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Purpose: Agricultural losses caused by pests have a profound impact on African and Asian countries. In this context, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci is an important global pest and attacks many vegetables. However, conventional pesticides cause unwanted effects on the environment and consumers, in addition to the development of resistance. Therefore, sustainable resources have been used and researched, including those of natural origin. Research Method: The objective of this review was to compile and discuss studies of essential oils found in Asian and African countries with action against B. tabaci. For this, scientific studies on active essential oils were searched in databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Findings: The work explored essential oils from 48 different species belonging to 19 families. Notably, the families Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, and Poaceae presented the highest number of studies. Among the evaluated oils, Allium sativum oil demonstrated potent fumigant insecticidal action. Similarly, essential oils from Cinnamomum camphora, Thymbra spicata, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Laurus nobilis exhibited high activity against pests. Promising essential oils with high potency against pests also include Mentha pulegium, Mentha viridis, and Syzygium aromaticum. Research Limitations: Despite the diversity of active essential oils against B. tabaci, further studies on the development and stability of formulations must be carried out. Originality/value: This review highlighted the abundance of active essential oils in Africa and Asia as natural resources for sustainable pest management in the B. tabaci control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sin resumen

A pesar de la comprobada capacidad de mejorar el desempeño en los cerdos, el uso de antimicrobianos como promotores de crecimiento viene siendo progresivamente restringido en diversos países. Las nuevas reglamentaciones tienden a buscar nuevas alternativas al uso de antibióticos y quimioterapéuticos como promotores de crecimiento. Una de estas alternativas son los nutraceúticos que constituyen una de las opciones investigadas. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar los efectos antimicrobianos del orégano sobre la digestibilidad aparente de los nutrientes, en la ganancia diaria de peso, conversión alimenticia y presentación de diarreas en lechones recién destetados. Fueron estudiados tres grupos de lechones de 21 días de edad de la raza F1 (Landrace x Large White), durante cuatro semanas de los cuales uno de dichos grupos fue tomado como grupo control (alimento comercial), y los otros dos grupos con alimento fabricado en la granja a diferentes concentraciones de orégano (0,03 y 0,06 % respectivamente). Las dietas fabricadas son a base de harina de maíz y soya suplementados con los aminoácidos y minerales esenciales para la dieta del lechón. El proyecto tuvo duración de un mes en el cuales se midió semanalmente el peso ganado por los animales y la conversión alimenticia de los mismos; de igual forma se comparó la eficacia del orégano con respecto a una dieta normal de concentrado. Los resultados del estudio mostraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos estudiados, en cuanto a las variables ganancia diaria de peso, índice de conversión y presentación de diarreas. Se llegó a una conclusión muy significativa donde las alternativas para los antibióticos promotores de crecimiento mejoran los parámetros productivos en lechones además, del efecto antimicrobiano que poseen.

The effect of dietary supplementation with 1% L-glutamine and a combination of 1% L-glutamine and 0.5% a-arginine on intestinal health was examined in weaned rabbits. A basal diet was formulated to meet nutrient recommendations. Another 2 diets were formulated by adding 1% (as-fed basis) Gln or a mixture of 1% (as-fed basis) Gln + 0.5% (as-fed basis) Arg (Gln-Arg) to the basal diet. In Exp. 1, a total of 357 rabbits were blocked by litter and assigned at random to the experimental diet to determine mortality (119 per diet) and growth performance (35 per diet; from weaning at 25 to 56 d of age). Rabbits were fed the experimental diets for a 2-wk period and thereafter received a commercial diet. Rabbits weaned at 25 d (blocked by litter and assigned at random to diets) were slaughtered at 35 d and used to determine apparent ileal digestibility of DM, CP, and AA (Exp. 2, a total of 60 rabbits), intestinal morphology, N-aminopeptidase and myeloperoxidase intestinal activity, the expression of PPAR[gamma] at the ileum and kidney, serum immunoglobulin in healthy and sick rabbits (Exp. 3, a total of 24 rabbits), and ileal and cecal microbial composition by PCR-RFLP (Exp. 4, a total of 45 rabbits). Dietary treatment did not affect ADG, ADFI, or G:F, during the entire fattening period. Supplementation with Gln reduced mortality during the first 2 wk and the whole fattening period from 18.5 to 8.4% (P = 0.023) and from 31.9 to 20.2% (P = 0.039), respectively, whereas no effect was detected for Arg supplementation. Among all the variables studied, the reduction on mortality due to Gln was related to a reduced intestinal colonization (Eimeria lesions) and changes on microbial ecosystem in the ileum and cecum, reducing the frequency of detection of Clostridium spp. (from 86.7 to 33.3%, P = 0.003) at the ileum, and Helicobacter spp. at the ileum (from 86.7 to 46.7%, P = 0.003) and at the cecum (from 86.7 to 46.7, P = 0.028), whereas no effect was detected for Arg supplementation. In conclusion, 1% L-Gln supplementation to postweaned rabbit diets decreased fattening mortality and modified the intestinal microbiota (although no consistent effects were observed on mucosal histology or inflammatory and systemic immune response). Diets containing a combination of 1% Gln and 0.5% Arg were of little additional benefit. Key words: arginine, glutamine, intestinal microbiota, mucosal integrity, rabbit doi: 10.2527/jas.2008-1698

The effect of neutral detergent-soluble fiber level on gut barrier function and intestinal microbiota was examined in weaned rabbits. A control diet (AH) containing 103 g of neutral detergent-soluble fiber/ kg of DM included alfalfa hay as main source of fiber. Another diet (B-AP) was formulated by replacing half of the alfalfa hay with a mixture of beet and apple pulp resulting in 131 g of soluble fiber/kg of DM. A third diet (OH) was obtained by substituting half of the alfalfa hay with a mix of oat hulls and a soybean protein concentrate and contained 79 g of soluble fiber/kg of DM. Rabbits weaned at 25 d and slaughtered at 35 d were used to determine ileal digestibility, jejunal morphology, sucrase activity, lamina propria lymphocytes, and intestinal microbiota. Suckling 35-d-old rabbits were used to assess mucosa morphology. Mortality (from weaning to 63 d of age) was also determined. Villous height of the jejunal mucosa increased with soluble fiber (P = 0.001). Rabbits fed with the greatest level of soluble fiber (BA-P diet) showed the highest villous height/ crypt depth ratio (8.14; P = 0.001), sucrase specific activity (8,671 [micro]mol of glucose/g of protein; P = 0.019), and the greatest ileal starch digestibility (96.8% ; P = 0.002). The opposite effects were observed in rabbits fed decreased levels of soluble fiber (AH and OH diets; 4.70, 5,848 [micro]mol of glucose/g of protein, as average, respectively). The lowest ileal starch digestibility was detected for animals fed OH diet (93.2%). Suckling rabbits of the same age showed a lower villous height/crypt depth ratio (6.70) compared with the B-AP diet group, but this ratio was higher than the AH or OH diet groups. Lower levels of soluble fiber tended (P = 0.074) to increase the cellular immune response (CD8+ lymphocytes). Diet affected IL-2 production (CD25+, P = 0.029; CD5+CD25+, P = 0.057), with no clear relationship between soluble fiber and IL-2. The intestinal microbiota biodiversity was not affected by diets (P [greater than or equal to] 0.38). Rabbits fed the B-AP and AH diets had a reduced cecal frequency of detection compatible with Campylobacter spp. (20.3 vs. 37.8, P = 0.074), and Clostridium perfringens (4.3 vs. 17.6%, P = 0.047), compared with the OH diet group. Moreover, the mortality rates decreased from 14.4 (OH diet) to 5.1% (B-AP diet) with the increased presence of soluble fiber in the diet. In conclusion, increased levels of dietary soluble fiber improve mucosal integrity and functionality. Key words: immune response, intestinal microbiota, mucosa integrity, rabbit, soluble fiber

Grape skin is a source of polyphenols with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Little information is available regarding its application in animal feeding. The present study investigated the effect of inclusion of fermented (FS) and unfermented (UFS) grape skin at two different doses (30 g/kg, FS30 and UFS30, and 60 g/kg, FS60 and UFS60) and 200 mg/kg vitamin E (α-tocopheryl acetate) in a corn–soybean diet on growth performance, ileal protein digestibility, ileal and excreta total extractable polyphenols content and digestibility, intestinal microbiota and thigh meat oxidation in broiler chickens. Growth performance was depressed in chickens fed UFS and FS diets. A reduction in ileal protein digestibility was also observed in birds fed UFS, being this effect more pronounced in those fed 60 g/kg. The dietary inclusion of grape skin increased both ileal and excreta polyphenols contents, being higher in birds fed UFS than in those fed FS. Excreta moisture content increased in birds fed UFS and FS diets. No effect of dietary inclusion of grape skin was observed on ileal counts of lactic-acid bacteria and Clostridium, but UFS inclusion in the diet reduced ileal count of Escherichia coli as compared with FS dietary inclusion. After 7 days of refrigerated storage, values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were lower in chicken meat when grape skin was added in the diet at 60 g/kg instead of 30 g/kg, and meat from birds fed 60 g/kg of grape skin reached TBARS values similar to those of birds supplemented with vitamin E. In conclusion, high doses of grape skin polyphenols depressed growth performance and protein digestibility, and increased excreta moisture content. Unfermented grape skin contained more polyphenols than FS, and its inclusion in the diet led to higher ileal and excreta polyphenols contents and to a lower ileal count of E. coli. Furthermore, the antioxidant potential of the polyphenols present in grape skin was observed after 7 days of meat storage, with the dose of 60 g/kg of grape skin being as effective as vitamin E supplementation in maintaining oxidative stability of meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cosmic rays are a global source of ionization, and the ionization fraction represents a fundamental parameter in the interstellar medium. Ions couple to magnetic fields, and affect the chemistry and the dynamics of star-forming regions as well as planetary atmospheres. However, the cosmic ray ionization rate represents one of the bottlenecks for astrochemical models, and its determination is one of the most puzzling problems in astrophysics. While for diffuse clouds reasonable values have been provided from |${\mathrm{ H}_3}^+$| observations, for dense clouds, due to the lack of rotational transitions, this is not possible, and estimates are strongly biased by the employed model. We present here an analytical expression, obtained from first principles, to estimate the cosmic ray ionization rate from observational quantities. The theoretical predictions are validated with high-resolution 3D numerical simulations and applied to the well-known core L1544; we obtained an estimate of ζ2 ∼ 2–3 × 10−17 s−1. Our results and the analytical formulae provided represent the first model-independent robust tool to probe the cosmic ray ionization rate in the densest part of star-forming regions (on spatial scales of R ≤ 0.05 pc). An error analysis is presented to give statistical relevance to our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grape pomace (GP) is a rich source of polyphenols with antioxidant capacity. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of GP phenolic compounds included at 5 and 10%, and the addition (individually or combined) of hydrolyzing enzymes (carbohydrase enzyme complex and tannase at 500 ppm) on intestinal utilization of catechins and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. A diet supplemented with 200 ppm of α-tocopheryl acetate was also used. Our findings demonstrate the capacity of chickens to digest the monomeric (catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid, and epicatechin- O -gallate) and dimeric (procyanidin B1 and procyanidin B2) catechins present in grape pomace. The addition of enzymes (mainly tannase) hydrolyzed the polymeric structures into smaller catechins, but also promoted a lower digestibility of the monomeric and dimeric catechins suggesting that polymeric structures might favour the intestinal utilization of these catechins. The intestinal accumulation of phenolic compounds generated with tannase and with 10% GP reversed the antimicrobial effect against Clostridium perfringens observed with 5% of GP. Grape pomace improved the antioxidant status of the bird, increasing the α-tocopherol and reducing the iron content on plasma, not affecting the plasma gluthatione. Enzymes modified the intestinal utilization of catechins but not additional protective effect was detected on any of the parameters analyzed to evaluate the antioxidant status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the combination of gamma irradiation with gamma rays and a commercial edible coating, Sta-Fresh 2505, on the postharvest quality of golden-yellow and purple-red tamarillo ( Solanum betaceum Cav.) fruits was studied. Irradiation and edible coating were used because these are technologies that fulfill the consumer trend to buy fresh fruits while assuring food safety and prolonging shelf life. Weight loss, pH, firmness, soluble solids content, respiration rate, pulp appearance, sensory hardness, aroma, and off-flavor were analyzed. The irradiated fruits and the irradiated fruits with edible coating were stored up to 10 weeks at 5 °C and 90% RH plus 7 days at 20 °C and 80% relative humidity (RH), to simulate shelf life. The combination of the edible coating and irradiation at 500 Gy maintained the postharvest properties of the fruit. Weight loss was reduced up to 48% compare to the control. Firmness and appearance were 70 and 40% higher than the control, respectively. The respiration rate was 30% lower than the control. The combination of gamma irradiation and edible coating had a synergetic effect on the postharvest quality of tamarillo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the clinical results of the patients admitted and managed as PAS cases in a Central American public hospital and its relation to having been able to established the diagnosis prenatally. Fifty-one patients had a prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of PAS (group 1) and 52 were diagnosis in laparotomy (group 2). [Extracted from the article]

Grape pomace provides a rich source of polyphenols that have the capacity to act as powerful antioxidant. An experiment with ten dietary treatments (30 birds/treatment), was conducted to study the effect of inclusion of phenolic compounds from grape pomace (GP) added at different levels (0, 5, and 10%) and the addition (individually or combined) of hydrolyzing enzymes (carbohydrase enzyme complex and tannase at 500 ppm) in broiler chicks (1 to 21 days of age). A diet supplemented with 200 ppm of α-tocopheryl acetate (αT) was also used. Growth performance, ileal and fecal total polyphenol content, thigh meat lipid oxidation, and α-tocopherol and fatty acid content of thigh meat were determined. No differences were observed in body weight, feed consumption and feed efficiency among the different treatments. Birds fed GP diets showed a higher ileal and fecal polyphenol content. The inclusion of tannase in GP diets increased ileal polyphenol content and did not affect the fecal polyphenol content. Oxidative stability of thigh meat after 1 and 4 days of refrigerated storage increased with dietary addition of αT and GP, and was worsened when GP was supplemented with carbohydrases. Meat α-tocopherol content was increased by dietary addition of αT. Birds fed αT and GP diets showed higher meat polyunsaturated fatty acid content, while monounsaturated fatty acid was reduced. The addition of tannase to GP diets reversed the beneficial effect observed on fatty acid content obtained in GP diets. In conclusion, dietary GP reached the protective effect of α-tocopherol by reducing the susceptibility of meat to lipid oxidation and increasing the PUFA content. The inclusion of tannase in diets containing GP increased the amount of total polyphenol released in the intestine, but did not improve the stability to meat lipid oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyphenols are chemically and biologically active compounds. Grape seed extracts (GSEs) have been widely used as a human food supplement for health promotion and disease prevention. However, there is little information regarding its application in animal feeds. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of inclusion of GSE at 0.025, 0.25, 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg in a wheat soya bean control diet on growth performance, protein and amino acid (AA) digestibility and plasma lipid and mineral concentrations in broiler chickens at 21 days of age. Performance was not affected by dietary treatment except in the case of birds fed the diet with the highest GSE concentration, which showed a worsening of weight gain and feed conversion. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of protein was significantly reduced in the birds fed the highest concentration of GSE, which also had a reduction on the AID of arginine, histidine, phenylalanine, cystine, glutamic acid and proline compared with those fed control diet. The inclusion of graded concentration of GSE in the chicken diets caused a significant linear decrease in the concentrations of plasma copper, iron and zinc. Plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins (high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and very-low-density lipoprotein) concentrations were not affected by dietary GSE. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that incorporation of GSE in chicken diets up to 2.5 g/kg had no adverse effect on growth performance or protein and AA digestibility. Feed conversion was reduced and growth rate was retarded, when chickens were fed 5 g/kg of GSE. This study also indicated that grape polyphenols reduce the free plasma minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Biobío River basin is highly impacted by a variety of anthropogenic activities such as pulp mills and urban wastewaters subjected to different treatment processes. This work assesses for the first time, the contamination source and biological effects (estrogenic and dioxin-like activities) in the river basin by the determination of 45 organic microcontaminants in seven sediment samples. Pressurized solvent extraction combined with two-dimensional comprehensive gas chromatography coupled to time of flight mass spectrometry was employed for this purpose. The organic microcontaminants identified comprise monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, ionones, lineal alkyl benzenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, musk fragrances, sterols and phathalate esters. The presence of pine and eucalyptus pulp mill effluents increased the abundance of resin-derived neutral compounds and monoterpenes respectively. A principal component analysis showed that the Biobío River basin was impacted by domestic wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), pine or eucalyptus Kraft pulp mills and pyrolytic and pyrogenic processes. Finally, the recombinant yeast assays showed that the presence of estrogenic and dioxin-like activity was mostly located in sediments impacted by domestic WWTP effluents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Weaning is considered a stressful period for rabbits caused by abrupt changes of diet and environment. An immature immune system together with a transient decrease of nutrient digestibility places the animal in adverse conditions where digestive pathologies might take place. In recent years the European ban on antibiotic type growth promoters in animal feeds has even complicated weaning management for farmers because of the widespread and incidence of emerging animal diseases. Since the first outbreaks in 1997 the epizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE) has become a threat to the industry as it can cause between 20 and 70% of mortality and up to 100% morbidity in European rabbit commercial farms. Although the aetiology of this disease remains unknown, proliferation of Clostridium perfringens could be a consequence of ERE and might be associated to the high mortality caused by this disease. Although, several antibiotics have been proven to be efficient against ERE, there is a need to find alternative solutions to control the disease in order to fulfil current EU legislation. Among them, nutritional management has become a priority, given its importance on digestive diseases. The present work summarises recent research related to the feed composition and management of young rabbits in farms affected by ERE, aiming to provide useful guidelines for nutritionists towards a preventive nutrition against this disease. Data dealing with maternal and environmental effects on ERE incidence and mortality are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of inclusion of pea hulls (PH) in the diet on growth performance, development of the gastrointestinal tract and nutrient retention were studied in broilers from 1 to 18d of age. There were a control diet based on low fibre ingredients (69.3 total dietary fibre (16.1g crude fibre/kg)) and three additional diets that resulted from the dilution of the basal diet with 25, 50 and 75g PH/kg (81.2, 93.2, and 105.1g total dietary fibre/kg diet, respectively). Each treatment was replicated six times and the experimental unit was a cage with 12 chicks. Growth performance, development of the gastrointestinal tract and the coefficients of total tract apparent retention (CTTAR) of nutrients were recorded at 6, 12 and 18d of age. In addition, jejunal morphology was measured at 12 and 18d and the coefficients of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) of nutrients at 18d of age. Pea hulls inclusion affected all the parameters studied. The inclusion of 25 and 50g PH/kg diet improved growth performance as compared to the control diet. The relative weight (g/kg body weight) of proventriculus (P≤0.01), gizzard (P≤0.001) and ceca (P≤0.05) increased linearly as the level of PH in the diet increased. The inclusion of PH affected quadratically (P≤0.01) villus height:crypt depth ratio with the highest value shown at 25g PH/kg. In general, the CTTAR and CAID of nutrients increased linearly and quadratically (P≤0.05) with increasing levels of PH, showing maximum values with PH level between 25 and 50g/kg diet. We conclude that the size of the digestive organs increases with increasing levels of PH in the diet. In general, the best performance and nutrient digestibility values were observed with levels of PH within the range of 25 and 50g/kg. Therefore, young broilers have a requirement for a minimum amount of dietary fibre. When pea hulls are used as a source of fibre, the level of total dietary fibre required for optimal performance is within the range of 81.2–93.2g/kg diet (25.6–35.0g crude fibre/kg diet). An excess of total dietary fibre (above 93.2g/kg diet) might reduce nutrient digestibility and growth performance to values similar to those observed with the control diet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Grapes have high amounts of phenolic compounds, which can modulate the gut activity as well as modify the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract. The microbiological activity of avoparcm, grape pomace concentrate, and grape seed extract was evaluated in an in vitro study. An in vivo experiment was also conducted to study the effect of the inclusion of grape pomace concentrate and grape seed extract in the diet of broiler chicks on performance, intestinal microflora (by cultured and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology), and gut morphology at 21 d of age. Dietary treatments included an antibiotic-free diet (CON), a positive control (AVP; 50 mg/kg of avoparcin), and antibiotic-free diets containing grape pomace concentrate (GPC; 60 g/kg) or grape seed extract (GSE; 7.2 g/kg). Performance was not affected by dietary treatment except in the case of birds fed the GSE diet, which showed decreased weight gain. In the ileal content, birds fed CON and GSE diets had the highest populations of Lactobacilins. Compared with the CON diet, the AVP, GPC, and GSE diets increased the populations of Enterococcus and decreased the counts of Ciostridium in the ileal content. In the cecal digesta, birds fed GPC and GSE diets had higher populations of Escherichia coli, Lactobacilius, Enterococcus, and Ciostridium than birds in any other treatment group. Animals fed GPC and GSE diets showed a higher biodiversity degree than those fed control diets. The frequency of detection of several potential phenol-degrading bacteria as well as unidentified and uncultured organisms was increased in animals fed GPC and GSE diets. Birds fed the CON diet had longer villi and deeper crypt depth than birds in any other treatment group. The highest villi height:crypt depth ratio corresponded to birds fed GPC and AVP diets and the lowest to those fed CON and GSE diets. In conclusion, dietary polyphenol-rich grape products modify the gut morphology and intestinal microflora and increase the biodiversity degree of intestinal bacteria in broiler chicks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Moving Bed Bioreactor (MBBR) was operated at three different hydraulic retention times for a period of 414 days. The fate of the extractive compounds and the estrogenic activity of the Pinus radiata kraft mill effluents were evaluated using Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detection. Results show that the MBBR reactor is able to remove between 80-83% of estrogenic activity present in the kraft mill Pinus radiata influent, where the values of the effluent's estrogenic activity ranged between 0.123-0.411 ng L-1, expressed as estrogenic equivalent (EEqs) of 17-a-ethynylestradiol (EE2 eq.). Additionally, the biomass of the MBBR reactor accumulated estrogenic activity ranging between 0.29-0.37 ng EEqs EE2 during the different Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) operations. The main groups present in pulp mills effluents, corresponding to fatty acids, hydrocarbons, phenols, sterols and triterpenes, were detected by solid phase extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results suggest that the sterols produce the estrogenic activity in the evaluated effluent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous studies have identified swine helper memory T cells as CD4+CD8α+SLADR+. We have recently described a new porcine surface antigen (2E3) selectively expressed on CD4+ T cells that allows to divide these cells into naïve (2E3+) and effector/memory (2E3−). However, although the majority of CD4+2E3− cells are CD8α+SLADR+, a minor proportion do not express SLADR and/or CD8α. Here, we have analyzed the functional capacity of these CD4+2E3− subsets to proliferate to a recall antigen. Both SLADR− and CD8α− cells proliferated in response to lysozyme, but at lower levels compared to the whole population CD4+2E3−. Besides, after activation with PMA plus ionomycin, CD4+2E3−SLADR− T cells produced IFNγ and TNFα, although they did also in lower proportion than the whole CD4+2E3− population. Most of the IFNγ−TNFα+, IFNγ+TNFα+, IFNγ+TNFα− cells were CD8α+ and CD45RA−, while IFNγ−TNFα− cells showed a less differentiate phenotype. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

AIM:: These studies were performed to test the hypothesis that endogenous neuropeptide Y (NPY) acting on the NPY Y5 receptor subtype contributes to the control of food intake. The hypothesis was tested using S 25585-a newly synthesized NPY Y5 receptor antagonist. METHODS AND RESULTS:: S 25585 was shown to be a high-affinity antagonist of the NPY Y5 receptor subtype (IC50 5?nM) with no significant affinity toward other NPY receptor subtypes and over 40 other receptors, channels or uptake systems. S 25585 (7.5?mg/kg, i.p.) did not induce a conditioned taste aversion, significantly alter need-induced sodium appetite or induce pica, suggesting that at this dose the compound did not induce illness or malaise. In satiated rats, S 25585 (5.0 and 7.5?mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased the overfeeding induced by i.c.v. injection of NPY (1?µg) and the highly selective NPY Y5 receptor agonist [hPP1-17, Ala31, Aib32]NPY (0.7?µg). In rats fasted for 4?h immediately before the dark phase, analysis of the microstructure of feeding behavior revealed that S 25585 significantly increased latency to eat and significantly decreased the duration and size of the meals without altering the meal number or eating rate. Analysis of the behavioral satiety sequence at this time revealed that the animals passed through the normal pattern of feeding, grooming and resting. Although S 25585 appeared to be influencing a physiological system controlling appetite, this does not involve the NPY Y5 receptor since the antagonist also markedly reduced food intake in the NPY Y5 knockout mouse. CONCLUSIONS:: The results presented do not support a role for the NPY Y5 receptor in the control of food intake. The results further illustrate that it is imperative that the activity of any new NPY Y5 antagonist be assessed in the NPY Y5 knockout mouse before assuming that its effect on food intake is due to blockade of this receptor.International Journal of Obesity (2004) 28, 628-639. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802435 Published online 3 February 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to test the continuing validity of the hypothesis that neuropeptide Y (NPY) produced in the brain controls food intake through an interaction with the NPY Y[sub 5] receptor subtype. METHODS: The hypothesis was tested using CGP 71683A a potent and highly selective non-peptide antagonist of the NPY Y[sub 5] receptor which was administered into the right lateral ventricle of obese Zucker fa/fa rats. RESULTS: Intraventricular injection of 3.4 nmol/kg NPY increased food intake during a 2 h test period. Doses of CGP 71683A in excess of 15 nmol/kg (i.cv.) resulted in blockade of the increase in food intake produced by NPY. Repeated daily injection of CGP 71683A (30-300 nmol/kg, i.cv.) immediately before the dark phase produced a dose-dependent and slowly developing decrease in food intake. CGP 71683A has a low affinity for NPY Y[sub 1], Y[sub 2] and Y[sub 4] receptors but a very high affinity for the NPY Y[sub 5] receptor (Ki, 1.4 nM). Surprisingly, CGP 71683A had similarly high affinity for muscarinic receptors (Ki, 2.7 nM) and for the serotonin uptake recognition site (Ki, 6.2 nM) in rat brain. Anatomic analysis of the brain after treatment with CGP 71683A demonstrated an inflammatory response associated with the fall in food intake. CONCLUSIONS: While the fall in food intake in response to CGP 71683A may have a Y[sub 5] component, interactions with other receptors or inflammatory mediators may also play a role. It is concluded that CGP 71683A is an imprecise tool for investigating the role of the NPY Y[sub 5] receptor in the control of physiological processes including food intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) is a safe and effective procedure that offers clear advantages over nasogastric tube feeding to ensure adequate nutrition in patients with swallowing problems who have an intact digestive tract. With proper placement and monitoring methodology there are few complications in both the peritrack procedure as in the long run. However, despite being considered a safe technique it is not devoided of serious complications. We report a patient with dysphagia, requiring percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement developing a severe anemia with severe subcutaneous hematoma, given the exceptional case and literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) is a safe and effective procedure that offers clear advantages over nasogastric tube feeding to ensure adequate nutrition in patients with swallowing problems who have an intact digestive tract. With proper placement and monitoring methodology there are few complications in both the peritrack procedure as in the long run. However, despite being considered a safe technique it is not devoided of serious complications. We report a patient with dysphagia, requiring percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement developing a severe anemia with severe subcutaneous hematoma, given the exceptional case and literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which includes both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is caused by a complex interplay involving genetic predisposition, environmental factors and an infectious agent. Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is a promising pathogen candidate since it produces a chronic intestinal inflammatory disease in ruminants that resembles CD in humans. MAP is a ubiquitous microorganism, although its presence in the food chain, especially in milk from infected animals, is what made us think that there could be an association between lactase persistence (LP) and IBD. The LCT mutation has brought adaptation to dairy farming which in turn would have increased exposure of the population to infection by MAP. NOD2 gene mutations are highly associated to CD. Methods In our study, CD and UC patients and controls from the North of Spain were genotyped for the lactase gene (LCT) and for three NOD-2 variants, R702W, G908R and Cins1007fs. MAP PCR was carried out in order to assess MAP infection status and these results were correlated with LCT and NOD2 genotypes. Results As for LP, no association was found with IBD, although UC patients were less likely to present the T/T−13910 variant compared to controls, showing a higher C-allele frequency and a tendency to lactase non-persistence (LNP). NOD2 mutations were associated to CD being the per-allele risk higher for the Cins1007fs variant. MAP infection was more extended among the healthy controls (45.2%) compared to CD patients (21.38%) and UC patients (19.04%) and this was attributed to therapy. The Asturian CD cohort presented higher levels of MAP prevalence (38.6%) compared to the Basque CD cohort (15.5%), differences also attributed to therapy. No interaction was found between MAP infection and LCT or NOD2 status. Conclusions We conclude that LP is not significantly associated with IBD, but that MAP infection and NOD2 do show not mutually interacting associations with IBD.

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the level of neutral detergent soluble fiber (NDSF) and medication with 200 ppm apramycine sulphate and 120 ppm tylosine tartrate in drinking water on frequency of detection (FD) of Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile and Campylobacter spp. at ileum and cecum. Three isonutritive diets (33% NDF, 20% CP, 20% starch) were formulated. Differences in NDSF were obtained by a partial substitution in the control diet of alfalfa hay (28% of inclusion and 10.3% NDSF) with either oat hulls (14.7% and 7.9% NDSF) or a mixture of sugar beet and apple pulps (15+5% and 13.1% NDSF). Eighteen rabbits/treatment weaned at 25 d were slaughtered at 35 d to collect intestinal digesta for characterizing microbiota population by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Data were analyzed by using the proc mixed of SAS including NDSF level, medication, and intestinal site as main effects and their interactions. Rabbit was considered as a random effect. Rabbits fed the lowest NDSF concentration had a higher FD of C. perfringens (39.4 vs. 24.3%; P = 0.016), Campylobacter spp. (50.0 vs. 27.8%; P = 0.001) and C. difficile (33.0 vs. 21.6%; P = 0.090) compared to diets with a higher NDSF levels. Clostridium difficile (P = 0.001) and Campylobacter spp. (P = 0.081) were more frequently detected in cecum than in ileum. Intestinal site did not affect FD of C. perfringens. Medication decreased FD of all the bacteria studied (P < 0.001). An interaction between level of NDSF and medication (P = 0.023) was detected for the FD of C. perfringens. When non-medicated rabbits were fed the low NDSF diet, they showed the highest FD of C. perfringens, but this effect was not detected with medication. In conclusion, the FD of intestinal pathogen bacteria might be partially modulated by NDSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Last Interglacial is considered the most suitable episode from which to infer patterns of rapid sea-level change since its climatic conditions were similar to those of the present interglacial. However, specifying the true position of its sea level with high accuracy is very troublesome in the absence of sedimentological, erosional or even palaeontological markers. This study investigates the morphosedimentary evidence (beach deposits, cliff, notch and shore platform) of two highstands registered and dated during MIS 5 stage by U-series dating in the North of Morocco (Strait of Gibraltar). Bioerosive notches and mixed siliciclastic and carbonate deposits, high energy beaches with algal bioherms, were formed in coastal environments during MIS 5a. A sea-level height of +10m asl can be inferred for this substage. The record of MIS 5e substage is less defined in the geomorphological record, consisting of backshore/foreshore deposits located at +13 to +15m asl. A tectonic uplift rate of ~0.1mm/yr has been estimated for the last 130 kyr. These data are consistent with models of coastal uplifting calculated for the Strait of Gibraltar. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]