ABSTRACT Golay sequences are two binary (+1, -1) sequences with nonperiodic autocorrelation funct... more ABSTRACT Golay sequences are two binary (+1, -1) sequences with nonperiodic autocorrelation function zero. These sequences have a wide range of applications in constructing orthogonal designs and Hadamard matrices, in coding theory, in multislit spectrometry and in surface acoustic wave devices.In this paper we develop an algorithm for constructing such sequences. We prove that Golay sequences of length n = 2 · 72t do not exist and we give new proofs of some known results. In particular we show there are no Golay sequences of length 98. We conjecture that there are no Golay sequences of length 2 · q2t where q is not the sum of two integer squares.
Camelina sativa seeds are rich in bioactive compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ... more Camelina sativa seeds are rich in bioactive compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and antioxidants, thus, their supplementation in ewes’ diets, may be an effective way to develop high nutritional dairy products. Therefore, the present study investigates the effect of the dietary inclusion of Camelina sativa seeds in ewes’ oxidative status and milk quality. Forty-eight dairy Chios ewes were divided into four homogenous groups and were fed individually. The concentrate of the control group (CON) had no inclusion of Camelina seeds, while the treatment groups (CSS6, CSS11, CSS16) were supplemented with 6%, 11%, and 16%, respectively. Including Camelina seeds in 6% and 11%, had no impact on milk performance, while in the CSS16, milk fat was significantly decreased compared to the CON. Supplementing Camelina seeds improved milk quality from a human health perspective by modifying the content of saturated fatty acid, the proportions of α-linolenic (C18:3 n-3), and C18:2 cis-...
The electrical conductivity of soil saturated paste extract (ECe) is used as an indicator for est... more The electrical conductivity of soil saturated paste extract (ECe) is used as an indicator for estimating soil salinity. This method is time consuming and laborious and therefore, easier and faster methods are usually used with different soil/water ratios, such as 1:5 (EC1:5), for estimating the ECe. Usually, the relationship between ECe and EC1:5 is described by a simple linear empirical equation. The value of the conversion factor (CF) of EC1:5 to ECe is affected by the particular characteristics of the soil, such as its texture. The objective of this study is to investigate models that allow the inclusion of soil texture in the calculation of the CF, in order to improve the prediction of the ECe. A total of 148 soil samples with different soil texture and salinity levels were selected from three regions of Greece, and ECe, EC1:5, as well as clay and sand contents were determined. The results show that the CF can be estimated from an equation which incorporates the clay and sand co...
Traditional hard Xinotyri cheese was manufactured using raw or pasteurized goat milk, without sta... more Traditional hard Xinotyri cheese was manufactured using raw or pasteurized goat milk, without starter cultures, and the changes in microbiological and biochemical characteristics were studied during ripening and storage. Mesophilic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) predominated (>8.5 log CFU/g) in freshly fermented Xinotyri cheeses (pH 4.5–4.6), regardless of milk pasteurization. Enterobacteria, pseudomonads and staphylococci were suppressed below 6 and 4–5 log CFU/g in fresh cheeses from raw and pasteurized milk, respectively. Salmonella and Listeria spp. were absent in 25 g cheese samples. Coagulase-positive staphylococci exceeded the 5-log safety threshold in fresh raw milk cheeses, which also had 10-fold higher levels of enterococci than pasteurized milk cheeses. Non-LAB groups declined <100 CFU/g, whereas yeasts increased to 5–6 log CFU/g in both cheeses during ripening. Milk pasteurization affected the protein, fat, ash, moisture, nitrogen fractions, total free fatty acids and ...
Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of soil, especially of the upper soil layer, is a basic par... more Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of soil, especially of the upper soil layer, is a basic parameter for modeling water infiltration and solute transport in the soil. In the present study, spatial and temporal variability of Ks in the upper soil layer of a loam soil, which was covered by native vegetation for 20 years and had not undergone any cultivation treatment, is investigated. Saturated hydraulic conductivity of 76 undisturbed soil samples, taken twice a year at the dry (37 soil samples) and rainy periods (39 soil samples), was measured using a constant head method. The study reveals that Ks values exhibit significant spatial variability over the two time periods of measurement and follow a lognormal distribution with a coefficient of variation greater than 70%. On the contrary, there was no statistically significant seasonal variability of Ks between summer (dry period) and winter (rainy period) sampling (p > 0.05), and, therefore, there was no significant temporal vari...
BACKGROUND The Hemiconvulsions-Hemiplegia-Epilepsy (HHE) syndrome is currently regarded as an ext... more BACKGROUND The Hemiconvulsions-Hemiplegia-Epilepsy (HHE) syndrome is currently regarded as an extremely rare condition. The etiological and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this medical rarity as well as the optimal therapeutic approaches remain poorly defined and understood. We present the clinical, radiological and electroencephalography (EEG) findings of a patient with the HHE syndrome and describe the response of the continuously present epileptiform abnormalities to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). CASE DESCRIPTION A 33-year old male patient was referred to our department for investigation and management of intractable epilepsy. His seizures began at the age of three months when, during the course of a common febrile illness, he developed repetitive clonic seizures involving the left upper and lower limbs, followed by permanent left hemiplegia. After extensive investigations, he was diagnosed with "idiopathic" HHE syndrome. Currently, he suffers from l...
ABSTRACT 1. In recent times the use of food waste in animal diets has gained considerable attenti... more ABSTRACT 1. In recent times the use of food waste in animal diets has gained considerable attention because of the increasing demand to cover the needs of human population and the high prices of conventional, arable based, animal feeds. 2. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of adding dried human food waste to the diet of meat-type chickens (broilers). Two hundred, one-day-old broilers were divided into two treatment groups, with 10 replicate pens containing 10 birds per pen. The duration of the study was 42 days. In the control (C), the diet did not contain any food waste, whereas in the second treatment (T) food waste residues from hotels made up 15% of the diet. Diets had similar crude protein and metabolisable energy content. 3. Feed intake and body weight were recorded in order to calculate weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Carcase and breast muscle yield, the weight of selected internal organs and the level of selected biochemical and haematological parameters were determined. Quality of breast muscle meat was assessed. 4. Broilers fed the control treatment consumed more feed and gained more weight compared to broilers fed waste; however, the FCR was similar. No major differences were seen for internal organ weights and haematological parameters, although some differences were observed in colour traits and shear force of meat. It was concluded that there is a potential for use of food waste in broiler diets.
Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, 2017
Rabbits are suffering from Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy (ERE), a new gastro-intestinal syndrome o... more Rabbits are suffering from Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy (ERE), a new gastro-intestinal syndrome of unknown aetiology. ERE has not yet been investigated thoroughly from the patho-physiological point of view of the intestine malfunction during the intestine dysbiosis. For this reason, the aim of the present research was to study the haematological profile, the intestine histopathology and certain biochemical parameters (α-amylase activity, blood glucose concentration) of animals affected by ERE in comparison with those of healthy rabbits of the same age. In six healthy and six, affected by ERE, crossbreed New Zealand X California 35-day old rabbits, the following analyses were performed: Total blood count, histopathological morphology of the intestine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) distribution in intestine brush border and α-amylase activity in blood plasma and small intestine epithelium, respectively. Total blood count showed significantly (at 95% confidence level) decreased values for...
Abstract Microalgae rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as Schizochytrium sp., can ... more Abstract Microalgae rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as Schizochytrium sp., can be used in ruminant diets as feed additives to modify the rumen microbiome. However, limited in vivo studies exist dealing with their impact on the cellulolytic, methanogenic, and amylolytic microbes in the goat rumen. To address this gap, twenty-four goats were divided into four homogenous subgroups (n = 6 per group). The concentrate of the control group (CON) had no microalgae, while those of the treated groups were supplemented daily with 20 (ALG20), 40 (ALG40), and 60 (ALG60) g Schizochytrium sp./goat. The results showed a significant decline in the relative abundances of Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus in the rumen fluid of ALG40-fed goats; while Fibrobacter succinogenes and Streptococcus bovis were significantly decreased in the ALG60 group compared to the CON group. The relative abundances of Methanobrevibacter spp. were significantly decreased in microalgae-fed goats. The relative abundances of Methanobacterium formicicum and Archaea showed a significant reduction in ALG40 and ALG60 groups, while methanogens and Methanomassiliicoccales portrayed a tendency to decrease (P
The inclusion of feed additives and the implementation of various nutritional strategies are stud... more The inclusion of feed additives and the implementation of various nutritional strategies are studied to modify the rumen microbiome and consequently its function. Nevertheless, rumen enzymatic activity and its intermediate products are not always matched with the microbiome structure. To further elucidate such differences a two-phase trial using twenty-two dairy goats was carried out. During the first phase, both groups (20HF n = 11; high forage and 20HG n = 11; high grain) were supplemented with 20 g Schizochytrium spp./goat/day. The 20HF group consumed a diet with a forage:concentrate (F:C) ratio of 60:40 and the 20HG-diet consisted of a F:C = 40:60. In the second phase, the supplementation level of Schizochytrium spp. was increased to 40 g/day/goat while the F:C ratio between the two groups were remained identical (40HF n = 11; high forage and 40HG n = 11; high grain). By utilizing a next-generation sequencing technology, we monitored that the high microalgae inclusion level and ...
Although the dietary inclusion level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the forage: concen... more Although the dietary inclusion level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the forage: concentrate (F:C) ratio affect milk quality, their interaction has not been broadly studied. To address such gaps and limitations a two-phase trial using twenty-two dairy goats was carried out. During the first phase, both groups (20 HF n = 11; high forage and 20 HG n = 11; high grain) were supplemented with 20 g Schizochytrium spp./goat/day. The 20 HF group consumed a diet with F:C ratio 60:40 and the 20 HG-diet consisted of F:C = 40:60. In the second phase, the supplementation level of Schizochytrium spp. was increased to 40 g/day/goat while the F:C ratio between the two groups were remained identical (40 HF n = 11; high forage and 40 HG n = 11; high grain). Neither the Schizochytrium spp. supplementation levels (20 vs. 40) nor the F:C ratio (60:40 vs. 40:60) affected milk performance. The high microalgae level (40 g) in combination with high grain diet (40 HG) modified the proportions of do...
Whole sesame seeds (WSS) are rich in both linoleic acid (LA) and lignans. However, their impact o... more Whole sesame seeds (WSS) are rich in both linoleic acid (LA) and lignans. However, their impact on the innate immunity of goats is not well studied. Twenty-four goats were divided into three homogeneous sub-groups; comprise one control (CON) and two treated (WWS5 and WWS10). In the treated groups, WSS were incorporated in the concentrates of the CON at 5 (WSS5) and 10% (WSS10) respectively, by partial substitution of both soybean meal and corn grain. The expression levels of MAPK1, IL6, TRIF, IFNG, TRAF3, and JUND genes in the neutrophils of WSS10 fed goats were reduced significantly compared with the CON. The same was found for the expression levels of IFNG and TRAF3 genes in the neutrophils of WSS5 fed goats. Both treated groups primarily affected the MYD88-independent pathway. The dietary supplementation of goats with WSS might be a good nutritional strategy to improve their innate immunity.
The aim of the present study, conducted under the ERA-NET ARIMNet2 Project (Agricultural Research... more The aim of the present study, conducted under the ERA-NET ARIMNet2 Project (Agricultural Research in the Mediterranean Network), was to analyze the sheep and goat dairy sector and assess the quality and safety of milk at various stages of the dairy supply chain. The study took place in the north-west part of Greece; 52 farms, one milk collection center, and eight dairy processing companies participated. The results revealed that all farms had access to water and electricity, the majority of them had a license to operate, used non-organic milk, and employed family members. The price of milk was fairly unstable throughout the year. Two major dairy companies produced all year round while others seasonally. Products were sold in retail, wholesale, company-owned stores, and even by door-to-door delivery service. The analyzed milk samples were of good quality and safety. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis revealed the farmers’ determination to continue w...
This study aimed to determine the impact of sesame meal, selenium (Se), and vitamin E (VitE) on g... more This study aimed to determine the impact of sesame meal, selenium (Se), and vitamin E (VitE) on goats’ oxidative status. Thirty mid-lactation crossbred goats were divided into five homogeneous groups, and were fed 1 kg of alfalfa hay and 1.2 kg of concentrates daily. The control group (C) received a basal diet. In the concentrates of the treated groups, 10% of the soybean meal was replaced by sesame meal and no extra VitE or Se (SM), or an extra 60 mg of VitE (SME), or 0.1 mg organic Se (SMSe), or their combination (60 mg VitE and 0,1 mg organic Se/kg of concentrate (SMESe). In the plasma of the goats, the dietary treatments did not affect glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, or the total antioxidant capacity. A reduction and a trend for lower protein carbonyls content was found in goats fed SM (p = 0.03) and SME (p = 0.06) compared to SMESe. In the milk, the lactoperoxidase ...
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the natural flavonoid quercet... more The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the natural flavonoid quercetin dietary supplementation on the alteration of egg metallome by applying the basic principles of elemental metabolomics. One hundred and ninety-two laying hens were allocated into 4 treatment groups: the control (C) group that was fed with a commercial basal diet and the other experimental groups that were offered the same diet further supplemented with quercetin at 200, 400 and 800 mg per kg of feed (Q2, Q4 and Q8 group, respectively) for 28 days. The diets contained the same vitamin and mineral premix, thus all birds received the same amount of elements since no differences on feed intake existed. The egg elemental profile consisted of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, V, Zn and was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Quercetin supplementation altered the elemental profile. Most notably, quercetin altered the element concen...
Abstract Greek Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses are characterised by high nutritiona... more Abstract Greek Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses are characterised by high nutritional values and origin traits. The aim of the study was to determine the content of 65 elements, of Greek PDO cheeses, through inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and examine the elemental metabolome as a potential authenticity marker. One hundred twelve samples from 21 PDO, one potential PDO and nine non-PDO cheeses were assessed. Discriminant analysis based on total fingerprinting was able to determine the geographic origin with 99.1% accuracy. The most significant variables of the model were Ce, Dy, Eu, Gd, Ho, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, Y, Yb, Pd, As, Ba, Co, Fe, Ga, Mo, Ni, Ti, Zr, Ca and P. The results demonstrate that elemental metabolomics can be successfully applied for cheese authentication. The elemental fingerprint could provide a reliable discrimination while rare earth elements are promising authenticity markers.
ABSTRACT Golay sequences are two binary (+1, -1) sequences with nonperiodic autocorrelation funct... more ABSTRACT Golay sequences are two binary (+1, -1) sequences with nonperiodic autocorrelation function zero. These sequences have a wide range of applications in constructing orthogonal designs and Hadamard matrices, in coding theory, in multislit spectrometry and in surface acoustic wave devices.In this paper we develop an algorithm for constructing such sequences. We prove that Golay sequences of length n = 2 · 72t do not exist and we give new proofs of some known results. In particular we show there are no Golay sequences of length 98. We conjecture that there are no Golay sequences of length 2 · q2t where q is not the sum of two integer squares.
Camelina sativa seeds are rich in bioactive compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ... more Camelina sativa seeds are rich in bioactive compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and antioxidants, thus, their supplementation in ewes’ diets, may be an effective way to develop high nutritional dairy products. Therefore, the present study investigates the effect of the dietary inclusion of Camelina sativa seeds in ewes’ oxidative status and milk quality. Forty-eight dairy Chios ewes were divided into four homogenous groups and were fed individually. The concentrate of the control group (CON) had no inclusion of Camelina seeds, while the treatment groups (CSS6, CSS11, CSS16) were supplemented with 6%, 11%, and 16%, respectively. Including Camelina seeds in 6% and 11%, had no impact on milk performance, while in the CSS16, milk fat was significantly decreased compared to the CON. Supplementing Camelina seeds improved milk quality from a human health perspective by modifying the content of saturated fatty acid, the proportions of α-linolenic (C18:3 n-3), and C18:2 cis-...
The electrical conductivity of soil saturated paste extract (ECe) is used as an indicator for est... more The electrical conductivity of soil saturated paste extract (ECe) is used as an indicator for estimating soil salinity. This method is time consuming and laborious and therefore, easier and faster methods are usually used with different soil/water ratios, such as 1:5 (EC1:5), for estimating the ECe. Usually, the relationship between ECe and EC1:5 is described by a simple linear empirical equation. The value of the conversion factor (CF) of EC1:5 to ECe is affected by the particular characteristics of the soil, such as its texture. The objective of this study is to investigate models that allow the inclusion of soil texture in the calculation of the CF, in order to improve the prediction of the ECe. A total of 148 soil samples with different soil texture and salinity levels were selected from three regions of Greece, and ECe, EC1:5, as well as clay and sand contents were determined. The results show that the CF can be estimated from an equation which incorporates the clay and sand co...
Traditional hard Xinotyri cheese was manufactured using raw or pasteurized goat milk, without sta... more Traditional hard Xinotyri cheese was manufactured using raw or pasteurized goat milk, without starter cultures, and the changes in microbiological and biochemical characteristics were studied during ripening and storage. Mesophilic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) predominated (>8.5 log CFU/g) in freshly fermented Xinotyri cheeses (pH 4.5–4.6), regardless of milk pasteurization. Enterobacteria, pseudomonads and staphylococci were suppressed below 6 and 4–5 log CFU/g in fresh cheeses from raw and pasteurized milk, respectively. Salmonella and Listeria spp. were absent in 25 g cheese samples. Coagulase-positive staphylococci exceeded the 5-log safety threshold in fresh raw milk cheeses, which also had 10-fold higher levels of enterococci than pasteurized milk cheeses. Non-LAB groups declined <100 CFU/g, whereas yeasts increased to 5–6 log CFU/g in both cheeses during ripening. Milk pasteurization affected the protein, fat, ash, moisture, nitrogen fractions, total free fatty acids and ...
Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of soil, especially of the upper soil layer, is a basic par... more Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of soil, especially of the upper soil layer, is a basic parameter for modeling water infiltration and solute transport in the soil. In the present study, spatial and temporal variability of Ks in the upper soil layer of a loam soil, which was covered by native vegetation for 20 years and had not undergone any cultivation treatment, is investigated. Saturated hydraulic conductivity of 76 undisturbed soil samples, taken twice a year at the dry (37 soil samples) and rainy periods (39 soil samples), was measured using a constant head method. The study reveals that Ks values exhibit significant spatial variability over the two time periods of measurement and follow a lognormal distribution with a coefficient of variation greater than 70%. On the contrary, there was no statistically significant seasonal variability of Ks between summer (dry period) and winter (rainy period) sampling (p > 0.05), and, therefore, there was no significant temporal vari...
BACKGROUND The Hemiconvulsions-Hemiplegia-Epilepsy (HHE) syndrome is currently regarded as an ext... more BACKGROUND The Hemiconvulsions-Hemiplegia-Epilepsy (HHE) syndrome is currently regarded as an extremely rare condition. The etiological and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this medical rarity as well as the optimal therapeutic approaches remain poorly defined and understood. We present the clinical, radiological and electroencephalography (EEG) findings of a patient with the HHE syndrome and describe the response of the continuously present epileptiform abnormalities to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). CASE DESCRIPTION A 33-year old male patient was referred to our department for investigation and management of intractable epilepsy. His seizures began at the age of three months when, during the course of a common febrile illness, he developed repetitive clonic seizures involving the left upper and lower limbs, followed by permanent left hemiplegia. After extensive investigations, he was diagnosed with "idiopathic" HHE syndrome. Currently, he suffers from l...
ABSTRACT 1. In recent times the use of food waste in animal diets has gained considerable attenti... more ABSTRACT 1. In recent times the use of food waste in animal diets has gained considerable attention because of the increasing demand to cover the needs of human population and the high prices of conventional, arable based, animal feeds. 2. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of adding dried human food waste to the diet of meat-type chickens (broilers). Two hundred, one-day-old broilers were divided into two treatment groups, with 10 replicate pens containing 10 birds per pen. The duration of the study was 42 days. In the control (C), the diet did not contain any food waste, whereas in the second treatment (T) food waste residues from hotels made up 15% of the diet. Diets had similar crude protein and metabolisable energy content. 3. Feed intake and body weight were recorded in order to calculate weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Carcase and breast muscle yield, the weight of selected internal organs and the level of selected biochemical and haematological parameters were determined. Quality of breast muscle meat was assessed. 4. Broilers fed the control treatment consumed more feed and gained more weight compared to broilers fed waste; however, the FCR was similar. No major differences were seen for internal organ weights and haematological parameters, although some differences were observed in colour traits and shear force of meat. It was concluded that there is a potential for use of food waste in broiler diets.
Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, 2017
Rabbits are suffering from Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy (ERE), a new gastro-intestinal syndrome o... more Rabbits are suffering from Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy (ERE), a new gastro-intestinal syndrome of unknown aetiology. ERE has not yet been investigated thoroughly from the patho-physiological point of view of the intestine malfunction during the intestine dysbiosis. For this reason, the aim of the present research was to study the haematological profile, the intestine histopathology and certain biochemical parameters (α-amylase activity, blood glucose concentration) of animals affected by ERE in comparison with those of healthy rabbits of the same age. In six healthy and six, affected by ERE, crossbreed New Zealand X California 35-day old rabbits, the following analyses were performed: Total blood count, histopathological morphology of the intestine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) distribution in intestine brush border and α-amylase activity in blood plasma and small intestine epithelium, respectively. Total blood count showed significantly (at 95% confidence level) decreased values for...
Abstract Microalgae rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as Schizochytrium sp., can ... more Abstract Microalgae rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as Schizochytrium sp., can be used in ruminant diets as feed additives to modify the rumen microbiome. However, limited in vivo studies exist dealing with their impact on the cellulolytic, methanogenic, and amylolytic microbes in the goat rumen. To address this gap, twenty-four goats were divided into four homogenous subgroups (n = 6 per group). The concentrate of the control group (CON) had no microalgae, while those of the treated groups were supplemented daily with 20 (ALG20), 40 (ALG40), and 60 (ALG60) g Schizochytrium sp./goat. The results showed a significant decline in the relative abundances of Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus in the rumen fluid of ALG40-fed goats; while Fibrobacter succinogenes and Streptococcus bovis were significantly decreased in the ALG60 group compared to the CON group. The relative abundances of Methanobrevibacter spp. were significantly decreased in microalgae-fed goats. The relative abundances of Methanobacterium formicicum and Archaea showed a significant reduction in ALG40 and ALG60 groups, while methanogens and Methanomassiliicoccales portrayed a tendency to decrease (P
The inclusion of feed additives and the implementation of various nutritional strategies are stud... more The inclusion of feed additives and the implementation of various nutritional strategies are studied to modify the rumen microbiome and consequently its function. Nevertheless, rumen enzymatic activity and its intermediate products are not always matched with the microbiome structure. To further elucidate such differences a two-phase trial using twenty-two dairy goats was carried out. During the first phase, both groups (20HF n = 11; high forage and 20HG n = 11; high grain) were supplemented with 20 g Schizochytrium spp./goat/day. The 20HF group consumed a diet with a forage:concentrate (F:C) ratio of 60:40 and the 20HG-diet consisted of a F:C = 40:60. In the second phase, the supplementation level of Schizochytrium spp. was increased to 40 g/day/goat while the F:C ratio between the two groups were remained identical (40HF n = 11; high forage and 40HG n = 11; high grain). By utilizing a next-generation sequencing technology, we monitored that the high microalgae inclusion level and ...
Although the dietary inclusion level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the forage: concen... more Although the dietary inclusion level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the forage: concentrate (F:C) ratio affect milk quality, their interaction has not been broadly studied. To address such gaps and limitations a two-phase trial using twenty-two dairy goats was carried out. During the first phase, both groups (20 HF n = 11; high forage and 20 HG n = 11; high grain) were supplemented with 20 g Schizochytrium spp./goat/day. The 20 HF group consumed a diet with F:C ratio 60:40 and the 20 HG-diet consisted of F:C = 40:60. In the second phase, the supplementation level of Schizochytrium spp. was increased to 40 g/day/goat while the F:C ratio between the two groups were remained identical (40 HF n = 11; high forage and 40 HG n = 11; high grain). Neither the Schizochytrium spp. supplementation levels (20 vs. 40) nor the F:C ratio (60:40 vs. 40:60) affected milk performance. The high microalgae level (40 g) in combination with high grain diet (40 HG) modified the proportions of do...
Whole sesame seeds (WSS) are rich in both linoleic acid (LA) and lignans. However, their impact o... more Whole sesame seeds (WSS) are rich in both linoleic acid (LA) and lignans. However, their impact on the innate immunity of goats is not well studied. Twenty-four goats were divided into three homogeneous sub-groups; comprise one control (CON) and two treated (WWS5 and WWS10). In the treated groups, WSS were incorporated in the concentrates of the CON at 5 (WSS5) and 10% (WSS10) respectively, by partial substitution of both soybean meal and corn grain. The expression levels of MAPK1, IL6, TRIF, IFNG, TRAF3, and JUND genes in the neutrophils of WSS10 fed goats were reduced significantly compared with the CON. The same was found for the expression levels of IFNG and TRAF3 genes in the neutrophils of WSS5 fed goats. Both treated groups primarily affected the MYD88-independent pathway. The dietary supplementation of goats with WSS might be a good nutritional strategy to improve their innate immunity.
The aim of the present study, conducted under the ERA-NET ARIMNet2 Project (Agricultural Research... more The aim of the present study, conducted under the ERA-NET ARIMNet2 Project (Agricultural Research in the Mediterranean Network), was to analyze the sheep and goat dairy sector and assess the quality and safety of milk at various stages of the dairy supply chain. The study took place in the north-west part of Greece; 52 farms, one milk collection center, and eight dairy processing companies participated. The results revealed that all farms had access to water and electricity, the majority of them had a license to operate, used non-organic milk, and employed family members. The price of milk was fairly unstable throughout the year. Two major dairy companies produced all year round while others seasonally. Products were sold in retail, wholesale, company-owned stores, and even by door-to-door delivery service. The analyzed milk samples were of good quality and safety. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis revealed the farmers’ determination to continue w...
This study aimed to determine the impact of sesame meal, selenium (Se), and vitamin E (VitE) on g... more This study aimed to determine the impact of sesame meal, selenium (Se), and vitamin E (VitE) on goats’ oxidative status. Thirty mid-lactation crossbred goats were divided into five homogeneous groups, and were fed 1 kg of alfalfa hay and 1.2 kg of concentrates daily. The control group (C) received a basal diet. In the concentrates of the treated groups, 10% of the soybean meal was replaced by sesame meal and no extra VitE or Se (SM), or an extra 60 mg of VitE (SME), or 0.1 mg organic Se (SMSe), or their combination (60 mg VitE and 0,1 mg organic Se/kg of concentrate (SMESe). In the plasma of the goats, the dietary treatments did not affect glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, or the total antioxidant capacity. A reduction and a trend for lower protein carbonyls content was found in goats fed SM (p = 0.03) and SME (p = 0.06) compared to SMESe. In the milk, the lactoperoxidase ...
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the natural flavonoid quercet... more The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the natural flavonoid quercetin dietary supplementation on the alteration of egg metallome by applying the basic principles of elemental metabolomics. One hundred and ninety-two laying hens were allocated into 4 treatment groups: the control (C) group that was fed with a commercial basal diet and the other experimental groups that were offered the same diet further supplemented with quercetin at 200, 400 and 800 mg per kg of feed (Q2, Q4 and Q8 group, respectively) for 28 days. The diets contained the same vitamin and mineral premix, thus all birds received the same amount of elements since no differences on feed intake existed. The egg elemental profile consisted of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, V, Zn and was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Quercetin supplementation altered the elemental profile. Most notably, quercetin altered the element concen...
Abstract Greek Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses are characterised by high nutritiona... more Abstract Greek Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses are characterised by high nutritional values and origin traits. The aim of the study was to determine the content of 65 elements, of Greek PDO cheeses, through inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and examine the elemental metabolome as a potential authenticity marker. One hundred twelve samples from 21 PDO, one potential PDO and nine non-PDO cheeses were assessed. Discriminant analysis based on total fingerprinting was able to determine the geographic origin with 99.1% accuracy. The most significant variables of the model were Ce, Dy, Eu, Gd, Ho, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, Y, Yb, Pd, As, Ba, Co, Fe, Ga, Mo, Ni, Ti, Zr, Ca and P. The results demonstrate that elemental metabolomics can be successfully applied for cheese authentication. The elemental fingerprint could provide a reliable discrimination while rare earth elements are promising authenticity markers.
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Papers by Kyriaki Sotirakoglou