Evaluating glucose-based carbohydrates for use in canine diets

Extruded diets remain the most common diet format fed to dogs. Even though dogs are classified as Carnivora, carbohydrates make up 20-50% of most extruded diets. The majority of carbohydrates are in the form of starch, providing a readily available energy source. Other carbohydrate forms include dietary fiber, oligosaccharides, and resistant starches (RS) that may elicit a multitude of health benefits. Previous research has focused on the composition of traditional carbohydrate-based ingredients, but little has been done as regards the composition of various whole ingredient, fractionated ingredient, or single-source carbohydrate sources. The overall objective of this research was to evaluate glucose-based carbohydrate sources for use in canine diets, including ingredient chemical compositional analyses, effects on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, and effects on fecal characteristics, microbiota composition, and fermentative end-products. Our first aim was to determine the chemical composition of carbohydrate sources commonly incorporated into pet foods. We evaluated various whole grains, processed grains, grain fractions, and pseudocereal grains. Our second aim was to evaluate the effects of graded concentrations of polydextrose on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, fecal characteristics, fecal fermentative end-products, and fecal microbial populations in healthy adult dogs. Polydextrose was fed at 0, 0.5, 1, or 1.5% of the diet DM. Our third aim was to determine the effects of RS, naturally from whole grains, on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, fecal characteristics, and fecal fermentative end-products in healthy adult dogs fed a baked whole grain-containing biscuit treat. Dogs received either 0, 10, or 20 g biscuits/d (estimated to be 0, 2.5, or 5 g RS/d) that were fed within their daily caloric allowance. Our fourth aim was to determine the effects of graded concentrations of a corn-based RS source on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, fecal fermentative end-products, and fecal microbial populations in healthy adult dogs. Dogs were fed 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4% of diet DM of Hi-maize 260®, a corn-based ingredient that consists of 60% RS and 40% digestible starch. In our first aim, we determined that whole grains and grain fractions contain many essential nutrients including amino acids and minerals, and may provide a significant source of fiber. Because the chemical composition of grains varied greatly depending on their respective fractions (i.e., barley flake vs. malted barley vs. steamed rolled barley) and among grain type (i.e., barley flake vs. brown rice vs. canary grass seed), pet food professionals must consider both factors when formulating diets. In our second aim, we determined that polydextrose appeared to be moderately fermentable, which was evident by the increased (P<0.05) fecal SCFA concentrations, primarily acetate and propionate, and by the decrease (P<0.05) in fecal pH, without affecting food intake or fecal output. The inclusion of polydextrose also decreased (P<0.05) some protein catabolites, in particular fecal indole concentrations. Fecal C. perfringens concentrations were decreased (P<0.05) by including polydextrose in the diet, but other bacteria were unaffected. In our third aim, we determined that fat digestibility decreased (P<0.05) with whole grain treat consumption (i.e., increased RS consumption), but apparent total tract dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestibilities were not affected. Fecal fermentative end-products, including short- and branched-chain fatty acids, ammonia, phenols, and indoles, and microbial populations were not affected. In our fourth and final aim, we determined that dietary RS linearly decreased (P<0.05) apparent total tract dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, fat, and gross energy digestibilities, and fecal pH was linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with increased RS consumption. Fecal output was linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increased RS consumption. Fecal scores and fecal fermentative end-product concentrations, including ammonia, short-chain fatty acids, branched-chain fatty acids, phenols, and indoles were not affected by RS consumption. Predominant bacterial phyla present in all dogs included Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Tenericutes. Although few bacterial taxa were altered by RS consumption, fecal Faecalibacterium were increased (P < 0.05) with increased RS consumption. This research provided a compositional database of whole ingredient, fractionated ingredient, and single-source carbohydrate sources, which may potentially impact future pet food formulations. This research provided knowledge about the use of non-digestible, glucose-based carbohydrate sources, including polydextrose, whole grain-containing RS and dietary fiber, and corn-based RS, for use in canine diets. Based on the current results, the most prominent beneficial effects were observed in healthy dogs when fed 1.5% polydextrose. However, more research is needed to determine an optimal dose of whole grains, grain fractions, or single-source RS that may elicit a beneficial response when fed to dogs

Criminal Justice and Suicide Outcomes with Indiana's Risk-Based Gun Seizure Law

This article examines the application and effectiveness of a 2006 Indiana law designed to prevent gun violence by authorizing police officers to separate firearms from persons who present imminent or future risk of injury to self or others, or display a propensity for violent or emotionally unstable conduct. A court hearing is held to determine ongoing risk in these cases; a judge decides whether to return the seized firearms or retain them for up to five years. The study examines the frequency of criminal arrest as well as suicide outcomes for 395 gun-removal actions in Indiana. Fourteen individuals (3.5%) died from suicide, seven (1.8%) using a firearm. The study population's annualized suicide rate was about 31 times higher than that of the general adult population in Indiana, demonstrating that the law is being applied to a population genuinely at high risk. By extrapolating information on the case fatality rate for different methods of suicide, we calculated that one life was saved for every 10 gun-removal actions, similar to results of a previous study in Connecticut. Perspectives from key stakeholders are also presented along with implications for gun policy reform and implementation

Draft Genome Sequences for the Frankia sp. strains CgS1, CcI156 and CgMI4, Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Isolated from Casuarina sp. in Egypt

Frankia sp. strains CgS1, CcI156 and CgMI4 were isolated from Casuarina glauca and C. cunninghamiana nodules. Here, we report the 5.26-, 5.33- and 5.20-Mbp draft genome sequences of Frankia sp. strains CgS1, CcI156 and CgMI4, respectively. Analysis of the genome revealed the presence of high numbers of secondary metabolic biosynthetic gene clusters

Evaluation of nutrient intakes of pregnant and non-pregnant women

During pregnancy, women need to increase their energy intake and certain vitamins and minerals to ensure that both the mother and fetus remain healthy. Therefore, it is crucial that women-- both pregnant and those capable of becoming pregnant-- are properly nourished to provide a healthy environment for their child. The objective of this study was to determine if pregnant women’s dietary intakes meet their dietary reference intakes (DRIs) independent of supplementation and to determine if non-pregnant women of childbearing age have adequate intakes of key nutrients important for conception and pregnancy. Our study examined 15 pregnant and 15 non-pregnant women between the ages of 20 and 33 years recruited from the Urbana-Champaign area. Study participants completed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). FFQ data was then analyzed using Diet*Calc (2013, NCI) and Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Nutrient data was compared to the 2001 Dietary Reference Intake values. There were no differences in mean nutrient intakes between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Both pregnant and non-pregnant women exceeded the DRIs for vitamins A, B12, and C, riboflavin, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Our findings indicate that both pregnant and non-pregnant women from the Champaign-Urbana area may benefit from dietary education and/or supplementation in order to prevent development of adverse health effects in the fetus.Ope

Draft Genome Sequence for Frankia sp. Strain BMG5.11, a Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterium Isolated from Elaeagnus angustifolia

Frankia sp. strain BMG5.11, which was isolated from Elaeagnus angustifolia nodules, is able to infect other actinorhizal plants, including Elaeagnaceae, Rhamnaceae, Colletieae, Gymnostoma, and Myricaceae. Here, we report the 11.3-Mbp draft genome sequence of Frankia sp. strain BMG5.11, with a G+C content of 69.9% and 9,926 candidate protein-encoding genes

Draft Genome Sequences of 10 Bacterial Strains Isolated from Root Nodules of Alnus Trees in New Hampshire

Here, we report the draft genome sequences obtained for 10 bacterial strains isolated from root nodules of Alnus trees. These members of the nodule microbiome were sequenced to determine their potential functional roles in plant health. The selected strains belong to the genera Rhodococcus, Kocuria, Rothia, Herbaspirillum, Streptomyces, and Thiopseudomonas

Creating Porcine Biomedical Models Through Recombineering

Recent advances in genomics provide genetic information from humans and other mammals (mouse, rat, dog and primates) traditionally used as models as well as new candidates (pigs and cattle). In addition, linked enabling technologies, such as transgenesis and animal cloning, provide innovative ways to design and perform experiments to dissect complex biological systems. Exploitation of genomic information overcomes the traditional need to choose naturally occurring models. Thus, investigators can utilize emerging genomic knowledge and tools to create relevant animal models. This approach is referred to as reverse genetics. In contrast to ‘forward genetics’, in which gene(s) responsible for a particular phenotype are identified by positional cloning (phenotype to genotype), the ‘reverse genetics’ approach determines the function of a gene and predicts the phenotype of a cell, tissue, or organism (genotype to phenotype). The convergence of classical and reverse genetics, along with genomics, provides a working definition of a ‘genetic model’ organism (3). The recent construction of phenotypic maps defining quantitative trait loci (QTL) in various domesticated species provides insights into how allelic variations contribute to phenotypic diversity. Targeted chromosomal regions are characterized by the construction of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contigs to isolate and characterize genes contributing towards phenotypic variation. Recombineering provides a powerful methodology to harvest genetic information responsible for phenotype. Linking recombineering with gene-targeted homologous recombination, coupled with nuclear transfer (NT) technology can provide ‘clones’ of genetically modified animals

Draft Genome Sequence of the Symbiotic Frankia sp. strain B2 isolated from root nodules of Casuarina cunninghamiana found in Algeria

Frankia sp. strain B2 was isolated from Casuarina cunninghamiana nodules. Here, we report the 5.3-Mbp draft genome sequence of Frankia sp. strain B2 with a G+C content of 70.1 % and 4,663 candidate protein-encoding genes. Analysis of the genome revealed the presence of high numbers of secondary metabolic biosynthetic gene clusters

The CMS experiment at the CERN LHC

The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector is described. The detector operates at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. It was conceived to study proton-proton (and leadlead) collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 14 TeV (5.5 TeV nucleon-nucleon) and at luminosities up to 1034 cm-2s-1 (1027 cm-2s-1). At the core of the CMS detector sits a high-magnetic field and large-bore superconducting solenoid surrounding an all-silicon pixel and strip tracker, a lead-tungstate scintillating-crystals electromagnetic calorimeter, and a brass-scintillator sampling hadron calorimeter. The iron yoke of the flux-return is instrumented with four stations of muon detectors covering most of the 4π solid angle. Forward sampling calorimeters extend the pseudorapidity coverage to high values (|η| ≤ 5) assuring very good hermeticity. The overall dimensions of the CMS detector are a length of 21.6 m, a diameter of 14.6 m and a total weight of 12500 t