Effects of feeding green forage of sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) on lamb growth and carcass and meat quality.

The nutritional effects of sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) forage containing condensed tannins (CT) on growth of lambs, and carcass and meat quality were investigated. Thirty-two male Comisana lambs aged 100 ± 8 days weighing 19.0 ± 2.8 kg were fed fresh forage of sulla or CT-free annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. subsp. Wersterwoldicum) for 49 days until slaughter; in addition, each lamb was supplied with 200 g/days of concentrate. Eight lambs per diet had been previously treated with anthelmintic drugs to remove nematode parasites. Measurements of BW and feed intake, and counts of faecal nematode eggs were made. Carcass parameters were recorded after slaughter, and tissue components of the hind leg were determined. Longissimus dorsi meat was evaluated for pH, colour, thawing and cooking losses, Warner-Bratzler shear force, chemical composition and sensory properties based on triangle tests. Relative to ryegrass-fed lambs, sulla-fed lambs had significantly greater dry matter (DM) and protein intake, a more favourable feed conversion ratio, and superior growth rate, final BW at 150 days of age, carcass weight, yield and fatness. These results were attributed to the high protein and non-structural carbohydrate content of sulla, and also to the moderate CT content of sulla (16.7 and 20.3 g/kg of DM in offered and consumed sulla forage, respectively). Anthelmintic treatment did not affect lamb growth, as the level of parasitic infection (initial and final) was low. The physical, chemical and sensory properties of the lamb meat were not influenced by diet.

[Mediastinal parathyroidectomy]. / La paratiroidectomia mediastinica.

In most patients the postoperative persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism is sustained by parathyroid tissue localized in the mediastinum. A careful preoperative imaging and intraoperative hormone assays are key to reducing the possibility of disease recurrence.

[The descending necrotizing mediastinitis]. / La mediastinite discendente necrotizzante.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a primary complication of cervical or odontoiatric infections that can spread to the mediastinum through the anatomic cervical spaces. The delay of the diagnosis or under assessment of the disease, with no adequate draining techniques, results in high mortality up to 20%. We report our experience about 9 clinical cases of DNM observed and surgically treated in our unit from 2000 to 2006; five of these patients were admitted in the last two years. We stress the differences of management of this affection that needs a close cooperation between surgeon, intensive care unit and infectious disease specialist.