Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats

Abstract A pruritic maculopapular eruption with clinical and histological features similar to urticaria pigmentosa of humans is reported in three related Sphinx cats. All cats shared the same grandsire, had a juvenile onset of disease, and demonstrated similar historical, clinical and histological findings. Physical examination revealed widespread bilaterally symmetrical, erythematous, partially coalescing, crusted macules and papules on the trunk, limbs, neck and head. A few macules exhibited a dark brown pigmentation. Dermatographism could not be elicited in any of the cats. Histological examination of papules revealed the présence of a perivascular to diffuse dermal and subcutaneous infiltrate of well-differentiated mast cells. In one cat where systemic involvement was pursued, evidence of internal disease was not found. Resumen Se describe en 3 gatos esfinge emparentados una erupción maculopapular pruritica con caracteristicas clinicas e histológicas similares a la urticaria pigmentosa en la especie humana. Todos los gatos compartian el mismo abuelo, desarrollaron la enfermedad en edad juvenil y mostraron hallazgos históricos, clinicos e histológicos similares. El examen fisico mostró pápulas y máculas costrosas, eritematosas, parcialmente unidas, generalizadas, bilaterales y simétricas localizadas en tronco, extremidades, cuello y cabeza. Algunas máculas mostraban una pigmentación marronácea oscura. No pudo provocarse dermatografismo en ninguno de los gatos. El examen histológico de las pápulas mostró la presencia de un infiltrado dérmico y subcutáneo perivascular a difuso compuesto por mastocitos bien diferenciados. No se encontró enfermedad sistémica en un animal en el que se evaluó esta posibilidad. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats. (Urticaria pigmentosa felina en 3 gatos esfinge emparentados.) Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 227–233.] Résumé Les auteurs décrivent chez 3 chats Sphynx apparentés une eruption maculopapuleuse présentant des similitudes cliniques et histologiques avec l'urticaire pigmentaire humaine. Les 3 chats ont le même grandpère, présentent une apparition précoce des symptômes, et, une anamnèse, une clinique et une histologie similaires. L'examen clinique révèle des macules et des papules croûteuses à large distribution bilatérale et symétrique, érythèmateuses, partiellement coalescentes, sur le tronc, les membres, le cou et la tête. Quelques macules montrent une pigmentation brun foncé. La présence d'un dermographisme n'a pu être démontré chez aucun des chats. L'examen histologique des papules révèle la présence d'un infiltrat dermique et sous cutané périvasculaire à diffus de mastocytes bien différenciés. La recherche d'une atteinte systémique chez un des chats n'a pas montré d'atteinte interne. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats. (Urticaire pigmentaire féline chez 3 chats Sphynx apparentés.) Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 227–233.] Zusammenfassung Es wird über eine juckende makulopapuläre Eruption mit klinischen und histologischen Befunden, die der Urticaria pigmentosa des Menschen ähneln, bei drei verwandten Sphinx-Katzen berichtet. Alle Katzen hatten den selben Großvater, zeigten einen Krankheitsbeginn im Jugendalter und wiesen ähnliche Befunde in der Vorgeschichte, Klinik und Histologie auf. Die klinische Untersuchung zeigte weit verteilte, bilateral symmetrische, erythematöse, teilweise koaleszierende verkrustete Maculae und Papeln am Rumpf, Gliedmaßen, Hais und Kopf. Einige maculae wiesen eine dunkelbraune Pigmentierung auf. Dermatographismus konnte bei keiner der Katzen ausgelöst werden. Die histologische Untersuchung der Papeln zeigte die Anwesenheit eines perivaskulären bis diffusen dermalen und subkutanen Infiltrates von gut differenzierten Mastzellen. Bei einer Katze mit systemischen Erscheinungen konnte die Ursache der inneren Erkrankung nicht gefunden werden. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats (Feline Urticaria pigmentosa bei drei verwandten Sphinx-Katzen). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 227–233.]     

Who killed Porthos? Genetic tracking of a gorilla death

We describe a novel application of “forensic” genetics to study a key demographic event in a population of wild gorillas. We used microsatellite genotyping and non‐invasively collected DNA samples to identify one individual western lowland gorilla as being most likely to have caused the death of another in Lopé National Park, Gabon. Data from relatively few genotypes permitted the identification of female transfer events and the interpretation of individual behavior that was previously impossible using observational methods, thus providing rare behavioral data on an elusive forest‐dwelling species. Importantly, this study highlights the need for future studies of dispersal and local population structuring in forest populations, and more accurate population census methods. Genetic studies focusing on individual identification may play a valuable role in future gorilla conservation efforts.     

En Bloc Resection of Primary Rib Tumors in 40 Dogs

Single or multiple rib resection was performed in 40 dogs for the treatment of primary osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma. The resulting thoracic wall defect was closed with polypropylene (12 dogs), primary muscle flap (16 dogs), diaphragmatic advancement (10 dogs), or a combination (2 dogs). Few immediate (less than 2 weeks) postoperative complications were observed. Twenty dogs with osteosarcoma had a median survival time of 3.3 months (range, 0.5 to 23 months), with a 20% 6-month survival time. Metastases occurred in all the dogs. Fourteen dogs with chondrosarcoma followed up longer than 2 weeks had a median survival time of 10.7 months (range, 0.5 to 36 months) with a 64% 6-month survival time. Eight dogs developed metastases, five died from concurrent disease, and one dog is alive. Dogs with chondrosarcoma survived significantly longer than dogs with osteosarcoma. Survival time was not related to tumor size or number of ribs resected.     

Labor Market Segmentation in Urumqi,Xinjiang: Exposing Labor Market Segments and Testing the Relationship between Migration and Segmentation

Labor market segmentation and migration are two phenomena that are dramatically reshaping the spatial, economic, and social relationships of many urban cities in both developed and developing countries. To this point, the bulk of Chinese literature falls within the context of area studies, without much effort to link Chinese migration and emerging labor market outcomes to larger global trends and discourse. This research attempts to link the body of internal Chinese migration and emerging labor markets to labor market segmentation theory, primarily developed by urban economists and sociologists. My findings provide evidence that applying labor market segmentation theory to examine emerging markets in China offers fruitful results that help to identify the new urban stratification that exists in China. I employ a set of quantitative methods using employee‐level field data that I collected in Urumqi in 2008 to identify distinct segments within Urumqi's labor market and argue that migration is a major driver of labor market segmentation. Cluster analysis shows Uyghur minorities and women are found to be overwhelmingly concentrated in the lower sector, composed mostly of “bad” jobs. Discriminant analysis reveals that migrant status and ethnicity are the most important variables that deepen the gap among the labor market segments. The social inequality created as a result of market segmentation can partially explain Uyghur discontent in the region and the July 2009 riots, one of the worst riots in Xinjiang's modern history.     

Rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid supplementation to dairy cows in late pregnancy and early lactation: effects on milk composition,milk yield,blood metabolites and gene expression in liver

Background

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for isomers of octadecadienoic acid with conjugated double-bond system. Thus, it was the objective to investigate whether milk composition and metabolic key parameters are affected by adding CLA to the diet of dairy cows in the first four weeks of lactation.

Methods

A study was carried out with five primiparous cows fed a CLA supplemented diet compared to five primiparous cows without CLA supplementation. CLA supplemented cows received 7.5 g CLA/day (i.e. 50% cis(c)9,trans(t)11- and 50% t10,c12-CLA) starting two weeks before expected calving and 20 g CLA/day (i.e. 50% c9,t11- and 50% t10,c12-CLA) throughout day 1 to 28 of lactation.

Results

The CLA supplement was insufficiently accepted by the animals: only 61.5% of the intended amount was ingested. Fed CLA were detectable in milk fat, whereas contents of c9,t11-CLA and t10,c12-CLA in milk fat were higher for CLA supplemented cows compared to the control group. On average over the entire treatment period, there was a decrease of saturated fatty acids (FA) in milk fat of CLA supplemented cows, combined with a higher content of monounsaturated and trans FA.Our study revealed no significant effects of c9,t11- and t10,c12-CLA supplementation either on milk yield and composition or on metabolic key parameters in blood. Furthermore the experiment did not indicate significant effects of c9,t11- and t10,c12-CLA-supplementation on gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα), PPARγ, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in liver tissue.

Conclusions

Feeding c9,t11- and t10,c12-CLA during the first weeks after calving did not affect metabolic key parameters of blood serum or milk composition of fresh cows. Milk fatty acid composition was changed by feeding c9,t11- and t10,c12-CLA resulting in higher contents of these isomers in milk fat. High contents of long chain FA in milk fat indicate that CLA supplementation during the first four weeks of lactation did not affect massive peripheral lipomobilization.     

THE USE OF DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING TO EVALUATE THE SPINAL CORD IN NORMAL AND ABNORMAL DOGS

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a specialized magnetic resonance sequence to determine the direction of water molecule motion. Our hypothesis was that information derived from DTI will be significantly different in dogs with a spinal cord lesion compared with a normal dog. Eleven normal dogs and six dogs with a spinal cord lesions were imaged. DTI was performed along with standard T1‐ and T2‐weighted sequences in transverse and sagittal planes. Fractional anisotrophy and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were obtained using regions of interests centered on the cranial aspect, middle cranial, middle caudal, and caudal aspects of the spinal cord. In normal dogs, the DTI sequence was characterized by normal fiber tracking with no statistical difference between the four sections of spinal cord (P>0.05). In the dogs with a spinal cord lesion, there was a significant difference in fractional anisotropy between the two groups (P=0.0003) and the ADC analysis statistical significance (P=0.048) at the caudal most site. Based on these findings, DTI is a potentially useful method to evaluate the spinal cord in dogs.     

Lethal Acrodermatitis in Bull Terriers: A Problem of Defective Zinc Metabolism

Abstract— Three bull terrier pups from a litter of six developed exfoliative, crusty areas of alopecia, particularly affecting the feet and head, by the time they were seven weeks of age. Biopsies from two of the affected pups revealed parakeratotic hyperkeratosis consistent with zinc deficiency, but the dogs did not respond to oral zinc supplements. The breed, history and dermatopathology were considered consistent with lethal acrodermatitis of bull terriers, a condition that appears to be familial and autosomally recessive. Whereas similar acrodermatitic conditions in humans (acrodermatitis enteropathica) and cattle (lethal trait A46 of Black Pied Danish cattle) respond to oral zinc supplements, this condition in bull terriers may be due to an error in zinc metabolism at the cellular level. Attempts to treat one of the pups parenterally with zinc resulted in death after the fourth injection. Résumé— 3 choits d'une portée de 6 Bull Terriers ont développéà l'âge de 7 semaines une dermite podale et faciale exfoliative, crouteuse et alopécique. Les biopsies cutanées pratiquées sur 2 chiots ont révélé une hyperkératose parakératosique compatible avec une carence en zinc, mais les animaux n'ont pas répondu à une supplémentation en zinc. La race, l'anamnèse et l'aspect histologique, sont compatibles avec une acrondermatite léthale du Bull Terrier, maladie familiale, transmise sur un mode autosomal récessif. Des acrodermatites similaires chez l'homme (acrodermatitis enteropatica) et les bovins (anomalie léthale A46 de la Pie Noire Danoise) répondant à une supplémentation en zinc, cette affection chez le Bull Terrier pourrait êtro à une erreur dans le métabolisme du zinc au niveau cellulaire. Un essai de traitement d'un des chiots par vole parcutérale avec du zinc a abouti à sa mort après la quatrième injection. Zusammenfassung— Drei von sechs Bullterrierwelpen aus einem Wurf entwickelten im Alter von 7 Wochen exfoliative, krustige und haarlose Bezirke, besonders an Pfoten und Kopf. Biopsien von zwei der betroffenen Welpen zeigten eine Parakeratose, die bei Zinkmangel auftritt. Die Tiere sprachen jedoch nicht auf orale Zinksubstitution an. Rasse, Anamnese und Befunde der Hautuntersuchung stimmen mit der letalen Akrodermatitis der Bullterrier überein, einem familiären, autosomal rezessiv erblichen Leiden. Während ähnliche akrodermatitische Erkrankungen beim Menschen (Akrodermatitis enteropathica) und beim Rind (Letalfaktor A46 beim schwarzgefleckten Dänischen Rind) auf orale Zinkgaben ansprechen, ist diese Krankheit beim Bullterrier wahrscheinlich auf eine Störung im Zinkmetabolismus auf zellulärer Ebene zurückzuführen. Der Versuch, einen der Welpen parenteral mit Zink zu behandeln, führte zum Tod des Tieres nach der vierten Injektion. Resumen Tres cachorros de Bull Terrier de una camada de seis desarrollaron areas de alopecia exfoliativa, particularmente afectando a los pies y la cabeza, para el momento en que tenian siete semanas de edad. Biopsias de dos de los cachorros afectados revelaron hiperqueratosis paraqueratótica con deficiencia de zinc, pero los perros no respondían a los suplementos de zinc oral. La raza, historia y dermatopatología se consideraron consistentes en acrodermatitis letal de Bull Terriers, una condición que parece ser familial y autosómica recesiva. Mientras que condiciones de acrodermatitis similares en humanos (acrodermatitis enteropética) y ganado (rasgo letal A46 del ganado Black Pied Danish) respondían a los suplementos de zinc oral, esta condición en los Bull Terriers puede ser debida a un error en el metabolismo del zinc a nivel celular. Intentos de trater uno de los cachorros, por vía parenteral con zinc resultaron con la muerte después de la cuarta inyección.     

Design of Nonionic Surfactants for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Interfacially active block copolymer amphiphiles have been synthesized and their self-assembly into micelles in supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) has been demonstrated with small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). These materials establish the design criteria for molecularly engineered surfactants that can stabilize and disperse otherwise insoluble matter into a CO2 continuous phase. Polystyrene-b-poly(1,1-dihydroperfluorooctyl acrylate) copolymers self-assembled into polydisperse core-shell-type micelles as a result of the disparate solubility characteristics of the different block segments in CO2. These nonionic surfactants for CO2 were shown by SANS to be capable of emulsifying up to 20 percent by weight of a CO2-insoluble hydrocarbon into CO2. This result demonstrates the efficacy of surfactant-modified CO2 in reducing the large volumes of organic and halogenated solvent waste streams released into our environment by solvent-intensive manufacturing and process industries.