Supplemental phosphorus can be completely replaced with microbial phytase in White Leghorn layer diets.

1. A study was conducted to assess the possibility of totally replacing supplemental phosphorus sources in White Leghorn (WL) layer diets (aged 28 to 45 weeks of age) with microbial phytase supplementation. One thousand commercial layers (HyLine White) of 28 weeks of age were housed in California cages fitted in open-sided poultry shed at the rate of 20 layers in each replicate. Ten replicates were randomly allotted to each treatment, and the respective diet was fed from 28 to 45 weeks of age.2. A control diet (CD) containing the recommended levels of non-phytate phosphorus (3.6 g/kg NPP) and four other test diets (2-5) having sub-optimal levels of NPP (2.4, 2.0, 1.6 and 1.2 g/kg), but with supplemental microbial phytase (600 FTU/kg) were prepared and fed for the trial duration.3. The layers fed with lower levels of NPP with phytase had the same laying performance as the group fed the CD. Egg production, feed efficiency, egg mass, shell defects, egg density, shell weight, shell thickness, ash content and breaking strength of the tibia and sternum were not affected by feeding the lowest concentration of NPP (1.2 g/kg) plus microbial phytase.4. Phytase supplementation in diets with sub-optimal levels of NPP (2.4, 2 and 1.6 g/kg) significantly improved the Haugh unit score compared to those fed the CD.5. It was concluded that supplemental phosphorus can be completely replaced with microbial phytase (600 FTU/kg) in a diet without affecting egg production, shell quality or bone mineral variables in WL layers (28 to 45 weeks).

Predictors of weight loss during the intensive phase of tuberculosis treatment in patients with drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis in South India.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is well-known for causing wasting. Patients on treatment gain weight and weight loss is associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes. There is limited description of weight loss and its predictors during intensive treatment phase. The objective of this study was to assess the predictors of weight loss during intensive phase and to see if there is any association exists with sputum conversion at the end of intensive phase of treatment. METHODS: Data collected as a part of the prospective TB cohort (Regional Prospective Observational Research for TB India Phase 1) conducted in Pondicherry, Cuddalore and Viluppuram districts of Tamil Nadu were used for this study. Sputum smear and body weight comparison were made in the baseline and at the end of second month of treatment. RESULTS: In all, 726 participants had weight measurements at the two time points and 18.7% had weight loss; mean weight lost being 2.3 kg (SD 3.05). Mean weight loss was more among males (2.4 kg, SD 3.2), diabetics (2.8 kg, SD 3.9) and alcoholics (2.1 kg, SD 2.4). Alcohol consumption was the only predictor of weight loss after adjusting for age, diabetes, marital status and BMI (aRR 1.52, P 0.02). Weight loss was not associated with sputum conversion at the end of second month. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol use emerged as the major predictor for weight loss during intensive phase.

Feed withdrawal influences egg production, egg quality and antioxidant variables in White Leghorn layers reared during the tropical summer season.

1. An experiment was conducted with White Leghorn layers (Babcock BV 300) to optimise the feed withdrawal schedule for egg-laying hens (67 to 80 weeks) reared in open-sided poultry houses during the tropical summer season.2. Four feeding schedules (1. ad libitum access to the layer feed, 2. feed withdrawal from 9 AM-5 PM, 3. 11 AM-5 PM, and 4. 1 PM-5 PM followed by free access to the layer feed) were examined. Each feeding schedule was offered to 12 replicates consisting of 12 layers housed in four adjacent cages (45.7 × 35.6 × 43.2 cm).3. Fasting the layers from 1-5 pm reduced egg production compared to layers fasting from 9 or 11 am. The FI/egg or unit egg mass was highest in layers fasted from 1-5 pm. In the 9 am-5 pm fasted group, the cloacal temperature (CT) increased significantly at 11 am and gradually reduced at 3 pm. In the 1-5 pm fasted group, the CT remained higher at 3 pm and 5 pm.4. The cell-mediated immune response in layers fasted from 9 am or 11 am was higher than those fed ad libitum or 1-5 pm fasted group. Lipid peroxidation was higher in layers 1-5 pm fasted group, and significantly lower LP was found in groups that fasted from 9 am or 11 am. In general, the activities of serum antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase) were higher in layers that fasted from 9 am or 11 am compared to those that had ad libitum feed or fasted from 1-5 pm.5. It was concluded that the feed withdrawal should be initiated during the forenoon (9 AM/11 am-5 pm) for optimum production and to reduce oxidative stress in egg-laying hens reared during summer in the tropical region.

Effect of dietary supplementation of organic and inorganic Se on performance and antioxidant response in commercial broiler chickens.

1. The study was carried out to determine the effects of supplementing organic (OG) or inorganic (IOG) Se to record the performance, immune and anti-oxidant response in broiler chickens.2. One-day-old Vencobb-400 (50.1 ± 0.84 g; n = 280) male broiler chicks were allocated randomly into seven treatments to give eight replicates containing five chicks each and housed in deep littered floor pens (76 cm × 91 cm) for a period of 42 d.3. The control diet (CD) was formulated without any Se supplementation (diet I), CD plus 0.15, 0.30 or 0.45 mg/kg OG Se (diets II, III and IV, respectively) and CD plus 0.15, 0.30 or 0.45 mg/kg IOG Se (diets V, VI and VII, respectively).4. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), immune variables and mRNA expression profile of hepatic selenoproteins (SepW, GSHPx1, TrxR and GSHPx3) genes were determined. The BWG, FI and feed conversion ratio did not differ among various dietary treatments.5. The lipid peroxidation and activity of RBC catalase were lower (P < 0.05) in groups fed diets supplemented OG Se compared to those fed IOG Se and CD. The activity of GSH Px was higher among the groups fed diet supplemented OG Se compared to those groups fed OG Se and CD. However, supplementing diets with OG or IOG Se did not affect humoral or cell mediated immune responses.6. The expression levels of SepW were higher (P < 0.01) among the groups supplemented with OG Se. Expression levels of GSH-Px1, TrxR and GSHPx3 were higher (P < 0.01) among the groups supplemented with OG Se compared to those groups fed IOG Se or CD.7. Supplementing OG Se improved the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes and hepatic expression of selenoproteins genes in the present study. However, supplementing OG or IOG Se did not affect growth performance and immune variables in broiler chickens.

Feed emulsifier improves the performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chicken fed diets without antibiotic growth promoter.

1. A study was conducted to assess the impact of supplementing-graded concentrations of emulsifier on the production performance, gut microbial count, and digestibility of nitrogen and energy in broiler chicken fed diets without AGP.2. Male broiler chicks (n = 1500; Vencobb-430), aged one-day-old, were randomly allocated into six dietary groups each with 10 replicates of 25 birds each. A maize-soybean and meat and bone meal-based basal diet without antibiotic (AGP) growth promoter served as negative control (NC). The basal diet was supplemented with BMD (AGP, bacitracin methylene disalicylate-BMD 100 g/T), which served as the positive control (PC). Emulsifier was added to the NC diets at either 250 g/ton in all phases (250-All), 250 g in starter and grower phases, and 500 g in the finisher phase (250:250:500), 250 g in starter and 500 g in both grower and finisher phases (250:500:500) and 500 g in all phases (500 g-All).3. Two broilers per replicate were slaughtered to record carcase traits and gut microbial count on day 43. There was significant improvement in body weight gain (BWG) and reduced FCR in broilers fed 250:250:500 and 250:500:500 g emulsifiers compared to other treatment groups. Carcase traits and faecal microbial count did not differ among treatments. The inclusion of BMD significantly improved nitrogen (N) digestibility compared to the NC group. The digestibility of emulsifier-supplemented groups was similar to those fed by the BMD group except for the 500-All group, which was an intermediary between NC and other emulsifier-fed groups.4. It was concluded that supplementation with emulsifier (250:250:500 or 250:500:500) without antibiotic growth promoter significantly improved FCR and body weight gain similar to broilers receiving antibiotic growth promoter, which was associated with increased ileal digestibility of N and energy.

Dissecting the molecular determinants of clinical PARP1 inhibitor selectivity for tankyrase1.

Poly-ADP-ribosyltransferases play a critical role in DNA repair and cell death, and poly(ADP-ribosyl) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is a particularly important therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer because of its synthetic lethal relationship with breast cancer susceptibility proteins 1 and 2. Numerous PARP1 inhibitors have been developed, and their efficacy in cancer treatment is attributed to both the inhibition of enzymatic activity and their ability to trap PARP1 on to the damaged DNA, which is cytotoxic. Of the clinical PARP inhibitors, talazoparib is the most effective at trapping PARP1 on damaged DNA. Biochemically, talazoparib is also suspected to be a potent inhibitor of PARP5a/b (tankyrase1/2 [TNKS1/2]), which is an important regulator of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Here we show using competition experiments in cell lysate that, at a clinically relevant concentration, talazoparib can potentially bind and engage TNKS1. Using surface plasmon resonance, we measured the dissociation constants of talazoparib, olaparib, niraparib, and veliparib for their interaction with PARP1 and TNKS1. The results show that talazoparib has strong affinity for PARP1 as well as uniquely strong affinity for TNKS1. Finally, we used crystallography and hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectroscopy to dissect the molecular mechanism of differential selectivity of these PARP1 inhibitors. From these data, we conclude that subtle differences between the ligand-binding sites of PARP1 and TNKS1, differences in the electrostatic nature of the ligands, protein dynamics, and ligand conformational energetics contribute to the different pharmacology of these PARP1 inhibitors. These results will help in the design of drugs to treat Wnt/ß-catenin pathway-related cancers, such as colorectal cancers.

Effect of dietary supplementation of zinc proteinate on performance, egg quality, blood biochemical parameters, and egg zinc content in White Leghorn layers.

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of zinc proteinate (Zn-P) on laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant indices, and egg zinc content in laying hens from 38 to 49 weeks of age. A total of 150 White Leghorn layers were randomly assigned to five treatments, each with six replicates with five birds per replication. Dietary treatments included a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet with no zinc addition and basal diet supplemented with Zn-P at 40, 80, 120, or 160 mg/kg of feed for 12 weeks. The analyzed zinc concentrations of the five diets were 29.5, 70.8, 110.2, 147.5, and 187.5 mg Zn/kg, respectively. Dietary Zn-P supplementation had no effect on feed intake and egg production. However, raising the zinc level improved egg weight (P < 0.01) and egg mass (P < 0.05) and lowered the feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) during the later (46-49 weeks) period. The Zn-P supplementation also significantly (P < 0.05) increased Haugh units, egg shell strength, and shell thickness and had no influence on other egg quality parameters. Increasing zinc levels in the diet resulted in increase in egg zinc contents and serum zinc level. The serum triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol levels significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in Zn-P-supplemented groups. Supplementation of Zn-P significantly (P < 0.05) increased serum Cu-Zn-SOD activity and reduced MDA concentration. It could be concluded that dietary supplementation of higher levels of Zn-P, more than 80 mg/kg diet, significantly improved the egg zinc content, some egg quality traits, antioxidant activity, and serum zinc levels.

Designing, optimization, and validation of whole blood direct T-ARMS PCR for precise and rapid genotyping of complex vertebral malformation in cattle.

BACKGROUND: DNA testing in the cattle industry undergoes multiple hurdles. Successful genotyping involves the transportation of samples from the field to the laboratory in a chilled environment followed by DNA extraction, and finally, a specific genotyping protocol is followed. Various researches are focused on overcoming these issues. Microcards offer blood transportation at ambient temperature. Direct PCR methods can save the time of DNA extraction but available only for simplex PCR. Tetra Primer-Amplification Refractory Mutation System based Polymerase Chain Reaction (T-ARMS PCR) can make DNA testing faster in a low-cost setting. The present study was aimed to design, optimize, and validate a T-ARMS PCR for faster DNA testing of SNP responsible for Complex Vertebral Malformation (CVM)-an important genetic disease of the cattle industry. Further, a direct T-ARMS PCR from whole blood was developed to avoid the DNA extraction steps. Lastly, using the optimized protocol, genotyping of blood spotted on Microcard eliminates the need for cold chain maintenance in the transportation of samples. RESULTS: The present study demonstrated a novel T-ARMS PCR-based genotyping of the SNP rs438228855, which is responsible for CVM. Here, wild genotypes were recognized by 389 bp and 199 bp bands in agarose gel, while the carrier genotype showed an additional 241 bp band. The developed protocol was validated using PCR-Primer Introduced Restriction Analysis (PCR-PIRA) and sequencing. The present study further established a direct T-ARMS PCR for this SNP from whole blood. Different conditions such as heparin and EDTA treated blood, the need for pre-treatment, and two different DNA Polymerases for the direct PCR were optimized. Finally, our optimized protocol successfully genotyped the whole blood samples dried on Insta™DNA cards. CONCLUSIONS: The present study reported the usefulness of primer modified T-ARMS PCR for detecting CVM for the first time. To the best of our knowledge, direct PCR in T-ARMS PCR has never been reported. Lastly, the use of microcards in the developed protocol can make the assay useful in the DNA testing of field samples.

Comparative CpG methylation kinetic patterns of cis-regulatory regions of heat stress-related genes in Sahiwal and Frieswal cattle upon persistent heat stress.

The kinetic patterns of CpG methylation of the cis-regulatory region of heat stress-related genes on exposed to heat stress (at 42 °C) between the Sahiwal and Frieswal cattle was compared in the present study. Using an in vitro whole blood culture model, cells were continuously exposed to heat stress (at 42 °C) for 6 h. Methylation levels of five genes, viz., GPX1, HSP70, HSP90, c-FOS, and JUN were estimated by SyberGreen-based quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) assay. CpG methylation kinetics at different time points of heat stress (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 h) were analyzed using mixed ANOVA. The initial methylation level, estimated at 37 °C, of HSP70 was significantly high in the Sahiwal breed. A significant (p<0.001) time-dependent hypomethylation of an antioxidant gene (GPX1) CpG islands was detected at the acute phase of the stress. Heat shock protein gene (HSP70) showed a similar CpG methylation kinetics where the hypomethylation was prominent from 1 h and persisted up to 4 h. The heat stress responses of both Sahiwal and Frieswal cattle were identical as there was no distinctiveness in the methylation kinetics of CpG islands of studied genes. The acclimatization of Frieswal cattle-a breed developed in India over the years to the tropical climatic conditions, maybe one of the reasons for this similarity. Thus, the present study results could pave a path to understand the molecular mechanism of heat stress and adaptation of indigenous and crossbred cattle populations to the changing scenario in tropical climate conditions.

The safety and efficacy of Momordica charantia L. in animal models of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic hyperglycemic condition due to progressively impaired glucose regulation. Momordica charantia L. could potentially improve hyperglycemia because its fruit extracts can alleviate insulin resistance, beta-cell dysfunction, and increase serum insulin level. We evaluated the effect of M. charantia L. in comparison with a vehicle on glycemic control in animal models of type 2 diabetes mellitus. MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched without language restriction through April 2019. About 66 studies involving 1861 animals that examined the effect of M. charantia L. on type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. Fruits and seed extracts reduced fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c in comparison to vehicle control: (42 studies, 815 animals; SMD, -6.86 [95% CI; -7.95, -5.77], 3 studies, 59 animals; SMD; -7.76 [95% CI; -12.50, -3.01]) respectively. Also, the extracts have hepato-renal protective effects at varying doses and duration of administration. Despite the observed significant glycemic control effect, poor methodological quality calls for future researches to focus on standardizing extract based on chemical markers and adopt measures to improve the quality of preclinical studies such as sample size calculation, randomization, and blinding.

Fertilization in flowering plants: an odyssey of sperm cell delivery.

KEY MESSAGE: In light of the available discoveries in the field, this review manuscript discusses on plant reproduction mechanism and molecular players involved in the process. Sperm cells in angiosperms are immotile and are physically distant to the female gametophytes (FG). To secure the production of the next generation, plants have devised a clever approach by which the two sperm cells in each pollen are safely delivered to the female gametophyte where two fertilization events occur (by each sperm cell fertilizing an egg cell and central cell) to give rise to embryo and endosperm. Each of the successfully fertilized ovules later develops into a seed. Sets of macromolecules play roles in pollen tube (PT) guidance, from the stigma, through the transmitting tract and funiculus to the micropylar end of the ovule. Other sets of genetic players are involved in PT reception and in its rupture after it enters the ovule, and yet other sets of genes function in gametic fusion. Angiosperms have come long way from primitive reproductive structure development to today's sophisticated, diverse, and in most cases flamboyant organ. In this review, we will be discussing on the intricate yet complex molecular mechanism of double fertilization and how it might have been shaped by the evolutionary forces focusing particularly on the model plant Arabidopsis.

Fast and near-optimal monitoring for healthcare acquired infection outbreaks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in twenty five hospital patients are infected with at least one healthcare acquired infection (HAI) on any given day. Early detection of possible HAI outbreaks help practitioners implement countermeasures before the infection spreads extensively. Here, we develop an efficient data and model driven method to detect outbreaks with high accuracy. We leverage mechanistic modeling of C. difficile infection, a major HAI disease, to simulate its spread in a hospital wing and design efficient near-optimal algorithms to select people and locations to monitor using an optimization formulation. Results show that our strategy detects up to 95% of "future" C. difficile outbreaks. We design our method by incorporating specific hospital practices (like swabbing for infections) as well. As a result, our method outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms for outbreak detection. Finally, a qualitative study of our result shows that the people and locations we select to monitor as sensors are intuitive and meaningful.

Solution combustion synthesis, characterization, magnetic, and dielectric properties of CoFe2O4 and Co0.5M0.5Fe2O4 (M = Mn, Ni, and Zn).

Nanocrystalline CoFe2O4 and Co0.5M0.5Fe2O4 (M = Mn, Ni, and Zn) ferrites were prepared by the solution combustion method using oxalyl dihydrazide as a fuel. These materials were characterized by several physicochemical techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate the cubic spinel structure of these ferrites. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images demonstrate the microporous nature of the materials because of the large amount of gas production during their synthesis. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images show lattice fringes corresponding to the {220} and {311} planes of the spinel structure. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra exhibit absorption bands around the 500-600 cm-1 wavenumber region which are related to metal-oxygen bonds with tetrahedral coordination. Symmetric and asymmetric stretching and symmetric bending modes associated with tetrahedral and octahedral cations present in the spinel structures have been assessed by Raman spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies demonstrate the presence of Co2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Fe3+ in tetrahedral and octahedral coordinations in these ferrites. Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 is observed to show the highest saturation magnetization among all these materials. The dielectric measurements reveal that the dielectric constant and loss values decrease with an increase in frequency and the ac conductivity increases at higher frequencies due to mobilization of the charge carriers.

Effect of heat stress on superoxide anion production in native and crossbred cattle under in vitro whole blood culture model.

Impact of global warming on the dairy industry has gained attention due to huge economic losses through low production and fertility caused by heat stress. Exposure to hyperthermia provokes a series of complex responses in mammals which are been related to morphological and physiological alterations including the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A quantitative spectrophotometric based nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay was used to estimate the superoxide anion (•O2-) level in heat stressed (at 42 °C) whole blood cultures of native and crossbred bulls (Sahiwal and Frieswal), in vitro. The breed effect in the kinetics of •O2- production at different time periods of continual heat stress was analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Comparison between different time periods in reference to 37 °C was analyzed by paired t-test. The •O2- level was significantly different (p < 0.05) between cells at 37 °C and 42 °C at different periods of incubation. Kinetics study showed increment of •O2- production on the acute phase of stress followed by a reduction in both Sahiwal and Frieswal breeds. In Sahiwal breed, the inflated superoxide level continued abated till 4 h and raised again at 6 h, while in Frieswal •O2- level reverted to raise sooner with in 2 h of incubation itself. Contrarily, kinetic of •O2- level in plasma showed a significant reduction (p < 0.001) at 30 min of 42 °C incubation followed by increment of •O2- level. Further, the breed variation was significant (p < 0.05) and a significant high reduction of •O2- level was observed in Sahiwal breed. Our finding indicates that, a better and longer •O2- production homeostasis and higher plasma scavenging ability of native breed may be one of the reasons for the higher thermal tolerance of these breeds in tropical climate.

Evaluation of feeding value of combination of alternate protein sources in White Leghorn layers.

1. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of including graded levels of an alternate protein mixture (APM) containing cottonseed meal, distillery dried grain with solubles and mustard seed meal in a fixed ratio as a substitute for soybean meal in layer diets (hens aged 27 to 46 weeks). The trial studied the possibility of higher inclusion levels of APM with increased dietary concentrations of crude protein (CP) or critical amino acids (CAA). 2. Maize-soybean meal diet was used as the control diet. In experiment 1, APM was included at 0, 120, 160 and 200 g/kg diet (145 g/kg CP). In experiment 2, the control and three test diets (200 g/kg APM) with three levels of CP (145, 155 and 165 g/kg) were used. In experiment 3, a control and four test diets (200 g/kg APM) with four concentrations of CAA (100%, 105%, 110% and 115% relative to the control) were used. In all experiments, each diet was fed ad libitum to nine replicates of 88 birds each, housed in colony cages. 3. In experiment 1, egg production (EP) and feed intake (FI) were not affected by feeding up to 160 g/kg APM, but, at 200 g/kg, EP was significantly reduced. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the hens fed the highest level of APM was similar to the control. Egg weight (EW) and egg mass (EM) in the 160 and 200 g/kg AMS groups were lower than the control group. 4. Increase in dietary CP from 145 to 155 g/kg improved EP and reduced FCR to levels similar to the control group. EM in hens fed 165 g/kg APM was similar to the control in experiment 2. 5. Increasing concentrations of CAA progressively improved EP and reduced FCR in experiment 3. The EP at CAA 110% and FCR at CAA 105% were similar to the control group. 6. Based on the results, it was concluded that the APM can be included up to 160 g/kg diet without affecting layer performance, as long as the diet supplied the recommended levels of protein and amino acids. By increasing either protein from 145 to 155 g/kg or CAA concentrations by 10%, the dietary levels of the APM could be increased to 200 g/kg without affecting the layer performance.

Feeding status of free-range scavenging chickens in different agro-climatic regions of India.

1. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status of backyard chickens reared under 4 different agro-climatic conditions (tropical, humid subtropical, cool-temperate and semi-arid) of India during different seasons of the year and to compare their nutritional status with those reared under confined feeding system (CFS). In each season, 15 adult and 15 grower chickens were slaughtered for collecting content of crop and gizzard to assess the nutritional status from different agro-climatic conditions.2. The dry matter content of crop and gizzard was higher (P < 0.01) in chickens reared under backyard conditions compared to those reared under CFS.3. Higher (P < 0.01) crop and gizzard contents were recorded during winter compared to the rainy season. The proportion of grains in the crop during summer and winter season was higher compared to rainy season. Further, there were more insects present in the crop during the rainy season and winter compared to summer.4. The proportion of insects was higher in chickens reared in humid, subtropical and cool temperate regions compared to semi-arid conditions. The consumption of grasses was higher in cool-temperate regions as compared to those reared under other areas.5. Crude protein (CP), Ca, P and gross energy (GE) content of the crop were higher in chickens reared under CFS compared to those reared in backyard systems and CP in the crop contents was lower in backyard chickens reared in humid subtropical and semi-arid regions compared to other areas. Similarly, lower (P < 0.01) Ca levels were seen in crop and gizzard contents from birds reared in semi-arid Rajasthan, and P and GE were lower in tropical wet and dry Telangana (TWT) compared to the chickens reared in the backyard conditions in other regions.6. Based on the results, the nutrient intake for birds utilising the scavenging feed resource base (SFRB) in the TWT region was below the requirements of backyard chickens from the other regions selected in the present study. GE and CP were critically deficient in the SFRB of the TWT region. Therefore, evolving location-specific supplementary diets using locally available feed resources to meet nutrient requirement of backyard chickens is required for optimising production potential.

Effect of feeding diet with alternate protein sources and quality protein maize on performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens.

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding diets with quality protein maize (QPM) along with cottonseed meal (CSM) and guar meal (GM) on nutrient utilization, body weight (BW) gain (BWG), feed efficiency, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. The biological trial was conducted on day-old broiler chicks (n = 240), which were randomly distributed into 6 dietary groups having 8 replicates with 5 chicks. Six experimental diets were formulated to contain maize (diet I), QPM (diet II), maize+CSM80 g/kg + GM40 g/kg (diet III), maize + CSM120 g/kg + GM60 g/kg (diet IV), QPM+CSM80 g/kg + GM40 g/kg (diet V), and QPM+CSM120 g/kg + GM60g/kg (diet VI). The BWG and feed intake were recorded at weekly intervals. Supplementation of CSM and GM along with QPM or maize depressed (P < 0.05) BWG, feed conversion ratio, and slaughter variables in commercial broilers. Improvement of BWG and breast weight was recorded among the groups supplemented 80 g/kg CSM and 40 g/kg GM with a QPM-based diet compared with those groups fed 120 g/kg CSM and 60 g/kg GM with maize or QPM. The energy and protein utilization decreased among the groups supplemented CSM and GM. However, protein and energy utilization was increased (P < 0.05) among the groups fed QPM-based diets compared with those groups fed CSM and GM with maize or QPM. Therefore, it has been concluded that the performance and other parameters did not differ between the groups fed maize- and QPM-based diets in the present experiment. However, QPM with CSM and GM improved the performance, slaughter parameters, and nutrient utilization over CSM and GM with maize.

Retrospective analysis of forward and reverse ABO typing discrepancies among patients and blood donors in a tertiary care hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine the incidence and causes of ABO typing discrepancies among patients and blood donors at our centre. BACKGROUND: An accurate interpretation of the ABO blood group of an individual is of utmost importance to ensure patient safety and good transfusion practices. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was carried out in the Department of Transfusion Medicine in our hospital from March 2013 to December 2015. Records of all patient and blood donor samples were retrieved and analysed for ABO typing discrepancies. RESULTS: In total, 135 853 patient and 62 080 donor samples were analysed for ABO typing discrepancies. The incidence among patients and blood donors was found to be 0·1% (138/135853) and 0·02% (14/62080), respectively. The mean age for patients and blood donors was 48·4 and 29·2 years, respectively. The most common cause of ABO typing discrepancies was due to cold autoantibodies among the patients (50·7%) and blood donors (57%) causing discrepant results in reverse typing. The various other causes of reverse typing discrepancies among patients were weak/missing antibody (25·4%), cold-reacting alloantibody (4·3%), warm autoantibody (2·2%), anti-A1 antibody (2·2%), Bombay phenotype (1·5%), transplantation (0·7%) and rouleaux (0·7%), whereas in blood donors, the causes were cold-reacting antibody (7%) and weak antibody (7%). The major cause of forward typing discrepancies among patients (12·3%) and blood donors (29%) was ABO subgroups. CONCLUSION: The resolution of ABO typing discrepancy is essential to minimise the chance of transfusion of ABO-incompatible blood.

Effect of supplementing graded concentrations of non-phytate phosphorus on performance, egg quality and bone mineral variables in White Leghorn layers.

1. An experiment was conducted to determine optimal non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) concentrations for White Leghorn (WL) layers (22-72 weeks) fed diet containing 38 g Ca/kg. 2. Eight diets with graded concentrations (1.5-3.25 g/kg in increments of 0.25 g) of NPP were prepared. Each diet was fed to eight pen replicates containing 88 birds in each. Performance data was evaluated in three different phases (phase I-22-37 weeks, phase II-38-53 weeks and phase III-54-72 weeks). Optimum levels of NPP were determined by fitting a quadratic polynomial (QP) regression model. 3. Egg production (EP) was not affected (P = 0.059) by the concentration of NPP and interaction between NPP and diet phase was non-significant, indicating that the lowest concentration (1.5 g/kg diet) of NPP used in the study was adequate across the three phases. However, EP was influenced by phase (P < 0.001). 4. Optimum concentration of NPP for feed intake (FI) was estimated to be 1.5, 1.71 and 2.40 g/kg diet during phases I, II and III, respectively. FI per egg mass (EM) or feed efficiency (FE) responded quadratically with NPP and also differed significantly between phases. Optimum concentration of NPP for FE during phases I, II and III was 1.5, 2.56 and 2.32 g/kg diet, respectively. 5. Egg weight (EW), EM, shell weight and thickness were not affected by NPP concentration although all of these variables (except shell weight) were influenced by phases. 6. Breaking strength of tibia and Ca contents in tibia ash were not affected by the concentration of NPP, but bone ash and P contents in tibia ash were influenced (P < 0.001) by NPP. Predicted optimal concentrations of NPP for responses for tibia ash at 44 or 72 weeks, tibia ash P at 44 weeks and tibia ash P at 72 weeks were 1.55, 2.63 and 1.5 g/kg diet, respectively. 7. Based on the results, it was concluded that WL layers required 1.5 g, 2.63 g and 2.4 g, respectively/kg diet during phase I, II and III with the calculated daily intake of 137.3, 278.3 and 262 mg NPP/b/d.

Modelling, characterization and quality analysis of heated oil using electric moment and chemical properties.

The effect of temperature (30-90 °C) on the electrical parameter: dielectric constant (εr) of Sunflower, Olive and Corn oil exposed to three cycles of heating to frying temperature (175 ± 5 °C) was studied to exhibit the quality analysis of oil. Dielectric constant of heated oil was measured using designed inter-digitated electrode capacitor at different frequency (10 kHz-5 MHz) and temperature (30-90 °C). Dielectric constant (εr) of oil samples increases with cycles of heating. Variation of dielectric constant with frequency was premeditated using quadratic equation and the dependency factor was observed to be R2 > 0.914. Chemical kinetic dielectric constant with temperature was studied using Arrhenius law and observed that activation energy increases with cycles of heating. Andrade's equation was also fitted with the variation of εr with temperature and the dependency factor (R2 between 0.978 to 0.999) was observed to be highly correlated. Experiential physical properties like density, refractive index and εr were significantly correlated with the pragmatic peroxide value. The observed relation between εr with chemical property divulges the suitability of measured dielectric constant in real time and continuous evaluation of edible oil quality analysis in food industry.