Targeted-release organic acids and essential oils improve performance and digestive function in broilers under a necrotic enteritis challenge

An experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of four different microencapsulated blends of organic acids (OA) and nature-identical aromatic compounds (AC) on growth performance and gut health of broilers challenged with a recycled NE litter. A total of 600 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to five treatments consisting of a basal diet (as negative control) supplemented with each of the tested microencapsulated blends: OA1 (malic and fumaric acid) + AC; 2.5 g/kg; OA2 (calcium butyrate+fumaric acid) + AC; 1.7 g/kg; MCFA (capric-caprylic; caproic and lauric acid) + AC; 2 g/kg; and MCFA + OA3(calcium butyrate + fumaric and citric acid) + AC; 1.5 g/kg. The AC used was the same for all treatments; including cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol, and thymol (8:1:1), as major compounds. Three tested blends enhanced growth performance by improving intestinal histomorphology (p < 0.001). The tested blends enhanced the abundance of some beneficial families such as Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae; while reducing that of harmful ones such as Enterobacteriaceae and Helicobacteraceae. A further dose-response experiment showed that 0.5 g/kg of the blend 2 and 2 g/kg of the blend 4 improved growth performance and intestinal histomorphology of chickens on d 42 and decreased fecal Enterobacteriaceae and C. perfringens counts. Similar effects to the previous experiment were observed for cecum microbiota

Microencapsulation Improved Fumaric Acid and Thymol Effects on Broiler Chickens Challenged With a Short-Term Fasting Period

The first objective of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of the microencapsulation technique to protect fumaric acid and thymol, avoiding their early absorption and ensuring their slow release throughout the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). For this purpose, the release of a lipid matrix microencapsulated brilliant blue (BB) was assessed in vitro, using a simulated broiler intestinal fluid, and in vivo. In vitro results showed that more than 60% of BB color reached the lower intestine, including 26.6 and 29.7% in the jejunum and ileum, respectively. The second objective was to determine the effects of microencapsulated fumaric acid, thymol, and their mixture on the performance and gut health of broilers challenged with a short-term fasting period (FP). One-day-old male ROSS 308 chickens (n = 280) were randomly distributed into seven treatments, with 10 replicates of four birds each. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet as negative control (NC), which was then supplemented by either non-microencapsulated fumaric acid (0.9 g/kg), thymol (0.6 g/kg), or a mixture of them. The same additive doses were also administered in a microencapsulated form (1.5 and 3 g/kg for the fumaric acid and thymol, respectively). At day 21, chickens were subjected to a 16.5-h short-term FP to induce an increase in intestinal permeability. Growth performance was assessed weekly. At day 35, ileal tissue and cecal content were collected from one bird per replicate to analyze intestinal histomorphology and microbiota, respectively. No treatment effect was observed on growth performance from day 1 to 21 (p > 0.05). Microencapsulated fumaric acid, thymol, or their mixture improved the overall FCR (feed conversion ratio) and increased ileal villi height-to-crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) (p < 0.001) on day 35 of the experiment. The microencapsulated mixture of fumaric acid and thymol increased cecal abundance of Bacteroidetes, Bacillaceae, and Rikenellaceae, while decreasing that of Pseudomonadaceae. These results indicate that the microencapsulation technique used in the current study can be useful to protect fumaric acid and thymol, avoiding early absorption, ensure their slow release throughout the GIT, and improve their effects on fasted broiler chickens

Growth performance and total tract digestibility in broiler chickens fed different corn hybrids

The aim of the present study was to investigate the variability in nutrient digestibility associated with corn genetic background and its influence on the feeding value for broiler chickens. A total of 960 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were distributed in eight treatments, with 12 pens per treatment and 10 birds per pen in a 42-day study. Eight corn samples (Variety 1 to Variety 8) were selected based on their nutrient composition. A fixed amount of each corn (577 g/kg in the starter diets and 662 g/kg in the finisher diets) was used to formulate feeds. Diets were offered ad libitum in pellet form. Performance parameters were determined at d 21 and d 42, and excreta samples collected at d 21 to determine energy, organic matter and dry matter (DM) whole-tract digestibility. The results revealed a decrease (P < 0.05) in body weight (BW) and feed intake in birds fed variety 8 compared to other varieties at d 21. The lowest whole tract DM and energy apparent digestibility were also observed for the variety 8 diet (P < 0.05), together with varieties 3 and 5. Energy digestibility was higher in varieties 2, 4 and 7 (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that corn protein concentration was positively correlated with vitreousness (r = 0.60, P = 0.054) and the arabinose:xylose ratio (r = 0.67, P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with starch (r = -0.62, P < 0.05). Soluble non-starch polysaccharide content was negatively correlated with the protein solubility index (r = -0.88, P < 0.05). In addition, corn protein concentration was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with 21-d BW (r = -0.71) and weight gain (r = -0.62). In conclusion, the corn genetic background influenced the nutrient digestibility and growth performance of broiler chickens. The content and nature of the non-starch polysaccharides were found to be two of the main factors affecting the solubility and availability of nutrients in corn, and could be the reason for the negative effects on the performance of broiler chickens as shown in the present study

Body weight of newborn and suckling piglets affects their intestinal gene expression

Modern hyperprolific sows must deal with large litters (16-20 piglets) which reduce piglet birthweight with a concomitant increase in the proportion of small and intrauterine growth retarded piglets. However, larger litters do not only have a greater variation of piglet weights, but also a greater variation in colostrum and milk consumption within the litter. To further understand the impact that body weight has on piglets, the present study aimed to evaluate the degree of physiological weakness of the smallest piglets at birth and during the suckling period (20 d) compared to their middle-weight littermates through their jejunal gene expression. At birth, light piglets showed a downregulation of genes related to immune response (FAXDC2, HSPB1, PPARGC1α), antioxidant enzymes (SOD2m), digestive enzymes (ANPEP, IDO1, SI), and nutrient transporter (SLC39A4) (P < 0.05) but also a tendency for a higher mRNA expression of GBP1 (inflammatory regulator) and HSD11β1 (stress hormone) genes compared to their heavier littermates (P < 0.10). Excluding HSD11β1 gene, all these intestinal gene expression differences initially observed at birth between light and middle-weight piglets were stabilized at the end of the suckling period, when others appeared. Genes involved in barrier function (CLDN1), pro-inflammatory response (CXCL2, IL6, IDO1), and stress hormone signaling (HSD11β1) over-expressed compared to their middle-weight littermates (P < 0.05). In conclusion, at birth and at the end of suckling period, light body weight piglets seem to have a compromised gene expression and therefore impaired nutrient absorption, immune and stress responses compared to their heavier littermates. At birth and during lactation phase, the light body weight of piglets born from hyperprolific sows predisposed to a higher expression of stress and pro-inflammatory genes

Influence of particle size and xylanase in corn-soybean pelleted diets on performance, nutrient utilization, microbiota and short-chain fatty acid production in young broilers

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of particle size and xylanase supplementation in corn-based pellet diets on the performance and digestive traits in young broilers. A total of 512 male Ross 308 broilers were used in a 21-day study. The treatments were designed in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement with four levels of geometric mean diameter (Dgw) of corn (540, 660, 1390, and 1700 µm), and two levels of xylanase (0 or 16,000 BXU/kg diet). Feeding coarse corn diets (1390 and 1700 µm Dgw) and xylanase supplementation showed an inferior coefficient of variation of body weight. Higher gizzard weight, microbiome alpha-diversity, and clustered separately beta-diversity (p < 0.05) were observed in birds fed coarse diets. The addition of xylanase promoted changes in relative bacteria abundance, increasing Lachnospiraceae, Defluviitaleaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Bacillaceae, Eggerthellaceae, and Streptococcaceae families in the 1700 µm group, and Christensenellaceae and Lachnospiraceae families in the 540 µm Dgw group. In conclusion, xylanase supplementation and particle size of corn interact in the intestinal environment, showing changes in microbial composition. Coarse diets and xylanase supplementation showed improved body weight homogeneity, which might be related to a better gut development and microbiota modulation

Fecal Microbiota and Hair Glucocorticoid Concentration Show Associations with Growth during Early Life in a Pig Model

Identifying characteristics associated with fast or slow growth during early life in a pig model will help in the design of nutritional strategies or recommendations during infancy. The aim of this study was to identify if a differential growth during lactation and/or the nursery period may be associated with fecal microbiota composition and fermentation capacity, as well as to leave a print of glucocorticoid biomarkers in the hair. Seventy-five commercial male and female pigs showing extreme growth in the lactation and nursery periods were selected, creating four groups (First, lactation growth, d0-d21; second, nursery growth, d21-d62): Slow_Slow, Slow_Fast, Fast_Slow, and Fast_Fast. At d63 of life, hair and fecal samples were collected. Fast-growing pigs during nursery had higher cortisone concentrations in the hair (p < 0.05) and a tendency to have a lower cortisol-to-cortisone ratio (p = 0.061). Both lactation and nursery growth conditioned the fecal microbiota structure (p < 0.05). Additionally, fast-growing pigs during nursery had higher evenness (p < 0.05). Lactation growth influenced the relative abundance of eight bacterial genera, while nursery growth affected only two bacterial genera (p < 0.05). The fecal butyrate concentration was higher with fast growth in lactation and/or nursery (p < 0.05), suggesting it has an important role in growth, while total SCFA and acetate were related to lactation growth (p < 0.05). In conclusion, piglets' growth during nursery and, especially, the lactation period was associated with changes in their microbiota composition and fermentation capacity, evidencing the critical role of early colonization on the establishment of the adult microbiota. Additionally, cortisol conversion to cortisone was increased in animals with fast growth, but further research is necessary to determine its implication

Effects of dicopper oxide and copper sulfate on growth performance and gut microbiota in broilers

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of two sources of copper (Cu) from copper sulfate (CuSO) and dicopper oxide (CuO, CoRouge) at three levels of inclusion (15, 75, and 150 mg/kg) on growth performance and gut microbiota of broilers. A total of 840 one-d-old male chickens (Ross 308) were weighed and randomly allocated to seven dietary treatments: negative control (NC, a basal diet without Cu addition), and the NC supplemented with 15, 75, or 150 mg Cu/kg from CuSO or CuO (12 replicate pens/treatment, 10 chicks per pen). Broilers were challenged by reusing an old litter with high concentrations in Clostridium perfringens to promote necrotic enteritis. Broiler performance was registered at d 21, 35, and 42. Excreta samples were collected at d 14, 28, and 42 for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) analyses. At d 43, one broiler per pen was euthanized to obtain ileal content for microbial characterization. Body weight d 35 and daily gain d 42 improved (P < 0.05) in CuO as Cu dose inclusion increased from 15 mg/kg to 150 mg/kg. Supplementation of 150 mg/kg of Cu from CuO decreased the abundance (P < 0.01) of some families such as Streptococcaceae and Corynebacteriaceae and increased the abundance (P < 0.05) of some commensal bacteria like Clostridiaceae and Peptostreptococcaceae. Phenotypic AMR was not different among treatments on d 14 and 28. Isolated Enterococcus spp. from broilers fed the NC diet on d 42 showed higher (P < 0.05) resistance to enrofloxacin, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol compared with Cu treatments. By contrast, the isolated Escherichia coli from broilers fed 150 mg/kg of Cu, either from CuSO or CuO, showed higher (P < 0.05) resistance to streptomycin and chloramphenicol compared to the NC. This study suggests that supplementing 150 mg/kg of Cu from CuO establishes changes in the gut microbiota by regulating the bacterial population in the ileum, which may explain the positive impact on broilers' growth performance

Dietary xylanase and live yeast supplementation influence intestinal bacterial populations and growth performance of piglets fed a sorghum-based diet

This study was to evaluate the effect of xylanase supplementation and the addition of live yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on growth performance and intestinal microbiota in piglets. One hundred and eighty commercial crossbred 23-d-old piglets (PIC 417) were sorted by initial BW and allocated to 3 treatments: control (CTR) diet, CTR diet supplemented with xylanase at 16,000 birch xylan units/kg (XYL) and XYL diet supplemented with live yeast (2 × 10 10 CFU/g) at 1 kg/t (XYL + LY). Each treatment had 10 replicates, with 6 animals each. A sorghum-based diet and water were available ad libitum for 42 d of the study. Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were measured from 0 to 42 d (23- to 65-d-old) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) calculated. At the end of the study, bacterial identification through 16S rRNA (V3 to V4) sequencing of the ileal and caecal digesta from one piglet per replicate was performed. No treatment effects were observed on ADFI. Pigs offered the live yeast in addition to the xylanase had increased ADG compared with those supplemented with xylanase alone (XYL + LY vs. XYL; P = 0.655). FCR was improved with XYL and XYL + LY compared with CTR (P = 0.018). Clostridiaceae counts in the ileum tended to reduce by 10% with XYL and 14% with XYL + LY compared to CTR (P = 0.07). XYL and XYL + LY increased the counts of Lactobacillaceae in the caecum compared with CTR (P < 0.0001). Dietary supplementation of live yeast combined with xylanase improved growth performance and microbial balance of piglets during the nursery phase

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 in dementia across Latin America : A call for an urgent regional plan and coordinated response

The SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic will disproportionately impact countries with weak economies and vulnerable populations including people with dementia. Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACs) are burdened with unstable economic development, fragile health systems, massive economic disparities, and a high prevalence of dementia. Here, we underscore the selective impact of SARS-CoV-2 on dementia among LACs, the specific strain on health systems devoted to dementia, and the subsequent effect of increasing inequalities among those with dementia in the region. Implementation of best practices for mitigation and containment faces particularly steep challenges in LACs. Based upon our consideration of these issues, we urgently call for a coordinated action plan, including the development of inexpensive mass testing and multilevel regional coordination for dementia care and related actions. Brain health diplomacy should lead to a shared and escalated response across the region, coordinating leadership, and triangulation between governments and international multilateral networks

Diversity and ethics in trauma and acute care surgery teams: results from an international survey

Background Investigating the context of trauma and acute care surgery, the article aims at understanding the factors that can enhance some ethical aspects, namely the importance of patient consent, the perceptiveness of the ethical role of the trauma leader, and the perceived importance of ethics as an educational subject. Methods The article employs an international questionnaire promoted by the World Society of Emergency Surgery. Results Through the analysis of 402 fully filled questionnaires by surgeons from 72 different countries, the three main ethical topics are investigated through the lens of gender, membership of an academic or non-academic institution, an official trauma team, and a diverse group. In general terms, results highlight greater attention paid by surgeons belonging to academic institutions, official trauma teams, and diverse groups. Conclusions Our results underline that some organizational factors (e.g., the fact that the team belongs to a university context or is more diverse) might lead to the development of a higher sensibility on ethical matters. Embracing cultural diversity forces trauma teams to deal with different mindsets. Organizations should, therefore, consider those elements in defining their organizational procedures. Level of evidence Trauma and acute care teams work under tremendous pressure and complex circumstances, with their members needing to make ethical decisions quickly. The international survey allowed to shed light on how team assembly decisions might represent an opportunity to coordinate team member actions and increase performance