Using social media as a cost‐effective resource in the photo‐identification of a coastal bottlenose dolphin community

1. Bottlenose dolphins encountered around the Irish coast are considered part of a wide‐ranging coastal community; however, knowledge on the significance of the north of Ireland for this species is limited by a lack of dedicated effort.
2. Through social media, the opportunity now exists to gather large volumes of citizen science data in the form of high‐quality images, potentially extending the spatial and temporal scope of photo‐identification studies.
3. The purpose of this study was to investigate social media as a data resource for photo‐identification studies and to provide a preliminary assessment of bottlenose dolphins in the north of Ireland. Specifically, the study sought to examine the photo‐identification data for spatial clustering.
4. The study identified 54 well‐marked individuals and provided evidence of potential year‐round occurrence, with successful re‐sightings throughout the study period (2007–2016). There was a geographic concentration of re‐sightings along the north of Ireland, suggestive of interannual site fidelity. These results provide scientific rationale for strategically targeting the north of Ireland in future research on the Irish coastal community.
5. For effective conservation of the bottlenose dolphin it is imperative that scientific research, and resultant management objectives, consider wide‐ranging communities such as the Irish coastal community. Our research highlights data collection via social media as a cost‐effective and scientifically valuable tool in the photo‐identification of coastal cetaceans. We recommend that this method is used in research on low‐density and wide‐ranging coastal cetaceans.

     

Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of a novel mirtazapine transdermal ointment in cats

Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics (PK) of mirtazapine transdermal ointment applied to the inner ear pinna of cats were assessed. Study 1 was a randomized, cross‐over single dose study (n = 8). Cats were treated once with 0.5 mg/kg of mirtazapine transdermal ointment applied topically to the inner ear pinna (treatment) or administered orally (control) and then crossed over after washout. Plasma was collected predose and at specified intervals over 96 hr following dosing. Study 2 was a multiple dose study (n = 8). Cats were treated daily for 14 days with 0.5 mg/kg of mirtazapine transdermal ointment applied topically to the inner pinna. Plasma was collected on Day 13 predose and at specified intervals over 96 hr following the final dose. In Study 1, single transdermal administration of mirtazapine resulted in mean T_max = 15.9 hr, C_max = 21.5 ng/mL, AUC_0‐24 = 100 ng*hr/mL, AUC_0‐∞ = 260 ng*hr/mL and calculated half‐life = 26.8 hr. Single oral administration of mirtazapine resulted in mean T_max = 1.1 hr, C_max = 83.1 ng/mL, AUC_0‐24 = 377 ng*hr/mL, AUC_0‐∞ = 434 ng*hr/mL and calculated half‐life = 10.1 hr. Mean relative bioavailability (F) of transdermal to oral dosing was 64.9%. In Study 2, daily application of mirtazapine for 14 days resulted in mean T_max = 2.1 hr, C_max = 39.6 ng/mL, AUC_0‐24 = 400 ng*hr/mL, AUC_0‐∞ = 647 ng*hr/mL and calculated half‐life = 20.7 hr. Single and repeat topical doses of a novel mirtazapine transdermal ointment achieve measurable plasma concentrations in cats.     

Cloning and radiation hybrid mapping of bovine toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling molecules

Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 is a transmembrane receptor for lipopolysaccharide, a highly pro-inflammatory component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. To date, molecules of the TLR-4 signaling pathway have not been well characterized in cattle. The goal of this study was to clone and sequence the full-length coding regions of bovine genes involved in TLR-4 signaling including CASP8, IRAK1, LY96 (MD-2), TICAM2, TIRAP, TOLLIP and TRAF 6 and to position these genes, as well as MyD88 and TICAM1, on the bovine genome using radiation hybrid mapping. Results of this work indicate differences with a previously published bovine sequence for LY96 and a predicted sequence in the GenBank database for TIRAP based on the most recent assembly of the bovine genome. In addition, discrepancies between actual and predicted chromosomal map positions based on the Btau_2.0 genome assembly release were identified, although map positions were consistent with predicted locations based on the current bovine-human comparative map. Alignment of the bovine amino acid sequences with human and murine sequences showed a broad range in conservation, from 52 to 93%. Overall, this work should assist in the assembly and annotation of the bovine genome sequence, the identification of variations in genes critically involved in host innate immunity, and facilitate the study of TLR-4 signaling pathways in cattle.     

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 as a potential biological control agent for carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Australia: susceptibility of non‐target species

Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) is a pest species in Australian waterways, and cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV‐3) is being considered as a potential biological control (biocontrol) agent. An important consideration for any such agent is its target specificity. In this study, the susceptibility to CyHV‐3 of a range of non‐target species (NTS) was tested. The NTS were as follows: 13 native Australian, and one introduced, fish species; a lamprey species; a crustacean; two native amphibian species (tadpole and mature stages); two native reptilian species; chickens; and laboratory mice. Animals were exposed to 100–1000 times the approximate minimum amount of CyHV‐3 required to cause disease in carp by intraperitoneal and/or bath challenge, and then examined clinically each day over the course of 28 days post‐challenge. There were no clinical signs, mortalities or histological evidence consistent with a viral infection in a wide taxonomic range of NTS. Furthermore, there was no molecular evidence of infection with CyHV‐3, and, in particular, all RT‐PCRs for viral mRNA were negative. As a consequence, the results encourage further investigation of CyHV‐3 as a potential biocontrol agent that is specific for carp.     

ACVIM consensus statement guidelines for the diagnosis,classification, treatment,and monitoring of pulmonary hypertension in dogs

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), defined by increased pressure within the pulmonary vasculature, is a hemodynamic and pathophysiologic state present in a wide variety of cardiovascular, respiratory, and systemic diseases. The purpose of this consensus statement is to provide a multidisciplinary approach to guidelines for the diagnosis, classification, treatment, and monitoring of PH in dogs. Comprehensive evaluation including consideration of signalment, clinical signs, echocardiographic parameters, and results of other diagnostic tests supports the diagnosis of PH and allows identification of associated underlying conditions. Dogs with PH can be classified into the following 6 groups: group 1, pulmonary arterial hypertension; group 2, left heart disease; group 3, respiratory disease/hypoxia; group 4, pulmonary emboli/pulmonary thrombi/pulmonary thromboemboli; group 5, parasitic disease (Dirofilaria and Angiostrongylus); and group 6, disorders that are multifactorial or with unclear mechanisms. The approach to treatment of PH focuses on strategies to decrease the risk of progression, complications, or both, recommendations to target underlying diseases or factors contributing to PH, and PH-specific treatments. Dogs with PH should be monitored for improvement, static condition, or progression, and any identified underlying disorder should be addressed and monitored simultaneously.     

Genitourinary dysplasia in a cat

A six-month-old kitten had congenital urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence due to urethral hypoplasia and associated uterine hypoplasia and vaginal aplasia. Diagnosis was based on radiographic examination, surgical exploration and histological examination of the lower urinary tract. Surgical correction resulted in a marked clinical improvement. The cat became fully continent following treatment with phenylpropanolamine.     

Rainforest litter quality and chemical controls on leaf decomposition with near‐infrared spectrometry

Plant‐litter chemical quality is an important driver of many ecosystem processes, however, what actually constitutes high‐ or low‐quality litter (chemical potential for fast and slow decomposition, respectively) is often interpreted by the indices available. Here, near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to explore leaf‐litter chemical quality and the controls on decomposition in the tropical rainforest region of north Queensland Australia. Leaf‐litter samples from litterfall collections and litterbag studies were used. NIRS was used to calibrate the chemical compositions of the material (N, P, C, Mg, Ca, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, α‐cellulose, and total phenolics) from a smaller sample set covering the spectral range in the full set of samples. Calibrations were compared for both separate (local) and combined models, for litterbags, and litterfall. Coefficients of determination (r²) in the local models ranged from 0.88 (litterbag Mg) to 0.99 (litterfall N), with residual prediction deviation ratios > 3 for all constituents except Mg (≈ 2.5). Mass loss in the litterbags was strongly related to the NIR spectra, with model r²'s of 0.75 (in situ leaves) and 0.76 (common control leaf). In situ decomposability was determined from modeling the initial NIR spectra prior to decomposition with litterbag exponential‐decay rates (model r² of 0.81, n = 85 initial samples). A best subset model including litter‐quality, climate, and soil variables predicted decay better than the NIR decomposability model (r² = 0.87). For litter quality alone the NIR model predicted decay rate better than all of the best predictive litter–chemical quality indices. The decomposability model was used to predict in situ decomposability in the litterfall samples. The chemical variables explaining NIR decomposability for litterfall were initial P, C, and phenolics (linear model r² = 0.80, n = 2471). NIRS is a holistic technique that is just as, if not more accurate, than litter–chemical quality indices, when predicting decomposition and decomposability, shown here in a regional field study.     

Evaluation of seed production potential in white clover (Trifolium repens L. varietal improvement programmes

The components of actual and potential seed yield were examined in field experiments on a wide range of varieties of white clover (Trifolium repens L.). The factors affecting seed yield under conditions typical of management regimes used in the production of commercial seed crops were assessed in two experiments. In the first, carried out on spaced plants, considerable diferences are shown between six varieties across the range of leaf sizes in the distribution and profuseness of inflorescence production through the flowering season. In the second, carried out in plots, typical on-farm criteria were used to choose a single harvest date. Significant variation was found between varieties, including representatives of different leaf size categories, for seed yield components that include number of inflorescences m^?2, number of florets per inflorescence and harvestable seed weight. Large-leaved varieties tended to produce more seeds per floret and higher seed weights per inflorescence, whereas small-leaved varieties gave the highest number of inflorescences ^?2. However, the small-leaved variety AderDale, selected for strong peduncles, was exceptional, giving high values for all seed yield components. The impact of weather conditions on many seed yield components (e.g. total number of inflorescences) was demonstrated by the differences between the 2 years of the experiment. However, other characterstics, e.g. number of florets per inflorescence and number of seeds per floret, did not vary between years. Deviations from potential seed yield were assessed fromthe perspective of commerical seed production. The implications of these results for the production of white clover varieties with increased seed yields under UK conditions are discussed.     

Suckling as a regulator of postpartum rebreeding in cattle: a review

An extended and variable period of anovulation and anestrus occurs in suckled beef cows following parturition. This imposes both biological and economic constraints on the efficiency of beef production. A large body of knowledge has linked these phenomena to an attenuation of neuroendocrine signals that subserve gonadal function. During late gestation, high concentrations of placental estrogen inhibit the synthesis of LH, and pituitary stores of LH are depleted at parturition. Maximum pituitary stores of LH, releasable pools of LH and the ability of hypothalamic centers to respond to positive feedback effects of estradiol occur within 3 to 4 wk after calving in suckled cows. However, the requisite pattern of pulsatile LH secretion, which accompanies similar changes in nonsuckled cows within 2 to 3 wk after calving, occurs in only 30 to 50% of suckled animals. The period of acyclicity that continues in the remainder is exacerbated by poor body condition and may persist in some females for periods exceeding 100 d. Utilizing data from the cow, as well as other species, a model for suckling-induced inhibition of pulsatile LH release is proposed. The biological and economic impact of current and future techniques for controlling suckling-induced anestrus also is considered, including a conceptual analysis of nonbiological limitations.