Application of ZnO-Functionalised-Sepiolite in weaning piglet diets

The objective was to evaluate the effect of ZnO-Functionalised-Sepiolite (ZnO-Sepiolite) to fulfil Zn requirements and health status of weaning piglets. Pre-starter Basal Diet (BD, corn– soybean based, from weaning till 14 days on trial) was calculated to provide 27 mg Zn/kg feed from raw materials and had no added ZnO and no antibiotics or organic acids. Treatments during pre-starter period were: 1) BD+90% of NRC Zn requirements completed with ZnO (ZnO90); 2) BD+90% of NRC Zn requirements completed with ZnO-Sepiolite (ZnOS90); 3) BD+3000 mg ZnO/kg of diet (ZnO3000); 4) BD+150 mg added Zn/kg diet from ZnO-Sepiolite (ZnOS150). The starter feed (corn–soybean based, from 14 till 31 days on trial) was common for all piglets, and met 90% NRC Zn requirements by adding ZnO. Diarrhea affected more than 50% of the animals of ZnO90, ZnOS90 and ZnOS150, and 33% of the ZnO3000 animals. Animals from ZnOS90 tended (Pb0.10) to improve Gain to Feed ratio (G:F) compared to animals from ZnO90 (0.830 kg/kg vs. 0.811 kg/kg for G:F). Performance of animals from ZnO3000 was not significantly different from the other treatments, and was numerically similar to animals from ZnOS90. The inclusion of ZnO at 3000 mg/kg of feed in the pre-starter period numerically decreased P in serum at the end of this period, with no effect on Ca level; normal levels were restored after 2 weeks of feeding the same levels of Zn than other animals. Animals fed ZnOSepiolite diets had numerically higher serum Ca than ZnO90 and ZnO3000 at 12 days and higher than ZnO90 at 28 days. Serum Zn levels were significantly higher for ZnO3000 than the other treatments.

Strategies of use of a specific immunoglobulin-rich egg yolk powder in weaning piglets

Two experiments were performed to determine the best strategy of use of the product TRACTcare® 4P (ITPSA) (TC, specific immunoglobulin-rich egg yolk powder within an energetic fatty acid matrix) in piglets from weaning and for 6 weeks, in diets without or with inclusion of antibiotics. Each trial was performed with 144 piglets in 24 pens, in a completely randomized design blocked by initial body weight. Feeds were formulated according to animal requirements in two periods. In the first trial no antibiotics were included in the feeds and no room disinfection from previous trial was performed; treatments were: 1) Negative control (NC); 2) NC+TC on top of the feed within the hopper for the first 3 days on trial (30 g/pig×day), and eventually if diarrhea appeared (TCOT); 3) NC+TC ad libitum provided in an extra hopper within the pen (TCAL); and 4) NC+TC at 5 g/kg added to the feed in the mixer (TC5). In the second trial, treatments were: 1) Positive control: basal diet that included 250 mg/kg amoxiciline (BD)+100 mg/kg colistine (AC); 2) BD+2 g/kg TC (TC2A); 3) BD+5 g/kg TC (TC5A); and 4) BD+8 g/kg TC (TC8A). In diets without antibiotics, the product TC at 5 g/kg in the feed numerically improved BW by 8% compared to Control animals, while G:F was almost identical between both groups. When antibiotics were used in the feed, replacement of colistin at 100 mg/kg for TC at 2 g/kg in feed numerically improved the performance compared to Positive control animals (for the whole trial period ADG 8% better: 390 g vs. 361 g; G:F 1% better: 0.748 kg/kg vs. 0.742 kg/kg), possibly due to the stimulation of feed consumption at weaning. In both trials, the lower number of dead and culled animals from TC5 and TC2A together with higher BW represented an advantage over Control treatments of 6% to 10% animals more and 15% to 17% total BW more at the end of the trial.

Probiotic microorganisms: 100 years of innovation and efficacy. Modes of action

AbstractArticle StructureFigures and TablesReferences Benefits from probiotic micro-organisms have been recognised for over 100 years, and as being useful in poultry for 50 years. Fuller (1989) redefined probiotics as ‘a live microbial feed supplement which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance’. Benefits derived from this improved intestinal microbial balance could be reflected in performance or prevention of pathogen colonisation. Probiotic micro-organisms use in poultry production has been widely accepted and new opportunities arose from the 2006 EU ban on antimicrobial growth promoters. The majority of microbial products for compound feeds are made up from a relatively small number of micro-organisms that are normally present in the GI tract. They include non-sporulated bacteria, sporulated bacteria, fungi or yeasts; and presented from single to multi-strain products. A review on the proposed modes of action is presented including recent approaches to quorum sensing interference

Mesophyll conductance to CO2 and leaf morphological characteristics under drought stress during Quercus ilex L resprouting

• Quercus ilex L., the dominant species in Mediterranean forests and one with a great capacity for resprouting after disturbances, is threatened by the expected increase in fire frequency and drought associated with climate change. • The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of photosynthesis limitants, especially mesophyll conductance (gmes ) during this species’ resprouting and under summer drought. • Resprouts showed 5.3-fold increased gmes and 3.8-fold increased stomatal conductance (gs) atmidday with respect to leaves of undisturbed individuals. With increased drought, structural changes (decreased density and increased thickness) in resprouts contributed to the observed higher photosynthesis and increased gmes. However, gmes only partially depended on leaf structure, and was also under physiological control. Resprouts also showed lower non-stomatal limitations (around 50% higher carboxylation velocity (Vc,max) and capacity for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration (Jmax)). A significant contribution of gmes to leaf carbon isotope discrimination values was observed. • gmes exhibits a dominant role in photosynthesis limitation in Q. ilex and is regulated by factors other than morphology. During resprouting after disturbances, greater capacity to withstand drought, as evidenced by higher gmes , gs and lower non-stomatal limitants, enables increased photosynthesis and rapid growth.

Jornada de camp a la Unitat Experimental de la Terra Alta (UETA)

La Unitat Experimental de la Terra Alta (IRTA – INCAVI) acull diverses parcel·les experimentals basades en els tres conreus més importants de la Terra Alta: vinya, ametller i olivera. La jornada que us proposem enguany fa un èmfasi especial en els dos conreus típics de la fructicultura mediterrània (olivera i ametller), comptant amb la presència dels investigadors de l’IRTA: Joan Tous (nous models de producció en olivera) i Francisco Vargas (varietats d’ametller IRTA). Finalment, els assistents que així ho desitgin podran visitar, com cada any, els diferents assajos que tenim establerts en els tres conreus assenyalats.

Teleost fish larvae adapt to dietary arachidonic acid supply through modulation of the expression of lipid metabolism and stress response genes

Dietary fatty acid supply can affect stress response in fish during early development. Although knowledge on the mechanisms involved in fatty acid regulation of stress tolerance is scarce, it has often been hypothesised that eicosanoid profiles can influence cortisol production. Genomic cortisol actions are mediated by cytosolic receptors which may respond to cellular fatty acid signalling. An experiment was designed to test the effects of feeding gilthead sea-bream larvae with four microdiets, containing graded arachidonic acid (ARA) levels (0·4, 0·8, 1·5 and 3·0 %), on the expression of genes involved in stress response (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, glucocorticoid receptor and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase), lipid and, particularly, eicosanoid metabolism (hormone-sensitive lipase, PPARα, phospholipase A2, cyclo-oxygenase-2 and 5-lipoxygenase), as determined by real-time quantitative PCR. Fish fatty acid phenotypes reflected dietary fatty acid profiles. Growth performance, survival after acute stress and similar whole-body basal cortisol levels suggested that sea-bream larvae could tolerate a wide range of dietary ARA levels. Transcription of all genes analysed was significantly reduced at dietary ARA levels above 0·4 %. Nonetheless, despite practical suppression of phospholipase A2 transcription, higher leukotriene B4 levels were detected in larvae fed 3·0 % ARA, whereas a similar trend was observed regarding PGE2 production. The present study demonstrates that adaptation to a wide range of dietary ARA levels in gilthead sea-bream larvae involves the modulation of the expression of genes related to eicosanoid synthesis, lipid metabolism and stress response. The roles of ARA, other polyunsaturates and eicosanoids as signals in this process are discussed.

Evaluación del crecimiento y de la producción de madera en plantaciones españolas de nogal realizadas con progenies híbridas. Resultados en fase semiadulta

El silvicultor debería ante todo conocer cuál es el producto que la industria valora y cuáles las características que se le exigen y dirigir sus esfuerzos de gestión a conseguirlas. Actualmente, la madera destinada a la producción de chapa a la plana es la más apreciada.

Projecte d’ una explotació cinegètica de perdiu roja, situada al terme municipal de Navata, comarca de l’ Alt Empordà

Aquest projecte tracta de la construcció d’una explotació cinegètica de perdiu roja (Alectoris rufa), a Navata, comarca de l’Alt Empordà, província de Girona. L’objectiu es produir aproximadament unes 15.000 perdius per any i cicle, aus de qualitat amb un valor cinegètic alt, amb destí a ser comercialitzades per repoblacions d’ecosistemes, increments de densitats de caça a vedats de cacera, venda vedats intensius, etc. L’objectiu d’aquest projecte és la construcció d’una explotació de cicle tancat, on les necessitats seran disposar de zona de reproducció, zona d’incubació i zona de cria. Després d’estudiar diferents alternatives, l’ explotació cinegètica estarà dividida en la nau de cria i parcs de vol annexes, nau de serveis, parc de reproductors i altres

Creació de l'empresa Mediterranean Hunting

Treball sobre la creació d'una empresa de turisme cinegètic. Es pretén aprofundir en la temàtica del turisme cinegètic; aprofundir en la temàtica del les agències de viatges; aprofundir en la temàtica de caça i fer una proposta novedosa i viable des del punt de vista empresarial

Una apuesta por el equilibrio : problemas medioambientales de Japón en la obra de Hayao Miyazaki

El medioambiente ha ganado en las últimas décadas más atención por parte las organizaciones internacionales y de los gobiernos. El abuso o mal uso de los recursos del planeta lo están poniendo en peligro. El aire y el agua se agotan, los bosques se reducen y muchas especies animales se están extinguiendo por la caza, la pesca y la destrucción de hábitat naturales. Además de organismos oficiales, la población también está preocupada y son muchos los que levantan la voz y aportan su grano de arena para luchar contra el cambio climático y los problemas medioambientales. Hayao Miyazaki, director de cine y dibujante japonés, incluye en la mayoría de sus películas el reflejo de lo que ocurre y su postura ante este problema. Es uno de los pocos japoneses que ha ganado un Oscar de la Academia de Cine Norteamericana y el Oso de Oro en el Festival de Berlín. En su país es mucho más conocido que en Occidente, pero su obra es apreciada y, debido a la difusión que tiene, llega a muchos espectadores de todas las edades. Consciente o inconscientemente, su obra transmite respeto por la Naturaleza, cuidado para mantener el equilibrio entre los hombres y su entorno y otros muchos temas medioambientales.La cuestión que nos planteamos es la siguiente: Si Miyazaki refleja problemas medioambientales en su obra y vive en un país en concreto ¿se reflejan los problemas medioambientales de ese país, Japón, en sus películas?

Pla d'ordenació cinegètica de les Gavarres

Aquest projecte te com a objectiu el·laborar un Pla d' ordenació cinegètica de les Gavarres

Alimentació i nutrició al Vallès Occidental. Un segle i mig de canvis i permanències: 1787-1936

En aquest treball s’analitzen els canvis que es produeixen en la dieta de la població de la comarca catalana del Vallès Occidental entre finals del segle XVIII i 1936, un període marcat per les grans transformacions econòmiques i socials que experimenta aquesta comarca amb el procés d’industrialització, d’urbanització, l’intens creixement demogràfic i la transformació de la seva agricultura. El resultat serà una millora i canvis importants en la composició de la dieta, que es poden emmarcar en el context de l’anomenada transició nutricional, i que acaben repercutint a llarg termini en un augment dels nivells de vida i de benestar de la població.

Vitamin E but not 17B-estradiol protect against vascular toxicity induced by B-amyloid wild type and the Dutch amyploid variant

Amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) fibril deposition on cerebral vessels produces cerebral amyloid angiopathy that appears in the majority of Alzheimer's disease patients. An early onset of a cerebral amyloid angiopathy variant called hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis of the Dutch type is caused by a point mutation in Aβ yielding AβGlu22→Gln. The present study addresses the effect of amyloid fibrils from both wild-type and mutated Aβ on vascular cells, as well as the putative protective role of antioxidants on amyloid angiopathy. For this purpose, we studied the cytotoxicity induced by Aβ1–40 Glu22→Gln and Aβ1–40 wild-type fibrils on human venule endothelial cells and rat aorta smooth muscle cells. We observed that AβGlu22→Gln fibrils are more toxic for vascular cells than the wild-type fibrils. We also evaluated the cytotoxicity of Aβ fibrils bound with acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a common component of amyloid deposits. Aβ1–40 wild-type–AChE fibrillar complexes, similar to neuronal cells, resulted in an increased toxicity on vascular cells. Previous reports showing that antioxidants are able to reduce the toxicity of Aβ fibrils on neuronal cells prompted us to test the effect of vitamin E, vitamin C, and 17β-estradiol on vascular damage induced by Aβwild-type and AβGlu22→Gln. Our data indicate that vitamin E attenuated significantly the Aβ-mediated cytotoxicity on vascular cells, although 17β-estradiol and vitamin C failed to inhibit the cytotoxicity induced by Aβ fibrils.