Effect of astaxanthin pigment on growth performance, survival and pigmentation in postlarval stage of white leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

The aim of this research was to study the effect of astaxanthin pigment on growth performance (weight again, specific growth rate and final body weight), survival and pigment accumulation in postlarvae of white leg shrimp. This study was carried out in spring 2011 at Kolahi Aquatic Development Center. Some 8-day postlarvae with mean (±SD) initial weight 5.3±1.6mg were fed diets with containing various levels (0, 50, 100 and 200mg/kg diet) of astaxanthin pigment for 30 days. Shrimp fed with diet without astaxanthin pigment served as control. Shrimp fed diets containing 50, 100 and 200mg/kg astaxanthin, growth performance and survival was significantly higher than control group. The pigment accumulation rate was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analysis of pigment accumulation showed that the higher increasing astaxanthin pigment amount in the diets, the higher growth performance and survival rate in postlarvae; as in postlarvae fed with 200mg astaxanthin/kg, final weight (700.6±12.7mg) and survival rate (82±1.5%) was significantly higher than control group (484.2±28.9, 54.7±4.5% final weight and survival rate, respectively). Due to nutritional properties of astaxanthin pigment and the positive effect on growth and survival, the feeding of postlarval white leg shrimp with the diet containing at least 100mg astaxanthin/kg is recommended

Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis Using Parasitological Methods in Tehran

"nBackground: Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic protozoan with a predilection for human urogenital tract and causative agent for vaginitis, cervicitis and urethritis in females. T. vaginalis is known as a cofactor in transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and may lead to adverse outcomes in pregnant women. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection in females attending Mirzakuchak Khan Hospital, Tehran, Iran. "nMethods: During May 2008 to March 2009, 500 vaginal discharges samples were obtained from women attending sexual transmitted disease (STD) clinic of Mirzakuchak Khan Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The samples were examined by Dorsse culture medium and wet-mount meth­ods. The prevalence of T. vaginalis was determined using culture based method and wet-mount examinations. "nResults: Sixteen positive (3.2%) and 484 negative (96.8%) samples for T. vaginalis were de­tected by culture based methods. The wet mount examination revealed 13 positive (2.6%) and 487 negative (97.4%) samples. In the above population, prevalence of trichomoniasis was es­timated as 3.2% based on culturing method. "nConclusion: Due to adverse outcomes of vaginal trichomoniasis and its correlation with HIV transmission, there is a great need for public education regarding implementation of personal hygienic measures and prevention of inappropriate sexual contacts

Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid as an Independent Risk Factor for Fever and Postpartum Infection in Term Pregnancy

Background: The aim of this study was to statistically evaluate the hypothesis that the presence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid is associated with postpartum maternal infection.Methods: This prospective cohort study included 573 term pregnant women in labor, with no other medical problems, that underwent cesarean section for pregnancy termination. Women with prolonged active-phase labor, prolonged rupture of membranes, complicated cesarean section and pre-operative infections were excluded from this study.The subjects were divided into two groups: 280 women with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (M group), and 293 women with clear amniotic fluid (C group). A comparison was done regarding postpartum fever, endometritis and wound infection between the two groups. Students t-test and chi square test were used for data analysis, along with linear regression, with p<0.05 indicating significance.Results: Among the 573 women, a total of 82 women (14%) had fever after cesarean; 42 women from the M group, and 40 women from the C group (p= 0.3). Among the 82 women who had fever, 33 women had continuous fever, 6.5% in group M and 2.7% in group C (p<0.05, RR: 1.98, 95% CI 1.3-3.1). Among the 573 women, 4% developed endometritis 5% in group M and 2% in group C (p<0.05, RR: 2.3, 95%, CI 1.3-3.4). Similarly, among the 573 women, a total of 5 women (1%) developed wound infection, 1.7% in group M and 0.68% in group C (p=0.7).Conclusion: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid is associated with increased postpartum infection independent of other risk factors for infection