Do carcass traits influence consumer perception of pork eating quality?

The objective of this study was to assess carcass traits' influence on pork eating quality as evaluated by consumers. A total of 1360 pork chops were used, with 824 from the sirloin end and 536 from the butt end of the loin (Longissimuss thoracis et lumborum), to produce 340 packages, each containing four pork chops. Untrained participants received one package of either sirloin or butt chops, being two pork chops from barrows and two from gilts. Participants answered a survey rating the tenderness, juiciness, flavour, and overall acceptability of each chop on an 8-point scale. Correlation analysis was conducted between carcass traits and pork eating quality attributes. For the descriptive analysis, classes (low, medium, and high) for carcass traits, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and cooking loss were created based on our consumer responses dataset for palatability attributes. No significant correlations (P > 0.05) were observed between carcass traits and pork eating quality traits. Tenderness and overall acceptability were negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with cooking loss and WBSF. Loin intramuscular fat (IMF) content showed a weak negative correlation (P < 0.05) with WBSF and cooking loss. Consumers rated chops from the high and medium/high backfat thickness and loin IMF classes slightly higher for tenderness and juiciness, respectively. Additionally, chops from the low and/or medium WBSF and cooking loss classes received slightly higher scores for tenderness and juiciness than pork chops in the high classes. In conclusion, the study indicated that carcass traits had minimal impact on overall acceptability of pork by consumers.

Carbohydrases and Phytase in Poultry and Pig Nutrition: A Review beyond the Nutrients and Energy Matrix

This review aimed to clarify the mechanisms through which exogenous enzymes (carbohydrases and phytase) influence intestinal health, as well as their effects on the nutrients and energy matrix in diets fed to poultry and pigs reared under sanitary challenging conditions. Enzyme supplementation can positively affect intestinal microbiota, immune system, and enhance antioxidant status. Although enzymes have been shown to save energy and nutrients, their responses under sanitary challenging conditions are poorly documented. Immune system activation alters nutrient partitioning, which can affect the matrix values for exogenous enzymes on commercial farms. Notably, the carbohydrases and phytase supplementation under sanitary challenging conditions align with energy and nutritional valorization matrices. Studies conducted under commercial conditions have shown that matrices containing carbohydrases and phytase can maintain growth performance and health in poultry and pigs. However, these studies have predominantly focused on assessing a single level of reduction in energy and/or available phosphorus and total calcium, limiting our ability to quantify potential energy and nutrient savings in the diet. Future research should delve deeper into determining the extent of energy and nutrient savings and understanding the effects of alone or blended enzymes supplementation to achieve more specific insights.

Effects of crude protein and non-essential amino acids on growth performance, blood profile, and intestinal health of weaned piglets

This study investigated the effect of crude protein (CP) and non-essential amino acid (NEAA) supplementation on the growth performance, blood profile, intestinal morphology, mRNA relative abundance of inflammatory and antioxidant markers, and tight junction proteins in piglets over the first 2 weeks after weaning. Ninety 21-day-old piglets (7.55 ± 0.72 kg) were assigned in a randomized block design to one of three dietary treatments: (1) high CP, a diet with 24% CP; (2) low CP, a diet with 18% CP; and (3) low CP + NEAA, a diet with 18% CP supplemented with 5 g/kg Arg (L-arginine; purity >99%) and 10 g/kg Glu + Gln (minimum 10% L-glutamine and minimum 10% L-glutamate). Piglets were fed with corn-soybean meal basal diets in a 14-day trial. There was an improvement (p < 0.05) in the feed conversion ratio of piglets fed the high-CP diet compared to treatments with low CP or low CP + NEAA. Serum urea nitrogen was higher (p < 0.05) in piglets fed high CP compared to other dietary treatments. In the duodenum, the villus height of animals fed the low-CP + NEAA diets was greater (p < 0.05) than those fed with the high- and low-CP diets. The goblet cell proportion of piglets fed low CP + NEAA or high CP was higher (p < 0.05) compared to low CP. In the jejunum, the crypt depth of the piglets with the high-CP dietary treatment was greater (p < 0.05) in comparison with low CP + NEAA. In the jejunum, IFN-γ mRNA expression was higher (p < 0.05) in animals fed the high-CP diets compared to other dietary treatments. However, superoxide dismutase and occludin mRNA expression were higher (p < 0.05) in animals fed low CP + NEAA than in piglets on the high-CP diets. In the ileum, the number of Peyer's patches in piglets fed high CP was higher (p < 0.05) compared to other dietary treatments. In conclusion, the high-CP diet (24% CP) improves the feed conversion of piglets in the first 2 weeks after weaning compared to the low-CP diet (18% CP) supplemented or not with NEAA. However, the low-CP diet supplemented with NEAA (Arg, Gln, and Glu) improves intestinal health in piglets by promoting greater villus height and proportion of goblet cells in the duodenum, reducing jejunal crypt depth, and reducing Peyer's number patches in the ileum. In addition, piglets that received the low-CP + NEAA diet showed an increase in superoxide dismutase and occludin and a lower expression of IFN-γ mRNA.

Effect of antibiotics and low-crude protein diets on growth performance, health, immune response, and fecal microbiota of growing pigs

This study aimed to investigate the effects of diets with and without antibiotics supplementation and diets with 18.5% and 13.0% crude protein (CP) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, disease incidence, fecal microbiota, immune response, and antioxidant capacity of growing pigs. One hundred and eighty pigs (59-day-old; 18.5 ± 2.5 kg) were distributed in a randomized complete block design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, nine replicates, and five pigs per pen. The factors were CP (18.5% or 13.0%) and antibiotics (none or 100 mg/kg tiamulin + 506 mg/kg oxytetracycline). Medicated diets were fed from days 59 to 73. After that, all pigs were fed their respective CP diets from 73 to 87 days. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure in SAS version 9.4. From days 59 to 73, pigs fed antibiotics diets had higher (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily weight gain (ADG), gain to feed ratio (G:F), compared to the diets without antibiotics. From days 73 to 87 (postmedicated period), any previous supplementation of antibiotics did not affect pig growth performance. Overall (days 59 to 87), pigs-fed antibiotics diets had higher (P < 0.05) G:F compared to pigs-fed diets without antibiotics. In all periods evaluated, pigs fed 18.5% CP diets had higher (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F compared to pigs fed 13.0% CP. Pigs fed the 13.0% CP diets had lower (P < 0.05) fecal score and diarrhea incidence than those fed 18.5% CP. Pigs fed 18.5% CP diets had improved (P < 0.05) loin area compared to pigs-fed diets with 13.0% CP. At 66 days of age, pigs-fed antibiotics diets had lower (P < 0.05) alpha diversity estimated with Shannon and Simpson compared to the pig-fed diets without antibiotics. At family level, pigs fed 18.5% CP diets had higher (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Streptococcaceae, and lower (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Clostridiaceae at days 66 and 87 compared with pigs fed 13.0% CP. Pigs-fed antibiotics diets had lower (P < 0.05) immunoglobulin G and protein carbonyl concentrations at day 66 compared to the pigs-fed diets without antibiotics. The reduction of dietary CP from 18.5% to 13.0% reduced the growth performance and loin muscle area of growing pigs, although it was effective to reduce diarrhea incidence. Antibiotics improved growth performance, lowered diarrhea incidence, improved components of the humoral immune response, and reduced microbiota diversity. However, in the postmedicated period, we found no residual effect on the general health of the animals, and considering the overall period, only G:F was improved by the use of antibiotics.

Performance, Carcass Traits, Pork Quality and Expression of Genes Related to Intramuscular Fat Metabolism of Two Diverse Genetic Lines of Pigs

We aimed to evaluate the performance, carcass and pork quality traits, as well as the mRNA expression of genes related to intramuscular fat deposition in female pigs from different genetic lines. A total of eighteen female pigs (Large White × Landrace × Duroc × Pietrain) × (Large White × Landrace) (Hybrid) averaging 88.96 ± 3.44 kg in body weight and twelve female pigs (Duroc) × (Large White × Landrace) (Duroc) averaging 85.63 ± 1.55 kg in body weight were assigned to a completely randomized design experimental trial that lasted 45 days. Pigs from both genetic lines received the same diet, which was initially adjusted for their nutritional requirements from 0 to 17 days of age and subsequently adjusted for nutritional requirements from 17 to 45 days of age. The performance of pigs did not differ among groups (p > 0.05). Duroc pigs showed a lower backfat thickness (p < 0.03) and greater intramuscular fat content (p < 0.1). A greater mRNA expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma gene (PPARγ, p = 0.008) and fatty acid protein translocase/cluster differentiation (FAT/CD36, p = 0.002) was observed in the Longissimus dorsi muscle of Duroc pigs. Similarly, a greater expression of PPARγ (p = 0.009) and FAT/CD36 (p = 0.02) was observed in the Soleus muscle of Duroc pigs. Overall, we observed that despite the lack of differences in performance between the genetic groups, Duroc pigs had greater intramuscular fat content than hybrid pigs. The increased intramuscular fat content was associated with an increase in the mRNA expression of key transcriptional factors and genes encoding enzymes involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis in glycolytic and oxidative skeletal muscle tissues.

POS0901 INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE IN MIXED CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE: CLINICAL AND SEROLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS

Background

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare systemic rheumatic disease characterized by the expression of autoantibodies targeting the U1-ribonucleoprotein and overlapping clinical features of systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory myopathies. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is present in 47% to 78% of patients and has been associated with higher mortality rates. Associations of ILD with Raynaud’s phenomenon, dysphagia, anti-Ro52 antibodies, and a scleroderma pattern on nailfold capillaroscopy have been reported in MCTD patients.

Objectives

This study aims to identify clinical and serological associations and independent predictors of ILD for patients with MCTD.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective study using data collected from clinical records. Adult patients who underwent lung computed tomography (CT) and met at least one of four MCTD diagnostic criteria (Sharp, Alarcón-Segovia, Kasukawa, or Kahn criteria) were included. Univariate analysis was performed using Chi-Square, Fischer’s Exact, and Mann-Whitney tests, as appropriate. Multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression modelling. The linearity of the continuous variables concerning the logit of the dependent variable was assessed via the Box-Tidwell procedure. Cases with missing information and outliers were excluded from the multivariate analysis to fulfil all assumptions necessary to assure the validity of the regression.

Results

Fifty-seven patients, of whom 37 were Caucasian (64.9%) and 48 were females (84.2%), with a mean age of 39.4±14.0 years, were included. Twenty-seven patients had ILD (47.4%), of whom 22 had nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (81.5%), 4 had usual interstitial pneumonia (14.8%), and 1 had lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (3.7%) pattern on CT. Among patients with ILD, 13 were asymptomatic (48.1%), while 14 had respiratory symptoms (51.9%), including dyspnea (N=13, 48.1%), cough (N=7, 25.9%), and pleuritic chest pain (N=1, 3.7%). Pulmonary function tests were performed in 22 patients (81.5%), 20 of whom had a restrictive pattern (90.9%).

In the univariate analysis, lymphadenopathy at disease onset (22.2% vs 3.3%, p=0.045) and esophageal involvement at any time point (40.7% vs 16.7%, p=0.043), were associated with ILD.

The binary logistic regression model predicting ILD included 56 patients, and the model explained 36.5% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in ILD and correctly classified 75% of all cases. Older age at diagnosis (OR 1.10/year, 95%CI: 1.00-1.12, p=0.046) and lymphadenopathy at disease onset (OR 19.65, 95%CI: 1.91-201.75, p=0.012) were identified as predictors of ILD in MCTD patients, irrespective of sex and esophageal involvement.

Conclusion

Older age at diagnosis and lymphadenopathy at disease onset were independent predictors of ILD in MCTD. Therefore, these factors should be considered when evaluating MCTD patients, especially at the time of diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest study ever describing predictors of ILD for MCTD patients.

References

[1]Fagundes MN, Caleiro MT, Navarro-Rodriguez T, Baldi BG, Kavakama J, Salge JM, Kairalla R, Carvalho CR. Esophageal involvement and interstitial lung disease in mixed connective tissue disease. Respir Med. 2009 Jun;103(6):854-60. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2008.12.018. Epub 2009 Feb 6. PMID: 19201182.

[2]Gunnarsson R, Aaløkken TM, Molberg Ø, Lund MB, Mynarek GK, Lexberg AS, Time K, Dhainaut AS, Bertelsen LT, Palm O, Irgens K, Becker-Merok A, Nordeide JL, Johnsen V, Pedersen S, Prøven A, Garabet LS, Gran JT. Prevalence and severity of interstitial lung disease in mixed connective tissue disease: a nationwide, cross-sectional study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2012 Dec;71(12):1966-72. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2011-201253. Epub 2012 May 1. PMID: 22550317

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0655 Clinical and immunological features of a Portuguese cohort of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

Background

Various nationwide studies have been already published to better understand Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) (1,2). However, Portuguese data is not available.

Objectives

To characterize clinical and immunological features of a Portuguese cohort of patients with MCTD.

Methods

Retrospective, multicenter study including adult-onset patients with clinical diagnosis of MCTD and fulfilling at least one of the following classification criteria: Sharp, Kasukawa, Alarcón-Segovia or the Kahn’s criteria. Positivity to other autoantibodies besides anti-U1-RNP were allowed. SPSS was used for statistical analysis and significance level was defined as 2-sided p<.05.

Results

A total of 98 patients were included, with a mean age at diagnosis and disease duration of 40.5±13.7 and 7.0±6.5 years, respectively. Most patients were female (87.8%) and Caucasian (70.4%). Raynaud’s phenomenon (96.9%), arthralgia/arthritis (94.9/74.5%) and puffy fingers (60.2%) were the most common and early manifestations. Gastroesophageal (GE), respiratory and muscular involvement were also prevalent, mostly during the follow up, affecting 30.6%, 34.7% and 43.9% of the patients, respectively. Clinical and immunological characteristics are described in Table 1. Males were older at symptom’s onset (65.0 VS 46.7, p=.035), having more respiratory involvement (OR=4.5, 95% CI 1.3-16.4), and positivity to anti-ACPA (OR=20.0, 95% CI: 3.1-129.4). GE involvement occurred more often in Caucasian patients (OR=3.8; 95% CI: 1.0-14.1), while anemia of chronic diseases (OR=2.7; 95% CI: 1.0-7.2), myositis (OR=3.6; 95% CI: 1.3-9.9) and constitutional symptoms (OR=3.2; 95% CI: 1.2-8.3) were more frequent in Afro-American patients, whose were also younger at disease (34.1 VS 50.6, p=.01). After a median follow-up time of 4 (IQR 8) years, 4 deaths occurred (4.1%), mostly (75%) due to infectious complications.

Table 1.

Clinical and immunological characteristics

Clinical ManifestationsAt presentationFollow-upMucocutaneous systemRaynaud’s phenomenon, n (%)85 (86.7)95 (96.9)Puffy hands, n (%)48 (49.0)59 (60.2)SSc-like, n (%)43 (44.8)59 (60.8)SLE-like, n (%)28 (28.9)35 (35.7)Musculoskeletal systemArthralgia/Arthritis, n (%)/n (%)81 (82.7) / 56 (57.1)93 (94.9) / 73 (74.5)Myositis, n (%)26 (25.6)43 (43.9)Hematological system, n (%)46 (46.9)70 (71.4)Respiratory system, n (%)14 (14.3)34 (34.7)Cardiovascular system3 (3.1)4 (4.1)Pulmonary hypertension*2 (2.0)15 (15.3)Gastroesophageal involvement, n (%)11 (11.2)30 (30.6)Renal involvement, n (%)2 (2.0)10 (10.2)Neurological involvement, n (%)6 (6.3)14 (14.3)Constitutional symptoms, n (%)26 (26.5)30 (30.6)Immunological characteristicsAnti-dsDNA, n (%)21 (21.4)Anti-smith antibody, n (%)21 (21.4)Anti-Ro/SSA, n (%)31 (31.6)Anti-La/SSB, n (%)7 (7.1)Anti-centromere, n (%)3 (4.1)Rheumatoid Factor, n (%)39 (39.8)Anti- anti-citrullinated protein antibodies, n (%)6 (6.1)Antiphospholipid antibodies, n (%)7 (7.1)Myositis antibodies, n (%)9 (9.2)Complement activation, n (%)27 (27.6)Hypergammaglobulinemia, n (%)51 (52.0)

Legend: Anti-dsDNA: anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid antibody; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus, SSc: systemic sclerosis. *No information regarding cardiac catheterism, then compatible alterations in the echocardiogram.

Conclusion

Raynaud’s phenomenon, puffy fingers and arthritis were the most common manifestations in Portuguese patients, with similar proportions found in literature (1,2). However, we reported some differences in mucocutaneous, renal and serosa involvement and higher prevalence of probable pulmonary hypertension (1,2), which may be explained by the heterogeneity of the inclusion criteria. Except for respiratory, myositis, GE and constitutional symptoms, there were no differences regarding gender and ethnicity.

Here, we characterize the largest cohort of MCTD in Portugal.

References

[1]Cappelli S, et al. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2012 Feb;41(4):589–98.

[2]Alves MR et al. Clin Exp Med. 2020 May;20(2):159–66.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0891 REUMA.pt/MYOSITIS – THE PORTUGUESE REGISTRY OF INFLAMMATORY MYOPATHIES

Background

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IMM) module of the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt/Myositis) is a tool used to systematically evaluate IIM patients.

Objectives

To clinically characterise the Reuma.pt/Myositis cohort.

Methods

Multicentre open cohort study, including IIM patients registered in Reuma.pt up to January 2022. Data collected included demographic, clinical, and treatment data and patient-reported outcomes. Data were presented as frequencies and median (interquartile range) for categorical and continuous variables, respectively.

Results

280 patients were included, 71.4% female, 89.4% Caucasian, with a median age at diagnosis and disease duration of 48.9 (33.6-59.3) and 5.3 (3.0-9.8) years, respectively. Patients were classified as having definite (N=57/118, 48.3%; N=35/224, 15.6%), likely (N=23/118, 19.5%; N=50/224, 22.3%), or possible (N=2/118, 1.7%; N=46/224, 20.5%) IIM by 2017 EULAR/ACR and Bohan-Peter criteria, respectively. Disease subtypes included dermatomyositis (DM, N=122/280, 43.6%), polymyositis (N=59/280, 21.1%), myositis in overlap syndromes (N=41/280, 14.6%), clinically amyopathic DM (N=17/280, 6.1%), nonspecific myositis (N=13/280, 4.6%), mixed connective tissue disease (N=12/280, 4.3%), immune-mediated necrotizing myositis (N=9/280, 3.2%), and inclusion bodies myopathy (N=7/280, 2.5%). Over the course of the disease, the most common symptoms were proximal muscle weakness (N=180/215, 83.7%), arthralgia (N=127/249, 52.9%), erythema (N=63/166, 38.0%), fatigue (N=47/127, 37.0%), Raynaud’s phenomenon (N=76/234, 32.5%), and dysphagia (N=33/121, 27.3%), and the most common clinical signs were Gottron’s sign (N=75/184, 40.8%), heliotrope rash (N=101/252, 40.1%), Gottron’s papules (N=93/237, 39.2%), and arthritis (N=38/98, 38.8%). Organ involvement included lung (N=78/230, 33.9%), oesophageal (N=40/221, 18.1%), and heart (N=11/229, 4.8%) involvements. Most patients expressed myositis-specific (MSA, N=158/242, 65.3%) and/or myositis-associated (MAA, 112/242, 46.3%) antibodies. The most frequent antibodies were anti-SSA/SSB (N=70/231, 30.3%), anti-Jo1 (N=56/236, 23.7%), and anti-Mi2 (N=31/212, 14.6%). Most patients had a myopathic pattern on electromyogram (N=101/138, 73.2%), muscle oedema in magnetic resonance (N=33/62, 53.2%), and high CK (N=154/200, 55.0%) and aldolase levels (N=74/135, 54.8%) at diagnosis, with median highest CK levels of 1308 (518-3172) and aldolase of 42 (12-121) mg/dL. Neoplasia was found in 11/127 patients (8.7%), most commonly breast (N=3/11, 27.3%), non-melanoma skin (N=2/11, 18.2%), and colorectal (N=2/11, 18.2%) cancer (Table 1). Most patients with cancer-associated myositis had DM (N=8/11, 72.7%) and expressed MSA (N=6/11) and/or MAA (N=3/11). The most used drugs over the course of disease were glucocorticoids (N=201/280, 71.8%), methotrexate (N=117/280, 41.8%), hydroxychloroquine (N=87/280, 31.1%), azathioprine (N=85/280, 30.4%), mycophenolate mofetil (N=56/280, 20.0%), intravenous immunoglobulin (N=55/280, 19.6%), and rituximab (N=45/280, 16.1%). At the last follow-up, there was a median MMT8 of 150 (142-150), modified DAS skin of 0 (0-1), global VAS of 10 (0-50) mm, and HAQ of 0.125 (0.000-1.125).

Table 1.

Autoantibodies in cancer-associated myositis

CancerIIMAutoantibodiesBreastDM (3)Mi2, SRP (+ SSA/SSB), Pm/SclSkin (non-melanoma)Clinically amyopathic DM, PMJo1, SAE1 (+SSA/SSB)ColorectalDM (2)Mi2 (2)KidneyDM-LungDM-LymphomaInclusion bodies myopathy-UnknownDM-

Conclusion

Reuma.pt/Myositis adequately captures the main features of inflammatory myopathies’ patients, depicting in this first report a heterogeneous population, with frequent muscle, joint, skin and lung involvements. Of interest, most patients reached low disease activity at the last follow-up appointment.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0688 Predictors of muscle involvement in Portuguese patients with mixed connective tissue disease

Background

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare heterogeneous disease, characterized by overlapping features of classic connective tissue diseases. Myositis may be present in up to two-thirds of patients with MCTD and it is included in all diagnostic criteria available. Although some possible associations have been reported, to the best of our knowledge, no independent predictors of MCTD-related myositis have been described.

Objectives

To identify clinical and laboratorial predictors for muscular involvement in a cohort of Portuguese patients with MCTD.

Methods

Multicentre retrospective cohort study including adult-onset patients with a clinical diagnosis of MCTD and fulfilling at least one of the following diagnostic criteria: Sharp, Kasukawa, Alarcón-Segovia or Kahn criteria. Myositis was defined as proximal muscle weakness, creatine kinase elevation, electromyography (EMG) suggestive changes or a positive muscular biopsy. Univariate analysis was performed using Chi-Square, Fischer’s Exact Test and Mann-Whitney Test, as appropriate. Multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression modelling. The linearity of the continuous variables concerning the logit of the dependent variable was assessed via the Box-Tidwell procedure. Cases with missing information and outliers were excluded from the multivariate analysis to fulfil all assumptions necessary to assure the validity of the regression.

Results

A total of 98 patients were included, 43 (44.3%) of whom had muscular involvement at any time of the disease course. Concerning patients with MCTD-related myositis, the mean age at diagnosis was 34.8±12.5 years and the mean disease duration of 4.1±4.9 years. The majority of patients were female (90.7%) and of European ancestry (66.7%).

EMG was performed in 24 patients, of whom 10 (41.7%) had a myopathic pattern. Seventeen patients were submitted to a muscular biopsy, of whom 8 (47.1%) had histological myositis features. Capillaroscopy was performed in 24 patients and 12 (50%) had a scleroderma pattern.

African ancestry and leukopenia were positively associated with myositis at disease onset. Furthermore, fever at the onset of disease, younger age at diagnosis and shorter disease duration were positively associated with the occurrence of myositis at any phase of the disease.

The multivariate analyses predicting myositis at diagnosis included 54 patients and at any time of the disease included 90 patients. These models explained 37.8% and 26.9% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in myositis and correctly classified 79.6% and 73.3% of all cases, respectively.

African ancestry (OR 8.39, 95%CI: 1.43-49.37, p=0.019), leukopenia (OR 6.24, 95%CI: 1.32-29.48, p=0.021) and younger age at diagnosis (OR 1.07/year, 95%CI: 1.01-1.14, p=0.035) were identified as independent predictors of myositis at diagnosis. Fever (OR 6.51, 95%CI: 1.23-34.37, p=0.027) was an independent predictor of muscular involvement at any time of the disease in MCDT patients.

Conclusion

African ancestry, leukopenia and younger age at diagnosis are independent predictors of myositis at presentation in MCTD patients, while fever is an independent predictor of myositis at any time of the disease. While evaluating patients with MCTD, these predictive factors should be considered.

References

[1]Ciang NCO, Pereira N, Isenberg DA. Mixed connective tissue disease-enigma variations? Rheumatol. 2017 Mar 1;56(3):326–33.

[2]Hall S, Hanrahan P. Muscle involvement in mixed connective tissue disease. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2005 Aug;31(3):509–17, vii.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Effect of amino acid blend as alternative to antibiotics for growing pigs

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing arginine (Arg) + glutamine (Gln) replacing antibiotics on performance, immune response, and antioxidant capacity of pigs in the growing phase. One hundred fifty 63-d-old pigs with initial body weight (BW) of 25.0 ± 1.46 kg were distributed in a randomized block design, with three treatments and ten replicates. The three diets were control; antibiotic, control + 100 mg/kg tiamulin and 506 mg/kg oxytetracycline; amino acid, control + 10 g/kg Arg and 2 g/kg Gln. Dietary treatments were fed from 63 to 77 d. Following the treatment period, all pigs were fed the control diet from 77 to 90 d. Data were analyzed using GLIMMIX and UNIVARIATE in SAS 9.4. From 63 to 70 d, pigs fed diets with antibiotics had improved (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain (ADG), gain to feed ratio (G:F), and 70-d BW compared to those fed control or amino acid diets. From 70 to 77 d, including antibiotics in the diet increased (P < 0.05) ADG and 77-d BW. From 77 to 90 d, pigs fed control or amino acid diets had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than those fed an antibiotic diet. From 63 to 90 d, although pig performance was not affected (P > 0.05), growth curve of pigs fed the antibiotic diets was different (P < 0.05) from those fed the control and amino acids diets. At 70 d, serum tumor necrosis factor-α and diamine oxidase (DAO) were lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the antibiotic diet than the control diet, and pigs fed the amino acid diet had intermediate results. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the amino acid diet than the antibiotic diet, and pigs fed the control diet had intermediate results. Serum immunoglobulin A was lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the antibiotic diet. At 77 d, DAO and serum immunoglobulin G were lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the antibiotic diet. FRAP was lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the amino acid and control diets. Serum malondialdehyde was higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the amino acid diet than those fed the control diet, and pigs fed the antibiotic diet had intermediate results. At 90 d, antibiotics or amino acids did not affect (P > 0.05) serum parameters. Amino acid blend supplementation at the selected doses in this study did not positively affect growing pigs. Although from 63 to 77 d, antibiotics improved performance, when considering the overall study period, growing pigs did not benefit from a diet containing antibiotics.

L-Arginine Supplementation for Nulliparous Sows during the Last Third of Gestation

We evaluated the effects of L-arginine supplementation during the last third of gestation on molecular mechanisms related to skeletal muscle development of piglets and litter traits at birth. Twenty-three nulliparous sows averaging 205.37 ± 11.50 kg of body weight were randomly assigned to the following experimental treatments: control (CON), where pregnant sows were fed diets to meet their nutritional requirements; arginine (ARG), where sows where fed CON + 1.0% L-arginine. Skeletal muscle from piglets born from sows from ARG group had greater mRNA expression of MYOD (p = 0.043) and MYOG (p ≤ 0.01), and tended to present greater mRNA expression (p = 0.06) of IGF-2 gene compared to those born from CON sows. However, there were no differences (p > 0.05) in the histomorphometric variables of fetuses' skeletal muscle. The total weight of born piglets, total weight of born alive piglets, piglet weight at birth, coefficient of variation of birth weight, and the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) piglets did not differ between groups. No stillborn piglets (p < 0.01) were verified in the ARG sows compared to CON group. The blood levels of estradiol (p = 0.035) and urea (p = 0.03) were higher in ARG sows compared to those from the CON group. In summary, our data show that arginine supplementation of nulliparous sows at late gestation enhance mRNA expression of key myogenic regulatory factors, which likely contribute to improve animal growth rates in later stages of development.

Coherent spin qubit transport in silicon

A fault-tolerant quantum processor may be configured using stationary qubits interacting only with their nearest neighbours, but at the cost of significant overheads in physical qubits per logical qubit. Such overheads could be reduced by coherently transporting qubits across the chip, allowing connectivity beyond immediate neighbours. Here we demonstrate high-fidelity coherent transport of an electron spin qubit between quantum dots in isotopically-enriched silicon. We observe qubit precession in the inter-site tunnelling regime and assess the impact of qubit transport using Ramsey interferometry and quantum state tomography techniques. We report a polarization transfer fidelity of 99.97% and an average coherent transfer fidelity of 99.4%. Our results provide key elements for high-fidelity, on-chip quantum information distribution, as long envisaged, reinforcing the scaling prospects of silicon-based spin qubits.

Effects of crude protein and lactose levels in diets on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and expression of genes related to intestinal integrity and immune system in weaned piglets

To evaluate the effects of crude protein (CP) and lactose (LAC) for weaned piglets on performance, intestinal morphology, and expression of genes related to intestinal integrity and immune system, 144 piglets with initial weight 7.17 ± 0.97 kg were allotted in a randomized design, in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (20.0% and 24.0% CP and 8.0%, 12.0%, and 16.0% LAC) with eight replicates. Piglets fed 20.0% CP had greater weight gain and feed intake. Including 12.0% LAC in the 20.0% CP diet provided higher villous height in the duodenum than 8.0% LAC, and 12.0% or 16.0% LAC in the 24.0% CP diet resulted in higher villous height in the jejunum and ileum, and higher villi/crypt ratio in the ileum than 8.0% LAC. No effects of CP and LAC on interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA were observed. The 16.0% LAC diet provided higher gene expression of transforming-β1 growth factor. Feeding 20.0% CP resulted in better performance than 24.0% CP. The 12.0% LAC diet promoted greater genetic expression of occludin and zonula occludens. Including 12.0% LAC in the diet may improve intestinal epithelial morphology and integrity, and these improvements are more evident when piglets are fed diets with 24.0% CP.

l-Arginine supplementation of gilts during early gestation modulates energy sensitive pathways in pig conceptuses

Dietary l-arginine (ARG) supplementation has been studied as a nutritional strategy to improve reproductive performance of pregnant sows, since arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid. However, reports addressing the molecular mechanisms that mediate supplementation effects on embryos and fetuses development are still scarce. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of 1.0% ARG supplementation of commercial pregnant gilts on genes and proteins from energy metabolism and antioxidant defense pathways in embryos and fetuses. We also analyzed the global transcriptome profile of 25- and 35-day-old conceptuses. At Day 25, we observed a lower abundance of phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (phospho-AMPK) protein and downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation system genes in ARG embryos. On the other hand, ARG fetuses showed greater expression of MLST8 and lower expression of MTOR genes, in addition to lower abundance of phospho-AMPK and phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (phospho-mTOR) proteins. Transcriptome analysis at Day 35 did not present differentially expressed genes. For the antioxidant defense pathway, no differences were found between CON and ARG conceptuses, only trends. In general, supplementation of gilts with 1.0% ARG during early gestation affects energy sensitive pathways in 25- and 35-day conceptuses; however, no effects of supplementation were found on the antioxidative defense pathway in 25-day embryos.

Coherent spin control of s-, p-, d- and f-electrons in a silicon quantum dot

Once the periodic properties of elements were unveiled, chemical behaviour could be understood in terms of the valence of atoms. Ideally, this rationale would extend to quantum dots, and quantum computation could be performed by merely controlling the outer-shell electrons of dot-based qubits. Imperfections in semiconductor materials disrupt this analogy, so real devices seldom display a systematic many-electron arrangement. We demonstrate here an electrostatically confined quantum dot that reveals a well defined shell structure. We observe four shells (31 electrons) with multiplicities given by spin and valley degrees of freedom. Various fillings containing a single valence electron-namely 1, 5, 13 and 25 electrons-are found to be potential qubits. An integrated micromagnet allows us to perform electrically-driven spin resonance (EDSR), leading to faster Rabi rotations and higher fidelity single qubit gates at higher shell states. We investigate the impact of orbital excitations on single qubits as a function of the dot deformation and exploit it for faster qubit control.

The impact of the winery's wastewater treatment system on the winery water footprint

In the Mediterranean region, water scarcity has already prompted concern in the wine sector due to the strong impact it has on vineyard productivity and wine quality. Water footprint is an indicator that takes account of all the water involved in the creation of a product and may help producers to identify hotspots, and reduce water consumption and the corresponding production costs. In recent years several studies have been reported on wine water footprint determination, but mostly focused on the viticulture phase or assuming no grey water footprint at the winery since it has a treatment system. In the framework of the WineWaterFootprint project a medium-size winery was monitored, with direct measurements, regarding determination of the blue and grey components of water footprint. The determined winery water footprint ranged from 9.6 to 12.7 L of water per wine bottle of 0.75 L, the wastewater produced being responsible for about 98%, which means that the grey component cannot be disregarded. The developed scenarios show that a potential reduction of 87% in winery water footprint can be obtained with almost no investment. The challenge of reducing the grey footprint is not in technology development, but rather in the proper maintenance and monitoring of treatment systems.

Dietary L-arginine supplementation during early gestation of gilts affects conceptuses development

l-arginine supplementation of sows has led to improvement of reproductive performance, but the mechanisms responsible for the positive effects of arginine during gestation on conceptuses survival and development are still poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to evaluate effects of 1.0% l-arginine supplementation (ARG) on phenotypic traits of commercial gilts, embryos and fetuses, concentration of gilts' blood metabolites, expression of developmental and cellular apoptosis genes in conceptuses of 25 and 35 days. At 25 days, IGF1 gene was more expressed in embryos from ARG than in embryos from control gilts (CON) (P = 0.05). At this same gestational age, ARG embryos tended to be heavier compared to CON (P = 0.07) and ARG gilts showed a trend to have a greater arginine concentration in blood plasma (P = 0.06). However, at 35 days of gestation, arginine concentration in blood plasma of ARG gilts tended to be lower compared to CON (P = 0.06) and ARG fetuses showed smaller cephalic-caudal length (P = 0.05). These results indicate that duration of supplementation is determinant for arginine effects, not only on the females performance but also on the conceptuses, since supplementation upregulated IGF1 expression at 25 days, in addition to the reduction of cephalic-caudal length of 35-day fetuses.

Effectiveness of citrulline and N-carbamoyl glutamate as arginine precursors on reproductive performance in mammals: A systematic review

The use of functional nutrients has been proposed to reduce the occurrence of intrauterine growth retardation in animals at birth in several mammalian species. The objective of this study was to verify the effectiveness of citrulline and N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) dietary supplementation as arginine precursors for mammalian species, and the effects on fetal development through a systematic review. The search for studies was performed during August 2018 in the PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scopus databases. The literature search was conducted using "arginine precursor", "citrulline", or "N-carbamylglutamate" as keywords, combined with "gestation", "pregnancy", "fetus", "newborn", or "reproduction". Studies in which arginine precursors were evaluated in gestating mammals and their effects on parameters related to the intrauterine development of the conceptus were selected. Of 1,379 articles, 18 were selected, primarily based on the title and the abstract. Supplementation with NCG (0.5 g to 2 g/kg of feed) increased maternal plasma arginine concentrations in all studies that evaluated this variable. Fetal number increased in 55.56% of the studies that evaluated it, and fetal weight increased in the majority (62.5%) of the studies evaluating this variable. By supplementing citrulline, only fetal weight was improved, with an increase in maternal plasma arginine in 40% of the studies. In conclusion, N-carbamoyl glutamate seems to be an arginine precursor more effective than L-citrulline during gestation; however, both precursors, beside L-Arginine, should be evaluated in similar conditions to confirm the existence of specific particularities such as periods and levels of supplementation, which need to be considered for different species of animals. The supplementation of NCG increases arginine concentrations in maternal plasma, thus improving mammalian reproductive efficiency and fetal development, mainly by promoting higher birth weight.

Chromium, CLA, and ractopamine for finishing pigs

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary chromium, CLA, and ractopamine on performance, carcass traits, and pork quality of finishing pigs slaughtered at 115 kg BW. Ninety-six crossbred barrows (initial BW = 70.21 ± 1.98 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments. There were 8 replicates per treatment (48 pens; 2 pigs/pen). A diet formulated according to the nutritional requirements was used as the control (CON). The other 5 diets were based on the CON and supplemented as follows: 0.4 mg/kg Cr yeast (CrY); 0.5% CLA; 0.4 mg/kg CrY and 0.5% CLA (CrY + CLA); 20 mg/kg ractopamine (RAC); 0.4 mg/kg CrY and 20 mg/kg RAC (CrY + RAC). Lysine levels on diets containing ractopamine were raised by 20% compared to CON to meet the greater requirements of pigs fed ractopamine. Pigs fed RAC and CrY + RAC were fed CON for the first 17 d, and then the respective diets for the last 28 d on trial. Data were analyzed in a model including the fixed effect of treatment (6 levels) and initial BW as a covariate for all characteristics, with the exception of carcass traits, in which final BW was used as a covariate. Least-squares means were separated using Tukey-Kramer's method. Differences were considered when probability values were lower than 0.05. Pigs fed RAC and CrY + RAC had the greatest ( < 0.001) final BW and ADG. Pigs fed CrY + RAC had greater ( < 0.001) G:F than pigs within the other groups, except for those fed RAC. Pigs fed CrY + RAC and RAC had similar G:F, both greater ( < 0.001) than pigs fed CON. Average daily feed intake was similar ( = 0.83) for all diets. Pigs fed CrY + RAC had greater LM area ( = 0.01) and carcass yield ( < 0.02) than pigs fed CON, CrY, CLA, and CrY + CLA. Loin muscle area and carcass yield of pigs fed RAC were not different from pigs fed the others diets. Pigs fed CON diets had greater BF ( = 0.02) than pigs fed CLA diet. Additives did not affect ( > 0.05) pork quality, except for color. No differences ( > 0.05) were observed for carcasses pH and temperature. The values for pigs fed RAC were greater ( = 0.01) than pigs fed other diets. Pigs fed RAC had lower ( < 0.01) values compared to pigs fed other experimental diets. Serum urea nitrogen concentration (SUN) was lower ( = 0.02) in pigs fed CrY + RAC than in pigs fed CON and RAC and similar to pigs fed the other feeding additives. In summary, it was demonstrated that, when combined, CrY and RAC increase LM area and carcass yield, and reduce SUN, suggesting that chromium could improve nutrient utilization by muscle cells in RAC-fed pigs. Additionally, the additives have no major effects on pork quality.

Water-energy nexus: Anaerobic co-digestion with elephant grass hydrolyzate

The anaerobic co-digestion process in a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) was carried out under mesophilic conditions (37 ± 0.2 °C). All the trials were performed at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 15 days and the AD reactor was daily fed with a mixture of sewage sludge (SS) and elephant grass hydrolyzate (EGH). In this study, three different trials were assessed, with different mixture proportions of SSSS and EGH: F0 (100:0,v/v), F1 (75:25, v/v) and F2 (50:50, v/v), during 90 days each trial, keeping the organic loading rate (OLR) in a range of 0.94-1.16 g VS L(-1) day(-1). The experimental results obtained showed that the soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) removal efficiency was around 77% and 86% for trials F1 and F2, respectively. SS co-digestion with EGH enhanced methane yield, leading to an increment between 23% and 38%, in comparison with the reference scenario (F0).

Study of the response of an ORTEC GMX45 HPGe detector with a multi-radionuclide volume source using Monte Carlo simulations

A model of an n-type ORTEC GMX45 HPGe detector was created using the MCNPX and the MCNP-CP codes. In order to validate the model, experimental efficiency was compared with the Monte Carlo simulations results. The reference source is a NIST traceable multi-gamma volume source in a water-equivalent epoxy resin matrix (1.15gcm(-3) density) containing several radionuclides: (210)Pb, (241)Am, (137)Cs and (60)Co in a cylinder shape container. Two distances of source bottom to end cap front surface of the detector have been considered. The efficiency for the nearest distance is higher than for longer distance. The relative difference between the measured and the simulated full-energy peak efficiency is less than 4.0% except for the 46.5keV energy peak of (210)Pb for the longer distance (6.5%) allowing to consider the model validated. In the absence of adequate standard calibration sources, efficiency and efficiency transfer factors for geometry deviations and matrix effects can be accurately computed by using Monte Carlo methods even if true coincidence could occur as is the case when the (60)Co radioisotope is present in the source.

A note on the infection of Scomberomorus brasiliensis (Osteichthyes, Scombridae) by Kudoa sp. (Myxozoa: Multivalvulida)

The infection of Scomberomorus brasiliensis by the myxozoan Kudoa sp. is reported. The parasites formed plasmodiae inside the skeletal muscle fibres. The spores were quadrate in apical view and bell-like shaped in lateral view, containing four equally sized more or less rounded polar capsules. No detrimental effects were observed in the host, namely muscle liquefaction. The importance of these parasites is discussed.

Effect of social ranks and gestation housing systems on oxidative stress status, reproductive performance, and immune status of sows

Ninety-six multiparous sows were randomly assigned into 2 different gestation housing systems on d 35 of gestation: individual gestational crates (n = 24) or small groups with 3 sows in gestational pens (n = 24). Sows were classified into 4 treatments based on gestation housing systems and social ranks within each gestational pen: sows housed in individual gestational crates were in control treatment (CON), and sows destined to high, middle, or low social ranks within each pen were classified into high social rank treatment (HR), middle social rank treatment (MR), and low social rank treatment (LR). The social rank of sows within a pen was determined by their winning percentage during aggressive interactions observed for a 4-d period after mixing on d 35 of gestation. Plasma samples collected from each sow on d 35, 60, 90, and 109 of gestation and d 1 and 18 of lactation were used to determine concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), IgG, and IgM. Sows in HR had higher (P < 0.05) body weight during gestation and lactation, smallest (P < 0.05) litter weight at birth, increased (P < 0.05) number of stillborn than sows in MR and LR, and tended to have decreased (P = 0.073, P = 0.064) number of born alive compared with sows in CON and LR. Sows in LR had lower farrowing rate compared with sows in MR. Plasma concentration of protein carbonyl in HR was higher (P < 0.05) than that in MR on d 3 of lactation. Plasma concentrations of 8-OHdG in LR was greater (P < 0.05) than that in HR on d 90 of gestation, d 3 and 18 of lactation, and greater (P < 0.05) than CON on d 18 of lactation. The reproductive performance of sows from all of the social ranks was related to their oxidative stress status during gestation and lactation. Collectively, the reproductive performance, oxidative stress status, and immune status did not differ between sows housed in gestational crates (CON) and pens (HR + MR + LR). Sows in CON and MR did not show inferior reproductive performance during gestation and lactation. Sows in HR and LR had increased oxidative damage during late gestation and lactation which could contribute to the reduced litter size and litter weight in HR and lower farrowing rate in LR.

Níveis de fósforo disponível em dietas para suínos dos 15 aos 30kg

Avaliou-se a suplementação de dietas com fósforo disponível (Pd) para suínos selecionados para deposição de carne, utilizando-se 100 leitões com média de peso inicial de 15,03±0,33kg, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos, cinco repetições e quatro animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos foram dieta basal sem suplementação de fosfato bicálcico e outras quatro dietas obtidas pela suplementação da dieta basal com fosfato bicálcico, resultando em cinco concentrações de Pd, 0,106; 0,221; 0,310; 0,406; e 0,493%. As porcentagens de Pd influenciaram o consumo diário de ração, que aumentou de forma linear. O ganho de peso diário aumentou e a conversão alimentar melhorou de forma quadrática até a suplementação máxima de 0,450 e 0,390% de Pd, respectivamente. Não houve efeito da suplementação das dietas sobre a resistência óssea. As porcentagens de Pd influenciaram de forma quadrática os teores de cálcio e de fósforo nos ossos, que aumentaram até a adição máxima de 0,388 e 0,369% de Pd, respectivamente. Não houve efeito da porcentagem de Pd sobre o teor de cinza óssea. Suínos dos 15 aos 30kg exigem maior concentração de Pd para máximo ganho de peso (0,450% ou 5,33g/dia) e melhor conversão alimentar (0,390% ou 4,52g/dia) em relação às recomendações atuais.

Synopsis of the species of Chloromyxum Mingazinni, 1890 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Chloromyxidae)

A synopsis of the species of Chloromyxum Mingazinni, 1890 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Chloromyxidae) is presented, including 140 nominal species. For each species the most relevant morphological and morphometric characteristics are indicated. Included are data on the site of infection within the host, the original host and the host locality, plus a full bibliography of the original records for these species. A diagrammatic illustration of a spore of each species is also provided.

Phosphorus requirements for 60- to 100-kg pigs selected for high lean deposition under different thermal environments

Two experiments were conducted to determine the requirement of available P (aP) of pigs selected for high lean deposition during summer (maximum and minimum temperatures of 29.8 ± 3.6 and 21.3 ± 1.1°C, respectively; Exp. 1) and winter (maximum and minimum temperatures of 24.7 ± 2.1 and 9.1 ± 1.6°C, respectively; Exp. 2). Pigs (66.5 ± 2.8 kg, Exp. 1; and 61.1 ± 0.6 kg, Exp. 2) were randomly allotted to 5 dietary treatments. Exp. 1 had 5 pens/treatment and Exp. 2 had 6 pens/treatment, and all pens had 2 pigs. Treatments were composed of a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 4 diets with additional dicalcium phosphate to obtain 5 aP concentrations (0.122, 0.187, 0.252, 0.317, and 0.382% in Exp. 1, and 0.135, 0.200, 0.265, 0.330, and 0.395% in Exp. 2). Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to their respective diets for 30 d. In Exp. 1, increasing aP improved ADFI and ADG (quadratic, P < 0.05), with maximum responses obtained at 0.226 and 0.256% of aP, respectively. Increasing aP improved (P < 0.05) G:F. A broken-line analysis indicated that G:F was maximized (P < 0.05) at 0.295% of aP or 9.04 g of aP/d. Increasing aP also increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) P and Ca (g/kg) in the metacarpals with maximum responses obtained at 0.314 and 0.272% of aP, respectively. The percentage of ash in the metacarpals continued to increase (linear, P < 0.05) with increasing aP. In Exp. 2, ADG and G:F improved (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05) as aP increased in the diet. A broken-line analysis indicated that G:F was maximized (P < 0.05) at 0.316% of aP or 10.58 g of aP per day. However, increasing aP had no effect on ADFI. Percentages of ash, P, and Ca in the metacarpals increased (linear, P < 0.05) with increasing aP. In conclusion, results of this experiment indicated that finishing pigs (60 to 100 kg) kept in a thermoneutral environment require 0.316% aP in the diet (10.58 g/d) to maximize G:F, but the requirement is only 0.295% aP (9.04 g/d) when pigs are under heat stress.

Sequências de lisina digestível para suínos de duas linhagens selecionadas para alta deposição de carne

Foi conduzido um experimento para avaliar sequências de lisina digestível sobre o desempenho e características de carcaça de suínos machos castrados. Foram utilizados 96 animais de duas linhagens selecionadas para deposição de carne, com peso inicial de 23,80 ± 1,07kg. Os suínos foram distribuídos em um delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, em um esquema fatorial 4 x 2 (quatro sequências de lisina digestível e duas linhagens), com seis repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos corresponderam às seguintes sequências de lisina digestível: S1 = 0,80 - 0,70 - 0,60%; S2 = 0,90 - 0,80 - 0,70%; S3 = 1,00 - 0,90 - 0,80% e S4 = 1,10 - 1,00 - 0,90%, fornecidos respectivamente nas fases de 63 a 103; 104 a 133 e de 134 a 163 dias de idade. Não houve interação entre as sequências de lisina e linhagem. Os tratamentos não influenciaram o desempenho (ganho de peso diário, consumo de ração diário e conversão alimentar) e as características de carcaça (espessura de toucinho e quantidade de carne). O consumo diário de lisina digestível aumentou de forma linear com o aumento dos níveis de lisina digestível. A sequência de lisina digestível S1 (0,80; 0,70 e 0,60%) atende as exigências para desempenho e características de carcaça.

Occurrence of Kudoa sp. (Myxozoa) in Trachurus trachurus L. (osteichthyes) in Portugal

Specimens of Trachurus trachurus L., obtained monthly in a fish market of Oporto from October 1998 to August 1999, were examined for the presence of Kudoa in the muscle. Kudoa sp. spores were found in 84.7% of the specimens (n = 209). The prevalence was not significantly different between seasons and was not related to the host's length. The infection does not seem to have negative effects on the fish quality once no macroscopic pseudocysts or myoliquefaction were detected.

Occurrence and maturation of Rhabdochona gnedini (Nematoda: Rhabdochonidae) in the barbels of the Sousa River, Portugal

Data on the seasonal occurrence and maturation of Rhabdochona gnedini Skrjabin, 1946 in its definitive host, the barbel Barbus bocagei, from the Sousa River, in northern Portugal, are presented. Monthly samples were taken from November, 1998 to October, 1999. A total of 178 fish specimens were inspected. R. gnedini occurred with high prevalences during whole year, attaining the highest values of intensity in summer (overall prevalence and mean intensity 85% and 31, respectively). A clear annual cycle of maturation was observed; females with mature eggs occurred in spring and summer. Unidentified Rhabdochona larvae were recorded from the trichopteran larvae Hydropsyche sp. (prevalence and intensity 29% and one to 34, respectively). These larvae are presumptive intermediate host for R. gnedini.

Short segments of Barrett's epithelium and intestinal metaplasia in normal appearing oesophagogastric junctions: the same or two different entities?

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic diagnosis of short segments of Barrett's epithelium (SSBE)' is difficult and its meaning in terms of the presence of specialised columnar epithelium (SCE) has not been prospectively evaluated.

AIMS

To evaluate the prevalence of SCE in patients with an endoscopic diagnosis of SSBE and in individuals with normal appearing oesophagogastric junctions, and to compare the clinical characteristics of these two groups.

PATIENTS

Thirty one patients with an endoscopic diagnosis of short Barrett's oesophagus, less than 3 cm in length (group A), and 44 consecutive patients with normal appearing oesophagogastric junctions (group B).

METHODS

Multiple biopsies were performed in suspicious epithelium and at the oesophagogastric junction in groups A and B, respectively.

RESULTS

Age and sex distribution were similar in both groups. Reflux symptoms were more frequent in group A (p < 0.001), as were endoscopic and histological signs of oesophagitis (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). SCE was found in 61.3% of group A patients compared with 25% in group B (p < 0.002), with men predominating in group A while women were more frequent in group B (p = 0.02). The differences in reflux symptoms and endoscopic/histological oesophagitis remained significant.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that endoscopic diagnosis of SSBE is associated with a high prevalence of SCE, significantly higher than that found in normal appearing oesophagogastric junctions. Differences between patients with SCE in the two groups suggest they may represent two different entities.

Alzheimer's disease: maintenance of neuronal and synaptic densities in frontal cortical layers II and III

Neuronal loss and alterations of the cortical neuropil were previously described on necropsic material from patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, and the results compared to age-matched case controls. In frontal cortex biopsic material from our patients with Alzheimer's disease, the numerical densities of neurons and synapses were not significantly different from controls, indicating that changes in the highest cognitive functions might not depend on a generalized loss of neurons and synapses and that quantitative morphological differences may exist between Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Cerebellar cortex ultrastructure in ataxia-telangiectasia

An ultrastructural study of a biopsy fragment from the cerebellar cortex of a patient with ataxia-telangiectasia was performed. There was a sharp reduction in the number of Purkinje cells and an increase in the number of Golgi epithelial cells. Despite the degeneration of Purkinje cell dendrites, the volumetric density of parallel fiber varicosities and the number of synapses in the molecular layer were only slightly reduced. No qualitative nor quantitative abnormalities were noted in the granular layer. An analysis is made of the severe changes in cerebellar circuitry of this patient and their probable functional implications.

Pathological findings in one of two siblings with Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome

The clinical features of 2 new cases of Sjögren-Larsson syndrome are described. Histopathological examination of the skin in 1 of the cases revealed an ichthyosis vulgaris, which does not agree with the clinical and genetic classification. In the same case, a neuroblastoma was the cause of death, and neuropathological examination showed a symmetrical demyelination of some ascending and descending long tracts in the medulla and spinal cord.