Expression of nutrient transporter genes in response to dietary rice gluten meal and protease enzyme supplementation and the consequent effects on growth, nutrient digestibility, immunity and jejunum histomorphometry in chicken

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding rice gluten meal (RGM) as an alternative protein source along with protease enzyme supplementation on growth performance, expression of nutrient transporter genes, nutrient digestibility, immune response and gut histomorphometry of broiler chicken. Proximate analysis of RGM revealed 923 g dry matter (DM), 500 g crude protein (CP), 69.2 g ether extract, 94.7 g crude fiber, 215.4 g nitrogen-free extract, 43.7 g ash, 6.20 g calcium, 7.80 g total phosphorus, 18.99 MJ gross energy and 12.68 MJ metabolizable energy per kg diet. Significant upregulation of nutrient transporter genes (PepT1, EAAT3 and mucin) and better growth performance was observed in the birds fed control diet which was statistically similar to the birds fed 150 g RGM compared to birds fed higher RGM levels. Histomorphometry of jejunum, nutrient digestibility, and immune response of birds did not reveal any significant effect of RGM or protease enzyme supplementation. However, the inclusion of RGM up to 150 g/kg diet resulted in significant decline of feed cost/kg live weight gain, dressed meat yield and eviscerated meat yield by 13.13%, 12.99% and 13.36%, respectively compared to control. Thus, it was concluded that the inclusion of 150 g RGM/kg diet in broiler chicken ration has no adverse effects on the growth pattern of birds and can be used for least-cost feed formulation for chicken.

Performance enhancing, immunomodulatory, anti-hyperlipidaemic, and antimicrobial properties of bael (Aegle marmelos) leaf powder in broiler chicken

This study investigated the effects of bael leaf powder (BLP) on growth performance, immunity, serum biochemistry, and caecal microbiology of broiler chickens. Following completely randomised design, a total of 288-day-old CARIBRO-Vishal broiler chickens were randomly divided into six treatment groups consisting of experimental diets formulated as follows - T1 (basal diet), T2 (basal diet + 250 mg bacitracin methylene disalicylate-BMD/kg diet), T3 (basal diet + 5 g BLP/kg diet) T4 (basal diet + 10 g BLP/kg diet), T5 (basal diet + 15 g BLP/kg diet), and T6 (basal diet + 20 g BLP/kg diet). Proximate analysis of green bael leaves revealed 65.6% moisture and on dry matter basis, BLP contained 14.31% protein, 1.89% fat, 16.30% crude fibre, 4.25% calcium, and 2.08% phosphorous. This study revealed no adverse effects of BLP supplementation on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. The BLP supplementation at 20 g/kg diet resulted in higher relative weights of bursa and thymus with better cell mediated (higher foot web index) and humoral immune (higher antibody titre against sheep RBCs) responses in broiler chicken. Lower abdominal fat deposition was observed in broiler chicken fed 20 g BLP/kg diet. Significantly lower serum uric acid, creatinine, AST, and ALT were observed in BLP supplemented chicken which indicates nephro-protective and hepato-protective functions of BLP. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and tissue cholesterol content of broiler chicken decreased progressively with increasing dietary BLP levels. The supplementation of 20 g BLP/kg diet resulted in lower E. coli and Coliform counts, whereas, increasing trend was observed in Lactobacillus count in caecum of broiler chicken. In conclusion, the BLP supplementation at 20 g/kg diet exerted immunomodulatory, anti-hyperlipidaemic, and antibacterial effects in broiler chicken without any adverse effects on the growth performance.

Irreversibility effects in peristaltic transport of hybrid nanomaterial in the presence of heat absorption

The nano heat transport has gained much significance in recent era. The micro-level devices are enganged succssfully in diverse fields like electronics, biomedical, navel structures, manufacturing, transportation, and automotive industries in order to improve the heat transfer for cooling and heating. Owing to this fact, the current article illustrates the features of irreversibility and thermal jump in peristaltic transport of hybrid nanoliquid. Here, water is used as base liquid while nanoparticles include polystyrene and graphene oxide. The flow is carried out in a non-uniform channel where the walls of channel flexible nature. Additionally, magnetic field impacts on flow and Joule heating analysis are examined. The aspect featuring heat absorption is introduced. Nanoparticle's shapes effect is also incorporated in flow analysis. Under the consideration of small Rynold number and long wavelength, the relevent equations are reduced by implementing non-dimensional variables. Involved pertinent parameters influence the peristaltic flow characteristics are displayed graphically and discussed concisely. The result indicates that temperature curves are dominant for pure water as compared to P/water nanofluid and P-GO/water hybrid nanofluid. Moreover, the convergent channel shows least entropy effects and extreme effects are noted for divergent case whereas uniform channel stays behind the divergent one.

Hepatic transcriptome analysis reveals altered lipid metabolism and consequent health indices in chicken supplemented with dietary Bifidobacterium bifidum and mannan-oligosaccharides

This study investigated the role of dietary prebiotic mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), and probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum (BFD) in lipid metabolism, deposition, and consequent health indices in broiler chicken. The supplementation of 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed resulted in downregulation of Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, sterolregulatory element binding protein-1, and apolipoprotein B100; and up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α AMP-activated protein kinase α-1, and stearoyl CoA (∆9) desaturase-1 hepatic expression in broiler chicken. The birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed depicted lower body fat percentage, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and saturated fatty acid contents, whereas, higher palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, and MUFA contents were observed. The ∆9-desaturase indices of chicken meat have shown higher values; and elongase index (only thigh) and thioesterase index have shown lower values in birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed. The meat health indices such as Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)/Saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio, Mono-saturated fatty acids (MUFA)/SFA ratio, unsaturated fatty acids (UFA)/SFA ratio, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio, saturation index, atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, and hypercholesterolemic fatty acid content were positively improved in birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed. Similarly, the birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed have shown lower serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels along with higher high density levels and improved serum health indices cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient, and, atherogenic index of plasma.

Dietary Lactobacillus acidophilus and Mannan-Oligosaccharides Alter the Lipid Metabolism and Health Indices in Broiler Chickens

The effects of dietary Lactobacillus acidophilus (LBA) and mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation on lipid metabolism and consequent lipid profile and health indices in broiler chicken were investigated in this study. Supplementation of 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ LBA/g feed in broiler chicken downregulated hepatic expression of genes involved in lipogenesis, and upregulated expression of lipolytic genes. It caused decline of lipogenesis and increase of lipid oxidation which resulted in lower carcass fat content. None of the genes studied influenced fatty acid profile of chicken meat except the expression of stearoyl CoA (Δ9) desaturase-1 (SCD-1) whose upregulation increased monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content at the cost of saturated fatty acid (SFA) content. The lipid metabolism indices of chicken meat such as ∆9 desaturase index (DI) increased in birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU LBA/g feed, whereas no effect was observed on ∆5 + ∆6 DI. The supplementation of 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU LBA/g feed in birds improved the health indices of chicken meat due to upregulation of SCD-1 expression. The supplementation of 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU LBA/g feed in broiler chicken produced hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic effects with improved serum cardio-protective indices.

Challenges and prospects of COVID-19 vaccine development based on the progress made in SARS and MERS vaccine development

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) as a pandemic has shaken the global health system and economy by their roots. This epidemic is still spreading and showing no signs of decreasing trend. Vaccination could be the only effective and economical means to control this pandemic. A number of research institutions and pharmaceutical companies have plunged into the race of vaccine development against COVID‐19 which are in various stages of development. An intriguing fact of coronavirus infections is that in every decade of the 21st century there is a new major coronavirus epidemic, namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012, and now COVID‐19; and such epidemics are expected in future too. Since most of the biological characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) are still obscure, the scientists are relying on the information available on SARS‐CoV and to some extent on MERS‐CoV for designing and developing COVID‐19 vaccines. But there is a need of vigorous testing for immunogenicity, safety, efficacy, and level of protection conferred in the hosts. This review focuses on the challenges and prospects of vaccine development against COVID‐19. It highlights seriousness, bottlenecks in vaccine development, possible vaccine candidates, different vaccine strategies, safety evaluation issues, and vaccine production processes pertaining to COVID‐19 based on the knowledge acquired on SARS and MERS vaccine development in the past.

Dietary Mannan-oligosaccharides potentiate the beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum in broiler chicken

This study investigated the effects of dietary Bifidobacterium bifidum (BFD) and mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS), as a synbiotic, on the production performance, gut microbiology, serum biochemistry, antioxidant profile and health indices of broiler chicken. Six dietary treatments were T1 (negative control), T2 (positive control-20 mg antibiotic BMD kg^-1 diet; BMD: bacitracin methylene disalicylate), T3 (0·1% MOS + 10⁶  CFU BFD per g feed), T4 (0·1% MOS + 10⁷  CFU BFD per g feed), T5 (0·2% MOS + 10⁶  CFU BFD per g feed) and T6 (0·2% MOS + 10⁷  CFU BFD per g feed). Significantly (P < 0·01) better growth performance and efficiency was observed in birds supplemented with 0·2% MOS along with 10⁶  CFU BFD per g of feed compared to BMD and control birds. Supplementation with 0·2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷  CFU BFD per g feed reduced (P < 0·01) the gut coliform, Escherichia coli, total plate count, and Clostridium perfringens count and increased the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium count. Significantly (P < 0·01) higher serum and liver antioxidant enzyme pool, serum HDL cholesterol and lower serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient and atherogenic index of plasma were observed in birds supplemented with 0·2% MOS along with 10⁶  CFU BFD per g of feed compared to control or BMD supplemented birds. Better production performance, gut microbial composition, serum biochemistry, antioxidant profile and health indices were depicted by broiler chicken supplemented with 0·2% MOS and 10⁶  CFU BFD per g of feed.

Dietary synbiotic supplementation improves the growth performance, body antioxidant pool, serum biochemistry, meat quality, and lipid oxidative stability in broiler chickens

The present study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LBA) and mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) supplementation on the production performance, serum biochemistry, antioxidant profile, health indices, meat quality, and lipid oxidative stability of broiler chicken. A total of 252 commercial broiler chickens at 1 d old of uniform body weight were randomly allocated to 6 maize-soybean-based dietary treatments: T₁ (control diet), T₂ ( antibiotic bacitracin methylene di-salicylate [BMD] at 20 mg/kg diet), T₃ (MOS at 0.1% + LBA at 10⁶ CFU/g feed), T₄ (MOS at 0.1% + LBA at 10⁷ CFU/g feed), T₅ (MOS at 0.2% + LBA at 10⁶ CFU/g feed), and T₆ (MOS at 0.2% + LBA at 10⁷ CFU/g feed). Each treatment was assigned to 6 replicates of 7 birds. The samples for meat quality and serum biochemistry analysis were taken from 12 birds per treatment (2 birds/replicate). The results revealed better (P < 0.01) growth performance and production efficiency of birds fed either T₅ or T₆ diet compared to control or BMD supplemented diet and BMD-supplemented birds superseded the control birds. Higher (P < 0.01) serum and liver antioxidant enzyme activities, meat antioxidant capacity (2, 2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid [ABTS] and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] assays], serum total protein, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol (P < 0.05), and globulin levels (P < 0.01) were observed in birds fed either T₅ or T₆ diet compared to control or BMD supplemented birds, whereas, lower lipid oxidation (P < 0.01), cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient, atherogenic index of plasma, serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol levels (P < 0.01), and serum albumin-to-globulin ratio (P < 0.05) were observed in the chickens. The pH of meat from birds fed T₄, T₅ or T₆ diet was lower (P < 0.01) compared to control and other treatments. The extract release volume (ERV), water holding capacity (WHC), and protein content of meat were higher (P < 0.05) in birds fed either T₅ or T₆ diet compared to control or BMD supplemented birds. Thus, it was concluded that the supplementation of 0.2% MOS along with LBA at 10⁶ CFU/g is optimum for better growth performance, serum biochemistry, antioxidant profile, health indices, meat quality, and lipid oxidative stability of broiler chickens.

Dynamics of gene expression of hormones involved in the growth of broiler chickens in response to the dietary protein and energy changes

The synergy between the genetic potential and the nutrient intake determines the growth performance of meat-type chicken and nutrigenomics approach helps us understand the response of candidate genes of growth in chicken to dietary manipulations. The current study aimed to assess the growth performance and expression of hepatic growth related genes in the naked neck broiler chicken in response to different dietary energy and protein levels with a hypothesis that high plane of nutrition enhances both of these positively. The results revealed that birds have shown significantly better growth performance under high protein (HP) and high energy (HE) dietary regime. The expression profiles of the genes studied revealed upregulation of IGF-1, IGF-2, and GH under dietary HP and HE regime relative to other protein and energy levels with greater upregulation at 3rd week than the 1st and 5th week of age of birds. The IGFR and GHR mRNA expression was significantly higher under HP and HE dietary regimen with an increasing and decreasing trend from 1st to 5th week of age, respectively. A consistent and significant downregulation of IGFBP-2 was observed under HP and HE regime throughout the feeding trial. The myostatin expression was higher at 3rd week of age followed by 1st week expression. The HP and HE as well as LP (Low protein) and HE diet resulted in significant upregulation of myostatin gene expression in liver. In support to the set hypothesis of this study the high protein and high energy diet resulted in better growth performance of broiler chickens with corresponding upregulation of IGF-1, IGF-2, IGFR, GH, GHR, and Myostatin gene expression and downregulation of IGFBP-2 in liver.

Comparative study on the responses of broiler chicken to hot and humid environment supplemented with different dietary levels and sources of selenium

Present study was carried out with the objective of investigating the role of green synthesized nano Se (GNS) in growth performance, digestibility of minerals, immunity, stress alleviation, antioxidant status, and body Se content of broiler chicken raised under hot and humid environment with respect to market nano Se (MNS) and inorganic Se. The experimental design was 3 × 3 factorial, in which three levels (0.15, 0.20, and 0.25 ppm) and three sources (inorganic, green nano, and market nano) of Se resulted in nine treatments viz. IS-0.15, GNS-0.15, MNS-0.15, IZ-0.20, GNS-0.20, MNS-0.20, IS-0.25, GNS-0.25, and MNS-0.25 (IS: inorganic Se, GNS: green nano Se, MNS: market nano Se). A total of 432 broiler chicken were divided among nine treatments with six replicates of birds per treatment (8 birds/replicate). Results of present study revealed significantly better growth performance of birds supplemented with 0.25 ppm nano Se. The supplementation of 0.25 ppm nano Se improved the immune response and lymphoid organ development of birds. Significantly higher Se and nitrogen digestibility coefficients, serum antioxidant activity and decline of Heterophil: Lymphocyte ratio and expression of HSP70 gene were observed in birds supplemented with 0.25 ppm Se and nano source of Se compared to inorganic Se. Significantly higher Se concentration in liver and breast muscle and higher serum Se concentration were observed in birds fed 0.25 ppm nano Se. The liver Se concentration was much higher than that of breast muscle. However, the nano Se synthesized by green method in this study did not differ significantly from the chemically synthesized nano Se. It was concluded that 0.25 ppm Se and nano form of Se are superior to lower levels and inorganic form of Se, respectively, in improving the immunity, growth, antioxidant status, and in stress alleviation of broiler chicken. However, GNS is equally efficient as chemically synthesized MNS.

Feeding value of rice distiller's dried grains with solubles as protein supplement in diet of laying hens

A feeding trial of 10 weeks duration was undertaken on laying hens (n = 240) to evaluate feeding value of rice distiller's dried grains with soluble (rDDGS) with or without enzyme supplementation (α-amylase, β-glucanase, xylanase, carboxymethylcellulase, pectinase, proteinase, α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, lipase, and phytase), following 4 × 2 factorial design, on egg production, nutrient utilization, and cost economics of egg production. The birds were randomly assigned to eight dietary treatments with 30 birds/treatment. The birds were housed individually in layer cages and each bird was taken as an experimental unit. Eight experimental diets were prepared by incorporating four levels (0, 50, 75, and 100 g/kg) of rDDGS with and without enzyme supplementation. The results revealed a significant (P < 0.01) increase of egg mass, feed intake, egg production, and body weight gain in dietary treatments with up to 75 g rDDGS though the values were statistically similar to the hens fed 100 g rDDGS. Enzyme supplementation resulted in significant (P < 0.01) improvement of egg mass, egg production, feed conversion ratio (FCR) per dozen eggs, FCR per kilogramme egg mass, and net FCR. The significantly (P < 0.01) higher yolk index was observed at 100 g rDDGS level, while shell thickness improved significantly (P < 0.01) up to 75 g rDDGS level. No significant effect of rDDGS inclusion was observed on shape index, albumin index, and Haugh unit. Enzyme supplementation significantly improved the shell thickness and yolk colour of eggs. Nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus retention and dry matter metabolizability did not show any significant treatment effects. There was significant (P < 0.01) reduction in feed-cost per kilogramme egg mass or per dozen eggs with the increased DDGS levels and dietary enzyme supplementation. It was concluded that rDDGS can be used up to 100 g/kg diet of laying hens along with enzyme supplementation for better productivity of layer hens.

Effect of dietary saponin rich soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder on growth performance, immunity, serum biochemistry and gut health of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder (SSP), a cheap source of saponins, on growth performance, immunity, serum biochemistry and gut health of broiler chickens. The experimental design was 4×2, employing four saponin levels (0, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg diet), each provided for two time durations (0-42 day and 21-42 day) resulting into eight dietary treatments. Results revealed no significant effect of dietary saponins on body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of birds. The abdominal fat percentage, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, faecal total plate count, coliform count and E. coli count decreased (p < .05) progressively with increasing saponin levels and lower values were observed at 150 mg and 200 mg saponin levels. Significant improvement of cell-mediated and humoral immune response was observed in birds fed 150 mg and 200 mg saponin compared to control. The serum glucose concentration was significantly (p < .05) higher in control group compared to other groups. No significant effects of dietary saponin were observed on carcass characteristics, faecal Lactobacillus count, intestinal histomorphometry and cost economics of broiler chicken production. Thus, dietary saponins at 150 mg/kg diet as SSP for three weeks (21-42 days) was optimum for better immunity and welfare of birds without adverse effects on the growth performance.

Dietary flaxseed and turmeric is a novel strategy to enrich chicken meat with long chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with better oxidative stability and functional properties

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effects of feeding flaxseed meal (FSM) and turmeric rhizome powder (TRP) supplementation on tissue lipid profile, lipid metabolism, health indices, oxidative stability, and physical properties of broiler chicken meat. The 100 g FSM along with 10.0 g TRP supplementation significantly increased the ω-3 PUFA, particularly ALA, EPA, DPA, and DHA of broiler chicken meat due to the corresponding increase ∆⁹ and Δ⁵ + Δ⁶ desaturase activities. The increased activities of the desaturases resulted in significantly better health indices of the broiler chicken meat. The feeding of 100 g FSM along with 10.0 g TRP supplementation reduced the atherogenic and thrombogenic indices of broiler chicken meat. The 100 g FSM feeding reduced the oxidative stability, water holding capacity, extract release volume of broiler chicken meat and increased drip loss, whereas, 10.0 g TRP supplementation reversed these negative effects of FSM.

Production performance, immune response and blood biochemical parameters in broiler chickens fed diet incorporated with prebiotics

This experiment was conducted to identify the suitable replacer of broiler feed antibiotics with prebiotics (mannan oligosaccharides-MOS or fructooligosaccharide-FOS). Two hundred and forty (240)-day-old chicks were randomly divided into 30 groups (6 treatments x 5 replicates/treatment x 8 chicks/replicate). Six experimental diets T₁ , T₂ , T₃ , T₄ , T₅ and T₆ were formulated to contain an additional 0, antibiotic, that is, bacitracin methylene di-salicylate (BMD) @20 mg/kg, MOS (0.1% and 0.2%) and FOS (0.1% and 0.2%) respectively. Body weight gain was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in MOS-0.2% supplemented group at 0-21 d and 0-42 d of broiler chicken. Humoral and in vivo cell-mediated immune response were significantly improved (p < 0.05) in BMD, MOS @0.1% or 0.2% treated group. Significant (p < 0.05) increase was recorded in total protein (except 21 d), albumin and aspartate amino transferase (AST) and decrease (p < 0.05) in alanine amino transferase (except 42 d), cholesterol and uric acid concentration. The weight of breast, thigh, back, drumstick bursa of Fabricius and thymus were higher (p < 0.05) in the birds given the MOS @0.2% (T₄ ). It is concluded that MOS @0.2% may be suitable replacer of antibiotic growth promoter, and it has a beneficial effect on production performance, immune responses, blood biochemical parameters and cut up parts in broiler chickens.

Dynamics of antibiotic resistance with special reference to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections

The discovery of antibiotics was paralleled by the evolution of antibiotic resistance which is probably the best example of contemporary evolution in action. The selection pressure, imposed by indiscriminate use of antibiotics, has changed the scale, mode and tempo of antibiotic resistance evolution. The presence of multidrug resistance, wide range of adaptability features and the infectivity make antibiotic resistance of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) more dangerous. The characterization, prevalence and the virulence factors of STEC have been profusely reported, whereas, the antibiotic resistance has been largely ignored because the antibiotic use in STEC infections is controversial. Thus, the current review has focussed on the source, evolution, persistence, mechanism, dissemination and control of antibiotic resistance viz-a-viz the STEC infections. The resistance development occurs by the inactivation of antibiotics, regulating the membrane permeability, modification of natural antibiotic targets or the use of efflux pumps against antibiotics. And, the dissemination of resistance genes occurs vertically by DNA replication and horizontally by conjugation, transduction and transformation. The prevention of development and dissemination of antibiotic resistance needs international public health bodies to rationalize the antibiotic use, prevent the flux of antibiotics into the environment, develop the rapid diagnostics tests, undertake proper surveillance of antibiotic resistance, promote the research on antibiotic resistance prevention, promote the research and development of novel alternative antibiotics, and encourage the widespread social awareness campaigns against the inappropriate antibiotic usage.

Impact of feeding chromium supplemented flaxseed based diet on fatty acid profile, oxidative stability and other functional properties of broiler chicken meat

A total of 240 broiler chicken of same hatch with uniform weight were used in a biological experiment with completely randomized design to investigate the effects of incorporating organic chromium (Cr) in flaxseed meal based diet on the fatty acid profile, oxidative stability and functional properties of broiler chicken meat. Five diets were formulated as per the recommendations of BIS (Nutrient requirements for poultry 13: 9863, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, 1992) in which flaxseed meal was used to replace 10% of soyabean in basal diet and four levels of Cr (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg diet) as Cr-picolinate were used. The results revealed that flaxseed feeding significantly increased the percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, including MUFA, PUFA, ω-3, ω-6 fatty acids and ω-3:ω-6 and PUFA:SFA ratios, whereas, significant decline was seen in saturated fatty acids and no effect of Cr was observed on the fatty acid profile of broiler chicken. Flaxseed feeding significantly reduced the cholesterol and fat percentage of meat, whereas, significant progressive reduction was observed with increasing Cr levels. The combination of 10% flaxseed with 1.0 mg Cr/kg diet increased the final pH of broiler meat. The addition of flaxseed significantly reduced water holding capacity, extract release volume and antioxidant potential of broiler meat, whereas, increasing Cr supplementation progressively increased them. Flaxseed feeding significantly increased the drip loss and lipid peroxidation of broiler meat, whereas, Cr supplementation decreased them. It was concluded that inclusion of 10% flaxseed and 1.5 mg Cr/kg diet results in desirable fatty acid profile, oxidative stability and functional properties of broiler chicken meat.

Determinants of broiler chicken meat quality and factors affecting them: a review

Broiler production at mass level has already been achieved and now emphasis is being laid on increasing meat quality by altering various characteristics of broiler meat. Appearance, texture, juiciness, wateriness, firmness, tenderness, odor and flavor are the most important and perceptible meat features that influence the initial and final quality judgment by consumers before and after purchasing a meat product. The quantifiable properties of meat such as water holding capacity, shear force, drip loss, cook loss, pH, shelf life, collagen content, protein solubility, cohesiveness, and fat binding capacity are indispensable for processors involved in the manufacture of value added meat products. Nutrition of birds has a significant impact on poultry meat quality and safety. It is well known that dietary fatty acid profiles are reflected in tissue fatty acid. Management of poultry meat production is reflected mostly on consumption features (juiciness, tenderness, flavour) of meat. After slaughter, biochemical changes, causing the conversion of muscle to meat, determine final meat quality. Postmortem carcass temperature has profound effect on rigor mortis and the physicochemical changes observed in PSE muscles are attributed to postmortem glycolysis, temperature, and pH. Primary processing and further processing have become a matter of concern with respect to nutritional quality of broiler meat. Genetic variation among birds could contribute to large differences in the rate of rigor mortis completion and meat quality. Heritability estimates for meat quality traits in broilers are amazingly high (0.35-0.81), making genetic selection a best tool for improvement of broiler meat quality.

Inspirational people and care for the deprived: medical missionaries in Kashmir

Lieutenant Robert Thorpe, a soldier in the British Army in India, visited Kashmir and witnessed the suffering and sorrows of the people there in the nineteenth century; his appeal to British soldiers raised enough funds for the Church Missionary Society to send medical missionaries to the Kashmir Valley. Thus began a process that would see the opening of a 150-bed British Mission Hospital in Srinagar and the start of a new wave of educational and healthcare reforms in the region. As the medical missionary work progressed so did the avenues of research, which led to pioneering work on skin cancer. The missionary doctors and nurses made a significant difference to the lives of the people of Kashmir and their pioneering work continues to live on.

Verrucous epidermal naevus associated with woolly hair naeves

An unusual case of verrucous epidermal naevus associated with woolly hair naevus of the scalp is being reported.

Relationship between ethylene response manipulation and volatile production in Jonagold variety apples

The ripening of Jonagored Jonagold apple fruit (Malus x domestica Borkh.) during development was manipulated with preharvest applications of ReTain or a combination of ReTain plus Ethrel. The fruits, harvested preclimacteric at approximately the same stages of maturity, were stored in refrigerated air (RA) for 45 days or in controlled atmosphere (CA) for 180 days at 0 degrees C. Volatile evolution, ethylene production, and respiration of stored fruit were studied during poststorage holding at 22 degrees C. ReTain reduced volatile production by 19%, but application of Ethrel to ReTain-treated fruit increased production to control levels. The inhibition of volatile production by ReTain appears to be independent of respiration but may be related to the ethylene-producing capacity of the fruit. Although ReTain reduced flavor-related volatile esters, it did not affect levels of the compound responsible for the typical spicy flavor in Jonagored Jonagold fruit, 4-methoxy-2-propenylbenzene. The CA-stored fruit had a much reduced production of volatile compounds compared to RA-stored fruit, with more discernible effects in ReTain-treated fruit. Ethrel application to ReTain-treated fruit improved the volatile production intermediate between the ReTain alone and control in CA-stored fruit. The data collectively suggest that ReTain may have some promise for better scheduling of harvest of apples with no appreciable loss in RA-stored fruit quality. Reduction in production of alpha-farnesene by ReTain may also reduce the potential for scald development in CA-stored fruit.

Effect of superficial scald suppression by diphenylamine application on volatile evolution by stored Cortland apple fruit

Cortland apple fruit (Malus x domestica Borkh.) stored for 120-140 days in air at 0 degrees C were warmed to 22 degrees C and held for 8 days. A portion of the fruit was dipped in a solution of diphenylamine (DPA) at harvest to prevent scald development. Scald occurred only in those fruit not treated with DPA, and its development was accelerated after transfer to 22 degrees C. Ester production from apple fruit tended to increase from day 0 to day 6 of poststorage holding and declined thereafter in both treatments. However, ester production in scald-developing fruit was reduced by approximately 50%. The reduction in volatile production remained relatively constant during the rapid development of scald symptoms. Furthermore, the reduction in volatile production appeared to be independent of respiration and ethylene production. Production of esters derived from hexanol was most reduced in fruit developing scald, with hexyl 2-methylbutanoate production being reduced approximately 15-fold. Interestingly, the production of methyl butanoate was detected only in scalding fruit. alpha-Farnesene production in fruit developing scald was reduced 43% compared with DPA-treated fruit. In contrast, the primary volatile oxidation product of alpha-farnesene, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (MHO), was present only in fruit developing scald. The data suggest that inhibition of ester production may occur as a result of the physiological changes associated with susceptibility to, rather than expression of, scald symptoms.

Gamma delta T lymphocytes and proinflammatory cytokines in bacterial meningitis

BACKGROUND

Patients with bacterial meningitis have a T-cell defect and impaired cytokine production.

METHODS

The phenotype and percentage of circulating alpha beta and gamma delta T-cell receptor-bearing lymphocytes were determined from patients with bacterial meningitis (Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis), patients with bacterial infection but without meningitis, and healthy control subjects by a monoclonal antibody staining method. The in vitro production of cytokines, interleukins (IL-2, IL-6), interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was measured by the bioassay or ELISAs.

RESULTS

The percentage of circulating gamma delta T cells with a CD3+CD4+CD8- phenotype was significantly (p < 0.001) increased in all patients with bacterial meningitis compared with patients with bacterial infection and healthy control subjects. The CD3+ gamma delta T cells from patients with meningitis produced highly elevated levels of two proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-6. However, interferon-gamma production was enhanced by CD3+ alpha beta T cells.

CONCLUSION

The increased percentage of circulating T-cell receptor gamma delta T cells and their in vitro production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-6 cytokines may play an important role in the pathogenesis and inflammatory response in bacterial meningitis.

Easily identifiable congenital malformations in children: Survey of incidence and pattern in 32,332 live born neonates

Over a period of two years, 32,332 live-born infants were screened for the presence of identifiable congenital malformations. Congenital anomalies were present in 2.38% of all infants; major and minor malformations were present in 79% and 21% of the cases, respectively. Anomalies in general and chromosomal anomalies in particular were more common in multiparous women of advanced age. Anatomical organs most frequently affected were musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems; talipes, chromosomal anomalies and congenital cardiac defects being the most common. The incidence of congenital anomalies in infants of diabetic mothers was 13.8% compared with 3% in the non-diabetic population (P=<0.01); multiple anomalies were present in 50% of the cases. Of a total of 770 infants born with malformations, 58 died during the early neonatal period with a mortality rate of 7.5% compared with an overall early neonatal death rate of 11.8/1000 live births.

Brucellosis in pediatric patients: A review of 114 cases from Asir region

Over a period of four years. 114 children (> 28 days to </= 12 years) with seropositive brucellosis were admitted to Khamis Mushayt Civil Hospital, constituting 1% of all pediatric admissions. History of contact with domestic animals and ingestion of raw milk was positive, and over 84% of the patients were from the rural areas of Asir. The male:female ratio was 1.2:1, over 59% were of </= 5 years of age. Common clinical features observed were fever (80.7%), hepatosplemomegaly (38%), arthropathies (29%), and anemia (34%). Over 36% of the children were undernourished. Serological identification of etiological agents revealed Abortus and melitensis (53.5%). Abortus (32.5%) and melitensis (14%). All patients were treated with a combination of rifampicin and septrin. There were no deaths, drug-induced hepatitis was observed in two cases. It would appear that brucellosis is one of the major causes of morbidity in the pediatric population located in the Asir region and there is an urgent need for an effective control program.

Perinatal mortality in high risk pregnancy: a prospective study of preventable factors

The present study was undertaken to identify the preventable factors operative in high fetal and neonatal losses. Over a period of one year, of total of 1,600 consecutive deliveries, 1,107 were considered to be at-risk: there were 33 fetal and 31 early neonatal deaths with an overall perinatal mortality rate of 40/1,000 births. Perinatal mortality was higher in mothers who had received inadequate antenatal care and/or with bad obstetric history. Major maternal and obstetric factors associated with a high PMR were: advancing maternal age and parity, antepartum hemorrhage, diabetes, anemia, instrument and vaginal breech delivery. Overall cesarean section rate was 16.9%. Infants with a gestational age of less than 37 weeks and/or of birth weight of less than 2,500 g contributed for 56.2% and 68.7% of the total perinatal losses respectively. PMR was three fold higher among twins compared with singleton births. Identifiable causes of perinatal deaths observed were: asphyxia (31%), congenital anomalies (18.7%), sepsis (18.7%) and low birth weight (25%). It would appear that preventable factors are operative in over two third of the cases of perinatal loss and better maternal health, obstetric and neonatal care can improve the perinatal outcome in majority of the cases.

Bacterial meningitis: T cell activation and immunoregulatory CD4+ T cell subset alteration

Meningitis is the most important cause of acquired postnatal deafness and neurologic disorders in children. To determine if cell-mediated immunity is casually related to the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis, T cell subsets were quantitated from blood of the 29 children with clinical and bacteriologic diagnosis of Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis bacterial meningitis. The CD4+ T cells increased and CD8+ T cells decreased in patients with meningitis as compared to patient control subjects (bacterial infections without meningitis) and normal healthy control subjects. An elevated percentage of CD25+ (interleukin-2 receptors) and HLA-DR+ (immune-response gene-associated antigen) T cells were detected from all patients with meningitis. All 29 patients with meningitis had highly elevated CD4+ CD45R+ (suppressor-inducer) cells and reciprocally depressed CD4+ CDw29+ (helper-inducer) cells compared with healthy age-matched normal and patient control subjects. These findings indicate characteristic immunologic T cell abnormalities from meningitis. The abnormal increase in the CD4+ CD45R+ suppressor-inducer or "virgin" cells and expression of activation antigens on T cells may be of help in future understanding of abnormal immune reactions from bacterial meningitis. However, deficiency of the CD4+ CDw29+ helper-inducer or "memory" cells may contribute to the impaired helper function for B cell-induced protective antibody synthesis to bacterial capsular polysaccharides found in this disease.

Perinatal risk factors in birth asphyxia: relationship of obstetric and neonatal complications to neonatal mortality in 16,365 consecutive live births

Over a period of one year, 16,365 consecutively live born neonates were prospectively studied for evidence of birth asphyxia using the requirement of greater than one minute of positive pressure ventilation for identifying infants suffering from birth asphyxia. Asphyxia occurred in 2.8% of all neonates. Multivariate analysis of high risk factors associated with increased risk of asphyxia showed that low birth weight was the most significant predictor of asphyxia: asphyxia occurred in 68% of infants of less than 1,000 g birth weight and decreased to 1.2% in infants of 3-4 kg birth weight. Perinatal risk factors associated with a higher incidence of asphyxia include: postmaturity, birth weight (less than or equal to 2.5 kg) and with the presence of maternal and/or obstetric complications. The impact of asphyxia on neonatal mortality was most pronounced in more mature infants and the mortality was increased 3 fold in infants of less than 34 week gestation and greater than 27 fold for infants greater than 38 week gestation. Of the asphyxiated neonates, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal macrosomia, hypothermia, hyaline membrane disease, seizures, hypoglycemia and hyponatremia were significantly associated with an increased risk of death.

Anterior fontanelle size in Arab children: standards for appropriately grown full term neonates

The anterior fontanelle (AF) size of 100 male and 100 female normal neonates, born by spontaneous vertex delivery following a normal pregnancy, was determined on the 3rd day of life, using standard methods. The mean AF size for boys was 2.92 (0.51) (range 1.04-4.4) cm and for girls 2.51 (0.74) (range 1.0-4.1) cm. The difference between the sexes is significant (P less than 0.001). There was no significant difference in the head circumference between the sexes. The study establishes normal values for anterior fontanelle size for appropriately grown, full term Arab male and female infants.

Mechanical ventilation in newborn infants

A 20-month experience of mechanical ventilation (MV) in the newborn infants (birth weight greater than or equal to 1500 g) from a developing country is described. A total of 41 neonates (4.1% of total admissions to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) were treated with MV. The mode of MV was intermittent positive pressure ventilation and continuous positive airway pressure via nasotracheal intubation. The mean birth weight and gestational age were 2544 g and 36.2 weeks, respectively. The mean age at the start of MV was 141 h and the mean duration was 54 h. The indications for MV were respiratory distress syndrome (18), aspiration pneumonia (8), non-aspiration pneumonia (6), apnoea (8) and tetanus neonatorum (1). The complications encountered during MV were sepsis (26.8%), pulmonary haemorrhage (21.9%), congestive heart failure (17.1%), pneumothorax (14.6%) and intraventricular haemorrhage (7.3%). Post-extubation atelectasis was observed in 29.6% of cases. The overall survival rate was 43.9%. The risk factors for a poor outcome were birth weight less than 2000 g, prematurity and late referrals to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Congenital choanal atresia in North African infants

Eleven cases of congenital choanal atresia seen over a period of 2 years are described. Its incidence in the community was 1 in 3100 births. Twenty-seven per cent of cases were missed at birth, suggesting an even higher incidence. The anomaly was significantly commoner in infants of younger mothers with less than four children (P less than or equal to 0.05). Maternal polyhydramnios was present in three cases (P less than or equal to 0.0001). The sex incidence was equivocal and three infants were of low birthweight. The atresia was bilateral in the majority of the cases, and associated congenital anomalies were present in five of the 11 infants. Five underwent surgery with no complications.

Erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase status of newborns and adults in eastern Libya

One hundred and twenty cord and 320 venous blood samples were collected from Libyan newborns and adults respectively for the estimation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activity by a screening technique and by quantitative estimation. The mean (S.D.) enzyme activity in the non-deficient neonates and adults was 1.13 (0.23) and 0.87 (0.21) IU/ml RBC/min respectively. The incidence of G-6-PD deficiency in the male population was 2.8%. The enzyme activity in the deficient male population ranged from 0-19.5%; none of them was symptomatic or had haematological abnormality. Of the female subjects 1.8% had enzyme activity of 50-65%. The frequency of enzyme deficiency appears to be low compared with that found in other Arab populations and is comparable with the incidence in other mediterranean countries.