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Selected AbstractsOverweight Postmenopausal Women Lose Bone With Moderate Weight Reduction and 1 g/day Calcium Intake,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2005Claudia S Riedt Abstract Overweight postmenopausal women may be more susceptible to bone loss with weight reduction than previously studied obese women. The influence of energy restriction and Ca intake on BMD was assessed in 66 individuals. Weight reduction resulted in bone loss at several sites in women consuming 1 g Ca/day and was mitigated with higher calcium intake at 1.7 g/day. Introduction: Bone loss is associated with weight loss in obese postmenopausal women and can be prevented with calcium (Ca) supplementation. However, because bone loss caused by weight loss may be greater in overweight than obese women, it is not clear whether Ca supplementation is also beneficial in overweight women. Materials and Methods: We assessed the influence of caloric restriction at two levels of Ca intake on BMD and BMC in 66 overweight postmenopausal women (age, 61 ± 6 years; body mass index, 27.0 ± 1.8 kg/m2). Subjects completed either a 6-month energy-restricted diet (WL, n = 47) and lost 9.3 ± 3.9 % weight or maintained weight (WM; 1 g Ca/day, n = 19). Participants in the WL group were randomly assigned to either normal (1 g/day; WL NL-Ca) or high (1.7 g/day; WL Hi-Ca) Ca intake. Regional BMD and BMC were measured at baseline and after 6 months. Results: During normal Ca intake, trochanter BMD and BMC and total spine BMD were decreased more in WL than WM women (p < 0.05). The WL NL-Ca group lost more trochanter BMD (,4.2 ± 4.1%) and BMC (,4.8 ± 7.1%) than the WL Hi-Ca group (,1.4 ± 5.6% and ,1.1 ± 8.1%, respectively; p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in BMD or BMC at the femoral neck in any group. Weight loss correlated with trochanter BMD loss (r = 0.687, p < 0.001) in the WL NL-Ca group. Conclusion: Despite an intake of 1 g Ca/day, bone loss occurred at some sites because of weight loss. Calcium intake of 1.7 g/day will minimize bone loss during weight loss in postmenopausal overweight women. [source] Effect of selenium status and supplementation with high-selenium yeast on plasma homocysteine and B vitamin concentrations in the UK elderlyMOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 11 2008Bram Bekaert Abstract The level of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), long known to be B vitamin dependent, has recently been shown to be inversely associated with plasma selenium (Se) concentration in human subjects. We therefore, chose to investigate the interaction between Se, tHcy and B vitamins in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial where 501 healthy UK elderly volunteers were randomly allocated to receive 100, 200, or 300 ,g Se/day as high-Se-yeast, or placebo-yeast for 6 months. Plasma Se, tHcy, folate, vitamin B-12, pyridoxal-5,-phosphate (PLP) and its catabolite, 4-pyridoxic acid, were measured in all participants at baseline and in samples from the placebo, 100 and 300 ,g Se/day groups, at follow-up. At baseline, Se was inversely correlated with tHcy but only in males (p < 0.001). Before supplementation, tHcy concentration was significantly lower in the highest compared to the lowest Se tertile in males (p < 0.05), and in females when folate concentrations were also in the top tertile (p < 0.05). The effect of folate, PLP and vitamin B-12 concentrations on plasma tHcy correlated with Se concentration at baseline. After 6 months of Se supplementation, only Se concentration had changed significantly. Supplementation with Se does not affect tHcy concentration in the UK elderly population. [source] Does timing of daily feeding affect growth rates of juvenile three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus L?ECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 3 2001M. Ali Abstract , To assess the consequences of unpredictability in the availability of food, this study measured the effect of timing of the daily feeding on food consumption and growth rates of juvenile Gasterosteus aculeatus. The experiment lasted 21 days at 14 °C and a photoperiod of 10 hours of light and 14 hours of dark. Fish were housed individually and allocated at random to three treatments. The mean initial weight of fish was 0.402 g. Group 1 were fed live enchytraeid worms for 2 h after lights came on ("morning"), group 2 was offered food for 2 h randomly at any time of the day ("random") during the light period and group 3 received food for 2 h before the lights went off ("evening"). There was no significant effect of timing of feeding on mean daily food consumption, which was 0.052 g day,1. Daily consumption on the random schedule was more irregular than on the two fixed schedules. Timing of feeding had no significant effect on mean specific growth rate (G) (2.42% day,1), gross growth efficiency (23.3%), white muscle RNA:DNA ratio (5.6), carcase lipid content (31.7% dry wt) and carcase dry matter content (27.4% wet wt). Thus, a lack of predictability in the availability of food during the light period of the day did not impose a detectable cost on the growth performance of the stickleback., [source] Tissue-specific regulation of ACE/ACE2 and AT1/AT2 receptor gene expression by oestrogen in apolipoprotein E/oestrogen receptor-, knock-out miceEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2008K. Bridget Brosnihan Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 and the AT1 and AT2 receptors are pivotal points of regulation in the renin,angiotensin system. ACE and ACE2 are key enzymes in the formation and degradation of angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin-(1,7)(Ang-(1,7)). Ang II acts at either the AT1 or the AT2 receptor to mediate opposing actions of vasoconstriction or vasodilatation respectively. While it is known that oestrogen acts to downregulate ACE and the AT1 receptor, its regulation of ACE2 and the AT2 receptor and the involvement of a specific oestrogen receptor subtype are unknown. To investigate the role of oestrogen receptor-, (ER,) in the regulation by oestrogen of ACE/ACE2 and AT1/AT2 mRNAs in lung and kidney, ovariectomized female mice lacking apolipoprotein E (ee) with the ER, (AAee) or without the ER, (,,ee) were treated with 17,-oestradiol (6 ,g day,1) or placebo for 3 months. ACE, ACE2, AT1 receptor and AT2 receptor mRNAs were measured using reverse transcriptase, real-time polymerase chain reaction. In the kidney, 17,-oestradiol showed 1.7-fold downregulation of ACE mRNA in AAee mice, with 2.1-fold upregulation of ACE mRNA in ,,ee mice. 17,-Oestradiol showed 1.5- and 1.8-fold downregulation of ACE2 and AT1 receptor mRNA in AAee mice; this regulation was lost in ,,ee mice. 17,-Oestradiol showed marked (81-fold) upregulation of the AT2 receptor mRNA in AAee mice. In the lung, 17,-oestradiol treatment had no effect on AT1 receptor mRNA in AAee mice, but resulted in a 1.5-fold decreased regulation of AT1 mRNA in ,,ee mice. There was no significant interaction of oestrogen with ER, in the lung for ACE, ACE2 and AT2 receptor genes. These studies reveal tissue-specific regulation by 17,-oestradiol of ACE/ACE2 and AT1/AT2 receptor genes, with the ER, receptor being primarily responsible for the regulation of kidney ACE2, AT1 receptor and AT2 receptor genes. [source] The effect of sugar concentration and temperature on growth and volatile phenol production by Dekkera bruxellensis in wineFEMS YEAST RESEARCH, Issue 7 2008André Barata Abstract The wine spoilage yeast Dekkera bruxellensis was evaluated for the production of 4-ethylphenol under low concentrations (0.02,20 g L,1) of glucose and fructose in synthetic media. Measurable amounts of 4-ethylphenol were produced over 0.2 g L,1 of each sugar. The yeast growth rate and amount of biomass formed increased from 0.2 to 20 g L,1 of glucose or fructose, being accompanied by increasing production of 4-ethylphenol. In red wines, the production of 4-ethylphenol was only observed in the presence of growing populations of indigenous or inoculated strains of D. bruxellensis. The production rate of 4-ethylphenol varied between 22 and 93 ,g day,1 either with inoculated strains or wild populations in bottled wines. The production rate of 4-ethylphenol as a function of the increase in the number of cells varied from 349 to 1882 ,g L,1 per one log CFU mL,1. The effect of temperature on cellular viability and 4-ethylphenol production was tested in red wines with indigenous or inoculated strains of D. bruxellensis. Incubation temperatures of 15, 20 and 25 °C allowed cellular growth and volatile phenol production. Increasing incubation temperatures to 36 °C induced full viability loss of 10 strains of D. bruxellensis within <12 h. [source] The effect of a closed area and beach seine exclusion on coral reef fish catchesFISHERIES MANAGEMENT & ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2001T. R. McClanahan Fish landing data from the Mombasa Marine National Park (MNP) and a marine reserve exploited by various gears were studied over a 5-yr period to determine the influence of the closed area and different gears in fisheries. The number fishing and boats per landing site was constant, but total and catch per unit effort progressively declined in all sites on an annual basis irrespective of the existence of a marine reserve, exclusion of the beach seines or use of gear. Differences between landing sites were most pronounced when analysed on a catch per area as opposed to the more standard catch per fisherman, suggesting compensation in human effort when catches decline. A marine reserve next to a closed area that excluded beach seines had the highest catch per area (5.5 kg ha,1 month,1) despite having the highest density of fishermen (0.07 ± 0.02 fishermen ha,1 month,1). The annual rate of decline in the catch was lower than the other sites at around 250 g day,1 compared with 310,400 g day,1 in the other sites. One landing site, which excluded beach seine landings for more than 20 yrs, had a high catch per area (,5.3 kg ha,1 month,1), but after experiencing a doubling in the effort of other gears (line, speargun and trap), the catch per fisherman and area were reduced. Environmental or habitat degradation and excessive effort remain the most likely explanation for the overall declines in catch from 1995 to 1999. Closed areas and beach seine exclusion have the potential to increase catch rates, but the first often reduces the total fishing area and possibly leads to a loss of total catch, at least on a time scale of less than 10 yrs. The exclusion of beach seines can lead to an increase in other gear types that can also cause reductions in catch. [source] Biological attributes of age-0 lake sturgeon in the lower Peshtigo River, WisconsinJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 2 2006A. C. Benson Summary Lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens are imperiled throughout the Laurentian Great Lakes basin. Efforts to restore this species to former population levels have been ineffective due in part to limited information regarding its early life history. The objectives of this study were to characterize the larval drift and biological attributes of age-0 lake sturgeon in the lower Peshtigo River, Wisconsin. Lake sturgeon larvae were captured from May to June 2002 and 2003 using drift nets, while age-0 juveniles were captured from June through October 2002 and 2003 using wading, snorkeling, backpack electrofishing, and haul-seine surveys. Larval drift occurred within 14 days of adult spawning and extended from 1 to 3 weeks in duration, with two peaks in the number of fish drifting downstream each year. Larvae had a median total length (TL) of 19 mm (range: 13,23; N = 159) in 2002 and 18 mm (range: 13,24; N = 652) in 2003. Catch-per-unit-effort for larvae was 0.18 fish h,1 m2 and 0.94 fish h,1 m2 in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Age-0 juvenile lake sturgeon exhibited rapid growth (i.e. 2.57 mm day,1 in TL and 0.66 g day,1 in wet weight) throughout summer and fall months; relative condition of fish in both years was approximately 100, indicating good condition. Absolute abundance of age-0 juveniles in 2003 was estimated at 261 fish using the Schnabel estimator. The results from this study indicate that the lower Peshtigo River contains important nursery habitats suitable for age-0 lake sturgeon. [source] Temperature and prey quality effects on growth of juvenile walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma (Pallas): a spatially explicit bioenergetics approachJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007M. M. Mazur A bioenergetics model for juvenile age-0 year walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma was applied to a spatially distinct grid of samples in the western Gulf of Alaska to investigate the influence of temperature and prey quality on size-specific growth. Daily growth estimates for 50, 70 and 90 mm standard length (LS) walleye pollock during September 2000 were generated using the bioenergetics model with a fixed ration size. Similarities in independent estimates of prey consumption generated from the bioenergetics model and a gastric evacuation model corroborated the performance of the bioenergetics model, concordance correlation (rc) = 0·945, lower 95% CL (transformed) (L1) = 0·834, upper 95% CL (transformed) (L2) = 0·982, P < 0·001. A mean squared error analysis (MSE) was also used to partition the sources of error between both model estimates of consumption into a mean component (MC), slope component (SC), and random component (RC). Differences between estimates of daily consumption were largely due to differences in the means of estimates (MC= 0·45) and random sources (RC= 0·49) of error, and not differences in slopes (SC= 0·06). Similarly, daily growth estimates of 0·031,0·167 g day,1 generated from the bioenergetics model was within the range of growth estimates of 0·026,0·190 g day,1 obtained from otolith analysis of juvenile walleye pollock. Temperature and prey quality alone accounted for 66% of the observed variation between bioenergetics and otolith growth estimates across all sizes of juvenile walleye pollock. These results suggest that the bioenergetics model for juvenile walleye pollock is a useful tool for evaluating the influence of spatially variable habitat conditions on the growth potential of juvenile walleye pollock. [source] A review of low and reduced carbohydrate diets and weight loss in type 2 diabetesJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 6 2008P. A. Dyson Abstract Background, Recent evidence from randomized controlled trials of hypocaloric low carbohydrate diets in people without diabetes has shown that they promote significant weight loss over the short term. There is very little evidence for any effects of reduced carbohydrate intakes on body weight, glycaemia and cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes. Methods, An electronic search was performed using MEDLINE (1966 to March 2007), EMBASE (1988 to March 2007) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1991 to March 2007) using the keywords low carbohydrate, type 2 diabetes and weight loss. Studies including subjects with type 2 diabetes who adopted a reduced carbohydrate weight loss diet were identified. Data were extracted on study design, weight loss, effects on glycaemia and cardiovascular risk and potential adverse effects. Results, Six studies investigating the effects of hypocaloric reduced carbohydrate diets in people with type 2 diabetes were identified. The studies were heterogenous and most included small numbers, were short-term and provided varying amounts of carbohydrate. No studies were identified that were both low carbohydrate (<50 g day,1) and also designed as randomized controlled trials. All studies reported reductions in both body weight and glycated haemoglobin, with no deleterious effects on cardiovascular risk, renal function or nutritional intake. Conclusions, Conclusions are limited by study design and small numbers, but it appears that reduced carbohydrate diets are safe and effective over the short term for people with type 2 diabetes. [source] Corticosteroid use and risk of hip fracture: a population-based case,control study in DenmarkJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2003P. Vestergaard Abstract. Vestergaard P, Olsen ML, Paaske Johnsen S, Rejnmark L, Toft Sørensen H, Mosekilde L (Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; and Aarhus and Aalborg University Hospitals; Aarhus, Denmark). Corticosteroid use and risk of hip fracture: a population-based case,control study in Denmark. J Intern Med 2003; 254: 486,493. Background. Corticosteroids (CS) are used in a wide range of conditions but have several possible adverse effects including an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures. Objective. To examine the association between cumulative CS dose and risk of hip fracture. Design. Population-based case,control design. Subjects and methods. A total of 6660 subjects with hip fracture and 33 272 age-matched population controls were identified using the County Hospital Discharge Registry in North Jutland County, Denmark and the Danish Central Personal Registry, respectively. Data on redeemed prescriptions for CS within the last 5 years before the index date were retrieved from a population-based prescription database, and recalculated to prednisolone equivalents. Cases and controls were categorized according to cumulative CS dose: (i) no use; (ii) <130 mg (e.g. equivalent to 30 mg of prednisolone for 4 days given for an acute exacerbation of asthma); (iii) 130,499 mg (e.g. equivalent to a short course of prednisolone of 450 mg for acute asthma); (iv) 500,1499 mg (e.g. equivalent to 7.5 mg prednisolone daily for 6 months or 800 ,g day,1 of inhaled budesonide for 1 year); and (v) ,1500 mg (e.g. equivalent to >4.1 mg day,1 for 1 year, a long-term high dose). Data were analysed using conditional logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders including gender, redeemed prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy, antiosteoporotic, anxiolytic, antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs. Results. Compared with never users, an increased risk of hip fracture was found for CS users, with increasing cumulative doses of any type of CS use during the preceding 5 years [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.89,1.04] for <130 mg prednisolone; OR = 1.17 (CI = 1.01,1.35) for 130,499 mg; OR = 1.36 (CI = 1.19,1.56) for 500,1499 mg; and OR = 1.65 (CI = 1.43,1.92) for ,1500 mg. An increased risk was also found when the study population was stratified according to gender, age and type of CS (systemic or topical). Conclusions. Even a limited daily dose of CS (more than an average dose of approximately 71 ,g prednisolone per day) was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. [source] A nutrition and health perspective on almondsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 14 2006Chung-Yen Chen Almonds provide a nutrient-dense source of vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, fibre, riboflavin, monounsaturated fatty acids and protein. Although almost 50% of almond weight is fat, incremental intakes of 7 g day,1 of this tree nut reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration by 1%, especially within the context of diets recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Habitual almond consumption does not lead to weight gain, and their inclusion in low-calorie diets appears to promote more weight loss than a comparable carbohydrate-based low-calorie diet. Also, almonds have a low glycemic index and do not adversely impact insulin sensitivity. Almonds are an excellent source of bioavailable ,-tocopherol, and increasing their intake enhances the resistance of LDL against oxidation. In addition, the polyphenolic constituents of almonds have been characterised recently and found to possess antioxidant actions. While benefits of almonds for cardiovascular health and obesity-related diseases appear promising, the potential allergenic reaction among susceptible individuals can present a risk. Further research is required to achieve a better understanding of the role that the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of almond constituents and the synergy between them play in their associated health outcomes. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Effect of feeding complete feed block containing Prosopis cineraria leaves and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 on nutrient intake, its utilization, rumen fermentation pattern and rumen enzyme profile in kidsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 11 2005Raghavendra Bhatta Abstract A study was carried out to determine the effect of replacing the cake portion of concentrate mixture with 5 parts polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 in a complete feed block (CFB) containing Prosopis cineraria leaves on the performance, rumen fermentation pattern and rumen enzyme profile of kids under an intensive system of rearing. Eighteen weaners of Sirohi goat of similar body weight (16.0 ± 0.5 kg) and age (90 ± 5 days) were divided into three equal groups. They were housed in individual cages in a side open asbestos roof shed with mud floor. All the kids received CFBs containing 50 parts P cineraria leaves and 50 parts concentrate mixture. CFB offered to the first group had high protein (183.8 g kg,1; HP), that offered to the second group had low protein (131.3 g kg,1; LP) and that offered to the third group had low protein (124.7 g kg,1) but contained PEG-6000 (LP-PEG). The concentrate mixtures in LP and LP-PEG were without groundnut cake, whereas in LP-PEG, groundnut cake was replaced by barley and 5 parts PEG-6000 were incorporated. CFBs were similar in their nutritive value except for crude protein (CP). Prosopis leaves utilized in the CFB contained (g kg,1 dry matter) 129.1 CP, 535.5 neutral detergent fibre, 395.8 acid detergent fibre and 222.8 acid detergent lignin. There were significant differences in dry matter intake (g day,1) between HP (1102), LP (1108) and LP-PEG (1194); the trend in Metabolizable energy intake was similar. During the growth trial, LP kids consumed maximum amount of feed (76.91 kg) followed by HP (75.73 kg) and LP-PEG (73.12 kg). However, maximum feed efficiency (feed consumed kg,1 live weight gain) was recorded in LP-PEG kids (9.59) followed by HP (10.64) and LP (11.60). These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Although there was no significant difference in the digestibility of dry matter among the groups, there was significant difference in the digestibility of CP, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre. The digestibility of CP was 0.591, 0.484 and 0.645, that of neutral detergent fibre was 0.397, 0.308 and 0.499 and that of acid detergent fibre was 0.168, 0.154 and 0.282 in HP, LP and LP-PEG, respectively. Rumen metabolites studied 6 h after feeding revealed that there were significant (p < 0.05) differences in the concentrations of ammonia N, tri-chloro acetic acid precipitable N and total volatile fatty acids among the three groups, but not pH. The rumen enzyme concentrations showed significant (p < 0.05) differences for ,-amylase, whereas the differences were non-significant for CMcase and protease. After 90 days of feeding trial, the maximum weight gain was recorded in LP-PEG (7.62 kg) followed by HP (7.23 kg) and LP (6.53 kg). It can be concluded that, when kids are reared under an intensive system on complete feed blocks containing Prosopis leaves, high protein concentrate can be replaced with a low protein concentrate containing 5 parts PEG, which would not only alleviate the negative effects of tannin but would also spare expensive groundnut protein. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Atorvastatin and omega-3 fatty acids protect against activation of the coagulation system in patients with combined hyperlipemiaJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 4 2003A. Nordøy Summary., Activation of factor (F)VII by tissue factor may represent a critical event during plaque rupture in acute coronary syndromes. Patients with combined hyperlipemia are at high risk for developing coronary heart disease and their tendency to thrombosis may be accelerated during postprandial hyperlipemia. In the present double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study, 42 patients with combined hyperlipemia and serum triglycerides between 2.0 and 15.0 mmol L,1 and serum cholesterol >5.3 mmol L,1 at the end of a 3-month dietary run-in period were treated with atorvastatin at 10 mg day,1 for at least 10 weeks. During the last 5 weeks the patients were randomized into two groups receiving 1.68 g day,1 omega-3 fatty acids (,-3 FA) or placebo (corn oil). The fasting levels of FVII antigen (FVII-Ag) and FVII coagulant activity (FVII:C) were high compared with healthy males. The fasting levels of activated FVII (FVIIa) and FVII-Ag correlated both to serum triglycerides and apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1). FVIIa and FVII:C increased during postprandial hyperlipemia. This increase of FVIIa correlated to the fasting triglyceride and apoA1 levels, but not to the degree of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. The concentrations of fasting FVIIa in these patients were reduced in parallel with a reduction of fasting triglycerides by treatment with atorvastatin + placebo. This treatment also reduced the postprandial level of FVIIa. ,-3 FA in addition to atorvastatin further reduced FVIIa concentrations, fasting and postprandially, and also significantly reduced FVII:C and FVII-Ag during postprandial hyperlipemia. Prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) increased during postprandial hyperlipemia. This increase was significantly reduced after treatment with atorvastatin plus ,-3 FA. The increase of F1 + 2 measured as incremental area under the curve (iAUC) during postprandial hyperlipemia correlated to the fasting levels of FVIIa, FVII:C and FVII-Ag and also to the levels of these factors during postprandial lipemia. In conclusion, patients with combined hyperlipemia are at risk for activation of the coagulation system, particularly during postprandial lipemia. This activation may be significantly reduced by statins and ,-3 FA. [source] Comparative performance of juvenile red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, reared in laboratory with fresh kelp and balanced dietsAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 2 2009Z. GARCIA-ESQUIVEL Abstract Juvenile Haliotis rufescens were reared in the laboratory in order to investigate the extent to which fresh kelp and formulated feeds with 250 g kg,1 (25P) and 380 g kg,1 protein content (38P) affected their growth rate, gut residence time (GRT), food consumption (C), food conversion ratio (FCR) and digestibility. Abalone from 38P attained the highest growth rate (70.5 ± 4.2 ,m day,1; 98.3 ± 6.95 ,g day,1), followed by 25P (47.9 ± 2.79 ,m day,1; 67.4 ± 2.82 ,g day,1) and kelp (23.6 ± 3.36 ,m day,1; 28.2 ± 4.11 ,g day,1). No significant differences were observed in consumption rate among treatments (0.61,0.68% body weight per day), yet kelp-fed abalone exhibited higher FCR (2.44), protein efficiency ratio (4.42), and apparent digestibility of dry matter (69.5%), protein (69.8%) and gross energy (79.2%) than 38P organisms (59.8, 62.4 and 62.2%, respectively). They also showed longer GRT (23.1 ± 0.93 h). This study demonstrated that formulated diets with 250 g kg,1 and 380 g kg,1 protein inclusion can sustain higher growth rates of juvenile H. rufescens than fresh algae. These differences seem to be due to the amount of dietary protein. Kelp meal appears to improve the consumption and digestibility of balanced diets, and its inclusion in formulated diets is recommended. [source] Cage culture of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) at different stocking densities in a shallow eutrophic lakeAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 2 2009Maria Lourdes A Cuvin-Aralar Abstract Postlarvae of Litopenaeus vannamei were acclimated and stocked in lake-based cages at the following stocking densities: 10, 20, 30 and 40 shrimp m,2. Another set of shrimp was stocked in concrete tanks as reference samples at 30 shrimp m,2. Significant differences were observed among stocking densities throughout the 95-day culture. The final weight at harvest decreased with increasing stocking density: mean weights of 23.3, 15.8, 13.0, 10.9 and 14.6 g for the 10, 20, 30, 40 shrimp m,2 and reference tanks were observed respectively. There were no significant differences in survival throughout the culture period, ranging between 69% and 77%. Daily growth rates (range: 0.11,0.24 g day,1) and specific growth rates (range: 3.54,4.34%) also differed significantly among stocking densities, both increasing with decreasing stocking density. The feed conversion ratio in the cages did not differ among the stocking densities, ranging from 1.53 to 1.65. The relationship between stocking density and mean individual weight at harvest followed the equation y=81.06x,0.54 (R2=0.938) and that of stocking density and production (in g m,2) is y=58.01x,0.46 (R2=0.834). [source] Effect of stocking density on the growth performance and yield of Nile tilapia [Oreochromis niloticus (L., 1758)] in a cage culture system in Lake Kuriftu, EthiopiaAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 13 2008Ashagrie Gibtan Abstract This research was conducted to investigate the effect of stocking density on the growth performance and yield of Oreochromis niloticus in cage culture in Lake Kuriftu. The treatments had stocking densities of 50 (50F), 100 (100F), 150 (150F), and 200 (200F) fish per m,3. All treatments were in duplicate. Juveniles with an average weight of 45. 76±0.25 g were stocked in the treatments. The fish were fed a composite mixture of mill sweeping, cotton seed, and Bora food complex at 2% of their body weight twice per day using feeding trays for 150 days in powdered form. The growth performance of O. niloticus was density dependent. The final mean weight of O. niloticus ranged 147.76±0.28,219.71±1.42 g and the mean daily weight gain was 0.69±0.01,1.15±0.02 g day,1. Fish held in cages with lower density were heavier than the ones held at higher densities, and showed higher weight gain and daily weight gain. The most effective stocking density, in terms of growth parameters, was 50 fish m,3. The gross yield (4.5,20.55 kg cage,1) showed a significant difference with increasing stocking density (P<0.05). Moreover, the apparent food conversion ratio (2.48,7.22) was significantly affected by stocking density (P<0.05). However, survival rate was not affected by stocking density (P>0.05). It can be concluded that the most effective stocking densities were at 50 fish m,3 cage for larger size fish demand in a short period and 200 fish m,3 for higher gross production with supplementary feed. [source] Nutritional value of Pavlova spp. (Prymnesiophyceae) for spat of the Cortez oyster Crassostrea corteziensis during late-nursery culturing at the hatcheryAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 1 2008Josafat J Ojeda-Ramírez Abstract Three Pavlova species were evaluated for their nutritional value as diets for growth and survival of the Cortez oyster Crassostrea corteziensis spat during late-nursery cultivation at a hatchery. Microalgae were provided as monospecific diets (Pavlova salina, P. sp. C50 and P. sp. C53) and in binary combinations of diets 1+2, 1+3 and 2+3 at 80,90 × 103 cells mL,1 for 21 days. Juveniles experienced high survival rates and grew well with all dietary treatments, but binary diets yielded greater survival and growth of spat. From the three binary treatments, Diet 6 (P. sp. C50 and P. sp. C53) promoted significantly (P<0.001) fastest growth of juveniles in shell height (0.19 mm day,1), shell length (0.14 mm day,1), total wet weight (0.04 g day,1) and dry weight of meat biomass (0.024 g day,1). For all shell dimensions, the lowest growth rates occurred with Diets 2 (P. sp. C56 alone) and 3 (P. sp. C50 alone). These results highlight the importance of testing microalgal diets for bivalve spat rather than just relying on published nutritional values. [source] Managing invasive carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) for habitat enhancement at Botany Wetlands, AustraliaAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 5 2005L. Pinto Abstract 1.In Australia, the carp Cyprinus carpio L. is regarded as a threat to the native fish and the aquatic environment. In recent years, Botany Wetlands, a significant coastal wetland in the Sydney region, has been invaded by the undesirable cyprinids, carp and goldfish (Carrasius auratus L.). 2.In 1996 a cyprinid removal programme commenced at Botany Wetlands with the objective of managing the invasive species, increasing fish diversity, reducing cyanobacterial blooms and hence enhancing the aquatic habitat. Using electrofishing and gill netting, 4073 carp and 261 goldfish, amounting to 10 117 kg of cyprinid biomass were removed between 1996 and 2004. The captured carp ranged from 60 to 835 mm. Males matured before females. Carp between 350 and 680 mm in length grew at the rate of 1.66±0.38 g day,1. 3.The success of the programme was monitored by assessing four indicators related to carp populations and two related to habitat. The former included the pattern of length,frequency distribution, mean weight per size class, condition factor (CF) and the catch per unit effort (CPUE), and the latter the Secchi disc transparency and cyanobacterial counts. After 8 yr of removal, the plots of carp length,frequency distribution flattened, CF decreased from 2.86 to 1.82 and CPUE decreased from 97 kg day,1 to 50 kg day,1. A 10-fold decrease occurred in cyanobacterial counts and the Secchi disc transparency increased by 20%. More than 20 000 fingerlings of native Australian bass Macquaria novemaculeata (S.) have been introduced to the wetlands, increasing the potential for juvenile carp predation and biodiversity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Vancomycin dosing assessment in intensive care unit patients based on a population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic simulationBRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Natalia Revilla WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT , Despite the frequent use of vancomycin in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, few studies aimed at characterizing vancomycin population pharmacokinetics have been performed in this critical population. , Population pharmacokinetics coupled with pharmacodynamic analysis, in order to optimize drug exposure and hence antibacterial effectiveness, has been little applied in these specific patients. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS , Our population model characterized the pharmacokinetic profile of vancomycin in adult ICU patients, higher distribution volume values (V) being observed when the patient's serum creatinine (CrSe) was greater than 1 mg dl,1. , Age and creatinine clearance (CLcr) were identified as the main covariates explaining the pharmacokinetic variability in vancomycin CL. , Our pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) simulation should aid clinicians to select initial vancomycin doses that will maximize the rate of response in the ICU setting, taking into account the patient's age and renal function as well as the susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus. AIM To estimate the vancomycin pharmacokinetic profile in adult ICU patients and to assess vancomycin dosages for increasing the likelihood of optimal exposure. METHODS Five hundred and sixty-nine concentration,time data from 191 patients were analysed using a population pharmacokinetic approach (NONMENÔ). External model evaluation was made in 46 additional patients. The 24 h area under the concentration,time curve (AUC(0,24 h)) was derived from the final model. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for S. aureus were obtained from the EUCAST database. AUC(0,24 h) : MIC , 400 was considered as PK/PD efficacy index. The probability of different dosages attaining the target considering different strains of S. aureus and patient subgroups was estimated with Monte Carlo simulation. RESULTS Vancomycin CL showed a significant dependence on patient age and renal function whereas CrSe > 1 mg dl,1 increased V more than twofold. For our representative ICU patient, 61 years, 73 kg, CrSe= 1.4 mg dl,1, measured CLCr= 74.7 ml min,1, the estimated values were CL = 1.06 ml min,1 kg,1 and V= 2.04 l kg,1. The cumulative fraction of response for a standard vancomycin dose (2 g day,1) was less than 25% for VISA strains, and 33% to 95% for susceptible S. aureus, depending on patient characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Simulations provide useful information regarding the initial assessment of vancomycin dosing, the conventional dosing regimen probably being suboptimal in adult ICU patients. A graphic approach provides the recommended dose for any selected probability of attaining the PK/PD efficacy target or to evaluate the cumulative fraction of response for any dosing regimen in this population. [source] Ethanol Consumption Alters Electroretinograms and Depletes Neural Tissues of Docosahexaenoic Acid in Rhesus Monkeys: Nutritional Consequences of a Low n-3 Fatty Acid DietALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2001Robert J. Pawlosky Background: Alcohol amblyopia is a rare neuropathy characterized by the development of blurred vision and a reduction in visual acuity. Further diagnostic details of this condition have shown abnormalities in the electroretinogram (ERG) that include an increase in implicit times in the a- and b-waves and a depression of b-wave amplitude. Methods: Periodically, the ERGs and the fatty acyl composition of nervous tissue were analyzed from alcohol-consuming rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) (mean consumption 2.6 g kg/day over a 5-year period) and controls that were maintained on a nutritionally sufficient diet that had low, yet adequate, amounts of linoleic acid but very low ,-linolenic acid. Results: Animals consuming alcohol had increased a- and b-wave implicit times and decreased b-wave amplitudes in their electroretinograms compared with those of the dietary control group at 2.5 and 5 years. The fatty acyl composition of brain specimens obtained by surgical biopsy at baseline, 2.5 years, and 5 years demonstrated that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) had decreased in both groups of animals compared with baseline values. In the brains of the alcohol-treated animals, DHA was even further decreased (2.5 years: ,20%; 5 years: ,33%) compared with the diet controls. In the retinas of the alcohol-consuming animals at 5 years, there was a similar decrease in DHA (-35%) compared with controls. Generally, the n-6 fatty acid, docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn-6) increased in these tissues, apparently compensating for the loss of DHA. Conclusions: A reciprocal change in the DHA/DPAn-6 ratio is known to be associated with abnormal electroretinograms in a number of species. Thus, a marginal intake of n-3 fatty acids in some alcohol abusers may, in part, be responsible for the biochemical changes that underlie the diminished retinal function associated with the visual abnormalities observed in alcohol-amblyopic patients. [source] Untersuchungen zur prophylaktischen Wirkung der Verfütterung eines Probiotikums und von erregerspezifischen Kolostrum- und Dotterantikörpern bei neugeborenen KälbernJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-4 2000M. H. Von Erhard Studies on the prophylactic effect of feeding probiotics, pathogen-specific colostrum antibodies or egg yolk antibodies in newborn calves The prophylactic efficacy of feeding probiotics, specific egg yolk antibodies and specific colostrum antibodies on neonatal diarrhoea was investigated in a field trial with calves, grouped (n = 39/40 per group) according to the following treatments: Group I: feeding no additive; Group II: feeding probiotics (5 g powder/day with Bacillus cereus var. toyoi); Group III: feeding egg powder (10 g/day with specific egg yolk antibodies against rotavirus, coronavirus and Escherichia coli F5); Group IV: feeding colostrum antibodies (10 ml/day containing 1 g bovine immunoglobulins with specific antibodies against rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli antigens); Group V: feeding egg powder together with probiotics (according to group II and III). The additives were given twice daily with the meal from day 2 to day 14 post-natum. The presence of infectious agents was proved in fecal samples of all calves. Intestinal infections with rotavirus (30.8% of the calves) predominated compared to those with coronavirus (7.1%), E. coli F5 (1.5%) and cryptosporidia (24.2%). In contrast to earlier studies, the manifestation of diarrhoea did not differ significantly between the five groups. Only the growth rate of the calves between day 2 and day 14 of life as a measure of their welfare showed treatmentFspecific differences. The control group (I) showed the lowest body weight gain of about 5.8 kg (SD 5.0), whereas in the treated groups it averaged 6.3 kg (SD 4.1, p = 0,60; group II), 6.8 kg (SD 4.3, p = 0.36; group III), 6.9 kg (SD 4.7, p = 0.61; group IV) and 7.7 kg (SD 4.9, p = 0.08; group V). Considering only the rotavirus-positive calves the body weight gain of the control group (I) was 3.5 kg (SD 4.8) and of the treated groups was 3.8 kg (SD 3.3, p = 0.65; II), 5.0 kg (SD 3.5, p = 0.54; III), 6.6 kg (SD 4.5, p = 0.05; IV) and 6.1 kg (SD 5.0, p = 0.13; V). Obviously, the feeding of antibodies from colostrum or from egg powder does increase the mean body weight gain. The feeding of probiotics alone has nearly no effect. However, in the combination with specific egg antibodies probiotics seem to have a synergistic effect. In serum from the 198 newborn calves the IgG concentration averaged 4.9 mg/ml serum (SD 3.3). From 93 dams of these calves a sample of the first colostrum could be obtained showing a mean IgG concentration of 22.0 mg/ml (SD 11.0). IgG levels in the colostrum and in the serum have been positively correlated (r = 0.37, p < 0.05). Calves with a high intensity of diarrhoea had a significantly (p = 0.01) lower mean IgG serum level (3.7 mg/ml; n = 36; SD 2.5) than calves without diarrhoea (5.6 mg/ml; n = 75; SD 4.0). In Rahmen eines Feldversuches wurde die prophylaktische Wirksamkeit verschiedener Futteradditiva (Probiotikum, spezifische Dotterantikörper, spezifische Kolostrumantikörper) bei der neonatalen Kälberdiarrhoe untersucht. Dazu wurden die Kälber entsprechend der Behandlung in folgende fünf Gruppen (je n = 39/40) eingeteilt: I: Keine Futterzusatzstoffe, II: Verfütterung eines Probiotikums (5 g Pulver/Tag mit Bacillus cereus var. toyoi), III: Verfütterung von Eipulver (10 g/Tag mit spezifischen Dotterantikörpern gegen Rotaviren, Coronaviren und E. coli F5), IV: Verfütterung von Kolostrumantikörpern (10 ml/Tag mit 1 g bovinen Immunglobulin mit spezifischen Antikörpern gegen Rotaviren, Coronaviren und Escherichia coli Antigene), V: Verfütterung von Eipulver zusammen mit einem Probiotikum (analog den Gruppen II und III). Die Prophylaktika wurden zwei Mal täglich vom 2. bis zum 14. Lebenstag mit der Tränke verabreicht. Bei allen Kälbern wurde ein Erregernachweis im Kot geführt. Rotaviren (30,8%) konnten im Vergleich zu Coronaviren (7,1%), E. coli F5 (1,5%) und Kryptosporidien (24,2%) häufiger nachgewiesen werden. Im Gegensatz zu früheren Studien konnten hinsichtlich des Durchfallgeschehens keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen festgestellt werden. Nur die Körperge wichtszunahme der Kälber zwischen 2. und 14. Lebenstag zeigte behandlungsspezifische Unterschiede. Die Kontrollgruppe (I) verbuchte mit 5,8 kg (SD 5,0) die niedrigste Körpergewichtszunahme. Verglichen damit lag die Zunahme der behandelten Gruppen bei 6,3 (SD 4,1; p = 0,60; Gruppe II), 6,8 kg (SD 4,3; p = 0,36; Gruppe III), 6,9 kg (SD 4,7, p = 0,61; Gruppe IV) und bei 7,7 kg (SD 4,9, p = 0,08; Gruppe V). Bei Rotavirus-positiven Kälbern war eine Körpergewichtszunahme von 3,5 kg (SD 4,8; Kontrollgruppe), 3,8 kg (SD 3,3, p = 0,65; Gruppe II), 5,0 kg (SD 3,5, p = 0,54; Gruppe III), 6,6 kg (SD 4,5, p = 0,05; Gruppe IV) und von 6,1 kg (SD 5.0, p = 0,13; Gruppe V) zu verzeichnen. Offensichtlich verhindert die prophylaktische Verfütterung von Kolostrum- oder Dotterantikörpern eine infektionsbedingte Verminderung der Körpergewichtszunahme. Die Applikation des Probiotikums alleine zeigte keinen vergleichbaren Effekt. Allerdings ist eine synergistische Wirkung in Kombination mit Antikörpern nicht auszuschließen. In den Seren der 198 neugeborenen Kälber wurde eine mittlere Immunglobulin G (IgG)-Konzentration von 4,9 mg/ml (SD 3,3) gemessen. Von 93 Muttertieren dieser Kälber konnte das Erstgemelk genommen werden, das eine mittlere IgG-Konzentration von 22,0 mg/ml (SD 11,0) aufwies. Die IgG-Gehalte in den Kolostrumproben und den Kälberseren zeigten eine Korrelation von r = 0,37 (p < 0,05). Kälber mit hochgradigem Durchfall hatten mit 3,7 mg/ml Serum (n = 36, SD 2,5) einen signifikant niedrigeren mittleren IgG-Wert als Kälber ohne Durchfall (5,6 mg/ml, n = 75, SD 4,0). [source] Blood ribavirin concentration in high-dose ribavirin for adenovirus-induced haemorrhagic cystitis , a case reportJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2008M. Homma PhD Summary Blood ribavirin concentration was monitored after the administration of high-dose oral ribavirin in a case of adenovirus-induced haemorrhagic cystitis post-stem-cell transplantation. Combination use of intravenous gamma immunoglobulin (15 g/3 days) and high-dose ribavirin (RBV; 9000 mg/4 days) provided plasma ribavirin concentration of 24·3 ,m and achieved virus eradication. High level of erythrocyte ribavirin (1085 ,m; mostly as phosphorylated metabolites) with long half-life (15 days) caused severe anaemia, which required several blood transfusions for 2 weeks after the cessation of the ribavirin treatment. It was suggested that blood transfusion and intensive haemoglobin level monitoring is necessary for at least 4 weeks after the RBV, because of the high accumulation of phosphorylated ribavirin in erythrocytes even after stopping ribavirin administration. [source] Expectant management of early onset, severe pre-eclampsia: perinatal outcomeBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 10 2000D. R. Hall Consultant Objective To evaluate the perinatal outcome of expectant management of early onset, severe pre-eclampsia. Design Prospective case series extending over a five-year period. Setting Tertiary referral centre. Population All women (n= 340) presenting with early onset, severe pre-eclampsia, where both mother and the fetus were otherwise stable. Methods Frequent clinical and biochemical monitoring of maternal status with careful blood pressure control. Fetal surveillance included six-hourly heart rate monitoring, weekly Doppler and ultrasound evaluation of the fetus every two weeks. All examinations were carried out in a high care obstetric ward. Main outcome measures Prolongation of gestation, perinatal mortality rate, neonatal survival and major complications. Results A mean of 11 days were gained by expectant management. The perinatal mortality rate was 24/1000 (, 1000 g/7 days) with a neonatal survival rate of 94%. Multivariate analysis showed only gestational age at delivery to be significantly associated with neonatal outcome. Chief contributors to neonatal mortality and morbidity were pulmonary complications and sepsis. Three pregnancies (0.8%) were terminated prior to viability and only two (0.5%) intrauterine deaths occurred, both due to placental abruption. Most women (81.5%) were delivered by caesarean section with fetal distress the most common reason for delivery. Neonatal intensive care was necessary in 40.7% of cases, with these babies staying a median of six days in intensive care. Conclusion Expectant management of early onset, severe pre-eclampsia and careful neonatal care led to high perinatal and neonatal survival rates. It also allowed the judicious use of neonatal intensive care facilities. Neonatal sepsis remains a cause for concern. [source] | ||||||||||||||||