Effect of dietary pomegranate by-product extract supplementation on growth performance, digestibility, and antioxidant status of growing rabbit.

The study objective was to investigate the effect of three levels of dietary pomegranate by-product extract (PBE) (100, 150, and 200 mg) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics, and some blood parameters. Sixty weaned New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits at 5 weeks of age with an average body weight 561.67 ± 6.68 g were randomly allotted to four dietary groups; each group included three replicates (five rabbits each). The control group was fed a basal diet without PBE; the other three experimental groups fed diets supplemented with PBE at 100-, 150-, and 200-mg/kg diet. The results revealed that dietary supplementation of PBE at each level significantly (P < 0.05) improved the average final body weight and FCR. Rabbits group fed diet supplemented with 200 PBE recorded the highest (P < 0.05) of all nutrients digestibility, DCP, TDN, and DE. Feeding rabbits on diets supplemented with PBE at levels 100-, 150-, and 200-mg/kg diet increased (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations total protein, albumin, globulin, HDL, TAC, SOD, and GSH-Px, compared to the control group. The opposite trend was noticed with glucose, total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL concentrations whereas they were lower (P < 0.05) than those of the control group. The obtained results also showed that PBE supplementation levels reduced (P < 0.05) both E. coli and salmonella counts in rabbit cecum. It could be concluded that the supplementation of rabbit diets with PBE at 100-, 150-, and 200-mg/kg diet improved growth performance and the nutrient digestibility. Moreover, PBE had an antioxidant and antibacterial effect of the growing rabbits.

Leaves of Moringa, Rosemary and Olive as a Phytogenic Feed Additives in Muscovy Duck diets.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Alternative sources of natural ingredients such as herbs or phytogenic plants have beneficial effects which are used as feed supplements or medicines in poultry. The current research objective was to investigate the influence of using phytogenic plants as feed additives on Muscovy ducklings performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 315 of 14 days old Muscovy ducklings were divided randomly into 7 experimental groups, each group was allocated into three replicates. The experimental treatments were arranged in one way classification by using three sources of phytogenic plants being Moringa oleifera leaves meal (MLM), Rosmarinus officinalis leaves meal (RLM) and Olea europaea leaves meal (OLM) with two levels of plant addition (1 or 2%) compared to the commercial diet (control). The experimental diets were formulated to be iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. Feed and water were offered ad libitum from 14 up to 70 days old. RESULTS: Data showed that phytogenic plants did not affect negatively growth performance of ducklings but improved gain compared to the control group. The highest value of live body weights (4185 g) was recorded for diet that supplemented with 1% MLM at 70 days old while, the lowest weight recorded for diet supplemented with 2% OLM being 3507 g compared to the control. A significant decrease in FI (g/bird) was noticed for treatment groups during the interval and the whole experimental periods compared with control group. CONCLUSION: Ducklings fed diet supplemented with phytogenic plants recorded the highest values of feather, carcass, heart, liver and gizzard (%) compared to the control group.

[The finding of incidental intracranial lesions with magnetic resonance imaging]. / Découverte fortuite d'une lésion intracrânienne en imagerie par résonance magnétique.

INTRODUCTION: Incidental findings on brain MRI are not rare since the development of MRI as a diagnostic and clinical research tool. STATE OF THE ART: Prevalence of cerebral incidental finding, based on research volunteers participating in studies, is estimated from 1.7 to 4 percent. The most frequently detected lesions are intracranial tumors (meningioma, arachnoid cysts, neuro-epithelial tumor) and vascular malformations. PERSPECTIVES: A better knowledge of the spontaneous outcome of incidental findings would allow adequate management of these patients. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of the outcome of incidental findings, to reassure patients or trigger a work-up if necessary.

Outcome of transaxillary rib resection for thoracic outlet syndrome--a 10 year experience.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the outcome of transaxillary first and/or cervical rib resection in a unit, which has a policy of combined assessment by a neurologist and vascular surgeon. METHODS: 61 patients underwent 83 transaxillary rib resections for thoracic outlet syndrome. A retrospective case note review of these patients was undertaken. All patients completed a telephone questionnaire regarding long-term outcome. RESULTS: Post-operative outpatient assessment at a median of 6 months recorded 91.5% improved, of whom 61.5% were symptom-free. 61% were available for the telephone questionnaire at a median follow-up of 4 yr. 74% reported an improvement, with complete resolution in 58%. Six described temporary improvement following surgery. CONCLUSION: Transaxillary rib resection is a safe and effective procedure, allowing almost two thirds of patients a return to normal activity. Combined assessment by vascular and neurological teams may help in patient selection for surgery, as well as the accurate long-term assessment of outcome.