The Efficacy and Safety of Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks After Open Cholecystectomy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Background: Postoperative pain management is challenging in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study assesses the safety and efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks as an adjunct for postoperative pain control after an open cholecystectomy in LMICs during short-term surgical missions (STSMs). TAP block is a regional anesthesia technique that has been shown to be effective in providing supplementary analgesia to the anterolateral wall post abdominal surgery.

A Retrospective Review of Spinal Radiofrequency Neurotomy Procedures in Patients with Metallic Posterior Spinal Instrumentation - Is it Safe?

Background: Recent studies have shown that medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) procedures done at the level of a pedicle screw can increase pedicle screw temperature, and it has been speculated that pedicle screw heating may cause thermal injury. There has been a limited amount of investigation into the real-world safety profile of RFN procedures in patients with pedicle screws.

Objectives: We aim to demonstrate that the occurrence of serious adverse events is rare for a medial branch RFN procedure completed at a level with metallic spinal hardware when performed according to the Spine Intervention Society practice standards.

Moles and Mole Control on British Farms, Amenities and Gardens after Strychnine Withdrawal.

Moles are considered pests in Britain, but this issue has been little studied. Lower welfare standards have been tolerated for moles than for most other managed wild mammal species, as use of both the controversial poison, strychnine, and unregulated traps have been permitted. Strychnine was withdrawn in 2006 and there were fears that mole populations would increase as a result.

Global positioning system derived performance measures are responsive indicators of physical activity, disease and the success of clinical treatments in domestic dogs.

Objective: To assess the use of Global Positioning System receiver (GPS) derived performance measures for differentiating between: 1) different outdoor activities in healthy dogs; 2) healthy dogs and those with osteoarthritis; 3) osteoarthritic dogs before and after treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesia.

Design: Prospective study.

Animals: Ten healthy dogs and seven dogs with osteoarthritis of the elbow joint (OA dogs).

Climate and the individual: inter-annual variation in the autumnal activity of the European badger (Meles meles).

We establish intra-individual and inter-annual variability in European badger (Meles meles) autumnal nightly activity in relation to fine-scale climatic variables, using tri-axial accelerometry. This contributes further to understanding of causality in the established interaction between weather conditions and population dynamics in this species. Modelling found that measures of daylight, rain/humidity, and soil temperature were the most supported predictors of ACTIVITY, in both years studied.

Mechanical performance of rat, mouse and mole spring traps, and possible implications for welfare performance.

Lethal spring traps are widely used for killing small mammals in the UK. Many require government approval, based primarily on humaneness. However, mole traps and break-back traps for rats and mice are exempt; those available vary widely in price and apparent quality.