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Altered mental status is an umbrella term that covers a broad spectrum of disease processes that vary greatly in chronicity and severity. Causes can be a primary neurologic insult or a result of a systemic illness resulting in end-organ dysfunction of the brain. Acute changes in mental status are more likely than chronic changes to be immediately life-threatening and are therefore the focus of this review. Given the potential time-sensitive nature, acute changes in mental status must be addressed immediately and with urgency. We recommend a primary survey followed by a secondary survey with special attention to immediate life-threatening reversible causes. We then recommend a systems-based approach searching for any other life-threatening or reversible causes. Because the differential for altered mental status is broad, a comprehensive emergency department evaluation including a detailed history and physical exam as well as laboratory and radiographic testing is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The objective was to determine associations between behavior during head-lock restraint and reproductive performance in dairy heifers. Behavior of 817 Holstein heifers from four farms was evaluated at feeding (Days 0 and 7) while restrained in a self-locking stanchion. All heifers were assigned a body condition score (BCS; 1, emaciated to 5, obese) on Day 0. Heifers were timed-inseminated on a maximum of three occasions to determine impact of behavior for first service pregnancy per AI (FS-P/AI) and cumulative P/AI (C-P/AI). Ovulation was synchronized with an Ovsynch synchronization protocol for first service and thereafter either Ovsynch and/or prostaglandin F 2α -based protocols. More heifers displayed calm escape behavior (P < 0.05) compared with mild or aggressive escape behaviors (45.2, 28.2 and 26.6%, respectively). Adjusting for BCS (P < 0.05), FS-P/AI was greater (P < 0.05) for calm heifers compared with aggressive escape behavior, 58.0% (214/369) vs 48.2% (105/218), with FS-P/AI of heifers with mild aggressive behavior [53.5% (123/230)] intermediate and did not differ from other means. Adjusting for BCS (P < 0.0001), C-P/AI was greater (P < 0.0001) for heifers with calm compared with mild or aggressive escape behaviors [84.8% (313/369), 71.3% (164/230) and 64.7% (141/218), respectively]. Serum cortisol concentrations were not different among behavior categories, but serum substance P concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in aggressive heifers compared with mild or calm heifers, 97.1 ± 4.9, 58.4 ± 2.9 and 52.3 ± 2.6 ng/mL, respectively. In conclusion, Holstein heifers with aggressive escape behavior during head-lock restraint had significantly reduced reproductive performance. Highlights • During headlock restraint, more heifers showed calm escape behavior. • Mean serum cortisol concentrations did not differ among heifers with aggressive, mild and calm escape behavior. • Mean serum substance P concentrations was greater in heifers that expressed aggressive compared with mild and calm escape behavior. • First service pregnancy/AI was greater in heifers that expressed calm compared with aggressive escape behavior. • Cumulative pregnancy/AI was greater for heifers that expressed calm compared with mild and aggressive escape behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predators can influence populations through top-down effects, but most large predators have been extirpated from the range of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)). Hunters have filled this predatory role, but also can indirectly influence prey species. Indirect behavioral responses can include altered resource selection, space use, or movement. Herein, we developed a controlled study that contained both temporal and spatial risk levels to assess how deer behavior changes relative to temporal periods of risk. Total distance travelled and microrange area over 2-day periods were used to determine the general effects of hunting season on deer spatial behavior. Generally, distance travelled, microrange area, and exploratory behavior decreased during the course of the study, with the greatest decrease occurring during the active 16-day hunting period. Despite potential risk and disturbance from hunters, deer maintained site fidelity to previously established ranges and did not expand microrange areas. These data indicate that deer recognize threats from humans on the landscape and adapt behavioral strategies by minimizing movement and exhibiting high residency times in well-established ranges, factors known to influence harvest susceptibility. This information can be used to assess potential impacts from hunting for management purposes, but also to test the adaptive ability of animals to risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]