Effect of using a flax seed enriched concentrate on the fatty acid composition of omental fat in Pramenka lambs reared indoors.

This study was intended to determine the effect of adding flax seeds to a concentrate for lamb fattening on the fatty acid composition of the omental fat depot in Pramenka lambs reared indoors. A total of 63 lambs (10±3 kg of live body weight, 30±7 days of age, 30 males and 33 females) were used. They were divided into two groups: a control (CON) fed on hay, ewe's milk, and a 300-g daily ration of a commercial concentrate, and an experimental group (FS) fed on hay, ewe's milk and 300 g/day of the concentrate enriched with 5% of flax seeds. After a 60-day fattening period for each group, 10 lambs (5 males and 5 females) were selected and omental fat samples were analysed for fatty acid composition. Highly significant differences (p⟨0.001) were found between CON and FS in α-linolenic acid, the sum of n-3 fatty acids, and the ratio n-6/n-3 fatty acids. The effect of sex on the fatty acid content in the fat depot was only significant for C20:0 fatty acid (p⟨0.05).

Effects of sunflower soap stocks on light lamb meat quality.

Thirty-two lambs were used to study the effect of sunflower soap stocks (SS), a by-product from the vegetable oil refinery industry, on meat chemical composition, fatty acid profile, volatile compounds, and consumer acceptability. Lambs were finished (average length of fattening period 35 ± 7.3 d, 26.8 ± 0.09 kg final BW) on a pelleted total mixed ration (TMR) with no SS (00SS) or including 15, 30 or 60 g SS/kg (15SS, 30SS, and 60SS, respectively). Sunflower soap stocks decreased the percentage of SFA, increased the proportion of -MUFA ( < 0.05), and modified the levels of several odor-active lipid-derived volatile compounds ( 0.05). Consumers were able to distinguish between control and 15SS meat samples in a triangular test ( < 0.05), but a well-defined preference for meat of any of these treatments was not exhibited ( > 0.05). Atherogenicity and saturation indexes decreased by 31% and 27%, respectively, in SS groups compared to control (linear 0.05). However, certain volatile compounds (benzene and toluene) and 10-18:1 fatty acid, known potential hazards for human health, were increased in meat from lambs fed TMR with SS. For this reason, only inclusion rates up to 15 g SS/kg TMR seem to sustain a satisfactory balance between beneficial and detrimental effects on lamb meat composition and quality.

The effect of quercetin dietary supplementation on meat oxidation processes and texture of fattening lambs.

Thirty two lambs were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) formulated either with palm oil (CTRL; 34 g palm oil kg(-1) TMR) or whole flaxseed (+FS, 85 g flaxseed kg(-1) TMR) alone or enriched with quercetin (+QCT, 34 g palm oil plus 2 g quercetin kg(-1) TMR; +FS+QCT, 85 g flaxseed plus 2 g quercetin kg(-1) TMR). Dietary flaxseed did not affect, in a significant manner, the lipid peroxidation of meat samples. Quercetin treatment reduced oxysterol content (P<0.05) after 7 days of refrigerated storage of fresh meat, but did not affect significantly (P>0.05) the level of lipid-derived volatiles in the headspace of the light-exposed stored cooked meat. Sensory evaluation showed flaxseed as being responsible for a negative effect on meat flavour, probably associated with a modification of the fatty acid profile whereas, unexpectedly, quercetin seemed to worsen meat tenderisation.

Clinicopathological risk factors of Stage II colon cancer: results of a prospective study.

AIM: Adjuvant 5-fluorouracil based chemotherapy has demonstrated benefit in Stage III colon cancer but still remains controversial in Stage II. The aim of this study was to analyse the prognostic impact of clinicopathological factors that may help guide treatment decisions in Stage II colon cancer. METHOD: Between 1996 and 2006 data from patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer at Hospital Universitari Bellvitge and its referral comprehensive cancer centre Institut Català d'Oncologia/L'Hospitalet were prospectively included in a database. We identified 432 patients with Stage II colon cancer operated on at Hospital Universitari Bellvitge. The 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) and colon-cancer-specific survival (CCSS) were determined. RESULTS: The 5-year RFS and CCSS were 83% and 88%, respectively. Lymphovascular or perineural invasion was associated with RFS [hazard ratio (HR) 1.84; 95% CI 1.01-3.35]. Gender (women, HR 0.48; 95% CI 0.23-1) and lymphovascular or perineural invasion (HR 3.51; 95% CI 1.86-6.64) together with pT4 (HR 2.79; 95% CI 1.44-5.41) influenced CCSS. In multivariate analysis pT4 and lymphovascular or perineural invasion remained significantly associated with CCSS. We performed a risk index with these factors with prognostic impact. Patients with pT4 tumours and lymphovascular or perineural invasion had a 5-year CCSS of 61%vs the 93% (HR 5.87; 95 CI 2.46-13.97) of those without any of these factors. CONCLUSION: pT4 and lymphatic, venous or perineural invasion are confirmed as significant prognostic factors in Stage II colon cancer and should be taken into account in the clinical validation process of new molecular prognostic factors.

Silibinin inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 signalling pathway in human cervical and hepatoma cancer cells: implications for anticancer therapy.

The hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) plays a critical role for tumour adaptation to microenvironmental hypoxia, and represents an appealing chemotherapeutic target. Silibinin is a nontoxic flavonoid reported to exhibit anticancer properties. However, the mechanisms by which silibinin inhibits tumour growth are not fully understood. In this study, silibinin was found to inhibit hypoxia-induced HIF-1alpha accumulation and HIF-1 transcriptional activity in human cervical (HeLa) and hepatoma (Hep3B) cells. Neither HIF-1alpha protein degradation rate nor HIF-1alpha steady-state mRNA level was affected by silibinin. Rather, we found that suppression of HIF-1alpha accumulation by silibinin correlated with strong dephosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its effectors ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein-1 (4E-BP1), a pathway known to regulate HIF-1alpha expression at the translational level. Silibinin also activated Akt, a mechanistic feature exhibited by established mTOR inhibitors in many tumour cells. Moreover, silibinin reduced hypoxia-induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release by HeLa and Hep3B cells, and this effect was potentiated by the PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002. Finally, silibinin was found to be a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation. These results show that silibinin is an effective inhibitor of HIF-1 and provide new perspectives into the mechanism of its anticancer activity.

Sugars and amino acids as factors affecting the synthesis of fumonisins in liquid cultures by isolates of the Gibberella fujikuroi complex.

The capacity of four isolates belonging to the Gibberella fujikuroi complex to produce fumonisin B1 and fumonisin B2 when grown in liquid medium supplemented with one sugar and one amino acid at various concentration levels has been investigated. The sugars used for supplementing the medium were glucose, fructose, rhamnose, sucrose, maltose, and trehalose at 5, 10 or 20 g/l. The amino acids used were serine, threonine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, valine, isoleucine, methionine, glycine, alanine, and cystine at 1 or 10 g/l. Fumonisins were extracted from culture filtrates, purified by SAX column and determined by reversed-phase C18 HPLC with fluorescence detection of the o-phthaldialdehyde derivatives. Two isolates produced very low concentrations of fumonisins with all sugars. The remaining isolates provided increased contents of fumonisins when sugar level increased. Concerning the amino acids, production of fumonisins was also dependent on the isolate, although at 1 g/l, the production of fumonisins was greater than at 10 g/l. The results indicate that the sugar-amino acid-isolate combination is basic in fumonisin biosynthesis and that the particular behaviour of each isolate in the different nutritional conditions may constitute a piece of interesting information in the fields of the Taxonomy, Physiology and Toxicology of these fungi. This is the first report on the influence of the carbon and nitrogen sources on fumonisin production by isolates of the G. fujikuroi complex.

Nuestra Técnica de Aumento Mamario con Descenso Asimétrico del Surco Submamario / Personal Technique in Augmentative Mammoplasty with Assimetric Lowering of the Inframammary Fold

Presentamos en este trabajo nuestra experiencia en la cirugía de aumento mamario a través de un protocolo en el que intentamos definir los parámetros anatómico-estéticos que pensamos son imprescindibles conocer si queremos crear unas mamas estéticas empleando implantes de silicona para aumentar su volumen. Basamos nuestros resultados en la importancia de una correcta disección submuscular para crear un "macrobolsillo" que, rebasando ampliamente los límites de inserción del músculo pectoral mayor, se extienda también bajo otros músculos sobre los que se asienta la glándula mamaria, y en el apropiado descenso del surco inframamario para mantener la posición centrada del complejo pezón-areola como punto focal de la mama. Explicamos también nuestra sistemática de cuidados en el postoperatorio, que nos ayudarán a mantener la amplitud del macrobolsillo submuscular y a evitar la aparición de contractura capsular (AU)

Distrofia muscular de cinturas 2C: valoración y tratamiento rehabilitador en 11 casos / Limbs-girdle muscular dystrophy (2C): assessment and rehabilitation treatment in 11 cases

La distrofia muscular de cinturas 2C es un cuadro severo de distrofia muscular, de herencia autosómica recesiva, causada por la ausencia de la proteína *-sarcoglicano. Se describe la clínica y el tratamiento rehabilitador llevado a cabo en once pacientes (cinco mujeres y seis varones, entre seis y 18 años de edad) con este padecimiento. En los seis pacientes en etapa ambulatoria se prescribió un programa de hidroterapia y de flexibilización articular domiciliaria, de participación en actividades aeróbicas, así como de uso de ortesis tobillo-pie cuando se detectó limitación de la flexión dorsal del tobillo o inestabilidad subastragalina mediolateral. En los cinco pacientes en etapa no ambulatoria se prescribió silla de ruedas, de propulsión manual o eléctrica con sistema de asiento especial y bipedestación asistida durante dos horas al día. Tres pacientes necesitaron ortesis de tronco para mejorar su equilibrio postural e intentar enlentecer la deformidad raquídea presentada, en espera de artrodesis (AU)

Functional expression of a cDNA encoding a human ecto-ATPase.

1 The metabolism of extracellular nucleotides plays an important role in nucleotide signalling mediated by P2 receptors. The nucleotide sequence encoding a putative human ecto-ATPase named CD39L1 was reported recently. However, the biological activity of this protein has not been established. 2 Based on the sequence of CD39L1 we isolated from mRNA from human ECV-304 cells a sequence encoding a 495 amino acid protein that is identical to CD39L1, with the exception that this sequence contains a 23 amino acid stretch in the putative extracellular loop that is missing in CD39L1. Partial sequence of a genomic DNA clone indicates that the CD39L1 gene corresponds to an alternative spliced form of the human ecto-ATPase. 3 Stable expression of isolated sequence in NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblasts conferred a marked nucleotide hydrolytic activity consistent with the activity of an ecto-ATPase. 4 The human ecto-ATPase hydrolyzed all naturally occurring nucleoside triphosphates in a Ca(2+)- or Mg(2+)-dependent manner. Nucleoside diphosphates were hydrolyzed at a rate approximately 5% of that of the corresponding triphosphates. The apparent Km and Vmax values were: 394+/-62 microM and 107+/-7 nmol Pi min-1 10(6) cells-1 for the hydrolysis of ATP, and 102+/-33 microM and 4+/-0.4 nmol Pi min-1 10(6) cells-1 for the hydrolysis of ADP, respectively. 5 In conclusion, we report here the cloning and functional expression of a human ecto-ATPase. The study of the biochemical properties and the regulatory mechanisms of ecto-ATPases of defined sequence will be valuable in the definition of their role in nucleotide signalling.

[Isolated thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Etiopathogenic study and therapeutic approach in 60 patients]. / Trombocitopenia aislada en el curso de la gestación. Estudio etiopatogénico y actitud terapéutica en 60 pacientes.

BACKGROUND: We analyze the etiopathogenesis and clinical and immunohematological characteristics of 60 pregnant women with isolated thrombocytopenia (TP) (platelet count < 150 x 10(9)/l); and the frequency of TP and hemorrhagic complications in their newborn. We suggest the therapeutic approach for each maternal TP type. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed: clinical history, platelet count (EDTA K3, sodium citrate, microscopic exam) and investigation of antiplatelet antibodies (immunofluorescence) in all pregnant women. A familial history and ultrastructure of platelets were studied when hereditary macrothrombocytopenia (HM) was suspected. A Levine's test of homogenicity of variances was applied to compare the mean platelet count in each diagnostic group. A linear regression between maternal and newborn platelet counts was performed. RESULTS: In 37 thrombocytopenic women (62%) no antiplatelet antibodies were found, and the clinical history was negative for previous TP or abnormal bleeding. Four patients (7%) were diagnosed as pseudothrombocytopenia EDTA-mediated, and eight (13%) of HM. Finally, an autoimmune etiology was suspected in 11 women (18%) and antiplatelet antibodies were detected in 9. Mean platelet counts of mother with immune TP did not show statistically significant differences with other diagnostic groups. Abnormal bleeding was not observed in any patient or newborn. There was no correlation between platelet counts of mothers and newborns. Platelet count obtained by skull bone punction led to unnecessary caesarians in four cases. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of immune thrombocytopenia in pregnant women is low (18%). There is a high prevalence of benign TP (62%). The pseudothrombocytopenias and HM are frequent findings (20%), and special care is advisable in these cases to avoid unnecessary therapeutic procedures.

[Indications for the use of platelets, plasma and anti-hemorrhagic drugs]. / Indicaciones para el uso de plaquetas, plasma y fármacos antihemorrágicos.

During the last years, the use of hemoderivatives has largely increased. Their use carries a high risk for post-transfusion reactions and for transmission of severe infectious diseases. In a high percentage of cases the use of these compounds is inadequate. At the present time there are pharmacologic (desmopressin, antifibrinolytics, vitamin K) and nonpharmacologic strategies (autotransfusion, hemodilution, intra and postoperative recovery of blood) directed to avoid or to decrease the need for transfusion. We review all these strategies and we propose some criteria for transfusion of plasma and platelets, as well as attitudes for particular situations.

Utilization of casein or isolated soybean protein supplemented with amino acids and glucose or lactose by neonatal piglets reared artificially.

Forty-five neonatal pigs were used to compare the utilization of casein plus L-tryptophan (Try) and L-arginine (Arg) and of isolated soybean protein (ISP) plus DL--methionine (Met), L-lysine (Lys) and Try, with either glucose or lactose used as the carbohydrate source, from 1 to 29 days of age. A reference diet containing dried skim milk and soybean meal proteins was utilized. No interaction (P greater than .05) occurred between protein and carbohydrate sources. The diets containing lactose or glucose produced similar pig perforamnce, nutrient digestibility and serum levels of glucose, protein and urea nitrogen from 1 to 29 days of age. However, pigs fed the diet containing casein had higher (P less than .05) average daily gain and higher gain to feed ratios from 1 to 15 days of age than did pigs fed the diet containing ISP, while both groups were similar in performance from 15 to 29 days of age. Ether extract, crude protein, energy, ash and dry matter digestibilities and serum levels of protein were greater (P less than .05) for pigs fed the diets containing casein than for those fed the diets containing ISP. Nitrogen free extract digestibility and serum glucose and urea nitrogen were similar for pigs fed the diets containing casein or ISP. The diets that the pigs received from 1 to 29 days of age did not influence their subsequent nursery performance from 29 to 64 days of age, when all groups were fed the same diet. These results indicate that casein plus Try and Arg was superior to isolated soybean protein plus Met, Lys and Try as a source of protein for the baby pig from 1 to 15 days of age, while both protein sources produced similar perforamnce from 15 to 29 days of age.