Effect of Guanidinoacetic Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance and Gut Morpholog yin Broiler Chickens

This study evaluates the effects of different levels of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplement on growth performance and gut morphology in broilers (Ross 308 strain) raised at high altitude (2100 m). A total of 300 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308 strain) were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicate pens of 15 birds in each. Five dietary treatments were prepared by supplementing GAA at 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g/kg to corn-soy based diet and fed to broilers from 1 to 42 days of age. Results indicated that weight gain and feed:gain ratio was significantly improved in the chickens when GAA was supplemented to control diet. Carcass and breast yields were significantly increased by GAA supplementation at 1 g/kg relative to the control. On the other hand, dietary inclusion of GAA significantly (P< 0.05)reduced the proportions of liver, heart and abdominal fat when compared to the control. The villus height, width and absorptive surface area in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum sections were significantly improved at GAA supplementation above 0.5 g/kg. However, the crypt depth showed a significant decrease in all parts of the small intestine compared to the control (P< 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing broiler diets with GAA could be an effective strategy to improve growth performance and gut function

Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale in a patient with aneurysmal atrial septum and multifenestrated atrial septal defect

Introduction: Treatment of patients with concomitant Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), Atrial Septal Aneurysm (ASA), and multi fenestrated Atrial Septal Defects (mfASDs) is accompanied by many challenges. There may be even a need for different devices in the atrial septum, which is more challenging and costly. Case Presentation: This study aimed to report a case of PFO closure, which turned out to have ASAs and multiple small holes. A Uni occlutech device was used to close the PFO and fenestrations, which was done successfully and without complications. Conclusions: It is important to have a thorough evaluation of the atrial septum to rule in or out the possibility of multiple defects. This is done by accurate interrogation of the atrial septum by color Doppler echocardiography, preferably by transesophageal or three-dimensional echocardiography at the time of catheterization. Multiple small defects or fenestrations nearby may be closed by a single device, which may cover several defects or fenestrations. © 2020, Iranian Cardiovascular Research Journal. All rights reserved

Effect of Cereal Type and Enzyme Addition on Performance, Pancreatic Enzyme Activity, Intestinal Microflora and Gut Morphology of Broilers

The effects of grain and carbohydrase enzyme supplementation were investigated on digestive physiology of chickens. A total of 625 one-day-old chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to five treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments included two different types of grains (wheat, and barley) with or without a multi-carbohydrase supplement. A corn-based diet was also considered to serve as a control. Feeding barley-based diet with multi-carbohydrase led to higher feed intake (P < 0.01) than those fed corn- and wheat-based diets. Birds fed on barley and wheat diets had lower weight gain despite a higher feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). Total count and number of different type of bacteria including Gram-negative, E. coli, and Clostridia increased after feeding wheat and barley but the number of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria decreased (P < 0.01). Feeding barley and wheat diets reduced villus height in different parts of the small intestine when compared to those fed on a corn diet. However, enzyme supplementation of barley and wheat diets improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio and resulted in reduced number of E. coli and Clostridia and increased number of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, and also restored the negative effects on intestinal villi height (P < 0.01). The activities of pancreatic α-amylase and lipase were (P < 0.01) increased in chickens fed wheat and barley diets when compared to the control fed on a corn diet. Enzyme supplementation reduced the activities of pancreatic α-amylase and lipase (P < 0.01). In conclusion, various dietary non-starch polysaccharides without enzyme supplementation have an adverse effect on digesta viscosity, ileal microflora, villi morphology, and pancreatic enzyme activity

Antioxidative, Antihyperlipidemic, and Growth-Promoting Effects of Kelussia odoratissima in Meat-type Chickens

Due to the presence of polyphenols and phthalides in Kelussia odoratissima Mozzaf (Umbelliferae; K. odoratissima hereafter), this medicinal plant might be a robust in-feed additive to modulate lipid peroxidation in meat-type chickens. The present study evaluates antioxidative, antihyperlipidemic, and growth-promoting effects of K. odoratissima in meat-type chickens. In a 37-day trial (5-42 days of age), a total of 240 broiler chicks (Ross 308 strain) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups. Treatments included 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75% K. odoratissima in feed. Aerial parts of the plant was dried, ground and added to diet. Dietary inclusion of K. odoratissima significantly (P) increased villus height and width and its absorptive surface area in different parts of small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) compared with the control group. Whole body growth significantly (P) improved when K. odoratissima was included in diets at 0.75% (2375 vs. 2488 g). Broilers received K. odoratissima had significantly (P) lower concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to the control group. Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene has been highly overexpressed (~ 24-fold) in the lung of broilers fed K. odoratissima at 0.75%. However, K. odoratissima significantly (P=0.004) suppressed (~ 8-fold) the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene in the lung of broilers when compared to the control. Feeding K. odoratissima at 0.75% caused a significant (P) reductions in serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol as well as reduction in abdominal fat deposition. In conclusion, K. odoratissima showed antioxidative, antihyperlipidemic, and growth-promoting effects in broiler chickens

Probiotics in drinking water alleviate stress of induced molting in feed-deprived laying hens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the physiological changes of laying hens subjected to feed removal during induced molting while received probiotics in the drinking water. Post-molt performance and egg quality criteria were also studied. Ninety 78-week-old Hy-line W36 laying hens were divided into two treatment groups according to equal body weight and subjected to induced molting by continuous feed removal until around 30% BW reduction. The experiment lasted 12 wks consisting of 4-wk molting and 8-wk post-molt periods. Treatment I received no probiotics and was considered as the control. Treatment 2 was similar to the control except that hens received probiotics in the drinking water at 400 mg/L during feed deprivation. The results indicated that hens in both groups went out of production by Day 5. However, hens received probiotics reached 5 and 50% egg production sooner than the control (30 and 52 days vs. 31 and 54 days). Starvation during molting increased heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, hematocrit and plasma T4 and Na+ levels while plasma T3 and Cl- levels were decreased. Probiotics had no significant impact on BW reduction during molt. Post-molt egg production and egg mass were higher in hens which previously received probiotics, but these responses were not significant. However, feed conversion ratio was significantly better in hens which received probiotics. Hematocrit, plasma thyroid supplementation of probiotics. However, H/L ratio showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in birds which received probiotics suggesting beneficial effects of this product for feed-deprived laying hens. No significant difference was observed in post-molt egg quality criteria

Effect of Using Enzyme Complex on Productivity and Hatchability of Broiler Breeders Fed a Corn-Soybean Meal Diet

A total number of  5520 female and  480 male breeders (Arbor Acres plus) at 42wks of age  were used in a 10-week-trial to investigate the effect of an enzyme complex on  the quality  and quantity of egg production as well as hatchability of broiler breeders fed a corn-soybean meal diet. There were two dietary treatment groups: a control group fed on a corn-soybean based diet, and the multi-enzyme group that received the same diet plus an enzyme complex including xylanase, amylase, protease, phytase, ß-glucanase, hemicellulase, and pectinase. Results showed that egg production rate and egg mass were numerically increased as a result of enzyme supplementation and differences between the treatment groups were significant at week 46 (

Device closure of a traumatic VSD in a young man with a history of a stab wound to the chest

The most commonly affected area of the heart in penetrating chest trauma is the right ventricle. The occurrence of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) after penetrating trauma to the left chest has an incidence of 1 to 5. We describe a 27-year-old man with a history of the surgical repair of right ventricular free-wall rupture due to a stab wound to the chest and a posterior muscular VSD, which was diagnosed with transthoracic echocardiography postoperatively. We closed the VSD with a symmetric occluder successfully. © 2020 Japanese College of Cardiolog

Transcatheter device closure of complex paravalvular leak after bioprosthetic and mechanical pulmonary valve replacement in two adult patients

Introduction: Paravalvular leak after prosthetic valve operation affects up to 27 of all prosthetic heart valves implanted by conventional surgery, which can be the cause of serious complications like hemolysis and congestive heart failure. Surgical re-intervention is the conventional treatment of choice for severe cases, but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and is not always successful because of underlying tissue fragility. Over the last decade, transcatheter treatment of paravalvular leaks has emerged as an attractive alternative to surgery for high-risk patients and is now favored as the initial approach in some experienced centers. Significant paravalvular leaks are not common following a pulmonary valve replacement and may be more complex anatomically than left�sided paravalvular leak due to the variability in implant location and technique in the trabeculated and often dilated and fibrotic right ventricular outflow tract. Case Presentation: This study aimed to report two patients with successful transcatheter closure of a complex paravalvular leak utilizing Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) occluder devices following mechanical and bioprosthetic Pulmonary Valve Replacement (PVR). The cases included a 34�year�old and a 26-year-old man who were known cases of tetralogy of Fallot with a history of total correction operation (TFTC). Conclusions: The results showed that paravalvular leak could be a hemodynamically serious complication of surgical PVR and that transcatheter device closure was an acceptable way for the relief of these defects. However, the best approach for the closure of pulmonary paravalvular leak depends on specific anatomic structures and the origin or course of the coronary arteries that must be evaluated before device implantation. © 2020, Iranian Cardiovascular Research Journal. All rights reserved