Showing papers on "Animal mortality published in 2017"

A pan-European epidemiological study reveals honey bee colony survival depends on beekeeper education and disease control

Abstract: Reports of honey bee population decline has spurred many national efforts to understand the extent of the problem and to identify causative or associated factors. However, our collective understanding of the factors has been hampered by a lack of joined up trans-national effort. Moreover, the impacts of beekeeper knowledge and beekeeping management practices have often been overlooked, despite honey bees being a managed pollinator. Here, we established a standardised active monitoring network for 5 798 apiaries over two consecutive years to quantify honey bee colony mortality across 17 European countries. Our data demonstrate that overwinter losses ranged between 2% and 32%, and that high summer losses were likely to follow high winter losses. Multivariate Poisson regression models revealed that hobbyist beekeepers with small apiaries and little experience in beekeeping had double the winter mortality rate when compared to professional beekeepers. Furthermore, honey bees kept by professional beekeepers never showed signs of disease, unlike apiaries from hobbyist beekeepers that had symptoms of bacterial infection and heavy Varroa infestation. Our data highlight beekeeper background and apicultural practices as major drivers of honey bee colony losses. The benefits of conducting trans-national monitoring schemes and improving beekeeper training are discussed.

Bird and bat species' global vulnerability to collision mortality at wind farms revealed through a trait-based assessment

Abstract: Mitigation of anthropogenic climate change involves deployments of renewable energy worldwide, including wind farms, which can pose a significant collision risk to volant animals. Most studies into the collision risk between species and wind turbines, however, have taken place in industrialized countries. Potential effects for many locations and species therefore remain unclear. To redress this gap, we conducted a systematic literature review of recorded collisions between birds and bats and wind turbines within developed countries. We related collision rate to species-level traits and turbine characteristics to quantify the potential vulnerability of 9538 bird and 888 bat species globally. Avian collision rate was affected by migratory strategy, dispersal distance and habitat associations, and bat collision rates were influenced by dispersal distance. For birds and bats, larger turbine capacity (megawatts) increased collision rates; however, deploying a smaller number of large turbines with greater energy output reduced total collision risk per unit energy output, although bat mortality increased again with the largest turbines. Areas with high concentrations of vulnerable species were also identified, including migration corridors. Our results can therefore guide wind farm design and location to reduce the risk of large-scale animal mortality. This is the first quantitative global assessment of the relative collision vulnerability of species groups with wind turbines, providing valuable guidance for minimizing potentially serious negative impacts on biodiversity.

CK2-An Emerging Target for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders.

Abstract: Protein kinase CK2 has received a surge of attention in recent years due to the evidence of its overexpression in a variety of solid tumors and multiple myelomas as well as its participation in cell survival pathways. CK2 is also upregulated in the most prevalent and aggressive cancer of brain tissue, glioblastoma multiforme, and in preclinical models, pharmacological inhibition of the kinase has proven successful in reducing tumor size and animal mortality. CK2 is highly expressed in the mammalian brain and has many bona fide substrates that are crucial in neuronal or glial homeostasis and signaling processes across synapses. Full and conditional CK2 knockout mice have further elucidated the importance of CK2 in brain development, neuronal activity, and behavior. This review will discuss recent advances in the field that point to CK2 as a regulator of neuronal functions and as a potential novel target to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Competition for vitamin B1 (thiamin) structures numerous ecological interactions.

Abstract: Thiamin (vitamin B1) is a cofactor required for essential biochemical reactions in all living organisms, yet free thiamin is scarce in the environment. The diversity of biochemical pathways involved in the acquisition, degradation, and synthesis of thiamin indicates that organisms have evolved numerous ecological strategies for meeting this nutritional requirement. In this review we synthesize information from multiple disciplines to show how the complex biochemistry of thiamin influences ecological outcomes of interactions between organisms in environments ranging from the open ocean and the Australian outback to the gastrointestinal tract of animals. We highlight population and ecosystem responses to the availability or absence of thiamin. These include widespread mortality of fishes, birds, and mammals, as well as the thiamin-dependent regulation of ocean productivity. Overall, we portray thiamin biochemistry as the foundation for molecularly mediated ecological interactions that influence survival and abundance of a vast array of organisms.

Pathogenic lineage of Perkinsea associated with mass mortality of frogs across the United States

Abstract: Emerging infectious diseases such as chytridiomycosis and ranavirus infections are important contributors to the worldwide decline of amphibian populations. We reviewed data on 247 anuran mortality events in 43 States of the United States from 1999–2015. Our findings suggest that a severe infectious disease of tadpoles caused by a protist belonging to the phylum Perkinsea might represent the third most common infectious disease of anurans after ranavirus infections and chytridiomycosis. Severe Perkinsea infections (SPI) were systemic and led to multiorganic failure and death. The SPI mortality events affected numerous anuran species and occurred over a broad geographic area, from boreal to subtropical habitats. Livers from all PCR-tested SPI-tadpoles (n = 19) were positive for the Novel Alveolate Group 01 (NAG01) of Perkinsea, while only 2.5% histologically normal tadpole livers tested positive (2/81), suggesting that subclinical infections are uncommon. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that SPI is associated with a phylogenetically distinct clade of NAG01 Perkinsea. These data suggest that this virulent Perkinsea clade is an important pathogen of frogs in the United States. Given its association with mortality events and tendency to be overlooked, the potential role of this emerging pathogen in amphibian declines on a broad geographic scale warrants further investigation.

Optimal road design through ecologically sensitive areas considering animal migration dynamics

Abstract: With increasing land transportation requirements in both urban and rural areas, roads are encroaching ever more on animal habitats, where collisions with vehicles are a leading contributor to wildlife mortality. While road designers recognise the importance of accounting for such impacts at the design level, existing approaches simply either ignore viable habitat or avoid such regions entirely. Respectively, this can result in road alignments that are overly damaging to vulnerable species or prohibitively expensive to build and operate. The research presented in this paper investigates the effects of explicitly accounting for animal mortality on the design of a road through an ecologically sensitive area. The model presented achieves this by incorporating a spatially-explicit animal migration and road mortality model into an accepted optimal road alignment algorithm to propose low-cost roads that maintain the animal population above a minimum threshold by the end of a specified design horizon. The new method was applied to an example scenario to demonstrate the effect of setting a minimum required animal population on the road design. This model was able to consistently produce a road that met a minimum required species conservation benefit. This reflected a major improvement over the model that ignored animal habitats while only requiring a minor increase in construction and operating costs compared to the model that avoids habitat.

Birds and Roads: Reduced Transit for Smaller Species over Roads within an Urban Environment

Abstract: Roads provide humans with a means of mobility between destinations, be it for transportation of goods and services or as a means of connecting with others. However, roads are also known to contribute towards a number of deleterious landscape processes, such as habitat destruction and fragmentation, pollution (e.g. chemical, noise and light) and animal mortality. Few studies however have investigated their effects on avifauna. We investigated the influence of road width on movements of nearby bird assemblages in Australia by comparing crossing counts of four species guilds and sizes over roads of varying widths in Southern Brisbane. In addition, we also sought to determine the association of seasonality with species crossing richness and abundance. Species guild affiliations were based on definitions from previous literature: small forest dependent, large forest dependent, honeyeater and urban tolerant; whereas body size classifications were arbitrarily defined: small (30cm). Road sites were selected based on their vegetation likeness, both within and between sites, and this was assessed using the Specht classification system. We detected strong, negative correlations between road width and forest species richness, crossing species richness and species crossing abundance. In particular, analysis of species guild classifications revealed species richness and crossing likelihoods of the small forest dependent guild to be consistently lower than those of large forest dependent, honeyeater and urban tolerant guilds. Analysis of species by body size classification yielded similar outcomes: small birds were consistently less likely to be present nearby and cross over roads of all widths compared to medium and large birds. We believe gap permeability, particularly changes in vegetation structure and complexity that may restrict a species ability to access to the gap, as well as competition and predation, play an important role in determining species presence and crossing likelihood. Dense vegetation is known to benefit smaller species due to the provision of foraging resources and shelter from larger, more aggressive species.

The EspF N-Terminal of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 EDL933w Imparts Stronger Toxicity Effects on HT-29 Cells than the C-Terminal.

Abstract: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 EspF is an important multifunctional protein that destroys the tight junctions of intestinal epithelial cells and promotes host cell apoptosis. However, its molecular mechanism remains elusive. We knocked out the espF sequence (747 bp, ΔespF), N-terminal sequence (219 bp, ΔespFn), and C-terminal sequence (528 bp, ΔespFc) separately using the pKD46-mediated λ Red homologous recombination system. Then, we built the corresponding complementation strains, namely, △espF/pespF, △espFn/pespFn, and △espFc/pespFc by overlap PCR, which were used in infecting HT-29 cells and BALB/C mice. The level of reactive oxygen species, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial trans-membrane potential, inflammatory factors, transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), and animal mortality were evaluated by DCFH-DA, double staining of Annexin V-FITC/PI, JC-1 staining, ELISA kit, and a mouse assay. The wild-type (WT), △espF, △espF/pespF, △espFc, △espFc/pespFc, △espFn, and △espFn/pespFn groups exhibited apoptotic rates of 68.3%, 27.9%, 64.9%, 65.7%, 73.4%, 41.3%, and 35.3% respectively, and mean TNF-a expression levels of 428 pg/mL, 342 pg/mL, 466 pg/mL, 446 pg/mL, 381 pg/mL, 383 pg/mL, and 374 pg/mL, respectively. In addition, the apoptotic rates and TNF-a levels of the WT, △espF/pespF, and △espFc were significantly higher than that of △espF, △espFn, △espFc/pespFc, and △espFn/pespFn group (p < 0.05). The N-terminal of EspF resulted in an increase in the number of apoptotic cells, TNF-a secretion, ROS generation, mitochondria apoptosis, and pathogenicity in BalB/c mice. In conclusion, the N-terminal domain of the Enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 EspF more strongly promotes apoptosis and inflammation than the C-terminal domain.

Dimerization Efficiency of Canine Distemper Virus Matrix Protein Regulates Membrane-Budding Activity.

Abstract: Paramyxoviruses rely on the matrix (M) protein to orchestrate viral assembly and budding at the plasma membrane. Although the mechanistic details remain largely unknown, structural data suggested that M dimers and/or higher-order oligomers may facilitate membrane budding. To gain functional insights, we employed a structure-guided mutagenesis approach to investigate the role of canine distemper virus (CDV) M protein self-assembly in membrane-budding activity. Three six-alanine-block (6A-block) mutants with mutations located at strategic oligomeric positions were initially designed. While the first one includes residues potentially residing at the protomer-protomer interface, the other two display amino acids located within two distal surface-exposed α-helices proposed to be involved in dimer-dimer contacts. We further focused on the core of the dimeric interface by mutating asparagine 138 (N138) to several nonconservative amino acids. Cellular localization combined with dimerization and coimmunopurification assays, performed under various denaturing conditions, revealed that all 6A-block mutants were impaired in self-assembly and cell periphery accumulation. These phenotypes correlated with deficiencies in relocating CDV nucleocapsid proteins to the cell periphery and in virus-like particle (VLP) production. Conversely, all M-N138 mutants remained capable of self-assembly, though to various extents, which correlated with proper accumulation and redistribution of nucleocapsid proteins at the plasma membrane. However, membrane deformation and VLP assays indicated that the M-N138 variants exhibiting the most reduced dimerization propensity were also defective in triggering membrane remodeling and budding, despite proper plasma membrane accumulation. Overall, our data provide mechanistic evidence that the efficiency of CDV M dimerization/oligomerization governs both cell periphery localization and membrane-budding activity.IMPORTANCE Despite the availability of effective vaccines, both measles virus (MeV) and canine distemper virus (CDV) still lead to significant human and animal mortality worldwide. It is assumed that postexposure prophylaxis with specific antiviral compounds may synergize with vaccination campaigns to better control ongoing epidemics. Targeting the matrix (M) protein of MeV/CDV is attractive, because M coordinates viral assembly and egress through interaction with multiple cellular and viral components. However, the lack of basic molecular knowledge of how M orchestrates these functions precludes the rational design of antivirals. Here we combined structure-guided mutagenesis with cellular, biochemical, and functional assays to investigate a potential correlation between CDV M self-assembly and virus-like particle (VLP) formation. Altogether, our findings provide evidence that stable M dimers at the cell periphery are required to productively trigger VLPs. Such stabilized M dimeric units may facilitate further assembly into robust higher-order oligomers necessary to promote plasma membrane-budding activity.

Early Gabapentin Treatment during the Latency Period Increases Convulsive Threshold, Reduces Microglial Activation and Macrophage Infiltration in the Lithium-Pilocarpine Model of Epilepsy

Abstract: The lithium-pilocarpine model of epilepsy reproduces several features of temporal lobe epilepsy in humans, including the chronological timeline of an initial latency period followed by the development of spontaneous seizures. Epilepsy therapies in humans are implemented, as a rule, after the onset of the spontaneous seizures. We here studied the potential effect on epileptogenesis of starting an early treatment during the latency period, in order to prevent the development of spontaneous seizures. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with 3 mEq/kg LiCl, and 20 h later 30 mg/kg pilocarpine. Once status epilepticus (SE) was achieved, it was allowed to last for 20 min, and then motor seizures were controlled with the administration of 20 mg/kg diazepam. At 1DPSE (DPSE, days post-status epilepticus), animals started to receive 400 mg/kg/day gabapentin or saline for 4 days. At 5DPSE, we observed that SE induced an early profuse microglial and astroglial reactivity, increased synaptogenic trombospondin-1 expression and reduced AQP4 expression in astroglial ending feet. Blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity seemed to be compromised, as infiltrating NG2+ macrophages and facilitated access to the CNS was observed by transplanting eGFP+ blood cells and bone marrow-derived progenitors in the SE animals. The early 4-day gabapentin treatment successfully reduced microglial cell reactivity and blood-borne cell infiltration, without significantly altering the mRNA of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNFα immediately after the treatment. After 21DSPE, another group of animals that developed SE and received 4 days of gabapentin treatment, were re-exposed to subconvulsive accumulative doses of pilocarpine (10 mg/kg/30 min) and were followed by recording the Racine scale reached. Early 4-day gabapentin treatment reduced the Racine scale reached by the animals, reduced animal mortality, and reduced the number of animals that achieved SE (34% vs. 72%). We conclude that early gabapentin treatment following SE, during the latency period, is able to reduce neuroinflammation and produces a persistent effect that limits seizures and increases convulsive threshold, probably by restricting microglial reactivity and spurious synaptogenesis.

Spatial Pattern of Illegal Activities and the Impact on Wildlife Populations in Protected Areas in the Serengeti Ecosystem

Abstract: Illegal activities in protected areas (PAs) are a major conservation problem linked to biodiversity loss. However, the scale of the problem at a global and local scale is unclear. There is a lack of understanding of the factors driving illegal activities and how law enforcement is targeted to reduce the impact of illegal activities. These information gaps limit the improvement of conservation, making tackling the problem difficult. I use an analytical approach, quantitative field surveys and field experiments in the Serengeti ecosystem to improve our understanding of this problem and how it could be reduced in protected areas. At a global scale, I found that illegal activities are present in more PAs than previously thought. Population of large wild mammals are more likely to decline in less-strict PAs in countries with limited conservation resources and where illegal hunting is conducted for commercial benefits rather than for subsistence. The probability of the mammal decline increases in countries where land use change is driven by illegal plant exploitation. At a local scale, in the Serengeti ecosystem, illegal activities are wide-spread, suggesting the problem is bigger than previously perceived. These are driven by poaching decisions made at various scales influenced by local habitats and environmental characteristics. I estimate there could be 137000 wire snares set at any one point across the Serengeti ecosystem, resulting in killing of approximately 14% of the animal population available each year. Despite this, I found current anti-poaching strategies ineffective at detecting and removing wire snares, increasing the risks of animal mortality and potential population declines, and fuelling the illegal wildlife trade. Any comprehensive strategy towards curbing poaching and other illegal activities in PAs must improve the deterrent effects of law- enforcement patrols through increasing conservation resources and improving their ability to detect and remove existing threats.

Capture efficiency of torrent ducks by the active mist‐net method

Abstract: We report on the use and efficiency of an active mist-net method for capturing 3 subspecies of torrent ducks (Merganetta armata), a territorial and specialized South American waterfowl, in fast-moving rivers of the Andes Mountains. As an active process, the execution of this methodology required the presence of a well-trained, 3-person team. During the austral winter and spring between 2010 and 2014, we captured 372 torrent ducks in 410 capture events on 8 different rivers in Colombia (n = 1), Peru (n = 5), and Argentina (n = 2). Each captured torrent duck was banded and 38 opportunistic recaptures events were obtained using the same methodology in the same territories. We deployed the mist nets across fast-moving deep rivers, along elevational gradients (680–4,200 m). Males were more easily captured than females, because of their greater tendency to fly. Our data validated this capture method for torrent ducks, as we succeeded in capturing individuals of the 3 subspecies in different habitats at different elevations and latitudes. To avoid animal mortality, we recommend application of this method only when 3 minimal conditions are met: 1) each field crew has ≥3 people; 2) all of the crew members have hand-radios to enable continuous communication; and 3) each crew member has received prior training (e.g., installation, inspection, manipulation, and removal of the mist net, bird extraction, and familiarity with the behavior of the torrent ducks). © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

Dairying as development: Caring for 'Modern' Cows in Tanzania

Abstract: Smallholder dairying is promoted as a fast track to development for East African farmers through schemes which provide dairy cows to poor households. This article explores issues arising in the care of dairy cows distributed through development projects in southeastern Tanzania. Animal mortality is high and milk yields far lower than expected. Problems of livestock management in the smallholder dairy sector are frequently explained in terms of high production costs and hence as a result of market failure. Research among small farmers suggests that attitudes towards livestock and the values placed on them impact how animals are cared for. Such attitudes are strongly influenced by the place of livestock in productive relations. Technological modeling of livestock development obscures the social contexts in which production is situated and the ways in which livestock affect human behavior and social relations. Conditions imposed by development programs to enable livestock care can undermine the capacities of...

Traditional Methods of Carcass Disposal: A Review

Abstract: Animal mortality is an integral part of livestock farming and proper disposal of these mortalities is necessary for effective disease control measures. Various disposal methods are being used throughout the world depending upon the legislations which are followed in different countries. In developing countries like India the most widely used disposal methods are the traditional methods like: burying, burning, incineration, rendering and composting. There are some environmental, biosecurity, social and economic issues associated with these methods. Environmental constraints associated with these disposal methods are like: contamination of air, soil and water particularly due to persistency of some infections like TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalitis) and other prion infections. Social concerns with these traditional disposal methods are: odour and fly menace and contamination of drinking water. Similarly the economic constraints are associated with the alarming increase in the costs of raw materials like: kerosene, diesel and wood for burning. Issues are also related with the labor cost, availability of land and transportation of mortalities to site of disposal. In this review, environment and social issues, biosecurity risks and economic constraints will be discussed for each of these traditional methods.

Railway Ecology—Experiences and Examples in the Czech Republic

Abstract: The range of direct and indirect effects of railway transport on animals, plants, ecological processes and the actual ecosystems vary considerably. Railway transport operations and infrastructure building lead to environmental pollution, loss or conversion of habitats, landscape fragmentation and, last but not least, to animal mortality caused by collisions with passing trains. The impact of railways is determined by the nature of railway infrastructure, which is not as significant in the Czech Republic as road infrastructure, yet it is one of the densest in Europe. An important feature is relatively low electrification (about 33% of the lines) and the length of multi-track lines (about 20%). In the coming years, we can expect massive investments in revitalization, optimization and modernization of the railways in the Czech Republic, and eventually their electrification. To connect the crucial trans-European lines and all regions it will be necessary to complete the basic network of high-speed railways. Based on these facts we can say that the significance of railway ecology in the Czech Republic will grow with the amount of investment activities implemented in the railway network. In the past, similar development took place with road infrastructure, and therefore there is an opportunity to learn from it. To mitigate the direct effects of railways on wildlife, on the basis of previous experience in the Czech Republic we recommend working primarily with management measures. These are both in terms of wildlife management and the management of habitats in the area of transport infrastructure.

Nerve-sparing Mid-urethral Obstruction (NeMO) in Female Small Rodents

Abstract: Partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) has a high prevalence, causes significant patient burden, and immense health care costs. The most common animal model to investigate bladder remodeling in pBOO are female rodents undergoing partial obstruction at the proximal urethra. Variability in the degree of obstruction and animal mortality are major concerns with proximal obstruction. Furthermore, dissecting around the proximal urethra and bladder neck jeopardizes bladder innervation. We developed a nerve-sparing mid-urethral obstruction (NeMO) model for pBOO avoiding the disadvantages of the traditional model. We approached the urethra just inferior to the pubic symphysis, which obviated the need for laparotomy as well as for dissection in this area; also, the striated urethral sphincter remained untouched. We performed NeMO in female Sprague-Dawley rats (12 obstructions, 6 sham animals) as well as in female C57/bl6 mice (20 obstructions, 18 sham animals). After two weeks, we evaluated bladder function, bladder mass, and body mass. We had no mortalities among obstructed- or sham-operated female rats; as described for the traditional proximal pBOO-method, we tied the suture around the proximal urethra and a temporarily placed 0.9 mm metal rod. NeMO induced an 85% increase in bladder mass after two weeks, average residual urine volume was 0.4 mL in partially obstructed rats while only 0.03 mL in sham animals. In mice, we tested 3 sizes of cannulas that we placed along the urethra when tying the suture. We found that using a 27-gauge cannula resulted in over 50% animal mortality; placing the 25-gauge cannula did not yield the desired response in increasing bladder mass; utilizing a 26-gauge cannula yielded favorable results with minimal animal mortality (1/8) yet a significant 2-fold increase in bladder mass.

Food Quality in Lusaka National Park: Tracking Mortality in Black Lechwe Antelopes

Abstract: Translocation is one of the fundamental tools in wildlife management but only if appropriately undertaken. In 2009, 30 black lechwe antelopes were suddenly translocated from the State House Habitat (STH) into the newly established Lusaka National Park (LNP). However, within 4 months of being translocated to LNP, 28 black lechwes (93%) died. A pathological report produced by veterinarians following a postmortem examination suggested no disease incidence affected the antelopes. The food quality of LNP was tested and compared to that in the STH and the antelopes’ native habitat of the Bangweulu wetlands (BGW) to establish if variations in food quality were responsible for the antelopes’ mortality. The findings suggest that the food quality in LNP was greatly inferior to that in STH, which could explain the observed high mortality of the antelopes in LNP. Further, the quality of food in LNP did not widely differ from that in the BGW, suggesting that the antelopes might not have survived had they been ...

A feljavított ketreces és az alternatív tojótyúktartás naturális hatékonysági mutatói

Abstract: A vilag tojastermelese evente 2-3%- os novekedest mutat, az EU kibocsatasa azonban 2004 es 2013 kozott mindossze 0,28%-kal novekedett. Az allatjoleti előirasok bevezetese miatt 2009 es 2012 kozott a ketreces tartas aranya folyamatosan csokkent az unioban, es nőtt az alternativ tartasmodok aranya. 2016-ban az EU tojotyuk-allomanyanak 44%-a mar valamilyen alternativ (melyalmos, szabadtartas, okologiai) tartasmodban termelt. Az allatjoleti kovetelmenyeknek valo megfeleles ugyanakkor koltsegnovekedest okoz, ami versenyhatranyt eredmenyez azokkal az orszagokkal szemben, ahol nincsenek vagy nem olyan szigoruak az allatjoleti előirasok, mint az Europai Unioban. A koltsegnovekedes ellensulyozasa a termelesi mutatok javitasaval erhető el, ezert tovabbra is fontos a genetikai kepessegek javitasa (hosszabb perzisztencia, nagyobb tojashozam), a fajlagos takarmanyfelhasznalas es az elhullas csokkentese. A termelesi eredmenyek javulasa az alternativ tartasmodoknal is megfigyelhető, vagyis a ketreces es az alternativ technologiak kozott mert kulonbsegek egyre kisebbek. ----------- World egg production increases 2-3% a year, EU emission, however, grew by merely 0,28% between 2004 and 2013. Due to the introduction of animal welfare measures, the proportion of the cage system decreased continuously in the Union between 2009 and 2012, and the rate of alternative solutions grew. In 2016, 44% of the EU laying hen stock was already producing according to an alternative (deep-litter, free-range, organic) system. Compliance with animal welfare provisions also leads to an increase in costs, which means competitive disadvantage compared to the countries that have more lenient or no animal welfare provisions than in the European Union. The cost increase can be counterbalanced by improving production indicators, that is why the improvement of genetical abilities (longer persistence, bigger egg yield), reducing feed conversion ratio and animal mortality continues to be important. The improvement of production results can also be observed in the case of alternative systems, which means that the differences measured between the cage and alternative technologies are becoming all the smaller.

[effect of acetylcysteine, corvitin and their combination on the functional state of liver in rats with paracetamol induced toxic hepatitis]

Abstract: Nowadays drug-induced hepatotoxicity is urgent problem worldwide. Currently more than 1000 drugs are hepatotoxic and most often are the reason of acute fulminant hepatitis and hepatocellular failure, the states requiring liver transplantation. The paracetamol induced liver toxicity is related with accumulation of its toxic metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), which is the free radical and enhances peroxidation of lipids, disturbs the energy status and causes death of hepatocytes. During our research we investigated and assessed the efficacy of acetylcysteine, corvitin and their combination in rat model of paracetamol induced acute toxic hepatitis. The study was performed on mature white male Wistar rates with body mass 150-180 g. 50 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (10 rats in each group). To get the model of acute toxic hepatitis single intraperitoneal injection of paracetamol solution was used (750 mg/kg). Toxic hepatitis was treated with intrapertoneal administration of 40mg/kg acetylcysteine or 100mg/kg corvitin, as well as with combination of these drugs. Monotherapy with acetylcysteine and corvitin of paracetamol induced toxic hepatitis improved the liver function, decreased relative mass of the liver and animal mortality. The treatment of toxic hepatitis was most effective in the case of simultaneous administration of acetylcysteine and corvitin. The normal value of laboratory tests (ALT, ACT, alkaline phosphatase, total and unconjugated bilirubin) was reached and mortality was not more observed. On the bases of obtained data was concluded that acetylcysteine and corvitin have almost equal hepatoprotective activity. The combination of two drugs actually improves the liver function. The most pronounced hepatoprotective effect may be due to synergic action of acetylcysteine and corvitin and such regime can be recommended for correction of liver function.

Applications of loganetin in preparation of drugs for prevention or treatment of arrhythmia

Abstract: The present invention relates to uses of loganetin in preparation of drugs for prevention or treatment of arrhythmia, and belongs to the field of medicine. According to the present invention, the loganetin is the tradition Chinese medicine monomer extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine; the animal test results show that the loganetin can significantly prevent and treat arrhythmia, can significantly delay the occurrence of premature ventricualr contraction, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation of arrhythmia rats due to aconitine, can significantly reduce the animal mortality, and can significantly inhibit the ventricular fibrillation incidence rate of chloroform-induced arrhythmia mice; and the loganetin has advantages of exact arrhythmia treatment effect, low side effect, and broad medical application prospect.