Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in adult goats: a comparative study of subcutaneous,oral and intravenous administration

AIMS: To determine the plasma disposition of meloxicam in goats following S/C, oral or I/V administration at a single dose of 0.5?mg/kg bodyweight.

METHODS: Five healthy Saanen goats, aged 12–14 months and weighing 35–40?kg, were used for a three phase cross-over design with a 10-day washout period, with meloxicam administered I/V, then orally and S/C. Heparinised blood samples (5?mL) were collected from all animals prior to drug administration (0 hours) and subsequently up to 96 hours. Concentrations of meloxicam in plasma were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Concentration-time curves were fitted and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated for each administration group.

RESULTS: Subcutaneous administration of meloxicam exhibited unique plasma distribution characteristics that differed from oral and I/V administration. Mean peak plasma concentrations were greater (1.91 (SD 0.39) vs. 0.71 (SD 0.17) µg/mL) and the time to reach them shorter (3.20 (SD 1.64) vs. 14.33 (SD 2.19) hours) following S/C compared with oral administration (p<0.05). The terminal half-life was longer (15.16 (SD 4.74) vs. 10.69 (SD 1.49) hours) and the MRT was shorter (15.67 (SD 2.37) vs. 24.33 (SD 3.12) hours) following S/C than oral administration (p<0.05), but bioavailability was similar (98.24 (SD 9.62) vs. 96.49 (SD 10.71)%).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subcutaneous administration of meloxicam resulted in long-term presence of drug at high concentration in goat plasma. This unique plasma disposition characteristic may offer an advantage in some clinical cases towards potentially improving the treatment efficacy in goats.     

Plasma pharmacokinetics and faecal excretion of ivermectin (Eqvalan paste) and doramectin (Dectomax, 1%) following oral administration in donkeys

Ivermectin (IVM- Eqvalan paste, 1.87%) and doramectin (DRM-Dectomax 1%) were each administered orally to donkeys at 200 microgkg(-1) bodyweight. Blood and faecal samples were collected at predetermined times over 30 days and plasma pharmacokinetics and faecal excretion determined. Maximum plasma concentrations (C(max)) of IVM (23.6 ngml(-1)) and DRM (33.9 ngml(-1)) were obtained at (t(max)) 19.2 and 24h, respectively. The area under the concentration curve (AUC) of DRM (228.9 ngdayml(-1)) was significantly larger than that of IVM (119.3 ngdayml(-1)) and mean residence time (MRT) was 6.5 days for IVM and 9.1days for DRM. The highest (dry weight) faecal concentrations (9.33 microgg(-1) - IVM, 12.12 microgg(-1) - DRM) were detected at 55.9 and 48.0 h, respectively and each compound was detected (0.05 microgg(-1)) in faeces between 11h and 9 days following oral administration in donkeys.     

Effect of accelerated aging on some physical and mechanical properties of bamboo

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of accelerated aging on compression strength, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, color change, volumetric swelling, and volumetric shrinkage of bamboo specimens with and without node sections. In the study, these properties were compared with those of Scots pine and beech wood specimens. Depending on bamboo sections, the aging procedure reduced modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and compression strength. Bamboo specimens showed relatively high strength properties compared to wood specimens due to having high density. Strength properties increased from bottom to top of bamboo culms. The presence of nodes in the specimens reduced compression strength and modulus of rupture but affected modulus of elasticity slightly. Remarkable color changes in specimens were observed after aging. Volumetric swelling and shrinkage of bamboo specimens exposed to aging decreased probably due to heat effect of aging procedure.     

Effect of polypropylene fiber cross sectional shapes on some structural/mechanical fiber properties and compressibility behaviour of plain knitted fabrics

Synthetic fibers are generally produced with circular cross sectional shapes. Other cross sectional shaped fibers such as trilobal, triangular, hollow and pentagonal fibers are also produced to improve some properties of fibers and fabrics such as lustre, handle, wicking rate, strength, stiffness and bulkiness. In this research we aimed to investigate compressional behaviours of fabrics knitted from polypropylene fibers having three different cross sectional shapes; namely circular, trilobal and triangular. Morphological, structural and mechanical properties of produced fibers were evaluated by using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry and tensile tester, respectively. In terms of structural and mechanical properties, no significant differences were found related to fiber cross sectional shapes. Then, plain knitted farbrics were produced and compressional properties of these fabrics were investigated. Fabrics knitted from trilobal fibers showed the highest compressibility properties and it is followed by fabrics which are produced from triangular and circular fibers.     

Comparative plasma dispositions of ivermectin and doramectin following subcutaneous and oral administration in dogs

This study evaluates the comparative plasma dispositions of ivermectin (IVM) and doramectin (DRM) following oral and subcutaneous administration (200 microg/kg) over a 40-day period in dogs. Twenty bitches were allocated by weight in to four groups (Groups I-IV) of five animals each. Animals in the first two groups (Groups I and II) received orally the injectable solutions of IVM and DRM, respectively, at the dose of 200 microg/kg bodyweight. The other two groups (Groups III and IV) received subcutaneously injectable solutions at the same dose rate. Blood samples were collected between 1h and 40 days after treatment and the plasma samples were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using fluorescence detection. The results indicated that IVM produced a significantly higher maximum plasma concentration (C(max): 116.80+/-10.79 ng/ml) with slower absorption (t(max): 0.23+/-0.09 day) and larger area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC: 236.79+/-41.45 ng day/ml) as compared with DRM (C(max): 86.47+/-19.80 ng/ml, t(max): 0.12+/-0.05 day, AUC: 183.48+/-13.17 ng day/ml) following oral administration of both drugs; whereas no significant differences were observed on the pharmacokinetic parameters between IVM and DRM after subcutaneous administrations. In addition, subcutaneously given IVM and DRM presented a significantly lower maximum plasma concentration (C(max): 66.80+/-9.67 ng/ml and 54.78+/-11.99 ng/ml, respectively) with slower absorption (t(max): 1.40+/-1.00 day and 1.70+/-0.76 day, respectively) and larger area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC: 349.18+/-47.79 ng day/ml and 292.10+/-78.76 ng day/ml, respectively) as compared with the oral administration of IVM and DRM, respectively. No difference was observed for the terminal half-lives ((t(1/2lambda(z)) and mean residence times (MRT) of both molecules. Considering the pharmacokinetic parameters, IVM and DRM could be used by the oral or subcutaneous route for the control of parasitic infection in dogs.     

Effects of slaughter methods on physical,biochemical and microbiological quality of rainbow trout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis> and mirror carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> filleted in pre-, in- or post-rigor periods

Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and mirror carp Cyprinus carpio were slaughtered by either percussion or asphyxiation. For determination of the physical (texture value) and biochemical quality attributes [pH, lactic acid, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and malondialdehyde (MDA) values] of trout and carp, the fish were filleted immediately (within 2 h), 12 h after harvest (pre-rigor), 24 and 36 h after harvest (in-rigor), and finally 48 and 60 h after harvest (post-rigor). For microbiological quality attribute (mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria count) analyses, the fish were filleted immediately (within 2 h) after harvest (pre-rigor), 24 h after harvest (in-rigor) and 48 and 72 h after harvest (post-rigor). By percussion slaughtering followed by pre-rigor filleting, it was possible to process rainbow trout and mirror carp without inflicting excessive handling stress. Percussion slaughter delayed onset of rigor and the percussion-slaughtered fish exhibited a long pre-rigor period (≈24 h), giving plenty time for pre-rigor processing. Percussion slaughtering and pre-rigor filleting of fish was considered to be superior to the traditional asphyxiation slaughtering with respect to texture, TVB-N and MDA attributes.     

Teat characteristics in relation to animal temperament during milking in buffaloes,and comparison of buffalo and cow teat morphology

This study aimed to examine the teat characteristics in relation to the animal temperament during milking in the Anatolian buffaloes using ultrasonographic, histomorphological and immunohistochemical methods. The teat canal length (TCL), teat wall thickness (TWT), teat cisternal diameter (TCD), teat diameter (TD), teat length (TL), and teat circumference (TC) values in docile (n = 5) and nervous (n = 7) buffaloes were measured at the 0th, 3rd and 6th minute of stimulation. In additional experiments, comparative histomorphology and immunohistochemical examinations of buffalo (n = 7) and cow teats (n = 8) were performed. It was determined that post-stimulation mean TCL values were significantly higher in nervous buffaloes than those of teats in docile buffaloes (p < .05). A significant positive correlation between TCD and TD, TL and TC in both docile and nervous buffaloes was noted (p < .05). Unlike nervous buffaloes where only 3/14 teat canals were open by 3rd minute of milking stimulation, almost all (9/10) teat canals were observed opened in docile buffaloes. There were fewer muscle but more collagen bundles in buffalo teats compared with cow teats. It seems that temperament of animal during milking effects the milking efficiency, and in nervous buffaloes, probably the stimulation alone may not be sufficient for opening of the teat canal and hence achieve complete milking.     

The effect of diet type on the plasma disposition of triclabendazole in goats

The effect of two different diet types (concentrate feed+hay and grazing) on the pharmacokinetic profiles of triclabendazole following oral administration in goats was investigated. A total of 12 goats were randomly allocated into two groups which were either indoor and fed concentrate + hay ration (housed group) or were grazing on pasture (grazing group). Triclabendazole was administered orally to animals in two groups at 10 mg/kg bodyweight. Blood samples were collected from 1 h to 192 h post-treatment and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Feeding with different diets significantly effected the plasma disposition of triclabendazole sulphoxide. Maximum plasma concentration (C(max): 13.22+/-2.81 microg/ml), time to reach maximum plasma concentration (t(max): 18.4+/-2.19 h), area under the curve (AUC: 613+/-137 microg h/ml), half-life (t(1/2): 24.77+/-1.94 h) and mean resident time (MRT: 40.22+/-4.36 h) of triclabendazole sulphoxide in housed group were significantly different from those of grazing group (C(max): 10.17+/-1.51 microg/ml, t(max): 14.0+/-2.19 h, AUC: 406+/-98 microg h/ml), t(1/2): 16.16+/-1.17 h and MRT: 34.48+/-4.40 h). It is concluded that anthelmintically more active sulphoxide metabolite has higher plasma concentration when triclabendazole is administered to goats fed with concentrate feed + hay compared to grazing goats.     

Utilization of pine (Pinus pinea L.) cone in manufacture of wood based composite

Physical and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboards (MDF) made from various mixtures of wood fibers and stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) cones were evaluated using European standards. MDF panels were manufactured using standardized procedures that simulated industrial production at the laboratory. Six panel types were made from mixtures of wood fiber/cone flour, 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, and 50/50 percents, respectively. Addition of the cone flour into the MDF significantly reduced formaldehyde emission from the panel. In addition, the addition of 10% cone flour also improved water resistance of the MDF panels made using urea–formaldehyde (UF) resin. However, further addition of the cone flour into the panel negatively influenced their water resistance. Flexural properties and internal bond strength decreased with the increase of cone flour content in the panel. The UF resin is the main source of formaldehyde emission from the UF-bonded wood-based panels. Depending on addition of the cone flour in the panels, the formaldehyde emission values ranged from 2.6% to 55.3% lower than the panels made from 100% wood fiber. Based on the findings obtained from this study, pine cone can be used as a renewable biological formaldehyde catcher as an alternative to the traditional formaldehyde catchers for E1 Class MDF manufacture.