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The aims of this study were to investigate the influence of the short-term addition of sunflower and linseed oil and castration on fatty acid composition and desaturation indexes in chicken broilers. Forty-eight male Ross 308 chicken broilers were supplemented with 5% of sunflower or linseed oil. The four experimental groups were linseed oil supplementation and castration ( LC), linseed oil without castration ( LN), sunflower oil and castration ( SC) and sunflower oil without castration ( SN). There was no significant influence of castration or oil supplement on live weights, weight gain, feed intake or feed conversion. Castration resulted in an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFA), total n3, n6, measured desaturation indexes and a decrease in the saturated fatty acid ( SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid ( MUFA) content of abdominal fat. In breast muscle, castration increased PUFA and 18:3n3 values, while in the liver tissue, castration did not influence the parameters measured. Linseed oil supplementation significantly increased 18:3n3, n3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids ( LC PUFA), total n3 and decreased total n6, n6/n3 ratio, and 20:4n6 content. Values for 20:4n6 were the highest in SC and the lowest in the LC group. Linseed oil also significantly decreased ∆5 and ∆4 desaturation indexes in the thighs and ∆5 and ∆5, 6 in abdominal fat and the liver. These results suggest that short-term supplementation of basal diet with 5% of linseed oil could significantly increase n3 LC PUFA and decrease n6/n3 ratio content in the edible tissues of chicken broilers, without adverse effects on growth performance. Meanwhile, castration only improved fatty acid profile in abdominal fat, which is not nutritionally important. The interactions observed between basal diet, supplemented oil, sex hormones and other non-nutritional factors must be elucidated in future trials in order to correctly predict the nutritional value of linseed-fed poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Acute rheumatic fever ( ARF) and rheumatic heart disease ( RHD) contribute to Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander health disadvantage. At the time of this study, specialist ARF/ RHD care in the Kimberley region of Western Australia was delivered by a broad range of providers. In contrast, in Far North Queensland ( FNQ), a single-provider model was used as part of a coordinated RHD control programme. Aims To review ARF/ RHD management in the Kimberley and FNQ to ascertain whether differing models of service delivery are associated with different disease burden and patient care. Methods An audit of ARF/ RHD management. Classification and clinical management data were abstracted from health records, specialist letters, echocardiograms and regional registers using a standardised data collection tool. Results Four hundred and seven patients were identified, with 99% being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders. ARF without RHD was seen in 0.4% of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander residents and RHD in 1.1%. The prevalence of RHD was similar in both regions but with more severe disease in the Kimberley. More FNQ RHD patients had specialist review within recommended time frames (67% vs 45%, χ2, P < 0.001). Of patients recommended benzathine penicillin secondary prophylaxis, 17.7% received ≥80% of scheduled doses in the preceding 12 months. Prescription and delivery of secondary prophylaxis was greater in FNQ. Conclusions FNQ's single-provider model of specialist care and centralised RHD control programme were associated with improved patient care and may partly account for the fewer cases of severe disease and reduced surgical procedures and other interventions observed in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If cows or sheep are grazing on areas known for a higher dioxin level of the soil, respectively, dry cows are fed with feedstuffs produced on such areas, the dioxin concentration in food, in this case in cows’ milk and livers of sheep could reach or exceed maximum levels. Furthermore large amounts ofpolychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans (PCDD/F) can be excreted with the faeces. But there are chances for farmers to prevent or at least to minimize the dioxin load of feed and with it of food (including the harvesting technique and the feeding strategy). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]