Feasibility of a novel neurofeedback system: a parallel randomized single-blinded pilot study.

Neurocognitive assessment tools have been proposed to optimize, maintain, and improve perceptual-cognitive performance. Here, we investigated the feasibility and efficacy of a novel neurofeedback system, neuroMoon (nM), on cognitive abilities compared with one of the most popular perceptual-cognitive training (PCT) tools both in sports and rehabilitation called NeuroTracker (NT). Thirty-one young athletes performed a comprehensive battery of cognitive tests from the Vienna Test System before and after a 12-session computer-based cognitive training program using nM (n = 11, age 22.6 ± 3.8 years), nM sham (CON, n = 10, age 20.3 ± 1.2 years) or NT (n = 10, age 20.5 ± 1.7 years) device. A series of repeated-measures ANOVA was performed to detect changes in cognitive abilities in response to the training. Participants had faster median reaction time in both the color-naming and word-reading conditions of the Stroop test (all p < 0.005), regardless of group. Regarding the task switching test, statistical analysis indicated faster working time and mean reaction time of the incongruent stimuli, repetition task, and shifting task (all p < 0.005), nevertheless, these changes were also regardless of group. In addition, we found fewer omitted (pre: 17.5 ± 8.3, post: 6.4 ± 1.5, d = 1.311) and more correct (pre: 261.6 ± 36.1, post: 278.6 ± 38.7, d = - 1.020) post-intervention answers in the determination test, regardless of group. Finally, participants in each group performed the digit span backward test with larger post (6.42 ± 1.54) vs. pre (5.55 ± 1.43) scores following the PCT (d = - 0.801). Overall, PCT with nM as compared with NT induced similar results in cognitive abilities suggesting its potential to be used to achieve and maintain better mental performance. However, considering that the sham stimulation also induced similar improvements in cognitive abilities, future studies should clearly determine the cognitive measures that could benefit from NF training.

The antioxidant effectiveness of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) extract administered as dietary supplementation and/or as a burger additive in rabbit meat.

The present research studied the effect of liquorice extract (in feed and/or directly in burgers) on the shelf-life of rabbit meat. Before weaning, 28 individually caged rabbit does with their litters were divided in two dietary groups: Control, receiving a commercial diet, and Liquorice, receiving the Control diet supplemented with 6 g liquorice extract/kg (L). At 12 weeks of age, 15 fattened rabbits/treatment (one rabbit/cage) were slaughtered and their hindlegs dissected. Hindleg meat was trimmed, individually minced and divided into two parts: one of them was mixed with 0.25% (w/w) L. Storage time significantly reduced the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the burger, to a different magnitude depending on the unsaturation level, experimental group and storage time. The α-tocopherol content showed higher levels during storage in the burgers from the Liquorice group. Also TBARs values showed a significant positive effect of dietary liquorice and a progressive increase at days 3 and 6 of storage.

Supplementing growing rabbit diets with chestnut hydrolyzable tannins: Effect on meat quality and oxidative status, nutrient digestibilities, and content of tannin metabolites.

The study investigated the effect of dietary inclusion of chestnut hydrolyzable tannin (CHT) in growing rabbit diets on nutrients digestibility, quality and oxidative status of meat, and content of tannin metabolites. At weaning, rabbits were assigned to 5 dietary groups (n = 72 rabbits/diet): control medication-free (Co), control with coccidiostat (Cc), and T200, T400 and T600 (diets supplemented with 200, 400 and 600 g/100 kg CHT extract). Sixteen carcasses/treatment were considered and hindleg meat and Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle were used for analyses. L*a*b* color values, water holding capacity, Warner Bratzler shear force, haem iron content, oxidative status and nutritional quality were unaffected by dietary treatments. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated FA (MUFA) in LTL meat were higher in T600 than Cc rabbits (P < .05), even though no differences were found for SFA and MUFA digestibility. Contrarily, polyunsaturated FA digestibility was lower in T400 and T600 than Co rabbits. No tannin metabolites traces were found in rabbit meat. Results of the present study showed that feeding CHT did not improve rabbit meat quality.

Effect of diet and packaging system on the oxidative status and polyunsaturated fatty acid content of rabbit meat during retail display.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of two dietary lipid sources (sunflower vs. linseed oil) and three packaging methods (PVC film - BAG vs. modified atmosphere CO2 20% + 80% O2 - MAP vs. and vacuum - VAC) on the oxidative status and polyunsaturated fatty acid content of rabbit loins (Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle), at days 1, 4 and 10 of simulated retail display. The diet, storage time and packaging method affected the oxidative status of rabbit meat under retail display. As expected, storage time, independently on the other factors, significantly reduced the antioxidant content of loin meat. Accordingly, TBARs values significantly increased during storage, as well as the dietary supplementation of linseed. The fatty acid profile of the fresh loin closely respected that of the diets. At day 10, oxidative status and fatty acid profile of MAP samples could be yet considered optimal.