Radiography and computed tomography of the heart and lower respiratory tract in toco toucans (Ramphastos toco)

This study aimed to evaluate normal features of the heart and lower respiratory tract in toco toucans by means of radiography and helical computed tomography (CT) scanner. Fifteen healthy adult toco toucans (Ramphastos toco), 10 females and 5 males, average body mass of 650 g were studied. CT examination as well as right lateral and ventrodorsal radiographic examinations of the coelomic cavity were performed under chemical restraint. Heart, lungs, air sacs, trachea and syrinx were analysed. The mean values of heart length, heart width and thoracic cavity in radiographs were, respectively, 23.76 mm, 25.94 mm and 48.87 mm. In both X-rays and CT scans, the lung parenchyma had honeycomb-like pattern. The topographic areas of the anterior and posterior air sacs were visualized as dark and air-filled spaces in X-rays. On CT evaluation, the air sacs occupied a larger area in the coelomic cavity compared to X-ray. In the lateral radiographic view, the cervical part of the trachea was positioned more ventrally in the transition from cervical to thoracic regions showing a V-shaped appearance. In all CT planes was visible division of the trachea into the right and left main bronchi at the level of 3rd thoracic vertebra. The syrinx was difficult to visualize in X-rays, but on CT it was easily identified in axial slice. In conclusion, the normal features of toco toucan's heart and lower respiratory tract that were determined on X-rays and CT scans are useful to compare with sick toco toucans, as well as other bird species.     

Modelling habitat use by the Guiana dolphin,Sotalia guianensis,in south‐eastern Brazil: Effects of environmental and anthropogenic variables,and the adequacy of current management measures

1. Species distribution modelling has been used to identify critical habitats for the delimitation of Marine Protected Areas. Although Marine Protected Areas may often overlap with the distribution of key marine species, illegal human activities often continue within these areas, causing negative impacts on the local biodiversity.
2. A generalized linear model with spatial eigenvector mapping was used to investigate, for the first time, the influence of environmental variables and anthropic activities on the number of Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis sightings/grid, and to determine whether a Marine Reserve, in south‐eastern Brazil, is adequate for the protection of the local population. Data were collected between May 2007 and October 2013 onboard a 7.5‐m vessel with an inboard engine.
3. The models for the different periods (annual, dry, and rainy seasons) all indicated that depth, the distance to seafood farms and fishing grounds, and mean sea surface temperatures influenced the distribution of the dolphins within the study area. The annual and seasonal models predicted that the dolphins prefer a continuous area between Cedro and Pico Islands, a large area that lies outside the limits of the Marine Reserve.
4. Although the habitat of Ilha Grande bay is still much less degraded than that inhabited by other nearby Guiana dolphin populations, the results of the present study indicate that anthropic activities in this area influence habitat use by the dolphins. Less than 30% of the area used by the dolphins is protected by the Tamoios Ecological Station (ESEC Tamoios).
5. Sotalia guianensis is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ in Brazil, although the marine reserve (ESEC Tamoios) does not protect the core area used by the local dolphin population. The results of the present study provide specific locations for the creation of a new multiple‐use MPA, as suggested by the Brazilian National Action Plan for the Conservation of Small Cetaceans, or the inclusion of a special management programme for the area between Cedro and Pico islands to better protect the dolphins in the ESEC Tamoios buffer zone. The continuation of surveys to better understand the current and future impacts of human activities, and the development of a closer interaction with both the local community and local stakeholders will help to safeguard Ilha Grande Bay and the local Guiana dolphin population.

     

Connecting knowledge resources to the veterinary electronic health record: opportunities for learning at point of care

Electronic health records (EHRs) provide clinical learning opportunities through quick and contextual linkage of patient signalment, symptom, and diagnosis data with knowledge resources covering tests, drugs, conditions, procedures, and client instructions. This paper introduces the EHR standards for linkage and the partners-practitioners, content publishers, and software developers-necessary to leverage this possibility in veterinary medicine. The efforts of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Electronic Health Records Task Force to partner with veterinary practice management systems to improve the use of controlled vocabulary is a first step in the development of standards for sharing knowledge at the point of care. The Veterinary Medical Libraries Section (VMLS) of the Medical Library Association's Task Force on Connecting the Veterinary Health Record to Information Resources compiled a list of resources of potential use at point of care. Resource details were drawn from product Web sites and organized by a metric used to evaluate medical point-of-care resources. Additional information was gathered from questions sent by e-mail and follow-up interviews with two practitioners, a hospital network, two software developers, and three publishers. Veterinarians with electronic records use a variety of information resources that are not linked to their software. Systems lack the infrastructure to use the Infobutton standard that has been gaining popularity in human EHRs. While some veterinary knowledge resources are digital, publisher sites and responses do not indicate a Web-based linkage of veterinary resources with EHRs. In order to facilitate lifelong learning and evidence-based practice, veterinarians and educators of future practitioners must demonstrate to veterinary practice software developers and publishers a clinically-based need to connect knowledge resources to veterinary EHRs.     

Microcytosis and Iron Status in Dogs With Surgically Induced Portosystemic Shunts

Microcytosis is common in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts (PSS) and acquired liver disease. The objective of this study was to determine if microcytosis could be induced in normal dogs by surgical creation of PSS, and to characterize the changes in hematology and iron status. Hematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, and mean cell hemoglobin concentration decreased linearly from 45.5%. 69.1 fL, 22.8 g/dL and 33.1% to 39.5%. 55.9 fL, 17.8 g/dL and 31.9%. respectively, 18 weeks after creation of PSS. The erythrocyte count did not change, but red cell distribution widths indicated a shift to a heterogenous population with decreased volume. Mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin decreased rapidly after induction of PSS and were significantly ( P < .05) different from presurgery values within 2 weeks. Serum iron and copper concentrations and total iron binding capacity were decreased in dogs with PSS. Liver iron concentration doubled after creation of PSS, with the majority of stainable iron located in Kupffer cells. The changes in erythrocyte indices and measures of iron status in dogs with surgically induced PSS were similar to those in dogs with congenital PSS. Microcytosis developed rapidly in dogs after induction of PSS. These results indicate that iron deficiency was not the cause of microcytosis in these dogs.     

Cytokine and chemokine gene expression of IL-1beta stimulated equine articular chondrocytes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mRNA expression of several proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in equine unstimulated and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-stimulated chondrocytes. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro experiment using equine chondrocyte cultures. SAMPLE POPULATION: Whole articular cartilage from metacarpophalangeal joints (n=5 horses; 10 fetlocks). METHODS: Chondrocyte monolayer cultures were established from digested adult equine articular cartilage and stimulated with 5 ng/mL of recombinant human IL-1beta. RNA was extracted from the cells 24 hours after stimulation. IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and ubiquitin (house keeping gene) mRNA expression were investigated by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 mRNA were expressed in unstimulated chondrocytes from macroscopically normal joints and were significantly up-regulated after stimulation (5/5 horses). IL-4 mRNA was not detected in any samples (0/5 horses). TNF-alpha mRNA, by comparison, was expressed in 2/5 unstimulated samples and in all stimulated samples but a considerable sample variation in response to IL-1beta stimulation was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Equine chondrocytes express mRNA for several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and IL-1beta modulates their expression. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chondrocytes express proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines capable of modulating a local inflammatory cascade in articular cartilage, which could potentially lead to focal degradation and osteoarthritis.