Introduction - Nutritionists have suggested the partial replacement of the saturated fatty acids (SFAs) with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in animal diet. However, in the absence of antioxidant protection, PUFAs are subject to lipid peroxidation.Material and methods - In this investigation, three groups of pigs were fed three different diets, namely an SFA-rich diet (palm oil-based), a PUFA-rich diet (corn oil-based), and a PUFA-rich diet (corn oil-based), supplemented with freeze-dried organic red wine solids (RWS). The objective of this work was to compare the effects of the three diets on serum biochemical parameters (albumin, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and alanine aminotransferase) and on serum oxidative status (antioxidant power by anti-ROMs test and reactive oxygen species by d-ROMs test, Diacron s.r.l).Results and discussion - The results show that pigs fed a diet containing corn oil and RWS have a significantly higher serum antioxidant power, and a lower level of serum reactive oxygen species compared to the other two groups of pigs. Furthermore, in corn oil and RWS-fed pigs, alanine aminotransferase, cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly lower than in the other two groups of pigs.Conclusions - A diet rich in PUFAs and polyphenols, derived from RWS, may be effective in increasing the body's antioxidant defenses, in decreasing reactive oxygen species in serum, and in improving serum biochemical parameters.

This research represents the first attempt in Italy to develop a cage system for adult freshwater mussel stocking, for extensive farming, that was realized from 2003 to 2005 in NW Italy. Two autochthonous species of Italian freshwater mussel were used: Anodonta anatina and Unio mancus. 5133 mussels were collected and successively stocked in floating cages in 5 different sites in a lake. This study was planned in order to determine the effect of main rearing factors for potential farming: stocking density and cage position in the water column (depth). For each species, the effects of three rearing densities and two water depths were tested. Mussel growth was measured on a monthly basis in each experimental unit throughout the study. The survival rate at the end of the experiment for both species considered was 98.4%. U. mancus resulted to be more resistant to rearing conditions and during the summer the highest mortality was registered for A. anatina. Summer mortality was between 4.8% and 20.5%. Highest mortality in U. mancus was recorded in September 2004 at 1.5 m (3.6 +/- 2.4%), while the highest mortality for A. anatina was recorded in September 2003 as 13.3%+/- 3.8% at a depth of 1.5 m. This research showed that cage stocking is a suitable method and the optimal position of cages is at the lake thermocline. The proposed species proved to be easily utilizable for future farming or bioremediation projects, and can readily be reared up to 135 kg m(-3).

Introduction and Aims: On-line dialysance (Kt) and thermodilution (BTM-Qa) methods could be important components in vascular access monitoring programs.This study evaluated the efficiency of these two methods in reducing the thrombosis rate and access-related costs compared with a historic control group.Methods: We studied 148 long-term hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistulas (historical control group, n = 74) for 2 years.During the study period, the indications for vascular treatments were the Kt reduction ≥20% with respect to baseline values or Qa less than 500 mL/min (or a decrease in flow > 20%).Differences between the Qa and Kt groups were tested using Student's T-Test or the Wilcoxon test, as appropriate.The χ2 test was used to analyze the angioplasty and thrombosis rates compared with the historical control group.A P-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: During the study period, we detected 16 cases of significant vascular access dysfunction.The Kt value after vascular treatment was 71.1L (59L; P = 0.001) and BTM-Qa was 1218.6 mL/min (519.7 mL/min; P = 0.001).Compared with the control group, the thrombosis rate was 0.027 vs 0.148 episodes/patient-year (P = 0.009) and the total access-related cost was €22,293 vs €47,467 (P = 0.033).Conclusions: This study suggests that a combined monitoring program based on Kt and Qa-BTM represents an effective screening method that significantly reduces the thrombosis rate and economic costs of vascular treatments SP523

The European Commission Recommendation 2006/576/EC, suggests that the maximum level of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in poultry feeds should be set at 0.1 mg OTA/kg. Thirty-six one-day-old male Hubburd broiler chickens were divided into two groups, a Control (basal diet) and an Ochratoxin A (basal diet + 0.1 mg OTA/kg) group. The growth and slaughter performance traits were recorded. The liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus weights were measured. The erythrocyte and leukocyte numbers were assayed in blood samples, and the heterophils to lymphocytes (H/L) ratio was determined. Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), lysozyme, the total protein and the electrophoretic pattern were evaluated in serum samples. Liver enzymes (alanino aminotransferase, ALT and aspartate aminotransferase, AST) and kidney function parameters (uric acid and creatinine) were quantified. The results revealed that feeding a 0.1 mg OTA/kg contaminated diet to chicks caused a decrease in the absolute thymus weight (p < 0.05) and a lower total protein (p < 0.01), albumin (p < 0.01), alpha (p < 0.05), beta (p = 0.001) and gamma (p = 0.001) globulins serum concentration in the Ochratoxin A group. Moreover, the albumin-to-globulin (A/G) ratio of the OTA-treated animals resulted to be higher (p < 0.05). Feeding broiler chickens, a diet contaminated with the maximum level admitted by the European Commission Recommendation (0.1 mg OTA/kg), did not affect the animal performance, slaughter traits, organ weights, haematological parameters, liver enzyme or renal function parameters concentrations but had an overall immunosuppressant effect, with reduction in the thymus weight and of the total serum protein, albumin, alpha, beta and gamma globulins concentration.

The present work is aimed to investigate the physiology of reproduction Of the freshwater mussel (Anodonta anatina) for future extensive farming. In this paper the knowledge of life history traits and reproductive aspects is considered as the first step for obtaining juveniles for rearing mussels in captivity. In the first part of this research 2,285 specimens of A. anatina were placed in 5 sites hi the Avigliana Lakes (NW Italy) and reared for a 2 years period, A sample of 180 specimens was collected in the Lake in November 2003 and 57% of mussels were gravid. The brooding period started from late August to the next spring. Histology performed on 11 individuals collected in April and late June 2004 clearly showed either females or hermaphrodites, confirming that A. anatina sexual strategy is characterised by a high plasticity. In order to obtain juveniles in captivity, a correct assessment of glochidial maturity Was necessary. In April hooks of glochidia were completely developed and the adductor muscle was clearly visible. A partial extrusion of the mantle before glochidial release can be considered a good indicator of glochidial maturity, while water temperature and glochidial snapping activity are less reliable. Four Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), 8 Bleaks (Alburnus alburnus) and an European Perch (Perca fluviatilis), were infested with glochidia in aquarium, confirming that A. anatina is a low selective host fish species and that host fish parasitism can be easily performed in artificial conditions with fish species commonly found in Avigliana Lakes.A cast of direct development to a juvenile A. anatina without the parasitic stage on fish was also observed: a metamorphosed glochidium (juvenile) was found in the genital duct together with sub-triangular glochidia of smaller size. This is the first observation of direct development reported for an European unionid.Freshwater mussel farming could be interesting activity for the future for bacteria filtration in integrate productions and as alternative feedstuffs for farmed fish nutrition. This preliminary Work is the first step for larval rearing and potential future European freshwater mussel farming.

The characteristics of patients on dialysis have changed significantly in the last years. Aging and comorbidity are the most important aspects of this change. Vascular access problems are frequent in elderly people and contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) remains the preferred method but may be difficult or unadvisable in older patients because of a short life expectancy, poor vasculature or poor cardiac function. In fact, increasing use of CVC has been reported in recent studies. Psychological and quality of life-related aspects should also be taken into account when scheduling vascular access in older patients: from this point of view CVC may be a good alternative to an aggressive surgical policy. Decreasing CVC-related complications is feasible through the consistent application of basic rules; the center effect may be relevant in this context. However, the use of CVC remains a kind of double-edged sword: even in older people preferring it over AVF is justified only if good results can be guaranteed. The final choice will have to be based on a multidisciplinary approach and careful assessment of resources.

Rice protein concentrate (RPC) is a good raw material for fish nutrition due to its high protein and lipid content. The aim of this research was to evaluate this source of nutrients as a potential substitute for fish meal in rainbow trout diets. The RPC was characterized on the basis of proximate analyses, fatty acid (FA) profile and amino acid composition and then three experimental diets were formulated to be isoproteic (CP 47%) and isoenergetic (22 MJ kg(-1) DM) with increasing levels of RPC (20%, 35% and 53%) tested against a control diet without RPC (RPC0). An in vivo digestibility experiment was performed in order to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC(s)) of the diets using the indirect acid-insoluble ash (AIA) method. Statistical differences appeared among all the diets as far as the dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and gross energy ADC are concerned with a decrease as the RPC level increase. No differences appeared for the ether extract ADC, but a decreasing trend was observed when the RPC level increased. Successively, a feeding trial was performed on triplicate groups of 30 fish (mean weight: 62.4 g) fed experimental diets for 94 days. At the end of the trial, the growth performance traits were determined and somatic indexes were calculated on five fish per each replicate. The diets and dorsal muscles were analysed for the proximate composition, gross energy and FA profile. The main results of the present experimentation are that the FA composition of the fillets did not show any difference between the control group and the fish fed with the RPC diets. Moreover, RPC can be used at an inclusion level of up to 20% without a growth performance reduction in rainbow trout feedstuffs, leading to a saving on fish meal protein. Inclusion of higher levels than 20% resulted in an almost linear reduction in the ADCs of the nutrients and energy and this was mirrored in the growth performance of the fish. Although the level of lysine was marginally limiting in the RPC53 diet, the EAA profile of RPC seems quite good, relative to trout requirements, and there was no major adverse effect of RPC on feed palatability; hence, reduced growth performance was mostly a consequence of reduced digestible nutrient and energy intakes as the RPC level was increased in the diet. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In spite of the high number of catheter-related complications, increasing use of central venous access in dialysis is reported in many countries. Tunneled catheters have especially gained acceptance both as a bridge access awaiting fistula maturation, and long-term definitive vascular access in cases of peripheral vasculature exhaustion. Until recently, catheters were dual lumen, varying slightly in construction and diameter, but uniformly having step-tip or staggered-tip configuration. In the last 10 yrs an important development concerning different catheter construction technology has taken place aiming to improve performance, increase survival or make the insertion procedure easier. Table I shows a list of the most commonly used tunneled catheters. A double-lumen catheter has an elongated tube with a proximal first cylindrical portion having an internal divider to define a pair of discrete lumens, including a shorter lumen opening at approximately the distal end of the first cylindrical portion, and a longer lumen opening at the distal end of the elongated tube. There are many proprietary designs for the two internal lumens: preferably, the lumens are “D” shaped in the first cylindrical portion, a plurality of outlet holes are provided in the vicinity of the conical tapered tip, and the shorter lumen opens at an aperture having a bevel. A dual lumen split tip hemodialysis catheter, has the two lumens in a unitary housing along an intermediate length up to a dividing point. Distal of that dividing point, the two lumens branch off from one another in two separate tubes. These two tubes have different lengths and these two separate distal tip tubes are known as split tips. Dual catheters for long-term access are dialysis catheters entirely independent, working as an arterial and venous lumen having an anchorage system at different levels. When both catheters are implanted into the same vein, then the total diameter of the two catheters is bigger than that of a dual lumen catheter. Surgical aspects differ substantially and probably influence catheter choice in clinical practice. The main advantage of dual lumen catheters is the convenience of insertion. Instead of two punctures only one puncture is required. This reduces the insertion time considerably and could reduce complication rates related to the insertion procedure itself. Opposite dual catheters require a doubling of all maneuvers (vein puncture, guidewire insertion, dilatation, catheter insertion, peeling, and tunneling), each of these can increase the risk of complications. This feature was very important when stiff catheters for acute dialysis were used because the catheter was inserted for only a few days. For chronic dialysis this feature is less relevant since catheters are used for several months or years and the reduction in thrombotic and infectious complications takes precedence over convenience and complication rates during insertion. In addition, complication rates during the insertion of soft catheters are very low. The single procedure, double-lumen catheter is still particularly advantageous when a blind technique must be used, for example, to reach a vein under the collar bone or neck. The risk of a double puncture to the vein is currently reduced by the use of an ultrasoundguided technique; moreover, even in a high-risk situation (anatomic or coagulatory anomalies) initial use of a smaller needle (micropuncture) and guidewire can be helpful and make the risk of twofold insertion acceptable. To avoid double punctures some physicians circumvent this by placing a wire into the IJ. This is dilated up and a large end-hole catheter is placed in the IJ. The obturator of this catheter is removed and a second wire placed. So with one puncture there are two wires in place. Each wire can be used to finish the corresponding dilatation and catheter placement. Some believe that this can lead to a figure of “8” positioning of the two catheters, which can allow more bleeding. Rarely the advantage is the two smaller lumens meet if catheters are implanted through two veins, (e.g., jugulars on each side or jugular and subclavian on the same side) and no larger central veins are accessible. More frequently, an independent lumen allows the substitution of a single dysfunctional branch (arterial or venous) without removing the other.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the major cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Traditional risk factors do not explain the high prevalence of CVD in this population, and other non-traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk markers have now been described. Therefore, the potential relationship between CVD and phenotypic and genotypic risk markers was investigated prospectively in incident dialysis patients cohort. The 279 patients (244 on hemodialysis, 35 on peritoneal dialysis) within the Diamant Alpin Dialysis Cohort Study were investigated. Phenotypic and genotypic parameters were determined at dialysis initiation, patients monitored over a 2-year period, and CV events (morbidity and mortality) recorded. Globally, 82 CV events occurred and 26 patients (9.3%) died from CVD, whereas 28 (10%) died from non-CV causes. Previous CV events were strongly predictive of CV events occurrence, whatever patients had had one (hazard ratio (HR) 2, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.1-3.5) or more (HR 3.9, 95% CI 2.1-7.1) CV accidents before starting dialysis. Both lipoprotein(a) (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1-2.5) and total plasma homocysteine at cutoff 30 micromol/l (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.8) were independent predictors of CV events outcome. In the subgroup of patients with homocysteine < 30 micromol/l, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) TT was the sole biological parameter predictive of CV event outcome (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-10, P = 0.03). ESRD patients who enter chronic dialysis with a previous CV event, high total homocysteinemia levels, or MTHFR 677TT genotype must be considered at high risk of incident CV events.

The efficiency of diets with the inclusion of Spirulina for Siberian sturgeon weaning has been tested. Three isoproteic and isoenergetic diets were formulated with an increasing level of Indian strain Spirulina (SP 40%, SP 50% and SP 60%); the diets were tested against a control diet without microalgae. The results show that Spirulina inclusion improves growth and that an inclusion level of 50% gave the greatest growth rate, a better favourable feed conversion rate and the highest protein efficiency. The fatty acid composition of fillets showed differences between the experimental and control diets: an increase in the Spirulina level induces increases in palmitic and linoleic acids and a decrease in the myristic acid. The control diet was characterized by high levels of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. At the end of the experiment, statistical differences appeared in the fatty acid profile of the sturgeon fillet, mainly concerning high content of monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid in the sturgeon fillets. If the problems related to the high production costs are solved, Spirulina could prove a good partial substitute fish meal.

The effect of stress resulting from fish farming has received considerable attention in this last period and fish welfare in aquaculture is a relevant topic, very important for the future of aquaculture (Watson et al., 2004; Klinger et al., 1996; Peres et al., 2004; Ron et al., 1995;Wagner et al., 1995;Watson et al., 1998). Brown trout farming is less developed then rainbow trout farming, but this kind of fish farming is increasing, mainly for fish conservation and restocking aquaculture.

Background. Late referral (LR) to the nephrologist of patients with progressing chronic kidney disease (CKD) has numerous deleterious effects and is observed in many countries. The contributing factors associated with LR are controversial and poorly defined. We hypothesized that these factors might be better identified by analysing patients starting dialysis in three distinct European countries within the same area.Method. The referral and progression of kidney failure patterns were analysed with demographic, clinical and biological data in 279 non-selected consecutive patients starting dialysis in eight centres of three adjacent regions in France, Italy and Switzerland.Results. Early referral (>6 months before the start of dialysis) was seen in 200 patients (71.6%), intermediate referral (1-6 months) in 42 (15.1%) and LR (<1 month) in 37 (13.3%). However inter-centre variations were between 2 and 19% for LR and 6-50% for combined late and intermediate referral. There were no differences at the national levels, but LR was more frequent in the large city centres than in the private or regional structures, with 31 out of 169 (18.3%), two out of 55 (5.4%) and four out of 55 (7.3%), respectively, of their patients (P < 0.01). By multivariate analysis, it appears that, besides the presence of an active cancer and the CKD progression rate, the centre structure and the referring physician (primary care physicians and nephrologists are less responsible for LR than other medical specialists) play a significant role in the practice of LR.Conclusions. Within a dialysis cohort spread over adjacent regions of three countries, LR has the same global distribution pattern, indicating that different health and social security systems do not play a major role in inducing or preventing this practice. The contributing factors for LR that were identified are the type of the referring physician and the structure of the dialysis unit. Both factors are potential targets for an educational and collaborative approach.

Stenosis and thrombosis are the most important complications leading to vascular access failure in hemodialysis (HD). Aiming for an early access dysfunction diagnosis and elective repair of the failing access, the DOQI guidelines recommend that all HD patients undergo a program of regular monitoring and surveillance. The K/DOQI 2000 update identifies specific types of evaluation for dialysis accesses. First nephrologists should examine patients by inspecting, ausculting and palpating the access at least every 4-6 weeks when patients are not being dialyzed. In addition, access surveillance should be regularly performed by various techniques, i.e. urea recirculation test, dialysis venous pressure measurement and access blood flow assessment. Recently many methods have been proposed and implemented. Ultrasound dilution is the most commonly used. This technique relies on the change in ultrasound velocity when blood is diluted with a normal saline bolus at a known dialyzer blood flow rate, after the lines have been reversed. Following the use of blood ultrasound dilution, multiple technologies have been implemented for access flow measurement with line reversal, i.e. hematocrit (Hct) dilution, thermodilution, conductivity variation assessment. There are three other methods that do not require line reversal: i.e. transcutaneous access flow (TQA) assessment, glucose pump test (GPT) and the variable flow Doppler. Finally, duplex scanning can provide both the anatomy and blood flow of the access. With a Qa <600 mL/min or <1000 mL/min, but reduced by 25% in 4 months, K/DOQI suggest performing angiography and eventual elective repair.