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

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Artemisia annua (L.) essential oil against different fish pathogens

In the present study, the composition of the essential oil and antimicrobial activity from aerial parts of Artemisia annua growing wild in north of Iran was investigated. The major ingredients of the essential oil of A. annua were camphor (29.2%), 1.8-cineole (13.3%), tetradecanol (6.16%), β-selinene (5.82%) and pinocarvone (3.86%). In the current study, antimicrobial activity of A. annua was tested against 4 fish pathogenic bacteria including: Streptococcus iniae, Yersinia ruckeri, Aeromonas hydrophila and Lactococcus garvieae and 3 fish pathogenic fungi namely Saprolegnia sp., Fusarium solani and Aspergillus flavus

Diet, body size and menarche in a multiethnic cohort

A multiethnic cohort of 1378 Southern California school girls aged 8–13 years was followed for 4 years to evaluate factors predicting age at menarche, a risk factor for breast cancer. Height and weight were measured and dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Of 939 girls providing data on menarcheal status, 767 were premenarcheal at the start of the study; 679 girls provided acceptable dietary data and were included in the analyses. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the relationship between diet, body size, ethnicity and age at menarche. Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Island and African-American girls were more likely to experience early menarche than non-Hispanic white girls. Tall (> 148.6 cm) versus short (< 135.9 cm) girls experienced earlier menarche (relative hazard (RH) = 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1–4.1) as did those with high Quetelet's index (QI, kg m−2) (> 20.7) versus low QI (< 16.1) (RH = 2.2, 95% CI 1.7–2.9). Of all the dietary variables analysed, only energy intake was related to age at menarche. High versus low energy intake (> 12013 kJ vs < 7004 kJ) was associated with a delay in menarche (RH = 0.7, 95% CI 0.5–0.9); this finding was limited to a subset of heavy Hispanic girls who appeared to underreport their dietary intake. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

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)