When sinks become sources: Adaptive colonization in asexuals.

The establishment of a population into a new empty habitat outside of its initial niche is a phenomenon akin to evolutionary rescue in the presence of immigration. It underlies a wide range of processes, such as biological invasions by alien organisms, host shifts in pathogens, or the emergence of resistance to pesticides or antibiotics from untreated areas. We derive an analytically tractable framework to describe the evolutionary and demographic dynamics of asexual populations in a source-sink system. We analyze the influence of several factors on the establishment success in the sink, and on the time until establishment. To this aim, we use a classic phenotype-fitness landscape (Fisher's geometrical model in n dimensions) where the source and sink habitats have different phenotypic optima. In case of successful establishment, the mean fitness in the sink follows a typical four-phases trajectory. The waiting time to establishment is independent of the immigration rate and has a "U-shaped" dependence on the mutation rate, until some threshold where lethal mutagenesis impedes establishment and the sink population remains so. We use these results to get some insight into possible effects of several management strategies.

Influence of the corn form in the diet and length of fasting before slaughter on the performance of overfed mule ducks.

The aim of this trial was to study the effect of the corn form fed during the overfeeding period and of the length of the fasting (LF) before slaughter on the performance of overfed mule ducks. A total of 180 ducks were distributed into 9 groups of 20 birds each, according to a 3 × 3 factorial design that differed according to the LF (9, 12, or 15 h) and the ratio of whole corn/corn flour in the overfeeding diet (OD): constant ratio of 30/70 [C diet]; progressive change from 0/100 to 30/70 [P diet]; or constant ratio of 0/100 [F diet]). At the end of the overfeeding period, the birds were slaughtered to measure the weight and chemical composition of the fatty liver. No significant interaction between the OD and LF was observed. The fatty liver weight was higher (+8%; P = 0.031) in the ducks fed the P diet than those fed the F diet. The ones fed the C diet were intermediate (709 g). The fatty liver weight was heavier (+7%) in the ducks slaughtered after 9 h of fasting than in those slaughtered after 15 h of fasting, The weight of fatty liver of birds slaughtered after 12 h was intermediate (711 g; P < 0.05). The foie gras fat loss during cooking (20% vs. 27%; P = 0.003), DM (68.13% vs. 69.3%; P = 0.021), and ash content (0.40% vs. 0.36%; P = 0.010) were lower in the group of ducks slaughtered after 9 h of fasting than in the other 2 groups. In conclusion, the present results suggest that (i) incorporating whole corn in the OD at a constant or increasing rate up to 30% significantly improves the performance of overfed mule ducks, and (ii) the shorter the fasting time is, the greater the weight and the quality of the foie gras will be.

Evolution of intestinal microbiota and body compartments during spontaneous hyperphagia in the Greylag goose.

The aim of this work was to study the effects of spontaneous hyperphagia on the evolution of intestinal microbiota and body compartments in old goose. From October 25th to November 26th, 5-yr-old breeding Greylag Landaise geese (106 males and 106 females) were fed with grass during 1 mo (G period). From November 26th (0 d) the birds had ad libitum access to pellets (AMEn: 10.5 MJ/kg, CP: 18.9 g/kg; spontaneous fattening (SF) period). Some birds were killed at -31 d (n = 24; 50/50 sex ratio), 0 d (n = 48), 14 (n = 46), 22 d (n = 46), and 70 d (n = 48) after the start of G period to measure body traits. For microbial analysis, 10 of the samples per sex at 0 d, 14 d, and 70 d were selected to be representative of body traits. Between 0 and 22 d, liver weight increased from 98 g to 194 g in males and from 89 g to 199 g in females (P < 0.001). Liver weight decreased between 22 and 70 d from 194 to 174 g in males and from 199 to 163 g in females (P < 0.001). Irrespective of the diet (G or SF period) and the sex of the bird, the two major phyla were Proteobacteria (49%) and Firmicutes (48%). Bacteroidetes represented around 3.0% of the sequences. At order level, Firmicutes were dominated by Clostridiales (33% of total sequences) and Lactobacillales (13% of total sequences) and Proteobacteria were dominated by Campylobacteriales (34% of total sequences). Finally, Bacteroidetes were dominated by Bacteroidales. SF and sex did not change the microbial diversity but sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis allowed us to highlight discriminant operational taxonomic unit between experimental groups. In conclusion, our result showed that changes in the body compartments of old geese during spontaneous hyperphagia depend on the sex of the birds, but not so much in gut microbial composition. Further investigations are necessary to understand the functional microbiota and highlight the role of gut microbiota in hepatic steatosis induced with hyperphagia in geese.

Influence of the incorporation mode of sugar beet pulp in the finishing diet on the digestive tract and performances of geese reared for foie gras production.

The aim of this work was to study the effects of incorporating sugar beet pulp (SBP) into the diet of geese in two feeding systems (complete pelleted feed or loose-mix feeding system) on crop development and performance. A total of 480 1-d-old male geese were divided into three groups whose diet differed from d 56 to 90: a complete pelleted diet containing 50% corn (control diet: AMEn 11.5 MJ/kg; CP 161 g/kg), and no SBP; a complete pelleted diet containing 50% corn and 10% SBP (SBPcp diet: AMEn: 11.5 MJ/kg; CP: 161 g/kg); and a mix in the same feeder (SBPlm diet) of 500 g/kg of protein-rich pellets containing 20% SBP (SBPprp: AMEn: 9.0 MJ/kg; CP: 250 g/kg) and 500 g/kg of whole corn (WC: AMEn: 14.0 MJ/kg; CP: 72 g/kg). Body traits, including crop volume, were measured at d 91. From d 91 to 106, 88 birds/group were overfed with a mixture containing mainly corn and water before slaughter to measure fatty liver performance. Feed intake from d 56 to 90 was higher (+10%; P = 0.004) in the SBPcp group than the other two, but at d 90, the body weight (BW) of the birds was higher (+7%; P = 0.002) in the SBPlm group than the other two. At d 91, the volume of the crop was greater in the SBPcp group (80.4 mL/kg of BW, P < 0.001) than in the control group (60.3 mL/kg of BW), the SBPlm group being intermediate (64.1 mL/kg of BW). Feed intake (13,321 g), weight gain (2,733 g), and feed-to-gain ratio (4.9) during the overfeeding period, as well as fatty liver weight (963 g) and commercial grading, were similar (P > 0.05) between the three groups. In conclusion, the use of sugar beet pulp in the diet of finishing geese helps the adaptation of the digestive tract to the overfeeding period, even in a loose-mix feeding system based on whole corn.

The influence of whole-corn feeding method during the finishing stage on the performance of overfed mule ducks.

The aim of this trial was to compare 2 feeding systems based on whole corn, a loose-mix and a free-choice feeding system, during the finishing stage on the performance of ducks. Five hundred sixteen day-old male mule ducks (Muscovy drake × Pekin duck) were divided into 3 groups that differed in the presentation of the diet they received between 58 and 88 d of age: a complete pelleted diet (Control (CON) group; AMEn 12.1 MJ/kg, CP 15.0%) containing 500 g of corn per kg; or whole corn (AMEn 13.9 MJ/kg, CP 7.3%) and protein-rich pellets (AMEn 10.3 MJ/kg, CP 22.7%) in equal quantities mixed in the same feeders (loose-mix feeding [LMF] group) or in 2 separate feeders (free-choice feeding [FCF] group). From 89 to 99 d, 72 birds/group were overfed with a mixture containing mainly corn and water and then slaughtered to determine the weight and commercial value of the fatty liver. Feed intake was measured daily. Body weight (BW) was measured at 58, 88, and 99 d of age. From 58 to 88 d, total feed intake of the FCF group was +7% and +9% (+558 g and +672 g) higher than in the groups CON and LMF, respectively (P = 0.005). At 88 d, the BW was higher in the CON group than in the FCF group (4,959 vs. 4,778 g, P < 0.001), the LMF group being intermediate (4,874 g). During the experimental stage, the feed conversion ratio was higher in the FCF group than in the 2 others (+32%, P = 0.024), but the energy intake was similar between the 3 groups (92.6 MJ/duck, P = 0.353).After overfeeding (99 d), the BW (6,593 g), weight (642 g), and commercial grading of fatty liver were similar (P > 0.05) in the 3 groups. The present results suggest that loose-mix feeding during the finishing stage using whole corn is a solution for reducing feed cost.

Effects of replacing corn with sorghum on the performance of overfed mule ducks.

The aim of this trial was to study the effects of replacing yellow corn (C) with condensed tannin-free sorghum (S) during the finishing period (F period; age 53 to 79 d) and/or overfeeding period (O period; age 80 to 91 d) on the performance of overfed mule ducks. 192 ducks were divided into 4 groups (48 in each) differing in the cereal (yellow corn or sorghum) included in the diet given during the F and/or the O periods, using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments : SS, SC, CS, CC. At the end of the O period, the birds were slaughtered after 10 h of fasting to measure foie gras and magret qualities. Mortality (1%; P > 0.05) and weight gain (2,030 g; P > 0.05) during the O period were similar in the 4 groups. At the end of the O period, birds overfed with sorghum had foie gras that was heavier (723 vs. 694 g in CS+SS vs. CC+SC, respectively; P < 0.05) and less yellow (24.40 vs. 38.59 for b* in CS+SS vs. CC+SC, respectively; P < 0.001) than birds overfed with corn. Fat loss during foie gras cooking was similar in the 4 groups (18%; P > 0.05), but the foie gras was less yellow in birds overfed with sorghum (14.84 vs. 26.01 for b* in CS+SS vs. CC+SC, respectively; P < 0.001). Weight of magret was similar in the 4 groups (491 g, P > 0.05) but the color of the breast muscle and skin of magret was less yellow in birds overfed with sorghum compared with corn (12.26 vs. 12.92 and 13.84 vs. 18.30 in CS+SS vs. CC+SC, respectively; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the replacement of yellow corn with sorghum during finishing and/or overfeeding is possible and useful in a mule duck foie gras production system because it increases foie gras weight without decreasing the weight of magret However, it changes the quality of the products, mainly their color.

Squeeze bottle versus saline spray after endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis: a pilot multicentre trial.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for controlled trials to guide the perioperative management of patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The authors performed a pilot multicenter trial to compare two types of saline delivery devices in this population. METHODS: Patients were randomized to high volume saline irrigation with a squeeze bottle and low volume saline spray after ESS in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Surgeons were blinded to treatment, and one-month postoperative scores for sinonasal outcomes [Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22)] scale, nasal and sinus symptom score (NSS), and perioperative sinus endoscopy (POSE) scale were compared with preoperative scores. RESULTS: Nine centers provided data for 86 patients. All three outcomes measures improved significantly for both groups. Saline spray: SNOT-22 48.8 versus. 23.7, treatment effect 25.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.9-32.2), POSE 21.1 versus. 8.4, treatment effect 12.7 (95% CI, 9.2-16.1), and NSS 8.2 versus 5.0, treatment effect 3.1 (95% CI, 1.4-4.9) pre- and postoperatively, respectively (all p < 0.0001). Squeeze bottle: SNOT-22 49.5 versus 23.6, treatment effect 25.9 (95% CI, 20.3-31.6), POSE 18.6 versus 9.2, treatment effect 9.3, (95% CI 6.7-12.0), and NSS 9.0 versus 5.7, treatment effect 3.3 (95% CI, 2.3-4.3) pre- and postoperatively, respectively (all p < 0.0001). Analysis of variance did not identify a difference between the two treatment groups. Subgroup analysis based on preoperative disease severity did not change the nonassociation of saline bottle with outcome measures. Post hoc sample size calculation determined that 176 patients is required to detect an 8.9-point difference in SNOT-22 scores. CONCLUSION: In this pilot multicenter trial examining patients with chronic rhinosinusitis undergoing ESS, both squeeze bottle and saline spray showed significant improvement in SNOT-22, POSE, and NSS scores at one-month postoperatively. Because the study was nonpowered, we cannot rule out a potential difference between the two treatment groups.

Effect of incorporating sugar beet pulp in the finisher diet on performance of geese.

The aim of this work was to study the effects of incorporating sugar beet pulp (SBP) into the diet on the development of the crop and performance of geese. A total of 480 1-day-old ganders were divided into three groups differing in the composition and mode of distribution of the diet offered from day 56 to 89. The following two diets were used: a standard diet (nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy, AMEn 11.44 MJ/kg; 160 g/kg CP) or a diet containing 10% of SBP (SBP diet; AMEn 11.47 MJ/kg; 160 g/kg CP). The swelling capacity (SC) hydration was higher for SBP than for the standard diet (3.62 v. 2.72 ml of H2O/g of dry matter at 60 min; P<0.05). In the Control group, birds were fed with a controlled time of access to a standard diet. Other birds were fed the SBP diet with a controlled time of access (SBPt group) or a controlled quantity offered (SBPq). From day 90 to 104, 88 birds/group were overfed with a mixture containing mainly corn. Body traits including volume of the crop were measured at day 89. Fatty liver weight and commercial grading were measured at d 104. Feed intake from day 56 to 89 was higher in the Control group than in the SBPt group (8097 v. 7545 g; P<0.05), feed intake in the SBPq group being intermediate (7801 g); however, live weights (LW) of the birds were similar in the three groups measured at day 89 (5746 g; P>0.05). At day 89, the volume of the crop tended to be higher in the SBPt compared with the Control group (52.8 v. 48.8 ml/kg of LW; P=0.101). After overfeeding, feed intake (12 922 g), weight gain (2412 g), LW (8170 g), fatty liver weight (875 g) and commercial grading of the fatty liver were similar (P>0.1) for all the three groups. Therefore, SBP could help adapt the digestive tract of waterfowl to high feed intake through an increase in the crop volume, but its method of use - that is, level of incorporation and mode of distribution - should continue to be investigated.

The influence of choice feeding and cereal type (corn or triticale) during the finishing period on performance of mule ducks.

The aim of this trial was to study the influence of choice feeding and cereal type (corn or triticale) during the finishing period on performance of ducks. In total, 624 one-day-old male mule ducks (Cairina moschata × Anas platyrhynchos) were divided into 3 groups differing in the diet they received between 56 and 84 d of age: a commercial complete pelleted diet (control group; AMEn 12.1 MJ/kg, CP 15%), or corn whole seeds (AMEn 14.4 MJ/kg, CP 7.3%) and protein-rich pellets (AMEn 9.9 MJ/kg, CP 22.7%) in 2 separated feeders [choice feeding with corn (CFC) group]; or triticale whole seeds (AMEn 13.0 MJ/kg, CP 10.5%) and protein-rich pellets (AMEn 11.2 MJ/kg, CP 19.5%) in 2 separated feeders [choice feeding with triticale (CFT) group]. From 85 to 96 d, 96 birds/group were overfed with corn. Feed intake (complete pellets or cereal and protein-rich pellets) per pen was measured at 60, 62, 65, 69, 78, and 84 d of age. Body weight and body traits were measured at 56 to 84 d of age. Over the entire period, from 56 to 84 d, the feed intake of the CFC group was 7% lower than the control group, and 5% lower than that in the CFT group (P = 0.002). Whatever the diet tested, at 56 and 84 d of age, the BW (4,099 and 4,779 g, P = 0.42 and P = 0.35, respectively) and the carcass traits (P > 0.05) of ducks were similar in the 3 groups. During and after overfeeding, the performances of the ducks were also similar (P > 0.05). The present results suggest that CFC during the finishing period is a solution to reduce the cost of diet destined to ducks. Indeed, using locally grown grains could reduce the economic and environmental impacts of duck feeding, reducing the transportation and crushing processes.

The effect of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion on sleep architecture: an exploratory risk study in healthy young adults.

Maxillary transverse deficiencies (MTD) cause malocclusions. Rapid maxillary expansion treatment is commonly used treatment for correcting such deficiencies and has been found to be effective in improving respiration and sleep architecture in children with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, thus far, the effect of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) treatment on sleep architecture and breathing of normal subjects has not been assessed. We hypothesised that sleep quality will improve after maxillary expansion treatment. The objective of this study is to access the effect of maxillary expansion treatment on sleep structure and respiratory functions in healthy young adults with severe MTD. This is a prospective and exploratory clinical study. Twenty-eight consecutive young adult patients (15 males and 13 females, mean age 20·6 ± 5·8 years) presenting with severe MTD at the orthodontic examination were recruited into the study. All the participants underwent a standardised SARME procedure (mean expansion 6·5 ± 1·8 and 8·2 ± 1·8 mm, intercanine and intermolar distance, respectively) to correct malocclusion caused by MTD. An overnight in-laboratory polysomnography, before and after the treatment, was performed. The mean follow-up time was 9 months. The main outcome parameters were the changes in sleep architecture, including sleep stages, arousals, slow-wave activity (SWA) and respiratory variables. Before surgery, young adult patients with MTD presented no evidence of sleep breathing problems. At baseline sleep recording, 7 of 28 (25%) had apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥ 5 events per hour. No negative effect of the SARME was observed in questionnaires or sleep laboratory parameters. In the patients with a higher baseline AHI (AHI ≥ 5 h of sleep), we observed a reduction in AHI after surgical treatment (P = 0·028). SARME did not have a negative effect on any sleep or respiration parameters in healthy young individuals with MTD. It normalised the breathing index in the patients with a mild AHI index.

Effect of topical corticosteroids on allergic airway inflammation and disease severity in obstructive sleep apnoea.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of sleep-related breathing disorders is correlated with lower and upper airway inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. We hypothesized that corticosteroids treatment would lead to a greater reduction in disease severity in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) patients with concomitant allergic rhinitis vs. non-allergic OSAS patients by reducing the level of inflammation in upper airway tissues. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine whether treatment with intranasal corticosteroids could reduce upper airway inflammation and improve sleep parameters in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients with or without concomitant allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients with (n = 34) or without (n = 21) documented allergic rhinitis voluntarily enrolled in the study and were assessed at baseline and after corticosteroids treatment for 10-12 weeks. Sleep studies were performed and biopsies were obtained from the inferior turbinate, nasopharynx, and uvula. The apnoea-hypopnoea index, sleep quality, and level of daytime alertness were determined, and immunocytochemistry was used to phenotype tissue inflammation. RESULTS: Standard sleep indices improved following treatment in the entire cohort of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients, with greater improvement seen in the allergic rhinitis group. Allergic rhinitis patients demonstrated significantly improved O2 saturation and a lower supine apnoea-hypopnoea index score after corticosteroid treatment; similar improvements were not seen in the non-allergic rhinitis group. Eosinophilia was detected at all three sites in the allergic rhinitis group, but not in the non-allergic rhinitis group. Following treatment, fewer eosinophils and CD4 lymphocytes were documented at all three biopsy sites in the allergic group; the reduction in inflammation was less apparent in the non-allergic rhinitis group. CONCLUSION: This study has provided important molecular and clinical evidence regarding the ability of corticosteroids to reduce upper airway inflammation and improve obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome morbidity patients with concomitant allergic rhinitis.

Effects of substituting yellow corn for sorghum in geese diets on magret and foie gras quality.

The aim of this trial was to study the effects of substitution of yellow corn with sorghum during the growing-finishing (G period), overfeeding (O period), or both periods on magret and foie gras quality in geese. In total, 260 ganders were divided into 4 groups (65 birds in each) differing in the cereal (yellow corn or sorghum) included in the diet given during the G and the O periods, using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The groups differed in the nature of the cereal in the diet offered to birds between 44 and 104 d of age (G period: a diet containing 500 g of sorghum/kg (SS and SC groups) or a diet containing 500 g of yellow corn/kg (CS and CC groups). The groups differed also in the diet offered to birds between 105 and 120 d of age (O period): 967 g of yellow corn/kg (SC and CC groups) or 965 g of sorghum/kg (SS and CS groups). At the end of the O period, the birds were slaughtered after 10 h of fasting to measure foie gras and breast muscle weight, color, and chemical composition. The mortality in the SC group was higher (P < 0.05) than in the other 3 groups (14.29 vs. 3.58%, average of the 3 groups). After overfeeding, birds fed with sorghum had foie gras that were heavier 984 vs. 885 g, in CS+SS vs. CC+SC groups, respectively; P < 0.001) and less yellow (18.03 vs. 23.97 for b*, in CS+SS vs. CC+SC groups, respectively, P < 0.001) than birds fed with corn. The substitution of yellow corn with sorghum during the G and O periods (SS group) increased the weight of the foie gras, but altered its color to a paler yellow. In contrast, a substitution during the G period only (SC group) resulted in increased mortality during the O period.

The influence of loose-mix feeding on behavior, feed intake, and body weight of growing geese.

The aim of this trial was to study the influence of loose-mix feeding on behavior, feed intake, and BW of growing geese. In total, 252 one-day-old geese (Anser anser) were divided into 2 groups differing in the form of diet they received between 42 and 98 d of age (AMEn 11.55 MJ/kg, CP 16%): a complete pelleted diet containing 500 g of sorghum/kg (control group) or a mixture containing 500 g of protein-rich pellets and 500 g of sorghum whole seeds/kg (mixed group). Feed intake was measured daily from 42 to 48 d and every 3 d from 49 to 98 d. Individual BW was measured weekly from 42 to 98 d. Goose behavior was monitored by the scan sampling method throughout the experiment, which was divided into 5 periods according to the timing of access to feed: period 1 from 42 to 55 d (ad libitum feeding access), period 2 from 56 to 62 d (2 + 2 h feeding access), period 3 from 63 to 70 d (2 h feeding access), period 4 from 71 to 94 d (1 h feeding access), and period 5 from 95 to 97 d (3 h feeding access). Over the whole period, the feed intake (13,968 and 14,480 g) and the feed conversion ratio (8.53 and 8.15) were similar in both groups (P = 0.112 and P = 0.168; respectively). Body weight was similar in both groups from 42 to 91 d of age, but at 98 d of age, BW was 3.7% lower in the control than in the mixed group (P = 0.006). Goose behavior was influenced by period, because the percentage of birds feeding increased when the daily access time to the feed decreased (P < 0.001), but not by group (P > 0.05). The results suggest that a loose-mix feeding could be recommended in feeding of growing geese because it weakly influences their feed behavior but slightly increases their weight at the end of the growing period.

Influence of feeding sorghum on the growth, gizzard development and carcass traits of growing geese.

The aim of this trial was to study the influence of feed form on the performance, gizzard development and carcass traits of growing geese. Between 42 and 98 days of age, 360 geese (type Maxipalm(®)) were fed a diet containing 500 g sorghum/kg (nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy 12.6 MJ/kg, 15.1 g/kg CP). Birds were divided into three groups differing in feed form: complete pellets (Control group, n = 120); a coarse-ground meal (CG group, n = 120); or a mixture containing protein-rich pellets and sorghum whole grains (M group, n = 120). Feed intake per pen (40 birds/pen) was measured weekly between 42 and 98 days of age, and individual live weight (LW) was measured every 2 weeks. At 84 and 98 days of age, 12 birds were slaughtered in each group to measure the gizzard development and body traits. Irrespective of the goose sex, LW at 98 days was lower for the CG group than for the Control group (5555 v. 5888 g, P < 0.05 for males and 5039 v. 5215 g, P < 0.05 for females). The feed intake over the entire period was 5.5% higher in the M group (P < 0.05) than in the Control and CG groups but the feed conversion ratio (6.91, P > 0.05) was similar in the three groups. The gizzard development (as % of LW) was higher in birds of the CG group than those of the Control and M groups at 84 days of age (+13.98% and +13.51%, respectively; P < 0.05) but was similar in all three groups at 98 days of age (4.01%, P > 0.05). The relative liver development was lower in the birds of the CG group than those of the other two groups at 84 and 98 days of age (-20%, P < 0.001 and -10%, P < 0.05, respectively). The other body traits were similar in the three groups at both 84 and 98 days of age. The present results suggest that a simplified diet presented in the form of a mixture of sorghum whole grains and protein-rich pellets did not reduce the performance of growing geese.

Effects of presentation and type of cereals (corn or sorghum) on performance of geese.

The aim of this trial was to study the effects of cereal (corn or sorghum) and of the presentation of the diet (pelleted diet or a mixture with cereal) on the performance of geese. In total, 480 one-day-old geese were divided into 4 groups differing in the diet they received between 52 and 102 d of age: a pelleted diet containing 500 g of sorghum/kg (CS group; AMEn 11.29 MJ/kg, CP 16.70%); a mixture containing 500 g of protein-rich pellets and 500 g of sorghum whole seeds/kg (MS group; AMEn 11.61 MJ/kg, CP 14.30%); a pelleted diet containing 500 g of corn/kg (group CC; AMEn 11.33 MJ/kg, CP 16.40%); and a mixture containing 500 g of protein-rich pellets and 500 g of corn mash/kg (group MC; AMEn 11.48 MJ/kg, CP 14.50%). From 102 to 117 d, 33 birds/sex/group were force-fed with corn. Between 52 and 102 d of age, individual BW and collective feed intake (40 birds/pen) were measured weekly. Body traits were measured at 69, 96, and 117 d and the volume of the crop was measured at 102 d of age. The cereal had no significant effect on total feed intake (15,028 g, NS) or BW (5,811 g, NS) but the breast development at 102 d was less in birds fed sorghum compared with corn (-4.9%; P<0.05). Feed intake (+8.4% between 69 and 102 d; P<0.001), BW (+3.9%; P<0.001) and gut development (+9.3%; P<0.001) were higher when the diet was offered as a mixture compared with a complete pelleted diet. The birds fed the complete pelleted diets had a larger crop (+10.1%; P<0.05) than others. The cereal and the presentation of the diet had no effect on the body traits at the end of the force feeding. The results suggest that the use of sorghum whole seeds is interesting for feeding geese.

Endoscopic endonasal resection of the odontoid process as a standalone decompressive procedure for basilar invagination in Chiari type I malformation.

BACKGROUND: The expanded endonasal approach of the cranio-cervical junction provides comfortable working space while avoiding some of the disadvantages of the transoral route. We report a purely endonasal endoscopic resection of the odontoid process for basilar invagination in a patient with a Chiari type I malformation, without posterior decompression or fusion. CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old female patient presented with cranial nerve and brainstem deficits. CT and MRI showed a Chiari type I malformation and compression of the medulla by basilar invagination of the odontoid process. The tip of the latter was displaced up to the bulbo-pontine sulcus. The odontoid process was resected via the expanded endoscopic endonasal approach, without additional posterior decompression or fusion. The post-operative course was uneventful, including the absence of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Neurological deficits regressed rapidly. The preoperative cervical pain virtually disappeared. At 9 months follow-up, the patient had normal activity with minimal residual neurological deficits. Post-op dynamic radiography and CT showed stability of the cranio-cervical junction. CONCLUSION: Decompression of the bulbomedullary junction by purely endoscopic transnasal resection of the odontoid process is well tolerated and efficient. Immediate stabilization is not mandatory in all cases of congenital causes of basilar invagination.

Thermal and structural behavior of milk fat. 1. Unstable species of anhydrous milk fat.

The thermal and structural behavior of anhydrous milk fat (AMF) was studied by a technique that allowed simultaneous time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction as a function of temperature (XRDT) and high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to be carried out in the same apparatus from the same sample. In this paper (the first of a series), the less stable crystalline structures made by triacylglycerols (TG) of bulk AMF after its liquid quenching down to -8 degrees C are addressed The coexistence of two lamellar structures characterized by sharp long spacing reflections corresponding to well-defined 3L (70 A) and 2L (47 A) longitudinal stackings but broad short spacing lines related to poorly ordered hexagonal (alpha) lateral packing is shown for the first time, The bilayered structure was very unstable, since it disappeared during a 20-min isothermal recording. Simultaneous DSC and X-ray monitoring of AMF heating in the range -8, +50 degrees C at a rate of 2 degrees C/min allows the same sample to be followed on the evolution of these unstable forms to more stable varieties. The 3L stacking transforms into a new 2L crystalline structure characterized by broad LS reflections corresponding to a ill-defined 2L (37 A) longitudinal stacking but a more compact orthorhombic (beta') lateral packing. A delimitation of the domains of existence of the crystalline structures resulted from the comparison of detailed analysis of the evolutions of positions, intensities, and widths of X-ray peaks as a function of temperature to microcalorimetry recording.

Thermal and structural behavior of anhydrous milk fat. 2. Crystalline forms obtained by slow cooling.

The crystallization behavior of milk fat has been examined on slow cooling at 0.1 degrees C/min from 50 to -15 degrees C, to determine the variations of triacylglycerol organizations as a function of temperature. The experiments have been conducted with an instrument allowing coupled X-ray diffraction (XRD) at both small and wide angles and high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) recordings from the same sample by taking advantage of the high-energy flux of a synchrotron. On slow cooling, milk fat triacylglycerols sequentially crystallize in four different lamellar structures with double-chain length of 41.5, 48.3, and 39.2 A and a triple-chain length of 62.2 A stackings. Simultaneous wide-angle XRD has shown that initial nucleation occurs in a packing of beta' type at about 24 degrees C. For temperature < 13 degrees C, triacylglycerols crystallize in an hexagonal subcell of alpha type, leading to the coexistence of the beta' + alpha polymorphic forms, which is recorded until -15 degrees C. Thermal analysis allowed to correlate the formation of the different crystalline species monitored by XRDT (XRD as a function of temperature) to the exothermal events recorded simultaneously by differential scanning calorimetry. The evolution of the species formed during crystallization was also monitored on heating at 2 degrees C/min. The absence of polymorphic evolution on heating, as well as the high final melting point observed, about 40 to 41 degrees C, confirmed that cooling at 0.1 degrees C/min leads to quasi equilibrium.

Local synthesis of epsilon germline gene transcripts, IL-4, and IL-13 in allergic nasal mucosa after ex vivo allergen exposure.

BACKGROUND: The production of epsilon germline gene transcripts (Iepsilon(+)/Cepsilon(+) RNA) precedes class switch recombination to IgE and is induced by IL-4 and/or IL-13. Although Iepsilon and Cepsilon RNA(+) B cells have been identified within nasal tissue after in vivo allergen exposure, suggesting local germline transcription, whether these were resident or infiltrating B lymphocytes was not clear. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine whether B cells resident to the nasal mucosa undergo epsilon germline transcription. METHODS: Nasal mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained from asymptomatic patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and exposed to allergen ex vivo. Using immunocytochemistry, B lymphocytes were enumerated; with in situ hybridization, the number of cells expressing Iepsilon, Cepsilon, IL-4, and IL-13 messenger (m)RNA(+) cells was examined. RESULTS: Tissue cultured in medium containing specific allergen exhibited significantly more Iepsilon and Cepsilon RNA(+) cells compared with medium alone (P <.05). IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA synthesis also resulted from ex vivo allergen exposure; there were significantly more cells expressing transcripts for these cytokines within allergic nasal mucosal tissue cultured with allergen than medium alone (P <.05). Within allergen-stimulated tissue obtained from allergic patients, 30% of total B cells were Iepsilon RNA(+), and the majority of IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA(+) cells were T cells (68% and 44%, respectively) and mast cells (32% and 19%, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the nasal mucosa is a site of epsilon germline gene transcription and suggest that local T cell and mast cell production of IL-4 and IL-13 may regulate this event.