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The present study demonstrates the vermistabilization of paper mill wastewater sludge (PMS) spiked with cow dung (CD) employing indigenous epigeic earthworm Perionyx excavatus Perrier. A total of six treatments were prepared along with a positive control (PC) and negative control (NC). Twenty earthworms were released into each treatment including PC and NC without earthworms. The different proportions viz., T1 (CD – 100%), T2 (PMS:CD – 1:3), T3 (PMS:CD – 1:2), T4 (PMS:CD – 1:1), T5 (PMS:CD – 3:1), T6 (PMS:CD – 2:1), PC (PMS – 100%) and NC (PMS – 100%) and changes in chemical parameters and microbial properties were recorded during the course of 60 days. Vermistabilization caused a significant decrease in the level of heavy metals: Cd (2.9–27.8%), Cu (0.22–42.3%), Pb (1.3–56.3%) and Cr (0.8–46.2%). The bioconcentration factor (BCFs) was also calculated and great amount of heavy metals accumulated in their body (mg kg−1) that ranged from 0.31 ± 0.003–0.45 ± 0.007 for Cd, 0.12 ± 0.005–0.24 ± 0.003 for Cu, 0.15 ± 0.005–0.31 ± 0.006 for Pb and 0.29 ± 0.007–0.56 ± 0.001 mg kg−1 for Cr, accumulation of heavy metals are in the order: Cr > Cd > Pb > Cu. The physicochemical parameters of earthworm treated substrate such as electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium were significantly increased; whereas, pH, total organic carbon, C:N ratio (carbon: nitrogen) and C:P ratio (carbon: phosphorus) were reduced after 60 days of vermistabilization. The vermistabilized materials also had a higher population of bacteria (98.90 ± 0.30 CFU × 106 g−1), fungi (43.75 ± 0.55 CFU × 103 g−1) and actinomycetes (67.65 ± 0.45 CFU × 105 g−1) than initial mixtures. Moreover, several histopathological changes were observed in earthworm tissues viz., disintegration of cells, irregular surface of epidermis, cellular debris, irregular cellular compartmentation, and oval-shaped nucleus. Higher level of histopathological abnormalities was recorded in PC (PMS-100%) while none were detected in lower concentrations of PMS. Furthermore, the study concludes that the paper mill sludge in a mixture of cow dung (1:1 ratio) can be a useful proposition for utilizing this hazardous waste through the adoption of vermitechnology.

The interactions between earthworms and microorganisms activity has prompted several researchers to evaluate the potential of artificially inoculating vermicomposts with additional specific microbes, with the intention of enhancing the vermicomposting process. This study evaluated the potential of inoculating fly ash (F)-cow dung-paper waste (CP) mixture (F-CP) with a specialized microbial cocktail called Effective micro-organisms (EM) during vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida earthworms. Inoculation with EM alone did not result in significantly (P>0.05) different changes in C/N ratio and dissolved organic matter (DOC) compared to the control with no EM and E. fetida. A significant interaction between EM and E. fetida presence resulted in greater changes in C/N ratio and DOC, which were not statistically different from the E. fetida alone treatment. It was also noteworthy that the activity of s-Glucosidase was not influenced by the presence of EM, but was significantly influenced (P=0.0014) by the presence of E. fetida. However, the EM+E. fetida treatment resulted in a rate of weekly Olsen P release of 54.32mgkg(-1) which was 12.3%, 89.2% and 228.0% more that the E. fetida alone, EM alone and control treatments, respectively. Similarly, though higher in the E. fetida plus EM treatment, the phosphate solubilizing bacteria counts were not significantly different (P>0.05) from the E. fetida alone treatment. It is concluded that inoculation of F-CP composts with EM alone may not be beneficial, while combining EM with E. fetida results in faster compost maturity and significantly greater Olsen P release. It would be interesting to evaluate higher optimized rates of EM inoculation and fortifying EM cocktails with phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on F-CP vermicompost degradation and phosphorus mineralization.

Pulp and paper mill effluents (PPMEs) have been shown to increase gonad size, cause early maturation, and disrupt hormone functions in native and non-native Chilean fish. In this study, we assessed reproductive (plasma vitellogenin; VTG, gonad development) and metabolic (ethoxyresorufin-. O-deethylase activity; EROD) end points, relative liver size (LSI) and condition factor (K) of juvenile female and male rainbow trout exposed to effluents. Unlike previous studies, which have focus either on the specific effects of effluent on fish in laboratory exposures or biotic population statuses downstream of discharge sites, we simultaneously assessed the impacts of PPMES on trout using two approaches: (1) laboratory exposures of tertiary treated PPME produced from processing Eucalyptus globulus or Pinus radiata; and (2) in situ bioassay downstream of the combined discharge of the same pulp mill. Despite an increase in the average gonadosomatic index (GSI) in exposed fish, no statistical differences in gonad size between exposed and unexposed individuals was detected. However, both female and male fish exposed to effluents showed significantly higher concentrations of plasma VTG, so more in fish exposed to Eucalyptus-based effluent when compared to Pinus PPME. In addition, male fish showed intersex characteristics in all exposure assays (Eucaliptus and Pinus) and, despite the low concentration of effluent in the river (

Vermicomposting of paper mill sludge (PMS) with cowdung (CD) and green manure plants, Tephrosia purpurea (TEP) and Gliricidia sepium (GLS) in different combinations (21 days pre-decomposed) was carried out using Eisenia fetida (60 days). Results revealed that electrical conductivity, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium and N NO3- levels were higher in vermicomposts generated from PMS + CD with TEP/GLS combination than in composts prepared without earthworms; while total organic carbon, C/N ratio, C/P ratio and organic matter content depicted significant reduction. C/N and C/P of final vermicompost ranged from 13.45 to 22.33 and 15.54 to 28.56 respectively. The total microbial population was significantly higher in CD + TEP/GLS vermicomposts (P

A large amount of sheep dung (SD) produced on farms in China is a potential feedstock for production of clean energy in the form of biogas. Similarly, waste paper can be a notable energy source that is worth exploiting. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of co-digesting nitrogen-rich SD with the carbon-rich corrugated board (CB) or waste office paper (OP) in varying volatile solids (VS) ratios, to produce methane. Synergistic effect of co-digesting SD with CB and SD with OP on methane production was found in this study. The highest methane yields of 151.62 and 198.85 mL/g-VS were obtained during the co-digestions of SD with CB at 4:1 ratio (SDCB) and SD with OP at 2:3 ratio (SDOP), respectively. High-throughput 16 S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the microbial diversity and richness in SDCB and SDOP co-digests were higher than in SD and OP mono-digests, respectively. Characteristic bacteria and archaea in the digests were strongly substrate-related and might contribute to methane production. The validated results indicated that methane production through anaerobic co-digestion of SD and waste paper can be an efficient way that could not only reduce environmental pollution but also contribute to methane production.

Lying is a highly motivated behaviour in dairy cows. The level of comfort provided by the lying surface not only affects lying time, but can also affect several other aspects of welfare. We used a crossover design to compare shredded paper and sawdust bedding in relation to lying behaviour, activity, lameness, integument damage, cleanliness and productivity. Cubicles were bedded with a thin layer of bedding, which was replaced as necessary to retain its hygienic state. Twenty-eight lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were divided into two balanced groups that experienced each bedding treatment for a 2 week period in opposing order. Paper bedding resulted in significantly less time spent lying down (paper: 45 %, SD ± 6.7, sawdust: 48 %, SD ± 7.3, P 0.10). Furthermore, no significant effects on step count, damage to the integument, cleanliness or milk yields were observed (P > 0.10). Slips were too rare overall for analysis. These findings indicate that paper bedding and sawdust were mostly comparable in terms of impact on behaviour, welfare and productivity when provided on a short-term basis. Future trials are recommended to determine if treatment effects persist following prolonged exposure to paper bedding. Assessing the longitudinal development of lameness and the long-term impact of reduced lying time will be essential.

Introduction This study investigated the effects of a beet nitric oxide enhancing (NOE) supplement comprised of nitrite and nitrate on cycling performance indices in trained cyclists. Methods: Subjects completed a lactate threshold test and a high-intensity interval (HIIT) protocol at 50% above functional threshold power with or without oral NOE supplement. Results: NOE supplementation enhanced lactate threshold by 7.2% (Placebo = 191.6 ± 37.3 W, NOE = 205.3 ± 39.9; p = 0.01; Effect Size (ES) = 0.40). During the HIIT protocol, NOE supplementation improved time to exhaustion 18% (Placebo = 1251 ± 562s, NOE = 1474 ± 504s; p = 0.02; ES = 0.42) and total energy expended 22.3% (Placebo = 251 ± 48.6 kJ, NOE = 306.6 ± 55.2 kJ; p = 0.01; ES = 1.079). NOE supplementation increased the intervals completed (Placebo = 7.00 ± 2.5, NOE = 8.14 ± 2.4; p = 0.03; ES = 0.42) and distance cycled (Placebo = 10.9 ± 4.0 km, NOE = 13.5 ± 3.9 km; p = 0.01; ES = 0.65). Also, target power was achieved at a higher cadence during the HIIT work and rest periods (p = 0.02), which enhanced muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) recovery. Time-to-fatigue was negatively correlated with the degree of SmO2, desaturation during the HIIT work interval segment (r = −0.67; p 0.008), while both SmO2 desaturation and the SmO2 starting work segment saturation level correlated with a cyclist's kJ expended (SmO2 desaturation: r = −0.51, p = 0.06; SmO2 starting saturation: r = 0.59, p = 0.03). Conclusion: NOE supplementation containing beet nitrite and nitrate enhanced submaximal (lactate threshold) and HIIT maximal effort work. The NOE supplementation resulted in a cyclist riding at higher cadence rates with lower absolute torque values at the same power during both the work and rest periods, which in-turn delayed over-all fatigue and improved total work output., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Beet nitric oxide enhancing supplementation comprised of inorganic nitrite and nitrate, but relying predominately on nitrite for nitric oxide production, improved lactate threshold power by 7.2% compared to placebo in trained cyclists and triathletes. • Beet nitric oxide enhancing supplementation increased the total number of work intervals completed while improving time to exhaustion 18%, the total energy expenditure expended during high intensity intervals 22.3%, and the total cycling distance completed 23.9% compared to placebo. • Beet nitric oxide enhancing supplementation improved performance by allowing each subject to maintain interval power targets at higher cadences and lower absolute torque which in turn enhanced SmO2 recovery during the rest intervals. • A beet nitric oxide enhancing supplement with an appropriate concentration of inorganic nitrite can be an effective ergogenic aid, and response faster than a nitrate supplement.

Summary This study aimed to investigate the effects of modified-dietary fiber from cassava pulp (M-DFCP), mostly classified as insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), as a feed supplement on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, weight of digestive organs, abdominal fat storage, and cholesterol in meat and blood of broiler chickens. A total of 336 one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were allocated to 4 groups in 7 replicate pens with 12 chicks each, based on a completely randomized design. Four dietary treatments composed of control and 3 M-DFCP inclusion levels: 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%. The results showed that M-DFCP showed no negative effects on growth performance in broiler chickens. The inclusion of M-DFCP in diets at 1.0 to 1.5% had positive effects on increased gizzard weight, reduced gizzard pH, and reduced abdominal fat. The M-DFCP at 1.0% can also increase nutrient digestibility (dry matter, organic matter, and ether extract). In addition, the supplementation of M-DFCP at 1.0 to 1.5% in diets represented lower cholesterol in serum, breast and thigh meats, and liver of broiler chickens. In conclusion, these results indicate that M-DFCP can be used as an IDF source in broiler diets. The inclusion of 1.0% M-DFCP in broiler diet has positive effects on enhancing gizzard function, improving nutrient digestibility, and reducing abdominal fat and cholesterol in chicken meat, blood, and liver.

This study was carried out to assess the degradation and accumulation rates of fresh human excreta and how addition of anal cleansing materials affect performance during vermicomposting by Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae. Vermicomposting setups consisting of two transparent containers (length 0.27 m, breadth 0.17 m and depth 0.12 m) stacked on top of each other were installed and operated under laboratory conditions. Earthworms, Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae, were obtained from Green Cycle Technologies Limited in Accra, Ghana and the species verified and cultured before use. Fresh human excreta for feeding the experimental setups was collected from an Enviro-loo public toilet and 13 g applied to the setups daily. Similar setups were fed with 0.3 g of anal cleansing material in addition to the fresh excreta. A setup without any earthworms (NW) was set up as a control. Physicochemical characteristics of vermicompost accumulating in the setups were determined weekly for 28 days using standard laboratory procedures while the sludge accumulated in the various setups were weighed and recorded daily. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Post-hoc LSD tests were conducted to determine whether the differences in results between the two earthworm species and among setups with and without anal cleansing materials were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). The study showed 12.3% and 26.2% reduction in volatile solids in EE (Eudrilus eugeniae and excreta only) and EF (Eisenia fetida and excreta only) while ash content increased indicating good degradation. The percentage mass reductions recorded at the end of the fourth week were 67.5%, 58.8% and 40.5% in systems EE, EF and NW respectively, while reductions of 73.7% and 68.5% were realized in EEA (Eudrilus eugeniae with excreta and toilet paper) and EFA (Eisenia fetida with excreta and toilet paper) respectively. There was greater amount of sludge accumulated in systems without earthworms, 0.00020 m3 (59.5%) in NW, than in systems with earthworms where 0.00011 m3 (32.5%) and 0.00014 m3 (41.2%) were recorded for EE and EF respectively. The rate of accumulation in vermibeds EE and EF was relatively higher than in vermibeds with excreta and toilet paper (EEA and EFA). EEA and EFA recorded accumulation rates of 0.00009 m3 (26.3%) and 0.00011 m3 (31.5%) respectively. Complete removal of helminth eggs was not achieved in any of the treatment systems.

Green biorefineries provide novel opportunities to use the green biomass efficiently and utilize the ecosystem services provided by grasslands more widely. The effects of the inclusion of fractionated grass silage solid fraction (pulp) on feed intake, rumen fermentation, diet digestion and milk production in dairy cows were investigated. Pulp was separated from grass silage using a screw press simulating a green biorefinery. Partial removal of liquid from forage increased DM concentration from 220 to 432 g/kg and NDF from 589 to 709 g/kg DM while CP decreased from 144 to 107 g/kg DM. A feeding trial using an incomplete changeover design with 24 Nordic Red cows and two 3-week periods was conducted. The pulp replaced grass silage in the diet at 0 (P0), 25 (P25) and 50 (P50) percentage of total forage, which was fed ad libitum with 13 kg of concentrate for all treatments. The forage DM intake was highest on P25 (14.1 kg/day) while P0 and P50 did not differ from each other (13.2 and 13.0 kg/day, respectively). There were no differences between the treatments in rumen pH or ammonia N, but the proportion of acetate increased with increasing pulp inclusion. The digestibility was measured using acid insoluble ash and indigestible NDF (iNDF) as internal markers. Neither of the markers detected differences in NDF digestibility, but according to iNDF, apparent total tract organic matter digestibility decreased with increasing pulp inclusion. The cows maintained milk production at P25, but it showed some decline at P50 (energy-corrected milk at P0 and P25 was 39.8 kg/day while for P50, it was 38.5 kg/day, P = 0.056) and the milk protein yield significantly declined with higher pulp inclusion. Simultaneously, the nitrogen use efficiency in milk production increased. It seems that the fibrous grass-based fraction from a biorefinery process has potential to be used as a feed for ruminants.

Perennial grasses can provide very high biomass yields and a better environmental profile compared to most annual cereal crops. The grass biomass can be processed into a protein-rich fraction for monogastric feed and a fibrous pulp fraction for ruminant feed or energy production. We studied the effect of fertilization of tall fescue grown on two sandy sites in Denmark. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) yield of first cut was measured at four nitrogen (N) fertilization levels (0, 70, 140 or 210 kg N ha−1). Samples were processed in a screw press, achieving a pulp fraction and a juice fraction from which proteins were precipitated into a protein concentrate fraction. CP allocation between the fractions of protein concentrate and pulp was analysed as well as the amino acid (AA) profile. CP in the brown juice fraction was not analysed. CP concentration and CP yield of unprocessed tall fescue increased linearly with N fertilization, attaining concentrations up to 126 g kg−1 DM and yields up to 0.76-0.86 Mg ha−1. N fertilization did not affect CP allocation between concentrate and pulp in a consistent way. As a mean of all treatments and both sites, 17% of CP was recovered in the concentrate and 74% remained in the pulp. CP concentration increased linearly with fertilization in both concentrate and pulp with coefficients of 0.50 and 0.21 g kg−1 DM kg−1 N ha−1, i.e. with a higher increase in the concentrate fraction. The AA profile only differed slightly between the two fractions and between the fertilization levels, however, the total sulphur to N ratio in both fractions decreased with increased fertilization, and a similar trend was observed for the relative content of the sulphur-containing amino acids. The AA profile deviated considerably from soybean meal, particularly with higher leucine and lower glutamic acid content. In conclusion, fertilization can greatly increase CP concentration and CP yield. However, the separation process needs improvements to increase the protein in the concentrate fraction.

Two hundred 10-d-old broiler chickens were used to study the effects of different dried olive pulp (DOP) inclusion rates on growth performance and meat quality. Broiler chickens were assigned to 4 experimental treatments (5 replicates of 10 broiler chickens each) for 32 d. The broiler chickens of each treatment were offered a different combination of grower (d 11 to 22; grower phase) and finisher (d 23 to 42; finisher phase) diets in terms of DOP content. The experimental treatments were: control (C), grower and finisher diets with no DOP; treatment 1 (T1), grower and finisher diets with 25 and 50 g DOP/kg, respectively; treatment 2 (T2), grower and finisher diets with 50 g DOP/kg; and treatment 3 (T3), grower and finisher diets with 50 and 80 g DOP/kg, respectively. Feed intake and body weight were recorded to calculate weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Fatty acid (FA) composition, oxidative stability, pH at 24 h post-mortem (pH24), color properties, cooking loss, and tenderness (as shear force) were determined in the breast muscle obtained from 2 broiler chickens/replicate pen of each treatment at d 42. The FCR was greater in T2 and T3 compared to C (P = 0.013) during the grower phase. During the finisher phase, FCR was greater in T3 when compared to C (P = 0.014), and to T1 and T2 (P = 0.031). The addition of DOP increased 18:1n-9 and total monounsaturated FA (P

There are instances where shell eggs may be moved from refrigeration into ambient temperature with high humidity, such as before wash and during transportation. Under these conditions, it is of concern that bacteria on wet eggs can grow and migrate through the shell pores into the egg. Objectives of this experiment were: 1) to compare 3 methods of quantifying condensate on eggs and 2) to quantify condensate on refrigerated shell eggs at 2 temperatures (22°C and 32°C). For objective 1, 270 fresh shell eggs (3 replications, 90 eggs per replication) were stored at 4°C, 60% relative humidity (RH), then placed at 22°C, 60% RH for 1 h. After this time, 30 pre-weighed eggs were randomly selected and weighed. Thirty eggs were thoroughly wiped with pre-weighed paper towels to collect condensate. Thirty eggs were evaluated with a pinless moisture meter for quantifying egg condensate, which was found to be an ineffective method. There was no difference in quantifying egg condensation by egg weight or weight of moisture absorbed on a paper towel (0.2% vs. 0.19% percentage gain mL condensation/egg surface area) (P > 0.05). For objective 2, 104 fresh eggs formed condensation at 2 temperatures (22°C and 32°C, 60% RH). Each egg weight was continuously recorded from the beginning of condensation formation to the point where the egg reached a constant weight. There was a difference found in the time it took for an egg to reach maximum condensation (11 min at 32°C, 17 min at 22°C), as well as completely dry (25 min at 32°C, 34 min at 22°C) between the 2 temperatures (P

Awassi dairy sheep farmers in the Middle East are facing high feed costs, particularly during the milk production season, along with large fluctuation in grain and straw prices. Incorporating agro-industrial byproducts into the diet of Awassi dairy sheep can help to balance diets and decrease costs. But it may affect milk quality through changes in the fatty acid profile. Six experimental diets were compared to a control diet in the research station of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Tal Hadya, Syria. Milking Awassi ewes (n = 56) were used to test six experimental diets, in which supplements comprised molasses, sugar beet pulp, or cotton seed cake to a traditional control diet contained barley, wheat bran, and barley straw. Milk samples were collected on a weekly basis from April to June. The daily milk production and fat content were enhanced in diets containing urea-treated wheat straw (P

L-theanine, a natural nonprotein amino acid with a high biological activity, is reported to exert anti-stress properties. An experiment with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary L-theanine on growth performance and immune function in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged broilers. A total of 432 one-day-old male yellow-feathered broilers were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments (control, antibiotic and L-theanine diets) with 2 subgroups of each (6 replicate cages; 12 birds/cage). Birds from each subgroup of the 3 dietary treatments were intra-abdominally injected with the same amount of LPS or saline at 24, 25, 26 d of age. Both dietary L-theanine and antibiotic improved (P

Molassed sugar beet pulp (Bp) is a human inedible by-product of the sugar industry being a suitable dietary energy alternative to grains particularly in terms of increasing the net food production efficiency of high-producing dairy cattle. However, there are concerns that feeding large amounts of Bp can limit cow’s feed intake, jeopardizing both the production performance and metabolic health especially of high-producing dairy cows that have high energy needs. In the present study dietary inclusion of Bp as a substitute for maize grain was tested in a longitudinal block-randomized experimental design in early lactation high-yielding Simmental cows. The Bp inclusion rates were 0 g/kg (i.e., no Bp inclusion as control), 120 g/kg (12Bp), or 240 g/kg (24Bp) on a dry matter basis. The replacement of maize grain with Bp reduced the human edible input from 135.4 MJ GE/d in the control diet to 50.7 MJ GE/d in the 24Bp diet (P 0.05), whereas dietary fibre digestibility was linearly improved (P = 0.038) with Bp feeding, indicating enhanced rumen health and functioning with Bp feeding. In conclusion, feeding molassed sugar beet pulp as partial substitution of maize until 240 g/kg is a viable alternative that can improve net food production without impairing the cows’ production performance and the metabolic health status of cows while improving the digestibility of fibre.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:36:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Citrus pulp pellets (CPP) and orange fiber (OF) are coproducts of the citrus juice industry. OF is a novel fiber source that contains elevated amounts of soluble fiber and has not yet been studied in dog nutrition. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the inclusion of CPP and OF in dog foods and their effects on the extrusion parameters, the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, fermentation end products, and palatability. A control diet (CO) without an added fiber source tested was formulated, and the experimental diets were composed of 30 g/kg, 60 g/kg and 120 g/kg CPP or 60 g/kg OF inclusion (as-fed basis). Extrusion parameters were recorded to determine extruder energy balance and kibble macrostructure. Thirty beagle dogs (3.2 ± 0.7 years; 12.4 ± 1.5 kg body weight) were distributed in a randomized block design with 6 dogs per group to evaluate the CTTAD of nutrients and the fermentation products in feces. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance, and means were compared by polynomial and orthogonal contrasts. The inclusion of CPP and OF reduced motor amperage (P < 0.001), mass pressure (P = 0.002), and specific mechanical energy transference (P < 0.001). Kibble macrostructure was affected by a decrease in expansion and an increase in hardness by CPP and OF inclusions (P < 0.001). Starch gelatinization was reduced by CPP (P < 0.001) but not by OF inclusion (P > 0.05). Total dietary fiber (TDF) intake increased (P < 0.001) with the addition of CPP, with a linear reduction in CTTAD of nutrients and energy (P < 0.05). The OF treatment, however, presented similar CTTAD values of DM and CP to those of the CO diet (P > 0.05). The TDF CTTAD was higher for 60 g/kg OF than for 60 g/kg CPP (P = 0.028). The fecal pH decreased, and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), acetic acid, butyric acid, and lactate concentrations increased with CPP and OF inclusion (P < 0.05). However, the diet supplemented with OF induced the production of feces with a lower pH and higher total SCFA concentrations than those of feces produced from CPP inclusion (P < 0.001). The OF diet presented a higher preference (65%) than the CO diet (35%) by dogs (P < 0.05). The CPP and OF were fermentable fiber sources, increasing SCFA and butyric acid concentrations in feces. The OF was more fermentable than CPP, with a limited impact on kibble formation, starch cooking, and CTTAD of nutrients and showing good acceptance on diets by dogs. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinária Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinária CNPq: 142191/2016-7

Nesting material, for example shredded paper, is a common form of enrichment for laboratory mice. However, there has been limited research performed regarding its apparent safety when given to mice fitted with exteriorised devices such as head plates. Anecdotally, shredded paper has been deemed unsafe for use with such animals due to frequently observed entanglement. This study assessed the safety of four nesting materials (Pure Comfort White, Rodent Roll, Short Paper Shavings and Facial Tissue) to identify a suitable alternative to shredded paper. The four nesting materials were each tested on 5 head plate mice over a 14-day period. The quality of the nests produced was scored throughout the trial period and incidences of tangling monitored. Tangling was only observed in the Facial Tissue group, and the highest quality nest scores were recorded in the Pure Comfort White group. As shredded paper has been anecdotally alleged to cause entanglement, Pure Comfort White, Rodent Roll and Short Paper Shavings may present more suitable options, given that their use did not result in any incidences of tangling throughout this trial. Pure Comfort White was concluded to be the safest and most suitable nesting material for head plate mice as it produced nests of high quality while reducing the risk of entanglement.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the water and nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, productive performance and carcass traits of sheep fed diets containing levels of sisal pulp silage (SPS) in substitution of tifton hay. Forty Santa Ines lambs (average initial body weight of 22 ± 3.4 kg) were randomly distributed among four diets containing 0, 167, 333, and 500 g/kg of SPS in the total dietary dry matter (DM), containing 500 g/kg of concentrate. The experimental period lasted 72 days, after 21 days of adaptation to the diets. Linear and quadratic effects of SPS levels were analyzed using orthogonal contrast. Intake of DM and OM were not affected by the substitution of tifton hay with SPS (P > 0.05). Intake of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral digestible fiber (NDF) and acid digestible fiber (ADF) decreased linearly as SPS increased (P 0.05). Sisal pulp silage is a suitable source to feed sheep, since animals showed similar intake and performances and it can be a consistent water source in arid and semiarid regions. Because of moderate concentration of physically effective fiber in the 333 g/kg SPS diet group, we recommend the inclusion of 333 g/kg of SPS in dietary dry matter in combination with tifton hay.

The objective of the study was to assess the effect of fresh bergamot pulp in lactating goat diets to determine its effects on milk and suckling kid fatty acid composition. Eighteen pregnant does were randomly assigned to two groups of two different diets: alfalfa hay (1 kg/head/day), supplemented with commercial concentrate (1 kg/head/day–Control diet) or the same concetrate (700 g/head/day) supplemented with fresh bergamot pulp (2 kg/head/day–FBP diet). Kids were reared in individual pens and fed on their mother’s milk. At 45 days of age, kids were slaughtered. Rumenic acid was higher in milk and in meat from animals from FBP group than Control one (P

The objectives of this study were to test whether the time-based total fecal collection (TC) method or the index method (IM) using acid-insoluble ash could obtain similar energy values as the reference (RF) method (TC method with marker-to-marker collection procedure) for growing pigs fed fiber-rich ingredients with different solubility. A total of 24 barrows (initial body weight, 33.3 ± 3.4 kg) were assigned to 4 diets and each diet was fed to 6 pigs. Experimental diets included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 3 fiber-rich diets which were formulated by replacing corn, soybean meal, and soybean oil in the basal diet with 200 g/kg defatted rice bran (DFRB), soybean hulls (SBH), and sugar beet pulp (SBP), respectively. All diets were formulated to contain 10 g/kg celite as a source of acid-insoluble ash to estimate the energy values by the IM method. Each group of pigs was adapted to diets and crates for 7 d, then followed by 5-d feces and urine collections using the time-based procedure and 5-d feces collection using the marker-to-marker procedure, then the same portion of fecal sample collected by the time-based TC method and the RF method for individual pigs were composited into a sample for the IM method. The results showed that the energy values and nutrients digestibility coefficients of each diet estimated by the time-based TC method agreed with the values estimated by the RF method; the IM method with acid-insoluble ash underestimated the energy values and nutrients digestibility coefficients of the SBH diet and the SBP diet compared with the RF method (P

Background It has been suggested that the increase in carbohydrate at the expense of fat has contributed to the obesity epidemic in North America and some European countries. However, obesity rates in China have increased rapidly in parallel with a transition from the traditional low fat, high carbohydrate diet to a diet relatively high in fat and reduced in carbohydrate. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine whether the traditional Chinese diet was likely to be more effective than a diet with higher fat and lower carbohydrate — which is consumed in most Western societies, at weight control among a non-obese healthy population in China. Methods The 6-month, two-center, three-arm, randomized, parallel-group, controlled-feeding trial was conducted at People's Liberation Army General Hospital in north China and Zhejiang University in south China. We recruited healthy young adults (aged 18–35 years, body mass index, Highlights • A LF-HC diet was associated with a greater weight loss and great reduction in waist circumference than a higher fat, lower carbohydrate diet. • Cardiometabolic risk profiles were more favorable on the LF-HC diet than on a higher fat, lower carbohydrate diet. • Measures of glycemia were unchanged throughout the trial, regardless if the macronutrient composition. This is a controlled-feeding trial to evaluate the effects of altering dietary fat and carbohydrate intake on weight change among non-obese subjects in a country experiencing nutritional transition. All the foods and most beverages were provided in order to maximize dietary targets and reduce other dietary or lifestyle related confounding factors during the intervention period. Our findings in conjunction with all other available evidence suggest that the Chinese population should be discouraged from following the continuing trend towards increasing dietary fat intake at the expense of carbohydrate.

In the scenario of increased reports on boron (B) supplementation in animal diets for beneficial effects, there is inadequate information on B content of animal feeds. The present study was carried out to quantify the level of B in animal feeds commonly used in tropical feeding systems. Samples of a total of 225 feeds were procured. The feed samples were oven dried, ground to 1 mm size and wet digested, filtered using Whatman filter paper (no 42) and volume made up to 100 ml by deionized water. Boron (B) content was estimated using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The level of B in fibrous feeds ( n = 83) was higher than in concentrate feeds ( n = 120) and unconventional feeds ( n = 22). The range of B content among the feed samples analyzed ( n = 225) showed a wide range from rice bran to cowpea fodder (0.69–59.1 mg/kg). The spatial distribution of B indicates that most feed samples analyzed showed B content lower than 20 mg/kg with mean and median of 17.7 ± 0.96 and 14.4, respectively. It is evident from the present study that appreciable quantity of B is detected in all the major categories of feedstuffs which was comparable to the levels of essential trace elements like copper and zinc. These findings would facilitate in assessing the supplementary value of tropical feeds for boron.

This study aimed to examine the effects of replacing rolled barley (high in starch) with citrus pulp (high in digestible fibre) in a supplement on intake and performance of young growing cattle offered grass silage ad libitum for 101 days. Weaned, early- and late-maturing breed, male suckled beef calves (n=120) were blocked by sire breed, gender and weight and from within block randomly assigned to one of two concentrate supplements based mainly on rolled barley (BAR) or citrus pulp (CIT) and formulated to have similar concentrations of true protein digestible in the small intestine. On day 87, blood samples were taken before and 2 h after feeding, and rumen fluid samples were collected 2 h post-feeding. Supplement type did not affect (P>0.05) grass silage intake, live weight gain, final live weight, ultrasonically assessed body composition or measurements of skeletal size. Rumen pH (6.64 v. 6.79), ammonia (51 v. 81 mg/l) and acetate-to-propionate ratio (2.7 v. 3.2) were lower (P

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential use of dried cassava pulp (DCP) with reference to productive performance, nutrient digestibility, egg quality, egg yolk cholesterol, cecal microbial populations, and volatile fatty acids production in laying hens. In experiment 1, a total of 48 laying hens (Isa Brown) were placed in individual cages and assigned randomly to one of 6 dietary treatment groups consisting of a control and 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% DCP for 10 d. Feeding laying hens with diets containing up to 20% DCP did not affect the dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility and nitrogen (N) retention (P > 0.05). In experiment 2, a total of 288 laying hens (Isa Brown) were randomly distributed to 6 dietary groups (one control and 5 DCP: 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25%) for 12 wk. The results show that diets containing up to 20% DCP had no significant effects on productive performance or egg quality (P > 0.05). The inclusion of DCP at levels of 20 to 25% showed a positive effect on decreased egg yolk cholesterol (P

Accumulating evidence suggests that hyperphenylalaninemia in phenylketonuria (PKU) can cause neuropsychological and psychosocial problems in diet-off adult patients, and that such symptoms improve after resumption of phenylalanine-restricted diet, indicating the need for lifetime low-phenylalanine diet. While limiting protein intake, dietary therapy should provide adequate daily intake of energy, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and microelements. We evaluated nutrient balance in 14 patients with classical PKU aged 4–38 years. Approximately 80–85% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of protein in Japanese was supplied through phenylalanine-free (Phe-free) milk and Phe-free amino acid substitutes. Nutritional evaluation showed that the calorie and protein intakes were equivalent to the RDA. Phenylalanine intake was 9.8 ± 2.2 mg/kg of body weight/day, which maintained normal blood phenylalanine concentration by the 80% Phe-free protein rule. The protein, fat, and carbohydrate ratio was 9.5:23.9:66.6% with relative carbohydrate excess. Phe-free milk and amino acid substitutes provided 33.7% of carbohydrate, 82.1% of protein, and 66.7% of fat intake in all. Selenium and biotin intakes were 25.0% and 18.1% of the RDA and adequate intake (AI) for Japanese, respectively; both were not included in Phe-free milk. PKU patients showed low serum selenium, low urinary biotin, and high urinary 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid in this study. The intakes of magnesium, zinc, and iodine were low (71.5%, 79.5%, and 71.0% of the RDA, respectively) and that of phosphorus was 79.7% of the AI, although they were supplemented in Phe-free milk. PKU patients depend on Phe-free milk and substitutes for daily requirement of microelements and vitamins as well as protein and fat. Development of low-protein food makes it possible to achieve the aimed phenylalanine blood level, but this lowers the intake of microelements and vitamins from natural foods. The dietary habits vary continuously with age and environment in PKU patients. We recommend the addition of selenium and biotin to Phe-free milk in Japan and the need to review the composition of microelements and vitamins in A-1 and MP-11 preparations., Highlights • 80- 85% of the recommended amount of protein should be supplied from Phe-free amino acid substitutes for good control. • Nutritional evaluation in PKU patients is necessary for dietary control and for checking the contents of medical foods. • Selenium, and biotin in Phe-free milk in Japan is insufficient and should be supplied immediately. • Microelement from early children to adults is necessary more than in infants due to low protein diet.

Highlights • Blood glucose and fat oxidation were simultaneously measured in Asian males. • The whole body calorimetre measured fat oxidation over 10 hours. • Low GI meals increased fat oxidation in subjects who were in a sedentary state. • Low GI meals minimized large blood glucose fluctuations throughout the day., Objective Low glycaemic index (GI) foods are known to minimize large fluctuations in blood glucose levels and have been suggested to increase fat oxidation. The objective of this study was to simultaneously investigate glucose excursion and substrate oxidation in a whole body calorimetre when Chinese male subjects were provided a low or high GI meal. Materials/Methods In a randomized, controlled crossover non blind design, 12 healthy Chinese male adults (BMI 21.8 ± 1.3 kgm−2) attended two sessions consisting of either four low or high glycaemic meals (LGI vs HGI). Breakfast, lunch and snack were consumed in a whole body calorimetre while dinner was consumed at home. Daily changes in glycaemic response (GR) and postprandial GR responses were measured using a continuous glucose monitoring system. The GR was further calculated to obtain the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for glucose concentrations. Glycaemic variability was calculated as mean amplitude of glycaemic excursion (MAGE). Substrate oxidation was calculated by measuring respiratory quotient and urine nitrogen excretion. Results After LGI meals in the whole body calorimetre, iAUC for glucose (P = 0.008) was lower compared to the HGI session. The HGI treatment produced a significantly greater MAGE than the LGI treatment over the 24 hour period (P

Effects of partial substitution of barley with maize and beet pulp (BP) on animal performance, rumen fermentation and rumen microbial populations were evaluated in thirty-nine newly weaned calves transitioned from a milk and pasture regime to a high-concentrate ration. Diets were: a barley-based growing diet (C); and two diets in which barley was partially replaced with maize and 10% BP (BP10) or 22% BP (BP22) on as fed basis. Wheat straw was offered ad libitum in all cases. Three adaptation protocols were followed: in Protocol 1 animals were abruptly shifted to the C diet, whereas calves in Protocols 2 and 3 were gradually adapted and received diets BP10 and BP22, respectively, for 10d; thereafter a 50:50 mixture of their diet and diet C until day 14, and finally, from day 15, diet C. All animals were slaughtered at a target live weight (LW) of ca. 500 kg. The experiment had then three phases (Ph): Ph1 (0-10d), Ph2 (11-14d) and Ph3 (15d-slaughter). Concentrate intake and proportion of straw in the diet were affected (P 0.05) among adaptation protocols. Daily rumen pH, and concentrations of lactate and volatile fatty acids were not affected by protocol. At the end of the trial, protozoa persisted in the rumen of all calves with an average concentration of 5.89 log cells/mL. Diversity dropped throughout the study; most protozoa belonged to genera Entodinium (97.5%) and Isotricha (1.7%), with minor presence of Dasytricha (0.05%), Epidinium (0.43%) and Subfamily Diplodiniinae (0.23%). Adaptation protocol had no effect on rumen bacterial population or diversity; however, both were affected by day of sampling indicating a shift in bacterial community in response to the concentrate inclusion. Although diversity dropped with concentrate inclusion, there was an increase after d10. In conclusion, the application of different protocols to adapt beef cattle to high-concentrate diets had no effect on animal performance and rumen fermentation which were not negatively affected by the abrupt transition to the high-concentrate diet. This suggests that calves might cope with those feeding conditions probably due to the microbial adaptions to a new rumen environment.

Objective Low glycemic index (GI) foods have been suggested to minimize large fluctuations in blood glucose levels and reduce food intake. However, the majority of studies have been conducted on Caucasian populations with limited data on Asians. The objective of this study was to investigate how the provision of a low GI breakfast and afternoon snack affected daily blood glucose profiles and food intake. Materials and methods In a randomized, controlled crossover non blind design, 11 healthy Chinese male adults (body mass index 22.4 ± 1.3 kg m−2) attended two sessions where they consumed either a high or low GI breakfast and afternoon snack, and a standardized buffet lunch. Daily changes in glycemic response (GR) were measured using the Medtronic MiniMed (Northridge, CA) iPro™2 continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS). The GR was further calculated to obtain the incremental area under the curve (IAUC). Glycemic variability was calculated as mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) and energy intake (kcal) was measured quantitatively at the buffet lunch. Results Compared to the high GI intervention, the low GI intervention significantly reduced the GR following breakfast (p = 0.02), lunch (p = 0.02) and dinner (p = 0.05). The low GI treatment showed a reduction in daily AUC (p = 0.03). There was a significant reduction in IAUC after a low GI breakfast compared to the high GI breakfast (p = 0.03). The low GI breakfast resulted in a significantly lower food intake at lunch and a resulting decreased energy intake of 285 kcal (p = 0.02). The MAGE was significantly lower during the entire low GI treatment (p = 0.03). Conclusions Consumption of a low GI breakfast and afternoon snack was capable of attenuating 24-h blood glucose profiles, minimize glycemic excursions and reduce food intake in healthy Asian males. This simple dietary intervention may be an acceptable approach in improving overall glycemia and energy balance in Asians. Clinical trial registration number NCT02340507, Highlights • The impact of low and high glycemic index foods on 24 h blood glucose profile. • The CGMS provides detailed information on how diets affect longer term glycemia. • Low GI breakfast and afternoon snack minimize large blood glucose fluctuations. • Low GI foods reduce glycemic variability and total energy intake.

Productive performance, rumen fermentation and oxidative status of sheep fed diets supplemented with coffee pulp ensiled with 5% molasses were evaluated. Thirty-four Blackbelly cross-breed sheep, 6 months old, mean weight 21.2 ± 0.63 kg, were assigned to three treatments T0: control treatment ( n = 11), T1: treatment with 8% coffee pulp in the diet ( n = 12), and T2: treatment with 16% coffee pulp in the diet ( n = 11). Coffee pulp at the levels evaluated did not affect daily weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ( P > 0.05). However, water intake, acetic acid, butyric acid, and total volatile fatty acids significantly increased ( P P > 0.05) were observed in the antioxidant capacity of the sheep's plasma; however, lipid peroxidation was lower for sheep fed with 16% coffee pulp. The present study concluded that a supplemented sheep diet with coffee pulp up to 16% coffee pulp did not affect their productive parameters but reduced oxidative stress.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different feed particle sizes and fiber sources on nutrient digestibility and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration in different intestinal segments of pigs. Eighteen barrows with T-cannula in the distal ileum were randomly allotted to a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement with 3 different high-fiber diets including corn bran (CB), sugar beet pulp (SBP) and soybean hulls (SH), and 2 different feed particle sizes. The experiment contained 2 periods, and each period lasted for 15 days, including 10 days for diets adaptation, 3 days for fecal collection, and 2 days for ileal digesta collection. The results indicated that coarse diets decreased (P

The present paper proposes a new strategy, based on the use of a new healthy animal diet additive obtained from urban biowaste, to reduce the environmental impact from livestock production. The diet supplement is a water soluble biopolymer (SB) obtained from urban gardening wastes. The paper reports the results of a case study in which 35 days old rabbits were fed a conventional diet as control and with a test diet made up of the conventional diet and 0.05–1% SB. Urine and faeces were collected, stored for 18 days at room temperature to simulate farm storage, and the resulting gaseous emissions were analysed. The manure from the animals fed the 0.25% SB diet produced significantly lowest emissions (p

Nanotechnology has formed into a promising innovation throughout the years, with unimaginable potential to change horticulture and animal zones all-inclusive. The reason for this paper is to contemplate and break down the initiation design, level of coordinated effort, creators positioning in the field of nanotechnology in Animal science look into. This paper investigates the development example of this field during the years 2005 to May 2019 (15 years). The PubMed database has been utilized to recognize the job of Nanotechnology applications in the field of creature science. Absolutely, 502 articles gathered including examination, survey, and clinical preliminary were investigated, and the information is introduced in various table headings. Single-wrote papers with 48% of commitments have overwhelmed this field of research. US of America rules with huge commitments right now followed by England (26%). The dominant part of the productions was in the English language (99%) and simply 0.2% distributed in the Chinese. It was intriguing to note 56% of research articles were distributed right now 5% productions were the result of clinical preliminaries. Lotka's Law was tried utilizing opposite square law by the recipe: xn * yx = c, the estimations of the type n and the consistent c were registered; and Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) decency of-fit test was applied. The outcomes recommended that creator profitability dissemination anticipated in "Lotka's summed up converse square law" didn't affirm to nanotechnology inquire about in Animal Science. Be that as it may, the altered Lotka's Law by Pao discovered fitting the control. Results indicated Liu Z (15) and Cui, Daxiang (14) has altogether added to this field. From this examination, analysts, researchers, subject masters, understudies, overseers, strategy creators, academicians, Library and Information Science experts, and staff partners will be profited attributable to the logical and powerful examination.

This paper investigated whether a single Hormonal Growth Promotant (HGP) adjustment in the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) beef grading model adequately predicted consumer eating quality of beef from cattle treated with different HGP formulations. This paper used consumer sensory data from two experiments. In experiment one, a total of 300 steers were allocated to three treatments; control (CON-100-F), 100 day oestradiol only HGP (OES-100-F), or a combination of trenbolone acetate and oestradiol HGP (TBA+OES-100-F) and finished in a feedlot for 73 days. In experiment two, a total of 200 steers were allocated either control or 400 day oestradiol only HGP treatments and finished on pasture for 389 days. Steers were slaughtered by finishing regime and carcass traits recorded. The anterior and posterior portions of the m. longissimus lumborum (LL-A and LL-P, respectively) and m. gluteus medius (GM) were collected and aged for five or 35 days. Grilled meat samples were scored for tenderness, juiciness, liking of flavour and overall acceptability using untrained consumers. Sensory scores were weighted by 0.3. 0.1, 0.3 and 0.3, respectively and summed to calculate a meat quality (MQ4) score. Residual MQ4 scores were calculated (observed MQ4 minus the predicted MQ4 score). The MSA model accounts for varied impacts of different HGPs on eating quality through a single HGP adjustment, and indirect impacts on carcass traits. For the majority of the HGP treatment samples, the residual MQ4 scores were not different to zero (5/18), or were positive i.e. the MSA model under-predicted these samples (11/18). Under-prediction was predominately for 35 day aged (7/9) and GM HGP treatment samples (6/6) and was considered low, with the majority less than ±5 MQ4 units. Under-prediction could be considered as advantageous through providing an additional safeguard to protect the interests of the consumers, rather than if the model had over-predicted and resulted in a more negative eating quality experience than expected. Some over-prediction was observed in the CON-100-F and TBA+OES-100-F treatment samples, which may be due to factors such as genetic variation and/or production environment. Minimal bias was observed when residual MQ4 was regressed against predicted MQ4 for the range of feeding regimes, muscles, ageing periods and treatment groups. This study showed that a single HGP adjustment in the MSA beef grading model, combined with the indirect effects of the different HGP formulations on carcass traits, provided a reasonable prediction of meat eating quality for different HGP formulations.

In this paper, we report a study on the drying process of whole human blood drops on glass substrates. It was shown previously (Brutin et al., 2011) that some diseases can change the patterns in dried drops of blood, but the reason behind the differences has not been discussed. In this paper, we explain the physical reasons behind the differences in patterns analytically in a quantitative and detailed way. We have analysed samples of three groups: healthy adults, adults having thalassaemia, and infants with jaundice. We investigate the formation of large cracks in three groups and measure the length of cracks for the jaundice group and find a relation between the bilirubin level and the length of large cracks. Then we show that the height profile of the dried drops is different for the three groups. We also compare the dynamics of evaporation and pattern formation for the three groups. Finally we explain the differences based on different physical properties like volume fraction, height, and viscosity. We show that valuable information about blood composition as well as the paroxysm of the mentioned diseases can be extracted just by analysing the patterns formed in dried drops.

This is the third paper of the series about “Dynamics of algae growth and nutrients in experimental enclosures culturing bighead carp and common carp”. In this paper, phosphorus dynamics were investigated under the condition of culturing bighead carp and common carp with added fish food (nitrogen dynamics is discussed in the second paper because their behaviors are so different from each other). Nearly fifty days’ observation results indicated that the reservoir water was typical of “phosphorus limited” water, and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) was the main constituent of measured total phosphorus (TP). The presence of fish food resulted in significantly higher SRP, dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) and TP concentrations in contrast with the reservoir water. Moreover, continuous supply of fish food led to the decline of total nitrogen to total phosphorus (TN:TP) from more than 100 to less than 5. Variations in the ratio of TN to TP favored the growth of blue-green algae. Fish species affected phosphorus concentrations, and culturing bait-eating common carp contributed more to reducing the SRP, DTP and TP concentrations than culturing planktivorous bighead carp. 0.5%, 4.1% and 3.1% TP can be removed in enclosures with culturing bighead carp, common carp and mixed bighead carp and common carp, respectively. Abundant phosphorus in the fish culturing activities may be present as the uneaten food, algae cells, and within the water column and sediment, which should be taken into serious consideration for the target of future water eutrophication prevention and safety of the drinking water supply.

The implementation of gamete cryobanking in aquaculture may improve hatchery practices such as assisted reproduction and genetic selection of desired strains. This paper preliminarily investigated the technical feasibility of cryobanking semen of the common pandora Pagellus erythrinus, an important fishery resource in the Mediterranean area and a promising species for the diversification of productions. Post-thawing motility was evaluated in common pandora semen samples cryopreserved according to eight previously selected protocols and stored in liquid nitrogen for eight years. In order to mimic the practical use of long-term cryostored semen samples, the proportion of living sperm in which motility could be activated was evaluated, by computer-assisted analysis, on thawing and after 3 h of post-thawing incubation at 18 °C as biomarker of sperm viability. The assessed parameters were percentage of motile spermatozoa (TM), curvilinear velocity (VCL), lateral head displacement (ALH), beat-cross frequency (BCF) and dance (DNC). The cryostored sperm of the common pandora proved to have promising features. In fact, percentages of motile sperm higher than 40% were always obtained on thawing; moreover, the semen retained its activation ability in the times after thawing, showing no or slight alterations in the motility profile also when activated after 3 h of post-thawing incubation. The best post-thawing performances were recorded with the EG5%-based extender under the F1 curve (equilibration at 2 °C; freezing from +2 °C to −70 °C at 3.8 °C/min), that showed the highest percentages of motile cells (80 ± 3) and no significant alterations in any of the evaluated motility parameters, followed by the EG10% based extender under the F2 curve (equilibration/cooling from 20 °C to 2 °C at 1 °C/min; freezing from +2 °C to −150 °C at 23.3 °C/min). Such a post-thawing resistance of long-term cryostored samples, encourages further studies for the inclusion of the semen of the common pandora in cryobanks aimed at use in reproductive biotechnologies for aquaculture applications and as a model in laboratory research. Therefore, the present paper contributes to the implementation of semen cryobanking as a technological tool in support to aquaculture, using as a model a species of potential aquaculture interest. In addition, the creation of germplasm cryobanks for aquatic species comply with the EU ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of in Vivo Experiments) guidelines that promotes a coordinate use and sharing of biological samples from animal models in laboratory research.

In order to understand the effect of low temperature shock to Apostichopus japonicus , we measured the concentration of soluble proteins, soluble sugars and five ions (Ca 2 + , Mg 2 + , Na + , Cl − and NO) derived from different organs to evaluate the adaptive capacities and stress responses to mild temperature decrease (MTD, initial temperature was set at 14 °C and decreased from 8 °C to − 2 °C by step changes of 2 °C, temperature was decreased to each temperature through 24 h) and to rapid temperature decrease (ATD, step changes of 2 °C over 1.5 h) in the laboratory. Two commercial strains of A. japonicus , hybrid Shuiyuan No. 1 sea cucumbers (Ss) and Dalian local sea cucumbers (Ls), were used as test animals. In the MTD treatments, concentrations of soluble proteins and soluble sugars on the whole showed similar trends of an initial increase, a subsequent decrease and then an increase to a level similar to or higher than the initial level. Ca 2 + concentration increased to the maximum level at 4 °C and did not return to the original concentration. The concentrations of Mg 2 + and Cl − increased significantly to a higher level, which was maintained until the end of the experiment. However, the concentrations of Na + and NO showed an opposite trend: an initial decrease in concentration to a low concentration that was maintained until the end of the experiment. In contrast, in the ATD experiment, the concentration of soluble proteins, soluble sugars, Mg 2 + , NO and Na + showed a tendency for fluctuation or decrease. Only Ca 2 + and Cl − concentrations showed a rising trend. Earlier responses and faster homeostatic ability were observed for Ss individuals than for Ls individuals, indicating a greater cold tolerance. Such findings provide the basis for improving aquaculture techniques for A. japonicus , particularly for providing a new stress-resistant sea cucumber variety for A. japonicus culture in farm ponds. Statement of relevance The manuscript titled “Stress responses to mild and acute temperature decrease for two strains of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus ” was finished by Junhao Ning, Yaqing Chang, Wei Liu, Jian Song, Weijie Zhang and Jun Ding, we all made contribution to this manuscript and agreed with the authors' sorting order. This paper is first submitted in your journal. Neither the entire paper nor any part of its content has been published or has been accepted elsewhere. It is not being submitted to any other journal. We believe the paper may be of particular interest to the readers of your journal because the study reports that: (1) a preliminary relationship between the changes of soluble proteins, soluble sugars and five biogenic ions in A. japonicus and cold stress is established in the study; (2) the turning point of stress reaction in A. japonicus when suffering low-temperature was found at 0 °C or at 2 °C; and (3) we provide a new stress-resistant sea cucumber variety for A. japonicus culture in farm ponds.

Although an extensive literature exists on the management of zoo animals, not all zoos have contributed in an equal way. This paper is the first retrospective account of black rhinoceros husbandry and breeding in Italian zoos. Considering the precarious status of wild and captive populations, it is hoped that the results presented in this paper may furnish additional insights that are necessary to resolve some management problems in zoos today.

A meta-analysis was conducted to elucidate the factors affecting drinking water intake (DWI) in order to develop new DWI empricial predictive models for lactating dairy cows and to compare with existing models. A large dataset, containing 262 experimental diets from 75 experiments published in 65 peer-reviewed papers was built. Selected explanatory variables were grouped into animal (body weight (BW); BW0.75; milk yield), diet composition (dry matter; ash; sodium; potassium; crude protein (CP); neutral detergent fiber), dry matter intake (DMI) and environment (mean air temperature and relative humidity) inputs. To develop the predictive models, the dataset (peer-reviewed papers) was randomly divided into two subsets for statistical analyses. The first data subset was used to develop equations to predict DWI (41 peer-reviewed papers; 47 experiments; 157 experimental diets), and the second data subset was used to assess the adequacy of the predictive models (24 peer-reviewed papers; 28 experiments; 105 experimental diets). Ash was the main diet input affecting DWI in lactating dairy cows, while BW0.75 affected DWI more than milk yield. Use of dietary characteristics (DM, ash and CP) and DMI as inputs could be enough to predict DWI as accurately as more complete models. Dry matter intake as predictive variable does not improve DWI prediction in models with only animal (BW0.75 and milk yield) as input, but it substantially improves prediction of models without use of animal as input. Among the existing models evaluated, those developed from just one experiment (Castle and Thomas, 1975; Little and Shaw, 1978; Murphy et al., 1983; Stockdale and King, 1983; Dahlborn et al., 1998) had poor prediction quality. We proposed the use of two models (diet II and animal + diet models) that presented the lowest root mean square prediction error (RMSPE) to predict DWI in lactating dairy cows.

The stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1974) is a commercially important fish species in Asia. This is an important food fish as is enriched with high amounts of protein, iron and calcium. The current research demonstrates the population structure, size at sexual maturity, spawning- and peak-spawning season and fecundity of H. fossilis in an important wetland ecosystem - Gajner Beel in northwestern Bangladesh with an aim of its sustainable conservation through induced breeding and aquaculture practices. A total of 426 stinging catfish captured from the Gajner Beel through monthly sampling from January to December 2019 used in the study. Total length (TL), standard length (SL) and body weight (BW) of individual fishes were measured. The size ranges were with 6.70–24.10 cm TL, 1.37–83.94 g BW. Gonads were removed carefully through ventral dissection and weighted. Lm was 14.02, 13.5, 13.0 and 15.0 cm based on maximum length (Lmax), TL vs. GSI (%), TL vs. SL and logistic model, respectively. Monthly variations of GSI and maturation stages were confirmed in April to August as spawning season and June as peak spawning month. Fulton’s condition factor (KF) was found to be with significant relations with GSI values. Fecundity was 1,730 to 23,870 and significantly correlated with both TL and BW. Temperature has been increasing 0.029 °C/year with the falling of rainfall at 2.96 mm/year in the study area. Environmental factors -Temperature, rainfall, dissolved oxygen and pH were found to be significantly correlated with GSI. We found the optimal range of temperature (29–31 °C), rainfall (350–380 mm), dissolved oxygen (5.0–6.0 mg/l) and pH (7.1–7.5) for spawning of H. fossilis. The paper recommended the policy guidelines to pave the ways of the aquaculture, conservation and management of H. fossilis in the changing eco-climatic events through specific management measures.

The basic problemwith the approach we adopted in the paper of Jardim et al. (2013) is that we found the denominator of the reported ratio Eq. (17)/Eq. (18) by assuming Lc 1⁄4ME=Mm, Mm 1⁄4 ðFHPþAÞ=km, and km 1⁄4 0:35ME=GEþ0:503. Nonetheless, the metabolizability of the diet (q1⁄4ME=GE) is lower than the metabolizability of the diet at maintenance, namely qm, 8 Lc41 (Blaxter and Boyne, 1978). We maintained terms and units here accordingly. In the paper of Jardim et al. (2013), we assumed the gross energy intake as GE1⁄4 18:8F (MJ/day). Therefore, our km values were biased because our qm values were also biased to some extent. By definition, qm is measured at maintenance (Blaxter and Boyne, 1978): qm 1⁄4MEm=GEm. MEm and GEm are the respective metabolizable and gross energy intake rates at maintenance, and MEm meets Mm, i.e., MEm=Mm 1⁄4 1. Nonetheless, let us define the dry matter intake measured at maintenance as Fm (kg/day), consequently, GEm 1⁄4 18:8Fm. If Mm 1⁄4ME=Lc, Mm 1⁄4 ðFHPþAÞ=km, km 1⁄4 0:35MEm=GEmþ0:503, and Mm 1⁄4MEm, then after algebraically isolating ME and taking only its positive root and simplifying constants, we have a new Eq. (18) based on the correct definition of qm: ME1⁄4 26:9Fmð 0:503Lcþð0:253Lc þ1:4Lc ðFHPþAÞ=ð18:8FmÞÞÞ: ð18Þ

Substrate moisture content is an important but not well-understood variable in production and waste reduction processes that involves black soldier fly (BSF) larvae. The purpose of this paper is to characterise growth and metabolic performance of BSF larvae on substrate moisture contents from 45 to 85%. Larvae developed into prepupae only at 45–75% substrate moisture content. Within this interval, the maximal specific growth rate was highest (0.73 day−1), the growth period shortest (13 days), and the maximal dry weight lowest (88 mg) at 45% moisture content. Differences in cost of growth and maintenance were not observed at the different substrate moisture contents, and differences in larval performance were likely associated to differences in co-occurring microbial activities. As much as 22% of the substrate carbon was emitted as CO2 at 45% moisture content by microorganisms, measured as the difference between total respiration and larval respiration, whereas microbial CO2 production amounted to only 3% of the substrate carbon at 75% moisture content. As consequence of the high specific growth rate and short growth phase, the overall net growth efficiency was higher at 45% moisture content (0.62) than at 75% moisture content (0.52). Overall, the metabolic performance of the BSF larvae was insensitive to differences in substrate moisture content. Their performance was, however indirectly affected by the substrate moisture content due to differences in co-occurring microbial processes in the substrate.

This paper investigates the yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of machine-transplanted rice cultivated using mechanized deep placement of N fertilizer in the rice–wheat rotation region of Chuanxi Plain, China. It provides theoretical support for N-saving and improves quality and production efficiency of machine-transplanted rice. Using a single-factor complete randomized block design in field experiments in 2018 and 2019, seven N-fertilization treatments were applied, with the fertilizer being surface broadcast and/or mechanically placed beside the seedlings at (5.5±0.5) cm soil depth when transplanting. The treatments were: N0, no N fertilizer; U1, 180 kg N ha–1 as urea, surface broadcast manually before transplanting; U2, 108 kg N ha–1 as urea, surface broadcast manually before transplanting, and 72 kg N ha–1 as urea surface broadcast manually on the 10th d after transplanting, which is not only the local common fertilization method, but also the reference treatment; UD, 180 kg N ha–1 as urea, mechanically deep-placed when transplanting; M1, 81.6 kg N ha–1 as urea and 38.4 kg N ha–1 as controlled-release urea (CRU), mechanically deep-placed when transplanting; M2, 102 kg N ha–1 as urea and 48 kg N ha–1 as CRU, mechanically deep-placed when transplanting; M3, 122.4 kg N ha–1 as urea and 57.6 kg N ha–1 as CRU, mechanically deep-placed when transplanting. The effects of the N fertilizer treatments on rice yield and NUE were consistent in the 2 yr. With a N application rate of 180 kg ha–1, compared with U2, the N recovery efficiency (NRE), N agronomic use efficiency (NAE) and yield under the UD treatment were 20.6, 3.5 and 1.1% higher in 2018, and 4.6, 1.7 and 1.2% higher in 2019, respectively. Compared with urea alone (U1, U2 or UD), the NRE, NAE and yield achieved by M3 (combined application of urea and controlled-release urea) were higher by 9.2–73.3%, 18.6–61.5% and 6.5–16.5% (2018), and 22.2–65.2%, 25.6–75.0% and 5.9–13.9% (2019), respectively. Compared with M3, the lower-N treatments M1 and M2 significantly increased NRE by 4.0–7.8% in 2018 and 3.1–4.3% in 2019, respectively. Compared with urea surface application (U1 or U2), the yield under the M2 treatment was higher by 4.3–12.9% in 2018 and 3.6–10.1% in 2019, respectively. Compared with U2, the NRE and NAE under the M2 treatment was higher by 36.9 and 36.3% in 2018, and 33.2 and 37.4% in 2019, mainly because of higher N uptake. There was no significant difference in the concentration of nitrate in the top 0–20 cm soil under U1, U2 and M2 treatments during the full heading and maturity stages. During the full heading stage, U2 produced the highest concentration of nitrite in 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil among the N fertilizer treatments. In conclusion, mechanized deep placement of mixed urea and controlled-release urea (M2) at transplanting is a highly-efficient cultivation technology that enables increased yield of machine-transplanted rice and improved NUE, while reducing the amount of N-fertilization applied.

Summary Background and aims The US News and World Report (USNWR) conducts an annual review of popular diets: Moderate (reducing energy intake from all food groups, particularly those high in fat and added sugars); Plant-based (excluding food groups, such as animal products); Low-carbohydrate (excluding/limiting carbohydrate-containing foods); and Meal-replacement diets (replacing foods with pre-made, calorie-controlled portions). The goal of this paper was to examine how these diets differ in nutrients, food groups, and diet quality. Methods This study examined the 40 diets rated by physicians and nutritionists for the 2018 USNWR and assessed differences among diets that were categorized by two independent reviewers: Moderate (n = 15), Plant-based (n = 12), Low-carbohydrate (n = 8), and Meal replacement (n = 5). Nutrient, food groups, and diet quality (Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®), Healthy Eating Index (HEI)) were assessed from the 2018 USNWR. Results There were significant differences among the four diet types for energy; % energy from saturated fat, carbohydrates, and protein; trans fat; sugars; fiber; magnesium; cholesterol; HEI; fruit; total fruit and vegetables; whole grains; total grains; total meat; nuts and seeds; legumes; and total protein foods. Plant-based and Moderate diets, especially the Macrobiotic, Big Loser and Ornish diets, had strongly anti-inflammatory DII scores (−4.82, −4.85 and −4.06, respectively). Moderate (86.9 ± 7.7) and Plant-based (86.1 ± 10.7) diets had significantly higher HEI scores than Low-carbohydrate diets (70.6 ± 15.0; P = 0.01). Conclusions These findings provide useful information on nutrient adequacy of popular diets. Results indicate that Plant-based and Moderate diets have better dietary quality (HEI, DII) and better nutrient and food group profiles than Low carbohydrate diets.

This paper presents a field campaign conducted in two French elementary schools for 5 weeks aiming at identifying effects of occupation and ventilation practices on indoor aldehyde concentrations and discriminating aldehyde emission from building materials and furniture. The investigated classrooms were first empty and not occupied whereas the furniture was added the following week. Normal school activities were restarted for the last three weeks under various ventilation practices. C2–C7 aldehydes concentrations were monitored with the conventional method based on DNPH derivatization using active sampling followed by off-line HPLC/UV analysis. Acetaldehyde (AA) and hexanal (HA) were the two main aldehydes present if formaldehyde is not considered. The weekly mean values of acetaldehyde concentrations were found in the range 9.5–13.1 μg m−3 (School 1), 9.4–17.6 μg m−3 (School 2) and equal to 5.3 μg m−3 (School 3). In Schools 2 and 3, weekly hexanal concentrations ranged between 3.3 and 5.4 μg m−3 but increased up to 40.1 μg m−3 in school 1 where painting work was performed during the week 2. Smaller amount of propionaldehyde (PA) and benzaldehyde (BA) were always detected, their weekly average concentrations being in the range 0.4–4.0 μg m−3 and 0.9–2.7 μg m−3 for PA and BA, respectively. The results supported by Student's tests show that building materials and furniture contribute to aldehyde emissions while ventilation significantly improves indoor air quality without being able to privilege one of the three ventilation scenarios tested.

Background & aims The effect of pasta consumption within a low-energy Mediterranean diet on body weight regulation has been scarcely explored. This paper investigates the effect of two Mediterranean diets, which differed for lower or higher pasta intake, on body weight change in individuals with obesity. Methods & Results Forty-nine volunteers finished a quasi-experimental 6-month two–parallel group dietary intervention. Participants were assigned to a low-energy high pasta (HP) or to a low-energy low Pasta (LP) group on the basis of their pasta intake (HP ≥ 5 or LP ≤ 3 times/week). Anthropometrics, blood pressure and heart rate were measured every month. Weight maintenance was checked at month 12. Body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis, BIA), food intake (24-h recall plus a 7-day carbohydrate record) and the perceived quality of life (36-item short-form health survey, SF-36) were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Blood samples were collected at baseline and month 6 to assess glucose and lipid metabolism. After 6-month intervention, body weight reduction was −10 ± 8% and −7 ± 4% in HP and LP diet, respectively, and it remained similar at month 12. Both dietary interventions improved anthropometric parameters, body composition, glucose and lipid metabolism, but no significant differences were observed between treatment groups. No differences were observed for blood pressure and heart rate between treatments and among times. HP diet significantly improved perception of quality of life for the physical component. Conclusions Independent of pasta consumption frequency, low-energy Mediterranean diets were successful in improving anthropometrics, physiological parameters and dietary habits after a 6-month weight-loss intervention. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03341650.

This paper aims to share findings on nonclassical biomanipulation from a field study on eutrophic West Yangcheng (WY) Lake. In the forty years before 2009, cyanobacteria frequently bloomed in WY Lake, an event which has not occurred since 2009. The stocking density of filter-feeding carp was estimated to be more than 50 g/m3 in July after 2009, approximately double the amount observed before 2009, and the ratio of silver carp to bighead carp (SBR) increased from 0.8 to more than 1.6. Compared with the water quality between 2004 and 2007, the total nitrogen (TN) and the chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration decreased while total phosphorus (TP) and transparency (SD) increased significantly after 2009 (P 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between fish yield and SD (P

The objective of this paper is to review the existing literature regarding the advantages and disadvantages that different weaning practices have on the stress responses and productivity of water buffalo in different breeding systems. On farms where water buffalo are bred for milk production, early weaning favors the amount of milk produced, reduces breeding costs and improves the reproductive rate. However, this early separation may be associated with the restriction of colostrum and essential nutrients for water buffalo calves, which cannot be replaced by the use of milk replacers made for cattle. Consequently, colostrum restriction can lead to an increase in disease susceptibility, high mortality rates and compromises future performance. In addition, mothers show a more temperamental behavior, making milk ejection difficult due to the anatomical characteristics of the udder in this species. On the other hand, a continuous suckling system may be more beneficial to weight, immune status, and welfare of calves but may cause economic losses due to delayed postpartum estrus. The results in terms of susceptibility to stress are contradictory; some authors conclude that separation between mother and calves does not generate stress, as long as weaning is carried out within the first hours or days after birth (3–6 days old) after colostrum intake, compared to weaning at 45 and 90 days. However, these calves have greater difficulty in learning to eat on their own and show an increase in abnormal behaviors. The most commonly utilized form of weaning is abrupt. Behavioral and physiological indicators suggest that abrupt weaning is stressful for both the mother and the offspring. The protocols for performing gradual weaning seem to offer advantages in reducing stress in buffalo compared to abrupt weaning. On buffalo farms, calf management is one of the critical points of breeding, therefore, more studies are required to improve current breeding systems and promote the welfare of water buffalo calves.

Refining our understanding of how soil structure develops is important because soil structure has a major influence on plant growth. Recent studies show positive correlations between soil organic matter and soil structure. However, the question remains: how are the relationships between soil organic matter (SOM) parameters and soil structure characteristics affected by the long-term fertilization of a sandy soil? In contrast to most other studies on SOM vs. soil structure, the present study is composed of long-term field experiments (a total of 3 experiments) with durations of 25, 41 and 94 years. In this paper, the impact of the long-term application of mineral fertilizers and manure on the SOM and soil structure of a sandy soil is quantified, and the relationships between the SOM and soil structure of a sandy soil with a dependence on the length of fertilizer application are determined. Soil samples were collected from all three long-term field experiments in central Poland, which were located at Skierniewice experimental station including a 94-year-old experiment with mineral fertilization, a 41-year-old experiment with mineral fertilization and a 25-year-old experiment with mineral fertilization + farmyard manure (FYM) in a 4-year cycle. In the spring of 2017, soil samples were collected (Co – no fertilizers, NPK – NPK fertilizers, CaNPK – CaNPK fertilizers). In the 94-year-old experiment, the content of soil organic carbon (SOC) in Co, NPK and CaNPK was 4.07, 5.89 and 5.99 g kg−1, respectively. An increase in the SOC content under fertilization was also found in the other two experiments. In the 25-year-old experiment, the SOC contents in FYM, FYM + NPK and FYM + CaNPK were 6.07, 8.36 and 7.63 g kg−1, respectively, and in the 41-year-old experiment, the SOC contents in Co, NPK and CaNPK were 6.38, 10.1 and 7.80 g kg−1, respectively. The content of labile carbon (CL) increased significantly in the fertilized treatments only in the 94-year-old experiment. The contents of humic substances significantly increased in the soil of fertilized treatments in the 25- and 41-year-old experiments. In all fertilized treatments, the humus quality significantly decreased. After 94 years of mineral fertilization, the content of water-stable macroaggregates (WSAma) in size fractions > 5 and 5–2 mm was significantly higher in the NPK than in the Co and CaNPK treatments. After 94 years of mineral fertilization, the mean weight diameter of aggregates for dry sieving (MWDd) differed between Co (0.41) and both treatments of mineral fertilization (NPK: 0.88; CaNPK: 1.70). The application of FYM with CaNPK resulted in a statistically significant decrease in aggregate stability (Sw) in the 25-year-old experiment. For Co and NPK treatments in the 41-year-old experiment, the contents of WSAma > 5 mm were 41% and 51% lower, respectively, whereas the content of WSAma 5–3 mm was lower by 40% and 50%, respectively, which was higher than that for the CaNPK treatment. The aggregate stability significantly decreased due to NPK application in the soil of the 41-year-old experiment. The number of correlations between SOM parameters and the soil structure decreased in the following order: 94-year-old experiment with mineral fertilization > 41-year-old experiment with mineral fertilization > 25-year-old experiment with mineral fertilization + FYM.