Application of nZnO supported with nanoclay for improving shrimp immunity.

This study discloses the nanoscale silicate platelet-supported nZnO (ZnONSP) applied as novel feed additives in aquaculture. The preparation of the nanohybrid (ZnO/NSP = 15/85, w/w) was characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The effects of ZnONSP on growth, zinc accumulation, stress response, immunity and resistance to Vibrio alginolyticus in white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) were \demonstrated. To evaluate the safety of ZnONSP, shrimps (2.0 ± 0.3 g) were fed with ZnONSP containing diets (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) for 56 days. Dietary ZnONSP did not affect the weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, zinc accumulation, and the expression of heat shock protein 70 in tested shrimps. To examine the immunomodulatory effect of ZnONSP, shrimps (16.6 ± 2.4 g) were fed with the same experimental diets for 28 days. Dietary ZnONSP improved the immune responses of haemocyte in tested shrimps, including phagocytic rate, phagocytic index, respiratory burst, and phenoloxidase activity, and upregulated the expression of several genes, including lipopolysaccharide, ß-1,3-glucan binding protein, peroxinectin, penaeidin 2/3/4, lysozyme, crustin, anti-lipopolysaccharide factor, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, clotting protein and α-2-macroglobulin. In the challenge experiment, shrimps (17.2 ± 1.8 g) were fed with ZnONSP containing diets (400 and 800 mg/kg) for 7 days and then infected with Vibrio alginolyticus. Notably, white shrimps that received ZnONSP (800 mg/kg) showed significantly improved Vibrio resistance, with a survival rate of 71.4 % at the end of 7-day observation. In conclusion, this study discovers that ZnONSP is a new type of immunomodulatory supplement that are effective on enhancing innate cellular and humoral immunities, and disease resistance in white shrimp.

Dietary of Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium longum improve nonspecific immune responses, growth performance, and resistance against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Penaeus vannamei.

This study investigated the effects of two probiotics, namely Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium longum, as feed additives on growth performance, nonspecific immunity, immune-related gene expression, and disease resistance against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Penaeus vannamei. The experimental diets were prepared using L. paracasei and B. longum at concentrations of 105 and 107 CFU/g; these diets were referred to as P5, P7, B5, and B7. After 8 weeks of the diets, regarding growth performance, the B7 group showed the highest weight gain rate (890.34 ± 103.65%), special growth rate (4.08 ± 0.19%), and feed conversion rate (1.52 ± 0.19%) compared with the other groups. Moreover, the total hemocyte counts were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the P7 groups on day 14 during the 28-day feeding trial. The phagocytosis rate in all experimental groups was increased on day 14 and was persistently significantly activated to day 21, especially in the P7 and B5 group. The phagocytic index of the P7 group showed a significant increase on day 14 and persistent activation to day 21. In the analysis of respiratory burst activity and phenoloxidase activity, the P7 and B5 groups showed a significant increase on day 7 and persistent activation to day 21. The expression level of the immune-related genes of superoxide dismutase, clotting protein, Penaeidin2, Penaeidin3, Penaeidin4, anti-LPS factor, crustin, and lysozyme was significantly increased in the experimental groups, especially in the P7 group. Furthermore, the optimum conditions of feed additives were determined in challenge trials conducted using P7 and B5. Shrimps fed P7 and B5 showed an increased survival rate (72.73% and 66.67%) after the V. parahaemolyticus challenge. In sum, the results revealed that B. longum, as a feed additive at 107 CFU/g, enhanced growth performance. L. paracasei at 107 CFU/g and B. longum at 105 CFU/g can enhance nonspecific immune responses and immune-related gene expression, and 107 CFU/g L. paracasei has the highest resistance ability for V. parahaemolyticus. Thus, dietary supplementation with L. paracasei and B. longum may be a valuable approach in white shrimp aquaculture.

Effects of medicinal herbs "Plantago asiatica", "Houttuynia cordata" and "Mentha haplocalyx" on non-specific immune responses of cobia (Rachycentron canadum).

This study investigated the effects of orally administered Plantago asiatica, Houttuynia cordata, and Mentha haplocalyx on the growth and nonspecific immune responses of cobia (Rachycentron canadum). The nonspecific immune parameters assessed were weight gain, feed conversion ratio, superoxide anion (O2-) production, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, phagocytic rate, phagocytic index, lysozyme activity, serum albumin and globulin, and albumin:globulin (A/G) ratio. The growth experiment indicated that 6-week dietary treatments did not significantly affect on the growth of cobia. Nonspecific immune responses showed that O2- production, SOD and lysozyme activity, and phagocytosis were significantly increased after the oral administration of P. asiatica and H. cordata, and the serum albumin:globulin ratio (A/G) gradually decreased. In this study, treatment of the Mentha haplocalyx on the cobia didn't present with the inducing of the phagocytosis ability compared with the treatment of P. asiatica and H. cordata. We suggest that oral administration of the 10 g/kg or 20 g/kg of the P. asiatica and H. cordata is exactly inducing the phagocytosis, ROS production, lysozyme activity and SOD production in the cobia.

Tai Chi pedicle screw placement for severe scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical safety and accuracy of the Tai Chi ((Equation is included in full-text article.)) technique for placing pedicle screws, without intraoperative radiographic imaging, in severe scoliotic spines. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The current techniques for pedicle screw placement have a number of drawbacks in cases of severe scoliosis, including difficulty or impossibility to use, delayed operative time, requiring the presence of trained personnel for the duration of the surgery, high cost issues, increased radiation exposure, and technical challenges. No previous report has described the application of the Tai Chi pedicle screw placement technique for severe scoliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2006 and 2008, the cases of 39 consecutive patients with severe scoliosis (Cobb angle >100 degrees) who underwent posterior correction and stabilization (from T1 to L5) using 992 transpedicular screws were examined. The mean patient age was 25.7 (range, 11 to 63) years at the time of surgery. Pedicle screws were inserted by the Tai Chi technique using anatomic landmarks and preoperative radiographs as a guide. Tai Chi drilling fully utilizes the natural anatomic and physical characteristics of pedicles and unconstrained circular force. By nature, a drill bit driven by unconstrained circular force would migrate within the pedicle along a path of least resistance, advancing along the central cancellous bone tunnel spontaneously. Accurate drilling was achieved by following the nature and sticking to the hand sensation when the drill bit broke through the cancellous bone. The total time for inserting all pedicle screws in each case was recorded. Postoperative computed tomography scans were performed to evaluate the position of the inserted pedicle screws. The screw position was classified as "in" or "out." The distance of perforation was measured. RESULT: The average Cobb angle was 127 degrees (range, 100 to 153 degrees). The number of screws inserted at each level were as follows: T1 (n=10), T2 (n=34), T3 (n=46), T4 (n=53), T5 (n=61), T6 (n=69), T7 (n=75), T8 (n=76), T9 (n=76), T10 (n=77), T11 (n=76), T12 (n=78), L1 (n=77), L2 (n=68), L3 (n=56), L4 (n=38), and L5 (n=22). There were 923 (93%) "in" screws and 69 (7%) "out" screws. The overall accuracy of screw placement was 93%. There were no neurological, vascular, or visceral complications. No screws required postoperative repositioning. The average time for pedicle screw placement was 73 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the Tai Chi pedicle screw placement technique, which does not require intraoperative radiographic imaging, is an accurate, reliable, safe, and time-saving method of placing pedicle screws in severe scoliotic spines.