The possibility of in vitro multi-enzymatic method application for the assessment of the influence of thermal treatments on organic matter digestibility of feed for ruminants

In vitro multi-enzymatic method is a two-step procedure that uses exogenous enzymes for incubation of feed that aim to imitate digestive processes in the animal. It is used for determination of organic matter digestibility (OMD) of various feedstuffs and complete mixtures used in ruminant nutrition. The aim of the present work was to determine whether this in vitro multi-enzymatic method can be applied for the assessment of the influence of thermal treatments on OMD of feed for ruminants. Samples of corn and complete mixture for cows (based on corn) were subjected to pelleting, steam flaking, micronization and extrusion. Statistical analysis of the results did not show significant increase of corn and complete mixture OMD after various thermal treatments compared to untreated samples, which can be explained by high digestibility of corn itself (exceeds 90%). Based on obtained results it can be concluded that applied in vitro method is not suitable for the assessment of the influence of thermal treatments on OMD of corn and corn based mixture, while future research should be broadened to analysis of samples with lower OMD, such as sorghum, oats and barley

EMU Detection of a Large and Low Surface Brightness Galactic SNR G288.8-6.3

We present the serendipitous detection of a new Galactic Supernova Remnant (SNR), G288.8-6.3 using data from the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP)-Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) survey. Using multi-frequency analysis, we confirm this object as an evolved Galactic SNR at high Galactic latitude with low radio surface brightness and typical SNR spectral index of $\alpha = -0.41\pm0.12$. To determine the magnetic field strength in SNR G288.8-6.3, we present the first derivation of the equipartition formulae for SNRs with spectral indices $\alpha>-0.5$. The angular size is 1.\!^\circ 8\times 1.\!^\circ 6 (107.\!^\prime 6 \times 98.\!^\prime 4) and we estimate that its intrinsic size is $\sim40$pc which implies a distance of $\sim1.3$kpc and a position of $\sim140$pc above the Galactic plane. This is one of the largest angular size and closest Galactic SNRs. Given its low radio surface brightness, we suggest that it is about 13000 years old.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

New records and noteworthy data of plants, algae and fungi in SE Europe and adjacent regions, 11

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: red algae Sheathia confusa, parasitic fungus Anthracoidea caryophylleae, mycorrhizal fugus Hydnellum caeruleum, bryoparasitic fungus Octospora erzbergeri, liverwort Cephaloziella baumgartneri, mosses Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Streblotrichum convolutum var. commutatum and Ulota crispula, monocots Ophrys bertolonii subsp. bertolonii, Ophrys scolopax subsp. cornuta and Spiranthes spiralis and dicots Androsace hedraeantha, Hieracium mrazii, Ramonda nathaliae and Triglochin palustris are given within SE Europe and adjacent regions

Efficacy of T-2 toxin detoxifying agent in broiler chickens

This investigation was conducted in order to investigate the efficacy of the detoxifying agent Mycofix® Plus (MP) in the prevention and/or alleviation in vivo adverse effects of T-2 toxin in broilers. In addition, the adsorbing potential of MP was estimated in vitro. Mean degradation levels of T-2 toxin with MP in vitro, as measured by HPTLC, varied from 26.06 to 31.02 % and the adsorption ability was elevated in acidic environment (pH 3). In vivo trial was performed on 160 one day old "Ross" broiler chicks and lasted for 21 days. Birds were divided into 4 equal groups as follows: Group 1 - negative control; Group 2 - positive control - 2 ppm T-2 toxin; Group 3 - 2 ppm T-2 toxin+2 kg/t MP; Group 4 - 2 kg/t MP. Broilers fed the diet containing 2 mg/kg of T-2 toxin without MP developed typical T-2 toxicosis. Birds that were fed the diet containing both T-2 and MP had better performances and no oral ulcerations as the dominant sign of T-2 toxicosis were observed. Histopathological examination of tissues originating from birds fed the diet containing T-2 toxin revealed degenerative changes in the oral and small intestine mucosa, necroses of enterocytes and hepatocytes, as well as depletion of lymphocytes in the bursa Fabricii. Immunohistochemical examination also revealed negative effects of T-2 toxin on cells proliferation in intestineal and bile duct mucosa, as well as on lymphocytes from bursa Fabricii. The macroscopic and microscopic structure of the liver, intestine and bursa Fabricii of broilers fed a diet containing T-2 toxin and MP was mostly preserved. Cutaneous basophile hypersensitivity reaction was weaker in broilers fed mixtures containing 2 mg/kg T-2 toxin

Radiographic cephalometry analysis of condylar position after bimaxillary osteotomy in patients with mandibular prognathism

Background/Aim. Postoperative condylar position is a substantial concern in surgical correction of mandibular prognathism. Orthognathic surgery may change condylar position and this is considered a contributing factor for early skeletal relapse and the induction of temporomandibular disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in condylar position, and to correlate angular skeletal measurements following bimaxillary surgery. Methods. On profile teleradiographs of 21 patients with mandibular angular and linear parametres, the changes in condylar position, were measured during preoperative orthodontic treatment and 6 months after the surgical treatment. Results. A statistically significant difference in values between the groups was found. The most distal point on the head of condyle point (DI) moved backward for 1.38 mm (p = 0.02), and the point of center of collum mandibulae point (DC) moved backward for 1.52 mm (p = 0.007). The amount of upward movement of the point DI was 1.62 mm (p = 0.04). Conclusion. In the patients with mandibular prognathism, the condyles tend to migrate upward and forward six months after bimaxillary surgery

Characterization of pH resistance and the proteolytic activity of GABA producing Lactobacillus brevis BGZLS10-17 in preparation of fermented milk beverage and the effects on the symptoms of the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The aim of this work was to study the probiotic effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producer Lactobacillus brevis BGZLS10-17 on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an experimental animal MS model. Clinical EAE symptoms were monitored in Dark Agouti (DA) rats treated with L. brevis BGZLS10-17 strain, or supernatant obtained from 48 h culture of L. brevis BGZLS10-17 cultivated in growth medium with or without GABA precursor monosodium glutamate (MSG). The results revealed that oral administration of L. brevis BGZLS10-17 alleviates the symptoms of EAE in DA rats. Namely, treatment with BGZLS10-17 and the supernatant of the strain cultivated in medium with MSG delayed the onset, shortened the duration, and reduced the intensity of the disease in the period when the EAE symptoms in controls were most pronounced. The probiotic treated animals were completely recovered after forty days, unlike the control animals. The results indicate that supplementation with live strain or with supernatant containing GABA produced by L. brevis BGZLS10-17 could alleviate the EAE symptoms. However, the use of L. brevis BGZLS10-17 in functional food as probiotic for autoimmune diseases should be tested in clinical trials