Trophic Feeding Research Articles

Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Its Predictors Among Preterm Neonates Admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Gurage Zone Public Hospitals, Southwest Ethiopia, 2021.

BackgroundNecrotizing Enter colitis (NEC) is the most common multifactorial and devastating gastrointestinal emergency which primarily affects premature infants. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and its associated factors among preterm neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Gurage Zone hospitals.MethodsInstitution-based cross-sectional study design was employed. The simple Random Sampling Technique was applied to collect the data using a structured questionnaire. Data were cleaned, checked for inconsistencies, coded and entered via EPI data 3.1, and exported to Stata version 14 for further analysis. The data were processed by Stata 14 to estimate the prevalence of necrotizing enterocolitis.ResultsThe prevalence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis among neonates was 28 (9.7%) 95% CI of 6. 8–13.7%. Birth weight (AOR: 7.33 95% CI (2.04: 26.38)), presence of maternal infection (AOR: 6.09, 95% CI (1.31:28.26)), length of hospital stay (AOR: 3.28, 95% CI (1.20, 8.96)), and initiating trophic feeding (AOR: 5.89, 95% CI (2.27: 15.33)) were associated with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.ConclusionThe prevalence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis among preterm neonates was significant and special attention is needed for premature neonates with low birth weight and born from mothers with infection during pregnancy. Minimizing the length of hospital stay will be very useful to prevent the occurrence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

Trophic Dynamics and Feeding Ecology of Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) off Eastern and Western Taiwan.

The skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is a mesopredator fish species with seasonal abundance in waters off Taiwan. Regional ecological and life-history information has been historically lacking for this species. In recent years, stable isotope analysis (SIA) of carbon and nitrogen has been used to assess predator feeding ecology and broader ecosystem trophic dynamics. This study evaluated comparative skipjack feeding ecology in distinct regions off Taiwan, combining traditional stomach content analysis with SIA of individuals off western (n = 43; 2020) and eastern (n = 347; 2012–2014 and n = 167; 2020) Taiwan. The stomach content analysis showed the most important prey to be ponyfish (Photopectoralis bindus) in western Taiwan and epipelagic squids (Myopsina spp.) and carangids (Decapterus macrosoma;) in eastern Taiwan from 2012 to 2014 and epipelagic carangids (Decapterus spp.) and flying fishes (Cheilopogon spp.) in eastern Taiwan in 2020, suggesting that the skipjack tuna is a generalist predator across regions. In contrast, time-integrated diet estimates from Bayesian mixing models indicated the importance of cephalopods and crustaceans as prey, potentially demonstrating more mesopelagic feeding in less productive waters during skipjack migrations outside the study regions. Skipjack off western Taiwan had a slightly higher estimated trophic position than in the waters off eastern Taiwan, potentially driven by the varying nutrient-driven pelagic food web structures. Skipjack SI values increased with body size off eastern Taiwan but not in western waters, suggesting that opportunistic predation can still result in different predator–prey size dynamics between regions.

Ecosystem shifts inferred from long-term stable isotope analysis of male Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus gazella teeth

The Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean has been rapidly changing over the last century. Many of those changes are driven by climate anomalies such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation and the Southern Annular Mode, which affect biological processes that scale up the food web. We used δ13C and δ15N time series of dentine growth layer groups (as a proxy of individual foraging history from multiple years, n = 41 teeth) to assess temporal shifts in foraging habits of subadult/adult male Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella (AFSs) in 2 areas of high concentration of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba: the South Shetland Islands and the South Orkney Islands. Our analyses, which represent the first long-term isotopic assessment of male AFS sampled in Antarctic waters, revealed a significant decrease of δ13C (0.04‰ yr-1) from 1974 to 2015 and a decrease of δ15N after the late 1990s. The observed changes are likely driven by shifts in latitudinal and longitudinal distribution of krill and increased incorporation of 15N-enriched sources (higher trophic level prey and/or feeding in different areas) in the most recent period for reasons that are not yet clear. We were able to trace ecosystem changes through isotopic bio-archives of Antarctic fur seals, highlighting the role of this species as an ecosystem indicator of the trophic cascade effects caused by climate change in the Southern Ocean.

A comparison of food sources of nudibranch mollusks at different depths off the Kuril Islands using fatty acid trophic markers.

Gastropod molluscs such as nudibranchs are important members of deep-sea benthic ecosystems. However, data on the trophic ecology and feeding specialization of these animals are limited to date. The method of fatty acid trophic markers (FATM) was applied to determine the dietary preferences of nudibranchs off the Kuril Islands. Fatty acid (FA) compositions of Dendronotus sp., Tritonia tetraquetra, and Colga pacifica collected from deep waters were analyzed and compared with those of Aeolidia papillosa and Coryphella verrucosa from the offshore zone. The high level of FATM such as 22:5n-6 and C20 monounsaturated FAs indicated that Dendronotus sp. preys on sea anemones and/or anthoathecates hydroids similarly to that of shallow-water species A. papillosa and C. verrucosa. The high percentage of tetracosapolyenoic acids and the ratio 24:6n-3/24:5n-6 indicated that T. tetraquetra preys on soft corals such as Gersemia and/or Acanella at a depth of 250 m, but soft corals of the family Primnoidae may be the main item in the diet of T. tetraquetra at a depth of 500 m. The high content of Δ 7,13-22:2 and 22:6n-3 shows that C. pacifica can feed on bryozoans. In C. pacifica, 22:5n-6 may be synthesized intrinsically by the mollusks, whereas odd-chain and branched saturated FAs originate from associated bacteria.

Trophic ecology, diet and feeding behaviour of three bathyal sea anemones (Actiniaria: Cnidaria) in the Northwest Atlantic

Sea anemones are often presented as a major component of benthic communities and described as ecologically important in benthic food webs. However, studies on the trophic ecology of deep-sea species are rare. Here, the feeding habits and dietary sources of three species of bathyal sea anemones (Actinostola callosa, Actinauge cristata, Urticina sp.) from the Northwest Atlantic were studied in a multi-faceted approach including stable isotopes, gastrovascular contents, lipid and fatty acids analysis and observations in a mesocosm. Stable isotope analysis showed that A. callosa sits at a slightly lower trophic level than A. cristata and Urticina sp. and that the two latter species rely on different carbon sources at roughly the same trophic level. The gastrovascular cavity contents and mesocosm study revealed that all three species ingest a variety of food items, from inorganic materials to a diversity of metazoans, including whole large prey. Total lipid content varied across species and was highest in Urticina sp. Phospholipids constituted the main lipid class in all three species, with consistently high levels of wax ester storage lipids. All sea anemones were also characterized by high proportions of mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA and PUFA) as well as ω3 and ω9 FAs, and strikingly low proportions of 20:4ω6 (ARA). High values of 20:5ω3 (EPA), 20:1ω9 and 22:1ω11(13) evoke a diet centered on zooplankton, with notable particularities. For instance, Urticina sp. had the highest PUFA to saturated FAs ratio, indicative of carnivory. Overall, results suggest that the three sea anemone species occupy different niches in the spectrum of opportunistic polyphagous predation/feeding, with Urticina sp. relying chiefly on more energetic and larger prey and A. cristata targeting smaller zooplankton, foraminifera and particulate food, highlighting that large actinians play diverse roles in benthic food webs.

Survey of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in Mediterranean seafood from a North African ecosystem

Despite the ubiquity of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in all environmental compartments, little is known about the pollution they cause on the African continent, neither on levels, nor effects. Here we examined the occurrence and levels of 21 legacy and emerging PFAS in 9 marine species (3 fish, 2 crustaceans and 4 mollusks) collected from Bizerte lagoon, Northern Tunisia. Furthermore, assessment of potential human health risks through consumption of contaminated seafood was examined. This is the first study assessing PFAS in Mediterranean coastal areas of North Africa. Twelve out of the 21 targeted PFAS were detected, evidencing the occurrence of PFAS in seafood from North Africa, albeit at low levels. The Ʃ21PFAS concentrations in all seafood samples ranged from 0.202 ng g−1 dry weight (dw) to 2.89 ng g−1 dw, with a mean value of 1.10 ± 0.89 ng g−1 dw. The profiles of PFAS varied significantly among different species, which might be related to their different trophic level, protein content, feeding behaviour and metabolism. Generally, current exposure to PFAS through seafood consumption indicates that it should not be of concern to the local consumers, at least for those PFAS for which information is available.

Study of feeding problems in neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit in Minya General Hospital

Background and aim Proper nutrition in the neonate is essential for normal growth, resistance to infection, long-term health, and optimal neurologic and cognitive development. It is essential to start enteral nutrition early to infants by giving small amounts of milk to ensure that metabolic homeostasis is kept stable and to limit postnatal growth retardation. This study aimed to determine feeding problems in the newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit after starting enteral feeding in Minya General Hospital from May 2018 to August 2018. Patients and methods This study included 100 patients who had feeding problems, data of the patients were collected and analyzed according to standard guidelines, and values were expressed in terms of percentage. Results Abdominal distention was the most common feeding problem as it was in 42% of the studied cases. The most common morbidity associated with feeding problems was respiratory distress as it was in 68% of admitted cases, the common cause of distress was transient tachypnea of newborn followed by respiratory distress syndrome. The study showed a significant difference between full term and preterm regarding the method of feeding, type of milk formula, trophic feeding, and duration of parenteral nutrition. Conclusion The most morbidity associated with feeding problems was respiratory distress. Feeding problems increased in preterm. There was increasing incidence of feeding problems with infant formula than human milk. Also, necrotizing enterocolitis was in 11% of the studied cases and occurs mostly in preterm and the most common feeding problem was abdominal distention.

OEIS Syndrome: Omphalocele, Exstrophy of the Cloaca, Imperforate Anus, and Spinal Defects

OEIS Syndrome: Omphalocele, Exstrophy of the Cloaca, Imperforate Anus, and Spinal Defects

Sonographic diagnosis of portal venous gas in necrotizing enterocolitis

A preterm male neonate with extremely low birth weight was admitted with a gestational age of 24 weeks and 4 days and birth weight of 610 g. Trophic feeding was initiated at 2 days of age and was increased gradually with daily meticulous evaluations. On Day 58, the patient was extubated after receiving a single dose of hydrocortisone. Hours later, distended abdomen and increased gastric residuals occurred. Bedside abdominal sonography revealed air bubbles within the portal veins drifting from the proximal portal vein to the distal branches (Figure, Video).

Trophic partitioning and feeding capacity in Permian bryozoan faunas of Gondwana

AbstractBryozoans are epibenthic suspension‐feeders and use their ciliated tentacles to generate feeding currents. Modern bryozoan mouth size limits the size of the particles that can be ingested, and lophophore diameter is correlated with water pumping rates. In fossil bryozoans these soft parts are absent, however mouth and lophophore dimensions can be inferred from preserved skeletons. Gondwanan Permian palaeostomate bryozoans show distinct order‐level trophic partitioning across warm to cold‐water faunas. In diverse warm‐water faunas of southern Thailand, fenestrate bryozoans consumed the smallest food particles, cryptostomes and trepostomes consumed mid‐size particles, and cystoporates consumed the largest, and widest range, of particles. In contrast, in low diversity cold‐water faunas of eastern Australia, where cystoporates and cryptostomes are uncommon, fenestrate bryozoans again consumed the smallest food particles, however the abundant trepostomes had much larger mouths than their warm‐water counterparts and consumed the largest food particles. This variation in mouth size, especially in the trepostomes, suggests that within a regional fauna mouth size is not controlled only by higher level systematics and that sessile benthic organisms are trophically structured to utilize different sized food particles from a suspended food source. Gondwanan Permian palaeostomates had much larger mouth and lophophore sizes than modern stenolaemates (cyclostomes) and are more comparable to gymnolaemate (cheilostome) bryozoans. This suggests that palaeostomates were able to access and consume the same range of food resources as modern gymnolaemate bryozoans, and feed at similar rates, prior to the marine environmental changes at the close of the Palaeozoic.

Feeding behavior and trophic niche partitioning between co-existing river otter species

Niche partitioning occurs among coexisting populations to reduce the effects of competitive exclusion among species of similar niche. The aim of the present study is to verify the trophic niche partitioning and feeding behavior between two mustelids, the Giant otter and the Neotropical otter, through the dry and rainy season hydrologic of the Lower Xingu River. Our results suggest that the diets of both mustelids are composed primarily of fish of the family Anostomidae (Headstanders). Despite extensive niche overlap, our results indicate partitioning is facilitated by differences in niche breadth, with potential implications for conservation of both species in the case of declines in prey abundance and diversity. Both species inhabit an area recently impacted by completion of the Belo Monte Hydropower Plant, resulting in large changes to the hydrologic regime. Thus, our results provide important information for conservation efforts regarding the feeding behavior and co-occurrence of both species, as well as providing a baseline for monitoring future health of these mustelid populations. The present study is the first to test the hypothesis of niche partitioning between these two mustelids outside a protected area in the Amazon.

Early enteral feeding is beneficial for patients after pelvic exenteration surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Postoperative feeding practices vary after pelvic exenteration surgery because of the lack of nutrition research in this specific surgical area. Postoperative ileus (POI) is common after pelvic exenteration surgery, and early enteral feeding is often avoided because of the lack of evidence and the belief that this may induce POI in this patient cohort. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of early enteral feeding after pelvic exenteration surgery on return of bowel movement and POI. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with patients undergoing pelvic exenteration surgery from November 2018 to June 2020. Forty participants received standard nutrition care (parenteral nutrition) and 47 participants received trophic enteral feeding (20 ml/h) via a nasogastric tube, in addition to standard care, until participants were upgraded to free fluids. Time to first bowel movement and rates of POI were the main outcome measures. There was no significant difference between arms for time to first bowel movement; however, POI rates were significantly less in participants who were enterally fed (P = .036) in the per-protocol analysis. Regressions showed that the longer patients were restricted from an oral diet after surgery, the greater the time was to first bowel movement and the greater the postoperative complication rates (P < .0005). Early enteral feeding can be commenced safely to improve gastrointestinal function after pelvic exenteration surgery.

Distribution of mercury species in different tissues and trophic levels of commonly consumed fish species from the south Bay of Biscay (France)

Mercury (Hg) is a contaminant of global concern in marine ecosystems, notably due to its ability to accumulate and concentrate in food webs. Concentrations of total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg) and inorganic mercury (IHg) were assessed and compared in different tissues (liver, muscle, and gonads) of three common fish species (hake Merluccius merluccius, red mullet Mullus surmuletus, and sole Solea solea) from the continental shelf from the southern part of the Bay of Biscay. Several studies investigated Hg concentration in fish muscle, but few assessed concentrations in other organs, despite the importance of such data to understand contaminant organotropism and metabolization. Results showed that trophic position and feeding habitat are required to understand the variability of Hg concentration in muscle between fish species. In addition, high MeHg/THg ratio in muscle could be explained by the predatory behavior of the studied fish species and the biomagnification of this Hg species within the food web, MeHg. Despite differences between species, Hg concentration was always higher in muscle (from 118 ± 64 to 338 ± 101 ng g−1 w.w.) and liver (from 122 ± 108 to 271 ± 95 ng g−1 w.w.). These results can be related to physiological processes especially the MeHg detoxification strategies.

Enteral Nutrition With High-Dose Vasopressors.

Enteral Nutrition With High-Dose Vasopressors.

Mercury biomagnification in a Southern Ocean food web.

Biomagnification of mercury (Hg) in the Scotia Sea food web of the Southern Ocean was examined using the stable isotope ratios of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) as proxies for trophic level and feeding habitat, respectively. Total Hg and stable isotopes were measured in samples of particulate organic matter (POM), zooplankton, squid, myctophid fish, notothenioid fish and seabird tissues collected in two years (austral summers 2007/08 and 2016/17). Overall, there was extensive overlap in δ13C values across taxonomic groups suggesting similarities in habitats, with the exception of the seabirds, which showed some differences, possibly due to the type of tissue analysed (feathers instead of muscle). δ15N showed increasing enrichment across groups in the order POM to zooplankton to squid to myctophid fish to notothenioid fish to seabirds. There were significant differences in δ15N and δ13C values among species within taxonomic groups, reflecting inter-specific variation in diet. Hg concentrations increased with trophic level, with the lowest values in POM (0.0005±0.0002μgg-1 dw) and highest values in seabirds (3.88±2.41μgg-1 in chicks of brown skuas Stercorarius antarcticus). Hg concentrations tended to be lower in 2016/17 than in 2007/08 for mid-trophic level species (squid and fish), but the opposite was found for top predators (i.e. seabirds), which had higher levels in the 2016/17 samples. This may reflect an interannual shift in the Scotia Sea marine food web, caused by the reduced availability of a key prey species, Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. In 2016/17, seabirds would have been forced to feed on higher trophic-level prey, such as myctophids, that have higher Hg burdens. These results suggest that changes in the food web are likely to affect the pathway of mercury to Southern Ocean top predators.

Jejunostomy for enteral trophic feeding in the management of apple-peel intestinal atresia

Apple-peel (or Type IIIb) is an unusual and severe type of intestinal atresia that has generally been treated with anastomosis, entailing considerable morbidity. The aim of this case report is to present an alternative management option that allows intestinal adaptation before performing the anastomosis. We present a case of apple-peel atresia, born at 27 weeks, which during surgery presented a large discordance between the duodenum and the atretic segment. A jejunostomy of the distal atretic bowel was performed to initiate enteral trophic feeding and stimulate its growth. At 2 months of life, both anastomotic ends were similar in caliber and a side-to-side anastomosis was performed. Jejunostomy is an alternative management option that allows to perform a deferred anastomosis in better conditions.

Enteral Nutrition Safety With Advanced Treatments: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Prone Positioning, and Infusion of Neuromuscular Blockers.

This review aims at assessing the safety and efficacy of enteral nutrition in critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, prone positioning, and infusion of neuromuscular blockers. Existing data from randomized controlled trials demonstrate the survival benefit of early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients. Observational data have demonstrated that enteral nutrition in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, prone positioning, and infusion of neuromuscular blockers is generally safe. However, these patients are at increased risk for gastrointestinal complications from enteral nutrition because of critical illness-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction; associated shock; the concomitant use of vasopressor agents, sedatives, and narcotics; possibly mesenteric circulatory compromise; and regurgitation associated with prone positioning. Therefore, early enteral nutrition is generally recommended in these patients in the absence of severe gastrointestinal dysfunction or shock. To reduce the complications, early nutrition should be advanced gradually (trophic feeding or permissive underfeeding), the bed should be tilted to a maximum of 30°, and concentrated nutritional formulae and the use of prokinetics may be considered to treat enteral feeding intolerance. Physicians should be vigilant about monitoring for early signs of acute mesenteric ischemia, which should lead to holding enteral feeding. Parenteral nutrition may be utilized in patients who cannot receive enteral nutrition or are unable to reach their nutrition goals by the end of the first week.

Enteral Nutrition Improves Diaphragmatic Thickness and Prognosis of Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

We examined the effect of calorie intake via enteral nutrition on diaphragmatic thickness and prognosis of mechanically ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients diagnosed as malnutrition were divided into observation and control groups. Both groups received conventional therapy and enteral nutrition. In the observation group, early adequate nutritional therapy was given, and the target calorie was gradually achieved within 1–3 days. In the control group, trophic feeding was provided, and the target calorie was gradually obtained after 7 days. Baseline clinical data were collected upon admission. Infection and inflammation indices, nutritional indices, and diaphragm indices were compared. Prognostic indices were compared, and the correlations of nutritional indices with diaphragmatic thickness and prognostic indices were analyzed using Pearson's analysis. The two groups had similar gender, age, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, arterial partial pressure of oxygen, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score, systemic inflammatory response syndrome score, multiple organ dysfunction (MODS) score, inflammation indices, nutritional indices, and diaphragmatic thickness indices upon admission (P › 0.05). Compared with values before enteral nutrition, the levels of procalcitonin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 significantly declined after treatment in both the groups, but greater decrease in the observation group (P ‹ 0.05). Diaphragmatic thickness at the end of expiration had no significant difference between the two groups at each time point, but diaphragmatic thickness at the end of inspiration and diaphragmatic thickening fraction significantly increased on the 7th day of enteral nutrition and after weaning, which were more significant in the observation group (P ‹ 0.05). No significant difference was found in the length of stay in intensive care unit between the two groups (P › 0.05), while the duration of mechanical ventilation, weaning success rate within 14 days, and morbidity and mortality rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia had significant differences (P ‹ 0.05). Nutritional indices were positively correlated with diaphragmatic thickness at the end of inspiration, diaphragmatic thickening fraction, duration of mechanical ventilation, and morbidity and mortality rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia, but negatively correlated with the weaning success rate within 14 days. Different enteral nutrition regimens can significantly improve the nutritional status and diaphragmatic function, inhibit the inflammatory response, shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation, and enhance the clinical treatment and prognosis effect on mechanically ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Full Versus Trophic Feeds in Critically Ill Adults with High and Low Nutritional Risk Scores: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Although energy intake might be associated with clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, it remains unclear whether full or trophic feeding is suitable for critically ill patients with high or low nutrition risk. We conducted a prospective study to determine which feeding energy intakes were associated with clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with high or low nutrition risk. This was an investigator-initiated, single center, single blind, randomized controlled trial. Critically ill patients were allocated to either high or low nutrition risk based on their Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill score, and then randomized to receive either the full or the trophic feeding. The feeding procedure was administered for six days. No significant differences were observed in hospital, 14-day and 28-day mortalities, the length of ventilator dependency, or ICU and hospital stay among the four groups. There were no associations between energy and protein intakes and hospital, 14-day and 28-day mortalities in any of the four groups. However, protein intake was positively associated with the length of hospital stay and ventilator dependency in patients with low nutrition risk receiving trophic feeding. Full or trophic feeding in critically ill patients showed no associations with clinical outcomes, regardless of nutrition risk.

Do predators react differently to dangerous and larger prey? The case of a mygalomorph generalist spider preying upon insects

Prey morphology and size are known to influence a predator’s decision to attack and consume particular prey; however, studies that evaluate both traits simultaneously are uncommon. Here, we first described the trophic niche in the mygalomorph spider Paratropis sp. These spiders have a narrow trophic niche and feed mainly on sympatric species such as larvae of lepidopterans and of beetles such as carabids, passalids and scarabeids. Second, we evaluated the effect of prey taxon and size on acceptance and immobilization duration, and built an ethogram of the predator’s behaviors. For each prey taxa, we offered large (approximately same size than the spider) and small larvae (approximately half of the size of the spider) of the aforementioned prey. We classified carabid beetle larvae as the most dangerous prey because of their sharp mandibles and predatory habits, followed by scarabeid larvae; lepidopteran and passalids larvae were considered to be non-dangerous prey. We did not find a significant effect of prey taxon or size on spiders’ acceptance. Prey size did not affect the time invested on each behavioral category, but prey taxon did. Moreover, although spiders used a similar strategy for capturing prey, they spent more time biting carabid larvae than other prey. Our results suggest that, at least in our study area, prey that are dangerous or the predator’s size do not seem to affect Paratropis sp. acceptance per se, but can cause the predator to change the time budget allocated to each behavior.