Photocatalytic Degradation of Emerging Contaminants: Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are food additives widely used, mainly in reduced sugar or sugar-free foods and beverages. Acesulfame potassium (ACE-K) and sodium saccharin (SAC) are among the most widely consumed sweeteners worldwide. These compounds when ingested are not metabolized by the body, being excreted unchanged. They arrive at treatment plants, where they are partially degraded and consequently released directly into water bodies. For this reason, artificial sweeteners have been detected in the most diverse aquatic environments, being recognized as emerging contaminants. In this work, aqueous solutions of ACE-K and SAC, submitted to heterogeneous photocatalysis (TiO₂/UV-A) for 60 min, showed degradations of more than 99% and maximum mineralization of 57% for ACE-K and 49% for SAC. The effects of certain variables were evaluated, with pH having a greater influence on the degradation of acesulfame and the mass of semiconductor on that of saccharin. The degradation of ACE-K and SAC followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic model according to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. Assays using Artemia salina as the test organism demonstrated the low toxicity of the photocatalyzed solutions of ACE-K and SAC. The contribution of different reactive species to the photocatalysis was investigated using specific radical inhibitors; the results indicate that singlet oxygen (¹O₂) has a fundamental role in the photocatalytic degradation of ACE-K and SAC.

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Superovulatory Response of Zebu Cows Treated with pFSH in a Single Subcutaneous Injection Followed by an Additional Intramuscular Sub‐Dose 48 h Later

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an additional intramuscular (im) injection of pFSH would increase the embryo production in zebu cows superovulated with a single subcutaneous (sc) pFSH injection. Twenty‐one Nelore cows were treated with a progesterone vaginal implant (Controlled Internal Drug Relased – CIDR B^®) and injected im with 2.5 mg estradiol benzoate. Four days later, cows were assigned randomly into three groups and superovulated with pFSH. Groups A and B received single sc injections of 400 and 320 IU, respectively; Group C received multiple im injections of 400 IU in decreasing doses at 12‐h intervals over 4 days. In the morning (07:00 am) of day 3 after starting superovulation, cows received im 150 mcg cloprostenol and Group B was additionally injected im with 80 IU of pFSH. CIDR‐B was withdrawn in the afternoon (07:00 pm). Cows were inseminated 48 and 62 h after the cloprostenol injection. Embryo collection and corpora lutea (CL) estimation were done 7 days after insemination. Alternation of treatments (crossover design) occurred at a 60‐day interval. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) of CL counts among treatments. The total (transferable and no transferable) number of recovered embryos from Group A (6.9 ± 1.5) was not different from Group C (9.8 ± 1.2), whereas Group B (5.7 ± 1.5) was lower than Group C (p < 0.05). The number of transferable embryos from Groups A (2.4 ± 0.7) and B (1.7 ± 0.6) was lower (p < 0.05) than Group C (4.6 ± 1.2). Lesser (p < 0.05) embryo production from Group B was related to lower recovery rate (46.4%), compared with Groups A (65.1%) and C (81.7%). It was concluded that an additional im subdose of pFSH, injected 48 h after a single subcutaneous (sc) dose of pFSH, does not improve the embryo production in zebu cows.     

Priapism Secondary to Perineal Abscess in a Dog – A Case Report

A 7‐year‐old intact male Boxer was referred to our services at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro, suffering from a persistently erect penis (including the bulbus glandis) that had been exposed for several days. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations detected a 5.0 × 3.5 cm mass located dorso‐laterally to the urinary bladder. The microbial culture of the mass revealed Staphylococcus spp. At that time, we suspected the involvement of an abscess in the origin of the priapism. Medical and surgical treatments were promptly instituted, which allowed for penile withdrawal into the prepuce; however, the resolution of the penile erection was not accomplished in the following days and penile amputation was required. Histological evaluation of the excised penis revealed extensive infarction of the erectile tissue of the pars longa and bulbus glandis, and also of the blood vessels of the penis. Following penile amputation and antimicrobial therapy, the animal fully recovered. Ultimately, the animal died as a consequence of gastric torsion. At necropsy, some lesions compatible with a previous perforation of the intestinal wall were recorded. The data gathered from the anamnesis, the physical and imaging examinations, along with the post‐mortem findings, allowed us to conclude that in this clinical case the primary cause of priapism was a perineal abscess due to bowel perforation.     

Attractiveness and oviposition preference of Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore in Eucalyptus spp.

The red gum lerp psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) was first recorded in Brazil in 2003 and since then has caused serious damage in Eucalyptus forests. The damage is mainly due to defoliation, sooty mold and dieback, thus requiring the development of efficient management strategies. The settling and ovipositional preference of G. brimblecombei by species and clones of Eucalyptus were evaluated in free- and no-choice tests. Preliminary tests were done to determine the density of psyllid couples that produced the greatest densities of eggs, leaf position selection for oviposition, and whether oviposition was affected by preimaginal conditioning. Apical leaves were used more frequently for oviposition by the psyllid, and the number of eggs decreased from the apex to the base. The densities of 10 and 15 psyllid couples per seedling produced the highest oviposition. There was no evidence of preimaginal conditioning. In the free-choice test, E. grandis, E. urophylla, VM-1, I-144, C-219 and H-13 were less attractive to G. brimblecombei adults, with H-13, E. grandis and E. urophylla having the least oviposition. In the no-choice test, E. urophylla, GG-100 and E. grandis also demonstrated a lower oviposition, but E. camaldulensis and 3025 were highly susceptible. The low preference for the genotypes E. grandis and E. urophylla suggests the occurrence of a non-preference type resistance against the red gum lerp psyllid. Our results can be utilized for the development of management programs for G. brimblecombei in Eucalyptus forests.     

Effects of Hormonal Supplementation on Nuclear Maturation and Cortical Granules Distribution of Canine Oocytes During Various Reproductive Stages

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hCG, progesterone and oestradiol supplementation on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of canine oocytes cultured for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Oocytes obtained from 18 healthy bitches were divided into three groups according to their reproductive status (follicular, luteal and anoestrus stages) and cultured in TCM 199 + 25 UI/ml of hCG + 1 μg/ml of progesterone + 1 μg/ml of 17‐β oestradiol or without hormonal supplementation (control) for different periods. Then, they were stained with FITC‐LCA‐Hoescht for chromatin configuration and cortical granules distribution and evaluated under an epifluorescence microscope. Culture time and the influence of different stages of the oestrous cycle were also evaluated. The present study demonstrated that there was no significant difference among the reproductive stages. With regards to culture medium, only oocytes from the supplemented medium were able to complete meiosis; however, significant difference was only noticed in the percentage of MI stage oocytes (p < 0.05) in the follicular and luteal group at 72 h of culture. Most oocytes in germinal vesicle, germinal vesicle breakdown and metaphase I stage had cortical granules distributed throughout the cytoplasm (immature pattern), irrespective of the culture period (p < 0.05). Cortical granules distributed immediately beneath the plasma membrane (mature) was only observed in metaphase II stage oocytes, but not all of them presented matured cytoplasm. Our results reveal that cortical granules distribution in canine oocytes matured in vitro did not progressed in correspondence with nuclear stage changes and are in accordance with those from other species.     

Dual-purpose Guzerá cattle exhibit high dairy performance under heat stress

The present study evaluated the heat stress response pattern of dual-purpose Guzerá cattle for test-day (TD) milk yield records of first lactation and estimated genetic parameters and trends related to heat stress. A total of 31,435 TD records from 4,486 first lactations of Guzerá cows, collected between 1986 and 2012, were analysed. Two random regression models considered days in milk (DIM) and/or temperature × humidity-dependent (THI) covariate. Impacts of −0.037, −0.019 and −0.006 kg/day/THI for initial and intermediate stages of lactation were observed when considering the mean maximum daily temperature and humidity to calculate THI. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.16 to 0.35 throughout lactation and THI values, suggesting the possibility to expect gains from selection for such trait. The variable trajectory of breeding values for dual-purpose Guzerá sires in response to changes in THI values confirms that the genotype × environment interaction due to heat stress can have some effect on TD milk yield. Despite the high dairy performance of Guzerá cattle under heat stress, estimated genetic trends showed a progressive reduction in heat tolerance. Therefore, new strategies should be adopted to prevent negative impacts of heat stress over milk production in Guzerá animals in future.     

Combinations of cactus pear with different roughage sources on the production,chemical composition,and milk fatty acid profile of F1 Holstein/Zebu cows

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The qualities of food, mainly of animal origin, have always been of concern to consumers. It is known that the composition of animals’ diets can...     

Characterization of Protein Hydrolysates from Fish Discards and By-Products from the North-West Spain Fishing Fleet as Potential Sources of Bioactive Peptides

Fish discards and by-products can be transformed into high value-added products such as fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) containing bioactive peptides. Protein hydrolysates were prepared from different parts (whole fish, skin and head) of several discarded species of the North-West Spain fishing fleet using Alcalase. All hydrolysates had moisture and ash contents lower than 10% and 15%, respectively. The fat content of FPH varied between 1.5% and 9.4% and had high protein content (69.8–76.6%). The amino acids profiles of FPH are quite similar and the most abundant amino acids were glutamic and aspartic acids. All FPH exhibited antioxidant activity and those obtained from Atlantic horse mackerel heads presented the highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power and Cu²⁺ chelating activity. On the other hand, hydrolysates from gurnard heads showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity and Fe²⁺ chelating activity. In what concerns the α-amylase inhibitory activity, the IC₅₀ values recorded for FPH ranged between 5.70 and 84.37 mg/mL for blue whiting heads and whole Atlantic horse mackerel, respectively. α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of FPH was relatively low but all FPH had high Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Considering the biological activities, these FPH are potential natural additives for functional foods or nutraceuticals.     

Ultra‐long‐acting recombinant insulin for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in dogs

BackgroundFor the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) in dogs, novel insulins with decreased injection frequency while maintaining safety and efficacy are desirable. Insulin fused with immunoglobulin‐fragment‐crystallizable (Fc) has an ultra‐long plasma half‐life because it recycles through cells, protected from proteolysis.HypothesisGlycemic control can be achieved in diabetic dogs with a recombinant fusion protein of a synthetic insulin and canine Fc (AKS‐218d) administered subcutaneously once‐weekly.AnimalsFive client‐owned dogs with naturally occurring DM.MethodsProspective clinical trial in dogs with DM that were recruited from the UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital and local veterinary clinics. Dogs previously controlled using intermediate‐acting insulin q12h were transitioned to once‐weekly injections of a preliminary construct identified as AKS‐218d. The dose of AKS‐218d was titrated weekly for 8 weeks based on clinical response and continuous interstitial glucose monitoring. Clinical signs, body weight, serum fructosamine concentrations, and mean interstitial glucose concentrations (IG) over the preceding week were compared between baseline (before AKS‐218d) and during the last week of treatment. Data were compared using nonparametric paired tests.ResultsOnce‐weekly AKS‐218d, compared to baseline twice‐daily insulin therapy, resulted in no significant changes in clinical signs, median (range) body weight (+0.4 kg [−0.5‐1.1]; P = .6), fructosamine concentration (−75 mmol/L [−215 to +126]; P = .4), or mean IG (+81 mg/dL [−282 to +144]; P = .8). No adverse reactions were reported.ConclusionControl of clinical signs, body weight, and maintenance of glycemia was achieved with this once‐weekly novel insulin construct in 4 of 5 dogs.