Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare.

Dog training methods range broadly from those using mostly positive punishment and negative reinforcement (aversive-based) to those using primarily positive reinforcement (reward-based). Although aversive-based training has been strongly criticized for negatively affecting dog welfare, there is no comprehensive research focusing on companion dogs and mainstream techniques, and most studies rely on owner-reported assessment of training methods and dog behavior. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of aversive- and reward-based training methods on companion dog welfare within and outside the training context. Ninety-two companion dogs were recruited from three reward-based schools (Group Reward, n = 42), and from four aversive-based schools, two using low proportions of aversive-based methods (Group Mixed, n = 22) and two using high proportions of aversive-based methods (Group Aversive, n = 28). For evaluating welfare during training, dogs were video recorded for three sessions and six saliva samples were collected, three at home (baseline levels) and three after training (post-training levels). Video recordings were used to examine the frequency of stress-related behaviors (e.g., lip lick, yawn) and the overall behavioral state of the dog (e.g., tense, relaxed), and saliva samples were analyzed for cortisol concentration. For evaluating welfare outside the training context, dogs participated in a cognitive bias task. Results showed that dogs from Group Aversive displayed more stress-related behaviors, were more frequently in tense and low behavioral states and panted more during training, and exhibited higher post-training increases in cortisol levels than dogs from Group Reward. Additionally, dogs from Group Aversive were more 'pessimistic' in the cognitive bias task than dogs from Group Reward. Dogs from Group Mixed displayed more stress-related behaviors, were more frequently in tense states and panted more during training than dogs from Group Reward. Finally, although Groups Mixed and Aversive did not differ in their performance in the cognitive bias task nor in cortisol levels, the former displayed more stress-related behaviors and was more frequently in tense and low behavioral states. These findings indicate that aversive-based training methods, especially if used in high proportions, compromise the welfare of companion dogs both within and outside the training context.

Effects of experimental manipulations of salinity and maturation status on the physiological condition and mortality of homing adult sockeye salmon held in a laboratory.

Relatively little is known about the physiological response and mortality consequences of the return of anadromous fish to freshwater (FW). We explored the consequences of the return to FW by collecting maturing sockeye salmon from the marine waters off the mouth of the Fraser River and holding approximately 50 sockeye in each of five treatments: saltwater (SW; salinity = 28 ppt), iso-osmotic water (ISO; 13 ppt), FW (0 ppt), SW + gonadotropin-releasing hormone (SW + GnRH), and FW + GnRH. Exogenous GnRH treatments were intended to accelerate maturation. Results demonstrate that gill Na(+),K(+) ATPase activity, sex steroid concentrations, and cortisol levels were highly responsive to experimental manipulations and followed predicted trajectories (i.e., FW + GnRH sockeye were the most mature and FW adapted). There were few among-treatment differences in hematocrit and plasma concentrations of lactate, glucose, Na(+), Cl(-), and plasma osmolality among sockeye that survived to the end of treatments, indicating that sockeye rigorously maintain internal homeostatic conditions while alive. There were large among-treatment differences in mortality (SW+GnRH > SW> FW+GnRH > FW=ISO), and each treatment experienced a notable increase in mortality rate around the fifth day of treatment. Our results indicate that salinity represented a modestly larger challenge to the experimental sockeye than did the artificially accelerated sexual maturation. Our results also suggest that maturing sockeye either successfully acclimate to FW within 5 d of exposure or perish. These findings are consistent with the predictions of the theory of anadromy, in suggesting that the return of adults to FW can be physiologically challenging and can represent a period of significant natural mortality.

Complications of clean intermittent catheterization in young females with myelomeningocele: 10 to 19 years of followup.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the rate of complications associated with catheterization and the risk of urethral lesions in girls with myelomeningocele treated with clean intermittent catheterization for a minimum of 10 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the medical records of 31 females with myelomeningocele followed from the start of clean intermittent catheterization until age 11 to 20 years. Catheterization had been performed for a median of 15 years (range 10 to 19). Altogether, catheterization was used for a total of 459 patient-years. Noncoated polyvinyl chloride catheters were used in all cases. Anticholinergic treatment was given during 176 of the patient-years. RESULTS: Complications of catheterization were recorded in 13 patients on 20 occasions. Macroscopic hematuria was seen in 4 individuals. In 2 patients the hematuria was caused by urethral polyps that were cured by resection. Difficulties with catheterization occurred in 12 patients. The problems were solved by temporary use of lubrication or by other minor changes in management. There were no difficulties recorded after puberty. The risk of difficulties at catheterization doubled with the use of a Ch8 to Ch10 catheter compared to a Ch12 or larger catheter, and doubled during assisted clean intermittent catheterization compared to clean intermittent self-catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: There were remarkably few problems associated with clean intermittent catheterization in these females with myelomeningocele, despite long treatment periods and use of noncoated polyvinyl chloride catheters. Clean intermittent self-catheterization and large size catheters were associated with few complications.

Separation of human bone marrow cells in density gradients of polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silica gel (Percoll).

A simple and highly reproducible method is described for separation and density distribution analysis of human bone marrow cells in continuous density gradients of polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silica gel (Percoll). Colony and cluster forming cells in agar separated from the bulk of cells and peaked at densities of 1.063-1.064 g/ml. The enrichment of clonogenic cells was approximately 10 times and recovery varied between 41-321%. The overall recovery of cells was 80% (60-94%). Density distribution analysis of morphologically identifiable cells demonstrated the progressive increase in density with maturation of cells within the granulocytic series: myeloblasts peaked at 1.0624 g/ml, promyelocytes at 1.0734 g/ml, myelocytes at 1.0776 g/ml, metamyelocytes at 1.0799 g/ml and mature neutrophils at 1.0864 g/ml. The eosinophil had the highest density, 1.0904 g/ml, of all cells analyzed. Monocytes and lymphocytes peaked at 1.0661 and 1.0681 g/ml respectively. The light density shift of clonogenic cells of AML and CML reported by other authors was confirmed.

A multicenter study of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) for surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TVT (tension-free vaginal tape) for the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The design was a prospective open multicenter study including six centers, each operating an approximately 20 patients. In total 131 patients suffering from genuine stress incontinence were included. They were followed for at least 1 year using a specific protocol for objective and subjective evaluation of the outcome. All patients underwent the operation under local anesthesia. Mean operation time was 28 minutes (range 19-41 minutes); 119 (91%) of the patients were cured according to the protocol and another 9 (7%) were significantly improved. There were 3 (2%) failures. The majority of the patients (about 90%) were operated upon on a day-care basis, which implied that they were released from the hospital within 24 hours, with no postoperative catheterization. No defect healing and no tape rejection occurred. Three patients needed an indwelling catheter for 3 days. In 1 patient catheterization was necessary for more than 10 days. Two uncomplicated hematomas and one uncomplicated bladder perforation occurred. Based on the results, we conclude that TVT is a safe and effective ambulatory procedure for surgical treatment of genuine stress urinary incontinence.