Productive performance and histological features of intestinal mucosa of broiler chickens fed different dietary protein levels

ABSTRACT To evaluate the effect of decreasing dietary protein on growth performance, carcass traits, and intestinal mucosal morphometry, 180 female Hubbard strain broiler chickens were divided into 3 groups and fed 3 isoenergetic diets ad libitum from 14 d of age until slaughter age (49 d). The treatments varied according to 3 protein levels: high-protein diet (HiP, 22.5% CP, DM basis), medium-protein diet (MedP, 20.5% CP), and low-protein diet (LowP, 18.5%). Diets were obtained by replacing wheat middlings with soybean meal and were formulated to meet or exceed broiler amino acid requirements of the NRC. Morphometric indices of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were measured at the end of the feeding period and included villus height, crypt depth, villus-to-crypt ratio, and apparent villus surface area. The dietary protein level had a significant effect on final BW of birds, whereas ADG, ADFI, and feed efficiency remained unaffected by dietary treatment. The muscle (breast and drumstick) yields were significantly higher in birds fed the HiP diet compared with those of the MedP and LowP diets. Meat quality traits were not affected by the protein level. The villus surface area of all intestinal segments did not change among groups. Instead, reducing the dietary protein level to 20.5% resulted in a higher villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and ileum. On the basis of our findings, even if the high-protein diet promoted meat yield, a medium-protein diet could positively support broiler growth performance, as confirmed by favorable morphometric features of the intestine

In vitro elicitation of intestinal immune Responses in Teleost Fish: evidence for a type IV hypersensitivity reaction in Rainbow Trout.

In fish the gut immune system has been the subject of few investigations until now. Here, we provide novel morphological and immunological data on the gut isolated from rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri. The pyloric (P) and terminal (T) segments of trout gut, when morphologically examined, evidenced lymphocytes and macrophages (MO) loosely dispersed in the intestinal mucosa and in the lamina propria in the absence of typical Peyer's patches-like structures. Furthermore, incubation of P and T sections with Candida albicans (Ca) and functional analysis of supernatants generated some interesting results. In fact, active supernatants, when compared with controls, exhibited cytokine-like activities attributable to the presence of interferon (IFN)-gamma and migration inhibiting factor (MIF), respectively. In particular, IFN-gamma-like activity gave rise to an enhancement of Ca phagocytosis by MO, whereas MIF inhibited MO migration in agarose. Taken together, these in vitro data suggest that the gut-associated lymphoreticular tissue in fish possesses the appropriate armamentarium to mount a type IV hypersensitivity response when challenged by microbial antigens

The Effects of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on the Health of Youth in United States

Obesity results from a multitude of problems from depression, an imbalance in hormones, genetics, environmental factors, and can also result from a poor diet, where we are focusing our attention. A strong correlation is made with low income and obesity in children. In 2014, 14.5% of patients ages 2-4 were obese. From 2011 to 2014 17% of adolescents experienced obesity and this affects around 12.7 million people. Statistics have shown the as the age increases in adolescents, so does the prevalence of obesity

Microradiography as a useful technique for the rapid detection of skeletal anomalies in early sea bream juveniles

no abstract availabl

Water extract of Cryphaea heteromalla (Hedw.) D. Mohr bryophyte as a natural powerful source of biologically active compounds

Bryophytes comprise of the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. Cryphaea heteromalla, (Hedw.) D. Mohr, is a non-vascular lower plant belonging to mosses group. To the date, the most chemically characterized species belong to the liverworts, while only 3.2% and 8.8% of the species belonging to the mosses and hornworts, respectively, have been investigated. In this work, we present Folin–Ciocalteu and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) data related to crude extracts of C. heteromalla obtained by three different extraction solvents: pure water (WT), methanol:water (80:20 v/v) (MET), and ethanol:water (80:20 v/v) (ETH). The water extract proved to be the best solvent showing the highest content of biophenols and the highest ORAC value. The C. heteromalla-WT extract was investigated by HPLC-TOF/MS (High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Time of Flight/Mass Spectrometry) allowing for the detection of 14 compounds, five of which were phenolic compounds, derivatives of benzoic, caffeic, and coumaric acids. Moreover, the C. heteromalla WT extract showed a protective effect against reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH) on the murine NIH-3T3 fibroblast cell line

Clinical, haematological and biochemical findings in tigers infected by leishmania infantum

Background: A large number of animal species are susceptible to Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in endemic areas, including domestic and wild felids such as tigers (Panthera tigris). Knowledge on the infection of this endangered species is still at its infancy, and therefore this study aims to identify clinical presentation and clinicopathological findings of tigers naturally infected by L. infantum. Results: Tigers either L. infantum-positive (group A) or -negative (group B) were apparently healthy or presented visceral leishmaniasis unrelated conditions, except for one animal in which a large non-healing cutaneous lesion was observed. However, histological exam and immunohistochemistry carried out on the lesion excluded the presence of L. infantum amastigotes. Biochemical analysis showed that the average concentration of total proteins, globulins and haptoglobin were significantly higher (p < 0.01, p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively), while the albumin/globulin ratio significantly lower (p = 0.05) in group A compared with group B. The biochemical alterations were partially confirmed by the serum protein electrophoresis results revealing a significant increase in the total protein value (p = 0.01) and hypergammaglobulinemia (p = 0.03) but an unmodified albumin/globulin ratio in group A. Conclusions: In this study tigers infected by L. infantum have shown to be mainly asymptomatic. The absence of clinical signs may lead veterinarians to overlook leishmaniasis in animals kept in captivity. Therefore, diagnostic and screening tests as serology should be part of routinely surveillance programs to be performed on tigers in zoological gardens located in endemic areas. Though only few protein-related laboratory abnormalities were recorded in infected animals, they could provide diagnostic clues for a first suspicion of L. infantum infection in tigers. Indeed, considering the high risk of zoonotic transmission in heavily frequented environment as zoos, a prompt diagnosis of L. infantum infection is of pivotal importance

A Preliminary internet survey of pet rabbit owners’ characteristics

[EN] This study aimed to conduct a preliminary survey to investigate basic ownership factors, frequency of microchipping and insurance and views of pet rabbit owners  n these areas and general rabbit management. More specifically, we aimed to investigate whether owners possess insurance, whether their rabbits are microchipped, and owners’ views on the recommendations relating to rabbits (e.g. recommended enclosure sizes) and the law. A questionnaire was designed and promulgated through social media sites and rabbit forums. A total of 1183 responses were received. Just over 29% of respondents sourced their rabbits through rescue centres. 73.9% (867/1174) of owners stated that they had no pet insurance for their rabbits. Concerning microchips, 78.3% (919/1173) of rabbits were not microchipped, while 21.7% (254/1173) were. This preliminary study found that the majority of individuals are of the opinion that the relevant law is insufficiently publicised. A more detailed study would be beneficial to investigate and provide further insight into rabbit owners and their views and concerns for rabbits. The results of such a study could help formulate rabbit-related information and guidelines which in turn could have a direct impact on pet rabbit welfare.Oxley, J.; Previti, A.; Alibrandi, A.; Briefer, E.; Passantino, A. (2015). A Preliminary internet survey of pet rabbit owners’ characteristics. World Rabbit Science. 23(4):289-293. doi:10.4995/wrs.2015.3771.SWORD289293234Bays TB, Lightfoot T, and Mayer J 2006 Exotic pet behavior: birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Elsevier Health Sciences: USA.Egenvall, A., Bonnett, B. N., Olson, P., & Hedhammar, Å. (1998). Validation of computerized Swedish dog and cat insurance data against veterinary practice records. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 36(1), 51-65. doi:10.1016/s0167-5877(98)00073-7Lord, L. K., Wittum, T. E., Ferketich, A. K., Funk, J. A., & Rajala-Schultz, P. J. (2007). Search and identification methods that owners use to find a lost dog. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 230(2), 211-216. doi:10.2460/javma.230.2.211Oxley, J. A. (2013). Letter - Rabbit welfare and legislation in the UK. World Rabbit Science, 21(4). doi:10.4995/wrs.2013.1748RSPCA 2012 The time and costs involved in keeping rabbits: RSPCA companion animal pet care factsheet. RSPCA: West Sussex.RWAF (Rabbit Association and Fund) 2012 Survey reveals abandoned rabbit numbers have soared. The Veterinary Times. 42, 4.Schepers F, Koene P and Beerda B 2009 Welfare assessment in pet rabbits. Animal Welfare. 18: 477-485

Systematic pathologic findings report of callosciurus finlaysonii (Horsfield, 1823) (rodentia, sciuridae) squirrels from maratea area (south italy) to investigate species-specific pathologies, reliability of co2 euthanasia method, and possible use as environmental sentinels

The aim of the present study was to macroscopically and microscopically describe the main pathological findings occurring in this invasive species, in order to better understand the real risks for naïve animals and humans. The present study was conducted on Callosciurusfinlaysonii squirrels (n = 165), captured in the Maratea area and euthanatized with CO2 according to a population control of invasive species of the Italian Agriculture Ministry project (ex CIPE project) and conferred to the Department of Veterinary Medicine of Bari (Italy). Macroscopic analysis demonstrated heart, lung, and liver congestion, probably due to the euthanasia method, and variable lesions of bowel, liver, and kidney. The microscopically examination showed the presence of lymphocytic infiltration in the lower layers of the bowel, suggesting enteritis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systemic report of gross and microscopical anatomopathological lesions in C.finlaysonii, in South Italy. The results could be useful to fill a gap of knowledge of this species in Italy

School Perspectives on Collaborative Inquiry: Lessons Learned From New York City, 2009-2010

The New York City Department of Education has supported collaborative inquiry as a potentially powerful process for helping administrators and teachers use student data to improve instruction and raise student achievement. Beginning with a pilot project in 2006, teams of teachers have learned to work together to diagnose the needs of students who have not been successful in their classrooms and to develop strategies to improve their learning. Collaborative inquiry sits at the heart of the Department\u27s larger Children First initiative and aims to help educators close the achievement gap in their schools. Each year New York City schools have engaged higher proportions of faculty in the inquiry work. The goal is at least 90% participation in collaborative inquiry. The purpose of this research report is to share lessons learned about the conditions, structures, relationships, and leadership practice that support teacher participation in inquiry. The report also presents perceived benefits of collaborative inquiry as reported by school leaders and teachers. Data come from site visits to 13 schools actively engaged in collaborative inquiry. The research team conducted 213 interviews with principals, assistant principals, instructional support staffs, and teachers participating in inquiry and 37 observations of inquiry team meetings