A regulatory framework allowing legal access to medicinal cannabis (MC) products has operated in Australia since November 2016. MC prescribing by healthcare practitioners (HCPs) is primarily conducted through the Special Access Scheme - Category B (SAS-B) pathway, which prescribers apply Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA-the federal regulator) for approval prescribe a category of product an individual patient suffering from specific indication. The dataset collected TGA provides unique...

The strong innate fear response shown by laboratory rodents to predator cues could provide powerful and innovative tools for pest management. Predator are routinely used induce anxiety in pharmacological studies. However, research on the induced different species of wild has been inconclusive often contrary experiments. Potential explanations this inconsistency include prey's: (i) physiological state; (ii) parasite load; (iii) differential intensity perceived threats; (iv) learning...

Objective: Evidence is accumulating that components of the Cannabis sativa plant may have therapeutic potential in treating psychiatric disorders. Medicinal cannabis (MC) products are legally available for prescription Australia, primarily through Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Special Access Scheme B (SAS-B). Here we investigated recent prescribing practices indications under SAS-B by Australian doctors. Methods: The dataset, obtained from TGA, included information on MC...

Leptospirosis is an emerging disease among people and dogs in Sydney, Australia. However, the routes of Leptospira transmission these cases, particular possible role rats as reservoirs infection are unknown. Rats were collected within City Sydney Council area their kidneys tested for pathogenic DNA by real-time (q)PCR. A subset also had qPCR testing performed on whole blood urine, Microscopic Agglutination Testing (MAT) that included a panel 10 serovars from nine different serogroups was...

Abstract Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is an irreversible degenerative condition causing chronic pain and impaired functionality. Existing treatment options are often inadequate. Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated analgesic anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical models of arthritis. In this open-label feasibility trial, participants with symptomatically active hand OA applied a novel transdermal CBD gel (4% w/w) three times day for four weeks to their most painful hand. Changes daily...

Abstract Introduction In January 2020, the government of Australian Capital Territory (ACT) decriminalised possession and cultivation cannabis for personal use. This study explored driving‐related attitudes, beliefs behaviours ACT residents who are legally cultivating consuming cannabis. Methods A two‐part cross‐sectional was conducted. Part‐1: Cannabis users residing in were invited to complete an online survey. Part‐2: Survey respondents reported ‘currently growing’ submit a sample their...

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), a region that includes Australia's capital, Canberra, decriminalised small-scale cannabis cultivation and possession in January 2020. Here, we examined use behaviours, experiences attitudes of current past ACT cultivators. residents (n = 311) who currently cultivate or have previously cultivated completed cross-sectional online survey ('CAN-ACT') provided home-grown for phytocannabinoid analysis (optional). Reasons included preference to self-supply,...

Rats (Rattus norvegicus) exhibit defensive behaviors such as hiding, freezing, and fleeing when confronted with predators. They also may emit long-duration, flat frequency (~ 22-kHz), ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to predator detection. These are contrast the shorter, higher 50-kHz), modulated USVs often associated positive affective states. Long duration ~ 22-kHz can trigger other rats. Here, we studied impact of a predator-associated stimulus (cat fur) context which it was...

Medicinal cannabis is being used worldwide and there increasing use of novel products in the community. Cannabis contains major cannabinoids, Δ

Australian pharmacists currently dispense a wide range of prescription-only cannabis-based medicines. Recent regulatory changes will expand the role pharmacists, allowing certain low-dose cannabidiol products to be supplied without prescription in pharmacies. This harmonises Australia with many other countries where are readily available consumers.To examine pharmacists' experience, knowledge and attitudes towards medicinal cannabis their preparedness supply over-the-counter products.We...

Rats, being synanthropic, are hosts to agents of zoonotic diseases that pose a threat human and domestic animal health. The nematode parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis, commonly known as the rat lungworm, is no exception; it can cause potentially fatal neural disease in humans, dogs other species. distribution A. cantonensis (haplotypes SYD.1 Ac13) its close relative, mackerrasae not well understood Australia. We investigated prevalence rats Sydney, Australia, primarily via faecal qPCR,...

Abstract Sensitivity to predator-related cues and performance of antipredator behaviors are universal among prey species. Rodents exhibit a diverse suite that have been examined in both field laboratory studies. However, the results from not always translated field. While studies consistently indicate strong fear-inducing effects cat fur/skin odors, it is unclear whether this occurs with wild rats. To address issue, we tested responses brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) predatory (domestic fur)...

Abstract Shortly after the enactment of restrictions aimed at limiting spread COVID-19, various local government and public health authorities around world reported an increased sighting rats. Such reports have yet to be empirically validated. Here we combined data from multi-catch rodent stations (providing on captures), bait activity) residents’ complaints explore effects a six week lockdown period populations within City Sydney, Australia. The sampling interval encompassed October 2019...

A growing number of clinical trials (CTs) are investigating the therapeutic potential cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa. These CTs often use crossover experimental designs requiring 'washout' (clearance) periods. However, length time CBD persists plasma (its 'window detection') is unclear and could be significant. Indeed, structurally related phytocannabinoid, Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has long window detection plasma. We investigated...

Abstract Understanding wild animal responses to stressors underpins effective wildlife management. In order for be correctly interpreted, it is critical that measurements are taken on animals using minimally invasive techniques. Studies investigating often measure either a single physiological or behavioural variable, but whether such comparable and concordant remains uncertain. We investigated this question in pilot study measured of wild-caught urban brown black rats ( Rattus norvegicus ,...

Introduction The non-intoxicating plant-derived cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), has demonstrated therapeutic potential in a number of clinical conditions. Most successful trials have used relatively high (≥300 mg) oral doses CBD. Relatively few studies investigated the efficacy lower (<300 doses, typical those available over-the-counter CBD products. Methods We present protocol for randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial investigating effects low dose (150 on...

The cannabinoid cannabidiol has established antiseizure effects in drug-resistant epilepsies such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Amorfrutin 2, honokiol, magnolol are structurally similar to cannabinoids (cannabis-like drugs) but derive from non-cannabis plants. We aimed study the potential of these compounds various mouse seizure models. In addition, we characterize their molecular pharmacology at CB

Abstract Capybaras, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Rodentia: Caviidae: Hydrochoerinae), show a strict social hierarchy among males, wherein the top-ranking male gains preferential access to females. Despite minimal sexual size dimorphism, males have prominent scent gland on their snouts that is greatly reduced in Top-ranking larger and mark more frequently than subordinate males. This species also shows moderately complex courtship seems be modulated by female behavior. In this study, we...

Abstract Shortly after the enactment of restrictions aimed at limiting spread COVID-19, local governments and public health authorities around world reported an increased sighting rats. We combined multi-catch rodent station data, bait stations rodent-related residents’ complaints data to explore effects that social distancing lockdown measures might have had on population within City Sydney, Australia. found captures, activity, related during COVID-19 period, followed by a steep decline...

Summary Agile Wallaby (Notamacropus agilis) has been in the diet of Aboriginal inhabitants northern Australia for millennia. The species inhabits riparian zones and savannah woodlands, a high rate natural increase can become pests modified agricultural or plantation systems. Although profitability market‐based game harvesting appears marginal, local consumption could be incorporated into existing employment programmes on lands as social enterprise. legal environment is discussed, further...