Effect of Bt corn on broiler growth performance and fate of feed-derived DNA in the digestive tract

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect on broiler performance of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn containing the Cry1A(b) protein compared with the corresponding near isogenic corn and to analyze the degradation of the Cry1A(b) gene in the digestive tract. Ross male broilers (432) were fed for 42 consecutive days with diets containing Bt or isogenic corn. Diet, Bt corn, and the isogenic form of the Bt corn were analyzed for composition and aflatoxin B1, fumonisin B1, and deoxynivalenol contents. Broiler body weight and feed intake were recorded at regular intervals (d 0, 21, and 42). The presence of the Cry1A(b) gene and plant-specific genes Zein and Sh-2 in gut contents of crop, gizzard, jejunum, cecum, and samples of blood was determined in 10 animals per treatment at the end of the trial using a PCR technique. Chemical composition was not different between Bt and its isogenic form, whereas the fumonisin B1 content for Bt was lower than for isogenic corn (2,039 vs. 1,1034 ppb;

Pigs’ husbandry as case study to test effects of vegetable residues’ hydrolysates on animals

Soluble biopolymers (SBO) are research products obtained from alkaline hydrolysis of municipal and agriculture bio-residues. They contain a mix of soluble macromolecules with different C types and functional groups. These features make SBO multipurpose products for the chemical industry, agriculture and animal husbandry. As such, they may contribute to the development of bio-based circular economy by recycling renewable carbon over urban and agriculture environments. To foster production and commercialization, assessment of SBO’s compliance with countries’ regulations is mandatory. The authors performed the present in vivo pigs study to investigate quality, safety, and efficacy of SBO’s as animal feed supplement. Total 106 male and female piglets were fed 42 days with protein-based diets containing 0.1 and 0.2 % SBO. Pigs grew from average 7.7 to 26 kg. Average mortality rate was 3.9 %. Relatively to control diets with no added SBO, the diets containing 0.1 and 0.2 % SBO evidenced no significant effects on pigs’ growth, mortality, and anatomy and pathology of dead animals. A previous rabbit study reported similar results for SBO supplemented diets. The authors discuss the economic and environmental implications of the results in relation to SBO potential marketability

Chemical ear peeling: a simple technique for the treatment of chronic external otitis: how we do it

[NFew conditions encountered by otolaryngologists are as frustrating as chronic otitis externa and recurrent exacerbation presents a special challenge for the attending physician. The disease may be extremely therapy-resistant: a great many patients report chronic suffering from otitis externa with inadequate and inefficacious treatment attempts.1 Current medical treatment is based on topical application of steroids, antibiotics and external auditory canal cleansing.2 Moreover, there are no long-term outcome data on medical management.3 In this study we present, showing the short- and longterm clinical outcomes, a new, safe and simple therapeutic technique for the management of chronic otitis externa: chemical ear peeling (CEP).o abstract available

Cogan's syndrome: An autoimmune inner ear disease

Abstract Objectives The objective of our study was to review our current knowledge of the aetiopathogenesis of Cogan's syndrome, including viral infection and autoimmunity, and to discuss disease pathogenesis with relevance to pharmacotherapy. Systematic review methodology Relevant publications on the aetiopathogenesis and pharmacotherapy of Cogan's syndrome from 1945 to 2012 were analysed. Results and conclusions Cogan's syndrome is a rare autoimmune vasculitis, and its pathogenesis is unknown. Infection, but primarily autoimmunity, may play contributing roles in the pathogenesis of this disease. It is characterised by ocular and audiovestibular symptoms similar to those of Meniere's syndrome. Approximately 70% of patients have systemic disease, of which vasculitis is considered the pathological mechanism. The immunologic theory is based on the release of auto-antibodies against corneal, inner ear and endothelial antigens, and of anti-nuclear cytoplasmic auto-antibodies (ANCA). Corticosteroids are the first line of treatment, and multiple immunosuppressive drugs have been tried with varying degrees of success. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha blockers are a category of immunosuppressive agents representing a recent novel therapeutic option in Cogan's syndrome

Sialoendoscopy: state of the art, challenges and further perspectives. Round Table, 101st SIO National Congress, Catania 2014

This draft of the Official Round Table held during the 101st SIO National Congress is an updated review on sialoendoscopy, a technique used for diagnosis and treatment of obstructive pathologies of salivary glands in a minimally invasive fashion. This review treats many aspects of salivary gland endoscopy, starting from anatomy to deal with the more advanced surgical techniques and analyses the main decisional algorithms proposed in the literature. In addition, particular attention was directed to the current limitations of this technique and to the potential developments that sialoendoscopy could have in the near future

Outcomes of interventional sialendoscopy for obstructive salivary gland disorders: an Italian multicentre study

Sebbene le tecniche scialoendoscopiche abbiano assunto un ruolo fondamentale nel trattamento delle patologie ostruttive dei dotti salivari, in letteratura sono riportati pochi studi multicentrici sullargomento. Questo studio basato sullesperienza di 9 centri italiani è stato condotto su 1152 pazienti (553 donne, età media di 50 anni) per un totale di 1342 procedure scialoendoscopiche, il 44,6% delle quali a carico della ghiandola parotide. Il 12% dei pazienti è stato sottoposto a più interventi. I calcoli salivari sono risultati essere la principale causa di ostruzione (55%), seguiti dalle stenosi e altre malformazioni duttali (16%), dai tappi mucosi (14,5%) e dalla scialodochite (4,7%). La procedura endoscopica è stata portata a termine in 1309 casi mentre in 33 casi è stata interrotta, principalmente a causa della presenza di stenosi duttali complete (21 casi). Dopo una o più procedure il successo terapeutico è stato ottenuto nel 92,5% dei pazienti. Complicanze peri-operatorie e post-operatorie sono state riscontrate nel 5,4% dei casi trattati. La scialoendoscopia rappresenta quindi una procedura efficace e sicura nella diagnosi e nel trattamento delle principali patologie ostruttive dei dotti salivari