Developing a model on the factors affecting family resilience in the COVID-19 pandemic: Risk and protective factors

During the COVID-19, the relationships among family members and the stress that accompanied have increasingly affected families. The first aim of this study is to test the effects of marital adjustment, perceived stress and parental self-efficacy of married couples on family resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second aim of this study is to investigate whether or not family resilience, perceived stress, parental self-efficacy and marital adjustment differentiate depending on demographic and other variables in the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants consisted of 241 married individuals with at least one child between 4 and 18 years old, and data were collected online. It was found that when perceived stress increased, parental self-efficacy and marital adjustment decreased; besides, this perceived stress indirectly influenced family resilience through parental self-efficacy and marital adjustment. Similarly, it was found that pregnant participants experienced higher level of perception of stress during the COVID-19 period. It was found that the family resilience of participants who got support within the family was higher than participants who got support from outside the family. However, no differences were found between males and females. In stressful processes like the COVID-19 pandemic, each sub-system of the family (individual, couple and parent) has a significant role in the resilience level of the family as a whole. Future studies focus on experimental and can focus on programs prepared for family resilience. Intervention programs can be prepared related to stress perception, parental skills and marital adjustment of married couples and their influence on family resilience can be searched.

Plasma dispositions and concentrations of ivermectin in eggs following treatment of laying hens

AIMS

To determine the plasma disposition and concentrations of ivermectin (IVM) in eggs produced by laying hens following S/C, oral and I/V administration.

METHODS

Twenty-four laying hens, aged 37 weeks and weighing 1.73 (SD 0.12) kg were allocated to three groups of eight birds. The injectable formulation of IVM was administered either orally, S/C, or I/V, at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg liveweight, following dilution (1:5, v/v) with propylene glycol. Heparinised blood samples were collected at various times between 0.25 hours and 20 days after drug administration. Eggs produced by hens were also collected daily throughout the study period. Samples of plasma and homogenised egg were analysed using HPLC.

RESULTS

Maximum concentrations of IVM in plasma and mean residence time of IVM were lower after oral (10.2 (SD 7.2) ng/mL and 0.38 (SD 0.14) days, respectively) than after S/C (82.9 (SD 12.4) ng/mL and 1.05 (SD 0.24) days, respectively) administration (p<0.01). The time to maximum concentration and elimination half-life were shorter following oral (0.14 (SD 0.04) and 0.23 (SD 0.11) days, respectively) than S/C (0.25 (SD 0.00) and 1.45 (SD 0.45) days, respectively) administration (p<0.01). IVM was first detected in eggs 2 days after treatment in all groups and was detected until 8 days after oral and I/V administration, and until 15 days after S/C administration. Peak concentrations of IVM were 15.7, 23.3 and 1.9 µg/kg, observed 2, 5 and 4 days after I/V, S/C and oral administration, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The low plasma bioavailability of IVM observed after oral administration in laying hens could result in lower efficacy or subtherapeutic plasma concentrations, which may promote the development of parasitic drug resistance. Due to high IVM residues in eggs compared to the maximum residue limits for other food-producing animal species, a withdrawal period should be necessary for eggs after IVM treatment in laying hens.

Effect of prednisolone and cetirizine on D. farinae and histamine-induced wheal and flare response in healthy dogs

Objective: Prednisolone and antihistamines are highly potent drugs in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and widely used in humans and dogs. In some atopic patients in which antihistamines, corticosteroids or other drugs have already been administered intradermal testing (IDT) may be necessary. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of cetirizine and prednisolone on IDT results. Material and methods: Thirty healthy dogs (average age 5.9 ± 0.6 years) were randomly assigned to three groups. Treatment groups were administered prednisolone (1 mg/kg BW daily, tapering dosage; group I), cetirizine (1 mg/kg BW daily; group II) and placebo (group III) respectively for one week. In the second week, none of the dogs received any medications. IDT was performed prior to drug administration and results obtained were considered as the baseline response. Second and third IDTs were performed at the end of the first and second week, respectively. Results: In groups I and II IDT reactivity was reduced at the end of first week (p < 0.05). After drug discontinuation the reactivity almost returned to baseline at the end of the 2-week period, with the exception of the prednisolone group for D. farinae. Conclusion: Prednisolone and cetirizine have significant effects on IDT reactions and must be withdrawn by veterinary practitioners up to 2 weeks prior to IDT.

Effect of prednisolone and cetirizine on D. farinae and histamine-induced wheal and flare response in healthy dogs

OBJECTIVE

Prednisolone and antihistamines are highly potent drugs in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and widely used in humans and dogs. In some atopic patients in which antihistamines, corticosteroids or other drugs have already been administered intradermal testing (IDT) may be necessary. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of cetirizine and prednisolone on IDT results.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty healthy dogs (average age 5.9 ± 0.6 years) were randomly assigned to three groups. Treatment groups were administered prednisolone (1 mg/kg BW daily, tapering dosage; group I), cetirizine (1mg/kg BW daily; group II) and placebo (group III) respectively for one week. In the second week, none of the dogs received any medications. IDT was performed prior to drug administration and results obtained were considered as the baseline response. Second and third IDTs were performed at the end of the first and second week, respectively.

RESULTS

In groups I and II IDT reactivity was reduced at the end of first week (p<0.05). After drug discontinuation the reactivity almost returned to baseline at the end of the 2-week period, with the exception of the prednisolone group for D.farinae .

CONCLUSION

Prednisolone and cetirizine have significant effects on IDT reactions and must be withdrawn by veterinary practitioners up to 2 weeks prior to IDT.