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Vitamin D is essential for the metabolism of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in birds. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of different isoforms of dietary vitamin D on Ca and P utilization, egg quality, and bone mineralization of laying hens. A total of 42 Lohmann white laying hens at 57 wk of age were randomly assigned to 7 dietary treatments for 6 wk. Dietary treatments were: 3,000 IU/kg Vit D 3 as control, and control with additional 3,000 IU/kg 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 (T1), 9,000 IU/kg 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 (T2), 3,000 IU/kg vitamin D3 (T3), 9,000 IU/kg vitamin D 3 (T4), 3,000 IU/kg of vitamin D 2 (T5), or 9,000 IU/kg of vitamin D 2 (T6). Egg production and egg quality were measured weekly. Fecal samples were collected at weeks 2 and 6 to measure Ca and P utilization. After 6 wk, the left tibia and femurs were collected to measure bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC). A 1-way ANOVA with Tukey HSD means separation test was used for statistical analysis. There were no significant differences in egg production, egg quality, BMD, or BMC of tibia and femurs among the treatments ( P > 0.05). T6 significantly reduced feed intake ( P < 0.05). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of Ca was higher ( P < 0.012) in treatments supplemented with additional vitamin D, irrespective of forms. The ATTD of P was higher ( P < 0.0001) in T5 compared to the other treatments at both time points. The utilization of Ca and P by laying hens can be improved through the addition of different isoforms of vitamin D in diets. However, additional vitamin D supplementation to laying hens, regardless of forms, had no effect on either bone mineralization or measures of egg quality.

The research was aimed to observe the effect of malting and fermentation on antinutritional component and functional characteristics of sorghum flour. For whole sorghum flour, cleaned sorghum grain was milled to pass through 40 mesh sieve. For malting, cleaned sorghum grain was steeped in 0.2% calcium hydroxide solution for 24 hr and then germinated for 48 hr at 90% RH and 27 ± 2°C. Sprout was removed, dried in hot air oven at 50 ± 2°C for 24 hr and milled to pass through 40 mesh sieve. For fermented sorghum flour, 13.3 mg% diastase and 2 mg % pepsin (on the basis of whole sorghum flour weight) was added to cooked (88 ± 2°C) sorghum flour and left for 1 hr. Lactobacillus plantarum (107 cfu/g) was inoculated and incubated at temperature 30 ± 2°C for 48 hr. The fermented slurry was dried at 50 ± 2°C in hot air oven for 24 hr and milled to pass through 40 mesh sieve. The lower yield of sorghum flour was obtained compared to whole and malted sorghum flour. Germination of sorghum reduced phytate, tannin, and oxalate by 40%, 16.12% and 49.1%, respectively, whereas fermentation of sorghum flour reduced above by 77%, 96.7% and 67.85%, respectively. There was no significant change in hydrogen cyanide in malted sorghum flour compared to whole sorghum flour, but fermentation of sorghum flour reduced hydrogen cyanide by 52.3%. Bulk density and viscosity was significantly reduced by the malting and fermentation, whereas water absorption capacity and oil absorption capacity was markedly increased by the malting and fermentation. Fermented flour was good due to reduced ANF and improved functional property despite of lower yield.

Chicken mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used as an avian culture model to better understand osteogenic, adipogenic, and myogenic pathways and to identify unique bioactive nutrients and molecules which can promote or inhibit these pathways. MSCs could also be used as a model to study various developmental, physiological, and therapeutic processes in avian and other species. MSCs are multipotent stem cells that are capable of differentiation into bone, muscle, fat, and closely related lineages and express unique and specific cell surface markers. MSCs have been isolated from numerous sources including human, mouse, rabbit, and chicken with potential clinical and agricultural applications. MSCs from chicken compact bones have not been isolated and characterized yet. In this study, MSCs were isolated from compact bones of the femur and tibia of day-old male broiler chicks to investigate the biological characteristics of the isolated cells. Isolated cells took 8–10 days to expand, demonstrated a monolayer growth pattern and were plastic adherent. Putative MSCs were spindle-shaped with elongated ends and showed rapid proliferation. MSCs demonstrated osteoblastic, adipocytic, and myogenic differentiation when induced with specific differentiation media. Cell surface markers for MSCs such as CD90, CD105, CD73, CD44 were detected positive and CD31, CD34, and CD45 cells were detected negative by PCR assay. The results suggest that MSCs isolated from broiler compact bones (cBMSCs) possess similar biological characteristics as MSCs isolated from other chicken tissue sources.

Bats are the only active flying placental mammals and are traditionally classified into mega- and microbats, which are, respectively, herbivorous and insectivorous in feeding habit. Though deforestation, habitat destruction, natural calamities, illegal hunting, and climate changes are the challenging threats for bats, the role of existing gastrointestinal (GI) parasites have not been evaluated yet in Nepal. Thus, the current study aims to determine the prevalence of GI parasites in bats from the Shaktikhor area at the Chitwan district of Southcentral Nepal. From July 2018 to February 2019, a total of 60 fecal samples of bats (30 from frugivorous bats and 30 from the insectivorous bats) were collected. These samples were preserved at 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. The fecal examination was carried out by the direct wet mount, concentrations, acid-fast staining, and sporulation techniques. Overall results showed the prevalence rate of 80% GI parasites. The parasites detected in the insectivorous bats were Ascarid spp., Capillarid sp., Cryptosporidium sp., Eimeria spp., Entamoeba sp., Giardia sp., Hymenolepis spp., Isospora sp., Oxyurid sp., Strongyle, and Strongyloides sp. In contrast, Eimeria sp., Entamoeba sp., and Hymenolepis sp. were detected in the frugivorous bats. Based on a wide diversity of parasite richness and parasitic concurrency measured by the prevalence rates, we suggest that GI parasitism might be a threatening factor in the insectivorous bats in the current study area.

Background Intestinal parasites have a significant impact on productivity of pigs. Additionally, presence of zoonotic parasites in pig faeces used as fertilizer and ingestion of raw or undercooked pork products originated from parasite‐infested pigs pose a risk to human health. Objectives The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in indigenous pigs (Sus domesticus) maintained under traditional rearing system in Nepal. Methods Fresh faecal samples (n = 100) were collected from the pigs of varying age and sex maintained in 18 small‐scale farms in south‐central Nepal. Samples were processed using various standard methods and examined for parasite eggs, cysts or oocysts. Results Prevalence of GI parasites in indigenous pigs was 91%, comprising of 14 different genera of protozoans and helminths. Male pigs generally had a higher (97.5%) prevalence of GI parasites than females (87%). While 90% of the suckling and weaner piglets were positive for the GI parasites, all growers and 85% the adult pigs were infected with the parasites. Entamoeba spp. were the primary protozoans in all age groups. Strongyloides sp. was more prevalent helminths in suckling and weaner piglets, whereas Ascarid spp. were higher in both growers and adults. Triplet infection was higher (33.3%) in suckling and weaner piglets, while quadruplet and pentuplet infections were higher (p < .05) among growers (46.7%) and adults (30%), respectively. Conclusions The indigenous pigs harbour a higher prevalence and greater diversity of GI parasites. GI parasitism varies by sex and age of the pigs.

Objective: Our goal was to describe the development, progress, and functioning of Civic Action for Refugee Empowerment in Cincinnati (CARE: Cincinnati) as a model for community-based participatory research (CBPR) with refugees. We conducted a participatory evaluation to assess our collective ability to employ shared power and equitable decision-making, and to facilitate structures that build member ownership and solidarity. We identify principles and processes that can be used by researchers, practitioners, and activists interested in working toward the creation of more equitable community spaces for refugees. Method: Twelve refugee research team members representing seven different countries and ranging in age from 16 to 75 engaged in the participatory evaluation and are coauthors of this manuscript. All participants were interviewed by an external researcher, who transcribed and anonymized responses. Academic researchers first developed preliminary themes and then the entire research team verified, prioritized, and expanded themes. Results: The experiences of refugee team members illustrate an iterative process of reflection and action that are both personally satisfying and encourage work for deeper change. The themes further illustrate that the CBPR process aided in developing a sense of solidarity among diverse team members and that the dynamic and participatory organization of the group fostered equitable and creative decision-making. Conclusions: Our participatory evaluation suggests that future research partnering with refugees that brings together diverse teams to share power will not only improve research quality and dissemination, but will also serve as a tangible benefit for refugee team members. The shared reflection, analysis, and action process inherent in the research process are individually motivating to refugee team members and foster possibility for transformative change. Public Significance StatementThere are increasing numbers of refugees throughout the world. Resettled refugees have several barriers to civic participation. Community-based participatory research offers a way to increase refugee voices and perspectives in civic life.

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