In this study, we utilized a catch-vaccinate-release approach for dogs in a canine rabies vaccination program in Kotagiri municipality, India. Following vaccination, surveys on dog population and their vaccination status was undertaken. A bespoke smartphone ‘Mission Rabies’ application was developed to facilitate data entry and team management. This global positioning system (GPS) enabled application captured the location of all vaccinated dogs and dogs sighted on post-vaccination surveys. In areas where coverage was below 70%, catching teams were re-deployed to vaccinate additional dogs followed by repeat survey. Out of 248 dogs captured, only 210 dogs were vaccinated because of the previous vaccination history within a year, and refusal of owner due to their misconceptions. In survey, 147 dogs were sighted of which 77 were seen marked with paints indicating a vaccination coverage of 52.4%. The total estimated dog population was found to be 475. Our study demonstrated that mobile technology enabled efficient team management and real-time data entry and analysis. The vaccination approach outlined in this study can serve as a guideline for rapid vaccination of large numbers of dogs with a high coverage rate in free roaming dog populations in India in the future.
Asthma is a polygenic chronic inflammatory respiratory disease devastating the quality of life and state economies. Therefore, utilization of natural products as a therapeutic approach has attained wider consideration for development of novel drugs for asthma management. Bromelain, a mixture of natural bioactive cysteine proteases abundantly found in pineapple stem, has allured attention for its pharmacological activities. However, poor stability in gastric milieu, high dose and immunogenicity associated with prolonged use hinders its oral use. Therefore, need exists to explore alternative route of bromelain administration to achieve its plausible benefits. The present study investigated the preclinical prospects of nasal administration of bromelain on systemic bioavailability, tissue distribution and it’s in vivo anti-histaminic, bronchodilator and anti-asthmatic activity in animal models. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed 1.43-fold higher relative bioavailability with faster absorption of bromelain on nasal administration at one-fourth oral dose. The enhanced cellular uptake and localization of bromelain in tissues of lung was observed significantly. Furthermore, faster onset and enhanced antihistaminic, bronchodilator and anti-asthmatic activity on bromelain’s nasal administration signified faster absorption and higher in vivo stability of bromelain. Nasal administration significantly achieved decrease in level of oxidative and immunological markers along with restoration of antioxidant enzymes at considerably one-fourth dose administered orally. These findings distinctly manifested that nasal administration could be a substantial and effective route for bromelain delivery with enduring competency in asthma management.
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