Ratio Of Water Intake Research Articles

Hydroecological limitations of the use of water resources of transboundary rivers of the steppe zone (through the example of the Ural and Tobol Rivers, Russia)

To identify the main types of hydroecological restriction on the use of water resources and their spatial patterns in the Ural and Tobol river basins within the steppe zone.A comprehensive assessment of the water‐environmental situation in the regions of the studied basins studied was carried out on the basis of the calculation of water‐environmental stress – the ratio of water intake and free flow (average long‐term flow minus ecological). To assess the environmental restrictions on water use, data from the State reports, “On the State and Protection of the Environment" were used. Exposure to the risk of flooding of settlements was analysed according to information from the registers of settlements at risk of flooding (flooding). Analysis of the dynamics of channel processes was carried out using Landsat satellite images. For the rivers of the Tobol River basin, an approach based on taking into account the nature of channel transformations in the sectors of the state border of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan was used.As a result of the research, the main types of hydroecological restriction in the transboundary basins of the Ural and Tobol were identified. In particular, the key factor limiting water use is the availability of a guaranteed volume and adequate quality of water resources. Hydrological restrictions associated with the negative impact of water include the risks of flooding of settlements during the passage of spring or summer floods, as well as intensive riverbed transformations (in the Ural River basin).The Ural and Tobol river basins (within the steppe zone) are characterised by the development of a rather complex hydroecological situation in some areas. Taking into account the long cycle of low water content in these rivers, the general hydroecological situation has aggravated in recent decades, the primary problem being that of guaranteed provision of water resources of standard quality. As a result, an urgent task is to develop an algorithm for a comprehensive assessment of hydroecological restrictions on water use and their consequences for the population and economy of the regions of the steppe zone.

Establishment of a mouse model of yin deficiency syndrome by prednisolon

Background: We are conducting the project “Establishment of a mouse model of yin deficiency syndrome by prednisolone” due to the need to establish a mouse model to simulate yin deficiency syndrome and the actual situation of glucocorticoid abuse causing many complications, which, from the perspective of traditional medicine, are manifestations of yin deficiency syndrome. Materials and methods: In mice, establish a model of yin deficiency syndrome with prednisolone. Subjects and methods: We randomly divided four groups of healthy male Swiss albino mouse strains: a control group that drank distilled water, and three groups that took prednisolone doses of 0.5 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, and 15 mg/kg from day 1 to day 14. After stopping the drug, we continued to monitor the mice for an additional seven days. We monitored some primary yin deficiency symptoms, such as weight loss, tidal fever, dry thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weakness, by recording data on body weight, food weight, water weight, urine weight, and rectal temperature measurements every day from day 0 to day 21. We also measured mouse activity on days 0, 7, and 14. Results: Taking 15 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg of prednisolone changed things like the ratio of food intake to body weight, the ratio of water intake to body weight, the ratio of urine weight to body weight, and the afternoon rectal temperature compared to the control group on days 4 and 9; mouse activity compared to the control group at day 7 and day 14. Taking 15 mg/kg of prednisolone also caused unstable yin deficiency symptoms, just like taking 2.5 mg/kg of prednisolone did with the same parameters. Conclusion: We recorded the onset of yin deficiency symptoms in Swiss albino white mice treated with 2.5 mg/kg of prednisolone on day nine, as well as the duration of symptom maintenance after stopping prednisolone for one day. Key words: Yin deficiency syndrome, mouse model, prednisolone

Influence of influent C/N on sludge granulation process and nutrient removal pattern

Abstract In this paper, firstly, the relevant parameters of influent C/N quantification were selected, and then, on the basis of the relevant parameters, the apparent shear force formula was deduced, and the apparent shear force was used to reflect the hydraulic condition of the reactor. Next, the experimental device, operation method, influent water quality and analysis method were determined, and the influences of influent C/N on the sludge granulation process were derived from the influences of group I C/N ratio on anaerobic granular sludge and group II C/N ratio on anaerobic granular sludge. Then, the return sludge from the Guangzhou sewage treatment plant in Guangdong Province was selected as the experimental seed sludge, and the methanol concentration of 0.13g/L (COD=200mg/L) was used as the experimental water quality, and the influences of influent C/N on nutrient N2O denitrification were illustrated by the experimental analyses. The results showed that the NO2 − − N accumulation rate was maintained above 81% in all five water intake modes, and when the ratio of water intake (1:1) and (2:1), a higher concentration of NO2 − − N was accumulated in the first nitrification stage of 26.5 mg/L and 24.9 mg/L, respectively, which could give full play to the advantages of nitrifying bacteria to achieve nitrification rapidly and also reduce the production of nutrient salt N2O. This study combines macro-experiment and micro-analysis to provide a theoretical basis for granular sludge technology.

Evolution of water conservation in humans

To sustain life, humans and other terrestrial animals must maintain a tight balance of water gain and water loss each day.1-3 However, the evolution of human water balance physiology is poorly understood due to the absence of comparative measures from other hominoids. While humans drink daily to maintain water balance, rainforest-living great apes typically obtain adequate water from their food and can go days or weeks without drinking4-6. Here, we compare isotope-depletion measures of water turnover (L/d) in zoo- and rainforest-sanctuary-housed apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans) with 5 diverse human populations, including a hunter-gatherer community in a semi-arid savannah. Across the entire sample, water turnover was strongly related to total energy expenditure (TEE, kcal/d), physical activity, climate (ambient temperature and humidity), and fat free mass. In analyses controlling for those factors, water turnover was 30% to 50% lower in humans than in other apes despite humans' greater sweating capacity. Water turnover in zoo and sanctuary apes was similar to estimated turnover in wild populations, as was the ratio of water intake to dietary energy intake (∼2.8mL/kcal). However, zoo and sanctuary apes ingested a greater ratio of water to dry matter of food, which might contribute to digestive problems in captivity. Compared to apes, humans appear to target a lower ratio of water/energy intake (∼1.5mL/kcal). Water stress due to changes in climate, diet, and behavior apparently led to previously unknown water conservation adaptations in hominin physiology.

Analysis of food water sources of college students from Hebei Province in spring

Objective: To investigate the food source of water of college students from Hebei Province in spring. Methods: In March 2017, the subjects were recruited in a college in Baoding, Hebei Province. 156 students completed the investigation. All foods were collected for 3 consecutive days using duplicate portion study combined with weighing method to test the water content of various foods. To analyze the water content of the food and calculate the proportion to the total amount of food water intake, the edible parts of each meal were divided into staple food, dishes, porridge, soup and snacks. Body mass index (BMI) was grouped according to quartiles, and the differences in food intake and food water sources among subjects of different genders and BMI were compared. Results: The age of subjects was (19.8±1.1) years old, including 80 male students. The median intake of staple food, dishes, porridge, soup and snacks per day was 562 g, 743 g, 111 g, 102 g and 0 g, respectively. The median intake of water from staple food, dishes, porridge, soup and snacks per day was 301 ml/d, 620 ml/d, 97 ml/d, 93 ml/d and 0 ml/d, respectively. The median ratio of water intake to total food water intake of staple food, dishes, porridge, soup and snacks was 27%, 53%, 8%, 8% and 0%, respectively. The median intake of water from staple food and dishes in male students was significantly higher than that of female students (P<0.05). The amount of water intake from porridge of female students was significantly higher than that of male students (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the water intake from soup and snacks between different genders. There was no significant difference in food intake and food water sources among college students with different BMI (P>0.05). Conclusion: The food source of water of college students from Hebei Province in spring is mainly based on dishes and staple foods. The food source of water for boys and girls is different.

Вплив умов зрошення й удобрення на урожайність цибулі ріпчастої та процеси водоспоживання за різної густоти рослин в умовах Північного Степу України

В статті наведено результати досліджень з вивчення ефективності різних способів та режимів зрошення , удобрення за вирощування в умовах загущення рослин цибулі ріпчастої сорту Батир в умовах північного Степу України . За використання краплинного зрошення з диференційованим режимом зволоження відмічено найбільший приріст урожайності цибулин відносно контролю (богар) – 98,1 %. Найвищу товарну врожайність забезпечує використання краплинного зрошення з диференційованим режимом зволоження (80-75 % НВ до утворення цибулини, 70–65 % НВ до вилягання пера) по фону внесення P 45 K 30 (локально) та проведення двох підживлень азотом N 15 (фертигація) і позакореневих – комплексним добривом Реаком (3 л/га), за густоти рослин 1000 тис шт./га – 55,4 т/га. За вивчення процесів водоспоживання встановлено позитивний впив удобрення і загущення посівів на коефіцієнти водоспоживання та ефективность зрошення. На кращому варіанті коефіцієнт водоспоживання був на рівні 74,9 м 3 /т, коефіцієнт ефективності зрошення – 42,8 м 3 /т, що нижче еталону відповідно на 45,9 та 84,6 %. За результатами статистичного аналізу між товарною урожайністю цибулин та коефіцієнтом водоспоживання встановлено тісний кореляційний оберенений звязок r= – 0,74.

Binary phase solid‐state photopolymerization behavior of acrylate cryogels under different light sources

ABSTRACTTwo types of cryogels were obtained using 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) by homogeneous mixing with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) as crosslinker at subzero temperature followed by photopolymerization with two different light initiation sources (high‐pressure Hg arc lamp and UV‐LED).The solution was frozen unidirectionally at −60 °C before polymerization and finally photopolymerized at the same temperature. The cryogels were characterized using photo‐DSC, UV–vis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The cryogels cured with an LED light showed a higher polymerization rate and better morphological characteristics than ones cured with a high‐pressure Hg arc. The water intake ratio of HEA/PEGDA was higher than HEMA/PEGDA for both curing sources. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46686.

872 Effects of including ruminally inert fat in the diet of heat-stressed lambs on dry matter and water intake and physiological parameters

The effect of 3 ruminally inert fat supplements in the diet of crossbred lambs on DMI, water intake (WI), and physiological parameters associated with heat stress under tropical conditions (28–30°C and 75% relative humidity) was determined. Twelve lambs (25.83 kg average initial weight) were fed to meet or exceed current NRC recommendations with a basal diet providing 17% CP and consisting of 50% alfalfa hay, 36.24 cracked corn, and 12.01% soybean meal and supplemented or not with 1.75% of ruminally inert fat provided as free fatty acids (FFA) or 2 experimental fat products from palm oil (E1 and E2). The lambs were assigned to 1 of 3 Latin squares. Treatments were no additive or diets containing FFA, E1, and E2. Feed was offered daily at 4% of lamb BW (DM basis). Experimental periods were 21 d, consisting of 14 d of adaptation to the diet followed by 7 d of data collection. Data collected included DMI (g/d), WI (L/d), and percentage WI in relation to animal BW, and the DMI:WI ratio was determined. Physiological parameters associated with heat stress included respiration rate (RR), heart rate, (HR), and rectal temperature (RT). Data were analyzed according to a 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design replicated 3 times. The Tukey test was used for mean comparison. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in DMI or WI among experimental treatments, averaging 1,190 g/d and 4.48 L/d. Percentage WI in relation to animal BW and the DMI:WI ratio were also similar for all experimental treatments (averaging 21.93% and 3.76, respectively). Inclusion of ruminally inert fat did not affect HR, RR, and RT and resulted in an average of 109 breaths/min, 73.24 beats/min, and 102.9°C. In summary, the inclusion of 1.75% ruminally inert fat in the diet of crossbred lambs did not affect DMI, WI, and physiological parameters associated with heat stress under tropical conditions.

Abstract 047: 20-SOLA, A Novel Water-soluble 20-HETE Antagonist, Elicits Natriuresis And Abrogates Hypertension In Cyp4a14 Knockout Mice.

20-HETE (20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) is a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 4A-derived arachidonate metabolite. In the vasculature, 20-HETE increases smooth muscle contraction, endothelial dysfunction/activation and sensitivity to constrictor stimuli; all of which contribute to hypertension. In renal tubules, 20-HETE inhibits ion transport and has pro-natriuretic functions in salt-sensitive models of hypertension. The pro-natriuretic effect of 20-HETE has not been reported in mouse models of 20-HETE-dependent hypertension. The CYP4a14 knockout (KO) male mice exhibit androgen-dependent upregulation of Cyp4a12, the sole 20-HETE synthase in mice, and display 20-HETE-dependent hypertension; female KO mice show no increase in Cyp412-20-HETE and are normotensive. We examined the effect of 20-SOLA (2,5,8,11,14,17-hexaoxanonadecan-19-yl-20-hydroxyeicosa-6(Z),15(Z)-dienoate), a water-soluble 20-HETE antagonist, and determined its effect on blood pressure (BP) and natriuresis in the KO mice. Administration of 20-SOLA (10mg/kg/day in drinking water) normalized BP in male KO mice; a significant reduction was observed on day 4 (146±1 vs153±2 mmHg in untreated littermates) reaching BP of the normotensive female KO mice (124±1 and 126±1 mmHg for treated and untreated, respectively) at day 10 of treatment (124±1 vs. 153±2 mmHg in untreated male KO; p&lt;0.05). 20-SOLA decreased vascular reactivity to phenylephrine in male KO renal microvessels by 7-fold (EC50: 1.58±0.23 vs 0.22±0.03 μM). Moreover, treatment with 20-SOLA increased urine output in KO male mice as compared to untreated littermates (1.25±0.04 vs. 1.06±0.04 mL; p&lt;0.05). The urine output to water intake ratio was significantly elevated in 20-SOLA-treated KO vs. untreated (0.25±0.01 vs. 0.19±0.01, p&lt;0.05). Importantly, treatment with 20-SOLA increased urinary sodium excretion in the KO male mice (12.33±0.44 vs. 8.33±0.63 μmol/gr BW/24Hrs; p&lt;0.05). These results suggest that 20-HETE has an anti-natriuretic effect in the kidneys of KO mice and that antagonism of 20-HETE’s action using 20-SOLA elicited natriuresis concurrent with reduction in blood pressure. The potential vascular and tubular mechanisms underlying 20-HETE anti-natriuretic action are being currently explored.

Effect of addition of menthol to a drink on voluntary fluid and carbohydrate intake during exercise in humans.

The purpose of this study was to investigate if the cold sense of menthol facilitates voluntary fluid and carbohydrate (CHO) intake during exercise in humans. Eighteen women's hockey player performed a routine training session were given 3 beverages : water (W), 5% CHO drink (C; 5% CHO, 0.1% citric acid, 0.1% NaCl) and 5% CHOwith menthol drink (MC; 5% CHO, 0.1% citric acid, 0.1% NaCl, 0.1% menthol). The subjects chose these drinks freely during the training and the intake of each drink was measured after the training. The subjects were asked to answer a visual‐analog‐scale (VAS) questionnaire on the feelings on each drink. Although the intake of each drink did not differ significantly, the intake of C and MC tended to be greater than W. The subjects fell into three groups according to their most favorite drink; W (PW, n=3), C (PC, n=7), MC (PMC, n=8). Fluid and CHO intake of PC and PMC was calculated as the sum of the most favorite drink and water. The ratio of water intake was higher in PC than PMC (43.0% (SD 34.9) vs 8.7 (6.1), P &lt; 0.05). Consequently, C was diluted more compared to MC. As a result CHO concentration was PMC &gt; PC (4.6% (SD 0.3) vs 3.6 (0.9) , P &lt; 0.05). VAS data showed that sweetness was stronger in MC and C than W (P &lt; 0.05), and tended to be lower in MC than C. These results suggest that the cold sense of menthol reduces sweetness which would avoid diluting a drink so that larger amount of CHO could be supplied during exercise, which would be beneficial to improve physical performance.

Water balance in goats subjected to feed restriction

The effect of feed restriction on water balance and nutrient utilization was investigated in individually penned Boer × Saanen kids. Twenty-two male Boer × Saanen kids with an initial average live weight (LW) of 15 kg were used. Seven kids were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment (reference animals) and the remainders were allocated to one of the three treatments (0, 30 and 60% restriction) and therefore there were five kids per treatment. The feed intake for the 0% restriction treatment animals determined the intake for the animals in the 30 and 60% restriction treatment. When the animals in the 0% restriction treatment group reached 25 kg LW, the animals in the 30 and 60% restriction treatment groups were also slaughtered. There was a negative relationship between DMI and water intake. The digestibility coefficients for DM, OM, carbohydrates, ash, ether extract, energy, NDF, ADF and lignin did not differ between treatments, whereas the digestibility coefficient for CP was different between treatment groups. The highest metabolic water production was in animals in the 0% restriction treatment group. No significant differences were observed in the composition of gastro-intestinal tract contents of the goats in the different treatments. Lower water retention was found in the animals in the 60% restriction treatment group. The study showed that feed restriction affected water intake, CP digestibility and water retention in the body of the kid goats. This experiment demonstrated that DM:water intake ratio changed when severe feed restriction was applied (60% restriction) and water was freely available. It shows a different pattern of behaviour of penned goats, particularly if feed intake is restricted and perhaps caution is needed to extrapolate results from nutritional and physiological trials in pens to goats at pasture.

Ostrich Feeding and Nutrition

Ostriches are monogastric herbivores. Palatability is crucial to stimulate feed ingestion by th e birds. When formulating rations for ostriches, cotton seed cake, meal or seeds should not be used to avoid gossypol poisoning. Salt in mixed ration should not exceed 0.5% of the ration. Fresh, clean water must be available for the birds free choice. The water economy of the ostrich is similar to that of other large savannah and desert animals such as antelope and camel, although the partitioning of water loss differs. The ratio of water intake to dry matter intake is relatively constant at about 2.3. The diet composition of the ostrich is similar to that of grant's gazelle on the ranges, however differ in that the birds eat some silica-rich plants which are not utilized by ungulates. Ostriches may therefore be considered useful addition to mixed species game ranching.

Effects of water and feed restriction on body weight change and nitrogen balance in desert goats fed high and low quality forages

The effects of water and food restriction on feed utilization, body weight changes and nitrogen balance were investigated in Sudanese desert goats given high or low quality forage. Nine male goats were employed in a 3×3 Latin square design where they were subjected to three treatments: ad libitum water and feed, ad-libitum feed/restricted water, and ad libitum water/restricted feed. These treatments were repeated using lucerne or sorghum hay. For both feed types dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected by treatments. Water intake decreased with feed restriction in goats fed sorghum hay. The ratio of water intake to DMI increased with lucerne hay compared to sorghum hay in both the control and feed restricted group. Water consumption increased with lucerne compared to sorghum hay. Body weight losses were more pronounced with water than with feed restriction but were less severe with lucerne than sorghum hay. Interactions due to treatment and feed type were significant for water intake and body weight change. With lucerne hay, except for crude protein (CP), nutrient digestibility improved with water restriction. Feeding sorghum hay, there were no effects on digestibility except for crude protein (CP) that was reduced with water restriction. Crude fiber (CF) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) digestibility increased with feed restriction in animals on sorghum hay. For all groups, CP digestibility was better with lucerne than sorghum hay. Interactions of the main effects were significant for all apparent digestibility coefficients as well as total digestible nutrients. The treatments did not have significant effects on nitrogen balance, however, nitrogen intake, retained or excreted in faeces was higher with lucerne than sorghum hay. It may be concluded that subjecting animals to water or feed restriction will have a more deleterious effect on feed utilization and nitrogen balance when using a low than a high quality forage.

Effects of caecal ligation and colostomy on water intake and excretion in chickens

1. The effect of caecal ligation and colostomy on water intake and excretion were examined in chickens fed a low-protein diet or a low-protein diet supplemented with urea. 2. When fed a low-protein diet, the water intake and the ratio of water intake to food intake were increased by colostomy (P<0.05) but not changed further by caecal ligation of colostomised chickens. 3. When fed a low-protein diet supplemented with urea, the amount of water intake and the ratio of water intake to food intake were not changed by either treatment. 4. Total water excretion was much higher in the colostomised plus caeca-ligated chickens than in other 3 groups fed both types of diet (P<0.05). 5. The amount of faecal water excretion was increased by cecal ligation in colostomised chickens fed either diet (P<0.01). 6. No effect of any treatment on water balance was observed in chickens fed either diet. 7. It is concluded that the lower intestine plays a useful role in the water economy of chickens fed a lowprotein diet or a low-protein diet supplemented with urea.

Effects of Histamine H1 Receptors on the Feeding and Drinking Patterns in Pygmy Goats

The goal of these experiments was to determine which histamine receptors are involved in the relationship between drinking and feeding in ruminants. To this end, the effects of the histamine receptor antagonist dexbrompheniramine (H1 receptor antagonist), cimetidine (H2 receptor antagonist), and terfenadine (H1 receptor antagonist) on feeding and drinking patterns of pygmy goats were investigated. Two experiments using dexbrompheniramine [1 and 2 mg/kg of body weight (BW)0.75], two experiments using cimetidine (16 and 32 mg/kg of BW0.75), and two experiments using terfenadine (5 and 11.5 mg/kg of BW0.75) were performed to assess the type and location (periphery or central nervous system) of the histamine receptors involved in the mediation of prandial drinking by pygmy goats. The H1 receptor antagonist dexbrompheniramine (2 mg/kg of BW0.75) and terfenadine (11.5 mg/kg of BW0.75 significantly reduced water intake, but cumulative feed intake did not change. Consequently, the ratio of water intake to feed intake decreased. In contrast, the H2 receptor antagonist did not affect either water or feed intake. Dexbrompheniramine at 2 mg/kg of BW0.75 and terfenadine at 11.5 mg/kg of BW0.75 also decreased draft frequency and decreased the water intake associated with meals. Results showed that blockage of peripheral H1 histamine receptors attenuates the association between water and feed intake in pygmy goats. Therefore, the stimulating effect of feed intake on water intake appears to depend on activation of peripheral H1 histamine receptors.

Amelioration of a hardsetting Alfisol through deep mouldboard ploughing, gypsum application and double cropping. II. Soil-water relations

Deep mouldboard ploughing to a depth of 0.45 m, gypsum (5 t ha −1) and double cropping wheat ( Triticum aestivum) with a summer forage crop were applied individually, and in combination, to modify a hardsetting red-brown earth (Alfisol) used for flood-irrigated wheat production. The effects of these treatments upon water infiltration, storage and intake during irrigations, application efficiency, and depletion between irrigations were measured. Gypsum markedly increased saturated hydraulic conductivity ( K s) immediately after being applied in June 1984 but not in 1985. Mouldboard ploughing and double cropping had little effect on K s. All K s values were less than 0.5 m day −1. Plant available water content (PAWC) was increased by gypsum application and mouldboard ploughing after the initial irrigation in 1984, and by the three main treatments in 1985. The order in which the main treatments increased PAWC was: gypsum>mouldboard ploughing>double cropping. Water applied and water intake during irrigations were increased by mouldboard ploughing and gypsum during the first irrigation in 1984 by as much as 60 mm. Thereafter mouldboard ploughing, gypsum and double cropping had little effect on water intake, and only gypsum increased the amount of water applied in 1985. The ratio of water intake to water applied during irrigations (application efficiency) was increased by mouldboard ploughing to 59% in 1984; no treatment had values greater than 40% during 1985. Water depletion was significantly increased by mouldboard ploughing in 1984 and by gypsum and double cropping in 1985. Few significant interactions were found between the three main treatments, each of which would improve soil-water relations for crop growth, although the effect of mouldboard ploughing on soil-water relations declined after the first year. Despite substantial improvements after 2 years in some treatments, soil hydraulic properties were inadequate for optimal irrigated cropping.

Thermoregulation, water balance and plasma constituents in Sudanese desert sheep: responses to diet and solar radiation

The responses of desert rams to diet composition (concentrate vs. lucerne hay) in unshaded and shaded environments were investigated. The rectal temperature was higher ( p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet but only in the afternoon, whereas the respiration rate was higher ( p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet in unshaded and shaded environments during both morning and afternoon. Dry matter intake (DMI) was higher ( p < 0·05) with the concentrate diet, while the ratio of water intake to DMI was higher ( p < 0·01) with lucerne hay. Water gain through preformed and metabolic avenues and water loss through faeces and evaporative avenues were higher ( p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet. With both diets, water turnover rate was higher ( p < 0·05) in the unshaded environment. Feeding lucerne hay increased plasma total protein ( p < 0·01) and albumin ( p < 0·05) in unshaded and shaded environments. Plasma urea was higher ( p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet. Plasma glucose level and plasma osmalality were higher ( p < 0.01) and level of free fatty acids was lower ( p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet in both thermal environments. Plasma cholesterol level was higher ( p < 0·05) with the concentrate diet in the shaded environment, but lower ( p < 0·05) in the unshaded environment. With lucerne hay, plasma cholesterol level remained the same in both environments.

Ginsenoside Rg 1 prevents histaminergic modulation of rat adaptive behavior from elevation of ambient temperature

Effects of ginsenoside Rg 1 (Rg 1) on histaminergic modulation of both adaptive behavior and thermoregulation were investigated at high ambient temperature. Continuous infusion of Rg 1 using an osmotic minipump into the rat third cerebroventricle attenuated anorexia induced by elevation of ambient temperature from 21°C to 31°C. Intraperitoneal injection of α-fluoromethylhistidine (FMH), a specific suicide inhibitor of a histamine synthesizing decarboxylase enzyme, also prevented the anorexia induced by elevated temperature. The ratio of water intake to food intake, which showed no change on the first day after elevation of room temperature, was not influenced by treatment of either FMH or Rg 1. Rectal temperature, which was normally maintained at a constant level even after shifting ambient temperature from 21°C to 31°C, elevated after FMH treatment. The Rg 1 infusion, however, maintained rectal temperature normally at 31°C. Hypothalamic histamine content increased in response to elevation of ambient temperature. The Rg 1 infusion maintained constant histamine level against elevation of environmental temperature. Under the heated condition FMH reduced hypothalamic histamine. These findings suggest that Rg 1 may modulate rat adaptive behavior by blockade of temperature-related information into the hypothalamic histamine neurons.

Anorexia induced by toxohormone- l isolated from ascites fluid of patients with hepatoma

To ascertain anorexigenic effect of toxohormone- l, a polypeptide extracted and purified from ascites of patients with hepatoma were infused into the rat third cerebroventricle. Food intake decreased on the first day after infusion of an optimum dose of 10.0 μg ( p < 0.05). The suppressive effect on feeding was linearly dose dependent ( p < 0.05). Meal size and latency to the first meal decreased in the 12-h dark period, and the first and the second 4-h cumulative blocks after infusion of a 10.0 μg dose ( p < 0.01 for each). The suppressive effects on total food intake and meal size were completely recovered within 24 h after infusion. Neither postprandial intermeal interval nor eating speed was affected. Periprandial drinking, a ratio of water intake to food intake, was not affected after infusion of 5.0 and 10.0 μg toxohormone- l. Infusion of a 10.0 μg dose showed no effect on ambulation. These findings suggest that anorexia and cachexia produced in cancer patients may essentially be due to the suppressive effect of toxohormone- l on food intake.

Feeding behavior response of zucker rats to proglumide, a CCK receptor antagonist

Proglumide not only antagonizes the gastric secretion induced by histamine, tetragastrin and ligation of the pylorus, but also antagonizes the effects of cholecystokinin (CCK) on contraction of the gallbladder and stimulation of amylase secretion from the pancreas. Since CCK is a putative satiety peptide, it was hypothesized that administration of proglumide would increase food intake by inhibiting the satiety effect of CCK. Zucker obese (638±26 g) and lean (462±24 g) rats, trained to bar press for food pellets, were administered intragastrically 0.25, 0.42 or 0.59 g/kg proglumide 15 min before the end of a 3- or 6-hr fast. Feeding behavior was analyzed during the subsequent 18 hr using an automated data collection system. Food intakes, while not affected by proglumide treatment during the first meal (4.30 vs. 4.30 g) were increased 3 (5.60 vs. 4.92 g, p<0.02) and 18 (34.0 vs. 32.5 g. p<0.008) hr after treatment. In addition, water intake 18 hr after proglumide treatment was increased (46.8 vs. 41.5 ml, p<0.001) and food intake to water intake ratio was decreased (0.74 vs. 0.80 g/ml, p<0.004). These responses were not different in obese compared with lean rats or in 3-hrs vs. 6-hr fasted rats. Daily feeding patterns in 6-hr fasted obese rats treated with 0.59 g/kg proglumide were characterized by increased meal frequency (12.4±1.0 vs. 9.6±1.1, p<0.001) and decreased average meal size (3.1±0.2 vs. 3.6±0.3 g, p<0.03). In 3-hr fasted obese and lean rats serum concentrations of proglumide were 7.1±2.1 mg/dl 20 min and 6.6±1.5 mg/dl 120 min after administration of 0.59 g/kg proglumide, indicating levels remained significantly elevated after 120 min. Since proglumide has been shown previously to be an antagonist to the effects of CCK on gallbladder, gastric and pancreatic function, it is postulated that increased food intake in Zucker obese and lean rats after proglumide administration is a result of antagonism of the receptor for the effect of CCK on satiety.