Effect of implementing an effective farrowing accommodation hygiene routine on clinical cases of disease, medication usage, and growth in suckling and weaned pigs.

The few studies that have evaluated hygiene routines in farrowing accommodation to date have focused on pathogen elimination from pens, with little attention paid to pig growth and no information provided on pig health or medication usage. This study aimed to determine if implementation of an optimized farrowing accommodation hygiene routine could improve pig health and growth and reduce medication usage pre- and post-weaning (PW). Forty seven sows were blocked on parity, previous litter size and body weight and assigned to two treatments: T1) Basic hygiene: cold water washing only with minimal drying time; T2) Optimized hygiene: use of detergent and a chlorocresol-based disinfectant with a 6-d drying time. Total bacterial counts (TBC), Enterobacteriaceae counts and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) swabs were obtained from different areas within the farrowing pens. Pig growth and medication usage were monitored from birth to slaughter and carcass data were obtained at slaughter. On entry of sows to the farrowing pens, TBC and Enterobacteriaceae counts and ATP concentrations were lower on pen surfaces subjected to the optimized compared to the basic hygiene routine (P < 0.05). Pre-weaning diarrhea prevalence was lower in pigs born into optimal compared to basic hygiene pens (0 vs. 22%; P < 0.001). The number of clinical cases of disease and injections administered to piglets per litter was 75% and 79% less for the optimized compared to the basic hygiene routine, respectively (P < 0.001). This led to reductions of 77% (P < 0.001) and 75% (P < 0.01), respectively in the volume of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories administered per litter in the optimized hygiene group. Pigs from the optimized hygiene treatment were also heavier at weaning (P < 0.01) and their average daily gain (ADG) was higher from day 21 to weaning and days 22 to 49 PW (P < 0.05). However, these growth improvements did not carry through to the finisher period. In conclusion, implementation of an optimized hygiene routine reduced the bacterial load in farrowing pens, leading to a reduction in diarrhea and clinical cases of disease and therefore, medication usage, in suckling pigs. Pig growth was also improved during the suckling and early PW periods. Based on the results, an easily implementable farrowing room hygiene protocol with demonstrable benefits for pig health, growth, and welfare can be provided to farmers.

Maternal supplementation with a casein hydrolysate and yeast beta-glucan from late gestation through lactation improves gastrointestinal health of piglets at weaning.

Improving maternal nutrition during pregnancy/lactation is a promising strategy to maximise the intestinal health of piglets undergoing abrupt weaning under commercial production conditions. This experiment investigated the effects of maternal supplementation of a casein hydrolysate and yeast ß-glucan (CH-YBG) from day 83 of gestation until weaning (day 28) on sow faecal microbial populations and measures of piglet gastrointestinal health parameters at weaning. Sows (n = 10 sows/group) were assigned to: (1) control diet, and (2) control diet + CH-YBG. Maternal supplementation increased the abundance of the phylum Firmicutes, including members Lactobacillus in the sows faeces, with a concomitant increase in the caecal abundance of Lactobacillus in the weaned piglets compared to the controls. Piglets weaned from the supplemented sows had increased villus height in the duodenum (P < 0.05) and increased villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum, as well as a decreased expression of the proinflammatory cytokine genes (IL6/TNF/TGFB), the tight junction gene CLDN3 and the mucin gene MUC2 in the duodenum/jejunum compared to the controls (P < 0.05). In conclusion, maternal CH-YBG supplementation during pregnancy/lactation improved microbial, structural, and inflammatory measures of gastrointestinal health of piglets at weaning. This is a promising strategy to alleviate the challenges that occur with early abrupt weaning in commercial pig production.

The effects of mushroom powder and vitamin D2 -enriched mushroom powder supplementation on the growth performance and health of newly weaned pigs.

A complete randomised block design experiment was conducted to examine the effects of mushroom powder (MP) and vitamin D2 -enriched mushroom powder (MPD2 ) on growth performance, faecal scores, coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of nutrients and selected microflora in weaned pigs up to day 35 post-weaning. One hundred and ninety-two weaned pigs (7.8kg [SD 1.08kg]) were blocked according to live weight, sex and litter of origin and randomly assigned to the following: (T1) control diet; (T2) control diet +MP; (T3) control diet + MPD2 ; and (T4) control diet +zinc oxide (ZnO) (n = 12 replicates/treatment). Mushroom powders were included at 2 g/kg of feed achieving a ß-glucan content of 200ppm. ZnO was included at 3100 mg/kg feed and halved to 1550 mg/kg after 21 days. Vitamin D content was enhanced in MPD2 using synthetic UVB exposure to obtain a vitamin D2 level of 100 µg/kg of feed. Faecal samples were collected on day 14 for microbial and nutrient digestibility analysis. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in ADG, G:F, faecal scores, microbial populations and CATTD of nutrients in pigs supplemented with MP or MPD2 compared with the control diet. The supplementation of MP and MPD2 caused a reduction (p < 0.05) in feed intake compared with the control and ZnO diet throughout the 35-day experimental period. ZnO supplementation increased ADG and ADFI (p < 0.05) during the first period (D0-21) compared with pigs offered MP and MPD2 . In conclusion, MP and MPD2 supplementation resulted in similar ADG, G:F, faecal scores compared with the control but were not comparable to ZnO, mainly due to a reduction in feed intake.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Mushroom or Vitamin D2-Enriched Mushroom Powders on Gastrointestinal Health Parameters in the Weaned Pig.

The objective of this study was to compare the molecular, physiological and microbial effects of mushroom powder (MP), vitamin D2 enriched mushroom powder (MPD2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in pigs post-weaning. Pigs (four pigs/pen; 12 pens/treatment) were assigned to: (1) basal diet (control), (2) basal diet + ZnO, (3) basal diet + MP (2 g/kg feed) and (4) basal diet + MPD2 (2 g/kg feed). Zinc oxide supplementation improved the feed intake (p < 0.001); increased the caecal abundance of Lactobacillus (p < 0.05); increased the villus height (p < 0.05) in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum; increased the expression of chemokine interleukin 8 (CXCL8; p < 0.05); and decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine gene interleukin 6 (IL6; p < 0.05), tumour necrosis factor (TNF; p < 0.05), nutrient transporters peptide transporter 1 (SLC15A1; p < 0.05) and fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2; (p < 0.05) in the duodenum. Whereas dietary supplementation with MPD2 improved the gastrointestinal morphology (p < 0.05); increased the total volatile fatty acid concentrations (p < 0.05); increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine gene interleukin 10 (IL10; p < 0.05) and nutrient transporters SLC15A1 (p < 0.05), FABP2 (p < 0.05) and vitamin D receptor (VDR; p < 0.05); and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine gene IL6 (p < 0.05), it adversely affected average daily feed intake (ADFI; p < 0.001) and average daily gain (ADG; p < 0.05). Mushroom powder supplementation had a positive impact on gastrointestinal morphology (p < 0.05) and upregulated the expression of nutrient transporters SLC15A1 (p < 0.05) and FABP2 (p < 0.05) and tight junction claudin 1 (CLDN1) (p < 0.05) compared to the controls but had no effect on the expression of inflammatory markers (p > 0.05). Furthermore, MP reduced ADFI (p < 0.01); however, this did not negatively impact the ADG (p > 0.05). In conclusion, MP and MPD2 have limited use as commercial feed additives in replacing ZnO in pig diets as feed intake was reduced post-weaning.

Evaluation of Ultrasound, Microwave, Ultrasound-Microwave, Hydrothermal and High Pressure Assisted Extraction Technologies for the Recovery of Phytochemicals and Antioxidants from Brown Macroalgae.

This study aims to explore novel extraction technologies (ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-microwave-assisted extraction (UMAE), hydrothermal-assisted extraction (HAE) and high-pressure-assisted extraction (HPAE)) and extraction time post-treatment (0 and 24 h) for the recovery of phytochemicals and associated antioxidant properties from Fucus vesiculosus and Pelvetia canaliculata. When using fixed extraction conditions (solvent: 50% ethanol; extraction time: 10 min; algae/solvent ratio: 1/10) for all the novel technologies, UAE generated extracts with the highest phytochemical contents from both macroalgae. The highest yields of compounds extracted from F. vesiculosus using UAE were: total phenolic content (445.0 ± 4.6 mg gallic acid equivalents/g), total phlorotannin content (362.9 ± 3.7 mg phloroglucinol equivalents/g), total flavonoid content (286.3 ± 7.8 mg quercetin equivalents/g) and total tannin content (189.1 ± 4.4 mg catechin equivalents/g). In the case of the antioxidant activities, the highest DPPH activities were achieved by UAE and UMAE from both macroalgae, while no clear pattern was recorded in the case of FRAP activities. The highest DPPH scavenging activities (112.5 ± 0.7 mg trolox equivalents/g) and FRAP activities (284.8 ± 2.2 mg trolox equivalents/g) were achieved from F. vesiculosus. Following the extraction treatment, an additional storage post-extraction (24 h) did not improve the yields of phytochemicals or antioxidant properties of the extracts.

Optimisation of Ultrasound Frequency, Extraction Time and Solvent for the Recovery of Polyphenols, Phlorotannins and Associated Antioxidant Activity from Brown Seaweeds.

This study investigates ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) process parameters (time, frequency and solvent) to obtain high yields of phlorotannins, flavonoids, total phenolics and associated antioxidant activities from 11 brown seaweed species. Optimised UAE conditions (35 kHz, 30 min and 50% ethanol) significantly improved the extraction yield from 1.5-fold to 2.2-fold in all seaweeds investigated compared to solvent extraction. Using ultrasound, the highest recovery of total phenolics (TPC: 572.3 ± 3.2 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), total phlorotannins (TPhC: 476.3 ± 2.2 mg phloroglucinol equivalent/g) and total flavonoids (TFC: 281.0 ± 1.7 mg quercetin equivalent/g) was obtained from Fucus vesiculosus seaweed. While the lowest recovery of TPC (72.6 ± 2.9 mg GAE/g), TPhC (50.3 ± 2.0 mg PGE/g) and TFC (15.2 ± 3.3 mg QE/g) was obtained from Laminaria digitata seaweed. However, extracts from Fucus serratus obtained by UAE exhibited the strongest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (29.1 ± 0.25 mg trolox equivalent/g) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value (63.9 ± 0.74 mg trolox equivalent/g). UAE under optimised conditions was an effective, low-cost and eco-friendly technique to recover biologically active polyphenols from 11 brown seaweed species.

Enhancing the Extraction of Polysaccharides and Antioxidants from Macroalgae Using Sequential Hydrothermal-Assisted Extraction Followed by Ultrasound and Thermal Technologies.

Fucose sulphated polysaccharides (FSPs) and glucans have recently attracted the attention of the scientific community due to their wide range of biological activities. Both polysaccharides should ideally be selectively extracted using innovative technologies with high extraction efficiency. This study aims to: (1) Optimise the extraction variables used in hydrothermal-assisted extraction (HAE) to obtain high yields of FSPs, total glucans, and antioxidants from Laminaria hyperborea; (2) to apply these optimised protocols to other brown macroalgae; and (3) to explore the application of ultrasound and thermal technologies to increase the recovery of polysaccharides from the residual biomass. Box-Behnken design (three-factor, four-levels) was employed to optimise the HAE variables, and principal component analysis was used to evaluate the recovery of polysaccharides from the residual biomass. The optimal HAE conditions were 120 °C, 80.9 min, and 12.02 mL/g macroalgae from L. hyperborea. The best sequential application of ultrasound and thermal treatment achieved an additional 2971.7 ± 61.9 mg fucose/100 g dried macroalgal residue (dmr) from Ascophyllum nodosum and 908.0 ± 51.4 mg total glucans/100 g dmr from L. hyperborea macroalgal residues.

The effect of consuming Palmaria palmata-enriched bread on inflammatory markers, antioxidant status, lipid profile and thyroid function in a randomised placebo-controlled intervention trial in healthy adults.

PURPOSE: Palmaria palmata (P. Palmata) is reported to contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds albeit no study has investigated these effects in humans. METHODS: A randomised parallel placebo-controlled human intervention study was carried out to investigate the effect of consuming P. Palmata (5 g/day) incorporated into a bread on serum markers of inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP); cytokine analysis] with secondary analysis investigating changes in lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides), thyroid function [thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)] and antioxidant status ferric reducing antioxidant power. ANCOVA with baseline values as covariates, controlling for age, BMI, sex and smoking status, was used to compare differences between treatment groups over time . In vitro studies investigated the inflammatory activity of P. Palmata extracts (hot water, cold water and ethanol extract), protein extracts and associated protein hydrolysates using a Caco-2 inflammation cell model. RESULTS: Consumption of P. Palmata-enriched bread significantly increased serum CRP (+16.1 %, P = 0.011), triglycerides (+31.9 %, P = 0.001) and TSH (+17.2 %, P = 0.017) when compared to the control group. In vitro evaluation of P. palmata extracts and protein hydrolysates identified a significant induction of IL-8 secretion by Caco-2 cells, and the hot water P. palmata extract was shown to increase adipocyte glycerol release (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Evidence from this human study suggests that P. palmata stimulates inflammation, increases serum triglycerides and alters thyroid function; however, these changes are not likely to impact health as changes remained within the normal clinical range. The data from the in vitro study provided indications that IL-8 may contribute to the apparent immunostimulation noted in the human study.

Anti-inflammatory effects of a casein hydrolysate and its peptide-enriched fractions on TNFα-challenged Caco-2 cells and LPS-challenged porcine colonic explants.

Bioactive milk peptides are reported to illicit a range of physiological benefits and have been proposed as potential functional food ingredients. The objective of this study was to characterize the anti-inflammatory properties of sodium caseinate (NaCAS), its enzyme hydrolysate (EH) and peptide-enriched fractions (5 kDa retentate [R], 1 kDaR and 1 kDa permeate [P]), both in vitro using a Caco-2 cell line, and also ex vivo using a porcine colonic tissue explant system. Caco-2 cells were stimulated with tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and co-treated with casein hydrolysates for 24 h. Following this, interleukin (IL)-8 concentrations in the supernatant were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Porcine colonic tissue was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and co-treated with casein hydrolysates for 3 h. The expression of a panel of inflammatory cytokines was measured using qPCR. While dexamethasone reduced the IL-8 concentration by 41.6%, the 1 kDaR and 1 kDaP fractions reduced IL-8 by 68.7% and 66.1%, respectively, relative to TNFα-stimulated Caco-2 cells (P < 0.05). In the ex vivo system, only the 1 kDaR fraction elicited a decrease inIL1-α,IL1-ß,IL-8,TGF-ß andIL-10 expression (P < 0.05). This study provides evidence that the bioactive peptides present in the 1 kDaR fraction of the NaCAS hydrolysate possess anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and ex vivo. Further in vivo analysis of the anti-inflammatory properties of the 1 kDaR is proposed.

Chitooligosaccharide elicits acute inflammatory cytokine response through AP-1 pathway in human intestinal epithelial-like (Caco-2) cells.

Chitooligosaccharides (COSs) are bioactive carbohydrate derivatives that have numerous health benefits, including stimulation of the immune system. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of chitooligosaccharide (COS) on expression of a specific panel of cytokine genes involved in inflammation and to delineate the signal transduction pathway underlying the COS mediated inflammatory response. Human intestinal epithelial-like (Caco-2) cells were treated with COS (5000-10,000Da) and expression of a panel of eighty-four cytokine genes was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. COS induced up-regulation of a total of 11 genes including CCL20 and IL8 and concurrent down-regulation of 10 genes including pro-inflammatory mediators CCL15, CCL25 and IL1B. To further establish the signal transduction pathway of COS mediated response in Caco-2 cells, two major inflammatory signal transduction pathways (NF-κB and AP-1) were investigated. COS had inhibitory effect (P<0.01) on TNF-α induced NF-κB binding activity while stimulatory effect (P<0.001) on AP-1 binding activity. COS also inhibited the expression of RELA (P<0.01) and IKBKB (P<0.01) genes of NF-κB pathway while stimulate the expression of JUN (P<0.05) gene of AP-1 pathway. In conclusion, COS elicits an acute inflammatory cytokine response in Caco-2 cells and hence it has the potential to stimulate the immune system in the gut epithelium.

A potential role of IL-6 in the chito-oligosaccharide-mediated inhibition of adipogenesis.

Recent studies have suggested that chito-oligosaccharides can have anti-adipogenic properties. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the anti-adipogenic potential of four different chito-oligosaccharides (molecular weight (MW) < 1000, 1000-3000, 3000-5000 and 5000-10,000 Da) and to identify molecular mechanisms underlying the chito-oligosaccharide-mediated inhibition of adipogenesis. Mouse 3T3-L1 cells were allowed to differentiate in the presence of chito-oligosaccharide. At day 8 post-induction of differentiation, lipid accumulation, free glycerol release and the quantitative expression of adipogenic marker genes were evaluated. Chito-oligosaccharides had concentration- and MW-dependent inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation (P < 0·001 and < 0·05, respectively), as well as a concentration-dependent effect (P < 0·001) on free glycerol release and the expression of adipogenic marker genes. The 5000-10,000 Da chito-oligosaccharide was selected for subsequent molecular studies. A panel of forty-four lipid metabolic pathway-specific genes was analysed by quantitative real-time PCR. Chito-oligosaccharide-mediated inhibition of adipogenesis was associated with the up-regulation of the IL-6 gene at all concentrations of chito-oligosaccharide examined and the PG-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) gene at higher concentrations of chito-oligosaccharide. The effect of chito-oligosaccharide on gene expression was validated by measuring IL-6 protein concentrations in the media. Finally, an IL-6 promoter assay was developed to characterise the effect of chito-oligosaccharide on the transcriptional activity of the IL-6 promoter, which was increased in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0·001). We conclude that IL-6 is a candidate signalling molecule in the chito-oligosaccharide-mediated inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells.

Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy retreatment after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) retreatment after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 22 eyes of 20 patients had LASEK retreatment for residual refractive errors after LASIK. All patients who had the procedure between January 2004 and May 2007 were included in the study. The main outcome measures at the final follow-up visit were efficacy, predictability, safety, and stability. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent (SE) was -4.50 diopters (D)+/-2.88 (SD) (range -10.00 to +3.87 D) before LASIK and -1.23+/-0.95 D (range -2.50 to +2.00 D) after LASIK. The mean time between the initial LASIK procedure and LASEK enhancement was 56.2+/-24.3 months (range 6 to 84 months). The mean follow-up after retreatment was 6.68+/-6.47 months (range 3 to 24 months). At the final follow-up visit, 19 eyes (86.4%) had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/30 or better and 17 eyes (77.3%) were within +/-1.00 D of the target refraction. No patient lost more than 1 line of best corrected visual acuity or developed corneal haze greater than grade 1. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that LASEK retreatment after LASIK is a safe and effective alternative when LASIK retreatment is deemed unsafe because there is not sufficient residual corneal stromal bed or when retreatment is required many years after LASIK and relifting the original flap is expected to be problematic.

Postoperative pain following epi-LASIK, LASEK, and PRK for myopia.

PURPOSE: To compare mechanical epithelial separation using the epi-LASIK technique with alcohol assisted separation (LASEK). METHODS: Patients deemed suitable for surface ablation were randomized to receive epi-LASIK in one eye and LASEK in the other eye. If epi-LASIK failed, the procedure was converted to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), forming the third comparison group. The outcome measures were postoperative pain, vision, refraction, and haze. Patients were followed for 3 months. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients (95 eyes) were included in this study (38 epi-LASIK, 19 PRK, and 38 LASEK eyes). There was a 33% rate of conversion from intended epi-LASIK to PRK. Epi-LASIK patients were found to have significantly less pain in the first few hours after surgery but at 4 hours all patients had the same levels of pain, which improved to minimal or no pain at 24 hours. No significant difference was noted among groups for vision, refractive error, and haze; however, epi-LASIK patients had the best day 1 visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Epi-LASIK offers comparable visual and refractive results to other surface ablation techniques with lower levels of postoperative pain only for the first 2 hours. However, there was a high rate of flap failure and conversion to PRK.

Analysis of the visual and refractive outcome following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) retreatment over a four-year follow-up period.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and refractive stability following LASIK retreatment over a four-year follow-up period. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 60 eyes of 52 patients underwent LASIK retreatment for residual refractive errors after LASIK. Retreatment was performed by lifting the original flap followed by laser ablation of the stromal bed. The main outcome measures at the latest follow-up visit were efficacy, predictability, safety and stability. The mean follow-up time after retreatment was 22.3 +/- 10.5 (range 12-48 months). RESULTS: The baseline mean spherical equivalent (SE) was -4.85 +/- 2.57 dioptres (D) (range +2.25 to -11.75 D). At the latest follow-up visit, the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 6/9 or better in 88% of the eyes, the mean SE was -0.33 +/- 0.8 D (-2.50 to +2.25 D), and 77% of the eyes were within +/-0.50 D of target refraction. None of the patients lost lines of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and 25 eyes (41%) gained one or more lines. Three eyes (5%) developed peripheral epithelial in-growth and none of the patients had corneal ectasias or retinal complications. CONCLUSION: LASIK retreatment is a safe and effective procedure for correcting residual refractive errors after LASIK. After retreatment, the visual and refractive outcome remained stable during the four-year follow-up period of the study.

Outcome of LASIK for myopia in women on hormone replacement therapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of hormone treatment on refractive and visual outcome after LASIK in women. METHODS: A retrospective review of the hospital notes of all women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and oral contraceptives at the time of LASIK was performed. Their refractive and visual outcomes were compared with those of women not on hormone treatment. RESULTS: At 6 months after LASIK, 20 (45%) HRT eyes and 61 (75%) control eyes had a visual acuity of > or = 20/20. Thirty-six (82%) eyes from the HRT group and 74 (91%) eyes from the control group could see > or = 20/40. A statistically significant difference was noted in both refractive and visual outcome in women taking HRT at the time of surgery in comparison to controls. Women on the oral contraceptive pill did not differ in outcome from controls. CONCLUSIONS: Women on HRT are at an increased risk of refractive regression after LASIK.