Nutritive value of extruded or multi-enzyme supplemented cold-pressed soybean cake for pigs

The objectives were to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA and NE value of cold-pressed soybean cake (CP-SBC), and the effect of extrusion or adding multi-enzyme to CP-SBC diet for growing pigs. Eight ileal-cannulated pigs (initial BW = 79.7 ± 3.97 kg) were fed 4 diets in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design to give 8 replicates per diet. Diets included a cornstarch-based diet with CP-SBC, extruded CP-SBC, and SBC plus multi-enzyme (1,200 U of xylanase, 150 U of glucanase, 500 U of cellulase, 60 U of mannanase, 700 U of invertase, 5,000 U of protease, and 12,000 U of amylase/kilogram of diet; Superzyme-CS, 0.5 g/kg); and a N-free diet. The CP-SBC was the sole source of protein in the CP-SBC-containing diets. The ratio of cornstarch to sugar and soybean oil in CP-SBC-containing diets was identical to the N-free diet to allow calculation of energy digestibility of CP-SBC by the difference method. The evaluated CP-SBC had been produced by heating the soybean seed at 105°C for 60 min followed by pressing of the heated soybean seeds at less than 42°C (barrel temperature). On a DM basis, CP-SBC and extruded CP-SBC contained 47.8 and 47.1% CP, 15.6 and 10.5% ADF, 7.23 and 8.85% ether extract, 3.11 and 3.08% Lys, and 2.25 and 3.70 trypsin inhibitor units per mg, respectively. Extrusion increased ( < 0.001) the SID of AA for the CP-SBC by an average of 12%. Also, extrusion increased ( < 0.001) the NE value of the CP-SBC from 2,743 to 2,853 kcal/kg of DM. Supplementation of CP-SBC diet with the multi-enzyme increased ( < 0.05) the SID of Arg and Pro, and tended to increase ( < 0.1) the SID of Ile and Tyr. However, the multi-enzyme supplementation did not affect the NE value of CP-SBC. In conclusion, the CP-SBC evaluated in the present study could be an alternative source of AA and energy in swine diets, and its nutritive value can be increased by extrusion following cold-pressing. The multi-enzyme used in this study improved the digestibility of some AA, but had limited effect on energy digestibility and hence NE value of the CP-SBC.

Dietary yeast-based nucleotides as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics in promoting growth performance and nutrient utilization in weaned pigs

Effect of dietary nucleotide supplementation without or with in-feed antibiotics on piglet performance and energy and nutrient digestibility was determined. Supplementing antibiotics without or with nucleotides (1000 ppm) increased weight gain (P < 0.05), whereas increasing nucleotide levels in antibiotic-supplemented diets linearly decreased (P < 0.05) energy and nutrient digestibility.

Stereoscopic Depth Sensitivity Differences between the Crossed and Uncrossed Directions

This study investigated the temporal sensitivity of crossed and uncrossed stereoscopic mechanisms of 48 observers using stimuli created from dynamic random-dot stereograms. The results showed thresholds were lower and depth was more veridical in the crossed than in the uncrossed direction.

Effect of yeast-derived products and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance, gut morphology, and gene expression of pattern recognition receptors and cytokines in broiler chickens

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of yeast-derived products and distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, and innate immune response in broiler chickens from 1 to 21 d of age. Nine replicates of 5 birds each were assigned to dietary treatments consisting of a control diet without antibiotic (C), and diets containing 11 mg/kg of virginiamycin, 0.25% of yeast cell wall (YCW), 0.2% of a commercial product Maxi-Gen Plus, 0.025% of nucleotides, 0.05% of nucleotides, or a diet containing 10% of DDGS. On d 21, 5 birds per treatment were euthanized and approximately 5-cm long duodenum, jejunum, and ileum segments were collected for intestinal morphology measurements. Cecal tonsils and spleen were collected to measure the gene expression of toll-like receptors TLR2b, TLR4, and TLR21, macrophage mannose receptor (MMR), and cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-10, and IL-4. No significant difference was observed for growth performance parameters. However, diets containing 0.05% of nucleotides and YCW significantly increased (P < 0.05) villus height in the jejunum. Furthermore, the number of the goblet cells per unit area in the ileum was increased (P < 0.05) in diets supplemented with yeast-derived products. The expression of TLR2b in the spleen was down-regulated for diets supplemented with nucleotides and antibiotic. In addition, lower expression of TLR21 and MMR was observed in the spleen of birds receiving yeast-derived products and antibiotic. However, expression of TLR4 in the spleen was up-regulated in diets supplemented with YCW and nucleotides. The expression of IFN-γ and IL-12 was down-regulated in the spleen of birds fed diets supplemented with yeast-derived products. In addition, inclusion of YCW, Maxi-Gen Plus, or 0.05% of nucleotides down-regulated the expression of IL-10 and IL-4 in the cecal tonsils. In conclusion, down-regulation of receptors and cytokines in spleen and cecal tonsils of birds fed diets supplemented with yeast-derived products may suggest that yeast products do not exert immune stimulating effect under normal health conditions.

Ab initio calculation of halide ligand passivation on PbSe quantum dot facets

The passivation and charge compensation provided by inorganic halide ligands on low index facets of lead selenide (PbSe) nanocrystals has been studied using density functional theory.

A qualitative study of the impact of the UK 'bedroom tax'

Background

The implementation of the ‘Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy’ in April 2013, commonly known as the ‘bedroom tax’, affects an estimated 660 000 working age social housing tenants in the UK, reducing weekly incomes by £12–£22. This study aimed to examine the impact of this tax on health and wellbeing in a North East England community in which 68.5% of residents live in social housing.

Methods

Qualitative study using interviews and a focus group with 38 social housing tenants and 12 service providers.

Results

Income reduction affected purchasing power for essentials, particularly food and utilities. Participants recounted negative impacts on mental health, family relationships and community networks. The hardship and debt that people experienced adversely affected their social relationships and ability to carry out normal social roles. Residents and service providers highlighted negative impacts on the neighbourhood, as well as added pressure on already strained local services.

Conclusions

The bedroom tax has increased poverty and had broad-ranging adverse effects on health, wellbeing and social relationships within this community. These findings strengthen the arguments for revoking this tax.

Radiochromic film measurement of spatial uniformity for a laser generated x-ray environment

An existing x-ray source application (XRSA) test cassette was modified to hold multiple x-ray filter materials followed by two radiochromic film types (FWT-60 and HD-810 Gafchromic® film) to qualitatively characterize the spectral-spatial uniformity over the XRSA sample field of view. Multiple sets of film were examined and nominal set was determined. These initial, qualitative measurements suggest a low-energy regime (E < 3 keV) spatial anisotropy and spatial isotropy at higher energies (E > 3 keV).

What can other animals tell us about human social cognition? An evolutionary perspective on reflective and reflexive processing

Human neuroscience has seen a recent boom in studies on reflective, controlled, explicit social cognitive functions like imitation, perspective-taking, and empathy. The relationship of these higher-level functions to lower-level, reflexive, automatic, implicit functions is an area of current research. As the field continues to address this relationship, we suggest that an evolutionary, comparative approach will be useful, even essential. There is a large body of research on reflexive, automatic, implicit processes in animals. A growing perspective sees social cognitive processes as phylogenically continuous, making findings in other species relevant for understanding our own. One of these phylogenically continuous processes appears to be self-other matching or simulation. Mice are more sensitive to pain after watching other mice experience pain; geese experience heart rate increases when seeing their mate in conflict; and infant macaques, chimpanzees, and humans automatically mimic adult facial expressions. In this article, we review findings in different species that illustrate how such reflexive processes are related to (“higher order”) reflexive processes, such as cognitive empathy, theory of mind, and learning by imitation. We do so in the context of self-other matching in three different domains—in the motor domain (somatomotor movements), in the perceptual domain (eye movements and cognition about visual perception), and in the autonomic/emotional domain. We also review research on the developmental origin of these processes and their neural bases across species. We highlight gaps in existing knowledge and point out some questions for future research. We conclude that our understanding of the psychological and neural mechanisms of self-other mapping and other functions in our own species can be informed by considering the layered complexity these functions in other species.

OT2-04-02: Metformin for Breast Cancer Prevention: A Pilot Study

Background

There is a body of accumulating evidence connecting metformin, a biguanide derivative which reduces hepatic gluconeogensis and improves skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity, to reduced breast cancer risk. This, in addition to a well established drug safety record among diabetics and non-diabetics, has provoked an interest in further study of metformin's effects on breast cancer risk indicators. In our study, we examine the effects of metformin on breast density and proliferative cell marker Ki67, both indicators of breast cancer risk. This is a small observational pilot study to determine the feasibility of subject recruitment, data collection through fine-needle aspiration, and breast density measurement.

Trial Design: Recruitment of 10 breast surgery patients with high risk histology to: 1. Undergo peri-areolar fine needle aspiration (RPFNA) used to collect breast cells for analysis of proliferative marker Ki67. 2. Breast density assessment by a) mammography (the standard method) and b) whole-breast ultrasound (an innovative method recently developed at UCSD).

Each subject will undergo a single view mammogram, whole-breast ultrasound, and intra-operative RPFNA. No drug or therapeutic intervention will take place in this pilot study.

Eligibility: Female undergoing excisional high risk breast surgery.

Specific Aims: Aim 1. To determine the feasibility of recruiting high risk breast surgery patients to an observational study involving RPFNA, mammography, and whole-breast ultrasound.

Aim 2. a) To compare mammography and whole-breast ultrasound for measurement of breast density. b) To examine potential for detecting biomarkers of cell proliferation through RPFNA.

Statistical Method: Breast density will be determined by the ratio of fibroglandular tissue to fat measured on mammogram and WBU. Cell proliferation will be assessed by the percentage of positivity for biomarker Ki67 in breast ductal cells.

Accrual and target accrual: Five of ten breast excisional high risk breast surgery subjects have been accrued at this time.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-04-02.

Electrical properties of conductive Ge nanocrystal thin films fabricated by low temperature in situ growth

Thin films composed of Ge nanocrystals embedded in an amorphous SiO(2) matrix (Ge-NC TFs) were prepared using a low temperature in situ growth method. Unexpected high p-type conductivity was observed in the intrinsic Ge-NC TFs. Unintentional doping from shallow dopants was excluded as a candidate mechanism of hole generation. Instead, the p-type characteristic was attributed to surface state induced hole accumulation in NCs, and the hole conduction was found to be a thermally activated process involving charge hopping from one NC to its nearest neighbor. Theoretical analysis has shown that the density of surface states in Ge-NCs is sufficient to induce adequate holes for measured conductivity. The film conductivity can be improved significantly by post-growth rapid thermal annealing and this effect is explained by a simple thermodynamic model. The impact of impurities on the conduction properties was also studied. Neither compensation nor enhancement in conduction was observed in the Sb- and Ga-doped Ge-NC TFs, respectively. This could be attributed to the fact that these impurities are no longer shallow dopants in NCs and are much less likely to be effectively activated. Finally, the photovoltaic effect of heterojunction diodes employing such Ge-NC TFs was characterized in order to demonstrate its functionality in device implementation.

Reducing delusional speech in chronic, paranoid schizophrenics

Four schizophrenic patients with paranoid and grandiose delusions who had been hospitalized for an average of 17 yr were exposed to social reinforcement contingencies in a multiple baseline design. During the baseline period, each patient was interviewed for four 10-min sessions each day. The elapsed time from onset of conversation to onset of delusional talk was recorded. At the end of each day, the patients engaged in a 30-min informal chat with a nurse-therapist while relaxing with coffee, snacks, and cigarettes. The intervention introduced two contingencies: (1) The 10-min interviews were terminated as soon as the patient began talking delusionally; (2) The patients earned time for their evening chat by talking rationally during their daytime interviews. Increases of from 200 to 600% in the amount of rational talk exhibited during the interviews occurred as the contingencies were introduced for each patient sequentially over time. These increases were maintained in three patients when the amount of reinforcement was halved, but declined when the patients were confronted directly with their delusional ideas. A modest amount of generalization occurred from the day-time interviews to the evening chats but did not extend to the behavior of the patients on the ward.