Effects of Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Serum Metabolites, Meat Quality, and Jejunal Basal Morphology in Broilers.

The current research aimed to evaluate the supplemental effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) on production performance, viscera development, blood metabolites, redox status, meat quality, and jejunal histology in broilers. A total of 300 day-old broilers were randomly divided into six groups with five replicates per group. Birds were fed on a corn soybean-based diet supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 60, or 80 mg/kg IONPs or 80 mg/kg of FeSO4 for 35 days. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved in birds supplemented with 60 mg/kg IONPs. The pH24h was lower in birds supplemented with 40 mg/kg IONPs compared to that of the bulk group. Pectoral muscle fascicle diameter and fiber density were significantly increased in 20 mg/kg IONP-supplemented birds compared to those of the bulk group, respectively. The muscle fiber diameter was higher in 40 mg/kg IONP-supplemented birds compared with the bulk group. The jejunal villus height, crypt depth, and villus surface area were significantly increased with 60 mg/kg IONP supplementation, whereas villus width was decreased in birds supplemented with 40 mg/kg IONPs. The villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio was lower in IONP-supplemented birds compared to the bulk group. IONP supplementation improved the FCR, jejunal, and pectoral muscle morphology without affecting the carcass characteristics and redox status of broilers.

EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF EARLY NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION IN HOSPITALIZED LIVER CIRRHOSIS PATIENTS.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is common in liver cirrhosis patients that is correlated with early complications, morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to assess nutritional status, impact of nutritional screening and intervention in liver cirrhosis patients by evaluating their actual energy and protein intake during hospital stay. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted wherein all patients' nutritional status was defined by Subjective Global Assessment tool. Adequate energy and protein supply were planned and executed by using individualized nutritional plan for patients with dietitian's collaboration. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, body mass index, mid upper arm circumference, hand grip strength and triceps skin-fold thickness. Biochemical tests included haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, volume and concentration, albumin and liver function tests. To record the daily food intake, a 24-hour dietary recall was used. RESULTS: Overall 83 patients (mean age 55) were included, among them 46% of patients were moderately malnourished, 12% were normal, while 42% of cirrhotic patients were severely depleted according to Subjective Global Assessment. The mean intake of calories and protein was improved during stay in hospital after nutritional intervention and critical monitoring (P<0.05). Anthropometric measurements at baseline and discharge showed significant differences (P <0.05) in weight, body mass index, triceps skin fold thickness and mid upper arm circumference values, but not in hand grip strength that was associated with malnourishment among patients. CONCLUSION: Providing individualized nutritional intervention and its monitoring by qualified dietitians during hospital stay helps to improve intake in patients that prevent further risk of malnutrition and related complications.

Effectiveness of Mild to Moderate Hypothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass on Early Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative hypothermia is an integral part of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and a precise degree of hypothermia may improve the early clinical outcomes of cardiac surgery. Presently, there is no agreement on an accurate, advantageous temperature range for routine use in CPB. To address this issue, we conducted a retrospective observational study to compare the effects of different hypothermic temperature ranges on primary (inotropic support, blood loss, and platelet count) and secondary (ventilation support and in-hospital stay) outcomes in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. METHODS: Data were retrieved from the medical database of the Cardiovascular Surgery Department, King Edward Medical University, Lahore-Pakistan (a tertiary care hospital), dating from February 2015 to December 2017. Patients were divided into mild (34 °C to 36 °C), intermediate (31 °C to 33 °C), or moderate (28 °C to 30 °C) hypothermic groups. RESULTS: Out of 275 patients, 245 (89.09%) fit the inclusion criteria. The cohort with mild hypothermic CPB temperatures presented better clinical outcomes in terms of requiring less inotropic support, less blood loss, fewer blood transfusions, improved platelet counts, shorter in-hospital stays, and required less ventilation support, when compared with other hypothermic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Mild hypothermic CPB (34 °C to 36 °C) may produce better clinical outcomes for cardiac surgery and improve the quality of health of cardiac patients.

Season influence on serum kisspeptin level and its association with hormonal levels and semen kinematics of buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis).

Kisspeptin has an important role in the stimulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in term of pubertal development, release of reproductive and metabolic hormones and ultimately affecting the fertility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum kisspeptin level and its correlation with semen quality and selected hormones in buffalo bulls during the summer and spring seasons. Semen and blood samples from eight Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls (age: 9.21 ± 1.02 years) were collected. Semen was analysed using computer-assisted semen analysis. Serum concentrations of kisspeptin, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, cortisol, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4) and insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Kisspeptin was neither affected by seasons and nor correlated with semen parameters and hormones. Higher levels of GnRH, LH, cortisol, IGF-1, total motility (TM), average path velocity (VAP), straight-line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and linearity (LIN) were recorded in summer compared to spring. Correlations of GnRH versusIGF-1 and LH, LH versus IGF-1 and cortisol, FSH versus T4 and testosterone, testosterone versus T3 and T4 and T3 versus T4 were observed. The GnRH and IGF-1 were positively associated with TM, VAP, VSL, VCL and LIN. The LH was correlated with VSL, straightness and LIN. In conclusion, GnRH, LH, and IGF-1 correlations with semen parameters can be used to indicate semen quality. The buffalo bulls are well-adapted and can give quality semen in the summer season.

Effects of Chromium-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles on the Intestinal Electrophysiological Indices and Glucose Transporters in Broilers.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of chromium-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Cr-CNPs) on the electrophysiological indices, gene expression of glucose transporters, and tissue glycogen in broilers. A total of 200 one-day-old broilers were randomly divided into five groups, with each having five replicates (n = 8). Group A was fed a corn-soybean meal diet, while the diets of groups B, C, D, and E were supplemented with 200, 400, 800, and 1200 µg/kg of Cr as Cr-CNPs, respectively. On day 35, the jejunum was collected for electrophysiological study, gene expression of glucose transporters, and tissues glycogen determination. The basal short-circuit current and tissue conductance before the addition of glucose was the same in all groups. Following the addition of glucose, the change in short-circuit current decreased (p < 0.05) in the jejunal tissues of birds supplemented with 400 and 1200 µg Cr-CNPs compared with the control group. Gene expression of SGLT-1 and GLUT-2 remained unaffected with supplementation. The serum glucose and liver glycogen concentration decreased (p < 0.05) linearly with supplementation, while no effect was observed on muscle glycogen. In conclusion, Cr-CNPs supplementation decreases the glucose absorption and liver glycogen content, without affecting the gene expression of glucose transporters.

Impacto da avaliação nutricional precoce e intervenção em pacientes com cirrose hepática / Evaluating the impact of early nutritional assessment and intervention in hospitalized liver cirrhosis patients

ABSTRACT Background Malnutrition is common in liver cirrhosis patients that is correlated with early complications, morbidity and mortality. Objective The purpose of the study was to assess nutritional status, impact of nutritional screening and intervention in liver cirrhosis patients by evaluating their actual energy and protein intake during hospital stay. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted wherein all patients' nutritional status was defined by Subjective Global Assessment tool. Adequate energy and protein supply were planned and executed by using individualized nutritional plan for patients with dietitian's collaboration. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, body mass index, mid upper arm circumference, hand grip strength and triceps skin-fold thickness. Biochemical tests included haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, volume and concentration, albumin and liver function tests. To record the daily food intake, a 24-hour dietary recall was used. Results Overall 83 patients (mean age 55) were included, among them 46% of patients were moderately malnourished, 12% were normal, while 42% of cirrhotic patients were severely depleted according to Subjective Global Assessment. The mean intake of calories and protein was improved during stay in hospital after nutritional intervention and critical monitoring (P<0.05). Anthropometric measurements at baseline and discharge showed significant differences (P <0.05) in weight, body mass index, triceps skin fold thickness and mid upper arm circumference values, but not in hand grip strength that was associated with malnourishment among patients. Conclusion Providing individualized nutritional intervention and its monitoring by qualified dietitians during hospital stay helps to improve intake in patients that prevent further risk of malnutrition and related complications.

RESUMO Contexto A desnutrição é comum em pacientes com cirrose hepática e está correlacionada com complicações precoces, morbidade e mortalidade. Objetivo O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o estado nutricional, o impacto da triagem nutricional e a intervenção em pacientes com cirrose hepática, avaliando sua ingestão real de energia e proteína durante a internação hospitalar. Métodos Foi realizado um estudo transversal em que o estado nutricional de todos os pacientes foi definido pela ferramenta de Avaliação Global Subjetiva. O fornecimento adequado de energia e proteína foi planejado e executado por meio de plano nutricional individualizado para pacientes com colaboração de nutricionista. As medidas antropométricas incluíram: altura, peso, índice de massa corporal, circunferência do braço médio, força de aderência da mão e espessura da dobra da pele tríceps. Os testes bioquímicos incluíram: hemoglobina, volume e concentração da hemoglobina corpuscular média, albumina e testes de função hepática. Para registrar a ingestão diária de alimentos, foi utilizado um recall dietético de 24 horas. Resultados Ao todo foram incluídos 83 pacientes (média de 55 anos), entre eles 46% dos pacientes estavam moderadamente desnutridos, 12% estavam normais, enquanto 42% dos pacientes cirróticos estavam severamente depletados de acordo com a Avaliação Global Subjetiva. A ingestão média de calorias e proteínas foi melhorada durante a internação hospitalar após intervenção nutricional e monitoramento crítico (P<0,05). As medidas antropométricas na linha de base e descarga apresentaram diferenças significativas (P< 0,05) em peso, índice de massa corporal, espessura da dobra da pele do tríceps e valores médios de circunferência do braço, mas não na força de aderência da mão que estava associada à desnutrição entre os pacientes. Conclusão Proporcionar intervenção nutricional individualizada e seu acompanhamento por nutricionistas qualificados durante a internação hospitalar ajuda a melhorar a ingestão em pacientes que previnem maior risco de desnutrição e complicações relacionadas.

Sub-chronic exposure to low concentration of dibutyl phthalate affects anthropometric parameters and markers of obesity in rats.

Dibutyl phthalate is an important phthalate ester extensively used in various products like plastics, adhesives, inks, pharmaceuticals, lacquers, varnishes, paper coatings, safety glasses, and cosmetics. The exposure of DBP to "one's health" is therefore inevitable. The present study focuses on elucidating the effect of low doses of DBP on anthropometric parameters and markers of obesity in rats in a 13-week study. A total of 48 rats were divided into three treatment groups as mg DBP/kg body weight per day: (a) 0 mg/kg (control), (b) 10 mg/kg (DBP-10), and (c) 50 mg/kg (DBP-50). The rats in each treatment (n = 16) were further equally divided into male and female rats for studying treatment and gender interaction. Anthropometric parameters, nutritional determinants, and markers of obesity in rats were studied. Two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data (p < 0.05). Tukey's post hoc test was used for pairwise comparisons. DBP increased body weight gain, feed efficiency, abdominal to thoracic circumference ratio, and body mass index in rats. Serum cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase concentrations decreased with DBP treatment. Serum albumin, glucose, creatinine, and alanine transaminase increased with DBP treatments. Serum lactate dehydrogenase increased in DBP-10 but was not affected by DBP-50. Further low-dose investigations are needed to assess non-monotonic dose responses.

Erratum to: Sub-chronic exposure to low concentration of dibutyl phthalate affects anthropometric parameters and markers of obesity in rats.

The correct name of the 1st and corresponding Author is Khalid Abdul Majeed.