ABSTRACT
The study investigated the effects of dietary probiotic of dual-strain Bacillus subtilis (BS) on production performance, intestinal barrier parameters, and microbiota in broiler chickens. In a randomized trial, male broiler chickens were allocated into three groups, a control group (basal diet), BS300 group (basal diet with 300 mg/kg BS), and BS500 group (basal diet with 500 mg/kg BS). The inclusion of 500 mg/kg BS significantly reduced the feed conversion ratio by 4.55% during the starting phase. Both 300 and 500 mg/kg BS supplementation increased jejunal villus height (by 17.89% and 24.8%, respectively) significantly and decreased jejunal crypt depth (by 27.2% and 31.9%, respectively) on day 21. The addition of 500 mg/kg BS significantly elevated the gene expression of occludin on day 35. Moreover, BS supplementation enhanced cytokine levels and immunoglobulins in both serum and jejunal mucosa. Microbial analysis indicated that BS increased the abundance of potential probiotics (Sutterella) and butyrate-producing bacteria (Lachnoclostridium, Tyzzerella, Anaerostipes, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_13, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-010). The abundances of Anaerostipes and Sutterella, are significantly correlated with growth performance and immune function. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with BS improved the growth performance, potentially through the regulation of immunity, intestinal barrier function, and microbiota in broilers. Notably, 500 mg/kg of BS exhibited more benefits for broilers compared to the 300 mg/kg.
ABSTRACT
A commercial triple-strain Bacillus-based probiotic was tested to determine its effect on the colonization of the ceca by Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) in commercial layer pullets. Two treatments were tested, each with containing 128 day-of-hatch LSL layer chicks. On top of a standard diet: 1) no supplement (Control, CON), and 2) Probiotic (GalliPro® Fit, 500 g/MT, 1.6 × 106 CFU/g of finished feed, PRO). Environmental swabs were collected from each treatment group and tested to ensure freedom from SE prior to challenge. At 21 days of age, the SE challenge strain was administered orally at a dose of 3.3 × 108 CFU/bird. Pullets from each treatment group (n=32) were euthanized at 6-, 10-, 14-, and 18-days post infection (dpi). Contents from the ceca were aseptically collected and assessed for presence and abundance of SE. No differences in the prevalence of SE positive ceca following oral inoculation (P>0.05) were observed between treatment groups at 6-, 10-, 14-, or 18-dpi. Counts of SE in the ceca of the PRO group were not significantly different (P>0.05) from those of CON at 6- or 10-dpi. However, significantly lower counts of SE in the ceca of the PRO group were observed at 14-dpi (P<0.05) and 18-dpi (P<0.05) compared with CON. SE counts were 1.24 and 1.34 logs lower than CON at 14- and 18-dpi, respectively. In conclusion, supplementation of the triple-strain Bacillus-based probiotic resulted in lower cecal counts of SE compared to those that did not receive an effective probiotic, thereby reducing the risk of foodborne pathogens prior to harvest through sustainable, natural methods.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to prospectively study the human pharmacokinetics of an ultrasound (US) contrast agent through its active ingredient, dodecafluoropentane (DDFP). Expired air and blood samples were collected from 24 volunteers after IV administration from 0.01 to 0.1 mL/kg. They were analyzed by a gas chromatographic method specially adapted to the study of DDFP. Blood data fitted to an open one-compartment model. Elimination half-life range was 1.8 to 2.5 min. The area under the curve was correlated to the dose (r(2) = 0.99). Mean blood clearance ranged from 30 to 49 mL/min kg. Blood apparent distribution volume ranged from 0.09 to 0.15 L/kg. In expired air, DDFP concentration exhibited a biexponential decay. The percentage of recovery was 98 +/- 19% at 2 h. No extraneous peaks were observed, indicating no detectable DDFP metabolites. It was concluded that DDFP pharmacokinetics in blood fitted to an open one-compartment model with a fast elimination half-life. Recovery in expired air was almost complete 2 h after administration.
