Pain, Pathos, and Paranoia: Responses to the Unstructured OB Course

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/69041/2/10.1177_105256298200700405.pd

Effects of Added Calcium Carbonate on Weanling Pig Growth Performance

A total of 695 barrows (DNA Line 200 × 400; initially 12.9 lb) were used in two groups in a 28-d study to evaluate the effects of added dietary calcium carbonate on phase 1 nursery pig growth performance and fecal dry matter. Upon arrival to the nursery research facility, pigs were randomly assigned to pens (5 pigs per pen) and pens were allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments with 27 or 28 pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were formulated to provide 0, 0.45, 0.90, 1.35, and 1.80% calcium carbonate added at the expense of corn. Analyzed Ca for treatment diets were 0.61, 0.80, 0.99, 1.15, and 1.37%, respectively. Standardized total tract P concentration was formulated to 0.58% in all diets. Diets were fed in two phases with treatment diets fed from weaning (d 0) to d 14 and a common phase 2 diet fed from d 14 to 28. Treatment diets were fed in both meal (group 1) and pellet (group 2) form. There was no evidence for treatment × group interaction observed, so data from both groups were combined. From d 0 to 14 (treatment period), ADG, d 14 BW, and F/G worsened (linear, P = 0.010) as calcium carbonate increased. There was no evidence for difference for ADFI (P \u3e 0.10). From d 14 to 28 (common period) and for the overall experiment (d 0 to 28), there was no evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences observed for any growth performance criteria. For fecal dry matter, there was a tendency (quadratic, P = 0.091) with the highest and lowest calcium carbonate diets having the highest dry matter. In summary, increasing dietary calcium carbonate from 0 to 1.80% decreases ADG and worsens feed efficiency in phase 1 nursery diets. Despite the linear response, the largest decrease was observed when calcium carbonate increased from 0.45 to 0.90% with no difference in performance thereafter. These data suggest that lower levels of calcium carbonate can be used than are typically added to phase 1 diets

Effect of Calcium Carbonate Level with or without Benzoic Acid on Weanling Pig Growth Performance, Fecal Dry Matter, and Blood Calcium and Phosphorus Concentrations

A total of 360 barrows (DNA Line 200 × 400; initially 13.6 ± 0.07 lb) were used in a 38-d study to evaluate the interactive effects of added dietary calcium carbonate and benzoic acid on nursery pig growth performance, fecal dry matter, and blood Ca and P concentration. Upon arrival to the nursery research facility, pigs were randomly assigned to pens (5 pigs per pen) and pens were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 12 pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were formulated to provide 0.45, 0.90, or 1.35% calcium carbonate, with or without 0.5% benzoic acid (VevoVitall, DSM Nutritional Products, Parsippany, NJ). Diets were fed in three phases with phase 1 treatment diets (0.66, 0.83, or 1.00% Ca) fed from weaning (d 0) to d 10; phase 2 treatment diets (0.54, 0.72, or 0.89% Ca) fed from d 10 to 24; and a common phase 3 diet from d 24 to 38 (0.68% Ca). Standardized total tract P concentrations were formulated to 0.58, 0.51, and 0.47 in phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There were no calcium carbonate × benzoic acid interactions observed for any response criteria (P \u3e 0.10). From d 0 to 10 (phase 1), there was evidence for benzoic acid to marginally increase (P = 0.092) ADG and significantly increase (P = 0.042) ADFI. From d 10 to 24 (phase 2), F/G improved (P = 0.022) as the level of calcium carbonate decreased. For the overall experimental period (d 0 to 24), there was a tendency for benzoic acid to improve (P = 0.056) ADG and (P = 0.071) ADFI, as well as an improvement (linear, P = 0.014) in F/G as calcium carbonate in the diet decreased. During the common period (d 24 to 38), pigs previously fed benzoic acid had increased (P = 0.045) ADG and marginally increased (P = 0.091) ADFI. For the overall study, pigs fed benzoic acid had increased (P = 0.011) ADG and (P = 0.030) ADFI and marginally improved (P = 0.096) F/G. For fecal DM, there was no observed evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences among treatments. For serum analysis, serum Ca decreased (P \u3c 0.001) as the level of dietary calcium carbonate decreased. These data suggests that lower levels of calcium carbonate may improve feed efficiency in the early nursery period. Also, nursery pigs fed benzoic acid had increased ADG and ADFI, and tended to have improved F/G

Effect of Increasing the Level of a Modified Corn Protein on Nursery Pig Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency, and Fecal Dry Matter

A total of 360 barrows (DNA 200 × 400; initially 13.4 ± 0.12 lb) were used in a 38-d study to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of a modified corn protein product on nursery pig growth performance and fecal dry matter. Upon arrival to the nursery research facility, pigs were randomly assigned to pens (5 pigs per pen) and pens were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 12 pens per treatment. Experimental diets were fed in two phases with phase 1 fed from d 0 to 10 and phase 2 fed from d 10 to 25. Phase 1 diets were formulated with 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15% of a modified corn protein or 6% enzymatically treated soybean meal (ESBM). The inclusion level of the test protein source and ESBM for the phase 2 diets were: 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, and 3%, respec­tively. A common phase 3 diet was fed from d 25 to 38. Phase 1 treatment diets were fed in pellet form, with phases 2 and 3 fed in meal form. During the phase 1 period, there was no evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences in ADG, ADFI, or F/G. There was a tendency (linear, P = 0.092) for increased d 10 BW as the level of the modified corn protein increased. From d 10 to 25 (phase 2 period), increasing the level of modified corn protein increased (quadratic, P = 0.037) d 25 BW, ADG (quadratic, P = 0.026) and ADFI (quadratic, P = 0.034). Feed efficiency worsened (linear, P = 0.063) with increasing levels of modified corn protein source. From d 0 to 25 (experimental period), ADG (quadratic, P = 0.030) and ADFI (quadratic, P = 0.036) increased, and F/G worsened (linear, P = 0.006). From d 25 to 38 (common period), there was no evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences in growth performance. For the overall experiment, ADG (quadratic, P = 0.028) and ADFI (quadratic, P = 0.032) increased then decreased, with pigs fed the intermediate inclusion of modified corn protein (6.0 and 3.0% in phases 1 and 2, respectively) having the best performance. There was also evidence (linear, P = 0.066) for F/G to worsen as the inclusion level of modified corn protein increased and this may be reflective of lower energy diets and/or overestimation of the energy value of the modified corn protein product. Fecal DM on d 25 tended to increase (quadratic, P = 0.051) as the level of the modified corn protein was increased, although no evidence of a difference (P \u3e 0.10) was observed between treatments on d 10. There was greater (P = 0.004) fecal DM on d 25 compared to d 10. These data suggest that the modified corn protein tested in this trial may be an alternative protein source to consider for nursery pig diets, when fed up to 12% in phase 1 and 6% in phase 2. Addi­tional research should be conducted to confirm the energy value of the modified corn protein product utilized in this study

Effects of Varying the Acid-Binding Capacity-4 in Diets Utilizing Specialty Soy Products with or without Pharmacological Levels of Zinc on Nursery Pig Performance

A total of 1,057 pigs (PIC TR4 × [Fast LW × PIC L02]; initially 13.7 lb) were used to evaluate the effects of acid-binding capacity-4 (ABC-4) with or without pharmacological levels of Zn on nursery pig performance. At weaning, pigs were allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments based on initial weight. There were 22 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial consisting of a low and high ABC-4 level with or without pharmacological levels of Zn provided by ZnO. The low ABC-4 diets contained 13.0 and 10.75% novel soy protein concentrate (AX3 Digest; Protekta; Plainfield, IN) in phase 1 and 2, respectively. The high ABC-4 diets contained 15.85 and 13.15% enzymatically treated soybean meal (HP 300; Hamlet Protein; Findlay, OH) in phase 1 and 2, respectively, replacing the soy protein concentrate on an SID Lys basis. The low ABC-4 diets without ZnO were formulated to 150 and 200 meq in phase 1 and 2, respectively. Replacing novel soy protein concentrate with enzymatically treated soybean meal increased the ABC-4 of the diet by approximately 104 to 127 meq/kg. Diets with added ZnO increased the ABC-4 of the diet by approximately 60 to 65 meq/kg. Pigs were fed experimental diets during phase 1 (d 0 to 7) and phase 2 (d 7 to 21). Following phase 2, pigs were placed on a common diet for an additional 21 d (d 21 to 42). During the experimental period, ABC-4 × ZnO interactions were observed (P ≤ 0.026) where pigs fed a low ABC-4 diet had improved (P \u3c 0.05) ADG and F/G when ZnO was not present, but no differences (P \u3e 0.10) were observed based on ABC-4 level when ZnO was added. Overall, there was an ABC-4 × ZnO interaction (P = 0.002) observed where pigs fed a high ABC-4 had increased (P \u3c 0.05) removals and mortalities when ZnO was not present, and no differences (P \u3e 0.10) due to ABC-4 level were observed when ZnO was added. For economics, there was an ABC-4 × ZnO interaction (P ≤ 0.039) where pigs fed low ABC-4 diets had increased (P \u3c 0.05) gain value, feed cost, and IOFC when ZnO was not present, and no differences (P \u3e 0.10) due to ABC-4 level were observed when ZnO was added. In summary, a low ABC-4 diet can improve growth performance, reduce the instance of removals and mortalities, and improve economics in nursery pigs when ZnO is not present in the diet

Evaluation of a Dried Fermentation Product Administered Through Drinking Water in a Commercial Environment on Nursery Pig Mortalities, Antibiotic Injections, and Growth Performance

A total of 34,399 commercial nursery pigs (initially 12.2 lb) were used in 20 nursery barns with 10 barns per treatment to determine the effectiveness of a dried fermentation product (DFP) on nursery pig mortalities, antibiotic injection frequency, and close-out growth performance. The target dosage of the DFP for the first 14 d was 35 mg/kg BW based on the actual dosage of a previous experiment. Following the 14-d supplementation period, pigs continued to be monitored until they were moved from the barn at approximately d 45. The first 6 replicates consisted of the DFP as the sole source of water additive from d 0 to 14, while the last 4 replicates included water-soluble antibiotics with the DFP. During the supplementation period, there was no evidence that the DFP influenced the percentage of pigs that died or total mortality. However, the DFP reduced the percentage of pigs that were euthanized. During the common period, the DFP increased the percentage of pigs euthanized and tended to increase mortality percentage. For the overall experiment, providing the DFP did not influence growth performance. When providing the DFP, there was an increase in the percentage of pigs requiring euthanasia and therefore an increase in overall mortality. For injections, providing the DFP for the first 14 d reduced the number of pigs injected from d 14 to d 45 by the end of the nursery and the overall nursery period

Evaluation of a Dried Fermentation Product Administered Through Drinking Water on Nursery Pig Growth Performance, Fecal Consistency, and Antibiotic Injections

A total of 350 barrows (DNA Line 200 × 400; initially 13.5 ± 0.02 lb) were used in a 42-d study to evaluate the effects of a dried fermentation product administered through drinking water on nursery pig growth performance, antibiotic injection frequency, fecal consistency, and fecal E. coli presence. Upon arrival to the nursery research facility, pigs were randomly assigned to pens (5 pigs per pen) and pens were allotted to 1 of 2 water treatments with 35 pens per treatment. Water treatments were provided with or without a fermentation product administered through the water lines at a 1:128 dilution rate from d 0 to 14 after weaning. From d 0 to 14, 14 to 42, and for the overall experiment, there was no evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences observed for any growth performance criteria. There was evidence (P \u3c 0.05) for day effect on diarrhea presence. Diarrhea presence increased on d 4 and 6, then decreased to low levels. There was no evidence for the fermentation product to influence diarrhea incidence. For antibiotic injections, there was no evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences observed between treatments. Mortalities were low, with no evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences observed between treatments for removals or mortalities. For fecal dry matter on d 7 and 14, there was no evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences observed between treatments. In summary, under these experimental conditions, administering a dried fermentation product for the first 14 d in the nursery through the drinking water did not improve growth performance, fecal dry matter, diarrhea presence, antibiotic injections, or removals and mortalities in nursery pigs. Further evaluation of the dried fermentation product in commercial facilities with greater diarrhea and mortality is needed

Evaluation of a Dried Fermentation Product Administered Through Drinking Water on Nursery Pig Growth Performance, Fecal Consistency, and Antibiotic Injections

A total of 350 barrows (DNA 200 × 400; initially 13.5 ± 0.02 lb) were used in a 42-d study to evaluate the effects of a dried fermentation product administered through drinking water on nursery pig growth performance, antibiotic injection frequency, fecal consistency, and fecal Escherichia coli presence. Upon arrival to the nursery research facility, pigs were randomly assigned to pens (5 pigs per pen) and pens were allotted to 1 of 2 water treatments with 35 pens per treatment. Water treatments were provided with or without a fermentation product administered through the water lines at a 1:128 dilution rate from d 0 to 14 after weaning. From d 0 to 14, 14 to 42, and for the overall experiment, there was no evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences observed for any growth performance criteria. There was evidence (P \u3c 0.05) for day effect on diarrhea presence. Diarrhea presence increased on d 4 and 6, then decreased to low levels. There was no evidence for the fermentation product to influence diarrhea incidence. For antibiotic injections, there was no evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences observed between treatments. Mortalities were low, with no evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences observed between treatments for removals or mortalities. For fecal dry matter on d 7 and 14, there was no evidence (P \u3e 0.10) for differences observed between treatments. In summary, under these experimental conditions, administering a dried fermentation product for the first 14 d in the nursery through the drinking water did not improve growth performance, fecal dry matter, diarrhea presence, antibiotic injections, or removals and mortalities in nursery pigs. Further evaluation of the dried fermentation product in commercial facilities with greater diarrhea and mortality is needed

Taqman Real-Time PCR Detects Avipoxvirus DNA in Blood of Hawaìi `Amakihi (Hemignathus virens)

Margaret E. M. Farias et al...Background Avipoxvirus sp. is a significant threat to endemic bird populations on several groups of islands worldwide, including Hawaìi, the Galapagos Islands, and the Canary Islands. Accurate identification and genotyping of Avipoxvirus is critical to the study of this disease and how it interacts with other pathogens, but currently available methods rely on invasive sampling of pox-like lesions and may be especially harmful in smaller birds. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we present a nested TaqMan Real-Time PCR for the detection of the Avipoxvirus 4b core protein gene in archived blood samples from Hawaiian birds. The method was successful in amplifying Avipoxvirus DNA from packed blood cells of one of seven Hawaiian honeycreepers with confirmed Avipoxvirus infections and 13 of 28 Hawaìi `amakihi (Hemignathus virens) with suspected Avipoxvirus infections based on the presence of pox-like lesions. Mixed genotype infections have not previously been documented in Hawaìi but were observed in two individuals in this study. Conclusions/Significance We anticipate that this method will be applicable to other closely related strains of Avipoxvirus and will become an important and useful tool in global studies of the epidemiology of Avipoxvirus.Funding for this study was provided by: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (biology.usgs.gov/pierc/); U.S. Geological Survey Wildlife (biology.usgs.gov/wter/) and Invasive Species (biology.usgs.gov/invasive/) Programs; National Science Foundation (DEB0083944, www.nsf.gov); NIH/NCRR IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), P20RR016467 (http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/research_infrast​ructure/institutional_development_award/​idea_networks_of_biomedical_research_exc​ellence/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewe

Stability Properties of Underdominance in Finite Subdivided Populations

In isolated populations underdominance leads to bistable evolutionary dynamics: below a certain mutant allele frequency the wildtype succeeds. Above this point, the potentially underdominant mutant allele fixes. In subdivided populations with gene flow there can be stable states with coexistence of wildtypes and mutants: polymorphism can be maintained because of a migration-selection equilibrium, i.e., selection against rare recent immigrant alleles that tend to be heterozygous. We focus on the stochastic evolutionary dynamics of systems where demographic fluctuations in the coupled populations are the main source of internal noise. We discuss the influence of fitness, migration rate, and the relative sizes of two interacting populations on the mean extinction times of a group of potentially underdominant mutant alleles. We classify realistic initial conditions according to their impact on the stochastic extinction process. Even in small populations, where demographic fluctuations are large, stability properties predicted from deterministic dynamics show remarkable robustness. Fixation of the mutant allele becomes unlikely but the time to its extinction can be long