Effects of Feed Additives and Mixed Eimeria Species Infection on Intestinal Microbial Ecology of Broilers

Evaluation of digestive microbial ecology is necessary to understand effects of growth-promoting feed. In the current study, the dynamics of intestinal microbial communities (MC) were examined in broilers fed diets supplemented with a combination of antibiotic (bacitracin methylene disalicylate) and ionophore (Coban 60), and diets containing 1 of 2 essential oil (EO) blends, Crina Poultry (CP) and Crina Alternate (CA). Five treatments were analyzed: 1) unmedicated uninfected control; 2) unmedicated infected control; 3) feed additives monensin (bacitracin methylene disalicylate) + monensin (Coban 60; AI); 4) EO blend CP; and 5) EO blend CA. Additives were mixed into a basal feed mixture, and EO were adjusted to 100 ppm. Chicks were infected by oral gavage at 19 d of age with Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella. Duodenal, ileal, and cecal samples were taken from 12 birds per treatment just before and 7 d after challenge; 2 samples each were pooled to give a final number of 6 samples total; and all pooled samples were frozen until used for DNA extraction. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was used to examine PCR-amplified fragments of the bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA variable region. Results are presented as percentages of similarity coefficients (SC). Dendrograms of PCR amplicon or band patterns indicated MC differences due to intestinal location, feed additives, and cocci challenge. Essential oil blends CP and CA affected MC in all gut sections. Each EO had different effects over MC, and they differed in most instances from the AI group. The cocci challenge caused drastic MC population shifts in duodenal, ileal, and cecal sections (36.7, 55.4, and 36.2% SC, respectively). Diets supplemented with CP supported higher SC between pre- and postchallenge MC (89.9, 83.3, and 76.4%) than AI (81.8., 57.4, and 60.0%). We concluded that mixed coccidia challenge caused drastic shifts in MC. These EO blends modulated MC better than AI, avoiding drastic shifts after a mixed challenge

Responses of Coccidia-Vaccinated Broilers to Essential Oil Blends Supplementation up to Forty-Nine Days of Age

Coccidiosis control may become a greater problem as the use of growth-promoting antibiotics (GPA) and ionophores declines. Vaccination with live oocysts may turn into a popular alternative to the use of coccidiostats in broilers, although cocci vaccination is frequently linked to temporary lower performance in young flocks. This experiment evaluates the dietary supplementation of 2 specific essential oil (EO) blends (Crina Poultry and Crina Alternate), either as alternatives to GPA and ionophores (BMD + Coban) or as feed additives that help to improve the performance of cocci-vaccinated broilers. Live performance and lesion scores were observed. These 2 specific EO blends differ in their efficacy to promote growth. Chickens that were not cocci vaccinated and were fed Crina Poultry had better feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the unmedicated control treatment in the starter period. The same EO improved FCR in cocci-vaccinated birds in the finisher period in comparison to the negative control group, but those responses were not significantly different from other treatments or significant at 49 d of age. No significant differences were observed in lesion scores at 37 d. Diets supplemented with a GPA-ionophore combination consistently supported the best BW gain and FCR in each period and the entire grow-out period. No significant beneficial or deleterious effects on live performance were observed due to these specific EO blends in cocci-vaccinated broilers

Intestinal Microbial Ecology of Broilers Vaccinated and Challenged With Mixed Eimeria Species, and Supplemented with Essential Oil Blends

Intestinal microbiota is an important component in the development of defense mechanisms in the gut mucosa. This project determined the dynamics of intestinal microbial communities (MC) of broilers vaccinated at first day of age with live oocysts of Eimeria species and fed diets supplemented with 2 specific essential oil (EO) blends, Crina Poultry (CP) and Crina Alternate (CA). Five treatments were analyzed: 1) unmedicated-uninfected (UU) control; 2) unmedicated-infected (UI) control; 3) vaccinated with Advent cocci-vaccine and without feed additive (COV) supplements; 4) vaccinated with Advent and supplemented with CP; and 5) vaccinated with Advent and supplemented with CA. The EO blends were added at 100 ppm to the same basal diets. Chicks were gavage-infected at 19 d of age with Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella. Duodenal, ileal, and cecal samples were taken from 12 birds per treatment just before the infection and 7 d after the challenge, pooled in 6 samples, and frozen. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was used to examine PCR-amplified fragments of the bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA variable region. Results are presented as percentages of similarity coefficients (SC). Dendrograms of amplicon patterns indicated MC differences due to intestinal location, feed additives, and cocci infection. The EO blends CP and CA did affect MC in all gut sections. The cocci-infection caused drastic MC population shifts in duodenal, ileal, and cecal sections (36.7, 55.4, and 36.2% SC, respectively). The CP-supplemented birds had higher SC between pre- and postchallenge MC in duodenal and ileal (73.3, 81.8%) than COV (66.4, 66.5%). However, COV broilers had the smallest changes in cecal MC after infection (79.5% SC). We concluded that cocci-vaccination causes small changes in intestinal MC, but challenge causes drastic shifts. The EO blend supplementation modulates MC in cocci-vaccinated broilers, avoiding drastic shifts after a mixed coccidia infection. Correlations between MC dynamics and host responses are discussed

Phase-dependent exciton transport and energy harvesting from thermal environments

Non-Markovian effects in the evolution of open quantum systems have recently attracted widespread interest, particularly in the context of assessing the efficiency of energy and charge transfer in nanoscale biomolecular networks and quantum technologies. With the aid of many-body simulation methods, we uncover and analyse an ultrafast environmental process that causes energy relaxation in the reduced system to depend explicitly on the phase relation of the initial state preparation. Remarkably, for particular phases and system parameters, the net energy flow is uphill, transiently violating the principle of detailed balance, and implying that energy is spontaneously taken up from the environment. A theoretical analysis reveals that non-secular contributions, significant only within the environmental correlation time, underlie this effect. This suggests that environmental energy harvesting will be observable across a wide range of coupled quantum systems.Comment: 5 + 4 pages, 3 + 2 figures. Comments welcom

Administración y Gestión de la Calidad Total en la Farmacia Oficinal: "Evaluación preliminar del plan desarrollado". (Parte 2)

To speak of quality pre-supposes that it is both appropriate and possible to verify the distinguishing elements orattributes that are characteristic of an object or entity. The consideration of Quality in pharmaceutical services, impliesthat the service provided fully fulfils the expectations of those using the service.In this report the preliminary results of the first stages of the application of the Quality Scheme and its impact on thegrowth of pharmaceutical service are considered.From the results obtained it became apparent that a successful outcome of the scheme depends upon the consolidationof the pharmacist - patient/client relationship. This factor was found to be of prime importance and was considered asa central element in the process of pharmaceutical care, within the concept of total quality.On the other hand, the analysis of the results of the bookkeeping records (not given in this report), shows that as aconsequence of the management scheme and the planning of the strategic processes of the service, greater efficiency inthe management of financial resources and a restriction on costs had been achieved.In summary, the application of the quality scheme produced an increase in profits, as a direct consequence of thereduction of costs related to non-quality activities (poor attention given to the patient, lack of information, high numberof returned expired drugs, etc.) and an increase in productivity associated with drug dispensing and good pharmaceuticalattention practices.Finally, it may be stated that our hypothesis was correct and that the development of quality and its pursuance go handin hand with the development and professional advancement within the ethical framework of the provision of a service.Hablar de calidad presupone que es oportuno y posible la verificación de las características o atributos que sonpropios de un objeto o entidad. Cuando planteamos la Calidad en un servicio de farmacia estamos diciendo que estecumple plenamente con las expectativas de quién se asiste por él.En este reporte acercamos los resultados preliminares de la primera etapa de aplicación del Plan de Calidad y suimpacto en el crecimiento del servicio farmacéutico.Del análisis de los resultados obtenidos se desprende que para el éxito definitivo del plan, es de suma importanciala consolidación de la relación Farmacéutico – Paciente/usuario como elemento central del proceso de atenciónfarmacéutica dentro de un concepto de calidad total.Por otra parte, el análisis de los resultados contables (no expuestos en este trabajo) ponen de manifiesto el logrode la eficiencia en el manejo de los recursos financieros y en la contención de costos, como consecuencia del plan degestión y el planeamiento de los procesos estratégicos del servicio.En resumen, desde la aplicación del plan de calidad, se produjo un incremento de las ganancias, como consecuenciadirecta de la reducción de costos relacionados con acciones de no calidad (mala atención al paciente, falta deinformación, elevado número de devoluciones de medicamentos por vencimiento, etc.) y por un aumento de laproductividad asociada a la dispensa del medicamento y a las buenas prácticas de atención farmacéutica.Finalmente podemos decir que nuestra hipótesis se cumple y que el desarrollo de la calidad y su búsqueda estánunidos al desarrollo y crecimiento profesional en un marco ético y de servicio

Environmental variability and its relationship to site index in Mediterranean maritine pine

Producción CientíficaEnvironmental variability and site productivity relationships, estimated by means of soil-site equations, are considered a milestone in decision making of forest management. The adequacy of silvicultural systems is related to tree response to environmental conditions. The objectives of this paper are to study climatic and edaphic variability in Mediterranean Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) forests in Spain, and the practical use of such variability in determining forest productivity by means of site index estimation. Principal component analysis was used to describe environmental conditions and patterns. Site index predictive models were fitted using partial least squares and parsimoniously by ordinary least square. Climatic variables along with parent material defined an ecological regionalization from warm and humid to cold and dry sites. Results showed that temperature and precipitation in autumn and winter, along with longitudinal gradient define extreme site qualities. The best qualities are located in warm and humid sites whereas the poorest ones are found in cold and dry regions. Site index values are poorly explained by soil properties. However, clay content in the first mineral horizon improved the soil-site model considerably. Climate is the main driver of productivity of Mediterranean Maritime pine in a broad scale. Site index differences within a homogenous climatic region are associated to soil properties

Informal paratransit in the Global South

This chapter synthesises current knowledge of informal paratransit services in cities of the Global South and discusses prevailing policy issues and emerging trends. The scope of the chapter is limited to unscheduled public transport and for-hire services operating in whole, or in part, within the informal economy. The chapter focuses on three regions of the Global South: Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It reviews current knowledge in relation to business models, regulatory regimes, and operating practices. While illustrating that the sector is heterogeneous across, and within, these regions, this review shows that informal paratransit services are usually operated by small businesses organised into associations that exert varying degrees of self-regulation. Service operations are seldom free of state regulation, but the extent can vary. Operating environments often have considerable infrastructure deficits, and driver employment conditions can be exploitative. Services are, in many cases, a response to gaps left by formal public transport undertakings. Prevailing business models, however, make operators demand-responsive, often providing the only service available to vulnerable groups. It is argued that important policy issues relate to integration with other public transport modes, service quality, and safety improvement. These challenges are compounded by poorly resourced regulatory authorities, often subjected to pervasive corruption. An important emerging trend identified takes the form of potentially disruptive technologies, most commonly in the form of ride-hailing apps. These platforms may have a significant impact on operating practices, and few cities have regulatory frameworks in anticipation of this change. Experience suggests that attempts to change business models and operating practices can be met with resistance. Policy intervention in this sector therefore requires careful analysis of local contexts and options

Administración y Gestión de la Calidad Total en la Farmacia Oficinal: "TQM una Alternativa para Competir". (Parte 1)

En los albores del siglo XXI el mercado de las Farmacias Privadas, está regido por las legislaciones vigentes (Nacionaly Provincial) y por la presión de la práctica comercial de sus componentes.Este mercado de características particulares se encuadra en un escenario muy competitivo donde al igual que otrossectores de la salud, se debe compatibilizar el concepto de cliente con el de paciente y el de negocio con el de servicio.En este contexto la “Gestión Farmacéutica” es fundamental para el desempeño óptimo; también es importante el rolque cumple en este entorno la Administración de la Oficina de Farmacia como Negocio y como Centro de Salud.Dentro del universo de técnicas que propone el Gerenciamiento, la Gestión Estratégica y de Calidad Total (GTC)es una de las que más se adapta a la dinámica del Servicio Farmacéutico. La introducción del concepto de calidadtotal plantea le necesidad de la Administración Estratégica, fijando objetivos y políticas a partir del desarrollo deuna novedosa capacidad de intervenir en un sistema que tiende a ser cada vez más complejo, con escaso margen deinformación y con ellos provocar un cambio que implique cumplir con los objetivos y metas predeterminadas dentrodel equilibrio del sistema competitivo.El desarrollo de la Gestión Total de la Calidad o en el inglés TQM (GTC) comprende la definición de la misión dela organización, el análisis de las condiciones del entorno, la determinación de puntos de control e indicadores demejora y la identificación de nichos estratégicos que otorguen mayores ventajas competitivas.Los resultados preliminares de esta experiencia en otras áreas de la Salud como ser la gestión Hospitalaria y laIndustria Farmacéutica permiten adelantar que la GTC es una herramienta eficaz para optimizar el funcionamientode la Oficina de Farmacia y posicionarla ante sus pacientes como un Centro de Salud de Excelencia y Calidad