TRANSFIXATION PIN SPLINTING AS AN ALTERNATIVE EXTERNAL COAPTATION METHOD IN DOMESTIC RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS) LONG BONE FRACTURES

Two male intact dwarf rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), 20 and 26 months old, were diagnosed with traumatic long bone fractures of the radius/ulna and tibia, respectively. Transfixation pin splinting, a technique adapted from large animal orthopedics, was used to stabilize the long bone fractures in both rabbits. Bony union with return to normal limb function was achieved in both cases within 6 weeks. The 2 cases were followed for up to 14 months after surgery, and each patient's affected leg returned to normal function. Transfixation pin splints can provide a safe and effective alternative to traditional small animal fracture repairs in domestic rabbits.     

Influence of supraphysiological cortisol manipulation on predator avoidance behaviors and physiological responses to a predation threat in a wild marine teleost fish

The stress axis in teleost fish attempts to maintain internal homeostasis in the face of allostatic loading. However, stress axis induction has been associated with a higher predation rate in fish. To date, the physiological and behavioral factors associated with this outcome are poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of experimental cortisol elevation on anti‐predator behavior and physiological responses to predator presence. We hypothesized that semi‐chronic cortisol elevation would increase susceptibility to predation by increasing stress‐induced risk‐taking behaviors. To test this hypothesis, schoolmaster snapper were given cocoa butter implants without cortisol (sham) or with cortisol (50 mg/kg body weight) and tethered to cover. Fish were exposed to either a lemon shark or control conditions for 15‐min. Space use and activity were recorded throughout and fish were terminally sampled for blood. Cortisol implantation, relative to shams, resulted in higher blood glucose and plasma cortisol concentrations with a lower plasma lactate concentration. Shark exposure, relative to controls, elicited higher blood glucose and lactate concentrations but had no effect on plasma cortisol concentration. No interactions were detected between shark exposure and cortisol treatment for any physiological trait. Behavioral metrics, including shelter use and activity, were unaffected by either cortisol implantation or shark exposure. Physiological responses to cortisol implantation likely resulted from enhanced gluconeogenic activity, whereas alterations under predator exposure may have been the product of catecholamine mobilization. Further work should address context‐specific influences of stress in mediating behavioral responses to predation.     

Toward estimating the value of stewardship volunteers: A cost-based valuation approach in King County,Washington, USA

Urban forestry professionals are increasingly challenged to find cost-effective strategies for resource conservation and management. Many organizations partner with citizen groups to host events that enlist volunteers to perform stewardship tasks like tree planting and trail maintenance. These volunteer programs incur costs to both the managing agency and partners, such as staffing, tools, and transportation. Volunteers contribute uncompensated time and expertise. Little is known about these contributions, yet citizen stewards and host groups represent an important human dimension of urban forest management. Using a survey administered to volunteers and host organizations at restoration events in King County Parks, WA, USA, we developed a cost-based approach to estimate the value of stewardship activities that occurred in the spring field season of 2011. Expenditures included volunteer and event host time and direct cost of traveling to and from events, on-site labor, equipment, and preparation costs. Results suggest that contributions made by volunteers and hosts are significant; the combined costs associated with the 17 sampled events was approximately $35,700. These efforts represent a small subset of the more than 1000 volunteer environmental stewardship activities that take place annually in King County.     

Urate nephrolithiasis in a northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) and a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus).

Nephrolithiasis has rarely been reported in marine mammals. During 2004 and 2005, two cases of nephrolithiasis were diagnosed during routine necropsy examination, one in a northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) and one in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). Nephroliths were found throughout both kidneys during necropsy examination, varying in size from 1-10 mm in diameter in the northern elephant seal and from 1-15 mm in diameter in the California sea lion. Necropsy and histopathology revealed nephroliths in association with renal pelvic dilation and pyelonephritis in both animals. In addition, hydronephrosis was noted in the sea lion. Nephroliths were composed of uric acid and ammonium urate in the northern elephant seal and of ammonium urate in the California sea lion. The underlying disease leading to nephrolith formation was not determined; however, it is hypothesized that unknown metabolic derangements due to morphologic or physiologic differences may have played a role. This is the first report of urate nephrolithiasis in the California sea lion and northern elephant seal.     

Incidental capture of leatherback sea turtles in fixed fishing gear off Atlantic Canada

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Warm water treatment in combination with modified atmosphere packaging reduces undesirable effects of irradiation on the quality of fresh-cut iceberg lettuce

Fresh-cut iceberg lettuce dipped in either 5 or 47 degrees C water for 2 min was packaged in modified atmosphere film bags and then exposed to 0, 0.5, 1, or 2 kGy gamma-radiation. Dipping cut lettuce in 47 degrees C water for 2 min prior to irradiation reduced antioxidant and phenolic accumulations induced by irradiation. Irradiation at 2 kGy increased cellular leakage and sogginess of cut lettuce dipped in both temperatures. Samples irradiated at 0.5 and 1 kGy had similar firmness and vitamin C and antioxidant contents as the controls after 14 and 21 days of storage except 1 kGy samples dipped at 47 degrees C had lower antioxidant contents than controls at 14 days of storage. Lettuce dipped at 47 degrees C and irradiated at 0.5 and 1 kGy had better overall visual quality and less tissue browning than corresponding irradiated samples dipped at 5 degrees C. These results suggest lettuce treated with warm water and irradiated at 0.5 or 1 kGy had the best sensory quality without significant loss in texture, vitamin C, or total antioxidants.     

Use of IMEX SK-circular external fixator hybrid constructs for fracture stabilization in dogs and cats

Complex long-bone fractures with short juxta-articular fracture segments can be difficult to manage. Recently, IMEX Veterinary, Inc., began producing titanium hybrid rods that can be secured to ring components of the IMEX circular external skeletal fixation system to create SK-circular hybrids. In this case series, SK-circular hybrids were used to stabilize long-bone fractures (two femoral, one humeral, and three tibial fractures) with short distal bone segments in three dogs and three cats with body weights ranging from 1.9 to 15 kg (mean, 6.7 kg; median, 5.4 kg). Although three cases required surgical revision, animals ambulated well and all fractures obtained union. Time to radiographic union ranged from 62 to 137 days (mean, 90 days; median, 84 days). The functional outcome was considered excellent in all six cases.