BW Range Research Articles

A picogram BA-ELISA quantification assay for rLj-RGD3, a platelet fibrinogen receptor antagonist, in the rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.

rLj-RGD3, a new member of the RGD (Arginine-Glycine-Aspartate)-motif toxin protein family obtained from Lampetra japonica by means of recombinant DNA techniques, has been demonstrated to be a platelet fibrinogen receptor antagonist and holds potential as a drug candidate for a specific indication. The present article reports an innovative validated highly sensitive and specific biotin-avidin enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (BA-ELISA) to provide a bio-analytical method for pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of rLj-RGD3. The concentration of picogram level rLj-RGD3 in rat plasma was measured using the developed double sandwich BA-ELISA assay, which used two mouse anti-rLj-RGD3 monoclonal antibodies that recognize different epitopes for capture and detection. This method was verified to be highly specific (blank plasma did not interfere with detection), precise (RSD <15%), and accurate (86%-113%). Absolute recovery was in the 94%-119% range. The calibration curve showed good linearity within the 50 to 1600 pg/mL range. The LOQ was as low as 50 pg/mL. The above validated assay was successfully employed to assess PK of rLj-RGD3 in rats. After i.v. and s.c. dosing with 30 μg/kg, the rLj-RGD3 plasma concentration declined bi-exponentially with time. This decay was best fitted to a two-compartment model. In conclusion, the BA-ELISA method described here meets all requirements for PK studies of rLj-RGD3 with an effective pharmacological dose in the μg/kg BW range.

Pancuronium Bromide for Chemical Immobilization of Adult Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus): A Field Study.

(1) Background: Pancuronium bromide is a neuromuscular blocker used for immobilizing crocodiles that can be reversed with neostigmine. A recommended drug dose has only been established for saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), mostly based on trials in juveniles and subadults. After trialing a dose recommendation in a small cohort of nine Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), we developed and applied a new dose recommendation for large adult Nile crocodiles. (2) Methods: we trialed and adapted a pancuronium bromide (Pavulon 4 mg/2 mL) dose in Nile crocodiles originally established for saltwater crocodiles and applied the new dose for the immobilization of 32 Nile crocodiles destined for transport. Reversal was achieved with neostigmine (Stigmine 0.5 mg/mL). (3) Results: Nine crocodiles were included in the trial phase; the induction time was highly variable (average: 70 min; range: 20-143 min), and the recovery time was prolonged (average: 22 h; range: 50 min-5 days), especially in large animals after reversal with neostigmine. Based on these results, we established a dose-independent recommendation (3 mg pancuronium bromide and 2.5 mg neostigmine) for animals weighing ≥ 270 kg (TL ≥ ~3.8 m). When applied to 32 adult male crocodiles (BW range: 270-460 kg; TL range: 3.76-4.48 m), the shortest induction time was ~20 min and the longest ~45 min. (4) Conclusions: Pancuronium bromide and its antidote, neostigmine, are effective for the immobilization and reversal of adult male Nile crocodiles (TL ≥ 3.8 m or BW ≥ 270 kg) when given in a weight-independent fashion.

Effect of Percent Fines in Pelleted Diets on Growth Performance of Grow-Finish Pigs During Three Phases of Production

Swine feed is commonly pelleted to improve F/G, feed handling characteristics, and bulk density. However, the degree of improvement in F/G of pigs depends on pellet quality or the percent fines at the feeder. The objective of this study was to determine if the response to pellet quality was dependent on the BW range of grow-finish pigs. Therefore, a total of 350 pigs (initially 80 lb; line 600 × 241, DNA) were randomly placed in 35 pens with 10 pigs per pen (5 barrows and 5 gilts per pen). All pigs were fed a common diet until the onset of the first experiment. At this time, pens of pigs were weighed to determine average pig weight per pen and split into 7 blocks based on average pen weight. Treatments were randomly assigned to pens within block. There was a total of 5 treatments with 7 replications per treatment. For Exp. 1, 2, and 3, pigs were fed treatments for 20 days from 96 to 150 lb, 21 days from 179 to 234 lb, and 20 days from 260 to 317 lb, respectively. Between each experiment, a 10-day washout period was utilized to mitigate any residual effects from the previous experiment and pens were rerandomized to treatment before the start of each experiment. Treatments consisted of 10% fines (screened pellets), pellets with increasing fines inclusions (45, 65, and 85% fines), and mashed feed. Experiment 1 (96 to 150 lb) treatments contained 90.4, 67.6, 46.4, and 12.5% fines at the feeder. There was no evidence of differences in ADG or ADFI in pigs fed the mash diet compared to those fed any of the pelleted treatments. However, pigs fed pellets with 12.5% fines had improved (P < 0.05) F/G compared to those fed mash diets. Pig ADFI and total feed cost increased (linear, P > 0.006) in those fed pelleted diets with an increasing percentage of fines. Pigs fed pelleted diets with increasing percentage of fines (linear, P = 0.002) had poorer F/G. Experiment 2 (179 to 235 lb) treatments consisted of 86.0, 60.5, 43.6, and 15.5% fines at the feeder. There was no evidence of differences in ADG. Pigs fed 86.0% fines had a tendency for increased (P < 0.1) ADFI and poorer F/G when compared to the mash diet. Therefore, total feed cost increased (P < 0.05) for pigs fed pellets with 86.0% fines when compared to pigs fed the

Effect of Percent Fines in Pelleted Diets on Growth Performance of Grow-Finish Pigs During Three Phases of Production

Swine feed is commonly pelleted to improve F/G, feed handling characteristics, and bulk density. However, the degree of improvement in F/G of pigs depends on pellet quality or the percent fines at the feeder. The objective of this study was to determine if the response to pellet quality was dependent on the BW range of grow-finish pigs. Therefore, a total of 350 pigs (initially 80 lb; line 600 × 241, DNA) were randomly placed in 35 pens with 10 pigs per pen (5 barrows and 5 gilts per pen). All pigs were fed a common diet until the onset of the first experiment. At this time, pens of pigs were weighed to determine average pig weight per pen and split into 7 blocks based on average pen weight. Treatments were randomly assigned to pens within block. There was a total of 5 treatments with 7 replications per treatment. For Exp. 1, 2, and 3, pigs were fed treatments for 20 days from 96 to 150 lb, 21 days from 179 to 234 lb, and 20 days from 260 to 317 lb, respectively. Between each experiment, a 10-day washout period was utilized to mitigate any residual effects from the previous experiment and pens were rerandomized to treatment before the start of each experiment. Treatments consisted of 10% fines (screened pellets), pellets with increasing fines inclusions (45, 65, and 85% fines), and mashed feed. Experiment 1 (96 to 150 lb) treatments contained 90.4, 67.6, 46.4, and 12.5% fines at the feeder. There was no evidence of differences in ADG or ADFI in pigs fed the mash diet compared to those fed any of the pelleted treatments. However, pigs fed pellets with 12.5% fines had improved (P < 0.05) F/G compared to those fed mash diets. Pig ADFI and total feed cost increased (linear, P > 0.006) in those fed pelleted diets with an increasing percentage of fines. Pigs fed pelleted diets with increasing percentage of fines (linear, P = 0.002) had poorer F/G. Experiment 2 (179 to 235 lb) treatments consisted of 86.0, 60.5, 43.6, and 15.5% fines at the feeder. There was no evidence of differences in ADG. Pigs fed 86.0% fines had a tendency for increased (P < 0.1) ADFI and poorer F/G when compared to the mash diet. Therefore, total feed cost increased (P < 0.05) for pigs fed pellets with 86.0% fines when compared to pigs fed the

Accuracy of predicting chemical body composition of growing pigs using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Studies in animal science assessing nutrient and energy efficiency or determining nutrient requirements benefit from gathering exact measurements of body composition or body nutrient contents. Those are acquired by standardized dissection or by grinding the body followed by wet chemical analysis, respectively. The two methods do not result in the same type of information, but both are destructive. Harnessing human medical imaging techniques for animal science can enable repeated measurements of individuals over time and reduce the number of individuals required for research. Among imaging techniques, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is particularly promising. However, the measurements obtained with DXA do not perfectly match dissections or chemical analyses, requiring the adjustment of the DXA via calibration equations. Several calibration regressions have been published, but comparative studies of those regression equations and whether they are applicable to different data sets are pending. Thus, it is currently not clear whether existing regression equations can be directly used to convert DXA measurements into chemical values or whether each individual DXA device will require its own calibration. Our study builds prediction equations that relate body composition to the content of single nutrients in growing entire male pigs (BW range 20–100 kg) as determined by both DXA and chemical analyses, with R2 ranging between 0.89 for ash and 0.99 for water and CP. Moreover, we show that the chemical composition of the empty body can be satisfactorily determined by DXA scans of carcasses, with the prediction error ranging between 4.3% for CP and 12.6% for ash. Finally, we compare existing prediction equations for pigs of a similar range of BWs with the equations derived from our DXA measurements and evaluate their fit with our chemical analysis data. We found that existing equations for absolute contents that were built using the same DXA beam technology predicted our data more precisely than equations based on different technologies and percentages of fat and lean mass. This indicates that the creation of generic regression equations that yield reliable estimates of body composition in pigs of different growth stages, sexes and genetic breeds could be achievable in the near future. DXA may be a promising tool for high-throughput phenotyping for genetic studies, because it efficiently measures body composition in a large number and wide array of animals.

Predictorsof Early Engraftment in Autologous Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation; a Single Center Experience

Introduction: Autologous stem cells transplantation (ASCT) is a treatment option used in various hematological malignancies. ASCT can prolong disease free survival, improve survival, and may be curative. We investigated the variables affecting engraftment among patients treated with high dose-chemotherapy and ASCT.Methods: 364 adult patients underwent 419 ASCT from 2001 to 2016, at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. There were 207 males and 157 females, with a median age of 45 years (17-74). The cohort included 126 multiple myeloma (MM), 120 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 108 Hodgkin lymphoma, while 10 patients had other malignancies. All patients received high-dose chemotherapy regimens without total body irradiation. The median time from diagnosis to first transplant is 11.9 months (range 2-288). The median number of apheresis was 1 (range 1-5).Results: The median number of infused CD34+ cells was 5.8x106/kg (range 0.71-24.9) which contained DMSO at a median dose of 0.2 g/kg BW (range 0.0375-0.91). Patients exhibited an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery of ≥0.5x109/L at a median of 10 days (range 1-97). Platelet recovery to ≥20x109/L occurred at a median of 15 days (range 7-46). Status of the disease at transplant was: 130 patients (31%) were in complete remission (CR), 242 (58%) in partial remission (PR), and 47 (11%) patients were in relapse or progressive disease.The findings of univariate and multivariate analyses are summarized in Table 1. Diagnosis other than MM, low DMSO dose (< 0.2 g/kg BW), and high infused CD34+ cell count (>6x106/kg) were associated with engraftment of neutrophils within 10 days from stem cell infusion. Low DMSO dose and high infused CD34+ cell count were associated with engraftment of platelets within 15 days.Conclusion: Our results imply that the infused CD34+ cell count and the DMSO dose are important predictors of hematopoietic engraftment, namely neutrophil and platelet engraftment. These findings need to be verified in larger scale studies. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Impact of using a new ultraviolet ozone absorption cross-section dataset on OMI ozone profile retrievals

Abstract. We evaluate different sets of high-resolution ozone absorption cross-section data for use in atmospheric ozone profile measurements in the Hartley and Huggins bands with a particular focus on BDM 1995 (Daumont et al. 1992; Brion et al., 1993; Malicet et al., 1995), currently used in our retrievals, and a new laboratory dataset by Birk and Wagner (2018) (BW). The BDM cross-section data have been recommended to use for retrieval of ozone profiles using spaceborne nadir-viewing backscattered ultraviolet (BUV) measurements since its improved performance was demonstrated against other cross-sections including Bass and Paur (1985) (BP) and those of Serdyuchenko et al. (2014) and Gorshelev et al. (2014) (SER) by the “Absorption Cross-Sections of Ozone” (ACSO) activity. The BW laboratory data were recently measured within the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA) project SEOM-IAS (Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions – Improved Atmospheric Spectroscopy Databases) to provide an advanced absorption cross-section database. The BW cross-sections are made from measurements at more temperatures and in a wider temperature range than BDM, especially for low temperatures. Relative differences of cross-sections between BW and BDM range from ∼2 % at shorter UV wavelengths to ∼5 % at longer UV wavelengths at warm temperatures. Furthermore, these differences dynamically increase by up to ±40 % at cold temperatures due to no BDM measurements having been made below 218 K. We evaluate the impact of using different cross-sections on ozone profile retrievals from Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) measurements. Correspondingly, this impact leads to significant differences in individual ozone retrievals by up to 50 % in the tropopause where the coldest atmospheric temperatures are observed. Bottom atmospheric layers illustrate the significant change of the retrieved ozone values, with differences of 20 % in low latitudes, which is not the case in high latitudes because the ozone retrievals are mainly controlled by a priori ozone information in high latitudes due to less photon penetration down to the lower troposphere. Validation with ozonesonde observations demonstrates that BW and BDM retrievals show altitude-dependent bias oscillations of similar magnitude relative to ozonesonde measurements, much smaller than those of both BP and SER retrievals. However, compared to BDM, BW retrievals show significant reduction in standard deviation, by up to 15 %, especially at the coldest atmospheric temperatures. Such improvement is achieved mainly by the better characterization of the temperature dependence of ozone absorption.

Dietary lysine-to-energy ratios for managing growth and pubertal development in replacement gilts

Our objectives were to determine growth rates, body composition, and pubertal development in replacement gilts fed diets with different ratios of standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine to ME. Diets with low, medium, and high ratios of SID lysine to ME (grower: 2.3, 2.6, and 2.8; finisher; 1.7, 1.9, and 2.1 g/Mcal) were fed from 100 to 200 d of age, after which gilts were moved from the gilt development unit to sow farms. Boar exposure and estrus detection began at 160 d of age and continued until first detected estrus. Estimates of BW and body composition were determined at 100, 142, 160, and 200 d of age and at puberty. Body weights and growth rates were reduced (P < 0.05) as dietary SID lysine–to–ME ratio decreased. Greater SID lysine–to–ME ratios increased the number of gilts that exhibited estrus upon boar exposure, increased the number of gilts with a spontaneous first estrus, reduced the number of gilts requiring P.G.600 (Merck Animal Health, Kenilworth, NJ), and decreased age at first estrus (P < 0.05). Slower growing gilts that weighed less with less backfat were more likely to require P.G.600 to induce puberty (P < 0.05). Reducing SID lysine–to–ME ratios in gilt diets can increase the number of gilts within optimal BW range at first estrus, but overall pubertal development is delayed if ratios are reduced below 2.8 and 2.1 g of SID lysine to megacalorie of ME in grower and finisher diets, respectively.

Results of a Prospective, Multicenter, Phase I/II Clinical Study in Pediatric and Adult Patients Using TCR Alpha/Beta and CD19 Depleted Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Grafts Following Reduced-Intensity Conditioning

Results of a Prospective, Multicenter, Phase I/II Clinical Study in Pediatric and Adult Patients Using TCR Alpha/Beta and CD19 Depleted Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Grafts Following Reduced-Intensity Conditioning

Polychlorobiphenyl levels in the serum of cats from residential flats in Italy: Role of the indoor environment

ABSTRACTThe domestic cat (Felis catus) was used as a sentinel of exposure to polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in indoor urban environments y. Sera from 120 cats were pooled to form 30 different groups selected by age (<2 years; > 2 ≤ 8 years; > 8 years), sex, municipality (Bologna and Turin) and environment (indoor vs. outdoor). Test portions of 1 mL were analyzed by means of gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) for six selected indicators non-dioxin-like PCBs (∑6 PCBs: congeners #28, #52, #101, #132, #153 and #180) and the results were computed in the upper-bound mode. The internal dose of PCBs attributable to the cats' alimentary lipid intake ranged from 32.4 to 1,446 ng/g (P50 165; mean 258). The Wilcoxon test revealed significantly lower PCB burden in “outdoor” groups than in “indoor” groups. Age correlated well with the heptachlorinated and most bio-accumulative congener, PCB #180, and slightly with hexachlorinated PCBs #138 and #153. Contamination attributable to house dust collected in 15 living-rooms ranged from 10.0 to 279 ng/g dry weight (P50 97.4; mean 94.4). Exposure estimates indicated a 0.6–16 ng/kg bw range of daily ∑6 PCB intake from a default value of 200 mg/cat of dust ingestion. The intake of PCBs due to dust ingestion fell within the same order of magnitude as that computed from a 60 g daily intake of commercial dry pet foods, while inhalation accounted for 0.21–8.2 ng/kg bw/day, on setting the nominal ∑6 PCB contamination in outdoor and indoor air at 0.37 and 15 ng/m3, respectively. Italian indoor cats could be exposed to higher levels of ∑6 PCBs than the Reference Dose (RfD) of 10 ng/kg/bw/day; this supports the World Health Organization's statement that the quality of the indoor environment is a major determinant of health.

Achievement of Various Widebands: A Design of Wide-Slot Antennas Using Shape Blending

When designing printed wide-slot antennas, the shape or profile of the tuning stub is a key geometric structure that affects the impedance bandwidth of the antenna. This article introduces a new process for designing tuning stub shapes, which are the blended results of a diamond and a circle. By using different geometry shapes, the design could generate a series of bandwidths with a regular trend. Detailed investigations and analysis were conducted on some key geometry parameters to explore their impact on the impedance bandwidth of the antenna. To certify the new design method, several prototypes were simulated, developed, and measured. The experimental and simulated results showed good agreement with each other. The results indicate that by properly selecting various blended shapes, a BW range from 80.1 to 117.3% for a VSWR of less than 2 could be obtained, which provides a convenient model for a wideband antenna design.

Prediction of the chemical body composition of Nellore and crossbreed bulls

Young Nellore and crossbreed bulls were comparatively slaughtered to generate equation models for predicting the chemical composition of the empty body and carcass from the chemical composition of the Hankins and Howe section (HH section; Hankins and Howe, 1946). Data were collected from 236 animals from different genetic groups: Nellore, one-half Canchim + one-half Nellore, one-half Angus + one-half Nellore, and one-half Simmental + one-half Nellore, with 48 baseline animals (BW range from 218 to 433 kg) and 188 animals finished in the feedlot (BW range from 356 to 618 kg). The chemical composition prediction equation model was developed for all genetic groups using stepwise regression analysis. Across all animals, the percentages of water and ether extract in the HH section were highly correlated (P < 0.001) with the percentages in the carcass (r = 0.911 and r = 0.901, respectively, for water content of the carcass [H2OC] and r = 0.921 and r = 0.921, respectively, for ether extract content of the carcass [EEC]) and empty body (r = 0.937 and r = 0.926, respectively, for water content of the empty body [H2OEB] and r = 0.935 and r = 0.939, respectively, for ether extract content of the empty body [EEEB]). The best prediction models were for the traits of empty body weight, H2OEB, EEEB, H2OC, and EEC. Determination coefficients for predicting the dependent variables obtained from the carcass composition were lower than those obtained from the empty body composition. It was concluded that the chemical composition of the empty body and the carcass can be predicted from the composition of the HH section, using a general equation for different genetic groups.

Prediction of the chemical body composition of Nellore and crossbreed bulls.

Young Nellore and crossbreed bulls were comparatively slaughtered to generate equation models for predicting the chemical composition of the empty body and carcass from the chemical composition of the Hankins and Howe section (; ). Data were collected from 236 animals from different genetic groups: Nellore, one-half Canchim + one-half Nellore, one-half Angus + one-half Nellore, and one-half Simmental + one-half Nellore, with 48 baseline animals (BW range from 218 to 433 kg) and 188 animals finished in the feedlot (BW range from 356 to 618 kg). The chemical composition prediction equation model was developed for all genetic groups using stepwise regression analysis. Across all animals, the percentages of water and ether extract in the HH section were highly correlated ( < 0.001) with the percentages in the carcass ( = 0.911 and = 0.901, respectively, for water content of the carcass [HOC] and = 0.921 and = 0.921, respectively, for ether extract content of the carcass [EEC]) and empty body ( = 0.937 and = 0.926, respectively, for water content of the empty body [HOEB] and = 0.935 and = 0.939, respectively, for ether extract content of the empty body [EEEB]). The best prediction models were for the traits of empty body weight, HOEB, EEEB, HOC, and EEC. Determination coefficients for predicting the dependent variables obtained from the carcass composition were lower than those obtained from the empty body composition. It was concluded that the chemical composition of the empty body and the carcass can be predicted from the composition of the HH section, using a general equation for different genetic groups.

Impact of amino acid and CP restriction from 20 to 140 kg BW on performance and dynamics in empty body protein and lipid deposition of entire male, castrated and female pigs

Breeding leaner pigs during the last decades may have changed pig’s empty body (EB) composition, a key trait for elaborating feeding recommendations. This research aimed to provide new experimental data on changes in the chemical composition of the EB of pigs from 20 to 140 kg BW. In addition, the impact of a reduction in the dietary CP associated with lower lysine, methionine+cystine, threonine and tryptophan levels was determined. In total, 48 males, castrates and females weighing 20 kg BW were allocated either to a control grower–finisher diet formulated according to current Swiss feeding recommendations, or a low CP grower–finisher diet (80% of control). Feed intake was monitored and pigs were weighed weekly. The chemical composition of EB (blood, hairs and hoofs, offals, bile, carcass) was determined at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 kg BW on four pigs per gender and diet (eight pigs per gender at 20 kg). The five fractions were weighed and samples were analysed for dry matter, protein, fat and energy. Nutrient deposition rates and N efficiency were calculated by using the 20 kg BW category as reference. Analysis revealed an accurate feed optimisation for the aforementioned essential amino acids (EAA), whereas digestible isoleucine content in the low CP diet was at 70% of the control diet. Despite similar feed intake, daily gain and feed efficiency were impaired (P<0.01) from 20 to 100 kg BW in the low CP compared with the control pigs. In the same growth period, castrates had the greatest feed intake but, together with females, displayed the lowest (P<0.01) feed efficiency. Protein deposition was reduced (P<0.01) by up to 31% with low CP diet and was lower (P<0.01) in castrates and females than males at 100 kg BW. The greatest fat deposition rates were found with low CP diet and castrates. N efficiency improved (P<0.05) by 10% with the low CP diet from 100 to 140 kg. The males displayed the greatest (P<0.05) N efficiency. These findings suggest that the CP content of finisher II diets could be reduced to 102, 102 and 104 g/kg for females, castrates and males, respectively, without a negative impact on protein deposition or growth. It remains unclear whether the negative effects found in the BW range from 20 to 100 kg on the EB deposition were due to the 20% reduction of the dietary CP and the five limiting EAA or to other EAA via an unbalanced EAA profile.

A Half-mode Substrate-Integrated Filter With Tunable Center Frequency and Reconfigurable Bandwidth

This letter presents a half-mode substrate integrated cavity bandpass filter with both continuous center frequency and 3 dB bandwidth tuning capabilities. The filter adopts a superposed two layers PCB with lumped varactors loading the central resonator to tune the center frequency. The first-invented semicircular metal sheet on the center rod not only reduces the filter size given a certain resonant frequency significantly by increasing the capacitance between the semicircular metal and the upper ground metal but also facilitates fine frequency tuning by using appropriate varactor $C_{\mathrm{tune}}$ . Surface mount varactors between two resonators change the inter-resonator coupling to adjust the 3 dB BW. Another varactor on the feed line can be used to adjust the external coupling. This filter demonstrates a BW range of 75–130 MHz around 1.5 GHz, a 3 dB BW range of 46–130 MHz around 1.3 GHz and a 3 dB BW range of 55–90 MHz around 1.11 GHz with 10 dB minimum return loss. Insertion loss ranging from 2.262 dB to 7 dB have been obtained.

Modelling phosphorus intake, digestion, retention and excretion in growing and finishing pig: model evaluation

A deterministic, dynamic model was developed, to enable predictions of phosphorus (P) digested, retained and excreted for different pig genotypes and under different dietary conditions. Before confidence can be placed on the predictions of the model, its evaluation was required. A sensitivity analysis of model predictions to ±20% changes in the model parameters was undertaken using a basal UK industry standard diet and a pig genotype characterized by British Society Animal Science as being of ‘intermediate growth’. Model outputs were most sensitive to the values of the efficiency of digestible P utilization for growth and the non-phytate P absorption coefficient from the small intestine into the bloodstream; all other model parameters influenced model outputs by <10%, with the majority of the parameters influencing outputs by <5%. Independent data sets of published experiments were used to evaluate model performance based on graphical comparisons and statistical analysis. The literature studies were selected on the basis of the following criteria: they were within the BW range of 20 to 120 kg, pigs grew in a thermo-neutral environment; and they provided information on P intake, retention and excretion. In general, the model predicted satisfactorily the quantitative pig responses, in terms of P digested, retained and excreted, to variation in dietary inorganic P supply, Ca and phytase supplementation. The model performed well with ‘conventional’, European feed ingredients and poorly with ‘less conventional’ ones, such as dried distillers grains with solubles and canola meal. Explanations for these inconsistencies in the predictions are offered in the paper and they are expected to lead to further model development and improvement. The latter would include the characterization of the origin of phytate in pig diets.

Evidence of genetic variability for digestive efficiency in the growing pig fed a fibrous diet

Energy digestibility in the growing pig increases with BW increase and may differ between breeds of pigs or between lines selected on criteria other than digestion. However, little is known about the variability in energy digestibility within a line or a breed of pigs, especially when fibrous diets are fed. For this purpose, 20 Large White castrated male growing pigs originating from four boars (five per boar), and three to four sows per boar, were fed a high dietary fibre (DF) diet (18% NDF) and measured over 10 consecutive weeks (30 to 95 kg BW range) for their apparent faecal energy, nitrogen and organic matter digestibility. Each week, faeces were totally collected over 5 days and the feed dry matter intake over the same days was recorded. All digestibility coefficients increased regularly (P < 0.001) over the experimental periods or with BW increase (+0.6 point/10 kg BW increase for energy); this rate of increase was not affected by boar origin (no interaction; P > 0.05). The digestibility coefficients were affected by boar origin (P < 0.005 for energy), with about 2 points for energy between the extremes (81.7% v. 79.5%), and there was no marked interaction between boar origin and period. These preliminary results suggest the possibility of selecting growing pigs for an increased digestive efficiency when fed high DF diets.

Effect of Herbal Formulation AV/DAC-16 Supplementation on Rumen Profiles in Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis)

12 healthy buffalo calves with BW range 100-150 kg were fistulated and divided into two groups of 6 animals each. Control group animals were fed on conventional diet comprising of wheat straw (2 kg), green fodder (8 kg), concentrate (1.0 kg) and mineral mixture (0.050kg). The animals of the treatment group were kept on diet similar to the control group along with feeding of herbally formulated drug AV/DAC-16@ 15 gm/day for 21 days. Each animal was sampled for three consecutive days at 0 hr i.e., immediately before feeding and subsequent samples were taken at 2, 4 and 6 h intervals after feeding. There was a significant fall in pH at 2 and 4 h post-prandial and in MBRT during the entire observation period. TVFA concentration increased significantly in the treatment group. Though oral administration of AV/DAC-16 did not have any prominent effect on the protozoal count, the bacterial count increased significantly in comparison to control group. Total nitrogen concentrations fell significantly while a significant increase was observed in the ammonia nitrogen content in the supplemented group at 6 hours after feeding. The animals of supplemented group showed a significant increase in body weights.

Simulation and design of an infrared beamline for SESAME (Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East)

The infrared synchrotron radiation emitted from an edge and constant field radiation of a bending magnet, at the third generation storage ring SESAME, which is in construction, is studied in detail by the “Synchrotron Radiation Workshop” (SRW) computer code and ray-tracing techniques. Constant magnetic field and edge infrared emissions are taken into account in the project of the bending vacuum chamber. Emission angles of 15×39mrad2 (vertical×horizontal) have been considered giving a photon flux in the 1013photons/sec/0.1%bw range. The beamline design is presented, with details of the first extraction mirror, its heat load and operating procedure. The beamline has been designed to produce a dual beam in the experimental floor, which enables serving in the future, two independent instruments.

Effect of feed restriction on the performance and behaviour of pigs immunologically castrated with Improvac®

For centuries, entire male pigs have been castrated to reduce the risk of boar taint. However, physical castration of pig is increasingly being questioned with regard to animal welfare considerations. Immunization against gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) provides an alternative to physical castration. Using the currently available commercial product (Improvac®; Pfizer Animal Health), a two-dose regimen of a GnRH vaccine is administered. After the second vaccination, a substantial increase in feed consumption has been reported, which may be associated with increased body fatness and decreased feed efficiency when compared with unvaccinated entire male pigs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a feed restriction on these traits and on the behaviour of 120 group-housed entire males (five pigs/pen) vaccinated against GnRH. The first vaccination was performed at 62 days of age and the second (V2) at 130 days of age. Pigs were slaughtered in two batches 4 to 5 weeks after V2. They were either offered feed ad libitum over the 22 to 114 kg BW range (AL treatment) or ad libitum up to a maximum of 2.50 (R2.50 treatment) or 2.75 kg/day per pig (R2.75 treatment). Behavioural observations and skin lesion scoring were conducted 1 week before V2, and 1 and 3 weeks after V2. At slaughter, the volumetric lean meat content was measured using an X-ray computed tomography scanner. Between V2 and slaughter, the average feed intakes for the R2.75 and R2.50 treatments were 15% and 22% lower than the average AL feed intake (3.20 kg/day), respectively. Feed restriction was associated with a reduced average daily gain after V2 (846, 932 and 1061 g/day in the R2.50, R2.75 and AL groups, P < 0.01) but had no effect on the feed conversion ratio (3.00 kg feed/kg BW gain on average, P = 0.62). No difference was observed in the lean meat content (71.8%, 70.7% and 70.4% in the R2.50, R2.75 and AL groups, P = 0.14), despite a reduced backfat thickness measured in restrictively fed pigs (12.0, 13.0 and 13.6 mm in the R2.50, R2.75 and AL groups, P < 0.01). Higher skin lesion scores were observed 3 weeks after V2 in R2.50 and R2.75 pigs than in the AL ones (scores 33.4, 27.7 and 25.5, respectively, P = 0.04). These results, combined with an unimproved feed efficiency and no marked change in carcass characteristics, suggest that immunologically castrated pigs should not be restrictively fed during the late finishing period.