Profile of ectoparasites and biometric condition of snakehead (Channa striata Bloch 1793) collected from different habitats

Studies related to the comparison of ectoparasites that infect snakehead from different habitats and their relationship to biometric conditions have not been widely studied. Thus, present study aimed to investigate the prevalence, intensity, dominance, and predilection of ectoparasites on snakehead collected from ditches, paddy fields, and swamps and correlate them with biometric conditions. In total of 90 snakehead fish were collected from ditches, paddy fields, and swamps. The observation of ectoparasites was performed on the gills, fins, and skin. The parameters measured in this study were ectoparasite profiles and biometric condition of fish. Specifically, the parameters of the ectoparasite profile included prevalence, intensity, dominance, and predilection. Meanwhile, the parameters of the biometric conditions were the length-weight relationship, the distribution of length and weight classes, and condition factors. Five species of ectoparasites that have been identified as Tetrahymena sp., Epistylis sp., Trichodina sp., Dactylogyrus sp., and Gyrodactylus sp. Tetrahymena sp. infection in snakehead was reported for the first time. The ditch habitat had the highest prevalence and intensity, which were 76.7% and 15.4 ectoparasites/fish, respectively. Tetrahymena sp. and Epistylis sp. were detected in sneakhead from all habitats, Trichodina sp. was detected at ditch and paddy field habitats, whereas, Gyrodactylus sp. and Dactylogyrus sp. were only found in swamp habitats. The gill was the predilection organ that most vulnerable to ectoparasite infection. Infected Snakehead tend to have lower average weight and length than healthy snakehead. Snakehead with a weight range of 115.2-145.2 g and a length range of 258.5-268.5 mm tend to be more vulnerable to ectoparasite infection compared to other sizes.Keywords:Tetrahymena sp.PrevalenceIntensityPredilectionLength-weight relationship

Promoting health behaviour change in the preconception period: An Intervention Mapping approach (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Half of women begin pregnancy above the healthy weight range, increasing the risk of complications and adversely affecting the lifelong health of their baby. Maternal obesity remains the strongest risk factor for offspring obesity across childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Previous research suggests that women should be encouraged to be within a healthy weight range before conception in order to improve health outcomes. OBJECTIVE We outline the application of the Intervention Mapping (IM) approach in developing an evidence-informed eHealth intervention to promote weight management. The intervention, based on psychological theories and behaviour change techniques, was developed for women with overweight or obesity who intend to become pregnant. The “Begin Better” eHealth intervention is part of an integrated program being evaluated in a clinical trial to assess if weight management before pregnancy can influence clinical outcomes for mother and baby. METHODS The current study documents steps 2 to 5 of a 6-step iterative intervention mapping approach informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) model and the findings of a previous interview study. We defined behaviour change objectives for each of the IMB behavioural determinants as well as theory-based behaviour change techniques (BCT) and practical strategies. We also utilised Persuasive Systems Design (PSD) principles to assist in translating these strategies to a digital environment. RESULTS The resultant intervention comprises nutrition and physical activity content, along with psychological strategies, which are notably absent from mainstream weight management programs. Strategies to increase motivation, garner social support and promote self-care are integral to maintaining engagement with the intervention, which aims to improve lifestyle behaviours and enhance wellbeing. Important elements include: tracking mechanisms for percentage progress towards goals to enable feedback on behaviours and outcomes; in-app messages of praise on entry of goals or habits; strategies to prompt habit formation and action planning via small, easily achievable steps toward positive change. CONCLUSIONS Design decisions and processes for idea generation about intervention content, format and delivery are often not reported. This study we respond to this gap in the literature and outline a process that is potentially transferable to the development of other interventions.

Interpregnancy weight gain and childhood obesity: analysis of a UK population-based cohort

Background Maternal obesity increases the risk of adverse long-term health outcomes in mother and child including childhood obesity. We aimed to investigate the association between interpregnancy weight gain between first and second pregnancies and risk of overweight and obesity in the second child. Methods We analysed the healthcare records of 4789 women in Hampshire, UK with their first two singleton live births within a population-based anonymised linked cohort of routine antenatal records (August 2004 and August 2014) with birth/early life data for their children. Measured maternal weight and reported height were recorded at the first antenatal appointment of each pregnancy. Measured child height and weight at 4–5 years were converted to age- and sex-adjusted body mass index (BMI z-score). Log-binomial regression was used to examine the association between maternal interpregnancy weight gain and risk of childhood overweight and obesity in the second child. This was analysed first in the whole sample and then stratified by baseline maternal BMI category. Results The prevalence of overweight/obesity in the second child was 19.1% in women who remained weight stable, compared with 28.3% in women with ≥3 kg/m2 weight gain. Interpregnancy gain of ≥3 kg/m2 was associated with increased risk of childhood overweight/obesity (adjusted relative risk (95% CI) 1.17 (1.02–1.34)), with attenuation on adjusting for birthweight of the second child (1.08 (0.94–1.24)). In women within the normal weight range at first pregnancy, the risks of childhood obesity (≥95th centile) were increased with gains of 1–3 kg/m2 (1.74 (1.07–2.83)) and ≥3 kg/m2 (1.87 (1.18–3.01)). Conclusion Children of mothers within the normal weight range in their first pregnancy who started their second pregnancy with a considerably higher weight were more likely to have obesity at 4–5 years. Supporting return to pre-pregnancy weight and limiting weight gain between pregnancies may achieve better long-term maternal and offspring outcomes.

The association between birth weight and proxy-reported health-related quality of life among children aged 5 − 10 years old: A linked data analysis

Background Birth weight has a substantial effect on children’s cognitive development, physical capability, and emotional development, which in turn impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Generally, evidence indicates that children born with low birth weight tend to have poorer proxy-reported HRQoL, particularly at school age. However, there is limited evidence on whether variation in HRQoL exists across the entire range of possible birth weights. This study aimed to examine the association between birth weight and proxy-reported HRQoL among children aged 5–10 years old. Methods Data from the 1973–78 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health were linked with state-based Perinatal Data Collections and the Mothers and their Children’s Health study for 1,589 mothers and 2,092 children aged 5 − 10 years old. Generalized estimating equations were used to model the association between birth weight and proxy-reported HRQoL measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0. Results are presented as odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals. Results In this study, 15.61 % of children were at risk of impaired proxy-reported HRQoL. Each 100-gram increase in birth weight was associated with a 3 % reduction in the odds of impaired HRQoL (AOR = 0.97; 95 % CI: 0.94, 0.99). However, there was only limited evidence of an effect within the normal birth weight range (AOR = 0.97; 95 % CI: 0.94, 1.01). Conclusions The findings indicate that increased birth weight was protective against impaired HRQoL, although there was limited evidence of variability within the normal birth weight range. This study contributes to the existing literature by not only emphasizing the impact of low birth weight on children’s health and health-related outcomes but also by focusing on the variability within the normal birth weight range, particularly in a setting where low birth weight is less prevalent.

Biochemical and Functional Characterization of Kidney Bean Protein Alcalase-Hydrolysates and Their Preservative Action on Stored Chicken Meat

A new preservation approach is presented in this article to prolong the lifetime of raw chicken meat and enhance its quality at 4 °C via coating with highly soluble kidney bean protein hydrolysate. The hydrolysates of the black, red, and white kidney protein (BKH, RKH, and WKH) were obtained after 30 min enzymatic hydrolysis with Alcalase (E/S ratio of 1:100, hydrolysis degree 25–29%). The different phaseolin subunits (8S) appeared in SDS-PAGE in 35–45 kD molecular weight range while vicilin appeared in the molecular weight range of 55–75 kD. The kidney bean protein hydrolysates have considerable antioxidant activity as evidenced by the DPPH-scavenging activity and β-carotine-linolenic assay, as well as antimicrobial activity evaluated by disc diffusion assay. BKH followed by RKH (800 µg/mL) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) scavenged 95, 91% of DPPH and inhibited 82–88% of linoleic oxidation. The three studied hydrolysates significantly inhibited the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi, where BKH was the most performing. Kidney bean protein hydrolysates could shield the chicken meat because of their amphoteric nature and many functional properties (water and oil-absorbing capacity and foaming stability). The quality of chicken meat was assessed by tracing the fluctuations in the chemical parameters (pH, met-myoglobin, lipid oxidation, and TVBN), bacterial load (total bacterial count, and psychrophilic count), color parameters and sensorial traits during cold preservation (4 °C). The hydrolysates (800 µg/g) significantly p ≤ 0.05 reduced the increment in meat pH and TVBN values, inhibited 59–70% of lipid oxidation as compared to control during 30 days of cold storage via eliminating 50% of bacterial load and maintained secured storage for 30 days. RKH and WKH significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced L*, a* values, thus augmented the meat whiteness and redness, while, BKH increased b* values, declining all color parameters during meat storage. RKH and WKH (800 µg/g) (p ≤ 0.05) maintained 50–71% and 69–75% of meat color and odor, respectively, increased the meat juiciness after 30 days of cold storage. BKH, RKH and WKH can be safely incorporated into novel foods.

Prediction Of Carcass Lean Content In Live Pigs Using Scanoprobe Ultrasonic Machine

A total of 40 entire males within 60kg weight range from Large White control and selected crossbred improved indigenous pigs were used to study relationships between live and carcass measurements using the Scanoprobe ultrasonic machine. Within this live weight range the fat depths (P1, P2 and P3)and muscle measurements (MP2 and MLA) were more variable in the crossbreds than the purebred exotics although the carcass lean content, 365g/kg and 395g/kg for the purebred and crossbreds respectively were not significantly different. The fat depths, using the ultrasonic machine was a little lower than the actual values: 15.1 as against 16.6mm for P1 and 15.05 against 16.3mm for P2 with a residual standard deviation of 2.56 and 3.25mm respectively. Whilst the MLA gave values of 2886mm2 for ultrasonics as against 3025mm2 for carcass measurement with S.D. of 357 and 328mm2 respectively. Relative to the different fat depths measurements, the regression of carcass lean on P1 was -3.90±1.716 whilst at P2 and P3 it was -2.94±0.949 and -3.41±0.810gms respectively, resulting in a prediction equation for lean content of 57.85 - 0.751 P2 gm.

The Effect of Resistance Training on Malondialdehyde and Protein Carbonyl Concentration in the Heart Tissue of Rats Exposed to Stanozolol

Background: Consumption of anabolic steroids causes damage to various tissues, including the heart. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Resistance Training (RT) on Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Protein Carbonyl (PC) in the heart tissue of rats exposed to stanozolol (S). Methods: In this experimental study, 18 rats with the mean age of 8 weeks and weight range of 150 to 200 g were selected and divided into three groups of 6 rats: 1. Sham (normal saline consumption) (Sh), 2. S, and 3. S+RT. For 8 weeks, the S and S+RT groups received 5 mg/kg/d S, and the S+RT group performed 5 RT sessions per week. Measurement of MDA and PC in the heart tissue was performed with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Stanozolol had a significant effect on increasing MAD (P=0.001) and PC (P=0.03) in the heart tissue. However, RT led to a decrease in MDA and PC in the heart tissue of rats exposed to S (P=0.001). Conclusion: It appears that S consumption leads to an increase in MDA and PC levels in the heart tissue, while RT can improve the elevated levels of MDA and PC.

THE EFFECTS OF GRADED LEVELS OF BREWERS' DRIED GRAINS AND MAIZE COBS IN THE DIETS OF PIGS ON THEIR PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS AND CARCASS QUALITY

A TRIAL was run with 70 weaner Yorkshire and Yorkshire x Landrace pigs to determine the effects of graded levels of brewers' grains and maize cobs on the performance and carcass characteristics of pigs. The two products were included at the levels of 5, 10 and 15 while the protein contents of the diet were maintained at approximately 20% throughout the experimental period that lasted from the initial weight of 17.0 kg to the slaughter weight of about 92 kg. Pigs were slaughtered at the predetermined liveweight of 92 kg and were conventionally graded. The results showed no significant differences among treatments and between products with respect to average daily gains and efficiencies of feed utilization, but the average daily feed and digestible energy intakes were significantly affected for the weight range of 17 to 55 kg, but not for the other weight ranges. Generally, pigs on brewers° dried grains tended to perform better than those on maize cobs hut the differences were not always significant. With respect to carcass quality measurements, although there were no significant differences among treatment means, there was a tendency towards lower fat measurements and higher lean parameters as the levels of the products increased from 5 to 15%. There were some significant differences between the two products in the carcass measurements of pigs, and the measurements were closely alike in some other measurements. It is concluded that the two products can be conveniently used to replace the more expensive maize component at least up to the 15% level tested in this trial without seriously depressing the performance of pigs.

INTERRELATIONSHIP EXISTING BETWEEN BODY WEIGHT AND EGG PRODUCTION TRAITS IN OLYMPIA BLACK LAYERS

Forty 76 weeks old Olympia Black layers were randomly selected, individually caged and intensively reared for a period of 16 weeks to study the effect of body weight on some egg production traits. The analysis of variance revealed significant effect of body weight on production traits investigated (P<0.01) except egg index (P>0.05). The correlation analysis showed that the body weight was positively and non-significantly (P>0.05) correlated with egg length, egg breadth, she'll weight, yolk weight, albumen weight, she'll thickness and significantly with egg weight (P<0.01) and negatively with egg index (r = 0.016). The second-degree (quadratic) equations for estimates of optimum 76 week body weights suggested 1.271 to 1.801 as required body weight range in kilograms for satisfactory performance. The body weight range at this age is attainable through breeding, good feeding and other management practices.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BODY WEIGHT AND SOME EGG PRODUCTION TRAITS IN A STRAIN OF COMMERCIAL LAYER

Fifty 28 weeks old layers were reared in individual cages for 9 Weeks to detect the effect weight has on some production traits. Body Weight was positively though non- significantly (P.0.05) correlated with egg number, egg weight and negatively with Shell thickness (r =-0.12) and egg index (r=-0.15). Estimates of optimum 28-week body weights, as determined from second-degree (quadratic) equations, indicated that for satisfactory performance a body weight range of 1728 to 1814g is required, Breeding and good management especially feeding are thought to be capable of maintaining this weight range.