Intestinal histostructure and immune protection activity of age -1+ carp after consumption of a prebiotic feed additive

Currently, it is important in aquaculture to study and use products and additives, which have positive effects on the digestibility of nutrients by helping to normalize the intestinal microflora, thereby modulating fish immune response. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a prebiotic based on mannan oligosaccharides produced from the outer walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells on the histological structure, morphometric state of the intestine and activity of cellular and humoral components of nonspecific resistance of age -2+ carp. The experiment was conducted in four analogous ponds, which were stocked with age-1 scaly carp with an average weight of 55–58 g with a stocking density of 1000 fish/ha. Carp had been fed balanced compound feed for 60 days. Experimental groups of fish were fed with a prebiotic as a feed additive in the amount of: 0.025 % – Experiment 1, 0.05 % – Experiment 2 and 0.075 % – Experiment 3. Use of the studied prebiotic did not damage the intestinal histological structure of carp of the experimental groups. The villi height and intestinal crypt depth of carp in Experiment 1 (P < 0.05) and Experiment 2 (P < 0.01) were larger compared to the control group. Experiment 3 showed destructive changes in intestinal mucosa. The results of histological examination indicated the effectiveness of the use of the studied prebiotic in the amount of 0.025 and 0.05 % in the diet of age -1+ carp due to the absence of pathological changes and active morphofunctional state of the intestine, which, in turn, had a positive effect on feed absorption and metabolic processes in fish body. Analysis of the indicators of cellular and humoral links of natural resistance showed that in carp of the second and third experimental groups lysozyme activity of serum was 5 and 11 % (P < 0.001) higher than in the control group. Similar changes, though found in a greater extent, were recorded in the study of bactericidal activity of blood serum, especially in individuals of the second and third experimental groups (by 6.8 (P < 0.01) and 15.2 %). While with carps of the third experimental group, which used a prebiotic drug in the amount of 0.075 %, the content of CEC was 20.5 % higher than in the control group, which indicates an additional antigenic load on the body and is an unfavorable diagnostic factor. At the same time, with the fish of the second experimental group, which received, respectively, 0.05 % of the supplement of the drug “Actigen” to the main diet, probably higher phagocytic activity of blood neutrophils was recorded. A direct dependence of the growth of the phagocytic index and the phagocytic number of neutrophils on the dose of the studied prebiotic was detected. Immunological studies indicated a dose-dependent effect of the prebiotic on the activity of cellular and humoral components of non-specific resistance of carp. Given this, for the effective functioning of innate protective mechanisms, for the increase of the body's immune potential and productivity, it is most appropriate to apply to the diet of carp prebiotic supplement “Actigen” in the amount of 0.025 and 0.05 %

THE ANALYSIS OF YOUNG-OF-THE-YEAR CARP FEEDING WHEN FERTILIZING THE PONDS WITH DIFFERENT ORGANIC FERTILIZERS

В статті представлено результати досліджень щодо живлення цьоголіток коропа в ставах із застосуванням різних органічних удобрювачів.Встановлено, що внесення у дослідні стави пивної дробини та перегною ВРХ сприяло підвищенню рівня розвитку природної кормової бази. Отримані дані щодо живлення цьоголіток коропа в ставах з різними варіантами удобрення свідчать, що риба в усіх варіантах досліду була забезпечена природним кормом. Його відносний вміст в раціоні цьоголіток коропа дослідних груп складав 42,2±4,2–46,7±4,1 % і був у 1,2–1,3 рази вищий, ніж у контрольних (35,3±4,4 %). Індекс наповнення кишкового тракту риб при внесенні пивної дробини впродовж вегетаційного сезону поступово збільшувався; при внесенні перегною – збільшувався на початку періоду вирощування, із наступним зниженням його з початком годівлі штучними кормами; у контролі даний показник мав чітку тенденцію до зниження. Середні за вегетаційний сезон індекси наповнення кишкового тракту цьоголіток коропа в досліді були на рівні 256,5±22,4 – 348,1±23,5%, у контролі – 239,8±31,1 %.В статье представлены результаты исследования питания сеголеток карпа в прудах с применением различных органических  удобрителей. Установлено, что внесение в опытные пруды пивной дробины и перегноя КРС способствовало повышению уровня развития естественной кормовой базы. Полученные данные относительно питания сеголеток карпа в прудах с различными вариантами удобрения свидетельствуют, что рыба во всех вариантах опыта была обеспечена естественным кормом. Его относительное содержание в рационе сеголеток карпа опытных групп составляло 42,2±4,2–46,7±4,1 % и было в 1,2–1,3 раза выше, чем в контрольных (35,3±4,4 %). Индекс наполнения кишечного тракта рыб при внесении пивной дробины в течение вегетационного сезона постепенно увеличивался; при внесении перегноя – увеличивался в начале периода выращивания, с последующим снижением его с началом кормления искусственными кормами; в контроле данный показатель имел четкую тенденцию к снижению. Средние за вегетационный сезон индексы наполнения кишечного тракта сеголеток карпа в опыте были на уровне 256,5±22,4 – 348,1±23,5%, в контроле – 239,8±31,1%.The paper contains the results of the studies on young-of-the-year carp feeding in ponds with the application of different organic fertilizers.It was found that the application of brewer’s grains and cattle manure into ponds contributed to an increase in the level of the development of feeding organisms. The obtained data on young-of-the-year carp feeding in ponds with different fertilization variants indicate that fish in all experimental variants was supplied with natural feeds. Its relative content in young-of-the-year carp diet in experimental groups was 42.2±4.2-46.7±4.1% that was 1.2–1.3 times higher than in the control (35.3±4.4 %). Gut fullness index of the experimental fish when brewer’s grains were used gradually increased during the culture season; when manure was used – it increased in the beginning of the growing period and then reduced with the start of feeding fish with artificial feeds; in the control, this index had a clear tendency for decreasing. Mean gut fullness indices of young-of-the-year carp during the culture season were 256.5±22.4 – 348.1±23.5% in the experiment and 239.8±31.1% in the control

Interleukin 7 from Maternal Milk Crosses the Intestinal Barrier and Modulates T- Cell Development in Offspring

Background Breastfeeding protects against illnesses and death in hazardous environments, an effect partly mediated by improved immune function. One hypothesis suggests that factors within milk supplement the inadequate immune response of the offspring, but this has not been able to account for a series of observations showing that factors within maternally derived milk may supplement the development of the immune system through a direct effect on the primary lymphoid organs. In a previous human study we reported evidence suggesting a link between IL-7 in breast milk and the thymic output of infants. Here we report evidence in mice of direct action of maternally-derived IL-7 on T cell development in the offspring. Methods and Findings  We have used recombinant IL-7 labelled with a fluorescent dye to trace the movement in live mice of IL-7 from the stomach across the gut and into the lymphoid tissues. To validate the functional ability of maternally derived IL- 7 we cross fostered IL-7 knock-out mice onto normal wild type mothers. Subsets of thymocytes and populations of peripheral T cells were significantly higher than those found in knock-out mice receiving milk from IL-7 knock-out mothers. Conclusions/Significance Our study provides direct evidence that interleukin 7, a factor which is critical in the development of T lymphocytes, when maternally derived can transfer across the intestine of the offspring, increase T cell production in the thymus and support the survival of T cells in the peripheral secondary lymphoid tissue

Border Crossing to Inject Drugs in Mexico Among Injection Drug Users in San Diego, California

We examined correlates of ever injecting drugs in Mexico among residents of San Diego, California. From 2007 to 2010, injecting drug users (IDUs) in San Diego underwent an interviewer-administered survey. Logistic regression identified correlates of injection drug use in Mexico. Of 302 IDUs, 38% were Hispanic, 72% male and median age was 37; 27% ever injected in Mexico; 43% reported distributive syringe sharing there. Factors independently associated with ever injecting drugs in Mexico included being younger at first injection, injecting heroin, distributive syringe sharing at least half of the time, and transporting drugs over the last 6 months. One-quarter of IDUs reported ever injecting drugs in Mexico, among whom syringe sharing was common, suggesting possible mixing between IDUs in the Mexico-US border region. Prospective studies should monitor trends in cross-border drug use in light of recent Mexican drug policy reforms partially decriminalizing drug possession

HIV infection and sexual risk among men who have sex with men and women (MSMW): A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: To estimate the number of men who have sex with men and women who are HIV-positive in the United States, and to compare HIV prevalence rates between men who have sex with men and women, men who have sex with men only, and men who have sex with women exclusively. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of reports referencing HIV prevalence and men who have sex with men and women. We searched PubMed and Ovid PsycINFO for peer-reviewed, U.S.-based articles reporting on HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men and women. We conducted event rate, effect size, moderation and sensitivity analyses. Results: We estimate that 1.0% of U.S. males are bisexually-behaving, and that 121,800 bisexually-behaving men are HIV-positive. Men who have sex with men and women are less than half as likely to be HIV-positive as men who have sex with men only (16.9% vs. 33.3%; OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.54), but more than five times as likely to be HIV-positive as men who have sex with women exclusively (18.3% vs. 3.5%; OR = 5.71, 95% CI: 3.47, 9.39). They are less likely to engage in unprotected receptive anal intercourse than men who have sex with men only (15.9% vs. 35.0%; OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.46). Men who have sex with men and women in samples with high racial/ethnic minority proportions had significantly higher HIV prevalence than their counterparts in low racial/ethnic minority samples. Conclusions: This represents the first meta-analysis of HIV prevalence in the U.S. between men who have sex with men and women and men who have sex with men only. Data collection, research, and HIV prevention and care delivery specifically tailored to men who have sex with men and women are necessary to better quantify and ameliorate this population's HIV burden. © 2014 Friedman et al

Diminishing benefits of urban living for children and adolescents’ growth and development

Optimal growth and development in childhood and adolescence is crucial for lifelong health and well-being1–6. Here we used data from 2,325 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight from 71 million participants, to report the height and body-mass index (BMI) of children and adolescents aged 5–19 years on the basis of rural and urban place of residence in 200 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020. In 1990, children and adolescents residing in cities were taller than their rural counterparts in all but a few high-income countries. By 2020, the urban height advantage became smaller in most countries, and in many high-income western countries it reversed into a small urban-based disadvantage. The exception was for boys in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in some countries in Oceania, south Asia and the region of central Asia, Middle East and north Africa. In these countries, successive cohorts of boys from rural places either did not gain height or possibly became shorter, and hence fell further behind their urban peers. The difference between the age-standardized mean BMI of children in urban and rural areas was <1.1 kg m–2 in the vast majority of countries. Within this small range, BMI increased slightly more in cities than in rural areas, except in south Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and some countries in central and eastern Europe. Our results show that in much of the world, the growth and developmental advantages of living in cities have diminished in the twenty-first century, whereas in much of sub-Saharan Africa they have amplified

Height and body-mass index trajectories of school-aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019 in 200 countries and territories: a pooled analysis of 2181 population-based studies with 65 million participants

Summary Background Comparable global data on health and nutrition of school-aged children and adolescents are scarce. We aimed to estimate age trajectories and time trends in mean height and mean body-mass index (BMI), which measures weight gain beyond what is expected from height gain, for school-aged children and adolescents. Methods For this pooled analysis, we used a database of cardiometabolic risk factors collated by the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends from 1985 to 2019 in mean height and mean BMI in 1-year age groups for ages 5–19 years. The model allowed for non-linear changes over time in mean height and mean BMI and for non-linear changes with age of children and adolescents, including periods of rapid growth during adolescence. Findings We pooled data from 2181 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in 65 million participants in 200 countries and territories. In 2019, we estimated a difference of 20 cm or higher in mean height of 19-year-old adolescents between countries with the tallest populations (the Netherlands, Montenegro, Estonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for boys; and the Netherlands, Montenegro, Denmark, and Iceland for girls) and those with the shortest populations (Timor-Leste, Laos, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea for boys; and Guatemala, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Timor-Leste for girls). In the same year, the difference between the highest mean BMI (in Pacific island countries, Kuwait, Bahrain, The Bahamas, Chile, the USA, and New Zealand for both boys and girls and in South Africa for girls) and lowest mean BMI (in India, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Ethiopia, and Chad for boys and girls; and in Japan and Romania for girls) was approximately 9–10 kg/m2. In some countries, children aged 5 years started with healthier height or BMI than the global median and, in some cases, as healthy as the best performing countries, but they became progressively less healthy compared with their comparators as they grew older by not growing as tall (eg, boys in Austria and Barbados, and girls in Belgium and Puerto Rico) or gaining too much weight for their height (eg, girls and boys in Kuwait, Bahrain, Fiji, Jamaica, and Mexico; and girls in South Africa and New Zealand). In other countries, growing children overtook the height of their comparators (eg, Latvia, Czech Republic, Morocco, and Iran) or curbed their weight gain (eg, Italy, France, and Croatia) in late childhood and adolescence. When changes in both height and BMI were considered, girls in South Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and some central Asian countries (eg, Armenia and Azerbaijan), and boys in central and western Europe (eg, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, and Montenegro) had the healthiest changes in anthropometric status over the past 3·5 decades because, compared with children and adolescents in other countries, they had a much larger gain in height than they did in BMI. The unhealthiest changes—gaining too little height, too much weight for their height compared with children in other countries, or both—occurred in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, New Zealand, and the USA for boys and girls; in Malaysia and some Pacific island nations for boys; and in Mexico for girls. Interpretation The height and BMI trajectories over age and time of school-aged children and adolescents are highly variable across countries, which indicates heterogeneous nutritional quality and lifelong health advantages and risks