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Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) are rich in protein and have the potential to be used in animal feed. The aim of the present study was to determine the immunoprophylactic effect of BSFL against Salmonella Gallinarum in broiler chicks as an alternative feed additive. Results showed that BSFL improved body weight gain and increased frequency of CD4+ T lymphocyte, serum lysozyme activity, and spleen lymphocyte proliferation. Moreover, BSFL reinforced bacterial clearance and increased survivability of broiler chicks against S. Gallinarum. These data suggested that BSFL has prophylactic properties with stimulating non-specific immune responses, as well as reduced bacterial burden against S. Gallinarum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotite and bentonite are phyllosilicate minerals that were originally used in industrial applications. Several beneficial activities of them have recently been reported, especially regulation of the immune system and antimicrobial effects. Therefore, we investigated the immune-enhancing and bacterial clearance effects of a biotite and bentonite mixture (BBM) on experimental infection of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) to determine whether the BBM could be used as an alternative antibiotic. We administered 1% or 2% BBM as a feed supplement. We then evaluated the bacterial clearance effects of the BBM against S. Typhimurium. We also evaluated the immune-enhancing effect of the BBM through several immunological experiments that included examination of the lysozyme activity, CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio and the T-helper type 1 (Th 1) cytokine profile. The clinical signs of S. Typhimurium and the number of viable bacteria in feces and tissues were significantly decreased in both BBM groups, especially in the 2% BBM group. The BBM also markedly enhanced the lysozyme activity, CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio and expression levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 in S. Typhimurium-challenged pigs. Therefore, the BBM could be a good candidate as an alternative antibiotic that improves Th 1-specific immune responses and the bacterial clearance effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the differences in effects of private tutoring and parenting behaviors on children's academic achievement between low- and high-income groups in Korea, using data from the Korean Welfare Panel Study. The results show that parenting behaviors have a significant positive effect on academic achievement for both income groups. However, we find different patterns of private tutoring across income groups. Private tutoring expenditures have a significant positive effect on academic achievement for the low-income group, but only a marginal effect for the high-income group. The findings imply that the value of financial investment in private tutoring is somewhat doubtful, especially for high-income groups. However, the results indicate that parenting behaviors are more important for children's academic achievement. Our results show that the effect of parenting behaviors on children's academic achievement is greater than that of private tutoring expenditures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the potential ability of germanium biotite (GB) to stimulate the production of antibodies specific for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). To this aim, we measured the total FMDV-specific antibody responses and IgM production after vaccination against FMD both experimentally and in the field. GB supplementation with FMDV vaccination stimulated the production of anti-FMDV antibodies, and effectively increased IFN-γ and TNF-α levels. These results suggest that GB may be a novel alternative feed supplement that can serve as a boosting agent and an immunostimulator for increasing the efficacy of FMDV vaccination in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on honeybee venom spray's immunoprophylactic impact against Salmonella gallinarum in broiler chicks. Topics discussed include the use of honeybee (Apis melifera) venom (HBV) as an alternative medicine to alleviate a variety of pathological conditions, the method used in administering HBV to broiler chicks, and results of HBV administration, including body weight changes, antibody production activity, and survivability against S. Gallinarum.

Germanium biotite (GB) is an aluminosilicate mineral containing 36 ppm germanium. The present study was conducted to better understand the effects of GB on immune responses in a mouse model, and to demonstrate the clearance effects of this mineral against Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in experimentally infected pigs as an initial step towards the development of a feed supplement that would promote immune activity and help prevent diseases. In the mouse model, dietary supplementation with GB enhanced concanavalin A (ConA)-induced lymphocyte proliferation and increased the percentage of CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes. In pigs experimentally infected with PRRSV, viral titers in lungs and lymphoid tissues from the GB-fed group were significantly decreased compared to those of the control group 12 days post-infection. Corresponding histopathological analyses demonstrated that GB-fed pigs displayed less severe pathological changes associated with PRRSV infection compared to the control group, indicating that GB promotes PRRSV clearance. These antiviral effects in pigs may be related to the ability of GB to increase CD3+CD8+ T lymphocyte production observed in the mice. Hence, this mineral may be an effective feed supplement for increasing immune activity and preventing disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which investigated the effects of oxygenated drinking water on immune function in pigs infected with Salmonella typhimurium. Topics discussed include the increase in peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and cell ratio caused by continuous drinking of oxygenated water, increase in total leukocytes and relative cytokines expression levels during infection and the improvement of immune activity in pigs.

The article discusses a research study which found that oxygenated drinking water enhances immune activity in broiler chicks and increases survivability against Salmonella Gallinarum in experimentally infected broiler chicks. The materials and methods used in the study including immunological assay and post-mortem examination are discussed. Findings on the serum lysozyme activity, peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and CD4+/CD8+ splenocyte ratio in broiler chicks are presented.

The article presents the results of a study on the role of probiotic and herbal diet in enhancing the immunity development in broiler chicks. According to the authors, herbs such as Prunus mume and Curcuma longa and probiotics have immune enhancing and antimicrobial properties. They add that a probiotic fermented four-herb combination (PFH) has a prophylactic effect against Salmonella Gallinarum in a clinical trial of infected broiler chicks. They mention that continuous intake of PFH by broiler chicks remakably increased lysozyme activity in serum and the spleen, peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation, and antibody production level.

The article presents a study which evaluated the immune enhancing effects of fermented Maesil (FM) tree with probiotics in mice, especially against Bordetella bronchiseptica. Immunological criteria used in the study include the differential ratio of peripheral leukocytes, subpopulation of splenocytes, and serum antibody production level in mice fed with or without FM. The number of leukocytes was found to be higher in the bronchio-alveolar lavage taken from the fermented Maesil-fed animals. The study showed that some components of FM enhances immune activity in mice.

The article presents study on the comparison of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence with 9 porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) strains isolated from PCV2-infected pigs with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in Korea during 2005-2007. Study shows that most common PCV2 circulating in these pigs with PMWS is group 1. It was found out that subgroups 1C and 2E are circulating and that subgroup 2D PCV2 has occurred in a small number of cases. It points out that these results will offer significant epidemiological data for control and the establishment of surveillance system for PMWS.