Point Of Feeding Research Articles

Effect of temperature on the growth, feeding performance, gonadal development, and nutritive compositions in the muscle of fry stream groupers, Acrossocheilus fasciatus

AbstractTo determine the optimal temperature in rearing of fry stream groupers, Acrossocheilus fasciatus, a total of 540 fry fish with an initial body weight of (0.57 ± 0.16) g, and body length of (4.08 ± 0.40) cm were randomly distributed to 18 15‐L tanks and reared at six different temperatures (12, 16, 20, 24, 26, and 28°C) for a period of 60 days. Fish were hand‐fed to satiation under all six different temperature treatments. At the end of the experiment, almost all the growth, feeding, and gonadal development parameters were higher in the 26°C group than in the rest of the groups. As temperature increased from 12 to 26°C, the specific growth rate and feeding efficiency of fry significantly increased (p < 0.05). When temperature reached 28°C, these parameters were significantly lower than in the 26°C group (p < 0.05). The histological structure of the gonads showed that in the 26°C group, a large number of sperm cells resided in the testis in a free condition, and many yolk granules aggregated together and formed plates in the ovary. This histological information indicated that the gonadal maturity of fish in the 26°C group was higher than that of the other groups. Thus showing a turning point of growth, feeding, and gonadal development in the 26°C group. In relation to the nutritive compositions of muscle tissue, fish reared at 16°C exhibited the highest content of amino acids and fatty acids. These parameters significantly (p < 0.05) decreased as the temperature increased from 16 to 28°C. The proportion of essential amino acids (EAA/NEAA) and unsaturation of fatty acids (∑UFA/FA) did not show significant temperature influence (p > 0.05). In conclusion, increases in temperature significantly improved the growth rate, feeding performance, and gonadal development rate of fry A. fasciatus. Regression analysis based on growth and feeding performance showed that the optimal temperature of rearing fry A. fasciatus was 23.81–26.57°C.

Development of a legume-enriched feed for treatment of severe acute malnutrition.

Background: Outcomes in children hospitalised with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) remain poor. The current milk-based formulations focus on restoring weight-gain but fail to address modification of the integrity of the gut barrier and may exacerbate malabsorption owing to functional lactase, maltase and sucrase deficiency. We hypothesise that nutritional feeds should be designed to promote bacterial diversity and restore gastrointestinal (GI) barrier function. Methods: Our major objective was to develop a lactose-free, fermentable carbohydrate-containing alternative to traditional F75 and F100 formulae for the inpatient treatment of SAM. New target nutritional characteristics were developed and relevant food and infant food specific legislation were reviewed. Suitable certified suppliers of ingredients were identified. Processing and manufacture steps were evaluated and optimised for safety (nutritional, chemical and microbiological), and efficacy at meeting target characteristics (lactose-free, containing resistant starch 0.4-0.5% final product weight). Results: A final validated production process was developed and implemented to produce a novel food product for the inpatient treatment of SAM in children in Africa designed to reduce risk of osmotic diarrhoea and support symbiotic gut microbial populations. The final product matched the macronutrient profile of double-concentrated F100, adhered to all relevant legislation regulating infant foods, was lactose free, and contained 0.6% resistant starch. Chickpeas were selected as the source of resistant starch, since they are widely grown and eaten throughout Africa. Micronutrient content could not be matched in this ready-to-use product, so this was replaced at the point of feeding, as was fluid lost through concentration. Conclusions: The processes and product described illustrate the development steps for a novel nutritional product. The new feed product was ready for evaluation for safety and efficacy in a phase II clinical trial in Ugandan children admitted to hospital with SAM (Modifying Intestinal MicroBiome with Legume-Based feed 2: MIMBLE feed 2 (ISRCTN10309022)).

SULTAN II. MURAD’IN KÖPRÜBAŞINDAKİ HAYRÂTI: ERGENE İMARETİ (XV. YÜZYILIN İKİNCİ YARISINDA EVKÂFI VE İDARESİ)

Ergene Bridge was put into service in 1443. The imaret which was endowed by Sultan Murad II in 1447, was built in the center of Ergene town, that was established on the southeast end of the bridge. The bridge and the imaret provided the establishment and growth of the new town. In particular, the imaret complex provided the construction of important social, religious and economic charities and real estates that generates income in the center of the town, meeting the needs of the local population and quests. The foundation established by the sultan for the imaret, became a financial power in the realization of the services of the charities and the continuation of the activities of the real estates that generates income. The employes, who are the most important elements of the foundation and payment of the their salaries, the care of charities and real estates that generates rental income and the fulfillment of the needs of the needy living in the town have been thanks to the foundation revenues. In this point, the revenues, from the taxes and agricultural products of the villages subject to Ergene and Malkara to the foundation had a higher share than the foundation's revenue real estates that generates income in Edirne and Ergene. We will evaluate and try to explain the services of the imaret at the point of feeding and sheltering people, its effect on social welfare activities, the problems experienced accounting of the foundation, and the approach of the foundation governance to administrative issues in this research.

Development of a legume-enriched feed for treatment of severe acute malnutrition.

Background: Outcomes in children hospitalised with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) remain poor. The current milk-based formulations focus on restoring weight-gain but fail to address modification of the integrity of the gut barrier and may exacerbate malabsorption owing to functional lactase, maltase and sucrase deficiency. We hypothesise that nutritional feeds should be designed to promote bacterial diversity and restore gastrointestinal (GI) barrier function. Methods: Our major objective was to develop a lactose-free, fermentable carbohydrate-containing alternative to traditional F75 and F100 formulae for the inpatient treatment of SAM. New target nutritional characteristics were developed and relevant food and infant food specific legislation were reviewed. Suitable certified suppliers of ingredients were identified. Processing and manufacture steps were evaluated and optimised for safety (nutritional, chemical and microbiological), and efficacy at meeting target characteristics (lactose-free, containing resistant starch 0.4-0.5% final product weight). Results: A final validated production process was developed and implemented to produce a novel food product for the inpatient treatment of SAM in children in Africa designed to reduce risk of osmotic diarrhoea and support symbiotic gut microbial populations. The final product matched the macronutrient profile of double-concentrated F100, adhered to all relevant legislation regulating infant foods, was lactose free, and contained 0.6% resistant starch. Chickpeas were selected as the source of resistant starch, since they are widely grown and eaten throughout Africa. Micronutrient content could not be matched in this ready-to-use product, so this was replaced at the point of feeding, as was fluid lost through concentration. Conclusions: The processes and product described illustrate the development steps for a novel nutritional product. The new feed product was ready for evaluation for safety and efficacy in a phase II clinical trial in Ugandan children admitted to hospital with SAM (Modifying Intestinal MicroBiome with Legume-Based feed 2: MIMBLE feed 2 (ISRCTN10309022)).

Heatsinks as quasi-antennas and frog forming: frequency and feeding point effect

High-speed switching capabilities of modern ICs cause generating more heat, and it must be ejected via metallic heat-sinks behaving as an antenna at certain frequencies. Having different radiation patterns(RP) at different frequencies may cause a malfunction on nearby electronics placed on the other part of PCB. In this study, 50W equivalent heat-sink is investigated at 2-8 GHz in terms of feeding point. RP measurements and simulation results at four different feeding points are discussed, and it is observed that point of feeding is the pre-dominant factor of RP. As expected, the feeding of the heat-sinks from the center is to be preferred for lower frequencies, but it causes critical emission/interference problems at higher frequencies. As the frequency increases, it metamorphoses like a frog forming. While it behaves as an omnidirectional antenna having gain at 2GHz, RP turns to one that includes 6 beams with 30-degree beam-widths and gain.

Fed-batch enzymatic hydrolysis of alkaline organosolv-pretreated corn stover facilitating high concentrations and yields of fermentable sugars for microbial lipid production

BackgroundLignocellulosic biomass has been commonly regarded as a potential feedstock for the production of biofuels and biochemicals. High sugar yields and the complete bioconversion of all the lignocellulosic sugars into valuable products are attractive for the utilization of lignocelluloses. It is essential to pretreat and hydrolyze lignocelluloses at high solids loadings during industrial processes, which is more economical and environmentally friendly as capital cost, energy consumption, and water usage can be reduced. However, oligosaccharides are inevitably released during the high solids loading enzymatic hydrolysis and they are more recalcitrant than monosaccharides for microorganisms.ResultsA fed-batch enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover pretreated by the sodium hydroxide–methanol solution (SMs) at high solids loading was demonstrated to reach the high concentrations and yields of fermentable sugars. Glucose, xylose, cello-oligosaccharides, and xylo-oligosaccharides achieved 146.7 g/L, 58.7 g/L, 15.6 g/L, and 24.7 g/L, respectively, when the fed-batch hydrolysis was started at 12% (w/v) solids loading, and 7% fresh substrate and a standardized blend of cellulase, β-glucosidase, and hemicellulase were fed consecutively at 3, 6, 24, and 48 h to achieve a final solids loading of 40% (w/v). The total conversion of glucan and xylan reached 89.5% and 88.5%, respectively, when the oligosaccharides were taken into account. Then, a fed-batch culture on the hydrolysates was investigated for lipid production by Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosum. Biomass, lipid content, and lipid yield were 50.7 g/L, 61.7%, and 0.18 g/g, respectively. The overall consumptions of cello-oligosaccharides and xylo-oligosaccharides reached 74.1% and 68.2%, respectively.ConclusionsHigh sugars concentrations and yields were achieved when the enzyme blend was supplemented simultaneously with the substrate at each time point of feeding during the fed-batch enzymatic hydrolysis. Oligosaccharides were co-utilized with monosaccharides during the fed-batch culture of C. oleaginosum. These results provide a promising strategy to hydrolyze alkaline organosolv-pretreated corn stover into fermentable sugars with high concentrations and yields for microbial lipid production.

Importance of Behavioral Aspects and Its Implications on Physiological Status, Relationships and Production of Dairy Animals

In the milk producing industry, most of the behavioural aspects of mother-offspring bond, relationships with the stockperson, impact of shifting of cows during lactation stage are discouraged although milk production is sustained with the demand but the behaviour of animals has been shown to play a central role indicating the low production rate and welfare issues from the point of feeding to formation of bond with its calf as well as stockperson. Dairy animals are highly socialized animals to engage in many complex interactions to communicate for dominance, subordination and bonding within the group to form linear social hierarchical structure in a herd. Feeding behavior is influenced by feed bunk, position of body; age/stage of animals, feeding interval and displacement of feed by high and low rank animals which has significant effect on DMI and milk production. Temperament is one of the important factors of milking behaviour in dairy animals which affects the milk yield of a herd. Sudden or excessive shifting of animals between groups or herds significantly lowers the production rate in a herd by increasing the physiological biomarkers. Good maternal behaviour is the key feature of production system which enhances the suckling instinct, fastened let down time of milk; maintain the lactation yield through lowering the stress and strong maternal-offspring bond. The stockpersonÂ’s attitudes always have an effect on the welfare of the animals by improving the handling and positive attitudes. Comfort around resting for welfare of animals can be achieved by monitoring the animalÂ’s behaviour in all aspects of rearing system and management to get the profitable and sustainable livestock production.

Effect of agitation time on nutrient distribution in full-scale CSTR biogas digesters

The aim of this work was to study the impact of reduced mixing time in a full-scale CSTR biogas reactor from 10 to 5 and to 2min in half an hour on the distribution of DM, acetic acid and FOS/TAC as a measure to cut electricity consumption. The parameters in the digestate were unevenly distributed with the highest concentration measured at the point of feeding. By reducing mixing time, the FOS/TAC value increases by 16.6%. A reduced mixing time of 2min lead to an accumulation of 15% biogas in the digestate.

Integrating Characterization of Smallholders’ Feeding Practices with On-Farm Feeding Trials to Improve Utilization of Crop Residues on Smallholder Farms

This study characterized wheat straw feeding practices in smallholder farms using cross sectional survey and the results informed the design of an experiment to improve the nutritive value of wheat straw with urea and yeast culture treatment. Three diets tested in 49 days’ feeding trial were farmers’ rainy season feeding practice (FP), addition of urea to wheat straw at the time of feeding (USWS), and 14 days’ incubation of straw with urea (UTWS). Yeast culture (15 g/day) was mixed with commercial dairy meal at the point of feeding. Survey data identified farmers’ strategies in utilizing crop residues of which most important were improving storage facility (77.6%), adding molasses (54.5%), and buying a shredding machine (45.1%). On-farm feeding trial showed that intake was higher for UTWS than (p<0.05) for USWS while milk yield was higher with FP than (p<0.005) with UTWS or USWS but not different (p≥0.05) between UTWS and USWS. Results imply that farmers feeding practices of crop residues may be improved for dairy cows’ feeding and therefore UTWS could be used to support maintenance and milk production during dry season. Improving farmers feed storage facilities and training on incubation of wheat straw for dairy cattle feeding were recommended.

Transmasculine individuals' experiences with lactation, chestfeeding, and gender identity: a qualitative study.

BackgroundTransmasculine individuals are people who were assigned as female at birth, but identify on the male side of the gender spectrum. They might choose to use and engage their bodies to be pregnant, birth a baby, and chestfeed. This study asked an open research question, “What are the experiences of transmasculine individuals with pregnancy, birthing, and feeding their newborns?”MethodsParticipants who self-identified as transmasculine and had experienced or were experiencing pregnancy, birth, and infant feeding were recruited through the internet and interviewed. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. We used interpretive description methodology to analyze the data. Our analysis was guided by our awareness of concepts and history important to the transgender community.ResultsOut of 22 participants, 16 chose to chestfeed for some period of time, four participants did not attempt chestfeeding, and two had not reached the point of infant feeding (i.e., were still pregnant or had a miscarriage). Nine of the 22 study participants had chest masculinization surgery before conceiving their babies. Six participants had the surgery after their children were born, five desired the surgery in the future, and two did not want it at all.Chest care, lactation, and chestfeeding in the context of being a transgender person are reported in this paper. The participants’ experiences of gender dysphoria, chest masculinization surgery before pregnancy or after weaning, accessing lactation care as a transmasculine person, and the question of restarting testosterone emerged as data. We present the participants’ experiences in a chronological pattern with the categories of before pregnancy, pregnancy, postpartum (6 weeks post birth), and later stage (beyond 6 weeks).ConclusionsThe majority of participants chose to chestfeed while some did not due to physical or mental health reasons. Care providers should communicate an understanding of gender dysphoria and transgender identities in order to build patient trust and provide competent care. Further, health care providers need to be knowledgeable about lactation and chest care following chest masculinization surgery and during binding, regardless of the chosen feeding method and through all stages: before pregnancy, during pregnancy, postpartum, and afterward.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-016-0907-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Effects of Early Oral Feeding Within 48hrs After Living Donor Liver Transplantation: The Retrospective Review of 117 Cases.

BACKGROUND The importance of nutritional support in posttransplant patients is known and the advantages of oral feeding over parenteral feeding has been accepted widely, therefore the need of starting for oral feeding in early postoperative period has emerged. However, there are few studies about the difference of surgical outcomes according to the starting point of oral feeding. METHODS We enrolled 117 cases that underwent living donor liver transplantation since 2008 and divided them into two groups according to the starting point of oral feeding after surgery (within 48hrs vs. after 72hrs), and reviewed surgical outcomes and perioperative morbidities retrospectively. RESULTS In this study, 50 patients had early oral feeding (mean time 22.9 h) and 67 had late oral feeding (mean time 82.3 h). Both groups were comparable in terms of demographics and operative details. Our results showed shorter hospital stay of ICU (4.9 vs. 6.8 day, p=0.00) and lower incidence of postoperative medical complications (20.0 vs. 52.2%, p=0.00) in the early feeding group than the late feeding group. Median survival time was 23.3±14.1 months in the early feeding group and there was no statistical difference in 1-, 3-, and 5-year survivals between two groups. CONCLUSIONS The early oral feeding within 48hrs was associated with early postoperative recovery and reduced postoperative morbidities though it had no influence on survival rates. Therefore this retrospective study supports that the starting of early oral feeding within 48hrs should be considered in liver transplantation patients.

Centrifuge Number Optimization of a Cascade with One or Several Types of Steps

The particulars of the calculation of the optimal parameters of a cascade with prescribed types of steps and total number of centrifuges are examined. Maximization of the separation power of the cascade is proposed as an optimization criterion. A numerical-analytical method is developed for calculating the optimal flows of the steps with the chosen number and point of feeding and a prescribed centrifuge distribution in the cascade. Examples showing the effectiveness of the new method and the properties of optimal cascades comprised of one and several types of steps are presented. A cascade separating a binary mixture of isotopes can be optimized by the method of [1], which uses the criterion of minimum total feed flow of the steps and is intended for design calculations of a cascade with prescribe external parameters. It is characterized by constant separation coefficients of the steps and the same feed flows in the separative elements. This approach is approximate from the standpoint of a cascade of gas centrifuges. In the design process, it can be optimized taking account of the dependence of the separation coefficient of the steps on the feed flow and the separation coefficient of the flow and using the criterion of minimum total number of centrifuges [2]. The optimization of a centrifuge cascade during operation is different from design optimization. Specifically, the total number of centrifuges is prescribed and other cascade efficiency criteria must be used. In addition, in contrast to a design calculation a change in the number of steps and number of centrifuges in the steps is limited by the equipment arrangement. In cases of practical importance, these changes reduce to an examination of several possible types of steps according to the number of centrifuges. The aim of the present work was to develop a method for optimizing an ordinary (three-flow) cascade with prescribed types of steps and total number of centrifuges. Maximization of the separation power of the cascade is examined as an optimization criterion. A numerical-analytical method is proposed for calculating the optimal flows of step with a prescribed number and point of feeding and prescribed distribution of centrifuges over the cascade. The properties of the optimal cascade comprised of one or several types of steps are shown in examples. Basic Computational Relations. A symmetric arrangement of an ordinary cascade of gas centrifuges for separating binary mixtures of isotopes is presented in Fig. 1. The following notation is used: n ‐ the number of steps in the cascade, ƒ ‐ the number of feed flows in the cascade; F, P, W ‐ feed, product, and waste flows of the cascade, respectively; C F , C P , and C W ‐ concentration (mass fraction) of the light component in the feed, product, and wastes flows of the cascade, respectively. The external parameters of the cascade, including the flows F, P, and W and concentrations C F , C P , and C W are related by the balance equations for matter and the light isotope

太平洋鳕仔鱼饥饿实验及不可逆生长点的确定

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 太平洋鳕仔鱼饥饿实验及不可逆生长点的确定 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201211301715 作者: 作者单位: 大连海洋大学/农业部北方海水增养殖重点实验室,大连海洋大学/农业部北方海水增养殖重点实验室,大连海洋大学/农业部北方海水增养殖重点实验室,大连海洋大学/农业部北方海水增养殖重点实验室,大连海洋大学/农业部北方海水增养殖重点实验室 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家863计划项目（2012AA10A413） Experimental starvation on Gadus macrocephalus and definition of the point of no return Author: Affiliation: Dalian Ocean University/Key Laboratory of North Mariculture,Ministry of Agriculture,Dalian Ocean University/Key Laboratory of North Mariculture,Ministry of Agriculture,Dalian Ocean University/Key Laboratory of North Mariculture,Ministry of Agriculture,Dalian Ocean University/Key Laboratory of North Mariculture,Ministry of Agriculture, Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:通过研究饥饿胁迫对太平洋鳕仔鱼生长、形态和行为的影响，确定太平洋鳕仔鱼最佳投饵时间及不可逆点，以期为太平洋鳕人工育苗提供科学参考。实验设饥饿组和摄食组进行研究。结果表明，在水温10.0-11.0℃时，太平洋鳕仔鱼在孵化后第5天开始摄食，此时卵黄囊容量约从初孵时的0.2402mm3降至0.0062mm3，卵黄囊体积随仔鱼生长逐渐变小。从第8日龄开始，饥饿仔鱼的全长、体长、肛前长、体高等指标与摄食组差异极显著（P < 0.01），多项生长指标出现负增长，饥饿组与摄食组仔鱼开鳔率及鳔体积差异明显，表明饥饿对仔鱼生长发育起延迟作用。太平洋鳕仔鱼初次摄食率为30%，第7天初次摄食率达90%，仅保持1d。太平洋鳕仔鱼的耐饥饿能力较差，PNR为9日龄。最佳投饵时间为5-7日龄。 Abstract:The effects of starvation on growth, morphology and behavior of Pacific cod, Gadus macrocephalus larvae were studied to determine the optimal time point of feeding and the point of no return (PNR). The results showed that the larvae starts to eat on 5-day post hatching (dph) under the water temperature 10.0℃ to 11.0℃, and the volume of yolk sac decreased from 0.2402mm3to 0.0062 mm3 during this period. Compared to the feeding group, the total length, eye diameter, body length, length before anus and body depth of the starvation group showed negative growth after 8dph.Meanwhile, the inflation rate of swim bladder and the volume of swim bladder dropped significantly in the starvation group, which indicated that starvation would lead to delay of larvae development. The initial feeding rate was 30%, and up to 90% on 7dph, holding only one day. It was concluded that the PNR was on 9dph, the optimal feeding time was around 5 to 7dph, and the resistance ability of hunger was poor in the Pacific cod larvae. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Patients need patience

I recently had a hip replacement. ‘So what?’ you probably think, ‘I'll worry about that when I get to your advanced age.’ The reason I write about it is not in search of sympathy, but to inform you what it is like being a hospital patient, in the hope that we can learn from my story how to make things better for our patients and their families. I was in a lovely hospital with which I can find almost no faults. The hospital operates an antidiscrimination policy on hot beverages. It is impossible to discriminate their tea from their coffee on the grounds of colour, smell or taste. That aside, the food was edible and the staff delightful. Everyone tried their best to be kind and thoughtful. We teach medical students about the power differential between doctor and patient, but it is both illuminating and sobering to experience a hospital from the patient's viewpoint. When you become a patient you can easily lose your identity, your dignity and hence your self-esteem. The clothes that define you are taken away and you are put in a hospital gown that can only be politely viewed from the front. You are not allowed to walk to the X-ray or physiotherapy departments, but are wheeled in a chair like an invalid. Staff members who take a moment to chat, almost regardless of the topic, brighten a long day immeasurably. As a patient, you are reluctant to initiate such exchanges because the staff must be busy. The issue is being generous with scarce time and being interested enough in fellow human beings to help them feel more human. Even in the friendliest place, there are frustrations. A wardsman arrives unexpectedly to take you to X-ray. You sit for an hour, bored to bits in the X-ray department before you have your X-ray, and then for another half hour waiting for the wardsman to return (although you could walk to the ward in 2 min). You wish you had thought to bring the novel you were so enjoying, but didn't remember because you were flustered. Forewarned would have been forearmed, but whose job was it to warn you about a pending X-ray? And why would anyone warn you? A hospital patient's time is less valuable by far than the time of a radiographer or a wardsman. Two simple acts of kindness stood out. One male nurse, seeing how uncomfortable I was, positioned a ‘monkey bar’ hoist above my bed, which transformed my nights from miserable discomfort to being able to change my own position. I was back in control of my own comfort. A physiotherapist took the time to talk about recuperation and, when she found out I have a backyard pool, advised me that swimming using flippers was excellent physiotherapy to strengthen muscles. This revolutionised my recovery and improved my mood dramatically. Neither was aware of the power of their action, although I made a point of feeding back to them how grateful I was. Thoughtfulness and humanity are so important. When I left the hospital, it felt like being out on parole, as I escaped after 5 days of air-conditioned sterility. The lessons I will try to put into practice are to be more generous with my time, to take more interest in people and to keep patients and their families as fully informed as possible about simple day-to-day procedures. We all feel pressed for time, but time is the currency of humanity, and demonstrating humanity is a powerful way to help patients and relatives preserve their dignity and their sense of worth. The Children's Hospital at Westmead.

Modulation of rat hepatic and kidney phase II enzymes by cabbage juices: comparison with the effects of indole-3-carbinol and phenethyl isothiocyanate

The effect of raw cabbage and sauerkraut juices on the expression and activity of phase II enzymes, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), in the rat liver and kidney was compared with that of two commercially available products of glucosinolate degradation: indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC). Male Wistar rats were treated by oral administration with cabbage juices, I3C or PEITC for 4, 10 and 30 d. The results showed that juices, particularly sauerkraut juice as with I3C and PEITC, significantly increased GST and NQO1 activities in the rat liver. The only exception was the 30 d time point of feeding with raw cabbage juice. Cabbage juices, I3C and PEITC affected the hepatic GST μ to the greatest extent and GST α to a lesser extent. The results of the present study also showed that the treatment of rats with juices and compounds tested caused the translocation of the NF-E2-related transcription factor (Nrf2) active subunit from the cytosol to the nucleus, providing an argument for the involvement of this transcription factor in the induction of GST and NQO1. In contrast to the liver, cabbage juices affected only the renal GST θ, while treatment with I3C and PEITC significantly increased the activity of NQO1. Thus, the results of the present study indicate that induction of the key detoxifying enzymes by cabbage juices, particularly sauerkraut, may be responsible for their chemopreventive activity demonstrated by epidemiological studies and in animal models. However, the final effects might be organ or tissue dependent.

Hyperlipidemia Could Activate Platelet and Induce the Production of Plasma Inflammatory Factors in Rabbits, Which Lead to Atherosclerosis

Background: It had been proved by epidemiology and clinical trials that hypercholesterolemia (HC) and atherosclerosis (AS) had close relations. Lipid could take part in many pathological processes of the AS. Platelets played an important role in this process as an inflammatory mediator. We Chose Platelet aggregation maximum (PAG(M)) and plasma P-selectin as the index of platelet activation, try to explore the transfer of platelet activation and lymphocyte inflammatory reaction in atherosclerosis.Design: We set up the rabbit hyperlipidemia atherosclerosis model through 12 weeks' hyper lipid feeding. PAG(M), concentrations of plasma P-selectin, Interleukin (IL)- 6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and mRNA expression of these factors in the lymphocyte were measured at 0 week, 6th week and 12th week time point.Results: At the 6th week time point of the hyper lipid feeding, the rabbit had elevated PAG(M) (68.12%±4.73% vs. 62.67%±3.13%; P=0.002, n=20). The PAG(M) was maintained in the high level at 12th week time point (68.83%±3.35% vs. 62.67%±3.13%; P=0.001, n=20). At the 6th week time point of the hyper lipid feeding, the rabbit had elevated plasma P-selectin, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α (6th week vs. 0 week, n=20, P-selectin P=0.005, IL-6 P=0.000, IL-1β P=0.001, TNF-α P=0.001). The expressions of IL-6/mRNA, IL-1β/mRNA and TNF-α/mRNA in lymphocytes were elevated too (6th week vs. 0 week, n=20, IL-6/mRNA P=0.000, IL-1β/mRNA P=0.002, TNF-α/mRNA P=0.000). At the 12th week time point, all of the parameters were maintained in the high level, while there had no significant difference between 12th week time point and 6th week time point.Conclusion: Hyperlipidemia could activate platelet. Increased PAG(M) and plasma P-selectin represented the platelet activation. Hyperlipidemia could induce the production of plasma IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α. The increased plasma IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α were partly from the lymphocyte secretion because The IL-1β/mRNA, IL-6/mRNA and TNF-α/mRNA expression of lymphocyte elevated. So in rabbit hyperlipidemia atherosclerosis model, platelet activation and inflammatory factors increasing was the main mechanism, while the lymphocyte took part in the inflammatory process.

Invasion of the Carribean by the hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green [Homoptera : Pseudococcidae

Since its accidental introduction into the island of Grenada in 1994, Maconellicoccus hirsutus [Homoptera : Pseudococcidae], commonly named the Hibiscus or Pink Mealybug (HMB), has been inexorably spreading through the Caribbean islands where it has become a major pest on several crops in 24 Caribbean Islands. This pest was also reported in Guyana threatening South and Central America. M. hirsutus is a very prolific pest that injects a toxin at the point of feeding, causing severe distortion of leaves, new shoots and fruit. Initial use of physical and chemical control methods were ineffective. In addition, because of its wide host range and its rapid geographie expansion, not only to agricultural land but also to home gardens and forest areas, biological control appeared as the most suitable method to manage the HMB populations. Three natural enemies were selected for this biocontrol effort: the predatory beetles Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant and Scymnuscoccivora Ramkrisna [Coleoptera : Coccinellidae] and the parasitoid Anagyruskamali Moursi [Hymenoptera : Encyrtidae]. A. kamali and C. montrouzieri were highly effective in bringing HMB populations under control. In newly infested countries, early introduction of biological control agents resulted in effective management of the pest. This experience provided a model for future management of other alien invasive pest species in the region.

Different means of administering polyethylene glycol to sheep: effect on the nutritive value of Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. foliage

AbstractPolyethylene glycol-4000 (PEG) was used to inactivate tannins in Acacia cyanophylla Lindl foliage. In the first of two experiments, four groups of five Barbarine sheep were held in metabolism crates so that intakes, apparent digestibilities, nitrogen balances and urinary excretion of allantoin could be measured. The second experiment involved four groups of three male Queue Fine de l'Ouest sheep fitted with rumen cannulae and housed in individual pens to measure rumen fermentation parameters and dry matter in situ degradation of A. cyanophylla foliage. All animals received fresh A. cyanophylla foliage ad libitum and 330 g concentrate on a daily basis. In each experiment, three groups of sheep received 20 g PEG daily, either mixed with concentrate (PEG-concentrate), dissolved in drinking water (PEG-water) or sprayed as a solution on A. cyanophylla foliage at the point of feeding (PEG-treatment). The fourth group was not supplied with PEG (control). Dry-matter intake of A. cyanophylla was low (28·3 g/kg metabolic live weight (M0·75) per day) and increased in sheep given the PEG-concentrate diet (38·2 g/kg M0·75 per day). PEG-concentrate and PEG-water diets resulted in an improvement in protein utilization as indicated by an increase of crude protein apparent digestibility (2·1 and 1·9 fold, respectively), nitrogen retention (3·2 fold with both dietary treatments) and urinary excretion of allantoin (1·9 and 1·5 fold, respectively). Improvements obtained with PEG-treatment diet were low and in general not significant (P &gt; 0·05). Low neutral-detergent fibre and acid-detergent fibre apparent digestibility coefficients of diets led to the conclusion that conventional detergent extraction techniques are questionable in determining the in vivo digestibility of cell wall constituents for tannin-rich forages. Results from rumen fluid analyses indicated that sheep given PEG-containing diets had higher ammonia-nitrogen and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations (P &lt; 0·05). These results, coupled with the increase of allantoin excretion gave clear evidence that the efficiency of microbial synthesis was improved with PEG addition. The absence of change in ruminal pH and molar proportions of individual VF A suggested similar fermentation patterns among all dietary treatments. PEG supply increased the slowly degradable fraction of A. cyanophylla foliage incubated in the rumen (P &lt; 0·05), thus dry matter potential degradability (a + b) was highest in sheep given PEG-containing diets. It is concluded that the affinity of acacia tannins to PEG, increased the availability of degradable proteins, which resulted in an improvement of the nutritive value of acacia foliage. However, for practical situations, adding PEG to concentrate or to drinking water is recommended for sheep browsing A. cyanophylla trees in the field or fed indoors.

Predominant periportal expression of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene in liver of fed and fasted mice, hamsters and rats studied by in situ hybridization

Zonal expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) mRNA in mouse, hamster and rat liver was studied by in situ hybridization with a radiolabelled rat antisense RNA probe. The abundance of PCK mRNA was determined by Northern blot analysis of total RNA with a digoxigenin-labelled probe. Livers were taken from animals that were sacrificed during the normal day/night cycle and after 29 h fasting. In situ hybridization revealed a heterogeneous distribution pattern of PCK mRNA in the liver of all three species throughout the whole day/night cycle. At the end of the dark period, i.e. at the end of feeding, with rats and mice but at a point of continuous feeding with hamsters, low amounts of PCK mRNA were restricted mainly to the periportal area. At the end of the light period, i.e. at the end of fasting with rats and mice but at a point of continuous feeding with hamsters, PCK mRNA levels were increased to a maximum and extended from the periportal to the intermediate zone. In mouse liver prolonged fasting caused a significant increase in PCK mRNA abundance with a nearly homogeneous distribution within the parenchyma. In hamster and rat liver, however, PCK mRNA levels slightly declined or remained constant, respectively, and the predominant localization of PCK mRNA in the periportal and intermediate zone was preserved. The present data suggest that the heterogeneous zonal activation of the PCK gene was essentially very similar in mouse, hamster and rat liver.

The Effects of Feeding Silage and Sugar Beetpulp, Separately or Ensiled, to Twin Bearing Ewes, on Ewe and Lamb Performance

Incorparating dry feed materials such as molassed sugar beet pulp with grass at ensiling has been shown to reduce effluent production (Jones et al. 1990) and improve silage fermentation (Offer and Al-Rwidah,1989). Jones and Jones (1988) observed higher liveweight gains in beef steers fed silage produced by ensiling grass with molassed sugarbeet pulp compared to animals fed the same quantity of beet pulp, mixed with silage produced from untreated grass, at the point of feeding. Ferris and Mayne (1990) observed that milk output per unit of grass ensiled was similar for cows offered diets in which a given quantity of sugar beet pulp was either included with grass at eniling or offered as a supplement with untreated grass silage.The objective of the present study was to examine the possible use of molassed sugar beet pulp fed either separately or ensiled with grass at the time of silage making on ewe and lamb performance.