Different dietary branched-chain amino acid ratios, crude protein levels, and protein sources can affect the growth performance and meat yield in broilers.

Balanced ratios of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) can enhance chicken growth, immunity, and muscle synthesis. However, these ratios can be affected by changes in crude protein (CP) levels or the substitution of protein sources, leading to BCAA antagonism. This, in turn, can have a negative impact on chicken growth. In Experiment 1, a total of 960 0-d-old male Cobb 500 broilers were divided into 6 treatments with 8 replicates. Three different BCAA ratios were used in High or Low CP diets as follows: 1) Low Leu group (Low level of leucine with increased valine and isoleucine levels), 2) Med Leu group, and 3) High Leu group (High level of leucine with reduced valine and isoleucine levels) for a total of 6 diets. In Experiment 2, a total of 640 0-d-old male Cobb 500 broilers were divided into 4 treatments with 8 replicates. The four diets had either High or Low CP and one of two protein sources with the same medium levels of BCAAs: 1) the soybean meal (SBM) group, which had SBM as the main protein source (protein bound AA), and 2) the wheat middlings with non-bound AAs (WM+AA) group (non-bound AA), which had additional non-bound AAs to replace SBM. The High Leu diet had a negative effect on overall growth performance, carcass weight, breast muscle weight, and body mineral composition compared to the Low Leu and Med Leu groups, particularly in the High CP diet (P < 0.05). The SBM group showed increased growth performance, breast muscle weight, expression levels of genes promoting muscle growth, and improved bone mineral composition compared to the WM+AA group, and the High CP group intensified the negative effect of the WM+AA diet (P < 0.05). In summary, balanced BCAA ratios and SBM-based diets have positive effects on chicken growth and muscle accretion, whereas excessive leucine and non-bound AA levels in the diets may negatively affect growth performance and meat yield in chickens.

Phytase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and cocci vaccination to broilers fed a calcium and phosphorus-reduced diet under Eimeria spp. challenge: effects on growth performance and intestinal health.

A study evaluated the effects of phytase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD), and cocci vaccination on broilers fed a diet reduced in calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (avP) under Eimeria challenge. A total of 840 one-day-old male broilers were assigned to a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement based on cocci vaccination and dietary treatments. Half of the birds were vaccinated against coccidia on d 1, and all birds were orally challenged with Eimeria spp. (sporulated oocysts: 12,500 of E. maxima, 12,500 of E. tenella, and 62,500 of E. acervulina) on d 14. Dietary treatments included: 1) a nutrient adequate diet (PC); 2) a diet reduced by 0.2% in Ca and avP (NC); 3) NC plus 1,500 FTU/kg of phytase (NC+PHY); 4) NC plus 3,000 IU/kg of 25OHD (NC+25OHD); 5) NC with both PHY and 25OHD (NC+PHY+25OHD). SAS was used for data analysis, with significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Pre-infection growth performance was comparable across the treatments. However, vaccinated birds exhibited higher body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) from 0 to 6 d postinoculation (DPI; P < 0.05). The NC diet reduced BWG from 6 to 12 DPI and increased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) during 6 to 12 DPI and the overall period (0-26 d) compared to the PC birds. In contrast, the supplementation with phytase, 25OHD, or both, returned BWG and FCR to levels seen with the PC diet (P < 0.01). Vaccinated birds also had reduced gut permeability at 5 DPI, increased intestinal villus height, and lower expression levels of the tight junction proteins junctional adhesion molecule 2 (JAM2) and occludin (OCLN) at 6 DPI (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the cocci vaccine resulted in lower E. acervulina but higher E. tenella oocyst shedding at 6 DPI (P < 0.01). Interaction effects were observed for duodenal lesion scores and ileal crypt depth at 6 DPI (P < 0.05). In conclusion, coccidial vaccination improved growth performance, decreased intestinal permeability, enhanced intestinal morphology, and modulated tight junction protein gene expression under Eimeria infection. Reducing dietary Ca and avP levels adversely affected growth performance and FI during the recovery phase, but these negative effects could be mitigated by supplementing with phytase or 25OHD.

Syllable processing is organized in discrete subregions of the human superior temporal gyrus.

Modular organization at approximately 1 mm scale could be fundamental to cortical processing, but its presence in human association cortex is unknown. Using custom-built, high-density electrode arrays placed on the cortical surface of 7 patients undergoing awake craniotomy for tumor excision, we investigated receptive speech processing in the left (dominant) human posterior superior temporal gyrus. Responses to consonant-vowel syllables and noise-vocoded controls recorded with 1,024 channel micro-grids at 200 µm pitch demonstrated roughly circular domains approximately 1.7 mm in diameter, with sharp boundaries observed in 128 channel linear arrays at 50 µm pitch, possibly consistent with a columnar organization. Peak latencies to syllables in different modules were bimodally distributed centered at 252 and 386 ms. Adjacent modules were sharply delineated from each other by their distinct time courses and stimulus selectivity. We suggest that receptive language cortex may be organized in discrete processing modules.

Alterations in the gut microbiota of Eimeria infected broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with varying levels of dietary calcium and phosphorus, along with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the reduced dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) level and supplementation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) on the expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and antimicrobial peptides and gut microbiota of broiler chickens with/without Eimeria challenge. A total of 576 fourteen-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated according to a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design with main effects including Eimeria challenging (125,000 Eimeria acervulina, 25,000 Eimeria maxima, and 25,000 Eimeria tenella), dietary Ca and P levels (0.84% Ca and 0.42% available P or 0.64% Ca and 0.22% available P), and supplementation of 25-OHD3 (3,000 IU/kg) of 6 replicates. Three-way ANOVA was performed, and the effects of 3 main factors and their interactions were investigated. The reduced dietary Ca and P level downregulated cathelicidins 3 (CATH3) in the upper jejunum in the Eimeria challenging condition (interaction; P < 0.05). The reduced dietary Ca and P level decreased the relative mRNA expression of jejunal avian beta defensin 5 (AvBD5) in the Eimeria challenging condition (interaction; P < 0.05). The reduced dietary Ca and P level tended to decrease the relative mRNA expression of jejunal AvBD9 in the Eimeria challenging condition (interaction; P = 0.051). The reduced dietary Ca and P level decreased observed features (alpha diversity parameter for richness) in the upper jejunal microbiota in the Eimeria challenging condition (interaction; P < 0.05). The supplementation of 25-OHD3 decreased the relative abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes (P < 0.05) and increased the relative abundance of the family Ruminococcaceae (P < 0.05) in the cecal digesta. The supplementation of 25-OHD3 decreased the serum endotoxin level in the Eimeria challenging condition (interaction; P < 0.05). Therefore, the reduced dietary Ca and P level modulated the upper jejunal microbiota via modulating the expression of antimicrobial peptides, and the supplementation of 25-OHD3 favorably modulated the cecal microbiota in broiler chickens with/without Eimeria challenge.

Effects of Stocking Density and Illuminance in Lairage of Fattening Pigs in Different Temperatures.

This study investigated the effects of lairage conditions on the welfare and meat quality of pigs during lairage periods. A total of 3070 finishing pigs were assigned to one of six groups arranged in two trials in a 2 × 3 factorial design according to the illuminance (under 40 lux (LX), over 40 lux (HX)) and stocking density (low density (LD), higher than 0.83 m2/100 kg; normal density (ND), 0.50-0.83 m2/100 kg; high density (HD), lower than 0.50 m2/100 kg) with high temperature (HT), higher than 24 °C; low temperature (LT), lower than 10 °C. Pigs stocked with HD showed lower aggression behavior and overlap behavior than those stocked with LD at LT. Pigs stocked with HD showed higher standing, sitting, and aggression behavior than those stocked with LD at HT. Pigs stocked with HD showed higher pH than those stocked with LD at LT. At HT, pigs stocked with LD showed higher pH, WHC, DL, and CL than those stocked with HD. At LT, pigs stocked with LD showed higher cortisol levels than those stocked with HD. However, pigs stocked with LD showed lower cortisol levels than those stocked with HD at HT. Based on the obtained results, stocking of too-high (lower than 0.50 m2/100 kg) density at HT and stocking of too-low (higher than 0.83 m2/100 kg) density at LT are generally not good for meat quality and animal welfare.

Effects of single and complex probiotics in growing-finishing pigs and swine compost.

This study was conducted to supplement single and complex probiotics to investigate the effect on growing-finishing pigs and compost. In experiment 1, the 64 crossbred ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) pigs with an initial body weight of 18.75 ± 0.33 kg and a birth of 63 days were assigned to a completely randomized four treatment groups based on the initial body weight (4 pigs in a pen with 4 replicate pens for each treatment). For 13 weeks, the dietary treatments were provided: 1) Control (CON; basal diet), 2) T1 (CON + 0.2% Bacillus subtilis), 3) T2 (CON + 0.2% Saccharomyces cerevisiae), 4) T3 (CON + 0.2% Bacillus subtilis + 0.2% Saccharomyces cerevisiae). In experiment 2, the pig manure was obtained from Chungbuk National University (Cheongju, Korea) swine farm. For 12 weeks, the supplementary treatments were provided: 1) CON, non-additive compost; 2) T1, spray Bacillus subtilis 10 g per 3.306 m2; 3) T2, spray Bacillus subtilis 40 g per 3.306 m2; 4) T3, spray Saccharomyces cerevisiae 10 g per 3.306 m2; 5) T4: spray Saccharomyces cerevisiae 40 g per 3.306 m2; 6) T5, spray Bacillus subtilis 5 g + Saccharomyces cerevisiae 5 g per 3.306 m2; 7) T6, spray Saccharomyces subtilis 20 g + S. cerevisiae 20 g per 3.306 m2 and there were 6 replicates each treatment. In experiment 1, During the overall experimental period, T3 showed significantly improved (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio and average daily gain compared to other groups. In average maturity score, T3 showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) than other groups. Supplementing complex probiotics group improved (p < 0.05) H2S emissions and fecal microflora compared to the non-supplementing group. In experiment 2, additive probiotics groups had no effect (p > 0.05) on moisture content than the non-additive group at 9 and 12 weeks. T6 showed a significantly improved (p < 0.05) average maturity score at all periods and ammonia emissions at 1 week and 4 weeks compared to other groups. In summary, supplementation complex probiotics induced positive effects on both pigs and compost.

Effect of stimbiotic on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, oocyst shedding, blood profiles, and intestinal microbiota in necrotic enteritis-challenged broiler.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of stimbiotic (STB) in broilers with necrotic enteritis (NE). A total of 180 one-day-old Arbor Acres (initial body weight of 34.81 ± 1.04 g) were used in this experiment for 32 days. All broilers were randomly allocated into six treatments, and each experimental group had 10 replicate cages with three broilers per cage. The experiment was conducted in a 2 × 3 factorial design consisting of two levels of challenge (challenge and non-challenge) and three levels of STB (0, 0.05, and 0.1%). The NE challenge significantly decreased (P < 0.05) growth performance, heterophil levels in blood, and intestinal lesion scores compared to the non-challenge group. Supplementation of 0.05% STB significantly decreased (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio and the number of oocysts per gram of feces compared to the supplementation of 0 and 0.1% STB. At the genus level, the supplementation of 0.05% STB significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Enterobacterales compared to the other groups on d 32. In conclusion, supplementation with 0.05% STB in a diet could positively regulate the fecal microflora and alleviate the decline in growth performance and nutrient digestibility caused by NE.

Identification of genomic regions and genes associated with subclinical ketosis in periparturient dairy cows.

Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is a prevalent metabolic disorder that occurs during the transition to lactation period. It is defined as a high blood concentration of ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyric acid f ≥ 1.2 mmol/L) within the first few weeks of lactation, and often presents without clinical signs. SCK is mainly caused by negative energy balance (NEB). The objective of this study is to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with SCK using genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and to predict the biological functions of proximal genes using gene-set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Blood samples were collected from 112 Holstein cows between 5 and 18 days postpartum to determine the incidence of SCK. Genomic DNA extracted from both SCK and healthy cows was examined using the Illumina Bovine SNP50K BeadChip for genotyping. GWAS revealed 194 putative SNPs and 163 genes associated with those SNPs. Additionally, GSEA showed that the genes retrieved by Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) belonged to calcium signaling, starch and sucrose, immune network, and metabolic pathways. Furthermore, the proximal genes were found to be related to germ cell and early embryo development. In summary, this study proposes several feasible SNPs and genes associated with SCK through GWAS and GSEA. These candidates can be utilized in selective breeding programs to reduce the genetic risk for SCK and subfertility in high-performance dairy cows.

Effect of dietary inclusion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and vitamin E on performance, gut health, oxidative status, and immune response in laying hens infected with coccidiosis.

Vitamin D3 (25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (VD)) and vitamin E (VE) have proven to have immunomodulatory and antioxidant functions along with capacities to improve the reproductive function in chickens. Coccidiosis in laying hens at different stages of growth has been shown to negatively affect performance, immune response, and oxidative status, thus increasing the cost of production. A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary VD or VE on performance, gut health, immune response, and oxidative status of laying hens at peak production. Laying hens (23 wk-of-age, n = 225) were randomly allocated into 5 treatment groups (n = 9 hens/replicate) with 5 replicate groups each: 1) unchallenged control (UC), 2) pair-fed control (PF), 3) challenged control (CC), 4) challenged control top-dressed with 5,000 IU of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (VD) per kg of diet, and 5) challenged control top-dressed with 100 IU of DL-α-tocopherol (VE). At 25 wk-of-age, hens grouped in CC, VD, and VE were challenged with mixed Eimeria spp. to induce coccidiosis. VD or VE supplemented hens did not impact bird body weight; however, egg production increased by 10.36% and 13.77%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the gut health of the hens was improved with either VD or VE supplementation, as indicated by lowered gut permeability and intestinal lesion scores (P < 0.05). VE significantly reduced the heterophil count (P = 0.0490) alongside numerically increasing the peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and monocyte counts (P > 0.05). Both VD or VE increased the TAC at 14 DPI compared to UC (P<0.05). Preliminary findings suggest that dietary VD or VE supplementation has the potential to improve gut health, modulate the immune response, and increase egg production in coccidiosis-infected laying hens.

A retrospective analysis of conception per embryo transfer in dairy cattle in South Korea.

The bovine embryo production industry has seen significant growth over the past two decades, particularly in the production of in vitro produced embryos. This growth, driven by advancements in cryopreservation, in vitro culture mediums, ovum pick-up (OPU) procedures, ultrasonography devices, and embryo transfer (ET) has been notable. Particularly, ET is crucial for disseminating high genetic merit and amplifying foreign breeds by importing frozen embryos. This retrospective study aimed to assess factors affecting conception per embryo transfer (CPET) in Holstein-Friesian cattle in South Korea from October 2008 to July 2022. We evaluated type of embryo breed, type of embryo production (fresh and frozen; in vitro and in vivo production), recipient conditions including estrus type, corpus luteum quality, parity (nulliparous heifers, primiparous, and multiparous cows), and the daily mean temperature-humidity index (THI) as an index for heat stress. Type of embryo breed and estrus had no significant impact on CPET. However, we observed higher CPET in recipients with good quality corpus luteum, nulliparous heifers, and surrogates receiving fresh in vitro and frozen in vivo embryos. Importantly, CPET was not adversely affected by mild heat stress conditions (up to daily mean THI 76), indicating that using frozen in vivo embryos produced by multiple ovulation embryo transfer and fresh in vitro embryos by OPU-ET can help alleviate the subfertility issues in dairy cattle caused by global warming in Korea.

Effects of Defatted and Hydrolyzed Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal as an Alternative Fish Meal in Weaning Pigs.

In Experiment 1, a total of eighteen crossbred ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) barrows with an initial body weight of 6.74 ± 0.68 kg were randomly divided into three dietary treatments (one pig per cage and six replicates per treatment) and housed in metabolic cages that were equipped with a feeder and slatted floor to collect urine and feces. In Experiment 2, a total of 96 crossbred ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) barrows with an initial body weight of 8.25 ± 0.42 kg were used in the 6-week trial. The pigs were randomly divided into three dietary treatments (three pigs per pen and eight replicates per treatment). In Experiment 1, nutrient composition of defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (BLM) was superior to that of hydrolyzed BLM but lower than that of fish meal (FM). Also, defatted BLM and FM had better apparent total track digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (CP) and better nitrogen retention (p < 0.05) than hydrolyzed BLM, but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between defatted BLM and FM. In Experiment 2, defatted BLM improved (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and feed cost per kg gain (FCG) compared with FM. Defatted BLM could replace soybean meal and fish meal as an alternative protein source for weaning pigs.

Influence of Frequent Corticosteroid Local Injections on the Expression of Genes and Proteins Related to Fatty Infiltration, Muscle Atrophy, Inflammation, and Fibrosis in Patients With Chronic Rotator Cuff Tears: A Pilot Study.

Background: The effect of local corticosteroid (CS) injections on rotator cuff muscles remains poorly defined, despite the significance of muscle quality as a crucial prognostic factor for patients with rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Purpose: To compare alterations in gene and protein expression patterns in the rotator cuff muscles of patients with RCTs who received frequent joint CS injections with alterations in those without a history of CS injections. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 24 rotator cuff muscle samples with medium-sized tears from 12 patients with a frequent joint CS injection history (steroid group; 7 men and 5 women who had received ≥5 injections with at least 1 within the previous 3 months; mean age, 63.0 ± 7.2 years) and 12 age- and sex-matched control patients without a history of CS injections (no-steroid group) were acquired. Alterations in the expression of genes and proteins associated with adipogenesis, myogenesis, inflammation, and muscle fibrosis were compared between the groups using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis included comparison of group means using the Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, or Fisher exact test and logistic regression for multivariate analysis. Results: In the steroid group, the mRNA expression levels of adipogenic CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα; P = .008) and muscle atrophy-related genes (atrogin; P = .019) were significantly higher, and those of myogenic differentiation 1 (MyoD; P = .035), inflammatory interleukin 6 (IL-6; P = .035), and high mobility group box 1 (P = .003) were significantly lower compared with the no-steroid group. In addition, MyoD (P = .041) and IL-6 (P = .026) expression were decreased in the steroid versus no-steroid group. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased expression of C/EBPα and atrogin and decreased expression of MyoD and IL-6 in the steroid versus no-steroid group. Conclusion: Patients with RCTs and a history of frequent CS injections exhibited an upregulation of adipogenic and muscle atrophy-related genes and proteins within the rotator cuff muscles and a downregulation in the expression of myogenic and inflammatory genes and proteins in the same muscles. Clinical Relevance: These altered gene and protein expressions by frequent local CS injections may cause poor outcomes in patients with RCTs.

Reduced physiological extrusion of the medial meniscus in axial load-bearing condition in anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

PURPOSE: In this study, ultrasonography was used to measure medial meniscus (MM) extrusion under weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing conditions in both anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient and ACL-intact knee groups. This study aimed to determine the possible differences between these groups with an eventual impact on meniscal tears in ACL-deficient knees. METHODS: A total of 107 patients who underwent ACL reconstructive surgery between June 2022 and April 2023 were enroled. After applying exclusion criteria, 37 patients met the conditions for inclusion in the study and formed the ACL deficiency group (Group D). Of the 141 patients presenting to an outpatient clinic who agreed to have ultrasonography conducted on their nondiscomforting contralateral knee, 37 patients matched for age, sex, hip-knee-ankle angle and body mass index with Group D patients were selected for the ACL intact group (Group I). Ultrasonography was used to measure MM extrusion in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing conditions for all participants. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were included in the study (n = 37 per group). The supine position showed an MM extrusion of 1.2 ± 0.7 mm in Group I and 1.2 ± 0.7 mm in Group D (not significant). In the standing position, MM extrusion measured 2.0 ± 0.6 mm in Group I and 1.3 ± 0.8 mm in Group D. The difference in extrusion (Δextrusion) between the two positions was 0.8 ± 0.6 in Group I and 0.1 ± 0.2 in Group D, with statistical significance (p < 0.01). A consistent reduction in MM extrusion during weight-bearing was observed in patients with ACL deficiency, irrespective of the duration of ACL deficiency, age, sex and BMI. CONCLUSION: ACL deficiency did not significantly impact MM extrusion during nonweight-bearing conditions; however, less MM extrusion was observed in response to axial loading conditions. These findings indicate altered MM biomechanics due to increased anterior-posterior meniscal motion and rotational instability after ACL injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Supplementation of protease and different nutrient density diets in growing-finishing pigs.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of protease supplementation and different nutrient density of diets in growing-finishing pigs. A total of one hundred-eight crossbred growing pigs ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) with an initial body weight (BW; 18.74 ± 3.46 kg) were used for 15 weeks. Pigs were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments with 6 replicates of 3 pigs per pen in a 3 × 2 factorial through the following arrangement: Three groups of protease (1, Basal diets; 2, Protease A: 125 mg/kg protease derived from Streptomyces sps; 3, Protease B: 100 mg/kg protease derived from Bacillus licheniformis) at two different nutrient density diets (1, Basal requirement; 2, 0.94%-0.98% higher than requirement in dietary protein and 50 kcal/kg in energy). High nutrient (HN) diets showed higher average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (CP) (p < .0001) compared to basal nutrient (BN) diets during growing periods. Supplementation of protease showed higher BW (p < 0.05) and ADG (p < 0.05) compared to non-supplementation of protease during growing periods. Also, supplementation of protease showed higher ATTD of CP (p < 0.01), ATTD of gross energy (p < 0.05) and decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level (p = 0.001) compared to non-supplementation of protease during finishing periods. Pigs which fed the protease showed decreased ammonia (NH3) emissions (p < 0.05) during experiment periods and decreased hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions (p < 0.01) during finishing periods. Interactions between nutrient density and protease were observed, which decreased the feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05) in HN diets without protease compared to BN diets without protease during weeks 4 to 6. Also, interaction between nutrient density and protease was observed, which resulted in improved ATTD of CP (p < 0.01) in response to PTA supplementation with HN diets during the finishing period. In conclusion, supplementation of protease reduces NH3 in feces and BUN in whole blood by increasing the digestibility of CP and improves growth performance. Also, diets with high nutrient density improved growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing periods.

An electroencephalogram microdisplay to visualize neuronal activity on the brain surface.

Functional mapping during brain surgery is applied to define brain areas that control critical functions and cannot be removed. Currently, these procedures rely on verbal interactions between the neurosurgeon and electrophysiologist, which can be time-consuming. In addition, the electrode grids that are used to measure brain activity and to identify the boundaries of pathological versus functional brain regions have low resolution and limited conformity to the brain surface. Here, we present the development of an intracranial electroencephalogram (iEEG)-microdisplay that consists of freestanding arrays of 2048 GaN light-emitting diodes laminated on the back of micro-electrocorticography electrode grids. With a series of proof-of-concept experiments in rats and pigs, we demonstrate that these iEEG-microdisplays allowed us to perform real-time iEEG recordings and display cortical activities by spatially corresponding light patterns on the surface of the brain in the surgical field. Furthermore, iEEG-microdisplays allowed us to identify and display cortical landmarks and pathological activities from rat and pig models. Using a dual-color iEEG-microdisplay, we demonstrated coregistration of the functional cortical boundaries with one color and displayed the evolution of electrical potentials associated with epileptiform activity with another color. The iEEG-microdisplay holds promise to facilitate monitoring of pathological brain activity in clinical settings.

Flexible, scalable, high channel count stereo-electrode for recording in the human brain.

Over the past decade, stereotactically placed electrodes have become the gold standard for deep brain recording and stimulation for a wide variety of neurological and psychiatric diseases. Current electrodes, however, are limited in their spatial resolution and ability to record from small populations of neurons, let alone individual neurons. Here, we report on an innovative, customizable, monolithically integrated human-grade flexible depth electrode capable of recording from up to 128 channels and able to record at a depth of 10 cm in brain tissue. This thin, stylet-guided depth electrode is capable of recording local field potentials and single unit neuronal activity (action potentials), validated across species. This device represents an advance in manufacturing and design approaches which extends the capabilities of a mainstay technology in clinical neurology.

Modular Phoneme Processing in Human Superior Temporal Gyrus.

Modular organization is fundamental to cortical processing, but its presence is human association cortex is unknown. We characterized phoneme processing with 128-1024 channel micro-arrays at 50-200µm pitch on superior temporal gyrus of 7 patients. High gamma responses were highly correlated within ~1.7mm diameter modules, sharply delineated from adjacent modules with distinct time-courses and phoneme-selectivity. We suggest that receptive language cortex may be organized in discrete processing modules.

Intraoperative application and early experience with novel high-resolution, high-channel-count thin-film electrodes for human microelectrocorticography.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to evaluate intraoperative experience with newly developed high-spatial-resolution microelectrode grids composed of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) with polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), and those composed of platinum nanorods (PtNRs). METHODS: A cohort of patients who underwent craniotomy for pathological tissue resection and who had high-spatial-resolution microelectrode grids placed intraoperatively were evaluated. Patient demographic and baseline clinical variables as well as relevant microelectrode grid characteristic data were collected. The primary and secondary outcome measures of interest were successful microelectrode grid utilization with usable resting-state or task-related data, and grid-related adverse intraoperative events and/or grid dysfunction. RESULTS: Included in the analysis were 89 cases of patients who underwent a craniotomy for resection of neoplasms (n = 58) or epileptogenic tissue (n = 31). These cases accounted for 94 grids: 58 PEDOT:PSS and 36 PtNR grids. Of these 94 grids, 86 were functional and used successfully to obtain cortical recordings from 82 patients. The mean cortical grid recording duration was 15.3 ± 1.15 minutes. Most recordings in patients were obtained during experimental tasks (n = 52, 58.4%), involving language and sensorimotor testing paradigms, or were obtained passively during resting state (n = 32, 36.0%). There were no intraoperative adverse events related to grid placement. However, there were instances of PtNR grid dysfunction (n = 8) related to damage incurred by suboptimal preoperative sterilization (n = 7) and improper handling (n = 1); intraoperative recordings were not performed. Vaporized peroxide sterilization was the most optimal sterilization method for PtNR grids, providing a significantly greater number of usable channels poststerilization than did steam-based sterilization techniques (median 905.0 [IQR 650.8-935.5] vs 356.0 [IQR 18.0-597.8], p = 0.0031). CONCLUSIONS: High-spatial-resolution microelectrode grids can be readily incorporated into appropriately selected craniotomy cases for clinical and research purposes. Grids are reliable when preoperative handling and sterilization considerations are accounted for. Future investigations should compare the diagnostic utility of these high-resolution grids to commercially available counterparts and assess whether diagnostic discrepancies relate to clinical outcomes.

Effect of Operating Conditions on the Gasification of Pet-Coke Water Slurry in an Entrained-Flow Gasifier Simulation.

Petroleum coke, commonly known as pet-coke, represents a promising and cost-effective alternative fuel source, produced as a byproduct of large-scale heavy crude oil refining. This study first simulated the gasification process of pet-coke slurry using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach based on the Eulerian-Lagrangian method. The simulation was carried out in a 2-ton-per-day (2TPD) entrained-flow gasifier, aiming to optimize the production of hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) as synthetic gases. This study investigated the effects of operational parameters, including the oxygen/slurry ratio and moisture content in the slurry, on various aspects such as fluid dynamics, temperature distribution, particle trajectories, carbon conversion, and gas composition within the pet-coke slurry gasifier. The base conditions of the simulation were meticulously cross-validated with high-precision experimental data. The results indicated that higher oxygen/slurry ratios led to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and decreased fractions of H2, primarily due to the prevalence of the reverse water-gas shift reaction. Moreover, raising the moisture content in the pet-coke slurry led to decreased CO levels and enhanced production of H2 and CO2, triggered by the activation of the forward water-gas shift reaction. These results underscore the potential of pet-coke slurry as a favorable feedstock for syngas production and the achievement of carbon neutrality through the careful optimization of operational conditions. Our findings provide valuable insights for further experimental exploration and the development of practical applications for pet-coke gasification.

Effects of driving style and bedding in pigs transported to slaughterhouse in different temperatures.

Animal welfare during transport became an largely issue because of increasing demand for improved animal welfare standards. Most studies on the animal welfare during transportation have concentrated on the atmosphere and the temperature of the truck compartments. Thus, the objective of study was to collect and quantify three axis acceleration and determine the effect of bedding for transporting pigs from farm to slaughterhouse. A total of 2,840 crossbred fattening pigs with a live weight of approximately 115 kg were used. They were raised in the same commercial farms and transported to the same commercial slaughterhouse. A 3×2×2 completely randomized factorial design was used to investigate effects of rubber type bedding (bedding or non-bedding) and two levels of driving style (aggressive or normal) in three different time periods with different outside temperatures. Air temperature treatments were as follow: high temperature ([HT] higher than 24°C); low temperature ([LT] lower than 10°C); normal temperature ([NT] 10°C to 24°C). In our experiment, pigs transported under aggressive driving style showed lower (p < 0.05) pH and water holding capacity (WHC) than those transported under normal driving style. Pigs transported under normal driving style showed a lower percentage of drip loss (DL) (p < 0.05) than those transported with an aggressive driving style. Also, transported with bedding showed higher (p < 0.05) lying behavior but lower (p < 0.05) sitting behavior than those transported without bedding. Pigs transported under normal driving style showed lower (p < 0.05) cortisol level than those transported under aggressive driving style. In conclusion, aggressive driving style cause acute stress in pigs, while bedding helps alleviate acute stress in pigs during transportation in LT.