Pancuronium Bromide for Chemical Immobilization of Adult Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus): A Field Study.

(1) Background: Pancuronium bromide is a neuromuscular blocker used for immobilizing crocodiles that can be reversed with neostigmine. A recommended drug dose has only been established for saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), mostly based on trials in juveniles and subadults. After trialing a dose recommendation in a small cohort of nine Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), we developed and applied a new dose recommendation for large adult Nile crocodiles. (2) Methods: we trialed and adapted a pancuronium bromide (Pavulon 4 mg/2 mL) dose in Nile crocodiles originally established for saltwater crocodiles and applied the new dose for the immobilization of 32 Nile crocodiles destined for transport. Reversal was achieved with neostigmine (Stigmine 0.5 mg/mL). (3) Results: Nine crocodiles were included in the trial phase; the induction time was highly variable (average: 70 min; range: 20-143 min), and the recovery time was prolonged (average: 22 h; range: 50 min-5 days), especially in large animals after reversal with neostigmine. Based on these results, we established a dose-independent recommendation (3 mg pancuronium bromide and 2.5 mg neostigmine) for animals weighing ≥ 270 kg (TL ≥ ~3.8 m). When applied to 32 adult male crocodiles (BW range: 270-460 kg; TL range: 3.76-4.48 m), the shortest induction time was ~20 min and the longest ~45 min. (4) Conclusions: Pancuronium bromide and its antidote, neostigmine, are effective for the immobilization and reversal of adult male Nile crocodiles (TL ≥ 3.8 m or BW ≥ 270 kg) when given in a weight-independent fashion.

Lethal drugs in capital punishment in USA: History, present, and future perspectives.

Lethal injection is the preferred method for the execution of condemned prisoners in the United States. A recent decision of The European Union to prohibit the export of drugs used in capital punishment to the USA along with domestic firms ceasing to manufacture these drugs has resulted in a drug shortage and a search for alternative drugs and new drug combinations that have not been previously validated for inducing death. As a consequence, some of the executions did not proceed as expected and sparked public debate regarding whether recent executions by lethal injection serve the purpose of avoiding "cruel and unusual punishment" in executions. Moreover, a cottage industry comprised of compounding pharmacies as emerged as a source of drug combinations used in capital punishment. Although there is a growing trend toward the abolishment of capital punishment in United States, the controversy concerning the efficacy of drug and involvement of health care professionals in the execution procedure is far from over.

Downregulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptor function in rats after subchronic exposure to diazinon.

Diazinon (DZN) is an organophosphate insecticide which exerts its effect through the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE). In this work, we studied the development of tolerance to subchronic p.o. administration of DZN in rats, under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. A group of 20 rats (2 groups, n = 10) was administered p.o. the 1/10 of established LD50 DZN (namely 55.87 mg/kg bw) for 28 days. On the 14th and 28th day of study with isolated diaphragm and ileum, we examined the downregulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptor function through Electrical Field Stimulation (EFS). Maximum contractility of the diaphragm was recorded on the 14th day of the study (25% higher compared to the non-treated rats), while on the 28th day the contractions almost did not differ from the values found in non-treated rats. EFS of isolated ileum on the 14th day of study caused significantly higher contractions compared to the non-treated rats, but after 28 days, ileum contractions decreased approximately to the level of contractions in non-treated rats. On the 14th study day, we also recorded increased amplitude of spontaneous ileum contractions, compared to non-treated rats. The application of increasing ACh concentrations caused dose-dependent ileum contractions, without statistically significant differences of median effective concentration (EC50) values in non-treated and treated rats. Tolerance to subchronic DZN administration develops due to various adaptation mechanisms, including the most important one-downregulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptor function.

Anestesia peribulbar com ropivacaína como alternativa ao bloqueio neuromuscular para facectomia em cães / Peribulbar anesthesia with ropivacaine as an alternative to neuromuscular blocking agents for cataract surgery in dogs

Desenvolveu-se uma técnica de bloqueio peribulbar comparando-a à técnica de anestesia oftálmica com bloqueio neuromuscular parcial em cães submetidos à facectomia extracapsular. Doze cães, de diferentes raças, foram alocados em dois grupos (G1 e G2) e anestesiados com acepromazina (0,05mg/kg, IV) e propofol (5mg/kg, IV) e mantidos com isofluorano sob ventilação espontânea. Os cães do G1 receberam o bloqueio peribulbar com ropivacaína 0,75 por cento, e os do G2 o bloqueio neuromuscular parcial com brometo de pancurônio (0,01mg/kg, IV). Utilizaram-se, como parâmetros comparativos, escores de posicionamento do globo ocular, controle do reflexo oculocardíaco e pressão intraocular (mmHg). Foi possível propor uma técnica eficaz para cães baseando-se na técnica de bloqueio peribulbar posterior realizada no homem. Em ambos os grupos, o globo ocular permaneceu centralizado. Não ocorreram alterações eletrocardiográficas atribuídas ao reflexo oculocardíaco. Houve redução significativa da pressão intraocular em G1 após o bloqueio (10,7±0,6 e 14,7±0,6). Conclui-se que o bloqueio peribulbar proporcionou condições cirúrgicas apropriadas para a realização da facectomia, com a vantagem de promover bloqueio sensitivo do olho.

A peribulbar block technique was developed and its clinical efficacy was compared with neuromuscular blockade in dogs undergoing cataract surgery. Twelve dogs of different breeds were randomly and equally allocated in two groups. After given acepromazine (0.05mg/kg, IV), anesthesia was induced with propofol (5mg/kg, IV) and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen during spontaneous breathing. A peribulbar block with 0.75 percent ropivacaine was performed in G1 dogs while partial neuromuscular blockade with pancuronium (0.01mg/kg IV) was provided in G2 dogs. Globe position scores, oculocardiac reflex, and intra-ocular pressure (mmHg) were evaluated at pre-defined intervals during surgery. Peribulbar blocks were successful performed according to posterior peribulbar block described in humans. In both groups, the globe was centralized and globe position scores did not differ between groups. The intra-ocular pressure was significantly lower in G1 after the block (10.7±0.6 vs 14.7±0.6). There were no electrocardiographycal changes attributed to the oculocardiac reflex. In conclusion, satisfactory surgical conditions were provided by the peribulbar block. This technique can be used as an alternative to the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in dogs undergoing cataract surgery, with the advantage of providing analgesia of the eye.