Factors associated with practice decisions of Nebraska veterinarians regarding type of practice and community size

Nebraska veterinary practitioners were surveyed to collect data about background characteristics and other factors related to veterinarians' decision to include or not include food animals in their practices and to practice in rural versus urban communities. Background characteristics that were significantly (p < or = 0.05) associated with choosing food-animal practice included growing up on a working farm or ranch; having parents who owned livestock; growing up in a town with a population of less than 10,000; majoring in animal science at university; being male; and having a primary interest, at the time of entering veterinary college, in food animal-exclusive or mixed-animal veterinary practice. The primary factor for choosing the community in which to practice was rural/urban lifestyle for rural veterinarians, while this factor was second for urban veterinarians. For all groups of veterinarians, the primary consideration in selecting their current practice was the species orientation of the practice. The primary reason for not choosing food-animal practice was better working conditions and lifestyle in companion-animal practice, followed by greater interest elsewhere.     

Animal models for human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections

Since its detection in 2001 the human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a member of the Paramyxoviridae family, was observed to be a serious pathogen in human respiratory infections during childhood. Meanwhile, several animal models have been established to study the virus-host interactions and pathogenic effects. Mainly, small laboratory animals like mice and cotton rats have been used, although the usage of these two species for HMPV research is controversially discussed and contradictious results were obtained by different groups. Further trials with ferrets, hamsters and non human primates were performed revealing different success in their individual usage. In this review we present the different animal models, summarize their advantages and disadvantages, and discuss the controversial results from different studies.     

Chronic eosinophilic granulomatous tenosynovitis in a Quarter Horse mare

A 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare was presented to the Michigan State University Equine Surgery Service for evaluation of a right hind metatarsophalangeal joint injury. On presentation, the horse was a grade 4/5 lame. Radiographs and ultrasonography showed peritendinous ossification/mineralisation of soft tissue structures and digital flexor tenosynovitis with profound intracapsular mineralisation. A digital flexor tendon sheath tenoscopy was performed with a plantar annular ligament desmotomy and a manica flexoria ligament tenotomy. During surgery, a significant amount of tan granular material was found within the digital tendon sheath. Approximately 80% of this material was removed, and a sample was sent for histopathology. The horse was diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatous tenosynovitis. Long-term follow-up revealed improvement with four treatments of intralesional triamcinolone given 2–4 weeks apart. The horse became serviceably sound (grade 1/5) and was beginning light work under the saddle approximately 5 months post-tenoscopy.     

Determinants of income-earning strategies and adoption of conservation practices in hillside communities in rural Honduras

Based on the results of participatory diagnostic surveys conducted in 95 rural communities in the hillsides of Honduras, we determine income earning strategies at the community level; identify their main determinants; and analyze the adoption of of conservation practices. Eight income-earning strategies were distinguished that reflect differences in comparative advantage between communities. We explain the choice of income earning strategy using a multinomial logit model that includes biophysical, economic, social and institutional variables. We use a probit model to show that adoption of conservation practices is determined by the type of income earning strategy, population density, market access, and organizational variables.     

Incidence,risk factors,and outcomes for early postoperative seizures in dogs with rostrotentorial brain tumors after intracranial surgery

BackgroundSeizures in the early postoperative period after intracranial surgery may affect outcome in dogs.ObjectivesTo determine the incidence of early postoperative seizures (EPS) in dogs with brain tumors, identify specific risk factors for EPS, and determine if EPS affects outcome.AnimalsEighty‐eight dogs that underwent 125 intracranial surgeries for diagnosis and treatment of rostrotentorial brain tumors.MethodsRetrospective cohort study. All patients with a diagnosis of rostrotentorial brain tumor from 2006 to 2020 were included. Early postoperative seizures were diagnosed by observation of seizure activity within 14 days of neurosurgery. Previously diagnosed structural epilepsy, perioperative anticonvulsant drug (ACD) use, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and tumor characteristics were evaluated. Outcome measures included neurologic and nonneurologic complications, duration of hospitalization, and survival to discharge.ResultsDogs with rostrotentorial brain tumors had EPS after 16/125 (12.8%) neurosurgical procedures (95% confidence interval [CI], 7%‐19%). Presence of previous structural epilepsy was not associated with EPS risk (P = 1). Perioperative ACD use also was not associated with EPS (P = .06). Dogs with EPS had longer hospitalization (P < .001), were more likely to have neurologic complications postsurgery (P = .01), and were less likely to survive to discharge (P = .01).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceIt is difficult to predict which dogs are at risk of EPS because the presence of previous structural epilepsy and the use of perioperative ACDs was not associated with EPS. However, seizures in the early postoperative period are clinically important because affected dogs had prolonged hospitalization, more neurologic complications, and decreased short‐term survival.     

Field estimates of scalar advection across a canopy edge

Measurements of the horizontal and vertical fluxes of energy and mass were taken at a crop canopy edge and downwind of it to examine the effects of inhomogeneity on surface-atmosphere exchange, for the ideal case of flat uniform terrain. Energy balance closure was also examined and the effects of the often-neglected advection terms on the energy budget were evaluated. The results show that neither vertical nor horizontal advection should be neglected for moderate distances downwind from heterogeneous boundaries, with the energy budget closure near the leading edge improved by more than 20% with the inclusion of the horizontal and vertical advection of latent and sensible heat. Significant mean advective horizontal and vertical flux divergences of water vapor and temperature were found even in typical daytime conditions. In stable conditions horizontal advection can be responsible for more than 15% of the scalar (water vapor) transport 136 canopy heights downwind of a change in water vapor source density and surface roughness.