Poor Growth Response Research Articles

Adaptation and Growth Performance Evaluation of Selected Multipurpose Trees and Shrubs at Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

europea, and Calliandra calothyrsus, at Yabello Agriculture Research Center to evaluate their adaptability and growth performance. The experiment was arranged in RCBD with three replications. The growth parameters, namely, survival rate, plant height, diameter at breast height, and root collar diameters, were measured and recorded each year. Results revealed that the variations among tree species in survival rate were highly significant (p<0.001) after four years of age. This could be due to environmental factors and/or the genetic potential of the species, which generally govern the growth of a given species. Among the species tested, Moringa oleifera and Olea europea showed the highest performance in terms of survival rate. Olea europea and Moringa oleifera showed the highest survival rates, with 83.33% and 77.78%, respectively. On the other hand, Calliandra calothyrsus showed the lowest survival rate (22.22%). Thus, the long dry season, which extended for the last four years in the study area, clearly explains the poor survival and growth response of the species. Hence, it can be inferred that the conditions in Yabello match the environmental requirements of Moringa oleifera and Olea europea. Therefore, the species offers much promise for future use in agroforestry practices in the area. Thus, the study advocates for the proper allocation of adapted species in Yabello conditions and related agroecology for agroforestry practices, forest plantations, and economic benefits for stakeholders

THU169 Role Of Growth Hormone (GH) Therapy In Short Children With Skeletal Dysplasias And Pathogenic Variants In The COL2A1 Gene

Abstract Disclosure: L.D. Cellin: None. K.G. Guimaraes: None. N.L. Menezes De Andrade: None. G.A. Vasques: None. E.D. Goiano: None. M. Akkari: None. C. Santili: None. A.A. Jorge: None. A.C. Malaquias: None. Introduction: COL2A1 is the primary collagen synthesized by chondrocytes and plays a critical structural role in regulating cell growth, differentiation, and migration. Mutations in the COL2A1 gene may cause heterogeneous phenotypes ranging from skeletal dysplasia to nonsyndromic short stature. Clinical characteristics in COL2A1-related disorders are abnormalities in the ocular, skeletal, oro-facial, and audiological systems. Unfortunately, data were scarce about GH treatment in short children with pathogenic variants in COL2A1.Objective: To evaluate recombinant growth hormone (GH) treatment in short children carrying mutations in the COL2A1 gene. Methods: Retrospectively, we selected 8 prepubertal patients with short stature and pathogenic variants in the COL2A1 gene who were treated with GH (mean dose of 45.8 ± 7.9 µg/kg/d at the start). The primary outcomes were changes in height SDS and growth velocity in the 1st year and at the end of treatment. Results: Five patients were male; 3 were disproportionate, and 5 showed skeletal dysplasia signs. Two had familial short stature. At the start of the treatment, the mean calendar age was 8.1 ± 3.9 yr, and bone age was 6.9 ± 4.2 yr. The mean height SDS was -4.0 ± 0.9 for the CDC reference. In the 1st year of therapy, the growth velocity (GV) increased from baseline values of 5.2 ± 1.9 cm/yr to 7.4 ± 1.4cm/yr, an increment of 2.2 ± 2.2cm (p=0.02). GV SDS increased from -1.2 ± 1.5 to 1.2 ± 1.8 in the whole cohort during the 1st year of treatment (p=0.02). Height SDS showed a modest improvement after one year of therapy (from -4.0 ± 0.9 to -3.5 ± 0.9; p=0.005). To improve adult height, we treated two patients with GnRH analogs associated with GH. After a mean duration of therapy of 5.5 ± 2.5 years, 5 patients ended the treatment with rhGH (one prematurely stopped therapy due to poor growth response). No increment was observed in height SDS at the end of treatment (from -3.8 ± 0.9 to -3.4 ± 1.3; p=0.2). Four patients achieved adult height after 6.4 ± 1.7 years of therapy (height SDS ranging from -3.4 ± 0.4 to -2.9 ± 0.8; p=0.08). The mean gain in adult height SDS was 0.5 ± 0.4 (ranging from zero to 0,97). Conclusions: Our patients with COL2A1-associated disorders showed no response to GH therapy to improve adult height as a group. However, we need more studies to determine which patient will benefit from this treatment once there is considerable phenotype heterogeneity. GnRH analogs may help to improve adult height in association with GH. Also, alternative therapies might be evaluated to treat short children with these disorders. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

Dietary brewer's spent yeast enhances growth, hematological parameters, and innate immune responses at reducing fishmeal concentration in the diet of climbing perch, Anabas testudineus fingerlings.

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to optimally reduce the fishmeal level in climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) fingerling diet using a dietary brewer’s spent yeast biomass (BSY) based diet. In this study, five isonitrogenous (35% CP) and isocaloric (19.15 MJ/Kg) feeds were prepared by replacing 0 (BSY0), 25% (BSY25), 50% (BSY50), 75% (BSY75) and 100% (BSY100) of fishmeal protein using BSY protein. A total of 225 numbers of uniform-sized climbing perch fingerlings (3.29 ± 0.09 g) were randomly stocked in the 15 rectangular FRP (Fiber-reinforced plastic) tanks (150 L capacity). The experimental fish were fed twice daily at 4% BW for the first fortnight and later reduced to 3% BW based on satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, the weight gain (WG) of fish increased with the increasing BSY incorporation rates corresponding to fishmeal content and peaked at 77.88%, and beyond that, WG decreased. Food conversion ratios decreased as dietary BSY levels increased and peaked at 76.28%. All other growth and feed utilization parameters followed a similar trend of weight gain. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) and viscerosomatic index (VSI), A:G ratio, serum catalase activity, and monocytes were unaffected and the total serum protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), respiratory burst activity, lysozyme levels, myeloperoxidase activity, hemoglobulin, red blood cells, white blood cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and gut protease activities were increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the increasing replacement levels and peaked between 25 and 75%. The serum SOD activity and total platelets were decreased, whereas the serum uric acid and gut amylase activities were increased significantly to the increasing levels of FM replacement in the diets (P < 0.05). Among treatments, the BSY100 resulted in an overall poor growth response combined with relatively reduced values in nearly all biochemical parameters. The whole-body composition was nearly unaffected. The integrated biomarker response of various biochemical indicators from the different treatments has shown that the 50% fishmeal protein can be optimally replaced by BSY, which would cause an 18% reduction in the Economic conversion ratio (ECR) and −270.28 gCO2e– reduction in carbon footprint value per kg of climbing perch fingerlings production.

Adaptation trail of selected Multipurpose Tree Species under Babille Condition East Hararghe Zone oromia, Ethiopia

Among several multipurpose tree species in the eastern parts of Ethiopia, Sesbania sesban, Moringa oliefera, Gravilea robusta, Cordia africna, Azadarichta indica and Leuceana leucocephala are common. However, their adaptability and growth performance of this tree species has not scientifically trailed in the study area. Therefore, the study was conducted to evaluate the adaptability of multipurpose tree species at Babille District, Oromia, Ethiopia, for three years (June 2016 - June 2019). The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications. Data on the growth parameters; diameter, plant height and survival rate were measured and recorded at interval of three months. Results revealed that there were highly significant (p &lt;0.05) variations among tree species in height growth, RCD, DBH and survival rate at the study area. Among the species tasted, M. oliefera showed the highest performance followed by A. indica, S. sesban and L. leucocephala in terms of height growth, RCD and DBH at Babille condition. after three years of establishment, M. oliefera, A. indica, S. sesban and L. leucocephala showed the highest mean survival rate at the study area. Hence it can be inferred that the conditions of Babille district matched with the environmental requirement of those tree species. On the other hand, species of G. robusta showed lowest performance at the study area. Thus, the long dry season, which extended from eight to ten months in the study area, clearly explains the poor survival and growth response in some of the species. Generally, the study under Babille condition and related agro-ecology, we advocate these adapted species and properly allocate species into the site that grow and adapt well for further agroforestry practices at wider scale on which success of agroforestry practices and forest plantations depend.

Adaptation and Growth Performance Evaluation of Agroforestry Tree Species in Babille District, East Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Study was under taken on five agroforestry tree species: Moringa oliefera, Gravilea robusta, Azadarichta indica, Leuceana leucocephala and Cordia africana at Fedis Agricultural Research Center to evaluate their adaptability and growth performance. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications. The growth parameters; diameter, plant height and survival rate were measured and recorded at interval of three months. Results revealed that there were selected agroforestry tree species had no problem on survival and adaptability at study area except some growth variation and the outcome had a significant value at (p<0.05) between treatment’s parameters. The variations among tree species in height growth, root collar diameter development, diameter at breast height and survival rate were highly significant (p<0.05) after four years of age. This could be due to environmental factor and/or genetic potential of the species, which generally govern the growth of a given species. Among the species tasted, Azadarichta indica showed the highest performance followed by Leuceana leucocephala, Moringa oliefera in terms of height growth, root collar diameter and diameter at breast height. Moringa oliefera, Azadarichta indica, and Leuceana leucocephala showed the highest survival rate with 84%, 83.67% and 82.33% respectively. On the other hand, Gravilea robusta and Cordia africana showed lowest performance. Thus, the long dry season, which extended from eight to ten months in the study area, clearly explains the poor survival and growth response in some of the species. Hence it can be inferred that the conditions of Babille matched with the environmental requirement of Moringa oliefera, Azadarichta indica, and Leuceana leucocephala. Therefore, the species offers much promise for future use in agroforestry practices in the area. Generally, the study under Babille conditions and related agro ecology, we advocate these adapted species for further properly allocate species into the site that grow and adapt agro forestry practices, forest plantations and economic and livelihood benefits for different stakeholders.

Unmasking Adherence as a Cause of Unexplained Poor Growth Response in Adolescents Receiving Growth Hormone

Unmasking Adherence as a Cause of Unexplained Poor Growth Response in Adolescents Receiving Growth Hormone

Managing Paediatric Growth Disorders: Integrating Technology Into a Personalised Approach

Long-term growth management can be challenging for patients, families and healthcare professionals (HCP). Personalised optimal responses to growth hormone (GH) therapy depend on the creation of a good working relationship between the patient and family and the HCPs responsible for care. Current unmet needs in growth management will be discussed, focusing on the likelihood of a poor growth response and its identification and management with emphasis on the importance of good adherence to GH therapy. Digital tools are now available to record injections and communicate accurate adherence data to the HCP and patient. Psychological barriers to good adherence will be covered, with techniques identified to change behaviour and improve outcome. Motivational interviewing is a valuable skill in this respect and should be taught to both medical and nursing HCPs to enhance the quality of the relationship with the patient and family. Key messages are, firstly, the importance of personalised care with the HCP using acquired psychological skills to prevent and manage poor adherence. Secondly, a human-eHealth partnership is necessary to maximise the benefit of new digital tools to aid in successful growth management.

Achieving Optimal Short- and Long-term Responses to Paediatric Growth Hormone Therapy

It is over sixty years since the first administration of human growth hormone (GH) to children with GH deficiency, and over thirty years since recombinant human GH has been available for treatment of GH deficiency and a wider range of non-GH deficiency disorders. From a diagnostic perspective, genetic analysis, using single gene or Sanger sequencing and more recently next generation or whole exome sequencing, has brought advances in the diagnosis of specific causes of short stature, which has enabled therapy to be targeted more accurately. Genetic discoveries have ranged from defects of pituitary development and GH action to abnormalities in intracellular mechanisms, paracrine regulation and cartilage matrix formation. The strategy of GH therapy using standard doses has evolved to individualised GH dosing, depending on diagnosis and predictors of growth response. Evidence of efficacy of GH in GH deficiency, Turner syndrome and short children born small for gestational age is reviewed. The importance of critical assessment of growth response is discussed, together with the recognition and management of a poor or unsatisfactory growth response and the organisational issues related to prevention, detection and intervention regarding suboptimal adherence to GH therapy.

Poor growth response during the first year of growth hormone treatment in short prepubertal children with growth hormone deficiency and born small for gestational age: a comparison of different criteria

BackgroundThere is no consensus on the definition of poor growth response after the first year of growth hormone (GH) treatment. We determined the proportion of poor responders identified by different criteria in children with GH deficiency (GHD) and born small for gestational age (SGA). The second aim was to analyze the IGF-1 response in poor growth responders.MethodsFirst-year height data of 171 SGA and 122 GHD children who remained prepubertal during the first GH treatment year were retrieved from the BESPEED database and analyzed. Criteria for poor first-year response/responsiveness were: change in height (∆Ht) SDS<0.3 or<0.5, height velocity (HV) SDS<0.5 or <1 based on the population reference, HV SDS<− 1 based on the KIGS expected HV curve (HV Ranke SDS), studentized residual (SR) <− 1 in the KIGS first-year prediction model.Results∆Ht SDS<0.5 gave the highest percentage poor responders (37% SGA, 26% GHD). Although % poor responders were comparable for ∆Ht SDS<0.3, HV SDS<+ 0.5, HV SDS<+ 1, SR<− 1, and HV Ranke SDS<− 1, these criteria did not always identify the same patients as poor responders. Among the poor growth responders 24% SGA and 14% GHD patients had an IGF-1 increase < 40%.ConclusionsThe different response criteria yield high but comparable percentages poor responders, but identify different patients. This study does not provide evidence that one criterion is better than another. A limited IGF-1 generation is not the major reason for a poor growth response in the first year of GH treatment in SGA and GHD children.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered.

Transcriptome analysis reveals carbohydrate-mediated liver immune responses in Epinephelus akaara

As the cheapest energy source, carbohydrates are used in fish feeds to improve physical quality and reduce catabolism of proteins and lipids. The liver is the primary organ for metabolism and is also an important site of immune regulation. Here, we investigated the effect of different dietary carbohydrate levels on growth and health by evaluating the liver transcriptome of Epinephelus akaara. In this study, E. akaara juveniles were fed diets containing few (0% corn starch), moderate (18% corn starch), and high (30% corn starch) levels of dietary carbohydrate. After an 8-week feeding trial, E. akaara fed 30% dietary carbohydrates exhibited poor growth performance compared with those fed 0% and 18% dietary carbohydrates (P > 0.05). Genes related to the immune system, including IL8, TLR9, CXCR4, CCL4, and NFκB inhibitor alpha, were over-expressed in E. akaara fed the highest level of carbohydrate (30%). This general over-expression could indicate activation of inflammatory processes in the liver. The liver transcriptome data of E. akaara reported here indicate that high carbohydrate level of diet can lead to poor growth and inflammatory immune response in E. akaara.

Heterotypic paracrine signaling drives fibroblast senescence and tumor progression of large cell carcinoma of the lung.

Senescence in cancer cells acts as a tumor suppressor, whereas in fibroblasts enhances tumor growth. Senescence has been reported in tumor associated fibroblasts (TAFs) from a growing list of cancer subtypes. However, the presence of senescent TAFs in lung cancer remains undefined. We examined senescence in TAFs from primary lung cancer and paired control fibroblasts from unaffected tissue in three major histologic subtypes: adenocarcinoma (ADC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and large cell carcinoma (LCC). Three independent senescence markers (senescence-associated beta-galactosidase, permanent growth arrest and spreading) were consistently observed in cultured LCC-TAFs only, revealing a selective premature senescence. Intriguingly, SCC-TAFs exhibited a poor growth response in the absence of senescence markers, indicating a dysfunctional phenotype rather than senescence. Co-culturing normal fibroblasts with LCC (but not ADC or SCC) cancer cells was sufficient to render fibroblasts senescent through oxidative stress, indicating that senescence in LCC-TAFs is driven by heterotypic signaling. In addition, senescent fibroblasts provided selective growth and invasive advantages to LCC cells in culture compared to normal fibroblasts. Likewise, senescent fibroblasts enhanced tumor growth and lung dissemination of tumor cells when co-injected with LCC cells in nude mice beyond the effects induced by control fibroblasts. These results define the subtype-specific aberrant phenotypes of lung TAFs, thereby challenging the common assumption that lung TAFs are a heterogeneous myofibroblast-like cell population regardless of their subtype. Importantly, because LCC often distinguishes itself in the clinic by its aggressive nature, we argue that senescent TAFs may contribute to the selective aggressive behavior of LCC tumors.

Molecular pathways associated with the nutritional programming of plant-based diet acceptance in rainbow trout following an early feeding exposure.

BackgroundThe achievement of sustainable feeding practices in aquaculture by reducing the reliance on wild-captured fish, via replacement of fish-based feed with plant-based feed, is impeded by the poor growth response seen in fish fed high levels of plant ingredients. Our recent strategy to nutritionally program rainbow trout by early short-term exposure to a plant-based (V) diet versus a control fish-based (M) diet at the first-feeding fry stage when the trout fry start to consume exogenous feed, resulted in remarkable improvements in feed intake, growth and feed utilization when the same fish were challenged with the diet V (V-challenge) at the juvenile stage, several months following initial exposure. We employed microarray expression analysis at the first-feeding and juvenile stages to deduce the mechanisms associated with the nutritional programming of plant-based feed acceptance in trout.ResultsTranscriptomic analysis was performed on rainbow trout whole fry after 3 weeks exposure to either diet V or diet M at the first feeding stage (3-week), and in the whole brain and liver of juvenile trout after a 25 day V-challenge, using a rainbow trout custom oligonucleotide microarray. Overall, 1787 (3-week + Brain) and 924 (3-week + Liver) mRNA probes were affected by the early-feeding exposure. Gene ontology and pathway analysis of the corresponding genes revealed that nutritional programming affects pathways of sensory perception, synaptic transmission, cognitive processes and neuroendocrine peptides in the brain; whereas in the liver, pathways mediating intermediary metabolism, xenobiotic metabolism, proteolysis, and cytoskeletal regulation of cell cycle are affected. These results suggest that the nutritionally programmed enhanced acceptance of a plant-based feed in rainbow trout is driven by probable acquisition of flavour and feed preferences, and reduced sensitivity to changes in hepatic metabolic and stress pathways.ConclusionsThis study outlines the molecular mechanisms in trout brain and liver that accompany the nutritional programming of plant-based diet acceptance in trout, reinforces the notion of the first-feeding stage in oviparous fish as a critical window for nutritional programming, and provides support for utilizing this strategy to achieve improvements in sustainability of feeding practices in aquaculture.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2804-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Early cessation and non-response are important and possibly related problems in growth hormone therapy: An OZGROW analysis

ObjectiveTo investigate growth hormone (GH) treatment and treatment cessation with respect to efficacy and efficiency. To identify factors that best classify or predict cessation type: completed treatment (CT), early cessation (EC), or non-response (NR). DesignObservational study (1990–2013) of the Australian GH Program comparing CT, EC, and NR groups with respect to demographic, clinical, and response criteria. All patients treated for GH deficiency (GHD; 909), short stature and slow growth (SSSG; 2144), and Turner Syndrome (TS; 626) were included. Information was retrieved from the OZGROW database. Results51.9% of patients were EC, 40.7% CT and 7.4% NR.Median treatment durations for NR patients were often longer than patients who completed treatment. EC and NR groups were both associated with poor growth response with males overrepresented.Socioeconomic status differentiated NR (higher) and EC (lower) groups. ConclusionsEC was observed at very high rates and appears, generally, to be a little-recognised but frequent problem in GH therapy.EC and delayed recognition of NR may be interrelated being differentiated by the decision to cease or continue treatment following poor response.Poor treatment compliance is likely a major causal factor in EC.Strategies to address poor response and compliance have been developed, however, given the scale of these problems, it may be that long acting GH formulations or individualized treatment need consideration.

Growth hormone responsiveness: why does it vary and can it be predicted?

Initial response to growth hormone (GH) varies considerably. In severe GH deficiency initial response varies across the group by almost 100%. In common non-GH deficient disorders such as idiopathic short stature (ISS) and children born small for gestational age (SGA) initial response varies by more than 100%. The explanation for the wide response to GH treatment can be clustered into three broad groups; (i) non-compliance with GH therapy, (ii) clinical characteristics associated with GH responsiveness and (iii) mutations and common gene variants in the GH-IGF-I axis. (i) Non-compliance with GH therapy: The commonest explanation for variable GH response is missed GH doses. In a national prospective study of GH compliance in New Zealand children; 34% of children missed more than one GH dose per week. Maori and Pacific children missed an additional GH dose each week than Caucasian children. Predictably, poor compliance (≥4 doses/week missed) was associated with a far poorer growth response than good compliance (height velocity SDS +0.4 vs +2.8). Even moderate compliance (2-3 doses/week missed) was associated with a poorer growth response (height velocity SDS +1.4 versus +2.8). Interestingly, paediatricians were unaware of GH non-compliance. GH response can only be maximised when more effective GH delivery devices are developed that record the date and time GH is administered to enable paediatricians to more effectively address compliance. (ii) Clinical characteristics associated with GH responsiveness: There is a differential response to GH therapy according to the underlying disorder. GH deficient children are more responsive than those with Turner Syndrome or idiopathic short stature who are in turn more responsive than SGA children (as shown by height velocity and serum IGF-I for a given GH dose). Furthermore, across the normal birth weight range we have recently shown that progressive reduction in birth weight SDS is associated with a progressively lower IGF-I response during IGF-I generation testing. Across growth disorders; more severe GH deficiency, taller parents, shorter stature, younger age at the start of treatment and heavier children are all parameters found to be associated with greater initial and sustained response to GH treatment. Michael Ranke has pioneered individualised GH dosing through GH prediction modelling across growth disorders. GH response can be predicted by inserting common clinical characteristics into a prediction equation that includes adjusting the dose. Prediction modelling is of greatest benefit to children with adverse clinical characteristics in whom greater initial GH doses will lead to greater growth response. (iii) Mutations and common gene variants in the GH-IGF-I axis: Downstream gene mutations in this axis (GH receptor, IGF-I and IGF-I receptor) are relatively rare causes of short stature, poor growth and GH response. Conversely common gene variants are being increasingly sought that influence stature, growth and GH responsiveness. Initial reports suggested a common GH receptor exon 3 deletion was associated with a better response to GH than the full length form in SGA and ISS children. Further studies have found little if any effect of the GH receptor deletion on initial or sustained growth response in SGA, Turner Syndrome or GH deficiency. Future studies are likely to focus on panels of common gene variants across the GH axis rather than examining individual genes to better characterise GH responsiveness.

Reference Curve for the First-Year Growth Response to Growth Hormone Treatment in Prepubertal Children with Idiopathic Growth Hormone Deficiency: Validation of the KIGS First-Year Growth Response Curve Using the Belgian Register for the Study of Growth and Puberty Problems

Background: Comparing observed and expected growth after first-year growth hormone (GH) therapy is useful for identifying a poor growth response to GH. Aim: To generate a first-year, age-specific growth response reference curve for prepubertal Belgian children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (iGHD) treated with a standard weight-adjusted GH dose and to compare this national reference with the response references derived from KIGS. Subjects and Methods: First-year height data of 357 prepubertal children (240 males) with iGHD were analyzed. Smooth reference curves of first-year height velocity (HV) in relation to age were created. Differences with the KIGS targets were evaluated after z-score transformation. Results: The observed first-year HVs were log-normal distributed by age and decreased significantly with age (p < 0.001). No GH dose or gender effect was observed (p = 0.5). Distance to target height, severity of GHD and occurrence of multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies had a positive effect (p < 0.01) on the calculated HV SDS. When applying the KIGS targets for severe iGHD, mean HV SDS was close to zero (-0.09 ± 0.84). Conclusion: The developed age-specific growth response curves enable rapid identification of poor response to first-year GH treatment in prepubertal iGHD children. Our results validate the published growth targets derived from the KIGS database.

GROWTH RESPONSES OF ZINNIA TO DIFFERENT ORGANIC MEDIA

Zinnia is a beautiful summer annual flower, which is gaining popularity for its variety of colorful flowers. Its flowering pattern is greatly affected by the growth media. Growth and flowering of three different cultivars of zinnia (tall, medium and dwarf) were studied using different organic media including coconut coir + soil, composted leaves + silt, farm yard manure + silt, composted leaves alone, and garden soil alone as a control. Seedlings were transplanted to pots containing the different growth media and pots were arranged according to a CRD (Completely Randomized Design). Growth parameters that were evaluated included plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), time of flower initiation, flower duration, number of flowers/plant, flower head size, number of ray florets/head, number of disc florets/head, number of lateral branches, internodal distance (cm), number of leaves/plant, leaf area (cm2) and root length (cm). Results showed that, among the plant cultivars, overall the dwarf cultivar responded the best, while the tall cultivar did not respond well to the organic growing media. Despite its relatively poor growth response, the tall cultivar had the highest survival rates among all cultivars. Among the media evaluated for growing zinnia, a mixture of FYM + silt and of composted leaves + silt showed the best results for all the cultivars used in this experiment.

The Positive Impact of the Early-Feeding of a Plant-Based Diet on Its Future Acceptance and Utilisation in Rainbow Trout

Sustainable aquaculture, which entails proportional replacement of fish-based feed sources by plant-based ingredients, is impeded by the poor growth response frequently seen in fish fed high levels of plant ingredients. This study explores the potential to improve, by means of early nutritional exposure, the growth of fish fed plant-based feed. Rainbow trout swim-up fry were fed for 3 weeks either a plant-based diet (diet V, V-fish) or a diet containing fishmeal and fish oil as protein and fat source (diet M, M-fish). After this 3-wk nutritional history period, all V- or M-fish received diet M for a 7-month intermediate growth phase. Both groups were then challenged by feeding diet V for 25 days during which voluntary feed intake, growth, and nutrient utilisation were monitored (V-challenge). Three isogenic rainbow trout lines were used for evaluating possible family effects. The results of the V-challenge showed a 42% higher growth rate (P = 0.002) and 30% higher feed intake (P = 0.005) in fish of nutritional history V compared to M (averaged over the three families). Besides the effects on feed intake, V-fish utilized diet V more efficiently than M-fish, as reflected by the on average 18% higher feed efficiency (P = 0.003). We noted a significant family effect for the above parameters (P<0.001), but the nutritional history effect was consistent for all three families (no interaction effect, P>0.05). In summary, our study shows that an early short-term exposure of rainbow trout fry to a plant-based diet improves acceptance and utilization of the same diet when given at later life stages. This positive response is encouraging as a potential strategy to improve the use of plant-based feed in fish, of interest in the field of fish farming and animal nutrition in general. Future work needs to determine the persistency of this positive early feeding effect and the underlying mechanisms.

Growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, caecal fermentation, ileal morphology and caecal microflora of growing rabbits fed diets containing probiotics and prebiotics

Ninety eight male, mixed breed weaner rabbits were used in a 70 day feeding trial to study the performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, caecal fermentation, ileal morphology and caecal microflora of growing rabbits fed diets containing Prediococcus acidilactis (1×1010cfu/g; 0.5g/kg), Bacillus cereus (1×109cfu/g; 0.5g/kg), mannan oligosaccharides (MOS; 1g/kg), arabinoxylans oligosaccharides (AX; 1g/kg), oxytetracycline (1g/kg), or synbiotics (TGI; 1g/kg). A basal diet containing no feed additive was formulated. There were 14 rabbits per treatment. Rabbits fed diets containing MOS had the highest (P<0.05) final live weight and weight gain. Dietary inclusion of prebiotics (MOS, AX) resulted in higher (P<0.05) weight gains and improved feed to gain ratios. Rabbits fed diets containing MOS showed the highest (P<0.05) while those fed diets containing probiotics (Prediococcus acidilactis, Bacillus cereus) had the least (P<0.05) caecal total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration. Rabbits fed diets containing prebiotics (MOS, AX) had longer ileal villi than groups fed with other treatments (P<0.05). Inclusion of various additives showed reduced caecal coliform counts. The lowest (P<0.05) lactobacillus count was obtained in the caecal content of rabbits fed diets containing MOS. Poor growth response was obtained with rabbits fed diets containing Prediococcus acidilactis or Bacillus cereus while inclusion of prebiotics in growing rabbits resulted in improved growth and gut morphology. Rabbits fed diet containing MOS showed the highest overall final live weight, weight gain, total VFA concentration and reduced caecal lactobacillus count.

Abstract 17406: Inhibition of MicroRNA-133a Expression is Associated with Poor Growth Response of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells to Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in Apolipoprotein-E Deficient Mice

Background and Objective. Alternations in growth and differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Certain microRNAs (miR) have been shown to regulate cardiovascular cell growth and differentiation. For instance, miR-133a plays a role in cardiac muscle development. However, it is largely unknown if miR-133a affects SMC proliferation in atherosclerosis. This study was designed to analyze miR-133a expression and SMC growth in atherosclerosis and to explore if insulin growth factor (IGF)-1 receptor is involved in the miR-133a effect on SMC growth. Methods and Results. qRT-PCR analysis of total RNA extracted revealed lower levels of miR133a in SMC cultured from apolipoprotein E-null (apoE -/- ) mice than those in wild-type C57BL/6J (WT). Interestingly, IGF-1R mRNA levels were lower in the ApoE -/- cells. Immunofluorescence for IGF-1R was positive in both the sections of WT and ApoE -/- mice aorta but the latter displayed weaker signals. In cultured WT SMCs, IGF-IR protein expression decreased by about 66% after incubation with miR-133a inhibitor. In contrast, IGF-IR levels increased by almost 3-fold when the cells were treated with miR-133a precursor. Growth curves showed that SMC proliferation was attenuated with miR-133a inhibitor(Fig.1). The decreased SMC proliferation was caused by poor response to IGF-1 as addition of IGF-1 did not increase SMC numbers in the cultures. However, incubation with miR-133a precursor increased proliferation of WT SMC by 25% and ApoE -/- SMC by 10%. Conclusions. Down-regulation of miR-133a expression with miR-133a inhibitor decreases IGF-1R expression and inhibits the growth of WT SMCs but to a less degree in Apo -/- SMC. In contrast, overexpression of miR-133a increases IGF-1R expression and promotes the IGF-1 derived the SMC growth. The data suggest that miR-133a may participate in regulation of SMC growth in atherosclerotic vascular tissue.

Effect of substitution of fishmeal with lizard meal on growth of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).

The effect of replacing fishmeal with lizard meal in the diet of African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) with initial mean weight of 1.2±0.05g was studied for 10 weeks. At the end of the experiment, results revealed that the control diet (100% fishmeal) gave the highest percentage weight gain of 301.03% and was significantly different (P 0.05) in weight gain having 215.70% and 212.60% respectively. Djet D (75% lizard meal) was significantly different (P<0.05) from all other diets with weight increase of 176.96%. This poor growth response may have been due to protein toxication. Other growth indices appeared to follow similar trend with the weight values. Results of water quality parameters investigated· showed mean weekly temperature to be 21.5±0.7°C, pH 7.3±0.05, free carbon dioxide 3.8±0.02mg/l and dissolved oxygen 9.2±0.4mg/l. From the results of this study, it could be concluded that replacing fishmeal with 100% lizard meal may be beneficial to Clarias gariepinus. Key Words : Substitution, fishmeal, lizard meal, growth, catfish.