Evaluation of different ensiling methods for Saccharina latissima preservation: influence on chemical composition and in vitro ruminal fermentation.

Saccharina latissima is a brown seaweed that could be used in ruminant feeding, but its fast deteriorating and seasonal growth nature limit their utilisation in the practice. Ensiling could be used as a preservation method, but information of its effects on the nutritional value of the seaweed is limited. This study evaluated the in vitro ruminal fermentation of different S. latissima silages using ruminal inoculum either from goats fed a mixed diet (60:40 oat hay:concentrate) or from sheep fed a high-forage diet (90:10 alfalfa hay:concentrate) to simulate different small ruminant production systems. S. latissima was ensiled in vacuum bags without additives (Control), with formic acid (4 g/kg seaweed; FA), with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) or with LAB after a pre-wilting treatment to reach a seaweed dry matter (DM) content of 30% (30LAB). Ensiling S. latissima decreased (p < 0.05) the content in DM, neutral detergent fibre and total extractable polyphenols, but nitrogen and fat content were unaffected. For both ruminal inoculums, ensiling decreased (p < 0.05) the asymptotic gas production after 120 h of fermentation (excepting for FA silage with goats' inoculum), but the total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production was unaffected. The VFA profile shifted towards greater (p < 0.05) acetate and lower (p < 0.05) propionate proportions in all silages compared with the pre-ensiling S. latissima. When goats inoculum was used, greater (p < 0.05) CH4 production compared with pre-ensiling S. latissima was observed in all silages, except Control one, which led to greater (p < 0.05) CH4/total VFA ratio. In contrast, no differences among samples (p > 0.05) in either CH4 production or CH4/total VFA ratio were observed when sheep' inoculum was used. Fermentation of all samples started earlier with goats' inoculum than with sheep' inoculum, which was attributed to the different diet fed to the animals. These results suggest that ensiling S. latissima with either formic acid or lactic acid bacteria could be a viable conservation method to preserve the nutritive value.

Preserving Porphyra umbilicalis and Saccharina latissima as Silages for Ruminant Feeding.

The study analyzed the characteristics, chemical composition, and in vitro gas production kinetics of Porphyra umbilicalis and Saccharina latissima silages. Each seaweed was ensiled in vacuum bags (three bags/silage) following a 2 × 3 factorial design, with two pre-treatments (unwilted or pre-wilted) and three silage types: unwashed seaweed ensiled without additive; seaweed washed and ensiled without additive; and seaweed washed and ensiled with 4 g of formic acid (FAC) per kg seaweed. Silages were kept for 3 months in darkness at 20 °C. Pre-wilting prevented (p < 0.001) effluent formation and reduced (p ≤ 0.038) the production of NH3-N and volatile fatty acids for both seaweeds. Both pre-wilting and washing increased (p < 0.05) the ruminal degradability of P. umbilicalis silages but not of S. latissima silages. The pH of the FAC-treated silages was below 4.0, but ranged from 4.54 to 6.23 in non FAC-treated silages. DL-lactate concentrations were low (≤23.0 g/kg dry matter) and acetate was the predominant fermentation product, indicating a non-lactic fermentation. The estimated ruminal degradability of the P. umbilicalis and S. latissima silages was as average, 59.9 and 86.1% of that for high-quality rye-grass silages, respectively, indicating a medium-low nutritional value of these seaweed silages for ruminants.

Variability and Potential of Seaweeds as Ingredients of Ruminant Diets: An In Vitro Study.

This study was designed to analyze the chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation of eight seaweed species (Brown: Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata, Pelvetia canaliculata, Saccharina latissima; Red: Mastocarpus stellatus, Palmaria palmata and Porphyra sp.; Green: Cladophora rupestris) collected in Norway during spring and autumn. Moreover, the in vitro ruminal fermentation of seventeen diets composed of 1:1 oat hay:concentrate, without (control diet) or including seaweeds was studied. The ash and N contents were greater (p < 0.001) in seaweeds collected during spring than in autumn, but autumn-seaweeds had greater total extractable polyphenols. Nitrogen in red and green seaweeds was greater than 2.20 and in brown seaweeds, it was lower than 1.92 g/kg DM. Degradability after 24 h of fermentation was greater in spring seaweeds than in autumn, with Palmaria palmata showing the greatest value and Pelvetia canaliculata the lowest. Seaweeds differed in their fermentation pattern, and autumn Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata, Saccharina latissima and Palmaria palmata were similar to high-starch feeds. The inclusion of seaweeds in the concentrate of a diet up to 200 g/kg concentrate produced only subtle effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation.

Efficacy and safety of aflibercept in metastatic colorectal cancer pretreated with bevacizumab: A report of five cases.

Aflibercept is a recombinant fusion protein that acts by inhibiting tumoural angiogenesis. Efficacy data obtained in the VELOUR randomised study has contributed to the approval of aflibercept as a second-line metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment following an oxaliplatin-based regimen. The present study reports a case series of five patients with mCRC, who were treated in two centres since 2011 in the Compassionate Use Program for aflibercept. All patients had a KRAS mutation and previously received palliative fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy with bevacizumab. A doublet with irinotecan combined with aflibercept was administered until progression of disease. The majority of patients received a greater number of aflibercept cycles than the median reported in the VELOUR study (12 vs. 7 cycles), with manageable and reversible toxicity. The most frequent adverse events observed were diarrhoea, neutropenia, fatigue, proteinuria and hypertension. Most cases obtained a progression-free survival greater than the median reported in the VELOUR study (11 vs. 6.9 months) and, in a subgroup of patients previously treated with bevacizumab, and a median survival time of ~47 months was reached from the initial treatment of the disease. The present study contrasts the efficacy and safety results obtained from the pivotal VELOUR trial, and confirms that aflibercept, used in routine clinical practice outside of the clinical trial environment, is active and well-tolerated following bevacizumab treatment.

Diferencias en la expresión del síndrome de fragilidad en varones y mujeres mayores institucionalizados sin deterioro cognitivo grave / Differences in the expression of the frailty syndrome in institutionalized elderly men and women with no severe cognitive decline

Objetivos. Estimar las diferencias entre sexos respecto a: la prevalencia del síndrome de fragilidad, su asociación con factores sociodemográficos y biopsicosociales de salud, y su impacto sobre la dependencia en una población de mayores institucionalizada sin deterioro cognitivo grave. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, transversal y multicéntrico realizado en 16 residencias de Cuenca. Los mayores fueron seleccionados mediante muestreo aleatorio, cumplieron criterios de inclusión 281 residentes. Mediciones: fragilidad siguiendo los criterios de Fried, edad, género, morbilidad, síndromes geriátricos, dependencia, estado cognitivo, estado de ánimo y calidad de vida. Resultados. La prevalencia de fragilidad fue del 53,7% (60% en mujeres). Se asociaron con fragilidad: edad, enfermedades respiratorias, osteoarticulares, diabetes, ambos déficits sensoriales, ambas incontinencias, mayor consumo de fármacos, hospitalización en el último año, deterioro funcional, deterioro cognitivo y síntomas depresivos. Ser frágil se asoció de forma independiente con dependencia (OR=5,1), con mayor fuerza en varones (OR=7,3), que en mujeres (OR=3,6). Los criterios clínicos de fragilidad que mejor predijeron dependencia fueron la pérdida de energía en las mujeres (OR=4,7) y la escasa actividad física en los varones (OR=12,3). Conclusiones. La prevalencia de fragilidad encontrada en mayores institucionalizados es mayor que la descrita en la población general. Los mayores frágiles presentan peores resultados de salud en las dimensiones biológicas y psicosociales, lo que sugiere que a la afectación física acompaña una crisis de identidad. La fragilidad se expresa de forma diferente en varones y mujeres, estas presentan una mayor prevalencia, pero su impacto sobre la dependencia es menor que en los varones(AU)

Aim. To analyse the differences between men and women as regards the prevalence of the frailty syndrome, its association with different sociodemographic and bio-psychosocial health factors, and its impact on the level of dependence of institutionalised elderly men and women with no severe cognitive decline. Methods. A cross-sectional, descriptive and multicenter study was conducted in 16 nursing homes in Cuenca (Spain). A representative sample of 281 elderly who fulfilled the inclusion criteria was randomly selected. Measures: frailty following Fried's criteria, age, gender, morbidity, geriatric syndromes, level of dependence, cognitive status, mood and quality of life. Results. The overall prevalence of frailty was 53.7% (60% among women). The following criteria were associated with frailty: age, respiratory diseases, arthritis, diabetes, sensory deficits, urinary and faecal incontinences, polypharmacy, hospitalization in the past year, functional impairment, cognitive decline and depressive symptoms. The states of frailty were independently associated with dependence (OR=5.1), more strongly in men (OR=7.3) than in women (OR=3.6). Clinical criteria of frailty that best predicted dependence were: exhaustion in women (OR=4.7) and low physical activity in men (OR=12.3). Conclusions. The prevalence of frailty found among the institutionalised elderly population was greater than that expected for a general population. Older frail adults had poorer biological and psychosocial health results, suggesting that the physical decline is accompanied by an identity crisis. Frailty expresses differently in men and women. Women have a higher prevalence, but its impact on their dependence is less than men(AU)

[Differences in the expression of the frailty syndrome in institutionalized elderly men and women with no severe cognitive decline]. / Diferencias en la expresión del síndrome de fragilidad en varones y mujeres mayores institucionalizados sin deterioro cognitivo grave.

AIM: To analyse the differences between men and women as regards the prevalence of the frailty syndrome, its association with different sociodemographic and bio-psychosocial health factors, and its impact on the level of dependence of institutionalised elderly men and women with no severe cognitive decline. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive and multicenter study was conducted in 16 nursing homes in Cuenca (Spain). A representative sample of 281 elderly who fulfilled the inclusion criteria was randomly selected. MEASURES: frailty following Fried's criteria, age, gender, morbidity, geriatric syndromes, level of dependence, cognitive status, mood and quality of life. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of frailty was 53.7% (60% among women). The following criteria were associated with frailty: age, respiratory diseases, arthritis, diabetes, sensory deficits, urinary and faecal incontinences, polypharmacy, hospitalization in the past year, functional impairment, cognitive decline and depressive symptoms. The states of frailty were independently associated with dependence (OR=5.1), more strongly in men (OR=7.3) than in women (OR=3.6). Clinical criteria of frailty that best predicted dependence were: exhaustion in women (OR=4.7) and low physical activity in men (OR=12.3). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of frailty found among the institutionalised elderly population was greater than that expected for a general population. Older frail adults had poorer biological and psychosocial health results, suggesting that the physical decline is accompanied by an identity crisis. Frailty expresses differently in men and women. Women have a higher prevalence, but its impact on their dependence is less than men.

Association between gizzard lesions and increased caecal Clostridium perfringens counts in broiler chickens.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mucosal gizzard lesions and caecal Clostridium perfringens counts. Gross pathological changes in the gizzard and small intestine, and caecal C. perfringens counts from 1217 meat-type chickens were recorded during the course of six experiments and were statistically analysed. C. perfringens counts increased significantly (P < 0.001) with the severity of mucosal gizzard lesions. Mucosal gizzard lesions were more prevalent than necrotic enteritis. Correcting for the pen and necrotic enteritis within experiment, mucosal gizzard lesions explained 31.8% of the variation in C. perfringens counts. Mucosal gizzard lesions and age together explained 59.1% of the variation in C. perfringens counts. The mean ages of birds with moderate and severe mucosal gizzard lesions were 1.7 and 0.8 days lower than the mean age of birds with necrotic enteritis, respectively. The association between mucosal gizzard lesions and high C. perfringens counts might be of importance when attempting to improve production efficiency, health and the welfare of the chickens.

Acidified litter benefits the intestinal flora balance of broiler chickens.

The alterations in the balance of the normal intestinal bacterial flora of chickens exposed to acidified wood-derived litter were analyzed and compared to those of a control group exposed to nonacidified litter. A total of 1,728 broilers were divided into two groups, with six replicates in each. One group was exposed to dry wood-derived litter, and the other was exposed to dry wood-derived litter sprayed with a mixture of sodium lignosulfonate, formic acid, and propionic acid. At five different times, five chickens from each pen were killed and the intestinal contents from ileum and caeca were collected. The samples were diluted and plated onto selective media to identify coliforms, Lactobacillus spp., Clostridium perfringens, and Enterococcus spp. Covariance analysis of bacterial counts showed significantly lower counts for C. perfringens in the caeca and the ileum and for Enterococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in the ileum in chickens exposed to the acidified litter. Lactobacillus spp. showed significantly higher counts in the caeca in chickens exposed to acidified litter. There was no difference between the two litters with regard to coliforms in the ileum and the caeca or to Enterococcus spp. in the caeca. The study shows that exposing the chickens to acidified litter lowers the intestinal bacterial number, especially in the ileum, without negative consequences for the chicken's health or performance. Of special interest are the lower counts of C. perfringens and Enterococcus spp. that might reduce the risk of developing clinical or subclinical necrotic enteritis and growth depression.

The intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of UR-12746S on reactivated experimental colitis is mediated through downregulation of cytokine production.

BACKGROUND: UR-12746S (dersalazine sodium) is cleaved by colonic bacteria delivering the PAF antagonist UR-12715 and 5-ASA. This study describes the anti-inflammatory activity of UR-12746S in an experimental model of reactivated colitis and its effects on cytokine production. METHODS: Rats were initially rendered colitic by a colonic instillation of 10 mg of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) dissolved in 0.25 ml of 50 % ethanol, and colitis was reactivated two weeks after by a second administration of the same dose of TNBS. Two groups of colitic rats received UR-12746S (25 and 50 mg/kg daily, p.o.) and colonic damage was evaluated every week for 4 weeks. Different biochemical markers of colonic inflammation were assayed: MPO activity and cytokine (IL-1beta and TNFalpha) levels. Also, the in vitro effects of UR-12715 and 5-ASA on cytokine production were assayed. RESULTS: UR-12746S showed anti-inflammatory effect in reactivated colitis in rats, as evidenced by a significant reduction in MPO activity. Both doses of UR-12746S decreased IL-1beta production, while only the highest dose assayed inhibited TNFalpha production. In vitro studies revealed that UR-12715 or 5-ASA (from 10(-6) to 10(-4) M) inhibited IL-8 production (30-40%) in HT-29 cells when incubated with LPS. This inhibitory effect was enhanced when both compounds were administered simultaneously at 10(-4) M. In addition, UR-12715 inhibited IL-1beta or TNFalpha production in THP-1 or U937 cells, respectively, when these cells were stimulated by PMA and LPS; whereas 5-ASA only showed a weak effect in inhibiting IL-1beta production. CONCLUSION: UR-12746S was able to prevent relapse in experimental colitis and inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production participates in the intestinal anti-inflammatory activity exerted by this compound.

Gastrin-releasing peptide mediated regulation of 5-HT neuronal activity in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus under basal and restraint stress conditions.

The purpose of this study was to examine the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) mediated regulation of 5-HT neuronal activity in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus under basal and restraint stress conditions. Intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of GRP (1, 10, 100 ng/rat) increased 5-HIAA concentrations in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, but was without effect in the accumbens, suprachiasmatic and arcuate nuclei. Administration of (Leu(13)-psi-CH(2)NH-Leu(14)) Bombesin (10, 100 and 1000 ng/rat; icv), a GRP antagonist, had no effect by itself on PVN serotonergic activity; however, a dose of 1 microg/rat of this compound, completely blocked the increase of 5-HIAA concentrations induced by GRP (10 ng). Restraint stress increased serotonergic activity -as shown by an elevation of 5-HIAA in the PVN- as well as plasma ACTH and corticosterone. This stress-induced activation of both the serotonergic neurons and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis was blocked by CRF and GRP antagonists. Interestingly, when the activation of hypothalamic 5-HT neurons was induced by GRP administration, alpha-helical (9-41) CRF was ineffective. These data suggest that GRP, by acting on GRP receptors but not via CRF receptors, increases 5-HT neuronal activity in the PVN. In turn, it appears that endogenous GRP and CRF receptor ligands are both simultaneously involved in the regulation of the increase in 5-HT neuronal activity, ACTH and corticosterone secretion, under stress conditions.