Helicobacter pylori eradication in Mexico with a levofloxacin-based scheme versus standard triple therapy: Results from an open-label, randomized, noninferiority phase iiib trial. / Erradicación de Helicobacter pylori en México con un esquema basado en levofloxacina versus la triple terapia estándar: resultados de un estudio clínico de fase iiib, abierto, aleatorizado, de no inferioridad.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection remains the leading cause of several gastroduodenal diseases. Despite the fact that multiple antibiotic regimens have been used to change its associated morbidity and mortality, the prevalence of this bacterial infection continues to be disproportionately high worldwide, mainly due to antibiotic resistance. To assess the noninferiority efficacy and safety of 210-day triple regimens on H. pylori eradication, we evaluated clarithromycin 500mg, lansoprazole 30mg, and amoxicillin 1g, all bid (standard triple therapy or CLA, Group 1) vs. pantoprazole 80mg, levofloxacin 500mg and azithromycin 500mg, all od (PLA, Group 2). Both regimens were compared in treatment-naïve patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An open label phase IIIb randomized and noninferiority trial comparing CLA vs. PLA was carried out for a 10-day period, within the time frame of June 2012 and March 2014. Eradication was verified with 13C-urea breath testing. Gastric biopsies were tested for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-clarithromycin resistance prior to any antibiotic administration. Efficacy and safety results were analyzed according to the noninferiority methodological approach. RESULTS: From the 227 H. pylori positive subjects that were randomized, 194 were finally analyzed as per-protocol. The group 2 eradication rate was 63% and was noninferior to the group 1 eradication rate of 58.5% (upper limit 95% CI: 0.11608; below the noninferiority margin: 0.1200). FISH clarithromycin-resistance was found in 28.2% of the cases. Adverse events, all minor and self-limited, were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (86 vs. 65.4%; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: First-line H. pylori eradication with pantoprazole/levofloxacin/azithromycin combination therapy is as effective as the standard triple therapy, with better tolerability and easier dosing. Clarithromycin resistance should be considered when selecting antibiotics in Helicobacter pylori eradication treatments. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02726269.

Gut microbiome composition in lean patients with NASH is associated with liver damage independent of caloric intake: A prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the gut microbiomes from obese and lean patients with or without NASH to outline phenotypic differences. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a cross-sectional pilot study comprising biopsy-proven NASH patients grouped according to BMI. Microbiome DNA was extracted from stool samples, and PCR amplification was performed using primers for the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The amplicons were sequenced using the Ion PGM Torrent platform, and data were analyzed using QIIME software. Macronutrient consumption was analyzed by a 7-day food record. Liver fibrosis ≥ F2 was associated with increased abundance of Lactobacilli (p = 0.0007). NASH patients showed differences in Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium abundance compared with the control group. Lean NASH patients had a 3-fold lower abundance of Faecalibacterium and Ruminococcus (p = 0.004), obese NASH patients were enriched in Lactobacilli (p = 0.002), and overweight NASH patients had reduced Bifidobacterium (p = 0.018). Moreover, lean NASH patients showed a deficiency in Lactobacillus compared with overweight and obese NASH patients. This group also appeared similar to the control group with regard to gut microbiome alpha diversity. Although there were qualitative differences between lean NASH and overweight/obese NASH, they were not statistically significant (p = 0.618). The study limitations included a small sample size, a food questionnaire that collected only qualitative and semi-quantitative data, and variations in group gender composition that may influence differences in FXR signaling, bile acids metabolism and the composition of gut microbiota. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary finding of a different pathogenetic process in lean NASH patients needs to be confirmed by larger studies, including those with patient populations stratified by sex and dietary habits.

2-Hydroxy-4-methylthio butanoic acid and DL-methionine for Japanese quails in production.

An experiment was performed using 1,000 laying Japanese quails to assess the availability of two alternative dietary methionine sources. Treatment 01 = Basal Feed that is deficient in digestible methionine + cystine (Met + Cys). The other treatments were constituted by Met + Cys levels of 0.8, 1.60 and 2.40 g/kg, supplemented with DL-Methionine-99%, HMTBA-88% and HMTBA-84%, being 10 treatments in total. The following characteristics were studied: feed intake (g/bird/day), egg production (egg/day × 100), egg weight (g/egg), egg mass (g/egg), feed conversion per egg dozen (kg feed/dozen eggs), feed conversion per egg mass (kg feed/kg eggs), relative yolk weight (g/100 g of egg), relative albumen weight (g/100 g of egg), relative shell weight (g/100 g of egg), shell thickness (mm) and specific gravity (g/cm3 ). In general result comment, supplemental methionine sources must be included in the poultry diet. The different methionine sources affect the performance of quails, and the increase in the levels within each source improves the performance variables. Significant effect was observable on performance variables and egg quality variables, being that DLM-99% is superior to the other sources. The HMTBA-88% source is superior to the HMTBA-84% source for the same aforementioned variables. In conclusion, the bioefficacy values of the HMTBA-88% and HMTBA-84% sources compared to the DLM-99% source on an equimolar basis were 81 and 79%, respectively, for the performance variables, and 83 and 74 while the methionine sources were equivalent for the variables related to egg quality.

Avaliação de diferentes processos de destoxificação sobre o valor nutricional e energético da torta de mamona para suínos / Evaluation of different detoxification procedures on nutritional and energy value of castor bean cake for pigs

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o valor nutricional e energético da torta de mamona destoxificada por diferentes métodos para suínos em crescimento. Foram utilizados 24 suínos machos, castrados, distribuídos em seis tratamentos, sendo uma ração referência e cinco rações testes (75% da dieta referência e 25% das tortas de mamona) contendo a torta de mamona destoxificada pelos métodos do hidróxido de cálcio, da autoclavagem, do hidróxido de cálcio+ensilagem, da autoclavagem+ensilagem e da extrusão. As tortas de mamona submetidas aos processos de destoxificação com hidróxido de cálcio e autoclavagem resultaram em maior teor de proteína digestível. Para o valor de energia metabolizável, os processos de destoxificação com hidróxido de cálcio, autoclavagem, hidróxido de cálcio+ensilagem e extrusão não diferiram entre si. Considerando-se a valoração nutricional e energética da torta de mamona por meio dos processos de destoxificação, os métodos com uso de hidróxido de cálcio e autoclavagem são os mais eficientes.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and energy value of castor bean cake detoxified by different methods for growing pigs. A total of 24 barrows was distributed in six treatments, being in a reference diet and 5 test diets (75% of the reference diet and 25% of castor beam cake) containing castor bean cake detoxified by the method of calcium hydroxide, autoclaving, calcium hydroxide + silage, autoclaving + silage and extrusion. Castor bean cake subjected to detoxification processes with calcium hydroxide and autoclaving resulted in higher content of digestible protein. For the metabolizable energy value, the process of detoxification with calcium hydroxide, autoclaving, calcium hydroxide+silage, and extrusion did not differ. Considering the nutritional and energy valuation of castor bean cake detoxified by different procedures, the methods using calcium hydroxide and autoclaving were the most efficient.

P and Ca requirements for Japanese quail.

Four experiments were conducted to estimate the phosphorus and calcium requirements for weight maintenance and weight gain in Japanese quails during their growth phase from 16 to 36 days. Japanese quails aged 16 days were used for estimating the phosphorous and calcium requirements for weight maintenance or weight gain, with these quails composing each reference slaughter group and the others distributed in a completely randomized design, housed in cages of galvanized wire (33 × 33 × 16 cm) that were stored in acclimatized chambers with specific environmental temperatures. The light programme used during the 20-day experimental period was 24 h of artificial light. Analysis of the data showed that the prediction equations for estimating the phosphorus and calcium requirements for weight maintenance and weight gain of Japanese quails between 16 and 36 days of age were P (g/quail/day) = P0.75 *(9.3695 + 7.7397*T) + 9.70*WG, in which P is the phosphorus requirement, and Ca (g/quail/day) = P0.75 *(363.99 - 8.0262*T) + 28.15*WG, in which Ca is the calcium requirement, P is BW (kg), T is temperature (°C) and WG (g/quail/day).

Physiological and biochemical changes of females of Piracanjuba, subjected to induced reproduction.

The aim of this experiment was to compare the level of fish female stress during induced reproduction with pituitary extract by two different methods, natural and semiextruded. The reproductive efficiency was 62.5% in the seminatural treatment and 100% in the extruded. Obtained egg volume was 5200 ml and 4000 ml, for seminatural and extruded treatments respectively. The mean number of eggs was 46.7 for the seminatural and 52.0 and for the extruded treatment. The percentage of viable eggs was, respectively, 87.2% and 8.17% for the natural treatment and extruded semimethods. Blood samples were collected to quantify cortisol and glucose levels, as well as red cell series and lymphocyte count. Fishes submitted to induction procedures showed elevated cortisol and glucose levels, compared to the control animals. The results for haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count showed no significant differences among groups. Significant differences found in the number of lymphocytes and monocytes suggest the general adaptation syndrome. Our results suggest the reproductive induction process with extrusion of gametes as a more stressful method than seminatural reproduction process.

Effect of l-glutamic acid supplementation on performance and nitrogen balance of broilers fed low protein diets.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of protein reduction and supplementation of l-glutamic acid in male broiler diets. A total of 648 chicks of the Cobb 500 strain were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments and six replications with eighteen birds per experimental unit. The study comprised pre-starter (1-7 days), starter (8-21 days), growth (22-35 days) and final (36-45 days) phases. The first treatment consisted of a control diet formulated according to the requirements of essential amino acids for each rearing phase. The second and third treatments had crude protein (CP) reduced by 1.8 and 3.6 percentage points (pp) in relation to the control diet respectively. In the fourth treatment, l-glutamic acid was added to provide the same glutamate level as the control diet, and in the last two treatments, the broilers were supplemented with 1 and 2 pp of glutamate above that of the control diet respectively. The reduction in CP decreased the performance of broilers and the supplementation of l-glutamic acid did not influence performance when supplied in the diets with excess of glutamate. The lowest excreted nitrogen values were observed in the control diet, and treatments 2 and 3, respectively, in comparison with treatments with the use of l-glutamic acid (5 and 6). Retention efficiency of nitrogen was better in the control diet and in the treatment with a reduction of 1.8 pp of CP. It was verified that the serum uric acid level decreased with the CP reduction. A reduction in CP levels of up to 21.3%, 18.8%, 18.32% and 17.57% is recommended in phases from 1 to 7, 8 to 21, 22 to 35 and at 36 to 42 days, respectively, with a level of glutamate at 5.32%, 4.73%, 4.57%, 4.38%, also in these phases.

Exigência nutricional de proteína bruta para codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) na fase de postura / Nutritional requirement of crude protein for japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in the production phase

O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar o melhor nível de proteína bruta na alimentação de codornas japonesas em fase de produção. Foram utilizadas 300 codornas com 16 semanas de idade, alojadas em gaiolas, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos, seis repetições e dez aves por unidade experimental. Os níveis avaliados foram 14, 17, 20, 23 e 26 por cento de proteína bruta, e as dietas foram formuladas para serem isoenergéticas. Foi verificado efeito quadrático para consumo de ração, peso de ovo, massa de ovo, ingestão de energia, eficiência energética por dúzia de ovo, coeficiente de digestibilidade de nitrogênio, retenção de nitrogênio, peso de gema, casca e albúmen. Efeito linear foi verificado para produção de ovos, ingestão de proteína, conversão alimentar por massa de ovos, eficiência energética por massa de ovo em kg, peso final e gravidade específica. Não houve efeito significativo para conversão alimentar por dúzia e concentração sérica de ácido úrico. Recomenda-se nível de 20 por cento de proteína bruta para codornas japonesas em fase de postura...

The aim of this study was to determine the best level of crude protein in the diet of Japanese quails in the production phase. A total of 300 quails at 16 weeks of age in cages, in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates of ten birds per experimental unit was used. The levels evaluated were 14, 17, 20, 23 and 26 percent crude protein and diets were formulated to be isoenergetic. A quadratic effect was observed for feed intake, egg weight, egg mass, energy intake, energy efficiency per dozen eggs, nitrogen digestibility, shell percentage, nitrogen retention, weight of yolk, albumen and shell. A linear effect was observed for egg production, protein intake, feed conversion by egg mass, energy efficiency per egg mass in kg, final weight and yolk percentage and specific gravity. There was no significant effect on feed conversion per dozen, percentage of albumen, shell thickness and serum uric acid. The recommendation is of a 20 percent crude protein level for Japanese quail during the laying phase...

Testes of Astyanax altiparanae: the Sertoli cell functions in a semicystic spermatogenesis.

The Astyanax altiparanae (lambari) is a South American freshwater fish belonging to the family Characidae. Although some authors have described reproductive aspects of this species, this is the first study about the morphology of the testes throughout the annual reproductive cycle of A. altiparanae. Fish spermatogenesis differs from that in mammals as it occurs in cysts whose borders are defined by cytoplasmic processes of Sertoli cells, thus creating a favorable environment for spermatogenesis. The functions commonly attributed to fish Sertoli cells were investigated using stereological, light and electron microscopy in A. altiparanae. Results showed that when the Sertoli cells of A. altiparanae are in contact with germ cells, they plan a support function that culminates in the production of spermatozoa. After releasing spermatozoa, modified Sertoli cells form the duct epithelium, transform into secretory cells and release a secretion into the duct lumen where spermatids and sperm are located. Thus, the present study revealed important aspects of the testes of A. altiparanae, and propose a sequence of functions played by the Sertoli cells in this species.

Distribution of GnRH in the brain of the freshwater teleost Astyanax altiparanae.

GnRH is well known as a key decapeptide neurohormone involved in reproduction, stimulating the pituitary gland to release gonadotropins (LH and FSH), which, in turn, regulate steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. However, in addition to its reproductive functions, GnRH displays neuromodulatory roles with implications for sexual behavior. The pattern of distribution in the brain of GnRH may help reveal GnRH specific functions. Therefore, the main emphasis of this study is to detect the presence and distribution of GnRH in the brain of the freshwater teleost Astyanax altiparanae ("lambari"). The immunohistochemical method of peroxidase with an antibody raised against GnRH3 was used to detect the location of GnRHs in the brain and pituitary gland. Immunoreactivity to GnRH was found in the following encephalic areas: olfactory bulb, terminal nerve ganglion, preoptic area, nucleus of midbrain tegmentum, but also in torus longitudinalis, glomerular nucleus, and central and dorsal posterior nuclei of dorsal thalamus. In addition, cell bodies from neurons in the parvocellular and magnocellular periventricular nuclei and ventral tuberal nucleus along with many fibers including ones innervating the neurohypophysis were immunoreactive to a GnRH antiserum that detects all known eight GnRH peptides in teleosts. This is the first study describing the distribution of the complete GnRH system in the brain of A. altiparanae, which has great importance for aquaculture and ecology, and represents one of the major orders of South American teleosts--the Characiformes.

Óleo essencial de erva-doce na ração de frangos de corte alojados em cama nova e reciclada / Essential fennel oil the diet of broilers chickens allotted to new and recycled litters

O óleo essencial de erva-doce (OED) foi avaliado como alternativa aos antimicrobianos na ração de frangos de corte alojados em cama nova (CNo) e reciclada (CRe). Foram alojadas 1.050 aves, e adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em que de um a 21 dias as aves foram mantidas somente em CNo, resultando em sete tratamentos com 10 repetições de 15 aves: T1= dieta controle positivo (CP) com antimicrobiano (ANT); T2= dieta controle negativo (CN) sem ANT e sem OED; T3= CN + 0,004% OED; T4= CN + 0,008% OED; T5= CN + 0,016% OED; T6= CN + 0,032% OED e T7= CN + 0,064% OED. De 22 a 42 dias, metade das aves foram criadas em CRe, e a outra metade em CNo, resultando em 14 tratamentos com cinco repetições de 15 aves. O OED foi adicionado pela manhã, na proporção de 1/4 do consumo diário da dieta, e, na parte da tarde, o fornecimento foi à vontade. Na fase pré-inicial, a inclusão de 0,015 e 0,026% de OED melhorou o consumo de ração e o ganho de peso, respectivamente. A inclusão de 0,031% de OED melhorou a conversão alimentar dos frangos de um a 21 dias. O OED promoveu maior peso de carcaça de aves alojadas em CNo, maiores pesos de coxa, sobrecoxa e rendimento de sobrecoxa de frangos criados em CRe. O OED melhorou o desempenho de frangos alojados sob condições de CRe.

The effect of essential fennel oil (EFO) as an alternative to antimicrobials in the diet of broiler chickens allotted on two type of new (LNo) and recycled (LRe) litter was evaluated. 1,050 birds were housed and adopted a completely randomized design in which from 1 to 21 days the birds were housed only LNo, with seven treatments and 10 replicates of 15 birds: T1 = positive control diet (PC) with antimicrobials (AM), T2 = negative control diet (NC) without AM and EFO, T3 = NC + 0.004% EFO, T4 = NC + 0.008% EFO, T5 = NC + 0.016% EFO T6 = NC + 0.032% EFO and T7 = NC + 0.064% EFO. From 22 to 42 days half of the birds housed in LRe and half continued in LNo, resulting in 14 treatments with five replicates of 15 birds. The EFO was added in the morning, at a ratio of 1/4 of the daily diet and in the afternoon the supply was at ease. In the pre-initial inclusion of 0.015 and 0.026% of EFO, feed intake and weight gain improved, respectively. The inclusion of 0.031% of EFO improved feed conversion of broilers from 1 to 21 days. The EFO promoted higher carcass in birds housed in LNo, higher drumstick weight, and thigh and drumstick yield for broilers reared in LRe. EFO improved the performance of chickens accommodated under LRe.

Use of enzymes in diets with different percentages of added fat for broilers / Uso de enzimas em dietas com diferentes porcentagens de adição de gordura para frangos de corte

We assessed the extent to which the removal of fat source, and consequently its compounds, such as linoleic acid, can affect the performance of broilers. We used 600 male Cobb 500 day old chicks. The birds were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with five treatments and six replicates of 20 birds each. The treatments were: (T1) diet - positive control (PC), which met the nutritional needs; (T2) diet - negative control (CN), a reduction of 100kcal/kg and low linoleic acid content; (T3): diet - negative control reformulated for low linoleic acid content and a set of Quantum phytase XT and Econase XT 25 (BAL + QFit-Eco), (T4): diet - negative control reformulated, with the percentage of linoleic acid adjusted to an intermediate value between the value of the diet and diet CP and CN to use a set of Quantum phytase XT and XT Econase 25 (IAL + QFit-Eco) and (T5): diet - negative control reformulated, with the percentage of linoleic acid adjusted to a value similar to that of the positive control diet and joint use of Quantum phytase XT and XT Econase 25 (AAL + QFit-Eco). The joint use of Quantum Phytase and Econase promoted improvement in the performance of broilers from 1 to 21 days. The greatest weight gain was obtained with diets containing percentages of total fat and linoleic acids. Dietary supplementation with enzymes resulted in higher levels of calcium in the tibia, whatever the percentage of linoleic studied.

Avaliou-se até que ponto a retirada de fonte de gordura e, consequentemente, de seus compostos, como o ácido linoleico, pode afetar o desempenho dos frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 600 pintos de um dia, machos da linhagem Cobb 500. As aves foram distribuídas num delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições de 20 aves cada. Os tratamentos foram: (T1) dieta-controle positivo (CP), que atendeu às necessidades nutricionais; (T2) dieta-controle negativo (CN), com redução de 100kcal de EM/kg e baixo teor de ácido linoleico; (T3): dieta- controle negativo reformulada, para baixo teor de ácido linoleico e com uso conjunto de Quantum fitase XT e Econase XT 25 (BAL+ Qfit-Eco); (T4): dieta-controle negativo reformulada, com porcentagem de ácido linoleico ajustada para um valor intermediário entre o valor da dieta CN e da dieta CP e com uso conjunto de Quantum fitase XT e Econase XT 25 (IAL + Qfit-Eco) e (T5): dieta-controle negativo reformulada, com porcentagem de ácido linoleico ajustada para um valor semelhante ao da dieta-controle positivo e com uso conjunto de Quantum fitase XT e Econase XT 25 (AAL+ Qfit-Eco ). O uso conjunto de Quantum Fitase e Econase promoveu melhora no desempenho dos frangos de corte de um a 21 dias. O maior ganho de peso foi obtido com dietas que continham porcentagens de gorduras totais e de ácido linoleico. A suplementação com as enzimas resultou em maior teor de cálcio nas tíbias, independentemente da porcentagem de ácido linoleico estudada.

Substituição de minerais inorgânicos por orgânicos na alimentação de poedeiras semipesadas / Substitution of inorganic minerals for organic minerals in the diet of semi heavy layers

Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação dietética de fontes orgânicas de microminerais para galinhas poedeiras sobre o desempenho e a qualidade do ovo. Foram utilizadas 216 aves de linhagem comercial, distribuídas num delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e nove repetições, com seis aves por parcela. O experimento teve duração de 140 dias, divididos em cinco ciclos de 28 dias. Os tratamentos consistiram de uma dieta basal formulada para atender às exigências nutricionais das aves, suplementada com minerais na forma inorgânica ou porcentagens de minerais orgânicos: T1 - Basal + 100% minerais inorgânicos; T2 - Basal + 100% minerais orgânicos; T3 - Basal + 66% minerais orgânicos; T4 - Basal + 33% minerais orgânicos. A produção de ovos, peso do ovo, massa de ovo, conversão alimentar por massa e dúzia de ovo, porcentagem de albúmen, gravidade específica, espessura de casca e margem bruta relativa apresentaram melhores resultados quando os minerais inorgânicos são substituídos em 66% pelos orgânicos.

This study evaluated the effect of the supplementation with organic microminerals on performance and egg quality of semi-heavy layers. Dekalk Brown layers (n=216) were distributed according to a completely randomized design into four treatments, nine repetitions and six birds per repetition. The experiment lasted 140 days and was comprised of five 28 day cycles. The basal diet was formulated to fulfill the nutritional requirements and was supplemented with organic or inorganic minerals, resulting in four treatments: T1 - basal + 100% inorganic minerals; T2 - basal + 100% organic minerals; T3 - basal + 66% organic minerals; T4 - basal + 33% organic minerals. Egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion for dozen and mass, albumen percentage, specific gravity, shell thickness and relative gross margin have better results when the inorganic minerals are replaced with 66% organic.

Estudo comparativo da proteína do feno de maniçoba em relação à proteína do feno de alfafa na ração de coelhos / Comparative study of maniçoba hay crude protein in relation to alfafa hay crude protein in the diet of rabbits

O presente experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a substituição parcial da proteína bruta (PB) do feno da alfafa (FA) pela PB do feno de maniçoba (FM) na alimentação de coelhos em crescimento, bem como o valor nutricional da proteína bruta do feno de maniçoba. Foram estudados os parâmetros de desempenho, digestibilidade, rendimento de carcaça e dos cortes nobres submetidos às dietas experimentais. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro níveis de substituição (0, 25, 50 e 75%) da proteína do feno de alfafa pelo feno de maniçoba. A substituição crescente dos níveis de feno maniçoba resultou em um aumento linear no consumo de ração e no ganho de peso de forma quadrática aos 83 dias, mostrando que esse ingrediente pode ser utilizado como substituto ao feno de alfafa na dieta de coelhos. A proteína do feno da alfafa pode ser substituída parcialmente pela proteína do feno de maniçoba.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutritional value and the partial substitution of crude protein (CP) of alfalfa hay (FA) with CP hay maniçoba (FM) in diets for growing rabbits. The performance, digestibility, carcass yield and prime cuts parameters submitted to experimental diets were studied. Treatments consisted of four levels (0, 25, 50 and 75%) of protein alfalfa hay and maniçoba hay. The increasing substitution levels of maniçoba hay resulted in a linear increase in feed intake and weight gain quadratically at 83 days, showing that this ingredient can be used as a substitute for alfalfa hay in the diet of rabbits. The protein of alfalfa hay can be partially replaced by the maniçoba protein hay.

Protective effect of mannan oligosaccharides against early colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in chicks is improved by higher dietary threonine levels.

AIMS: To evaluate mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) and threonine effects on performance, small intestine morphology and Salmonella spp. counts in Salmonella Enteritidis-challenged birds. METHODS AND RESULTS: One-day-old chicks (1d) were distributed into five treatments: nonchallenged animals fed basal diet (RB-0), animals fed basal diet and infected with Salmonella Enteritidis (RB-I), animals fed high level of threonine and infected (HT-I), birds fed basal diet with MOS and infected (MOS-I), birds fed high level of threonine and MOS and infected (HT+MOS-I). Birds were inoculated at 2d with Salmonella Enteritidis, except RB-0 birds. Chicks fed higher dietary threonine and MOS showed performance similar to RB-0 and intestinal morphology recovery at 8 dpi. Salmonella counts and the number of Salmonella-positive animals were lower in HT+MOS-I compared with other challenged groups. CONCLUSION: Mannan oligosaccharides and threonine act synergistically, resulting in improved intestinal environment and recovery after Salmonella inoculation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Nutritional approaches may be useful to prevent Salmonella infection in the first week and putative carcass contamination at slaughter. This is the first report on the possible synergistic effect of mannan oligosaccharides and threonine, and further studies should be performed including performance, microbiota evaluation, composition of intestinal mucins and immune assessment.

Sodium levels for Japanese quail at initial phases.

The aim of this research was to determine the nutritional requirements of sodium for Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) during the periods of 1 to 21 d and 22 to 40 d of age, as well as to evaluate the residual effect on egg production and densitometry bone traits from 41 to 63 d. Two experiments were developed. Experiment 1: 360 Japanese quail were used, from 1 to 21 d of age. Treatments consisted of 5 sodium levels (0.06, 0.12, 0.18, 0.24, and 0.30%). Experiment 2: 240 Japanese quail were used, from 22 to 40 d. Treatments consisted of 5 sodium levels (0.04, 0.12, 0.20, 0.28, and 0.36%). In both experiments, weight gain, final weight, and feed conversion presented a quadratic trend, whereas water intake presented a linear trend. Treatments did not affect the densitometry of bone traits, although they presented a quadratic influence on tibia ash, calcium, and calcium:phosphorus ratio. Therefore, the nutritional requirement of sodium for Japanese quail from 1 to 21 d and from 22 to 40 d is 0.222% and 0.253%, respectively.

Cr(V) involvement in the toxicity pathway of testicular damage.

AIM: The functional integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in male mice exposed to Cr(V) was studied in order to clarify the mechanism underlying testicular injury. METHODS: Adult male mice were subcutaneously injected repeated doses of 8.02 micromol (0.5 ml) of Cr/mouse.day for 5 days. Animals receiving a similar volume of bis(hydroxyethyl)-aminotris(hydroxymethyl)methane buffer (BT) were used as controls. The animals were sacrificed on day 6 and small fragments of seminiferous tubules, approximately 8-10 mm length, were incised and sutured at both ends. They were exposed in vitro to horseradish peroxidase-containing culture medium for 10 minutes. Tissues were then fixed and processed for ultrastructural studies. RESULTS: Controls and Cr(V)-treated group resulted in the uptake of the tracer by Sertoli cells. However, the major finding consisted in the permeability of the BTB only in the Cr(V)-group, as evidenced by the presence of the tracer within the junctions between the neighbouring Sertoli cells. CONCLUSION: The BTB is disrupted in mice submitted to Cr(V). The permeability of the BTB is a crucial feature to be investigated for the understanding of lesions within the seminiferous tubule.

The neurotensin receptor antagonist, SR48692, attenuates the expression of amphetamine-induced behavioural sensitisation in mice.

The effects of acute administration of the neurotensin receptor antagonist, SR48692 (2-[[1-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-5-(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-carbonyl]amino]adamantane-2-carboxylic acid), on amphetamine-induced behavioural sensitisation were studied with the locomotor activity of mice in an open-field as an experimental parameter. The animals were repeatedly pretreated with saline or amphetamine (2.0 mg/kg, i.p. once a day, every other day for 13 days) and 2, 9 and 16 days after the last injection they received an acute i.p. administration of saline or 0.3 mg/kg SR48692 15 min before a challenge i.p. injection of 2.0 mg/kg amphetamine. Locomotor activity of the amphetamine-challenged mice was significantly higher in amphetamine-pretreated animals than in saline-pretreated mice on days 9 and 16 after withdrawal. SR48692 prevented the expression of this behavioural sensitisation. In addition, in saline-pretreated mice, the first two challenge injections of amphetamine sufficed to induce a sensitized locomotor response to the third challenge injection of the drug. SR48692 administration before amphetamine challenge injections prevented the development of this challenge injection-induced sensitisation in saline-pretreated mice but not in amphetamine-pretreated animals. In order to determine the effects of SR48692 on the expression of amphetamine-induced behavioural sensitisation in the absence of this challenge injection-induced sensitisation, the experiment was redone with a single challenge test 9 days after pretreatment. Once again, SR48692 prevented the expression of amphetamine-induced behavioural sensitisation. These results suggest that neurotensinergic transmission has a critical role in both the initiation and expression of locomotor sensitisation to amphetamine.