scholarly journals Growth control of herbaceous ground cover and egg quality from an integrated poultry-hazelnut orchard system

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Cosentino ◽  
Pierangelo Freschi ◽  
Simonetta Fascetti ◽  
Rosanna Paolino ◽  
Mauro Musto
Keyword(s):  
Egg Quality ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Growth Control ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Diversity Analysis ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Vegetation Growth ◽  
The Impact

The present study was designed to assess the impact of hen grazing on plant biodiversity in the ground cover of hazelnut orchards, as well as the quality of eggs from hens grazing in the orchards. Two different sites of hazelnut orchards located in Basilicata region were selected to conduct this study. The results showed that hen grazing affected the composition of herbaceous stratum of the orchards. By using the quadrat method, a total of 99 (46 in site A and 53 in site B) plant species were identified at the beginning of the trial. After hen grazing, the number of identified plants dropped to 72 (30 in site A and 42 in site B). Amongst the most consumed species we found Lolium sp., Trifolium sp., Polygonum sp., Cichorium intybus, Cynodon dactylon. Alpha diversity analysis (species richness, diversity and evenness) as well as beta diversity analysis (Morisita-Horn and Sørensen indices) confirmed that hen grazing played a role in controlling vegetation growth. Concerning egg quality, most of the chemical parameters differed significantly when comparing the eggs from the sites with those from the control group, indicating that egg quality was influenced by the food resources available in each site. Overall, our results confirm that poultry may play a positive role in an orchard system.

scholarly journals Changes in Digestive Microbiota, Rumen Fermentations and Oxidative Stress around Parturition Are Alleviated by Live Yeast Feed Supplementation to Gestating Ewes

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 447
Author(s):  
Lysiane Dunière ◽  
Damien Esparteiro ◽  
Yacine Lebbaoui ◽  
Philippe Ruiz ◽  
Mickael Bernard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Antioxidant Status ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Total Antioxidant Status ◽  
Control Group ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gpx Activity ◽  
Live Yeast

Background: In ruminants, physiological and nutritional changes occur peripartum. We investigated if gastro-intestinal microbiota, rumen metabolism and antioxidant status were affected around parturition and what could be the impact of a daily supplementation of a live yeast additive in late gestating ewes. Methods: Rumen, feces and blood samples were collected from 2 groups of 14 ewes one month and a few days before parturition, and 2 weeks postpartum. Results: In the control ewes close to parturition, slight changes in the ruminal microbiota were observed, with a decrease in the concentration F. succinogenes and in the relative abundance of the Fibrobacteres phylum. Moreover, a decrease in the alpha-diversity of the bacterial community and a reduced relative abundance of the Fibrobacteres phylum were observed in their feces. Control ewes were prone to oxidative stress, as shown by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, a lower total antioxidant status, and higher glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the blood. In the yeast supplemented ewes, most of the microbial changes observed in the control group were alleviated. An increase in GPx activity, and a significant decrease in MDA concentration were measured. Conclusions: The live yeast used in this study could stabilize gastro-intestinal microbiota and reduce oxidative stress close to parturition.

scholarly journals The Impact Of The Vaginal And Endometrial Microbiome Pattern On Assisted Reproduction Outcomes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Concepcion Carratala ◽  
María Carmen Díaz Martínez ◽  
Andrea Bernabeu García ◽  
Belén Lledó Bosch ◽  
José Antonio Quesada Rico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Beta Diversity ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Microbial Colonization ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Implantation Failure ◽  
Vaginal Microbiome ◽  
Failure Group ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background:The vaginal microbiome plays an important role in maintaining health, and there is evidence that microbial colonization of the upper genital tract can also influence successful embryo transfer. The aim of this study is to determine whether the vaginal and endometrial microbiome in people undergoing assisted reproduction techniques could affect the pregnancy rate.Results:Regarding the microbiome dynamics during the cycle, we observed a decrease in alpha diversity from the follicular to luteal phase in the control group, in contrast to a stable pattern in the repetitive implantation failure group. As for endometrial and vaginal microbiome, alpha diversity was higher in the endometrium (Shannon p = 0.0139, Simpson p = 0.046); differences were also observed in beta diversity (p = 0.001). Compared to the endometrium, the vagina showed a greater relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp. (83.17% vs 84.82%, p < 0.0001), Streptococcus spp. (1.59% vs 7.74%, p = 0.014) and Ureaplasma spp. (0% vs. 0.89%, p = 0.006), and a lower abundance of Delftia spp. (0.95% vs 0%, p = 0.0003), Anaerobacillus spp. (1.59% vs 0%, p = 0.0004), and Ralstonia spp. (3.17% vs 0%, p = 0.0006). We also observed differences in both alpha diversity (Shannon p = 0.0206, Simpson p = 0.0206) and beta diversity between groups, along with differences for Ralstonia spp. (0.09% study group and 0.73% control, p = 0.0012). Finally, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp. differed between patients that did not versus did achieve pregnancy (91% vs 99%, p = 0.0445 visit 1, 94.63% vs. 97.69%, p = 0.0268 visit 2, 97.73% vs 99.74%, p = 0.0492 visit 3). The relative abundance of L.reuteri was also different between groups (0.39% vs 0.17%, p = 0.0397 visit 1, 0.15% vs 0.30%, p = 0.0491 visit 3).Conclusions:The vaginal and endometrial microbiome pattern correlates with the pregnancy rate, and it is different in patients who do versus do not have repetitive implantation failures. No significant differences in the composition of the microbiome were observed through the different visits. The lack of dynamism in the microbiome pattern of repetitive implantation failure patients might reflect an impaired adaptation to endometrial changes. A greater relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp. and L. reuteri is correlated with higher chances of pregnancy.*MC Díaz Martínez and A Bernabeu García share equal responsibility for authorship.

scholarly journals Impact of N-Acetylcysteine on the Gut Microbiota in the Piglets Infected With Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Wu ◽  
Yang Lyu ◽  
Xueni Li ◽  
Mengjun Wu ◽  
Kui Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Acid Metabolism ◽  
Intestinal Content ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea ◽  
The Impact

This study was to investigate the impact of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the gut microbiota in the healthy piglets and the piglets infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Forty seven-day-old piglets were allocated into four groups: control group, NAC group (supplemented with 50 mg/kg body weight NAC), PEDV group (inoculated with 104.5 TCID50 PEDV), and PEDV+NAC group (PEDV infection + NAC supplementation). The intestinal content was collected for DNA extraction and Illumina sequencing. The PEDV-infected piglets displayed distinct bacterial communities compared to the healthy piglets. PEDV infection decreased the abundance of Shigella and increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, Odoribacter, Anaerovibrio, Helicobacter, unclassified Lachnospiraceae, and Sutterella; affected several functions associated with metabolism, barrier, and immune. NAC supplementation decreased the abundance of unclassified Rikenellaceae and increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus in the healthy piglets, decreased the abundance of Oscillospira and Prevotella and increased the abundance of Lactobacillus in the PEDV-infected piglets; altered multiple functions involving in amino acid metabolism, cell signaling, cellular community, disease-related pathways, endocrine, and excretory system. In conclusion, PEDV infection caused severe dysbiosis of gut microbiome, whereas NAC supplementation played a positive role in regulating the gut microbiome during PEDV infection. Therefore, substances that can regulate gut microbiota could be ideal candidates to prevent or treat PEDV infection.

scholarly journals Imbalanced dietary intake alters the colonic microbial profile in growing rats

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253959
Author(s):  
Tae-Hwan Jung ◽  
Kyoung-Sik Han
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Growing Rats ◽  
Colonic Microbiota ◽  
Microbial Profile ◽  
The Impact

An imbalanced dietary intake is associated with alteration of intestinal ecosystem. We investigated the impact of imbalanced diets on colonic microbiota, concentrations of short chain fatty acid in colonic digesta and serum immunoglobulins (Igs) of growing rats. Compared to the control diet, consuming diets high in fat, sucrose, or processed meat, or low in iron, increased the abundance of the pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella species, and decreased the beneficial bacteria, like Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, Phascolarctobacterium, Alistipes, and butyrate producing species of bacteria in the colon of growing rats. The heatmap of metagenomics indicated that each group was separated into distinct clusters, and the ID group in particular, showed significantly (P < 0.01) reduced alpha diversity of colonic microbiota in comparison to the control group. All experimental groups showed significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) decreased concentration of acetate and butyrate in the colonic digesta and lower levels of serum IgG or IgA, compared to the control. These results indicated that the imbalanced dietary intake negatively altered intestinal ecosystem and immunity.

Information and Communication Technology and Cultural Change

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 222-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Hansen ◽  
Tom Postmes ◽  
Nikita van der Vinne ◽  
Wendy van Thiel
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Cultural Change ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Self Construal ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ict For Development ◽  
Practical Implications

This paper studies whether and how information and communication technology (ICT) changes self-construal and cultural values in a developing country. Ethiopian children were given laptops in the context of an ICT for development scheme. We compared children who used laptops (n = 69) with a control group without laptops (n = 76) and a second control group of children whose laptop had broken down (n = 24). Results confirmed that after 1 year of laptop usage, the children’s self-concept had become more independent and children endorsed individualist values more strongly. Interestingly, the impact of laptop usage on cultural values was mediated by self-construal (moderated mediation). Importantly, modernization did not “crowd out” traditional culture: ICT usage was not associated with a reduction in traditional expressions (interdependent self-construal, collectivist values). Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

A Newspaper’s Effect on the Strength of Automatic Associations in Memory

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Arendt
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Implicit Measure ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Treatment ◽  
Short Term Effect ◽  
Automatic Associations ◽  
Foreign Nationality ◽  
The Impact

A test was done to see if reading a newspaper which consistently overrepresents foreigners as criminals strengthens the automatic association between foreign country and criminal in memory (i.e., implicit cultivation). Further, an investigation was done to find out if reading articles from the same newspaper produces a short-term effect on the same measure and if (1) emotionalization of the newspaper texts, (2) emotional reactions of the reader (indicated by arousal), and (3) attributed text credibility moderate the short-term treatment effect. Eighty-five participants were assigned to one of three experimental conditions. Participants in the control group received short factual crime texts, where the nationality of the offender was not mentioned. Participants in the factual treatment group received the same texts, but the foreign nationality was mentioned. Participants in the emotionalized treatment group received emotionalized articles (i.e., texts which are high in vividness and frequency) covering the same crimes, with the foreign nationality mentioned. Supporting empirical evidence for implicit cultivation and a short-term effect was found. However, only emotionalized articles produced a short-term effect on the strength of the automatic association, indicating that newspaper texts must have a minimum of stimulus intensity to overcome an effect threshold. There were no moderating effects of arousal or credibility pertaining to the impact on the implicit measure. However, credibility moderated the short-term effect on a first-order judgment (i.e., estimated frequency of foreigners of all criminals). This indicates that a newspaper’s effect on the strength of automatic associations is relatively independent from processes of propositional reasoning.

Impact of an educative program on dialysis patients’ knowledge and mental health: controlled before and after program

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 20204
Author(s):  
Laetitia Idier ◽  
Aurélie Untas ◽  
Nicole Rascle ◽  
Michèle Koleck ◽  
Maider Aguirrezabal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Vascular Access ◽  
Educational Program ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dialysis Patients ◽  
Emotional Change ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Introduction:Psychological impact of Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) for dialysis patients is rarely evaluated since the focus of many studies is on medical variables (i.e., adherence).Objectives:The aims of this study were: 1) to estimate the impact of a TPE program on knowledge, depression and anxiety, 2) to examine change in knowledge as a mediator of the effects of a TPE program on mental health.Method:This study was conducted in three hemodialysis units and comprised two groups: an experimental group with education and a control group with routine care. The program was based of 5 educative sessions. Knowledge, depressive and anxious symptoms were assessed with self-reported outcomes measured before and 3 months after the program.Results:The sample comprised 125 patients. Knowledge about vascular access and nutrition (p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms increased in the experimental group (p < 0.01). Analysis of mediation showed that changes in knowledge about vascular access were a significant mediator of the effects of the program on depressive symptoms (F = 4.90;p = 0.01).Discussion:Knowledge acquired during an educational program could lead to an emotional change. Improving knowledge often leads to an awareness of the risks that can modify the psychological state of patients by reminding them of their vulnerability. This study shows that it is required to be attentive to the way of transmitting knowledge. It’s necessary adapting this transmission to the needs of patients and promoting the acquisition of psychosocial competence too.Conclusion:This study shows that knowledge acquired during an educational program can lead to an emotional change in the short term. A long-term follow-up of the population should be interesting to observe these emotional effects.

The Impact of Visual Thinking Approach to Promote Elementary Students’ Problem Solving Skill in Mathemathics

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Muhammad Fendrik ◽  
Elvina Elvina
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Elementary Students ◽  
Visual Learning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Visual Thinking ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Student Skill ◽  
Mathematical Skill ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to examine the influence of visual thinking learning to problemsolving skill. Quasi experiments with the design of this non-equivalent controlgroup involved Grade V students in one of the Elementary Schools. The design ofthis study was quasi experimental nonequivalent control group, the researchbullet used the existing class. The results of research are: 1) improvement ofproblem soving skill. The learning did not differ significantly between studentswho received conventional learning. 2) there is no interaction between learning(visual thinking and traditional) with students' mathematical skill (upper, middleand lower) on the improvement of skill. 3) there is a difference in the skill oflanguage learning that is being constructed with visual learning of thought interms of student skill (top, middle and bottom).

Influence of DAFS-25+polizon composition on blood and functional state of liver of steers at fattening

2020 ◽  
pp. 15-18
Author(s):  
Inna R. Kilmetova ◽  
◽  
Igor A. Rodin ◽  
Nazira I. Khayrullina ◽  
Nikolay G. Fenchenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional State ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Body ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Standard Diet ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Stimulation Of

Summary. The disbalanced feeding and the uneven distribution of micro- and macroelements in the environment leads to a trace element, in particular hypomelanosis. To accelerate the growth and preservation of young farm animals include in the diet of various biological additives and drugs, which include selenium. For stimulation of weight gain in the livestock industry, as well as for the prevention and treatment of pathological processes in addition to micro - and macrouse amino acids, primarily methionine. The aim of this work was to study the influence of composition of DAFS-25+Polizon on morpho-biochemical parameters of blood and functional state of the liver in fattening bulls of black-motley breed in the conditions of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Experiments using were conducted on bull-calves of black-motley breed of the properties in the properties age from 6 to 15 months. The first experimental group during the experiment was additionally given the composition of DAFS-25+Polizon at a dose of 2 mg/kg, the animals of the control group received a standard diet. To assess the impact of the composition DAFS-25+Polizon on metabolism cattle studied morphological and biochemical indicators of blood and conducted histological examination of the liver. It is established that the use of the composition of DAFS-25+Polizon at a dose of 2 mg/kg increases the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin in the experimental group and reduces the amount of white blood cells. The serum content of total protein, phosphorus and calcium increases in the group of experimental animals. Microscopic examination of the liver revealed no changes in the structure of the organ and hepatocytes in the experimental group, whereas in the control group hemodynamic disorders and dystrophic changes in liver cells were observed. Thus, the use of the composition DAFS-25+Polizon at a dose of 2 mg/kg of live weight in fattening bulls black-and-white breed contributes to the increase of redox processes in the body, stimulation of metabolism, prevent the development of liver disorders of cellular mechanisms of metabolism, optimizes the structure of the liver, which generally provides higher productivity.

Reducing the Social Stigma Associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Controlled Trial of an Intervention Program in a Turkish Community Sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-120
Author(s):  
Ayça Aktaç Gürbüz ◽  
Orçun YORULMAZ ◽  
Gülşah DURNA
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Case Vignette ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Scientific research into the reduction of stigmatization, particularly related to specific problems such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), is scarce. In the present study, we examine the impact of a video-based antistigma intervention program for OCD in a pretest-posttest control group research. After being randomly assigned to either an intervention (n= 101) or control group (n= 96), the participants reported their attitudes on a hypothetical case vignette before and after OCD vs. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) videos, and again six months later as a follow up assessment. The mixed design analyses for the group comparisons indicated that although there was no significant difference in the measures of the control group, the participants watching the anti-stigma OCD video, in which the focus was psychoeducation and interaction strategies, reported significantly lower scores on social distances and negative beliefs for the case vignettes they read, and this difference was maintained six months later. Then, the present results indicate the effectiveness of our anti-stigma intervention program for OCD. Interventions to reduce stigmatization can also be viewed as effective tools for changing the attitudes of people toward OCD, although further research and applications are needed related to specific disorders if a longlasting impact is to be achieved.

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