1. Screening of Anaesthetics in Adult Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) for the Induction of Euthanasia by Overdose
Kristine von Krogh, Joseph Higgins, Yolanda Saavedra Torres, Jean-Philippe Mocho Biology (Basel). 2021 Nov 4;10(11):1133. doi: 10.3390/biology10111133.
Zebrafish are often euthanized by overdose of anaesthesia. However, fish may have aversion towards some anaesthetics, and protocol efficacy varies between species. Using wild type adult Danio rerio, we assessed time to loss of opercular beat, righting, and startle reflexes during induction of anaesthetic overdose by either tricaine (0.5 g/L or 1 g/L), benzocaine (1 g/L), 2-phenoxyethanol (3 mL/L), clove oil (0.1%), isoeugenol (540 mg/L), lidocaine hydrochloride (1 g/L), or etomidate (50 mg/L). Initial screening demonstrated that benzocaine and buffered lidocaine hydrochloride achieved the fastest loss of reflexes. The rapid induction times were confirmed when retesting using larger batches of fish. The fastest induction was obtained with 1 g/L lidocaine hydrochloride buffered with 2 g/L NaHCO3, in which all adult zebrafish lost reflexes in less than 2 min. Next, we monitored signs of distress during benzocaine or buffered lidocaine hydrochloride overdose induction. The results indicated that buffered lidocaine hydrochloride caused significantly less aversive behaviors than benzocaine. Finally, we tested several buffers to refine the lidocaine hydrochloride immersion. The most efficient buffer for euthanasia induction using 1g/L lidocaine hydrochloride was 2 g/L NaHCO3 with 50 mL/L 96% ethanol, inducing immobility in less than 10 s and with only 2% of adult zebrafish displaying aversive behaviors during treatment.
2. Duloxetine Induced Hyponatremia
Ebru Şahan, Fatma Büşra Parlakkaya Yıldız Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2019 Winter;30(4):287-289.
Hyponatremia can be asymptomatic or have a wide range of clinical presentations such as headaches, muscle cramps, nausea, seizures, coma, cerebral edema and may even result in death. Despite it has been suggested that duloxetine has a relatively less risk of hyponatraemia, the number of case reports are increasing. A 45- year old female patient with complaints of fear, anxiety, sleeplessness and headache was started on duloxetine (30 mg/day). In the first week of the treatment, she was admitted to the emergency service with dizziness, dry mouth, polyuria and polydipsia. She had to be transferred to the intensive care unit because of agitation, loss of consciousness and a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Blood levels of Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+) and Chlorine (Cl-) were, respectfully, 121 mmol/L, 2.7 mmol/L and 87 mmol/L. Brain imaging displayed cerebral edema. Electrolyte levels were regulated with saline infusions. Amitriptyline was initiated for the ongoing headache and anxiety. In outpatient visits, hyponatremia did not recur in the following 3 months. Low dose duloxetine was associated with severe hyponatremia signs and symptoms in an individual who was not previously considered as high risk for hyponatraemia. The patient's history did not reveal any complaints related to hyponatremia when she was treated with sertraline two years ago. Based on these, we discussed the risk factors for hyponatremia and risky antidepressant classes.
3. Pharmacological agents for adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Sharon R Lewis, Michael W Pritchard, Carmel M Thomas, Andrew F Smith Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Jul 23;7(7):CD004477. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004477.pub3.
Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition caused by direct or indirect injury to the lungs. Despite improvements in clinical management (for example, lung protection strategies), mortality in this patient group is at approximately 40%. This is an update of a previous version of this review, last published in 2004. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacological agents in adults with ARDS on mortality, mechanical ventilation, and fitness to return to work at 12 months.
