Estimation of discrimination threshold for emulsified chicken oil in chicken broth.

Although fat content affects the texture and flavor of meat and meat products, the fat discrimination thresholds are unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the discrimination threshold of fat in meat products using broth from chicken thigh meat as a meat taste model. In Experiment 1, triangle tests were conducted between 1%, 0.2%, 0.04%, and 0.008% (w/v) chicken oil-supplemented broth and broth without chicken oil. The results indicated the discrimination threshold to be between 0.04% and 0.008% (w/v). In Experiment 2, similar triangle tests were conducted using oil supplementation at 0.1%, 0.0333%, 0.0111%, and 0.0037% to refine the discrimination threshold. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the discrimination threshold of emulsified chicken oil in chicken broth was 0.0387% (w/v). We demonstrated that chicken oil made a sensory difference in chicken broth at a low concentration and indicates that the chicken oil strongly affects the sensory characteristics of chicken broth.

Could the use of saliva substitutes improve food oral processing in individuals with xerostomia? A systematic review.

Xersotomia is associated with food avoidance and low nutritional assessment. This review seeks to document whether products called "saliva substitutes" or "artificial saliva" can really replace saliva in food oral processing. Pubmed and Science Direct were searched for articles using the keywords "saliva substitutes" and "artificial saliva." An advanced search was applied using the terms "xerostomia" and/or "food oral processing" and/or "eating" and/or "mastication" and/or "chewing" and/or "swallowing." The analysis methods and the inclusion criteria were documented in a protocol published in the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42019124585). The search included 43 articles, published between 1979 and 2017. Among the included studies, 17 were observational studies, 5 were pilot studies, 21 were crossover studies, and 14 of these studies were blinded. The Strobe score for the included articles varied from 7.5 to 20. The possible effects of the use of saliva substitutes on the ingestion function were poorly investigated. No evidence was based on physiological studies. It is unknown whether using a saliva substitute has an effect on the composition and rheological properties of the food bolus, on the lubrication of the oral and laryngeal mucosa or on both phenomena. Moreover, saliva substitutes were not formulated to improve food oral processing and most of them are flavored. New saliva substitutes and artificial saliva should be designed and formulated to improve food oral processing.

Measuring the effects of in vitro mastication on bolus granulometry of shredded meat: A proposal for a new methodological procedure.

People with poor oral status and/or neuromuscular deficiencies avoid eating meat because of chewing and swallowing difficulties. Consequently, they expose themselves to the risk of malnutrition and sarcopenia or nutrient deficiencies. To develop a new process for meat preparation, it is necessary to understand how meat is broken down during food oral processing to become a swallowable bolus. However, it is unknown whether the initial texture of meat impacts the meat bolus granulometry. As meat particles are fibrous, making the granulometry analysis with sieving methods is difficult. As the approach of meat bolus granulometry is necessary, it is of importance to control the methodological parameters that affect the measures. This study describes a procedure that allows granulometry analysis of shredded meat before and after in vitro mastication. Meat particles were dispersed in glycerol before image analysis. Granulometry curves were then drawn using generalized linear models, particle by particle, or after applying virtual sieves. Artificial meat bolus granulometry was also analyzed by manual sieving and the different methods were compared through several characteristics, including D50. Image analysis in glycerol preserves meat particles and allows particle distribution characterization and shape descriptors analysis. This method is well adapted to shredded meat and could be performed to evaluate the mastication of meat preparations adapted for deficient mastication.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-ULTRASOUND UNCOMMON FEATURES OF AN ABDOMINAL GOSSYPIBOMA IN A DOG.

An abdominal mass was incidentally detected in a 12-year-old, neutered female, crossed breed dog. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination showed a well-delineated, irregular, heterogeneous mass that did not generate any distal acoustic shadowing. Transcutaneous US-guided biopsy of the mass were nonconclusive but raised the possibility of neoplasia. Surgery discovered a mass embedded in the omentum and a large quantity of surgical sponges were identified in cut section. To the authors' knowledge, this represents the first published case of gossypiboma casting no characteristic distal acoustic shadowing.

Imaging diagnosis-paraganglioma of the cauda equina: MR findings.

The magnetic resonance imaging features of a cauda equina paraganglioma in a 5-year-old dog are described. Imaging revealed a well-defined, strongly contrast-enhancing mass invading the adjacent vertebral body and infiltrating the intervertebral foramen bilaterally. Flow void, compatible with increased drainage veins around the mass, and macroscopically visible neovessels in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography, as reported in numerous human studies, were not visible in this single case. The tumor recurred despite aggressive surgery and radiotherapy. This neoplasm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cauda equina abnormalities in dogs.

Feasibility for detecting liver metastases in dogs using gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Early detection of liver metastases may improve the prognosis for successful treatment in dogs with primary tumors. Hepatobiliary-specific contrast agents have been shown to allow an increase in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection of liver metastases in humans. The purpose of this prospective study was to test the feasibility for using one of these agents, gadobenate dimeglumine, to detect liver metastases in dogs. Ten consecutive dogs known to have a primary tumor were recruited for inclusion in the study. All dogs were scanned using the same protocol that included a T2-weighted respiratory-triggered sequence, T1 VIBE, diffusion-weighted imaging, and 3D-FLASH before and after dynamic injection of gadobenate dimeglumine contrast medium. Delayed imaging was performed less than 30 min after injection and up to 60 min in two cases. Histological analysis of liver lesions identified in delayed phases was performed for each case and confirmed metastatic origin. In all cases, lesion number detected in hepatobiliary contrast-enhanced sequences was statistically higher than in other sequences. Optimal lesion detection occurred with a 3D-FLASH sequence acquired in the transverse plane and less than 30 min after injection. Findings indicated that gabobenate dimeglumine enhanced MRI is a feasible technique for detecting liver metastases in dogs.

Imaging diagnosis--left retrocaval ureter and transposition of the caudal vena cava in a dog.

Retrocaval ureter and transposition of the caudal vena cava are each, rare developmental anomalies. We describe the usefulness of static fluid magnetic resonance urography and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance urography in the diagnosis of these anomalies. Basic techniques, benefits, and drawbacks of magnetic resonance urography are presented.