Influence of dietary mannanoligosaccharides on histological parameters of the jejunal mucosa and growth performance of broiler chickens

The trial involved 480 Hubbard Classic broiler chicks which were from either mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) fed breeder flock (Bio-Mos, Alltech Inc. USA at level of 1 kg/t) or control fed breeder flock (without MOS). Three groups with four replicates per treatment were formed: control fed breeders/control fed broilers (C/C); MOS fed breeders/control fed broilers (BM/C) and MOS fed breeders/MOS fed broilers (BM/BM). All chicks were fed the same basal diet, except for the inclusion of Bio-Mos (1, 0.75 and 0.5 kg/t in the starter, grower and finisher diet, respectively). The results showed a significant improvement (p<0.05) in the body weight gain with the addition of Bio-Mos in broiler feed. Feed conversion ratio was improved by 0.03 points, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The gut morphology examination showed that chick origin (chicks that originated from Bio-Mos fed breeders or control fed breeders) did not influence the morphological parameters of the jejunum in the broiler chickens, but addition of Bio-Mos directly to the broiler feed had a significant influence on the gut morphology and played an important role in processes of digestion and absorption, leading to improved performance.Key words: Broiler, mannanoligosaccharides, growth, jejunum, histology

Seismic Vulnerability of Heritage Churches in Québec: the Néo-Roman Typology

Several seismic events have demonstrated the vulnerability of masonry churches. The long seismic history of the Italian territory has provided materials to observe and to study the structural performance of churches. Since the 1976 Friuli earthquake many studies have contributed to the definition of specific damage and vulnerability assessment methods for churches, based on the identification of macro-elements and kinematic mechanisms. In this context, the paper presents the application of a vulnerability assessment methodology developed and currently applied in Italy to a case study representative of the néo-roman church typology in Montreal, Québec. The study is part of a collaborative project between Politecnico di Milano and École de Technologie Supérieure of Montreal. The relevance of such a study derives from the moderate seismicity of Montreal associated to a high density of churches. Starting from a previous inventory of 108 churches in Montreal Island, the Néo-roman church typology was selected to be investigated. Specificities of this typology are the position of the bell tower in the middle of the façade and the interaction between the timber structure and masonry walls. This combination between the façade and bell tower macro-elements requires to reconsider the mechanisms associated to these elements in the original reference method. A detailed survey of the roof and bell tower timber structures of a néo-roman church was done, and a three-dimensional numerical model was developed for a better understanding of this type of structure. Modal analysis of a global model was then carried out and the first results of the modal shapes discussed

Quantification of the spread of Salmonella and the effect of 2 feed additives

The aim of this experiment was to quantify the spread of Salmonella Typhimurium in weaned piglets by calculating R0 values. In addition, the effect of 2 feed additives, AROMABIOTIC“ and Shiitake mushroom, on the spread of Salmonella Typhimurium was evaluated. Fifty-nine piglets were allocated to 4 groups: AROMABIOTIC“ (A, n=16), Shiitake mushroom (B, n=16), positive (C, n=16) and negative controls (D, n=11). Half of the piglets of group A, B and C were experimentally inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium, other piglets were used as susceptibles. Based on Salmonella isolation in faecal swabs, R0 values (95% C.I.) were 4.26 (1.40-34.69), 1.83 (0.86-9.38) and 4.29 (1.09-13.71) for group A, B and C, respectively. None of the measured parameters did indicate significant differences between the groups. Mortality rate was high in all 4 groups, what makes it necessary to repeat the experiment

Chemical and chemometric methods for halal authentication of gelatin: an overview

The issue of food authenticity has become a concern among religious adherents, particularly Muslims, due to the possible presence of nonhalal ingredients in foods as well as other commercial products. One of the nonhalal ingredients that commonly found in food and pharmaceutical products is gelatin which extracted from porcine source. Bovine and fish gelatin are also becoming the main commercial sources of gelatin. However, unclear information and labeling regarding the actual sources of gelatin in food and pharmaceutical products have become the main concern in halal authenticity issue since porcine consumption is prohibited for Muslims. Hence, numerous analytical methods involving chemical and chemometric analysis have been developed to identify the sources of gelatin. Chemical analysis techniques such as biochemical, chromatography, electrophoretic, and spectroscopic are usually combined with chemometric and mathematical methods such as principal component analysis, cluster, discriminant, and Fourier transform analysis for the gelatin classification. A sample result from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, which combines Fourier transform and spectroscopic technique, is included in this paper. This paper presents an overview of chemical and chemometric methods involved in identification of different types of gelatin, which is important for halal authentication purposes

Down, then up: non-parallel genome size changes and a descending chromosome series in a recent radiation of the Australian allotetraploid plant species, Nicotiana section Suaveolentes (Solanaceae)

Background and aims: The extent to which genome size and chromosome numbers evolve in concert is little understood, particularly after polyploidy (whole-genome duplication), when a genome returns to a diploid-like condition (diploidisation). We study this phenomenon in 46 species of allotetraploid Nicotiana section Suaveolentes (Solanaceae), which formed less than six million years ago and radiated in the arid centre of Australia.Methods: We analysed newly assessed genome sizes and chromosome numbers within the context of a restriction site-associated nuclear DNA (RADseq) phylogenetic framework.Key results: RADseq generated a well-supported phylogenetic tree, in which multiple accessions from each species formed unique genetic clusters. Chromosome numbers and genome sizes vary from n = 2x = 15-24 and 2.7-5.8 pg/1 C nucleus, respectively. Decreases in both genome size and chromosome number occur, although neither consistently nor in parallel. Species with the lowest chromosome numbers (n = 15-18) do not possess the smallest genome sizes, and although N. heterantha has retained the ancestral chromosome complement, n = 2x = 24, it nonetheless has the smallest genome size, even smaller than that of the modern representatives of ancestral diploids.Conclusions: The results indicate that decreases in genome size and chromosome number occur in parallel down to a chromosome number threshold, n = 20, below which genome size increases, a phenomenon potentially explained by decreasing rates of recombination over fewer chromosomes. We hypothesize that, more generally in plants, major decreases in genome size post-polyploidization take place while chromosome numbers are still high because in these stages elimination of retrotransposons and other repetitive elements is more efficient. Once such major genome size change has been accomplished, then dysploid chromosome reductions take place to reorganize these smaller genomes, producing species with small genomes and low chromosome numbers such as those observed in many annual angiosperms, including Arabidopsis. Mark W Chase, Rosabelle Samuel, Andrew R Leitch, Maïté S Guignard, John G Conran, Felipe Nollet, Paul Fletcher, Aljaž Jakob, Luiz A Cauz-Santos, Gabriel Vignolle, Steven Dodsworth, Maarten J M Christenhusz, Maria Teresa Buril, Ovidiu Pau

Anti-inflammatory phytotherapeutics: a valuable alternative to NSAID treatment in horses?

ABSTRACT In equine practice, phytotherapy is meeting the increasing demand of horse owners for "natural", safe treatment methods. Long-term use of NSAIDs can cause severe adverse effects, hence the growing popularity of anti-inflammatory phytotherapeutics. At the current time, several different herbal mixes are being commercialized, which makes it difficult for horse owners and veterinarians alike to make a well-founded choice. Harpagophytum procumbens (devil's claw), Salix spp. (willow) and Ribes nigrum (blackcurrant), three plants that are often used in these mixes, have been evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Based on published studies and the evaluation of these studies, for example by the Cochrane Collaboration, there seems to be some evidence for Harpagophytum procumbens and Salix spp. having a stronger analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect than placebos in humans. In horses, however, only one limited clinical study on Harpagophytum has been performed up until now, while no studies were found on the use of Salix in horses. More research is needed before any claims concerning efficacy or safety can be made regarding the use of these plants in treating horses. It has also been claimed that Ribes nigrum leaves have an anti-inflammatory effect, though this has not yet been clinically proven either in humans or in horses. Although veterinary phytotherapy is as old as animal husbandry itself, little scientific proof can be found regarding its uses. More research is needed before phytotherapy can be advertised as a valuable and safe alternative to the more conventional treatment protocols. SAMENVATTING In de paardengeneeskunde is fytotherapie een antwoord op de toenemende vraag van eigenaren naar "natuurlijke", veilige behandelmethoden. Het langdurig gebruik van NSAID's kan ernstige bijwerkingen geven, vandaar de groeiende populariteit van ontstekingsremmende fytotherapeutica. Momenteel zijn er meerdere kruidenpreparaten commercieel beschikbaar maar het is moeilijk voor de paardeneigenaar en de dierenarts om hier een verantwoorde keuze uit te maken. Harpagophytum procumbens (duivelsklauw), Salix spp. (wilg) en Ribes nigrum (zwarte bes of cassisbes), drie planten die veel gebruikt worden in de commerciële preparaten, werden zowel in vitro als in vivo geëvalueerd. Op basis van gepubliceerde studies en de beoordeling van deze studies door onder andere de Cochrane Collaboration zijn er aanwijzingen dat Harpagophytum procumbens en Salix spp. bij de mens een groter analgetisch en ontstekingsremmend effect hebben dan een placebo. Bij paarden is er echter slechts één beperkte klinische studie met Harpagophytum uitgevoerd, en het effect van Salix werd nog nooit onderzocht. Om de werkzaamheid en veiligheid van deze planten bij het paard te kunnen beoordelen, dient er meer onderzoek verricht te worden. De bladeren van Ribes nigrum zouden ook een ontstekingsremmende werking hebben, maar dit is momenteel noch bij de mens, noch bij het paard klinisch aangetoond. Hoewel de veterinaire fytotherapie al even lang bestaat als de dierhouderij, is er weinig wetenschappelijk bewijs omtrent een efficiënte werking ervan. Vooraleer men de fytotherapie kan aanraden als een waardevol en veilig alternatief voor de conventionele behandelmethoden, is er duidelijk nog meer onderzoek nodig

The fundamental constants and their variation: observational status and theoretical motivations

This article describes the various experimental bounds on the variation of the fundamental constants of nature. After a discussion on the role of fundamental constants, of their definition and link with metrology, the various constraints on the variation of the fine structure constant, the gravitational, weak and strong interactions couplings and the electron to proton mass ratio are reviewed. This review aims (1) to provide the basics of each measurement, (2) to show as clearly as possible why it constrains a given constant and (3) to point out the underlying hypotheses. Such an investigation is of importance to compare the different results, particularly in view of understanding the recent claims of the detections of a variation of the fine structure constant and of the electron to proton mass ratio in quasar absorption spectra. The theoretical models leading to the prediction of such variation are also reviewed, including Kaluza-Klein theories, string theories and other alternative theories and cosmological implications of these results are discussed. The links with the tests of general relativity are emphasized.Comment: 56 pages, l7 figures, submitted to Rev. Mod. Phy