Uveal schwannoma in a brown‐eyed dog

An eleven‐year‐old, female spayed Boxer dog was diagnosed with a uveal schwannoma (formerly known as the spindle cell tumor of the blue‐eyed dog or SCTBED) despite having a uniformly brown iris. The patient presented to emergency for ocular discomfort, and the right globe was subsequently enucleated due to glaucoma and submitted for histopathology. Upon histopathologic evaluation, a uveal schwannoma was diagnosed and confirmed with immunohistochemical staining. Complete metastatic evaluation 1 and 6 months after initial presentation did not reveal evidence of metastasis, and the dog remains systemically healthy. This case represents a unique variant of uveal schwannoma and is relevant because although the vast majority of these tumors occur in blue‐eyed dogs, clinicians should not completely rule out this tumor as a differential based on the iris color.     

An update on FIV and FeLV test performance using a Bayesian statistical approach

BACKGROUND: Screening tests for feline retroviruses are thought to have high sensitivity and specificity, although previous studies that evaluated these tests have limitations. Novel statistical approaches have been developed that allow the estimation of sensitivity and specificity in situations where the true state of the disease in individual animals cannot be assured. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a variety of retrovirus tests, including some screening tests, in a population of cats potentially infected with either feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and/or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) by using a Bayesian statistical approach. METHODS: Four hundred and ninety blood samples from cats being evaluated for FIV infection were tested by 2 rapid immunomigration tests (Witness single [WS], Witness combi [WC]) and a plate-based ELISA (Petcheck) for FIV antibody, and by a newly designed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for FIV provirus. Four hundred and ninety-five blood samples from cats being evaluated for FeLV infection were tested by 2 rapid immunomigration tests (WS, WC) and a plate-based ELISA (Petcheck) for FeLV antigen, and by a FeLV virus isolation technique. Results were then analyzed by using a Bayesian statistical method. RESULTS: For FIV tests, median sensitivity estimates were 0.98 for WS, 0.97 for WC, 0.98 for ELISA, and 0.92 for PCR. Median specificity estimates were 0.96 for WS, 0.96 for WC, 0.93 for ELISA, and 0.99 for PCR. For FeLV tests, median sensitivity estimates were 0.97 for WS, 0.97 for WC, 0.98 for ELISA, and 0.91 for virus isolation. Median specificity estimates were 0.96 for WS, 0.96 for WC, 0.98 for ELISA, and 0.99 for virus isolation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Bayesian statistical methods overcomes a variety of methodologic problems associated with diagnostic test evaluations, including the lack of a definitive reference test. The sensitivity and the specificity of all 6 evaluated screening tests was high: however, specificity estimates were slightly lower than those reported by most recent studies.     

Release of protein, lipid, and vitamin E from almond seeds during digestion

The evaluation of the bioaccessibility of almond nutrients is incomplete. However, it may have implications for the prevention and management of obesity and cardiovascular disease. This study quantified the release of lipid, protein, and vitamin E from almonds during digestion and determined the role played by cell walls in the bioaccessibility of intracellular nutrients. Natural almonds (NA), blanched almonds (BA), finely ground almonds (FG), and defatted finely ground almonds (DG) were digested in vitro under simulated gastric and gastric followed by duodenal conditions. FG were the most digestible with 39, 45, and 44% of lipid, vitamin E, and protein released after duodenal digestion, respectively. Consistent with longer residence time in the gut, preliminary in vivo studies showed higher percentages of nutrient release, and microscopic examination of digested almond tissue demonstrated cell wall swelling. Bioaccessibility is improved by increased residence time in the gut and is regulated by almond cell walls.     

Hemothorax in 2 Horses

This report documents the successful conservative medical management of hemothorax in 2 horses. Hemothorax occurred after a lung biopsy procedure (horse 1) and strenuous exercise on a treadmill (horse 2). The horses had tachypnea, tachycardia, nostril flaring, hemoptysis, and pawing. Hemothorax was suspected based upon absence of auscultable ventral lung sounds; development of cool extremities and pale, tacky mucous membranes; the ultrasonographic appearance of moderate to severe amounts of pleural fluid; and a concurrent decrease in hematocrit and total plasma protein. Both horses were treated successfully by intranasal administration of oxygen, intravenous administration of balanced polyionic solutions, and treatment with antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and analgesics. In neither case was pleural blood removed. The hemothorax resolved in both horses without lasting abnormalities. Hemothorax does not require drainage for successful resolution.     

Coprological prevalence and intensity of helminth infection in working horses in Lesotho

This study aimed to (1) estimate infection prevalence of strongyle, Oxyuris equi and Parascaris equorum species and the intensity of infection with strongyles in working horses in lowland Lesotho and (2) investigate associations between infection and horse age, sex and owner-reported use of anthelmintics. In a cross-sectional survey, fresh faecal samples were obtained from 305 randomly selected horses and worm egg counts performed using a validated field laboratory kit. Details of anthelmintic use were collected using a standardised face-to-face owner questionnaire. Infection prevalence estimates for each species were calculated, as were infection intensity estimates for strongyle species. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations between exposure variables and infection status/intensity. Prevalence of strongyle infection was 88.2%; 11.8% of horses were not infected and infection intensity was low (1–500 eggs per gram (epg)) in 19.7%, medium (501–1,000 epg) in 19.7%) and high (>1,001 epg) in 48.8%. Decreasing strongyle infection intensity was associated with the use of proprietary equine anthelmintic products (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.11–0.30, p < 0.0001). Prevalence of O. equi infection was 6.2%; the odds of infection with this parasite decreased with increasing horse age (OR 0.84, 95%CI 0.72–0.97, p = 0.02). P. equorum infection prevalence was 21.6%; no statistically significant associations with the investigated exposure variables were found. In conclusion, strongyle infection is endemic in working horses in lowland Lesotho, but proprietary equine anthelmintics assist in managing infection. The apparent lack of age-acquired immunity to P. equorum infection may deserve further investigation. Although O. equi infection is less widespread, measures to protect younger animals may be appropriate.     

A global overview of drought and heat-induced tree mortality reveals emerging climate change risks for forests

Greenhouse gas emissions have significantly altered global climate, and will continue to do so in the future. Increases in the frequency, duration, and/or severity of drought and heat stress associated with climate change could fundamentally alter the composition, structure, and biogeography of forests in many regions. Of particular concern are potential increases in tree mortality associated with climate-induced physiological stress and interactions with other climate-mediated processes such as insect outbreaks and wildfire. Despite this risk, existing projections of tree mortality are based on models that lack functionally realistic mortality mechanisms, and there has been no attempt to track observations of climate-driven tree mortality globally. Here we present the first global assessment of recent tree mortality attributed to drought and heat stress. Although episodic mortality occurs in the absence of climate change, studies compiled here suggest that at least some of the world's forested ecosystems already may be responding to climate change and raise concern that forests may become increasingly vulnerable to higher background tree mortality rates and die-off in response to future warming and drought, even in environments that are not normally considered water-limited. This further suggests risks to ecosystem services, including the loss of sequestered forest carbon and associated atmospheric feedbacks. Our review also identifies key information gaps and scientific uncertainties that currently hinder our ability to predict tree mortality in response to climate change and emphasizes the need for a globally coordinated observation system. Overall, our review reveals the potential for amplified tree mortality due to drought and heat in forests worldwide.     

Effect of pH,organic matter content and nitrate on the evolution of ethylene from soils

The evolution of C₂H₄ from soils was stimulated by air-drying, and still more by oven-drying at 105°C. The quantities evolved were closely correlated with organic matter content, with no significant difference in this relationship between grassland and arable soils, or between topsoil and subsoil. In arable soils only, the quantities of C₂H₄ also increased significantly with decreasing pH. No significant relationship could be found between NO₃^? concentrations in fresh soils and the quantities of C₂H₄ evolved, but for air-dried soils (arable only) there was a significant decrease with increasing NO₃^?. Artificial addition of NO₃^? only partially inhibited the evolution of C₂H₄, even at concentrations an order of magnitude higher than those found in the field. At normal soil concentrations the only effect of NO₃^? seems likely to be a short delay in the achievement of the maximum C₂H₄ concentrations.     

Do Environmental Worldviews and Distrust Influence Action for Adaptation to Environmental Change Among Small-Scale Woodland Managers?

Small-scale Forestry - Forest and woodland owners and managers are generally perceived to be acting slowly in addressing environmental change by adapting their forestry practice. Diversification of...     

Profiling soil free-living nematodes in the Namib Desert,Namibia

Functional structure and diversity of soil free-living nematodes in a desert environment depend on plant gender and sampling site.The objective of this study was to compare the composition,abundance and tropic group of soil free-living nematodes in the upper 0–10 cm soil layer under the male and female Acanthosicyos horridus Welw.ex Hook.f.plants and in the inter-shrub open areas(control)in the Namib Desert,Namibia in April 2015.Soil moisture,organic matter(OM)and pH was also analyzed.Free-living nematodes were extracted from 100 g soil using the Baermann funnel procedure,and total number of nematodes was counted under a microscope.Community composition and diversity of soil free-living nematodes were analyzed using 18S rDNA sequences.Results indicated that a total of 67 groups,including 64 species,2 genera and 1 family were identified.Feeding behavior of 58 species were identified as follows:15 bacteria-feeding species,12 fungi-feeding species,10 plant-parasite species,5 omnivorous-predator species,8 animal-parasite species,5 invertebrate-parasite species and 3 non-free-living nematodes,known as marine species.Moreover,soil free-living nematodes were found to be affected by sampling locations and plant gender,and community composition and density of these nematodes were strongly influenced by soil OM content.Result confirmed that spatial location and plant cover were main factors influencing the diversity of soil free-living nematodes.Moreover,molecular tools were found to be very useful in defining the richness of soil non-free-living nematodes.In conclusion,the results elucidated the importance of biotic variables in determining the composition and abundance of soil free-living nematodes in the Namib Desert,Namibia.