A New Approach to Detecting and Measuring Changes in the Feeding Behaviour Habits of Group-Housed Growing-Finishing Pigs.

The present work aims to estimate the methods of repeatability and of a new non-parametric approach based on typifying individuals into classes and quantifying (%) the pigs in a group that show similar feeding behaviour habits (FBHs) in consecutive periods ("maintenance"). Both methods were estimated over six consecutive 14-day periods in two trials of group-housed growing-finishing pigs (n = 60 each). The first trial started in summer and ended in autumn, and pigs were fed a pelleted diet (HT-P). The second trial started in spring and ended in summer, and the same diet was fed mash (TH-M). The average daily feed intake obtained the lowest repeatability and maintenance values, and it progressively decreased as pigs grew, independent of environmental conditions or physical feed form, whereas the maintenance and repeatability of the number of feeder visits and the visit size decreased when environmental conditions changed from temperate to hot, and mash-fed pigs had higher maintenance and repeatability values for the time spent eating than pellet-fed pigs. In conclusion, the new approach (maintenance) is a tool that is complementary to the classic repeatability concept and is useful for analysing the evolution of FBHs across periods of time at the individual level.

The Feeding Behaviour Habits of Growing-Finishing Pigs and Its Effects on Growth Performance and Carcass Quality: A Review.

Based on the available data of feeding behaviour habits (FBHs), this work aimed to discuss which type of pig, according to its FBHs, performs better and is more efficient. As pigs grow, average daily feed intake, meal size, and feeding rate increase, whereas small variations or even decreases in time spent eating and daily feeder visits have been reported. Moreover, the sex, breed, space allowance, feeder design, feed form, diet composition, and environmental conditions modify FBHs. On the other hand, the literature indicates the existence of four types of pigs: pigs that eat their daily feed intake in many short meals (nibblers) or in few large meals (meal eaters) combined with eating fast (faster eaters) or slow (slow eaters). The available scientific literature about ad libitum fed pigs suggests that pigs eating faster with bigger meals eat more, gain more weight, and are fatter than pigs eating less, slower, and with smaller meals. However, the feeding rate and the meal size do not influence feed efficiency. In conclusion, studies comparing growing-finishing pigs with similar feed intake, but different feeding rate and meal size are needed to better understand the influence of FBHs on feed efficiency.

A Lactobacillus plantarum strain isolated from kefir protects against intestinal infection with Yersinia enterocolitica O9 and modulates immunity in mice.

Lactobacillus plantarum C4, previously isolated from kefir and characterized as a potential probiotic strain, was tested for its protective and immunomodulatory capacity in a murine model of yersiniosis. The inoculation of BALB/c mice with a low pathogenicity serotype O9 strain of Yersinia enterocolitica results in a prolonged intestinal infection with colonization of Peyer's patches. Pretreatment with C4 was without effect on fecal excretion of yersiniae, but shortened the colonization of Peyer's patches. This protective effect was associated with pro-inflammatory status in the intestinal mucosa (TNF-α production in infected mice was increased by C4) and an increase in total IgA secretion. At a systemic level, C4 did not promote a pro-inflammatory response, although production of the immunoregulatory cytokine IFN-γ was enhanced. These findings suggest that L. plantarum C4 can increase resistance to intestinal infections through its immunomodulatory activity.

Severity and outcomes of community acquired pneumonia in asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available about clinical outcomes and microbiology of community-acquired pneumonia in asthma. METHODS: We prospectively studied 4079 CAP patients over a 12-years period and found 139 (3.4%) asthmatic patients. RESULTS: Asthmatics showed younger age (57 ± 19 vs. 66 ± 19 years), less males (32% vs. 68%) and less active smokers (15% vs. 25%). Moreover, they had used more frequently inhaled corticosteroids (ICs, 53% vs. 17%, p < 0.001) and antibiotics (32% vs. 24%, p = 0.041). In comparison with non asthma-CAP, asthmatics showed at admission more pleuritic pain and dyspnoea but less severe pneumonia (PSI, CURB-65, PaO(2)/FIO(2) ratio; p < 0.05). No differences were observed in CAP microbiology, being Streptococcus pneumoniae the most frequent isolate. Clinical outcomes in asthmatic patients were similar to the general population (mortality, mechanical ventilation, etc.) but with a shorter median length of stay (6 [3; 9] vs. 7 [4; 10] days, p = 0.023). The chronic use of ICs did not influence clinical presentation and outcomes among asthmatic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Asthmatics were younger and showed similar clinical presentation. Consistently with PSI, asthmatics showed similar outcomes than the general population. The microbial aetiology of CAP in asthma did not differ from the general population and antibiotic therapy should follow current guidelines.

Community-acquired lung respiratory infections in HIV-infected patients: microbial aetiology and outcome.

We describe the aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in HIV-infected patients, risk factors for bacterial or Pneumocystis jirovecii CAP and prognostic factors of 30-day mortality. This was a prospective observational study of 331 consecutive adult CAP cases in HIV-infected patients (January 2007 to July 2012). 128 (39%) patients had CD4(+) cell counts <200 per mm(3) and 99 (43%) ha HIV RNA levels <200 copies per mL on antiretroviral therapy. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequent microorganism in the group with CD4(+) cell counts ≥ 200 per mm(3); P. jirovecii was the most frequent microorganism in the group with CD4(+) cell counts <200 per mm(3) and in patients with HIV RNA ≥ 200 copies per mL. Predictors of bacterial CAP were: time with symptoms ≤ 5 days (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.4), C-reactive protein level ≥ 22 mg·dL(-1) (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.3-8.2) and hepatitis C virus co-infection (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.9). White blood cell count ≤ 4 × 10(12) per L (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.2-11.5), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level ≥ 598 U·L(-1) (OR 12.9, 95% CI 4.2-39.7) and multilobar infiltration (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.9-19.5) were predictors of P. jirovecii. Overall 30-day mortality was 7%. Appropriate antibiotic treatment (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.03-0.4), LDH ≥ 598 U·L(-1) (OR 6.2, 95% CI 1.8-21.8) and mechanical ventilation (OR 22.0, 95% CI 6.2-78.6) were the variables independently associated with 30-day mortality. The described predictors may help clinicians to distinguish between bacterial and P. jirovecii pneumonia in patients with suspected or confirmed HIV infection.

Lack of correlation between in vitro antibiosis and in vivo protection against enteropathogenic bacteria by probiotic lactobacilli.

Increased resistance to infection is one of the beneficial effects attributed to probiotic microorganisms. This effect may be due to several mechanisms: production of inhibitory substances, blocking of adhesion sites on the intestinal surface, competition for nutrients and stimulation of mucosal and systemic immunity. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity of probiotic lactobacilli. The agar spot test was used to show that twenty Lactobacillus strains were able to inhibit the enteropathogenic bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica. This inhibition was mainly attributable to a decrease in pH resulting from dextrose fermentation by lactobacilli. The inhibition of Y. enterocolitica, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes by two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus casei C1 and Lactobacillus plantarum C4, was also associated with the pH decrease. However, both strains lacked protective effects in mouse experimental infection models, with the exception of long-lasting pre-treatment with L. plantarum C4, which exerted a partial protective effect against S. Typhimurium that was attributable to an immunostimulatory mechanism. Our results show that in vitro antibiosis tests do not provide useful information on the probiotic potential of Lactobacillus strains.

Thrombocytosis is a marker of poor outcome in community-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytosis, often considered a marker of normal inflammatory reaction of infections, has been recently associated with increased mortality in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We assessed the characteristics and outcomes of patients with CAP and thrombocytosis (platelet count ≥ 4 × 105/mm3) compared with thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 105/mm3) and normal platelet count. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 2,423 consecutive, hospitalized patients with CAP. We excluded patients with immunosuppression, neoplasm, active TB, or hematologic disease. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (2%) presented with thrombocytopenia, 204 (8%) with thrombocytosis, and 2,166 (90%) had normal platelet counts. Patients with thrombocytosis were younger (P < .001); those with thrombocytopenia more frequently had chronic heart and liver disease (P < .001 for both). Patients with thrombocytosis presented more frequently with respiratory complications, such as complicated pleural effusion and empyema (P < .001), whereas those with thrombocytopenia presented more often with severe sepsis (P < .001), septic shock (P = .009), need for invasive mechanical ventilation (P < .001), and ICU admission (P = .011). Patients with thrombocytosis and patients with thrombocytopenia had longer hospital stays (P = .004), and higher 30-day mortality (P = .001) and readmission rates (P = .011) than those with normal platelet counts. Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant association between thrombocytosis and 30-day mortality (OR, 2.720; 95% CI, 1.589-4.657; P < .001). Adding thrombocytosis to the confusion, respiratory rate, and BP plus age ≥65 years score slightly improved the accuracy to predict mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased from 0.634 to 0.654, P = .049). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocytosis in patients with CAP is associated with poor outcome, complicated pleural effusion, and empyema. The presence of thrombocytosis in CAP should encourage ruling out respiratory complication and could be considered for severity evaluation.

Evaluación clínica abierta multicéntrica no aleatorizada y prospectiva de la efectividad de una emulsión a base de ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados, Aloe barbadensis y Mimosa tenuiflora (Mepentol® Leche) en diferentes tipos de pacientes con riesgo de ulceración / Multicentric prospective non randomized open clinical evaluation of the efficacy of an emulsion based on hyperoxigenated fatty acids Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora (Mepentol® Leche) in different types of patients with risk of ulceration

Las úlceras de la extremidad inferior suponen un grave problema sanitario que afecta a un gran número de pacientes, constituyendo por ello un gran reto de trabajo para los profesionales de la salud. Los ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados (AGHO) han demostrado tener eficacia en la prevención de este tipo de úlceras. Gracias a los buenos resultados obtenidos en un estudio previo, nos planteamos seguir evaluando la efectividad del producto Mepentol® Leche, una emulsión a base de ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados, Aloe barbadensis y Mimosa tenuiflora, en el cuidado de la piel y alivio de los síntomas en pacientes con este problema, pero ampliando el tamaño de la muestra y centrándonos en pacientes diabéticos junto con otras enfermedades concomitantes. Además, en este estudio se ha implicado a profesionales de enfermería de seis provincias: Almería, Alicante, Granada, Sevilla, Málaga y Ceuta. De nuevo con este estudio, realizado en un total de 2.145 pacientes, hemos demostrado que ningún paciente ha ulcerado durante el tiempo de seguimiento y tratamiento con Mepentol® Leche y que su aplicación sistemática mejora claramente los síntomas previos a la aparición de úlceras, evitando la sequedad cutánea, reduciendo el prurito, escozor, dolor y eccema, y devolviendo la piel de estos pacientes a su coloración normal (AU)

The lower extremity wounds are a serious health problem that affects a large number of patients, thereby assuming a great challenge to work for health professionals. Hyperoxygenated fatty acids (AGHO), have demonstrated efficacy in the prevention of this type of ulcers. Thanks to the good results obtained in a previous study, we plan to continue evaluating the effectiveness of Mepentol® Leche, an emulsion-based hyper-oxygenated fatty acids, Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora in skin care and relief of symptoms, in patients with this problem, but expanding the sample size and focusing on diabetic patients with concomitant diseases. Also in this study have been involving nurses in six provinces: Almería, Alicante, Granada, Seville, Malaga and Ceuta. Again with this study, a total of 2,145 patients, we demonstrated that no patient has ulcerated during the follow-up and treatment with Mepentol® Leche and its systematic application significantly improves the symptoms before the onset of ulcers, preventing dryness skin, reducing itching, burning, pain and eczema, and returning the skin of these patients to their normal color (AU)

Salivary cortisol response to a psychosocial stressor on children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: differences between diagnostic subtypes.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the reactivity of the HPA-axis in children diagnosed with different subtypes of ADHD against a healthy control group. This study included a total of 66 children: 33 children with ADHD diagnoses (10 with prevalent inattentive symptoms, 9 with prevalent hyperactive-impulsive symptoms and 14 with the combined subtype) and 33 healthy controls. The Trier Stress Social Test for Children (TSST-C) was employed as stressor. This test included two main stressors: first, completing a story initiated by an interviewer, and second, executing a timed cognitive task. Saliva samples were then obtained at -1, and +1, +10, +20 and +30 minutes with respect to the stress-inducing task. While the repeated-measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant time effect, the expected cortisol stress-response was not observed in any group. A difference was observed in the response from the hyperactive-impulsive group that was also observed in the AUC(G) comparisons with the subgroups. The ADHD group with prevalent hyperactivity-impulsive symptoms showed more significantly reduced cortisol levels than the control group and other experimental subgroup with prevalent inattentive symptoms.

Salivary Cortisol Response to a Psychosocial Stressor on Children Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: differences Between Diagnostic Subtypes

The purpose of the present study was to compare the reactivity of the HPA-axis in children diagnosed with different subtypes of ADHD against a healthy control group. This study included a total of 66 children: 33 children with ADHD diagnoses (10 with prevalent inattentive symptoms, 9 with prevalent hyperactive-impulsive symptoms and 14 with the combined subtype) and 33 healthy controls. The Trier Stress Social Test for Children (TSST-C) was employed as stressor. This test included two main stressors: first, completing a story initiated by an interviewer, and second, executing a timed cognitive task.Saliva samples were then obtained at -1, and +1, +10, +20 and +30 minutes with respect to the stress inducing task. While the repeated-measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant time effect, the expected cortisol stress-response was not observed in any group. A difference was observed in the response from the hyperactive-impulsive group that was also observed in the AUCG comparisons with the subgroups. The ADHD group with prevalent hyperactivity-impulsive symptoms showed more significantly reduced cortisol levels than the control group and other experimental subgroup with prevalent inattentive symptoms (AU)

El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar la reactividad del eje HPA de niños diagnosticados con distintos subtipos de TDAH en comparación con un grupo de control sano. En el estudio fueron incluidos 66 niños: 33 con TDAH (10 con predominio inatento, 9 con predominio hiperactivo-impulsivo, y 14 con sintomatología combinada) y 33 controles sanos. Como estresor se utilizó el Test de Estrés Social de Trier versión infantil (TSST-C). Este test incluye dos estresores: primero, tras una fase de preparación, los niños deben concluir la narración de un cuento previamente iniciada por uno de los dos entrevistadores; y en segundo lugar, tienen que realizar una tarea cognitiva bajo presión de tiempo ante los entrevistadores. Las muestras de saliva fueron obtenidas a -1 y a +1, +10, +20 y +30 minutos después de la inducción de estrés. El ANOVA de medidas repetidas arrojó un efecto tiempo estadísticamente significativo aunque no se observó la respuesta de cortisol esperada en ninguno de los grupos. Se observó una diferencia en la respuesta del grupo de niños con subtipo hiperactivo-impulsivo que también se constató cuando se comparó su AUCG con la del resto de los grupos. El grupo TDAH con predominio hiperactivo-impulsivo mostró niveles significativamente más bajos de cortisol que el grupo control y el resto de los grupos experimentales al enfrentarse al TSST-C (AU)

Telithromycin inhibits the production of proinflammatory mediators and the activation of NF-kappaB in in vitro-stimulated murine cells.

Telithromycin is a ketolide antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties. To investigate the mechanisms of these effects, we examined the in vitro immunomodulatory activity of telithromycin on murine splenocytes and the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Spleen cells from BALB/c-untreated mice and RAW 264.7 macrophages were cultured in the presence of telithromycin. Proliferation and apoptosis (colorimetric assay), and cytokine production (enzyme immunoassay) of spleen cells in response to lipopolysaccharide and concanavalin A (Con A), and nitric oxide (NO) (colorimetric assay) and cytokine production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were determined. Telithromycin moderately enhanced lymphocyte proliferation in response to lipopolysaccharide and Con A, and enhanced apoptosis induced by camptothecin in mitogen-stimulated splenocytes. Con A-induced IFN-gamma production was suppressed and lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-10 production was increased in spleen cell cultures with telithromycin. Lipopolysaccharide-induced secretion of NO and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was suppressed by telithromycin in RAW 264.7 cultures. Lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of NF-kappaB transcription factor and TNF-alpha promoter in RAW 264.7 macrophages transitorily transfected with luciferase reporter constructs was also inhibited by the ketolide. The suppressive effect of telithromycin on NF-kappaB activation was confirmed by Western blot and enzyme immunoassay. These results suggest that telithromycin exerts anti-inflammatory activity mediated by the inhibition of activation of NF-kappaB.

A selective differential medium for Lactobacillus plantarum.

The quantification of exogenous lactobacilli in faecal samples is frequently required for the evaluation of the intestinal colonization by probiotic bacteria. In this study, a selective and differential medium, designated LPSM, was developed for the culture of exogenous Lactobacillus plantarum. In quantitative assays, LPSM showed a sensitivity similar to those of enriched and Lactobacillus-adapted media. The presence of ciprofloxacin made LPSM inhibitory to most intestinal bacteria, including endogenous acid lactic bacteria, whereas exogenous L. plantarum strains grew producing a yellow color caused by acid production from sorbitol in the presence of bromocresol purple. The results showed that LPSM is suitable for detection and enumeration of L. plantarum in faecal samples.

Immunomodulation by non-absorbable antibiotics given by the intragastric route.

To test the role of bacterial fractions released from intestinal flora during immunomodulation by antimicrobial agents, BALB/c mice were treated with the non-absorbable antibiotics polymyxin B or teicoplanin by the intragastric route. The composition of faecal microbiota and the capacity of spleen cells to proliferate in response to B-cell and T-cell mitogens were assessed at several times during the treatment. Both antibiotics lowered the count of some bacteria of the intestinal flora and induced significant modifications in spleen cell ability to proliferate in response to mitogens. Thus, the active fractions released from intestinal bacteria during antibiotic treatments may be able to induce immunomodulating effects.

In vivo immunomodulation by Mycoplasma fermentans membrane lipoprotein.

The immunomodulatory effects of Mycoplasma fermentans-derived membrane lipoprotein (LAMPf) in BALB/c mice were examined. When injected intraperitoneally into mice, LAMPf induced a transitory splenomegaly followed by a suppression of the spleen cell proliferation in response to concanavalin A, whereas responses to lipopolysaccharide and to LAMPf were unchanged. The intravenous injection of a large dose of LAMPf induced leukopenia and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) activity in serum. A synthetic analogue of its N-terminal lipopeptide with ability to activate macrophages (MALP-2) was also able to induce GM-CSF in serum. Interestingly, GM-CSF induction by a low dose of MALP-2 was not associated with significant leukopenia. These data revealed that the in vitro moduline properties of mycoplasmal lipoproteins and lipopeptides correlate with interesting in vivo immunomodulatory effects.

Modification of mitogen-driven lymphoproliferation by ceftriaxone in normal and immunocompromised mice.

Cyclophosphamide-treated mice are proposed as a model to assay immunomodulation by antimicrobial agents in immunocompromised animals. Cyclophosphamide-treated BALB/c mice developed temporary leukopenia, myelopenia and spleen atrophy that was followed by splenomegaly. Cells from both atrophic and hypertrophic spleens exhibited impaired responses to mitogens and suppressed the mitogen-driven proliferation of normal splenocytes. This experimental model was applied to the study of immunomodulation by ceftriaxone. Ceftriaxone did not worsen the cyclophosphamide-damaged immunity mechanisms. On the contrary, cyclophosphamide-induced suppression of lymphoproliferation in response to concanavalin A was attenuated by ceftriaxone.

Immunomodulation by Yersinia enterocolitica: comparison of live and heat-killed bacteria.

This study compared the immunomodulating properties of viable and killed Yersinia enterocolitica O9 in BALB/c mice. At 10 days after infection by the intragastric route, ex vivo assays showed a suppression of spleen cell proliferation in response to Salmonella lipopolysaccharide, concanavalin A and heat-killed yersiniae. Mice infected with Y. enterocolitica O9 for 10 days resisted the challenge with a lethal dose of Listeria monocytogenes. In contrast, intravenous administration of heat-killed yersiniae did not modify the ability of spleen cells to proliferate in response to lipopolysaccharide or concanavalin A, and proliferation in response to killed yersiniae was significantly increased. By 3 days after administration of a single dose of heat-killed yersiniae, the resistance of mice to L. monocytogenes challenge was significantly increased. Our findings show profound differences in immunomodulation by viable and heat-killed yersiniae, but suggest that killed yersiniae retain interesting immunomodulating properties.