Lycopene supplementation does not change productive performance but lowers egg yolk cholesterol and gene expression of some cholesterol-related proteins in laying hens.

1. This work examined the effects of purified lycopene (LYC) supplementation or a source of LYC as tomato powder (TP) on productive performance, egg yolk cholesterol levels as well as gene expression related to mechanism and regulation of cholesterol.2. One hundred and fifty laying hens (Lohman LSL, hybrid) were randomly divided into one of three treatments, with 10 replicates of five hens per cage, totalling 50 hens per treatment. The hens were fed either a standard diet (control) or a standard diet supplemented with 20 mg purified lycopene/kg diet (LYC) or an equal amount of lycopene-containing tomato powder (TP) for 12 weeks.3. Feed consumption, egg production, and feed efficiency remained similar among treatments (P ≥ 0.27). Supplementing lycopene, either as a purified form or in TP, increased the levels of serum and egg yolk lycopene and reduced serum and egg yolk cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.001). Supplementation in either form decreased gene expression for intestinal NPC1L1, MTP, ACAT2, hepatic SREBP1c, ACLY, and LXRα but increased hepatic ABCG5 and ABCG8 (P < 0.001).4. The results of the present work revealed that egg yolk cholesterol metabolism is regulated by the modulation of a group of genes, particularly with LYC supplementation.

Lycopene activates antioxidant enzymes and nuclear transcription factor systems in heat-stressed broilers.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary lycopene supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, and muscle nuclear transcription factor [Kelch like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)] expressions in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress (HS). A total of 180 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned randomly to one of 2×3 factorially arranged treatments: two housing temperatures (22°C for 24 h/d; thermoneutral, TN or 34°C for 8 h/d HS) and three dietary lycopene levels (0, 200, or 400 mg/kg). Each treatment consisted of three replicates of 10 birds. Birds were reared to 42 d of age. Heat stress caused reductions in feed intake and weight gain by 12.2 and 20.7% and increased feed efficiency by 10.8% (P<0.0001 for all). Increasing dietary lycopene level improved performance in both environments. Birds reared under the HS environment had lower serum and muscle lycopene concentration (0.34 vs. 0.50 µg/mL and 2.80 vs. 2.13 µg/g), activities of superoxide dismutase (151 vs. 126 U/mL and 131 vs. 155 U/mg protein), glutathione peroxidase (184 vs. 154 U/mL and 1.39 vs. 1.74 U/mg protein), and higher malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration (0.53 vs. 0.83 µg/mL and 0.78 vs. 0.45 µg/ mg protein) than birds reared under the TN environment. Changes in levels of lycopene and MDA and activities of enzymes in serum and muscle varied by the environmental temperature as dietary lycopene level increased. Moreover, increasing dietary lycopene level suppressed muscle Keap1 expression and enhanced muscle Nrf2 expression, which had increased by 150% and decreased by 40%, respectively in response to HS. In conclusion, lycopene supplementation alleviates adverse effects of HS on performance through modulating expressions of stress-related nuclear transcription factors.

Association of NFKB1 and NFKBIA polymorphisms in relation to susceptibility of Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. Although raised levels of proinflammatory cytokines in BD have been reported, the pathogenesis is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of NFKB1 and NFKBIA polymorphisms and their single and combined analysis effects on susceptibility of BD in Turkish population. We analysed the distribution of NFKB1 -94 ins/del ATTG (rs28362491) and NFKBIA 3' UTR A→G (rs696) polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP method in 89 patients with BD and 190 controls in this population. Statistical analysis of the results was performed by calculating OR, and 95% CI via χ(2) test and using Bonferroni correction. According to the significant results of both single and combined genotype analysis, the frequencies of ins/ins genotype and ins allele of rs28362491 were significantly higher in patients with BD (Pc = 0.003, 0.004, respectively). Also, higher frequencies of the rs696 variant containing AA genotype was found in patients with BD (Pc = 0.0033), whereas no statistical significant differences in distribution of the alleles of rs696 polymorphism in patients and controls. In addition, according to the combined genotype analysis, the wild type of both rs28362491 and rs696 polymorphisms (ins/ins/AA genotype) was also significantly higher in BD cases (Pc = 0.044). Our findings prove that both single and combined genotype analysis of rs28362491 and rs696 polymorphisms indicate that the wild genotypes of both two SNPs (ins/ins and AA genotypes) and ins/ins/AA combined genotype are strongly associated with enhanced risk of BD in a Turkish population.

Relative frequency of norovirus infection in children with acute gastroenteritis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of norovirus among children with acute gastroenteritis in 2009 and 2010. We also aimed that, to detecting the possible clinical and laboratory differences among cases in 2009 and 2010. METHODS: Fecal samples were collected from children under 16 years of age who were admitted for acute gastroenteritis. Norovirus was detected using immunochromatography. For the comparison of seasonal distribution, clinical manifestations, and laboratory results between cases, we divided subjects into two groups by year. RESULTS: Norovirus infection was detected in 112 of the 1027 collected samples (10.9%). In three cases with norovirus, other enteric viruses like rotavirus and adenovirus are detected concurrently, and these were excluded. After the exclusion of three cases with co-infections, statistical analysis was made in 109 cases. Most of the positive cases were between 1-24 months of age (N.=75, 67%). The rate of norovirus infection peaked in winter in 2010 (P<0.05). However, the rates were not significantly different between seasons in 2009 (P>0.05). We did not detect any positive cases in late summer and autumn in 2010. Diarrhea (97.2%), vomiting (95.4%), and abdominal pain (65.1%) were most frequently encountered symptoms of patients with norovirus. Leukocytosis and neutrophilia were significantly higher in 2010 than 2009 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence and clinical characteristics of norovirus in our study group is similar but seasonal distribution is different between two years. Most of the cases were <24 months of age. Like rotavirus, norovirus vaccine can be developed to prevent infection.

A novel index in healthy infants and children - subarachnoid space: ventricle ratio.

BACKGROUND: The subarachnoid space (SAS) and ventricular width (VW) in normal infants and children were studied with ultrasonography to provide the objective measurement and define a normal range for these measurements. The additional aim was to determine the stable ratio as a SAS/VW. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 healthy subjects, including 48 males and 52 females, were studied. The cases were divided into 3 age groups: 0-6 months(n = 65), 7-12 months (n = 24) and > 13 months (n = 11). Transfontanel ultrasonography was performed in all the cases. SAS, VW and the SAS/VW ratios were calculated. The study was approved by the ethical committee. All parents were informed about the sonographic examination and their approvals were taken. RESULTS: SAS was calculated as 3.1 (0.5-6) mm and VW was calculated as 3.6(1.3-5) mm. SAS/VW ratio was 0.9 ± 0.3. There was no statistically significant difference among SAS, VW and SAS/VW ratios in 3-97 percentile group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography can be used as a practicable and reproducible modality in the measurement of SAS and VW in healthy children. It is a non-invasive method and allows for serial follow-up. SAS/VW ratio can be used as an index in healthy children.

Evaluation of plateletcrit level from platelet indices as a prognostic marker in COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 disease bears similarities to a wide range of diseases, from simple flu infections to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this study, we aimed to elucidate the plateletcrit levels in patients with and without mortality who had been admitted to the intensive care unit because of pneumonia associated with SARS-CoV-2. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 434 patients were evaluated in this retrospective analysis. Their demographic data, comorbid diseases, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, platelet, lymphocyte, white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts; mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), hemoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) were obtained from the hospital's electronic database on the days of the patients' intensive care unit admissions. Afterwards, their PLR, PNR, and MPV/PLT ratios were calculated. RESULTS: APACHE II score, length of hospital stay, WBC count, PCT, PLR, NLR, and CRP levels affected mortality. Increases in hospital stay duration, APACHE II score, platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and CRP, as well as decreases in PCT percentage, were associated with mortality. ROC curve analysis was performed to determine the success of PCT, PLR, and NLR in predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients and to determine cut-off values for mortality. It was determined that PCT, PLR, and NLR could correctly classify patients at rates of 58.9%, 59.2%, and 66.8% (moderate), respectively. The risk of mortality was higher in patients with PCT values of 0.188 or less, PLR values greater than 293.46, and NLR values greater than 9.49. CONCLUSIONS: In the COVID-19 patients evaluated in this study, plateletcrit indices could be utilized to predict mortality.

Comparison of the effectiveness of delirium evaluation tools in intensive care patients: pre-deliric versions 1 and 2, E-pre-deliric and ICDSC.

OBJECTIVE: This study's objective was to compare the effectiveness of the delirium prediction model (pre-deliric) and the early prediction model (E-pre-deliric) in delirium prediction in an intensive care unit (ICU) according to the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC). Our aim was to determine these models' usability and cut-off values for ICU patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We classified the studied patients based on their highest ICDSC scores (tested twice daily) during ICU hospitalization. ICDSC scores of 4 or higher indicated positive results for delirium, whereas a score of 0 represented a negative result. We recorded the patients' demographic and clinical details and characteristics and calculated their E-pre-deliric and pre-deliric version 1 and version 2 scores. To evaluate the effectiveness of the models, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty patients (55.6% males, mean age 60.6±18.7 years) participated in this study. Their mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score was 17.0±9.1. Delirium was more common in men, patients of older ages, those with high APACHE-II scores, those who had undergone urgent admissions, those with histories of trauma, those with high urea or creatinine values and those who had undergone sedation or mechanical ventilation. Compared to patients who did not develop delirium, those who did had longer ICU stays and hospital stays, as well as greater mortality risk. The cutoff values for the patients' pre-deliric version 1, pre-deliric version 2 and E-pre-deliric scores were 38% [area under ROC (AUROC)=1], 22% (AUROC=1) and 28% (AUROC=1), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to compare the pre-deliric and E-pre-deliric prediction models. These models' validity and reliability were acceptable. They were clinically useful, and we identified their cut-off values. These models provide options for early detection of delirium and are easily applicable in the ICU.

Bupivacaine combined with morphine for patient-controlled epidural analgesia after thoracotomy: high volume and low concentration vs. low volume and high concentration.

OBJECTIVE: In this prospective randomized controlled study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the administration of equal doses of bupivacaine and morphine (BM) at high volume and low concentration (HV-LC) or low volume and high concentration (LV-HC) on the number of drugs consumed, pain scores and side effects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We randomized 64 patients who underwent thoracotomy into two groups. Group 1 received a solution prepared with 0.12% bupivacaine and 0.05 mg/cc morphine, administered with a basal infusion rate of 4 cc/h, a 2-cc bolus dose, and a 30-minute lockout time. Group 2 received a solution prepared with 0.48% bupivacaine and 0.2 mg/cc morphine, administered with a basal infusion rate of 1 cc/h, a 0.5-cc bolus dose, and a 30-minute lockout time. We compared patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) usage doses, pain scores, sensory and motor block, hemodynamic effects, side effects, and patient satisfaction in the postoperative periods. RESULTS: An increase in drug consumption with PCEA was found in the first 24 hours postoperatively in Group 2 (p<0.05). Resting visual analog scale (VAS) scores were statistically significantly higher at hours 2, 28, 32, 36, 44 and coughing VAS scores were also higher at hours 2 and 20 in Group 2. Heart rates in Group 2 were lower than in Group 1 at hours 16, 24, 44 and 48 (p<0.05). The cephalic spread of the sensory block in Group 1 was more extensive (p<0.05). The groups demonstrated no significant differences regarding side effects and patient satisfaction (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The HV-LC approach resulted in better analgesia, less drug consumption, and greater cephalic spread of sensory block than the LV-HC approach. Both applications were effective and safe in terms of analgesia and side effects.

Intratumor C-reactive protein as a biomarker of prognosis in localized renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Serum C-reactive protein has been shown to have prognostic value in localized and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. However, the prognostic value of intratumor C-reactive protein remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 95 patients with resected, clinically localized (T1-T4N0M0) clear cell renal cell carcinoma were followed postoperatively. Intratumor C-reactive protein expression was assessed in surgical specimens using immunohistochemical analysis. Patients were categorized by staining intensity into low risk (staining 0 to 1), intermediate risk (staining 2) and high risk (staining 3) groups. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to examine overall survival across patient and disease characteristics. Variables examined in multivariate Cox regression analysis included T stage, Fuhrman nuclear grade, tumor size, preoperative serum C-reactive protein and intratumor C-reactive protein staining. RESULTS: Followup extended up to 46 months with a mean (SD) of 29.8 (11.0) months. Twelve patients (12.6%) died during followup. Of all tumors 49.5%, 25.3% and 25.3% were graded by intratumor C-reactive protein staining as low risk (0 to 1), intermediate risk (2) and high risk (3), respectively. After controlling for variables significant on univariate analysis, patients in the high risk (3) group experienced a 27-fold increased risk of overall mortality compared to those in the low risk (0-1) group (HR 27.767, 95% CI 1.488-518.182). After adjusting for tumor staining, preoperative serum C-reactive protein was not a significant predictor of overall survival (p = 0.741). CONCLUSIONS: Intratumor C-reactive protein may be a robust biomarker of prognosis in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma.

Treatment of copper converter slag with deep eutectic solvent as green chemical.

Industrial copper slag is among the most important wastes to be evaluated in terms of containing valuable metals and the amount of waste approaching 30 million tons per year. Therefore, in this study, it was aimed to propose a feasible route for copper and zinc recovery from copper converter slag (CCS) by using choline chloride (ChCl) based deep eutectic solvent which is applied on this type of slag for the first time. During the leaching experiments with the pure ChCl-2urea mixture, temperature (25-95 °C), leaching duration (2-72 h), and pulp density (1/10-1/40 g/mL) were selected as the parameters to be investigated for Cu and Zn extraction. After the experimental results, the optimized conditions for the ChCl-2urea leaching process, which gave 89.9% Cu and 65.3% Zn extraction was found at 48 h, 95 °C, 1/20 g/mL pulp density with 600 rpm stirring speed. It is noted that the iron dissolution ratio is very low (max. 4.7%) under the selected conditions. At the end of the iron cementation stage, the total recovery efficiency as a pure metallic copper was 63%. The calculated activation energy for the dissolution of the copper and zinc from CCS is 8.86 kJ mol-1 and 14.48 kJ mol-1, respectively.

Comparison of mental health, quality of sleep and life among patients with different stages of chronic kidney disease and undergoing different renal replacement therapies.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate and compare mental health, health-related quality of life, and sleep levels of patients with various stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and undergoing different renal replacement therapies and analyze the factors affecting these parameters. METHODS: Overall, 140 patients with a mean age of 43 ± 14 years were recruited into this study. Study groups [controls and patients with CKD undergoing predialysis, hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis, kidney transplantation (KT)] were evaluated using Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36 (KDQoL-36), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). RESULTS: The KT group had the highest scores in physical and mental components of the subscales of SF-36 and KDQoL-36 but the lowest scores in PSQI and GHQ-12, indicating the best results in terms of mental health and quality of life, and sleep. Serum albumin and hemoglobin levels were positively correlated with several subscales of quality of life. Significant negative correlations were observed among PSQI, GHQ-12, and subscale scores of SF-36 and KDQoL-36. The HD group showed significantly lower scores in the subscales of symptoms and burden of kidney disease of KDQoL-36. CONCLUSION: KDQoL was worse in the HD group and better in the KT group than in other groups. Serum albumin and hemoglobin levels, and Kt/V (dialyzer clearance of urea multiplied by dialysis time and normalized for urea distribution volume ) values of patients with CKD exerted a linear and significant effect on the quality of life, which showed a significant positive correlation with the quality of sleep and mental health. In contrast, serum calcium x phosphorus levels showed an inverse correlation with the subscale scores of KDQoL. HIPPOKRATIA 2020, 24(2): 51-58.

H-2-linked resistance to mastocytoma in male mice: immune response to a histocompatibility antigen on the X chromosome.

Male hybrids from a cross between female mice of strain C57BL/6Kh and males of strain DBA/2J lived longer after injection of P815 mastocytoma cells of DBA/2 origin than did their female siblings. Responses to the histocompatibility antigen on the X chromosome of the DBA/2 strain may be involved in resistance to the tumor. When the female parent was replaced with a C57BL/6Kh carrying one of several mutations in the H-2 region, this sex effect disappeared in some of the hybrid combinations. Thus, the H-2 complex appears to be involved in the regulation of the immune response to the X-linked histocompatibility antigen in this tumor model.

Growth and carcass fatty acid composition of beef steers fed soybean oil for increasing duration before slaughter.

Duration of soybean oil (SBO) supplementation needed to enhance carcass conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and trans-vaccenic (TVA) content was examined using 96 beef steers (293.6±3.9kg) fed a 78% corn-based diet supplemented with SBO for 0, 77, 137, or 189days before slaughter. Duration of SBO supplementation had no effect (P⩾0.15) on animal performance or carcass traits, nor (P⩾0.15), total, total saturated, or total polyunsaturated fatty acids of Longissimus dorsi (LD). Concentrations of CLA in LD were not affected (P⩾0.18) by SBO supplementation. Concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) decreased linearly (P=0.03) in LD, whereas TVA increased (P=0.04) in adipose tissue and tended (P=0.07) to increase in LD with increasing duration of SBO supplementation. Supplementing SBO to a concentrate-based diet may enhance TVA without impacting CLA, while reducing the MUFA content of lean beef.

Role of dietary zinc in heat-stressed poultry: a review.

High ambient temperatures compromise performance and productivity through reducing feed intake and decreasing nutrient utilization, growth rate, egg production, egg quality, and feed efficiency, which lead to economic losses in poultry. Environmental stress also leads to oxidative stress associated with a reduced antioxidant status in the bird in vivo, as reflected by increased oxidative damage and lowered plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins (e.g., vitamins E, A, and C) and minerals (e.g., Zn). Zinc has an important role in numerous biological processes in avian and mammalian species. For instance, Zn is an essential component of many enzymes, and it has both structural and catalytic functions in metalloenzymes. Furthermore, dietary Zn is required for normal immune function as well as proper skeletal development and maintenance. One of the most important functions of Zn is related to its antioxidant role and its participation in the antioxidant defense system. This work compiles past and present information about the role of Zn in heat-stressed poultry health.

Effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and soy isoflavones supplementation on bone mineralisation of quail.

1. The effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D(3)) and soy isoflavones supplementation on performance, carcase recovery, bone mineral density, and tibia ash, Ca, P, and serum vitamin D concentrations and alkaline phosphatase activity in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to high ambient temperature were evaluated. 2. A total of 270 ten-d-old Japanese quail were randomly assigned to 9 treatment groups, 6 replicates of 5 birds each in a 2 x 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Birds were kept in a temperature-controlled room at either 22 degrees C (thermo-neutral) or 34 degrees C (heat stress) for 8 h/d (09:00-17:00 h) and given a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with one of three levels of 25-OH-D(3) (0, 250 and 500 IU/kg of diet) combined with one of three levels of soy isoflavones (0, 400 and 800 mg/kg of diet). 3. Birds kept at 34 degrees C consumed less feed and gained less weight than control birds. An increase in body weight, feed intake (and improvement in feed efficiency and carcase recovery were found in soy isoflavones and 25-OH-D(3)-supplemented quail reared under heat stress conditions. Bone mineral density, tibia ash, Ca, and P were linearly improved by 25-OH-D(3) and soy isoflavones supplementation in both thermoneutral and heat stress groups. Serum vitamin D levels and alkaline phosphatase activity were improved by 25-OH-D(3) and soy isoflavones supplementation in both thermoneutral and heat stress groups in quail. 4. In conclusion, a combination of 25-OH-D(3) and soy isoflavones supplementation to basal diet significantly improved bone mineralisation in quail.

Fatty acid compositions of mixed ruminal microbes isolated from sheep supplemented with soybean oil.

Two experiments were conducted to examine the changes in the fatty acid (FA) composition of mixed ruminal microbes (MRM) from sheep fed various levels of dietary forage and soybean oil (SBO). In Experiment 1, diets included five ratios of forage to concentrate. Increased dietary forage did not change MRM concentrations of 18:1(trans-11) and 18:2 (P>0.10), but increased 18:3 (P<0.01) and cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (P<0.01). In Experiment 2, SBO was added to the diets at 0%, 3.2%, 6.3%, or 9.4% of dietary DM. Increasing dietary SBO resulted in linear increases (P<0.01) in 18:1(trans-11)and 18:1(cis-9), but linear decreases (P<0.01) in 18:2 of MRM. It was concluded that FA composition of MRM was affected by diet. Additionally, MRM of sheep fed the diet containing 18.4% forage and 9.4% SBO contained the greatest individual and total FA concentrations.

Zinc in a combination with magnesium helps reducing negative effects of heat stress in quails.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether zinc (Zn) along with magnesium (Mg) is effective in alleviating the negative effects of heat stress in Japanese quails. One hundred and twenty 10-day-old healthy Japanese quails were randomly assigned to four treatment groups, three replicates of ten birds each. The birds were fed either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 30 mg of Zn/kg of diet, 600 mg of Mg/kg of diet, or 30 mg of Zn + 600 mg of Mg/kg of diet. The birds were kept under a high temperature (35 degrees C) for 8 h/day. Feed consumption was greatest with the combination of Zn and Mg supplementation (P < 0.01). Hot and chilled dressing percentages were greater (P < 0.05) with Zn- and Mg-supplemented diets. Concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde were lower (P < 0.01) with both Zn and Mg supplementations. Mg concentrations in the serum remained similar with either Zn or Mg supplements in the diet (P > 0.05). Serum glucose concentrations were lowest in birds fed the basal diet. Supplementing a combination of Zn and Mg may offer a potential protective management practice in preventing heat stress-related depression in performance of quails.

The effects of tomato powder supplementation on performance and lipid peroxidation in quail.

Recent studies have suggested a protective role for lycopene, an antioxidant carotenoid, in the prevention of stress including environmental stress. Tomatoes and tomato products are the major dietary source of lycopene. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary tomato powder supplementation on the performance and lipid peroxidation of meat in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to a high ambient temperature of 34 degrees C. A total of 180 ten-day-old male quails were randomly allocated into 6 groups consisting of 10 replicates of 3 birds. Birds were kept in wire cages in a temperature-controlled room at either 22 degrees C (thermoneutral) or 34 degrees C (heat stress) for 8 h/ d (0900 to 1700 h during the study). Birds were fed either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 2.5 or 5.0% of tomato powder. Tomato powder supplementation linearly increased feed intake, live weight gain, and feed conversion (P = 0.01) under heat stress conditions but did not show the same effect at thermoneutral conditions (P > 0.05). Heat stress significantly increased malondialdehyde concentration and decreased vitamin concentrations in the serum, liver, and muscles of quail. Serum lycopene and vitamin C, E, and A (P = 0.01) concentrations increased linearly in birds at all groups. Malondialdehyde levels in serum, liver (P = 0.001), and muscles linearly decreased in all birds of both thermoneutral and heat stress groups as dietary tomato powder supplementation increased. The results of the study indicate that tomato powder modulates the oxidation-antioxidation system of the muscles in Japanese quail exposed to high ambient temperature.

Does contrast medium administration in organ donors affect early kidney graft function?

Since the upper age for organ donors has been raised, a higher incidence of preexistent organ damage and functional impairment is to be expected. Coronary artery sclerosis increases with age. It can only be diagnosed with certainty by coronary angiography. Since contrast medium administration may cause renal damage when risk factors are present, this study sought to establish whether angiography negatively influenced the early postoperative function of kidney grafts. We compared the clinical courses of 36 recipients of kidneys from donors in whom coronary angiography or levography had been performed with 36 recipients of kidneys from donors who had not been subjected to contrast medium. The results showed that the administration of contrast medium had no influence on renal function at 3 or 6 months after transplantation. In conclusion, fears that donor kidneys might be harmed by contrast medium appeared to therefore be unfounded.

Dietary arginine silicate inositol complex improves bone mineralization in quail.

Skeletal abnormalities, low bone mass, bone deformities, and bone fractures increase the risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, which are of concern from both a public standpoint and a cost-of-care burden standpoint. Arginine silicate inositol complex (ASI; Arg = 49.47%, silicone = 8.2%, inositol = 25%) is a novel, bioavailable source of Si and Arg and one that offers potential benefits for vascular and bone health. Skeletal abnormalities and architectural deterioration of bone tissue are common under hot climate conditions in the poultry industry. In this study, we evaluated the effects of ASI supplementation on performance and bone mineral density (BMD) in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to the high ambient temperature of 34 degrees C. The birds (n = 180; 10 d old) were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups consisting of 10 replicates of 3 birds. Birds were kept in wire cages in a temperature-controlled room at either 22 degrees C (thermoneutral; TN) or 34 degrees C (heat stress; HS) for 8 h/d (0900 to 1700 h until the end of study) and were fed a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 500 or 1,000 mg of ASI/kg of diet. Heat exposure decreased performance and bone mineralization when the basal diet was fed (P = 0.001). The ASI supplement had no effect on feed intake, BW, feed efficiency, and carcass traits (P > 0.05) in quails reared under TN or HS conditions. The BMD was significantly improved by ASI supplementation in both TN and HS groups [0.72 (TN) vs. 0.60 (HS); P < or = 0.05]. Serum osteocalcin, dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations, and alkaline phosphatase activity increased, whereas tumor necrosis factor-alpha and Creactive protein concentrations decreased, as dietary ASI supplementation increased in quail reared under HS. This improvement was linear with increased doses of supplement (P = 0.001). In the ASI group, the amount of Ca, P, Mg, and Mn in the excreta decreased (P < or = 0.05), and the concentrations of these minerals in tibia ash increased in quail reared under HS conditions (P < or = 0.05). In conclusion, ASI supplementation to the basal diet significantly improved bone mineralization in quail and did not impact feed consumption, BW gain, or feed efficiency.