Feasibility and outcomes of Desarda vs Lichtenstein hernioplasty by local anesthesia for inguinal hernia: a noninferiority randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: The Desarda autologous tissue repair is comparable to the Lichtenstein hernioplasty for inguinal hernia regarding recurrence, chronic groin pain, and return to work activities. This study was designed to establish the outcomes of Desarda's repair versus Lichtenstein's hernioplasty concerning post-operative recovery to normal gait and its feasibility under local anesthesia (LA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a single-center, prospective, double-blinded, non-inferiority, randomized trial. Patients undergoing open hernia repair for primary inguinal hernia were included. Patients were randomly assigned and followed up for 2 years. The primary endpoint was the time to return to normal gait post-surgery with comfort (non-inferiority margin fixed as 0.5 days). The secondary outcomes studied were post-operative pain score, the time required to return to work (all previously performed activities), and surgical-site occurrences (SSO). RESULTS: One hundred ten eligible patients were randomly assigned [56 patients (50.9%) in the Desarda group and 54 patients (49.1%) in the Lichtenstein group]. All the procedures were safely performed under LA. The median (interquartile range) time for resuming gait post-surgery with comfort was 5 days in the Desarda vs 4 days in Lichtenstein's arm (P = 0.16), thereby failing to demonstrate non-inferiority of Desarda against Lichtenstein hernioplasty. However, there were no significant differences in days to return to work, SSO, chronic groin pain, and recurrence within two years of surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study could not demonstrate the non-inferiority of the Desarda repair versus Lichtenstein hernioplasty regarding the time taken to return to normal gait. Comparing the days to return to work, pain score, SSO, and chronic groin pain, including recurrence rate, Desarda repair faired equally with Lichtenstein hernioplasty, thereby highlighting its feasibility and efficacy under LA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03512366.

On valorization of solvent extracts of Terminalia arjuna (arjuna) upon DNA scission and free radical scavenging improves coupling responses and cognitive functions under in vitro conditions.

Chronic diseases have been treated using the phytochemical concepts of ethnomedicinal plant-derived herbal products. Terminalia arjuna, a significant ethnomedicinal plant, was revisited and reconnoitred for antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and DNA nicking inhibiting activity under H2O2 conditions using 21 solvent extracts. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, and nitrous oxide scavenging (%) were found to have a strong positive association and interaction (PCA 1 explains 84.54% variation) with ethanol bark (Etoh-AB) (Meoh-AF). TPC (144.67-1794 µg/mL GAE) and TFC (2.5-34 µM Fe(II)/g were highest in Etoh-AB. In a pattern of combined solvent extracts, Etoh-AB had the highest antioxidant capacity, accompanied by Etoh-AL ≥ Meoh-AB ≥ Dw-AF. With R2 = 0.94, the DNA nicking inhibition behaviour parameters relative front, relative quantity, band (%), and lane (%) formed a positive significant (p < 0.01) connection. For the first time, we show that Etoh-AB nicks supercoiled, circular plasmid DNA in a way that is comparable to normal antioxidants. Normal antioxidants with the ability to prevent DNA nicking include Butylated hydroxy anisole < Butylated hydroxy toluene < ascorbic acid < and Gallic acid. Gallic acid (m/z 170.0208 g/mol) and Ellagic acid (m/z 302.0063 g/mol were present in high concentrations in solvent extracts. 0.48 mg was found to be the effective concentration for inhibiting relative DNA nicking. The current study is the first of its kind to show that steroid concentrations are higher in bark fractions of acetone, ethanol, and methanol. Furthermore, T. arjuna solvent extracts provide a wealth of information on phytochemical profiling, antioxidant ability, and DNA nicking inhibition, which may be useful for exploring the natural way and further research to develop a remedy against geriatric chronic disease. Despite the fact that ethanol is very close to methanol in terms of solvent toxicity, the current study identified it as the preferred solvent. Thus, the current research revisits previous studies and explores the potentiality of non-polar and polar aprotic and polar protic solvent systems, which lend credence to bioactive compounds that may be useful in isolating and formulating safe and cost effective herbal medicament for livestocks and aquaculture, and drugs for deoxygenerative human diseases, and can also be investigated further to instil environmental frugality.

Dietary supplementation of plant bioactive-enriched aniseed straw and eucalyptus leaves modulates tissue fatty acid profile and nuggets quality of lambs.

Utilization of low-input feed resources rich in plant bioactive compounds is a promising strategy for modulating the fatty acid profile in ruminant products. They manipulate microbes involved in rumen biohydrogenation and increase the accumulation of desirable fatty acids at the tissue level. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the effect of dietary supplementation of aniseed straw and eucalyptus leaves on growth performance, carcass traits and fatty acid profile of finisher lambs. Thirty-six Malpura hogget were divided into three treatment groups of 12 each, reared individually in pen (1.6 m × 1.1 m) and fed ad libitum complete feed blocks made up of 55 parts concentrate, 5 parts molasses and 40 parts roughage. Roughage in control (Con) was 20 parts each of ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) leaves and oat (Avena sativa) straw. In test diets, that is, Con-as and Con-el, 10% aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) straw and Eucalyptus rudis leaves, respectively, were added by replacing 5% each of oat straw and eucalyptus leaves. The lambs were weighed weekly; and at the end of 3 months of feeding trial, the lambs were slaughtered to study the carcass traits, composition and product evaluation. Average daily gain (ADG) and DM intake (DMI) was higher (P < 0.05) in Con-as compared to Con and Con-el, while ADG and feed conversion ratio decreased (P < 0.05) by 29.4% and 36.4%, respectively, in Con-el compared to Con. Carcass traits showed lower (P < 0.05) loin eye area and chilling loss in the Con-el group compared to the Con-as and Con, and the total carcass fat compared to Con-as. However, the keeping quality of meat improved in both Con-as and Con-el which was reflected by lower (P < 0.05) thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances values. Nuggets prepared from Con and Con-as meat had superior (P < 0.05) sensory attributes with an overall palatability. Fatty acid profile of longissimus thoracis muscle showed lower (P < 0.05) atherogenic and thrombogenic indices in Con-as and higher (P < 0.05) in Con-el group. Moreover, in Con-as group, the proportion of C16:0 was lower (P < 0.05) and C18:3n-3 was higher (P < 0.05), but no effect was observed on the amount of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; C18:2 c9t11). In case of adipose tissue, the content of CLA was higher (P < 0.05), and the ratio of n-6:n-3 was more nearer to desirable levels in Con-as group. Therefore, it can be concluded that aniseed straw is a promising feed supplement compared to eucalyptus leaves for improving meat quality and fatty acid profile in lambs.

Effects of calcium soap of rice bran oil fatty acids supplementation alone and with DL-α-tocopherol acetate in lamb diets on performance, digestibility, ruminal parameters and meat quality.

Thirty-six Malpura lambs (28 day old and 6.7 ± 0.25 kg BW) were distributed equally in three groups having six males and six female. They were ad libitum fed individually three different experimental diets containing calcium soap of fatty acids (CA-FA) at 0 (T1 ) and 40 (T2 and T3 ) g/kg concentrate up to six months of age. Animals in T3 were supplemented additionally with 40 mg DL-α-tocopherol acetate/kg of concentrate. The roughage moiety included ad libitum dry Prosopis cineraria and fresh Azadirachata indica leaves. All the lambs were allowed to suckle from their dam up to weaning (90 day of age). Supplementation of Ca-FA improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio during both pre- (28-90 days) and post-weaning (91-180 days) phases; however, no effect of DL-α-tocopherol was observed. Metabolic parameters during post-weaning phase revealed non-significant effect on digestibility but improved nitrogen balance in the test groups. The effect on biochemical attributes did not show any significant alteration in ruminal parameters, blood biochemicals and urinary purine derivatives. Carcass traits revealed higher (p < 0.05) dressing yield and loin eye area with Ca-FA supplementation. The value of thiobarbituric reactive substances for nuggets prepared from frozen carcasses revealed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in T3 compared to the other dietary groups. Fatty acid profile of adipose tissue revealed higher (p < 0.001) 9-octadecanoic, 9-12-octadecadienoic, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), higher ratio of PUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA), ω-6/ω-3 and lower SFA in Ca-FA-supplemented groups. It is concluded that supplementation of 40 g/kg calcium soap prepared from industrial grade rice bran oil in lamb ration provided additional energy intake, improved N utilization, gain and feed conversion ratio besides improving dressing yield and meat quality with CLA enriched fatty acid profile. DL-α-tocopherol acetate when supplemented at 40 mg/kg feed reduced lipid oxidation of meat products thus improving its keeping quality.

Effect of mineral mixture and antioxidant supplementation on growth, reproductive performance and adaptive capability of Malpura ewes subjected to heat stress.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mineral and antioxidant supplementation on growth, reproductive performance and physiological adaptability of heat-stressed Malpura ewes. The study was conducted for a period of 21 days in 21 adult Malpura ewes. The ewes were randomly divided into three groups with seven animals each viz. GI (control; n = 7), GII (heat stress; n = 7) and GIII (heat stress + mineral and antioxidant supplementation; n = 7). The animals were stall fed ad libitum with the diet consisting of 70% roughage and 30% concentrate. GI ewes were maintained under normal controlled condition in the shed, while GII and GIII ewes were subjected to heat stress by exposing them to 42 °C in the climatic chamber. The parameters studied were feed intake (FI), water intake (WI), body weight, body condition score (BCS), physiological, biochemical and endocrine responses. Heat stress significantly altered FI, water intake, BCS, respiration rate and rectal temperature in the afternoon, oestrus duration, estradiol, progesterone, Hb, PCV, plasma glucose, total protein, cortisol, T3 and T4 levels while mineral and antioxidant supplementation ameliorated this heat stress effect on the parameters studied. Further, the adverse effect of heat stress on the productive and reproductive efficiency of Malpura ewes was reduced considerably by mineral mixture and antioxidant supplementation. This is evident from the non-significant difference in BCS, oestrus duration and plasma estradiol between GI and GIII in this study. Hence, it is very pertinent to conclude from this study that mineral mixture and antioxidant supplementation were able to protect Malpura ewes against heat stress.

Growth performance of lambs fed diet supplemented with rice bran oil as such or as calcium soap.

Forty two Malpura lambs (21 d old) were divided into three groups of 14 each consisting of 8 females and 6 males. Lambs were allowed to suckle their respective dams twice daily up to weaning (13 wks) and offered free choice concentrate and roughage in a cafeteria system. The lambs in control group were fed conventional concentrate mixture, in RBO group concentrate mixture fortified with 4% industrial grade rice bran oil and in Ca-soap rice bran oil (as in RBO group) was supplemented in the form of calcium soap. The concentrate intake decreased(p≤0.05) in RBO group as a result total dry matter, crude protein and metabolizable energy intake decreased compared to control whereas Ca-soap prepared from the same rice bran oil stimulated the concentrate intake leading to higher total dry matter, crude protein and energy intakes. The digestibility of dry matter (p≤0.05), organic matter (p≤0.05) and crude protein (p≤0.05) was higher in RBO group followed by Ca-soap and control whereas no effect was observed for ether extract digestibility. Higher cholesterol (p≤0.05) content was recorded in serum of oil supplemented groups (RBO and Ca-soap) while no effect was recorded for other blood parameters. Rice bran oil as such adversely affected and reduced the body weight gain (p≤0.001) of lambs in comparison to control whereas the Ca-soap of rice bran oil improved body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency in lambs. Fat supplementation decreased total volatile fatty acids (p≤0.05) and individual volatile fatty acid concentration which increased at 4 h post feeding. Fat supplementation also reduced (p≤0.05) total protozoa count. Ca-soap of rice bran oil improved pre slaughter weight (p≤0.05) and hot carcass weight (p≤0.05). It is concluded from the study that rice bran oil in the form of calcium soap at 40 g/kg of concentrate improved growth, feed conversion efficiency and carcass quality as compared to rice bran oil as such and control groups.

Effect of incorporation of mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) powder on quality characteristics of Papad (Indian snack food).

Papad is familiarly known as an Indian food adjunct or snack food. In this study, attempts have been made to increase the protein, minerals and crude fibre content of the papad with incorporation of Pleurotus sajor-caju powder to develop a novel snack food. Mushroom powder was added in different proportions with other ingredients of the papad and the prepared papad was subjected to physicochemical and sensorial analyses. Mushrooms pretreated with 1% potassium metabisulphite followed by whey treatment had better colour and reduced drying time. Drying at 50°C produced more amount of mushroom powder (350 µ) and had higher acceptability of rehydrated samples. The papad enriched with 20% mushroom powder showed increased values of protein (15.8%), minerals (38.87%) and crude fibre (218.18%) content and had maximum sensory score. Therefore, papad supplemented with oyster mushroom powder may help to reduce protein malnutrition, constipation and mineral deficiency disorders.

Re-alimentation strategy to manoeuvre body condition and carcass characteristics in cull ewes.

Improvement in body condition and carcass traits through nutritional intervention was studied in cull ewes. Sixty-eight adult non-productive Malpura ewes (average body weight 26.7 ± 0.33 kg) were randomly divided into four equal groups: G0 maintained on free grazing for 8 h on protected natural rangeland with ad libitum guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) straw (GS) after grazing; G1, G2 and G3 fed with supplemental concentrate at the rate of 250 g, 2.5% of live weight (LW) and ad libitum, respectively. The experiment was continued for 90 days and daily feed intake, weekly LW and body condition score (BCS) were recorded. Intake and digestibility of nutrients were assessed by indicator method. Rumen fermentation attributes and blood biochemical profile were studied to assess the dietary effects and animals were slaughtered at the end of experiment for evaluation of carcass characteristics. Higher dry matter (DM) intake and improvement in plane of nutrition was observed in G2 and G3 with a higher LW gain (LWG) and improvement in BCS than in G0. The digestibility of DM, organic matter, CP, ADF and cellulose was higher (P < 0.05) in G2 and G3 than in G0. A lower ruminal pH and ammonia N but higher total N and trichloroacetic acid-precipitable N, an increase in holotrichs, spirotrichs and total protozoa population, increase in haemoglobin but decrease in serum total cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids were observed in high-concentrate-fed groups. Carcass attributes revealed increase (P < 0.05) in empty LW, dressing yield, eye muscle area, subcutaneous and intramuscular fat, decrease in shear force value and higher (P < 0.05) protein content in Longissimus dorsi muscle in test groups than in the control. Above all, the G2 animals had better rumen environment and blood biochemical attributes and consumed more feed with enhanced digestibility that supported higher LWG at better feed conversion efficiency, improvement in BCS and carcass quality. Thus, re-alimentation of cull ewes with challenged feeding of concentrate at 2.5% of LW on a basal roughage diet for a period of 3 months may have promise for better economic return to the farmers with possibly meeting quality mutton for human consumption.

Pre- and postweaning attributes in faunated and ciliate-free calves fed calf starter with or without fish meal.

In a 2 x 2 factorial design, 24 newborn, crossbred (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) calves were distributed in 4 equal groups involving dietary treatments of prestarter diets with (FM) or without fish meal (NFM) in a faunated (F) or ciliate-free (D) ruminal environment to study the ruminal fermentative development in pre-and postweaning periods. Defaunation was achieved by rearing calves in isolation and its effect was studied after first appearance of ciliate protozoa (observed after 8 wk of age) in the faunated animals. Calves were fed colostrum for 24 h and whole milk until weaning at 8 wk of age. Ruminal content samples were collected on d 4, 1 wk, weekly to 8 wk, and then biweekly at 9, 11, and 13 wk of age. The samples were analyzed for fermentation products [pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia N] and enzyme [carboxymethyl (CM) cellulase, xylanase, beta-glucosidase, alpha-amylase, beta-galactosidase, proteases, and urease] activities. Weekly feed intake increased with age, but was similar in both groups. Ruminal pH declined steadily during 0 to 4 wk of age and then stabilized. The total VFA concentration increased with the age. The ammonia N (mg/dL) concentration increased from 14.9 on d 4 to 32.4 at 4 wk, decreased to 17.6 at 8 wk, and then steadied during the postweaning period. Samples collected on d 4 had no fibrolytic activity. Xylanase (U/dL) appeared first (1 wk) followed by beta-glucosidase (U/dL) and CM cellulase (U/dL), which increased steadily from a low of 4.69, 0.08, and 2.95 to 31.8 (6 wk), 5.92 (7 wk), and 19.8 (8 wk), respectively, and the concentrations showed nonsignificant alterations during postweaning periods. The concentration of alpha-amylase (U/dL) increased from 34.3 on d 4 to 87.2 at 8 wk, and then decreased to 56.6 (13 wk). beta-Galactosidase increased up to 6 wk then decreased to trace level (0.20 U/dL) at 13 wk of age. The concentrations of proteases and urease reached a steady state after 1 wk of age. The effect of diet type on ruminal fermentation products and enzyme parameters was nonsignificant. However, a steady and proportional alteration in both parameters in response to dry feed intake with the advancement of age was seen in all calves. Defaunation increased total VFA (97.3 vs. 75.8 mM/L) and alpha-amylase activity (80.3 vs. 61.4 U/dL) and decreased ammonia N (16.4 vs. 21.1 mg/dL), whereas the effect on other parameters was nonsignificant. Ruminal fermentative changes responded to dry feed intake, but did not differ in response to animal protein in prestarter diet.

Effect of lactobacillus supplementation on growth and nutrient utilization in mongrel pups.

Effect of lactobacillus supplementation was studied in eight Mongrel pups of about 10 weeks of age with a mean body weight of 5.2 kg divided into two equal groups, control (group C) and a probiotic supplemented group (group L). Both groups received the same feed (biscuit) which was for group L supplemented with 2 x 10(7) cfu of a Lactobacillus acidophilus strain. The feeding trial lasted 13 weeks and included a digestibility trial of six day during which feed and faeces were collected to assess intake and digestibility of nutrients. Growth was recorded as weekly live weight change and the physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of stool were examined periodically to assess the effect of lactobacillus on intestinal health. The biscuits contained 89% DM, 32.6% CP, 5.8% ash and 12.7% EE with TDN, GE and ME content of 890 g, 19.6 MJ and 14.6 MJ per kg DM, respectively. The DM, OM, CP and GE digestibilities were between 76% to 79% and the EE digestibility was 93%. The CF digestibility was negligible (22%). There were no significant differences between the two groups. There was an appetite stimulation and a relatively higher DM intake (10 to 15%) which induced higher daily gain, 102 g in group L vs. 92 g in group C up to 19 weeks of age, the difference declined thereafter. The average daily gain during the whole period was 74.5 +/- 8.0 g and 81.6 +/- 6.0 g in group C and L, respectively, and the difference was statistically non-significant (P > 0.05). The stools showed similar physical properties and composition with acidic pH in both groups. Lactobacillus supplementation caused a competitive establishment in the gastrointestinal tract of pups. It can be concluded that lactobacillus supplementation shows a positive effect during active growth phase (up to 4.5 months of age), which became insignificant in the later period of life.

Selection of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for use as a microbial feed additive.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae ITCCF 2094, NCIM 3052, 1031, 1032, NCDC 42, 45, 47, 49 and 50 were screened for their tolerance to pH 2.0-7.0, various concentrations (0.00, 0.10, 0.25 0.50 and 1.0%) of a mixture of acetic, propionic and butyric acids (70:20:10), and bile salts (0.00, 0.30, 0.60 and 0.90%). Low pH (2.0-4.0) and addition of organic acids or bile salts in the medium inhibited the growth of all the strains tested, but the percentage of inhibition was variable in the different strains of yeast. Two of the strains showing maximum tolerance, 42 and 49, were further tested for in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) using green berseem, wheat straw and oat hay as substrates. Saccharomyces cerevisiae 49 enhanced the IVDMD of berseem and wheat straw whereas S. cerevisiae 42 was ineffective. Based on the results of the present experiment, S. cerevisiae NCDC 49 can be considered as the best strain which might tolerate the adverse conditions in the gastrointestinal tract when used as a live microbial feed supplement in the diet of the animals.

Mini-papad containing cheese powder--a novelty snack food.

The present work reports on attempts to develop mini-papads containing cheese powder to create a novel taste, with potential for urban and export markets. Cheese powder was added to black gram flour at 0-50% levels and papads were prepared in the conventional manner by rolling the dough and drying. These papads were deep-fat fried at 180 degrees C. Upto 20% addition of cheese powder gave no perceptible change in taste or flavour of the mini-papads. At 30% addition brown colouration was observed which decreased the sensory appeal. At 40 and 50% levels, although the mouthfeel and flavour of cheese was desirable, browning increased markedly, which drastically lowered the overall acceptability. Ascorbic acid addition at 0.5-1.0% markedly decreased the browning. The papads had a higher fat content on frying as compared to the control but were excellent organoleptically, suggesting them to be a tasty and crunchy snack food.