The Hair Scale Identification Guide to Terrestrial Carnivores of Canada

Mammalian predators are keystone species in any ecosystem. But many are elusive by nature and have territories that cover large areas of land, which makes them challenging to monitor. When tracks and signs prove difficult to interpret or are non-existent, hair samples recovered from the field offer a fantastic resource – one that is often overlooked. The Hair Scale Identification Guide to Terrestrial Mammalian Carnivores of Canada provides a fully illustrated, up-to-date hair scale reference for all 25 of the terrestrial carnivorous mammals of Canada. From the tiny least weasel (Mustela nivalis) to the giant polar bear (Ursus maritimus), unique traits – as well as tricky similarities – can clearly be observed through hair scale patterns magnified at the medial portion of the hair impression. These scale patterns aid in species identification when hair is the only possible evidence available. This guide also outlines hair impression techniques for samples found in the field, assisting ecologists and technicians with wildlife monitoring studies on predatory mammals where additional identification is required. Including range maps and key identification characteristics for all species represented, as well as superb images of hair scale impressions at two magnification levels, this book is a comprehensive tool for animal hair ID.

Not So Uncommon Cause of Foot Pain: Cutaneous Hair Splinter of the Sole

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> A fragment of hair penetrating the skin has been referred to as cutaneous pili migrans in the literature. The condition is regarded rare and the cause unknown. <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> A 55-year-old female experienced painful sensations of the sole. Dermoscopy revealed hair fragments penetrating the skin, and histopathology a hair shaft embedded in the stratum corneum. The hairs were mechanically extracted with immediate relief from the pain. <b><i>Discussion and Conclusion:</i></b> Hair splinters of the sole may be a cause of foot pain related to the skin. The hair splinter is yet another form of hair that has embedded itself in the skin. Patients may believe the hair is growing out of the feet, while the soles are among the specialized skin regions that are hairless. The origin of the hair is exogenous and related to an exposure to freshly cut human or animal hair. Cutaneous embedded hairs can be classified based on the clinical presentation, the location, and association with hair follicles into hair splinters, interdigital pilonidal sinus, migrating hair, or ingrown hair. The condition is an important cause of foot pain and should be considered on clinical examination of the skin of the soles.

The prenatal period and related prohibitions and prescriptions among the Old Believers of the Republic of Moldova

The author presents some results of her research of the indicated period, which was carried out on the basis of a specially compiled questionnaire in places of compact residence of Lipovans in such villages as Kunicha, Egorovka, etc., as well as in the city of Chisinau. There are a number of preventive actions and prohibitions aimed at ensuring the health and strength of the woman in labor and her baby. Often they are based on common sense, on pragmatics, but not always the informants could explain the reasons for certain prohibitions. A pregnant woman was prohibited from doing, for example, the following actions: sewing; stepping over a long (wire, rope) or sharp object; contacting with animal hair (dogs, cats, etc.); touching her own body when frightened (for example, during a fire); looking at the deceased through the window, etc. According to the testimony of informants, much attention was paid to protecting the woman in labor from the „evil eye”. And if this happened, then they were treated with prayers and herbs. There were also signs by which they tried to guess the sex of the unborn child. Before giving birth, a woman usually confesses to her spiritual father.

Clay Nanotube Immobilization on Animal Hair for Sustained Anti-Lice Protection

Topical administration of drugs is required for the treatment of parasitic diseases and insect infestations; therefore, fabrication of nanoscale drug carriers for effective insecticide topical delivery is needed. Here we report the enhanced immobilization of halloysite tubule nanoclay onto semiaquatic capybaras which have hydrophobic hair surfaces as compared to their close relatives, land-dwelling guinea pigs, and other agricultural livestock. The hair surface of mammals varies in hydrophobicity having a cortex surrounded by cuticles. Spontaneous 1–2 µm thick halloysite hair coverages on the semi-aquatic rodent capybara, non-aquatic rodent guinea pig, and farm goats were compared. The best coating was found for capybara due to the elevated 5 wt% wax content. As a result, we suggest hair pretreatment with diluted wax for enhanced nanoclay adsorption. The formation of a stable goat hair coverage with a 2–3 µm halloysite layer loaded with permethrin insecticide allowed for long-lasting anti-parasitic protection, enduring multiple rain wettings and washings. We expect that our technology will find applications in animal parasitosis protection and may be extended to prolonged human anti-lice treatment.

Sistem Pakar dalam Menganalisis Alergi Kulit Manusia dengan Metode Certainty Factor

The skin is human’s outer sense, which servers as protection from bacteria, viruses, and solar flares, and as a sense. Skin may suffer from a variety of factors, one of which is allergies. Human skin allergies result from a pressurized immune system that humans normally react to certain substances, such as food, animal hair, or medicine. In addition to the three factors, a current of society giveslittle attention to skin allergies and lack of care or awareness is a trigger factor. Thus, the aim of this research is to analyze human skin allergies using the Certainty Factor method. By conducting interviews and observations on Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin Clinic, Padang City, found 10 skin allergic kinds, 27 skin allergic symptoms, and 50 patients data. Those data are treated using the Certainty Factor method with stages to decisive symptom and allergic code, set the rule, set the weight, and calculate Certainty Factor score. In this research, it obtained test results at a percentage of a large 92% and the most allergic diagnosed is allergic dermatitis. By the test results inferable that expert system designed can be used to determine the diagnosis of human skin allergies.

Biological activity of Melatonin and Some Unexpected Effects of Dynamization

Melatonin was found in animals, plants and bacteria. In animals, it is a hormone that anticipates the daily onset of darkness. In animals, melatonin is the hormone of regulation of the circadian rhythms and physiological functions such as sleep timing, blood pressure regulation, seasonal reproduction and many others. Melatonin is known to aid in reducing the effects of jet lag Melatonin appears also to have some use against the sleep problems of people who work rotating or night shifts. Melatonin has many protective properties, such as converting cholesterol to bile, preventing oxidative stress, may help reduce some types of headaches and protect against radiation-induces cellular damage. Melatonin in comparison to placebo is effective for reducing preoperative anxiety in adults when given as premedication. Melatonin may also reduce postoperative anxiety. It appears to cause few side-effects as tested in the short term, up to three months, at low doses. Two systematic reviews in 2005 and 2006 showed that there were no adverse effects of exogenous melatonin in several clinical trials and those comparative trials found that the adverse effects headaches, dizziness, nausea and drowsiness were reported about equally for both melatonin and placebo. Prolonged-release melatonin is safe with long-term use of up to 12 months. However, «natural» melatonin does not mean the best. Melatonin is made of the animal tissue can be contaminated with viruses or proteins that may be dangerous. Mad cow disease may cause changes in supplements made from animal brain tissue. One of the ways of adverse reaction elimination is applying a dynamicizing form of melatonin. Materials and methods. Melatonin (Mel 3ch) was prepared and presented to us with pleasure by Pralnilov A. I. The main aim of the study is to examine the influence of dynamicizing form of melatonin on hair structure in white laboratory mice and rats, Chinese hamsters, 2 years old. During the experiment the following tasks were solved: 1) To examine normal hair structure in white laboratory mice and rats, Chinese hamsters and to study the influence of dynamicizing form of melatonin on animal hair structure. 2) To examine animal behaviour and appearance 3)To estimate mice strength before and after taking melatonin White laboratory mice which belong to the vivarium of Kirov State Medical Academy and rats which belong to the vivarium of Kirov State Agricultural Academy are taking dynamicizing form of melatonin (mel-3CH) in the dose of 5 drops per 20 ml of water during 14 days. After two groups of the animals are organized: control group (7 animals) and the experimental group (7 animals). The experimental animals were injected subcutaneously in the interscapular region by melatonin-retard in the dose of 1 mg per 1 animal. In the control group, this drug is not injected. Hair is held on the subject glass in the 15 % solution NaOH during 5 min. The first swimming of animals was conducted with the aim to randomize resistance to physical exercises of animals. Every male, one by one, is taken to cylinder with water d = 18 cm, h = 40 cm for free swimming. Temperature of water maintains is in the range 29-30 C. Results. The investigation has shown that the hair structure, fleece and activity of the rodents taking mel 3ch from the 5th to the 14th days are being improved. The animal hair becomes bright, healthy and thick. The microscopic examination showed perfect adhering of the cuticle to the cortical layer and that the bottom and the cortical layer had become dense. In the control groups the hair remained faint and tousled. The microscopic examination showed delamination of the cortical layer from the bottom and the cuticle; the bottom had broken structure. The study showed that white laboratory mice taking dynamicizing form of melatonin in the dose of 5 drops per 20 ml of water during 14 days had improved their hair structure and fleece quality. Compulsory swimming method confirmed that dynamicizing form of melatonin increased adaptability of the animals. The time of swimming was 2,5 times more in comparison with the control group.