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Nonproteolytic Clostridium botulinum (strains 17B, Beluga, and 202F) was found to be inhibited by Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, and Pediococcus species in tests by the spot-on-the-lawn simultaneous-antagonism method at 10, 15, and 25 degrees C. C. botulinum 17B was the most resistant strain. Inhibition zone size increased with decreasing incubation temperature. Six strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and seven strains of bifidobacteria failed to produce an inhibition zone on buffered reinforced clostridium Prussian blue agar seeded with spores of any of the selected C. botulinum strains. C. botulinum 17B was sensitive to 50 to 100 IU of nisin per ml and to 10 to 20 AU of pediocin A per ml.

Background: The literature indicates that emotional-cognitive symptoms are much more characteristic of dysthymia than the vegetative and psychomotor symptoms of major depression, yet this is insufficiently emphasized in the official criteria listed in the criteria of the American Psychiatric Association. Furthermore, as previous studies have examined these symptoms more in relation to prevalence than to possible symptom aggregation, in the present analyses we address both aspects. Methods: In two multicenter collaborative trials, 512 out-patients meeting the symptom criteria of DSM-III-R dysthymia but without major depression were recruited. In this respect they conformed to the conceptual framework of ICD-10 which tends to restrict dysthymia to a subthreshold depression without excursion into severe depressive episodes. The Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) were used to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms. Results: Symptoms most frequently observed, besides depressed mood (100% by definition), were ‘low energy or fatigue’ (96%) and ‘poor concentration or indecisiveness’ (88%), followed by ‘low self-esteem’ (80%), ‘insomnia or hypersomnia’ (77%), ‘poor appetite or overeating’ (69%) and ‘feeling of hopelessness’ (42%). Interestingly, in the subjects with fewer than five symptoms, the most frequent were low energy or fatigue (93%), poor concentration or indecisiveness (79%) and low self-esteem (77%), the other symptoms being present in no more than half the sample. MADRS factor analysis identified two main factors: the first consisting of apparent and reported sadness, and the second concentration difficulties and lassitude. HAM-A factor analysis identified two factors clearly differentiating somatic and psychic symptoms. Limitations: Because suicidal patients were excluded on the ground of human subject concerns, our sample is representative of the milder range of symptomatology within the spectrum of dysthymia. This may in part explain the low prevalence of neurovegetative symptoms. Conclusion: Despite this, the present study involves the largest sample of pure dysthymia ever studied. Our results indicate that dysthymic disorder appears to primarily involve psychologic symptoms. The psychological symptoms themselves seem to cluster into sadness versus mental fatigue; as for anxiety symptoms, they appear divisible into somatic and psychic clusters, with the latter prevailing in dysthymia. Dysthymia proper, dominated by negative affectivity, might be distinguishable from a ‘neurasthenic’ subform dominated by low energy or ‘deficit’ symptoms at mental and physical levels.

In order to compare the long-term safety of flecainide and propafenone, an open label, randomized, parallel group study was performed in 335 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n = 200) or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (n = 135), and no history of heart disease. Patients were treated with an initial daily dose of flecainide 100 mg (n = 72) or propafenone 450 mg (n = 63) for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and flecainide 200 mg (n = 97) or propafenone 450 mg (n = 103) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Dose escalations were permitted after > or = 2 attacks, up to a maximum of flecainide 300 mg or propafenone 900 mg.day-1.Follow-up duration was 12 months, or when patients stopped the treatment as a result of inadequate efficacy or adverse experiences. Twelve patients on flecainide reported 16 cardiac adverse experiences, of whom six discontinued the treatment. Seven propafenone patients had eight cardiac adverse experiences, of whom five discontinued the treatment. Serious proarrhythmic events were infrequent: one case of ventricular tachycardia on propafenone: two cases of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response on flecainide, associated in one patient with pulmonary oedema. An intention-to-treat analysis showed that the probability of 12 months' safe and effective treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia was 93% for flecainide and 86% for propafenone (P = 0.24), whereas in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation it was 77% for flecainide and 75% for propafenone (P = 0.72). In conclusion, flecainide and propafenone were safe in the long-term treatment of patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachyarrhythmias and without evidence of clinically significant heart disease.

Summary We report on data gathered from five European centres regarding 147 primary non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHLs) of the Central Nervous System (CNS) in HIV-negative patients. The results lead us to make the following considerations: i)there has been a significant and progressive increase in the frequency of observation of this pathology during the course of the last two decades; ii) the pathology lacks specific characteristic symptoms; iii) the radiological profile, as observed by CAT and/or MNR, most frequently corresponds to an isodense or slightly hyperdense lesion which has clear margins and is capable of assuming the contrast medium homogeneously; iv) the tumour most often has a single supratentorial localisation; v) high grade B-cell lymphomas account for 66 % of the observations, low grade B-cell varieties being relatively rare and cases of T-cell derivation exceptional (6/147); vi) immunohistochemistry allows the differential diagnoses with respect to primitive or secondary non-lymphoid tumours, and provides confirmation of the histogenetic assessment made on morphological grounds; vii) the course of the disease is not significantly influenced by the histotype, the phenotype, the number of lesions present or the chemotherapy regimen, but rather by the employment of combined surgery and radio- or radiochemotherapy. This study represents the largest series of CNS NHLs so far reported, and as such, provides precise clinico-pathological indications which were only partially obtainable from the relatively small previously published series. Some concluding remarks are made as to the genesis of CNS NHLs, along with some practical suggestions for reaching a better understanding of their complex biology.

Recently urologists have focused their attention not only on classical evaluation parameters for patients suffering from benign prostatic hgperplasia (BPH), such as symptoms and uroflowmetry, but also on the impact oftherapy on the patients'quality of life. An observational, open-label, uncontrolled trial was designed to evaluate the impact of a 3-month therapy with alfuzosin (2. 5 mg t.i.d.) on the quality of life of patients complaining of BPH-related symptoms for at least 6 months. Nine hundred and ninety patients were enrolled in 86 Italian centers of urology. At baseline and after 84 days of treatment the following assessments were performed: the Maine Medical Assessment Program Symptom Score, a quality of life questionnaire, and at selected centers uroflowmetry and residual volume measurement

A study was carried out in order to identify agronomic ecologic solutions in the indirect grey mould control on grapevine. These specific trials started since 1990 and, after years of validation, now they are applied by the entrepreneur to the business practice in the different pedological and climatic area and on different cultivars and forms of growing. The technique of "Doppia Maturazione Ragionata" (D.M.R.) ("Doubles Reasoned Maturing") consists of far "completing" the maturing of the grape for wilting on the plant through the reasoned cut of the heads to fruit e/o of shoots. The application of D.M.R., besides determining valid and important technical and qualitative (organoleptic, economic and social quality) improvements on the product, is particularly effective in the indirect grey mould control on grapevine. Such technique, in fact, allows us to vintage the grape during the business demands and not when imposed by Botrytis cinerea; it has been possible, in some cases, to vintage in December and over, without problems of B. cinerea. The trials have shown the technical, economic, social sustainability of D.M.R. application. This paper reports all trials that have brought, by now from years, to apply in the practice DMR (Double Reasoned Maturing).

The aim of this work was to find agronomic eco-compatible ("natural") control solutions against grey mould of grapevine too. Our researches about "minimum pruning", "minimal pruning" and "physiological pruning" started in 1980, and in 1983 with specific relation to grey mould on vines of Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon and Chardonnay previously set in vegetative and productive growth balance. These researches were conducted to verify the affordability of innovative winter pruning techniques like "minimum pruning", "minimal pruning" and the so called 'physiological pruning", in the natural agronomic eco-compatible grey mould control. As a result we found that the new techniques contribute to limit the incidence of grey mould; especially "physiological pruning" followed by "minimal pruning" and 'minimum pruning". The best results were observed on Chardonnay, followed by Merlot and Cabernet sauvignon.

This study is the first communication about the repercussion of several phytosanitary treatments in three different training systems, differently managed in foilage, in relation to the usual phytopatologies: botrytis, acid rot, grape mildew and oldium. Particular attention to residuals of the products supplied on the foilage and present in ground and wine is paid. The considered foilage management systems are among those more spread and effective ones for a good quality wine production for Cabernet Sauvignon variety (clone R5). 11. Cordon Spur of Conegliano (C.S.C); 12. Simple Free Espalier Curtain (S.C.S.L); 13. Lyra (Lyra). The phytosanitary interventions for the foilage management systems have been compared between the company's ordinary plan and one with various and numerous active principles. The CG-ECD with Multiresidual analysis has determined the active principles residuals in the ground and in the wines. The characteristics of the wines have been determined by physical- chemical analysis; their organoleptic quality has been valued by panels of producers, oenologists, consumers and restaurant staff. The results point out a difference among the trials for the different presence of residuals. The foilage management justifies the diversity of the analytical composition of the wines. There is a substantial uniformity of judgements for the organoleptic quality. In conclusion, in this prove the judgement on the economic quality highlights the uselessness of the use of more incisive and radical active principles.

Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE) is an uncommon but severe disease with high mortality and morbidity. The major clinical manifestations are deteriorating consciousness with confusion, drowsiness or coma, altered behaviour, convulsions and a variety of neurological signs (hemiplegia, aphasia, ataxia, etc.). An uncommon complication of HSE is Kluver Bucy syndrome (KBS), characterized by hyperorality, bulimia and changes in emotional behaviour. Neuroimaging studies frequently show an involvement of the temporal lobes and limbic areas. Another uncommon complication of HSE is central diabetes insipidus as a result of herpes simplex infection of the hypothalamus. We report two pediatric cases of HSE complicated with Kluver Bucy syndrome and central diabetes insipidus.

The objective of this double-blind, placebo-controlled urodynamic pressure/flow study was to assess the efficacy of short-term treatment with the alpha 1-blocker alfuzosin in outflow obstruction of patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Urodynamic pressure/flow parameters were assessed after 2 weeks of placebo run-in, 4 weeks of placebo (47 patients) or 2.5 mg t.i.d. alfuzosin treatment (47 patients), followed by an 8-week extension period with alfuzosin (single-blind).Four weeks of alfuzosin treatment significantly increased maximum flow (+29.0%) and decreased detrusor pressure at maximum flow (-30.2%), detrusor opening pressure (-39.4%) and maximum detrusor pressure (-28.7%). Short-term alfuzosin treatment improved outflow conditions in BPH by reducing prostatic urethral obstruction.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) has been recently described following therapy with non strictly neuroleptic drugs that alter dopaminergic function, such as sulpiride and metoclopramide, and might occur more easily in patients with functional or organic brain disorders. We observed an AIDS patient who suffered from NMS following treatment with clotiapine for insomnia and agitation. Two months later, he presented with a similar syndrome following antiemetic treatment with alizapride. On both occasions, the symptoms completely regressed after the administration of dopaminergic and muscle relaxant drugs. The patient died of pneumonia one month after the last episode. The present paper describes the clinical and pathological findings.

The prevalence of infants of diabetic mothers is estimated at 2-3% of all pregnancies in the Italy, with 60-90% of gestational diabetes. The perinatal mortality rate has decreased ten-fold over the past four decades; at present it is 2% mainly for congenital anomalies. The effects on the fetus and newborns depend on the degree of maternal diabetes. Macrosomia has served as a marker for evaluating morbidity and may be defined as occurring in an infant whose weight with reference gestation, exceeds the 97.5 percentile. This is mainly due to fetal hyperinsulinism secondary to hyperglycemia from inadequate maternal metabolic control. Insulin-requiring diabetes during organogenesis doubles or triples a woman's risk of producing a malformed infant (major risk for sacral dysgenesis). Hypoglycemia is a common complication of fetal hyperinsulinemia but is also caused by lower systemic glucose production rate. Hypocalcemia is recognized in these infants but the major problem and principal cause of death is respiratory distress syndrome which is identical to that found in premature infants and it comes from hyperinsulinemia retarding lung maturation through cortisol inhibition. Cardiomyopathy complicating the infants of diabetic mothers, shows a characteristic pattern with thickened intraventricular septum producing obstruction to flow.

Recurrent pulmonary emboli or microthromboses are hypothesized as possible causes of pulmonary hypertension in the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), but thrombosis of the pulmonary vessels has been rarely documented. We describe the case of a 45-year-old Caucasian man affected by thrombocytopenia, recurrent deep venous thrombosis, recurrent pulmonary embolism and fatal chronic pulmonary hypertension (systolic pressure: 85 mm Hg). Anticardiolipin antibodies were highly positive, and the lupus anticoagulant was present. At autopsy, recent thromboses of small vessels were observed in the lung, with organized clots and recanalized channels. Furthermore, friable and firm vegetations and nodules were observed on the cusps of the mitral and tricuspid valves, intermingled with recent surface fibrinous thrombi. In the adrenals we found vascular thrombotic lesions similar to those in the lungs. The pathological lesions suggest pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary arterial microthromboses. Moreover, this is the first documentation of tricuspid valve pathology in a patient with APS.

The study intends to value results of follow-up of risk neonates hospitalized for the period 1980-88 at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Bufalini Hospital Cesena and the course with time of neurologic and neuropsychological alterations, reported to the birth-rate of territory in which operates the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The survivor infants attended in follow up have been 419: 63 of neonatal weight less than or equal to 1500 g (group A), 117 of weight 1501-2000 g (group B), 239 of weight greater than 2000 g (group C). The follow-up provided at first 12 months of life a pediatric examination together with motoscopic examination to Milani-Comparetti every two months, at 3 years--4 years and 6 months, 7 years a pediatric examination with evaluation of Intelligence Quotient (N.E.M.I.), at last two months of 1st Primary School evaluation of acquired scholastic learning capacities by reading test of Inizan and calculation test of Meljac. Diagnosis of cerebral palsy (C.P.) has been always placed at first 12 months of life. All the survivors have been executed pediatric checks as foreseen at first 12 months of life. The subjects with CP are 26 (%); of these 13 have an I.Q. less than or equal to 70. The risk to develop CP seems to depend strictly by hypoxic perinatal stress (21/26 infants). The type of CP seems to be conditioned by neonatal weight, in particular as regards spastic paraplegia (10/12 infants of weight less than or equal to 2000 g), but hemiplegia and tetraplegia are with equality distributed (7/14 infants of weight less than or equal to 2000 g).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cabernet-Sauvignon is an important red berry cultivar, which provides in Latium good quality results even if grown using training systems and planting models which are notably different among themselves . To give a concrete contribution to the qualitative improvement of « Cabernet-Sauvignon », considering other viticultural research exposed in other works, we thought it was opportune to deepen the repercussion of foliage management. Among many models of training systems that we have taken into consideration over years of experimentation, the LYRA order 300 cm x 50 cm has given the better results regarding oenochemical, sensorial and economical quality of wines. For this reason we have considered the implications of different foliage management systems on this model, drawing the following indications:a) The training system which has shown the best results was LYRA order 300 cm x 50 cm for «Cabernet-Sauvignon» variety, even with different foliage management.b) The best analytical results are achieved by LYRA « Managed Volume » foliage, especially concerning the chromatic component.c) The sensorial analysis confirms the excellence of this treatment.d) The better «economic quality» is achieved to LYRA « Managed Volume » foliage; in fact the consumers have attributed the highest «intrinsic value» to the corresponding wine.e) In conclu,es must be checked in the next vintages.

This paper shows that by measuring the collection time of the charge released in the depletion layer of a solid state radiation detector, some information can be obtained about the ionizing particle impact angle or about its range in the depletion layer. Several criteria are also given which allow for selecting the detectors suitable to obtain the above mentioned information.

The solution of the one-energy group space-independent reactor kinetics equations is obtained in the form of the limit of two monotone bounded sequences of functions {N j −} and {N j +}, non decreasing and non increasing respectively, defined as $$\begin{gathered} N_{j + 1}^ - = T_1 N_j^ + + T_2 N_j^ - + f \hfill \\ N_{j + 1}^ + = T_1 N_j^ - + T_2 N_j^ + + f \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ whereT 1 andT 2 are monotone-type operators, precisely antitone and isotone. In this work a procedure for obtaining the two initial elements,N 0 − andN 0 +, satisfying the required properties to assure the convergence of the two sequences {N j −} and {N j +}, is described; moreover, it is proved that the two sequences converge uniformely to the same limit. In addition, some numerical results are presented.

Fundamentally the fault-tree-approach consists of the following steps: i. A minimal-cut-representation is derived for a general-structure- function reliability system. ii. An estimate, if possible, is established for system-reliability (availability) in terms of the minimal-cut-parallel-system reliabi lities (availabilities). The conditioning sentence: “if possible” has been physically underlined at point ii. since, as far as reliability estimation of maintained systems is concerned, minimal-cut- bounds are not a trivial consequence of the inclusion-exclusion principle [1], [2], [3]. Special properties are needed both of the structure-function and of the system-module-performance-processes for a minimal cut bound to be obtainable. More precisely such a bound holds for a coherent system if the system-module-performance processes are stochastically-monotone and independent of one-ano- ther [4], [5], [6].

A 16 year boy with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in stage 4 is described. Neuropsychological analysis reveal a transcortical sensorial aphasia. Behavior therapies of shaping and fading are proposed.

An intraoral device has been experimented to stabilize oro-gastric or oro-jejunal feeding tubes in low birth weight newborns.

Objective The objective of this double-blind, placebo-controlled urodynamic pressure/flow study was to assess the efficacy of short-term treatment with the alpha 1-blocker alfuzosin in outflow obstruction of patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Material and methods Urodynamic pressure/flow parameters were assessed after 2 weeks of placebo run-in, 4 weeks of placebo (47 patients) or 2.5 mg t.i.d. alfuzosin treatment (47 patients), followed by an 8-week extension period with alfuzosin (single-blind). Results and conclusion Four weeks of alfuzosin treatment significantly increased maximum flow (+29.0%) and decreased detrusor pressure at maximum flow (-30.2%), detrusor opening pressure (-39.4%) and maximum detrusor pressure (-28.7%). Short-term alfuzosin treatment improved outflow conditions in BPH by reducing prostatic urethral obstruction.

In questo volume si raccolgono gli interventi di vari studiosi sviluppati all'interno del progetto "Il senso del mare", ideato da M.L. De Nicolò che fra le varie iniziative ha toccato anche il tema della storia dell'alimentazione e della cucina popolare. Temi trattati: L'oro azzurro, i pesci dimenticati; i molluschi; i pesci della tradizione, la cucina di laguna, le fonti orali.

International audience; In this paper, we study the problem of networks on nonlinear oscillators when communication topologies are disconnected. In the first part of this paper, we show that the high-gain design procedure succeeds in achieving clustered consensus when disconnected topologies occur. In the second part, we study a network of nonlinear oscillators when the topology is switching between sets of disconnected and connected topologies. By a Lyapunov analysis, we prove that if disconnected topologies last for a limited amount of time and the switching law for connected topologies fulfills an average dwell-time condition, synchronization is achieved.

In this paper, we consider the output synchronization problem for a network of heterogeneous diffusively-coupled nonlinear agents. Specifically, we show how the (non-identical) agents can be controlled in such a way that their outputs asymptotically track the output of a prescribed nonlinear exosystem. The problem is solved in two steps. In the first step, the problem of achieving consensus among (identical) nonlinear reference generators is addressed. In this respect, it is shown how the techniques recently developed to solve the consensus problem among linear agents can be extended to agents modeled by nonlinear d-dimensional differential equations, under the assumption that the communication graph is connected. In the second step, the theory of nonlinear output regulation is applied in a decentralized control mode, to force the output of each agent of the network to robustly track the (synchronized) output of a local reference model., Submitted to 52nd IEEE Conference on Decision and Control

Modular multilevel converter (MMC) is an emerging multilevel topology for high-voltage applications that has been developed in recent years. In this paper, the modeling and the control of MMCs are restated in terms of space vectors, which may allow a deeper understanding of the converter behavior. As a result, a control scheme for three-phase MMCs based on the previous theoretical analysis is presented. Numerical simulations are used to test its feasibility. © 2013 IEEE.

The aim of the present study was to verify whether the oral administration of cyanidin 3-O-β-d-glucoside (C3G) might counteract damage induced by chronic exposure (28 d) to ochratoxin A (OTA) in rats and if its effect may be mediated by haeme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Forty male Sprague–Dawley rats, individually caged, were divided into four groups of ten animals. A control group received a commercial diet, group C3G received the control diet supplemented with C3G (1 g/kg feed), group OTA received the control diet supplemented with 200 parts per billion of OTA, and group OTA+C3G received the OTA group diet supplemented with C3G (1 g/kg feed). After 4 weeks of treatment animals were killed and the liver, kidneys and brain of each rat were collected and homogenised to evaluate non-proteic thiol groups (RSH), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels, HO-1 expression and DNA fragmentation. Rats of the OTA group showed a significant (P P P

Nel presente lavoro viene descritto un Sistema di supporto per il controllo di risposte libere a domande d’esame. Il Sistema è stato progettato, sviluppato ed è applicato ad esami di Informatica della Facoltà di Economia per suggerire al docente la valutazione di una sottoprova. L’esaminando scrive liberamente le risposte usando un form specificamente predisposto. Le risposte, dopo un pre-processo per individuare le frequenze di presentazione delle parole, sono sottoposte al Sistema che confronta la risposta dello studente con quella predisposta dal docente in conformità del libro di testo consigliato. Mediante un sistema di pesi ed un’idonea misura di somiglianza applicata nel sottospazio lessicale delle “parole chiave”, si determina il tasso di errore commesso dallo studente. Il Sistema descritto è limitato al dominio applicativo informatico.

In the last years Intelligent Tutoring Systems have been a very successful way for improving learning experience. Many issues must be addressed until this technology can be defined mature. One of the main problems within the Intelligent Tutoring Systems is the process of contents authoring: knowledge acquisition and manipulation process is a difficult task because it requires specialized skills on computer programming and knowledge engineering. In this paper we propose a mechanism based on first order data mining to partially automate the process of knowledge acquisition. The knowledge has to be used in the ITS during the tutoring process for personalized instruction. Such a mechanism can be applied in Constraint Based Tutor and in the Pseudo-Cognitive Tutor.

Con il termine e-Learning si tende a comprendere l’insieme dei contenuti e dei processi che compongono i modelli formativi nei quali la continuativa presenza fisica, in un’aula, di insegnante ed allievi non è un elemento indispensabile per l’apprendimento. Attualmente, la realizzazione di corsi in modalità e-Learning si esplicita essenzialmente nella realizzazione di contenuti strutturati in termini di Learning Object (LO) e nella proposta di modelli formativi che prevedono risorse collaborative, come le comunità virtuali per l’apprendimento e la costruzione di conoscenze, senza però giungere ad una verifica del rapporto esistente, in termini di apprendimento, tra i due elementi in gioco. Partendo da questa precisazione, il contributo presenta un’esperienza in cui un corso universitario è stato offerto agli studenti della Facoltà di Psicologia dell’Università di Bologna (sede di Cesena) attraverso due differenti modalità (blended e full distance). I risultati evidenziano chiari limiti di un approccio basato interamente sui contenuti (Learning Object) e che non contempli forme di interazione fra lo studente, il docente e la comunità di studenti.

Il cibo e la tavola, una rete di contatti (G. Casadei); La cultura alimentare della tradizione mediterranea. Riti della tavola, simboli, i cibi di sussistenza, i cibi della festa (M.L. De Nicolò) Vino, olio formaggi dei territori riminesi (S. Cerni) Perché le sostanze grasse oggi sono impopolari (G. Lercker) Le minestre dimenticate (G. Casadei) Le erbe spontanee (A. Mattoni) I dolci della tradizione (G. Casadei) Interviste ai ristoratori (W. Casadei)

Gluconic acid (GA) derives from the incomplete oxidation of glucose by some Gluconobacter strains. When fed to monogastric animals, GA is poorly absorbed in the small intestine and can reach the lower gut where it is fermented to butyric acid. This study investigated the effect of GA on in vitro growth response and proteolytic state of swine caecal microflora. A diet for pigs (CP 15.8%, DE 15.0 MJ/kg) was predigested in vitro to simulate ileal digestion and later used as the substrate in the in vitro fermentation. Caecal content was collected from 6 pigs, diluted with buffer and used as inoculum. The inoculum was flushed with CO_{2}_ and dispensed into five glass syringes and five vessels per treatment, containing predigested diet. Syringes and vessels were incubated at 39°C for 24 h. There were 6 treatments: control diet, or control diet with GA added at 2,000, 4,000, 6,000, 8,000, and 10,000 ppm. Gas production was measured recording the cumulative volume of gas produced every 30 min. Samples of fermentation fluid were collected from each vessel at time 0, 4, 8 and 24 h for ammonia and at time 24 h for short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) determination. During the 24 h in vitro caecal fermentation, total gas production and maximum rate of gas production were increased by all GA concentrations in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). Ammonia in fermentation liquor was reduced by GA at 2,000 (–26%; P < 0.01) and 4,000 ppm (–17%; P < 0.05) after 4 h and at all concentrations (P < 0.001) after 8 h and 24 h, with the only exception of GA at 2,000 ppm. After 24 h of fermentation, total SCFA, acetic acid, butyric acid, acetic to propionic acid ratio, and acetic + butyric to propionic acid ratio were linearly increased in all GA treatments (P < 0.001).This study showed that GA can positively influence the activity of the swine caecal microflora controlling the proteolysis during the 24 h of fermentation moreover implementing the production of butyric acid which maintains the mucosal health status

Thymol and other botanicals have antimicrobial properties and may become an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. We investigated the effect of thymol on rabbit growth performances. Fourhundredsixteen male weaned rabbits (Grimaud) were divided into 2 groups and received a commercial diet with or without (control) the addition of thymol at 1000 ppm. Rabbits were fed ad libitum until 49 d when animals were slaughtered and intestinal microbial parameters were assessed. Thymol reduced daily feed intake (- 4.9%; P

Fumonisins are mycotoxins found primarily in corn and corn products and are produced by Fusarium verticillioides, F. proliferatum and several other Fusarium species. The toxicity of fumonisin B1 (FB) from culture material with and without activated carbon was evaluated using weaned piglets. Fifty-six weanling pigs were assigned to one of four treatments diets based on weight. The treatment diets were: 1) corn-soybean basal diet with < 2 ppm FB (control), 2) control + activated carbon at 1% of the diet (AC), 3) control + culture material supplying 30 ppm FB (FB), and 4) control + activated carbon at 1% of the diet + culture material supplying 30 ppm FB (AC + FB). A total of 4 replicates of 3 pigs/pen for treatments 3, and 4, and 4 piglets/pen for treatments 1, and 2 were utilized. Feed and water was offered ad libitum for the duration of the experiment (42 days). Compared to pigs fed the control diets (control or AC), pigs receiving FB contaminated diets (FB or AC + FB) had a significantly lower feed efficiency (gain/feed), significantly higher serum concentrations of g-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), cholesterol, free sphinganine, sphingosine-1-phosphate and sphinganine 1-phosphate. Although animals consuming FB diets showed no signs of respiratory distress all pigs consuming either the FB or the AC + FB diets had marked pulmonary edema. Significant lesions were observed in the lungs, heart and liver of pigs fed the FB or AC + FB diets and treatment associated changes were also seen in pancreas, intestines, spleen and lymph nodes. No lesions were observed in brain. In liver, lung, heart, pancreas, spleen, intestines and lymph nodes, the histopathological effects were more severe in the AC + FB group suggesting that the AC treatment worsened the toxic effects of FB. Additionally, immunological parameters of macrophage function (CD14) were significantly affected by the consumption of the FB diets. The consumption of FB diets containing 30 ppm FB1, from cultured material, significantly affected performance, biochemical parameters, and organ pathology in post-weaned piglets. The addition of activated carbon added at 1% of the diet was not effective in protecting, against the detrimental effects of fumonisin consumption