Effect of different dietary factors on intramuscular fat content in pigs

El objetivo de esta tesis es: (1) determinar si el consumidor español asocia la grasa intramuscular (GIM) a la aceptabilidad de la carne de cerdo; (2) incrementar la GIM a través de estrategias nutricionales (adición de acido linoleico conjugado, reducción de vitamina A, reducción de proteína, lisina, suplementación con arginina y leucina). Los resultados mostraron que desde el punto de vista gustativo el consumidor prefiere la carne con un mayor contenido de GIM. Se obtuvo un incremento de la GIM al reducir el nivel de proteína (sin modificar la lisina) o al reducir el nivel de lisina (sin modificar la proteína) y al utilizar una línea genética grasa y no en una línea genética más magra. Se puede concluir que la modificación de la GIM a través de la dieta depende del genotipo, y que las modificaciones de los niveles de proteína y lisina son las más eficaces.The objective of this thesis was: (1) to test if Spanish consumers associate intramuscular fat (IMF) content with acceptability of pork meat; (2) to increase IMF through nutritional strategies (supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid, reduction of vitamin A, reduction of protein, lysine, supplementation with arginine and leucine). Results showed that from the point of view of taste, consumers prefer the meat with a high IMF content. An increase of IMF was observed when dietary protein or lysine were reduced (without modifying lysine or protein content, respectively) in a fatter but not in a leaner genotype. It can be concluded that modification of IMF content through the diet depends on the genotype, and that changes in dietary protein and lysine levels elicit the greatest response

Factor Structure of Items from the Personality Adjective Check List in a Sample of Normal Adolescents

We present the results of a principal-components analysis of the Personality Adjective Check List (PACL) at the item level, rather than at the scale level. The PACL was constructed by Strack (1987) to evaluate the personality scales proposed by Millon (1981). Data were obtained from a sample of normal adolescents. A scree test was applied to determine the number of factors to be extracted, and the retained factors were then rotated using a varimax procedure. Using the data from this second analysis, congruence coefficients were calculated by correlating the factor weights from the two analyses of men and women. Results reveal the existence in the whole sample of five unipolar personality factors, which we have called: Aggressive, Conscientious, Inhibited, Impulsive and Gregarious. These are not similar to those obtained from a sample of normal adults.Se presentan los resultados de un análisis de componentes principales del Personality Adjective Check List (PACL) al nivel de los ítems en vez del nivel de escala. El PACL fue construido por Strack (1987) para evaluar las escalas de personalidad ropuestas or Millon (1981). Los datos se obtuvieron de una muestra de adolescentes normales. e aplicó una prueba scree ara determinar el número de factores a extraer, y los factores etenidos se rotaron con el procedimiento varimax. Empleando os datos de este segundo nálisis, se calcularon los coeficientes de congruencia al correlacionar los pesos factoriales e los os análisis de varones y mujeres. Los resultados revelan la existencia en toda a muestra de cinco factores unipolares de ersonalidad, que hemos denominado: Agresivo, concienzudo, Inhibido, Impulsivo y Gregario. No se parecen a los factores obtenidos de una muestra de adultos normales

The representation of women's roles in television series in Spain. Analysis of the Basque and Catalan cases

The comparison of six Spanish television dramas has enabled us to analyse the role of women in these fictional products. In the series analysed there is a persistence of males playing the leading roles, as well as a reiteration of female stereotypes. In the case of the Catalan television dramas on TVC (El cor de la ciutat, Ventdelplà and Infidels) a more positive treatment of femininity could be observed in the series dealing with social customs. In the Basque productions on EITB (Goenkale, Martin and Mi querido Klikowsky) there is a perpetuation of the cliché of the Basque woman as being strong and capable of managing her home and family, as well as of her feelingsLa comparación de seis dramas televisivos españoles nos ha permitido analizar la imagen de la mujer en estos productos de ficción. En las series analizadas se observa una persistencia de la imagen del hombre en los papeles principales, así como un mantenimiento de los estereotipos femeninos. En el caso de los programas catalanes de TVC (El cor de la ciutat, Ventdelplà e Infidels) constatamos un mejor tratamiento de la imagen de la mujer en los productos costumbristas. En los programas vascos de la EITB (Goenkale, Martin y Mi querido Klikowsky) observamos una perpetuación del cliché de la mujer vasca fuerte y capaz de gestionar su casa, su familia y sus sentimientos

The control of intestinal inflammation: A major objective in the research of probiotic strains as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry

The reduction of antimicrobial resistance is a major challenge for the scientific community. In a few decades, infections by resistant bacteria are forecasted to be the main cause of death in the world. The withdrawal of antibiotics as growth promoters and their preventive use in animal production is essential to avoid these resistances, but this may impair productivity and health due to the increase in gut inflammation. This reduction in productivity aggravates the problem of increasing meat demand in developing countries and limits the availability of raw materials. Probiotics are promising products to address this challenge due to their beneficial effects on microbiota composition, mucosal barrier integrity, and immune system to control inflammation. Although many modes of action have been demonstrated, the scientific community is not able to describe the specific effects that a probiotic should induce on the host to maximize both productivity and animal health. First, it may be necessary to define what are the innate immune pathways acting in the gut that optimize productivity and health and to then investigate which probiotic strain is able to induce the specific effect needed. This review describes several gaps in the knowledge of host-microbiota-pathogen interaction and the related mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response not demonstrated yet in poultry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of Exogenous 6-Phytase (EC 3.1.3.26) Supplementation on Performance, Calcium and Phosphorous Digestibility, and Bone Mineralisation and Density in Weaned Piglets

Phosphorus (P) is an essential mineral for growing piglets, which is poorly accessible in vegetable feedstuffs as it is stored as phytates. Thus, phytase supplementation is essential to increase P availability. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate a novel 6-phytase (EC 3.1.3.26) in weaned pigs fed low-P diets. In each experiment, one hundred and twenty piglets were fed a positive control (PC; adequate in Ca and P), a negative control (NC; limiting in Ca and P), or NC supplemented with 125, 250, or 500 FTU/kg of phytase (NC125, NC250, and NC500, respectively). P content was lower in diets of Experiment 1 than diets of Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, piglets offered PC or phytase diets had higher growth and efficiency compared with NC diets. In Experiment 2, similar effects were obtained, but the effects were less significant. In both experiments, P and Ca ATTD and bone density were significantly increased with phytase supplementation. Moreover, PC and NC500 had higher P concentrations and lower alkaline phosphatase activity in plasma than NC. To conclude, supplementation with the new 6-phytase at doses up to 500 FTU/kg enhanced P utilization, growth performance, and bone density in piglets fed P-limiting diets.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influence of dietary n-3 long-chain fatty acids on microbial diversity and composition of sows’ feces, colostrum, milk, and suckling piglets’ feces

Introduction: Very little is known about the impact of n-3 long-chain fatty acids (n-3 LCFAs) on the microbiota of sows and their piglets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of n-3 LCFA in sow diets on the microbiota composition of sows’ feces, colostrum, and milk as well as that of piglets’feces. Methods: Twenty-two sows were randomly assigned to either a control or an n-3 LCFA diet from service to weaning. Sows’ and piglets’ performance was monitored. The gestating and lactating sows’microbiomes in feces, colostrum, and milk were characterized by 16s ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. The fecal microbiome from the two lowest (>800 g) and the two highest birth weight piglets per litter was also characterized, and the LPS levels in plasma were analyzed at weaning. Results and Discussion: n-3 LCFA increased microbiota alpha diversity in suckling piglets’ and gestating sows’ feces. However, no effects were observed in colostrum, milk, or lactating sows’ feces. Dietary n-3 LCFA modified the microbiota composition of gestating sows’ feces, milk, and suckling piglets’feces, without affecting lactating sows’ feces or colostrum. In gestating sows’ feces and milk, the decrease in genus Succinivibrio and the increase of Proteobacteria phylum, due to the increased genera Brenneria and Escherichia, respectively, stand out. In the feces of suckling piglets, the higher abundance of the beneficial genus Akkermansia and Bacteroides, and different species of Lactobacillus are highlighted. In addition, positive correlations for families and genera were found between lactating sows’ feces and milk, milk and suckling piglets’ feces, and lactating sows’ feces and suckling piglets’feces. To conclude, dietary n-3 LCFA had a positive impact on the microbiome of suckling piglet’s feces by increasing microbial diversity and some beneficial bacteria populations, had a few minor modifications on the microbiome of milk and gestating sows’ feces and did not change the microbiome in lactating sows’ feces or colostrum. Therefore, this study shows the effect of dietary n-3 LCFA on the microbiota of sows, colostrum, milk, and suckling piglets during the lactation period providing crucial information on the microbiota status at the early stages of life, which have an impact on the post-weaning.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

eHealth Eurocampus Project: preparing innovative ICT professionals

The eHealth Eurocampus project, an EU-funded project, aims at preparing innovative professionals able to cope with the challenge of fostering a spirit of innovation in eHealth in Europe as the way forward to ensure better health and better and safer care. The main objectives of the eHealth Eurocampus are improving the relevance and quality of higher education in the field of ICT applications for health, and fostering employability through curricula adaptation to labour market needs and the development of entrepreneurship skills. In the frame of this project we are developing course materials, and implementing new and innovative teaching methods that are tested through joint learning activities (summer schools), which will be used later on in different master courses. The project includes the organization of training seminars to exchange good practices and knowledge among teachers and researchers. The eHealth Eurocampus consortium includes 8 higher education institutions, a regional centre of technological development and entrepreneurship promotion, and a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation. The partnership represents different European health management systems, from 5 European countries.Postprint (author's final draft

Utilitat de la Tomografia Computeritzada de crani davant la sospita de meningitis

La meningitis és una malaltia de baixa incidència i una presentació clínica variable. En la pràctica clínica habitual és molt freqüent realitzar una tomografia computeritzada (TC) cranial davant la sospita de meningitis. Les dades del nostre estudi són congruents amb les conclusions de les altres sèries de meningitis: els pacients amb sospita clínica de meningitis que no presenten cap alteració a l'exploració neurològica o factor de risc, són bons candidats per la immediata realització de punció lumbar sense necessitat de fer TC prèvia. En la majoria, la TC de crani no aportarà informació rellevant i demorarà considerablement l'inici de l'antibioteràpia

eHealth Eurocampus: An innovative educational framework to train qualified professionals in the emerging ehealth sector

The aim of this paper is to present the results of an initiative called the eHealth Eurocampus (http://ehealtheurocampus.eu), whose main goal is to define a framework to prepare professionals for the eHealth work environment. To do so, three main activities have been organized: develop eHealth learning materials, international intensive study programs for both health science and IT students and international training seminars for researches and professors. The eHealth Eurocampus project is an EU-funded Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership for higher education (September-2016 / August-2019) which aims at preparing qualified professionals able to cope with the challenge of “fostering a spirit of innovation in eHealth in Europe as the way forward to ensure better health and better and safer care for EU citizens, a more skilled workforce, more efficient and sustainable health and care systems, new business opportunities” (EC eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020). The consortium of the eHealth Eurocampus project along with the participants of the designed activities have created an original eHealth teaching-learning framework where university professors, students, researchers, and clinicians are able to share their experiences and knowledge with the aim of improving the skills of graduates in order to improve their employability. These are the organized activities and the topics that have been covered: - eHealth learning materials. Five courses of 6 ECTS each have been developed in the following topics: innovation and entrepreneurship, IT for a longer independent life, robotics for health care, graphics and medical imaging and eHealth applications and tools. - Intensive study programs. Three international summer schools for both health and IT students have been organized with an interdisciplinary approach. The first one deal with innovation and entrepreneurship in eHealth. The second one is focused on applications and tools for longer independent life. And robotics, graphics and medical imaging are covered in the third one. The summer schools have proven to be the best testbed for the learning materials and for innovative teaching methodologies in interdisciplinary context. - Training seminars. When you face the training of qualified eHealth professionals it is critical to have good educators. Two training seminars have been organized with the goal of share experiences and knowledge among practitioners, university teachers and researches of the health and IT fields. The topics covered in the seminars are eHealth Teaching Challenges and Accessibility, Inclusion, and Rehabilitation using IT, respectively. In this paper, we will introduce in detail the different activities carried out, the results and conclusions of this teaching-learning framework and how the different stakeholders would take advantage of it.Postprint (author's final draft

Novel strategies to improve chicken performance and welfare by unveiling host-microbiota interactions through hologenomics

Fast optimisation of farming practices is essential to meet environmental sustainability challenges. Hologenomics, the joint study of the genomic features of animals and the microbial communities associated with them, opens new avenues to obtain in-depth knowledge on how host-microbiota interactions affect animal performance and welfare, and in doing so, improve the quality and sustainability of animal production. Here, we introduce the animal trials conducted with broiler chickens in the H2020 project HoloFood, and our strategy to implement hologenomic analyses in light of the initial results, which despite yielding negligible effects of tested feed additives, provide relevant information to understand how host genomic features, microbiota development dynamics and host-microbiota interactions shape animal welfare and performance. We report the most relevant results, propose hypotheses to explain the observed patterns, and outline how these questions will be addressed through the generation and analysis of animal-microbiota multi-omic data during the HoloFood project