Effect of tannins on grass silage composition

Svježa livadna trava silirana je s ekstraktom tanina kestena (Farmatan®, Tanin Sevnica, Slovenija) u koncetracijama od 0 (kontrola), 3, 15 i 30 g ekstrakta/kg siliranog materijala. Dodatak tanina u svježu travu nije znatno promjenio suhu tvar (DM), eterski ekstrakt i sadržaj neutralnih deterdžentnih vlakna (NDF) silaže. Sadržaj sirove vlaknine se smanjio (P < 0,05) a ekstrakti bez dušika su porasli (P < 0,05) s povećanim kolličinama dodanog ekstrakta kestena. Sadržaj sirovih bjelančevina (CP) se smanjio od133 u kontrolnoj silaži do 116 i 117 g/kg DM (P < 0,05) u silažama pripremljenim s 15 odnosno 30 g ekstrakta kestena/ kg siliranog materijala. Silaže pripremljene s povećanim količinama ekstrakata tanina kestena imale su veće količine od 11,2 do 13,6 g N u pravoj bjelančevini/kg DM u kontrolnoj silaži i silaži pripremljenoj s 30 g ekstrakta kestena/kg svježe trave. Nasuprot tome količine octene, propionske i maslačne kiseline nisu se značajno promijenile. Dobiveni rezultati navode na zaključak da se tanini mogu uspješno upotrijebiti kao dodaci silaži s povoljnim djelovanjem na topivost bjelančevina i sadržaj pravih bjelančevina.Fresh meadow grass was ensiled with chestnut tannin extract (Farmatan 75®, Tanin Sevnica, Slovenia) at concentrations of 0 (control), 3, 15 and 30 g of extract/kg of ensiling material. Addition of tannins to the fresh grass material did not change substantially the dry matter (DM), ether extract and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) contents of silages. The crude fibre content decreased (P < 0.05) and nitrogen-free extracts increased (P < 0.05) with the increasing amounts of added chestnut extract. The crude protein (CP) content decreased from 133 in control silage to 116 and 117 g/kg DM (P < 0.05) in silages prepared with 15 and 30 g of chestnut extract/kg of ensiling material, respectively. Silages prepared with increasing amounts of chestnut tannin extract had greater amounts (from 11.2 to 13.6 g N in true protein/kg DM in control silage and silage prepared with 30 g of chestnut extract/kg of fresh grass, respectively) and proportion of N in true protein (TrueN) (from 52.3 to 72.5 % of N in control silage and silage prepared with 30 g of chestnut extract/kg of fresh grass, respectively). On the contrary, the amounts of soluble N (SolN) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing amounts of chestnut tannin extract from 8.9 to 3.0 and 2.9 g N/kg DM in control silage and silages prepared with 15 and 30 g of chestnut extract/kg of fresh grass, respectively. In accordance with the above mentioned trends, the proportions of SolN in total CP contents also decreased (P < 0.05) from 43.7 to 15.7 % in control silage and silage prepared with 15 g of chestnut extract/kg of ensiling material, respectively. Increasing the amounts of chestnut extract in silages also decreased the amounts of ammonia-N in silages. The addition of chestnut tannin extract did not influence pH values of silages. The highest amounts of added chestnut tannin extract (15 and 30 g/kg of fresh grass) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased lactic acid content (from 101 to 81 g/kg DM in control silage and silages with 15 and 30 g of chestnut extract/kg of fresh grass, respectively). On the contrary, the amounts of acetic, propionic and butyric acid did not change significantly. Obtained results suggest that tannins can be successfully used as silage additives, with favorable effects on protein solubility and true protein contents

Double venous drainage through the superior vena cava in minimally invasive aortic valve replacement: a retrospective study

Aim To compare the outcomes of patients who underwent upper mini-sternotomy or right mini-thoracotomy and those who underwent full sternotomy and to report a technical improvement in venous drainage by means of double venous cannulation of the superior vena cava (SVC) in mini surgical procedures. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of 217 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement through upper mini-sternotomy or right mini-thoracotomy at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia from 1996 till 2010. Cannulation of SVC and right atrial appendage was performed in 142/217 (65%) patients, while in the remaining 75 (35%) patients, double cannulation of SVC was used for venous drainage. The results of patients who underwent mini approaches were compared to 236 patients who underwent full sternotomy for the same purpose from 2009 to 2010 at the same center. Results We found a shorter mean length of intensive care unit stay, less volume chest-tube drainage, shorter crossclamp and cardio pulmonary bypass times, and less postoperative permanent pacemaker implantations in the minimally invasive group patients than in full sternotomy group patients. Using double cannulation of the SVC for venous drainage made venous cannulation in mini approaches easier and eliminated the need for obtaining femoral venous access. Conclusion Our study confirmed that even though technically challenging, upper mini-sternotomy and right minithoracotomy approaches for aortic valve replacement have potential advantages over conventional median sternotomy. They were proved to be safe, efficacious, and can significantly reduce surgical trauma and are therefore particularly valuable in some higher risk, obese, diabetic and elderly patients. Using double cannulation of SVC for venous drainage made venous cannulation easier and eliminated the need for obtaining femoral venous access

Fizikalno-kemijska svojstva mesa janjadi ličke pramenke uzgajane u poluintenzivnom proizvodnom sustavu: utjecaj spola, tjelesne mase pri klanju i sezone.

The purpose of this study was to determine influence of sex, slaughter weight and slaughtering season on the physicochemical properties of meat of Lika Pramenka lambs raised in accordance with the traditional farming system in the Lika region. Male lambs had higher cooking loss (P≤0.05), higher proportions of linoleic and α-linolenic fatty acids (P≤0.05), and n-6 PUFA (P≤0.05) and n-6/n-3 ratio (P≤0.01) than female lambs. An increase in slaughter weight significantly affected carcass weight (P≤0.01), dressing percentage (P≤0.01) and the parameter a* (P≤0.05) of the meat colour. The season significantly affected slaughter weight (P≤0.01), carcass weight (P≤0.01), meat colour parameters (P≤0.05) and fatty acid composition (P≤0.05). Lambs slaughtered at a similar age and reared under similar conditions will have very similar expressions of meat quality traits, regardless of gender. Apart from yield and the redness of the meat, it is expected that slaughter weight will not notably affect any other trait that could be of interest for buyers. The season affected almost all the investigated traits, which was primarily due to the different availability of forage.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj spola, tjelesne mase pri klanju i sezone na fizikalno-kemijska svojstva mesa janjadi ličke pramenke uzgajane u skladu s tradicijskim načinom na području Like. U trupovima muške janjadi utvrđen je značajno veći kalo kuhanja (P≤0,05), značajno veći udio linolne i α-linolenske masne kiseline (P≤0,05), n-6 PUFA (P≤0,05) i kvocijent n-6/n-3(P≤0,01) negoli u trupovima ženske janjadi. Povećanje tjelesne mase pri klanju značajno je utjecalo na klaoničku masu (P≤0,01), randman (P≤0,01) te a* pokazatelj boje mesa (P≤0,05). Sezona je značajno utjecala na tjelesnu masu pri klanju (P≤0,01), klaoničku masu (P≤0,01), sve pokazatelje boje (P≤0,05) i masnokiselinski sastav (P≤0,05) janjećeg mesa. Rezultatima predmetnog istraživanja je utvrđeno da janjad koju se uzgaja u podjednakim uvjetima i zakolje kod ujednačene dobi, neovisno o spolu, ima vrlo ujednačenu ekspresiju svojstava kakvoće mesa. Izuzev radmana i crvenila mesa, tjelesna masa pri klanju nije značajnije utjecala na ostala svojstva koja mogu biti od značajnijeg interesa za potrošače. Sezona je značajno utjecala na gotovo sva istraživana svojstva što se prvenstveno pripisuje različitoj dostupnosti krme

Volatile aldehydes in libraries and archives

Volatile aldehydes are produced during degradation of paper-based materials. This may result in their accumulation in archival and library repositories. However, no systematic study has been performed so far. In the frame of this study, passive sampling was carried out at ten locations in four libraries and archives. Despite the very variable sampling locations, no major differences were found, although air-filtered repositories were found to have lower concentrations while a non-ventilated newspaper repository exhibited the highest concentrations of volatile aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, furfural and hexanal). Five employees in one institution were also provided with personal passive samplers to investigate employees’ exposure to volatile aldehydes. All values were lower than the presently valid exposure limits. The concentration of volatile aldehydes, acetic acid, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in general was also compared with that of outdoor-generated pollutants. It was evident that inside the repository and particularly inside archival boxes, the concentration of VOCs and acetic acid was much higher than the concentration of outdoor-generated pollutants, which are otherwise more routinely studied in connection with heritage materials. This indicates that further work on the pro-degradative effect of VOCs on heritage materials is necessary and that monitoring of VOCs in heritage institutions should become more widespread

Mid-Aortic Syndrome in a 3-Year-Old Girl Successfully Treated by Aorto-Aortic Grafting and Renal Artery Implantation Into the Graft

Mid-aortic syndrome, an uncommon acquired or congenital condition characterized by segmental narrowing of the abdominal or distal descending thoracic aorta, is frequently accompanied by ostial stenosis of the aorta\u27s branches. If left untreated, it can result in life-threatening complications secondary to severe hypertension. We report the case of a 3-year-old girl with congenital mid-aortic syndrome, who was diagnosed by chance in the course of a viral illness, and whose high blood pressure values were first dismissed as inaccurate. Attempts to achieve medical or endovascular control of her hypertension were unsuccessful. She was thereafter successfully treated by aorto–aortic bypass grafting, resection of the stenotic segments of both renal arteries, and implantation of the patent arterial segments into the graft

The effect of production systems on beef fatty acid composition

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different production systems on fatty acids (FA) composition of three beef muscles (longissimus thoracis, semitendinosus and diaphragmae). The first group (MGSC) included 8 bulls of Slovenian Brown breed that were fattened with maize, grass silage and concentrates. The second group (MCS) included 8 bulls of Slovenian Simental breed that were fattened with maize silage, ensiled corn grain and concentrates. The third group (GS) included 6 Limousine × Simmental crossbreed bulls that have been fattened on pasture in cow-calf production system until slaughter. In fourth group (G) 8 bulls of Slovenian Simmental breed were fattened on pasture from spring to autumn when they were slaughtered. Bulls from MSC and MGSC had similar carcass weight (316 kg, 308 kg, respectively), whereas bulls from GS had the lightest (215 kg) and bulls from G the heaviest carcass weight (371 kg). Carcass fatness was similar for bulls in MSC, MGSC and G groups and slightly lower in GS group. The percentage of saturated FA differed among groups only in semitendinosus muscle. Bulls from G and GS had lower percentage of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and higher percentage of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) in all three muscles. Bulls from grazing production systems had higher n-3 PUFA values in all muscles and higher n-6 PUFA values in semitendinosus and diaphragmae. Bulls fattened on pasture had lower n-6/n-3 ratio in all three muscles. Bulls from GS had a higher percentage of conjugated linolenic acid in comparison to MGSC and MCS groups in all muscles except in semitendinosus where percentage of CLA was higher only from MGSC group.</p

Do olive polyphenols negatively affect nutrient digestibility in pigs?

It is widely accepted that olive (Olea europaea L.) polyphenols (OP) have many favourable properties (e.g. antioxidative, antimicrobial, antifungal). OP can improve the growth and nutrient digestibility of animals via affecting digestion and health, even though they could negatively affect the mineral absorption by forming insoluble complexes with minerals in the intestine. In the present study, the effects of a dietary olive leaves extract (OLE) on nutrient digestibility in pigs were studied. Twenty-four weaned castrated male piglets were fed a no supplemented (C) or a supplemented diet with three different levels of OLE (O1, O2 and O3: 3.84 mg, 38.4 mg, 96 mg hydroxytyrosol equivalents/day, respectively). Retention and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), organic matter (OM), nitrogen free extract (NFE), ash, neutral (NDF) and acid detergent fibres (ADF), gross energy (GE), Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, K and Na were measured. Results showed that OLE lowered the retention of Fe and K, and revealed a numerical tendency to lower the retention of Cu and ATTD of Fe and Cu. In conclusion, a low dietary supplementation of OLE has no effect on the digestibility and retention of major nutrients, although some minor negative effects on mineral digestibility can be present

Effect of dietary linseed oil and Ganoderma lucidum or olive leaves supplementation on fatty acid composition and oxidative status of rabbits

[EN] The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of natural antioxidant supplementation on the oxidative stress induced by a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in rabbit diets. Forty-eight SIKA rabbits (24 male, 24 female) were penned individually and after a 5-d adaptation period divided into 4 homogeneous groups (2.58±0.3 kg). The CONT– group received a diet with 60 g/kg palm fat, while the other 3 groups received a diet with 60 g/kg linseed oil which was either unsupplemented (CONT+) or supplemented with 10 g/kg of Ganoderma lucidum (REISHI) or 10 g/kg of olive leaves (OLIVE). Rabbits were euthanised at 102 d of age, 22 d after the start of the experiment. Live weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate were recorded. The fatty acid composition of back (M. longissimus dorsi) and hind leg muscle (thigh muscle), adipose tissue (abdominal fat) and liver were determined. To evaluate the oxidative status of rabbits, the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the plasma, liver and both muscles was measured. DNA damage in the leukocytes was measured. Linseed oil addition increased the PUFA ratio and decreased the proportion of saturated fatty acids in all tissues (P<0.001), with no detrimental effect on productive performance of rabbits compared to palm fat. Linseed oil also reduced n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in all tissues (P<0.001). However, linseed oil addition increased the oxidative stress by increasing MDA concentrations in the liver and muscles (P<0.001), but did not affect the plasma MDA concentrations and the extent of DNA damage in the blood leukocytes compared to palm fat. Addition of olive leaves tended to decrease the concentration of MDA in the liver Addition of olive leaves tended to decrease the concentration of MDA in the liver compared to CONT+ (P=0.059), with no effect of Ganoderma lucidum.Trebušak, T.; Levart, A.; Frankič, T.; Salobir, J.; Pirman, T. (2014). Effect of dietary linseed oil and Ganoderma lucidum or olive leaves supplementation on fatty acid composition and oxidative status of rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 22(1):71-81. doi:10.4995/wrs.2014.1183SWORD718122