Modeling improvements in ileal digestible amino acids by a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant in broilers.

Data from 13 datasets from 4 trials on the effect of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) on the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) in broilers were used to model AID AA responses. The datasets were obtained from 3 trial locations (New Zealand, Australia and United States) and collectively incorporated variations in diet composition (feedstuff composition, phytate-P (PP) level, limestone solubility), feed form (mash or pellet), bird genetics (strain), and age at sampling (11-35 d of age). In total, 384 observations were analyzed. First, the relationships between AID of AA (as coefficients) and increasing phytase dose level from 0 to 4,000 FTU/kg were evaluated across all datasets using exponential curve fitting. Second, the percentage unit change in AID of AA at each phytase dose level from baseline (basal diet [BD] without phytase) was calculated separately for each dataset and the data then modeled together using exponential curve fitting. The model-predicted mean coefficient of AID of total AA in basal diets was 0.76 (range 0.56 [Cys] to 0.83 [Glu]), which was increased by PhyG to 0.80 and 0.81 at 2,000 and 4,000 FTU/kg, respectively. Exponential increases in the percentage unit improvement in AID of 18 individual and of total AA with increasing phytase dose level were evident (P < 0.05). Improvements (vs. BD) at 2,000 FTU/kg and 4,000 FTU/kg, respectively, were greatest for Cys (+9.2 and +11.0% units), Met (after deduction of synthetic Met, +8.4 and +9.0% units), and Thr (after deduction of synthetic Thr, +6.2 and +7.3% units). The data demonstrated consistent improvements in the AID of AA by the phytase. The modeling results generated from data gathered from birds sampled at different ages and from different dietary settings with correction of synthetic AA for Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp, enabled a more accurate prediction of the digestible AA contribution from the diet by this novel phytase. This will allow diet-specific AA matrix recommendations to be made in commercial feed formulations.

Evaluation of the responses of broiler chickens to varying concentrations of phytate phosphorus and phytase. â ¡. Grower phase (day 12-23 post hatching).

A randomized complete block design study used 768 male broiler chickens to investigate the effects of phytate P (PP) and a novel consensus bacterial phytase variant (PhyG) concentration on growth performance, bone mineralization, apparent ileal digestibility (AID), and total tract retention (TTR) of nutrients in broiler chickens. Treatments were arranged in a 1 + 3 × 5 factorial with a nutrient-adequate positive control diet (PC) with 2.8 g PP/kg, 3 nutrient-reduced negative control diets (NC: PC minus 88 kcal/kg ME, 0.8 g/kg dig. Lys, 2.0 g/kg available P, 2.0 g/kg Ca and 0.5 g/kg Na) with varying PP (g/kg) levels, mainly from rice bran, at 2.3 (NC1), 2.8 (NC2), or 3.3 (NC3) and 5 PhyG doses at 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 FTU/kg. All treatments had 6 replicate cages with 8 birds/cage. A commercial starter diet was fed from d 0 to 12 and the experimental diets from d 12 to 23 post hatching. Birds fed the NC2 diet without phytase had lower (P < 0.01) BW, BW gain, and feed intake (FI) as compared with birds fed the PC with the same PP level. With increasing phytate, there was a decrease (P < 0.05) in BW, BW gain, and FI. Phytase increased (P < 0.01) BW and feed efficiency of broiler chickens. An interaction (P < 0.05) between PP and phytase concentrations was observed on the AID of Met, Cys, and Thr. Linear decrease (P < 0.01) in the AID and TTR of P and Ca with increasing PP concentrations were observed. Phytase supplementation increased (P ≤ 0.05) the AID of P, Ca, and all AA. The TTR of P, Ca, and Zn was linearly increased (P < 0.01) by 112, 123, and 46%, respectively, when birds fed NC diets with 0 and 4,000 FTU/kg were compared. In conclusion, phytate reduced the growth performance and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens from d 12 to 23 post hatching while phytase ameliorated these negative effects.

Long-term clinical and socio-economic outcomes following wrist fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

A comprehensive review of studies shows that patients with wrist fracture, aged over 50 years, experience pain and functional limitation long after fracture. This is associated with increased healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life. Understanding factors that predict poor outcomes is important for future healthcare policy and planning. PURPOSE: To summarise and appraise evidence on the prognosis and long-term clinical and socio-economic outcomes following wrist fracture among adults aged 50 years and over. METHODS: Five databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL-P and PsycINFO) were comprehensively searched (supplemented by a grey-literature search) from inception till June 2021 for prospective/retrospective cohort studies of patients (≥ 50 years) with a history of wrist fracture and reporting long-term (≥ 6 months) outcomes. Peer study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were conducted. A random effects meta-analysis was used to summarise estimates of pain and function outcomes. RESULTS: 78 studies (n = 688,041 patients) were included. Patients report persistent moderate to severe pain (range: 7.5%-62%) and functional limitations (range: 5.5-78%) up to 12-months or later after wrist fracture. Mean Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score for pain and function (9 studies, n = 1759 patients) was 15.23 (95%CI 12.77, 17.69) at 6-months to 13-years follow-up. Mean disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score (9 studies, n = 1346 patients) was 13.82 (95%CI 12.71, 14.93)( at 6- to 17-months follow-up. A 10-20% increase in healthcare encounters in the first 12-months after fracture was observed. Twelve prognostic factors were associated with poor long-term outcomes. CONCLUSION: Evidence shows that a high proportion of people aged over 50 years with wrist fracture experience pain and functional limitation > 6 months after fracture. This is associated with increased healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life. Exploratory evidence was found for several candidate prognostic factors. Their predictive performance needs to be investigated further. PROSPERO: CRD42018116478.

Evaluation of the responses of broiler chickens to varying concentrations of phytate phosphorus and phytase. â . Starter phase (day 1-11 post hatching).

Growth performance, tibia ash, apparent ileal digestibility (AID), and total tract retention (TTR) of nutrients responses of broiler chickens fed diets containing varying concentrations of phytate P (PP) and a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) from d 1 to 11 post hatching were evaluated with 1,152 broiler chicks. Diets were a nutrient-adequate positive control diet (PC) with 2.8 g PP/kg or one of 15 nutrient-reduced negative control (NC: PC minus 88 kcal/kg ME, 0.8 g/kg dig. Lys, 2.0 g/kg available P, 1.8 g/kg Ca and 0.5 g/kg Na) diets with 3 PP (g/kg) levels, mainly from rice bran, at 2.3 (NC1), 2.8 (NC2), or 3.3 (NC3) and 5 PhyG supplementation at 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 FTU/kg in a 1 + 3 × 5 factorial. All treatments had 6 replicate cages with 12 birds per cage. Despite comparable PP levels, birds fed the PC diet had greater (P ≤ 0.01) body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), tibia ash, AID of energy, AA, P, and Ca as compared with birds fed the NC2 without phytase. There was no interaction between PP and phytase for all responses. Increasing PP concentrations linearly decreased (P < 0.01) BW, FI, AID, and TTR of P and Ca. With phytase supplementation, there was a quadratic response (P < 0.05) in BW, FI, tibia ash, and a linear increase (P < 0.05) in the AID of energy, nitrogen, and all the measured AA. Increasing phytase dose from 0 to 4,000 FTU/kg increased (P < 0.01) AID of P and Ca by 88 and 18%, respectively. There was also a quadratic response (P ≤ 0.05) on TTR of P and Ca with increasing phytase dose. In conclusion, increasing levels of PP reduced growth performance and most nutrient utilization responses of broiler chickens while phytase supplementation positively impacted the responses of broiler chickens during d 1 to 11 post hatching.

Additivity of apparent and standardised ileal digestibility of phosphorus in corn and canola meal mixed diets; basal endogenous loss of phosphorus responses to phytase and age in broiler chickens.

1. The additivity of apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardised ileal digestibility (SID) of phosphorus (P) in mixed diets containing corn and canola meal (CCM) with or without phytase supplementation and the impact of age on the basal ileal endogenous loss (BEL) of P were investigated in broiler chickens.2. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 × 2 factorial with two ages (13 d or 21 d post hatching), three diets (corn, canola meal, or CCM), and two phytase levels (0 or 1,000 FYT/kg diet) in a randomised complete block design. There were eight or six birds per cage at 13 d and 21 d of age, respectively, and six replicate cages per treatment, with a total of 588 birds. A P-free diet (PFD) treatment was included at each age to determine the basal endogenous loss (BEL) of P.3. Birds were fed a commercial starter diet from d 1 to d 10 or d 18 and then fed the experimental diets for 3 d until d 13 or d 21, respectively. Predicted digestibility values calculated from the individual feed ingredients were used to test additivity in the mixed diets. Chromium oxide was included in diets as an indigestible marker.4. The ileal digesta, collected from birds at d 13 or d 21, was used to determine nutrient digestibility.5. The AID and SID of P at d 13 was higher (P < 0.01) when compared with older birds at d 21, regardless of dietary phytase supplementation. Regardless of age or phytase supplementation, AID and SID of P were additive, as there were no differences between predicted and determined values in the mixed diets. The BEL of P (g/kg DM intake) in birds at d 13 was higher (P < 0.05) than birds at d 21 (0.197 vs. 0.159).6. In conclusion, age had an impact on the BEL of P and the utilisation of minerals in the diets. The apparent and standardised ileal digestibility of P in the mixed diet containing corn and canola meal were additive, regardless of age or phytase supplementation.

Additivity of apparent and standardized ileal digestibility of phosphorus in mixed diets containing corn and soybean meal fed to broiler chickens.

Phosphorus (P) is an integral part of diet formulation for broiler chickens as P is required for various biochemical processes essential to life. A study was designed to examine the additivity of apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of P in mixed diets containing corn and soybean meal (SBM) with or without phytase supplementation. Birds were fed a commercial starter diet from day 0 to 21 after hatching and then allotted to 7 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with the BW as a blocking factor. Four semipurified diets were prepared to contain corn or SBM as the sole source of P with or without the addition of phytase at 1,000 phytase units/kg of diet. Two mixed diets were also prepared to contain corn and SBM with or without the addition of phytase at 1,000 phytase units/kg diet. A P-free diet (PFD) was formulated to determine the basal ileal endogenous loss of P. There were 16 replicate cages of the PFD and 8 replicate cages of the 6 experimental diets, with 8 birds per replicate cage for a total of 512 birds. Diets were fed for 3 d. The ileal digesta of birds were collected from the distal two-thirds of the ileum on day 24 after hatching. The SID of P in corn and SBM were 52.2 and 65.4%, respectively (SEM = 1.37). The addition of phytase improved (P < 0.05) both the AID and SID of P in the corn, SBM, and mixed diets. The determined AID or SID in the corn and SBM with or without phytase was used to predict the AID or SID in the mixed diets. There were no differences between the predicted and determined digestibility values in the mixed diets for either AID or SID of P and thus additive. Phytase supplementation of the mixed diet did not influence the additivity of AID or SID. In conclusion, the AID or SID of P in the corn and SBM was additive in the mixed diets containing corn and SBM with or without the addition of phytase.

Response of broiler chickens in the starter and finisher phases to 3 sources of microbial phytase.

A broiler chicken study was conducted for 42 D to evaluate their responses to 3 commercially available microbial phytases. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and bone mineralization at days 21 and 42 posthatching were used as parameters of evaluation. The study was a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments, 8 replicate pens, and 25 birds per pen. Treatments included a positive control (PC), a negative control (NC) with crude protein (CP), nonphytate phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) reduced by 18, 1.5, and 1.8 g/kg, respectively; the NC + 4 levels of phytase A (250, 500, 750, 1,000 FTU/kg), 3 levels of phytase B (250, 500, 750 FTU/kg), and 3 levels of phytase C (500, 750, 1,000 FTU/kg). Broilers fed the NC diet had reduced (P < 0.05) performance and digestibility measures at days 21 and 42 relative to the PC. All phytase enzymes improved (P < 0.05) BW, gain, feed efficiency, and tibia ash weight and percent. Inclusion of phytase at the highest levels improved (P < 0.05) tibia ash weight by an average of 18.5 and 22% at days 21 and 42, respectively, over the NC. Phytase A linearly improved (P < 0.05) the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of DM, Ca, P, copper, and sodium at day 21, and the AID of energy, nitrogen, and all amino acid (AA) digestibility at day 42 posthatching. Phytase B linearly (P < 0.05) improved BW gain and feed efficiency of birds at day 21 and quadratically improved (P < 0.05) the AID of nitrogen and all AA in birds at day 42. Supplementation of birds fed the NC with phytase C linearly improved (P < 0.05) the BW gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, and AID of DM, energy, nitrogen, all AA, and all minerals except manganese at day 42. In conclusion, all 3 phytase products improved the growth performance, nutrient and mineral digestibility, and bone mineralization of birds fed diets deficient in nitrogen, Ca, and P similar to or more than birds fed diet adequate in P and CP.

The impact of age and feeding length on phytase efficacy during the starter phase of broiler chickens.

Phytase is of importance to the poultry industry because of its ability to hydrolyze phytate and release phosphorus (P) for use by poultry. However, the effect of age on phytase efficacy is not fully understood. A total of 864 day-old broiler chicks were used to investigate the effect of age and feeding length on phytase efficacy using growth performance, mineral utilization, and tibia ash as response criteria of evaluation. The experiment was arranged as a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial in a randomized complete block design with 3 diets including; a positive control (PC; 0.4% non-phytate P (nPP)), a negative control (NC; 0.2% nPP) and a NC diet supplemented with phytase at 2,000 FYT/kg; 2 ages (i.e., days 14 and 22); and 2 feeding lengths (i.e., 2 and 5 D) with 8 replicates each. Birds fed the NC had decreased (P < 0.01) body weight gain and feed efficiency compared with birds fed the PC regardless of age or feeding length. Similarly, birds fed the phytase-supplemented diet had improved (P < 0.01) performance as compared to birds fed the NC regardless of age. There were no significant differences in P utilization between birds fed for 2 to 14 D or 22 D and birds fed for 5 D to both ages. However, phytase was more efficacious at day 14 than day 22 when mineral utilization was considered because the super dose of phytase elicited greater response in birds fed the phytase supplemented diet for 2 D until day 14. In contrast, percentage tibia ash improved (P < 0.01) in birds fed phytase supplemented diet for 5 D at both ages as compared with birds fed for 2 D. In conclusion, testing phytase products, even at high doses, for 2 D during the second week in the life cycle of broiler chicks, can be recommended from the results of this study.

Influence of age and duration of feeding low-phosphorus diet on phytase efficacy in broiler chickens during the starter phase.

A total of 1,408 male broiler chickens were used to evaluate the impact of age and duration of feeding low-phosphorus (P) diet on the efficacy of phytase using growth performance, nutrient utilization, tibia ash, and plasma indices. Diets were formulated with 2 non-phytate P (nPP) concentrations (i.e., 0.20 and 0.40%) and 2 phytase concentrations (i.e., 1,000 and 2,000 FTU/kg) added to the 0.20% nPP diet. Four dietary treatments with 8 replicate cages each were fed to broiler chicks at different ages and for different duration. Specifically, these were days 6 to 8 (12 birds per replicate), 12 to 14, 9 to 14, 20 to 22, or 6 to 22 (8 birds per replicate). Parameters were measured on the last day of each period. Duration of feeding effect was examined by comparing responses of birds fed for 2 or 5 D at day 14 and for 2 or 16 D at day 22; age effect was determined by comparing responses of birds fed for 2 D at age 8, 14 and 22 D post-hatching. Body weight gain and gain-to-feed ratio were increased (P < 0.01) in birds fed diets supplemented with phytase; however, an increase in duration of feeding improved (P < 0.01) feed efficiency with birds fed for 16 D performing better than birds fed for 2 D at day 22. In addition, phytase supplementation improved (P < 0.01) apparent P and calcium digestibility and retention, but the age effect on phytase efficacy was more apparent at day 14 and the duration of feeding effect was evident in birds fed for 2 D due to the increased levels of mineral utilization at that age/duration of feeding as compared with the other groups. The results of this study show that phytase efficacy was at optimum in birds fed low-P diet for 2 D at day 14. This period can be recommended for further bioefficacy studies of phytase.

Additivity of apparent and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in wheat, canola meal, and sorghum distillers dried grains with solubles in mixed diets fed to broiler chickens.

An experiment was conducted to investigate which method, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) or standardized ileal digestibility (SID), more accurately predicts the digestibility of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in mixed diets fed to broiler chickens. Male Ross 308 broiler chickens received a standard starter diet from d 0 to 16 post hatching, thereafter grouped into 8 blocks, based on body weight (BW), of 10 birds/cage, and randomly allotted to 6 diets in a randomized complete block design. The 6 diets consisted of a nitrogen-free diet, 3 semi-purified diets, and 2 mixed diets to test the additivity of AID and SID in mixed diets. On d 21 post hatching, digesta from two-thirds of the distal ileum was collected. Using the determined AID or SID for CP and AA in wheat, canola meal (CM), or sorghum distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), the AID or SID for 2 mixed diets based on wheat-CM or wheat-CM-DDGS were predicted and compared with determined AID or SID, respectively. The results revealed that the predicted SID of CP and AA in the wheat-CM mixed diet were consistent with determined values except for Asp and Ser, and all the predicted SID of CP and AA were consistent with the determined values in the wheat-CM-DDGS mixed diet. The determined AID of Ile, Met, Thr, Val, Ala, Cys, Ser, and Tyr in the wheat-CM mixed diet were greater (P < 0.05) than predicted AID values. For the wheat-CM-DDGS mixed diet, the determined AID of Trp, Cys, and Glu were greater (P < 0.05) than the predicted AID values. However, there were more inconsistencies between the determined and predicted values in AID values for wheat-CM than the wheat-CM-DDGS mixed diet than SID values for both diets. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that the SID of CP and AA was more additive than the AID of CP and AA when a mixed diet contained wheat, CM, and DDGS as protein sources in broiler chickens.

Evidence flowers: An innovative, visual method of presenting "best evidence" summaries to health professional and lay audiences.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Barriers to dissemination and engagement with evidence pose a threat to implementing evidence-based medicine. Understanding, retention, and recall can be enhanced by visual presentation of information. The aim of this exploratory research was to develop and evaluate the accessibility and acceptability of visual summaries for presenting evidence syntheses with multiple exposures or outcomes to professional and lay audiences. METHODS: "Evidence flowers" were developed as a visual method of presenting data from 4 case scenarios: 2 complex evidence syntheses with multiple outcomes, Cochrane reviews, and clinical guidelines. Petals of evidence flowers were coloured according to the GRADE evidence rating system to display key findings and recommendations from the evidence summaries. Application of evidence flowers was observed during stakeholder workshops. Evaluation and feedback were conducted via questionnaires and informal interviews. RESULTS: Feedback from stakeholders on the evidence flowers collected from workshops, questionnaires, and interviews was encouraging and helpful for refining the design of the flowers. Comments were made on the content and design of the flowers, as well as the usability and potential for displaying different types of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence flowers are a novel and visually stimulating method for presenting research evidence from evidence syntheses with multiple exposures or outcomes, Cochrane reviews, and clinical guidelines. To promote access and engagement with research evidence, evidence flowers may be used in conjunction with other evidence synthesis products, such as (lay) summaries, evidence inventories, rapid reviews, and clinical guidelines. Additional research on potential adaptations and applications of the evidence flowers may further bridge the gap between research evidence and clinical practice.

Quantitative Ultrasound and bone's response to exercise: a meta analysis.

UNLABELLED: The utility of Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) for assessing and monitoring changes in bone health due to exercise is limited for lack of adequate research evidence. Restrictions to bone density testing and the enduring debate over repeat dual energy absorptiometry testing spells uncertainty over clinical and non-clinical evaluation of exercise for prevention of osteoporosis. This study, via systematic review and meta-analysis, aimed to paint a portrait of current evidence regarding QUS' application to monitoring bone's adaptive response to exercise interventions. METHODS: Structured and comprehensive search of databases was undertaken along with hand-searching of key journals and reference lists to locate relevant studies published up to December 2011. Twelve articles met predetermined inclusion criteria. The effect of exercise interventions for improving bone health, as measured by QUS of the calcaneum, was examined across the age spectrum. Study outcomes for analysis: absolute (dB/MHz) or relative change (%) in broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and/or os calcis stiffness index were compared by calculating standardised mean difference (SMD) using fixed- and random-effects models. RESULTS: Quality of included trials varied from low to high on a scale of one to three. Four to 36months of exercise led to a significant improvement in calcaneum BUA (0.98 SMD, 95% CI 0.80, 1.16, overall effect Z-value=10.72, p=0.001) across the age spectrum. CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis attests to the sensitivity of QUS to exercise-induced changes in bone health across the age groups. QUS may be considered for use in exercise-based bone health interventions for preventing osteoporosis.

A meta-analysis of brief high-impact exercises for enhancing bone health in premenopausal women.

UNLABELLED: A snapshot of current evidence from 6 randomised controlled trials for the effects of short bouts of high-impact exercises in 256 women via meta-analysis reveals that ample osteogenic response could be realised at the femoral neck and trochanter of premenopausal women with rest-inserted bouts of few mechanical bone loading cycles. INTRODUCTION: Exercise is an important means of improving bone health and preventing osteoporosis. Brief bouts of simple exercises may be useful for aiding lifestyle compliance to physical activity. This study aimed to review the evidence on the effect of brief, high-impact exercise on bone health among premenopausal women. METHODS: A structured and comprehensive search of databases was undertaken along with hand searching of key journals and reference lists to locate relevant studies published and unpublished up to January 2011. Six randomised controlled trials met predetermined inclusion criteria. Brief high-impact exercises (<30 min) were examined for their effect on bone mineral density (BMD) among premenopausal women. Trial quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool. Study outcomes for analysis, absolute change (grams per square centimetre) or relative change (in percent) in BMD at femoral neck, trochanter and lumbar spine were compared by calculating standardised mean difference (SMD) using fixed- and random effects models. RESULTS: Quality of included trials varied from medium to high on a scale of 1 to 3. Brief bouts of exercise led to significant increases in femoral neck BMD (SMD = 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.38, 0.90, overall effect Z value = 4.84, p = 0.001); a modest increase in trochanteric BMD (SMD = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.61, Z value = 2.08, p = 0.04) and no increase in spinal BMD (SMD = 0.04, 95% CI= -0.23, 0.31, Z value = 0.26, p = 0.79). CONCLUSION: Based on the meta-analysis, brief high-impact exercise improves BMD at the hip but not at the lumbar spine. Effectiveness of this form of exercise as a lifestyle physical activity for prevention of osteoporosis should be explored in larger populations.