A review on the influence of dietary immunobiotics on the performance, intestinal morphology and immune-related gene expression in post-hatched broiler chicks

The use of antibiotics in the broiler industry is continuously increasing for promoting growth performance, improving the edible meat yield, and preventing microbial infections in the chicks. Due to the extreme misuse of antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance is developing among the broilers and simultaneously to their consumers. Keeping in view these facts current review was planned to understand the effect of different dietary immunobiotics on the performance, intestinal morphology, and immune-related gene expression in post-hatched broiler chicks. The review of the literature indicated that the application of immunobiotics as functional foods and its biological value have been reported by many scientists worldwide. In addition, to develop immunologically functional foods, immunobiotics also help in regulating intestinal immunity. The current review further explored that the immunobiotics regulate intestinal immune homeostasis, cellular and molecular mechanisms. It was also interesting to note that immunobiotics concerning microorganisms stimulate the activation of mucosal immunity in the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissues (GALT). In vitro studies on the toll-like receptor (TLR) 2-transfected cells showed that immunobiotics can potentially be used to enhance the immune system in the GALT. Keeping in view reviewed studies on immunobiotics it could be concluded that immunobiotics positively influence the performance, intestinal morphology, and immune-related gene expression in post-hatch chicks. They could be used as the best alternative to antibiotics. Keywords: Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissues; Immune system; Prebiotics; Receptors.

Chinese medicinal plants: an alternative approach for management of Verticillium wilt of cotton

Summary. The use of chemical fungicides is costly and potentially harmful to the environment. The trend towards the environmentally-friendly pesticides has led to the search for new antifungal agents from various sources, including Chinese medicinal herbs. This study aimed to confirm the antifungal potential of selected Chinese medicinal herbs, under in vitro and greenhouse conditions, against Verticillium dahliae, the causal agent of Verticillium wilt of cotton. Preliminary screening of 26 medicinal herbs for antifungal potential showed varied responses, reducing the radial colony growth of V. dahliae, and fungicidal potential. The strongest efficacy was observed for extracts from Prunus mume and Rhus chinensis, followed by Coptis chinensis, Cortex phellodendri chinensis (dried bark of Phellodendron chinense) and Curcuma longa. The efficacy of the four most effective herbs (R. chinensis, P. mume, C. chinensis and C. phellodendri chinensis) under greenhouse conditions correlated with in vitro tests. However, Prunus mume and Rhus chinensis gave the greatest reduction in severity of Verticillium wilt. The greatest improvements in plant height, fresh weight and number of leaves were obtained with P. mume and R. chinensis, followed by C. chinensis and C. phellodendri chinensis. Greatest improvements in plant growth resulted from P. mume and R. chi-nensis. Alternative control with Chinese medicinal herbs showing the greatest antifungal potential could provide economical, safe and non-hazardous tools for management of Verticillium wilt and increased cotton quality from sustainable production

Citrus paradisi: An Effective bio-adsorbent for Arsenic (V) Remediation

In the present study As (V) was removed by citrus paradisi (grape fruit) peel. Kinetics of the adsorption reaction was analyzed by the Pseudo second order and Morris-weber equations. Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models were utilized for understanding of the relationship between the arsenic ions and citrus paradisi peel adsorbent. The maximum measured uptake capacity of citrus paradisi was 37.76 mg.g-1 at pH 4. FT-IR characterization of unloaded and As (V) loaded citrus paradisi peel adsorbent showed the participation of carbonyl (CO) and hydroxyl (OH) groups in adsorption process. The proposed citrus paradisi peel adsorbent with optimized parameters was used for the removal of arsenic from arsenic contaminated real water samples

A national survey of critical care services in hospitals accredited for training in a lower-middle income country: Pakistan

Purpose: To describe the extent and variation of critical care services in Pakistan. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in all intensive care units (ICUs) recognised for postgraduate training to determine administration, infrastructure, equipment, staffing, and training. Results: There were 151 hospitals recognised for training, providing 2166 ICU beds and 1473 ventilators. Regional distribution of ICU beds per 100,000 population ranged from 1.0 in Sindh to none in Gilgit Baltistan (median 0.7). A senior clinician trained in critical care was available in 19 (12.1%) of units. One-to-one nurse-to-bed ratio during the day was available in 84 (53.5%) of units, dropping to 75 (47.8%) at night. Availability of 1:1 nursing also varied between provinces, ranging from 56.5% in Punjab compared to 0% in Azad Jamu Kashmir. Similarly, there was disparity in the availability of ventilators between provinces. All ICUs had basic infrastructure (electricity, running water, piped oxygen) and basic equipment (electronic monitoring and infusion pumps). Conclusion: Pakistan, a lower middle-income country, has an established network of critical care facilities with access to basic equipment, but inequalities in its distribution. Investment in critical care training for doctors and nurses is needed

Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, ventilation management, and outcomes in invasively ventilated intensive care unit patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pooled analysis of four observational studies

Background: Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, the practice of ventilation, and outcome in invasively ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain unexplored. In this analysis we aim to address these gaps using individual patient data of four large observational studies. Methods: In this pooled analysis we harmonised individual patient data from the ERICC, LUNG SAFE, PRoVENT, and PRoVENT-iMiC prospective observational studies, which were conducted from June, 2011, to December, 2018, in 534 ICUs in 54 countries. We used the 2016 World Bank classification to define two geoeconomic regions: middle-income countries (MICs) and high-income countries (HICs). ARDS was defined according to the Berlin criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to compare patients in MICs versus HICs. The primary outcome was the use of low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) for the first 3 days of mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were key ventilation parameters (tidal volume size, positive end-expiratory pressure, fraction of inspired oxygen, peak pressure, plateau pressure, driving pressure, and respiratory rate), patient characteristics, the risk for and actual development of acute respiratory distress syndrome after the first day of ventilation, duration of ventilation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality. Findings: Of the 7608 patients included in the original studies, this analysis included 3852 patients without ARDS, of whom 2345 were from MICs and 1507 were from HICs. Patients in MICs were younger, shorter and with a slightly lower body-mass index, more often had diabetes and active cancer, but less often chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure than patients from HICs. Sequential organ failure assessment scores were similar in MICs and HICs. Use of LTVV in MICs and HICs was comparable (42·4% vs 44·2%; absolute difference -1·69 [-9·58 to 6·11] p=0·67; data available in 3174 [82%] of 3852 patients). The median applied positive end expiratory pressure was lower in MICs than in HICs (5 [IQR 5-8] vs 6 [5-8] cm H2O; p=0·0011). ICU mortality was higher in MICs than in HICs (30·5% vs 19·9%; p=0·0004; adjusted effect 16·41% [95% CI 9·52-23·52]; p<0·0001) and was inversely associated with gross domestic product (adjusted odds ratio for a US$10 000 increase per capita 0·80 [95% CI 0·75-0·86]; p<0·0001). Interpretation: Despite similar disease severity and ventilation management, ICU mortality in patients without ARDS is higher in MICs than in HICs, with a strong association with country-level economic status