bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response of goat fed ammoniated local feed and urea palm sugar block
Authors: Kaunang Charles L. , Pudjihastuti Endang
Published: May 2020

Forages, such as corn straw andB. muticagrass as a single feed of livestock, only meet the basic needs of livestock. Low quality forage results in inadequate mineral requirements in the body of livestock, causing mineral deficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to afford an additional feed or supplements as a complement. Local feed in the form ofB. muticaand corn straw are forages available throughout the year in large enough quantities; however, they have several limitations such as low nutritional and biological value. Through ammoniating technology, it is expected that these forages can improve their quality. Urea Palm Sugar Block (UPSB) is a modified feed mixture, consisting of several feed ingredients such as palm sugar, urea, rice bran, oil cake, minerals and salt, which are processed and pressed into blocks. Palm sugar is used in animal feed as a Readily Available Carbohydrate (RAC), functioning as a carbon skeleton, while urea serves as a source of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) for rumen microbial protein synthesis. The purpose of this research is to study the response of goats fed ammoniated local feed and UPSB. The data obtained were analyzed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 8 replications. The parameters observed were the consumption of dry matter intake, daily weight gain and blood metabolic status. The results show that the R3 treatment provided an optimal response of goat fed by ammoniated local feed and UPSB.
Effect Of Symbiotic Flour (Lactobacillus Sp. And FOS) To The Egg Quality And Performance Of Laying Hens
Authors: Sjofjan O. , Natsir M. H. , Adli D. N. , Adelina D. D. , Triana L. M.
Published: May 2020

The research was to determine the effect of feeding symbiotic flour (Lactobacillus sp. and FOS) to the egg quality and performance of laying hens. The research was a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 4 replicates. The materials used for this research were 100 laying hens (30 weeks old). The treatments used for the research were dietary feed consisted of T0 (basal feed), T1 (basal feed + 0.2% symbiotic), T2 (basal feed + 0.4% symbiotic), T3 (basal feed + 0.6% symbiotic), and T4 (basal feed+0.8% symbiotic). The observed parameters were performance (feed intake, hen day production, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, income over feed cost (IOFC)) and egg quality (haugh unit, albumin volume, egg yolk volume, egg yolk color, egg yolk cholesterol content). The data analysis was the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and continued by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The results showed that using the symbiotic flour (Lactobacillus sp. and FOS) in the feed has significant difference (P<0.05) on IOFC and egg yolk volume, while also had significantly difference (P<0.01) on performance (feed intake, egg mass, feed conversion ratio) and egg quality (albumin volume, egg yolk color, and cholesterol). The research concludes that the addition of 0.8% probiotic flour (Lactobacillus sp.) as feed additive showed the best results.
Reducing Negative Effect of Heat Stress In Broiler Through Nutritional And Feeding Strategy
Authors: Rahman  , Hidayat Cecep
Published: May 2020

The broiler is the main meat supplier in Indonesia. The consequences of a tropical country, Indonesia has a high ambient temperature. High ambient temperature in the tropical country is one of the main factors which resulted in broiler exposed by heat stress. One of the important ways to reduce heat stress impact in broiler is through the nutritional and feeding strategy. The objective of the recent study is to review the ways of reducing the negative effect of heat stress in broiler through a nutritional and feeding strategy. The result of the study resulted that heat stress has many negative effects on production performance, health, physiology, reproductive profile, physiological response, and immune response of broiler. These many negative effects of heat stress can be an obstacle in meat chicken production in Indonesia. Therefore, it is important to promote the ways of minimizing the negative effect of heat stress as part of ways to support improving production efficiency in broiler production. It has been concluded that there are several nutritional and feeding strategies that promote to reduce the negative effect of heat stress in the broiler. There are several ways to reduce heat stress in the broiler, i.e., applying wet feeding, free-choice feeding, diurnal feeding patterns, and feeding coarser diets, the use of feed additive, vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant.
Nutrient content of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) regrowth I in different fertilizers and lighting
Authors: Suwignyo B. , Izzati F. , Astuti A. , Rini E. A.
Published: May 2020

This research was conducted to study the effect of fertilizer types and photoperiod on the nutrient content of regrowth I on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). The variables measured were nutrient content i.e dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and crude fat (CF). The research applied statistical analysis Completely Randomized Design (CRD) factorial pattern 5x3 and t-test. If it resulted in a significant effect, it was continued with Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT). The first factor was types of fertilizer consisted of P0=control, P1=green fertilizer and dolomite, P2=manure, green fertilizer and dolomite, P3=dolomite, and P4=green fertilizer® and dolomite. The second factor was the photoperiod consisted of C0=12 h, C1=16 h, and C3=20 h. The results showed that the fertilizer types treatments were significantly affected (P<0,05) regrowth I DM, and regrowth I CF. While photoperiod treatment were significantly affected (P<0,05) regrowth I DM, regrowth I OM, and regrowth I CF. The interaction between the types of fertilizer and photoperiod treatment was significantly affected (P<0,05) regrowth I DM and CF. Based on research results, it can be concluded that the types of green fertilizer from PIAT and dolomite to produce the nutrient content regrowth I was the highest, resulting in 22,18% DM, 29,32% CP, 9,38% CF respectively. The nutrient content of regrowth I that produce the highest results of photoperiod was 12 h = 28,80% CP, 16 h = 20,92% DM, 20 h = 89,38% OM, 9,16% CF.
In vitro gas production kinetics as influenced by combination of Acacia magium, Swietenia mahagoni and Artocarpus heterophyllus as tannin source
Authors: Anas M. A. , Muhlisin  , Bachruddin Z. , Yusiati L. M.
Published: May 2020

Acacia mangium, Swietenia mahagoni, and Artocarpus heterophyllus commonly used in ruminant feeding practices and which contains CT with potential to reduce CH4 emissions and improve feed protein utilization. This study was aimed to determine the effect of combination of Acacia mangium, Swietenia mahagoni, and Artocarpus heterophyllus as a tannin source on in vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics. The combination leaves consists of Swietenia mahagoni (40%), Acacia mangium (30%), and Artocarpus heterophyllus (30%). The levels of combination leaves which used were 0%, 50%, and 100% as forage sources (60%) and concentrate 40%. Feed fermentation was conducted using Menke and Steingass gas production technique for 48 hours. Kinetic of gas production was analyzed using the Fit Curve program. Data obtained were analyzed using one way ANOVA, and continued by DMRT. The results showed that the gas production from soluble fractions (a) was affected by the treatment. Gas production from the potentially degraded fraction (b) did not different between control and treatment (P>0.05). The potential extent of gas production (a+b) decreased significantly (P<0.05) at 50% combination leaves. The gas production rate (c) did not affected (P<0.05) by combination leaves. Inclusion of 50% of combination leaves in the diet could reduce rumen gas production, the soluble fraction (a) and the potentially degraded fraction (b).
Effectiveness of Maltodextrin as a Coating in Microencapsulation of Clove Leaves Oil (Syzygium aromaticum) for Antibacterial Applications
Authors: Nurliana L , Kurniawati D , Kadir LA , Dewi F , Musta R , Nurjana
Published: May 2020

Clove leaves oil is potential oil used as antibacterial such as Escherichia coli. However, clove leaves oil has several disadvantages, including being easily oxidized and volatile. In order to overcome this problem a microencapsulation process is carried out. The purpose of this study was to test the ability of clove leaves oil and the results of microencapsulation as an antibacterial E. coli. Clove leaves oil was isolated using water-steam distillation. Furthermore, the obtained essential oil was microcapsulated by spray-drying method. Microencapsulation results were characterized using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) to determine the morphology of the produced material. The SEM results indicate that the resulting microcapsules are rounded shape, which shows that the formed microcapsules have not fully developed. The results of the activity test by using clove leaves oil as an antibacterial E. coli denoted a inhibitory zone diameter was 15.2 mm, while the oil was microencapsulated with a coating ratio of 1:4, 1:6, 1:8, 1:10, 1:12 produces inhibitory zones 9.9; 11.3; 12.9; 14.8 and 17.5 mm, respectively. Results of statistical tests indicate that antibacterial activity of clove leaves oil is 100 % significantly different from the comparative microencapsulation activity 1:4 with tvalue = 11.30>ttab = 9.93. Ratio microcapsul 1:6; 1:8; 1:10 and 1:12 having activities that were no different from clove leaves oil 100% and were showed by tvalue 8.65; 4.25; 0.76; 2.62, respectively < ttab = 9.93 on the confidence level α = 0,01; df =2. Thus it can be stated that minimum ratio of maltodextrin to clove leaves oil that can be used as a coating is a microcapsule ratio of 1: 6.
The plankton abundance fluctuation in traditional ponds by the use of organic fertilizer from poultry manure
Authors: Yusnaini  , Nur I
Published: May 2020

Fertilizer is required to fertilize the soil and water in order to develop natural food for fish such as klekap and plankton. The aim of this research is to investigate the fluctuation of plankton abundance by the use of organic fertilizer from poultry manure. The research was carried out in ponds in Mondoe Village, South Konawe Regency, Souteast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Chicken manure (1.5 tons) was composted through a fermentation process with the addition of fermented liquid 100 litre consisting of commercial probiotics, sugar and water (ratio 1: 1: 100) given in two stages with an interval of two-three days (volume 70% and 30%). Fermentation occurs in an-aerobic condition where organic matter was covered with plastic. Fertilizer was ready to be used after being aerated and kept about a month. The two hectare pond was given fertilizer, then after pond soil and water had shown discoloration as a sign of growing klekap and plankton, cultured organisms (100,000 vaname shrimp juveniles) were stocked. Water quality parameters were measured every month for three times including the species and abundance of plankton, diversity and evenness index, as well as physical and chemical parameters of water. The highest density of plankton was accounted for by Chaetoceros, followed by Oscillatoria and Protoperidinium. The diversity index for the plankton (H) ranged between 0.718 and 1.712 cell.L-1 across monthly sampling, while the evenness index (E) ranged between 0.327 and 0.714 cell.L-1. Plankton abundance increased very sharply in the second month to (21,332 cell.L-1) and provided a source of nutrition for shrimps to grow.The results show that chicken manure compost supports the growth of plankton as well as the growth of shrimp.
Selection of cow buffalo and its effect on reproductive characteristic of swamp buffalo
Authors: Nafiu La Ode , Saili Takdir , Bain Ali , Nasiu Firman , Abadi Musram , Badaruddin Rusli
Published: May 2020

This study aimed to understand the effect of cow buffalo selection on the characteristic of the reproduction of swamp buffalo. It was conducted in the center of buffalo development in District Bombana, South-east Sulawesi Indonesia. In this research, 65 heads of cow buffalo were used (aged 3-9 years), divided into two groups including (1) selected cow buffalo as many as 28 heads, and (2) unselected cow buffalo as many as 37 heads. Selected cow buffaloes had a higher body condition score (BCS), shoulder height, and body weight (fulfilling minimum requirements). The mating system was conducted through artificial insemination (AI). Before holding AI, all the cow buffaloes accepted the estrus synchronization by using the single dose of PGF2α (Capriglandin®Inj) hormone as much 5 ml/head. The result of the study demonstrated that the selection of cow buffalo could improve the reproductive characteristic of buffalo such as increasing estrus response and pregnant rate and shortening calving interval. Finally, the researcher recommends that farmers could utilize BCS, shoulder height and body weight as the criteria of selection to grow the animal production.
Estrous response of Etawah Crossbred does on estrous synchronization using the prostaglandin f2α based protocol
Authors: Atmoko B A , Bintara S , Maharani D , Ibrahim A , Budisatria I G S
Published: May 2020

Prostaglandin F2α is one protocol that is widely used in estrous synchronization programs for livestock. The aim of this study was to determine the estrous response of Etawah Crossbred does on estrous synchronization using a 1ml of prostaglandin F2α. 1ml of prostaglandin F2α (LutalizeTM
) with 11 days interval was injected to each of nine selected Etawah Crossbred does aged above 3-year-old, with parity more than twice, and did not pregnant. The goats were individually housed at Faculty of Animal Science of Universitas GajahMada (UGM) with average body weight, BCS, DM intake, and TDN of 41.15±8.31 kg, 3, 685.98±287.52 gr/head/day and 393.33±180.41 gr/head/day, respectively. Estrous responses observed were changes in vulva size (length and width), pH, color, presence of mucus, and behavior which was observed before injection (0h) and after the 2nd injection at 12h, 24h, 36h, 48h. Data were analyzed in descriptive quantitative and one-way ANOVA followed by DMRT. Changes in vulva length did not differ, but the width and pH vulva were significantly different (P <0.05) at Oh, 12h with 24h, 36h and 48 h. The pattern was similar to that which occurred in vulva discoloration, the presence of mucus and behavioral changes whose scoring values tended to increase at 12h, 24h, 36h and 48h after 2nd injection, except for the vulva color which decreased in the 48h.. It can be concluded that the injection of 1ml of prostaglandin F2α with 11d interval could cause estrous in Etawah crossbred does after 24h.
Response of Bali cows on superovulation for in-vivo embryo production
Authors: Yusuf Muhammad , Hasbi  , Toleng Abd.Latief , Sonjaya Herry , Sahiruddin
Published: May 2020

The aim of this study was to know the response of Bali cows on superovulation for embryo production. A total of two Bali cows (BC1 and BC2) obtained and selected from smallholder farms were used in the present study. These cows were selected based on good general health, body condition score, and reproductive organ. The cow that absent of health disorder and body injury as well as had a body condition score of 6 or 7 were subsequently subjected for reproductive organ examination. The cow that did not have any reproductive organ disorder was then examined using ultrasound for ovaries. Those cows that have a number of follicles at the ovary(es) with or without corpus luteum were selected as donors. The cows were superovulated using hormones and inseminated artificially at a fixed time. Embryos were flushed at day-seven after insemination. Parameters measured were 1) response of Bali cows on superovulation treatment; 2) the number of embryos at each ovary; 3) the quality of embryos, and 4) embryo development stage. The results of this study showed that Bali cows were responded to superovulation. After first superovulation, BC1 produced five follicles; one in the left ovary and four in the right ovary. On the other hand, BC2 produced seven follicles; two in the left ovary and five in the right ovary. It can be concluded that Bali cows responded to superovulation.
Effect of fermented peanuts shells in ration on productive performance of super local chicken aged 7 to 10 weeks
Authors: Aka Rahim , Nuraini  , Ba’a La Ode , Zulkarnain Deki , Abadi Musram , Salido WaLaili , Hidayah
Published: May 2020

This study aimed to understand the effect of the use of fermented peanuts shells in feed on the productive performance of super local chicken aged 7 to 10 weeks. This research used a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and 4 replications. Treatments were P0 = ration without fermented peanuts shelled, P1 = ration containing 2% of fermented peanut shells, P2 = ration containing 4% of fermented peanuts shells, and P3 = ration containing 6% of fermented peanut shells. Each experimental unit consisted of 5 super-local chicken. The parameters measured were feed consumption, body weight gain and feed conversion. Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) according to CRD and if there were differences between treatments then it will be tested by using the Duncan test. The results indicated that the using of fermented peanuts shells in feed has no significant effect (P>0.05) on feed consumption, body weight gain and feed conversion of super local chicken. Based on the results of this study, it could be stated that fermented peanuts shells can be used up to 6% in feed to substitute rice bran.
Reproduction Diversity of female local buffalo on the condition of smallholder farms in the eastern Seunagan sub-district of Nagan Raya district
Authors: Sari Eka Meutia , Mutawali  , Abdullah Mohd AgusNashri
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study was to identify the female buffalo reproductive characteristics in eastern Seunagan sub-district of Nagan Raya district. This research used survey method in five villages within eastern Seunagan sub-district, namely: Lhok Pange, Sawang Manee, Tuwi Meuleusong and Blang Gedong. Fourty respondents of buffalo breeders were selected based on purposive sampling methods, with the minimum requirement of the breeders having experience more than one year and keeping two productive buffalos which had given birth twice. Data collection was done by interview and discussion techniques. The parameters observed were: (a) the age of the first mated; (b) the age of having the first calf; (c) calving interval and (d) the weaning period. The data obtained were processed and the average was calculated and then descended and described descriptively. The results showed that the reproduction characteristics of female buffalo in the eastern Seunagan sub-district of Nagan Raya district were good enough. The age of the first mated was at 39 months, while the age of having the first calf was at 53.4 months with calving interval 20.47 months and the weaning periods was 14.67 months. Extensive livestock raising systems were 90%, with only 10% of farmers raising semi-intensive livestock.
Characterization and typology of goat production systems in West Muna Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Rahadi S , Kusumawati E D , Kuswati  , Isnaini N , Hakim L , Ciptadi G , Susilawati T , Nurgiartiningsih V M A
Published: May 2020

Goat farming is one of the important activities for the community in West Muna Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province, that contributes to the social and economic development of this region. The present study aimed at characterizing the goat farming and its typology. The study was conducted in West Muna Regency with the land area of ± 906.28 km2 or ± 90.628 ha. Fifty-five goat farmers were surveyed. The collected data related to the production method and the farm characteristics covering six main topics, namely a) education, b) labor number, c) goat size and structure, d) facility and equipment, e) feed management and grazing, and f) breed. The data were analyzed descriptively using percentages for each observed variable. The result of the study could classify the goat production system in West Muna Regency as a family system and as one of the subsystems, with the average ownership was six goats. The farming mostly is done using an intensive method (76.36%) with traditional housing technology and low feeding technology application. The study found that farmers’ educational background was low; also, there was no investment and technical assistance for developing goat farming in this region. Thus, it is necessary to conduct an economic study to find out the economic status of the business. It is suggested to establish a farmer association and provide technical assistance to enhance business productivity.
Institutional Development for Cooperative Sustainability of Beef Cattle
Authors: Nalefo La
Published: May 2020

A case study on the impact of institutional development for the sustainability of project participants (sustainability project) has been conducted on the asset of Initial Fund Equivalent (MAP), which is facilitated by Cooperative Ministry and UKM of Indonesian Republic in Ahuhu, Wawotobi district, Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. The study was conducted through a survey of 12 farmer groups by interviewing 60 project participants from members of the group. The result showed that the farmers’ institutional performance as project participant are very low. This is evidenced by the low level of respondent participation in group activities related to counseling, project management, and livestock development. One impact of the weak performance of the participant project is the inability of the farmer groups to develop economic institution community-based to assist the development of farmer livestock. This study proves that one of the causes does not the formation of farmers’ economic institutions which can take over the project management according to the original plan due to lack of government attention to institutional development of farmer groups as a coaching container of project participants.
Analysis production of laying hens by applying supply chain management on the laying hens industry in Banda Aceh
Authors: Akmal Abdiel Khaleil , Sastra Hasan Yudie , Yaman M. Aman
Published: May 2020

This research is related to the awareness of the people who realize that it will be increasingly important to consume eggs so that it becomes an opportunity for livestock companies to fulfill the people’s demand for chicken eggs. The UPTD of the Non-Ruminant Animal Husbandry as a laying hens industry is very influential on the quality of quality for businesses in producing commercial eggs to be consumed by the people. The UPTD of the Non-Ruminant Animal Husbandry Office continues to improve efficiency in the chain of business activities. The research conducted at the UPTD of the Non-Ruminant Animal Husbandry aims to analyze the supply chain management mechanism in the laying hens’ industry, to analyze supply chain productivity of laying hens commodities, and to examine the benefits and obstacles in applying supply chain management in the laying hens’ industry. The method used to measure productivity is Supply Chain Management. The productivity measurement is based on input identification data, the process of transforming inputs into chicken egg products and the process of sending and distributing chicken eggs. The research produced a supply chain activity flow that occurred in the UPTD of the Non-Ruminant Animal Husbandry went well, consisting of 14 main processes divided into 3 parts, which is identifying source consisting of 4 parts, identifying the make of 5 parts, identifying deliver of 5 parts. The supply chain productivity levels at the UPTD of Non-Ruminant Animal Husbandry are quite good, which are on 73,33 percent and broken eggs 0,44 percent.
Study of harvesting losses for sustainable agricultural production in Southeast Sulawesi (a case study in Konawe district)
Authors: Rusdin  , Witjaksono Julian , Indrasti Rita , Rawung Jefny B. Markus
Published: May 2020

Post-harvest technologies have been produced rapidly, but not at all have been adopted by farmers. Rice harvesting techniques with a group of farmers equipped with rice threshing machines can reduce crop losses and threshing to 5.9%. Moreover, the use of a striper type of rice harvester can reduce crop losses to between 2-3%. In this era of mechanization, there is increasing use of combine harvester at the farm level. This study aims to know the performance of harvest management with combine harvester and post-harvest rice at the farm level and to find out the amount of crop loss with combine harvester and post-harvest rice. The study was conducted in the second crop season in 2017 in Konawe District which is the center of wetland rice in Southeast Sulawesi Province. The results of the study indicated that in general the farmer groups managing the Combine Harvester were not equipped with an organizational structure (73%). The average combine harvester manager is 5-6 people consisting of operators, grain harvesters, grain collectors, and tailor sacks. Unit of agricultural equipment and machinery management (UPJA) works with launchers and harvesting equipment carriers. The ability to harvest in a day is 2 ha, with a harvest time of 3 hours per ha, with fuel consumption of 34.6 liters/ha. While the ability of harvested area in annuals is 35 ha on average. The average weight of yield loss by various planting methods is not too different which is about 0.129 - 0.136 kg. However, the highest percentage of yield loss is in the method of planting tabela (direct scattering) which is equal to 2.084%, this is influenced by the amount of yield obtained from the planting method. While the yield loss due to transportation between distances of less than 500 meters and above 500 meters does not differ much, namely an average of 0.18 kg and 0.21 kg, with an average of 0.2 percent of the average weight before transporting.
Purchasing Decisions Behaviour of Beef Consumer in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi (Case Study in Mandonga Traditional Market)
Authors: Sani La Ode Arsad , Nafiu La Ode , Kurniawan Widhi , Yunus Febriyani A.
Published: May 2020

Beef sales in the Kendari area are spread across several markets, both modern and traditional markets, one of which is the Traditional Market of Mall Mandonga. Mall Mandonga is one of beef supplies markets in Kendari City, which serve several types of livestock commodity, not only beef but also other types of meat. There are a variety of consumers that need to be mapped to develop a meat sales business in that location. This research is expected to be used as consideration for sellers to develop beef production and marketing in Kendari City, especially in Mall Mandonga Traditional Market. This study was aimed to determine consumer behavior in beef purchasing decisions in Kendari City. The research was conducted at the Mall Mandonga Traditional Market, Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi, in June-July 2017. The sample population of this study was consumers who bought beef taken accidentally nonprobability as many as 90 people. The measured variable is related to consumer research that buys beef includes the physical characteristics of beef, perceptions of prices, the share of beef, number of purchases, ease of access, seller services, frequency of purchase, number of family members, education level and income level. Data were collected and analyzed descriptively qualitative and quantitative. The results showed that consumer behavior in the decision to buy beef at Mall Mandonga Traditional Market considers: (1) color (53.3%), (2) perception of normal price (80%), (3) purchase frequency 2-3 times in a week (43.3%), (4) total purchases> 2-5 kg (51.1%), (5) combined beef (38.9%), (6) easy access to available beef every day (41.1%) and (7) friendly service (40%).
Social Support and Antibody Responses to Vaccination: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Uchino Bert N , Landvatter Joshua , Zee Katherine , Bolger Niall
Published: May 2020

Background

Social support and social integration have been linked to lower rates of morbidity and mortality. However, the biological mechanisms responsible for such links need greater attention. Vaccine paradigms provide an integrative window into immune system involvement in the protective influence of social support/integration.

Purpose

The main aim of this article was to conduct a meta-analytic review of the association between social support/social integration and antibody responses to vaccines. Exploratory analyses also examined effect sizes and confidence intervals as a function of several factors to inform future research.

Method

A literature search was conducted using the ancestry approach and with PsycInfo, Medline, and the Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection by crossing the exact keywords of social support or social integration with vaccine or antibodies. The review identified nine studies with a total of 672 participants.

Results

The omnibus meta-analysis showed that social support/social integration was related to higher antibody levels following vaccination, but the average effect size was small and the lower bound of the confidence interval included zero (Zr = 0.06 [−.04, .15]). These results did not appear to differ much as a function of the operationalization of social relationships, participant age, or follow-up period, although effect sizes appeared larger for studies using a primary antigen.

Conclusions

These data provide some evidence that social support may be linked to antibody responses to vaccines. However, effect sizes are mostly small and zero overall effect cannot be ruled out. Future studies would benefit from larger sample sizes and greater consideration of methodological issues associated with secondary immune responses to antigen.
Sleep quality during an overnight on-call program
Authors: Cannon Laura , Ali Dina , Parli Sara E , Martin Craig , Cook Aaron M
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Many institutions deploy pharmacy residents to expand clinical pharmacy services, often in the form of overnight, in-house on-call programs. There is little published evidence regarding pharmacy resident sleep and sleepiness after a night of overnight, in-house on-call activity. A prospective observational cohort study was conducted to determine the relationship between overnight, in-house on-call programs and pharmacy resident sleep and sleep quality.

Methods

The cohort study included both postgraduate year 1 and postgraduate year 2 pharmacy residents. Each resident participated in 10 to 15 overnight on-call shifts. Sleep and sleep quality were assessed using devices worn on residents’ wrists on the nights prior to, during, and after on-call shifts. Resident sleepiness was assessed via the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) during specified baseline and postcall periods. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to assess the relationship between measurements of sleep, sleep quality, and sleepiness.

Results

We enrolled a total of 23 residents in the study and recorded data on 269 on-call shifts. Frequently (42.6% of shifts) residents had no time to sleep during overnight on-call shifts. Among those who did have sleep time, the mean sleep time during an overnight, in-house on-call shift was 1.22 (SD, 1.56) hours. Additionally, ESS scores indicated a 2.4-fold increase in sleepiness on the morning after vs the morning before on-call shifts.

Conclusion

Residents often did not sleep while on call. Sleep periods overnight were short and of poor quality. Predictably, residents reported increased sleepiness after an overnight on-call shift. Residents received an average of approximately 10 clinical consultation calls per overnight shift.
Scientific Collaboration During the COVID-19 Pandemic: N95DECON.org
Authors: Rempel David
Published: May 2020

Many academics and researchers have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by forming on-line national and international collaborative groups to rapidly investigate issues of prevention and treatment. This commentary describes the spontaneous formation of an international team of 115 researchers who summarized the literature on safe methods for decontaminating N95 filtering facepiece respirators in response to the supply crisis. The summary reports and fact sheets on the (www.n95decon.org) website have had more than 200 000 unique visits and the organization’s webinars have reached health care professionals from more than 50 countries. The team is extending its mission to cover other personal protective equipment. The success of these collaborations may alter how scientific questions are tackled in the future.
Do We Have Normative Powers?
Authors: Chang Ruth
Published: May 2020

‘Normative powers’ are capacities to create normative reasons by our willing or say-so. They are significant, because if we have them and exercise them, then sometimes the reasons we have are ‘up to us’. But such powers seem mysterious. How can we, by willing, create reasons? In this paper, I examine whether normative powers can be adequately explained normatively, by appeal to norms of a practice, normative principles, human interests, or values. Can normative explanations of normative powers explain how an exercise of the will can afford us special freedom in determining our reasons? I argue that normative approaches to answering this question prove to be inadequate. To vindicate the thought that normative powers can make our reasons ‘up to us’, we need an altogether different approach to understanding them, one that is located not in the normative but in the metaphysical. I end the paper by sketching a metaphysical explanation of normative powers. This metaphysical defence of normative powers provides a window into a different, more agent-centered way of thinking about rational agency.
ThETA: transcriptome-driven efficacy estimates for gene-based TArget discovery
Authors: Failli Mario , Paananen Jussi , Fortino Vittorio
Published: May 2020

Estimating efficacy of gene–target-disease associations is a fundamental step in drug discovery. An important data source for this laborious task is RNA expression, which can provide gene–disease associations on the basis of expression fold change and statistical significance. However, the simply use of the log-fold change can lead to numerous false-positive associations. On the other hand, more sophisticated methods that utilize gene co-expression networks do not consider tissue specificity. Here, we introduce Transcriptome-driven Efficacy estimates for gene-based TArget discovery (ThETA), an R package that enables non-expert users to use novel efficacy scoring methods for drug–target discovery. In particular, ThETA allows users to search for gene perturbation (therapeutics) that reverse disease-gene expression and genes that are closely related to disease-genes in tissue-specific networks. ThETA also provides functions to integrate efficacy evaluations obtained with different approaches and to build an overall efficacy score, which can be used to identify and prioritize gene(target)–disease associations. Finally, ThETA implements visualizations to show tissue-specific interconnections between target and disease-genes, and to indicate biological annotations associated with the top selected genes.

Availability and implementation

ThETA is freely available for academic use at https://github.com/vittoriofortino84/ThETA.

Contact

vittorio.fortino@uef.fi

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Integrating multi-OMICS data through sparse canonical correlation analysis for the prediction of complex traits: a comparison study
Authors: Rodosthenous Theodoulos , Shahrezaei Vahid , Evangelou Marina
Published: May 2020

Motivation

Recent developments in technology have enabled researchers to collect multiple OMICS datasets for the same individuals. The conventional approach for understanding the relationships between the collected datasets and the complex trait of interest would be through the analysis of each OMIC dataset separately from the rest, or to test for associations between the OMICS datasets. In this work we show that integrating multiple OMICS datasets together, instead of analysing them separately, improves our understanding of their in-between relationships as well as the predictive accuracy for the tested trait. Several approaches have been proposed for the integration of heterogeneous and high-dimensional (p≫n) data, such as OMICS. The sparse variant of canonical correlation analysis (CCA) approach is a promising one that seeks to penalize the canonical variables for producing sparse latent variables while achieving maximal correlation between the datasets. Over the last years, a number of approaches for implementing sparse CCA (sCCA) have been proposed, where they differ on their objective functions, iterative algorithm for obtaining the sparse latent variables and make different assumptions about the original datasets.

Results

Through a comparative study we have explored the performance of the conventional CCA proposed by Parkhomenko et al., penalized matrix decomposition CCA proposed by Witten and Tibshirani and its extension proposed by Suo et al. The aforementioned methods were modified to allow for different penalty functions. Although sCCA is an unsupervised learning approach for understanding of the in-between relationships, we have twisted the problem as a supervised learning one and investigated how the computed latent variables can be used for predicting complex traits. The approaches were extended to allow for multiple (more than two) datasets where the trait was included as one of the input datasets. Both ways have shown improvement over conventional predictive models that include one or multiple datasets.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/theorod93/sCCA.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Specific responses of cuckoo hosts to different alarm signals according to breeding stage: a test of the offspring value hypothesis
Authors: Wang Jiaojiao , Yang Canchao
Published: May 2020

The selective pressure exerted by avian brood parasites forces their hosts to evolve specific defense strategies. When subject to brood parasite attack, avian hosts will often emit alarm calls. To date, few studies have examined whether and how host responses to different alarm calls indicative of different enemies vary with the host’s breeding stage. We carried out alarm call playback experiments during both the egg and nestling stages of the oriental reed warbler Acrocephalus orientalis, a host of the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus. The playback exemplars were selected from recorded alarm calls of the warbler to the presence of common cuckoos, sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus, and oriental turtle doves Streptopelia orientalis, which represented brood parasite, predator, and harmless control, respectively. The results showed that the oriental reed warblers did not discriminate alarm calls issued to different intruder types, but the intensity of the response was significantly higher in the nestling stage than in the egg stage. Attack behavior related to sparrowhawk alarm calls was absent in the egg stage, but aggressive behavior increased dramatically and exceeded the attack frequency in response to the cuckoo alarm call in the nestling stage, implying a shift in the tradeoff between the parents’ own survival and the loss of offspring. Alarm calls attracted a larger number of conspecifics than members of other species. In general, the oriental reed warbler had consistently stronger responses to different alarm calls in the nestling stage than in the egg stage, supporting the offspring value hypothesis.
Impact of ineffective esophageal motility on chemical clearance in patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms
Authors: Dao Hang Viet , Matsumura Tomoaki , Kaneko Tatsuya , Takahashi Satsuki , Tokunaga Mamoru , Oura Hirotaka , Ishikawa Kentaro , Akizue Naoki , Kikuchi Atsuko , Fujie Mai , Saito Keiko , Okimoto Kenichiro , Maruoka Daisuke , Nakagawa Tomoo , Arai Makoto , Kato Jun , Kato Naoya
Published: May 2020

Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is the most common manometric abnormality in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the impact of IEM on esophageal chemical clearance has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to determine the impact of IEM on esophageal chemical clearance in patients with GERD. A total of 369 patients with GERD symptoms who underwent upper endoscopy and high-resolution manometry (HRM) test were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between IEM and erosive esophagitis was examined. In addition, the impact of IEM on chemical clearance was examined in patients who underwent an additional combined multichannel intraluminal impedance–pH (MII–pH) test. Esophageal chemical clearance capability was evaluated via postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) index and acid clearance time (ACT). Of 369 patients, 181 (49.1%) had esophageal motility disorders, of which 78 (21.1%) had IEM. The proportion of IEM patients in those with erosive esophagitis and those without were 16.2% and 21.7%, respectively, and no significant difference was observed (P = 0.53). After excluding patients other than those with IEM and normal esophageal motility, 64 subsequently underwent MII–pH test. The median values of the PSPW index in the IEM and normal esophageal motility group were 11.1% (4.2%–20.0%) and 17.1% (9.8%–30.6%), respectively. The PSPW index was significantly lower in the IEM group than in the normal esophageal motility group (P < 0.05). The median ACT values in the IEM group and normal esophageal motility group were 125.5 (54.0–183.5) seconds and 60.0 (27.2–105.7) seconds, respectively. The ACT was significantly longer in the IEM group than in the normal esophageal motility group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, IEM was found to be associated with chemical clearance dysfunction as measured against the PSPW index and ACT. As this condition could be a risk factor for GERD, future treatments should be developed with a focus on chemical clearance.
Subxiphoid uniportal bilateral lung wedge resection
Authors: Negi Takahiro , Suda Takashi , Tochii Sachiko , Hoshikawa Yasushi
Published: May 2020

Subxiphoid uniportal bilateral lung wedge resection, in which all manipulations are performed via a 3-cm wound positioned below the xiphoid process, can be performed in the supine position without the patient having to change positions. It also enables one-stage bilateral lung resection. We report the surgical procedure and initial results of subxiphoid uniportal bilateral lung wedge resection. A 3-cm transverse incision was made 1 cm caudally below the xiphoid process. A port for uniportal surgery was inserted. After CO2 insufflation at 8 mmHg, the lung was grasped and lifted with bent grasping forceps, and by bending the tip of a stapler, the surgeon resected the affected portion of the bilateral lungs. In this approach, there is one incision, no intercostal nerve damage and bilateral surgery can be performed in the same procedure; therefore, the technique may have the benefit of lesser invasiveness for the patient. Furthermore, a detailed comparison of subxiphoid uniportal bilateral lung wedge resection with the one-stage lateral intercostal approach with a larger subject sample is needed.
Omentum support for cardiac regeneration in ischaemic cardiomyopathy models: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Wang Hogan , Roche Christopher D , Gentile Carmine
Published: May 2020

OBJECTIVES

Preclinical in vivo studies using omental tissue as a biomaterial for myocardial regeneration are promising and have not previously been collated. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the omentum as a support for bioengineered tissue therapy for cardiac regeneration in vivo. 

METHODS

A systematic scoping review was performed. Only English-language studies that used bioengineered cardio-regenerative tissue, omentum and ischaemic cardiomyopathy in vivo models were included.

RESULTS

We initially screened 1926 studies of which 17 were included in the final qualitative analysis. Among these, 11 were methodologically comparable and 6 were non-comparable. The use of the omentum improved the engraftment of bioengineered tissue by improving cell retention and reducing infarct size. Vascularization was also improved by the induction of angiogenesis in the transplanted tissue. Omentum-supported bioengineered grafts were associated with enhanced host reverse remodelling and improved haemodynamic measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The omentum is a promising support for myocardial regenerative bioengineering in vivo. Future studies would benefit from more homogenous methodologies and reporting of outcomes to allow for direct comparison.
Colocalization of Oxtr with Prader-Willi syndrome transcripts in the trigeminal ganglion of neonatal mice
Authors: Vaidyanathan Radhika , Schaller Fabienne , Muscatelli Françoise , Hammock Elizabeth A D
Published: May 2020

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is caused by deficient expression of the paternal copy of several contiguous genes on chromosome 15q11-q13 and affects multiple organ systems in the body, including the nervous system. Feeding and suckling deficits in infants with PWS are replaced with excessive feeding and obesity in childhood through adulthood. Clinical trials using intranasal oxytocin (OXT) show promise to improve feeding deficits in infants with PWS. The mechanism and location of action of exogenous OXT are unknown. We have recently shown in neonatal mice that OXT receptors (OXTR) are present in several regions of the face with direct roles in feeding. Here we show that the trigeminal ganglion, which provides sensory innervation to the face, is a rich source of Oxtr and a site of cellular co-expression with PWS gene transcripts. We also quantified OXTR ligand binding in mice deficient in Magel2, a PWS gene, within the trigeminal ganglion and regions that are anatomically relevant to feeding behavior and innervated by the trigeminal ganglion including the lateral periodontium, rostral periodontium, tongue, olfactory epithelium, whisker pads and brainstem. We found that peripheral OXTR ligand binding in the head is mostly intact in Magel2-deficient mice, although it is reduced in the lateral periodontium (gums) of neonatal Magel2-deficient mice compared to wild-type controls. These data suggest that OXT via orofacial OXTR may play a peripheral role to modulate sensory-motor reflexes necessary for suckling and may be part of the mechanism by which intranasal OXT shows promise for therapeutic benefit in PWS.