Showing papers on "Animal mortality published in 2018"

Photothrombotic Stroke as a Model of Ischemic Stroke.

Abstract: The search of effective anti-stroke neuroprotectors requires various stroke models adequate for different aspects of the ischemic processes The photothrombotic stroke model is particularly suitable for the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, and neuroregeneration It is a model of occlusion of small cerebral vessels, which provides detailed study of molecular mechanisms of ischemic cell death and useful for search of potential anti-stroke agents Its advantages include well-defined location and size of ischemic lesion that are determined by the aiming of the laser beam at the predetermined brain region; easy impact dosing by changing light intensity and duration; low invasiveness and minimal surgical intervention without craniotomy and mechanical manipulations with blood vessel, which carry the risk of brain trauma; low animal mortality and prolonged sensorimotor impairment that provide long-term study of stroke consequences including behavior impairment and recovery; independence on genetic variations of blood pressure and vascular architecture; and high reproducibility This review describes the current application of the photothrombotic stroke model for the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms of stroke development and ischemic penumbra formation, as well as for the search of anti-stroke drugs

Risk factors associated with animal mortality in pasture-based, seasonal-calving dairy and beef herds.

Abstract: Animal mortality is indicative of animal health and welfare standards, which are of growing concern to the agricultural industry. The objective of the present study was to ascertain risk factors associated with mortality at multiple life stages in pasture-based, seasonal-calving dairy and beef herds. Males and females were stratified into seven life stages based on age (0 to 2 d, 3 to 7 d, 8 to 30 d, 31 to 182 d, 183 to 365 d, 366 to 730 d, and 731 to 1,095 d) whereas females with ≥1 calving event were further stratified into five life stages based on cow parity number (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Mortality was defined as whether an animal died during each life stage; only animals that either survived the entire duration or died during a life stage were considered. The data, following edits, consisted of 4,404,122 records from 1,358,712 animals. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the logit of the probability of mortality in each life stage separately. The odds of a young animal (i.e., aged ≤ 1,095 d) dying was generally greater if veterinary assistance was required at their birth relative to no assistance (odds ratio [OR]: 3.10 to 31.85), if the animal was a twin relative to a singleton (OR: 1.46 to 2.31) or if the animal was male relative to female (OR: 1.14 to 6.15). Moreover, the odds of a cow (i.e., females with ≥1 calving event) dying were greater when she required veterinary assistance at calving (OR: 2.69 to 7.55) compared with a cow that did not require any assistance, if she produced twin relative to singleton progeny (OR: 1.59 to 2.03) or male relative to female progeny (OR: 1.09 to 1.20). Additionally, the odds of a first or second parity cow dying when she herself had received veterinary assistance at birth were only 0.63 to 0.66 times that of a cow that was provided no assistance at birth. For both young animals and cows, the odds of dying generally increased with herd size, whereas animals residing in expanding herds had lower odds of dying. Results from the present study indicate that the risk factors associated with mortality in pasture-based, seasonal-calving herds are similar to those reported in literature in confinement, nonseasonal-calving herds. Moreover, the present study identifies that these risk factors are similar in both dairy and beef herds, yet the magnitude of the association often differs and also changes with life stage.

Different Uses of Ozone: Environmental and Corporate Sustainability. Literature Review and Case Study

Abstract: An extensive and interdisciplinary literature review was carried out to evaluate the uses of synthetically produced ozone in many different application areas. The objective of the study was to investigate the disinfectant and purifying effectiveness of this natural compound and evaluate its use as an economically and environmentally sustainable alternative to treatments that often involve the adoption of pharmaceutical agents. Being a natural substance, the potential environmental sustainability of the use of ozone in areas such as water disinfectant; pesticide action in agriculture; and antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral actions in animal husbandry and fish farming are of interest. In addition to environmental sustainability, economic sustainability is also important for companies employing ozone in their processes. Thus, a case study was proposed that represents the use of ozone in a pilot swine farm located in Northern Italy, both as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs for the animals and as an air and water purifier. The case study demonstrates the economic sustainability of ozone use, especially in the medium run, along with its ability to reduce animal mortality (by about 2%), as well as decrease use of pharmaceutical antibiotics.

Animal mortality and illegal poison bait use in Greece

Abstract: The present study describes the use of poison baits against so-called pest species in Greece and explores various aspects of this illegal practice Data were collected from 2000 to 2016, and a total of 1015 poisoning incidents in rural areas causing the death of 3248 animals were examined In 587% of investigated cases, the motives remained unknown; in the remaining cases, human-wildlife conflicts and retaliatory actions among stakeholders (eg, hunters vs livestock breeders) were found to be the main reasons for poison bait use The target animals for these actions were mainly mammalian carnivores, and stray canids, all of which were blamed for livestock and game losses Avian scavengers were the wildlife species most affected by secondary poisoning (30% of the wildlife fatalities), whereas shepherd dogs accounted for 664% of domestic animal losses Toxicological analyses showed that a wide range of chemical substances were used, mostly legal or banned pesticides (eg, carbamates, organophosphates, and organochlorines) and potassium cyanide Furthermore, the widespread trafficking of black marketed insecticides was also recorded, with methomyl (in powder form) and carbofuran being most common The majority of poisoning events (72%) took place outside protected areas, while in approximately 734% of them, no official reporting to the competent authorities was made Overall, the study highlights the significant impact of illegal poison bait use on wildlife in Greece and addresses its extreme socioeconomic complexity The need for an integrated national anti-poison strategy is discussed

IL-1 Signaling Prevents Alveolar Macrophage Depletion during Influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae Coinfection.

Abstract: Influenza and bacterial coinfection is a significant cause of hospitalization and death in humans during influenza epidemics and pandemics. However, the fundamental protective and pathogenic mechanisms involved in this complex virus-host-bacterium interaction remain incompletely understood. In this study, we have developed mild to lethal influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection models for comparative analyses of disease pathogenesis. Specifically, wild-type and IL-1R type 1-deficient (Il1r1-/- ) mice were infected with influenza virus and then superchallenged with noninvasive S. pneumoniae serotype 14 (Spn14) or S. pneumoniae serotype 19A (Spn19A). The coinfections were followed by comparative analyses of inflammatory responses and animal protection. We found that resident alveolar macrophages are efficient in the clearance of both pneumococcal serotypes in the absence of influenza infection; in contrast, they are essential for airway control of Spn14 infection but not Spn19A infection. In agreement, TNF-α and neutrophils play a compensatory protective role in secondary bacterial infection associated with Spn19A; however, the essential requirement for alveolar macrophage-mediated clearance significantly enhances the virulence of Spn14 during postinfluenza pneumococcal infection. Furthermore, we show that, although IL-1 signaling is not required for host defense against pneumococcal infection alone, it is essential for sustaining antibacterial immunity during postinfluenza pneumococcal infection, as evidenced by significantly aggravated bacterial burden and animal mortality in Il1r1-/- mice. Mechanistically, we show that through preventing alveolar macrophage depletion, inflammatory cytokine IL-1 signaling is critically involved in host resistance to influenza and pneumococcal coinfection.

Seasonal Variation in Wildlife Roadkills in Plantations and Tropical Rainforest in the Anamalai Hills, Western Ghats, India

Abstract: Wildlife–vehicle collisions on the roads lead to mortality of a range of animal taxa both within and around wildlife reserves. Quantifying and understanding impacts of roads on wildlife mortality are essential for identifying vulnerable taxa and suitable mitigation measures. We studied animal mortality on roads in relation to habitat and season in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve and adjoining Valparai plateau in the Western Ghats, India. Habitats were broadly classified as forest, monoculture plantations (tea, coffee, eucalyptus) and mixed. Eleven road transects of 3–12 km length were surveyed between 9 and 12 times each during monsoon (2011) and summer (2012). We recorded 2969 roadkills (mean = 2.01/km) during the 1473.4 km of road surveys carried out. The overall roadkill rate was 21.2 (± 3.87 SE) individual kills/10 km. Amphibians were most frequent in roadkills (overall roadkill rate of 9.3 ± 2.17 SE kills/10 km, n = 1307), followed by invertebrates and unidentified taxa (7.6 ± 1.81 SE kills/10 km, n = 1066). Roadkill rate was 2.4 times higher in monsoon than summer, with amphibians particularly averaging higher kill rate during monsoon. Frequency of roadkills of various animal groups differed between seasons in different habitats. In both the seasons, most roadkills were recorded mainly in tea, forest, and forest–tea habitats. Relative to length of roads through forest, a disproportionately large number of roadkills of herpetofauna and mammals were recorded in forest habitat. Higher vehicular movements, including tourist traffic, road widening, removal of native plants along roads and construction of sidewalls without breaks obstruct animal movements and may be responsible for roadkills. Designing roads to be more permeable for safe animal movement, particularly where roads pass through forest, and sensitizing highways authorities are essential to reduce animal mortality and make roads more wildlife-friendly in this region.

A Review: Herbal Medicine as an Effective Therapeutic Approach for Treating Digestive Disorders in Small Ruminants -

Abstract: Gastrointestinal (GIT) disorder is a significant health and economic problem that account for extraordinary financial loss in small ruminants. Despite the great efforts in management, GIT disorder remains the main cause of animal mortality, weight gain retardation and production loss in the small ruminant industry. Traditionally, herbal medicine has been used to treat and prevent various ruminant disorders. Herbs have nutritional and pharmaceutical properties that interact with one another polyvalently to increase the depth and breadth of the clinical effects compared with those seen in conventional pharmacological drugs. Recently, there has been an increase in the utilization of herbal medicine, reflecting an expanding trust in such therapeutic approaches. These methods have the advantage of utilizing locally available plants with high medicinal properties. Additionally, medicinal plants have the advantages of availability, compatibility with the body, simplicity of storage and negligible side effects. Here, we review representative examples of research available on the most commonly used traditional herbal remedies for the treatment of the most common digestive disorders (diarrhea, rumen insufficiency and GIT nematodes) in small ruminants. We also provide an extensive background on the recent advancement in the adoption of modern platforms in this field and research possibilities for future drug discovery and development.

The transgenic expression of the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin influences the growth of implanted tumor cells.

Abstract: The beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) is secreted by various tumors, and its presence associated with poor prognosis. Though exogenous hCG elicits the synthesis of molecules associated with angiogenesis, invasion, immune suppression and chemoresistance from responsive tumor cells in vitro, the influence of cell-extrinsic βhCG on tumorigenesis in vivo has not been adequately explored. Female C57BL/6-/- × FVBβhCG/- F1 transgenic mice demonstrated ovarian hyperplasia and pituitary adenomas; transcripts of hCG-driven, tumor-associated molecules were heightened in the pituitary. Upon the implantation of Lewis Lung Carcinoma cells (murine lung tumor cells derived from C57BL/6 mice) in transgenic mice, tumor incidence and volume were enhanced, and increased transcription and expression of hCG-driven, tumor-associated molecules was observed in excised tumors. While treatment of these mice with Cabergoline (a potent dopamine receptor agonist) had no significant effects, ovariectomy resulted in a reduction in the lag phase, accompanied by an increase in tumor incidence and volume upon Lewis Lung Carcinoma cell implantation. In tumors derived from Lewis Lung Carcinoma cell-implanted ovariectomized, transgenic mice, the transcription and expression of hCG-driven, tumor-associated molecules remained elevated and enhanced animal mortality was observed. Cell-extrinsic βhCG can therefore induce pro-tumorigenic effects in vivo (even on tumor lineages not part of the reproductive axis), with ovarian products mediating an ameliorating influence.

A Geospatial Multi-scale Level Analysis of the Distribution of Animal-Vehicle Collisions on Polish Highways and National Roads

Abstract: This article has the aim to investigate the spatial distribution of animal-vehicle collisions (AVCs) in Poland on national roads and motorways. Besides identifying hot spot locations of animal mortality within the country, it also researches on regional scale the relationship between levels of traffic volume or traffic speed and the amount of AVCs. The analysis involves data collected by the Polish General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways with 2014 until 2017 as time range. The geospatial analyses are carried out with QGIS. The Malopolska Province has the highest concentration of AVCs in Poland. Results of the analysis on regional level show that traffic speed and traffic volume are both not strongly correlating to the total animal mortality, meaning that higher levels of the parameters do not lead to higher amounts of AVCs. Accidents occur most frequently on road sections with a traffic volume of an average number of 10,000 to 15,000 vehicles per day. The severe accidents with large sized animals, the Big-Four, are occurring most often at road sections with speed limits between 70 and 90 km/h. This work will be continued, which will investigate the influence of the landscape adjacent to the road on a local scale.

Efficacy and Safety of Topical Fipronil 1% and Deltamethrin 0.1% in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Naturally Infested by Haematopinus tuberculatus

Abstract: Haematopinus tuberculatus is the main arthropod affecting buffaloes around the world. It causes intense itching and restlessness, altering feeding habits, thus reducing animal productivity. This parasitosis is seldom studied, as it does not lead to significant animal mortality or financial losses. In this project, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of two commercially available products for control of pediculosis in naturally infested buffaloes. A total of 24 milk producing, clinically healthy female buffaloes that were naturally infested by lice were included in this study. Animals were equally distributed into two groups: group 1 was treated with a single dose of pour on Fipronil (1%, Carval de Colombia, 1 ml of product per 10 kg of live weight). Group 2 was treated with a single dose of deltamethrin (5%, Bioara, SA), at a final concentration of 0,1% applied with an aspersion pump as a single bath of 4 liters of diluted solution per animal. Lice were counted weekly from day 1 to day 58 post-treatment. Up to day 23 post-treatment, no significant differences in efficacy were observed between products.Fipronil 1% consistently exhibited an efficacy above 70% from day 8 and until 30 day of the study. These results suggest that both products are efficient and safe to control lice infestations in buffaloes. However, fipronil 1% exhibited a greater residual effect, which reduces the number of baths required to treat infested animals, and reduces the probability of selecting for drug-resistant lice populations.

Preventive Effects of Oxidized Dextran on Functional Activity of Pulmonary Macrophages in Mice Infected with Influenza A Virus.

Abstract: We analyzed cytokine profile of pulmonary macrophages in mice infected with highly pathogenic influenza A/H5N1 virus after preventive injections of oxidized dextran. Light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometric examinations showed that preventive injections of oxidized dextran led to more effective virus elimination, modulation of the proinflammatory cytokine response, and host antiviral response and reduce animal mortality. Our findings allow recommending oxidized dextran for further studies in order to create a vaccine with antiviral and adjuvant potencies.

Toxicopathological examinations after repeated intraperitoneal administration of silver nanoparticles in the Wistar rat model

Abstract: Objective(s): Due to wide range of medical applications as bactericidal agents, nanosilver particles (NSPs) are manufactured worldwide in large quantities. However, potential toxicity impacts of NSPs in humans and animals still remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate clinical observations, mortality and pathological changes in rats following intraperitoneal administration of different doses of NSPs. Methods: In this study, rats were administered intraperitoneally over a period of 5 days with repeated doses at different dose levels (20, 80, 320 mg/kg) of NSPs (20 nm). Rats were euthanized 14 days after the treatment. Animal mortality, clinical sings, food intake and body weight were evaluated. Histopathology was performed on heart, lung, liver and kidneys of experimented animals. Results: There was a significant decrease in the body weight of animals in high dose group following fourteen days of exposure. Also, there was significant decrease in food intake during the treatment period in high dose group. Histological tissue sections indicated that NSPs induced multi-organ pathological lesions including severe alveolar edema, hemorrhage and inflammation in lungs, myocytolysis, congestion and edema in heart, inflammation and congestion in kidney and liver. Conclusions: The results obtained two weeks following intraperitoneal injection indicate that the administration of high doses of NSPs could induce histopathological complications in heart, lung, liver and kidneys in rats. No significant pathological effects were observed in low and intermediate doses. More toxicological investigations are needed in relation of the application of NSPs with their potential threat as a medical tool.

Time course effects of 5,5-dihydroxyl pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (alloxan) as a diabetogenic agent in animal model

Abstract: Objective The use of alloxan as a diabetogenic agent at 150 mg/kg BW has been characterized by low percentage induction and instability of the hyperglycemia induced. The present study examined its time course effects with a view to suggesting the probable effective dose of the compound for animal studies. Methods Forty adult Wistar rats were equally randomized into two groups (I and II) and were injected with single intraperitoneal dose of alloxan, 170 and 200 mg/kg BW respectively. Blood glucose concentration (BGC) was monitored in consecutive phases of hourly for 3 h, 3 h interval for 15 h, 6 h interval for 12 h and 9 h after. Changes with time in biomarkers of oxidative stress (SOD, CAT, GST and MDA) and pancreas histopathology were studied. Results Alloxan at the evaluated doses produced a multiphasic blood glucose response. One hour post alloxan injection, 90% of group I and 85% of group II animals exhibited diabetic hyperglycemia (glucose level ≥ 200 mg/dL). Groups I and II respectively produced peak levels of hyperglycemia (586.8 and 575.9 mg/dL) at 9 and 12 h post alloxan administration. Hypoglycemia which is characteristic of experimental diabetes was noted between the 15th and 21st hour in both groups (I and II) and resulted in 5 and 10% mortality respectively. At 36th hour, hyperglycemia was restored and apparently sustained. Changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress showed patterns similar to that of blood glucose, and the histopathological examination of the pancreas mainly indicated focal area of a necrotic islet and multifocal area of mild infiltration in both groups. Conclusion The data obtained shows that alloxan at the investigated doses produced sustained hyperglycemia at 21st and 24th hour post administration, and 170 mg dosage of the compound is apparently a better diabetogenic dose, particularly in terms of reduced animal mortality.

Protective Role of Nitrate/Nitrite Reductase System during Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia.

Abstract: The effects of a non-selective blocker of NO synthases LNNA in a dose of 25 mg/kg and nitrates KNO3, NaNO3, Mg(NO3)2, and Ca(NO3)2 in doses of 5 and 50 mg/kg were studied on the model of experimental ischemic stroke induced by bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries. Wistar rats were randomized into 40 treatment (n=960) and 8 control (n=192) groups. Treatment group rats received injection of either nitrate, or LNNA, or a combination LNNA+nitrate. All substances were administered intraperitoneally 1 h prior to brain ischemia or 5 sec after occlusion of the common carotid arteries. Control rats received the same volume of 0.9% NaCl at the same terms. The non-selective inhibitor of NO synthases LNNA administered against the background of brain ischemia increased neurological deficit and animal mortality. Nitrate/nitrite reductase system had protective properties depending on the cation of nitrate and concentration of a nitrate during inhibition of NO synthase system under conditions of brain ischemia and hypoxia.

Impact of autologous whole blood administration upon experimental mouse models of acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Abstract: Autologous whole blood (AWB) administration is described as alternative/complementary medical practice widely employed in medical and veterinary therapy against infections, chronic pathologies and neoplasias Our aim is to investigate in vivo biological effect of AWB using healthy murine models under the course of Trypanosoma cruzi acute infection The first set of studies consisted of injecting different volumes of AWB and saline (SAL) into the posterior region of quadriceps muscle of healthy male Swiss mice under distinct therapeutic schemes evaluating: animal behavior, body and organ weight, hemogram, plasmatic biochemical markers for tissue damage and inflammatory cytokine levels and profile To assess the impact on the experimental T cruzi infection, different schemes (prior and post infection) and periods of AWB administration (from one up to 10 days) were conducted, also employing heterologous whole blood (HWB) and evaluating plasma cytokine profile No major adverse events were observed in healthy AWB-treated mice, except gait impairment in animals that received three doses of 20 μL AWB in the same hind limb AWB and SAL triggered an immediate polymorphonuclear response followed by mononuclear infiltrate Although SAL triggered an inflammatory response, the kinetics and intensity of the histological profile and humoral mediator levels were different from AWB, the latter occurring earlier and more intensely with concomitant elevation of plasma IL-6 Inflammatory peak response of SAL, mainly composed of mononuclear cells with IL-10, was increased at 24 h According to the mouse model of acute T cruzi infection, only minor decreases (< 30%) in the parasitemia levels were produced by AWB and HWB given before and after infection, without protecting against mortality Rises in IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were detected at 9 dpi in all infected animals as compared to uninfected mice but only Bz displayed a statistically significant diminution (p = 002) in TNF-alpha levels than infected and untreated mice This study revealed that the use of autologous whole blood (AWB) in the acute model employed was unable to reduce the parasitic load of infected mice, providing only a minor decrease in parasitemia levels (up to 30%) but without protecting against animal mortality Further in vivo studies will be necessary to elucidate the effective impact of this procedure

Making the Animals on the Plate Visible: Anglophone Celebrity Chef Cookbooks Ranked by Sentient Animal Deaths

Abstract: Recent decades have witnessed the rise of chefs to a position of cultural prominence. This rise has coincided with increased consciousness of ethical issues pertaining to food, particularly as they concern animals. We rank cookbooks by celebrity chefs according to the minimum number of sentient animals that must be killed to make their recipes. On our stipulative definition, celebrity chefs are those with their own television show on a national network in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada or Australia. Thirty cookbooks by 26 such chefs were categorized according to the total number of cows, pigs, chicken, fish and other species they included as ingredients. The total number of animals killed was divided by the number of non-dessert recipes to generate an average number of animal deaths per recipe for each book. We outline the rationale for our project and its methodology before presenting a ranked table of 30 cookbooks by celebrity chefs. This method generates several interesting findings. The first concerns the wide variation in animal fatalities among cookbooks. The chef with the heaviest animal footprint killed 5.25 animals per recipe, while the omnivorous chef with the smallest footprints killed 0.19 per recipe. Clearly, not all approaches to meat eating are equal when it comes to their animal mortality rate. Pigs and large ruminants are all substantially bigger than poultry, which are themselves bigger than many fish. The prime determinant of a chef’s place in the index was the number of small animals his or her recipes required. Whether a chef cooked in the style of a particular cuisine (Italian, French, Mexican etc.), by contrast, had no discernible influence on his or her ranking. We analyze how different chefs present themselves—as either especially sensitive or insensitive to ethical issues involving animals and food—and note cases where these presentations do or do not match their index ranking.