Dietary supplementation with Chlorella vulgaris in broiler chickens submitted to heat-stress: effects on growth performance and meat quality.

Heat stress can greatly challenge growth and meat quality of broiler chickens where research is looking for sustainable ingredients, such as microalgae, that could also alleviate its negative impacts. Thus, in the present study, 576 1-D-old chicks (Ross 308) were housed until commercial slaughtering (42 D) in 36 pens in 2 rooms of a poultry house, according to a full factorial design encompassing 2 room temperatures (standard vs. high), 2 sexes (females vs. males), and 3 dietary treatments, that is, diet C0 (control diet), diet C3, and diet C6 containing 0, 3, and 6%, respectively, of C. vulgaris meal replacing the same quantities of soybean meal. The highest inclusion level of C. vulgaris decreased feed intake (P < 0.001) and body weight (P < 0.0001) compared to the control diet; it increased yellow and red indexes (P < 0.0001) of the breast muscle, besides the proportion of n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (P = 0.028). Heat stress decreased feed intake (P = 0.001), breast (P = 0.001) and p. major yields (P = 0.036), and increased meat pH (P= 0.008) and cooking losses (P < 0.001), umami (P = 0.021) and brothy flavor (P < 0.001), and the proportion of n3 PUFA rates (P = 0.027), while reducing the contents of several amino acids in the breast meat (P ≤ 0.05). Compared to females, males displayed higher feed intake and growth, and more favorable feed conversion (P < 0.001). Carcass and p. major yields were greater in females (P < 0.001) which also showed a higher occurrence of spaghetti meat compared to males (P < 0.001). In conclusion, C. vulgaris can be used to replace until 3% of soybean meal in diets for broiler chickens without negative implications, while positively affecting breast meat color according to consumers' preferences. However, the microalgae inclusion did not mitigate the negative effects of a chronic heat stress on growth performance nor reduced the occurrence of any myopathies.

Comparison between the efficacy of dimeric and monomeric non-ionic contrast media (iodixanol vs iopromide) in urography in patients with macroscopic haematuria.

Non-ionic dimers induce less diuresis than non-ionic monomers, resulting in increased opacification of the urinary tract in intravenous urography. This trial compared the diagnostic efficacy of iodixanol and iopromide in patients with macroscopic haematuria. One hundred consecutive patients with normal renal function and macroscopic haematuria entered a double blind, comparative, randomised, parallel trial. Contrast media were given with bolus injection in doses of 300 mgI/kg b.w. Radiographs were blindly evaluated by three radiologists who analysed different parameters (calyceal density and filling, papillary blush detection, delineation of collecting ducts, renal pelvis opacification, visualisation of ureters, bladder density, bladder distention) and estimated the diagnostic confidence (whether abnormal findings were definitely absent, probably absent, doubtful, probably present or certainly present). Radiological diagnoses were compared with final diagnoses. Results were summarised as the ratio of the odds of having a worse performance of iopromide vs iodixanol. Iodixanol showed a significantly better calyceal density and filling [odds ratio (OR): 1.96; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.60-2.41], a significantly better pelvis opacification (OR 2.91; CI 2.02-4.18) and a significantly more frequent papillary blush detection (OR 1.95; CI 1.29-2.95). Iopromide showed a significantly better ureteral visualisation (OR 0.67; CI 0.48-0.92) and a significantly higher bladder distention (OR 0.59; CI 0.36-0.99). Iodixanol allowed a significantly higher diagnostic confidence as to calyceal evaluation (OR 1.35; CI 1.01-1.79). No significant differences were found with regard to other parameters. The results confirmed theoretical expectations. The higher opacification provided by iodixanol allowed better results and a higher diagnostic confidence in the upper excretory pathway.

[Virtual endoscopy of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses with computerized tomography. Anatomical study]. / Endoscopia virtuale delle cavità nasali e paranasali con Tomografia Computerizzata. Studio anatomico.

INTRODUCTION: Virtual endoscopy is a new 3D technique which permits to depict the inner surface of anatomic cavities. We report our experience in the study of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CT examinations of the maxillofacial region were obtained using 1.5 or 3.0 mm slices, 1.5 or 3.0 mm table feed, 120 kV, 140 mA, 2 s scan time, standard and high resolution algorithms for bony structures and a field of view of 14-16 cm. The images were transferred on a workstation and processed with the Navigator virtual endoscopy software (General Electric). A threshold value ranging -300 to -550 UH was applied. RESULTS: We report a series of virtual images of the nasal cavity which includes rhinopharynx vault, torius tubarius, choanae, turbinates, tubal orifice and osteomeatal complex. Moreover, images of frontal sinus and tear duct, of polyps and fracture of maxillary sinus are also presented. 3D virtual endoscopy provides a clear visualization of the anatomic structures of the nasal cavity and sinuses. The images are similar to those of conventional endoscopy. Moreover virtual endoscopy visualizes the paranasal sinuses, which are not accessible at conventional endoscopy. The main limitations of this new technique are the arbitrary choice of the threshold value and the homogenization of different tissue densities, which reduces the contrast resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual endoscopy can presently be considered a complementary technique of the standard axial and coronal CT examination. It provides an effective demonstration of the anatomy of these structures and shows areas which are difficult to visualize with conventional endoscopy. This technique could be of help in didactical activity; its clinical application has to be verified.

[The percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of Brescia-Cimino arteriovenous fistulae. An evaluation of the results]. / L'angioplastica transluminale percutanea delle fistole artero-venose di Brescia-Cimino. Valutazione dei risultati.

The average patency time after creating an endogenous arteriovenous Brescia-Cimino fistula for hemodialysis is limited. May 1990 through October 1992, 29 PTAs were performed in 23 patients with malfunctioning hemodialysis Brescia-Cimino fistulas of the forearm, by cannulation of the venous anastomotic branch and by balloon catheter dilatation. Thirty-six venous stenoses, 7 arterial anastomotic stenoses and 1 venous occlusion were treated. In 5 patients a second dilatation became necessary due to recurrent fistula malfunction after a mean period of 5 months. Twenty-eight of 29 PTAs (96%) were immediately successful. The primary patency rates were 79% at 6 months, 61% at 1 year and 61% again at 2 years. The secondary patency rates were 90%, 83% and 83%, respectively. Three post-PTA fistula thromboses (10%) were observed: two of them were successfully treated by local fibrinolysis while in the extant case a new A-V shunt was created. In our opinion, PTA is the treatment of choice for malfunctioning Brescia-Cimino fistulas; the incidence of complications was low in our series.