Comparing the effects of acupressure at LI4 and BL32 points on intramuscular injection pain

Introduction The effectiveness of some acupressure techniques in relieving the acute pain of intramuscular injection pain has been assessed in previous studies. However, the effects of acupressure at LI4 point have still remained unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of acupressure at LI4 and BL32 points on intramuscular injection pain. Methods This after-only interventional study was made on 90 women were who referred to the injection unit of the Central Emergency Department, Kashan, Iran, in 2015 for receiving an intramuscular injection of penicillin. The women were randomly allocated to three 30-person groups, namely control, LI4 acupressure, and BL32 acupressure groups. After intramuscular injection of penicillin, the level of intramuscular injection pain of all women was assessed by using a 0–10 visual analog scale. Data were analyzed through doing the Kruskal–Wallis, the Chi-square, and the Fisher's exact tests, and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results The means of pain intensity in the control, LI4 acupressure, and BL32 acupressure groups were 2.76 ± 1.75, 2.33 ± 1.80, and 1.76 ± 2.45, respectively. In other words, the mean pain intensity in the control group was significantly higher than the LI4 and BL32 acupressure groups by 0.43 and 1.0 points, respectively (p = 0.011). Except for educational status, intramuscular injection pain was not significantly correlated with the participants’ other demographic characteristics as well as injection time. Conclusion Acupressure can significantly relieve intramuscular injection pain. This simple, cost-effective, and easily applicable therapy can be used in all healthcare settings for relieving intramuscular injection pain

Per os infectivity of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in white-legged shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and role of peritrophic membrane

As earlier observations on peroral infectivity of WSSV in white-legged shrimp are conflicting, here, a standardized peroral intubation technique was used to examine (i) the role of the physical composition of the viral inoculum and (ii) the barrier function of the PM. In a first experiment, the infectivity of a WSSV stock was compared by determining the SID50 by intramuscular injection, peroral inoculation or via feeding. The following titers were obtained: 108.77 SID50/g by intramuscular injection, 10(1.23) SID50/g by peroral inoculation and 100.73 SID50/g by feeding. These results demonstrated that 10(7.54)-10(8.03) infectious virus is needed to infect shrimp by peroral inoculation and via feeding. Next, it was examined if damage of the PM may increase the susceptibility for WSSV by peroral route. The infectivity of a virus stock was tested upon peroral inoculation of shrimp with and without removal of the PM and compared with the infectivity upon intramuscular inoculation. The virus titers obtained upon intramuscular injection and peroral inoculation of shrimp with and without PM were 10(8.63), 10(1.13) and 10(1.53) SID50/mL, respectively. This experiment confirmed the need of 10(7.1)-10(7.5) infectious virus to infect shrimp via peroral route and showed that the removal of the PM slightly but not significantly (p > 0.05) facilitated the infection of shrimp. This study indicated that WSSV contaminated feed is poorly infectious via peroral route, whereas it is highly infectious when injected into shrimp. The PM plays a minor role as internal barrier of shrimp against WSSV infection

Passive immunization against Histomonas meleagridis does not protect turkeys from an experimental infection

Histomonosis or blackhead is a disease of gallinaceous birds, caused by the protozoan Histomonas meleagridis. As recent regulatory action has removed almost all drugs against this disease from the European market, the development of new prophylactics has become crucial. Identification of the protective immune mechanism would facilitate the choice and development of a vaccination strategy to prevent histomonosis. In this study, turkeys were either actively or passively immunized and were then challenged to assess the role of antibody-mediated immunity in the protection form this disease. Active immunization was performed either by experimental infection and treatment or by intramuscular injection with lysed H. meleagridis. Passive immunization was attempted by intraperitoneal administration of pooled, concentrated, neutralizing antisera from immunized donor animals to naive turkeys. A significantly higher IgG response was observed after infection and treatment than after intramuscular injection, which in turn was higher than the responses of placebo and control birds. While active immunization of turkeys by intramuscular injection of dead H. meleagridis antigens appeared not to be protective against histomonosis, immunization by infection and treatment did induce protection. However, no significant level of protection could be observed in the passively immunized birds. These results suggest that serum antibodies to H. meleagridis may not be a key component in the protection against this parasite. It is, however, possible that the concentration of antibodies at the mucosal site is insufficient. Therefore, further investigation on mucosal immune responses is necessary

Factors influencing in vivo transduction by recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors expressing the human factor IX cDNA.

Long-term expression of coagulation factor IX (FIX) has been observed in murine and canine models following administration of recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors into either the portal vein or muscle. These studies were designed to evaluate factors that influence rAAV-mediated FIX expression. Stable and persistent human FIX (hFIX) expression (> 22 weeks) was observed from 4 vectors after injection into the portal circulation of immunodeficient mice. The level of expression was dependent on promoter with the highest expression, 10% of physiologic levels, observed with a vector containing the cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer/beta-actin promoter complex (CAGG). The kinetics of expression after injection of vector particles into muscle, tail vein, or portal vein were similar with hFIX detectable at 2 weeks and reaching a plateau by 8 weeks. For a given dose, intraportal administration of rAAV CAGG-FIX resulted in a 1.5-fold or 4-fold higher level of hFIX compared to tail vein or intramuscular injections, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated predominant localization of the rAAV FIX genome in liver and spleen after tail vein injection with a higher proportion in liver after portal vein injection. Therapeutic levels of hFIX were detected in the majority of immunocompetent mice (21 of 22) following intravenous administration of rAAV vector without the development of anti-hFIX antibodies, but hFIX was not detected in 14 immunocompetent mice following intramuscular administration, irrespective of strain. Instead, neutralizing anti-hFIX antibodies were detected in all the mice. These observations may have important implications for hemophilia B gene therapy with rAAV vectors

Aspirating during the intramuscular injection procedure: a systematic literature review

© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Aims and objectives: To review the available evidence on aspirating when administering intramuscular injections and suggest recommendations for practice. Background: The process of aspiration has been ingrained in the intramuscular injection procedure, and whilst many policies no longer recommend this practice, it often continues to be taught and practiced. The result is a variation in this procedure not always consistent with an evidence-based approach. Design: A systematic literature review. Methods: A systematic approach to searching the literature was undertaken using identified academic databases from inception to May 2014. Citation searching identified additional data sources. Six studies met the search criteria. Results: The majority of health professionals do not aspirate for the recommended 5-10 seconds. Administering an injection faster without aspiration is less painful than injecting slowly and aspirating. The main influences on the decision of whether or not to aspirate are based on what health professionals are taught and fear of injecting into a blood vessel. Conclusions: In the paediatric vaccination setting, the practice of aspirating during the administration of an intramuscular injection is unnecessary and there is no clinical reason to suggest that these principles may not be applied when using the deltoid, ventrogluteal and vastus lateralis sites in other settings. Owing to its proximity to the gluteal artery, aspiration when using the dorsogluteal site is recommended. Nurses must be supported in all settings, by clear guidance which rejects traditional practice and facilitates evidence-based practice. Relevance to clinical practice: Educators need to ensure that their knowledge is up to date so that what they teach is based on evidence. This may be facilitated via regular educational updates. Further research and subsequent guidance are needed to support evidence-based practice in intramuscular injection techniques in all nursing settings

Inhalation anesthesia with isoflurane in a black jaguar (Panthera onca) for surgical repair of a fractured mandible

A black jaguar (Panthera onca) was anesthetized with a combination of medetomidine, ketamine and isoflurane in oxygen for radiological examination and surgical repair of a fractured mandible. Since a non-domesticated cat is potentially dangerous, induction of anesthesia was performed by intramuscular injection using a mechanical squeeze cage. The cardiopulmonary parameters during anesthesia remained within normal ranges; only a small increase in the respiration rate was recorded 75 minutes after intubation. This hyperventilation was treated with buprenorphine (for additional analgesia) and an increased inspiratory fraction of isoflurane. Recovery was rather slow after 165 minutes of general anesthesia, so atipamezole was administered. Ten minutes after the intramuscular injection of atipamezole, the animal started to recover. Meloxicam and buprenorphine were used for post-operative analgesia

The action of obestatin in skeletal muscle repair: stem cell expansion, muscle growth, and microenvironment remodeling

The development of therapeutic strategies for skeletal muscle diseases, such as physical injuries and myopathies, depends on the knowledge of regulatory signals that control the myogenic process. The obestatin/GPR39 system operates as an autocrine signal in the regulation of skeletal myogenesis. Using a mouse model of skeletal muscle regeneration after injury and several cellular strategies, we explored the potential use of obestatin as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of trauma-induced muscle injuries. Our results evidenced that the overexpression of the preproghrelin, and thus obestatin, and GPR39 in skeletal muscle increased regeneration after muscle injury. More importantly, the intramuscular injection of obestatin significantly enhanced muscle regeneration by simulating satellite stem cell expansion as well as myofiber hypertrophy through a kinase hierarchy. Added to the myogenic action, the obestatin administration resulted in an increased expression of VEGF/VEGFR2 and the consequent microvascularization, with no effect on collagen deposition in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, the potential inhibition of myostatin during obestatin treatment might contribute to its myogenic action improving muscle growth and regeneration. Taken together, our data demonstrate successful improvement of muscle regeneration, indicating obestatin is a potential therapeutic agent for skeletal muscle injury and would benefit other myopathies related to muscle regeneration

Innovative Drug Delivery and Formulation Designs To Deter Drug Abuse/Misuse Related To Suicide

Patients with a history of abuse/misuse of pain and psychotic medications are at high risk for suicide. Novel drug delivery and formulation approaches have been explored to reduce the potential of drug abuse/misuse and to improve patient compliance. This chapter reviews the design and mechanism of five successful products in the opioid and anti-psychotic categories. Embeda™ is an extended release capsule containing morphine pellets with a sequestered core of naltrexone; naltrexone acts as an aversive agent and is released only when the product is crushed. Remoxy® is an extended release oxycodone capsule with a highly viscous liquid fill content which is resistant to most common methods of tampering. Suboxone® is a sublingual tablet or film strip of buprenorphine with naloxone as an aversive agent; naloxone has poor sublingual/oral bioavailability and does not exert its activity unless the product is abused by the injectable route. Risperidal® Consta®, is a biweekly intramuscular injection of risperidone based on a biodegradable polymer microsphere technology. Invega® Sustenna® is a once-monthly intramuscular injection of paliperidone based on the water insoluble prodrug approach. The review of these five new drug products showcases the novel formulation tools and technologies available to deter drug abuse/misuse in patients who are at high risk of suicide

Study of Acute Toxicity of a New Veterinary Drug for Inttrammary Introduction

Preclinical studies of veterinary medicinal products are important and compulsory studies in the development of new dosage forms. The aim of preclinical research is to determine the toxic effect and therapeutic efficacy of the test substance-the future dosage form, its effect on the body\u27s basic systems, as well as the identification of possible side effects.This work is part of the research on the development of the composition and technology of the veterinary drug - a solution for intramammary application, conventionally called "Argocide", intended for the treatment of mastitis in cattle.A study of the acute toxicity of the intramammary veterinary drug was carried out in experiments on white rats of both sexes, according to the requirements for potential medicines. The establishment of the value of the average lethal dose (LD50) of the veterinary drug "Argocide" with intramuscular single administration to white mature rats is impossible due to the absence of animal death even when the drug is administered at doses exceeding 5.0 ml/kg. This experiment allows the veterinary preparation "Argocide" to be classified as practically non-toxic compounds (V class).The analysis of the results of the conducted studies indicates the relative harmlessness of the potential drug for veterinary medicine and allows us to foresee that the "Argocide" preparation can be classified as low-risk substances, which justifies the expediency of its further study and introduction into practice