Copyright (c) 2013 All rights reserved. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill Recent documents in William Allen Hill en-us Wed, 01 May 2013 01:32:03 PDT 3600 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/12 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/12 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:03:34 PDT We evaluated the effect of repeated intraperitoneal administration of tribromoethanol on various parameters in C57BL/6NHsd mice. Mice (n = 68) were randomly assigned to 1 of 7 groups to receive tribromoethanol (500 mg/kg IP) on day 0 or days 0 and 8; vehicle (tert-amyl alcohol in sterile water) only on day 0 or days 0 and 8; sterile water injection on day 0 or days 0 and 8; or no treatment. A single dose of tribromoethanol failed to produce loss of pedal reflex and had no effect on median food and water consumption but altered median body weight on days 1 through 4 when compared with that in mice that received vehicle only or no treatment. Median body weight did not differ between mice that received a single dose of tribromoethanol and those that received an injection of water. Among mice given 2 doses of tribromoethanol, induction time, anesthetic duration, and recovery time varied widely. Repeated administration of tribromoethanol had no effect on median food and water consumption or body weight compared with those in controls. Median liver weight was significantly greater in mice that received 2 doses compared with a single dose of tribromoethanol. Median liver weight did not differ between untreated mice and those that received tribromoethanol. No significant organ or tissue pathology was observed in any study animal. Although tribromoethanol did not produce morbidity, mortality, or pathologic changes in treated animals, we urge caution in use of tribromoethanol in C57BL/6NHsd mice due to its variable anesthetic effectiveness.

]]> William Allen Hill et al. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/11 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/11 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:33:33 PDT William Allen Hill et al. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/10 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/10 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:26:36 PDT William Allen Hill et al. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/9 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/9 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:12:38 PDT This manuscript examines the HIV/AIDS health disparity among African-American (AA) men who have sex with men (MSM) as compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) MSM, and proposes faith-based intervention strategies as a means of reducing the disparity. Effective faith-based HIV/AIDS intervention programs to encompass AA MSM must include community-based participatory research; engage the faith community through data sharing; specifically target and equip church leaders in addition to laity; involve effective collaboration and compromise between public health practitioners and faith leaders; emphasize spirituality and compassion; utilize popular opinion leaders; and be intergenerational. doi: 10.1007/s10943-011-9496-2

]]> William Allen Hill et al. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/8 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/8 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:10:00 PDT Here we describe diagnosis of concurrent infection with Aeromonas hydrophila, Mycobacterium spp., and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in a wild female Xenopus laevis captured in Chile and transported to the United States. After approximately 130 d in the laboratory, the frog was presented for dysecdysis and obtundation. After euthanasia, tissues were submitted for histopathologic evaluation and PCR analysis for B. dendrobatidis and Ranavirus. Clinically significant gross lesions included cutaneous ulcerations on the lip, right forelimb, and ventral chest. Microscopic findings included regionally extensive splenic necrosis, diffuse pneumonia, and fibrinous coelomitis all containing intralesional bacteria. PCR analysis yielded positive results for B. dendrobatidis only. Bacterial culture of the ulcerated skin and liver yielded A. hydrophila. Infection with Contracaecum spp. was diagnosed as an incidental finding. To our knowledge, this case is the first report of simultaneous infection with Aeromonas hydrophila, Mycobacterium spp., and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in a laboratory-maintained X. laevis captured from the wild.

]]> William Allen Hill et al. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/7 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/7 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:00:48 PDT Since diversity in the workplace began receiving scholarly attention in the late 1980s, many corporations and institutions have invested in programs to address and manage diversity. We encourage laboratory animal science to address the challenges and to build on the strengths that personal diversity brings to our field and workplaces. Diversity is already becoming increasingly relevant in the workplace and the laboratory animal science field. By addressing issues related to diversity, laboratory animal science could benefit and potentially fulfill its goals more successfully. To date, diversity has received minimal attention from the field as a whole. However, many individuals, workplaces, and institutions in industry, academia, and the uniformed services that are intimately involved with the field of laboratory animal science are actively addressing issues concerning diversity. This article describes some of these programs and activities in industry and academia. Our intention is that this article will provide useful examples of inclusion-promoting activities and prompt further initiatives to address diversity awareness and inclusion in laboratory animal science.

]]> L Alworth et al. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/6 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/6 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:56:09 PDT BACKGROUND: The use of modified botulinum toxin type A (BCB2024 BTA; Allergan, Irvine, CA) has burgeoned worldwide since 1998. However, the drug's potential to create an immunogenic response has remained unclear. OBJECTIVE: The authors report on a prospective murine model study to evaluate the potential immunogenic effect of BTA and to determine the effect of dose size and frequency of administration on antibody formation. METHODS: Forty female CD-1 mice were divided into four equal groups that received injections of BCB2024 BTA as follows: group A, 0.12 U every two months; group B, 0.12 U once a month; group C, 0.24 U every two months; and group D, 0.24 U once a month. Blood was collected before the first injection and then every month for four months. Immune response was determined by measuring the level of serum immunoglobulin G using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed with a mixed-model, repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Nascent antibotox antibody (ABA) production in response to BCB2024 BTA administration was observed in all four subgroups. Levels of ABA were significantly higher in the higher-frequency dosage groups than in the lower-frequency groups. ABA levels were slightly lower in the low-dosage groups than in the higher-dosage groups, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed frequency-dependent production of ABA in response to BCB2024 BTA administration in a murine model. The clinical significance of such antibody production remains to be determined. Presently however, no standardized scale of conversion exists to relate murine doses of BTA to those used in human treatment regimens.

]]> D D. Sutphin et al. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/5 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/5 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:45:47 PDT We determined the sensitivity of perianal tape impressions to detect Syphacia spp. in rats and mice. We evaluated 300 rat and 200 mouse perianal impressions over 9 wk. Pinworm-positive perianal tape impressions from animals with worm burdens at necropsy were considered as true positives. Conversely, pinworm-negative perianal tape impressions from animals with worm burdens were considered false negatives. The sensitivity of perianal tape impressions for detecting Syphacia muris infections in rats was 100%, and for detecting Syphacia obvelata in mice was 85.5%. Intermittent shedding of Syphacia obvelata ova is the most probable explanation for the decreased sensitivity rate we observed in mice. We urge caution in use of perianal tape impressions alone for Syphacia spp. screening in sentinel mice and rats.

]]> William Allen Hill et al. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/4 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/4 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:35:33 PDT The tropical rat mite, Ornithonyssus bacoti, was identified in a colony of mutagenized and transgenic mice at a large academic institution. O. bacoti is an obligate, blood-feeding ectoparasite with an extensive host range. Although the source of the infestation was likely feral rodents, none were found in the room housing infested mice. We hypothesize that construction on the floor above the vivarium and compromised ceiling integrity within the animal room provided for vermin entry and subsequent O. bacoti infestation. O. bacoti infestation was eliminated by environmental decontamination with synthetic pyrethroids and weekly application of 7.4% permethrin-impregnated cotton balls to mouse caging for five consecutive weeks. Visual examination of the macroenvironment, microenvironment, and colony for 38 days confirmed the efficacy of treatment. We noted no treatment-related toxicities or effects on colony production.

]]> William Allen Hill et al. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/3 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/3 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:35:32 PDT Bilateral hindlimb paresis occurred in 3 guinea pigs after immunization with an adjuvant-antigen mixture containing complete Freund's adjuvant. Doses were injected into unanaesthetized animals, divided among 3 or 4 sites, and given slightly off midline in the subcutaneous tissues of the back. Neurologic examination of affected animals revealed intact flexor and panniculus responses and limited voluntary movement of the hindlimbs. Histopathologic interpretation of 2 affected animals showed fibrogranulomatous material effacing the skeletal muscle and vertebral bone, with marked bone lysis and infiltration into the marrow space and spinal canal. In addition, multiple granulomas in the pulmonary parenchyma were noted. A postmortem radiograph of the excised thoracolumbar spine of 1 animal revealed a soft tissue swelling and 'moth-eaten' and geographic osteolysis of 2 spinous processes. Hindlimb paresis and osteolysis likely resulted from accidental injection of the adjuvant-antigen mixture into the epaxial musculature and subsequent extension of injection site granulomas into the spinal canal.

]]> William Allen Hill et al. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/2 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/2 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:35:31 PDT We evaluated the efficacy and safety of topical selamectin, a novel avermectin, in eliminating naturally acquired Syphacia muris infections in rats and S. obvelata infections in mice. S. muris-positive rats were assigned randomly to 4 groups: selamectin (0.6 mg/kg), selamectin (6.0 mg/kg), fenbendazole-medicated (150 ppm) chow, and untreated. S. obvelata-positive mice were allocated into 4 groups similar to those for rats. Animals not exposed to pinworm-contaminated bedding were designated as negative controls. Treatment success was assessed weekly by anal tape impressions and by necropsy examinations at the end of week 9. Evaluations of intestinal contents at necropsy revealed that, although safe, topical selamectin was 100% ineffective in eliminating Syphacia spp. infections in rats and mice. Treatment with fenbendazole-medicated chow resulted in negative anal tape impressions beginning at week 2 in rats and week 1 in mice. Negative anal tape impressions in fenbendazole-treated animals were confirmed by negative intestinal content evaluations. Of the 2 treatments evaluated, fenbendazole-medicated chow remains an effective and practical method to eliminate pinworm infections in mice and rats.

]]> William Allen Hill et al. http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/1 http://works.bepress.com/william_hill/1 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:35:29 PDT Here we discuss the importance of monitoring noise in contemporary animal facilities. Noise surveys and monitoring should be an integral part of an institution's Occupational Health and Safety Program. If noise levels equal or exceed 85 dB, then a Hearing Conservation Program must be initiated in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. The tenets of a comprehensive Hearing Conservation Program are outlined.

]]> Mildred M. Randolph et al.