Beet silage: chemical composition, fermentacion parameters and use of NIRS Technology as a tool to identify ensiled beet varieties

8 páginas, 2 figuras, 4 tablas.--Comunicación presentada a la 53ª Reunión Científica de la Sociedad Española para el Estudio de los Pastos (SEEP). "Pastos y PAC 2014-2020"[EN] The use of beet root for the purpose of feeding the dairy cattle could be constrained by the scarce knowledge about the characteristics of this feed after it has been ensiled. To investigate the feasibility of using the NIRS methodology to analyze the chemical composition of ensiled beets and to discriminate between beet varieties, roots of four beet varieties were ensiled (Sandrina KWS 1193, Tilly KWS 2733, Gerty KWS 2734 and Páramo 3359) using laboratory silos (600 ml of capacity). Although small differences (P<0.05) in chemical composition were found between treatments, the range of variation was narrow, especially for crude protein, which reached low and quite uniform values. The pH values were lower than 4 for all the varieties and the fermentation was mainly acetic. Whereas NIRS spectra of raw silages did not allow beet varieties discrimination or chemical composition prediction, spectra from dried and milled samples suggest that NIRS technology could be used as a tool for both purposes. NIRS spectra of silage juices could also be useful to establish beet variety.[ES] El empleo de raíces de remolacha en la alimentación del vacuno de leche se ve limitado por el escaso conocimiento acerca de las características de este alimento una vez ensilado. Para estudiar la composición química y los principales parámetros de fermentación de ensilados de remolacha y explorar la posibilidad de emplear la tecnología de espectroscopía de reflectancia en el infrarrojo cercano (NIRS) para la estimación de los parámetros estudiados y para discriminar distintas variedades de remolacha, se ensilaron raíces de cuatro variedades de remolacha (Sandrina KWS 1193, Tilly KWS 2733, Gerty KWS 2734 y Páramo 3359) empleando micro-silos de 600 ml de capacidad. Se detectaron diferencias (P<0,05) entre variedades en todos los parámetros de composición química de los ensilados, aunque en el caso de la proteína sólo la variedad Tilly KWS 2733 presentó un contenido diferente (P<0,05) a los del resto de las variedades. El pH alcanzó valores menores que 4 para todas las variedades y la fermentación fue principalmente acética. Los espectros NIRS de las muestras de ensilado en fresco no permitieron ni discriminar entre las variedades ensiladas ni predecir la composición química. Sin embargo, los resultados con las muestras secas y molidas sí apuntan la posibilidad de emplear la tecnología NIRS con ambos fines. Los espectros NIRS de los jugos del ensilado también podrían resultar útiles para establecer la variedad de remolacha ensilada.Este trabajo se financió con el contrato asociado a proyecto CDTI titulado: Procesado y estudio de variedades de remolacha para su utilización en alimentación animal (código 100102120005). Organismo financiador: INDUSTRIAS DE NUTRICIÓN ANIMAL, S.L.Peer reviewe

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma presenting as recurrent adhesion obstruction in general surgery: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a well-described entity in many reports in the literature in which it has been associated with asbestosis. However, there is no information describing the gross appearance and cardinal features seen during laparotomy, hence it is easy for the unwary surgeon to miss the diagnosis of this rare condition.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 49-year-old man of African descent presented to our hospital with a three-month history of weight loss, anorexia, abdominal distension, and general signs of cachexia and ascites on second presentation. At first presentation one year prior to this, he had undergone a laparotomy at our institution by a different team for intestinal obstruction secondary to adhesions with no biopsy taken. The patient's condition subsequently progressively deteriorated, and investigations including upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies and computed tomography of the abdomen were inconclusive, except for some free fluid in the peritoneal cavity and diffuse, mild thickening of the gut wall and mesentery. A second-look exploratory laparotomy revealed widespread nodular thickening of the visceral peritoneum with a striking, uniformly diffuse, erythematous, and velvety appearance. The peritoneal biopsy histology showed that the patient had malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and he died eight weeks after surgery.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our report aims to increase the diagnosing clinician's awareness of the cardinal features of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma and thus reduce diagnostic errors and delays in treatment.</p

Evolution of the use of corticosteroids for the treatment of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Spain between March and November 2020: SEMI-COVID national registry

Objectives: Since the results of the RECOVERY trial, WHO recommendations about the use of corticosteroids (CTs) in COVID-19 have changed. The aim of the study is to analyse the evolutive use of CTs in Spain during the pandemic to assess the potential influence of new recommendations. Material and methods: A retrospective, descriptive, and observational study was conducted on adults hospitalised due to COVID-19 in Spain who were included in the SEMI-COVID- 19 Registry from March to November 2020. Results: CTs were used in 6053 (36.21%) of the included patients. The patients were older (mean (SD)) (69.6 (14.6) vs. 66.0 (16.8) years; p < 0.001), with hypertension (57.0% vs. 47.7%; p < 0.001), obesity (26.4% vs. 19.3%; p < 0.0001), and multimorbidity prevalence (20.6% vs. 16.1%; p < 0.001). These patients had higher values (mean (95% CI)) of C-reactive protein (CRP) (86 (32.7-160) vs. 49.3 (16-109) mg/dL; p < 0.001), ferritin (791 (393-1534) vs. 470 (236- 996) µg/dL; p < 0.001), D dimer (750 (430-1400) vs. 617 (345-1180) µg/dL; p < 0.001), and lower Sp02/Fi02 (266 (91.1) vs. 301 (101); p < 0.001). Since June 2020, there was an increment in the use of CTs (March vs. September; p < 0.001). Overall, 20% did not receive steroids, and 40% received less than 200 mg accumulated prednisone equivalent dose (APED). Severe patients are treated with higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%. Conclusions: Patients with greater comorbidity, severity, and inflammatory markers were those treated with CTs. In severe patients, there is a trend towards the use of higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%

Hoechst 33258 induces changes from duplex RNA to triplex RNA at different temperatures and concentrations

Hoechst 33258, a synthetic dye containing a bisbenzimidazole moiety, has attracted a great deal of attention due to its selective groove binding interaction with AT-rich DNA sequences. Also, it shows a partially intercalative binding mode with poly(dG-dC)2 and with GC-rich sequences of other types of DNA. The pronounced binding interaction in the AT-rich minor groove of DNA can affect transcription, blocking topoisomerase I and helicases activity. Despite the many studies carried out so far, the behaviour of Hoechst 33258-DNA towards RNA is still not well understood. The dsRNA structure exerts profound regulatory effects on the cell, thereby playing the RNA molecules a crucial role in many key biological processes. Kinetic and thermodynamic measurements contribute to explain the Hoechst33258/RNA interaction. The homopolymer Poly(rA)·Poly(rU) has been used as synthetic RNA. The techniques employed for kinetic experiments, T-jump and conventional spectrophotometer, and for thermodynamic experiments, ITC, DSC, thermal denaturation, CD spectrophotometry and absorbance and fluorescence titrations at different ionic strengths indicate that Hoechst 33258 interacts with Poly(rA)·Poly(rU) by two binding modes, depending on the CD/CP ratio. Thermal denaturation measurements at 25ºC show that triple helix prevails at low CD/CP, whereas the double helix prevails at higher CD/CP values. Kinetic experiments performed at different temperatures and DSC and CD measurements confirm such behaviour.For CD/CP < 0.2, the binding constant has been determined by ITC measurements. The apparent constant Kapp = 1E5 M-1 corresponds to an intercalation process responsible for the formation of the triple helix, in agreement with the reaction: 2[Poly(rA)·Poly(rU) /Hoechst] = Poly(rA)·2Poly(rU)/Hoechst + Poly(rA)/Hoechst Spectrophotometric titrations yielded a binding constant above 1E7 at high dye content, therefore the binding occurs in the minor groove of the duplex and stabilizes the double strand of RNA, shifting the formation of the triple towards higher temperatures

Studies on self-Aggregation and Isomerization of the DNA Groove Binder Hoechst-33258

Bis-benzimidazole family molecules are potential anticancer drugs. The dye Hoechst- 33258 is a bis-benzimidazole derivative with an N-methylpiperazine and a phenyl group at the end, and it has been widely used as a fluorescent cytological stain for DNA. It is a long, flexible molecule with a positively charged end and a number of proton donor and acceptor groups suitable for possible hydrogen bonds formation. Hoechst-33258 has been found to self-aggregate because of its planar aromatic hydrophobic structure, that also makes it able to bind in the minor groove of DNA. We have performed a thermodynamic (spectrofluorimetric titrations and quenching measurements) and kinetic (T-jump technique) analysis of Hoechst-33258 self-aggregation.The obtained results show that a dimerization process is coupled with an isomerization reaction (Scheme (1)-(2)): (1) 2D = D2; (2) D= D'. The values of the equilibrium constants obtained from the fluorimetric titrations, quenching measurements and the T-jump kinetic curves are very similar, thus indicating that the three techniques have measured the same processes. The accessible fraction of Hoechst-33258 molecules that we have calculated from quenching measurements reveals that almost 50% of dye’s surface is inaccessible to the quencher (NaI) and this is consistent with the presence of a considerable amount of dimer. The nature of the dye molecule and the results that we have obtained, enable us to hypothesize that isomerization may consist in the slow rotation of the central bond, which exhibits partial characteristic of double bond. One of the two isomers can be stabilized by hydrogen bonds formed through the intermediacy of a water molecule

Effect of electrolyzed water on ruminal fermentation in vitro using inoculum from forage-fed animals

3 páginas, 1 tabla.-- Trabajo presentado a las XV Jornadas sobre Producción Animal AIDA (Zaragoza, 14 al 15 de mayo, 2013).The effects of alkaline (Catolyte, pH 11,5) and slightly acidic (Anolyte, pH 7,0) electrolyzed water substituting 25 or 50% of distilled water in the culture medium for in vitro gas production technique were evaluated when using inocula from fistulated ewes fed on alfalfa hay., Two diets (alfalfa and concentrate) were incubated., When alfalfa was used as substrate, gas and AGV production and butyrate proportion decreased (P<0.,001) and acetate proportion increased (P<0.,001). Anolyte at 25 or 50% rates and Catolyte at 50% rate decreased gas production., Anolyte at 50% rate also decreased final pH, Volatile fatty acids production was not affected, but acetate proportion increased and butyrate proportion decreased when either Anolyte or Catolyte were used at 50% rate (P<0.,05)., Using high doses of electrolyzed water affects ruminal fermentation in vitro by reducing gas production and increasing acetate proportion. Anolyte tends to reduce ruminal pH.Proyecto financiado por el Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (Consejería de Agricultura y Ganadería, Junta de Castilla y León) (Proyecto 2010- 1284) y Fondos FEDER.Peer reviewe