[Home training as a treatment of faecal incontinence and sphincter dyssynergia]. / Entrenamiento anorrectal domiciliario como tratamiento de la encopresis y disinergia esfinteriana.

OBJECTIVE: The defecation disorders represents the 3% of consultations in pediatrics patients. Our goal was to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the reeducation of the defecation maneuver through home training in patients with encopresis and sphincter dyssynergia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study of patients with fecal incontinence treated with home training at our center between 2014-2015. Anorectal manometry was performed and was valued defecation maneuver by expulsion of rectal probe with or without the ball. Daily sessions were performed using a Foley catheter (18-20Fr.) with progressive filling of the balloon, maximum 20cc. The response to the treatment was assessed in terms of episodes of soiling. RESULTS: Seven patients (6 males and 1 female) with a mean age of 9.7 years (range, 5-15) were included; two patients with anorectal malformation history, 1 Hirschsprung disease, 1 sacrococcygeal teratoma and 3 functional encopresis. Three patients had soiling episodes daily and 4 patients frequently. The mean basal pressure of anal channel was 32.34mmHg (range, 11.74-50.75) with negative defecation maneuver in 2 cases, deficient in 3 and dyssynergic in 2 patients. The mean time of biofeedback therapy to be asymptomatic was 5.14 months (range, 2-11), with a mean of 16.14 months (range, 3-24), with the 7 patients currently maintained clean. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that re-education of defecation maneuver through home training, seems to be an effective and efficient therapy, achieving excellent results in medium term.

OBJETIVO: Los trastornos de la defecación representan el 3% de las consultas en pediatría. Nuestro objetivo fue demostrar la eficacia y eficiencia de la reeducación en la maniobra defecatoria mediante el entrenamiento domiciliario en los pacientes con encopresis y disinergia esfinteriana. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio de los pacientes con encopresis tratados mediante entrenamiento domiciliario en nuestro centro entre 2014-2015. Se realizó manometría anorrectal y fue valorada la maniobra defecatoria mediante la expulsión o no de la sonda rectal con o sin balón. Se realizaron sesiones diarias de forma domiciliaria empleando una sonda de Foley (18-20 Fr.) con llenado progresivo del balón, máximo 20 cc. Se evaluó la respuesta al tratamiento en función de la presencia de manchado. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 7 pacientes (6 varones y 1 mujer) con edad media de 9.7 años (rango, 5-15); dos con antecedente de malformación anorrectal, una enfermedad de Hirschsprung, 1 teratoma sacrococcígeo y 3 encopresis funcionales. Tres pacientes presentaban manchado diario y 4 de forma frecuente. La media de presión basal del canal fue de 32,34 mmHg (rango, 11,74-50,75) con maniobra defecatoria negativa en 2 casos, deficiente en 3 y disinérgica en 2. La media de tiempo realizando el entrenamiento intestinal hasta lograr estar asintomáticos fue 5.14 meses (rango, 2-11), con un seguimiento medio de 16,14 meses (rango, 3-24), manteniéndose limpios actualmente los 7 pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: El presente estudio sugiere que la reeducación de la maniobra defecatoria mediante entrenamiento domiciliario parece ser una terapia eficaz y eficiente, logrando excelentes resultados a medio plazo.

Effects of different strategies of mineral supplementation (marine algae alone or combined with rumen boluses) in organic dairy systems.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of marine algae supplementation alone or in combination with a regular mineral supplement (rumen boluses) to improve the mineral status in organic dairy cattle and their effect on the milk mineral composition, milk production, composition (% of fat and protein) and quality (SCC). Thirty-two Holstein Friesian lactating cows were randomly selected and assigned to the algae (A), boluses (B), algae+boluses (AB) and control group (C). For the algae groups (A, AB), a supplement composed of Sea Lettuce (80%), Japanese Wireweed (17.5%) and Furbelows (2.5%) was formulated to be given to the cows at the rate of 100 g/animal per day (A1) for the length of 4 weeks. In the second half of the experiment (weeks 5-8), the algae mixture was reformulated and the proportion of Furbelows was increased from 2.5% to 5.0% with a subsequent decrease of Lettuce to 77.5% (A2). In the boluses group (B), each cow received 2 boluses after calving. Blood (serum) and milk samples were collected at 2 and 4 week intervals, respectively, and analysed for trace element concentrations by ICP-MS. Information related to the milk composition and SCC during a 305-day lactation for each animal were obtained from the Dairy Records Management System. The supplementation with algae, boluses or the combination of both treatments showed a statistically significant effect on the iodine (algae), selenium (boluses) and cobalt (algae+boluses) status of the animals. In milk, treatments had a statistical significant increase on iodine, and a tendency to increase selenium concentrations. The assayed algae mixture combined with another source of selenium could be an effective tool to improve the mineral status in serum and milk.

Inter-reflux and bolus clearance times in non-pathologic pediatric patients: data support computational models.

Previous contributions suggested that gastroesophageal reflux can be modeled in terms of a Poisson process. This study aims to provide empirical data to validate this statement in pediatric patients so that computational models can be broadly used as an alternative for research. A retrospective review of 63 pediatric patients who underwent 24-hour impedance-pH monitoring to discard gastroesophageal reflux disease was conducted in this study. Patients were grouped by age as preterm (21), infants (21), and children (21). All the tracings were analyzed by a trained physician who identified the reflux entry and the bolus clearance time of each episode. The time between reflux episodes was tested against three probability distributions (gamma, exponential and inverse Gaussian) whereas the bolus clearance time was tested against a normal probability distribution. Parameters were estimated using the maximum likelihood method. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and the Kullback-Leibler divergence were computed to evaluate the goodness of fit. One-way analysis of variance was applied to compare results along the three groups. Exponential fitting for inter-reflux time was successful in 90.48% of children older than 1 year. The overall reflux rate was 57.58 reflux episodes per day whereas the mean bolus clearance time ranged between 10.87 in preterm subjects and 12.05 in children, showing a good Gaussian fitting. The time between reflux episodes can be modeled in terms of a Poisson process in non tube-fed patients, whereas the bolus clearance time follows a normal distribution in all cases.

Monte Carlo method for the evaluation of symptom association.

Gastroesophageal monitoring is limited to 96 hours by the current technology. This work presents a computational model to investigate symptom association in gastroesophageal reflux disease with larger data samples proving important deficiencies of the current methodology that must be taking into account in clinical evaluation. A computational model based on Monte Carlo analysis was implemented to simulate patients with known statistical characteristics Thus, sets of 2000 10-day-long recordings were simulated and analyzed using the symptom index (SI), the symptom sensitivity index (SSI), and the symptom association probability (SAP). Afterwards, linear regression was applied to define the dependency of these indexes with the number of reflux, the number of symptoms, the duration of the monitoring, and the probability of association. All the indexes were biased estimators of symptom association and therefore they do not consider the effect of chance: when symptom and reflux were completely uncorrelated, the values of the indexes under study were greater than zero. On the other hand, longer recording reduced variability in the estimation of the SI and the SSI while increasing the value of the SAP. Furthermore, if the number of symptoms remains below one-tenth of the number of reflux episodes, it is not possible to achieve a positive value of the SSI. A limitation of this computational model is that it does not consider feeding and sleeping periods, differences between reflux episodes or causation. However, the conclusions are not affected by these limitations. These facts represent important limitations in symptom association analysis, and therefore, invasive treatments must not be considered based on the value of these indexes only until a new methodology provides a more reliable assessment.

Characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux and potential risk of gastric content aspiration in children with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: Increased gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). We studied the occurrence of acid, weakly acidic (WA), and weakly alkaline (WALK) reflux in children with CF and evaluated a possible surrogate marker for risk of gastric content aspiration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four children with CF underwent impedance-pH monitoring for detection of acid (pH < 4), WA (pH 4-7), and WALK-GER (pH > or = 7). In 11 children, cough was objectively recorded with esophageal manometry and the symptom association probability was calculated to determine the reflux-cough relation. Presence of bile acids (BA) was measured in the saliva of 65 patients with CF and 23 healthy children, respectively. RESULTS: Sixteen of the 24 children had increased GER (esophageal acid exposure). The majority of reflux events were acidic in nature. WA reflux was less common and WALK reflux was rare. The sequence reflux-cough was found in 8 of the 11 children and 1 of 11 children had a positive symptom association probability for reflux-cough. The sequence cough-reflux was found in only 3 of the 11 children. Only a small fraction of the total esophageal acid and volume exposure was secondary to cough. Twenty-three of the 65 children with CF had BA in saliva compared with none of the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Although WA-GER is uncommon, acid GER is prevalent in children with CF. It is a primary phenomenon and is not secondary to cough. One third of the children with CF have BA in saliva, which may indicate an increased risk for aspiration. However, the impact of salivary BA and potential aspiration on CF pulmonary disease needs further investigation.

Contribution of RET, NTRK3 and EDN3 to the expression of Hirschsprung disease in a multiplex family.

BACKGROUND: Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a developmental disorder caused by a defect in the neural crest neuroblast migration process. It is considered to be a paradigm of complex disorders, with many loci contributing to manifestation of the disease. Although HSCR commonly appears as a sporadic trait, approximately 20% of HSCR cases are familial, with complex patterns of inheritance. METHOD: A multiplex HSCR family with an additive model of inheritance, in which the contribution of three genes (RET, NTRK3, EDN3) leads to the HSCR phenotype is reported. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that both RET and NTRK3 mutations acting together are necessary and sufficient for the appearance of the disease, and that the EDN3 mutation is acting as a phenotype-modifier factor in the context of this family, as two different HSCR phenotypes are seen among the affected members: a short segment form, and a total colonic aganglionosis. The results therefore support the complex additive model of inheritance previously proposed for Hirschsprung disease.

[Relationship between the radiological length of the opaque enema and the aganglionic length of the segment in Hirschsprung's disease]. / Relación entre la longitud radiológica del enema opaco y la longitud agangliónica de la pieza en la enfermedad de Hirschsprung.

INTRODUCTION: Barium enema was the first method used for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease, with the appearance of anorectal manometry and its combination with rectal suction biopsy, barium enema has lost value as a diagnosis method but it has also gain importance to decide the surgical technique that will be used for the correction of the disease. AIM: To determine the correlation between the length of the affected segment showed by barium enema valued and the length of the removed piece. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have studied all Hirschsprung disease's cases diagnosed and treated in our center since 1998, 127 patients underwent Soave-Boley's technique and 51 De La Torre's descent technique. Routinely preoperative barium enema was performed in all cases and determine the location of the transition zone and compared with the aganglionic segment's length specified by pathologist. RESULTS: At 90% of cases the transition zone could be seen at barium enema, it's most common location was rectosigmoid. After statistically analysis the length measured at radiology tests and the length of the anatomic piece showed a low correlation (kappa index 0.0159), being highest values at rectosigmoid transition and very low values at long affected segments. CONCLUSIONS: Barium enema in Hirschsprung's disease is valuable to decide the best surgical technique in each singular case but not to determine the exact length of affected segments. In case of a aganglionic long-segment suspicion, biopsies may be necessary to determinate preoperative length of affected segments.

A novel point variant in NTRK3, R645C, suggests a role of this gene in the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung disease.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a developmental disorder characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses due to a defect in the migration process of neural crest neuroblasts. Manifestation of the disease has been linked to the dysfunction of two principal signalling pathways involved in the enteric nervous system (ENS) formation: the RET-GDNF and the EDN3-EDNRB receptor systems. However, the NTF3/NTRK3 signalling pathway plays an essential role in the development of the ENS suggesting a potential role for those genes in the pathogenesis of HSCR. We have sought to evaluate the candidature of the NTRK3 gene, which encodes the TrkC receptor, as a susceptibility gene for Hirschsprung disease. Using dHPLC technology we have screened the NTRK3 coding region in 143 Spanish HSCR patients. A total of four previously described polymorphisms and 12 novel sequence variants were detected. Of note, the novel R645C mutation was detected in 2 affected siblings of a HSCR family also carrying a RET splicing mutation. Using bioinformatics tools we observed that the presence of an additional cysteine residue might implicate structural alterations in the mutated protein. We propose haploinsufficiency as the most probable mechanism for the NTRK3 R645C mutation. NTRK3 and RET mutations in this family only appear together in the HSCR patients, suggesting that they per se are necessary but not sufficient to produce the phenotype. In addition, it is quite probable that the contribution of other still unidentified modifier genes, may be responsible for the different phenotypes (length of aganglionosis) in the two affected members.

Dairy cow nutrition in organic farming systems. Comparison with the conventional system.

The energy supplied by the high-forage diets used in organic farming may be insufficient to meet the requirements of dairy cattle. However, few studies have considered this problem. The present study aimed to analyze the composition of the diets and the nutritional status (focusing on the energy-protein balance of the diets) of dairy cattle reared on organic farms in northern Spain, which are similar to other organic farming systems in temperate regions. Exhaustive information about diets was obtained from organic (ORG) and representative conventional grazing (GRZ) and conventional no-grazing (CNG) farms. Samples of feed from the respective farms were analyzed to determine the composition. Overall, the diets used on the ORG farms were very different from those used on the CNG farms, although the difference was not as evident for GRZ. The CNG farms were characterized by a higher total dry matter intake with a high proportion of concentrate feed, maize silage and forage silage. By contrast, on ORG and GRZ farms, the forage, pasture and fibre intake were the most important variables. The ration used on ORG farms contained a significantly higher percentage of ADF and lower organic matter (OM) content than the rations used in both of the conventional farming systems, indicating that the diets in the former were less digestible. Although the protein concentration in the diets used on the grazing farms (ORG and GRZ) was higher than those used on CNG farms, the protein intake was similar. The results indicated an imbalance between energy and protein due to the low level of energy provided by the ORG diets, suggesting that more microbial protein could be synthesized from the available rumen-degraded dietary nitrogen if rumen-fermentable OM was not limiting. The imbalance between energy and protein led to a reduced amount of total digestible protein reaching the intestine and a lower milk yield per kilogram of CP intake on the ORG farms. In order to improve the protein use efficiency and consequently to reduce the loss of nitrogen to the environment, organic farming should aim to increase the energy content of cattle diets by improving forage quality and formulating rations with more balanced combinations of forage and grain.

Chemometric characterization of the trace element profile of raw meat from Rubia Gallega x Holstein Friesian calves from an intensive system.

This study was conducted to compare the essential and toxic element content of seven veal cuts: shoulder clod (SC), inside round (IR), eye of round (ER), bottom round (BR), heel of round (HR), knuckle (KK) and tenderloin (TL). Eighty-four meat samples were determined by ICP-MS. Overall, essential trace elements (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn), except Se, varied significantly between the different meat cuts. By contrast, there were no significant variations for the minor trace elements (Cr, Mo and Ni) or the toxic elements (As, Cd and Pb). Chemometric analysis of the data identified four clusters: (1) the main trace elements, except (2) Se, which was closely related to (3) the toxic elements, and finally (4) the minor trace elements. TL and ER cuts constituted two separated groups; most of the SC and KK samples were associated, and IR and BR samples overlapped. TL and SC contained the highest amounts of trace elements, whereas ER and KK the lowest.

Organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl in calves from north-west Spain.

The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of organic pollutants in cattle from the NW of Spain. The livers of 101 animals from two regions (Galicia and Asturias) were analysed for seven organochlorine pesticides (HCB, alpha-HCCH, u-HCCH, HEOD, DDT, TDE) and 34 PCBs congeners (8, 18, 28, 29, 31, 52, 77, 101, 105, 114, 118, 123, 126, 128, 138, 141, 149, 153, 156, 157, 167, 169, 170, 171, 180, 183, 187, 189, 194, 199, 201, 205, 206 and 209). The influence of different factors (type of farm and proximity to industrial areas) on pesticide accumulation in cattle was also studied. Overall, the frequency of occurrence and concentrations of OC pesticides and PCBs was low in calves from both regions. HEOD was detected most frequently and was found in more than half of the calves from each region. PCBs 141 and 153 were the most frequently detected PCB congeners but typically occurred in less than 20% of animals. The exposure of calves to the more abundant contaminants differed significantly between the regions and may be related to past usage patterns. Differences between farms in terms of their livestock management did not have a significant effect on pesticide accumulation by calves. The liver concentrations in calves were below maximum residues levels (RMLs) for human intake and there is no indication of any risk from these contaminants through eating calf liver.

[Temporal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and cardiorespiratory events]. / Relación temporal entre el episodio cardiorrespiratorio y reflujo gastroesofágico.

UNLABELLED: The acid and non acidic gastroesophageal reflux can trigger apnoea, desaturation and bradicardia events, as well as chronic pulmonary pathology due to microaspirations, whereas the acute or chronic airway closing increase the intrathoracic pressure, triggering the reflux. Our aims were to measurement in preterms newborn the correlations between cardiorespiratory events and gastroesophageal reflux, find out the direction of this relation, identify the patients with association GER->CRE and decide the suitability of antireflux surgery. METHOD: The study was made in the Motility Unit and in the Intensive Neonatal Care Unit, to preterms newborns without associated pathology except apnoea and/or bradicardia and/or desaturation. MATERIAL: 3 hours manometry study in the Motility Unit. 24 hours impedance, pH and cardiorespiratory parameters monitoring (respiratory and cardiac frequent, O2 saturation and CO2) in Intensive Neonatal Care Unit. We characterised the gastroesophageal barrier, all the reflux events and the association between GER and CRE. RESULTS: We made 28 records to 28 patients with CRE. The average of the total number of reflux was 61 (22,25-103,00), 29,2% acid reflux and 70,8% weakly acidic. 12 patients had some GER associated with CRE but in only 2 cases was statistically significant (Sympton index: SI; Sympton Sensitivity Index: SSI) (SI > or = 50%; SSI > or = 10%). The surgical management was successfully in these two babies and nowadays they are asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: There is not any general association between GER and CRE, nevertheless, in a little percentage of patients, this relationship is fulfilled and it is possible to measurement with impedance, pH and cardiorespiratory parameters. In these cases, the surgical management is the right treatment.

[Intraluminal impedance technique in the diagnosis of apparent life-threatening events (ALTE)]. / Importancia de la impedanciometría esofágica en el diagnóstico de los episodios aparentemente letales.

BACKGROUND: Apparent life threatening events (ALTE) affect children younger than one year. This syndrome is characterized by several symptoms: apnoea, change in colour or muscle tone, coughing or gagging. Approximately 50 percent of these children are diagnosed of an underlying pathology that explains the ALTEs, being gastroesophageal reflux one of the most important conditions to investigate. AIM: To demonstrate the effectiveness of intraluminal impedance technique for the diagnosis of the gastroesophageal reflux associated to ALTEs in infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stationary esophageal manometric is used to define the low esophageal sphincter, a pH and impedance 24 hours was recorded. We determinate association between gastroesophageal reflux-ALTEs and characterisation of the reflux that occurs. RESULTS: Intraluminal esophageal impedance has been made to 16 children with the diagnosis of ALTEs between 1 and 6 months of age (mean of age 3.04 months). 23.4 episodes of reflux (9,500-31,275, P25 and P75 respectively) have been diagnosed by pHmetry whereas with impedance the number of reflux obtained were 70.88 (60.25 - 80.00), 36.21% acid and 63.78% weakly acidic. We have found 4 episodes of apnoea in one patient that seems to be connected with gastroesophageal reflux (3 nonacid and one acid event) in a statistically positive relation (SI > or = 50%; SSI > or = 10%). CONCLUSIONS: Intraluminal gastroesophageal impedance is a useful method for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in infants who present a gastric alkaline content most of time, allowing in addition, to differentiate between acid and nonacid reflux. According to our sample, the patients with the diagnosis of ALTEs do not present greater rate of gastroesophageal reflux than the healthy population of the same age. Only in one patient we have found a statistically significant relation between reflux and apnoea.

Chemometric authentication of the organic status of milk on the basis of trace element content.

The objective of this study was to develop a method for authenticating organic milk samples in North Spain on the basis of its trace mineral composition. Fourteen elements in 98 samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Although concentrations of Co, Cr, Cu, I, Se and Zn where statistically higher in conventional milk and As in organic, none of these elements by itself was able to discriminate between organic and conventional milk. The chemical data was examined by principal component analysis and cluster analysis, revealing a natural separation between organic and conventional milk. In a second step, several supervised pattern recognition techniques were used to construct mathematical models for predicting the type of milk (organic or conventional) based on the metal content. The results proved that the model constructed using the artificial neural network is capable of correctly identifying the type of milk in almost 95% of cases.

Evaluation of trace element status of organic dairy cattle.

The present study aimed to evaluate trace mineral status of organic dairy herds in northern Spain and the sources of minerals in different types of feed. Blood samples from organic and conventional dairy cattle and feed samples from the respective farms were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine the concentrations of the essential trace elements (cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), iodine (I), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn)) and toxic trace elements (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb)). Overall, no differences between organic and conventional farms were detected in serum concentrations of essential and toxic trace elements (except for higher concentrations of Cd on the organic farms), although a high level of inter-farm variation was detected in the organic systems, indicating that organic production greatly depends on the specific local conditions. The dietary concentrations of the essential trace elements I, Cu, Se and Zn were significantly higher in the conventional than in the organic systems, which can be attributed to the high concentration of these minerals in the concentrate feed. No differences in the concentrations of trace minerals were found in the other types of feed. Multivariate chemometric analysis was conducted to determine the contribution of different feed sources to the trace element status of the cattle. Concentrate samples were mainly associated with Co, Cu, I, Se and Zn (i.e. with the elements supplemented in this type of feed). However, pasture and grass silage were associated with soil-derived elements (As, Cr, Fe and Pb) which cattle may thus ingest during grazing.

Use of dogs as indicators of metal exposure in rural and urban habitats in NW Spain.

Many different species have been used in environmental biomonitoring studies in diverse habitats including forest, farmland, and urban and sub-urban areas. However, there is little information on domestic animals living in rural or urban habitats and exposed to the same pollutants as the human population. In this connection, pets could prove to be good indicators of human metal exposure since they closely share the same environment as their owners, and are therefore exposed, at least in part, to the same pollutants. The present study investigated toxic metal exposure in dogs in NW Spain and compared metal exposures between dogs from rural and urban habitats, considering the influence of diet, sex and age. Samples of liver and kidney from 57 male and female dogs, aged between 6 months and 18 years, were collected after euthanasia at veterinary clinics. Samples were acid-digested and metal concentrations determined by ICP-MS. Geometric mean concentrations of metals in the liver and kidney (microg/kg wet weight) were 12.6 and 15.9 for arsenic, 58.0 and 175 for cadmium, 32.7 and 53.4 for mercury, and 57.7 and 23.1 respectively. Hepatic lead concentrations were significantly higher (p<0.05) in dogs fed commercial diets than dogs fed home-made feed (32%) or a mixture of commercial and home-made feeds (95%). Mercury concentrations in the kidney were significantly higher (3-fold, p<0.05) in dogs from urban areas than in dogs from rural areas. Cadmium levels in kidney were significantly higher (p<0.05) in females (67%) and increased with age (p<0.001). Although no human samples were obtained in this study and no direct correlations between dogs and human metal exposure have been conducted, given our results pets could be suggested as surrogate indicators of human metal exposure.

[Intestinal neuronal dysplasia: association with digestive malformations]. / Displasia neuronal intestinal asociada a otras malfomaciones congénitas.

Isolated Intestinal neuronal dysplasia is a disease characterized by symptoms of diarrhea or intestinal obstruction along with histopathologic diagnosis based on hyperplasia of submucous plexus with giant ganglia containing more than seven nerve cells, increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the lamina propria and around the submucosal blood vessels and heterotopic ganglia in the lamina propria. The aims of this study have been to determine the incidence of the congenital malformations associated with the isolated intestinal dysplasia type B (not associated to another anomaly of the enteric nervous system) and to correlate them with the severity of the symptoms and their possible familial involvement. We have retrospectively reviewed all the patients diagnosed with IND type B nonassociated to Hirschsprung's disease in our hospital from 1981 to 2002. Our serie consists of 44 cases, 1 for every 7500 newborn. 35% of the patients presented associated congenital anomalies, with digestive malformations being the most commonly found (20% of the total). 40% of the patients studied had previous history of constipation in the family. Onset of symptoms was detected in 75% of children during newborn period.

Assessment of the functional properties of protein extracted from the brown seaweed Himanthalia elongata (Linnaeus) S. F. Gray.

A protein extract from the brown seaweed Himanthalia elongata (Linnaeus) S. F. Gray was prepared and its functional properties, colour and amino acid composition were assessed for its potential future use by the food industry. The total content of amino acids was determined as 54.02±0.46gaminoacids/kg dry weight, with high levels of the essential amino acids lysine and methionine. SDS-PAGE showed 5 protein bands with molecular weights of 71.6, 53.7, 43.3, 36.4 and 27.1kDa. The water holding capacity and oil holding capacity were determined as 10.27±0.09gH2O/g and 8.1±0.07goil/g respectively. Foaming activity and stability were higher at alkaline pH values. The emulsifying capacity and stability of the extract varied depending on the pH and oil used. These results demonstrate the potential use of Himanthalia elongata protein extract in the food industry.

Identifying sources of metal exposure in organic and conventional dairy farming.

In humans the main route of exposure to toxic metals is through the diet, and there is therefore a clear need for this source of contamination to be minimized, particularly in food of animal origin. For this purpose, the various sources of toxic metals in livestock farming (which vary depending on the production system) must be taken into account. The objectives of the present study were to establish the profile of metal exposure in dairy cattle in Spain and to determine, by chemometric (multivariate statistical) analysis, any differences between organic and conventional systems. Blood samples from 522 cows (341 from organic farms and 181 from conventional farms) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine the concentrations of 14 elements: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn. In conventional systems the generally high and balanced trace element concentrations in the mineral-supplemented concentrate feed strongly determined the metal status of the cattle. However, in organic systems, soil ingestion was an important contributing factor. Our results demonstrate that general information about the effects of mineral supplementation in conventional farming cannot be directly extrapolated to organic farming and special attention should be given to the contribution of ingestion of soil during grazing and/or ingestion of soil contaminated forage.

Helminth infections on organic dairy farms in Spain.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of the major helminth infections affecting organic dairy cattle in northern Spain. Milk and faecal samples were obtained from 443 milking cows. Ostertagia ostertargi and Fasciola hepatica exposure was assessed by detection of specific antibodies in milk samples and F. hepatica infection was diagnosed by the detection of coproantigens in faecal samples. Dictyocaulus viviparus and Calicophoron daubneyi infections were diagnosed by conventional coprological techniques. The prevalence of infections caused by F. hepatica was considerable low, but similar to data reported from conventional farming in the same area. The prevalence rate of C. daubneyi infection was higher than previous data mirroring an increase of the prevalence that was also reported in other European countries in recent years. Specific antibodies against O. ostertargi were detected in all herds and the median levels of antibodies, determined by ELISA, exceeded the thresholds indicating milk production losses. The prevalence of D. viviparus was almost negligible. For each parasite, an ordinal logistic-regression analysis was used to assess the risk of infection by taking into account the administration of effective anthelmintics and the number of lactations. Treatment of cows with fasciolicides decreased the risk of F. hepatica infection in multiparous cows, whereas treatment with oxiclozanide or albendazol did not decrease the risk of C. daubneyi infection or O. ostertargi exposure, respectively. The study findings demonstrate that helminth infection in organic dairy farming is similar or even lower than previous data reported from conventional farming. Special attention should be paid to the impact of these infections on milk production.