Bem-estar dos cordeiros submetidos ao transporte rodoviário e avaliação das carcaças e carnes / Welfare of lambs subjected to road transport and assessment of carcasses and meat

Objetivou-se avaliar o grau de bem-estar dos cordeiros submetidos ao transporte rodoviário e suas carcaças e carnes. Para isto, fez-se a avaliação dos parâmetros comportamentais durante o transporte, dos parâmetros fisiológicos após o desembarque e antes do abate e a caracterização das carcaças e carnes dos cordeiros. Realizaram-se quatro transportes rodoviários com durações crescentes (1h45min, 3h52min, 7h30min e 10h30min), cada transporte continha vinte cordeiros. O peso corporal dos animais foi de 36,64±2,13 kg antes do transporte. Os cordeiros foram abatidos 15 horas após o desembarque. Os cordeiros deitaram por pouco tempo (mediana igual à zero a cada 20min) em jornadas menores que 3h52min. O número de eventos potencialmente traumáticos foi baixo (mediana próxima a zero, a cada 20min) para quaisquer durações dos transportes. As concentrações de adrenalina e cortisol, bem como os metabólitos que são controlados por eles, foram semelhantes entre os tratamentos. Contudo, a massa das carcaças diminuiu e as concentrações de creatina quinase aumentaram linearmente quando os transportes foram mais longos, o que podem revelar diminuição do bem-estar. A qualidade da carne de cordeiros não sofreu interferências da duração dos transportes.(AU)

This study aimed to assess the level of welfare in lambs by road transport and their carcasses and meat. Thus, we assessed behavioral parameters during transport, physiological parameters after landing and before slaughter and carcass and meat characteristics of lambs. Four road transports were achieved with increasing durations (1h45min, 3h52min, 7h30min and 10h30min), there were twenty lambs in each transport. Animals body weight was 36.64±2.13 kg before transport. The lambs were slaughtered 15 hours after landing. The lambs lie down (median equal to zero every 20min) for a short time in journeys shorter than 3h52min. The number of potentially traumatic events is low (median near zero every 20min) for any transport duration. The adrenaline and cortisol concentrations, as well as metabolites that are controlled by them, did not testify that longer transport. However, the carcasses mass decreased and creatine kinase concentrations increased linearly with longer transports, which may reveal decrease in welfare. The meat quality of lambs was not influenced by the transport duration.(AU)

The polymorphism -1131T>C in apolipoprotein A5 gene is associated with dyslipidemia in Brazilian subjects.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms in apolipoprotein A5 gene (APOA5) have been associated with higher triglyceride levels in many populations. The aim of the study was to determine the allelic and genotypic distribution of the APOA5 -1131T>C polymorphism and to identify the association of the genetic variant and the risk for dyslipidemia. METHODS: We genotyped 109 dyslipidemic subjects and 107 controls. The total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-c were determined enzymatically. Comparison of means among groups was calculated by ANOVA. Significant differences among groups were evaluated by Student-Newman-Keuls test. RESULTS: The minor allele C was more frequent in dyslipidemic subjects than controls (p=0.019) and confers an increased individual risk for dyslipidemia (OR=1.726, CI 95%=1.095-2.721). The genotype analysis by gender showed that this allele was more frequent in dyslipidemic males (p=0.037; OR=2.050, CI 95%=1.042-4.023). When participants were analyzed according to genotypes TT and TC/CC, C-carriers presented higher cholesterol and triglycerides levels than TT homozygous (p=0.046 and 0.049, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The allele C confers higher total cholesterol and triglycerides levels in dyslipidemic adults. The APOA5 -1131T>C polymorphism is associated with dyslipidemia in male subjects.

Encapsulation of cisplatin in long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes improves its antitumor effect and reduces acute toxicity.

Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most effective and potent anticancer drugs used as first-line chemotherapy against several solid tumors. However, the severe side effects and its tendency to provoke chemoresistance often limit CDDP therapy. To avoid these inconveniences, the present study's research group developed long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes containing CDDP (SpHL-CDDP). The present study aimed to evaluate the antitumor effect and toxicity of SpHL-CDDP, as compared with that of free CDDP, and long-circulating and non- pH-sensitive liposomes containing CDDP (NSpHL-CDDP), after their intravenous administration in solid Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice. Antitumor activity was evaluated by analysis of tumor volume and growth inhibition ratio, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, and histomorphometric and immunohistochemical studies. Body weight variation and the histological examination of bone marrow and kidneys were used as toxicity indicators. A significant reduction in the tumor volume and a higher tumor growth inhibition ratio was observed after SpHL-CDDP treatment, compared with free CDDP and NSpHL-CDDP treatments. In addition, complete remission of the tumor was detected in 18.2% of the mice treated with SpHL- CDDP (16 mg/kg). As such, the administration of SpHL-CDDP, as compared with free CDDP and NSpHL-CDDP, led to a decrease in the area of necrosis and in the percentage of positive CDC 47 tumor cells. A significant reduction in the VEGF serum level was also observed after SpHL-CDDP treatment, as compared with free-CDDP treatment. SpHL-CDDP administered in a two-fold higher dose than that of free CDDP presented a loss in body weight and changes in the hematopoietic tissue morphology, which proved to be similar to that of free CDDP. No changes could be verified in the renal tissue after any formulations containing CDDP had been administered. These findings showed that SpHL-CDDP allowed for the administration of higher doses of CDDP, significantly improving its antitumor effect.

Fetal infections and antibody profiles in pigs naturally infected with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2).

The aim of this study was to describe early infections with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in naturally infected piglets and the piglets' serologic profiles. A total of 20 sows (15 PCV2-vaccinated and 5 unvaccinated) and 100 newborn piglets were studied. Colostrum and serum of the sows and serum of the presuckling piglets were obtained on the day of parturition. Milk samples were collected on day 20 postpartum. Blood samples were taken and the piglets weighed on days 1, 20, 42, 63, and 84 postpartum. Colostrum and milk were evaluated for infectious PCV2 and for PCV2 total antibody (TA), neutralizing antibody (NA), and IgA. Serum samples were evaluated for PCV2 TA, NA, IgA, IgM, and DNA. The sows had high levels of TA and NA in serum and colostrum; however, 11 and 5, respectively, of the 20 colostrum and milk samples contained infectious PCV2. In the serum, PCV2 DNA and IgM were detected in 17 and 5, respectively, of the 20 sows. Nine piglets were born with PCV2 antibodies, which indicates in utero transmission of PCV2 after the period of immunocompetence (> 70 d of gestation). On day 1 postpartum, PCV2 DNA was detected in 29 of the 100 serum samples from the piglets. There was no difference between the weights of viremic and nonviremic piglets throughout the study. In conclusion, even on farms with sows that have high PCV2 antibody titers, vertical transmission of PCV2 may occur, resulting in piglet infection.

Acute toxicity study of cisplatin loaded long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes administered in mice.

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a very active and cytotoxic agent but causes severe side effects, namely nephrotoxicity, which limits the therapy. The present study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes containing cisplatin (SpHL-CDDP), as compared to free CDDP, after their intravenous administration in mice. After the administration of free CDDP or SpHL-CDDP at different doses, the body weight was recorded and the LD50 and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) were calculated. Blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. Kidneys, liver, spleen, and bone marrow were removed for histopathological examination. A reduction of body weight of less than 15% could be observed in male and female mice after treatment with free CDDP and SpHL-CDDP at doses of < or = 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, respectively. The LD50 and MTD values obtained after SpHL-CDDP administration were approximately two and three times higher, respectively, than those obtained using free CDDP. Changes in hematological parameters and hematopoietic tissue morphology showed the appearance of toxicity induced by free CDDP. By contrast, the absence of mielotoxicity after SpHL-CDDP treatment could be observed. As regards nephrotoxicity, no alteration in blood urea and creatinine levels, nor morphological change in kidneys, could be observed in mice treated with SpHL-CDDP, as compared to saline-treatment control group. The results showed that SpHL-CDDP at its MTD (20 mg/kg), as compared to the administration of free CDDP at its MTD (7.5 mg/kg), significantly reduced the renal toxicity. Thus, SpHL-CDDP can eliminate CDDP-induced toxicity and is a promising candidate for the intravenous therapy of solid tumors.

Serum antibodies and shedding of infectious porcine circovirus 2 into colostrum and milk of vaccinated and unvaccinated naturally infected sows.

Serum antibodies and shedding of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) into lacteal secretions were examined in naturally infected sows. Total (TA) and neutralising (NA) antibodies against PCV2 were evaluated in serum and colostrum from 20 vaccinated (Vac) and 21 unvaccinated (N-vac) sows. Anti-PCV2 IgA titres and PCV2 infectious titres were determined in colostrum and milk. All sows had high TA and NA levels in serum and colostrum. Infectious PCV2 was detected in 22/41 colostrum samples (7/20 Vac and 15/21N-Vac sows) and 5/20 milk samples (1/5 Vac and 4/15N-Vac sows). Anti-PCV2 IgA was found in high levels in colostrum and varying levels in milk. Infectious PCV2 may be present in milk and colostrum of naturally infected sows, even in the presence of NA.

Acute toxicity of long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes containing cisplatin in mice after intraperitoneal administration.

AIMS: The objective of this work was to evaluate the acute toxicity of long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes containing cisplatin (SpHL-CDDP), after their intraperitoneal administration in male and female mice. MAIN METHODS: After single administration of free CDDP (5,10,and 20 mg/kg) or SpHL-CDDP (7,12,30,45 and 80 mg/kg), the body weight was recorded and the LD(50) was calculated. Blood samples were collected for biochemical and hematological analysis. Kidneys, liver, spleen and bone marrow were removed to histopathological examination. KEY FINDINGS: Mice treated with high doses of free CDDP showed a greater loss of body weight and more delayed recovery time than those treated with SpHL-CDDP. The LD(50) values for SpHL-CDDP treatment for male and female mice groups were 2.7 and 3.2 fold higher, respectively, than that obtained for free CDDP. The red and white blood cells counts and quantification of hemoglobin and hematocrit presented no change upon administration of SpHL-CDDP treatment. Free CDDP treatment, however, did lead to an appearance of mild anemia and a reduction in total white blood cell counts. As regards nephrotoxicity, it was observed that free CDDP treatment caused pronounced alterations in the blood urea and creatinine levels of mice. In contrast, these parameters were slightly altered only after SpHL-CDDP treatment at a dose of 30 mg/kg. Microscopic analysis of kidneys from mice treated with SpHL-CDDP showed no morphological alteration. Concerning hepatotoxicity, no histopathological alteration was observed after both treatments. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings reveal that SpHL-CDDP can eliminate CDDP-induced toxicity and is thus a promising candidate for intraperitoneal chemotherapy.