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Conduct a comprehensive epidemiological study of match injury characteristics (incidence, severity, causes, diagnostics, and temporal trends) in professional rugby league. Prospective cohort design. Data was captured over the 2013, ’14, and ’15 seasons, collected via an online-reporting survey tool, and underpinned by nominal group technique-agreed definitions. Injury details were provided by club medical staff in accordance to the survey fields from all European Super League teams (e.g. injury occurrence/return dates, diagnosis, mechanism, recurrence). All time-loss injuries have been reported. Injury incidence of 57 injuries/1000h has been observed over the three-year period, with an average of 34days missed per injury. The final 20-min period was the most significant period for injury occurrence, and higher incidence of injury/1000h played was during the start of the season in February, although an absolute injury risk for injury frequency was shown in April due to the greatest playing time. Forward positions reported the highest injury incidence whilst tackle activities were the most frequent mechanism of injury. Concussions and hamstring strains (5 injuries/1000h) were the most commonly diagnosed injuries, although the knee joint region (10 injuries/1000h) was the most frequently injured area. In light of the most common injury diagnoses, mechanisms, identified seasonal risk, and time of match, the data should look to inform player preparation in terms of physical conditioning and tackle technique in order to optimise player welfare and availability for participation.

Background and Aims The use of whole‐body cryotherapy (WBC) for athletic recovery is becoming increasingly popular despite the lack of evidence supporting the dosage parameters in its implementation. The aim of the current study was to investigate the dose–response effects of WBC following match‐play in elite rugby league players. Methods We observed endocrine (salivary cortisol and testosterone) and biochemical (creatine kinase) responses following three separate post‐match recovery periods in elite rugby league players. Comparisons were made between a single exposure (3 min at −120°C to ‐−135°C) of WBC to two consecutive exposures (2 × 3 min), to a control (no exposure) during the recovery trials. Recovery characteristics were measured 36 h prematch, immediately postmatch, and 60 h postmatch. Results Cortisol concentrations remained unchanged in its pattern of response during the postmatch recovery periods across all WBC doses. Testosterone concentrations increased significantly (p < 0.0005) at 60 h, in the WBC2 trial. The Testosterone:Cortisol ratio increased significantly (p < 0.0005) at 60 h in the WBC2 trial, while during the WBC0 trial it did not recover to baseline levels. No significant effect on creatine kinase concentration was observed, although a statistical trend was shown in WBC2 for improved reduction of this marker at 60 h. Conclusions These findings suggest that two, consecutive exposures to WBC immediately following fatiguing rugby league competition appear to stimulate an increase to the anabolic endocrine profile of participants by 60 h post‐match, and may reduce the CK concentration. Coaches and athletes should consider the treatment dosage of WBC when used to optimize the desired response following a high‐stress environment.

Hypervitaminosis D was diagnosed in a giant anteater (Myromecophaga tridactyla) and a large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) being fed a commercial insectivore diet. Clinical findings included weight loss, reduced appetite, vomiting, and suspected abdominal discomfort. Hypercalcemia (3.68 and 2.04 mmol/L total and ionized calcium, respectively) was detected in the anteater, and plasma 25(OH)D levels were measured and found to be 808.7 and 379.4 nmol/L for the anteater and armadillo, respectively. Dietary change resulted in a reduction of 25(OH)D levels in both animals and resolution of hypercalcemia in the giant anteater. Dietary analysis of the commercial insectivore food revealed levels of vitamin D3 higher than the data-sheet values. This case report demonstrates that hypervitaminosis D in Xenarthra can be associated with significant clinical signs.

Cases of femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty are infrequently reported in reptiles, and details of surgical technique and clinical outcome in chelonia are lacking. An adult female leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) was presented with chronic non–weight-bearing lameness of the left hind limb. Examination and radiography were consistent with coxofemoral luxation, and as a result of the chronic presentation, surgical intervention was recommended. A cranial approach to the joint via the prefemoral fossa afforded good surgical exposure. A depressed lytic acetabular lesion was noted during the procedure, postulated to be a result of abnormal wear from the luxated femoral head. A fiberglass prop was used during recovery to allow extension of the limb without full weight-bearing. Lameness persisted postoperatively, but limb usage significantly improved.

Pallas' cat [Otocolobus (Felis) manul] experiences a high mortality rate from toxoplasmosis. During the period 2006–2016, the overall mortality rate for this species from all causes during the first year of life was 71.59% in European Association of Zoos and Aquaria institutions, with the most significant infectious cause from systemic toxoplasmosis (20.6%) as confirmed by postmortem examination and histopathology. Clindamycin was used starting in 2014 in two collections that had previously experienced 100% mortality rates by toxoplasmosis in kittens less than one year of age, covering key Toxoplasma gondii exposure periods for kittens (n = 17) as a prophylactic measure. This protocol resulted in a 67.03% (95% confidence interval 41.76–78.61%) reduction in the first year mortality rate over a two-year period to 5.88% in those animals treated.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a cause of contagious and typically fatal enteric disease, primarily affecting ruminant and pseudoruminant species. During a MAP outbreak in a captive collection, six of nine adult Mishmi takin (Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor) showed marked weight loss over 1-3 mo, followed by an acute deterioration. Fecal culture and microscopy failed to identify MAP shedding. Necropsy findings included grossly normal intestines and marked enlargement of mesenteric lymph nodes. Histological findings included multibacillary granulomatous enteritis, mesenteric lymphadenitis, and periportal hepatitis. MAP was confirmed by culture of intestinal and lymph node tissues from the index case. Results of antemortem serological testing using an indirect ELISA (ID SCREEN® Paratuberculosis Indirect) were corroborated by findings at necropsy or survival of the outbreak. Mishmi takin appear to show high MAP susceptibility and a rapid disease course compared with domestic ruminant species.

A 9-yr-old, entire female captive rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) was presented with a 1-wk history of sialorrhea. On clinical examination, a mass was identified, encompassing the rostral mandible and intermandibular area, with associated mucosal ulceration, marked gingival recession, and loosening or loss of adjacent teeth. Skull radiography and cytology of fine-needle aspirates of the mass were suggestive of squamous cell carcinoma. Based on a suspected poor prognosis, the animal was humanely euthanized. Postmortem histological examination of samples confirmed a diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma with invasion of mandibular bone. Neoplasia is uncommonly reported in hyraxes, which has led to the assumption that they may share mechanisms of cancer resistance with elephants, their closest extant relatives. This is the first report of squamous cell carcinoma in this species.

Supraorbital salt-excreting glands are present in at least 10 avian orders and are largest in marine species, including penguins. Diseases of the avian salt gland have been described infrequently. From September 2015, five captive northern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes moseleyi) were presented over a 6-wk period for unilateral or bilateral supraorbital swellings. In September 2016, two cases recurred and two additional cases were identified. Histopathology demonstrated salt gland adenitis with extensive squamous metaplasia. Blood plasma testing demonstrated marked vitamin A and E deficiencies within the colony. Prolonged frozen storage of feed-fish was implicated as a cause of vitamin depletion; reducing storage times and addition of dietary supplementation prevented recurrence.

The value of athletics in character development has been anecdotally touted for centuries, but the reality is that sporting environments have regularly failed to achieve the potentials of moral education. The shared physical and mental demands of sports combined with the intensity with which much of society approaches competition makes the playing field a unique venue for both the observation and teaching of dynamic, virtuous behavior. Considering modern findings in the fields of cognitive science, social psychology, and behavioral neuroscience in conjunction with rich philosophical thinking of the past provides insights to drive sports-based character education into this century. In this article we present a framework for character education in sports that examines the sociocultural influences, emotional and cognitive responses, and self-regulation skills throughout the moral decision-making process on the playing field. Each level of this model provides insights for athletic educators navigating both prosocial and antisocial behaviors in sport. Beyond considering sport as a venue for character development it is also valuable to acknowledge the potential for character to improve athletic performance. This interacting relationship not only adds value to character education initiatives but also provides additional opportunities for creating a strong community belief system around character. Creating impactful student-athlete character education environments is challenging, yet sport educational environments that are consciously shaped and consistently supportive can succeed.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the use of self-regulation strategies to enhance performance in a sample of mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes. A qualitative study design was employed in which a constructivist philosophy (Charmaz, 2000; Smith, 2009; Sparkes 2002) was embraced by the authors of the current study. Data collection and analysis took place over a one-year period in which the first author engaged in participant observation, collected field notes, conducted formal recorded interviews with nine participants, and had multiple contacts with participants. Results of the current study suggest that the use of behavioral processes of change, development of embodied emotions, and the use of psychological strategies played a role in the self-regulation and performance of MMA fighters. As the sport of MMA continues to grow research further examining the role of self-regulation in training and performance is warranted.