Lack of HIV RNA test result is a barrier to breastfeeding among women living with HIV in Botswana

Background Botswana updated its antiretroviral treatment (ART) guidelines in May 2016 to support breastfeeding for women living with HIV (WLHIV) on ART who have documented HIV RNA suppression during pregnancy. Methods From September 2016 to March 2019, we evaluated feeding method at discharge among WLHIV at eight government maternity wards in Botswana within the Tsepamo Study. We validated the recorded feeding method on the obstetric record using the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) counsellor report, infant formula dispensing log or through direct observation. Available HIV RNA results were recorded from the obstetric record, and from outpatient HIV records (starting February 2018). In a subset of participants, we used electronic laboratory records to verify whether an HIV RNA test had occurred. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with infant feeding choice. Results Among 13,354 WLHIV who had a validated feeding method at discharge, 5303 (39.7%) chose to breastfeed and 8051 (60.3%) chose to formula feed. Women who had a documented HIV RNA result in the obstetric record available to healthcare providers at delivery were more likely to breastfeed (50.8%) compared to women who did not have a documented HIV RNA result (35.4%) (aOR 0.59; 95% CI 0.54, 0.65). Among women with documented HIV RNA, 2711 (94.6%) were virally suppressed (< 400 copies/mL). Breastfeeding occurred in a substantial proportion of women who did not meet criteria, including 46 (30.1%) of 153 women with HIV RNA > 400 copies/mL, and 134 (27.4%) of 489 women with no reported ART use. A sub-analysis of electronic laboratory records among 150 women without a recorded result on the obstetric record revealed that 93 (62%) women had an HIV RNA test during pregnancy. Conclusions In a setting of long-standing use of suppressive ART, with majority of WLHIV on ART from the time of conception, requiring documentation of HIV RNA suppression in the obstetric record to inform infant feeding decisions is a barrier to breastfeeding but unlikely to prevent a substantial amount of HIV transmission.

​Insect Plant Interaction with Reference to Secondary Metabolites: A Review

Plant and herbivorous insect share a contradictory but everlasting relationship. To cope with the herbivores, plant invested its energy in the production of various defensive chemicals which are known as plant secondary metabolites (PSMs). During coevolution with plants, insects also adapted themselves to counter plant defensive mechanisms. The secreted saliva and ovipositional fluids of insects induce the production of secondary metabolites in plants. Plants also produce compounds constitutively in the tissues that are susceptible to insect attack. These compounds reduce insect growth and development of insects through interfering with the developmental phases, acting as feeding deterrent, reducing nutritive value, affecting protein digestion and the production of substances toxic to them. On the contrary, insect’s adaptations to PSMs include the detoxification of plant toxins, conversion of the toxic compounds into conducible form for its growth and development, development of feeding choice based on the concentration of PSMs, quicker absorption and elimination as feces and obtaining the help of symbiotic intestinal microorganism to inactivate toxic materials. Furthermore, insects also utilize PSMs as chemical cues mediated through their chemoreceptive systems. The selection of host plants by monophagous insect is sometimes concentrated on the production of particular PSMs. Secondary metabolites also act as attractant to insect pollinators by exhibiting distinctive odors. Insects also store toxic PSMs which are used by them against their predators and in giving protection to eggs. However, this intrinsic capability of plants to produce defensive chemicals in response to insect attack should be explored to a wide extent to optimize the performance of PSMs.

Breastfeeding Perspectives: Reactions to Breastfeeding Imagery and Social Norms

Objectives Normative behaviors surrounding breastfeeding in public and the community can influence breastfeeding behaviors and inhibit sustained breastfeeding. The goal of this research is to better understand how a diverse group of women perceive images of racially/ethnically similar and different women breastfeeding. The aim is to uncover biases that may impede breastfeeding goals and promotion. Methods An online mixed-methods survey was completed by a sample of 144 mothers with children 2 years of age or younger. The survey included images of women of varying racial/ethnic groups breastfeeding in various settings. Respondents generated word associations for the images and indicated the appropriateness and ease of breastfeeding for each image. Responses were timed to ascertain cognitive dissonance. Supplemental questions examined descriptive, injunctive and group norms, in line with the Theory of Normative Social Behavior. Results A sample that included 42% non-White individuals and 31% Hispanic/Latino individuals, 73% of whom breastfed their most recent child, responded to the survey. On average, respondents took longer to respond to questions about the appropriateness of images of Black and Hispanic women breastfeeding than images of White or Asian women, even though their responses of appropriateness were roughly equal, demonstrating cognitive dissonance in norms and perceptions. Further, with direct comparisons, women were twice as likely to say breastfeeding was easier for an image of a White mother breastfeeding than an image of a Black or Hispanic mother breastfeeding, regardless of respondent racial/ethnic identity. Finally, differences in image appropriateness differed most significantly by the setting (i.e., public vs. private). Conclusions Women are influenced by racial/ethnic biases about breastfeeding ease and appropriateness as well as norms surrounding behaviors of breastfeeding in public settings or in front of others. Future work is needed to dismantle these biases that may influence breastfeeding behaviors and inequitably impact the feeding choice and health of mothers and infants. Funding Sources This research was funded by an internal research grant from Fairfield University.

Using phosphate to increase feeding consumption in termite Coptotermes formosanus

Termites are ecologically significant in positive and negative ways; their role in breaking down debris greatly benefits forest environments, but this activity renders them a pest in domestic environments. This study examines the effect of nutrition on the feeding preference of termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Among 11 nutrition options tested, dipotassium phosphate (DKP) most significantly increased feeding consumption in the multiple feeding choice test. The mean feeding amount of the DKP-treated sample was 2.5-fold higher than that of the deionized water-treated control. This result suggests that termite colonies are deficient in phosphorus, and an additional supply of phosphate can promote feeding. The result of a no-choice feeding test using DKP shows that DKP does not promote feeding in a small number of termites. The results obtained in this study suggest that phosphorus is needed in termite colonies, making DKP especially effective. DKP will help to improve bait technology, because it is inexpensive and safe for both humans and the environment.

Produktivitas Ayam Petelur Fase Layer II dengan Pemberian Pakan Free Feeding Choice

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kebutuhan nutrisi ayam petelur sesuai dengan kondisi fisiologis dan lingkungan guna menunjang produktivitas ayam ras petelur melalui pemberian pakan secara free feeding choice. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Dusun Sidoharjo Desa Sumbung, Kecamatan Cepogo, Kabupaten Boyolali. Materi yang digunakan yaitu ayam ras petelur yang berumur 52 minggu sebanyak 30 ekor. Perlakuan yang diberikan yaitu ternak diberi pakan secara bebas pilih dengan bahan pakan premix, jagung, bekatul, dan konsentrat yang diberikan secara ad libitum terukur. Parameter yang diamati adalah konsumsi ransum, HDP, tebal dan berat cangkang, indeks putih telur, indeks kuning telur, dan indeks haugh. Hasil penelitian dianalisis secara kuantitatif melalui pembacaan data dengan grafik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa konsumsi ransum ayam petelur lebih rendah jika dibandingkan standar, namun demikian kebutuhan nutriennya dapat terpenuhi karena kandungan nutrisi bahan pakannya baik. Hal tersebut dapat dilihat dari tingginya HDP, berat dan tebal cangkang, serta indeks telur yang baik. Ayam petelur mampu memehuni kebutuhan nutriennya dengan perlakuan free feeding choice.

Evaluasi Pola Konsumsi dan Cerminan Mikroflora Ayam Petelur Fase II dengan Pemberian Pakan Free Feeding Choiche

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh pemberian pakan secara free feeding choice terhadap pola konsumsi dan cerminan mikroflora usus ayam petelur fase produksi ke-II. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Juni – Juli 2020 di kandang ayam petelur di Dusun Sidoharjo, Desa Sumbung, Kecamatan Cepogo, Kabupaten Boyolali. Materi yang digunakan yaitu 30 ekor ayam petelur Lohman Brown umur 52 minggu. Bahan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu jagung, bekatul dan konsentrat layer khusus. Analisis data dilakukan secara kuantitatif dengan pembacaan grafik data yang diperoleh. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ayam petelur fase II lebih menyukai pakan jagung dibandingkan dengan bekatul dan konsentrat. Konsumsi jagung yang tinggi mencapai 80 gr/ekor/hari. Rataan konsumsi pakan total cenderung rendah yaitu hanya 109 gr/ekor/hari. Penambahan jagung rata-rata sebesar 61 gr/ekor/hari sedangkan penambahan konsentrat rata-rata sebesar 28 gr/ekor/hari. Kondisi mikroflora usus halus dan usus besar didominasi oleh bakteri gram positif jenis Bacillus dan terdapat pula bakteri jenis Diplobacillus, Streptobacillus dan Streptococcus. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini yaitu pemberian pakan menggunakan metode Free Feeding Choice mampu meningkatkan kesehatan saluran pencernaan serta meningkatkan HDP ayam petelur.

Feeding preference and growth response of early adults abalone, Haliotis squamata on some macroalgae

Yusup DS, Mahardika IG, Suarna IW, Giri INA. 2020. Feeding preference and growth response of early adults abalone, Haliotis squamata on some macroalgae. Biodiversitas 21: 4369-4375. Study on early adult Haliotis squamata fresh feed has evaluated some macroalgae, however, a study on Enteromorpha sp., Halymenia sp., and Hypnea sp. have not been carried out. This study was proposed to evaluate the feeding preference (feed response and feed intake) and the growth performance of early adult H. squamata on some macroalgae. Seven species of macroalgae were evaluated as unpair feeding choice and the experiment design employed was completely randomized design. The results showed that H. squamata responded variously to the seven macroalgae species and the food deprivation (fasting) data showed mounting response to all macroalgae. Ulva lactuca and Enteromorpha sp. were the most responded which up to four times higher compared to the least responded i.e. Halymenia sp. and Sargassum sp. The highest to the lowest palatable feed intake (FI) were Gracillaria sp, Eucheuma spinosum, Ulva lactuca, Halymenia sp., Enteromorpha sp., Sargassum sp. and Hypnea sp. respectively. The first four palatable macroalgae resulted in various growth responses of H. squamata. Except for Halymenia sp., the feed intake (FI) rate showed an opposite linear correlation to growth response and FCR. The daily growth rate (g/day) was Ulva lactuca (0.104), Enteropmorpha sp. (0.085), Gracillaria sp. (0.084), and Halymenia sp. (0.016).

Mothers’ Age and Education Who Work in Health Facility Influenced Nutritive Feeding Choice

The health worker services are a role model. Activities breastfeeding decline when mothers started to work after maternity leave. The purpose of this research is to analyze the factors relating to the mothers on the reproductive age who works in the hospital. The method of the research was quantitative with cross-sectional. The research used questioners and held on January-March 2020. Total sampling with 40 respondents. The result showed two variables were significant. There are the age of the mothers with p-value with the p 0.044 < 0.05 and the level of mother education with the p 0.045 <0.05. The reproductive age and education significantly positive for history giving exclusive breastfeeding. The mothers had chosen mix feeding for nutritive their babies. The environment did not support, even mothers have enough for their knowledge so they decided to give formula. Although mothers have high of the level of education still give mix feeding because of back to work, have no support on breastfeeding and facility where the mothers work. Conclusion the health services such as in the hospital should give the employee specialized women who had reproductive age to support for example facilities for the breast pump, maternity leave policy, and finally could be breastfeeding exclusively.

Produktivitas Ayam Arab Petelur dengan Pola Pemberian Free Feeding Choice

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the contribution effect of feeding Wulandari et al. (2013) and Wulandari et al. (2015) rations and free feeding choice in Arab hen. One hundred birds of Arab hen, age was + 14 weeks, with an average body weight of 814,73 g ± 46,86 g were used as experimental animals, and were divided randomly into a randomized block design with 3 treatments and 6 replications. Feedstuffs used for dietary treatments were rice bran, yellow corn, fish meal, Azolla microphylla, CaCO3, oyster shell, meat bone meal, soybean meal, pollard, and top mix. The rations were formulated as ration from Wulandari et al. (2013) and Wulandari et al. (2015). At the same time, there are feedstuff which gived ad libitum without formulated. Conclusion of the research is that free feeding choice affect by palatability feedstuff and gives a random data. Consumption ration on free feeding choice more decrease than another treatments. Keywords: arab’s laying hans, free feeding choice, productivity