The effects of hops (<i>Humulus lupulus</i> L.) and silymarin on performance and health of newly weaned pigs

The ban of antimicrobial growth promoters in pig production has resulted in an increased interest in investigating the effects of different alternatives, which can reduce the problems post weaning and improve the performance in piglets. Initially two botanical extracts with different properties were investigated: hops, which have antibacterial properties and silymarin, which is used for liver disorders. The first experiment showed that hops and silymarin had beneficial effects on FCR in piglets (P = 0.014) by 9.6% and 15.8%, respectively. Furthermore, hops significantly improved some of the measured liver enzymes, so it was decided to focus on hops only. Two further experiments were carried out examining the effects of different concentrations of hops and isolated hop compounds (iso-α acids and ß-acids), and the combination with organic acids in weaner pigs. A higher inclusion level of hops was associated with a better FCR, and the isolated hop compounds also resulted in an improved FCR (P = 0.027) by 9.2%. The addition of an organic acid mixture did not affect the performance. An in vitro experiment confirmed that hops and isolated hop compounds had antibacterial properties. To try and elucidate the mechanism by which the hops and the isolated hop compounds improved the FCR, the effects on the gut flora were studied in the piglets. Both the hops and the iso-α acids and ß-acids reduced the level of lactic acid bacteria and the level of Bacteriodes in one of the two experiments, but no effects were seen on the other bacteria. This lead to investigate the effects of hops/isolated hop compounds on the level of volatile fatty acids, digestibility and level of digestive enzymes and level of liver enzymes. However, none of these parameters gave conclusive results about the mode of action of hops/isolated hop compounds in the piglet

HLA DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 and DPB1 polymorphisms in Namibian Khoi and San and in the Xhosa and South African mixed-ancestry population

We have analysed the HLA allele distributions in unrelated Namibian Khoi and San and South African Xhosa and mixed-ancestry (so-called Cape coloured) populations. The allelic specificities of the DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 and DPB1 loci were determined. We found loss of allelic diversity and predominance of certain alleles to be more pronounced in the San than in the Khoi. By contrast, the Xhosa indicated wide allelic diversity especially at the DRB1 and DPB1 loci. We found evidence that the Caucasoids may have been derived from an early migration wave, whereas African blacks arose from a later migration wave of an ancestral population pre-dating ethnic diversity. Frequencies in the Xhosa for the DRB10302, 1101, 1302 and 1304 alleles revealed clinal variation in a north-south direction across the African continent. For the DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 haplotypes there was greater variation in the Khoi than in the San, in whom certain haplotypes predominated. We found 13 previously unreported haplotypes. In Xhosa we found 30 different DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 haplotypes. Allele and haplotype characteristics and frequencies in the South African mixed-ancestry population were mostly intermediate between those found in Xhosa and reported for Caucasoids, and three possible ancestral southern African DRB1, DQB1, DPB1 haplotypes were found. We discuss the implications of our findings for organ donor transplantation in Xhosa and in the South African mixed-ancestry population

Are Mississippi Students Achieving at a Higher Rate as a Result of National Board Certified Teachers?

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a statistically significant difference between the MCT scores (reading, math, and language arts) of two groups of students (those taught by a NBCT and those who were not), and if there was a difference, how those differences can be explained based on selected teacher demographic data (endorsement area of certification, sex, age, race, highest degree received, years of experience, and National Board Certification status). Teachers? National Board Certification (NBC) status and age were identified as variables that contribute to the difference in the reading, language arts, and math Mississippi Curriculum Test (MCT) scores. Students who were taught by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) are more likely to have higher reading and language arts standardized test scores than students who were taught by non-NBCTs. While researchers have also concluded that teachers? years of experience, endorsement area (s), and highest degree received play a vital role in the differences found in students? achievement, this study did not confirm those findings. The results of this study, however, indicated that teachers whose ages ranged from 41-50 tend to have higher reading, language arts, and math MCT scores. The majority of teachers in this age group were NBCTs

An experiment in history taking, 1941

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University, 1943. This item was digitized by the Internet Archive

The Social Worker’s Experience Regarding Social Isolation in Middle Schools

AbstractMiddle school is a time when adolescents struggle with social challenges, self-identity, and self-esteem. Social workers are critical stakeholders to support families in schools; these professionals serve in a unique capacity to assist with attendance, provide medical and behavioralsupport and connect families with resources to mitigate barriers to students’ success. Little is known, however, about the role social workers play in preventing and addressing the social isolation of middle school students. The purpose of this project was to explore the role of the social worker as it relates to preventing and addressing the social isolation of middle school students. Self-determination theory and relationship motivation theory were used as the conceptual frameworks to support the research. A generic qualitative methodology included semi structured interviews with five middle school social workers from Metro Atlanta school districts. Data were collected, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes. Although social workers felt they were equipped to do their jobs (i.e., through professional learning training and with the necessary resources and tools), they were clear that students had unmet needs regarding social isolation, such as consistency indiscipline, meaningful relationships, being able to manage the influences of social media in a healthy way, and so forth. This study can be used for positive social change by highlighting gaps in current social work practice and in the types of professional development needed by social workers, and other educational stakeholders (i.e., teachers, administrators, district personnel, etc.) to positively impact the social isolation middle school students experience

The Decision of African American Students to Complete High School: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

A longitudinal study explored high-school completion among African Americans. Male and female high-school students aged 14 to 17 (N=166) completed a questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991) early in their second year. Intentions to complete the year were accurately predicted from attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (R=0.71;

Friends, Family, and Neighborhood: Understanding Academic Outcomes of African American Youth

Friends, Family, and Neighborhood: Understanding Academic Outcomes of African American Yout

Gender Differences in Self-Perceptions and Academic Outcomes: A Study of African American High School Students

There is increasing divergence in the academic outcomes of African American males and females. By most accounts, males are falling behind their female peers educationally as African American females are graduating from high schools at higher rates and are going on to college and graduate school in greater numbers. Some have suggested that school completion and performance is associated with how students feel about themselves. The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences in the relationship between self-perceptions and two academic outcomes among a sample of 243 African American high school sophomores. The results suggest that, overall; females are more favorably oriented toward high school completion. Both male and female students with more positive self-perceptions have stronger intentions to complete the current year of high school. Higher grade point averages were more strongly associated with greater self-efficacy for females than for males. Given these findings, increased attention to educational programming, societal messages and future research is warranted

Regulation of Serum Response Factor and Adiponectin by PPARγ Agonist Docosahexaenoic Acid

Recent studies indicate that significant health benefits involving the regulation of signaling proteins result from the consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs). Serum response factor (SRF) is involved in transcriptional regulation of muscle growth and differentiation. SRF levels are increased in the aging heart muscle. It has not been examined whether SRF is made by adipocytes and whether SRF secretion by adipocytes is modulated by PPARγ agonist DHA. Adiponectin is made exclusively by adipocytes. We and others have previously reported that PUFAs such as DHA increase adiponectin levels and secretion in adipocytes. Here we show that DHA downregulates SRF with a simultaneous upregulation of adiponectin and that both these responses are reversible by PPARγ antagonist. Furthermore, there appears to be a direct relationship between DHA exposure and increased levels of membrane-associated high-density adiponectin, as well as lower levels of membrane-associated SRF. Thus, we find that the levels of SRF and adiponectin are inversely related in response to treatment with PPARγ agonist DHA. Decreased levels of SRF along with increase in membrane-associated adiponectin could in part mediate the health benefits of DHA

Allergies and major depression: a longitudinal community study

© 2009 Patten et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens