Antinociceptive activity of the pyranocoumarin seselin in mice

Seselin an angular pyranocoumarin at dose of 0.5, 4.5 or 40.5 mg/kg inhibited the writhing response induced by acetic acid in a significant and dose-dependent manner, by 19.5%, 26.2% and 41.4%, respectively. Using the same doses, seselin elicited a significant inhibition of formalin response during the second phase (inflammatory), by 90.3%, 97.8% and 95.3%, respectively. Besides, a significant reduction of licking time was observed during the first phase (neurogenic) at the highest doses of seselin, by 34.4% and 66.9%, respectively. On the contrary, in the hot plate test no effect was observed after seselin treatment. In conclusion, seselin was able to inhibit inflammatory hyperalgesia, suggesting that this natural product possesses both important peripheral anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties.     

Treatment of Waters Containing the Thiocarbamate Herbicide Molinate through an Adsorption/Bio-Regeneration System using a Low-Cost Adsorbent

The feasibility of using recycled granular tire rubber (GTR) to remove molinate from contaminated water bodies was evaluated in this study. Adsorption equilibrium data was well described by a linear isotherm, and the adsorption was completely reversible. Breakthrough curves showed column efficiencies of approximately 40%, based on total capacity, and complete bed regeneration was achieved using clean water. The effluent from the regeneration step was successfully decontaminated using a defined bacterial mixed culture, capable of molinate mineralization. It was shown that this treated water can be used for regenerating a subsequently saturated bed. The GTR adsorbent showed two important features: complete reversibility towards molinate adsorption and stability along successive adsorption/bio-regeneration cycles. Common adsorbents, such as activated carbons and resins, loose performance very quickly under the same conditions, due to irreversible adsorption.     

Morphological and morphometric characterization of domestic cat epididymal sperm

Sperm morphometry is the tool that confers objectivity to the morphological evaluation by accurately measuring the dimensions of the gamete and its structures. Thus, the aim of the study was to perform a morphometric characterization of the domestic cat sperm. Therefore, sperm samples were collected from twenty pairs of epididymis in a TRIS extender at 37ºC. An aliquot of the sample was used to make a smear with Rose Bengal solution, and afterwards, the morphology and morphometry were analysed. In the morphology, were quantified the percentage of normal sperm cells, morphological changes of head, midpiece and tail. In morphometry, each normal sperm cell was measured for length, width, area and perimeter of head and midpiece, tail length and total length. The parameters ellipticity, elongation, regularity and rugosity were also determined. The percentage of normal sperm was 67.21%. Of the abnormalities, the curled/folded tail, followed by the curved midpiece, abnormal shaped head and detached head were the most quantified. The sperm head presented 5.56 ± 0.01 μm and 3.10 ± 0.01 μm of length and width, respectively. The head area was 16.94 ± 0.05 μm², while the perimeter was 16.16 ± 0.03 μm. In the derived parameters, the values were as follows: ellipticity of 1.81 ± 0.00; elongation of 21.39 ± 0.12; regularity of 0.81 ± 0.00; and rugosity of 0.14 ± 0.00. The midpiece presented length and width of 7.96 ± 0.01 μm and 0.76 ± 0.01 μm, respectively. The mean length of the sperm tail was 45.12 ± 0.06 μm, and the total cell size was 58.67 ± 0.06 μm. Thus, it was concluded that the cat sperm is an elongated cell, with high rugosity and regularity. The spermatic tail represents more than ¾ of the total length of the cell and the midpiece exceeds the length of the head.     

Effects of aflatoxin B 1 on performance and health of tambaqui fingerlings ( Colossoma macropomum )

The detection of mycotoxins in feeds and their ingredients in aquaculture gained prominence due to losses caused in production and animal health, mainly the occurrence of aflatoxin (AFB1). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AFB1 on the performance of tambaqui fingerlings (Colossoma macropomum). Four hundred tambaqui were used. Four different treatments were evaluated: treatment T1, considered as the control treatment (CT) with 3.84 μg kg−1; treatment T2, treatment T3 and treatment T4 with 500, 1000 and 2000 μg kg−1 of AFB1, respectively. The AFB1 of the samples (muscle, liver and kidney) was detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Four fingerlings from each treatment for histological analysis were examined. Moreover, the performance parameters (weight gain, feed conversion and feed intake) were studied. The levels of toxins used in T2, T3 and T4 represent a reduction in the growth of 14%, 35% and 45%, respectively. The T3 and T4 showed the lowest weight gain (78%) and the worst feed conversion. Aflatoxin B1 in muscle (3.28 μg kg−1) and kidneys (8.8 μg kg−1) in the T3, as well as liver (4.4 μg kg−1) and kidney (4.08 μg kg−1) in T4, was detected. Histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues of fingerlings were more pronounced in T3 and T4. Fingerlings that consume feed contaminated with AFB1 in concentrations higher than 500 μg kg−1 present decreases in growth, reduction in weight gain and feed intake with increased feed conversion. The consumption of feed contaminated with 1000 and 2000 μg kg−1 of AFB1 caused severe deterioration in the hepatic and renal tissues.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with benzoic acid (VevoVitall®) on the zootechnical performance, the gastrointestinal microflora and the ileal digestibility of the young pig

The addition of organic acids to diet of young pigs has been shown to improve their zootechnical performance. The aim of these experiments was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with BA (VevoVitall®) on the zootechnical performance (DWG and FCR), the gastrointestinal microflora of the weaner piglet and to determine the effects on the ileal digestibility. For the zootechnical and microbiological evaluations 124 28-day-old piglets were used. During 32 days half of them were fed a maize–soybean meal based diet and the other half this diet supplemented with 0.5% BA. At the end of the study the stomach and caecum contents were sampled from 12 animals of each group for microbiological determinations. For the ileal digestibility study 60-day-old ileo-rectal anastomosed piglets were used and fed alternatively the same diet supplemented or not with 0.5% BA. Digestibilities of total nitrogen (N), energy (E) and amino acids (AA) were evaluated.

The BA group had significantly higher DWG and FCR than that of the control group. BA reduced almost all the determined bacterial populations of the gastrointestinal tract of the piglet. The reductions were significant for gastric lactic acid bacteria and caecal E. coli. The ileal digestibility of E and AA was numerically improved and that of N significantly increased in the BA group.     

Environmental conditions encountered during typical consumer retail display affect fruit and vegetable quality and waste

Temperature and relative humidity (RH) are the most important environmental factors affecting the sensory quality of fresh produce, and therefore, the consumer acceptability for fruits and vegetables displayed in a produce department. Poor temperature management inevitably occurs in commercial handling and reduces the quality and maximum potential shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Since there is a lack of information on the actual temperatures registered inside local distribution trucks or in consumer retail displays, and the effects on the produce quality, the current study was designed to evaluate the segment of the distribution chain that comprises the time the produce arrives from the distribution center to the store, is displayed at the store, and then stored under household conditions. Temperature and RH were recorded in three different produce departments, at reception and during a 6-week retail display period. Truck and produce temperatures were collected immediately upon opening of the doors, and display temperatures were monitored inside 27 refrigerated and non-refrigerated retail displays. Visual quality of 37 different produce items was evaluated, and surface or pulp temperatures were measured immediately upon unloading from the delivery truck. Reasons for produce waste were recorded on a daily basis during a 6-week period. Shelf life studies were conducted under simulated household conditions using samples collected at the stores. Results from this study showed that chilling-sensitive commodities were transported under too cold conditions, whereas heat-sensitive commodities were transported under too warm conditions. Visual quality of the produce received at the store ranged from good to poor depending on the fruit or vegetable evaluated, with raspberry receiving the lowest visual quality score in 6.7% of store deliveries, and banana, fresh-cut vegetables, peach and pineapple receiving the best visual quality score in 100% of store deliveries. Temperatures measured inside retail displays showed a wide variation, depending on the store and location inside the display, ranging from ?1.2 °C to 19.2 °C in refrigerated displays and from 7.6 °C to 27.7 °C in non-refrigerated displays. RH ranged from 55.9% to 92.9% in refrigerated displays and from 29.7% to 86.6% in non-refrigerated displays. Poor temperature management was the major cause of produce waste (55%) whereas expired date and mechanical damage accounted for 45% of the produce wasted. Results from this study show that fruits and vegetables are often handled under adverse environmental conditions, resulting in produce with poor quality and shorter shelf life, and increased waste at the retail and consumer levels.     

Feline leishmaniasis due to Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

A case of leishmaniasis in a domestic cat (Felis domesticus) is described. The animal showed a single, nodular lesion on the nose and many nodules of different size on the ears and digital regions of all the paws. Diagnosis was made by microscopic detection of amastigotes in Giemsa-stained smears from the lesions. By monoclonal antibodies the aetiological agent was identified as Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, one of the seven species implicated in human leishmaniasis in Brazil. The clinical signs in feline leishmaniasis are unspecific and similar to those observed in other diseases such as cryptococcosis and in sporotrichosis, commonly found in cats. Leishmaniasis should therefore, be added to the differential diagnosis by feline veterinary practitioners and adequate investigations should carried out for dermal leishmaniasis in the area where the feline infection is detected.     

Continuous infusion of ketamine in hypovolemic dogs anesthetized with desflurane

Objective: To evaluate the cardiorespiratory effects of continuous infusion of ketamine in hypovolemic dogs anesthetized with desflurane. Design: A prospective experimental study. Animals: Twelve mixed breed dogs allocated into 2 groups: saline (n=6) and ketamine (n=6). Interventions: After obtaining baseline measurements (time [T] 0) in awake dogs, hypovolemia was induced by the removal of 40 mL of blood/kg over 30 minutes. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with desflurane (1.5 minimal alveolar concentration) and 30 minutes later (T75) a continuous intravenous (IV) infusion of saline or ketamine (100 μg/kg/min) was initiated. Cardiorespiratory evaluations were obtained 15 minutes after hemorrhage (T45), 30 minutes after desflurane anesthesia, and immediately before initiating the infusion (T75), and 5 (T80), 15 (T90), 30 (T105) and 45 (T120) minutes after beginning the infusion. Measurements and main results: Hypovolemia (T45) reduced the arterial blood pressures (systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure [DAP] and mean arterial pressure [MAP]), cardiac (CI) and systolic (SI) indexes, and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) in both groups. After 30 minutes of desflurane anesthesia (T75), an additional decrease of MAP in both groups was observed, heart rate was higher than T0 at T75, T80, T90 and T105 in saline‐treated dogs only, and the CI was higher in the ketamine group than in the saline group at T75. Five minutes after starting the infusion (T80), respiratory rate (RR) was lower and the end‐tidal CO₂ (ETCO₂) was higher compared with values at T45 in ketamine‐treated dogs. Mean values of ETCO₂ were higher in ketamine than in saline dogs between T75 and T120. The systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) was decreased between T80 and T120 in ketamine when compared with T45. Conclusions: Continuous IV infusion of ketamine in hypovolemic dogs anesthetized with desflurane induced an increase in ETCO₂, but other cardiorespiratory alterations did not differ from those observed when the same concentration of desflurane was used as the sole anesthetic agent. However, this study did not evaluate the effectiveness of ketamine infusion in reducing desflurane dose requirements in hypovolemic dogs or the cardiorespiratory effects of ketamine–desflurane balanced anesthesia.