Effect of supplementing sulphate-reducing bacteria along with sulphur on growth performance, nutrient utilization and methane emission in goats.

A competitive relationship exists between sulphate-reducing bacteria and methanogens in the anaerobic environment including rumen for hydrogen where sulphate is not limiting growth and consequently inhibit enteric methane emission as thermodynamically energetic sulphate reduction (∆Go = - 21.1 kJ/mole of H2) is more favourable than methanogenesis (∆Go = - 16.9 kJ/mole H2). To validate this hypothesis, a study was designed to investigate the effect of supplementation of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) identified as Streptococcus caviae RM296 as microbial feed additives alone or along with sulphur (as sodium sulphate) on methane production, live weight gain, feed intake, nutrient digestibility and energy metabolism in goats. The experiment was conducted on growing kids (n = 36, 5-6 months of age) with average body weight of 10.08 ± 0.21 kg, divided into six groups (n = 6). The duration of the feeding trial was of 150 days. The six treatments were control fed a basal diet (T1), SRB 0.5 ml/kg BW (T2), sulphur (as sodium sulphate) 0.095% of DMI (total sulphur level in the diet 1.5 times the requirement) (T3), sulphur (as sodium sulphate) 0.095% of DMI + SRB 0.5 ml/kg BW (T4), sulphur (as sodium sulphate) 0.19% of DMI (total sulphur level in the diet 2 times the requirement) (T5) and sulphur (as sodium sulphate) 0.19% of DMI + SRB 0.5 ml/kg BW (T6). Duration of study was 150 days and goats were fed as per ICAR (2013) feeding standard. Methane (CH4) production (l/kg DMI) was reduced by 11.8% (P = 0.052) in T6 where sulphur (0.19% DMI) was supplemented along with SRB4 (at the rate 0.5 ml/kg BW) as compared to T1 (un-supplemented group). However, the dry matter intake (DM), total weight gain (TG), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), excretion of purine derivatives (allantoin, uric acid, xanthine and hypoxanthine) and digestibility of organic matter (OM), dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were similar (P > 0.05) among all the groups. The experimental data revealed that feeding of SRB as a microbial feed additive along with sulphur (as sodium sulphate) is capable of reducing enteric CH4 emission without any adverse effect on rumen fermentation and digestibility of the nutrients.

Healthy From the Start-Lifestyle Interventions in Early Childhood.

Lifestyle interventions are effective from the earliest years of childhood. To best promote health, lifestyle factors should be implemented for children and their families from birth. This includes introducing families to the benefits of a whole-food plant-based (WFPB) or plant-predominant diet, daily physical activity, positive family and peer social connections, avoidance of risky substances for caregivers, optimal sleep habits, and stress management and mindfulness for all family members. Through attention to these six pillars of lifestyle medicine, children and their families can succeed in initiating and maintaining optimal lifelong physical and mental health.

Environments and situations as correlates of eating and drinking among women living with obesity and urban poverty.

Objective: One path to improving weight management may be to lessen the self-control burden of physical activity and healthier food choices. Opportunities to lessen the self-control burden might be uncovered by assessing the spatiotemporal experiences of individuals in daily context. This report aims to describe the time, place, and social context of eating and drinking and 6-month weight change among 209 midlife women (n = 113 African-American) with obesity receiving safety-net primary care. Methods: Participants completed baseline and 6-month weight measures, observations and interviews regarding obesogenic cues in the home environment, and up to 12 ecological momentary assessments (EMA) per day for 30 days inquiring about location, social context, and eating and drinking. Results: Home was the most common location (62%) at times of EMA notifications. Participants reported "yes" to eating or drinking at the time of nearly one in three (31.1% ± 13.2%) EMA notifications. Regarding social situations, being alone was significantly associated with less frequent eating and drinking (OR = 0.75) unless at work in which case being alone was significantly associated with a greater frequency of eating or drinking (OR = 1.43). At work, eating was most common late at night, whereas at home eating was most frequent in the afternoon and evening hours. However, eating and drinking frequency was not associated with 6-month weight change. Conclusions: Home and work locations, time of day, and whether alone may be important dimensions to consider in the pursuit of more effective weight loss interventions. Opportunities to personalize weight management interventions, whether digital or human, and lessen in-the-moment self-control burden might lie in identifying times and locations most associated with caloric consumption.Clinical trial registration: NCT03083964 in clinicaltrials.gov.

From Preconception Care to the First Day of School: Transforming the Health of New Families With Lifestyle Medicine.

Lifestyle medicine holds great promise to transform health during the period from preconception to early childhood. Genetic, epigenetic, nutritional, and environmental factors have lifetime impact on the newborn and family. Little is known about the full potential of lifestyle medicine to improve maternal, child, and family health. Additionally, health care providers face limits in time and may have gaps in knowledge, that preclude discussion of the impact lifestyle medicine can the mother, newborn, and family. Greater understanding of the potential impact of lifestyle medicine provides opportunities to identify current deficiencies in care and areas for improvement and highlights the need for further research. This article reviews current evidence supporting the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, avoiding risky substance use, stress management and social connectedness as applied to maternal child care from preconception to early childhood, examines the current state of practice, and identifies opportunities for both practice change and further research. Rather than view each component of care in isolation, viewing care as a continuum from preconception to childhood can best establish healthy habits and optimize outcomes for the entire family.

Selection and characterization of probiotic lactic acid bacteria and its impact on growth, nutrient digestibility, health and antioxidant status in weaned piglets.

The present study was aimed to develop an effective probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from piglet feces and in vitro characterization of probiotic properties. To confirm host-species specificity of probiotics, the efficacy of isolated LAB on growth, nutrient utilization, health and antioxidant status was observed in early weaned piglets. A total of 30 LAB were isolated from feces of five healthy piglets (28d old). All isolates were Gram positive, cocco-bacilli and catalase negative. Out of thirty LAB isolates, twenty were shortlisted on the basis of their tolerance to pH (3.0, 4.0, 7.0 and 8.0) and bile salts (0.075, 0.15, 0.3 and 1.0%). Whereas, fourteen isolates were selected for further in vitro probiotic characterization due higher (P<0.05) cell surface hydrophobicity to toluene (>45 percent). These isolates fermented twenty-seven different carbohydrates but were negative for ONPG, citrate and malonate. Also enabled to synthesize amylase, protease, lipase and phytase. They were sensitive to penicillin, azithromycin, lincomycin, clindamycin, erythromycin, cephalothin and chloramphenicol and resistant to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, gatifloxacin, vancomycin and co-trimoxazole. Except three isolates, all showed antagonistic activity (>60% co-culture activity) against Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella serotype (ser.) Typhimurium, Staphylococcus intermedius, Staph. chromogenes, Proteus mirabillis, Areomonas veonii, Bordetella bronchioseptica and Klebsialla oxytoca. The isolate Lacp28 exhibited highest tolerance to acidic pH and bile salts (up to 0.3%), phytase activity, cell surface hydrophobicity, antagonistic activity and co-culture assay (>80% growth inhibition). Host specificity of Lacp28 was further confirmed by heavy in vitro adhesion to pig intestinal epithelium cells compared to chicken. Hence, Lacp28 was selected and identified by phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA as Pediococcus acidilactici strain FT28 with 100% similarity (GenBank accession nos. KU837245, KU837246 and KU837247). The Pediococcus acidilactici FT28 was selected as potential probiotic candidature for in vivo efficacy in weaned pigs. Thirty-six crossbred piglets (28d) were randomly distributed into three groups (four replicates of three each) namely, basal diet without probiotics (T0) or with Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC15 (conventional dairy-specific probiotic; T1) or Pediococcus acidilactici FT28 (swine-specific probiotic; T2). At end of the experiment, six piglets of similar body weight were selected to conduct digestion trial for estimation of nutrient digestibility. Results of the study indicated that supplementation of both probiotics improved (P<0.001) FCR compared to control without significant effect in average daily gain and DM intake. However, the apparent digestibility of crude protein and ether extract was better (P<0.01) in pigs fed P. acidilactici FT28 compared control and L. acidophilus fed groups. The total WBC and RBC count, serum glucose, total protein, albumin and globulin concentration was higher (P<0.05) in P. acidilactici FT28 fed group with better (P<0.05) catalase and superoxide dismutase activity measured in erythrocyte. It is concluded that species-specific Pediococcus acidilactici FT28 isolated with potential in vitro probiotic properties and also hold probiotic candidature by showing the potential capabilities with higher nutrient digestibility, heamato-biochemical and antioxidant status compared to control and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC15.

Efficacy of species-specific probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici FT28 on blood biochemical profile, carcass traits and physicochemical properties of meat in fattening pigs.

The present study investigates the influence of supplementing Pediococcus acidilactici strain FT28 on serum biochemistry, carcass and physicochemical properties of meat in fattening pigs. A total of 36 piglets (28day) were randomly divided into three groups of four replicates of three animals in each. Each group was fed one of the experimental diet as basal diet alone (Control-T0); basal diet supplemented with Pediococcus acidilactici strain FT28 (swine origin probiotic-T1) and basal diet supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC-15 (dairy origin probiotic-T2). Increased (P<0.05) level of serum total protein and albumin, and decreased (P<0.05) triglyceride were observed with probiotic supplementation either of swine or dairy origin, compared to control. The level globulin and glucose were higher (P<0.05) in T1 group among the dietary groups. Carcass traits remained unaltered except for the weight of ham, kidney and spleen which were higher (P<0.05) in the T1 group. Water holding capacity and TBARS were improved (P<0.05) in the T1 group than control, however comparable to the T2 group. The ether extract, pH and sensory attributes (juiciness and appearance) were improved (P<0.05) in the T1 group among the dietary groups. It is evident from the present study that P. acidilactici FT28 could serve as probiotic for enhancing carcass quality and physicochemical properties of pork without influencing the blood metabolites.

Impact of levels of total digestible nutrients on microbiome, enzyme profile and degradation of feeds in buffalo rumen.

The present study was aimed at understanding a shift in rumen microbiome of buffaloes fed various levels of total digestible nutrients. To understand the process, the metagenomics of rumen microbes, in vivo and in vitro rumen fermentation studies were carried out. Three rumen fistulated adult male Murrah buffaloes were fed three isonitrogenous diets varying in total digestible nutrients (70, 85 and 100% of TDN requirement) in 3X3 switch over design. On dry matter basis, wheat straw/ roughage content were 81, 63 and 51% and that of maize grain was 8, 16 and 21% in three diets respectively. After 20 d of feeding, rumen liquor and rumen contents were sampled just before (0h) and 4h post feeding. Ruminococcus flavefaciens and R. albus (estimated with real time PCR) were higher in high roughage diets. The predominant phyla in all the three groups were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes followed by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Fibrobacteres. A core group of more than fifty rumen bacteria was present in all the animals with very little variations due to level of TDN. The most predominant bacterial genera reported in order of decreasing abundance were: Prevotella, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Ruminococcus, Eubacterium, Parabacteroides, Fibrobacter, Butyrivibrio etc. The higher diversity of the enyzmes families GH 23, GH 28, GH 39, GH 97, GH 106, and GH 127 (the enzymes active in fibre and starch degradation) were significantly higher on 100%TDN diet while CE 14 (required for the hydrolysis of bond between carbohydrate and lignin) was higher on low TDN (70%) diet, indicating ester bond cleavage was better in animals fed high roughage (wheat straw) diet.

The use of Lactobacillus as an alternative of antibiotic growth promoters in pigs: A review.

Antibiotics, often supplemented in feed, used as a growth promoter, may cause their residual effect in animal produce and also trigger antibiotic resistance in bacteria, which is of serious concern among swine farming entrepreneurs. As an alternative, supplementing probiotics gained interest in recent years. Lactobacillus being the most commonly used probiotic agent improves growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, nutrient utilization, intestinal microbiota, gut health and regulates immune system in pigs. The characteristics of Lactobacillus spp. and their probiotic effects in swine production are reviewed here under.

Effect of feeding tannin-degrading bacteria Streptococcus gallolyticus strain TDGB 406 on meat quality of goats fed with Quercus semicarpifolia leaves.

The effect of feeding tannin-degrading bacteria (Streptococcus gallolyticus strain TDGB 406) on carcass characteristics of goats fed with oak (Quercus semicarpifolia) leaves was studied on 18 male goats (4 months old, average body weight 9.50 ± 1.50 kg), distributed into three groups of six animals each. The animals of group 1 served as control, while the animals of groups 2 and 3 were given (at 5 ml/kg live weight) autoclaved and live culture of isolate TDGB 406 (10(6) cells/ml), respectively. The animals were fed with oak leaves as a basal roughage source and maize hay along with fixed quantity of concentrate mixture. After 4 months of feeding, the animals were slaughtered for carcass studies. The feeding of live culture of isolate TDGB 406 did not cause any effect (P > 0.05) on pre-slaughter weight, empty body weight, carcass weight, dressing percent, and yield of wholesale cuts (neck, rack, shoulder, breast, shank, loin, leg, and flank) of the goat meat. The chemical composition of longissimus dorsi muscle was comparable (P > 0.05) among the groups. The organoleptic evaluation of pressure-cooked meat in terms of tenderness and overall palatability was increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the meat of group 3 where live culture was supplemented. The other attributes were similar among the groups. It was concluded that supplementation of tannin-degrading bacteria S. gallolyticus strain TDGB 406 to goats fed with oak leaves did not affect the carcass characteristics and meat quality.

Effect of Sodium Nitrate and Nitrate Reducing Bacteria on In vitro Methane Production and Fermentation with Buffalo Rumen Liquor.

Nitrate can serve as a terminal electron acceptor in place of carbon dioxide and inhibit methane emission in the rumen and nitrate reducing bacteria might help enhance the reduction of nitrate/nitrite, which depends on the type of feed offered to animals. In this study the effects of three levels of sodium nitrate (0, 5, 10 mM) on fermentation of three diets varying in their wheat straw to concentrate ratio (700:300, low concentrate, LC; 500:500, medium concentrate, MC and 300:700, high concentrate, HC diet) were investigated in vitro using buffalo rumen liquor as inoculum. Nitrate reducing bacteria, isolated from the rumen of buffalo were tested as a probiotic to study if it could help in enhancing methane inhibition in vitro. Inclusion of sodium nitrate at 5 or 10 mM reduced (p<0.01) methane production (9.56, 7.93 vs. 21.76 ml/g DM; 12.20, 10.42 vs. 25.76 ml/g DM; 15.49, 12.33 vs. 26.86 ml/g DM) in LC, MC and HC diets, respectively. Inclusion of nitrate at both 5 and 10 mM also reduced (p<0.01) gas production in all the diets, but in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) of feed reduced (p<0.05) only in LC and MC diets. In the medium at 10 mM sodium nitrate level, there was 0.76 to 1.18 mM of residual nitrate and nitrite (p<0.01) also accumulated. In an attempt to eliminate residual nitrate and nitrite in the medium, the nitrate reducing bacteria were isolated from buffalo adapted to nitrate feeding and introduced individually (3 ml containing 1.2 to 2.3×10(6) cfu/ml) into in vitro incubations containing the MC diet with 10 mM sodium nitrate. Addition of live culture of NRBB 57 resulted in complete removal of nitrate and nitrite from the medium with a further reduction in methane and no effect on IVTD compared to the control treatments containing nitrate with autoclaved cultures or nitrate without any culture. The data revealed that nitrate reducing bacteria can be used as probiotic to prevent the accumulation of nitrite when sodium nitrate is used to reduce in vitro methane emissions.

Effects of extracts of spices on rumen methanogenesis, enzyme activities and fermentation of feeds in vitro.

BACKGROUND: An experiment was conducted to study the effects of boiling water, methanol and ethanol extracts (0, 0.25 and 0.50 mL) of seeds of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum (clove), bulbs of Allium sativum (garlic), bulbs of Allium cepa (onion) and roots of Zingiber officinalis (ginger) on rumen methanogenesis, fibrolytic enzyme activities and fermentation characteristics in vitro. RESULTS: Ethanol and methanol extracts of fennel, clove and garlic at 0.50 mL and clove at 0.25 mL inhibited (P < 0.05) methane production. Carboxymethylcellulase activity was reduced (P < 0.05) by ethanol and methanol extracts (0.50 mL) of fennel and clove (0.25 and 0.50 mL). The extracts of clove reduced (0.25 and 0.50 mL) xylanase and acetylesterase activities, and the fennel extract (0.50 mL) reduced (P < 0.05) xylanase activity. However, the extracts of garlic (0.50 mL) increased (P < 0.05) acetylesterase activity. Concentrations of volatile fatty acids were reduced (P < 0.05) by the extracts of garlic and onion. The extracts of garlic caused a decrease (P < 0.05) in acetate:propionate ratio (A:P) at 0.50 mL, whereas A:P was increased (P < 0.05) by the inclusion of 0.50 mL extracts of clove. Methanol and ethanol extracts of clove decreased (P < 0.05) in vitro organic matter degradability. Extracts (0.50 mL) of clove decreased (P < 0.05) the numbers of total protozoa, small entodiniomorphs and holotrichs, whereas extracts of onion, ginger and garlic enhanced (P < 0.05) protozoal numbers (both entodiniomorphs and holotrichs). CONCLUSION: Ethanol and methanol extracts of fennel and garlic have potential to inhibit rumen methanogenesis without adversely affecting rumen fermentation.

Leishman-Giemsa cocktail: an effective Romanowsky stain for air-dried cytologic smears.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an economical, quick, readily available and simple alternative to May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG) stain and so to explore the combination of Leishman and Giemsa stain (LG cocktail). STUDY DESIGN: One wet-fixed and 2 air-dried smears were prepared from 720 cases during the period January 2003-November 2004. The LG cocktail and MGG stain were used on the air-dried smears and Papanicolaou stain in wet-fixed smears. Diagnoses of the cases were made using the LG cocktail-stained smears, and then its diagnostic efficacy was cross-checked with the MGG- and Papanicolaou-stained smears by the same cytopathologist. A comparative study of the LG cocktail and MGG-stained smears was done. RESULTS: The results achieved with the LG cocktail-stained smears were comparable to or even better than those with the MGG-stained smears, with excellent diagnostic efficacy. CONCLUSION: As compared to MGG stain, the 1-step LG cocktail is cheaper, easier to standardize and quicker.

Myeloma in young age.

Total 14 cases of myeloma in young age group (<40 years) have been reported out of 178 cases of myeloma in a time period of 7 years (1993-1999). Males predominated overfe males. Like adult myeloma, patients presented mostly with the backache, pain in pelvis, lower spine and weakness in about 60% of cases followed by swelling of bone in 40% of cases. One case presented with bleeding gum, malena and hepatosplenomegaly and was diagnosed as plasma cell leukemia. Radiological examination revealed lytic lesion in almost all the cases with fracture femur and rib in 28.57% of cases. Anaemia and raised ESR was noted in all the cases. Myeloma typing revealed IgG myeloma in 10 cases, light chain myeloma in 3 cases and IgA myeloma in one case. None of the patient was traceable after 2 years. Thus our study concludes that myeloma in the young age in India occurs in increased frequency and clinically presents just like adult and elderly myeloma, but serologically are predominantly of IgG type. There is also an increased frequency of solitary plasmacytoma as compared to adult myeloma.

Effect of anaerobic fungi on in vitro feed digestion by mixed rumen microflora of buffalo.

Five strains of anaerobic fungi isolated from the faeces of wild (hog deer, Cervus porcinus; blackbuck, Antelope cervicapra; spotted deer, Axis axis; nilgai, Baselophus tragocamelus) and rumen liquor of domestic (sheep, Ovies aries) ruminants showing high fibrolytic enzyme producing ability were added to mixed rumen microflora of buffalo to study their effect on the digestibility of lignocellulosic feed (wheat straw and wheat bran in the ratio of 80:20), enzyme production and fermentation end products in in vitro conditions. Among the 5 isolates studied, FNG5 (isolated from nilgai) showed the highest stimulating effect on apparent digestibility (35.31 +/- 1.61% vs. 28.61 +/- 1.55%; P < 0.05), true digestibility (43.64 +/- 1.73% vs. 35.37 +/- 1.65%; P < 0.01), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (29.30 +/- 2.58% vs. 18.47 +/- 2.12; P < 0.01) of feed 24 h after inoculation compared to the control group. The production of carboxymethyl cellulase, xylanase, acetyl esterase and beta-glucosidase was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the FNG5 inoculated incubation medium. There was no improvement in the digestibility and enzyme production on the addition of the other 4 isolates. Total volatile fatty acid levels as well as the concentration of acetate, propionate, isobutyrate and valerate were significantly higher in the FNG5 added group as compared to the control group. The fungal isolate FNG5 from nilgai, a wild ruminant, was found to be superior to the other isolates tested and appears to have a potential to be used as a feed additive for improving fiber degradation in domestic ruminants.