The study compared nutrient intake and growth performance of local chickens to that of local x broiler crossbreds under scavenging and indoor conventional systems. A total of 48 male and 48 female chickens for each of the two chicken types were allocated to four outdoor free-range pens. The chickens were allowed to scavenge whilst being supplemented with sorghum plus kitchen waste and broiler growers from week 5 to week 13 of age. The same design was repeated using the indoor conventional system. Local chickens and their crosses with broilers had higher growth rates under the scavenging system than the indoor production system (P < 0.05). Local chickens and their crosses with broilers had the same growth rates when fed the same diet (P > 0.05). Crop and gizzard contents from local chickens had the same crude protein as their crosses with broilers under both systems (P > 0.05). The crude protein values of crop and gizzard contents ranged from 25.4 to 30.4%. Crop and gizzard contents from scavenging chickens had energy content ranging from 16.2 to 17.1 MJ/Kg which was lower (P < 0.05) than that from chickens under the indoor conventional system (20.3 to 25.8 kJ/Kg). Iron content ranged from 655.7 to 1619.4 mg/Kg in scavenging chickens and 156.1 to 621.4 mg/Kg in enclosed chickens. Chickens of the same type had higher iron content in their crop and gizzard contents under the scavenging system than the conventional system (P < 0.05). Crossbreds between local chickens and broilers matches the scavenging abilities of the local chickens but have lower growth rates under the scavenging system.

UNASSIGNED: Patient-ventilator dyssynchrony is commonly due to patient pathophysiologic factors and imprecise ventilator settings. In unusual circumstances, such dyssynchrony can also be due to faults within the equipment preventing from its normal operation during assisted mechanical ventilation.
UNASSIGNED: We report a patient showing an unusual pattern of dyssynchronous breathing related to a blocked scavenging system caused by the failure of its rod valve to open. Collection of water condensate inside its reservoir bag leading to a weight drag and deformation of its shape was found to be the cause. Specifically, our patient manifested as failure to trigger with the development of high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and paradoxical pressure changes during pressure support ventilation.
UNASSIGNED: Water condensation distal to the ventilator exhaust gas outlet may not be immediately apparent. Clinicians should remain alert with patient-ventilator dyssynchrony, especially with an unusual pattern, as it may signify equipment faults, such as expiratory gas flow obstruction within the scavenging system.
UNASSIGNED: Chan KM, Ng YC, So HY. An Unusual Pattern of Dyssynchronous Breathing due to Expiratory Flow Obstruction in the Scavenging System Caused by the Weight of Water Condensate. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(11):1128-1131.

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Grapes are one of the most important fruits because of their economic and nutritional benefits, and grapevines are widely cultivated in arid and semi-arid areas. Therefore, it is critical to study the mechanism by which grapevines respond to water stress. In this research, micro-morphological and metabolomic analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of water stress on stomatal morphology and volatile compounds extracted from the leaves of grapevine plants. There were two treatments: well-watered plants (watered daily) and drought-stressed plants (no irrigation). Plant weights were recorded, and the well-watered plants were irrigated daily to replace the water lost to evapotranspiration. The water status of the grapevines was determined according to their relative water content. The changes in proline content, hydrogen peroxide content, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activities, as well as those of photosynthetic parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence, were monitored as markers of water stress. The microscopic changes in stomatal behavior were observed using a scanning electron microscope. A total of 12 secondary volatile compounds, including aldehydes, ketones and alcohols, were detected in the grapevine leaves. Among them, (E)-2-hexenal and 3-hexenal showed a significant increase after water stress. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that the levels of 3-hexenal and (E)-2-hexenal were closely related to the changes in proline, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). These results suggested that water stress could regulate the accumulation of green leaf volatiles, especially (E)-2-hexenal and 3-hexenal, in coordination with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system. These compounds may act as signaling compounds in response to water stress in grapevines.

Characterizing local chicken types and their mostly rural production systems is prerequisite for designing and implementing development and conservation programs. This study evaluated the management practices of small-scale chicken keepers and the phenotypic and production traits of their chickens in Oman, where conservation programs for local livestock breeds have currently started. Free-range scavenging was the dominant production system, and logistic regression analysis showed that socio-economic factors such as training in poultry keeping, household income, income from farming and gender of chicken owners influenced feeding, housing, and health care practices (p<0.05). A large variation in plumage and shank colors, comb types and other phenotypic traits within and between Omani chicken populations were observed. Male and female body weight differed (p<0.05), being 1.3±0.65 kg and 1.1±0.86 kg respectively. Flock size averaged 22±7.7 birds per household with 4.8 hens per cock. Clutch size was 12.3±2.85 and annual production 64.5±2.85 eggs per hen. Egg hatchability averaged 88±6.0% and annual chicken mortality across all age and sex categories was 16±1.4%. The strong involvement of women in chicken keeping makes them key stakeholders in future development and conservation programs, but the latter should be preceded by a comprehensive study of the genetic diversity of the Omani chicken populations.