Effects of direct-fed Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis on production performance and milk fatty acid profile in dairy cows.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial on performance of mid-lactating Holstein dairy cows and on their milk fatty acid composition. Six multiparous cows fitted with a rumen cannula were used in a randomized replicated crossover design. Cows received 200 g/d of either whey powder as a control or BioPlus 2B (Chr. Hansen), a commercial direct-fed microbial providing Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis, representing a daily dose of 6.4 × 1011 cfu, and using whey powder as a carrier. The 2 experimental periods lasted 14 d and were separated by a 7-d washout interval. Samples were collected on d 0, 13, and 14 of each period. Data from d 0 were used as covariate. Significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05 and tendency at 0.05

Combined administration routes of marine yeasts enhanced immune-related genes and protection of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) against Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Antibiotic usage to control infectious diseases in shrimp aquaculture has led to serious problems on antimicrobial resistance. An alternative to mitigate this issue is the use of probiotics, which can be easily administered by feed and water. This study examines immunomodulatory and protective effects of the marine yeasts Debaryomyces hansenii CBS8339 (Dh) and Yarrowia lipolytica Yl-N6 (Yl) -alone and mixed-in white shrimp Penaeus vannamei post-larvae. Administration routes (fed and water alone or in combination), supplementation frequency and time elapsed after the last dietary supplement were tested on growth and gene expression of penaeidin, lectin, lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, as well as survival upon Vibrio parahaemolyticus IPNGS16 challenge. Penaeidin and lectin genes were upregulated in post-larvae fed orally with Yl or combined Dh + Yl. Higher growth and survival for yeast supplementation treatments were observed compared to the control group, mainly when yeasts (Dh + Yl) and administration routes (feed and water) were combined. In conclusion, mixed yeast and combined administration routes improved growth and immunity against V. parahaemolyticus.

Does Consumption of Baker's Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) by Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larvae Affect Their Fatty Acid Composition?

Fatty acids are important compounds for insects, but the requirements for essential fatty acids may differ between insect species. Most of the fatty acids are acquired through the insect's diet; therefore, supplementing the diet with baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Meyen ex E.C. Hansen), which produces unsaturated fatty acids, was predicted to affect the fatty acid composition of the insect. The tested insect was the black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens L.), that is used as a source of protein and fat in feed. Therefore, there is importance for BSF larvae (BSFL) nutritional composition, especially the unsaturated fatty acids content, which is one of the nutritional limitations for mammalian diets. The dominant fatty acids of the tested BSFL were the saturated fatty acids: lauric, myristic, and palmitic acids, as found in other BSF studies. Oleic acid (c18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) were the abundant unsaturated fatty acids in the BSFL. The proportion of linoleic acid was higher in the substrate with the supplemental yeast; however, this did not affect its proportion in the larvae. The higher proportion of linoleic acid may have been exploited as a source for production of saturated lauric acid. Therefore, providing unsaturated fatty acids to the substrate through supplemental baker's yeast is not the most efficient way to increase the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in the larvae.

Dietary live yeast and increased water temperature influence the gut microbiota of rainbow trout.

AIMS: The objective was to determine the effects of dietary substitution of fishmeal (FM) with live yeast and increasing water temperature on the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in rainbow trout. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fish were fed either FM or yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and reared in water temperatures of either 11°C (cold) or 18°C (warm) for 6 weeks. Luminal content and mucosa were collected from the distal gut and the load, diversity and species abundance of yeast and bacteria were analysed using agar plating, MALDI-TOF and rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Yeast in the gut of fish fed FM were represented by S. cerevisiae, Rhodotorula spp. and Debaryomyces hansenii, while fish fed yeast contained 4-5 log higher CFU per g of yeast that were entirely represented by S. cerevisiae. For gut bacteria, sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons using Illumina MiSeq showed lower bacterial diversity and abundance of lactic acid bacteria, especially Lactobacillus, in fish reared in warm rather than cold water. Fish fed yeast had similar bacterial diversity and lower abundance of Leuconostocaceae and Photobacterium compared with fish fed FM. CONCLUSIONS: Feeding live yeast mainly increased yeast load in the gut, while increased water temperature significantly altered the gut microbiota of rainbow trout in terms of bacterial diversity and abundance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Live yeast can replace 40% of FM without disrupting bacteria communities in the gut of rainbow trout, while increased water temperature due to seasonal fluctuations and/or climate change may result in a gut dysbiosis that may jeopardize the health of farmed fish.

Performance of Debaryomyces hansenii as a Diet for Rotifers for Feeding Zebrafish Larvae.

The zebrafish larval stage is a critical moment due to high mortality rates associated with inadequate supplies of nutritional requirements. Larval feeding has important challenges associated with such factors as small mouth gape (≈100 µm), the low activity of digestive enzymes, and the intake of live food. A common zebrafish live food at the onset of exogenous feeding is rotifers, mainly Brachionus plicatilis. These rotifers should be fed with other microorganisms such as microalgae or yeast, mostly from the Saccharomyces genus. In the laboratory, the culture of microalgae is more expensive than the culture of yeast. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Debaryomyces hansenii as a diet for rotifers in comparison to a microalgae-based diet (Rotigrow®). To achieve this aim, we assessed the rotifer total protein content, the rotifers fatty acid profile, zebrafish larval growth performance, the expression of key growth, and endocrine appetite regulation genes. The total protein and fatty acids content were similar in both rotifer cultures, averaging 35% of dry matter (DM) and 18% of DM, respectively. Interestingly, the fatty acids profile showed differences between the two rotifer cultures: omega-3 fatty acids were only observed in the Microalgae/rotifer, whereas, omega-6 fatty acids presented similar levels in both rotifer cultures. No differences were observed in the larval body length distribution or mortalities between the rotifer cultures. However, gh, igf-1, and cck gene expression showed significantly higher upregulation in zebrafish fed the Microalgae/rotifer diet compared with those fed the Debaryomyces/rotifer diet. In conclusion, D. hansenii could be an alternative diet for rotifer used as a live food in zebrafish larvae at the onset of exogenous feeding. The gene responses observed in this work open up the opportunity to study the effect of omega-3 supply on growth regulation in zebrafish.

[Yeast irrigation enhances the nutritional content in hydroponic green maize fodder]. / La irrigación con levaduras incrementa el contenido nutricional del forraje verde hidropónico de maíz.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation with yeasts (Debaryomyces hansenii var. Fabry, Yarowia lipolytica YIBCS002, Yarowia lipolytica var. BCS and Candida pseudointermedia) on the final nutritional content of hydroponic green maize fodder (Zea Zea mays L.), applied at different fodder growth stages (1. seed-seedling stage, 2. seedling-plant 20cm, 3. during all the culture). Irrespective of the fodder growth stages at which they were applied, all yeasts tested enhanced the content of raw protein, lipids, ash, moisture and energy. The percentage of electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, sulphates, Ca and Mg) showed different responses depending on the kind of yeast applied; D. hansenii exhibited the highest increment in all electrolytes, except for phosphorous. We conclude that the addition of yeasts belonging to the genera Debaryomyces, Candida and Yarowia to the irrigation solution of hydroponic systems enhances the nutrient content of green fodder. This kind of irrigation can be applied to generate high commercial value cultures in limited spaces.

Use of a direct-fed microbial product as a supplement during the transition period in dairy cattle.

Two studies were conducted. The objective of the first study was to assess the effects of a direct-fed microbial (DFM) product on dry matter intake, milk yield, milk components, disease incidence, and blood metabolites in dairy cattle. The objective of the second study was to assess the effects of DFM on apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility (ATTD). One hundred twenty primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows housed in a tiestall facility at the University of Guelph were used in study 1, and a subset (21) of the same cows participated in study 2. Cows were blocked by anticipated calving date (6 blocks) and then randomly assigned within parity to receive either a DFM supplement (Chr. Hansen Ltd., Milwaukee, WI) or placebo (control). The DFM supplement provided cows with 5.0 × 10(9) cfu/d of 3 strains of Enterococcus faecium and 2.0 × 10(9) cfu/d of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The DFM supplement was mixed with 0.5 kg of ground dry corn and top-dressed during the morning feeding. The placebo supplement contained the corn only. Individual feed intakes and milk yields were recorded daily. The experiment commenced 3 wk before calving and ended 10 wk postcalving. Milk samples for component analysis were collected on 3 d per week and pooled by week. Body weights and body condition scores were assessed 1 d before enrollment in the study (wk -3), postcalving (wk 1), and at the end of wk 3, 6, and 9. Blood samples were collected before calving (wk -3) and the end of wk 1 and 3. Study 1 showed that treatment had no effect on average dry matter intake or milk yield (kg/d) over the duration of the experiment. The changes in body weights and body condition scores and net energy balance over the duration of the experiment did not differ due to treatment. Treatment had no effect on plasma concentrations of ß-hydroxybutyrate, nonesterified fatty acids, glucose, or haptoglobin. Study 2 investigated the effects of DFM on ATTD of starch and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) using insoluble NDF and lignin as internal markers. Study 2 used 21 cows (block 6) from the cows that participated in study 1 while the cows were between 60 and 70 d in milk. Cows receiving DFM had lower fecal starch content (0.88 ± 0.10 vs. 1.39 ± 0.25) and greater ATTD for starch (98.76% ± 0.28 vs. 97.87% ± 0.24) compared with those receiving placebo, and the AATD of NDF did not differ. Additionally, we detected no difference between internal markers for the measurement of ATTD. In conclusion, we were unable to detect a change in overall dry matter intake, milk yield, or milk and blood parameters with DFM supplementation. However, our results demonstrated that DFM can have a positive effect on total-tract starch digestibility. More studies are needed to investigate the effects of DFM and their modes of action under multiple management conditions.

The effect of iron supplementation in the diet of Dasypus novemcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) armadillos in captivity.

Armadillos of the species Dasypus novemcinctus have been used as an experimental model of leprosy. Besides non-human primates, they are the only species naturally infected with Mycobacterium leprae and when experimentally inoculated, reproduce the lepromatous form of the disease producing large quantities of bacilli. This species has been maintained in captivity by numerous researchers and specific housing and feeding requirements have been developed to guarantee their survival during long experimental periods. In the 'Lauro de Souza Lima' Institute, armadillos receive dog food, ground beef, boiled eggs and vitamin C. However, despite the balanced diet, anemia has been observed in some captive animals, especially in armadillos inoculated with M. leprae in advanced stages of infection. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of iron sulfate supplementation in the feed provided for armadillos, both inoculated and non-inoculated with M. leprae, by means of the evaluation of their hematological profile. Fourteen armadillos received 10 mg/animal of iron sulfate (Hematofer(R)) diluted in sterile water mixed with their daily feed for 50 days. Hemograms and serum iron dosages for each armadillo were performed before and after supplementation. The hematocrit values increased significantly after iron supplementation, both in armadillos inoculated and non-inoculated with M. leprae. It is possible that the amount of iron in the feed is insufficient for the formation of hemoglobin, leading to microcytic anemia. Dietary supplementation with iron sulfate reversed this state, showing the importance of understanding the metabolism of exotic species for their maintenance in captivity, and thus ensuring their well-being.

The effect of iron supplementation in the diet of Dasypus novemcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) armadillos in captivity / O efeito da suplementação com ferro na dieta de tatus Dasypus novemcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) em cativeiro

Armadillos of the species Dasypus novemcinctus have been used as an experimental model of leprosy. Besides non-human primates, they are the only species naturally infected with Mycobacterium leprae and when experimentally inoculated, reproduce the lepromatous form of the disease producing large quantities of bacilli. This species has been maintained in captivity by numerous researchers and specific housing and feeding requirements have been developed to guarantee their survival during long experimental periods. In the "Lauro de Souza Lima" Institute, armadillos receive dog food, ground beef, boiled eggs and vitamin C. However, despite the balanced diet, anemia has been observed in some captive animals, especially in armadillos inoculated with M. leprae in advanced stages of infection. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of iron sulfate supplementation in the feed provided for armadillos, both inoculated and non-inoculated with M. leprae, by means of the evaluation of their hematological profile. Fourteen armadillos received 10 mg/animal of iron sulfate (Hematofer®) diluted in sterile water mixed with their daily feed for 50 days. Hemograms and serum iron dosages for each armadillo were performed before and after supplementation. The hematocrit values increased significantly after iron supplementation, both in armadillos inoculated and non-inoculated with M. leprae. It is possible that the amount of iron in the feed is insufficient for the formation of hemoglobin, leading to microcytic anemia. Dietary supplementation with iron sulfate reversed this state, showing the importance of understanding the metabolism of exotic species for their maintenance in captivity, and thus ensuring their well-being.

O tatu da espécie Dasypus novemcinctus tem sido utilizado como modelo experimental para a hanseníase. Eles são a única espécie, além de primatas não humanos, que se apresentam naturalmente infectados pelo Mycobacterium leprae. Estes tatus, quando experimentalmente inoculados, reproduzem a forma virchoviana da hanseníase produzindo grandes quantidades de bacilos. Esta espécie tem sido mantida em cativeiro por vários pesquisadores, no entanto, alguns cuidados são necessários para garantir a sobrevivência destes por longos períodos experimentais, tais como alojamento e alimentação. No Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, os animais em cativeiro recebem ração canina, carne bovina, ovos cozidos e vitamina C, mesmo assim, tem-se observado o desenvolvimento de quadros de anemia nestes animais, principalmente nos inoculados com o M. leprae, em estados avançados da infecção. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação com sulfato ferroso na alimentação fornecida aos tatus, inoculados e não inoculados com M. leprae, por meio de avaliação de seu perfil hematológico. Foram utilizados 14 animais que receberam 10 mg/animal de sulfato ferroso (Hematofer®) diluídos em água estéril e misturados diariamente à ração por 50 dias. Foram feitos hemograma e dosagem de ferro sérico de cada animal antes e após a suplementação. Os valores de hematócrito aumentaram significativamente após a suplementação, tanto nos animais inoculados como nos não inoculados com M. leprae. É possível que a quantidade de ferro na alimentação seja insuficiente para a formação da hemoglobina, levando a um quadro de anemia microcítica. A suplementação da dieta com sulfato ferroso reverteu este quadro, mostrando a importância de se conhecer o metabolismo de espécies exóticas para manutenção destas em cativeiro, assegurando seu bem estar.

The effect of dietary probiotic supplementation on tibial bone characteristics and strength in broilers.

A 6-wk study with 50 birds was conducted to investigate the effects of a dietary supplemental probiotic on morphometric parameters and yield stress of the tibia. Twenty-five 1-d-old broiler chicks were assigned to a control or an experimental diet containing Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis (BioPlus 2B, CHR Hansen BioSystems, Denmark, Ugur Ecza Deposu, Turkiye Distributoru, Adapazari 41400, Turkey; each containing 2.3 x 10(8) cfu/g of spores) supplemented to the starter and finisher diets at 500 g/1000 kg of feed. Each diet was replicated 5 times with 5 birds in each replicate. Tibiotarsi weight, length, and weight/length index, robusticity index, diaphysis diameter, modulus of elasticity, yield stress parameters, and percentage Ca content were not affected by the dietary supplementation of probiotic, whereas thickness of the medial and lateral wall of the tibia, tibiotarsal index, percentage ash, and P content were significantly improved by the probiotic. Medullary canal diameter of the tibia of the birds fed the control diet was significantly greater than that of birds fed the probiotic diet. There was no treatment impact on live performance of the birds throughout the 6-wk feeding trial.

Effect of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis supplementation of ewe's feed on sheep milk production and young lamb mortality.

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate under field conditions the effect of a probiotic containing Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis on young lamb mortality and sheep milk production when administered in the late pregnancy and lactation feed of ewes. In a sheep farm, two groups of milking ewes with identical genetic material, management, nutrition, health status and similar production characteristics were formed. One group (46 ewes) served as control, while the other one (48 ewes) served as a probiotic-treated group. Both groups of ewes received a similar feeding regiment, but the ewes of the second group were additionally offered a probiotic product containing B. licheniformis and B. subtilis (BioPlus 2B, Chr. Hansen, Denmark) at the approximate dose of 2.56 x 10(9) viable spores per ewe per day. Lamb mortality during the 1.5 months suckling period, and milk yield during the 2 months of milk collection for commercial purposes have been recorded. In the non-treated control group, 13.1% mortality was observed versus 7.8% in the probiotic-treated group (P = 0.33), with mortality being mainly due to diarrhoea. Microbiological examination of diarrhoeic faeces from some of the dead lambs in both groups revealed the presence of Escherichia coli. The average daily milk yield per ewe was significantly lower in the control group (0.80 l) than that in the probiotic-treated group (0.93 l) (P < 0.05). Fat and protein content of milk in ewes that received probiotics was significantly (P < 0.05) increased compared with untreated ewes. It was concluded that supplementing ewe's feed with probiotics may have beneficial effect on subsequent milk yields, fat and protein content.

Colonization of the gastrointestinal tract of the farmed South African abalone Haliotis midae by the probionts Vibrio midae SY9, Cryptococcus sp. SS1, and Debaryomyces hansenii AY1.

Viable cell counts and/or in situ hybridization were used to determine whether the probionts Vibrio midae SY9, Cryptococcus sp. SS1, and Debaryomyces hansenii AY1 can colonize the gastrointestinal tract of the South African abalone Haliotis midae. The number of culturable probiotic cells reisolated from H. midae fed probiotic-supplemented feed for 3 weeks ranged from 10(6) to 10(7) cfu/g gut material. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) in probiont numbers 2 days after feeding the probiotic-supplemented feed had been halted correlated with a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in intestinal protease and amylase activity. There was a positive correlation between Cryptococcus sp. SS1 and amylase activity (r2= 0.681) and V. midae SY9.8 and protease activity (r2= 0.711) in the H. midae intestine. Although culturable probionts were isolated from abalone that had not been fed probiotic-supplemented feed for a 2-week period, the drop in the number of probiotic cells colonizing the abalone digestive tract 2 days after feeding with the probiotic-supplemented feed had been halted indicates that farmed abalone should be fed probiotic-supplemented feed at least every second day for maximum benefit.

Process-oriented dose assessment model for 14C due to releases during normal operation of a nuclear power plant.

Swedish nuclear utility companies are required to assess doses due to releases of radionuclides during normal operation. In 2001, calculation methods used earlier were updated due to new authority regulations. The isotope (14)C is of special interest in dose assessments due to the role of carbon in the metabolism of all life forms. Earlier, factors expressing the ratio between concentration of (14)C in air and in various plants were used. In order to extend the possibility to take local conditions into account, a process-oriented assessment model for uptake of carbon and doses from releases of (14)C to air was developed (POM(14)C). The model uses part of DAISY which has been developed to model the turnover of carbon in crops. [Hansen, S., Jensen, H.E., Nielsen, N.E., Svendsen, H., 1993. Description of the Soil Plant System Model DAISY, Basic Principles and Modelling Approach. Simulation Model for Transformation and Transport of Energy and Matter in the Soil Plant Atmosphere System. Jordbruksförlaget, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark]. The main objectives were to test model performance of the former method, and to investigate if taking site specific parameters into account to a greater degree would lead to major differences in the results. Several exposure pathways were considered: direct consumption of locally grown cereals, vegetables, and root vegetables, as well as consumption of milk and meat from cows having eaten fodder cereals and green fodder from the area around the nuclear plant. The total dose of the earlier model was compared with that of POM(14)C. The result of the former was shown to be slightly higher than the latter, but POM(14)C confirmed that the earlier results were of a reasonable magnitude. When full account of local conditions was taken, e.g. as regards solar radiation, temperature, and concentration of (14)C in air at various places in the surroundings of each nuclear plant, a difference in dose between sites of approximately one order of magnitude was found.

Nutrient digestibilities of a corn-soybean meal diet as influenced by Bacillus products fed to finishing swine.

Twelve crossbred barrows (initial BW of 59.7 kg) were used in nutrient balance trials to investigate the influence of adding two Bacillus products (Biomate 2B and Pelletmate Livestock, Chr. Hansen's Biosytems) to a 14% CP corn-soybean meal diet (.64% lysine, .6% Ca and .5% P). A 3 x 3 Latin-square design with an extra period was used. Treatments were as follows: 1) basal diet; 2) basal + Biomate 2B (BAC1); and 3) basal + Pelletmate Livestock (BAC2). After a 7-d adaptation to metabolism crates, each 10-d period consisted of 5 d of diet adjustment followed by 4 d of total collection and 1 d for change-over. Both BAC1 and BAC2 were added at a level of .05% to supply approximately 3 million colony forming units per gram of diet. Pigs were fed twice daily at a daily rate of 3.2 to 3.5% of BW. Feeding BAC1 or BAC2 elevated (P < .001) fecal Bacillus spore counts at the end of each collection period, but the effect on number of coliforms and lactic acid bacteria was not as consistent; coliform counts tended to be decreased (P < .10) when BAC2 was fed, but not (P > .10) when BAC1 was fed. The number of lactic acid bacteria was increased (P < .05) when BAC1 was fed, but not (P > .10) when BAC2 was fed. Body weights were similar among all treatments for all periods. There was no carry-over or pretreatment effect (P = .50). Digestibility coefficients of DM, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, ash, and N and retention of N were not affected (P = .40) by feeding Bacillus products.

Rifampin in drug-incorporated diet: effect of duration and temperature of storage. Relevance to drug-susceptibility testing in mice inoculated with M. leprae.

This paper is in two parts. Plasma concentrations of rifampin were assayed at 11 time points in 24 hr in mice fed one of three dosages of rifampin, either by gavage or by dietary incorporation. The drug-mixed diets had been stored for a maximum of 3 weeks at 4 degrees C or at room temperature (30 degrees C-35 degrees C). The peak concentration of rifampin produced by gavage was approximately 11/2 times higher than the maximum plasma concentration of the corresponding dosage in fresh diet. Plasma concentrations decreased with the increasing duration of storage of the drug-mixed diet, irrespective of whether the diet was stored at 4 degrees C or at room temperature. This decrease was less when the diet was stored at 4 degrees C than at room temperature. Drug levels were also assayed in another set of mice selected from ongoing drug-susceptibility experiments; these mice were fed a rifampin-incorporated diet stored at room temperature. The plasma concentrations in these mice, assayed at the time of foot pad harvest, were generally higher than in the 24-hr experiment. The harvest results from these mice were compared with the harvest results from a third set of mice, also from ongoing drug-susceptibility experiments, but fed a rifampin-mixed diet stored at 4 degrees C. Multiplication of Mycobacterium leprae in mouse foot pads was prevented by rifampin mixed in the diet at a dosage of greater than or equal to 0.003%, whether stored at room temperature or at 4 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Primary dapsone resistance in China.

Ninety-seven strains of Mycobacterium leprae recovered from patients with previously untreated multibacillary leprosy were tested for dapsone susceptibility. The specimens originated from Shanghai Municipality, Jiang-su Province and Fu-jian Province. Approximately 28% of the strains either did not infect the mice or the results of susceptibility were inconclusive due to the low proportion of viable organisms in the bacterial populations. Among the 70 strains in which dapsone susceptibility could be tested in mice, 31 (44%) strains were found with primary dapsone resistance. Although the majority of the primary dapsone resistant strains were shown to be of a low- or intermediate-degree, one-sixth of them were of high-degree resistance.

[Maintenance of armadillos in captivity and results of the inoculation of Mycobacterium leprae]. / Manutenção de tatus em cativeiro e resultados de inoculaçãso do Mycobacterium leprae.

The authors report their experiences in raising armadillos and the results obtained in inoculating them with M. leprae. They begin by reporting on the origin of the animals, how they were captured, and their efforts until they found the right kind of housing for the armadillos. They also tell of their attempts to develop the correct feeding procedures. The result is the feed used now in their laboratory: chicken feed mixed with bread, eggs, meat and milk. Along with this, they report on the way each animal is registered and the examination it undergoes upon admittance, namely, recording of its weight, rectal temperature, feces examination, hemogram and hemossedimentation. They also tell how animals are immobilized so as to take blood samples for the inoculations. Lastly, they present the results of the inoculations with M. leprae in three armadillos of the Euphractus sexticinctus species and 26 of the Dasypus novemcinctus species, with special reference to an armadillo of the D. novemcinctus species, which had systemic infection 15 months after being inoculated subcutaneously and intravenously. Bacilli were found in large quantities in various organs like the skin, lymph nodes, liver, kidneys and spleen. No bacilli were found in the myocardium, pancreas, thyroid and testicles. The authors are of the opinion that this is the first armadillo of the D. novemcinctus species to present experimental systemic infection with M. leprae in South America. Another armadillo, which has been inoculated with a suspension of 1.2 X 10(8) bacilli by the intracardiac route already showed nodules with bacilli on the abdominal wall 10 months after being inoculated. They believe that the results already obtained indicate that soon they will be able to provide material for institutions in Brazil as well as other countries that are interested in the study of M. leprae and in the preparation of the Mitsuda antigen which is so vital to the control of Hansen's disease.

[Evaluation of protein quality in human and animal foodstuffs]. / Zur Proteinqualitätsbeurteilung von Nahrungs- und Futtermitteln

Having mentioned the present criteria for the evaluation of the protein quality, which are almost exclusively based on a numerical value, the author explains and discusses the principles of new criteria suggested since 1969. The following criteria are presented: the "Index d'Equilibre de la Protéine" of Arnould; the criteria "Total Amino Acid Value" and "Essential Amino Acid Value", outlined by GLEM-HANSEN and EGGUM; the "Nitrogen Efficiency Ratio" of EGGUM; the model of a nitrogen balance function, developed by RUFEGER; the multicompartment model for studying the resorption and metabolism kinetics of nitrogen and amino acids, as extended by KRAWIELITZKI; the functional conception of the relationships between the parameters of the nitrogen metabolism and of the laws of growth, according to GEBHARDT, and the method for determining the true amino-acid digestibility according to DAMMERS [7], EGGUM [8], WIESEMULLER [23], POPPE and co-workers [19], UHLEMANN [22] and HERRMANN [12]. Finally, the author gives suggestions for further research on the evaluation of protein quality.