Calcinosis cutis secondary to percutaneous penetration of calcium chloride in dogs

Accidental exposure of the skin of a dog to a commercial hygroscopic landscaping product (77-80% CaCl2) caused contact-irritant dermatitis within 24 hours. Papules and eroded to ulcerated plaques with hyperproliferative margins developed on various areas of the skin that had come in contact with CaCl2. Histopathologic findings were typical of calcinosis cutis. Reproducible lesions similar to those observed on the referred dog were induced on 5 clinically normal dogs exposed to small amounts of the compound. Histopathologic documentation of the percutaneous penetration of CaCl2, with evidence of calcinosis cutis, was found in the dogs as early as 24 hours after continuous skin contact with the offending substance. Electron-microscopic evidence of crystalline deposits within dermal collagen also was found in skin biopsy specimens obtained 24 hours after contact with CaCl2. Serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations in the 5 dogs remained within normal limits before and after topical application of CaCl2.     

Association of urine protein excretion and infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Bernese Mountain dogs

Bernese Mountain dogs (BMDs) are prone to develop a familial glomerulonephropathy and a pathogenic role of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in this disease has been suspected. Glomerular disease in many affected dogs is clinically inapparent and proteinuria is found incidentally. In this study, urine protein excretion was evaluated in 122 clinically healthy BMDs and 55 controls. The seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi in BMDs was 57%, compared to 16% in controls. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of positive dipstick results, microalbuminuria, urine protein-to-urine creatinine ratio or abnormal urine protein pattern (determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate agarose gel electrophoresis) between BMDs and controls and BMDs with and without antibodies against B. burgdorferi. It was concluded that antibodies against B. burgdorferi are not associated with proteinuria as an early sign of renal disease in BMDs.     

In vivo imaging reveals novel aspects of retinal disease progression in Rs1h(-/Y) mice but no therapeutic effect of carbonic anhydrase inhibition

Purpose X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is the most common juvenile maculopathy in men and is caused by mutations in the gene encoding retinoschisin (RS1). Evidence in the literature on the therapeutic effect of carboanhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) to treat schisis formation in the retina has remained equivocal. Here, we evaluate the effect of the CAI dorzolamide on the structural and functional disease progression in the mouse model for XLRS (Rs1h(-/y) ). Methods Rs1h ( -/y ) mice were treated unilaterally with dorzolamide eye drops (Trusopt(?) 20?mg/mL) every 12?h for 2?weeks starting on postnatal day 14 (n?=?27). Changes of retinal structure were monitored by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and spectral domain optical coherence tomography 12?h, 14?days, 4?weeks, 2?months, and 6?months after completion of the treatment. Results Schisis formation (peak at 3?months) preceded photoreceptor degeneration and hyper-fluorescence (peak at 7?months). Structural pathology was most severe in the superior hemi-retina with previously unreported hyper-fluorescent lesions. Quantitative analysis showed no significant differences regarding the inner or outer retinal thickness of the treated vs. untreated eyes 12?h after the completion of treatment (IRT(12?h) =?-1.29?±?1.89?μm; ORT(12?h) =?0.61?±?2.08?μm; mean?±?95%CI) or at any later time point. Conclusion Time line analysis after short-term treatment with CAI failed to show short-, intermediate-, or long-term evidence of structural improvement in Rs1h(-/y) mice. Schisis formation in the inner retina peaked at the age of 3?months and was followed by photoreceptor degeneration predominantly in the superior hemi-retina. Previously unreported hyper-fluorescent lesions co-register with structural retinal pathologies.     

A decision support tool for response to global change in marine systems: the IMBER‐ADApT Framework

Global change is occurring now, often with consequences far beyond those anticipated. Although there is a wide range of assessment approaches available to address‐specific aspects of global change, there is currently no framework to identify what governance responses have worked and where, what has facilitated change and what preventative options are possible. To respond to this need, we present an integrated assessment framework that builds on knowledge learned from past experience of responses to global change in marine systems, to enable decision‐makers, researchers, managers and local stakeholders to: (i) make decisions efficiently; (ii) triage and improve their responses; and (iii) evaluate where to most effectively allocate resources to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience of coastal people. This integrated assessment framework, IMBER‐ADApT is intended to enable and enhance decision‐making through the development, a typology of case‐studies providing lessons on how the natural, social and governance systems respond to the challenges of global change. The typology is developed from a database of case‐studies detailing the systems affected by change, responses to change and, critically, an appraisal of these responses, generating knowledge‐based solutions that can be applied to other comparable situations. Fisheries, which suffer from multiple pressures, are the current focus of the proposed framework, but it could be applied to a wide range of global change issues. IMBER‐ADApT has the potential to contribute to timely, cost‐effective policy and governing decision‐making and response. It offers cross‐scale learning to help ameliorate, and eventually prevent, loss of livelihoods, food sources and habitat.     

The Potential of Semiochemicals for Control of Phorodon humuli (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Field experiments employing yellow water-traps with vials releasing methyl salicylate, butyl isothiocyanate, 4-pentenyl isothiocyanate and diethyltoluamide were conducted during the spring migration of Phorodon humuli (Schrank), with the aim of identifying substances which might be used in the field to deter landing on hop plants. Methyl salicylate and the two isothiocyanates reduced trap catches of P. humuli. During the spring of 1994 a slow-release formulation of methyl salicylate and a β-acid-rich hop resin sprayed on to hop plants did not reduce aphid infestations significantly. In autumn cis,cis-nepetalactol, the main component of P. ‘humuli’s sex pheromone, prepared by various synthetic routes, increased trap catches of males and gynoparae equally. Catches of males in pheromone traps situated in a hop garden decreased with increasing trap height. Catches of males in traps charged with increasing doses of the cis,cis-nepetalactol peaked at 1 mg and then plateaued, whereas catches of gynoparae peaked similarly at 1 mg and then decreased. The effects of kairomones from an extract of the primary host, sex pheromone and a visual cue from yellow compared with clear water-traps were additive. The prospects for developing a semiochemicals-based control strategy against P. humuli, using some or all of the above elements, are discussed.     

Histochemical Detection of Glycoconjugates in the Canine Epididymis

A histochemical study using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled lectins to identify glycoconjugates present in the efferent ductules and the three segments of the ductus epididymis (initial, middle and terminal segment) of dogs was carried out. The lectins used were: mannose-binding lectins (Con A, LCA and PSA), galactose-binding lectins (PNA, RCA), N -acetylgalactosamine-binding lectins (DBA, SBA, SJA and GSL I), N -acetylglucosamine-binding lectins (WGA and WGAs), fucose-binding lectins (UEA) and lectins which bind to complex carbohydrate configurations (PHA E and PHA L). The lectin-binding pattern in the canine epididymis presents similarities and differences to those observed in other mammalian species. The ductuli efferentes distinctly stained with most of the lectins used, whereas in the ductus epididymis a segment specific staining pattern was observed. Whereas principal cells of the ductus epididymis stained clearly with several FITC-labelled lectins (WGA, UEA and PHA-L), basal cells showed only a significant binding of Con A.