S. Batista

Lamb meat quality of two breeds with protected origin designation. Influence of breed, sex and live weight

Lamb meat quality of two Portuguese products was examined. The influences of slaughter weight, sex and breed on eating quality were evaluated. Data were obtained from 72 lambs of two different breeds with protected designation origin. In accord with the normal slaughter weight in the region three classes were considered: A: 9-14kg live weight; B: 14-19kg live weight and C: 19-24kg live weight. pH of M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle (MTL) was measured 1h and 24h after slaughter. Meat colour was estimated in the M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle (MTL) muscle on the 12th rib using the L*a*b* system. Shear force was evaluated 72h after slaughter. Sensorial analysis was assessed by a trained taste panel of 12 members. The pH values found could be considered within the normal pH range, between 5.5 and 5.9. When the pH measurement was made 24h after slaughter, the heavy lambs had significant higher value than the light lambs. In relation to colour variables, live weight, sex and breed had no effect on the red index (a*). Lightness (L) decreased with increasing live weight and the light lambs had higher yellow index (b*) than the heavier lambs. Shear force increased with live weight and the Bragançano breed had a greater mean shear force than the Mirandesa (7.8 vs. 6.8kg/cm(2)). The heavy carcasses had more flavour intensity than the light ones. Mirandesa lambs had significantly lower values for toughness, stringy and odour intensity than Bragançana lambs.

Growth, immune responses and intestinal morphology of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) supplemented with commercial probiotics

The influence of two commercial probiotics on the growth, innate immune parameters and intestinal morphology of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles (initial weight: 16.4 ± 0.4 g) was evaluated. Two probiotic types: A, multi-species (Bacillus sp., Pedicoccus sp., Enterococcus sp., Lactobacillus sp.) and B, mono-species (Pediococcus acidilactici) were tested at two levels each (A1: 1.5 g kg(-1), 8.6 × 10(5) CFU g(-1); A2: 3 g kg(-1), 1.6 × 10(6) CFU g(-1); B1: 0.1 g kg(-1), 2.6 × 10(4) CFU g(-1); B2: 0.2 g kg(-1), 7.2 × 10(4) CFU g(-1)) versus an unsupplemented diet (C). Diets were distributed to sextuplicate tanks, three times a day to visual satiation for 8 weeks. Growth performance and immune responses (plasma lysozyme, ACH50, peroxidase and head kidney respiratory burst) were determined at 4 and 8 weeks of feeding. Body composition and intestine morphology were determined at the end of the feeding trial. At 8 weeks, the lower dose of multi-species probiotic (A1) improved growth rate, while both probiotic types improved feed conversion rate compared to the control animals, at the lower dose of multi-species (A1) and at the higher dose of mono-species (B2) probiotics. Body composition did not vary between treatments. At 4 weeks, ACH50 activity was significantly higher in fish fed higher dose of B probiotic (B2, 123.7 ± 50.6 vs 44.1 ± 7.7 U.ml(-1) in control). At 8 weeks, lysozyme activity was higher in fish fed A1 (13.1 ± 5.2 μg ml(-1)) diet compared to fish fed control diet (7.8 ± 1 μg ml(-1)). Plasma peroxidase and head-kidney respiratory burst did not differ among the dietary treatments. Villi length and integrity and goblet cell counting of a cross section of the anterior intestine were not significantly different between groups. Results suggest benefits in zootechnical performance and immune humoral responses using both probiotic types, in a dose dependent manner, without apparent alterations in intestinal morphology.

Disconnection as a mechanism for social cognition impairment in multiple sclerosis

Objective: To assess the contribution of microstructural normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) damage to social cognition impairment, specifically in the theory of mind (ToM), in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: We enrolled consecutively 60 patients with MS and 60 healthy controls (HC) matched on age, sex, and education level. All participants underwent ToM testing (Eyes Test, Videos Test) and 3T brain MRI including conventional and diffusion tensor imaging sequences. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) were applied for whole-brain voxel-wise analysis of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) on NAWM. Results: Patients with MS performed worse on both tasks of ToM compared to HC (Eyes Test 58.7 ± 13.8 vs 81.9 ± 10.4, p < 0.001, Hedges g −1.886; Videos Test 75.3 ± 9.3 vs 88.1 ± 7.1, p < 0.001, Hedges g −1.537). Performance on ToM tests was correlated with higher values of FA and lower values of MD across widespread white matter tracts. The largest effects (≥90% of voxels with statistical significance) for the Eyes Test were body and genu of corpus callosum, fornix, tapetum, uncinate fasciculus, and left inferior cerebellar peduncle, and for the Videos Test genu and splenium of corpus callosum, fornix, uncinate fasciculus, left tapetum, and right superior fronto-occipital fasciculus. Conclusions: These results indicate that a diffuse pattern of NAWM damage in MS contributes to social cognition impairment in the ToM domain, probably due to a mechanism of disconnection within the social brain network. Gray matter pathology is also expected to have an important role; thus further research is required to clarify the neural basis of social cognition impairment in MS.

The effectiveness of fingolimod in a Portuguese real-world population

INTRODUCTION Fingolimod is an oral treatment for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) with established efficacy in clinical trials. Post-marketing studies are important to assess its effectiveness in real-world populations. OBJECTIVES To report the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod in a real-world population. METHODS A retrospective study of patients with RRMS treated with fingolimod for at least six months. The demographic characteristics, Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR), Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS), previous treatments and Adverse Events (AE) were analysed. RESULTS 104 patients were included, with a mean treatment duration of 21.06 months. First-line disease modifying therapy failure patients (n=56) had an ARR decrease of 68.53% (1.43 vs. 0.45, p<0.001), 66.07% of them were relapse-free, EDSS significantly decreased (2.5 vs. 2.0, p<0.001) and 91.07% showed no disability progression. In patients previously treated with natalizumab as a second-line drug mainly switched due to safety concerns (n=41), although the differences were not statistically significant, both the ARR and EDSS increased in 41.46% and 19.51% of patients, respectively. In treatment-naive patients (n=7) the ARR decreased 94.90% (1.57 vs. 0.08, p=0.027) and there was no disability progression. 56.7% of all patients experienced AE not considered serious in any of the cases. CONCLUSION In this population, fingolimod was an effective treatment after first-line treatment failure, decreasing both the ARR and EDSS, and may be an effective option after natalizumab.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening test for cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT This study investigates the utility of the Portuguese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening-method for identifying cognitive dysfunction (CD) in multiple sclerosis (MS). The 118 participants with comprehensive neuropsychological assessment were divided into two subgroups: (I) MS group (n = 59) and (II) control group (n = 59). The MS patients were classified as cognitively intact (n = 26) or impaired (n = 33, 56%). The results indicated that the MoCA is a psychometrically valid instrument in assessment of MS patients. The Multiple Linear Regression analyses highlighted the significant influence of Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and Irregular Word Reading Test on MoCA performance. The MoCA total score showed a good discriminative capacity between cognitively impaired and cognitively intact subjects. In addition, there were significant differences in MoCA cognitive domain scores between groups. The MoCA total score cut-off point for identifying CD in MS patients was a score below 26 points (AUC = 0.837, CI = 0.736–0.937). A proposed EM-MoCA-Subscore for identifying the MS-related cognitive impairment (max. score = 19 points, cut-off <17 points, AUC = 0.871, CI = 0.784–0.958), can reduce administration time for cognitive screening in clinical settings. The MoCA is a useful and sensitive instrument to identify the MS-related cognitive impairment.

Predictors of first-line treatment persistence in a Portuguese cohort of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Treatment persistence in first-line injectable disease-modifying therapies (DMT) for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is an important indicator of effectiveness. Identifying predictors of treatment discontinuation is important as there are other therapies currently available and a growing range of emerging drugs. We report a retrospective study of RRMS and clinically isolated syndrome patients followed in a University Hospital during a 13-year period with the objective of identifying predictors of treatment persistence. An evaluation of persistence on the first DMT, rates of DMT discontinuation, and reasons and predictors of discontinuation was performed. A total of 410 patients were included, 69% female, with mean disease duration of 37.8months, mean age of 34.2years and mean follow-up time of 6.1years. The first DMT was glatiramer acetate (GA) in 27.56% of patients, interferon (IFN) β-1a intramuscular in 26.34%, IFNβ-1b in 26.10%, IFNβ-1a22 in 13.66% and IFNβ-1a44 in 6.34%. Treatment was discontinued in 16.34% of patients after 1year of treatment and in 50.24% of patients in the total follow-up time, with a mean time for discontinuation of 39.80months. Higher baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale score was an independent predictor of treatment discontinuation (hazard ratio 1.35, p=0.002). After the first year, treatment persistence was 90.74% for IFNβ-1a-IM, 88.46% for IFNβ-1a44, 83.18% for IFNβ-1b, 83.19% for GA and 69.64% for IFNβ-1a22 (p=0.014). Lower frequency of administration was associated with higher persistence rates. The most common reason for treatment discontinuation was lack of efficacy in all DMT subgroups.

Dietary probiotic supplementation improves growth and the intestinal morphology of Nile tilapia.

Probiotic administration can be a nutritional strategy to improve the immune response and growth performance of fish. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of a probiotic blend (Bacillus sp., Pediococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Lactobacillus sp.) as a dietary supplement on growth performance, feed utilization, innate immune and oxidative stress responses and intestinal morphology in juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The probiotic was incorporated into a basal diet at three concentrations: 0 g/kg (A0: control), 3 g/kg (A1: 1.0×106 colony forming unit (CFU)/g) and 6 g/kg (A2: 2.3×106 CFU/g diet). After 8 weeks of probiotic feeding, weight and specific growth rate where significantly higher in fish-fed A1 diet than in fish-fed A0. Alternative complement in plasma was significantly enhanced in fish-fed A2 when compared with A0. The hepatic antioxidant indicators were not affected by probiotic supplementation. Villi height and goblet cell counts increased significantly in the intestine of fish-fed A1 and A2 diets compared with A0. The dietary probiotic supplementation was maintained until 20 weeks of feeding. Then the selected immune parameters, digestive enzymes and apparent digestibility of diets were studied. No effect of probiotic feeding was observed after that longer period supplementation. The dietary supplementation of mixed species probiotic may constitute a valuable nutritional approach towards a sustainable tilapia aquaculture. The improvement of the immune responses and intestinal morphology play an important role in increasing growth performance, nutrient absorption and disease resistance in fish, important outcomes in such a competitive and developing aquaculture sector.

Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Portuguese cohort study

BACKGROUND Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been a controversial issue, without international standardized treatment recommendations. The goal of our study was to evaluate the clinical course of MS during pregnancy and the respective therapeutic options, obstetrical outcomes and breastfeeding data. METHODS This was a retrospective study including women with a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS at least one year before pregnancy. Three periods were evaluated: one year prior to pregnancy, pregnancy and one year postpartum. Information acquired included demographic and disease activity data, treatment options, and obstetrical and breastfeeding data. RESULTS From a cohort of 1134 patients and 777 women, we included 127 pregnancies in 97 women (111 deliveries of a live infant, 11 spontaneous abortions, 3 fetal deaths and 2 voluntary abortions). The annualized relapse rate (ARR) decreased during pregnancy, mainly in the third trimester (prior to pregnancy 0.6 ± 0.8 vs. during pregnancy 0.3 ± 0.6, p = 0.006). There were no significant changes in the ARR in the year after delivery compared to baseline (0.6 ± 0.8 vs. 0.6 ± 0.8, p = 0.895). Patients with relapses in the postpartum period had a shorter disease duration at conception (5.4 ± 3.9 vs. 7.4 ± 4.7; p = 0.029) and breastfed less (53.5% vs. 72.1%, p = 0.046). In the multivariate analysis, relapses during pregnancy predicted postpartum relapses (OR = 4.9, p < 0.005). Neither the previous use of disease modifying therapy (DMT), given to 80.2% of women, nor breastfeeding, caesarean delivery (CD) or epidural analgesia (EA) had an impact on the presence of postpartum relapses. Compared to baseline, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) increased in pregnancy and the postpartum period (1.6 ± 0.7 vs. 1.7 ± 0.9 vs. 2.1 ± 1.0, p < 0.001). CD was performed in 43.3% of patients, mainly because of fetal-pelvic incompatibility (35.7%) and EA was performed in 63.9%. The most frequent complications were restriction of fetal growth (4.5%) and gestational diabetes mellitus (3.6%). Concerning newborns, 6.4% had birth asphyxia and 6.1% low birth weight. No malformations were registered. CONCLUSION Despite a reduction in the relapse rate during pregnancy, the presence of relapses during pregnancy predicted postpartum relapses, with impact on disability. DMT appeared to have no influence on clinical or obstetrical outcome. MS did not have a deleterious effect on the pregnancy course. CD and EA were safe procedures, with a tendency towards CD in MS patients, compared to Portuguese women in general. Breastfeeding did not influence MS activity.

Use of Spray-Dried Blood Meal as an Alternative Protein Source in Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) Diets

We evaluated the effects of various dietary blood meal levels on the growth performance and body composition of pirarucu (Araipama gigas) juveniles. Fish (8.5 ± 0.4 g) were stocked into 24 tanks and fed for 60 days with eight isoproteic diets, having 0% to 21% incorporation of blood meal. Fish increased weight by six to 15 times from their initial weight. The highest body weights (117–135 g), growth rates (4%–5% BW/day), and protein retentions (19%–20%) were observed in fish fed 0% to 6% blood meal. Feed intake increased from 2.9% to 4.4% BW/day with increasing blood meal level. Feed conversion ratio (FCR: 1.0–1.1) did not vary among groups fed 0% to 6% blood meal (P < 0.001). However, when fish were fed more than 6% blood meal, FCR (1.3–1.7) and protein retention (11.1–13.7) deteriorated sharply. Lipid (7.7–11.7%) and energy (18.7–21.2 kJ/g) content increased with increasing blood meal levels up to 9%.

Influence of vegetable diets on physiological and immune responses to thermal stress in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

The substitution of fish resources as ingredients for aquafeeds by those based on vegetable sources is needed to ensure aquaculture sustainability in the future. It is known that Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) accepts high dietary content of plant ingredients without altering growth or flesh quality parameters. However, scarce information is available regarding the long-term impact of vegetable diets (combining the inclusion of both vegetable protein and oils) on the stress response and immunity of this fish species. This study aims to evaluate the concomitant effect of the extended use of vegetable protein-based diets with fish oil (FO) replacement (0, 50 or 100%) by vegetable oils (VO), on the response to acute (10 min) or prolonged (4 days) stress, induced by thermal shock. Plasma levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate as well as hepatic levels of glucose, glycogen and lactate were evaluated as primary and secondary responses to stress, 6 and 18 months after feeding the experimental diets (6 and 18 MAF). The brain monoaminergic activity in telencephalon and hypothalamus, and non-specific immune parameters were also evaluated. As expected, thermal shock induced an increase in values of plasma parameters related to stress, which was more evident in acute than in prolonged stress. Stress also affected lactate levels in the liver and the values of the alternative complement pathway-ACH50 in the plasma. Dietary substitution of FO induced an effect per se on some parameters such as decreased hepatic glucose and glycogen levels and peroxidase activity in plasma as well enhanced serotonergic activity in brain of non-stressed fish. The results obtained in some parameters indicate that there is an interaction between the use of vegetable diets with the physiological response to thermal stress, as is the case of the hepatic lactate, serotonergic neurotransmission in brain, and the activity of ACH50 in plasma. These results suggest that the inclusion of VO in plant protein based diets point to a slightly inhibited stress response, more evident for an acute than a prolonged stress.