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Pig weaning involves radical changes, which affect health, behavior and performance. Weaning stress dramatically impacts the porcine immune system. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of different cytokines and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) in growing postweaning pigs. Forty piglets weaned at 28 days of age, with an average starting weight of 10.12±0.28 kg were considered for the analysis (time 0) and followed up for 28 days (time 1). Growth performance, skin lesions, cytokines and NF-kB expression were measured. The results showed an increased expression of two cytokines with pro-inflammatory effect, interleukin (IL)-8 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a cytokine with anti-inflammatory effect, IL-4, and a cytokine with both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects, IL-6. An effect of time was observed for body lesions. Compared to females, male piglets had higher levels of all cytokines tested (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-4) except IFN-γ. Also NF-kB resulted expressed higher in males compared to females. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that weaning in piglets is associated with increased expression of inflammatory cytokines.

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Twenty-four weaned female Hypor piglets (10.9 ± 0.1 kg mean BW) were used to evaluate the antioxidant effect of a natural extract, titrated in verbascoside, on blood and liver oxidative status in relation to a high intake of n-6 PUFA, inducing oxidative stress. Piglets were assigned to 1 of 3 experimental groups; the first group was fed a diet with 9% sunflower oil (T1) and the second received the sunflower oil diet supplemented with 5 mg of verbascoside/kg feed from Verbenaceae extract (Lippia spp.; T2). The third group was fed a control diet (CTR), in which an isoenergetic replacement of oil by starch was done. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and the end of the trial (30 d). At the end of the trial, the animals were slaughtered and the liver specimens were collected. Oxidative stress markers, including total antiradical activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) activities, were determined in blood samples. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) plasma levels were also evaluated. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses were performed in liver to evaluate heat shock protein (Hsp) 70, Hsp90, and Kupffer and Ito cell activation. Liver activities of SOD, GPX, and CAT were also determined. Total antiradical activity in blood and red blood cells were affected (P < 0.01) by dietary treatments. The n-6 PUFA supplementation at a high dosage for 30 d induced oxidative stress, decreasing total antiradical activity in blood and red blood cells (CTR vs. T1 + T2; P < 0.01) and plasma CAT activity (CTR vs. T1 + T2; P = 0.088) and increasing ALT value (CTR vs. T1 + T2; P < 0.01). Also, in liver, the CAT and GPX activities tended to be lower in pigs fed n-6 PUFA diets than pigs fed a control diet (CTR vs. T1 + T2; = 0.090 and = 0.085, respectively). The liver samples presented a normal architecture and no Ito and Kupffer cell activations were observed. In liver, the SOD activity tended to be lower in the T1 group (P = 0.064) than in the CTR and T2 groups. Moreover, the level of Hsp70 was higher (P < 0.01) in the T1 group than the CTR and T2 groups. These data suggest that the dose of dietary verbascoside partially restores the antioxidant status of the liver without affecting the systemic responses to oxidative stress induced by a high-fat diet.

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Conjugated linoleic acid isomers may affect the onset and severity of several diseases, including tumors, atherogenesis, and obesity. They may also modulate the immune response. However, little information regarding the most advantageous duration of CLA supplementation is available. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the length of dietary CLA supplementation of a sow affects growth, immune components, and metabolic and hormonal factors in lactating sows and piglets. Gestating sows were fed a control (0%) and a 0.5% CLA-supplemented diet beginning 7 d before parturition and ending 7 d postpartum (T1), or until weaning (T2; 7 sows per treatment). Colostrum and sow and piglet blood samples were collected for the determination of serum metabolite concentrations and immunoglobulin titer. Piglet BW at weaning were greater (P < 0.05) in the CLA groups compared with the control. Dietary CLA supplementation increased (P < 0.05) serum thyroxine concentration in sows, but serum insulin, glucose, NEFA, IGF-I, and leptin concentrations were not affected by CLA supplementation. Colostral IgG, IgA, and IgM titers were greater in sows fed CLA than in control sows (P < 0.05). At weaning (21 d), serum IgG titer of the piglets was greater (P < 0.05) in the T1 and T2 groups than the control group, but at 13 d postweaning, a difference (P < 0.05) was observed between the control and T2 group. The results from this study indicate potential beneficial effects of 0.5% dietary CLA supplementation from 7 d before parturition until 7 d postpartum in improving BW at weaning and immune components in piglets.

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To assess the effects of dietary CLA, lysine and sex on performance, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, meat quality and skeletal development, seventy-two pigs (initially 105.3±6.6kg live weight) barrows and gilts, were assigned to one of four diets in a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement. The diets contained 0% or 0.75% CLA, and 0% or 0.16% of l-lysine-HCl. All pigs were slaughtered at an average weight of 153.4±11.0kg. Neither CLA nor lysine supplementation influenced growth, blood metabolites or carcass characteristics. CLA reduced (P<0.05) pH(24) and increased (P<0.01) yellowness (b(∗)) of the Longissimus muscle. Lysine increased (P<0.01) pH(24) and reduced (P<0.01) muscle ash content. CLA reduced (P<0.05) collagen synthesis, and lysine increased (P<0.05) collagen synthesis in Longissimus muscle, but no influence on intramuscular collagen maturity or muscle hydroxylysylpyridinoline crosslink concentration were observed. In addition, metacarpal bone diameter was reduced (P<0.05) by CLA. Barrows had higher ADG, final weight (P<0.01), carcass weight, lean percentage (P<0.05), serum cholesterol (P<0.05) and triacylglycerol (P<0.001) than gilts. Metatarsal diameter was larger in gilts than barrows (P<0.05).

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Eighty New Zealand White rabbits, age 55 days, half male and half female, were randomly assigned to one of four diets in a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement. The diets contained 0% or 0.5% CLA, and 60 or 240mg/kg α-Tocopheryl acetate. Forty-eight rabbits were slaughtered at age 92 days. Growth performances and carcass weight were higher (P<0.05) in 240mg/kg of α-tocopheryl acetate-fed rabbits. Fat and CLA isomers content of Longissimus Lumborum (LL) muscle was higher (P<0.05) in CLA-fed rabbits than control. Fatty acid composition of LL muscle was modified (P<0.05) and oxidative stability was increased (P<0.001) by both dietary treatments. CLA increased (P<0.05) triglyceride, total cholesterol and glucose levels in plasma. Adipocytes in interscapular and perirenal fat in the 240mg/kg α-tocopheryl acetate and 0.5% CLA groups were larger in size but lesser in number than in 60mg/kg α-tocopheryl acetate and no CLA rabbit (P<0.01).

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The authors, after a brief survey of the historical evolution of the antipneumococcal vaccines, concentrate on the most recent acquisitions concerning epidemiologic infections of pneumococcus in Italy and abroad. What emerged is the importance of prevention through an efficacious vaccination of the invasive forms particularly frequent in infants. Among there, and above all, meningitis; when not fatal, is very often the cause of serious illness. For this motive with the availability today of efficacious conjugated vaccine in infancy, a period with more frequent and invasive forms, it was first proposed to offer an antipneumococcal vaccination to children under 5 years of age that present particular clinical pathological conditions and later reconsidered the opportunity to extend the vaccination. Discussed and underlined are the differences between antipneumococcal vaccines available today, the importance of vaccinal coverage with conjugated vaccine from the first months of birth, and the fact that on extended vaccination campaign with such a vaccine can reduce the state of nasopharyngeal carriage of serotypes contained in the vaccine ever though penicillin resistant with an increase, however, of the state of carriage for serotypes not contained in the vaccine giving place to a phenomenon some call ''replacement'' of pathogens with non-pathogen germs. An ulterior benefit over the pneumococcal pathology is represented by the significative effect of ''herd immunity'' on subjects not vaccinated, factor that underscores the opportunity to extend the vaccination as much as possible. The importance of a precocious and rapid diagnosis with the tests available today and the necessity to vaccinate ever subjects that have overcome a serious pneumococcal infection in order to protect the subject from other types of pneumococcal particularly aggressive. Even though the vaccines actually available do not represent a final solution in the prevention of pneumococcus disease and the struggle against such pathology is destined to continue, the success obtained merits a certain satisfaction.

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To evaluate the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 isomer content and on the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous adipose tissue and intramuscular lipids of biceps femoris, the lipids of 24 dry cured Parma hams, obtained from Large White pigs fed isoenergetic diets supplemented with either 0 (CON) or 0.25% (T1) CLA from 97 to 172kg live weight, were analysed by Ag(+)-HPLC and capillary GLC. The dietary treatment had no influence on lipid content of BF and subcutaneous adipose tissue but increased (P<0.01) the content of both isomers, more markedly in the latter tissue. CLA supplementation increased (P<0.01) myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic and total saturated fatty acids, and decreased oleic and eicosenoic acids in both tissues. In adipose tissue, an increase (P<0.05) in stearic acid content was observed. Supplementing the finishing diet of heavy pigs with CLA has thus shown to be an effective tool for increasing the CLA content in cured ham and, also, the saturated:unsaturated ratio of the lipids, a positive effect from a technological point of view. From a human nutritional standpoint, the changes occurring in fatty acid composition negatively affect the atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes, but probably these changes are of no particular concern, as they would only partly offset the progressive increase in the degree of unsaturation of heavy pig lipids that has occurred in recent years, as a consequence of reduced adipose depots in carcasses.

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To assess the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) on meat composition and intramuscular collagen (IMC), 144 New Zealand White rabbits, half males half females, 55 days old (1.8 kg LW), were assigned to three weight- and sex- balanced groups and given the following dietary supplements: 0.5% sunflower oil, (C); 0.25% sunflower oil plus 0.25% CLA (T1); and 0.5% CLA (T2). The CLA was prepared from sunflower oil and contained 65% CLA isomers, half cis-9, trans-11 and half trans-10, cis-12. Six males and six females from each group (total 36) were slaughtered at 76, 90 and 104 days of age (corresponding to 2.5, 2.8, and 3.1 kg BW, respectively). The lean fraction was higher and the water content significantly higher in the meat of T2 compared to C and T1 for all ages combined. At the third slaughtering (104 days) the meat fat content was significantly lower in group T2. For all ages combined, IMC content, IMC hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HLP) concentration (index of collagen cross-linking) and IMC maturity (HLP/IMC) were significantly lower in the intermediate supplementation group (T1) compared to C and T2, and were also lower in animals slaughtered at 90 days. CLA supplementation has limited effects on the chemical composition of rabbit meat, with positive effects on meat texture and tenderness after supplementation up to 35 days at 0.25%, and a significant decrease in fat content only at high slaughter weight and high supplementation level (0.5%).

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We investigated conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation administered to heavy pigs, assessing carcass characteristics, meat quality, and sensory characteristics of dry-cured (Parma) ham. Thirty-six pigs, averaging 97 kg BW, were assigned randomly to three feeding groups in which diets were supplemented with either 0, 0.25, or 0.5% (as-fed basis) of a CLA preparation containing 65% CLA isomers. All pigs were slaughtered at 172 kg BW. No (P > 0.05) differences were observed in dressing percentage, loin and ham weight, or pH and color of longissimus and semimembranosus muscle. Tenth-rib backfat thickness tended to be lower (P < 0.10) in carcasses from CLA-fed pigs. The oxidative stability of longissimus muscle was greater (P < 0.05) in pigs fed CLA than control, but only at the longer (300 min) oxidation time. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity in adipose tissue of CLA-fed pigs was less (P < 0.05) than that of pigs fed diets devoid of supplemental CLA. Composition of ham fat was markedly affected (P < 0.01) by dietary CLA, with higher saturated fatty acids, lower monounsaturated fatty acids, and higher CLA in the fat of CLA-fed pigs regardless of supplementation level. Although melting quality was improved (P < 0.05), most sensory characteristics and the chemical composition of dry-cured hams were not (P > 0.05) affected by incorporation of CLA. Results indicated that dietary CLA alters lipid metabolism, producing lower concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids and increased concentrations of CLA isomers in the fat of heavy pigs. Moreover, supplementing diets with CLA produced only minimal improvements in Parma ham sensory traits and had no appreciable effects on fresh pork quality.

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A feeding trial with 27 pigs was performed in order to estimate the effect of different dietary fats on the fatty acid composition, flavour and sensory properties of dry-cured Parma hams, ripened for 16 months. The animals received a pelleted diet supplemented with different fat sources: tallow (TA), corn oil (CO), and rapeseed oil (RO). The sensory quality of the hams was evaluated by means of sensory analyses and by instrumental procedures such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the volatile aroma compounds. A treatment effect was detected for linolenic acid in RO vs. CO and TA hams (P<0.01) and for MUFA content (P<0.01) that was higher in RO and TA compared with CO. The results of panel test showed a significant difference (P<0.05) between TA vs. CO and RO hams. Volatile compounds showed limited differences even if in CO group the amount of singular compound is higher than TA and RO.

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We investigated the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on growth, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics, meat quality, lipogenesis, and lipid metabolism in rabbits. One hundred forty-four New Zealand White rabbits, half males, half females, age 55 d, mean 1.8 kg BW, were randomly assigned to three weight- and sex-balanced feeding groups in which conventional pelleted diets were supplemented with 0, 0.25, or 0.5% of a CLA preparation. The CLA preparation contained 65% CLA isomers. Twelve rabbits (six males and six females from each group) were slaughtered at each of three slaughtering trials (2.5, 2.8, and 3.1 kg BW, or 76, 90, and 104 d of age). Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation did not influence growth performance (P > or = 0.05) or carcass characteristics but reduced perirenal fat at heavier slaughtering weights (P = 0.09 at 2.8 kg BW; P < 0.01 at 3.1 kg BW). Conjugated linoleic acid reduced acetyl-CoA-carboxylase (CBX) activity in liver (P < 0.05) and adipose tissues (P < 0.01) but did not influence malic enzyme (ME) or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Significant differences were found between sex in interscapular fat (P < 0.05) for CBX, in perirenal (P < 0.01) and interscapular (P < 0.05) fat for ME, and a tendency (P = 0.070) in liver for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The oxidative stability of longissimus lumborum muscle was increased at the higher level of supplementation (P < 0.05). Conjugated linoleic acid reduced (P < 0.05) triglycerides and total cholesterol in plasma with a trend to increased serum leptin (P = 0.06). Plasma triglycerides were higher in males than females (P < 0.01) and plasma leptin tended to be higher in females (2.57 vs. 2.13 ng/ml, P = 0.06). It is concluded that dietary CLA reduced carcass fat in rabbits slaughtered at 2.8 kg or above and altered lipid metabolism to produce lower concentrations of serum triglycerides and total cholesterol and higher concentrations of leptin.

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This study examined the influence of dietary fat supplementation to heavy pigs on the meat quality and sensory characteristics of loins. The animals were fed diets containing tallow (TA), corn oil (CO) or rapeseed oil (RO) from 25 kg up to 160 kg live weight (LW). The fats were added at 3% as fed from 25 to 110 kg LW, and at 2.5% from 110 kg LW to slaughtering. Diets were fed at 9% BW(0.75). We found no differences between dietary treatments for loin weight, pH, or color of longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle at 45 min and 24 h after slaughtering. No significant differences in moisture, total protein or total lipid content of LL muscle were found. The linolenic acid content of the total lipid of LL muscle was higher in pigs fed RO than those fed TA and CO. The oxidative stability of LL, as determined by induced TBARS, was lower in pigs fed CO - after 60 min of forced oxidation - and in animals fed CO and RO after 300 min, compared to those fed TA. No significant differences in the sensory characteristics of loin were discerned by a panel of trained tasters. These results indicate that long-term nutrition with added fat at the levels we used has little or no effect on the meat quality or sensory characteristics of heavy pig loin.

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BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to assess whether total laparoscopic hysterectomy with the ultrasonic scalpel offers advantages in term of intraoperative and postoperative outcomes over the conventional abdominal hysterectomy. METHODS: A case-control study to compare patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy and women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for benign conditions was designed. Matching criteria were the menopausal status, the need of adnexectomy, and the uterus weight. The laparoscopic procedure was carried out using an ultrasonically activated scalpel and the amputated uterus was removed transvaginally. Every part of the operation was carried out via laparoscopy, from the adnexal phase to the colpotomy. Abdominal hysterectomy was performed using a conventional laparotomic technique. Intraoperative and postoperative characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred forty-four patients were enrolled, of whom 48 underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy and 98 abdominal hysterectomy. No difference was found between groups in terms of operating time or intraoperative and postoperative infectious and noninfectious complications. The median (range) total consumption of morphine (0 mg [0 to 16] versus 15 mg [0 to 100], P <0.01) during the first 3 postoperative days was significantly lower in the laparoscopic group than in the laparotomic group. The median (range) time to regular diet (1[0 to 4] versus 2 [0 to 5], P <0.05) and the time to passage of stool (1[1 to 2] versus 2 [1 to 5], P <0.05) was shorter in the laparoscopic than in the laparotomic group. CONCLUSIONS: Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with the ultrasonic scalpel is feasible and safe, and offers not only cosmetic benefits but also reduces the need of analgesia and the time to return to a normal gastrointestinal function in comparison with the conventional abdominal hysterectomy.

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A theoretical study supported by some experimental tests has been carried out with the aim of comparing one-dimensional (1-D) biofilm reactor models that use simplified (zero- and first-order) and Monod kinetics. Two different situations have been compared: one rate-limiting substrate with or without liquid film diffusion. The results obtained show that the use of a simplified kinetic approach compared to the Monod kinetic approach determines (1) an unjustified overestimate of the removal rate, especially for thin biofilms, and (2) an excessive overestimate of the liquid film layer thickness necessary to justify high kinetic orders. Even if recent research projects show that biofilm structure is more complicated than the one assumed in the modelling approach used in this study, nevertheless 1-D models still now continue to be the only ones that can reasonably support process engineers in biofilm reactor design, due to their intrinsic simplicity and the need for small sets of input data and parameters that can be obtained theoretically or often empirically.

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Thirty New Zealand white rabbits, mean weight 2 kg, were divided into three equal groups balanced for body weight and randomly assigned to a diet containing 60 (C), 150 (T1) or 375 (T2) mg/kg of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. After 29 days, the animals were slaughtered. alpha-Tocopherol was assayed in muscle (longissimus dorsi) and plasma; triglycerides and cholesterol (total, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein) were analysed in plasma; reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) were analysed in serum; and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were analysed in muscle. There were no body weight and food intake differences between the groups. The plasma vitamin E and vitamin E:lipid ratio were significantly higher in groups T1 and T2 than in C, but increases were not linearly related to dietary levels. Muscle alpha-tocopherol concentrations in the treated groups were significantly higher than in C, and linearly related (R =.67) to the vitamin E:lipid ratio. ROM and vitamin E levels in blood were inversely related (R =.74), with ROMs significantly lower in the treated groups than in C. The 60-mg/kg dose of C recommended by the National Research Council was unable to control ROM production. Lipid oxidation in muscle was significantly lower in T2 than in the other groups, and TBARS correlated significantly with muscle vitamin E (R =.61) and serum ROM (R =.73). These data suggest that vitamin E supplemented at 375 mg/kg diet can effectively control ROM production and improve muscle lipostability. ROM assay provides a useful indirect estimate of the oxidative status of muscle in vivo.

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The results of vaccination trials carried out on pups with maternally derived antibodies (MDA) to canine parvovirus (CPV), using a modified-live CPV-2b variant vaccine (29-97/40 strain), are reported. The vaccine was able to overcome the obstacle of MDA, and to elicit protective immunity in 100% of the pups whose antibody titres were 1:10-1:40, 83% of the pups with titres of 1:80, 57% of the pups with titres of 1:160, and even in 60% of the pups with antibody titres of 1:320.

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CONTEXT: Elevated blood pressure (BP) measured at the physician's office may reflect true hypertension or white coat hypertension (WCH). The prognostic value of WCH among pregnant women is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic value of WCH in pregnancy. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study conducted between September 1994 and October 1997. SETTING: Community hospital. PATIENTS: Women without preexisting hypertension and not treated with antihypertensive drugs aid with high (n = 148) or normal (n = 106) office BP (high office BP was defined as > or =140 mm Hg systolic and/or > or =90 mm Hg diastolic) matched for gestational age during their third trimester of pregnancy. All women underwent 24-hour noninvasive BP monitoring, and women without hypertension on 24-hour monitoring (125/74 mm Hg or less for average 24-hour BP) with office hypertension were classified as having WCH. Women were followed up through the end of pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of pregnancy, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia, cesarean delivery, placental and neonatal weight, and length of maternal and neonatal hospital stays for those with and without elevated office BP. RESULTS: After application of exclusion criteria, data for 7 women were removed from the analysis. For the remaining subjects, in the group with elevated BP, prevalence of WCH was 29.2% (42/144). Duration of pregnancy was similar in the normotensive and WCH groups (39.6 vs 39.8 weeks; P = .50), but shorter (38.3 weeks; P<.001) in the true hypertension group. Incidence of preeclampsia was similar in the normotensive and WCH groups (5.8% vs 7.1 %; P = .86) but higher in the true hypertension group (61.7%; P<.001). Frequency of cesarean delivery was lower in the normotensive (12.4%) than in the WCH (45.2%; P = .008) and true hypertension (41.1 %; P = .009) groups. Neonatal weight was lower (P<.001) in the true hypertension (mean, 2911 g) than in the normotensive (3336 g) and WCH groups (3435 g), which did not differ (P = .68). The duration of neonatal hospital stay did not differ between the normotensive and the WCH group (5.3 vs 6.9 days; P = .13) but was longer in the true hypertension group (12.3 days; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: In women with elevated BP during their third trimester of pregnancy, 24-hour BP was superior to office BP (distinguishing true hypertension from WCH) for prediction of the outcome of pregnancy. Outcomes in the normotensive and WCH group were comparable, but the increased incidence of cesarean delivery in the WCH group may reflect decision-making processes influenced by office BP.

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Crossbred "heavy" pigs (average weight 120 kg, slaughter weight above 160 kg) were supplemented with all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate during the last 60 d of late finishing at doses of 25 (control), 50, 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg of diet. At the end of this period, the pigs were slaughtered. Carcass characteristics and the meat quality of pork chops from longissimus muscle (LM) at the last lumbar vertebra were evaluated on eight barrows from each dosage group. Alpha-tocopherol levels were determined in plasma during supplementation and in LM muscle after slaughter. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and drip loss were also evaluated in meat. Plasma alpha-tocopherol levels increased (P < .005) during supplementation in treated animals compared to controls, with a peak at 40 d. Alpha-tocopherol levels were higher (P < .05) in LM from pigs treated with 300 mg/kg than in controls (8.4 vs 5.6 microg/g). Dressing percentages correlated (P < .05) with the ratio of plasma alpha-tocopherol levels to the sum of cholesterol and triglycerides. Inhibition of TBARS during storage was related (P < .005) to vitamin E supplementation level, but drip losses in chops were not related to supplementation levels. We concluded that dietary vitamin E supplementation to heavy pigs during the last 60 d of finishing improves dressing percentage, reduces lipid oxidation, and increases the alpha-tocopherol concentration of tissues.

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