Medetomidine/midazolam/ketamine anaesthesia in ferrets: effects on cardiorespiratory parameters and evaluation of plasma drug concentrations

ObjectiveTo evaluate the cardiorespiratory effects and plasma concentrations of medetomidine-midazolam-ketamine (MMK) combinations administered by intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) injection in sable ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).Study designProspective randomized experimental study.AnimalsEighteen adult ferrets: weight median 1.19 (range 0.81–1.60) kg.MethodsAnimals were allocated to one of three groups: group IM07 received 20 μg kg^?1 medetomidine, 0.5 mg kg^?1 midazolam and 7 mg kg^?1 ketamine IM; group IM10 20 μg kg^?1 medetomidine, 0.5 mg kg^?1 midazolam and 10 mg kg^?1 ketamine IM; and group SC10 20 μg kg^?1 medetomidine, 0.5 mg kg^?1 midazolam and 10 mg kg^?1 ketamine SC. Following instrumentation, cardiorespiratory parameters and plasma drug concentrations were measured every 5 minutes (T5–T30) for 30 minutes Ferrets were then euthanased. Data were analysed using anova for repeated measures. p < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsResults are mean ± SD. Induction of anaesthesia (minutes) in IM07 and IM10 [2 (1)] was significantly faster than in SC10 [5 (2)]. All groups demonstrated the following: results given as groups IM07, IM10 and SC10 respectively. Mean arterial blood pressures (mmHg) were initially high [186 (13); 174 (33) and 174 (9) at T5] but decreased steadily. Pulse rates were initially 202 (20), 213 (17) and 207 (33) beats minute^?1, decreasing with time. PaO₂ (mmHg) was low [54.0 (8), 47.7 (10) and 38.5 (1)] at T5, although in groups IM07 and IM10 it increased over time. Plasma concentrations of all drugs were highest at T5 (36, 794 and 8264 nmol L^?1 for medetomidine, midazolam and ketamine, respectively) and decreased thereafter: for both midazolam and ketamine, concentrations in IM07 and IM10 were higher than SC10.Conclusions and clinical relevanceMMK combinations containing either 7 or 10 mg kg^?1 ketamine and given IM are suitable combinations for anaesthetising ferrets, although the observed degree of hypoxaemia indicates that oxygen administration is vital.     

Some factors causing mortality among female minks during the puerperium and lactation periods.

The purpose of this study, in which the farm was used as the statistical unit, was to find factors affecting mink mortality under farm conditions. Mortality was hypothesised to be affected by factors including, among others, variables describing the amount (level) and variation in composition and quality of the feed. Other explanatory variables applied in the study included farm size and age. Factor analyses were performed for variables of feed composition and quality in order to condense the variable information and to facilitate the selection of explanatory variables. This report presents a preliminary regression model for female mink mortality factors describing feed level and variation, and farm size, as explanatory variables. The regression model emphasized among other factors the importance of a constant albumin quality and a constant energy level.     

Lunar magnetic field: permanent and induced dipole moments

Apollo 15 subsatellite magnetic field observations have been used to measure both the permanent and the induced lunar dipole moments. Although only an upper limit of 1.3 x 10(18) gauss-cubic centimeters has been determined for the permanent dipole moment in the orbital plane, there is a significant induced dipole moment which opposes the applied field, indicating the existence of a weak lunar ionosphere.     

Driving forces for sodium removal during phytoremediation of calcareous sodic and saline–sodic soils: a review

Abstract. Sodic and saline–sodic soils are characterized by the occurrence of sodium (Na⁺) at levels that result in poor physical properties and fertility problems, adversely affecting the growth and yield of most crops. These soils can be brought back to a highly productive state by providing a soluble source of calcium (Ca²⁺) to replace excess Na⁺ on the cation exchange complex. Many sodic and saline–sodic soils contain inherent or precipitated sources of Ca²⁺, typically calcite (CaCO₃), at varying depths within the profile. Unlike other Ca²⁺ sources used in the amelioration of sodic and saline‐sodic soils, calcite is not sufficiently soluble to effect the displacement of Na⁺ from the cation exchange complex. In recent years, phytoremediation has shown promise for the amelioration of calcareous sodic and saline–sodic soils. It also provides financial or other benefits to the farmer from the crops grown during the amelioration process. In contrast to phytoremediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals, phytoremediation of sodic and saline–sodic soils is achieved by the ability of plant roots to increase the dissolution rate of calcite, resulting in enhanced levels of Ca²⁺ in soil solution to replace Na⁺ from the cation exchange complex. Research has shown that this process is driven by the partial pressure of CO₂ (P_CO2) within the root zone, the generation of protons (H⁺) released by roots of certain plant species, and to a much smaller extent the enhanced Na⁺ uptake by plants and its subsequent removal from the field at harvest. Enhanced levels of P_CO2 and H⁺ assist in increasing the dissolution rate of calcite. This results in the added benefit of improved physical properties within the root zone, enhancing the hydraulic conductivity and allowing the leaching of Na⁺ below the effective rooting depth. This review explores these driving forces and evaluates their relative contribution to the phytoremediation process. This will assist researchers and farm advisors in choosing appropriate crops and management practices to achieve maximum benefit during the amelioration process.     

Effect of bran diet on organic acids in the gastrointestinal tract and apparent digestibility in weanling piglets

Over a period of four weeks 88 piglets of an average weaning weight of 9.5 kg received rations with 2.1, 3.1 and 5.5% crude fibre in the original substance in the form of wheat bran. Between the 42nd and 49th day of life a digestibility investigation was carried out by means of Cr2O3, and on the 42nd and the 63rd day of life the organic acids in the complete gastro-intestinal tract could be ascertained, the causes of which are to be found in the lack of easily soluble carbohydrates (increased passage rate, bran quota). Due to crude fibre, the apparent digestibility of all nutrients decreased, which resulted in a lower live weight on the 63rd day of life. The effect of a bran diet in the alimentary prophylaxis of coli enterotoxaemia is thus furthermore substantiated.     

Invertase activity limits grain yield of maize under salt stress

Salt stress reduces grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.) due to poor kernel setting but not due to decreased grain filling. In the present study, it was tested whether acid invertase activity is decreased in developing kernels of maize under salt stress, and if assimilate supply is limited. The relatively salt‐sensitive maize hybrid Pioneer 3906 was compared with the more salt‐resistant hybrid SR 12. Salt stress caused a significant decrease in grain yield which was due to a 50% decrease in kernel number. No source limitation was observed, as the sucrose concentrations in kernels were significantly increased under salt stress for both genotypes. In contrast, glucose and fructose concentrations in kernels were significantly decreased. Salt stress caused a significant inhibition of soluble acid invertase activity to 19% in hydroponics 5 d after pollination (5 DAP) and to 50% in the soil culture experiment (2 DAP). The decrease in enzyme activity was the same for both genotypes. In the soil experiment, the highest soluble acid invertase activity was found 2 DAP with a steep decline until 8 DAP in Pioneer 3906. It is concluded that a decrease in acid invertase activity is a key factor associated with limited kernel setting under salt stress but additional factors may be responsible for genotypic differences.     

Ion neutral mass spectrometer results from the first flyby of Titan

The Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) has obtained the first in situ composition measurements of the neutral densities of molecular nitrogen, methane, molecular hydrogen, argon, and a host of stable carbon-nitrile compounds in Titan's upper atmosphere. INMS in situ mass spectrometry has also provided evidence for atmospheric waves in the upper atmosphere and the first direct measurements of isotopes of nitrogen, carbon, and argon, which reveal interesting clues about the evolution of the atmosphere. The bulk composition and thermal structure of the moon's upper atmosphere do not appear to have changed considerably since the Voyager 1 flyby.     

Lunar rivers

Mature meanders in lunar sinuous rills strongly suggests that the rills are features of surface erosion by water. Such erosion could occur under a pressurizing ice cover in the absence of a lunar atmosphere. Water, outgassed from the lunar interior and trapped beneath a layer of permafrost, could be released by a meteoritic impact and overflow the crater to form an ice-covered river. A sinuous rill could be eroded in about 100 years.