Feed efficiency and loin meat quality in Iberian pigs

We investigated the ability to predict production performance in Iberian pigs in an extensive production system from measurements of feed efficiency measured intensively. The second objective of this work was to study the relationship between feed efficiency and meat quality (composition, juiciness, tenderness, color, and subcutaneous fatty acid composition) and if cooked and cured quality properties can be predicted by properties in fresh meat. Thirty Iberian sows received successively a restricted diet of concentrate (P1concentrate) and acorns (P2acorn) intensively and an ad libitum diet of acorns supplemented with a restricted amount of concentrate (P3montanera) extensively. Pigs that were more feed efficient on concentrate were less feed efficient on acorns and had higher body weight gain during the montanera . Improved feed efficiency on acorns reduced the concentration of α-linolenic and linoleic fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat. Faster body weight gain in montanera resulted in a desirable reduction in cooking loss and a reduction in palmitic acid content in subcutaneous fat, and a potentially undesirable reduction in meat redness. Tenderness in cooked or cured loin was not significantly related to tenderness in the raw product. Cooking loss was positively related to purge and centrifugal drip loss and to color coordinates a*24 and b*24 in raw samples. We conclude that feed efficiency and body weight gain may be improved in the traditional Iberian production system, with a positive effect on cooking loss but potentially resulting in paler meat.(AU)

Silymarin induces expression of pancreatic Nkx6.1 transcription factor and ß-cells neogenesis in a pancreatectomy model.

A physio-pathological feature of diabetes mellitus is a significant reduction of ß-pancreatic cells. The growth, differentiation and function maintenance of these cells is directed by transcription factors. Nkx6.1 is a key transcription factor for the differentiation, neogenesis and maintenance of ß-pancreatic cells. We reported that silymarin restores normal morphology and endocrine function of damaged pancreatic tissue after alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of silymarin on Nkx6.1 transcription factor expression and its consequence in ß cells neogenesis. Sixty male Wistar rats were partially pancreatectomized and divided into twelve groups. Six groups were treated with silymarin (200 mg/Kg p.o) for periods of 3, 7, 14, 21, 42 and 63 days. Additionally, an unpancreatectomized control group was used. Nkx6.1 and insulin gene expression were assessed by RT-PCR assay in total pancreatic RNA. ß-Cell neogenesis was determined by immunoperoxidase assay. Silymarin treated group showed an increase of Nkx6.1 and insulin genic expression. In this group, there was an increment of ß-cell neogenesis in comparison to pancreatectomized untreated group. Silymarin treatment produced a rise in serum insulin and serum glucose normalization. These results suggest that silymarin may improve the reduction of ß pancreatic cells observed in diabetes mellitus.

Implantaçäo do departamento de informática em saúde no município de Ribeiräo Preto / Implanted of health informatic department in Ribeirao Preto city

O trabalho se refere à experiência de constituição do Departamento de Informática da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde da Prefeitura de Ribeirão Preto, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Apresentamos e discutimos os principais momentos de sua estruturação e sistematização as linhas de atuação atualmente desenvolvidas.