Statistical assessment of feeding corn with higher oil content to piglets in the starter phase

The aim of this study was to assess the digestibility coefficients (DC) of corn [maize] with an oil content above 3.46% and its effects on the performance of piglets when fed as dry grain (DG) and as rehydrated corn grain silage (RCGS). In Experiment I, 15 piglets (22.51 + 2.39 kg) were allocated to a reference diet (RD) and to two test diets in which corn in the RD was replaced with DG or RCGS. There were five replications of each treatment. Experiment II involved 36 piglets (14.76 ± 2.72 kg), which were assigned to a control diet with common corn grain and to diets in which DG or RCGS replaced the common corn. There were six replications of each treatment. Data were analysed with four statistical models. Model 1 included only the effect of treatment. Model 2 was similar to Model 1 but included initial bodyweight as a covariate. Model 3 was similar to model 1 but included the interaction of diet and period. Model 4 was similar to Model 3 but included the covariate. The more complicated models were generally preferred to Model 1 as they controlled more of the nuisance variation. Feeding a diet that contained RCGS reduced feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR).

Effects of urban atmospheric particulate matter on higher plants using Lycopersicon esculentum as model species

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is one of the major environmental concerns in Europe. A wide range of studies has proved the ecotoxic potential of atmospheric particles. PM exerts chemical stress on vegetation by its potentially toxic constituents; however, relatively few studies are available on assessing phytotoxic effects under laboratory conditions. In our study, aqueous extract of particulate matter was prepared and used for treatment. Experiment was following the procedure defined by the No. 227 OECD Guideline for the Testing of Chemicals: Terrestrial Plant Test. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants were used; elucidated toxicity was assessed based on morphological and biochemical endpoints such as biomass, chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b, carotenoids, and protein content. Biomass reduction and protein content showed a clear dose–effect relationship; the biomass decreased in comparison with the control (100%) in all test groups (TG) at a steady rate (TG1: 87.73%; TG2: 71.77%; TG3: 67.01%; TG4: 63.63%). The tendency in protein concentrations compared to the control was TG1: 113.61%; TG2: 148.21% TG3: 160.52%; TG4: 157.31%. However, pigments showed a ‘Janus-faced’ effect: nutrient content of the sample caused slight increase at lower doses; actual toxicity became apparent only at higher doses (chlorophyll-a concentration decrease was 84.47% in TG4, chlorophyll-b was 77.17%, and finally, carotene showed 83.60% decrease in TG4).

Acclimation History of Elevated Temperature Reduces the Tolerance of Coralline Algae to Additional Acute Thermal Stress

Increasing atmospheric CO2 is driving major environmental changes in the ocean, such as an increase in average ocean temperature, a decrease in average ocean pH (ocean acidification or OA), and an increase in the number and severity of extreme climatic events (e.g., anomalous temperature events and heatwaves). Uncertainty exists in the capacity for species to withstand these stressors occurring concomitantly. Here, we tested whether an acclimation history of ocean warming (OW) and OA affects the physiological responses of an abundant, reef-building species of crustose coralline algae (CCA), Porolithon cf. onkodes, to chronic and acute thermal stress. To address this, we exposed algae to varying temperature and pH levels for 6 weeks and this chronic treatment experiment was followed by an acute exposure to an anomalous temperature event (+4–6°C from acclimation temperature). Net photosynthetic rate was negatively affected across all treatments by increasing temperature during the acute temperature event, however, algae acclimated to the control temperature were able to maintain photosynthetic rates for +4°C above their acclimation temperature, whereas algae acclimated to elevated temperature were not. Average relative change in O2 produced resulted in a 100–175% decrease, with the largest decrease found in algae acclimated to the combined treatment of elevated temperature and reduced pH. We conclude that acclimation to chronic global change stressors (i.e., OW and OA) will reduce the tolerance of P. cf. onkodes to anomalous increases in temperature, and this may have implications for reef building processes.

Effect of a single intra-articular high molecular weight hyaluronan in a naturally occurring canine osteoarthritis model: a randomized controlled trial

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex joint disease and chronic pain source, affecting a patient’s quality of life and posing a financial burden. As the dog is considered a nearly ideal species for translation research of human OA and the most used model for research, exploring spontaneous dog OA under the One Health/One Medicine concept can improve both humans and dogs’ health and well-being. Methods In a clinical treatment experiment, forty (N=40) joints were selected and randomly assigned to a control group (CG), which received 0.9% NaCl or a treatment (HG), which received Hylan G-F 20. Evaluations were performed on treatment day (T0), 8, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days post-treatment. They consisted of four different Clinical Metrology Instruments (CMI), evaluation of weight distribution, joint range of motion, thigh girth, radiographic and digital thermography imaging, synovial fluid interleukin-1 (IL-1), and C-reactive protein concentrations. Results were compared with repeated measures ANOVA, with a Huynh-Feldt correction, Paired samples T-test, or Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, with p<0.05. Results Patients had a mean age of 6.5±2.4 years and a bodyweight of 26.6±5.2kg, and joints graded as mild (n=28, 70%), moderate (n=6, 15%), and severe OA (n=6, 15%). No differences were found between groups at T0. Symmetry index and deviation showed significant improvements in HG from 30 days (p<0.01) up to 180 days (p=0.01). Several CMI scores, particularly pain scores, improved from 90 to 180 days. Radiographic signs progressed in both groups. In both groups, increasing body weight and age corresponded to worse clinical presentation. IA hyaluronan administration produced increased lameness in six cases, which resolved spontaneously. Conclusions This study characterizes the response to treatment with Hylan G-F 20, which can produce significant functional and pain level improvements in patients with OA, even those with factors related to worse response to treatment.

The cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and Sargassum oligocystum on Toxoplasma gondii in vitro and in vivo.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) and methanolic extract of Persian Gulf brown algae (Sargassum oligocystum) on the growth and cell death of T. gondii tachyzoites in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Six to eightweekold female BALB/c mice (n = 28) were used for the treatment experiment and infected with 105 T. gondii tachyzoites. Four days after treatment, IFN-γ and the levels of splenic lymphocyte proliferation were measured. All the groups were challenged with T. gondii, and the survival rate of experimental mice was assessed. The effects of TiO2NPs and S. oligocystum on the proliferation of T. gondii were evaluated by MTT and annexin V staining in vitro. Results: Based on the results, the combination of S. oligocystum extract and TiO2NPs had more cytotoxic effect compared to their use separately. The results of challenge test also revealed that mice received combined treatment had the highest life time expectancy than those receiving the treatment alone. Conclusion: The simultaneous use of immunomodulatory compounds for the stimulation of the immune system as well as S. oligocystum and TiO2NPs with antiparasitic activity can be promising to develop an effective drug for the treatment of toxoplasmos.

Aplikasi Lucutan Plasma Corona Dalam Pengolahan Limbah Cair Kelapa Sawit

ABSTRACT The green revolution in the field of palm oil farming not only contributes to processed products but also produces large-capacity waste originating from its processing starting from the sterilization process, water from the clarification process, hydro cyclone (clay bath) water, and factory washing water. Palm oil mill effluent (LCPKS) contains dissolved and suspended solids in the form of colloids and oil residues with high BOD and COD. If this liquid waste is discharged directly into the water, it can pollute the environment. Some will settle, decompose slowly, consume dissolved dcxdcoxygen, cause turbidity, emit a sharp odor and can damage the aquatic ecosystem. To improve the parameters in the LCPKS so that it is feasible to flow to water bodies or the environment, an LCPKS treatment experiment test is performed by applying corona discharge with variations in voltage and length of time, then comparing the effect on parameters such as BOD, COD, pH and TDS on LCPKS before treatment and after treatment. From the treatment process using a corona discharge application with variations in voltage and time able to reduce BOD levels up to 35%, COD 36%, increase in TDS reached 71.56% and decreased pH by 4.11%.Key words: Palm oil mill effluent (LCPKS), Corona discharge application (Corona Discharge Treatment), COD, BOD, TDS, pH

PSIV-16 Effects of a functional protein on growth performance of nursery pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of a functional protein (FXP; Ani-Tek Group, LLC, Shelbina, MO) on growth performance of nursery pigs. A total of 840 pigs (PIC 337 × Camborough), initially 5.5 kg, were used with 28 pigs per pen and a total of 15 replicates per treatment. There were two treatments, which consisted of a control diet and the control diet with added FXP. The experimental diets were corn, soybean meal, and whey permeate-based and contained 3,000 mg/kg added Zn. The inclusion of FXP was 0.3% of the diet. Experimental diets were fed for 23 d, followed by a common corn and soybean meal-based diet from d 23 to 48. Pigs were weighed and feed disappearance measured to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. There was no evidence (P &gt; 0.10) for treatment × experiment interactions, thus data was combined for statistical analysis using the MIXED procedure of SAS. From d 0 to 23, pigs fed diets containing FXP had higher (P &lt; 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and BW and a tendency (P = 0.053) for improved G:F. During the common period (d 23 to 48), pigs previously fed FXP had a tendency (P &lt; 0.10) for higher ADG and ADFI. Overall (d 0 to 48), pigs that received FXP had higher (P &lt; 0.05) ADG, ADFI, BW, and a tendency (P = 0.055) for improved G:F. In conclusion, the inclusion of the functional protein improved growth performance of nursery pigs.

A micronucleus assay detects genotoxic effects of herbicide exposure in a protected butterfly species

Lycaena dispar Hawort (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), a protected butterfly, is declining in Europe, but it thrives in rice fields in northern Italy. Here, agrochemical usage could threaten its long-term survival. We investigated, by micronucleus (MN) assay, the genotoxic effect of glyphosate, a common herbicide, on L. dispar larvae. Micronuclei (MNi) are DNA fragments separated from the main nucleus and represent the result of genomic damage that has been transmitted to daughter cells. In a control/treatment experiment, we extracted epithelial cells from last-instar larvae fed with Rumex spp. plants sprayed with a solution containing 3.6 g/L of glyphosate, and from larvae fed with unsprayed plants. MNi and other chromosomal aberrations—nuclear buds (NBUDs) and bi-nucleated cells—were then scored in 1000 cells/subject. Significant differences were found between glyphosate-exposed and control groups in terms of MNi and total genomic damage, but not in terms of NBUDs or bi-nucleated cells. We reported a possible genomic damage induced by glyphosate on larvae of L. dispar. For the first time, a MN assay was used in order to evaluate the genomic damage on a phytophagous invertebrate at the larval stage. Increased levels of MNi reflect a condition of genomic instability that can result in reduced vitality and in an increased risk of local extinction. Therefore, farmland management compatible with wildlife conservation is needed.

Semen Modulates the Expression of NGF, ABHD2, VCAN, and CTEN in the Reproductive Tract of Female Rabbits

Semen changes the gene expression in endometrial and oviductal tissues modulating important processes for reproduction. We tested the hypothesis that mating and/or sperm-free seminal plasma deposition in the reproductive tract affect the expression of genes associated with sperm-lining epithelium interactions, ovulation, and pre-implantation effects (nerve growth factor, NGF; α/β hydrolase domain-containing protein 2, ABHD2; C-terminal tensin-like protein, CTEN or TNS4; and versican, VCAN) in the period 10–72 h post-mating. In Experiment 1, does (n = 9) were treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (control), GnRH-stimulated, and vaginally infused with sperm-free seminal plasma (SP-AI), or GnRH-stimulated and naturally mated (NM). In Experiment 2, does (n = 15) were GnRH-stimulated and naturally mated. Samples were retrieved from the internal reproductive tracts (cervix-to-infundibulum) 20 h post-treatment (Experiment 1) or sequentially collected at 10, 24, 36, 68, or 72 h post-mating (Experiment 2, 3 does/period). All samples were processed for gene expression analysis by quantitative PCR. Data showed an upregulation of endometrial CTEN and NGF by NM, but not by SP-AI. The findings suggest that the NGF gene affects the reproductive tract of the doe during ovulation and beyond, influencing the maternal environment during early embryonic development.

SPL36 encodes a receptor-like protein kinase precursor and regulates programmed cell death and defense responses in rice

The rice (Oryza sativa) spotted leaf 36 (spl36) mutant was identified from an ethyl methanesulfonate–mutagenized Japonica cultivar Yundao population and was previously shown to display a spontaneous cell death phenotype and enhanced resistance to rice bacterial pathogens. Through the analysis of the expression of related genes, we speculate that spl36 is involved in the disease response by up-regulating the expression of defense-related genes. The results of physiological and biochemical experiments indicated that more cell death occurred in the mutant spl36, and the growth and development of the plant were affected. We have isolated SPL36 via a map-based cloning strategy. A single base substitution was detected in spl36, which results in encoding amino acid changes in the SPL36 protein. The predicted SPL36 encodes a receptor-like protein kinase precursor that contains repeated leucine domains and may be involved in stress response of rice. In the salt treatment experiment, we found that the mutant spl36 showed sensitivity to salt. Therefore, SPL36 may negatively regulate salt stress-related responses.