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Food contamination with aflatoxin is one of the most critical concerns of health professionals. One of the best ways to reduce aflatoxin content in food is probiotics. Therefore, this study was performed to isolate Bifidobacterium from the chick's intestine; evaluate its probiotic activities and its application with Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to reduce aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in the medium were investigated. Samples were isolated from the chick's intestine, and Bifidobacterium was isolated and identified by biochemical and molecular methods. Next, the potential probiotic characterization was assessed. Afterwards, the effect of selected isolate and PVP on reducing AFB1 in the medium was studied using ELISA and HPLC. Biochemical and molecular evaluations indicated isolation of Bifidobacterium bifidum strain from chick's intestine. One of the B. bifidum strains was selected for the next steps, which showed potential probiotic characterization and the ability to reduce the concentration of AFB1 in the medium (50% reduction). When used in combination with PVP showed synergistic effects in reducing the concentration of AFB1 from the medium (up to 90%). In the conclusion, it was found that selected B. bifidum strains and PVP could have synergistic effects in reducing AFB1 toxin in a medium up to 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Gelatin, presently a waste material from animal tissues and bones, may be suitable as a partial dietary replacement for soybean meal. In combination with protease, it may enhance growth performances of broiler chickens. However, limitations when introducing gelatin, are its unusual amino acid profile and digesta viscosity. Aim: An experiment was conducted to elucidate effects on growth performance, blood biochemistry, carcass and meat characteristics, and feed costs of partial replacement of soybean meal with gelatin and protease in broilers diets. Methods: The experimental design was a factorial arrangement of two levels of mono-component protease (0 and 200 g/t diet) and four levels of gelatin (0%, 2.82%, 4.23% and 5.64% of the diet) with six replicates and 15 male broiler chickens in each pen. Key results: The higher levels of gelatin inclusion decreased bodyweight and increased feed conversion ratio (P < 0.001), whereas addition of enzyme improved both parameters (P < 0.001). Higher gelatin inclusion levels decreased abdominal fat, and enzyme addition resulted in greater carcass yield (P < 0.001). European performance efficiency factor reduced with incremental gelatin levels but increased with enzyme inclusion (P < 0.001). Feed cost per bird was reduced at higher gelatin inclusion levels, more so in the protease-treated diets up to 4.23% inclusion level. Lipid peroxidation values for breast and thigh meat decreased significantly with gelatin inclusion in the absence of protease but increased in the presence of protease. Breast and thigh lipid peroxidation was reduced (P < 0.001) by supplementation of protease in the control diet. Conclusions: The results suggest that the performance-depressing effects of gelatin can be overcome to some extent by inclusion of a protease. Implications: The use of gelatin may reduce dependence on soybean meal and reduce costs by using what is at present a waste material. Consideration is needed of the digestible amino acid profile of gelatin, and choice of more effective enzymes to reduce deleterious effects of gelatin. Effects were investigated of using gelatin as a partial protein source with protease in broilers diets. Gelatin at higher inclusion levels decreased performance; however, protease supplementation reduced these losses to some extent. Considerations when introducing gelatin is the unusual amino acid profile, which may be further reduced by choice of more effective enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological procedure used to determine the nitrogen-corrected True Metabolizable Energy (TMEn) value of feed ingredient is costly and time consuming. Therefore, it is necessary to find an alternative method to accurately estimate the TMEn content. In this study, 2 methods of Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) were developed to describe the TMEn (Kcal kg-1 DM) value on a Dry Matter (DM) basis of Wheat Bran (WB) samples given their chemical composition of Ether Extract (EE), ash, Crude Protein (CP) and Crude Fiber (CF) contents (all used as % of DM). A data set containing 100 WB samples were used to determine chemical composition and TMEn. Accuracy and precision of the developed models were evaluated given their produced prediction values. The results revealed that the developed ANN model [R²= 0.90; Root Mean Square Error (RMSE)= 64.07 Kcal kg-1 DM for training set; and R²= 0.89; RMSE= 82.69 Kcal kg-1 DM for testing set] produced relatively better prediction values of TMEn in WB than those produced by conventional MLR [R²= 0.81; RMSE= 86.76 Kcal kg-1 DM for training set; and R²= 0.84; RMSE= 86.61 Kcal kg-1 DM for testing set]. The developed ANN model may be considered as a promising tool for modeling the relationship between chemical composition and energy of WB samples. To provide the users with an easy and rapid tool, an Excel® calculator, namely, ANN_WB_ME_Poultry, was created to predict the TMEn values in WB sample given its chemical composition and using the developed ANN model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to examine the effects of a trace mineral premix (MP) reduction or withdrawal from finisher diet (29-42 d) on performance, meat lipid oxidation, and immune system of chicks fed wheat- or barley-based diet. The diets were formulated based on wheat and barley for seven treatments and five replicates of each treatment. At 29 and 36 d, 4 birds from each replicate were injected with sheep red blood cells. The cell-mediated immunity was determined via phytohemagglutinin and dinitrochlorobenzene at 34 and 42 d of age. At 35 and 42 d of age, the oxidative stability was evaluated by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances on the thigh samples that were stored for 180 days at −20˚C. The reduction or withdrawal of MP from diets did not affect the performance or the immune system. Results of TBARS showed that lipid peroxidation of the treatment without MP was significantly higher than of the other treatments when slaughtered at 42 days of age. Finally, the results of this study demonstrated that it is not possible to remove the MP in finisher broilers' diets without negative effects on meat quality during the time of freezing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of dietary fibre (DF) as wheat bran (WB), barley bran (BB), or soybean hulls (SH) were determined in broiler chickens. An in vitro study was also conducted to evaluate the Fe, Mg, Ca, Cu, and Zn-binding capacity of WB, BB, or SH. The broiler chickens (240 one-day-old male Ross 308) were divided into a control (C), and three treatment diets containing 30.0 g/kg of WB, BB, or SH as completely randomised design with 6 replicate and 10 broiler chickens per cage. The binding capacity was = 10% for Fe, Cu, Zn, and Ca, except Ca for SH (17.9%), and approximately 12.0 to 19.0% for Mg (P< 0.05). The broiler chickens fed the WB diet had greater average daily gain from d 0 to 14, average daily feed intake from d 0 to 14 and 0 to 21 compared with those fed the C diet (P< 0.05). At d 21, the apparent ileal digestibility of Mg was greater in broiler chickens fed the BB diet than in those fed the other diets (P< 0.05). The jejunal RNA content increased and protein/RNA ratio decreased in broiler chickens fed the DF diets compared to those fed the C diet (P< 0.05). Villi height and villi index decreased in broiler chickens fed the WB, BB, or SH diets compared with those fed the C diet (P< 0.05). The broiler chickens fed the BB or SH diets had lower tibia Ca content than those fed the C diet (P< 0.05). Although in vitro mineral binding capacity of DF sources was low, the mineral digestibility and tibia accumulation were based on type of DF. The jejunal mucosal cells tended to increase in cell efficiency (RNA/DNA ratio) and have reduced villi index. However, the inclusion of WB in broiler chicken diet increased average daily feed intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out to compare the effects of laying hen's diet supplemented with inorganic and different organic sources of selenium (Se) on quality and oxidative stability of eggs during storage. A total of 81, (35-week old) laying hens of Lohmann LSL-White were assigned to cages in a completely randomized design with 9 groups of treatment and 3 replicates of 3 birds. Hens in each group were fed their corresponded diet included the basal diet supplemented with sodium selenite, Se-enriched yeast, Cytoplexselenium and Selenomax at two different levels of 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg, or 200 mg/kg vitamin E. To prevent brand judgment challenge, A, B and C letters were applied for different organic source of Se. After 56 days of feeding experimental diets, eggs were collected from the hens to analysis. Egg weight loss during storage at 4 °C was lower (P<0.05) in the group fed 0.3 mg of B source Se/kg of feed. Vitamin E and Se supplemented groups had lower malondialdehyde values than those from the non-supplemented (P<0.01). The C Source of organic Se resulted in lower malondialdehyde compared with the other sources of Se or control. The supplementation of Se in diet increased (P<0.01) yolk Se concentration, with the effect being more significant by C source of Se. Selenium and vitamin E supplementation decreased serum and yolk cholesterol content (P<0.01). The results demonstrate the better efficacy of the C source of organic Se to increase Se deposition in egg and improved egg quality compared with the other sources of Se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three hundred and twenty day-old chicks were assigned to four experimental treatments of positive control (standard diets with recommended levels of calcium and phosphorus), negative control (diets containing calcium and phosphorus at the 50% of recommended levels), Negative control plus in ovo injection of 1α-OHD3 (50 ng/egg 1α-OHD3 on day 18 of incubation), and negative control plus feeding of 1α-OHD3 (5 µg/kg of diet). Four replications assigned for each treatment with 20 birds per each. Diets consisted of a starter phase from 0 to 14 days and a grower phase from 15 to 28 days. At 28 days, feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined. Two birds per pen were killed to evaluate the carcass and tibia traits. No differences in FI, FCR, carcass traits, tibia weight and length, ash, Ca, P and Seedor index were observed at 28 days of age. Supplementation of dietary 1α-OHD3 significantly increased BWG in compare to negative control. Between treatments, negative control had lowest breaking strength. The current study indicated that supplementation of dietary 5 µg/kg of 1α-OHD3 may improve performance and tibia strength of broilers fed low-calcium and low-phosphorus diets. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of this study was to assess the importance of strain and sex and their interaction effect on broiler chickens' performance and susceptibility to ascites. Chicks from three strains (Ross 308, Cobb 500 and Arian, labeled as A, B and C respectively) were obtained from the same age breeder and sexed when one-day-old. Each crosses' sex was assigned to four pens of 60 broilers each. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and ascites mortality were determined. At the age of 28 and 49 d haematocrit values, arterial pressure index (API = right ventricular/total ventricular weight ratio), the values of plasma thyroid hormone concentration (thyroxin, T4 and triiodothyronine, T3) and metabolic lung weight (lung weight/body weight(0.75)) were determined. Strain B had the highest BWG but an equal incidence of ascites as strain A, which had low BWG and ascites mortality. Ascites mortality was not correlated with BWG and FCR. A significant strain interaction by sex on feed conversion (P<0.01) and final weight (P<0.05) was found. The sex effect was significant only in strain C on feed conversion and final weight. Strains B and C had lower thyroid hormones and reduced metabolic lung weights compared with strain A. The sex effect was not significant on the parameters associated with ascites syndrome and its incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the effect of feed restriction methods on compensatory growth of broiler chickens. Food intake; Body weight; Feed conversion; Carcass characteristics.

Food contamination with aflatoxin is one of the most critical concerns of health professionals. One of the best ways to reduce aflatoxin content in food is probiotics. Therefore, this study was performed to isolate Bifidobacterium from the chick's intestine; evaluate its probiotic activities and its application with Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to reduce aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in the medium were investigated. Samples were isolated from the chick's intestine, and Bifidobacterium was isolated and identified by biochemical and molecular methods. Next, the potential probiotic characterization was assessed. Afterwards, the effect of selected isolate and PVP on reducing AFB1 in the medium was studied using ELISA and HPLC. Biochemical and molecular evaluations indicated isolation of Bifidobacterium bifidum strain from chick's intestine. One of the B. bifidum strains was selected for the next steps, which showed potential probiotic characterization and the ability to reduce the concentration of AFB1 in the medium (50% reduction). When used in combination with PVP showed synergistic effects in reducing the concentration of AFB1 from the medium (up to 90%). In the conclusion, it was found that selected B. bifidum strains and PVP could have synergistic effects in reducing AFB1 toxin in a medium up to 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is a sporadic autoimmune disorder of the brain that presents in a variety of neuropsychiatric manifestations, including seizures, psychosis, and alterations in behavior. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor is primarily seen in young females. Although this disease can be treated, it can relapse in rare cases. Relapsing typically occurs within the early years following the initial episode and is exceedingly rare after 5 years., Case Presentation: In this case study, we report on a 16-year-old Iranian female experiencing a relapse of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis 8 years after her initial diagnosis. She was admitted to the hospital with dysphasia (a speech disorder) and dyslexia (reading and writing impairment). A thorough clinical evaluation revealed the presence of anti-glutamate receptor type N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies in her serum and cerebrospinal fluid, confirming the diagnosis. Following treatment with immunotherapy and plasmapheresis, she made a complete recovery., Conclusion: This case of relapsing anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, occurring more than 5 years after the initial episode, is exceptionally rare. This late relapse underscores the importance of long-term follow-up for patients with this condition., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (which does not require an ethical registration code for reporting individual cases) gave ethical approval for this case’s reporting. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient and her family members to publish this case report and accompanying images, and their identities have been kept confidential to protect their privacy. Consent for publication: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient’s legal guardian for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal. Competing interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Three medications have been approved for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatment. No head-to-head clinical trials have directly compared the efficacy of nusinersen and risdiplam. We compare the efficacy of them in Type 2 and 3 SMA patients, with 6 months of follow-up., Methods: A multicenter cohort study was conducted. Demographic, genetic and clinical findings containing Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE) and revised upper limb module (RULM) scales were gathered. An increase of at least 3 points in HFMSE and RULM scores was considered a positive response., Results: 73 (58.4%) children received risdiplam, and 52 (41.6%) received nusinersen non-randomly, based on clinical decision. The difference in HFMSE and RULM scores compared to the baseline was significant in both groups (P-value <0.001). However, there was no significant difference between mean difference changes in HFMSE and RULM scores between the two groups. 80.4% of patients in the risdiplam group and 72% in the nusinersen group achieved the 3-point cutoff after 6 months, and there is no significant difference between the two groups (P-Value:0.33)., Conclusions: This study showed that both medications significantly changed the HFSME and RULM after 3 and 6 months of follow-up. However, there was no significant difference between the two drugs according to the HFSME.