Morphometric measurements and carcass characteristics of Black Australorp, Naked Neck, and Rhode Island Red crossbreds under alternative production systems

The present trial explained the effect of alternative production systems on growth, morphometric and carcass traits of four different chicken genotypes. The second generation of two genotypes RNN (Rhode Island Red × Naked Neck) and BNN (Black Australorp × Naked Neck) obtained by two self-crosses (RNN × RNN = RR and BNN × BNN = BB) and two reciprocal crosses (RNN × BNN = RB and BNN × RNN = BR) were evaluated in three alternative production systems (conventional cages, enriched cages, and aviary). At the 6th week of age after sexing, a total of 600 birds, comprising 150 from each crossbred with a total of 300 pullets and 300 cockerels were divided into conventional cages, enriched cages, and aviary systems having 200 birds in each.Birds were organized into 3×4 factorial arrangements under Completely Randomized Design (3 production systems × 4 genotypes × 2 sexes × 25 birds = 600 birds). Regarding genotypes, RB and BR males showed higher (p < 0.01) carcass yield, drumstick weight, breast weight, and thigh weight than BB and RR genotypes. Females of BR genotype showed higher (p < 0.01) breast weight, thigh weight and drumstick weight. As far as production systems are concerned, higher (p < 0.01) liver weight, heart weight, breast weight, intestinal weight, drumstick weight, and thigh weight were observed in the males reared in enriched cages compared with conventional cages and aviary system. Females reared in enriched cages showed higher (p < 0.01) heart weight, breast weight, intestinal weight, drumstick weight, and thigh weight when compared with those reared in conventional cages and aviary. It is concluded that chickens (both sexes) of BR and RB genotypes had better morphological measurements and carcass traits than those of RR and BB genotype chickens. Among alternative production systems, chickens reared in enriched cages had better traits than those of reared in conventional cages and aviary during the growing phase.

A Metagenomics Investigation of Intergenerational Effects of Non-nutritive Sweeteners on Gut Microbiome

To identify possible mechanisms by which maternal consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners increases obesity risk in offspring, we reconstructed the major alterations in the cecal microbiome of 3-week-old offspring of obese dams consuming high fat/sucrose (HFS) diet with or without aspartame (5–7 mg/kg/day) or stevia (2–3 mg/kg/day) by shotgun metagenomic sequencing (n = 36). High throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing (n = 105) was performed for dams, 3- and 18-week-old offspring. Maternal consumption of sweeteners altered cecal microbial composition and metabolism of propionate/lactate in their offspring. Offspring daily body weight gain, liver weight and body fat were positively correlated to the relative abundance of key microbes and enzymes involved in succinate/propionate production while negatively correlated to that of lactose degradation and lactate production. The altered propionate/lactate production in the cecum of weanlings from aspartame and stevia consuming dams implicates an altered ratio of dietary carbohydrate digestion, mainly lactose, in the small intestine vs. microbial fermentation in the large intestine. The reconstructed microbiome alterations could explain increased offspring body weight and body fat. This study demonstrates that intense sweet tastants have a lasting and intergenerational effect on gut microbiota, microbial metabolites and host health.

Performance, carcass traits, and relative organ weight of broiler supplemented by guanidinoacetic acid: A meta-analysis

Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is formed by the arginine and glycine that are catalysed by arginine:glycine amidinotransferase in the kidney. In the liver, GAA is methylated by s-adenosyl methionine and converted to creatine, then deposited into muscle as energy supply. This meta-analysis was done by integrating 20 articles from various journals. Supplementation doses ranged from 0 to 8000 ppm/kg feed. The mixed model methodology was employed with GAA level and broiler strain as fixed effects and studies as random effects. The results showed that increasing GAA level improved average daily gain day 0-21 and reduced feed conversion ratio day 0-35 (P<0.05). A higher GAA also accompanied by decreasing relative liver weight (P<0.05). GAA supplementation did not affect average daily feed intake and percentage of carcass traits (carcass, legs, breast, wings, drum, thigh) and other parameters such as abdominal fat, gizzard, heart, bursa, thymus and spleen (P>0.05). It was concluded that supplementation of GAA improved the performance of broilers.

The weaker sex: Male lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) with blue color polymorphism are more burdened by parasites than are other sex–color combinations

The unusual blue color polymorphism of lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) is the subject of much speculation but little empirical research; ~20% of lingcod individuals exhibit this striking blue color morph, which is discrete from and found within the same populations as the more common brown morph. In other species, color polymorphisms are intimately linked with host–parasite interactions, which led us to ask whether blue coloration in lingcod might be associated with parasitism, either as cause or effect. To test how color and parasitism are related in this host species, we performed parasitological dissection of 89 lingcod individuals collected across more than 26 degrees of latitude from Alaska, Washington, and California, USA. We found that male lingcod carried 1.89 times more parasites if they were blue than if they were brown, whereas there was no difference in parasite burden between blue and brown female lingcod. Blue individuals of both sexes had lower hepatosomatic index (i.e., relative liver weight) values than did brown individuals, indicating that blueness is associated with poor body condition. The immune systems of male vertebrates are typically less effective than those of females, due to the immunocompromising properties of male sex hormones; this might explain why blueness is associated with elevated parasite burdens in males but not in females. What remains to be determined is whether parasites induce physiological damage that produces blueness or if both blue coloration and parasite burden are driven by some unmeasured variable, such as starvation. Although our study cannot discriminate between these possibilities, our data suggest that the immune system could be involved in the blue color polymorphism–an exciting jumping-off point for future research to definitively identify the cause of lingcod blueness and a hint that immunocompetence and parasitism may play a role in lingcod population dynamics.

Uji Aktivitas Hepatoprotektor Ekstrak Etanol Daun Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) pada Mencit Putih Jantan yang Diinduksi Parasetamol

Hepatotoxicity is a drug complication that is often found in long-term drug use because of the role of the liver in metabolizing drugs. Paracetamol is an analgesic and antipyretic drug that is often used by the community and is a safe choice when taken according to the dose. However, if consumed in excess and in the long-term it causes hepatotoxicity (liver damage). Liver damage can be prevented by giving antioxidant compounds. Rambutan’s leaves contain secondary metabolites of alkaloids, tannins and saponins which are known to have antioxidant potential. The aim of the research is to determine the hepatoprotective activity and the effective dose of Rambutan leaves ethanol extract in male mice induced by patacetamol. The research method was The Randomize Posttest-only Control Group Design using 25 white mice which were divided into 5 groups. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the treatment group of rambutans leaf ethanol extract with the negative control group and a non-significant with the positive control group. Giving extract doses of 100 mg/kg BW, 200 mg/kg BW and 400 mg/kg BW because it prevents the increase in levels of SGPT, SGOT, relative liver weight and reduces the percentage of damage to the hepatocytes of mice. The effective dose of rambutan’s leaf ethanol extract as a hepatoprotector is 400 mg/kg BW.

Leishmaniasis in HIV-infected patients: difficulties in diagnostics and treatment

В статье представлены клинические случаи лейшманиоза, которые проанализированы в контексте течения ВИЧ-инфекции, при которой лейшманиоз выступает в роли оппортунистического заболевания. Дана общая характеристика лейшманиоза, а также отмечены особенности течения этой инфекции на фоне приобретенного иммунодефицита. Рассмотрены вопросы диагностики и лечения лейшманиоза, смертность при котором остается достаточно высокой. Значительная распространенность ВИЧ-инфекции в мире, ежегодно увеличивающийся туристический поток в эндемичные страны, а также увеличение эндемичных очагов на территории РФ в связи с присоединением Республики Крым требуют от врачей всех специальностей пристального внимания и настороженности в отношении лейшманиоза. Особое внимание заслуживают больные ВИЧ-инфекцией, уже имеет место ряд сообщений о том, что у инфицированных ВИЧ диагностируется висцеральный лейшманиоз, и они подвергаются бóльшему риску инфицирования, чем общая популяция. Проявления висцерального лейшманиоза среди пациентов с иммунодефицитом, как правило, не отличаются от классического течения, однако в зависимости от степени угнетения иммунитета болезнь может принимать атипичные формы, что затрудняет своевременную диагностику и назначение адекватной терапии. При наличии у больного ВИЧ-инфекции, длительной лихорадки неправильного типа, увеличения лимфоузлов, селезенки, печени, потери веса > 10%, прогрессирующей анемии, нейтропении, тромбоцитопении, гипоальбуминемии и данных о пребывании в регионах, эндемичных по лейшманиозу, целесообразно обследование на висцеральный лейшманиоз – пункция костного мозга с окраской мазков по Романовскому – Гимзе, постановкой ПЦР-пунктата с использованием тест-системы на лейшманиоз, а при получении положительных результатов – назначение препаратов пятивалентной сурьмы, препаратов второго ряда – амфотерицина В, липосомального амфотерицина В или паромомицина. In this article, leishmaniasis is considered in the context of HIV infection, in which this disease appears to be an opportunistic. A general characteristic of leishmaniasis is given, and the features of the course of infection in immunodeficiency are also presented. In the example of clinical cases, issues featuring diagnostics and treatment of leishmaniasis are reviewed, the mortality rate of which remains quite high. The accession of Crimea to Russia, the high prevalence of HIV infection in the world, as well as the annually increasing tourist flow to endemic countries, require physicians of all specialties to be aware of this disease. HIV patients deserve special attention, there are already a number of reports that people with HIV are diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis and are at greater risk of infection than the general population. The manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis among patients with immunodeficiency, as a rule, do not differ from the classical course, however, depending on the degree of suppression of immunity, the disease can take on atypical forms, which complicates timely diagnosis and the appointment of adequate therapy. If the patient has HIV infection, prolonged fever of the wrong type, enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, liver, weight loss > 10%, progressive anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia and data on stay in regions endemic for leishmaniasis, it is advisable to be tested for visceral leishmaniasis – puncture of bone marrow with staining of smears according to Romanovsky – Giemsa, staging of PCR punctate using a test system for leishmaniasis, and if positive results are obtained, the appointment of pentavalent antimony drugs, second-line drugs – amphotericin B, liposomal amphotericin B or paromomycin.

Study on the Mechanism of Reducing Hepatotoxicity of Water-Grinding Realgar by Metabolomics, Morphology, and Chemical Analysis

Background. Realgar was usually selected as a substitute for arsenic trioxide to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia due to its higher effect without high cardiotoxicity. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), realgar is usually processed by the water-grinding method clinically, but the mechanism of realgar processing detoxification is still unclear. However, it is necessary to take safety and efficacy into account while evaluating a drug. Methods. Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into control group, realgar products-treated groups, and corresponding subgroups. Biochemistry analysis and histopathological examination were performed in the study, and plasma samples were collected from all the rats for metabolomics analysis. Results. No significant toxicity was observed in rats treated with 0.64 g/kg/day grinding realgar (G-r) and water-grinding realgar (WG-r). When the dose increased to 1.92 g/kg/day, the liver weight coefficients of the rats treated with G-r (HG-r: 3.65 ± 0.26%) and WG-r (HWG-r: 3.67 ± 0.14%) increased significantly and severe hepatic injury occurred in comparison to the control group (Group C: 3.00 ± 0.21%). After one week's withdrawal, the liver injury caused by the high dose of WG-r significantly recovered, while the liver damage caused by G-r was more difficult to recover. In metabolomics analysis, 14 metabolites were identified as the potential biomarkers in realgar-treated rats. These metabolites indicated that there were perturbations of the primary bile acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism in the realgar-treated groups. Conclusions. These results illustrate that, as a TCM processing method, water grinding had the effect of reducing toxicity, and the metabolomics method may be a valuable tool for studying the toxicity induced by TCM and the mechanism of TCM processing.

New Intrinsically Thermostable Xylanase Improves Broilers’ Growth Performance, Organ Weights, and Affects Intestinal Viscosity and pH

Exogenous carbohydrases are commonly added to monogastric animal feed to degrade non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) to improve zootechnical performance and nutrient digestion. In the current study, the effects of dietary supplementation of a new, intrinsically thermostable, monocomponent xylanase on intestinal parameters, zootechnical performance and carcass traits of broilers were evaluated. A total of 720 1-day-old broilers were randomly allotted to four wheat-based diets with different levels of xylanase (T1: control; T2: 30,000 U/g; T3: 45,000 U/g; T4: 90,000 U/g) and fed from 1 to 35 days of age. The data showed that xylanase supplementation reduced the intestinal viscosity significantly, especially in the ileum. Duodenum and cecum pH was not influenced by xylanase supplementation, while T3 treatment showed the lowest pH value in jejunum and ileum. Xylanase supplementation reduced significantly feed conversion ratio (FCR) without affecting feed intake (FI). T2 treatment exhibited a higher body weight gain (BWG) compared the other treatments. Live weight, carcass weight, legs, and liver weight were significantly higher in T3 and T4 treatments compared to T1. No significant differences on foot pad lesions were observed among the four treatments. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of this new xylanase significantly improves intestinal tract viscosity and affects beneficially broilers’ performance and carcass traits.

Secondary Metabolite Profiling, Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Activity of Neptunia triquetra (Vahl) Benth

The present study aimed to analyze the phytoconstituents of Neptunia triquetra (Vahl) Benth. Anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities of ethanol (EE), chloroform (CE) and dichloromethane (DCME) of stem extracts were evaluated using in vivo experimental models. The extracts were analyzed for phytoconstituents using GC-HRMS. Anti-inflammatory activity of CE, EE and DCME was accessed using carrageenan-induced paw oedema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma and the carrageenan-induced air-pouch model in Wistar albino rats. The hepatotoxicity-induced animal models were investigated for the biochemical markers in serum (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total lipids and total protein) and liver (total protein, total lipids, GSH and wet liver weight). In the in vivo study, animals were divided into different groups (six in each group) for accessing the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity, respectively. GC-HRMS analysis revealed the presence of 102 compounds, among which 24 were active secondary metabolites. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of stem extracts was found in the order: indomethacin > chloroform extract (CE) > dichloromethane extract (DCME) > ethanolic extract (EE), and hepatoprotective activity of stem extracts in the order: CE > silymarin > EE > DCME. The results indicate that N. triquetra stem has a higher hepatoprotective effect than silymarin, however the anti-inflammatory response was in accordance with or lower than indomethacin.

TG68, a Novel Thyroid Hormone Receptor-β Agonist for the Treatment of NAFLD

Activation of thyroid hormone receptor β (THRβ) has shown beneficial effects on metabolic alterations, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here, we investigated the effect of TG68, a novel THRβ agonist, on fatty liver accumulation and liver injury in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). C57BL/6 mice fed HFD for 17 or 18 weeks, a time when all mice developed massive steatohepatitis, were then given TG68 at a dose of 9.35 or 2.8 mg/kg for 2 or 3 weeks, respectively. As a reference compound, the same treatment was adopted using equimolar doses of MGL-3196, a selective THRβ agonist currently in clinical phase III. The results showed that treatment with TG68 led to a reduction in liver weight, hepatic steatosis, serum transaminases, and circulating triglycerides. qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated activation of THRβ, as confirmed by increased mRNA levels of Deiodinase-1 and Malic enzyme-1, and changes in lipid metabolism, as revealed by increased expression of Acyl-CoA Oxidase-1 and Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1. The present results showed that this novel THRβ agonist exerts an anti-steatogenic effect coupled with amelioration of liver injury in the absence of extra-hepatic side effects, suggesting that TG68 may represent a useful tool for the treatment of NAFLD.