A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of High, Medium, and Low Voltage Electrical Stimulation on the Meat Quality of Small Ruminants

The current study is a meta-analysis of the effects of electrical stimulation (ES, n = 28 papers) with different voltages combined with different ageing periods (0–3, 4–7, and 8–14 days) on the meat quality of small ruminants. A comprehensive search for published studies on meat quality of small ruminants investigating the application of low, medium, and high voltage electrical stimulation, was performed using Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Forest plots, funnel plots, and other statistical tools and tests were used in the study to analyze the results. Electrical stimulation significantly reduced ultimate pH (p < 0.001), Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) (p < 0.001), cooking loss (p < 0.05), and purge loss (p < 0.001). In addition, sarcomere length (p < 0.01), myofibrillar-fragmentation index (MFI) (p < 0.001), and color (L*, a*, b*) (p < 0.001) showed higher values in meat subjected to ES as compared with the control group. In conclusion, the meta-analysis revealed statistical proof of beneficial effects of ES on meat quality of small ruminants in terms of ultimate pH, tenderness, enhanced proteolysis, and higher colorimetric values.

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Effects of low-voltage electrical stimulation and aging on lamb meat quality

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas2011-076 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 92 (1) ◽

pp. 59-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

E. Pouliot ◽

C. Gariépy ◽

M. Thériault ◽

C. Avezard ◽

J. Fortin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Aging Time ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Shear Force ◽

Low Voltage ◽

Ph Value ◽

Target Weight ◽

Lamb Meat ◽

Fragmentation Index

Pouliot, E., Gariépy, C., Thériault, M., Avezard, C., Fortin, J., Simmons, N. J. and Castonguay, F. W. 2012. Effects of low-voltage electrical stimulation and aging on lamb meat quality. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 59–66. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation (ES) and aging time on meat quality of heavy lamb as produced in Quebec. Seventy-six Suffolk-sired crossbred male lambs were slaughtered at a target weight of 50±2 kg. Half of them were electrically stimulated (ES vs. control) at 5–10 min postmortem (21 V; 0.25 A; 60 s). Postmortem pH decline and temperature were monitored. After carcass cutting, longissimus dorsi sections were assigned to aging periods of 1, 3 or 8 d. Temperature decline was the same for both treatments (P=0.749). However, ES carcasses always had a lower pH value than controls during the first 24 h (P<0.001) while the ultimate pH was equivalent (P=0.803). Tenderness, as assessed by either Warner-Bratzler shear force (39 carcasses) or sensory evaluation (35 carcasses) was enhanced by both ES (P<0.001) and aging (P<0.001). At each aging time, tenderness was greater for ES meat. In addition, only 3 d of aging were necessary for ES meat to achieve the tenderness level attained by the controls after 8 d. Sarcomeres were longer (P<0.001) in ES meat than in controls while myofibrillar fragmentation index was not affected by ES treatment (P=0.743). Electrical stimulation also had small effects on color parameters (a*, b* and L*; P<0.01) and flavor (P=0.04). These results provide the first evidence that tenderness of the meat from heavy lambs produced and processed in Quebec could be enhanced by ES, mostly through cold shortening reduction.

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Effect of Transportation and Low Voltage Electrical Stimulation on Meat Quality Characteristics of Omani Sheep

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences [JAMS] ◽

10.24200/jams.vol15iss0pp1-8 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Isam T. Kadim ◽

Osman Mahgoub ◽

Waleed Al-Marzooqi ◽

Samera Khalaf

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Shear Force ◽

Sarcomere Length ◽

Low Voltage ◽

Quality Characteristics ◽

Cooking Loss ◽

Longissimus Dorsi ◽

Road Transportation ◽

Fragmentation Index

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of road transportation during the hot season (36 oC) and low voltage electrical stimulation on meat quality characteristics of Omani sheep. Twenty intact male sheep (1-year old) were divided into two equal groups: 3 hrs transported or non-transported. The transported group was transferred to the slaughterhouse the day of slaughter in an open truck covering a distance of approximately 300 km. The non-transported group was kept in a lairage of a commercial slaughterhouse with ad libitum feed and water for 3 days prior to slaughter. Blood samples were collected from the animals before loading and prior to slaughter in order to assess their physiological response to stress in terms of hormonal levels. Fifty percent of the carcasses from each group were randomly assigned to low voltage (90 V) at 20 min postmortem. Muscle ultimate pH, expressed juice, cooking loss percentage, WB-shear force value, sarcomere length, myofibrillar fragmentation index and colour L*, a*, b* were measured on samples from Longissimus dorsi muscles collected 24 hrs postmortem at 2-4 oC. The transported sheep had significantly (P<0.05) higher cortisol adrenaline, nor-adrenaline, and dopamine levels than the non-transported group. Muscles from electrically-stimulated carcasses had significantly (P<0.05) lower pH values, longer sarcomere length, lower shear force value, higher expressed juice, myofibrillar fragmentation index and L* values than those from non-stimulated ones. Transportation significantly influenced meat quality characteristics of the Longissimus dorsi muscle. Muscle ultimate pH and shear force values were significantly higher, while CIE L*, a*, b*, expressed juice and cooking loss were lower in transported than non-transported sheep. This study indicated that pre-slaughter transportation at high ambient temperatures can cause noticeable changes in muscle physiology in sheep. Nevertheless, meat quality of transported sheep can be improved by electrical stimulation post-slaughter.

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Effect of bleeding method and low voltage electrical stimulation on meat quality of ostriches

South African Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4314/sajas.v39i3.49154 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S Botha ◽

SJ Van Schalkwyk ◽

SWP Cloete ◽

LC Hoffman

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Low Voltage

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INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION AND LEG RESTRAINT ON MEAT QUALITY OF CHAROLAIS CROSSBRED STEER CARCASSES

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas90-137 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 70 (4) ◽

pp. 1131-1135 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

H. L. BRUCE ◽

C. R. JONES ◽

R. O. BALL

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Low Voltage ◽

Muscle Protein ◽

Protein Solubility ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Ph Measurements ◽

Key Words Collagen ◽

Lower Shear

The meat quality of the longissimus muscle of 12 Charolais crossbred steers that were electrically stimulated on randomly selected sides approximately 1 h postmortem was investigated. Temperature and pH measurements were taken on each side at 5 min prior and 1, 4, 24 and 48 h subsequent to stimulation and analyses performed following 7-d ageing for soluble, insoluble and total collagen and muscle protein solubility. Although there were no significant differences between the treatments for pH and temperature decline and collagen and protein characteristics, the unrestrained, stimulated sides had significantly lower shear force values than restrained, stimulated sides. Key words: Collagen solubility, electrical stimulation, beef, Charolais

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Effects of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation in the Prevention and Treatment of Depressive Disorders—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041070 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1070

Author(s):

Maike Wolters ◽

Annkathrin von der Haar ◽

Ann-Kristin Baalmann ◽

Maike Wellbrock ◽

Thomas L. Heise ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Treatment Duration ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Pufa Supplementation ◽

Depressive Symptomology ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been suggested to affect depressive disorders. This review aims to determine the effect of n-3 PUFAs on depressive symptoms in people with or without diagnosed depression. Medline, PsycINFO, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the association between n-3 PUFAs and depressive symptoms or disorders as outcomes. A random-effects meta-analysis of standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was performed. Twenty-five studies (7682 participants) were included. Our meta-analysis (20 studies) indicated that n-3 PUFA supplementation lowered depressive symptomology as compared with placebo: SMD = −0.34, 95% CI: −0.55, −0.12, I2 = 86%, n = 5836, but a possible publication bias cannot be ruled out. Subgroup analyses indicated no statistically significant difference by treatment duration of <12 vs. ≥12 weeks, presence of comorbidity, or severity of depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, beneficial effects were seen in the subgroups of studies with longer treatment duration and with no depression and mild to moderate depression. Subgroup analysis by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) dosage revealed differences in favor of the lower EPA dosage. Sensitivity analysis including studies with low risk of bias seems to confirm the overall result. Supplementation of n-3 PUFA appears to have a modest beneficial effect on depressive symptomology, although the quality of evidence is still insufficient.

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Effect of BioPlus YC Probiotic Supplementation on Gut Microbiota, Production Performance, Carcass and Meat Quality of Pigs

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061581 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1581

Author(s):

Artur Rybarczyk ◽

Elżbieta Bogusławska-Wąs ◽

Alicja Dłubała

Keyword(s):

Bacillus Subtilis ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Bacillus Licheniformis ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Production Performance ◽

Probiotic Bacteria ◽

Control Group ◽

Production Traits ◽

Feed Conversion

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of probiotic bacteria Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis on microbiological properties of feed mixtures and on the digestive tract content as applicable to production traits and carcass characteristics of fatteners. The experiment was performed on 83,838 fatteners from four successive (insertions) productions in two groups. From the seventy eighth day of age till marketing to the slaughter plant, the pigs were supplied with BioPlus YC probiotic (Chr. Hansen) in the amount of 400 g/t. The preparation contained a complex of probiotic bacteria Bacillus licheniformis DSM 5749, and Bacillus subtilis DSM 5750 spores in a 1:1 ratio. From the fourth insertion, after reaching a body weight of approximately 112 kg, 60 fatteners were selected from each group to measure carcass quality and half of them for meat quality evaluation. Moreover, microbiological analyses in feed and colon were performed. The study showed that BioPlus YC probiotics supplementation resulted in a significantly higher count of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis in the feed, a higher count of B. subtilis, B. licheniformis and LAB, as well as a lower count of Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, Clostridium and Bacillus sp. in the mucosa and in the colorectal content of the test pigs. Our work has shown that supplementation with the BioPlus YC probiotic had a positive effect on the production traits of pigs mainly by reducing mortality (2.83%, p = 0.010), lowering feed conversion ratio—FCR (2.59 kg/kg, p = 0.013), better average daily gain—ADG (0.95 kg/day, p = 0.002) and shorter fattening period (77.25 days, p = 0.019) when compared to the control group (4.19%; 2.79 kg/kg; 0.89 kg/day; 92.8 days, respectively). The addition of the specific Bacillus bacteria did not influence carcass and meat characteristics of the test fatteners.

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Effects of exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation on adults with asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Respiratory Research ◽

10.1186/s12931-021-01627-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhenzhen Feng ◽

Jiajia Wang ◽

Yang Xie ◽

Jiansheng Li

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pulmonary Rehabilitation ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Asthma Control Questionnaire ◽

Clinical Trial Registration ◽

Domain Scores

Abstract Background Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has been proposed as an effective method for many respiratory diseases. However, the effects of exercise-based PR on asthma are currently inconclusive. This review aimed to investigate the effects of exercise-based PR on adults with asthma. Methods The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched from inception to 31 July 2019 without language restriction. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of exercise-based PR on adults with asthma were included. Study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed by two investigators independently. Meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan software (version 5.3). Evidence quality was rated by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results Ten literatures from nine studies (n = 418 patients) were identified. Asthma quality of life questionnaire total scores (MD = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.76) improved significantly in the experimental group compared to control group, including activity domain scores (MD = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.94), symptom domain scores (MD = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.85), emotion domain scores (MD = 0.53, 95% CI: − 0.03 to 1.09) and environment domain scores (MD = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.00 to 1.11). Both the 6-min walk distance (MD = 34.09, 95% CI: 2.51 to 65.66) and maximum oxygen uptake (MD = 4.45, 95% CI: 3.32 to 5.58) significantly improved. However, improvements in asthma control questionnaire scores (MD = − 0.25, 95% CI: − 0.51 to 0.02) and asthma symptom-free days (MD = 3.35, 95% CI: − 0.21 to 6.90) were not significant. Moreover, there was no significant improvement (MD = 0.10, 95% CI: − 0.08 to 0.29) in forced expiratory volume in 1 s. Nonetheless, improvements in forced vital capacity (MD = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.38) and peak expiratory flow (MD = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.57) were significant. Conclusions Exercise-based PR may improve quality of life, exercise tolerance and some aspects of pulmonary function in adults with asthma and can be considered a supplementary therapy. RCTs of high quality and large sample sizes are required. Clinical trial registration: The review was registered with PROSPERO (The website is https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, and the ID is CRD42019147107).

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