Type Of Feeding Research Articles

The Effect of Direct-Fed Microbials on In-Vitro Rumen Fermentation of Grass or Maize Silage

Direct-fed microbial products (DFM) are probiotics that can be used advantageously in ruminant production. The in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT) is a method to simulate rumen fermentation and can be used to measure degradation, gas production, and products of fermentation of such additives. However, inter-laboratory differences have been reported. Therefore, tests using the same material were used to validate laboratory reproducibility. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of adding two DFM formulations on fermentation kinetics, methane (CH4) production, and feed degradation in two different basal feeds while validating a newly established IVGPT laboratory. Six treatments, with three replicates each, were tested simultaneously at the established IVGPT lab at the University of Copenhagen, and the new IVGPT lab at Chr. Hansen Laboratories. Maize silage (MS) and grass silage (GS) were fermented with and without the following DFM: P1: Ligilactobacillus animalis and Propionibacterium freudenreichii (total 1.5 × 107 CFU/mL), P2: P1 with added Bacillus subtilis and B. licheniformis (total 5.9 × 107 CFU/mL). The DFM were anaerobically incubated in rumen fluid and buffer with freeze-dried silage samples for 48 h. Total gas production (TGP: mL at Standard Temperature and Pressure/gram of organic matter), pH, organic matter degradability (dOM), CH4concentration (MC) and yield (MY), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and profiles were measured after fermentation. No significant differences between the laboratories were detected for any response variables. The dOM of MS (78.3%) was significantly less than GS (81.4%), regardless of the DFM added (P1 and P2). There were no significant differences between the effects of the DFM within the feed type. MS produced significantly more gas than GS after 48 h, but GS with DFM produced significantly more gas at 3 and 9 h and a similar gas volume at 12 h. Both DFM increased TGP significantly in GS at 48 h. There was no difference in total VFA production. However, GS with and without probiotics produced significantly more propionic acid and less butyric acid than MS with and without probiotics. Adding P2 numerically reduced the total methane yield by 4–6% in both MS and GS. The fermentation duration of 48 h, used to determine maximum potential dOM, may give misleading results. This study showed that it is possible to standardize the methodology to achieve reproducibility of IVGPT results. Furthermore, the results suggest that the P2 DFM may have the potential to reduce CH4 production without affecting organic matter degradation.

Comparison between actigraphy and parental reporting for sleep assessment in hospitalized infants.

Our aim is to compare data obtained through actigraphy with data from parental diaries to evaluate their concordance. We enrolled 55 hospitalized infants aged 1-12 months with a gestational age higher than 35 weeks and without sleep disorders, complications due to perinatal events or movement deficits. They were monitored using both methods for 24 hours. Total diurnal and nocturnal sleep times and the numbers of awakenings were evaluated. Actigraph data were analyzed with Sadeh's algorithm. Sleep time was analyzed in 51 infants. The average sleep time was 724.33 (±104.69) minutes according to the diaries and 625.18 (±109.14) minutes according to the actigraphy data, yielding a difference of 99.16 (±97.53) minutes (P<0.0001). The average number of awakenings was 8.65 (±3.78) according to the diaries and 13.43 (±5.09) according to the actigraphy data, with a difference of -4.78 (±4.50) (P<0.0001). A low concordance (≤0.66) was found between the two methods. The two methods provided different results (P<0.05) regarding nocturnal and diurnal sleep. After accounting for differences in disease and feeding types, the actigraphy and diary data were significantly different except for the number of daily awakenings. Concordances were higher in infants with respiratory diseases and those who were breastfed, except for the evaluation of nocturnal sleep. Concordance between actigraphy and parental reporting is low. Actigraphy may be a useful and easy to use method for collecting data on infants' sleep than a parental diary, but actigraphy data should be analyzed in conjunction with infants' passive movement records.

Multi-feed, loop-dipole combined dielectric resonator antenna arrays for human brain MRI at 7 T

ObjectiveTo determine whether a multi-feed, loop-dipole combined approach can be used to improve performance of rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) arrays human brain for MRI at 7 T.Materials and methodsElectromagnetic field simulations in a spherical phantom and human voxel model “Duke” were conducted for different rectangular DRA geometries and dielectric constants εr. Three types of RF feed were investigated: loop-only, dipole-only and loop-dipole. Additionally, multi-channel array configurations up to 24-channels were simulated.ResultsThe loop-only coupling scheme provided the highest B1+ and SAR efficiency, while the loop-dipole showed the highest SNR in the center of a spherical phantom for both single- and multi-channel configurations. For Duke, 16-channel arrays outperformed an 8-channel bow-tie array with greater B1+ efficiency (1.48- to 1.54-fold), SAR efficiency (1.03- to 1.23-fold) and SNR (1.63- to 1.78). The multi-feed, loop-dipole combined approach enabled the number of channels increase to 24 with 3 channels per block.DiscussionThis work provides novel insights into the rectangular DRA design for high field MRI and shows that the loop-only feed should be used instead of the dipole-only in transmit mode to achieve the highest B1+ and SAR efficiency, while the loop-dipole should be the best suited in receive mode to obtain the highest SNR in spherical samples of similar size and electrical properties as the human head.

Consumers’ valuation for low - carbon emission and low – saturated fat butter

Currently, there is an ongoing debate related to the large environmental impact of livestock greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the negative effect of saturated fat contained in the animal foods on human health. In response to these adverse effects, dairy producers have adopted strategies to reduce these effects by modifying the conventional livestock feed composition. This study investigated, for the first time, Finnish consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) and heterogeneous preferences for butter derived from milk produced by cows fed with lipid-rich rapeseed feed, hereafter called rapeseed feed, which can reduce the GHG emissions from cows, and the saturated fat content of dairy products. Using a hypothetical choice experiment (CE) involving butter that varied across four attributes (i.e. type of feed, saturated fat content, Carbon Trust label, and price), our results show that, on average, consumers preferred the low-price butter, produced from cows fed with regular feed, labelled with the claim “Reduced saturated fat”, and branded with the “Carbon Trust” label. Interestingly, we found that one-third of consumers were willing to pay a premium price for butter derived from milk produced by cows fed with rapeseed feed. Furthermore, we found that younger, and higher educated consumers tend to prefer butter derived from cows fed with rapeseed feed. These findings provide useful insights into the psychology of consumers’ level of acceptance and attitudes that can be used by dairy producers and marketers in communicating to the public the nature of the new feed practices to reduce the negative environmental emissions, and saturated fat content of dairy products.

Organization of rationed feeding and feeding of dogs

In today's conditions, the issues of feeding, maintenance, upbringing, training, and prevention of infectious diseases were and are relevant in dog breeding. Many primarily foreign scientists conduct research in this field of science. However, scientists in Ukraine do not pay enough attention to the study and improvement of the technology for feeding and keeping dogs in kennels of departmental institutions, mainly where dogs are used to help people and serve. A dog is a man's best friend, reliable assistant, and faithful companion. Even in ancient times, a person tamed a dog and adapted it to perform various tasks. People use sled dogs to move over challenging terrain and transport various cargo. Guard dogs protect herds of livestock, protect them from predators, and protect critical economic facilities and human housing. Service dogs successfully serve on the border, help to detain criminals, search for drugs and explosive devices, perform the duties of signalmen and paramedics, rescue drowning people, and search for victims in the rubble after an earthquake and swept away by snow avalanches in the mountains. Hunting dogs of all breeds help hunters search for and catch wild animals or birds, making hunting interesting and exciting. The article assesses the technique of feeding dogs in the “Home of Rescued Animals” BF conditions. The reported data shows that the number and breed composition of dogs has been gradually increasing over the past year, and by the beginning of 2023, it will be 84 dogs. The basis of the diet for dogs is the food of animal origin (offal, meat, milk, and dairy products, animal fat), plant origin (oat groats, barley, millet, vegetables), sea fish or seafood, mineral additives (bone meal, table salt ), vitamin preparations (Tetravit, Catozal). In the conditions of the BF “Home of Rescued Animals”, dogs are fed twice a day – in the morning and the evening, approximately 1.5 hours before the walk and 30–60 minutes after the walk. Feeding dogs depends on the daily routine–drinking all dogs without restrictions. The blood test results prove that all physiological processes in the animal's body commonly occur without deviations. In current conditions, the basis of a dog's health, longevity, and good physical condition is a complete and balanced diet. The type of feeding should meet the needs of the dog's body and differ depending on the stage of the life cycle (young growth period, sexually mature dog, animal in the aging period) and the characteristics of physiological development (lack of various physical activities, increased physical activity, pregnancy and feeding puppies, etc.).

Lignin from sugarcane bagasse as a prebiotic additive for poultry feed

Diet is a crucial factor on health and well-being of livestock animals. Nutritional strengthening with diet formulations is essential to the livestock industry and animal perfor-mance. Searching for valuable feed additives among by-products may promote not only circular economy, but also functional diets. Lignin from sugarcane bagasse was proposed as a potential prebiotic additive for chickens and incorporated at 1 % (w/w) in commercial chicken feed, tested in two feed forms, namely, mash and pellets. Physico-chemical characterization of both feed types with and without lignin was performed. Also, the prebiotic potential for feeds with lignin was assessed by an in vitro gastrointestinal model and evaluated the impact on chicken cecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. As for the pellet's physical quality, there was a higher cohesion of the pellets with lignin, indicating a higher resistance to breakout and lignin decreases the tendency of the pellets for microbial contamination. Regarding the prebiotic potential, mash feed with lignin showed higher promotion of Bifidobacterium in comparison with mash feed without lignin and to pellet feed with lignin. Lignin from sugarcane bagasse has prebiotic potential as additive to chicken feed when supplemented in mash feed diets, presenting itself as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to chicken feed additives supplementation.

Peculiarities of keeping pheasants

This research publication highlights current data on the rational use of feed protein by pheasants, which is related to the physiological needs of chicks in this essential means of nutrition. A thorough analysis of feed used in feeding pheasants at the current stage of development of pheasant breeding was carried out. It has been established that cereals have the most significant distribution. Brief information is provided on various factors affecting the composition, quality, nutritional value, and beneficial effects of the main types of grain feed obtained from different fields for pheasants. These include the technology of growing fodder crops, the composition of the soil, applied fertilizers, the type of crop, the conditions of harvesting and storage of plant products (storage period, processing and heat treatment of raw materials), etc. Features of keeping, feeding, and appropriate care of adult birds are also given. The practical advice of this publication on the specifics of feeding, exceptional care, and technology of raising young animals was considered. Brief information is provided on the general features of the rational and practical use of various protein feeds of plant origin in feeding pheasants – grains of cereal crops: corn, wheat, barley, oats, processed products of oil crops – soybeans, sunflowers, and livestock products, such as meat and eggs. In particular, the peculiarities of providing chicks with exchangeable energy and protein are described as essential indicators of the viability of the young. The practical breeding of pheasants is impossible without the correct use of protein and energy feed. It has been established that providing chicks with sufficient feed, particularly protein, is necessary for the modern technology of successful, promising, engaging, and useful pheasant farming. Suppose the conditions of keeping, care, and feeding of pheasants are violated. In that case, the incidence of disease (especially of young ones) and the survival of chicks increases, negatively affecting the efficiency of the new branch of pheasant farming. In such conditions, stress factors of the external environment, new fodder, internal factors with a sharp change in the environment, feeding, poor microclimate conditions, etc., are the factors that lead to the occurrence of diseases. Therefore, optimizing and creating comfortable conditions for keeping pheasants is an urgent task at the current stage of developing a rather exciting and rich in its subtlety industry – pheasant farming.

Effect of feeding frequency and type of food on Tityus asthenes Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in captivity

Información sobre la cría de escorpiones en cautiverio es escasa, por lo que no se conoce adecuadamente el procedimiento para la mantención de estos artrópodos en condiciones de captividad. Esta investigación busca conocer el efecto que provoca variar los tipos de alimentos y frecuencias alimenticias en Tityus asthenes. Se utilizaron cinco tipos de alimentos conformados por insectos vivos y cuatro frecuencias alimenticias diferentes. El resultado muestra que una dieta insectil mixta y otra conformada exclusivamente por la cucaracha Shelfordella lateralis, además de frecuencias de una y dos veces por semana generan un mayor crecimiento y peso en los escorpiones evaluados.

People’s Perceptions of Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) and The Existence of Sumatran Elephants at CRU Sampoiniet Aceh Jaya, Indonesia

The increase in the human population has an impact on the expansion of the agricultural and plantation sectors. This causes a decrease in the amount of forest area which results in conflicts between humans and elephants. The purpose of the study was to determine the people's perception of the Sumatran elephant conflict and to determine the existence of male Sumatran elephants. The research was conducted in August 2022 at CRU Sampoiniet, Ie Jeureungeh village, Aceh Jaya district, Aceh province. The research method is descriptive qualitative and focal animal sampling. Data was collected by means of interviews, observation, and documentation. The results of the study revealed that the conflict between wild elephants had decreased since the existence of the CRU Sampoiniet who helped overcome the wild elephant conflict in the village area of ​​Ie Jeureungeh, however, currently there are still some minor disturbances and have an impact on the surrounding community. Some people want the environment around their plantations to be bordered by elephants through electric fences. Based on the results of observations, there are two types of feed provided by the manager and consumed by the tame elephants, namely sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica).

Kualitas Fisik dan Kimiawi Maggot BSF yang Dibudidaya Oleh Peternak Menggunakan Media Pakan yang Berbeda

This study aims to determine the physical and chemical quality of maggot cultivated by farmers on the island of Lombok using different feed media. The research was conducted in 2 tages, namely: Phase I. Observation of 5 locations of maggot farms on Lombok Island with a production scale of at least 5 kg per week. The parameters observed were the type of feed used, production scale, body weight and body length of maggot per head. Stage II. Analisis of the nutritional quality of feed and maggot media using the Proximate analysis method. Parameters observed were water content, ash content, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber. The data collected were tabulated and discussed descriptively. The results showed that there were 4 TPS locations and 1 quail farm location which was assisted with maggot cultivation with a maggot production scale of 7-350 kg per week. The lowest production scale is at the location of the quail farm using quail manure and the highest scale is at the TPS location Ds. Sengkol using kitchen waste as feed media, expired milk, coconut dregs, and banan stems. The protein content of the feed media that had been converted by maggot ranged from 4.51-24.64% and the maggot content produced ranged from 23.0-42.45%, the highest at quail Farm Puyung village which uses quail waste media. The conclusion of this study that the use of quail waste media as a feed medium resulted in the best quality of maggot.

Implications of exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices on gastrointestinal health and antibiotic exposure: A questionnaire-based assessment

BackgroundInfancy is a very crucial phase of comprehensive development. Optimum nutrition has the potential to boost immunity and decrease disease susceptibility. Our hypothesis is that exclusive breastfeeding and homebased complementary feeding improves gastrointestinal health and reduces antibiotic exposure in infants, in comparison to partial breast feeding and mixed complementary feeding. Very few studies have explored this topic in a rural Indian setting. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted with a sample size of 200 mothers of 6–12 months old healthy infants in rural areas of Karnataka, India. Data collection was done by in-depth interview exclusivity of Breast Feeding (Exclusive-EBF, Formula-FF and Partial -PBF), type of Complementary Feeding (Homebased-HCF, Commercial-CCF, Mixed-MCF) followed, episodes of vomiting, diarrhoea and antibiotic exposure. Pearson's chi-square tests were performed using SPSS version 16 for statistical analysis. ResultsEBF was observed in 50.5% (101) of infants, PBF in 49% (98) and FF in 0.5% (1). On EBF for 6 months, 3% (3) of infants had vomiting and 1% (1) had diarrhoea, whereas on PBF, 5.2% (5) and 3% (3) (p > 0.05) of infants had vomiting and diarrhoea, respectively. None of the infants on HCF suffered from diarrhoea or vomiting. While 5.4% (9) and 2.4% (4) of infants on MCF had vomiting and diarrhoea respectively (p > 0.05). Antibiotic exposure was reported in 30.3% (10) of HCF and 54.8% (90) of MCF infants (p > 0.05) respectively. ConclusionA population-level awareness regarding EBF and HCF could lead to decreased incidences of gastrointestinal infections.

The dynamics of mental health measures of pre- and postpartum women undergoing assisted reproductive technology

BACKGROUND: The number of infertile women has been increasing since 2015, with a 1015% increase in IVF cycles every year. The data on mental health of women using assisted reproductive technology are contradictory; there is little research on the dynamics of mental health outcomes from pregnancy to postpartum.&#x0D; AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of mental health measures in the groups of pre- and postpartum women using assisted reproductive technology and to compare these groups with women who conceived spontaneously.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study had three stages: during pregnancy, within one month after delivery, and in four to nine months after childbirth, and included 59 women who used assisted reproductive technology (34.0 4.60 years old) and 85 women with natural pregnancy (30.6 4.39 years old). All the women had singleton, planned pregnancy, with the most of them at more than 20 weeks pregnant. Drop out within research stages was approximately 2030%. We used the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment, socio-demographic and obstetric data gathering, as well as a postpartum telephone interview.&#x0D; RESULTS: Women in the assisted reproductive technology group were less likely (р = 0.000) to attend or plan to attend childbirth preparation courses. In this study group, emergency (40%) and planned (26%) caesarean sections were used more often (p = 0.001); in 17% of cases, they gave birth before 37 weeks of gestation (vs. 1.9% in the group of women with natural pregnancy); and only 51% of women undergoing assisted reproductive technology used breast feeding (vs. 78% in the group of women with natural pregnancy). No significant differences in Apgar scores and the number of problems in childs health straight after the delivery were shown. In 49 months after the childs birth in the group of women using assisted reproductive technology, the number of somatic disorders was significantly higher (р = 0.046) compared to the group of women with natural pregnancy. The analysis of the dynamics of mental health measures revealed an increase of withdrawal (p = 0.010) and thought problems (p = 0.001) in the group of women using assisted reproductive technology. In the group of women with natural pregnancy, the analysis revealed a decrease in the number of mental health problems such as anxiety / depression, somatic problems, delinquent behavior, as well as DSM-associated anxiety disorder and avoidance (р 0.05).&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: Mental health measures of women undergoing assisted reproductive technology, their dynamics after childbirth, the number of preterm births and cesarean sections, as well as feeding type altogether may be a risk factor for the mental health and development of the children. These women may require additional support.

After NICU discharge: Feeding and growth of low-income urban preterm infants through the first year.

Little is known about preterm infant feeding and growth in the outpatient setting, and there are no standardized post-hospital discharge feeding guidelines. This study aims to describe post-neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge growth trajectories of very preterm (<32 weeks gestational age (GA)) and moderately preterm (32-34 0/7 weeks GA) infants managed by community providers and to determine the association between post-discharge feeding type and growth Z-scores and z-score changes through 12 months corrected age (CA). This retrospective cohort study included very preterm infants (n = 104) and moderately preterm infants (n = 109) born 2010-2014 and followed in community clinics for low-income, urban families. Infant home feeding and anthropometry were abstracted from medical records. Repeated measures analysis of variance calculated adjusted growth z-scores and z-score differences between 4 and 12 months CA. Linear regression models estimated associations between 4 months CA feeding type and 12 months CA anthropometry. Moderately preterm infants on nutrient-enriched vs. standard term feeds at 4 months CA had significantly lower length z-scores at NICU discharge that persisted to 12 months CA (-0.04 (0.13) vs. 0.37 (0.21), respectively, P = .03), with comparable length z-score increase for both groups between 4 and 12 months CA. Very preterm infants' 4 months CA feeding type predicted 12 month CA body mass index z-scores (β=-0.66 (-1.28, -0.04)). Community providers may manage preterm infant post-NICU discharge feeding in the context of growth. Further research is needed to explore modifiable drivers of infant feeding and socio-environmental factors that influence preterm infant growth trajectories.

Motor Functional Level and Quality of Life According to Feeding Types in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Objective: The study aimed to compare motor functions and quality of life of children with cerebral palsy (CP), as well as anxiety and depression levels of caregivers according to the feeding types of the children.&#x0D; Methods: The study included children with CP aged between 5-17 years. There were two groups: children with oral feeding (n=19) and children with non-oral feeding (n=16). Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) to classify children according to gross motor function, Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM) to evaluate gross motor functions, and parent-reported Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory to evaluate the quality of life of children were used. Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to measuring caregivers’ anxiety and depression levels.&#x0D; Results: Significant differences were found between groups regarding the GMFCS, GMFM, and parent-reported Pediatric Quality of Life scores of children in favor of children with oral feeding (p

Effect of two diets on the fecundity of ablated and non-ablated female of Macrobrachium amazonicum

Macrobrachium amazonicum is a species of freshwater shrimp of great importance for aquaculture and to know its reproductive potential, through the study of its fertility is necessary. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of two different diets on the reproductive performance of the species, whether or not adopting the ablation procedure. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, with two types of feed (inert and fresh) and two conditions (ablated and non-ablated females), using six replicates per treatment. After 10 days of spawning, the eggs were removed and counted in their entirety. For each female, three spawns were obtained, totaling 72 samples. The fertility rate, the interval between spawning and the weight gain of the females were analyzed. There was no interaction between the studied factors, except for weight gain, in which ablated females that received fresh feed gained up to three times more weight than non-ablated females. Females that received fresh feed obtained higher fertility (1,373.9 eggs) than those that received only inert feed (1,084.1 eggs). The interval between spawns was 1.6 days shorter in ablated females.

Russian Constitutional Court jurisprudence of tax fairness

Public finance is subject to the principle of fairness, which has a vague character and rarely finds an appropriate reflection in law. Supreme Courts and Constitutional Courts of different countries may refer to this principle and disclose the content of fairness in public finance processes. The scope of the article includes legal establishment and realization of the principle of fairness in contemporary Russian tax law. The author investigates this issue mainly considering the Constitutional Court’s legal positions. The Russian Constitutional Court actively refers to the principle of fairness to resolve disputes in taxation. The analysis of Constitutional Court judgements shows that the content of the principle of fairness for tax purposes depends upon a type of public fee. In some cases, the Court uses the principle of fairness in a broader legal meaning and does not interpret fairness for tax purposes using the vaguest terms and words for arguments. In other cases, the Court may use a more specific and narrow meaning of the principle of fairness in cases on imposition of tax and/or tax liability (tax fairness).

DECISION TREE SIMPLIFICATION THROUGH FEATURE SELECTION APPROACH IN SELECTING FISH FEED SELLERS

Feed is a crucial variable because it can determine the success of fish farming. Breeders can use two types of artificial feed, namely alternative feed and pellets. Many cultivators need pellets as the main consumption for the fish they are cultivating because the pellets contain a composition that has been adjusted to their needs based on the type and age of the fish. However, currently, cultivators are facing a problem, namely the high price of fish pellets on the market. Therefore, an analysis of the classification of the selection of fish feed sellers is needed that is adjusted to several criteria like the number of types of feed, price, order, delivery, and availability of discounts. This study conducted a classification analysis of simplification of characteristics in selecting fish feed sellers in Kendal Regency that would then be compared with a model without feature selection by utilizing the Decision Tree C4.5 method. The results of this study are the decision tree with the best performance where C4.5 with the application of the selected feature has an accuracy value of 92%, while C4.5 without the selection feature has an accuracy of 86.8%. The results of this study indicate that the C4.5 method with the application of selection features is better than C4.5 without selection features so that it can be applied to the selection of freshwater fish feed sellers in Kendal Regency.

Insights into the Food and Feeding Habits of the Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) from the Coast of Goa

The Indian Mackerel is a commercially important fish species and India contributes to world’s 90% of mackerel production. The present study deals with gut content analysis of the Indian Mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta to determine the type of feed and the feeding habitat. The gonado-somatic index and gastro-somatic indices were determined to find out the spawning period and maturity of the fishes. The stomach emptiness was also calculated to estimate the fish appetite from the stomach content. The present study indicated that Diatoms formed the predominant planktonic feed followed by Dinoflagellates. A total of 25 different types of planktons were found to be preferred by Rastrelliger kanagurta. The gut content also revealed sand particles, fish scales and cnidarian spicules. Highest mean GSI and lowest GaSI were observed in the month of April. The stomach emptiness index revealed gluttonous feeding from November to March and comparatively gluttonous feeding in the month of April. From the present study it can be concluded that Rastrelliger kanagurta, though shows preference for diatoms (40.74%) and dinoflagellates (22.22%), the dietary preference is not limited to it, but they also exhibited preference for Crustaceans (except copepods) (14.81%), Cyanobacteria (7.40%), Copepods (7.40%), molluscs (3.70%) and Protists (3.70%). The present study analysed the food constituents and feeding habitat of the Indian mackerel through gut content analysis. The intensity of feeding was also compared to the size of the fishes, reproductive maturity and the spawning time.

Impact Of Feeding Types During Transition Phase Of Infants And Children Diagnosed With Growth Failure

Impact Of Feeding Types During Transition Phase Of Infants And Children Diagnosed With Growth Failure

Evaluation of neurodevelopmental impairments and risk factors in children following cardiac surgery: The first cohort from China

ObjectiveNeurodevelopmental impairment has been realized as the most common complication in children with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery during the past 30 years. But little attention has been paid to this problem in China. The potential risk factors for adverse outcomes include demographic, perioperative, and socioeconomic factors, which are vastly different in China compared with the developed countries in previous reports. MethodsFour hundred twenty-six patients (aged 35.9 ± 18.6 months) at about 1- to 3-year follow-up after cardiac surgery were prospectively enrolled from March 2019 to February 2022. Griffiths Mental Development Scales-Chinese was used to evaluate the quotients of overall development and 5 subscales of the child's locomotor, language, personal-social, eye-hand coordination, and performance skills. Demographic, perioperative, socioeconomic, and feeding type during the first year of life (breastfeeding, mixed, or never breastfeeding) were examined to identify the risk factors for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. ResultsMean scores were 90.0 ± 15.5 for development quotient, 92.3 ± 19.4 for locomotor, 89.6 ± 19.2 for personal-social, 85.5 ± 21.7 for language, 90.3 ± 17.2 for eye-hand coordination, and 92 ± 17.1 for performance subscales. For the entire cohort, the impairment in at least 1 subscale was found in 76.1% of the cohort (>1 SD below population mean) with 50.1% being severe (>2 SDs below the mean). The significant risk factors included prolonged hospital stay, peak level of postoperative C-reactive protein, socioeconomic status, and never breastfeeding or mixed feeding. ConclusionsNeurodevelopmental impairment is substantial in terms of incidence and severity in children with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery in China. Risk factors contributing to the adverse outcomes included prolonged hospital stay, early postoperative inflammatory response, socioeconomic status, and never breastfeeding or mixed feeding. There is an urgent need for standardized follow-up and neurodevelopmental assessment in this special group of children in China.