Specially trained detection dogs have been used to locate faeces (scats) for faecal analyses but their effectiveness has not been quantified. We evaluated detection and accuracy rates of dogs trained to find scats of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica). Four dogs found from 0.43 to 5.37 presumptive kit fox scats per km of transect searched in two field sites where kit foxes and coyotes (Canis latrans) but not non-native red foxes (V. vulpes) were present. The unusually low detection rate (0.43 scats per km) by one dog (probably due to excessive panting in hot weather) was still similar to the average scat detection rate of two experienced humans. DNA tests of 1298 scats showed that all dogs were 100% accurate at distinguishing kit fox scats under our field conditions. Because red foxes are sympatric with kit foxes in some areas, we also conducted controlled discrimination experiments to see if trained dogs could distinguish between scats from kit and red foxes. Four dogs were 100% accurate at choosing a kit fox scat when red fox scats were present (n = 64 trials), but were less accurate at ignoring red fox scats in trials where a kit fox scat was absent.

Maternal renal hemodynamic adaptation to human pregnancy is one of the most dramatic of all physiologic changes, but the factors that are responsible have remained elusive. In rat pregnancy, there are comparable renal hemodynamic changes, and in this species there is comprehensive evidence that the ovarian hormone relaxin (RLX) is responsible. This study investigated the renal effects of recombinant human RLX (rhRLX) in humans. Eleven volunteers (six male, five female) received intravenous infusions of rhRLX over 5 h at an infusion rate that was chosen to sustain serum concentrations that are comparable to early pregnancy. The renal clearances of inulin and para-aminohippurate were used to measure GFR and renal plasma flow, respectively. Irrespective of gender, renal plasma flow was increased by 47% compared with baseline levels (P < 0.0001), but no significant change was observed in GFR. There were no side effects or adverse reactions of rhRLX given as an intravenous infusion, and the data suggest that RLX indeed may be one of the elusive renal vasodilatory factors in human pregnancy. Further work is necessary to elucidate the complimentary factors that permit the concomitant increase in GFR during pregnancy. T he renal response to pregnancy is characterized by a substantially increased GFR. Micropuncture studies in rats have shown that vasodilation of both the afferent and the efferent arterioles is responsible for augmented renal plasma flow (RPF), which in turn is the main cause of the gestational increase in GFR (1). Indirect evidence indicates that comparable mechanisms are operational in human pregnancy (2-4). There is comprehensive evidence that the ovarian hormone relaxin (RLX) is an essential mediator of the renal vasodilation and hyperfiltration (as well as osmoregulatory changes) in midterm pregnant rats (5), and current evidence supports a mechanism whereby RLX upregulates vascular gelatinase, matrix metalloproteinase 2, promoting cleavage of big endothelin (ET) into ET 1-32 , which then causes nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilation via endothelial ET B receptors (6,7). Until now, the investigation of the vasoactive properties of RLX in the human kidney has been hampered by difficulties that are encountered in pharmacologic stimulation of RLX secretion outside pregnancy (8) and by the absence of an exogenous RLX product for human administration. We have previously investigated, however, women with ovarian failure who became pregnant through egg donation. These RLX-deficient pregnancies had a significantly subdued increase in GFR and reduction in plasma osmolality in early pregnancy (9).The recent availability of recombinant human RLX (rhRLX) has allowed us to test the renal vasoactive properties of this protein hormone. Using the renal clearances of inulin and para-aminohippurate (PAH) to measure GFR and RPF, respectively, we describe the renal response to infusions of rhRLX that attained serum RLX levels comparable to early gestation (10). RLX, which is secreted by the corpus luteum in pregnancy, ...

There are no measures available to document footcare practice among people with diabetes and yet such measures are needed as a surrogate marker in studies designed to determine the effectiveness of footcare education. We have therefore developed such a measure, the Nottingham Assessment of Functional Footcare (NAFF), and have assessed its reliability and validity. A pilot questionnaire was distributed to people with diabetes and healthy controls, before being revised and shortened. The revised version was assessed for internal consistency and reliability. The pilot 51‐item questionnaire was determined in 100 out‐patients with diabetes and 61 healthy controls. The internal consistency was 0.46 in people with diabetes and 0.39 in healthy volunteers. Twenty‐eight items showed significant differences between those with and without diabetes. The internal consistency and test–retest reliability of a revised version were determined in people with diabetes. The measure was further refined to a 29‐item version, which had an internal consistency of 0.53. There was a significant correlation (rs 0.83; p<0.001) and no significant difference (p = 0.85) between scores in the test–retest study. Respondents with neuropathy scored significantly higher than those without (p<0.01). We conclude that the NAFF could act as an outcome measure in the prospective trials which are needed to establish the place of education programmes in clinical practice. The measure could also be used in routine care to identify those whose usual foot care might put their feet at risk of future ulceration. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons.

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