Chronicle of the III Global Animal Law Conference : Hong Kong, May 2018

On May 4th and 5th, 2018 the III Global Animal Law Conference was held at the University of Hong Kong, Law school. Keynote speakers from different countries took part in the event.El 4 y 5 de mayo 2018 la III Conferencia Global de Derecho Animal tuvo lugar en la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Hong Kong. El evento contó con la participación de ponentes procedentes de países diferentes

Crónica de la III Conferencia Global de Derecho Animal – Hong Kong, Mayo 2018

On May 4th and 5th, 2018 the III Global Animal Law Conference was held at the University of Hong Kong, Law school. Keynote speakers from different countries took part in the event.  El 4 y 5 de mayo 2018 la III Conferencia Global de Derecho Animal tuvo lugar en la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Hong Kong. El evento contó con la participación de ponentes procedentes de países diferentes

Object recognition memory and anti-anxiety potentials of stem-bark extract of Nauclea latifolia (African peach), taurine and vitamin E on Albino rats exposed to water immobilisation stress

Memory loss is a typical symptom of generalized anxiety disorder, a condition that affects millions of individuals. Memory loss with anxiety can be quite distressing, but if you can find strategies to address the anxiety, your memory may improve as well. In this study, the effects of Nauclea latifolia extract, taurine and vitamin E supplementation on object identification and stress-induced anxiety in Albino rats exposed to water immobilisation stress were investigated. 24 rats weighing between 100 and 120 grams were employed. The control group (A), received 1ml/kg pure water. Vitamin E was given to Group B at a dosage of 0.2 ml/kg. Group C received 200mg/kg taurine, while Group D received 200mg/kg Nauclea latifolia extract. For three weeks, the administration was completed. The rats were famished for 24 hours before the stress process began. The rats were sedated with chloroform vapour, and then restrained using a hardwood board (25 by 18 cm) with the four limbs fixed sideways, then dipped for two hours in water up to the xiphoid level. During the training phase, the taurine group examined the novel object the most (64.9 percent), followed by the Vitamin E group (63.90 percent), when compared to the Nauclea latifolia (52.75 percent) and the control groups (54.76 percent). The consolidation phase similarly, revealed that, taurine and Vitamin E groups explored the novel object the most (71.52 percent) and (70.05 percent) accordingly. In the anxiety model, Nauclea latifolia, taurine and vitamin E groups showed significant increase in time spent on closed arms. This study has shown that, when rats are treated to water immersion restraint stress, administration of Nauclea latifolia extract, taurine, and vitamin E, may decrease stress-induced anxiety-like behaviours. The significance of this study is that, administration of taurine, vitamin E and Nauclea latifolia extract may prevent stress-induced memory impairment

Hepatic mRNA expression of SOD and CAT activities and antioxidant profile in blood of juvenile African catfish exposed to transport stress

This study was conducted to evaluate stress responses of juveniles African catfish exposed to transportation for 6hrs duration in plastic bags. The fish were separated into two groups; control and treatment. The fish in the treatment group were placed in nylon bags with 7.5 liters of oxygenated freshwater in each bag. The bags were labeled according to the duration of transport as T1, T3, and T6 and the transportation was carried out in triplicate while the control group was not transported. Blood and liver samples were collected as follows; immediately after transportation, three days after transportation and six days after transportation for biochemical and molecular assay. In African catfish juveniles, transportation showed a substantial (P <0.05) increase in SOD and CAT mRNA expression shortly after transportation and a considerable (P <0.05) decrease on the third and sixth days after transportation. The result of the antioxidant profile of SOD, CAT, and GSH indicated significant increase (P <0.05) immediately after transportation, third and sixth day after transportation. It is concluded that live transportation process is a significant stressor as it results in significant changes in biochemical parameters and liver of African catfish juveniles

Pathway to psychiatric care in Japan: A multicenter observational study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study examines pathways to psychiatric care in Japan using the same method as the collaborative study carried out in 1991 under the auspices of the World Health Organization.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirteen psychiatric facilities in Japan were involved. Of the 228 patients who contacted psychiatric facilities with any psychiatric illness, eighty four visiting psychiatric facilities for the first time were enrolled. Pathways to psychiatric care, delays from the onset of illness to treatment prior to reaching psychiatrists were surveyed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty three patients (39.4%) directly accessed mental health professionals, 32 patients (38.1%) reached them via general hospital, and 13 patients (15.5%) via private practitioners. The patients who consulted mental health professionals as their first carers took a longer time before consulting psychiatrists than the patients who consulted non-mental health professionals as their first carers. The patients who presented somatic symptoms as their main problem experienced longer delay from the onset of illness to psychiatric care than the patients who complained about depressive or anxiety symptoms. Prior to the visit to mental health professionals, patients were rarely informed about their diagnosis and did not receive appropriate treatments from their physicians. Private practitioners were more likely to prescribe psychotropics than physicians in general hospitals, but were less likely to inform their patients of their diagnosis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This first pathway to psychiatric care study in Japan demonstrated that referral pathway in Japan heavily relies on medical resources. The study indicates possible fields and gives indications, underlining the importance of improving skills and knowledge that will facilitate the recognition of psychiatric disorders presenting with somatic and depressive symptoms in the general health care system and by private practitioners.</p

Chronicle of the III Global Animal Law Conference : Hong Kong, May 2018

On May 4th and 5th, 2018 the III Global Animal Law Conference was held at the University of Hong Kong, Law school. Keynote speakers from different countries took part in the event.El 4 y 5 de mayo 2018 la III Conferencia Global de Derecho Animal tuvo lugar en la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Hong Kong. El evento contó con la participación de ponentes procedentes de países diferentes