Search

An 18-d study evaluated the effect of increasing phytase levels in diets with limestone or Ca-formate on Ca and P digestibility, P retention, and blood inositol, Ca, and P in weaned piglets. At weaning, male piglets [n = 60; 29.8 ± 1.10 d of age; initial body weight (BW) = 8.8 ± 0.31 kg) were randomly allocated to ten diets formulated as a 2 × 5 factorial design with 2 primary Ca sources (limestone or Ca-formate) and 5 Ca/P levels. There was a positive control diet (PC; 0.76% Ca, 0.34 dP) and 4 negative control diets (NC; 0.56% Ca, 0.34% dP) supplemented with phytase at 0, 750, 1,500, and 3,000 FYT/kg. At d 10, piglets were individually housed in metabolism crates and fed 3.2 x metabolic weight. On d 14 to 18, fecal and total urine samples were collected. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) was calculated for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ash, Ca, and P using TiO2as marker. Urinary P was measured to calculate P retention. These data were analyzed as a 2-way interaction. On d 0 (baseline), 8 and 18, blood samples were collected to analyze serum Ca and P, and plasma inositol. Blood data were analyzed as a 3-way interaction. Results indicated that piglets fed Ca-formate had greater ATTD of Ca (75.0% vs. 71.4%, P< 0.01) but decreased ATTD of P (66.4% vs. 68.8%, P< 0.01), than piglets fed limestone. Phytase supplementation improved ATTD of DM, ash, OM, CP, P, and Ca compared with the NC and PC. An interaction between Ca/P levels and Ca-sources was observed for urinary P (P= 0.03), as there were no differences between Ca sources in piglets fed the NC or the 750 FYT diets, but piglets fed the PC diet and the NC+1,500 or 3,000 FYT with limestone had greater urinary P compared with Ca-formate. A 2-way interaction between Ca/P levels and d was observed for plasma inositol (P= 0.012). On d 8 and 18, there was no difference between the NC and PC;, however, phytase supplementation at 750, 1,500, and 3,000 FYT increased plasma inositol on d 8 (58.2, 80.7, and 89.5 μmol) and d 18 (70.2, 85.4, and 106.4 μmol). There was only a main effect of Ca/P levels in serum P. Compared with the NC (73.7 mg/L), the PC and the NC+750, 1,500, and 3,000 FTU/kg increased serum P (90.3, 89.1, 87.6, and 93.2 mg/L, respectively, P< 0.01). There was no effect of Ca source on blood inositol and P. No significant dietary treatment effects were observed in serum Ca. In conclusion, using Ca-formate instead of limestone increases Ca digestibility but reduces P digestibility, likely due to a greater Ca solubility of Ca-formate. This suggests that diets should be formulated based on digestible Ca instead of total Ca.

This study assessed the capacity of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) to maintain growth performance of weaned pigs when added to a nutrient-reduced mixed cereal diet with two levels of dietary net energy (NE) reduction applied. A total of 360 newly weaned pigs [Greater York × Norsvin Landrace; initial body weight (BW) 8.4 ± 0.78 kg] were assigned to 60 floor-pens and 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were 2 blocks (weaning group), 6 replicate pens per block, and 6 pigs/pen (3 male, 3 female), in total of 12 replications per treatment. Diets were based on wheat, corn, barley, and soybean meal and were offered to pigs in 2 phases in pelleted form (0–14 and 14–35 d post-weaning). Treatments comprised a nutritionally adequate positive control (PC) and 4 negative control (NC) diets supplemented with PhyG. The NC diets were reduced in digestible P, Ca, Na, and digestible amino acids vs. PC, according to the expected contribution of PhyG added at 1,000 phytase units (FTU)/kg (NC1) or 2,000 FTU/kg (NC2), respectively. Each NC1 and NC2 was formulated at two NE reduction levels, designated ‘low’ and ‘high’ (‘low’: -53 to -65 kcal/kg and ‘high’: -73 to -86 kcal/kg, vs. PC at 1,000 and 2,000 FTU/kg PhyG, respectively). Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Means separation was by Tukey’s HSD test. During both phases and overall (0–35 d), average BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in all PhyG-supplemented, nutrient- and NE-reduced treatments, were either not different or were improved compared with the PC. Overall ADG, ADFI, and final BW (d 35) were greater in NC2+PhyG 2,000 FTU/kg ‘low’ vs. PC (466 vs. 424 g, 9.9%, 622 vs. 567 g, 9.7%, and 24.7 vs. 23.1 kg, 6.9%, respectively; P< 0.05). Total feed costs (ingredients price, February 2023) and estimated carbon footprint (CFP; FeedPrint, WUR, The Netherland) per kilogram of BW gain (BWG) were reduced in all PhyG-supplemented, nutrient- and NE-reduced treatments vs. PC. Feed costs saving per kg BWG were greater with ‘high’ than ‘low’ NE reduction applied (-0.013 vs. -0.007 €, respectively, vs. PC) with PhyG at 1,000 FTU/kg, and it was greatest in NC2+PhyG 2,000 FTU/kg with ‘low’ NE reduction (-0.036 € vs. PC). Similarly, the CFP was reduced from 2,068 to 1,840 g CO2eq/kg BWG (-11 %) by NC2+PhyG 2,000 FTU/kg with ‘low’ NE reduction vs. PC. In conclusion, the application of a full nutrient matrix with ‘high’ or ‘low’ NE reduction combined with supplementation of PhyG maintained growth performance of weaned pigs and reduced the total feed costs and carbon footprint per kg BW gain, lead to production and sustainability benefits.

Surveillance colonoscopies focused to detect dysplasia are recommended to prevent colorectal cancer in patients with long-standing colonic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To date, histologic diagnosis and gradation of IBD-related dysplasia has been challenged by a high variability among pathologists. We aimed to analyze the observer characteristics that are correlated with concordance deviations in this diagnosis. Eight pathologists evaluated a set of 125 endoscopic biopsy samples with a representative distribution of nondysplastic and dysplastic lesions from long-standing IBD patients. Two rounds of diagnosis were carried out during a period of 18 months. The κ test was applied to analyze concordance. Pathologists were grouped on the basis of their experience. A subanalysis was performed by eliminating the highly prevalent nondysplastic samples, as well as an analysis after observers’ grouping. Overall interobserver agreement was good (κ=0.73), with an even higher pairwise value (κ=0.86) as well as the intraobserver agreement values (best κ=0.85). After eliminating the highly prevalent nondysplastic samples, the interobserver agreement was still moderate to good (best overall κ=0.50; best paired κ=0.72). Notable differences were seen between the pathologists with a high-volume and low-volume practice (best overall κ=0.61 and 0.41, respectively). The agreement in the diagnosis of dysplasia in IBD endoscopic biopsies may have been undervalued over time. This is the first study evaluating pathologists’ diagnostic robustness in this field. The results suggest that examining a large volume of samples is the key factor to increase the consistency in the diagnosis and gradation of IBD-related dysplasia.

•The analysis of the lithic industry from Cova del Vidre defines its evolutionary changes between 10.800-5.000 cal. BC.•A new C14 date is presented in the Sauveterrian phase allowing it to model and fix its lithics to the chronological sequence.•The lithic production for each phase is in line with the traits of Western Mediterranean except for Late Mesolithic.

This study evaluated effects of an algae-clay-based mycotoxin decontaminant on levels of zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON) and their derivatives in the colostrum, milk, and serum of sows, as well as in the serum of weaned piglets after maternal mycotoxin exposure from the last week of gestation to weaning (26 days). To this end, 15 sows split into 3 groups (n = 5/group) were fed diets naturally contaminated with 100 (LoZEN) or 300 (HiZEN) µg/kg ZEN, with or without an algae-clay-based mycotoxin decontaminant in the highly contaminated diet. All diets contained 250 µg/kg DON. Dietary treatments did not influence the performance of the sows and piglets. Only α-ZEL significantly increased in the colostrum of sows fed the HiZEN diet, and this increase was even greater in the colostrum of the sows fed the HiZEN diet supplemented with the test decontaminant. However, no differences in milk mycotoxin concentrations were observed at weaning. The greatest concentrations of ZEN, α-ZEL, and β-ZEL were observed in the serum of sows fed the HiZEN diet. When the HiZEN diet was supplemented with the tested algae-clay-based mycotoxin decontaminant, lconcentrations of ZEN and its metabolites were significantly decreased in the serum of sows. Although all sows were fed the same levels of DON, the serum concentration of de-epoxy-DON increased only in the serum of piglets from the sows fed a diet with the non-supplemented HiZEN diet. In conclusion, the tested algae-clay-based mycotoxin decontaminant can decrease concentrations of ZEN and its metabolites in the serum of sows and the level of de-DON in the serum of piglets.

In many countries, soybean meal (SBM) is the premier protein source in pig diets because of the optimal amino acid (AA) content. However, due to developments in sustainability and local availability of SBM, it is of great interest for the feed industry to explore the effect on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of replacing SBM inclusion in pig diets by alternative protein sources. The objective of the current study was to explore the effect of partially and/or totally replacement of SBM in the starter, grower and finisher diets formulating based on the same NE, dig AA/NE, and similar AA profile on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs (25 kg to slaughter at ±120 kg). In total, 120 boars and 120 gilts (Top Pi x T20) entered the experiment with an average body weight of 23.4 ± 1.87 kg and age of 61.4 ± 1.43 days. Pigs were blocked and randomly allocated to four dietary treatments depending on the inclusion level of SBM in the starter, grower and finisher phases. In treatment 1, the starter, grower and finisher feeds contained 16.0, 12.0 and 8.0% of SBM, respectively. In treatment 2, the starter, grower and finisher feeds contained 10.8, 8.1 and 0% of SBM, respectively. In treatment 3, the starter, grower and finisher feeds contained 5.3, 0 and 0% of SBM, respectively. In treatment 4, none of the feeds contained SBM. Pigs were housed in pens with 10 pigs per pen. The pens were equipped with individual feeding stations (IVO-G stations), which allowed for the measurement of individual feed intake. Pigs were individually weighed at the start of the experiment and at the diet changes at approximately 50 and 80 kg body weight and slaughter (±120 kg). During the grower phase, pigs fed according to treatment 1 showed reduced ADFI than the other treatment groups (1.91 vs. 2.0, 2.02 and 2.02 kg/d, P= 0.021) and subsequently decreased ADG (882 g/d vs. 927, 924 and 948 g/d, P= 0.005). Similar results were found during the starter + grower phases, where the pigs fed according to treatment 1 showed less ADFI than the other treatment groups pigs (1.63 vs. 1.71, 1.73 and 1.71 kg/d, P= 0.013) and subsequently less ADG (842 vs. 878, 878 and 874 g/d, P= 0.039). No major differences were found regarding the carcass characteristics. In conclusion, feed intake and growth performance were improved and carcass quality was not penalized by totally or partially replacing the SBM by other protein rich feedstuffs including rape seed meal (RSM), sunflower seed meal (SFM) and peas in diets for growing-fishing pigs.

The objective of this study is to provide insight in how to formulate pig diets in the most economical way in times of high feedstuff prices. Regarding this, energy level and the way of calculating energy in swine feeds will be taking into consideration, as well as the nutrients to energy ratios. Moreover, the effects of diet concentration on feed intake and growth performance of pigs will be evaluated. The lowest cost per energy value in swine feeds can be assessed by iterative simulations in least cost calculations using linear programming. In this case, a fixed nutrient to energy ratio has to be maintained for each cost per energy value that is calculated. Since feedstuff prices are subject to changes, these calculations have to be made on a regular basis. A dataset of 6 growth performance experiments in growing finishing (GF) pigs varying in energy values performed at Schothorst Feed Research (SFR) was analyzed. While decreasing the net energy value of the feed (at fixed nutrient to energy ratios), feed intake and energy conversion increased, while energy intake, daily gain and feed conversion ratio decreased. In general, pigs fed diets with reduced energy concentration are prone to maintain constant daily energy intake by eating more feed until feed intake is limited by other factors, such as physical gut capacity or certain dietary components (Li and Patience, 2017). In the same SFR analysis, the effect of the lysine (and other essential AA) to NE ratio was investigated. While decreasing this ratio, feed intake and energy intake were unaffected, while daily gain decreased, and the feed conversion ratio and energy conversion ratio increased. Another analysis of several GF experiments conducted at SFR was done to assess the optimal amino ccid (SID EAA) content of grower/finisher pig feeds in relation to technical performance, carcass characteristics and profitability. It was concluded that decreasing the SID AA/NE ratio to a certain extend will decrease technical performance (ADG and lean meat %) but increase economical results. However, it must be taken into account that optimal economic performance depends on market situation (feedstuff prices) and production goals (optimal ADG, carcass quality or costs/kg pork). In the current situation with high feedstuff prices, the inclusion of fibrous rich byproducts in the Dutch market may be more economical than corn and soybean meal. For an optimal estimation of the proportion of energy of those fibrous byproducts that will be attributed to the growth and maintenance energy requirements of the pigs, the net energy system is more appropriate than the metabolizable energy (ME) system, because the ME system overestimates the proportion of energy that will be used for growth and maintenance.

La miastenia gravis (MG), la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica y el síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) han sido clásicamente considerados como enfermedades excepcionales o inhabituales en las personas de perfil geriátrico. A lo largo de los últimos 25 años se realizaron diversos estudios de base poblacional en la comarca de Osona (Barcelona), que permitieron describir por primera vez en la literatura incidencias globales altas a expensas de los ancianos, especialmente en aquellos de más de 80 años. Los resultados encontrados indican la posibilidad de infradiagnóstico de estas enfermedades neuromusculares en el anciano, hecho que podría resultar especialmente relevante en el caso de la MG y el SGB, dado que son 2entidades potencialmente reversibles y con alta mortalidad en caso de infradiagnóstico y ausencia de tratamiento.

Pig-breeding businesses have resulted in global breeding programs that select pigs to perform well on high-energy high-protein diets, which are traditionally based on corn and soybean meal. Nowadays, there is a shift toward diets based on cereals and co-products, therefore, high dietary inclusion of co-products can modify the expected performance of these pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding a cereals–alternative ingredients diet (CA-diet) compared to a corn–soybean meal diet (CS-diet) on the growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics of genetically similar growing–finishing gilts and boars. In total, 160 pigs, 80 gilts and 80 boars, coming from 18 litters were used. The pigs were blocked based on litter, to ensure no genetic differences between the 2 treatments. For the starter phase, pigs fed the CA-diet performed in terms of growth, and feed efficiency, as good as the pigs fed CS-diet (P> 0.05). For the grower phase, pigs fed the CA-diet had the same ADFI (P> 0.05), but a lower daily energy intake (ADEI) (P< 0.001), and same growth performance (P> 0.05) than pig fed the CS-diet, therefore pigs fed the CA-diet were more efficient in terms of residual energy intake (REI) (P< 0.001). For the finisher phase, interaction between diet and sex had an effect on ADFI (P< 0.001), ADEI (P< 0.001), ADG (P= 0.010), and lipid deposition (Ld) (P= 0.016). Pigs fed the CA-diet were less efficient than pigs fed the CS-diet, i.e., G:F (P< 0.001), RFI (P< 0.001), and REI (P= 0.007). In general, feeding a CA-diet to pigs showed to improve the ratio between Pd and Ld, especially for boars. Also, pigs fed the CA-diet showed thinner back fat thickness (P< 0.001), same loin depth thickness (P> 0.05), but lower dressing percentage (P< 0.001), than pigs fed the CS-diet.

To date, interventions to improve medication adherence in patients with multimorbidity have shown modest and inconsistent efficacy among available studies. Thereby, we should define new approaches aimed at improving medication adherence tailored to effective prescribing, with a multidisciplinary approach and patient-centered.

El objetivo del presente estudio es describir el perfil de las muertes por suicidio en la comarca de Osona (Barcelona) durante el período 2013-2015 y analizar la aplicación de la técnica autopsia psicológica (AP).

Las personas con multimorbilidad y polifarmacia se asocian con frecuencia a la complejidad clínica, entendida como aquella situación de incertidumbre condicionada por las dificultades en establecer un diagnóstico situacional y la toma de decisiones.

Sancti Cirici de Colera/Sant Quirze de Colera is a Benedictine monastic foundation on the southern face of the eastern Pyrenees. The various structures that have survived as well as the documentary sources provide a wide chronological range of the 8th to 16th centuries, when the monastic community moved to another location. In the 19th century the site became private property and in the 1990s the first efforts at restoration and archaeological excavation began. Our programme of new research into this very special complex began two years ago with a multi-disciplinary approach focusing on the entire complex and all its aspects: the analysis of written sources and preserved remains in order to understand and outline its principal phases of development, not only structural but also functional and liturgical, using all the most modern instruments and technologies of the various disciplines concerned. In order to achieve the maximum results, our analyses have followed a number of different techniques which include a topographic map, photogrammetry, plans and 3D modelling-reconstruction, as well as chrono-stratigraphical, architectural and liturgical analyses, that have allowed us to define the various historical phases in which this monastic site was founded, developed and finally abandoned. We present here some of the first results which, although preliminary, serve to illustrate the work being undertaken and the consequent reinterpretation of the abbatial church now possible.

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition is a common event during tumour dissemination. However, direct epithelial to amoeboid transition has not been characterized to date. Here we provide evidence that cells from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a highly metastatic cancer, undergo epithelial to amoeboid transition in physiological environments, such as organoids or three-dimensional complex matrices. Furthermore, the NADPH oxidase NOX4 inhibits this transition and therefore suppresses efficient amoeboid bleb-based invasion. Moreover, NOX4 expression is associated with E-cadherin levels and inversely correlated with invasive features. NOX4 is necessary to maintain parenchymal structures, increase cell–cell and cell-to-matrix adhesion, and impair actomyosin contractility and amoeboid invasion. Importantly, NOX4 gene deletions are frequent in HCC patients, correlating with higher tumour grade. Contrary to that observed in mesenchymal cell types, here NOX4 suppresses Rho and Cdc42 GTPase expression and downstream actomyosin contractility. In HCC patients, NOX4 expression inversely correlates with RhoC and Cdc42 levels. Moreover, low expression of NOX4 combined with high expression of either RhoC or Cdc42 is associated with worse prognosis. Therefore, loss of NOX4 increases actomyosin levels and favours an epithelial to amoeboid transition contributing to tumour aggressiveness.

La fragilidad es una condición crónica íntimamente relacionada con resultados de salud. Los índices de fragilidad (IF) –que comparten con la valoración integral geriátrica (VIG) su naturaleza multidimensional– son herramientas diseñadas para medir cuantitativamente el grado de fragilidad. Aunque los IF han demostrado excelente correlación con mortalidad, su uso en la práctica clínica es aún limitado. Ante la necesidad de nuevos IF más sintéticos y pragmáticos, se ha diseñado y evaluado un nuevo IF, basado en la VIG (IF-VIG).

Several factors predisposing to necrotic enteritis (NE) have been identified, including diet and Eimeriaspp.infestations. Coccidiosis vaccines are indicated to decrease the intestinal lesions caused by specific Eimeriaspecies that are a known predisposing factor to NE and, consequently, these vaccines could be a holistic approach to the control of NE disease and an alternative solution to coccidiostats. Besides, feed additives have also gained special attention from the poultry industry as an alternative solution to antibiotics to prevent NE as well as other bacterial enteritis.

Hydrolyzed porcine mucosal tissue (HPMT) is a potential protein source for postweaning diets; however, its AA bioavailability is not well known. Lysine bioavailability of HPMT was determined compared with acid casein (AC) by using a slope-ratio assay based on nitrogen retention (NR) as a response of standardized ileal digestible (SID) supplemental Lys (sLys) intake below requirements. Twenty-five weaned piglets were fed 5 diets supplying 70, 80, or 90% of the digestible Lys requirement. Dietary treatments were 0% sLys, 10% sLys from AC (sLysAC), 20% sLysAC, 10% sLys from HPMT (sLysHPMT), and 20% sLysHPMT. Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic, and other indispensable AA were formulated at least at 115% of the SID requirements. After 15 d of feeding the experimental diets, fecal samples and total urine were collected during 5 consecutive days. Apparent fecal nitrogen digestibilities and NR per piglet were determined, and a relationship between NR and sLysHPMT or sLysAC intake was fitted using a generalized linear model procedure. Feeding diets with an increasing Lys content below requirements did not significantly increase fecal and urinary N excretion but increased daily NR according to a linear relationship (P< 0.001): NR (g/d) = 7.57 (SE 0.28) + 2.51 (SE 0.36) × sLysAC + 2.92 (SE 0.39) × sLysHPMT. Relative Lys bioavailability of HPMT compared with AC was determined as 116% (SE 14.3). In conclusion, Lys bioavailability of HPMT is at least similar to the Lys bioavailability of AC at low dietary inclusion rates.

Issues related to intense nutritional requirements of the lactating sow and to health- and welfare-related concerns are growing with the litter size increase. Therefore, questions are raised about adequate supply of balanced AA or about the role of dietary fiber, either fermentable carbohydrates (fCHO) or inert carbohydrates (iCHO), to improve the farrowing process and growth of the offspring. On Day 108 of gestation, 150 sows were allocated to 1 of 6 diets until weaning, in a factorial arrangement of 2 AA levels (basal vs. +40%) and 3 dietary fiber types (basal, +40% fCHO, and +60% iCHO). Performance was recorded until day of return to estrus. The farrowing process was studied on 12 sows per treatment in addition to stress, postpartum dysgalactia syndrome, and fecal scores. Piglet birth time, individual weight, and rectal temperature were recorded, and survival to 8 d was used to assess vitality. Increasing AA reduced sow weight loss during lactation. In the first 4 d after farrowing, fCHO and iCHO decreased feed intake, resulting in more backfat loss. The farrowing process was not affected although the number of piglets born increased with fCHO, with iCHO being intermediate. Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome score worsened significantly with fCHO and iCHO, and fecal consistency after farrowing was reduced with fCHO. The proportion of birth weights below 950 g increased with fCHO, with iCHO being intermediate. However, neither piglet vitality nor growth responded to treatments. Altogether, the current results did not support the need for increased AA, fCHO, or iCHO in lactation diets.

Weaning of pigs is associated with low feed intake and intestinal damage, reduced growth performance, and increased risk of postweaning intestinal disorders. To enhance performance of pigs to the postweaning situation, it is important to improve gut maturation and increase feed intake early after weaning. The effects of feeding a milk replacer (Porcolac Extra) before and/or after weaning on the performance of the pigs after weaning were studied. A total of 240 pigs (7.2 ± 0.67 kg BW and 27 ± 1.82 d of age) entered in the experiment. Porcolac Extra was administered 5 d before weaning and/or 5 d after weaning, resulting in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Administration of milk replacer before weaning was 0 or 200 mL/pig per day from 5 d before weaning until weaning. Postweaning milk replacer administration followed a scheme providing 0.5, 1, 1, 0.75, and 0.5 L/pig per day for Days 1 through 5 after weaning, respectively. Pigs were followed during the first 4 wk after weaning and had ad libitum access to standard weaner diets during the complete experiment. Feeding milk replacer either before or after weaning improved piglet performance. There were no significant interactions between preweaning and postweaning administration. Feeding milk replacer before weaning had a more pronounced effect compared with postweaning administration. Overall, the supplementation of milk replacer 5 d before weaning increased the ADFI (P< 0.01) and ADG (P< 0.05) and improved the feed conversion ratio (P< 0.05) 4 wk after weaning. Milk replacer administration 5 d before weaning resulted (P= 0.016) in a 1.4 kg higher BW at 28 d after weaning comparing pigs administered before and after weaning with no administration in both periods. In conclusion, providing a milk replacer around weaning improves postweaning piglet performance, with the effects being more pronounced when the milk replacer is provided in the preweaning period.

The objectives of the present experiment were to analyze the effects of two dietary CP levels on the growth performance and carcass characteristics taking into account the gender and crossbred pig type. The study was performed as a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2×2 factorial arrangement, with factors being dietary CP level (176 vs. 156, 164 vs. 150, 150 vs. 133 g/kg CP for the starter, grower, and finisher diets, respectively), crossbred type (Tempo × Topigs 20 and Top Pi × Topigs 20, Topigs Norsvin), and gender (intact boars and gilts). Diets were supplemented with variable amounts of crystalline AA to maintain a constant standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys/NE ratio (0.96, 0.82, and 0.73 g/MJ for the starter, grower, and finisher diets, respectively) on an ideal protein basis. Three pigs of each gender and crossbred type were housed in the same pen, equipped with IVOG stations, and individual ad libitum feed intake was recorded daily. No interactions between CP level, crossbred type, and gender were observed. For the overall period (d 0 to d 105) pigs fed high-CP diets showed greater (P≤ 0.001) carcass weight and dressing percentage (P≤ 0.05). Pigs fed high-CP diets tended (P= 0.068) to have softer feces. Fast grower pigs showed greater ADFI, ADG, and FCR (P≤ 0.001). Lean type pigs showed better results on slaughter traits. Boars showed greater ADFI and ADG (P≤ 0.001) and lower FCR (P≤ 0.001) than gilts. Gilts showed greater muscle (P≤ 0.001) and back fat thickness (P≤ 0.05) than boars. In conclusion, Tempo × Topigs 20 and Top Pi × Topigs 20 intact boars and gilts fed low-CP diets showed overall growth performance, meat percentage, carcass muscle, and back fat thickness similar to those of pigs fed high-CP diets.

Sheep were adopted at Tell Halula site during Late PPNB (ca. 7500calBC). Shortly thereafter, sheep increased and became one of the main animal resources in this site. Previous studies have shown that planning of reproductive strategies of these early domesticated sheep involved selection of already-domestic rather than wild specimens to mold new herds, and that demographic management favored sexually mature females. In this study we investigate the seasonal reproductive pattern of sheep from Tell Halula site and determine if manipulation of birth seasonality played a role in the adoption and management of the species. Sequential stable isotope analyses of δ18O in tooth enamel bioapatite show that sheep were mainly born within a period of ca. 2.5months. This duration of birth period is very similar to that observed in modern mouflon populations and to some of the ethnographic record for domestic herds from the study area. Data suggest that the reproductive pattern of early domesticated sheep was still, in the area of study, under strong environmental constraints; although at the moment is not possible to elucidate whether this synchronicity was intentional.

•Geological, archaeomagnetic, archaeobotanic, microspatial, micromorphological and biochemical analyses study the social life of a neolithic combustion structure.•The construction process shows a high degree of knowledge of the surrounding territory.•The structure had a single use maintained over a long period of time with temperatures not above 600 °C.•No anthropic retrieval of rearrangement of its elements was detected before its abandonment and coverage by the Barcelona plain’s characteristic alluvial deposits.

•Absence of compelling evidence regarding resin use amongst Early Neolithic populations in the Iberian Peninsula motivates this study.•A combined approach using GC-FID, GC–MS and a score system assessing the presence of degraded diterpenoid compounds has been implemented.•Analysis of 168 pottery vessels reveals the scarce but ubiquitous presence of degraded conifer resins in 10 Early Neolithic sites from the Northeast of the Iberian Peninsula.•The contact between conifer resins and pottery suggests the existence of adhesive technologies specific to Early Neolithic societies.

•Combining use-alteration and phytolith analyses allows us to understand pottery function.•Use-wear and residues on archaeological artefacts reveal ancient culinary practices.•In the Near East, bread products could have been consumed since prehistoric times.•The scores inside the trays worked as an anti-adhesive technology during Neolithic.•Use-wear on the ceramic surface are investigated through a multi-scale approach.

Covid-19 brought great restrictions to face-to-face classes throughout the university system in Spain. In the field of health sciences, face-to-face teaching has been transformed into a virtual format. In most cases, teaching activities could not be prepared or planned, leading to unprecedented challenges for students and teachers, making it clear that some teachers have not developed an optimal level of digital skills.

•Middle Neolithic cave occupation in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula.•Micromorphological analyses conducted to understand fire uses and management at Cova de les Pixarelles.•Correlation of archaeological and micromorphological data on the use of space in Level XXII.

Liver fibrosis is a pathological consequence of chronic liver diseases and results from the progressive accumulation of altered extracellular matrix, highly enriched in type I and III fibrillar collagens. In advanced stages, fibrosis leads to cirrhosis, defined by abnormal liver architecture and altered vascularization. Clinical consequences of cirrhosis are failure in the synthetic function of the liver, portal hypertension, high susceptibility to infection and high risk to develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The TGF- family of cytokines plays essential roles in many cellular processes, including growth inhibition, cell migration and invasion, extracellular matrix remodelling and immune suppression, being involved in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. However, TGF-s are often continuously overexpressed in disease states, such as fibrosis, inflammation and cancer, and they play pivotal roles in the sequence of events leading to end-stage of chronic liver diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical intermediates in liver physiology and pathology. When the equilibrium between ROS generation and the antioxidant defence of the cell is disrupted, it results in an oxidative stress process. The NADPH oxidase (NOX) family has emerged in the last years as important source of ROS in liver pathologies. Interestingly, NOXes mediate TGF- actions in liver cells, such as regulation of hepatocyte growth and death, as well as activation of hepatic stellate cells to myofibroblasts, key executers of the fibrotic process. In this review we will update the relevant and differential roles of NOX isoforms during liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, their cross-talk with the TGF- pathway and their potential as therapeutic targets for these diseases.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys levels of the diet on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of entire males (EM), surgical castrates (SC), and males vaccinated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine (GV). In total, 252 crossbred pigs were fed 6 different experimental diets consisting of 3 sexes (EM, SC, and GV pigs) and 2 dietary SID Lys levels (2008 CVB standard SID Lys recommendation [Std] or 15% extra SID Lys [+15]) according to a 3-phase feeding scheme (d 0 to 35, 35 to 70, and 70 to 105 of experiment) with 6 pens per treatment and 6 pigs per pen. To determine if dietary SID Lys could be reduced for GV males after the second vaccination, an additional dietary treatment was included (GV+15-Std). The GV males on the GV+15-Std were fed the diet with 15% extra SID Lys in the starter and grower phases and the standard SID Lys level in the finisher phase. First vaccination was administered to pigs at the start of the experiment (23.4 kg BW and 63.6 d of age), and the second vaccination occurred 6 wk before slaughter (77.2 kg BW and 126.6 d of age). Until the second vaccination, GV pigs showed a lower (P≤ 0.05) ADFI than SC but similar to EM. After the second vaccination, GV pigs had an intermediate (P≤ 0.05) G:F between EM and SC. The GV+15 pigs showed a better G:F (P≤ 0.05) than GV pigs fed the GV+15-Std diet in the finisher phase. No differences in the growth rate of the pigs were observed. The SC had a greater (P≤ 0.05) carcass weight and dressing percentage than EM and GV pigs. The GV-Std pigs had a lower (P≤ 0.05) meat percentage and greater (P≤ 0.05) backfat thickness than the GV+15 pigs. The GV pigs and SC fed the standard SID Lys diet had a greater (P≤ 0.05) percentage of SFA in the subcutaneous fat than EM+15 pigs. On the other hand, SC showed the greatest (P≤ 0.05) concentration of MUFA compared to EM and GV pigs. The SC and GV pigs had a lower (P≤ 0.05) PUFA percentage in the subcutaneous fat than EM fed the standard SID Lys diet.

Gravity changes occurring during the initial stage of the 2011–2012 El Hierro submarine eruption are interpreted in terms of the preeruptive signatures during the episode of unrest. Continuous gravity measurements were made at two sites on the island using the relative spring gravimeter LaCoste and Romberg gPhone‐054. On 15 September 2011, an observed gravity decrease of 45 μGal, associated with the southward migration of seismic epicenters, is consistent with a lateral magma migration that occurred beneath the volcanic edifice, an apparently clear precursor of the eruption that took place 25 days later on 10 October 2011. High‐frequency gravity signals also appeared on 6–11 October 2011, pointing to an occurring interaction between a magmatic intrusion and the ocean floor. These important gravity changes, with amplitudes varying from 10 to −90 μGal, during the first 3 days following the onset of the eruption are consistent with the northward migration of the eruptive focus along an active eruptive fissure. An apparent correlation of gravity variations with body tide vertical strain was also noted, which could indicate that concurrent tidal triggering occurred during the initial stage of the eruption. Analysis of the continuous gravity records of El Hierro in 2011