Previous Diet Research Articles

Feeding ecology of generalist consumers: a case study of invasive blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA

Globally, invasive species cause extensive economic damage and are a major threat to biodiversity. Generalist species are particularly dangerous invaders, as they can thrive in degraded habitats and endure environmental stochasticity, often outcompeting more specialized native taxa. Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus were first introduced into the Chesapeake Bay during the 1970s, and now form dense populations in several tidal rivers. Despite being labeled as a dangerous invasive, the feeding ecology of this species is largely unknown. We used a stratified random design to collect stomachs from 16,110 blue catfish in tidal freshwater, oligohaline, and mesohaline segments of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers. Indices of diet breadth and omnivory reveal that blue catfish are generalist omnivores with some of the highest diet breadths ever observed in an estuarine fish species, while trophic level calculations demonstrate that blue catfish are a mesopredator occupying lower trophic levels than previously claimed. Cumulative prey curves revealed that large numbers of stomachs are necessary to adequately characterize the diet of blue catfish, thus previous diet descriptions of this species should be considered with caution. Blue catfish feed primarily on invasive aquatic vegetation and Asian clams, though the economically-valuable blue crab Callinectes sapidus is also consumed regularly. While the per capita impact of blue catfish on imperiled native species appears to be low, this impact could still be substantial due to high population densities.

Fatty acids from controlled feeding as dietary markers of juvenile Chinese horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus

The potential use of fatty acid (FA) profile as a dietary tracer in juvenile Chinese horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus was assessed in a feeding experiment. Selected feed was provided to the juveniles at various growth stages according to their food sources in the wild: larval and adult brine shrimp Artemia salina for the first six months, followed by a mixture of short-neck clam Ruditapes philippinarum and greasyback shrimp Metapenaeus ensis for a further six months. Juvenile horseshoe crab haemolymph and tissues of book gill, opisthosomal spine, chelicera and swimming leg were sampled after the feeding experiment. The FA profiles revealed that the juvenile haemolymph and various tissues had a total of 23–24 FA components. The major FA components consisted of saturated (palmitic and stearic) at 22–34%, monosaturated (oleic) at 7–34% and polyunsaturated (eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic) FAs at 9–27%. According to principal component analysis, the FA signatures of juvenile haemolymph were greatly influenced by the shift of food sources from brine shrimp to clam and shrimp meat, whereas the FA profiles of different tissues were more resistant to the nutrient alteration. The present findings confirmed that the FA profile of both juvenile haemolymph and different tissues reflected the FA composition of recent and previous diets, respectively; and thus may be useful in indicating the foraging information of juvenile horseshoe crabs in the field.

Effect of Low-Energy-Dense Diet Rich in Multiple Functional Foods on Weight-Loss Maintenance, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACTBackground: There are no investigations regarding the effects of consuming low-energy-dense diets rich in multiple functional foods on weight-loss maintenance, inflammatory markers, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors simultaneously.Method: This randomized controlled trial design was conducted on 90 men and women who were under a previous weight loss diet. Three months of intervention with recruitment at Allzahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, was done. Intervention was conducted following achieving 7–11 kg weight loss. Participants were encouraged to consumed these three: an isocaloric control diet (50% of energy from carbohydrate, 35% from fat, 15% from protein), a low-glycemic-index diet (LE) (60% from carbohydrate, 25% from fat, and 15% from protein), and a low-glycemic-index diet rich in multiple functional foods (LE + FF) (60% from carbohydrate, 25% from fat, and 15% from protein). Fasting blood glucose, serum insulin level, lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, adiponectin, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements were assessed using standard guidelines.Results: The percent changes of weight, waist, and body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, malondialdehyde (MDA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, and fasting blood glucose (FBS) were substantially more decreased in the LE + FF group compared to the LE and control groups (p ≤ 0.03). Percent change of adiponectin among the LE + FF group was significantly more enhanced (7.29 ± 0.10) compared with the LE group (1.28 ± 0.20) (p = 0.001). Significantly more increment in the percent change of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (6.91 ± 0.10) was obtained among the LE + FF group compared to the LE group (1.79 ± 0.04).Conclusions: This study provides established evidence supporting the beneficial effects of a low-energy-dense diet rich in multiple functional foods diet on improving weight-loss maintenance, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk factors.

The Effects of Active Ingredients of Barberry Root (Berberine) on Glycemic Control and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic diseases in the world. Recently, willingness to use alternative treatments to control and reduce blood sugar levels has noticeably increased. The general objective of this study is to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the active ingredient of Berberis (Berberine) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this double-blind randomized controlled placebo trial, 84 patients with type 2 diabetes were evaluated. The patients were divided in 2 groups (42 each). In addition to their previous drugs, new diet, and life style each group received Berberine capsules 500 mg or placebo twice daily for 4 weeks. At baseline, weight, height, blood pressure, and BMI were calculated for all patients. Fasting plasma glucose, post- meal plasma glucose, fructosamine, lipid profile, fasting blood insulin levels, BUN, creatinine, and liver enzymes were taken from all patients before the study and after 4 weeks. HOMA-IR and HOMA-β% were calculated. Results: After administration of Berberine for a month, average blood sugar (FBS) in the Berberine group decreased from 192 ± 59.6 to 167.7 ± 51.8, which was statistically significant compared with the results of the placebo group (P = 0.036). There was a significant decrease from 266.1 ± 93.7 mg dl to 222.5 ± 76 in 2HPP in the Berberine group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.001). There was also a significant decrease from 425.7 ± 139.7 micromoles per liter to 344.9± 126.1 micromoles per liter in fructoseamine in the Berberine group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.014). In addition, fasting insulin, HOMA-β%, and HOMA-IR increased in the Berberine group compared with the placebo group, however, this increase was not statistically significant. There was a significant decrease in LDL, TG, VLDL in the Berberine group, however, it was not lower than that in the placebo group. Also, total cholesterol in the Berberine group decreased insignificantly compared to the placebo group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of BMI, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions: The results showed taking Berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes for 1 month significantly reduces the fasting plasma glucose, post- meal blood glucose, and fructosamine. No signification changes were found in lipid profiles, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β%.

Factors Associated with Dental Caries in Primary Dentition in a Non-Fluoridated Rural Community of New South Wales, Australia.

Dental caries persists as one of the most prevalent chronic diseases among children worldwide. This study aims to determine factors that influence dental caries in primary dentition among primary school children residing in the rural non-fluoridated community of Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia. A total of 495 children aged 5–10 years old from all the six primary schools in Lithgow were approached to participate in a cross-sectional survey prior to implementation of water fluoridation in 2014. Following parental consent, children were clinically examined for caries in their primary teeth, and parents were requested to complete a questionnaire on previous fluoride exposure, diet and relevant socio-demographic characteristics that influence oral health. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the independent risk factors of primary dentition caries. Overall, 51 percent of children had dental caries in one or more teeth. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, child’s age (Adjusted Odd’s Ratio (AOR) = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.14–1.49) and mother’s extraction history (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.40–3.00) were significantly associated with caries experience in the child’s primary teeth. In addition, each serve of chocolate consumption was associated with 52 percent higher odds (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.19–1.93) of primary dentition caries.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DIETARY CRUDE PROTEIN AND METABOLIZABLE ENERGY ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL SINAI POULTRY STRAIN DURING THE GROWING PERIOD AND SUBSEQUENT LAYING PERFORMANCE

A total number of 198 local Sinai birds (180 ♀ and 18 ♂) 14-weeks-old were weighed and divided into six dietary treatments to determine the nutritional requirements of crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) on growth performance and nutrients digestibility during the growing period (13-18 weeks of age) and subsequent effect during laying period from 23 to 32 weeks of age. The dietary levels of CP and ME included 3x2 factorial design (13, 14 and 15 CP, each contained 2650 and 2700 ME). The results obtained indicated that BW at the end of grower period increased significantly with the diet contained 15% CP+2700 Kcal/Kg diet followed by those fed diet contained 14% CP + 2650 Kcal/Kg diet as compared to the other dietary groups. The best value of feed conversion ratio was observed with the diet contained 15% CP + 2700 Kcal/Kg diet followed by the diet with 14% CP + 2650 Kcal/ Kg diet. In respect of sexual maturity (SM) the pullets fed diet contained 14% CP + 2650 Kcal/ Kg diet reached to SM at earlier age (139 days). the values of crude fiber digestibility was significantly increased in the pullets fed diet contained 14% + 2650 kcal/Kg diet compared to those fed the diet with 15% CP+2650 Kcal/Kg diet. The birds fed previous grower diet contained 15% CP + 2700 Kcal/Kg diet ME recorded significantly the highest value of feed intake compared to the other dietary treatments except for the diet with 14% CP+2650 Kcal/Kg diet ME and 14% CP+ 2700Kcal/ Kg diet ME. Subsequent significant effect was observed on feed conversion ratio where there was significantly improved due to the grower diet contained 14% CP + 2650 Kcal/Kg diet ME compared to the other treatments except for the grower diet included CP 15% +2700 Kcal/Kg diet. The most remarkable was observed with the hens fed previous grower diet contained 14 CP% + ME 2650 Kcal/Kg diet where there was a significant increase in economic efficiency compared to the other dietary treatments except for those fed grower diet with CP 15% + ME 2700 Kcal/Kg diet. The results in the current study illustrated that the Sinai birds during the growing period (13-18 weeks of age) require 14%dietary crude protein and 2650 Kcal/kg metabolizable energy diet to optimal performance during the growing and laying periods.

Rearing of Mallada basalis (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on modified artificial diets.

Mallada basalis (Walker) has the potential to be a valuable biological control agent because of its predatory abilities, strong reproductive capacity, and broad prey range. This study aimed to improve on a previously used artificial diet for M. basalis, to achieve a longer oviposition period and greater survival rate and fecundity. We analyzed the development, survival, longevity, and reproduction of M. basalis (F1 and F2 generations) fed two artificial diets (AD1 and AD2). Both diets contained chicken egg yolk, beer yeast powder, honey, trehalose, seawater spirulina, and potassium sorbate. AD1 also contained sucrose and vitamin C. The duration of F1 1st larvae, F1 2nd larvae, F1 pupae, F2 egg, and F2 2nd larvae reared on AD1 were significantly shorter than those reared on AD2. F1 adult longevity and F2 oviposition period for AD1 (45.40 d and 31.00 d) were significantly longer than for AD2 (30.74 d and 20.80 d). All the following were significantly greater for AD1 compared with AD2: F1 female proportion, F1 daily oviposition, F1 female oviposition, F2 daily oviposition, F2 female oviposition, F1 emergence rate, F2 pupation rate, and F3 egg hatching rate. Moreover, for M. basalis fed AD2, the duration of F2 2nd and 3rd larvae (9.00 d and 8.64 d) were significantly longer than for F1 (4.70 d and 4.92 d). The F1 oviposition period (31.57 d) was significantly longer than F2 (20.80 d). The F2 female oviposition (189.20 egg/female) was significantly less than F1 (307.14 egg/female). We found that the oviposition period and female longevity of F1 reared on AD1 was longer than that reared on the artificial diet in a previous study. The daily oviposition and female oviposition of F1 from AD1 was larger, while the F2 egg hatching rate was greater compared with that from the previous diet. However, the offspring of M. basalis fed AD2 were less thrifty. We found diet AD1 supported development and reproduction better than AD2 and the diets in our previous study. These findings may contribute to the mass rearing of this economically important predatory green lacewing.

Slow Lorises (Nycticebus spp.) Really Are Slow: a Study of Food Passage Rates

The characteristics of food ingested by a primate affect its assimilation of energy by modulating food passage rate. In general, digestive time increases in folivorous primates and decreases in frugivorous primates when they are fed higher fiber diets but this relationship is understudied in exudativorous primates. We compared the food passage rate of five slow loris species. We studied 34 wild-caught slow lorises (15 Nycticebus coucang, 15 N. javanicus, and 4 N. menegensis) in an Indonesian rescue center and four captive-born slow lorises (2 N. bengalensis and 2 N. pygmaeus) in a UK institution. We fed the Indonesian subjects two different diets: a captive-type diet comprising fruits, vegetables, and insects and a wild-type diet formulated to be similar in nutrients to that consumed by slow lorises in the wild, consisting of gum, insects, vegetables, and nectar. We fed the UK subjects a diet of gum, vegetables, insects, and hard-boiled eggs. We formulated this diet to mimic the wild diet, with notably higher fiber fractions and lower soluble sugars than the previous diet. We measured two variables: the transit time (TT) and the mean retention time (MRT). We mixed 1 tsp. of glitter in bananas or gum as our markers and fed them to the slow lorises immediately before their main diet. We noted the date and time of feeding and of appearances of the marker in feces. We weighed food given and left over for each individual to calculate ingested foods and nutrients. We found that TTs were not affected by diet treatment but MRTs were significantly longer for all species fed the wild-type diet. Our results show that Nycticebus spp. have long MRTs for their body weight, and N. pygmdaeus may have the slowest MRT of all primates in relation to body mass. The digestive flexibility of exudativorous primates should allow them to maximize fermentation opportunities when they ingest more (appropriate) fiber by increasing the amount of time the fiber substrate stays in the large intestine. Exudativorous primates appear to have plastic digestive strategies that may be an adaptation to cope with relatively nutrient-poor staple food sources such as gum. The provision of gum in a captive setting may therefore provide benefits for gut health in slow lorises.

Strategies for injury prevention in Brazilian football: Perceptions of physiotherapists and practices of premier league teams

ObjectivesTo describe the physiotherapists perceptions and the current practices for injury prevention in elite football (soccer) clubs in Brazil. DesignCross-sectional study. SettingGroup of Science in Sports & Exercise, Federal University of Healthy Sciences of Porto Alegre (Brazil). Participants16 of the 20 football clubs involved in the Brazilian premier league 2015. Main outcome measuresPhysiotherapists answered a structured questionnaire. ResultsMost physiotherapists (∼88%) were active in design, testing and application of prevention programs. Previous injury, muscle imbalance, fatigue, hydration, fitness, diet, sleep/rest and age were considered “very important” or “important” injury risk factors by all respondents. The methods most commonly used to detect athletes’ injury risk were: monitoring of biochemical markers (100% of teams), isokinetic dynamometry (81%), questionnaires (75%), functional movement screen (56%), fleximetry (56%) and horizontal jump tests (50%). All clubs used strength training, functional training, core exercises and balance/proprioception exercises in their injury prevention program; and Nordic hamstring exercise and other eccentric exercises were used by 94% of clubs. “FIFA 11+” prevention program was adapted by 88% of clubs. ConclusionPhysiotherapists perceptions and current practices of injury prevention within Brazilian elite football clubs were similar to those employed in developed countries. There remains a gap between clinical practice and scientific evidence in high performance football.

Effect of Diet History on Prey and Pollen Food Choice by Two Lady Beetle Species

Mixed diets of prey and plant-provided foods, such as pollen, have been shown to benefit a wide range of arthropods. However, diet shifting between these two very different food sources remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that previous diet should influence subsequent time allocation between prey and plant food types; to reach a balanced diet, consumers are expected to allocate more time to resources previously lacking in their diet. We tested this hypothesis by observing the foraging choices of larvae of two omnivorous coccinellid species: Coccinella septempunctata L. and Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), following a diet history of prey, pollen or a mixed diet of both food types. Results showed an asymmetrical tendency of C. septempunctata larvae to complement their previous diet with unfamiliar food: larvae allocated more time to pollen feeding, but not to prey, when each of the foods was previously absent from their diet. Study results have important implications for the use of plant-provided food supplements to enhance biological control by these omnivorous consumers.

Trophic level and fatty acids in harp seals compared with common minke whales in the Barents Sea

ABSTRACTThe objectives of this study were to explore trophic levels and possible diet overlap between harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) and common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutoroostrata) in the Barents Sea using stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) and fatty acid analyses, and to explore the energy pathways from the plankton to the top predators. Blubber and muscle samples from 93 harp seals and 20 minke whales were collected in the southern Barents Sea in May 2011. The study showed that harp seals were at a higher trophic level than minke whales during spring. This supported previous diet studies suggesting a more fish-dominant diet for seals, as compared with the whales, at this time of the year. The stable isotopes and fatty acids indicated niche separation between the seals and the whales, and between different age groups of the harp seals. Older seals had fatty acid profiles more equal to minke whales as compared with younger seals. Furthermore, while the fatty acid profiles suggested that krill were of particular importance for the young seals, the profiles from older seals and whales suggested that fish dominated their diets.

Using stable isotope analysis to assess the effects of hypolimnetic oxygenation on diet in a mixed cold- and warmwater fish community

Line-diffuser hypolimnetic oxygenation was initiated in North Twin Lake, Washington, in 2009 to mitigate reductions in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) habitat due to temperature-dissolved oxygen “habitat squeeze”. Previous studies demonstrated that trout populations rapidly expanded into increased hypolimnetic habitat within the first few years of oxygenation and previous short-term diet analyses indicated an effect on fish diet; however, the long-term effects on fish ecology have yet to be established. In this study, stable isotope analysis of fish liver tissue suggests relatively few differences in feeding ecology of principal coldwater fish species in North Twin Lake compared to unoxygenated South Twin Lake. When compared between lakes, Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout diets contained similar proportions of Daphnia, Chironomidae, and Chaoboridae. Littoral and epilimnetic-focused Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) diets were also similar between lakes. Observed similarities between Golden Shiner and trout diets suggest the effects of interspecific competition between salmonids and non-salmonids may be limiting trout growth and survival. Fisheries managers should therefore consider both habitat limitations and interspecific competition when managing for coldwater fish species in mesotrophic, dimictic lakes.

Disappearance and appearance of an indigestible marker in feces from growing pigs as affected by previous- and current-diet composition

BackgroundIndigestible markers are commonly utilized in digestion studies, but the complete disappearance or maximum appearance of a marker in feces can be affected by diet composition, feed intake, or an animal’s BW. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of previous (Phase 1, P1) and current- (Phase 2, P2) diet composition on marker disappearance (Cr) and appearance (Ti) in pigs fed 3 diets differing in NDF content.ResultsWhen pigs were maintained on the 25.1, 72.5, and 125.0 g/kg NDF diets, it took 5.1, 4.1, and 2.5 d, respectively, for Cr levels to decrease below the limit of quantitation; or 4.6, 3.7, or 2.8 d, respectively, for Ti to be maximized. These effects were not, however, independent of the previous diet as indicated by the interaction between P1 and P2 diets on fecal marker concentrations (P < 0.01). When dietary NDF increased from P1 to P2, it took less time for fecal Cr to decrease or fecal Ti to be maximized (an average of 2.5 d), than if NDF decreased from P1 to P2 where it took longer for fecal Cr to decrease or fecal Ti to be maximized (an average of 3.4 d).ConclusionsBecause of the wide range in excretion times reported in the literature and improved laboratory methods for elemental detection, the data suggests that caution must be taken in considering dietary fiber concentrations of the past and currently fed diets so that no previous dietary marker addition remains in the digestive tract or feces such that a small amount of maker is present to confound subsequent experimental results, and that marker concentration have stabilized when these samples are collected.

Impact of a goal setting and decision support telephone coaching intervention on diet, psychosocial, and decision outcomes among people with type 2 diabetes

ObjectiveEvaluate a 16-week decision support and goal-setting intervention to compare diet quality, decision, and diabetes-related outcomes to a control group. MethodsAdults with type 2 diabetes (n=54) were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. Intervention group participants completed one in-person motivational interviewing and decision support session followed by seven biweekly telephone coaching calls. Participants reported previous goal attempts and set diet- and/or physical activity-related goals during coaching calls. Control group participants received information about local health care resources on the same contact schedule. ResultsThere was a significant difference between groups for diabetes empowerment (p=0.045). A significant increase in diet quality, diabetes self-efficacy, and diabetes empowerment, and a significant decrease in diabetes distress and depressive symptoms (all p≤0.05) occurred in the intervention group. Decision confidence to achieve diet-related goals significantly improved from baseline to week 8 but then declined at study end (both p≤0.05). ConclusionsSetting specific diet-related goals may promote dietary change, and telephone coaching can improve psychosocial outcomes related to diabetes self-management. Practice implicationsInformed shared decision making can facilitate progressively challenging yet attainable goals tailored to individuals’ lifestyle. Decision coaching may empower patients to improve self-management practices and reduce distress.

Dehydration Causes Increased Reliance on Protein Oxidation in Mice: A Test of the Protein-for-Water Hypothesis in a Mammal.

During fasting, animals rely on a mixture of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins that are derived solely from endogenous sources. The relative contributions of these metabolic fuels chiefly depend on the duration of the fast, but other factors including previous diet, environmental temperature, and activity level can modulate the fuel mixture. It has long been held that endogenous proteins are spared from catabolism until the final stages of prolonged fasting and contribute a significant proportion of energy once the other metabolic fuels have been depleted. However, evidence is mounting that protein is catabolized supplemental to fat metabolism under some circumstances. This has been shown in migratory birds that exhibit dramatic reductions in lean mass during flights. One hypothesis to explain this seemingly maladaptive metabolic strategy is that the catabolism and oxidation of protein in situ yields five times more metabolic water than that generated through fat oxidation alone. Recent support for this hypothesis is that birds benefit from such a strategy due to their uricotelic nature. However, it remains unclear whether ureotelic mammals would also employ this strategy. Here we test the protein-for-water hypothesis in resting laboratory mice subjected to water deprivation during fasting while we tracked rates of protein and lipid catabolism using endogenously incorporated 13C-leucine and 13C-palmitic acid. We found no differences in instantaneous leucine oxidation; however, cumulative differences in instantaneous leucine oxidation ultimately resulted in a higher total leucine oxidation after 72 h of fasting in water-deprived animals. We also found that lipid oxidation was 8% higher in the hydrated mice, but the difference was not significant presumably because of a concomitant reduction in metabolic rates of the water-deprived mice. Our results indicate that mammals do increase rates of protein catabolism during dehydration but to a lesser degree than birds. The ability of mammals to produce highly concentrated urine and their lower inherent rates of protein turnover apparently preclude mammals from taking full advantage of the protein-for-water strategy during fasting under dehydrating conditions.

Clinical outcome of metformin treatment in patients of acanthosis nigricans with insulin resistance

Background: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is known to be associated with obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and other systemic morbid conditions. Proper treatment modalities of AN has not been established yet. Metformin may have some therapeutic effects on AN by reducing IR. Objective of the study was to examine the effect of metformin on AN in insulin resistant cases.Methodology and Results: This prospective, controlled trial was conducted in Dermatology OPD of BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka from September 2012 to August 2013. All the participants of the study had clinical presentation of AN on different anatomic locations such as neck, axilla, elbow, knuckle and knee and biochemical evidence of IR. Participants were of either sex with age ranging from 18 to 80 years. Any case who had contraindications to metformin therapy were excluded. Severity of AN was examined and assessed by a quantitative scale for measuring acanthosis nigricans. After detecting IR by Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), cases and controls were selected by random sampling method. Randomization was done for metformin in ratio of 2:1. Every third patient was a control. Forty study participants were assigned to receive tablet metformin 500mg thrice daily after meal for three months and twenty control participants were continued on their existing therapy. To maintain a static metabolic status, patients were allowed to remain with their previous diet and lifestyle habit. After 3 months of metformin therapy, improvement was assessed and was compared with control group.Mean age of the participants in case of male: 19.75±2.36 and in case of female: 26.58±9.38, M:F= 1:14, BMI of male: 32.15±4.15 and female: 33.18± 8.05. Mean baseline neck severity score of AN: 3.57 ± 0.78 and after metformin therapy: 2.65 ± 1.02, t-test value: 4.53. Baseline neck texture score of AN: 1.87±0.80, after metformin therapy: 1.25 ± 0.86, ttest value: 3.30. Baseline AN on axilla: 3.05 ± 0.94, after metformin therapy: 2.10 ± 0.98, ttest value: 4.56. Significant improvement of AN was observed clinically on neck and axilla (P&lt;0.005) when compared with control. However, in case of AN on knuckle, elbow and knee, improvement rates were not statistically significant. No side-effect except nausea in 4 patients was reported during study period.Conclusion: Metformin therapy for AN with IR had a significant beneficial effect clinically and was safe and well-tolerated. The effect was more pronounced in neck and axilla.IMC J Med Sci 2016; 10(1): 18-23

Digestibility of a new diet for captive short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

Short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) are myrmecophages, or ant and termite insectivore specialists, and replicating their exact diet in captivity is problematic. Diets for captive animals often incorporate raw meat, eggs and cat food mixed together with water, and vitamin and mineral supplements. These diets have promoted a number of health problems in captive echidnas, such as gastritis, cystitis, gut impaction, obesity, and diarrhea. A manufactured diet was designed and three echidnas from two zoos were transitioned onto this diet to assess the acceptability and digestibility of this diet for echidnas. The new "test" diet was readily accepted by the echidnas with a 1 week transition period. Daily digestible energy intake was 280 kJ kg-0.75 d-1 , similar to another myrmecophagous species. Digestibility values were above 74% for all macronutrients. It was determined that this diet was an acceptable replacement for the previous diets and it was decided that the remaining echidnas at both institutions would be transitioned to the new diet. The diet will also be used for wild echidnas being rehabilitated in the zoo hospitals prior to release and commercially available within Australia. Further data are being collected to assess the use of this diet for seasonal weight management, transitioning hand-reared puggles and effects on gastrointestinal tract health. Zoo Biol. 36:56-61, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of tallow, choice white grease, palm oil, corn oil, or soybean oil on apparent total tract digestibility of minerals in diets fed to growing pigs.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of supplementing diets fed to growing pigs with fat sources differing in their composition of fatty acids on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of minerals. A diet based on corn, potato protein isolate, and 7% sucrose was formulated. Five additional diets that were similar to the previous diet with the exception that sucrose was replaced by 7% tallow, choice white grease, palm oil, corn oil, or soybean oil were also formulated. Diets were formulated to contain 0.70% Ca and 0.33% standardized total tract digestible P. Growing barrows ( = 60; 15.99 ± 1.48 kg initial BW) were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 2 blocks of 30 pigs, 6 dietary treatments, and 10 replicate pigs per treatment. Experimental diets were provided for 12 d with the initial 5 d being the adaptation period. Total feces were collected for a 5-d collection period using the marker-to-marker approach, and the ATTD of minerals, ether extract, and acid hydrolyzed ether extract was calculated for all diets. Digestibility of DM was greater ( < 0.05) in the diet containing soybean oil compared with the diet containing choice white grease or the basal diet, with all other diets being intermediate. The ATTD of Ca, S, and P was greater ( < 0.05) for pigs fed diets containing soybean oil, corn oil, palm oil, or tallow than for pigs fed the basal diet or the diet containing choice white grease. The ATTD of Mg, Zn, Mn, Na, and K were not different among dietary treatments. The ATTD of ether extract was greater ( < 0.05) in diets containing palm oil, corn oil, or soybean oil compared with the diet containing choice white grease, and the ATTD of acid hydrolyzed ether extract in the diet containing soybean oil was also greater ( < 0.05) than in the diet containing choice white grease. In conclusion, supplementation of a basal diet with tallow, palm oil, corn oil, or soybean oil may increase the ATTD of some macrominerals, but that appears not to be the case if choice white grease is used. There was no evidence of negative effects of the fat sources used in this experiment on the ATTD of any minerals.

Effect of fibrolytic enzymes on serum testosterone level and someof carcass traits in Turkish Awassi male lambs

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of fibrolytic enzymes in diet of male Turkish Awassi lambs on the levels of testosterone and some carcass traits. The study included 12 male lambs, aged 4 months with an average body weight of 26±0.50 kg. The animals were divided into 3 equal groups with 4 animals / group. The first group (control C), was fed wheat straw ad libtum with concentrate ration in a ratio of 2 % of body weight on dry matter basis. The other groups were provided the same previous diet of the control group and supplemented with fibrolytic enzymes as 3 and 4g per animal per day for the second and third group respectively. The result showed a significant differences (P is less than 0.05) in the level of testosterone between the 2nd group (3g of fibrolytic enzymes) and other groups. The weights of internal organs showed no significant differences (P is less than 0.05) among male lambs of different groups. Group of 4g fibrolytic enzymes showed significant increase (P is less than0.05) in abdominal fat as compared with control groups. It was concluded from this study that addition of fibrolytic enzymes to the diet of male lambs in concentration of 3g has an effect on serum testosterone and have an effects on abdominal fat in a concentration of 4g.

Biodiversity friend or foe: land use by a top predator, the dingo in contested landscapes of the Australian Wet Tropics

AbstractDingoes (Canis dingo) in the coastal lowlands of Australia's Wet Tropics are perceived as a major threat to biodiversity and subjected to broad‐spectrum lethal control. However, evidence of their impacts is equivocal, and control programmes generally ignore the ecological benefits that dingoes might provide. Previous diet analysis has shown that dingoes in the Wet Tropics primarily prey on common, terrestrial mammals. However, little is known of dingo habitat use or prey acquisition in the region despite these activities having major implications for biodiversity conservation. We investigated land use by dingoes in the lowland Wet Tropics to enable predictions of potential prey types, relative prey use and modes of prey acquisition. Nine dingoes were tracked for 3–6 months. Home ranges and resting areas were estimated using multiple estimators, and habitat use was analysed using compositional analysis of habitat use and generalized additive models. Dingo ranging behaviour suggested that anthropogenic food subsidies were infrequently used. Each territory comprised several sclerophyll forest rest areas with adjacent sugarcane‐grassland high activity areas. Individuals used each rest‐activity area for extended durations before moving on to another. Sclerophyll and rainforests, which contain the fauna species of primary conservation concern, were generally used for rest/sleep, or movement between rest‐activity areas. Activity patterns were consistent with dingoes hunting in open sugarcane‐grassland habitats during daylight hours. Dingo activity was low in areas where fauna species of conservation concern occur, which suggests that dingoes do not pose a threat to their survival. Consequently, current broad‐spectrum lethal control may have minimal benefits or even incur costs for biodiversity. Maximizing the ecosystem services provided by dingoes while simultaneously minimizing their negative impacts requires a more targeted location‐specific management approach, one that assesses and mitigates impacts specifically where background circumstances suggest particular packs may be either a conservation or economic threat.