Optimization and validation of a method for the determination of the refractive index of milk serum based on the reaction between milk and copper(II) sulfate to detect milk dilutions.

We report the use of a method to determine the refractive index of copper(II) serum (RICS) in milk as a tool to detect the fraudulent addition of water. This practice is highly profitable, unlawful, and difficult to deter. The method was optimized and validated and is simple, fast and robust. The optimized method yielded statistically equivalent results compared to the reference method with an accuracy of 0.4% and quadrupled analytical throughput. Trueness, precision (repeatability and intermediate precision) and ruggedness are determined to be satisfactory at a 95.45% confidence level. The expanded uncertainty of the measurement was ±0.38°Zeiss at the 95.45% confidence level (k=3.30), corresponding to 1.03% of the minimum measurement expected in adequate samples (>37.00°Zeiss).

Classical Swine Fever in Brazil: study for the survey of classical swine fever outbreaks in Brazil from 1978 to 2004 / Peste Suína Clássica no Brasil: estudo para a avaliação dos surtos depeste suína clássica no Brasil de 1978 a 2004

The programs developed in Brazil with the aim to control and eradicate swine fever provided an opportunityfor the survey of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) outbreaks. Were concerned CSF official programs, strategies and results, during 26 years. Based in epizootic official data we showed that the number of CSF outbreaks from 1978 to 2004 drastically decreased in all country, although different eradicating strategies were applied in those official programs, especially in fourteen States of "CSF Free Zone". Were evaluated both CSF official programs: Swine Pests Combat Program (SPCP) from 1984 to 1991 and CSF Eradication and Control Program (CSFECP) from 1992 to 2004 by the decreasing of CSF outbreaks number. Considering the technical evolution in swine production systems, statistical analysis to compare the ranking of CSFoutbreaks in each program was performed by Mann-Whitney test, that showed at 95% confidence level(Table T) a significant difference (p< 0.05) between programs, as suggested in CSF outbreaks profileplotted diagram. The number of CSF outbreaks occurred from 2000­2004 in "CSF-infected" and "CSF-free" zones, was analyzed. Also, we regarded with most important recent CSF outbreak in Brazil occurred in 1997, during CSFECP, that was figured out by stamping out measures without appealing to preventive vaccination regimen. Those results suggest that the efficacy of implemented CSF eradication programs depends on the continuity of defined strategies as rigorous vigilance, notification, virus diagnostic screening and sanitary police measures in order to enable quick and adequate action upon CSFV detection

Os programas oficiais para o controle e erradicação de pestes suínas forneceram uma oportunidade de levantar o perfil de ocorrência da Peste Suína Clássica (PSC). Independente das estratégias aplicadasdurante 26 anos foi demonstrado que o número de surtos de PSC de 1978 até 2004 caiu drasticamente emtodo país, especialmente nos quatorze Estados inclusos na "Zona Livre de PSC". O estudo comparou o número de surtos de PSC durante a vigência do Programa de Combate às Pestes Suínas (PCPS) de 1984a 1991 e o Programa de Controle e Erradicação da PSC (PCEPSC) de 1992 a 2004. Considerando aevolução tecnológica nos sistemas de produção de suínos, a diferença nos resultados obtidos após aimplementação de cada programa foi avaliada pelo teste estatístico Mann Whitney por meio da ordenaçãodo número de surtos ocorridos. Essa análise demonstrou uma diferença significativa (p< 0,05) entre osprogramas no nível de confiança de 95% (Tabela T) com havia sido sugerido pelo diagrama do perfil deocorrência da PSC. A eficácia do PCEPSC para debelar o mais importante surto de PSC ocorridorecentemente no Brasil, em 1997, também foi considerada. Paralelamente, o número de surtos ocorridosde 2000 a 2004 nas áreas infectadas com a PSC e na zona livre de PSC foi avaliado. Os resultados sugeremque a eficácia dos programas de erradicação depende da continuidade das estratégias definidas como avigilância rigorosa, notificação, rastreamento do vírus e medidas sanitárias que agilizem a ação nomomento de detecção de vírus da PSC