Supplementary Feeding Research Articles

GM2 Gangliosidosis (Tay-Sachs Disease), type I, Infantile Form: Clinical Case

Background. GM2 gangliosidosis (Tay-Sachs disease, variant B, type I) is an orphan disease with autosomal recessive inheritance. It develops due to gangliosides accumulation in tissues and organs. The description of clinical case of GM2 gangliosidosis in the patient originating from the Buryat nationality has been presented for the first time. Clinical case description. Girl, 1 year 4 months old, parents — Buryats. There were the following complaints at their admission to the neurology department: lack of movement in the limbs, the child has stopped turning over, became lethargic, slowly ate supplemental feeding. Biochemical blood test has shown increased aspartate aminotransferase activity by 6 times from normal upper limit. α-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, β-D-glucosidase, sphingomyelinase, galactocerebrosidase, and α-iduronidase activities were within the reference levels. Sanger sequencing has revealed the nucleotide variant chr15:72346680G>A (GRCh38) in homozygous state in the HEXA gene. The diagnosis has been established: “GM2 gangliosidosis, type I, infantile form”. Conclusion. GM2 gangliosidosis is a rare disease, especially among Asian populations. Moreover, GM2 gangliosidosis is inherited in autosomal recessive way, thus, two children in the described family had the disease (the first child was assumed to have the disease according to the clinical signs)

The effect of feed Supplementation with Cannabis sativa on the Growth rate and Development of Broiler Chicks

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of broiler feed supplementation with dry powdered Cannabis sativa on the growth performance of broiler chicks. A total of 25 day-old broiler chicks of similar weight were randomly divided into five equal groups (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). Each group having 5 chicks. Dry ground Cannabis sativa powder were added to the feed of groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 at the rate of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.8% respectively per kg of feed, while group 1 served as control. The studied parameters were body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR). After an experimental period of 28 days, the data were analyzed statistically. It was revealed from the results that feed intake and body weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05) in group 5 compared to the control. FCR was significantly better in birds of group 5 compared to controls. Return per chick (in Naira) was lower in group 5 compared to group 2, 3 and 4 (P<0.05) due to the high cost of Cannabis sativa. It was concluded from these results that feed supplementation with Cannabis sativa has a remarkable impact on the growth rate and development of broiler chicks but may not be the best of option due to its restriction and cost Keywords: Broilers, Cannabis sativa, Feed intake, Weight gain, FCR.

Recycling catfish bone for additive manufacturing of silicone composite structures

As a notable commercial aquaculture species, channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) in US faces challenges including the global market competition and enhanced feed costs. Since fish bone waste is a major source of calcium and hydroxyapatite, re-utilization gives birth to several advanced products in the development of animal feed, fertilizers, and nutrition supplements. Recent research findings introduce fish bone powder (FBP) reinforcement in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) of plastic composites. However, FBP so far has not been widely utilized for Direct Ink Writing (DIW) 3D printing of silicone composite. In this paper, catfish bone waste has been recycled and processed with a thermal procedure. FBP reinforced silicone composite structures have been developed and manufactured using low-viscosity DIW 3D printing. Morphological and chemical structures of FBPs were analyzed and compared before and after calcination. The rheological and mechanical characterization have indicated the potential of calcinated FBP in advancing the silicone composites. With 0%–50% weight percentages of FBP, composite samples can be designed to get any specified mechanical response (0.5–1.4 MPa in 50% tension strain and 150–550 N in 30% compression strain). The shape holding, overhang, and dimensional accuracy of FBP reinforced silicone composites in single (DIW) and dual (FDM + DIW) 3D printing processes have been demonstrated and summarized. With appropriate adjustments, this FBP-based 3D printing technology can be applied to byproduct recycling of all the US food-fish species, poultry, and livestock.

Controlling the stock or the habitat – The crisis of native invasive encroachment in the grazing land of Norwegian reindeer husbandry

Climate change negatively impacts reindeer grazing in Fennoscandia, with the encroachment of Empetrum nigrum (crowberry) being a significant, yet largely unrecognized problem. Crowberry encroachment affects the neighboring palatable vegetation negatively, homogenizing the pasture and decreasing ecosystem biodiversity. Current husbandry management aims are based on sustainable use of the pasture land, yet pasture quality is not considered a central indicator. To prevent overgrazing, reindeer numbers are limited, but as the animals avoid crowberry, this invasive species exacerbates the Norwegian reindeer husbandry's pasture crisis. Herders therefore intervene with two adaptive strategies, supplementary feeding and/or crowberry control. We develop a general three-species bioeconomic model with five variants to understand the economic impact of an invasive species on herbivore husbandry, and the net benefits of the two adaptive measures at the steady state. Our analytical results show that the native invasive encroachment causes a decrease in not only the nutrient-high grazing land but also the optimal herbivore herd and slaughter volume. Supplementary feeding is implemented to increase the herd size, yet the measure further depletes the grazing pasture, making this practice unsustainable. Instead, controlling crowberry protects both the grazing pasture and reindeer herd size. Applying this to the Norwegian reindeer husbandry case, we find crowberry control more cost-effective and less stressful for the pasture land than supplementary feeding. Government subsidies are shown to be essential for restoring herd sizes to the status quo.

Antioxidant and antibacterial extracts from rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) skins: Exploring the Potential of Transforming Agricultural Byproducts into Functional Supplements

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) is a tropical fruit characterized by its oval shape and hairy skin, primarily valued for its juicy pulp. The peels, constituting 45% of the fruit’s weight, are a source of valuable compounds like geraniin, ellagic acid, and quercetin. These peels possess antimicrobial properties effective against various bacteria, making them suitable for food preservation and packaging. Additionally, rambutan extracts hold promise as supplements in animal feed, enhancing growth and reducing methane production. This research delves into the antioxidant and antimicrobial attributes of diverse rambutan varieties. The skin (exocarp) of rambutan fruits from three Costa Rican cultivars -Creole, Rongrein, and Yellow- were collected and processed. Total polyphenolic content (TPC), proanthocyanidins, antioxidant activity, geraniin content, and antimicrobial activity were determined for the three varieties. Also, proanthocyanidin-enriched fractions from rambutan extracts were generated and analyzed. The results revealed TPC and antioxidant activity variations among different rambutan varieties and harvest years. All rambutan extracts displayed antimicrobial activity. In conclusion, the research underscores the rich antioxidant content in rambutan peels, irrespective of the variety, and underscores their potential for use in both human and animal nutrition due to their chemical composition.

Oral feeding challenges of infants of diabetic mothers.

The presence of diabetes before or during pregnancy can increase perinatal mortality and morbidities. It is well known an infant of a diabetic mother (IDM) may experience complications such as macrosomia, hypoglycemia, respiratory distress syndrome, cardiac anomalies, and other abnormalities of organogenesis. Medical providers including physicians, nurses, and speech therapists have experienced challenges with helping IDMs orally feed. Challenges with oral feeding can lead to prolonged hospital stays and placement of supplemental feeding devices. The etiology of an IDM's oral feeding delays is not well understood and does not necessarily affect all infants. This descriptive review explores what is known about potential contributing factors to feeding difficulty in IDMs, including differences in infant behavior and swallowing mechanics. Some IDMs are unable to maintain active alert states and have decreased autonomic regulation and motor control. Studies of sucking and swallowing demonstrate reduced sucking pressure, fewer sucking bursts, and slowing of esophageal sphincter function. The increasing prevalence of diabetes during pregnancy makes further investigations into the characteristics and trajectories of state, behavior, and oral feeding of IDMs imperative.

Control of yersiniosis in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss: innovative non-antibiotic feed-based strategies

Abstract Yersiniosis or enteric redmouth (ERM) is responsible for significant mortalities among rainbow trout and other salmonids. Hence, its prevention and/or control has become a research hotspot. Antibiotics are effective for control; however, accumulating evidence indicates that unrestricted use of antibiotics harms fish, human beings, and the environment. Thus, finding safe, efficacious, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly substitutes is of great interest. Reports showed that dietary supplementation with functional additives with health-promoting and immunostimulatory functions could be a promising strategy. Herein, we provide an overview of the non-antibiotic feed-based strategies for combating EMR in rainbow trout without resorting to antibiotic usage. For this issue, the uses and application of some vitamins, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, quorum quenching probiotic strains, algae, or organic acids, are included in the article. The roles of phytobiotics (herbal supplements), their phytochemicals, and the essential oils extracted from them will also be elucidated. Some emerging nano-based feed supplements are also discussed. Considering their advantages, literature declared that the dietary supplementation of these supplements could enhance the overall health condition, haemato-immunity, and disease resistance and conferred high protection of trout experimentally infected with yersiniosis. Given this perspective, this article presents the current situation and the latest knowledge on these supplements, emphasizing not only their roles to support immunity and decrease the effects of EMR but also to minimize antibiotic usage in aquaculture. Limitations and future perspectives on their effectiveness and efficacy are also discussed. This review will help enhance aquaculture sustainability and improve the health and welfare of rainbow trout.

Microalgae and phytase dietary supplementation improved growth and gut microbiota in juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Fishmeal and fish oil have been the main sources of protein and fatty acid for aquaculture fish. However, their increasing price and low sustainability have led the aquafeed industry to seek sustainable alternative feedstuffs to meet the nutritional requirements of fish and improve their health and performance. Plant proteins have been successfully used to replace fishery derivatives in aquafeeds, but the presence of anti-nutritional substances is a potential drawback of this approach. Thus, it has been reported that phytate breakdown can be caused by feed supplementation with exogenous phytase. The inclusion of microalgae has been proposed to improve gut functionality in fish fed diets with a high vegetable protein content. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on the growth and gut microbiota of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles of a diet containing a blend of microalgae (Arthrospira platensis and Nannochloropsis gaditana) and different concentrations of phytase. An 83-day feeding trial was conducted, comprising four experimental diets with 2.5% microalgae and 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 10,000 phytase units (FTU)/kg feed and a microalgae- and phytase-free control diet. At the end of the trial, a significantly increased body weight was observed in fish fed the diet with the highest phytase concentration (10,000 FTU/kg) versus controls, although the gut bacterial composition did not differ from controls in alpha or beta diversity with either majority (Weighted UniFrac) or minority bacterial strains (Unweighted UniFrac). In comparison to the control group, the groups fed diets with 1,000 or 2,000 FTU/kg diets had a lower alpha diversity (Shannon’s diversity index), while those fed diets with 500 FTU/kg or 1,000 FTU/kg showed distinct clusters in beta diversity (involving minority ASVs). According to these findings, the diet containing the 2.5% microalgae blend with 10,000 FTU/kg may be useful to increase the aquafeed quality and sustain the growth performance of juvenile European seabass.

Spirulina sebagai Pengganti Artemia untuk Meningkatkan Produksi Larva Ikan Patin Pangasius hypophthalmus

The provision of quality and sufficient shrimp fry for production is largely determined by the management of maintenance during larval stadia. This study aims to obtain the best treatment of natural feed in the form of Spirulina sp. and Artemia sp. as feed supplements to improve the growth performance and survival rate of patin fish larvae. The experiment used a Complete Randomized Design consisting of 4 feed treatments and 3 replicates: A (Artemia sp. 100%), B (Artemia sp. 100% and Spirulina sp. 100%), C (Artemia sp. 50% and Spirulina sp. 50%), and D (Spirulina sp. 100%). The larvae with a density of 50 heads/L were kept in the aquarium and fed according to the treatment. The density of Spirulina sp. administered was 104–105 cells/mL maintained until day 7 according to the treatment. The parameters measured included growth performance, which included specific growth rate (SGR), survival (SR), absolute length growth (PPM), and analysis of larval digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, and protease). The data were analyzed using one way-analysis of variance and continued with Duncan's Multiple Range Test with a 95% confidence interval using SPSS version 22.0. The results showed that the administration of Spirulina sp. produced better SGR, SR, PPM, amylase enzyme, lipase, and protease activities compared to the control (100% administration of Artemia sp.). The best treatment was given by 100% Spirulina sp. treatment. Keywords: Artemia sp., digestive enzymes, patin fish larvae, Spirulina sp.

The Status of Beekeeping in Simada District, Amhara, Ethiopia, with Its Challenges and Opportunities

The study was designed to assess the existing beekeeping practices, constraints, and potential of honeybee production in Simada district. The study was carried out in four proportionally selected kebeles of highland, midland, and lowland agro-ecology. Accordingly, a total sample size of 146 beekeepers, depending on their potential, was interviewed using a structured and semi-structured questionnaire. A semi-structured questionnaire, field observation, and focal group discussion were employed to collect primary data. Descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency, and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. The majority of beekeepers in the district are mail-headed, and the majority can read and write. Beekeepers practiced three hive types but mostly used traditional hives. The majority of honeybee colonies are found in midland agro-ecology, but they are not significantly different (P<0.05). About 57.5% of beekeepers obtain their colony through buying, and their colony increases through reproductive swarming. Beekeepers construct both traditional and top-bar hives from the surrounding available material. Frame hives were obtained from GOs on a credit basis. Beekeepers indicated that the majority of honey was harvested in October and November. The second minor harvesting period was from May to June, which depends on the nature of the yearly rainfall conditions. As the respondent's described, they stored honey below one year in a plastic jar, clay jar, and plastic sack when plenty of products were obtained and for medicinal value, unless they used honey during harvesting as a source of income. Predators and pests are major constraints on honey bee production, followed by pesticides and herbicides in the study area. Other identified beekeeping constraints were shown in relative order of importance: drought, death of colony, lack of water, migration, and disease are some of the problems that hinder productivity. Honeybees required feed supplementation during the dry season; about 28% of beekeepers fed their colonies with higher supplements made from February to April. The commonly used supplements were peas and bean flour (Shiro), barley flour (Besso), sugar, honey, and others, including Niger.

The uptake of dissolved glucose by juvenile green‐lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus)

AbstractA major expense in the operation of bivalve nurseries is the culture of high‐quality live microalgae feeds, and efforts to develop effective alternative feeds have had limited success. Juvenile bivalves are known to be able to absorb dissolved nutrients, but this ability has received minimal attention as a route for supplementary feeding. This study assessed the capacity of juvenile green‐lipped mussels (GLMs) (Perna canaliculus) to uptake and assimilate dissolved glucose at five experimental concentrations (i.e. 10 µg mL−1, 100 µg mL−1, 1 mg mL−1, 10 mg mL−1 and 30 mg mL−1) as a supplement to cultured microalgae. Growth and survival of the mussels were measured over 3 weeks. Although all glucose concentrations improved the performance of mussel spat compared to the control, the best performing was a concentration of 1 mg mL−1 of dissolved glucose which enhanced daily spat growth 2.7 times that of the control live microalgal diet without glucose. Survival was high (i.e. >95%) for all treatments except for the highest experimental concentration of glucose, for which a concentration of 30 mg mL−1 resulted in mean mortality of 24%. Mussel spat supplemented with dissolved glucose accumulated up to 30% greater lipid and improved the carbohydrate content per mg g−1 of ash‐free dry weight as much as 3.5 times compared to those in the control treatment, indicating that they were in greater nutritional condition. This demonstration that dissolved glucose can be used to fuel growth by GLM spat at concentrations as low as 10 µg mL−1 suggests that other soluble nutrients may also act as a supplemental feed for cultured juvenile molluscs. Dissolved nutrients have the potential to improve the performance of spat in nursery systems while simultaneously reducing the reliance of cultured microalgae as a sole feed input.

Antagonistic effects of Bacillus subtilis-derived chitosan nanoparticles on growth performance, stress biomarkers, and histological alterations of cadmium-intoxicated Nile tilapia fingerlings

Heavy metals including cadmium (Cd) are one of the major persistent and non-biodegradable wastewater pollutants. However, Cd reaches the aquatic ecosystem via industrial and agricultural waste discharges and causes serious deterioration in the welfare status of aquatic animals. The use of feed supplements with immune-stimulants to mitigate the toxic influences of heavy metals including Cd is a much more intriguing point. Thus, the current experiment used the bio-synthetized chitosan nanoparticles derived from Bacillus subtilis (Bs-CNPs) as a feed supplement and evaluated its ameliorative impacts on the growth and welfare status of Cd-intoxicated Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Bifactorial design (3 Bs-CNPs levels × 3 Cd levels) was used in the current study where Nile tilapia fingerlings (58–63 g) were fed on 0.0, 2, and 4 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed alongside with exposing to 0.0, 0.392, and 0.784 mg Cd/L for 60 days to represent nine treatments as follows: T1: control group (no Cd exposure; no Bs-CNPs supplement); T2 and T3: fish were intoxicated with 0.784 and 0.392 mg Cd/L, respectively; T4 and T5: fish fed on 2 and 4 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed, respectively; T6 and T7: fish were fed on 2 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed along with exposure to 0.784 and 0.392 mg Cd/L, respectively; and T8 and T9: fish were fed on 4 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed along with exposure to 0.784 and 0.392 mg Cd/L, respectively. It is noted that the Cd-intoxicated fish exhibited significant retardation in growth performance and digestive enzyme activities with a decline in their survival rate compared to the control group (T1). The results also revealed that exposing fish to Cd toxicity alone with no feed supplement (T2 and T3) experienced abnormal clinical signs and behavioral changes. Compared with the control group (no Cd with no Bs-CNPs), highest values of cortisol, glucose, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, and acetylcholine esterase activity were found in fish fed on the control diet along with exposure to 0.784 mg Cd/L. Higher Cd restudies in liver, intestine, gills, kidney, and muscles tissues were detected in fish exposed to 0.784 mg Cd/L alone and the sequence order of Cd levels in different fish organs is intestine > gills > liver > kidney > muscles. Remarkable pathological alterations in hepatic and intestinal tissues were also observed. On the other hand, feeding Nile tilapia on Bs-CNPs-enriched diets alone with no Cd exposure enhanced their growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and hematological parameters with no Cd residues in fish organs. Interestingly, feeding the Cd-intoxicated fish on diets with Bs-CNPs (4 g/kg feed) returned their growth, digestive enzymes, hematological, and biochemical parameters to approximate those of the control group. Furthermore, these treatments showed histopathological alteration recovery in the intestine and liver tissues is similar to those in the control group (no Cd with no Bs-CNPs). Fish fed on Bs-CNPs levels with no Cd exposure showed no Cd residues in different fish organs. The Cd levels in different organs of fish exposed to 0.392 mg Cd/L along with feeding on Bs-CNPs (4 g/kg feed) were lower than those in Cd-exposed fish treatments. Consequently, the current study evoked that feeding Nile tilapia fingerlings on Bs-CNPs (4 g/kg feed) could enhance their growth performance and protect the fish from the Cd toxicity that may occur in the aquatic ecosystem.

From crisis to opportunity: climate change benefits livestock production in Somalia

Abstract While livelihoods of Somalian livestock smallholders rely heavily on seasonal climate conditions, little is known of long-term implications of the changing climate for this nation. Here, we quantify implications of the changing climate on the productivity and profitability of livestock smallholders across a rainfall gradient in northwestern Somalia. Using the Sustainable Grazing Systems (SGS) model, we explore 80 future climate realisations, with global climate model projections including low- and high-impact socio-economic pathways (SSP245 and SSP585), two climate horizons (2040 and 2080) and four case study farm regions. In general, future seasonal and annual rainfall and temperature relative to the baseline period (1981–2020) increased for most regions. Mean annual temperatures increased by 9%–14%, while cumulative annual precipitation increased by 37%–57% from mid to late century, respectively. Grassland production increased with later climate horizons, as higher average annual rainfall together with elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide drove up growth rates in spring and autumn. Under the low emissions scenario (SSP245), changes in farm profit were modest or positive, ranging from negative 4% in Berbera–20% plus in Sheikh. Under the higher emissions scenario (SSP585), farm profits were higher, ranging from 23% to 42% above baseline profits, largely due to greater pasture production and lower requirements for supplementary feed. We conclude that future climates will benefit the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Somalia, although more agile farm management will be required to cope with increased seasonal climate variability.

Supplementary Feeding with Beeswax Wastes to Lactating Zaraibi Goat Enhances Blood Parameters and Milk Composition

Supplementary Feeding with Beeswax Wastes to Lactating Zaraibi Goat Enhances Blood Parameters and Milk Composition

Feed supplementation with quorum quenching probiotics improved growth response, immune response, and resistance in the giant mottled eel, Anguilla marmorata

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feed supplementation with quorum quenching (QQ) probiotic bacteria on growth performance, hematology, immune response, and disease resistance in giant mottled eels. The feed used was supplemented with 45 ± 2.3 g/individual QQ bacteria using the following treatments, namely Bacillus cereus strain B8, Pseudomonas putida strain BPA1, Bacillus cereus strain HPC 576, and control (no QQ). A total of 420 eels (average weight 45 ± 2.3 g/ind.) were randomly reared in 12 open tarpaulin ponds of 2 x 1 x 1 (W x L x D) m and 1000-L volume for 8 weeks. Feed was given three times per day at 5% of the body weight. Water was changed daily at 25%, and shelters were provided using 3-inch diameter PVC pipes. The results showed that the feed containing QQ bacteria improved the growth, hematology, immunity, and disease resistance of the eels compared to the control (P < 0.05). Furthermore, among the QQ bacteria tested, the feed with B. cereus strain HPC 576 had the highest performance in all tested parameters.

Food supplementing peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus tundrius) nests increase reproductive success with no change in mean parental provisioning rate.

Parents are expected to exhibit intermediate levels of investment in parental care that reflect the trade-off between current versus future reproduction. Providing parents with supplemental food may allow for increased care to the current brood (additive model), re-allocation of parental effort to other behaviours such as self-maintenance (substitution model), or may provide parents with a buffer against provisioning shortfalls (insurance model). We investigated the impact of parental food supplementation on provisioning behaviour and breeding success in Arctic-breeding peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus tundrius) over five successive breeding seasons (2013-2017). We found that supplemental feeding had no impact on mean provisioning rates, yet resulted in increased nestling survival probability, increased nestling body mass and decreased variance in nestling body mass and provisioning rates. These results are consistent with parents adopting a hybrid of the additive and substitution models. We suggest that food supplementation enables increased investment in other forms of parental care (e.g. nest defence, brooding) without altering mean provisioning rates. The lack of observed effects on mean provisioning rates, coupled with increased survival and body mass of offspring, suggests a potential reallocation of parental effort. The findings contribute to understanding the responses of peregrine falcons to food supplementation, highlighting the need for future studies to explore broader environmental contexts and potential long-term effects on parental survival and future reproduction.

Forage yield and nutritive value of plantain and chicory for livestock feed at high altitudes in Peru

AbstractBackgroundEvaluation of forage resources is vital for the sustainability of livestock farming in the South American Andes, especially under conditions of low water availability for irrigation and acid soils.MethodsWe evaluated the productivity and nutritive value of two cultivars of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and one of plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) in three high‐altitude sites (AL) of the northern highlands of Peru: AL‐I: 2300–2800 m.a.s.l, AL‐II: 2801–3300 m.a.s.l. and AL‐III: 3301–3800 m.a.s.l., for 1 year. The parameters evaluated were dry matter yield (DMY), plant height (PH), growth rate (GR) and nutritional value.ResultsPlantain achieved the greatest annual DMY (ADMY), PH and GR compared to the two chicory cultivars (9.34, 9.56 and 13.39 Mg ha−1 for Puna II and Sese 100 chicory and Tonic plantain, respectively; p = 0.0019). The greatest ADMY and GR occurred at AL‐I. Regarding nutritional value, differences were observed only for in vitro digestibility of dry matter and metabolisable energy with chicory cultivars higher than plantain.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the three cultivars evaluated may be used as a nutritional supplement in cattle feed, associated with grasses because they have high nutritive value suitable for milk production in the mountain regions of Peru.

Influence of different stocking densities of pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis) on plankton diversity indices of biofilm-based rearing system

Aim: Biofilm-based aquaculture systems, proven cost-effective, reduce the need for expensive supplementary feed. The biofilm acts as a natural planktonic food source for reared organisms. Previous research highlighted the influence of fish stocking density and biomass on plankton diversity in different aquaculture settings, underscoring the significance of these factors in biofilm-based systems. Hence, the present study attempted to understand how varying stocking densities of pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis) influence plankton diversity indices in the biofilm-based aquaculture system. Methodology: The present experiment was designed in 5 Practical Salinity Unit (PSU) brackishwater with soil-bottomed FRP circular (500 L) tanks for 60 days. The sugarcane bagasse was used as a substrate forbiofilm production after fertilization with cow dung, urea, and lime. Fries of pearlspot (4.67 ± 0.04 mm 1.71 ± 0.03 g-1) were stocked at four different stocking densities in triplicates viz T1 (50 nos); T2 (100 nos), T3 (150 nos) and T4 (200 nos) fish fry m-3 in the biofilm-based rearing system. Plankton samples were collected from water and biofilm deposited on the substrate and analyzed for diversity indices. The Shannon Diversity Index, Simpson Diversity Index, Simpson Dominance Index, and Margalef Richness Index were used to compute the plankton diversity indices in different treatments using standard equations. Results: In the current investigation, lower stocking densities with lower fish biomass were associated with significantly higher (P≤0.05) Shannon Diversity Index, Simpson Diversity Index, and Margalef Richness Index in water. In contrast, the Simpson Dominance Index in water showed a significantly lower (P≤0.05) value for treatments with lower fish biomass than for treatments with higher biomass. Interpretation: The values obtained for various diversity indices indicated that a biofilm-rearing system with lower E. suratensis biomass produced more planktonic abundance, evenness, and species richness. Key words: Biofilm, Pearlspot, Plankton diversity, Stocking density

The Impact of Milk on Gut Permeability, Fecal 16S rRNA Gene Microbiota Profiling, and Fecal Metabolomics in Children with Moderate Malnutrition in Sierra Leone: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. ObjectivesOur objectives were to determine the effect of dietary milk protein and milk carbohydrate on the intestinal permeability, fecal 16S rRNA gene configuration, and fecal metabolomics of children with moderate malnutrition. MethodsThis was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial among 413 children with wasting in rural Sierra Leone who received 1 of the following 4 supplementary foods, which differed in sources of protein and carbohydrate: milk protein and milk carbohydrate (MPMC), milk protein and vegetable carbohydrate (MPVC), vegetable protein and milk carbohydrate (VPMC), or a control group consuming entirely vegetable-based food (VPVC). After 4 wk, urine and stool were collected from participants enrolled with mid-upper arm circumference of <12.1 cm. Urine was analyzed for lactulose excretion (%L). Stool samples were subjected to both 16S rRNA gene analysis to assess β-diversity and untargeted metabolomic abundance. ResultsAmong the 386 children who completed permeability testing, the mean difference (95% CI) in %L excretion as compared with VPVC was 0.01 (−0.05, 0.07) for MPMC, 0.05 (−0.01, 0.11) for MPVC, and 0.01 (−0.05, 0.07) for VPMC. Of the 374 children who provided a stool sample that was analyzed, the β-diversity among bacterial taxa was similar between dietary groups (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). No significant differences between dietary groups were seen among the 20 most abundant bacterial taxa. Among the 5769 unique metabolomic features identified, greater flavonoid levels in VPVC were seen. ConclusionsAbnormal intestinal permeability do not improve with 4 wk of supplementary feeding. Fecal rRNA do not differ with consumption of different diets.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04216043.

The Effect of Supplemental Feeding Tube Device on Time to Transition to Exclusive Breastfeeding and Discharge: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Preterm Infants.

Aim: This study investigated the effect of supplemental feeding tube device (SFTD) method on time to transition to exclusive breastfeeding and discharge time in preterm infants. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a public hospital in Turkey (Clinical Trial Number: NCT05815706). The sample consisted of 65 preterm infants randomized into a control (n = 32) and an experimental (n = 33) group. The experimental group participants were SFTD-fed until they switched to exclusive breastfeeding. The control group participants were fed according to the routine procedure. Data were collected using a questionnaire, a Preterm Infant Monitoring Form, and the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool. The data were analyzed using numbers, percentage distributions, means, standard deviations, Pearson's chi-square test, and independent samples t-test. The study was approved by an Ethics Committee. Permission was obtained from the hospital. Informed consent was obtained from all parents. Results: The experimental group (123.64 ± 63.25 hours) demonstrated an earlier transition to exclusive breastfeeding compared with the control group (187.50 ± 95.30 hours) (p < 0.05). The experimental group (361.45 ± 110.46 hours) had significantly shorter hospital stays than the control group (479.25 ± 163.17 hours). The experimental group (35.33 ± 1.14 weeks) had a significantly younger gestational age at discharge than the control group (35.97 ± 1.03 weeks). Conclusion: The SFTD is an alternate supportive feeding method that helps preterm infants switch to exclusive breastfeeding sooner, have shorter hospital stays, and have a younger gestational age at discharge than their bottle-fed counterparts.