Fatty acid digestibility in gilthead sea bream fed diets containing native, re-esterified or acid vegetable oils.

Re-esterified vegetable oils are obtained from a chemical esterification reaction between vegetable acid oils and glycerol. Due to their properties, it is expected that they have a higher nutritive value than their corresponding acid oils and a better digestibility than their native counterparts. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of reesterified oils with a different monoacylglycerol (MAG) and diacylglycerol (DAG) content, produced from palm or rapeseed, on fatty acid digestibility in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Triplicate groups of fish were fed nine experimental diets containing different oils during 28 days. For each source, four different types of oil were used: native, re-esterified low or high in MAG and DAG and acid. A commercial fish oil was used for the control diet. Diets containing re-esterified oils had better apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of total fatty acids than acid oil diets. Reesterified oils do not negatively affect apparent digestibility coefficients of fatty acids when compared to their corresponding native oils and could be incorporated as a source of energy in diets for gilthead sea bream. An improvement in digestibility compared to the native oil diet was only obtained in palm re-esterified oil high in MAG and DAG

Acid and re-esterified rapeseed oils as alternative vegetable oils rainbow trout diets: Effects on lipid digestibility and growth

The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of dietary acid and re-esterified rapeseed oils as alternatives to native vegetable oils (VO) on growth performance and feed utilization in rainbow trout. Acid oils are a free fatty acid (FFA)-rich by-product from the refining of VO and re-esterified oils are the final product of a chemical esterification process between acid oils and glycerol. Because re-esterified oils have a high content of mono- and diacylglycerols (MAG and DAG), known for being good emulsifiers, a higher nutritive value than that of the native and the acid oils might be expected. A 72-day feeding trial where triplicate groups of rainbow trout were fed eight experimental diets formulated to contain 15% of a native, a re-esterified and an acid rapeseed oil, in addition to a 5% of fish oil (FO), was carried out. Diets with the native or the re-esterified oils blended with the acid oil were also studied. A commercial fish oil was used for the control diet. Fish fed rapeseed acid and re-esterified oil diets (RA and RE, respectively) showed high fat and total fatty acid apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) (RA: 90.5 ± 0.3%, RE: 92.5 ± 1.0% for total fat and RA: 95.7 ± 0.1%, RE: 95.8 ± 0.2% for total fatty acids). However, the lowest total fatty acid ADC was that obtained in animals fed RA, which was significantly lower (P b 0.05) than that of fish fed the rapeseed native oil diet (RN: 96.7 ± 0.1%). No significant differences in final weight were obtained between fish fed RA (375.9 ± 2.9 g) and RE (381.5 ± 11.1 g) and those fed RN (393.7 ± 6.1 g), even though both values were significantly lower (P b 0.05) than that of fish fed the control diet (411.1 ± 3.3 g). Nonetheless, fish fed diets including blends of the rapeseed acid and the re-esterified oils (RE/RA and RA/RE) had higher final weights (392.8 ± 4.4 and 394.6 ± 1.6, respectively) than those of RA and RE, although differences were not statistically significant. Furthermore, RA and RE diets did not produce relevant changes in plasma parameters or in the morphology of liver and intestine of fish. Therefore, the inclusion of rapeseed acid and re-esterified oils along with a 5% of FO in aqua feeds does not seem to have negative effects on fat and fatty acid digestibility, growth, plasma parameter or morphology of liver and intestine in rainbow trout. However, before recommending their use, further studies regarding their effects on the final composition and quality of fillets should be carried out. Statement of relevance: Re-esterified and acid rapeseed oils could be included in diets for rainbow trout as economically advantageous sources with no negative results in fat and fatty acid digestibility, plasma parameters and morphology of liver and intestine

Quality characteristics of fillets of rainbow trout fed acid or re-esterified rapeseed oils as dietary fat sources

Alternatives to the use of native vegetable oils (VO) as fish oil (FO) replacers in aqua feeds were evaluated. Acid oils are a free fatty acid (FFA)-rich by-product mainly from the refining of VO. Re-esterified oils are the final product of a chemical esterification reaction between acid oils and glycerol, and have less FFA and more monoand diacylglycerols (MAG and DAG), known for being good emulsifiers, than crude VO. Therefore, they could have a higher nutritive value than that of the native and acid oils. In two earlier studies in rainbow trout (Trullàs et al., 2015, 2016), diets including acid and/or re-esterified VO resulted in total fatty acid apparent digestibility coefficients above 95%. Moreover, no negative effects on growth, plasma biochemical parameters and morphology of tissues were observed when compared to the native oil diet. For all these reasons, the present study aimed at assessing their effects on the final quality of fillets of rainbow trout. Triplicate groups of rainbow trout were fed eight experimental diets containing 15% of different types of experimental rapeseed oils in addition to 5% of FO during 72 days. The experimental rapeseed oils were native (RNO), acid (RAO), re-esterified (REO), or blends (66% RN-33% RAO/33% RN-66% RAO or 66% REO-33% RAO/33% REO-66% RAO). Commercial FO was used for the control diet (F). The colorimetric analysis resulted in significant differences only in b* and C* in both fresh and thawed fillets, as well as in significant correlations between the colorimetric parameters among diets. For the total fat content, fillets of fish fed the control diet obtained the highest values, which were higher than those of fish fed diets containing RNO and the blend 66% REO-33% RAO. No differences in texture, liquid holding capacity, and TBARS were found among fillets of fish fed the different diets. Regarding tocopherol concentrations in fillets, α-tocopherol was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fillets of fish fed the control diet than in those fed RA/RE, while β + γ-tocopherol was significantly lower in fillets of fish fed C than in the rest. Even though the aforementioned differences were found, they did not seem to be relevant concerning the final quality of fille

Influence of particle size and xylanase in corn-soybean pelleted diets on performance, nutrient utilization, microbiota and short-chain fatty acid production in young broilers

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of particle size and xylanase supplementation in corn-based pellet diets on the performance and digestive traits in young broilers. A total of 512 male Ross 308 broilers were used in a 21-day study. The treatments were designed in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement with four levels of geometric mean diameter (Dgw) of corn (540, 660, 1390, and 1700 µm), and two levels of xylanase (0 or 16,000 BXU/kg diet). Feeding coarse corn diets (1390 and 1700 µm Dgw) and xylanase supplementation showed an inferior coefficient of variation of body weight. Higher gizzard weight, microbiome alpha-diversity, and clustered separately beta-diversity (p < 0.05) were observed in birds fed coarse diets. The addition of xylanase promoted changes in relative bacteria abundance, increasing Lachnospiraceae, Defluviitaleaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Bacillaceae, Eggerthellaceae, and Streptococcaceae families in the 1700 µm group, and Christensenellaceae and Lachnospiraceae families in the 540 µm Dgw group. In conclusion, xylanase supplementation and particle size of corn interact in the intestinal environment, showing changes in microbial composition. Coarse diets and xylanase supplementation showed improved body weight homogeneity, which might be related to a better gut development and microbiota modulation

Azithromycin to Prevent Pertussis in Household Contacts, Catalonia and Navarre, Spain, 2012-2013

We retrospectively assessed the effectiveness of azithromycin in preventing transmission of pertussis to a patient's household contacts. We also considered the duration between symptom onset in the primary patient and azithromycin administration. We categorized contacts into 4 groups: those treated within 21 days after illness onset in the primary patient. We studied 476 primary index patients and their 1,975 household contacts, of whom 4.5% were later identified as having pertussis. When contacts started chemoprophylaxis within 14 days after primary patient's symptom onset was less effective. We recommend that contacts of persons with pertussis begin chemoprophylaxis within <14 days after primary patient's symptom onset

Factors Associated to Duration of Hepatitis A Outbreaks: Implications for Control

Even though hepatitis A mass vaccination effectiveness is high, outbreaks continue to occur. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between duration and characteristics of hepatitis A outbreaks. Hepatitis A (HA) outbreaks reported between 1991 and 2007 were studied. An outbreak was defined as ≥2 epidemiologically-linked cases with ≥1 case laboratory-confirmed by detection of HA immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Relationships between explanatory variables and outbreak duration were assessed by logistic regression. During the study period, 268 outbreaks (rate 2.45 per million persons-year) and 1396 cases (rate 1.28 per 105 persons-year) were reported. Factors associated with shorter duration were time to intervention (OR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.94–0.98) and school setting (OR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.16–0.92). In person-to-person transmission outbreaks only time to intervention was associated with shorter outbreak duration (OR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.95–0.98). The only variables associated with shorter outbreak duration were early administration of IG or vaccine and a school setting. Timely reporting HA outbreaks was associated with outbreak duration. Making confirmed HA infections statutory reportable for clinical laboratories could diminish outbreak duration

Loss of brainstem white matter predicts onset and motor neuron symptoms in C9orf72 expansion carriers:a GENFI study

Background and objectives: The C9orf72 expansion is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and/or motor neuron disease (MND). Corticospinal degeneration has been described in post-mortem neuropathological studies in these patients, especially in those with MND. We used MRI to analyze white matter (WM) volumes in presymptomatic and symptomatic C9orf72 expansion carriers and investigated whether its measure may be helpful in predicting the onset of symptoms. Methods: We studied 102 presymptomatic C9orf72 mutation carriers, 52 symptomatic carriers: 42 suffering from FTD and 11 from MND, and 75 non-carriers from the Genetic Frontotemporal dementia Initiative (GENFI). All subjects underwent T1-MRI acquisition. We used FreeSurfer to estimate the volume proportion of WM in the brainstem regions (midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata). We calculated group differences with ANOVA tests and performed linear and non-linear regressions to assess group-by-age interactions. Results: A reduced WM ratio was found in all brainstem subregions in symptomatic carriers compared to both noncarriers and pre-symptomatic carriers. Within symptomatic carriers, MND patients presented a lower ratio in pons and medulla oblongata compared with FTD patients. No differences were found between presymptomatic carriers and non-carriers. Clinical severity was negatively associated with the WM ratio. C9orf72 carriers presented greater age-related WM loss than non-carriers, with MND patients showing significantly more atrophy in pons and medulla oblongata. Discussion: We find consistent brainstem WM loss in C9orf72 symptomatic carriers with differences related to the clinical phenotype supporting the use of brainstem measures as neuroimaging biomarkers for disease tracking.</p

Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Conceptual Design Report Volume 2: The Physics Program for DUNE at LBNF

The Physics Program for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) at the Fermilab Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) is described

Vigilància epidemiològica dels casos greus hospitalitzats confirmats de grip. Xarxa sentinella PIDIRAC (Catalunya 2010-2015)

Grip; Viigilància; Epidemiologia; Antivírics; VacunaGripe; Vigilancia; Epidemiología; Antivíricos; VacunaFlu; Surveillance; Epidemiology; Antivirals; VaccineIntroducció: el Pla d’informació de les infeccions respiratòries agudes a Catalunya (PIDIRAC) va incorporar la vigilància de casos greus hospitalitzats confirmats de grip (CGHCG) l’any 2009. L’objectiu de l’estudi és descriure les característiques clíniques, epidemiològiques i virològiques dels CGHCG registrats en 12 hospitals de la xarxa sentinella durant cinc temporades gripals. Mètode: la mostra consta dels CGHCG registrats durant les temporades que van de 2010-2011 a 2014-2015. La tècnica de confirmació emprada ha estat la PCR i/o l’aïllament viral en cultiu cel·lular a partir de mostra respiratòria. Resultats: es van registrar 1.400 CGHCG, dels quals un 33% van requerir ingrés a l’UCI i un 12% van ser èxitus. La mitjana d’edat dels casos va ser de 55,2 anys (DE: 26,7 anys), amb un rang de 0-101 anys. Un 70,8% no estaven vacunats; un 87% van rebre tractament antiviral en el 80,4% i el 24% dels casos abans de 48 hores d’ingrés i d’inici de símptomes, respectivament. En el 87,7% dels casos es va identificar el virus de la grip A (37,9% A(H1N1)pdm09 i 29,3% A(H3N2)). Conclusions: la vigilància de CGHCG proporciona una estimació de la gravetat de les epidèmies estacionals de grip i permet identificar i caracteritzar grups de risc per adoptar mesures preventives (vacunació) i tractament antiviral precoç.Introducción: el Plan de información de las infecciones respiratorias agudas en Cataluña (PIDIRAC) incorporó la vigilancia de casos graves hospitalizados confirmados de gripe (CGHCG) el año 2009. El objetivo del estudio es describir las características clínicas, epidemiológicas y virológicas de los CGHCG registrados en 12 hospitales de la red centinela durante cinco temporadas gripales. Método: la muestra consta de los CGHCG registrados durante las temporadas que van de 2010-2011 a 2014-2015. La técnica de confirmación utilizada ha sido la PCR y/o el aislamiento viral en cultivo celular a partir de muestra respiratoria. Resultados: se registraron 1.400 CGHCG, de los cuales un 33% requirieron ingreso a la UCI y un 12% fueron exitus. La media de edad de los casos fue de 55,2 años (DE: 26,7 años), con un rango de 0-101 años. Un 70,8% no estaban vacunados; un 87% recibieron tratamiento antiviral, en el 80,4% y el 24% de los casos antes de 48 horas de ingreso y de inicio de síntomas, respectivamente. En el 87,7% de los casos se identificó virus de la gripe A (37,9% A(H1N1)pdm09 y 29,3% A(H3N2)). Conclusiones: la vigilancia de CGHCG proporciona una estimación de la gravedad de las epidemias estacionales de gripe y permite identificar y caracterizar grupos de riesgo para adoptar medidas preventivas (vacunación) y tratamiento antiviral precoz.Introduction: the Information Plan for Acute Respiratory Infections in Catalonia (PIDIRAC) incorporated the surveillance of severe confirmed influenza hospitalized cases (CGHCG) in 2009. The objective of the study is to portray the clinical, epidemiological and virological features of the CGHCG registered in 12 sentinel hospitals during 5 influenza seasons. Method: the sample consists of the CGHCG registered during 2010-2011 to 2014-2015 influenza seasons. The confirmation technique used was PCR and/or viral isolation in cell culture from respiratory sample. Results: 1400 CGHCG were registered, of which 33% required admission to ICU and 12% were exitus. The mean age of cases was 55.2 years (SD: 26.7 years), range of 0-101 years. 70.8% were not vaccinated; 87% received antiviral treatment, in 80.4% and 24% of the cases before 48 hours of admission and of beginning of symptoms, respectively. 87,7% of the cases identified influenza virus A (37,9% AH1N1pdm09, 29,3% AH3N2). Conclusions: surveillance of CGHCG provides an estimation of the severity of seasonal influenza epidemics allows to identify and characterize at-risk groups to adopt preventive measures (vaccination) and early antiviral treatment

Hospital-acquired influenza infections detected by a surveillance system over six seasons, from 2010/2011 to 2015/2016

In addition to outbreaks of nosocomial influenza, sporadic nosocomial influenza infections also occur but are generally not reported in the literature. This study aimed to determine the epidemiologic characteristics of cases of nosocomial influenza compared with the remaining severe cases of severe influenza in acute hospitals in Catalonia (Spain) which were identified by surveillance. An observational case-case epidemiological study was carried out in patients aged ≥18 years from Catalan 12 hospitals between 2010 and 2016. For each laboratory-confirmed influenza case (nosocomial or not) we collected demographic, virological and clinical characteristics. We defined patients with nosocomial influenza as those admitted to a hospital for a reason other than acute respiratory infection in whom ILI symptoms developed ≥48 h after admission and influenza virus infection was confirmed using RT-PCR. Mixed-effects regression was used to estimate the crude and adjusted OR. One thousand seven hundred twenty-two hospitalized patients with severe laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infection were included: 96 (5.6%) were classified as nosocomial influenza and more frequently had > 14 days of hospital stay (42.7% vs. 27.7%, P <.001) and higher mortality (18.8% vs. 12.6%, P <.02). The variables associated with nosocomial influenza cases in acute-care hospital settings were chronic renal disease (aOR 2.44 95% CI 1.44-4.15) and immunodeficiency (aOR 1.79 95% CI 1.04-3.06). Nosocomial infections are a recurring problem associated with high rates of chronic diseases and death. These findings underline the need for adherence to infection control guidelines