bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSVII-6 Effects of Carbohydrase Mixture Supplementation and Fiber Level on Apparent Total Tract Digestibility of Nutrients in Diets Fed to Gestating Sows
Authors: Shipman Garrin , Perez-Palencia Jorge Y , Patterson Rob , Levesque Crystal L
Published: April 2022

Supplementation of multi-carbohydrase enzyme cocktails increase nutrient digestibility of fibrous diets in grower pigs, in particular, dietary non-starch polysaccharides (NSP); while NSP degrading enzymes are extensively used in sow diets there is little data characterizing NSP enzyme effect in sow diets. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of carbohydrase mixture (CM) supplementation on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and nutrients in diets with low or high fiber content fed to pregnant sows. A total of 45 gestating sows (parity 0 to 5; BW 187 ± 28 kg) were blocked by parity in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement to either a high (HF; 17.5% NDF) or low fiber (LF; 13% NDF) diet and 1 of 3 levels of CM supplementation (0, 0.08, and 0.10%). Sows were fed once daily at 2.2 kg/d. Fecal and urine samples were collected for 4 d following a 10-day adaption period. Dietary CM supplementation to gestating sow diets increased ATTD of dry matter, energy, crude fat, and fiber (NDF and ADF; P < 0.05) with tendencies (P < 0.10) for crude fiber. Digestibility of calcium, phosphorus, NSPs along with ME and DE contents of the diets were not affected (P > 0.05). Dietary CM supplementation to the LF diet, but not the HF diet, increased the ATTD of NDF (P = 0.02). Inclusion at 0.08% did not differ from the 0.1% inclusion for effects on ATTD (Table 1). Irrespective of CM supplementation, sows fed the HF diet had improved digestibility of total NSP, xylose, glucose, and uronic acids (P < 0.05) with a tendency for galactose (P = 0.08) as well as increased DE and ME content (P < 0.01). Inclusion of CM in high fibrous gestating sow diets can be utilized to increase ATTD of nutrients and energy.
PSVII-11 Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Prototype Maintained Growth in Finishing Pigs Fed Diets with Reduced Energy and Protein
Authors: Kieser Joel , Levesque Crystal L , Perez-Palencia Jorge Y
Published: April 2022

During warm summer months, dietary intake levels of finishing pigs can drastically decrease, which may impact overall growth performance through macronutrient insufficiencies resulting from decreased intake. The goal of this 77-d finishing pig trial was to investigate the inclusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation prototype (SCFP) in diets with reduced nutrient content on growth performance. A total of 44 pens (237 finishing gilts and barrows) were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: CON formulated in 4 diet phases using corn, soybean meal, and DDGS, CON+ where 1% SCFP was added, and RED5+ and RED8+ where protein, amino acids, and energy were reduced 5% and 8%, respectively with the inclusion of soy hulls plus 1% SCFP. Dietary NDF was 16% and 17.5% in RED5+ and RED8+, respectively and 13% in CON and CON+. Pigs and feeders were weighed every 2 weeks; data were analyzed as a completely random design with pens as the experimental unit. In d28-d42, gain:feed ratio (G:F) was lower (P < 0.05) in RED8+ and RED5+ pigs than CON and CON+, and in d42-d56 G:F was lower (P < 0.05) in RED5+ than CON+ with CON and RED8+ intermediate. In d56-d70, average daily gain and BW were reduced (P < 0.05) in RED8+ pigs than CON, and G:F was less (P < 0.05) in RED8+ than CON and CON+. In all other weigh periods, BW was similar across all groups. There was no difference in dry matter digestibility of diets in any phase. The similar growth and feed intake between CON, CON+, and RED5+ pigs suggest that the SCFP may provide a nutrient uplift by way of enhanced nutrient digestion to offset the 5% reduction in dietary protein and energy.
PSVIII-8 Physiological Response of Broiler Chickens Fed Cold-Pressed Canola Cake-Based Diets with Soluble Fiber Source or Feed Additives
Authors: Hong Jinsu , Sellner Courtney , Levesque Crystal L
Published: April 2022

Effects of soluble fiber source or feed additive supplementation in cold-pressed canola cake (CPCC) containing diets on growth performance, organ weights, and blood thyroid hormones, and pH of digesta of broilers were investigated. A total of 96 one-day-old broilers were assigned to 6 dietary treatments, consisting of 8 cages of 2 birds each. The diets included a corn-soybean meal (SBM)-based diet and corn-SBM-CPCC 20% diets without or with barley, acidifier, encapsulated butyric acid, and probiotics. Birds were fed a commercial diet for the first week and fed experimental diets for 2 weeks. Body weight (BW) and feed intake of broilers were measured on d 7 and 21. On d 21, all birds were euthanized to collect samples of blood, organs, and digesta. Collected blood samples were analyzed for serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4), and pH of digesta in gizzard, ileum, ceca, and large intestine was measured. Broilers fed CPCC diet with butyric acid or probiotics had greater (P < 0.05) growth performance than broilers fed CPCC diet. There were no significant differences in relative weights of thyroid glands and liver to BW. Supplementation of either butyric acid or probiotics in CPCC diets reduced (P < 0.05) serum T3 concentration compared with CPCC diet by 34% and 21%, respectively. Also, supplementation of butyric acid in CPCC diet showed no difference in serum T3 concentration compared with corn-SBM diet. Dietary treatments in CPCC diets did not affect pH of digesta in gizzard and ileum, whereas supplementation of barley or acidifier decreased pH of cecal digesta compared with that of broilers fed CPCC diet by 0.5 and 0.51 pH units, respectively. Supplementation of encapsulated butyric acid in the 20% CPCC diet can improve growth performance of broilers by mitigating the toxic effects of dietary CPCC as evidenced by reduced serum T3 concentration.
PSVIII-9 Survey us Soybean Meal: Does Region Influence Quality and Antinutritional Factors?
Authors: Hilton Katie , de Souza Ana Lucia P , Zarate Maurice , Remus Janet C
Published: April 2022

Soybean meal (SBM) is one of the protein ingredients fed to commercial pigs. With recent increases in cost of this ingredient, evaluation of quality is critical. This study evaluated a total of 122 SBM samples collected from commercial feed mills, from 9 different states, 6 different SBM suppliers, 4 different regions and included 2 separate harvest years (2019 and 2020). Samples were sent to 2 separate labs (University of Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station Chemical Laboratories, and Eurofins) and analyzed for amino acids, digestibility factors, anti-nutritive factors and trypsin inhibitors. The model was a factorial in an 9 x 6 x 4 x 2 arrangement, consisting of 9 states, 6 suppliers, 4 regions, and 2 harvest years where all samples were tested. Data was analyzed by ANOVA JMP PRO 15 (SAS Institute Inc, 2019) and means were separated by Tukey HSD with significance level set at P < 0.05. Results showed state was significant (P < 0.05) for trypsin inhibitor, protein dispersibility index (PDI), and protein solubility. While SBM supplier and region was significant for trypsin inhibitor and PDI only. For those parameters that were significant, northeastern region were of the highest (P < 0.05) for trypsin inhibitor, PDI and protein solubility. Typical benchmark of urease activity to evaluate SBM quality was not significant for supplier, region or state. However, the coefficient of variation of urease activity ranged from 31% to 70%, indicating this parameter is too variable to utilize as an indicator of SBM quality. Total oligosaccharides (stachyose+raffinose+verbascose) was analyzed and indicated a significant (P < 0.05) difference for state, with samples from Mississippi being the lowest, while samples from the Midwest region had the greatest (P < 0.05). This study indicates the significant differences between supplier, the state in which supplier resides and the region the soy comes from can play a role in the overall quality.
PSVIII-14 Zinc Oxide Augments Early Nursery Pig Feed Intake
Authors: De Mille Carson M , Burrough Eric R , Gabler Nicholas K
Published: April 2022

Pharmacological concentrations of zinc (Zn) are commonly fed in the nursery to benefit early post-weaning performance and reduces scours. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effect of pharmacological Zn on post-weaning pig daily feed intake and performance. Three-hundred weaned pigs (5.7 ± 1.03 kg BW) were selected and allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments (n = 10 pens/treatment, 10 pigs/pen). Diets were fed over 2 phases (phase 1: d 0-7, phase 2: d 8-21) and consisted of: 1) Control diet with no growth promoting additives, CON; 2) CON + 3,000 ppm Zn and 200 ppm Cu (phase 1), no pharmacological minerals in phase 2, ZC1; and 3) CON + 3,000 ppm Zn and 200 ppm Cu (phase 1), CON + 2,000 ppm Zn and 200 ppm Cu (phase 2); ZC2). Bodyweights were collected at d 0, 7, and 21. Feed disappearance was recorded daily from d 0-14, and within phase. In phase 1, ZC1 and ZC2 pigs had 29% greater feed consumption compared with the CON pigs (0.09, 0.09, 0.07 kg/d; P < 0.0001). Within 2 d of phase 2 diet change, feed intake of the ZC1 pigs sharply decreased to the same level of the CON pigs, while ZC2 pigs consumed 29% more (P < 0.05). In phase 1, ZC1 and ZC2 pens had increased ADG compared with CON pigs (P < 0.001). In phase 2, ADG was 14% greater in the ZC2 compared with ZC1 and CON pigs (P = 0.023). Overall, ADG was 15% greater in the ZC2 pigs and ADFI was 13 and 24% higher than ZC1 and CON pens, respectively (P < 0.05). In conclusion, early post-weaning feed intake was augmented with pharmacological levels of Zn. These data suggest that pharmacological Zn potentially enhances voluntary feed intake regulation in pigs.
PSVIII-10 Calcium Chloride is a Better Calcium Source Rather Than Calcium Carbonate for Weaned Pigs
Authors: Mun JunYoung , Hosseindoust Abdolreza , Ha SangHun , Moturi Joseph , Tajudeen Habeeb , Kim JinSoo
Published: April 2022

This study investigated the effect of Ca source and level on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and bone characteristics of weaned pigs. The experiment was operated for 4 weeks in 2 phases (phase 1, d 0 to 14; and phase 2, d 15 to 28). Two hundred and forty pigs were assigned to 4 treatments including 2 Ca sources (CaCO3 and CaCl2), and 2 Ca levels (Phase 1: NC, normal Ca, 0.6% and 0.5% in phase 1 and 2, respectively; LC, low Ca, 0.5% and 0.4% in phase 1 and 2, respectively). The average daily gain (ADG) was improved in weaned pigs fed the NC or CaCl2 diets, in phase 2. The overall result showed the greater ADG and gain to feed ratio in the NC and CaCl2 treatments. The digestibility of crude protein, Ca, and P was increased in the NC and CaCl2 treatments at phases 1 and 2. There was an interaction between Ca source and level, with the NC and CaCl2 treatments increased blood chloride content in phase 1, and decreased HCO3 and base excess content in phases 1 and 2. The concentration of blood chloride was increased in pigs fed the NC diet in phase 1. The hematocrit (phases 1 and 2) and electrolyte balance (phased 2) were decreased in the NC treatment compared with the LC. An increase in blood chloride content, and a decrease in HCO3, base excess, and electrolyte balance were observed in pigs fed with CaCl2 in phases 1 and 2. The bone-breaking strength, bone ash, Ca, and P were increased in pigs fed the NC or CaCl2 diets. In conclusion, CaCl2 can be an alternative for dietary CaCO3 due to greater growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and bone health. Moreover, decreasing dietary Ca is not recommended for weaned pigs.
PSIV-2 Dry Matter Intake in Beef Cows is Influenced by Weather Variables
Authors: Yusuf Mustapha , Swanson Kendall C , Hanna Lauren L Hulsman , Bauer Marc L
Published: April 2022

Models that can predict dry matter intake (DMI) of cows will help in efficient allocation and management of feed resources. A study was undertaken to understand the relationship between weather variables and DMI of beef cows in the Northern Great Plains of North America. Data from 155 beef cows with 2,161 observations (cow - weeks) was utilized. The variables utilized for this study were BW (455 to 875 kg), DMI (9.03 to 27.69 kg/d), NEm intake (9.16 to 46.12 Mcal/d), ambient temperature (-18.9 to 23.9°C), range of temperature (4.54 to 13.82 °C), wind speed (2.29 to 5.39 m/s), solar radiation (30.97 to 292.61 W/m2) dew point (-21.4 to 19.2 °C), and 2-week lag (average of previous 2 weeks values) and monthly lag (average of previous 4 weeks values) of each weather variable. Residuals of DMI fitting week of the year (fixed), and treatment (random), were used to generate scatter plots to identify if linear relationships existed. BW and weather variables had a linear relationship with DMI, while NEm intake had both linear and quadratic relationships with DMI. For the model, MIXED linear regression of SAS was used using stepwise regression. Model fits were determined using P-values, AIC, and BIC values. Absolute ambient temperature and range of temperature were important (P < 0.05) weather predictors of DMI. Wind speed interacted (P < 0.05) with ambient temperature and range of temperature, and this accounted for additional variation in DMI of beef cows. These results improved our understanding of the relationship between weather variables and DMI in beef cows like what was previously reported in beef steers.
PSIV-6 Engineering Microbes to Develop Novel Direct Fed Microbials as an Alternative to Prophylactic Antibiotic Use in Beef Cattle Production
Authors: Neujahr Alison , Doan Tien , Kubwimana Fiacre , Anderson Christopher , Fernando Samodha
Published: April 2022

One of the largest animal health related issues in the beef industry is liver abscesses. While the liver is not a significant loss, abscesses formed results in reduced animal performance and carcass yield resulting in reduced feed intake, reduced weight gain, decreased feed efficiency, and decreased carcass dressing percentage. Currently, the most effective method for controlling liver abscesses is the use of antibiotics belonging, to the macrolide family, named Tylosin. Tylosin has been a great resource, however increased use of antibiotics in the beef industry has come under great scrutiny due to emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Therefore, it is critical to develop new methods and technologies to improve beef production while reducing antimicrobial use to feed the growing population. Apart from prophylactic use of antibiotics, a proven strategy for reducing liver abscesses has not been developed. We believe, direct fed microbials (DFM) are promising alternatives to reduce antibiotic use in beef cattle production and to improve animal health, well-being, and productivity. However, many of the strains with the highest potential to reduce antibiotic use are found in non-GRAS (generally accepted as safe) organisms. Additionally, since a single microbe can’t inhibit all pathogens, DFM cocktails need to be used to be effective broad spectrum. In this study, we genetically engineered a GRAS approved Bacillus pumilus strain to carry bacteriocins from a non-GRAS approved strain to enhance the capacity of the GRAS approved strain to inhibit liver abscess causing pathogens. We utilized CRISPR/Cas9 system to identify naturally occurring bacterial genes that inhibit pathogen growth and introduced such genes into a GRAS approved strains using transposon mutagenesis and screened for isolates with increased inhibition against pathogens. Such genetically modified bacteria were able to inhibit the pathogens to a greater extent than the wild type B. pumilus strain in in-vitro experiments.
PSIV-4 Effects of Passage Rate on Rumen Microbial Composition
Authors: Tondini Sara M , Jennings Gabe , Green-Miller Angela R , Shike Daniel W , Henry Darren D , McCann Joshua C
Published: April 2022

The objective was to evaluate the effects of dietary treatments designed to increase passage rate on the rumen microbiome. Factors such as particle size, feedstuff degradability, and rumen motility may drive ruminal passage rates and alter the composition of rumen microorganisms responsible for methane formation. Eight ruminal-cannulated steers were assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. All steers were fed an ad libitum diet of prairie grass hay (10.4% crude protein) with treatments designed to increase passage rate: no treatment (CON), pelleted (PEL), 7% Ca(OH)2 treated (ALK), and six 2 kg weights inserted into the rumen (WTS). Ruminal contents were collected on d 13 for 16S rRNA sequencing using specific bacterial and archaeal primers. Bacterial and archaeal taxa were not different (P > 0.1) between WTS and CON. At the genus level, PEL-fed steers had decreased (P = 0.01) relative abundance of Butyrivibrio 2 when compared with CON. Steers fed ALK had decreased (P < 0.01) relative abundance of Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group but increased (P < 0.01) Christensenellaceae R-7 group compared with CON. In contrast, relative abundance of Christensenellaceae R-7 group decreased (P = 0.03) in steers fed PEL compared with CON. The most abundant archaea, Methanobrevibacter, increased (P = 0.04) in steers fed ALK compared with CON (75 vs 65% of archaeal reads, respectively). Additionally, relative abundance of Methanosphaera increased (P < 0.01) in steers fed PEL compared with CON. Measures of richness including Chao1 and observational taxonomic units were decreased (P < 0.01) in ALK-treated steers but were not affected (P > 0.2) by PEL or WTS compared with CON. In conclusion, pelleting and alkali treatment of hay affected the rumen microbiome composition compared with steers fed basal prairie grass hay. Increased passage rates may alter composition of rumen bacteria and archaea communities.
PSIV-5 Effects of Soybean Meal Addition to Increase Crude Protein in Growing Easycare Lamb Diets
Authors: Scotten Skyler S , Dahmer Payton L , Jones Cassandra K
Published: April 2022

A common industry practice is to substitute soybean meal (SBM) in place of corn for growing lambs in a feedlot setting, but there is limited data evaluating its impact, especially in hybrid hair sheep. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of crude protein (CP) by substituting SBM place of corn in growing Easycare lambs. A total of 77 Easycare (Dorper × Katahdin × Romanov) lambs were utilized in a completely randomized design with 7 replicate pens per treatment. Lambs (33 females; 26.3 ± 0.99 kg and 44 castrated males; 27.2 ± 0.95 kg) were fed for 28 d. The three dietary treatments included 1) Control (basal diet; 7.7% SBM and 11.0% CP); 2) SBM4 (4% SBM replacing corn in the basal diet; 11.7% SBM and 12.8% CP); and 3) SBM8 (8% SBM replacing corn in the basal diet; 15.7% SBM and 14.8% CP). Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain to feed (G:F), and income over feed costs were determined. At the conclusion of the study, 15 castrated males were harvested to evaluate dietary impact on carcass characteristics. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS v9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC). Castrated males fed the control diet had reduced (P < 0.05; 0.20 kg/d) ADG compared with those fed SBM4 or SBM8 (0.29 and 0.32 kg/d, respectively) or ewes consuming any diet (0.29 kg/d for all treatments). However, there was no evidence (P > 0.05) that dietary treatment impacted final body weight, ADFI, G:F, income over feed cost, or measured carcass characteristics. These results suggest that growing Easycare castrated males benefit from 4% added SBM in place of corn to increase dietary CP, and that additional research is warranted to evaluate longer-term impacts on cost and carcass impacts.
PSIV-7 Evaluating Relationships Among Empty Body, Protein, and Fat Gain and Retained Energy for Pre- and Postweaning Calves
Authors: Hildebrand Caleb , Lancaster Phillip A
Published: April 2022

Discrepancies in the predictability of the nutritional equation used to predict empty body gain in preweaning and postweaning calves could be due to differences in proportion of protein and fat in the gain. The objective of this study was to understand the differences in the relationships of empty body weight gain (EBG) with protein (EBP) and fat (EBF) gain, and retained energy (RE) in preweaning and postweaning calves. A literature search was performed to create a dataset comprised of EBG and composition of gain in calves. The relationships of EBG with EBP, EBF, and RE was compared in preweaning and postweaning calves using R statistical software. Pearson correlation coefficients of EBG with EBP, EBF, and RE were 0.971, 0.839, and 0.934 and 0.805, 0.807, and 0.889 for preweaning and postweaning calves, respectively. A nonlinear regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between EBG and RE including the effects of age (defined as 0 for preweaning and 1 for postweaning calves) and type (defined as 0 for dairy and 1 for beef calves), [EBG = (a + b * age + c * type) * RE^ (d + e * age + f * type)]. The power coefficients were not different (P > 0.05) between preweaning and postweaning calves (0.379 and 0.446 ± 0.041, respectively), but the exponents were different (P ≤ 0.05; 0.921 and 0.558 ± 0.079, respectively). In conclusion, the relationship between empty body weight gain and composition of gain differs between preweaning and postweaning calves, suggesting that a more robust equation or group of equations should be used in nutrition models.
PSV-3 Changes in Sow Farrowing Performance with Parity
Authors: Vande Pol Katherine D , Shull Caleb M , Ellis Michael
Published: April 2022

Sow culling decisions are based, in part, on changes in productivity with increasing age. However, there is limited published information from detailed evaluation of changes in performance with parity in contemporary commercial sows. The objective of this study was to re-evaluate relationships between sow parity and productivity measures. Data (1,005 sows/litters, 12,857 piglets) were from 5 controlled studies conducted on the same commercial farrowing facility using the same management. Sow parity (average 5.0 ± 2.79) ranged from 1 (gilts) to 14. Measurements included farrowing duration (sub-sample of 289 litters), number of piglets born alive, average and within-litter CV of piglet birth weight (BW), and sow rectal temperature at the start and end of farrowing. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Models accounted for the random effect of study and the fixed effect of sow parity category (1, 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 7, and ≥ 8). Farrowing duration was similar (P > 0.05) across parity categories (Table 1). Litter size was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for parities 5 to 7 compared with parities 1 and 3 to 4, with parities 2 and ≥ 8 being intermediate and similar (P > 0.05) to all other categories. Average piglet BW was least (P ≤ 0.05) for parity 1 and greatest (P ≤ 0.05) for parity 2 and 3 to 4 sows. The CV of piglet BW generally increased (P ≤ 0.05) with parity. Rectal temperatures at the start and end of farrowing were generally greater (P ≤ 0.05) for parity 1 and 2 sows compared with the other parity categories, which were similar (P > 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that changes in performance with parity were relatively limited and that sows with parities that are typically considered high have relatively similar performance to those of lower parity.
PSV-5 Effects of Benzoic Acid and an Essential Oils Blend on Detection of Swine Viruses in Inoculated Swine Feed and Premix
Authors: Blomme Allison K , Gebhardt Jordan T , Jones Cassandra K , Woodworth Jason C , Poulsen-Porter Elizabeth , Bai Jianfa , Bergstrom Jon R , Paulk Chad B
Published: April 2022

Feed has been shown to harbor viable viruses over an extended period. This study investigated the use of benzoic acid (BA) and an essential oils blend (EO) to mitigate the presence of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and Senecavirus A (SVA) in a complete diet (Exp. 1) and a vitamin premix (Exp. 2). Experiment 1 consisted of a control with no additive, 0.5% BA, 0.5% BA and 200 ppm EO, 0.3% BA and 120 ppm EO, and 0.25% BA and 100 ppm EO. Feed samples were inoculated with PEDV, PRRSV, and SVA. For Exp. 2, the control contained no additive, and treatment had 2.68% EO included to mitigate PEDV. Inoculated feed or premix was stored at room temperature with sampling points at 2, 5, and 15 d post-inoculation (dpi). Samples were analyzed using triplex qRT-PCR to detect changes in RNA quantities for all viruses. Detectible PRRSV in the feed demonstrated a quadratic decrease over time (P = 0.038). A significant treatment × day interaction was observed in the feed for both PEDV (P = 0.008) and SVA (P < 0.001). The 0.5% BA treatment had greater (P < 0.05) amounts of detectible PEDV on d 2 and 5 and decreased detectible PEDV on d 15 compared with control. The 0.5% BA treated feed demonstrated decreased (P < 0.05) detectable SVA at 2 dpi but greater detectible SVA at 15 dpi compared with control. Both PEDV and SVA demonstrated viral degradation over time. The use of the EO in the vitamin premix had no evidence of main or interactive effects. In conclusion, 0.5% BA decreased PEDV at 15 dpi, but BA and EO mitigation in this model did not provide consistent evidence for increased viral degradation. However, time decreased detectability of all three viruses.
PSI-6 Evaluating Formic Acid and Glycerol Monolaurate Alone or in Combination on Weanling Pig Growth and Fecal Consistency
Authors: Smallfield Jessica , Dahmer Payton L , Harrison Olivia , Jones Cassandra K
Published: April 2022

A total of 350 weanling pigs (DNA 200 x 400, initially 5.67 0.06 kg BW) were fed for 42 d in a completely randomized design. There were 5 pigs/pen and 14 pens/treatment. The 5 dietary treatments included: 1) nursery diet with no additives (CON), 2) control with 3,000 ppm ZnO in phase 1 and 2,000 ppm ZnO in phase 2 (ZnO); 3) control with 0.7% formic acid (Amasil NA, BASF; FA), 4) control with 0.18% glycerol monolaurate (Natural Biologics GML, Newfield, NY; GML), 5) control with a 1.0% blend of formic acid and GML (FORMI 3G, ADDCON GmbH, Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany; FORMI). Individual pig and feeder weights were collected weekly to determine average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed (G:F). From d 7 to d 35, fresh fecal samples (10 g) were collected weekly from the same 3 pigs per pen. Samples were dried in a 55 oven for 48 h to determine fecal DM %. In the first week post-weaning, pigs fed ZnO or FORMI 3G had increased (P = 0.03) ADG compared with pigs fed the control. From d 0 to d 42, pigs fed GML had reduced (P < 0.0001) ADG compared with pigs fed the control, ZnO, or FORMI 3G. No evidence of differences (P > 0.05) were observed for ADFI and G:F. For fecal DM, there was a significant treatment x day interaction (P = 0.04). Pigs fed GML had significantly less fecal DM % on d 7, but a higher fecal DM % on d 14 and 21. By d 28, fecal DM had standardized across dietary treatments. In summary, feeding FA and GML alone or together did not improve growth performance compared with a control during our experiment.
Antiphospholipid antibody positivity and the thrombotic risk in Japanese patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis
Authors: Suzuki Junya , Furuta Shunsuke , Sugiyama Takahiro , Iwamoto Taro , Ikeda Kei , Suzuki Kotaro , Nakajima Hiroshi
Published: April 2022

Objectives

It has been reported that 21.0–51.7% of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients were antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-positive. However, the clinical significance of aPL positivity in AAV is not fully understood.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed patients with AAV diagnosed from 2013 to 2020 at our hospital. Positivity of aPL was defined as positivity of anti-cardiolipin antibody, anti-cardiolipin β2 glycoprotein 1 complex antibody, and/or lupus anticoagulant at least one time during the follow-up periods. The thrombotic risk of aPL positivity was examined by multivariate analyses with the Cox regression model.

Results

A total of 93 patients with a median age of 71.9 years were included in the study. The median follow-up period was 35.4 months. Thirty-one patients (33.3%) were aPL-positive. Twenty-two thrombotic events occurred in 17 patients (18.3%). Thrombotic events occurred more frequently in aPL-positive patients than in aPL-negative patients (P = 0.011). Multivariate analyses with two different models identified aPL positivity as a thrombotic risk factor (hazard ratios 4.302 and 5.956, 95% confidence intervals 1.546–11.968 and 1.940–18.281, respectively).

Conclusions

The proportion of aPL-positive patients was 33.3%, and aPL positivity increased the thrombotic risk in Japanese patients with AAV.
High replication stress and limited Rad51-mediated DNA repair capacity, but not oxidative stress, underlie oligodendrocyte precursor cell radiosensitivity
Authors: Berger N Daniel , Brownlee Peter M , Chen Myra J , Morrison Hali , Osz Katalin , Ploquin Nicolas P , Chan Jennifer A , Goodarzi Aaron A
Published: April 2022

Cranial irradiation is part of the standard of care for treating pediatric brain tumors. However, ionizing radiation can trigger serious long-term neurologic sequelae, including oligodendrocyte and brain white matter loss enabling neurocognitive decline in children surviving brain cancer. Oxidative stress-mediated oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) radiosensitivity has been proposed as a possible explanation for this. Here, however, we demonstrate that antioxidants fail to improve OPC viability after irradiation, despite suppressing oxidative stress, suggesting an alternative etiology for OPC radiosensitivity. Using systematic approaches, we find that OPCs have higher irradiation-induced and endogenous γH2AX foci compared to neural stem cells, neurons, astrocytes and mature oligodendrocytes, and these correlate with replication-associated DNA double strand breakage. Furthermore, OPCs are reliant upon ATR kinase and Mre11 nuclease-dependent processes for viability, are more sensitive to drugs increasing replication fork collapse, and display synthetic lethality with PARP inhibitors after irradiation. This suggests an insufficiency for homology-mediated DNA repair in OPCs—a model that is supported by evidence of normal RPA but reduced RAD51 filament formation at resected lesions in irradiated OPCs. We therefore propose a DNA repair-centric mechanism of OPC radiosensitivity, involving chronically-elevated replication stress combined with ‘bottlenecks’ in RAD51-dependent DNA repair that together reduce radiation resilience.
Nebulized Bacteriophage in a Patient With Refractory Mycobacterium abscessus Lung Disease
Authors: Dedrick Rebekah M , Freeman Krista G , Nguyen Jan A , Bahadirli-Talbott Asli , Cardin Mitchell E , Cristinziano Madison , Smith Bailey E , Jeong Soowan , Ignatius Elisa H , Lin Cheng Ting , Cohen Keira A , Hatfull Graham F
Published: April 2022

An elderly man with refractory Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease previously developed anti-phage neutralizing antibodies while receiving intravenous phage therapy. Subsequent phage nebulization resulted in transient weight gain, decreased C-reactive protein, and reduced Mycobacterium burden. Weak sputum neutralization may have limited the outcomes, but phage resistance was not a contributing factor.
Impact of Infectious Diseases Consultation on the Outcome of Patients With Enterococcal Bacteremia: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Tholany Joseph , Kobayashi Takaaki , Marra Alexandre R , Schweizer Marin L , Samuelson Riley J , Suzuki Hiroyuki
Published: April 2022

Background

Enterococcal bacteremia carries significant mortality. While multiple studies have evaluated the impact of infectious disease consultation (IDC) on this condition, these studies were limited by the low numbers of patients enrolled. This systemic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine whether IDC is associated with a mortality benefit among patients with enterococcal bacteremia.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search using 5 databases for studies evaluating IDC among patients with enterococcal bacteremia. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess whether IDC was associated with reduced mortality. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled odds ratios (pORs). Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 estimation and the Cochran's Q statistic test.

Results

The systematic literature review revealed 6496 reports, from which 18 studies were evaluated in the literature review and 16 studies in the meta-analysis. When all studies were pooled, the association between IDC and mortality was not statistically significant with a pOR of 0.81 (95% CI, 0.61–1.08) and substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 58%). When the studies were limited to those reporting multivariate analysis including IDC, there was a significant protective effect of IDC (pOR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.24–0.68) without heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). Some studies also showed additional benefits to IDC, including appropriate antibiotic therapy and improved diagnostic use.

Conclusions

IDC was associated with 60% lower odds of mortality when patients were well-matched, potentially through improvement in the care of patients with enterococcal bacteremia. IDC should be considered part of routine care for patients with enterococcal bacteremia.
Strategies to Promote Racial Healthcare Equity in Pain Medicine: A Call to Action
Authors: Telusca Natacha , Gaisey Juliet N , Woods Charonn , Khan James S , Mackey Sean
Published: April 2022

In the past several years, many national events have illuminated the inequities faced by the Black community in all aspects of life, including healthcare. To close the gap in healthcare equity, it is imperative that clinicians examine their practices for disparities in the treatment of minority patients and for racial injustice and take responsibility for improving any issues. As leaders in pain medicine, we can start by improving our understanding of healthcare disparities and inequities among racial and ethnic minorities and translating that knowledge into a cultural transformation to improve the care of those impacted. In this paper, we identify the areas of medicine in which pain assessment and treatment are not equitably delivered. As we acknowledge these disparities, we will highlight reasons for these incongruences in care and clarify how clinicians can act to ensure that all patients are treated equitably, with equal levels of compassion.
Conflict over the Eukaryote Root Resides in Strong Outliers, Mosaics and Missing Data Sensitivity of Site-Specific (CAT) Mixture Models
Authors: Al Jewari Caesar , Baldauf Sandra L
Published: April 2022

Phylogenetic reconstruction using concatenated loci (“phylogenomics” or “supermatrix phylogeny”) is a powerful tool for solving evolutionary splits that are poorly resolved in single gene/protein trees. However, recent phylogenomic attempts to resolve the eukaryote root have yielded conflicting results, along with claims of various artifacts hidden in the data. We have investigated these conflicts using two new methods for assessing phylogenetic conflict. ConJak uses whole marker (gene or protein) jackknifing to assess deviation from a central mean for each individual sequence, whereas ConWin uses a sliding window to screen for incongruent protein fragments (mosaics). Both methods allow selective masking of individual sequences or sequence fragments in order to minimize missing data, an important consideration for resolving deep splits with limited data. Analyses focused on a set of 76 eukaryotic proteins of bacterial ancestry previously used in various combinations to assess the branching order among the three major divisions of eukaryotes: Amorphea (mainly animals, fungi, and Amoebozoa), Diaphoretickes (most other well-known eukaryotes and nearly all algae) and Excavata, represented here by Discoba (Jakobida, Heterolobosea, and Euglenozoa). ConJak analyses found strong outliers to be concentrated in undersampled lineages, whereas ConWin analyses of Discoba, the most undersampled of the major lineages, detected potentially incongruent fragments scattered throughout. Phylogenetic analyses of the full data using an LG-gamma model support a Discoba sister scenario (neozoan-excavate root), which rises to 99–100% bootstrap support with data masked according to either protocol. However, analyses with two site-specific (CAT) mixture models yielded widely inconsistent results and a striking sensitivity to missing data. The neozoan-excavate root places Amorphea and Diaphoretickes as more closely related to each other than either is to Discoba, a fundamental relationship that should remain unaffected by additional taxa. [CAT-GTR; Discoba; eukaryote tree of life; HGT; jackknife; mixture models; mosaic genes; phylogenomics; sliding window; supermatrix.]
Factors influencing surgical decision-making in pediatric and adolescent scaphoid fractures
Authors: Hughes Jessica L. , Bomar James D. , Wallace C. Douglas , Edmonds Eric W.
Published: April 2022

We aimed to assess the risk of conversion to surgical intervention in children initially managed with casting for an isolated scaphoid fracture with a secondary aim of assessing the incidence and management of occult scaphoid fractures without signs of fracture on initial radiographs. A retrospective review was performed. Our primary outcome was conversion to surgery. Subsequent evidence of fracture in those with only initial snuffbox tenderness was recorded for the secondary aim. Three hundred and eighty-four wrists with radiographic evidence of a scaphoid fracture were included. Twenty-one scaphoid fractures failed conservative treatment. Subjects that failed cast treatment were older than those that did not (15.9 years vs. 14.0 years; P < 0.001). Subjects with a delay in treatment of at least 6 weeks from injury were 8× more likely to require surgery than those with prompt treatment (P < 0.001). Surgical conversion varied based on fracture location: distal pole 0.7%, waist 7.4%, and proximal pole 23.5% of the time (P < 0.001). A total of 14% of wrists managed in a cast without radiographic evidence of fracture at presentation subsequently demonstrated a fracture on follow-up films. The primary predictor of failed conservative treatment is a delay in presentation. We found that the sequelae of delay in presentation or diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture increased the likelihood of requiring surgery. Therefore, clinical suspicion should dictate early management and these factors should play a role in determining when to initiate casting in the setting of pediatric scaphoid fractures. Level of evidence: III.
DESCEMET STRIPPING AUTOMATED ENDOTHELIAL KERATOPLASTY GRAFT IN-THE-BAG POSTERIOR DISLOCATION
Authors: Levine Harry , Gibbons Allister , Martinez Jaime D. , Smiddy William E.
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this report was to describe a case of a dislocated Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty graft retained in-the-bag removed with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

Methods:

This was a case report.

Results:

A 69-year-old pseudophakic man who underwent a repeat Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty due to bullous keratopathy in the setting of multiple previous ocular surgeries presented with a vision of counting fingers. On examination, a Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty graft was appreciated behind the intraocular lens obscuring the visual axis and presumed to be in the anterior vitreous. The patient underwent a 23-gauge vitrectomy, and after a posterior capsulotomy, the dislocated graft was removed with a 23-gauge vitrector without complications. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/50 6 months after the PPV. Grafts can dislocate posteriorly between the intraocular lens and the posterior capsule. The dislocated graft can be successfully extricated with a 23-gauge vitrector after a careful posterior capsulotomy, with good visual outcomes.

Importance:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an in-the-bag Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty graft posterior dislocation. Furthermore, we showed an innovative surgical technique for the removal of the dislocated graft with a 23-gauge vitrectomy and posterior capsulotomy.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pain and psychological functioning in young adults with chronic pain
Authors: Tham See Wan , Murray Caitlin B. , Law Emily F. , Slack Katherine E. , Palermo Tonya M.
Published: April 2022

Data are equivocal on the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on pain and well-being for individuals with chronic pain. Furthermore, little is known regarding its impact on the health of young adults with chronic pain. We conducted a longitudinal study to compare pain, psychological functioning, and substance use before and during the pandemic of 196 young adults with chronic pain. Participants aged 18 to 24 years (M = 21.1 years; 79.6% females) reported on pain, anxiety, depression, and substance use before (October 2018–August 2019) and during the pandemic (October 2020–November 2020), in addition to the assessment of COVID-19 exposure and its impact. Before the pandemic, young adults experienced mild-to-moderate pain intensity (M = 3.75, SD = 2.33) and pain interference (M = 3.44, SD = 2.69). Findings were that pain intensity, pain interference, and depression symptoms remained stable during the pandemic. In contrast, anxiety symptoms increased significantly (M = 8.21, SD = 5.84 vs M = 8.89, SD = 5.95, P = 0.04). Tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use were unchanged. Mixed linear models revealed that COVID-19 exposure and impact were not associated with changes in pain intensity or interference, with female sex associated with increased pain intensity (β = 0.86, P = 0.02) and pain interference (β = 0.87, P = 0.02). Our findings indicated relative stability of pain symptoms experienced by young adults with chronic pain. However, the increases in anxiety highlight the need to facilitate treatment access for mental health services to mitigate downstream impact.
Swing phase considerations in prosthetic knee design: Case series to validate simulations
Authors: Sudeesh S. , Shunmugam M. S. , Ojha R. , Moulic S. G. , Sujatha S.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Previously reported simulations comparing a new polycentric knee (called IPK) and a single-axis knee suggested that polycentricity could lead to improved performance during swing phase and negate the need for an extension assist. They also showed that an anteriorly translated socket adapter for enhanced stance stability compromises foot clearance during swing.

Objectives:

The objectives of this study are to validate those findings using gait trials to enable further improvement in the IPK design before mass production.

Methods:

Three subjects regularly using three different passive knees, single-axis knee without extension assist, single-axis knee with extension assist (SAK-EA), and polycentric knee with extension assist (Mobility India–sourced polycentric knee), participated in this study. Their gait with their regular prosthesis and with IPK (having no extension assist) were analyzed, compared, and broadly correlated with simulation results.

Results:

Extension assist in single-axis knee with extension assist improved swing performance, affected foot clearance in Mobility India–sourced polycentric knee, and was found to be unnecessary in the IPK. With an anteriorly placed socket adapter in the IPK, compensatory strategies were necessary for foot clearance. The IPK was found to provide better knee extension characteristics with lower hip effort (up to 42% reduction) than other knees.

Conclusions:

This case series confirmed previously reported simulation results on the swing phase behavior of passive prosthetic knees. The performance of the IPK during swing obviated the need for an extension assist, thereby simplifying the design. Appropriate design changes in the IPK’s socket adapter location are required to achieve both stance stability and reduce gait compensations for foot clearance.
Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection Is Common Among ART-Treated People With HIV
Authors: Overton Edgar T. , Weir Isabelle R. , Zanni Markella V. , Fischinger Stephanie , MacArthur Rodger D. , Aberg Judith A. , Fitch Kathleen V. , Frank Michael , Albrecht Helmut , Goodenough Elliot , Rhame Frank S. , Fichtenbaum Carl J. , Bloomfield Gerald S. , Malvestutto Carlos , Supparatpinyo Khuanchai , McCallum Sara , Douglas Pamela S. , Alter Galit , Ribaudo Heather , Grinspoon Steven K.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Limited data are available regarding asymptomatic COVID-19 among people with HIV (PWH). Data on a representative subset of PWH enrolled in Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV, a global clinical trial, are presented here.

Methods:

Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV is an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention trial among 7770 PWH on antiretroviral therapy. Beginning April 2020, targeted data on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis and symptoms were collected during routine trial visits. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was defined as either COVID-19 clinical diagnosis or presence of SARS-CoV-2 Immunoglobulin G (IgG) or Immunoglobulin A (IgA) receptor binding domain protein (antispike) antibodies in the absence of prior COVID-19 vaccine.

Results:

The group (N = 2464) had a median age 53 years, 35% female sex, 47% Black or African American race, median CD4 count 649 c/mm3, and 97% with HIV VL <400 cp/m. SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in 318 persons (13%): 58 with clinical diagnosis and 260 with detectable antibodies. Of these PWH, 304 completed symptom questionnaires: 121 (40%) reported symptoms, but 183 (60%) were asymptomatic. PWH with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to be from low-income or middle-income regions, of Black or African American race, older in age, and with higher atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score. Symptomatic COVID was more common with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and low HDL levels. CD4 counts and HIV viral suppression rates were similar among PWH with symptomatic vs. asymptomatic COVID.

Conclusions:

Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection is common among antiretroviral therapy–treated PWH globally. We determined that 60% of infections in PWH were asymptomatic. HIV clinicians must remain vigilant about COVID-19 testing among PWH to identify asymptomatic cases.
Barcoding and its application for visualizing ecological dynamics
Authors: Agarwal Vitul , Mouw Colleen B.
Published: April 2022

Time is perceived to be unidirectional and continuous in the philosophy of science. This continuity can play a crucial role in time series analysis as events are generally seen as an outcome of the past, or subject to events that occurred previously in time. In this study, we describe an ordinal approach to perceiving ecological time series – one that relies on pattern formation with both antecedent and future events. Our approach defines a limited set of structural shapes that can occur for past, present, and future time points. Such a library of all possible shapes can then be used for novel approaches to data visualization and time series analysis. We applied this method to simple ecological models and then to natural time series data for measles cases in London and the phytoplankter Pseudo-nitzschia spp. in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Alternative perspectives on time series representation can strengthen our ability to identify important patterns in dynamics and effectively discriminate between similar time series. When used in conjunction with conventional line-plots, barcodes can be tailored to demonstrate the presence or absence of specific structural patterns or features. Our results show that data exploration without the assumption of time series continuity can yield important and novel insight into the behavior of ecological systems.