Inter-laboratory comparison of methods to measure androstenone in pork fat

Today, different analytical methods are used by different laboratories to quantify androstenone in fat tissue. This study shows the comparison of methods used routinely in different laboratories for androstenone quantification: Time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay in Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (NSVS; Norway), gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in Co-operative Central Laboratory (CCL; The Netherlands) and in Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA; Spain), and high-pressure liquid chromatography in Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station (ALP; Switzerland). In a first trial, a set of adipose tissue (AT) samples from 53 entire males was sent to CCL, IRTA and NSVS for determination of androstenone concentration. The average androstenone concentration (s.d.) was 2.47 (2.10) μg/g at NSVS, 1.31 (0.98) μg/g at CCL and 0.62 (0.52) μg/g at IRTA. Despite the large differences in absolute values, inter-laboratory correlations were high, ranging from 0.82 to 0.92. A closer look showed differences in the preparation step. Indeed, different matrices were used for the analysis: pure fat at NSVS, melted fat at CCL and AT at IRTA. A second trial was organised in order to circumvent the differences in sample preparation. Back fat samples from 10 entire males were lyophilised at the ALP labortary in Switzerland and were sent to the other laboratories for androstenone concentration measurement. The average concentration (s.d.) of androstenone in the freeze-dried AT samples was 0.87 (0.52), 1.03 (0.55), 0.84 (0.46) and 0.99 (0.67) μg/g at NSVS, CCL, IRTA and ALP, respectively, and the pairwise correlations between laboratories ranged from 0.92 to 0.97. Thus, this study shows the influence of the different sample preparation protocols, leading to major differences in the results, although still allowing high inter-laboratory correlations. The results further highlight the need for method standardisation and inter-laboratory ring tests for the determination of androstenone. This standardisation is especially relevant when deriving thresholds of consumer acceptance, whereas the ranking of animals for breeding purposes will be less affected due to the high correlations between method

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Evaluación de los rendimientos productivos y de las características de la calidad de la canal de cerdos machos inmunizados frente a la hormona liberadora de gonadotropina (GnRH) en comparación con machos castrados quirúrgicamente, machos enteros y hembras

The objectives of this study were to assess the performance and carcass quality characteristics of boars immunised against gonadotropin-releasing hormone GnRH (IM) compared with physically castrated males (PM), entire males (EM) and entire female pigs (EF). For the study 288 crossbred (Large White × Landrace) pigs were used comprising four equal groups of 72 IM, 72 PM, 72 EM and 72 EF. The study period was from 74 days of age (31.2 ± 5.57 kg body weight; mean ± std. dev.) to slaughter at 172 days of age (107.7 ± 14.82 kg body weight). PM were physically castrated at 5 days of age and IM pigs were vaccinated with the GnRH vaccine Improvac® (Pfizer Animal Health) at 74 and 145 days of age (89.1 ± 15.93 kg body weight). Across the duration of the study period, growth rate was numerically highest in IM group and significantly higher than EF (P < 0.01). This was also reflected in respective slaughter weights. EM had the lowest feed:gain ratio (P < 0.001) followed by IM which had a lower ratio than both PM and EF. At slaughter, testes weights were reduced in IM by approximately 55% (P < 0.001) compared with EM. Fat content (backfat thickness and intramuscular fat) was higher and lean percentage of carcass lower in PM compared to all other groups (P < 0.05), with no differences between EF, EM and IM. Boar taint compounds, skatole and androstenone, were lower in IM pigs compared with EM (P < 0.05), and not differing from the concentrations measured in PM and EF. Immunisation of entire male pigs against GnRH allows improved feed efficiency compared with physical castrates with no detriment to carcass or meat quality.Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron evaluar la productividad y características de la calidad de la canal de cerdos inmunizados frente a GnRH (IM) en comparación con machos castrados físicamente (PM), machos enteros (EM) y hembras (EF). Se utilizaron un total de 288 híbridos comerciales (Large White × Landrace). Los PM fueron castrados a los 5 días de vida, mientras que los cerdos IM se vacunaron con GnRH Improvac® (Pfizer Animal Health) a los 74 (31,2±5,57 kg peso vivo; media±desv. est.) y 145 días de edad (89,1±15,93 kg peso vivo). La ganancia de peso diaria fue numéricamente mayor en el grupo IM, y de forma significativa frente a las EF (P < 0,01). Este efecto también se reflejó en los pesos de sacrificio. EM mostraron el menor valor de índice de conversión (P < 0,001) seguidos por IM, que mostraron un menor índice que PM y EF. En el sacrificio, el peso testicular se redujo en IM un 55% (P < 0,001) en comparación con EM. El contenido de grasa (espesor de grasa dorsal y grasa intramuscular) fue mayor y el porcentaje magro de la canal menor en PM en comparación al resto de grupos (P < 0,05), sin diferencias entre EF, EM e IM. La concentración de los componentes del olor sexual, escatol y androsterona, fue menor en cerdos IM que en EM (P < 0,05), sin ser diferente de las concentraciones medidas en PM y EF. La inmunización de EM frente a GnRH permite mejorar el índice de conversión en comparación con la castración física en cerdos, sin perjudicar la calidad de la canal o de la carne

Cross-sectional analysis of obesity and serum analytes in males identifies sRAGE as a novel biomarker inversely associated with diverticulosis.

Diverticulosis can lead to diverticulitis, a colon condition involving inflammation and other complications. Diverticulosis can result from biological, behavioral, or genetic causes. However, the etiology of diverticulosis is unknown. Although diet is associated with diverticulosis, recent studies suggest other factors influence risk. We sought to identify anthropometric or serum markers that were associated with the presence of diverticulosis. To determine these associations, 126 asymptomatic men (48-65 yr) were recruited at the time of preventative screening colonoscopy. Anthropometric measures were taken, and blood was collected for serum protein analysis. Data were analyzed by logistic regression and factor analysis. Obese individuals (BMI >30) were 7.8 (CI: 2.3-26.3) times more likely than normal weight (BMI 45 inches were 8.1 (CI: 2.8-23.8) times more likely to have diverticulosis than those with a waist circumference <38 inches. Leptin was also positively associated with diverticulosis (OR = 5.5, CI: 2.0-14.7). Both low molecular weight adiponectin (LMW, OR = 0.50; CI: 0.3-0.8) and the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE, OR = 0.4, CI: 0.3-0.7) were inversely related to the presence of diverticulosis. sRAGE levels were not correlated with leptin or C-peptide concentrations. The pattern of high BMI, waist circumference, leptin and C-peptide increased the odds of diverticulosis while the pattern of high levels of sRAGE and LMW adiponectin decreased the odds of diverticulosis. Associations between diverticulosis and anthropometric or serum markers may elucidate the origins of diverticulosis and may enable physicians to identify individuals at risk for diverticulitis

PRKAG3 and CAST genetic polymorphisms and quality traits of dry-cured hams--II. Associations in french dry-cured ham jambon de bayonne and their dependence on salt reduction.

International audienceThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of PRKAG3 Ile199Val and CAST Arg249Lys and CAST Ser638Arg polymorphisms on the quality traits of the French dry-cured ham Jambon de Bayonne and their interaction with salt reduction. Significant (p<0.05) and suggestive associations (p<0.10) between the polymorphisms and several quality traits of dry-cured ham, mainly related to processing and textural properties, were found. PRKAG3 Ile/Val and CAST 249Lys/638Arg presented the highest scores for sensory and processing properties, whatever the salt content

Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry: A tool to predict pork quality

Expression of water soluble proteins of fresh pork Longissimus thoracis from 4 pure breed pigs (Duroc, Large White, Landrace, and Pietrain) was studied to identify candidate protein markers for meat quality. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) was used to obtain the soluble protein profiles of Longissimus thoracis muscles. The pure breeds showed differences among the studied meat quality traits (pH(u), drip loss, androstenone, marbling, intramuscular fat, texture, and moisture), but no significant differences were detected in sensory analysis. Associations between protein peaks obtained with SELDI-TOF-MS and meat quality traits, mainly water holding capacity, texture and skatole were observed. Of these peaks, a total of 10 peaks from CM10 array and 6 peaks from Q10 array were candidate soluble protein markers for pork loin quality. The developed models explained a limited proportion of the variability, however they point out interesting relationships between protein expression and meat quality. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Brown marine algae Gongolaria baccata extract protects Caco-2 cells from oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Versión del edito