Analysis of storage possibility of raw and smoked breast meat of oat-fattened White Koluda® goose based on their quality characteristics.

Raw and smoked (spickgans) fillets of oat-fattened White Koluda® goose were packed in: PET - ethylene terephthalate bags; VSP - 99% vacuum; MAP1 - 80% O2, 20% CO2; MAP2 - 70% N2, 30% O2; MAP3 - 30% O2, 40% N2, 30% CO2, and stored at a temperature of 2°C. On the day of packaging (0 d) and during storage of raw (5, 7, 10 d) and smoked fillets (5, 10, 15 d), the samples were analyzed for weight losses, physicochemical traits, and chemical composition. The study demonstrated the effect of storage time and packaging method on storage yield of raw and smoked fillets. In VSP, the raw fillets were characterized by the lowest amount of leakage, whereas spickgans were characterized by the highest storage yield and weight loss. The analysis of the effect of the modified atmosphere demonstrated the lowest weight loss of raw fillets at, simultaneously, the smallest amount of leakage in MAP1. The spickgans stored in MAP2 showed higher weight, higher yield after storage, and lower storage loss in all terms of analyses compared to MAP1 and MAP3. The greatest cooking loss at simultaneously the lowest pH values was determined for the samples stored in VSP. The WBSF values of raw fillets were decreasing along with storage time, in contrast to WBSF values of spickgans, in which case the value of this parameter increased compared to 0 d. Raw fillets stored in MAP1 and MAP3 were characterized by the most significant increase in the value of L*, by a decrease in the value of a* and an increase in that of b* parameter. Visual assessment of spickgans on 15 d of storage revealed the presence of white sediment on the surface of products, except for the samples stored in VSP. The study demonstrated the effect of storage time on the contents of protein and fat in raw fillets and on the contents of salt and fat in spickgans.

Association between high on-treatment platelet reactivity and occurrence of cerebral ischemic events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI) has become a routine treatment in symptomatic patients with coronary artery disease. The use of new generation drug eluting stents (DES) and dual antiplatelet therapy has significantly improved treatment outcomes and increased patients' safety by reducing the risk of stent thrombosis. AIMS: The goal of this study was to assess whether high on treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR), despite clopidogrel treatment, measured with Multiplate Electrode Aggregometer (MEA) is associated with the risk of adverse ischemic cerebral events. METHODS: Symptomatic patients with coronary artery disease admitted for coronary angiography and angioplasty (PCI) were consecutively enrolled in this study. 249 consecutive patients underwent coronary artery stenting for stable angina (n=215) or non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (n=34). Inhibition of platelet aggregation was assessed by MEA. Genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 was tested by HRM Real-Time PCR method in 150 patients. RESULTS: Patients with HTPR were more frequently diagnosed with ischemic stroke (p=0.0351, OR=16.818, 95% CI [1.464-193.23]) and other ischemic cerebral events (stroke or TIA, p=0.0339, OR=6.5, 95% CI [1.36-31.07]). Cumulative assessment of all ischemic and hemorrhagic events showed no statistical significance. Cerebral ischemic event was the only adverse event that correlated with CYP2C19 (*2/*2) allele (p=0.0489, OR=10; 95% CI [1.39-71.80]). CONCLUSIONS: HTPR assessed by MEA, in patients treated with clopidogrel after coronary artery stenting was found to be an important risk factor of ischemic cerebral events. In concordance, the carriers of CYP2C19*2/*2 allele showed an increased rate of ischemic cerebral events.

Impact of common ABCB1 polymorphism on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of clopidogrel and its metabolites.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: The reasons of clopidogrel (CLP) resistance are still unclear. The response to CLP may be influenced by both genetic and non-genetic factors. Among genetic factors, common polymorphisms in the gene coding glycoprotein-P (P-gp, MDR1 and ABCB1) are considered as potential determinants of the efficacy of CLP treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of ABCB1 3435C>T genetic polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CLP and its metabolites: diastereoisomers of thiol metabolite (the inactive H3 and the active H4) and inactive carboxylic derivative. METHODS: The study group included 42 patients undergoing elective coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. The plasma concentrations of CLP and its metabolites were measured by a validated HPLC-MS/MS method. Whole-blood aggregation was determined with Multiplate analyzer. For evaluation of ABCB1 3435C>T polymorphism, PCR-RFLP method was applied. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: It was found that Exposition to the unchanged CLP, measured by AUC0-t of the drug, was significantly lower (P = 0·012) in TT homozygotes comparing to that observed in CC and CT genotypes, although no correlation was found between platelet aggregation and ABCB1 genetic polymorphism. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Our findings show that the presence of 3435C>T allele has an impact on CLP pharmacokinetics but not on the drug pharmacodynamics. Therefore, the 3435C>T genotype may not be the primary determinant influencing the pharmacokinetics of the active H4 metabolite and antiplatelet effect of the drug.

Comparison of the antiplatelet effect of two clopidogrel bisulfate formulations: Plavix and generic-Egitromb.

Due to expansion of the pharmaceutical market it seems necessary to prove the efficacy of the generic drugs. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of two clopidogrel formulations: brand-name-Plavix and generic drug - Egitromb. This is a prospective, randomized study comparing two groups of patients treated with two clopidogrel: brand-name Plavix and generic drug- Egitromb. The 53 consecutive patients with stable coronary artery disease qualifying for coronary angiography and PCI were enrolled in this trial. They were randomized into two groups. In the group A (n = 28) patients received Egitromb 300 mg at admission followed by 8 days of 75 mg Egitromb daily. In the group B (n = 25) patients received Plavix 300 mg on the admission followed by 8 days of 75 mg Plavix maintenance therapy. Blood samples for multiple electrode aggregometry testing were drawn at baseline, 5 hours and 8 days after taking the loading dose. Median values of platelet aggregation inhibition did not differ between the Plavix and Egitromb groups when assessed at baseline: 239AU/min (IQR:329) vs. 209 (IQR:406; p = 0.894), 5 hours after loading: 183 AU/min (IQR:107) vs. 165 (IQR:171; p = 0.831) or at day 8: 174 AU/min (IQR:133) vs. 211 (IQR:133; p = 0.332. The study showed no difference in the therapeutic effect of two clopidogrel formulations (Egitromb and Plavix).

Left atrial appendage closure - new choice for no-option patients with atrial fibrillation.

AIM: Remodeling and impaired blood flow in left atrial appendage (LAA), which occurs in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), may lead to thrombus formation and possible thromboembolic complications. Although there are several pharmacological antithrombotic possibilities, some patients with several co-morbidities and contraindications to such treatment cannot be offered any of them. Therefore LAA closure systems may be an attractive alternative. We present our early experience with two currently available different LAA transcatheter closure systems (Watchman and Amplatzer Cardiac Plug). METHODS: Twenty three patients (mean age 69.1±6.8 years, 12 male) with non-rheumatic AF and high risk of thromboembolic complications (CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 (mean 4.5±1.5), who could not be treated with the long-term oral anticoagulation because of contraindications or significant side effects, were qualified to the LAA closure. RESULTS: The Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (St Jude Medical, St Paul, MN, USA) was implanted in 7 patients and Watchman Occluder (Boston Scientific, Boston, MA, USA) in the other 15 patients. The implantation was not performed in one patient as the transoesophageal echocardiography during the procedure revealed a new thrombus in LAA. The procedural details and follow-up data are presented. Neither severe pericardial effusion nor device related thrombus were observed. In long term follow-up transient ischemic attack was noted only in one patient (diagnosed with thrombophilia). One patient died 14 months after the procedure due to non-cardiac reason. CONCLUSION: The LAA occluder implantation seems to be a safe and reasonable alternative for oral anticoagulation and should be considered in patients with AF who have contraindications or complications of pharmacological treatment.

QT interval dispersion as a new marker of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of isolated single-vessel coronary artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND: There are no reliable non-invasive markers of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The aim of our study was to measure changes in QT interval dispersion after PTCA and to determine whether restenosis subsequently affects QT interval dispersion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-six consecutive patients - 41 men and 15 women (mean age: 56.2 +/-8.3 years) - with isolated stenosis of the left anterior descending artery who underwent successful PTCA were studied. A symptom-limited treadmill exercise test was performed within 7 days after PTCA and then again before repeated angiography. Repeated coronary angiography revealed restenosis in 15 patients (26.8%) and no signs of significant stenosis in 41 patients (73.2%). QT interval dispersion in the group of patients with restenosis measured before exercise increased from baseline 34 +/- 7 to 49 +/- 15 ms after 6 months (p < 0.01) and QT interval dispersion measured immediately after exercise increased from baseline 38 +/- 4 to 68 +/- 21 ms after 6 months (p < 0.001). In contrast, patients without restenosis showed no significant changes in QT interval dispersion measured before (baseline: 34 +/- 9 ms; after 6 months 33 +/- 12 ms; p = NS) and immediately after exercise (baseline: 34 +/- 12 ms; after 6 months: 33 +/- 10; p = NS). When QT interval dispersion > or =60 ms (measured 6 months after PTCA procedure) was considered as a potential marker of restenosis, this indicator had very high sensitivity and specificity when measured immediately after exercise (80 and 95% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: QT interval dispersion significantly increases in the group of patients with documented restenosis and may be a simple, non-invasive marker of restenosis. However, further studies are needed to confirm this observation.

Effects of post-mortem time before chilling and chilling temperatures on water-holding capacity and texture of turkey breast muscle.

Two studies were conducted to determine 1) the effect of post-mortem time before chilling on hot boned prerigor breast muscle water-holding capacity (WHC), and 2) post-mortem temperature effect on sarcomere length and drip loss of uncooked breast, and shear force and WHC of turkey breast muscle that is hot-boned, marinated, and cooked. In Study 1, the turkey breast muscle was excised immediately after slaughter and chilled at 0 C. The effect of post-mortem time (15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min) before chilling on muscle pH, drip loss, and WHC (measured by homogenate cooking yield) was determined. In Study 2, hot boned prerigor breast slices were held at either 0 or 12 C and then at 3 h post-mortem stored at 2 C. Sarcomere length and drip loss of uncooked breast, and the shear force and WHC (measured by cooking yield) of cooked breast muscles with water, salt, and sodium tripolyphosphate were determined. Results indicated that pH on Day 1 post-mortem and cooking yield of water homogenates were not influenced by the post-mortem time before chilling. Drip losses increased as the post-mortem time before chilling was increased. Cooking yield of homogenate with water, salt, and sodium tripolyphosphate was decreased when breast muscle was chilled after 60 min post-mortem. Drip loss of breast was less at 0 C than at 12 C, but cooking yield and shear force were not affected by post-mortem chilling temperature. It was concluded that the post-mortem time before chilling has an influence on uncooked and cooked muscle WHC, but the differences found in uncooked muscle drip loss were not reflected in WHC or shear force of cooked muscle with water, salt, and sodium tripolyphosphate added.

Effects of postmortem temperature and time on the water-holding capacity of hot-boned turkey breast and thigh muscle.

Turkey breast and thigh muscles were excised immediately after slaughter and held from 0.25 to 4 h postmortem at 0, 12 or 30 °C to determine postmortem time and temperature effect on muscle pH, drip loss, sarcomere length, homogenate supernatant weight, salt-soluble protein and cooking yields. Higher temperature and longer storage time induced greater drip losses in breast. Longer storage time induced greater drip losses but the least drip loss occurred at 12 °C in thigh muscle. High temperature increased the supernatant weight in breast but decreased that in thigh. Storage time increased supernatant weight and supernatant salt soluble protein levels in both muscles. Homogenate cooking yields of breast containing water, salt and phosphate (HWSP) were higher for 0 and 12 °C compared with 30 °C, and increased with storage. The low postmortem temperature (0 °C) decreased homogenate cooking yields in thigh. These findings indicate that lower postmortem temperatures (0 and 12 °C) and shorter storage time (24 h) produced the greatest water-holding capacity in turkey breast muscle, whereas high and low postmortem temperatures (30 and 0 °C) and longer storage (168 h) produced the least water-holding capacity in raw turkey thigh muscle.

Hypertrophy or hyperplasia in cardiac muscle. Post-mortem human morphometric study.

In 103 hearts with various forms of cardiac muscle hypertrophy the following parameters were estimated: diameter, length, volume, density and number of myocytes, and density of myocyte nuclei. The values of all histometric parameters correlated well with left ventricular (LV) weight up to 350 g. In heavier hearts these parameters remained approximately of the same magnitude. The number of myocytes was significantly higher in hearts with LV weight above 250 g. The influence on LV weight of age, coronary artery diameters, degree of atherosclerosis, weight and percent of fibrous tissue was also evaluated. On the basis of a linear discriminant function, hearts were divided into three classes: (1) LV weight < or = 250 g (absence of hyperplasia, hypertrophy only); (2) LV weight 251-350 g (hypertrophy+signs of hyperplasia); (3) LV weight > 350 g (marked signs of hyperplasia). The percent of fibrosis increased proportionally to LV weight. Where LV weight was above 250 g there was a subsequent increase in the mean percent of fibrosis (approx. 26%). This phenomenon (plateau of percent fibrosis) is the result of an increased number of myocytes (myocyte hyperplasia). We suggest that, independent of aetiology, in all hearts above 350 g (patients with congestive heart failure) hyperplasia phenomenon exists.

[Isolated congenital tricuspid valve insufficiency--case report]. / Izolowana, wrodzona niedomykalnosc zastawki trójdzielnej--opis przypadku.

A case of congenital, isolated tricuspid regurgitation is reported. A 48 year old woman has been admitted because of shortness of breath and progressive fatigue. Although the heart murmur had been heard in her childhood, the first symptoms appeared when she was 25. One year later she underwent a plastic surgery of tricuspid valve. During the following 20 years she remained asymptomatic, until dyspnea and fatigue developed again. On admission she was cyanotic and positive, systolic jugular venous pulse was seen. Atrial flutter was present and no systolic cardiac murmur was heart. The liver was enlarged without peripheral oedema. Echo-Doppler examination and cardiac catheterisation revealed huge right cardiac chambers and significant tricuspid regurgitation. During reoperation a valve consisting of only two cusps was found with extremely dilated valvular anulus. A Bex valvuloplasty was successfully performed. One month later a control echo-Doppler showed the diminution of right ventricle and right atrium with hardly visible regurgitant jet. The pathogenesis and the course of this extremely rare disease have been also discussed in the paper.

[Heart amyloidosis with enormous cardiomegaly ("the king of hearts")]. / Amyloidoza serca z niezwyklym jego przerostem ("the king of hearts").

A case is presented of a 74 years old man with systemic hypertension, congestive heart failure and history of heart infarction in the past. The physical findings revealed: blood pressure - 130/80 mmHg, arrhythmia and symptoms of congestion in systemic and pulmonary circulation. Ecg tracing showed multifocal atrial rhythm about 90 bpm., very low QRS voltage and lack of R waves in precordial V1-V4. On autopsy an enormous enlargement of the whole heart (1005 g) was found. Microscopical investigation revealed abundant amyloid deposits in the muscle of atria, ventricles and sinus node, disseminated atheromatous changes in the coronary system with no critical narrowing (more than 75% of lumen area). No sings of healed infarct were find. This is the first published case of so called "the king of hearts" due to amyloidosis.

[Coronary lumen diameter and cardiac mass in various forms of cardiac hypertrophy]. / Swiatlo tetnic nasierdziowych a masa miesnia sercowego w róznych formach jego przerostu.

Morphometric evaluation of the epicardial arteries is described in detail in 103 patients with various forms of cardiac hypertrophy. Coronary lumen diameter increases with aging regardless of the cardiac mass. Such an increase is observed in some particular types of cardiac hypertrophy and presumably is caused by the changes of intramuscular vessels and diminished perfusion. In patients with so called myocardial atherosclerosis correlation between coronary lumen diameter age and cardiac mass is opposite. In some forms of cardiac hypertrophy the increment of coronary lumen diameter is accompanied by the increase of the cross sectional area of the artery. In this pattern the increase of lumen diameter is not due to passive vessel dilatation because significant thickening of its wall can be seen. Age appeared to be the most important factor influencing the coronary lumen diameter within the whole population, although this correlation can hardly be seen in patients with "myocardial arteriosclerosis".

[Comparative evaluation of coronary arteriosclerosis in arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Morphometric analysis of 4062 coronary artery specimens]. / Porównawcza ocena miazdzycy tetnic wiencowych w nadcisnieniu tetniczym i w chorobie niedokrwiennej serca. Morfometryczna ocena 4062 preparatów tetnic wiencowych.

We performed a postmortem study on 61 hearts from patients who died of acute ischemic heart disease (IA). Chronic ischemic heart disease (IB) and from hypertensive patients who died of heart infarction (IIA) and other hypertensive complications (IIB). Control group consisted of 16 pts. who died of non cardiac diseases. 4062 coronary artery specimens were estimated. Irrespective of the clinical course of ischemic heart disease the mean percent of coronary artery stenosis was similar in both ischemic groups and significantly higher than in control group. In hypertensive pts. who died of heart infarction it was also significantly higher and similar to ischemic pts. We found the highest percent of segments with critical stenosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery in group IA, IB, IIA. It was also significantly higher in the left main coronary artery in the group of ischemic pts. (IA, IB).

[Unusual location of mural thrombi in the right atrium caused by pathological changes in the sinoatrial node]. / Szczególne umiejscowienie skrzeplin przysciennych prawego przedsionka w nastepstwie zmian patologicznych w wezle zatokowym.

We present a post-mortem examination of two hearts in which we found organized mural thrombi attached to the right atrial endocardium in the recess called antrum atrii dextri. This region is a place where the sinus node is situated very close to the endocardium of right atrium. Any pathological process involving the node (inflammation, degeneration) may reach this part of endocardium by continuity, this in turn creates convenient conditions for mural thrombi formation. The first case--a 52-year old man who died of severe congestive heart failure caused by rheumatic disease with mitral and aortic stenosis. Atrial fibrillation had developed several years before his death. Apart from typical changes of mitral and aortic valves a post-mortem examination revealed an organized, globular thrombus in antrum atrii dextri. In the microscopical findings of the sino-atrial region the fatty degeneration of the sinus node with multiple mononuclear cell infiltration was the most striking feature. The sinus node artery was narrowed due to fibro-muscular dysplasia of its wall. The second case--a 74-years old man who suffered from arterial hypertension and chronic pyelonephritis with a history of heart infarct in the past. The ECG recording showed multifocal atrial rythm with variable P wave morphology and P-Q distance. At necropsy the whole heart was significantly enlarged with no scars or any other signs of healed infarct. The microscopical findings revealed the heart muscle to be infiltrated by amyloid deposits particularly apparent in the sinus node. Similar thrombus of 1.5 cm in diameter was found in antrum of the right atrium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Variability in the levels of carotenoids and vitamin A in the blood serum and milk of cows]. / Zmiennosc w zawartosci karotenoidów i witaminy A w surowicy krwi i mleku krów.

Observations of 20 milk cows of the lowland black and white breed were conducted for 14 successive days in four seasons of the year. The age, lactation stages and efficiency of the animals were different. They were divided into two groups: the first with healthy udders (clinically, bacteriologically, cytologically); the second with secretion disturbances and mastitis subclinical. Blood and milk samples were taken every day during the morning milking. The content of carotenoids and vitamin A was determined by the methods of Carr-Price. Although the same feeding and environment conditions of the animals were maintained, the determined levels of the studied components of both body fluids showed a great variation. Significant differences were found between the mean values calculated for individual cows (individual variability). In the milk of cows from group II, a higher concentration of carotenoids and vitamin A was found. It is proposed to assume a physiological minimum of 30 mcg/100 cm3 for vitamin A and of 100 mcg/100 cm3 respectively for carotenoids in blood serum and 100 mcg/100 cm3 and 5 mcg/100 cm3 respectively in milk.