Adding lysolecithin to feed has reportedly improved the performance of broiler chickens. Lysolecithin is generated by phospholipase catalyzed hydrolysis of lecithin. The enzymatic reaction converts various phospholipids into the corresponding lysophospholipids, with lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) one of the primary products. Here we compared supplementation with a commercial lysolecithin (Lysoforte®) with comparable levels of highly purified LPC for effects on broilers. Despite no differences in weight gain during the starter period, we discovered a significant increase in average villus length with lysolecithin and an increase in villus width with purified LPC. High-throughput gene expression microarray analyses revealed many more genes were regulated in the epithelium of the jejunum by lysolecithin compared to purified LPC. The most up-regulated genes and pathways were for collagen, extracellular matrix, and integrins. Staining sections of the jejunum with Picrosirius Red confirmed the increased deposition of collagen fibrils in the villi of broilers fed lysolecithin, but not purified LPC. Thus, lysolecithin elicits gene expression in the intestinal epithelium, leading to enhanced collagen deposition and villus length. Purified LPC alone as a supplement does not mimic these responses. Feed supplementation with lysolecithin triggers changes in the intestinal epithelium with the potential to improve overall gut health and performance.

In the airline industry, flight dispatchers are responsible for planning aircraft routes safely and economically. Training is essential to help dispatchers understand when and where icing may occur and what to do when it does. The goal of this project was to develop content for a web-based system devoted to flight dispatcher icing training. The content addresses basic meteorology and weather product interpretation so that flight dispatchers can learn how to determine where icing is and will form. It also includes scenarios to support the flight dispatcher decision making process. To develop the content, we collaborated with a regional airline and a major domestic airline. This paper describes the progress to date on the content development effort. For each content area, the lesson objectives and topic content are described. The paper also discusses the remaining effort required to complete the content development process.