Feed safety in the feed supply chain

A number of issues have weakened the public's confidence in the quality and wholesomeness of foods of animal origin. As a result farmers, nutritionists, industry and governments have been forced to pay serious attention to animal feedstuff production processes, thereby acknowledging that animal feed safety is an essential prerequisite for human food safety. Concerns about these issues have produced a number of important effects including the ban on the use of processed animal proteins, the ban on the addition of most antimicrobials to farm animals diets for growth‐promotion purposes, and the implementation of feed contaminant regulations in the EU. In this context it is essential to integrate knowledge on feed safety and feed supply. Consequently, purchase of new and more economic sources of energy and protein in animal diets, which is expected to conform to adequate quality, traceability, environmental sustainability and safety standards, is an emerging issue in livestock production system

A Link Between the Semi-Major Axis of Extrasolar Gas Giant Planets and Stellar Metallicity

The fact that most extrasolar planets found to date are orbiting metal-rich stars lends credence to the core accretion mechanism of gas giant planet formation over its competitor, the disc instability mechanism. However, the core accretion mechanism is not refined to the point of explaining orbital parameters such as their unexpected semi-major axes and eccentricities. We propose a model, which correlates the metallicity of the host star with the original semi-major axis of its most massive planet, prior to migration, considering that the core accretion scenario governs giant gas planet formation. The model predicts that the optimum regions for planetary formation shift inward as stellar metallicity decreases, providing an explanation for the observed absence of long period planets in metal-poor stars. We compare our predictions with the available data on extrasolar planets for stars with masses similar to the mass of the Sun. A fitting procedure produces an estimate of what we define as the Zero Age Planetary Orbit (ZAPO) curve as a function of the metallicity of the star. The model also hints that the lack of planets circling metal-poor stars may be partly caused by an enhanced destruction probability during the migration process, since the planets lie initially closer to the central stars.Comment: Nature of the replacement: According to recent simulations, the temperature profile, T, is more adequately reproduced by beta = 1 rather than beta = 2. We have introduced a distance scale factor that solves the very fast drop of T for low metallicity and introduces naturally the inferior distance limit of our ZAPO. Under this modification all the fitting process was altere

A Bulk-Parallel Priority Queue in External Memory with STXXL

We propose the design and an implementation of a bulk-parallel external memory priority queue to take advantage of both shared-memory parallelism and high external memory transfer speeds to parallel disks. To achieve higher performance by decoupling item insertions and extractions, we offer two parallelization interfaces: one using "bulk" sequences, the other by defining "limit" items. In the design, we discuss how to parallelize insertions using multiple heaps, and how to calculate a dynamic prediction sequence to prefetch blocks and apply parallel multiway merge for extraction. Our experimental results show that in the selected benchmarks the priority queue reaches 75% of the full parallel I/O bandwidth of rotational disks and and 65% of SSDs, or the speed of sorting in external memory when bounded by computation.Comment: extended version of SEA'15 conference pape

Rumen-protected choline supplementation in periparturient dairy goats: effects on liver and mammary gland

The current study investigated the effects of supplementing rumen-protected choline (RPC) on metabolic profile, selected liver constituents and transcript levels of selected enzymes, transcription factors and nuclear receptors involved in mammary lipid metabolism in dairy goats. Eight healthy lactating goats were studied: four received no choline supplementation (CTR group) and four received 4 g RPC chloride/day (RPC group). The treatment was administered individually starting 4 weeks before expected kidding and continuing for 4 weeks after parturition. In the first month of lactation, milk yield and composition were measured weekly. On days 7, 14, 21 and 27 of lactation, blood samples were collected and analysed for glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids and cholesterol. On day 28 of lactation, samples of liver and mammary gland tissue were obtained. Liver tissue was analysed for total lipid and DNA content; mammary tissue was analysed for transcripts of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS), sterol regulatory binding proteins 1 and 2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and liver X receptor α. Milk yield was very similar in the two groups, but RPC goats had lower (P<0·05) plasma β-hydroxybutyrate. The total lipid content of liver was unaffected (P=0·890), but the total lipid/DNA ratio was lower (both P<0·05) in RPC than CTR animals. Choline had no effect on the expression of the mammary gland transcripts involved in lipid metabolism. The current plasma and liver data indicate that choline has a positive effect on liver lipid metabolism, whereas it appears to have little effect on transcript levels in mammary gland of various proteins involved in lipid metabolism. Nevertheless, the current results were obtained from a limited number of animals, and choline requirement and function in lactating dairy ruminants deserve further investigatio

The Rio Cuarto crater field re-visited: remote sensing imagery analysis and new field observations.

Accepted versio

Stops making sense: translational trade-offs and stop codon reassignment

Background Efficient gene expression involves a trade-off between (i) premature termination of protein synthesis; and (ii) readthrough, where the ribosome fails to dissociate at the terminal stop. Sense codons that are similar in sequence to stop codons are more susceptible to nonsense mutation, and are also likely to be more susceptible to transcriptional or translational errors causing premature termination. We therefore expect this trade-off to be influenced by the number of stop codons in the genetic code. Although genetic codes are highly constrained, stop codon number appears to be their most volatile feature. Results In the human genome, codons readily mutable to stops are underrepresented in coding sequences. We construct a simple mathematical model based on the relative likelihoods of premature termination and readthrough. When readthrough occurs, the resultant protein has a tail of amino acid residues incorrectly added to the C-terminus. Our results depend strongly on the number of stop codons in the genetic code. When the code has more stop codons, premature termination is relatively more likely, particularly for longer genes. When the code has fewer stop codons, the length of the tail added by readthrough will, on average, be longer, and thus more deleterious. Comparative analysis of taxa with a range of stop codon numbers suggests that genomes whose code includes more stop codons have shorter coding sequences. Conclusions We suggest that the differing trade-offs presented by alternative genetic codes may result in differences in genome structure. More speculatively, multiple stop codons may mitigate readthrough, counteracting the disadvantage of a higher rate of nonsense mutation. This could help explain the puzzling overrepresentation of stop codons in the canonical genetic code and most variants

Molecular tools for the protection of agrobiodiversity and promotion of sustainable agriculture

The protection and conservation of grain agrobiodiversity represent milestones in modern and sustainable agriculture and food waste reduction. Molecular tools play a vital role in understanding grain traits, although their integration into agricultural practices remains limited. Our study, part of the CROPDIVA project, focuses on developing biochemical methods to assess grain quality and select high-performing varieties for different applications. Our research aimed at establishing a high-throughput screening pipeline for CROPDIVA varieties, enhancing agricultural diversity and promoting new supply chains. Diversified agricultural products contribute to soil enrichment and dietary improvement. We conducted comprehensive bromatological and phytochemical characterizations of CROPDIVA samples, evaluating protein, lipid, humidity and fiber content, enzymatic starch assays, and bioactive and nutritional features such as total polyphenols, anti-nutritional factors, and total antioxidant capacity. Furtherly, selected CROPDIVA grain varieties were evaluated by adopting an in vitro digestion models to assess dry matter and protein digestibility, and nutrient bioavailability of selected nutrient compound. In conclusion, integrating minor crops into feed enhances agricultural sustainability, benefits human nutrition, and supports ecosystem resilience. Our findings underscore the importance of agrobiodiversity in fostering resilient agricultural systems that meet global food security challenges

Growth performance and nutrient balance of pigs fed low protein diets without mineral phosphate supplementation

The 48 pigs were blocked by gender, body weight (BW), and litter, assigned to 1 of the 4 treatments (C=control, N-=low crude protein (CP) with amino acid (AA) addition, P-=no MP, and N-P-=combination of N- and P-), fed ad libitum, and all housed in one pen. Grower and finisher diets with C contained respectively 15.5% and 13.5% CP, 0.47% and 0.41% P, and 0.29% and 0.26% digestible P (dP), diets with N- contained 10% and 15% less CP, and diets with P- contained 20% and 22% less P, leading to 24% and 21% less dP than C. Diets with N- were optimized to use minimal amounts of imported soybean meal, replaced by Swiss-origin protein beans and rapeseed meal, and synthetic AAs to reach minimal CP but equal digestible AA contents as in C. In P-, phosphate was removed and calcium:dP ratios were fixed as in C by adjusting calcium carbonate. Individual feed intake and weekly BW were recorded. Average daily feed intake and gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Over grower and finisher phases (47±4.0d and 40±8.2d, respectively), nutrient balance data were derived by differences between nutrient intake and body nutrient accretion which was derived from body composition assessment by dual X-ray absorptiometry at the start (22.3±3.35kg BW), middle (≈60kg BW at diet change from grower to finisher), and end (BW≥100kg) of the experiment. Urinary and daily fecal samples were obtained during two 4-d collection periods (40-50kg BW grower and 75-85kg BW finisher). There were no interactions (P&gt;0.05) between N- and P- effects on any measured parameter. No differences (P&gt;0.10) were observed in growth performance due to N- or P- effects, except finisher pigs with P- had a higher FCR (P&lt;0.05, 2.66 vs 2.60). In grower, finisher, and overall periods, the intake and excretion of N and P were reduced (P&lt;0.01) in pigs fed respectively diets N- and P-, and female pigs had better nutrient utilization rates (P≤0.001) regardless of treatments. The findings suggest replacing imported soybean meal with local protein sources and AA supplementation while simultaneously reducing CP contents and the MP removal in growing-finishing pig’s diet can maintain animal growth and reduce N and P excretion into the environment

Former food and cocoa bean shells in early-lactating cows on a herbage-based diet: effects on ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites

Rising food security concerns are driving the livestock sector to explore alternatives to cereal grains, like byproducts from the food industry, but their effect on animals needs to be studied. The study assessed the impact of replacing 55% cereal grains with former food products (FFP) on ruminal fermentation, ruminal methane production, and blood metabolites, with or without cocoa bean shell (CBS) supplementation. We conducted a first (spring, E1) and a second (fall, E2) experiment, each with 17 early-lactating Holstein and Red Holstein cows. Each experiment lasted 6 weeks, including a 3-week adaptation and 3-week experimental period. In each experiment, the animals were fed freshly cut grass as a basal diet and were balanced for milk yield, parity, and days in milk and assigned to three concentrate types (CCT): (i) a control concentrate (CON), (ii) a concentrate consisting of 55% FFP (FFP-), and (iii) an FFP concentrate that included an additional 5% CBS (FFP+). Feed intake and milk production were recorded daily during the 3-week sampling period, blood serum and ruminal fluid samples were collected twice, in the end of the adaptation and experimental periods. Statistical analyses were conducted on data from both experiments. Dry matter, herbage, and most nutrient intakes were greater in E2 than in E1, probably because of seasonal changes in herbage quality. In E1, CON cows had lower DM intake (DMI) than FFP- cows, whereas in E2, CON cows had greater DMI than FFP+ cows. Across experiments, FFP- and FFP+ cows had greater water-soluble carbohydrates and fat and lower starch intakes than CON cows. The energy-corrected milk yield was greater in E1 than in E2 and unaffected by CCT. Irrespective of the experiment, the CON cows had greatest, FFP- intermediate and FFP+ lowest milk lactose percentages and FFP+ cows had greater milk fat percentages than CON cows. The mean and maximum reticular pH were lower for CON than for FFP- cows in E1 and were unaffected by CCT in E2. Irrespective of the experiment, acetate proportions in ruminal fluid of CON cows were lower than those of FFP- and FFP+ cows. Methane yield was greater in E2 than in E1 and unaffected by CCT. Serum albumin, non-esterified fatty acids and glucose levels varied by CCT in E2, but not in E1. Combining FFP and CBS with herbage could help increase sustainability of early-lactating dairy cow nutrition without compromising health, but results need future corroboration

Food industry leftovers slightly affect gut microbiota and blood metabolites in pigs

Introduction Worldwide, the amount of wasted food is around 1.3 billion tons per year (McGuire et al., 2015). At the same time, by 2050 the sustenance demand is expected to increase significantly. The recovery of food loss as animal feed addresses both waste reduction and zero-hungry challenges. Food industry leftovers, also called former foodstuff products (FFPs) can be divided into two main categories: sugary confec tionary FFPs (FFPs-C) and salty FFPs from bakery production (FFPs-B). The present study intends to increase the knowledge about the impact of both FFPs-C and FFPs-B included in growing pig’s diet on the large intestinal microbial community composition and biodiversity, together with their metabolic status. Material and Methods Thirty-six post-weaning female piglets (Large White x Landrace) with a body weight (BW) of 8.52 ± 1.73 kg were randomly assigned to a standard diet (CTR), or diets in which traditional ingredients were partially replaced by the 30% inclusion (w/w) FFPs-C or FFPs-B diets for 42 days. Growth performance and feeding behaviour were measured. The fecal samples were collected from the rectal ampulla after 42 days of the three experimental diets feeding and the variable regions V3 and V4 of the 16S rRNA were sequenced as described in Girard et al. (2021). Blood serum samples (100 lL) were collected at day 0 and 42 and analyzed by UHPLC/MS-MS in ionization mode to quantify serum metabolites. All data analyses for microbiota evaluation were performed in R (v 4.0.5) as described in Girard et al. (2021). Data about serum metabolites were analyzed through the software MetaboAnalyst (version 5.0). Results and Discussion The three diets did not evidence any effect (P &gt; 0.05) on live animals in terms of growth performance. No differences (P &gt; 0.05) were found in ADG, ADFI, and FCR. The three diets met NRC conditions, were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous. The FFPs-B diet had a lower content of NDF compared to CTR and FFPs-C. As expected, the content of simple sugar was higher in the FFPs-C diet compared to CTR and FFPs-B. Diets did not affect the gut microbial community at the family level. No significant differences (P &gt; 0.05) in the analyzed alpha diversity indexes have been observed between groups. No differences were observed in both Unweighted (PERMANOVA, P = 0.16) and Weighted beta diversity between groups (PERMANOVA, P = 0.23). Different bacteria as potential biomarkers between the three groups have been identified. A total of 104 metabolites have been quantified. Among those metabolites, several were influenced by the age of the animals. However, only two were significantly affected by the interaction between the diet and the time (Table 1). Specifically, the sugary FFP-C diets strongly increased (P &lt; 0.001) both the serum concentration of the theobromine and caffeine compared to the CTR and salty FFP-B diets. Theobromine and caffeine are compounds contained in chocolate products. Theobromine has been found to affect body weight gain as well as lipid and glucose metabolism (Camps-Bossacoma et al., 2021). Similarly, it has been suggested that caffeine enhances lipolysis, fat oxidation, and reduces lipogenesis (Harpaz et al., 2017). No significant correlations between blood metabolites and bacterial taxa have been found