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Twenty Gascon young bulls that had been reared either in intensive conditions (INT) (n=10) with early weaning at 3 to 4 months, or in a traditional extensive (EXT) system (n=10) with weaning at 7 months, were subjected to the same conditions during the 145-day finishing period. Production system before the finishing period did not affect conformation, dressing percentage or morphology of the carcass; nevertheless, tissue composition differed somewhat between the two groups. Display had a stronger effect on meat colour than did production system. Percentage of myoglobin was highest in INT (P⩽0.001), although meat texture and sensory quality did not differ between rearing conditions. EXT animals had darker, more yellow fat, a higher percentage of n-3 fatty acids (P⩽0.001), a lower percentage of saturated fatty acids (P⩽0.05) and a lower n-6/n-3 index (P⩽0.001) than did the INT-reared animals. Production system before the fattening period might modify some of the characteristics of commercial beef, especially those associated with fat. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: A new allele of the BMP15 gene (FecX R ) that increases prolificacy has been recently described in the Rasa Aragonesa sheep breed. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lamb and maternal genotypes on birth weight, growth and meat quality traits. Two experiments were carried out. In experiment 1, the progeny of heterozygous (R+) and wild-type (++) dams mated to wild-type hemizygous (+) rams from four flocks were tested to estimate the effects of the FecX R allele on birth weight and average daily gains (ADGs) until weaning and slaughter (at approximately 50 and 100 days of age, respectively). Three maternal/lamb genotype groups were studied: wild-type progeny from ++ ewes (females: ++/++, n =62; males: ++/+, n =60), wild-type progeny from R+ ewes (females: R+/++, n =31; males: n =28 R+/+) and progeny carrying the FecX R mutation born to R+ ewes (females: R+/R+, n =35; males: R+/R, n =28). No significant differences were observed in the birth weights or ADGs between the FecX R genotype groups in either female or male lambs. In experiment 2, 37 male lambs (13 ++/+, 12 R+/+ and 12 R+/R) were used to evaluate the effect of the FecX R genotype groups on carcass characteristics and meat quality traits. All lambs were classified within the normal ranges for the “Ternasco de Aragón” commercial category, and no significant differences were observed between the genotype groups. We conclude that birth weight, growth traits, light lamb carcass characteristics and meat quality traits were not affected by the maternal and lamb FecX R genotype combinations that were studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We evaluated the autophagy-lysosomal pathway and membrane fluidity in brain cells and mitochondrial membranes obtained from senescence-accelerated (SAMP8) and senescence-resistant (SAMR1) mice at 5 and 10 months of age. Moreover, we studied whether chronic treatment from age 1 to 10 months with melatonin stabilizes membrane fluidity. Fluidity was measured by polarization changes of 1-(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene-p-toluene sulfonate. Results showed that in untreated animals at 5 months of age, synaptosomal and mitochondrial fluidity was decreased in SAMP8 compared to SAMR1, as was the cathepsin D/B ratio, indicating dysfunction of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway. Moreover, we detected synaptosomal rigidity and programmed cell death capability in both groups at 10 months of age. Mitochondrial fluidity, however, did not show a significant age-dependent change but was lower in SAMP8 than in SAMR1 at the 5- and 10-month time points. Melatonin administration prevented rigidity in the mitochondrial membrane and seemed to decrease age-related autophagy-lysosomal alterations. These data suggest that melatonin may act to slow down the aging process because of its ability to enhance membrane fluidity and maintain structural pathways. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is a sensitive diagnostic tool for detecting acute ischaemic lesions in patients with transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs). The additional predictive value of DWI lesion patterns is not well known. Two hundred and fifty-four consecutive patients with TIA underwent DWI within 7 days of symptom onset. The presence and pattern of acute ischaemic lesions were related to clinical features, etiology, and stroke recurrence at seven- and 90-day follow-up. Diffusion-weighted images abnormalities were identified in 117 (46.1%) patients. The distribution of DWI lesions was cortical, 31; subcortical, 32; scattered lesions in one arterial territory (SPOT) 42; and in multiple areas, 12. SPOT were significantly associated with motor weakness, large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA), and the cardioembolic subtype of TIA. Single cortical lesions were also associated with cardioembolism, whereas subcortical acute lesions were associated with recurrent episodes, dysarthria, and motor weakness. During follow-up, seven patients had a stroke within 7 days (2.8%, 95% CI 2.9-6.4%), and 12 had a stroke within 3 months (4.7%%, 95% CI 2.9-6.4%). In the Cox logistic regression model, the combination of LAA and positive DWI remained as independent predictors of stroke recurrence at 90-day follow-up (HR 5.78, 95 CI 1.74-19.21, P = 0.004). According to our results, MRI, including DWI, should be considered a preferred diagnostic test when investigating patients with potential TIAs. The combination of neuroimaging and vascular information could improve prognostic accuracy in patients with TIA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives were to study the relationship between in vivo ultrasound measurements and cold carcass measurements at 4 anatomical points along the backbone of lambs and to determine appropriate regression equations to estimate carcass composition by using ultrasonic measurements at each anatomical point. The lambs (n = 114) used were suckling lambs (BW = 11.09 kg), light lambs (BW 22.43 kg), and wethers (BW = 32.03 kg), representing a wide range of BW. Measurements of subcutaneous fat and skin thickness and of muscle depth and muscle width were taken over the 10th to 11th and 12th to 13th thoracic vertebrae and over the first to second and third to fourth lumbar vertebrae. These measurements were taken at one-third of the musculus longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LMT) width with the probe perpendicular to the backbone. The left sides of the carcasses were dissected into muscle, fat, and bone. The weight of lean tissue increased (P < 0.001) at a rate of approximately 500 g for each kilogram of carcass weight increase. Pelvic fat weight increased (P < 0.001) slightly with increasing carcass weight (11.8 g), whereas kidney fat and subcutaneous fat showed great gains (P < 0.001; 40.3 and 134.4 g, respectively). Ultrasound LMT width of light lambs remained constant along the backbone, whereas LMT width of suckling lambs and wethers increased (P < 0.001) from the cranial to the caudal direction. Ultrasound LMT depth and fat thickness between the 10th and 11th thoracic vertebrae were greater (P < 0.01) than measurements taken at other backbone locations. The greatest difference between ultrasound and carcass measurements was in LMT width, with differences between ultrasound and carcass measurements always being greater in LMT depth than in fat thickness. Carcass LMT width was more closely correlated with carcass lean than with other tissues, especially at both thoracic locations (r = 0.80 and r = 0.71). In general, skin thickness measured by ultrasound was poorly correlated (from r = 0.19 to r = 0.33) with all carcass tissues because of slight variations in skin thickness. Ultrasound LMT depth was more closely correlated with carcass tissues than was carcass LMT depth (from r = 0.53 for bone to r = 0.71 for lean), whereas ultrasound fat depth and carcass fat depth presented similar correlations (from r = 0.49 for bone to r = 0.72 for intermuscular fat). Regression coefficients for predicting lean were 0.95 to 0.96, for predicting subcutaneous fat were 0.67 to 0.75, for predicting intermuscular fat were 0.81 to 0.84, and for predicting bone were 0.78 to 0.88. This study was not conclusive regarding predicting carcass composition in relation to an optimal anatomical position, given that all the anatomical locations studied allowed accurate regression equations. Body weight was the most important predictor of carcass composition, with a slight improvement in regression equations when using ultrasound. However, ultrasound muscle and fat depths were correlated with carcass muscle and fat depths and with the tissular composition of carcass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a known measure of lower-limb peripheral artery disease (PAD), as well as a marker for other cardiovascular disease events. Objective: Our goal was to compare the prevalence of abnormal ABI scores (ABI ≤ 0.9) between: consecutive patients with acute ischaemic stroke (IS), primary care patients with refractory hypertension (rHT), and patients at intermediate cardiovascular risk (ICVR). Also, to determine the prognostic value of abnormal ABI for stroke recurrence in patients with IS. Methods: We compared 116 consecutive patients with IS with 190 rHT and 150 ICVR patients. Clinical data and ultrasonographic findings were recorded. Stroke recurrence and risk of new vascular events were assessed after 18 months of follow-up. Results: Low ABI was more frequent in rHT (35.8%) than in the IS (24.1%) and ICVR (24.7%) groups ( P = 0.031). Amongst patients with IS, ABI ≤ 0.9 was associated with vascular risk factors (VRF) ≥3 (33.8% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.001) and large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) (43.5% vs. 19.4%, P = 0.015). Multivariate analyses (logistic regression) only identified VRF > 3 as independently associated with low ABI (OR : 6.46; 1.81-23.02; P = 0.004). Abnormal ABI was associated with stroke recurrence (32.1% vs. 13.6%, P = 0.027) and the appearance of any major vascular event (50.0% vs. 17.0%, P < 0.001). In the logistic regression analysis, adjusted for VRF, age, and LAA, ABI remained as an independent predictor of vascular events (HR 3.99; 1.90–8.41 P < 0.001). Conclusion: Abnormal ABI was associated with classical risk factors, especially hypertension. The measurement of ABI amongst patients with IS appeared to be useful to identify high-risk patients and plan adequate prevention therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 120 Iberian pigs of the Lampiña line that grew under outdoor conditions were used to study the effect of the age at the beginning of Montanera period (AM) on meat characteristics and fatty acid (FA) profile of subcutaneous fat. AM period is a free-range fattening phase from November to February in which pigs ate mainly acorns and grass. There were two treatments with two AM (20 pigs per treatment); 18 (P18) and 12 months (P12). Barrows and gilts were in the same proportion within each treatment. All the animals were slaughtered at the same time (at the end of Montanera period) reaching an average 160 kg of body weight. Meat from P18 had less protein and was more red (a*) ( P,0.05), but tended to show higher intramuscular fat content (P<0.10) than meat from P12. Loin from P18 had lower thawing (P<0.001) and cooking losses (P<0.10) than loin from P12. The fat from P18 had higher monounsaturated FA content than fat from P12 pigs (P<0.01) due to the higher level of C18:1 (P<0.01) and C20:1 (P<0.001). However, fat from P12 had higher polyunsaturated FA content than fat from P18 pigs (P<0.01) because of the higher level of C18:2 (P<0.001). It is concluded that both 12 and 18 months are adequate AM for purebred Iberian pigs from the commercial point of view. However, if the aim is to produce high-quality dry-cured Iberian products, the P18 pigs would be more advisable because had better meat and fat characteristics than the P12 pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fourty-eight Churra Tensina single male lambs were used to evaluate the effect of different feeding systems on carcass composition and predict the carcass tissue composition from joint composition and carcass measurements. Four treatments were studied: GR, unweaned lambs continuously grazing with ewes; GR + S, the same as the previous group, but lambs had free access to concentrate; DRL-GRE, lambs remained indoors with free access to concentrate and ewes grazed for 8 h/day, thereafter remaining with lambs; and DRL, lambs and ewes were kept in confinement, they had free access to concentrate and dry unifeed respectively. In the DRL-GRE and DRL groups lambs were weaned when 45 days old. Lambs were slaughtered at 22–24 kg live weight. Commercial joints from the half left carcass were obtained, recorded and dissected to determine carcass tissue composition. The feeding system had an effect on the proportion of the carcass tissue composition. GR treatment showed higher muscle (M) (p <0.05) and bone (B) (p <0.001) percentages, and a lower total fat (F) percentage (p <0.001) than the rest of treatments. Hence it revealed higher M/F (p <0.01) and lower M/B (p <0.05) and subcutaneous fat/intermuscular fat ratios (SF/IF; p <0.001). Carcass composition predictions were more accurate for grams than for percentages. In predictions from joint composition, pelvic limb was the most accurate joint for grams (R 2 =0.84, R 2 =0.68, and R 2 =0.77 for muscle, bone, and fat, respectively) as well as for percentage (R 2 =0.65, R 2 =0.56, and R 2 =0.73 for muscle, bone, and fat, respectively). Predictions from carcass measurements were greater in muscle and fat grams (R 2 =0.87 and R 2 =0.86 for muscle and fat, respectively) than in percentage (R 2 =0.58 and R 2 =0.73 for muscle and fat, respectively). Equations to predict carcass tissue that include carcass measurements are a simple method to assess accurately saleable muscle yield from different lamb feeding systems without involving carcass damage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective – Serum creatinine (SCr) level is the most commonly used screening test for renal function, but its concentration is affected by factors other than glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We hypothesized that SCr would underestimate the degree of renal failure in ischemic stroke patients. Material and methods – We conducted a prospective study of 273 patients admitted to our institution for ischemic stroke within a year. GFR was calculated using the Cockcroft–Gault formula (CG). Patients were grouped according to the SCr with stages of renal failure according to CG values. Results – Of the 273 patients studied, 231 had normal SCr. Of this group 46.8% (108), 24.7% (57) and 4 (1.7%) had mild, moderate and severe renal failure according to GFR estimation. Among patients with normal SCr, abnormal CG values were identified in 86.2% (150) ≥ 65 years old, 33.3% (19) <65 years old, 69% (89) in men and 78.4% (80) in women. An SCr greater than 1.7 mg/dl had only a sensitivity of 14.7%. Conclusions – This study documents the substantial prevalence of significantly abnormal renal function among patients with normal-range SCr. Routine estimation of GFR be preferred to SCr as a screening method for the early detection of renal impairment in stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]