Comparative impact of replacing fish meal with azolla on growth, water quality, and physiology of red tilapia fingerlings at varying salinities

A 210-day experiment to assess the efficacy of substituting azolla plant powder at levels of 0, 20, 40, and 60% for fish meal on red tilapia fingerlings (RTF, initial weight of 18.23 ± 0.12 g) performance under salinity levels of 5, 18, and 28ppt. Among the various conditions, RTF-fed 20% azolla at 28 and 5ppt salinity showcased the highest specific growth rate (SGR), whereas the lowest SGR was observed in fish-fed 60% azolla at 5ppt salinity. Upon azolla incorporation, noteworthy elevations in phytoplankton, zooplankton, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, NH3, and NO3 were noted and conversely, azolla introduction led to decreased NH4 and NO2 concentrations in all salinity levels. Further, a significant (p < 0.05) interaction between azolla levels and water salinity (S×A) significantly impacted the hematological parameters of RTF. The highest levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total protein (TP) were found in RTF-fed 20% azolla at 28ppt salinity, while the lowest CAT and TP levels occurred in RTF-fed 60% azolla at 5ppt salinity. The highest aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were recorded in the RTF group fed 60% azolla at 5ppt salinity, with the lowest values seen in the group given 20% azolla at 28ppt salinity. RTF fed a 20% azolla diet at 18ppt salinity exhibited the highest lysozyme value, in contrast to the lowest value observed in the RTF group fed the control diet at 18ppt salinity. In conclusion, this study recommends the utilization of azolla at inclusion levels ranging from 20 to 40%, as it has the potential to notably enhance the immune system and elevate the survival rate of RTF.

Dietary supplement of fermented grass forage regulates growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune response of broiler chickens

The current study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of fermented Juncao grass (FG) on growth parameters, blood constituents, immunity, and antioxidative properties of broilers. A total of 240 (21-d-old) broiler chicks were randomly distributed to four dietary treatments of sixty birds, with six replicate pens and ten birds in each. Fermented grass was added to the basal diet at four levels with 0, 5, 10, and 15% FG. The results revealed that broilers fed 5% FG had significantly higher (P < 0.05) final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (WG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI). The best conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded for broilers supplemented with 5% FG compared to the group supplemented with 15% FG (P < 0.05). Increasing FG % decreased (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10. However, FG increased (P < 0.05) proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-2, IL-12, and TNF-α (P < 0.05). Moreover, IgA, IgG, and IgM levels increased (P < 0.05) with increasing FG %. In addition, increasing FG % in broiler rations significantly increased (P < 0.05) serum antioxidant levels of T-AOC, GSH-PX, SOD, CAT, NO and GSH, but decreased (P < 0.05) MDA levels compared to the control group. Conclusively, fermented Juncao grass would be considered a novel herbal feed additive for improving broiler performance, immunity, antioxidant, and health status. Nevertheless, further research at the molecular level is needed to quantify the effects of these herbal components on cellular and humoral immune functions in broiler chickens.

Prescribing Patterns at Primary Health Care Level in the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia: An Epidemiologic Study

Out of 208 primary health care centres (PHCCs) in the Asir region, southwestern Saudi Arabia, a stratified random sample of 23 PHCCs was randomly chosen. Data regarding all the medical consultations (66,438) provided by all PHCCs physicians (49) and their prescriptions were collected to study prescribing patterns. The data were collected from the health information system of the PHCCs without the physicians' knowledge. The study showed that more than two-thirds of medical consultations (71.5%, 47,494) ended by prescribing medications. The average number of drug items prescribed for the individual patient was 1.44. The leading missing items in the studied prescriptions were, for how long should medication be taken (32.9%), the patient's name (15.8%) and the family health record number (6.5%). Prescribing drugs by generic name is very minimal among physicians (2.9%). The groups of drugs commonly prescribed were analgesics-antipyretics (61.9%), antibiotics (56.2%), cough medications (26.6%) and vitamins (22.7%). The observed defects identify fields to be addressed in continuing medical education programmes aimed at encouraging more rational prescribing among PHC physicians.

Decrease in perinatal mortality and increase in cesarean section rates

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the cesarean section (CS) rate in the Riyadh area, its trend and relationship to perinatal mortality (PNM).

METHODS

Based on delivery data obtained from the Ministry of Health hospitals, Saudi Arabia, for a total of 12 years, yearly rates of CS, PNM and the ratios of obstetricians and beds per 10,000 population were computed for the Riyadh area and compared with the overall rates for Saudi Arabia. Correlation coefficients were used to investigate the relationship between the CS rate and each of the stated variables.

RESULTS

Riyadh had significantly lower rates of CS and PNM than Saudi Arabia as a whole. The CS rate in Riyadh showed a positive trend (increasing from 4.4 to 6.7%) while the PNM rate revealed a significant decreasing trend (decreasing from 21.6/1000 to 16/1000 live births). A negative association existed between the Riyadh rates of PNM and CS (r = -0.2375) and PNM and the availability of obstetricians (r = -0.8693).

CONCLUSIONS

From our data it was not possible to establish a cause and effect relationship between the CS and PNM rates.