Search

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of hempseed meal (HSM) on goat meat characteristics. Goats (N = 10/treatment) were allocated to a diet concentration (0, 10, 20, or 30%) of HSM, fed for 60 days, and harvested. Carcass measurements were collected after chilling, and subsequently fabricated into wholesale subprimals. From the subprimals of the shoulder and leg, steaks were cut 2.54 cm thick, vacuum packaged, and assigned to laboratory methods: cook yield, instrumental color, lipid oxidation, microbial spoilage, and instrumental tenderness. HSM did not alter (p > 0.05) carcass characteristics, microbial spoilage, cook loss, or the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). However, a decrease in objective tenderness measurements (p < 0.05) was observed with greater concentrations of HSM supplementation in the diet. Instrumental surface color values for lightness (L*) indicated that steaks became lighter and less red (a*) as storage time increased (p < 0.05). Results suggest that HSM and storage time do not alter some goat meat traits, but HSM or storage time separately may influence goat meat quality. HSM may be an effective feed ingredient that does not alter carcass quality or meat yield.

Heat stress (HS) is one of the most challenging stressors to poultry production sustainability. The adverse effects of HS range from feed intake and growth depression to alteration of meat quality and safety. As phytase supplementation is known to improve nutrient utilization and consequently growth, we undertook the present study to evaluate the effects of dietary phytase on growth and meat quality in heat-stressed broilers. A total of 720 day-old hatch Cobb 500 chicks were assigned to 24 pens within controlled environmental chambers and fed three diets: Negative Control (NC), Positive Control (PC), and NC diet supplemented with 2000 phytase units (FTU)/kg) of quantum blue (QB). On day 29, birds were exposed to two environmental conditions: thermoneutral (TN, 25 °C) or cyclic heat stress (HS, 35 °C, 8 h/d from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) in a 3 × 2 factorial design. Feed intake (FI), water consumption (WI), body weight (BW), and mortality were recorded. On day 42, birds were processed, carcass parts were weighed, and meat quality was assessed. Breast tissues were collected for determining the expression of target genes by real-time quantitative PCR using the 2−ΔΔCt method. HS significantly increased core body temperature, reduced feed intake and BW, increased water intake (WI), elevated blood parameters (pH, SO2, and iCa), and decreased blood pCO2. HS reduced the incidence of woody breast (WB) and white striping (WS), significantly decreased drip loss, and increased both 4- and 24-h postmortem pH. Instrumental L* and b* values were reduced (p < 0.05) by the environmental temperature at both 4- and 24-h postmortem. QB supplementation reduced birds’ core body temperature induced by HS and improved the FCR and water conversion ratio (WCR) by 1- and 0.5-point, respectively, compared to PC under HS. QB increased blood SO2 and reduced the severity of WB and WS under TN conditions, but it increased it under an HS environment. The abovementioned effects were probably mediated through the modulation of monocarboxylate transporter 1, heat shock protein 70, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and/or glutathione peroxidase 1 gene expression, however, further mechanistic studies are warranted. In summary, QB supplementation improved growth performance and reduced muscle myopathy incidence under TN conditions. Under HS conditions, however, QB improved growth performance but increased the incidence of muscle myopathies. Therefore, further QB titration studies are needed.

Introducing integrated crop‐livestock systems into row crop production promotes income diversification and potential soil health benefits through cover crop grazing on degraded soils of the southeastern United States, but effects of these practices on crop yields and soil health in Coastal Plain soils are not well established. A 4‐year study was performed to evaluate the effects of grazing a multi‐species winter cover crop on soil health and crop yields under mid‐February, mid‐March, and mid‐April cattle removal dates and a non‐grazed control within an annual cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and peanut crop rotation (Arachis hypogaea L.). Chemical soil health indicators (soil organic carbon and permanganate oxidizable carbon), physical soil health indicators (water‐stable aggregates and penetration resistance), biological soil health indicators (microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization), crop yield, and cover crop biomass were evaluated. Cover crop biomass at termination was reduced by 3660, 5250, and 5610 kg ha−1 for the mid‐February, mid‐March, and mid‐April cattle removal treatments compared to the non‐grazed control. No grazing treatment effects were observed for biological soil properties. Soil organic carbon was higher in the non‐grazed treatment than the mid‐April grazing treatment across 0‐ to 30‐cm depth. Penetration resistance across 0‐ to 50‐cm depth and water‐stable aggregates at the 0‐ to 30‐cm depth were both negatively impacted by increased grazing period lengths. Results from this study suggest that longer cover crop grazing periods have little effect on biological and chemical soil health indicators in the short term but can negatively impact some physical soil health indicators. Core Ideas: Grazing cover crops has minimal effects on biological soil health indicators.Longer grazing periods can have more negative effects on soil physical health indicators.Improvements in soil organic carbon levels were highest in the non‐grazed treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Without doubt the U.S. Supreme Court in the twenty-first century has been obsessed with the problem of corporate attorneys' inclusion of class action waivers in arbitration agreements. This article traces the emergence of the class action waiver issue, which developed in tandem with the plaintiffs' embrace and proliferation of class action litigation at the end of the twentieth century. The discussion comments on plaintiffs' initial attempts to request and secure class arbitration where the arbitration clauses were silent, culminating in Supreme Court's opinion permitting arbitrators to determine this issue. With the Court opening the door to possible classwide arbitration, corporate lawyers regrouped to rethink the wording of their mandatory arbitration agreements, to specifically prohibit classwide arbitration. These corporate elforts and the successive redrafting of arbitration agreements prompted a series of class action waiver appeals to the Supreme Court, with the Court construing ever changing class action waiver formulations. Since 2010, the Court has decided eight class action appeals dealing with issues relating to class action waivers in arbitration agreements. The article analyzes the Court's series of decisions relating to class action waiver provisions, focusing on the Court's consistent repudiation of classwide arbitration as antithetical to the original concept of bilateral arbitration. The article observes that despite the Court's clear rejection of almost all class action waiver provisions, plaintiffs' attorneys regroup and repeatedly seek classwide arbitration by state legislative initiatives and construing arbitration agreements within the contours of the Court's evolving class waiver jurisprudence. The article concludes with observations about class arbitration in other countries, and the implications of class action waivers for European Union countries that have recently implemented class action and collective redress procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has evolved tremendously in recent decades as innovations in medical therapies advanced concomitantly with minimally invasive surgical techniques. Despite early skepticism regarding its benefits, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) techniques for the surgical resection of early-stage NSCLC have now become the standard of care. After being the subject of many studies since its inception, VATS has been shown to cause less postoperative pain, have shorter recovery time, and have fewer overall complications when compared to conventional open approaches. Furthermore, some studies have shown it to have comparable oncological outcomes, though more higher evidence studies are needed. Newer technologies and improved surgical instruments, advancements in nodule localization techniques, and improved preoperative staging procedures have allowed for the development of newer, less invasive techniques such as uniportal VATS and parenchymal-sparing sublobar resections, which might further improve postoperative rates of complications in specific cases. These minimally invasive approaches have allowed surgeons to offer surgery to high-risk patients and those who would otherwise not tolerate conventional thoracotomy, though some relative contraindications still exist. This review aims to describe the evolution of VATS lobectomy, current techniques, its indications, contraindications, preoperative testing, benefits, and outcomes in patients with stage I and II NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States despite declining incidence and improved outcomes because of advancements in early detection and development of novel therapies. Accurate mediastinal lymph node staging is crucial for determining prognosis and guiding treatment decisions, particularly for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: A systematic search of PubMed was conducted to identify English language articles published between January 2010 and January 2024 focusing on preoperative lymph node staging in adults with NSCLC. Case series, observational studies, randomized trials, guidelines, narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were included. Results: Various imaging modalities, surgical and nonsurgical procedures for mediastinal lymph node staging were reviewed, including positron emission tomography with computed tomography, cervical mediastinoscopy, video-assisted cervical mediastinoscopy, anterior mediastinotomy, video-assisted thoracoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EBUS-FNA), transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), and computed tomography-guided percutaneous lymph node biopsy. EBUS-FNA emerged as the preferred initial staging procedure because of its high sensitivity and low complication rate. Combining it with other procedures or confirmatory testing may be helpful in determining appropriate treatment. Conclusions: Although cervical mediastinoscopy remains a valuable confirmatory procedure in select cases, its role as a first-line staging modality is diminishing with the widespread adoption of EBUS-FNA and EUS-FNA. The combination of EBUS-FNA and EUS-FNA allows access to nearly all mediastinal lymph node stations with high diagnostic accuracy. Future research may further refine the selection criteria for invasive mediastinal staging procedures, ultimately optimizing patient outcomes in the management of NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to assess the efficiency of including the novel protein ingredient Arthrospira platensis or improved soybean meal in a broiler diet. The first experiment aimed to determine the feeding value of soybean meal produced from varieties of soybeans bred for increased amino acid content (SBAA) and improved oil content (SBO) compared to a conventional soybean variety in an ANOVA design fed to Cobb 500 female broilers for 28–42 d. The SBAA and SBO soybeans contained overall higher amino acid content and lower oligosaccharide content compared to the conventional soybean variety in addition to improved oil quality. The second experiment assessed the novel protein ingredient microalgae, Arthrospira platensis (algae), and was conducted to evaluate algae and corn distillers' grain (DDGS) inclusion on broiler performance for a 28–42 d feeding period in Cobb CF05 male broilers with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment array. Prior to the experimental period, all birds were reared on common feeds. In Experiment 1, birds were fed a diet containing 20% inclusion of an experimental soybean source in the form of full-fat soybean meal. In Experiment 2, the four dietary treatments consisted of diets containing algae at inclusion levels of either 0 or 2% and DDGS at inclusion levels of 0% and 8%. Diets were fed to 288 female broilers (Experiment 1) and 384 male broilers (Experiment 2), placed in eight replicate pens of twelve birds, and live performance was assessed from d 28 to 42. At d 42, six birds from each pen were randomly selected and processed for evaluation of carcass traits and incidence of woody breast. For Experiment 1, all performance data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA using JMP Pro 16 software with diet as the fixed effect and block as a random effect. Statistical significance was considered at p ≤ 0.05. No significant responses were observed for any recorded measurement for live performance, carcass traits, or woody breast. All data in Experiment 2 were analyzed as a full factorial with a mixed model using JMP software with algae, DDGS, and algae × DDGS as fixed effects and block as a random effect. The F-protected Fisher's LSD test was used to separate means when p ≤ 0.05. No significant responses were observed for the algae, DDGS, and algae × DDGS influences on BWG, FI, and FCR or processing characteristics; the ingredient source did not affect bird performance. Experimental soybean lines developed at the University of Arkansas were able to be incorporated into broiler diets without decreasing performance. Algae has the potential to be a protein-contributing ingredient for broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract There is growing interest among nutritionists in feeding reduced protein diets to broiler chickens. Although nearly a century of research has been conducted providing biochemical insights on the impact of reduced protein diets for broilers, practical limitation still exists. The present review was written to provide insights on further reducing dietary protein in broilers. To construct this review, eighty-nine peer reviewed manuscripts in the area of amino acid nutrition in poultry were critiqued. Hence, nutritional research areas of low protein diets, threonine, glycine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, histidine, and glutamine have been assessed and combined in this text, thus providing concepts into reduced protein diets for broilers. In addition, linkages between the cited work and least cost formation ingredient and nutrient matrix considerations are provided. In conclusion, practical applications in feeding reduced protein diets to broilers are advancing, but more work is warranted.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal and synaptic loss. One process that could contribute to this loss is the intracellular caspase cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) resulting in release of the toxic C-terminal 31-amino acid peptide APP-C31 along with the production of APPΔC31, full-length APP minus the C-terminal 31 amino acids. We previously found that a mutation in APP that prevents this caspase cleavage ameliorated synaptic loss and cognitive impairment in a murine AD model. Thus, inhibition of this cleavage is a reasonable target for new therapeutic development. In order to identify small molecules that inhibit the generation of APP-C31, we first used an APPΔC31 cleavage site-specific antibody to develop an AlphaLISA to screen several chemical compound libraries for the level of N-terminal fragment production. This antibody was also used to develop an ELISA for validation studies. In both high throughput screening (HTS) and validation testing, the ability of compounds to inhibit simvastatin- (HTS) or cerivastatin- (validation studies) induced caspase cleavage at the APP-D720 cleavage site was determined in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with wildtype (wt) human APP (CHO-7W). Several compounds, as well as control pan-caspase inhibitor Q-VD-OPh, inhibited APPΔC31 production (measured fragment) and rescued cell death in a dose-dependent manner. The effective compounds fell into several classes including SERCA inhibitors, inhibitors of Wnt signaling, and calcium channel antagonists. Further studies are underway to evaluate the efficacy of lead compounds - identified here using cells and tissues expressing wt human APP - in mouse models of AD expressing mutated human APP, as well as to identify additional compounds and determine the mechanisms by which they exert their effects.

Abstract Sickle cell trait (SCT) is a risk factor of collapse and sudden death in athletes. We conducted a longitudinal study to determine the hematological responses and hydration status in NCAA Division I American football players with SCT. The study took place over 2 years with 6 SCT and 6 position-matched controls (CON) in year 1; and 4 SCT and 4 CON in year 2. In year 2, three of the four SCT players were recruited and re-enrolled with new position-matched controls (total sample data = 10 SCT and 10 CON). Blood samples were taken at three visits: pre-camp, post-camp, and post-season to examine hemoglobin variants, complete blood counts, and chemistry panel 26. Hydration status was assessed by measuring body weight change, urine specific gravity, and urine and sweat electrolyte concentrations during the pre-season training camp. All SCT players were confirmed to have SCT (HbS = 37.9 ± 2.4%) and had greater red cell distribution width (RDW) compared to CON across all visits. Serum uric acid was higher in SCT (7.3 ± 1.0 mg/dL) compared to CON (6.1 ± 0.6 mg/dL; p = 0.001). Furthermore, serum creatine kinase levels were greater in SCT (1617.0 ± 1034.8 IU/L) at pre-camp compared to CON (1037.4 ± 602.8 IU/L; p = 0.03). SCT players exhibited lower pre- and post-practice urine electrolytes and urine specific gravity (SCT pre: 1.019 ± 0.005 vs. CON pre: 1.026 ± 0.008 p

Background: Consumption of folic acid prior to conception can prevent up to 70% of neural tube defect (NTD)-affected pregnancies. In 1992, the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) issued a recommendation that all women of childbearing age capable of becoming pregnant consume 400 [mu]g of folic acid daily to reduce their risk for a NTD-affected pregnancy. A 26% decrease in the overall NTD rate in the United States was observed between 1995 and 2000, after the fortification of cereal grain products. However, the NTD prevalence for Hispanics remains almost twice that of the general population, both nationally and in North Carolina. Purpose: To measure the baseline knowledge, beliefs and behaviors about multivitamins, folic acid and birth defects of Spanish-speaking Hispanic women ages 18-35 in North Carolina. Methods: Face-to-face oral interviews with Spanish-speaking Hispanic women were conducted by native Spanish-speaking data collectors using a culturally appropriate survey instrument in 12 North Carolina counties. Results: Thirty-three percent of the total respondents (n = 896) reported taking a daily multivitamin. Of those who reported currently planning a pregnancy or trying to become pregnant (n = 134), 22% reported taking a daily multivitamin. Knowledge was highest about birth defects (79%), followed by multivitamins (64%), and then folic acid (54%). Ninety-nine percent of respondents who did not take a daily multivitamin reported they would do so upon the recommendation of their health care provider. Discussion: Multivitamin consumption is low among this group at increased risk, and even lower among those actively attempting or contemplating pregnancy. Health care professionals play a critical role in increasing the knowledge and influencing the behaviors of this population. Translation to Health Education Practice: Folic acid education in all preconception encounters with Hispanic women is critical to address this health disparity and help prevent NTD-affected pregnancies. (Contains 6 tables and 1 figure.)

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a high value crop that has been used as a forage since the early 1900s in the southern U.S. (e.g., Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida). Renewed interest has increased the use of soybean as a viable and economical high protein alternative to forage growers in the southern region. The objective of this study was to determine herbage mass (HM) and nutritive value of forage soybean managed under two row spacing (36 and 72 cm) and three stubble heights (10, 15, and 20 cm). Five cultivars were used ‘Stonewall’, ‘Laredo’, ‘Tower of Leaves’, Asgrow® ‘AG64X8’, and Asgrow® ‘AG79X9’ and sown at two locations (Shorter and Headland, AL). Forage was harvested in July and August during both years and HM was determined. Crude protein (CP) and fiber fractions were determined using near-infrared spectroscopy. Years and location did vary, but overall, Stonewall had the greatest (p < 0.026) HM (1706 kg DM ha−1) with a high nutritive value (124 g CP kg−1, 449 g NDF kg−1, and 372 g ADF kg−1). Laredo had the lowest HM (1169 kg DM ha−1; p < 0.025). The 10 cm stubble height resulted in increased HM (1898 kg DM ha−1; p < 0.0001) but decreased nutritive value (149 g CP kg−1; 331 g ADF kg−1; 413 g NDF kg−1; p = 0.001) compared to 20 cm (179, 282, and 375 g kg−1 for CP, ADF, and NDF, respectively). Row spacing did not consistently influence either HM or nutritive values. Due to its relatively good nutritive value and HM, forage soybean should be considered as a monoculture or in a mixed sward with other warm-season annual forages for inclusion in forage-based livestock diets.

Introduction: Defects in immunologic self-tolerance result in an increased risk for development of paraneoplastic autoimmune diseases (ADs) and immune-mediated toxicity in response to immune stimulation in individuals with thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). We conducted a survey to evaluate the tolerability of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines in patients with TETs, including individuals with preexisting AD. Methods: After reviewing published data on adverse events associated with the BNT162b2 (Pfizer, Inc., and BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (ModernaTX, Inc.) mRNA vaccines, we designed and administered a questionnaire to participants at the following three time points: after each dose of vaccination and 1 month after the final dose. Questions related to AD and use of immunosuppressive drugs were included. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data, and results were compared with previously described results related to the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines. Results: From February 26 to June 1, 2021, we administered the survey to 54 participants (median age = 58 y, thymoma = 33, preexisting AD = 19). Common adverse events included injection site pain, fatigue, and headaches. There were no vaccination-related hospitalizations or deaths. Autoimmune flares occurred in three patients (16%) after the first dose and three patients (17%) after the second dose. Most AD flares were mild and self-limited. One patient (2%) was diagnosed with having a new AD after vaccination. Conclusions: Tolerability of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in patients with TETs is comparable to the general population. Most patients with preexisting AD did not experience disease flares, and the development of new AD was rare. Patients with TETs should be encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 owing to the documented benefits of vaccination and manageable risk profile.

Simple Summary: With the threat of climate change, a growing world population, and the demand for agricultural products rising, it's crucial to enhance feed efficiency for the sustainability of beef production. Utilizing crossbred animals such as Brangus cattle to combine the heat tolerance of Brahman with the carcass merit of Angus is one potential strategy to meet these challenges, especially in warm humid climate regions. Incorporating selection for low residual feed intake (RFI) into breeding programs is another method that can speed genetic improvement of feed efficiency and reduce feed costs. However, accurately identifying such low RFI, feed efficient cattle is a timely and costly process, and little is known concerning the appropriate test conditions for Brangus cattle. We aimed to optimize the duration of RFI testing for daily feed intake in Brangus heifers. Our findings indicate that a 56-day test period is sufficient for accurate measurements of feed intake, with minimal loss in accuracy compared to a 70-day test. This reduces upfront costs for genetic evaluation and enhances the rationale for adopting RFI in Brangus breeding programs. Our research contributes to the long-term sustainability of beef production, aligning with the growing global demand for agricultural products and the need for increased efficiency in beef production. Brangus cattle are gaining popularity in the Southeast U.S. due to the desirable heat tolerance from their Brahman influence combined with the superior carcass merit aspects of Angus genetics. However, little is known about the optimal evaluation conditions for this hybrid breed when placed on test for Residual Feed Intake (RFI), a heritable measure of feed efficiency that allows improvement in performance without altering carcass traits. To address this, dry matter intake (DMI) was measured on Brangus heifers for 70-d to determine the optimal days on feed required to estimate feed intake and ADG and assess if inclusion of ultrasound measures of carcass merit into the model impact RFI rankings for this breed. The 56-d test period had a regression coefficient of 0.96 (p < 0.0001), R2 = 0.94, rp = 0.97 (p < 0.0001), and rs = 0.97 (p < 0.0001), indicating little change in rank of cattle for DMI compared to a 70-d test. ADG was the limiting factor in determining test duration. Based upon examining only heifers that calved, ultrasound backfat measures should be included in the RFI model to normalize for differences in heifer maturity. Results from this study indicate that a test duration of 56-d is sufficient to accurately estimate DMI in this population. This data indicates on-test duration can be shortened, enhancing the rate of genetic change by reducing cost and increasing the number of animals that can be tested annually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Further reductions of crude protein in broiler diets may cause essential amino acids traditionally considered to be supplied at adequate levels to become limiting. Requirement data for histidine are currently scarce and this amino acid is uniquely able to be stored within the body. Thus, the objectives of this study were to evaluate female Cobb 500 broiler growth performance and carcass characteristic responsiveness to increasing digestible histidine to digestible lysine ratios (dHis:dLys) during a 22- to 42-day feeding period and determine if dHis:dLys in preceding feeds influence the former responses. Starter diets were formulated to contain dHis:dLys of 33% or 38% and grower diets were formulated to contain dHis:dLys of 28%, 33%, 38%, or 43%, which gave rise to a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. No interactions (p > 0.05) between the starter or grower diet dHis:dLys occurred. Increasing the dHis:dLys from 22 to 42 days resulted in body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and total breast meat yield quadratic responses (p ≤ 0.05). Additionally, it appears that dHis:dLys between 33% and 38% fed during the starter phase does not influence broiler responsiveness to different dHis:dLys during the grower phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfalfa use (Medicago sativa L.; "lucerne") in warm, humid regions of the world represents a potential area of expansion for the alfalfa industry. The objective of this review paper is to demonstrate how alfalfa forage breeding and systems research efforts have identified opportunities for increasing alfalfa contributions in these regions, along with potential pathways for seed industry and farming operations to increase adoption. Our review draws primarily on reports from the Southeast United States and Argentina. Significant technological advancements in plant screening and selection have identified alfalfa plant populations that are more adapted to the growing conditions experienced in these regions, which are often characterized by mild temperature, long growing seasons, and multiple other abiotic and biotic stressors. Management systems research conducted in the United States and Argentina has demonstrated the use of alfalfa for conserved forage, grazing, or dual‐purpose use in monoculture or mixtures with warm‐season grasses such as bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.). These trials report increased forage production, nutritive value, and ecosystem services of alfalfa–grass mixtures when compared with traditionally N‐fertilized warm‐season grass‐based systems. Grazing‐based alfalfa systems in Argentina have demonstrated methods for utilizing alfalfa as part of beef, dairy, and finishing systems. Some approaches for expanding alfalfa production in the region include targeted marketing efforts for adapted varieties and demonstrating alfalfa applications within existing farming frameworks. This includes educational programming efforts and on‐farm demonstrations to promote alfalfa use as a component of the livestock diets, integration into grass‐based systems, crop rotations, and wildlife use. Continued emphasis on a systems approach to alfalfa inclusion represents an opportunity for improved forage and livestock production in warm, humid regions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In southeastern USA, the use of baleage has increased as an alternative technology to hay production, thereby allowing for a timelier harvest of the conserved forage. A series of studies were conducted to determine the nutritive value, fermentation parameters, and in situ disappearance of the cool-season annual forage mixtures that were ensiled with or without silage inoculant for up to 120 d. The forage mixtures were wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) + brassica hybrid (Brassica rapa L. × napus L.) (WB), wheat + crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) (WC), and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) + oat (Avena sativa L.) + crimson clover (ROC). The inoculant strategy affected the CP concentration (p < 0.05), with it increasing in WB and decreasing in ROC. Among the mixtures, the DM concentration decreased by up to 5%, and the NDF and ADF concentrations decreased by up to 10% during the ensiling period. The pH averaged 5.0, 5.0, and 5.5 for the WC, WB, and ROC mixtures, respectively. Based on our results, the baleage of the cool-season annual forage mixtures may provide a viable high-quality option to sustain animal growth and performance.

ABSTRACT: Oral administration of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-d) has been used as an indicator for intestinal permeability in poultry research for several years. Under healthy conditions, tight junctions in the intestinal wall will not allow the 4-6kDa FITC-d to enter the bloodstream. Detection of FITC-d in serum (1-hour post-oral administration of FITC-d) has proven to be a reliable indicator of leaky gut syndrome (increased intestinal inflammation and disruption of tight junctions). Administration of supplementary phytobiotics in feed, particularly products with high beta-carotene levels or other pigments, has resulted in strong serum background fluorescence, which can render this assay unreliable. To account for this increase in background autofluorescence, the FITC-d assay procedure has been modified to accommodate these particular serum samples by including pre-administration serum collection from each treatment group to remove background fluorescence. The modified FITC-d procedure detailed will allow for analysis of intestinal permeability in pigmented serum.

Proteins are considered the most expensive nutrients in commercial modern broiler production, and their dietary inclusion at low levels is pivotal to minimize feed costs and reduce nitrogen waste. The quest for an environmentally friendly source of proteins that favor the formulation of low protein diets without compromising broiler health, welfare, and growth performance has become a hotspot in nutrition research. Due to its high protein content, the naturally growing Spirulina microalgae is considered a promising nutrient source. The purpose of the present study was, therefore, to determine the effects of Spirulina supplementation on liver bacterial translocation, hematological profile, and circulating inflammatory and redox markers in broilers fed a low-protein diet. One-day-old Ross 708 male broilers (n = 180) were randomly assigned into one of three experimental treatments: standard diet as a control, low protein diet, and low protein diet supplemented with 100 g/kg of Spirulina. Target molecular markers were measured in the peripheral blood circulation using real-time quantitative PCR. Reducing dietary proteins increased bacterial translocation and systemic inflammation as indicated by proportions of basophils among blood leukocytes. The expression levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6, IL-4, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α], chemokines (CCL-20), and NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome were significantly upregulated in birds fed the low protein diet compared with the control. The inclusion of Spirulina reversed these effects, which indicates that Spirulina reduces systemic inflammation- and bacterial translocation-induced by a low protein diet and could be a promising alternative protein source in poultry diets.

Author(s): W. Oscar Fleming [sup.1] [sup.2] , Alexsandra A. Apostolico [sup.2] , Amy J. Mullenix [sup.2] [sup.3] , Katie Starr [sup.2] , Lewis Margolis [sup.2] [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000000122483208, [...], Purpose This article describes how implementation science informed the design of a national training and technical assistance (TA) center, and how implementation best practices have been used to improve the quality of training and technical assistance services offered to states/jurisdictions. Description An existing tool, based on the Implementation Drivers Framework (in: Fixsen et al., Implementation research: a synthesis of the literature, University of South Florida, The National Implementation Research Network, Tampa, 2005 (See CR14)), was adapted to assess efforts of the National MCH Workforce Development Center (the Center) against known implementation best practices. Staff identified specific examples of effective practice and gaps for inclusion in this article. Assessment Using implementation science to establish, assess and improve Center practice was both feasible and practical, requiring intentionality, dedicated time, and staff committed to deepening their understanding of implementation science. The Implementation Drivers framework proved useful for creating a shared approach to analysis and identification of opportunities for improvement of Center practice. Conclusion Policymakers and funding agencies should consider how training and technical assistance programs demonstrate knowledge and use of implementation science best practices among other evidence based practices in their work. Increasing attention to the use of implementation science can contribute to a higher quality of service among technical assistance centers, with the long term goal of improving outcomes for training and assistance recipients and the communities they serve. Establishing the link between customer satisfaction and quality of technical assistance, on the one hand, and long term outcomes, on the other, remains a challenge and an area of focus and learning for the Center.