Effect of pre-slaughter conditions in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The increasing attention towards animal welfare also concerns aquaculture species, with special regards to husbandry and slaughter conditions. Both the extent and the duration of stressful events especially before slaughter may affect post-mortem evolution of biochemical processes and product shelf-life (Pottinger, 2001; Zampacavallo et al., 2003). The present work aimed to evaluate the effects of preslaughter conditions in European sea bass according to i) stocking density and ii) time spent in confinement tanks after catch and before slaughter on physiological indicators of stress and meat quality during storage

Immunohistochemical localization of IGF-I, IGF-II and MSTN proteins during development of triploid sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The cellular localization of IGF-I, IGF-II and MSTN proteins was investigated during ontogenesis of triploid sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) by an immunohistochemical approach. The results were compared with those observed in diploids. IGF-I immunostaining was mainly observed in skin, skeletal muscle, intestine and gills of both diploids and triploids. From day 30 of larval life, IGF-I immunoreactivity observed in skeletal muscle, intestine, gills and kidney was stronger in triploids than in diploids. At day 30, triploids exhibited a standard length significantly higher than the one of diploids. Although IGF-II and MSTN immunoreactivity was detectable in different tissues and organs, no differences between diploids and triploids were observed. The spatial localization of IGF-I, IGF-II and MSTN proteins detected in this study is in agreement with previous findings on the distribution of these proteins in diploid larvae and fry. The highest IGF-I immunoreactivity observed in triploids suggests a possible involvement of ploidy in their growth performance

Stereotactic reirradiation for local failure of brain metastases following previous radiosurgery: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Local failure (LF) following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) of brain metastases (BM) may be treated with a second course of SRS (SRS2), though this procedure may increase the risk of symptomatic radionecrosis (RN). Methods: A literature search was conducted according to PRISMA to identify studies reporting LF, overall survival (OS) and RN rates following SRS2. Meta-analysis was performed to identify predictors of RN. Results: Analysis included 11 studies (335 patients,389 metastases). Pooled 1-year LF was 24 %(CI95 % 19–30 %): heterogeneity was acceptable (I2 = 21.4 %). Median pooled OS was 14 months (Confidence Interval 95 %, CI95 % 8.8–22.0 months). Cumulative crude RN rate was 13 % (95 %CI 8 %–19 %), with acceptable heterogeneity (I2 = 40.3 %). Subgroup analysis showed higher RN incidence in studies with median patient age ≥59 years (13 % [95 %CI 8 %–19 %] vs 7 %[95 %CI 3 %–12 %], p = 0.004) and lower incidence following prior Whole Brain Radiotherapy (WBRT, 19 %[95 %CI 13 %–25 %] vs 7%[95 %CI 3 %–13 %], p = 0.004). Conclusions: SRS2 is an effective strategy for in-site recurrence of BM previously treated with SRS

Welfare and quality of farmed trout fed high plant protein diets. 2 innovative killing method effect on stress and quality indicators

AbstractThe fish stunning/slaughtering procedure has an important role both for the ethical aspect related to animal welfare and for the potential quality of the final products. Stressful harvest procedure and killing methods can negatively influence the post mortem biochemical processes with a consequent faster fish freshness loss. In particular, killing procedures causing a long agony are not humane and can shorten fish shelf life; others, more humane, can have risks for the consumers health (anaesthetics or chemical substances) or are not feasible in small/medium size fish industry (spiking and knocking). The aim of this study was to compare the traditional killing method (asphyxia - A) used for rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss) with an innovative stunning/slaughtering method (two-stage electric stun: 2s at a 500Hz electric field of 2.5V/cm and then 58s at a 50Hz electric field of 0.75V/cm - E), through the study of their effects on stress and quality indicators in fish fed with traditional fish meal..

Systematic analysis of the ability of Nitric Oxide donors to dislodge biofilms formed by Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7

Biofilms in the industrial environment could be problematic. Encased in extracellular polymeric substances, pathogens within biofilms are significantly more resistant to chlorine and other disinfectants. Recent studies suggest that compounds capable of manipulating nitric oxide-mediated signaling in bacteria could induce dispersal of sessile bacteria and provide a foundation for novel approaches to controlling biofilms formed by some microorganisms. In this work, we compared the ability of five nitric oxide donors (molsidomine, MAHMA NONOate, diethylamine NONOate, diethylamine NONOate diethylammonium salt, spermine NONOate) to dislodge biofilms formed by non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica and pathogenic E. coli on plastic and stainless steel surfaces at different temperatures. All five nitric oxide donors induced significant (35-80%) dispersal of biofilms, however, the degree of dispersal and the optimal dispersal conditions varied. MAHMA NONOate and molsidomine were strong dispersants of the Salmonella biofilms formed on polystyrene. Importantly, molsidomine induced dispersal of up to 50% of the pre-formed Salmonella biofilm at 4 degrees C, suggesting that it could be effective even under refrigerated conditions. Biofilms formed by E. coli O157:H7 were also significantly dispersed. Nitric oxide donor molecules were highly active within 6 hours of application. To better understand mode of action of these compounds, we identified Salmonella genomic region recA-hydN, deletion of which led to an insensitivity to the nitric oxide donors