Exposure of pregnant rats to stress and/or sertraline: Side effects on maternal health and neurobehavioral development of male offspring.

AIMS: Sertraline (SE) is one of the most prescribed medications for treating gestational depression, anxiety and stress. However, little is known about its effects on nervous-system development in offspring. Therefore, this study investigated the somatic, reflex and neurobehavioral development of rats exposed to SE during pregnancy, associated or not with stress. MAIN METHODS: Pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to the following groups (n = 10-8 rats/group): CO - control animals administered filtered water by gavage; SE - animals administered 20 mg/kg SE by gavage; ST - animals subjected to restraining stress and administered filtered water; ST/SE - animals subjected to restraining stress and administered 20 mg/kg SE. The treatment was administered between gestational days (GD) 13 to 20. Somatic and reflex developments were investigated in the male offspring from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 21. The elevated plus maze was performed on PND 25 and 80. The open field and light/dark box test were performed on PND 90 and 100, respectively. KEY FINDINGS: Body weight reduction and vaginal bleeding were observed in pregnant rats exposed to SE. The male offspring of the SE group showed delay in incisor eruption, fur development and negative geotaxis. In addition, the SE group was less exploratory (anxious personality) compared to the CO and ST groups. SIGNIFICANCE: The results obtained in the present study demonstrate that sertraline not only impairs maternal health, but also, associated or not with stress, can compromise the somatic, reflex and neurobehavioral development of male rats.

Standardized production of a homogeneous latex enzyme source overcoming seasonality and microenvironmental variables.

Calotropis procera produces a milky sap containing proteolytic enzymes. At low concentrations, they induce milk-clotting (60 µg/ml) and to dehair hides (0.05 and 0.1%). A protocol for obtaining the enzymes is reported. The latex was mixed with distilled water and the mixture was cleaned through centrifugation. It was dialyzed with distilled water and centrifuged again to recover the soluble fraction [EP]. The dialyze is a key feature of the process. EP was characterized in terms of protein profile, chemical stability, among other criteria. Wild plants belonging to ten geographic regions and grown in different ecological conditions were used as latex source. Collections were carried out, spaced at three-month, according to the seasons at the site of the study. Proteolytic activity was measured as an internal marker and for determining stability of the samples. EP was also analyzed for metal content and microbiology. EP showed similar magnitude of proteolysis, chromatographic and electrophoretic profiles of proteins. Samples stored at 25 °C exhibited reduced solubility (11%) and proteolytic capacity (11%) after six months. Enzyme autolysis was negligible. Microbiological and metal analyses revealed standard quality of all the samples tested. EP induced milk clotting and hide dehairing after storage for up to six months.

[Effects of a homeopathic medication on clinical signs of canine atopic dermatitis]. / Wirkung eines homöopathischen Arzneimittels auf die klinische Symptomatik von Hunden mit atopischer Dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE: A commercially available medication containing homeopathic ingredients showed first signs of success in atopic dermatitis in dogs. The aim of this case series was to evaluate the effect of the preparation in a larger number of dogs with atopic dermatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten atopic dogs received the oral homoeopathic combination preparation daily for 3 weeks according to the manufacturer's specifications. The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis was made previously by medical history, clinical examination and exclusion of differential diagnoses. Skin infections with bacteria and yeasts were excluded by clinical examination and cytological evaluation of impression smears. In food-allergic dogs, an elimination diet was fed at least 2 months prior and during the entire study period. Patients with suspected or confirmed flea allergy received flea control for at least 1 month prior to and during the study. The clinical signs were evaluated before and after therapy using a validated Pruritus Visual Analogue Acale (PVAS) and the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI). The coat quality was assessed by the owners. Possible adverse effects were recorded at the recheck. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in the lesion score (Wilcoxon test, p = 1.0), pruritus score (paired t test, p = 0.34) and coat quality (paired t test, p = 0.34) over the duration of treatment. Only one patient showed a slight improvement in itching and coat quality. No side effects were observed. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this case series, the tested homoeopathic preparation did not show a positive effect on the clinical signs of canine atopic dermatitis.

Antimicrobial effect of different peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide formats against spores of Clostridium estertheticum.

"Blown pack" spoilage is primarily caused by Clostridium estertheticum. The primary source of contamination is probably pelts, faeces and soil during opening cuts and de-hiding. Peroxyacetic acid (POAA) based fogs are commonly included in an abattoir's routine cleaning process. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a powerful oxidizing agent that penetrates microbe cell walls causing cell death. In this study, we compared the ability of H2O2 and OXYSAN ZS (POAA containing 1-hydroxyethylidine-1,1-diphosphonic acid as a stabilizer) in different formats to inactivate C. estertheticum spores. Hydrogen peroxide treatment using Phytagel™ gel as carrier was effective on fleece against both naturally contaminating microflora and C. estertheticum spores. This is the first time an antimicrobial treatment has been shown to inactivate C. estertheticum spores on such a complex and highly contaminated matrix. Both H2O2 and OXYSAN ZS treatments inactivated C. estertheticum spores on stainless steel indicating their potential use as an in-plant decontamination procedure or inclusion in routine in-process cleaning.

Effects of Different Sources and Levels of Zinc on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Fur Quality of Growing-Furring Male Mink (Mustela vison).

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different sources and levels of zinc (Zn) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters, and fur quality in growing-furring male mink. Animals in the control group were fed a basal diet with no Zn supplementation. Mink in the other nine treatments were fed the basal diet supplemented with Zn from either grade Zn sulfate (ZnSO4·7H2O), Zn glycinate (ZnGly), or Zn pectin oligosaccharides (ZnPOS) at concentrations of either 100, 300, or 900 mg Zn/kg dry matter. One hundred and fifty healthy 15-week-old male mink were randomly allocated to ten dietary treatments (n = 15/group) for a 60-day trial from mid-September to pelting in December. Mink in the Zn-POS groups had higher average daily gain than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Zn source slightly improved the feed/gain (P = 0.097). N retention was increased by Zn addition (P < 0.05). Mink supplemented with dietary Zn had higher (P < 0.05) pancreas Zn level than the control group. Fur length was greater (P < 0.05) in ZnGly and ZnPOS groups compared with the control. In addition, fur length and fur density increased (linear, P < 0.05) with Zn supplementation in the diet. In conclusion, our data show that dietary Zn addition improves growth performance by increasing nitrogen retention and fat digestibility in growing-furring mink and Z-POS is equally bioavailable to mink compared to ZnGly.

Oil Body-Bound Oleosin-rhFGF-10: A Novel Drug Delivery System that Improves Skin Penetration to Accelerate Wound Healing and Hair Growth in Mice.

Recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 10 (rhFGF-10) is frequently used to treat patients with skin injuries. It can also promote hair growth. However, the effective application of rhFGF-10 is limited because of its poor stability and transdermal absorption. In this study, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blotting were used to identify transgenic safflowers carrying a gene encoding an oleosin-rhFGF-10 fusion protein. The size and structural integrity of oleosin-rhFGF-10 in oil bodies extracted from transgenic safflower seeds was characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting. Oil body extracts containing oleosin-rhFGF-10 were topically applied to mouse skin. The absorption of oleosin-rhFGF-10 was studied by immunohistochemistry. Its efficiency in promoting wound healing and hair regeneration were evaluated in full thickness wounds and hair growth assays. We identified a safflower line that carried the transgene and expressed a 45 kDa oleosin-rhFGF-10 protein. Oil body-bound oleosin-rhFGF-10 was absorbed by the skin with higher efficiency and speed compared with prokaryotically-expressed rhFGF-10. Oleosin-rhFGF-10 also enhanced wound closure and promoted hair growth better than rhFGF-10. The application of oleosin-rhFGF-10 in oil bodies promoted its delivery through the skin, providing a basis for improved therapeutic effects in enhancing wound healing and hair growth.