Assessment of Tilapia–Freshwater Prawn Co-Culture Schemes in Tanks and Lake-Based Cages for Increased Farm Production

The technical viability of tilapia (I-ExCEL strain Nile or red) and giant freshwater prawn (GFP) co-culture in cages-within-tanks was evaluated while appropriate feeding protocols for tilapia-GFP co-culture in cages in a eutrophic lake were determined. Specifically, production parameters in all test species grown for five months in tank co-culture (where only tilapias were fed) were compared, while the best feeding protocol from among the following treatments: (a) Tfed—fed tilapias; (b) GFPfed—fed prawns and (c) T-GFPfed—both species fed, were defined. I-ExCEL Nile tilapias grew faster in tank co-culture whether reared singly or otherwise. However, red tilapia-GFP tank co-culture gave the best results considering key production traits in all test species (red tilapia —2.52%/day specific growth rate or SGR, 83.3% survival; GFP—1.17%/day SGR, 72.85% survival). Lake-based co-culture was technically feasible at stocking densities of 12.5/m2 for tilapia and 2.4 to 4/m2 for prawns even when only tilapias were fed; prawns grew to desired marketable sizes by thriving mainly on detritus and natural food organisms in the lake. However, further refinements can still be made to optimise the co-culture schemes to make them more sustainable and provide artisanal fish farmers options in increasing farm yields through multi-species aquaculture.

Validation of a Feed Protocol in a Mouse Model That Mimics Marasmic Malnutrition

Host nutritional status directly interferes with immunity and/or susceptibility to infectious diseases. To understand the mechanisms behind this relationship, the use of animal models and feeding protocols is necessary. In the literature, studies reporting marasmic malnutrition in mice are not common. In this context, the objective of this study was to validate a feed methodology that mimics marasmic malnutrition, examining the nutritional, biochemical, and hematological status in BALB/c mice. Weaned BALB/c mice were or were not fed a Restricted diet (36.26% carbohydrate, 8.79% protein, 4.95% fat, and 7.62 kJ/100 g). Some malnourished mice underwent a refed process with a Control diet (65.93% carbohydrate, 24.18% protein, 9.89% fat, and 15.24 kJ/100 g). The nutritional status of the mice was evaluated through phenotypic markers and hematological and biochemical parameters. Our results showed that the Restricted diet was able to induce mild malnutrition in mice, resulting in mouse weight loss of 12%, which could be reversed after refeeding. Malnourished mice demonstrated slow body growth and low body mass index (BMI) values. Malnourished mice also showed physical and behavioral changes, a reduction of 47.5% in leukocyte counts and a 2-fold increase in cholesterol levels. In conclusion, our feeding protocol was able to generate mild malnutrition and cause changes in the nutritional status of mice that could be similar to those observed in marasmic malnutrition.

60 Impact of sequential implementation of a standardized feeding protocol and donor breastmilk on necrotizing enterocolitis among preterm infants born <31 weeks gestation

Primary Subject area Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Background Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the leading cause of gastrointestinal morbidity and mortality among preterm infants born &lt;31 weeks. Nutritional interventions such as a standardized feeding protocol (SFP) and donor breastmilk (DBM) are recommended to reduce NEC. Objectives Our objective was to assess the impact of implementing a feeding protocol and pasteurized donor breastmilk protocol on NEC among preterm infants born &lt; 31 weeks GA. Design/Methods Retrospective cohort study including 682 infants born &lt; 31 weeks, who survived ≥ 14 days and were admitted to two tertiary NICUs from 2009-2018. Data was obtained from the local Canadian Neonatal Network database. Infants were classified into epochs, based on the timing of interventions: Epoch 1, baseline (2009-2012); Epoch 2, SFP (2013-2015); Epoch 3, SFP + DBM (2016-2018). The primary outcome was NEC stage ≥ 2. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess associations between epochs and outcomes and were adjusted for confounders. Results Among 682 infants, 46 (7%) had NEC and 74 (11%) had mortality/NEC. Rates of NEC decreased with each epoch: 10% (25/246) Epoch 1 (baseline); 5% (8/163) Epoch 2 (SFP); and 5% (13/273) Epoch 3 (SFP+DBM), (p&lt;0.01) (Table1). SFP alone was associated with significantly lower odds of NEC compared to baseline (Epoch 2 vs 1, AOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.17-0.93) (Table 2). Implementation of DBM was not associated with lower odds of NEC compared to SFP alone (Epoch 3 vs 2, AOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.38-2.42) (Table2). Number of NPO days prior to the initiation of enteric feeds after birth decreased in Epoch 3 (Epoch 1&2: 2 days versus Epoch 3: 1 day; p&lt;0.01). Exclusive human breastmilk feeds during the first 3 weeks increased from 62% in Epoch 2 to 82% in Epoch 3 (p&lt;0.01). A significant decrease in number of total parenteral nutrition and central venous line (CVL) days was observed from Epoch 1 to 3 (25 to 15 days and 26 to 15 days respectively; p&lt;0.01) (Table 1), this was reflected in the decrease in late onset sepsis (Epoch 3 vs 1, AOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.86). Conclusion Implementation of SFP was associated with a significant decrease in NEC among infants born &lt; 31 weeks. Combining the SFP and DBM did not further decrease NEC, but was associated with shorter NPO days, higher exclusive human breastmilk exposure, and significant decrease in number of central venous line (CVL) days.

Time-optimized feeding is beneficial without enforced fasting

Time-restricted feeding (TRF) studies underscore that when food is consumed during the daily cycle is important for weight gain/loss because the circadian clock rhythmically modulates metabolism. However, the interpretation of previous TRF studies has been confounded by study designs that introduced an extended period of enforced fasting. We introduce a novel time-optimized feeding (TOF) regimen that disentangles the effects of phase-dependent feeding from the effects of enforced fasting in mice, as well as providing a laboratory feeding protocol that more closely reflects the eating patterns of humans who usually have 24 hour access to food. Moreover, we test whether a sudden switch from ad libitum food access to TRF evokes a corticosterone (stress) response. Our data indicate that the timing of high-fat feeding under TOF allows most of the benefit of TRF without obligatory fasting or evoking a stress response. This benefit occurs through stable temporal coupling of carbohydrate/lipid oxidation with feeding. These results highlight that timing the ingestion of calorically dense foods to optimized daily phases will enhance lipid oxidation and thereby limit fat accumulation.

Early Post-operative Feeding: An Investigation of Early Functional Outcomes for Oral Cancer Patients Treated with Surgical Resection and Free Flap Reconstruction

Traditionally patients can remain nil by mouth (NBM) for up to 12 days after oral tumour resection with free flap reconstruction to reduce the risk of flap dehiscence, poor healing and fistulae. The literature reports that patients could on average remain an inpatient for up to 20 days post-surgery. An evaluation of the impact of a defined early oral feeding protocol was undertaken investigating functional outcomes and complications rates. We prospectively reviewed tracheostomy use, length of hospital stay, non-oral feeding status and swallowing function using the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN) within a defined early feeding protocol. Twenty-nine patients underwent surgical resection with free flap reconstruction for advanced primary oral cancer between January 2018 and December 2019. Average age was 59.5 (range 24–88). Tumour sites included oral tongue (n = 10), maxilla (n = 6), mandible (n = 6), floor of mouth (n = 5) and buccal mucosa (n = 2). Median time to decannulation was 7 days (range 3–20 days, n = 11). The majority of patients were able to tolerate at least oral fluids on day 1 post-operatively (86%, n = 25). In addition to oral intake, non-oral feeding was required in 90% (n = 26), the majority of which included a nasogastric tube (NGT) placed intraoperatively 54% (n = 14), others required gastrostomy 46% (n = 12). Median time to nasogastric tube removal was 6 days (range 3–15 days). Median length of hospital stay was 10 days (range 3–51). Mean PSS-Normalcy of Diet (NOD) score at point of hospital discharge was 36.55 (95% CI 30.9–42.2). Flap failure was noted in 3% (n = 1). The adoption of an early oral feeding protocol suggests that there is the potential for a shorter hospital stay and earlier swallowing rehabilitation.