Pancreatic cystosis in cystic fibrosis. Sometimes a bike ride can help you decide

Pancreatic cystosis (PC) is an uncommon manifestation of pancreas involvement in cystic fibrosis (CF), characterized by the presence of multiple macrocysts partially or completely replacing pancreas. Only few reports are available from literature and management (surgery vs follow up) is commonly based on the presence of symptoms or complications due to local mass effect, although evidence-based recommendations are still not available. We here report the case of a young adult CF patient with PC, in which cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provided important information to be integrated to the radiological finding of inferior vena cava compression by the multicystic pancreas complex. Through the analysis of oxygen kinetic cardiodynamic phase pattern, CPET may be helpful to safely exclude significant mass effects on blood venous return and to improve the decision-making process on whether to consider surgery or not in patients with PC

The role of selenium and iodine in controlling some egg minerals

Il ruolo del selenio e dello iodio nel controllo di alcuni minerali nell’uovo. Una prova è stata condotta su sette gruppi di galline ovaiole, alimentate con un mangime di controllo (C) o contenente: olio di lino (L), olio di pesce (F), olio ricco di DHA derivante dalla micro-alga Schizochytrium sp in presenza o meno (A) di 5ppm di ioduro di potassio (AI) o di selenito di sodio (ASe) oppure di entrambi i sali (AISe). I contenuti di selenio e di zinco e di altri minerali sono stati valutati nei tuorli delle uova. A fine prova la concentrazione di selenio era aumentata in modo significativo (P<0,001), mentre quella dello zinco si era ridotta (P<0,05) nei tuorli dei gruppi ASe e AISe. I valori di Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Cd e Pb non differirono tra i tuorli dei vari gruppi, a parte il cadmio, la cui concentrazione si era ridotta nel gruppo AISe, attestando una influenza di iodio e selenio sulla deposizione di questo metallo

Evaluation of reproductive performances of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) reared in water recirculation systems and fed different diets

The reproductive performance of Octopus vulgaris broodstocks fed two different diets (mixed fish [F group, BW 1,048.14 g] or mixed crustaceans [C group, BW 998.44 g]) was analyzed using an experimental recirculating aquaculture system consisting of a tank equipped with spawning and incubation chambers. A total of 8 females (F1–4; C1–4), and 8 males (M1–M8) were selected. DI of the C group females was significantly (p < 0.05) higher (3.0 ± 0.29%) than the F group (2.16 ± 0.67%). SGR in C group was significantly higher (1.43 ± 0.12%) than the F group (1.18 ± 0.25%). Egg clusters, number of clusters, number of clusters/kg BW, and total length were more favorable in the C group than the F group. The number of clusters/kg BW of C females was 2.5 times higher than that of F females (78.1 ± 6.5 vs 31.1 ± 13.3). The total eggs number, number of eggs/cm, number of eggs/kg BW in the C group were significantly (p < 0.05) higher compared with the F group; the number of eggs/kg BW and paralarvae/kg BW were 5 times higher in the C group (115,928 ± 12,513 C vs 22,109 ± 7912 F and 114,953 ± 12,591 vs 20,729 ± 7104, respectively). Hatching rate of the C group was significantly (p < 0.05) higher compared to the F grou

Effect of dietary antioxidant supplementation on rabbit performance, meat quality and oxidative stability of muscles

[EN] The aim of this study was to cast light on the effects of EconomasE™ (EcoE), a patented pre-mixture of nutritional additives consisting mainly of organic selenium (0.15 or 0.30 mg/kg feed; Se) combined with vitamin C (5 and 10 mg/kg feed; VC), compared to DL-α-tocopherol acetate (100 or 200 mg/kg feed; VE) dietary supplementation on rabbit performance and meat quality. In fact, the role of Se supplementation in the rabbit diet has not yet been elucidated in the literature and, more specifically, there are no studies on the possible synergistic action between organic Se compared with VE on lipids, fatty acids (FA) and the oxidative stability of two glycolytic muscles, longissimus lumborum (LL) and biceps femoris (BF). Two hundred and seventy New Zealand White rabbits were divided into five dietary groups of 54 rabbits each: 1) control (basal diet = BD; CTRL); 2) VE100 (BD + VE100 mg/kg); 3) VE200 (BD + VE200 mg/kg); 4) EcoE100 (BD + EcoE100 mg/kg); and 5) EcoE200 (BD + EcoE200 mg/kg). Neither of the antioxidant treatments affected growth performance, carcass traits or meat characteristics. Lipid and fatty acid contents were similar in LL and BF and not influenced by the dietary treatment. Meat oxidative stability was strongly improved by both antioxidants. These findings indicate that both EcoE and VE greatly improved the oxidative stability of LL and BF muscles at the dosage rates which, from an economic point of view, would normally be included in the formulation of feeds for rabbits.This study is part of a multidisciplinary research project funded by the Department of Veterinary Medical Science (University of Bologna, Italy). The authors thank Martini Group Spa (Budrio di Longiano, FC, Italy) who provided animals and feeds, and Alltech (Casalecchio di Reno, BO, Italy) who supplied the EcoE.Minardi, P.; Mordenti, A.; Badiani, A.; Pirini, M.; Trombetti, F.; Albonetti, S. (2020). Effect of dietary antioxidant supplementation on rabbit performance, meat quality and oxidative stability of muscles. World Rabbit Science. 28(3):145-159. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2020.12273OJS145159283Abdel-Khalek A.M. 2013. Supplemental antioxidants in rabbit nutrition: A review. Livest. Sci., 158: 95-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2013.10.019Alasnier C., Gandemer G. 1998. Fatty acid and aldehyde composition of individual phospholipid classes of rabbit skeletal muscles is related to the metabolic type of the fiber. Meat Sci., 48: 225-235. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(97)00096-XAlbonetti S., Minardi P., Trombetti F., Savigni F., Mordenti A.L., Baranzoni G.M., Trivisano C., Greco F.P., Badiani A. 2017. 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Selenium content in tissues and meat quality in rabbits fed selenium yeast. Czech. J. Anim. Sci., 52: 165-169. https://doi.org/10.17221/2319-CJASEbeid T.A., Zeweil H.S., Basyony M.M., Dosoky W.M., Badry H. 2013. Fortification of rabbit diets with vitamin E or selenium affects growth performance, lipid peroxidation, oxidative status and immune response in growing rabbits. Livest. Sci., 155: 323-331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2013.05.011EFSA AHAW Panel 2020. Scientific Opinion on the health and welfare of rabbits farmed in different production systems. EFSA Journal, 18: 5944. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.5944Eiben Cs., Végi B., Virág Gy., Gódor-Surmann K., Kustos K., Maró A., Odermatt M., Zsédely E., Tóth T., Schmidt J., Fébel H. 2011. Effect of level and source of vitamin E addition of a diet enriched with sunflower and linseed oils on growth and slaughter traits of rabbits. Livest. Sci., 139: 196-205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2011.01.010Erdèlyi M., Virág G., Mézes M. 2000. Effect of supranutritional additive selenium supply on the tissue selenium concentration and the activity of glutathione peroxidase enzyme in rabbit. World Rabbit Sci., 8: 183-191.Erickson M.C. 1992. Variation of lipid and tocopherol composition in three strains of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). J. Sci. Food Agric., 59: 529-536. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2740590416European Communities: Council Regulation (EC) 2011. 1169/2011 on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers. Available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32011R1169&from=EN. Accessed April 2017.Giaretta E., Mordenti A., Palmonari A., Brogna N., Canestrari G., Belloni P., Cavallini D., Mammi L., Cabbri R., Formigoni A. 2019. NIRs calibration models for chemical composition and fatty acid families of raw and freeze-dried beef: A comparison. J. Food Compost. Anal., 83: 103257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2019.103257Gondret F., Lebas F., Bonneau M. 2000. Restricted feed intake during fattening reduces intramuscular lipid deposition without modifying muscle fiber characteristics in rabbits. J. Nutr., 130: 228-233. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/130.2.228Honikel K.O. 1998. Reference methods for the assessment of physical characteristics of meat. Meat Sci., 49: 447-457. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(98)00034-5Ichihara K., Shibahara A., Yamamoto K., Nakayama T. 1996. An improved method for rapid analysis of the fatty acids of glycerolipids. Lipids, 31: 535-539. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02522648ISO 1998. Animal feeding stuffs, animal products and faeces or urine. Determination of gross calorific value - Bomb calorimetric method (Reference number 9831). Available at: https://www.iso.org/standard/17702.html. Accessed July 2017.Kouba M., Benatmane F., Blochet J.E., Mourot J. 2008. Effect of a linseed diet on lipid oxidation, fatty acid composition of muscle, perirenal fat, and raw and cooked rabbit meat. Meat Sci., 80: 829-834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2008.03.029Lee Y.H., Layman D.K., Bell R.R. 1979. Selenium-dependent and non-selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity in rabbit tissue. Nutr. Rep. Int., 20: 573-578.Lo Fiego D.P., Santoro P., Macchioni P., Mazzoni D., Piattoni F., Tassone F., De Leonibus E. 2004. The effect of dietary supplementation of vitamins C and E on the α-tocopherol content of muscles, liver and kidney, on the stability of lipids, and on certain meat quality parameters of the Longissimus dorsi of rabbits. Meat Sci., 67: 319-327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2003.11.004Lopez-Bote C.J., Rey A.I., Sanz M., Gray J.I., Buckley D.J. 1997. Dietary vegetable oils and α-tocopherol reduce lipid oxidation in rabbit muscle. J. Nutr., 127: 1176-1182. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/127.6.1176Maraschiello C., Sárraga C., García Regueiro J.A. 1999. Glutathione peroxidase activity, TBARS, and α-Tocopherol in meat from chickens fed different diets. J. Agr. Food Chem., 47: 867-872. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf980824oMarounek M., Dokoupilová A., Volek Z., Hoza I. 2009. Quality of meat and selenium content in tissues of rabbits fed diets supplemented with sodium selenite, selenized yeast and selenized algae. World Rabbit Sci., 17: 207-212. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2009.645Martillotti F., Antongiovanni M., Rizzi L., Santi E., Bittante G. 1987. Metodi di analisi per la valutazione degli alimenti d'impiego zootecnico. Quaderni Metodologici, 8, CNR-IPRA, Roma.Mateos G.G., Rebollar P.G., de Blas C. 2010. Minerals, vitamins and additives. In: C. DE BLAS and J. WISEMAN (Eds.) Nutrition of the rabbit. 2nd Edition. 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Multiple paternity in reproduction of European eel Anguilla anguilla (L. 1758) by artificial mixing of different sperm in equal volumes

Because of its complex life cycle and due to multiple stress factors, the European eel is suffering a dramatic decline and has been declared Critically Endangered by the IUCN. A possible way to address this problem could be relieve the pressure on natural stocks by implementing its mass production by artificial breeding protocols. A previous study based on direct observation and parentage assignment underlined the presence of an allegedly hierarchic structure among European eel males in semi-natural mating conditions, with a consequent bias in F1 proportion assigned to each one. The aim of the present study is to attest if a different fertilization protocol based on the artificial mixing of female eggs with different males’ milt in equal volume (1 F:4 M) could represent a solution to the disproportion observed in semi-natural conditions. For this purpose, six families of European eels were generated, and 10 species-specific microsatellite loci were used to infer offspring composition by paternity assignment on 280 samples. Due to the asynchronous ovarian development of female European eels, the per- centage of fertilized eggs for each female showed a great variability, ranging from 4.70% to 94.50%. A pro- portion of 94.02% of genotyped offspring were assigned with high confidence to their true parents. As regard males’ fertilization pattern, no substantial differences from natural mating were observed: a single male accounted for most offspring, which was just mostly composed of full sibs. Concluding, the obtained results suggest that the admixture of an equal volume of different males’ milt seems to contribute to the single-locus genetic variability (observed heterozygosity higher than expected in 7 out 9 loci), but it is not sufficient to ensure all the males the same chance to transmit their gene pool, and new fertilization strategies must be developed

Comparison of zootechnical performances, welfare condition and quality traits of hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis) reared in different Italian farms.

Growth performances of sunshine bass (initial m.b.w.=200\ub150 g) were examined in 3 different rearing conditions: concrete square basins (HSB-1); raceways (HSB-2); natural ponds (HSB-3). Fish received the same extruded feed (prot. 48.8%; lip. 17.8%). The trial lasted 16 months in HSB-1 and HSB-2 and 12 months in HSB-3 due to unfavourable welfare status and low growth performances. At harvest (16 months), sunshine bass reached a satisfactory mean weight without significant differences between groups. HSB-2 fish were longer with a smaller circumference, probably due to different hydrodynamics of the raceway. Glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, protein, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), glycogen of plasma or tissue were not affected by rearing conditions as well as the proximate composition and the fatty acid profile of the fillet

A methodological approach to assess nutrient requirements of heavy pigs in Italy

This paper reports the results of the work of the "Nutrient requirements of heavy pigs" ASPA Commission. The Commission work was mainly focused on the problem of identifying a good and flexible methodology for establishing nutrient requirements of heavy pigs in Italy, in a situation where the major part of the pigs are used for ham and other typical products. Nutrient allowance was considered to be a variable open to manipulation, since its optimal definition depends on the specific circumstances of each single production unit. It appeared that the most logical way to account for the many interactions involved was to integrate available information using computer simulation techniques. A methodology based on the following steps was proposed and analyzed: i) selection of a mathematical model to describe the chemical growth of pigs over time as result of the interactions of genotype, feed and climate; ii) developing suitable equations to predict the quality parameters of the carcass and, if possible, of the single cuts from the body's chemical status and implementation of these equations in the model; iii) identification of production targets and use of the model as a tool to simulate the effect of different genotypes, feed and climate on the productive and the economic results. A model strongly rooted in a theoretical framework, simple enough to be applied in practice and requiring a limited number inputs was selected from literature. From a preliminary evaluation, performed by using experimental calorimetric data, it was concluded that the model was potentially able to accurately predict the chemical growth of pigs under different conditions of feeding and climate. The major lack of knowledge regarded the values of genotypic descriptors of the national pig populations, the evaluation for which some simple experimental protocols are described in literature. Other lack of knowledge involved relationships to predict the anatomical growth and the evolution of quality parameters of carcass and cuts from the chemical composition of the body. If a correlation between the chemical composition of the pig's body and production targets is confirmed, then a link between the farmer and the industry can be established and the model could be used to identify more convenient feeding strategies. The conceptual basis and the way to assess nutrient requirements of heavy pigs have been clearly identified

A methodological approach to assess nutrient requirements of heavy pigs in Italy

This paper reports the results of the work of the "Nutrient requirements of heavy pigs" ASPA Commission. The Commissionwork was mainly focused on the problem of identifying a good and flexible methodology for establishing nutrient requirements of heavy pigs in Italy, in a situation where the major part of the pigs are used for ham and other typical products. Nutrient allowance was considered to be a variable open to manipulation, since its optimal definition depends on the specific circumstances of each single production unit. It appeared that the most logical way to account for the many interactions involved was to integrate available information using computer simulation techniques. A methodology based on the following steps was proposed and analyzed: i) selection of a mathematical model to describe the chemical growth of pigsover time as result of the interactions of genotype, feed and climate; ii) developing suitable equations to predict the qualityparameters of the carcass and, if possible, of the single cuts from the body's chemical status and implementation ofthese equations in the model; iii) identification of production targets and use of the model as a tool to simulate the effectof different genotypes, feed and climate on the productive and the economic results. A model strongly rooted in a theoreticalframework, simple enough to be applied in practice and requiring a limited number inputs was selected from literature.From a preliminary evaluation, performed by using experimental calorimetric data, it was concluded that the modelwas potentially able to accurately predict the chemical growth of pigs under different conditions of feeding and climate.The major lack of knowledge regarded the values of genotypic descriptors of the national pig populations, the evaluationfor which some simple experimental protocols are described in literature. Other lack of knowledge involved relationshipsto predict the anatomical growth and the evolution of quality parameters of carcass and cuts from the chemical compositionof the body. If a correlation between the chemical composition of the pig's body and production targets is confirmed,then a link between the farmer and the industry can be established and the model could be used to identify more convenientfeeding strategies. The conceptual basis and the way to assess nutrient requirements of heavy pigs have beenclearly identified