The nutritional quality of cereals varies geospatially in Ethiopia and Malawi.

Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) remain widespread among people in sub-Saharan Africa1-5, where access to sufficient food from plant and animal sources that is rich in micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) is limited due to socioeconomic and geographical reasons4-6. Here we report the micronutrient composition (calcium, iron, selenium and zinc) of staple cereal grains for most of the cereal production areas in Ethiopia and Malawi. We show that there is geospatial variation in the composition of micronutrients that is nutritionally important at subnational scales. Soil and environmental covariates of grain micronutrient concentrations included soil pH, soil organic matter, temperature, rainfall and topography, which were specific to micronutrient and crop type. For rural households consuming locally sourced food-including many smallholder farming communities-the location of residence can be the largest influencing factor in determining the dietary intake of micronutrients from cereals. Positive relationships between the concentration of selenium in grain and biomarkers of selenium dietary status occur in both countries. Surveillance of MNDs on the basis of biomarkers of status and dietary intakes from national- and regional-scale food-composition data1-7 could be improved using subnational data on the composition of grain micronutrients. Beyond dietary diversification, interventions to alleviate MNDs, such as food fortification8,9 and biofortification to increase the micronutrient concentrations in crops10,11, should account for geographical effects that can be larger in magnitude than intervention outcomes.

A novel microbiome metabolic modulator improves the growth performance of broiler chickens in multiple trials and modulates targeted energy and amino acid metabolic pathways in the cecal metagenome.

A meta-analysis of 19 floor-pen trials (579 replicate pen observations) in diverse geographies, basal diets, seasons, and medication programs was carried out to evaluate the effects of 2 precision glycan microbiome metabolic modulators (MMM1 and MMM2) on the performance of broiler chickens. In each trial, negative-control (NC) diets were compared with either MMM1 (14 trials) or MMM2 (8 trials), supplemented at an intended dose of 500 g/MT from hatch to 31 to 42 d. A dose response of MMM2 was evaluated in 8 trials at doses of 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 g/MT, not all present in each trial. Linear mixed-effect models were constructed for the final BW, cumulative feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) corrected by mortality and BW (cFCR), and mortality, with Treatment as the fixed effect, nested random effects of Trial and Block, and adjustments for heterogeneity of variances. A significance level of P < 0.05 was used. In one of the studies, cecal content samples were collected at 42 d for analysis of microbiome gene abundance. Microbiome metabolic modulator 2 exhibited a reduction of the cFCR of 0.06 g feed/g BW gain compared with the NC and 0.03 g feed/g BW gain compared with MMM1, whereas MMM1 reduced the cFCR by 0.03 g feed/g BW gain compared with NC. Both MMM1 and MMM2 increased the final BW compared with the NC by 43 and 48 g/bird, respectively, with no difference among them. Compared with NC, feed intake was increased by MMM1 (+51 g/bird) and reduced by MMM2 (-74 g/bird). A one-directional dose response of the MMM2 ingredient was observed for the final BW (increasing) and cFCR (decreasing), whereas the feed intake response reached a minimum at 500 g/MT. The metagenomic analysis confirmed an increase in the abundance of genes belonging to the acrylate pathway, which is involved in propionate production, as well as arginine-N-succinyl transferase which is involved in the catabolism of arginine, in response to MMM2. Differential glycan structures of the MMM had an impact on the size and consistency of performance effects in broilers.

Spatial prediction of the concentration of selenium (Se) in grain across part of Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Grain and soil were sampled across a large part of Amhara, Ethiopia in a study motivated by prior evidence of selenium (Se) deficiency in the Region's population. The grain samples (teff, Eragrostis tef, and wheat, Triticum aestivum) were analysed for concentration of Se and the soils were analysed for various properties, including Se concentration measured in different extractants. Predictive models for concentration of Se in the respective grains were developed, and the predicted values, along with observed concentrations in the two grains were represented by a multivariate linear mixed model in which selected covariates, derived from remote sensor observations and a digital elevation model, were included as fixed effects. In all modelling steps the selection of predictors was done using false discovery rate control, to avoid over-fitting, and using an α-investment procedure to maximize the statistical power to detect significant relationships by ordering the tests in a sequence based on scientific understanding of the underlying processes likely to control Se concentration in grain. Cross-validation indicated that uncertainties in the empirical best linear unbiased predictions of the Se concentration in both grains were well-characterized by the prediction error variances obtained from the model. The predictions were displayed as maps, and their uncertainty was characterized by computing the probability that the true concentration of Se in grain would be such that a standard serving would not provide the recommended daily allowance of Se. The spatial variation of grain Se was substantial, concentrations in wheat and teff differed but showed the same broad spatial pattern. Such information could be used to target effective interventions to address Se deficiency, and the general procedure used for mapping could be applied to other micronutrients and crops in similar settings.

Use of acidified versus non-acidified liquid human milk fortifier in very low birth weight infants: A retrospective comparison of clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Use of human milk is recommended for low birth weight (VLBW) infants, but must be safety fortified with sterile liquid fortifiers to be nutritionally sufficient. Due to clinical concern for a high incidence of metabolic acidosis among VLBW infants fed human milk fortified with acidified liquid human milk fortifier (ALHMF), we aimed to retrospectively compare the outcomes of infants fed ALHMF to those fortified with non-acidified liquid HMF (NLHMF). METHODS: Medical records of VLBW neonates admitted to our institution's neonatal intensive care unit from July 1st, 2013 to June 30th, 2014 were reviewed. 129 patients were included in the study, 61 of which received ALHMF and 68 received NLHMF. Metabolic, nutritional and clinical outcomes, including growth, were compared between the two cohorts. RESULTS: Of the infants who received ALHMF, 70.5% developed metabolic acidosis compared to only 11.8% in the NLHMF group (p < 0.001). In addition, infants who received NLHMF had a 10% greater growth velocity during the period of fortification (p = 0.01). During the full course of hospitalization, no difference in growth velocity was seen between the groups and greater length gains were found in the ALHMF group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of human milk fortified with ALHMF was associated with an increased incidence of metabolic acidosis and poorer growth during the period of fortification when compared to NLHMF-fortified feedings. These growth effects were not apparent when the duration of hospitalization was considered, suggesting a need for further study to better characterize the advantages and disadvantages of each fortifier.

Dietary supplementation with flaxseed meal and oat hulls modulates intestinal histomorphometric characteristics, digesta- and mucosa-associated microbiota in pigs.

The establishment of a healthy gastrointestinal milieu may not only offer an opportunity to reduce swine production costs but could also open the way for a lifetime of human health improvement. This study investigates the effects of feeding soluble fibre from flaxseed meal-containing diet (FM) and insoluble fibre from oat hulls-containing diet (OH) on histomorphological characteristics, digesta- and mucosa-associated microbiota and their associations with metabolites in pig intestines. In comparison with the control (CON) and OH diets, the consumption of FM increased (P < 0.001) the jejunal villi height (VH) and the ratio of VH to crypt depths. The PERMANOVA analyses showed distinct (P < 0.05) microbial communities in ileal digesta and mucosa, and caecal mucosa in CON and FM-diets fed pigs compared to the OH diet-fed pigs. The predicted functional metagenomes indicated that amino acids and butanoate metabolism, lysine degradation, bile acids biosynthesis, and apoptosis were selectively enhanced at more than 2.2 log-folds in intestinal microbiota of pigs fed the FM diet. Taken together, flaxseed meal and oat hulls supplementation in growing pigs' diets altered the gastrointestinal development, as well as the composition and function of microbial communities, depending on the intestinal segment and physicochemical property of the dietary fibre source.

Comparative effects of two multi-enzyme combinations and a Bacillus probiotic on growth performance, digestibility of energy and nutrients, disappearance of non-starch polysaccharides, and gut microflora in broiler chickens.

The efficacy of two exogenous enzyme combinations and a multi-strain Bacillus probiotic (DFM) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, disappearance of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and gut microbial composition was investigated in broilers. One-day old Ross 308 chicks were assigned to 36 pens with 22 birds/pen and 6 pens/treatment (Experiment 1) or 36 cages with 8 birds/cage and 6 cages/treatment (Experiment 2). Treatment additives were added to nutritionally complete corn/soy based starter (d 1 to 21) and finisher (d 22 to 42) diets. Treatments included 1) a control diet containing 500 FTU/kg phytase (CTL), 2) CTL + xylanase (2,000 U/kg) and amylase (200 U/kg; XA), 3) CTL+XA + protease (4000 U/g; XAP), 4) CTL+DFM (150,000 cfu/g of 3 strains of Bacillus spp), 5) CTL+DFM+XA, and 6) CTL+DFM+XAP. Supplementation with DFM increased BW, BWG, and FI compared with the CTL (P < 0.05); XAP, but not XA, resulted in increased final BW, BWG and FI compared to the control (P < 0.05). XA and XAP improved apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of starch and fat on d 22 to 42 with XAP improving AMEn (by ∼82 kcal) compared with CTL birds (P < 0.01). DFM+XAP improved apparent ileal digestible energy (AIDE), AID of fat and starch on d 22 to 42, and additionally had a greater than additive effect on AIDE and AMEn. Supplementation with DFM+XAP reduced the ileal and total tract flow of insoluble arabinose and additionally total tract flow of soluble and insoluble xylose and total galactose (P < 0.05); similar effects of XA+DFM were not seen or were lower in magnitude, suggesting that the protease component plays an important role in increasing the availability of NSP for hydrolysis. Supplementation with DFM alone did not affect gut bacterial populations, but XA and XAP reduced numbers of Campylobacter species (by > 2.5 log cfu/g; P < 0.001) and Bacteroides (P < 0.02) in the cecum compared with CTL birds.

Effects of a multi-strain Bacillus spp. direct-fed microbial and a protease enzyme on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, fecal microbiota, and noxious gas emissions of grower pigs fed corn-soybean-meal-based diets-A meta-analysis.

Three studies involving 352 grower pigs were conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with multistrain spp. direct-fed microbial (DFM) and protease, alone or in combination, on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, fecal microbiota, and noxious gas emissions, and to use a meta-analysis to increase the reliability of the findings. Treatments ( = 4) were set up as a 2 × 2 factorial design with 2 levels of protease (0 and 5.000/6.000 units/kilogram of feed [U/KG]) and 2 levels of DFM (0 and 1.5 × 10 colony forming units/gram of feed [CFU/G]), plus a protease + DFM combination. Pigs were housed in groups of 3 or 4/pen with 8 replicate pens/treatment. Experimental diets were fed for 42 d and feed intake and BW were measured weekly. Fecal samples were collected at d 42 and analyzed to determine apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD). Fecal counts of and coliforms, and noxious gas emissions were measured. Blood samples were taken by anterior vena cava puncture to measure blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Data from the 3 studies were pooled and analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial using the Fit Model platform of JMP 11 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Means separation was determined using Tukey's honest significant difference test. The main effect of protease and DFM increased: BW at 42 d, overall ADG, and overall G:F compared to the control ( < 0.04). There were no interactions between protease and DFM ( > 0.05); however, the protease + DFM combination was the only treatment to improve ADG and G:F in all phases compared to the control. The main effect of protease increased ATTD of DM, nitrogen (N), and ADF ( < 0.04). The main effect of DFM increased ATTD of DM, N, GE, DE, ADF, and fat ( < 0.02). There was a trend for an interaction between protease and DFM for ATTD of GE and DE ( < 0.08) because the protease + DFM combination increased energy digestibility more than the additive effects of the protease and DFM alone. The main effects of protease and DFM decreased fecal ammonia emissions ( < 0.01), but the protease + DFM combination was the only treatment to decrease ammonia emissions compared to the control. In conclusion, the main effects of protease and DFM improved growth performance and nutrient digestibility compared to the control, but there was a greater additive effect of the protease + DFM combination on energy and N digestibility.

Nutrient and fiber utilization responses of supplemental xylanase in broiler chickens fed wheat based diets are independent of the adaptation period to test diets.

The effects of adaptation (AD) to xylanase-supplemented diets on nutrient and fiber utilization in 21-d-old broilers were investigated. Six treatments, arranged in two levels of AD (starting at d 0 or d 14 of age) and three levels of xylanase (0 or 2,500 or 5,000 xylanase units/kg feed) were used. All diets had 500 phytase U/kg and 0.3% TiO2 as indigestible marker. A total of 384 d old male broiler (Ross 308) chicks were divided into two groups. The first group was assigned on weight basis to 24 cages (8 chicks per cage) and randomly allocated to the diets from d 0. Birds in the second group were reared on a commercial starter diet in the same room for 13 d. On d 14, the birds were individually weighed, assigned on weight basis to 24 cages (8 chicks per cage), and randomly allocated to the diets. Birds had free access to experimental diets and water. Excreta samples were collected from d 18 to 21. On d 21, all birds were euthanized to access ileal digesta. There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between AD and xylanase on the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent retention (AR) of components. The main effect of AD was such that the birds exposed to diets for 7 d (d 14 to 21) had higher (P < 0.01) AID of energy than those exposed for 21 d (d 0 to 21). In contrast, birds exposed to diets for 21 d had higher (P < 0.05) AMEn and AR of neutral detergent fiber. Xylanase improvements (P < 0.01) in the AID of energy and AMEn were dose dependent and coincided with linear improvements (P < 0.05) in the AID of nitrogen, fat, and starch. In conclusion, xylanase improvements on retention of fiber and nutrients were independent of AD (7 or 21 d) suggesting that the xylanase effects are not transitional. Greater retention of fiber with longer AD is suggestive of possible microbial adaptation.

Effect of Bacillus spp. direct-fed microbial on slurry characteristics and gaseous emissions in growing pigs fed with high fibre-based diets.

A 26-day trial with 18 Pietrain×(Landrace×Duroc) pigs was conducted to investigate the effect of two dose levels of a specifically selected Bacillus spp. direct-fed microbial (DFM) product, on the emission of environmentally harmful gasses (methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulphide) from manure. Pigs were assigned to one of three treatments in a randomized complete block design according to their sex and initial BW. Each treatment contained three replications with two pigs per pen. The test treatments included a Bacillus spp. DFM containing 3×108 colony-forming unit/g, added at a low (250 mg/kg) and high (500 mg/kg) dose to an antibiotic free high fibre-based diet, and a non-supplemented control diet. Manure from pigs fed with the supplemented diets emitted lower amounts of atmospheric contaminants. The most significant reduction was observed with low DFM supplementation, in which methane and ammonia volatilization decreased (P40% and 50%, respectively, on fresh weight basis in relation to the control. Microbiome analysis of manure by high through put sequencing techniques on eubacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes highlighted the complex interactions between indigenous gut microflora and inoculated Bacillus spp. The tested Bacillus DFM could be considered as a best available technique in reducing the environmental impacts of growing pigs fed with high fibre-based diets.

Postprandial portal glucose and lactate fluxes, insulin production, and portal vein-drained viscera oxygen consumption in growing pigs fed a high-fiber diet supplemented with a multi-enzyme cocktail.

Information on effects of supplementing fibrous diets with exogenous enzymes on nutrient absorption and energetic demands of visceral organs is scarce. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of supplementing a high-fiber (HF) diet with a multi-enzyme cocktail (MC) on net glucose and lactate portal fluxes, insulin production, and O consumption by the portal-drained viscera (PDV) and whole animal in growing pigs. The MC supplied (analyzed values) 5,397 U of xylanase, 162 U of ß-glucanase, and 2,000 U of protease per kg of diet, and guaranteed minimum activities of 1,000 U of α-amylase and 25 U of pectinase per kg of diet. Three isocaloric-nitrogenous diets based on corn and soybean meal with 0% (control) or 30% distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS; 1:1 corn and wheat mixture; HF) and HF supplemented with MC (HF + MC) were used. Five gilts (initial BW = 22.8 ± 1.6 kg) fitted with permanent catheters in the portal vein and carotid artery (for blood sampling), and ileal vein (to infuse para-amino hippuric acid to measure blood flow rate) were fed the 3 diets at 4% BW once daily at 0900 h for 7 d in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. On d 7, pigs were placed in an open-circuit indirect calorimeter to measure whole-animal O consumption and sample blood for 7 h postprandial. Net glucose and insulin production were calculated from portal-arterial differences × portal blood flow, and PDV O consumption was calculated as arterial-portal O differences × portal blood flow. Diet had no effect on postprandial whole-animal O consumption, flow rate, and lactate flux. In addition, diet had no effect on overall mean postprandial PDV O consumption. Pigs fed control had greater ( < 0.05) portal insulin and glucose fluxes, from 90 to 300 min and net glucose flux from 90 to 240 min postprandial. However, pigs fed control and HF + MC had similar net glucose flux, which was greater ( < 0.05) than in pigs fed the HF diet. In conclusion, diets did not affect the energetic demand of the PDV but adding MC to the HF diet improved postprandial net glucose portal flux in growing pigs.

Postprandial portal fluxes of essential amino acids, volatile fatty acids, and urea-nitrogen in growing pigs fed a high-fiber diet supplemented with a multi-enzyme cocktail.

The present study investigated the effects of adding a multi-enzyme cocktail (MC) to a high-fiber diet on net portal-drained viscera (PDV) fluxes of essential AA (EAA), volatile fatty acids (VFA), and blood urea-N (BUN) in growing pigs. Five female pigs (22.8 ± 1.6 kg BW), with catheters in the portal vein, ileal vein, and carotid artery, were fed 3 isocaloric-nitrogenous diets at 4% of their BW once daily at 0900 h for 7 d in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. The diets contained corn and soybean meal with 0% (control) or 30% distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS; HF) produced from a 1:1 mixture of wheat and corn. The third diet was supplemented with MC in addition to the 30% DDGS (HF + MC). The MC supplied (analyzed values) 5,397 U of xylanase, 162 U of ß-glucanase, and 2,000 U of protease and guaranteed minimum activities of 1,000 U of α-amylase and 25 U of pectinase per kg of diet. On d 7, para-amino hippuric acid was infused into the ileal vein (to measure flow rate), and blood was sampled from the portal vein and carotid artery for 7 h after feeding to assay EAA, urea-N, and VFA. Portal absorption of nutrients was derived by multiplying the porto-arterial plasma concentration differences by portal vein blood flow. Diet had no effect on postprandial portal vein plasma flow rate and net BUN flux, but portal BUN tended to be lower ( = 0.070) and arterial BUN was lower ( 0.05) over the 7 h in pigs fed control. Postprandial portal Arg, Ile, Leu, Trp, and Val or net fluxes were lower ( 0.05) in HF-fed pigs from 30 to 240 min than control-fed pigs and MC supplementation tended (0.05 ≤ ≤ 0.10) to or improved ( 0.05) portal appearances of those AA, but not their fluxes. Control-fed pigs had higher ( 0.05) net portal fluxes of most EAA and pigs fed HF + MC had higher ( 0.05) Lys, and similar Met and Phe net portal fluxes were compared with control-fed pigs. Portal VFA was not affected by diet. However, total portal VFA flux was lower ( 0.05) in the HF-fed pigs than in the control pigs. The MC supplementation improved the total portal VFA flux, although it did not improve arterial VFA concentration relative to the HF diet. In conclusion, supplementing the HF diet with MC improved net portal appearance of some EAA and fluxes of total VFA, whereas fluxes of EAA did not change. The HF diet increased EAA demand by the PDV, but MC addition was not able to reduce this demand.

Comparison of the portion size and frequency of consumption of 156 foods across seven European countries: insights from the Food4ME study.

There are no standardised serving/portion sizes defined for foods consumed in the European Union (EU). Typical serving sizes can deviate significantly from the 100 g/100 ml labelling specification required by the EU legislation. Where the nutritional value of a portion is specified, the portion size is determined by the manufacturers. Our objective was to investigate the potential for standardising portion sizes for specific foods, thereby ensuring complementarity across countries. We compared portion size for 156 food items measured using a food frequency questionnaire across the seven countries participating in the Food4me study. The probability of consuming a food and the frequency of consumption differed across countries for 93% and 58% of the foods, respectively. However, the individual country mean portion size differed from the average across countries in only 16% of comparisons. Thus, although dietary choices vary markedly across countries, there is much less variation in portion sizes. Our results highlight the potential for standardisation of portion sizes on nutrition labels in the EU.

A review of nia as an exercise option for cancer survivors.

Nia is a fusion fitness program that blends elements from the dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts, creating a workout that is adaptable to all ages and fitness levels. As a nontraditional form of exercise, Nia integrates body, mind, and spirit as well as the five sensations of flexibility, agility, mobility, strength, and stability. Nia incorporates both cardiovascular and whole-body conditioning and is adaptable to those with a sedentary or active lifestyle, making it useful for the varying abilities of cancer survivors. Oncology nurses are in a key position to educate individuals with cancer on the benefits of exercise, such as improved physical functioning and quality of life, and decreased cancer-related fatigue. The purpose of this article is to familiarize oncology nurses with the potential benefits of Nia for cancer survivors.

Effects of Nia exercise in women receiving radiation therapy for breast cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To compare a 12-week nontraditional exercise Nia program practiced at home to usual care on fatigue, quality of life (QOL), aerobic capacity, and shoulder flexibility in women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Large community-based hospital in the midwestern United States. SAMPLE: 41 women with stage I, II, or III breast cancer starting radiation therapy. METHODS: 22 women were randomized to the Nia group and 19 to the usual care group. Those in the Nia group were instructed to practice Nia 20-60 minutes three times per week for 12 weeks. Those in the usual care group were instructed to continue normal activities. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Fatigue, QOL, aerobic capacity, and shoulder flexibility. FINDINGS: Controlling for baseline scores, change over time between groups was significantly different for the women who practiced Nia at least 13 times during the 12-week period; those in the Nia intervention reported significantly less fatigue between weeks 6 and 12, as compared to control group (p = 0.05). No statistical differences in QOL, aerobic capacity, or shoulder flexibility were found, but trends favoring Nia were identified. CONCLUSIONS: For women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer, Nia can help relieve fatigue. Additional research in arm and shoulder mobility and preservation also may be beneficial. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Oncology nurses are in a unique position to offer suggestions to help manage fatigue, and Nia could be considered as part of a cancer survivorship program. KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION: Exercise is beneficial for women with breast cancer, and interest is growing in nontraditional exercise options. Nia can benefit women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy.

The effect of a non-starch polysaccharide-hydrolysing enzyme (Rovabio® Excel) on feed intake and body condition of sows during lactation and on progeny growth performance.

A total of 200 (Large White × Landrace) sows were used in a 39-day study to evaluate the effects of feeding a non-starch polysaccharide (NSP)-hydrolysing enzyme multicomplex (Rovabio(®) Excel) in conjunction with a high- or reduced nutrient-density diet during lactation on sow body condition, feed intake and progeny performance. Eight sows were selected each week for 25 weeks, blocked by parity and BW into groups of four, and within the block randomly assigned to one of the four treatments (n = 50/treatment). Treatments were: (1) LND: low energy (13.14 MJ of DE/kg), low CP (15%) diet; (2) LND + RE: LND with 50 mg/kg NSP-hydrolysing enzyme; (3) HND: high energy (14.5 MJ of DE/kg), high CP (16.5%) diet; and (4) HND + RE: HND with 50 mg/kg NSP-hydrolysing enzyme. Sows were fed treatment diets from day 109 of gestation until the day of subsequent service. Between weaning and re-service, Rovabio(®) Excel addition to LND diets resulted in an increase in energy intake; however, a reduction was observed when supplemented to the HND diet (P < 0.05). The inclusion of Rovabio(®) Excel increased feed and energy intake during week 3 (days 15 to 21) of lactation (P < 0.05). Sows fed diets supplemented with Rovabio(®) Excel had greater back-fat depth at weaning and service (P < 0.05); however, the magnitude of change in back-fat depth during lactation and from farrowing to service was not different between treatments. Feeding the HND diet increased energy intake before farrowing, throughout lactation and during the weaning to service interval (P < 0.01); however, overall, average daily feed intake tended to be reduced (P < 0.10). At service, sows fed the HND diet were heavier than sows fed the LND diet (P < 0.05); however, the magnitude of change in BW between treatments was not different. Feeding the HND diet to sows resulted in a tendency for heavier piglets at birth (P = 0.10) that tended to grow at a faster rate and be heavier at weaning than piglets from sows fed the LND diet (P = 0.06). These results indicate that NSP-degrading enzymes offer minimal benefit to sows and their progeny when fed before and during lactation; however, increasing energy intake of sows during lactation may beneficially affect progeny.

Implementation and analysis of a pilot in-hospital newborn screening program for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze a targeted screening program for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (G6PDdef) and clinical outcomes of G6PD-deficient vs G6PD normal newborns. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review for 1578 male newborns was performed. The study group was those screened for G6PDdef. Comparisons between G6PD-deficient and normal infants were made with χ (2)-test and unpaired t-test. RESULT: A total of 1095 male newborns were screened, 11.1% had G6PDdef. 97.8% of screen results were reported by 48 h. Total bilirubin (TB) levels in deficient infants were significantly higher than in normal infants throughout birth hospitalization and they were more likely to receive phototherapy. Nineteen screened newborns were rehospitalized for hyperbilirubinemia, 47% had G6PDdef. CONCLUSION: In-hospital newborn screening for G6PDdef with rapid turnaround time is possible. G6PDdef is a risk factor for hyperbilirubinemia in American newborns. US centers with large at-risk populations can identify newborns at risk for severe hyperbilirubinemia with similar screening.

A randomized, controlled trial of endovenous thermal ablation using the 810-nm wavelength laser and the ClosurePLUS radiofrequency ablation methods for superficial venous insufficiency of the great saphenous vein.

BACKGROUND: Great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence is the most common cause of superficial venous insufficiency. Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) is superior to conventional ligation and stripping, and endovenous laser treatment (EVL) has emerged as an effective alternative to RFA. This randomized study evaluated RFA and EVL for superficial venous insufficiency due to GSV incompetence and compared early and 1-year results. METHODS: Between June 2006 and May 2008, patients with symptomatic primary venous insufficiency due to GSV incompetence were randomized to RFA or EVL. Patients with bilateral disease were randomized for treatment of the first leg and received the alternative method on the other. Pretreatment examination included a leg assessment using the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and CEAP classification. Patients completed the Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire 2 (CIVIQ2). RFA was performed with the ClosurePlus system (VNUS Medical Technologies, Sunnyvale, Calif). EVL was performed with the EVLT system (AngioDynamics Inc, Queensbury, NY). Early (1-week and 1-month) postoperative results of pain, bruising, erythema, and hematoma were recorded. Duplex ultrasound (DU) imaging was used at 1 week and 1 year to evaluate vein status. VCSS scores and CEAP clinical class were recorded at each postoperative visit, and quality of life (QOL) using CIVIQ2 was assessed at 1 month and 1 year. RESULTS: The study enrolled 118 patients (141 limbs): 46 (39%) were randomized to RFA and 48 (40%) to EVL, and 24 (20%) had bilateral GSV incompetence. At 1 week, one patient in the RFA group had an open GSV and was deemed a failure. More bruising occurred in the EVL group (P = .01) at 1 week, but at 1 month, there was no difference in bruising between groups. At 1 year, DU imaging showed evidence of recanalization with reflux in 11 RFA and 2 EVL patients (P = .002). The mean VCSS score change from baseline to 1 week postprocedure was higher for RFA than EVL (P = .002), but there was no difference between groups at 1 month (P = .07) and 1 year (P = .9). Overall QOL mean score improved over time for all patients (P < .001). CEAP clinical class scores of >or=3 were recorded in 21 RFA (44%) and 24 EVL patients (44%) pretreatment, but at 1-year, 9 RFA (19%) and 12 EVL patients (24%) had scores of >or=3 (P < .001). This represented a significant improvement in all patients compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: Both methods of endovenous ablation effectively reduce symptoms of superficial venous insufficiency. EVL is associated with greater bruising and discomfort in the perioperative period but may provide a more secure closure over the long-term than RFA.

Physicochemical characterization of cement kiln dust for potential reuse in acidic wastewater treatment.

Cement kiln dust (CKD) is a fine-grained material produced during the manufacture of cement. Current reuse options are limited and the bulk of CKD not reused in the cement manufacturing process is sent to landfills or stored on-site. Due to the calcium oxide (CaO) content of CKD, it has the potential to be used as a replacement for lime in treating acidic wastewaters such as acid rock drainage (ARD). This paper outlines the results of an examination of the physical and chemical properties of CKD samples collected from six cement plants. The CKD samples were analyzed for major oxides using X-ray diffraction (XRD), available lime, specific surface area, particle size, and morphology using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and compared with a commercial quicklime product. Conductivity, pH, and calcium concentrations of slaked CKD and quicklime solutions were used as indicators of reactivity of the CKD. Slaking of two of the CKD samples with the highest free lime contents (e.g., 34 and 37% free CaO) gave elevated pH values statistically comparable to those of the commercial quicklime sample that was characterized as having 87% available CaO. Acid neutralization trials indicate that even CKD samples with low free lime contents could be effective at neutralizing acidic wastewaters.