Face-to-face and online teaching experience on experimental animals and alternative methods with nursing students: a research study.

BACKGROUND: Animal models are increasingly used in Nursing science to study care approaches. Despite the scientific relevance and the ethical debate surrounding the use of experimental animals, there is a scarcity of scholarly literature exploring this topic in Nursing Schools. AIM: To evaluate perceptions and attitudes of nursing students enrolled in a Pharmacology course on the use of experimental animals and implementation of alternative methods, by comparing the experience for two academic years. An interdisciplinary collaboration has also been developed. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional, quantitative study was developed. Undergraduate nursing students were enrolled in the Pharmacology subject at the University of Leon (Spain). The study was carried out in the Pharmacology facilities. Students followed a two-session practical class regarding experimental animals and alternative methods in the Pharmacology course (Degree in Nursing) in two different academic years (2019-20/2020-21). At the end of the activity, they answered a questionnaire to assess their opinions on the use of experimental animals and alternative methods in Pharmacology and the 3Rs principle. RESULTS: A comparison of the students' perception with and without direct participation in the evaluation of promazine effects in mice was made. A total of 190 students participated in the teaching experience, providing high scores in all items (4-5 out of 5 points) regarding the teaching experience. Students became also aware of the advantages and disadvantages on the use of experimental animals, as well as the ethical considerations to bear in mind for their use and the need for alternative methods. CONCLUSIONS: In the students' opinion, the total replacement of animals by alternative techniques was very difficult, and they preferred to do the practice face-to-face. The alternative method designed was useful for the students to accept the employment of experimental animals in biomedical research and education, and know the legislation applied in the protection of animals.

Medicamentos genéricos, ¿equivalentes a los de referencia? ¿qué está sucediendo? / Generic drugs, equivalent to reference drugs? What is happening?

La Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS) ha emitido en los últimos meses una serie de alertas sanitarias retirando del mercado diversos lotes de medicamentos genéricos que contenían el principio activo valsartán, y más recientemente al irbesartán, debido a la presencia de una impureza, la N-nitrosodimetila-mina (NDMA), una sustancia tóxica para el hígado y probablemente carcinogénica. Como consecuencia de esta situación, se ha avivado la polémica que las diferencias entre medicamentos genéricos e innovadores despierta en la opinión pública y en algunos ámbitos profesionales. Los medicamentos genéricos con-tienen los mismos principios activos y se presentan en la misma forma farmacéutica, comparten calidad, seguridad y eficacia, y están sometidos a los mismos controles que los de referencia. Sin embargo, mientras que para acreditar la eficacia y la seguridad de un medicamento de referencia es necesario realizar ensayos clínicos, los genéricos pueden hacerlo demostrando su bioequivalencia con un medicamento ya autorizado. Las alertas emitidas demuestran que el sistema de control rutinario de fármacos funciona bien, pero también ha servido para dar un aviso a las administraciones públicas, quienes deben comprender que no se puede centrar la política de medicamentos únicamente en el ahorro y en precios bajos, ya que esto muchas veces conlleva riesgos para los con-sumidores. Sin duda, deben intensificarse tan-to las regulaciones sanitarias como la farmacovigilancia, para poder identificar a tiempo este tipo de riesgos sanitarios y prevenirlos o, al menos, reducirlos

The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) has issued a series of health alerts in the last few months removing from the market several batches of generic medicines containing the active ingredient valsartan, and more recently irbesartan, due to the presence of an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), toxic to the liver and probably carcinogenic. As a result of this situation, the controversy that the differences between generic and innovative medicines arouse in public opinion and in some professional fields has been stoked. Generic medicines contain the same active ingredients and are presented in the same pharmaceutical form, share quality, safety and efficacy, and are subject to the same controls as the reference ones. However, while accrediting the efficacy and safety of a reference medicine requires clinical trials, generics can do so by demonstrating their bioequivalence with an already authorized medicine. The warnings issued show that the routine drug control system works well, but it has also served to give notice to public administrations, who must understand that the drug policy can not be focused solely on savings and low prices, since that this often entails risks for consumers. Undoubtedly, both sanitary regulations and pharmacovigilance must be intensified in order to identify these types of health risks in time and prevent them or, at least, reduce them

Correction to: Mixed-method tutoring support improves learning outcomes of veterinary students in basic subjects.

The original article [1] contains an error whereby Fig. 2a and b are mistakenly swapped with each other, and thus do not correspond to their correct respective sub-headings in the caption.

Mixed-method tutoring support improves learning outcomes of veterinary students in basic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Tutoring is a useful tool in the university teaching-learning binomial, although its development is impaired in large classes. Recent improvements in information and communication technologies have made tutoring possible via the Internet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mixed-method academic tutoring in two basic subjects in Veterinary Science studies at the University of León (Spain) to optimize the usefulness of tutoring support in the college environment. This quasi-experimental study was firstly carried out as a pilot study in a small group of tutored students of "Cytology and Histology" (CH) (47/186; 25.3%) and "Veterinary Pharmacology" (VP) (33/141; 23.4%) subjects, and was implemented in a large class of CH the next academic year (150 students) while comparing the results with those obtained in a previous tutorless course (162 students). Tutored students were given access to online questionnaires with electronic feedback on each subject. In addition to traditional tutoring carried out in both tutored and tutorless students, the pilot study included three sessions of face-to-face tutoring in order to monitor the progress of students. Its efficacy was assessed by monitoring students' examination scores and attendance as well as a satisfaction survey. RESULTS: Although the examination attendance rate in the pilot study was not significantly different between tutored and tutorless groups in both subjects, an increase for numerical scores in tutored groups was observed, with a significant higher final score in VP (p = 0.001) and in the CH practice exams (first term, p = 0.009; final, p = 0.023). Good and merit scores were also better in tutored students with significant differences in VP (p = 0.005). Students felt comfortable with the tutoring service (100% in CH; 91.7% in VP). Implementation of this additional support in CH also resulted in a significant increase of attendance at the final exam in tutored courses (87.3% versus 77.2%; p = 0.026), scaled (p = 0.001) and numerical scores (final score, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Online tutoring support, together with conventional teaching methods, may be a useful method to incorporate student-centered learning in basic subjects in Veterinary Science.

Evaluation of the Association Metformin: Plantago ovata Husk in Diabetic Rabbits.

In this experimental study we have investigated whether the inclusion of the dietary fiber Plantago ovata husk could be recommended as coadjuvant in treatments with oral hypoglycemic drugs. We evaluated the use of Plantago ovata husk-metformin association in diabetic rabbits by determining its effects on glucose and insulin concentrations. Six groups of 6 rabbits were used. Groups 1 to 3 were fed with standard chow and groups 4 to 6 with chow supplemented with Plantago ovata husk (3.5 mg/kg/day). Two groups (numbers 1 and 4) were used as controls (receiving standard or supplemented chow), two groups (numbers 2 and 5) received metformin orally, and the other two (numbers 3 and 6) were treated orally with metformin and psyllium. Plasma glucose concentrations were lower in groups fed with fiber-supplemented chow whereas insulin levels showed important interindividual variations. Glucose pharmacokinetics parameters showed significant differences in Cmax and t(max) in relation to fiber intake. Insulin pharmacokinetics parameters after treatment with oral metformin showed an important increase in Cmax, AUC, and t(max) in animals fed with fiber. We conclude that Plantago ovata husk intake can contribute to the oral antihyperglycemic treatment of type 2 diabetes.

A randomised clinical trial to evaluate the effects of Plantago ovata husk in Parkinson patients: changes in levodopa pharmacokinetics and biochemical parameters.

BACKGROUND: Plantago ovata husk therapy could be used in patients with Parkinson disease to reduce the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, but it is important to know whether this compound modifies levodopa pharmacokinetics. The maintenance of constant plasma concentrations of levodopa abolishes the clinical fluctuations in parkinsonian patients. The aim of this randomised clinical trial was to establish the influence of the fiber Plantago ovata husk in the pharmacokinetics of levodopa when administered to Parkinson patients well controlled by their oral medication. METHODS: To evaluate the effects of this fiber on several biochemical parameters. 18 volunteers participated in the study and received alternatively two treatments (Plantago ovata husk or placebo) with their usual levodopa/carbidopa oral dose. On days 0 (initial situation), 14 and 35 of the study, blood samples were taken to assess levodopa pharmacokinetics and to determine biochemical parameters. RESULTS: Levodopa Cmax was very similar in the initial situation (603.2 ng/ml) and after placebo administration (612.0 ng/ml), being slightly lower (547.8 ng/ml) when Plantago ovata husk was given. AUC was very similar in the three groups: initial situation.- 62.87 µg.min/ml, fiber treatment.- 64.47 µg.min/ml and placebo treatment.- 65.10 µg.min/ml. Fiber reduced significantly the number of peaks observed in the levodopa concentrations, maintaining concentrations more stable. No significant differences were found in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides with the administration of Plantago ovata husk. CONCLUSIONS: Plantago ovata husk administration caused a smoothing and homogenization of levodopa absorption, providing more stable concentrations and final higher levels, resulting in a great benefit for patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT2006-000491-33.

Tissue distribution of enrofloxacin after intramammary or simulated systemic administration in isolated perfused sheep udders.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the tissue distribution of enrofloxacin after intramammary or simulated systemic administration in isolated perfused sheep udders by measuring its concentration at various sample collection sites. SAMPLE: 26 udders (obtained following euthanasia) from 26 healthy lactating sheep. PROCEDURES: For each isolated udder, 1 mammary gland was perfused with warmed, gassed Tyrode solution. Enrofloxacin (1 g of enrofloxacin/5 g of ointment) was administered into the perfused gland via the intramammary route or systemically via the perfusion fluid (equivalent to a dose of 5 mg/kg). Samples of the perfusate were obtained every 30 minutes for 180 minutes; glandular tissue samples were obtained at 2, 4, 6, and 8 cm from the teat base after 180 minutes. The enrofloxacin content of the perfusate and tissue samples was analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. RESULTS: After intramammary administration, maximun perfusate enrofloxacin concentration was detected at 180 minutes and, at this time, mean tissue enrofloxacin concentration was detected and mean tissue enrofloxacin concentration was 123.80, 54.48, 36.72, and 26.42 µg/g of tissue at 2, 4, 6, and 8 cm from the teat base, respectively. Following systemic administration, perfusate enrofloxacin concentration decreased with time and, at 180 minutes, tissue enrofloxacin concentrations ranged from 40.38 to 35.58 µg/g of tissue. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: By 180 minutes after administration via the intramammary or systemic route in isolated perfused sheep mammary glands, mean tissue concentration of enrofloxacin was greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration required to inhibit growth of 90% of many common mastitis pathogens in sheep. Use of either route of administration (or in combination) appears suitable for the treatment of acute mastitis in sheep.

Pharmacokinetic behavior of doxycycline after intramuscular injection in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pharmacokinetics of a commercial formulation of doxycycline hyclate after IM administration of a single dose to sheep. ANIMALS: 11 healthy domestic sheep. PROCEDURES: For each sheep, doxycycline was administered as a single dose of 20 mg/kg, IM. Blood samples were obtained prior to and for 84 hours after doxycycline administration. Plasma concentrations of doxycycline were determined via high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Pharmacokinetic data were analyzed with noncompartmental methods. RESULTS: Mean ± SD values for pharmacokinetic parameters included maximum plasma concentration (2.792 ± 0.791 µg/mL), time to reach maximum plasma concentration (0.856 ± 0.472 hours), mean residence time (91.1 ± 40.78 hours), elimination half-life (77.88 ± 28.45 hours), and area under the curve (65.67 ± 9.877 µg•h/mL). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that doxycycline had prolonged absorption and elimination in sheep after IM administration. A daily dose of 20 mg/kg would be sufficient to reach effective plasma concentrations against Chlamydia spp (minimum inhibitory concentration, 0.008 to 0.031 µg/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus (minimum inhibitory concentration, 0.12 µg/mL). Doxycycline administered IM could be an option for therapeutic use in sheep, although further studies are needed.

The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of ivermectin in domestic animal species.

The pharmacokinetic properties of drugs are closely related to their pharmacological efficacy. The kinetics of ivermectin are characterised, in general terms, by a slow absorption process, a broad distribution in the organism, low metabolism, and slow excretion. The kinetics vary according to the route of administration, formulation, animal species, body condition, age, and physiological status, all of which contribute to differences in drug efficacy. Characterisation of ivermectin kinetics can be used to predict and optimise the value of the parasiticide effects and to design programmes for parasite control. This article reviews the pharmacokinetics of ivermectin in several domestic animal species.

The pharmacokinetics and interactions of ivermectin in humans--a mini-review.

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug with a broad spectrum of activity, high efficacy as well as a wide margin of safety. Since 1987, this compound has a widespread use in veterinary medicine and it use has been extended in humans. Here we present a brief review of the information available regarding the pharmacokinetics and interactions of ivermectin in humans. Awareness of these characteristics could improve the clinical efficacy of Ivermectin. All Authors declare that they do not have any Conflict of interest and that the work is original. All Authors agree that the contents of the manuscript are confidential and will not be copyrighted, submitted, or published elsewhere (including the Internet), in any language, while acceptance by the Journal is under consideration.