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Objective To investigate the role of exogenous carbon monoxide (CO) in improving anxiety-like behaviors in elderly rats under perioperative stress by inhibiting excessive autophagy of astrocytes. Methods Thirty-six clean healthy male SD rats (aged 18~20 months) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=12): sham-operation group (Group S), peritoneal surgery group (Group P), and peritoneal surgery+carbon monoxide-releasing molecule 3 (CORM-3) group (Group PC). The rats in Group PC were injected with exogenous CORM-3 (4 mg/kg) via caudal vein immediately, and in 24 and 48 h after surgery. Open field test and elevated plus maze test were performed to evaluate the anxiety-like behaviors on the 7th day after surgery. The neuronal amount in the amygdala, the expression of Bcl-2 interacting protein 1 (Beclin 1) and ubiquitin (Ub) in the astrocytes, microglia and neurons were assessed by immunofluorescence assay. The expression levels of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) was detected by Western blotting. The number of autophagosomes in the amygdala were observed with transmission electron microscopy. Results The results of open field test and elevated plus maze test showed that, as compared with Group S, the percentage of staying time in the central area was significantly decreased in Group P and Group PC (P < 0.05), so were the percentages of open arm stay duration and entry times (P < 0.05), indicating increased anxiety-like behaviors in the rats from these 2 groups. The histopathological and Western blotting results suggested declined number of NeuN positive cells in the amygdala, up-regulated expression of Beclin 1 and Ub in the astrocytes, and elevated ratio of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ were observed in Group P and PC (P < 0.05). Under transmission electron microscope, no autophagosomes were found in the astrocytes of Group S, while they were observed in Group P and PC. However, the above indexes of Group PC were all remarkably improved in comparison with those of Group P (P < 0.05). Conclusion Exogenous CO can improve the anxiety-like behaviors in aged rats under perioperative stress, and the mechanism may be associated with its inhibition on excessive autophagy of astrocytes in the amygdala.

Simple Summary: Low-pressure systems frequently occur during the summer in coastal areas and can be detrimental to commercial poultry houses. The effects of air temperature and humidity vary across different periods. Throughout the generation of low-pressure systems, landfall, and disappearance, air temperature and humidity changes can interfere with the housing environment. However, farmers often overlook the impact of low-pressure systems on large-scale poultry houses, which may impair the production of laying hens. This study investigated the effects of the different low-pressure systems on the housing environment and egg production in large-scale poultry houses in China. The results indicated that a single low-pressure system reduced the laying performance, whereas a sustained low-pressure system mitigated the impact on egg production. This study aimed to determine the effect of low-pressure systems on the environment and the laying performance of large-scale poultry houses during the summer and to provide a basis for farmers to adjust their environmental control strategies under extreme weather conditions. Low-pressure systems (LPSs) are among the most critical weather systems, producing excessive precipitation that causes air temperatures to drop and rise considerably. Acute temperature changes directly affect poultry feed intake (FI) and laying performance. To explore the effects of LPSs on hens, the parameters of air temperature, relative humidity, egg production, and feed utilization efficiency were evaluated during different LPSs in three houses. Results indicated that about 2.8 ± 0.7 d, 2.4 ± 0.5 d, and 2.4 ± 0.5 d before the LPS landfall in houses 1, 2, and 3, respectively, the indoor air temperature started to decrease, with the average decreases being 1.7 °C ± 0.4 °C, 2.4 °C ± 0.6 °C, and 1.8 °C ± 0.4 °C, respectively. Significant differences were observed between different LPSs for reducing indoor air temperature (p < 0.05) in the three houses. In house 1, the egg production rates (EPRs) were decreased by 6.6% and 1.1% when LPSs 1 and 2 landed. The average egg weight (AEW) and FI during the LPS landfall were significantly higher than those before the LPS landfall (p < 0.01). Under successive LPSs landfall in the three houses, the EPRs initially reduced by 3.9%, 4.0%, and 0.5%, respectively, but the second LPS event increased the EPRs by 1.8%, 5.3%, and 1.0%, respectively. Furthermore, the LPS landfall increased the feed conversion ratio (FCRe) in the three houses, all above 2.00. In conclusion, LPSs can reduce heat stress, lower the EPRs, and lead to higher FI, FCRe, and AEW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In commercial hatcheries, chicken embryos are incubated in complete darkness. However, in a natural environment, chicken embryos receive light stimulation during the incubation process as hens need to leave the nest to feed or turn the eggs. Therefore, providing light during incubation is closer to the natural growth environment of chicken embryos, which may have a positive effect on their growth and development. This study investigated the effects of providing different wavelengths of light during incubation on the behaviour, growth, immunity, and stress responses of post-hatch chicks. The results indicated that providing white light during incubation may enhance the growth performance of post-hatch chicks and potentially improve their ability to cope with environmental changes. This study aims to determine the effects of light exposure during incubation on the growth and development of post-hatch chicks and to provide a basis for the development of effective lighting strategies during the incubation period. Manipulation of light during incubation may have an effect on post-hatch chicks through the role of prenatal stage. The effects of providing different wavelengths of light (white, blue, and green lights, dark as control) during incubation on the growth performance, organ development, immune response, stress related hormones, digestive enzymes and behaviour of post-hatch chicks were investigated for 1–42 days. A total of 60 chicks per light treatment in three batches were used in this study. The results showed that the percentage of chicks accessing to feed and water resources appeared not to be affected by incubation light. Chicks hatched under white light were found to have a growth advantage (p < 0.05). The weight of organs (except thymus), IgA, IgY, IgM and heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio for post-hatch chicks were not affected by incubation light (p > 0.05). Thymus weight was reduced in chicks incubated under blue light compared to dark incubation (p < 0.05). The jejunum amylase and ileum lipase activities were significantly affected by the light treatments (p < 0.01). All light incubation chicks had stable plasma corticosterone levels and may have better ability to cope with environmental changes. Hence, white light photoperiod incubation may have potential to improve post-hatch chicks' growth performance and environmental adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amorphous Ni (OH)2 nanobox-like materials were synthesized using Cu2O as template. Ni (OH)2/reduced graphene oxide (Ni (OH)2/rGO) composites were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. The results obtained from field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicated that the Ni (OH)2 nanobox structure broke into small pieces of 50–100 nm under high temperature and high pressure during the hydrothermal process, and successfully covered the entire graphene surface. Electrochemical studies showed that a specific capacitance of 626.84 F g−1 was obtained at a current density of 1 A g−1. When the current density increased from 1 to 5 A g−1, the capacitance retention rate reached 50%. After 2000 consecutive charge–discharge cycles, the capacitance of Ni (OH)2/rGO composite decreased 30% of initial capacitance compared to 55% for pure Ni (OH)2. The rational design, interesting structure, and ideal electrochemical performance of this graphene-based composite indicate its potential application in high-energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) spray has been considered as a novel approach for airborne bacteria reduction in animal housing. This study aimed to optimize the operating parameters of SAEW spray based on the size distribution of sprayed aerosols, the available chlorine travelling loss in sprayed aerosols, and the reduction efficiency of airborne culturable bacteria (CB). The optimized operating parameters were the nozzle orifice diameter and the spray pressure. The size distribution characteristics of sprayed SAEW aerosols under different operating parameters were quantified. The pH and available chlorine concentrations of the original SAEW solution and the SAEW aerosols collected at 0 m, 0.25 m, 0.50 m, 0.75 m, and 1.00 m from the spray nozzle head were analyzed. A bioaerosol nebulizing generator was used to simulate animal housing environment in an environmentally-controlled chamber. Six SAEW spray trials under different operating parameters were conducted at a spray dosage of 80 mL/m2 in the chamber. Airborne CB concentrations before and after spray were measured to investigate the reduction efficiency of airborne CB. Dv(50), the volume-based diameter below which 50% of the particle being present, increased with the nozzle orifice diameter and decreased with the spray pressure. The travelling loss of available chlorine in the sprayed SAEW aerosols was greatly dependent on Dv(50). SAEW spray with medium size sprayed aerosols (Dv(50) = 86.62 μm, 67.94 μm, and 54.53 μm) showed significantly higher airborne CB reduction efficiencies than large (Dv(50)=121.80 μm and 96.00 μm) or small size aerosols (Dv(50) = 42.57 μm). The spray operating parameters that provide medium size sprayed aerosols (Dv(50) ~ 60-90 μm) are recommended for SAEW spray in animal housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Informatization can effectively improve the production and management efficiency in the poultry farming process. In this study, a management system was designed to realize the acquisition, transmission, storage, and management of information, and upload the data to the cloud database to increase the flexibility and scalability of the system. On the basis of realizing production management functions, the system also incorporates an office management module, thus forming a complete data chain in production activities, so as to conduct farming data mining and accurate traceability in the next stage of the work. In particular, the system also adds poultry disease detection module supports to achieve the purpose of healthy farming. The research provides an information management plan for the intensive poultry farming model, and the designed management system may be the starting point of a future intelligent poultry farming management system based on cloud services and big data technology. Aiming at breaking down the bottleneck problems of different scale of poultry farms, the low profitability of poultry farming, and backward information management in China, a safe and efficient information management system for poultry farming was designed. This system consists of (1) a management system application layer, (2) a data service layer, and (3) an information sensing layer. The information sensing layer obtains and uploads production and farming information through the wireless sensor network built in the poultry house. The use of a cloud database as an information storage carrier in the data service layer eliminates the complex status of deploying local server clusters, and it improves the flexibility and scalability of the system. The management system application layer contains many sub-function modules including poultry disease detection functions to realize the visual management of farming information and health farming; each module operates independently and cooperates with each other to form a set of information management system for poultry farming with wide functional coverage, high service efficiency, safety, and convenience. The system prototype has been tested for the performance of wireless sensor network and cloud database, and the results show that the prototype is capable of acquiring and managing poultry farming information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We present a novel method for assessing broiler pecking force data during feeding. The prototype consisted of a power supply unit with a data acquisition module, management software connected to a computer for data storage, and a video camera to verify the pecking force during signal processing. The acquisition, processing, and classification of the pecking force signal information were valuable during broilers' feeding. The smart feeding unit (SFU) prototype was useful in the continuous generation of information that could be applied to evaluate the amount of pecking force and performance during the broilers' growth. Feeding is one of the most critical processes in the broiler production cycle. A feeder can collect data of force signals and continuously transform it into information about birds' feed intake and quickly permit more agile and more precise decision-making concerning the broiler farm's production process. A smart feeding unit (SFU) prototype was developed to evaluate the broiler pecking force and average feed intake per pecking (g/min). The prototype consisted of a power supply unit with a data acquisition module, management software connected to a computer for data storage, and a video camera to verify the pecking force during signal processing. In the present study, seven male Cobb-500 broilers were raised in an experimental chamber to test and commission the prototype. The prototype consisted of a feeding unit (feeder) with a data acquisition module (amplifier), with real-time integration for testing and intuitive operation with Catman Easy software connected to a computer to obtain and store data from signals. The sampling of average feed intake per pecking per broiler (g) was conducted during the first minute of feeding, subtracting the amount of feed provided per the amount of feed consumed, including the count of pecking in the first minute of feeding. An equation was used for estimating the average feed intake per pecking per broiler (g). The results showed that the average broiler pecking force was 1.39 N, with a minimum value of 0.04 N and a maximum value of 7.29 N. The average feed intake per pecking (FIP) was 0.13 g, with an average of 173 peckings per minute. The acquisition, processing, and classification of signals in the pecking force information were valuable during broilers' feeding. The smart feeding unit prototype for broilers was efficient in the continuous assessment of feed intake and can generate information for estimating broiler performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: So far, traditional cages are still the dominant housing systems for laying hens all over the world. However, during the later phase of the laying cycle, laying hens in conventional cages are highly susceptible to osteoporosis due to a calcium deficiency, which is accompanied by a decrease in production performance and egg quality, and an increase in mortality. B-wave ultraviolet (UVB) radiation (290–315 nm) can penetrate the skin and converts 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to previtamin D3, which is rapidly converted to vitamin D3, which promotes the body's absorption of calcium and phosphorus, as well as bone metabolism. Hence, we hypothesize that UVB exposure using light-emitting diode (LED) lights on laying hens during the later phase of the laying cycle can promote health and welfare of layers. This study aims to improve bone quality and egg quality by utilizing light environment regulation, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the application of UVB-LED lights for laying hens during the later phase of the laying cycle. Caged laying hens are prone to calcium deficiencies, resulting in osteoporosis and egg quality deterioration during the later phase of the laying cycle. Fluorescent light and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are widely used in poultry houses now, are both deficient in ultraviolet (UV) light, the lack of which is detrimental to chickens' welfare and health. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of UVB light supplementation using LEDs on the bone traits, blood parameters, laying performance, and egg quality for caged laying hens at 68–75 weeks. In total, 120 Jingfen laying hens were randomly assigned to four different groups, with three replicates in each group (10 hens in each cage as a replicate). UVB-LED lamps installed under the feed troughs were used to provide UVB light (296–316 nm) for the birds in the three treatment groups (1 h, 2 h, and 3 h UVB supplementation per day, respectively), while the control group was not exposed to UVB-LED light. Bone traits, egg quality, and amounts of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), and 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) in both the serum and egg yolks were tested during the experiment. The results demonstrated that UVB-LED exposure significantly increased the bone mineral density (BMD), egg production, and yolk 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations (p < 0.05), and reduced the content of serum 7-DHC (p < 0.05), especially in the 2 h/day group; however, it did not improve egg quality, vitamin D metabolites, or photoproducts in the serum and yolk 25(OH)2D3 concentrations (p > 0.05). This study concluded that UVB supplementation using LEDs had a positive effect on caged laying hens during the later phase of the laying cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hot and humid climates, as encountered in the southern region of China with the open housing, can adversely impact the sows undergoing heat stress during the most vulnerable period at lactation. Hence, a water-cooled cover system (WCCs) for local cooling has essential practical value to improve productivity. The WCCs was developed for the sow crate of lactating sows separately, which performance was validated with the cooling efficiency in the sow occupied zone (SOZ) and physiological parameters. The results showed that the WCCs for the farrowing sows using aluminium plastic tubes connected in series could reach an appropriate cooling performance in adjacent units. The WCCs could decrease the SOZ air temperature by 3.0-4.5°C under the extremely hot climate when the indoor air temperature was 37°C, and maintain a suitable range (25-30°C) under the typical hot climate (<35°C). The respiration rate and skin temperature of farrowing sows had no significant difference between treatment group (WCC) and control group (sprinkle cooling) when the air temperature was below 30°C, but had a significant difference (p<0.05) when air temperature rose above 30°C. The control sows drank more during hot weather, and the feed intake was significantly lower than the sows with the WCCs (p<0.01). It was concluded that the WCCs could alleviate the heat stress of farrowing sows during typical hot climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature inside broiler houses is crucial to broiler health, welfare, and productivity. High stocking density in broiler houses can easily lead to nonuniform temperature conditions, which would cause broilers to suffer cold and heat stress. It is essential to assess the temperature distribution inside broiler houses and investigate the factors that affect temperature uniformity. Therefore, in this study, temperature, wind velocity, and differential pressure were monitored in the aisle, at the sidewall inlet, and outside the sidewalls of a commercial stacked-deck cage broiler house in Northeast China aiming to continuously monitor the temperature throughout the entire fattening period. Results show that the maximum temperature difference increased from 1.85 °C to 6.43 °C, while the daily fluctuation increased from 2.27 °C to 5.80 °C. The highest temperature was consistently recorded at the side of the exhaust fans ( p < 0.001) in the longitudinal direction. In the lateral direction, the temperature difference varies periodically with solar radiation. The average temperature at the southern location (23.58 ± 1.97 °C), which faces the sun, was higher than that at the northern location (23.35 ± 1.38 °C), which is in the shade, during periods of solar radiation ( p < 0.001) at the last testing period. However, without solar radiation, the northern location recorded a warmer temperature (23.19 ± 1.41 °C) compared to the southern location (22.30 ± 1.67 °C) ( p < 0.001). The lateral temperature differences are strongly positively correlated with solar radiation and wind speed ( p < 0.001). In conclusion, the inside temperature nonuniformity and fluctuation increased as the broiler age increased, which affected the production performance of broilers. Nonuniform solar radiation and wind speed can lead to differences in the inlet temperature and air volume between both sidewalls, thereby affecting the uniformity of the lateral temperature inside the house.

Low-pressure systems (LPSs) are among the most critical weather systems, producing excessive precipitation that causes air temperatures to drop and rise considerably. Acute temperature changes directly affect poultry feed intake (FI) and laying performance. To explore the effects of LPSs on hens, the parameters of air temperature, relative humidity, egg production, and feed utilization efficiency were evaluated during different LPSs in three houses. Results indicated that about 2.8 ± 0.7 d, 2.4 ± 0.5 d, and 2.4 ± 0.5 d before the LPS landfall in houses 1, 2, and 3, respectively, the indoor air temperature started to decrease, with the average decreases being 1.7 °C ± 0.4 °C, 2.4 °C ± 0.6 °C, and 1.8 °C ± 0.4 °C, respectively. Significant differences were observed between different LPSs for reducing indoor air temperature ( p < 0.05) in the three houses. In house 1, the egg production rates (EPRs) were decreased by 6.6% and 1.1% when LPSs 1 and 2 landed. The average egg weight (AEW) and FI during the LPS landfall were significantly higher than those before the LPS landfall ( p < 0.01). Under successive LPSs landfall in the three houses, the EPRs initially reduced by 3.9%, 4.0%, and 0.5%, respectively, but the second LPS event increased the EPRs by 1.8%, 5.3%, and 1.0%, respectively. Furthermore, the LPS landfall increased the feed conversion ratio (FCR e ) in the three houses, all above 2.00. In conclusion, LPSs can reduce heat stress, lower the EPRs, and lead to higher FI, FCR e , and AEW.

Manipulation of light during incubation may have an effect on post-hatch chicks through the role of prenatal stage. The effects of providing different wavelengths of light (white, blue, and green lights, dark as control) during incubation on the growth performance, organ development, immune response, stress related hormones, digestive enzymes and behaviour of post-hatch chicks were investigated for 1-42 days. A total of 60 chicks per light treatment in three batches were used in this study. The results showed that the percentage of chicks accessing to feed and water resources appeared not to be affected by incubation light. Chicks hatched under white light were found to have a growth advantage ( p < 0.05). The weight of organs (except thymus), IgA, IgY, IgM and heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio for post-hatch chicks were not affected by incubation light ( p > 0.05). Thymus weight was reduced in chicks incubated under blue light compared to dark incubation ( p < 0.05). The jejunum amylase and ileum lipase activities were significantly affected by the light treatments ( p < 0.01). All light incubation chicks had stable plasma corticosterone levels and may have better ability to cope with environmental changes. Hence, white light photoperiod incubation may have potential to improve post-hatch chicks' growth performance and environmental adaptability.