Modulating Expression of Endogenous Interleukin 1 Beta in the Acute Phase of the Pilocarpine Model of Epilepsy May Change Animal Survival.

The pilocarpine-induced (PILO) model has helped elucidate the electrophysiological and molecular aspects related to mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. It has been suggested that the extensive cell death and edema observed in the brains of these animals could be induced by increased inflammatory responses, such as the rapid release of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 beta (Il1b). In this study, we investigate the role of endogenous Il1b in the acute phase of the PILO model. Our aim is twofold. First, we want to determine whether it is feasible to silence Il1b in the central nervous system using a non-invasive procedure. Second, we aim to investigate the effect of silencing endogenous Il1b and its antagonist, Il1rn.We used RNA interference applied non-invasively to knockdown Il1b and its endogenous antagonist Il1rn. We found that knocking down Il1b prior to pilocarpine injection increased the mortality rate of treated animals. Furthermore, we observed that, when exposing the animals to more Il1b by silencing its endogenous antagonist Il1rn, there was a better response to status epilepticus with decreased animal mortality in the acute phase of the PILO model. Thus, we show the feasibility of using a novel, less invasive approach to study genes involved in the inflammatory response in the central nervous system. Furthermore, our results provide suggestive evidence that modulating endogenous Il1b improves animal survival in the acute phase of the PILO model and may have effects that extend into the chronic phase.

EEF1A1 transcription cofactor gene polymorphism is associated with muscle gene expression and residual feed intake in Nelore cattle.

Cis-acting effects of noncoding variants on gene expression and regulatory molecules constitute a significant factor for phenotypic variation in complex traits. To provide new insights into the impacts of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on transcription factors (TFs) and transcription cofactors (TcoF) coding genes, we carried out a multi-omic analysis to identify cis-regulatory effects of SNPs on these genes' expression in muscle and describe their association with feed efficiency-related traits in Nelore cattle. As a result, we identified one SNP, the rs137256008C > T, predicted to impact the EEF1A1 gene expression (ß = 3.02; P-value = 3.51E-03) and the residual feed intake trait (ß = - 3.47; P-value = 0.02). This SNP was predicted to modify transcription factor sites and overlaps with several QTL for feed efficiency traits. In addition, co-expression network analyses showed that animals containing the T allele of the rs137256008 SNP may be triggering changes in the gene network. Therefore, our analyses reinforce and contribute to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying gene expression control of feed efficiency traits in bovines. The cis-regulatory SNP can be used as biomarker for feed efficiency in Nelore cattle.

Application of proteomic to investigate the different degrees of meat tenderness in Nellore breed.

This study describes the association between meat tenderness and abundance of soluble muscle proteins in Nellore bulls (Bos indicus) using a proteomic approach. We evaluated shear force (SF) of Longissimus thoracis muscle 24 h after slaughter and selected three experimental groups of animals with moderately tender (TE; SF = 3.9 ± 0.7 kg), moderately tough (TO; SF = 5.6 ± 0.7 kg) and very tough meat (TO+; SF = 7.9 ± 1.4 kg). Proteome was investigated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) in combination with electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The metabolic proteins triosephosphate isomerase (TPI1) and phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1), the structural protein profilin 1 (PFN1), and cytosol aminopeptidase (LAP3) were up-regulated (P < 0.05) in the TE meat group when compared to the TO and TO+ groups. Actin structural proteins (ACTA1, ACTB, and ACTG1), the oxidative stress protein peroxiredoxin (PRDX6, PRDX2, PRDX1, and PARK7), heat shock protein isoforms, and co-chaperones (CDC37 and STIP1) were up-regulated (P < 0.05) in the TO and TO+ meat groups. In addition, we also identified proteins PFN1, LAP3, PRDX1, PRDX2, HSPD1, and ARHGDIA to be associated with beef tenderness. The results reported herein demonstrated that meat tenderness in Nellore cattle depends on the modulation and expression of a set of proteins involved in different biological pathways. SIGNIFICANCE: The manuscript entitled "Application of proteomic to investigate the different degrees of meat tenderness in Nellore breed" describes a classical proteomics work using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), followed by mass spectrometry coupled to electrospray ionization ion trap (ESI-MS/MS) in order to understand the biochemical engineering involved in the process of meat tenderness. We evaluated shear force (SF) of Longissimus thoracis muscle samples of Nellore cattle (n = 90) and select three experimental groups of animals with moderately tender (TE; SF = 3.9 ± 0.7), moderately tough (TO; SF = 5.6 ± 0.7) and very tough meat (TO+; SF = 7.9 ± 1.4). The proteomic approach allowed observing that meat tenderness is influenced by structural proteins (ACTA1, ACTG1, ACTB, MYL1 and PFN1), co-chaperones (CDC37 and STIP1), heat shock proteins (HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1, HSPD1, HSPA1L, HSPA1A and HSPB1), regulatory protein (ARHGDIA), metabolic proteins (TPI1 and PGM1) and oxidative stress proteins (PRDX1, PRDX2, PRDX6, PARK7). Our results suggest that meat tenderness in Nellore depends on the modulation and expression of a set of proteins involved in different biological pathways.

Gene and protein expression of myosin heavy chain in Nellore cattle comparing growth or meat tenderness traits.

The objective was to investigate gene and protein expression of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) in Nellore cattle slaughtered at different weights (BW) or degrees of meat tenderness. Ninety animals with initial BW 370 ± 37 kg, 24 months of age, were slaughtered after 95 days on feed. We evaluated shear force (SF), myofibrillar fragmentation index, ribeye area, backfat thickness, marbling, color, and cooking losses. Subsequently, 24 animals were selected and divided into four contrasting groups, in which light (BW = 504.58 ± 32.36 kg) versus heavy animals (BW = 604.83 ± 42.97 kg) and animals with tender (SF = 3.88 ± 0.57 kg) versus tough meat (SF = 7.95 ± 1.04 kg) were compared. The MYH7, MYH2 and MYH1 genes were analyzed by real-time PCR. The MyHC isoforms (MyHC-I, MyHC-IIa, and MyHC-IIx) were quantified by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. We found lower expression of MYH2 and MYH1 genes in heavy compared to light animals and a higher amount of MyHC-I isoform in the tough meat group compared to the tender meat group. Protein expression of MyHC-IIa was higher in the tender meat group. A negative correlation was found of this protein and SF (tenderness), suggesting MyHC-IIa as a biomarker of meat quality.

Behavioral activities of white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari, Link, 1795) in a semi-intensive farming system in Brazil / [Atividades comportamentais de queixadas (Tayassu pecari, Link, 1795) em sistema semi-intensivo de criação no Brasil]

This study aimed to describe the main behaviors of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) expressed in a semi-intensive production system in Brazil. The behavioral activities of two groups of peccaries allocated in two paddocks were assessed, totaling 17 adult animals and eventual pups in different developmental stages. The animals were visually observed using the ad libitum sampling and scan sample methods during the adaptation and experimental phases, respectively. The animals were evaluated in the morning, afternoon, and at night. The behavioral activities observed by ad libitum sampling comprised feeding, pool contact, moving, staying inside the handling area, resting, mud bathing, mutual rubbing, rubbing, aggression, sexual behavior, copulation, foraging, breastfeeding, sleeping, territorial marking, interactions, birthing, gnawing, and other behaviors. All behaviors observed by the ad libitum sampling method were confirmed in the experimental period by scan sample, except for territorial marking and birthing. The effects of time of day were statistically significant (p <0.05) for eating, pool contact, movement, staying inside the handling area, resting, mud bathing and sleeping. These results contribute to the understanding of instinctive animal habits and to the development of nutritional, environmental and health management protocols that meet the requirements of peccaries.(AU)

Objetivou-se descrever os principais comportamentos que os queixadas (Tayassu pecari) expressam em sistema de produção semi-intensivo no Brasil, bem como suas diferenças de frequências comportamentais em função do período do dia. Foram avaliadas as atividades comportamentais de dois grupos de queixadas alocados em dois piquetes, totalizando 17 animais adultos e eventuais filhotes em diferentes estágios comportamentais. Na fase adaptativa e experimental os animais foram observados visualmente pelos métodos ad libitum e scan sample, respectivamente. Os animais foram avaliados nos períodos da manhã, tarde e noite. As atividades comportamentais observadas pelo método ad libitum foram alimentação, contato com a piscina, movimentação, interior do brete de manejo, descanso, lameando, esfregação mútua, esfregar-se, agressão, comportamento sexual, cópula, fuçando, amamentação, dormindo, marcando território, interações, manilha, parição, roendo e outros comportamentos. Todos os comportamentos observados pelo método ad libitum foram confirmados no período experimental scan sample, exceto para as variáveis marcando território e parição. O efeito do período do dia foi estatisticamente significativo (P<0,05) sobre as frequências dos comportamentos alimentação, contato com a piscina, movimentação, interior do brete de manejo, descanso, lameando e dormindo. Os resultados contribuem para a compreensão dos hábitos instintivos dos animais e, com isso, colaborar com a elaboração de protocolos de manejo nutricional, ambiental e sanitário, buscando-se suprir as necessidades dos queixadas. Futuras pesquisas envolvendo queixadas em cativeiro fomentarão os estudos voltados aos aspectos biológicos, conservacionistas e produtivos.(AU)

Repetitive noxious neonatal stimuli increases dentate gyrus cell proliferation and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels.

Neonatal noxious stimulation has been proposed to model pain triggered by diagnostic/therapeutic invasive procedures in premature infants. Previous studies have shown that hippocampal neurogenesis rate and the behavioral repertoire of adult rats may be altered by neonatal noxious stimuli. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether noxious stimulation during neonatal period alters the nociceptive response and dentate gyrus neurogenesis when compared to rats subjected to a single noxious stimulus in late infancy. Plasma corticosterone and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were measured. Neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus was evaluated in adolescent rats (postnatal day 40; P40) exposed twice to intra-plantar injections of Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) on P1 and P21 (group P1P21) or P8 and P21 (P8P21) or exposed once on P21 (pubertal). On P21, one subset of animals received 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and was euthanized on P40 for identification of proliferating cells in the dentate gyrus. Another subset was sampled for thermal response or plasma corticosterone measurement and hippocampal BDNF levels. Proliferative cell rate in dentate gyrus was the highest in all re-exposed groups (P < 0.001), except for P8 females (P8P21F), revealing also a sex difference, where P8P21 males showed higher rate than females (P < 0.001). Stimulated groups took longer than CTL animals to lick the paws (P < 0.001), regardless of the age when the noxious stimulus was applied. Re-exposed groups had lower corticosterone plasma level (P1P21 M and F, P8P21M) than controls. On the contrary, hippocampal BDNF was increased in males from both re-exposed groups. These results show that infant noxious stimulation in neonatally previously stimulated rats is related to high proliferation in the DG and this association seems to be modified by the animal's sex. The new generated dentate granule cells in the hippocampus may have a role in the long-term behavioral responses to neonatal nociceptive stimulation. Noxious stimulation in the neonatal period results in sex-dependent neurogenic response.