Synergistic approaches to elevate indoor air quality: A holistic examination of classroom refinement, air exchange optimization, and flooring material impact.

This research endeavors to elevate indoor air quality within aging school environments by concentrating on refining interior finishing materials and windows. Renovations, encompassing window and floor remodeling in classrooms, aim to mitigate particulate matter (PM) infiltration and enhance air exchange rates. Utilizing SPS30 sensors for the analysis of 0.3-2.5 µm particles, with a focus on their implications for human health, the study evaluated air exchange rates, deposition rates, infiltration rates, and particle generation during classroom activities. Post-renovation results demonstrated a noteworthy decrease in air exchange rates, indicating an enhancement in airtightness. The investigation delves into particle generation with various flooring materials, accentuating the importance of opting for durable and low-particle-generating alternatives. Health risk assessments, considering multiple exposure routes (inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion), revealed reduced risks post-renovation, particularly for children. To further optimize indoor air quality, the study suggests the implementation of air purification systems. Examination of PM generation during student activities showcased a substantial reduction post-renovation. This study underscores the positive influence of architectural enhancements on indoor air quality while acknowledging the necessity for holistic solutions and continuous research.

A qualitative study on the health-seeking behavior and its determinants among carpet weavers in Kashmir.

We conducted this study to examine the nature of treatment-seeking behavior among carpet weavers in Kashmir. We used a grounded theory approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 35 research participants recruited through purposive and theoretical sampling techniques. Based on the primary data, our study reveals that carpet weavers approached different agencies and used multiple methods for seeking treatment for their illness(es). The majority of the participants relied on spiritual healers, followed by traditional methods, Unani treatment, compounders and self-medication, while modern medicine was the last option for seeking treatment. We also found that participants base their choices about when and where to seek treatment on multiple socio-economic and cultural factors like financial constraints, perception towards illness, no provision for leave, costly and lengthy medical treatment, side effects of modern medicine, the nature of the disease, lack of infrastructure and insecurity due to conflict. These findings are relevant to employers and various government as well as non-government organizations. Additional implications of these findings for carpet weavers, public health, for practice and research are also discussed.

Risk factors related to the appearance of umbilical disorders in dairy calves / [Fatores de risco relacionados ao surgimento de afecções umbilicais em bezerros leiteiros]

The objective of this study was to determine the types of calve housing used in dairy farms, the prevalence of umbilical disorders and related risk factors. The 16 farms studied were visited to characterize the types of installation and possible risk factors, as well as information obtained from a questionnaire applied to the farmers. 806 Holstein calves were physically examined, in addition to collecting blood samples for the evaluation of Failures in Passive Immunity Transfer (FPIT), in animals that manifested inflammatory omphalopathies, and were also submitted to ultrasound examination. The prevalence of omphalopathies was assessed by Fisher's test, and multivariate logistic regression to assess risk factors. Eight types of installation were found: tropical house, suspended cage, collective stall, collective picket, Argentinean type, single-story cage, individual stall, and collective picket with chain. Omphalopathies accounted for 6.45% of the calves. Small size farms (up to 99 lactation cows) had high risk for umbilical disorders, ground floor collective calves, without side protection, with sand floor, in closed sheds and without heatstroke were considered risk factors for omphalopathies. Adequate colostrum and umbilical antisepsis are not associated with disease, its appearance being related to the housing conditions of the animals.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os tipos de alojamento para bezerros leiteiros, a prevalência de onfalopatias e os fatores de risco relacionados. As 16 fazendas estudadas foram visitadas buscando-se caracterizar os tipos de instalação e os possíveis fatores de risco, além de informações obtidas de um questionário aplicado aos fazendeiros. Foram examinados fisicamente 806 bezerros da raça Holandesa, além da coleta de amostras de sangue, para avaliação da falha de transferência de imunidade passiva (FTIP), nos animais que manifestaram onfalopatias inflamatórias, sendo submetidos também ao exame ultrassonográfico. A prevalência das onfalopatias foi avaliada por teste de Fisher, e foi feita regressão logística multivariada a fim de se avaliarem os fatores de risco. Verificou-se oito tipos de instalação: casinha tropical, gaiola suspensa, baia coletiva, piquete coletivo, bezerreiro tipo argentino, gaiola térrea, baia individual e piquete coletivo com corrente. As onfalopatias corresponderam a 6,45% dos bezerros. Os bezerreiros coletivos térreos, sem proteções laterais, com piso de areia, borracha, concreto ou madeira, em galpões fechados, sem insolação, com alta densidade animal, antissepsia umbilical realizada por três dias e FTIP acima de 50% foram considerados fatores de risco para onfalopatias e possuem relação com o bezerreiro, sendo decisivas para evitar essas condições a colostragem e a antissepsia umbilical adequadas.(AU)

The efficiency of antineoplastic drug contamination removal by widely used disinfectants-laboratory and hospital studies.

OBJECTIVE: Antineoplastic drugs (ADs) pose risks to healthcare staff. Surface disinfectants are used in hospitals to prevent microbial contamination but the efficiency of disinfectants to degrade ADs is not known. We studied nine disinfectants on ten ADs in the standardized laboratory and realistic in situ hospital conditions. METHODS: A survey in 43 hospitals prioritized nine most commonly used disinfections based on different ingredients. These were tested on inert stainless steel and in situ on contaminated hospital flooring. The effects against ten ADs were studied by LC-MS/MS (Cyclophosphamide CP; Ifosfamide IF; Capecitabine CAP; Sunitinib SUN; Methotrexate MET; Doxorubicin DOX; Irinotecan IRI; Paclitaxel PX; 5-Fluorouracil FU) and ICP-MS (Pt as a marker of platinum-based ADs). RESULTS: Monitoring of the floor contamination in 26 hospitals showed that the most contaminated are the outpatient clinics that suffer from a large turnover of staff and patients and have limited preventive measures. The most frequent ADs were Pt, PX, FU and CP with maxima exceeding the recommended 1 ng/cm2 limit by up to 140 times. IRI, FU, MET, DOX and SUN were efficiently removed by hydrolysis in clean water and present thus lower occupational risk. Disinfectants based on hydrogen peroxide were efficient against PX and FU (> 70% degradation) but less against other ADs, such as carcinogenic CP or IF, IRI and CAP. The most efficient were the active chlorine and peracetic acid-based products, which however release irritating toxic vapors. The innovative in situ testing of ADs previously accumulated in hospital flooring showed highly problematic removal of carcinogenic CP and showed that alcohol-based disinfectants may mobilize persistent ADs contamination from deeper floor layers. CONCLUSION: Agents based on hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, quaternary ammonium salts, glutaraldehyde, glucoprotamine or detergents can be recommended for daily use for both disinfection and AD decontamination. However, they have variable efficiencies and should be supplemented by periodic use of strong chlorine-based disinfectants efficient also against the carcinogenic and persistent CP.

Effect of humate supplementation to feed and/or litter on performance, intestinal viscosity, litter quality, and occurrence of footpad dermatitis in broilers fed barley-based diets.

We investigated the effect of in-feed and/or in-litter supplemental humate against footpad dermatitis (FPD) in broilers fed diets based on barley. Three hundred and sixty 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly distributed to 24 floor pens (4 treatments, each consisting of 6 replicate pens; 15 chickens per pen) as a completely randomized design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of two levels of supplemental humate in feed (0 and 1 g/kg feed) and litter (0 and 5 g/kg litter). Growth performance, intestinal viscosity, litter quality, and incidence and severity of FPD in broilers were measured. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were determined in blood and footpad tissues of broilers with different FPD scores. The results revealed that there was no interaction between humate supplementation to feed and litter. Neither dietary nor litter supplementation of humate had a significant effect on growth performance, intestinal viscosity, litter quality, and occurrence of FPD. And also, MDA and SOD levels in serum and footpad tissue did not affect by either dietary or litter supplementation of humate. The presence of FPD (score 1) had no effect on MDA and SOD levels in serum, however, increased the MDA and SOD levels (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively) in footpad tissue of broilers. The intestinal viscosity did not differ between FPD scores 0 and 1. In conclusion, findings of this experiment suggest that humate supplementation to feed and litter did not alleviate FPD development in broilers fed diets based on barley. In addition, the presence of FPD lesions increases the MDA and SOD levels in the footpad tissues.

Environmental factors associated with biological use and surgery in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: While major efforts were made studying the complex etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including environmental factors, less is known about underlying causes leading to the heterogeneous and highly variable course of disease. As cigarette smoking cessation is the best-known environmental factor with beneficial effect in Crohn's disease (CD), more exposome factors are likely involved. Further insights into the role of the exposome in heterogeneity of disease might not only further knowledge of underlying pathways, but also allow for better risk stratification. METHODS: Seven hundred twenty-eight IBD patients completed the validated Groningen IBD Environmental Questionnaire, collecting exposome data for 93 exposome factors. Associations with disease course, that is, for need for surgery or biological therapy, were evaluated using univariate and multivariate-adjusted logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: No significant associations were seen after Bonferroni correction. However, 11 novel exposome factors were identified with P < 0.05. Two factors were associated with course of CD and ulcerative colitis (UC): beer (CD OR0.3/UC OR0.3) and cannabis (0.5/2.2). While in CD, carpet flooring (0.5) was associated with biological use, and four factors were associated with surgery: working shifts (1.8), appendectomy (2.4), frequent tooth brushing (2.8), and large household size (0.1). For UC, migrants more often required biologicals (10.2). Childhood underweight (3.4), amphetamine use (6.2), and cocaine use (4.8) were associated with surgery. Five factors were replicated. CONCLUSIONS: We identified 16 environmental factors nominally associated with biological use and surgery in established IBD. These new insights form an important stepping stone to guide research on biological pathways involved, risk stratification, tailor-made interventions, and preventive strategies in IBD.

Study of nitrogen fluxes across conventional solid floor cubicle and compost-bedded pack housing systems in dairy cattle barns located in the Mediterranean area: Effects of seasonal variation.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of housing system (or manure management system) and season on manure N recovery and volatilization using an N mass balance. Dietary, milk, and manure N were monitored together with outside temperatures in 6 dairy barns. Three barns were designed as conventional freestalls (cubicle, CUB) with an automatic manure scraper system and concrete floor, in which the gutter in the middle was continuously scraped (every 2-4 h) and the slurry was conveyed toward an open-air concrete pool. The other 3 barns were designed as a loose housing system (HS) with a compost-bedded pack (CB) and conventional confinement housing provided with a feed alley that was cleaned mechanically (2-3 times per day). The farms under study were located near Lleida in the center of the Ebro valley, in northeastern Spain. Nitrogen recovery was measured twice under farm-like conditions either during spring-summer (3 mo of increasing temperatures) or fall-winter (3 mo of decreasing temperatures). The number of cows per barn ranged from 99 to 473, and average age, mean lactation, and parturition intervals were 4.1 yr, 2.43 lactations, and 426.6 d, respectively. In spring-summer, animals ate more [26.3 vs. 23.8 kg of dry matter (DM)/d] and produced more milk (34.6 vs. 31.3 kg/d ± 0.68). However, milk composition did not change. Stored manure from the CB system showed a higher DM concentration with respect to the CUB system (379.15 vs. 97.65 g/kg of fresh matter); however, N (31.45 vs. 40.2), NH3-N (5.3 vs. 18.9) and its ratios with phosphorus (NH3-N:P, 3.52 vs. 5.2) and potassium (NH3-N:K, 0.615 vs. 2.69) showed the opposite trend. No differences were found in N intake (653 vs. 629.5 g/d) or milk N secretion (190 vs. 177.8 g/d for CUB and CB barns, respectively) although net N recovery of the excreted N (Nintake - NMilk) was significantly lower in manure in CB barns than in CUB systems (193.8 vs. 389.3 g/d). The proportion of N irreversible loss in relation to the N intake was higher in CB than in CUB barns (42.3 vs. 11.0%). There was no clear association between season and irreversible N losses; however, the housing system was pivotal in the association between N recovery in manure and irreversible losses by volatilization.

Flows, Stock, and Emissions of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in California Carpet in 2000-2030 under Different Scenarios.

In this study, we present a holistic analysis of the stock and emissions of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in California carpet in 2000-2030. Our high estimate is that, in 2017, the total PFAS accumulated in in-use carpet stock and landfilled carpet are ∼60 and ∼120 tonnes, respectively, and the resultant PFAS emissions are ∼800 and ∼100 kg, respectively. Among the three subclasses (side-chain polymers, PFAA, and nonpolymeric precursors), side-chain polymers dominate the in-use stock and landfill accumulation, while nonpolymeric precursors dominate the resultant emissions. Our low estimate is typically 8-15% of the high estimate and follows similar trends and subclass breakdowns as the high estimate. California's new Carpet Stewardship Regulations (24% recycling of end-of-life carpet) will reduce the landfilled PFAS by 6% (7 tonnes) at the cost of increasing the in-use stock by 2% (2 tonnes) in 2030. Aggressive PFAS phase-out by carpet manufacturers (i.e., reduce PFAS use by 15% annually starting 2020) could reduce the in-use PFAS stock by 50% by 2030, but its impact on the total landfilled PFAS is limited. The shift toward short-chain PFAS will also significantly reduce the in-use stock of long-chain PFAS in carpet by 2030 (only 25% of the total PFAS will be long-chain). Among the data gaps identified, a key one is the current area-based PFAS emission reporting (i.e., g PFAS emitted/area carpet/time), which leads to the counterintuitive result that reducing the PFAS use in carpet production has no impact on the PFAS emissions from in-use stock and landfills. Future technical studies should either confirm this or consider a mass-based unit (e.g., g PFAS emitted/g PFAS used/time) for better integration into regional substance flow analysis. Other noticeable data gaps include the lack of time-series data on emissions from the in-use stock and on leaching of side-chain polymers from landfills.

Soft and persistent-The influence of sand-flooring and calves on the resting behavior of a zoo-kept African elephant (Loxodonta africana) group.

Caring for all aspects of zoo elephants' well-being is considered a major challenge. Providing an appropriate flooring substrate to facilitate lying rest presents a meaningful part of a holistic management concept. Investigating the impact of a new sand flooring on the nocturnal resting behavior of a breeding group of seven African elephants living at one zoo revealed more total lying rest, longer bouts of lying rest and a reduced side preference in the adult females. With an average total daily lying rest of about 1.5-2.0 hrs, the investigated zoo elephants expressed longer lying rest compared to recently reported data from free-ranging individuals in Botswana. In addition, the presence of nursing calves in the observed elephant group seemed to impact the resting pattern of all group members, with around 60% of all lying bouts being discontinued after interruption by the youngsters. With respect to observed nursing during leaning rest, we encourage the installation of appropriate horizontal structures in breeding facilities to support leaning rest behavior of their female elephants. In doing so, zoos may improve rest quality of nursing females, and, in general, the welfare aspect of sleep for their elephants.

Effect of overlaying rubber on fully slatted concrete floors on hoof health and lying postures in finishing dairy-origin bulls offered two contrasting diets.

Fully slatted concrete floors are labour-efficient, cost-effective and thus common in beef cattle housing. However, the welfare of cattle accommodated on them has been questioned. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of floor and diet on hoof health and lying behaviours of housed dairy-origin bulls, from a mean age of 8 months to slaughter at 15.5 months old. Forty-eight bulls, which had a mean initial live weight of 212 (SD = 23.7) kg, were allocated to one of four treatments, which consisted of two floors and two diets arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The floors evaluated were a fully slatted concrete floor and a fully slatted concrete floor overlaid with rubber, while the diets offered were either a high concentrate diet or a grass-silage-based diet supplemented with concentrates. The mean total duration of the study was 216 days. Floor had no significant effect on claw measurements measured on day 62 or 139. However, bulls accommodated on slats overlaid with rubber had a tendency to have a higher front toe length measured pre-slaughter than those accommodated on concrete slats (P = 0.063). Floor had no significant effect on the net growth of toes or heels during the duration of the study. The number of bruises (P < 0.01) and the bruising score (P < 0.05) were significantly higher on day 62 in bulls accommodated on fully slatted concrete floors than on concrete slats overlaid with rubber, but there was no significant effect of floor on these parameters on day 139 or at the measurement taken pre-slaughter. There was a tendency for bulls accommodated on concrete slats to have a higher probability of having sole bruising at the end of the experiment than those accommodated on slats overlaid with rubber (P = 0.052). Diet had no significant effect on toe length or heel height, number of bruises, or overall bruising score at any time point of the study. There was little evidence in the current study to suggest that bulls lying on fully slatted concrete floors could not express lying postures similar to those on concrete slats overlaid with rubber.

Influencing factors on the foot health of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in European zoos.

Pathological lesions of feet occur frequently in captive elephant populations. To improve foot health, it is important to identify risk factors associated with such pathologies. Several previous studies have analyzed potentially influencing factors but were limited, for example, by small sample sizes. This study analyzed the relationship between 87 independent variables and the foot health score of 204 Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in European zoos using bivariate correlation, multivariable regression models, and principal component analysis (PCA). Correlation and regression tests revealed significant results for 30 different variables, mainly with small effect sizes. Only three variables were significant in more than one test: sex, time spent indoors, and time spent on hard ground, with lower scores (i.e. less or less severe pathological lesions) in females, and when less time is spent indoors or on hard ground. Due to small effect sizes and differing results of the statistical tests, it is difficult to determine which risk factors are most important. Instead, a holistic consideration appears more appropriate. A biplot of the PCA shows that factors representing more advanced husbandry conditions (e.g. large areas, high proportions of sand flooring) were associated with each other and with decreased foot scores, whereas indicators of more limited conditions (e.g. high proportions of hard ground, much time spent indoors) were also associated with each other but increased the foot score. In conclusion, instead of resulting from just one or two factors, reduced foot health might be an indicator of a generally poorer husbandry system.

The effect of diet and covering fully slatted concrete floors with rubber strips on the intake, performance and cleanliness of dairy-origin bulls.

Fully slatted concrete floors are prevalent in beef cattle housing. However, concerns have been raised about welfare of cattle accommodated on slats. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of diet and floor type on the intake, performance and cleanliness of dairy-origin bulls from a mean age of 8 months to slaughter at 15.5 months old. Forty-eight bulls, which had a mean initial live weight of 212 kg (SD = 23.7), were allocated one of four treatments which consisted of two floors and two diets, arranged in a 2×2 factorial design. The floors evaluated were a fully slatted concrete floor and a fully slatted concrete floor covered with rubber; while the diets offered were either a high concentrate diet or a grass silage-based diet supplemented with concentrates. Over the entire experimental period, floor type had no significant effect on intake. Interestingly, however, when bulls were offered concentrates ad libitum, those accommodated on rubber covered slats consumed more concentrates than those accommodated on concrete slats. No effect of floor type on intake was noted when bulls were offered the grass silage supplemented with concentrate diet. There were no significant interactions between floor and diet on animal performance. Animals accommodated on rubber covered slats had a significantly better performance than those accommodated on concrete slats, as assessed by live weight at slaughter and live weight gain/day (P < 0.01) and estimated carcass gain/day (P < 0.05). The diet offered had no significant effect on animal performance. Bulls accommodated on rubber covered slats were significantly cleaner than those accommodated on concrete slats on day 97 (P < 0.001), but there was no significant effect of floor type when measured at other time points in the experiment. It is concluded from this study that diet has an important role to play in assessing bulls' responses in performance to the effect of covering concrete slatted floors with rubber. Bulls offered a high concentrate diet had a higher concentrate intake, higher performance but a similar feed conversion ratio (FCR) when accommodated on rubber covered slats compared to those accommodated on fully concrete slatted floors. Animals offered this intensive diet were less efficient (as measured by a higher FCR) than those offered a supplemented grass silage-based diet.

Resistance of Escherichia coli in Turkeys after Therapeutic or Environmental Exposition with Enrofloxacin Depending on Flooring.

Gaining knowledge about the spread of resistance against antibacterial agents is a primary challenge in livestock farming. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of double antibiotic treatment (at days 10⁻14 and days 26⁻30) with enrofloxacin or solely environmental exposition (identical times, directly into the litter) on resistance against antibacterial agents in commensal Escherichia coli in comparison with the control (without treatment), depending on different flooring. A total of 720 Big 6 turkeys participated in three trials. Four different flooring designs were examined: An entire floor pen covered with litter, a floor pen with heating, a partially slatted flooring including 50% littered area, and a fully slatted flooring with a sand bath. A total of 864 Escherichia coli isolates were obtained from cloacal swabs and poultry manure samples at days 2, 9, 15, 21, and 35. The broth microdilution method (MIC) was used to determine the resistance of isolates to enrofloxacin and ampicillin. A double antibiotic treatment with enrofloxacin reduced the proportion of susceptible Escherichia coli isolates significantly in all flooring designs. Simulation of water losses had no significant effect, nor did the flooring design. Ampicillin-resistant isolates were observed, despite not using ampicillin.

Supplemental boric acid does not prevent the development of footpad dermatitis in broilers subjected to high stocking density.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of dietary boric acid supplementation on the development of incidence and severity of footpad dermatitis (FPD) in broiler chickens subjected to normal or high stocking densities (NSD or HSD). A total of 576 1-day-old ROSS 308 broiler chickens were randomly allocated to 4 treatments (8 replicate pens per treatment) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of dietary boric acid (0 and 60 mg/kg) and stocking density (NSD 14 birds/m2 and HSD 22 birds/m2). Basal diets were formulated for starter, grower, and finisher phases. Growth performance, litter quality (litter pH, moisture, temperature, and NH3 volatilization), serum and litter boron levels, and incidence and severity of FPD were recorded. The HSD affected the body weight gain and feed intake of broiler chickens during all phases and 0 to 42 (P < 0.05), whereas feed conversion ratio (FCR) was poor at 0 to 21 days only. Dietary boric acid had no effect on the growth performance of broiler chickens. Litter pH, moisture, and NH3 volatilization were higher in broiler chickens subjected to HSD (P < 0.05). Thus, the incidence and severity of FPD increased in response to HSD (P < 0.05). Dietary boric acid reduced the litter pH and NH3 volatilization on day 42 of experiment (P < 0.05). However, dietary boric acid supplementation had no effect on the incidence and severity of FPD. Boric acid supplementation in broiler diets increased the serum and litter boron levels at day 42 in broiler chickens subjected to NSD or HSD (P < 0.05). In conclusion, HSD resulted in poor growth performance, litter quality, and greater incidence and severity of FPD in broiler chickens. Dietary boric acid was ineffective against FPD in broiler chickens although it improved the litter quality by lowering the litter pH and NH3 volatilization.

Coefficient of friction testing parameters influence the prediction of human slips.

Measuring the available coefficient of friction (ACOF) of a shoe-floor interface is influenced by the choice of normal force, shoe-floor angle and sliding speed. The purpose of this study was to quantify the quality of slip prediction models based on ACOF values measured across different testing conditions. A dynamic ACOF measurement device that tests entire footwear specimens (Portable Slip Simulator) was used. The ACOF was measured for nine different footwear-contaminant combinations with two levels of normal force, sliding speed and shoe-floor angle. These footwear-contaminant combinations were also used in human gait studies to quantify the required coefficient of friction (RCOF) and slip outcomes. The results showed that test conditions significantly influenced ACOF. The condition that best predicted slip risk during the gait studies was 250 N normal force, 17° shoe-floor angle, 0.5 m/s sliding speed. These findings can inform footwear slip-resistance measurement methods to improve design and prevent slips.

Effects of different types of flooring design on the development of antimicrobial resistance in commensal Escherichia coli in fattening turkeys.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different types of flooring designs on antimicrobial resistance in commensal Escherichia coli from turkeys treated with enrofloxacin. Two trials were performed with same feed, housing conditions and fattening duration, but with different flooring designs. Furthermore, the first trial was performed in an unchanged environment and the second trial in a changed environment. The flooring designs of the pens were assigned to four groups; G1 - entire floor pen covered with litter, G2 - floor pen with heating, G3 - partially slatted flooring including an area that was littered, G4 - fully slatted flooring with a sand bath. Enrofloxacin was given at days 10-14 via drinking water. The changed environment in the second trial was achieved by moving the animals to new pens with the respective same conditions as previously after antimicrobial administration at day 15. A total of 576 E. coli were isolated from cloacal swab and poultry manure samples. Sample collection was done before the treatment, after the treatment and at the end of the trials at day 35. The resistance of isolates to enrofloxacin and ampicillin was determined using broth microdilution A single treatment with enrofloxacin reduced the proportion of samples with susceptible E. coli isolates significantly in all flooring designs. Overall, frequencies of enrofloxacin resistance were significantly different between the unchanged and changed environment. At the same time, the proportion of ampicillin-resistant isolates increased in the first trial, although no ampicillin was applied in this study.

Effects of stocking density on growth performance, meat quality and tibia development of Pekin ducks.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of stocking density on performance, meat quality and tibia development in Pekin ducks reared on a plastic wire floor. A total of 372 healthy, 21-day-old, male ducks with similar body weight (BW) were randomly allotted to stocking densities of five (low), eight (medium) and 11 (high) birds/m2 . Each group had six replicates. Results showed that compared with the low density group, medium and high stocking density caused a decrease in final BW at 42 days old, and in average daily gain, European performance index (p < .01) and meat pH at 45 min postmortem (p < .001), and an increase of meat drip loss (p < .01). High stocking density resulted in an increase of feed/gain ratio (p < .001), but a decrease of tibia calcium (p < .01) and phosphorus content (p < .05). Meat color, shear force values, tibia size (weight, length, and width) and breaking strength were not significantly influenced by stocking density. In conclusion, stocking density over eight birds/m2 negatively affects growth performance, but meat quality and tibia development are not dramatically influenced. Based on this study, the stocking density of male Pekin ducks should be adjusted between five and eight birds/m2 .

Physiological and health-related response of broiler chickens fed diets containing raw, full-fat soya bean meal supplemented with microbial protease.

A 2 × 3 factorial study (protease: 0 or 1,5000 PROT/kg and raw full-fat soya bean meal [RSBM] replacing the commercial SBM at 0, 45 and 75 g/kg of diet) was conducted to examine the performance of broilers. Phytase (2000 FYT/kg) was uniformly added to each diet, each also replicated six times, with eight birds per replicate. Birds were raised in climate-controlled rooms using sawdust as the bedding material and offered starter, grower and finisher diets. Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were reduced (p < .05) due to increasing levels of RSBM, but feed conversion ratio (FCR; 0-35 days) was unaffected. Over the first 24 days, neither RSBM nor protease supplementation affected (p > .05) mortality, footpad dermatitis or intestinal lesions in birds. At day 24, the weight, length, width and strength of tibia bone were reduced in chickens that received an elevated level of RSBM (75 g/kg of diet), but this was not significant at day 35. At day 24 (p < .05) and 35 (p < .01), Ca concentration in the litter was reduced when the RSBM level was increased in the diet, but P content was not affected. On days 24 (p < .05) and 35 (p < .01), the N content in litter was also increased with increase in dietary RSBM. Protease supplementation increased (p < .05) the uric acid concentration in the litter (at day 35), but the reverse was the case for ammonia concentration. Overall, the results of this study indicate that there are no major health-related risks, associated with the replacement of commercial SBM with RSBM (≤25%) in broiler diets.

Effects of a high dose of microbial phytase and myo-inositol supplementation on growth performance, tibia mineralization, nutrient digestibility, litter moisture content, and foot problems in broiler chickens fed phosphorus-deficient diets.

A total of 660 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into eleven dietary treatments. Treatments included a maize-soybean meal-based diet with recommended calcium (Ca) and non-phytate phosphorus (nPP) (positive control; PC), an nPP-deficient diet (negative control; NC), NC diets supplemented with different levels of phytase (0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, and 6,000 FTU/kg), a NC diet plus 0.15% myo-inositol, and a NC diet with reduced Ca level (Ca to nPP ratio same as PC). Feeding the NC diet had no effects on birds' body weight (BW), weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), but decreased (P < 0.05) tibia P contents, crude protein (CP) digestibility, and serum P, but increased (P < 0.05) serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at 21 d of age. Phytase supplementation at ≥4,000 FTU/kg improved (P < 0.05) BW, WG and digestibility of nutrients. Feeding the NC diet resulted in greater (P < 0.05) litter moisture content (42 d) and poorer gait score (21 d), but 4,000 and 6,000 FTU/kg phytase returned (P < 0.05) these parameters to that of the PC. Supplemental myo-inositol increased (P < 0.05) serum total protein, P retention, and decreased (P < 0.05) litter moisture at 42 d of age. Feeding the low Ca NC diet increased (P < 0.05) serum total protein, ileum Ca, P, and CP digestibility and decreased serum ALP activity, litter moisture and gait score compared to the NC group. In conclusion, phytase in a dose-dependent manner, especially at ≥4,000 FTU/kg levels, was effective in overcoming the negative consequences of NC diets, primarily due to the ability to improve nutrient utilization. In addition, reducing the Ca level or supplementation of inositol of NC diet can correct some the negative effects of feeding a NC diet confirming the negative effect of a wide Ca: P ratio in a P-deficient diet and suggesting that inositol may play a role in the response to phytase addition.

A by-product of swine slaughtering as a protein source in broiler diets: effects on performance, composition of excreta, litter quality and on foot pad health.

Foot pad dermatitis (FPD) is of great concern in poultry industry, and dietary strategies are needed to improve foot pad health because of animal welfare and economic reasons. As the main factor for the development of FPD is the DM content of litter (consisting mainly of excreta; Kamphues et al., 2011), there are different dietary approaches to influence this disease pattern. In two consecutive trials, a total of 200 broilers were kept from day 7 until the 35th day of life. They were divided into four groups at each trial and fed with one of four experimental diets, based on wheat and corn mainly, but differing in the protein source: Group 1 was fed a diet with soya bean meal (SBM) as the main protein source, whereas Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 were assigned to diets with 4, 8 and 12% of a protein-rich (66.7% CP in DM) by-product of swine slaughtering [Swine Protein Meal (SPM); in exchange for SBM]. The inclusion of 12% SPM resulted in a decreased dietary potassium content of about 3 g/kg diet (Group 1 vs. 4). Increasing dietary levels of the by-product (8 and 12%) led to lowered feed intake (Group 1 vs. 4: ~10%) and weight gain (Group 1 vs. Group 4: ~8.5%). Although highest DM contents of excreta and litter were determined in Group 4, foot pad health was not influenced positively as hypothesized. Remarkable was the observed 'stickiness' of excreta when the by-product was included in the diet at increasing levels, presumably due to the high proportion of bones in the by-product. In conclusion, substituting SBM by 4% of the by-product of swine slaughtering in broiler diets did not impair performance parameters, but led to the most favourable foot pad scores in this study.