Effects of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) essential oil of diet on some biochemical parameters and salinity stress resistance of kutum (Rutilus kutum) fry

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different levels of fennel essential oil (Foeniculum vulgare) on some biochemical parameters and salinity stress resistance of Caspian Kutum (Rutilus kutum) fry. For this purpose, Kutum fry with an average initial weight 0.6±0.002 gr were divided randomly in 5 treatments including 0 (control), 100, 200,400 and 600 mg fennel essential oil/kg diet and fed 3 times a day at a ratio of 7-12% body weight for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, biochemical parameters and salinity stress resistance were assessed. Results of serum biochemical analyze showed that the highest level of total protein and globulin was observed in 600 mg fennel essential oil/kg diet. The highest level of albumin and cholesterol was observed in 100 and 400 mg fennel essential oil/kg diet and the highest level of triglyceride, glucose and cortisol was observed in control (p<0.05). Results of salinity stress (6, 13 and 20 g/l) showed that 100 and 400 mg fennel essential oil/kg diet treatments showed the lowest response to stress and there were the lowest changes in cortisol and glucose levels before and after stress compare to control. Highest survival was observed in 100 and 400 mg fennel essential oil/kg diet. In conclusion results suggested that Fennel essential oil can improve immune system of fries by promoting biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin, globulin, triglyceride, glucose and cortisol). Also plays important role in increasing stress resistance of Kutum fry and the best operation is related to 100 mg fennel essential oil/kg diet

Effects of microencapsulated Lactobacillus rhamnosus JCM 1136 probiotics on blood parameters and body composition of rainbow trout

Effects of the microencapsulated Lactobacillus rhamnosus JCM 1136 on the blood parameters and body composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In this study, first the probiotic bacteria L. rhamnosus JCM1136 were microencapsulated with coatings of sodium alginate and chitosan. Then, they were added to the food pellets and given to the fingerlings. For this purpose, 225 rainbow trout fingerlings (6.23 ± 0.17 g) in 5 treatments and each treatment with 3 replications were placed in California trays (220 × 30 × 15 cm). Treatment 1 (T1): Fish fed with 108 CFU/g microencapsulated probiotics with sodium alginate, treatment 2 (T2): fish fed with 108 CFU/g microencapsulated probiotics with sodium alginate and chitosan, treatment 3 (T3): fish fed with 108 CFU/g capsule-free probiotics, treatment 4 (T4): fish fed with probiotic-free sodium alginate-chitosan capsules and control treatment 5 (T5): fish fed with commercial free-probiotic and capsules pellets. At the end of the course, results indicated that the fishes fed with diet containing sodium alginate-chitosan microencapsulated probiotics in terms of blood parameters such as red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit as well as the amount of carcass protein compared to control and other treatments were in better condition, which These differences were significant with control treatments fishes (p < 0.05)

Rationale, design and methods for a randomised and controlled trial to investigate whether home access to electronic games decreases children's physical activity

Background. Many children are reported to have insufficient physical activity (PA) placing them at greater risk of poor health outcomes. Participating in sedentary activities such as playing electronic games is widely believed to contribute to less PA. However there is no experimental evidence that playing electronic games reduces PA. There is also no evidence regarding the effect of different types of electronic games (traditional sedentary electronic games versus new active input electronic games) on PA. Further, there is a poor understanding about how characteristics of children may moderate the impact of electronic game access on PA and about what leisure activities are displaced when children play electronic games. Given that many children play electronic games, a better understanding of the effect of electronic game use on PA is critical to inform child health policy and intervention. Methods. This randomised and controlled trial will examine whether PA is decreased by access to electronic games and whether any effect is dependent on the type of game input or the child's characteristics. Children aged 1012 years (N = 72, 36 females) will be recruited and randomised to a balanced ordering of 'no electronic games', 'traditional' electronic games and 'active' electronic games. Each child will participate in each condition for 8 weeks, and be assessed prior to participation and at the end of each condition. The primary outcome is PA, assessed by Actical accelerometers worn for 7 days on the wrist and hip. Energy expenditure will be assessed by the doubly labelled water technique and motor coordination, adiposity, self-confidence, attitudes to technology and PA and leisure activities will also be assessed. A sample of 72 will provide a power of > 0.9 for detecting a 15 mins difference in PA (sd = 30 mins). Discussion. This is the first such trial and will provide critical information to understand whether access to electronic games affects children's PA. Given the vital importance of adequate PA to a healthy start to life and establishing patterns which may track into adulthood, this project can inform interventions which could have a profound impact on the long term health of children. Trial registration. This trial is registered in the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12609000279224)

EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for energy

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) derived dietary reference values for energy, which are provided as average requirements (ARs) of specified age and sex groups. For children and adults, total energy expenditure (TEE) was determined factorially from estimates of resting energy expenditure (REE) plus the energy needed for various levels of physical activity (PAL) associated with sustainable lifestyles in healthy individuals. To account for uncertainties inherent in the prediction of energy expenditure, ranges of the AR for energy were calculated with several equations for predicting REE in children (1-17 years) and adults. For practical reasons, only the REE estimated by the equations of Henry (2005) was used in the setting of the AR and multiplied with PAL values of 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0, which approximately reflect low active (sedentary), moderately active, active and very active lifestyles. For estimating REE in adults, body heights measured in representative national surveys in 13 EU Member States and body masses calculated from heights assuming a body mass index of 22 kg/m2 were used. For children, median body masses and heights from the WHO Growth Standards or from harmonised growth curves of children in the EU were used. Energy expenditure for growth was accounted for by a 1 % increase of PAL values for each age group. For infants (7-11 months), the AR was derived from TEE estimated by regression equation based on doubly labelled water (DLW) data, plus the energy needs for growth. For pregnant and lactating women, the additional energy for the deposition of newly formed tissue, and for milk output, was derived from data obtained by the DLW method and from factorial estimates, respectively. The proposed ARs for energy may need to be adapted depending on specific objectives and target populations

Systematic review to identify and appraise outcome measures used to evaluate childhood obesity treatment interventions: evidence of purpose, application, validity, reliability and sensitivity

Background: Lack of uniformity in outcome measures used in evaluations of childhood obesity treatment interventions can impede the ability to assess effectiveness and limits comparisons across trials. Objective: To identify and appraise outcome measures to produce a framework of recommended measures for use in evaluations of childhood obesity treatment interventions. Data sources: Eleven electronic databases were searched between August and December 2011, including MEDLINE; MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations; EMBASE; PsycINFO; Health Management Information Consortium (HMIC); Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED); Global Health, Maternity and Infant Care (all Ovid); Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (EBSCOhost); Science Citation Index (SCI) [Web of Science (WoS)]; and The Cochrane Library (Wiley) - from the date of inception, with no language restrictions. This was supported by review of relevant grey literature and trial databases. Review methods: Two searches were conducted to identify (1) outcome measures and corresponding citations used in published childhood obesity treatment evaluations and (2) manuscripts describing the development and/or evaluation of the outcome measures used in the childhood intervention obesity evaluations. Search 1 search strategy (review of trials) was modelled on elements of a review by Luttikhuis et al. (Oude Luttikhuis H, Baur L, Jansen H, Shrewsbury VA, O'Malley C, Stolk RP, et al. Interventions for treating obesity in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009;1:CD001872). Search 2 strategy (methodology papers) was built on Terwee et al.'s search filter (Terwee CB, Jansma EP, Riphagen II, de Vet HCW. Development of a methodological PubMed search filter for finding studies on measurement properties of measurement instruments. Qual Life Res 2009;18:1115-23). Eligible papers were appraised for quality initially by the internal project team. This was followed by an external appraisal by expert collaborators in order to agree which outcome measures should be recommended for the Childhood obesity Outcomes Review (CoOR) outcome measures framework. Results: Three hundred and seventy-nine manuscripts describing 180 outcome measures met eligibility criteria. Appraisal of these resulted in the recommendation of 36 measures for the CoOR outcome measures framework. Recommended primary outcome measures were body mass index (BMI) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Experts did not advocate any self-reported measures where objective measurement was possible (e.g. physical activity). Physiological outcomes hold potential to be primary outcomes, as they are indicators of cardiovascular health, but without evidence of what constitutes a minimally importance difference they have remained as secondary outcomes (although the corresponding lack of evidence for BMI and DXA is acknowledged). No preference-based quality-of-life measures were identified that would enable economic evaluation via calculation of quality-adjusted life-years. Few measures reported evaluating responsiveness. Limitations Proposed recommended measures are fit for use as outcome measures within studies that evaluate childhood obesity treatment evaluations specifically. These may or may not be suitable for other study designs, and some excluded measures may be more suitable in other study designs. Conclusions: The CoOR outcome measures framework provides clear guidance of recommended primary and secondary outcome measures. This will enhance comparability between treatment evaluations and ensure that appropriate measures are being used. Where possible, future work should focus on modification and evaluation of existing measures rather than development of tools de nova. In addition, it is recommended that a similar outcome measures framework is produced to support evaluation of adult obesity programmes. Funding: The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme

Internet to WSN configuration and access using 6LoWPAN

The Internet of Things mission is to connect any objects to the Internet, in order to provide the ability to access everything, everywhere. It will enable people to control and monitor their environment in a very convenient way. In order to fulfill the Internet of Things mission, one idea is to wrap a non-IP based protocol stack in the objects equipped with sensors, actuators and computing resources to enable them to be connected to the Internet through a protocol translation gateway. An alternative and competing idea, is to embed the TCP/IP stack into such smart objects, enabling them to interact with the Internet seamlessly. However, in order to satisfy the Internet of Things needs such as scalability, interoperability and simplicity of configuration and management, the use of IP architecture for smart objects is of interest, since it has proven itself a highly scalable, interoperable and simple communication technology. In particular, the new optimized Internet Protocol, IPv6, which is capable of providing any single object with a unique address, accompanied by many other great features such as plug-and-play and a real end-to-end connectivity, can offer great benefits to the Internet of Things. Nevertheless, most of the smart objects specially deployed in Wireless Sensor Networks a subset of Internet of Things, are not able to adapt the large IPv6 packet because of their Link- Layer limitations. Hence, it is a quite challenging task for these devices to transmit an IPv6 packet. For this reason, the Internet Engineering Task Force organization has offered an IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks (6LoWPAN) solution in order to solve the IPv6 adaptability problem. This thesis presents the design and deployment of an IPv6-based WSN using this solution. The result of this work is building a 6LoWPAN based on the Contiki OS. This WSN is able to send the measured environment temperature to a web server and control the status of a light through the Internet in a standard, scalable, and seamless way

Effects of prebiotic (Fermacto) in low protein diet on some blood parameters and intestinal microbiota of broiler chicks

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of prebiotic (Fermacto) in low protein diet on serum cholesterol and intestinal microbiota of broiler chicks. One hundred and fifty six 1-day old Ross 308 broiler chicks of both sexes were used for 42 days. The chicks were randomly allocated to 12 pens containing 13 chicks each with 3 replicates and assigned to receive one of the 4 dietary treatments of 2 levels of protein (low and high) and 2 levels of prebiotic (0 and 0.2%) in a completely randomised design with factorial arrangement. There were no significant differences in serum HDL and LDL levels among treatments. Significant differences were observed in serum cholesterol and intestinal microflora between the high protein diet without prebiotic and the low protein diet containing prebiotic (P<0.05). The results of the present experiment showed that the addition of prebiotic to broiler diets containing 90% of the NRC protein recommendation significantly affects serum cholesterol and intestinal microflora of broiler chicks (P<0.05)