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12 Pág. Departamento de Tecnología de Alimentos​​, Obesity is considered a risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer. In rodents, high-fat (HF) diets are able to increase the formation of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced polyps. Polyphenol-rich apple extracts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and may induce an amelioration of the manifestations of colorectal cancer. Twenty-seven male Crl:CD-1 mice received AOM during four weeks and were subsequently divided into three groups fed a HF diet (n = 9 each group): a non-supplemented group, a second group supplemented with apple extract at 1%, and a third group supplemented with the same apple extract at 1.5%. Energy metabolism and the respiratory quotient were not affected by the supplementation with the apple extract. Although body weight was not affected by the treatment, the mice supplemented with the apple extract showed less signs of cachexia than the non-treated mice. In the intestine, the mice supplemented with the apple extract showed lower sucrase, dipeptidyl-peptidase IV, and aminopeptidase N activities, and less intestinal lesions (aberrant crypt foci and polyps). Administration of a polyphenol-rich apple extract reduces the number of neoplastic lesions in mice with AOM-induced colorectal cancer and contributes to preserve adipose tissue mass., This research was funded by the Government of Spain grant number (AGL 2006-1029-C02-01/ALI), CIBER (grant number: CB12/03/30002), and the Department of Innovation, Business and Employment of the Government of Navarra.

Fish normally undergo periods of food deprivation that are longer than non-hibernating mammals. In aquacultured rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), it is unclear how fasting may affect their physiological adaptative response, especially when they are normally fed daily. In addition, that response may vary with temperature, making it necessary to express fasting duration in terms of degree days. In the current study, trout were fasted for 5, 10, and 20 days (55, 107, and 200 degree days (°C d), respectively). To assess the physiological response of fish to fasting, different biometric, blood, plasma, and metabolic parameters were measured, as well as liver fatty acid composition. The fish weight, condition factor, and the hepato-somatic index of 5-day fasted trout were not significantly different from those of control fish. Gastric pH increased as fasting progressed while plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and total proteins decreased significantly after 10 days of fasting, while the percentage of non-esterified fatty acids increased. There were no significant differences in plasma ions (sodium, potassium, and calcium), except for chloride ion which decreased after 5 days of fasting. Liver glycogen decreased after 5 days of fasting while glycogen concentration in muscle did not decrease until 20 days of fasting. Liver color presented a higher chroma after 5 days of fasting, suggesting a mobilization of reserves. Finally, acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain was not affected by food deprivation but increased after 10 days of fasting in liver and muscle, suggesting the mobilization of body reserves, but without severely affecting basal metabolism.

Meat consumption has been related to a higher risk of heart disease due to its saturated fat content. As a consequence, there has been a growth in research on how to increase unsaturated fat content in meat. However, a high content of unsaturated fat favours the development of oxidative processes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a red wine extract (RWE) rich in polyphenols (50, 100, and 200 mg gallic acid equivalents/kg meat) as a natural antioxidant in lamb meat patties enriched with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) (100 mg n-3 PUFA/100 g meat), compared to using -tocopherol (TOC) (100 mg/kg meat). Adding RWE delayed metmyoglobin formation, lipid oxidation and loss of n-3 PUFA relative to controls, while TOC had no effect on preventing meat oxidation. Lamb odour was lower (p &lt, 0.01) and odd odour higher (p &lt, 0.001) in patties at the highest dose of RWE, compared to controls, but the overall liking score was not affected. The results suggest that RWE could be used as a natural antioxidant in the meat industry, even when n-3 PUFA content is high.

Pre-slaughter fasting is a common practice in aquaculture to ensure emptying of the digestive tract, but little is known about how long fish should be fasted, in terms of degree days (°C days), to clear the gut without affecting their welfare or flesh quality. In this study, 180 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were fasted for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 days (17.2, 22.3, 28.6, 35.3, 41.8 and 55.3 °C days, respectively) and different morphometric, hematological and flesh quality parameters were measured. The slaughter weight, relative growth and hepato-somatic index did not decrease until after 7 days of fasting (41.8 °C days) and stomach content was similar and near zero after 4 days of fasting (22.3 °C days). Conversely, fasting time increased carcass yield. Plasma concentrations of cortisol, glucose and creatine phosphokinase enzyme were lower with increasing days of fasting. However, trout slaughtered after 5 days of fasting (28.6 °C days) had a higher flesh pH at 0 h post-mortem than 3 and 4 days fasted trout and, consequently, earlier establishment of rigor mortis. Furthermore, liver color could be useful as a stress indicator since its hue decreases after 5 days of fasting (28.6 °C days). In conclusion, a pre-slaughter fasting period from 17.2 °C days to 22.3 °C days makes possible to obtain a complete emptying of the digestive system in rainbow trout and simultaneously it can minimize the stress response with consequent better flesh quality. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

Spain is the biggest olive oil producer in the world what means that this area is especially affected by olive mill waste pollution. The main system used for extracting olive oil is the continuous two-phase centrifugation system, which generates olive wet cake waste. This wastage has disposal problems due to its phytotoxicity and high moisture content, so strategies for its use and revalorization are needed. One of these strategies is the extraction of bioactive compounds, as is the case of polyphenols present in the waste, which could be used as natural antioxidants in food. This study evaluated the effect of adding an olive waste extract (100, 200 or 400 mg gallic acid equivalents/kg muscle), as a possible natural polyphenol-rich antioxidant on the stability of lamb meat patties enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, and stored in high-oxygen modified atmosphere packs for up to 9 days at 4 °C. Addition of the extract delayed meat discolouration, lipid oxidation (p ≤ 0.001) and protein carbonylation (p ≤ 0.001), and increased loss of thiol groups (p ≤ 0.05) relative to controls. Fish odour (p ≤ 0.01) and flavour (p ≤ 0.05) were lower and odd odour and flavour (p ≤ 0.001) higher in patties with added the extract compared to controls, but the overall liking score was not affected. The addition of the extract resulted in acceptable lamb meat patties (in terms of oxidation) after 6 days of storage, while patties without extract did not. The results pointed out the potential for using olive waste extracts as natural antioxidants in meat products. With this strategy, the olive oil industry would encourage to follow an eco-friendlier olive oil production chain obtaining marketable products from the wastes generated. At the same time, the shelf-life (in terms of oxidation process) of the lamb patties would be increased reducing food wastes at the point-of-sale and at consumer level, which is especially important in a high perishable food such as minced meat products, and reducing the environmental impact that food waste causes along the food supply chain. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Objective:Prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infection is a basic objective to optimize patient safety in the ICU. Building on the early success of a patient safety unit-based comprehensive intervention (the Keystone ICU project in Michigan), the Bacteremia Zero project aimed to assess its e

In this paper, we aim to provide information on music courses which are currently being taught in higher education music conservatoires in Spain in order to reflect upon the features of such schools and the music model which is being produced, teacher-training and the relation between the teaching processes and what students are actually learning. All of which will lead to facilitating informed decision making to improve theses courses of study in the contest of the European Higher Education Area.

Chronic oxidative stress and acetaldehyde accumulation are associated with brain damage during Ethanol Withdrawal (EW). Ozone therapy is a regulator of cellular redox balance and it controls important functions of nervous system during EW at experimental level. The aim of this work was to develop a pilot study in order to evaluate the ozone´s effects on EW signs and oxidative stress in 10 patients “Before” and “After” ozone treatments. Ozone improved 70% of the signs from Clinical Institute Withdrawal Scale (CIWA-Ar), mainly those associated to Central Nervous System (CNS). Ozone´s efficacy was observed in patients that required pharmacological treatment. Reduction of CIWA-Ar scores and the oxidative stress (p < 0.05) was demonstrated. In summary, ozone improved CNS functions and reduced oxidative stress in patients during EW. These results were according to experimental findings and suggest ozone´s regulator effects on important neurotransmitters of the CNS.

Ethanol withdrawal (EW) increases acetaldehyde accumulation and reactive oxygen species formation that promote damage to the brain. It is necessary to emphasize that while EtOH abuse and dependence are widespread, treatment options are extremely limited. This study aimed at investigating the protective effects of Ozone Oxidative Postconditioning (OzoneOxPost) on brain injury induced by oxidative stress and behavioral changes after 2 weeks of EW in rats. Four groups of rats (n = 10 each one) were settled: (I) Control, (II) Ethanol; (III) Ethanol + Ozone, and (IV) Ethanol + Oxygen. At the end of EW, rats were subjected to behavioral tests followed by brain tissue collection to measure markers of oxidative damage. OzoneOxPost increased food consumption, maintained water intake at the same levels as the control group, and reestablished cellular redox status. Anxiety, locomotor activity, and memory/learning of the rats were improved. These results demonstrated that OzoneOxPost protected the brain against oxida...

Although inflammation in disc hernia (DH) has been recognized and it is a well-known process mediated by loss of the cellular redox balance, only a few studies about the impact of chronic oxidative stress on this neurological disorder have been made. Ozone therapy has been widely used with clinical efficacy in DH. This work aimed at characterizing the systemic redox status of patients with low back pain and neck pain as well as studying if ozone oxidative post-conditioning modified the pathological oxidative stress and protected against oxidative protein damage and if there is any relationship between oxidative changes and pain in both DH.Redox status of 33 patients with diagnosis of DH by computerized axial tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and clinical evaluations was studied. Ozone was administered by paravertebral way. After ozone treatment, plasmatic levels of antioxidant/pro-oxidant markers, pain, and life quality disability parameters were evaluated.One hundred percent of patients showed a severe oxidative stress. Major changes in superoxide dismutase activity, total hydroperoxides, advanced oxidation protein products, fructolysine content, and malondialdehyde were observed. After ozone oxidative post-conditioning, there was a re-establishment of patients' cellular redox balance as well as a decrease in pain in both DH. A relationship between indicators of oxidative protein damage and pain was demonstrated.Ozone therapy protected against oxidation of proteins and reduced the pain. Relationship between markers of oxidative protein damage, disability parameters, and pain suggests the role of oxidative stress in the pathological processes involved in DH.

To evaluate the effect of stocking density and transport time on physiological responses and meat quality, 72 male suckling lambs were transported by road to the slaughterhouse at three different stocking densities (0.12, 0.20 or 0.25 m2/lamb) and two transport times (5 h or 30 min). Blood samples were collected pre-transport at the farm and after unloading in the slaughterhouse to measure levels of cortisol, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). After slaughter, the weights of the hot carcass, liver and spleen were recorded and pH in Musculus longisimus thoracis et lumborum (L), Musculus semitendinosus (ST) and Musculus psoas major (PM) were determined. Colour, water-holding capacity (WHC), texture and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) values were measured in samples of L, at 24 h post mortem and after 5 days of ageing. Cortisol and LDH were higher in suckling lambs transported for 30 min than those transported for 5 h. Stocking density did not affect blood parameters studied. Transport time significantly affected some carcass quality parameters, but stocking density had no significant effect. Suckling lambs transported for 5 h had lower liver weights and dressing percentages than those transported for 30 min. Transport time influenced pH values, with lambs subjected to the longer journey showing the lowest pH at 0 h in the three muscles studied, with the lowest final pH in L and PM. The PM lambs transported at high density (0.12 m2/lamb) had the lowest pH at 24 h. Transport time and stocking density did not greatly affect colour and texture parameters. The meat from lambs transported for 30 min had higher WHC than meat from lambs transported for 5 h. Animals transported for longer journeys showed higher lipid oxidation after 5 days of ageing than those transported for 30 min. Loading and initial transport caused significant stress response in suckling lambs, that stress response was reduced over the time course of the journey. © 2009 The Animal Consortium.

SummaryDespite current guidelines, venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is underused. Computerized programs to encourage physicians to apply thromboprophylaxis have been shown to be effective in selected populations. Our aim was to analyze the impact of the implementation of a computer- alert system for VTE risk in all hospitalized patients of a teaching hospital. A computer program linked to the clinical record database was developed to assess all hospitalized patients’VTE risk daily. The physician responsible for patients at high risk was alerted, but remained free to order or withhold prophylaxis. Over 19,000 hospitalized, medical and surgical, adult patients between January to June 2005 (pre-intervention phase), January to June 2006 and January to June 2007 (postintervention phase), were included. During the first semesters of 2006 and 2007, an electronic alert was sent to 32.8% and 32.2% of all hospitalized patients, respectively. Appropriate prophylaxis among alerted patients was ordered in 89.7% (2006) and 88.5% (2007) of surgical patients, and in 49.2% (2006) and 64.4% (2007) of medical patients. A sustained reduction of VTE during hospitalization was achieved, Odds ratio (OR): 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.25–1.10) and OR: 0.51, 95%CI (0.24–1.05) during the first semesters of 2006 and 2007 respectively, the impact being significant (p

The effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on lamb during vacuum-packed storage was studied. Thirty-six weaned male Manchego breed lambs were offered four dietary treatments (20, 270, 520 and 1020 mg vitamin E kg−1 feed). Lambs were fed the vitamin E-supplemented diet from 13 until 26 kg live weight. Pieces of M. longissimus dorsi were stored under vacuum at 2 ± 1 °C in the dark and meat quality was assessed after 5, 14 and 28 days of storage. Dietary supplementation significantly increased the α-tocopherol concentration in the muscle (P < 0.001). Initially, lipid oxidation, meat colour and bacterial load were similar in all groups. In meat of non-supplemented lambs the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance value increased throughout storage, whereas in meat of supplemented lambs it did not increase. Meat pigments and discolouration proportion were significantly affected by storage time (P < 0.001). The bacterial load was low initially, but after 28 days of storage it was close to 7 log10 colony-forming units (cfu) cm−2 and Enterobacteriaceae surpassed the limit of acceptability of 2.5 log10 cfu cm−2, making the lamb unsuitable for human consumption. Meat of supplemented lambs displayed less lipid oxidation than that of their non-supplemented counterparts, while meat colour and bacterial load were not affected by supplementation. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry

Dyslexia is a controversial issue today. There are many different approaches to study this learning disability (medical, educational, psychological and social). The media have tried to show some points of view about dyslexia’s aetiology, diagnosis and intervention models. In this paper we will try to describe quotidian situations related to this learning difficulty through the film “Taare Zameen Par”. RESUMEN La dislexia es un tema controvertido de actualidad cuyo estudio se aborda desde distintas opticas (medica, educa-tiva, psicologica y social). Los medios audiovisuales han intentado mostrar al publico algunas posturas sobre su etiologia, diagnostico y modelos de intervencion. En este trabajo pretendemos acercar al lector a situaciones cotidianas relacionadas con esta dificultad de aprendizaje a traves de una muestra cinematografica:“Taare Zameen Par”.

Pre-slaughter fasting, usually measured in days, helps to empty the digestive system but less is known about its effect on fish welfare or flesh quality. We evaluated the combined effects of fasting (measured in degree-days, °C. d), preceded by intermittent feeding in the last month of production, on the flesh quality rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Trout (n. = 240) were fed the same total amount of food either daily (D), once every two days (2D) or once every four days (4D) for one month, and then fasted for 24.3. °C. d (2. days) or 102. °C. d (9. days). There was a significant interaction between the effects of intermittent feeding and pre-slaughter fasting for most of the parameters measured. Slaughter weight was higher in 2D and 4D trout after two days of fasting, probably since they had more feed in their stomachs. Muscle glycogen and the hepato-somatic index were also higher in 2D trout after 2. days of fasting, suggesting higher energy reserves. There was no interaction between the effects of intermittent feeding and fasting on final muscle pH which was higher after 9. days of fasting, indicating poorer flesh quality. Overall, the results suggest that trout that received a skip-a-day feeding schedule one month before slaughter, adapt better to a two day fast than trout fed daily or once every four days. © 2015 Elsevier B.V..

Body composition was evaluated in 49 males and females suckling lambs of the Manchego breed slaughtered at 10, 12 and 14 kg. Lambs slaughtered at 14 kg had a greater proportion of loin-rib than those slaughtered at 10 kg. Male lambs exhibited a larger forequarter (neck, anterior rib and shoulder) while females had larger loin-rib. Slaughter weight affected the distribution of fat, and proportion of fat in loin-rib increased with slaughter weight. Males at 10 kg had more muscle in shoulder and neck than females. Significant slaughter weight × gender interaction was observed for total fat proportion in leg, loin-rib, anterior rib and flank. These proportions increased with slaughter weight in male lambs while in female lambs remained constant. The carcass composition of the suckling lamb showed significant correlations with muscle, fat and bone of the individual cuts, mainly leg and loin-rib. As expected, the proportion of muscle in the carcass was highly correlated with muscle in loin-rib, leg and shoulder. In conclusion, carcass composition may be predicted from the composition of leg and loin-rib. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Epilepsy is a common seizure disorder affecting approximately 70 million people worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction and antioxidant/prooxidant imbalance are emerging as factors that contribute to epileptogenesis. As medical ozone was able to reestablish cellular redox balance and to maintain the protective effects mediated by A1 receptors (A1Rs), the aim of this work was to study ozone's effects on antioxidant/prooxidant balance and to clarify if A1Rs play a role in ozone's protective actions against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsions in mice.Influence of ozone's treatments in mice submitted to PTZ-induced seizures was studied. Ozone was administered by rectal insufflation 1 mg/kg (5, 10, 15, 20 treatments), one per day, of 1-1·5 ml at an ozone concentration of 20 μg/ml. Mice received PTZ (90 mg/kg i.p.) 24 hours after the last ozone treatment. Oxygen control groups 26 mg/kg were introduced. Latency to first seizure was determined. Antioxidant/prooxidant balance in brain homogenates was studied. A1 adenosine receptors' effects on ozone's protective actions against seizures were evaluated using 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX).Highest latency was observed when mice received 15 ozone treatments. Oxygen + PTZ group did not achieve protection against neither convulsions nor brain oxidative injury. Fifteen treatments of ozone protected against biomolecules oxidative damage and the antioxidant systems as well. 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine abolished the ozone's protection.Ozone therapy increased the latency for the first seizure and the survival percentage. These effects are discussed in point of ozone's capacity to reestablish cellular redox balance, decrease biomolecules damage, and regulate activation of A1 adenosine receptors in PTZ-induced seizures.

Use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) has markedly increased during the last decade. However, there are few studies on use of PICCs in patients with haematological malignancies (HM) receiving intensive chemotherapy. Preliminary data suggest a higher rate of PICC-related complications in these high-risk patients. This prospective observational single-centre study aimed to investigate PICC-related complications after implementation of a multidisciplinary approach to PICC care and compared it with previous literature. A total of 44 PICCs were inserted in 36 patients (27.3 %, thrombocytopenia

The effect of slaughter at arrival (L0) or after 3 (L3), 6 (L6), 12 (L12) h of lairage on carcass and meat quality of suckling lambs has been studied. Lairage time had a slight effect on carcass quality traits, but most of the meat quality parameters at 24. h post mortem were affected. Weight losses increased and glycogen content of liver and longissimus muscle decreased as lairage time increased. Longissimus muscle from L3 lambs had the highest pH, shear force and toughness and the lowest b* and C* values, at 24. h post mortem. L3 and L6 had the higher proportion of expelled juice, or low water holding capacity (WHC), at 24. h post mortem. Texture parameters and WHC were similar among groups after 5. days of storage. Despite the fact that the effects of lairage time on meat quality disappears after storage, from the point of view of weight losses the slaughter of suckling lambs at arrival is recommended. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Thirty lambs were assigned to the following treatments control diet (C) rich in omega-3 fatty acids; C plus 900ppm red wine extract (RWE), or C plus 300ppm vitamin E (VE). Oxidative stability and sensory properties of chops stored in MAP (70% O2/30% CO2) during 12days were evaluated. Chops from the VE group showed lower lipid oxidation (p

In many studies in which the relationship between blood pressure and blood lead level has been examined, investigators have found significant--but small--associations. There was only one previous report of a significant association of blood lead with blood pressure in pregnant women. We measured blood lead level and sitting blood pressure of 1,627 women in their third trimester of pregnancy. We eliminated subjects with known causes of hypertension. Most women (98.4%) were normotensive. We controlled for body mass index, age, and stress--among other factors--and constructed multiple-regression models of lead association with diastolic and systolic blood pressures. Immigrants (73% of total) had significantly higher blood lead levels and different blood pressures than nonimmigrants, suggesting that analysis be stratified by "immigrant, nonimmigrant" status. Positive relationships between blood lead level and blood pressure were found only for immigrants (por = .001). From the 5th to 95th blood-lead percentiles (0.9-6.2 microg/dl) in immigrants, systolic blood pressure increased 2.8 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure increased 2.4 mm Hg. Higher prior lead exposure of immigrants (97.7% from Latin countries) than nonimmigrants might explain the differential effect of these low levels of blood lead on blood pressure in nonimmigrants. Perhaps some immigrants are at higher risk than nonimmigrants for lead-associated elevated blood pressure during pregnancy, despite blood lead levels within the currently considered acceptable range.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the most prevalent chronic condition present in ~1% of the adult population. Many pro-inflammatory mediators are increased in RA, including Reactive Oxygen Species such as nitric oxide NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and other molecules. Ozone oxidative postconditioning has regulatory effects on some pathological targets associated with RA. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ozone therapy in PG/PS-induced arthritis in rats in point of joints inflammation and morphology. Moreover, cytokines, nitric oxide and oxidative stress levels in spleen homogenates were evaluated. Ozone treatment ameliorated joint damage, reduced TNF-α concentrations as well as TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA levels. Besides, cellular redox balance, nitric oxide and fructolysine levels were reestablished after ozone oxidative postconditioning. It was concluded that pleiotropic ozone's effects clarify its therapeutic efficacy in RA. Decreasing inflammation and joint injury, reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β transcripts and re-establishment of cellular redox balance after ozone treatment were demonstrated.

The effect of dietary supplementation with either vitamin E (300ppm) or a red wine extract rich in polyphenols (900ppm) in an omega-3 enriched concentrate on the volatile fraction of lamb meat was assessed. The effect of refrigerated storage (0 and 6days) under high-oxygen atmospheres (70% O 2/30% CO 2) was also studied. Extraction and analysis of the volatile compounds was carried out by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and GC-MS, respectively. Vitamin E supplementation led to lower levels of lipo-oxidation compounds, such as 2-heptanone and 1-penten-3-ol. The red wine extract was less efficient against lipid oxidation than vitamin E but more efficient than the control (no added antioxidants). The levels of numerous lipid-derived compounds were found to be lower after 6days of storage which could be due to further interactions with protein-related compounds. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

To evaluate the effect of journey duration and space allowance on behavioural and physiological responses, 72 male suckling lambs were transported by road to the slaughterhouse using two transport times - short (around 40min) or long (around 4.75h) - and three different space allowances 0.12 (LSA), 0.20 (MSA) and 0.25 (HSA)m 2/lamb. Lamb behaviour was recorded continuously during the entire journey. A heart rate monitor was used to determine the heart rate during transport, and blood samples were collected two days prior to transport and after unloading at the slaughterhouse to measure the concentrations of various stress-related variables. Immediately after slaughter, and 24h thereafter, samples of Musculus longissimus were collected to determine muscle glycogen concentrations and inosine monophosphate (IMP)/adenosine triphosphate (ATP) ratio. The highest number of lambs was standing for both short and long journeys, whereas the lowest number was walking. However, the number of lambs performing each behaviour was found to differ with journey time, with significant differences in the behaviour shown by lambs transported at different space allowances. The heart rate increased during loading with respect to the values recorded during the resting period on the farm for both journey times in lambs transported at LSA and MSA, and remained high throughout the transportation period for these two space allowances. Cortisol, LDH, glucose, albumin and osmolality were higher in suckling lambs transported for a short time than for those transported for longer periods. Space allowance did not affect any of the blood parameters studied except for albumin and plasma total protein concentration, both of which were lower for MSA group (0.20m 2/lamb). In addition, liver glycogen concentration was higher for lambs after the long journey. Our results suggest that short journey produce higher stress response in suckling lambs than long journey, due to mainly to loading and initial transport which were similar handling and transport to first part of long journey. Nevertheless, this initial stress response decreases during the journey, although the heart rate remains high throughout mainly as space allowance decrease. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

The effect of vitamin E supplementation on fatty acid composition during storage of lamb meat packed in a high-oxygen modified atmosphere was studied. Lambs were fed with diets supplemented with four levels of vitamin E (0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg acetate-α-tocopherol/kg feed). Slices of M. longissimus dorsi were packed in a high-oxygen modified atmosphere (70% O230% CO2) and stored at 2 ± 1°C in the dark for 14, 21, and 28 days. The nonsupplemented group (E0) showed an increase in saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids and a reduction in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in total fatty acids. The proportion of SFA and PUFA was unchanged in the supplemented groups (E250, E500, and E1000). The supplementation with 250 mg acetate-α-tocopherol/kg feed prevented the oxidation of PUFA in the total lipids and in the polar lipids fraction, while 500 mg acetate-α- tocopherol/kg feed was necessary to prevent the oxidation of PUFA in free fatty acids. Supplementing vitamin E not only inhibited lipid oxidation but also maintained nutritional value [essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (C18;2n-6) and linolenic acid (C183n-3), and beneficial fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (C205n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (C226n-3)] throughout the storage period. © 2009 American Chemical Society.

The effect of frozen storage conditions on meat from 36 Morucha × Charolais crossbred yearlings was studied. Slices of M. Longissimus thoracis were randomly assigned to groups arising from the combination of experimental factors. These factors were ageing extent (3 and 10 days), length of frozen storage (0, 30, 75 and 90 days) and temperature (-20 and -80 °C). Regarding microbiological counts, although values were acceptable in all cases, longer storage time and longer previous ageing extent provided higher phychrotrophic bacteria counts. As frozen storage period increased, colorimetric parameters L*, a* and C* decreased, but H* increased. Regarding Warner-Braztler shear force and tenderness values, an interaction (p < 0.05) between frozen storage and post-mortem ageing resulted from larger differences between frozen storage periods at shorter ageing periods than those at longer ageing periods. Frozen storage for 90 days resulted in a reduction in water holding capacity, without differences in juiciness. No effect of freezing temperature was observed in any of the parameters studied. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The research was carried out to evaluate the effect of different α-tocopherol concentrations in lamb meat on oxidative stability during storage in high-oxygen atmosphere. Thirty-six lambs were randomly distributed to four groups and given diets containing four levels of vitamin E (20, 270, 520 and 1020 mg vitamin E/kg feed) from an initial weight of 13.2 ± 0.5 kg to a slaughter weight of 26.2 ± 0.3 kg. Supplementation of the diet with vitamin E increased (P < 0.001) the concentration of α-tocopherol in the meat and concentrations were obtained in the 0.46 to 4.14 mg/kg meat range. Broken-line analysis of data indicated a target dietary vitamin E supplementation of 287 mg/kg feed, which corresponded with a concentration of 2.26 mg α-tocopherol/kg meat. α-Tocopherol in meat was highly correlated with the oxidation of lipids and pigments. Broken-line analysis of data indicated the target α-tocopherol concentration in lamb for improved protection against lipid and pigment oxidation during 14, 21 and 28 days of storage in high-oxygen atmosphere was in the range 1.87 to 2.37 mg/kg meat. These concentrations of α-tocopherol in the meat made it possible to maintain the indicator values of lipid and pigment oxidation below the values considered in the bibliography as unacceptable to the consumer. © The Animal Consortium 2008.

The complexity of contemporary clinical practice demands that increasingly skilled high quality health and social care is provided to individuals. However, the failure of health and social care professionals to work collaboratively has been widely reported in the international literature. Hence, interprofessional education has been suggested as a means of improving both interprofessional understanding and respect across a diverse range of practice disciplines. In this way, functional barriers can be challenged or broken down; teamwork enhanced and healthcare outcomes improved. Lack of conclusive evidence to substantiate the above healthcare benefits has been attributed to weak methodological approaches when evaluating such educational initiatives. In Spain barriers to implementing interprofessional education are potentially less challenging. Recent legislative demands following the Bologna Agreement on European Higher Education is compelling Spanish higher education institutes to engage in radical educational reforms. Consequently, this paper examines some of the advantages and disadvantages of introducing interprofessional education into health and social care curricula in Spain to see when and how interprofessional initiatives might be assimilated into the health care curricula. In this way lessons learned from a thorough review of the relevant literature might help to inform such educational reforms across mainland Europe and beyond.

The acceptability of beef from Uruguay (UY), based on eating quality, was compared with beef produced in different European countries (Germany, DE, Spain, ES and United Kingdom, UK). Consumer tests were conducted in DE, ES and UK (each comprising 200 consumers) using 'Hall Tests'. In each country four samples were evaluated, two from Hereford steers from UY (finished at 2 and 3 years) and two from local meat (the same meat sample aged 7 or 20 d). Consumers evaluated tenderness, flavour and overall acceptability using 8-point category scales. Hierarchical cluster analysis, highlighted the existence of different clusters of consumers. Two main clusters were identified in DE and UK. The main cluster identified in DE, was labelled as Prefer foreign-imported beef (n = 128). These consumers preferred (P < 0.05) the samples from UY_2y in terms of tenderness and overall acceptability. The other cluster was labelled as Prefer local beef in terms of flavour and overall acceptability (P < 0.05) and comprised the majority of consumers from ES (n = 176) and UK (n = 153) and the cluster 2 from DE (n = 69). UK, cluster 2 (n = 33) that did not discriminate between origin and ageing time of beef. These results indicate that consumers did not prefer the same type of meat within the same country and it is possible that there are individual preferences that could lead to the concept of market segmentation being based on taste preferences. It would appear that Uruguayan beef would be very acceptable in Germany and to a lesser extent in Britain and Spain, although further studies are required that include labelling information. © 2006.

In the present study German (DE), Spanish (ES) and British (UK) consumers' acceptance of lamb from their own country compared to lamb from Uruguay (UY) was evaluated. Two-hundred consumers in each country evaluated tenderness, flavour and overall acceptability of four types of lamb, two from UY (light and heavy lambs aged 20 d) and 2 local (with two ageing times, 7 and 20 d). In each country 1.5 cm-thick slices of lamb were evaluated by previously selected consumers in controlled conditions. DE and UK consumers showed significantly (P < 0.05) different acceptability scores between samples, the lamb from heavier animals and aged 20 d being the most appreciated. On the other hand the majority of the ES consumers significantly (P < 0.05) preferred the meat from lighter lambs. Production systems, cultural aspects and consumption habits seem to affect the acceptability of the lamb to the consumers. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights resreved.

The effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on modified-atmosphere packed lamb meat during storage was studied. Thirty-six weaned male Manchego breed lambs were fed diets supplemented with three different vitamin E concentrations (0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg feed) for an average of 37 days, in the 13-26 kg live weight growth range. Slices of m. longissimus dorsi were packaged under modified atmosphere (70% O2 and 30% CO2), stored at 2 ± 1°C in darkness for 14 and 28 days. Meat quality parameters after both storage periods were assessed. Dietary vitamin E supplementation significantly increased α-tocopherol concentration in muscle. Initially, lipid oxidation (TBARS), meat colour and bacterial load were similar in all groups. Lipid and colour oxidation of meat increased significantly (P < 0.001) throughout storage. The increase was greater in non-supplemented lambs than in supplemented ones. The bacterial counts after 28 days of storage reached the limit for microbiological shelf life (7 log 10cfu/cm2). Dietary vitamin E supplementation increased the shelf life of meat packaged under modified atmosphere to 14 days. TBARS, pigment oxidation and bacterial load were inside the acceptable limit. The meat maintained its quality for 28 days of storage only when lambs were fed with the 1000 mg/kg dietary supplement, though the bacterial load was at the limit of acceptability. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Eighty-seven Manchego sucking lambs raised exclusively on maternal milk were slaughtered. The carcasses were weighed immediately after dressing and classified according to hot carcass weight (HCW): low HCW (P< 0.001) as carcasses became heavier. With regard to the joints, leg (P< 0.001) and shoulder (P< 0.05) proportions decreased as carcass weight increased, whereas loin-rib (P< 0.001) and flank (P< 0.001) proportions increased. The proportion of fat in the leg clearly increased in the heavier carcasses (P< 0.001), while that of bone decreased (P< 0.001) and that of muscle was not affected. pH at 24 h in them. longissimusdorsi andm. semitendinosusdecreased as carcass weight increased. The only meat colour parameter affected by carcass weight was the yellowness index; lighter-weight carcasses displayed lower index (P< 0.05). Cooking losses were unaffected as carcass weight increased, whereas with regard to tenderness, the shear force value tended to be higher in the low carcass weight group. No differences between carcass weight groups were found in the sensory analysis. Fatty acid composition did not show any significant effect due to carcass weight except in stearic fatty acid (C18:0); C18:0 proportion decreased (P< 0.01) as carcasses became heavier. Carcass weight affected carcass quality (all carcass quality parameters studied were higher in the heavier carcasses), whereas meat quality varied little as a result the small variation between carcass weights in sucking lambs.

Correlations and regression between fatness and carcass conformation measurements and carcass tissue composition has been studied for both sexes in suckling lambs, with slaughter weights between 9 and 15 kg. Objective fat measurements showed higher correlations than subjective fat measurements, mainly with carcass fat. Conformation measurements presented greater correlations with tissues weight than with tissues proportion (r ≤ 0.50). CCW was highly correlated with total muscle in the carcass (R2 = 0.961). Two fatness measurements (KKCF proportion and dorsal fat thickness) were included for the prediction of the muscle proportion. Furthermore, the model included other measurements, such as fore cannon bone weight and internal carcass length although they displayed very low correlation coefficients. This equation explained 64.1% of the variation of carcass muscle proportion (r.s.d. = 1.532). CCW was included in the prediction equations of tissue weights, although in the fat tissue equation it appeared in the form of the carcass compactness index (CCW/L). CCW was a good predictor of the weight of carcass tissues in suckling lambs, especially for muscle. Prediction equations for tissue composition in grams were more accurate (R2 ≥ 0.91) than those for tissue proportion. When gender was included in all models it did not improve either accuracy or precision of the prediction. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Eighty-six male light lambs of Manchego breed were used in this study. Principal component (PC) analysis was performed to study the relationship between carcass quality variables (n=22) and between meat quality measures (n=21). The carcass quality was assessed using objective and subjective measurements of conformation and fatness besides the joints proportion and tissues proportion of the leg. The measurements used to evaluate meat quality were pH in longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscles, the colour, moisture, water holding capacity, cooking losses, texture and sensorial analysis on longissimus dorsi. The five first PCs explained about 77% of the total variability for carcass measures whereas for meat quality the 74% of the total variability was explained for the eight first PCs. All the carcass measurements showed similar weight to define the first PC, whereas the muscle and bone proportion as well as musclebone ratio of the leg were useful to define the second PC. The meat quality measures that were more effective to define the first PC were the meat colour measurements, whereas the sensorial variables defined the second PC. The projection of the carcass quality data in the first two PCs allowed to distinguish clearly between heavier carcasses (higher than 6.5 kg) and lighter carcasses (lower than 5.5 kg). The carcasses with a weight higher than 6.5 kg were on the left side of the figure, where the variables of conformation and fatness lie. The group of medium carcass weight were placed between the two previous groups. The projection of the meat quality data in the first two PCs did not differ between hot carcass weights, although there was a trend, the lighter carcasses lay on the left side of the graph, which implies small differences between meat quality in this range of carcass weight. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Forty-nine male Talaverana-breed suckling lambs slaughtered at 14 kg live weight were used to study the fatty acid composition of adipose depots of lambs raised under different management systems (pasture or drylot) and diets (maternal milk with or without a concentrate supplement). Drylot lambs displayed a higher fatness score, in addition to greater dorsal fat thickness; these parameters corresponded with a greater percentage of total fat at dissection. Addition of concentrate to the diet did not modify carcass fatness. Drylot lambs presented higher proportions of oleic acid (C181) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and lower linolenic acid (C183) values in subcutaneous and intramuscular fat (muscle longissimus thoracis). The subcutaneous fat of these lambs thus displayed a higher n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio (C182/C183) than that of pasture-raised ones. Concentrate in the diet of both pasture and drylot lambs resulted in higher linoleic fatty acid (C182) and PUFA values and a greater PUFA/SFA ratio in intramuscular fat than the corresponding values of lambs which consumed maternal milk alone. Loin displayed a higher percentage of subcutaneous and intramuscular chemical fat than leg. Compared with intramuscular leg fat (muscle quadriceps femoris), intramuscular loin fat (muscle longissimus thoracis) had lower oleic acid (C181) and MUFA values, higher PUFA values and a higher PUFA/SFA ratio, due to greater linolenic acid (C183) levels. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Twenty-five years of public health efforts produced a striking reduction in lead exposure; the blood lead average in the United States has decreased to less than 20% of levels measured in the 1970s. However, poor minority groups that live in large urban centers are still at high risk for elevated lead levels. In this study, our data showed that pregnant immigrants (n = 1,428) who live in South Central Los Angeles--one of the most economically depressed regions of California--have significantly higher (p.0001) blood lead levels (geometric mean = 2.3 microg/dl [0.11 micromol/l]) than 504 pregnant nonimmigrants (geometric mean = 1.9 microg/dl [0.09 micromol/l]). The most important factors associated with lower blood lead levels in both groups were younger age; more-recent date of blood sampling (i.e., decreasing secular trend); and blood sampling in mid-autumn, instead of mid-spring (i.e., seasonal trend). Blood lead levels of immigrants were strongly dependent on time elapsed since immigration to the United States; each natural log increase in years of residence was associated with an approximately 19% decrease in blood lead levels. Although blood lead means for both groups were almost the same as the estimated national average, 25 of the 30 cases of elevated blood lead (i.e.,or = 10 microg/dl [0.48 micromol/l) occurred in the immigrant group. The odds ratio (95% confidence intervals within parentheses) for having elevated blood lead levels (a) was 9.3 (1.9, 45.8) if the immigrant engaged in pica; (b) was 3.8 (1.4, 10.5) if the immigrant had low dietary calcium intake during pregnancy; and (c) was .65 (.43, .98) for every natural log unit increase of years of residence in the United States. The control of pica and dietary calcium intake may offer a means of reducing lead exposure in immigrants.

This study investigated the antitumoral activity in colorectal cancer and toxicity of a 5-day continuous infusion of a new cytostatic agent, Mitonafide, that had previously shown to be neurotoxic when administered as a short daily x 5 days infusion.Seventeen chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced or relapsed colorectal cancer and measurable disease entered the study. All but one received a 120-hour (5-day) continuous infusion of Mitonafide at a starting dose of 200 mg/m2/day every 3 weeks. Toxicity evaluation was performed after each course and response assessment every 2 courses using the standard World Health Organization (WHO) criteria completed by the "Mini-mental state" test for cognitive status examination.Sixteen patients received a total of 41 courses of Mitonafide which resulted to be severely myelotoxic. In total, 13/16 patients had WHO grade 3-4 neutropenia, 7 of them with infection, and the treatment had to be stopped in 3 patients after only 1 course due to excessive toxicity. No central nervous system toxicity was observed. No objective responses were evidenced.At the dose and schedule of administration used, Mitonafide is not active in colorectal cancer and induces severe myelotoxicity thus not deserving further studies in this indication.