Characterization of metals in feed, litter and air of intensive poultry farming facilities

Poultry industry is progressing worldwide due to cheap sources of proteins and it is also considered as the center of various organic and inorganic emissions. The current study was designed to see the release of different metals from the poultry farms. Air samples both from indoor and outdoor along with the litter and feed samples of ten poultry houses were collected from the outskirts of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Poultry farms were varied in feed and grouped into three categories: Group A (using Feed A), Group B (using Feed B) and Group C (using Feed C). All collected samples were digested with aqua regia and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Fourteen metals were detected and categorized as essential (Calcium (Ca), Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Phosphorus (P), Magnesium (Mg)), trace (Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn)) and heavy metals (Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb)). In general, the concentration of all essential, trace, and heavy metals was found to be highest in feed followed by litter and air samples. However, Cr, Hg and Pb were higher in litter samples of group A as compared to feed and air. All the samples were statistically analyzed using one way ANOVA. A significant difference of feed was present with litter and air samples within groups (p<0.05) however, no significant differences were recorded among different groups. Overall it was noticed that the concentration of metals in feed samples were reflecting in litter and air. So, there is a need to ensure intervention and management policies in intensive poultry farming facilities to establish standards for metal in feed to reduce their bioaccumulation in the environment

Selective deposition of dietary α-Lipoic acid in mitochondrial fraction and its synergistic effect with α-Tocoperhol acetate on broiler meat oxidative stability

The use of bioactive antioxidants in feed of broiler to mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biological systems is one of promising nutritional strategies. The aim of present study was to alleviate ROS production in mitochondrial fraction (MF) of meat by supplemented dietary antioxidant in feed of broiler. For this purpose, mitochondria specific antioxidant: α-lipoic acid (25 mg, 75 mg and 150 mg) with or without combination of α-tocopherol acetate (200 mg) used in normal and palm olein oxidized oil (4%) supplemented feed. One hundred and eighty one day old broiler birds were randomly divided into six treatments and provided the mentioned feed from third week. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) remained statistically same in all groups while body weight decreased in supplemented groups accordingly at the end of study. The broiler meat MF antioxidant potential was significantly improved by feeding supplemented feed estimated as 1,1-di phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, 2,2-azinobis-(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS+) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The maximum antioxidant activity was depicted in group fed on 150 mg/kg α-lipoic acid (ALA) and 200 mg/kg α-tocopherol acetate (ATA) (T4) in both breast and leg MF. Moreover, TBARS were higher in leg as compared to breast MF. Although, oxidized oil containing feed reduced the growth, lipid stability and antioxidant potential of MF whilst these traits were improved by receiving feed containing ALA and ATA. ALA and ATA showed higher deposition in T4 group while least in group received oxidized oil containing feed (T5). Positive correlation exists between DPPH free radical scavenging activity and the ABTS + reducing activity. In conclusion, ALA and ATA supplementation in feed had positive effect on antioxidant status of MF that consequently diminished the oxidative stress in polyunsaturated fatty acid enriched meat

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and immunity booster green foods: A mini review

This review focused on the use of plant-based foods for enhancing the immunity of all aged groups against COVID-19. In humans, coronaviruses are included in the spectrum of viruses that cause the common cold and, recently, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Emerging infectious diseases, such as SARS present a major threat to public health. The novel coronavirus has spread rapidly to multiple countries and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is usually caused a virus to which most probably the people with low immunity response are being affected. Plant-based foods increased the intestinal beneficial bacteria which are helpful and make up of 85% of the immune system. By the use of plenty of water, minerals like magnesium and Zinc, micronutrients, herbs, food rich in vitamins C, D and E, and better life style one can promote the health and can overcome this infection. Various studies investigated that a powerful antioxidant glutathione and a bioflavonoid quercetin may prevent various infections including COVID-19. In conclusion, the plant-based foods play a vital role to enhance the immunity of people to control of COVID-19

Formulation and biochemical evaluation of designer diet enriched with botanicals for bone health

The study designed to evaluate the role of sesame, fenugreek flax, and nuts seeds as best alternatives for therapeutic agents to improve bone mineral status. Effect of these plant seeds on proximate composition, antioxidant potential, mineral, fatty acid, and amino acid profile of supplements was studied. The sesame, fenugreek, and flaxseeds were incorporated with nuts at level of 35% to develop supplement. Improved contents of protein, fat, and NFE were recorded in range of 25.72–32.23, 18.92–23.15, and 34.25%–39.59%, correspondingly. The antioxidant potential of supplements is high (450.56 mg GAE/ 100g) prepared with fenugreek followed by flaxseeds and sesame seeds. Calcium as fundamental bone mineral found greater (525.15%–790.21%) in seed-based supplement. Enhanced contents of Oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids ranged 17.32–41.78, 21.72–44.23, and 1.00%–47.12%, respectively. Nutritional enriched supplements may be best alternatives for improving bone health by lowering osteoclast and increasing osteoblast mechanism in bone development

Engineered Disease Resistance in Cotton Using RNA-Interference to Knock down Cotton leaf curl Kokhran virus-Burewala and Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite Expression

Cotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD) is caused by a suite of whitefly-transmitted begomovirus species and strains, resulting in extensive losses annually in India and Pakistan. RNA-interference (RNAi) is a proven technology used for knockdown of gene expression in higher organisms and viruses. In this study, a small interfering RNA (siRNA) construct was designed to target the AC1 gene of Cotton leaf curl Kokhran virus-Burewala (CLCuKoV-Bu) and the beta C1 gene and satellite conserved region of the Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB). The AC1 gene and CLCuMB coding and non-coding regions function in replication initiation and suppression of the plant host defense pathway, respectively. The construct, V b, was transformed into cotton plants using the Agrobacterium-mediated embryo shoot apex cut method. Results from fluorescence in situ hybridization and karyotyping assays indicated that six of the 11 T-1 plants harbored a single copy of the V beta transgene. Transgenic cotton plants and non-transgenic (susceptible) test plants included as the positive control were challenge-inoculated using the viruliferous whitefly vector to transmit the CLCuKoV-Bu/ CLCuMB complex. Among the test plants, plant V beta-6 was asymptomatic, had the lowest amount of detectable virus, and harbored a single copy of the transgene on chromosome six. Absence of characteristic leaf curl symptom development in transgenic V beta-6 cotton plants, and significantly reduced begomoviral-betasatellite accumulation based on real-time polymerase chain reaction, indicated the successful knockdown of CLCuKoV-Bu and CLCuMB expression, resulting in leaf curl resistant plants.Pakistan-U. S. Cotton Productivity Enhancement Program, ICARDA - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) [58-6402-0-178F]; USDA-ARS Non-Assistance [58-6402-2-763]; Cotton Incorporated-Core Program [06-829]Open Access Journal.This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Self-reported health and smoking status, and body mass index: a case-control comparison based on GEN SCRIP (GENetics of SChizophRenia In Pakistan) data

Introduction Individuals with schizophrenia are at a high risk of physical health comorbidities and premature mortality. Cardiovascular and metabolic causes are an important contributor. There are gaps in monitoring, documenting and managing these physical health comorbidities. Because of their condition, patients themselves may not be aware of these comorbidities and may not be able to follow a lifestyle that prevents and manages the complications. In many low-income and middle-income countries including Pakistan, the bulk of the burden of care for those struggling with schizophrenia falls on the families.Objectives To determine the rate of self-reported physical health disorders and risk factors, like body mass index (BMI) and smoking, associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in cases of schizophrenia compared with a group of mentally healthy controls.Design A case-controlled, cross-sectional multicentre study of patients with schizophrenia in Pakistan.Settings Multiple data collection sites across the country for patients, that is, public and private psychiatric OPDs (out patient departments), specialised psychiatric care facilities, and psychiatric wards of teaching and district level hospitals. Healthy controls were enrolled from the community.Participants We report a total of 6838 participants’ data with (N 3411 (49.9%)) cases of schizophrenia compared with a group of healthy controls (N 3427 (50.1%)).Results BMI (OR 0.98 (CI 0.97 to 0.99), p=0.0025), and the rate of smoking is higher in patients with schizophrenia than in controls. Problems with vision (OR 0.13 (0.08 to 0.2), joint pain (OR 0.18 (0.07 to 0.44)) and high cholesterol (OR 0.13 (0.05 to 0.35)) have higher reported prevalence in controls. The cases describe more physical health disorders in the category ‘other’ (OR 4.65 (3.01 to 7.18)). This captures residual disorders not listed in the questionnaire.Conclusions Participants with schizophrenia in comparison with controls report more disorders. The access in the ‘other’ category may be a reflection of undiagnosed disorders