Animal board invited review: Improving animal health and welfare in the transition of livestock farming systems: Towards social acceptability and sustainability

The need to integrate more clearly societal expectations on livestock farming has led the authors of this article to consider that livestock farming systems must be redesigned to position health and welfare at the heart of their objectives. This article proposes a vision of the advances in knowledge required at different scales to contribute to this transformation. After defining health and welfare of animals, the article emphasises the need to consider health in a broader perspective, to deepen the question of positive emotional experiences regarding welfare, and raises the question of how to assess these two elements on farms. The positive interactions between health and welfare are presented. Some possible tensions between them are also discussed, in particular when improving welfare by providing a more stimulating and richer environment such as access to outdoor increases the risk of infectious diseases. Jointly improving health and welfare of animals poses a number of questions at various scales, from the animal level to the production chain. At the animal level, the authors highlight the need to explore: the long-term links between better welfare and physiological balance, the role of microbiota, the psycho-neuro-endocrine mechanisms linking positive mental state and health, and the trade-off between the physiological functions of production, reproduction and immunity. At the farm level, in addition to studying the relationships at the group level between welfare, health and production, the paper supports the idea of co-constructing innovative systems with livestock farmers, as well as analysing the cost, acceptability and impact of improved systems on their working conditions and well-being. At the production chain or territory levels, various questions are raised. These include studying the best strategies to improve animal health and welfare while preserving economic viability, the labelling of products and the consumers' willingness to pay, the consequences of heterogeneity in animal traits on the processing of animal products, and the spatial distribution of livestock farming and the organisation of the production and value chain. At the level of the citizen and consumer, one of the challenges is to better inter-relate sanitary and health perspectives on the one hand, and welfare concerns on the other hand. There is also a need to improve citizens' knowledge on livestock farming, and to develop more intense and constructive exchanges between livestock farmers, the livestock industry and citizens. These difficult issues plead for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research involving various scientific disciplines and the different stakeholders, including public policy makers through participatory research.

“You Get What You Need”: Early Results of BloodTrack System on Reducing Inefficiencies in Blood Product Allocation

Introduction/Objective

The preparation of blood products allocated for massive transfusion protocol (MTP) activation and surgical cases consumes much time and energy of blood bank technologists. Often, these blood products are returned to the blood bank unused. Clinicians may activate the MTP preemptively to ensure the availability of blood products in case they are needed. Most blood products ordered for surgeries are placed on hold and not transfused. These returned units require additional inspections before they can be made available again. To reduce these inefficiencies, we implemented the BloodTrack [Haemonetics, Boston, MA] system, wherein blood products are stored in remote refrigerators and made available to clinicians near the patients’ bedside. Besides safeguarding units placed on hold for surgeries, we hypothesized that BloodTrack would provide greater visibility of available products in the emergency department (ED), thus reducing the rate of preemptive MTP activations.

Methods/Case Report

From March 2022 onwards, BloodTrack refrigerators with OnDemand software were active in the ED, operating room (OR), and two intensive care (ICU) units. We educated ED, OR, and ICU nurses on the appropriate use of BloodTrack. MTP activations were recorded from August 2021 to June 2022. Data on units allocated to OR patients by BloodTrack were collected from software-generated logs. Data on units allocated to OR patients by BloodTrack were collected from software-generated logs.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

Since its introduction in March, BloodTrack has dispensed 92 red blood cell units, which represents 12% of the total 766 units assigned. The remainder of 674 units were unused, and represent substantial savings in time otherwise spent re-instating them. Moreover, the rates of preemptive MTP activations trended downwards, from 28% (32/113) in the 7 months prior to implementation, to 13% (3/24) after implementation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our implementation of BloodTrack has led to reduced MTP activations, improved efficiency of our blood product allocation process, and developed interdisciplinary care team integration.

Narrowing Beta-myosin hot spots in its association with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Introduction

MYH7 encodes to β-cardiac myosin heavy chain, a large and pleomorphic protein, conformed by different and well-functionally characterized domains. This gene has an enormous contribution to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) but also to other cardiomyopathies such as dilated, non-compaction and restrictive cardiomyopathy (and overlapping phenotypes). There are specific and adapted recommendations for classifying variants in this gene regarding its association with HCM; one of the aspects was the location of variants in the head domain, encompassing 181–937 residues as moderate ACMG criteria (Kelli et al., 2018).

Objectives

The purpose of this analysis was to determine if more specific regions of MYH7are enriched in HCM cases. This analysis could help to better characterise those regions where identifying a novel missense variant could reinforce their pathogenicity.

Methods

We included in the analysis 26,929 consecutives unrelated probands in which MYH7 was sequenced by NGS, referred from different countries and centres. We performed an enrichment analysis comparing the prevalence of rare missense variants (pre-established MAF cut-off 0.004%) in cases with the diagnosis of HCM versus their frequency in non-cardiomyopathy cases (internal controls, OR_int, comprising aortic diseases, channelopathies and dyslipidaemias) and in gnomAD population (external controls, OR_ext). Comparison between groups was performed using the Student's t-test; p value <0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. The rationale of this grouping was to avoid skewed analysis, given the high degree of overlapping cardiomyopathies observed in this gene.

Results

HCM was the diagnosis in 10,064 cases. 8,975 probands with a non-cardiomyopathy phenotype were used as internal controls; 7,890 cases with other MYH7-related phenotypes (restrictive, dilated, non-compaction and skeletal myopathies) were not included in the analysis. Rare missense variants in MYH7 were enriched in HCM cases (OR_int = 11.15; OR_ext =12.44) and in the pre-established hot spot head domain (OR_int = 16.43; OR_ext = 24.53). However, the regions with the highest odds ratios in both external and internal comparison were the central converter domain (residues 711–755, OR_int = 44.39; OR_ext = 50.27) and actin-binding region (residues 647–664, OR_int =18.77; OR_ext = 69.32). Conversely, the tail region (both S2 subfragment and light meromyosin region, LMM), had the lowest OR in this analysis.

Conclusions

Previously reported hotspot (head) is significantly enriched in HCM cases, but some specific regions within this domain, such as central converter and acting-binding region, could have a relatively higher contribution. These results reinforce the current approach, but on the other hand, show an asymmetric contribution within the head domain. This fact may have an impact on the reassessment of the variant classification in this gene towards a more precise approach.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Health in Code

Association between common cardiovascular risk factors and clinical phenotype in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) EurObservational Research Programme (EORP) Cardiomyopathy/Myocarditis registry

AIMS

The interaction between common cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is poorly studied. We sought to explore the relation between CVRF and the clinical characteristics of patients with HCM enrolled in the EURObservational Research Programme (EORP) Cardiomyopathy registry.

METHODS AND RESULTS

1739 patients with HCM were studied. The relation between hypertension (HT), diabetes (DM), body mass index (BMI), and clinical traits was analysed. Analyses were stratified according to the presence or absence of a pathogenic variant in a sarcomere gene. The prevalence of HT, DM, and obesity (Ob) was 37, 10, and 21%, respectively. HT, DM, and Ob were associated with older age (P<0.001), less family history of HCM (HT and DM P<0.001), higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (P<0.001), atrial fibrillation (HT and DM P<0.001; Ob p = 0.03) and LV (left ventricular) diastolic dysfunction (HT and Ob P<0.001; DM P = 0.003). Stroke was more frequent in HT (P<0.001) and mutation-positive patients with DM (P = 0.02). HT and Ob were associated with higher provocable LV outflow tract gradients (HT P<0.001, Ob P = 0.036). LV hypertrophy was more severe in Ob (P = 0.018). HT and Ob were independently associated with NYHA class (OR 1.419, P = 0.017 and OR 1.584, P = 0.004, respectively). Other associations, including a higher proportion of females in HT and of systolic dysfunction in HT and Ob, were observed only in mutation-positive patients.

CONCLUSION

Common CVRF are associated with a more severe HCM phenotype, suggesting a proactive management of CVRF should be promoted. An interaction between genotype and CVRF was observed for some traits.

Genetic variants as determinants of outcome in lamin A/C-related cardiac disease

Background

Current guidelines for the diagnosis and management of familial dilated cardiomyopathy highlight the variables “male sex” and “non-missense type variants” as risk factors for malignant ventricular arrhythmias.

Objective

Quantitative evaluation of prognostic differences between different LMNA variants associated with cardio-laminopathy.

Method

Analysis of cardiac event-free survival (sudden death, major arrhythmic events, death from heart failure and transplantation) with Kaplan-Meier approach in relation to gender & variant LMNA type. The data come from a specific database containing information on more than 1200 carriers of disease-causing LMNA variants. In the first analysis, the groups of comparison were truncating-type variants (LMNAtv) VS the global of pathogenic missense variants in the gene associated with cardiolaminopathy (LMNAm), segregated by gender. In the second analysis, it was considered missense LMNA affecting different residues (p.Arg190, p.Arg377 and p.Arg541), located in different functional domains, with enough data for comparison and with statistically different clinical behavior from that of global pathogenic variants in the gene. They were compared with the group of LMNAtv variants, as reference. The variants included were p.Arg377Cys/His, p.Arg541Cys/Ser/Gly/Pro/His and p.Arg190Trp/Gln/Pro, all of them pathogenic and associated with cardio-laminopathy.

Results

No significant differences were observed in survival between LMNAtv versus LMNAm variants (log rank=0.56) with slightly worse outcomes in males (log rank 0.03). Median survival time was 56 years for men compared to 60 years for women with LMNAtv, and 55 years compared to 66 years, respectively, among carriers of LMNAm (analysis A). In analysis B, statistically significant differences were observed between the groups considered (Log Rank p&lt;0.001). These differences were also clinically relevant (median survival time in groups p.Arg377, LMNAtv, p.Arg190 and p.Arg541 was 60, 58, 50 and 35 years, respectively). Importantly, more than 70% of the cardiac events observed were related to major ventricular arrhythmic episodes.

Conclusions

This quantitative analysis demonstrates that certain missense variants in LMNA may have a similar and even more adverse clinical course than the set of truncation-type variants. These findings highlight the relevance of the specific variant rather than the variant type in guiding actionable therapies to prevent adverse outcomes. Regarding the differences observed between genders, even though they are statistically significant, their magnitude could be clinically not relevant.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Health in Code

Specific actin (ACTC1) missense variants are associated with different overlapping clinical phenotypes and outcomes

Introduction

Pathogenic variants in ACTC1 have been associated with hypertrophic (HCM), dilated (DCM), and left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) cardiomyopathies. Phenotypes often overlap and atrial septal defects have also been reported. Prognostic data on carriers of these variants are scarce.

Methods and results

The proprietary database of a cardiovascular genetic laboratory was examined to assess penetrance and survival in the 438 carriers (191 families) of 75 missense variants in ACTC1 associated with disease. Their mean age at diagnosis was 32.4 (±18.7) years; 52% were male. The diagnosis was isolated HCM in 47%, LVNC in 17%, and DCM in 9%. LVNC with either HCM or DCM was present in an additional 8%; 13% had an atrial septal defect. Among carriers with echocardiographic information, left ventricular dilatation and dysfunction were described in 13% and 16%, respectively. Ventricular arrhythmias and conduction defects were reported in 94 and 93 carriers. Percentages have not been calculated for the latter, as we cannot ensure a denominator in whom cardiac conduction defects and arrhythmias were certainly discarded.

Overall, 50% of carriers were diagnosed by age 45, and 10% had experienced a major cardiac event. The p.Leu10Met and p.His90Tyr variants (23% of all carriers) demonstrated lower penetrance and a better prognosis than the p.Glu101Lys variant and the other missense variants.

Conclusions

Missense variants in ACTC1 are associated with a range of phenotypes that often overlap. Overall, penetrance and outcomes are age-dependent with a moderate rate of major cardiac events, which are highly dependent on the specific disease-causing variant

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. The graph shows the percentage of carriers of pathogenic or likely pathogenic missense variants in the ACTC1 gene diagnosed at different ages. Considering all the missense variants in ACTC (in red), 50% of carriers had been diagnosed by age 45. It is worth highlighting the percentage of diagnosis (&gt;15%) in the first 15 years of life, which is higher than the figure usually observed in sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Figure 2. The graph shows the survival free of major cardiovascular events (sudden, heart failure, stroke-related death, appropriate ICD therapy and heart transplant) in individuals with missense variants in ACTC1. Carriers and affected relatives without genetic study were included. Events were infrequent in two of the most informative variants (p.Leu10Met and p.His90Tyr), and significantly different compared with carriers of the other missense variants (p=0.036 for p.Leu10Met and p=0.015 for p.His90Tyr).

Narrowing of the neonatal region in the FBN1 gene

Background

Neonatal Marfan syndrome (MFS) is considered the most severe form of MFS and is characterized by early childhood death due to congestive heart failure. It has been suggested that genetic variants associated with this clinical presentation, cluster in a specific region between exons 24 and 32. It has been reported that patients carrying genetic variants in these exons have worse prognosis.

Purpose

Our purpose was to analyze cardiovascular outcome by location of the genetic variants in the “neonatal region” of the FBN1 gene.

Materials and methods

We analyzed clinical data on 1353 carriers and affected relatives with 683 missense pathogenic or likely pathogenic genetic variants of FBN1 gene (including cases identified in our laboratory and cases described in the literature) in whom age at last follow-up was available. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to examine location of the genetic variant in the FBN1 gene in relation to survival free of surgical intervention or cardiovascular (CV) death (composite of deaths related to aortic dissection, heart failure/transplant, sudden, stroke or CV surgery).

Missense genetic variants were classified as located in the “neonatal region” (residues 952–1363, corresponding to exons 24–32) and in the “non-neonatal region” (residues 45–951 and 1364–2731). In the “neonatal region”, we have also analyzed a sub-region of “over-representation” of heart failure deaths in the first year of life, which we called “critical neonatal region” (amino acids 1028–1088, corresponding to exon 25 and few residues from exon 26) in comparison to the “non-critical neonatal region”.

Results

Data were examined on 1060 patients with missense variants located in the “non neonatal region” and on 293 patients with missense variants located in the “neonatal region”. Of these, 96 patients were carriers of missense variants in the “critical neonatal region”, the rest of patients carried variants in the neonatal region, outside this particular domain (“non-critical neonatal region”).

Patients carrying missense variants in the neonatal region had worse prognosis than those carrying variants outside this region. This poorer outcome was due to events occurring in patients carrying variants in the “critical neonatal region” (see Figure). These patients had the worse prognosis (p=0.000108, vs. the other groups). Furthermore, events in the non-critical neonatal region were similar to other missense variants located outside the neonatal region.

There were no differences in the “neonatal region” when analyzing by gender.

Conclusion

In our cohort, the worse prognosis seen in patients carrying missense pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in the “neonatal region” compared to the “non-neonatal region”, was due to events in patients carrying missense variants in a small subregion which we called the “critical-neonatal region” (exons 25 and 26). These patients had the worse prognosis, irrespective of gender.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Health in Code Figure 1. Neonatal region FBN1

Survival analysis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy caused by the three most common pathogenic TPM1 variants

Purpose

To evaluate survival free of cardiovascular events in carriers of the three most frequent TPM1 pathogenic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) variants.

Methods

Clinical and genetic data on families carrying TPM1 variants in the literature and identified in our center were systematically revised and collected in a database. Classification of variant's pathogenicity was in accordance with ACMG criteria. We evaluated available follow-up data and constructed Kaplan-Meier survival curves to cardiovascular death (sudden death, appropriate cardiodefibrillator shock, heart failure death, and stroke-related death) or heart transplant. Long-rank test was used to compare event-free survival time.

Results

562 carriers (343 HCM-probands and 219 relatives; 51.3% male carriers) were identified carrying 73 missense variants considered disease causing. TPM1 p.Asp175Asn (87 probands, 109 relatives, 6 unaffected), p.Arg21Leu (52 probands, 25 relatives, 16 unaffected), and p.Met281Val (37 probands, 8 relatives, 9 unaffected) were the most prevalent HCM-variants. Among these three variants, survival data was reported for 508 individuals. Eight-nine carriers had suffered events: 74 sudden deaths (55% males), nine heart failure deaths (44% males), two transplants (50% males), and five stroke-related death (25% males). Incidence of cardiovascular death or transplant was similar between TPM1 p.Arg21Leu and p.Met281Val (p=0.75) and different than p.Asp175Asn (p=0.03 and p=0.06, respectively) and all TPM1 variants (p=0.004 and p=0.04). Analysis by sex showed TPM1 p.Arg21Leu female carriers had better prognosis than p.Asp175Asn male carriers (p=0.048) and all TPM1 male and female carriers (p=0.02 and p=0.04) (curves not showed in the graph).

Conclusion

TPM1 p.Arg21Leu and p.Met281Val could have a better prognosis than p.Asn175Asn and all other TPM1 missense variants in HCM. No marked difference was observed between male and female carriers. More than 80% of the events were arrhythmic deaths.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): HEALTH IN CODE SL

Molecular characterization of a cohort of individuals referred to genetic testing with suspected CPVT

Background

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is one of the most lethal inherited arrhythmogenic diseases and it mainly affects the young, in the absence of structural heart disease. This condition is difficult to diagnose and the first expression of disease can be an arrhythmic death. In the last years, genetic testing has become a useful tool in the challenging task of CPVT diagnosis.

The diagnostic yield of the genetic study is highly variable and dependent on the phenotypic characteristics of the individuals evaluated.

Purpose

This study aimed to address the clinical characteristics and genetic testing (GT) results in a cohort of individuals referred to genetic analysis with a non-definitive diagnosis of CPVT, in a real world-setting.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients referred for GT with clinical suspicion of CPVT, but who did not strictly meet the diagnostic criteria for this disease (according to current guidelines). NGS genotyping was performed with a library of 251 genes. NGS-based genomic testing was performed with classification of identified variants according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines.

Results

One hundred and sixteen unrelated patients with available clinical information (patients' characteristics are summarized in TABLE1) were included in the analysis. Mean age at GT was 36 y/o (±19), 47% were women and 18% had a familial history of sudden cardiac death.

The first clinical manifestation was: exercise or stress induced syncope in 36%, exercise induced ventricular tachycardia in 30% and sudden cardiac arrest in 15.5% (78% during emotional or physical stress - 89% aborted sudden death). Mean age at sudden death was 20 y/o (±14).

GT was positive in 49.1% (n=57), negative in 37.9% (n=44) and inconclusive in 12.9% (n=15). We had identified pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in CPVT-related genes in 40% of the referred patients: RYR2 (70.2%-n: 40), KCNJ2 (8.8%-n: 5), CASQ2 in homozygous/compound heterozygous carriers (3.5%-n: 2). In the RYR2 gene we detected 36 different genetic variants (13 were novel) in 40 different individuals. In addition, relevant variants were also identified in other genes associated with channelopathies (SCN5A, 3.5%, n: 2 and KCNQ1, 1.7%, n: 1) and in genes associated with structural heart disease: desmosomal genes (6.8%-DSP n: 1 and PKP2 n: 3) and sarcomeric genes (5.1%- MYBPC3 and MYH7) (figure 1A-B).

Conclusions

In our cohort of patients with non-definitive diagnosis of CPVT, the diagnostic yield of genetic testing was almost 50%. GT allowed confirmation of the suspicion of CPVT in 40% of the patients and, in addition, we were able to detect relevant genetic variants in other genes not associated with CPVT in 10% (differential diagnosis). The use of wide genetic panels would be useful in this context.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Suspected CPVT. Genetic Testing.

Marfan syndrome: genetic variant determinants of cardiovascular outcomes

Background

Marfan syndrome is a systemic connective tissue disorder caused by genetic variants in the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene. Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of mortality.

Purpose

To compare cardiovascular outcome by gender and by type of the genetic variant in the FBN1 gene.

Materials and methods

We analyzed clinical data on 1956 carriers and affected relatives with 1430 pathogenic or likely pathogenic genetic variants in the FBN1 gene (including cases identified in our laboratory and cases described in the literature) in whom age at last follow-up was available. We excluded patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic genetic variants located in the so-called “neonatal region” (exon 24–32); they are recognized to have an early onset/severe phenotype.

Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to examine gender and type of genetic variant in relation to survival free of surgical intervention or cardiovascular (CV) death (composite of deaths related to aortic dissection, heart failure/transplant, sudden, stroke or CV surgery). Genetic variants were classified as truncating (nonsense, frameshift and splicing), “missense non-neonatal” and only those missense eliminating a Cysteine residue in the non-neonatal region (“Cys non-neonatal”).

Results

Data were examined on 896 patients with truncating variants (53% male; 47% female) and 1060 with missense variants, located outside the “neonatal region” (54% male; 46% female). Of these, 475 were missense variants substituting a cysteine residue (52% male; 48% female).

Those with truncating variants had worse prognosis versus those with missense and Cys variants (p=0.000108 and p=0.000115), with earlier onset of cardiovascular events. Overall, patients with missense variants had similar prognosis to those with missense variants eliminating a Cysteine residue. By age 65, however, almost 50% of patients with any type of variant had suffered a CV event, and with each variant type males had worse prognosis (see Figure 1). This was most evident in males aged 30 to 50 with missense variants that substituted a Cysteine residue, while female carriers of these variants had a prognosis similar to other missense variants (see Figure 2).

During the first decade carriers of missense and truncating variants mainly died of heart failure. From age 10 to 50, aortic dissection was the most common event, while later other events became more frequent, e.g. vascular intervention and sudden death.

Conclusion

In our cohort, male carriers of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants had worse prognosis versus females. Carriers of truncating variants had the worst CV outcomes. However, it is noteworthy that by age 65, regardless of gender or mutation type, close to 50% of patients had experienced a major CV event/death.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Health in Code Figure 2. Type by gender

Combining immunotherapy with an epidrug in squamous cell carcinomas of different locations: rationale and design of the PEVO basket trial

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are among the most frequent solid tumors in humans. SCCs, related or not to the human papillomavirus, share common molecular features. Immunotherapies, and specifically immune checkpoint inhibitors, have been shown to improve overall survival in multiple cancer types, including SCCs. However, only a minority of patients experience a durable response with immunotherapy. Epigenetic modulation plays a major role in escaping tumor immunosurveillance and confers resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Preclinical evidence suggests that modulating the epigenome might improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. We herein review the preclinical and the clinical rationale for combining immunotherapy with an epidrug, and detail the design of PEVOsq, a basket clinical trial combining pembrolizumab with vorinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in patients with SCCs of different locations. Sequential blood and tumor sampling will be collected in order to identify predictive and pharmacodynamics biomarkers of efficacy of the combination. We also present how clinical and biological data will be managed with the aim to enable the development of a prospective integrative platform to allow secure and controlled access to the project data as well as further exploitations.

Genotype/Phenotype correlation and prognosis for undescribed ACTC1 missense variants

Purpose

Establish the genotype/phenotype correlation for missense undescribed variants in ACTC1, and evaluate their prognostic implications.

Methods

A systematic screening for the ACTC1 gene was performed using NGS in 17,683 individuals with inherited cardiovascular disease, 6,984 of them with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 3,507 with dilated cardiomyopathy, and 760 left ventricular non-compaction. These phenotypes were clinically diagnosed by each center prior to the genetic study. Frequency of the variants was compared with gene gnomAD and ClinVar databases. A systematic review of the literature was performed to search for previously reported variants.

We evaluated available follow up data and constructed Kaplan-Meier survival curves free from cardiovascular death (sudden death, Heart transplant, heart failure death, appropriate ICD discharge and stroke related death). Log-rank test was used to compare event-free survival time between males and females.

Results

39 missense variants were identified in 283 carriers (125 index cases; 158 first-degree relatives). Twenty-two have not been previously described or identified in public databases. 17 have been reported in gnomAD or Clinvar. Carriers phenotypes were: 120 HCM; 43 LVNC; 16 DCM; three had cardiac septal defect and two had sudden death. Some of the carriers had overlapped or combined phenotypes: 7 HCM and LVNC, 7 septal defects and LVNC, 3 HCM and septal defects, 4 MCD and LVNC. 24 were healthy carriers, and we have no phenotypic data of the remaining individuals. Family studies were performed in 12 families out of the 22 undescribed variants, showing cosegregation in 8 variants. One case was “de novo”.

Interestingly, a rare variant, previously identified as VUS in ClinVar, showed a clearly cosegregation with HCM. The Leu10Met variant with a frequency of 9/282084 alleles in gnomAD (1/15671 individuals) was identified in 20 index cases, which represents 1/884 of all the genotyped (0.11%), and 1/387 patients with HCM (0.35%). We found it in 2/9289 patients with other phenotypes (p&lt;0.001).

51 patients (18%) presented an event during follow up. In several cases, carriers developed early atrial fibrillation.

The survival curve shows adverse events from the first decade of life, with a 10% cumulative rate of events at age 40, 80% survival at age 60, and a 60% survival at age 70. No significant differences in the incidence of cardiovascular death between men and women were observed.

Conclusion

HCM is the most frequent phenotype in carriers of ACTC1 variants, followed by LVNC, and DCM. Septal defects are not rare, and they are usually described in combination with cardiomyopathies.

Disease course seems to have a good prognosis. Sudden death is an exception at early ages and appears to be associated with severe morphological expression.

Given the presence of cosegregation with disease in rare variants, many of the ACTC1 variants may have an incomplete penetrance, and late disease expression.

ACTC1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Health in Code

Novel Filamin C missense mutation associated with severe restrictive cardiomyopathy overlapping with left ventricular non-compaction

Introduction

Filamin C gene (FLNC) missense mutations have been previously reported in association with restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). The association of FLNC missense variants with non-compaction cardiomyopathy has been reported only in a single proband, but familiar or functional evidence on its causative effect is limited. Overlapping traits among cardiomyopathies related to the same genetic substrate is an emerging and a challenging scenario nowadays.

Purpose

To report a new pathogenic FLNC missense variant in association with a particular form of restrictive/non-compaction overlapping cardiomyopathy.

Methods

The probands fulfill the diagnostic criteria for RCM based on current guidelines. Genetic testing in the probands was performed by NGS, using a broad gene panel (containing over 240 genes). Clinical and genetic cascade screening were expanded to first-degree relatives when it was possible. All mutation carriers underwent clinical assessment including physical examination, 12-lead ECG, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (MRI), 24h Holter monitoring, and ergometry. None of them had major systemic illnesses nor clinical symptoms of muscular involvement.

Results

The p.Gly2011Arg variant in the FLNC gene was the only relevant variant in the three probands. This variant is virtually absent in the general population (gnomAD). The variant showed a de novo presentation in the first family and segregated with the phenotype in the four studied relatives from the second family (three affected carriers and one unaffected non-carrier). In the third case no familial information was available. This variant affects an ultraconserved residue and is located in a relevant sub-region of Filamin-C, which is necessary for its interaction with other Z-disc proteins. Detailed clinical information is available on all carriers (n=5, 1 male). The average age at diagnosis is 17 years [1–36]. An abnormal ECG was the earliest clinical manifestation (left ventricular hypertrophy by voltage criteria and extensive repolarization abnormalities). Significant hypertrabeculations, mainly at the anterolateral wall and basal anteroseptal segments, was present in all affected carriers. Interestingly, none of them showed an abnormal late-gadolinium enhancement pattern on MRI. The four carriers who were older than 35 years were found to have severe restrictive pattern on echocardiography (functional parameters and secondary features such as bi-atrial dilation), all four suffered from limiting dyspnea, and two are under pre-transplant workup (A-II-1 and B-III-1). One of them had a cardioembolic event (femoral acute ischemia, A-II-1). One relative has recently died from advanced heart failure (B-II-2).

Conclusion

This is the first description on this overlapping (restrictive/non-compaction cardiomyopathy) and aggressive phenotype associated with a missense FLNC variant. This description widens the clinical spectrum related to FLNC missense mutations.

Pedigrees and clinical characterization

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Health in Code

Survival analysis in arrhythmogenic/dilated cardiomyopathy caused by pathogenic DSP truncating variants

Background

Desmoplakin (DSP) truncating variants have been associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), which can exclusively affect the left ventricle up to 30% of the cases. Nonetheless, data on prognosis in carriers is still limited.

Purpose

To evaluate survival free of cardiovascular events in carriers of pathogenic DSP truncating variants.

Methods

Clinical and genetic data on families carrying DSP truncating variants (nonsense, frameshift, and splicing-site) in the literature were systematically revised and collected in a dedicated database. Classification of variant pathogenicity was in accordance with ACMG criteria. We evaluated available follow-up data and constructed Kaplan-Meier survival curves free from cardiovascular death (sudden death, appropriate cardiodefibrillator shock, heart failure death, and stroke-related death) or heart transplant based. Long-rank test was used to compare event-free survival time between genders.

Results

707 carriers (336 index cases and 371 relatives; 51.1% were female carriers) were identified carrying 198 variants (90 nonsense, 89 frameshift, 19 splicing-site). 292 had ACM, 136 dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), eight cases of unexplained sudden death, 120 were unaffected carriers, and no clinical data was reported in 151 carriers. In addition, 73 affected relatives without genetic testing were reported (28 had ACM, 28 DCM, and 17 unexplained sudden deaths).

Survival data was reported for 449 individuals (221 males; 228 females). Eight-one had suffered events: 57 sudden cardiac death (32 males), 10 heart failure deaths (7 males), 7 transplants (5 males), 6 cardiodefibrillator shock (4 females), and one stroke-related death (1 female).

Incidence of cardiovascular death or transplant was higher in males than females (p=0.012), with annual incidence between ages 30–70 of 0.84%/year in males and 0.72%/year in females. Mortality at the age of 50 years was 31% for males and 16% for females.

Conclusion

DSP truncating variants are associated with a relevant risk of cardiovascular death, which is higher in males, especially after age 30. More than 70% of the events were sudden deaths.

DSP truncating variants survival curves

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Health in Code SA

Comparison of the composition and sensory characteristics of goose fatty liver obtained by overfeeding and spontaneous fattening1

Spontaneous liver steatosis can be experimentally induced in domestic Greylag geese by combining a short photoperiod with a sequence of feed restriction followed by ad libitum corn feeding. This could offer an alternative to the conventional "foie gras" production system based on overfeeding. The present work aimed at comparing the compositional characteristics, sensory profile, and acceptability by a consumer panel of fatty livers obtained by overfeeding and spontaneous fattening. In all, 210 male geese were used: 125 geese were raised over a 31-wk period to produce fatty liver without overfeeding ("alternative livers") and 85 were raised using conventional methods with overfeeding ("conventional livers"). Mean liver weight was over 1 kg (1,102 g) in the conventional group and 445 g in the alternative group. The characteristics of the livers were studied in 2 subpopulations: 44 conventional livers representative of the experimental population (mean liver weight 1,064 g) and 42 alternative livers weighing more than 400 g (mean 702 g). Compared with the alternative livers, livers from the conventional group showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher dry matter and lipid contents, lighter color (L*), and lower yellowness (b*). The neutral lipids of alternative livers contained significantly less triglycerides and free fatty acids and significantly more cholesterol and cholesterol esters than those from conventional livers. Detailed analysis of the fatty acid composition of triglycerides showed that the proportion of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher in the alternative livers. However, covariance analysis suggested that these differences in lipid composition were mainly due to differences in lipid content between both types of livers. The evaluation of cooked livers by a trained expert panel revealed significant differences in the sensory profile between the conventional and alternative livers. The acceptability by a consumer panel was significantly lower in alternative compared to conventional livers. This difference was not related to weight and/or lipid content since livers of similar weight range (800 to 1,000 g) were compared and showed clear-cut differences for hedonic scores.

Optimization of cosmetic preservation: water activity reduction

OBJECTIVE

Preservation of cosmetics is a prerequisite for industrialization, and among the proposed solutions, self-preserved cosmetics are of great interest. One key influencing parameter in self-preservation is water activity; its reduction can help to fight against microbial growth in cosmetic products. This work presents a study on the influence of humectants on water activity and its consequence on the preservation of cosmetic formulations.

METHODS

First, water-humectants mixtures were considered. The influence of glycol and glycerin content, glycol chemical structure, glycerin purity and formulation process on the water activity of the binary mixture was studied. Molecular modelling was performed for a better understanding of the impact of glycol chemistry. Then, the results were applied to five different cosmetic formulations to get optimized products. Challenge test on five strains was carried out in that sense.

RESULTS

We showed that the higher the humectants concentration, the lower the water activity. Glycol chemical structure also influenced water activity: propan-1,2-diol was more efficient than propan-1,3-diol, certainly because of a better stabilization in water of propan-1,2-diol as shown by DFT calculation. A drop by drop introduction of glycol in water favoured aw reduction. The best water activity loss was 6.6% and was reached on the cream formulation whose preservation was improved as evidenced by challenge test.

CONCLUSION

Fabrication process as well as humectants concentration were shown to influence water activity. The hydroxyl group positions as well as the presence of an alkyl group on the glycol carbon chain impacted water binding as suggested by DFT calculation. Reducing aw improved the preservation of a cosmetic cream, inhibiting or slowing down the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Detection of QTL controlling metabolism, meat quality, and liver quality traits of the overfed interspecific hybrid mule duck

The mule duck, an interspecific hybrid obtained by crossing common duck (Anas platyrhynchos) females with Muscovy (Cairina moschata) drakes, is widely used for fatty liver production. The purpose of the present study was to detect and map single and pleiotropic QTL that segregate in the common duck species, and influence the expression of traits in their overfed mule duck offspring. To this end, we generated a common duck backcross (BC) population by crossing Kaiya and heavy Pekin experimental lines, which differ notably in regard to the BW and overfeeding ability of their mule progeny. The BC females were mated to Muscovy drakes and, on average, 4 male mule ducks hatched per BC female (1600 in total) and were measured for growth, metabolism during growth and the overfeeding period, overfeeding ability, and the quality of their breast meat and fatty liver. The phenotypic value of BC females was estimated for each trait by assigning to each female the mean value of the phenotypes of her offspring. Estimations allowed for variance, which depended on the number of male offspring per BC and the heritability of the trait considered. The genetic map used for QTL detection consisted of 91 microsatellite markers aggregated into 16 linkage groups (LG) covering a total of 778 cM. Twenty-two QTL were found to be significant at the 1% chromosome-wide threshold level using the single-trait detection option of the QTLMap software. Most of the QTL detected were related to the quality of breast meat and fatty liver: QTL for meat pH 20 min post mortem were mapped to LG4 (at the 1% genome-wide significance level), and QTL for meat lipid content and cooking losses were mapped to LG2a. The QTL related to fatty liver weight and liver protein and lipid content were for the most part detected on LG2c and LG9. Multitrait analysis highlighted the pleiotropic effects of QTL in these chromosome regions. Apart from the strong QTL for plasma triglyceride content at the end of the overfeeding period mapped to chromosome Z using single-trait analysis, all metabolic trait QTL were detected with the multitrait approach: the QTL mapped to LG14 and LG21 affected the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride contents, whereas the QTL mapped to LG2a seemed to impact glycemia and the basal plasma corticosterone content. A greater density genetic map will be needed to further fine map the QTL.

Influence of intramuscular fat content on the quality of pig meat - 2. Consumer acceptability of m. longissimus lumborum

The present study is part of a project which aimed to examine the influence of intramuscular fat (IMF) content on sensory attributes and consumer acceptability of pork. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate consumer acceptability of pork chops with varying IMF level in muscle Longissimus lumborum (LL). Each experiment used 32 castrated male pigs selected after slaughter either from 125 Duroc × Landrace (Experiment 1) or 102 Tia Meslan × Landrace (Experiment 2) crossbred animals, and showing large variability in LL IMF content: from <1.5 to >3.5% in Experiment 1 and from 1.25 to 3.25% in Experiment 2. A group of 56 consumers evaluated various items on rib-eye (LL muscle trimmed of backfat) (Experiment 1) and on entire chops trimmed of backfat (Experiment 2). Data from Experiment 1 indicate that an increase in IMF level is associated with an increase in visual perception of fat and a corresponding decrease in the willingness to eat and purchase the meat, when expressed before tasting. The latter effect disappeared after the consumers had tasted the meat, probably due to a positive effect of increase IMF, up to 3.5%, on the perception of texture and taste. In Experiment 2, where entire chops were evaluated, the perception of visible fat was not affected by IMF level, probably due to the lack of variation in the level of intermuscular fat between the four IMF groups. The willingness to eat and purchase the meat were unaffected by IMF level, whereas the perception of texture and taste was enhanced with increased IMF levels up to 3.25%. The present data suggest that the acceptability of pork may be improved by increasing IMF level but: (1) this effect disappeared for IMF levels higher than 3.5%, which are associated with a high risk of meat rejection due to visible fat and (2) the positive effect of increased IMF probably holds true as long as it is not associated with an increase in the level of intermuscular fat.

Characterisation and quantification of flavonoids in Iris germanica L. and Iris pallida Lam. resinoids from Morocco

INTRODUCTION

Iris resinoid obtained from Iris germanica or Iris pallida rhizomes is widely used in the perfume industry but its chemical composition has not yet been reported. Nevertheless, very active compounds have been identified in iris rhizomes including iridals and isoflavones.

OBJECTIVE

In this first study concerning iris resinoid composition, flavonoids were qualitatively and quantitatively investigated in I. germanica and I. pallida resinoids.

METHODOLOGY

Resinoids were first fractionated by reverse-phase flash chromatography in order to obtain fractions containing all isoflavones. These fractions were analysed by HPLC-DAD (diode array detector) and the fractions containing isoflavones were analysed by HPLC-QTOF (quadrupole time of flight)-MS. Then, the main isoflavones were isolated and identified by NMR and high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS). Finally, total and individual isoflavones were quantified by HPLC-DAD at 265 nm using an external calibration method with irigenin as the external standard.

RESULTS

Eight isoflavones were identified in both resinoids (irigenin, iristectorigenin A, nigricin, nigricanin, irisflorentin, iriskumaonin methyl ether, irilone, iriflogenin), one isoflavone only was identified in I. germanica resinoid (irisolidone), whereas one isoflavone (8-hydroxyirigenin), one isoflavanone (2,3-dihydroirigenin) and one benzophenone (2,6,4'-trihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone) only were identified in I. pallida resinoid. Isoflavones were quantified in I. germanica and I. pallida resinoids at 180 ± 1.6 mg/g and 120 ± 3.3 mg/g respectively.

CONCLUSION

The study shows that I. germanica and I. pallida resinoids are rich in flavonoids and that these two Iris species can be distinguished by simply analysing the polyphenol fraction.

Modeling the relationships between quality and biochemical composition of fatty liver in mule ducks

The fatty liver of mule ducks (i.e., French "foie gras") is the most valuable product in duck production systems. Its quality is measured by the technological yield, which is the opposite of the fat loss during cooking. The purpose of this study was to determine whether biochemical measures of fatty liver could be used to accurately predict the technological yield (TY). Ninety-one male mule ducks were bred, overfed, and slaughtered under commercial conditions. Fatty liver weight (FLW) and biochemical variables, such as DM, lipid (LIP), and protein content (PROT), were collected. To evaluate evidence for nonlinear fat loss during cooking, we compared regression models describing linear and nonlinear relations between biochemical measures and TY. We detected significantly greater (P = 0.02) linear relation between DM and TY. Our results indicate that LIP and PROT follow a different pattern (linear) than DM and showed that LIP and PROT are nonexclusive contributing factors to TY. Other components, such as carbohydrates, other than those measured in this study, could contribute to DM. Stepwise regression for TY was performed. The traditional model with FLW was tested. The results showed that the weight of the liver is of limited value in the determination of fat loss during cooking (R(2) = 0.14). The most accurate TY prediction equation included DM (in linear and quadratic terms), FLW, and PROT (R(2) = 0.43). Biochemical measures in the fatty liver were more accurate predictors of TY than FLW. The model is useful in commercial conditions because DM, PROT, and FLW are noninvasive measures.

Duration of transport and holding in lairage at constant postprandial delay to slaughter--effects on fatty liver and breast muscle quality in mule ducks

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of preslaughter transport (30 vs. 150 min) and holding of mule ducks in lairage in their transport crates (15 vs. 120 min) on the quality of the meat and fatty liver. A total of 120 birds were allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial design with a constant postprandial delay to slaughter (8 h), to avoid the confounding between the effects of the experimental treatments and those of fasting duration. Under such conditions, extending the transport or holding duration did not induce a loss in preslaughter live weight or liver weight. Similarly, breast muscle glycogen stores were not affected by the treatments, nor was the kinetics of postmortem pH decline affected. The mechanical resistance of raw meat obtained by the compression test significantly increased with holding duration. The gross chemical composition of the livers did not differ significantly among the preslaughter treatments. Residual blood in the liver, as indicated by heme pigment concentration, was enhanced with a longer transport, but this effect was more pronounced after the longest holding duration, as shown by a significant interaction. This, however, did not significantly affect the incidence of appearance defects or the commercial grading of the livers. The percentage of fat loss during the cooking of canned livers was significantly reduced when the transport duration was increased. This effect could not be explained on the basis of the current knowledge for determining the technological quality of fatty liver. The identification of biological markers of liver quality is currently underway in our laboratory. Further investigations studying the differential expression of these biological markers according to preslaughter conditions would provide a better understanding of the effect of transport duration on liver processing yield.

The fusion of lipid droplets is involved in fat loss during cooking of duck "foie gras"

Fat loss during cooking of duck "foie gras" is the main quality issue in processing plants. To better understand this phenomenon, a histological and ultrastructural study was conducted. The aim was to characterize changes in lipid droplets of duck "foie gras" related to fat loss during cooking. Ten fatty livers were sampled before and after cooking and prepared for optical and transmission electron microscopy. In raw livers, the lipid droplets were nearly spherical while after cooking, they were larger and lost their spherical shape. We also observed a decrease in the number of droplets after cooking, probably due to droplet fusion caused by the heat treatment. Before cooking, there were fewer lipid droplets and a higher osmium tetroxyde staining intensity in the fatty liver, which later gave a lower technological yield. Fat loss during cooking was higher when there was more fusion of lipid droplets before cooking.

Functional genomics of the muscle response to restraint and transport in chickens

In the present study, we used global approaches (proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics) to assess the molecular basis of the muscle response to stress in chickens. A restraint test, combined with transport for 2 h (RT test) was chosen as the potentially stressful situation. Chickens (6 wk old) were either nontreated (control chickens) or submitted to the RT test (treated chickens). The RT test induced a 6-fold increase in corticosterone concentrations, suggesting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation. The RT test decreased the relative abundance of several hexose phosphates [glucose-1-P (G1P), glucose-6-P (G6P), fructose-6-P (F6P), and mannose-6-P (M6P)] in thigh muscle. In addition, 55 transcripts, among which 39 corresponded to unique annotated genes, were significantly up- (12 genes) or downregulated (27 genes) by treatment. Similarly, 45 proteic spots, among which 29 corresponded to unique annotated proteins, were overexpressed (11 proteins), underexpressed (14 proteins), or only expressed in treated chickens. Integrative analysis of differentially expressed genes and proteins showed that most transcripts and proteins belong to 2 networks whose genes were mainly related with cytoskeleton structure or carbohydrate metabolism. Whereas the decrease in energetic metabolites suggested an activation of glycogenolysis and glycolysis in response to the RT test, the reduced expression of genes and proteins involved in these pathways suggested the opposite. We hypothesized that the prolonged RT test resulted in a repression of glycogenolysis and glycolysis in thigh muscle of chickens. The down-expression of genes and proteins involved in the formation of fiber stress after the RT test suggests a reinforcement of myofibrils in response to stress.

Genetic parameters of product quality and hepatic metabolism in fattened mule ducks

Genetic parameters of traits related to hepatic lipid metabolism, carcass composition, and product quality of overfed mule ducks were estimated on both parental lines of this hybrid: the common duck line for the maternal side and the Muscovy line for the paternal side. The originality of the statistical model was to include simultaneously the additive genetic effect of the common ducks and that of the Muscovy ducks, revealing a greater genetic determinism in common than in Muscovy. Plasma metabolic indicators (glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol contents) were heritable, in particular at the end of the overfeeding period, and heritabilities increased with the overfeeding stage. Carcass composition traits were highly heritable in the common line, with values ranging from 0.15 for liver weight, 0.21 for carcass weight, and 0.25 for abdominal fat weight to 0.32 for breast muscle weight. Heritabilities of technological outputs were greater for the fatty liver (0.19 and 0.08, respectively, on common and Muscovy sides for liver melting rate) than for the pectoralis major muscle (between 0.02 and 0.05 on both parental sides for cooking losses). Fortunately, the processing industry is mainly facing problems in liver quality, such as too high of a melting rate, than in meat quality. The meat quality appraisal criteria (such as texture and cooking losses), usually dependent on pH and the rate of decline of pH, were also very lowly heritable. This study demonstrated that genetic determinism of meat quality and ability of overfeeding is not similar in the common population and in the Muscovy population; traits related to fattening, muscle development, and BW have heritability values from 2 to 4 times greater on the common line than on the Muscovy line, which is relevant for considering different selection strategies.

Review. Sulfur-containing volatile compounds in seafood: occurrence, odorant properties and mechanisms of formation

An inventory of the most part of sulfur-containing volatile compounds (SCVCs) present in seafood was carried out. These molecules constitute key compounds to understand and improve seafood quality. According to their nature, concentration and environmental parameters (temperature), they can move the overall seafood odor from desirable to rotten. Sulfury odors can also indicate problems in sanitary quality. Thus, it is essential to monitor the generation of these compounds to better control the organoleptic and sanitary quality of seafood. SCVC were divided in two categories: aliphatic compounds and cyclic compounds. Among cyclic SCVC, several families of compounds can be distinguished as thiophenes, thiazoles and their respective derivatives. The main pathways of formation of SCVC in seafood are investigated in order to better understand their presence in seafood aroma. Microbial mediated enzymatic reactions are mainly implied in the generation of aliphatic SCVC whereas Maillard reactions are involved in the generation of cyclic SCVC. A small part of SCVC could also derive from the environment by direct bioaccumulation of S-containing molecules or precursors. Then, the occurrence of SCVC in seafood is discussed according to the extraction methods, analysis methods - sometimes olfactometric methods and the species - the state and the average biochemical composition of the seafood matrix in which they were recovered. Finally, among the identified SCVC, the odorant properties of odor-active volatile compounds were investigated. Aromatic notes and odorant thresholds for odorant SCVC of seafood aroma are listed. Both pathways of formation and lists of SCVC linked to their odorant properties constitute important indicators to optimise seafood quality from an organoleptic and sanitary point of view.

An alternative method for irones quantification in iris rhizomes using headspace solid-phase microextraction

INTRODUCTION

The essential oil obtained from iris rhizomes is one of the most precious raw materials for the perfume industry. Its fragrance is due to irones that are gradually formed by oxidative degradation of iridals during rhizome ageing.

OBJECTIVE

The development of an alternative method allowing irone quantification in iris rhizomes using HS-SPME-GC.

METHODOLOGY

The development of the method using HS-SPME-GC was achieved using the results obtained from a conventional method, i.e. a solid-liquid extraction (SLE) followed by irone quantification by CG.

RESULTS

Among several calibration methods tested, internal calibration gave the best results and was the least sensitive to the matrix effect. The proposed method using HS-SPME-GC is as accurate and reproducible as the conventional one using SLE. These two methods were used to monitor and compare irone concentrations in iris rhizomes that had been stored for 6 months to 9 years.

CONCLUSION

Irone quantification in iris rhizome can be achieved using HS-SPME-GC. This method can thus be used for the quality control of the iris rhizomes. It offers the advantage of combining extraction and analysis with an automated device and thus allows a large number of rhizome batches to be analysed and compared in a limited amount of time.

High Postmortem Temperature in Muscle Has Very Similar Consequences in Two Turkey Genetic Lines

In the present study, we artificially generated pale, soft, exudative turkey meat by holding muscles immediately after death at 40 degrees C for 6 h. Two genetic types (BUT9 and Label) were compared. When muscles were kept at 40 degrees C, BUT9 muscles exhibited higher lightness values than Label muscles. Drip, thawing, and cook losses were higher for muscles held at 40 degrees C, compared with those held at 4 degrees C, regardless of genetic type. A significant decrease in meat tenderness was found for muscles kept at 40 degrees C. For both genetic types, protein extractabilities either with low ionic strength or high ionic strength buffer decreased for muscles held at 40 degrees C. These fractions were analyzed by using SDS-PAGE, and proteins that differed from the 4 degrees C and 40 degrees C treatments were identified using a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer. We reported the alteration of various proteins, such as alpha-actinin, myosin heavy chain, myokinase, phosphorylase, and ATP synthase.

Sulfur-dioxide exposure increases TRPV1-mediated responses in nodose ganglia cells and augments cough in guinea pigs

The objective of the present experiments was to study the effects of pulmonary inflammation induced by subacute Sulfur-dioxide (SO(2)) exposure on capsaicin-induced responses in isolated primary vagal sensory neurons and cough. Additionally, we examined the effects of SO(2) exposure on respiratory function and lung histology. All experiments were conducted 24 h after 4 days of subacute SO(2) (1000 ppm, 3 h/day for 4 days) exposure. In in vitro experiments, intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations were measured in single nodose ganglia cells isolated from SO(2) treated and control guinea pigs, using a fluorescence-based methodology. In nodose ganglia cells from SO(2)-exposed animals, intracellular Ca(2+) responses evoked by capsaicin (1 x 10(-7) and 1 x 10(-6) M) were significantly augmented (87% and 59%, respectively) compared to nodose ganglia from control animals. In vivo experiments, cough responses induced by a submaximal dose of aerosolized capsaicin (30 microM) were increased approximately 50% in SO(2) exposed animals compared to control animals. The enhanced cough response produced by SO(2) was inhibited by the corticosteroid, dexamethasone (10 mg/kg, p.o. b.i.d for 4 days and 10 mg/kg, p.o. once on day 5). In separate experiments, guinea pigs exposed to SO(2) displayed a decrease in respiratory frequency and minute ventilation and an increase in enhanced pause (PenH), a surrogate measure for pulmonary obstruction. Associated with the SO(2)-induced increase in cough and changes in respiratory parameters was an increase in BAL neutrophils. BAL neutrophil counts were 5+/-4 and 691+/-141 cells x 10(3)/ml for air and SO(2)-exposed animals, respectively. The neutrophillic inflammation induced by SO(2) was attenuated by dexamethasone treatment. Finally, staining for collagen, smooth muscle and goblet cells showed inflammation, remodeling and goblet cell metaphasia in the SO(2)-exposed animals. Our results demonstrate that SO(2) exposure enhances TRPV1 receptor function at the level of the nodose ganglia. This effect occurs in parallel with an increase sensitivity of the cough response to capsaicin.

Repeated handling of pigs during rearing. II. Effect of reactivity to humans on aggression during mixing and on meat quality

The present study was designed to determine whether reactivity toward humans can be used to predict a pig's reactivity to the slaughter procedure as measured by postmortem muscle metabolism. Forty-two pigs were group-reared in six pens with straw-bedding. Pigs received regular positive (HI) or mildly negative (RC) handling training in a separate pen for 40 d before slaughter. Control pigs remained in their home pens throughout rearing. Pigs were slaughtered at a commercial packing plant, and half of each treatment group (HI, RC, or controls) was accompanied by the handler throughout mixing and transportation, as well as a portion of the lairage time and introduction to the holding pens situated before the slaughter room, whereas the other half was not accompanied by the handler. Muscle pH and temperature, objective color (L*, a*, and b* values), and drip loss were measured on the LM, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and adductor femoris. Prior handling experience did not in itself influence ultimate meat quality (P > 0.37); however, the presence of the negative handler (RC pigs) at slaughter accelerated (P < 0.06) preslaughter glycogen breakdown in the LM. Fighting behavior during mixing explained between 13 and 32% of the variability of lightness (L* values) of the LM, biceps femoris, and semimembranosus. Visual contact with the handler at the start of the handling training and number of fights initiated explained between 31 and 42% of the variability in ultimate muscle pH. Latency to approaching the handler during human exposure tests explained 20% of the variability in initial muscle temperature of two muscles. Fighting behavior during mixing could be partly predicted from fighting during a food competition test conducted at the start of the rearing period. Results indicate that reactivity to humans and the tendency to fight determined, in part, meat quality in pigs of similar genetic and rearing backgrounds. These behavioral characteristics were, to some extent, determined early in life. Handling experience modified behavior toward the handler but correlations between behavioral characteristics and meat quality were not influenced by prior handling experience.

Breed differences in the biochemical determinism of ultimate pH in breast muscles of broiler chickens--a key role of AMP deaminase?

The biochemical determinism of ultimate pH (pHu) was studied in the pectoralis muscle of broiler chickens. Thirty birds of 3 genetic types (a fast-growing standard (FG), a slow-growing French "Label Rouge" (SG), and a heavy line type (HL)) were kept under conventional breeding methods until the usual marketing age (6, 12, and 6 wk for FG, SG, and HL birds, respectively). The birds were divided into 3 different antemortem treatment groups: minimum stress, shackling for a longer time (2 min), and heat stress (exposure to 35 degrees C for 3.5 h and shackling for 2 min before stunning). The birds were slaughtered on the same day. The pHu differed (P < 0.001) among the 3 genetic types, ranking as follows: FG (5.95+/-0.01) > HL (5.85+/-0.02) > SG (5.73+/-0.02). In SG and HL birds, pHu was strongly correlated with muscle glycogen content at slaughter (r = -0.74 and -0.82; P < 0.01 respectively), whereas this correlation was weak in FG birds. Regardless of genetic type, neither buffering capacity nor lactate accumulation significantly contributed to pHu variations (P > 0.05). The activity of adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMPd) was significantly higher in FG chickens (0.98+/-0.31; P < 0.05) than in HL and SG birds (0.46+/-0.24 and 0.34+/-0.18, respectively). Significant correlations were found between AMPd activity, pHu, and glycolytic potential (GP) at slaughter (r = 0.34 and -.29; P < 0.01, respectively). Further research is needed to study in more detail the role of AMPd in the determinism of pHu, particularly in fast-growing broilers.

Effect of Ultimate pH on the Physicochemical and Biochemical Characteristics of Turkey Breast Muscle Showing Normal Rate of Postmortem pH Fall

This experiment aimed to study the effect of ultimate pH (pH(u)) on the biochemical and physicochemical characteristics of turkey breast muscle with normal rate of postmortem pH fall. Five hundred turkey toms (12 wk old, 10 kg live weight) were randomly chosen from a commercial flock. At 24 h postmortem, 64 birds were randomly selected within the subgroup showing pH higher than 6.0 at 20 min postmortem and pH(u) lower than 6.1. These pH levels were used to exclude pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) meat and dark, firm, and dry (DFD) meat, respectively. The pH(u) was significantly correlated with luminance (L*; r = -0.37) and yellowness (b*; r = -0.36) at 24 h postmortem, drip losses (r = -0.56 to -0.62), thawing loss (r = -0.47), 80% compression (r = -0.29), yield of curing and cooking (r = 0.37), glycolytic potential at slaughter (r = -0.44) and lactate at 24 h postmortem (r = -0.47). Significant correlations were found between drip losses and compression test on cooked meat (r = 0.27 to 0.34). Cooking loss was correlated with WB shear force (r = 0.32). These results show that when PSE defects are excluded, the intensities of the correlations between pH(u) and meat quality traits are lower than those usually reported. The present data also indicate that the level of glycogen at time of slaughter poorly explains the variability in pH(u). Thus, further research is needed to identify the mechanisms explaining pH(u) variation in poultry muscle.

Electrocorticogram spectral analysis and somatosensory evoked potentials as tools to assess electrical stunning efficiency in ducks

1. Fast Fourier transformations (FFTs) of electrocorticogram (ECoG) signals and averaging of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were used for assessing the impact of electrical stunning of ducks in a waterbath set to deliver a constant current of 150 mA, 600 Hz alternating current (AC) for 4 s. The effectiveness of stunning was determined on the basis of induction of epileptiform activity in the ECoG followed by a decrease in total power content to less than 10% of pre-stun values and abolition of SEPs. 2. One out of 10 birds was killed by the stun. FFT analysis of the ECoG signals of the remaining 9 birds showed that only one bird had a decrease of the total power to less than 10% of the pre-stun values for up to 70 s post-stun. The SEPs were retained in 6 out of 9 ducks and and 4 of them retained the evoked responses throughout the post-stun period. In the two birds showing abolition of SEPs, this was associated with a decrease in the total power content to below 10% of the pre-stun value. 3. The present experiment confirmed that the abolition of SEPs and the decrease of the total power below 10% of the pre-stun value for assessing unconsciousness after an electrical stunning in various species are also applicable to ducks. Based on this, it is concluded that electrical waterbath stunning of ducks using 150 mA of 600 Hz AC is ineffective.

Increased blocking activity of combined tachykinin NK1- and NK2-receptor antagonists on tachykinergic bronchomotor responses in the guinea-pig

1. The present study compared the effect of the administration of tachykinin NK1- and NK2-receptor antagonists alone and in combination on exogenous and endogenous tachykinin-induced contractions using three different guinea-pig airway preparations: isolated bronchus, isolated perfused lung and in vivo. 2. In the isolated bronchi, the tachykinin NK1-receptor antagonist CP 99994 (0.01-1 microM) produced concentration-dependent inhibition of contractions induced the tachykinin NK1-receptor agonists substance P (SP) and [Met-OMe11] SP ([Met-OMe11]SP), whereas the tachykinin NK2-receptor antagonist SR 48968 (0.1 microM) had no effect. SR 48968 (0.001-0.01 microM) concentration-dependently inhibited contractions induced by the tachykinin NK2-receptor agonists neurokinin A (NKA) and [beta-Ala8]-neurokinin A (4-10) ([betaAla8]-NKA) whereas CP 99994 (0.1 microM) did not inhibit the contractions. The contractile activity of capsaicin, an agent that releases endogenous tachykinins from sensory C-fibres, was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner by SR 48968 (0.001-0.03 microM) but not by CP 99994 (0.1 microM). Combination of CP 99994 and SR 48968 caused increased inhibitory effects on the concentration-response curves to SP, [Met-OMe1l]SP, NKA, [beta-Ala8]-NKA and capsaicin. 3. In isolated perfused lungs, SR 48968 concentration (0.01-10 microM) dependently inhibited NKA-, [beta-Ala8]-NKA- and capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction whereas CP 99994 (30 microM) had no effect on SP-, NKA-, [beta-Ala8]-NKA- and capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction. Combination of inactive concentrations of CP 99994 and SR 48968 produced an increased inhibitory effect on all previous stimuli-induced bronchoconstriction. 4. In in vivo guinea-pig studies, intravenous and oral pretreatment with SR 48968 (0.01-1 mg kg(-1) i.v. and 0.1-3 mg kg(-1) p.o., respectively), but not with CP 99994 (1 mg kg(-1) i.v. and 0.3-30 mg kg(-1) p.o., respectively), produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the bronchoconstrictor responses induced by NKA, [beta-Ala8]-NKA and capsaicin. CP 99994 intravenously (0.3 mg kg(-1)) and orally (3-10 mg kg(-1)) inhibited SP-induced bronchoconstriction only. Intravenous and oral low dose combinations of CP 99994 and SR 48968 produced an increased inhibition of SP-, NKA-, [beta-Ala8]-NKA- and capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction, respectively. The present data indicate that combined tachykinin NK1- and NK2-receptor antagonist treatment compared with single antagonist treatment, using CP 99994 and SR 48968, produced an augmented blockade of tachykinin NK1-, NK2- and capsaicin-mediated contractions in guinea pig airways. These findings support the hypothesis that a dual NK1- and NK2-receptor antagonist may provide an advantage over single activity tachykinin NK1- or NK2-receptor antagonists in pulmonary obstructive diseases.