Pattern of Development in Foals from Four Different Breeds between Birth and Weaning

Several studies have shown a major development in height and cannon bone circumference in foals from birth to weaning and from different breeds. However, in Brazil, there is little information about foal development. For this reason, this study has used data on foals from seven different farms in Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, where horses have a major economic importance. The aim of this study was to compare foal’s development from four breeds and to develop a regression formula in order to estimate such development. It was used data from 210 suckling foals (Arabians n = 18, Campolina n = 86, Mangalarga Marchador n = 42 and Quarter Horses n = 64), raised in similar management practices. Their height at withers, heart girth, and cannon bone girth were measured monthly from birth to weaning. Data we reanalyzed by ANOVA and Tukey Test, with P established in 5%. The highest mean of height at withers was observed in the Arabian foals, and it was similar to Campolina and Mangalarga Marchador foals. The last breed presented a higher percentage of gain in height (~36%) and higher heart girth. On the other hand, Campolina foals had the highest mean of cannon bone girth. There was a significant interaction between breed and development phase in heart and cannon bone girths. All regression for mulas obtained from this data was very significant, and it was showed that they can predict height at withers in the four breeds studied. Heart and cannon bone girths showed medium value of R2 and large significance. It is important to highlight that fetal programing produces significant impact on foal development, even after weaning. So, this study would have observed some more changes if its scope had been extended beyond this phase.

Determination of Paraquat in Several Commercially Available Types of Rice

Introduction: Paraquat (1,1’-dimethyl-4,4’-bipyridine-dichloride) is a herbicide used to combat weeds and improve crop productivity. Its acute toxicity can cause fatal poisoning in humans and animals and several studies have shown a strong correlation between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease. Objective: To determine the concentration of paraquat in different types of rice in Brazil. Method: Paraquat quantification is based on a complexation reaction with sodium dithionite, which generates a blueish color compound, whose absorbance was read in a spectrophotometer at the 600 nm wavelength. Results: Five samples were found to be above the maximum allowed limit, while one sample had a concentration in the upper allowed limit. The method employed did not allow quantification of black rice. Conclusion: There is a need for identification of the type of pesticide used in each examined crop as well as their respective dates of remission in order to improve the safety of agricultural practices.

Effects of primovaccination and booster vaccination on serum cortisol and humoral immune response in cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of one or two doses of the anti-rabies vaccination on the serum concentration of cortisol and the humoral immune response in cattle as well as the correlation between serum cortisol concentrations and the titers of rabies-neutralizing antibodies. Nelore cattle were randomly assigned to one of three groups, which were vaccinated with one dose of rabies vaccine (group GVSR, N = 15), two doses of rabies vaccine (group GVR, N = 15) or were not vaccinated (group Gc, N = 15). A commercial liquid inactivated rabies vaccine was used. The stressors imposed on the cattle were vaccination, corral handling and the presence of people. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 30 and 60 post-vaccination. Serum cortisol concentrations were determined using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay, and rabies antibody titers were determined using a serum neutralization test with BHK21 cells (RFFIT). Both serum cortisol concentrations and antibody titers increased after the second (booster) vaccination (P < 0.05). In all the groups, the serum cortisol concentrations increased after the cattle were handled in the corral (P < 0.05). No correlation was observed between the serum cortisol concentrations and the antibody titers with any treatment or on any observation day. In conclusion, booster vaccination is indispensable for primovaccinated cattle in achieving high and protective levels of rabies antibodies. Although booster vaccination and frequent cattle handling in corrals are stressors, the response is not strong enough to cause immunosuppression in cattle.

Diurnal Rhythm of Antioxidant Biomarkers in Equines

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that glutathione peroxidase, uric acid, and a number of hematological biomarkers do not vary in adult mares, over a 24-hour period. Seven adult (age 10 ± 6 yrs;weight 370 ± 30 kg) Arabian Purebred mares were used. Blood samples were collected every two hours, except during the period after-meals, when samples were collected every 30 minutes, totaling four samples in two hours. These samples were used to analyze glutathione peroxidase (GPx), uric acid (UA), glucose (GLU), total plasma protein (TPP), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), hematocrit (HT), red cell distribution width (RDW), white blood cells (WBC) and lymphocytes (LYM). One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine significant differences. Tukey’s test was used for multiple comparisons between the averages. Ρ

Immunoexpression of Cathepsin D and S100A4 Protein and Their Molecular Subtyptes in Canine Mammary Carcinomas

Cathepsin D (CD), a lysosomal protease, and S100A4 protein, a calcium binding motif, are considered to be involved in metastasis in various human cancers. No data regarding such proteins are available for canine mammary carcinomas (CMCs). Accordingly, their expression in association with known factors of prognosis was investigated in this study. For that, 66 surgically resected CMCs were submitted to an immunohistochemical evaluation using anti CD, S100A4 protein, HER2, estrogen receptor α, cytokeratin 5, and p63 antibodies, further characterizing the tumors' molecular subtype. An increase in S100A4 immunoexpression by neoplastic luminal mammary cells was associated with an infiltrative tumor mode of growth, consequently leading us to conclude that S100A4 protein could be related to progression in CMCs. Additionally, the occurrence of the luminal A molecular subtype was associated with the complex histotype in CMCs. Although we have demonstrated that changes in S100A4 protein immunoexpression occurs in CMCs, further studies are needed to determine whether this represents important independent biomarkers for CMCs.

Nutritional,rheological and sensory properties of butter processed with different mixtures of cow and sheep milk cream

This study assessed the quality parameters and consumer perception and behavior of butter processed with different ratios of cow and sheep milk cream.Cow milk cream butter(CMCB)showed lower moisture content and higher fat content,smaller fat globules,and higher concentrations of long-chain saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids,resulting in improved potential health indices.In addition,CMCB showed yellow color,little salt,and butter taste as the main sensory characteristics,resulting in grateful and good digestibility perceptions.Sheep milk cream addition improved the rheological properties of the products(lower viscosity,consistency index,and rigidity(J0),and higher fluidity and viscoelastic behavior(J1)),mainly due to the increased concentrations of short-chain and medium-chain saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.However,sheep milk cream butter(SMCB)was characterized by a greasy and striking aroma,with a lower perception of good digestibility and good appearance,and a higher bitter taste.The association of cow and sheep milk cream could be an exciting option to obtain products with improved fatty acid profiles,health indices,and yet maintain desired rheological and sensory properties.The formulation with 60%sheep milk cream and 40%cow milk cream would be the suggested combination.