Mean Weight Gain Research Articles

Novel portable hypothermic machine perfusion preservation device enhances cardiac viability of donated human hearts.

Heart transplant remains the gold standard treatment for patients with advanced heart failure. However, the list of patients waiting for a heart transplant continues to increase. We have developed a portable hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion device, the VP.S ENCORE®, to extend the allowable preservation time. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of the VP.S. ENCORE® using deceased donors derived hearts. Hearts from brain-dead donors not utilized for transplant (n = 11) were offered for research from the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA), South and Central Texas' Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) and were preserved in the VP.S ENCORE® for 4 (n = 2), 6 (n = 3), and 8 (n = 3) hours or were kept in static cold storage (SCS) (n = 3). After preservation, the hearts were placed in an isolated heart Langendorff model for reperfusion and evaluated for cardiac function. The mean donor age was 37.82 ± 12.67 with the youngest donor being 19 and the oldest donor being 58 years old. SCS hearts mean weight gain (%) was -1.4 ± 2.77, while perfused at 4 h was 5.6 ± 6.04, perfused at 6 h 2.1 ± 6.04, and 8 h was 7.2 ± 10.76. Venous and arterial lactate concentrations were less than 2.0 mmol/L across all perfused hearts. Left ventricular contractility (+dPdT, mmHg/s) for 4 h (1,214 ± 1,064), 6 (1,565 ± 141.3), and 8 h (1,331 ± 403.6) were within the range of healthy human heart function. Thus, not significant as compared to the SCS group (1,597 ± 342.2). However, the left ventricular relaxation (mmHg/s) was significant in 6-hour perfused heart (p < 0.05) as compared to SCS. Gene expression analysis of inflammation markers (IL-6, IL-1β) showed no significant differences between SCS and perfused hearts, but a 6-hour perfusion led to a downregulated expression of these markers. The results demonstrate that the VP.S ENCORE® device enhances cardiac viability and exhibits comparable cardiac function to a healthy heart. The implications of these findings suggest that the VP.S ENCORE® could introduce a new paradigm in the field of organ preservation, especially for marginal hearts.

Stabilizing time and its predictors among 1-59 months old children managed for severe acute malnutrition during the humanitarian crisis in Tigray regional state of Ethiopia, 2023: a prospective cohort study.

Higher rate of acute malnutrition is observed in emergencies compared to non-emergency settings and severe acute malnutrition upsurges alarmingly and become deadly in humanitarian crises due to lack of food, lack of quality water supply and insufficient healthcare. Research is one learning tool by identifying strength and areas of improvement. However, little is known about outcomes of therapeutic feeding programmes in comparison with the standard indicators set in humanitarian setting. Health facility based prospective cohort study was conducted using routinely collected programme data of children hospitalized to the inpatient therapeutic feeding center in suhul general hospital from January 1st, 2023 to June 30, 2023. Data was collected using a form developed relating to the federal ministry of health standard management protocols for severe acute malnutrition then it was cleaned, coded and entered to EpiData version 4.2.0 and then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. From 184 children, 96.2% were stabilized while the remaining 3.8% were censored with overall median stabilizing time of 8 days. Weight gain was used as one of the discharging criteria for infants less than six months and their mean weight gain found to be 12.89g per kilogram daily. Appetite test (AHR = 0.338; 95% CI: 0.221-0.518), blood transfusion (AHR = 5.825; 95% CI: 2.568-13.211), IV fluid resuscitation (AHR = 2.017; 95% CI: 1.094-3.717), IV antibiotics (AHR = 2.288; 95% CI: 1.164-4.500) and NG tube feeding (AHR = 1.485; 95% CI: 1.065-2.071) were identified as significant predictors of stabilizing time. All the outcome indicators for stabilization center are consistent with the SPHERE association set of standards during humanitarian intervention. The hospital and other concerned humanitarian organizations should focus on sustaining these achievements as suhul hospital is the main treatment center for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in the northwest zone of Tigray regional state. Further pre-post experimental studies which compare the stabilizing time before and after crisis are recommended.

Effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal) on Growth Performance, Carcass Quality and Health of Clarias gariepinus Juveniles

The effect of Gum Arabic (GA) on growth, carcass quality, blood parameters, gut morphometry, and organ histology of African catfish Clarias gariepinus was studied. Five isonitrogenous diets with inclusion levels of GA at 0 g/100 g (GA0; control), 5 g/100 g (GA5), 10 g/100 g (GA10), 15 g/100 g (GA15), and 20 g/100 g (GA20) were formulated in a 40% crude protein diet. Juveniles of C. gariepinus with average weight (7.35±0.48 g/fish) were stocked at 13 fish/25 L of water for 12 weeks in a completely randomized design and fed at 3% body weight daily. Growth indices showed GA10 improved the mean weight gain (69.88±8.89 g) and specific growth rate (2.76±0.14 %/day) while at (GA15); (GA20) growth was depressed. Carcass quality revealed dietary levels were superior to control with GA10 significantly different (p &lt; 0.05) amongst treatments in protein and fat content. Hematological profile showed variations; erythrocyte indices compared to control, while plasma chemistry of aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferase showed no difference (p &gt; 0.05). Gut morphometrics varied with no particular pattern. At inclusion above GA5 the gill, liver, and kidney were affected histologically with no changes in the intestines of all treatments. Diet supplemented with gum arabic at 10 g/100 g improved indices of performance of C. gariepinus juveniles in this study.

Assessment of weight gain in adult patients living with HIV receiving first-line dolutegravir-based or efavirenz-based ART regimens in routine care clinics in Tshwane district, South Africa: An observational study.

Although dolutegravir (DTG) is deemed stable, safe, cost-effective, and clinically beneficial, it also carries the risk of side effects, including observed weight gain among patients on DTG-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens. We compared weight changes among adults (≥18 years) initiating tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lamivudine, and dolutegravir (TLD) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, emtricitabine, and efavirenz (TEE) regimens and those switching from TEE to TLD (TEE-to-TLD switchers) in three large primary care facilities in South Africa METHODS: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal record review using patient medical records, extracting relevant demographic and clinical data from October 2018 to June 2021 from randomly selected adults who initiated TLD or TEE (initiators) and adult TEE-to-TLD switchers. We assessed weight, body mass index (BMI), and percentage weight changes for both groups and fitted linear regression and generalized linear models to determine factors associated with weight and BMI change and percentage weight change ≥10%, respectively, among treatment initiators. We fitted linear mixed-effect models among TEE-to-TLD switchers to consider repeated measures. Of 860 initiators, 450 (52.3%) initiated on TEE and 410 (47.7%) on TLD, with median follow-up of 1.4 years and 1.0 year, respectively. At initiation, 43.3% on TEE and 40.8% on TLD were overweight or obese. TLD initiators had an adjusted higher mean weight gain of 1.6 kg (p < 0.001) and mean BMI gain of 0.51 kg/m2 (p < 0.001) than TEE initiators. Independent risk factors for higher mean weight and BMI included age ≥50 years, male, on ART for >12 months, initial BMI of <18.5 kg/m2, and CD4 counts <200 cells/μL. Of 298 TEE-to-TLD switchers, 36.6% were overweight or obese at TEE initiation. Comparing before and after TLD switch, TEE-to-TLD switchers had an adjusted mean weight of 1.2 kg less while on TLD (p = 0.026). Being overweight and CD4 counts >350 cells/μL were independent risk factors for lower weight gain after TLD switch. We report more weight gain among TLD than among TEE initiators, although to a lesser extent than previously reported. TEE-to-TLD switchers experienced less weight gain after TLD switch; return to health before receiving TLD may be a contributory factor. The current findings are reassuring for those switching to a DTG-based regimen.

Assessment of Nutritional Potentials and Economic Significance of Sesame Seed Meal (Sesamum indicum) in the Diet of Growing Snails (Archachatina marginata)

The purpose of this study was to assess the economic effects of replacing the groundnut cake meal portion of the diet with sesame seed meal (SSM) on the performance traits, carcass analysis, and cost benefits of the feeding strategy. One hundred and twenty snails, weighing an average of 175±2.7g, were divided into four dietary regimens at random and reproduced three times. Each replication had ten snails in it, following a completely randomized design. Four diets were formulated to contain SSM at 0% (SSM1) Control, 50% (SSM2), 75% (SSM 3), 100% (SSM 4) as replacement for soybean meal fraction in the diet of growing snails. The diets were formulated to contain about 24% crude protein and energy of 2400 kcal/kgME. Data were collected on Feed intake, weight gain, shell length, thickness and width, Feed conversion ratio and cost per weight gain. The findings indicate that the different inclusion levels of SSM in the diet had a significant impact on the mean total feed intake (P&lt;0.05). The feed intake and mean total weight gain showed similar trends. (P&lt;0.05) was the greatest mean weight gain. The ratio of feed intake to weight gain, or feed conversion ratio (FCR), was essentially constant across all treatments. The diet with the highest level of SSM4 (100%) inclusion had the lowest cost per weight (CPW) gain (N170.61), while the control diet with 0% SSM1 inclusion had the highest CPW gain (N221.88). It is however interesting also to note that as feed intake (kg) increases, CPW (N) gain reduces. The dressing percent (DP) of the snail was significantly influenced by the dietary treatments.

Abstract P476: Changes in Olive Oil Consumption and Weight Changes in US Men and Women

Background: Olive oil intake is inversely associated with the risk of chronic diseases and mortality. However, it is unclear whether there is an association between olive oil intake and weight changes; because it is an energy-dense food concerns have been raised that high intake may contribute to weight gain. Therefore, we aimed to determine the associations between long-term changes in olive oil consumption and changes in weight. Methods: We examined data from 116,243 women and men from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS, 1990-2010), NHSII (1991-2015), and Health Professional Follow-up Study (HPFS, 1990-2014), who were free from chronic diseases at baseline. We applied multivariable linear regression models with robust variance estimators to assess the association of changes in olive oil intake within each 4-year interval with concurrent weight changes. Results across the three cohorts were pooled using inverse-variance weights. Results: At baseline, mean ± SD age was 54.8 ± 6.6 years in the NHS, 45.3 ± 8.0 years in the NHS2, and 53.9 ± 7.2 years in the HPFS. Mean body mass index was 25 kg/m2 at baseline across the three cohorts. The mean weight gain over each 4-year follow-up cycle was highest in the NHS2 (1.8; 95%CI -6.8 to 11.3 kg), followed by the NHS (1.0; 95%CI -6.8 to 9.1 kg), and lastly the HPFS (0.6; 95%CI -5.4 to 6.8 kg). Pooling across the cohorts after adjustment for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and set of dietary factors (fruits, vegetables, red and processed meat, sugar sweetened beverages, coffee, refined grains), each ½ Tablespoon (7 grams) serving per day increment in olive oil was associated with a slightly lower 4-year weight gain of -0.06 kg (95%CI -0.08 to -0.04 kg; p&lt;0.0001). This inverse association was observed in the three cohorts, with a greater magnitude of association in the NHS2 (-0.08; 95%CI -0.10 to -0.05 kg; p&lt;0.0001), followed by the HPFS (-0.07; 95%CI -0.12 to -0.02 kg; p=0.003) and lastly the NHS (-0.05; 95%CI -0.07 to -0.01 kg; p=0.02). Results were attenuated after adjustment for the Alternative Healthy Eating index (pooled -0.03; 95%CI -0.05 to -0.02; p=0.0003). Conclusions: Long-term habitual increase in olive oil consumption was not associated with increased weight gain in middle-aged and older adults.

A study of safety and effectiveness of amino-acids based multi-nutrient fortifier in preterm infants

Background: Fortification plays a vital role in supporting the nutritional requirements in the premature infants. Currently in India, fortifiers are either whole protein based or whey protein which are bovine milk- based, which has been associated with increased risk of feed intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), to circumvent this, an amino-acids based fortifier has been made available which provides more proteins (0.35 g/1 g sachet) thereby meeting the nutritional requirements of preterm infants. Aim was to study effect (safety and efficacy) of fortification with the amino-acids based fortifier (HMF-ADVANCE, Analeptik Biologicals) in premature infants admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: A single centre pilot study was conducted on preterm infants with &lt;1800 g birth weight and/or &lt;32 gestational age, amino-acids based fortifier (AABF) was used as the fortification option once the infants reached 100 ml/kg/day feed volume. 1 g of HMF-ADVANCE was mixed in 25 ml of mother’s own milk (MOM) and the fortification was continued till discharge from NICU. Results: A total 100 preterm infants were included for the study, mean gestational age (GA) was 29.38±1.61 weeks, mean birth weight was 1159.90±301.9. Growth outcomes at the end of the study: mean weight gain was 23.73±7.62 g/day, mean head circumference gain was 1.02±0.41 cm/week, mean length gain was 1.01±0.15 cm/week and weight gain velocity were 17.13±2.38 g/kg/day. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) showed an increasing trend from baseline (before starting fortification: 3.2 mg/dl), 1 week after fortification (6.3 mg/dl) and at the end of study (11.2 mg/dl). AABF was also used in three neonates post NEC. There were no episodes of feed intolerance or necrotising enterocolitis episodes and none of neonates discontinued fortification till discharge from NICU. Conclusions: AABF was well tolerated without any feed intolerance episodes and helped to achieve optimal growth. AABF can be the optimal choice of fortification in low-birth-weight neonates.

E-Cigarettes, Smoking Cessation, and Weight Change: Retrospective Secondary Analysis of the Evaluating the Efficacy of e-Cigarette Use for Smoking Cessation Trial.

While smoking cessation has been linked to substantial weight gain, the potential influence of e-cigarettes on weight changes among individuals who use these devices to quit smoking is not fully understood. This study aims to reanalyze data from the Evaluating the Efficacy of e-Cigarette Use for Smoking Cessation (E3) trial to assess the causal effects of e-cigarette use on change in body weight. This is a secondary analysis of the E3 trial in which participants were randomized into 3 groups: nicotine e-cigarettes plus counseling, nonnicotine e-cigarettes plus counseling, and counseling alone. With adjustment for baseline variables and the follow-up smoking abstinence status, weight changes were compared between the groups from baseline to 12 weeks' follow-up. Intention-to-treat and as-treated analyses were conducted using doubly robust estimation. Further causal analysis used 2 different propensity scoring methods to estimate causal regression curves for 4 smoking-related continuous variables. We evaluated 5 different subsets of data for each method. Selection bias was addressed, and missing data were imputed by the machine learning method extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). A total of 257 individuals with measured weight at week 12 (mean age: 52, SD 12 y; women: n=122, 47.5%) were included. Across the 3 treatment groups, of the 257 participants, 204 (79.4%) who continued to smoke had, on average, largely unchanged weight at 12 weeks, with comparable mean weight gain ranging from -0.24 kg to 0.33 kg, while 53 (20.6%) smoking-abstinent participants gained weight, with a mean weight gain ranging from 2.05 kg to 2.70 kg. After adjustment, our analyses showed that the 2 e-cigarette arms exhibited a mean gain of 0.56 kg versus the counseling alone arm. The causal regression curves analysis also showed no strong evidence supporting a causal relationship between weight gain and the 3 e-cigarette-related variables. e-Cigarettes have small and variable causal effects on weight gain associated with smoking cessation. In the E3 trial, e-cigarettes seemed to have minimal effects on mitigating the weight gain observed in individuals who smoke and subsequently quit at 3 months. However, given the modest sample size and the potential underuse of e-cigarettes among those randomized to the e-cigarette treatment arms, these results need to be replicated in large, adequately powered trials. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02417467; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02417467.

Growth performance and condition factor of &lt;i&gt;Oreochromis niloticus&lt;/i&gt; (Linneaus, 1758) after exposure to chemically dispersed Bonny Light crude oil

Dispersants are employed in oil spill situations to emulsify the oil into the water column thereby, facilitating weathering; this is without consideration for aquatic life and productivity. A renewal static bioassay was used to assess the recovery of Oreochromis niloticus after exposure to water accommodated fraction of dispersed Bonny Light crude oil (WAFDCO) and water accommodated fraction of Bonny Light crude oil (WAFCO) at sub-lethal concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6ml/l, based on the growth performance and condition factor after 49-days exposure and 54-days grow-out phases. The results showed that, the physicochemical parameters of the test media were affected by the concentrations of WAFDCO and WAFCO. The mean weight gain of O. niloticus increased with time in the exposure regimes/concentrations. Growth performance was concentration dependent, the highest mean weight of fish (15.67±0.78g) was from 1.6ml/l concentration of the WAFCO, which was higher than the control. The mean relative growth rate was higher (10.40±0.69%) in the fish from WAFCO while the highest mean specific growth rate (0.85±0.05%) was from WAFDCO. The highest value (3.42) of condition factor (K), was obtained in the 1.6ml/l of the WAFDCO. The K values of the fish from the WAFDCO were slightly higher than those from the WAFCO, which were lower than the control. Condition factor was greater than three which implied that, the fish were in good state, thus, their recovery was good after removal from the contaminated environment; hence, all mitigative actions should be prompt during and after oil spills.

Dietary Bacillus species modulate lipid metabolism-related parameters, growth, water quality, and bacterial load in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus )

This study examined the impact of supplementing Bacillus spp. mixtures at concentrations of 0.2 g/kg (PRO-0.2) and 0.5 g/kg (PRO-0.5) on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) for 90 days. Fish groups receiving PRO-0.2 and PRO-0.5 exhibited significantly lower water ammonia levels than the control group, in linear and quadratic patterns. Furthermore, their length and weight increased exponentially over time, peaking at the end of the experiment. After 90 days, the PRO-0.5 group displayed the highest mean weight gain. Additionally, both the PRO-0.2 and PRO-0.5 groups had the lowest food conversion ratios and highest protein efficiency ratios in a linear pattern. They also showed improved liver function, as indicated by lower levels of liver enzyme (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase) compared to the control group. In terms of the lipid profile, the PRO-0.2 and PRO-0.5 groups had significantly lower serum levels of low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, in linear and quadratic patterns, and cholesterol compared to the control group, with no significant differences in cholesterol levels. High-density lipoprotein increased significantly in both PRO-0.2 and PRO-0.5 groups after 90 days, following a linear pattern. Hepatic alkaline phosphatase levels decreased in both the PRO-0.2 and PRO-0.5 groups, following a significant linear pattern over time. After 30 days, the expression of hepatic fatty acid binding protein 3 (fabp3) significantly decreased in the PRO-0.5 group. Intestinal cluster of differentiation 36 (cd36) and fabp3 expression markedly increased, with cd36 showing the greatest rise. After 90 days, hepatic cd36 expression became prominent in both PRO-0.2 and PRO-0.5 groups. Expression of fas was significantly downregulated in both the PRO-0.2 and PRO-0.5 groups. Notably, hepatic lipoprotein lipase (lpl) expression significantly increased in the supplementation groups after 30 days but decreased significantly after 90 days. Overall, this study highlights the positive impact of dietary mixtures of Bacillus spp. on various aspects, including water quality, growth performance, feed utilization, survivability, expression of lipid metabolism-related genes, lipid profile, body composition, and bacterial load in both water and fish bodies.

Efficiency of fluralaner pour-on in different strategic control protocols against Rhipicephalus microplus on Brangus cattle in a tropical area

BackgroundThe occurrence of higher winter temperatures in Brazilian areas with tropical and highland climates may result in a fifth peak of tick populations during winter in addition to the four generations previously described. Therefore, a strategic control protocol was developed with treatments in two seasons with the objective of controlling the generations of ticks that occur in spring/summer and those that occur in autumn/winter.MethodsThe study was conducted in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from the beginning of the rainy season, November 2020, to October 2021. In a randomized block design, 36 calves were distributed into three groups: (i) negative control; (ii) traditional strategic control in one season (SC1S), at the beginning of the rainy season; and (iii) strategic control in two seasons (SC2S), at the beginning and end of the rainy season. The SC1S strategic control group was treated on day 0, November 2020, and twice more with intervals of 42 days. The SC2S group received three more treatments beginning on day 182, May 2021, with intervals of 42 days. All treatments consisted of 5% fluralaner (Exzolt® 5%) delivered via a pour-on dose of 1 mL/20 kg body weight. Counts of semi-engorged female ticks were performed on day 3 and every 14 days thereafter, and the animals were weighed at the same time.ResultsFluralaner showed a mean efficacy of more than 95% up to day 294. The two treated groups showed a decrease (P < 0.05) in the average number of ticks on day 3. In the SC2S group, the means were close or equal to zero throughout the study, while in the SC1S group, the means did not differ (P > 0.05) from those of the control group from day 231 onward. The final mean weight gain of each group was 76.40 kg, 98.63 kg, and 115.38 kg for the control, SC1S, and SC2S groups, respectively, differing (P < 0.05) from each other.ConclusionsTherefore, three applications of fluralaner, with one application every 42 days from the beginning of the rainy season in the middle spring, resulted in effective tick control for 224 days. When three additional treatments were given in autumn/winter with intervals of 42 days between applications, tick counts were reduced throughout the year. This strategic control approach may be indicated in years with climatic conditions that allow that population peaks are expected to occur in the autumn/winter period.Graphical

Effect of novel human milk oligosaccharides-based human milk fortifier containing lactoferrin, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid on the growth of preterm infants with birth weight of 700–1800 g

Background: Premature infants with low birth weight are at risk of growth failure and neurodevelopmental impairment. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are bioactive components of human milk that may enhance growth and development. The novel HMO-based human milk fortifier (HMoF), which also contains lactoferrin, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (ARA), can help provide a safer nutritional option for the growth of premature infants. Materials and Methods: We conducted a non-comparative observational study using data from multiple centers that used novel HMO-based HMF (HMoF) in premature infants (n=14) with birth weights of 700–1800 g. The primary outcome of the study was to assess tolerability (in terms of feed tolerance), and secondary outcomes included growth outcomes defined by weight, length, and head circumference during the stay in the NICU and at discharge. Results: A cohort consisting of 14 infants with a mean gestational age of 30.21±2.04 weeks and a birth weight of 1246.36±39.98 g comprised the study. During the study period, incidences of feed interruptions due to feed intolerability were nil, and no infant presented with any signs of adverse effects. The novel HMO-based HMF (HMoF)-fed infant cohort had a mean weight gain of 21.89±5.23 g/day, a mean length gain of 1.01±0.48 cm/week, and mean head circumference gain of 0.89±0.32 cm/week. The mean growth velocity recorded was 16.03±1.73 g/kg/day. Conclusions: Novel HMO-based HMF (HMoF) containing lactoferrin, DHA, and ARA demonstrated acceptable feed tolerance and weight gain without any clinically significant adverse effects. Data indicates that the novel HMoF containing lactoferrin, DHA, and ARA is a safe option for supporting the growth of preterm babies. However, further studies are needed to compare novel HMO-based HMF (HMoF) with standard HMF in a randomized controlled trial.

Effects of processed duckweed (Lemna paucicostata) meals as protein sources in Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) diets

Effects of processed duckweed meals as a replacement for toasted soybean meal in the diets of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings were evaluated. Sun-dried and blanched duckweed meals were used to replaced toasted soybean meal in at 25, 50, 75, and 100% each. Feed Solution Software (version 2022) was used to formulate nine iso-nitrogenous diets at 32% crude protein. 27 Hapa nets of 1 m2 each were used for the feeding trials for six months. Ten fingerlings of Oreochromis niloticus were stocked per Hapa and fed 5% body weight three times per day. The best mean weight gain (460.59 g), viscerosomatic index (9.90) and feed conversion ratio (1.82) were recorded in the fish fed 75% blanched duckweed meal while the fish fed 100% sun-dried duckweed meal and 100% blanched duckweed meal recorded the poor mean weight gain, viscerosomatic index and feed conversion ratio of 401.69 g and 394.03 g, 6.49 and 6.36, 2.06 and 2.10, respectively. The cost-benefit evaluation revealed that 75% blanched duckweed meal gave the highest net profit (₦3,682) and lowest incident cost (₦6.49). This study revealed that soybean meal can be replaced with 75% blanched duckweed meal in the diet of Oreochromis niloticus without any inauspicious effects on the growth and nutrient utilization, and will reduce the cost of production and maximize profit.

Effects of Varying Dietary Levels of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Leaves Powder on Growth and Gonads Development in Nile Tilapia Oreochromis Niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore the possible use of Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaf powder as a reproductive inhibitor in Oreochromis niloticus&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: From 10th February to 21st June 2021 at the Kanhé-Moyo Integrated Fisheries and Aquaculture Research and Application Farm located in the locality of Baho'o belonging to the Baham District,in the West Region of Cameroon&#x0D; Study Design: 720 Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings with an average weight of 13±2.5g were randomly distributed in 12 happas arranged in an earthen pond measuring approximately 10 x 20 m and fed 3 experimental diets, formulated from a control diet to contain Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaf powder at doses of 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 g/kg of feed respectively.&#x0D; Methodology: After 45 days post-treatment, survival and zootechnical growth parameters were assessed. Histological examination of the gonads was used to determine the impact of treatment on gonadal development at 45 and 65 days post-treatment respectively.&#x0D; Results: The results show that the different treatments had a similar effect on survival (P˃0.05), with an average value of 97.91 ± 3.81%. Analysis of the growth parameters of fishes from the different batches treated with different doses of H. rosa sinensis leaf powder revealed that the dose of 4.5 g/kg of H. rosa sinensis had a significantly greater effect than the other treatments applied in terms of Mean Final Weight (with a mean value of 24.77±0.27g), Mean Weight Gain (with a mean value of 3.63±1.18 g), mean specific growth rate (with a mean value of 1.13 ± 0.40%/day) and Mean Daily Gain (with a mean value of 0.25±0.08 g/d). However, analysis of the gonado somatic index at 45 and 60 days post-treatment of batches treated with different doses of H. rosa sinensis leaves revealed a significantly higher effect of the 3.5 g/kg dose on the gonado somatic index in both males and females. Observation of the testicular structures of the males from the treated batches revealed alterations reflecting an inhibition of gonadal development, which justifies the low gonado somatic index values observed in these different treated batches compared with the control batches. These alterations were also observed in the ovarian tissues of the treated females both at 45 and 60 days post-treatment. However, observations of the gonadal structures of satellite males and females at 60 days post-treatment revealed partial restoration of gonadal tissue in both males and females.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves could be used as an alternative ecological method for inhibiting reproduction in Oreochromis niloticus. The results will help local producer networks to improve tilapia production.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Predictors of Weight Gain During the First Year of Antiretroviral Therapy among Adults Living With HIV in Urban Tanzania.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the survival of people living with HIV (PLHIV) but this success has been accompanied by an increase in noncommunicable diseases. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 4000 adult PLHIV who were initiating ART in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to assess weight gain during the first year of treatment and associated sociodemographic and clinical factors. Anthropometric data were collected at ART initiation and monthly follow-up visits. The mean weight gain during the first year of treatment was 2.6 ± 0.3 kg, and the prevalence of overweight or obesity increased from 26.3% at baseline to 40.7%. Female sex, greater household wealth, lower CD4-T-cell counts, higher WHO HIV disease stage, and pulmonary tuberculosis were associated with a greater increase in body mass index (P < .05). Weight gain following ART initiation was common but was greater among females and PLHIV with advanced HIV or comorbidities.

Final 192-Week Efficacy and Safety Results of the ADVANCE Trial, Comparing 3 First-line Antiretroviral Regimens.

ADVANCE compared 3 World Health Organization-recommended first-line regimens in participants with HIV who were antiretroviral naive. This randomized, open-label, noninferiority trial enrolled participants living with HIV with no antiretroviral exposure in the previous 6 months to 1 of the following arms: tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) / emtricitabine (FTC) + dolutegravir (DTG) (2 tablets), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) / FTC + DTG (2 tablets), or a fixed-dose combination of TDF / FTC / efavirenz (EFV) (1 tablet). We report the final safety and efficacy data up to 192 weeks. Repeat consent from the original 351 participants randomized to each arm was obtained from 230 participants (66%) in the TAF/FTC + DTG arm, 209 (60%) in the TDF/FTC + DTG arm, and 183 (52%) in the TDF/FTC/EFV arm. At 192 weeks, 213 (61%) of the original 351 participants in the TAF/FTC + DTG arm, 195 (56%) in the TDF/FTC + DTG arm, and 172 (49%) in the TDF/FTC/EFV arm had confirmed RNA <50 copies/mL, with low virologic failure in all groups and no significant integrase inhibitor mutations in any arm. Mean weight gain was 8.9 kg (SD, 7.1) in the TAF/FTC + DTG arm, 5.9 kg (SD, 7.1) in the TDF/FTC + DTG arm, and 3.2 kg (SD, 8.1) in the TDF/FTC/EFV arm at 192 weeks from baseline and was greatest among women, those taking TAF, and those with lower baseline CD4 counts. The weight trajectory slowed after week 96. There were few clinical events and minor laboratory changes and differences among arms after 96 weeks. There were no significant differences in treatment-emergent hypertension or pregnancy outcomes by arm. High viral suppression was seen across arms, with no resistance to DTG. Weight gain continued but slowed after 96 weeks, with few clinical events or laboratory changes.

Dietary Tryptophan Supplementation Made No Difference on the Cannibalism, Survival and Growth of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings

Heterobranchus longifilis is a popular cultured and food fish but its cannibalism greatly reduces harvest thus necessitating proactive control measures. Tryptophan is believed to raise the serotogenic activity in the brain at certain levels leading to reduced aggression and cannibalism in certain species of fish which possibilities this research tried to explore in Heterobranchus longifilis. Fingerlings (0.58 ± 0.123g mean weight and 3. 8 ± 0.52cm mean length) were stocked in 18 round plastic tanks, each 45 litres containing 40 litres of water, at 45 fish per tank. Tryptophan was incorporated at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 % in commercial Catfish feed by spraying each tryptophan - 70% alcohol solution to separate feed samples to form six different experimental feeds. The dried feeds were fed to the fish daily at 4 % body weight for 8 weeks. The experiment used a complete randomized design with 6 feed treatments and 3 replications. Water quality, growth, mortality and feed utilization data noted and at the end, their associated indices were determined and subjected to the analysis of variance for significant differences (P= 0.05). The results revealed that tryptophan supplementation at the levels used in the diets of Heterobranchus longifilis did not have any significant effects on all the parameters examined excepting mean weight gain. This was discussed in the context of growth and cannibalism.

Postnatal weight gain and retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants: a population-based retrospective cohort study

Objective Infants who meet the screening guidelines for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) based on birth weight and gestational age undergo serial ophthalmological examinations for its detection and treatment. However, <10% of patients require treatment, and less than half develop ROP. Poor postnatal weight gain has been reported to be a strong indicator of ROP development; however, the information regarding this is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between postnatal weight gain and ROP development in preterm infants. Methods The data of 675 preterm infants with gestational age ≤32 weeks, who were hospitalized in our neonatal intensive care unit, were obtained retrospectively from file records. The infants’ demographic characteristics, clinical findings, and weekly weight gain (g/kg/day) during the first 8 weeks were recorded. The univariate was used to examine the risk factors for ROP followed by multivariate regression. Results The incidence of ROP in the infants included in the study was 41% (n = 278) and 13.3% (n = 37) of them required treatment. In the infants of the group that developed ROP, the mean birth weight and gestational age were significantly lower than those in the group that did not develop ROP (973 ± 288 and 1301 ± 349 g, p = 0.001 and 28.48 ± 1.95 and 30.08 ± 1.60 weeks, p = 0.001, respectively). As the gestational week and birth weight decreased, ROP development and the risk of ROP-requiring treatment increased. In the infants of the group that developed ROP, the mean weight gain in the postnatal third week was detected as significantly lower compared to those in the group that did not develop ROP (13.9 ± 8.2 and 15.4 ± 6.8 g, p = 0.034). On multiple logistic regression analysis, birth weight (<750 g) (odds ratio [OR], 8.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.99–18.82, p = 0.001), blood transfusion (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.34–4.24, p = 0.003), necrotizing enterocolitis (OR, 4.79; 95% CI, 1.05–26.85, p = 0.045), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.22–3.36, p = 0.006), antenatal steroid therapy (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.05–2.43, p = 0.028), surfactant administration (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.32–3.2, p = 0.001) were independent risk factors for ROP development. Conclusion Postnatal weight gain may not be an accurate predictor of ROP development after adjusting for confounding factors. However, the analysis of independent risk factors that influenced the development of ROP revealed a statistically significant effect in cases of low birth weight, blood transfusion, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and antenatal steroid and surfactant therapies. These findings may help ophthalmologists and neonatologists to pay special attention to this patient group during ROP scanning.

Multimodal Sensory Stimulation among Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Newborns: A Quasi-experimental Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Agartala, Tripura, India

Introduction: There is a continuous search for an effective intervention to help preterm low birth weight neonates overcome their poor growth and developmental outcomes. Most researchers have examined the effect of Oromotor Stimulation (OMS) on feeding performance. Studies exploring Multimodal Sensory Stimulation (MSS) on various outcome parameters are sparse and reveal inconsistent results. Aim: To analyse the effectiveness of MSS in improving weight gain, length of hospitalisation, and feeding performance in preterm Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) neonates. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted between June 2021 and December 2022 in the Paediatrics Department of Agartala Government Medical College, Agartala, Tripura, India. A total of 104 hospitalised neonates with gestational age from 28 to less than 37 weeks and birth weight from 1000 to less than 1500 grams (VLBW) were included in the study. All neonates received standard care and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). On the advice of some faculties, several of them also received MSS. All neonates were divided into two groups: those who received MSS and those who did not, and they were monitored until discharge. Mean hospitalisation length, weight gain, and transition time were derived and statistically analysed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: In the present study, the mean gestational age was 32.04±1.75 and 32.679±1.19 weeks, and the M:F ratio was 1.43:1 and 1.30:1 in the MSS-given and MSS-not given groups, respectively. Mean weight gain was significantly higher in the MSS-given group (97.00±123.09 g versus- 23.42±43.96 g). Mean hospitalisation length was longer in the MSS-given group, but transition time did not differ significantly across the groups. Conclusion: Multimodal sensory stimulation is effective in promoting weight gain in preterm VLBW neonates.

Analysis of Weight Gain in Pregnant Women in the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic – Is It A Significant Problem?

Abstract Background Obesity is a multifactorial disease, difficult to treat, associated with strong social stigma. For many patients, the use of a traditional reduced‑calorie diet and physical activity is ineffective or results in only short‑term weight loss. Objectives The aim of the study was to assess changes in body weight at the time of diagnosis of pregnancy and in the 36th week of pregnancy in a group of patients in National Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw (PIM MSWiA). Material and methods 40 pregnant women under the care of a general prac‑ titioner in Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic in PIM MSWiA were included into the retrospective study. The body weight of women at the time of diagnosis of pregnancy and in the 36th week of pregnancy was analyzed. Results The average age of the analyzed women was 32.9+/‑5.05 years. For 80% of the women, it was the first pregnancy. Baseline body mass index (BMI) was 21.67+/‑2.03 kg/m². The average body weight before pregnancy was 61.7+/‑7.67 kg, and at 36 weeks of gestation, it was 73.48+/‑7.64 kg. The mean weight gain at 36 weeks of gestation was 11.97+/‑3.99 kg. Two patients who were overweight in the early stages of pregnancy gained weight of 2 and 11 kg, respectively. Only three women with normal weight before pregnancy gained more than 18 kg during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in three women, whose pre ‑pregnancy body weight was 62, 53, 67 kg and BMI was 22.23, 18.55 and 22.12 kg/m², respectively. Conclusions In primary health care in PIM MSWiA, the majority of pregnant women are of normal weight and achieve normal weight gain during pregnancy. Education in the field of proper lifestyle should be an essential element of patient care especially in primary health care.