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The study aimed at evaluating the effects of phytase (Ronozyme® NP) to the diet of fattening pigs. In comparison with a control diet (C) which included 0.5% calcium salt (CaHPO4), two diets without CaHPO4 were tested: 150Phy and 300Phy, which contained 150 and 300 mg phytase/kg, respectively. Sixty barrows of about 47 kg body weight (BW) each were randomly divided into 3 groups of 20 animals each, every group split into 5 pens. Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were registered. The trial was divided into 2 phases: 0 to 68 days (47 to 100 kg BW) and 69 to116 days (100 to 140 kg BW). During phase II, 6 pigs/diet were housed in individual metabolic cages for the digestibility-balance trial. Addition of phytase resulted in higher ADG (723, 783 and 772 g/d for C, 150Phy and 300Phy, respectively) and improved FCR (2.84, 2.64 and 2.65) in phase I. No differences were registered in phase II, though a better FCR was overall observed. All slaughter parameters and the total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of nutrients – except for calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na) –, were similar among treatments. Likewise, total nitrogen (N) excretion did not differ across treatments. Phosphorous (P) excreted for C, 150Phy and 300Phy was 47.1, 53.3 and 52.5% of the PI. Trace-minerals showed similar retentions among diets. Phytase effectively improved growth performance until 100 kg BW at both inclusion levels. Yet, it did not improve growth performance, digestibility, N and P balance in heavier animals.

Boron (B) has been established as a beneficial micronutrient for some farm animals. However, its impact on coping negative energy balance during transition and subsequent production performance needs critical perusal. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the effect of B supplementation on productive performance, apparent nitrogen (N), and mineral utilization in peripartum Murrah buffaloes. Thirty advanced pregnant buffaloes (60 days prior to expected date of calving) were allocated into three groups, i.e. control, B-200, and B-400, and supplemented with pharmacological concentration of B at 0, 200, and 400 ppm, respectively, from 45 days prior to expected date of calving till 120 days post calving. Two metabolism trials were conducted (with animals having similar expected date of calving), one during prepartum (30 days prior to the expected date of calving) and another during postpartum (90 days post calving) phase to evaluate nutrient utilization and balance of N as well as minerals. Results revealed that B supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) overall plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), whereas plasma level of β-hydroxybutyric acid, insulin, triglyceride, and glucose did not differ (P > 0.05) among the groups. Dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, and N balance remained unaffected with B supplementation. Higher (P < 0.05) apparent absorption coefficient for magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) was observed in pregnant animals, while during lactation, absorption coefficient of calcium, Mg, and Zn was increased (P < 0.05) in B-supplemented groups. Hence, it can be concluded that alteration in NEFA concentration and variation in apparent absorption coefficient of minerals with B supplementation suggest its role in energy and mineral metabolism. However, further investigations are required to determine the underlying mechanism of action for the present findings.

A study was conducted on eighteen male goats to evaluate the effect of incremental levels of select dietary trace minerals on growth performance, nutrient utilization and minerals balance. Animals (16.65 ± 0.53 kg average BW) were randomly divided into three groups and fed a basal diet to meet the requirement of all the nutrients except select trace minerals for 60 days. Groups were T 1 (0.204 ppm Se, 35.29 ppm Zn, 7.37 ppm Cu, 39.79 ppm Mn), T 2 (0.504 ppm Se, 55.29 ppm Zn, 17.37 ppm Cu, 59.79 ppm Mn), and T 3 (0.804 ppm Se, 75.29 ppm Zn, 27.37 ppm Cu, 79.79 ppm Mn). Daily dry matter intake (DMI) (% BW) was lower (P < 0.05) in T 3 as compared to other groups however, average daily gain (ADG) in body weight (P = 0.113) and feed: gain ratio (P = 0.102) showed subtle improvement in T 2 and T 3 groups. Feeding of higher levels of select trace minerals did not affect the intake and digestibility of nutrients, or plane of nutrition, however, the digestibility of non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) increased (P = 0.004) in T 2 and T 3 groups than T 1 . The balance of N, Ca, P and Cu did not differ among the groups but balance of Zn, Mn and Se increased in T 2 and T 3 groups than T 1 group. It is concluded that feeding higher levels of Zn (75.29 ppm), Cu (27.37 ppm), Mn (79.79 ppm) and Se (0.804 ppm) in combination, improved NFC digestibility, retention of Zn, Mn and Se and had subtle beneficial effects on the growth performance of male goats.

Many by-product metals are classified as critical. However, they are only of marginal interest to many mining companies and are rarely part of detailed resource statements or geometallurgical assessments. As a result, there is a general lack of reliable quantitative data on the mineralogy and spatial distribution of these metals in ore deposits—hampering assessments of future availability. We propose here an innovative approach to integrate by-product metals into geometallurgical assessments. As an example, we use the distribution and deportment of indium at Neves-Corvo, a major European base-metal mine (Cu + Zn), and one of the largest and richest volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits in the world. Based on a combination of bulk-ore geochemistry and mineralogical and microanalytical data, this study is the first to develop a quantitative model of indium deportment in massive sulfide ores, demonstrating how regularities in indium partitioning between different minerals can be used to predict its mineralogical deportment in individual drill-core samples. Bulk-ore assays of As, Cu, Fe, Pb, S, Sb, Sn, Zn, and In are found to be sufficient for reasonably accurate predictions. The movement of indium through the ore processing plants is fully explained by its mineralogical deportment, allowing for specific mine and process planning. The novel methodologies implemented in this contribution for (1) the assessment of analytical uncertainties, (2) the prediction of complex mineralogical deportments from bulk geochemical data, and (3) the modeling of by-product recoveries from individual mining blocks, are of general applicability to the geometallurgical assessment of many other by-product metals in polymetallic sulfide ores, including Ga, Ge, Mo, Re, Se, Te, as well as the noble metals.

Renal disease has a high incidence in cats, and some evidence implicates dietary P as well. To investigate this further, two studies in healthy adult cats were conducted. Study 1 (36 weeks) included forty-eight cats, stratified to control or test diets providing 1·2 or 4·8 g/1000 kcal (4184 kJ) P (0 or approximately 3·6 g/1000 kcal (4184 kJ) inorganic P, Ca:P 1·2, 0·6). Study 2 (29 weeks) included fifty cats, stratified to control or test diets, providing 1·3 or 3·6 g/1000 kcal (4184 kJ) P (0 or approximately 1·5 g/1000 kcal (4184 kJ) inorganic P, Ca:P 1·2, 0·9). Health markers, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and mineral balance were measured regularly, with abdominal ultrasound. Study 1 was halted after 4 weeks as the test group GFR reduced by 0·4 (95 % CI 0·3, 0·5) ml/min per kg, and ultrasound revealed changes in renal echogenicity. In study 2, at week 28, no change in mean GFR was observed (P >0·05); however, altered renal echogenicity was detected in 36 % of test cats. In agreement with previous studies, feeding a diet with Ca:P <1·0, a high total and inorganic P inclusion resulted in loss of renal function and changes in echogenicity suggestive of renal pathology. Feeding a diet containing lower total and inorganic P with Ca:P close to 1·0 led to more subtle structural changes in a third of test cats; however, nephrolithiasis occurred in both diet groups, complicating data interpretation. We conclude that the no observed adverse effects level for total dietary P in adult cats is lower than 3·6 g/1000 kcal (4184 kJ), however the effect of inorganic P sources and Ca:P require further investigation.

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common. An AKI episode may disrupt the normal mineral bone balance maintained by normal kidney function, thereby modifying the risk of developing bone fractures. However, it remains unclear whether an AKI episode is associated with the risk of bone fractures. Methods Using retrospective cohort study from an Australian Local Health District, we examined the association between an AKI episode and bone fractures using patient data between 2008 and 2017. Time-varying Cox proportional hazards and propensity-matched analysis were used to examine the association. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken to capture the impact of confirmed AKI status and AKI severity. Results Of 123 426 included patients, 14 549 (12%) had an AKI episode and 12 505 (10%) had a bone fracture. In the unadjusted analysis, AKI was associated with bone fractures [hazard ratio (HR) 1.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.88–2.11]. This association persisted in the adjusted analysis (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.41–1.59) and propensity-matched dataset (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.59–1.83). The sensitivity analysis yielded similar results, with the AKI patients having a higher risk of fractures compared with no AKI patients in the adjusted analysis (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.25–1.43) and in the propensity-matched dataset (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.33–1.55). Similar results were seen in the subsidiary sensitivity analysis excluding patients without baseline creatinine. We did not find an increased risk of bone fractures with increasing AKI severity (P = .7). Interaction tests demonstrated a significant association between sex and age category with AKI status and fractures, but not CKD stage or osteoporosis. Conclusions AKI is associated with a greater risk of bone fractures. This could have implications for managing and screening for bone disease in patients post-AKI episode. This association should be examined in other cohorts and populations for verification.

Calcium homeostasis is crucial for the normal function of the organism. Parathyroid hormone, calcitriol and calcitonin play critical roles in the homeostatic regulation of calcium. Serotonin and prolactin have also been shown to be involved in the regulation of calcium homeostasis. In modern dairy cows, the endocrine pathways controlling calcium homeostasis during non-lactating and non-pregnant physiological states are unable to fully support the increased demand of calcium required for milk synthesis at the onset of lactation. This review describes different endocrine systems associated with the regulation of calcium homeostasis in mammalian species around parturition with special focus on dairy cows. Additionally, classic and novel strategies to reduce the incidence of hypocalcemia in parturient dairy cows are discussed.

Calcareous algae (CA) are an alternative renewable source of organic minerals that are used in poultry feed. However, the optimal CA concentration that can be included in poultry diets and its effect on egg production requires further investigation. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of diets containing varying CA (Lithothamnium calcareum) levels and particle sizes on the performance, mineral balance, quality, and composition of the eggs of commercial laying hens. A completely randomized experimental design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (CA level × particle size) was employed in this study. A total of 210 Dekalb White laying hens were distributed to the following experimental units, with six birds each and five replicates per unit: the control (diet without CA addition) and treatment groups, which were fed with diets containing varying CA levels (1%, 2%, and 3%) and particle sizes (0.128 and 1.114 mm). Productive performance, external egg quality, and percentage of non-viable eggs were not affected by the inclusion of CA in the diets. The inclusion of 2% fine-particle CA reduced (p<0.05) calcium excretion (%) and, consequently, improved calcium retention. Similarly, the inclusion of 2% fine-particle CA decreased phosphorus excretion (p<0.05). The inclusion of 2% and 3% fine-particle CA increased mineral matter retention (p<0.05). Therefore, the inclusion of CA in the diets of lightweight laying hens did not affect productive variables or egg quality. However, 2% fine-particle CA reduced calcium and phosphorus excretion, thereby improving the retention of these minerals.

Ten ileal T-cannulated pigs (19.26 ± 1.06 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of a novel Buttiauxella phytase on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of AA and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and hindgut disappearance of DM, GE, CP, crude fiber, NDF, and ADF as well as minerals balance. Pigs were fed in a duplicated 5 × 4 incomplete Latin square design (5 diets with 4 periods). Each period consisted of a 5-d adjustment period followed by a 3-d total collection of feces and urine and then a 2-d collection of ileal digesta. The 5 diets included a P-deficient basal diet (0.43% Ca and 0.38% total P) that was supplemented with 0 (negative control [NC]), 500, 1,000, or 20,000 phytase units (FTU)/kg phytase and a positive control (PC) diet that was P adequate (0.64% Ca and 0.52% total P). The addition of phytase to the NC diet improved (P < 0.05) AID of phytate from 11.1 to 62.8, 70.6, and 90.5% at the inclusion rates of 500, 1,000, and 20,000 FTU/kg, respectively. In general, phytase supplementation at a dose of 20,000 FTU/kg further increased (P < 0.05) AID of Ca, total P, and phytate and reduced (P < 0.05) the ileal phytate concentration compared with diets with 500 or 1,000 FTU/kg phytase. Pigs fed the diet with 20,000 FTU/kg phytase but not diets with 500 and 1,000 FTU/kg phytase showed improved (P < 0.05) ATTD of CP and AID of DM, GE, CP, Leu, Lys, Thr, Val, Asp, and Ser compared with pigs fed the PC or NC diet. However, hindgut disappearance of crude fiber and NDF (P < 0.05) were reduced in pigs fed the diet with 20,000 FTU/kg phytase compared with pigs fed the PC or NC diet. Pigs fed diets with 500 or 1,000 FTU/ kg phytase had greater ATTD and retention of Ca and P than pigs fed the NC diet but less compared with pigs fed the diet with 20,000 FTU/kg phytase. Supplementation of 20,000 FTU/kg phytase to the NC diet improved (P < 0.05) digestibility of Na, Mn, and Zn as well as retention (%) of Zn. Increasing phytase supplementation doses from 0 to 1,000 FTU/kg linearly improved (P < 0.05) retention of Mg; meanwhile, digestibility of Mg and Mn and AID of Thr showed a linear increase trend (P = 0.084). In conclusion, supplementation of the novel Buttiauxella phytase at doses up to 20,000 FTU/kg hydrolyzed most of the phytate (90%) and consequently further improved mineral and protein utilization.

The silicic acid agro technology (SAAT) is the application of stabilized silicic acid on the plant. SAAT can be used as a foliar spray or as a soil amendment. The foliar application of (stabilized) silicic acid induces significantly better results for growth, yield and quality parameters compared to ‘traditional’ silica soil fertilizers and foliar sprays with silicates. Foliar silicic acid is only effective at very low dose rates during the vegetative stage and should be regarded as a biostimulant (‘plant growth promoter’). As well as its effectiveness, it is safe, eco-friendly and cost-effective.