[Vigilance for veterinary medicinal products: Reports of adverse reactions in the year 2017]. / Vigilance der Tierarzneimittel: Gemeldete unerwünschte Wirkungen im Jahr 2017.

INTRODUCTION: A total of 306 reports of adverse reactions to veterinary medicinal products were received during the year 2017 representing an increase of 21% compared to the previous year. The majority of these reports described reactions concerning companion animals (180 dogs and 59 cats) as well as cattle (38 reports) and horses (14 reports). Most of the reported reactions were linked to the use of antiparasitics (158 reports), hormone products (30 reports) and anti-inflammatory products (25 reports). 40 reports were generated from consultations with Tox Info Suisse in Zürich and mainly involved the excessive intake of flavoured tablets and, in some cases, the use of products under the cascade regulation (applied to another species than that authorized). Nine signals were identified from the reports, resulting in revisions of the product information in the sections addressing contra-indications or adverse reactions.

INTRODUCTION: En 2017, 306 annonces d'effets indésirables de médicaments vétérinaires ont été enregistrées, ce qui constitue une augmentation de 21% par rapport à l'année précédente. Des réactions ont principalement été rapportées chez les petits animaux (180 chiens et 59 chats), ainsi que chez les bovins (38 annonces) et les chevaux (14 annonces). Les groupes de médicaments les plus souvent concernés étaient, comme les années précédentes, les antiparasitaires (158 annonces), les préparations hormonales (30 annonces) et les anti-inflammatoires (25 annonces). Quarante cas ont été transmis par Tox Info Suisse, Zürich, qui concernaient principalement l'absorption en surdose de médicaments vétérinaires aromatisés ainsi que quelques cas de reconversions. Sur la base de l'ensemble des annonces, neuf signaux ont été identifiés qui ont conduit à l'adaptation des informations sur les produits dans les rubriques «effets secondaires indésirables¼ ou «contre-indications¼.

[Online information system for -phytotherapy in animals]. / Online-Informationssystem für die Phytotherapie bei Tieren.

INTRODUCTION: Phytotherapy becomes increasingly popular in veterinary medicine. To fully exploit the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants and ensure their safe use, knowledge about the effective plant parts and preparations is required. Improper use and overdosage of medicinal plants can be toxic. With www.phytoarznei.ch, we provide an online decision support aid that allows for the retrieval of currently available information on medicinal plants and their use in domestic animals. This decision support system is based on the available literature in the field, which after critical evaluation has been incorporated into a structured database. For each medicinal plant or drug, we have listed therapeutic indications, different application types, organoleptic properties, plant ingredients, pharmacological effects, dosages, duration of treatment, toxicity, legal frame for use in livestock and relevance for doping. A user-friendly access to all data is achieved by means of two search programs, either by entering the plant name or name of the drug in a search field or by selecting the desired animal species and therapeutic application from respective drop-down lists. This database on medicinal plant applications in animals is linked to the poisonous plant database of the University of Zurich and, for marketed preparations, to the Swiss compendium of veterinary medicinal products as well as to an index of related veterinary products.

INTRODUCTION: En médecine vétérinaire aussi, la phytothérapie devient de plus en plus populaire. Exploiter le potentiel thérapeutique des plantes médicinales et assurer leur utilisation en toute sécurité nécessite toutefois une connaissance particulière des parties de plantes ou des préparations efficaces. Une utilisation inappropriée et un surdosage de plantes médicinales peuvent être toxiques. C'est pourquoi nous avons créé un outil de prise de décision en ligne, www.phytoarznei.ch, qui permet un accès rapide aux connaissances actuelles sur les plantes médicinales et leur utilisation sur les animaux. Ce système d'information est basé sur la littérature spécialisée disponible qui a été incorporée, après une évaluation critique, dans une base de données structurée. Les indications thérapeutiques, les modes d'applications, les propriétés organoleptiques, les composants, les effets pharmacologiques, doses, la durée du traitement, la toxicité, les réglementations juridiques chez les animaux de rente ainsi que la pertinence en matière de dopage sont répertoriés pour chaque plante médicinale ou médicament à base de plantes. Deux programmes de recherche fournissent un accès convivial, soit par la saisie du nom de la plante, du nom du médicament ou des ingrédients de la plante dans une zone de recherche, soit en sélectionnant les espèces d'animaux souhaitées ainsi que l'utilisation thérapeutique dans des menus déroulants correspondants. Cette base de données des plantes médicinales est liée avec base de plantes toxiques de l'Université de Zurich et, si des produits finis correspondants sont disponibles, au Compendium des médicaments vétérinaires suisse ainsi qu'à un répertoire de produits vétérinaires.

[Vigilance for veterinary medicinal products: Reports of adverse reactions in the year 2016]. / Vigilance der Tierarzneimittel: Gemeldete unerwünschte Wirkungen im Jahr 2016.

INTRODUCTION: A total of 253 reports of adverse reactions to veterinary medicinal products were received during the year 2016 representing a decrease of 13% compared to the previous year (292 reports). The majority of the reports described reactions affecting companion animals (178 dogs and 32 cats) as well as cattle (17 reports) and horses (10 reports). Most of the reactions reported were linked to the use of antiparasitics (145 reports), hormone products (26 reports) and antiinfectives (10 reports). 32 reports were generated from consultations with Tox Info Suisse in Zürich and involved mainly the excessive intake of flavoured tablets and, in some cases, the use of reconverted products (applied to another species than that authorized). Five signals were identified from the reports, which resulted in revisions of the product information in the sections addressing contraindications or adverse reactions.

INTRODUCTION: En 2016, 253 annonces d'effets indésirables de médicaments vétérinaires ont été enregistrées, ce qui représente une diminution de 13% par rapport à l'année précédente (292 annonces). Ce sont principalement des annonces concernant des réactions chez les petits animaux (178 chiens et 32 chats) ainsi que chez les bovins (17) et les chevaux(10) qui ont été faites. Les groupes de médicaments les plus souvent impliqués étaient les antiparasitaires (145 annonces), les préparations hormonales (26) et les anti-infectieux (10). 32 cas transmis par Tox Info Suisse, concernaient principalement la prise en surdose de médicaments aromatisés ainsi que quelques reconversions. Cinq signaux issus de l'ensemble de ces annonces ont été identifiés, qui ont conduit à une adaptation des informations des produits concernés dans les rubriques "effets indésirables" ou "contre-indications".

Application of a Novel Measure of In Vivo Knee Joint Laxity.

Current measures of knee joint laxity, such as those found clinically using the KT-2000 arthrometer, are not highly repeatable or reliable by Huber et al. (1997, "Intratester and Intertester Reliability of the KT-1000 Arthrometer in the Assessment of Posterior Laxity of the Knee," Am. J. Sports Med., 25(4), pp. 479-485). In this study, a noninvasive in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-based measure of laxity, the knee loading apparatus (KLA) with anterior positioning frame, was evaluated with five normal subjects (repeatability study, n = 3). Effects of hormones and muscle guarding were considered. When compared to the KT-2000, the KLA was found to be more precise (±0.33 mm versus ±1.17 mm) but less reliable (Cronbach's alpha > 0.70 in 0/8 versus 5/8 load levels). Improved control of the initial subject position is recommended for future design iterations. The KLA shows promise as an accurate and reliable tool for measuring in vivo joint and ligament laxity.

[Vigilance for veterinary medicinal products: Reports of adverse reactions in the year 2015]. / Vigilance der Tierarzneimittel: Gemeldete unerwünschte Wirkungen im Jahr 2015.

INTRODUCTION: A total of 292 adverse reactions to veterinary medicinal products were reported during the year 2015. This represents an increase of 9% compared to the previous year (268 reports). Similar to previous years, most of the reactions reported were linked to the use of antiparasitics (55.1%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products (8.9%) or antiinfectives (9.3%). The affected animal species were primarily dogs (198 reports) and cats (42 reports), followed by cattle (31 reports) and horses (8 reports). Additional 42 reports were provided within the frame of consultations with Tox Info Suisse in Zürich and involved mainly the excessive intake of flavored tablets. Eight signals were identified from the reports received or the periodic safety update reports. They resulted in revisions of the product information in sections addressing contraindications, adverse reactions or withdrawal times.

INTRODUCTION: En 2015, 292 annonces d'effets indésirables ont été enregistrées, ce qui correspond à une augmentation de 9% par rapport à l'année précédente (268 annonces). Comme les années passées, la majorité de ces annonces concernait des antiparasitaires (55.1%), suivis par des anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens (8.9%) et des antiinfectieux (8.2%). C'est chez les chiens (198) et les chats (42) que les annonces ont été les plus fréquentes, suivis par les bovins et les veaux (31) puis les chevaux (8). Quarante-deux cas supplémentaires, transmis par Tox Info Suisse à Zürich, concernaient principalement la prise en quantités exagérées de tablettes aromatisées. On a identifié, sur la base des 292 annonces et des rapports périodiques sur la sécurité reçus, 8 signaux qui ont amené à une adaptation des informations sur les médicaments dans les rubriques effets indésirables, contreindications ou délais d'attente.

Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 2 (WNT2) gene is associated with resistance to MAP in faecal culture and antibody response in Holstein cattle.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a pathogenic bacterium responsible for the lethal Johne's disease in cattle. So far, several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been carried out to identify chromosomal regions highly associated with Johne's disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variability within a pool of seven genes (LAMB1, DLD, WNT2, PRDM1, SOCS5, PTGER4 and IL10) indicated by former GWAS/RNA-Seq studies as putatively associated with MAP infections and to achieve a confirmation study of association with paratuberculosis susceptibility in a population of 324 German Holstein cattle (162 cases MAP positive and 162 controls MAP negative) using ELISA and fecal cultural tests. SNP validation and genotyping information are provided, quick methods for allelic discrimination were set up and transcription factor binding analyses were performed. The rs43390642:G>TSNP in the WNT2 promoter region is associated with paratuberculosis susceptibility (P = 0.013), suggesting a protective role of the T allele (P = 0.043; odds ratio 0.50 [0.25-0.97]). The linkage disequilibrium with the DLD rs134692583:A>T might suggest a combined mechanism of action of these neighboring genes in resistance to MAP infection, which is also supported by a significant effect shown by the haplotype DLD(T) /WNT2(T) (P = 0.047). In silico analysis predicted rs43390642:G>T and rs134692583:A>T as essential parts of binding sites for the transcription factors GR, C/EBPß and GATA-1, hence suggesting a potential influence on WNT2 and DLD gene expression. This study confirmed the region on BTA 4 (UMD 3.1: 50639460-51397892) as involved in tolerance/resistance to Johne's disease. In addition, this study clarifies the involvement of the investigated genes in MAP infection and contributes to the understanding of genetic variability involved in Johne's disease susceptibility.

[Vigilance of veterinary medicinal products: Reports of adverse reactions in the year 2014]. / Vigilance der Tierarzneimittel: Gemeldete unerwünschte Wirkungen im Jahr 2014.

During the year 2014, a total of 268 adverse reactions due to Swissmedic-authorized veterinary medicinal products were reported representing an increase of 7% compared to the previous year. Similar to previous years, most of the reactions reported were linked to the use of antiparasitic products (47.8%) or antiinfectives (9.3%). In 10.8% of the reports, reactions were described after the use of products acting on the hormonal system. The affected animal species were primarily dogs (182 reports), cats (58 reports), and cattle (16 reports). Additionally, 33 reports were provided within the frame of consultations with the toxicological information centre in Zurich (Tox Info Suisse). We present a short overview of the safety of COX-2 inhibitors and a series of reactions following the use of a parenteral buprenorphine solution. Finally, the vaccinovigilance program received 124 declarations following the application of various vaccines, but no detailed analysis of those reports is available.

[New causes of animal poisoning in Switzerland]. / Neue Ursachen von Tiervergiftungen in der Schweiz.

This retrospective study evaluated the frequency, etiology, therapy and prognosis of animal poisoning registered from 2003 to 2012. The relevant cases reported to the Swiss Toxicological Information Center (STIC) were compared with those from previously examined periods. Human medicines not approved for animals and pesticides represented the most common causes of poisoning in dogs. Novel cases occurred as a consequence of the exposure of dogs to ricinus fertilizers, grape residues from wineries, pepper lachrymatory spray and dry bouillon. Cats are still freequently poisoned by pyrethroid drugs that should be administered only to dogs. Agrochmical products are the main source of toxicities in farm animals. Most poisonings in horses and exotic animals took place due to toxic plants. In addition, two tigers died of a secondary poisoning after ingestion of meat from euthanized calves.

Genetic association between NOD2 polymorphism and infection status by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in German Holstein cattle.

The aim of the study was the analysis of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2 (NOD2, formerly CARD15) as a candidate gene for Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection in cattle. Eleven SNPs in the NOD2 gene were identified, and finally, four SNPs were included in a case-control study using 324 German Holstein cows tested for paratuberculosis using fecal culture and ELISA. The SNP (GenBank) AY518738S04:g.521G>A in exon 4 showed a significant association between the fecal culture status of the animals and NOD2 allele variants. The other three SNPs showed no associations in German Holstein cows.

Response of Arthrospira platensis to different temperatures regarding growth and biochemical composition.

The growth of cyanobacteria can vary considerably depending on the ambient temperature. Since the optimal growth temperature for Arthrospira platensis (strain SAG21.99) is not yet known, this was investigated in the present study. The study revealed that a process temperature of 30 °C seems to be optimal for the Arthrospira strain SAG21.99 cultivation in terms of a maximum biomass productivity. This was also true for the phycocyanin content which was at 30 °C significantly higher than at 20 or 40 °C.

Ultrafast charge rearrangement and nuclear dynamics upon inner-shell multiple ionization of small polyatomic molecules.

Ionization and fragmentation of methylselenol (CH(3)SeH) molecules by intense (>10(17) W/cm(2)) 5 fs x-ray pulses (hω=2 keV) are studied by coincident ion momentum spectroscopy. We contrast the measured charge state distribution with data on atomic Kr, determine kinetic energies of resulting ionic fragments, and compare them to the outcome of a Coulomb explosion model. We find signatures of ultrafast charge redistribution from the inner-shell ionized Se atom to its molecular partners, and observe significant displacement of the atomic constituents in the course of multiple ionization.

[Vigilance for veterinary medicinal products: reports of adverse reactions in the year 2012]. / Vigilance der Tierarzneimittel: Gemeldete unerwünschte Wirkungen im Jahr 2012.

197 adverse reactions of Swissmedic-authorized veterinary medicinal products were reported during the year 2012 (2011: 167). Species and drug classes remain unchanged over the years: most of the reports related to reactions following the use of antiparasitic products (37.6 %), antiinfectives (15.7 %) or non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (11.7 %) in companion animals (94 dogs and 53 cats) followed by cattle/calves (29). Additionally, 45 cases transmitted by the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre in Zürich were processed. We discuss a paradoxical reaction under the potential influence of acepromazine as well as a modified protocol for treating permethrin intoxication in cats. Finally, the vaccinovigilance program received 95 declarations following the application of various vaccines, mainly to dogs or cats.

En 2012, on a enregistré 197 annonces de réactions après application de médicaments vétérinaires autorisés par Swissmedic (2011: 167). La répartition de ces annonces, tant en ce qui concerne les espèces que les classes de médicaments, est inchangée par rapport aux années précédentes: on a annoncé le plus souvent des réactions à des produits antiparasitaires (37.6 %), antiinfectieux (15.7 %) ou antiinflammatoires (11.7 %) chez les petits animaux (94 annonces concernaient des chiens, 53 des chats) suivis par les bovins (29 annonces). En outre 45 cas annoncés par le Centre suisse d'information toxicologique de Zürich dans le cadre de ses activités de conseil ont été étudiés. Une réaction paradoxale d'agressivité sous l'effet possible de l'acépromazine et un protocole modifié pour le traitement des intoxications à la perméthrine chez le chat sont présentés. Pour ce qui est de la vaccinovigilance effectuée par l'IVI, on a enregistré 95 annonces de réactions après l'application de divers vaccins, principalement chez des chiens et des chats.

Exploring 'quality' in science communication online: Expert thoughts on how to assess and promote science communication quality in digital media contexts.

In recent years, the public visibility of science has greatly increased. In the digital media landscape, a wide range of players is now engaged in science communication via various online channels. While these developments offer opportunities, they also entail risks for the quality of science communication. This study explores how the quality of science communication can be assessed and promoted in the increasingly complex digital ecosystem. A two-wave survey with international science communication experts served as a basis to develop a quality framework for digital science communication and to formulate strategies to promote the quality of science communication online. Besides these outcomes, results hint at blind spots in the discourse of science communication quality that demand further investigation and reflection.

Voices of society: the emergence of civil-society practices aiming to engage in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, public groups mobilised themselves in civil-society engagement practices (CSEPs) aiming to improve or suggest alternative epidemic management. This study explores the motivation to establish CSEPs and their perceived contributions to epidemic management, to gain insight whether integrating views of CSEPs could add value. A systematic online search was executed to identify CSEPs focused on COVID-19 management between January 2020 and January 2022 in the Netherlands. In order to create a comprehensible overview of the identified CSEPs, relevant characteristics were gathered and mapped, for example, local or national scope, subject of action and goals. A selection of CSEPs was interviewed between April and June 2022 to study their motivators to start the CSEPs and perceived contributions to management. The search resulted in the identification of 22 CSEPs, of which members of 14 CSEPs were interviewed. These members indicated several issues that motivated the start of their CSEP, namely; shortage of equipment, sense of solidarity, and a perceived lack of governmental action, lack of democratic values and lack in diversity of perspectives in epidemic management. All respondents believed to have contributed to policy or society, by influencing opinions, and occasionally by altering policy. However, respondents encountered obstacles in their attempts to contribute such as inability to establish contact with authorities, feeling unheard or undermined, and complications due to the interplay of political interests. In conclusion, CSEPs have fulfilled various roles such as providing alternative management policies, producing equipment, representing the needs of vulnerable populations, and supporting citizens and providing citizens with other viewpoints and information. The identified motivators to establish CSEPs in this study uncover room for improvements in policy. These insights, together with the identified perceived barriers of CSEPs, can be used to improve the connection between (future) epidemic management and public priorities and interests.

Heritability estimates for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis status of German Holstein cows tested by fecal culture.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic manifestation of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in German Holstein cows. Incorporated into this study were 11,285 German Holstein herd book cows classified as MAP-positive and MAP-negative animals using fecal culture results and originating from 15 farms in Thuringia, Germany involved in a paratuberculosis voluntary control program from 2008 to 2009. The frequency of MAP-positive animals per farm ranged from 2.7 to 67.6%. The fixed effects of farm and lactation number had a highly significant effect on MAP status. An increase in the frequency of positive animals from the first to the third lactation could be observed. Threshold animal and sire models with sire relationship were used as statistical models to estimate genetic parameters. Heritability estimates of fecal culture varied from 0.157 to 0.228. To analyze the effect of prevalence on genetic parameter estimates, the total data set was divided into 2 subsets of data into farms with prevalence rates below 10% and those above 10%. The data set with prevalence above 10% show higher heritability estimates in both models compared with the data set with prevalence below 10%. For all data sets, the sire model shows higher heritabilities than the equivalent animal model. This study demonstrates that genetic variation exists in dairy cattle for paratuberculosis infection susceptibility and furthermore, leads to the conclusion that MAP detection by fecal culture shows a higher genetic background than ELISA test results. In conclusion, fecal culture seems to be a better trait to control the disease, as well as an appropriate feature for further genomic analyses to detect MAP-associated chromosome regions.

[Vigilance for veterinary medicinal products: reports of adverse reactions in the year 2011]. / Vigilance der Tierarzneimittel: Gemeldete unerwünschte Wirkungen im Jahr 2011.

167 adverse reactions of Swissmedic-authorized veterinary medicinal products were reported during the year 2011 (2010: 160). Species and drug classes remain comparable with previous years: most of the reactions occurred following the use of antiparasitic products (39 %), antiinfectives (20 %) or non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (11 %) in companion animals (85 dogs and 27 cats) followed by cattle/calves (37). We received 15 cases of adverse reactions following reconverted use, 8 of them in treated cats. Additionally the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre in Zürich processed 84 enquiries and transmitted them to Swissmedic. One case of a successful new therapy to treat ivermectin poisoning in a pony is presented. Finally, the vaccinovigilance program received 60 declarations following the application of various vaccines, mainly to dogs or cats.

Theoretical description of adiabatic laser alignment and mixed-field orientation: the need for a non-adiabatic model.

We present a theoretical study of recent laser-alignment and mixed-field-orientation experiments of asymmetric top molecules. In these experiments, pendular states were created using linearly polarized strong ac electric fields from pulsed lasers in combination with weak electrostatic fields. We compare the outcome of our calculations with experimental results obtained for the prototypical large molecule benzonitrile (C(7)H(5)N) [J. L. Hansen et al., Phys. Rev. A, 2011, 83, 023406.] and explore the directional properties of the molecular ensemble for several field configurations, i.e., for various field strengths and angles between ac and dc fields. For perpendicular fields one obtains pure alignment, which is well reproduced by the simulations. For tilted fields, we show that a fully adiabatic description of the process does not reproduce the experimentally observed orientation, and it is mandatory to use a diabatic model for population transfer between rotational states. We develop such a model and compare its outcome to the experimental data confirming the importance of non-adiabatic processes in the field-dressed molecular dynamics.

Effect of Arthrospira powders from different producers on the formation of endothelial cell monolayers.

Arthrospira platensis (AP) and some of its derived products have well-established biological activities as antioxidants or as agents to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. Furthermore, AP products have gained increasing importance as potential anti-cancer agents. However, the ingredients of the available products vary greatly with the origin, the type of production and processing, which could have significant consequences for their biological effects. Therefore, the composition and biological influence of five distinct AP powders, which were acquired commercially or produced at a public biotechnology institute, were investigated in regard to their endothelialization capacity using a cell impedance- (CI) based measurement method. The study revealed that the AP composition and especially the influence on HUVEC proliferation differed significantly between the five AP powders up to 109%.Thus, it could be shown that the method used allows the reliable detection of quantitative differences in biological effects of different AP preparations.

Arthrospira platensis accelerates the formation of an endothelial cell monolayer and protects against endothelial cell detachment after bacterial contamination.

Within the last years a comprehensive number of scientific studies demonstrated beneficial effect of Arthropira platensis (AP) as dietary supplement due to a high content of proteins, minerals and vitamins. Positive effects like promoting the immune system, reducing inflammation and an anti-oxidant capacity are reported. In this study, the effect of an aqueous AP extract on primary human venous endothelial cells (HUVEC) was investigated. In addition, the effect of AP on HUVEC treated with a bacterial toxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPA), inducing an activation of HUVEC and cellular detachment, was analyzed. Depending on the concentration of AP extract a significantly accelerated formation of an endothelial cell monolayer was observed. Furthermore, the detachment of HUVEC after LPA addition was dramatically reduced by AP. In conclusion, the data are promising and indicatory for an application of Arthrospira platensis in the clinical field.

Time-resolved relaxation and fragmentation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons investigated in the ultrafast XUV-IR regime.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) play an important role in interstellar chemistry and are subject to high energy photons that can induce excitation, ionization, and fragmentation. Previous studies have demonstrated electronic relaxation of parent PAH monocations over 10-100 femtoseconds as a result of beyond-Born-Oppenheimer coupling between the electronic and nuclear dynamics. Here, we investigate three PAH molecules: fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, using ultrafast XUV and IR laser pulses. Simultaneous measurements of the ion yields, ion momenta, and electron momenta as a function of laser pulse delay allow a detailed insight into the various molecular processes. We report relaxation times for the electronically excited PAH*, PAH+* and PAH2+* states, and show the time-dependent conversion between fragmentation pathways. Additionally, using recoil-frame covariance analysis between ion images, we demonstrate that the dissociation of the PAH2+ ions favors reaction pathways involving two-body breakup and/or loss of neutral fragments totaling an even number of carbon atoms.