Evaluation of an additive efficacy in broiler litter microbial level control in field: preliminary results

The present study was conducted to evaluate in field the efficacy of an additive (SOP® C POULTRY), as an agent for the control of micro-organisms in broiler litter. The Total aerobic Microbial Count (TMC), Staphylococcus species (spp.), Coliforms, and Salmonella spp. in broiler litter samples of both the Houses, 2 (H2) and 3 (H3), were determined, and also at the end of each cycle the mortality rate was recorded. The results showed significant reduction of all the microbial counts: P= 0.0078 (CMT), 0,0021 (Staphylococcus spp.) and 0.0541 (Coliforms), and mortality (P= 0.00106) in treated litter samples H2 and the control H3

Evaluation of intestinal bacterial flora of conventional and organic broilers using culture-based methods

The major bacteria colonizing the intestinal tract (ileum and caecum) of organic (O) and conventional (C) chickens were counted, isolated and identified by conventional methods. Chickens were obtained from 7 conventional and 7 organic chicken farms (n=203). Intestinal sampling was performed at different ages, every 10 days, starting at 20 days until 40 and from 20 days to 80 days of age, respectively, for conventional and organic birds. Statistical analysis was performed on two separate data sets (40 days of age and all ages).The comparison of C vs O systems was analyzed with univariate and multivariate procedures. There were large differences in bacterial counts in relation to the portion of intestine, the rearing system and the farms. In the ileum of conventional birds Enterobacteria were higher than in organic birds (7.03 vs 6.09 CFUxlog/g; P<0.05), whereas the contrary was observed for Lactobacilli (6.75 vs 7.07 CFUxlog/g; P<0.05). With respect to the other microflora, the effect of farm probably masked possible differences. The effect of rearing system was more visible in the caecum than in the ileum: Enterobacteria levels were higher in C than in O chickens (7.42 vs 7.05 CFUxlog/g; P<0.01), whereas Enterococci (7.65 vs 6.55 CFUxlog/g; P<0.05), Lactobacilli (7.85 vs 7.31 CFUxlog/g; P<0.05) and total aerobia (8.12 vs 7.66 CFUxlog/g; P<0.01) counts were higher in organic chickens. Multivariate analysis of caecum microflora showed the possibility of discriminating the rearing system. In the ileum of conventional birds Enterobacteria and total aerobia increased with age, while Lactobacilli decreased. In the O system, Enterobacteria, Lactobacilli and total anaerobia showed a similar trend, whereas total aerobia and Enterococci showed the opposite trend. A similar situation was observed in the caecum. Further investigations are necessary to better assess the role and effect of the enteric flora on the productive performance and on the health status of reared chickens

Investigations of some parameters of natural immunity in meat turkeys reared outdoors

The progression of some parameters of natural immunity in meat turkey reared outdoors was investigated. The levels of the haemolytic complement were lower than those obtained in commercial turkeys and in turkeys reared in a controlled environment during one of our previous investigations. The weather conditions could have influenced the trend of the haemolytic complement in turkeys selected for high meat production and kept outside, underlining the possible importance of the rearing system

Effects of oregano (Origanum vulgareL.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) aqueous extracts on broiler performance, immune function and intestinal microbial population

ABSTRACT A 57-day study was performedto determine the effects of two aqueous extracts (AEs) on broiler performance, immune function and intestinal microflora. Four groups of 75 one-day-old female broilers (Ross308) received one of the following treatments: (1) a standard commercial feed (C); (2) C supplemented with 2 g/kg rosemary AE (R); (3) C supplemented with 2 g/kg oregano AE (O); (4) C supplemented with 1 g/kg oregano AE + 1 g/kg rosemary AE (OR). Individual body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion efficiency were determined at 1, 11, 22, 36 and 57 days. Sample collections for IgG titration and intestinal microflora examination were performed at 22 and 57 days. The addition of oregano AE alone or in combination with rosemary AEs improved body weight up to 36 days of age (P < .01). A time effect was recorded for total serum IgG in all groups (P < .001) and the percentage increase of the value was positively (P < .05) influenced by the AE supplementation. Lactobacilli raised (P < .001) in ileum and cecum of all groups supplemented with AEs. Staphylococcus spp. population was constantly lower in both intestinal tracts of the AE supplemented groups. On the basis of our results, AEs could improve broiler performance and immune function and contribute to a balanced gut microflora, essential for the digestion process and protection against enteropathogenic organisms

Efficacy and safety of systemic isotretinoin treatment for moderate to severe acne (insights from the real-life clinical setting)

Acne is a chronic inflammatory relapsing disease that affect predominantly adolescents, with scarring as a frequent sequele. Early and appropriate therapy allows better management of the disease, longer remission, scars risk reduction, and improvement of quality of life. According to therapeutic algorithm, systemic isotretinoin can be used in severe acne and also in moderate forms resistant to other systemic treatments. The aims of this real-life observational study were to determine and compare the effectiveness of isotretinoin evaluated by Global Acne Grading System and Acne Quality of Life in moderate and in severe acne, correlation between efficacy and cumulative dose of isotretinoin, tolerability, and recurrence rate. Moreover, the differences in efficacy and tolerability between male and female patients were compared. The treatment with systemic isotretinoin led to an improvement in acne severity and quality of life in all observed subjects

Effects of two different probiotics on microflora, morphology, and morphometry of gut in organic laying hens

ABSTRACT The current study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus subtilis, used as probiotics, on the microflora, morphology, and morphometry of the gut in organic laying hens. The birds (180 Hy-Line laying hens) were divided into 3 homogenous groups and received a pre-deposition diet from 16 to 20 wk of age and a deposition diet for the remaining 7 months of the experiment. The control group (CTR) was fed a corn-soybean cake-based diet, the second group (L) received the same diet supplemented with 0.1% of L. acidophilus while in the third group (B) the basal diet was supplemented with 0.05% of B. subtilis. At 18 wk of age (T1) and at 5 (T2) and 7 months (T3) from the beginning of deposition, 9 subjects per group were humanely killed for microbiological, morphological and morphometric analyses of the intestinal tract. The 2 probiotic-supplemented diets increased Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. counts compared with the CTR diet. The lowest viable counts of E. coli, coliforms and staphylococci were observed in the L group (

Mechanisms of acquired BRAF inhibitor resistance in melanoma. A systematic review

This systematic review investigated the literature on acquired v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) inhibitor resistance in patients with melanoma. We searched MEDLINE for articles on BRAF inhibitor resistance in patients with melanoma published since January 2010 in the following areas: (1) genetic basis of resistance; (2) epigenetic and transcriptomic mechanisms; (3) influence of the immune system on resistance development; and (4) combination therapy to overcome resistance. Common resistance mutations in melanoma are BRAF splice variants, BRAF amplification, neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) mutations and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) mutations. Genetic and epigenetic changes reactivate previously blocked mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, activate alternative signaling pathways, and cause epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Once BRAF inhibitor resistance develops, the tumor microenvironment reverts to a low immunogenic state secondary to the induction of programmed cell death ligand-1. Combining a BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor delays resistance development and increases duration of response. Multiple other combinations based on known mechanisms of resistance are being investigated. BRAF inhibitor-resistant cells develop a range of ‘escape routes’, so multiple different treatment targets will probably be required to overcome resistance. In the future, it may be possible to personalize combination therapy towards the specific resistance pathway in individual patients

Il ruolo degli stili di coping e dei fattori di stress sulla qualita di vita professionale tra gli operatori di una centrale operativa delle emergenze sanitarie: uno studio preliminare cross-sectional

INTRODUCTION: The professional quality of life (ProQOL) is a fundamental aspect of the care providers’ working life and plays an important role in monitoring their mental health status and wellbeing. The objective of this study is to explore the level of ProQOL among the Emergency Operating Center workers in the Italian context and to examine the role of both stressors and coping strategies. Health workers from an Italian 118 Emergency Operating Center participated into the research. METHODS: A preliminar y cross-sectional study has been performed RESULTS:. The survey’s response rate was 72.04% (n = 67). Results found that Stressors arepositively correlated with Burnout and Compassion Fatigue whereas Compassion Satisfaction has a positive correlation with the Task-oriented coping strategy and with the Emotion-oriented strategy. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it is pivotal to implement strategies and solutions that can enhance the levels of satisfaction of Emergency Operating Center workers in order to improve patients care and organizational outcomes. Key words: Quality of life, Coping, Stressor, Emergency, Nurse.INTRODUZIONE: La qualità della vita professionale (ProQOL) è un aspetto fondamentale della vita lavorativa del personale che eroga assistenza sanitaria e gioca un ruolo importante nel monitorare il loro stato di salute mentale e fisico. L’obiettivo di questo studio è esplorare il livello di ProQOL tra gli operatori della salute di una Centrale operativa delle emergenze sanitarie nel contesto italiano ed esaminare il ruolo dei fattori di stress e delle strategie di Coping. I partecipanti alla ricerca sono operatori sanitari appartenenti alla Centrale Operativa delle emergenze sanitarie del 118. METODO: E’ stato effettuato uno studio preliminare di prevalenza. RISULTATI: Il tasso di risposta ai questionari è stato del 72,04% (n = 67). I risultati indicano che il Burnout e la Compassion Fatigue hanno un correlazione positiva con i fattori di stress mentre la Compassion Satisfaction ha mostrato un’associazione positiva con gli stili di coping Task-oriented ed Emotion-oriented. CONCLUSIONI: In conclusione è importante implementare strategie e soluzioni che possono innalzare i livelli di soddisfazione lavorativa degli operatori delle Centrali Operative di Emergenza per migliorare l’assistenza ai pazienti e i risultati manageriali. Parole chiave: Qualità della vita, Coping, Stressor, Emergenza, Infermiere. &nbsp; © 202