A randomized, placebo-controlled study of oxcarbazepine in painful diabetic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxcarbazepine (1200 mg/day) in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy in a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 16-week study. METHODS: A total of 141 patients were randomized to oxcarbazepine (1200 mg/day) (n = 71) or placebo (n = 70). The primary efficacy variable was the change in mean visual analogue scale (VAS) score from baseline to the last week the patient participated in the study. RESULTS: The reduction in mean VAS score from baseline to the last study week was similar between the oxcarbazepine and placebo groups. The majority of adverse events (most of which first occurred during titration) were mild to moderate in severity and resolved over the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no statistically significant difference in therapeutic effect was observed between oxcarbazepine (1200 mg/day) and placebo. However, further studies are necessary to assess the effective dose range of oxcarbazepine in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.

Use of the cardiopulmonary flow index to evaluate cardiac function in thoroughbred horses.

The ratio of the cardiopulmonary blood volume to stroke volume is called the cardiopulmonary flow index (CPFI). The CPFI can be determined indirectly from the simultaneous recording of a radiocardiogram and an electrocardiogram. The CPFI and cardiac output were measured simultaneously in horses (n = 10) that were diagnosed as having cardiac disease. The diseased subjects were probably all exposed to feed contaminated with the ionophore, salinomycin, and all showed clinical signs indicative of chronic toxic myocarditis. The results obtained from these subjects were compared with those from control animals and significant differences (P less than 0.05) were found between the mean CPFI of the control horses and those with macroscopically visible myocardial fibrosis on post mortem examination. No significant differences were found between the means of the cardiac output measured in either of the groups of horses. The effect of pharmacological acceleration of the heart rate on the CPFI was also studied. Significant differences (P less than 0.05) were found between the mean CPFI and the slopes of the regression lines of CPFI on heart rate of the control and principal groups of horses. These differences were greatest at heart rates near to the resting heart rates of the individuals. The CPFI was found to be a more sensitive measure of cardiac function than cardiac output, in the horses.

Physiological and blood biochemical responses to submaximal treadmill exercise in Canaan dogs before, during and after training.

Physiological haematological and blood biochemical parameters were studied in Canaan dogs (n = 8) as possible indices of fitness. These parameters were then used to distinguish between fit and unfit dogs and to monitor the changes in these parameters during training and detraining periods. Fitness was defined as the ability to run for one hour on a motorised treadmill (speed 8.65 km h-1, inclination 10 degrees) while maintaining rectal temperature and heart rate below 41 degrees C and 250 beats min-1 respectively. Fit dogs showed consistently lower values of heart rate and rectal temperature during exercise and recovery, and significantly lower increases for post exercise plasma creatine kinase activity and plasma lactate concentration. Significantly higher values for haemoglobin concentration were found immediately post exercise. There were no significant differences between fit and unfit dogs for post exercise plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, white blood cell count or total protein, although the unfit dogs showed a tendency towards higher values. Similarly, unfit dogs tended to have lower values for plasma glucose concentration, haematocrit and red cell count. Values for heart rate and rectal temperature during exercise differed significantly between various dogs until numbers fell, due to the inability of certain dogs to complete the exercise test. Dogs were consistent according to whether their values lay above or below the mean value for all dogs. These differences disappeared after 8 weeks of training. Fitness deteriorated after 3 to 5 weeks of detraining. According to these results, heart rate and rectal temperature appear to be the most suitable and sensitive indicators of fitness in tracking dogs. The haematological and blood biochemical parameters tested were found to be of limited use. It is suggested that apparent inherent superiority of dogs should be accounted for in prospective breeding programmes.

Blood biochemical parameters and meat pH of feedlot cattle slaughtered on arrival or after overnight rest at an abattoir.

The effect of different pre-slaughter rest periods at the abattoir before slaughter on the blood biochemical parameters and meat pH of a number of cattle were studied on 2 occasions, once in summer and once in winter. In the first trial, 42 out of a consignment of 50 and in the second trial, 45 out of a consignment of 54 feedlot-finished oxen were randomly selected and divided into 3 groups each. One group was slaughtered on arrival at the abattoir, a second group 3 h after arrival and the third group was rested in the lairage prior to slaughter the following day. Carcasses were subjected to low voltage electrical stimulation at slaughter. Significant differences between the values obtained at the feedlot and those at the abattoir were found in respect of haematocrit, total plasma protein concentration, plasma glucose, plasma creatine kinase, plasma lipid and cortisol concentration in both the trials. In general, however, no great differences were found between the 3 groups in either of the trials. If any, results in respect of some of the blood parameters were in favour of the groups slaughtered as soon as possible after arrival at the abattoir. No significant differences were found in the initial (35-45 min) and ultimate (24 h) pH of the meat between the 6 groups of slaughtered animals in the 2 trials. Exsanguination appeared to be satisfactory in all groups and no differences between groups were found. It was concluded that feedlot cattle transported to an abattoir over a relatively short distance, need not necessarily be rested in the lairage overnight before slaughter.

Plasma progesterone levels in progesterone treated cows.

A technique for the radioimmunoassay of progesterone in plasma is described. In one trial the oestrous cycles of four cycling cows and in another trial of one non-cycling cow and two cycling heifers were synchronized by the administration of progesterone. Each female received either 50 mg or 0,1 mg/kg of progesterone intramuscularly on alternate days in two courses of four and six injections respectively. Blood samples of the animals were collected either daily or two-daily before, over the entire period of treatment and for eight days after the last progesterone injection. The results of the progesterone assays are represented graphically for each individual cow or heifer. The plasma progesterone levels during treatment were maintained reasonably well at levels corresponding to those normally encountered during the lluteal phase of the cycle. The progesterone levels, however, did not drop as rapidly as desired after the last injection but might have been influenced by a residual corpus luteum from a previous ovulation.

[Activity of serum gonadotropins in pregnant zebras and mares]. / Serum-gronadotrofienaktiwiteit van dragtige sebra- en perdemerries

Blood was collected from 28 zebra mare (Equus burchellia antiquorum) immediately after being shot in the Kruger National Park. The serum was separated within two hours after collection and then stored at -15 degrees C for later assay. Of these, thirteen selected samples were tested for gonadotrophic activity. The stage of pregnancy was determined from a foetal growth curve. Blood samples from pregnant horse mares were collected by venipuncture. Nine mares were sampled. Seven blood samples at different stages of pregnancy were collected from one mare, four from another and only one sample each from the other seven mares. The stage of pregnancy was calculated from the date of last service. The levels of gonadotrophic activity of the serum samples were estimated through its effect on the weight of mouse ovaries. Five groups of five virgin female white mice were injected subcutaneously with zero, 0,025 ml, 0,075 ml and 0,1 ml of serum per mouse on two successive days and killed by ether inhalation 48 hours after the last injection. The mean weight per overy was determined for each level of every sample injected and a dose: response curve drawn from which the percentage increase in ovarian weight caused by the 2 X 0,05 ml dosage level of each serum sample was estimated. The curves obtained by plotting gonadotrophic activity at various stages of pregnancy for horse and zebra mares are generally similar but differ in certain details. PMS obtained from horses has a greater activity and appears to be secreted over a shorter period of time i.e. it disappeared by the 160th to 180th day of pregnancy. In zebra mares, on the other hand, a relatively lower activity was found during the peak period (65th to 80th days) but it was maintained loger and was still detectable at 229 days but absent at 365 days after conception.

Synchronization of ovulation in beef herds: improved conception rate after and interrupted course of progesterone administration.

PIP: Administration of 50 mg progesterone in 6 im injections every 48 hours was used to synchronize the estrous cycles of 6 herds of cows and/or heifers. Because of a previous finding that cows in the last 3rd of their estrous cycles when progesterone treatment is begun exhibit lower fertility, such cows were excluded by presynchronization of the herd 8 days prior to the start of treatment by 4 48-hourly injections of 50 mg progesterone. 69%-86% of the animals became pregnant in 4 of the 6 herds during the synchronized estrus, which compares favorably with the average 1st insemination conception figure without synchronization (approximately 70%). Previous conception rates observed averaged approximately 47%.^ieng