1,720,957 research outputs found
POISONED BAITS: A RISING CONCERN FOR ANIMAL HEALTH
No full textObjective: In Europe, malicious animal poisonings are nowadays of concern for both the animal and human health. Focusing on Italy, this problem has been afforded at the beginning of this century. In this frame, a law ruling-banning the preparation, possess, and employment of poisoned baits, was issued in 2001. Poisoned bait is a special threat to dogs and cats but it also kills birds of prey such as owls, kites and eagles, as well as foxes and badgers. The present study reports an overview on the different types of poisoned “hand made” baits found in 10 years of toxicological analysis.
Materials & Methods: Data for this retrospective study were taken from 508 pesticide based baits analyses ranging from January 1999 to December 2009. The presence or absence of a suspected pesticide in baits was investigated by validated laboratory methods using a solid-phase or liquid-liquid extraction followed by separation and characterization by chromatographic techniques. The analyses were carried out for organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides (CI), anticoagulant rodenticides (AR), zinc phosphide (ZP), strychnine (ST) and metaldehyde (MT). In the instance the bait was not positive for the above mentioned toxics, the sample underwent screening analysis in GC-MS.
Results & Conclusion: The baits found positive have been classified in 6 different: 1) baits prepared with discard or out of date food. Miscellaneous baits belong to this class and are the most frequent (n° 362, CI 52%; AR 19%; ZP 11%, ST 9%, MT 8%, other [OT] 1%). 2) laborious and original particular baits. This class groups baits that requested particular work and time in preparation, making them original (n° 85, CI 49%; AR 10%; ZP 21%, ST 2%, MT 12%, OT 4%). 3) baits containing more than one toxic substance. These baits are usually the most harmful for the animals (n° 39, CI 65%; AR 59%; ZP 20%; ST 35%; MT 12%; OT 9%). 4) baits containing non toxic material. The final intent to kill the animals is unfortunately well pursued by these baits, and for this reason this class has been inserted in the study (n° 15). 5) baits prepared with non food material. This group is seldom used (n=6, CI 50%; ST 50%), but according to officer’s reports it is a method apparently used from gypsies or other unscrupulous people to kill the guard dogs. 6) in vivo baits. This class had only a case reported
MIRTAZAPINE IN BEAGLE DOGS
No full textObjective: Mirtazapine (MRT) is a human antidepressant drug mainly metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system to 8-OH mirtazapine (8-OH) and to dimetilmirtazapine (DMR). Anecdotal clinical observations suggested doses for dogs be extrapolated from human doses, but no pharmacological studies have been reported to date to support these speculations. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of MRT and its metabolites DMT and 8-OH to provide useful information to improve the knowledge of this drug in canine species.
Materials & Methods: The subjects were six healthy male Beagle dogs, aged from 1-2 years and weighing between 15 and 17 Kg. Animals were administered MRT (20 mg/tablet/dog) under fasting conditions. This dose was determined based on anecdotal evidence indicating an effective dose rate of about 1 mg/kg. A catheter was inserted into the right cephalic vein to withdrawal a blood sample at determined times after drug administration. Plasma MRT and metabolite concentrations were evaluated by HPLC-FL detection method re-validated in canine plasma according the following parameters: linearity, sensitivity, selectivity and accuracy.
Results & Conclusion: MRT and DMR were quantified in plasma from 0.25 up to 10 h, while 8-OH was quantified from 0.50 up to 10 h. The 8-OH metabolite demonstrated the highest plasma concentration.
The present study indicated that MRT has a different pharmacokinetic profile in dogs compared to that in cats and humans and caution should be paid when extrapolating doses from other species. In veterinary medicine, MRT is likely to have more applications than other drugs currently available for veterinary use, many of these are only utilised for separation anxiety disorder in dogs (clomipramine, fluoxetine and trazodone). Compared with the pharmacokinetic profiles of these drugs, MRT shows a longer mean resident time and a shorter Tmax. These properties could be beneficial in instances of accidental overdose where the expected cardio-toxic side effects and serotonin syndrome could be mitigated for this medication. The antagonism of 5-HT3 receptor by MRT may also result in an anti-emetic therapeutic effect. Its use as analgesic agent due to its effects on noradrenergic and serotonic system has been also speculated. This preliminary data could be useful in prospective studies involving MRT in canine species
PHARMACOKINETICS OF MIRTAZAPINE AND ITS MAIN METABOLITES AFTER SINGLE ORAL ADMINISTRATION IN FASTING/FED HORSES
No full textMirtazapine (MRZ) is a human antidepressant drug that is metabolized, predominantly
by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, to 8-OH mirtazapine (8-OH MRZ) and dimetilmirtazapine
(DMR) metabolites. In veterinary medicine, this drug is currently
administered to cats and dogs with anorexia, although it could also have applications as
an antidepressant, antiemetic, and analgesic agent in these species. The aim of this study
was to assess the pharmacokinetics of MRZ and its metabolites DMR and 8-OH MRZ in
horses. Six healthy female horses were administered MRZ (2 mg/kg) in fasting and fed
states according to a balanced crossover study design. Plasma MRZ and metabolite
concentrations were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography fluorescence
detection method. Pharmacokinetic profiles of MRZ and DMR were similar (detected
from 0.5 up to 34 and 48 hours, respectively), with an MRZ AUC0-N/DMR AUC0-N ratio
range varying between 1.1 and 1.7. Surprisingly, 8-OH MRZ was undetected. Most of the
pharmacokinetic parameters were not altered by food, with the exception of the time
required to reach maximum concentration; this showed a statistical increase in subjects
in the fasting state as compared with the fed state. However, because MRZ is an active
substance intended for long-term administration, the slight increase of the time required
to reach maximum concentration is not considered to be of any clinical consequence. In
conclusion, the pharmacokinetic parameters demonstrated in this study suggest that
MRZ is suitable for oral administration in the horse. However, further investigations are
required to evaluate both its safety and effectiveness in this animal species
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
ANTINOCICEPTIVE PROPERTIES OF HYDRO ALCOHOLIC EXTRACTS OF ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS L. (DILL) SEED AND AERIAL PARTS IN MICE
Full text linkChronic pain and its treatment have always posed a significant challenge for medical practitioners and many
attempts have been made to reduce and eliminate it, both in past and recent history. Research to discover new
effective drugs with excellent safety profiles is ongoing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the plant
Anethum graveolens (dill) for use as an analgesic drug.
Forty-two mice were divided randomly into seven groups (n=6). In the formalin test, the first group received normal
saline; the second group, extract of plant seed (300 mg/kg); the third group, extract of plant crops (300 mg/kg) and
the forth group received morphine (1 mg/kg). For the hot plate test, the first group received normal saline; the second
group, extract of plant seed (300 mg/kg) and the third group received extract of plant crops (300 mg/kg). All injections
consisted of 0.5 ml given intraperitoneally.
In the early phase of formalin test, the animals treated with seed and crop extracts did not show analgesic effects
compared to control group (P=0.386, P=0.284 respectively). In contrast, in the late phase of formalin test, seed and
crop extracts significantly decreased indications of pain compared to the saline group with seed extracts showing
stronger analgesic effects (P=0.004, P=0.023 respectively). In the hot plate test, crop and seed extracts showed
hyperalgesic properties. This effect was stronger in animals treated with crop extracts as compared to seed extracts.
These findings indicate that Anethum graveolens can reduce inflammatory pain, probably by inhibiting inflammatory
mediators. In contrast, this plant has no analgesic effects on spinal nociception and conversely may exacerbate it. This
study provides a basis for the use of Anethum graveolens extracts in popular folk medicine, but further studies are
necessary to elucidate the mechanism of its analgesic actions
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Teratogenic Effects of Coadministration of Fluoxetine and Olanzapine on Rat Fetuses
Full text linkObjective. Depression during pregnancy is a relatively common problem. Since little is known about the teratogenic effects of concomitant administration of fluoxetine and olanzapine during the organogenesis period, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the teratogenic effects of coadministration of fluoxetine and olanzapine on rat fetuses. Method. Forty-two pregnant rats were divided into seven groups, randomly. The first group received 0.5 mL of normal saline as the control. The second and third groups received fluoxetine at doses of 9 mg/kg and 18 mg/kg, respectively. Olanzapine was injected at 3 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg to the fourth and fifth groups, respectively. The sixth group received 9 mg/kg fluoxetine and 3 mg/kg olanzapine. Finally, the seventh group was administrated with fluoxetine and olanzapine at 18 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg, respectively. Drugs were injected intraperitoneally between day eight and day 15 of the pregnancy. On the 17th day of pregnancy, the fetuses were removed and micro-/macroscopically studied. Results. Fetuses of rats receiving high doses of these drugs showed a significant rate of cleft palate development, premature eyelid opening and torsion anomalies, compared to the control group (P≤0.01). It is concluded that these drugs can lead to teratogenicity, so their concomitant use during pregnancy should be avoided, or if necessary their doses must be decreased
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Full text linkWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
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