Effects of dietary crude protein on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and serum biochemical indexes of Lueyang black-boned chickens from seven to twelve weeks of age

This study was undertaken to assess dietary crude protein (CP) concentration for optimum growth performance and carcass characteristics of Lueyang black-boned chicken. In total, six hundred 42-day-old Lueyang black-boned chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments, each with six replicate pens with ten males and ten females. The birds fed experimental diets with different levels of protein concentration of 120, 140, 160, 180 and 200 g kg-1 from seven to twelve weeks of age respectively. On day of 84, weight gain, feed intake, and feed:gain ratio were measured, and two chickens (one male and one female) close to the average weight of all birds in each treatment were selected from each pen and sacrificed to evaluate carcass traits and selected serum biochemical indexes. Dietary CP concentration did not have any significant influence on feed intake (p>0.05). The birds fed the diet with 180 or 160 g kg-1 CP concentration exhibited greater (p< 0.05) growth rate, better feed conversion ratio, relative breast weight and albumin concentration in serum than that of those fed other dietary CP concentrations. According to the results of regression analysis, the CP requirements of Lueyang black-boned chicken from seven to twelve weeks of age for optimal weight gain and feed:gain ratio were 174 and 170 g kg-1, respectively.

Effects of dietary crude protein on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and serum biochemical indexes of Lueyang black-boned chickens from seven to twelve weeks of age

This study was undertaken to assess dietary crude protein (CP) concentration for optimum growth performance and carcass characteristics of Lueyang black-boned chicken. In total, six hundred 42-day-old Lueyang black-boned chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments, each with six replicate pens with ten males and ten females. The birds fed experimental diets with different levels of protein concentration of 120, 140, 160, 180 and 200 g kg-1 from seven to twelve weeks of age respectively. On day of 84, weight gain, feed intake, and feed:gain ratio were measured, and two chickens (one male and one female) close to the average weight of all birds in each treatment were selected from each pen and sacrificed to evaluate carcass traits and selected serum biochemical indexes. Dietary CP concentration did not have any significant influence on feed intake (p>0.05). The birds fed the diet with 180 or 160 g kg-1 CP concentration exhibited greater (p< 0.05) growth rate, better feed conversion ratio, relative breast weight and albumin concentration in serum than that of those fed other dietary CP concentrations. According to the results of regression analysis, the CP requirements of Lueyang black-boned chicken from seven to twelve weeks of age for optimal weight gain and feed:gain ratio were 174 and 170 g kg-1, respectively.(AU)

Associations between clinical characteristics and oncogene expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

More than 40 oncogenes associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been identified with varied gene expression. The correlations between specific clinical characteristics and oncogene expression in NSCLC patients were examined. From October 2011 to September 2012, a total of 60 patients with NSCLC (male:female, 34:24; mean age, 59.5 ± 10.6 years; age range, 31-81 years) were diagnosed and evaluated for treatment with radical resection at a single facility. Eligible patients exhibiting tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage I-III NSCLC confirmed by post-surgical pathology were included. mRNA expression was detected by branched DNA-liquidchip technology (bDNA-LCT) and mutations were detected at EGFR exons 18, 19, 20, and 21, KRAS exons 2 and 3, BRAF and PIK3CA exons 9 and 20. Correlations between gene expression at mutations and clinical characteristics of gender, age, histological type, degree of differentiation, smoking status, immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation of TTF-1, TNM staging, and discrete age ("nage") were examined. Significant associations were observed between IHC staining for TTF-1 and histological type (P = 0.00001) and with BRAC1, TYMS, RRM1, and TUBB3 expression (P = 0.0187, 0.0051, 0.024, and 0.0238, respectively). Significant cross-correlations were observed between TYMS, BRAC1, TOP2A, STMN1, TUBB3, and RRM1 expression (P < 0.05), but not between EGFR exon 21, KRAS exon 2, and PIK3CA exon 9 expression and any other mutation expression (P > 0.05). Relationships between clinical characteristics and oncogene expression in NSCLC, particularly those of TTF-1 level and smoking status, may be useful indicators of prognosis and development of anti-cancer drug resistance.

Pulmonary Granulomas Associated with PAS-Positive Bodies in Brachycephalic Dogs.

Pulmonary granulomas were incidental findings at necropsy in 18 dogs, mainly of the brachycephalic breeds. These lesions were multifocal along smaller bronchi and the subpleural tissue at the margins of lobes. The granulomatous reaction contained numerous periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive bodies that histochemically had reactions suggestive of a calcium-lipid-mucopolysaccharide complex. Although the cause is not clear, the location and distribution are suggestive of an inhalation or aspiration pneumonia. The shortened muzzle of brachycephalic breeds, particularly when there is concurrent upper respiratory disease, may predispose them to these bodies.