The Probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum Biocenol CCM 7514 Moderates Campylobacter jejuni-Induced Body Weight Impairment by Improving Gut Morphometry and Regulating Cecal Cytokine Abundance in Broiler Chickens

This research was conducted to investigate if the administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum could influence body weight, intestinal morphometry and the cecal cytokine response in Campylobacter jejuni-infected chickens. Seventy-two 1-day old COBB 500 male chicks were allocated randomly into four experimental groups. (I) Control group (C), in which chicks were left untreated. (II) LB group, treated with L. fermentum. (III) Cj group, infected with C. jejuni and (IV) coexposure group in which both bacteria were administered. Body weight was registered and then all birds were slaughtered; samples from the small intestine and caecum were collected at 4- and 7-days post infection. The experiment lasted eleven days. Villi height and crypt depth ratios of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were evaluated using appropriate software, while reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was utilized for assessing transcript levels of key cecal inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, IL-17, IL-15, IL13 and IL-4). Campylobacter-infected birds showed lower body weight values than those supplemented with the probiotic; these birds, in turn, proved to be heavier than those reared under control conditions. L. fermentum administration improved morphometrical parameters of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum; in general, villi were larger and crypts deeper than those identified in control conditions. Moreover, the negative effects elicited by C. jejuni were not observed in chickens exposed to the probiotic. Significant differences were also determined with regards to transcript abundance of all evaluated cytokines in the caecum. C. jejuni induced a downregulation of the studied interleukins; however, such a response was heightened by administration of L. fermentum, with an increase rate of transcription that promoted a more effective response to a C. jejuni infection. The effects of experimental treatments proved to vary between sampling points. Conclusively, these results demonstrate that L. fermentum lessens the negative effects elicited by C. jejuni on body weight by alleviating the impact on intestinal morphometry and cecal cytokine response, which ultimately improve chicken growth performance.

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Effects of Lactobacillus Fermentum Supplementation on Body Weight and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Expression in Campylobacter Jejuni-Challenged Chickens

Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.3390/vetsci7030121 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 121

Author(s):

Miroslava Šefcová ◽

Marco Larrea-Álvarez ◽

César Larrea-Álvarez ◽

Viera Revajová ◽

Viera Karaffová ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Campylobacter Jejuni ◽

Inflammatory Cytokine ◽

Well Being ◽

Cytokine Expression ◽

Lactobacillus Fermentum ◽

Cytokine Gene Expression ◽

Control Group ◽

Poultry Production ◽

The Impact

Due to the interest in using probiotic bacteria in poultry production, this research was focused on evaluating the effects of Lactobacillus fermentum Biocenol CCM 7514 administration on body weight gain and cytokine gene expression in chickens challenged with Campylobacter jejuni. One-hundred and eight 1-day old COBB 500 broiler chickens were equally assigned to four experimental groups at random. In the control group (C) chicks were left untreated, whereas in groups LB and LBCj a suspension of L. fermentum was administered. A suspension of C. jejuni was subsequently applied to groups Cj and LBCj. Body weight was registered, and the individuals were later slaughtered; cecum samples were collected at 12, 36 and 48 h post-infection (hpi). The entire experiment lasted seven days. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to determine expression levels of IL-1β, IL-15, IL-17, and IL-18 at each time point. Pathogen-infected individuals were observed to weigh significantly less than those fed with the probiotic. Significant differences were also found in transcript abundance; expression of IL-15 was downregulated by the probiotic and upregulated by C. jejuni. The effects of bacterial treatments were time-dependent, as the expression profiles differed at later stages. The present outcomes demonstrate that L. fermentum both reduces the impact of C. jejuni infection on chicken body weight and regulates positively pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, which ultimately increase bird well-being and improves production.

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The Use of Telehealth Technology in Assessing the Accuracy of Self-Reported Weight and the Impact of a Daily Immediate-Feedback Intervention among Obese Employees

International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications ◽

10.1155/2011/909248 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Nicolaas P. Pronk ◽

A. Lauren Crain ◽

Jeffrey J. VanWormer ◽

Brian C. Martinson ◽

Jackie L. Boucher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Study Groups ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Control Group ◽

Immediate Feedback ◽

The Impact

Objective.To determine the accuracy of self-reported body weight prior to and following a weight loss intervention including daily self-weighing among obese employees.Methods.As part of a 6-month randomized controlled trial including a no-treatment control group, an intervention group received a series of coaching calls, daily self-weighing, and interactive telemonitoring. The primary outcome variable was the absolute discrepancy between self-reported and measured body weight at baseline and at 6 months. We used general linear mixed model regression to estimate changes and differences between study groups over time.Results.At baseline, study participants underreported their weight by an average of 2.06 (se=0.33) lbs. The intervention group self-reported a smaller absolute body weight discrepancy at followup than the control group.Conclusions.The discrepancy between self-reported and measured body weight appears to be relatively small, may be improved through daily self-monitoring using immediate-feedback telehealth technology, and negligibly impacts change in body weight.

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Abstract 1818: Beneficial Effects of Weight Loss Associated with a High Protein Diet on Cardiovascular Risk Profile, Functional Status and Quality of Life in Obese Heart Failure Patients: A Feasibility Study

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.116.suppl_16.ii_387-c ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽

Author(s):

Lorraine S Evangelista ◽

David Heber ◽

Zhaoping Li ◽

Michele Hamilton ◽

Gregg C Fonarow

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Body Weight ◽

Functional Status ◽

High Protein ◽

Control Group ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Weight Changes ◽

Cardiovascular Risks ◽

The Impact

OBJECTIVE: Clinical management of chronic heart failure (HF) related to adequate nutritional intake currently lacks a strong scientific basis. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of 3 diet interventions on body weight and its potential to reduce cardiovascular risks and improve functional status. METHOD: Fourteen obese HF patients (BMI > 27 kg/m2) were randomized to1 of 3 diets: high protein (HP); low fat (LF) or average diet/control group (CG). Body anthropometrics (weight, BMI, waist circumference), indices of cardiovascular risks including (% body fat, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides), and measures of functional status (6-minute walk, max VO2) were obtained at baseline and after a 12-week nutritional support program. Statistics included two-way RMANOVA. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age (59±10 years), gender (78% male), NYHA (43% class II; 57% class III), HF etiology (57% non-ischemic), or ejection fraction (0.26±0.07) between the groups. The HP diet resulted in moderate reductions in body weight (Figure ) and improvements in several health parameters (Table ). CONCLUSION: The data show that in a small group of obese HF patients, a 12-week HP diet resulted in moderate weight loss that was associated with reduced cardiovascular risks and better functional status. However, the long-term effects of a HP diet remain uncertain. Figure Comparison of Weight Changes in the HP, LF and CG from Baseline to 12 Weeks Mean changes in outcomes from baseline to 12 weeks, by diet group and time

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Probiotic Lactobacillus casei: Effective for Managing Childhood Diarrhea by Altering Gut Microbiota and Attenuating Fecal Inflammatory Markers

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11051150 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 1150 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Hung-Hsiang Lai ◽

Cheng-Hsun Chiu ◽

Man-Shan Kong ◽

Chee-Jen Chang ◽

Chien-Chang Chen

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Abdominal Pain ◽

Acute Diarrhea ◽

Inflammatory Markers ◽

Lactobacillus Casei ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Control Group ◽

Childhood Diarrhea ◽

Fecal Lactoferrin ◽

Probiotic Lactobacillus

Background: Acute diarrhea is a major cause of childhood morbidity and an economic burden for families. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of probiotics on clinical symptoms, intestinal microbiota, and inflammatory markers during childhood diarrhea. Methods: Children (n = 81) aged six months to six years (mean age 2.31 years) hospitalized for acute diarrhea were randomized to receive probiotics (Lactobacillus casei variety rhamnosus; n = 42) or no probiotics (n = 39) orally twice daily for seven days. Feces samples were also collected to evaluate microbial content using a traditional agar plate and next-generation sequencing. Immunoglobulin A (IgA), lactoferrin, and calprotectin were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared in different groups. Other clinical symptoms or signs, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloated abdomen, daily intake, appetite, and body weight were also assessed. Results: Data were collected from 81 individuals across three different time points. Total fecal IgA levels in fecal extracts of the probiotics group were higher than those in the control group, reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05). Concentrations of fecal lactoferrin and calprotectin were significantly downregulated in patients with probiotic Lactobacillus casei variety rhamnosus (Lc) consumption compared to those of the control (p < 0.05). Probiotic Lc administration may be beneficial for gut-microbiota modulation, as shown by the data collected at one week after enrollment. Counts of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species were elevated in stool culture of the probiotic group. Appetite and oral intake, body-weight gain, abdominal pain, bloating, as well as bowel habits (diarrhea) were much better in children receiving probiotics compared with those in the control group. Conclusion: Fecal IgA increased during acute diarrhea under Lc treatment; in contrast, fecal lactoferrin and calprotectin were downregulated during acute diarrhea under Lc treatment. Probiotic Lc may be a useful supplement for application in children during acute diarrhea to reduce clinical severity and intestinal inflammatory reaction.

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Curcumin Protects the Seminal Vesicles from Metronidazole‑induced Reduction of Secretion in Mice

Acta Medica (Hradec Kralove Czech Republic) ◽

10.14712/18059694.2015.72 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

pp. 32-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ali Noorafshan ◽

Saied Karbalay‑Doust

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Seminal Vesicle ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Anaerobic Bacteria ◽

Seminal Vesicles ◽

Female Reproductive Tract ◽

Sperm Chromatin ◽

Control Group ◽

Negative Effects

Seminal vesicle secretion is important for increasing the stability of sperm chromatin, inhibition of the immune activity in the female reproductive tract and so on. Metronidazole (MTZ), a drug used for treatment of infections caused by anaerobic bacteria and protozoa, may have negative effects on the genital gland including the seminal vesicles. Curcumin exhibits antioxidant as well as anti‑inflammatory properties. The present study aims to evaluate the negative effects of MTZ on the seminal vesicle structure and ameliorative effects of curcumin using stereological methods. Thirty balb/c mice were divided into six groups. The control group was received distilled water. The second and the third received higher doses of MTZ (500 mg/kg body weight/day) and MTZ (500 mg/kg/day) + 100 mg/kg/day curcumin, respectively. The fourth and the fifth were treated with lower doses of MTZ (165 mg/kg body weight/day) and MTZ (165 mg/kg body weight/day) + curcumin (100 mg/kg body weight/day), respectively. The sixth group received 100 mg/kg body weight/day curcumin. All the administrations were done by oral gavages for 14 days. After 30 days, seminal vesicles were removed. Stereological study of the seminal vesicle structure revealed a significant reduction in gland and vesicular fluid volume in MTZ‑treated (higher or lower doses) animals. Curcumin protected the reduction of both parameters in therapeutic‑dose treated animals. Metronidazole treatment does not induce structural changes in the seminal gland; however, it can have a significant impact on its secretion ability. Importantly, these deteriorations might be preventable by curcumin co‑treatment.

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Combined effect of glyphosphate, saccharin and sodium benzoate on rats

Regulatory Mechanisms in Biosystems ◽

10.15421/021888 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 591-597 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. A. Lieshchova ◽

N. M. Tishkina ◽

A. A. Bohomaz ◽

P. M. Gavrilin ◽

V. V. Brygadyrenko

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Sodium Benzoate ◽

Food Additives ◽

Combined Effect ◽

Male Rats ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Relative Mass ◽

Control Group ◽

Expiry Date ◽

The Impact

Herbicides and food additives are included in many food products for humans. Non-used products or products beyond their expiry date are deposited in places of utilizatioin of solid municipal wastes, where they can take effects on the organisms of mouse-like rodents. Among the herbicides, glyphosphate takes first place in the world for volume of production, and is the most intensely used in agricultural farming. The discussion about negative impact on the organisms of mammals, especially against the background of using various substances and environmental factors, continues. In this study, we determined the combined effect of glyphosphate and food additives on the organism of laboratory animals, which manifested in changes in body weight, condition and indices of mass of the internal organs and blood parameters. Four groups of laboratory male rats were formed, which over 42 days received: unlimited access to clean water; 1% aqueous solution of glyphosate; 1% solution of glyphosphate and 1% solution sodium benzoate; 1% solution of glyphosphate with 1% solution of saccharin. Glyphosphate and glyphosphate with sodium benzoate and saccharin significantly reduced the daily increases in body weight of animals compared to the control group. The studied substances have notable suppressive effect on the immune system and haematopoiesis in general, which is manifested in reduce of relative mass of the thymus and spleen against the background of increase in the amount of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. The inhibition of haematopoiesis is indicated by decrease in the amount of erythrocytes, neurophils and hemoglobin of blood of animals from the experimental groups. The impact on the digestive system of glyphosphate and food additives is indicated by occurance of the effect of “irritation” of mucous membranes, and, as a result, disorders in absorption followed by the disorder in metabolic processes. A dysbalance occurs in enzymic systems of the organism, which is manifested in distrophic processes, especially in the liver parenchyma, indicated by the activity of blood enzymes (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase), total number and ratio of proteins of blood plasma. We determined the impact of glyphosphate and its mixes with benzoate and saccharin on the pancreas, which manifests in severe pancreatitis with steep increase in the level of glucose of blood. The results of the study allow us to state that mixture of glyphosphate and food additives can cause toxic effect in animals and humans, which often contact with herbicides.

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The Impact of Writing About Gratitude on the Intention to Engage in Prosocial Behaviors During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.588691 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Raquel Oliveira ◽

Aíssa Baldé ◽

Marta Madeira ◽

Teresa Ribeiro ◽

Patrícia Arriaga

Keyword(s):

Positive Emotions ◽

Well Being ◽

Empathic Concern ◽

Prosocial Behaviors ◽

Control Group ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Gratitude Intervention ◽

Prosocial Intentions ◽

The Impact

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has quickly swept the globe leaving a devastating trail of lost human lives and leading to a public health and economic crisis. With this in mind, prosociality has been heralded as a potential important factor to overcome the negative effects of the pandemic. As such, in this study, we examined the effectiveness of a brief reflexive writing exercise about recent experiences of gratitude on individuals’ intentions to engage in prosocial behaviors using a sample of 253 participants living in Portugal and 280 participants living in Brazil. Participants were randomly assigned to either a condition in which they were asked to write about recent experiences of gratitude or a control group in which they were asked to write about daily tasks. We predicted that the gratitude intervention would increase state gratitude and, consequently, increase positive affect and empathic concern, and decrease negative affect, leading to increased intentions to engage in prosocial behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. A moderated serial–parallel mediation analysis, in which we controlled for gender, age, and level of religiosity, indicated that our manipulation led to increases in state gratitude, which in turn increased positive emotions and empathic concern, leading to increased prosocial intentions in both countries. A content analysis of participants’ responses in the gratitude group revealed that relationships with others and health and well-being were the central themes of their gratitude experiences during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

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The impact of bio-logging on body weight change of the Eurasian beaver

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0261453 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. e0261453

Author(s):

Christian Andre Robstad ◽

Hanna Kavli Lodberg-Holm ◽

Martin Mayer ◽

Frank Rosell

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Change ◽

Individual Variation ◽

Careful Consideration ◽

Control Group ◽

Large Individual ◽

Body Weight Change ◽

Ecological Data ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

The Impact

Bio-logging is a common method to collect ecological data on wild animals, but might also induce stress, reduce body condition, and alter behavior. Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) are a semi-aquatic and nocturnal species that are challenging to observe in the wild. Bio-loggers are hence useful tools to study their behaviour and movements, but this raises concerns of potential negative impacts of tagging. To investigate the potential negative impacts of glue-on tags, we compared body weight change for tagged and untagged Eurasian beavers. We hypothesized that tagged beavers would gain less body weight compared to untagged beavers, and that weight change might be affected by tagging length, tag weight, water temperature and the season of tagging. Daily percentage body weight change in relation to initial body weight during the first capture was compared during 57 tagging periods (18±7 days) and 32 controls periods (64±47 days). Body weight change varied between the two groups, with untagged beavers on average gaining daily weight whilst tagged beavers on average lost weight daily, indicating a negative effect of tagging. The average reduction in percentage body weight change per day for tagged beavers was small (0.1 ± 0.3%), and with large individual variation. Neither tag weight, number of tagging days, nor season were important in explaining body weight change of tagged animals. In other words, we found that tagging reduced daily body weight during the tagging period but were unable to determine the mechanism(s) responsible for this decline. Detrimental effects of tagging have important implications for animal welfare and can introduce bias in data that are collected. This calls for careful consideration in the use of tags. We conclude that studies investigating the effects of tagging should consider individual variation in the effects of tagging and, where possible, compare tagged animals with a control group.

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The impact of cognitive restructuring and self-compassion strategies on negative body image among women with higher body weight: an experimental investigation

10.32920/ryerson.14638962.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lauren Alysha David

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Body Weight ◽

Body Dissatisfaction ◽

Weight Status ◽

Cognitive Restructuring ◽

The Body ◽

Control Group ◽

Negative Body Image ◽

Self Compassion ◽

The Impact

Individuals with higher body weight are at a greater risk of having negative body image (Friedman & Brownell, 1995). Yet current body image interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), are largely tested with individuals with normal weight or individuals with eating disorders. Furthermore, cognitive restructuring, one of the key components of CBT for body image (Alleva et al., 2015), relies on the assumption that negative cognitions or appraisals regarding the body are unbalanced or distorted in some way. However, people with higher body weight are 50% more likely to experience major discrimination based on their weight status and thus may possess some “evidence” from lived experience of weight bias that would lend support to their negative body-related thoughts (Puhl & Brownell, 2001; 2006). The use of compassion-focused approaches might be particularly helpful in overcoming these obstacles. Self-compassion refers to the capacity for mindfully reflecting on one’s own perceived flaws, mistakes, or wrongdoings with kindness and with an appreciation for the inherent imperfection in everyone (Neff, 2013). The present study tested the impact of various thinking strategies for managing negative body image in women with higher body weight after getting on the scale, a commonly distressing body image trigger (Ogden & Evans, 1996). Participants (N = 79) were recruited from the community and screened for moderate body dissatisfaction. They were randomly assigned to receive a single training session in cognitive restructuring (CR), self-compassion (SC), or distraction (Control) strategies after being weighed. Participants in all three of the groups reported improvements in body dissatisfaction and negative affect immediately following the training. Relative to those in the Control group, those participants who received training in CR or SC strategies reported greater improvements in body image, body image flexibility, self-compassion, and cognitive distortions one week after the training. These findings suggest that CR and SC strategies may be helpful in improving the distress associated with being weighed among women with higher body weight. The results may have broader implications for the development of psychosocial interventions focused on improving body image among these individuals.

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Morphometric characteristics of sheep and goat fed silage comprising of cassava peel, gamba grass and Mexican sunflower

Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.31248/jasvm2021.301 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (6) ◽

pp. 216-223

Author(s):

Ayoola J. Shoyombo ◽

◽

Mustapha A. Popoola ◽

Ake A. Moses ◽

Olayinka O. Alabi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Neck Circumference ◽

Control Group ◽

Morphometric Traits ◽

Andropogon Gayanus ◽

Indigenous Goat ◽

The Tropics ◽

The Impact ◽

Cassava Peel ◽

Better Than

The constant demand for less expensive and more easily available alternative feed sources for animal production is on the increase. This is particularly true in the tropics, where feed availability varies according to the season. Based on this necessity, this study aims to evaluate the impact of feeding silage to sheep and goats on growth and development. A total of 22 animals comprising of 11 Yankassa breed and 11 West African Dwarf breed were used for the study. The animals were confined and allowed to acclimatize to the environment for about 14 to 21 days, followed by 5 weeks of study. The forage used for silage was Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) and Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) mixed with equal amounts of cassava peel and molasses in different proportions for three different treatments. Body length, neck circumference, height at withers, heart girth, and body weight were significantly higher (p<0.05) in animals fed T3 diets compared to all other diets, while animals on the T2 diet had higher ear length than T3. Except for neck circumference, ear length, and bodyweight of animals raised on diet T1 and the control group were statistically similar, all the test groups were significantly better than the control group in terms of performance. The highest body weight of 16.74 kg was recorded in T3, followed by 15.97 kg in T2, 12.12 kg in T1, and the least value of 10.09 kg in the control group. No apparent adverse effects were noted in the feeding of silage to the animals as the animals were healthy throughout the duration of the study. More research on the use of silage in feeding indigenous goat and sheep breeds is needed to further understand the impact of silage on animal performance and morphometric traits.

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