Food Habits of Green Tree Frogs (Hyla cinerea) from Arkansas

We analyzed stomach contents of 120 Green Tree Frogs, Hyla cinerea, collected between May 1956 and October 2014 in Arkansas. Beetles and arachnids were the predominant prey item; the next most abundant groups were Diptera and Hemiptera. Vegetable matter was also found in several frogs. All identifiable vegetable matter was determined to be of the genus Persicaria, colloquially known as smartweed. Our data suggests that Green Tree Frogs in Arkansas predominantly feed on beetles and arachnids, but occasionally ingest plant matter when actively foraging

Case of Frugivory in a Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) from Northeastern Arkansas

An adult green treefrog (Hyla cinerea) was collected in mid-September 2014 from Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas. Contents included the remains of a beetle and two fruits. The contents were photographed, measured, and identified to the lowest achievable taxonomic level. The beetle was identified as a spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpuncta howardi Barber [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae]). The fruits were identified as Persicaria sp. (likely P.punctata (Elliot) Small; Polygonaceae) and Oryza sativa L. (Poaceae). Fruits in the stomachs of frogs are rarely reported in the literature, but could represent possible mechanisms for seed dispersal in plants. It is unknown if frogs select to sometimes eat fruits or if fruits are a by-product of animal prey capture or missed predation attempts. In any case, the goal of this report is to raise awareness of a poorly documented phenomenon in an effort to direct attention to this possible method of seed dispersal

Population Sampling of Chelonians in an Urban Lake in Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas

We conducted a mark-recapture survey for aquatic turtles in Craighead Forest Lake in Jonesboro (Craighead County, Arkansas). From July 2, 2015 to October 14, 2015, we set six hoop nets, baited with fish parts, at specific shoreline locations around the lake. Traps were set twice a week and checked 12 hours after they were set. Carapace length, carapace width, plastron length, and plastron width were measured for each individual. Each turtle was identified to species and its sex was recorded. We also placed a notch in one or more of its marginal scutes to aid in future identification. Finally, a photo was taken of each individual’s carapace and plastron. A total of six species were captured with Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) being the most common. A single female Razor-backed Musk Turtle (Sternotherus carinatus) was found, which represented a new county record and the first documentation for this species above the 35°N parallel in Arkansas. The only recaptures were Red-eared Sliders. Using the Schnabel Index, we estimated there to be 171 Red-eared Sliders in Craighead Forest Lake. Our findings indicate a diverse chelonian community with a thriving Red-eared Slider population. Future studies should continue to examine the effect of urbanization on turtle population demographics

Toad (Anura: Bufonidae) Limb Abnormalities from an Aquatic Site in Scott, Pulaski County, Arkansas

We collected and examined 16 Fowler’s toads, Anaxyrus fowleri, and one dwarf American toad, Anaxyrus americanus charlesmithi, in central Arkansas in 2011. Collection was initiated by observation of abnormal toads. Toads were euthanized, measured, photographed, and deposited in the Arkansas State University herpetological collection. Several toads were radiographed. We found various abnormalities in both forelimbs and hindlimbs and on both sides of the body. The causes of the abnormalities remain unknown and will require further studies to determine if the environment is imperiled

Testicular Histology and Sperm Morphometrics of the Bird-voiced Treefrog, Hyla avivoca (Anura: Hylidae), from Arkansas

We examined the testicular histology and spermatozoal dimensions of the bird-voiced treefrog, Hyla avivoca (Anura: Hylidae), from samples collected in May, June, and July from localities in three counties (Calhoun, Conway, and Little River) in Arkansas. Calling frogs were necropsied in the lab, and testes were prepared for light and scanning electron microscopy. Spermatocysts within seminiferous tubules of all males contained large aggregates of spermatozoa. Primary spermatogonia, the largest of all germ cells, ranged from 13.3 – 17.8 μm in diameter (= 15.37 ± 1.22; n = 20). Measurements of sperm dimensions yielded the following length parameters (range, mean ± standard deviation, sample size): acrosome, 2.10 – 3.37 μm (= 2.58 ± 0.40; n = 11); nucleus, 10.22 – 13.71 μm (= 11.70 ± 0.86; n = 65); acrosome, nucleus, midpiece complex (ANM) in three frogs, 14.87 – 23.98 μm (= 19.62 ± 2.72; n = 17), 18.83 – 26.96 μm (= 22.92 ± 2.26; n = 17), 17.40 –26.96 μm (= 23.92 ± 3.27; n = 11); principal piece, 24.36 – 27.68 μm (= 25.98 ± 1.19; n = 14); total tail length (endpiece intact), 29.87 – 39.00 μm (= 33.37 ± 2.63; n = 23); and total sperm length, 51.02 – 62.98 μm (= 54.63 ± 3.54; n = 20). Our sperm morphometric findings complement previously published data on this species and fill in gaps that may aid in future intra- and interfamilial comparisons

National Athletic Trainers\u27 Association Position Statement: Evaluation, Management, and Outcomes of and Return-to-Play Criteria for Overhead Athletes With Superior Labral Anterior-Posterior Injuries

Objective: To present recommendations for the diagnosis, management, outcomes, and return to play of athletes with superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) injuries. Background: In overhead athletes, SLAP tears are common as either acute or chronic injuries. The clinical guidelines presented here were developed based on a systematic review of the current evidence and the consensus of the writing panel. Clinicians can use these guidelines to inform decision making regarding the diagnosis, acute and long-term conservative and surgical treatment, and expected outcomes of and return-to-play guidelines for athletes with SLAP injuries. Recommendations: Physical examination tests may aid diagnosis; 6 tests are recommended for confirming and 1 test is recommended for ruling out a SLAP lesion. Combinations of tests may be helpful to diagnose SLAP lesions. Clinical trials directly comparing outcomes between surgical and nonoperative management are absent; however, in cohort trials, the reports of function and return-to-sport outcomes are similar for each management approach. Nonoperative management that includes rehabilitation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroid injections is recommended as the first line of treatment. Rehabilitation should address deficits in shoulder internal rotation, total arc of motion, and horizontal-adduction motion, as well as periscapular and glenohumeral muscle strength, endurance, and neuromuscular control. Most researchers have examined the outcomes of surgical management and found high levels of satisfaction and return of shoulder function, but the ability to return to sport varied widely, with 20% to 94% of patients returning to their sport after surgical or nonoperative management. On average, 55% of athletes returned to full participation in prior sports, but overhead athletes had a lower average return of 45%. Additional work is needed to define the criteria for diagnosing and guiding clinical decision making to optimize outcomes and return to play

Combination therapy with irinotecan and cisplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer

To evaluate the response rate and toxicity of the combination of irinotecan (CPT-11) and cisplatin in a neoadjuvant setting, a phase II study was conducted regarding the regimen of this combination in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Eligibility included patients with previously untreated stage Ib2, IIb, or IIIb squamous cell carcinoma with good performance status. CPT-11 (60 mg m−2) was administered intravenously on days 1, 8 and 15, followed by cisplatin (60 mg m−2) given intravenously on day 1. Treatment was repeated every 4 weeks for a total of two or three cycles. Among 23 eligible patients (median age: 59 years), three showed complete response (13%), 15 showed partial response (65%), for an overall response rate of 78% (95% confidence interval 58–90%). Stable disease was observed in four cases (17%) and progressive disease in one (4%). The median time to failure and median survival time have not yet been reached. Of the 52 treatment cycles administered, diarrhoea and grade 3 or 4 neutropenia were observed in 10% and 75% respectively. There were no therapy-related deaths. The combination of CPT-11 with cisplatin is a promising regimen for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer. The toxicities of this regimen are well tolerated. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig