A longevidade segundo histórias de vida de idosos longevos / La longevidad según historias de vida de ancianos longevos / Longevity according to life histories of the oldest-old

RESUMOObjetivo:interpretar as histórias de vida dos idosos longevos de uma comunidade, alicerçada na perspectiva do Envelhecimento Ativo e Curso de Vida.Método:pesquisa qualitativa, da qual participaram vinte idosos de 80 anos e mais, usuários de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde. As histórias de vida foram coletadas e analisadas segundo a proposta da Entrevista Narrativa Autobiográfica.Resultados:no processo analítico surgiram elementos presentes no passado e presente dos longevos, que contribuíram para o desenvolvimento de um modelo teórico: "Construindo a longevidade no curso de vida".Conclusãoa longevidade tem suas raízes no passado, fortemente infl uenciada pela cultura familiar e curso de vida, os pressupostos do Envelhecimento Ativo são mais expressivos na trajetória atual dos informantes. O teor das narrativas apontou novas possibilidades de intervenção da Enfermagem Gerontológica na Atenção Primária, visando à promoção e à prevenção da saúde, fundamentadas especialmente no respeito à cultura dos longevos.

RESUMENObjetivo:interpretar las historias de vida de ancianos longevos de una comunidad, basada en la perspectiva del Envejecimiento Activo y Curso de Vida.Método:es la investigación cualitativa. Participaron veinte ancianos de 80 años o más, usuarios de una Unidad Básica de Salud. Las historias de vida fueron obtenidas e analizadas de acuerdo a la propuesta de la Entrevista Narrativa Autobiográfica.Resultados:elementos presentes en el pasado y el presente de los longevos, contribuyeron para el desarrollo de un modelo teórico: "Construyendo la longevidad en el curso de vida".Conclusión:la longevidad tiene sus raíces en el pasado, muy infl uenciada por la cultura familiar y curso de vida, los presupuestos del Envejecimiento Activo son más expresivos en la trayectoria actual de los informantes. Las narrativas han apuntado nuevas posibilidades de intervención de la Enfermería Gerontológica en la Atención Primaria, con la finalidad de hacer promoción y prevención de la salud, fundamentada especialmente en el respeto a la cultura de los longevos.

ABSTRACTObjective:to interpret life histories of the oldest-old in a community, grounded on the perspective of the Active Aging and Life Course.Method:this is a qualitative research. Participants included twenty seniors 80 years and older, users of a Basic Health Unit. Life histories were collected and analyzed according to the proposition of the Autobiographical Narrative Interview.Results:during the analytic process, elements found in the elders' present and past arose, contributing to the development of a theoretical model: "Building longevity along the life course."Conclusion:longevity is rooted in the past, strongly infl uenced by the family culture and life course; assumptions of the Active Aging are more meaningful in the informants' present trajectory. The content of the narratives pointed to new possibilities of Gerontology Nursing intervention in Primary Care, aiming at health promotion and intervention, specially grounded on the respect to the oldest-elders' culture.

Production and immunogenicity of chimeric virus-like particles containing the spike glycoprotein of infectious bronchitis virus

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) poses a severe threat to the poultry industry and causes heavy economic losses worldwide. Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infection and controlling the spread of IBV, but currently available inactivated and attenuated virus vaccines have some disadvantages. We developed a chimeric virus-like particle (VLP)-based candidate vaccine for IBV protection. The chimeric VLP was composed of matrix 1 protein from avian influenza H5N1 virus and a fusion protein neuraminidase (NA)/spike 1 (S1) that was generated by fusing IBV S1 protein to the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of NA protein of avian influenza H5N1 virus. The chimeric VLPs elicited significantly higher S1-specific antibody responses in intramuscularly immunized mice and chickens than inactivated IBV viruses. Furthermore, the chimeric VLPs induced significantly higher neutralization antibody levels than inactivated H120 virus in SPF chickens. Finally, the chimeric VLPs induced significantly higher IL-4 production in mice. These results demonstrate that chimeric VLPs have the potential for use in vaccines against IBV infection.

Efeitos sedativos da associação de Cetamina e Midazolam administrados pela via intranasal ou intramuscular em papagaio (Amazona aestiva e Amazona vinacea) / Sedative effects of the association Ketamine and Midazolam administered intranasally or intramuscular in parrots (Amazona aestiva and Amazona vinacea)

A falta de protocolos de sedação seguros para uso em papagaios na literatura demonstra a necessidade de conhecer os anestésicos que são eficazes nestes animais. Devido a pouca massa muscular desta espécie, notou-se a necessidade de estudar outra via de administração, menos invasiva e dolorosa ao animal, como a via intranasal. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos sedativos e a viabilidade da administração intranasal, em comparação à via intramuscular, de 15mg/kg de Cetamina e 1mg/kg de Midazolam. Foram utilizados 14 papagaios das espécies Amazona aestiva e Amazona vinacea, de ambos os sexos, adultos, peso médio de 388,5±29,1g. Os animais foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: intramuscular (IM, n=7) e intranasal (IN, n=7). No grupo intramuscular, a administração dos anestésicos foi realizada nos músculos peitorais, utilizando seringas de insulina e no grupo intranasal, com auxílio de uma micropipeta. Avaliou-se o período de latência, tempo de duração, qualidade de sedação, e o tempo de recuperação total. A média para o período de latência no grupo IM foi de 6,13±2,02 minutos e no grupo IN de 4,84±2,37 minutos. Já para o tempo de duração da sedação no grupo IM a média foi de 35,81±29,56 e no grupo IN de 24,52±14,83 minutos. Ambas as vias promoveram sedação adequada, pois a média do escore da qualidade de sedação obtida pelo grupo IM foi 2±1,5 e pelo grupo IN 1,28±1,1. O tempo de recuperação total no grupo IM foi de 27,04±11,69 e no grupo IN de 17,67±11,64 minutos. Apesar do grupo IN ter apresentado os menores tempos de período de latência, duração e de recuperação total e ter obtido melhor escore na qualidade de sedação, não houve diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo indicam que a administração de 15 mg/kg de cetamina e 1mg/kg de midazolam pela via intranasal ou intramuscular em papagaios (Amazona aestiva e Amazona vinacea) produzem sedação adequada para pequenos procedimentos como colocação de anilha, coleta de sangue e radiografias; porém a via intranasal mostrou ser uma alternativa menos invasiva quando comparado à via intramuscular.

The lack of safe sedation protocols for use in parrots in the literature, demonstrate the need to know that the anesthetics are effective in these animals. Due to low muscle mass this bird, it was noted the need to consider other routes of administration, less invasive and painful to the animal, such as intranasal. The aim of this study was to evaluate sedative effects of intranasal administration compared to intramuscular 15mg.kg-1 of Ketamine and Midazolam 1mg.kg-1. We used 14 parrots (Amazona aestiva and Amazona vinacea), adults, and mean weight of 388.5±29.1g. The animals were randomly into two groups: intramuscular (IM, n=7) and intranasal (IN, n=7). In group intramuscular, administration of anesthetics was performed in the pectoral muscles, using insulin syringes and intranasal group with a micropipette. We evaluated the latency period, duration, quality of sedation, and the total recovery time. The average for the period of latency in the IM group was 6.13±2.02 and IN group 4.84±2.37 minutes. As for the duration of sedation in the IM group was 35.81±29.56 and in IN group 24.52±14.83 minutes. Both pathways promoted adequate sedation, the mean score for the quality of sedation obtained by the IM group was 2±1.5 and 1.28±1.1 in the IN group. The total recovery time in the IM group was 27.04±11.69 and 17.67±11.64 minutes in the IN group. Although the IN group the lowest times of onset, duration and full recovery and have better scores on quality of sedation, there was no statistically significant difference between groups. The results of this study indicate that administration of ketamine (15mg.kg-1) and midazolam (1mg.kg-1) intranasal or intramuscular in parrots (Amazona aestiva/Amazona vinacea) produce adequate sedation for minor procedures, but the intranasal route could be an alternative less invasive when compared to intramuscular injection.

Efeitos anestésicos da administração intranasal ou intramuscular de cetamina S+ e midazolam em pomba-rola (Streptotelia sp) / Anesthetic effects of intranasal or intramuscular administration of S+ Ketamine and Midazolam in ring necked dove (Streptotelia sp)

A via intranasal é uma boa alternativa por ser indolor e de fácil aplicação em aves. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos anestésicos da associação de cetamina S+ e midazolam pela via intranasal (IN) em comparação com a via intramuscular (IM) em pombos. Foram utilizados 12 pombos alocados em dois grupos com 15 dias de intervalo, os quais receberam: grupo IM: 20 mg/kg de cetamina S+ associada a 3,5 mg/kg de midazolam pela via intramuscular (musculatura do peito); e grupo IN, mesmo protocolo, porém, pela via intranasal. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: período de latência, tempo de duração em decúbito dorsal, tempo total de anestesia, tempo de recuperação e efeitos adversos. Para a análise estatística, empregou-se o teste de Wilcoxon, com as diferenças consideradas significativas quando P<0,05. O período de latência obtido foi de 30 [30-47,5] e 40 [30-50] segundos para IM e IN, respectivamente. O tempo de duração de decúbito dorsal foi de 59 [53,25-65] e 63 [37-71,25] minutos para IM e IN, respectivamente, sem diferenças significativas entre os grupos. Com relação à duração total de anestesia, foi observada diferença significativa, com 88 [86,25-94,5] e 68 [53,5-93] minutos para os grupos IM e IN, respectivamente. O tempo de recuperação foi mais curto no grupo IN (15 [4,25-19,5]) comparado ao IM (32 [28,25-38,25] minutos). Dois animais de cada grupo apresentaram regurgitação na fase de recuperação. Conclui-se que a administração de cetamina S+ e midazolam pela via intranasal é um método aceitável de administração de fármacos e produz anestesia rápida e eficaz em pombos.

The intranasal route is a good alternative because is painless and easy to perform in birds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anesthetic effects of S+ ketamine and midazolam administered by intranasal or intramuscular route in pigeons. Twelve animals were used in a randomized and crossover design. Animals received two treatments with 2-weeks interval. IM group: animals received 20mg/kg of S+ ketamine and 3.5mg/kg of midazolam by intramuscular route (pectoral muscles); IN group: animals received the same protocol by intranasal route. Parameters evaluated were: onset of action, time of duration in dorsal recumbency; total time of anesthesia and side effects. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon test and the differences were considered significant when P<0.05. Onset of action was 30 [30-47.5] and 40 [30-50] seconds for IM and IN respectively. Time of duration in dorsal recumbency was 59 [53.25-65] and 63 [37-71.25] minutes for IM and IN respectively, without significant differences between treatments. Total time of anesthesia was 88 [86.25-94.5] and 68 [53.5-93] minutes for IM and IN, respectively, with significant difference between groups. The recovery time was lower for IN (15[4.25-19.5] minutes) compared with IM (32 [28.25-38.25] minutes). Two animals of each group presented regurgitation in the recovery period. It was concluded that S+ ketamine and midazolam administered intranasal is an acceptable method of drug delivery and can be used to promote anesthesia in pigeons.

Effect of chronic lead intoxication on the distribution and elimination of amoxicillin in goats

A study of amoxicillin pharmacokinetics was conducted in healthy goats and goats with chronic lead intoxication. The intoxicated goats had increased serum concentrations of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase), blood urea nitrogen, and reactivated delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase compared to the controls. Following intravenous amoxicillin (10 mg/kg bw) in control and lead-intoxicated goats, elimination half-lives were 4.14 and 1.26 h, respectively. The volumes of distribution based on the terminal phase were 1.19 and 0.38 L/kg, respectively, and those at steady-state were 0.54 and 0.18 L/kg, respectively. After intramuscular (IM) amoxicillin (10 mg/kg bw) in lead-intoxicated goats and control animals, the absorption, distribution, and elimination of the drug were more rapid in lead-intoxicated goats than the controls. Peak serum concentrations of 21.89 and 12.19 microg/mL were achieved at 1 h and 2 h, respectively, in lead-intoxicated and control goats. Amoxicillin bioavailability in the lead-intoxicated goats decreased 20% compared to the controls. After amoxicillin, more of the drug was excreted in the urine from lead-intoxicated goats than the controls. Our results suggested that lead intoxication in goats increases the rate of amoxicillin absorption after IM administration and distribution and elimination. Thus, lead intoxication may impair the therapeutic effectiveness of amoxicillin.

Evaluation of glycoproteins purified from adult and larval camel ticks (Hyalomma dromedarii) as a candidate vaccine

In order to identify antigens that can help prevent camel tick infestations, three major glycoproteins (GLPs) about 97, 66 and 40 kDa in size were purified from adult and larval Egyptian ticks, Hyalomma (H.) dromedarii, using a single-step purification method with Con-A sepharose. The purified GLPs were evaluated as vaccines against camel tick infestation in rabbits. The rabbits received three intramuscular inoculations of GLPs (20 microg/animal) on days 0, 14, and 28. In the immunoblot analysis, Sera from the immunized rabbits recognized the native GLPs and other proteins from larval and adult H. dromedarii ticks along with those from other tick species such as Rhipicephalus sanguineus but not Ornithodoros moubata. The effects of immunity induced by these GLPs were determined by exposing rabbits to adult H. dromedarii ticks. These results demonstrated that GLP immunization led to a slightly decreased reproductive index and significantly reduced rates of egg hatchability. These results demonstrated that immunization with the purified GLPs can provide protection against infestation by H. dromedarii and some other tick species. Further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of immunization with GLPs against other tick species.

Desempenho reprodutivo de novilhas acasaladas aos 26 meses de idade submetidas a sincronização de estros com pgf2 alfa administrado por via intramuscular ou intravulvar / Comportamiento reproductivo de novillas copuladas a los 26 meses de edad sometidas a sincronización de estros con pgf2 alfa administrado por vía intramuscular o intravulvar / Reproductive performance of beef heifers mating at 26 months-old using an artificial insemination protocol with a pgf2 alfa agonist injected in the muscle or vulvo

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a resposta reprodutiva de novilhas, aos 26 meses de idade, submetidas à inseminação artificial em estro, observado ao início da estação de acasalamento, seguida de estro induzido por um análogo sintético da PGF2 α administrado por via intramuscular ou intravulvar. Foram utilizadas 271 novilhas de corte com base racial britânica, acasaladas aos 26 meses de idade e submetidas ao protocolo de inseminação artificial (IA) padrão da propriedade, que consiste de oito dias de IA com observação de estros sem tratamento hormonal, sendo que, no oitavo dia, as novilhas não inseminadas recebem 90µg de um análogo sintético de PGF2 α e são inseminadas por mais cinco dias conforme a observação de estros. O grupo I (n=86) foi formado pelas novilhas inseminadas nos primeiros oito dias, enquanto os grupos II-M (n=102) e II-V (n=83) foram formados pelas novilhas submetidas à indução de estro com PGF2 α, divididos conforme a via de aplicação do hormônio (intramuscular e intravulvar, respectivamente). Os parâmetros analisados foram: peso ao início do acasalamento (PIA), taxa de inseminação (TI), tempo de resposta à aplicação do hormônio (RH). O peso ao início do acasalamento (PIA) foi maior (p<0,01) para o grupo I (304,88 kg) em relação aos grupos II-M (292,83 kg) e II-V (295,59 kg), que não diferiram entre si (p>0,05). A TI foi de 49% e 53%, enquanto a RH foi de 68,9 e 76,7 horas respectivamente para II-M e II-V, não apresentando diferenças significativas (p>0,05). A TP foi maior (p<0,05) para o grupo I (96,5%) em relação ao aos grupos II-M (86,3%) e II-V (81,9%), que não diferiram entre si (p>0,05). Novilhas do grupo I foram mais pesadas ao início da estação de acasalamento do que as demais, sendo inseminadas mais cedo e obtendo maior taxa de prenhez em relação às novilhas dos grupos II-M e II-V. A via de aplicação do análogo de PGF2 α (intramuscular ou intravulvar) não exerceu influência sobre a resposta reprodutiva das novilhas submetidas ao tratamento hormonal.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the reproductive performance of 26-months-old beef heifers inseminated after estrus, it was observed at the beginning of the breed season and after that using an artificial insemination protocol with a PGF2α agonist injected in the muscle or volvo. Two hundred and seventy one beef heifers were inseminated for 8 days through estrus observation. In the 8th day the non-inseminated heifers received 90µg of a PGF2 α agonist. After that heifers were inseminated during five days through estrus observation. Group I (n=86) was composed by the heifers inseminated at the first eight days and Groups II-M (n=102) and II-V (n=83) were composed by the heifers that received the injections of PGF2 α agonist in the muscle or vulvo, respectively. Beginning weight (BW) insemination rate (IR), hours between PGF2α injection and estrus observation (HE), and pregnancy rate (PR) were the analyzed parameters. Group I reached higher BW (304.88 kg, p<0.01) than Group II-M (292.83 kg) and II-V (295.59 kg) (p>0.05). IR (49% and 53%) and HE (68.9 and 76.7 hours for Group II-M and II-V) (p<0.05), respectively, were similar. Group I reached higher (p<0.01) PR (96.5%) than II-M (86.3%) and II-V (81.9%). Heifers from Group I were heaviest in the beginning of the breed season, being inseminated earlier and reaching higher PR than the other ones. The injection way of PGF2α (muscle or vulvo) did not change the reproductive performance.

El objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar la respuesta reproductiva de novillas, a los 26 meses de edad, sometidas a la inseminación artificial en estro, observado al inicio de la estación de cópula, seguida de estro inducido por un análogo sintético de PGF2 α administrado por vía intramuscular o intravulvar. Se utilizó 271 vaquillas con base racial británica, copuladas a los 26 meses de edad y sometidas al protocolo de inseminación artificial (IA) estándar de la propiedad, que consiste en ocho días de IA con observación de estros sin tratamiento hormonal, siendo que, en el octavo día, las novillas no inseminadas reciben 90µg de un análogo sintético de PGF2 α y son inseminadas por más cinco días conforme la observación de estros. El grupo I (n=86) se han formado por las novillas inseminadas en los primeros ocho días, mientras los grupos II-M (n=102) y II-V (n=83) se han formado por las novillas sometidas a la inducción de estro con PGF2α, divididos conforme la vía de aplicación de hormona (intramuscular e intravulvar, respectivamente). Los parámetros analizados fueron: peso al inicio de la cópula, índice de inseminación, tiempo de respuesta a la aplicación de hormona. El peso al inicio de la cópula fue mayor (p<0,01) para el grupo I (304,88 kg) en relación a los grupos II-M (292,83 kg) y II-V (295,59 kg), que no difirieron entre sí (p>0,05). El índice de inseminación fue de 49% y 53%, mientras el tiempo de respuesta a la aplicación de hormona fue de 69,9 y 76,7 horas respectivamente para II-M y II-V, no presentando diferencias significativas (p>0,05). La TP fue mayor (p<0,05) para El grupo I (96,5%) en relación a los grupos II-M (86,3%) y II-V (81,9%), que no difirieron entre sí (p>0,05). Novillas del grupo I fueron más pesadas al inicio de la estación de cópula del que las demás, siendo inseminadas más temprano y obteniendo mayor índice de preñez en relación a las novillas de los grupos II-M y II-V. La vía de aplicación del análogo de PGF2 α (intramuscular o intravulvar) no ejerció influencia sobre la respuesta reproductiva de las novillas sometidas al tratamiento hormonal.

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of doxycycline in ostriches (Struthio camelus) at two different dose rates

A bioavailability and pharmacokinetics study of doxycycline was carried out on 30 healthy ostriches after a single intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and oral dose of 15 mg/kg body weight. The plasma doxycycline concentration was determined by HPLC/UV at 0 (pretreatment), 0.08, 0.25, 0.5 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after administration. The plasma concentration-time curves were examined using non-compartmental methods based on the statistical moment theory for only the higher dose. After IV administration, the elimination half-life (t(1/2beta)), mean residence time (MRT), volume of distribution at the steady-state (V(ss)), volume of distribution (Vd(area)) and total body clearance (Cl(B)) were 7.67 +/- 0.62 h, 6.68 +/- 0.86 h, 0.86 +/- 0.16 l/kg, 1.67 +/- 0.52 l/kg and 2.51 +/- 0.63 ml/min/kg, respectively. After IM and oral dosing, the mean peak plasma concentrations (C(max)) were 1.34 +/- 0.33 and 0.30 +/- 0.04 microgram/ml, respectively, which were achieved at a postadministration time (t(max)) of 0.75 +/- 0.18, 3.03 +/- 0.48 h, respectively. The t(1/2beta), Vd(area) and Cl(B) after IM administration were 25.02 +/- 3.98 h, 23.99 +/- 3.4 l/kg and 12.14 +/- 1.71 ml/min/kg, respectively and 19.25 +/- 2.53 h, 61.49 +/- 7 l/kg and 40.19 +/- 3.79 ml/min/kg after oral administration, respectively. The absolute bioavailability (F) of doxycycline was 5.03 and 17.52% after oral and IM administration, respectively. These results show that the dose data from other animals particularly mammals cannot be extrapolated to ostriches. Therefore, based on these results along with those reported in the literature, further studies on the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration values and clinical applications of doxycycline in ostriches are required.

Pharmacokinetics, urinary excretion and dosage regimen of levofloxacin following a single intramuscular administration in cross bred calves

The pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion following single intramuscular administration of levofloxacin at a dose of 4 mg/kg was investigated in seven male cross bred calves. Appreciable plasma concentration of levofloxacin (0.38 +/- 0.06 microgram/ml) was detected at 1 min after injection and the peak plasma level of 3.07 +/- 0.08 microgram/ml was observed at 1 h. The drug level above MIC(90) in plasma was detected up to 12 h after administration. Rapid absorption of the drug was also evident by the high value of the absorption rate constant (2.14 +/- 0.24 /h). The overall systemic bioavailability of levofloxacin, after intramuscular administration, was 56.6 +/- 12.4%. The high value of AUC (7.66 +/- 0.72 mg.h/ml) reflected the vast area of body covered by drug concentration. Extensive distribution of the drug into various body fluids and tissues was noted by the high value of Vd(area) (1.02 +/- 0.05 l/kg). The high ratio of AUC/MIC (76.6 +/- 7.25) obtained in this study indicated excellent clinical and bacteriological efficacy of levofloxacin in calves. The elimination half-life and MRT were 3.67 +/- 0.4 h and 5.57 +/- 0.51 h, respectively. The total body clearance (Cl(B)) was 204.9 +/- 22.6 ml/kg/h. On the basis of the pharmacokinetic parameters, a suitable intramuscular dosage regimen for levofloxacin in calves would be 1.5 mg/kg repeated at 12 h intervals.

Alternative low doses and routes of administering a prostaglandin F2alpha analogue to induce luteolysis in Nelore cows

The present study was conducted in order to verify the efficacy of lower doses and alternative routes of a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue, luprostiol (PGF), for the induction of luteolysis and the precipitation of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows (Bos taurus indicus). A conventional dose (15 mg) of PGF was compared to doses lower than the conventional dose, which ranges from 10 to 50%, that were administered intramuscularly (IM), intravulvosubmucosally (IVSM), or in the Bai-hui acupuncture site located within the lumbosacral area. The cows were administered PGF 8 day after estrus in the presence of a corpus luteum, and randomly assigned to the following groups: G1 (positive control), 15 mg, IM (n = 23); G2, 7.5 mg, IM (n = 23); G3, 3.75 mg, IM (n = 24); G4, 7.5 mg, IVSM (n = 25); G5, 3.75 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 24); and G6, 1.5 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 25). The results indicated that 50% of a conventional dose of PGF (7.5 mg) resulted in a complete luteal regression (plasma progesterone <1 ng/ml) at Hour 48, and hastened estrus, regardless of whether or not PGF was administered IM or IVSM. Comparatively, 10 or 25% of the conventional dose, even when administered to the Bai-hui acupoint, resulted in an initial reduction in the concentration of progesterone at Hour 24, followed by an increase observed at Hour 48. In conclusion, 25% of a conventional PGF dose administered via the Bai-hui acupoint proved inadequate to induce a complete luteal regression, whereas 50% of a conventional dose administered IM or IVSM was found to be the minimal dose required to induce effectively a complete luteal regression, and to precipitate the onset of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows.

Calcium metabolism in cows receiving an intramuscular injection of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 combined with prostaglandin F2alpha closely before parturition

To determine the effect of exogenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] combined with induced parturition on calcium (Ca) metabolism, cows received a single intramuscular injection of 1,25(OH)2D3 and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) closely before calving. Ten late-pregnant, multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to 1,25(OH)2D3 group (five treated with both 1,25(OH)2D3 and PGF2alpha) and control group (five treated with PGF2alpha). 1,25(OH)2D3 group showed an increase in plasma Ca concentration around parturition, whereas control group revealed a decrease in plasma Ca level. Plasma Ca concentration in 1,25(OH)2D3 group were significantly higher than that in control group during .0.5 to 3 days after parturition.

Effect of intratesticular injection of xylazine/ketamine combination on canine castration

This study was performed to compare the effect of intratesticular (IT) injection of xylazine/ketamine combination for canine castration with those of intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) injection. Xylazine and ketamine was administered simultaneously via intratesticularly (IT group), intramuscularly (IM group) or intravenously (IV group) at doses of 2 and 10 mg/kg, respectively. Pain response at the time of injection, mean induction time, mean arousal time, mean walking time and cardiopulmonary function during anesthesia were monitored after the xylazine and ketamine administration. In IV and IM groups, heart rates were significantly decreased 30 and 45 min after xylazine and ketamine administration, respectively (p < 0.05). Respiratory rates were significantly decreased in the IV group (p < 0.05). In the IT group, there was no significant changes in heart and respiratory rates. The occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias was less severe in IT group compared with those in IM and IV groups. The route of administration did not affect rectal temperature. Mean induction time was significantly (p < 0.05) longer in IT group than in IM and IV groups. On the contrary, mean arousal time and mean walking time were shortened in IT group. Clinical signs related to pain response at the time of injection and vomiting were less observed in IT group than in IM group, and head shaking was less shown in IT group than in IM and IV groups during recovery period. These results indicated that intratesticular injection of xylazine/ketamine for castration has several advantages such as less inhibition of cardiopulmonary function and fast recovery from anesthesia without severe complications, and would be an effective anesthetic method for castration in small animal practice.

Farmacocinética de cefquinome en terneros por aplicación intramuscular / Cefquinome pharmacokinetics in calves by intramuscular administration

Se determinaron parámetros farmacocinéficos de cefquinome referidos a su absorción, distribución y eliminación, tras la aplicación intramuscular de 1 mg/kg a terneros de 34 ± 25 días de edad. Losniveles plasmáticos se cuantificaron mediante método microbiológico utilizando medio de cultivo Antibiotic Nº 1 (Merck) y Providencia alcalifaciens como microorganismo detector y mediante la preparación de nueve diluciones estándares (25 a 0.097 mg/ml). Se confrontaron los diámetros de los halos de inhibición de las muestras versus la dilución estándar, utilizando una curva de calibración obtenida por regresión semilogarítmica (r2= 0.989). El límite de cuantificación del ensayo fue de0.097 mg/ml. Los datos de concentración de cefquinome en función del tiempo fueron analizados con el software RESID e interpretados por el modelo bicompartimental (r2 = 0.9). Los resultados obtenidos son concordantes con el perfil cinético, exhibido por las cefalosporinas en los animales domésticos y lo informado para cefquinome en bovinos adultos e indican que la aplicación intramuscular produce rápida absorción y distribución, generando niveles plasmáticos máximos a las 0.85 ± 0.11 horas post aplicación, mientras que la difusión es restringida y breve la permanencia en el organismo, no obstante se comprobó niveles plasmáticos superiores a los terapéuticos que subsisten durante 6 horas post administración. Según los parámetros, farmacocinéticos obtenidos se estableció una dosis de mantenimiento de 1. 22 mg/kg de peso aplicados cada 24 horas por via intramuscular.

Therapeutic effect of bee venom in sows with hypogalactia syndrome postpartum

The objective of this study was to determine the clincotherapeutic effect of whole bee venom in hypogalactic sows postpartum. Sows after parturition were assigned to treated and nontreated control groups. In the treated group, 22 sows were bee acupunctured once a day for 3 consecutive days. Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) for bee acupuncture were about 15 days after metamorphosis. One live bee was used to sting the acupoints known as Yang-ming (ST-18, 1.5 cm lateral to the base of the last 2 pairs of teats) and Jiao-chao (GV-1, at the indentation between the base of tail and the anus). In the control group, 20 sows were intramuscularly injected with a standard dosage of penicillin G (400,000 IU/head) once a day for 3 consecutive days. At post-treatment, 85.0% of the drug-treated control and 90.9% of the bee venomtreated group recovered from hypogalactia syndrome. The advantages of apitherapy were that the patients did not have stress because they were not restrained for a long period. The result suggested that apitherapy using bee venom is an effective treatment for sows with hypogalactia syndrome postpartum.