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Biomedical subjects

K Raes

Publications and source records attributed to K Raes.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Lipid profile in eggs of Araucana hens compared with Lohmann Selected Leghorn and ISA Brown hens given diets with different fat sources.

1. In a cross-over trial, the egg cholesterol and fatty acid composition of Araucana hens was compared with those of two commercial breeds (Lohmann Selected Leghorn and ISA Brown) under two feeding regimes, either high (Hn-3) or low (Ln-3) in long-chain n-3 fatty acids. 2. The Hn-3 diet was formed by isocaloric substitution of animal fat in the control diet (Ln-3) by a dry product containing stabilised fish oil with standardised concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 3. Both breed and diet had influences on egg composition, without interactions. 4. The Araucana breed showed lower feed intake and lower egg weights than the other two breeds. The yolk weight was similar, leading to a much higher yolk:albumen ratio in the Araucana eggs. 5. In comparison to commercial breeds, Araucanas produced eggs with higher cholesterol content per g of yolk, which was even more pronounced when expressed per g of egg, due to the high yolk content of the eggs. The cholesterol content of an egg remained unchanged by the diet, irrespective of the dietary fat source. 6. Changing to the Hn-3 diet led to greater concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) contents in the yolk, without a change in the ratio of saturated (SFA) to unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). 7. Within the PUFA, the n-3 fatty acids increased at the expense of the n-6 fatty acids, indicating a competition between n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for incorporation in the yolk.

Animal Feed↗

Immunocompetence in organically fed finishing pigs: effect of corn cob mix.

Two consecutive experiments were performed to evaluate the effects on the immune response of corn cob mix (CCM) in an organic pig diet. The immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgA and IgG responses against an intramuscularly injected model antigen, bovine thyroglobulin, were used as indicator. The experiments were performed in an organic barn with nine pens of four crossbred pigs (two barrows and two sows) from 45 kg to slaughter. In the first experiment, the organic concentrate was mixed with organic CCM-silage to obtain three concentrate: CCM ratios of 100:0, 80:20 and 60:40 (w:w). In the second experiment, three concentrates were produced to obtain diets with equal nutrient levels on a dry matter basis after 0%, 20% and 40% CCM inclusion. Higher inclusion rates of CCM in the ration were accompanied by lower thyroglobulin-specific IgG responses. These effects could not be attributed to one specific component of the CCM, such as fatty acid composition, although there was a degree of correlation with lower vitamin A concentrations. Mycotoxin concentrations were absent or minimal. The study indicated that dietary ingredient composition may affect immunocompetence.

Animal Feed↗

Analysis of fatty acid isomers in ruminant tissues by silver thin layer chromatography followed by gas chromatography.

A method for the analysis of trans fatty acids is described in this paper. Separation of trans isomers from the corresponding cis was based on the different facility with which the double bonds in the alkyl chains of both types of fatty acids form polar complexes with silver, and it was carried out by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), using silver nitrate impregnated plates. Further separation, identification and quantification of the individual C18:1 isomers, analysed as methyl esters, was carried out by Gas Chromatography (GC). The determination of the content of the isomer t11-C18:1 in ruminant tissues can contribute to try to elucidate the metabolic pathway formation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), shown as a fatty acid of beneficial health effects. Furthermore, the analysis of trans fatty acids in other dietary foods seems to be interesting due to their influence on the modification of the serum lipids profile and the role of this type of compounds in human health.

Animals↗

The Arg123-Tyr166 central domain of human ApoAI is critical for lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase-induced hyperalphalipoproteinemia and HDL remodeling in transgenic mice.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)-induced HDL remodeling were investigated in transgenic mice expressing human apolipoprotein (apo) AI or an apoAI/apoAII chimera in which the Arg123-Tyr166 domain of apoAI was substituted with the Ser12-Ala75 domain of apoAII. Expression of apoAI and of the apoAI/apoAII chimera resulted in a respective 3. 5-fold and 2.9-fold increase of HDL cholesterol. Human LCAT gene transfer into apoAI-transgenic mice resulted in a 5.1-fold increase of endogenous LCAT activity. This increase was associated with a 2. 4-fold increase of the cholesterol ester-to-free cholesterol ratio of HDL, a shift from HDL(3) to HDL(2), and a 2.4-fold increase of HDL cholesterol levels. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that human LCAT gene transfer into human apoAI-transgenic mice resulted in an increase of pre-beta-HDL and of pre-alpha-HDL. In contrast, human LCAT gene transfer did not affect cholesterol levels and HDL distribution profile in mice expressing the apoAI/apoAII chimera. Mouse LCAT did not "see" a difference between wild-type and mutant human apoAI, whereas human LCAT did, thus localizing the species-specific interaction in the central domain of apoAI. In conclusion, the Arg123-Tyr166 central domain of apoAI is not critical for in vivo lipoprotein association. It is, however, critical for LCAT-induced hyperalphalipoproteinemia and HDL remodeling independent of the lipid-binding properties of apoAI.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Choroidal reaction and vascular repair after chorioretinal photocoagulation with the free-running neodymium-YAG laser.

The morphologic effects of the neodymium-YAG laser working in the free-running mode on the choroid of pigmented rabbit eyes have been studied by electron microscopy. Two different mechanisms closing the choroidal vessels were found. The larger vessels of the vascular lamina were closed by platelet aggregation, while within the choriocapillaries a network of fibrin could be observed. The endothelial cells of the vessels were found to be damaged in capillaries as well as in the larger vessels. Within the irradiated area, a revascularization process takes place, expanding from the border towards the center. The process begins a few days after treatment and continues for more than four months. The process of neovascularization is described in detail. Beside fibroblasts, cells could be found that were active in producing elastic fibers.

Animals↗