Effect of dietary chromium supplementation on meat nutritional quality and antioxidant status from broilers fed with Camelina-meal-supplemented diets.

Poultry meat is a valuable source of nutrients and the enrichment with health-promoting substances such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) is an important factor for consumers' choice. Camelina meal (Camelina sativa) is an animal feedstuff used to achieve this goal, but the administration of n-3 PUFA-enriched diets in broiler nutrition can accelerate the oxidative processes in meat leading to a decreased quality of final product. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the organic Cr as chromium picolinate (CrPic) on meat quality, fatty acid profile of fat and oxidative stability of meat from broilers fed supplemented dietary Camelina meal. An experiment was conducted on 240 Ross 308 broiler chicken aged 14 days which were assigned to 6 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Within the treatment arrangement two concentrations of Camelina meal (0% and 3%) and three concentrations of Cr3+ (0, 200 and 400 µg/kg) were used. Dietary treatments were: (1) Control diet (C) containing a corn-soybean diet with no added Camelina meal or Cr3+; (2) a C diet containing an additional 200 µg/kg of Cr3+ as CrPic; (3) a C diet containing an additional 400 µg/kg of Cr3+ as CrPic; (4) a C diet containing an additional 3% Camelina meal; (5) diet 2 containing an additional 3% Camelina meal; (6) diet 3 containing an additional 3% Camelina meal. Chromium supplementation significantly (P<0.05) increased the CP concentrations and significantly (P<0.05) decreased the crude fat concentrations in breast samples. The Camelina meal groups presented higher values of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly n-3 fatty acids (P<0.05). In CrPic groups, increased retention of Zn and Fe (P < 0.05) was observed in breast samples, compared to control group, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values were significantly (P<0.05) smaller. Myoglobin fraction (metmyoglobin and oximyoglobin) concentrations differ significantly (P<0.05) from the control group, under the influence of Cr3+ supplements. This study found that broilers fed with CrPic supplements showed improved mineral composition and oxidative stability of breast meat, proving an effective protection of lipid molecules from oxidation in PUFA-enriched meat.

Therapy Side Effects in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Glucosteroids (GS) are widely used drugs for various inflammatory pathologies (Nephrotic syndrome, Proliferative glomerulonephritis, Extramembrane glomerulonephritis, Nephropathy of the Nodous Poliarterita (PAN), Nephropathy from purple Henoch-Schonlein, lupus nephropathy (LN), Acute adrenal insufficiency Waterhouse-Friederichsen, Chronic adrenal insufficiency Addison, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Polymyositis and dermatomyositis, Chronic granulomatosis, Crohn's disease, Hemorrhagic rectocolitis, Hemolytic anemias, Acute leukemias and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma). Although they are prescribed for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, they also have many side effects, hyperglycemia being one of the most common and representative, which is why these drugs need careful monitoring when administered over the long term. This paper presents the case of a 39 year old patient diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with class IV lupus nephropathy (LN) who developed numerous complications due to the pathogenic side effects: diabetes, amenorrhea, recurrent infections, and depression.

Left Pleuropericardial Cyst.

INTRODUCTION: Cysts of the mediastinum, which are benign masses, are usually detected by chance, and constitute a small but important diagnose group, representing 7 to 18% of all primary mediastinal tumors. Pleuropericardial cysts, located most frequently in the left anterior and inferior mediastinum, are identified in the fourth or fifth decade of life affecting females more than males with a sex ratio of 8:4. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We present the case of a 52 year old woman diagnosed with pericardial cyst located in the left cardiophrenic angle. CPP was rather big and was initially diagnosed as encysted pleurisy. Ultrasound guided exploratory thoracentesis was performed evacuating 300 ml "water spring" like fluid very scarce in cells. We further investigated our patient for differential diagnosis but the patient refused surgery and she is now managed conservatively with a close follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A pericardial cyst should always be suspected when a cystic lesion is detected in the mediastinum. Pleuropericardial cysts are usually suspected after an abnormal chest X-ray is obtained. If the patient is asymptomatic and the information provided by CT indicates a benign tumoral process suggestive for a pleuropericardial cyst, conservative management with careful follow-up is justified.

Lung Involvement in Multiple Myeloma - Case Study.

INTRODUCTION: Mutiple mieloma (MM) cells are rarely found in extramedullary sites. The sites of extramedullary dissemination reported in the literature are spleen, liver, lymph nodes, kidneys, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, ovary, tests, lung, pleura, pericardium, intestinal tract and skin. We report a case in which the myeloma was diagnosed after we discovered the presence of monoclonal plasma cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL). Matherial and method: a case in which diagnosis was established from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid demonstrating the presence of monoclonal plasma cells in Craiova Pneumology Departament. RESULTS: Analysis of BAL fluid for the presence of plasma cells and for cytoplasmic immunoglobulin DNA provides a noninvasive means of establishing the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary parenchyma is an uncommon site of extramedullary involvement in multiple myeloma. Interstitial lung disease as pulmonary manifestation of multiple myeloma is even rarer; only isolated cases with histological proofs have been reported in the literature.

Tuberculosis mesenteric adenopathy and polyserositis.

A 41-year-old female patient was admitted into Surgery Clinic accusing abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever and chills. Based on clinical, biological and imaging data, it was established a diagnosis of pelviperitonitis and it was initiated an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment. As fever and abdominal pain continued, it was decided to go on with surgery that revealed suppurated and perforated mesenteric adenopathy. Pus was sampled for bacteriological exam and also biopsy was performed for pathological exam. The result of pathological exam was suggestive for a specific granulomatous lesion (TB lesion). It was established diagnosis of TB mesenteric adenopathy and it was initiated specific anti-TB treatment according to WHO guidelines. After three, respectively five months of treatment, patient developed a right laterocervical adenopathy that fistulized in both cases, despite the correct treatment administered. No resistant TB strain and no atypical mycobacteria was discovered.

How relevant are in vivo and in vitro studies for clinical sepsis? A mathematical model of LPS signaling based on endotoxin tolerance.

The goal of this paper is to explain: (1) the low-level TNF-alpha concentration in some septic patients and (2) the relevance of the in vivo and in vitro models of endotoxin tolerance for the clinical sepsis. We hypothesized that the low level of TNF-alpha concentration in septic patients can be understood, at least in part, by two particularities of these patients: the kinetics of LPS plasma levels and the existence of a "endotoxin tolerance-like phenomenon" (a particular type of down regulation of LPS signaling). The kinetics of TNF-alpha, as expression of the cytokine releasing capacity, was modeled considering LPS as a command (function of time) and the existence of a brake system (a summation of the down regulating factors of LPS signaling). The mathematical model, based on Michaelis-Menten (Hill) equations, is a non-autonomous first-order differential system of two equations with two unknowns describing the dynamics of TNF-alpha concentration and of the brake system, LPS being considered as an input. To test the above model four scenarios concerning the LPS signaling were considered TNF-alpha dynamics 1) following a single LPS stimulus 2) in in vivo experiments 3) in in vitro experiments and 4) in clinical sepsis. Our hypothesis, that in LPS signaling the kinetics of LPS as well as the existence of an endotoxin-like phenomenon are crucial features, may explain the contradictory data obtained in in vitro, in vivo experimental studies and in sepsis patients.

Total cardiovascular risk estimation in Romania. Data from the SEPHAR study.

OBJECTIVE: of this sub-study was to assess the impact of major CV risk factors on mortality due to CV diseases among Romanian adult subjects using the SCORE System. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: In 2005, a survey for CV risk factors (SEPHAR) was performed in Romania involving 2017 subjects aged over 18 yrs, a representative sample for the Romanian adult population. Romania's area was divided into ten regions recommended by The National Commission of Statistics. We evaluated the relationship between gender, age, smoking status, systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol and cardiovascular risk. Ten year risk of fatal cardiovascular disease was estimated according to the SCORE (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation) System. RESULTS: Average total risk in Romanian adult population was 3.5%. Male population had a significantly higher risk than females (5.4% vs. 1.7%, p<0.01). About one fifth of subjects (20.7%) had a high risk > or = 5%. Four percent of subjects (all males) had a very high risk > or = 15%. The CV risk was relatively homogeneously distributed between Romania's geographic regions. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia as CV risk factor was high (40%), and also was the prevalence of high systolic blood pressure (36.6%). The prevalence of smoking was similar to other European countries (27%). CONCLUSION: Our study showed Romania as a country with a high cardiovascular risk, being also one of the regions in Europe with the highest CV risk.

[Variable pressure changes (+/-) in the anterior ischemia syndrome--the elements of a reserved prognosis in the surgery of retinal detachment]. / Modificari tensionale variabile (+/-) din sindromul de ischemie anteriora--elemente de prognostic nederivat în chirurgia dezlipirii de retina.

The authors show that the variations of intraocular hyper- and hypotension stand for a reserved prognosis in the evolution of the operated retina detachment. Likewise, they consider that the repeated operations in the retina detachment may lead to the syndrome of anterior ischemia, unfavourable to the visual function.

[Trends in automation at the ophthalmology clinic]. / Tendinte de automatizare în clinica oftalmologica.

The authors report on the automation of an ophthalmologic clinic that includes the following steps: a) electronic, information, automation networks in certain departments of the clinic; b) integration of all the important tasks in a system that ensures a certain functional framework to the clinic (electronic clinic); c) inclusion of the ophthalmologic clinic in an all-country information specialty system; d) establishment of international information links in the field of ophthalmology.

[The 1987/1988 new developments in drug therapy in ophthalmology]. / Actualitati 1987/1988 în terapia medicamentoasa în oftalmologie.

The authors present some of the most important data in medicamentous therapy in ophthalmology.