Embryonic Thermal Manipulation and in ovo Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Supplementation Regulating the Chick Weight and Stress-Related Genes at Hatch

Chickens are exposed to numerous types of stress from hatching to shipping, influencing poultry production. Embryonic manipulation may develop resistance against several stressors. This study investigates the effects of thermoneutral temperature (T0; 37.8°C) with no injection (N0) (T0N0), T0 with 0.6 ml of 10% in ovo gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) supplementation (N1) at 17.5th embryonic day (ED) (T0N1), thermal manipulation (T1) at 39.6°C from the 10th to 18th ED (6 h/day) with N0 (T1N0), and T1 with N1 (T1N1) on hatchability parameters and hepatic expression of stress-related genes in day-old Arbor Acres chicks. The parameters determined were hatchability, body weight (BW), organ weight, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant-related gene expression. Percent hatchability was calculated on a fertile egg basis. Growth performance was analyzed using each chick as an experimental unit. Eight birds per group were used for organ weight. Two-way ANOVA was used taking temperature and GABA as the main effect for growth performance and gene expression studies. Analysis was performed using an IBM SPSS statistics software package 25.0 (IBM software, Chicago, IL, USA). Hatchability was similar in all the groups and was slightly lower in the T1N1. Higher BW was recorded in both T1 and N1. Intestinal weight and MDA were higher in T0N1 against T0N0 and T1N1, respectively. The expression of HSP70, HSP90, NOX1, and NOX4 genes was higher and SOD and CAT genes were lower in the T1 group. The present results show that T1 and N1 independently improve the BW of broiler chicks at hatch, but T1 strongly regulates stress-related gene expression and suggests that both T1 and N1 during incubation can improve performance and alleviate stress after hatch.

Effect of supplementation with select human milk oligosaccharides on artificially reared newborn rats

Early life nutrition fundamentally influences neonatal development and health. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are key components of breast milk, but not standard infant formula that support establishment of the newborn gut microbiota. Using an artificial rearing system, our objective was to test the effect of two HMOs on whole body and organ growth, adiposity, glucose tolerance, and fecal microbiota in young rat pups. From postnatal day 4 to 21, Sprague Dawley rats were randomized to receive one of: 1) CTR (rat milk substitute); 2) 2’FL (CTR +1.2 g/L 2’-fucosyllactose); 3) 3’SL (CTR+1.2 g/L 3’-sialyllactose); 4) 2’FL+3’SL (CTR+0.6 g/L 2’-FL+0.6 g/L 3’-SL). Body weight, bowel movements and food intake were monitored daily, fecal samples collected each week, and oral glucose tolerance, body composition, and organ weight measured at weaning. No significant differences were observed between groups in growth performance, body composition, organ weight and abundance of dominant fecal microbes. A decreased relative abundance of genus Proteus in week1 fecal samples and Terrisporobacter in week3 fecal samples (P<0.05) was suggestive of a potential pathogen inhibitory effect of 3’SL. Longitudinal changes in the fecal microbiota of artificially reared suckling rats were primarily governed by age (P =0.001) and not affected by the presence of 2’-FL and/or 3’-SL in rat milk substitutes (P =0.479). Considering the known protective effects of HMOs, further investigation of supplementation with these and other HMOs in models of premature birth, extremely low body weight, or malnutrition may show more pronounced outcomes.

Toxicity Assessment of a Single Dose of Poly(ethylene glycol) Diglycidyl Ether (PEGDE) Administered Subcutaneously in Mice

Poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) is widely used to cross-link polymers, particularly in the pharmaceutical and biomaterial sectors. However, the subcutaneous toxicity of PEGDE has not yet been assessed. PEGDE samples (500–40,000 μg/mouse) were subcutaneously injected into the paraspinal dorsum of BALB/c male mice. Cage-side observations were carried out with measurement of organ weight, body weight variation, and feed intake, as well as histopathological characterization on day 28 post-exposure. Mice that received 40,000 μg of PEGDE showed severe toxic response and had to be euthanized. Subcutaneous injection of PEGDE did not alter feed intake and organ weight; however, the body weight variation of mice injected with 20,000 μg of PEGDE was significantly lower than that of the other groups. Exposure to 10,000 and 20,000 μg of PEGDE induced epidermal ulcer formation and hair loss. The histology of skin tissue in mice administered with 20,000 μg of PEGDE showed re-epithelialized or unhealed wounds. However, the liver, spleen, and kidneys were histologically normal. Collectively, PEGDE, particularly above 10,000 μg/mouse, caused subcutaneous toxicity with ulceration, but no toxicity in the other organs. These results may indicate the optimal concentration of subcutaneously injected PEGDE.

ACUTE TOXICITY OF Β-KITIN EXTRACTED FROM THE SHELL OF BLUE SWIMMING CRAB (PORTUNUS PELAGICUS LINN.)

Objective: This work aimed to study the acute toxicity of β-chitin extracted from crab shells in Bal b/c mice. Method: The acute toxicity test was performed by following the OECD guidelines. Female mice were given single or divided doses of β-chitin (maximum 24 h) with doses of 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 6000 mg/kg of BW. Observations were made for 14 d, including behaviour, body weight, organ weight, and histopathology of vital organs (stomach, heart, liver, kidney, and lung). Results: During 14 d, no deaths and no abnormalities in behaviour, bodyweight or organ weight were observed. Qualitative histopathological observations at the highest dose showed abnormalities of the liver and kidney compared to those of the control group. Nevertheless, the abnormalities did not affect the organ function. Conclusion: This acute toxicity study reveals that β-chitin up to a dose of 6000 mg/kg of BW is not toxic, as proved by the normal behaviour, body weight, and vital organ weight of the animals. Further chronic toxicities study is needed to confirm its safety.

Hyperthyroidism with radioactive iodine-131

We looked into the restorative records of patients with Graves’ hyperthyroidism who were treated with iodine-131 between 1996 and 2002. Of the 135 patients, satisfactory data was gotten on the comes about of at slightest 24-month follow-up in 70 of them. Iodine-131 was given in a single measurements at a rate (200 microcuries/g of organ weight redressed to 100% iodine take-up after 24 hours). Methimazole treatment was suspended a week some time recently the organization of iodine-131. Treatment was considered fruitful with either or hypothyroidism. In follow-up examinations conducted after 12 months of application of the treatment, 81.2% of treatment victory rates were found, whereas in examinations conducted after 24 months, the rate come to 88.3%. This near the rates shown in the various sources.

Utilization of Shredded Steam-Exploded Pine Particles as a Dietary Ingredient to Modify Cecal Microbiota in Broilers

Sawdust and wood shavings are the major industrial waste from wood and its related industries. Steam-explosion treatment enhances the utilizable fiber fraction in pinewood particles. This study investigated the effects of adding up to 2% of steam-exploded pine particles (SPPs) in diets on the growth performance and cecal microbiome of broilers. On the 8th day of age, 216 Ross 308 broilers were allocated to three treatments of 72 broilers/group, with 12 replicates of 6 broilers each, to receive 0%, 1%, and 2% SPPs in their diets. The experimental period was from the 8th to 28th day of age. The parameters recorded included growth performance, relative organ weight (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, liver, and spleen), absolute organ length (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum), blood biochemicals (glucose, total protein, triglyceride, and cholesterol), and microbial analysis from cecum samples. Growth performance parameters, such as the average daily gain, average feed intake, feed conversion ratio, organ weight, length, and blood biochemical parameters, were not influenced by dietary supplementation of SPP. The abundance of fibrolytic bacterial genera, such as Mediterraneibacter and Anaerobutyricum, was increased in 2% SPP-supplemented chickens. An unknown bacterial genus was also enhanced in 2% SPP-supplemented diets related to the family of fiber-degrading bacteria and needs further investigation. In conclusion, 2% SPP can be supplemented in chicken diets as a source of fiber from wood industry-related waste without having any harmful effects on broiler chickens.

Effects of blood loss on organ attenuation on postmortem CT and organ weight at autopsy

Background Cases of external hemorrhage are difficult to recognize on postmortem computed tomography (PMCT). Purpose To investigate the effects of blood loss on CT attenuation of the spleen, liver, kidneys, and lungs on PMCT and to assess the relationship between blood loss and organ weight. Methods A total of 125 cases with blood loss were sex- and age-matched to 125 control cases without blood loss. Individual organ attenuation was measured on transverse CT images. Organ weights of the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lung were extracted from the autopsy protocols. Results Organ weight was significantly lower in cases with blood loss (lung 30%, spleen 28%, kidneys 14%, liver 18%) than in controls. CT attenuation of the lungs was significantly lower (30%) in cases with blood loss than in controls. CT attenuation of the spleen and kidneys did not significantly differ between cases and controls. CT attenuation of the liver was significantly higher (25%) in cases with blood loss than in controls. Conclusion Blood loss decreases organ weight and CT attenuation of the lungs but appears to have no significant effect on CT attenuation of the spleen and kidneys. The increased liver attenuation in cases with blood loss compared to controls was an unexpected finding and remains challenging to explain. One probable interpretation refers to different levels of hepatic glycogen; however, further work is warranted to substantiate this hypothesis.

Subcronic Toxicity Effect of Ethanol Extract of Bitter Melon Fruit (Momordica charantia L.) on Kidney Function and Histopathological Changes in Wistar Rat

Bitter melon is a fruit that was famous for its bitter taste and contains chemical compounds that are proven to have effects such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and antioxidant. One of the prerequisites of a plant to be developed into a drug that is by testing the subchronic toxicity. This study goal to determine the presence of toxic effects that are not detected in the acute toxicity test. A total of 40 wistar rats were divided into group control and 3 treatment groups. Each group consisted of 5 male rats and female rats. Group 1 (control) is only given food (pellets) and drinking water. Group 2, 3 and 4 groups were given ethanol extract of bitter melon pulp (Momordica charantia L.) with multilevels doses 250 mg/kgbw, 500 mg/kgbw, and 1000 mg/kgbw. The observations made for 28 days included the number of death animals, relative organ weight (ROW), ureum, creatinine levels and histopatological changes in kidney. There were no deaths in the entire group, decreasing ureum (p=0,022), creatinine levels (p=0,033) in male group. While in female group ureum decrease not significantly (0.878) and creatinine (0.845). There were no significant changes in ROW (p=0,370 and p=0,394), but there were changes in microscopic structure. In conclusion ethanol extract of bitter melon fruit (Momordica charantia L.) at a of 250 mg/kgbw, 500 mg/kgbw, and 1000 mg/kgbw does not showed any toxic effects on kidney function and relative organ weight. But microscopically, the administration of ethanol extract of bitter melon fruit caused a toxic effect on the kidney tubules in both male and female groups. Keywords: Momordica charantia L., sub chronic toxicity, ureum, creatinine, histopathological change

Effect of SNEDDS (Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System) kawista leaf aqueous extract (Limonia acidissima L.) on body and organ weight of Rats

SNEDDS (Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System) is a pharmacological method that can increase the bioavailability of a drug. Kawista leaf aqueous extract contains secondary metabolites in the form of flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. SNEDDS preparation of kawista leaf aqueous extract has not been reported on its effect on body weight and organs of rats. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of SNEDDS preparation of kawista leaf aqueous extract on body weight, liver and kidney weight of Rattus norvegicus in acute toxicity testing using the OECD 423 method. Data on body weight and organ weight of the liver and kidneys of female white rats of the Wistar strain were obtained during toxicity testing by acute OECD method 423. In this test, rats were divided into 3 treatment groups,namely control, SNEDDS, and SNEDDS of kawista leaf aqueous extract, with a total of 5 rats per treatment. The test was carried out in 2 terms of dosing according to OECD 423, wherein the second term the amount of the dose given was determined from the data on the response of the test animals to the dosage of the preparations in the first term. The results were analyzed using One Way ANOVA followed with Duncan. The results showed that the SNEDDS preparation of kawista leaf aqueous extract did not affect the body weight or the weight of the liver and kidneys of rats which was indicated from the statistical test results that there was no significant difference between treatments. This study conclude that SNEDDS preparation of kawista leaf aqueous extract did not affect the body weight or liver and kidney organs of rats.