1,721,149 research outputs found
Outcomes of long-term audiological rehabilitation in charge syndrome
No full textThe aim of this paper is to assess the long-term audiological features and outcomes of hearing rehabilitation in a large group of individuals with CHARGE Syndrome. The study has been conducted retrospectively, on a paediatric patient database, at the Audiology Department of the University Hospitals of Ferrara and Padua. The study sample included 31 children presenting with different degrees of hearing impairment associated with CHARGE syndrome. Hearing was assessed using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and/or electrocochleography, or conditioned audiometry (visual reinforcement audiometry [VRA] or play audiometry). Auditory-perceptual outcomes in terms of communication skills and expressive language were also recorded. The effects of hearing rehabilitation (with hearing aids or cochlear implants) in this group of children and language outcomes after rehabilitation were monitored during long-term follow-up. The outcomes of rehabilitation measures differed in relation to the heterogeneous and often severe disabilities associated with CHARGE syndrome, e.g. developmental delay, intellectual delay, visual impairment, thin 8th nerve with retrocochlear auditory dysfunction (as described in cases of auditory neuropathy/dyssynchrony). Oral expressive language was severely impaired in most cases, even after lengthy follow-up, suggesting the need for alternative augmentative communication modes. The early identification of sensorineural hearing loss, and carefully planned rehabilitation treatments, can be of some benefit in children with CHARGE syndrome
Productive effects of a colostrum-oriented amino acid dietary supply for sows in transition from gestation to lactation
Full text linkIn sows, the synthesis of the colostrum begins several days before farrowing and the different amino acid composition of colostrum compared to milk can justify the hypothesis of different dietary requirements to produce it. The objective of the study was to test the enrichment with threonine (Thr), tryptophan (Trp) and valine in the peripartum diet of sows on the quality of colostrum, health and growth of piglets, and the variations of backfat and lean thickness and the faecal microbiome of sows. Ninety-nine sows were divided into two groups, balanced by parity number and fed: (1) the standard formula used on late gestation to early lactation (CON; 50 sows; (2) CON added with 0.074% L-Thr, 0.034% L-Trp and 0.077% L-valine (TRT; 49 sows). The number of pigs born alive and their average live weight, the number of weaned pigs, their growth and the mortality on d1 did not change with the diet, but the percentage of total dead piglets was reduced when sows were fed TRT (−3.5%, p =.049). Backfat loss of sows in lactation was marginally reduced (p =.097). The IgA content of colostrum increased with TRT, but not protein, fat, lactose or urea. Bacterial richness (Chao1) decreased in faeces of sows at the end of lactation with TRT, but not bacterial diversity. Selenomonas and Bacillus were more abundant in CON and TRT, respectively. Adjusting the amino acid profile of the feed provided in the transition phase between final gestation and early lactation to the colostrum profile could improve the survival of suckled piglets.Highlights The amino acid profile of colostrum differs from that of milk. The pre-weaning mortality can be decreased by feeding sows a diet with an amino acid profile closer to that of colostrum. Raising the dietary ratio of threonine (Thr), tryptophan (Trp) and valine to lysine (Lys) in the peripartum diet of sows improves the IgA content of colostrum
Weaning differentially affects the maturation of piglet peripheral blood and jejunal Peyer’s patches
Full text linkThe study aimed to assess how the post-weaning condition changes piglet peripheral blood (PB) and jejunal Peyer’s patches (JPPs) as compared to the suckling period, and how these changes are associated with intestinal microbiota evolution. Sixteen pigs were slaughtered and sampled for PB, JPPs and jejunal content (JC) at weaning (26 days) or at 12 days fed on a pre-starter diet. The PB and JPP transcriptomes were analysed using mRNA-seq. The Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was used to demonstrate enriched gene clusters, depending on sampling time. Jejunal microbiota was profiled using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Post-weaning JPPs were enriched for processes related to the activation of IFN-γ and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen processing which clustered with the reduced abundance of the Weisella genus and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in JC. The post-weaning microbiome differed from that seen in just-weaned pigs. For just-weaned PB, the enrichment of genes related to hemoglobin and the iron metabolism indicated the greater presence of reticulocytes and immature erythrocytes. The JPP genes involved in the I MHC and IFN-γ activations were markers of the post-weaning phase. Several genes attributable to reticulocyte and erythrocyte maturation could be interesting for testing the iron nutrition of piglets
Methodology and application of Escherichia coli F4 and F18 encoding infection models in post-weaning pigs
Full text linkThe enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) expressing F4 and F18 fimbriae are the two main pathogens associated with post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets. The growing global concern regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has encouraged research into the development of nutritional and feeding strategies as well as vaccination protocols in order to counteract the PWD due to ETEC. A valid approach to researching effective strategies is to implement piglet in vivo challenge models with ETEC infection. Thus, the proper application and standardization of ETEC F4 and F18 challenge models represent an urgent priority. The current review provides an overview regarding the current piglet ETEC F4 and F18 challenge models; it highlights the key points for setting the challenge protocols and the most important indicators which should be included in research studies to verify the effectiveness of the ETEC challenge. Based on the current review, it is recommended that the setting of the model correctly assesses the choice and preconditioning of pigs, and the timing and dosage of the ETEC inoculation. Furthermore, the evaluation of the ETEC challenge response should include both clinical parameters (such as the occurrence of diarrhea, rectal temperature and bacterial fecal shedding) and biomarkers for the specific expression of ETEC F4/F18 (such as antibody production, specific F4/F18 immunoglobulins (Igs), ETEC F4/F18 fecal enumeration and analysis of the F4/F18 receptors expression in the intestinal brush borders). On the basis of the review, the piglets' response upon F4 or F18 inoculation differed in terms of the timing and intensity of the diarrhea development, on ETEC fecal shedding and in the piglets' immunological antibody response. This information was considered to be relevant to correctly define the experimental protocol, the data recording and the sample collections. Appropriate challenge settings and evaluation of the response parameters will allow future research studies to comply with the replacement, reduction and refinement (3R) approach, and to be able to evaluate the efficiency of a given feeding, nutritional or vaccination intervention in order to combat ETEC infection
Faecal microbiota shift during weaning transition in piglets and evaluation of AO blood types as shaping factor for the bacterial community profile
Full text linkThe host-microbiota interplay is recognized as a key factor for the homeostatic maintenance in animals. In pigs, the weaning transition represents a drastic changes event leading to high risk of gut dysbiosis, which in most cases results in economic losses for swine industry. The blood type antigens expressed on mucosal surfaces can act as receptors for bacterial adhesion and the hypothesis of possible associations between blood groups and intestinal microbial profiles has been tested in human with contrasting results. Nevertheless, no studies testing the blood type as possible shaping factor for gut microbiota are available for pigs. The results of our previous study suggested the porcine AO blood types system as a possible factor influencing the microbiota composition. In the present study, the changes in fecal microbiota of 12 piglets were followed from 7 days after birth to 2 weeks post-weaning, testing the hypothesis that blood types may impact on its structure. No effects attributable to the difference in blood groups were detected, however, the sampling site (faeces) and the low statistical power might have masked the hypothesized impact. The data clearly showed the rearrangement of the bacterial ecosystem triggered by weaning transition; mainly consisting of a shift from a Bacteroidaceae-Enterobacteriaceae dominated community, to a Prevotellaceae-Ruminococcaceae dominated community. The functional analysis by metagenomic predictions suggested a role of the high levels of long-chain fatty acid in swine milk as energy source for Enterobacteriaceae (E. coli), in suckling piglets. This study provides a first insight for further investigations; indicating the need for larger sample size, preferably derived from intestinal mucosa, to test the potential effect of blood groups on gut microbiota profiles, and for analyses aimed at assessing the long-chain fatty acids degradation activity within the intestinal microbiota of suckling piglets, with particular attention to the role of E. coli
Intrauterine growth restriction, defined by an elevated brain-to-liver weight ratio, affects faecal microbiota composition and, to a lesser extent, plasma metabolome profile at different ages in pigs
Full text linkBackground Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects up to 30% of piglets in a litter. Piglets exposed to IUGR prioritize brain development during gestation, resulting in a higher brain-to-liver weight ratio (BrW/LW) at birth. IUGR is associated with increased mortality, compromised metabolism, and gut health. However, the dynamic metabolic and microbial shifts in IUGR-affected pigs remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal effects of IUGR, defined by a high BrW/LW, on the composition of faecal microbiota and plasma metabolome in pigs from birth to slaughter. One day (+/- 1) after birth, computed tomography was performed on each piglet to assess their brain and liver weights. The pigs with the highest (IUGR = 12) and the lowest (NORM = 12) BrW/LW were selected to collect faeces and blood during lactation (day 16 +/- 0.6, T1) and at the end of the starter period (day 63 +/- 8.6, T2) and faeces at the beginning (day 119 +/- 11.4, T3) and end of the finisher period (day 162 +/- 14.3, T4). Results Faecal microbial Alpha diversity remained unaffected by IUGR across all time points. However, the Beta diversity was influenced by IUGR at T1 (P = 0.002), T2 (P = 0.08), and T3 (P = 0.03). Specifically, IUGR pigs displayed higher abundances of Clostridium sensu stricto 1 (P-adj = 0.03) and Romboutsia (P-adj = 0.05) at T1, Prevotellaceae NK3B31 group (P-adj = 0.02), Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group (P-adj = 0.03), and Alloprevotella (P-adj = 0.03) at T2, and p-2534-18B5 gut group (P-adj = 0.03) at T3. Conversely, the NORM group exhibited higher abundances of Ruminococcus (P-adj = 0.01) at T1, HT002 (P-adj = 0.05) at T2, and Prevotella_9 (P-adj < 0.001) at T3. None of the plasma metabolites showed significant differences at T1 between the IUGR and NORM pigs. However, at T2, asparagine was lower in the IUGR compared to the NORM group (P < 0.05). Conclusions These findings show that growth restriction in the uterus has a significant impact on the faecal microbiota composition in pigs, from birth to the beginning of the finisher period, but minimally affects the plasma metabolome profile
A meta-analytical approach for evaluating the effect of arginine supplementation on the productive performance of sows during gestation
Full text linkArginine (Arg) supplementation for gestating and lactating sows seems to play a primary role in litter development by promoting placental vascularization and improving colostrum and milk quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the supplementation of dietary standardized ileal digestible Arg (SID Arg) on the productive performance of gestating sows using a meta-analytical approach. A total of 19 studies conducted between 2007 and 2020 which tested the effect of additional SID Arg supplementation in diets for sows were chosen using a systematic literature search. Data regarding backfat thickness, number of piglets born and live born, litter birthweight and weaning weight were extrapolated from each experimental group and expressed as a percentage of the value of the control group within the studies. The SID Arg supplementation was expressed as the percentage of SID Arg in the treated group compared to the control group (Additional SID Arg). Linear and quadratic models were built using a mixed procedure utilizing Minitab® software including Additional SID Arg, parity and feed intake classes and the period of SID Arg supplementation as fixed factors, and the study as the random factor. The SID Arg in control groups was higher than the doses suggested by the National Research Council (NRC; 2012) (4.20–8.90 g/kg of feed vs 3.2–7.9 g/kg, respectively). A quadratic response of Additional SID Arg was observed for placental efficiency (PE; P = 0.003; a=0.0019), the number of total piglets born (P = 0.027; a=−0.0003), the number of live born piglets (P = 0.005; a=−0.0006) and backfat thickness loss (P = 0.057; a=0.0029). A linear increase in the plasma concentration of Pro (P = 0.004; b=0.120), Orn (P = 0.002; b=0.284) and Arg (P = 0.001; b=0.425), and a decrease in the concentration of urea (P = 0.037; b=−0.063) was observed with an increasing level of SID Arg. There was no effect on placenta weight, live litter birthweight, individual piglet weight at birth and weaning, litter size and weight at weaning, and average daily gain during lactation. The estimated requirements of SID Arg for improving PE, reducing backfat thickness loss, increasing the number of piglets born and live born were 11.17 g/kg, 13.03 g/kg, 14.83 g/kg and 15.71 g/kg of feed, respectively. This meta-analysis highlighted the importance of redefining the Arg requirements of gestating sows and suggested a dosage ranging from 11.17 to 15.71 g/kg of feed to improve reproductive performance
A workflow to study the microbiota profile of piglet's umbilical cord blood: from sampling to data analysis
Full text linkThe possibility of pre-birth microbiota colonisation remains controversial in the scientific community. Due to the placenta's characteristics in pigs, the umbilical cord is the sole way for mother-foetus microbial transmission to occur. Studies on this topic have demonstrated conflicting results; some of these discrepancies might be due to differences during sampling, DNA extraction, bioinformatics and data analysis. The aim of this study is to assess a workflow for characterising the umbilical cord blood microbial profile by adjusting for the contaminating sources of bacterial DNA during the extraction procedure. The results show that among 735 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), 568 ASVs were contaminants, while 165 ASVs were true samples. Using this workflow, we could distinguish the contaminant ASVs introduced during bacterial DNA extraction and amplification. With the results of the present study, however, we cannot confirm the pre-birth bacterial transfer by the umbilical cord blood due to the lack of samples representative of the contaminants in the surrounding sampling environment. Nevertheless, the present study can be used as a reference to address low microbial biomass, particularly with umbilical cord blood
Investigation of early supplementation of nucleotides on the intestinal maturation of weaned piglets
Full text linkNucleotides are essential for the development of the gastrointestinal tract and immune function, but their intake with milk by piglets could be insufficient. The effect of nucleotides on growth and health was tested on 98 piglets divided into two groups: NU, orally administrated with 4 mL of a nucleotide-based product (SwineMOD® ) at 10, 15, 18, 21, 27 days, or not (CO). Blood and feces were sampled at weaning (26 d, T1), and at 38 d (T2). Per each group and time-point, eight piglets were slaughtered and jejunal Peyer’s patches (JPPs) were collected. NU increased hemoglobin content and hematocrit, but not growth. At weaning, the NU fecal microbiota was characterized by the abundance of Campylobacteraceae, more typical of the growing phase, compared to CO, with a greater abundance of Streptococcaceae. For the blood transcriptome, an initial greater inflammatory activation was seen in CO, while at T2, NU enriched gene sets related to erythropoiesis. The activation of gene groups ranging from epigenetic response to transcriptional regulation evidenced an intense proliferative activity in NU JPPs. NU supplementation did not influence the growth performance of piglets but could have expressed a positive effect on pig microbiota anticipating its maturation at weaning. This immunostimulant activity in the JPPs could moderate the inflammation in the immediate pre-weaning
- …
