Occurrence and reasons for on-farm emergency slaughter of cattle in Norway.

On-farm emergency slaughter (OFES) accounts for more than 4% of all cattle slaughter in Norway. The practice raises questions about animal welfare, public health, and the sustainability of cattle production. The objective of this study was to describe the reasons for OFES as stated on the OFES veterinary certificate.

Overview of the practices of on-farm emergency slaughter of cattle in the Nordic countries.

On farm mortality is an increasing problem in cattle production systems in the Nordic countries. It represents an economic loss to the farmer and raises questions of sustainability, food waste and animal welfare. On-farm emergency slaughter (OFES) represents, in some situations, an opportunity for a farmer to salvage some of the economic value from an animal that cannot be transported to a slaughterhouse.

Plasma stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity indices and bile acid concentrations after a low-fat meal: association with a genetic variant in the gene.

Purpose: Dietary macronutrient composition, stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) activity indices, and primary bile acid (BA) concentrations are among the factors that have been associated with lipid metabolism and contributed to obesity. We investigated the association between the polymorphic expression of the fat mass and obesity-associated () gene and its relationship with SCD activity indices and primary BA concentrations after a low-fat meal.

Subjects And Methods: Blood plasma samples were collected from 56 young (20-36 years) healthy subjects with different rs9939609 genotypes.

One-night sleep deprivation induces changes in the DNA methylation and serum activity indices of stearoyl-CoA desaturase in young healthy men.

Background: Sleep deprivation has been associated with obesity among adults, and accumulating data suggests that stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) expression has a relevant impact on fatty acid (FA) composition of lipid pools and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of one-night total sleep deprivation (TSD) on DNA methylation in the 5'-prime region of SCD1, and whether detected changes in DNA methylation are associated with SCD activity indices (product to precursor FA ratios; 16:1n-7/16:0 and 18:1n-9/18:0) derived from serum phospholipids (PL).

Methods: Sixteen young, normal-weight, healthy men completed two study sessions, one with one-night TSD and one with one-night normal sleep (NS).

Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3 levels and incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Low circulating levels of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) have been associated with an increased risk of adverse effects after cardiac surgery. The metabolites, 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3, provide a good index of vitamin D status. In this study, we examined the association between preoperative plasma levels of total 25(OH)D, 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 and the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) following open heart surgery.

U-shaped relationship between tissue docosahexaenoic acid and atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery.

Background/objectives: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of fish oil supplementation on postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) following cardiac surgery have produced mixed results. In this study, we examined relationships between levels of red blood cell (RBC) n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) and the incidence of POAF.

Subjects/methods: We used combined data (n=355) from RCTs conducted in Australia and Iceland.

Inflammatory response following heart surgery and association with n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma and red blood cell membrane lipids.

Background: Open heart surgery is associated with a systemic inflammatory response. The n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and the n-6 LC-PUFA arachidonic acid (AA) may contribute to modulation of the inflammatory response.

Objective: We investigated whether the preoperative levels of EPA, DHA and AA in plasma phospholipids (PL) and red blood cell (RBC) membrane lipids in patients (n=168) undergoing open heart surgery were associated with changes in the plasma concentration of selected inflammatory mediators in the immediate postoperative period.

Do high levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes increase the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation?

Objectives: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) has been associated with an inflammatory response to the surgical procedure. n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) have been proposed for the prevention of POAF. We investigated the relationship between the plasma concentration of inflammatory mediators, levels of n-3 LC-PUFA in red blood cell (RBC) membrane lipids, and the risk of POAF after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Plasma n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and the incidence of atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: The anti-inflammatory or anti-arrhythmic effects of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) may decrease the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), but interventional studies have yielded conflicting results. We examined the association between n-3 LC-PUFA and n-6 LC-PUFA in plasma phospholipids (PL) and POAF in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: A total of 125 patients undergoing CABG were enrolled in the study.

Does treatment with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids prevent atrial fibrillation after open heart surgery?

Aims: To examine the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) treatment on the incidence of post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF).

Methods And Results: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients admitted for coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valvular repair surgery. The patients received either n-3 PUFA capsules, containing a daily dose of 1240 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 1000 mg docosahexaenoic acid, or olive oil capsules for 5-7 days prior to surgery and post-operatively until hospital discharge.

Red blood cell n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in first trimester of pregnancy are inversely associated with placental weight.

Objective: To investigate pregnancy outcome in relation to red blood cell (RBC) level of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the first trimester of pregnancy and the influence of lifestyle factors on the RBC level of long-chain n-3 PUFA.

Design And Setting: Observational study in a community with traditional fish and cod liver oil consumption.

Population: Seventy-seven healthy pregnant women.

Docosahexaenoic acid in red blood cells of women of reproductive age is positively associated with oral contraceptive use and physical activity.

Optimal intake of the long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and proper balance between intake of n-6 PUFA and n-3 PUFA are important for human health. Considerable evidence exists to show that DHA has a marked benefit during pregnancy. Lifestyle factors can affect the biosynthesis of DHA from dietary precursors, incorporation into membranes and degradation.

Effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on brain lipid fatty acid composition, learning ability, and memory of senescence-accelerated mouse.

Animal studies have shown that a deficiency in brain of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is associated with memory loss and diminished cognitive function. The senescence-accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mouse develops impairments in learning and memory at 8-12 months of age. The effect of diet supplemented with n-3 PUFA on brain phospholipid DHA status, learning, and memory ability in aged SAMP8 mice was investigated.

Positive association between DNA strand breaks in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and polyunsaturated fatty acids in red blood cells from women.

Lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) generates reactive products that may cause DNA damage. To examine the possible relationship between DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the concentration of PUFA in red blood cells (RBC), endogenous DNA strand breaks, formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (FPG) sites, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensitive sites were evaluated by the comet assay in blood samples from 98 Icelandic women. Fatty acid composition of RBC was analyzed by gas chromatography.

Positive association between plasma antioxidant capacity and n-3 PUFA in red blood cells from women.

PUFA are susceptible to oxidation. However, the chain-reaction of lipid peroxidation can be interrupted by antioxidants. Whether an increased concentration of PUFA in the body leads to decreased antioxidant capacity and/or increased consumption of antioxidants is not known.

Combined effects of maternal smoking status and dietary intake related to weight gain and birth size parameters.

Objective: To investigate the interaction of smoking status and dietary intake during pregnancy and its relationship to maternal weight gain and birth size parameters.

Design: An observational prospective study.

Setting: Free-living conditions.

Lipid peroxidation in brain during aging in the senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM).

Accumulation of toxic amyloid-beta (Abeta)-peptide is suggested to cause oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain, and decrease the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in neuronal membrane lipids. The senescence accelerated prone mice (SAMP8) have age-related increases in the level of hippocampal Abeta-peptide, learning and memory deficits, and a shorter lifespan than their controls. The effects of age-related oxidative damage on PUFA content in membrane phospholipids (PL), and alpha-tocopherol concentration were investigated in hippocampus and amygdala of 2-, 4-, 12-, and 18-month-old SAMP8 mice.

Effects of storage time and added antioxidant on fatty acid composition of red blood cells at -20 degrees C.

The stability of PUFA in venous red blood cells (RBC) of women aged 25 to 55 years (n = 12) was investigated during storage at -20 degrees C. The RBC sample from each participant was divided into seven portions: one baseline with the antioxidant BHT, another without BHT, samples without BHT stored for 2, 4, 9, or 17 wk, and samples with BHT stored for 17 wk. No difference was found in proportions of PUFA at baseline and after storage for 2 and 4 wk without BHT, and 17 wk with BHT.

Maternal diet in early and late pregnancy in relation to weight gain.

Objective: To identify dietary factors related to the risk of gaining weight outside recommendations for pregnancy weight gain and birth outcome.

Design: An observational study with free-living conditions.

Subjects: Four hundred and ninety five healthy pregnant Icelandic women.

Vernix caseosa as a multi-component defence system based on polypeptides, lipids and their interactions.

Vernix caseosa is a white cream-like substance that covers the skin of the foetus and the newborn baby. Recently, we discovered antimicrobial peptides/proteins such as LL-37 in vernix, suggesting host defence functions of vernix. In a proteomic approach, we have continued to characterize proteins in vernix and have identified 20 proteins, plus additional variant forms.

Relationship between dietary intake of cod liver oil in early pregnancy and birthweight.

Objective: To investigate the possible association between birth outcome and marine food and cod liver oil intake of healthy women in early (prior to 15 weeks of gestation) pregnancy.

Design: An observational study.

Setting: Free-living conditions in a community with traditional fish and cod liver oil consumption.

Hyperphagia modifies FA profiles of plasma phospholipids, plasma FFA, and adipose tissue TAG.

Hyperphagia was achieved by continuous intracerebroventricular infusion of a melanocortin receptor antagonist (HS024; Neosystem, Strasbourg, France) in rats. The effects of hyperphagia on FA composition and concentration of plasma phospholipids (PL), plasma FFA, and adipose tissue TAG were studied in rats for 8 d [short-term hyperphagia (STH); n = 8], or 28 d [long-term hyperphagia (LTH); n = 9]. The control rats were treated with artificial cerebrospinal fluid for 8 d (n = 8) or 28 d (n = 10).

Functional role, structure, and evolution of the melanocortin-4 receptor.

The melanocortin (MC)-4 receptor participates in regulating body weight homeostasis. We demonstrated early that acute blockage of the MC-4 receptor increases food intake and relieves anorexic conditions in rats. Our recent studies show that 4-week chronic blockage of the MC-4 receptor leads to robust increases in food intake and development of obesity, whereas stimulation of the receptor leads to anorexia.

Food conversion is transiently affected during 4-week chronic administration of melanocortin agonist and antagonist in rats.

The central melanocortin system is involved in the regulation of food intake and body weight. In this study, we investigated the effect of a 4-week intracerebroventricular infusion of the melanocortin receptor agonist MT-II and the selective melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist HS024 on food intake and body weight homeostasis. The MT-II-treated rats ate less and lost considerably more weight than the control rats during the first week of treatment.