Paradigms for pharmacologic use as a treatment component in feline behavioral medicine

Veterinary behavioral medicine remains an under-supported, under-appreciated, and under-taught specialty within veterinary medicine. Neuropsychopharmacology is the aspect that has provided the field with the most scientific legitimacy, but is also one of the most hotly debated. Paradigms for use of pharmacologic intervention include firstly ruling out any underlying medical cause. If a behavioral diagnosis can be made, treatment with psychotropic medication may be considered, although their use is most effective as part of an integrated treatment program that includes behavior modification. Used without an understanding of the mechanism of action, pharmacologic intervention may only blunt or mask behavior without altering processes or environments that produced the behavior. This paper reviews specific drugs, mechanism of action of those drugs, and relevant uses are reviewed for cats. Future advances in treatment in veterinary behavioral medicine will be pharmacological and neurophysiological. As the field of veterinary behavioral medicine expands, its paradigm will enlarge to include routine combination therapy and the implementation of neuropharmacological intervention as a diagnostic tool.     

Secondary siRNAs result from unprimed RNA synthesis and form a distinct class

In Caenorhabditis elegans, an effective RNA interference (RNAi) response requires the production of secondary short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) by RNA-directed RNA polymerases (RdRPs). We cloned secondary siRNAs from transgenic C. elegans lines expressing a single 22-nucleotide primary siRNA. Several secondary siRNAs start a few nucleotides downstream of the primary siRNA, indicating that non-RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex)-cleaved mRNAs are substrates for secondary siRNA production. In lines expressing primary siRNAs with single-nucleotide mismatches, secondary siRNAs do not carry the mismatch but contain the nucleotide complementary to the mRNA. We infer that RdRPs perform unprimed RNA synthesis. Secondary siRNAs are only of antisense polarity, carry 5' di- or triphosphates, and are only in the minority associated with RDE-1, the RNAi-specific Argonaute protein. Therefore, secondary siRNAs represent a distinct class of small RNAs. Their biogenesis depends on RdRPs, and we propose that each secondary siRNA is an individual RdRP product.     

SUBCLINICAL CT ABNORMALITIES IN THE LUMBOSACRAL SPINE OF OLDER LARGE-BREED DOGS

Computed tomography (CT) of the L5-S3 vertebral levels was performed in six, large-breed dogs presented for problems unrelated to the lumbosacral spine. All dogs were asymptomatic for lumbosacral stenosis on neurologic examination. Breeds included German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Boxermix and Belgian Malinois. Ages ranged from 5-12 years. Five out of six dogs exhibited CT abnormalities. Among the 18 disc levels examined, the most common findings were idiopathic stenosis, loss of vertebral canal epidural fat, and nerve tissue displacement. Less common abnormalities were vertebral canal or foraminal bone proliferation, loss of intervertebral foramen fat, vertebral canal disc bulging, degenerative articular process joint disease, transitional vertebra, dural ossification, foraminal disc bulging, Schmorl's nodes, calcified extruded disc fragment, and sacroiliac joint osteophytes. Vertebral subluxation was absent in all dogs. Findings indicate that some lumbosacral CT abnormalities may be clinically insignificant, especially in older dogs.     

Multiple paternity,reproductive skew and correlates of male reproductive success in a wild population of the Trinidadian guppy

Abstract – In most species, males have a higher reproductive potential than females, leading to skewed reproductive success, particularly in mating systems where pre‐ or postcopulatory sexual selection reinforces inequality in male mating success. We investigated multiple paternity, reproductive skew and correlates of male reproductive success in a wild population of the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). We used nine microsatellite loci to assess the frequency of multiple paternity, number of sires per brood and reproductive skew. Across broods, the frequency of multiple paternity was high with 94% of broods having multiple sires (range: 1–5), resulting in a reproductive skew of 0.14. Variation in male reproductive success was high (range: 0–14 offspring per male), suggesting that there is considerable opportunity for sexual selection. Next, we examined correlations between male reproductive success and sexual coloration, sperm velocity and gonopodium length. Relative area of orange, black, iridescent and total coloration, and sperm velocity were not correlated with reproductive success. However, gonopodium length explained 14% of the variation in reproductive success, suggesting that gonopodium length is likely a sexually selected trait. We discuss these findings in the light of other studies that genetically dissect joint‐sex parentage and examine correlates of male reproductive success in wild populations.     

The impact of a community-based food skills intervention on cooking confidence, food preparation methods and dietary choices - an exploratory trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of undertaking a food skills intervention study in areas of social deprivation aimed at altering cooking confidence, food preparation methods and dietary choices. DESIGN: A standardised skills programme was implemented in community-based settings. Pre- (T1) and post-intervention (T2) and 6-month follow-up (T3) measures (7-day diaries and self-administered questionnaires) were undertaken in intervention and comparison groups. SETTING: Eight urban communities in Scotland. SUBJECTS: One hundred and thirteen adults living in areas of social deprivation. RESULTS: It was clear that many subjects led fragmented lives and found commitment to intervention classes problematic. Sixty-three subjects completed the final (T3) assessments. The response to each component varied due to inability to attend sessions, illness, study requirements, employment, moving out of the area, change in circumstances, loss of interest and loss of postal questionnaires. At baseline, reported consumption of fruit and vegetables was low (mean frequency 8.1 +/- 4.78 times per week). Fruit intake increased significantly (P < 0.05) between T1 and T2 in the intervention group (1.7 +/- 2.36 to 2.7 +/- 3.28 times per week) only. Between T1 and T3, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in intervention subjects who reported confidence in following a recipe (67-90%,). CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory trial shows that a food skills intervention is likely to have a small but positive effect on food choice and confidence in food preparation. A full-scale randomised controlled trial in this hard-to-reach group would require a range of flexible approaches rather than a fully defined intervention, and presents challenges for trial design.     

The effect of substrate particle size on the production of mucus in Haliotis tuberculata L. and the importance of this in a culture system

Haliotis tuberculata, the ormer, produces mucus from secretory cells in its foot. A relationship between substrate particle size and production of mucus is demonstrated. The results are also related to the energy budget of the ormer and considered in the light of the possible culture of the organism.     

Evaluation of Live Feeds for Larval and Postlarval Mahimahi Coryphaena hippurus

Live hatchery feeds were assayed for fatty acids (FA), amino acids (AA), and their ability to support growth and survival of larval and postlarval mahimahi Coryphaena hippurus at two different hatchery stages. Euterpina acuritrons copepods (C), mahimahi yolk-sac larvae (YSL), Artemia parthenogenica brine shrimp nauplii (BSn), A. parthenogenica juveniles (BSj), and Brachionus plicatilis rotifers (R) were assayed, using several enrichment media. There was little difference in AAs among feeds.
Levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were about 10 times higher in YSL than in their feeds. This explains previous findings where first stage larval survival (0–9 days) was not affected by feed HUFA levels. Second stage survival was significantly higher when larvae were fed copepods. Enrichment with 100 ppm SuperSelco greatly improved the survival of larvae that were fed brine shrimp. The even higher omega-3 fatty acids found in copepods appear to be important for survival of larvae under more stressful conditions.
Brine shrimp juveniles enriched with SuperSelco are a good food for postlarval mahimahi. Yolksac larvae of mahimahi are an even better food, promoting faster growth at less cost, for large scale mahimahi aquaculturists. Different batches of yolksac mahimahi larvae varied by a factor of 10 in their concentration of DHA, but always had the highest level of DHA as much as 40% of total fatty acids (FAs). These "high HUFA" batches of YSL also had the highest levels of EPA and total fatty acids. The data suggest that climate and broodstock age may have considerable influence on larval nutrition.     

Electrical stunning followed by decapitation or chilling of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus): assessment of behavioural and neural parameters and product quality

The objective of this study was to assess neural and behavioural responses in farmed African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) upon electrical stunning in combination with decapitation or chilling. To assess the possibility of scaling up one or both experimental methods, two trials were performed in an experimental setting. The product quality of the collected samples was compared with the currently applied industrial method: live chilling. After electrical stunning in combination with decapitation, the fish showed spikes alternated with theta and delta waves on the EEG, followed by minimal brain activity after 20±10 s. The same traces on the EEGs were observed after electrical stunning in combination with chilling. Here, minimal brain activity occurred after 22±11 s. Within a confidence level of 95%, the percentage of African catfish that was effectively stunned after administration of an electrical current of 1.5 A dm⁻², 300 V (50 Hz a.c.), followed by decapitation or chilling was above 91%. The analysis yield and evolution of liquid loss showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the batches, which could be explained by the stunning method used. The course values of the pH in the different batches were significantly (P<0.05) dependent on the stunning method, sex and location (visceral or skin side). It is concluded that African catfish can be stunned effectively using electrical stunning in a water tank, followed by decapitation or chilling in ice. Dutch commercial processors prefer to combine electrical stunning with chilling in flake ice in a rotating tumbler, as the outer slime layer is then removed, which facilitates further processing.