased the ammonia-N concentration (L, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Dry-matter and organic-matter in vitro digestibility coefficients were negatively affected by WLEE supplementation (L and Q; P &amp;lt; 0.001). Although anti-acidosis potential of WLEE was significantly lower than that of monensin, W1000 increased medium culture pH compared with uncontrolled acidosis and the lower doses of WLEE. The populations of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and R. albus were significantly reduced by WLEE, although to different magnitudes, depending on the corn and barley grain proportions in the diet. Results of the present study indicated that increasing addition levels of WLEE have noticeable effects on rumen microbial population and fermentation characteristics. It can be concluded that WLEE can potentially be used to manipulate ruminal fermentation patterns.

Cortical oxygenation during exposure therapy - in situ fNIRS measurements in arachnophobia.

Exposure therapy is a well-studied and highly efficacious treatment for phobic disorders. Although the neurobiological model of fear is well underpinned by various studies, the mechanisms of exposure therapy are still under discussion. Partly, this is due to the fact that most neurophysiological methods like fMRI are not able to be used in the natural therapeutic settings. The current study used in situ measurements of cortical blood oxygenation (O2Hb) during exposure therapy by means of functional near-infrared spectroscopy. 37 subjects (N=30 completers) underwent exposure therapy during 5 adapted sessions in which subjects were exposed to Tegenaria Domestica (domestic house spider - experimental condition) and Dendrobaena Veneta/ Eisenaia hortensis (red earthworm - control condition). Compared to the control condition, patients showed higher O2Hb levels in the anticipation and exposure phase of spider exposure in areas of the cognitive control network (CCN). Further, significant decreases in O2Hb were observed during the session accompanied by reductions in fear related symptoms. However, while symptoms decreased in a linear quadratic manner, with higher reductions in the beginning of the session, CCN activity decreased linearly. Further, higher anxiety at the beginning of session one was associated with increased O2Hb in the CCN. This association decreased within the following sessions. The current study sheds light on the neuronal mechanisms of exposure therapy. The results are discussed in light of a phase model of exposure therapy that posits a role of cognitive control in the beginning and routine learning at the end of the therapy session.