Meta-analysis of nutritional effects on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in milk fat of dairy cows

A meta-analysis was carried out on 41 selected studies to obtain more reliable results about the influence of some nutritional factors on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in milk fat. Data were analysed with a linear mixed model, including the study as random variable, that highlighted a significant effect on milk CLA content of fat source and the physical form of the lipid supplement used in the diet. The content of fat in the diet and the forage/concentrate ratio seem do not have significant effects

Infusion of casein hydrolizates into the mammary gland simulates the omission of one daily milking in goats

Suppression of one daily milking at weekends, even though socially desirable, may reduce milk yield. These losses have been attributed to a short-term mechanism: the filling of the cistern and ductal-alveolar system with milk which contains a peptide called feedback inhibitor of lactation (FIL) (Wilde and Peaker, 1990). The FIL probably reduces the synthesis and secretion of mammary cells by blocking the potassium channel of the apical membrane (Silanikove et al., 2000). Shamay et al. (2002) hypothesized that the FIL can be identified with the AA sequence 1-28, derived from the breakdown of β-casein by plasmin (PL). The aim of this work was to verify if the infusion of casein hydrolizates (CNH) into the mammary gland simulates the omission of one milking for two consecutive days

Non-nutritional strategies to improve lactation persistency in dairy ewes

Milk production is largely dependent on the shape of the lactation curve. Important elements in the lactation pattern are the peak yield, which is the maximum milk yield during lactation, and lactation persistency, which is the ability of animals to maintain a reasonably constant milk yield after the lactation peak. "Persistent" animals are those with flatter lactation curves. Domesticated animals have lactation curves with high peaks and persistency, and thus higher milk yield than their wild ancestors. Dairy breeds, when compared to meat and wool breeds, have greater persistency rather than high peaks. In dairy sheep, genetic selection has caused deep morphological changes in the udder and physiological changes in the whole body of the animal. The former are seen in the higher mammary cistern volume and the latter in neuro-hormonal changes that allow the alveoli to have a longer life-span and maintain a metabolic status that favors the switch of energy and nutrients to the mammary gland instead of body reserves. In practice, the ideal lactation curve has a reasonably high peak and a flat trend after the peak. More persistent lactation is desirable due to the relationships between this trait and health status and feed costs (Dekkers et al., 1998; Grossman et al., 1999). Animals with very high peak yields are not able to consume adequate amounts of nutrients in the first part of lactation. This causes a negative energy balance, reduced reproductive efficiency and increased susceptibility to diseases (Jakobsen et al., 2002; Swalve, 2000). By contrast, animals with flat curves are less subject to metabolic stress in early lactation and have a more constant pattern of energy requirements throughout lactation. This means that cheaper feeds can be used (Sölkner and Fuchs, 1987; Dekkers et al., 1998). In most cases the milk of the first month of lactation is suckled by the lamb. This means that there is less milk yield data available on the ascending phase of lactation, which consequently has been little studied

Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: A Report on Novel mtDNA Pathogenic Variants

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is due to missense point mutations affecting mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA); 90% of cases harbor the m.3460G>A, m.11778G>A, and m.14484T>C primary mutations. Here, we report and discuss five families with patients affected by symptomatic LHON, in which we found five novel mtDNA variants. Remarkably, these mtDNA variants are located in complex I genes, though without strong deleterious effect on respiration in cellular models: this finding is likely linked to the tissue specificity of LHON. This study observes that in the case of a strong clinical suspicion of LHON, it is recommended to analyze the whole mtDNA sequence, since new rare mtDNA pathogenic variants causing LHON are increasingly identified

Supplementation with extruded linseed cake affects concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid and vaccenic acid in goat milk

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of adding extruded linseed cake to the dry diet of goats on the concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and vaccenic acid (VA) in milk fat. Thirty crossbreed dairy goats were divided into 3 groups. Their diet was supplemented with 0% (control group), 5% (low group), or 10% (high group) of extruded linseed cake (ELC), which supplied 0, 16, and 32 g/d of linseed fat, respectively. The milk fat percentage (overall mean 3.5%) and yield did not differ with the different diets, but fatty acid composition was affected by the ELC supplements. The inclusion of ELC in the diets did not influence the concentration of fatty acids from C6:0 to C12:0. The concentrations of C14:0 and C16:0 decreased as the quantity of ELC supplements increased. The concentrations (mg/100 mg of total fatty acid methyl esters) of VA (0.70, 1.23, and 1.39 in control, low, and high groups respectively) and cis-9,trans-11 CLA (0.63, 0.96, and 1.05 in control, low, and high groups, respectively) were increased by ELC supplements. The milk fat content of VA and cis- 9,trans-11 CLA were closely correlated (R2 = 0.82). Desaturation of VA in the mammary gland to produce cis-9,trans-11 CLA was higher in the control group than in the groups with ELC diets. Extruded linseed cake supplementation to lactating goats may enhance the nutritional profile of milk lipids

Effects of pre‐operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery: an international prospective cohort study

We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05-1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4-7 days or >= 8 days of 1.25 (1.04-1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11-1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care