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.     

Metabolic fate of 2,4-dichlorophenol and related plant residues in rats

This study compared the metabolic fate of [(14)C]-DCP, [(14)C]-residues from radish plants, and purified [(14)C]-DCP-(acetyl)glucose following oral administration in rats. A rapid excretion of radioactivity in urine occurred for [(14)C]-DCP, [(14)C]-DCP-(acetyl)glucose, and soluble residues, 69, 85, and 69% within 48 h, respectively. Radio-HPLC profiles of 0-24 h urine from rats fed [(14)C]-DCP and [(14)C]-DCP-(acetyl)glucose were close and qualitatively similar to those obtained from plant residues. No trace of native plant residues was detected under the study conditions. The structures of the two major peaks were identified by MS as the glucuronide and the sulfate conjugates of DCP. The characterization of a dehydrated glucuronide conjugate by MS and NMR of DCP was unusual. In contrast to soluble residues, bound residues were mainly excreted in feces, 90% within 48 h, whereas total residues were eliminated in both urine and feces. For total residues, the radioactivity in feces was higher than expected from the percentage of soluble and bound residues in radish plants. This result highlighted that less absorption took place when residues were present in the plant matrix as compared to plant-free residues and DCP.     

Antioxidant Activity and Characterization of Phenolic Compounds from Bacaba ( Oenocarpus bacaba Mart.) Fruit by HPLC-DAD-MS(n)

The phytochemicals in fruits have been shown to be major bioactive compounds with regard to health benefits. Bacaba ( Oenocarpus bacaba Mart.) is a native palm fruit from the Brazilian savannah and Amazon rainforest that plays an important role in the diet of rural communities and is also a source of income for poor people. This paper reports the characterization and analyses of phenolics from bacaba fruit extract. The total phenolic content of bacaba fruit amounted to 1759.27 ± 1.01 mg GAE/100 g, the flavonoid content was 1134.32 ± 0.03 mg CTE/100 g, and the anthocyanin content was 34.69 ± 0.00 mg cyn-3-glc/100 g. The antioxidant activity was evaluated through different assays [ORAC, FRAP, DPPH, TEAC, and cellular antioxidant assay (CAA) assays] and revealed a significant antioxidant capacity for bacaba in comparison to the data available in the literature. The assignment of the phenolic compounds using HPLC-DAD-MS(n) was based on the evaluation of their UV-vis absorption maxima (λ(max)) and mass spectral analyses, and 14 compounds were tentatively identified. The results suggest that bacaba fruits are a promising source of phenolics.     

Evaluation of specificity of tuberculosis diagnostic assays in caprine flocks under different epidemiological situations

The aim of this study was to evaluate the specificity of the most widely used tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic tests, single intradermal tuberculin (SIT) and single comparative intradermal tuberculin (SCIT) tests and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) assay in 937 animals from eight TB-free caprine flocks under different epidemiological situations. Maximum specificity was found using SCIT test (99.4-100% depending on the interpretation criteria) while SIT test and IFN-γ assay showed a slightly lower overall specificity (97.6-99.2% and 96.4-98.4% respectively). Specificity of the SIT test in a Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infected flock was significantly (P<0.05) lower if a severe interpretation criterion was applied. Similarly, specificity values of SIT test and particularly IFN-γ assay in a paratuberculosis (PTB)-vaccinated flock were lower than those observed in non-vaccinated flocks. Higher proportion of false positive reactors to TB tests (SIT and IFN-γ assay) were observed among animals positive in the PTB-ELISA in PTB vaccinated flock. These results demonstrate that TB diagnostic tests show an adequate specificity when performed in goats from TB-free flocks in most situations. However, certain factors such as C. pseudotuberculosis infection and paratuberculosis vaccination can have a negative impact in the most sensitive tests.     

Case control study to investigate risk factors for bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) in young calves in southern Germany

A case control study on farm level was conducted at the Clinic for Ruminants, LMU Munich, to identify possible risk factors associated with the observed increase in numbers of calves showing clinical signs of Bovine Neonatal Pancytopenia (BNP) since 2006 in southern Germany. Interviews were conducted between August 2008 and June 2010. The characteristics of 56 dairy farms with at least one confirmed case of BNP (thrombocytopenia and leukocytopenia and/or typical findings in post-mortem examination and bone marrow histology) were compared with those of two sets of 50 control dairy farms each, with no history of BNP. The first set of 50 control farms was selected randomly from veterinary practices which had never observed a BNP case on the farms they serviced. The second set of 50 control farms was matched by the veterinary practices which had provided case farms. Two separate analyses were conducted: (1) case farms (n=56) vs. randomly selected control farms (n=50) and (2) case farms (n=56) vs. a matched set of control farms (n=50). All variables with p<0.2 in the univariable analysis were included in stepwise logistic regression models. In the first analysis, only the use of PregSure(?) BVD vaccine was positively associated with BNP with an odds ratio of 1292 (95% CI: 114-14707). In the second analysis, conditional logistic regression models did not converge, therefore non-conditional logistic regression models were conducted. In the non-conditional analysis five variables remained in the model, three of which were negatively associated with BNP: the use of vitamin E and selenium, the frequent use of mastitis tubes, and the use of stem growth regulators in grain production. The use of prophylactic measures (such as control of parasites or vaccination of calves against respiratory disease) was positively associated with BNP with an odds ratio of 14.3 as well as the use of PregSure(?) BVD vaccine with an odds ratio of 426 (95% CI: 20-9095).     

Survey of mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) vectors of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ampelovirus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitivirus</Emphasis> in vineyards of northwestern Italy

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are sap-sucking insects which infest a broad range of crops worldwide. They represent an important threat to viticulture as they are vectors of viruses associated with leafroll and rugose wood complex diseases. In this study, we surveyed the presence of mealybugs and their associated viruses in vineyards of the Piemonte and Liguria regions, northwestern Italy. In order to determine the collected specimens correctly, we added a species-specific marker for Heliococcus bohemicus to an existing molecular identification key. The only species collected in Piemonte was H. bohemicus, whereas in Liguria, H. bohemicus, Planococcus ficus and Pseudococcus longispinus were found; Ps. longispinus has never before been reported in Italian vineyards. Several specimens of all three species were infected by the ampeloviruses GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-3 and the vitivirus GVA. Both nymphs and adult females tested positive for the viruses and mixed infections were commonly found within the same insect. Population levels and virus incidence were higher in Liguria than in Piemonte, suggesting a greater risk of disease spread. We conclude that the mild, Mediterranean climate of Liguria favors the development of a diverse mealybug fauna while only H. bohemicus, known to be tolerant to the severe continental winter temperatures, colonize grapevines in colder viticultural areas.