The impact of MK‐467 on plasma drug concentrations,sedation and cardiopulmonary changes in sheep treated with intramuscular medetomidine and atipamezole for reversal

The effect of MK‐467, a peripheral α₂‐adrenoceptor antagonist, on plasma drug concentrations, sedation and cardiopulmonary changes induced by intramuscular (IM) medetomidine was investigated in eight sheep. Additionally, the interactions with atipamezole (ATI) used for reversal were also evaluated. Each animal was treated four times in a randomized prospective crossover design with 2‐week washout periods. Medetomidine (MED) 30 μg/kg alone or combined in the same syringe with MK‐467 300 μg/kg (MMK) was injected intramuscular, followed by ATI 150 μg/kg (MED + ATI and MMK + ATI) or saline intramuscular 30 min later. Plasma was analysed for drug concentrations, and sedation was subjectively assessed with a visual analogue scale. Systemic haemodynamics and blood gases were measured before treatments and at intervals thereafter. With MK‐467, medetomidine plasma concentrations were threefold higher prior to ATI, which was associated with more profound sedation and shorter onset. No significant differences were observed in early cardiopulmonary changes between treatments. Atipamezole reversed the medetomidine‐related cardiopulmonary changes after both treatments. Sedation scores decreased more rapidly when MK‐467 was included. In this study, MK‐467 appeared to have a pronounced effect on the plasma concentration and central effects of medetomidine, with minor cardiopulmonary improvement.     

What Can an Understanding of the Changing Small-Scale Forest Owner Contribute to Rural Studies? The Swedish Case

Small-scale Forestry - Over the centuries, Swedish rural areas have been formed in close interaction with their inhabitants and different and various uses. Based on studies, particularly of...     

Implementation of forest certification in Sweden: an issue of organisation and communication

The goal of nature conservation is often implemented on productive forest land largely by means of forest certification – a market-driven, voluntary system of third-party verification of the fulfilment of specific goals. This study assesses how certification requirements are being implemented in various organisations in the forest sector at various levels, and the problems and opportunities identified at each level in order to implement the requirements of the standard. Based on interviews with 34 stakeholders in Sweden, the study demonstrates that forest certification is a communication issue: it places great demands on communication or “information logistics” between different parts of the felling and forest management chain, from the top management to the contractor in the field. Integration with environmental performance systems, clarity in the division of responsibility, formalisation of requirements for forest planning and further integration of a culture of continuous improvement and internal reporting could support implementation of the certification system.     

In the eye of the storm: adaptation logics of forest owners in management and planning in Swedish areas

With a changing climate, storm and wind throw is becoming an increasing risk to forest. However, Swedish forest management practices have so far involved relatively little consideration of adaptation to climate change. This study examined resistance and alternatives to “business as usual” forest management, drawing upon material obtained in interviews with individual forest owners who spontaneously identified and discussed storm and wind throw as a risk to their forest. They thereby expressed a logic differing from that of the forest industry in Sweden, which has largely normalised storm risk rather than considering it in climate change adaptation work. The present analysis illustrates the broad and largely concerned position of individual forest owners, in contrast with a more established industry position on storm as an accepted and existing risk. Overall, the study highlights the diversity, agency and power relations within Swedish forestry and the forested landscape – aspects that are vital to better understanding processes relevant to forest and climate change adaptation.