Avian influenza virus transmission is suppressed in chickens fed Lactobacillus paracasei expressing the 3D8 single-chain variable fragment protein

The 3D8 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) is a mini-antibody sequence with independent nuclease activity that shows antiviral effects against all types of viruses in chickens and mice. In this study, chickens were treated daily with an oral dose of 109 CFU Lactobacillus paracasei (L. paracasei) expressing either a secreted or anchored 3D8 scFv for three weeks. After L. paracasei administration, the chickens were challenged with avian influenza virus (AIV). From each experimental group, three chickens were directly infected with 100 µL of 107.5 EID50/mL H9N2 AIV and seven chickens were indirectly challenged through contact transmission. oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples were collected at 3, 5, 7, and 9 days post-inoculation (dpi) from AIV-challenged chickens, AIV Shedding titres were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Contact transmission in the chickens that were fed 3D8 scFv-secreting L. paracasei showed a significant reduction in viral shedding when compared with other groups. These results suggest that L. paracasei secreting 3D8 provides a basis for the development of ingestible antiviral probiotics with activity against AIV

HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF Trichosanthes cucurmena L.

Objective: This study investigated the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina L. (EETC), in paracetamol inducedhepatotoxic studies carried out in male albino rats and included to produce toxicity of the formulation.Methods: Albino rats (175 g) were taken and divided into four groups liver necrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of paracetamol (3 mg/kg b.w, p.o). The hepatoprotective activity of EETC was evaluated by measuring levels of serum marker enzymes like serum glutamate oxaloacetatetransaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The serum levels of total proteins andbilirubin were also estimated. The histological studies were carried out to support the above parameters. Here Silymarin was used as standard drug.Result: Administration of EETC (150 mg/kg, p.o.) markedly prevented paracetamol-induced elevation of levels of SGPT, SGOT, ALP, and bilirubin. Thedecreased level of total proteins due to hepatic damage induced by paracetamol was found to be increased in EETC treated group.Conclusion: The results are comparable to the of silymarin. A histopathological study of liver exhibited almost normal architecture when comparedwith paracetamol treated group. Hence the hepatoprotective activity of EECT was proved.Keywords: Trichosanthes cucumerina L., Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, Sylimarin andParacetamol

The Effect of Black Pepper (Piperine) Extract Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbial, Fecal Gas Emission, and Meat Quality of Finishing Pigs

The study was conducted to assess the effect of black pepper extract (BPE) supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial, fecal gas emission, and meat quality of finishing pigs. A total of 180 crossbred [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] finishing pigs with average initial body weight (BW) of 53.7 ± 1.42 kg were used in 10-week trial and allotted to 6 dietary treatments (6 replications pens/treatment with 5 pigs per pen). The dietary treatments were: CON (basal diet), TRT1-CON + 0.025% BPE, TRT2-CON + 0.05% BPE, TRT3-CON + 0.1% BPE, TRT4-CON + 0.2% BPE, TRT5-CON + 0.4% BPE. Linear increase in body weight gain (BWG) (p = 0.038, 0.006) and average daily gain (ADG) were observed (p = 0.035, 0.007,and 0.006 respectively), during the overall trial in pigs fed increasing levels of BPE in supplemented diet compared to control. The dietary supplementation of BPE showed a linear increase (p = 0.007) in gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) at week 10. However, there were no significant results observed on average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the overall experiment. The total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM) was linearly improved (p = 0.053) with graded levels of BPE. In addition, BPE diet supplementation had linearly increased fecal Lactobacillus counts (p = 0.048) and decreased Escherichia coli counts (p = 0.031) in pigs at week 10. Furthermore, NH3, methyl mercaptans, and acetic acid was linearly decreased (p = 0.023, 0.056, 0.054) in pigs fed graded level of BPE supplementation. The inclusion of BPE in pigs’ diet had linearly increased (p = 0.015) backfat thickness at week 10. Thus, we concluded that BPE supplementation had positively enhanced the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial, fecal gas emission, and meat quality of finishing pigs

Dietary Inclusion of Blood Plasma with Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Supplementation Enhanced the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Lactobacillus Count, and Reduced Gas Emissions in Weaning Pigs

This experiment was performed to examine the hypothesis that blood plasma (BP) with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplement in the diet of weaning pigs could provoke the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial, and reduce harmful gas excretion. A total of one hundred and eighty healthy piglets were taken and assigned (complete random blocks) to three dietary treatments as: Phase 1: Treatment (TRT) 1-6% BP; TRT 2-3% BP + 3% yeast; TRT 3-6% yeast. Phase 2: TRT 1-3%; BP., TRT 2-1.5% BP + 1.5% yeast; TRT 3- 3% yeast. Phase 3: TRT 1- Control (CON) (Basal diet); TRT 2- CON; TRT 3- CON for six- weeks. Each treatment had twelve replicates and five (three gilts and two barrows) pigs per pen. Dietary inclusion of BP with yeast supplementation significantly increased the body weight of piglets during phase 2 (p = 0.003) and phase 3 (p = 0.032). In addition, TRT2 group piglets had a significant improvement in average daily gain at the end of each phase and overall (p = 0.047, 0.025, 0.018 and 0.012, respectively). At phase 3, TRT2 group piglets showed a significant improvement on nutrient digestibility of dry matter (p = 0.012) and nitrogen (p = 0.040). The fecal microbiota of TRT2 group piglets showed a tendency to increase the number of Lactobacillus counts at phase 1 (p = 0.07) and phase 2 (p = 0.06) as well as, a significant improvement at phase 3 (p = 0.021). In addition, TRT2 group piglets had trend to decrease NH3 (p = 0.074) and H2S (p = 0.069) during phase 2, and significantly reduced NH3 (p = 0.038) and H2S (p = 0.046) at phase 3. However, the fecal score of piglets remains unaffected during the entire trial. At the end of phase 1 piglets’ IgG (p = 0.008) was significantly increased with the inclusion of BP with yeast supplementation. Based on the positive effects on body weight, average daily gain, nutrient digestibility, Lactobacillus count, and reduced gas emission, we suggest that dietary supplement with BP and yeast in the diet of weaned piglet could serve as an excellent alternative to antibiotics growth promoters

Influences of Enzyme Blend Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbiota and Meat-Quality in Grower-Finisher Pigs

The study was aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of an enzyme blend on growth performance, apparent total track digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), gross energy (GE), fecal microbial population, noxious gas emissions and meat quality of pigs fed corn–soybean meal-based diets for a 16-week feeding trial. A total of 180 growing pigs (body weight of 23.3 ± 2.51 kg) were used and randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments (positive control (PC, basal diet); negative control (NC, −150 kcal/kg of PC); A1 (NC + 1% enzyme blend)). Overall, dietary inclusion of the enzyme blend increased (p < 0.05) body weight, average daily gain and gain:feed ratio without effecting average daily feed intake. An increase was observed in ATTD of DM (p = 0.027) and GE (p = 0.026) at week 16 and 6, respectively. Dietary inclusion of the enzyme blend increased the beneficial effects on fecal microbiota counts such as Lactobacillus with a reduced presence of E. coli during the entire experiment (p < 0.05). Further, positive effects (p < 0.05) were observed on back-fat thickness and carcass weight of pigs, along with the results of reduced levels of NH3 emissions (p = 0.032) at week 16. Thus, the study suggested that the dietary enzyme blend supplement had improving effects on growth performance, ATTD of nutrients, fecal microbial counts and meat quality in pigs

Effect of substitution of corn for molasses in diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, fecal noxious gas emission, and meat quality in finishing pigs

ABSTRACT The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of molasses as a substitute for corn in diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, fecal noxious gas emission, and meat quality in finishing pigs. A total of 120 [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] pigs with an average initial body weight (BW) of 54.21±2.62 kg were used in this experiment. Pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 dietary treatments on the basis of BW and sex (10 replicate pens per treatment with four pigs per pen: two gilts and two barrows in each pen). The experiment was divided into two phases: 0-5 weeks and 6-10 weeks. Dietary treatments were as follows: control, basal diet; control + 2.5% cane molasses; and control + 5% cane molasses. No significant differences were observed in terms of growth performance, nutrient digestibility, red blood cells, and white blood cells in blood characteristics, fecal noxious gas emission, and meat quality in this study. However, blood lymphocytes were higher with control + 2.5% cane molasses than with control at the end of the 10th week. Molasses can be considered an alternative for corn at the level of 2.5% without any negative influence in finishing pigs

Comparison of conventional needle holding technique and pen holding method of needle holding for real-time ultrasound-guided internal jugular venous cannulation – A randomised parallel-group study

Background and Aims: Ultrasound-guided central venous (CV) cannulation is the standard of care for inserting CV catheter in the right internal jugular vein (RIJV). However, mechanical complications can still occur. The primary objective of this study was to compare the incidence of posterior vessel wall puncture (PVWP) using conventional needle holding technique with pen holding method of needle holding technique for IJV cannulation. Secondary objectives were comparison of other mechanical complications, access time and ease of the procedure. Methods: This prospective, randomised parallel-group study included 90 patients. Patients requiring ultrasound-guided RIJV cannulation under general anaesthesia were randomised into two groups P (n = 45) and C (n = 45). In group C, the RIJV was cannulated using the conventional needle holding technique. In group P, the pen holding method of needle holding technique was used. Incidence of PVWP, complications (arterial puncture, haematoma) number of attempts for successful cannulation, time to insertion of guidewire and performer's ease were compared. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 24.0). A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In our study, there was no significant difference in incidence of PVWP and complications between the two groups. Number of attempts and time for successful guidewire insertion were comparable. Ease of the procedure was scored a median of 10 in both the groups. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the incidence of PVWP between the two techniques in this study, necessitating further evaluation of this novel technique

Experimental Analysis of the Thermal Performance of a Latent Heat Energy of Helical Coil for the Application of Solar Energy

The latent thermal power storage system has more characteristics than the sensitive storage system. The heating system is a process of releasing and absorbing heat energy using phase transfer material (PCM) and it provides more efficient energy than sensible heat storage. This also consist of high energy storage and high density. It provides high heat transfer in low volume and thereby enhances heat transfer. This enhances the capacity and efficiency of the EFU while extending the service life. The coil tube is designed for latent thermal energy storage to implement and enhance thermal performance during the loading and unloading process. The offloading time, however, was not affected by the flows. Higher throughput has also been shown to improve the effectiveness of recovery. The direction of flow of the HTF did not affect the total time of loading and recharging but affected the temperature changes of the PCM in the energy storage element. It is intended to predict the ability to store maximum energy as higher energy efficiency during the phase shift process. Parameters such as the mean temperature of the PCM, the growth of the melting front, the energy efficiency, and the number of generations of entropy are studied

Supplemental Impact of Marine Red Seaweed (Halymenia palmata) on the Growth Performance, Total Tract Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profiles, Intestine Histomorphology, Meat Quality, Fecal Gas Emission, and Microbial Counts in Broilers

The present study was conducted to evaluate the dietary effects of a marine red seaweed, Palmaria palmata, on the growth performance, blood profile, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, fecal gas emission, microbial population, and intestinal morphology of broilers. A total of 720 Ross 308 broiler chicks (1 day old), with an average body weight of 45 ± 0.50 g, were assigned to one of five dietary treatments (randomized complete block design) in a 42-day feeding trial. The five dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet (0% supplementation; control), and diets supplemented with 0.05%, 0.01%, 0.15%, or 0.25% red seaweed. Eight replicates were prepared per treatment, with each replicate consisting of 18 chicks in a cage. The results showed that there tended to be a greater increase in body weight in the seaweed-supplemented groups from day (d) 14 to 28 (p = 0.087) and d 28 to 42 (p = 0.082) compared to the control group, regardless of feed intake. Feed intake in the seaweed-supplemented groups increased linearly from d 14 to 28. A linear relationship between seaweed supplementation and the feed conversion ratio was observed from d 14 to 28 and throughout the whole experiment. The dietary inclusion of seaweed was linearly related to levels of albumin, creatinine, uric acid, and white blood cells in the broilers. Additionally, the total tract digestibility of dry matter increased linearly with an increase in seaweed supplementation. The dietary inclusion of seaweed had a beneficial effect on fecal microbes as Lactobacillus sp. counts increased and Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. counts decreased on day 42. Histopathological examination of the intestine confirmed that seaweed dietary supplementation enhanced the heights and widths of the villi. Furthermore, the emission of fecal gases (NH3 and H2S) decreased linearly in broilers fed seaweed-supplemented diets. Dietary supplementation with seaweed led to improvements in meat quality traits, such as reductions in drip loss, water holding capacity, and cooking loss, as well as increases in relative organ weights. Based on these positive effects, dietary supplementation with seaweed in broilers can be considered a dietary option in poultry production