Dietary Supplementation with Different ω-6 to ω-3 Fatty Acid Ratios Affects the Sustainability of Performance, Egg Quality, Fatty Acid Profile, Immunity and Egg Health Indices of Laying Hens

The supplementation of different ω-6/ω-3 ratio to the diets of the laying hens has been studied to evaluate the effects on performance, egg quality, egg health indices, egg fatty acid profiles, and immune response. One-hundred and twenty, 50-weeks-old hens were divided into three groups fed diets with different ω-6/ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) at ratio: 16.7:1, 9.3:1, and 5.5:1, respectively. Each group contained eight replicates of five hens. Hens fed the diet with the highest ω-6/ω-3 ratio had significantly increased weight gain compared to those fed the 5.5:1 and 9.3:1 ω-6/ω-3 ratios. In contrast, hens fed the 9.3:1 ω-6/ω-3 ratios laid significantly more eggs, had increased egg mass, greater livability, and a better FCR than the control group. However, hens fed a ratio of 5.5:1 ω-6/ω-3 PUFA showed improved thrombogenic, atherogenic, hypocholesteremia, and hypocholesteremia/hypercholesteremia indices. In conclusion, laying hens of the 9.3:1 ω-6/ω-3 PUFA group showed improved laying performance, while a ratio of 5.5:1 enriched the ω-3 PUFA in eggs and boosted the immune response of hens

Mapping the medical outcomes study HIV health survey (MOS-HIV) to the EuroQoL 5 Dimension (EQ-5D-3L) utility index

10.1186/s12955-019-1135-8Health and Quality of Life Outcomes1718

Seed transmission of Fusarium xylarioides in Coffea canephora in Uganda

No Abstract

Impact of sub-optimal HIV viral control on activated T-cells: an earnest sub study

OBJECTIVE: HIV viral load (VL) monitoring is generally conducted 6-12 monthly in low- and middle-income countries, risking relatively prolonged periods of poor viral control. We explored the effects of different levels of loss of viral control on immune reconstitution and activation. DESIGN: : 208 participants starting Protease Inhibitor (PI)-based second-line therapy in the EARNEST trial (ISRCTN37737787) in Uganda and Zimbabwe were enrolled and CD38+/HLA-DR+ immunophenotyping performed (CD8-FITC/CD38-PE/CD3-PerCP/HLA-DR-APC; centrally gated) in real-time at 0, 12, 48, 96 and 144 weeks from randomisation. METHODS: Viral Load (Viral load (VL) was assayed retrospectively on samples collected every 12-16 weeks and classified as (1) continuous suppression (<40 copies/ml throughout); (2) suppression with transient blips; (3) low-level rebound (two or more consecutive VL >40, <5000 copies/ml); (4) high-level rebound/non-response (two or more consecutive VL >5000 copies/ml). RESULTS: Immunophenotype reconstitution varied between that defined by numbers of cells and that defined by cell percentages. Furthermore, VL dynamics were associated with substantial differences in expression of CD4+ and CD8+ cell activation markers, with only individuals with high-level rebound/non-response (>5000 copies/ml) experiencing significantly greater activation and impaired reconstitution. There was little difference between participants who suppressed consistently and who exhibited transient blips or even low-level rebound by 144 weeks (p > 0.2 vs suppressed consistently). CONCLUSION: Detectable viral load below the threshold at which WHO guidelines recommend that treatment can be maintained without switching (1000 copies/ml) appear to have at most, small effects on reconstitution and activation, for patients taking a PI-based second-line regimen

Potent anti tumor response by targeting B cell maturation antigen BCMA in a mouse model of multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an aggressive incurable plasma cell malignancy with a median life expectancy of less than seven years. Antibody-based therapies have demonstrated substantial clinical benefit for patients with hematological malignancies, particular in B cell Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The lack of immunotherapies specifically targeting MM cells led us to develop a human-mouse chimeric antibody directed against the B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), which is almost exclusively expressed on plasma cells and multiple myeloma cells. The high affinity antibody blocks the binding of the native ligands APRIL and BAFF to BCMA. This finding is rationalized by the high resolution crystal structure of the Fab fragment in complex with the extracellular domain of BCMA. Most importantly, the antibody effectively depletes MM cells in vitro and in vivo and substantially prolongs tumor-free survival under therapeutic conditions in a xenograft mouse model. A BCMA-antibody-based therapy is therefore a promising option for the effective treatment of multiple myeloma and autoimmune diseases

Responses of egg quality sustainability, sensory attributes and lipid profile of eggs and blood to different dietary oil supplementations and storage conditions

The aim of this study is to investigate the responses of egg quality, sensory attributes and lipid profile of eggs and blood serum to different combinations of dietary oil supplementations and storage conditions. Thus, laying hens aged 25 weeks were assigned to six experimental groups and fed different diets for 14 weeks. The group fed an unsupplemented diet served as control, while the other five treatment groups consumed the same basal diet supplemented with 5% corn oil, 5% linseed oil, 2% corn oil + 3% linseed oil, 3% corn oil + 2% fish oil and 3% linseed oil + 2% fish oil, respectively. After 10 weeks, 36 eggs were collected from each experimental group and divided into three sets of 12 eggs to compare the quality of fresh eggs with those obtained after 21 days of storage at 23 °C and 5 °C. In addition, 20 untrained panellists evaluated the sensory characteristics of fresh eggs. Except for shell thickness, shell percentage and shell weight per unit of surface area (SWUSA), the supplementation of oil did not affect the egg quality parameters. The eggs laid by hens fed 3% corn oil and 2% fish oil had the highest quality shells, while the eggs from the control group had the best albumen colour, flavour and general acceptance. However, only shell percentage and shape index were unaffected by storage conditions, while all other parameters were significantly lower in eggs stored at 23 °C for 21 days. Although dietary oil supplementation did not significantly improve egg quality, feeding 3% corn oil and 2% fish oil improved eggshell quality, which declined with increasing storage temperature/period. HIGHLIGHTS Dietary oils are essential components of poultry diets and animal nutrition. Sensory attributes are essential for human acceptance of animal products. Lipid profile may reflect lipid utilisation and efficiency. Different dietary oil combinations affect the eggshell quality and sensory attributes of eggs. Linseed oil enhanced the nutritional value of egg lipids and serum lipid profiles

Structural characterization of Thogoto Virus nucleoprotein provides insights into viral RNA encapsidation and RNP assembly

Orthomyxoviruses, such as influenza and thogotoviruses, are important human and animal pathogens. Their segmented viral RNA genomes are wrapped by viral nucleoproteins (NPs) into helical ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). NP structures of several influenza viruses have been reported. However, there are still contradictory models of how orthomyxovirus RNPs are assembled. Here, we characterize the crystal structure of Thogoto virus (THOV) NP and found striking similarities to structures of influenza viral NPs, including a two-lobed domain architecture, a positively charged RNA-binding cleft, and a tail loop important for trimerization and viral transcription. A low-resolution cryo-electron tomography reconstruction of THOV RNPs elucidates a left-handed double helical assembly. By providing a model for RNP assembly of THOV, our study suggests conserved NP assembly and RNA encapsidation modes for thogoto- and influenza viruses

Dietary flaxseed cake influences on performance, quality, and sensory attributes of eggs, serum, and egg trace minerals of laying hens

Nowadays, there is a global shortage in feed supply for animal nutrition; however, there are a considerable amount of agro-industrial co- and by-products that may offer a reasonable solution. Flaxseed cake (FSC) is a by-product of flaxseed for oil extraction rich in n-3 α-linolenic acid (ALA). Thus, the dietary inclusion of FSC on laying performance, egg quality, and serum and egg trace elements (Se, Zn, and Fe) was evaluated using Hisex White hens. The hens were distributed to three equal experimental treatments and provided diets including 0%, 5%, or 10% FSC from 48 to 58 weeks of age. Findings clarified that up to 10% FSC in the laying hen diet had no detrimental effect on laying rate, egg mass, and feed utilization. It was found that FSC resulted in a valuable source of protein, energy, macro- (Ca and P), micro- (Se, Zn and Fe) elements, and essential amino acids, with arginine being the highest. Dietary FSC did not negatively influence the egg quality traits, as well as egg sensory attributes. Including 5% or 10% FSC in diet did not significantly affect serum total protein and renal function in terms of creatinine, uric acid, and uric acid-to-creatinine ratio. Different FSC levels did not influence the chemical composition of eggs and trace elements in serum and eggs. It could be concluded that FSC is a valuable feedstuff that can provide a good source of energy, protein, amino acids, and macro- and micro-elements for hens’ nutrition. The inclusion of up to 10% of FSC in hens diet did not adversely influence egg laying performance, egg quality of both fresh and stored eggs, sensory attributes, and nutritional composition, as well as Se, Zn, and Fe in serum and eggs due to balanced nutrient profile of FSC