Breed associations for canine exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of breed associations is valuable to clinicians and researchers investigating diseases with a genetic basis. HYPOTHESIS: Among symptomatic dogs tested for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) by canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) assay, EPI is common in certain breeds and rare in others. Some breeds may be overrepresented or underrepresented in the population of dogs with EPI. Pathogenesis of EPI may be different among breeds. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs with clinical signs, tested for EPI by radioimmunoassay of serum cTLI, were used. METHODS: In this retrospective study, results of 13,069 cTLI assays were reviewed. RESULTS: An association with EPI was found in Chows, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS), Rough-Coated Collies (RCC), and German Shepherd Dogs (GSD) (all P < .001). Chows (median, 16 months) were younger at diagnosis than CKCS (median, 72 months, P < .001), but not significantly different from GSD (median, 36 months, P = .10) or RCC (median, 36 months, P = .16). GSD (P < .001) and RCC (P = .015) were younger at diagnosis than CKCS. Boxers (P < .001), Golden Retrievers (P < .001), Labrador Retrievers (P < .001), Rottweilers (P = .022), and Weimaraners (P = .002) were underrepresented in the population with EPI. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: An association with EPI in Chows has not previously been reported. In breeds with early-onset EPI, immune-mediated mechanisms are possible or the disease may be congenital. When EPI manifests later, as in CKCS, pathogenesis is likely different (eg, secondary to chronic pancreatitis). Underrepresentation of certain breeds among dogs with EPI has not previously been recognized and may imply the existence of breed-specific mechanisms that protect pancreatic tissue from injury.     

Guidelines for Managing Wildlife Habitats in Southwestern Ponderosa Pine Forests of the United States

IntroductionEcoledcalrelahonshipsanddePendenceofwildlifesPe-ciesonsouthwesternPOnderosapine(Pineponderosa)fOrestsarecloselyrelat6dtohabitatuse.Foraginghabits,seasOndfoodPreferences,anduseoftreesforfeedingarelawtydePendentuponthestrUctureandspahalar-rangme…     

Identification of pathogenic fungi and preliminary screening for resistance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jatropha curcas</Emphasis> L. germplasm

Sexual reproduction in fungi is controlled by mating type genes, which are located at the MAT locus. In this study, we investigated the structure of this locus in the phytopathogenic fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa, the causal agent of citrus black spot disease. Despite intensive study, its sexual state has never been observed in single-spore culture. Through analysis of the genome sequences of two individual P. citricarpa isolates, the sequence of the DNA lyase gene was identified and, as previously reported in the literature, the mating type genes were located in the 3′ flanking region of this gene. The results suggested that P. citricarpa is heterothallic, owing to the exclusive presence of the MAT1–1 or MAT1–2 gene in individual strains. In order to characterize the MAT locus, we designed primers to amplify this region. P. citricarpa was found to have complete and apparently functional copies of MAT genes, containing α-1 and HMG domains, present in different isolates. In addition to MAT1–2-1 and MAT1–1-1 genes, the MAT1–1-4 gene was located in the 5′ flanking region of the MAT1–1-1 gene and the MAT1–2-5 gene was located in 5′ flanking region of the MAT1–2-1 gene. A multiplex PCR protocol was also developed to differentiate P. citricarpa idiomorphs, which can be used in distribution and incidence studies of mating type strains, in order to determine the occurrence of sexual reproduction and to facility crossing studies. Furthermore, in Brazil, the two idiomorphs occur in a 1:1 ratio, which is expected in sexually reproducing populations.     

Environmental Influences on the Release of Ophiosphaerella agrostis Ascospores Under Controlled and Field Conditions

ABSTRACT Ophiosphaerella agrostis, the causal agent of dead spot of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), can produce prodigious numbers of pseudothecia and ascospores throughout the summer. The environmental conditions and seasonal timings associated with O. agrostis ascospore release are unknown. The objectives of this research were to (i) determine the influence of light and relative humidity on ascospore release in a controlled environment, (ii) document the seasonal and daily discharge patterns of ascospores in the field, and (iii) elucidate environmental conditions that promote ascospore release under field conditions. In a growth chamber, a sharp decrease (100 to approximately 50%; 25 degrees C) in relative humidity resulted in a rapid (1- to 3-h) discharge of ascospores, regardless of whether pseudothecia were incubated in constant light or dark. In the field, daily ascospore release increased between 1900 and 2300 h and again between 0700 and 1000 h local time. The release of ascospores occurred primarily during the early morning hours when relative humidity was decreasing and the canopy began to dry, or during evening hours when relative humidity was low and dew began to form. Few ascospores were released between 1100 and 1800 h when the bentgrass canopy was dry. The release of ascospores also was triggered by precipitation. Of the ascospores collected during precipitation events, 87% occurred within 10 h of the beginning of each event.     

Relative solubilities of bifenox and 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA) in plant cuticles and in selected pure or aqueous glycol additives

The driving force for foliar penetration is the product of the partition coefficient (K) between the cuticle and the formulation residue, and the concentration of the active ingredient in the spray residue. Ethylene glycols and polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are often contained in commercial formulations, because they are good solvents and not toxic. Since they are humectants, the water content of the formulation residue varies with humidity of the air. At 25°C and 65% relative humidity PEG 400 contains about 50% water. The partition coefficients for the lipophilic herbicide, bifenox, increased with increasing water content of the ethylene glycols and PEGs, such that log K was a linear function of the mass fraction of water or PEG. The K value was about 0·5 for the system cuticle/pure PEG and 27500 for the system cuticle/water. When PEG contained 50% water, K was only 110. Partition coefficients of bifenox between cuticle and ‘Tween’ 80 depended also on humidity, having values of 0·75 in cuticle/pure ‘Tween’ 80 and 29·1 when ‘Tween’ 80 contained 50% water. With 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA), which is a weak acid, partition coefficients also depended on water content of PEG 400, but a maximum curve was obtained. The maximum partition coefficient (211) was observed with a mixture of 30% PEG 400 and 70% water, which corresponded to a humidity of 88%. We suggest that this is due to an effect of PEG 400 on the ionisation of NAA. Our data demonstrate that partition coefficients are affected by humidity, because solubilities of lipophilic compounds and weak acids in PEG/water mixtures vary greatly with the water content. This in turn affects driving forces, mainly by the effect of humidity on partition coefficient. With non-ionisable lipophilic compounds, partition coefficients, driving forces and rates of foliar uptake therefore increase with increasing humidity. © 1998 SCI     

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp in dairy cattle and wildlife

This study investigated the utility of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol as a screening test for Cryptosporidium spp in 125 fecal samples from dairy cattle and wild rodents. Samples initially examined by fecal flotation and ELISA were evaluated using four PCR protocols (18S SSU rRNA, TRAP-C2, HSP70, and COWP), and the relative accuracy and agreement of PCR protocols was assessed. Although PCR can be both highly sensitive and accurate, the ability of these protocols to accurately detect DNA in samples can vary. A combination of techniques may be the best choice for to screen samples for this parasite.     

AAHA/AAFP pain management guidelines for dogs & cats

Pain management in dogs and cats has undergone a dramatic evolution in the past decade. Current approaches focus on anticipation and prevention of pain, as well as both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management techniques. The veterinary team plays an essential role in educating pet owners about recognizing and managing pain in their pets.     

Cover Image,Volume 16, Issue 1

The cover image, by Alexandra Keller et al., is based on the Original Article The JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target in canine mastocytoma, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12311

     

Fatal epizootic equine herpesvirus 1 infections in new and unnatural hosts

In a zoological collection, four black bears (Ursus americanus) died from neurological disease within six months. Independently in a geographically different zoo, two Thomson's gazelles (Eudorcas thomsoni) and 18 guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus f. dom.) suffered from neurological disorders. In addition, guinea pigs showed abortions and stillbirths. All affected animals displayed a non suppurative meningoencephalitis with intranuclear inclusion bodies. Immunohistology demonstrated equine herpes virus antigen and ultrastructurally herpes viral particles were detected. Virus isolation and molecular analysis identified neurotropic equine herpesvirus (EHV) 1 strains in both epizootics. There is serological evidence of a possible virus transmission from other equids to the affected animals. Cross-species transmission of EHV-1 should be considered in the management of captive wild equids and ungulates, particularly with respect to fatal disease in irreplaceable species.