Assessment of Maize (Zea mays) as Feed Resource for Poultry

Maize, also known as corn (Zea mays L), has been recognised worldwide as a major energy feed ingredient in the diets of poultry. Its major nutritional limitation has been the low protein content and poor protein quality, which necessitates the use of expensive high‐protein supplements or synthetic amino acids such as lysine in diets containing large proportion of maize. Therefore, extensive research has been conducted by maize breeders on the world maize germplasms collection with the aim of improving its nutritive value, particularly protein quality for monogastric animals. This chapter assesses the genetic upgrading of the nutritional quality of maize protein that culminated in the development of a new class of maize known as “Quality Protein Maize (QPM)”. Various studies on the nutritionally improved maize for poultry as well as future challenges confronting maize utilisation in poultry production are highlighted

Role of Shatavaryadi Ksheerapaka Basti in Garbha Kshaya - Case Series

Garbha Kshaya comprising of (Anunnata Kukshi) fundal height less than the period of gestation and (Garbha Aspandana) reduced fetal movement due to reduced amniotic fluid can be taken as fetal growth related disorder mainly IUGR (Intrauterine growth restriction). Ayurveda mentions Ksheera Basti (medicated milk enema) as a classical treatment in the management of Garbha Kshaya. In this case series, total 3 pregnant patients completing their 7th months of pregnancy, with the complaint of intrauterine growth restriction, reduced fetal movement and oligohydraminos were administered with Shatavaryadi Ksheerapaka Basti. Shatavaryadi Ksheerapaka Basti consists of fine powder of Shatavari, Bala and Arjuna 10 g each made into Ksheerapaka form and administered once daily in the morning, for consecutive 10 days. It was observed that after the Basti treatment, there was increase in the fetal movements, liquor and also fetal weight. In addition, there was also increase in maternal weight and improvement in fatigue, body ache, etc. From the study it has been observed that, in conditions of Garbha Kshaya (IUGR), administration of Shatavaryadi Ksheerapaka Basti is beneficial in terms of fetal growth and maternal well being

Effect of Strategic Orientation on Performance of Star-Rated Hotels in Ghana

The study used the resource dependency theory to determine the strategic orientation that star-rated hotels in Ghana should adopt to realize both financial and non- financial performance. Out of a population of 680 star-rated hotel managers, a sample of 248 were chosen, using the stratified random sampling technique. Self- administered questionnaires were used to solicit the views of managers of the selected star-rated hotels. In all, a total of 178 responses were retrieved and analysed, using descriptive and partial least squares in structural equation modeling. Findings of the study indicate that none of the strategic orientation types influenced financial performance. However, aggressiveness, analytic, defensiveness, futuristic and riskiness were found to rather influence non-financial performance of star-rated hotels. The study, therefore, confirms the resource dependency theory and concludes that when star-rated hotels tend to be aggressive, analytic, futuristic and risky, it influences non-financial performance. The study, therefore, recommends that managers of star-rated hotels use analytic, defensiveness, futuristic and riskiness strategic orientation to enhance non-financial performance

Growth response of broiler chickens fed varying levels of sheanut cake

A 4-week study (264 broiler chickens, Cobb strain) evaluated growth response of broilers to varying levels of sheanut cake (SNC) in rations. Four dietary treatments in which SNC was incorporated at 0 (control), 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 per cent were tested from 4 to 8 weeks of age of the birds. Diets were isonitrogenous (200 g kg-1 CP) and isocaloric (12.0 ME MJ kg-1). Complete randomized design was used and each diet was replicated three times. Each replicate comprised 22 birds (10 females and 12 males) with initial mean live weight of 668 g per bird. Variables measured included feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, mortality, feed cost, haemoglobin level (Hb), and packed cell volume (PCV). Feed and water were provided ad lib. Mean daily weight gain and feed intake did not differ significantly (P>0.05) for birds fed diets containing 2.5 per cent SNC and the control diet. There was, however, a significant (P0.05) for all diets except 4.5 per cent SNC diet, which was poor. The PCV and Hb values were significantly increased (P 0.05) pour les volailles nourries de régime contenant 2.5 de SNKM et pour le régime de contrôle. Il y avait toutefois une dépression en gain de poids et en consommation alimentaire lorsque plus hauts niveaux de SNKM ( 3.5 et 4.5% ) étaient inclus dans les régimes. Les proportions d'aliment / gain étaient semblables (P > 0.05) pour tous les régimes sauf le régime de 4.5% de SNKM qui était faible. Les valeurs de VCT et NH étaient considérablement augmentées (P < 0.05) avec l'augmentation de l' inclusion de SNKM. Le coût d'aliment était considérablement réduit avec l' augmentation du niveau de SNKM dans le régime. L' inclusion de SNKM dans le régime de poulets de chair à 2.5% n' avait pas aucun effet délétère à leur résultats de croissance et réduisait aussi le coût d' alimentation. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 39 (2) 2006: pp. 203-20

Should beta-blocker therapy be reduced or withdrawn after an episode of decompensated heart failure? Results from COMET.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether beta-blocker therapy should be reduced or withdrawn in patients who develop acute decompensated heart failure (HF). We studied the relationship between changes in beta-blocker dose and outcome in patients surviving a HF hospitalisation in COMET. METHODS: Patients hospitalised for HF were subdivided on the basis of the beta-blocker dose administered at the visit following hospitalisation, compared to that administered before. RESULTS: In COMET, 752/3029 patients (25%, 361 carvedilol and 391 metoprolol) had a non-fatal HF hospitalisation while on study treatment. Of these, 61 patients (8%) had beta-blocker treatment withdrawn, 162 (22%) had a dose reduction and 529 (70%) were maintained on the same dose. One-and two-year cumulative mortality rates were 28.7% and 44.6% for patients withdrawn from study medication, 37.4% and 51.4% for those with a reduced dosage (n.s.) and 19.1% and 32.5% for those maintained on the same dose (HR,1.59; 95%CI, 1.28-1.98; p<0.001, compared to the others). The result remained significant in a multivariable model: (HR, 1.30; 95%CI, 1.02-1.66; p=0.0318). No interaction with the beneficial effects of carvedilol, compared to metoprolol, on outcome was observed (p=0.8436). CONCLUSIONS: HF hospitalisations are associated with a high subsequent mortality. The risk of death is higher in patients who discontinue beta-blocker therapy or have their dose reduced. The increase in mortality is only partially explained by the worse prognostic profile of these patients