September Issue of JAALAS Now Available

The September issue of JAALAS is now available online.

The Rodent Quarantine Quagmire
pp. 472-474(3)
Authors: Mook, Deborah; Taylor, Douglas K.; Huerkamp, Michael J.

Growth-Associated Changes in the Periodontal Bone and Molar Teeth of Male Rats
pp. 475-481(7)
Authors: García, María F.; Moreno, Hilda; Rigalli, Alfredo; Puche, Rodolfo C.

Variation in Clitoral Length in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)
pp. 482-485(4)
Authors: Goldschmidt, Beatriz; Cabello, Pedro H.; Kugelmeier, Tatiana; Pereira, Barbara B.; Lopes, Claudia A.; Fasano, Daniele M.; Andrade, Marcia C.; Santos, Joice S.; Marinho, Antonio M.

Decreased Blastocyst Production in Mice Exposed to Increased Rack Noise
pp. 486-491(6)
Authors: Zamora, Bernadette M.; Jiang, Meisheng; Wang, Ying; Chai, Minghua; Lawson, P Timothy; Lawson, Gregory W.

Breeding and Housing Laboratory Rats and Mice in the Same Room Does Not Affect the Growth or Reproduction of Either Species
pp. 492-498(7)
Authors: Pritchett-Corning, Kathleen R.; Chang, Fon T.; Festing, Michael F.W.

Effect of Chilling on the Motility and Acrosomal Integrity of Rat Sperm in the Presence of Various Extenders
pp. 499-505(7)
Authors: Varisli, Omer; Uguz, Cevdet; Agca, Cansu; Agca, Yuksel

Euthanasia Method for Mice in Rapid Time-Course Pulmonary Pharmacokinetic Studies
pp. 506-511(6)
Authors: Schoell, Adam R.; Heyde, Bruce R.; Weir, Dana E.; Chiang, Po-Chang; Hu, Yiding; Tung, David K.

Evaluation and Refinement of Euthanasia Methods for Xenopus laevis
pp. 512-516(5)
Authors: Torreilles, Stéphanie L.; McClure, Diane E.; Green, Sherril L.

Interstrain Differences in the Development of Pyometra after Estrogen Treatment of Rats
pp. 517-520(4)
Authors: Brossia, Lisa Jane; Roberts, Christopher Sean; Lopez, Jennifer T.; Bigsby, Robert M.; Dynlacht, Joseph R.

Enoxaparin Treatment of Spontaneous Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Chronically Catheterized Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)
pp. 521-526(6)
Authors: Wathen, Asheley B.; Myers, Daniel D.; Zajkowski, Paul; Flory, Graham; Hankenson, F Claire

International Symposium on Biosafety

The Office of Health and Safety of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently planning the 11th International Symposium on Biosafety to be held January 23-27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. The focus of this symposium is “Management Challenges for Safe Operation of BSL3/ABSL3 Facilities.” In addition to the symposium, there will be two days of pre-conference courses.

Delaware Valley Branch Meeting

The Delaware Valley Branch AALAS held its Awards and Officer Installation Meeting and Dinner on September 9, 2009. The meeting was sponsored by and held at the Animal Specialties and Provisions, LLC, facility in Quakertown, PA. Approximately 200 individuals attended. AALAS Executive Director Dr. Ann Turner and AALAS President-elect Deb Donohoe were the invited guests. Dr. Turner spoke about Whyville and Deb shared her path to AALAS Presidency.

Denise DiFrancesco is the Official DVB AALAS Rising Star this year. She not only was elected president of DVB AALAS, she was also elected District 2 Trustee. And she was profiled in Tech Talk this past year!






The DVB Board left to right are: Heidi Duffy, Pam Straeter, Dr. Rick Huneke, Dr. Bill Cole, Beth Lotocki, Lisa Pancella, Denise DiFrancesco, Linda Fritz, Melissa Hostrander, Denise Arrtaway, Paula Clifford, Bill Clarke, Carol Burns, Deyanira Santiago, Deb Benner, Dr. Milton April, Dr. Harry Rozmiarek

AALAS Represented in New Zealand

A report by Dr. Scott Perkins, AALAS President

The ANZLAA meeting was held in Wellington, NZ from September 1-3 with over 30 speakers and presentations. There were also 17 posters and 23 Exhibitor booths. I spoke on "Cleaning and Disinfection" in the lab animal facility and did a talk/workshop on "Getting the word out: the importance of animals in biomedical research and the research team". The latter was very well received by the attendees, and I have had numerous requests for my slides.

At the end of the day on September 2nd, I also participated in the "ANZLAA Debate", which pitted "The Aussies and Kiwis" against "The World" teams in a practical type exam involving slides and multiple choice questions. I am happy to report that "The World" team won although a "recount" was shown to make it a tie. It was a very entertaining event.

At the Gala Dinner on September 3rd, the 7 international speakers were brought up on stage to "field" a rugby team. John Schofield had us all worried when the ref in a wig came onto stage but it was all part of the gag. We were all presented a Reverse-A-Ball--The Rugby Kiwi, which looks like a rugby football on the outside but when unzipped and reversed it is a kiwi bird wearing the NZ All Blacks rugby uniform. It was a very nice gift and the end of an outstanding conference.

AALAS Learning Library, Firefox, and Audio Files

If you experience audio files erroneously auto-playing in Firefox while using the AALAS Learning Library, then...

1. Ensure that the latest version of Firefox is installed. At this point it is version 3.5.2
2. Ensure that the latest Microsoft Windows Media Player Plug-in is installed. The full name of the plug-in is “Microsoft Windows Media Player Firefox Plug-in 1.0.0.8.” This plug-in can be downloaded at http://port25.technet.com/videos/downloads/wmpfirefoxplugin.exe. If another version of the plug-in is installed, it must be disabled before installing the new plug-in.