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Due to the limited bioavailability of inorganic trace minerals, their utilization in poultry production has led to problems such as environmental contamination and inefficient resource utilization. It was investigated whether replacing inorganic trace minerals (ITM) with a blend of organic small peptide-chelated trace minerals (MIX) would improve production performance, selected biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, mineral deposition in liver, heart, and tibia, as well as mineral content in feces of broilers. A total of 432 healthy 21-day-old 817 broilers were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates per group and 18 chickens per replicate. The control group received a basal diet supplemented with 1,000 mg/kg of inorganic trace minerals as sulfate. The experimental groups received basal diets supplemented with 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of mixed trace mineral elements (50% sulfate +50% small peptide-chelate) for a trial period of 30 days, divided into two stages: 21–35 days and 36–50 days. The results indicate that on the 50th day, compared with the 1,000 mg/kg ITM group, the levels of serum cholesterol, urea nitrogen, and malondialdehyde in the 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg MIX groups decreased (p 0.05). This study shows that replacing inorganic minerals with low-dose MIX (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) can reduce the levels of zinc and manganese in feces, with no negative impact on growth and slaughter performance.

PurposeHirayama disease (HD) has been largely believed to affect only distal muscles. However, the proximal upper extremities have been affected in some cases, which can be confused with motor neuron diseases.MethodsBaseline data, deep tendon reflex, Hoffmann sign, cervical curvature, sagittal Cobb angle, atrophied spinal cord, high signal intensity, loss of attachment, and affected muscles and segments on electromyography (EMG) were retrospectively obtained and compared between patients with HD with proximal involvement and patients with simple distal HD in one center from September 2007 to April 2022.ResultsIn this study, fifteen patients with proximal HD and 30 patients with simple distal HD were included. The proximal group had a larger proportion of patients with decreased biceps reflex, decreased triceps reflex, brisk or hyperactive knee reflex, positive Hoffmann sign, and cervical kyphosis. The curvatures of the upper part of the cervical spine (C2-4) were lost to a greater degree in the proximal group. More affected segments were observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electromyography in the proximal group.ConclusionThe injured segments were longer and the upper curvature of the cervical spine was poorer in patients with HD with proximal involvement. These findings indicated that proximal involvement may indicate more serious HD.

Hirayama disease (HD) is characterized by the juvenile onset of unilateral or asymmetric weakness and amyotrophy of the hand and ulnar forearm and is most common in males in Asia. A perception of compliance with previous standards of diagnosis and treatment appears to be challenged, so the review is to update on HD. First, based on existing theory, the factors related to HD includes, (1) cervical cord compression during cervical flexion, (2) immunological factors, and (3) other musculoskeletal dynamic factors. Then, we review the clinical manifestations: typically, (1) distal weakness and wasting in one or both upper extremities, (2) insidious onset and initial progression for 3–5 years, (3) coarse tremors in the fingers, (4) cold paralysis, and (5) absence of objective sensory loss; and atypically, (1) positive pyramidal signs, (2) atrophy of the muscles of the proximal upper extremity, (3) long progression, and (4) sensory deficits. Next, updated manifestations of imaging are reviewed, (1) asymmetric spinal cord flattening, and localized lower cervical spinal cord atrophy, (2) loss of attachment between the posterior dural sac and the subjacent lamina, (3) forward displacement of the posterior wall of the cervical dural sac, (4) intramedullary high signal intensity in the anterior horn cells on T2-weighted imaging, and (5) straight alignment or kyphosis of cervical spine. Thus, the main manifestations of eletrophysiological examinations in HD include segmental neurogenic damages of anterior horn cells or anterior roots of the spinal nerve located in the lower cervical spinal cord, without disorder of the sensory nerves. In addition, definite HD needs three-dimensional diagnostic framework above, while probable HD needs to exclude other diseases via “clinical manifestations” and “electrophysiological examinations”. Finally, the main purpose of treatment is to avoid neck flexion. Cervical collar is the first-line treatment for HD, while several surgical methods are available and have achieved satisfactory results. This review aimed to improve the awareness of HD in clinicians to enable early diagnosis and treatment, which will enable patients to achieve a better prognosis.