Orbital apex syndrome secondary to an orbital sarcoma in a dog

A 12-year-old castrated male cocker spaniel dog was presented with a 4-week history of left episcleral injection and pawing at the face. Clinical examination findings included left internal and external ophthalmoplegia, left dorsal strabismus, pain opening the mouth, and intermittent amaurosis. Imaging studies revealed a left orbital apex mass with adjacent sphenoid bone lysis and extension into the cranial cavity. A left exenteration was performed and histopathology confirmed an orbital soft tissue sarcoma.Key clinical message:This report describes an orbital tumor causing orbital apex syndrome. This condition should be differentiated from cavernous sinus syndrome as the latter does not course with optic neuropathy.     

International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND) progress to date and future plans

The INHAND Proposal (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions in Rats and Mice) has been operational since 2005. A Global Editorial Steering Committee (GESC) manages the overall objectives of the project and the development of harmonized terminology for each organ system is the responsibility of the Organ Working Groups (OWG), drawing upon experts from North America, Europe and Japan.Great progress has been made with 9 systems published to date – Respiratory, Hepatobiliary, Urinary, Central/Peripheral Nervous Systems, Male Reproductive and Mammary, Zymbals, Clitoral and Preputial Glands in Toxicologic Pathology and the Integument and Soft Tissue and Female Reproductive System in the Journal of Toxicologic Pathology as supplements and on a web site – www.goreni.org. INHAND nomenclature guides offer diagnostic criteria and guidelines for recording lesions observed in rodent toxicity and carcinogenicity studies. The guides provide representative photo-micrographs of morphologic changes, information regarding pathogenesis, and key references. During 2012, INHAND GESC representatives attended meetings with representatives of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Enterprise Vocabulary Services (EVS) to begin incorporation of INHAND terminology as preferred terminology for SEND (Standard for Exchange of Nonclinical Data) submissions to the FDA. The interest in utilizing the INHAND nomenclature, based on input from industry and government toxicologists as well as information technology specialists, suggests that there will be wide acceptance of this nomenclature. The purpose of this publication is to provide an update on the progress of INHAND.     

Optimal Management Practices for Nitrogen Application in Corn Cultivated During Summer and Fall in the Tropics

Optimal management practices for nitrogen (N) fertilization is well defined for corn (Zea mays) cultivated during summer (“summer” corn), but not for corn cultivated during the fall (“fall” corn) in the tropics. Two experiments were carried out to evaluate N rates (50, 100, 200, and 300 kg N ha^?1), N application timing (pre-planting – PP, V2–V3, and V5–V6) and N split application, once (at PP, V3, and V6), two (at V3+ V6) and three times (at PP+ V3+ V6) in corn cultivated during summer (2014/2015) and fall (2015/2016). Data on corn grain yield (CGY), weight of 1000-grains, leaf N content and values of soil-plant analyses development (SPAD) were collected and analyzed using univariate, multivariate (principal component analysis, PCA) and regression analysis. Results showed that corn growth was affected by N rates and splitting. Corn cultivated during summer presented higher CGY and weight-1000 g than corn cultivated during the fall. The highest yields were obtained with higher N rates on “summer” corn (125 kg N ha^?1) than “fall” corn (50 kg N ha^?1). Split N-application at vegetative growth stages, V3+ V6, or PP+ V2+ V6, provided higher yields for “summer” corn, while only PP application was a reliable period of N fertilization for “fall” corn. The finding is that corn cultivated during the fall presented a lower response to N and no obvious advantages to split N fertilization when compared to corn cultivated during summer. These optimal management practices for N fertilization in corn production in the tropics depend on soil water availability.     

Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG is a potential probiotic for calves

Diarrhea is a common occurrence in neonatal calves. Several veterinary probiotics claiming to prevent or treat calf diarrhea are available, but have not been well studied. This study assessed the capability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) to maintain viability in the gastrointestinal tract of calves. We also determined whether LGG can be administered in an oral rehydration solution (ORS) without compromising the efficacy of the ORS or the viability of LGG, and whether LGG produces D-lactate or not. To investigate the intestinal survival of LGG, 15 calves were randomized into 3 groups and LGG was administered orally with their morning milk feeding on 3 consecutive days at a low (LD), medium (MD), or high (HD) dosage. Fecal samples were collected on days 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 and incubated for 72 h on deMan, Rogosa, Sharpe agar. Twenty-four hours after the 1st feeding, LGG was recovered from 1 out of 5 calves in the LD group, 4 out of 5 calves in the MD group, and 5 out of 5 calves in the HD group. To determine if LGG caused the glucose levels in the ORS to drop below effective levels, 1.5 L of the ORS was incubated with LGG for 2 h at 37 degrees C and the glucose concentration was measured every 20 min using a glucose meter. This ORS was then further incubated for 10 h and aliquots analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography to determine if D-lactate was produced by LGG. Glucose concentrations did not change over the 2 h of incubation, and no D-lactate was produced after 48 h. The LGG maintained viability in ORS. Therefore, this study demonstrated that LGG survives intestinal transit in the young calf, produces no D-lactate, and can be administered in an ORS.     

Evaluation of electroacupuncture treatment for thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of electroacupuncture combined with standard Western medical treatment versus Western medical treatment alone for treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective controlled study. ANIMALS: 50 dogs with signs of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease. PROCEDURES: Dogs were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups and classified as having grade 1 to 5 neurologic dysfunction. Dogs in group 1 received electroacupuncture stimulation combined with standard Western medical treatment; those in group 2 received only standard Western medical treatment. A numeric score for neurologic function was evaluated at 4 time points to evaluate effects of treatments. RESULTS: Time (mean +/- SD) to recover ambulation in dogs with grade 3 and 4 dysfunction in group 1 (10.10 +/- 6.49 days) was significantly lower than in group 2 (20.83 +/- 11.99 days). Success (able to walk without assistance) rate for dogs with grade 3 and 4 dysfunction in group 1 (10/10 dogs) was significantly higher than that of similarly affected dogs in group 2 (6/9 dogs). Dogs without deep pain perception (grade 5 dysfunction) had a success (recovery of pain sensation) rate of 3 of 6 and 1 of 8 in groups 1 and 2, respectively, but the difference was not significant. Overall success rate (all dysfunction grades) for group 1 (23/26; 88.5%) was significantly higher than for group 2 (14/24; 58.3%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Electroacupuncture combined with standard Western medical treatment was effective and resulted in shorter time to recover ambulation and deep pain perception than did use of Western treatment alone in dogs with signs of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease.     

A synthetic control approach to estimate the effect of total allowable catches in the high seas

Total allowable catch restrictions (hereafter referred to as catch quotas) play an important role in maintaining healthy fish stocks. While studies have identified a positive relationship between catch quota implementation and improved stock status, these methods are subject to selection bias as catch quotas are typically applied to stocks that are depleted. We address this challenge using the synthetic control method, which estimates the causal effect of catch quotas on fishing mortality and biomass by predicting a synthetic counterfactual outcome. We focus on high seas stocks (tunas, billfishes, and sharks) managed by tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (tRFMOs), first providing an overview of stock status and current management measures in place. We find that implementation of catch quotas by tRFMOs has more than doubled over the past decade. Second, we predict the hypothetical fishing mortality and biomass trajectory for seven high seas quota-managed stocks in absence of a catch quota. These “synthetic non-quota stocks” are predicted using a weighted selection of high seas non-quota stocks. Credibility of the synthetic non-quota stocks is evaluated through diagnostic checks, and robustness tests assess sensitivity to study design. Five credible fishing mortality synthetic controls are predicted: three add support to the hypothesis that catch quotas successfully reduce fishing mortality, while two find that catch quotas increase fishing mortality. While our analysis is limited in scope, given that all seven quota-managed stocks are managed under a single tRFMO, we highlight the potential for the synthetic control method in fisheries management evaluation.     

Restoration and Rehabilitation of Mixed Espinales in Central Chile: 10-Year Report and Appraisal

A synthesis of progress achieved thus far is provided for a 10 - year research and development program aimed at the ecological and economic rehabilitation of agroecosystems in the unirrigated portions of the central valley of Chile's Mediterranean climate region. We review our data on (1) revised management techniques aimed at restoring the gross superstructure and former levels of diversity and productivity of a mixed espinales formation; (2) selection and utilization of ecotypes of the naturalized annual Medicago polymorpha L. and the N2-fixing microsymbiont Rhizobium meliloti, for gradual improvement of espinal soil fertility; and (3) studies of the outstandingly well adapted and fast growing Canary Island tree Chamaecytisus proliferus (L. fil.) Link ssp. palmensis (Christ) Kunkel (Tagasaste), which along with about three dozen other woody nitrogen - fixing legume and several nonlegume multipurpose trees, was considered to be of potential value for deep soil layer rehabilitation combined with economic improvements. In all these subprograms, efforts were made to identify techniques or organisms that could provide short-term benefits to landowners, especially in the form of wood, fuelwood, or forage for livestock. We also consider various approaches to be added to the program over the next decade, especially in view of the overarching goal of reintegrating fragmented landscapes and combining restoration with rehabilitation and reallocation at this spatial scale.     

Landscape,Soil, and Plant Analysis of Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) Invasion in the Piedmont Region,SC

Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), an exotic invasive plant, is native to Southeast Asia. This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition of Japanese stiltgrass as well as soil and landscape characteristics that correlate with invasion of Japanese stiltgrass around Lake Issaqueena in the upper Piedmont of South Carolina. Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) were used to determine the spatial pattern of invasion with respect to the aspect, slope, canopy cover, soils, and distance to roads and trails. Japanese stiltgrass was distributed on both sides of Lake Issaqueena in Pacolet and Madison soil map units (Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults) on the average slopes of 21%, but it was particularly common on the eastern shore of the lake in low-lying wet and shaded areas (mean canopy cover 51%). In addition, invasion by Japanese stiltgrass was correlated with the proximity to roads and trails. Plant tissue analysis revealed many differences in the distribution of macronutrients, macrominerals, and micronutrients in the leaves, stems, and roots of Japanese stiltgrass, although those differences were not always statistically significant. Concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) were the highest in leaves while zinc (Zn) concentrations were the highest in stems and concentrations of magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and sodium (Na) tended to be higher in roots. Carbon (C), sulfur (S), and potassium (K) concentrations were generally higher in above-ground tissues versus roots. Soil chemical analysis revealed no statistical differences between control and invaded plots. Our findings suggest that watershed areas surrounding lakes may be particularly susceptible to the invasion of Japanese stiltgrass due to their microclimates, low-lying wet pathways for seed distribution and recreational uses.     

Crown allometry and growing space requirements of four rare domestic tree species compared to oak and beech: implications for adaptive forest management

European Journal of Forest Research - Rare domestic tree species are increasingly being viewed as promising alternatives and additions to current main tree species in forests facing climate change....