Effects of reduced crude protein diets while maintaining essential amino acid concentrations on growth performance, nitrogen output, ammonia production, and meat yield.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding reduced crude protein (CP) diets to Ross × Ross 708 male broilers while providing adequate essential amino acid (AA) concentrations on growth performance, nitrogen (N) and ammonia output, and carcass characteristics from d 1 to 33 post hatch. Birds received 1 of 6 dietary treatments (10 replicate pens per treatment) varying in CP content. Diet 1 (control) was formulated with DL-Met, L-Lys, and L-Thr (23.2, 20.7, and 19.1% CP) in the starter (1-14 d of age), grower (15-25 d of age), and finisher (26-33 d of age) periods, respectively. Dietary L-Val, Gly (only in starter period), L-Ile, L-Arg, and L-Trp were sequentially supplemented in the order of limitation in Diets 2 through 6. Dietary CP was reduced gradually across the dietary treatments resulting in a CP reduction in Diets 1 to 6 by 3.4, 3.4, and 2.3% points in the starter, grower, and finisher periods, respectively. At d 14, 25, and 33 posthatch, feed conversion decreased (P < 0.05) with L-Val addition (Diet 2) and increased (P < 0.01) with L-Val to L-Trp addition (Diet 6) to the control. Dietary treatments did not alter weights and yields of carcass, breast, drum, or thighs. Dietary CP reduction with added L-Val (Diet 2), L-Val to L-Arg (Diet 5), or L-Val to L-Trp (Diet 6) increased abdominal fat (P < 0.01) compared with control. Nitrogen excretion (g/bird; P = 0.003) and equilibrium ammonia concentration (mg/kg; P = 0.041) at day 33 reduced by 16% and 48% respectively in birds fed reduced-CP diets with L-Val to L-Trp (Diet 6) compared with control-fed birds. This study indicated that sequential addition of supplemental AA in the order of limitation from DL-Met to L-Arg allowed reduction of dietary CP beyond 2%-point without depressing growth performance and meat yield of broilers from day 1 to 33 while reducing nitrogen excretion and ammonia emissions.

Effect of a high-fat diet and leptin on STAT3 phosphorylation in hippocampal astrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the influence of HFD on the functionality of LepR by quantifying phosphorylated levels of 705Tyr-STAT3 in hippocampus astrocytes from mice that consumed an HFD either during the juvenile or the adult period. METHODS: Five- and eight-week-old male mice, fed during 8 weeks with either control chow or HFD, received a single dose of leptin and their brains were prepared for immunofluorescence to identify double-positive GFAP/p705Tyr-STAT3 cells. RESULTS: HFD intake led to increased pSTAT3 immunoreactivity in GFAP+ cells in the CA1/CA3 hippocampus areas. The effect was observed both in adolescent and adult mice. Leptin increased pSTAT3 immunoreactivity in control animals but was devoid of effect in HFD mice. HFD itself has no effect on the number of GFAP+ cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that regular intake of HFD enhances STAT3 signaling in CA1/CA3 astrocytes, an effect that could be linked to the increase of leptin triggered by HFD. The increase of pSTAT3 might be integral to homeostatic mechanisms aimed at maintaining hippocampus function.

Saturated and unsaturated fat diets impair hippocampal glutamatergic transmission in adolescent mice.

Consumption of high-fat diets (HFD) has been associated with neuronal plasticity deficits and cognitive disorders linked to the alteration of glutamatergic disorders in the hippocampus. As young individuals are especially vulnerable to the effects of nutrients and xenobiotics on cognition, we studied the effect of chronic consumption of saturated (SOLF) and unsaturated oil-enriched foods (UOLF) on: i) spatial memory; ii) hippocampal synaptic transmission and plasticity; and iii) gene expression of glutamatergic receptors and hormone receptors in the hippocampus of adolescent and adult mice. Our results show that both SOLF and UOLF impair spatial short-term memory. Accordingly, hippocampal synaptic plasticity mechanisms underlying memory, and gene expression of NMDA receptor subunits are modulated by both diets. On the other hand, PPARγ gene expression is specifically down-regulated in adolescent SOLF individuals and up-regulated in adult UOLF mice.

Effects of dietary protein level and age at photo stimulation on reproduction traits of broiler breeders and progeny performance.

A study with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was conducted to determine the effects of 2 dietary crude protein levels, high (CPh) or low (CPl), supplemented with free amino acids (AA), and 2 ages at photo stimulation (PS)-early (21 wk; PSe) or late (23 wk; PSl)-on reproduction traits of broiler breeders and progeny performance. Diets were isocaloric, and calculated CP content of the CPl diets was 15 g/kg lower than the CPh diets during all phases. A total of 480 female and 64 male Ross 308 breeders of 20 wk of age were used. Total egg production was similar between CPl and CPh birds during phase 1 and 2 but was reduced by 2.8 eggs for CPl birds during phase 3. For the overall laying period, CPl birds tended (P = 0.075) to produce 4.7 fewer total eggs. Hatchability of set eggs was similar between CPl and CPh birds during phases 1 and 2 but tended (P = 0.064) to be lower for CPl birds in phase 3. PSe birds showed an advanced age at sexual maturity and age at peak production of 4.6 and 5.3 d, respectively, resulting in 2.5 more total eggs during phase 1. During phase 1, PSe birds showed an almost 5% increased fertility. Chick production in phase 1 was higher for PSe birds resulting in a tendency (P = 0.071) to higher overall chick production of almost 8 chicks. Progeny from early PS breeders showed an overall significant lower feed conversion ratio (FCR). It was concluded that egg and chick production during phases 1 and 2 were not affected by dietary CP level, but egg and chick production was reduced for CPl birds during phase 3. On the other hand, PSe birds showed an increased number of chicks. It is possible to decrease CP level of breeder diets with comparable reproduction from 22 to 46 wk; however, this is questionable for phase 3. For maximal chick production, early PS is recommended.

Liver segmentation in MRI: A fully automatic method based on stochastic partitions.

There are few fully automated methods for liver segmentation in magnetic resonance images (MRI) despite the benefits of this type of acquisition in comparison to other radiology techniques such as computed tomography (CT). Motivated by medical requirements, liver segmentation in MRI has been carried out. For this purpose, we present a new method for liver segmentation based on the watershed transform and stochastic partitions. The classical watershed over-segmentation is reduced using a marker-controlled algorithm. To improve accuracy of selected contours, the gradient of the original image is successfully enhanced by applying a new variant of stochastic watershed. Moreover, a final classifier is performed in order to obtain the final liver mask. Optimal parameters of the method are tuned using a training dataset and then they are applied to the rest of studies (17 datasets). The obtained results (a Jaccard coefficient of 0.91 ± 0.02) in comparison to other methods demonstrate that the new variant of stochastic watershed is a robust tool for automatic segmentation of the liver in MRI.

Design and validation of an augmented reality system for laparoscopic surgery in a real environment.

PURPOSE: This work presents the protocol carried out in the development and validation of an augmented reality system which was installed in an operating theatre to help surgeons with trocar placement during laparoscopic surgery. The purpose of this validation is to demonstrate the improvements that this system can provide to the field of medicine, particularly surgery. METHOD: Two experiments that were noninvasive for both the patient and the surgeon were designed. In one of these experiments the augmented reality system was used, the other one was the control experiment, and the system was not used. The type of operation selected for all cases was a cholecystectomy due to the low degree of complexity and complications before, during, and after the surgery. The technique used in the placement of trocars was the French technique, but the results can be extrapolated to any other technique and operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Four clinicians and ninety-six measurements obtained of twenty-four patients (randomly assigned in each experiment) were involved in these experiments. The final results show an improvement in accuracy and variability of 33% and 63%, respectively, in comparison to traditional methods, demonstrating that the use of an augmented reality system offers advantages for trocar placement in laparoscopic surgery.

MRI skin segmentation for the virtual deformation of the breast under mammographic compression.

Breast Magnetic Resonance Image skin has similar intensity levels than dense tissue, and may produce segmentation errors if not managed correctly. In this work a novel skin segmentation method is presented and validated by experts, aimed to obtain as many pixels belonging to the real skin as possible. Segmented skin will be used to build a breast biomechanical model to register X-Ray Images with Magnetic Resonance Images in the future, using a virtually deformed Magnetic Resonance Image.

Effect of salmon protein hydrolysate and spray-dried plasma protein on growth performance of weanling pigs.

Two experiments, each consisting of 2 trials, were conducted to determine the effect of salmon protein hydrolysate (SPH) and spray-dried plasma protein (SDPP) fed during the first week postweaning and their subsequent effect on the growth performance of weanling pigs. Pigs were fed in a 3-phase feeding program with durations of 7 d for phase 1 in both Exp. 1 and 2; 14 or 15 d for phase 2 in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively; and 7 or 8 d for phase 3 in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. Dietary treatments were fed only during phase 1, whereas the same diet was fed to all pigs in phases 2 and 3. Pigs were blocked by initial BW and sex, and littermates were balanced across treatments. Data from the 2 trials within each experiment were combined and analyzed together; no treatment × trial interactions (P > 0.10) were observed. In Exp. 1, a total of 324 weanling pigs (10 replications of 5 or 6 pigs per pen) with an average initial BW of 6.4 ± 1.3 kg were assigned to 1) a control diet with no SPH or SDPP, 2) 1.5% SPH, 3) 3.0% SPH, 4) 1.5% SDPP, 5) 3.0% SDPP, or 6) 1.5% SPH + 1.5% SDPP. Experiment 2 was similar to Exp. 1, but red blood cells were removed from all diets to reduce diet complexity. In Exp. 2, weanling pigs (n = 320, 14 replications of 5 or 6 pigs per pen) with an average initial BW of 5.4 ± 1.2 kg were assigned to 1) a control diet with no SPH or SDPP, 2) 1.5% SPH, 3) 1.5% SDPP, or 4) 1.5% SPH + 1.5% SDPP. Three batches of SPH were used, and each batch was analyzed for AA composition. In Exp. 1, the inclusion of SDPP or SPH during phase 1 did not affect (P > 0.10) ADG, ADFI, or G:F compared with those of pigs fed the control diet. No carryover effects on growth performance were observed in any of the subsequent phases. Overall, G:F was greater (P = 0.08) in pigs fed the 1.5% diets compared with those fed the 3.0% diets. In Exp. 2, no differences (P > 0.10) were observed in ADG, ADFI, or G:F among pigs fed the SPH or SDPP diets compared with those of pigs fed the control diet. Pigs fed the combined diet had greater (P < 0.10) overall ADFI compared with that of pigs fed the control diet, but ADFI was similar to that of pigs fed the SPH and SDPP diets. These results indicate that inclusion of up to 3% SDPP or SPH in diets fed during the first week postweaning did not affect the growth performance of weanling pigs, and no subsequent carryover effects were observed. Salmon protein hydrolysate did not affect the growth performance of weanling pigs and may be considered an alternative protein source in diets for weanling pigs.

Effect of milk chocolate product on week-1 feed intake and growth performance of weanling pigs.

Experiments were conducted to assess the effect of dried whey (DW; 70% lactose) or milk chocolate product (MCP; 20% lactose and 60% sugars) on wk-1 feed intake and growth performance of pigs. Diets contained 1.60, 1.40, 1.40, and 1.20% total Lys for phase 1 (d 0 to 7), 2 (d 7 to 14), 3 (d 14 to 21), and 4 (d 21 to 35), respectively. Pigs were blocked by initial BW; sex and littermates were balanced across treatment; treatments were replicated with a minimum of 5 pens of 4 pigs each. Pigs were weaned at 24, 19, and 24 d of age with an initial BW of 6.5, 6.0, or 6.3 kg for Exp. 1 to 3, respectively. In Exp. 1 and 2, the treatments were 1) negative control (NC), no lactose added, 2) positive control (PC) with DW, 3) 25% replacement of the level of DW of the PC diet with MCP (25MCP), and 4) 50% replacement of the level of DW of the PC diet with MCP (50MCP). The level of DW or combinations of DW and MCP were 20, 10, and 5% for phases 1, 2, and 3 respectively. A common diet with no lactose was fed during phase 4. In Exp. 3, the treatments were 1) NC, 2) PC, and 3) 100% replacement of the level of DW of the PC diet with MCP (100MCP). In the combined data of Exp. 1 and 2, daily collected feed intake during wk 1 was increased (P < 0.10) from d 3 to 7 for the PC pigs; on d 2, 3, 4, and 7 for the 25MCP pigs; and from d 2 to 7 for the 50MCP pigs compared with the NC pigs. There was no difference (P > 0.10) on any day of wk 1 among pigs fed the PC and MCP diets. During phase 1, ADG and ADFI were increased (P < 0.10) for the PC, 25MCP, and 50MCP pigs compared with the NC pigs, but G:F was not affected (P > 0.10). During phases 2, 3, 4, and overall, there were no differences (P > 0.10) in growth performance among pigs fed the PC and MCP diets. In Exp. 3, collected daily feed intake during wk 1 was increased (P < 0.10) from d 2 to 5 for PC pigs and on d 1 and 2 for the 100MCP pigs compared with the NC pigs. However, there was no difference (P > 0.10) on any day of wk 1 between the PC and 100MCP pigs. Growth performance was not affected (P > 0.10) during any phase of the experiment. Combined data from Exp. 1, 2, and 3 using the NC and PC diets indicated that dietary DW increased (P < 0.10) final BW and increased ADG and ADFI during phases 1, 2, 3, and overall. These results indicate that partial or total replacement of DW with MCP had no effect on wk-1 feed intake or growth performance of weanling pigs and that MCP could be considered as a formulation alternative to DW.

Comparison of dried whey permeate and a carbohydrate product in diets for nursery pigs.

Three experiments were conducted to compare dried whey permeate (DWP; 80% lactose) and a carbohydrate product (CHO; 40% lactose, 30% sucrose, and 10% glucose) for nursery pigs. Pigs were fed in a 3-phase feeding program, and diets contained 1.6, 1.4, and 1.2% total Lys for phases 1 (d 0 to 7), 2 (d 7 to 21), and 3 (21 to 28). Dietary treatments included 1) control (no lactose), 2) low level of DWP, 3) high level of DWP, 4) low level of CHO, and 5) high level of CHO. In Exp. 1 (4 reps of 4 pigs per pen; initial BW = 7 kg and 23 d of age), the low and high levels used for each source in each phase were phase 1 (12.5 and 25%), phase 2 (10 and 20%), and phase 3 (6 and 12%). In Exp. 2 (6 reps of 5 pigs per pen; initial BW = 8 kg and 26 d of age) and 3 (4 reps of 4 pigs per pen; initial BW = 6 kg and 21 d of age), the inclusion levels were phase 1 (6 and 12%), phase 2 (3 and 6%), and phase 3 (common diet with no lactose). In Exp. 1, pigs fed diets with DWP or CHO had increased ADG (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01) and ADFI (P = 0.01) compared with pigs fed the control diet during phase 1. Gain:feed was reduced (P = 0.08) for pigs fed diets with CHO. During phases 2, 3, and overall, ADG, ADFI, and G:F were not affected (P > 0.10) by diet. In Exp. 2, pigs fed diets with CHO had increased ADG (P = 0.08 and P = 0.07) and ADFI (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01) compared with pigs fed the control diet during phases 1 and 2. Pigs fed diets with CHO had increased ADFI (P = 0.08 and P = 0.07) in phases 1 and 2 and increased ADG (P = 0.02) in phase 2 compared with pigs fed diets with DWP. Overall, pigs fed diets with DWP and CHO had increased ADFI (P = 0.06 and P = 0.01) compared with pigs fed the control diet, but ADG was increased (P = 0.07) for pigs fed diets with CHO. In Exp. 3, ADG, ADFI, and G:F were not affected (P > 0.10) by DWP or CHO during phase 1. Daily BW gain was increased (P = 0.02 and P = 0.07) for pigs fed diets with DWP or CHO during phase 2 compared with pigs fed the control diet. Overall, ADG was increased (P = 0.05) for pigs fed diets with DWP, but ADFI and G:F were not affected. Results from the combined data of Exp. 2 and 3, indicated that overall ADG (P = 0.05 and P = 0.04) and ADFI (P = 0.04) were increased in pigs fed diets with DWP or CHO compared with pigs fed the control diet. These data suggest that DWP or CHO improve growth performance of weanling pigs.

Influence of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase alleles on resistance to bovine tuberculosis in the European wild boar (Sus scrofa).

An association study was carried out to examine the influence of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT) polymorphisms on the susceptibility of a well-studied wild boar population from southern Spain to develop bovine tuberculosis (bTB). To this end, we examined polymorphisms at a closely linked dinucleotide microsatellite flanking exon 2 of the MUT gene in 37 wild boars with bTB and 36 non-infected individuals. The microsatellite showed low polymorphism in the studied population, with only three alleles (MUTm-A, MUTm-B and MUTm-C) found, in contrast to the 11 alleles previously reported for domestic pigs. Our case-control study showed that the MUTm-B allele was associated with disease in a dominant pattern (odds ratio = 3.36; 95% CI = 1.05-10.72; P = 0.04), while the MUTm AA genotype appeared to have a protective effect against bTB infection (odds ratio = 4.33; 95% CI = 1.20-14.96; P = 0.02). Interestingly, infected wild boars heterozygous for MUTm AB are at an advantage (11-fold) to contain the systemic spread of the disease when compared to other genotypes, implying that a balanced polymorphism may be present in the population. These results strengthen previous observations regarding the importance of the MUT gene on bTB resistance in wild boars and indicate that polymorphisms at this locus will influence the risk of acquiring and maintaining bTB in the studied population.

Characterization of anaplasma infections in Sicily, Italy.

This study aimed to characterize infection with Anaplasma marginale, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis, and A. platys in humans, animals, and ticks in Sicily, Italy, during 2003-2006. Serologic (competitive ELISA [cELISA]) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody [IFA]; N= 1990) and DNA (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]; N= 2788) tests were conducted on horse, donkey, cattle, sheep, goat, pig, dog, cat, roe deer, wild boar, human, and tick samples. The results reported herein suggested that in Sicily cattle are a major reservoir for A. marginale, dogs for A. platys, and sheep and goats for A. ovis. Domestic animals, such as cattle, horses, donkeys, sheep, dogs, and cats, may serve as reservoir for A. phagocytophilum, but different strains may infect ruminants and humans. All Anaplasma spp. characterized in Sicily had some distinctive genotypes for this region. Low genetic diversity was observed in A. ovis and A. platys, whereas A. marginale and A. phagocytophilum strains showed high genetic diversity. These results expanded our knowledge about the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in Sicily and provided information to understand the epidemiology of these infections and implement measures to diagnose, treat, and control transmission to humans and animals in this region.

Prevalence of infection and 18S rRNA gene sequences of Cytauxzoon species in Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Spain.

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most endangered felid in the world. Only about 160 individuals remain in 2 separate metapopulations in Southern Spain (Sierra Morena and Doñana). We obtained blood samples of 20 lynxes captured from 2004 to 2006, and determined the prevalence of infection and genetic diversity of Cytauxzoon spp. using 18S rRNA PCR and sequence analysis. Prevalence of infection was 15% (3 of 20). Cytauxzoon sp. was only detected in Sierra Morena. For phylogenetic analysis, we used the sequences reported in the present study and those characterized in different domestic and wild felids and ticks from North and South America, Asia and Europe. Three different Cytauxzoon sp. sequences were obtained. They were closely related to that obtained from a Spanish cat, but diverged in up to 1.0% with respect to the only previously reported sequence from an Iberian lynx. Conversely, the latter sequence clustered together with C. manul sequences obtained from Pallas cats (Otocolobus manul) in Mongolia. Our analysis yields a separate cluster of C. felis sequences from cats, wild felids and ticks in the United States and Brazil. These results suggest that at least 2 different Cytauxzoon spp. may be present in Iberian lynx. The apparent absence in one of the areas, together with the possibility of fatal cytauxzoonosis in lynxes makes necessary disease risks to be taken into account in management conservation strategies, such as translocations and re-introductions.

Infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in a seronegative patient in Sicily, Italy: case report.

BACKGROUND: Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) in humans, which has been recognized as an emerging tick-borne disease in the United States and Europe. Although about 65 cases of HGA have been reported in Europe, some of them do not fulfill the criteria for confirmed HGA. Confirmation of HGA requires A. phagocytophilum isolation from blood, and/or identification of morulae in granulocytes and/or positive PCR results with subsequent sequencing of the amplicons to demonstrate specific rickettsial DNA. Seroconversion or at least fourfold increase in antibody titers to A. phagocytophilum has been used as criteria for confirmed HGA also. CASE PRESENTATION: Infection with A. phagocytophilum was confirmed by PCR in a patient in Sicily, Italy, who had negative serology for A. phagocytophilum. A fragment of A. phagocytophilum 16S rDNA was amplified by two independent laboratories and sequenced from two separate patient's blood samples. The 16S rDNA sequence was identical in both samples and identical to the sequence of the A. phagocytophilum strain USG3 originally obtained from a dog. CONCLUSION: Infection with A. phagocytophilum was confirmed in a patient without a detectable antibody response against the pathogen. The results reported herein documented the first case of confirmed HGA in Sicily, Italy. These results suggested the possibility of human infections with A. phagocytophilum strains that result in clinical symptoms and laboratory findings confirmatory of HGA but without detectable antibodies against the pathogen.

Genetic diversity of Anaplasma marginale strains from cattle farms in the province of Palermo, Sicily.

Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by the tick-borne rickettsia Anaplasma marginale, is endemic in Sicily and results in economic loss to the cattle industry. This study was designed to characterize strains of A. marginale at the molecular level from cattle in the Province of Palermo, Sicily. Seropositivity of cattle >or=1 year old for A. marginale in the study area ranged from 62% to 100%. The observed prevalence of A. marginale infections in cattle herds ranged from 25% to 100%. Two predominant A. marginale msp4 genotypes were found. A positive correlation was found between the prevalence of infection and the presence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus. Phylogenetic analysis of msp4 sequences of European strains of A. marginale did not provide phylogeographical information. These results suggest that development of farm husbandry systems and vaccines for genetically heterogeneous populations of A. marginale are needed for control of anaplasmosis in this region of Sicily.

El caso de infecciosas: micosis sistematicas severas y su tratamiento con derivados imidazolicos / The infectious case: severe systemic mycoses and its treatment using imidazolic derivates

Se describen tres casos severos de paracoccidiodomicosis e histoplasmosis en pacientes jovenes (7 a 21 anos) quienes recibieron como tratamiento unico compuestos imidazolicos (ketoconazol 200 mg. itraconazol 100 mg/dia); estos fueron administrados por via oral por periodos variables (14-24 meses). Los pacientes empezaron a mejorar desde los tres primeros meses de terapia, aumentando dicha mejoria con el transcurso del tiempo. Durante la terapia no se detectaron alteraciones en las pruebas hepaticas o hematologicas, como tampoco efectos secundarios significativos. Los controles post-tratamiento han sido llevados a cabo por mas de dos anos sin que se hayan encontrado signos de reactivacion de la micosis. Los resultados clinicos, serologicos y radiologicos obtenidos en los pacientes bajo estudio, permiten aceptar que estos compuestos imidazolicos son una alternativa valiosa para el manejo de casos graves de histoplasmosis y de paracocciodiodomicosis.