Intake In Week Research Articles

Hypernatremia and Sodium Intake as Risk Factors for Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants

The association between sodium intake in the first week of life and risk of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants was studied by retrospective review of charts of 722 preterm infants with a birth weight of <1.5kg admitted to the tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit at St Louis Children’s Hospital between Jan 2002 and Dec 2006.

How nutritional risk is assessed and managed in European hospitals: A survey of 21,007 patients findings from the 2007–2008 cross-sectional nutritionDay survey

Recognition and treatment of undernutrition in hospitalized patients are not often a priority in clinical practice. We investigated how the nutritional risk of patients is determined and whether such assessment influences daily nutritional care across Europe and in Israeli hospitals. 1217 units from 325 hospitals in 25 countries with 21,007 patients participated in a longitudinal survey "nutritionDay" 2007/2008 undertaken in Europe and Israel. Screening practice, the type of tools used and whether energy requirements and intake are assessed and monitored were surveyed using standardized questionnaires. Fifty-two percent (range 21-73%) of the units in the different regions reported a screening routine which was most often performed with locally developed methods and less often with national tools, the Nutrition Risk Screening-2002, or the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool. Twenty-seven percent of the patients were subjectively classified as being "at nutritional risk", with substantial differences existing between regions. Independent factors influencing the classification of nutritional risk included age, BMI <18.5 kg/m(2), unintentional weight loss, reduced food intake in the previous week and on nutritionDay (for all parameters, p < 0.0001). The energy goal was defined as >=1500 kcal in 76% of the patients, but 43% of patients did not reach this goal. The process of nutrition risk assessment varied between units and countries. Additionally, energy goals were frequently not met. More effort is needed to implement current guidelines within daily clinical practice.

Hypothalamic-Specific Manipulation of Fto, the Ortholog of the Human Obesity Gene FTO, Affects Food Intake in Rats

Sequence variants in the first intron of FTO are strongly associated with human obesity and human carriers of the risk alleles show evidence for increased appetite and food intake. Mice globally lacking Fto display a complex phenotype characterised by both increased energy expenditure and increased food intake. The site of action of FTO on energy balance is unclear. Fasting reduces levels of Fto mRNA in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus, a site where Fto expression is particularly high. In this study, we have extended this nutritional link by demonstrating that consumption of a high fat diet (45%) results in a 2.5 fold increase in Arc Fto expression. We have further explored the role of hypothalamic Fto in the control of food intake by using stereotactic injections coupled with AAV technology to bi-directionally modulate Fto expression. An over expression of Fto protein by 2.5-fold in the ARC results in a 14% decrease in average daily food intake in the first week. In contrast, knocking down Arc Fto expression by 40% increases food intake by 16%. mRNA levels of Agrp, Pomc and Npy, ARC-expressed genes classically associated with the control of food intake, were not affected by the manipulation of Fto expression. However, over expression of Fto resulted in a 4-fold increase in the mRNA levels of Stat3, a signalling molecule critical for leptin receptor signalling, suggesting a possible candidate for the mediation of Fto's actions. These data provide further support for the notion that FTO itself can influence key components of energy balance, and is therefore a strong candidate for the mediation of the robust association between FTO intronic variants and adiposity. Importantly, this provide the first indication that selective alteration of FTO levels in the hypothalamus can influence food intake, a finding consistent with the reported effects of FTO alleles on appetite and food intake in man.

Surfactant and patent ductus arteriosus

To investigate the relationship between surfactant replacement therapy and the development of a haemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus. All premature infants at 28-32 wk gestation with a clinical diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome were retrospectively reviewed and subdivided into two groups; intubated, mechanically ventilated and received surfactant (Group 1); and received nasal continuous positive airway pressure alone (Group 2). The relationship between groups and characteristics of the hemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus was analyzed. Seventy babies were identified of whom 35 (50%) received surfactant. Babies in group I and II were comparable for gestational age, birthweight, antenatal steroids, gender and fluid intake in first week of life. Babies treated with surfactant therapy were found to be more likely to have a haemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus (p<0.01), larger transductal diameter (p=0.01) and increased rate of therapeutic interventions to close the ductus (p<0.01). Ventilation parameters (mean airway pressure and fractional inspired oxygen) were higher in group I. Neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) who were treated with surfactant replacement are at increased risk of a hemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus that requires therapeutic intervention. Whether the relationship reflects their underlying lung disease or is a direct effect of surfactant requires prospective evaluation.

Effect of water restriction and sodium levels in the drinking water on broiler performance during the first week of life

A trial was carried out to evaluate the performance of female ROSS 308 broilers, from 1 to 21 days of age, submitted to 20% of water restriction (WR) or ad libitum water and four different sodium levels by adding NaCl to the drinking water (0, 150, 300, or 450 ppm) from 1 to 7 days of age. A control group, with four replications (rep), housed one day before the beginning of the experiment, was used as reference for WR calculation. Two commercial diets where fed from 1 to 7 days and from 8 to 21 days to all birds. The chicks were raised in battery cages. A randomized complete design, in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, with four replications/treatment and 14 birds/replicate, was applied. Feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the first week were influenced by WR. During this period, there was a significant interaction between factors, showing that in chicks not submitted to WR, water consumption increased with sodium levels. Also, at 7 days of age, excreta and carcass dry matter contents were higher in WR animals. During the second week, WR continued to affect FI, but the previously WR broilers presented better FCR, higher WG, and water consumption than the non-WR broilers. Mortality was not affected either by WR or sodium levels. At 21 days of age, except for FI, no significant differences were observed between restricted and non-restricted birds. Sodium levels up to 450 ppm were not toxic to the birds. These results suggested that if optimal conditions are offered, broilers quickly overcome unfavorable circumstances to their growth.

Anabolic steroids differentially modulate passive avoidance learning and food intake in male and female pubertal rats: Possible role of NPY

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are a class of steroid hormones derived from testosterone, being abused by adolescents, and known to affect anxiety, learning, and memory. The neural system underlying these behaviors includes the amygdala (AMY), a forebrain region that is known to express neuropeptide Y (NPY). NPY is one of the most abundant peptides in the brain and it plays a role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, anxiety and cognitive processes. Therefore, we aimed to assess NPY modulation in the AMY and in cognitive behavioral processes after chronic exposure to AAS in pubertal rats. Female and male pubertal rats were exposed to 17α‐methyltestosterone for two weeks. Food intake and body weight were measured during AAS exposure. For general anxiety and emotional memory, we used the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and the Passive Avoidance Task (PAT), respectively. Using RIA, we found a significant decrease in NPY levels in females, while there was no modulation in males. AAS in females showed an increase in body weight at the first and second weeks of AAS exposure, and an increase in food intake in the second week. In males, these differences were observed in the first, but not in the second week. Anxiety was not altered in male or female animals. Females but not males, showed a significant impairment of passive avoidance learning. Taken together, our results suggest that AAS can differentially modulate emotional memory and energy metabolism, maybe through NPY‐related neural circuits. Supported by RCMI (G12RR030551), NCRR‐NIH (P20RR016470).

Effects of dietary glucose level during late gestation on litter performance and glucose concentration in sows

The effects of feeding glucose during the 5 days before parturition on litter performance and on glucose concentration in sows were studied. At day 100 of gestation, 130 multiparous sows were assigned to the treatments. Late gestating sows were fed 0 g, 150 g, 250 g, 350 g and 450 g of glucose a day, respectively. During lactation, all sows were given free access to the same lactation diet (without glucose). One day before parturition, blood samples were collected from 30 sows (6 sows per treatment) at 10 before and 20, 40, 60 and 80 min after the meal. The supply of additional dietary glucose increased piglet birth weight (P < 0.05). Feed intake in week 1 and week 1-4 of lactation was greatest in sows fed the 0% glucose diet, least by sows fed the 18% glucose diet, and intermediate by sows fed the 6, 10, 14% glucose diets (P < 0.05). Basal glucose concentration and time of maximum glucose concentration after glucose intake were not affected by dietary treatment in the last 5 days of gestation. The sows fed the 14 and 18% glucose diets had greater maximum increase in glucose concentration than sows fed diet without glucose (P < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding glucose to sows during 5 days before parturition increased birth weight of live-born piglet and decreased sows feed intake during lactation, but did not affect the performance of sows and piglets.

INTERAÇÃO ENTRE IDADE DA MATRIZ E PESO DO OVO NO DESEMPENHO DE FRANGOS DE CORTE

Existem vários fatores que podem afetar o desempenho e rendimento dos frangos de corte, independentemente dos níveis nutricionais utilizados nas dietas, como a idade da matriz e o peso do ovo. Neste trabalho, foram avaliados os possíveis efeitos que a idade da matriz e o peso do ovo à incubação exercem sobre o desempenho zootécnico e rendimento de carcaça de frangos de corte. As aves foram distribuídas em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3 x 3 (ovos provenientes de matrizes de 3 diferentes idades: 30, 48 e 60 semanas, e de 3 categorias de pesos: leves, médios e pesados). As variáveis analisadas foram consumo de ração, ganho de peso e conversão alimentar aos 7, 21, 35 e 42 dias e rendimento de carcaça (rendimento de peito, pernas e gordura abdominal) aos 42 dias de idade. Não houve interação significativa entre os fatores idade da matriz e peso do ovo. Frangos provenientes de matrizes jovens (30 semanas de idade) apresentaram piores resultados de consumo de ração, ganho de peso e conversão alimentar à primeira semana de idade, sendo que este efeito não se mantém até a idade de abate. Houve maior consumo de ração de frangos provenientes de ovos pesados aos 7 dias de idade. Conclui-se que não existe interação entre idade da matriz e peso dos ovos sobre desempenho zootécnico e rendimento de carcaça em frangos de corte.

Dissociation of antihyperglycaemic and adverse effects of partial perioxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-γ) agonist balaglitazone

Balaglitazone is a novel thiazolidinedione in clinical development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Common side effects associated with PPARγ receptor agonists are weight gain, oedema and adipogenesis. Balaglitazone is a selective partial PPARγ agonist and it has been speculated that such compounds have a more favourable safety margin than full agonists. We have compared impact of equi-efficacious antihyperglycaemic doses of balaglitazone with full PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone on body fluid accumulation, cardiac enlargement, and adipogenesis. Equi-efficacious antihyperglycaemic doses (ED 90) of balaglitazone (3 mg/kg/day) and rosiglitazone (6 mg/kg/day) were determined in male diabetic db/db mice. In adult male rats treated for up to 42 days, feeding, drinking, anthropometry, and plasma volumes were measured. Total plasma volume was measured with dye dilution technique. Compared to vehicle, rosiglitazone consistently increased food intake throughout the 42 day treatment period. In contrast, balaglitazone increased food intake in the last week of the experiment. However, both rosiglitazone and balaglitazone increased water intake. After 42 days, rosiglitazone treated rats displayed significantly elevated adiposity. Rosiglitazone increased total blood and plasma volumes throughout the treatment. Twenty-one days of balaglitazone treatment had no significant impact on blood or plasma volumes, whilst 42 days of balaglitazone increased plasma volume but to a significantly lesser extent than seen for rosiglitazone (vehicle: 46.1 ± 1.5; balaglitazone: 50.8 ± 1.21; rosiglitazone: 54.6 ± 1.6 ml/kg). Heart weight was significantly elevated only in rosiglitazone treated animals. At doses inducing comparable antihyperglycaemic control, the full PPARγ agonist, rosiglitazone, induces more pronounced body fluid retention and heart enlargement than seen for the partial PPARγ agonist, balaglitazone. Thus, partial agonists may pose safer alternative to current anti-diabetic therapy with full PPARγ agonist.

Time Trends in Heavy Drinking Among Middle‐Aged and Older Adults in Denmark

Studies have indicated an increasing proportion of heavy drinking among middle-aged and older Danes. Trends in consumption are often extremely sensitive to influence from various components of the time trends but only few have explored the age, period and cohort-related influences on late life alcohol consumption. By using age, period, and cohort modeling this study explores the time trends in heavy drinking. Data derive from five National Health and Morbidity Surveys conducted by the Danish National Institute of Public Health in 1987, 1994, 2000, 2003, and 2005. A total of 15,144 randomly selected Danes between the age of 50 and 74 were interviewed about their alcohol intake on the last weekday and their alcohol intake in the last week. By applying the age-period-cohort model the probability of heavy alcohol drinking is estimated to separate the influence of age, period (calendar time) and cohort (year of birth). The unadjusted probability of heavy drinking declines by age and increases by calendar year and year of birth for both men and women. However, the negative effect of age is attenuated for women when adjusted for birth cohort, indicating that the proportion of heavy drinking women increases in younger birth cohorts. This trend is not observed for men as their drinking pattern mainly increase slightly by calendar year. Our Danish observations for older aged individuals correspond to the social and cultural changes in the 1960s and 1970s that possibly have affected the drinking behavior of the cohorts. Time trend analyses, such as this may serve as an excellent opportunity to extrapolate and forecast alcohol mortality and morbidity.

Milk Intake and Feeding Behavior in the First Week of Life and Its Relationship to Cord Blood Ghrelin, Leptin, and Insulin Concentrations

Our aim was to study the feeding behavior of healthy term infants in the first week of life and determine whether this was related to cord blood leptin, ghrelin, and insulin. A total of 100 healthy bottle-fed infants were studied by weighing bottles of milk before and after feeds. Leptin, total ghrelin, and insulin concentrations were measured in cord blood. Mean (SD) birth weight was 3.46 (0.43) kg. Mean milk intake increased from 196.7 (83.0) g on d 1 to 585.0 (128.4) g on d 7. Milk intake over the first 6 d was significantly associated with weight gain to d 7. There was no relationship between cord ghrelin or leptin and milk intake or feed frequency. Cord blood insulin was inversely related to the mean daily number of feeds over the first 6 d (r = -0.21, p < 0.05). Birth weight and milk intake are the major determinants of weight gain in the first week of life in healthy bottle-fed infants. Total cord ghrelin and leptin are not directly related to milk intake or feed frequency in the first week of life. Circulating insulin concentrations may have a role in the initiation of feeding behavior.

Influence of short-term Leucaena leucocephala feeding on milk yield and its composition, thyroid hormones, enzyme activity, and secretion of mimosine and its metabolites in milk of cattle

SUMMARYFour Karan/Friesian crossbred (Holstein×Tharparkar) dairy cows in late lactation (&gt;200 days) were fed a basic diet of green maize and concentrates with an increasing proportion of Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) leaf meal (LLM). The proportion was gradually increased from 0·25 of the dry matter intake (DMI) in the first week to 0·50 in the second, 0·75 in the third and ad libitum in the fourth week. Mimosine, 3,4-dihydroxy pyridine (3,4-DHP) and 2,3-dihydroxy pyridone (2,3-DHP) levels were determined in milk, serum, urine and faecal samples. On average DMI of leucaena was 0·023–0·025, 0·025–0·027, 0·027–0·028 and 0·022–0·025 of live weight (LW) during the first, second, third and fourth week, respectively. Mimosine, 3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP appeared in the blood serum during leucaena feeding and continued appearing up to sixth week of experimental feeding even after the withdrawal of leucaena from the 34th day onwards. Similarly, excretion of mimosine, 3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP were observed even after withdrawal of leucaena from the diet. The feeding of LLM resulted in a reduced level of T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine) within a week of LLM feeding. The level of T3 and T4 improved to normal after withdrawal of LLM from the diet. The serum aspartate transferase (AST) and serum alanine transferase (ALT) activities were within the normal range. Leucaena feeding improved milk yield and composition only up to 3 weeks of feeding. The concentration of mimosine, 3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP in milk was 0·33, 0·05 and 0·02 that of blood, respectively. The secretion of mimosine, 3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP in the milk might be a concern for health of the offspring of leucaena-fed animals as well as human beings consuming such milk.

Comparison of assessment methods for self-reported alcohol consumption in health interview surveys

To select a simple method for assessing alcohol consumption and to compare how different reference periods and response categories influence the self-reported frequency of binge drinking. Four random samples of 1000 adult Danes. Data were collected via personal interview at the respondents' home. Denmark, nationwide. The total number of interviewed was 2593 individuals. The assessment methods in the four samples were (1) the 7-day recall method, (2) intake each day in a typical week, (3) intake last weekend, and (4) intake in a typical week. Furthermore, binge drinking was assessed in the samples using different reference periods and response formats. The sex- and age-adjusted mean number of drinks in the last week (the 7-day recall method) was 10.6 drinks compared to 10.4 drinks among respondents reporting their intake for each day in a typical week and 8.7 drinks among subjects reporting the average intake in a typical week. Furthermore, subjects that reported their typical intake for each day were as likely as subjects that had the 7-day recall method to report a high weekly alcohol intake. Respondents who had close-ended questions were more likely to report binge drinking compared to respondents that had open-ended questions. Questions concerning typical alcohol intake for each day of the week are feasible to use in epidemiological studies. Furthermore, it is more appropriate to use close-ended questions compared to open-ended questions in measuring binge-drinking when the reference period is long.

Polymyxin B and Related Cyclic Peptides Facilitate Leanness and Reduce Fat Mass and Triglyceride Content in Ageing Rats: Potential Prototype Drugs Against Obesity

Polymyxin B (PMXB) blocks the action of insulin on glucose uptake in vitro. In vivo ,i t reverses hypoglycemia induced by exogenous insulin. Here we have treated mature male rats daily with PMXB over a period of two weeks. This therapy has decreased body weight by 11%, adipose fat mass by 46% and triglyceride levels by 39%, with no indication of liver or kidney toxicity. Two suboptimal parameters, however, were a decrease in food intake in the first week of treatment and some increase in fasting glucose levels. We have screened for PMXB-analogs having less associating affinity with rat-muscle phospholipids, and revealed that the same therapy using PMXB-derived peptide (nona-PMXB) is most optimal. This PMXB-analog is devoid of antibacterial activity and is four times less toxic than PMXB. Nona-PMXB therapy lower by 10, 32, 35 and 6% body weight gain, fat mass, circulating triglycerides and fasting glucose levels, respectively, in spite of normal or even elevated food intake in nona-PMXB treated rats. In summary, we found that nona-PMXB therapy is capable if inducing leanness in mature rats, particularly at the expense of decreasing fat-mass in adipose tissue. By and large, we suggest that lowering the action of insulin, on fat build-up solely, may be a therapeutically feasible task to fight with human adiposity in the future.

Effects of Pre- and Postfresh Transition Diets Varying in Dietary Energy Density on Metabolic Status of Periparturient Dairy Cows

Effects of dietary energy density during late gestation and early lactation on metabolic status of periparturient cows were studied. Four weeks before expected calving, animals were fed a low (DL; 1.58 Mcal of NEL/kg) or high energy density diet (DH; 1.70 Mcal of NEL/kg). After calving, half of the cows from each prepartum treatment were assigned to a low (L; 1.57 Mcal of NEL/kg) or high energy density diet (H; 1.63 Mcal of NEL/kg) until d 20 postpartum. After d 20, all animals were fed H until d 70. Animals fed DH had a more positive energy balance during the prepartum period. Animals fed DH had higher plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin and lower concentrations of plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) on d −7 relative to calving compared with animals fed DL. No differences in blood concentrations of metabolites, insulin and liver triglycerides (TG) content were observed on d 1. Liver TG content at d 1 and 21 were more related to magnitude of change in energy intake prepartum than to energy intake in the last week of gestation. Cows fed H had higher concentrations of plasma glucose and insulin, but similar plasma NEFA during the postpartum period compared with cows fed L. Plasma concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and liver TG content on d 21 were 46 and 30% lower, respectively, for cows fed H compared with cows fed L. Interactions between prepartum and postpartum treatments indicated that negative effects of delaying higher concentrate feeding until d 21 postpartum can be partially offset by increasing concentrate in the diet before calving. Cows fed L had a higher increase in white line hemorrhage scores between prepartum and 10 wk postpartum compared with cows fed H. Energy density of prepartum diets had a minor influence on metabolic status of cows postpartum. A more favorable metabolic profile occurs when increasing the concentrate content of the diet immediately postpartum compared with delaying the increase until d 21 postpartum.

Catabolism and Deposition of Amino Acids in Growing Chicks: Effect of Dietary Supply

Amino acid (AA) deposition and catabolism were examined in broilers by determining intake and carcass deposition of AA, while defining catabolism as the difference between intake and deposition. The first trial examined the effects of increasing concentrations of a single limiting AA, lysine, on carcass deposition and catabolism. Carcass deposition of all AA increased to a plateau. Catabolism of lysine increased linearly, whereas other AA showed decreased catabolism as dietary lysine increased before reaching a plateau. Carcass AA composition was not influenced by the diet. In the second trial, different dietary ratios of AA were examined and these resulted in increased carcass deposition of lysine, threonine, and arginine before reaching a plateau, whereas other AA showed constant deposition. Catabolism of all AA tended to increase with dietary concentration. Efficiency of AA deposition decreased with age and catabolism comprised a smaller proportion of intake in the first week posthatch.A third trial examined changing AA ratios and composition. No correlation was observed between dietary AA concentrations and carcass deposition, whereas catabolism was linearly correlated with dietary composition. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the catabolic pathways of some AA are interrelated. These data are consistent with a model where carcass accretion is determined by the limiting AA until some maximal rate is achieved, whereby another AA may become limiting. Excess supply of any AA is catabolized and these catabolic processes interact with an accompanying energy cost.

The effect of level of feeding in early gestation on reproductive success in young rabbit does

An experiment examined the effect of restricted feeding during early gestation on later feed intake and on kindling performance in young rabbit does. Nulliparous rabbit does ( n=94) were inseminated at 14.5 weeks of age. During the first 10 days of gestation, does were fed individually either to appetite (AL) or 1.35 times maintenance requirement (R). After 10 days of gestation, all animals were fed to appetite. Does were weighed at insemination and after kindling. Feed intake was recorded during the first 10 days of gestation and weekly, thereafter. The number of does that kindled, number of live and stillborn kits and litter weight was recorded. The experiment ended after kindling. During feed restriction, AL does consumed 70 g/day more on an average than R does (209 and 139±4 g for AL and R, respectively; P<0.001). In the first and second week after feed restriction, compensatory feed intake occurred. Restrictive fed does ate more than AL does (+34±5 g/day from days 11 to 17 of gestation; P<0.001; +17±6 g/day from days 18 to 24 of gestation; P<0.05). In the last week of gestation, feed intake of AL and R was comparable (89 and 100±5 g, respectively). At kindling, AL does had consumed 8±3 g/day more feed over the total gestation period than R does ( P<0.04). Feeding level during early gestation neither affected the kindling rate (83%), total litter size (7.9±0.4) nor the number of does with stillborn kits (10 versus 9 for AL and R, respectively). Regardless of treatment, in the last week of gestation (days 25–32) the number of does with stillbirth was lower and average birth weight was higher ( P<0.01) in does eating more than the average daily feed intake compared to does eating below average. Based on the results of this study it was concluded that feed restriction for 10 days in early gestation does not affect kindling performance of young does, but feed intake in the last week of gestation affects kit survival and birth weight.

Preferencia alimenticia y comportamiento zootécnico en lechones alimentados con dietas formuladas con diferentes tipos de suero de leche deshidratado

Three experiments were carried out to determine the effects of including different types of dried whey (DW) in starter diets on relative preference (RP) and performance in weanling pigs. RP was measured in two experiments in which diets were offered in pairs during four periods: P1 = 0-3, P2 = 3-7, P3 = 7-10 and P4 = 10-14 d post-weaning. Dried whey level was evaluated in the first experiment in which the animals preferred 25% over 20% DW in the diet. Relative preference for a specific type of DW (neutralized - NDW, sweet - SDW and acidic - ADW) was evaluated in the second experiment. The NDW diet was preferred in all periods when the ADW/NDW combination was offered. When ADW or NDW diets were combined with the SDW, diet differences were not significant. The ADW diet was the least preferred (P<0.001) in P3 and P4. RP during the entire period was highest for NDW followed by SDW and ADW (P<0.001). In the performance trial of weanling pigs fed diets similar to those in the second experiment daily weight gain, daily feed intake, and feed conversion rate did not vary during the first three weeks post-weaning. The animals fed the SDW diet had a higher feed intake in the fourth week (P<0.001). The results indicate that the weanling pigs were able to demonstrate dietary preference, but that this had no effect on their performance.

Trends in alcohol intake by education and marital status in urban population in Russia between the mid 1980s and the mid 1990s.

We investigated changes in the distribution of alcohol consumption by education and marital status in Russia during the period of societal transformation after 1990. Such changes would indicate the potential role of alcohol in the rising social inequalities in mortality. We analysed data from three surveys in random population samples conducted in Novosibirsk as part of the WHO MONICA project in 1985/86 (1533 men, 1292 women), 1988/89 (1700 men, no women) and 1994/95 (1526 men, 1510 women), coinciding with the period of societal transformation. Four measures of drinking were examined in relation to education and marital status: prevalence of drinking at least twice a week; the mean intake in the last week; the mean intake per drinking occasion; and the prevalence of binge drinking (>80 g ethanol for men and >60 g for women) at least once a month. Among men, those with university education had the lowest levels of all measures of drinking. Drinking indices increased over time in all educational groups but most sharply in men with high education, thus leading to a smaller education-related difference in the last survey. With respect to marital status, divorced and widowed men tended to drink most, but the pattern was inconsistent, and the difference between divorced and married men also narrowed over time. Among women, alcohol intake increased between the first and last survey. Differences by education and marital status in women were smaller than in men, and binge drinking was inversely related to education. All indices of alcohol consumption in men increased between the mid 1980s and the mid 1990s. The increase in alcohol intake among men was proportionally similar across categories of education and marital status but the absolute differences increased. The contribution of alcohol to the increase in social differentials in mortality in the 1990s was probably modest.

Effects of level of broiler litter in diets containing wheat straw on performance of Alpine doelings

Thirty-two Alpine doelings (15 weeks of age; 12±2.05 kg BW) were used in a completely randomized design 12-week experiment to compare performance with diets based on wheat straw (WS) supplemented with different levels of broiler litter to WS supplemented with a conventional protein source or ammoniated through urea treatment (TWS). Treatments were feeding of a corn-based concentrate at 1.5% of BW (DM basis) with TWS (U) and the U supplement plus approximately 0.4% BW of soybean meal (S) or 0.8 or 1.6% BW of broiler litter (LL and HL, respectively) with WS. Nitrogen concentration was 0.47 and 2.07% DM and in vitro DM digestibility was 47.7 and 67.8% for WS and TWS, respectively; concentrate N concentration was 1.27, 3.16, 2.35 and 2.66% for U, S, LL and HL, respectively. Crude protein intake in week 6 was approximately 11.0, 14.6, 9.4 and 11.7% of total DM intake (DMI) for U, S, LL and HL, respectively. Organic matter digestibility was greater ( P<0.05) for S than for the mean of LL and HL (68.9, 78.2, 68.3 and 68.8; SE=3.3), but there was an opposite trend ( P<0.10) in digestible OM intake (256, 272, 323 and 339 g/day for U, S, LL and HL, respectively; SE=27.9). Average WS intake in the entire experiment was similar among treatments (223, 167, 207 and 191 g/day) and total DMI was lower for U than for the mean of other diets, lower for S than for the mean of LL and HL and lower for LL vs. HL ( P<0.05; 433, 429, 536 and 651 g/day for U, S, LL and HL, respectively). Average daily gain (ADG) did not differ among treatments (61, 70, 63 and 66 g/day), although the ratio of ADG to DMI was lower for the mean of LL and HL compared with S ( P<0.05; 145, 170, 122 and 104 g/kg for U, S, LL and HL, respectively). In conclusion, supplementation of WS with a natural protein source such as soybean meal or with broiler litter can support a rate of growth of young Alpine doelings as great as feeding of TWS, although under conditions of this experiment efficiency of feed usage was lower for broiler litter than for soybean meal.