Long-term trajectories of densely reported depressive symptoms during an extended period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: Social worries matter.

Previous mental health trajectory studies were mostly limited to the months before access to vaccination. They are not informing on whether public mental health has adapted to the pandemic. The aim of this analysis was to 1) investigate trajectories of monthly reported depressive symptoms from July 2020 to December 2021 in Switzerland, 2) compare average growth trajectories across regions with different stringency phases, and 3) explore the relative impact of self-reported worries related to health, economic and social domains as well as socio-economic indicators on growth trajectories. As part of the population-based Corona Immunitas program of regional, but harmonized, adult cohorts studying the pandemic course and impact, participants repeatedly reported online to the DASS-21 instrument on depressive symptomatology. Trajectories of depressive symptoms were estimated using a latent growth model, specified as a generalised linear mixed model. The time effect was modelled parametrically through a polynomial allowing to estimate trajectories for participants' missing time points. In all regions level and shape of the trajectories mirrored those of the KOF Stringency-Plus Index, which quantifies regional Covid-19 policy stringency. The higher level of average depression in trajectories of those expressing specific worries was most noticeable for the social domain. Younger age, female gender, and low household income went along with higher mean depression score trajectories throughout follow-up. Interventions to promote long-term resilience are an important part of pandemic preparedness, given the observed lack of an adaptation in mental health response to the pandemic even after the availability of vaccines in this high-income context.

Phytate degradation and phosphorus digestibility in broilers and turkeys fed different corn sources with or without added phytase.

The aim of the present study was to test whether different dietary corn sources and phytase supplementation affect the prececal phosphorus digestibility (pcdP) and appearance of inositol phosphates in the lower ileum of growing broiler chickens and turkeys. Two experiments were conducted, one with broiler chickens and one with turkeys. Four corn diets were provided; these were formulated to contain low P and calcium (Ca) contents and incorporated 43% of one of the four different corn sources. Diets were either unsupplemented or supplemented with 500 FTU of an Escherichia coli-derived phytase/kg feed. Experimental diets were fed ad libitum from day 20 post-hatch. At 28 d of age, digesta were sampled from the lower ileum of animals to determine pcdP and pc myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis (dihydrogen phosphate) (InsP6) degradation and to analyze the concentrations of lower inositol phosphate isomers. The pcdP of non-supplemented diets ranged from 51 to 60% and from 22 to 28% in broilers and turkeys, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between the InsP6 content of the corn source and the pcdP of diets in broilers only. Without phytase supplementation, pc InsP6 degradation ranged from 64 to 76% in broilers and from 6 to 15% in turkeys. Phytase increased the pcdP by around 15% in broilers (P < 0.001) and 9 to 17% in turkeys (P < 0.001). In turkeys, phytase efficacy was greatest when the diets contained corn with higher contents of ether extract and InsP6. An effect of corn source on the appearance of lower InsPs in the ileal digesta was found in broilers only. These results suggest that broilers possess a greater capacity for InsP6 degradation and hydrolysis of lower InsPs compared with turkeys. Furthermore, the results are influenced by the corn source used. Further research is needed to identify the factors responsible for the low level of phytate degradation in turkeys in order to improve the availability of InsP6-P and the efficacy of phytase.

Effect of supplemental phytase and xylanase in wheat-based diets on prececal phosphorus digestibility and phytate degradation in young turkeys.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of phytase and a combination of phytase and xylanase on the prececal phosphorus digestibility (pcdP) of wheat-based diets in turkeys. A low-P basal diet (BD) based on cornstarch and soybean meal, and 2 diets containing 43% of different wheat genotypes (genotype diets GD6 or GD7) were fed to turkeys from 20 to 27 d of age. Diets were fed either without enzyme supplementation or supplemented with phytase (500 FTU/kg) or a combination of phytase and xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg). At 27 d of age, digesta were sampled from the lower ileum of animals to determine pcdP and pc myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis (dihydrogen phosphate) (InsP6) disappearance, and to analyze the concentrations of lower inositol phosphate isomers. Similar pcdP was observed in non-supplemented BD and GD (∼36%). Phytase alone increased the pcdP in all diets by 8 to 12%, but a beneficial effect of xylanase was found only for BD. Similar results were found for pc InsP6 disappearance, although xylanase addition compared to phytase alone decreased pc InsP6 disappearance in GD7 compared to phytase alone. Animals fed GD7 performed better than those fed GD6; however, these differences could not be linked to the pcdP. The pattern of lower inositol phosphates in digesta also changed with enzyme supplementation, resulting in lower proportions of InsP5 and higher proportions of InsP4. Phytase alone decreased Ins(1,2,3,4,6)P5 but increased D-Ins(1,2,3,4,5)P5 and D-Ins(1,2,5,6)P4 concentrations. An additional increase in D-Ins(1,2,3,4,5)P5 and D-Ins(1,2,5,6)P4 concentrations was achieved with xylanase, although for the former isomer, this was observed only with GD. These results indicate that enzyme supplementation alters the pc degradation of InsP6, and that combining both enzymes had a minor additional effect on the pcdP from wheat-based diets when compared to phytase alone.

Effect of the ionophore monensin and tannin extracts supplemented to grass silage on populations of ruminal cellulolytics and methanogens in vitro.

This study examined whether the methane-decreasing effect of monensin (∼21%) and different hydrolysable tannins (24%-65%) during in vitro fermentation of grass silage was accompanied by changes in abundances of cellulolytics and methanogens. Samples of liquid (LAM) and solid (SAM) associated microbes were obtained from two rumen simulation technique experiments in which grass silage was either tested in combination with monensin (0, 2 or 4 mg d-1) or with different tannin extracts from chestnut, valonea, sumac and grape seed (0 or 1.5 g d-1). Total prokaryotes were quantified by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindol (DAPI) staining of paraformaldehyde-ethanol-fixed cells and relative abundances of ruminal cellulolytic and methanogenic species were assessed by real time quantitative PCR. Results revealed no change in absolute numbers of prokaryotic cells with monensin treatment, neither in LAM nor in SAM. By contrast, supplementation of chestnut and grape seed tannins decreased total prokaryotic counts compared to control. However, relative abundances of total methanogens did not differ between tannin treatments. Thus, the decreased methane production by 65% and 24% observed for chestnut and grape seed tannins, respectively, may have been caused by a lower total number of methanogens, but methane production seemed to be also dependent on changes in the microbial community composition. While the relative abundance of F. succinogenes decreased with monensin addition, chestnut and valonea tannins inhibited R. albus. Moreover, a decline in relative abundances of Methanobrevibacter sp., especially M. ruminantium, and Methanosphaera stadtmanae was shown with supplementation of monensin or chestnut tannins. Proportions of Methanomicrobium mobile were decreased by monensin in LAM while chestnut and valonea had an increasing effect on this methanogenic species. Our results demonstrate a different impact of monensin and tannins on ruminal cellulolytics and gave indication that methane decrease by monensin and chestnut tannins was associated with decreased abundances of M. ruminantium and M. stadtmanae.

Variability of prececal phosphorus digestibility of triticale and wheat in broiler chickens.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the P digestibility of different wheat and triticale genotypes in growing broiler chickens. Additionally, the relationships between physical or chemical properties of genotypes and P digestibility were determined. A low P, low Ca basal diet based on cornstarch and soybean meal was supplemented with 20% or 40% of 8 different wheat or triticale genotypes at the expense of cornstarch. Experimental diets were fed to broilers between d 20 and 26 of age before digesta samples were collected from their lower ileum for determination of prececal P digestibility (pcdP). Triticale-based diets had an average pcdP of 54%. Neither the concentration of triticale nor the genotype itself affected the pcdP of diets. The pcdP of triticale genotypes calculated by linear regression analysis ranged from 53% to 78%. No correlations were found between physical or chemical properties (viscosity, phytase activity, total and phytate P contents) and the pcdP of triticale genotypes. In contrast, a significant (P < 0.05) effect of genotype and wheat concentration was observed in wheat-based diets. The average pcdP of diets decreased from 60% to 50% by increasing the wheat concentration from 20% to 40%. As no linear relationship was observed between P intake and the amount of pcdP in the diet, the pcdP (%) of wheat genotypes was calculated separately for both concentrations, and accounted for 38% to 67% and 20% to 38% with 20% and 40% wheat inclusion in diets, respectively. Single chemical and physical characteristics could not explain the observed differences in P digestibility. Our results revealed a high variation in the pcdP of different wheat and triticale genotypes that should be considered in diet formulation. However, further research is needed to identify factors that contribute to variation of P digestibility in both grains.

Results of an international phosphorus digestibility ring test with broiler chickens.

The objective of this ring test was to investigate the prececal phosphorus (P) digestibility of soybean meal (SBM) in broiler chickens using the trial protocol proposed by the World's Poultry Science Association. It was hypothesized that prececal P digestibility of SBM determined in the collaborating stations is similar. Three diets with different inclusion levels of SBM were mixed in a feed mill specialized in experimental diets and transported to 17 collaborating stations. Broiler chicks were raised on commercial starter diets according to station-specific management routine. Then they were fed the experimental diets for a minimum of 5 d before content of the posterior half of the ileum was collected. A minimum of 6 experimental replicates per diet was used in each station. All diets and digesta samples were analyzed in the same laboratory. Diet, station, and their interaction significantly affected (P < 0.05) the prececal digestibility values of P and calcium of the diets. The prececal P digestibility of SBM was determined by linear regression and varied among stations from 19 to 51%, with significant differences among stations. In a subset of 4 stations, the prececal disappearance of myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis (dihydrogen phosphate)-P; InsP6-P) also was studied. The prececal InsP6-P disappearance correlated well with the prececal P digestibility. We hypothesized that factors influencing InsP6 hydrolysis were main contributors to the variation in prececal P digestibility among stations. These factors were probably related to the feeding and housing conditions (floor pens or cages) of the birds in the pre-experimental phase. Therefore, we suggest that the World's Poultry Science Association protocol for the determination of digestible P be should extended to the standardization of the pre-experimental period. We also suggest that comparisons of P digestibility measurements among studies are made only with great caution until the protocol is more refined.

Effect of donor animal species and their feeding on the composition of the microbial community establishing in a rumen simulation.

AIMS: To investigate the effect of donor animal species and their feeding on the composition of the active fraction of rumen microbiota established during in vitro experiments with different forages. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rumen simulation experiments were conducted with maize silage (MS) and grass silage (GS) as substrates. Four experimental runs were performed with ruminal contents of sheep and cows fed either with hay and concentrate or with MS or GS, respectively. Liquid- and solid-associated microbes (LAM and SAM) were fixed for fluorescence in situ hybridization after 14 days of incubation. The LAM were characterized by higher proportions of Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroidetes, Deltaproteobacteria and Methanobacteriaceae at hay-concentrate-based feeding of the donor animals whereas counts of Gammaproteobacteria were lower. Similar results were found for SAM. Hay-concentrate-based feeding caused a higher ratio of Bacteria:Archaea in SAM. Incubations with GS seemed to enhance Bacteroidetes, Deltaproteobacteria and Archaea whereas numbers of Gammaproteobacteria were enhanced in MS experiments. The effect of the donor animal species was limited to the number of Archaea establishing in vitro being higher for sheep than for cows. CONCLUSIONS: The feeding of donor animals, more than the animal species itself, affects the composition of the ruminal microbial community that establishes in vitro. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Data suggest the need of a standardized approach for studying the rumen microbiota in a rumen simulation. Moreover, this study provides fundamental data on the composition of the ruminal microbial community when different diets are fed to donor animals.

Effects of the composition of the basal diet on the evaluation of mineral phosphorus sources and interactions with phytate hydrolysis in broilers.

The objectives of this study were to determine the availability of P from mineral phosphate sources by using different basal diets and measurement of P retention and prececal (pc) P digestibility as well as pc myo-inositol phosphate (InsP) degradation in broilers. Semi-synthetic and corn-soybean meal-based basal diets were used in experiment 1, and corn-based and wheat-based basal diets were used in experiment 2. Anhydrous monosodium phosphate (MSPa) or monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPh) was supplemented to increment the P concentration by 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15% or by 0.075 and 0.150% in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Titanium dioxide was used as an indigestible marker. Diets were pelleted through a 3-mm screen. In experiment 1, retention was measured based on total excreta collection from 20 to 24 d of age using 7 replicated birds per diet. In experiment 2, digesta from the terminal ileum was collected from 22-d-old broilers penned in groups of 19 with 5 replicated pens per diet. The P retention response to supplemented MSPa did not differ between the 2 basal diets in experiment 1. The response in pc P digestibility to MCPh supplements also did not differ between the 2 basal diets in experiment 2, as calculated by linear regression analysis. Hydrolysis of InsP6 measured on both the excreta and pc levels was high in the basal diets without a mineral P supplement. Mineral P supplementation significantly decreased (P < 0.05) InsP6 hydrolysis from the InsP-containing diets in both experiments. Thus, the choice of the basal diet did not affect the evaluation of the supplemented mineral P source. However, calculated values for mineral P sources need to be adjusted for the decline in hydrolysis of InsP contained in the basal diet that results from the P supplement.

Comparison of retention and prececal digestibility measurements in evaluating mineral phosphorus sources in broilers.

The objectives of this study were to compare measurements of retention and prececal (pc) digestibility in evaluating mineral phosphorus (P) sources in 3- and 5-wk-old broilers. A corn-soybean meal-based basal diet was used (0.35% P on DM basis). Anhydrous monosodium phosphate (MSP(a)) or anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate (DCP(a)) was supplemented to increment the P concentration by 0.08%, 0.16%, and 0.24%. Titanium dioxide was used as the indigestible marker. Two retention trials with excreta collection from d 16 to 20 and d 30 to 34 were conducted (n = 8 birds per diet). Another 8 pens of 10 birds from the same hatch were allocated to each diet on d 11 or 25 each to measure pc digestibility in both age periods. After 10 d of feeding, these birds were euthanized and the content of a defined section of the terminal ileum was obtained. Percentage P retention and pc digestibility for MSP(a) and DCP(a) were calculated by linear regression analysis. In 3-wk-old broilers, P retention for MSP(a) was 70% and significantly higher (P < 0.001) than for DCP(a) (29%). Values determined for pc digestibility at the same age were very similar (67% for MSP(a) and 30% for DCP(a); P < 0.001). In 5-wk-old broilers, P retention was 63% (MSP(a)) and 29% (DCP(a); P < 0.001) and pc digestibility was 54% (MSP(a)) and 25% (DCP(a); P = 0.002). We concluded that both retention and pc digestibility can be used for evaluating mineral P sources in broilers based on a regression approach. In 3-wk-old broilers, results obtained with both approaches were the same. In 5-wk-old broilers, the ranking of the 2 P sources was also the same for both approaches. Values did not differ significantly between the 2 age periods, but further studies on the relevance of broilers' age in P evaluation are suggested.

Comparison and evaluation of bone measurements for the assessment of mineral phosphorus sources in broilers.

The main objective of this study was to compare different bone measurements in response to supplements of mineral P sources. Comparisons were also made with P retention and digestibility responses determined in a companion study and with blood inorganic phosphate (P(i)) responses. A corn-soybean meal-based basal diet was used (0.35% total P on DM basis). Anhydrous monosodium phosphate (MSP(a)) or anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate (DCP(a)) was supplemented to increment the P concentration by 0.08%, 0.16%, or 0.24%. Each of the 7 diets was fed for 10 d starting 11 d (period 1) or 25 d posthatch (period 2). Bone ash and P were determined, and density criteria were measured using quantitative computed tomography. Responses were evaluated and compared based on linear regression analysis. In general, responses to MSP(a) had a greater slope than DCP(a) for all criteria studied. In period 1, differences between the slopes were significant (P < 0.05) for almost all bone criteria. In period 2, the slopes significantly differed for the amounts of ash and P of all bones studied, for tibia, tarsometatarus, and foot ash percentage, for total and cortical density of tibiae, but not for the other criteria. For the different bones, the ratio of slopes for MSP(a) and DCP(a) was very similar based on the amount of ash in both periods. Foot ash proved to be as sensitive as tibia ash for evaluation of mineral P sources in both periods. Ninety-four percent of the variance of the corticalis content based on quantitative computed tomography measurements could be explained by the amount of tibia ash in period 1. Blood serum P(i) and BW gain were not suitable for P evaluation. We concluded that the ranking of mineral P sources based on bone criteria differed from the ranking that was based on P retention or prececal digestibility. This underlines the need for developing a standard protocol of determination of available P in poultry.

A note on sampling digesta from the ileum of broilers in phosphorus digestibility studies.

The responses of broilers to increments of dietary P concentration in P retention and P prececal digestibility were studied in 2 experiments using Ross 308 broilers in their fourth week of age. The low-P basal diet was mainly based on corn, potato protein, and corn starch. Titanium dioxide was used as the indigestible marker. Monobasic calcium phosphate was added in 6 (experiment 1) or 5 (experiment 2) graded levels up to a maximum of 8.1 g of P/kg of the diet. Five (experiment 1) and 6 (experiment 2) replicated pens of 10 birds were used. Excreta were collected from trays underneath the pens. Birds were asphyxiated by carbon dioxide exposure and the ileum (from Meckel's diverticulum to 2-cm anterior to the ileo-ceca-colonic junction) was dissected. Digesta was collected from the entire section (experiment 1) or from 3 subsections of equal lengths (experiment 2). Excretion of P increased linearly with increasing dietary P concentration up to a level of about 5.2 g of P/kg of the diet and increased nonlinearly with further increase in dietary P. In contrast, P flow in the ileum increased linearly over the entire range of P intake. Up to the level of 5.2 g of P/kg of the diet, P excretion was slightly lower than P flow in the ileum, but responses in P excretion and P flow in the ileum were similar, suggesting that P excretion with urine is very low and unaffected by P intake when the birds are supplied with P below their requirement. Between the 3 subsections of the ileum, calculated digestibility was significantly different for the basal diet and the diet with the 3 lowest levels of P supplementation. We concluded that the response in P prececal digestibility to increments in dietary P concentration is linear over a wider range of dietary P than the response in P retention. When digesta is collected from the ileum for determination of P prececal digestibility, the first third of the ileum should not be considered.

Influence of the maize silage to grass silage ratio and feed particle size of rations for ruminants on the community structure of ruminal Firmicutes in vitro.

AIMS: To investigate the effect of the forage source and feed particle size (FPS) in ruminant rations on the composition of the ruminal Firmicutes community in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three diets, varying in maize silage to grass silage ratio and FPS, were incubated in a rumen simulation system. Microbial samples were taken from the liquid fermenter effluents. Microbial community analysis was performed by 16S rRNA-based techniques. Clostridia-specific single-strand conformation polymorphism profiles revealed changes of the community structure in dependence on both factors tested. The coarse grass silage-containing diets seemed to enhance the occurrence of different Roseburia species. As detected by real-time quantitative PCR, Ruminococcus albus showed a higher abundance with decreasing FPS. A slightly lower proportion of Bacilli was found with increasing grass silage to maize silage ratio by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In contrast, a slightly higher proportion of bacterial species belonging to the Clostridium-clusters XIV a and b was detected by FISH with increasing grass silage contents in the diet. CONCLUSIONS: The ruminal Firmicutes community is affected by the choice of the forage source and FPS. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study supplies fundamental knowledge about the response of ruminal microbial communities to changing diets. Moreover, the data suggest a standardization of grinding of feeds for in vitro studies to facilitate the comparison of results of different laboratories.

Effect of the corn silage to grass silage ratio and feed particle size of diets for ruminants on the ruminal Bacteroides-Prevotella community in vitro.

This study examined whether different corn silage to grass silage ratios in ruminant rations and different grinding levels of the feed affect the composition of the ruminal Bacteroides-Prevotella community in vitro. Three diets, composed of 10% soybean meal as well as of different corn silage and grass silage proportions, were ground through 1mm or 4mm screened sieves and incubated in a semi-continuous rumen simulation system. On day 14 of the incubation microbes were harvested by centrifugation from the liquid effluent of fermenter vessels. Microbial DNA was extracted for single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of 16S rRNA genes followed by sequencing of single SSCP bands. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and real-time quantitative (q) PCR were used to quantify differences in the relative abundance of Bacteroides-Prevotella and Prevotella bryantii. SSCP profiles revealed a significant influence of the forage source as well as of the feed particle size on the community structure of the Bacteroides-Prevotella group. Different, phylogenetically distinct, so far uncultured Prevotella species were detected by sequence analysis of several treatment-dependent occurring SSCP bands indicating different nutritional requirements of these organisms for growth. No quantitative differences in the occurrence of Bacteroides-Prevotella-related species were detected between diets by FISH with probe BAC303. However, real-time qPCR data revealed a higher abundance of P. bryantii with increasing grass silage to corn silage ratio, thus again indicating changes within the community composition of the Bacteroides-Prevotella group. As P. bryantii possesses high proteolytic activity its higher abundance may have been caused by the higher contents of crude protein in the grass silage containing diets. To conclude, results of this study show an influence of the forage source on the ruminal community of Bacteroides-Prevotella. Furthermore, they suggest an effect of the feed particle size on this bacterial group.

[Backache and palmar eczema (SAPHO syndrome)]. / Rückenschmerzen und "Handekzem"

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 63-year-old female painter was referred for evaluation of the cause of persistent back pain, night sweat and an elevated blood sedimentation rate. Besides, she reported recurrent, probably "atopic eczema" of both hands. Clinical examination revealed midthoracic back pain but no actual skin lesions. INVESTIGATIONS: Contrast medium-enhanced magnetic resonance tomography of the spine showed an increased signal intensity of the thoracic vertebral bodies 6 - 10 and the prevertebral soft tissue in T1-weighted images with fat suppression. The finding was considered to be suspicious for malignant neoplasia. Despite performing various diagnostic tests, neither a malignant nor an infectious process of the spine could be diagnosed. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COURSE: In-depth evaluation of history and clinical findings gave the diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis). CONCLUSION: The intention of this case report is to demonstrate, once more, the importance of carefully taking a patient's history and fully evaluating the clinical findings.