Tissue Growth Rate Research Articles

Vermetid gastropods mediate within-colony variation in coral growth to reduce rugosity

Intraspecific variation in coral colony growth forms is common and often attributed to phenotypic plasticity. The ability of other organisms to induce variation in coral colony growth forms has received less attention, but has implications for both taxonomy and the fates of corals and associated species (e.g. fishes and invertebrates). Variation in growth forms and photochemical efficiency of massive Porites spp. in lagoons of Moorea, French Polynesia (17.48°S, 149.85°W), were quantified in 2012. The presence of a vermetid gastropod (Ceraesignum maximum) was correlated with (1) reduced rugosity of coral colonies and (2) reduced photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) on terminal “hummocks” (coral tissue in contact with vermetid mucus nets) relative to adjacent “interstitial” locations (tissue not in contact vermetid mucus nets). A manipulative field experiment confirmed that the relative growth rate of coral tissue was greater in interstices than hummocks when vermetids were present and similar (but with a trend for faster growth on hummocks) when vermetids were absent. Collectively, these results indicate that vermetid gastropods interact (presumably via their mucus nets) with coral colony architecture to impair photochemical efficiency, reduce growth rates of specific portions of a coral tissue, and induce a smoothed colony morphology. Given that structural complexity of coral colonies is an important determinant of “habitat quality” for many other species (fishes and invertebrates), these results suggest that the vermetid gastropod, C. maximum (with a widespread distribution and reported increases in density in some portions of its range), may have important indirect effects on many coral-associated organisms.

Effect of Piper betel leaf stalk extract on protein metabolism in reproductive tissues of male albino rats

Article history: Received 18 July 2014 Objective: To know the impact of Piper betel leaf stalk (P. betel) extract on Protein and energy metabolism and its role in male albino rats. Methods: Healthy adult (3-4 months old) male Wistar strain albino rats were administered with betel leaf stalk extract, at the dose of 50 mg/ kg/day through oral gavages for 15 days. Twenty four hours after the last dose, the animals were autopsied. In order to assess antifertility effect in testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland, estimation of total, soluble and structural proteins, free amino acids and DNA, RNA were undertaken. Results: The accumulation in proteins indicates the anti-androgenic effect of extract. The reduction in free amino acids will affect the sertoli cell function, results in the damage of spermatogenesis. The significant elevation in testicular DNA content (hyperplasia) was observed. In the present study, P. betel leaf stalk extract decreases the concentration of RNA, in testes, seminal vesicle and prostate gland except in epididymis where it was elevated. It indicates the alterations in rate of protein synthesis and growth rate of tissues due to the administration of P. betel leaf stalk extraction. However, the RNA: DNA ratio was reduced except in prostate. Conclusions: P. betel leaf stalk extract exert its anti androgenic effect by alterations in rate of protein synthesis and cellular hypertrophy occur in prostate.

Pathogen Identification and Fungicides Screening of Kushui Rose Leaf Spot Disease

Leaf spot disease pathogen of kushui rose was isolated, purified, morphologically identified and screened for appropriate fungicides through tissue isolation, microscopic observation and growth rate methods. Results showed that the pathogen causing leaf spot disease was Alternaria sp., and for the 7 tested fungicides, difenoconazole and tebuconazole had the best inhibitory effect, the EC50 values were 0.0017 and 0.0041 μg/mL, respectively, followed by zineb, triadimefon, chlorothalonil and thiophanate-methyl, successively, with the EC50 values at 0.0157, 0.0422, 0.5160 and 0.87 μg/mL, respectively, while carbendazim had the worst inhibitory effect with the EC50 value at 1.3089 μg/mL.

Response of Mytilus edulis to enhanced phytoplankton availability by controlled upwelling in an oligotrophic fjord

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 518:139-152 (2015) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11036 Response of Mytilus edulis to enhanced phytoplankton availability by controlled upwelling in an oligotrophic fjord Tore Strohmeier1,*, Øivind Strand1, Marianne Alunno-Bruscia1,2, Arne Duinker3, Rune Rosland4, Jan Aure1, Svein R. Erga4, Lars J. Naustvoll5, Henrice M. Jansen1,6, Peter J. Cranford7 1Institute of Marine Research, PO Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway 2Ifremer, UMR 6539, 11 Presqu’île du Vivier, 29840 Argenton-en-Landunvez, France 3National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research, PO Box 2029 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway 4Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, 5020 Bergen, Norway 5Institute of Marine Research, Nye Flødevig veien 20, 4817 His, Norway 6Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies (IMARES), PO Box 77, 4400 AB Yerseke, The Netherlands 7Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y4A2, Canada *Corresponding author: tore.strohmeier@imr.no ABSTRACT: The controlled upwelling of nutrient-rich deep water in oligotrophic coastal regions has been proposed as a means of increasing phytoplankton and, subsequently, bivalve aquaculture production. This was tested as part of a large-scale upwelling experiment in an oligotrophic environment (Lysefjord, Norway). The mean chlorophyll a concentration in the upwelling area was consistently higher than at the control site (mean ± SD: 3.3 ± 1.9 and 1.5 ± 0.6 mg chl a m-3, respectively) during the 4 mo of controlled upwelling. After 2 mo with upwelling, the dry flesh weight of 1 yr old and 2 yr old mussels was 95% and 24% higher, respectively, than that of the mussels at the control site. The 1 yr old mussels (Mytilus edulis) at the upwelling site achieved up to 2.4-fold higher dry flesh weight compared to the control. Reproductive output was also higher at the upwelling site and only there, spawning of 1 yr old mussels was detected. Standardized clearance and respiration rates showed maximum values during the most intense period of tissue growth. Average ingestion rates were 40% higher at the upwelling than at the control site. Tissue growth and clearance rates were not correlated with the measured seston parameters, suggesting that food acquisition was responsive to other exogenous parameters and/or to increased endogenous energy demands. It was concluded that the sustained upwelling of nutrient-rich deep water in an oligotrophic fjord can increase phytoplankton biomass, resulting in improved mussel growth performance and increased aquaculture production carrying capacity. Thus, controlled upwelling represents a simple but effective ecosystem engineering approach for enhancing human food production. KEY WORDS: Bivalve aquaculture · Production carrying capacity · Physiology · Fjord ecosystems · Shell growth · Tissue growth Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Strohmeier T, Strand Ø, Alunno-Bruscia M, Duinker A and others (2015) Response of Mytilus edulis to enhanced phytoplankton availability by controlled upwelling in an oligotrophic fjord. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 518:139-152. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11036 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 518. Online publication date: January 07, 2015 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2015 Inter-Research.

<b>Allometry in carcasses of lambs of the Pantaneiro genetic group slaughtered with different subcutaneous fat thickness

Twenty-four female lambs of the Pantaneiro genetic group, with approximately 100 days of age, average body of 16.24 ± 1.78 kg, were slaughtered with 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mm of subcutaneous fat thickness, measured by ultrasound in the Longissimus, to evaluate the allometric growth. Lambs fed a complete pelleted diet calculated to ensure a daily weight gain of 0.30 kg. Slaughtering was performed as the female lambs reached the pre-established fat thickness. After 24 hours in a cold chamber at 4oC, chilled carcasses were cut in half and weighed. The right side was separated into five sections to determine the allometry of carcasses and cuts. Neck and rib showed isogonic growth in all treatments. Loin has remained late growth to 2.0 and 3.0 mm. Shoulder and leg were isogonic growth in the treatments 3.0 and 4.0 mm. The leg in relation to half carcass showed the greatest correlation. The cuts exhibited differentiated development in the growth rates of tissues. It is recommended to slaughter female lambs when they reach 3.0 mm of subcutaneous fat thickness, since the carcass has already reached physiological maturity. Shoulder and leg cuts are best suited for dissection for presenting the highest correlation with the carcass in females of the Pantaneiro group.

Degradability of injectable calcium sulfate/mineralized collagen-based bone repair material and its effect on bone tissue regeneration

The nHAC/CSH composite is an injectable bone repair material with controllable injectability and self-setting properties prepared by introducing calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH) into mineralized collagen (nHAC). When mixed with water, the nHAC/CSH composites can be transformed into mineralized collagen/calcium sulfate dihydrate (nHAC/CSD) composites. The nHAC/CSD composites have good biocompatibility and osteogenic capability. Considering that the degradation behavior of bone repair material is another important factor for its clinical applications, the degradability of nHAC/CSD composites was studied. The results showed that the degradation ratio of the nHAC/CSD composites with lower nHAC content increased with the L/S ratio increase of injectable materials, but the variety of L/S ratio had no significant effect on the degradation ratio of the nHAC/CSD composites with higher nHAC content. Increasing nHAC content in the composites could slow down the degradation of nHAC/CSD composite. Setting accelerator had no significant effect on the degradability of nHAC/CSD composites. In vivo histological analysis suggests that the degradation rate of materials can match the growth rate of new mandibular bone tissues in the implanted site of rabbit. The regulable degradability of materials resulting from the special prescriptions of injectable nHAC/CSH composites will further improve the workability of nHAC/CSD composites.

Morphological and biochemical characteristics of genetically transformed roots of Scutellaria andrachnoides

Genetically transformed roots (hairy roots) and callus tissue of skullcap (Scutellaria andrachnoides Vved.) were for the first time introduced in the in vitro culture. S. andrachnoides is the endemic plant of the Kyrgyzstan. These cultures were characterized by active and stable growth in the hormone-free liquid Gamborg nutrient medium. The growth rate of undifferentiated callus tissue was higher than that of hairy roots, which were the source of this callus. The composition of secondary metabolites in hairy roots, callus tissue, and also the roots of seedlings and adult S. andrachnoides plants was analyzed. It was found that S. andrachnoides hairy roots and callus culture retained the ability for the synthesis of flavones typical for the roots of intact plants. Substantial quantitative differences in secondary metabolites were observed between the roots of juvenile and adult plants. In the seedling roots, which like hairy roots have no secondary thickening, wogonoside, a wogonin glucuronide, predominated among flavones. In the roots of adult plants growing due to the secondary thickening, balcalin, a baicalein glucuronide, was a dominating flavon. It is proposed to use the large-scale in vitro cultivation of roots and especially the rapidly growing callus tissue of S. andrachnoides with a profitable content of only one group of flavones for the development of the biotechnological method for producing wogonin and creating on its basis a new drug — a valuable anticancer agent of plant origin with selective cytotoxic activity.

An ordinary differential equation model for full thickness wounds and the effects of diabetes

Wound healing is a complex process in which a sequence of interrelated phases contributes to a reduction in wound size. For diabetic patients, many of these processes are compromised, so that wound healing slows down. In this paper we present a simple ordinary differential equation model for wound healing in which attention focusses on the dominant processes that contribute to closure of a full thickness wound. Asymptotic analysis of the resulting model reveals that normal healing occurs in stages: the initial and rapid elastic recoil of the wound is followed by a longer proliferative phase during which growth in the dermis dominates healing. At longer times, fibroblasts exert contractile forces on the dermal tissue, the resulting tension stimulating further dermal tissue growth and enhancing wound closure. By fitting the model to experimental data we find that the major difference between normal and diabetic healing is a marked reduction in the rate of dermal tissue growth for diabetic patients. The model is used to estimate the breakdown of dermal healing into two processes: tissue growth and contraction, the proportions of which provide information about the quality of the healed wound. We show further that increasing dermal tissue growth in the diabetic wound produces closure times similar to those associated with normal healing and we discuss the clinical implications of this hypothesised treatment.

Effects of photodynamic hyperthermal therapy with indocyanine green on tumor growth in a colon 26 tumor-bearing mouse model.

The present study used indocyanine green (ICG) and a broadband light source apparatus [photodynamic hyperthermal therapy (PHT) group] in order to treat a colon 26 tumor-bearing mouse model. The other groups were administered either ICG alone (ICG group), light alone (light group) or no treatment (control group). Following the treatment, tumor growth was measured. Nine days after the treatment, the tumors were resected and histological and immunohistological examinations were performed. In the PHT group, the growth rates of the tumor tissues were significantly decreased compared with those observed in the other groups (P<0.05). The proportion of necrotic areas in the PHT and light groups were increased significantly compared with those observed in the ICG and control groups. However, there were no significant differences between the PHT and light groups. The proportion of Ki-67 in the PHT and light groups was less than that observed in the ICG and control groups. The number of terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells in the PHT group was significantly increased compared with that observed in the other groups. These data indicate that PHT is effective in vivo and in vitro.

Targeting Tamoxifen to Breast Cancer Xenograft Tumours: Preclinical Efficacy of Folate-Attached Nanoparticles Based on Alginate-Cysteine/Disulphide-Bond-Reduced Albumin

In vivo evaluation of tamoxifen (TMX)-loaded folate-targeted nanoparticles prepared from a mixture of disulphide bond reduced bovine serum albumin (BSA-SH) and alginate-cysteine (ALG-CYS) as targeted delivery systems of TMX to tumour tissues. TMX in solution, TMX included into folate-nanoparticles and their non-targeted analogues were intravenously administered to nude mice carrying xenograft MCF-7 tumours. The antitumor activity of these systems was characterized in terms of tumour growth rate, histological and immunohistochemical analysis of tumour tissues and TMX biodistribution. TMX-folate-attached nanoparticles caused tumour remission whereas free TMX or TMX-non-targeted nanoparticles could only stop the tumour development. The histological evaluation of tumour tissues showed that those treated with folate-conjugated systems presented the most quiescent and disorganized structures. Additionally, the lowest concentrations of TMX accumulated in non-targeted organs were also found after administration of the drug using this formulation. This study demonstrated that TMX-loaded folate-targeted systems were capable of reaching tumour sites, so enhancing the in vivo anticancer action of TMX, and allowing a new administration route to be applied and some of the current TMX therapy problems to be overcome.

Distinguishing between mean-field, moment dynamics and stochastic descriptions of birth–death–movement processes

Mathematical descriptions of birth–death–movement processes are often calibrated to measurements from cell biology experiments to quantify tissue growth rates. Here we describe and analyze a discrete model of a birth–death–movement process applied to a typical two-dimensional cell biology experiment. We present three different descriptions of the system: (i) a standard mean-field description which neglects correlation effects and clustering; (ii) a moment dynamics description which approximately incorporates correlation and clustering effects; and (iii) averaged data from repeated discrete simulations which directly incorporates correlation and clustering effects. Comparing these three descriptions indicates that the mean-field and moment dynamics approaches are valid only for certain parameter regimes, and that both these descriptions fail to make accurate predictions of the system for sufficiently fast birth and death rates where the effects of spatial correlations and clustering are sufficiently strong. Without any method to distinguish between the parameter regimes where these three descriptions are valid, it is possible that either the mean-field or moment dynamics model could be calibrated to experimental data under inappropriate conditions, leading to errors in parameter estimation. In this work we demonstrate that a simple measurement of agent clustering and correlation, based on coordination number data, provides an indirect measure of agent correlation and clustering effects, and can therefore be used to make a distinction between the validity of the different descriptions of the birth–death–movement process.

Injectable 3D Hydrogel Scaffold with Tailorable Porosity Post‐Implantation

Since rates of tissue growth vary significantly between tissue types, and also between individuals due to differences in age, dietary intake, and lifestyle-related factors, engineering a scaffold system that is appropriate for personalized tissue engineering remains a significant challenge. In this study, a gelatin-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid/carboxylmethylcellulose-tyramine (Gtn-HPA/CMC-Tyr) porous hydrogel system that allows the pore structure of scaffolds to be altered in vivo after implantation is developed. Cross-linking of Gtn-HPA/CMC-Tyr hydrogels via horseradish peroxidase oxidative coupling is examined both in vitro and in vivo. Post-implantation, further alteration of the hydrogel structure is achieved by injecting cellulase enzyme to digest the CMC component of the scaffold; this treatment yields a structure with larger pores and higher porosity than hydrogels without cellulase injection. Using this approach, the pore sizes of scaffolds are altered in vivo from 32-87 μm to 74-181 μm in a user-controled manner. The hydrogel is biocompatible to COS-7 cells and has mechanical properties similar to those of soft tissues. The new hydrogel system developed in this work provides clinicians with the ability to tailor the structure of scaffolds post-implantation depending on the growth rate of a tissue or an individual's recovery rate, and could thus be ideal for personalized tissue engineering.

Prenatal Low-Protein and Postnatal High-Fat Diets Induce Rapid Adipose Tissue Growth by Inducing Igf2 Expression in Sprague Dawley Rat Offspring1–3

Maternal low-protein diets result in lower birth weight followed by accelerated catch-up growth that is accompanied by the development of obesity and glucose intolerance in later life. Whether postnatal high-fat (HF) diets further contribute to the development of obesity and insulin resistance in offspring by affecting adipose tissue metabolism and DNA methylation is currently unknown. Obese-prone Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 8% low protein (LP) or 20% normal protein diets for 3 wk prior to conception and throughout pregnancy and lactation to investigate whether prenatal LP and postnatal HF diets affect the rate of adipose tissue growth, insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2) expression, and DNA methylation in male offspring. At weaning, the offspring were fed 10% normal fat or 45% HF diets for 12 wk. The adipose tissue growth rate was increased (up to 26-fold) by the LP prenatal and HF postnatal diets. Adipose tissue Igf2 mRNAs and DNA methylation were increased by the LP prenatal and HF postnatal diets. The LP prenatal and HF postnatal diet increased the number of small adipocytes in adipose tissue and decreased insulin sensitivity. These findings suggest that prenatal LP and postnatal HF intake result in adipose tissue catch-up growth through alterations in the expression of the Igf2 gene and DNA methylation within adipocytes. These alterations in adiposity are accompanied by an increased risk of development of type 2 diabetes.

Quantifying and modelling tissue maturation in the living human fetal brain

Recent advances in medical imaging are beginning to allow us to quantify brain tissue maturation in the growing human brain prior to normal term age, and are beginning to shed new light on early human brain growth. These advances compliment the work already done in cellular level imaging in animal and post mortem studies of brain development. The opportunities for collaborative research that bridges the gap between macroscopic and microscopic windows on the developing brain are significant. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the current research into MR imaging of the living fetal brain with the aim of motivating improved interfaces between the two fields. The review begins with a description of faster MRI techniques that are capable of freezing motion of the fetal head during the acquisition of a slice, and how these have been combined with advanced post-processing algorithms to build 3D images from motion scattered slices. Such rich data has motivated the development of techniques to automatically label developing tissue zones within MRI data allowing their quantification in 3D and 4D within the normally growing fetal brain. These methods have provided the basis for later work that has created the first maps of tissue growth rate and cortical folding in normally developing brains in-utero. These measurements provide valuable findings that compliment those derived from post-mortem anatomy, and additionally allow for the possibility of larger population studies of the influence of maternal environmental and genes on early brain development.

The effect of age on the growth rate of tissues and organs and the percentage content of edible and inedible components in Koluda White geese

The parts of carcasses of slaughtered animals that are not intended for human consumption are referred to as inedible components. The total percentage of edible to inedible components in the carcasses of different poultry species is an important economic consideration. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of age on the growth rate of tissues and organs and the percentage change in edible to inedible components in geese. A flock of 240 Polish Koluda White geese was raised to 12 wk of age. The percentage content of edible components increased (P < 0.001) and the percentage content of inedible parts decreased (P < 0.001) as the birds grew older. Among edible components, the most considerable changes were noted in the growth rates of muscle tissue (10.5% increase; P < 0.001) and giblets (5.1% decrease; P < 0.001). The percentage share of muscle tissue increased to 10 wk of age. Lean meat weight increased from 175 g in wk 2 to 1,482 g in wk 12. The increase in lean meat weight varied considerably between body parts. The proportion of breast muscles in total meat weight increased substantially (by 26%), whereas the proportion of leg muscles decreased (by 34%). An increase in the weight of skin with subcutaneous fat was observed until the end of the rearing period, but the percentage content of this component remained at a similar level throughout the experiment (19.1 to 19.6%). The decrease in the percentage content of inedible components was mostly due to a decrease in the share of slaughter offal (by approximately 6.5%) because the proportion of bones remained at a stable level (approximately 11.9 to 11.5%). The weight of abdominal fat, which can be classified as edible or inedible, increased significantly with age, from 15.1 g in wk 2 to 205.1 g in wk 12, accounting for 1.6% and 4.0% total BW, respectively.

CONSERVACIÓN in vitro DE GERMOPLASMA DE Agave spp. BAJO CONDICIONES DE CRECIMIENTO RETARDADO

Se desarrolló un sistema de conservación in vitro en condiciones de crecimiento retardado para las especies Agave bracteosa, A. chiapensis, A. nizandensis, A. ornithobroma, A. peacockii, A. titanota y A. victoria reginae, consideradas como amenazadas, y para A. cupreata, A. karwinskii y A. potatorum, explotadas de manera no sostenible para la elaboración de mezcal. El objetivo fue disponer de una herramienta que permita la conservación a mediano plazo de germoplasma de estas especies. Se demostró que la adición de agentes osmóticos al medio de cultivo (manitol o sorbitol 50 g L-1) es capaz de reducir la tasa de crecimiento in vitro de los tejidos, medida como incremento en peso fresco, y prolongar así el tiempo entre subcultivos de 75 d a 10 meses, y sin afectar su viabilidad ni su capacidad de regenerar plantas completas en medios con citocininas y sin los agentes osmóticos. Se obtuvieron eficiencias de regeneración de entre 5.8 y 20.6 brotes por explante en tejidos conservados durante 10 meses con la adición de agentes osmóticos. Los brotes generados formaron raíces y se adaptaron a suelo con eficiencias de 92 y 80 % en promedio, respectivamente. Se concluye que con este sistema es posible establecer a mediano plazo bancos de germoplasma in vitro que contribuyan a la conservación y uso racional de estas especies.

Biomarker responses and accumulation of hazardous substances in mussels (Mytilus trossulus) transplanted along a pollution gradient close to an oil terminal in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea)

Baltic Sea blue mussels (Mytilus trossulus) were used as sentinel organisms to detect the biological effects of chemical contamination in the low salinity environment. Mussels naturally adapted to a salinity of ca. 6.0PSU were caged for 30days at four sites along an assumed pollution gradient (salinity ca. 4.5PSU) in the vicinity of Finland's largest oil refinery and harbor Kilpilahti in the Gulf of Finland. Tissue concentrations and accumulation rates of especially organic contaminants (PAHs, PCBs and organotins) were clearly elevated at the innermost coastal stations near the harbor area. Biological effects of contaminant exposure on caged mussels were evaluated by measuring a suite of biomarkers including catalase, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, lipid peroxidation, acetylcholinesterase activity and lysosomal membrane stability. Mussels transplanted near the harbor area were able to elevate their antioxidant defense in response to environmental contamination. Reduced morphometric condition index and soft tissue growth rate together with increased lipid peroxidation and low lysosomal membrane stability were also observed at the most contaminated site. The results suggest that caging of M. trossulus for four weeks at lower salinity is a feasible method for the detection of environmental pollution also in low salinity areas of the Baltic Sea.

Prospective Randomized Comparative Study of Low‐Profile Balloon Gastrostomy Tubes in Children

Supplemental enteral nutrition through gastrostomy tubes is well established in children, but prospective studies comparing different tubes remain lacking in this population. The study aimed at comparing different aspects related to the use of low-profile balloon gastrostomy tubes in children. The authors prospectively studied the use of 2 tube types--tube A (MIC-Key gastrostomy tube; Ballard Medical Products, Draper, UT) and tube B (MINI One gastrostomy tube; Applied Medical Technology, Brecksville, OH)--in a cohort of children in a crossover study design. Children were randomly assigned to 1 tube type for 4 months, followed by the other tube type for the next 4 months. Patients were evaluated at enrollment and at 4 and 8 months, with monitoring phone calls at 2 and 6 months. Variables measured included caregiver satisfaction, tube-related complications, and device durability. Twenty-one patients were included in the study. Infection rate (range, 4.8%-5.0%) and overall leakage rate (range, 42.9%-50.0%) were similar in both groups. Trends were noted with other variables measured but without statistical significance. These included lower rates of formula leakage and granulation tissue growth and higher satisfaction scores with tube B and more favorable device durability with tube A. Both low-profile balloon gastrostomy tubes performed well and had comparable caregiver satisfaction, complications, and overall device durability.

The effect of age on the growth rate of tissues and organs and the percentage content of edible and nonedible carcass components in Pekin ducks

Age has a significant effect on carcass tissue composition, which is an important consideration in slaughter animals because age-related changes are observed in both edible and nonedible carcass components. In this study, the above changes were analyzed in Pekin ducks. The weight of individual edible and nonedible components in ducks increased for different periods of time, and the growth rate of tissue components varied considerably. The percentage content of edible components in the total BW of Pekin ducks increased from 42.8% in wk 1 to 59.9% in wk 8, mostly due to a significant (13.3%) increase in the share of muscle tissue. The percentage content of skin and subcutaneous fat remained at a stable level from wk 4, whereas the share of giblets decreased from 6 wk of age. The percentage content of nonedible components in the total BW of Pekin ducks decreased from 48.6% in wk 1 to 34.6% in wk 8, mainly due to a decrease in slaughter offal content (from 39.7% in wk 1 to 27.2% in wk 8). Minor changes were noted in the proportion of bones (11.7% in wk 1 and 10.9% in wk 8).

Effects of dibutyryl cAMP on growth performance and carcass traits in finishing pigs

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with N6, 2′-O-dibutyryl adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP) on growth performance, carcass traits, histochemical characteristics and serum constituents in finishing pigs. Seventy-two Duroc×(Landrace×Large White) barrows (57.3±0.6kg) were randomly allotted to 3 treatments with 6 replicate pens/treatment (4 pigs/pen). The pigs were fed diets containing 0, 10 and 20mgdbcAMP/kg, respectively, until the final slaughter weight of approximately 90kg. There were no differences in growth performance among dietary treatments. Leaf fat proportion and first rib backfat thickness were reduced (P<0.05), whereas tenth rib backfat thickness tended to decrease (P=0.10), in pigs fed 10mgdbcAMP/kg. Lean percentage was greater (P<0.05) and longissimus muscle area tended to increase (P=0.10) in pigs fed 10mgdbcAMP/kg when compared to the control group, but hot carcass weight was not affected by dbcAMP. Growth rate of fat-free lean tissues tended to increase (P=0.09) in dbcAMP-supplemented pigs. Dietary dbcAMP decreased (P<0.05) adipocytes diameter in subcutaneous fat, whereas longissimus muscle fiber diameter tended to increase (P=0.06) with dbcAMP supplementation; however, no difference in longissimus muscle cell density was detected among treatments. Serum concentrations of total protein and 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate increased (P<0.05) in response to dbcAMP, but concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, glucose and urea in serum did not differ among dietary treatments. These results indicate that dbcAMP had a positive effect on carcass traits. Addition of 10mgdbcAMP/kg to the diet was beneficial for growth performance and lean percentage, as well as improving protein and fat metabolism.