Aflatoxicosis in rabbits: Effectiveness of Egyptian raw bentonite in prevention or diminution the detrimental effects of naturally aflatoxin contaminated diets

Thirty five females and 15 males of New Zealand White mature rabbits about 6 months of age, were assigned to 1–5 dietary treatments (7 does+3 bucks for each): uncontaminated control diet, naturally aflatoxin contaminated diet without or with 1,2 and 3% bentonite. Rabbit fed with the aflatoxin-diet had a decreased (P<0.01 or 0.05) physical semen characteristics of bucks and a reproductive performance traits of does. The values of conception rate (%), gestation length (days), litter size (n) and litter weights (g) at birth and viability (%) of litters of doe rabbits, fed with the aflatoxin-diet, recorded, respectively: 64.5; 31.0; 4.4; 275.0 and 57.1 versus 85.6; 30.3; 7.9; 508.0; and 100 for those fed with the uncontaminated diet. Addition of bentonite to the aflatoxin contaminated diet improved in general the physical semen characteristics of buck and reproductive performance traits of doe rabbits. The results of the study demonstrate that adding 1% of Egyptian raw bentonite to the naturally aflatoxin contaminated rabbit diets can provide an effective, cheap and safe practical technique for preventing the aflatoxicosis in mature rabbits.     

Comparison of effects of static,proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and Mulligan stretching on hip flexion range of motion: a randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of static stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching and Mulligan technique on hip flexion range of motion (ROM) in subjects with bilateral hamstring tightness. A total of 40 students (mean age: 21.5±1.3 years, mean body height: 172.8±8.2 cm, mean body mass index: 21.9±3.0 kg · m^-2) with bilateral hamstring tightness were enrolled in this randomized trial, of whom 26 completed the study. Subjects were divided into 4 groups performing (I) typical static stretching, (II) PNF stretching, (III) Mulligan traction straight leg raise (TSLR) technique, (IV) no intervention. Hip flexion ROM was measured using a digital goniometer with the passive straight leg raise test before and after 4 weeks by two physiotherapists blinded to the groups. 52 extremities of 26 subjects were analyzed. Hip flexion ROM increased in all three intervention groups (p<0.05) but not in the no-intervention group after 4 weeks. A statistically significant change in initial–final assessment differences of hip flexion ROM was found between groups (p<0.001) in favour of PNF stretching and Mulligan TSLR technique in comparison to typical static stretching (p=0.016 and p=0.02, respectively). No significant difference was found between Mulligan TSLR technique and PNF stretching (p=0.920). The initial–final assessment difference of hip flexion ROM was similar in typical static stretching and no intervention (p=0.491). A 4-week stretching intervention is beneficial for increasing hip flexion ROM in bilateral hamstring tightness. However, PNF stretching and Mulligan TSLR technique are superior to typical static stretching. These two interventions can be alternatively used for stretching in hamstring tightness.     

Genetic heterogeneity of residual variance in broiler chickens

Aims were to estimate the extent of genetic heterogeneity in environmental variance. Data comprised 99 535 records of 35-day body weights from broiler chickens reared in a controlled environment. Residual variance within dam families was estimated using ASREML, after fitting fixed effects such as genetic groups and hatches, for each of 377 genetically contemporary sires with a large number of progeny (> 100 males or females each). Residual variance was computed separately for male and female offspring, and after correction for sampling, strong evidence for heterogeneity was found, the standard deviation between sires in within variance amounting to 15–18% of its mean. Reanalysis using log-transformed data gave similar results, and elimination of 2–3% of outlier data reduced the heterogeneity but it was still over 10%. The correlation between estimates for males and females was low, however. The correlation between sire effects on progeny mean and residual variance for body weight was small and negative (-0.1). Using a data set bigger than any yet presented and on a trait measurable in both sexes, this study has shown evidence for heterogeneity in the residual variance, which could not be explained by segregation of major genes unless very few determined the trait.     

Étude CESAR : justification de l’assistance respiratoire extra corporelle pour les graves syndromes de détresse respiratoire de l’adulte

BackgroundSevere acute respiratory failure in adults still has a high mortality in adults despite improvements in ventilation techniques and other treatments. The evidence about the effectiveness of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was equivocal.MethodNational multi-center pragmatic randomized controlled trial. 180 adults (18-65 years) with severe (Murray score > 3.0 or pH < 7.2) but potentially reversible respiratory failure were randomized to receive either continued conventional management (CM) or to be transferred to Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK for consideration of ECMO. Patients were excluded if they had been on high pressure (> 30 cm H₂O of peak inspiratory pressure) and/or high FiO₂ (> 0.8) ventilation for > 7 days; had signs of intra-cranial bleeding ; had any other contra-indication to limited heparinisation ; or had any contra-indication to continuation of active treatment. The primary outcome measure was death or severe disability at six months. Analysis was by intention to treat.Results766 patients were screened. 180 were randomised; 90 to the ECMO arm of whom 68 received ECMO. No cm patients received ECMO. Fewer patients in the ECMO arm than the cm arm had died or were severely disabled 6 months after randomisation, (33/90 (36.7%) vs 46/87 (52.9%) ; RR=0.69 (95%CI 0.50 to 0.97) ; p=0.030). Only one patient (in the cm arm) was known to be severely disabled at 6 months.Randomised controlled trial and economic evaluationControlled Trial of Conventional Ventilatory Support vs Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Adult Respiratory Failure (CESAR) [ISRCTN47279827].     

Non-destructive estimation of lateral root distribution in an aridland perennial

Estimation of root distributions in natural systems remains challenging due to the difficulties in excavation and easy breakage of fine roots. Identifying lateral fine root distribution is necessary to determine the potential exploitation of spatially and temporally variable nutrient supplies that characterize most arid ecosystems. We estimated this potential by taking field measurements of lateral root distribution of the small herbaceous perennial Cryptantha flava (A. Nels.) Payson using ¹⁵N-enriched nutrient solutions wicked into the soil at various distances from study plants. Leaves were subsequently harvested from these plants and analyzed for N isotopic ratios. C. flava plants were capable of N uptake at distances of greater than 1.0 m from the outer edge of their aboveground canopy. The considerable lateral root neighborhood area of C. flava increases the amount of spatially variable N that is exploitable in these low-N soils. The ability to acquire spatially variable N and rapidly translate N uptake into photosynthetic carbon gain are traits that aid C. flava in maintaining its position as a successful subordinate competitor in a community dominated by larger, woody perennials.     

Helicobacter pylori: expect the unexpected

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide, and virtually all infected persons develop coexisting gastritis, a signature feature of which is the capacity to persist for decades. In support of its lifestyle, H. pylori has evolved to express an array of diverse phenotypes, including enzyme functional diversity, that help to subvert obstacles presented by the human host, which permits long‐term microbial colonization. The versatility of the newly discovered enzyme LpxJ may allow H. pylori to quickly adapt to dynamic and hostile conditions present within its cognate gastric niche.     

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma suppresses nuclear factor kappa B-mediated apoptosis induced by Helicobacter pylori in gastric epithelial cells

Helicobacter pylori colonization leads to epithelial cell hyperproliferation within inflamed mucosa, but levels of apoptosis vary, suggesting that imbalances between rates of cell production and loss may contribute to differences in gastric cancer risk among infected populations. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) regulates inflammatory and growth responses of intestinal epithelial cells. We determined whether activation of PPARgamma modified H. pylori-induced apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells. PPARgamma was expressed and functionally active in gastric epithelial cell lines sensitive to H. pylori-induced apoptosis. PPARgamma ligands 15d-PGJ(2) and BRL-49653 significantly attenuated H. pylomicronri-induced apoptosis, effects that could be reversed by co-treatment with a specific PPARgamma antagonist. Cyclopentanone prostaglandins that do not bind and activate PPARgamma had no effects on H. pylori-induced apoptosis. The ability of H. pylori to activate nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and increase levels of the NF-kappaB target IL-8 was blocked by co-treatment with PPARgamma agonists, and direct inhibition of NF-kappaB also abolished H. pylori-stimulated apoptosis. These results suggest that activation of the PPARgamma pathway attenuates the ability of H. pylori to induce NF-kappaB-mediated apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells. Because PPARgamma regulates a multitude of host responses, activation of this receptor may contribute to varying levels of cellular turnover as well as the diverse pathologic outcomes associated with chronic H. pylori colonization.     

Cryptochromes-Mediated Inhibition of the CRL4Cop1-Complex Assembly Defines an Evolutionary Conserved Signaling Mechanism

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