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The effect of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) gene on milk fatty acid composition was tested. Cows of 3 breeds of northern Italy, Piedmontese, Valdostana, and Jersey, were genotyped at exon 5 of the SCD gene. This has been suggested as a primary candidate gene to change the proportion of saturated vs. unsaturated fatty acids in milk, wherein a single nucleotide polymorphism (C/T) gives rise to a different AA codon. It was possible to ascribe a reduced desaturase activity to the T allele only in the case of caproleic and myristoleic fatty acids. In contrast with the findings of SCD effects on carcass fat, it was not possible to confirm the higher desaturation activity of this single nucleotide polymorphism on long-chain fatty acids, due to the different pathways that originate milk fatty acids of different carbon length; long-chain fatty acids are highly influenced by the complex metabolic events that affect the ingested nutrients during their transfer to milk fat.

An experiment has been conducted to study the effects of the inclusion of plant oil in rabbit diets. This study was aimed at evaluating the beneficial effects of the inclusion of maize oil (MO), rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), compared to palm oil (PO) containing saturated fatty acids (SFAs), on the meat fatty acid (FA) profile. As UFAs are susceptible to rancidity, Curcuma longa (CL), which is known for its antioxidant properties, was also added (3 g/kg) to the diet with two plant oils. CL contains curcuminoids, volatile oils, sugars, proteins, resins and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). We also evaluated the influence of CL inclusion in the diet on the FA profile of the meat. Furthermore, the possibility of using these oil-enriched diets and the ability to assimilate CL in rabbits was evaluated by analysing the performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences between the groups concerning the live weight, live weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, carcass yield or the percentages of edible organs. The hind legs, forelegs, loins and abdominal wall, breast and ribs, skin and limbs and head were not affected by the oil type or by the inclusion of CL. The chemical composition, pH and oxidative status of the Longissimus dorsi muscle of the rabbits fed the experimental diets were not affected by the oil source or by the CL supplementation. Conversely, it has been shown that it is possible to modify the FA profile of rabbit meat and fat by dietary means. The SFA/PUFA ratio significantly decreased from -18% to -16% in the meat and from -25% to -23% in the perirenal fat of the rabbits fed diets containing MO without or with CL supplementation, respectively, compared to same tissues of the rabbits fed diets containing PO without or with CL supplementation, respectively. Similar trends were found for the atherogenic index, which decreased from -20% to -17% in the meat and from -26% to -23% in the perirenal fat, respectively, and the thrombogenic index, which decreased from -19% to -24% in the meat and from -24% to -23% in the perirenal fat, respectively. CL increased the α-Linolenic acid and PUFA n-3 contents and reduced the vaccenic acid content and the n-6/n-3 ratio in the meat of the rabbits fed the PO or MO diets.

Background Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disorder of the elderly, characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder and pelvic girdles. It can be isolated or associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA). Similar to other inflammatory rheumatic disorders, PMR is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, which may result in aortic aneurysms and dissections. Objectives to investigate the relationship between inflammatory involvement of the ascending aorta and its possible dilatation. Methods 24 PMR patients (19 females), of whom 4 had also giant cell arteritis, underwent standardized history and clinical examination, including cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs), and transthoracic echocardiography. 20/24 patients underwent also simultaneous FDG-Positron Emission/Computed Tomography (PET/CT). Patients were compared with 24 controls, without inflammatory conditions, matched for age, sex and CRFs (family history of early cardiovascular events, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle). The echocardiographic parameters were evaluated according to the American Society of Echocardiography recommendations. FDG uptake in joint and vascular regions was semi-quantitatively scored relative to liver uptake as 0=no uptake present, 1=lower than liver uptake, 2=similar to liver uptake, 3=higher than liver uptake. All the values were further subdivided into “positive” (scores 2 and 3) and “negative” (scores 0 and 1). Results patients and controls did not differ for age, gender, and cardiovascular risk factors. Ten patients (50%) showed vasculitis of the thoracic aorta at PET/CT scan. Echocardiographic results are summarized in table 1. Aortic regurgitation was significantly more frequent and the mean regurgitation grade of the aortic valve was significantly greater in patients than in controls. Patients with vasculitis tended to have more regurgitation (p=0.07). Left atrium diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and inter-ventricular septum thickness were significantly higher in controls than in PMR patients (p=0.005, p=0.014, and p=0.0036, respectively). Within the PMR group, no correlation was found between echocardiographic changes and demographic data, PMR variables, and type of treatment. TABLE 1. Echocardiographic findings of the study population. AAO: abdominal aorta; AsAO: ascending aorta; AOArch: Aortic Arch; LA: left atrium; PAPS: pulmonary artery systolic pressure; LVEDD: left ventricular end-diastolic dimension; LVESD: left ventricular end-systolic dimension; IVST: interventricular septum thickness; PWD: posterior wall thickness; LVEF: left ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusions PMR patients showed more frequent and more severe aortic valve regurgitation than matched controls. Aortic regurgitation could be due to an initial inflammatory annular dilatation, because no significant deterioration of the valve leaflets was observed. Controls showed increased heart volumes, a fact that could be ascribed to their being referred to the cardiologist. In conclusion, our results suggest that PMR patients may show early signs of aortic dilatation at the annular level. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3255

In situ bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) polluted soils can be improved by the augmentation of degrading microbial populations and by the increase of hydrocarbon bioavailability. β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) significantly accelerate the induction of hydrocarbon biodegradation, but it is not still clear its effectiveness during final, slower stages of degradation. Moreover, it is yet not known if the PAH uptake from plants is influenced by the presence of CD. A field study was carried out by creating two plots (A and B). Diesel fuel was spread on the surface, and on plot B a commercial microbial consortium and β-CD were spread. Soybean was seeded in both plots. Soil samples were withdrawn every 10 cm layers from 0 to 60 cm depth, before fuel spreading, immediately after seeding and after soya harvesting. Chemical and microbial analyses were carried out throughout the process to characterize the soil and to determine residual PAHs. Soybean seeds were analyzed for PAH content. It was observed that β-CD induced a significant increase of PAH degradation rate. The microbial inoculum did not improve the degradation; biodegradation activity was strong in superficial layers, and some PAH leaching was observed, that was reduced by CD. The analysis of PAH in soyabeans revealed that an uptake of hydrocarbons occurred, and that it was more significant in plot B. This suggests that the β-CD-enhanced bioremediation process can further be improved by phytoremediation, that could also allow to simultaneously reach an additional profit from a non-food yield for biofuel production.

BACKGROUND Little information is available on the pathogenesis of cholesterol microlithiasis, and it is not clear if biliary lipid composition in these patients is similar to changes seen in cholesterol gall stone patients. AIMS To measure biliary lipid composition in patients with cholesterol microlithiasis. PATIENTS Eleven patients with cholesterol microlithiasis, 20 cholesterol gall stone patients, and 17 healthy controls. METHODS Duodenal bile was collected in the fasting state during ceruletide infusion. Biliary cholesterol, phospholipids, and total bile acids were analysed by enzymatic assays, and conjugated bile acids by high pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS Patients with microlithiasis had a cholesterol saturation index significantly higher than controls (mean value 1.30 (95% confidence interval 1.05–1.54)v 0.90 (0.72–1.08)) but similar to gall stone patients (1.51 (1.40–1.63)). This was due to a significant decrease in per cent phospholipid (10.0% (7.1–12.8)) compared with controls (21.4% (18.1–24.6)) and gall stone patients (24.9% (20.5–29.3)). Per cent cholesterol was similar in patients with microlithiasis and controls (5.3% (4.5–6.1) and 5.6 % (4.3–6.8), respectively) but was significantly increased in gall stone patients (10.9% (9.3–12.4)). Bile acid composition in patients with microlithiasis was similar to controls whereas in gall stone patients deoxycholic acid was significantly increased: 27.3% (24.8–29.7)v 19.0% (15.7–22.2) in controls and 20.6% (14.9–26.2) in patients with microlithiasis. CONCLUSION Patients with cholesterol microlithiasis have biliary cholesterol supersaturation, similarly to cholesterol gall stone patients. Whereas in the latter this is due to increased per cent cholesterol, in patients with microlithiasis this is caused by phospholipid deficiency, with normal per cent cholesterol and normal biliary bile acid composition.

Relationships among plasma hormonal and metabolic variables in the last trimester of gestation in 59 Piedmontese dams (n = 15 heifers, n = 44 cows) and the calf birth weight (BWT) class of their offspring were investigated in seven herds. The BWT data were categorized as follows: >50 kg (BWT-A), 46 to 50 kg (BWT-B), 41 to 45 kg (BWT-C), and <41 kg (BWT-D). Blood samples were collected at 33, 36, and 39 wk of gestation. Packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma concentrations of insulin, estrone sulfate (E1SO4), NEFA, and creatinine were determined and correlated to BWT class. Creatinine:E1SO4 ratio also was calculated. Duration of gestation was greater for dams producing a BWT-A calf than for the other BWT classes, and calf BWT was heavier (P < 0.001) for calves in the BWT-A vs. BWT-D class. The heaviest calf in BWT-A was associated with the highest calving difficulty score. Insulin and PCV values were not affected by week of gestation, whereas plasma E1SO4, NEFA, and creatinine content increased (P < 0.001) and creatinine:E1SO4 decreased (P < 0.001) during late gestation. Calf BWT class did not affect PCV value. Plasma E1SO4 concentrations were lower (P < 0.01) in BWT-D dams than the other dams, showing the greatest difference at 39 wk of gestation. At 36 and 39 wk of gestation, dams bearing BWT-C and BWT-D calves had a higher (P < 0.01) plasma insulin concentration than those bearing BWT-A and BWT-B calves. Plasma NEFA concentrations at 39 wk of gestation were higher (P < 0.05) in dams of calf BWT-A than in the other dams. We conclude that plasma E1SO4 level is a variable that can be used to monitor problems related to a small size calf. Conversely, the forthcoming birth of a calf with a heavy BW seems to be preceded by a pronounced increase in plasma NEFA level in the dam just a few days before calving.

Relationships among plasma hormonal and metabolic variables in the last trimester of gestation in 59 Piedmontese dams (n = 15 heifers, n = 44 cows) and the calf birth weight (BWT) class of their offspring were investigated in seven herds. The BWT data were categorized as follows: >50 kg (BWT-A), 46 to 50 kg (BWT-B), 41 to 45 kg (BWT-C), and <41 kg (BWT-D). Blood samples were collected at 33, 36, and 39 wk of gestation. Packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma concentrations of insulin, estrone sulfate (E^sub 1^SO^sub 4^), NEFA, and creatinine were determined and correlated to BWT class. Creatinine:E^sub 1^ SO^sub 4^ ratio also was calculated. Duration of gestation was greater for dams producing a BWT-A calf than for the other BWT classes, and calf BWT was heavier (P < 0.001) for calves in the BWT-A vs. BWT-D class. The heaviest calf in BWT-A was associated with the highest calving difficulty score. Insulin and PCV values were not affected by week of gestation, whereas plasma E^sub 1^SO^sub 4^, NEFA, and creatinine content increased (P < 0.001) and creatinine:E^sub 1^SO^sub 4^ decreased (P < 0.001) during late gestation. Calf BWT class did not affect PCV value. Plasma E^sub 1^SO^sub 4^ concentrations were lower (P < 0.01) in BWT-D dams than the other dams, showing the greatest difference at 39 wk of gestation. At 36 and 39 wk of gestation, dams bearing BWT-C and BWT-D calves had a higher (P < 0.01) plasma insulin concentration than those bearing BWT-A and BWT-B calves. Plasma NEFA concentrations at 39 wk of gestation were higher (P < 0.05) in dams of calf BWT-A than in the other dams. We conclude that plasma E^sub 1^SO^sub 4^ level is a variable that can be used to monitor problems related to a small size calf. Conversely, the forthcoming birth of a calf with a heavy BW seems to be preceded by a pronounced increase in plasma NEFA level in the dam just a few days before calving. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT] Key Words: Beef Cow, Fetal Development, Hormones, Metabolites, Pregnancy