Performance and Egg Quality of Laying Hens Fed Diets Containing Raw, Hydrobarothermally-Treated and Fermented Rapeseed Cake

The present study was conducted to investigate how raw rapeseed cake (RRC), hydrobarothermally-treated rapeseed cake (HRC) and fermented rapeseed cake (FRC) fed to laying hens over a period of 12 weeks affected their performance, and the quality, fatty acid (FA) profile and oxidative stability of eggs. A total of 304 Hy-Line Brown laying hens at 36 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized design to four treatment groups with 38 replicates per treatment and two hens per replicate. The birds had ad libitum access to feed and water throughout the study. During the experiment, the birds were fed isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets in mash form, with various protein sources. In the control group (C), soybean meal (SBM) was the main source of dietary protein, whereas the experimental groups were fed diets containing 20% of RRC, HRC or FRC. Hydrobarothermal treatment and fermentation decreased the glucosinolate (GLS) content of RC, and fermentation reduced the concentration of phytate phosphorus (PP). In comparison with the RRC group, layers from the HRC and FRC groups were characterized by higher laying performance, comparable with that in group C. Irrespective of its physical form, RC added to layer diets adversely affected eggshell quality in all experimental groups, whereas albumen quality was highest in the FRC group. In comparison with group C, diets containing RRC, HRC and HRC led to a significant decrease in the content of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), an increase in the proportion of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the total FA pool in egg yolks, and a decrease in the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. The inclusion of RRC, HRC and FRC in layer diets decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in egg yolks, relative to group C. Group FCR eggs were characterized by the highest activity of catalase (CAT) and the lowest lipid peroxides LOOH concentration, compared with the remaining groups. The addition of RC to layer diets did not compromise the sensory quality of eggs, and eggs produced in group FRC received the highest overall score. It can be concluded that the inclusion of 20% RRC, HRC and FRC in layer diets does not compromise the sensory quality of eggs and has a beneficial influence on the FA profile and antioxidant potential of egg yolks. The use of FRC is recommended because it contributes to the highest laying performance, superior albumen quality and the highest sensory quality of eggs, relative to RRC and HRC.

Dietary Supplements Intended for Children--Proposed Classification of Products Available on the Market

Lately, it has been observed that the variety of dietary supplements is rapidly growing. The aim of the study is to extend the classification of dietary supplements (DSs) intended for children above the age of 3, as well as to categorize the ingredients used to manufacture such products. Three hundred fifteen dietary supplements intended for children from 3 to 12 years old, available on the Polish market, were chosen. Evaluation of product specifications provided by the producers, which included lists of ingredients as well as health and nutrition claims found on labels or online, was conducted. Among the available products, one can distinguish supplements with overall health effects used to supplement the diet (such as multivitamin supplements) as well as products for specific conditions, which can be divided into a total of 10 groups of products. Substances that can be found in dietary supplements were also systematized and divided into eight categories, which constitute a division of DSs active ingredients. The results of this research are an extension to the already existing Polish and European classification, which can be applied to classify products intended for children as well as for adults.

Changes in the quality of table eggs depending on storage method and time

The aim of the research was to determine the changes occurring in table eggs depending on storage time at room temperature and in refrigeration conditions. The experimental material consisted of 75 eggs, which were randomly divided into five groups of 15. The first group (the control) comprised fresh eggs, which were tested on the day they were collected. The remaining 60 eggs were divided into two groups (30 eggs in each) and stored under different conditions for a period of 28 days. Eggs from the first group (I) were stored at room temperature, which was about 20°C with 50% humidity. Eggs from the second group (II) were placed in cold storage at 4°C and about 30% humidity. After 14 and 28 days of storage, the physicochemical properties of the eggs were analysed: the height of the air space, egg density, egg weight loss, albumen and shell quality, and yolk colour. The results indicate that the storage method had a significant (P≤0.05) effect on most of the egg quality traits analysed. Eggs stored at 4°C were of good quality and were classified as EXTRA class eggs even after 28 days. Eggs stored at 20°C were eliminated as Class A eggs as early as day 14, and on day 28 their quality disqualified them as fit for consumption. To sum up, food eggs should be refrigerated before being sold to the consumer to prevent premature ageing and thus deterioration of quality.

Effects of morin-5′-sulfonic acid sodium salt (NaMSA) on cyclophosphamide-induced changes in oxido-redox state in rat liver and kidney

Cyclophosphamide (CPX) is an anticancer drug with immunosuppressive properties. Its adverse effects are partly connected to the induction of oxidative stress. Some studies indicate that water-soluble derivative of morin—morin-5′-sulfonic acid sodium salt (NaMSA) exhibits strong antioxidant activity. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of NaMSA on CPX-induced changes in oxido-redox state in rat. Experiment was carried out on Wistar rats divided in three experimental groups ( N = 12) receiving: 0.9% saline, CPX (15 mg/kg) or CPX (15 mg/kg) + NaMSA (100 mg/kg), respectively, and were given intragastrically for 10 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were determined in liver and kidneys. Catalase (CAT) activity was assessed only in liver. Treatment with CPX resulted in significant decrease in MDA level in both tissues, which was completely reversed by NaMSA treatment only in liver. In comparison to the control group significant decrease in SOD activity were observed in both tissues of CPX receiving group. In kidneys this parameter was fully restored by NaMSA administration. CPX evoked significant decrease in GSH concentration in kidneys, which was completely reversed by NaMSA treatment. No significant changes were seen in GSH levels and CAT activity between all groups in liver. Results of our study suggest that CPX may exert significant impact on oxido-redox state in both organs. NaMSA fully reversed the CPX-induced changes, especially MDA level in liver, SOD activity and GSH concentration in kidneys and it may be done by enhancement of activity/concentration of endogenous antioxidants.

Sorption of imidazolium-based ionic liquids to aquatic sediments

Ionic liquids (ILs) have received much attention as "green" alternatives to traditional solvents because they do not evaporate, eliminating concerns over fugitive emissions. However, if ionic liquids are used in industrial applications, they may enter aquatic systems via effluent, and their fate and transport may be influenced by sorption to sediments. In this study, we conducted batch mixing experiments with four alkylmethylimidizolium-based ILs and four types of aquatic sediments to asses the capacity for natural aquatic sediments to remove these chemicals from the water column. The concentration isotherms were non linear with point estimates of the distribution coefficient (K(d)) decreasing with increasing concentration. Apparent distribution coefficients ranged from 7.9 to 95.7l kg(-1) at an initial concentration of 0.5mM and were positively related to sediment organic matter (SOM) content. These K(d) values indicate that the ILs did not sorb strongly to the tested sediments. Increased alkyl chain length did not lead to increased sorption suggesting that hydrophobic interactions were not the most important sorption mechanism. We conclude that aquatic sediments have a limited capacity to sorb alkylmethylimidazolium ILs and that the transport of these contaminants in aquatic systems will not be strongly attenuated by sediments.

Infrared spectrum analysis of some flavonoids

Infrared spectra of some flavonoids and quercetin and morin sulfonic derivatives were recorded. The spectral data of sodium salts of quercetin and morin sulfonic acids were interpreted as indicating the near position valency band of the carbonyl group in relation to its position in quercetin and morin. The distinct shift of this band in quercetin-5'-sulfonic acid (QSA) may probably be a result of the occurrence of an intramolecular proton transfer from the sulfonic -SO3H to the oxygen of -C=O group.

Reperfusion arrhythmias and purine wash-out in isolated rat and rabbit heart. Effect of allopurinol, dimethylthiourea and calcium reduction

The effects of perfusate calcium reduction, allopurinol and dimethylthiourea on reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and purine wash-out in isolated rabbit and rat hearts were compared. The overall incidence of reperfusion-induced ventricular tachycardia (VT) was 88% and 94% and that of ventricular fibrillation (VF) was 44% and 88% in the control rabbit and rat hearts, respectively. VF was reduced to 10% and 0% in rat and rabbit hearts subjected to perfusate calcium reduction (0.4 mM for 1 min before ischemia and for 1 min before and throughout reperfusion), respectively. In allopurinol, 1 mM, perfused rat hearts the overall incidence of VF was not changed and only the incidence of a sustained VF (that lasting for at least 10 min) was reduced. VT and VF were prevented in allopurinol-perfused rabbit hearts. Dimethylthiourea, 10 mM, reduced the incidence of VF in rat hearts to 16% and did not significantly affect VT and VF in rabbit hearts. In untreated rat hearts, the major purine compounds washed out upon reperfusion were inosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine and urate. Allopurinol augmented the wash-out of adenosine and abolished that of xanthine and urate. In untreated rabbit hearts, the major purine washed out were inosine, adenosine and hypoxanthine. Allopurinol did not cause further increase in adenosine wash-out in rabbit hearts. We speculate that: (1) calcium mediated arrhythmogenic mechanism is operating both in reperfused rat and rabbit heart; (2) free radical mediated mechanism is of an importance only in rat heart; (3) neither a decreased free radical production secondary to xanthine oxidase inhibition nor the augmentation of adenosine wash-out is a likely explanation for the antiarrhythmic effect of allopurinol in reperfused hearts; and (4) high level of myocardial adenosine accumulation during ischemia, probably secondary to low xanthine oxidase activity, may play a role of a natural defence mechanism in ischemic/reperfused rabbit heart.

The influence of sulfonated bioflavonoids on enzymatic oxidation of arachidonic acid and on non-enzymatic lipid oxidation

Sulfonic acids of quercetin and morin as well as their ferrous and cupric complexes were synthetized and investigated. Sulfonic derivatives of quercetin were much weaker inhibitors of soybean lipoxygenase than quercetin itself. Morin and its derivatives were inactive. Antioxidant properties of quercetin derivatives were in the same range as for quercetin. Most of the investigated compounds stimulate cyclooxygenase when 100 microM of arachidonic acid is used as a substrate. Ferrous complex of quercetin 5'-sulfonic acid was an inhibitor of this enzyme.

Pulmonary resection

Seventy-seven patients who had elective pulmonary resections were enrolled in a prospective double-blind study to assess the role of prophylactic antibiotics in preventing postoperative infections. Criteria for infection were strictly defined. A five-day course of a cephalosporin (2 gm/day in divided doses) was compared to an identical placebo. There were 17 infections in the 34 patients in the placebo group (50%), compared to only eight infections in the 43 patients in the antibiotic group (19%) (P = .005). When infections unrelated to thoracotomy and minor infections were excluded, the advantage of prophylactic antibiotics proved even more evident. Fourteen thoracic infections occurred in the placebo group (41%) compared to only two thoracic infections (4.7%) in the antibiotic group (P = .0002). No relationship of infection rate to the extent of pulmonary resection was found. A history of smoking, the presence or absence of chronic bronchitis, spirometric abnormalities, and obesity were all analyzed; none was related to the development of infection. We conclude that the routine use of perioperative antibiotics is indicated to prevent postoperative infections in pulmonary resection.