Search

Role of dust in Salmonella transmission on chicken farms is not well characterised. Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) infection of commercial layer chickens was investigated using a novel sprinkling method of chicken dust spiked with ST and the uptake compared to a conventional oral infection. While both inoculation methods resulted in colonisation of the intestines, the Salmonella load in liver samples was significantly higher at 7 dpi after exposing chicks to sprinkled dust compared to the oral infection group. Infection of chickens using the sprinkling method at a range of doses showed a threshold for colonisation of the gut and organs as low as 1000 CFU/g of dust. Caecal content microbiota analysis post‐challenge showed that the profiles of chickens infected by the sprinkling and oral routes were not significantly different; however, both challenges induced differences when compared to the uninfected negative controls. Overall, the study showed that dust sprinkling was an effective way to experimentally colonise chickens with Salmonella and alter the gut microbiota than oral gavage at levels as low as 1000 CFU/g dust. This infection model mimics the field scenario of Salmonella infection in poultry sheds. The model can be used for future challenge studies for effective Salmonella control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food and diet globally have a significant environmental impact. Whilst there is broad agreement on the principles underpinning a healthy, sustainable diet, the interpretation of what it might mean in practice is widely debated. Misconceptions are common, including around the environmental impact of eggs and their place in a healthy, sustainable diet. Eggs are often categorised with other animal proteins such as beef, lamb, poultry, meat and dairy when reporting on the potential environmental impact of food and diets. However, the shift towards more planet‐friendly diets demands a clear understanding of the evidence base on which such a diet should be based. This review evaluates scientific reports and peer‐reviewed articles that have evaluated the environmental impact of hens' eggs in terms of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs), and land and water use and compared the impacts of eggs with those of other animal and plant proteins. This overview shows that eggs are responsible for less carbon, land and water use than other animal proteins, particularly beef and only slightly more than most plant proteins. Eggs are a nutritious, convenient and relatively inexpensive food, which traditionally has had an important place in the diet both in the United Kingdom and globally. It is therefore important to understand where they fit in terms of environmental impact and into advice on healthier, more sustainable dietary patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many neural areas, where patterned activity is lost following deafness, have the capacity to become activated by the remaining sensory systems. This crossmodal plasticity can be measured at perceptual/behavioural as well as physiological levels. The dorsal zone (DZ) of auditory cortex of deaf cats is involved in supranormal visual motion detection, but its physiological level of crossmodal reorganisation is not well understood. The present study of early‐deaf DZ (and hearing controls) used multiple single‐channel recording methods to examine neuronal responses to visual, auditory, somatosensory and combined stimulation. In early‐deaf DZ, no auditory activation was observed, but 100% of the neurons were responsive to visual cues of which 21% were also influenced by somatosensory stimulation. Visual and somatosensory responses were not anatomically organised as they are in hearing cats, and fewer multisensory neurons were present in the deaf condition. These crossmodal physiological results closely correspond with and support the perceptual/behavioural enhancements that occur following hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Alveolar ridge resorption following tooth extraction often renders a lateral bone augmentation inevitable. Some patients, however, suffer from severe early (during graft healing, Eres) and/or late (during follow‐up, Lres) graft resorption. We explored the hypothesis that the "individual phenotypic dimensions" may partially explain the degree of such resorptions. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent a guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedure were screened for inclusion according to the following criteria: (1) a relatively symmetrical maxillary arch; (2) an intact contra‐lateral alveolar bone dimension; (3) the availability of a pre‐operative cone‐beam CT (CBCT); (4) a CBCT taken immediately after GBR, and (5) at least one CBCT scan ≥6 months after surgery. CBCT scans from different timepoints were registered and imported into the Mimics software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). Bone dimensions of the contra‐lateral site of the augmentation, representing the "individual phenotypical dimension (IPD) of the alveolar crest", were superimposed on the augmented site and registered accordingly. As such, Eres and Lres could be measured over time, in relation to the IPD (in two dimensions; per millimetre apically from the alveolar crest, in the centre of the GBR), as well as in three dimensions (the entire GBR, 2 mm away from the mesial, distal, and apical border for standardization). Results: A total of 17 patients (23 augmented sites) were included. After Eres, the outline of the augmentation was in general located ±1 mm outside the IPD, but ≥1.5 years after GBR, it further moved towards the IPD (85% within 0.5 mm distance). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the results indicate that the dimensions of a lateral bone augmentation are defined by the "individual phenotypic bone boundaries" of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global demand for table eggs has increased exponentially due to the growing human population. To meet this demand, major advances in hen genetics, nutrition, and husbandry procedures are required. Developing cost-effective and practically applicable strategies to improve egg production and quality is necessary for the development of egg industry worldwide. Consumers have shown a strong desire regarding the improvement of hens' welfare and egg quality. They also become interested in functional and designer foods. Modifications in the nutritional composition of laying hen diets significantly impact egg nutritional composition and quality preservation. According to previous scientific research, enriched egg products can benefit human health. However, producers are facing a serious challenge in optimizing breeding, housing, and dietary strategies to ensure hen health and high product quality. This review discussed several practical strategies to increase egg production, quality, and hens' welfare. These practical strategies can potentially be used in layer farms for sustainable egg production. One of these strategies is the transition from conventional to enriched or cage-free production systems, thereby improving bird behavior and welfare. In addition, widely use of plant/herbal substances as dietary supplements in layers' diets positively impacts hens' physiological, productive, reproductive, and immunological performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Salmonella is considered one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide. Information about the transmission of pathogens to poultry and poultry products is necessary to implement control measures for reducing both human exposure and economic loss. The aim of this study was to analyze and evaluate the transmission characteristics of Salmonella enteritidis to laying‐type hen flocks and their laid eggs. Materials and methods: For this purpose, 15 pairs of laying hens were used in which each pair consisted of one inoculated and one contact exposed hen. The eggs and cloacal swabs from these hens were subsequently analyzed. Results: Of the 15 in‐contact hens tested, 60% were found to be positive for S. enteritidis within 61 days postinoculation, of which 26.7% transmission occurred within the first 31 days postinoculation. Among the collected laid eggs tested, S. enteritidis was detected on 58% eggshells and 5.33% eggs internal contents. We also observed a 33.33% reduction in egg production from S. enteritidis‐infected hens. In a cross‐contamination study, we demonstrated that an experimentally inoculated container can act as a potential source of Salmonella spp. infection. Conclusions: Our results will help establish effective monitoring programs to reduce the transmission of Salmonella spp. in poultry and poultry products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In November 2018, California passed the so‐called Proposition 12 that completely bans selling eggs produced in any type of cages by the end of 2021. The objective of this study is to estimate the welfare effects of Proposition 12 in a partial equilibrium setup where both the supply and the demand side of the market are simultaneously modeled. Our estimates show that the implementation of Proposition 12 would result in welfare losses for both buyers and sellers of eggs in California. The state‐level expected annual welfare loss to households amounts to $72 million, whereas the industry level losses at the retail level amount to 18% of their original quasi profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A basic function of the cerebral cortex is to receive and integrate information from different sensory modalities into a comprehensive percept of the environment. Neurons that demonstrate multisensory convergence occur across the necortex but are especially prevalent in higher order association areas. However, a recent study of a cat higher order auditory area, the dorsal zone (DZ) of auditory cortex, did not observe any multisensory features. Therefore, the goal of the present investigation was to address this conflict using recording and testing methodologies that are established for exposing and studying multisensory neuronal processing. Among the 482 neurons studied, we found that 76.6% were influenced by non‐auditory stimuli. Of these neurons, 99% were affected by visual stimulation, but only 11% by somatosensory. Furthermore, a large proportion of the multisensory neurons showed integrated responses to multisensory stimulation, constituted a majority of the excitatory and inhibitory neurons encountered (as identified by the duration of their waveshape) and exhibited a distinct spatial distribution within DZ. These findings demonstrate that the DZ of auditory cortex robustly exhibits multisensory properties and that the proportions of multisensory neurons encountered are consistent with those identified in other higher order cortices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have shown that productivity, immune system, antioxidant status, and meat and egg quality can be optimized by dietary supplementation with amino acids that are not usually added to poultry diets. Understanding the effects of these amino acids may encourage feed manufacturers and poultry producers to include them as additives. One of these amino acids is tryptophan (Trp). The importance of Trp is directly related to its role in protein anabolism and indirectly related to its metabolites such as serotonin and melatonin. Thus, Trp could affect the secretion of hormones, development of immune organs, meat and egg production, and meat and egg quality in poultry raised under controlled or stressed conditions. Therefore, this review discusses the main roles of Trp in poultry production and its mode (s) of action in order to help poultry producers decide whether they need to add Trp to poultry diets. Further areas of research are also identified to address information gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal scientists work closely with the animal agriculture industry and often perform research, influence policy, and create information that is eventually disseminated to the public. While the public generally seems concerned about animal welfare, animal scientists also have internal motivations to care about animal welfare. Welfare measures may impact the tradition and profits of animal agriculture, creating contradictory pressures on animal scientists. This article, based on observations of an introductory Animal Science course on‐site at a land‐grant university's farming facilities, examines how animal welfare is constructed in order to socialize students into a discipline and eventual occupation. Attention is paid as to how animal scientists construct animal welfare through various forms of pedagogy that juxtapose welfare with captivity, confinement, research interests, profit, and social acceptability. Observations suggest that animal welfare is constructed as control over animals and the assurance that this control is humane. The dual mechanisms of control and comfort socialize students to raise animals for slaughter and not see this process as violent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella is one of the most hazardous diseases in poultry farms. Markedly, the application of active immunostimulants is illustrated as potential protective agents against infection in poultry farms. Thus, this work aimed to explore inter‐ and intra‐breed variation in response to acute and subchronic Salmonella enteritidis infection in two‐layer breeds (one commercial [Hy‐line strain] and another native [Fayoumi breed]). Besides exploring the possible protective effect of a commercial immune modulator (STIMULAN) on the two breeds during the acute infection. The ELISA antibody titer in sub‐chronic infections and the expression analysis of some selected genes (IL‐1β, LITAF, TGF‐β, HSP90 and HSP70) are used as the clinical signs for acute infections to assess the possible protective role of a commercial immunomodulator (STIMULAN). Five groups were used during the acute experiment: G1—control; G2a—susceptible; G2b—resistant birds, G3—which received STIMULAN and G4—which received the infection + STIMULAN. The groups with sub‐chronic infections include G1 (control), G2 (high antibody titer) and G3 (low antibody titer). The gene expressions among the susceptible birds during acute infection of both breeds are nearly similar. They only differ in the expression of HSP90 in the Fayoumi breed. However, the resistant birds vary in their gene expression profile. The effect of STIMULAN as a feed additive in non‐infected birds was an up‐regulation of LITAF, TGF‐β, HSP90 in Fayoumi. Moreover, a powerful stimulatory role was observed when both breeds were infected. Both breeds were asymptomatic during the sub‐chronic infection. Although, the increased expression of inflammatory‐related genes in the Hy‐line was considered as an indication of infection persistence. Fayoumi is capable of immune clearance for this infection. Thus, the Fayoumi breed is more resistant to acute Salmonella infection. HSP90 plays a vital role in its resistance. We recommend the use of STIMULAN as an immunomodulator during Salmonella infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An emerging concept is that quiescent mature skeletal cells provide an important cellular source for bone regeneration. It has long been considered that a small number of resident skeletal stem cells are solely responsible for the remarkable regenerative capacity of adult bones. However, recent in vivo lineage‐tracing studies suggest that all stages of skeletal lineage cells, including dormant pre‐adipocyte‐like stromal cells in the marrow, osteoblast precursor cells on the bone surface and other stem and progenitor cells, are concomitantly recruited to the injury site and collectively participate in regeneration of the damaged skeletal structure. Lineage plasticity appears to play an important role in this process, by which mature skeletal cells can transform their identities into skeletal stem cell‐like cells in response to injury. These highly malleable, long‐living mature skeletal cells, readily available throughout postnatal life, might represent an ideal cellular resource that can be exploited for regenerative medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate whether consumers are willing to pay a premium price for animal welfare attributes of foods they eat. To answer this question, we carry out a hedonic analysis of the retail eggs prices in Croatia. Scientific evidence clearly supports the notion that birds' wellbeing is higher in cage‐free systems than in a typical cage system. Therefore, there is a clear link between production systems and animal welfare. We use the retail level monthly data for 2017 on sales quantities and unit values of all fresh egg stock keeping units from all stores belonging to one of the largest retail chains in the country. The estimation results of the equilibrium hedonic price equation model shows that holding other attributes constant, the clean price premium for cage‐free eggs is 15 cents per 10‐egg carton or 7.8% of the retail price. Although the implicit price premium for cage‐free eggs is relatively modest, there are not that many people actually willing to buy them. Because only 2.2% of all eggs sold by the retail chain were actually cage‐free, the average per‐person willingness to pay for cage‐free eggs is only 0.3 cents for a 10‐egg carton [EconLit Citations: D12, L66, M31]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochemical and hematological examination of blood and individual assessment of the birds were performed in Lohman Brown laying hens at 45 weeks of age housed in different systems. The biochemical examination revealed higher (p < .01) corticosterone levels, creatine kinase, and aspartate aminotransferase activity and lower (p < .01) levels of lactate, triglycerides, albumin, calcium, and phosphorus in aviary hens compared to hens housed in furnished cages. Hematological examination of hens housed in aviaries revealed higher (p < .05) hematocrit, leukocytes, heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and H/L ratio. Furthermore, hens housed in aviaries had lower (p < .01) body weight than hens in furnished cages, they were worse feathered (p < .001), had more damaged combs (p < .05), and poorer physical condition (p < .01). In contrast, caged hens showed worse (p < .01) feather condition of the wings due to abrasion and claws due to overgrowth. The results have shown that the housing system has a significant impact on the internal environment and condition of birds and that housing in aviaries without taking into account the specifics of such housing may lead to significant stress and disturbance to the welfare of laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock meat and offal contribute significantly to human nutrition as sources of high‐quality protein and micronutrients. Livestock products are increasingly in demand, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income settings where economies are growing and meat is increasingly seen as an affordable and desirable food item. Demand is also driving intensification of livestock keeping and processing. An unintended consequence of intensification is increased exposure to zoonotic agents, and a contemporary emerging problem is infection with Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. from livestock (avian and mammalian), which can lead to disease, malabsorption and undernutrition through acute and chronic diarrhoea. This can occur at the farm, in households or through the food chain. Direct infection occurs when handling livestock and through bacteria shed into the environment, on food preparation surfaces or around the house and surroundings. This manuscript critically reviews Campylobacter and Salmonella infections in animals, examines the factors affecting colonization and faecal shedding of bacteria of these two genera as well as risk factors for human acquisition of the infection from infected animals or environment and analyses priority areas for preventive actions with a focus on resource‐poor settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Dermanyssus gallinae (Mesostigmata: Dermanyssidae) is the most harmful ectoparasite of laying hens, represents an occupational hazard for poultry workers, and a growing threat to medical science per se. There is increasing demand for alternative products, including plant‐derived acaricides, with which to control the mite. The present study investigated the efficacy of neem oil against D. gallinae on a heavily infested commercial laying hen farm. A novel formulation of 20% neem oil, diluted from a 2400‐p.p.m. azadirachtin‐concentrated stock (RP03™), was administered by nebulization three times in 1 week. Using corrugated cardboard traps, mite density was monitored before, during and after treatment and results were statistically analysed. Mite populations in the treated block showed 94.65%, 99.64% and 99.80% reductions after the first, second and third product administrations, respectively. The rate of reduction of the mite population was significantly higher in the treated block (P < 0.001) compared with the control and buffer blocks. The results suggest the strong bioactivity of neem, and specifically of the patented neem‐based formulation RP03™, against D. gallinae. The treatment was most effective in the 10 days following the first application and its effects persisted for over 2 months. Further studies will aim to overcome observed side effects of treatment represented by an oily layer on equipment and eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is paucity of information on the use of dietary peptides in laying hens and its effects on egg production and quality. In the current study, peptide from enzymatic hydrolysis of soybean protein was incorporated into laying hens' diets to investigate its effect on egg production and internal egg quality. RESULTS: There were no treatment effects on egg production (average hen day production was 96%) during the experiment. Final body weight of the hens increased quadratically (P < 0.05) in response to peptide supplementation. There were no significant effects of peptide supplementation on internal egg quality of the fresh eggs. Peptide supplementation tended to increase yolk colour (P < 0.10) in eggs collected at 4 weeks of the study and stored at room temperature for 14 days. For the eggs collected at 8 weeks of the experiment and stored at room temperature for 14 days, peptide supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) albumen height, Haugh unit and yolk index but linearly decreased (P < 0.01) yolk width. CONCLUSION: Peptide supplementation to laying hens at peak production, receiving diets meeting their nutrient requirement, did not improve hen production but positively helped to maintain hens' body weight and egg quality during storage. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Surveillance is an important component of an overall strategy to address antimicrobial resistant bacteria in food animals and the food chain. The poultry market has many points of entry into the Canadian food chain, and some production practices are underrepresented in terms of surveillance. For example, pathogen carriage and antimicrobial resistance surveillance data are limited in smallholder chicken flocks raised for slaughter at provincially inspected abattoirs. In Canada, antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolated from commercial broiler chicken flocks, slaughtered at federally inspected abattoirs, is monitored by the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS). The objective of this study was to establish baseline information of antimicrobial resistance presence in E. coli and Salmonella isolated from smallholder flocks in Ontario, utilizing CIPARS collection and isolation methodologies, and to compare findings with CIPARS federally inspected abattoir data from Ontario, Canada. Five chickens per flock were sampled from 205 smallholder flocks. Of 1,025 samples, the E. coli prevalence was 99% (1,022/1,025), and 47% (483/1,022) of positive E. coli isolates were resistant to one or more of the 14 antimicrobials. Furthermore, as compared to results reported for the CIPARS commercial flocks, E. coli isolates from smallholder flocks had significantly lower resistance prevalence to six of 14 individual antimicrobials. Recovery of E. coli did not differ between federally inspected and provincially inspected flocks. Salmonella prevalence at the bird level in smallholder flocks was 0.3% (3/1,025), significantly lower (p ≪ 0.0001, 95% CI 0.080%–0.86%) than federally inspected commercial flocks. The overall differences found between the commercial and smallholder flocks may be explained by differences in poultry husbandry practices and hatchery sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The present study examined the changes in microbiological composition during the production process of crab marinated in soy sauce, potential microbial hazards, potential contamination routes and effective critical control points. Crab and soy sauce samples were obtained from six different manufacturing plants at different stages, and their microbiological content was comprehensively assessed by quantitative and qualitative analyses. RESULTS The results revealed the following: (1) the final products contained 4.0 log colony-forming units ( CFU) g−1 aerobic plate counts ( APCs) and 1.1 log CFU g−1 coliforms, which may have been introduced from the raw materials (the level of APCs in raw crab and soy sauce mixed with other ingredients was 3.8 log CFU g−1 and 4.0 log CFU mL−1 respectively); (2) marination of crab in soy sauce may allow cross-contamination by coliforms; (3) only Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were qualitatively detected in samples at different stages of manufacture (detection rate of 28 and 5.6% respectively), and these bacteria may impact the microbiological quality and safety of crab marinated in soy sauce; and (4) bacterial counts were either maintained or increased during the manufacturing process (suggesting that no particular step can be targeted to reduce bacterial counts). CONCLUSION Proper management of raw materials and the marination process are effective critical control points, and alternative interventions may be needed to control bacterial quantity. The results provide important basic information about the production of crab marinated in soy sauce and may facilitate effective implementation of sanitary management practices in related industries and research fields. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the topics discussed in the disease surveillance report of the Animal Health and Veterinary (AHVLA) for March 2014. Topics discussed include the diagnosis of Salmonella Dublin cervical osteomyelitis in Carmarthen, Wales, the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia among housed fattening bulls in Shrewsbury, England, and the diagnosis of pasteurellosis on two fresh plucks from pigs in Bury St. Edmunds, England.

ABSTRACT Cat auditory cortex is known to undergo cross-modal reorganization following deafness, such that behavioral advantages in visual motion detection are abolished when a specific region of deaf auditory cortex, the dorsal zone (DZ), is deactivated. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the connectional adaptations that might subserve this plasticity. We deposited biotinylated dextran amine (BDA; 3,000 MW), a retrograde tracer, unilaterally into the posterior portion of the suprasylvian fringe, corresponding to area DZ of hearing, early-deafened (onset <1 month), and late-deafened (onset >3 months) cats to reveal cortical afferent projections. Overall, the pattern of cortical projections to DZ was similar in both hearing and deafened animals. However, there was a progressive increase in projection strength among hearing and late- and early-deafened cats from an extrastriate visual cortical region known to be involved in the processing of visual motion, the posterolateral lateral suprasylvian area (PLLS). Additionally, although no such change was documented for the posteromedial lateral suprasylvian area (PMLS), labeled neurons were present within a subregion of PMLS devoted to foveal vision in both late- and early-deafened animals but not in hearing controls. PMLS is also an extrastriate visual motion processing area and is widely considered to be the homolog of primate middle temporal area. No changes in auditory cortical connectivity were observed among groups. These observations suggest that amplified cortical projections from extrastriate visual areas involved in visual motion processing to DZ may contribute to the cross-modal reorganization that functionally manifests as superior visual motion detection ability in the deaf animal. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:654-675, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to gain more insight into mechanisms operating on the haematopoietic activity of the T-cell-derived cytokine, interleukin-17 (IL-17) and target cells that first respond to its actionin vivo, the influence of a single intravenous injection of recombinant mouse IL-17 on bone marrow progenitors, further morphologically recognizable cells and peripheral blood cells was assessed in normal mice up to 72 h after treatment. Simultaneously, the release of IL-6, IL-10, IGF-I, IFN-γ and NO by bone marrow cells was determined. Results showed that, in bone marrow, IL-17 did not affect granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) progenitors, but induced a persistant increase in the number of morphologically recognizable proliferative granulocytes (PG) up to 48 h after treatment. The number of immature erythroid (BFU-E) progenitors was increased at 48 h, while the number of mature erythroid (CFU-E) progenitors was decreased up to 48 h. In peripheral blood, white blood cells were increased 6 h after treatment, mainly because of the increase in the number of lymphocytes. IL-17 also increased IL-6 release and NO production 6 h after administration. Additionalin vitroassessment on bone marrow highly enriched Lin− progenitor cells, demonstrated a slightly enhancing effect of IL-17 on CFU-GM and no influence on BFU-E, suggesting the importance of bone marrow accessory cells and secondary induced cytokines for IL-17 mediated effects on progenitor cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate thatin vivoIL-17 affects both granulocytic and erythroid lineages, with more mature haematopoietic progenitors responding first to its action. The opposite effects exerted on PG and CFU-E found at the same time indicate that IL-17, as a component of a regulatory network, is able to intervene in mechanisms that shift haematopoiesis from the erythroid to the granulocytic lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]