Revision of some mensural measurements, food preference, and haematological parameters in breeding pairs of blue rock pigeon, Columba livia sampled from punjab Pakistan

The present study describes the haematological profile, feeding preference, and comparison of morphometric characters of blue rock pigeon (Columba livia) breeding pairs. For this purpose, 25 pairs (25 samples per sex) were sampled through Mist nets from district Okara and Bahawalnagar, Punjab, Pakistan. Birds were then anaesthetized with a combination of ketamine HCL (10 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.2 mg/kg) and subjected to morphometric measurements. 5µL blood also was taken from the jugular vein of each anaesthetized bird for haematological analysis. Few pairs were also dissected to remove gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) for food preferences. Results revealed that there are no significant differences in the haematological parameters and feeding preference of breeding pairs of Columba livia. The gut analysis further revealed, the major portion of gut contents consisted of pea and corn in most of the pairs. Regarding the mensural measurements, significant differences were recorded in the body weight, length of the longest primary feather, and chest circumference, whereas the rest of the studied parameters remain nonsignificant between sexes. So, it is concluded that apart from 3 morphometric parameters (body weight, length of longest primary feather and chest circumference), both sexes are alike in term of morphometry, haematology and food preference.

Can Feeding a Millet-Based Diet Improve the Growth of Children?—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Undernutrition, such as stunting and underweight, is a major public health concern, which requires multi-sectoral attention. Diet plays a key role in growth and should optimally supply all required nutrients to support the growth. While millets (defined broadly to include sorghum) are traditional foods, and climate smart nutritious crops, which are grown across Africa and Asia, they have not been mainstreamed like rice, wheat, and maize. Diversifying staples with millets can potentially provide more macro and micro nutrients, compared to the mainstream crops. However, there is little known scientific evidence to prove millets’ efficacy on growth. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to collate evidence of the benefits of millets in improving the growth of children. Eight eligible randomized feeding trials were included in the meta-analysis. Results from the randomized effect model showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of millet-based diets on mean height (+28.2%) (n = 8), weight (n = 9) (+26%), mid upper arm circumference (n = 5) (+39%) and chest circumference (n = 5) (+37%) in comparison to regular rice-based diets over for the period of 3 months to 4.5 years, which was based on largely substituting rice with millets. When an enhanced and diverse diet was served, replacing rice with millet had only minimal growth improvement on chest circumference (p < 0.05). The quality assessment using GRADE shows that the evidence used for this systematic review and meta-analysis had moderate quality, based on eight scoring criteria. These results demonstrate the value of adding millet as the staple for undernourished communities. Further understanding of the efficacy of millets on growth in a wider range of diets is important to develop appropriate dietary programs and improve the nutritional status of various age groups across Africa and Asia.

Keragaman Fenotipe Kualitatif dan Kuantitatif Itik Sikumbang Jonti sebagai Plasma Nutfah di Sumatera Barat

This research was aimed to identifiaty qualitative and quantitative phenotypic polymorphism of Sikumbang Jonti Duck in Kecamatan Payakumbuh Timur Kota Payakumbuh Sumatera Barat. This research used 206 Sikumbang Jonti duck that were sexual maturity (22-48 weeks), divided of 50 males and 156 females. The qualitative traits observeted were head color, neck color, breaks color, back color, primary wings color, tail color, thigh color, bill color, and shank color. The quantitative traits observed were body weight (kg), beak width (cm), beak length (cm), neck length (cm), wing length (cm), femur length (cm), tibia length (cm), shank length (cm), back length (cm), number of primary wing feathers (strands), number of secondary wing feathers (strands), pelvic width (cm), and chest circumference (cm). The result showed that color of Sikumbang Jonti duck was dominated by white. Male Sikumbang Jonti duck had color head was white-black, and female had color head was white. In addition, the Sikumbang Jonti duck had green primary wing feathers like a beetle. The coefficient of diversity of the Sikumbang Jonti duck was low for beak width, tibia length (female), number of primary wing feathers, and number of secondary wing feathers, moderate value for body weight, beak length, neck length, wing length, femur length (female), length tibia (male), shank length, back length, perlvis width (females), and chest circumference (males), and high value for femur length (males). Keywords: Duck morphometric; Germplasm; Pattern color; Payakumbuh; Sumatera barat Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengindentifikasi keragaman fenotipe kualitatif dan kuantitatif itik Sikumbang Jonti di Kecamatan Payakumbuh Timur Kota Payakumbuh Provinsi Sumatera Barat. Penelitian ini menggunakan 206 ekor itik Sikumbang Jonti yang sudah dewasa kelamin (22 – 48 minggu), terdiri dari 50 ekor jantan dan 156 ekor betina. Sifat kualitatif yang diamati adalah warna bulu head, warna bulu neck, warna bulu breaks, warna back, warna primary wings, warna tail, warna thigh, warna bill, dan warna shank. Sifat kuantitatif yang diamati adalah bobot badan (kg), lebar paruh (cm), panjang paruh (cm), panjang leher (cm), panjang sayap (cm), panjang femur (cm), panjang tibia (cm), panjang shank (cm), panjang punggung (cm), jumlah bulu sayap primer (helai), jumlah bulu sayap sekunder(helai), lebar pelvis (cm), dan lingkar dada (cm). Hasil menunjukkan warna bulu itik Sikumbang Jonti didominasi dengan warna bulu putih. Warna bulu kepala itik Sikumbang Jonti jantan berwarna putih-hitam, sedangkan itik Sikumbang Jonti betina berwarna putih. Selain itu, itik Sikumbang Jonti memiliki warna bulu sayap primer berwarna hijau seperti kumbang. Koefisien keragaman itik Sikumbang Jonti bernilai rendah untuk lebar paruh, panjang tibia (betina), jumlah bulu sayap primer, dan jumlah bulu sayap sekunder, bernilai sedang untuk bobot badan, panjang paruh, panjang leher, panjang sayap, panajng femur (betina), panjang tibia (jantan), panjang shank, panjang punggung, lebar perlvis (betina), dan lingkar dada (jantan), dan bernilai tinggi untuk panjang femur (jantan). Keragaman fenotipe kualitatif dan kuantitatif pada itik Sikumbang Jonti relatif seragam, kecuali pada fenotipe kuantitatif panjang femur pada itik Sikumbang Jonti jantan memiliki keragaman tinggi. Kata kunci: Morfometrik itik; Payakumbuh; Plasma nutfah; Sumatera barat; Warna bulu

Karakteristik Morfometrik dan Produksi Telur Itik di Sentra Peternakan Itik Kabupaten Tolitoli

This research aimed to identify the morphometrics characteristic and egg production of duck in the center farming area in Tolitoli Regency. There are four districts chosen as the research sample location, which are Dampal Selatan, Lampasio, Galang, and Dako Pemean. In each district, 250 female ducks were used. Parameters was observed is body weight, body length, pubis width, shank length, chest circumference, wings length, neck length, and egg production based on Hand Day Production. The correlation between morphometrics and HDP analyzed by IBM Statistic 25 software. The results showed that pubis width have a strong positive correlation with egg production (r value 0.37 – 0.45). The body weight have negative correlation with HDP (-0.31 to -0.22), chest circumference (-0.13 to -0.05), body length (-0.01 to 0.03), wing length (-0.12 to 0.03), neck length (-0.03 to 0.02), and shank length (0.02 to 0.03). The morphometrics characteristic and egg production in duck center farming area are uniform with an HDP at 63%. Keywords: Correlation; Duck; Egg; Morphometrics; Production Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakteristik morfometrik dan produksi telur itik di sentra peternakan itik Kabupaten Tolitoli. Terdapat empat kecamatan yang dijadikan lokasi sampel pada penelitian ini yaitu Kecamatan Dampal Selatan, Lampasio, Galang, dan Dako Pemean dijadikan sampel penelitian. Masing-masing 250 itik betina yang digunakan. Parameter yang diamati yaitu bobot badan, panjang badan, lebar pubis, panjang shank, lingkar dada, panjang sayap, dan panjang leher serta produksi telur berdasarkan Hen Day Production (HDP). Hubungan morfometrik dengan produksi telur dianalisis menggunakan analisis korelasi menggunakan IBM Statistic 25. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa lebar pubis memiliki korelasi yang positif dan cukup kuat dengan HDP dengan nilai korelasi antara 0,37–0,45. Bobot badan berkorelasi negative dengan HDP (-0,31 sampai -0,22), lingkar dada (-0,13 sampai -0,05), panjang badan (-0,01 sampai 0,03), panjang sayap (-0,12 sampai 0,03), panjang leher (-0,03 sampai 0,02), dan panjang shank (0,02 sampai 0,03). Karakteristik morfometrik dan produksi telur itik pada sentra peternakan yang diteliti seragam dengan nilai HDP sebesar 63%. Kata kunci: Itik; Korelasi; Morfometrik; Produksi; Telur

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intermittent Kangaroo Mother Care versus Conventional Care in Increasing the Rate of Weight Gain among Low-Birth-Weight Neonates

Objective. To determine the effectiveness of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in increasing the rate of weight gain and decreasing hypothermia, apnea, and sepsis rate, and shorten hospital stay among low-birth-weight infants. Methods. Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (≤1500 grams) were randomized to either the KMC or conventional care group. KMC provided skin-to-skin contact at least 6 hours per day while the conventional group received the usual care in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). Daily weight measurements and weekly measurements of length, head, and chest circumference were recorded until discharge. Occurrence of hypothermia, apnea, sepsis, and length of stay was noted. Results. KMC group had a higher mean weight gain per day (p=0.0102). There was no difference in the length, head, and chest circumference between the two groups. Sepsis and apnea rates were not significant between the two groups. Significantly more neonates experience hypothermia in the control group (p<0.0069). Conclusion. KMC is effective in increasing the weight per day compared with the control group. KMC protects the neonates against hypothermia. There is not enough evidence to show a difference in the incidence of sepsis, apnea, and the length of hospital stay between the two groups.

Beyaz ve Kahverengi Varyetelerine Göre Japon Bıldırcın’larının (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Canlı Ağırlık ve Zoometrik Yapılarının Belirlenmesi

This study was carried out to determine some zoometric measurements and body weights in two different varieties of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), white and brown. For this purpose, live weights and variables of twelve different body measurements were evaluated in 30 white and brown varieties (15 males, 15 females), a total of 60 six-week-old quails housed under the same nutritional and environmental conditions. Although higher values were obtained in terms of average body weights at six weeks of age compared to many of the literature reports, there was no difference in terms of the two-color varieties compared in this study, while females were found to be significantly heavier than males. While white quails had higher values than brown ones in terms of head width, beak width, beak length, sternum length, tarsus length and wing length, females had higher values in live weight, body length, chest circumference and tarsus diameter variables according to gender. Positive correlations were found between body weights of six-week-old Japanese quails and the variables of skull length, body length, sternum length, middle finger length, wing length, chest circumference and tarsus diameter. Considering the fact that the consumption of quail will increase for the spread of quail breeding, it can be recommended to carry out more comprehensive studies on the factors that will enable people to prefer quail in nutrition.

Comparative characteristics of the exterior of dogs of northern sled breeds

Purpose: Comparative characteristics of the exterior of dogs of northern sled breeds.Materials and methods. The object of the study was the dogs of the Chukchi sled dog breed and the Siberian husky used in the LLC "Scythians-tour" of the Republic of Karelia. The method of taking body measurements from dogs and calculating body composition indices was used. Body measurements were carried out in 14 males and 8 females of the Chukchi sled dog and 17 males and 7 females of the Siberian husky. From the measurements, the height at the withers, the oblique length of the trunk, the chest circumference, the length of the forelimb, the circumference of the pastern, the length of the muzzle, the length of the head were taken into account. To take measurements, a measuring stick, a compass and a measuring tape were used. Based on the measurements, the physique indices are calculated. The degree of differences was assessed based on the results of biometric processing of indicators using the Excel program.Results. It was established that the males of the Chukotka Sled Dog and Siberian Husky breed were significantly superior to bitches in almost all body measurements, i.e. they were significantly larger than them. The males of the Chukchi sled dog exceeded the Siberian huskies by 6 cm in the oblique length of the trunk, by 2.4 cm in the length of the head. The differences between the bitches of the Chukchi sled and the Siberian Husky appeared only in the chest circumference and the length of the muzzle. The bitches of the Chukchi sled were more downed and massive than the males. In dogs of the Siberian Husky breed, there were no significant differences between males and bitches in all body indices. The males of the Siberian Husky breed were more downed and massive than the males of the Chukchi sled dog. Bitches of both breeds were developed in the same way.Conclusion. Sexual dimorphism in the exterior was manifested in dogs of the Chukchi Sled dog breed. Breed and sex differences of dogs in size, appearance and physique should be taken into account when forming sleds.

SIFAT KUALITATIF DAN KUANTITATIF SAPI BALI BETINA

The purpose of this study was to determine the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of female Bali cattle in Atinggola District, North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province. This study used a field experiment method in the form of direct observation and measurement of female Bali cattle based on the total population and livestock density in each village in Atinggola District. A total of 122 female Bali cattle aged 2-4 years were used as samples for observation and measurement. Bali cattle aged 2 3 years have a white pattern on the butt (butt mirror) with clear boundaries of 74.64% and 25.33% without clear boundaries. The white pattern on the feet (socks) is clearly visible with the skin color on the legs 73.33% and 26.67% there is no dividing line between the body color and the white pattern on the legs (socks). Bali cattle aged 3 4 years have a white pattern on the butt (butt mirror) which is clearly demarcated by 63.83% and 36.17% without clear boundaries. The white pattern on the feet (socks) is well defined with body hair color 68.09% and 31.91% there is no clear boundary between body color and pattern color. Female Bali cattle aged 2 3 aged 5.81-25.15, the average body length, chest circumference, and height were 93.91±9.29, 148.78±20.40 and 106, respectively, 10±6.16. Bali cattle aged 34 have a diversity of body size of 5.29-35.17%. The average values of chest circumference, body length, and height were 98.73±10.31, 144.22±14.62, 144.22±14.62, respectively. Female Bali cattle from Atinggola District, North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo have qualitative characteristics that do not deviate from native Indonesian Bali cattle. Body size diversity of female Bali cattle aged 2 3 was 5.81-25.15, while Bali cattle aged 3 4 had body size diversity of 5.29-35.17%

Fasting Plasma Glucose Mediates the Prospective Effect of Maternal Metal Level on Birth Outcomes: A Retrospective and Longitudinal Population-Based Cohort Study

ObjectivePreviously, we found that the presence of maternal serum metals before the 24th week of gestation prospectively increased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at 24–28 weeks. We further explored the prospective association between levels of metals and neonatal outcomes and assessed the mediating effects of FPG on these relationships.MethodsA total of 7,644 pregnant women were included in a retrospective cohort study, and the relationships between metals [manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg)] and birth outcomes were explored. Quantile and linear regressions were performed to detect the shifts and associations between metals and neonatal size distribution focused on the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles. Mediation analysis was performed to assess the mediating effect of FPG on metals and birth outcomes.ResultsAfter adjustment, a 50% increase in Mn and Zn levels was related to a 0.136-cm (95% CI: 0.067–0.205) and 0.120-cm (95% CI: 0.046–0.193) increase in head circumference, respectively. Based on head circumference distribution, the magnitude of the association with Mn was smaller at the upper tail, while the magnitude of correlation with Zn was greater at the upper tail. A 50% increase in Mn and Zn levels was related to a 0.135-cm (95% CI: 0.058–0.212) and 0.095-cm (95% CI: 0.013–0.178) increase in chest circumference, respectively. The magnitude of the association with Mn increased with increasing chest circumference, while the magnitude of correlation with Zn decreased with increasing chest circumference. FPG explained 10.00% and 17.65% of the associations of Mn with head and chest circumference. A positive indirect effect of Zn associated with head circumference (0.004, 95% CI: 0.002–0.006) and chest circumference (0.005, 95% CI: 0.003–0.008) through FPG was also observed, and the estimated proportion of the mediating effect was 13.79% and 26.32%, respectively.ConclusionMaternal serum Mn and Zn levels before the 24th week of gestation may prospectively increase the circumference of the neonatal head and chest. FPG at 24–28 weeks had positive mediating effects on these relationships. Further research is needed to identify a balance between maternal blood glucose and birth size.

Morphofunctional characteristics of single combats athletes as factors of success

Background and Study Aim. The aim of the article is a comparative analysis of the morphofunctional characteristics of athletes of various types of martial arts as factors of success. Material and Methods. The study participated students involved in martial arts (n = 29; age - 17.53 ± 0.15 years). The first group (group 1 - wrestlers) included judo, sambo, wrestling athletes (n = 12, age - 18.58 ± 0.38 years). The second group (group 2 - athletes of percussion martial arts) included athletes of karate, taekwondo (GTF), taekwondo (WTF), (n = 17; age - 18.12 ± 0.26 years). Determined 46 morphofunctional indicators: length and body weight; chest circumference in a pause, on inhalation and exhalation; length and circumference of the segments of the upper and lower extremities; wrist dynamometry. A goniometric study of the range of motion in the joints of the upper extremities was carried out. The dynamic grip strength was determined by the maximum frequency of hand squeezing in 10 seconds. To characterize the data, the median was determined - the first (25%) and third (75%) quartiles. Differences between groups were assessed using nonparametric criteria of Wilkinson-Mann-Whitney (U) and Rosenbaum (Q). Results. Athletes in group 1 had a greater interquartile range compared to athletes in group 1 in the following indicators: body weight; chest circumference in a pause, on inhalation and exhalation; hand dynamometry of the right and left hands; maximum frequency of the hand grip in the impulse mode with the left hand; shoulder width; circumference of the shoulder, forearm, thigh and lower leg. Athletes of percussion martial arts were characterized by large values of the shin length. The amplitude of abduction and adduction in the right wrist joint, the amplitude of abduction in the left wrist joint was greater in the wrestlers. Athletes of percussion martial arts had a large amount of extension of the left wrist joint, flexion of the right elbow joint, extension and abduction of the right shoulder joint. Conclusions. Analysis of morphofunctional indicators of athletes of various types of martial arts confirmed the specific effect of the sport on the body of athletes. The features that are the factors of success are highlighted. For wrestlers, these include hand strength in various modes. It allows to implement quickly and efficiently grip. This is the basis for a successful wrestling technique. Sufficient development of the muscles of the limbs ensures the execution of throws in wrestling. The lengthened calf size contributes to a more effective kick in martial arts. Goniometric features of movements reflect the possibility of high-quality gripping, striking or blocking. The used morphofunctional indicators can be applied to predict the success of athletes in various types of martial arts.