The effect of different dietary levels of hybrid rye and xylanase addition on the performance and egg quality in laying hens.

1. In this study, 240 ISA Brown hens were fed diets containing different levels of hybrid rye, and the influence of xylanase addition on laying performance and egg quality was evaluated. 2. Birds were allocated to 10 treatment groups with 12 replicates (cages) of two hens and were fed, from week 26 to 50, isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental diets. A 5 × 2 experimental arrangement was applied, using diets with increasing level of rye (0%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25%) with or without xylanase supplementation (200 mg/kg of feed; Ronozyme WX (CT) with minimum xylanase activity of 1,000 FXU/g). 3. Increasing dietary level of rye did not affect daily mass of eggs, mean egg weight or feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). Laying rate decreased in all groups fed with rye. Egg and eggshell quality indices were unaffected by dietary rye grain (P > 0.05); however, rye inclusion significantly decreased yolk colour on the DSM scale (P < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, high dietary levels of rye (25%) significantly increased viscosity of small intestine content (P < 0.05). Diet supplementation with xylanase had no significant effect on egg production indices and egg quality (except for yolk colour) but decreased the viscosity of intestinal content in laying hens fed high levels of rye (P < 0.05). 4. The results of this experiment suggest that rye may be incorporated to a level of 25% in the diet of laying hens without any strong negative effect on egg performance, while xylanase added to high-rye grain reduced the viscosity of intestinal content; however, it did not positively affect the laying performance or egg quality.

Changes in technical efficiency of the broiler production in Poland, 1994-2013.

1. The effects of changes in technical efficiency on the increase of broiler production are presented for the period 1994-2013 based on the panel data from seven farms located in southern and central Poland. A total of 766 cycles were analysed. 2. The Cobb-Douglas production function was used to assess the changes of output elasticities as well as technical changes in broiler production, for 5-year sub-periods separately. 3. Technical indices of broiler production significantly improved between years 1994-2013: feed conversion ratio decreased from 2.50 kg/kg to 1.78 kg/kg, mortality rate from 8.8% to 4.0% and daily weight gain increased from 37.1 g/d to 58.7 g/d, respectively. 4. Before accession to the EU, there was a substantial increase of fixed capital connected with modernisation of buildings and equipment. In the period 1994-2013, inputs of fixed capital per kilogram of livestock increased by 72% and at the same time the input of labour decreased by 56%. 5. Technical changes in years 1994-1998 contributed to a rapid production increase at a rate of 4.6% annually and only by up to 0.7% annually during 2009-2013. The slowdown of production rate increase after 2009 was partially caused by decreasing the stocking density.

Surface free energy of the human skin and its critical surface tension of wetting in the skin/surfactant aqueous solution/air system.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The purpose of these studies was to determine the surface free energy of the human skin and its critical surface tension of wetting in the skin--surfactant aqueous solution--air system in relation to different types of surfactants. METHODS: The surface free energy of the skin and its components was calculated using the equilibrium advancing contact angle values of water, formamide, and diiodomethane on the forearm skin surface. Next, taking into account the measured values of the contact angle of aqueous solutions of SDDS, CTAB, TX-100 and TX-114 on the skin surface and data of their surface tension, the critical surface tension of the skin wetting was determined. RESULTS: We can classify the skin surface as low-energetic one. The critical surface tension of the skin wetting depends on the type of surfactant. CONCLUSION: It is possible to determine the critical surface tension of the human skin wetting on the basis of the values of the contact angle of aqueous solutions of surfactants and their surface tension. In this respect, nonionic surfactants seem to be the most appropriate.

The effect of caponization on tibia bone histomorphometric properties of crossbred roosters.

The negative effect of caponization on the structural, geometric and mechanical parameters of femur and tibia has been shown in a few studies. Nevertheless, its influence on tibia bone microarchitecture is still largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of castration on the microstructural parameters of the trabecular and compact bone of tibia bone in crossbred chickens. The experiment involved 96 roosters derived from crossing Yellowleg Partridge hens ([Formula: see text]-33) and Rhode Island Red cockerels (R-11) fattened until the 16th, 20th and 24th week of life. Animals were randomly divided into 2 groups of 48 each. Group I (control) consisted of intact roosters and group II (experimental) consisted of birds subjected to caponization at the 8th week of age. The castration surgery had no influence on some properties within compact bone such as osteon diameter On.Dm, osteon perimeter On.Pm, osteon area On.Ar, osteocyte lacunar number Ot.Lc.N, osteon bone area On.B.Ar, osteon wall thickness On.W.Th as well as thick-mature collagen content in all analyzed age groups of animals. Nevertheless, our results demonstrate that castration caused a decrease of Haversian canal area Hc.Ar, osteocyte lacunar area Ot.Lc.Ar and osteocyte lacunar porosity Ot.Lc.Po among the 16-week-old birds, decrease of Haversian canal perimeter Hc.Pm and increase of fraction of bone area On.B.Ar/On.Ar among 16- and 24-week-old individuals and also an increase of osteocyte lacunar density Ot.Lc.Dn in the osteons of the oldest roosters. Additionally, some microstructural parameters of trabecular bone show the negative effect of caponization. The youngest 16-week-old capons were characterized by thinnin the trabecular in the epiphysis part of tibia. Moreover, in the case of 24-week-old, there is an increase in the trabecular separation Tb.Sp with simultaneous decrease of trabecular number Tb.N compared to roosters, which may suggest the increase of the bone resorption among the oldest individuals. The increased bone turnover in the epiphysis part of the tibia bone also indicates changes in the collagen fibers distribution, where among 20-week-old animals there is a decrease in the content of immature thin collagen fibers with simultaneous increase in the content of mature thick collagen fibers. Furthermore, among the oldest 24-week-old individuals we can observe the increased thick-to-thin collagen ratio, which may be a sign of slowing down in bone formation.

Effects of selected feed additives on the performance of laying hens given a diet rich in maize dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS).

1. A total of 192 ISA Brown hens were given diets containing a high concentration of maize dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) and the effect of selected feed additives on laying performance and egg quality was determined. 2. Birds were allocated to 8 treatment groups with 12 replicates (cages) of two hens and were given, from week 26 to 55, iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous experimental diets with or without a high concentration of DDGS (200 g/kg). The diet containing DDGS was not supplemented or supplemented with enzymes (xylanase and phytase), sodium butyrate, probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus salivarius) and a mixture of herbal extracts (Taraxaci siccum, Urticae siccum and Salviae siccum), inulin or chitosan. 3. The inclusion of DDGS in the diet had no effect on number of eggs produced, total egg mass, mean egg weight, feed intake or feed conversion ratio. Egg and eggshell quality parameters were also unaffected by dietary DDGS. The yolk colour score (points in Roche scale) was significantly increased by DDGS inclusion. DDGS in the diet caused some changes in the yolk lipid profile that were rather unfavourable from a dietary perspective (an increase of cholesterol content, and PUFA n-6/PUFA n-3 ratio). 4. During the experimental period (26-55 weeks of age) supplementation of the diet containing a high concentration of DDGS with enzymes, inulin as well as chitosan, increased number of eggs produced and daily egg mass. In older hens (50 weeks of age) inulin positively affected eggshell quality parameters, i.e. shell percentage, thickness and density. Diet supplementation with herb extracts, inulin or chitosan, decreased the content of cholesterol in yolks. 5. The results of this study suggest that DDGS may be incorporated up to a concentration of 200 g/kg in the diet of laying hens without any negative effects on egg performance. Moreover, supplementation of xylanase and phytase, as well as inulin and chitosan, can positively affect the performance of layers given diets with a high concentration of DDGS.

The effect of caponization on bone homeostasis of crossbred roosters. I. Analysis of tibia bone mineralization, densitometric, osteometric, geometric and biomechanical properties.

The presented study focuses on assessing the effect of caponization on the densitometric, osteometric, geometric and biomechanical parameters of tibial bones in crossbred chickens. The study was carried out on 96 hybrids between Yellowleg Partridge hens (Z-33) and Rhode Island Red cockerels (R-11) aged 16 weeks, 20 weeks and 24 weeks. Birds were randomly assigned to 2 groups-the control group (n = 48; which consisted of intact roosters) and the experimental group (n = 48, which consisted of individuals subjected to caponization at the age of 8 weeks). The caponization had no effect on the densitometric, osteometric and geometric parameters (except the horizontal internal diameter of 16-week-old individuals) of tibia bone, as well as the content of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and the Ca/P ratio in the bone mineral fraction in all analyzed age groups of animals. However, it contributes to a lower percentage of ash in the bones of capons at 20 and 24 weeks of age compared to cockerels. On the contrary, some mechanical and material parameters show the negative effect of caponization. Ultimate load and bending moment decreased in capons in all of the analyzed age groups of animals and yield load, stiffness and ultimate stress also decreased but only in the group of 20-week-old and 24-week-old individuals. This can contribute to the weakening of the capon bones, and in the perspective of prolonged maintenance to their deformation and even fracture.

CyBorD-DARA in Newly Diagnosed Transplant-Eligible Multiple Myeloma: Results from the 16-BCNI-001/CTRIAL-IE 16-02 Study Show High Rates of MRD Negativity at End of Treatment.

The phase 1b 16-BCNI-001/CTRIAL-IE 16-02 CyBorD-DARA trial investigated the combination of Daratumumab with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), followed by autologous stem cell transplantation and Daratumumab maintenance. CR/sCR rates were 50% after transplant and 62.5% at end of treatment. The overall percentage of patients achieving complete response or better was 77.8%. Progression-free survival rate at end of maintenance was 81.3% and estimated 2-year overall survival was 88.9%. 37.5% of patients demonstrated sustained MRD negativity to a level of 10-5 from transplant to analysis at EOT. In this phase 1b study, we have shown CyBorD-DARA to be an effective and well-tolerated immunomodulatory agent-free regiment in transplant-eligible NDMM.

A study of out-of-plane cation dynamics in a bis-thiourea pyridinium chloride inclusion compound.

The out-of-plane motion of the pyridinium cation in the bis-thiourea pyridinium chloride inclusion compound has been studied in a wide temperature range using (1)H NMR, dielectric spectroscopy and quasielastic neutron scattering. The geometry of this motion is obtained from the Q-dependence of the elastic incoherent structure factor determined from the quasielastic neutron scattering measurements. We find that the pyridinium cation performs out-of-plane reorientations around the axis passing through two opposite atoms of the ring. The correlation times as a function of temperature were measured in the three known crystallographic phases, finding a good agreement between the three techniques employed. The activation energy for this motion changes from 5 ± 1 kJ mol(-1) in the low-temperature phase to 1.2 ± 0.2 kJ mol(-1) in the intermediate and high-temperature phases.

Effect of genotype and some shell quality traits on lysozyme content and activity in the albumen of eggs from hens under the biodiversity conservation program.

The aim of the study was to determine shell quality of eggs laid by some strains of native breed hens of different ages, with special consideration of their effect on lysozyme concentration and enzymatic activity. Evaluation was made of the eggshells from 6 breeds/strains of laying hens covered by the gene pool protection program in Poland: Greenleg Partridge (Z-11), Yellowleg Partridge (Z-33), Rhode Island Red (R-11), Rhode Island White (A-33), Sussex (S-66), and Leghorn (H-22). Significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences were established for all the shell quality characteristics between hen strains. As the birds aged, shell weight and porosity increased, and shell compression strength decreased in all the experimental groups. Lysozyme content was lowest in white-shelled eggs (H-22) and highest in cream-colored and light brown eggs (Z-11, Z-33, and R-11). Furthermore, age of hens had a greater effect on lysozyme concentration and activity in the eggs than on shell quality traits. Regardless of the layer genotype, eggs from older hens showed higher lysozyme concentration and enzymatic activity.

The effect of carbide precipitate morphology on fracture toughness in low-tempered steels containing Ni.

Nickel is known to increase the resistance to cleavage fracture of iron and decrease a ductile-to-brittle transition temperature. The medium-carbon, low-alloy martensitic steels attain the best combination of properties in low-tempered condition, with tempered martensite, retained austenite and transition carbides in the microstructure. This paper is focused on the influence of Ni addition (from 0.35 to 4.00%) on the microstructure and fracture toughness of structural steels after tempering. In this research, four model alloys of different concentration of Ni and constant concentration of carbon and other elements were used. All samples were in as-quenched and tempered conditions. Quenching was performed in oil at room temperature. After quenching, samples were tempered at 200 degrees C for 2 h. The microstructure of the investigated steels was analyzed using JEM200CX transmission electron microscope. An increase of nickel content in the investigated structural steels causes a decrease of epsilon carbide concentration in their microstructure after tempering. In these steels, cementite precipitates independently in the boundaries of martensite needles and in the twin boundaries in the areas where the Fe(2.4)C carbide has been dissolved. These results will be used to design new technologies of tempering of structural steels with nickel addition.

Pulling self-interacting polymers in two dimensions.

We investigate a two-dimensional problem of an isolated self-interacting end-grafted polymer, pulled by one end. In the thermodynamic limit, we find that the model has only two different phases, namely a collapsed phase and a stretched phase. We show that the phase diagram obtained by Kumar [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 128101 (2007)] for small systems, where differences between various statistical ensembles play an important role, differs from the phase diagram obtained here in the thermodynamic limit.

CyBorD-DARA is potent initial induction for MM and enhances ADCP: initial results of the 16-BCNI-001/CTRIAL-IE 16-02 study.

Daratumumab (DARA) has shown impressive activity in combination with other agents for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). We conducted a phase 1b study to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy, as well as potential mechanisms of action, of DARA (16 mg/kg) in combination with a weekly schedule of subcutaneous bortezomib (1.3-1.5 mg/m2), cyclophosphamide (150-300 mg/m2), and dexamethasone (40 mg) (CyBorD DARA) as initial induction before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Eligible patients were ≤70 years of age with untreated MM requiring treatment and who lacked significant comorbidities. A total of 18 patients were enrolled. Their median age was 56 years (range, 32-66 years), and all patients had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤1. The International Staging System stages were I, II, and III in 78%, 17%, and 6% of patients, respectively; 28% of patients had high-risk genetic features. There was no dose-limiting toxicity, and the incidence of grade 3 or 4 infection or neutropenia was <10%. On an intention-to-treat basis, 94% achieved ≥very good partial response with ≥complete response in 44% of patients. Among 14 of 15 patients who underwent ASCT and were evaluable for response, all 14 achieved at least very good partial response, with 8 (57%) of 14 achieving complete response. After ASCT, 10 (83%) of 12 patients in whom minimal residual disease analysis was possible were negative at a sensitivity of 10-5 (56% on intention-to-treat/whole study population) according to next-generation sequencing. Flow cytometry analysis of patient samples indicated CyBorD DARA induced activation of macrophage-mediated antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02955810.

Lattice model for parallel and orthogonal beta sheets using hydrogenlike bonding.

We present results for a lattice model of polymers where the type of beta sheet formation can be controlled by different types of hydrogen bonds depending on the relative orientation of close segments of the polymer. Tuning these different interaction strengths leads to low-temperature structures with different types of orientational order. We perform simulations of this model and so present the phase diagram, ascertaining the nature of the phases and the order of the transitions between these phases.

Audit of compliance with the British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) revised guidelines for the diagnosis and assessment of treatment response of hairy cell leukemia in University Hospital Galway.

INTRODUCTION: Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is an uncommon B cell lymphoproliferative disorder. The object of the present audit was to assess whether the investigation and management of HCL in University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) complies with the British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) guidelines. METHODS: Following a review of the records in our Haematology Department, 18 cases of HCL were identified between January 2006 and October 2014. RESULTS: Blood film examination had been performed in all cases. Flow cytometry of liquid material had been undertaken in 89 % (n = 16) of cases, of which only 31 % (n = 5) included all four hairy cell panel markers (CD11c, CD25, CD103, CD123). Although all initial trephine biopsies included CD20, none analyzed DBA44. Only 65 % (n = 11) of treated patients had a post-treatment bone marrow biopsy preformed. CONCLUSION: This audit highlights areas of improvement in the diagnosis and management of HCL in UCHG, which do not currently adhere to the BCSH recommendations.

The nature of the conductance increase induced by filipin in cholesterol-containing planar lipid bilayers.

The effects of the polyene antibiotic filipin on the conductance and permeability of planar lipid bilayers were investigated under voltage-clamp conditions. The membrane conductance of lipid bilayers containing no cholesterol was not affected by filipin. In the presence of cholesterol containing lipid bilayers, filipin induced a 10(4)-10(5)-fold increase in transmembrane conductance. This conductance increase was dependent on the ionic species present in solution, decreasing in the following order: GCsCl greater than GNaAc greater than GKCl greater than GNaCl greater than CaCl2 greater than GNa2SO4 greater than GBaCl2 greater than GMgCl2. Reversal potential measurements in simple biionic conditions revealed the following relative permeability sequence: PK greater than PCl greater than PNa approximately Pac approximately PBa greater than PCs greater than PMg approximately PCa greater than Psulphate. The filipin-sterol mediated increase in membrane conductance was independent of the membrane potential. The increase in membrane current following a step alteration in membrane potential occurred instantaneously and had no dependence on the previous value of the holding membrane potential. We propose that the filipin-sterol complex forms ion channels in lipid membranes. These channels are found in a single configuration (open state) and select preferentially monovalent cations or anions over divalent ions. Our experimental results are discussed in relation to the effects of other polyene antibiotics on the membrane permeability, and also in relation to experimental problems previously reported with the use of filipin in planar lipid bilayers.

The effects of neurotensin on selected parameters of lipid metabolism in rats.

15 nM/kg b.m. of neurotensin (NT) caused a significant inhibition of LMA within 30 min of administration and this effect persisted up for to the 240 th minute of the experiment. A 15 nM/kgb.m. dose also caused a reduction in SLA which persisted up to the 120 th minute. Sixty minutes after an intraperitoneal administration of NT a decrease in the cholesterol and NEFA levels and an increase in the TG and glycerol levels were observed. These effects were inhibited by the NTR2-blocker (levocabastine) and were not subject to change after an in vivo application of SR 48692.

The importance of surgical clips for adequate tangential beam planning in breast conserving surgery and irradiation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of surgical clips in the planning of tangential beams in patients undergoing breast conserving surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between September 1996 and April 1998, 25 consecutive female patients with ductal carcinoma in situ, Stage I and II cancer of the breast, underwent lumpectomy with the excision cavity marked by the surgical clips. Subsequently, tangential fields were planned using clinical and radiologic information obtained during simulation without the clips position being visible. RESULTS: When measured from the center of the deepest clip to the posterior field border of the tangential fields in 6/25 patients (24%) the distance was less than 2 cm, with the closest being only 0.5 cm. Respective measurements for the distal end of the clip and the posterior border were: 9/25 patients (36%); less than 2 cm, with the closest distance of 0.3 cm. There was a positive correlation between the distance from the scar to the palpable breast border and the distance between the deepest clip and the posterior border of the tangential beams. CONCLUSION: The lumpectomy scar is often a poor indicator of the excision cavity as demarcated by surgical clips. Without the clips, part of the cavity may be underdosed by the tangential radiation beams. This is more likely for the cavities located close to the lateral or medial border of the breast tissue.

Seventeen years experience with accelerated radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast.

Between 1973 and 1989, one hundred and three women received accelerated radiotherapy to the breast. Fifteen of them had the treatment after local tumor removal; the rest had primary radiotherapy for inoperable cancer. Eleven patients were irradiated twice a day, 83 three times a day, and nine four times a day. The overall time was five days in 52 courses, 7-15 days in 49 courses, and two patients had a longer regime. Actuarial local tumor control was 34.6% at five, and 24.7% at ten years in the whole group, and 25.5% and 14.6%, respectively, in the patients with macroscopical disease. Crude local control in the latter patients was achieved in 24.4% after a five day course, 28.8% after 7 to 11 days course, and 50% after a time of 12 or more days. Crude local control after total dose of less than 40 Gy was 15.8%, after 40-45 Gy, 31.7%, after 45.1-50 Gy, 33.3%, and after more than 50 Gy, 100% (four patients). Sixty patients were evaluable for late damage at 18 months; twenty three of them developed moderate changes. Six suffered severe late damage such as skin leathering or necrosis: three of them were treated for recurrence after previous radiotherapy. The main factor influencing tumor control was not the overall treatment time, but the total dose.

Traumatic left ventricular papillary muscle rupture: the role of transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosis and surgical management.

We report a case of left ventricular posteromedial papillary muscle rupture caused by blunt chest trauma. Transesophageal echocardiography was used to establish the diagnosis and to assist with surgical repair of the mitral valve apparatus. Echocardiographic findings of the acutely ruptured papillary muscle are reviewed.

Comparison of the circadian rhythm in cell proliferation in corneal epithelium of male rats studied under normal and hypobaric (hypoxic) conditions.

Groups of 20-45-day-old rats maintained on a light (0600-1800)/dark (1800-0600) regimen with food and water available ad libitum were studied for the effect of hypoxic hypoxia on the circadian rhythm of corneal epithelial mitosis and thymidine incorporation. In experiments conducted during the months of September and November, hypoxic hypoxia was accomplished by the exposure of rats to a simulated altitude of 7500 m in one series of experiments, or to a gaseous mixture of 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen at sea level atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg) in another series of experiments. Controls were included as well. Statistically significant (P less than 0.05) circadian rhythmicity in the corneal mitotic index was substantiated in the control animals with mesor (M) = 12.4%, amplitude (A) = 9.6% and acrophase (phi) of 0911. In the hypoxic hypoxia situation, the mesor and amplitude were depressed to 8.6 and 5.9%, respectively. In control groups, thymidine incorporation was circadian rhythmic with M = 38.5 and A = 11.3 cpm/microns DNA and acrophase of 2255. In the hypoxic hypoxia situation, the mesor was similar to the controls; whereas the amplitude was suppressed to 6.1% and acrophase was phase advanced by about 7 hr. Changes in the circadian rhythm of corneal mitosis and in thymidine incorporation under hypoxic hypoxia can be explained by programmed-in-time energy requirements during the corneal cell regeneration cycle.