Subject-based problem-based learning in the veterinary science course at the University of Queensland

Objective
To assess students' perceptions of subject-based problem-based learning in the fourth year of the veterinary science course at the University of Queensland.
Design
A questionnaire-based study.
Procedure
Subject-based problem-based learning was introduced into parts of two fourth year subjects in a 5-year veterinary science course. The problem-based learning exercise used modified clinical cases and was computer-assisted. Students worked in groups of two to four, and small group discussion sessions were tutorless. Lectures were replaced by large group discussion and feedback sessions, led by the teacher, with approximately 85 students.
Results
There was a significant increase in the percentage of students who strongly agreed that they had better understanding of the subject, and had learned to apply principles from this class in new situations. The only consistent criticism by students was directed at the extra time required compared to traditional lecture-based subjects.
Conclusion
Students' perceptions of the learning outcome were very favourable for problem-based learning when compared to the lecture-based subject.     

The unusual nature of recent snowpack declines in the North American cordillera

In western North America, snowpack has declined in recent decades, and further losses are projected through the 21st century. Here, we evaluate the uniqueness of recent declines using snowpack reconstructions from 66 tree-ring chronologies in key runoff-generating areas of the Colorado, Columbia, and Missouri River drainages. Over the past millennium, late 20th century snowpack reductions are almost unprecedented in magnitude across the northern Rocky Mountains and in their north-south synchrony across the cordillera. Both the snowpack declines and their synchrony result from unparalleled springtime warming that is due to positive reinforcement of the anthropogenic warming by decadal variability. The increasing role of warming on large-scale snowpack variability and trends foreshadows fundamental impacts on streamflow and water supplies across the western United States.     

Feline nasal and paranasal sinus tumours: clinicopathological study, histomorphological description and diagnostic immunohistochemistry of 123 cases

Histological examination was performed in 123 cats with primary nasal and paranasal sinus tumours; 117 had undergone surgical biopsy and six necropsy. Special stains and immunohistochemistry were performed on poorly differentiated cases. Ninety-two percent (113/123) of the tumours were malignant. There was an increased risk for old cats (mean age of 10.9 years), and a male predilection (59% males). Clinical signs and breeds varied with the histological type of tumour. Thirty-nine percent (48/123) of the cases presented with nasal discharge, 21% (26/123) with dyspnea, 20% (24/123) with facial swelling, and 15% (19/123) with epistaxis. Forty-three percent (53/123) of the tumours were of epithelial origin. Adenocarcinomas (18/53) and squamous cell carcinomas (17/53) were the most common epithelial tumours. Fifty percent (26/53) of the epithelial tumours originated from the pseudo-stratified respiratory epithelium of the nasal cavity, 28% (15/53) from the stratified squamous epithelium of the vestibule, 9% (5/53) from olfactory epithelium, 9% (5/53) from submucosal glands and 4% (2/53) from minor salivary glands. Malignant lymphoma (35/123) was the most common tumour. Seventy-one percent (25/35) of the malignant lymphomas were B-cell tumours and 29% (10/35) were T-cell tumours. Six cases of malignant lymphomas were proved to be epitheliotropic T-cell lymphomas. This is the first report of a primary nasal epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma in cats.     

Insulin sensitivity decreases with obesity, and lean cats with low insulin sensitivity are at greatest risk of glucose intolerance with weight gain

This study quantifies the effects of marked weight gain on glucose and insulin metabolism in 16 cats which increased their weight by an average of 44.2% over 10 months. Significantly, the development of feline obesity was accompanied by a 52% decrease in tissue sensitivity to insulin and diminished glucose effectiveness. In addition, glucose intolerance and abnormal insulin response occurred in some cats. An important finding was that normal weight cats with low insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness were at increased risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance with obesity. High basal insulin concentrations or low acute insulin response to glucose also independently increased the risk for developing impaired glucose tolerance. Male cats gained more weight relative to females and this, combined with their tendency to lower insulin sensitivity and higher insulin concentrations, may explain why male cats are at greater risk for diabetes. Results suggest an underlying predisposition for glucose intolerance in some cats, which is exacerbated by obesity. These cats may be more at risk of progressing to overt type 2 diabetes mellitus.