The Effects of Different Feeding Practices on the Nutritional Status of Infants below 12 Months Old in the Kumba 1 Sub-Division

Appropriate feeding practices are important during infancy for good health, growth and development of infants and children. WHO revised its earlier recommendation of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) of infants from 4 to 6 months of age to EBF until about 6 months of age, with the addition of complementary foods thereafter. This recommendation confirms that breast milk alone is sufficient to meet infants’ nutritional requirements for the first 6 months of life. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of various feeding practices on the Nutritional status of infants 0 - 12-month-old in the Kumba 1 Sub-Division. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to August 2020. A total of 341 nursing mothers and their infants 0 - 12 months of age were recruited. Socio-demographic factors and the different feeding habits of the children were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements. The overall proportion of infants who exclusively breastfed for 6 months was 69.2% and those who were mix-fed were 30.8% in the study area. The overall prevalence of malnutrition in the population was 61.0%. Among the malnourished children, 53.1% were underweight, 19.6% were wasted and 10.0% were stunted. Though not significant, the prevalence of wasting (21.0%) and underweight (58.3%) was higher among Mix-Fed (MF) children when compared to their EBF counterparts. Feeding practices affected the nutritional status of the infants. Underweight and wasting were observed among infants on Complementary Feeding (CF), although some exclusively breast-fed infants were stunted. Hence, nursing mothers should try as much as possible to practice EBF as recommended by WHO and can practice CF when the child is above six months.

Heart Failure-Like Reaction Is Likely Involved in the Feeding Behaviour of Blood-Sucking Leeches

Medicinal leeches have been utilized in therapy for thousands of years. However, the adaptation physiology between leeches and hosts is not fully understand. To disclose the molecular mechanisms of adaptation between leech and host, the body transcriptomes of hunger and fed blood-sucking Poecilobdella javanica, Haemadipsa cavatuses, and Hirudo nipponia leeches were obtained by RNA sequencing, after comparison, a stratified unigenes group was obtained, which closely correlated to body distension. In the group, Rfamide receptor decreased significantly (P < 0.05) while serotonin receptor increased significantly (P < 0.05). Moreover, four KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways, including cardiac muscle contraction, complement and coagulation cascades, renin-angiotensin system, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were significantly enriched. The unigenes annotation, neuroregulators correlation analysis and induced function of the KEGG pathways, were consistently supported the same result as: vasoconstriction and systole reaction enhance in hunger leeches and vice versa vasodilation and diastole increase in fed leeches, meanwhile, Interspecific comparison and correlative analyses of physiological function showed that the strongest reaction of induced heart failure from four KEGG occur in strongest reaction of systole in hungry P. javanica and in strongest reaction of diastole in fed H. nipponia. Overall, heart failure is likely a physiological function involved in feeding behaviour.

The Development of a Feeding Coparenting Scale for Japanese Parents of Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Elementary School Children

Aim: Recently, the role of feeding coparenting has gained attention in the child eating research field. The Feeding Coparenting Scale (FCS), a measure of how caregivers interact with their partners when feeding their children was developed in the United States in 2019. However, there is no valid and reliable measure to assess feeding coparenting among caregivers of school-aged children in Japan. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the FCS (FCS-J) questionnaire for caregivers with school-aged children. Methods: This was a web-based cross-sectional survey completed by caregivers of children aged 10-12 years. A preliminary survey using interviews and a web-based survey was conducted and found that the translated items of the FCS into Japanese were understandable to Japanese people. The developed survey was administered to parents of children at an elementary school. The reliability of the survey was assessed using both test-retest reliability and internal consistency analysis. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test construct validity, and known population validity was examined in relation to attributes, marital satisfaction, and feeding tasks. Results: Findings with 135 parents of school-aged children showed good internal reliability and validity of the FCS-J. The mean score for the overall FCS-J score was 46.2 (SD = 6.2), with Cronbach’s α of 0.72. For the subscales, Cronbach’s α ranged from 0.75 to 0.79. In sum, the present study’s results support the three-factor structure of the FCS in Japanese caregivers in Japan. Conclusions: The developed FCS-J was found to have a certain degree of reliability and validity. In this study, a Japanese version of the FCS-J was developed. .

Feeding Practices and Use of Lysine and Methionine in Pigrationing on Intensified Pig Breeding in the West Center and Hauts Bassins Regions of Burkina Faso

The aim of the study was to assess feeding practices and the use of lysine and methionine in pig rationing on intensified and semi-intensive pig breeding in the Koudougou and Bobo-Dioulasso areas. To this end, a cross-sectional survey was carried out on 87 breeding in these towns. A Discriminant Factorial Analysis (DFA) confirming a k-means classification of the data collected was used to retain 71 breeding divided into three breeding classes: Class A (32.4% of breeding), Class B (14.08%) and Class C (53.52%). The results show that the majority of pig breeders were men between the ages of 36 and 59. Average herd sizes were 35 ± 28;79 ± 42 and 89 ± 21 pigs for Classes A, B and C respectively. The main breeds of pig found on the breeding were crossbred, Large white, local, Landrace and Duroc. Class A (26.1%), B (30%) and C (15.8%) breeders were familiar with both lysine and methionine. Class A breeders distributed feed staggered (65.2%) and in rations (34.8%). Lysine (13%) and methionine (8.7%) were purchased at 5250 FCFA/kg. Those in class B distributed feed staggered (50%) and in the form of rations (50%), in which they incorporated lysine (30%) and methionine (30%) purchased at a cost of 2500 FCFA/kg and 3000 FCFA/kg respectively. Rationing and staggered feeding were practiced by 23.7% and 76.3% of Class C breeders respectively. Only lysine purchased at 3400 FCFA/kg was incorporated into rations by 10.5% of breeders. The high cost of lysine and methionine was incriminated by Class A (100%), B (33.3%) and C (50%) breeders. In conclusion, intensive pig breeding, the practice of rationing and the incorporation of the amino acids lysine and methionine are of ascending importance from classes C, A to B. The high cost of feedstuffs, particularly lysine and methionine, compromises their use in rations, which could have a negative impact on expected breeding performance. The screening and use of feeds rich in and/or enriched with these amino acids, through the development or adaptation of technologies, could improve the efficiency of rations and the productivity of intensive pig breeding in Burkina Faso.

Benefits of jejunostomy feeding in patients who underwent gastrectomy for cancer treatment

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is associated with significant undernutrition responsible for an increase in morbidity and mortality after gastrectomy.AIM To evaluate the impact of enteral nutrition by jejunostomy feeding in patients undergoing gastrectomy for cancer.METHODS Between 2003 and 2017,all patients undergoing gastrectomy for cancer treatment were included retrospectively.A group with jejunostomy(J+group)and a group without jejunostomy(J-group)were compared.RESULTS Of the 172 patients included,60 received jejunostomy.Preoperatively,the two groups were comparable with respect to the nutritional parameters studied(body mass index,albumin,etc.).In the postoperative period,the J+group lost less weight and albumin:5.74±8.4 vs 9.86±7.5 kg(P=0.07)and 7.2±5.6 vs 14.7±12.7 g/L(P=0.16),respectively.Overall morbidity was 25%in the J+group and 36.6%in the J-group(P=0.12).The J+group had fewer respiratory,infectious,and grade 3 complications:0%vs 5.4%(P=0.09),1.2%vs 9.3%(P=0.03),and 0%vs 4.7%(P=0.05),respectively.The 30-day mortality was 6.7%in the J+group and 6.3%in the J-group(P=0.91).CONCLUSION Jejunostomy feeding after gastrectomy improves nutritional characteristics and decreases postoperative morbidity.A prospective study could confirm our results.

Early selective enteral feeding in treatment of acute pancreatitis: A case report

BACKGROUND Early initiation of enteral feeding is recognized to play a crucial role in improving the outcomes of treatment of acute pancreatitis.However,the method of adminis-tration of enteral nutrition remains debatable.We present the experience of treating a patient with moderate-severe acute pancreatitis,at high risk of progressing to a severe or fatal condition,using a novel method of selective feeding with duodenal isolation.CASE SUMMARY A 27-year-old female patient presented to the emergency unit of the hospital with a typical manifestation of acute pancreatitis.Despite a conventional treatment,the patient’s condition deteriorated by day 2 of hospitalization.Using an endoscopic approach,a novel catheter PandiCathffwas placed to the duodenum of the patient,isolating its segment between the duodenal bulb and the ligament of Treitz.In the isolated area created,a negative pressure was applied,followed by introduction of early selective enteral feeding.The patient’s condition subsequently improved in a rapid manner,and no complications often associated with moderate-to-severe acute pancreatitis developed.CONCLUSION Within 48 h of starting treatment with the novel method,it can prevent the development of multiple organ failure and,when combined with minimally invasive drainage methods,help prevent infection.

Summary of the Best Evidence for Tube Feeding Intolerance in Critically Ill Children

Objective:To summarize the evidence of tube feeding intolerance in critically ill children,aiming to provide evidence-based information for clinical nursing staff.Methods:Evidence search was done in Chinese and English databases to guide network and professional associations at home and abroad.The search time limit was from January 2014 to January 2024,nearly 10 years of relevant literature,mainly including guidelines,consensus,expert advice,best practice,evidence summary,system evaluation,and meta-analysis.Literature quality evaluation and evidence extraction were independently performed by two researchers.Results:This paper included 13 articles,including three guidelines,three systematic evaluations,three expert opinions,and four expert consensus.Twenty-six pieces of evidence were summarized from 10 aspects of feeding intolerance definition,team building,nutritional assessment,nutritional preparation,feeding protocol,feeding route,feeding management,pipeline management,gastric residual volume,and drug application.Conclusion:This paper summarized the evidence of tube feeding intolerance in critically ill children,which can provide evidence-based information for clinical practice.The abdominal signs should be closely observed when evaluating feeding intolerance,focusing on the prevention and reduction of feeding interruption.

Advances in research on responsive feeding and children's eating behaviors

Background:Given that the formation of eating behaviors in childhood is largely dependent on parental feeding,it is necessary to consider eating behaviors along with feeding behaviors when exploring child nutrition.Responsive feeding can not only promote the development of self-regulation ability,prevent overweight and obesity,and develop healthy dietary behaviors but also enhance the psychosocial ability,cognitive ability,and language ability of infants.it is of great significance for the growth and development of infants to identify whether the feeding behavior of caregivers is responsive feeding as early as possible.Methods:The progress of the literature summarizes the relevant concepts,evaluation tools,and the relationship between responsive feeding and dietary behavior.Results:This is a fact that China lacks the unified response feeding definition and responsive feeding evaluation tools suitable for homes in China.The relationship between responsive feeding and dietary behavior is in the stage of infancy,and systematic response feeding and dietary behavior have not been formed.Conclusion:It is time to pay attention to the dietary behavior of Chinese children.Intervening measures such as promoting the application of responsive feeding should be actively carry out,accordingly,childhood obesity can be prevented.

31 Plant Species against Blood Feeding and Disease Vectors Insects: Beyond Anti-Insect Properties, Unvalued Opportunities and Challenges for Health and Sustainability

Plants with bioactive properties are greatly useful in preventing and controlling blood-sucking and disease-vector invertebrates, particularly in developing countries and low-income communities. Their application is a promising alternative to synthetic compounds whose use remains a health, environmental, and economic challenge. However, many are still unknown and unvalued, while others are becoming ignored and threatened. The main objective of this ethnobotanical study is to identify and characterize indigenous and locally grown plants against blood-sucking and disease-vector insects. Salient opportunities and challenges of using these plants are documented and discussed. Semi-structured interviews, using a prepared questionnaire, were conducted with 228 informants. The consensus index (CI) was calculated to analyze the reliability of the collected information. The identified 31 anti-insect plant species belong to 20 botanical families, four morphological categories, and six habitat types. They can be categorized as insecticidal plants (42% of the total), insect repellent (42% of the total), and both insecticidal and insect repellent (16% of the total). More than 54% of these are still abundant in the study area, while about 35.5% have become rare and difficultly accessible. Based on the numerical importance of related anti-insect plant species, the seven targeted blood-sucking insects range in the following decreasing order: Jiggers (16 species) > Fire Ants (9 species) > Flies (8 plants) > Mosquitoes (4 species) > Fleas (2 species) > Bedbugs (1 species) > lice (0 species). The three most commonly used plants, with the highest confirmation indices, are Tetradenia riparia (ICs = 0.712), Eucalyptus globulus subsp. maidenii (ICs = 0.302), and Solanum aculeastrum (ICs = 0.288). The antimicrobial role of many locally grown anti-insect plants and the multiple other associated valorization possibilities are ignored by most informants. Domesticating, propagating, protecting, and promoting the sustainable use of these plants would be an appropriate route for their conservation and continued availability.

Ultra-precision positioning control technique based on neural network

Due to the non-linearity behavior of the precision positioning system, an accurate mathematical control model is difficult to set up, a novel control method for ultra-precision alignment is presented. This method relies on neural network and alignment marks that are in the form of 100μm pitch gratings. The 0-th order Moire signals＇ intensity and its intensity rate are chosen as input variables of the neural network. The characteristics of the neural network make it possible to perform self-training and self-adjusting so as to achieve automatic precision alignment. A neural network model for precision positioning is set up. The model is composed of three neural layers, i.e. input layer, hidden layer and output layer. Driving signal is obtained by mapping Moire signals＇ intensity and its intensity rate. The experimental results show that neural network control for precision positioning can effectively improve positioning speed with high accuracy. It has the advantages of fast, stable response and good robustness. The device based on neural network can achieve the positioning accuracy of ± 0. 5μm.

Research on the Effect of Microbial Fermentation Feeds on Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality in Pig with Large-scale Feeding

In this paper, Duroc-lanndrae-Yorkshire crossbred piggy of born at 75 days of age, bouncing with health and similar body weight were randomly divided into experimental group （136 pigs） and control group （136 pigs）. Pigs in control group were fed with conventional diets, and 4% microbial fermentation feeds were added to the basal diet of experimental group to research on the effect of performance and meat quality of pig breeding. The results indicated that after feeding 106 d, compared to control group, the slaughter performance, meat quality and content of fatty acid and amino acid of experimental group were all better, its slaughter rate increased 1.53%, the carcass weight increased 2.75% and the backfat thickness decreased 0.02 cm. In addition, the pork meat in test group hadn＇t antibiotic and heavy metal residues, while it had higher color score, lower pH45min and pH24h value, better tenderness and rate of cooked meat and higher content of fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids. Microbial fermentation feed using in test group can significantly improved the flavor and aroma of pork, and eating this pork conducive more to human health. Thus, the application of microbial fermenta- tion feed can provide a more safe, healthy and nutritious flavor pork for human beings.

Ultra-precision alignment technique based on modified Moiré signals

A novel method for automatic ultra-precision alignment is presented.This method relies on the modified Moiré technique,and alignment marks are used in the form of gratings.The modified Moiré technique can effectively improve detecting sensitivity of signals and simplify the control system by using only one pair of laser-Moiré sensors.We present the mathematical model and simulation results of diffracting two gratings.The effect of various parameters on Moiré signals is studied theoretically and experimentally,and the results are found to be consistent.A computer controlled alignment device using one pair of Moiré sensors is designed.The device can achieve a fully automatic precision alignment by the modified Moiré signal.The experimental result shows that the alignment device can obtain the resolution of 5 nm and the positioning accuracy of ±0 5 μm.

Effects of salinity on growth and feeding of juvenile Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus)

The survival rate, feeding, growth of juvenile Starry flounder were studied at different salinities. The results showed that when the fish was directly translated from salinity of 32 to 0 and more than 0, the survival rate was 100% in 96 hours. If the fish was acclimatized, it was still 100% in 42 days. The fish at the salinity of 0 - 16 grew faster than others; feeding rate varied as salinity changed, and the highest one was at salinity of 32 and the lowest one was at the salinity of 16. As to feed conversion efficiency, the highest one was at the salinity of 16, and the lowest one was at the salinity of 24. There were no significant differences among the treatments （P＆gt;0.05）. It was found that low salinity benefited for recovering albinism.

Research Advances in Gene Regulation and Genetic Improvement of Fish Feeding

Feeding habit which is regulated by many factors including the intrinsic and external factors, such as appetite, structure of the digestive tract and feed palatability, is an important content in the study of genetic improvement. The genetic regulation is one of the major parts among the researches. This research reported the progress of the polymorphism of genes associated with appetite and its correla- tion with feeding habits, and summarized the studies on improvements of fish feed- ing and protein sources of the artificial feeding in order to provide theoretic basis for cultivating the improved varieties in feeding habit.

Test of Feeding Dairy Cows with Chinese Herbal Additive for Improving Production and Quality of Milk

At Baiyin dairy farm, the Chinese herbal additive was added into feed which was then fed to dairy cows from August to October, 2014, and the changes in milk production and quality were observed. The test showed that the additive added into the feed had obvious milk-increasing effect, the milk production was im- proved by 12.67%-17.26%, and the milk quality was improved. The additive has the effects of preventing miscarriage, expelling parasite and preventing diseases. The nutritional components in the feed additive were determined, and the results showed that the contents of protein, crude fat, Ca and P in the additive were 12.29%, 2.66%, 1.8% and 0.22%, respectively.

Design and analysis of modular charge feeding mechanism

Aiming at the turning motion＇s disadvantages,including the instability of charge magazine caused by polygon effect and the disability of synchronously pushing modular charge of the current pushing mechanism,a new type of charge feeding mechanism is designed.It can not only select modular charge rapidly and steadily,but also push a certain amount of modular charge into the tray which is used to receive the charge synchronously.The selection and push principles of feeding mechanism are introduced,and a three-dimensional model is established.ADAMS is applied to simulation analysis of the feeding mechanism.The results show that the feeding mechanism can push the modular charge into the reception tray rapidly and steadily,which provides a theoretical basis for the practical design.

Technical Regulations on Cleaning Processing of Feeding Millet Seeds in Hebei Province

According to many years of experimental summary, the technical demands, process control, seed test, seed quality and work record （ledger management） of cleaning processing of feeding millet seeds in Hebei Province were studied, and specific measures and technical indicators of the technical regulations were analyzed to provide normalized, standardized, industrial and marketization technical support for the cleaning processing of feeding millet seeds.

Gastroenteric tube feeding: Techniques, problems and solutions

Gastroenteric tube feeding plays a major role in the management of patients with poor voluntary intake,chronic neurological or mechanical dysphagia or gut dysfunction,and patients who are critically ill.However,despite the benefits and widespread use of enteral tube feeding,some patients experience complications.This review aims to discuss and compare current knowledge regarding the clinical application of enteral tube feeding,together with associated complications and special aspects.We conducted an extensive literature search on PubMed,Embase and Medline using index terms relating to enteral access,enteral feeding/nutrition,tube feeding,percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy/jejunostomy,endoscopic nasoenteric tube,nasogastric tube,and refeeding syndrome.The literature showed common routes of enteral access to include nasoenteral tube,gastrostomy and jejunostomy,while complications fall into four major categories:mechanical,e.g.,tube blockage or removal;gastrointestinal,e.g.,diarrhea;infectious e.g.,aspiration pneumonia,tube site infection;and metabolic,e.g.,refeeding syndrome,hyperglycemia.Although the type and frequency of complications arising from tube feeding vary considerably according to the chosen access route,gastrointestinal complications are without doubt the most common.Complications associated with enteral tube feeding can be reduced by careful observance of guidelines,including those related to food composition,administration rate,portion size,food temperature and patient supervision.

Early postoperative feeding in resectional gastrointestinal surgical cancer patients

Malnutrition is present in the majority of patients presenting for surgical management of gastrointestinal malignancies,due to the effects of the tumour and preoperative anti-neoplastic treatments.The traditional practice of fasting patients until the resumption of bowel function threatens to further contribute to the malnutrition experienced by these patients.Furthermore,the rationale behind this traditional practice has been rendered obsolete through developments in anaesthetic agents and changes to postoperative analgesia practices.Conversely,there is a growing body of literature that consistently demonstrates that providing oral or tube feeding proximal to the anastomosis within 24 h postoperatively,is not only safe,but might be associated with significant benefits to the postoperative course.Early post operative feeding should therefore be adopted as a standard of care in oncology patients undergoing gastrointestinal resections.

Development of feeding systems and strategies of supplementation to enhance rumen fermentation and ruminant production in the tropics

The availability of local feed resources in various seasons can contribute as essential sources of carbohydrate and protein which significantly impact rumen fermentation and the subsequent productivity of the ruminant.Recent developments,based on enriching protein in cassava chips,have yielded yeast fermented cassava chip protein（YEFECAP） providing up to 47.5% crude protein（CP）,which can be used to replace soybean meal.The use of fodder trees has been developed through the process of pelleting;Leucaena leucocephala leaf pellets（LLP）,mulberry leaf pellets（MUP） and mangosteen peel and/or garlic pellets,can be used as good sources of protein to supplement ruminant feeding.Apart from producing volatile fatty acids and microbial proteins,greenhouse gases such as methane are also produced in the rumen.Several methods have been used to reduce rumen methane.However,among many approaches,nutritional manipulation using feed formulation and feeding management,especially the use of plant extracts or plants containing secondary compounds（condensed tannins and saponins） and plant oils,has been reported.This approach could help todecrease rumen protozoa and methanogens and thus mitigate the production of methane.At present,more research concerning this burning issue-the role of livestock in global warming-warrants undertaking further research with regard to economic viability and practical feasibility.