• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.185-191
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• 2022

An Amur softshell turtle with multiple shell injuries was admitted to the Seoul Wildlife Center on 19 May 2021. The most severe lesion was a puncture wound requiring urgent closure. In addition to routine supportive therapy, the damaged shell was patched with biocompatible polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) materials (bone cement and dental acrylic) and fiberglass. Despite a few methods to repair the carapace or plastron of hard-shelled turtles, shell repair in the Amur softshell turtle has rarely been reported. This paper reports the repair process of a puncture wound in the carapace of a softshell turtle using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is a biocompatible acrylic polymer that forms a tight structure that holds the implant against tissue defects, such as skin, bones, and dentures. Fiberglass, a preferred fiber in various medical fields, was used with PMMA to provide extra strength and waterproof capability. After the procedure, there were no signs of edema, inflammation, bleeding, skin discoloration, or any other complications. Accordingly, this can be a method of choice in softshell turtles using biocompatible materials to cover the lesion in the carapace and provide appropriate wound management, supportive therapy, and a suitable course of antibiotics considering all other circumstances.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.133-136
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• 2015

Freshwater softshell turtle (Trionyx sinensis) extract has been used traditionally as a tonic soup, and to recover from physical fatigue. To support these claims, the forelimb grip strength of mice was measured after feeding a soft-shell turtle extract for 7 days. The T. sinensis extract significantly increased the grip strength to $1.25{\pm}0.07N$ (P<0.01), which is 16.8% higher than the force on day 0. After exercising, the blood glucose levels in extract-fed mice were 202% higher and urea levels were 73% lower, which were both significantly different than the levels observed after control treatment. Lactate dehydrogenase was significantly higher by 314%, and glutathione peroxidase increased by 165%. In addition, the obesity markers, serum triglyceride and cholesterol, decreased to 62% and 49%, respectively, after mice were fed the extract. These data show that the T. sinensis extract provided more energy for forelimb exercise, prevented protein catabolism and muscle fatigue, and decreased the oxidative stress caused by an exhaustive workout.