Zoos and public health: A partnership on the One Health frontier

Today, accredited zoos are not just places for entertainment, they are actively involved in research for conservation and health. During recent decades in which the challenges for biodiversity conservation and public health have escalated, zoos have made significant changes to address these difficulties. Zoos increasingly have four key areas of focus: education, recreation, conservation, and research. These key areas are important in addressing an interrelated global conservation (i.e. habitat and wildlife loss) and public health crisis. Zoo and public health professionals working together within a One Health framework represent a powerful alliance to address current and future conservation and public health problems around the world. For researchers, practitioners, and students, the collaboration between zoos and public health institutions offers the opportunity to both teach and operationalize this transdisciplinary approach. Using examples from our programs, we give a template for moving forward with collaborative initiatives and sustainable solutions involving partners in both zoos and public health institutions. We provide examples of cooperative programs and suggest a model for consideration in the development of further activities in this area.

Vitamin E, γ-tocopherol, diminishes ex vivo basophil response to dust mite allergen

Epidemiologic studies suggest that dietary vitamin E is a candidate intervention for atopic disease. We used in vitro and ex vivo exposures to test the hypothesis that the most common dietary isoform of vitamin E, γ-tocopherol (γT), could suppress FcεRI-mediated basophil activation. Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-SX38 cells that express human FcεRI were treated with or without γT, followed by stimulation with α-IgE. In the ex vivo study, 20 Der f 1-allergic volunteers consumed a γT-enriched supplement for 7 days. Their basophils were challenged ex vivo with α-IgE and graded doses of Der f 1 before and after the supplementation period. γt treatment of RBL-SX38 cells significantly reduced basophil degranulation and de novo TH2 cytokine production. Daily consumption of a γT-rich supplement by dust mite-allergic volunteers reduced basophil activation after ex vivo dust mite challenge. Vitamin E supplements rich in γT may be useful adjuncts in decreasing atopic disease.

Involvement of Arkansas hospitals in promotion of car restraint device use among young children

Child restraint devices are a proven means of reducing automobile-related deaths and injuries among infants and toddlers. To determine the role that Arkansas hospitals play in promoting use of these devices, a survey similar to one conducted previously in Tennessee was performed of hospitals providing newborn and/or pediatric services. Hospital policies relating to discharge of patients in car restraints were more likely to pertain to newborns than to older children. Nearly all the facilities having such policies claimed that these were strictly enforced. Hospitals are encouraged to establish discharge policies and to expand educational efforts and loaner programs.

Accuracy of angiography in the localization of pheochromocytoma

An analysis of 20 patients who underwent angiographic localization of pheochromocytoma is presented. The tumors were localized accurately by arteriography in all 20 patients, by excretory urography in 4 of 13 and by computerized body tomography in 3 of 5. Venous sampling and venography were invaluable aids in the localization of pheochromocytomas in patients with postoperatively elevated catecholamine levels, or in the evaluation of recurrence or metastases. The tumors were extra-adrenal in 7 patients, bilateral in 4 and malignant in 5. The majority of these tumors occurred in women.