Behavior,blood stress indicators,skin lesions,and meat quality in pigs transported to slaughter at different loading densities

A total of 1,936 pigs were transported through 8 trips (8.4 ± 0.5 hr) from 2 grow-to-finish farms to a commercial slaughter plant, all located in Southern Brazil. On each trip, a sub-sample of each load (36 barrows/load, weighing 118.9 ± 9.8 kg) was randomly allocated into one of the following loading densities during transport: 200 kg/m² (D200), 235 kg/m² (D235), and 270 kg/m² (D270). Behavioral recordings of postures and activities were made during transportation and lairage using video-cameras. At slaughter, blood samples were collected to assess the concentrations of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate. Carcass weights and skin lesion scores were assessed on-line, and meat quality was evaluated in the longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle by assessing pH, color, and drip loss. During transportation, the proportion of animals lying down was higher (P < 0.05) in D200 and D235 groups compared with D270. The proportion of sitting animals during transportation was higher (P < 0.01) in D270 compared with D200. In lairage, D200 and D235 pigs stood more compared with D270 (P = 0.01), while the proportion of lying pigs was higher (P = 0.02) for D270 pigs compared with D200 and D235. The frequency of drinking bouts in lairage was higher (P < 0.05) for D200 group compared with D235 and D270. The levels of CK were lower (P < 0.05) in D200 pigs transported compared with D270. Lesion scores tended to be higher (P = 0.06) in D270 carcasses compared with D200 and D235. A tendency for lower (P = 0.10) pH1 values in the LT muscle of D270 pigs compared with D200 pigs was also found. Based on the results of this study, the application of lower loading densities (≤235 kg/m²) in the truck allows pigs to have sufficient space to rest, travel more comfortably and arrive less fatigued at the slaughter plant.     

Fibrous osteodystrophy in a dromedary camel

A 6-y-old female dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius L.) was presented for assessment of firm, bilateral swellings rostral and ventral to the eyes. Serum biochemistry revealed hyperglycemia (28.5 mmol/L), hypocalcemia (1.27 mmol/L), hyperphosphatemia (3.39 mmol/L), hypoproteinemia (total protein 50 g/L), and hypoalbuminemia (20 g/L). Based on the poor prognosis associated with the presumptive diagnosis of fibrous osteodystrophy, the camel was euthanized. Gross postmortem findings revealed expanded fibrous tissue replacing the maxilla and mandible, and bilaterally prominent parathyroid glands. Histology of the maxilla revealed proliferative loose fibrous tissue with widely scattered, regularly spaced, small spicules of mineralized bone. The parathyroid glands were prominent bilaterally; the internal and external parathyroid glands were composed of plump cells with abundant pale basophilic cytoplasm and open nuclei. The pathologic findings were consistent with the antemortem diagnosis of fibrous osteodystrophy. The camel’s diet, which was not specifically balanced for a camel, included grass hay, sweet feed, and alfalfa pellets. The camel’s caregivers reported feeding her treats of cookies. A feed analysis was not available. The biochemistry abnormalities and clinical and postmortem findings, along with a diet that was not balanced for a camel, are consistent with a diagnosis of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism.     

Stable isotope characterization of the ortho-oxygenated phenylpropanoids: coumarin and melilotol

The natural abundance 2H NMR spectra of extractive coumarin 10 and of its dihydroderivative melilotol 11 produced by baker's yeast reduction has been compared with synthetic materials. Diagnostic for the differentiation of 10 are the (D/H)beta values, which are in the 128.1-133.6 ppm interval for the natural compounds but 258.5 and 189.8 ppm for the synthetic materials. Such a dramatic difference is also found for methyl cinnamate 12, which shows (D/H)beta values of 127.2 and 515.8 ppm, respectively. In extractive 10, the ratio (D/H)4para/(D/H)6ortho = 1.24 is similar to that observed in structurally related salicin and methyl salicylate. Coumarin 10 is transformed in salicyl alcohol 9, providing diacetate 14, showing in the natural series the trend (D/H)3meta > (D/H)4para > (D/H)5meta approximately (D/H)6ortho. A similar trend is shown also by the synthetic 10. A clear distinction between extractive and synthetic 10 is obtained through delta18O determinations on 10 and on chroman 13. The bulk delta18O values in the extractive series of 10 are 20.3, 23.6, and 22.6 per thousand, while those of the aromatic oxygen are 2.3, 0.5, and -0.5 per thousand. In the synthetic sample, the values are 12.6 and 5.6 per thousand, respectively. As a final product, the reduction of 10 leads to the dihydroderivative 11. Both the baker's yeast reduction and the catalytic hydrogenation lead to a marked decrease of the deuterium content of 11, which is stronger for the beta-position than for the alpha-position.     

Protective effects of synthetic hydroxytyrosol acetyl derivatives against oxidative stress in human cells

Chemically stable di- and triacetyl derivatives of the natural o-diphenol antioxidant hydroxytyrosol were synthesized, and their chemical and biological antioxidant activities were assessed in comparison with that of the native synthetic compound. The chemical antioxidant activity of the selected compounds was evaluated by measuring the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The data clearly indicate that, as expected, the hydroxytyrosol analogues, modified in the o-diphenolic ring, are devoid of any chemical antioxidant activity. On the contrary, both acetyl derivatives, at micromolar concentrations, equally protect against tert-butylhydroperoxide-induced oxidative damages in Caco-2 cells and human erythrocytes. This paper for the first time reports that chemically stable hydroxytyrosol acetyl derivatives, although devoid of chemical antioxidant activity, are as effective as the parent compound in protecting human cells from oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity, after metabolization by esterases at the intestinal level, suggesting their possible utilization in either nutritional (functional food), cosmetic, or pharmaceutical preparations.     

Bound malondialdehyde in foods: bioavailability of N,N'-di-(4-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbaldehyde)lysine

Reactions between lipid peroxidation products and proteins in foods have detrimental nutritional effects, most importantly, losses of essential amino acids. One of the major products of the reaction of malondialdehyde and alkanals with amino groups are 4-substituted 1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbaldehyde derivatives. The product of the reaction of lysine with malondialdehyde and acetaldehyde, N,N'-di-(4-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbaldehyde)lysine (MDDL), has been synthesized and used for in vitro and in vivo bioavailability studies. Release of free lysine did not occur in incubations of MDDL with tissue homogenates. After oral administration of radioactively labeled MDDL, radioactivity was only recovered in feces. Radioactivity was not incorporated into hepatic microsomes after intraperitoneal administration, which would have indicated release of available lysine. These results show that MDDL is a form of unavailable lysine, because it is not metabolized to free lysine and cannot be absorbed from the gut. Thus, formation of this derivative in foods would result in loss of available lysine.     

Middle ear cholesteatoma in 11 dogs

Middle ear cholesteatoma is a rare condition in dogs with chronic otitis. Otorrhea, otodinia, and pain on temporomandibular joint palpation are the most common clinical signs. Neurological abnormalities are often detectable. Computed tomography reveals the presence of an expansive and invasive unvascularized lesion involving the tympanic cavity and the bulla, with little or no contrast enhancement after administration of contrast mediu. Video-otoscopy may detect pearly growth or white/yellowish scales in the middle ear cavity. Surgery is the only therapy but is associated with a high risk of recurrence.