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Abstract Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) is a valuable tool for evaluating hydration and body composition, but its application in subacute post-stroke patients remains unexplored. This study aimed to fill this gap by analyzing BIVA in a cohort of 87 subacute post-stroke patients (42 women, mean age 69 ± 12) undergoing rehabilitation. At admission (T0), diagnosis of malnutrition with GLIM criteria and of sarcopenia with EWGSOP2 was done, and patients were analyzed with BIVA. The change in modified Barthel Index (mBIT1-mBIT0) was assessed to evaluate the improvement in functional recovery. BIVA revealed that both adult patients (

This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of an authorized commercial standardized mixture of Artepillin-C, methyl-salicylates, flavonoids and curcuminoids (PHYTO AX'CELL™) provided intermittently during 8 weeks (wk) of trial to laying hens raised in enriched cages during the peak of the production, in the reduction of inflammation status, improving the immune response, and egg quality. In this study, 764 Lohmann LSL-White hens on the first day (d) of the 26th wk of age (T0), were randomly assigned to 2 replicated experimental groups, control and treated (n=382 each). The treatment was supplied in drinking water, as follows: 26th to 27th wk (T1, 14 d) first treatment administration at a dose of 1 mL/L (0.5 mL/L only the first d of the treatment); 28th to the 31st wk (T2, 4 wk of withdrawal period); 32nd to 33rd wk (T3, 14 d) second treatment at a dose of 1 mL/L, until the end of the trial (T4). At T0, mid-T3 and T4, 13 hens per group were sampled for serum biochemical analyses (metabolic profile, H/L ratio) and weighed, and 60 eggs per group were analyzed for quality parameters. At T4, 13 hens per group were sacrificed for histological investigations and gut IgA quantification. The treatment reduced the mortality rate in the treated group (0.00%) compared to the control (2.61%). An improvement in intestinal IgA production and immune reactivity in the treated hens was observed with a significant fluctuating trend of the heterophil, lymphocyte and their ratio (P < 0.05). The egg quality was improved by the treatment, with positive effects in the Haugh unit, shell weight and thickness (P < 0.05). A T4, significant reduction in duodenal and rectal pH was observed in the treated group (P < 0.05), without intestinal inflammation score changes, body weight, serum biochemistry, interleukin levels, and infectious bronchitis virus titers (P > 0.05). From the results, PHYTO AX'CELL™ improved the well-being and physical condition of laying hens raised in cages, modulating the immune system with a positive production of intestinal IgA, and egg quality parameters important for commercial purposes.

Fish meal represents the main protein source for most commercially farmed aquatic species, as it is characterized by high nutritional value and lack of anti-nutritional factors. However, its availability and the market price have been recognized as serious problems at least for over a decade, making it necessary to search for non-conventional protein sources, as an alternative to fish meals. This review aims to comprehensively examine and critically revise the use of fish meal and all alternative protein sources explored to date on the health, welfare, and growth performance of the major aquatic species commercially interesting from a global scenario. The investigation revealed that the inclusion levels of the different protein sources, plant- and animal-derived, ranged from 10 to 80 % and from 2 to 100 % respectively, in partial or complete replacement of fish meal, and generated positive effects on health, welfare, growth performance, and fillet quality. However, the results showed that above a certain level of inclusion, each protein source can negatively affect fish growth performance, metabolic activities, and other biological parameters. Moreover, it is likely that by mixing different protein sources, the combination of each ingredient causes a synergistic effect on the nutritional properties. Therefore, the future of aquatic feed formulation is expected to be based on the blend of different protein sources. Overall, the analysis highlighted the need for additional research in the field of replacing fish meals with new protein sources, given that many knowledge gaps are still to be filled on aquatic species, which deserve to be investigated.

Domestic chicken farming has been promoted and spread in several Italian municipalities and worldwide as an aid to the self-consumption of domestically produced food. This study investigated the levels of four toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in eggs from an ethical laying hen farm, comparing the element concentrations with those possibly present in supermarket eggs. A total of 201 eggs, 141 from the farm and produced by different hen genotypes, and 60 from the supermarket, were collected. The levels of the toxic elements were evaluated in the yolk, albumen, and eggshells of all eggs. The results show that the supermarket eggs’ yolk and albumen were more contaminated with lead, compared to the rural eggs. Contrarily, the mean content of arsenic was higher in the albumen and eggshells of the rural eggs, compared to the supermarket eggs. The cadmium content was below the LOQ (0.005 mg/kg) in all samples. The mercury content was below or around the LOQ in all rural eggs. Overall, the supermarket egg albumens were significantly more contaminated than the rural ones. No significant differences were found in quality parameters for both types of eggs. The toxic element values that were detected were in line with other studies in the literature. However, despite the concentrations found not representing a risk to the consumers’ health, the results of this study raise a potential food safety issue, and it would be desirable to set specific MRLs for eggs for consumers’ protection.

The imbalance in oxidative stress in acute stroke has been extensively studied; on the contrary, its investigation in the subacute phase is limited. The aim of this study was to analyse the variation in the systemic oxidative status in subacute post-stroke patients before (T0) and after a six-week rehabilitation treatment (T1) and to investigate the relationship between systemic oxidative status and rehabilitation outcomes. We enrolled 109 subjects in two different centres, and we analysed their serum hydroperoxide levels (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant power (BAP), thiol antioxidant components (-SHp), and relative antioxidant capacity (OSI and SH-OSI indices). Activity of Daily Living (ADL), hand grip strength, and walking endurance were evaluated using the modified Barthel Index, the Hand Grip test, and the 6-min walk test, respectively. At T0, most of the patients showed very high levels of d-ROMs and suboptimal levels of the BAP, OSI, and SH-OSI indices. Comparing the T1 and T0 data, we observed an improvement in the rehabilitation outcomes and a significant decrease in d-ROMs (549 ± 126 vs. 523 ± 148, p = 0.023), as well as an improvement in the OSI and SH-OSI indices (4.3 ± 1.3 vs. 4.7 ± 1.5, p = 0.001; 11.0 ± 0.4 vs. 1.2 ± 0.4, p < 0.001). In addition, significant correlations were seen between the oxidative stress parameters and the rehabilitation outcomes. These results suggest monitoring the systemic oxidative stress status in post-stroke patients in order to plan a tailored intervention, considering its relationship with functional recovery.

The majority of BIA parameters have been investigated in relation to post-stroke recovery, except for body cell mass (BCM), which measures the body’s cellular components involved in oxygen consumption and nutritional status. The aim of this longitudinal prospective study was to investigate in a cohort of subacute post-stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation the body composition parameters from BIA and the relationship between these parameters, in particular BCM, with both the performance in activity of daily living (ADL), measured by Barthel’s Index at admission (BI T0), and the recovery in ADL, measured by change in BI from baseline (ΔBI). We analyzed 66 patients, before and after a six-week rehabilitation program and we found that patients’ body composition after the rehabilitation protocol did not change. All lean mass and muscle quality parameters measured by BIA are positively correlated with BI T0. Moreover, patients with better recovery had higher values of BCM, such as other lean mass parameters and their related height-adjusted indices. Furthermore, BCM was independently associated both with ADL performance at admission, and most notably with recovery. These results suggest that assessing BCM at admission not only would improve the valuation of the nutritional status in post-stroke patients but would also potentially predict their recovery.

Grains are major farm animals’ diet ingredients, and one of the main concerns is when are mycotoxin (MyT) contaminated, compromising animals’ health, performance, and product safety. Among the natural phytocompounds that are being used to prevent MyT damage, silymarin (SIL), an extract from the seed of the milk thistle (MT) is a suitable candidate. This review aims to examine the scientific evidence concerning the anti-MyT toxicity effects of MT/SIL in poultry and livestock. In vitro and in vivo studies (n = 27) showed that MT whole plant, seed, or SIL-standardized extract had positive effects on animal health, performance, and restoring the hepatic activity, with a reduction of organ lesions caused by MyT. Furthermore, showed utility for combating MyT-immunodepression, improving intestinal health, and limiting the excretion of toxins residues in food of animal origin, although in some cases, MT/SIL supplementation does not produce appreciable effects. The use of MT in animal nutrition can be useful since the bioactive compounds, also if present in variable amounts, can help the animals to counteract the effects of MyT. The use of the phytoextract of SIL, due to its cost, can be useful if it reported the specific bioactive compounds, recognize for their pharmacological activities.

Among biogenic amines, histamine is most frequently involved in foodborne intoxication. To evaluate histamine formation in tuna, several storage conditions were reproduced. An LC-MS/MS method was used for analytical determinations. Fresh tuna samples (not contaminated and grafted with tuna muscle naturally incurred with histamine at 6000 mg/kg) were stored at 4, 12, and 20 °C, and daily samples were collected for 6 days. The development of histamine was observed only in grafted tuna samples. At 4 °C, histamine formation progressed from 12.8 mg/kg (day 1) up to 68.2 mg/kg (day 6). At 12 °C, higher concentrations developed (23.9 mg/kg on day 1 up to 2721.3 mg/kg on day 6) relative to 20 °C (from 12.0 to 1681.0 mg/kg). It was found that at 4 °C, if grafted tuna was submerged in oil, histamine formation progressed more slowly. In a naturally contaminated sample, it was observed that the histamine distribution was uniform, while the normal cooking process did not affect the histamine level. Furthermore, it was found that the use of histamine-contaminated equipment for food handling may result in histamine formation in food. These results confirm the importance of implementing good hygiene practices and respecting the cold chain.

ABSTRACT: Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) represent the most important avian Mycoplasma species in the poultry industry, causing considerable economic losses. In Italy, the presence of MG or MS has been investigated especially in commercial poultry farms. To our knowledge, no systematic investigations on MG or MS presence using highly specific diagnostic assays have been performed in backyard poultry. The aim of this study was to detect and molecularly characterize MG and MS strains in 11 backyard poultry flocks located in different regions of Italy. Tracheal swabs were collected and DNA was extracted. For MS, a PCR targeting a vlhA gene fragment was performed, and typing and subtyping was attempted. The presence of MG was investigated by a screening PCR, then MG typing by gene-targeted sequencing (GTS). All the amplicons were sequenced, then MG and MS dendrograms were constructed. All the flocks examined resulted Mycoplasma positive: 5 out of 11 (45.45%) were MG and MS positive, 3 (27.27%) were MG positive, and the remaining 3 (27.27%) were MS positive. The MS detections were assigned to types C, D, and F. All strains of type D belonged to subtype D1 and 2 unknown subtypes were identified. A MS sequence showed peculiar characteristics, which did not allow assignment to a known MS type or subtype. MG GTS analysis identified 6 MG strains belonging to 5 subclusters circulating in Italian backyards chicken flocks. The results of this study provide evidence of a risk for commercial poultry farms, especially in areas where backyard and commercial farms are close, suggesting the implementation of biosecurity measures.

The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is the most important blood-sucking ectoparasite in egg-laying hen facilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro acaricidal activity of different concentration of authorized (phoxim, ByeMite®, 500 mg/mL) and unauthorized (fipronil, Frontline® 250 mg/100 mL spray) molecules on 14 field isolates of D. gallinae collected from different ornamental poultry farms from different Italian regions. The sensitivity test was performed by contact exposure to four concentrations of each insecticide diluted at 1:5 (10,000-2000-400-80 ppm for phoxim, 500-100-20-4 ppm for fipronil) on a filter paper. The effectiveness of the treatment was significantly (p < 0.0001) associated with the dose of the pesticide used. Considering the mean lethality, phoxim has greater efficacy compared to fipronil (p < 0.001). A great variability of lethality rate was observed with the increase in fipronil dilution; conversely, for phoxim, some outliers were observed, particularly in one farm, suggesting the hypothesis that a certain degree of resistance in the mite population could occur possibly as a consequence of the continual contact with the molecule. This underlines the importance of the use of licensed products administered at correct dosages and the need for alternative molecules to avoid the onset of drug resistance phenomena.

Extracts from Boswellia serrata (Bs) and Salix alba (Sa) are used as supplements in poultry feed. The aims of this research were to study the possible effects of dietary supplementation with Bs and Sa extracts on serum and albumen proteins, zinc and iron, and yolk cholesterol content in Leghorn hens during the critical phase of the onset of laying. A total of 120 pullets, 17 weeks of age, were assigned to two groups (control (C) and treated (T), n = 60 each). The T group received a supplement containing Bs (5%) and Sa (5%) for 12 weeks. The study lasted 19 weeks. Serum proteins were fractionated using agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). Trace elements were determined in serum using atomic absorption spectrometry, and yolk cholesterol was determined using a colorimetric test. No significant differences were observed between control and supplemented hens for the analyzed biochemical indices. Moreover, the supplementation with phytoextracts did not negatively affect the physiological variations in serum proteins; therefore, it can be safely used as a treatment to prevent inflammatory states at onset and during the early laying phase.

In fish-based foods, one of the effects of inappropriate storage can be the formation of biogenic amines. Among these, histamine is considered one of the most toxic. The purpose of the present study is to assess the occurrence of histamine in fish-based pet foods, and to evaluate the changes in histamine content during storage at different temperatures. For the analysis, an LC-MS/MS method was used. Fifty-eight pet foods were purchased, and an aliquot of them was analyzed just after opening the packages. Histamine was detected in 12 samples and concentrations ranged from 1.5 to 30.1 mg/kg. The remaining of each positive sample was divided into seven subsamples. One of them was used as a control sample and kept at −20 °C, while the other six were exposed to different environmental conditions. Samples exposed to room temperature showed no significant changes in histamine levels, while samples exposed to high temperatures showed significant increases in histamine content. Finally, samples exposed to refrigerator temperature showed a slight decrease in histamine levels. Under the experimental conditions, the EU limit of 100 mg/kg established for fishery products was never exceeded. These results seem to indicate a low risk of histamine intoxication in cats fed fish-based pet food.

This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and the beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with Boswellia serrata (Bs) and Salix alba (Sa) in Leghorn hens during the critical pre-laying and laying phases. A total of 120 pullets, 17 weeks of age, were assigned to two groups (Control—C; Treated—T, n = 60 each). For 12 weeks, the T group received a diet supplemented with 0.3% of dry extracts of Bs (5%) and Sa (5%). The study lasted 19 weeks. Productive performance, serum analytes, H/L ratio, IgA and anti-IBV antibodies were investigated. Water intake was significantly higher, while body and egg weight was significantly lower for the T group (p < 0.05). No other differences were detected in performance parameters, serum analytes, IgA and H/L ratio excluding t0, with a significantly (p < 0.05) higher H/R ratio and higher titers of anti-IBV antibody for the T group. Overall, the data obtained in this study show that the supplementation with Bs and Sa was safe and resulted in an increase in water consumption, a decrease in egg weight, and a sedative effect in the hens. In the future, it would be interesting to test this supplement in hens reared on intensive farms.

The detection of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in the milk of ruminants occurs infrequently and at low levels, but its occurrence may be higher in dairy products such as cheese. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of OTA in cheeses purchased in the metropolitan city of Bologna (Italy) and the surrounding area. For the analysis, a LC-MS/MS method with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1 µg/kg was used. OTA was detected in seven out of 51 samples of grated hard cheese (concentration range 1.3–22.4 µg/kg), while it was not found in the 33 cheeses of other types which were also analysed. These data show a low risk of OTA contamination for almost all types of cheese analysed. To improve the safety of cheese marketed in grated form, more regulations on cheese rind, which is the part most susceptible to OTA-producing moulds, should be implemented or, alternatively, producers should consider not using the rind as row material for grated cheese. It would be interesting to continue these investigations particularly on grated hard cheeses to have more data to update the risk assessment of OTA in cheese, as also suggested by EFSA in its 2020 scientific opinion on OTA.

A 6-year-old female goose (Branta hutchinsii) from a group of ornamental exotic geese was found dead due to severe respiratory failure, followed by emission of haemorrhagic sputum and blood clots from the beak and nostrils, and then collapse. At necropsy, the cause of death was attributed to a total of 76 helminth parasites found in the trachea and lungs, then identified as Cyathostoma bronchialis. The flock was initially treated by feed with flubendazole (1200 g/1000 kg/feed) for 7 consecutive days but, at the reappearance of the respiratory symptoms 10 days after, the animals were given fenbendazole by drinking water (300 mg/L) for 7 consecutive days, but at the reappearance of the respiratory symptoms 10 days after, the animals were given fenbendazole via drinking water (300 mg/L) for 7 consecutive days. Despite these treatments, the respiratory symptoms continued to relapse 10–15 days after the end of drug administration. In the literature, there are no data regarding drugs for the treatment of C. bronchialis infestations in geese, and the use of these drugs in exotic birds occurs as “off-label” use. This case study provides information on C. bronchialis life cycle, which is still poorly studied and poorly documented today. In particular, the case provides useful suggestions for evaluating an appropriate protocol for the treatment of C. bronchialis in geese.

β3-adrenoreceptor (β3-AR), a G-protein coupled receptor, has peculiar regulatory properties in response to oxygen and widespread localization. β3-AR is expressed in the most frequent neoplasms, also occurring in pregnant women, and its blockade reduces tumor growth, indicating β3-AR-blockers as a promising alternative to antineoplastic drugs during pregnancy. However, β3-AR involvement in prenatal morphogenesis and the consequences of its blockade for the fetus remain unknown. In this study, after the demonstrated expression of β3-AR in endothelial and smooth muscle cells of ductus arteriosus (DA), C57BL/6 pregnant mice were acutely treated at 18.5 of gestational day (GD) with indomethacin or with the selective β3-AR antagonist SR59230A, or chronically exposed to SR59230A from 15.5 to 18.5 GD. Six hours after the last treatment, fetuses were collected. Furthermore, newborn mice were treated straight after birth with BRL37344, a β3-AR agonist, and sacrificed after 7 h. SR59230A, at the doses demonstrated effective in reducing cancer progression (10 and 20 mg/kg) in acute and chronic mode, did not induce fetal DA constriction and did not impair the DA ability to close after birth, whereas at the highest dose (40 mg/kg), it was shown to cause DA constriction and preterm-delivery. BRL37344 administered immediately after birth did not alter the physiological DA closure.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a well-known mycotoxin that can be found in the milk of animals that have ingested feed contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). In Italy, the development of donkey farms is mainly due to growing request of donkey milk, which is considered an incomparable substitute for human mother’s milk for its chemical composition and organoleptic characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of AFM1 in donkey milk produced in a farm in Northern Italy, also in view of the few data available about the presence of this mycotoxin in this type of milk. Therefore, 63 milk samples were collected and analyzed using a fast and sensitive HPLC and fluorescence detection (FLD) method previously optimized and validated. None of the milk samples collected were found to be contaminated at a level above the limit of quantification (LOQ) (0.0125 ng/mL), while only one sample showed traces of the mycotoxin at a concentration between the limit of detection (LOD) and LOQ (0.0044 ng/mL), well below the legal limit established for infant milk and follow-on milk (0.025 ng/mL). These results are in line with those of the few similar surveys carried out on donkey milk and seem to indicate a low risk of AFM1 contamination for this food.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that may be present in various food and feed of plant and animal origin, including chicken meat. In Italy, backyard poultry farming is rather widespread. Animals are raised for meat, eggs and for ornamental purpose, and they are often fed with home-made diets not subject to official controls. The purpose of this study was to evaluate exposure of ornamental and backyard chickens to OTA using biliary ochratoxin A as a biomarker. Therefore, bile samples, in addition to kidney, liver and muscle, were collected from 102 chickens reared in 16 farms located in 6 Italian regions. High-performance liquid chromatography method and fluorimetric detection (HPLC-FLD) analysis were carried out firstly on bile from all animals, and OTA was detected in 12 chickens (concentration range 3.83−170.42 µg/L). Subsequently, the kidneys of these chickens were also analysed, and the mycotoxin was not detected. The analytical detection limits (LODs) of OTA in bile and kidney were 2.1 µg/L and 0.1 µg/kg, respectively. In conclusion, these animals were exposed to OTA but their meat can be considered safe, given that this mycotoxin, if present, concentrates highest in kidneys. Biliary ochratoxin A confirms its use as a valid biomarker to assess exposure of poultry to OTA.