The Effects of Nano and Micro Particle Size of Zinc Oxide on Performance, Fertility, Hatchability, and Egg Quality Characteristics in Laying Japanese Quail

The current trial was conducted by using the 288 Japanese quails to evaluate the effects of a zinc-deficient diet supplemented with nano and micro zinc oxide on performance, fertility, hatchability, and egg quality characteristics. In this experiment, birds were randomly allocated to 9 dietary treatments includes diets supplemented with nano or micro particles of zinc oxide (amount of ZnO supplement for each treatment) to supply 49, 74, 99, and 124 mg zinc per kilogram of diet in a factorial arrangement (2 × 4) and a control non supplemented diet (24 mg/kg) with four replicates of eight birds (six females and two males) in each pen. Birds were fed the experimental diets from 47 to 75 days of age and had free access to water and feed during the experimental period. Results showed that Zn supplementation, regardless of particle size, improved the eggshell thickness (P < 0.01). A significant (P < 0.05) interaction was observed between zinc level and ZnO particle size for Shell breaking strength. Quails fed diets supplement with ZnO showed significantly higher egg weight and eggshell surface (P < 0.05) as compared with birds fed a non-supplemented control diet. Results obtained here showed that supplementation of nano ZnO enhanced fertility considerably. Application of non-linear quadratic models showed that the maximum egg production percentage was achieved when 67 or 72 mg/kg of dietary zinc was supplied from nano and micro ZnO, respectively. This result indicated that nano ZnO could reduce the zinc requirement in laying Japanese quail.

Supplementation with vitamin D and insulin homeostasis in healthy overweight and obese adults: A randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Hypovitaminosis D which is a frequent problem in overweight and obese individuals, seems to interfere with cells responsible for control of glycemic status. Therefore, the current research intended to study the impact of supplementation with vitamin D on insulin homeostasis among healthy obese and overweight individuals.

METHODS

The current study was conducted among obese or overweight individuals who had hypovitaminosis D. After separation of participants into two groups, one group received vitamin D pearls (50,000 IU/weekly) for eight weeks, whereas another group received a placebo over the same period. Next, the level of vitamin D, fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment 2 for Insulin Resistance (HOMA2-IR), Function of β-cell (HOMA2-β), and Insulin Sensitivity (HOMA2-S) and lipid profile of participants were evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, 67.2% of the participants were female. No considerable difference was observed concerning biochemical parameters among the study groups at baseline. After eight weeks, the mean (SD) level of vitamin D was significantly lower in the placebo group than those in the vitamin D group. (38.6 ± 8.1 vs. 14.9 ± 6.4; P < 0.001). The patients who received vitamin D had significant lower levels of FBS (P < 0.001), fasting insulin (P < 0.001), HOMA2-IR (P < 0.001), and HOMA2-β (P = 0.03), than the placebo group. The HOMA2-S was significantly enhanced in vitamin D group, while it reduced in another group (P < 0.001). However, no considerable decrease was found in triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein or low-density lipoprotein.

CONCLUSION

Supplementation with vitamin D improved sensitivity to insulin and pancreatic function of β cells of healthy overweight and obese adults.

A novel and cost-effective method for fabrication of a durable superhydrophobic aluminum surface with self-cleaning properties

A hierarchical superhydrophobic surface is prepared via a two-step boiling water immersion process and anodization of the treated aluminum substrate in a novel hydrophobic electrolyte of aluminum nitrate and stearic acid mixture at room temperature. The immersion time in boiling water had a significant influence on the morphology and durability of the sample. A pseudoboehmite coating is created on the aluminum surface during the boiling process, as revealed by the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer results. The energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of hydrophobic coating surface after anodization. Also, the FE-SEM images and the atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigation proved the hierarchical nano-and microstructure stem from boiling and anodizing procedures, respectively. The successively boiled and anodized surface exhibited contact angle of about 155˚, sliding and hysteresis contact angles of <5˚ and 2˚, respectively. It also demonstrated a self-cleaning property and remarkable durability.