Congenital orbital cysts of neural tissue in two dogs

A 3-month-old English Cocker Spaniel and a 6-month-old miniature poodle presented with clinical signs related to an abnormal right eye since birth. In both dogs, the right globe could not be identified and was replaced by a fluctuant intraorbital mass covered by a vascularized mucous membrane. Ultrasonography demonstrated that both masses were cystic structures markedly larger in size than the normal contralateral globes. In both cases, surgical excision revealed a multilobular cyst filling the whole orbital cavity. Histopathologic examination and immunostaining for glial fibrillary acid protein and S100 protein supported a diagnosis of neural cysts associated with ocular dysplasia. The definitive diagnosis was congenital cystic eye and microphthalmos with cyst for the Cocker Spaniel and miniature poodle, respectively. Karyotype was normal in both dogs. Congenital cystic eye and microphthalmos with cyst result from defects in early embryonic life that arise following formation of the optic vesicle and prior to closure of the optic fissure. To the authors' knowledge neither has been reported in the canine species. They should be considered in the differential diagnosis of orbital cysts in dogs.     

Cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation following an extradural injection in a normovolemic dog

Objective – To describe general anesthesia and successful resuscitation of a dog developing asystole and apnea during extradural injection of local anesthetic and an opioid. Case Summary – A Beagle with a ruptured cranial cruciate was premedicated with acepromazine and methadone. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and, after endotracheal intubation, maintained using isoflurane in oxygen. During extradural injection of a mixture of lidocaine, bupivacaine, and morphine the dog developed apnea and asystole. Cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation was started promptly and the dog was successfully resuscitated. New Information Provided – Asystole and apnea are possible serious side effects of extradural anesthesia in dogs. With adequate monitoring and early detection successful resuscitation is possible.     

A physiological and biochemical approach to selecting the ideal diet for Ostrea edulis (L.) broodstock conditioning (part A)

To select the best microalgae for Ostrea edulis conditioning, four single species diets were fed to batches of broodstock, which were then compared using physiological and biochemical approaches. Ingestion and absorption were first studied, showing that Chaetoceros gracilis and Skeletonema marinoï were efficiently ingested (4.9–5.3 mg g^?1 h^?1) and absorbed (1.9–2.5 mg g^?1 h^?1) while Tetraselmis suecica led to the lowest physiological responses (0.36 and 0.12 mg g^?1 h^?1 respectively). When O. edulis were fed any microalgae except T‐ISO with only 79 mg g^?1, gonads accumulated carbohydrates from 116 to 141 mg g^?1 and the extent of accumulation depended on the species supplied in the order T. suecica<C. gracilis<S. marinoï. When oysters were fed either of the diatoms (C. gracilis or S. marinoï), an efficient transfer of 20:5(n‐3) to all tissues, including the gonads, was recorded while no enrichment in 22:6(n‐3) occurred in all tissues (polar fraction) when oysters were fed T‐ISO. In contrast (22:5(n‐6)), a characteristic fatty acid of T‐ISO accumulated in all tissues, confirming its allocation despite particularly low ingestion (1.66 mg g^?1 h^?1) and absorption (0.32 mg g^?1 h^?1). When oysters were fed C. gracilis or S. marinoï an efficient transfer of cholesterol and campesterol from diatoms to the gonads was observed, while no sterol accumulation occurred in the gonad when fed T. suecica. Because of low ingestion, absorption and poor biochemical compounds' transfer, T. suecica is not recommended for O. edulis conditioning. T‐ISO also exhibited low physiological performances but due to a specific 22:6(n‐3) enrichment in the gonad neutral fraction (16.1%), its potential role in reproduction should be considered. Chaetoceros gracilis is highly recommended for O. edulis broodstock while a source of DHA other than that provided by T‐ISO should be found due to its poor absorption. Because a mixed diet has been shown to be more efficient for O. edulis broodstock conditioning, complementary trials dealing with the effects of other species rich in 22:6(n‐3) such as Rhodomonas salina or Pavlova lutheri should be performed.     

Do by‐catch reduction devices in longline fisheries reduce capture of sharks and rays? A global meta‐analysis

By‐catch in marine fisheries, particularly those using pelagic and demersal longlines, is a major driver of declines in abundance of sharks and rays around the world. A wide variety of by‐catch reduction devices (BRDs), that is, modified gears designed to reduce incidental captures of a variety of marine species while maintaining target catch rates, have been proposed, but the extent to which BRDs actually reduce the risk of catching sharks and rays remains unclear. We performed a meta‐analysis of 27 publications that reported the capture of sharks and rays and, in some cases, of targeted teleosts in longline gear deployed with and without BRDs. The risk of shark and ray capture differed between types of BRDs, but only one BRD type, longlines raised off the bottom, reduced by‐catch significantly. Circle hooks did not reduce the risk of capturing sharks and rays but might improve discard survival and are inexpensive, which might make them effective in reducing the detrimental effects of longlining on these species. In addition to being generally ineffective, some devices, such as electropositive and magnetic repellents, are expensive and have inherent construction drawbacks that are likely to make them unsuitable for commercial use. Overall, most BRDs did not affect the likelihood of catching targeted teleosts, but a substantial number of studies did not adequately assess target catch. We identified two poorly studied classes of BRD gear (i.e. raised demersal longlines, and monofilament nylon leaders), which represent promising directions for future research.     

A Marine λ-Oligocarrageenan Inhibits Migratory and Invasive Ability of MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cells through Actions on Heparanase Metabolism and MMP-14/MMP-2 Axis

Sugar-based molecules such as heparins or natural heparan sulfate polysaccharides have been developed and widely studied for controlling heparanase (HPSE) enzymatic activity, a key player in extracellular matrix remodelling during cancer pathogenesis. However, non-enzymatic functions of HPSE have also been described in tumour mechanisms. Given their versatile properties, we hypothesized that sugar-based inhibitors may interfere with enzymatic but also non-enzymatic HPSE activities. In this work, we assessed the effects of an original marine λ-carrageenan derived oligosaccharide (λ-CO) we previously described, along with those of its native counterpart and heparins, on cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells but also of sh-MDA-MB-231 cells, in which the expression of HPSE was selectively downregulated. We observed no cytotoxic and no anti-proliferative effects of our compounds but surprisingly λ-CO was the most efficient to reduce cell migration and invasion compared with heparins, and in a HPSE-dependent manner. We provided evidence that λ-CO tightly controlled a HPSE/MMP-14/MMP-2 axis, leading to reduced MMP-2 activity. Altogether, this study highlights λ-CO as a potent HPSE “modulator” capable of reducing not only the enzymatic activity of HPSE but also the functions controlled by the HPSE levels.     

Influence of latitude on the light availability for intercrops in an agroforestry alley-cropping system

Light competition by trees is often regarded as a major limiting factor for crops in alley-cropping agroforestry. Northern latitude farmers are usually reluctant to adopt agroforestry as they fear that light competition will be fiercer in their conditions. We questioned the light availability for crops in alley-cropping at different latitudes from the tropic circle to the polar circle with a process-based 3D model of alley-cropping agroforestry. Two tree densities and two tree line orientations were considered. The effect of the latitude was evaluated with same-sized trees. The relative irradiance of the crops was computed for the whole year or at specific times of the year when crops need more light. The heterogeneity of crop irradiance across the alley was also computed. Surprisingly, crop relative irradiance of summer crops at high latitudes is high, at odds with farmers’ fears. Best designs were highlighted for improving the crop irradiance: North–South tree lines are recommended at high latitudes and East–West tree lines at low latitudes. At medium latitudes, North–South tree lines should be preferred to achieve an homogeneous irradiance of the crop in the alley. If we assume that trees at northern latitudes grow slower when compared to southern latitudes, then alley-cropping agroforestry is highly advisable even at high latitudes with summer crops.