In vitro digestibility of four high moisture grains used in liquid pig feeding.

One of the main challenges in the livestock sector is the need to increase sustainability and production efficiency. In pig production, feed is the main production cost. High moisture grains (HMGs) have recently emerged as an interesting alternative to conventional feedstuffs. In this study, the nutritional value for pigs of eight HMGs was determined considering the chemical composition and the in vitro digestibility. We have used four seeds (lupine, barley, wheat, and corn) and two substrates (water and whey). Lupine HMG showed higher values of crude fat (2.12%) and crude protein (8.59%). Within cereal HMGs, corn HMG showed higher DM (34.37%), OM (36.27%), and starch (27.17%) values; wheat HMG stood out for crude protein content (4.23%) and barley for NDF (5.68%). The pH values were low for all HMG, with lupine having the highest value (4.39). Ammoniacal nitrogen had the highest value for wheat HMG (6.10%). When whey was used as substrate, it improved the characteristics of the HMG. Regarding in vitro digestibility, of the four HMGs studied, wheat showed the highest value for DM (89.93%), while lupine showed the highest value for crude protein (96.12%). When considering the substrates, whey showed better results for all in vitro digestibility's parameters (87.48%, 90.95%, and 90.59%, for DM, OM, and crude protein, respectively). Overall, all HMGs showed good conservation of nutritional value and high in vitro digestibility. The use of whey as a substrate was beneficial for HMG quality. Results show that the analyzed HMG can be efficiently used in the framework of swine production.

Avaliação endoscópica das vias aéreas, do perfil de gases, dos eletrólitos e do equilíbrio ácido-base em equinos submetidos ao treinamento de três tambores / Endoscopic airway, blood gas, electrolytes, and acid-base in equine submitted to three-barrel training

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as vias aéreas por endoscopia, o perfil de gases, de eletrólitos e o equilíbrio ácido-base de equinos da raça Quarto de Milha (QM) antes e após o exercício de três tambores. Dezesseis cavalos, divididos em dois grupos de oito animais, treino regular (TR - cinco vezes) e treino esporádico (TE - duas vezes por semana), foram utilizados no experimento. A endoscopia foi realizada antes e 90 min após o exercício. Foram realizadas duas coletas de sangue por punção da artéria facial transversa antes do aquecimento (M0) e imediatamente após o exercício (M1), e as leituras foram realizadas com o I-Stat(r). Foram determinadas PCO2, PO2, SO2, pH, BE, HCO3 e TCO2, Na+, K+, iCa, glicose, Hg e Ht. Foi utilizada ANOVA com medidas repetidas no tempo para comparações dos grupos e dos momentos (P<0,05). A HFL acometeu em grau leve (1-2) os animais de ambos os grupos, com 8/8 (100%) no TR e 5/8 (62,5%) no TE. Observou-se presença de secreção serosa na traqueia em 4/8 (50%) para ambos os grupos. A HPIE acometeu em grau leve (1-2) os animais de ambos os grupos, com 4/8 (50%) no grupo TR e 3/8 (37,5%) no grupo TE. Os animais com grau 2 de HPIE apresentaram leve hipoxemia e hipercapnia pós-exercício. SO2, PCO2, pH, HCO3, BE, K e iCa+ não diferiram estatisticamente (P>0,05) entre os grupos. Os cavalos da raça QM submetidos ao exercício de TT apresentam HPIE e acidose metabólica.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the airways by endoscopy, gas profile, electrolytes and acid-base balance of horses in the Quarter Horse (QM) race before and after training three drums. Sixteen horses divided into two groups of 8 animals, with regular training (RT - 5 times a week) and sporadic training (ET - 2 times a week) were used in the experiment. Endoscopy was performed before and 90 min after training. Two blood samples were taken by puncturing the transverse facial artery before heating (M0) and immediately after training (M1), and the readings were performed with the I-Stat(r). PCO2, PO2, SO2, pH, BE, HCO3 and TCO2, Na +, K +, iCa, Glucose, Hg, and Ht were determined. ANOVA was used with repeated measures over time for comparisons of groups and time (P<0.05). The HFL befell was mild (1-2), the animals from both groups with 8/8 (100%) in the TR and 5/8 (62.5%) for the TE. There was presence of serous trachea 4/8 (50%) for both groups. The EIPH befell was mild (1-2) in the animals from both groups with 4/8 (50%) in the RT group and 3/8 (37.5%) for the TE group. Animals with grade 2 EIPH had mild hypoxemia and hypercapnia after exercise. The SO2, PCO2, pH, HCO3, BE, K, and iCa did not differ P <0.05 between groups. QM race submitted to TT exercise have EIPH and metabolic acidosis.(AU)

A highly sensitive canine telemetry model for detection of QT interval prolongation: studies with moxifloxacin, haloperidol and MK-499.

INTRODUCTION: Preclinical evaluation of delayed ventricular repolarization manifests electrocardiographically as QT interval prolongation and is routinely used as an indicator of potential risk for pro-arrhythmia (potential to cause Torsades de Pointes) of novel human pharmaceuticals. In accordance with ICH S7A and S7B guidelines we evaluated the sensitivity and validity of the beagle dog telemetry (Integrated Telemetry Services (ITS)) model as a preclinical predictor of QT interval prolongation in humans. METHODS: Cardiovascular monitoring was conducted for 2 h pre-dose and 24 h post-dosing with moxifloxacin (MOX), haloperidol (HAL), and MK-499, with a toxicokinetic (TK) evaluation in a separate group of dogs. In both cardiovascular and TK studies, MOX (0, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg), HAL (0, 0.3, 1, 3 mg/kg) and MK-499 (0, 0.03, 0.3 and 3 mg/kg) were administered orally by gavage in 0.5% methylcellulose. Each dog received all 4 doses using a dose-escalation paradigm. Inherent variability of the model was assessed with administration of vehicle (0.5% methylcellulose) alone for 4 days. RESULTS: Significant increases in QT(c) were evident with 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg of MOX (C(max)< or =40 microM), 0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg of HAL (C(max)< or =0.36 microM) and 0.3 and 3 mg/kg of MK-499 (C(max)< or =825 nM) with peak increases of 45 (20%), 31 (13%), and 45 (19%) ms, respectively (p< or =0.05). DISCUSSION: In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the ITS-telemetry beagle dog exhibits low inherent intra-animal variability and high sensitivity to detect small but significant increases in QT/QT(c) interval ( approximately 3-6%) with MOX, HAL and MK-499 in the same range of therapeutic plasma concentrations attained in humans. Therefore, this dog telemetry model should be considered an important preclinical predictor of QT prolongation of novel human pharmaceuticals.

Cardiovascular monkey telemetry: sensitivity to detect QT interval prolongation.

INTRODUCTION: Preclinical evaluation of delayed ventricular repolarization manifests electrocardiographically as QT interval prolongation and is routinely used as an indicator of potential risk for pro-arrhythmia (potential to cause Torsades de Pointes) of novel human pharmaceuticals. In accordance with ICH S7A and S7B guidelines we evaluated the sensitivity and validity of the monkey telemetry model as a preclinical predictor of QT interval prolongation in humans. METHODS: Cardiovascular monitoring was conducted for 2 h pre-dose and 24 h post-dosing with Moxifloxacin (MOX), with a toxicokinetic (TK) evaluation in a separate group of monkeys. In both studies, MOX was administered orally by gavage in 0.5% methylcellulose at 0, 10, 30, 100, 175 mg/kg. Each monkey received all 5 doses using a dose-escalation paradigm. Inherent variability of the model was assessed with administration of vehicle alone for 4 days in all 4 monkeys (0.5% methylcellulose in deionized water). RESULTS: MOX had no significant effect on mean arterial pressure, heart rate, PR or QRS intervals. MOX produced significant dose-related increases in QTc at doses of 30 (Cmax=5.5+/-0.6 microM), 100 (Cmax=16.5+/-1.6 microM), and 175 (Cmax=17.3+/-0.7 microM) mg/kg with peak increases of 22 (8%), 27 (10%), and 47 (18%) ms, respectively (p

Non-invasive echocardiographic studies in mice: influence of anesthetic regimen.

Transgenic murine models of cardiovascular disease offer great potential insights regarding mechanisms of human disease, but efficient and reliable methods for phenotype evaluation are necessary. We employed non-invasive echocardiography to evaluate hemodynamic parameters in mice, and evaluated statistical reliability of these parameters with respect to anesthesia regimen. Male CF-1 mice received inhaled halothane (0.25-0.75% in 95% O2) or ketamine/xylazine (80/10 mg/kg i.p.) and 2-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler ultrasound imaging were used to assess cardiac contractility and aortic flow velocities. Halothane was more convenient and reliable with respect to rate of induction, reversal, and control of anesthetic depth. At comparable levels of anesthesia, ketamine/xylazine produced significant reductions in heart rate (308 +/- 14 vs. 501 +/- 14 bpm, p<0.001), left ventricular fractional shortening (41.7 +/- 1.3 vs. 49.3 +/- 1.0%, p<0.001), and cardiac output (7.6 +/- 0.5 vs. 11.5 +/- 0.6 ml/min, p<0.001) when compared to halothane inhalation. No change in stroke volume or peak aortic velocity was observed. Correlation analyses revealed highly significant positive relationships between heart rate and fractional shortening (r=0.61, p<0.002) and cardiac output (r=0.88, p<0.001) but no relation to stroke volume or aortic velocity. Variability of intra-animal and intragroup parameter estimation were frequently 2-fold larger for ketamine/xylazine anesthesia vs. halothane. Statistical power analysis showed the increased measurement error for ketamine/xylazine leads to much larger numbers of mice/group to achieve identical statistical sensitivity. These data further illustrate the feasibility of echocardiography for rapid, non-invasive cardiovascular assessment in mice. However, several obtainable parameters are highly sensitive to both heart rate and anesthetic used and the choice and control of anesthetic are critical for physiologically relevant performance parameters and maximal ability to detect statistical differences among groups. Thus, for these non-invasive studies, inhalation anesthesia with agents such as halothane is superior to anesthesia induced by ketamine/xylazine administration.