The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the administration of a species-specific probiotic (Lactobacillus animalis sb310, Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei sb137 and Bacillus coagulans sb117 in a 30:35:35 ratio, respectively; 1.8 × 10 10 cfu/g of powder) on gut microbial balance, immune response and growth performance of Holstein female calves during the first month of life. twenty-two calves were divided into two experimental groups from 2 to 28 days of life: control (c), fed with milk replacer and concentrate as a basal diet, and treatment (t), fed c diet plus 1 g/calf/day of probiotic powder for the first month of age. Faecal and blood samples were individually collected and analysed weekly. individual faecal score was recorded daily and general health score was calculated at the end of the trial. cell-mediated immune response was evaluated by skin test at 7 and 28 days of life. milk replacer and concentrate intake were recorded daily, while body weight and biometrical parameters were recorded at 2, 8, 14, 21 and 28 days of life, thus average daily gain and feed conversion rate were calculated. During the first week of treatment, lower blood eosinophil percentage (0.05% vs. 0.22%; P≤0.01) was found in T group, while basophils were higher in T than C group at the end of the trial (0.21% vs. 0.16%; P≤0.05). Higher faecal lactic acid bacteria (lab)/E. coli ratio on day 28 of life (3.73 log CFU/g vs. 2.02 log CFU/g; P≤0.05) and lower incidence of diarrhoea were found in the treated group (63.30% vs. 70.71%; p=0.05). Body weight (48.92 kg vs. 46.92 kg; P≤0.05), total concentrate intake (14.77 kg vs. 12.56 kg on dry matter basis; P≤0.05), and heart girth (81.16 cm vs. 78.49 cm; P≤0.05) were significantly higher in T group. The administration of the probiotic during the first month of life improved gut microbiota and increased the growth performance and some biometric parameters of calves.

OBJECTIVE There is increasing interest in neuromodulation for addiction. Methamphetamine abuse is a global health epidemic with no proven treatment. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of intermittent nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh) deep brain stimulation (DBS) on operant methamphetamine intake and on methamphetamine seeking when stimulation is delivered in an environment different from that of drug use. METHODS Eighteen rats were implanted with intravenous (IV) catheters and bilateral AcbSh electrodes and subsequently underwent daily sessions in 2-lever (active/methamphetamine and inactive/no reward) operant chambers to establish IV methamphetamine self-administration. After stable responding was achieved, 3 hours of DBS or sham treatment was administered (sham: 0 µA, n = 8; active: 200 µA, n = 10) in a separate nondrug environment prior to the daily operant sessions for 5 consecutive days. Immediately following each DBS/sham treatment, rats were placed in the operant chambers to examine the effects of remote stimulation on methamphetamine intake. After the 5 days of therapy were finished, rats reestablished a posttreatment baseline, followed by extinction training, abstinence, and 1 day of relapse testing to assess methamphetamine-seeking behavior. RESULTS There was a decrease in total methamphetamine intake in rats receiving active DBS versus sham on Days 1 (42%) and 2 (44%). Methamphetamine administration returned to baseline levels following the cessation of DBS therapy. Compared with baseline drug responding, methamphetamine seeking was reduced (57%) in the DBS group but not in the sham group. CONCLUSIONS It is feasible to deliver noncontinuous DBS outside of the drug use environment with a resultant decrease in IV methamphetamine intake and seeking. The AcbSh is a neuroanatomical substrate for psychostimulant reinforcement and may be a target for intermittent neuromodulatory therapies that could be administered during brief periods of sobriety.

BackgroundImmune dysfunction and a higher risk of uterine infections are characteristics of the transition into lactation in dairy cows. The supply of complexed trace minerals, which are more bioavailable, could help overcome the greater needs of these nutrients in tissues around parturition and early lactation.ResultsTwenty Holstein cows received an oral bolus with a mix of inorganic trace minerals (INO) or complexed trace minerals (AAC) to achieve 75, 65, 11, and 1 ppm supplemental Zn, Mn, Cu, and Co, respectively, in the total diet dry matter from -30 d through +30 d relative to parturition. Blood for polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) isolation was collected at -30, -15, +10, and + 30 d relative to parturition, whereas endometrium biopsies were performed at +14 and +30 d. Feeding AAC led to greater PMNL expression of genes related with inflammation response (DDX58), oxidative stress response (MPO), eicosanoid metabolism (PLA2G4A and ALOX5AP), transcription regulation (PPARG), and cellular adhesion (TLN1). The upregulation by AAC in endometrium of genes related with inflammation response (TLR2, TLR4, NFKB1, TNF, IL6, IL1B, IL10, IL8), prostaglandin synthesis (PTGS2, PTGES), and antioxidant responses (NFE2L2, SOD1) indicated a faster remodeling of uterine tissue and potentially greater capacity to control a local bacterial invasion.ConclusionsData indicate that trace mineral supplementation from amino acid complexes improves PMNL activity and allows the prompt recovery of uterine tissue during early lactation. As such, the benefits of complexed trace minerals extend beyond an improvement of liver function and productive performance.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40104-017-0163-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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