Nitrogen and Fiber Digestion in Sheep Fed Fresh-Frozen and Field-Dried High and Low Tannin Sericea Lespedeza

Field-drying reduces extractable condensed tannin (CT) of sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata (Dum-Cours) G. Don], but effects on specific bound and unbound forms of CT and the relationship to protein and fiber digestion in ruminants are unclear. Intake and digestibility of fresh-frozen and field-dried high- and low-tannin sericea were investigated in a feeding trial with sheep (Ovis spp.). Field-drying had no effect on crude protein (CP) and fiber content of sericea, but shifted CT from extractable to bound forms. Digestion coefficients for CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were lower for high-tannin sericea than the low-tannin type. Field-drying had no effect on fiber digestibility but increased CP digestibility and N retention in sheep fed high-tannin forage. Apparent digestion of CT was high for all treatments, but this is likely due to difficulty in analyzing CT in fecal material. Nutritional effects of CT in sericea lespedeza are related to both total CT and proportion of bound and unbound CT in the forage

Tannin containing legumes as a model for nutraceuticals against digestive parasites in livestock

Parasitic infections with gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) still represent a worldwide major pathological threat associated with the outdoor production of various livestock species. Because of the widespread resistance to synthetic chemical anthelmintics, there is a strong impetus to explore novel approaches for a more integrated management of the infections. The use of nutraceuticals in the control of GINs is one of the alternatives which has been widely studied for since 20 years. The objectives of this review are: i) to define and illustrate the concept of ‘nutraceutical’ in the context of veterinary parasitology based on data obtained on the most studied GIN models in small ruminants, the tannin-containing legumes (Fabaceae); ii) to illustrate how the ‘nutraceutical concept’ could be expanded to other plants, other livestock production systems and other GI parasitic diseases, and iii) to explain how this concept is opening up new research fields for better understanding the interactions between the host, the digestive parasites and the environment

Anthelmintic Effects of Sericea Lespedeza Hay Fed to Goats Infected With \u3cem\u3eHaemonchus Contortus\u3c/em\u3e

Infection with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), particularly Haemonchus contortus, is the major hindrance to economic goat production in the southern USA. Grazing forages high in condensed tannins (CT) or adding purified CT to the diet has been shown to reduce numbers of parasite eggs in sheep and goat faeces (Min & Hart, 2003). An alternative to grazing is feeding hay from CT-containing forages to livestock to reduce the effects of GIN (Shaik et al., 2004). The purpose of the current study was to test potential anthelmintic effects of feeding sericea lespedeza [(Lespedeza cuneata (Dum.-Cours.) G. Don] hay to goats

Reduction of fibrillar strain-rate sensitivity in steroid-induced osteoporosis linked to changes in mineralized fibrillar nanostructure

As bone is used in a dynamic mechanical environment, understanding the structural origins of its time-dependent mechanical behaviour – and the alterations in metabolic bone disease – is of interest. However, at the scale of the mineralized fibrillar matrix (nanometre-level), the nature of the strain-rate dependent mechanics is incompletely understood. Here, we investigate the fibrillar- and mineral-deformation behaviour in a murine model of Cushing’s syndrome, used to understand steroid induced osteoporosis, using synchrotron small- and wide-angle scattering/diffraction combined with in situ tensile testing at three strain rates ranging from 10-4 to 10-1 s-1. We find that the effective fibril- and mineral-modulus and fibrillar-reorientation show no significant increase with strain-rate in osteoporotic bone, but increase significantly in normal (wild-type) bone. By applying a fibril-lamellar two-level structural model of bone matrix deformation to fit the results, we obtain indications that altered collagen-mineral interactions at the nanoscale – along with altered fibrillar orientation distributions – may be the underlying reason for this altered strain-rate sensitivity. Our results suggest that an altered strain-rate sensitivity of the bone matrix in osteoporosis may be one of the contributing factors to reduced mechanical competence in such metabolic bone disorders, and that increasing this sensitivity may improve biomechanical performance

Researching the use of force: The background to the international project

This article provides the background to an international project on use of force by the police that was carried out in eight countries. Force is often considered to be the defining characteristic of policing and much research has been conducted on the determinants, prevalence and control of the use of force, particularly in the United States. However, little work has looked at police officers’ own views on the use of force, in particular the way in which they justify it. Using a hypothetical encounter developed for this project, researchers in each country conducted focus groups with police officers in which they were encouraged to talk about the use of force. The results show interesting similarities and differences across countries and demonstrate the value of using this kind of research focus and methodology

Optimising Psychoeducation for Transient Ischaemic Attack and Minor Stroke Management (OPTIMISM): Protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial

Background: A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke are medical emergencies and often a warning sign of future strokes if remain untreated. Few studies have investigated the long-term psychosocial effects of TIA and minor stroke. Secondary prevention and medical management are often the primary focus with limited access offered for further psychosocial support. Psychoeducational interventions can provide education and advice to people with physical health conditions and, with suitable tailoring, could be appropriate for people after TIA and minor stroke. This study aims to develop a group psychoeducational intervention for people after TIA and minor stroke and to test whether it is acceptable and feasible. Methods: This mixed-methodology study involves two phases: Phase 1) A qualitative study to determine the content of a suitable intervention; Phase 2) A single-centre feasibility randomised controlled trial to evaluate the acceptability of this intervention. The overall study has ethical approval. Stroke survivors have been involved in designing and monitoring the trial. The aim is to recruit 30-40 participants from a Stroke/TIA Service, within 6 months following their diagnosis. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the usual care control group or the intervention group (psychoeducational programme). The programme will consist of six group sessions based on providing education, psychological and social support. The primary outcomes will relate to the feasibility aims of the study. Outcomes will be collected at 3 and 6 months to assess mood, quality of life, knowledge and satisfaction, and resource use. Discussion: There is a need to develop and evaluate effective interventions that enhance the education provided to people after TIA and minor stroke and to promote their psychosocial wellbeing. Findings will indicate the acceptability of the intervention and parameters needed to conduct a definitive trial