Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi-Specific C6 Antibody in Dogs Before and After Implementation of a Nonadjuvanted Recombinant Outer Surface Protein A Vaccine in a Rhode Island Small Animal Clinic

The in vitro activity of 10 cephalosporin antimicrobial agents against 75 isolates of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus pseudintermedius derived from dogs was assessed. The lowest minimal inhibitory concentration for 90% of strains (MIC90) values obtained were for cephalothin, cefovecin, and cefazolin (0.12 ug/mL), followed by ceftiofur and cefoxitin (0.25 ug/mL), cefpodoxime (0.5 ug/mL), and cefaclor and cefadroxil (1 ug/mL). The highest MIC90 values were found for cephalexin and cefixime (2 ug/mL). In this in vitro study, sensitivity to cephalothin was indicative of cephalexin susceptibility, although there were marked differences in MICs. Cephalothin susceptibility was not indicative of susceptibility to all tested cephalosporins, nor was there a clear trend in susceptibility based on cephalosporin generation.     

Deciphering the reaction dynamics underlying optimal control laser fields

Femtosecond high-resolution pump-probe experiments have been used together with theoretical ab initio quantum calculations and wave packet dynamics simulations to decode an optimal femtosecond pulse that is generated from adaptive learning algorithms. This pulse is designed to maximize the yield of the organometallic ion CpMn(CO)3 while hindering the competing fragmentation. The sequential excitation and ionization of the target ion are accomplished by an optimized field consisting of two dominant subpulses with optimal frequencies and time delays.     

Thermal optima of photosynthetic functions and thermostability of photochemistry in cork oak seedlings

Temperature effects on photosynthesis were studied in seedlings of evergreen Mediterranean cork oak (Quercus suber L.). Responses to changes in temperature and the temperature optima of maximal carboxylation rate (V(cmax)) and maximal light-driven electron flux (J(max)) were estimated from gas exchange measurements and a leaf-level photosynthesis model. The estimated temperature optima were approximately 34 and 33 degrees C for V(cmax) and J(max), respectively, which fall within the lower range of temperature optima previously observed in deciduous tree species. The thermostability of the photosynthetic apparatus was estimated according to the temperature at which basal chlorophyll a fluorescence begins to increase (T(c)). The T(c) was highly variable, increasing from 42 to 51 degrees C when ambient temperature rose from 10 to 40 degrees C, and increasing from 44 to 54 degrees C with decreasing soil water availability while net CO(2) assimilation rate dropped to almost zero. When a heat shock was imposed, an additional small increase in T(c) was observed in drought-stressed and control seedlings. Maximal T(c) values following heat shock were about 56 degrees C, which, to our knowledge, are the highest values that have been observed in tree species. In conclusion, the intrinsic temperature responses of cork oak did not differ from those of other species (similar T(c) under ambient temperature and water availability, and relatively low thermal optima for photosynthetic capacity in seedlings grown at cool temperatures). However, the large ability of cork oak to acclimate to drought and elevated temperature may be an important factor in the tolerance of this evergreen Mediterranean species to summer drought and high temperatures.     

Closed fluoroscopic-assisted spinal arch external skeletal fixation for the stabilization of vertebral column injuries in five dogs

Objective— To evaluate outcome after closed fluoroscopic-assisted application of spinal arch external skeletal fixators in dogs with vertebral column injuries.
Study Design— Retrospective case series.
Animals— Dogs with traumatic vertebral column injuries (n=5).
Methods— Medical records of dogs with vertebral column fractures and/or luxations stabilized with spinal arch external skeletal fixator frames applied using a closed fluoroscopic-assisted technique were reviewed. Owners were contacted to obtain long-term clinical outcomes.
Results— Five dogs (age range, 6–72 months; weight, 10–54 kg) had traumatic vertebral column injuries stabilized with spinal arch external skeletal fixators applied in closed fashion. Injuries involved vertebral segments of the thoracolumbar junction, lumbar spine, and lumbosacral junction. Immediately postoperatively, 4 dogs had anatomic alignment of their vertebral fracture/luxation; 1 dog had 1 mm of vertebral canal height compromise. Time to fixator removal ranged from 65 to 282 days (141±87 days). All dogs had regained satisfactory neurologic function by 3 months. At long-term follow-up (range, 282–780 days; mean 445±190 days) all dogs were judged to have good to excellent return of function by their owners.
Conclusion— Successful closed fluoroscopic-assisted application of external skeletal fixators using spinal arches provided satisfactory reduction with few complications in 5 dogs. Return to function was judged to be good to excellent in all dogs at long-term evaluation.
Clinical Relevance— Closed fluoroscopic-assisted application of ESF using spinal arches provided satisfactory reduction and effective stabilization of spinal fractures with few complications and should be considered as a treatment approach.     

Measurement of angles of abduction for diagnosis of shoulder instability in dogs using goniometry and digital image analysis

OBJECTIVE: To compare abduction angles of shoulders with medial instability and unaffected shoulders in the same dogs and in age- and breed-matched dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: Dogs with medial instability of the shoulder (n=33) and 26 control dogs. METHODS: Dogs were sedated and positioned in lateral recumbency with both scapulas parallel to the table. With the elbow and shoulder in extension, the non-recumbent limb was maximally abducted and the angle between the scapular spine and lateral aspect of the brachium measured with a goniometer; a digital image was taken from the cranial aspect. Both techniques were performed in triplicate by 2 examiners. Mean abduction angles for each shoulder were determined from goniometric measurements and image analysis. Data were analyzed for significant differences between affected and unaffected shoulders, measurement techniques, and examiners. Strength of correlation between measurement techniques was determined. RESULTS: Mean abduction angles for shoulders with instability (53.7+/-4.7 degrees goniometric, 51.2+/-4.9 degrees image) were significantly (P<.001) larger than for all unaffected shoulders (32.6+/-2.0 degrees goniometric, 30.9+/-2.3 degrees image). In dogs diagnosed with instability, affected shoulders had significantly (P<.001) larger abduction angles than the contralateral (unaffected) shoulders. No significant differences were identified between right and left shoulders for control dogs, measurement techniques, or examiners. A strong (r=0.90) significant (P<.001) positive correlation between measurement techniques was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder abduction angles measured under sedation provide objective data for diagnosis of shoulder instability in dogs. Shoulders with clinical and arthroscopic evidence of medial instability have significantly higher abduction angles than shoulders that are considered normal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Determination of shoulder abduction angles should be included in the diagnostic protocol for forelimb lameness assessment in dogs.     

Using operating area size and adjacency constraints to mitigate the effects of harvesting activities on boreal caribou habitat

Context

Sustained timber harvesting conflicts with the long-term viability of boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations. The spatial arrangement of harvest blocks in the landscape could mitigate the impact of logging on caribou populations. For the forest industry, however, these measures represent constraints that reduce the annual allowable cut (AAC).

Objective

Estimate the long-term impacts of spatial constraints to harvesting, applied alone or in combination, on AAC and boreal caribou populations.

Methods

We divided a 30,000 km² region into 20 harvest block sizes varying from 50 to 1000 km², and modeled the implementation of spatially explicit harvest schedule plans in combination with wildfire and caribou population dynamics. We then evaluated the probability of persistence of boreal caribou populations.

Results

The probability of maintaining an AAC target declined with increasing target AAC, increasing size of operating area, and increasing adjacency constraints. In contrast, the probability of maintaining caribou populations declined with increasing AAC, decreasing size of operating areas, and decreasing adjacency constraints. An increase in operating area size from 50 to 300 km² produced a considerable gain in AAC for all adjacency constraints.

Conclusions

Because adjacency constraints led only to a small increase in the probability of maintaining caribou populations, we recommend adopting less constraining landscape management actions, such as a 70-year period between two consecutive harvests in the same ~300-km² operating area.

     

Production and Physicochemical Characterization of Gelatin and Collagen Hydrolysates from Turbot Skin Waste Generated by Aquaculture Activities

Rising trends in fish filleting are increasing the amount of processing by-products, such as skins of turbot, a flatfish of high commercial value. In line with circular economy principles, we propose the valorization of turbot skins through a two-step process: initial gelatin extraction described for the first time in turbot, followed by hydrolysis of the remaining solids to produce collagen hydrolysates. We assayed several methods for gelatin extraction, finding differences in gelatin properties depending on chemical treatment and temperature. Of all methods, the application of NaOH, sulfuric, and citric acids at 22 °C results in the highest gel strength (177 g), storage and loss moduli, and gel stability. We found no relation between mechanical properties and content of pyrrolidine amino acids, but the best performing gelatin displays higher structural integrity, with less than 30% of the material below 100 kDa. Collagen hydrolysis was more efficient with papain than alcalase, leading to a greater reduction in Mw of the hydrolysates, which contain a higher proportion of essential amino acids than gelatin and show high in vitro anti-hypertensive activity. These results highlight the suitability of turbot skin by-products as a source of gelatin and the potential of collagen hydrolysates as a functional food and feed ingredient.