Priority knowledge needs for management of migratory fish species in Cambodia

Despite their economic and ecological importance, migratory fishes of the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) remain understudied, which hampers effective management to sustain valuable fisheries and address serious threats such as habitat degradation, development and overharvest. From a list of potential knowledge needs, a group of fisheries professionals most frequently identified six top priorities for managing migratory fishes in Cambodia: (1) population abundances and trends, (2) life cycles and life history, (3) migration timing and triggers, (4) migration routes and distances, (5) locations of key habitats and spawning areas, and (6) environmental and habitat requirements. These needs are discussed along with nine relevant methodologies for addressing them, including fisheries-dependent and fisheries-independent sampling, reproductive techniques and captive studies, otolith and genetic analysis tools, and tagging and imaging techniques. A suggested research framework is also presented to inform adaptive management of migratory fishes. While emphasis is given to Cambodia, the analysis is also applicable to other LMB countries, given that migratory fishes occur throughout the basin and migrate across borders. It is suggested that a robust research and monitoring agenda is required to prioritise knowledge needs and select appropriate methodologies to answer questions vital to inform sustainable migratory fish management in Cambodia.     

Antithrombotic Effect of Enoxaparin in Clinically Healthy Cats: A Venous Stasis Model

Background: Systemic arterial thromboembolic events are a serious complication of cardiac disease in cats.
Objectives: To determine if enoxaparin induces an antithrombotic effect in cats at a dosage of 1 mg/kg SC q12h and if this antithrombotic effect is predicted by anti-Xa activity.
Animals: Fourteen clinically healthy cats were divided into 3 groups: control (4 cats), treated and assessed at 4 hours (5 cats), and treated and assessed at 12 hours (5 cats).
Methods: A venous stasis model was used and the extent of thrombus formation estimated by measuring thrombus weight and accretion of ¹²⁵I-fibrinogen. Plasma anti-Xa activity was measured in treated cats.
Results: There was a significant reduction in thrombus formation in the 4 h group compared with control (median weight, 0.000 versus 0.565 mg/mm, P < .01; median %¹²⁵I-fibrinogen accretion, 0.0 versus 42.0%, P < .01). There was a reduction in thrombus formation in the 12 h group (median weight, 0.006 mg/mm, P = .09; median %¹²⁵I-fibrinogen accretion, 3.83%, P = .09) but this reduction was not significant. The median percent thrombus inhibition for treated cats was 100.0% at 4 hours and 91.4% at 12 hours. Plasma anti-Xa activity was not significantly correlated with thrombus formation.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: This pilot study demonstrates that enoxaparin, when administered at a dosage of 1 mg/kg SC q12h, produces an antithrombotic effect in a venous statsis model in clinically healthy cats. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that anti-Xa activity is a poor predictor of enoxaparin's antithrombotic effect.     

Antibodies to iron-regulated outer membrane proteins of coliform bacteria isolated from bovine intramammary infections

Expression of iron-regulated outer membrane proteins (OMP) by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae initially isolated from bovine intramammary infections (IMI) was investigated. Additionally, the presence of antibodies in bovine serum and mammary secretion directed against the iron-regulated OMP was examined. Outer membrane proteins were separated by sodium-dodecyl polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Detection of immunoglobulin G directed against OMP was by immunoblotting. All Gram-negative bacteria expressed iron-regulated OMP when grown in skim milk or trypticase soy broth plus iron chelator, alpha-alpha'-dipyridyl. Immunoglobulin G directed against the iron-regulated OMP, as well as the major OMP and several other proteins, was detected in serum and milk of lactating cows with or without Gram-negative bacterial IMI. Antibody against the iron-regulated OMP was detected also in colostrum, secretion from the involuted gland, and in newborn calf serum 4 days after ingesting colostrum.     

Evaluation of displacement of the digital cushion in response to vertical loading in equine forelimbs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patterns of digital cushion (DC) displacement that occur in response to vertical loading of the distal portion of the forelimb in horses. Sample Population-Forelimbs from 10 horses with normal feet. PROCEDURE: Patterns of DC displacement induced by in vitro vertical limb loading were determined. Load-induced displacement of the DC was defined as the magnitude and direction of displacement of 6 radio-dense, percutaneously implanted markers in specific regions of the DC. The effects of solar support and nonsupport on displacement of the DC were compared. RESULTS: Regional displacement of the DC occurred principally along distal and palmar vectors in response to vertical loading. Medial or lateral abaxial displacements were variable and appeared to be dependent on response of the limb to the applied load. Displacement of the DC was not affected by the degree of solar support. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Data indicated that the biomechanical function of the DC is to act as a restraint to the displacement of the second phalanx or as a passive structure that allows flexibility of the caudal two thirds of the foot. Results did not indicate that the DC provides a force that induces displacement of or an active restraint against outward displacement of the hoof wall capsule.     

Suspected iatrogenic paradoxical embolization in a cat

A cat was evaluated for a 5-year history of progressive, episodic, exercise-induced cyanosis and panting. Diagnostic testing demonstrated tetralogy of Fallot with predominant right-to-left shunting and right-sided heart failure. Following diagnostic catheterization, the cat developed clinical signs consistent with systemic arterial thromboembolization and was euthanized. Necropsy findings included multiple thrombi within the right atrium and ventricle, and thromboemboli within the terminal aorta and right common carotid artery, a condition most consistent with iatrogenic paradoxical embolization secondary to diagnostic catheterization. Paradoxical embolization and thromboembolic complications of diagnostic catheterization are discussed.     

Transarterial coil embolization of patent ductus arteriosus in small dogs with 0.025-inch vascular occlusion coils: 10 cases

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the most common congenital cardiac disease in the dog and generally leads to severe clinical signs, including left-sided congestive heart failure. Historically, definitive treatment consisted of surgical ligation; however, the use of vascular occlusion devices by minimally invasive techniques has gained popularity in veterinary medicine during the past decade. Adequate vascular access is a major limiting factor for these minimally invasive techniques, precluding their use in very small dogs. The clinical management of PDA with 0.025-in vascular occlusion coils in a minimally invasive transarterial technique in 10 dogs is described. The dogs were small (1.38 +/- 0.22 kg), were generally young (6.70 +/- 5.74 months), and had small minimal ductal diameters (1.72 +/- 0.81 mm from angiography). Vascular access was achieved, and coil deployment was attempted in all dogs with a 3F catheter uncontrolled release system. Successful occlusion, defined as no angiographic residual flow, was accomplished in 8 of 10 (80%) dogs. Successful occlusion was not achieved in 2 dogs (20%), and both dogs experienced embolization of coils into the pulmonary arterial tree. One of these dogs died during the procedure, whereas the other dog underwent a successful surgical correction. We conclude that transarterial PDA occlusion in very small dogs is possible with 0.025-in vascular occlusion coils by means of a 3F catheter system and that it represents a viable alternative to surgical ligation. The risk of pulmonary arterial embolization is higher with this uncontrolled release system, but this risk may decrease with experience.