Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia in cats: 34 cases (1991-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether signalment, duration of hernia, clinical signs, contents of hernia, CBC and serum biochemical abnormalities, concurrent injuries, perioperative treatment and administration of analgesics, results of intraoperative anesthetic monitoring data, or level of training of the veterinarian performing the herniorrhaphy was associated with mortality rate after surgical repair of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 34 cats. PROCEDURE: Review of medical records and a telephone follow-up with owners and referring veterinarians were performed. RESULTS: Mean age of affected cats was 3.6 years; cats that survived to the time of discharge were significantly younger than cats that died or were euthanatized. Tachypnee was the most common clinical sign at hospital admission; cats that survived to the time of discharge had significantly higher respiratory rates than cats that died or were euthanatized after surgery. Postoperative complications developed in 50% of cats; tachypnea and dyspnea were most common. Mortality rate was not associated with duration of hernia or results of preoperative CBC and serum biochemical analyses, but was significantly associated with concurrent injuries. Mortality rate was not associated with hernia contents, intraoperative use of positive inotropes or corticosteroids, episodes of hypotension or severe hypoxia during anesthesia, or level of training of the veterinarian performing the surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cats that are older or have low to mildly increased respiratory rates and concurrent injuries are more likely to die after surgical repair of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia.     

Portal streamlining as a cause of nonuniform hepatic distribution of sodium pertechnetate during per-rectal portal scintigraphy in the dog

The purpose of this study was to evaluate nonuniform patterns of vascular distribution of pertechnetate in the dog during per-rectal portal scintigraphy. Ninety-two studies were reviewed retrospectively to document the patterns of radionuclide distribution. Forty-five studies were classified as normal and 47 were classified as diagnostic for a macrovascular portosystemic shunt. In these dogs, shunt fractions were calculated and compared using a t-test. In dogs with sufficient liver radioactivity for evaluation, the study was classified as having uniform, dorsal, central, or ventral radiopharmaceutical distributions. There were 51 animals (45 normal and six dogs with low-magnitude portosystemic shunts) with sufficient liver activity to assess the radionuclide distribution within the liver. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare shunt fractions between each of the distribution patterns. Two dogs were anesthetized and selective portovenograms were performed. Portovenograms were compared with the scintigraphic images to correlate the vascular distribution of the right, central, and left divisional branches of the portal vein. The shunt fraction in the 45 normal dogs was significantly lower than in the dogs with portosystemic shunts (5.7% +/- 4.8% vs. 78.6% +/- 20.0% (mean +/- SD), P < 0.001). Of the 51 dogs with sufficient liver activity to classify the pattern of distribution, there were 15/51 (31.4%) with uniform radionuclide distribution, 10/51 (19.6%) with focal dorsal distribution, 15/51 (29.4%) with focal ventral distribution, and 10/51 (19.6%) with focal central distribution. There was no significant difference in the shunt fractions between the groups. There were six dogs diagnosed with low-magnitude portosystemic shunt with sufficient liver radioactivity to categorize the vascular distribution of the radionuclide within the liver. Of these six dogs, two had focal dorsal distribution, one had focal central, one had focal ventral and two had uniform distribution. Focal dorsal distribution could result from streamlining of the radionuclide into the right divisional branch of the portal vein. Focal ventral distribution could result from streamlining the radionuclide into the left divisional branch of the portal vein. Focal central distribution could result from streamlining the radionuclide into the central divisional branch of the portal vein.     

HELICAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ANGIOGRAPHY OF CANINE PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS

Helical computed tomographic (CT) angiography was performed in 16 dogs with known or suspected portosystemic shunts. Fifteen portosystemic shunts were detected including five single intrahepatic shunts, five single extrahepatic shunts, and five multiple extrahepatic shunts. One dog had a normal CT examination. All diagnoses were confirmed by one or several alternate methods including ultrasound, surgery, necropsy, angiography, and liver biopsy. CT detected the origin of 13 of 15 portosystemic shunts and insertion of 13 of 15 shunts. Limitations included inability to resolve two vessels originating very close to each other, and identification of vessels that traveled parallel to the axial image plane. CT angiography is a promising, minimally invasive method of diagnosing a variety of portosystemic shunts in dogs.     

Outcome of ameroid constrictor occlusion of single congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in cats: 12 cases (1993-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine postoperative (< or = 6 days), short-term (< or = 90 days), and long-term (> or = 6 months) outcomes of cats undergoing ameroid constrictor occlusion of single congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (PSS) and identify factors associated with outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 12 cats. PROCEDURE: Cats with single congenital PSS that underwent surgical placement of ameroid constrictors were identified. Follow-up information was obtained through telephone interviews and facsimile correspondence with referring veterinarians and owners. Results-All cats survived the surgery and were discharged from the hospital. One cat had seizures during the postoperative period. Five cats were clinically normal during follow-up evaluations within 90 days after the surgery. Long-term follow-up information was available for 9 cats. Three were clinically normal, 4 had been euthanatized because of progressive neurologic disease, and 2 had neurologic abnormalities that could not be controlled with medication. Four of 7 cats with continued or recurrent neurologic abnormalities 1 or more months after surgery had normal scintigraphic or hepatic function test results 2 to 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that the long-term outcome of ameroid constrictor occlusion of PSS in cats is poor. Owners of older cats and cats with preexisting neurologic signs should be made aware of the potential for a poor outcome when considering surgical correction of this disease.     

Cardiopulmonary effects of intrathoracic insufflation in dogs

This study was designed to quantify the effects of incremental positive insufflation of the intrathoracic space on cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), arterial pressure (AP), central venous pressure (CVP), and percent saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen (SPO2) in anesthetized dogs. Seven healthy, adult dogs from terminal teaching laboratories were maintained under anesthesia with isoflurane delivered with a mechanical ventilator. The experimental variables were recorded before introduction of an intrathoracic catheter, at intrathoracic pressures (IP) of 0 mm Hg, 3 mm Hg insufflation, and additional increments of 1 mm Hg insufflation thereafter until the SPO2 remained <85% despite increases in minute volume. Finally the variables were measured again at 0 mm Hg IP. The cardiac output and systolic and diastolic AP significantly (P < 0.05) decreased at 3 mm Hg IP. Significant decreases in SPO2 were seen at 10 mm Hg IP. Significant increase in CVP was noted at 6 mm Hg IP. Heart rate decreased significantly at 5 to 6 mm Hg IP but was not decreased above 6 mm Hg IP. Given the degree of CO decrease at low intrathoracic pressures, insufflation-aided thoracoscopy should be used with caution and at the lowest possible insufflation pressure. Standard anesthetic monitoring variables such as HR and AP measurements may not accurately reflect the animal's cardiovascular status.     

A QTL atlas for grain yield and its component traits in maize (Zea mays)

Grain yield and its component traits are essential targets in maize breeding. These traits are genetically complex and controlled by a large number of quantitative trait loci (QTL). The aim of this study was to compile reported QTL and major genes for grain yield and its component traits in a QTL atlas, as a valuable resource for the maize community. To this end, 1,177 QTL related to maize yield were collected from 56 studies published between 1992 and 2018. These QTL were projected to genetic map “IBM2 2008 Neighbors”, which led to the identification of 135 meta-QTL. Some genomic regions appear to be hotspots for yield-related meta-QTL, often affecting more than one of the investigated traits. Moreover, we catalogued 20 major maize loci associated with yield and identified 65 maize homologs of 21 rice yield-related genes. Interestingly, we found that a significant proportion of them are located in meta-QTL regions. Collectively, this study provides a reference for QTL fine-mapping and gene cloning, as well as for molecular marker-assisted breeding of yield-related traits in maize.     

USE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY FOR DIAGNOSIS OF PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS IN DOGS

A prospective study was conducted to determine the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of portosystemic shunts (PSS) and the accuracy of anatomically locating single congenital PSS in dogs using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). MRA was performed on 10 normal dogs and 23 dogs with PSS. Sensitivity and specificity of MRA to diagnose any shunt among all dogs were 80% and 100%, respectively. Among dogs identified with PSS, sensitivity and specificity of MRA for diagnosis of multiple extrahepatic shunts were 63% and 97%, respectively, and for diagnosis of single congenital shunts were 79% and 100%, respectively. Using MRA, radiologists correctly identified shunts as extrahepatic or intrahepatic in 83% of patients and correctly identified the origin and insertion of the shunts in 57% and 97% of patients, respectively. Use of MRA is specific for diagnosis of PSS and is a sensitive indicator of anatomic location of single congenital portosystemic shunts.     

Evaluating fisheries systems: A comprehensive analytical framework and its application to the EU's Common Fisheries Policy

Despite regular reforms, problems under the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) persist. In order to identify priorities for future reforms of the policy, we developed an analytical framework consisting of 17 criteria and specifying indicators, derived from scientific, wider fisheries, and common resources literature. We applied the framework to the CFP governance system, its regulations, institutions, and processes at EU as well as member state level. The results show that the CFP does not fully meet any of the 17 criteria for an effective resource policy. Its performance was assessed as “neutral” regarding 10 criteria and “negative” regarding seven criteria. Trend analysis shows that there is a slightly positive trend regarding the CFP's performance, with five criteria trending positively, 11 showing a neutral trend and only one criterion trending negatively (simplicity of rules). The analysis identified five criteria which are performing badly and have not improved over time: simplicity of rules, user‐pays principle, resource efficiency, accountability, and compliance mechanisms. Future reforms of the CFP should first and foremost address these criteria while continuing efforts to improve the CFP's performance regarding other criteria. The evaluation of the CFP demonstrates the applicability of the analytical framework which can also be applied to other multilevel fisheries governance systems. Moreover, the results can inform reforms of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations. Like the CFP, these institutions manage transboundary fisheries and have not effectively addressed the issues of resource rent capture and resource efficiency.     

Perceived ecosystem services synergies,trade-offs,and bundles in European high nature value farming landscapes

Context

Around 30% of European agricultural landscapes are classified as high nature value (HNV) farmlands. Current policies emphasize the multifunctionality of these landscapes, but little is known about the positive and negative associations of multiple ecosystem services within HNV farmland.

Objectives

This study aims to identify perceived ecosystem services synergies, trade-offs, and bundles in agricultural landscapes of HNV from a socio-cultural perspective.

Methods

We performed a participatory mapping survey of 10 ecosystem services categories among 2301 rural residents in 13 European sites. We analyzed bivariate synergies and trade-offs between perceived ecosystem services through nonparametric correlation analyses. Spatial bundles of perceived ecosystem services were identified through hierarchical cluster analysis. Multinomial logit models were used to assess the influence of land cover on generating associations of ecosystem services.

Results

We find two strong and 16 moderate synergies of perceived ecosystem services (out of 46 possible ecosystem services pairs), mainly among different cultural ecosystem services. We do not reveal moderate or strong trade-offs. We identify five spatial bundles of ecosystem services, termed “Ecosystem services coldspots”, “Wild harvesting ranges”, “Nature areas”, “Recreational spaces”, and “Ecosystem services hotspots”. Of all land-cover co-variates, natural areas, urban areas, and roads have the strongest explanatory power.

Conclusions

Our study complements prevailing biophysical and economic analyses of ecosystem services synergies, trade-offs and bundles by a spatially explicit, socio-cultural perspective. We conclude that socio-cultural mapping of ecosystem services is useful for understanding the perceived multifunctionality of a landscape.

     

Are honeybees suitable surrogates for use in pesticide risk assessment for non‐Apis bees?

Historically, bee regulatory risk assessment for pesticides has centred on the European honeybee (Apis mellifera), primarily due to its availability and adaptability to laboratory conditions. Recently, there have been efforts to develop a battery of laboratory toxicity tests for a range of non‐Apis bee species to directly assess the risk to them. However, it is not clear whether the substantial investment associated with the development and implementation of such routine screening will actually improve the level of protection of non‐Apis bees. We argue, using published acute toxicity data from a range of bee species and standard regulatory exposure scenarios, that current first‐tier honeybee acute risk assessment schemes utilised by regulatory authorities are protective of other bee species and further tests should be conducted only in cases of concern. We propose similar analysis of alternative exposure scenarios (chronic and developmental) once reliable data for non‐Apis bees are available to expand our approach to these scenarios. In addition, we propose that in silico (simulation) approaches can then be used to address population‐level effects in more field‐realistic scenarios. Such an approach could lead to a protective, but also workable, risk assessment for non‐Apis species while contributing to pollination security in agricultural landscapes around the globe. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry