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Neonatal mortality in dogs reaches up to 40%. Due to the high rates, promptly detecting the causes and preventing newborns from dying are extremely important. Vitality evaluation, blood parameters, and the degree of meconium staining on the skin are valuable resources in canine perinatology. In this study, 435 puppies from 85 bitches close to parturition were recruited and divided into four quartiles according to the puppy’s birth weight: Q1 (127–200 g) n = 110 puppies, Q2 (201–269 g) n = 108 puppies, Q3 (270–388 g) n = 108 puppies, and Q4 (389–464 g) n = 109 puppies. This experimental article aimed to report the effect of birth weight on the blood profile variables, the vitality of newborn puppies, and the meconium staining degree, integrating these three aspects. It was concluded that the weight of newborns was correlated with the degree of meconium staining, presenting more cases of severe meconium staining in the puppies of the highest birth weight group. The weight of the newborns was correlated with a higher number of stillbirths and alterations in the blood variables, showing the most severe cases of metabolic acidosis, hypoxia, and hypoglycemia in the puppies of the Q4 quartile. On the contrary, no statistically significant correlations were found between the weight of newborns and vitality. Nevertheless, the analysis of the results showed that the most vigorous puppies were found at Q1; however, at minute 60 after birth (AB), all the puppies in the four quartiles standardized their vitality scores.

Determinar la importancia que tiene la minimización de tiempos en los procesos dentro de la organización sin importar su ámbito jurídico, lleva a contemplar desde cualquier ángulo la adaptación de nuevas herramientas tecnológicas las cuales faciliten los procesos y generen ayudas y mayores alternativas para la emisión de reportes. De lo anterior se expone el caso en una organización publica de la cual no podemos mencionar ni mostrar su identidad dados los temas de seguridad nacional, en este caso trataremos expresamente el área de viáticos donde los procesos y recopilación de la información es sumamente importante, dada la misionalidad de esta entidad, en el desarrollo de las funciones internas de dicha área se ha llevado a cabo desde la herramienta office donde es utilizado uno de sus programas como lo es Excel, el cual ha sido utilizado para el registro de datos y recopilación de la información la cual es suministrada por cada funcionario que lleva a cabo una comisión. Para lo anterior y realizando una observación del día a día y los procesos realizados dentro de esta entidad se ha planteado la búsqueda y el posterior uso de una herramienta tecnológica como apoyo a la gestión todo con el fin de poder facilitar y minimizar los tiempos utilizados para el almacenamiento de datos y la emisión de reportes, los cuales son de alta importancia en la toma de decisiones. Tabla de Contenido Página Lista de Tablas 3 Lista de Figuras 4 Resumen 5 Abstract 6 1. Problema 8 2. Solución 12 3. Conclusiones 22 Referencias 23 Anexo A. Título del Anexo 24 Determine the importance of minimizing times in processes within the company. organization regardless of its legal field, leads to contemplate from any angle the adaptation of new technological tools which facilitate the processes and generate aid and greater alternatives for the issuance of reports. From the above, the case is exposed in a public organization of which we cannot mention or show your identity given the national security issues, in this case we will try expressly the per diem area where the processes and information gathering is extremely important, given the mission of this entity, in the development of functions internal of said area has been carried out from the office tool where one is used of its programs such as Excel, which has been used for data recording and collection of information which is provided by each official who carries out a commission. For the above and making an observation of the day to day and the processes carried out within this entity has considered the search and subsequent use of a technological tool as support to the management, all in order to facilitate and minimize the times used for the storage of data and the issuance of reports, which are of high importance in the decision making. Especialización

The use of cannabinoids in both veterinary and human medicine is controversial for legal and ethical reasons. Nonetheless, the availability and therapeutic use of naturally occurring or synthetic phytocannabinoids, such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabidiol and cannabidiol, have been the focus of attention in studies regarding their medical uses. This review aims to examine the role of cannabinoids in pain modulation by analyzing scientific findings regarding the signaling pathways of the endocannabinoid system and discussing the analgesic effects of synthetic cannabinoids compared to cannabinoid extracts and the extent and involvement of their receptors. In animals, studies have shown the analgesic properties of these substances and the role of the cannabinoid binding −1 (CB1) and cannabinoid binding −2 (CB2) receptors in the endocannabinoid system to modulate acute, chronic and neuropathic pain. This system consists of three main components: endogenous ligands (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol), G protein-coupled receptors and enzymes that degrade and recycle the ligands. Evidence suggests that their interaction with CB1 receptors inhibits signaling in pain pathways and causes psychoactive effects. On the other hand, CB2 receptors are associated with anti-inflammatory and analgesic reactions and effects on the immune system. Cannabis extracts and their synthetic derivatives are an effective therapeutic tool that contributes to compassionate pain care and participates in its multimodal management. However, the endocannabinoid system interacts with different endogenous ligands and neurotransmitters, thus offering other therapeutic possibilities in dogs and cats, such is the case of those patients who suffer from seizures or epilepsy, contact and atopic dermatitis, degenerative myelopathies, asthma, diabetes and glaucoma, among other inflammatory diseases. Moreover, these compounds have been shown to possess antineoplastic, appetite-stimulating, and antiemetic properties. Ultimately, the study of the endocannabinoid system, its ligands, receptors, mechanism of action, and signaling, has contributed to the development of research that shows that hemp-derived and their synthetic derivatives are an effective therapeutic alternative in the multimodal management of pain in dogs and cats due to their ability to prevent peripheral and central sensitization.

Simple Summary: Newborns experience a significant thermal change at birth, leading their bodies to adjust and reduce their metabolism to survive. In this study, newborn puppies’ weights and their temperatures in different body areas and at different measure times were evaluated to determine if there is a relationship between weight and their ability to reach thermostability. It was observed that there is a positive relationship between the weight of the puppies and their thermoregulatory capacity. Abstract: Hypothermia, a factor associated with neonatal mortality, can occur immediately after birth as a protective mechanism to prevent hypoxic damage in neonates, or to reduce the metabolic rate to improve the chances of survival in the first hours of life. The heat interchange through the superficial temperature of animals can be evaluated with infrared thermography (IRT). However, to date, there is no information on thermal windows in puppies. This study aimed to evaluate, with the use of IRT, the microcirculatory alterations in 8 different thermal windows identified at 7 different times in 289 newborn puppies assigned to different groups. Three thermograms were taken from four zones of each puppy: the facial, frontal, right lateral, and left lateral regions. Newborn puppies were grouped in 4 quartiles according to their weight: Q1 (126–226 g) n = 73, Q2 (227–330 g) n = 72, Q3 (331–387 g) n = 74, and Q4 (388–452 g) n = 70. A total of 8 thermal windows were considered at 7 evaluation times from Wet at birth until 24 h after birth (AB). Two-way mixed ANOVA within and between subjects’ design for each thermal window (eight models) was performed. Results revealed a positive correlation between the puppy’s weight and its ability to achieve thermostability in all the evaluated thermal windows. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.0001) between the 4 quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) were found. The lowest temperatures were recorded when the pups were still wet and the highest at 24 h AB. Thermal windows with the highest temperatures were abdominal (34.234 ± 0.056 °C), thoracic (33.705 ± 0.049 °C), nasal (30.671 ± 0.110 °C), and upper left palpebral (34.066 ± 0.052 °C), while the lowest were thoracic limb brachial biceps (27.534 ± 0.051 °C), thoracic limb elbow (27.141 ± 0.049 °C), thoracic limb metacarpal (27.024 ± 0.062 °C), and femoral pelvic limb (27.654 ± 0.055 °C). Assessing the thermal response in newborn puppies can help identify drastic temperature reductions or deficient thermoregulatory compensation during the first hours of life, preventing the consequences of hypothermia.

The thermal stability of newborns is an essential parameter that can be recorded to evaluate neonatal care. Knowing the thermal windows to evaluate and maintain a constant temperature helps significantly reduce neonatal mortality. This study aimed to assess the superficial temperature alterations in the distinct thermal windows of puppies with mothers of diverse weights and their repercussions. We evaluated the superficial temperature using infrared thermography at eight thermal windows and seven different times: when wet due to the fetal fluid immediately after birth until 24 h of life in newborn puppies from bitches divided into four bodyweight groups. The results revealed a positive correlation between the dam’s weight and the ability to achieve thermostability in the newborn puppies in all the evaluated thermal windows. The time effect showed the lowest temperatures when the puppies were still wet, a gradual increase, and the highest temperature at 24 h after birth. The thermal windows with the highest temperatures were abdominal, thoracic, nasal, and upper left palpebral, and those with the lowest were the thoracic limb brachial biceps, thoracic limb elbow, metacarpal, and femoral pelvic limb. A significant increase in the temperatures in the thermal windows of the abdominal, thoracic, and upper left palpebral immediately after ingesting colostrum was observed. The weight of the dams is an important factor that positively intervenes in the thermoregulatory capacity of the puppies, especially when newborns are dry and have been passed 24 h after birth.

This chapter addresses basic aspects of the behavior of female buffaloes during farrowing, milking, and weaning while also discussing the neurophysiological mechanism of the pain that normally accompanies parturition and describing the pain that female buffaloes may experience when suffering from mastitis. This is a common medical condition, but one that requires preventive measures because if it progresses it compromises not only the health and welfare of the buffaloes, but also the economic success of the productive unit. Finally, we outline novel strategies for weaning that can reduce stress in calves. The calving process places huge physical demands on the parturient buffalo that are associated with pain. Calving is a dynamic process characterized by constant, painful uterine contractions that increase in frequency and intensity. This type of pain has both visceral and somatic components. Pain surges in the peripheral nervous system as pain signals form synapses with the nerve tracts that extend towards the central nervous system. Recent studies demonstrate that milking routines can affect the comfort level of female buffaloes if they have not been habituated to the specific actions involved in a daily routine in which milking is always performed at the same time of day through certain kinds of handling during human-animal interaction. This chapter focuses too on traditional and current weaning strategies to improve productivity and calf welfare for river buffaloes. Wean calves as old as possible. Older calves display less signs of stress than young animals. Deworming calves prior to weaning, may produce heavier and healthier calves at weaning. Avoid combining stressful procedures like castration or branding with weaning. Weaning itself is a stressful procedure and subjecting a calf to further stress, notably harms their welfare. The knowledge of specific weaning methods might contribute to enhance the welfare of the offspring and to improve the reproductive efficiency of the buffalo cow.

One of the most controversial aspects of the use of animals in science is the production of pain. Pain is a central ethical concern. The activation of neural pathways involved in the pain response has physiological, endocrine, and behavioral consequences, that can affect both the health and welfare of the animals, as well as the validity of research. The strategy to prevent these consequences requires understanding of the nociception process, pain itself, and how assessment can be performed using validated, non-invasive methods. The study of facial expressions related to pain has undergone considerable study with the finding that certain movements of the facial muscles (called facial action units) are associated with the presence and intensity of pain. This review, focused on rodents, discusses the neurobiology of facial expressions, clinical applications, and current research designed to better understand pain and the nociceptive pathway as a strategy for implementing refinement in biomedical research.

Specific anatomical characteristics make the porcine species especially sensitive to extreme temperature changes, predisposing them to pathologies and even death due to thermal stress. Interest in improving animal welfare and porcine productivity has led to the development of various lines of research that seek to understand the effect of certain environmental conditions on productivity and the impact of implementing strategies designed to mitigate adverse effects. The non-invasive infrared thermography technique is one of the tools most widely used to carry out these studies, based on detecting changes in microcirculation. However, evaluations using this tool require reliable thermal windows; this can be challenging because several factors can affect the sensitivity and specificity of the regions selected. This review discusses the thermal windows used with domestic pigs and the association of thermal changes in these regions with the thermoregulatory capacity of piglets and hogs.

The aim of this review is to analyze the cardiorespiratory and tissue-protective effects of caffeine in animal models. Peer-reviewed literature published between 1975 and 2021 was retrieved from CAB Abstracts, PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus. Extracted data were analyzed to address the mechanism of action of caffeine on cardiorespiratory parameters (heart rate and rhythm), vasopressor effects, and some indices of respiratory function; we close this review by discussing the current debate on the research carried out on the effects of caffeine on tissue protection. Adenosine acts through specific receptors and is a negative inotropic and chronotropic agent. Blockage of its cardiac receptors can cause tachycardia (with arrhythmogenic potential) due to the intense activity of β1 receptors. In terms of tissue protection, caffeine inhibits hyperoxia-induced pulmonary inflammation by decreasing proinflammatory cytokine expression in animal models. The protection that caffeine provides to tissues is not limited to the CNS, as studies have demonstrated that it generates attenuation of inflammatory effects in pulmonary tissue. It inhibits the effects of some pro-inflammatory cytokines and prevents functional and structural changes.

The science of animal welfare has evolved over the years, and recent scientific advances have enhanced our comprehension of the neurological, physiological, and ethological mechanisms of diverse animal species. Currently, the study of the affective states (emotions) of nonhuman animals is attracting great scientific interest focused primarily on negative experiences such as pain, fear, and suffering, which animals experience in different stages of their lives or during scientific research. Studies underway today seek to establish methods of evaluation that can accurately measure pain and then develop effective treatments for it, because the techniques available up to now are not sufficiently precise. One innovative technology that has recently been incorporated into veterinary medicine for the specific purpose of studying pain in animals is called infrared thermography (IRT), a technique that works by detecting and measuring levels of thermal radiation at different points on the body's surface with high sensitivity. Changes in IRT images are associated mainly with blood perfusion, which is modulated by the mechanisms of vasodilatation and vasoconstriction. IRT is an efficient, noninvasive method for evaluating and controlling pain, two critical aspects of animal welfare in biomedical research. The aim of the present review is to compile and analyze studies of infrared thermographic changes associated with pain in laboratory research involving animals.

Adaptation to extrauterine life brings about diverse changes, which initially are reflected in physiological alterations in the newborn puppy. Besides, the thermoregulating capacity of the newborn puppy is deficient and many of the physiological processes for survival depend on this capacity. Harsh modifications in body temperature can lead to hypothermia in a few hours. Hence, the first 24 to 72 h of life correspond to the highest risk time, in which the newborn can course with moderate to severe hypothermia because the shivering reflexes and vasoconstriction mechanisms are not yet developed in the newborn of this species. Stabilization of temperature is reached until the 18th day of age. However, adequate consumption of the colostrum could provide a high supply of energy, contributing to a fast recovery of temperature and, consequently, to a high survival rate. The objective of this review is to analyze the factors that affect thermoregulation of the newborn puppy, the physiological and behavioral responses, as well as to discuss the influence of the colostrum as an energy source and production of heat to face hypothermia, aside from discussing recent scientific findings of infrared thermography (IRT) used to assess the thermal response of the newborn puppy to cope with hypothermia.

In canines, size at birth is determined by the dam’s weight, which would probably affect the newborn’s viability due to litter size and birth order. Fetal hypoxia causes distress and acidemia. Identifying physiological blood alterations in the puppy during the first minute of life through the blood gas exchange of the umbilical cord could determine the puppy’s risk of suffering asphyxiation during labor. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the birth order and dam’s size during spontaneous labor and the alterations during the first minute of life. The results indicate that the dam’s size and the birth order have considerable physiological and metabolic effects in the puppies, mainly in birth order 1 (BO1) in small-size dogs, while in the medium size, the last puppy presented more alterations, probably because of a prolonged whelping which could have fostered hypoxic processes and death. Likewise, with large-size dogs, intrapartum asphyxiation processes were registered during the first minute of life in any birth order.

Simple Summary In this review, recent discoveries regarding transient receptor potential are discussed and analyzed to comprehend their role in the thermoregulatory mechanisms of animals. Understanding how these receptors are activated and the pathways through which they recognize specific thermal sensations (such as cold, warm, and hot temperatures) will help researchers verify their participation in inflammatory and pathological processes. Research on transient receptor potential and their functions is ongoing, and many current studies are designed to develop therapeutic approaches that will act directly on these receptors to improve the quality of life of non-human animals. Abstract This review presents and analyzes recent scientific findings on the structure, physiology, and neurotransmission mechanisms of transient receptor potential (TRP) and their function in the thermoregulation of mammals. The aim is to better understand the functionality of these receptors and their role in maintaining the temperature of animals, or those susceptible to thermal stress. The majority of peripheral receptors are TRP cation channels formed from transmembrane proteins that function as transductors through changes in the membrane potential. TRP are classified into seven families and two groups. The data gathered for this review include controversial aspects because we do not fully know the mechanisms that operate the opening and closing of the TRP gates. Deductions, however, suggest the intervention of mechanisms related to G protein-coupled receptors, dephosphorylation, and ligands. Several questions emerge from the review as well. For example, the future uses of these data for controlling thermoregulatory disorders and the invitation to researchers to conduct more extensive studies to broaden our understanding of these mechanisms and achieve substantial advances in controlling fever, hyperthermia, and hypothermia.

Hypothermia is one factor associated with mortality in newborn ruminants due to the drastic temperature change upon exposure to the extrauterine environment in the first hours after birth. Ruminants are precocial whose mechanisms for generating heat or preventing heat loss involve genetic characteristics, the degree of neurodevelopment at birth and environmental aspects. These elements combine to form a more efficient mechanism than those found in altricial species. Although the degree of neurodevelopment is an important advantage for these species, their greater mobility helps them to search for the udder and consume colostrum after birth. However, anatomical differences such as the distribution of adipose tissue or the presence of type II muscle fibers could lead to the understanding that these species use their energy resources more efficiently for heat production. The introduction of unconventional ruminant species, such as the water buffalo, has led to rethinking other characteristics like the skin thickness or the coat type that could intervene in the thermoregulation capacity of the newborn. Implementing tools to analyze species-specific characteristics that help prevent a critical decline in temperature is deemed a fundamental strategy for avoiding the adverse effects of a compromised thermoregulatory function. Although thermography is a non-invasive method to assess superficial temperature in several non-human animal species, in newborn ruminants there is limited information about its application, making it necessary to discuss the usefulness of this tool. This review aims to analyze the effects of hypothermia in newborn ruminants, their thermoregulation mechanisms that compensate for this condition, and the application of infrared thermography (IRT) to identify cases with hypothermia.

Animal research is considered a key element in advance of biomedical science. Although its use is controversial and raises ethical challenges, the contribution of animal models in medicine is essential for understanding the physiopathology and novel treatment alternatives for several animal and human diseases. Current pandemics’ pathology, such as the 2019 Coronavirus disease, has been studied in primate, rodent, and porcine models to recognize infection routes and develop therapeutic protocols. Worldwide issues such as diabetes, obesity, neurological disorders, pain, rehabilitation medicine, and surgical techniques require studying the process in different animal species before testing them on humans. Due to their relevance, this article aims to discuss the importance of animal models in diverse lines of biomedical research by analyzing the contributions of the various species utilized in science over the past five years about key topics concerning human and animal health.

Oxytocin is a key hormone for parturition and maternal traits in animals. During the peripartum period, the levels of endogenous oxytocin dictate physiological events such as myometrial contractions, prostaglandin production with the subsequent increase in oxytocin receptors, and the promotion of lactation when administered immediately after birth. While this hormone has some benefits regarding these aspects, the exogenous administration of oxytocin has been shown to have detrimental effects on the fetus, such as asphyxia, meconium staining, ruptured umbilical cords, and more dystocia cases in females. This review aims to analyze the main effects of oxytocin on myometrial activity during parturition, and its potential favorable and negative administration effects reflected in the fetus health of domestic animals. In conclusion, it is convenient to know oxytocin’s different effects as well as the adequate doses and the proper moment to administrate it, as it can reduce labor duration, but it can also increase dystocia.

Mother–young bonding is a type of early learning where the female and their newborn recognize each other through a series of neurobiological mechanisms and neurotransmitters that establish a behavioral preference for filial individuals. This process is essential to promote their welfare by providing maternal care, particularly in altricial species, animals that require extended parental care due to their limited neurodevelopment at birth. Olfactory, auditory, tactile, and visual stimuli trigger the neural integration of multimodal sensory and conditioned affective associations in mammals. This review aims to discuss the neurobiological aspects of bonding processes in altricial mammals, with a focus on the brain structures and neurotransmitters involved and how these influence the signaling during the first days of the life of newborns.

Simple Summary Laboratory animals are fundamental in biomedical science and monitoring their health and metabolic processes is essential to ensure their welfare and the quality of the research conducted. Infrared thermography (IRT) is a tool that can assess pathological or stressful states by measuring changes in the amount of heat that bodies dissipate. To date, some thermal windows have been utilized to evaluate animals’ thermoregulatory capacity, such as the orbital region, the auricle or ear pavilion region, the tail, and the interscapular zone where brown adipose tissue (BAT) is stored. However, the sensitivity and specificity of these windows are still subject to controversy because the scientific evidence that is available differs regarding the thermal information reported. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss the neurophysiological mechanisms of the vasomotor and thermogenesis responses (using BAT) in laboratory animals, the scientific usefulness of IRT, and the various thermal windows that are currently being used with laboratory animals. Abstract Evaluating laboratory animals’ health and thermostability are fundamental components of all experimental designs. Alterations in either one of these parameters have been shown to trigger physiological changes that can compromise the welfare of the species and the replicability and robustness of the results obtained. Due to the nature and complexity of evaluating and managing the species involved in research protocols, non-invasive tools such as infrared thermography (IRT) have been adopted to quantify these parameters without altering them or inducing stress responses in the animals. IRT technology makes it possible to quantify changes in surface temperatures that are derived from alterations in blood flow that can result from inflammatory, stressful, or pathological processes; changes can be measured in diverse regions, called thermal windows, according to their specific characteristics. The principal body regions that were employed for this purpose in laboratory animals were the orbital zone (regio orbitalis), auricular pavilion (regio auricularis), tail (cauda), and the interscapular area (regio scapularis). However, depending on the species and certain external factors, the sensitivity and specificity of these windows are still subject to controversy due to contradictory results published in the available literature. For these reasons, the objectives of the present review are to discuss the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in vasomotor responses and thermogenesis via BAT in laboratory animals and to evaluate the scientific usefulness of IRT and the thermal windows that are currently used in research involving laboratory animals.

This study aims to determine the effect of the weight of bitches on liveborn and stillbirth puppies from eutocic births, and physiological blood alterations during the first minute postpartum. A total of 52 female dogs were evaluated and distributed in four categories: C1 (4.0–8.0 kg, n = 19), C2 (8.1–16.0 kg, n = 16), C3 (16.1–32.0 kg, n = 11), and C4 (32.1–35.8 kg, n = 6). The dams produced 225 liveborn puppies and 47 were classified as stillbirth type II. Blood samples were taken from the umbilical vein to evaluate the concentration of gases, glucose, lactate, calcium, hematocrit levels, and blood pH. The liveborn puppies in C2, C3, and C4 had more evident physiological alterations (hypercapnia, acidosis) than those in C1 (p &lt, 0.05). These signs indicate a process of transitory asphyxiation. The stillborn pups in all four categories had higher weights than their liveborn littermates. C3 and C4 had the highest mean weights (419.86 and 433.79 g, respectively) and mortality rates (C3 = 20.58%, C4 = 24.58%). Results suggest that if the weight of the bitch is &gt, 16.1 kg in eutocic births, there is a higher risk of intrapartum physiological alterations and death. The results of this study allowed us to identify that the weight of dams before birth determines the weight of the puppies at birth.

In many animal species, facial expressions are key elements for recognizing emotions and numerous types of social interaction. Emotions are complex reactions that allow individuals to cope with full events that have either positive or negative meaning and involve certain neurophysiological responses proper to each emotion and species. Regulation of emotional states requires integrating a whole series of responses - peripheral, autonomous, endocrine and muscular - that entail activating various sub-cortical structures, including the amygdale, hypothalamus and brainstem. In recent decades, interest in the emotions expressed by animals has grown, and researchers have come to understand that some problems of animal welfare can be detected by examining and comprehending the emotional experiences that animals may suffer, and identifying how they demonstrate their reactions through facial expressions and corporal postures. The objective of this review is to examine recent literature on aspects related to the function of the emotions and facial expressions in certain domestic species (cats, dogs, rats, sheep, horses and pigs) and propose that understanding facial expressions can be useful as a complement to existing tools in assessing welfare and working with, or doing research on, these species.

Simple Summary Infrared thermography is a clinically useful method for detecting physiopathological alterations in animals through microvascular changes. It has been adapted for applications with large species, as a support tool in evaluating animal welfare, and can also contribute to productive and reproductive evaluations. This review discusses the thermal windows currently in use and characterizes their differences and limitations as resources for early detection and diagnosis in cattle and river buffaloes. Abstract Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-ionizing, non-invasive technique that permits evaluating the comfort levels of animals, a topic of concern due to the growing interest in determining the state of health and welfare of production animals. The operating principle of IRT is detecting the heat irradiated in anatomical regions characterized by a high density of near-surface blood vessels that can regulate temperature gain or loss from/to the environment by modifying blood flow. This is essential for understanding the various vascular thermoregulation mechanisms of different species, such as rodents and ruminants’ tails. The usefulness of ocular, nasal, and vulvar thermal windows in the orbital (regio orbitalis), nasal (regio nasalis), and urogenital (regio urogenitalis) regions, respectively, has been demonstrated in cattle. However, recent evidence for the river buffalo has detected discrepancies in the data gathered from distinct thermal regions in these large ruminants, suggesting a limited sensitivity and specificity when used with this species due to various factors: the presence of hair, ambient temperature, and anatomical features, such as skin thickness and variations in blood supplies to different regions. In this review, a literature search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, using keyword combinations that included “infrared thermography”, “water buffalo”, “river buffalo” “thermoregulation”, “microvascular changes”, “lacrimal caruncle”, “udder”, “mastitis”, and “nostril”. We discuss recent findings on four thermal windows—the orbital and nasal regions, mammary gland in the udder region (regio uberis), and vulvar in the urogenital region (regio urogenitalis)—to elucidate the factors that modulate and intervene in validating thermal windows and interpreting the information they provide, as it relates to the clinical usefulness of IRT for cattle (Bos) and the river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Disabilities are estimated to occur in approximately 2% of survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) worldwide, and disability may persist even decades after brain injury. Facilitation or modulation of functional recovery is an important goal of rehabilitation in all patients who survive severe TBI. However, this recovery tends to vary among patients because it is affected by the biological and physical characteristics of the patients; the types, doses, and application regimens of the drugs used; and clinical indications. In clinical practice, diverse dopaminergic drugs with various dosing and application procedures are used for TBI. Previous studies have shown that dopamine (DA) neurotransmission is disrupted following moderate to severe TBI and have reported beneficial effects of drugs that affect the dopaminergic system. However, the mechanisms of action of dopaminergic drugs have not been completely clarified, partly because dopaminergic receptor activation can lead to restoration of the pathway of the corticobasal ganglia after injury in brain structures with high densities of these receptors. This review aims to provide an overview of the functionality of the dopaminergic system in the striatum and its roles in functional recovery or rehabilitation after TBI.

Thermoregulation in newborn mammals is an essential species-specific mechanism of the nervous system that contributes to their survival during the first hours and days of their life. When exposed to cold weather, which is a risk factor associated with mortality in neonates, pathways such as the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) are activated to achieve temperature control, increasing the circulating levels of catecholamine and cortisol. Consequently, alterations in blood circulation and mechanisms to produce or to retain heat (e.g., vasoconstriction, piloerection, shivering, brown adipocyte tissue activation, and huddling) begin to prevent hypothermia. This study aimed to discuss the mechanisms of thermoregulation in newborn domestic mammals, highlighting the differences between altricial and precocial species. The processes that employ brown adipocyte tissue, shivering, thermoregulatory behaviors, and dermal vasomotor control will be analyzed to understand the physiology and the importance of implementing techniques to promote thermoregulation and survival in the critical post-birth period of mammals. Also, infrared thermography as a helpful method to perform thermal measurements without animal interactions does not affect these parameters.

Simple Summary Grimace scales for laboratory animals were first reported ten years ago. Yet, despite their promise as pain assessment tools it appears that they have not been implemented widely in animal research establishments for clinical pain assessment. We discuss potential reasons for this based on the knowledge gained to date on their use and suggest avenues for further research, which might improve uptake of their use in laboratory animal medicine. Abstract Animals’ facial expressions are widely used as a readout for emotion. Scientific interest in the facial expressions of laboratory animals has centered primarily on negative experiences, such as pain, experienced as a result of scientific research procedures. Recent attempts to standardize evaluation of facial expressions associated with pain in laboratory animals has culminated in the development of “grimace scales”. The prevention or relief of pain in laboratory animals is a fundamental requirement for in vivo research to satisfy community expectations. However, to date it appears that the grimace scales have not seen widespread implementation as clinical pain assessment techniques in biomedical research. In this review, we discuss some of the barriers to implementation of the scales in clinical laboratory animal medicine, progress made in automation of collection, and suggest avenues for future research.

Labour challenges the newborn to adapt to extrauterine life and survive the troublesome neonatal period. Low vitality is a recurrent problem in veterinary perinatology, and several factors can directly or indirectly culminate in neonatal death. One prime determinant of low vitality in animals is foetal hypoxia resulting from prolonged labour or dystocia. Factors such as foetal acidosis, metabolic and electrolyte imbalances, and asphyxia can quickly lead to neonatal death, while others are a consequence of low vitality in which the weak neonate cannot reach the teat and feed, thermoregulate, or breathe because of airway obstruction by meconium. Neonatal hypoxia can also lead to a failure of passive transfer and neonatal infections. The birth weight, the age of the dam, the size of the litter, and parity are also relevant vitality determinants. Scoring systems, similar to the Apgar score used with human babies, have been modified in veterinary neonatology to identify low vitality neonates in need of medical intervention. This review focuses on the vitality assessments and risk factors associated with neonatal mortality in puppies, calves and piglets. Also reviewed is the relationship of umbilical cord morphology and hypoxia with the premature passing of meconium into the amniotic sac and subsequent aspiration into the lungs. Veterinary literature shows a need to improve Apgar scores in animals by using blood gases and other clinical and laboratory tests. Also, it is necessary to better train veterinarians and personnel to identify low vitality neonates and when necessary to implement a rapid medical intervention.

En el presente trabajo se reporta el diseño, ensamble y programación de un prototipo de banda transportadora para una línea de envasado, cuya función principal es mostrar el proceso de envasado de manera interactiva, a través del cual profesionales, estudiantes y profesores puedan desarrollar habilidades que les permitan adquirir competencias específicas en el área de automatización de procesos industriales, y además que sirva como introducción a la industria 4.0. Dicho proceso basa su operación en una unidad de procesamiento constituida por una tarjeta de desarrollo Arduino. Este dispositivo es utilizado ampliamente para la implementación de prototipos interactivos y durante los últimos años se ha incrementado su demanda en proyectos embebidos facilitando la integración de una diversidad de aplicaciones industriales. Cabe mencionar que Arduino cuenta con su editor de código, de fácil programación basado en el lenguaje C, el cual a través de sensores y actuadores lleva a cabo el proceso de automatización de envasado en la banda transportadora.

Continuous hydrogen (H2) production from individual (Stonezyme, IH) and binary (Celluclast-Viscozyme, BH) enzymatic hydrolysates of agave bagasse was evaluated in continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR) and trickling bed reactors (TBR). The volumetric H2 production rates (VHPR) in CSTR were 13 and 2.25 L H2/L-d with BH and IH, respectively. Meanwhile, VHPR of 5.76 and 2.0 L H2/L-d were obtained in the TBR configuration using BH and IH, respectively. Differences on VHPR between reactors could be explained by substrate availability, which is intrinsic to the growth mode of each reactor configuration; while differences of VHPR between hydrolysates were possibly related to the composition of enzymatic hydrolysates. Furthermore, homoacetogenesis was strongly influenced by H2 and substrate transfer conditions. Considering VHPR, H2 yields, and costs of hydrolysis, hydrogen production from binary hydrolysates of agave bagasse was identified as the most promising alternative evaluated with scale-up potential for the production of energy biofuels.

One of the main functions of infrared thermography (IRT) consists in detecting temperature changes in organisms caused by variations in surface blood circulation. IRT is a useful tool that has been used mainly as a diagnostic method for various stress-causing pathologies, though recent suggestions indicate that it can be used to assess the block quality of certain body regions. In the field of anaesthesiology, IRT has been applied to brachial and epidural blocks, while in algology, changes in surface blood circulation associated with sympathetic activity have been investigated. Thermography has also been employed to complement pain level scales based on the facial expressions of patients in critical condition, or after surgery. In addition, it has been used as a tool in research designed to evaluate different surgical procedures in human medicine, as in the case of surgical burrs for placing dental implants, where IRT helps assess the degree of heating associated with bone devascularisation, reduction in vascular perfusion as a consequence of stroke, and changes in the autonomous nervous system, or the degree of vascular changes in flaps applied to burn patients. In veterinary medicine, thermography has brought several benefits for animals in terms of evaluating lesions, diseases, and surgical procedures. The aim of this review is to evaluate how IRT can be used as a tool in surgical procedures, cases of vascular change, and pain monitoring in veterinary medicine with an emphasis on small animals.

The main purpose of this review was to expound upon the mechanism of action of Levetiracetam (LEV) as an antiepileptic, neuroprotective, and hyperalgesic drug. LEV is a second-generation anti-epileptic drug (AED) that is approved for clinical use as monotherapy and may also be used for adjunctive treatment of patients with seizures. Several researchers have recommended LEV as a treatment option in different diseases causing neuronal damage, and recently, LEV has been used as an antihyperalgesic drug. LEV exhibits favorable characteristics, including a low potential for interaction, a short elimination half-life, and has neither active metabolites nor major negative effects on cognition. This has generated many new research avenues for the utilization of this drug. However, the precise mechanism of action of LEV has not been fully elucidated. In this review, a search was conducted on PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, and the Science Citation index for studies evaluating the effects of LEV as an antiepileptic, neuroprotective, and hyperalgesic drug. A total of 32 studies related to the use of LEV suggested different mechanisms of action, such as binding to the synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) protein, inhibition of Ca2+ N-type channels, and its presence as a neuromodulator. These studies concluded that the pharmacodynamics of LEV should be viewed as a single pathway, and should not be based on specific molecular targets that depend on the physiological or pathological conditions prevalent at that time.

To determine the farrowing process and to evaluate the effect of parity on uterine dynamics and reproductive performance, 120 Yorkshire X Landrace hybrid sows, twenty for each parity number from 1 to 6 were used. Frequency, duration and intensity of contractions were monitored as indicators of uterine activity, foetal cardiac frequency (FCF) was monitored to determine fetal distress. Overall, farrowing duration was 189 min, contraction number and intensity were 40.9 and 9.89 mm Hg, respectively. Sixth parity sows had the shortest labor duration. The average number of fetuses with severe bradycardia and distress was 0.5. There was a significant increase (P=0.001) in the number of uterine contractions in gilts and second parity sows. First parity sows showed the highest intensity of contractions (12.30 mm Hg, P=0.001) and the largest number of delayed FCF decelerations, (0.90, P=0.004), which agrees too with a large average number of intra-partum stillbirths (0.90) found. The present study establishes the basic uterine dynamics of eutocic parturitions which may help in swine obstetrics to design uterotonic treatments reducing the stillbirth rate due to asphyxia. These findings emphasize a need for farrowing supervision, especially for first and over fifth parity sows.

Prenatal development is mainly dependent on a close interrelation between nutritional supply use and regulation by hormones and growth factors. Mechanisms during early embryonic development are sensitive to manipulation through selected management strategies of the sow and modifications of this strategy may serve as a model for the examination of molecular and cellular events controlling early embryonic growth. The administration of growth hormone (GH) to pregnant sows affects the development of fetuses in a manner dependent on the gestational period of treatment, therefore suggesting that maternal GH plays a significant role in prenatal development. In addition, in well-fed and feed-restricted gilts, treatment with porcine somatotropin (pST) during early to mid-pregnancy promotes the growth of their placenta and/or fetuses. Due to an exponential increase in research exploring the role of ST in growth biology, collectively, these studies resulted in an unprecedented increase in our understanding of how ST affects growth of domestic animals. Thus, the main purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the remarkable biological effects that pST has on pig fetal growth.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of porcine recombinant somatotropin (rpST) administered to piglets during their first week of life, on metabolic and somatometric variables. A total of 220 piglets born from 40 hybrid Landrace x Large White sows were used. Piglets were randomly assigned to either Group 1 (G1, Control, n = 106) or Group 2 (G2, rpST treatment, n = 114). The rpST dose was 1mg/kg every 24h during 7 consecutive days. Serum pH at birth showed significant differences between groups (7.42 ± 0.47 and 7.31 ± 0.59), although this difference dissapeared on day 8. There was a significant increase (P < 0,001) in plasma glucose levels for the treated group on day 8 (68.78 ± 10.44 and 103.71 ± 18.44). Average daily weight gain was also higher for the somatotropin treated group compared to the control (137.25 ± 31.31 and 209.21 ± 45.97). Comparisons for interaction between treatment and sex showed dramatic differences (P < 0,001) for glucose, lactate and weight gain for the males from G2when compared to the females from the same experimental group on day 7 post-treatment. Piglets treated with rpST showed significant differences in abdominal perimeter (28.67 ± 4.41 and 31.79 ± 3.74), dorsal length (28.42 ± 2.66 and 30.21 ± 4.70), and ham roundness (18.79 ± 2.62 and 22.38 ± 2.98). There is an ongoing research that will allow to determine the composition of body mass (bone or muscle) in the treated piglets. &nbsp, Con el fin de evaluar el efecto de la administración de la somatotropina recombinante porcina (rpST) en lechones, sobre las variables metabólicas y somatométricas durante la primera semana de vida, se evaluaron un total de 220 lechones al nacimiento de 40 cerdas híbridas Landrace x Large White. Los lechones fueron clasificados aleatoriamente en dos grupos. El Grupo 1 conformado por 106 lechones (Grupo testigo) y el grupo 2 por un total de 114 lechones (Grupo tratado con pST). La administración de la rpST se realizó a una dosis de 1 mg/kg cada 24 h durante siete días. En el pH al nacimiento se apreciaron diferencias significativas (P < 0,05) en ambos grupos (7,42 ± 0,47 y 7,31 ± 0,59), fenómeno que desaparece a la semana de vida. A la semana se observó un aumento significativo (P < 0,001) en los niveles de glucosa en los lechones del G2vs. G1(103,71 ± 18,4468, 78 ± 10,44). Al final del experimento la ganancia diaria de peso fue mayor para el grupo tratado con rpST (209,21 ± 45,97) respecto al grupo testigo (137,25 ± 31,31). Al comparar el efecto del tratamiento por sexo se observaron marcadas diferencias significativas (P < 0,001) en el pH, glucosa, lactato y peso ganado en los machos del G2con respecto a las hembras del mismo grupo a los siete días postratamiento. Los lechones tratados con rpST presentaron diferencias significativas en las variables: perímetro abdominal (28,67 ± 4,41 y 31,79 ± 3,74 respectivamente), largo dorsal (28,42 ± 2,66 y 30,21 ± 4,70 respectivamente) y redondez del jamón (18,79 ± 2,62 y 22,38 ± 2,98 respectivamente). Investigación en proceso permitirá distinguir la masa corporal ganada por los lechones, en ósea o muscular. &nbsp

In order to evaluate how spontaneously born piglets could be a suitable model for the study of intrapartum hypoxia, 230 newborn piglets were studied. Out them, 8.3% (n = 19) died intrapartum, 21.7% (n = 50) were born with moderate-to-severe intrapartum hypoxia, and 70% (n = 161) were born with mild or no evidence of intrapartum distress. Piglets born without any evidence of intrapartum asphyxia weighed approximately 240 g lower than those born with intrapartum hypoxia and intrapartum-dead piglets (P0.0001). The viability score was approximately 3 units lower and the latency to contact the udder was two times longer in the piglets surviving intrapartum hypoxia than in controls (P0.0001). In comparison with the control group, metabolic acidosis was most severe among intrapartum-dead piglets followed by piglets surviving intrapartum asphyxia (P =0.002). According to a multiple linear regression analysis, pCO2 and lactate blood levels, and birth weight were identified as explanatory variables of viability score (r: 0.78; P0.001). Viability score, K+ and lactate blood levels, and birth weight were identified as explanatory variables of latency to contact the udder (r: 0.80; P0.001). In conclusion, the spontaneously-born asphyxiated piglet could be considered as a naturalistic model for the study of intrapartum asphyxia. Histopathologic and more rigorous functional and behavioral evaluations are still required to further characterize the model. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Prolonged or intermittent asphyxia in utero and during farrowing weakens piglets and renders them less capable of adaptation to extrauterine life. Piglets with lesser viability at birth have increased blood pCO2 and blood lactic acid concentrations and decreased blood pH. Moreover, the ability to thermoregulate during an acute cold stress is inversely related to umbilical blood lactate concentrations. Blood gas measurements and noninvasive estimations provide important information about oxygenation. The general goals of oxygen therapy in the neonate are to maintain adequate arterial PaO2 and SaO2, and to minimize cardiac work and the work of breathing. Arterial blood gas determinations of pCO2 provide the most accurate determinations of the adequacy of alveolar ventilation. Blood gases obtained in the immediate perinatal period can help assess perinatal asphyxia, but particular attention must be paid to the sampling site, the time of life, and the possible and proven diagnoses. The decision to obtain blood gases must be weighed by the individual clinician against the potential benefits. Current measures for restoring the acid base balance status in the newborn with perinatal asphyxia are discussed.