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.

11种植物提取物对枸杞蚜虫的拒食和毒杀活性测定

测定了11种植物乙醇提取物对枸杞蚜虫的拒食和毒杀活性,结果表明:苍耳、钩腺大戟、蒺藜、狼毒和伏毛铁棒锤提取液对枸杞蚜虫具有明显的拒食活性,狼毒、蒺藜和葫芦巴提取液处理枸杞蚜虫72 h,校正死亡率达90%以上,其中狼毒毒杀活性最强.

Chinese Grouse (Bonasa sewerzowi):its natural history,behavior and conservation

The Chinese Grouse (Bonasa sewerzowi) is a bird endemic to China,inhabiting the conifer-dominated high mountains.It occurs in the most southern range of grouse and is the smallest grouse species in the world.The Chinese Grouse has been listed as an endangered species by the China Red Data Book and placed in Category I of nationally protected animals.Since 1995,we have systematically conducted work on the Chinese Grouse using radiotelemetry techniques at the Lianhuashan Nature Reserve in Gansu Province,western China.In this presentation we summarize the mating behavior,nest site selection,incubation rhythm,winter social behavior,diet and other natural history characteristics of this species.With the aid of landscape ecological methods,we also analyze the condition of habitat fragmentation and propose suggestions for conservation.

射阳人“绝”吃泥螺

地处黄海之滨的射阳县,有着万亩泥沙结构的沼泽滩涂,为泥螺提供了优越的生长繁殖条件,虽然范围不大,但产量极为丰盛。过去由于射阳县交通闭塞,经济落后,泥螺只能是渔民挑着担子沿路叫卖,自产、自销、自食、自弃,所以外地人对射阳的泥螺认识不足,甚至闻所未闻,更谈不上大饱口福了。改革开放以来,射阳对泥螺的生长繁衍和深度加工进行了一系列的调整,增添了不少新的经济增长点,比如听装醉螺、真空软包装糟螺、脱沙和无沙半成品及增氧活鲜泥螺成品等等,从而开拓了泥螺销售渠道,提高了泥螺的商品价值。

Terrestrial behavior and use of forest strata in a group of black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus bieti at Xiaochangdu,Tibet

Food distribution and predation pressure are considered to be the main ecological factors that influence the use of forest strata （basically arboreality vs. terrestriality） in non-human primates. Here, we investigate ground use of wild, unprovisioned black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus bieti by means of the scan sampling method. The results show that the monkeys spent 15.0% of the day time on the ground; 16.6%, 12.7%, and 15.6% for adult males, adult females and juveniles, respectively. Adult males and juveniles of both sexes showed significantly higher rates of terrestrial time than adult females. Females without clinging infants spent significantly more time on the ground than expected, while females with clinging infants spent significantly less time on the ground than expected. These results suggest that the higher degree of terrestrial behavior for males and juveniles may be due to their higher agility in comparison with females. Our study showed that the monkeys fed more on lichens relative to other food items when in the trees, but more on buds/leaves, flowers, fruits/nuts, resin/bark, and herbs when on the ground. According to our investigation, the ecological significance of the species＇ terrestriality lies mainly in the utilization of terrestrial food resources [ Current Zoology 55 （3） ： 180 - 187, 2009].

Feeding habits and ontogenetic diet shifts of Bombay duck, Harpadon nehereus

Based on two bottom trawl surveys conducted in autumn 2000 and 2001, a total of 1106 stomach samples of Bombay duck Harpadon nehereus between 23–278 mm fork length were collected and analyzed. The results show that Bombay duck prey items consisted of 11 groups or 32 species, of which Apogon lineatus, Leptochela gracilis, Acetes chinensis, and Euphausia pacifi ca were the dominant prey species. Ontogenetic variations were found in feeding habits and feeding activity of Bombay duck. Feeding activity was highest in fi sh smaller than 50 mm, lowest in fi sh between 50 and 99 mm, and then increased with increasing size thereafter. As Bombay duck size increased, fi sh prey increased in importance, whereas euphausiids and decapods decreased in importance. Different trophic guilds were observed in feeding habits across the examined size range. Bombay duck smaller than 50 mm were zooplanktivores, mainly feeding on zooplankton and fi sh larva; those between 50 and 149 mm were generalist predators, mainly feeding on pelagic shrimps, demersal shrimps and fi shes; and those larger than 150 mm were piscivores, mainly feeding on fi shes.

High resolution tracking of adult horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus in a New Hampshire estuary using fixed array ultrasonic telemetry

While several studies have documented the large-scale, seasonal movements of horseshoe crabs, little is known about their fine-scale, daily movement patterns. In this study we used a fixed array ultrasonic telemetry system to track the movements of 12 male and 16 female horseshoe crabs in the Great Bay estuary, New Hampshire. Data were obtained during the mating season, as well as during the remainder of the summer and fall, in the years 2005-2008. During the mating season animals were often, but not always, active during the high tides when they were approaching and leaving the spawning beaches. On average, both males and females approached mating beaches during 33% of the high tides they experienced and they most often made the tran- sition from being inactive to active during the last two hours of an incoming tide. From April-October horseshoe crabs were significantly more active during high tide periods vs low tide periods, with no clear preference for diurnal vs nocturnal activity. After the mating season ended horseshoe crabs continued to move into shallower water at high tide and then return to deeper water at low tide. Observations by SCUBA divers suggest that during these excursions into the mudflats horseshoe crabs were digging pits in the sediment while foraging for food. Thus, the tidal rhythm of activity that has been so well documented during the mating season probably persists into the fall, and primarily involves foraging activities

Gastroparesis: Current diagnostic challenges and management considerations

Gastroparesis refers to abnormal gastric motility characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. The most common etiologies include diabetes, post-surgical and idiopathic. The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting and epigastric pain. Gastroparesis is estimated to affect 4% of the population and symptomatology may range from little effect on daily activity to severe disability and frequent hospitalizations. The gold standard of diagnosis is solid meal gastric scintigraphy. Treatment is multimodal and includes dietary modification, prokinetic and anti-emetic medications, and surgical interventions. New advances in drug therapy, and gastric electrical stimulation techniques have been introduced and might provide new hope to patients with refractory gastroparesis. In this comprehensive review, we discuss gastroparesis with emphasis on the latest developments; from the perspective of the practicing clinician.

Quality of life after three kinds of esophagectomy for cancer

AIM： TO evaluate quality of life （QOL） following Ivor Lewis, left transthoracic, and combined thoracoscopic/ laparoscopic esophagectomy in patients with esopha- geal cancer. METHODS： Ninety patients with esophageal cancer were assigned to Ivor Lewis （/7 = 30）, combined thora- coscopic/laparoscopic （n = 30）, and left transthoracic （n = 30） esophagectomy groups. The QOL-core 30 questionnaire and the supplemental QOL-esophageal module 18 questionnaire for patients with esophageal cancer, both developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, were used to evaluate patients＇ QOL from 1 wk before to 24 wk after surgery. RESULTS： A total of 324 questionnaires were collect- ed from 90 patients, 36 postoperative questionnaires were not completed because patients could not be contacted for follow-up visits. QOL declined markedly in all patients at 1 wk postoperatively： preoperative and 1-wk postoperative global QOL scores in the Ivor Lewis, combined thoracoscopic/laparoscopic, and left transthoracic groups were 80.8 ± 9.3 vs 32.0 ± 16.1 （P 〈 0.001）, 81.1±9.0 vs 53.3 ± 11.5 （P 〈 0.001）, and 83.6 ± 11.2 vs 46.4 ± 11.3 （P 〈 0.001）, respectively. Thereafter, QOL recovered gradually in all patients. Patients who underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy showed the most pronounced decline in QOL; global scores were lower in this group than in the combined thoracoscopic/laparoscopic （P 〈 0.001） and left trans- thoracic （P 〈 0.001） groups at 1 wk postoperatively and was not restored to the preoperative level at 24 wk postoperatively. QOL declined least in patients under- going combined thoracoscopic/laparoscopic esopha- gectomy, and most indices had recovered to preopera- tive levels at 24 wk postoperatively. In the Ivor Lewis and combined thoracoscopic/laparoscopic groups, pain and physical function scores were 78.9 ± 18.5 vs 57.8 ± 19.9 （P 〈 0.001） and 59.3 ± 16.1 vs 70.2 ± 19.2 （P = 0.02）, respectively, at 1 wk postoperatively and 26.1 ± 28.6 vs 9.5 ± 15.6 （P = 0.007） and 88.4 ± 10.5 vs 95.8 ± 7.3 （P = 0.003）, respectively, at 24 wk postop- eratively. Scores in the left transthoracic esophagecto- my group fell between those of the other two groups. CONCLUSION： Compared with Ivor Lewis and left transthoracic esophagectomies, combined thoraco- scopic/laparoscopic esophagectomy enables higher postoperative QOL, making it a preferable surgical ap- proach for esophageal cancer.

Intensive use of an intertidal mudflat by foraging adult American horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus in the Great Bay estuary, New Hampshire

Although concerns about harvesting levels of the American Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus have prompted increased research into its ecology, current understanding of the species＇ foraging ecology is mostly limited to mid-Atlantic populations. This study elucidates the spatial and temporal pattern of Limulus foraging on an intertidal mudflat of a northern New Eng- land estuary. A novel survey method was used to monitor Limulus foraging activity without disturbing the sediment. A fixed 50 mx2 m transect was monitored with monthly surveys of the number of Limulus feeding pits from June to October 2009, May and June 2010. Snorkelling surveys were also carried out to observe individual behavior and examine the spatial scale of activity of individual animals. Results showed frequent and intensive use of the mudflat by foraging Limulus. Limulus were actively foraging within the survey area during all months surveyed. Foraging patterns exhibited a seasonal pattern with activity levels peaking in August 2009 and increased significantly towards the end of the study in June 2010. It was also shown that Limulus intertidal foraging persisted and peaked after the spring breeding season. Observations of foraging Limulus revealed that individual predators dig multiple pits within a single high tide, with little disturbance to the sediment in between. In addition to altering the perception of Limulus as a subtidal predator outside of the breeding season, findings from this study suggests a segregation of spawning and feeding habitats, thus underscoring the need to consider a wider range of critical habitats in the management of Limulus populations

Role of illness perception and self-efficacy in lifestyle modification among non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

To describe the relationships between non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD) patient’s disease consequences and treatment perceptions, self-efficacy, and healthy lifestyle maintenance.METHODSA cross-sectional study among 146 ultrasound diagnosed NAFLD patients who visited the fatty liver clinic at the Tel-Aviv Medical Center. Eighty-seven of these individuals, participated in a clinical trial of physical activity and underwent fasting blood tests, analyzed at the same lab. Exclusion criteria included positivity for serum HBsAg or anti-HCV antibodies; fatty liver suspected to be secondary to hepatotoxic drugs; excessive alcohol consumption (≥ 30 g/d in men or ≥ 20 g/d in women) and positive markers of genetic or immune-mediated liver diseases. Patients were asked to complete a self-report structured questionnaire, assembled by the Israeli Center for Disease Control. Nutrition habits were measured using six yes/no questions (0 = no, 1 = yes) adopted from the national survey questionnaire. Participants in the clinical trial completed a detailed semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) reporting their habitual nutritional intake during the past year. Self-efficacy was assessed by the Self-Efficacy Scale questionnaire, emotional representation, degree of illness understanding, timeline perception, treatment perception and symptoms were measured by the Brief Illness Perception questionnaire. Illness consequences were measured by the Personal Models of Diabetes Interview questionnaire. A path analysis was performed to describe the interrelationships between the patients’ illness perceptions, and assess the extent to which the data fit a prediction of nutritional habits.RESULTSThe study sample included 54.1% men, with a mean age of 47.76 ± 11.68 years (range: 20-60) and mean body mass index of 31.56 ± 4.6. The average perceived nutrition habits score was 4.73 ± 1.45 on a scale between 0-6, where 6 represents the healthiest eating habits. Most of the study participants (57.2%) did not feel they fully understood what NAFLD is. Better nutritional habits were positively predicted by the degree of illness understanding (β = 0.26; P = 0.002) and self-efficacy (β = 0.25; P = 0.003). Perceptions of more severe illness consequences were related with higher emotional representation (β = 0.55; P < 0.001), which was related with lower self-efficacy (β = -0.17; P = 0.034). The perception of treatment effectiveness was positively related with self-efficacy (β = 0.32; P < 0.001). In accordance with the correlation between self-efficacy and the perceived nutrition habits score, self-efficacy was also correlated with nutrient intake evaluated by the FFQ; negatively with saturated fat (percent of saturated fat calories from total calories) (r = -0.28, P = 0.010) and positively with fiber (r = 0.22, P = 0.047) and vitamin C intake (r = 0.34, P = 0.002). In a sub analysis of the clinical trial participants, objectively measured compliance to physical activity regimen was positively correlated with the self-efficacy level (r = 0.34, P = 0.046).CONCLUSIONSelf-efficacy and illness understanding are major determinants of lifestyle-modification among NAFLD patients. This information can assist clinicians in improving compliance with lifestyle changes among these patients.

Surgical perspectives in gastrointestinal disease: A study of quality of life outcomes in esophageal, pancreatic, colon, and rectal cancers

Outcomes assessment in surgery traditionally has included data regarding peri-operative mortality and morbidity, as well as long-term survival and recurrence in surgical oncology. However, quality of life （QOL） is another important patient-related outcome measure. QOL data can be used to tailor treatment and improve clinical outcomes by detecting physical or psychological problems in patients that otherwise might be overlooked, but which have profound implications for the effective delivery of care. We review several well-validated QOL instruments developed specifically for use in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, including esophageal, pancreatic and colorectal cancers, and conclude that QOL assessment routinely should be included in clinical trials of novel treatments.

Effect of dietary genistein on growth performance,digestive enzyme activity,and body composition of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

An 8-week feeding experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of dietary genistein on growth performance,body composition,and digestive enzymes activity of juvenile Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus).Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated containing four graded supplements of genistein:0,30,300,and 3 000 μg/g.Each diet was randomly assigned in triplicate to tanks stocked with 15 juvenile tilapia(10.47±1.24 g).The results show that 30 and 300 μg/gdietary genistein had no significant effect on growth performance of Nile tilapia,but the higher level of genistein(3 000 μg/g)significantly depressed the final body weight and specific growth rate.There was no significant difference in survival rate,feed intake,feed efficiency ratio or whole body composition among all dietary treatments.An assay of digestive enzymes showed that the diet containing 3 000 μg/ggenistein decreased stomach and hepatopancreas protease activity,and amylase activity in the liver and intestine,while a dietary level of300 μg/g genistein depressed stomach protease and intestine amylase activities.However,no significant difference in stomach amylase activity was found among dietary treatments.Overall,the results of the present study indicate that a high level of dietary genistein(3 000 μg/g,or above) would significantly reduce the growth of Nile tilapia,partly because of its inhibitory effect on the activity of major digestive enzymes.Accordingly,the detrimental effects of genistein,as found in soybean products,should not be ignored when applied as an alternative ingredient source in aquaculture.

Oropharyngeal acid reflux and motility abnormalities of the proximal esophagus

AIM To investigate the relationship between pathological oropharyngeal(OP) acid exposure and esophageal motility in patients with extra-esophageal syndromes.METHODS In this prospective study we enrolled consecutive outpatients with extra-esophageal symptoms suspected to be related to gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). We enrolled only patients with a reflux symptom index(RSI) score-higher than 13 and with previous lung, allergy and ear, nose and throat evaluations excluding other specific diagnoses. All patients underwent 24-h OP pH-metry with the Dx probe and esophageal highresolution manometry(HRM). Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of a normal or pathological p H-metric finding(Ryan Score) and all manometric characteristics of the two groups were compared.RESULTS We examined 135 patients with chronic extra-esophageal syndromes. Fifty-one were considered eligible for the study. Of these, 42 decided to participate in the protocol. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of normal or pathological OP acid exposure. All the HRM parameters were compared for the two groups. Significant differences were found in the median upper esophageal sphincter resting pressure(median 71 mmH g vs 126 mmH g, P = 0.004) and the median proximal contractile integral(median 215.5 cm·mmH g·s vs 313.5 cm·mmH g·s, P = 0.039), both being lower in the group with pathological OP acid exposure, and the number of contractions with small or large breaks, which were more frequent in the same group. This group also had a larger number of peristaltic contractions with breaks in the 20 mm Hg isobaric contour(38.7% vs 15.38%, P < 0.0001).CONCLUSION In patients with suspected GERD-related extraesophageal syndromes pathological OP acid exposure was associated with weaker proximal esophageal motility.

Effects of Different Live Food Extracts on Fish Attraction Activities

[Objective] This study was to determine the effect of green biological feeds that little affected natural environment on fish attraction activities with the aim to explore new research direction for the recreational fishing area. [Method] The ef- fective constituents of live natural foods, including chironomid larvae, earthworm, mussels, winkles, were separated by using soaking solution extraction and centrifu- gal extraction. The extracted live foods were used to attract the carp, young cru- cian, and fishes of 100-150 days old and over 1 year old, respectively. The feed nutrition formulation of the added food attractants was designed and applied to feed- ing in the aquaculture farm. The test results were practised in bait study to conduct field fishing test and collect the data. [Results] Compared with the control group, feeding with live foods had significantly improved the growth rates of fishes at dif- ferent ages, and greatly reduced food coefficients. [Conclusion] The feeds made from live food addictives had excellent attraction ability, which not only reduced the negative effects on natural environment but also made the aquaculture mode more organic and greener.

Influence of capsaicin infusion on secondary peristalsis in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

AIM To determine whether capsaicin infusion could influence heartburn perception and secondary peristalsis in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). METHODS Secondary peristalsis was performed with slow and rapid mid-esophageal injections of air in 10 patients with GERD. In a first protocol, saline and capsaicincontaining red pepper sauce infusions were randomly performed, whereas 2 consecutive sessions of capsaicin-containing red pepper sauce infusions were performed in a second protocol. Tested solutions including 5 m L of red pepper sauce diluted with 15 m L of saline and 20 m L of 0.9% saline were infused into the mid-esophagus via the manometric catheter at a rate of 10 mL /min with a randomized and doubleblind fashion. During each study protocol, perception of heartburn, threshold volumes and peristaltic parameters for secondary peristalsis were analyzed and compared between different stimuli.RESULTS Infusion of capsaicin significantly increased heartburn perception in patients with GERD(P < 0.001), whereas repeated capsaicin infusion significantly reduced heartburn perception(P = 0.003). Acute capsaicin infusion decreased threshold volume of secondary peristalsis(P = 0.001) and increased its frequency(P = 0.01) during rapid air injection. The prevalence of GERD patients with successive secondary peristalsis during slow air injection significantly increased after capsaicin infusion(P = 0.001). Repeated capsaicin infusion increased threshold volume of secondary peristalsis(P = 0.002) and reduced the frequency of secondary peristalsis(P = 0.02) during rapid air injection. CONCLUSION Acute esophageal exposure to capsaicin enhances heartburn sensation and promotes secondary peristalsis in gastroesophageal reflux disease, but repetitive capsaicin infusion reverses these effects.

Improved quality of life in patients with gastric cancer after esophagogastrostomy reconstruction

AIM:To compare postoperative quality of life (QOL) in patients with gastric cancer treated by esophagogastrostomy reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy.METHODS: QOL assessments that included functional outcomes (a 24-item survey about treatment-specific symptoms) and health perception (Spitzer QOL Index) were performed in 149 patients with gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach, who had received proximal gastrectomy with additional esophagogastrostomy.RESULTS: Fifty-four patients underwent reconstruction by esophagogastric anterior wall end-to-side anastomosis combined with pyloroplasty (EA group); 45 patients had reconstruction by esophagogastric posterior wall end-to-side anastomosis (EP group); and 50 patients had reconstruction by esophagogastric end-to-end anastomosis (EE group). The EA group showed the best postoperative QOL, such as recovery of body weight, less discomfort after meals, and less heart burn or belching at 6 and 24 mo postoperatively. However, the survival rates, surgical results and Spitzer QOL index were similar among the three groups.CONCLUSION: Postoperative QOL was better in the EA than EP or EE group. To improve QOL after proximal gastrectomy for upper third gastric cancer, the EA procedure using a stapler is safe and feasible for esophagogastrostomy.

Impact of body mass index and gender on quality of life in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

AIM： To investigate the symptom presentation and quality of life in obese Chinese patients with gastro- esophageal reflux disease （GERD）. MKTHODS： Data from patients diagnosed with GERD according to the Montreal definition, were collected between January 2009 to March 2010. The enrolled patients were assigned to the normal [body mass in- dex （BMI） 〈 25 kg/m2], overweight （25-30 kg/m2）, and obese （BMI 〉 30 kg/m2） groups. General demographic data, endoscopic findings, and quality of life of the three groups of patients were analyzed and compared.and 15 patients were classified in the normal, over- weight, and obese, respectively. There was significantly more erosive esophagitis （73.3% vs 64.3% vs 39.2%, P = 0.002）, hiatal hernia （60% vs 33.9% vs 16.7%, P = 0.001）, and males （73.3% vs 73.2% vs 32.4%, P = 0.001） in the obese cases. The severity and frequency of heartburn, not acid regurgitation, was positively cor- related with BMI, with a significant association in men, but not in women. Obese patients were prone to have low quality of life scores, with obese women having the lowest scores for mental health. CONCLUSION： In patients with GERD, obese men had the most severe endoscopic and clinical presenta- tion. Obese women had the poorest mental health.

Body weight, lifestyle, dietary habits and gastroesophageal reflux disease

While lifestyle modifications are currently used as firstline treatment for subjects with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the pathogenetic role of lifestyle factors and consequently, the efficacy of lifestyle measures is controversial. Our aim was to systematically review the pathogenetic link between overweight/ obesity, dietary habits, physical activity and GERD, and the beneficial effect of specific recommended changes, by means of the available literature from the 1999 to the present. Obesity, in particular, abdominal obesity, plays a key role in determining GERD symptoms and complications through mechanical and metabolic effects. Controlled weight loss (by diet or surgery) is effective in improving GERD symptoms. No definitive data exist regarding the role of diet and, in particular, of specific foods or drinks, in influencing GERD clinical manifestations. Moderate physical activity seems to be beneficial for GERD, while vigorous activity may be dangerous in predisposed individuals. In conclusion, being obese/overweight and GERD-specific symptoms and endoscopic features are related, and weight loss significantly improves GERD clinical-endoscopic manifestations. The role of dietary behavior, mainly in terms of specific dietary components, remains controversial. Mild routine physical activity in association with diet modifications, i.e. a diet rich in fiber and low in fat, is advisable in preventing reflux symptoms.