Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Single Crystal Titanate: Part-1

Single crystal TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) were prepared using modified hydrothermal method by treatment of prepared TiO2 with NaOH aqueous solution and characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, BET surface area analysis, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR and UV–vis/DR spectroscopy. Detailed study for the effect of calcinations temperature on the morphology, textural properties, adsorption amount and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanotubes was performed. The results showed that the calcinations temperature remarkably altered the phase composition. HRTEM showed that the high-purity nanotubes can be produced through the hydrothermal treatment of TiO2, calcinated at 250 ?C.  It was found that the obtained high-purity TNTs have outer diameter of the tubular structures around 15 nm and the length is around 70 nm, the wall of nanotube is 2 layers in one side whereas it is 3 layers in another side and the interlayer spacing is about 1–1.5 nm. The prepared TiO2 nanotubes show enhanced catalytic activity in photocatalytic phenol degradation compared with TiO2 nanoparticles which show lower catalytic activities. Keywords: Titanate, Single Crystal, hydrothermal metho

In vitro evaluation of sodium butyrate on the growth of three Salmonella serovars derived from pigs at a mild acidic pH value

Foodborne zoonotic diseases can be transferred into the food chain at the stage of livestock farming. As an emerging public health challenge, practicable reduction measures in porcine health management for Salmonella are constantly being investigated. This in vitro study aimed to determine the influence of six different sodium butyrate (SB) concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mM) on the growth of three different Salmonella enterica serovars at a constant pH value of 6.0, corresponding to conditions in the pig's hindgut. S. Derby and S. Typhimurium, isolated from a pig farm, and S. Typhimurium DSM 19587, which served as control, were used. Broth microdilution assay was applied to record Salmonella growth in the presence of different SB-concentrations over six different incubation periods (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h). Results were quantified in the log colony-forming units (log10 CFU/mL). For 1 h incubation, the addition of SB showed no significant differences in the range of initial Salmonella dose of about 5.7 log10 between concentrations (0–80 mM, 5.26 ± 0.10–5.60 ± 0.07 log10, p > 0.05). After 6 h, for SB addition, the range of Salmonella counts was significantly lower compared to no addition of SB (5–80 mM, p < 0.05), 6.78 ± 0.84–7.90 ± 0.10 log10 for 5 mM, and 7.53 ± 0.04–8.71 ± 0.22 log10 for 0 mM. Moreover, for SB concentrations of 40 and 80 mM, no difference in the range of Salmonella counts over 6 h was obtained (5.23 ± 0.11–5.38 ± 0.05 log10, p > 0.05), and minor Salmonella growth was recorded at the earliest after 24 h incubation. Growth rates for varying SB concentrations and incubation times were confirmed in a similar manner for the three serovars. Obtained results suggest that increasing SB concentrations suppress Salmonella growth for concentrations of 5–20 mM over a 6 h incubation period and for 40 and 80 mM over a 24 h incubation period. When transferring these in vitro findings to the porcine organism, it may be assumed that Salmonella reduction can be achieved by increased butyrate content in the chyme of the large intestine

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Phytogenic Substances for Optimizing Gut Health in Poultry

The gut microbiota has been designated as a hidden metabolic ‘organ’ because of its enormous impact on host metabolism, physiology, nutrition, and immune function. The connection between the intestinal microbiota and their respective host animals is dynamic and, in general, mutually beneficial. This complicated interaction is seen as a determinant of health and disease; thus, intestinal dysbiosis is linked with several metabolic diseases. Therefore, tractable strategies targeting the regulation of intestinal microbiota can control several diseases that are closely related to inflammatory and metabolic disorders. As a result, animal health and performance are improved. One of these strategies is related to dietary supplementation with prebiotics, probiotics, and phytogenic substances. These supplements exert their effects indirectly through manipulation of gut microbiota quality and improvement in intestinal epithelial barrier. Several phytogenic substances, such as berberine, resveratrol, curcumin, carvacrol, thymol, isoflavones and hydrolyzed fibers, have been identified as potential supplements that may also act as welcome means to reduce the usage of antibiotics in feedstock, including poultry farming, through manipulation of the gut microbiome. In addition, these compounds may improve the integrity of tight junctions by controlling tight junction-related proteins and inflammatory signaling pathways in the host animals. In this review, we discuss the role of probiotics, prebiotics, and phytogenic substances in optimizing gut function in poultry

Nutrient Digestibility of a Vegetarian Diet with or without the Supplementation of Feather Meal and Either Corn Meal, Fermented Rye or Rye and Its Effect on Fecal Quality in Dogs

Cereals with low environmental input like rye and animal by-products which cannot be used for human food like feather meal are receiving growing interest as sustainable feed sources. Thus, eight Beagle dogs were included in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design and received a vegetarian basic diet or the same diets supplemented with hydrolyzed feather meal (2.7%) and either 20.1% of corn meal, 60.4% of fermented rye or 20.1% of rye as is basis (moisture content of the diets about 42%). Compared to other groups the dry matter (DM) content of feces from dogs fed the basic diet was higher (30.0%, p p p < 0.05) for dogs fed the basic diet + corn meal. The dogs showed a high and identical acceptance (scoring of food intake) of the experimental diets. As a comparable quality of feces and a high nutrient digestibility were observed when rye was used in the experimental diets—it can be considered an alternative carbohydrate source in dog foods

Nutrient Digestibility and Fecal Quality in Beagle Dogs Fed Meat and Bone Meal Added to Dry Food

Meat and bone meal (MBM) is one animal by-product used in pets. This study purposed to provide information on MBM including either coarsely (MBMc) or finely (MBMf) ground with regard to diet digestibility and fecal characteristics in dogs. Three different levels of MBM (6%, 12% and 24%) of each grinding form (MBM6, MBM12 and MBM24) were added to a basic diet. Six Beagle dogs (body weight 16.7 kg ± 0.42) participated in a Latin Square experiment. Each trial began with the animals adapting to the food for a five-day period, followed by five days of fecal collection. The feed particle size had no effect on the apparent digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and crude fat. The fecal score was significantly affected by the particle size × level interaction among treatments (p < 0.0001). It was noted that the different particle sizes or levels of MBM as main effects had no significant effect on the fecal fatty acid concentrations. These findings suggest that using coarse or fine grinding even including MBM up to 24% in dog diets does not affect the apparent digestibility of protein nor fecal quality negatively in our experimental study

Immunohistochemical evaluation of CD31 and D2-40, expression in oral squamous cell carci-noma

Background: The present study was carried out to evaluate the relation between angiogenesis, and tumor stage of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).Materials and methods: Thirty formalin-fixed paraffin embedded blocks were used, ten of them were previously diagnosed as well differentiated OSCC, ten moderately differentiated OSCC and ten poorly differentiated OSCC. To determine the expression of CD31 and D2-40 proteins, streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase staining technique was used. The areas with the most vascular density (hot spots) were determined. The stained vessels were counted independently in intratumoral and peritumoral stroma. Results: CD 31 protein showed positive expression in the peritumoral and intratumoral blood vessels subjacent to the malignant invading nests. D2-40 expression was positive in lymphatic vessel in the peritumoral and intratumoral stroma subjacent to the invading nests. The highest mean values of both CD31 and D2-40 proteins expression were recorded in poor differentiated OSSC followed by moderate differentiated OSSC then well differentiated OSSC. There was statistically significant difference found between the three studied groups regarding CD31 and D2-40 levels. Also there was statistically significant positive correlation found between CD31 level and D2-40 level.Conclusion: CD31 and D2-40 are related to stage of OSCC and are consistent with angiogenesis in tumor progression

Effect of Different Fiber Sources as Additives to Wet Food for Beagle Dogs on Diet Acceptance, Digestibility, and Fecal Quality

In order to enhance the health and welfare of obese dogs and to facilitate the required loss of body weight, commercial diets are produced with fibrous ingredients. Cellulose is a common dietary fiber used mainly in powdered form. However, other processing forms and fibers are available as fibrous additives. This work aimed to test the effects of different fiber sources on apparent total tract digestibility and fecal quality in dogs. Four diets were fed to eight dogs (experimental design: 4 × 4 Latin square) for a 14-day period each. In addition to a basal diet (CO), three experimental diets varying in fiber sources were used: powdered cellulose (CE), granulated cellulose (GC), and lignocellulose (LC). Dogs fed the CO had lower crude fiber digestibility than those fed the other experimental diets (p < 0.0033). Dogs fed diets supplemented with fiber sources had lower gross energy digestibility (range: 76.2–77.3%) compared with those fed the CO (84.4%). In all groups, the fecal score (consistency and shape) ranged within the optimal values; solely wet fecal output was increased for the fiber groups compared with those on the CO. This study demonstrated that various sources of fiber such as GC and LC can be used as alternatives to CE without restrictions

Influence of Feeding Compound Feed Rich in Fibre during Parturition and Lactation on Health and Performance of Sows

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of ad libitum access to compound feeds rich in fibre (ante partum (a.p.) and peri partum) on the DM intake, body mass development and performance of sows as well as excretion of Clostridium (C.) perfringens via sows’ faeces. From day 109 (d-7) of gestation, 25 of 48 sows (23 considered as control) received access to one of two different high-fibre pellets from d-7 until the second day post partum (p.p.) (d2) (fibre groups (FG) 1 and 2) in additional to a lactation diet. The additional DM intake of the high-fibre pellets a.p. was 2.13 ± 1.15 kg in FG 1 and 3.14 ± 0.68 kg in FG 2. This led to higher DM intake in the first lactation week and significantly lower losses of weight and back fat thickness during lactation. The bacterial counts of C. perfringens in sows’ faeces directly p.p. were 10 times lower in FG 1 and 100 times lower in FG 2 compared to the controls. High amounts of fibre led to higher DM intake throughout lactation, which had beneficial effects on sows’ body conditions. It seems that high fibre intake influenced the excretion of C. perfringens at parturition, which could improve the health of newborns

Behavior

This paper presents an experimental and analytical study on the behavior of post-tensioned concrete beams with variable discontinuous fibers’ content. Eleven half scale T-shaped post-tensioned simple beams were cast and tested in four points bending under the effect of a repeated load using a displacement control system up to failure. The test parameters were the fibers’ type (steel and polypropylene) and content, as well as the prestressing ratio (partially or fully). Key test results showed considerable enhancement in the crack distribution, crack width and spacing, concrete tensile strength and flexural stiffness in all beams with steel fibrous concrete. The latter aspects were directly proportional to the steel fibers’ contents. On the other hand, beams containing polypropylene fibers demonstrated a slight decrease in the flexural strength and a slight increase in flexural stiffness. In addition, the tensile steel strains decreased in all fibrous concrete beams, with lowest values in steel fibrous concrete specimens when compared to those of the polypropylene fibers. Furthermore, fibrous concrete beams also demonstrated enhanced ductility and energy absorption, which reached the highest values for steel fibrous concrete specimens. Generally, it can be concluded that steel fibers proved to have higher structural efficiency than polypropylene fibers, when used in the tested specimens

Immunohistochemical analysis of CD34 and PCNA expression in salivary and laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma

Background/purpose: Adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) are malignant tumors that affect major and minor salivary glands. LACC is an extremely rare location for this type of tumour. This study describes the immunohistochemical analysis of CD34 and PCNA expression in salivary and laryngeal ACC. Materials and methods: The study included 40 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks were used, 20 of them were previously diagnosed as SACC, and 20 as LACC. All sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) and immunohistochemical marker to detect CD34 and PCNA protein. Results: Regarding the expression of CD34, SACC had recorded the highest mean area % (31.58), while LACC recorded the lowest mean area % (14.25) and the comparison revealed that there was a highly significant difference between these lesions where P value was (&lt;0.001) concerning the expression of PCNA, SACC had recorded the highest mean area % (36.28), while LACC recorded the lowest mean area % (20.7) and the comparison revealed that there was a highly significant difference between these lesions where P value was (&lt;0.001). Conclusions: immunohisto­chemical analyses presented here indicated that LACC tends to nonaggressive oncological behavior and angiogenesis when compared to SACC