Non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical physiology in a threatened Australian marsupial, the western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii).

Reintroduction has become an increasingly important conservation tool in Australia, yet the effects of stress on species during reintroduction programs have received little attention. The use of enzyme immunoassays to measure faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) is a useful non-invasive technique to monitor adrenal activity but requires validation before they can be reliably used. As part of a large reintroduction project, the goals of this study were to 1) monitor FGM in 53 western quolls (Dasyurus geoffroii) following capture from the wild and transfer to a holding facility and use this stressor to biologically validate an enzyme immunoassay; 2) determine if biological factors, such as sex, age, weight or source population affect baseline FGM levels; and 3) examine individual variation in the acute adrenal response of quolls to the capture and transfer associated with reintroductions. We successfully validated an assay that targets glucocorticoid metabolites with a 5α-3ß,11ß-diol structure and found that sex significantly influenced both baseline and peak FGM output in western quolls, whereas age, weight and source population did not. We also observed considerable variation among individuals in the magnitude and duration of their physiological response to capture and transfer. Using the methods described here, FGM analysis may provide further information about the adrenal activity of the western quoll and improve future conservation efforts for this threatened species.

A Pilot Observational Study of an Acupressure/Acupuncture Intervention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) would tolerate an acupressure/acupuncture intervention and whether parents would adhere to a twice-weekly, 8-week intervention protocol. Second, to further understand best measures to use to capture impact of intervention on behavioral and regulatory functions. DESIGN: This is an observational pilot study with pre-, mid-, and postintervention measures. SETTINGS/LOCATION: The intervention was carried out in a private practice office in a large metropolitan area. SUBJECTS: A total of 10 children of ages 3-10 years with ASD and one of their parents participated. INTERVENTIONS: A total of 16 biweekly treatment sessions of acupressure and/or acupuncture were carried out by a licensed acupuncturist, and a daily home-based acupressure intervention was carried out by a parent. OUTCOME MEASURES: Attendance, tolerance of intervention, parent compliance with home program, and parent compliance in completing daily diary and five standardized measures of behavioral and regulatory functions pre-, mid-, and postintervention were recorded. RESULTS: The 10 children in this observational study, collectively, tolerated the intervention and parents adhered to the 16 sessions, biweekly protocol, and home protocol, as well as completing daily diary and five standardized measures at three different time intervals. The five measurements appeared to be sensitive to behavioral and regulatory functions that may improve with this type of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this observational pilot study suggest that acupressure/acupuncture is a feasible intervention for children with ASD that merits rigorous evaluation through a randomized controlled trial.