Pre‑hatch thermal manipulation of embryos and post‑hatch baicalein supplementation mitigated heat stress in broiler chickens

Background High environmental temperatures induce heat stress in broiler chickens,affecting their health and pro-duction performance.Several dietary,managerial,and genetics strategies have been tested with some success in mitigating heat stress(HS)in broilers.Developing novel HS mitigation strategies for sustaining broiler production is critically needed.This study investigated the effects of pre-hatch thermal manipulation(TM)and post-hatch baica-lein supplementation on growth performance and health parameters in heat-stressed broilers.Results Six hundred fertile Cobb 500 eggs were incubated for 21 d.After candling on embryonic day(ED)10,238 eggs were thermally manipulated at 38.5℃ with 55%relative humidity(RH)from ED 12 to 18,then transferred to the hatcher(ED 19 to 21,standard temperature)and 236 eggs were incubated at a controlled temperature(37.5℃)till hatch.After hatch,180-day-old chicks from both groups were raised in 36 pens(n=10 birds/pen,6 replicates per treatment).The treatments were:1)Control,2)TM,3)control heat stress(CHS),4)thermal manipulation heat stress(TMHS),5)control heat stress supplement(CHSS),and 6)thermal manipulation heat stress supplement(TMHSS).All birds were raised under the standard environment for 21 d,followed by chronic heat stress from d 22 to 35(32–33℃ for 8 h)in the CHS,TMHS,CHSS,and TMHSS groups.A thermoneutral(22–24℃)environment was maintained in the Control and TM groups.RH was constant(50%±5%)throughout the trial.All the data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in R and GraphPad software at P<0.05 and are presented as mean±SEM.Heat stress significantly decreased(P<0.05)the final body weight and ADG in CHS and TMHS groups compared to the other groups.Embryonic TM significantly increased(P<0.05)the expression of heat shock protein-related genes(HSP70,HSP90,and HSPH1)and antioxidant-related genes(GPX1 and TXN).TMHS birds showed a significant increment(P<0.05)in total cecal volatile fatty acid(VFA)concentration compared to the CHS birds.The cecal microbial analysis showed significant enrichment(P<0.05)in alpha and beta diversity and Coprococcus in the TMHSS group.Conclusions Pre-hatch TM and post-hatch baicalein supplementation in heat-stressed birds mitigate the detrimental effects of heat stress on chickens’growth performance,upregulate favorable gene expression,increase VFA produc-tion,and promote gut health by increasing beneficial microbial communities.

Effect of in ovo feeding of xylobiose and xylotriose on plasma immunoglobulin, cecal metabolites production, microbial ecology, and metabolic pathways in broiler chickens

Background Dietary supplementation of xylooligosac charides(XOS) has been found to influence gut health by manipulating cecal microbiota and producing microbe-origin metabolites.But no study investigated and compared the effect of in ovo feeding of xylobiose(XOS2) and xy lotriose(XOS3) in chickens.This study investigated the effect of in ovo feeding of these XOS compounds on post-hatch gut health parameters in chickens.A total of 144 fertilized chicken eggs were divided into three groups:a) non-injected control(CON),b) XOS2,and c) XOS3.On the 17^(th) embryonic day,the eggs of the XOS2 and XOS3 groups were injected with 3 mg of XOS2 and XOS3 diluted in 0.5 mL of 0.85% normal saline through the amniotic sac.After hatching,the chicks were raised for 21 d.Blood was collected on d 14 to measure plasma immunoglobulin.Cecal digests were collected for measuring short-chain fatty acids(SCFA) on d 14 and 21,and for microbial ecology and microbial metabolic pathway analyses on d 7 and 21.Results The results were considered significantly different at P<0.05.ELISA quantified plasma IgA and IgG on d 14chickens,revealing no differences among the treatments.Gas chromatography results showed no significant differences in the concentrations of cecal SCFAs on d 14 but significant differences on d 21.However;the SCFA concentrations were lower in the XOS3 than in the CON group on d 21.The cecal metagenomics data showed that the abundance of the family Clostridiaceae significantly decreased on d 7,and the abundance of the family Oscillospiraceae increased on d 21 in the XOS2 compared to the CON.There was a reduction in the relative abundance of genus Clostridium sense stricto 1 in the XOS2 compared to the CON on d 7 and the genus Ruminococcus,torques in both XOS2 and XOS3 groups compared to the CON on d 21.The XOS2 and XOS3 groups reduced the genes for chondroitin sulfate degradation Ⅰ and L-histidine degradation Ⅰpathways,which contribute to improved gut health,respectivelyc in the microbiome on d 7.In contrast,on d 21,the XOS2 and XOS3 groups enriched the thiamin salvage Ⅱ,L-isoleucine biosynthesis Ⅳ,and O-antigen building blocks biosynthesis(E. coli) pathways,which are indicative of improved gut health.Unlike the XOS3 and CON,the microbiome enriched the pathways associated with energy enhancement,including flavin biosynthesis Ⅰ,sucrose degradation Ⅲ,and Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle pathways,in the XOS2 group on d 21.Conclusion In ovo XOS2 and XOS3 feeding promoted beneficial bacterial growth and reduced harmful bacteria at the family and genus levels.The metagenomic-based microbial metabolic pathway profiling predicted a favorable change in the availability of cecal metabolites in the XOS2 and XOS3 groups.The modulation of microbiota and metabolic pathways suggests that in ovo XOS2 and XOS3 feeding improved gut health during the post-hatch period of broilers.

Effects of Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharides on growth performance,intestinal barrier function and cecal microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers under heat stress

Background Global warming leading to heat stress(HS)is becoming a major challenge for broiler production.This study aimed to explore the protective effects of seaweed(Enteromorpha prolifera)polysaccharides(EPS)on the intestinal barrier function,microbial ecology,and performance of broilers under HS.A total of 144 yellow-feathered broilers(male,56 days old)with 682.59±7.38 g were randomly assigned to 3 groups:1)TN(thermal neutral zone,23.6±1.8℃),2)HS(heat stress,33.2±1.5℃ for 10 h/d),and 3)HSE(HS+0.1%EPS).Each group contained 6 replicates with 8 broilers per replicate.The study was conducted for 4 weeks;feed intake and body weights were measured at the end of weeks 2 and 4.At the end of the feeding trial,small intestine samples were collected for histomorphology,antioxidant,secretory immunoglobulin A(s Ig A)content,apoptosis,gene and protein expression analysis;cecal contents were also collected for microbiota analysis based on 16S r DNA sequencing.Results Dietary EPS promoted the average daily gain(ADG)of broilers during 3–4 weeks of HS(P<0.05).At the end of HS on broilers,the activity of total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD),glutathione S-transferase(GST),and the content of s Ig A in jejunum were improved by EPS supplementation(P<0.05).Besides,dietary EPS reduced the epithelial cell apoptosis of jejunum and ileum in heat-stressed broilers(P<0.05).Addition of EPS in HS group broilers'diet upregulated the relative m RNA expression of Occludin,ZO-1,γ-GCLc and IL-10 of the jejunum(P<0.05),whereas downregulated the relative m RNA expression of NF-κB p65,TNF-αand IL-1βof the jejunum(P<0.05).Dietary EPS increased the protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1,whereas it reduced the protein expression of NF-κB p65 and MLCK(P<0.01)and tended to decrease the protein expression of TNF-α(P=0.094)in heat-stressed broilers.Furthermore,the proportions of Bacteroides and Oscillospira among the three groups were positively associated with jejunal apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression(P<0.05)and negatively correlated with jejunal Occludin level(P<0.05).However,the proportions of Lactobacillus,Barnesiella,Subdoligranulum,Megasphaera,Collinsella,and Blautia among the three groups were positively related to ADG(P<0.05).Conclusions EPS can be used as a feed additive in yellow-feathered broilers.It effectively improves growth performance and alleviates HS-induced intestinal injury by relieving inflammatory damage and improving the tight junction proteins expression.These beneficial effects may be related to inhibiting NF-κB/MLCK signaling pathway activation and regulation of cecal microbiota.

The role of information quality in designing effective nutrition education programs for pecans

Pecans have many health benefits and are known for being part of a heart-healthy diet.Nutrition education is a key component in increasing pecan consumption among young consumers.In an effort to improve the efficacy of nutrition education targeting a younger demographic,this study aims to investigate how the information quality of a nutrition education program affects consumers'nutrition knowledge,trust,and intentions to recommend and try pecans.A total of 271 usable questionnaires were collected from college students at a southeast university.Our findings indicate that information quality could directly influence consumer knowledge and trust in an information source and indirectly influences consumers'willingness to recommend or try a product.This study also showed that improved consumer knowledge and trust in an information source could strongly affect their willingness to recommend pecan products.The findings of this study can be used to increase the efficacy of educational marketing strategies in the pecan industry and drive an increase in consumption among younger populations.

Evaluation of Dietary Diversity, Nutrient Adequacy and Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children in Three Local Government Areas of Ibadan, Nigeria

Malnutrition remains a public health challenge in Nigeria, partly due to poor diversity of diets. Pre-school children are among the vulnerable groups who are mostly affected in communities, as their nutritional status is largely influenced by the quality of diets they consume. Most studies aimed at malnutrition among under-five children have been focused on meeting protein-energy needs without much consideration for micronutrients needs. Dietary diversity has been advocated as a means of meeting nutritional requirements of children. This study was designed to assess the dietary diversity in relation to nutrient adequacy and nutritional status of pre-school children in Ibadan. The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 552 pre-schoolers aged 3-5 years in Egbeda, Ona-Ara and Ido Three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ibadan metropolis. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics of mother and child. Nutritional status was determined using anthropometric indices. Food frequency questionnaire of 9 food groups was used to obtain dietary diversity scores (DDS) classified as low (< 4 food groups), average (4 to 6 food groups), and high (≥ 7 food groups);and 24-hour dietary recall was used to obtain nutrient adequacy of diet. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and level of significance set at p < 0.05. Malnutrition among pre-schoolers was more prevalent among males (22.0%) than females (18.4%). Stunting was the most prevalent form of malnutrition (26.8%). The DDS of pre-schoolers was low (3.2 ± 1.9). The most consumed food group was cereals, roots and tubers (83.9%) while fruit was least consumed (6.5%). Nutrient adequacy ratio for carbohydrate was highest (1.2 ± 0.2) and least in fibre (0.2 ± 0.2), while mean adequacy ratio for food consumed was (0.72 ± 0.13). There was weak relationship between DDS and nutritional status—wasting (r =-0.067), stunting (r =-0.002) and underweight (r =-0.056). Low dietary diversity and malnutrition existed among pre-school children in the three LGAs. Nutrition education and enlightenment programmes are required by the parents/guardians of pre-school children on importance of dietary diversity in these areas.

Nutritional Epidemiological Study to Estimate Usual Intake and to Define Optimum Nutrient Profiling Choice in the Diet of Egyptian Youths

Objectives: To define optimum food and nutrient profiling in gender-specific and age group-specific variant regression models. Setting: 481 subjects of both sexes (18.4 years old) from Giza urban were set. Design: Dietary assessment used the 24-h dietary recall data to calculate the estimated energy and (24) nutrients eaten by each individual. Four indices—food variety diversity score, healthy eating index (HEI), mean probability of nutrients adequacy (MPA) and nutrient rich food (NRF9.3) index score were used for assessing the profiling of the diet. Results: A total of 163 individual food items were consumed by the participants within the 24-h dietary recall with an average daily intake of (6.6) different food varieties. Grains were the top contributors of energy and 10 macro and micro nutrients followed by the meat group. Based on the MPA data, the mean acceptable intake (AI) of dietary calcium (32.9%) and vitamin C (30%) were limiting in the diet. The diet profiling consumed by the teenagers aged 14.8 years was inferior compared to that consumed by subjects aging 23.9 years. Linear regression analyses were conducted between the 4 indices as the dependent variable and all possible combinations of 16 nutrients of interest as independent variables. NRF9.3 was the optimum nutrient index and correlated negatively with markers of abdominal obesity. Conclusion: Implementation of nutrition intervention program was directed to youths to include age appropriate good healthy foods to decrease the risk of nutrient deficiencies.

Consumption of Alzheimer disease protective nutrients in diets of polish elderly divided into different nutritional status (MNA)

Many abnormalities can be observed in the nutrition of elderly people which, as a consequence, lead to occurrence or progression of many already existing diet-dependent diseases. The aim of this work was assessment of nutrients consumption, important for prevention and treatment of diet-dependent diseases and potentially neuropsychological diseases, including Alzheimer disease. The intake of antioxidant vitamins, group B vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids in food ratios was assessed among 1001 people over 60 years of age, from Wroclaw and nearby areas, SW Poland. Selected parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were determined in the blood of surveyed people. A deficit intake of all nutrients was demonstrated in groups distinguished by MNA form. Moreover, it was demonstrated that statistically significant, the lowest amounts of vitamin A, E, C, B6, B12, folates, and many other polyunsaturated fatty acids were consumed by women at risk of malnutrition in comparison with women with an adequate nutritional status. Statistically significant lower biochemical parameters, such as TC, LDL TG and glucose were also demonstrated in the group of women at risk of malnutrition than in the group of women with an adequate nutritional status. Control and supervision of the elderly persons’ nutritional intake constitutes the basis of the assessment of risk of deficiency of particular nutritional components occurrence and negative health effects deriving from it. Poor nutrition of seniors along with longer life, from demographic point of view, induces to search for new efficient health-oriented strategies.

Measures of Nutritional Status and Quality of Life in Adult People Living with HIV/AIDS at a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Background & Aims: The study investigated the relationship between objective and subjective nutritional status parameters and quality of life in HIV seropositive patients. Methods: Retrospective review of clinic records of 150 HIV seropositive patients at a teaching hospital in Nigeria. Nutritional status was evaluated objectively with anthropometry including body mass index (BMI), subjectively with malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) and subjective global assessment (SGA) tool. Data on quality of life (QOL) assessed with WHOQOL (Bref), and CD4 count were extracted. Correlation analysis and linear regression were done to investigate the relationship between variables, level of significance set at p < 0.05 respectively. The CD4 count correlated with percentage body fat (r = 0.224), MUST (r = -0.186) and SGA (r = -0.192), p < 0.05 respectively, but not with any of the QOL domains. Weight, MUST, SGA, percentage body fat were significant predictors of the percentage weight change in 6 months. Conclusions: BMI has significant positive association with psychological domain of QOL. MUST and SGA have significant negative association with certain domains. QOL did not predict short-term weight changes, as did the current weight, MUST, and SGA.

Nutritional and Sensory Evaluation of Rice-Based <i>Masa</i>Enriched with Soybean and Crayfish

Masa is a cereal based snack made from rice, maize or millet. It is popularly consumed in the northern regions of Nigeria. The objective of this work was to assess the nutritional and sensory properties of the rice-Masa, enriched with soybean and crayfish. The enriched rice-Masa produced were labelled sample A (100% rice), sample B (rice: soybean blend (80:20), sample C (rice: crayfish blend (80:20) and sample D (rice: soybean: crayfish (80:10:10). The proximate and mineral composition was evaluated according to standard methods. Anti-nutrient content was also determined. Sensory evaluation was carried out to assess the acceptability of the enriched rice-Masa. The chemical analysis showed that protein, fibre, iron, zinc and vitamin A and beta carotene contents were highest in sample D with values 8.35 (±0.08) g/100g, 1.08 (±0.02) g/100g, 2.82 (±0.03) mg/100g, 4.20 (±0.03) mg/100g, 602.3 (±1.28) μg/100g and 420.2 (±0.98) μg/100g respectively, while calcium was highest in sample C with a value of 27.34 (±0.06) mg/100g. Moisture and ash contents increased from 47.4 (±0.50) g/100g to 50.9 (±0.80) g/100g and 0.40 (±0.01) g/100g to 1.15 (±0.01) g/100g respectively, while carbohydrate and energy contents decreased from 28.1 (±0.03) g/100g to 21.9 (±0.04) g/100g and 308.42 kcal/100g to 285.64 kcal/100g respectively. The sensory evaluation showed that with regards to taste, aroma, texture and overall acceptability, the sample enriched with soybean was more preferred to that enriched with crayfish, or a combination of both. Enrichment of Masa could contribute to improvement of nutritional status if promoted as a nutritious, healthy indigenous snack not only where Masa is already widely consumed, but also in other parts of Nigeria where it has not found wide acceptance.

Association of Paraga Consumption and Dietary Lifestyle on Nutritional Status of Commercial Drivers in Ibadan Municipality of Oyo State, Nigeria

The use of herbal products is increasing in trend globally, with over 75% of the world population using them. In Nigeria, these drinks are popular in many neighbourhoods and sold by vendors in motor parks where commercial drivers have access to them. Though they may have some beneficial effects, they are not completely harmless. This study was carried out to assess the association of Paraga (herbal mixture) consumption and dietary lifestyle on the nutritional status of commercial motor drivers in Ibadan municipality. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among four hundred and twenty-two (422) commercial drivers randomly selected from the five local government areas that make up Ibadan municipality. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics and Chi square test were carried out on the data obtained at 5% level of significance. There was a high prevalence of Paraga consumption among the respondents. There was inadequate nutrient intake among the respondents for most nutrients considered. The nutritional status measurement of the respondents revealed that 4.5% were underweight, 59.6% had normal weight, 26.8% were overweight, while 9.1% were obese. There was no significant association between Paraga consumption and nutritional status of respondents (p > 0.05). However, a significant association was observed between dietary lifestyle pattern and nutritional status of respondents (p < 0.05). It is therefore important that commercial drivers be given regular and constant nutrition education during their meetings to help improve their dietary lifestyle. Also, the concerned government agencies/officials should assist in reducing Paraga consumption by helping to reduce alcohol availability at motor parks, and by educational measures to reduce its demand and consumption.

The Use of Ripe Plantain (<i>Musa spp</i>.) and Peppercorns for Beverage Processing as a Pro-Vitamin A Carotenoid and Nutrition Catalyst

Plantain (Musa spp.) constitutes an essential food crop in both tropical and subtropical areas. The staple’s nutritional value and provitamin A carotenoid potential has attracted more interest and usage. Plantain (Musa spp.) optimization into food recipes has been identified to increase patronage and minimises food wastage, due to the fruit’s (pulp) high perishability nature. In this study, local over ripe plantain (Musa spp.) was sampled and used in a beverage production. The beverage was processed from pureed ripe plantain, by three days fermentation of the pureed plantain mixture, boiling, and spicing, preservation with syrup, storage, and usage. The product’s processing was followed with a sensory evaluation of the new beverage on taste, appearance, color, flavour, and overall acceptability. Majority of the respondents indicated the new product was good and was well accepted. The research sought to create food diversity, encourage more usage of the crop and to highlight the nutritional values of plantain (Musa spp.) which is particularly high in provitamin A carotenoid to address Vitamin A deficiency in low resource setting communities.

Nutritional Status and Virological Outcomes of Children HIV Positive Attending Anti-Retroviral Clinic at University College Hospital, Ibadan

Malnutrition has been reported as a major factor contributing to the poor outcome of effective ART in HIV infection. This study aimed to describe the relationship between the nutritional status and virological outcome of the children attending the antiretroviral clinic at University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria. Among the 159 (55.3% males and 44.7% females) children studied, almost half (42.8%) were orphans and the majority 56.6% were aged 120 - 180 months old. More than half (74.2%) had achieved viral suppression and significant associations were observed between viral load and stunting as well as between CD4 count and the age of the children (P < 0.05). The prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight was 27.7%, 9.4%, and 13.6% respectively. These indices reinforce the need for nutrition education and the provision of food supplements to improve the nutritional status of children infected with HIV.

Complementary Feeding Knowledge and Practices of Caregivers in Orphanages Improved after Nutrition Education Intervention in Ibadan, Nigeria

Malnutrition among under-5 children has been linked to inadequate complementary feeding practices. Children living without permanent parents have also been proven to have a higher risk of malnutrition, which puts their growth and development in danger. In this study, an impact evaluation of nutrition education was carried out on the knowledge and practice of complementary feeding among caregivers in orphanages. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in selected orphanage homes located within Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select 50 caregivers from 8 orphanage homes. Data was collected using an adapted interviewer administered at baseline and post-intervention. The key results showed that those who had good knowledge of complementary feeding practices increased from 68.1% to 79.9% at baseline and post-intervention respectively. The WHO complementary feeding indicators that were used to measure the practice revealed that 37.5% met the minimum meal frequency (MMF), 52.5% met the minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and 35% met the minimum adequate diet (MAD) at baseline, which increased to 62.5%, 80% and 60% respectively after intervention. Conclusively, this study revealed that nutrition education improved the complementary feeding knowledge and practice of caregivers. It is recommended that such nutrition education should be introduced to new caregivers and could also be converted into policy actions at a national level.

Complexation with pre-formed“empty”V-type starch for encapsulation of aroma compounds

Aroma compounds are low-molecular-weight organic volatile molecules and are broadly utilized in the food industry.However,due to their high volatility and evaporative losses during processing and storage,the stabilization of these volatile ingredients using encapsulation is a commonly investigated practice.Complexation of aroma compounds using starch inclusion complex could be a potential approach due to the hydrophobicity of the left-handed single helical structure.In the present study,we used starch of three different V-type structures,namely V,V,and V,to encapsulate six different aroma compounds,including1-decanol(DN),cis-3-hexen-1-ol(HN),4-allylanisole(AN),γ-decalactone(DA),trans-cinnamaldehyde(CA),and citral(CT).The formed inclusion complexes samples were characterized using complementary techniques,including X-ray diffraction(XRD)and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).The results showed that upon complexation with aroma compounds,all V-subtypes retained their original crystalline structures.However,different trends of crystallinity were observed for each type of the prepared inclusion complexes.Additionally,among three V-type starches,V-type starch formed inclusion complexes with aroma compounds most efficiently and promoted the formation of FormⅡcomplex.This study suggested that the structure of aroma compounds and the type of V starch could both affect the complexation properties.

Nutritional Situation of Rural Communities in Narino,Colombia 2013

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional situation by anthropometry of the rural families population aged 0 to 64 years in the municipalities of Pasto, Túquerres, Guachucal, Cumbal and Cuaspud in the Nari?o Department (Colombia). Materials and Methods: As part of the research “Improving potato production as a food security contribution of native communities in Nari&#241;o, Colombia”, aged October and December in 2013, an initial diagnosis of the food security situation in farmer families was conducted, through direct visits to the households selected in the sample, where in the household members, after standardization of field team, the anthropometric measures of weight and height were taken, using electronic scales, infantometers and stadiometers. Conclusions: A significant stunting was reported in children up to 7 years. In children aged 0 - 5 years group and children aged 5 - 17 years group, the results exceed by more than double the department data (according to National Survey of the Nutritional Situation in Colombia ENSIN 2010), and almost three times the national data. The underweight was generally low in all the analysed groups, although concerned the significant overweight percentage. In children aged 0 - 5 years group, the overweight data (above 2 SD) exceeded twice the department and national data according to the ENSIN 2010, although in the children aged 5 - 17 years group, the overweight and obesity was lower than the departmental and national data. In adults, the results reported that one of each two people in the range of 18 to 64 years in the five municipalities had excess weight (overweight or obesity) which was similar data respected to the department and national data. Additionally, it was noted that 18% of households were found among adults with overweight, and simultaneously, children with stunting, this situation has been called double burden of malnutrition and this is an aspect that must be analysed to identify intervention strategies.

Embryonic thermal manipulation:a potential strategy to mitigate heat stress in broiler chickens for sustainable poultry production

Due to high environmental temperatures and climate change, heat stress is a severe concern for poultry health and production, increasing the propensity for food insecurity. With climate change causing higher temperatures and erratic weather patterns in recent years, poultry are increasingly vulnerable to this environmental stressor. To mitigate heat stress, nutritional, genetic, and managerial strategies have been implemented with some success. However, these strategies did not adequately and sustainably reduce the heat stress. Therefore, it is crucial to take proactive measures to mitigate the effects of heat stress on poultry, ensuring optimal production and promoting poultry well-being. Embryonic thermal manipulation(TM) involves manipulating the embryonic environment's temperature to enhance broilers' thermotolerance and growth performance. One of the most significant benefits of this approach is its cost-effectiveness and saving time associated with traditional management practices. Given its numerous advantages, embryonic TM is a promising strategy for enhancing broiler production and profitability in the poultry industry. TM increases the standard incubation temperature in the mid or late embryonic stage to induce epigenetic thermal adaption and embryonic metabolism. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the available literature and scientific evidence of the beneficial effect of pre-hatch thermal manipulation on broiler health and performance.

Microbiome as an endocrine organ and its relationship with eye diseases:Effective factors and new targeted approaches

Microbiome is an endocrine organ that refers to both the complicated biological system of microbial species that colonize our bodies and their genomes and surroundings.Recent studies confirm the connection between the microbiome and eye diseases,which are involved in the pathogenesis of eye diseases,including age-related macular disorders,diabetic retinopathy,glaucoma,retinitis pigmentosa,dry eye,and uveitis.The aim of this review is to investigate the microbiome in relation to eye health.First,a brief introduction of the characteristics of the gut microorganisms terms of composition and work,the role of dysbiosis,the gut microbiome and the eye microbiome in the progression of eye illnesses are highlighted,then the relationship among the microbiome and the function of the immune system and eye diseases,the role of inflammation and aging and the immune system,It has been reviewed and finally,the control and treatment goals of microbiome and eye diseases,the role of food factors and supplements,biotherapy and antibiotics in relation to microbiome and eye health have been reviewed.

Strategies to modulate the intestinal microbiota and their effects on nutrient utilization, performance, and health of poultry

Poultry is widely produced and consumed meat globally.Its demand is expected to continue increasing to meet the animal protein requirement for ever-increasing human population.Thus,the challenge that poultry scientists and industry face are to produce sufficient amount of poultry meat in the most efficient way.In the past,using antibiotics to promote the growth of poultry and manage gut microbiota was a norm.However,due to concerns over potential fatalistic impacts on food animals and indirectly to humans,their use as feed additives are banned or regulated in several jurisdictions.In this changed context,several alternative strategies have been proposed with some success that mimics the functions of antibiotics as growth promoters and modulate gut microbiota for their beneficial roles.These include the use of probiotics,prebiotics,organic acids,and exogenous enzyme,among others.Gut microbiota and their metabolic products improve nutrient digestion,absorption,metabolism,and overall health and growth performance of poultry.This paper reviews the available information on the effect of feed additives used to modulate intestinal microbiota of poultry and their effects on overall health and growth performance.Understanding these functions and interactions will help to develop new dietary and managerial strategies that will ultimately lead to enhanced feed utilization and improved growth performance of poultry.This review will help future researchers and industry to identify alternative feed ingredients having properties like prebiotics,probiotics,organic acids,and exogenous enzymes.

Dietary fiber in poultry nutrition and their effects on nutrient utilization,performance,gut health,and on the environment:a review

Dietary fiber(DF)was considered an antinutritional factor due to its adverse effects on feed intake and nutrient digestibility.However,with increasing evidence,scientists have found that DF has enormous impacts on the gastrointestinal tract(GIT)development,digestive physiology,including nutrient digestion,fermentation,and absorption processes of poultry.It may help maintain the small and large intestine’s integrity by strengthening mucosal structure and functions and increasing the population and diversity of commensal bacteria in the GIT.Increasing DF content benefits digestive physiology by stimulating GIT development and enzyme production.And the inclusion of fiber at a moderate level in diets also alters poultry growth performance.It improves gut health by modulating beneficial microbiota in the large intestine and enhancing immune functions.However,determining the source,type,form,and level of DF inclusion is of utmost importance to achieve the above-noted benefits.This paper critically reviews the available information on dietary fibers used in poultry and their effects on nutrient utilization,GIT development,gut health,and poultry performance.Understanding these functions will help develop nutrition programs using proper DF at an appropriate inclusion level that will ultimately lead to enhanced DF utilization,overall health,and improved poultry growth performance.Thus,this review will help researchers and industry identify the sources,type,form,and amount of DF to be used in poultry nutrition for healthy,costeffective,and eco-friendly poultry production.

Long-term irritable bowel syndrome symptom control with reintroduction of selected FODMAPs

To investigate the long-term effect of dietary education on a low fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide and polyol (FODMAP) diet on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and quality of life (QoL). METHODSParticipants with IBS (Rome III) were randomized to two groups. Group I commenced a low FODMAP diet at baseline. At three months, group II, so far a comparator group, crossed over to a low FODMAP diet while group I started re-challenging foods. All patients completed the IBS SSS (IBS symptom severity scoring system, 0-500 points increasing with severity), IBS QoL questionnaire (0-100 increasing with QoL), a FODMAP specific food frequency questionnaire and provided a stool sample at baseline, three and six months for microbiome analysis. RESULTSFifty participants were enrolled into group I (n = 23) or group II (n = 27). Participants in both groups were similar in baseline values but with more men in group I. There was a significantly lower IBS SSS (275.6 ± 63.6 to 128.8 ± 82.5 vs 246.8 ± 71.1 to 203.6 ± 70.1) (P < 0.0002) and increased QoL (68.5 ± 18.0 to 83 ± 13.4 vs 72.9 ± 12.8 to 73.3 ± 14.4) (P < 0.0001) in group I vs group II at 3 mo. The reduced IBS SSS was sustained at 6 mo in group I (160 ± 102) and replicated in group II (124 ± 76). Fiber intake decreased on the low FODMAP diet (33 ± 17 g/d to 21 ± 8 g/d) (P < 0.01) and after re-introducing FODMAP containing foods increased again to 27 ± 9 g/d. There was no change seen in the intestinal microbiome when participants adopted a low FODMAP diet. CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated that a reduction in FODMAPs improves symptoms in IBS and this improvement can be maintained while reintroducing FODMAPs.