Exploration of Zingiber officinale effects on growth performance, immunity and gut morphology in broilers / Exploração dos efeitos do Zingiber officinale no desempenho de crescimento, imunidade e morfologia intestinal em frangos de corte

The current study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of Zingiber officinale as a herbal feed additive on growth performance, carcass characteristic, serum biochemistry, total bacterial count (TBC), gut morphology, and immunological parameters of broilers. A total of 1500, day-old broiler chicks (Hubbard) were equally accredited to five treatment groups, each with six replicates (50 birds/replicate). Five experimental diets were prepared using basal diet i.e. with antibiotics positive control (PC), 3 g/kg ginger (group A), 6 g/kg ginger (group B), 9 g/kg ginger (group C) and without antibiotics negative control (NC). Group A and C showed significantly (p<0.05) higher feed intake (FI) as compared to other groups. Group C showed significantly (p<0.05) lower Total bacterial count (TBC) followed by group B as compared to NC. Carcass characteristics showed non-significant effects among different treatments. Mean villi length and width were significantly (p <0.05) higher in all ginger supplemented groups as compared to the control groups. Blood serum parameters including cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoproteins (LDL) were significantly (p<0.05) lower in groups B and C in comparison with the control groups. Whereas high-density lipoproteins (HDL) was significantly higher in group B as compared to the others. In conclusion, ginger supplementation @0.6% in the basal diet significantly improved growth performance and gut morphometry of broilers. It also showed a positive impact on cholesterol, triglycerides and gut microbes. Therefore, ginger could be a better substitute for antibiotic growth promoters.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de Zingiber officinale como aditivo à base de plantas medicinais sobre o desempenho de crescimento, características da carcaça, bioquímica sérica, contagem bacteriana total (CBT), morfologia intestinal e parâmetros imunológicos de frangos de corte. Um total de 1.500 pintos de corte de um dia de idade (Hubbard) foram igualmente credenciados em cinco grupos de tratamento, cada um com seis repetições (50 aves/repetição). Cinco dietas experimentais foram preparadas usando dieta basal, ou seja, com controle positivo de antibióticos (PC), 3 g/kg de gengibre (grupo A), 6 g/kg de gengibre (grupo B), 9 g/kg de gengibre (grupo C) e sem controle negativo de antibióticos (NC). Os grupos A e C apresentaram consumo de ração (FI) significativamente (p < 0,05) maior do que os outros grupos. O grupo C apresentou contagem bacteriana total (CBT) significativamente menor (p < 0,05) seguido pelo grupo B em comparação com o NC. As características da carcaça apresentaram efeitos não significativos entre os diferentes tratamentos. O comprimento e largura médios das vilosidades foram significativamente (p < 0,05) maiores em todos os grupos suplementados com gengibre em comparação com os grupos de controle. Os parâmetros séricos do sangue, incluindo colesterol, triglicerídeos e lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL), foram significativamente (p < 0,05) menores nos grupos B e C em comparação com os grupos controle. Enquanto as lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL) foram significativamente maiores no grupo B em comparação com os outros. Em conclusão, a suplementação de gengibre a 0,6% na dieta basal melhorou significativamente o desempenho de crescimento e a morfometria intestinal de frangos de corte. Ele também mostrou um impacto positivo sobre o colesterol, triglicerídeos e micróbios intestinais. Portanto, o gengibre pode ser um substituto melhor para os promotores de crescimento com antibióticos.

Exploration of Zingiber officinale effects on growth performance, immunity and gut morphology in broilers

Abstract The current study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of Zingiber officinale as a herbal feed additive on growth performance, carcass characteristic, serum biochemistry, total bacterial count (TBC), gut morphology, and immunological parameters of broilers. A total of 1500, day-old broiler chicks (Hubbard) were equally accredited to five treatment groups, each with six replicates (50 birds/replicate). Five experimental diets were prepared using basal diet i.e. with antibiotics positive control (PC), 3 g/kg ginger (group A), 6 g/kg ginger (group B), 9 g/kg ginger (group C) and without antibiotics negative control (NC). Group A and C showed significantly (p 0.05) higher feed intake (FI) as compared to other groups. Group C showed significantly (p 0.05) lower Total bacterial count (TBC) followed by group B as compared to NC. Carcass characteristics showed non-significant effects among different treatments. Mean villi length and width were significantly (p 0.05) higher in all ginger supplemented groups as compared to the control groups. Blood serum parameters including cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were significantly (p 0.05) lower in groups B and C in comparison with the control groups. Whereas high-density lipoproteins (HDL) was significantly higher in group B as compared to the others. In conclusion, ginger supplementation @0.6% in the basal diet significantly improved growth performance and gut morphometry of broilers. It also showed a positive impact on cholesterol, triglycerides and gut microbes. Therefore, ginger could be a better substitute for antibiotic growth promoters.

Resumo O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de Zingiber officinale como aditivo à base de plantas medicinais sobre o desempenho de crescimento, características da carcaça, bioquímica sérica, contagem bacteriana total (CBT), morfologia intestinal e parâmetros imunológicos de frangos de corte. Um total de 1.500 pintos de corte de um dia de idade (Hubbard) foram igualmente credenciados em cinco grupos de tratamento, cada um com seis repetições (50 aves/repetição). Cinco dietas experimentais foram preparadas usando dieta basal, ou seja, com controle positivo de antibióticos (PC), 3 g/kg de gengibre (grupo A), 6 g/kg de gengibre (grupo B), 9 g/kg de gengibre (grupo C) e sem controle negativo de antibióticos (NC). Os grupos A e C apresentaram consumo de ração (FI) significativamente (p 0,05) maior do que os outros grupos. O grupo C apresentou contagem bacteriana total (CBT) significativamente menor (p 0,05) seguido pelo grupo B em comparação com o NC. As características da carcaça apresentaram efeitos não significativos entre os diferentes tratamentos. O comprimento e largura médios das vilosidades foram significativamente (p 0,05) maiores em todos os grupos suplementados com gengibre em comparação com os grupos de controle. Os parâmetros séricos do sangue, incluindo colesterol, triglicerídeos e lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL), foram significativamente (p 0,05) menores nos grupos B e C em comparação com os grupos controle. Enquanto as lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL) foram significativamente maiores no grupo B em comparação com os outros. Em conclusão, a suplementação de gengibre a 0,6% na dieta basal melhorou significativamente o desempenho de crescimento e a morfometria intestinal de frangos de corte. Ele também mostrou um impacto positivo sobre o colesterol, triglicerídeos e micróbios intestinais. Portanto, o gengibre pode ser um substituto melhor para os promotores de crescimento com antibióticos.

Exploration of Zingiber officinale effects on growth performance, immunity and gut morphology in broilers / Exploração dos efeitos do Zingiber officinale no desempenho de crescimento, imunidade e morfologia intestinal em frangos de corte

Abstract The current study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of Zingiber officinale as a herbal feed additive on growth performance, carcass characteristic, serum biochemistry, total bacterial count (TBC), gut morphology, and immunological parameters of broilers. A total of 1500, day-old broiler chicks (Hubbard) were equally accredited to five treatment groups, each with six replicates (50 birds/replicate). Five experimental diets were prepared using basal diet i.e. with antibiotics positive control (PC), 3 g/kg ginger (group A), 6 g/kg ginger (group B), 9 g/kg ginger (group C) and without antibiotics negative control (NC). Group A and C showed significantly (p<0.05) higher feed intake (FI) as compared to other groups. Group C showed significantly (p<0.05) lower Total bacterial count (TBC) followed by group B as compared to NC. Carcass characteristics showed non-significant effects among different treatments. Mean villi length and width were significantly (p <0.05) higher in all ginger supplemented groups as compared to the control groups. Blood serum parameters including cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were significantly (p<0.05) lower in groups B and C in comparison with the control groups. Whereas high-density lipoproteins (HDL) was significantly higher in group B as compared to the others. In conclusion, ginger supplementation @0.6% in the basal diet significantly improved growth performance and gut morphometry of broilers. It also showed a positive impact on cholesterol, triglycerides and gut microbes. Therefore, ginger could be a better substitute for antibiotic growth promoters.

Resumo O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de Zingiber officinale como aditivo à base de plantas medicinais sobre o desempenho de crescimento, características da carcaça, bioquímica sérica, contagem bacteriana total (CBT), morfologia intestinal e parâmetros imunológicos de frangos de corte. Um total de 1.500 pintos de corte de um dia de idade (Hubbard) foram igualmente credenciados em cinco grupos de tratamento, cada um com seis repetições (50 aves/repetição). Cinco dietas experimentais foram preparadas usando dieta basal, ou seja, com controle positivo de antibióticos (PC), 3 g/kg de gengibre (grupo A), 6 g/kg de gengibre (grupo B), 9 g/kg de gengibre (grupo C) e sem controle negativo de antibióticos (NC). Os grupos A e C apresentaram consumo de ração (FI) significativamente (p < 0,05) maior do que os outros grupos. O grupo C apresentou contagem bacteriana total (CBT) significativamente menor (p < 0,05) seguido pelo grupo B em comparação com o NC. As características da carcaça apresentaram efeitos não significativos entre os diferentes tratamentos. O comprimento e largura médios das vilosidades foram significativamente (p < 0,05) maiores em todos os grupos suplementados com gengibre em comparação com os grupos de controle. Os parâmetros séricos do sangue, incluindo colesterol, triglicerídeos e lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL), foram significativamente (p < 0,05) menores nos grupos B e C em comparação com os grupos controle. Enquanto as lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL) foram significativamente maiores no grupo B em comparação com os outros. Em conclusão, a suplementação de gengibre a 0,6% na dieta basal melhorou significativamente o desempenho de crescimento e a morfometria intestinal de frangos de corte. Ele também mostrou um impacto positivo sobre o colesterol, triglicerídeos e micróbios intestinais. Portanto, o gengibre pode ser um substituto melhor para os promotores de crescimento com antibióticos.

Effects of mannan-oligosaccharide supplementation on gut health, immunity, and production performance of broilers.

The study was designed to investigate the effect of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation on intestinal histomorphology, immunity against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and productive parameters of broilers. A total of 1800, day old broiler chicks of Cobb-500 strain were selected and randomly assorted into 6 treatment groups: T1 (basal diet without antibiotics as negative control); T2 (basal diet plus antibiotics as positive control group); T3 (basal diet plus 200g/ton MOS); T4 (basal diet plus 400g/ton MOS); T5 (basal diet plus 600g/ton MOS) and T6 (basal diet plus 800g/ton MOS). Each treatment was having 6 replicates and the feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded on weekly basis. Results showed that, MOS supplemented birds have significantly higher feed intake, weight gain and FCR (P < 0.05). Similarly, supplementation of MOS showed positive effect on villus height and crypt depth both in jejunum and ilium. Goblet cell density was unaffected by MOS addition (P < 0.05). Furthermore, birds fed with diets containing MOS, exhibited better productive performance in comparison to positive and negative control groups. In conclusion, MOS can replace antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) as non-microbial performance-enhancing feed advocates.

Exploration of Zingiber officinale effects on growth performance, immunity and gut morphology in broilers.

The current study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of Zingiber officinale as a herbal feed additive on growth performance, carcass characteristic, serum biochemistry, total bacterial count (TBC), gut morphology, and immunological parameters of broilers. A total of 1500, day-old broiler chicks (Hubbard) were equally accredited to five treatment groups, each with six replicates (50 birds/replicate). Five experimental diets were prepared using basal diet i.e. with antibiotics positive control (PC), 3 g/kg ginger (group A), 6 g/kg ginger (group B), 9 g/kg ginger (group C) and without antibiotics negative control (NC). Group A and C showed significantly (p<0.05) higher feed intake (FI) as compared to other groups. Group C showed significantly (p<0.05) lower Total bacterial count (TBC) followed by group B as compared to NC. Carcass characteristics showed non-significant effects among different treatments. Mean villi length and width were significantly (p <0.05) higher in all ginger supplemented groups as compared to the control groups. Blood serum parameters including cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were significantly (p<0.05) lower in groups B and C in comparison with the control groups. Whereas high-density lipoproteins (HDL) was significantly higher in group B as compared to the others. In conclusion, ginger supplementation @0.6% in the basal diet significantly improved growth performance and gut morphometry of broilers. It also showed a positive impact on cholesterol, triglycerides and gut microbes. Therefore, ginger could be a better substitute for antibiotic growth promoters.

Physical activity pattern and its relationship with overweight and obesity in saudi children.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity among children and adolescents are emerging public health problems. Modifiable lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity and eating out are responsible for the increased prevalence of obesity and related health risks. OBJECTIVE: To examine physical activity level and weight status among Saudi children in relation to age and gender. STUDY DESIGN: In a cross-sectional study, 200 apparently healthy Saudi children (118 boys and 82 girls), aged 5-15 years, were enrolled from the Pediatric clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. To determine physical activity level, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form-A was used. Anthropometric measurements were taken for all participants. RESULTS: Central obesity was highly prevalent among adolescents as compared with a higher prevalence of general obesity in children. Physical activity level was significantly higher among adolescent boys than adolescent girls (P<.05). Girls scored almost double the total metabolic equivalent scores. More boys were considered highly active (59% vs. 40%) in contrast with more girls with low physical activity (38% vs. 26%). Among girls, high physical activity score was higher in children than in adolescents (40% vs. 21%) and an increasing number of adolescents were of low physical activity than children (64% vs. 38%). The majority of the study population were spending more than 2 h per day in watching TV and playing electronic games, but a slightly higher number of children showed sedentary behavior than adolescents. Adolescent girls were significantly spending more time watching TV than adolescent boys (P<.01). Significant inverse associations with most anthropometric measures and the time spent in watching TV and doing desk work were demonstrated in both genders. CONCLUSION: This study reports significant influence, by age and gender, contributing to physical inactivity and weight status among Saudi children.

Serum progranulin levels in relation to insulin resistance in childhood obesity.

BACKGROUND: Progranulin is an adipokine that is involved in the inflammatory response, glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and may therefore be involved in chronic subclinical inflammation associated with the pathogenesis of childhood obesity. We aimed to investigate the association of circulating progranulin levels with metabolic parameters in children and to assess the importance of progranulin as a biomarker for metabolic diseases. METHODS: A total of 150 children were consecutively recruited from the Pediatric Nutrition Clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Children were classified into four groups based on quartile for serum progranulin. Anthropometric variables were measured in all study subjects. Fasting blood samples were collected for measurement of blood glucose, insulin and lipid profile. RESULTS: Children within the upper quartile for serum progranulin concentration were heavier, more insulin resistant and had higher concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin and high sensitivity C reactive protein compared to those in the lower quartile. On correlation analysis, serum progranulin concentrations were significantly related to general and central adiposity, metabolic parameters, markers of inflammation and insulin resistance. Stepwise multiple regression showed that 26.6% of the variability in serum progranulin could be explained by measures of adiposity. CONCLUSIONS: The increased serum progranulin concentrations were closely related to measures of adiposity, metabolic parameters, inflammatory marker and insulin resistance indices, suggesting that progranulin may be an excellent biomarker for obesity in childhood.

Bronchial asthma and hypovitaminosis D in Saudi children.

BACKGROUND: Asthma, a common lung disease in children, is caused by excessive immune responses to environmental antigens. OBJECTIVE: Given the immuno-modulatory properties of vitamin D, the aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels and markers of asthma severity. METHODS: This was investigated in a 70 Saudi children with and without asthma and were recruited from the King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, over the period of 11 months (May 2011-April 2012). Childhood asthma control test instrument was employed to assess the level of asthma control among asthmatic patients. Anthropometric measurements were taken and interviewer-administrated questionnaire was completed for all study participants. Pulmonary function test was performed by recording changes in the peak expiratory flow. Venous blood samples were withdrawn for measurements of vitamin D, bone profile, cytokines profile (interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, platelets derived growth factor), and atopy markers (IgE and eosinophil count). RESULTS: Hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent among asthmatic children with highly significant increase in several markers of allergy and asthma severity as compared with healthy control children. Significant correlations between several inflammatory and immunological markers and vitamin D levels were also found. Finally, lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were associated with a higher asthma prevalence in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent in the whole population in addition to a highly significant increase in several markers of allergy and asthma severity among asthmatic children as compared with healthy control children.

Ruptured giant middle cerebral artery aneurysm in infancy.

Intracranial aneurysms are uncommon in children. Rupture of giant intracranial aneurysms is extremely uncommon in infants even in autopsy studies. In this report, we present an unusual case of ruptured giant middle cerebral artery aneurysm in an 11-month-old female infant who presented acutely with unresponsiveness and seizures. The aneurysm was clipped during an urgent craniotomy for evacuation of an associated hematoma. She recovered slowly with mild residual right-sided weakness. Follow up arterial angiography revealed no residual or other aneurysms. Further follow up revealed motor delay and recurrent partial seizures. Active physiotherapy was performed and she could walk independently by 3 years of age. We conclude that intracranial aneurysms have to be considered in the differential diagnosis of infants presenting with acute raised intracranial pressure. Favorable outcome is noted in children who are managed promptly in hospitals with neurosurgical units.

First Report of Powdery Mildew of Pumpkin Caused by Golovinomyces cichoracearum in Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir.

During July 2011, a severe powdery mildew outbreak was recorded in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) fields in economically poor areas in the Neelum Valley (Leswa, Mir Pura, Jura, Kundal Shahi, and Bela). Disease symptoms included grayish white circular to irregular patches consisting of epiphytic mycelia and conidia on both surfaces of the leaves of infected vines. Fungal mycelia and conidiophores were also visible in white powdery patches on the main stems, leaves, and petioles of affected plants. Leaves became necrotic with age. Powdery mildew symptoms were more severe on pumpkin vines located in the shade, and severely affected vines collapsed. A voucher specimen (IR00027) has been deposited in First Fungal Culture Bank of the Pakistan (FCBP), Institute of Agriculture Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. For morphological observation, a clear tape strip was used to remove fungal tissue from infected leaves. The tape was mounted on microscope slides with water and examined with a light microscope (2). Conidiophores were unbranched, cylindrical, erect and arose singly on hyphal cells, 110 to 200 × 6 to 12 µm, composed of a foot cell and three to eight barrel-shaped conidia formed in chains with a sinuate edge, followed with a basal septum at the branching point or slightly displaced from the mycelium. Foot cells were 50 to 80 × 6 to 12 µm, and slightly swollen with constriction at the base. Conidia were cylindrical to doliiform, 30 to 50 × 14 to 20 µm and produced in chains. The length/breadth ratio of the conidia was 1.8 to 2.6. Fibrosin bodies were absent in both conidiophores and conidia. No cleistothecia were observed. Identification of the causal agent as Golovinomyces cichoracearum (DC.) V.P. Heluta (synonym Erysiphe cichoracearum) was based on morphology (1). Pathogenicity was determined using field-infected plant leaves transported to a greenhouse. Fresh conidia of field isolates of G. cichoracearum were transferred by a sterile brush from the affected leaves to fully expanded four to five healthy leaves of three 40-day-old vines. For the control, three vines were stroked with a clean sterile brush and control plants were placed 100 m away from the inoculated plants. For disease development 20°C and 80% relative humidity was maintained in the greenhouse. A plastic sheet was placed around each vine for a week and removed later. Inoculated vines developed visible white spots of powdery mildew on the leaves after 10 days in the greenhouse, whereas control plants remained asymptomatic. Fungal colony and conidial morphology on the leaves of inoculated plants were as described above. Previously, G. cichoracearum has been reported on other cucurbits (3) in the plains of Pakistan. To our knowledge, this is the first report of occurrence of G. cichoracearum as a causal agent of powdery mildew on pumpkin in Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir. References: (1) U. Braun. Beih. Nova Hedwigia 89:1, 1987. (2) J. C. Correll et al. Plant Dis. 71:248, 1987. (3) A. Wahid et al. Pak. J. Agric. Res. 9:209, 1988.

Sensory evaluation and consumer acceptance of eggs from hens fed flax seed and 2 different antioxidants.

The sensory attributes and consumer acceptance of eggs from flax seed-fed hens were evaluated by trained and untrained panelists. Hens were fed diets containing 0% flax seed (control), 10% flax seed (flax), 10% flax seed+100 IU/kg of vitamin E (flax+α-tocopherol), or 10% flax seed+100 mg/kg of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (flax+BHT). Fresh eggs collected within 24 h were hard-boiled, coded, and were offered to trained panelists in 4 testing sessions. Sensory traits evaluated were aroma, flavor, off-flavor, and overall difference. The trained panelists rated flax, flax+α-tocopherol, and flax+BHT eggs to be different from control eggs (P<0.001). In a second study, sensory attributes were tested by untrained panelists. The majority (75 to 80%) of the panelists could not distinguish flax seed-fed versus control eggs for aroma and flavor. A consumer preference test was also conducted to gauge end-user response to flax seed-fed eggs. Consumer acceptance testing did not find any significant difference (P>0.05) between control and flax seed-fed eggs. These results suggest that flax seed when incorporated at 10% in the layer diet can produce eggs that are acceptable to untrained panelists and consumers. However, trained panelists are able to detect differences in flavor, aroma, and off-flavor and overall difference in eggs from hens fed flax seed. Antioxidant supplementation (vitamin E, BHT) did not enhance the acceptability of flax seed-fed eggs by trained panelists.

Oxidative stability and lipid components of eggs from flax-fed hens: effect of dietary antioxidants and storage.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary antioxidants and storage on fatty acid profile, oxidative stability, and vitamin E concentration of n-3 fatty acid-enriched eggs. Eggs (384, 48/diet) were collected from ISA Brown layers fed diets containing corn-soy (control) with 100 g/kg of flax seed and 2 types of antioxidants [alpha-tocopherols (alpha-TOC) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)] at 0, 50, 100, or 150 IU or mg/kg. Eggs were stored at 4 degrees C. On d 0, 20, 40, and 60 of storage, 2 eggs were selected randomly from each replicate (totaling 12 eggs per treatment) and analyzed. Eggs from hens fed flax had increased alpha-linolenic (18:3n-3), eicosapentaenoic (20:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA, 22:6n-3) and decreased arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and total n-6:n-3 ratio when compared with control eggs (P<0.05). The n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio was lowest in the flax+50 IU of alpha-TOC, flax+100 IU of alpha-TOC, and flax+BHT supplemented group when compared with the flax group (P<0.05). With the exception of flax+100 mg of BHT, addition of antioxidants led to a reduction in palmitic acid in fresh eggs (P<0.05). During the first 20 d of storage, over a 17% reduction in total n-3 fatty acids was observed in eggs from flax+50 mg of BHT supplemented groups (P<0.05). Docosahexaenoic acid was the predominant long-chain n-3 fatty acid in egg and was stable during storage in the control, flax, flax+100 IU of alpha-TOC, flax+150 IU of alpha-TOC, and flax+150 mg of BHT groups. However, antioxidant supplementation had no effect on DHA upon storage in flax+50 IU of alpha-TOC and flax+50 mg of BHT eggs where over 13 to 17% reduction in DHA content was observed during 20 to 60 d of storage (P<0.05). Inclusion of alpha-TOC led to over 4.5- to 12-fold increases in alpha-TOC in eggs. Egg storage for 40 d or longer led to over 50% reduction in egg alpha-TOC (P<0.05). Feeding flax seeds led to an increase in TBA reactive substances in eggs (P<0.05). alpha-Tocopherol was better in preventing lipid oxidation than BHT at d 0 of storage. However, neither had a significant effect on egg TBA reactive substances upon 60 d of storage (P>0.05). These studies demonstrate that the level and type of antioxidants and duration of egg storage significantly affected the fatty acid profile, alpha-TOC status, and oxidative stability of chicken eggs.

Long-term effects of feeding flaxseeds on hepatic lipid characteristics and histopathology of laying hens.

The long-term effects of dietary flaxseed and tocopherols on hepatic and blood plasma lipids, fatty acids, tocopherols, hepatic TBA reactive substances, and histopathology of Brown Leghorn hens were investigated. Thirty-two-week-old ISA Brown Leghorn hens (n = 120) were kept in cages and were fed 1 of the 3 corn-soybean meal-based diets, a control diet (no flax) or a 10% flax diet with or without 100 IU of tocopherols, until the hens were 64 wk of age. Feeding diets with 10% flaxseed reduced hepatic and plasma fat content, hepatic triglycerides, total number of fat vacuoles, and number of cells with 75% or higher lipid infiltration in hepatocytes (P < 0.05). Addition of tocopherols to the 10% flax diet increased hepatic and plasma tocopherol content. A significant reduction in hepatic TBA reactive substances was observed in the hens supplemented with the basal diet with 10% flax and 100 IU of tocopherols (P < 0.05). Feeding diets containing flaxseed resulted in an increase in the content of alpha-linolenic (18: n-3) and docosahexaenoic acids (22:6n-3), with a concomitant reduction in monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids in the hen liver and plasma. Overall, long-term feeding of hens with flax led to a reduction in liver and plasma lipids and reduced hepatocellular infiltration. Inclusion of tocopherols may be needed to reduce lipid oxidation products in the liver of flax-fed hens. However, tocopherol supplementation had no effect on hepatocellular lipid infiltration or liver total lipid or triglyceride content.

Proximate composition of Karkadeh (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seeds and some functional properties of seed protein isolate as influenced by pH and NaCl.

Seeds of an inbred line (B-11-90) of Karkadeh (Hibiscus sabdariffa) were investigated for their proximate composition (AOAC methods), nitrogen solubility and protein isolate (Karkadeh seed protein isolates [KSPI]) functional properties (standard methods). The fat and protein contents of the seeds were 22.43% and 32.46%, respectively. Nitrogen solubility was good in both water and 1.0 M NaCl at alkaline pH rather than at acidic pH, with better solubility at higher pH levels in water than in 1.0 M NaCl. The functional properties of the KSPI were as follows: water absorption capacity, 181 ml/100 g; fat absorption capacity, 110 ml/100 g; bulk density, 0.77 g/ml; and apparent viscosity (at 20 degrees C), 13.42 cps. KSPI showed a maximum foaming capacity at pH 12 and 1.6 M NaCl, a maximum emulsification capacity at pH 11 and 1.8 M NaCl, and a weaker foam stability at neutral pH than at acidic or alkaline pH, with a better foam stability at alkaline pH. The foam stability was considerably improved by treatment with 1.6 M NaCl.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency rickets in adolescent school girls in Western region, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency rickets among female adolescents and assess its relation to calcium intake and sun exposure. METHODS: Four hundred and thirty-three school girls between 12-15 years old were selected randomly from different schools in Jeddah, between October 200--February 2004. We identified symptoms of rickets and determined the dietary habits and sun exposure habits, and laboratory investigations were also carried out. RESULTS: It was found that, out of 433 cases, 350 (81%) had low vitamin D levels. Approximately 40% had very low levels of vitamin D and 61% were asymptomatic. Most of the symptoms were non specific. There was a positive correlation between low calcium in the diet and less sun exposure to low levels of vitamin D. Approximately 96% had normal serum phosphate, 89% had normal serum calcium, and 40% had normal serum alkaline phosphatase levels. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is common among adolescent females in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Cases are missed due to lack of symptoms in most cases and normal bone chemistry. Serum vitamin D level should be carried out in suspected cases. Health and nutritional education should be encouraged in schools. Focusing on the importance of adequate milk intake and sun exposure should be given a priority in any health education program.

A case of haemangiopericytoma-associated hypoglycaemia: Beneficial effect of treatment with radiotherapy.

A 72-year-old lady presented with recurrent hypoglycaemia and a large pelvic mass. Hypoglycaemia was accompanied by undetectable serum insulin and c-peptide and high insulin-like growth factor II (IGFII) to IGFI ratio. She had undergone successful resection of a large bladder haemangiopericytoma 7 years earlier. A core biopsy was performed, and histology confirmed the recurrence of the haemangiopericytoma. Local palliative radiotherapy resulted in the reduction of IGFII level and IGFII to IGFI ratio and increased insulin, c-peptide and growth hormone (GH) level with long-term amelioration of hypoglycaemic episodes. Clinically and biochemically, radiotherapy was more effective than GH therapy.

The impact of some demographic factors on the severity of asthma in children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between some demographic factors and the levels of severity among asthmatic children. METHOD: One hundred and twenty five asthmatic children aged between 6 months and 15 years were studied in pediatric and asthma clinics at King AbdulAziz University Hospital (KAUH). The assessment of clinical severity was based on the global strategy guidelines for asthma assessment and management. Subjects were grouped by age: infants (≤1 year), toddlers (1-3 years), preschool or kindergarten (3-6 years), school (6-12 years), and adolescents (12-15 years). Demographic data (age and sex) were analyzed for any statistical significance. RESULTS: Boys were 80 (64%) and predominated in all age groups except in infants. 10(8%) were infants, 22(17.6%) toddlers, 26 (20.8%) preschool or kindergarten, 49 (39.2%) school, and 18 (14.4%) adolescent. The levels of severity of asthma were intermittent 11 (8.8%), mild persistent 74 (59.2%), moderate persistent 33 (26.4%), and severe persistent 7 (5.6%). Frequency and severity of asthma were significantly higher in boys than girls (P<0.05) and at school age compared to other age groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION #ENTITYSTARTX00026; RECOMMENDATION: This study demonstrated an increase in the frequency and severity of bronchial asthma in boys, particularly, those at school age. As stated in the literature, correlating demographic factors and clinical status can help in the prediction of the severity of asthma and possibly its outcome. This demands greater vigilance in the care of this group of asthmatics more than any others.

Percutaneous needle biopsy in exudative ascites.

Seventy-two patients with exudative ascites were subjected to percutaneous needle biopsy of peritoneum. The overall diagnostic yield was 64%, with the commonest finding being caseous granuloma (39%), followed by metastatic carcinoma (25%). The procedure was safe and easy to perform on the bed side. Peritoneal tissue was obtained in all cases, without any major complications.

Ofloxacin in the treatment of typhoid fever resistant to chloramphenicol and amoxicillin.

Twenty-five patients with typhoid fever, who were resistant to amoxicillin and chloramphenicol, were successfully treated with ofloxacin. Ofloxacin was administered at a dosage of 200 mg three times daily for 7 to 10 days. In a few seriously ill patients, a dosage of 400 mg three times daily for 3 days, followed by 200 mg three times daily for 4 to 7 days, was administered. This study confirmed the presence of resistant strains of Salmonella typhi. These strains were resistant to the commonly used drugs, chloramphenicol and amoxicillin. Ofloxacin was found to be well tolerated and effective in treating typhoid fever.

The medical treatment of male infertility.

Mesterolone, HCG and PMS, clomiphene and various other drugs were administered to 236 subfertile patients with disturbed spermatogenesis. Most of the patients received mesterolone. The effects of the various therapeutic regimes are discussed. Improvement of the sperm count and spermatozoal motility was more frequent after mesterolone treatment than after HCG and PMS or after clomiphene. 14 wives of patients in the mesterolone group became pregnant and gave birth to normal children. There were two pregnancies in the gonadotropin group and 3 in the clomiphene group. Specific treatment of the few patients with varicocele or epididymitis led to improved findings in the spermiogram.