Clayton State University

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of a Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) compared to ionophores and non-ionophore additives on in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters, gas production kinetics, as well as dry matter and fiber digestibility using two forage-based diets (medium- and low-quality tropical forages). For Exp. 1, Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu (CP = 9.64%) was used as the medium-quality substrate (MF), alone or in combination with an energy-protein supplement (EPS), hereafter referred to as MF and MF-S, respectively. These substrates were incubated in triplicate, and six treatments were evaluated: Control (Con-no additive); two DFM levels: DFM1x (1.9 mg), and DFM5x (9.5 mg); Monensin (Mon; 20 ppm); Narasin (Nar; 13 ppm); and Flavomycin (Flavo; 4 ppm). In Exp. 2, U. brizantha cv. Marandu (CP = 3.0%) was used as the low-quality substrate (LF), alone or in combination with EPS, and defined as LF and LF-S, respectively. The additive treatments were the same as described in Exp. 1. In both experiments, an in vitro gas production (GP) system was used in four consecutive 96-h fermentation runs. The average values obtained from three bottles within each incubation were considered as the experimental unit. The data from each experiment were analyzed using a 2 × 6 factorial design. In Exp. 1, there were no significant interactions between substrates and feed additives (P > 0.05) for GP, kinetic parameters, and digestibility. DFM1x and DFM5x and Flavo increased (P < 0.05) GP in the initial hours of incubation, while Mon and Nar reduced it compared to Con (P < 0.01). The rate of digestion for the first pool (K1) was higher for Nar vs. DFM1x, DFM5x, Mon, and Flavo, but did not differ from Con (P < 0.01). Relative to other treatments, Mon reduced K1 (P < 0.01), and Mon and Nar reduced the rate of digestion for the second pool (K2) (P < 0.01). Overall, compared with other treatments, Mon and Nar reduced nutrient digestibility (P < 0.01) and acetate: propionate ratio (P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, substrate × additive interactions were observed for GP (P < 0.05). DFM1x increased (P < 0.01) GP compared with Con when substrate was LF, but did not differ (P > 0.05) from Con when LF-S was used. Mon and Nar reduced (P < 0.05) GP, rate digestion, and increased (P < 0.05) lag time compared to Con, DFM1x, DFM5x, and Flavo. Digestibility was not affected (P > 0.05) by DFM, but ionophores decreased it (P < 0.01) compared to Con. Total VFA did not differ (P = 0.11) among treatments, but Mon and Nar reduced (P = 0.02) acetate compared with Con and DFM1x and increased (P < 0.01) propionate compared with other treatments. These findings suggest, given increasing scrutiny of use of antibiotics and potential antimicrobial resistance uprise, DFM may be a viable alternative to ionophores without impairing ruminal fermentation.

Smoking cessation is challenging, and many patients entering cardiac rehabilitation (CR) continue to smoke. Those who smoke may experience less improvement during CR. This study examined improvements during CR based on smoking status. Data were collected from patients enrolled between 2012-2021 at CR programs participating in a national registry. Patients were categorized by self-reported cigarette smoking status (current vs. former/never). Variables examined included patient characteristics (age, sex, race, educational attainment, insurance coverage, qualifying diagnosis, and body mass index), number of CR sessions attended, and baseline and change in psychological (depression/anxiety symptoms) and cardiorespiratory fitness (6-minute walk test distance [6MWT], max metabolic equivalent of task [MET]) measures. Baseline values were compared using Chi-square tests or unpaired t -tests as appropriate, and changes in outcome variables were examined using multivariable linear regression. Of the 447921 patients, 34656 (8%) reported current smoking at the time of entry. Current smoking was associated with younger age (58.8 vs. 66.9years), lower socioeconomic status (Medicaid-enrolled, 11% vs. 3%), qualifying for CR due to myocardial infarction (42% vs. 26%), higher anxiety (50.0 vs. 45.3) and depression (6.5 vs. 4.6) scores, lower cardiorespiratory fitness at entry (max MET 3.4 vs. 3.6), and completing fewer CR sessions (17.7 vs. 23.3). Current smoking was independently associated with significantly less improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (-17.6 meters in 6MWT distance and -0.26 in max MET) and worse depression scores at exit (0.53 higher). Those who enter CR and are smoking are at high risk and may not benefit as much from CR as those who do not smoke. Continued effort must be placed on improving smoking cessation efforts within CR.

Hydrogels are substances designed to retain significant quantities of water and slowly release it to support plant growth. This study produced and evaluated the use of a test hydrogel (TH), a natural polymer derived from cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale), on the growth, chemical composition, and mineral content of cactus pear genotypes. The TH was compared to a negative control (no hydrogel; NH), and to a positive control or commercial hydrogel (CH). The CH was a synthetic polyacrylamide-based hydrogel. The study was carried out in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement (n = 36), involving three hydrogel types × three cactus pear genotypes [Elephant Ear (Opuntia stricta); Giant (Opuntia ficus-indica); and Sweet (Nopalea cochenillifera)]. There was a significant effect of interaction (p ≤ 0.05) between genotypes and hydrogel types on cladode area, plant height, dry biomass of cladodes, and macro- and micromineral content. The use of TH promoted greater growth and improved chemical and mineral composition (p ≤ 0.05) to cactus genotypes. The Sweet genotype hydrated with TH presented the highest crude protein accumulation (p ≤ 0.05). Cashew gum-based hydrogel improved both growth and chemical composition of the cactus genotypes, and it is an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic polymers.