The effect of fentanyl on the end‐tidal sevoflurane concentration needed to prevent motor movement in dogs

ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were to determine the effects of fentanyl on the end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane needed to prevent motor movement (MAC_NM) in response to noxious stimulation, and to evaluate if acute tolerance develops.Study designRandomized cross-over experimental study.AnimalsSix healthy, adult (2–3 years old), intact male, mixed-breed dogs weighing 16.2 ± 1.1 kg.MethodsSix dogs were randomly assigned to receive one of three separate treatments over a 3 week period. After baseline sevoflurane MAC_NM (MAC_NM-B) determination, fentanyl treatments (T) were administered as a loading dose (Ld) and constant rate infusion (CRI) as follows: T1-Ld of 7.5 μg kg^?1 and CRI at 3 μg kg^?1 hour^?1; T2-Ld of 15 μg kg^?1 and CRI at 6.0 μg kg ^?1 hour^?1; T3-Ld of 30 μg kg^?1 and CRI at 12 μg kg^?1 hour^?1. The MAC_NM was defined as the minimum end-tidal sevoflurane concentration preventing motor movement. The first post-treatment MAC_NM (MAC_NM-I) determination was initiated 90 minutes after the start of the CRI, and a second MAC_NM (MAC_NM-II) determination was initiated 3 hours after MAC_NM-I was established.ResultsThe overall least square mean MAC_NM-B for all groups was 2.66%. All treatments decreased (p < 0.05) MAC_NM, and the decrease from baseline was 22%, 35% and 41% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Percentage change in T1 differed (p < 0.05) from T2 and T3; however, T2 did not differ from T3. MAC_NM-I was not significantly different from MAC_NM-II within treatments.Conclusions and clinical relevanceFentanyl doses in the range of 3–12 μg kg^?1 hour^?1 significantly decreased the sevoflurane MAC_NM. Clinically significant tolerance to fentanyl did not occur under the study conditions.     

Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Pet Hedgehogs – United States, 2011–2013

Zoonotic Salmonella infections cause approximately 130 000 illnesses annually in the United States. Of 72.9 million US households owning at least one pet, five million own small mammals; 3000 hedgehogs were documented by USDA in USDA‐licensed breeding facilities and pet stores in 2012. State health department collaborators and PulseNet, the national bacterial subtyping network, identified human infections of a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak strain, which were investigated by CDC, USDA‐APHIS and state public and animal health officials. A case was defined as an illness in a person infected with the outbreak strain identified between 1 December 2011 and 3 June 2013. Investigators collected information on patient exposures, cultured animal and environmental specimens for Salmonella, and conducted traceback investigations of USDA‐licensed hedgehog facilities. There were 26 cases in 12 states. Illness onset dates ranged from 26 December 2011 to 8 April 2013. The median patient age was 15 years (range = <1–91 years); 58% were female. Among 23 persons with available information, 8 (35%) were hospitalized and one outbreak strain‐associated death was reported. Of 25 patients with available information, 20 (80%) reported pet hedgehog contact in the week before illness onset. The outbreak strain was isolated from animal and environmental samples collected from three ill persons’ homes in three states. Hedgehogs were purchased in geographically distant states from USDA‐licensed breeders (10/17, 59%); a USDA‐licensed pet store (1/17, 6%); unlicensed or unknown status breeders (3/17, 18%); and private individuals (3/17, 18%). Traceback investigations of USDA‐licensed facilities did not reveal a single source of infection. Public and animal health collaboration linked pet hedgehog contact to human infections of Salmonella Typhimurium, highlighting the importance of a One Health investigative approach to zoonotic salmonellosis outbreaks. More efforts are needed to increase awareness among multiple stakeholders on the risk of illness associated with pet hedgehogs.     

Effect of Diet Supplemented with Quinoa Seeds on Oxidative Status in Plasma and Selected Tissues of High Fructose-Fed Rats

Oxidative stress plays an important role as a mediator of damage produced by fructose metabolism. This work was designed to investigate the effect of diet supplemented with quinoa seeds on oxidative stress in plasma, heart, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, testis and pancreas of fructose administered rats. Fructose administration (310 g/kg fodder for 5 weeks) caused oxidative stress that was manifested by the increase in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.05), and by the non-significant changes in the enzymatic antioxidant potential in plasma and most of tissues. Co-administration of quinoa seeds (310 g/kg fodder) maintained normal activities of some enzymes. It also influenced the oxidative stress as was evidenced by decreasing MDA in plasma, and decreasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (erythrocyte superoxide dismutase - eSOD, catalase -CAT, plasma glutathione peroxidase - pGPX). These findings demonstrate that quinoa seeds can act as a moderate protective agent against potential of fructose-induced changes in rats by reducing lipid peroxidation and by enhancing the antioxidant capacity of blood (plasma) and heart, kidney, testis, lung and pancreas.     

Influence of tree shelters on seedling success in an afforested riparian zone

The restoration of a natural riparian ecosystem is a key component to improving water quality and restoring stream health in a disturbed watershed. The rate and degree of riparian restoration, and hence stream restoration, depends in part upon afforestation practices. Successful afforestation is determined largely by the rates of survivorship and growth of the tree species planted or recruited in a riparian zone. This study was part of a project involving the restoration of a channelized section of Wilson Creek located in the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Nelson County, Kentucky. Riparian restoration activities focused on reestablishing a native riparian corridor using American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. subintegerrima), and pin oak (Quercus palustris). This study evaluated techniques for improving the growth and survivorship of planted seedlings along Wilson Creek. Specifically, two tree shelter types (Tubex^® vs. continental mesh), with or without herbicide treatments, were compared. Additionally, the influence of these techniques on debris retention within the riparian zone was also examined. Results showed that use of tree shelters significantly increased the growth of seedlings (but not survivorship), provided physical protection especially during heavy flooding events, and accelerated woody debris retention. Both Tubex^® and continental mesh tree shelters were effective in enhancing seedling growth, with Tubex^® shelters yielding significantly better growth when combined with herbicide to control competing vegetation. Thus, the most cost effective choice may depend on the environmental setting and ability to combine the shelters with other growth enhancing treatments.     

Variability of estradiol concentration in normal dogs

Estradiol concentrations are evaluated in canine serum as part of an adrenal panel used to diagnose atypical Cushing’s syndrome and other endocrine abnormalities. Estradiol concentrations are often elevated in dogs without clinical signs of hyperestrogenism, and the significance of this elevation is unknown. The purpose of this study was to estimate the variation in estradiol concentrations in normal dogs. Ten neutered male and female dogs were enrolled in the study. Blood was collected from each dog at 2 h intervals, four times during a given day. This was repeated approximately 1 (week 2) and 5 weeks later (week 6). There was no attempt for a given dog to be started at the exact time or day each week. Results showed that estradiol concentrations ranged from 44.6 to 120.3 pg/mL with a mean of 70.4 pg/mL, which is greater than the upper limit of normal for our laboratory (69 pg/mL). The mean difference between the highest and lowest concentrations for each dog was 28.8 pg/mL, with a range of 12.5–53.5 pg/mL. Mean estradiol concentrations from week 6 (63.2 pg/mL) were significantly lower than those from week 1 (71.4 pg/mL; P = 0.015) and week 2 (76.5 pg/mL; P = 0.0004). These data show a wide range of variability in estradiol concentration both within and between dogs and that these measurements often exceed the normal ranges established by the laboratory. Therefore, diagnosis of hyperestrogenism or atypical Cushing’s syndrome based on increased estradiol concentrations should require compatible clinical presentation of hyperestrogenism together with elevated serum estradiol.     

范思哲的时尚帝国

从意大利偏远小城的市井小民到誉满全球的天之骄子,他心怀梦想缔造着引领潮流的时尚帝国;从默默无闻的设计师到风靡全球的范思哲品牌创始人,他被标榜为这个时代最伟大的人——他,就是詹尼·范思哲。