Supplemental feeding on rangelands:new dynamics of the livestock in the El Ouara rangelands in southern Tunisia

Fodder production in arid rangelands has been traditionally considered as the main source of nutrition for livestock.However,the production of these fodder may be influenced by some socio-economic and climatic factors.This study aims to identify the various rangeland use forms and determine the types of livestock feeding system in the El Ouara rangelands of Ben guarden District in southern Tunisia by analysing the importance of supplemental feeding and main determinants of this practice.Data were collected by a survey that targeted a sample of 50 breeders in the El Ouara rangelands.Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data.The results showed that there are two types of association practiced by breeders:“Cherka”association practiced by 10.00% of breeders and cash payment association practiced by 53.00% of breeders.Then,transhumance,sedentary,and semi-urban forms are the main ways in which breeders use the rangelands.There are four livestock feeding systems in the El Ouara rangelands being used to feed livestock:natural rangeland,rangeland-based,mixed,and concentrate-based feeding systems.Supplemental feeding has become fundamental for the livestock feeding system in the El Ouara rangelands.The breeders with the largest camel size still use the natural rangeland feeding system,while the breeders who have the largest herd size practice the mixed feeding system.The logistic regression results reveal that breeder age,cereal area,herd size,migrant remittance,second activity,and agricultural development group membership can significantly impact the supplemental feeding.In summary,this study can help policy-makers plan innovative practices based on climatic change,ensure the sustainability of livestock feeding system,and make effective decisions for local development.

Iron supplementation during malaria infection in pregnancy and childhood:A review

Malaria presents a significant global public health challenge,with severe malarial anaemia being a primary manifestation of the disease.The understanding of anaemia caused by malaria remains incomplete,making the treatment more complex.Iron is a crucial micronutrient essential for haemoglobin synthesis,oxygen delivery,and other vital metabolic functions in the body.It is indispensable for the growth of human beings,as well as bacteria,protozoa,and viruses in vitro and in vivo.Iron deficiency is among the most common nutritional deficiencies and can have detrimental effects during developmental stages of life.Malaria-induced iron deficiency occurs due to the hemolysis of erythrocytes and the suppression of erythropoiesis,leading to anaemia.Meeting iron requirements is particularly critical during pivotal life stages such as pregnancy,infancy,and childhood.Dietary intake alone may not suffice to meet adequate iron requirements,thus highlighting the vital role of iron supplementation.While iron supplementation can alleviate iron deficiency,it can exacerbate malaria infection by providing additional iron for the parasites.However,in the context of pregnancy and childhood,iron supplementation combined with malaria prevention and treatment has been shown to be beneficial in improving birth outcomes and ensuring proper growth and development,respectively.This review aims to identify the role and impact of iron supplementation in malaria infection during the life stages of pregnancy and childhood.

Parent-offspring relationship recognition based on SSR and mtDNA confirmed resource supplement effect of Fenneropenaeus chinensis release

The resource of Fenneropenaeus chinensis has declined sharply due to excessive fishing intensity,ecological changes and diseases.In order to supplement the fishing yield and restore resources of F.chinensis,the relevant authorities have carried out the activities of stock enhancement and releasing.It can increase biomass and recover resources.However,compared with increasing biomass,there were still few reports on its effect on the recovery of resources.Resource recovery is a process related to whether the released individuals can form a reproductive population.Up to now,there has been a lack of evidence whether the released F.chinensis can complete the entire life history,and form reproduction population.In this study,gravid female shrimp after spawning migration were captured from coastal waters of Haiyang,Qingdao,and Yellow Sea.After identifying parentage relationships using simple sequence repeat(SSR)and mtDNA haplotype,it was finally confirmed that there were eight released individuals in the recapture samples.It was confirmed for the first time that at least part of the released F.chinensis can complete overwintering and reproductive migration,and maintain the migration habits as their wild counterparts.Therefore,we infered that the released shrimp can reproduce under natural conditions,these F.chinensis can form reproductive populations theoretically if without human intervention.These results indicated that enhancenment and release activities have a positive effect on resource recovery.

Review on dietary supplements as an effective improvement of Alzheimer's disease:focus on structures and mechanisms

Alzheimer’s disease(AD),the major form of neurodegenerative diseases that can severely impede normal cognitive function,makes it one of the most common fatal diseases.There are currently over 50 million AD patients worldwide.The neuropathology of AD is perplexing and there is a scarcity of disease-modifying treatments.Currently,early diagnosis of AD has been made possible with the discovery of biological markers associated with pathology,providing strong support for the improvement of the disease status.The search for inhibitors of AD markers from dietary supplements(DSs)has become a major hot topic.Especially with the widespread use of DSs,DSs containing polyphenols,alkaloids,terpenes,polysaccharides and other bioactive components can prevent AD by reducing Aβdeposition,inhibiting tau protein hyperphosphorylation,reconstructing synaptic dysfunction,weakening cholinesterase activity,regulating mitochondrial oxidative stress,neuronal inflammation and apoptosis.This review summarizes the anti-AD effects of the main DSs and their bioactive constituents,as well as the potential molecular mechanisms covers from 2017 to 2023.Additionally,we discussed the opportunities and challenges faced by DSs in the process of AD prevention and treatment,aiming to further provide new perspectives for functional food development.

Effect of organic mineral supplementation in reducing oxidative stress in Holstein calves during short‑term heat stress and recovery conditions

Background This study investigated the effects of inorganic and organic minerals on physiological responses,oxidative stress reduction,and rumen microbiota in Holstein bull calves(123.81±9.76 kg;5 months old)during short-term heat stress(HS)and recovery periods.Eight Holstein calves were randomly assigned to four treatment groups:no mineral supplementation(Con),inorganic minerals(IM),organic minerals(OM),and high-concentration organic minerals(HOM)and two thermal environments(HS and recovery)using 4×2 factorial arrangement in a crossover design of four periods of 35 d.Calves were maintained in a temperature-controlled barn.The experimental period consisted of 14 d of HS,14 d of recovery condititon,and a 7-d washing period.Results Body temperature and respiration rate were higher in HS than in the recovery conditions(P<0.05).Selenium concentration in serum was high in the HOM-supplemented calves in both HS(90.38μg/dL)and recovery periods(102.00μg/dL)(P<0.05).During the HS period,the serum cortisol was 20.26 ng/mL in the HOM group,which was 5.60 ng/mL lower than in the control group(P<0.05).The total antioxidant status was the highest in the OM group(2.71 mmol Trolox equivalent/L),followed by the HOM group during HS,whereas it was highest in the HOM group(2.58 mmol Trolox equivalent/L)during the recovery period(P<0.05).Plasma malondialdehyde and HSP70 levels were decreased by HOM supplementation during the HS and recovery periods,whereas SOD and GPX levels were not significantly affected(P>0.05).The principal coordinate analysis represented that the overall rumen microbiota was not influenced by mineral supplementation;however,temperature-induced microbial structure shifts were indicated(PERMANOVA:P<0.05).At the phylum level,Firmicutes and Actinobacteria decreased,whereas Fibrobacteres,Spirochaetes,and Tenericutes increased(P<0.05),under HS conditions.The genus Treponema increased under HS conditions,while Christensenella was higher in recovery conditions(P<0.05).Conclusion HOM supplementation during HS reduced cortisol concentrations and increased total antioxidant status in Holstein bull calves,suggesting that high organic mineral supplementation may alleviate the adverse effects of HS.

Impact of Different Rates of Nitrogen Supplementation on Soil PhysicochemicalProperties and Microbial Diversity in Goji Berry

Goji berry(Lycium barbarum L.)is substantially dependent on nitrogen fertilizer application,which can signifi-cantly enhance fruit yield and Goji berry industrial development in Ningxia,China.This study aimed to analyze the functions of differential nitrogen application rates including low(N1),medium(N2),and high(N3)levels in soil microbial community structure(bacterial and fungal)at 2 diverse soil depths(0-20,20-40 cm)through high-throughput sequencing technology by targeting 16S RNA gene and ITS1&ITS2 regions.All the observed physicochemical parameters exhibited significant improvement(p<0.05)with increased levels of nitrogen and the highest values for most parameters were observed at N2.However,pH decreased(p<0.05)gradually.The alpha and beta diversity analyses for bacterial and fungal communities’metagenome displayed more similarities than differences among all groups.The top bacterial and fungal phyla and genera suggested no obvious(p>0.05)differences among three group treatments(N1,N2,and N3).Furthermore,the functional enrichment analysis demonstrated significant(p<0.05)enrichment of quorum sensing,cysteine and methionine metabolism,and transcriptional machinery for bacterial communities,while various saprotrophic functional roles for fungal communities.Conclusively,moderately reducing the use of N-supplemented fertilizers is conducive to increasing soil nitrogen utilization rate,which can contribute to sustainable agriculture practices through improved soil quality,and microbial community structure and functions.

Comparison of two supplemental oxygen methods during gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation in patients with a normal body mass index

BACKGROUND Hypoxemia due to respiratory depression and airway obstruction during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with sedation is a common concern.The Wei nasal jet tube(WNJT)is a new nasopharyngeal airway with the ability to provide supraglottic jet ventilation and oxygen insufflation via its built-in wall channel.The available evidence indicates that with a low oxygen flow,compared with nasal cannula,the WNJT does not decrease the occurrence of hypoxemia during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with propofol sedation.To date,there has been no study assessing the performance of WNJT for supplemental oxygen during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with sedation when a moderate oxygen flow is used.AIM To determine whether the WNJT performs better than the nasal prongs for the prevention of hypoxemia during gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation when a moderate oxygen flow is provided in patients with a normal body mass index.METHODS This study was performed in 291 patients undergoing elective gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation.Patients were randomized into one of two groups to receive either the WNJT(WNJT group,n=147)or the nasal cannula(nasal cannula group,n=144)for supplemental oxygen at a 5-L/min flow during gastroscopy.The lowest SpO2 during gastroscopy was recorded.The primary endpoint was the incidence of hypoxemia or severe hypoxemia during gastroscopy.RESULTS The total incidence of hypoxemia and severe hypoxemia during gastroscopy was significantly decreased in the WNJT group compared with the nasal cannula group(P=0.000).The lowest median SpO2 during gastroscopy was significantly higher(98%;interquartile range,97-99)in the WNJT group than in the nasal cannula group(96%;interquartile range,93-98).Epistaxis by device insertion in the WNJT group occurred in 7 patients but stopped naturally without any treatment.The two groups were comparable in terms of the satisfaction of physicians,anesthetists and patients.CONCLUSION With a moderate oxygen flow,the WNJT is more effective for the prevention of hypoxemia during gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation compared with nasal prongs,but causing slight epistaxis in a few patients.

Prospective, randomized comparison of two supplemental oxygen methods during gastro-scopy with propofol mono-sedation in obese patients

BACKGROUND Hypoxemia is a common complication in obese patients during gastroscopy with sedation.The Wei nasal jet tube(WNJT)is a new special nasopharyngeal airway with the ability to provide supraglottic jet ventilation and oxygen insufflation via its built-in wall channels.The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the WNJT vs a nasal cannula for supplemental oxygen during gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation in obese patients.AIM To compare the efficacy and safety of the WNJT vs a nasal cannula for supplemental oxygen during gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation in obese patients.METHODS A total of 103 obese patients with a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or more undergoing elective gastroscopy under propofol mono-sedation were randomly assigned to receive supplemental oxygen at 5 L/min through either a WNJT(WNJT group,n=51)or a nasal cannula(nasal cannula group,n=52).The lowest pulse oxygen saturation(SpO2)and mild and severe hypoxemia during gastroscopy were recorded.The primary outcome was the incidence of hypoxemia.RESULTS The lowest SpO2 during gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation was significantly increased in the WNJT group compared with the nasal cannula group.The incidence of mild hypoxemia and total incidence of hypoxemia were significantly lower in the WNJT group than in the nasal cannula group.Other than a higher incidence of epistaxis in the WNJT group,the occurrence of adverse events was similar between the devices.While neither device demonstrated a statistically significant difference in satisfaction among patients,the WNJT did result in improved satisfaction among anesthetists and physicians.CONCLUSION During gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation in obese patients,the WNJT,when compared with a nasal cannula for supplemental oxygen,can significantly reduce the occurrence of hypoxemia and improve both arterial oxygenation and satisfaction among anesthetists and physicians.The use of the WNJT may,however,lead to epistaxis in a few patients.In view of this clinically acceptable risk-benefit ratio,the WNJT may be recommended as an alternative tool for supplemental oxygen for the prevention of hypoxemia during gastroscopy with propofol mono-sedation in obese patients.

Ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting with supplemental irrigation to improve seed yield and water use efficiency of winter oilseed rape(Brassica napus L.)

Ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting （RFRH） planting pattern can lessen the effect of water deficits throughout all crop growth stages, but water shortage would remain unavoidable during some stages of crop growth in arid and semiarid areas. Supplemental irrigation would still be needed to achieve a higher production. Field experiments were conducted for two growing seasons （2012-2013 and 2013-2014）to determine an appropriate amount of supplemental irrigation to be applied to winter oilseed rape at the stem-elongation stage with RFRH planting pattern. Four treatments, including supplemental irrigation amount of 0 （I1）, 60 mm （I2） and 120 mm （I3） with RFRH planting pattern and a control （CK） irrigated with 120 mm with flat planting pattern, were set up to evaluate the effects of supplemental irrigation on aboveground dry matter （ADM）, nitrogen nutrition index （NNI）, radiation use efficiency （RUE）, water use efficiency （WUE）, and seed yield and oil content of the oilseed rape. Results showed that supplemental irrigation improved NNI, RUE, seed yield and oil content, and WUE. However, the NNI, RUE, seed yield and oil content, and WUE did not increase significantly or even showed a downward trend with excessive irrigation. Seed yield was the highest in 13 for both growing seasons. Seed yield and WUE in 13 averaged 3235 kg ha^-1 and 8.85 kg ha^-1 mm-1, respectively. The highest WUE was occurred in 12 for both growing seasons. Seed yield and WUE in 12 averaged 3089 kg ha^-1 and 9.63 kg ha^-1 mm^-1, respectively. Compared to 13, 12 used 60 mm less irrigation amount, had an 8.9% higher WUE, but only 4.5 and 0.4% lower seed yield and oil content, respectively. 12 saved water without substantially sacrificing yield or oil content, so it is recommended as an appropriate cultivation and irrigation schedule for winter oilseed rape at the stem-elongation stage.

The Impacts of Supplemental Irrigation Based on Soil Moisture Measurement and Nitrogen Use on Winter Wheat Yield and Nitrogen Absorption and Distribution

Based on split plot design method of field test,the impacts of supplemental irrigation based on soil moisture measurement and nitrogen use on winter wheat yield and nitrogen absorption and distribution were studied.Supplemental irrigation had three levels: 60%(W_1),70%(W_2) and 80%(W3) of the targeted relative water content at 0-40 cm of soil layer during jointing period of winter wheat.Nitrogen fertilization had three levels: not using nitrogen(N_0),using pure nitrogen of 195 kg/hm^2(N_(195)) and 255 kg/hm^2(N_(255)).Results showed that:(i)different supplemental irrigation and nitrogen fertilization significantly affected plant height and leaf area of winter wheat during key growth period.Under the same supplemental irrigation treatment,both plant height and leaf area of winter wheat showed as N_(255)> N_(195)> N_0(P <0.05).Plant height in N_(195) and N_(255)treatments was significantly higher than that in N_0 treatment,but there was not significant difference between N_(195) and N_(255)(P >0.05).Under the same nitrogen fertilization,plant height in W_2(569.4 m^3/hm^2) and W3(873.45 m^3/hm^2) treatments was significant higher than that in W_1(265.2 m^3/hm^2),but there was not significant difference between W_2 and W3(P >0.05).It illustrated that excessive nitrogen fertilization and supplemental irrigation did not significantly affect plant height and leaf area of winter wheat.(ii) Under the same nitrogen fertilization level,yield increase effect of winter wheat by supplemental irrigation showed a declining trend with nitrogen application amount increased.It illustrated that nitrogen fertilization and supplemental irrigation had certain critical values on the yield of winter wheat.When surpassing the critical value,the yield declined.When nitrogen fertilization amount was 195 kg/hm^2,and supplemental irrigation amount was 70% of field moisture capacity(569.4 m^3/hm^2),the highest yield 8500 kg/hm^2 could be obtained.(iii) During mature period of winter wheat,nitrogen accumulation amount of plant treated by nitrogen was significantly higher than that not treated by nitrogen(P <0.05).But under the treatments of W_2 and W3,nitrogen accumulation amount in N_(255) significantly declined when compared with N_(195)(P <0.05).Especially under W3(873.45 m^3/hm^2) level,nitrogen accumulation amount in N_(255) was even lower than N_0.Under the treatments of N_0 and N_(195),nitrogen accumulation amount of plant significantly increased with supplemental irrigation increased(P < 0.05).But under N_(255) treatment,there was not significant difference(P > 0.05).It illustrated that moderate supplemental irrigation and nitrogen fertilization could improve nitrogen absorption ability of winter wheat,but excessive supplemental irrigation and nitrogen fertilization were not favorable for plant's nitrogen absorption.(iv) Although the increase of supplemental irrigation during jointing period improved nitrogen absorption ability of winter wheat and promoted winter wheat absorbing more nitrogen,it inhibited nitrogen transferring and distributing to seed.Comprehensively considering growth condition of winter wheat and nitrogen risk condition,it is suggested that nitrogen application amount was 195 kg/hm^2,and supplemental irrigation reached 70% of field moisture capacity(569.4 m^3/hm^2),which could be as the suitable water and fertilizer use amounts in the region.

ANALYSIS OF A TOW－SUPPLEMENTAL EQUIPMENT COLD STANDBY REPAIRABLE SYSTEM ON LARGE POWER STATION

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Impacts of Improved Supplemental Irrigation on Farm Income, Productive Efficiency and Risk Management in Dry Areas

This paper provides empirical evidence that improved supplemental irrigation (ISI) can be justified on both environmental and economic grounds. Results of a stochastic frontier model which explicitly and simultaneously accounts for technical inefficiency and production risk applied to data collected from 513 wheat farms in the rainfed areas of Syria show that the typical adopter farmer obtained yield and productive efficiency gains of 6% and 7% respectively. A stochastic dominance criterion also showed that the adopter farmers got 10% and 13% reductions in risk of obtaining yield levels below 4 tons/ha and 3 tons/ha respectively. Given its adoption level of 22.3% in 2010, ISI led to the production of 52 thousand metric tons (6%), more wheat and conservation of 120 million cubic meters of water (10%). ISI has the potential to reduce total irrigation water use by upto 45% and for further increases in yield if accompanied with sprinklers and other improved agronomic practices, thereby enhancing food security and environmental sustainability in the country. An important policy implication of these findings is that wider dissemination of ISI along with other complementary agronomic practices in postwar Syria could be a viable option to be considered by national and international efforts for the restoration and rehabilitation of agriculture in the country.

Drug induced autoimmune hepatitis:An unfortunate case of herbal toxicity from Skullcap supplement:A case report

BACKGROUND The surge in traditional herbal dietary supplement(HDS)popularity has led to increased drug-induced liver injuries(DILI).Despite lacking evidence of efficacy and being prohibited from making medical claims,their acceptance has risen over sevenfold in the last two decades,with roughly 25%of United States(US)adults using these supplements monthly.An estimated 23000 emergency room visits annually in the US are linked to HDS side effects.NIH-funded research suggests HDS contribute to 7-20%of DILI cases,with similar trends in Europe—Spain reporting 2%and Iceland up to 16%.Patients with acute liver failure from HDS undergo liver transplantation more frequently than those from prescription medicines.Here we describe a case of drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis due to Skullcap supplements,this association appears to be the first documented instance in literature.CASE SUMMARY A middle-aged Caucasian woman,previously healthy,presented with sudden jaundice.Four months earlier,her liver enzymes were normal.She mentioned recent use of Skullcap mushroom supplements.Tests for chronic liver disease were negative.The first liver biopsy indicated severe resolving drug-induced liver injury.Despite treatment,she was readmitted due to worsening jaundice.Followup tests raised concerns about autoimmune hepatitis.A subsequent biopsy confirmed this diagnosis.The patient responded as expected to stopping the medication with improvement in liver enzymes.CONCLUSION This scenario highlights an uncommon instance of DILI caused by Skullcap supplements.It's crucial for hepatologists to recognize this connection due to the increasing prevalence of herbal supplements.

Feeding Supplemental lodine to Adult Mink;Effect on Thyroid Hormones in Adult and offspring

We fed adult mink diets containing supplemental iodine, from 0 to 320 ppm, for one or seven months prior to breeding. Blood samples collected from the adults and their offspring (kits) at 4 wk post-partum were assayed for total thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), reverse T3 (rT3), and T4-binding indices. As expected T4 concentrations of the adult and kit mink varied inversely with the level of supplemental iodine. In addition, T3 and rT3 concentrations decreased gradually in kits from the long-term experiment in response to the increased dietary iodine of the dams. T3 concentrations of kits from dams fed iodine short-term decreased markedly while rTy concentrations were elevated greatly in response to increased dietary iodine of the dam. These decreases in hormone levels are due to serum iodine blocking the thyroid uptake of iodine and subsequent decrease of hormone synthesis. Excess iodine may also block the effect of thyroid stimulating hormone. The T4-binding indices of the adults, in general, were depressed, while the T4-binding indices of the kits were more variable. These effects are probably due to fluctuations in thyroglobulin.

Effect of Acacia albida Leaf Supplementation on Reproductive Parameters and Pre-Weaning Growth of Arabian Lambs

A trial on Acacia albida leaf supplementation on reproductive parameters and pre-weaning growth of Arabian lambs was conducted from September 2020 to May 2021 at the small ruminant station of the Livestock Research Institute for Development (IRED) in N’Djamena, Chad. Forty-eight (48) Arabian sheep (45 non-pregnant females and 3 males for a sex ratio of 1 ram to 15 ewes) with an average weight of 20.3 ± 1.2 kg and aged approximately 2 years were divided into 3 groups of 15 ewes each. The supplemented group received in addition to the dominant forage of the pasture (300 g of Dactyloctenium aegyptium + 300 g of Cenchrus ciliaris + 600 g of Panicum maximum), 400 g and 600 g of Acacia albida leaves/animal/day while the control group received only 300 g of Dactyloctenium aegyptium + 300 g of Cenchrus ciliaris + 600 g of Panicum maximum. From the results of this study, it appears that the ewes that received 400 g of Acacia albida leaves had a significantly higher fertility rate and birth mortality rate (93.03% and 6.25% respectively). Animals in the control group had a significantly higher pre-weaning mortality rate than those receiving Acacia albida leaves as a supplement (16.66% versus 6.66% and 14.28% respectively). The highest weight of the lambs was observed in the ration supplemented with 600 g of Acacia albida leaves (12209.66 g). The total weight gain, as well as the average daily weight gain of the lambs receiving the 600 g Acacia albida leaf ration was significantly higher than those of the other rations. Supplementation with 400 g and 600 g of Acacia albida leaves can be recommended as a protein supplement for breeding ewes and pre-weaned lambs.

Navigating the Nomenclature of a Purported “Dietary Supplement”: A Cautionary Tale for Consumers and Practitioners Regarding Tianeptine or “Gas Station Heroin”

Dietary supplement sales have surpassed $30 billion per year with their use becoming and remaining extremely popular amongst the general public. There are numerous bioactive components, both nutritive and non-nutritive, in dietary supplements with considerable efficacy in promoting health. However, there are many ways disallowed ingredients may enter the supplement pipeline with potentially toxic effects. Dietary supplements can be regulated (either pre- or post-market) as a drug, dietary supplement, a nutraceutical, new dietary ingredient (NDI), generally recognized as safe (GRAS) food ingredient, a food additive, or a food. A pharmaceutical drug (medication) is used to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose a disease and is regulated by the FDA pre-market only and allowed by medical prescription, whereas the other labeling designations are largely regulated post-market. One such molecule with a labeling problem is tianeptine, which has global use as an efficacious, prescribed drug, while at the same time being considered a non-drug and potentially dangerous adulterant often referred to as gas station heroin. In this paper, we critically evaluate the use and labeling of this compound and attempt to clarify the conundrum surrounding its legal or illegal use. Tianeptine is effective and efficacious as an antidepressant in those responding poorly to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and exhibits many medicinal characteristics of tricyclic antidepressants with fewer opioid-like side effects. As a result, sixty-six countries permit use of tianeptine as a prescription drug. At higher doses, tianeptine has recently been shown to exhibit significant potential for abuse and dependency along with toxicity. As such, the US does not recognize tianeptine as an FDA-approved drug or as a dietary supplement, nutraceutical, new dietary ingredient (NDI), GRAS ingredient, or a food. Instead, tianeptine is a synthetic adulterant of a dietary supplement and considered technically an unapproved food additive. In conclusion, tianeptine, although viewed as a safe dietary supplement by many, is illegal in the US despite benefits to many but toxicity to others that make it vital that consumers and healthcare providers learn to critically evaluate and navigate the often confusing nomenclature of a purported dietary supplement to convey to the public whether it is efficacious, safe, and legal.

Retrospective Assessment of Changes in Perceived Health Status during Continuous Use of a Dietary Supplement

Dietary factors play an important role in human health. Specifically, nutritional interventions may have an impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis resulting in positive health outcomes. A retrospective health status survey of 386 respondents was conducted to investigate the potential of a dietary supplement, NutrifiiTM Renew, for improving various health outcomes in comparison to a multivitamin/mineral control group. Among those who ingested Renew, 95% reported experiencing at least some improvement in one or more health categories. Compared to the multivitamin/mineral group, the Renew group reported earlier and/or greater improvements in several health status categories including sleep, reproductive health, memory, energy/stamina, skin and hair quality, flexibility, exercise recovery and feeling rested in the morning. A clear majority (84.9%) of Renew consumers reported experiencing noticeable improvement in some aspect of their health within one month. Among those who felt an improvement in sleep, most reported experiencing a change within one week. These improvements were likely due to the synergistic effects of L-arginine, L-citrulline, L-lysine, and botanical extracts on nitric oxide production, growth hormone (GH) release, and sleep quality. The observed improvements in skin elasticity and hair growth may be related to increased GH levels and IGF-1 production. Overall, these findings suggest that Renew may have potential as a dietary intervention for improving various health outcomes beyond those provided by multivitamin/mineral supplementation alone. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action.

Effect of perioperative branched chain amino acids supplementationin liver cancer patients undergoing surgical intervention: Asystematic review

performed independently by authors(Yap KY,Chi H,Ng S)identified 50 studies for full-text evaluation.Finally,12 prospective RCTs and 4 non-randomised studies(1 non-randomised trial and 3 observational studies)were included.A detailed PRISMA diagram is shown in Figure 1.The studies included were assessed for risk of bias,with a summary of the assessment shown in Figure 2 and Table 1 for trials and non-interventional studies,respectively.The PRISMA checklist is appended in Supplementary Figure 1.

Glycemic Indices of Multiple Oral Nutritional Supplements: A Randomized Cross-Over Study in Indian Adults

Background: A randomized cross-over study was conducted to assess the glycemic index (GI) of seven Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONSs). These ONSs are designed to support the nutritional requirements of different age-groups, physiological states, or health conditions among Indian adults. Methods: The study had two phases viz., phase1 (n = 18) studied two ONSs: A1 and B1 and phase 2 (n = 20) studied five ONSs: A2, B2, C2, D2 & E2. The subjects were healthy, non-diabetic adults, aged between 20 - 44 years with a mean Body Mass Index of 21.2 ± 1.52 kg/m2 (Phase 1) and 21.0 ± 1.45 kg/m2 (Phase 2). All these ONSs were compared with reference drinks (glucose). The carbohydrates in one serving of each ONS were matched to carbohydrates from 25 grams of glucose following ISO 2010 guidelines. Capillary blood was assessed for blood glucose response at baseline, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. GI was calculated as the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for the test drinks and expressed as a percentage of the average iAUC from glucose. Results: Phase 1 indicated that the high fiber diabetes-specific nutrition supplement A1 with higher protein (23% energy), higher fat (25% energy) and reduced carbohydrates (40% energy) had a significantly (p = 0.002) lower GI [34 (±6)] as compared to B1 [63 (±7)] (protein 19%, fat 7% and carbohydrates 60% energy) even with similar amount (22%) and type of fiber. Phase 2 reported that all test products [A2 (32 ± 5), B2 (37 ± 4), C2 (31 ± 5), D2 (31 ± 5) and E2 (55 ± 4)] had a low GI. As compared to phase 1, ONSs in phase 2 had lower fiber content (1.6% - 4.6% energy). Conclusion: The glycemic index of oral nutrition supplements is influenced not only by their fiber content, but also by the overall macronutrient composition including protein (≥17% energy), fat (≥10% - 27% energy) and carbohydrates (40% - 57.5% energy).

Assessment of effectiveness of oral supplementation of isolated fiber of carrot on metabolic parameters in mature rats

This present study was conducted to evaluate the metabolic effects of isolated fi ber of carrot supplementation in rats.Physicochemical properties of fi ber were determined.The groups were as follows:animals fed a standard diet,control group;high fi ber supplementation(70 mg);low fi ber supplementation(35 mg);for 12 weeks.Blood samples were collected at the time of sacrifi ce.The weights of heart,liver,kidneys and spleen of the experimental rats with respect to body weight were recorded.Commercial kits were used to determine serum glucose concentration,lipid profi le(cholesterol,HDL-cholesterol,triglycerides),and the two main aminotransferases glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase(GOT)/glutamate-pyruvate transaminase(GPT).A histopathological assay was performed on the heart,liver,and spleen tissues of animals.Supplementation with fi ber favors weight loss in female((242.03±23.73)-(197.81±10.45)g);and male rats((262.50±32.21)-(213.96±12.56)g and induces a decrease in glucose levels in the supplemented animals.With the exception of total high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,the other lipid fractions decrease signifi cantly in rats supplemented.Fiber supplementation did not induce changes in the dissected organs of the supplemented animals.In conclusion supplementation of fiber,improves glucose control,lower plasma lipid concentrations and reduced body weight in normal rats.