The effects of essential oil from Lippia origanoides and herbal betaine on performance, intestinal integrity, bone mineralization and meat quality in broiler chickens subjected to cyclic heat stress.

Essential oils (EO) affect performance, intestinal integrity, bone mineralization, and meat quality in broiler chickens subjected to cyclic heat stress (HS). Day-of-hatch Cobb 500 male broiler chicks (n = 475) were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1: No heat stress (Thermoneutral) + control diets with no antibiotics; Group 2: heat stress control + control diets; Group 3: heat stress + control diets supplemented with thymol chemotype (45 ppm) and herbal betaine (150 ppm) formulation EO1; Group 4: heat stress + control diets supplemented with phellandrene (45 ppm) and herbal betaine (150 ppm) formulation EO2. From day 10-42, the heat stress groups were exposed to cyclic HS at 35°C for 12 h (8:00-20:00). BW, BWG, FI, and FCRc were measured at d 0, 10, 28, and 42. Chickens were orally gavaged with FITC-d on days 10 (before heat stress) and 42. Morphometric analysis of duodenum and ileum samples and bone mineralization of tibias were done. Meat quality was assessed on day 43 with ten chickens per pen per treatment. Heat stress reduced BW by day 28 (p < 0.05) compared to thermoneutral chickens. At the end of the trial, chickens that received both formulations of EO1 and EO2 had significantly higher BW than HS control chickens. A similar trend was observed for BWG. FCRc was impaired by EO2 supplementation. There was a significant increase in total mortality in EO2 compared with EO1 EO1 chickens had lower FITC-d concentrations at day 42 than the HS control. In addition, EO1 treatment is not statistically different if compared to EO2 and thermoneutral. Control HS broilers had significantly lower tibia breaking strength and total ash at day 42 than heat-stressed chickens supplemented with EO1 and EO2. Heat stress affected intestinal morphology more than thermoneutral chickens. EO1 and EO2 improved intestinal morphology in heat-stressed chickens. Woody breast and white striping were more common in thermoneutral chickens than heat stress chickens. In conclusion, the EO-containing diet could improve broiler chicken growth during cyclic heat stress, becoming increasingly relevant in antibiotic-free production in harsh climates.

Evaluation of Three Formulations of Essential Oils in Broiler Chickens under Cyclic Heat Stress.

The objective of the present research was to assess the dietary supplementation of three formulations of essential oils (EO) in chickens under heat stress (HS). Day-of-hatch Cobb 500 chicks (n = 500) were randomly distributed into four groups: 1. HS control + control diets; 2. HS + control diets supplemented with 37 ppm EO of Lippia origanoides (LO); 3. HS + control diets supplemented with 45 ppm LO + 45 ppm EO of Rosmarinus officinalis (RO) + 300 ppm red beetroot; 4. HS + 45 ppm LO + 45 ppm RO + 300 ppm natural betaine. Chickens that received the EO showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement on BW, BWG, FI, and FCR compared to control HS chickens. Average body core temperature in group 3 and group 4 was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced compared with the HS control group and group 2. Experimental groups showed a significant reduction in FITC-d at 42 days, a significant increase in SOD at both days but a significant reduction of IFN-γ and IgA compared with HS control (p < 0.05). Bone mineralization was significantly improved by EO treatments (p < 0.05). Together these data suggest that supplemental dietary EO may reduce the harmful effects of HS.

Feed additives for the control of post-weaning Streptococcus suis disease and the effect on the faecal and nasal microbiota.

Medicated feed is a common strategy to control the occurrence of Streptococcus suis disease in swine production, but feed additives may constitute an alternative to metaphylaxis. In a farm with post-weaning S. suis disease, the following additives were tested: lysozyme (Lys), medium chain fatty acids plus lysozyme (FA + Lys), FA plus a natural anti-inflammatory (FA + antiinf) and amoxicillin (Amox). During the course of the study, FA + antiinf and Amox groups showed lower prevalence of clinical signs compatible with S. suis disease than the rest of the groups. Piglets from the FA + antiinf group showed high diversity and richness in their nasal and faecal microbiota. Diet supplements did not have major effects on the faecal microbiota, where the genus Mitsuokella was the only differentially present in the FA + Lys group. In the nasal microbiota, piglets from FA + antiinf presented higher differential abundance of a sequence variant from Ruminococcaceae and lower abundance of an unclassified genus from Weeksellaceae. In general, we detected more significant changes in the nasal than in the feacal microbiota, and found that parity of the dams affected the microbiota composition of their offspring, with piglets born to gilts exhibiting lower richness and diversity. Our results suggest that additives could be useful to control post-weaning disease when removing antimicrobials in farms.

Effect of Ultrasound on In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) Residues cv. Tupy.

Agro-industries residues of fruit are a source of antioxidant compounds with a possible health impact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), individual phenolic compounds (IPC), antioxidant capacity and in vitro intestinal bioaccessibility from blackberry residues (BR), and ultrasonicated blackberry residues (US-BR). The results showed that BR had higher TPC (4,016.43 mg GAE/100 g DM), TMA (364.53 mg Cy-3-Gl/100 g) antioxidant capacity by ABTS (5,422.38 mg AAE/100 g DM) and FRAP (12511.44 µmol Fe(II)/100 g DM) than US-BR. TPC and TMA obtained by US-BR were more bioaccessible (70 and 51%, respectively) compared to BR (37 and 34%, respectively). The use of ultrasound can aid the extraction of total phenolic compounds and improve their bioaccessibility. After acid hydrolysis, a high amount of individual phenolic compounds (IPC) in US-BR (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, apigenin, luteolin and kaempferol) was obtained compared with BR. Before in vitro digestion, total individual compounds (TIC) content was lower in the BR (29.49 mg/100 g DM) than US-BR (92.36 mg/100 g DM) and there was 5 and < 1%, respectively. Therefore, the food industry would use residues of blackberry fruits as a source of antioxidant compounds with possible health benefits.

Ethanolic Extract of Salvia hispanica L. Regulates Blood Pressure by Modulating the Expression of Genes Involved in BP-Regulatory Pathways.

Hypertension (HT) is considered to be a potential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and has been directly related to pathologies such as obesity and dyslipidemias. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) blocked the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone cascade diminishing the production of angiotensin II and the level of bradykinin, produced by the kallikrein-kinin system. Although ACEIs are effective therapeutics in regulating HT, they present several side-effects that can be due to their mechanism of action (as hypotension, cough, dizziness, light-headedness or hyperkalemia) to specific drug molecular structure (skin rash, neutropenia and tasting disorders) or due to associated pathologies in the patients (it has been considered a possible nephrotoxic effect when ACEIs are administered in combination with angiotensin receptor blockers, in patients that present comorbidities as diabetes, acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease). Therefore, it is necessary the searching for new products with ACEI activity that do not produce side effects. Interestingly, species of the plant genus Salvia have been found to possess hypotensive effects. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of the ethanolic extract of Salvia hispanica L. seeds (EESH) on the expression of genes involved in pathways regulating HT. Administration of EESH to hypertensive rats inhibited the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity along with a decrease in Ace and elevation of Agtr1a and Nos3 gene expression, as compared to that in healthy rats. Moreover, these results were similar to those observed with captopril, an antihypertensive drug used as a control. No significant change in the expression of Bdkrb2 gene was observed in the different groups of rats. To conclude, our results demonstrate that EESH regulates blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive rats through transcriptionally regulating the expression of genes that participate in different pathways involving ACE.

Protección antioxidante de zarzamora para disminuir daño muscular en atletas de elite / Proteção antioxidante da amora-preta para reduzir danos musculares em atletas de elite / Blackberry antioxidant protection to prevent muscle damage in elite athletes

La actividad física de alta intensidad o competencia puede generar daño muscular pudiendo afectar el rendimiento de los atletas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar si los antioxidantes presentes en la zarzamora favorecen el proceso de recuperación sobre el daño muscular en atletas a través de la cuantificación de creatincinasa (CK) y urea tras una semana de competencia. Se evaluó la CK y urea en plasma del grupo experimental (GE) y un grupo placebo (GP), en las siguientes etapas: (basal) previo a la ingesta del jugo, (pre) al inicio de la competencia, (final) al final de la competencia, (24h), (48h) y (72h) finalizado el último partido. En relación a la CK, se observaron diferencias significativas en el GE en las etapas de pre y la final con respecto a la basal (p < 0.05), en la toma final con respecto a la pre (p < 0.05) y en la toma 48h y 72h con relación a la final (p < 0.05). En el GP únicamente se encontraron diferencias significativas (p < 0.05) entre las tomas 48h y 72h con relación a la final. En la concentración de urea se presentó diferencia en las tomas final, 24h y 48 h con relación a la pre (p < 0.05), en el GP no hubo diferencias significativas en ninguna de las tomas. Estos resultados sugieren que el consumo de zarzamora contribuye a la recuperación del daño muscular (AU)

High intensity physical activity can provoke muscle damage and consequently affect athletes’ performance. The aim of this study was to determine if antioxidants contained in blackberry can stimulate athletes’ processes of recovery from muscle damage, using Creatine Kinase (CK) quantification and urea values after a week of competition as indicators. Participants were divided into an experimental (EG) and a placebo group (CG). In both groups, CK and urea in plasma were measured before, during and after competition. Significant differences were observed in EG at pre and post phases, compared to the basal (p < 0.05). Further, significant differences were found in the pre-post analysis of EG (p < 0.05), as well as after 48h and 72h compared with post-test (p < 0.05). Significant differences were also found for CG (p < 0.05) at 48h and 72h compared to post-test. As regard to urea concentration, differences were shown at post-test, after 24h, and after 48h compared to pre-test (p < 0.05). CG showed no significant differences at any stage of the research. These results suggest that consumption of blackberries may contribute to muscle damage recovery (AU)

A atividade física de alta intensidade ou a competição pode levar a lesão muscular e pode afetar o desempenho dos atletas. O objectivo deste estudo foi determinar se antioxidantes presentes na amora-preta favorecem o processo de recuperação de danos musculares em atletas através da quantificação da creatina quinase (CK) e ureia após uma semana de competição. CK e ureia foi avaliada no plasma do grupo experimental (GE) e um grupo de placebo (GP), nos seguintes passos: (linha de base) antes da ingestão de sumo, (pré) no início da competição (final) para final da competição, (24h), (48h) e (72h) no término o último jogo. No que diz respeito a CK, tiveram diferenças significativas no GE no pré e último em relação ao basal (p< .05), na ingestão final sobre a pré (p < .05) e na ingestão 48h e 72h em relação à final (p < .05). No GP unicamente foram encontradas diferenças significativas (p < .05) entre as ingestões 48h e 72h em relação à final. Na concentração de ureia apareceu uma diferença nas ingestões finais, 24h e 48 h em relação ao pré (p < .05) no GP não houve diferenças significativas em nenhumas das ingestões. Estes resultados sugerem que o consumo de amorapreta contribui para a recuperação de lesões musculares (AU)

[Vitamin D deficiency associated with insulin resistance in medical residents]. / Hipovitaminosis D asociada a resistencia a la insulina en residentes médicos.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and insulin resistance; however, other clinical trials show that vitamin D supplementation do not normalize glucose and insulin levels. We designed a study to show if there is a correlation between serum vitamin D and the homeostatic model assessment 2 (HOMA 2). METHODS: It was designed a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study, which included medical residents. They answered a questionnaire to record the time of sun exposure. We took anthropometric measurements, such as weight, height, and waist circumference, as well as some serum levels: serum vitamin D, serum insulin, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. The correlation between serum vitamin D and HOMA 2 was determined by the correlation of Pearson; it was considered significant a p < 0.05. RESULTS: The decreased serum vitamin D levels did not correlate with high concentrations of HOMA 2 (r = -0.11, p = 0.34). A negative correlation between vitamin D levels and index size waist was observed (r = -0.27, p = 0.025). HOMA 2 was positively correlated with waist size index (r = 0.23, p = 0.05) and triglycerides (r = 0.61, p = 0.01) and negatively with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (r = -0.26, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We couldn't show the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and insulin resistance.

Introducción: diversos estudios han reportado una correlación entre la deficiencia de vitamina D y la resistencia a la insulina; sin embargo, algunos ensayos clínicos demuestran que la suplementación con vitamina D no normaliza las cifras de glucosa ni las de insulina. Por lo tanto, el objetivo es buscar si existe correlación entre las concentraciones séricas de vitamina D y la resistencia a la insulina a partir de la utilización del índice homeostatic model assessment 2 (HOMA 2). Método: estudio transversal, descriptivo y analítico que incluyó a residentes a los que se les aplicó un cuestionario para conocer su tiempo de exposición al sol. Se tomaron medidas antropométricas como peso, talla y circunferencia de cintura, niveles séricos de vitamina D, insulina sérica, glucosa de ayuno, triglicéridos y colesterol de alta densidad. Se determinó la correlación entre las concentraciones séricas de vitamina D y HOMA 2 mediante el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson; se consideró significativa una p < 0.05. Resultados: la disminución sérica de vitamina D no se correlacionó con concentraciones elevadas del HOMA 2 (r = −0.11, p = 0.34). Se observó una correlación negativa entre las concentraciones de vitamina D y el índice cintura-talla (r = −0.27, p = 0.025). El HOMA 2 se correlacionó positivamente con el índice cintura-talla (r = 0.23, p = 0.05) y los triglicéridos (r = 0.61, p = 0.01) y de forma negativa con el colesterol de alta densidad (r = −0.26, p = 0.02). Conclusión: no observamos la correlación esperada entre hipovitaminosis D y resistencia a la insulina.

Management of patients with chronic pelvic pain associated with endometriosis refractory to conventional treatment.

The literature contains numerous studies on the diagnosis, pathogenesis, atypical locations, and clinical (hormonal) and surgical management of the disorder. However, no information is available on the management of endometriosis involving pain refractory to the usual treatment from the perspective of a pain unit. Our hospital has a pain unit specifically dedicated to pain in gynecology and obstetrics. The unit has been functioning since December 2005, and 52% of the attended patients have CPP of different origins. Endometriosis is present in 48% of all patients with CPP and is the most prevalent pathology in our practice. It moreover poses an important challenge in view of its enormous complexity. A descriptive study was made of the management of 44 patients with endometriosis refractory to therapy, evaluated and treated over a period of 3 years in the Pain Unit of the Maternity Center of La Paz University Hospital (Madrid, Spain).

Culture of microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in wastewater for biomass feedstock production.

The objective of this research was to develop large-scale technologies to produce oil-rich algal biomass from wastewater. The experiments were conducted using Erlenmeyer flasks and biocoil photobioreactor. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was grown in artificial media and wastewaters taken from three different stages of the treatment process, namely, influent, effluent, and centrate. Each of wastewaters contained different levels of nutrients. The specific growth rate of C. reinhardtii in different cultures was monitored over a period of 10 days. The biomass yield of microalgae and associated nitrogen and phosphorous removal were evaluated. Effects of CO(2) and pH on the growth were also studied. The level of nutrients greatly influenced algae growth. High levels of nutrients seem to inhibit algae growth in the beginning, but provided sustained growth to a high degree. The studies have shown that the optimal pH for C. reinhardtii is in the range of 7.5. An injection of air and a moderate amount of CO(2) promoted algae growth. However, too much CO(2) inhibited algae growth due to a significant decrease in pH. The experimental results showed that algal dry biomass yield reached a maximum of 2.0 g L(-1) day(-1) in the biocoil. The oil content of microalgae of C. reinhardtii was 25.25% (w/w) in dry biomass weight. In the biocoil, 55.8 mg nitrogen and 17.4 mg phosphorus per liter per day were effectively removed from the centrate wastewater. Ferric chloride was found to be an effective flocculent that helps the algae settle for easy harvest and separation from the culture media.

Utilidad de la terapia neural en sepsis de conductos radiculares 2008-2009: Policlínico Tipo III / Usefulness of neural therapy in sepsis of radicular ducts: 2008-2009: Policlinical tipo lll

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-prospectivo en 50 pacientes, con diagnóstico confirmado de absceso alveolar agudo en dientes anteriores en el periodo comprendido de septiembre 2008 a marzo del 2009 a los cuales se le aplicó Terapia Neural con el objetivo de identificar la utilidad de la Terapia Neural en el tratamiento de la sepsis en conductos radiculares, se obtuvo la información a través de encuestas y cuestionarios realizados por el autor que incluyeron variables: sexos, edades, los números absolutos y las tasas como medidas se plasmaron en tablas, se observó como dato relevante que el 98 por ciento de los casos fue evaluados de bueno con solo 1 ó 2 sesiones de aplicación del neural terapéutico, arribando a la conclusión de que la Terapia Neural es más rápida y efectiva en el alivio del dolor, inflamación y secreción en conductos radiculares. Se recomienda difundir la aplicación y ventajas de dicho método con el fin de adquirir conocimientos más profundos y aplicarlos a cualquier desequilibrio en el organismo humano(AU)

It was performed a descriptive, prospective research in 50 patients with confirmed diagnosis of acute alveolar abscess in anterior teeth during the period from September 2007 to 2008, to whom there was applied neural therapy to prove its usefulness for the treatment of sepsis in radicular ducts. The information was gathered by means of surveys and questionnaires developed by the author who had included some variables like: sex, age, absolute numbers, and the rates were evidenced in tables. It was observed as a relevant data that the 98 percent of the cases were good with just one or two sections of the application of neural therapy, concluding that this therapy is faster and more effective to release pain, inflammation and secretion of radicular ducts(EU)