The recent decline in wild populations of amphibians worldwide coincides with the period of rapid growth in the global trade of wildlife. The potential for pathogen transmission within and beyond the ...pet amphibian trade network makes it important to explore the attitudes and behavior of businesses involved in the industry. We surveyed US businesses involved in the pet amphibian trade industry to characterize their attitudes and behaviors and identify business characteristics that could influence percieved risk of pathogen transmission in trade. We found that amphibian businesses acquire their animals from a variety of sources (e.g., importers, wholesalers, retailers, breeders, hobbyists, wild), are aware of the threat of emerging pathogens, and are concerned about the potential spillover of pathogens from captive to wild populations. Attitudes and behaviors of businesses toward pathogens varied among business types (e.g., size of business, the share of amphibian sales, mode of business operation). Moreover, businesses expressed a strong interest in acquiring amphibians that are free of pathogens and indicated a willingness to pay a price premium to acquire certified disease‐free animals. Our results indicate that the US pet amphibian trade industry is willing to participate in healthy (clean) trade practices and increasing product prices may be one option to compensate for expenses. A government program to support pathogen‐free certification would likely facilitate implementation.
Family health history: the case for better tools Welch, Brandon M; Dere, Willard; Schiffman, Joshua D
JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association,
2015-May-05, Volume:
313, Issue:
17
Journal Article
Global trade has been linked with the emergence of novel pathogens and declines in amphibian populations worldwide. The potential for pathogen transmission within and between collections of captive ...amphibians and spillover to wild populations makes it important to understand the motivations, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of pet amphibian owners. We surveyed US pet amphibian owners to understand their characteristics and evaluated whether and how they were associated with behavioral intentions to adopt biosecurity practices. We found that the majority of pet amphibian owners are aware of the threat of emerging pathogens, concerned about potential spillover of pathogens from captive to wild populations and willing to adopt biosecurity practices to mitigate pathogen threats. Intentions to adopt such practices were driven more by psychosocial constructs such as attitudes, perceptions and beliefs than demographic characteristics. Pet amphibian owners also expressed a strong interest in acquiring, and willingness to pay a price premium for, certified disease-free animals. These findings advance our understanding of the characteristics, motivations and behaviors of pet owners, a key stakeholder in global amphibian trade, which could help to inform new policies and outreach strategies to engage them in mitigating pathogen threats. Moreover, our results imply the economic viability of a market-based program to promote pathogen-free, sustainable trade of amphibians.
Cover Image Cavasos, Kevin; Poudyal, Neelam C.; Brunner, Jesse L. ...
Business strategy and the environment,
December 2023, Volume:
32, Issue:
8
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
The cover image is based on the Research Article Exploring business stakeholder engagement in sustainable business practices: Evidence from the US pet amphibian industry by Kevin Cavasos et al., ...https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3455.
This article is part 2 of a 2-part series presented to aid the hand surgeon in becoming familiar with dermatological lesions that may be present on the upper extremity during infancy. The discussion ...focuses on nonvascular neoplasms grouped into the following categories: epithelial, melanocytic, histiocytic, dermal, fibroblastic, and adipocytic neoplasms. Diagnostic tips are offered, including clinical photographs, to help differentiate between these lesions. In addition, the recommended treatment for each is discussed.
Many dermatologic conditions may be present on a newborn infant's upper extremity that can evoke concern for parents and/or primary caregivers. Although the pediatrician typically remains the first ...care provider, often these children are referred to specialists to diagnose and treat these lesions. Hand surgeons should be familiar with different infantile skin lesions on an upper extremity. Some lesions are best observed, whereas others require treatment with nonoperative measures, lasers, or surgical interventions. A 2-part series is presented to aid the hand surgeon in becoming familiar with these lesions. This part 1 article focuses on vascular neoplasms and malformations. Particular attention is paid to the multiple types of hemangiomas and hemangioendotheliomas, telangiectasias, angiokeratomas, as well as capillary, venous, and lymphatic malformations. Diagnostic tips and clinical photographs are provided to help differentiate among these lesions. In addition, the recommended treatment for each is discussed.
Benign Subungual Tumors Willard, Katherine J., MD; Cappel, Mark A., MD; Kozin, Scott H., MD ...
The Journal of hand surgery (American ed.),
06/2012, Volume:
37, Issue:
6
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
A variety of benign and malignant processes may affect the subungual region; however, most are relatively rare lesions. We present a review of the current literature regarding benign tumors affecting ...the subungual region.
Mouse models are widely used for elucidating mechanisms underlying type 2 diabetes. Genetic background profoundly affects metabolic phenotype; therefore, selecting the appropriate model is critical. ...Although variability in metabolic responses between mouse strains is now well recognized, it also occurs within C57BL/6 mice, of which several substrains exist. This within-strain variability is poorly understood and could emanate from genetic and/or environmental differences. To better define the within-strain variability, we performed the first comprehensive comparison of insulin secretion from C57BL/6 substrains 6J, 6JWehi, 6NJ, 6NHsd, 6NTac and 6NCrl.
, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion correlated with
mutation status, wherein responses were uniformly lower in islets from C57BL/6J vs C57BL/6N mice. In contrast,
insulin responses after 18 weeks of low fat feeding showed no differences among any of the six substrains. When challenged with a high-fat diet for 18 weeks, C57BL/6J substrains responded with a similar increase in insulin release. However, variability was evident among C57BL/6N substrains. Strikingly, 6NJ mice showed no increase in insulin release after high fat feeding, contributing to the ensuing hyperglycemia. The variability in insulin responses among high-fat-fed C57BL/6N mice could not be explained by differences in insulin sensitivity, body weight, food intake or beta-cell area. Rather, as yet unidentified genetic and/or environmental factor(s) are likely contributors. Together, our findings emphasize that caution should be exercised in extrapolating data from
studies to the
situation and inform on selecting the appropriate C57BL/6 substrain for metabolic studies.
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