Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling of intravenous,intramuscular and subcutaneous buprenorphine in conscious cats

ObjectiveTo describe simultaneous pharmacokinetics (PK) and thermal antinociception after intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) buprenorphine in cats.Study designRandomized, prospective, blinded, three period crossover experiment.AnimalsSix healthy adult cats weighing 4.1 ± 0.5 kg.MethodsBuprenorphine (0.02 mg kg^?1) was administered IV, IM or SC. Thermal threshold (TT) testing and blood collection were conducted simultaneously at baseline and at predetermined time points up to 24 hours after administration. Buprenorphine plasma concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. TT was analyzed using anova (p < 0.05). A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model of the IV data was described using a model combining biophase equilibration and receptor association-dissociation kinetics.ResultsTT increased above baseline from 15 to 480 minutes and at 30 and 60 minutes after IV and IM administration, respectively (p < 0.05). Maximum increase in TT (mean ± SD) was 9.3 ± 4.9 °C at 60 minutes (IV), 4.6 ± 2.8 °C at 45 minutes (IM) and 1.9 ± 1.9 °C at 60 minutes (SC). TT was significantly higher at 15, 60, 120 and 180 minutes, and at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120 minutes after IV administration compared to IM and SC, respectively. IV and IM buprenorphine concentration-time data decreased curvilinearly. SC PK could not be modeled due to erratic absorption and disposition. IV buprenorphine disposition was similar to published data. The PK-PD model showed an onset delay mainly attributable to slow biophase equilibration (t_1/2k_e0 = 47.4 minutes) and receptor binding (k_on = 0.011 mL ng^?1 minute^?1). Persistence of thermal antinociception was due to slow receptor dissociation (t_1/2k_off = 18.2 minutes).Conclusions and clinical relevanceIV and IM data followed classical disposition and elimination in most cats. Plasma concentrations after IV administration were associated with antinociceptive effect in a PK-PD model including negative hysteresis. At the doses administered, the IV route should be preferred over the IM and SC routes when buprenorphine is administered to cats.     

A packed-bed filtration system for collection of Myxobolus cerebralis triactinomyxons

Information on the distribution and abundance of Myxobolus cerebralis triactinomyxons in natural systems is limited because direct and accurate sampling methods for this life stage have not been developed. Existing methods are based on indirect measures of triactinomyxon densities and are therefore confounded. Direct estimation of triactinomyxon concentrations would more exactly pinpoint the ambient infection risk to wild fish and allow evaluation of management strategies designed to mitigate the effects of the disease. We developed a mobile packed-bed filtration system that quickly, accurately, and precisely collects, concentrates, and quantifies triactinomyxons. The system includes pumping, prefiltration, two rounds of packed-bed filtration, and centrifugation. Laboratory tests of the completed system using known quantities of triactinomyxons resulted in a mean recovery rate of 91% with a minimum detectable concentration of triactinomyxons of 0.04/L. We subsequently field-tested the system at a site known to be positive for the parasite and recovered triactinomyxons at densities of 0.7-1.4/L. The packed-bed filtration system has the potential to quickly determine the temporal and spatial variation in infection risk and to test the efficacy of various management strategies.     

Micromechanical "Trampoline" magnetometers for use in large pulsed magnetic fields

A silicon micromechanical magnetometer was constructed and successfully used in 60-tesla pulsed magnetic fields of less than 100-millisecond duration. The device is small, inexpensive to fabricate, and easy to use. It features a fast mechanical response (up to 50,000 hertz) and extremely high sensitivity yet is relatively robust against electrical and mechanical noise. Quantum oscillations in the magnetization of a 1-microgram sample of an organic superconductor, kappa-[bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene]2Cu(NCS)2, have been observed with this device.     

Sensory Analysis of Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss,Fed Enriched Black Soldier Fly Prepupae,Hermetia illucens

A growth trial and fillet sensory analysis were conducted to examine the effects of replacing dietary fish meal with black soldier fly (BSF) prepupae, Hermetia illucens, in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. A practical‐type trout diet was formulated to contain 45% protein; four test diets were developed by substituting 25 and 50% of the fish meal with normal (BSF) or fish offal‐enriched black soldier fly (EBSF) prepupae. Dietary fat was adjusted to approximately 20% lipid using fish oil and poultry fat. Diets were fed to three replicate tanks of fish per treatment (10 fish/tank) for 8 wk. After the trial, three fish per tank were sampled for determination of hepatosomatic index, intraperitoneal fat ratio and muscle ratio, and muscle proximate and fatty acid composition. Fish remaining after sampling were used for sensory evaluation. Growth of fish fed the EBSF diets was not significantly different from those fish fed the fish meal‐based control diet, while the growth of fish fed the BSF diets was significantly reduced as compared to the control diet. A group of 30 untrained panelists did not detect a significant difference in a blind comparison of fish fed the fish meal containing control diet as compared to fish fed the EBSF or BSF diets.     

Evaluation of ingredient combinations from differing origins (fishmeal,terrestrial animal and plants) and two different formulated nutrient targets on rainbow trout growth and production efficiency

A 12‐week trial was performed with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) utilizing combinations of ingredients at two nutrient targets. Ingredient combinations were fishmeal‐based diet (FMD), animal product‐based diet (APD), plant product‐based diet (PPD), novel plant‐based diet (NPD) and potential future plant‐based diet (FPD). Two nutrient concentrations were targeted: 1) to meet published amino acid targets for rainbow trout utilizing approximately 450 g/kg crude protein (400–420 g/kg digestible protein) and 2) to meet the amino acid targets based on ideal amino acid balance of trout muscle for Lys, Met and Thr utilizing approximately 400 g/kg crude protein (370–380 g/kg digestible protein). Interactive effects between ingredient combination and nutrient concentration occurred across all response variables. When diets were formulated to Target 1, fish consuming FMD and APD displayed better weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) than plant‐based diet, while graded effects were found within the plant‐based treatments. When differing ingredient combinations were utilized and formulated to Target 2, fish grew equally well except for the NPD treatment which supported lower growth and higher FCR. Based on the data from the current experiment, one can completely remove fishmeal from trout feeds and reduce protein levels when dietary digestible amino acids are balanced.     

Fillet Quality and Processing Attributes of Postsmolt Atlantic Salmon,Salmo salar,Fed a Fishmeal‐free Diet and a Fishmeal‐based Diet in Recirculation Aquaculture Systems

Many studies have evaluated the adequacy of alternate ingredient diets for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, mainly with focus on fish performance and health; however, comprehensive analysis of fillet quality is lacking, particularly for salmon fed these diets in recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS). To this end, a study was conducted comparing fillet quality and processing attributes of postsmolt Atlantic salmon fed a fishmeal‐free diet (FMF) versus a standard fishmeal‐based diet, in replicate RAS. Mean weight of Atlantic salmon fed both diets was 1.72 kg following the 6‐mo trial and survival was >99%. Diet did not affect (P > 0.05) processing and fillet yields, whole‐body proximate composition(fat, moisture, protein), fillet proximate composition, cook yield, fillet texture, color, or omega‐3 fatty acid fillet content, including eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid levels. Whole‐body ash content was greater in salmon fed the FMF diet. The FMF diet resulted in a wild fish‐in to farmed fish‐out ratio of 0:1 per Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch criteria due to its fishmeal‐free status and use of lipids from fishery byproduct. Overall, fillet quality and processing attributes were generally unaffected when feeding a diet devoid of fishmeal to postsmolt Atlantic salmon cultured in RAS. [Correction added on 7 September 2017, after first online publication: the P value in Abstract has been changed from “P < 0.05” to “P > 0.05”.].     

Evaluation of dietary taurine concentrations in microparticulate diets provided to larval California yellowtail (Seriola dorsalis) postlarvae

Taurine is an important amino acid derivative for marine and freshwater fish, especially during early development. We investigated the range of taurine concentrations that influence the growth and survival rates of California yellowtail (CYT; Seriola dorsalis) during transition from live feeds to microparticulate diets, as well as the extent to which nutrient leaching from the microparticulate diets affects these ranges. We tested particle‐assisted rotationally agglomerated (PARA) particles with four levels of taurine: 4 (low taurine; LT), 45 (medium taurine; MT), 93 (high taurine; HT) and 122 g/kg (very high taurine; VHT). Our results showed that CYT postlarvae had no significant differences in growth, survival and feed consumption rates between the MT, HT and VHT treatments. However, it should be noted that the PARA particles containing 122 g/kg (VHT) taurine were especially prone to leaching and may have had taurine concentrations as low as 34.9 g/kg before they settled on the bottom of the tank. Therefore, the actual dietary taurine concentrations experienced by the larvae were likely lower than the initial dietary concentrations. More research is needed to evaluate the potential nutrient toxicity of elevated dietary taurine concentrations for marine fish larvae and juveniles.     

Equine amnionitis and fetal loss: The case definition for an unrecognised cause of abortion in mares

A series of abortions occurred in mares in New South Wales during 2004 that involved similar and unusual findings on post mortem examination of aborted fetuses and fetal membranes. The term Equine Amnionitis and Fetal Loss (EAFL) was developed to describe the condition. This form of abortion had not been previously recognised in Australia. The pathology alone is not specific for EAFL and diagnosis requires demonstration of a combination of certain pathological and bacteriological features. The purpose of this paper is to describe patterns considered consistent with EAFL cases as a working case definition for use by veterinarians and veterinary pathologists in identifying future cases of EAFL. More detailed papers are in preparation to fully describe the epidemiological, histopathological, and microbiological aspects of EAFL.