We have shown by phagocytosis assay that dystrophic RPE cells can take up melanin granules in vitro. Our results assume that pigmented cells in transplantation studies, found as a monolayer, attached to Bruch's membrane, cannot automatically be identified as transplanted cells. Instead, the possibility of perished transplanted cells serving as melanin donors for RPE host cells must be taken into consideration.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 on sow performance and fecal microflora and on progeny growth performance, fecal consistency, and fecal microflora. For the sow portion of this study, a total of 29 sows (DNA 241, DNA Genetics, Columbus, NE) and litters were used from d 30 of gestation until weaning (d 19 of lactation). Treatments consisted of providing a control diet (n = 14 sows) or a probiotic diet (n = 15 sows) supplemented with Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin®, Calpis Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) at 500,000 CFU/g of complete feed in gestation and 1,000,000 CFU/g of complete feed in lactation. For the nursery portion of the study, a total of 358 weaned pigs (DNA 241 × 600, DNA Genetics, Columbus, NE) progeny of the sows on study, were used in a 42-d nursery trial. There were 4 or 5 pigs per pen and 18 or 19 replications per treatment. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of sow treatment (control diet vs. probiotic diet) and nursery treatment (control diet vs. probiotic diet). In the nursery probiotic diet, a combination of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis C-3102 and prebiotics based on beta glucans and mannan oligosaccharides (BacPack ABF™, Quality Technology International, Inc., Elgin, IL) was included at 0.05% of complete feed. Fecal scoring was used to categorize fecal consistency of nursing litters and nursery pens. Fecal samples were collected from sows and piglets for microbial analysis performed by culture method and bacterial quantification. The results demonstrate that sows fed the probiotic diet had a marginally significant (P = 0.056) increase in lactation average daily feed intake (ADFI), consuming on average 0.6 lb more feed per day than sows fed the control diet, but it did not result (P > 0.10) in improvement in sow or piglet body weight (BW) at weaning. Sows fed the probiotic diet had marginally significant (P = 0.060) larger litter size after equalization on d 2 after birth, with on average 0.5 more piglet per litter than sows fed the control diet, but it did not result (P > 0.10) in larger litter size at weaning. In the nursery, there was no evidence for effect of sow treatment, nursery treatment, or interactions (P > 0.10) on overall growth performance. However, growth performance from d 21 to 42 and final nursery BW were greater (P < 0.05) in pigs from sows fed the control diet compared to the probiotic diet. The evaluation of fecal score in nursing and nursery pigs indicated that fecal consistency was not influenced (P > 0.10) by sow or pig diet. Microbial analysis revealed an increase (P < 0.01) in number of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 and, consequently, total Bacillus sp. in fecal microflora of sows and nursery pigs fed the probiotic diet. Also, piglets that were born and nursed by sows fed a probiotic diet also displayed this change (P < 0.01) in fecal microbial population before weaning. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrate a potential benefit of providing Bacillus subtilis C-3...

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of whole-corn moisture and hammermill screen size on subsequent ground corn moisture, particle size and flowability. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial design with two moisture concentrations (14.5 and 16.7%), each ground using 2 hammermill screen sizes (3 mm and 6 mm). Corn was ground using a lab-scale 1.5 HP Bliss Hammermill at three separate timepoints to create three replications per treatment. Ground corn flowability was calculated using angle of repose (AOR), percent compressibility, and critical orifice diameter (COD) measurements to determine the composite flow index (CFI). There was no evidence for a screen size × corn moisture interaction for ground corn moisture content (MC), particle size, standard deviation, or flowability metrics. Grinding corn using a 3 mm screen resulted in decreased (p < 0.041) moisture content compared to corn ground using the 6 mm screen. There was a decrease (p < 0.031) in particle size from the 6 mm screen to the 3 mm, but no evidence of difference was observed for the standard deviation. There was a decrease (p < 0.030) in percent compressibility as screen size increased from 3 mm to 6 mm. Angle of repose tended to decrease (p < 0.056) when corn was ground using a 6 mm screen compared to a 3 mm screen. For the main effects of MC, 16.7% moisture corn had increased (p < 0.001) ground corn MC compared to 14.5%. The 14.5% moisture corn resulted in decreased (p < 0.050) particle size and an increased standard deviation compared to the 16.7% moisture corn. The increased MC of corn increased (p < 0.038) CFI and tended to decrease (p < 0.050) AOR and COD. In conclusion, decreasing hammermill screen size increased moisture loss by 0.55%, decreased corn particle size by 126 µm and resulted in poorer flowability as measured by percent compressibility and AOR. The higher moisture corn increased subsequent particle size by 89 µm and had improved flowability as measured by CFI.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of whole corn moisture and hammermill screen size on subsequent ground corn moisture, particle size, and flow-ability. Whole yellow dent #2 corn was used for this experiment. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial design with two moisture concentrations (as-received and high) each ground using 2 hammermill screen sizes (1/8 and 1/4 in). Corn was ground using a laboratory scale 1.5 HP Bliss Hammermill (Model 6K630B) at 3 separate time points to create 3 replications per treatment. Increasing initial whole corn moisture was accomplished by adding 5% water and heating at 55°C for 3 hours in sealed glass jars using a Fisherbrand Isotemp Oven (Model 15-103-051). Ground corn flowability was calculated using angle of repose (AOR), percent compressibility, and critical orifice diameter (COD) measurements to determine the composite flow index (CFI). There was no evidence for a screen size × corn moisture interaction for moisture content, particle size, standard deviation, or flowability metrics. Grinding corn using a 1/8 in screen resulted in decreased (P < 0.041) moisture content compared to corn ground using the 1/4 in screen. There was a decrease in particle size from the 1/4 in screen to the 1/8 in but no evidence of difference was observed for the standard deviation. There was a decrease (P < 0.03) in percent compressibility as screen size increased from 1/8 to 1/4 in. Angle of repose tended to decrease (P < 0 .056) when corn was ground using a 1/4 in screen compared to a 1/8 in screen. For the main effects of moisture content, high moisture corn had increased (P < 0.0001) ground corn moisture content compared to as-received corn. As-received corn resulted in decreased (P < 0.029) particle size and an increased standard deviation compared to the high moisture corn. Increased moisture content of corn increased (P < 0.038) CFI and tended to decrease (P < 0.056) AOR and COD. In conclusion, decreasing hammermill screen size increased moisture loss by 0.55%, corn particle size by 126 μm, and resulted in poorer flowability as measured by percent compressibility and AOR. High moisture corn increased subsequent particle size by 89 μm, therefore improving flowability as measured by CFI.

A total of 287 pigs (DNA 600 × 241; initially 111.8 lb) were used in an 86-d experiment to determine the effect of dietary fiber source on finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics. There were 12 pens per treatment with 7 or 8 pigs per pen. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments consisting of a control (8.7% neutral detergent fiber; NDF), 20% dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS; 13.6% NDF), or 14.5% sugar beet pulp (SBP; 13.6% NDF). Experimental diets were fed from d 0 to 86 in 3 phases; d 0 to 18, d 18 to 39, and d 39 to 86. From d 0 to 86, there was no evidence for treatment difference in ADG or ADFI. Pigs fed DDGS had marginally poorer F/G than the control or 14.5% SBP diets (P < 0.10). Caloric efficiency of net energy (NE) in kcal per lb of live gain was marginally poorer (P < 0.10) in pigs fed DDGS compared to those fed control and SBP. There was a decrease (P < 0.10) in hot carcass weight (HCW) and carcass yield (P < .0.05) in pigs fed DDGS and SBP compared to those fed the control diet. Loin depth marginally decreased (P < 0.10) in pigs fed SBP compared to the control, with those fed DDGS intermediate. Feed cost per pig was greatest (P < 0.05) for pigs fed SBP, followed by DDGS, with those fed the control diet having the least. Feed cost per lb of gain increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed SBP, followed by DDGS, with those fed the control having the least. Gain value decreased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed SBP compared to the control, with those fed DDGS intermediate. Income over feed cost was poorest (P < 0.05) in pigs fed SBP, followed by DDGS, with those fed the control diet being the greatest. In conclusion, pigs fed DDGS tended to have poorer F/G compared to those fed the control diet or SBP. This can be explained by the overestimation of NE of the diet as demonstrated by an increase in caloric efficiency. Increasing dietary NDF reduced carcass yield and economic return.