Evaluation of the Lambs’ State of Consciousness Signs during Halal and Traditional Slaughtering

The aim of this study was to evaluate the persistence of two signs of consciousness (rhythmic breathing and corneal reflex) in lambs slaughtered according to the traditional method and Halal ritual rite. A total of 240 lambs were examined and divided into two equal groups (n = 120 each). Lambs of group A were subjected to the stunning phase by the action of an electric current on the brain, while lambs of group B were slaughtered according to the religious Halal method without prior stunning. Rhythmic breathing (RB) and corneal reflex (CR) were used as indicators of prolonged brain function, and their evaluation was carried out by the operators in three subsequent steps at 15 s, 30 s, and 90 s post-bleeding, respectively. The stunning of the lambs reduced the animal’s state of consciousness and, consequently, reduced suffering, pain, and distress. Indeed, the lambs of group B showed longer duration consciousness than the animals stunned by electrodes. The permanence of the reflexes in Halal slaughter could be reduced by introducing a reversible stunning method to make the animal temporarily unconscious. Moreover, given that our results revealed consciousness also after 90 s post-cut, the assessment of the animal’s state of consciousness in wider time intervals than those commonly used is recommended

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors, Sport and Doping

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil) are drugs commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. PDE5i are not prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) but are alleged to be frequently misused by healthy athletes to improve sporting performance. In vitro and in vivo studies have reported various effects of PDE5i on cardiovascular, muscular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine systems and the potential, therefore, to enhance performance of healthy athletes during training and competition. This suggests well-controlled research studies to examine the ergogenic effects of PDE5i on performance during activities that simulate real sporting situations are warranted to determine if PDE5i should be included on the prohibited WADA list. In the meantime, there is concern that some otherwise healthy athletes will continue to misuse PDE5i to gain an unfair competitive advantage over their competitors

Moringa oleifera leaf extract influences oxidative metabolism in C2C12 myotubes through SIRT1-PPARα pathway

Abstract Background Moringa oleifera is an important traditional multipurpose plant, due to the presence of many bioactive compounds. Moringa oleifera leaf extracts (MOLE) have been shown to have many beneficial properties in pathological conditions including diabete. However, the lack of information about its exact molecular mechanism of action might hinder other potential use in different areas such as skeletal muscle physiology. Hypothesis/purpose Skeletal muscle represents about 40-50% of the total mass of a lean individual and is an insulin-sensitive tissue with wide variations in energy requirements. We aimed to test the effects of MOLE on oxidative metabolism and the molecular mechanism involved on myotubes by using C2C12 cell line, a well known model for in vitro skeletal muscle studies. Study design C2C12 myotubes were treated with MOLE at different working solutions for 24 and 48 hours and then culture media and cellular extracts were collected. MOLE was screened for phytochemicals determination. Methods Glucose and free fatty acids consumption along with lactate release were assessed in the culture media. Citrate sinthase, 3-hydroxy acylCoA dehydrogenase, alanine transglutaminase and creatine kinase enzyme activities, as well as the metabolic regulatory SIRT1 and PPARα protein levels were evaluated in cellular extracts. Results MOLE administration induced a dose and time dependent increase in substrates consumption accompanied by an increase in intracellular oxidative metabolism enzymatic activity levels. The extracts were also able to modulate positively the protein expression of SIRT1 and PPARα. Conclusion Altogether, these data indicate that MOLE could represent a valid nutritional support for improving skeletal muscle metabolism: in fact MOLE treatment increased oxidative energy metabolism and possibly favours mitochondrial biogenesis through SIRT1/PPARα pathway. future studies will clarify wether Moringa oleifera leaf extracts consumption may be useful to improve physical performance and metabolic-related skeletal muscle diseases

A general model of dioxin contamination in breast milk: results from a study on 94 women from the Caserta and Naples areas in Italy.

BackgroundThe Caserta and Naples areas in Campania Region experience heavy environmental contamination due to illegal waste disposal and burns, thus representing a valuable setting to develop a general model of human contamination with dioxins (PCDDs-PCDFs) and dioxin-like-PCBs (dl-PCBs).Methods94 breastfeeding women (aged 19-32 years; mean age 27.9 ± 3.0) were recruited to determine concentrations of PCDDs-PCDFs and dl-PCBs in their milk. Individual milk samples were collected and analyzed according to standard international procedures. A generalized linear model was used to test potential predictors of pollutant concentration in breast milk: age, exposure to waste fires, cigarette smoking, diet, and residence in high/low risk area (defined at high/low environmental pressure by a specific 2007 WHO report). A Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis was carried out by taking into account PCDDs-PCDFs and dl-PCBs as endogenous variables and age, waste fires, risk area and smoking as exogenous variables.ResultsAll milk samples were contaminated by PCDDs-PCDFs (8.6 pg WHO-TEQ/98g fat ± 2.7; range 3.8-19) and dl-PCBs (8.0 pg WHO-TEQ/98g fat ± 3.7; range 2.5-24), with their concentrations being associated with age and exposure to waste fires (p < 0.01). Exposure to fires resulted in larger increases of dioxins concentrations in people living in low risk areas than those from high risk areas (p < 0.01).ConclusionsA diffuse human exposure to persistent organic pollutants was observed in the Caserta and Naples areas. Dioxins concentration in women living in areas classified at low environmental pressure in 2007 WHO report was significantly influenced by exposure to burns

Dioxins levels in breast milk of women living in Caserta and Naples : Assessment of environmental risk factors

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Studio degli effetti tossici del ritardante di fiamma PBDE-47 su vongola Chamelea gallina (Linnaeus, 1758)

Lo studio ha avuto l'obiettivo di valutare gli effetti del 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodifeniletere (PBDE‑47) su vongola Chamelea gallina (Venus gallina secondo la normativa commerciale vigente). I PBDE, impiegati in diversi prodotti industriali come ritardanti di fiamma, sono annoverati tra le sostanze pericolose dalla Direttiva 2011/65/UE. Si tratta di composti bioaccumulabili, ritenuti interferenti endocrini, genotossici e neurotossici, praticamente ubiquitari, la cui concentrazione nell'ambiente, negli ultimi anni, è aumentata in maniera considerevole. Il presente studio ha avuto l'obiettivo di verificare gli effetti del PBDE-47 su Chamelea gallina: potere tossico ed eventuali effetti dannosi sulle gonadi, capacità di bioaccumulo nei tessuti e possibile ingresso nella catena trofica. La ricerca si è avvalsa di prove sperimentali a 96 h e a 14-21gg su esemplari di vongola stabulati in acqua marina filtrata. Le prove sono state precedute da un periodo di adattamento dei molluschi della durata di 5-7gg. Le vongole sono state alimentate con alghe marine (Dunaliella tertiolecta). La scelta del composto tossico PBDE-47 è stata effettuata in considerazione delle maggiori concentrazioni, tra i congeneri di PBDE, riscontrate in alcune specie acquatiche. Lo studio ha evidenziato che le concentrazioni impiegate del contaminante non hanno alterato le funzioni vitali, causato livelli significativi di mortalità e determinato alterazioni evidenti alle gonadi di Chamelea gallina. La ricerca ha evidenziato, comunque, il potere di bioaccumulo del mollusco bivalve, permettendo al PBDE-47 l'ingresso nella catena trofica

Osmolality, anion gap, percentage Hydrogen (pH) and the mesasurable plasma ions in purebred Arabian horses which were inalists in 90km endurance races

Foi avaliado o comportamento da osmolaridade, do ânion gap, do pH e dos íons plasmáticos mensuráveis de 14 equinos, 9 machos e 5 fêmeas, Puro Sangue Árabe finalistas em provas de enduro de 90 km. Para tanto, foram colhidas em dois momentos (repouso e após o exercício prolongado) amostras de sangue venoso para a mensuração dessas variáveis. Pode-se verificar, a partir do repouso, aumento significativo dos valores do Hct, das PPT e do AG, sugerindo perda de fluidos e discreto grau de desidratação. O pH e o íon H+ quase não se alteraram, indicando ausência de distúrbios metabólicos. Reduções com diferenças significativas foram observadas para os íons Cl-, HCO3-, K+, Ca++, assim como do EB. Pode-se então, sugerir que o tipo de exercício a que os animais foram submetidos foi compatível com a capacidade atlética e ainda que a suplementação durante a competição contribuísse para minimizar tais perdas. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTWe evaluated the behavior of osmolality, anion gap, pH and measurable plasma ions of 14 Purebred Arabian horses, 9 males and 5 females, finalists in an endurance race of 90 km. In order to achieve this, we collected venous blood samples twice, at rest and after prolonged exercise, in order to measure the interest variables. The results allowed to observe that from the rest an increase with significant difference in the values of Hct, PPT and AG, suggesting loss of fluids and slight dehydration. The pH and the H+ ion almost had no changes, indicating absence of metabolic disorders. Reductions, with significant difference, were verified for the ions Cl-, HCO3-, K+, Ca++, as well as BE. These data suggest that the type of exercise to which the animals were submitted was consistent with the athletic ability and that supplementation during the competition contributed to minimize such losses

Electrocardiographic parameters of horses disqualified from exhaustion in endurance competitions

Foram examinados, por meio de eletrocardiografia, 14 equinos Puro Sangue Árabe, 12 machos e duas fêmeas, desclassificados por exaustão em provas de enduro entre 60 e 160km. Foi observado predomínio de taquicardia sinusal, seguido de arritmia sinusal e complexo atrial prematuro com a frequência cardíaca variando de 48 a 78bpm e 93 a 111bpm, respectivamente. Ocorreu aumento da amplitude das ondas P, R, S e T e redução nas suas durações, bem como redução nos intervalos e segmentos, porém o complexo QRS quase não se alterou. O alongamento observado do QTc indicou fadiga miocárdica moderada em resposta ao exercício, e o supradesnível ST foi indicativo de hipovolemia. O eixo elétrico no plano frontal apresentou desvio à direita, aumento de câmara e hipertrofia secundários ao treinamento. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTBy using electrocardiographic examination, 14 Purebred Arabian horses, 12 males and two females, disqualified due to exhaustion in endurance races from 60 and 160km were evaluated. Predominance of sinus tachycardia, followed by sinus arrhythmia and atrial premature complex, with the heart rate ranging from 48 to 78bpm, and 93 to 111bpm, respectively, were observed. There was increase in the amplitude of waves P, R, S, and T, and decrease in their durations, as well as reduction in the intervals and segments; nevertheless, the QRS complex was not almost altered. The QTc lengthening pointed to a moderate myocardial fatigue in response to exercise, and the elevation of ST was indicative of hypovolemia. The electrical axis in frontal plane presented deviation to the right, chamber increase, and hypertrophy secondary to training

Preliminary survey on the occurrence of microplastics in bivalve mollusks marketed in Apulian fish markets

Microplastics (MPs) are a relevant threat to food safety because they are ingested by humans through various foods. Bivalves are at high risk of microplastic contamination due to their filter-feeding mechanism and pose a risk to consumers as they are ingested whole. In this work, microplastics were detected, quantified, identified, and classified in samples of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) marketed in the Apulia region. The total number of plastic debris was 789 particles in the mussel samples and 270 particles in the oyster samples, with size ranging from 10 to 7350 µm. Fragments with size within the category of 5-500 µm were the predominant findings in both species, with blue as the predominant color in mussels and transparent in oysters; most of the debris was polyamide and nylon polymers in the mussels and chlorinated polypropylene in the oysters. These results show that mussel and oyster samples purchased at fish markets are contaminated with microplastics. The sources may be diverse and further studies are needed to assess the impact of the marketing stage on microplastic contamination in bivalves to better define the human risk assessment associated with microplastic exposure from bivalves consumption

Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs) in Italian food: Occurrence and dietary exposure

Human exposure to polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) through the dietary pathway is widely recognised and regulations in some regions of the world help to limit food contamination. Similar information on the analogous polybrominated dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs) is scarce, partly due to the higher threshold to analytical access and unavailability of some standard materials. The analytical methodology developed here determined twelve planar PBDD/F congeners using 13Carbon labelled PBDD/F surrogates and high resolution mass spectrometric detection, and was extensively validated prior to the analysis of a range of commonly consumed Italian foods. The methodology also allowed simultaneous determination of PCDD/Fs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The results show that PBDD/Fs occurred in different foods over a range of concentrations from <0.001 pg/g to 4.58 pg/g in fish. The dietary exposure (upper bound) of different Italian population groups, resulting from these occurrence levels was estimated using the toxic equivalency (TEQ) approach that is commonly used for dioxin-like contaminants and ranged from 0.17 to 0.42 pg TEQ/kg bodyweight/day (lower bound – 0.01 pg TEQ/kg bodyweight/day) depending on the population subgroup. Although precautionary, upper bound values may provide a more realistic estimate of toxicity as not all congeners and foods were measured. As expected, children were more highly exposed than adults due to lower body weight. These exposure levels were between a quarter and a third of that arising from the sum of PCDD/Fs and PCBs (0.61 to 1.38 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bodyweight/day), but they contribute to the dioxin-like toxicity. If this data is considered in view of the revised tolerable dioxin-like dietary intake published by EFSA in 2018, it is evident that the tolerable weekly intake of 2 pg/kg bodyweight/week would be exceeded by some of the assessed population sub-groups, or all sub-groups if the cumulative intake is considered