Influence of feed form and age of broilers on energy utilisation of feed ingredients : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science (Poultry Nutrition) at Massey University, Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand

The accurate determination of the available energy of feed ingredients is crucial to optimise their inclusion in feed formulations and to improve the profitability and sustainability of poultry production. The metabolisable energy (ME) is commonly used for energy evaluation and formulating the diets for poultry. However, there are some limitations and several factors that influence the precision of the evaluation of the ME content of feed ingredients and diets. The current thesis investigated some of the unexplored research gaps on the ME of the commonly used feed ingredients in broiler diets. The first study presented in Chapter 3 was conducted to investigate the influence of feed form (FF; mash vs. pellet) on the apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and nitrogen-corrected AME (AMEn) of 7 single feed ingredients, four cereal grains (wheat, sorghum, barley, and maize) and three protein sources (soybean meal; SBM, canola meal; CM, and meat and bone meal; MBM). The influence of broiler age AMEn of cereal grains was investigated in Chapter 4 (direct method) and Chapter 5 (substitution method). The fourth experiment reported in Chapter 6 examined the effect of broiler age on the AMEn of protein sources. The experiments discussed in Chapter 7 were unique in that a novel methodology was developed for the quantification of the ileal endogenous energy losses (IEEL) in broiler chickens and for the correction of apparent ileal digestible energy (AIDE) to true (TIDE) ileal digestible energy of cereal grains (wheat, sorghum, barley and maize). The last trial of the thesis reported in Chapter 8 was conducted to refine-tune the IEEL methodology developed in Chapter 7 and to determine the influence of age and dietary cellulose contents on the IEEL estimates in broiler chickens. Data reported in Chapter 3 demonstrated that FF influenced the AMEn of feed ingredients. Pelleting increased the AMEn of all cereal grains by an average of 0.22 MJ/kg. However, for protein source ingredients, FF influence was ingredient-dependent. Pelleting increased the AMEn of CM by 0.57 MJ/kg, had no effect on that of SBM and decreased the AMEn of MBM by 0.56 MJ/kg. The experiment reported in Chapter 4 investigated the influence of broiler age on the AMEn of cereal grains using the direct method. The assay diets were formulated with an inclusion of 962 g/kg of each grain in the diet and pelleted. The data revealed that the age of broiler chickens has a significant impact on the AMEn of cereal grains. The first week of age recorded the highest AMEn for all cereal grains. Thereafter, the AMEn decreased either linearly (sorghum) or quadratically (wheat, barley and maize) with the advancing age of broilers. In the study reported in Chapter 5, the effect of broiler age on the AMEn of cereal grains, from the same batches used in Chapter 4, was examined using the substitution method. A maize-SBM basal diet was formulated and test diets were developed by replacing (w/w) 300 g/kg of the basal diet with each cereal grain. The results showed that the effect of broiler age on the AMEn varied depending on the grain type. Whilst the AMEn of barley and maize were unaffected by age, the AMEn of wheat and sorghum increased with the advancing age of broiler chickens. The determined AMEn values differed between direct and substitution methods, with the substitution method generating lower AMEn values. Data reported in Chapter 6 demonstrated that the AMEn content of SBM and CM was influenced by age of broilers. The first week showed the highest AMEn value for both SBM and CM, followed by reductions for both ingredients up to week 3 and increases thereafter. The studies reported in Chapter 7 present a novel approach to quantify the IEEL in broilers and correct the AIDE of cereal grains (wheat, sorghum, barley and maize) to TIDE enabling comparisons with AMEn. The IEEL was estimated to be 1.45 MJ/kg dry matter intake (DMI) in 21-d old broilers, following the feeding of a glucose-based purified diet and used to calculate the TIDE. The apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and starch were positively and highly correlated with the TIDE than the AIDE or AMEn. The studies reported in Chapter 8 were conducted to refine the proposed methodology for the estimation of IEEL proposed in Chapter 7 and to investigate the influence of age of broilers and the dietary cellulose contents on IEEL estimates. It was found that the age of broilers had no impact on the IEEL estimates. The IEEL was affected by the cellulose content and the IEEL increased from 0.37 MJ/kg DMI for the diet without cellulose to 1.80 MJ/kg DMI for the diet with 75 g/kg inclusion of cellulose. The findings reported in the current thesis demonstrate that the application of AMEn values determined based on assays using mash diets might result in over- or under-estimation of the available energy content of ingredients in commercial pelleted broiler diets and highlights the need for the use of pelleted diets in energy evaluation assays. The findings also revealed that the effects of age and methodology are relevant in the determination of AMEn of feed ingredients and question the validity of using single AME or AMEn values for feed ingredients in broiler diet formulations across different ages. Another notable contribution was to develop a novel approach to quantify the IEEL in broiler chickens for the first time. The thesis research also provides preliminary data on the TIDE of common cereal grains and highlights the possibility of applying the TIDE as an alternative to the ME system in poultry feed formulation

Bronchial carcinoid with massive ossification: A case report and review of literature

We report a case of a 47-year-old male with unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, chronic cough, and weight loss of over 12 pounds over a 3 months period. Chest x-ray revealed complete opacification of the right hemithorax with collapse of the right middle and lower lung lobes and midline shift towards the right. A CT scan with contrast showed a 6 cm mass arising from the right mainstem bronchus that was completely occluding the lumen, causing right lung atelectasis. Histopathologic examination of the tumor revealed an atypical carcinoid tumor with massive ossification. This is a case report and review of the literature of the rare bronchial carcinoid demonstrating bone formation

The Functional and Morphological Symbolic Significance of Some Tombstones Models from the Kirklar Cemetery in Eastern Caucasus during the 14th century AH/20TH AD.

This paper explores The aspects of public life accompanying the Islamic community during the mid-20th century by studying some tombstones Models and how they relate to the accounts of contemporary historical records. This dealt with study and publication of some tombstones Models from Kirklar Cemetery and how to identify their written content and decorative elements, then turns to indicate symbolic, functional and formal Significancs.This paper also accompanies the reuse of tombstones located in Islamic cemeteries and their exploitation in re-history, followed by the study of the epigraphic inscriptions and decorative elements and their identification of their importance, symbolic connotations, religious purpose, and social role on the tombstones and keeping pace with the period of Russian annexation in the East Caucasus to the Federation. This study is divided into two parts: the descriptive study of (4) tombstones models. Analytical study of the general style compared to the early Islamic and in the middle Ages, with an exploration of artistic treatments, and the formation of artistic analysis of written elements and decorative contents, in addition to identifying the symbolic significance of the use of decorations, slogans and colors in revealing the aspects surrounding the Islamic society in the East Caucasus at the time. Then followed by a study of Arabic calligraphy development’s, letter‘s shapes, then create a historical record of the names, titles and nicknames and using them in classifying the general features of the tombstone models of in that period with some examples of illustrations and manual shape dumps,The search is appended with a conclusion with the most important result

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the factor behind the development of liver cirrhosis, liver cell failure, and liver transplantation in many cases. However, its relation to atrial fibrillation (AF) could not be cleared up. AIM: The purpose of the study was to evaluate prevalence of AF in the setting of NAFLD; the association between them, and to evaluate risk factors of AF in this category of patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 400 patients between January 2018 and June 2019. These patients were analyzed for the presence of NAFLD and presence of persistent or chronic AF. RESULTS: There were 138 patients with NAFLD, and 20 patients with persistent or permanent AF. Factors associated with AF were old age, male gender, and high values of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine-aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, and serum uric acid. The participants with AF had a significantly greater prevalence of NAFLD than those without AF. CONCLUSION: Incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation in NAFLD patients were high. Severity of liver disease was an important predictor of new-onset atrial fibrillation

Bioconversion of plant wastes to β-carotene by Rhodotorula glutinis KU550702

Microbial synthesis of β-carotene has gained more interest as an alternative to synthetic β-carotene due to easy extraction and high yield. The vitamin microbial production is mainly dependent on culture conditions and the medium compositions. In this study, the β-carotene production by the Rhodo-torula glutinis ASU6 (KU550702) was evaluated under different growth conditions and nutrient composition. Different agro-renewable wastes were tested as carbon source for R. glutinis to obtain maximum amount of β-carotene. Meanwhile, it is clear that R. glutinis could grow well on acid extract of onion peels and produced large amount of β-carotene. Initial statistical screening using a Plackett-Burman design showed temperature, incubation time, fermentation type, non-treated onion waste, KH2PO4 and L-asparagine as significantly, influencing β-carotene production. Response surface methodology was applied to determine the mutual interactions between these parameters and optimal levels for β-carotene production. The maximum value of β-carotene production was 204.29 mg/l (7.5-fold) of value observed as central point of the central composite design. All the experimental data are in good agreement with predicted ones, confirming the responsibility of the proposed empirical model in describing β-carotene production by R. glutinis. In the whole, the outcomes of this study support the exploitation of onion peels through microbial fermentation for β-carotene production

Hypovitaminosis D and Systemic Lupus Erythematous Activity and Related Neuropathy: Clinical Correlation

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease. Vitamin D has a modulating effect on immune responses. Hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent in SLE patients, and it may lead to SLE activity and SLE-related neuropathy. Aim of the study: To recognize the role of serum vitamin D levels in SLE activity and also to investigate its relation to SLE-related neuropathy. Patients and Methods: the current study was a cross-sectional study performed on 100 SLE patients, who were divided into two groups, Group 1: included 50 patients with disease activity. Group II: included 50 patients without disease activity. They were tested for serum vitamin D levels, serum electrolytes, complement levels and nerve conduction. Results: Vitamin D was significantly low in group1 (median = 9.0 ng/ml) compared to the group 2 (median = 19.3 ng/ml and P-value of<0.001). Hypovitaminosis D was statistically significantly correlated with lower levels of complement (both C3 and C4) in the activity group but not in the non-activity group. Vitamin D levels were significantly associated with delayed nerve conduction in both groups, suggesting that neuropathy was linked to vitamin D level rather than SLE activity Conclusion: Hypovitaminosis D is statistically significantly correlated with SLE activity and SLE-related neuropathy

In vitro oslobađanje hidrofilnih i hidrofobnih ljekovitih tvari iz liposomskih disperzija i gelova

A method for determining the rate of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug entities release from different types of liposomal dispersions and gels using a dialysis method is described. Dibucaine base and 5-fluorouracil were used as model drugs for a hydrophobic and hydrophilic drug, respectively. A dialysis technique was employed. Release rates were affected by the rate of rotation of the paddles of the tablet dissolution tester, temperature, and volume of release medium. The method was used to evaluate the in vitro drug release from hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug entities from liposomal dispersions and gels. The in vitro release study of dibucaine base showed no burst effect, while the in vitro release study of 5-fluorouracil showed a clear burst effect with an initial fast release phase followed by a sustained release phase.Opisana je metoda za određivanje brzine oslobađanja hidrofilnih i hidrofobnih ljekovitih tvari iz različitih vrsta liposomskih disperzija i gelova koristeći dijalizu. Dibukain baza i 5-fluorouracil upotrebljeni su kao modeli hidrofobnog, odnosno hidrofilnog lijeka. Na brzinu oslobađanja utjecala je brzina rotacije lopatica u aparatu u koje je pokus izvođen, temperatura i volumem medija za oslobađanje. Metoda je upotrebljena in vitro praćenje oslobađanja ljekovite tvari iz liposomskih disperzija i gelova. In vitro oslobađanje dibukain baze ne pokazuje učinak naglog oslobađanja, a 5-fluorouracila pokazuje, s brzim inicijalnim oslobađanjem iza kojeg slijedi usporeno oslobađanje

In vitro oslobađanje hidrofilnih i hidrofobnih ljekovitih tvari iz liposomskih disperzija i gelova

A method for determining the rate of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug entities release from different types of liposomal dispersions and gels using a dialysis method is described. Dibucaine base and 5-fluorouracil were used as model drugs for a hydrophobic and hydrophilic drug, respectively. A dialysis technique was employed. Release rates were affected by the rate of rotation of the paddles of the tablet dissolution tester, temperature, and volume of release medium. The method was used to evaluate the in vitro drug release from hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug entities from liposomal dispersions and gels. The in vitro release study of dibucaine base showed no burst effect, while the in vitro release study of 5-fluorouracil showed a clear burst effect with an initial fast release phase followed by a sustained release phase.Opisana je metoda za određivanje brzine oslobađanja hidrofilnih i hidrofobnih ljekovitih tvari iz različitih vrsta liposomskih disperzija i gelova koristeći dijalizu. Dibukain baza i 5-fluorouracil upotrebljeni su kao modeli hidrofobnog, odnosno hidrofilnog lijeka. Na brzinu oslobađanja utjecala je brzina rotacije lopatica u aparatu u koje je pokus izvođen, temperatura i volumem medija za oslobađanje. Metoda je upotrebljena in vitro praćenje oslobađanja ljekovite tvari iz liposomskih disperzija i gelova. In vitro oslobađanje dibukain baze ne pokazuje učinak naglog oslobađanja, a 5-fluorouracila pokazuje, s brzim inicijalnim oslobađanjem iza kojeg slijedi usporeno oslobađanje

Impact of Silver Nanoparticles on Gene Expression in Aspergillus Flavus Producer Aflatoxin B1

AIM: In this study, we evaluated the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the production of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) through assessment the transcription activity of aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway genes in Aspergillus flavus ATCC28542.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The mRNAs were quantitative by Real Time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) of A. flavus grown in yeast extract sucrose (YES) medium containing AgNPs. Specific primers that are involved in the AFB1 biosynthesis which highly specific to A. flavus, O-methyltransferase gene (omt-A), were designed and used to detect the fungus activity by quantitative PCR assay. The AFB1 production (from A. flavus growth) which effected by AgNPs were measured in YES medium by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).RESULTS: The AFB1 produced by A. flavus have the highest reduction with 1.5 mg -100 ml of AgNPs were added in media those records 88.2%, 67.7% and 83.5% reduction by using AgNP HA1N, AgNP HA2N and AgNP EH, respectively. While on mycelial growth give significantly inhibitory effect. These results have been confirmed by qRT-PCR which showed that culture of A. flavus with the presence of AgNPs reduced the expression levels of omt-A gene.CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, AgNPs inhibit growth and AFB1 produced by Aspergillus flavus ATCC28542. This was confirmed through RT-PCR approach showing the effect of AgNPs on omt-A gene involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis

Evaluation of Digital Brixmeter Performance for Brix Measurement In Raw Sugar Solution

The Brix value is an important factor in the sugar industry's extraction processes. Brix refers to the amount of sucrose in the raw sugar solution. The concentration of dissolved solids in a solution is measured by the degree Brix (symbol °Bx). One gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution equals one-degree Brix. a New Suggested method for measuring brix was designed to be low-cost and accurate Brix measuring in raw sugar solutions. it was depended on Electronic sensors can directly measure the mass, and temperature of the solution to express the brix and give the result on the screen. Digital suggested brixmeter was made based on this method. It can be used manually on the production line and in various food industries. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the digital brixmeter performance for measuring brix in raw sugar solutions. Brix measurements were tested for a group of samples at different sizes to find the optimal measurement sizes can verify accurate brix degree value. The factors affecting the accuracy of the measurement were also studied. The results were compared with the brix read from accurate optical refractometer to check and a prove the accuracy of the proposed digital brixmeter