The evaluation of the genotype and slaughter weight effect on meat quality and fatty acid profile from two native sheep.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the quality characteristics and fatty acid composition of meat from male Akkaraman (AKK) and Bafra × Akkaraman B1 (BA B1) lambs slaughtered at different live weights. Thirty-six male lambs (18 AKK and 18 BA B1) were slaughtered at three different slaughter weights (35, 40, and 45 kg) after being fattened intensively. Meat physical quality characteristics and fatty acid profiles were used as response variables. Color parameters (L*, a*, and b*) and pH were not significantly influenced by genotype and slaughter weight (SW). Water-holding capacity (WHC) was significantly affected by SW (P < 0.05), cooking loss (CL) by genotype (P < 0.001). Increasing SW, intramuscular fat of the Longissimus thoracis muscle showed increased total unsaturated fatty acids (TUFA) (P < 0.01) and ratios of TUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA) (P < 0.01), and decreased thrombogenic and atherogenic indices (P < 0.01). Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (P < 0.05) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (P < 0.01) varied on with the genotypes. In conclusion, genotype and SW did not greatly affect meat quality; however, MUFA and PUFA mutually changed according to the genotype, and fatty acid percentages improved according to the SW.

The effects of some factors on the time to first successful stand up and sucking of native lambs after parturition.

The study aimed to identify the effects of birth time, birth weight, and the time to first grooming on the time to first successful stand up and sucking of the pure and crossbred native lambs. Data were recorded from pure (22 B-Bafra and 20 AKK-Akkaraman) and crossbred (19 BA F1 (B × AKK) and 13 BA B1 (B × F1)) lambs during the first 3 h after delivery. The time to first successful stand up of lambs was significantly affected by the birth time (P = 0.045), the time to first grooming (P = 0.000), and the time to first successful sucking (P = 0.000). Genotype significantly affects the time to first successful stand up of the lambs born at night (P = 0.000), low birth weight (P = 0.042), the time to first grooming (short, P = 0.001, and prolonged, P = 0.019), and the time to first successful sucking (early, P = 0.041, and late, P = 0.005). Data demonstrated that the time to first successful stand up affected the time to first successful sucking. The time to first successful stand up was longer for the lambs born at night, with low birth weight, and was affected by the time to first grooming, especially for the B lambs. Consequently, it should be given particular importance to the care of lambs born at night with low weight and exposed to mismothering.

Effects of the genotype, cage type and time period on the behaviour of laying hybrids at the same egg production level.

Hybrids with different morphological and yield characteristics are used in the table egg production. There is no change in the cage systems according to the different hybrids in the regulation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of genotype (brown laying hybrids (BLH) and white laying hybrids (WLH)) and cage type (conventional and enriched cages) on behaviours of hens at the 90% egg production level. Behavioural data were recorded with video cameras during the 4 days. Data were analysed in 6 time periods as 05.00-08.00 am, 09.00-12.00 am, 01.00-04.00 pm, 05.00-08.00 pm, 09.00-12.00 pm and 01.00-04.00 am. Behaviour inspection each hour was divided into 4 quarters and the first 3 min of each quarter were evaluated. Behaviours were represented as the proportion of the total behaviour performed in the time period by a given hen. There was no interaction between hens' behaviour and the genotype at the same egg production level. The frequency of feeding behaviour was found to be significantly lower (P < 0.01), but comfort behaviour was higher (P < 0.05) in hens that were reared in the enriched cages. Only preening was seen as a comfort behaviour due to the cage size. The feeding, drinking, pecking hen, comforting, walking, sitting, resting and perching behaviours changed during the day (P < 0.01). Especially, the transition from light to dark influenced the perching behaviour negatively. No interactions were detected amongst genotype, cage type and time period. Feeding behaviour decreased and the comfort behaviour increased in the hens that were reared in the enriched cages because there were materials that would exhibit different behaviours. Hens in the enriched cage could not suddenly adapt to the dark and light period. For this reason, transitions to light and dark periods in poultry houses should be provided gradually, as in natural life.

Comparison of litter quality, performance, and some welfare parameters of broilers reared on the sepiolite-supplemented paper waste sludge.

Waste management is the protection of the environment and the health of the population. Paper waste sludge is produced during paper production and sepiolite is a natural clay mineral. The aim of the study was to investigate the usability of sepiolite-added paper waste sludge as a bedding material in the broiler production. Two hundred eighty-eight 1-day old male broiler chicks were divided into the 6 bedding material groups (wood shavings (control), paper waste sludge, sepiolite, mix of 25% paper waste sludge and 75% sepiolite, mix of 50% paper waste sludge and 50% sepiolite, and mix of 75% paper waste sludge and 25% sepiolite) with 6 replicate pens per group. Litter quality, performance, and some welfare parameters of broilers were assessed during the 6 weeks' period. Body weight at 42 days of age and body weight gain from 0 to 42 days of broilers reared on the wood shavings and mix of 50% paper waste sludge and 50% sepiolite were found higher than those of the sepiolite and paper waste sludge groups. Feed consumption and feed to gain ratio from 0 to 42 days, yields of carcass and carcass parts, percentages of organs and abdominal fat, IgG, percentage of bursa Fabricius, burns of foot pad and breast, litter pH and meat properties of broilers reared on the wood shavings, paper waste sludge, and sepiolite litter groups were not found to be statistically different. Litter moisture was found higher in the paper waste sludge group than that in the sepiolite group at the 42 days of rearing. As a conclusion, usage of mix of 50% paper waste sludge and 50% sepiolite as a litter does not have any negative effects on performance, welfare, and litter quality. This result is important in terms of utilizing a waste product.

The effect of "on/off" molecular switching on the photophysical and photochemical properties of axially calixarene substituted activatable silicon(iv)phthalocyanine photosensitizers.

Silicon(iv) phthalocyanines ( and ) bearing two calixarene groups as axial ligands were synthesized. Surprisingly, both phthalocyanines were obtained as two different isomers ( and ) depending on the distance between calixarene benzene groups and the phthalocyanine ring. DFT and TD-DFT computations were performed to model plausible structures of these isomers and to simulate electronic absorption spectra. These isomers converted into each other depending on the polarity of the used solvent, temperature and light irradiation. The photophysical and photochemical properties of each isomer were investigated in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) for the determination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) activities of these compounds. The more blue-shifted isomers ( and ) showed higher fluorescence quantum yields and singlet oxygen generation compared to more red-shifted counterparts ( and ). This behavior is extremely important for developing activatable photosensitizers for cancer treatment by PDT. Although these photosensitizers produce lower singlet oxygen in normal cells, they produce higher singlet oxygen (six times higher for ) in cancer cells since these photosensitizers converted to more blue-shifted isomers by using light irradiation.

Comparison of the GRACE risk score and the TIMI risk index in predicting the extent and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic value of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score (GRS) and the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk index (TRI) has been reported in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the GRS, TRI, and severity of CAD evaluated by SYNTAX score (SS) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Patients with ACS who were admitted to the coronary care unit of our institution were retrospectively evaluated in this study. A total of 287 patients with ACS [154 non-ST elevated ACS (NSTE-ACS), 133 ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI)] were included in the study. The GRS and TRI were calculated on admission using specified variables. The severity of CAD was evaluated using the SS. The patients were divided into low (GRS<109)-, intermediate (GRS 109-140)-, and high (GRS>140)-risk groups and group 1 (TRI<17), group 2 (TRI 17-26), and group 3 (TRI>26) according to GRS and TRI scores. A Pearson correlation analysis was used for the relation between GRS, TRI, and SS. RESULTS: Patients with a history of coronary artery bypass surgery, those who had missing data for calculating the GRS and TRI, and those whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) was more than 180 mm Hg or whose diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was more than 110 mm Hg were excluded from the study. Were excluded from the study. There were significant differences in mean age (p<0.001), heart rate (p<0.001), SS (p<0.001), TRI (p<0.001), rate of NSTE-ACS (p<0.001), and STEMI (p<0.001) in all patients between the risk groups. There was a positive significant correlation between the GRS and the SS (r=0.427, p<0.001), but there were no significant correlation between the TRI and SS (r=0.121, p=0.135). The area under the ROC curve value for GRS was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.56-0.74, p=0.001) in the prediction of severity of CAD. CONCLUSION: The GRS is more associated with SS than TRI in predicting the severity of CAD in patients with ACS.

Fragmented QRS is associated with frequency of premature ventricular contractions in patients without overt cardiac disease.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to demonstrate whether the presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) is associated with the frequency of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 282 cases by 24-hour Holter monitorings (HMs) between August 2012 and February 2013. Firstly, the patients were divided into 2 groups with respect to presence of fQRS and then divided into 3 groups with respect to frequency of PVCs as Group 1: seldom PVC (<120 PVCs/day), Group 2: moderate-frequency PVC (120-720 PVCs/day), and Group 3: frequent PVC (>720 PVCs/day). We investigated the predictors of frequent PVCs by using multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients had fQRS. There was no difference between the 2 groups with respect to body mass index, gender, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Patients with fQRS were older (54.9±15.6 vs. 47.0±16.3, p<0.001) and had more family history of coronary artery disease (25% vs. 13%, p=0.012). Patients with fQRS was more likely to be on aspirin therapy (28.6% vs. 10.4%, p<0.001) and have a larger left atrium diameter (33.5±5.7 vs. 30.4±5.8, p=0.001). Presence of fQRS was significantly associated with the frequency of PVCs (for frequent PVC 27.7% vs. 7.6%, p<0.001; for moderate-frequency PVC 18.4% vs. 11.4%, p=0.012); 26.2% of Group 1 (n=202) had fQRS, 46.2% of Group 2 (n=39) had fQRS, and 65.9% of Group 3 (n=41) had fQRS. In the multinomial regression analysis, only age (odds ratio: 4.24, 95% confidence interval 2.08-8.64, p=0.001) and fQRS (odds ratio: 2.11, 95% confidence interval 1.00-4.45, p=0.05) were predictors of frequent PVCs. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the presence of fQRS is associated with frequent PVCs in patients without overt structural heart disease.

Is abnormal glucose metabolism during pregnancy related to endothelial dysfunction?

OBJECTIVE: Endothelial dysfunction is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. We aimed to investigate the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and gestational diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance. METHODS: Pregnant women who had impaired glucose metabolism in the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and their age- and body mass index-matched controls were included in the study and assessed for flow-mediated vasodilatation to evaluate endothelial dysfunction. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients participated in the study. There were 20 patients in the control group, 13 in the impaired glucose tolerance group and 18 in the gestational diabetes mellitus group. Flow-mediated vasodilatation measured at the 60th and 120th seconds were significantly lower in the impaired glucose tolerance and gestational diabetes mellitus groups than in the control group (8.5 ± 5.7 and 8.9 ± 6.5 versus 14.9 ± 9.0, p=0.022 and 6.2 ± 6.7 and 5.2 ± 5.0 versus 12.0 ± 8.3, p=0.011, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with gestational diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance have impaired endothelial dysfunction. Delivery might have protective effects on endothelial functions. The significance of impaired endothelial dysfunction for pregnant women must be investigated, and if needed, lifestyle changes might be suggested, according to the determined importance of the endothelial dysfunction.

The association between serum uric acid level and heart failure and mortality in the early period of ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Uric acid (UA) is a strong marker of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we aimed to determine the relationship between serum UA levels and cardiovascular events in patients in the early period of their acute myocardial infarction. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study included 586 consecutive patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were admitted to the hospital between March 2010 and February 2012. The study population was divided into two groups; the first group included hyperuricemic patients (n=107; uric acid level >6 mg/dl in women and >7 mg/dl in men), and the second group included patients with normal UA level (n=479). Multivariate analysis was used to demonstrate the predictive value of UA levels in groups. RESULTS: Patients in the hyperuricemic group were older (median 66 years vs. 60 years, p=0.001), and the ratio of female patients was higher (35.5% vs. 16.9%, p=0.001). Patients with hyperuricemia had a significantly higher incidence of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality than the normal group (15.9% vs. 3.1%, p<0.001). Advanced heart failure (class ≥ 3) was more frequent among hyperuricemic patients (17.8% vs. 8.8%, p=0.006). Age ≥ 70 years, chest pain duration >6 hours and hyperuricemia (hazard ratio (HR): 1.83, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-3.27; p=0.041) were found to be independent predictors of advanced heart failure. Hyperuricemia was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality in multivariate analyses (HR: 5.32, 95% confidence interval: 2.46-11.49; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that a high serum UA level is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity during the in-hospital period of STEMI.

Fragmented QRS and prediction of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation episodes.

OBJECTIVE: Prior studies have demonstrated the relationship between cardiovascular diseases and fragmented QRS (fQRS). fQRS was also associated with ventricular arrhythmias. Our objective was to find out the relationship between fQRS and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). METHOD: A total of 301 patients without overt structural heart disease were prospectively included in the study. Patients were divided in to 2 groups according to presence of fQRS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the predictive value of fQRS for predicting PAF. RESULTS: One hundred and three patients had fQRS. Patients with fQRS were older (53±16.8 vs 45.3±17.2, p<0.001), with larger left atrium (LA) (33.2±5.9 vs 30.1±5.9 mm, p=0.001), with thicker interventricular septum (IVS) (10.2±1.9 vs 9.5±2.3 mm, p=0.032), more diabetic (19.8 vs 10.6%, p=0.029) and have more PAF episodes (22.3 vs 4.1%, p<0.001) in comparison with patients without fQRS. fQRS was an independent predictor of detecting PAF episode (odds ratio, 9.69; 95% confidence interval, 2.46-38.15, p=0.001). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were also predictive. CONCLUSION: The presence of fQRS independently predicted PAF episodes in holter monitoring (HM). Further studies are needed to clarify the clinical implications of this finding.

Platelet/lymphocyte ratio and risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a new prognostic marker in coronary artery disease. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between PLR and in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-elevated acute myocardial infarction (AMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study included 636 patients with ST-elevated AMI. The study population was divided into tertiles based on their admission PLR. Patients having values in the third tertile was defined as the high PLR group (n=212) and those having values in the lower 2 tertiles were defined as the low PLR group (n=424). RESULTS: Risk factors of coronary artery disease and treatments administered during the in-hospital period were similar between the groups. Male patient ratio was found to be lower in the high PLR group (73% vs. 82.8%, p=0.004). In-hospital mortality was increased in the high PLR group when compared to the low PLR group (12.7% vs. 5.9%, p=0.004). The PLR >144 was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality (HR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.16-4.0, p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that PLR is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in patients with ST-elevated AMI.

Could epicardial adipose tissue thickness by echocardiography be correlated with acute coronary syndrome risk scores.

AIM: The aim of our study was, echocardiographic epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness could show the severity and the prognosis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-five ACS patients (mean age 57.4 ± 12.2 years) who underwent coronary angiography were studied. EAT thickness on the free wall of right ventricle was measured at end-diastole from the parasternal long-axis views of 3 cardiac cycles. SYNTAX and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) scoring considered for severity and the prognosis of ACS. The mean value of the EAT thickness were 5.5 ± 0.5 mm (range 1-12 mm). EAT thickness had a positive correlation with high sensitive troponin T (r = 0.712, P < 0.001) and body mass index (r = 0.522, P < 0.001.) EAT thickness was significantly correlated patients with high SYNTAX score (r = 0.690, P < 0.001), but not correlated with GRACE score (r = 0.224, P = 0.072). CONCLUSION: Epicardial adipose tissue thickness was correlated with angiographic severity of ACS, but not correlated with clinical prognosis risk score.

Effect of atorvastatin on hematologic parameters in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Hematologic parameters such as mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW), and neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated the effect of atorvastatin on hematologic parameters in patients with hypercholesterolemia. A total of 79 patients with hypercholesterolemia and 47 normocholesterolemic healthy participants were included. Patients with hypercholesterolemia received 10 to 80 mg/d atorvastatin during a 24-week period. Hematologic parameters were measured at baseline and after 6 months. Atorvastatin treatment produced a significant decrease in MPV levels (9.3 ± 1.3 vs 9.1 ± 1.2 fL, P = .008) and platelet count (259 ± 61 vs 248 ± 51 10(9)/L, P = .005). The N/L ratio decreased significantly after atorvastatin treatment from 2.9 ± 1.2 to 2.6 ± 1.1, (P = .014). The RDW and platelet distribution width levels were not different among the study groups, before and after treatment. Atorvastatin may beneficially reduce MPV levels and N/L ratio. This antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effect of atorvastatin treatment could play a role in reducing cardiovascular risk.

Images of persistent left superior vena cava draining directly into left atrium and secundum-type atrial septal defect.

The images of persistent left superior vena cava with the absence of the right superior vena cava are presented in a patient with the diagnosis of secundum-type atrial septal defect.

Relationship between elevated serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activity and slow coronary flow.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the relationship between coronary blood flow and serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity in patients with slow coronary flow (SCF). STUDY DESIGN: The study included 90 patients (47 men, 43 women; mean age 50.8+/-9.4 years) with SCF and 88 patients (45 men, 43 women; mean age 51.4+/-8.8 years) with coronary artery disease (CAD), whose diagnoses were made by coronary angiography. Patients with CAD had normal coronary flow. Coronary flow was quantified using the corrected TIMI frame count (TFC) method and serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase were measured. The results were compared with those of a control group consisting of 86 age- and sex-matched patients who had normal coronary arteries and normal coronary flow. RESULTS: The three groups were similar with respect to body mass index, presence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, lipid profiles, and fasting glucose. The use of medications was significantly more common in the CAD group (p<0.01). Compared to the control group, serum GGT activity was significantly increased in both SCF and CAD groups (p<0.01), but these two groups did not differ significantly in this respect (p=0.71). The TFCs for all the epicardial coronary arteries and the mean TFC were significantly higher in the SCF group (p<0.01). Patients with CAD and the controls had similar TFC parameters. The mean TFC showed a positive and moderate correlation with serum GGT activity (r=0.326; p<0.001). In regression analysis, serum GGT activity was found as the only independent predictor of the mean TFC (beta=0.309; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We have shown for the first time an association between increased serum GGT activity and SCF. Further clinical studies are needed to clarify the physiopathologic role of serum GGT activity in SCF.

Increased mean platelet volume in patients with slow coronary flow.

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation, a central process in the pathophysiology of coronary heart disease (CAD). The importance of slow coronary flow (SCF) phenomenon results from its association with angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, hypertension and sudden cardiac death. The aim of this study is to evaluate the values of MPV in patients with SCF. MPV was measured in 84 consecutive patients with SCF and 88 patients with CAD and 84 control subjects. The association between thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) and MPV level and other clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated. There were no statistically significant differences in MPV between SCF group and CAD group. MPV was significantly higher in patients in the both SCF and CAD groups, compared with control group. The TFC for all the epicardial coronary arteries and the mean TFC were significantly higher in the SCF group than the both CAD group and control group. The mean TFC was positively and moderately correlated with MPV in the whole study population. To determine the independent predictors of mean TFC, a stepwise linear regression analysis was performed by including the parameters that were correlated with the mean TFC in the bivariate analysis. MPV level was the only independent predictor of the mean TFC (b = 0.312, p < 0.001). These findings have shown that MPV level is significantly associated with coronary blood flow and that elevated MPV level might be an independent predictor for the presence of SCF. We believe that further studies are needed to clarify the role of MPV in SCF complicated CAD, especially in relation to angiographic and clinical parameters, before we conclude that MPV to be used as a follow-up marker during the management of relevant patients.

Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity increased in patients with coronary artery ectasia.

BACKGROUND: Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity, an enzyme responsible for the extracellular catabolism of antioxidant glutathione, may directly take part in atherogenesis and evolve as a potential biochemical risk indicator of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. An important characteristic of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is the fact that in 85% of the cases, atherosclerotic coronary disease accompanies it. The relation between CAE and serum GGT activity has not been studied so far. Hence, we decided to investigate the serum GGT level in patients with CAE. METHODS: We measured serum GGT activity in 88 consecutive patients (48 males) with isolated CAE and 86 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 84 controls. CAE was defined as being without any stenotic lesions with a visual assessment of the coronary arteries showing a luminal dilatation 1.5-fold or more of the adjacent normal coronary segments. Four subgroups were created in accordance with the CAE extension in coronary arteries. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in serum GGT activity among CAE and CAD groups. Serum GGT activity was found significantly increased in patients in both CAE and CAD groups, compared with those in control group (P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). According to the CAE severity, there were no statistically significant differences in CAE among these subgroups. CONCLUSION: We have shown for the first time that patients with CAE have higher serum GGT activity compared with controls with normal coronary angiograms. Hence, serum GGT activity can be used as a follow-up marker in patients with CAE.

Evaluation of the performance of calix[8]arene derivatives as liquid phase extraction material for the removal of azo dyes.

This paper presents a study on the removal of azo dyes (Reactive Black 5, Trapaeolin 000, Methyl Orange and Direct Violet 51) with calix[n]arene derivatives from aqueous solution into the organic phase in order to explore the potential use of calixarenes as low-cost efficient extractants for wastewater dye removal. The carboxylic acid derivative of calix[8]arene shows highest affinity towards the azo dyes. The influence of NaCl (present in the solution) on extraction process was also studied. The extent of the dye removal increased with the addition of NaCl. The proposed extraction mechanism involves several kinds of interactions: electrostatic repulsion between carboxylic acid groups of calix[8]arenes and sulfonate groups of azo dyes, hydrogen bonding and formation of an inclusion complex due to three dimensional cavity type calix[n]arene molecules through host-guest interactions.