Net Portal Appearance of Amino Acids in Iberian and Landrace Pigs Fed Different Protein Content in the Diet.

Iberian pigs have low rates of muscle protein deposition compared with modern breeds. Differences in net portal appearance (NPA) of amino acids (AA) might partially explain that. NPA of AA was measured in six Iberian and six Landrace gilts (28 kg) fitted with catheters in portal and mesenteric (para-aminohippuric acid infusion) veins, and carotid artery.

Inflammatory Response, Immunosuppression and Arginase Activity after Cardiac Surgery Using Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Background: Major surgeries suppress patients’ cellular immunity for several days, but the mechanisms underlying this T-cell dysfunction are not well understood. A decreased L-Arginine (L-Arg) level may inhibit T-cell function. Arginase 1 (Arg 1) is induced after traumatic injury, leading to molecular changes in T cells, including decreased expression of cell surface T-cell receptors (TCRs) and a loss in CD3ζ chain expression.

Determining insulin sensitivity from glucose tolerance tests in Iberian and landrace pigs.

As insulin sensitivity may help to explain divergences in growth and body composition between native and modern breeds, metabolic responses to glucose infusion were measured using an intra-arterial glucose tolerance test (IAGTT). Iberian ( = 4) and Landrace ( = 5) barrows (47.0 ± 1.

Spinal anesthesia compared with general anesthesia for neonates with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. A retrospective study.

Background: Studies of spinal anesthesia in children are limited to a reduced group of high-risk patients and it remains relatively underused compared with general anesthesia in this age group in most institutions. In our experience, spinal anesthesia appears to be a good alternative to general anesthesia during pyloromyotomy in neonates and infants.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate respiratory morbidity of spinal anesthesia compared to general anesthesia in infants undergoing pyloromyotomy.

Iberian pig adaptation to acorn consumption: II. Net portal appearance of amino acids.

In Iberian pig outdoor production, pigs are fed equilibrated diets until the final fattening period when grazing pigs consume mainly acorns from oak trees. Acorns are rich in energy but poor in crude protein where lysine is the first limiting amino acid (AA). Net portal appearance (NPA) is very useful to ascertain AA available for liver and peripheral tissues.

Iberian pig adaptation to acorn consumption: I. Net portal appearance of metabolites.

Most valuable cured products from Iberian pigs come from pure bred animals raised for a final grazing-fattening period where pigs eat mainly acorns, a low protein energy rich fruit. This is a nutritional challenge for animals fed equilibrated diets from weaning. The aim of the study was to determine net portal appearance (NPA) of metabolites in gilts fed acorns and evaluate adaptational changes after one week of feeding.

Contribution of portal-drained viscera to heat production in Iberian gilts fed a low-protein diet: comparison to Landrace.

Background: In terms of whole-body metabolism, visceral tissues have a disproportionate influence with respect to their masses, and under certain circumstances their high metabolic rate may compromise nutrient availability to the tissues of productive/economic interest. The low energy efficiency of Iberian compared to modern breeds could be partly explained by the contribution of portal-drained viscera to heat production. The objective of this study was to determine the relative contribution of portal-drained viscera heat production (PDVHP) to total heat production (THP) in Iberian and Landrace gilts fed a diet with low protein content.

Perivalvular pannus and valve thrombosis: two concurrent mechanisms of mechanical valve prosthesis dysfunction.

A 78-year-old woman was admitted to our institution with progressive dyspnea. She had previously been diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease and had undergone cardiac surgery for mechanical mitral valve replacement ten years previously. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed blockage of the mechanical prosthesis and the patient was scheduled for surgery, in which a thrombus was removed from the left atrial appendage.

The comparative abilities of propofol and sevoflurane to modulate inflammation and oxidative stress in the kidney after aortic cross-clamping.

Background: Propofol has been reported to provide protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NFkappaB) plays a key role in oxidative stress and the inflammatory response during ischemia-reperfusion. We compared the effect of propofol with sevoflurane on kidney NFkappaB expression and systemic inflammatory responses induced by aortic clamping.

Laboratory investigation: effects of propofol on the systemic inflammatory response during aortic surgery.

Purpose: A laboratory investigation was undertaken to assess the effects of propofol on renal function, through modulation of the systemic inflammatory response, in an in vivo experimental model of aortic surgery in comparison with sevoflurane.

Methods: Twenty young male piglets were anesthetized with either propofol 4 mg.kg(-1).