Light Treatment for Healing Burns

This research aims to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the healing of the burn for the mouse. Four mouses are divided into 4 groups. Group 1, 2, 3 are irradiated by a wavelength of 532nm, 850nm, and 940nm. Group 4 is a control group that has a natural recovery. Low-level laser therapy makes the regenerative process, healing occurs faster, and rehabilitation of mouse activity during treatment.

Mortality mitigation of a translocated rare New Zealand frog Leiopelma pakeka

<p>A small population (n=58) of Maud Island frogs, Leiopelma pakeka, was translocated to the Zealandia wildlife sanctuary in Wellington, New Zealand in 2006/2007. The 29 frogs that were released into a predator-proof enclosure, along with some of their progeny, are currently spread over three separate predator-proof enclosures. However, their status has not been assessed since 2011. With the aim of establishing a viable, freeranging population, the remaining 29 frogs were released into forested habitat around the original enclosure. In 2010, the translocation of the free-ranging population was assessed as a failure, citing too few founding individuals, inadequate habitat, predation by little spotted kiwi (LSK), Apteryx owenii, and predation by house mice, Mus musculus, as potential factors. This thesis re-addresses the status of L. pakeka in the three enclosures, as well as the potential predation of these threatened endemic frogs by LSK and mice. Survival of L. pakeka in the three enclosures was estimated by nocturnal emergence over 11 ve-night capture periods from October 2012 - August 2013. Identi cation of individuals was via photography utilizing distinguishable skin patterns and iris vessel (eye venation) patterns. The relocation of six adults after a 2011 census, including one inadvertently missed frog found during this study, left 19 adult frogs in the original enclosure, which continued to survive well, with 18 adults recaptured. In addition, juveniles of varying ages were seen throughout this study. In total, 34 recently metamorphosed froglets were released into a second enclosure over the years of 2008, 2009 and 2011. Night monitoring indicated only 8 individuals had survived, but a full enclosure census on 8 May 2013 revealed 12 of the 34 individuals (35%) had survived. Three of these frogs were then relocated to the Te Mahanga, publicly viewed enclosure. Emergence during the 11-month period indicated that the six frogs relocated to this enclosure from the original enclosure in October 2011 had survived; however, only two out of the three frogs that were relocated there after the May census had emerged. Additionally, two juveniles of unknown age were also seen in this enclosure. Potential predation by LSK was assessed by a ve-night video analysis (23-28 June 2013) of foraging behavior in the presence of mesh-protected L. pakeka. Out of the 668 videos reviewed, only three videos provided foraging behavior that helped ascertain whether LSK exhibited a potential interest in L. pakeka as a prey item. These videos showed that LSK failed to indicate a strong response to the presence of the frog, suggesting that the LSK in Zealandia do not have a strong predatory interest in L. pakeka. To investigate the potential causes of the free-range translocation failure, the habitat was enhanced with more rocks, a kiwi-exclusion fence was erected, and a further 101 L. pakeka were translocated from Maud Island to Zealandia on 2 December 2012. The frogs' survival as well as mouse activity levels (indicated by the presence of mouse prints in tracking tunnels) were monitored over nine ve-night capture periods from 17 December 2012 - 2 August 2013. Eighty-six out of the 101 translocated frogs were recaptured. Identi cation of individuals was via photography utilizing distinguishable skin patterns and iris vessel (eye venation) patterns, or by unique toe-clip combinations. Despite previous assessments, four surviving adults from the 2006/2007 translocation were recaptured as well as 12 of their progeny, resulting in a total of 117 Maud Island frogs for this study. Jolly-Seber analysis indicated high overall survival (0.914, 0.87/0.94, 95%CI), but temporally the population estimates indicated a negative regression starting at the second capture period (slope= -4.69, -6.70/- 2.68, 95%CI). With overall frog emergence, a negative binomial generalized linear model did not show signi cance in mouse activity levels, precipitation during sampling nor precipitation in the previous 24 hours (p>0.05). However, temperature did show a positive correlation to overall frog emergence (p<0.001) while relative humidity approached signi cance (p=0.0517) and indicated a potential positive trend. This study could not conclusively indicate whether A. owenii or M. musculus prey upon L. pakeka. However, it does suggest that the protected predator-proof enclosures may provide appropriate conditions for the ongoing survival and successful breeding of the endemic anuran. The study also suggests that LSK do not have a strong predatory response to the presence of Maud Island frogs, nor did increased levels of mouse activity have a signi cant e ect on the emergence of the 117 Maud Island frogs. Additionally, the discovery of the four survivors and 12 of their o spring indicates that the original translocation did not entirely fail. This newly acquired knowledge suggests that with the current mammal eradication program, Zealandia may continue with the establishment of a viable, free-ranging population of L. pakeka. Continued monitoring of all Maud Island frogs in the Zealandia sanctuary is recommended as a conservation measure, especially as mice have now established on its original island habitat.</p>

Mortality mitigation of a translocated rare New Zealand frog Leiopelma pakeka

<p>A small population (n=58) of Maud Island frogs, Leiopelma pakeka, was translocated to the Zealandia wildlife sanctuary in Wellington, New Zealand in 2006/2007. The 29 frogs that were released into a predator-proof enclosure, along with some of their progeny, are currently spread over three separate predator-proof enclosures. However, their status has not been assessed since 2011. With the aim of establishing a viable, freeranging population, the remaining 29 frogs were released into forested habitat around the original enclosure. In 2010, the translocation of the free-ranging population was assessed as a failure, citing too few founding individuals, inadequate habitat, predation by little spotted kiwi (LSK), Apteryx owenii, and predation by house mice, Mus musculus, as potential factors. This thesis re-addresses the status of L. pakeka in the three enclosures, as well as the potential predation of these threatened endemic frogs by LSK and mice. Survival of L. pakeka in the three enclosures was estimated by nocturnal emergence over 11 ve-night capture periods from October 2012 - August 2013. Identi cation of individuals was via photography utilizing distinguishable skin patterns and iris vessel (eye venation) patterns. The relocation of six adults after a 2011 census, including one inadvertently missed frog found during this study, left 19 adult frogs in the original enclosure, which continued to survive well, with 18 adults recaptured. In addition, juveniles of varying ages were seen throughout this study. In total, 34 recently metamorphosed froglets were released into a second enclosure over the years of 2008, 2009 and 2011. Night monitoring indicated only 8 individuals had survived, but a full enclosure census on 8 May 2013 revealed 12 of the 34 individuals (35%) had survived. Three of these frogs were then relocated to the Te Mahanga, publicly viewed enclosure. Emergence during the 11-month period indicated that the six frogs relocated to this enclosure from the original enclosure in October 2011 had survived; however, only two out of the three frogs that were relocated there after the May census had emerged. Additionally, two juveniles of unknown age were also seen in this enclosure. Potential predation by LSK was assessed by a ve-night video analysis (23-28 June 2013) of foraging behavior in the presence of mesh-protected L. pakeka. Out of the 668 videos reviewed, only three videos provided foraging behavior that helped ascertain whether LSK exhibited a potential interest in L. pakeka as a prey item. These videos showed that LSK failed to indicate a strong response to the presence of the frog, suggesting that the LSK in Zealandia do not have a strong predatory interest in L. pakeka. To investigate the potential causes of the free-range translocation failure, the habitat was enhanced with more rocks, a kiwi-exclusion fence was erected, and a further 101 L. pakeka were translocated from Maud Island to Zealandia on 2 December 2012. The frogs' survival as well as mouse activity levels (indicated by the presence of mouse prints in tracking tunnels) were monitored over nine ve-night capture periods from 17 December 2012 - 2 August 2013. Eighty-six out of the 101 translocated frogs were recaptured. Identi cation of individuals was via photography utilizing distinguishable skin patterns and iris vessel (eye venation) patterns, or by unique toe-clip combinations. Despite previous assessments, four surviving adults from the 2006/2007 translocation were recaptured as well as 12 of their progeny, resulting in a total of 117 Maud Island frogs for this study. Jolly-Seber analysis indicated high overall survival (0.914, 0.87/0.94, 95%CI), but temporally the population estimates indicated a negative regression starting at the second capture period (slope= -4.69, -6.70/- 2.68, 95%CI). With overall frog emergence, a negative binomial generalized linear model did not show signi cance in mouse activity levels, precipitation during sampling nor precipitation in the previous 24 hours (p>0.05). However, temperature did show a positive correlation to overall frog emergence (p<0.001) while relative humidity approached signi cance (p=0.0517) and indicated a potential positive trend. This study could not conclusively indicate whether A. owenii or M. musculus prey upon L. pakeka. However, it does suggest that the protected predator-proof enclosures may provide appropriate conditions for the ongoing survival and successful breeding of the endemic anuran. The study also suggests that LSK do not have a strong predatory response to the presence of Maud Island frogs, nor did increased levels of mouse activity have a signi cant e ect on the emergence of the 117 Maud Island frogs. Additionally, the discovery of the four survivors and 12 of their o spring indicates that the original translocation did not entirely fail. This newly acquired knowledge suggests that with the current mammal eradication program, Zealandia may continue with the establishment of a viable, free-ranging population of L. pakeka. Continued monitoring of all Maud Island frogs in the Zealandia sanctuary is recommended as a conservation measure, especially as mice have now established on its original island habitat.</p>

A Novel Running Wheel Mouse Model for Botulism and its use for the Evaluation of Post-Symptom Antitoxin Efficacy

Antitoxin is currently the only approved therapy for botulinum intoxications. The efficacy of antitoxin preparations is evaluated in animals. However, while in practice antitoxin is administered to patients only after symptom onset, in most animal studies, it is tested in relation to time post intoxication. This may be attributed to difficulties in quantitating early botulism symptoms in animals. In the current study, a novel system based on high-resolution monitoring of mouse activity on a running wheel was developed to allow evaluation of post-symptom antitoxin efficacy. The system enables automatic and remote monitoring of 48 mice simultaneously. Based on the nocturnal activity pattern of individual naïve mice, two criteria were defined as the onset of symptoms. Post-symptom treatment with a human-normalized dose of antitoxin was fully protective in mice exposed to 4 LD50 of BoNT/A and BoNT/B. Moreover, for the first time, a high protection rate was obtained in mice treated post-symptomatically, following a challenge with BoNT/E, the fastest acting BoNT. The running wheel system was further modified to develop a mouse model for the evaluation of next-generation therapeutics for progressive botulism at time points where antitoxin is not effective. Exposure of mice to 0.3 LD50 of BoNT/A resulted in long-lasting paralysis and a reduction in running activity for 16-18 days. Antitoxin treatment was no longer effective when administered 72 hr post intoxication, defining the time window to evaluate next-generation therapeutics. Altogether, the running wheel systems presented herein offer quantitative means to evaluate the efficacy of current and future anti-botulinum drugs.

Monitoring and Controlling House Mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, Infestations in Low-Income Multi-Family Dwellings

The house mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, is a common pest in multi-family residential apartment buildings. This study was designed to gain insights into residents’ impressions of house mice, develop more effective house mouse detection methods, and evaluate the effectiveness of building-wide house mouse management programs. Two high-rise apartment buildings in New Jersey were selected for this study during 2019–2020. Bait stations with three different non-toxic baits were used to detect house mouse activity. Two rodenticides (FirstStrike®—0.0025% difethialone and Contrac®—0.005% bromadiolone) were applied by researchers over a 63-day period and pest control operations were then returned to pest control contractors for rodent management. There were significant differences in the consumption rates of non-toxic baits and two toxic baits tested. A novel non-toxic bait, chocolate spread, was much more sensitive than the two commercial non-toxic baits for detecting mouse activity. The house mouse management programs resulted in an average 87% reduction in the number of infested apartments after three months. At 12 months, the number of infestations decreased by 94% in one building, but increased by 26% in the second building. Sustainable control of house mouse infestations requires the use of effective monitoring strategies and control programs coupled with preventative measures.

Functional Deficits in Mice Expressing Human Interleukin 8

We showed previously that inflammatory mediators, including IL8, in intervertebral disc tissues from patients with discogenic back pain may play a key role in back pain. To investigate the molecular mechanism of IL8 signaling in back pain, we generated a mouse model that conditionally expresses human (h) IL8. We hypothesized that hIL8 levels affect mouse activity and function. Briefly, hIL8 cDNA was inserted into the pCALL2 plasmid, linearized, and injected into mouse embryos. Resulting pCALL2–hIL8 mice were then bred with GDF5–Cre mice to express the transgene in cartilage and intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues. Functional capacities including nest-making and other natural behaviors were measured. Both male and female mice expressing hIL8 showed lower nesting scores than did littermates that did not express hIL8 (n = 14 to 16 per group). At 28 wk of age, mice expressing hIL8 (n = 35) spent more time immobile and eating during each night than littermate controls (n = 33). Furthermore, hIL8-expressing mice traveled shorter distances and at a lower average speed than littermate controls. Thus, in an initial effort to investigate the relationship between this chemokine and mouse behavior, we have documented changes in normal activities in mice conditionally expressing hIL8.

Reinventing the wheel: comparison of two wheel cage styles for assessing mouse voluntary running activity

Voluntary wheel cage assessment of mouse activity is commonly employed in exercise and behavioral research. Currently, no standardization for wheel cages exists resulting in an inability to compare results among data from different laboratories. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the distance run or average speed data differ depending on the use of two commonly used commercially available wheel cage systems. Two different wheel cages with structurally similar but functionally different wheels (electromechanical switch vs. magnetic switch) were compared side-by-side to measure wheel running data differences. Other variables, including enrichment and cage location, were also tested to assess potential impacts on the running wheel data. We found that cages with the electromechanical switch had greater inherent wheel resistance and consistently led to greater running distance per day and higher average running speed. Mice rapidly, within 1–2 days, adapted their running behavior to the type of experimental switch used, suggesting these running differences are more behavioral than due to intrinsic musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or metabolic limits. The presence of enrichment or location of the cage had no detectable impact on voluntary wheel running. These results demonstrate that mice run differing amounts depending on the type of cage and switch mechanism used and thus investigators need to report wheel cage type/wheel resistance and use caution when interpreting distance/speed run across studies. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The results of this study highlight that mice will run different distances per day and average speed based on the inherent resistance present in the switch mechanism used to record data. Rapid changes in running behavior for the same mouse in the different cages demonstrate that a strong behavioral factor contributes to classic exercise outcomes in mice. Caution needs to be taken when interpreting mouse voluntary wheel running activity to include potential behavioral input and physiological parameters.