Feeding predictability as a cognitive enrichment protects brain function and physiological status in rainbow trout: a multidisciplinary approach to assess fish welfare.

Cognitive enrichment is a promising but understudied type of environmental enrichment that aims to stimulate the cognitive abilities of animals by providing them with more opportunities to interact with (namely, to predict events than can occur) and to control their environment. In a previous study, we highlighted that farmed rainbow trout can predict daily feedings after two weeks of conditioning, the highest conditioned response being elicited by the combination of both temporal and signalled predictability. In the present study, we tested the feeding predictability that elicited the highest conditioned response in rainbow trout (both temporal and signalled by bubbles, BUBBLE + TIME treatment) as a cognitive enrichment strategy to improve their welfare. We thus analysed the long-term effects of this feeding predictability condition as compared with an unpredictable feeding condition (RANDOM treatment) on the welfare of rainbow trout, including the markers in the modulation of brain function, through a multidisciplinary approach. To reveal the brain regulatory pathways and networks involved in the long-term effects of feeding predictability, we measured gene markers of cerebral activity and plasticity, neurotransmitter pathways and physiological status of fish (oxidative stress, inflammatory status, cell type and stress status). After almost three months under these predictability conditions of feeding, we found clear evidence of improved welfare in fish from BUBBLE + TIME treatment. Feeding predictability allowed for a food anticipatory activity and resulted in fewer aggressive behaviours, burst of accelerations, and jumps before mealtime. BUBBLE + TIME fish were also less active between meals, which is in line with the observed decreased expression of transcripts related to the dopaminergic system. BUBBLE + TIME fish tented to present fewer eroded dorsal fin and infections to the pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum. Decreased expression of most of the studied mRNA involved in oxidative stress and immune responses confirm these tendencies else suggesting a strong role of feeding predictability on fish health status and that RANDOM fish may have undergone chronic stress. Fish emotional reactivity while isolated in a novel-tank as measured by fear behaviour and plasma cortisol levels were similar between the two treatments, as well as fish weight and size. To conclude, signalled combined with temporal predictability of feeding appears to be a promising approach of cognitive enrichment to protect brain function via the physiological status of farmed rainbow trout in the long term.

Valoración nutricional por ecografía del recto femoral y el tejido adiposo preperitoneal como predictores del riesgo de complicaciones del paciente hospitalizado / Nutritional assessment by ultrasound of the rectus femoris and preperitoneal adipose tissue as predictors of hospitalized patient complications

Introducción La desnutrición y la sarcopenia se asocian al aumento del riesgo de eventos adversos y peor evolución en los pacientes hospitalizados. La ecografía constituye una herramienta de utilidad en la evaluación de la composición corporal. Pacientes y métodos Se reclutaron 23 pacientes ingresados en una planta de hospitalización. Se recogieron las variables ecográficas del tejido muscular y tejido adiposo, así como su variación durante el ingreso. Correlacionándose con datos antropométricos, clínicos y analíticos. Resultados Observamos una correlación de las mediciones ecográficas con la duración de la hospitalización (grasa preperitoneal máxima: −0,585, grosor del recto femoral [RF]: −0,539, área del RF: −0,540), la fragilidad (RF: −0,599) y la dependencia (RF: 0,628). La capacidad de contracción del RF se correlacionó con el ejercicio semanal reportado (0,642). Conclusión El grosor del RF y de la grasa preperitoneal se correlacionan con el número de días de ingreso y la capacidad funcional, erigiéndose como variables pronósticas (AU)

Introduction Malnutrition and sarcopenia are associated with increased risk of adverse events and worse outcome in hospitalised patients. Ultrasonography is a useful tool in the assessment of body composition. Patients and methods Twenty-three patients admitted to a hospital ward were recruited. Ultrasonographic variables of muscle tissue and adipose tissue were collected, as well as their variation during admission. These were correlated with anthropometric, clinical and analytical data. Results We observed a correlation of ultrasound measurements with length of hospitalisation (maximum preperitoneal fat −0.585, rectus femoris thickness [RF] −0.539, RF area −0.540), frailty (RF −0.599) and dependency (RF 0.628). RF contractile capacity correlated with reported weekly exercise (0.642). Conclusion RF and preperitoneal fat thickness correlate with the number of days of admission and functional capacity, emerging as prognostic variables (AU)

Nutritional assessment by ultrasound of the rectus femoris and preperitoneal adipose tissue as predictors of hospitalized patient complications.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition and sarcopenia are associated with increased risk of adverse events and worse outcome in hospitalised patients. Ultrasonography is a useful tool in the assessment of body composition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients admitted to a hospital ward were recruited. Ultrasonographic variables of muscle tissue and adipose tissue were collected, as well as their variation during admission. These were correlated with anthropometric, clinical and analytical data. RESULTS: We observed a correlation of ultrasound measurements with length of hospitalisation (maximum preperitoneal fat -0.585, rectus femoris thickness - RF -0.539, RF area -0.540), frailty (RF -0.599) and dependency (RF 0.628). RF contractile capacity correlated with reported weekly exercise (0.642). CONCLUSION: RF and preperitoneal fat thickness correlate with the number of days of admission and functional capacity, emerging as prognostic variables.

El consumo regular de un caldo funcional enriquecido con fosfofructooligosacáridos aumenta los niveles de las hormonas relacionadas con la saciedad en las personas sanas. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado y controlado / Regular consumption of a functional broth enriched with phospho-fructooligosaccharides increases the levels of hormones related to satiety in healthy people. A randomized, controlled clinical trial

Introducción: el exceso de peso representa un problema de salud pública debido a los factores de riesgo asociados. El sedentarismo, una alimentación inadecuada o una disminución de la sensación de saciedad son algunas de sus causas. Objetivos: evaluar las propiedades saciantes del consumo de un caldo ibérico funcional enriquecido con fosfofructooligosacáridos (FOS) en personas sanas a través de la concentración plasmática de las hormonas involucradas en el apetito. Material y métodos: ensayo clínico nutricional, agudo, cruzado, aleatorizado, doble ciego y controlado, llevado a cabo en 18 participantes aleatorizados en dos secuencias de tratamiento (caldo funcional (CF) compuesto de 5,6 g de FOS/100 g y caldo de control (CC), con 0,4 g de maltodextrina/100 g) con 14 días de lavado entre ellas. Se midieron parámetros relacionados con la saciedad (glucosa, insulina, leptina, ghrelina, GLP-1, PYY) y escalas analógicas visuales (EAV). Resultados: el porcentaje de grasa corporal disminuyó en los que tomaron el CF (-0,15 ± 0,32 vs. 0,09 ± 0,52) (p < 0,05). La concentración de leptina fue superior con el CF (p < 0,001), mostrándose dicho aumento en los tiempos -30 (p < 0,001), 0 (p < 0,001), 30 (p = 0,026) y 120 (p = 0,049) con respecto al CC. Las áreas bajo la curva (AUC) de GLP-1 (p = 0,0033) y PYY (p = 0,022) fueron superiores con el CF en comparación con el CC. Conclusión: el consumo de un caldo ibérico enriquecido con FOS mejora la concentración plasmática de las hormonas involucradas en el control de la saciedad y reduce la cantidad de grasa corporal. Dichos resultados podrían tener efectos beneficiosos para la prevención y el tratamiento del exceso de peso corporal (AU)

Introduction: excess weight represents a public health problem due to its associated risk factors. A sedentary lifestyle, an inadequate diet or a decrease in the feeling of satiety are some of the causes. Objetives: to evaluate the satiating properties of the consumption of a functional Iberian broth enriched with phospho-fructooligosaccharides (FOS) in healthy people through the plasma concentration of hormones involved in appetite. Material and methods: acute, crossover, randomized, double-blind and controlled nutritional clinical trial carried out in 18 randomized participants in two treatment sequences (functional broth (CF), composed of 5.6 g POS/100 g and control broth (CC), with 0.4 g of maltodextrin/100 g) with 14 days of washing in between. Satiety-related parameters (glucose, insulin, leptin, ghrelin, GLP-1, PYY) and visual analog scales (VAS) were measured. Results: the percentage of body fat decreased in those who took the CF (-0.15 ± 0.32 vs 0.09 ± 0.52) (p < 0.05). Leptin concentration was higher with CF (p < 0.001), which was shown at time points -30 (p < 0.001), 0 (p < 0.001), 30 (p = 0.026) and 120 (p = 0.049) when compared to CC. The areas under the curve (AUC) for GLP-1 (p = 0.0033) and PYY (p = 0.022) were higher for CF as compared to CC. Conclusion: consumption of an Iberian broth enriched with POS improves the plasma concentration of hormones involved in the control of satiety, and reduces the amount of body fat. This result could have beneficial effects for the prevention and treatment of overweight (AU)

Constant darkness negatively affects the outcome of hormonally induced reproduction in cultured Eurasian perch females.

This study aimed to assess the effect of constant darkness applied to fish during controlled breeding on reproductive traits in domesticated females of Eurasian perch. Based on the assumption that keeping fish in constant darkness during the reproduction operation may reduce stress, suspected to be responsible for variable spawning effectiveness in this species. Two conditions were assessed (16 h light per day [group 16L] and constant darkness [group 0L], two tank replicates per condition). The reproductive protocol involved a 7-day-long adaptation period for group 0L where photoperiod was reduced by 2.3 h a day down to constant darkness. After the adaptation period, two hormone injections (salmon gonadoliberin analogue) were applied to both groups: priming (10 µg/kg) and resolving (25 µg/kg) with a 7-day interval between them. During the study, morphometric indices were recorded and blood, brain, and pituitary samples were collected to assess stress markers and determine hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis functioning via measuring blood plasma hormones, as well as gonadoliberin and gonadotropins (luteinising hormone [LH] and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]) transcript abundance (n = 7 for each group at each sampling point). In addition, kinetics of the final oocyte maturation (FOM) process, ovulation rate, and egg quality of each group was monitored (n = 12 for each group). The results indicated that there were no differences in terms of morphometry, FOM kinetics, and most stress indices between groups throughout the experiment, except haematocrit, which increased immediately following the acclimation period in fish kept in darkness. Constant darkness negatively affected plasma levels of 17α,20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and LH transcript expression at the time of the second hormone injection. This indicated that exposure to constant darkness negatively affected priming of the hormonal dose applied, resulted in the disruption of ovulation, and reduced ovulation rates (50%) for group 0L, as compared to 16L (91%). The findings of this study clearly indicate that constant darkness may have significant deleterious effects on reproductive traits throughout out-of-season induced, hormonally supported, controlled reproduction. Therefore, we advise against the use of constant darkness when managing broodstock reproduction in domesticated Eurasian perch.

The impact of predatory bacteria on experimental periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effects of topical administration of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100 on experimental periodontitis (EP) in rats. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were divided into groups C (control), EP, C-HD100, and EP-HD100. At day 0, animals of groups EP and EP-HD100 received cotton ligatures around mandibular first molars (MFM). In groups C-HD100 and EP-HD100, 1 mL of suspensions containing B. bacteriovorus HD100 was topically administered in the subgingival region of MFMs at days 0, 3, and 7. Animals were euthanized at day 14. Gingival tissue, hemimandibles, and oral biofilm were collected. Data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Group EP-HD100 presented greater bone volume and lower connective tissue attachment loss (CTAL) than group EP (P < 0.05). Group EP-HD100 presented greater proportions of Actinomyces and Streptococcus-like species and lower proportions of Prevotella intermedia, Peptostreptococcus micros, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Fusobacterium polymorphum, Eikenella corrodens, Eubacterium nodatum, Campylobacter gracilis, Capnocytophaga sputigena, and Veillonella parvula-like species than group EP. Group EP-HD100 presented greater levels of osteoprotegerin and gene expression of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-10, and forkhead box P3 than group EP (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Topical use of B. bacteriovorus HD100 promotes a protective effect against alveolar bone loss and CTAL in rats with EP.

D1, but not D2, dopamine receptor regulates steroid levels during the final stages of pikeperch gametogenesis.

In pikeperch, Sander lucioperca, aquaculture hormonal treatment is usually applied to synchronize ovulation. However, the effect of dopamine (DA) receptor antagonists, in particular those blocking the D1 DA receptors, remains unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the effects of D1 and D2 DA receptor antagonists on the sex-steroid production and reproductive performance of the species. Two experiments were performed during which mature pikeperch females were injected with different molecules: NaCl 0.9% (negative control) or human chorionic gonadotropin 500 IU/kg (positive control) in both experiments, metoclopramide (a D2 receptor antagonist; 4 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg) or SCH23390 (a D1 receptor antagonist; 0.8 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg) alone (experiment 1) or in combination with a salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (sGnRHa at 25 µg/kg; experiment 2). In experiment 2, fish were also injected with sGnRHa (25 µg/kg) as positive control. Samplings of oocytes and blood were performed on the day of injection and after 24 h (both experiments), after 48 h (experiment 2) and at the time of ovulation (both experiments). In non-ovulating fish, samplings were performed 7 days (experiment 1) or 14 days (experiment 2) after injection. In experiment 2, various zootechnical parameters of fertilized eggs were recorded (survival, hatching and malformation rates). The two antagonists alone were ineffective in inducing the final stages and regulating sex-steroid (testosterone, 11 ketotestosterone, 17ß estradiol and 17,20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one) production. When administered with sGnRHa, both SCH23390 and metoclopramide induced the final stages. However, only SCH23390 stimulated testosterone (4 mg/kg) and 17ß estradiol (0.8 mg/kg) production compared with sGnRHa alone. None of the treatments affected the survival, hatching or malformation rates. This is the first report suggesting that in pikeperch the D1, but not the D2, DA receptor antagonist would be involved in the testosterone and 17ß estradiol production as a potentiator of the sGnRHa effect.

Rearing conditions and life history influence the progress of gametogenesis and reproduction performances in pikeperch males and females.

Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is a highly valuable fish in Europe. However, development of aquaculture of pikeperch is highly limited due to seasonality of production. This can be overcome by the controlled reproduction of domesticated fish. The first steps of domestication process may induce changes at anatomical, physiological and molecular levels, thereby affecting a variety of biological functions. While there is abundant literature on their effects on stress and growth for example, these effects on reproduction received limited attention notably in pikeperch, a promising candidate for the development of aquaculture. To answer the question of this life-history effect on pikeperch's reproduction, we compared two groups (weight: 1 kg) originated from Czech Republic and with the same domestication level (F0). The first group was a recirculating aquatic system cultured one (2 years, previously fed with artificial diet, never exposed to natural changes in temperature/photoperiod conditions) and the second one was a pond cultured group (3 to 4 years, bred under natural feeding and temperature/photoperiod). The wild group successfully spawned, while the farmed one did not spawn at all. During the program, gonadosomatic indexes of both males and females were significantly higher for the wild fish, as well as the sexual steroids. Gene expression analysis revealed significantly lower LH transcript levels at the pituitary level for the farmed females and lower FSH transcript levels at the pituitary level for the males. In conclusion this study showed that the previous rearing conditions (e.g. culture system, age, diet, etc.) alter the further progress of gametogenesis and the reproductive performances in response to controlled photothermal program for both sexes in pikeperch.

Does constant photoperiod inhibit the onset of the reproductive cycle in northern pike (Esox lucius) males?

For most temperate and arctic fish species, photoperiod is the key abiotic factor determining the onset of the reproductive cycle, and, for many species, constant long photoperiod seems to have an inhibitory effect. Yet, there is no knowledge about the effect of photoperiod on the onset of the reproductive cycle in northern pike males. The aim of this work was to investigate the potential inhibitory effect of constant long photoperiod on pike males. Batches of fish were reared in triplicate under natural simulated photoperiod (NSP) or constant long photoperiod (CP; 16L:8D) from 14 October 2013 to 14 March 2014. Fish were sampled three times (at the beginning of the photoperiod decrease, at the beginning of the temperature decrease and at the end of the temperature decrease). Morphological parameters, sexual steroid levels and spermatogenetic stages were investigated. Our results showed that CP partially inhibited gonadal development (gonado-somatic index or GSI, %; 2.5% under NSP and 1.2% under CP at day 152), spermatic development (96.2% of spermatozoa under NSP and 69.3% under CP at day 152) and the plasmatic levels of testosterone (7.20 ng/mL under NSP and 2.37 ng/mL under CP at day 152). In conclusion, photoperiod may be one of the determinant factors that control the onset of the reproductive cycle in pike males, but temperature and endogenous rhythms also need to be investigated.

Effects of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis on the non-surgical treatment of periodontitis. A histomorphometric, microtomographic and immunohistochemical study in rats.

Lactobacillus probiotics have been investigated in periodontitis. However, the effects of the genus Bifidobacterium on periodontitis are hardly known. This study evaluated the effects of the probiotic (PROB) Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) HN019 as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in rats with experimental periodontitis (EP). At baseline, 32 rats were assigned to 4 groups: C (control), PROB, EP-SRP and EP-SRP-PROB. In groups EP-SRP and EP-SRP-PROB, the mandibular first molars of the animals received a ligature. At day 14, the ligatures were removed and SRP was performed. Animals of groups PROB and EP-SRP-PROB were orally administered with 10 mL/day of 109 colony forming units of B. lactis HN019 for 15 days, starting at day 14. Animals were euthanized at day 29. Histomorphometric, microtomographic and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Microbiological effects of B. lactis on biofilm were also evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed (ANOVA, Tukey; Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn's; Two-tailed t-test; p<0.05). Group EP-SRP-PROB presented reduced alveolar bone resorption and attachment loss when compared with Group EP-SRP (p<0.05). Group EP-SRP-PROB showed significantly fewer osteoclasts, increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokines compared with Group EP-SRP (p<0.05). B. lactis promoted a higher ratio between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in biofilm samples (p<0.05). B. lactis HN019 may have a role in the treatment of EP in rats, as an adjunct to SRP.

Corticosteroids deeply depress the in vitro steroidogenic capacity of Eurasian perch ovary at the end of the reproductive cycle.

Corticosteroids play positive or negative role in the reproductive mechanisms of many fish species but the physiological contexts relating to such biphasic actions are not well defined. In the present study we investigated to what extent corticosteroids (cortisol-Co, 11-deoxycorticosterone-DOC) hormones may interfere with the steroidogenic capacity of Eurasian perch ovarian tissues, and we tested whether the negative effects of corticosteroids may be mitigated by potential stimulating endocrine factors, namely insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or thyroid hormones (Triidothyronine-T3, thyroxine-T4). Ovarian tissues from six maturing fish at late vitellogenesis developmental stage (LVO) or at the start of the final meiotic oocyte maturation (FMO) were incubated during 6h in Cortland medium containing various endocrine compounds. Both corticosteroids drastically suppressed aromatase activity (AA) and sex-steroid production, namely 17-ß estradiol (E2), 17α-20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and testosterone (T). HCG significantly prevented the suppression of both AA and sex-steroid production by low and high cortisol doses, but a lesser AA protection was observed in the case of DOC. The protection of DHP and T productions by HCG from the negative effects by the two corticosteroids was higher at FMO than at LVO stage. IGF or thyroid hormone treatments were lesser effective or ineffective in mitigating the suppression of AA or sex-steroid production by cortisol. The results suggest that an increase in cortisol or DOC such as after mild or high stress intensity may inhibit drastically the ovarian steroidogenic capacity whatever the final oocyte maturation stage in percid fish by hampering AA and sex-steroid production. That inhibition may be partly mitigated by gonadotropins but not IGF nor thyroid hormones, especially at final meiotic oocyte maturation stage.

Gonad histology and serum 11-KT profile during the annual reproductive cycle in sterlet sturgeon adult males, Acipenser ruthenus.

The aim of this study was to assess monthly testicular development in the cultured breeding stock of sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus, using histological and serum sex steroid changes. Testicular development in the adult male was examined monthly and showed four distinct phases including resting, pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning. Also, seasonal changes of the testes were described according to its variations in gonadosomatic index (GSI) during different phases of testicular development. Using histology, we identified continuous spermatogenesis and asynchronous gonad development pattern in the testes of male sterlet, which shows that regulation of annual gonadal cycle is influenced by season. Results also showed variation in the GSI value and number of spermatogenic cells according to each season during annual cycle of gonad, as the highest value of GSI was recorded during spawning phase (spring; March-May). Hormonal profiles of 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) showed peak, which indicated a seasonal pattern of gonadal development. The 11-KT concentration increased considerably during the spermatogenesis (pre-spawning phase) and remained quite high throughout the pre-spermiation period. In the final phase of testicular development (spawning phase), the 11-KT markedly dropped. This study undertook an examination of complete reproductive development in cultured sterlet sturgeon to provide a valuable guide for the future sterlet studies, and allows comparison of reproductive development between sturgeon species.

Anaphylaxis due to oat ingestion

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The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Diets.

The article is a summary of Dra. Carmen Gómez Candela's presentation at the Science in Nutrition 3rd International Congress in Milan, March 2014. The article covers omega-3 fatty acids use in different medical areas and several institutions' opinions in relation to the topic. Omega-3 acids are essential fatty acids. A certain amount of omega-3 is needed in our daily diet; however, the usual consumption is generally less than the recommended amount. Changes in dietary patterns in the course of history have led to deficit levels of omega-3 in the human body. Currently, there is increasing evidence of the benefits of omega-3 in different medical specialities. There are still some gaps regarding its role in illnesses such as dementia, psychiatric disorders, and inflammatory diseases. Nevertheless, stronger evidence is being proved in cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This article provides a reflection on possible ways to increase omega-3 daily consumption and the constraints associated with food with high contents of heavy metals, which, in turn, are also rich in omega-3s.

DRESS syndrome induced by meropenem

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Continuous lighting inhibits the onset of reproductive cycle in pikeperch males and females.

The effect of a constant photoperiod on the inhibition of male and female reproductive cycles was studied in pikeperch Sander lucioperca. Over a 153-day period, batches of pikeperch (2 years, 950 g) breeders were kept under either under natural or artificial photoperiod conditions (24L:0D) (30-35 fish/tank, triplicate) and sampled in late June (start of the photoperiod decrease in natural conditions), late August (start of temperature decrease) and late November (exogenous vitellogenesis) (7-10 fish/tank/sampling date). Morphological parameters, sexual steroids, alkaline-labile phosphate (µg/mL) levels and gamete developmental stages were investigated. Gonado-somatic index (%), developmental stages and sexual steroid levels (17ß-estradiol, testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone, ng/mL) in both sexes and oocyte diameter (µm) and plasma alkaline-labile phosphate (µg/mL) in females were lower in response to a continuous lighting (24L:0D). In both sexes, continuous lighting applied in June for 153 days totally inhibited or delayed the onset of the reproductive cycle. In conclusion, photoperiod manipulation can be used to delay the pikeperch reproductive cycle, even if temperature decreases. This is the first report of the inhibitory effect of photoperiod on the onset of the reproductive cycle in pikeperch.