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Evaluation of unfractionated heparin and recombinant hirudin on survival in a sustained ovine endotoxin shock model.

OBJECTIVE: To compare and evaluate the potential benefit of two different anticoagulation regimens during endotoxemia in an ovine model. DESIGN: Animal prospective randomized and controlled study following preliminary dose-range study conforming with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals as promulgated by the Council of the American Physiologic Society and reviewed by the Ethical Committee for Animal Research of our institution. SETTING: Laboratories of anesthesiological investigations and hemostasis, primary care university medical center. SUBJECTS: Twenty-two adult sheep of either sex, weighing 29-42 kg (mean 35.8 kg), surgically instrumented for chronic studies and randomly allocated to receive three different treatment groups: unfractionated heparin (40 units.kg.hr; n = 7), recombinant hirudin (500 units.kg.hr; n = 7), or saline (nonanticoagulated controls; n = 8). INTERVENTIONS: Ovine model of severe endotoxin shock induced by a continuous intravenous endotoxin infusion over 72 hrs (10 ng.kg.min ). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Endotoxin infusion alone produced a progressive hypotensive, hyperdynamic shock state with right ventricle failure leading to the death of all animals of the control group within 44 hrs (median, 12 hrs). Heparin profoundly improved survival rate in this model, whereas effective anticoagulation with hirudin did not significantly increase the survival rate compared with controls. Animals in the control group died from disseminated intravascular coagulation, metabolic acidosis, and hemorrhagic pulmonary edema, whereas sheep treated with hirudin died from severe pulmonary edema (hypoxemia, increased alveoloarterial oxygen gradient associated with an increased wet/dry lung weight ratio) in the absence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that systemic anticoagulation with the thrombin inhibitor hirudin is without benefit in this sheep model of lethal endotoxemia, whereas anticoagulation with heparin affords not only effective prevention of endotoxin-induced coagulation disorders but also global protection with prevention of respiratory decompensation and thus markedly improves survival rate in this situation.

Analysis of Variance↗

[Anxiety scales and Goldberg's depression: an efficient interview guide for the detection of psychologic distress].

OBJECTIVES: Validation of Goldberg's Anxiety and Depression scales in our settings. DESIGN: Transverse study. Two phases screening at population previously stratified and randomly allocated. SITE. National Health Institute's Primary Care Centres at the city of Zaragoza. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: 444 patients, aged 19 and older, who attend their general practitioner for a new episode of illness. The sample has been previously stratified by sex and age. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At the first stage the sample has been studied with a Health Survey consisting of a variety of sound validity (General Health Questionnaire-28 items version, spanish version of Folstein's mini Mental Status Examination, CAGE and another drug and over the counter products screening questionnaire) and the new scales, that we attempt to validate. At the second stage "the possible cases" chosen at the first phase and 10% of possible non cases are assessed with a comprehensive Psychiatric Interview: EPEP (Standardized Polyvalent Psychiatric Interview). CONCLUSIONS: The new scales E.A.D.G. have supported their validity for the screening of the most prevalent psychiatric disturbances in primary care settings. Their validity for the screening of the most prevalent psychiatric disturbances in primary care settings. They have outstanding and promising advantages when compared to traditional methods: brevity, simplicity, discriminatory ability between anxiety and depression and usefulness as an interview guideline.

Adult↗

Persistent efficacy of doramectin against experimental nematode infections in calves.

Three studies were conducted involving cattle exposed to experimental nematode infections. These studies were designed to investigate the prophylactic activity of a single subcutaneous treatment of doramectin at 200 micrograms kg-1 body weight against infections of Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora and Dictyocaulus viviparus. For each study, parasite-naive calves were randomly allocated to either a treated or a matched control group. One group received doramectin and the other received doramectin and the other received either no treatment or an injection of saline at 1 ml per 50 kg body weight by the subcutaneous route. Thereafter, all calves received a daily oral challenge of infective larvae of the particular parasite species on test in each study. Challenge of each pair of treatment/control groups continued for periods of 14, 21 or 28 days. An interval of 14-21 days was then allowed to permit the parasites which had established to mature, after which all animals were slaughtered and their worm burdens determined using standard techniques. Geometric mean worm burdens were calculated from the log worm counts and used to estimate percentage efficacy. Accumulated burdens of C. oncophora in doramectin-treated cattle resulting from a daily challenge infection for 14 or 21 days were reduced by 99.2% and 90.7% respectively, in comparison with those of non-treated control animals. For D. viviparus, burdens were reduced by 100% and 99.9% after a 21 or 28 day challenge, respectively. The corresponding figures for O. ostertagi were 99.9% after a 21 day challenge and 93.7% after a 28 day challenge.

Analysis of Variance↗

Comparison of ceftiofur hydrochloride and estradiol cypionate for metritis prevention and reproductive performance in dairy cows affected with retained fetal membranes.

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of ceftiofur hydrochloride and estradiol cypionate (ECP) administration for metritis prevention and reproductive performance in dairy cows affected with retained fetal membranes (RFMs). After parturition, 97 dairy cows affected with RFM from a single dairy herd were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatment groups. Cows in-group 1 (n=31) were treated daily for 5 days with ceftiofur hydrochloride (2.2mg/kg, i.m.); cows in group 2 (n=33) were treated once with ECP (4 mg, i.m.); and cows in group 3 (n=33) were not treated. The proportion of cows with metritis, uterine involution patterns and the calving-to-conception interval were compared between groups. The proportion of cows that developed metritis was significantly different (P<0.05) in cows treated with ceftiofur hydrochloride (13%), compared with cows treated with ECP (42%) or cows that received no treatment (42%). Uterine involution patterns (i.e. median time to complete retraction of the uterus and mean diameter measure of cervix and uterine horns) were not significantly different between groups. Cows treated with ECP were 0.40 times as likely to conceive as control cows (P=0.05); median time to conception in cows treated with ECP (192 days) was longer, compared to control cows (124 days). We conclude that systemic administration of ceftioufur hydrochloride is beneficial for prevention of metritis, but its effect on reproductive performance was not significantly different to that of ECP or no treatment. In addition, administration of ECP did not have beneficial effects on metritis prevention and reproductive performance.

Animals↗

Prevention of salt-dependent cardiac remodeling and enhanced gene expression in stroke-prone hypertensive rats by the long-acting calcium channel blocker lacidipine.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of the long-acting calcium channel blocker lacidipine on cardiovascular remodeling induced by salt loading in a genetic model of hypertension. DESIGN: We examined the influence of threshold doses of lacidipine, with little blood-pressure lowering effect, on cardiac weight and gene expression in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). METHODS: SHRSPs (8-week-old) were randomly allocated to four groups: control, salt-loaded SHRSP and salt-loaded SHRSP treated with lacidipine at 0.3 and 1 mg/kg per day. Systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. At the end of 6 weeks of treatment, ventricles were collected and weighed. Ventricular messenger RNA was extracted and subjected to Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: Lacidipine (0.3 mg/kg per day) not only prevented the salt-dependent cardiac hypertrophy and the slight increase in systolic blood pressure induced by salt, but also prevented, largely or completely, salt-dependent increases in ventricular levels of several gene products: skeletal and cardiac alpha-actin, beta-myosin heavy chain (beta-MHC), type I collagen, long-lasting (L)-type calcium channel and preproendothelin-1. At a higher dose of 1 mg/kg per day, lacidipine further decreased systolic blood pressure below the level of control SHRSP, completely prevented salt-dependent overexpression of the beta-MHC gene and markedly attenuated salt-dependent overexpression of the transforming growth factor-beta1 gene. CONCLUSIONS: Lacidipine prevents the cardiac remodeling and enhanced gene expression induced by salt loading in SHRSP at doses that only minimally affect the high systolic blood pressure.

Animals↗

Melatonin but not the ram-effect reactivates quiescent ovarian activity of mid-anestrous ewe.

The present study was conducted to examine how the social cue emanating from rams, the ram-effect, would influence the onset of melatonin-induced reproductive activity in anestrous ewes. Twenty non-lactating ewes were randomly allocated into 4 groups as follows based on a combination of the melatonin treatment (MEL) and the ram-effect (RAM): ewes of Groups A (MEL + RAM) and B (MEL) were subcutaneously implanted with melatonin capsules on April 18 (Day 0), which increased plasma melatonin levels by about 200 pg/ml for at least 5 months, while Groups C (RAM) and D (control) were untreated with melatonin. Rams were introduced to Groups A and C on Day 0, whereas Groups B and D were isolated from rams. Ovarian function of the ewe was assessed on June 9-21 (Days 52-64) by monitoring plasma progesterone (P) profiles. Luteal function (plasma P greater than 1 ng/ml for a week or longer) was evident in all the melatonin-treated ewes but only one in those untreated: 5/5 in Group A, 5/5 in Group B, 1/5 in Group C and 0/5 in Group D. By ultrasonography on Day 105 all the Group A ewes were diagnosed pregnant but none in the Group C despite that both the two groups had been run with rams. These results indicate that chronic melatonin treatment is capable of advancing the reproductive recrudescence in seasonally anestrous ewes, and that progonadal effects of rams are subtle, if any, during the mid-anestrous period.

Anestrus↗

Comparison of recoveries from anesthesia of horses placed on a rapidly inflating-deflating air pillow or the floor of a padded stall.

OBJECTIVE: To compare recoveries from anesthesia of horses placed on a conventional padded stall floor or on a specially designed air pillow. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 409 horses (> 1 year old) that were anesthetized for surgical procedures during a 37-month period. PROCEDURES: By random allocation, horses were allowed to recover from anesthesia in either a foammat-padded recovery stall or an identical recovery stall equipped with a rapidly inflating-deflating air pillow. All recoveries were videotaped for subsequent analysis by an independent evaluator. Times to first movement, first attempt to attain sternal recumbency, attainment of sternal recumbency, first attempt to stand, and successful standing were recorded. The numbers of attempts before achieving sternal recumbency and standing were counted, and scores for quality of standing and overall recovery were assigned. Recovery-related variables were compared between groups. RESULTS: Compared with horses allowed to recover in a conventional manner, horses that recovered from anesthesia on the air pillow had a significantly longer rest period before attempting to attain sternal recumbency and rise to standing. Once the pillow was deflated, horses were able to stand after significantly fewer attempts and the quality of their standing was significantly better. Between the 2 groups of horses, there was no significant difference in overall recovery quality scores. The air pillow and padded floor systems were equally safe. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that use of a rapidly inflating-deflating air pillow promotes a longer period of recumbency and a better quality of standing after anesthesia in horses.

Anesthesia↗

A simple method for short-term controlled anesthesia in newborn mice.

In this study, we describe a simple and inexpensive method for inducing short-term anesthesia and rapid recovery in newborn mice. Litters of Swiss mice pups were randomly allocated to testing on postnatal days 2, 5, and 8. Anesthesia was induced by placing the pup in a syringe and adding a volume of isoflurane-saturated gas that produced an estimated level of 32% isoflurane. Exposure to isoflurane lasted 30 s. All the pups survived the anesthesia. At all study ages, this method abolished the nociceptive response to tail clamp without inducing mortality, thus showing effective anesthesia. Recovery from anesthesia was assessed immediately after isoflurane exposure, based on two nonnoxious behavioral tests: the defensive response to a drop of water (10 tests, 1 min apart) and 10 min later the righting reflex, i.e., the time to recovery of the prone position (five tests, 10 min apart). The water drop test scores increased during the recovery phase toward the control values in all age groups. Treatment and time had no significant effect on righting reflex scores. The initial volume in the syringe, the volume of added isoflurane-saturated gas, and the duration of exposure may be adjusted according to postnatal age and specific strains or species (e.g., rats). This method is well suited to behavioral or physiological phenotype studies in developing mice, in which noxious procedures must precede functional testing, making rapid recovery from anesthesia a key requirement.

Age Factors↗

[Methods of reporting research-results and their influence on decision-making by cardiologists prescribing drugs for primary and secondary prevention].

OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of the form of presentation of the results of clinical trials on the quantitative perceptions of cardiologists regarding the efficacy of drugs for the primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and their likelihood of prescribing them. METHOD: We conducted a survey of 1,408 cardiologists in Spain who were randomly allocated of three questionnaires that used different measurements to evaluate the impact of published clinical trials. RESULTS: Five-hundred and fifty-nine questionnaires (40%) were suitable for analysis. On a scale of 0 to 10, the following mean efficacy estimates were obtained from questionnaire items that focused, respectively, on the results of clinical trials in terms of relative risk reduction, absolute risk reduction, and number needed to treat: primary prevention with statins: 6.79, 6.38 and 5.43; primary prevention with aspirin: 6.84, 5.06 and 4.25; secondary prevention with statins: 8.16, 7.76 and 7.54; secondary prevention with ACE inhibitors: 7.11, 7.81 and 7.19, and secondary prevention with beta-blockers: 7.22, 7.43 and 6.98. The likelihood that a drug treatment would be prescribed was not influenced very much by the form of presentation of the trial results. CONCLUSIONS: Presenting the results of clinical trials in the form of relative risk reduction, as compared with presenting results in terms of absolute risk reduction or number needed to treat, led to overestimation of the efficacy of interventions without influencing the likelihood of prescribing a given drug therapy.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Influence of age on hypnotic requirement, bispectral index, and 95% spectral edge frequency associated with sedation induced by sevoflurane.

BACKGROUND: Aging is associated with a reduction in anesthetic requirements. The effects of age on the electroencephalographic response to inhalational anesthesia have not been well documented. The objective of the present study was to determine the influence of age on hypnotic requirement and electroencephalographic derivatives such as bispectral index and 95% spectral edge frequency associated with sedation induced by sevoflurane. METHODS: Ninety-six patients were randomly allocated into one of three age groups A, B, and C, ranging in age from 18-39 yr, 40-64 yr, and 65-85 yr, respectively. Patients in each group were sedated with sevoflurane at two predetermined concentrations ranging between 0.45% and 0.85%. The relationship between sevoflurane concentration and response to a verbal command, as well as the relationships between response and bispectral index and 95% spectral edge frequency, was determined. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis showed that end-tidal sevoflurane concentration and age significantly affected both bispectral index and 95% spectral edge frequency. ED50 values of sevoflurane concentration for loss of consciousness, defined as no response to verbal command, were different between groups A and C: 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.75) versus 0.59 (95% confidence interval: 0.56-0.62). However, the same effective values of bispectral index and 95% spectral edge frequency at this same clinical end point did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing age reduced sevoflurane requirements to suppress responses to a verbal command but did not change bispectral index and 95% spectral edge frequency associated with this end point, and in a population with a wide age range, bispectral index would predict depth of sedation better than end-tidal sevoflurane concentration.

Adult↗

Attenuation of hyperoxia-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction with lidocaine in hamsters.

OBJECTIVE: Toxic free radicals cause dysfunction of respiratory muscles, probably leading to respiratory distress. Exposure to high concentrations of oxygen generates plenty of free radicals. Lidocaine scavenges the reactive molecules. The purposes of the current study were first to examine whether hyperoxia impairs diaphragmatic function, and second, to assess the effects of lidocaine on hyperoxia-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction, if developed. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized animal study. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Forty and 48 adult male Golden-Syrian hamsters (110-150 g) in parts I and II studies, respectively. INTERVENTION: In the part I study, hyperoxia for 5 and 6 days reduced diaphragmatic contractility and enhanced fatigue. In the part II study, hamsters were randomly allocated to one of six groups (n = 8 each): exposure to air for 6 days with saline (group A-S) or lidocaine infusion (group A-L), exposure to 100% oxygen for 5 days with saline (group 05-S) or lidocaine (group 05-L), and exposure to 100% oxygen for 6 days with saline (group 06-S) or lidocaine (group 06-L). Saline or lidocaine (2 mg/kg/hr) was subcutaneously given immediately before exposure to air or oxygen. Diaphragmatic contractility and fatigability were assessed in vitro using muscle strips excised from the costal diaphragms. Diaphragmatic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), an index of free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation, were measured. These variables were compared between groups. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twitch and tetanic tensions in groups 05-S and 06-S were reduced compared with group A-S. Tensions generated during fatigue trials were also decreased in groups 05-S and 06-S. MDA levels were elevated in diaphragms from these groups. In groups 05-L and 06-L, contractile dysfunction, deterioration of fatigability, and MDA formation in the diaphragm were attenuated. CONCLUSIONS: Lidocaine attenuated hyperoxia-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction assessed by contractile profiles and fatigability in hamsters. This beneficial effect may be attributable, in part, to inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Animals↗

[Preventive effects of urapidil on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preventive effect of urapidil, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, on hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling. METHODS: Twenty-one male Sprague-Drawley rats were randomly allocated into three groups: control group, hypoxic group and hypoxic plus urapidil group. The animal model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension was established by exposing the rats to normobaric hypoxic condition for three weeks, and the rats of hypoxic plus urapidil group were treated with urapidil 10 mg/kg before and after hypoxic processing. The right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle plus septum (LV + S) of rat were weighed respectively, and the RV/(LV + S) was calculated. The wall thickness(WT) and wall area(WA) of pulmonary arterioles wall were measured by a computerized image analyzer, and the index of wall thickness of rats pulmonary arterioles-the percentages of the wall thickness in the external diameter (WT%) and the wall area in the total vascular area (WA%) were calculated. RESULTS: In the hypoxic group, RV/(LV + S), WT% and WA% were (33.06 +/- 1.74)%, (25.15 +/- 1.47)% and (73.88 +/- 2.93)% respectively, while in the control group, they were (23.21 +/- 2.31)%, (13.55 +/- 1.60)% and (48.23 +/- 4.43)%, the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.01). In the hypoxic plus urapidil group, they were (26.63 +/- 1.44)%, (14.57 +/- 2.27)% and (52.68 +/- 3.98)%, being remarkably decreased as compared with those in the hypoxic group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Urapidil can prevent hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Recurrence-free survival in patients with small breast cancer. An analysis of cancers 10 mm or less detected clinically and by screening.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate survival of women with small breast cancers (10 mm or less in diameter) in a series almost unaffected by adjuvant medical treatment. DESIGN: Prospective study from a population who were randomly allocated to be screened by mammography. SETTING: University Hospital. SUBJECTS: 324 patients with breast cancers 10 mm or less in diameter who were operated on between 1978-85 (230 detected by screening, 21 interval cases and 73 from the control group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recurrence free survival, recurrence rate, and breast cancer mortality alone and in relation to node involvement during a median follow up of 7 years (range 4 months-12.5 years). RESULTS: Survival without distant metastases in life table analyses was 98.7% in 254 node negative cases and 79.3% in 30 node positive cases (p < 0.001). For the whole series survival without distant recurrence was 96.8%. There was no significant difference in recurrence free survival between cancers detected by screening and those detected clinically. Lymph nodes were involved in 9% of the 221 detected by screening compared with 20% of the 89 detected clinically (p < 0.03). CONCLUSION: There was a very low risk of recurrence in small node negative breast cancers (irrespective of the method of detection) indicating that adjuvant treatment may not be necessary for patients with small node negative breast tumours. The good prognosis of these patients also implies that the need for follow up programmes must be discussed because they are probably unnecessary.

Adult↗

Response of early- and late-maturing commercial Leghorn pullets to low levels of dietary phosphorus.

An experiment with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to determine differences in responses of early-maturing (EM) and late-maturing (LM) pullets fed low dietary P (.4% total P; LP) and normal dietary P (.7% total P; NP) levels. Six hundred pullets (18-wk-old) were equally and randomly allocated to the LP and NP treatments. Egg production, egg weight, egg specific gravity, and eggshell breaking strength were measured at 26 and 28 wk. When pullets were 28 wk of age, plasma total Ca (TCa), ionic Ca (Ca++), and inorganic P (Pi) concentrations, urine Ca concentrations, and urine pH, bone mineral content (BMC), bone density, total kidney weight, and kidney weight ratio (heavier kidney divided by lighter kidney) were determined from 15 pullets each from EM-NP, EM-LP, LM-NP, and LM-LP treatments. The pullets with osteoporosis and pullets that died during the experiment were categorized into EM and LM groups. Results showed that LP caused severe adverse effects on LM pullets. The LM pullets fed the LP diet had high plasma Ca++ concentration, low plasma Pi concentration, increased urine Ca concentration, a high incidence of osteoporosis, mild kidney lesions, and elevated mortality compared with pullets subjected to the other treatments. The EM pullets fed the LP diet were also adversely effected by LP, but were less susceptible to osteoporosis and mortality. The LP diet improved eggshell quality, but this beneficial effect was only temporary. The severity of adverse effects of low dietary P was greater for LM than the EM pullets.

Animals↗

Preoperative radiation therapy in Stage I endometrial adenocarcinoma. II. Final report of a clinical trial.

From 1968 to 1975 105 patients with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium, FIGO clinical Stage I, were randomly allocated to receive, prior to hysterectomy, either a single implant with Heyman capsules and/ or tandem and ovoids, or external megavoltage irradiation. There were no significant differences between the two study arms with respect to distribution of age, uterine size, obesity, frequency of diverticular disease, or histologic grade. Complications were graded rigorously to assure recording all possible treatment related complications and to minimize under-reporting of complications not obviously or directly attributable to the radiation. Fifty-five patients received intracavity irradiation and experienced 5 - and 10-year actuarial disease-free survivals of 80% and 67%, respectively, as compared to 70% and 59% for 50 patients who received external beam. There were only 4 recurrences in the intracavitary group versus 14 in the external beam group. One half of the recurrences in each group were in the pelvis. Major complications occurred with equal frequency in both groups, but minor complications were much more frequent in the external beam group. The differences in survival, recurrences and minor complications were statistically significant, with P values of 0.023, 0.03, and less than 0.02, respectively. With the techniques utilized here, intracavitary radiation is thus seen to be superior to external beam irradiation in terms of higher disease-free survival, lower frequency of recurrence and fewer complications.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effects of ketamine and pentobarbital on noradrenaline release from the medial prefrontal cortex in rats.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of ketamine and pentobarbital on noradrenaline release from the medial prefrontal cortex. METHODS: In 14 male Wistar rats, a microdialysis probe with a 2 mm long semipermeable membrane was implanted in the medial prefrontal cortex. The dialysis probe was perfused at a rate of 1 microl x min(-1) with an artificial cerebrospinal fluid solution. The rats were randomly allocated to two groups: ketamine (group K, n=7) and pentobarbital (group P, n=7). Each rat was subsequently given 0 (saline), 1, 10 and 100 mg x kg(-1) ketamine i.p. in group K, and 0 (saline), 0.5, 5 and 50 mg x kg(-1) pentobarbital i.p. in group P. Sixty minutes elapsed between administration. Noradrenaline concentration was measured by HPLC with an electrochemical detector at 20 min intervals. (detection limit: 250 fg x 20 microl(-1), coefficient variation of the assay: 4.9%). The data in the 20-40 min after each dose of ketamine or pentobarbital i.p. were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Noradrenaline release after 100 mg x kg(-1) ketamine increased by 7.7 +/- 2.0 (SEM) pg x collection(-1) compared with 2.7 +/- 0.7, 3.3 +/- 1.0 and 4.2 +/- 0.8 pg x collection(-1) after saline, 1 and 10 mg x kg(-1) ketamine, respectively (P < 0.05). Noradrenaline release did not change after pentobarbital. CONCLUSION: This study suggests the ketamine and pentobarbital have different effects on noradrenergic neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex. The stimulating effect of ketamine on noradrenaline release from the cortex might contribute to unique clinical features of ketamine anesthesia.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗

[Hypoglycemic effects of sodium metavanadate in diabetic mice and its effect on glucose phosphorylation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sodium metavanadate (SMV) on blood sugar and glucose phosphorylation in mice, and to discuss the possible mechanism of its hypoglycemic effects. METHODS: Diabetic mice (D) and control mice (V) were randomly allocated to drink SMV (0.2 mg/ml) (CV and DV groups) or NaCl (80 mmol/L) (C and V groups) respectively. The study lasted for 5 weeks. Liver glucokinase, muscle hexokinase, blood glucose and insulin were assayed at the end of each week. RESULTS: Blood glucose was higher in the diabetic groups before the administration of SMV, and the blood glucose level of group DV decreased from (18.77 +/- 1.28) to (8.94 +/- 0.94) mmol/L (P < 0.01) after oral administration of SMV for one week. While liver glucokinase increased from (1.29 +/- 0.64) to (15.36 +/- 1.57) mIU/min/mg protein and muscle hexokinase increased from (1.93 +/- 0.50) to (18.62 +/- 1.71) mIU/min/mg protein (P < 0.01) respectively. There was no continuous change of these parameters during the later weeks. No significant change of serum insulin was observed in the diabetic mice. There was a remarkable negative correlation of blood glucose level with liver glucokinase and muscle hexokinase levels. CONCLUSION: The hypoglycemic effects of SMV was independent of insulin level. In consideration of the close relations of the activities of liver glucokinase and muscle hexokinase with diabetes, and the improving of impaired glucose phosphorylation in diabetic mice by oral sodium metavanadate, which might be the mechanism of hypoglycemic effects of SMV.

Animals↗

Effects of cottonseed cake-based diets supplemented with blood meal, alone or with lysine, on the growth of pigs.

An experiment was carried out to establish the effect on the growth of pigs of including blood meal or lysine in diets containing gossypol from cottonseed cake. Forty Landrace x Large White pigs (20 of each sex) were randomly allocated to 5 treatments of 8 pigs each in a 2 x 2 factorial design with two levels of lysine or two levels of blood meal in the diets plus a control diet. The pigs were fed different diets and slaughtered at 75.0 +/- 2.0 kg live weight for carcase analysis. Supplementing the diets with blood meal resulted in higher live weight gains (p<0.001) and improved feed conversion ratios (p<0.001) than supplementing with lysine. Pigs fed the higher level of cottonseed cake showed a significant (p<0.001) depression in live weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to those fed a low level of the cake. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in intake in the pigs fed diets with cottonseed cake including blood meal or synthetic lysine. The kidney and liver weights of the pigs fed the diets with a higher level of cottonseed cake were significantly greater (p<0.001) than in those fed the lower level, but when the diets containing cottonseed cake were supplemented with blood meal or lysine at the same level there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the weights of these organs. Lysine or other factors derived from blood meal appear to be more efficient than synthetic lysine in reducing the adverse effects of gossypol.

Animal Feed↗