bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manipulativeness and dialogue
Authors: Brown James M.
Published: November 2003

The notion of manipulativeness is sometimes invoked both with regard to patients or clients and with regard to the professionals who are charged with caring for them. The paper explores that notion and the idea that what makes an action manipulative is not the end at which it is directed but the way in which that end is sought. Open dialogue is characterized and it is suggested that manipulative interactions are ones that depart from open dialogue. Manipulative persons are characterized as having or being biased towards a restricted social repertoire. While some manipulativeness is inevitable, it is suggested that we need to reflect from time to time on whether we have got the balance right.
Psychiatric nursing in Victoria, Australia: a profession in crisis
Authors: Happell B.
Published: November 2003

The introduction of the Nurses Act in 1993 resulted in the cessation of separate undergraduate education as preparation for psychiatric nursing practice in Victoria, Australia. The focus of this paper is to present the nature and implications of the current legislation in light of the relative size of the psychiatric component within Victorian courses and the relevant literature and research findings regarding the position of psychiatric nursing within comprehensive courses. The potential crisis faced by the psychiatric nursing profession in securing a viable workforce for the future will be highlighted.
The experience of thought‐disordered individuals preceding an aggressive incident
Authors: Johnson B. , Martin M.‐L. , Guha M. , Montgomery P.
Published: November 2003

The purpose of this qualitative study was to increase the understanding of the experiences of individuals with thought disorders, which precede incidents of aggression. Twelve individuals, from two hospitals, who had a nursing diagnosis of thought disorder and a history of aggression were interviewed, between one and four times, to collect baseline information and information about particular aggressive incidents. The participants described in their own words their thoughts, feelings and experiences preceding the aggressive incidents. Three themes emerged. First, participants perceived themselves to be strongly affected by the external environment; their responses to aspects of the environment were influential in precipitating the aggressive incident. Second, participants perceived themselves, paradoxically, to be both powerful and powerless; the act of aggression becomes an incident of brief self‐empowerment. Third, the aggressive incident occurred in spite of the participants' acknowledgement and previous use of anger‐controlling strategies; the participants' perceptions of themselves as powerless in an oppressive environment may have mitigated against the success of these strategies. Nurses need to know what triggers aggressiveness in psychiatric patients, in order to intervene effectively. Mental health professionals must also re‐examine the psychiatric hospital environment, to make sure they are not needlessly exacerbating their patients' powerlessness with policies that are unjustifiably controlling.
Victimization of people with enduring mental illness in the community
Authors: Kelly L. S. , Mckenna H. P.
Published: November 2003

The deinstitutionalization of care for the mentally ill has been in vogue for about fifty years. Broadly speaking, this transition can be seen to exhibit the following main trends: a dramatic decline in the inpatient population of psychiatric hospitals, coupled with a corresponding increase in community facilities such as psychiatric units in general hospitals, day hospitals, and day centres. It has been claimed that deinstitutionalization ends previously enforced seclusion, enhances human dignity and allows individual privacy. The deinstitutionalization movement has inevitably led both to large numbers of former long‐stay patients being cared for in the community and to significant numbers of individuals developing enduring mental illness in the community without ever having had a long inpatient tenure. The findings of recent studies (Gould 1992, Brockington et al. 1993) suggest that there is a positive public attitude towards the mentally ill. However, Kelly (1997), while carrying out Quality of Life research, found that over half of the community‐based long‐term mentally ill he surveyed reported that they had experienced harassment/victimization. This paper is not a report on the Quality of Life research but a discussion on the theme of victimization that has emerged from the study. The extent of the problem is discussed as are the implications for mental health professionals.
A model for analysis of the nurse‐patient interactive process (MAIP)
Authors: Moreira A. S. P. , Rodrigues A. R. F. , Coler M. S.
Published: November 2003

A model for analysis of the nurse‐patient interactive process (MAIP), based on the analysis of the content of that interaction, is proposed as a method for determining appropriate psychosocial nursing diagnoses for the patient. The model focuses on the qualitative aspects of the phenomenon of interaction. The MAIP permits a systematic analysis of the nurse‐patient interaction, and in turn will provide guidance for the professional in their actions in the interactive process.
Family caregiving: application of Newman's and Peplau's theories
Authors: Yamashita M.
Published: November 2003

The purpose of this paper was to apply Newman's and Peplau's theories in situations where family members assumed the role of the primary caregiver for their relative diagnosed as mentally ill. The commonality between the two theories is the nurse—client relationship. Despite different theoretical underpinnings, both theories were found useful when applied to family caregiving situations. Both theories aim toward the inner growth of the client, which is the goal of psychiatric and mental health nursing.
Sleep‐related painful erections: Clinical and polysomnographic features
Authors: FERINI‐STRAMBI LUIGI , OLDANI ALESSANDRO , ZUCCONI MARCO , CASTRONOVO VINCENZA , MONTORSI FRANCESCO , RIGATTI PATRIZIO , SMIRNE SALVATORE
Published: November 2003

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and the polysomnographic findings of a sample of patients affected by sleep‐related painful erections (SRPE). In a 6‐y period 18 patients were diagnosed as having SRPE. The mean age at the onset of the disease was 39.8±11.6 y and the mean duration of SRPE was 5.4±3.5 y. According to ICSD criteria, about 60% of patients had a severe form of the disease. None of the patients met any DSM IV Axis‐I and Axis‐II diagnoses. Twelve patients complained of excessive daytime sleepiness. SRPE patients, compared to age‐matched controls, showed a reduced sleep efficiency, an increased wake after sleep onset and a reduced percentage of REM sleep. This study confirms that in SRPE there are no clear predisposing factors, no familial pattern, but REM sleep fragmentation. Concerning the pharmacological treatment, in the history of patients, propranolol and paroxetine, but not amitriptiline and lorazepam, showed a temporary efficacy in some patients.
Sleepiness and performance of professional drivers in a truck simulator—comparisons between day and night driving
Authors: GILLBERG M. , KECKLUND G. , ÅKERSTEDT T.
Published: November 2003

Previous research has shown that night driving performance may be seriously affected by sleepiness. The present study compared daytime and night‐time performance of professional drivers on a simulated truck driving task. A secondary purpose was whether a nap or a rest pause would affect performance. Nine professional drivers participated in a counterbalanced design. The conditions were day driving (DAYDRIVE), night driving (NIGHTDRIVE), night driving with a 30 minute rest (NIGHTREST), and night driving with a 30 minute nap (NIGHTNAP). Each condition consisted of three consecutive 30‐min periods. For the DAYDRIVE and NIGHTDRIVE all periods were spent driving while the second period was either a rest pause or a nap for the other two conditions. Mean speed, standard deviation of speed and, standard deviation for lane position were recorded. Self ratings of sleepiness were obtained before and after each 30‐min period. Reaction time tests and 10 minute standardized EEG/EOG recordings were obtained before and after each condition. EEG/EOG were also recorded continuously during driving. The effects on driving were small but significant: night driving was slower, with a higher variability of speed, and had higher variability of lane position. Subjective and EEG/EOG sleepiness were clearly higher during the night conditions. Reaction time performance was not significantly affected by conditions. Neither the nap nor the rest pause had any effect.
Cardiac parasympathetic nervous system activity does not increase in anticipation of sleep
Authors: BURGESS HELEN , TRINDER JOHN , KIM YOUNG
Published: November 2003

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) activity increases while Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) activity remains relatively stable from wakefulness to NREM sleep. However, it is not clear whether these changes are specifically associated with NREM sleep, or whether they anticipate sleep onset. The latter may occur if ANS activity was influenced by the circadian system. This issue was investigated by conducting spectral analysis of heart beat‐to‐beat intervals (Periodogram method), collected from 20 healthy male and female subjects at three different times across 24 h; in the morning, just prior to normal sleep onset time, and in slow‐wave sleep (SWS). Subjects were supine in all conditions and awake in the first two conditions. The high‐ and low‐frequency peaks, reflecting PNS and SNS activity, respectively, were expressed as proportions of the total power. PNS activity decreased significantly from the morning (0.22) to the presleep period (0.19), before it increased to its maximum during SWS (0.33). In contrast, SNS activity was similar in each of the three conditions (0.07, 0.06, and 0.05 for morning, presleep and SWS, respectively). Thus there do not appear to be changes in PNS activity in anticipation of sleep, as would be predicted on the basis of a circadian influence on the PNS. Instead the increased PNS activity appears to be sleep dependent.
The diurnal distribution of sleep propensity: experimental data about the interaction of the propensities for slow‐wave sleep and REM sleep
Authors: BES FREDERIK , JOBERT MARC , MÜLLER L. , SCHULZ HARTMUT
Published: November 2003

The aim of the present study was to assess the diurnal variation of sleep propensity by evaluating the temporal distribution of sleep onset latency (SOL) and REM‐ and slow‐wave sleep (SWS) parameters in systematically scheduled daytime naps for 12 young males. To reduce the effect of prior SWS on subsequent REM sleep, a double‐nap technique was used, i.e. two adjacent naps A and B, which were separated by a 10‐min break. Nap duration was adjusted in such a way that nap A allowed 30 min of sleep and nap B one complete NREM–REM cycle. EEG slow wave activity (SWA, power density from 0.5–4 Hz) was estimated from nap A and REM sleep parameters from nap B. The time span between 08.00 hours and 24.00 hours was covered by nine double‐naps at 2 h intervals. The order of the nap sessions was systematically varied within and across subjects. For each subject, the time between successive double‐nap recordings was at least three days. SOL was shortest in the time interval 12.00 hours to 16.00 hours and significantly longer between 20.00 hours and 24.00 hours. REM sleep duration and the percentage of sleep onset REM episodes decreased continuously from 08.00 hours to the interval 18.00–20.00 hours and increased thereafter, with a time course inversely related to the one of body temperature, which was also measured continuously. SWA showed a steady, threefold increase from 08.00 hours to 24.00 hours. The study offers new data on the diurnal variation of sleep propensity which seems to be a composite function of the drives for SWS and REM sleep.
The effect of REM sleep deprivation on somatostatin and growth hormone‐releasing hormone gene expression in the rat hypothalamus
Authors: TOPPILA JUSSI , ASIKAINEN MARJUT , ALANKO LAURI , TUREK FRED , STENBERG DAG , PORKKA‐HEISKANEN TARJA
Published: November 2003

Growth hormone‐releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SRIF) have been implicated as sleep factors. We studied how the hypothalamic SRIF/GHRH system is affected by possible feedback regulation resulting from REM sleep deprivation at the level of gene expression and how this is reflected in serum growth hormone (GH) content. Male rats were deprived of REM sleep on small platforms for 24 or 72 h, and one group was allowed a rebound sleep of 24 h after 72 h deprivation. Animals maintained on large platforms and animals taken directly from their home cages served as controls. In situ hybridization was made from 20 μm cryosections through the periventricular, paraventricular and arcuate hypothalamic nuclei using oligonucleotide probes for GHRH and SRIF. The number of cells expressing SRIF or GHRH was counted. Serum GH was measured by means of radioimmunoassay in similarly treated rats. Fewer cells expressed GHRH in the paraventricular nucleus of animals subjected to 24 and 72 h of REM sleep deprivation than in home control animals. A similar trend was observed in the arcuate nucleus. The number of cells expressing SRIF was elevated in the arcuate nucleus after 24 h of REM sleep deprivation but not after 72 h. In the periventricular nucleus the number of cells expressing SRIF was higher after 72 h of deprivation when compared to expression in animals maintained on large platforms. Serum GH levels were decreased in animals maintained on either small or large platforms. It is concluded that the expression of the SRIF and GHRH genes is modulated by REM sleep deprivation.
Effect of nasal CPAP treatment on plasma volume, aldosterone and 24‐h blood pressure in obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: SAARELAINEN SEPPO , HASAN JOEL , SIITONEN SIMO , SEPPÄLÄ ERKKI
Published: November 2003

Polycythaemia, peripheral oedema formation and hypertension have classically been described in association with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, there is very limited information about blood volume in OSA and how it changes during long‐term treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). Plasma (PV) and red‐cell volumes (RCV), 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure (BP), 24‐h natriuresis and morning plasma aldosterone, renin activity and atrial natriuretic peptide in 11 men with a mean age of 47 y (range 37–55), apnoea index (AI) of 55 (22–106), body mass index of 36 (30–43) and seated BP of ≥140/90 mmHg without any medication were measured. BP‐measurements were repeated after 3 weeks and all measurements after 3 mo of nCPAP treatment. Aldosterone and 24‐h mean heart rates decreased during treatment. Twenty‐four‐h BP decreased after 3 weeks but that decrease did not persist after 3 mo of treatment. There was a relationship between changes in night‐time mean BP and PV and aldosterone. The haematocrit declined in every patient. No significant changes were found in the mean PV or RCV. They were in all instances lower than has earlier been described for normal, non‐obese subjects. These data also suggest that OSA causes divergent individual disturbances in blood volume homeostasis which can be corrected by nCPAP.
Combination of bright light and caffeine as a countermeasure for impaired alertness and performance during extended sleep deprivation
Authors: WRIGHT JR. KENNETH , BADIA PIETRO , MYERS BRYAN , PLENZLER STEVEN
Published: November 2003

Effects of four conditions (Dim Light‐Placebo, Dim Light‐Caffeine, Bright Light‐Placebo and Bright Light‐Caffeine) on alertness, and performance were studied during the night‐time hours across 45.5 h of sleep deprivation. Caffeine (200 mg) was administered at 20.00 and 02.00 hours and bright‐light exposure (>2000 lux) was from 20.00 to 08.00 hours each night. The three treatment conditions, compared to the Dim Light‐Placebo condition, enhanced night‐time performance. Further, the combined treatment of caffeine and all‐night bright light (Bright Light‐Caffeine) enhanced performance to a larger degree than either the Dim Light‐Caffeine or the Bright Light‐Placebo condition. Beneficial effects of the treatments on performance were largest during the early morning hours (e.g. after 02.00 hours) when performance in the Dim Light‐Placebo group was at its worst. Notably, the Bright Light‐Caffeine condition was able to overcome the circadian drop in performance for most tasks measured. Both caffeine conditions improved objective alertness on the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test. Taken together, the above results suggest that the combined treatment of bright light and caffeine provides an effective intervention for enhancing alertness and performance during sleep loss.
Circadian rhythms in human performance and mood under constant conditions
Authors: MONK TIMOTHY , BUYSSE DANIEL , REYNOLDS III CHARLES , BERGA SARAH , JARRETT DAVID , BEGLEY AMY , KUPFER DAVID
Published: November 2003

This study explored the relationship between circadian performance rhythms and rhythms in rectal temperature, plasma cortisol, plasma melatonin, subjective alertness and well‐being. Seventeen healthy young adults were studied under 36 h of «unmasking» conditions (constant wakeful bedrest, temporal isolation, homogenized «meals») during which rectal temperatures were measured every minute, and plasma cortisol and plasma melatonin measured every 20 min. Hourly subjective ratings of global vigour (alertness) and affect (well‐being) were obtained followed by one of two performance batteries. On odd‐numbered hours performance (speed and accuracy) of serial search, verbal reasoning and manual dexterity tasks was assessed. On even‐numbered hours, performance (% hits, response speed) was measured at a 25–30 min visual vigilance task. Performance of all tasks (except search accuracy) showed a significant time of day variation usually with a nocturnal trough close to the trough in rectal temperature. Performance rhythms appeared not to reliably differ with working memory load. Within subjects, predominantly positive correlations emerged between good performance and higher temperatures and better subjective alertness; predominantly negative correlations between good performance and higher plasma levels of cortisol and melatonin. Temperature and cortisol rhythms correlated with slightly more performance measures (5/7) than did melatonin rhythms (4/7). Global vigour correlated about as well with performance (5/7) as did temperature, and considerably better than global affect (1/7). In conclusion: (1) between‐task heterogeneity in circadian performance rhythms appeared to be absent when the sleep/wake cycle was suspended; (2) temperature (positively), cortisol and melatonin (negatively) appeared equally good as circadian correlates of performance, and (3) subjective alertness correlated with performance rhythms as well as (but not better than) body temperature, suggesting that performance rhythms were not directly mediated by rhythms in subjective alertness.
Poor sleep in adolescents: A study of 869 17‐year‐old Italian secondary school students
Authors: MANNI R. , RATTI M. T. , MARCHIONI E. , CASTELNOVO G. , MURELLI R. , SARTORI I. , GALIMBERTI C. A. , TARTARA A.
Published: November 2003

Subjective sleep quality and its related factors were investigated in 869 (530 F, 339 M) 17‐year‐old adolescents, who were selected from the pupils of state‐run secondary schools in the city of Pavia in the north west of Italy. The study was conducted cross sectionally, and it consisted of a questionnaire based survey. One hundred and forty‐two subjects (16.5% of the whole sample, 19% of the females and 11.7% of the males) met the criteria chosen for definition as poor sleepers (namely, a complaint of «non restorative nocturnal sleep», «often» or «always» over the previous 12 mo). A significant association was found between chronic poor sleep and (1) gender (female) (2) emotional factors, such as worries, anxiety and depression (3) poor sleep hygiene (4) arousal related parasomnia. Only 4% of poor sleepers took sleep promoting drugs (including benzodiazepines, homeopathic products and other medications), generally without seeking medical advice.
Topographic distribution of sleep spindles in young healthy subjects
Authors: ZEITLHOFER J , GRUBER G , ANDERER P , ASENBAUM S , SCHIMICEK P , SALETU B
Published: November 2003

The application of an automatic sleep spindle detection procedure allowed the documentation of the topographic distribution of spindle characteristics, such as number, amplitude, frequency and duration, as a function of sleep depth and of recording time. Multichannel all‐night EEG recordings were performed in 10 normal healthy subjects aged 20–35 years. Although the interindividual variability in the number of sleep spindles was very high (2.7±2.1 spindles per minute stage 2 sleep), all but two subjects showed maximal spindle activity in centro‐parietal midline leads. Moreover, this topography was seen in all sleep stages and changed only slightly – to a more central distribution – towards the end of the night. On the other hand, slow (11.5–14 Hz) and fast (14–16 Hz) spindles showed a completely different topography, with slow spindles distributed anteriorly and fast spindles centro‐parietally. The number of sleep spindles per min was significant depending on sleep stages, with the expected highest occurrence in stage 2, and on recording time, with a decrease in spindle density from the beginning towards the end of the night. However, spindle amplitude, frequency and individual duration was not influenced by sleep depth or time of the night.
Perceived tiredness among adolescents and its association with sleep habits and use of psychoactive substances
Authors: TYNJÄLÄ JORMA , KANNAS LASSE , LEVÄLAHTI ESKO
Published: November 2003

This study investigated the variation in perceived tiredness among 11, 13 and 15‐year‐old Finnish adolescents (n=4187). Additionally interrelationships between sleep habits, use of psychoactive substances (alcohol, tobacco and coffee) and perceived tiredness among 15‐year‐olds were examined. This study is part of an international, WHO‐coordinated survey of school children's health and lifestyle (the HBSC Study). In Finland, research data represented the whole country. The data were collected in March–May 1994. Pupils responded anonymously to a standardized questionnaire during a class period. Subjective tiredness was very common and increased with age among adolescents. Perceived tiredness on at least four school mornings a week increased from 24 to 35% among boys and from 16 to 34% among girls. Feeling tired more often than once a week increased from 20 to 37% in girls and from 24 to 50% in boys. Structural equation models showed that interrelationships between three factors – sleep habits, use of psychoactive substances and perceived tiredness – were statistically significant. For these three factors the two remaining factors explained 24% of the variance of perceived tiredness among boys and 20% among girls, and the two remaining factors explained 42% (16%) of the variation in sleep habits. For the variance of the use of psychoactive substances sleep habits and perceived tiredness explained 26% (12%). Subjective tiredness is strongly age related; this together with the use of psychoactive substances and sleep habits regulate adolescents’ daily life and well‐being.
Minimum inhibitory concentrations for selected antimicrobial agents against Fusobacterium necrophorum isolated from hepatic abscesses in cattle and sheep
Authors: Mateos E. , Piriz S. , Valle J. , Hurtado M. , Vadillo S.
Published: November 2003

Minimum inhibitory concentrations for 35 antimicrobial agents against 100 Fusobacterium necrophorum isolates from hepatic abscesses in sheep and cattle were determined. Twelve of the thirteen β‐lactam antibiotics tested inhibited growth of 100% of strains tested. Of the remaining antimicrobial agents, extensive susceptibility was found for: spiramycin, josamycin, lincomycin, tylosin, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, rufloxacin, metronidazole, co‐trimoxazole, sulfadimethoxine, virginiamycin and fosfomycin.
Enantioselective behaviour of drugs used in domestic animals: a review
Authors: LANDONI M.F. , SORACI A.L. , DELATOUR P. , LEES P.
Published: November 2003

The chirality of drugs, with particular reference to agents used in veterinary medicine, is reviewed. Basic concepts of chirality and aspects of the methodology for the separation of enantiomers are considered. Chiral compounds are in common use in animals and their pharmacological actions and side‐effects (pharmacodynamics) and absorption into and fate within the body (pharmacokinetics) are of fundamental importance; pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of enantiomeric pairs commonly differ and this has major implications for their effective and safe therapeutic use. As examples of the particular significance of chirality in veterinary medicine, the following drug classes are reviewed; benzimidazole anthelmintics, cloprostenol, verapamil, ketamine, halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthetics and 2‐arylpropionic acid anti‐inflammatory drugs. The implications of chirality for drug product development and approval by registration authorities are discussed.
The biotransformation of sulfadimethoxine, sulfadimidine, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and aditoprim by primary cultures of pig hepatocytes
Authors: Mengelers M.J.B. , Kleter G.A. , Hoogenboom L.A.P. , Kuiper H.A. , Van Miert A.S.J.P.A.M.
Published: November 2003

The in vitro biotransformation of three sulfonamides, trimethoprim and aditoprim, was studied using primary cultures of pig hepatocytes. Incubation of monolayer cultures with sulfadimethoxine (SDM), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and 14C‐sulfadimidine (SDD) resulted in the formation of the corresponding N4‐acetylsulfonamide to different extents, depending upon the molecular structure of the drug. Addition of the acetylsulfonamides to the cells showed that these compounds were deacetylated, each to a different extent. A relatively low degree of acetylation (in the case of SDD) was paralleled by extensive deacetylation (i.e. AcSDD), whereas extensive acetylation (i.e. SMX) was in concert with minor deacetylation (i.e. AcSMX). The addition of bovine serum albumin to the medium resulted in a decrease in conversion of sulfonamides as well as acetylsulfonamides. The main metabolic pathway of 14C‐trimethoprim (TMP) was O‐demethylation with subsequent conjugation. Two hydroxy (demethyl) metabolites were formed, namely 3′‐ and 4′‐demethyl trimethoprim, which were both glucuronidated while 3′‐demethyl trimethoprim was also conjugated with sulphate. The capacity to form conjugates with either glucuronic acid or sulphate was at least as high as the capacity for O‐demethylation since more than 90% of the metabolites were excreted as conjugates in the urine of pigs. Addition of 14C‐aditoprim (ADP) to the hepatocytes led to the N‐demethylation of ADP to mono‐methyl‐ADP and di‐desmethyl‐ADP. During the incubation another three unknown ADP metabolites were formed. In contrast to TMP, no hydroxy metabolites or conjugated metabolites of aditoprim were formed. These in vitro results were in agreement with the in vivo biotransformation pattern of the studied sulfonamides and trimethoprim in pigs.
Adverse reactions to veterinary drugs reported in Sweden during 1991–1995
Authors: TJÄLVE H.
Published: November 2003

The present article gives a summary of suspected adverse reactions reported by Swedish veterinarians during the period 1991–1995. The summary shows that severe adverse drug‐reactions sometimes occur in Swedish veterinary practice. In horses, several cases of acute reactions in animals treated with procaine benzylpenicillin were reported and seven horses died within a few minutes after intramuscular injections of the drug. In cattle and swine most reports referred to the use of antimicrobial agents. In dogs reactions to vaccines were the most frequently reported adverse effects. The reactions were, however, usually rather mild. In dogs there were also several reports of severe reactions related to treatments with non‐steroid anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and α2‐receptor agonists. Amongst the reports six deaths were observed for each of these groups of drugs. In cats, as in dogs, adverse effects to vaccines were the most frequently reported reactions.
The withdrawal time estimation of veterinary drugs: a non‐parametric approach
Authors: CONCORDET D. , TOUTAIN P.L.
Published: November 2003

The study of a veterinary drug for use in a food producing animal requires the estimation of the withdrawal time which is defined as the time when it can be assessed with a controlled risk that a given percentage (less than 100(1‐α)%) of animals have a concentration below the Maximal Limit of Residue (MRL). A simple and understandable non‐parametric method which allows the control of the risk is presented. This method does not require the assumptions needed for the correct use of the current method of estimation to be met. A simple example which illustrates the use of this method is presented.
Functional characterization of post‐junctional adrenergic receptor subtypes in bovine intra‐mammary arteries
Authors: Pereira F. J. , Will J. A.
Published: November 2003

We examined the functional role of adrenergic receptor subtypes (ARs) in bovine intra‐mammary arteries (IMAs), 1.5–2.5 mm internal diameter. Norepinephrine (NE) and phenylephrine (PE) produced concentration‐dependent increases in tone in segments maintained at a previously determined optimal basal tension in vitro. The sensitivity of the tissue to NE and PE, based on ‐log molar ED50s was 6.87 ± 0.17 and 7.05 ± 0.35, respectively. In addition a Schild analysis yielded antagonist affinities for the receptor mediating contractile responses to NE (pA2 value) of 10.46 ± 0.85 for prazosin and 6.29 ± 0.18 for yohimbine. These data indicate a dominance of functional alpha 1 (α1) over alpha 2 (α2)‐ARs in this tissue. Based on the inhibitory effects of chloroethylclonidine (CEC) on PE responses and the further reduction in sensitivity when nifedipine was added to the CEC, also in the presence of PE, we conclude that there is more than one α1‐AR subtype, with a predominant role for α1B‐ARs in phenylephrine responses. Stimulation of beta (β)‐ARs, resulted in relatively small reductions in tone (the highest magnitude of response was 25.94 ± 6.46% of the papaverine maximum at 3×10−6M isoproterenol); in addition, propranolol did not significantly alter tissue sensitivity to NE. Additional characterization of functional autonomic receptor populations in this circulatory bed will form a basis for future studies on circulatory dynamics in the mammary gland.
Effects of a selective and a nonselective muscarinic cholinergic antagonist on heart rate and intestinal motility in dogs
Authors: Hendrix P.K. , Robinson E.p.
Published: November 2003

The effects of methoctramine, a cardioselective muscarinic cholinergic antagonist, on heart rate and small intestinal motor activity were compared to those of the nonselective competitive muscarinic antagonist, atropine. Methoctramine or atropine, 6, 10, 30, 60 μg/kg, or sterile isotonic saline, was administered intravenously to six conscious dogs in cross‐over studies. Methoctramine administration caused dose‐dependent tachycardia without affecting intestinal motility, while atropine administration caused dose‐dependent tachycardia accompanied by significant reductions in small intestinal motility. Additionally, methoctramine did not inhibit intestinal smooth muscle contractile activity initiated by the muscarinic agonist bethanechol, while atropine inhibited bethanechol‐induced contractile activity in a dose‐dependent manner. Calculated dosages of methoctramine and atropine required to produce a 50% increase in heart rate over baseline were 35.1 ± 5.3 and 39.5 ± 6.2 μg/kg, respectively. This dosage of atropine caused a 93 ± 13.9% reduction in intestinal motility. These findings suggest that selective muscarinic antagonists may be useful drugs for those veterinary patients in which nonselective muscarinic antagonists have the potential to produce untoward effects on intestinal motility.
The pharmacokinetics of cefadroxil over a range of oral doses and animal ages in the foal
Authors: DUFFEE N. E. , STANG B. E. , SCHAEFFER D. J.
Published: November 2003

To evaluate the effect of foal age on the pharmacokinetics of cefadroxil, five foals were administered cefadroxil in a single intravenous dose (5 mg/kg) and a single oral dose (10 or 20 mg/kg) at ages of 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 months. Pharmacokinetic parameters of terminal elimination rate constant (βpo), oral mean residence time (MRTpo), mean absorption time (MAT), rate constant for oral absorption (Ka), bioavailability F, peak serum concentrations(Cmax) and time of peak concentration (tmax), were evaluated in a repeated measures analysis over dose. Across animal ages, parameters for the intravenous dose did not change significantly over animal age (P  0.05). Mean values ± SEM were: βIV = 0.633 ± 0.038 h−1; Cl = 0.316 ± 0.010 L/kg/h; Vc = 0.196 ± 0.008 L/kg; Varea = 0.526 ± 0.024 L/kg; VSS =0.374 ± 0.014 L/kg; MRTiv = 1.22 ± 0.07 h; Kel = 1.67 ± 0.08 h−1. Following oral administration, drug absorption became faster with age (P < 0.05), as reflected by MRTpo, MAT, Ka and tmax. However, oral bioavailability (±SE) declined significantly (P < 0.05) from 99.6 ± 3.69% at 0.5 months to 14.5 ± 1.40% at 5 months of age. To evaluate a dose effect on the pharmacokinetic parameters, a series of oral doses (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) were administered to these foals at 1 month of age. βpo (0.548 ± 0.023 h−1) and F (68.26 ± 2.43%) were not affected significantly by the size of the dose. Cmax was approximately doubled with each two‐fold increase in dose: 3.15 ± 0.15, 5.84 ± 0.48, 12.17 ± 0.93 and 19.71 ± 2.19 μg/mL. Dose‐dependent kinetics were observed in MRTpo, MAT, Ka and tmax.
The effects of pentoxifylline infusion on plasma 6‐keto‐prostaglandin F1α and ex vivo endotoxin‐induced tumour necrosis factor activity in horses
Authors: Barton M.H. , Ferguson D. , Davis P.J. , Moore J.N.
Published: November 2003

Pentoxifylline (7.5 mg/kg) was bolused intravenously to eight healthy horses and was immediately followed by infusion (1.5 mg/kg/h) for 3 h. Clinical parameters were recorded and blood samples were collected for 24 h. Plasma was separated and concentrations of pentoxifylline, its reduced metabolite I, and 6‐keto‐prostaglandin F1α were determined. Heparinized whole blood was also incubated ex vivo with 1 ng Escherichi coli endotoxin/mL blood for 6 h before determination of plasma tumour necrosis factor activity. The peak plasma concentrations of pentoxifylline and metabolite I occurred at 15 min after bolus injection and were 9.2± 1.4 and 7.8± 4.3 μg/mL, respectively. The half‐life of elimination (t½β) of pentoxifylline was 1.44 h and volume of distribution (Vdarea) was 0.94 L/kg. The mean plasma concentration of 6‐keto‐prostaglandin F1α increased over time, with a significant increase occurring 30 min after the bolus administration. Ex vivo plasma endotoxin‐induced tumour necrosis factor activity was significantly decreased at 1.5 and 3 h of infusion. These results indicate that infusion of pentoxifylline will increase 6‐keto‐prostaglandin F1α and significantly suppress endotoxin‐induced tumour necrosis factor activity in horses during the period of infusion.
Drug binding sites on chicken albumin: a comparison to human albumin
Authors: RAJAIAN H. , SYMONDS H. W. , BOWMER C. J.
Published: November 2003

Mammalian albumins have two main structurally selective ligand binding sites. Site I binds drugs such as azapropazone, phenylbutazone and warfarin; whereas benzodiazepines, some dansyl amino acids, such as dansylsarcosine, and short chain fatty acids like octanoic acid interact with site II. However, it is not known if non‐mammalian albumins have similar binding loci. In this study, drug binding sites on chicken albumin were investigated using site selective fluorescent probes (warfarin and dansylsarcosine) and p‐nitrophenyl acetate (NPA); the hydrolysis of which is selectively inhibited by site II ligands. Azapropazone and phenylbutazone decreased the binding of warfarin and dansylsarcosine to a similar extent. Diazepam and octanoic acid also inhibited binding of the two fluorescent probes in a non‐selective manner. However, the fluorescence intensity of the warfarin‐chicken albumin complex decreased when the pH was increased from 6.0–9.0; but by contrast, the fluorescence of bound dansylsarcosine remained unchanged. Furthermore, the hydrolysis of NPA was selectively inhibited by dansylsarcosine, diazepam and octanoic acid (ligands selective for site II on mammalian albumins), but not by site I selective ligands such as azapropazone and warfarin. Overall, the results suggest that chicken albumin, like mammalian albumins, has discrete binding sites for warfarin and dansylsarcosine.
Disposition of ofloxacin in female New Zealand White rabbits
Authors: Marangos M.N. , Zhu Z. , Nicolau D.P. , Klepser M.E. , Nightingale C.H.
Published: November 2003

Limited information exists regarding the disposition of ofloxacin in rabbits. Pharmacokinetic information is necessary for the design of appropriate therapeutic regimens for the treatment of organisms (e.g. Pasteurella multocida) commonly infecting this species. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin following intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration. Two groups of three female New Zealand White rabbits received a single dose of 20 or 40 mg/kg by the i.v. and s.c. routes. Samples were collected prior to drug administration, then 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 h postdose. Ofloxacin concentrations in serum were determined using a validated HPLC assay. Mean maximum concentrations were 66.86 ± 10.83 mg/L and 14.1 ± 2.20 mg/L for the i.v. and s.c. administration of 20 mg/kg. The 40 mg/kg dose produced maximum concentrations of 154.96 ± 35.45 mg/L and 23.83 ± 4.01 mg/L for the i.v. and s.c. doses, respectively. The area under concentration–time curve increased proportionally with the dose, while the half‐life was unaltered and ranged from 1.5–1.9 h. From these data, it appears that a 20 mg/kg dose administered every 8 h by the s.c. route would optimize the pharmacodynamic profile of ofloxacin and provide an appropriate regimen for the treatment of many susceptible organisms which commonly infect this species.
Pharmacokinetics of allopurinol in Dalmatian dogs
Authors: Ling G. V. , Case L. C. , Nelson H. , Harrold D. R. , Johnson D. L. , Vulliet P. R.
Published: November 2003

The pharmacokinetics of allopurinol were studied in Dalmatian dogs. Eight dogs were given allopurinol orally at a dose of 10 mg/kg for seven doses prior to sample collection. After a period of at least two weeks, four of these dogs and four additional Dalmatians were later given a single intravenous (i.v.) dose of allopurinol (6 mg/kg) prior to sample collection.Allopurinol was found to follow first‐order absorption and elimination kinetics. In the i.v. kinetic study, the elimination constant (Kel) = 0.31±0.03 per h, the half‐life (t½) = 2.22±0.20 h, the initial concentration (C0) = 5.26±0.34 μg/mL and the specific volume (Vd) = 1.14±0.07 L/kg. Clearance of allopurinol was estimated to be 0.36±0.03 L/kg·h. In the oral kinetic study, the absorption rate constant (Kab) = 1.06±0.13 per h, the elimination rate constant (Kel) = 0.26±0.01 per h, the absorption half‐life (t½ab) = 0.66±0.06 h, and the elimination half‐life (t½el) = 2.69±0.14 h. Peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) = 6.43±0.18 μg/mL were obtained within 1 to 3 h (mean time of maximum concentration (Tmax) = 1.9±0.1 h). The volume of distribution corrected by the fraction of dose absorbed (Vd/F) was estimated to be 1.17±0.07 L/kg.Good agreement was obtained between mean kinetic parameters in the oral and i.v. studies. There was little variation between individual dogs in the i.v. study, whereas the rate of absorption and elimination of orally administered allopurinol was more varied among individual dogs. Because of this, and the fact that the magnitude of hyperuricosuria varies among Dalmatians, it is not possible to specify an exact dose of allopurinol that will effectively lower the urinary uric acid concentration to acceptable values in all Dalmatians with hyperuricosuria; rather, the dose must be titrated to the needs of each dog.
Multiprofessional education in the medical curriculum
Authors: Wahlström Ola , Sandén Inger , Hammar Mats
Published: November 2003

The aim of this project was to design a programme for the students at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) which has long fostered multiprofessional education, and encourages development of positive attitudes and skills related to collaboration with other health professionals. This should be characterized by mutual respect and understanding and should also provide students with insight into the various professional roles and competencies involved in collaboration within the health care system. A multi‐professional training ward, and since January 1996 a student‐manned training ward, has been in operation at the Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital, Linköping. The care, treatment and rehabilitation of patients is performed by students from all the education programmes at the FHS. While the supervisers are medically responsible, they generally only observe and provide guidance without taking too much active part in the practical work. The students are recruited during one of their last two semesters when they have attained fairly good insight into their future professional roles. Experience thus far has shown that a training ward seems to be a very efficient way of improving the ability to work as a team with real patients, and is an inspiring and efficient means for obtaining these skills which, in turn, are essential in future professional work. This paper reports the implementation and first experiences of the training ward. A detailed evaluation of the effects of an educational ward, taking into account the opinions and attitudes of students, teachers and patients, is in progress.
Student and patient perspectives on bedside teaching
Authors: Nair B R , Coughlan J L , Hensley M J
Published: November 2003

A cross‐sectional study was undertaken to elicit patient and learner opinions about bedside teaching (BST). Only 48% of learners reported that they had been given enough BST during their undergraduate training, while 100% thought BST to be the most effective way of learning clinical skills. Seventy seven per cent of patients enjoyed BST and 83% said that it did not make them anxious. The preferred site for case presentations was the conference room. Further quantitative studies are needed to investigate perceived impediments to BST from the teachers' point of view.
What is core? Guidelines for the core curriculum in paediatrics
Authors: Haddad D , Robertson K J , Cockburn F , Helms P , McIntosh N , Olver R E
Published: November 2003

A key point that the UK General Medical Council addressed in its recommendations on the undergraduate medical education was the concept of `core curriculum' (General Medical Council 1993). Although enthusiastic for the idea of reducing factual overload, many medical teachers found themselves facing the task of how to define what a core curriculum is, what should be included and why. Predictably, our initial response is to include common and important topics, but how common is common, and how does one determine the relative importance of topics? We do not claim to have unravelled all the ambiguities surrounding the subject nor to have resolved all the controversies that are inevitably encountered. We hope, however, to describe some of the principles that governed our approach and put forward some guidelines, that may contribute to the debate.
Ecological interaction between sympatric Mytilus species on the west coast of Canada investigated using PCR markers
Authors: HEATH D. D. , HATCHER D. R. , HILBISH T. J.
Published: November 2003

M. californianus is the dominant marine mussel species on exposed rocky shores, while M. trossulus is usually the dominant mussel species in more sheltered waters on the west coast of North America. Since these species are physically indistinguishable when small (< 10.0 mm), we developed two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ‐based markers to discriminate between them. Using these markers, we identified mussels taken from an exposed coast (n= 114), a sheltered harbour (n= 80), and an upper‐intertidal pool (n= 42) on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. M. californianus were found only on the open coast. Small M. trossulus (< 20.0 mm) were common to all three sample sites, but were extremely rare at larger sizes (> 20.0 mm) on the open coast. Our results indicate that M. californianus are excluded from sheltered waters via early life factors, while M. trossulus are excluded from the open coast due to mortality later in life.
Genetic exchange and recombination in populations of the root‐infecting fungus Armillaria gallica
Authors: Saville B. J. , Yoell H. , Anderson J. B.
Published: November 2003

Genetic individuals, or genets, of Armillaria and other root‐infecting basidiomycetes are usually found in discrete patches that often include the root systems of several adjacent trees. Each diploid individual is thought to arise in an unique mating event and then grow vegetatively in an expanding territory over a long period of time. Our objective in this study was to describe the population from which such genetic individuals are drawn. In a sample including 274 collections representing 121 genetic individuals of A. gallica (synonym A. bulbosa) from two sites in each of four regions of eastern North America, genotype frequencies at seven nuclear loci were not significantly different from Hardy‐Weinberg expectations. Furthermore, allele frequencies at the seven loci were not significantly different between regions. Additional allelic data from four non‐contiguous regions of mitochondrial DNA showed little or no population subdivision over the four regions. Analysis of the distribution of multilocus mtDNA haplotypes revealed some clonal transmission of mtDNAs between genets and nonrandom mating within sites. Despite the sharing of mtDNA types by some individuals, the overall sample contained a high level of genotypic diversity. The apparent linkage equilibrium between some pairs of loci and the high level of phylogenetic inconsistency among all four loci suggest the occurrence heteroplasmy and recombination among mtDNAs of A. gallica in nature. In laboratory matings of two haploid strains with different mtDNA types, a low frequency of recombination in mtDNA was detected.