Response of YPM x Ross 708 male broilers to diets containing varying inclusions of phytase, calcium butyrate, and bacitracin methylene disalicylate from 1 to 42 d of age-part 1: performance, processing yields, and nutrient digestibility.

This 42-d study evaluated the effects of phytase, calcium butyrate (CB), and bacitracin methylene disalicylate 50 (BMD) on broiler performance, processing yields, and nutrient digestibility. Ross YPM x 708 male broilers (2,880 total) were distributed in 72 floor pens and assigned to 1 of 9 treatments (8 replicates/treatment) on d of hatch. This experiment was a 2 × 4 + 1 factorial arrangement, including 2 phytase concentrations (500 or 1,500 FTU/kg), 4 microbiota modulating feed additive groups (MMFA; none, CB (0.5 g/kg of diet), BMD (55 mg/kg of diet), or both CB and BMD), and a negative control without feed additives. Broiler performance (d 14, 28, and 42), apparent ileal nutrient digestibility (d 28 and 42), and processing yields (d 43) were determined. Day 14 BW increased with BMD inclusion compared to CB and no MMFA in the 1,500 FTU/kg group but BW were similar between all MMFA combined with 500 FTU/kg (P ≤ 0.05). Supplementing BMD increased d 28 BW and reduced d 1 to 28 feed conversion ratio compared to CB and no MMFA (main effect, P ≤ 0.05). Day 42 BW varied depending on dietary phytase concentrations. When diets contained 500 FTU/kg, broilers fed both CB and BMD had a higher BW than broilers fed only CB. Whereas when the inclusion of phytase was increased to 1,500 FTU/kg, broilers fed diets with only BMD or both CB and BMD had higher BW than broilers fed diets with no MMFA (P ≤ 0.05). Phytase concentrations at 1,500 FTU/kg increased (P ≤ 0.05) digestibility of fat (main effect, d 42), phosphorus (d 28 and 42), and apparent ileal digestible energy (main effect, d 42) compared to 500 FTU/kg. In this study, dietary BMD improved broiler growth compared to CB and no MMFA. However, these observed differences between CB and BMD were dependent on dietary phytase concentrations.

Research Note: Orange corn altered the cecal microbiome in laying hens.

Carotenoids, which are pigments known to have many health benefits, such as their antioxidant properties, are being researched for their potential as a feed additive for production animals. These pigments are found in varying quantities in different breeds of corn, and their impact on the chicken microbiome requires further investigation. This 35 d laying hen (Novagen White) feeding trial involved varying the levels and composition of carotenoids by changing the corn source: white (0.9 µg total carotinoids/g total diet), yellow (5.7 µg/g), and orange (24.9 µg/g). For each of the three corn diet treatments, 6 replicate cages were randomly assigned. The cecal microbial community composition of the hens was then studied by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The composition of the cecal bacterial community, as determined by Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, was different (P < 0.05) in chickens fed the orange corn diet, compared to chickens on the white corn diet, but there was no statistical difference between animals fed yellow corn compared to the white or orange corn groups. There was no change in the alpha diversity between any of the groups. Within Lactobacillus, which is one of the most abundant genera, 2 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were decreased and one ASV was increased in the orange corn group compared to both the white and yellow corn groups. While previous studies showed that orange corn did not alter the community composition in broilers, it appears that orange corn based feed may alter the community composition of laying hens.

Orange corn diets associated with lower severity of footpad dermatitis in broilers.

Footpad dermatitis (FPD), damage and inflammation of the plantar surface of the foot, is of concern for poultry because FPD affects the birds' welfare and production value. Footpad dermatitis is painful and causes costly chicken paw downgrades, carcass condemnations, and reduced live weights. However, a universal preventative has not been found. The hypothesis was that diets containing orange corn, when compared with diets containing yellow or white corn, would reduce the severity of footpad dermatitis in broiler chickens on wet litter. When compared with yellow and white corn, orange corn contains higher quantities of carotenoids, antioxidant pigments, believed to play a role in skin and feather health. This experiment was a randomized block, 3 × 2 factorial design: orange, yellow, and white corn diets with birds raised on wet or dry litter (control group). Female Ross 708 broilers (n = 960) were used to create 4 replicates of each diet x litter treatment combination. Footpads were scored at day 19, 27, 35, and 42, following the Global Animal Partnership standard's 0-2 scale of visual increasing severity: 0 indicates minimal damage and 1 and 2 indicate mild to severe lesions and ulceration, dark papillae, and/or bumble foot. At 42 d of age, birds on the wet litter had greater severity of FPD, scores 1 and 2, compared with the control group (88 vs. 13% respectively; P < 0.0001). At 42 d of age, prevalence of more severe footpad scores, 1 or 2, was lowest on the orange corn diet (33%), followed by white corn (56%) and yellow corn (63%). Birds fed the orange corn diet had higher BW throughout the study (P = 0.004) and had fat pads and livers with higher yellow pigment deposition (P < 0.005). Litter moisture content altered microbiome composition but corn type did not. In conclusion, the main determinant of FPD in this study was exposure to wet litter. When compared with yellow and white corn, orange corn was associated with improved bird growth and reduced severity of footpad dermatitis, especially at later time points.

Sublingual tacrolimus administration provides similar drug exposure to per-oral route employing lower doses in liver transplantation: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Per-oral tacrolimus administration is not always practicable. Sublingual administration is a potential alternative, but its feasibility and effectiveness compared with oral route has not been established. AIM: To compare tacrolimus drug exposure after sublingual and oral administration in liver transplant recipients. METHODS: Experimental, open-label, non-randomised, cross-over study. Tacrolimus exposure was evaluated in 32 liver transplant recipients receiving oral administration. 12 h tacrolimus area-under-the-curve (AUC0-12 h ) was calculated using tacrolimus blood concentrations at 0-0.5-1-2-4-6-8-12 hrs post-dose. Recipients were switched to sublingual administration, and dose was adjusted to reach similar trough levels, new AUC0-12 h was calculated. Correlation between AUC0-12 h and trough levels was determined for both oral and sublingual phases. RESULTS: Similar trough levels were accomplished with oral and sublingual administration (6.68 ± 2 ng/mL vs. 6.62 ± 1.9 ng/mL (P = 0.8)). Although concentration 2 h post dose was higher in oral phase (15.36 ± 7.14 vs. 13.18 ± 5.64, P = 0.015), AUC0-12 h was similar in both phases (116.6 ± 34.6 vs. 111.5 ± 36.93 ng/mL* h, P = 0.19). Daily dose of tacrolimus required in sublingual phase was 37% lower than that used in oral phase (P < 0.0001), suggesting significantly increased bioavailability of tacrolimus when employing sublingual route. Good correlation between AUC0-12 h and trough levels was observed in sublingual phase (r2 = 0.74). Twenty-two recipients were maintained on sublingual administration after the end of study (mean follow-up: 18.7 ± 5.8 months). No difference in liver function tests or rejection rates was found during follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Sublingual administration of tacrolimus is feasible and provides similar drug exposure compared with oral administration. In our study, at long-term follow-up, sublingual administration was not associated with liver transplant rejection.

Valor de la gamagrafía en la decisión terapéutica del reflujo gastroesofágico / Usefulness of radioisotope scintigraphy for decision making in dealing with gastroesophageal reflux

Se presentan todos los casos que durante un periodo de 5 años, fueron remitidos de la consulta del autor y de primera vez, al estudio de gamagrafia del esofago por presentar sintomas relacionados con el reflujo gastroesofagico o para su diagnostico clinico. Se describen los resultados de 527 estudios gamagráficos y los parámetros por los cuales este trabajo permite clasificar los diferentes grados de severidad del reflujo, con lo que se define tambien el establecimiento de las distintas conductas terapeuticas en cada caso. Se analizan los 140 pacientes que durante este periodo y con dicha metodologia diagnostica y de seguimiento, requirieron la correccion quirurgica del reflujo gastroesofagico patologico y se evaluan los resultados gamagráficos y clinicos de la tecnica quirurgica utilizada.