Anesthetic management of an off-pump open-heart surgery in a dog

ObservationsA 9 year-old, 40 kg, female spayed Bouvier des Flandres was anesthetized for surgical removal of an intra-cardiac mass. Pre-anesthetic work-up included thoracic radiographs, which revealed moderate pleural effusion, and cardiac ultrasound, which identified a mass attached to the wall of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). The mass caused dynamic obstruction of the RVOT during systole. The dog was pre-medicated with intravenous (IV) hydromorphone (0.05 mg kg^?1). Following pre-oxygenation, anesthesia was induced with ketamine (3.75 mg kg^?1, IV) and diazepam (0.18 mg kg^?1, IV). Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen, an intravenous constant rate infusion (CRI) of fentanyl (10–30 μg kg^?1 hour^?1) and a CRI of lidocaine (50–200 μg kg^?1 minute^?1). A right lateral thoracotomy was performed. The heart was stopped transiently with a cold cardioplegic solution for 7.83 minutes to allow the removal of the mass through an open-heart procedure. No cardiopulmonary bypass was used. The heart was successfully restarted after cardiopulmonary resuscitation with internal cardiac massage and internal defibrillation. The dog recovered uneventfully from anesthesia without any apparent neurological sequelae. Post-operative analgesia consisted of intercostal nerve blocks with bupivacaine, CRIs of fentanyl (2–5 μg kg^?1 hour^?1) and lidocaine (40 μg kg^?1 minute^?1) and with oral meloxicam (0.1 mg kg^?1). Five days following surgery, the dog was discharged from the hospital. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the mass identified an ectopic thyroid carcinoma.ConclusionsThis case showed the feasibility of whole body hypothermia and using a cold cardioplegic solution to induce cardiac arrest for a short open-heart procedure.     

Anthelmintic efficacy on Parascaris equorum in foals on Swedish studs

Background

In the last few years stud farms have experienced increasing problems with Parascaris equorum infections in foals despite intensive deworming programs. This has led to the question as to whether the anthelmintic drugs used against this parasite are failing. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of ivermectin, fenbendazole and pyrantel on the faecal output of ascarid eggs of foals.

Methods

A Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) was performed on nine large studs in Sweden. Anthelmintic drugs were given orally and faecal samples were examined for ascarid eggs on the day of deworming and 14 days later. Faecal Egg Count Reductions (FECRs) were calculated on arithmetic means of transformed individual FECRs and on arithmetic means of individual FECRs.

Results

Seventy-nine (48%) out of a total of 165 foals sampled were positive for P. equorum eggs before deworming and 66 of these met the criteria for being used in the efficacy assessment. It was shown that there was no, or very low activity of ivermectin on the output of ascarid eggs in the majority of the foals, whereas for fenbendazole and pyrantel it was >90%.

Conclusion

Ivermectin resistance was shown in 5 out of 6 farms. Therefore, ivermectin should not be the drug of choice in the control of P. equorum infections in foals. According to the results of this study, fenbendazole or pyrantel are still effective and should be used against this parasite.     

Comparison of the VIDAS and IMMULITE‐2000 methods for cortisol measurement in canine serum

Background: Serum cortisol concentration is often measured in dogs for the diagnosis and monitoring of adrenal disease. An enzyme‐linked fluorescent assay (VIDAS method) on the MiniVidas analyzer has been validated for the measurement of cortisol concentration in human serum and could have applications for canine samples. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare canine cortisol results obtained using the VIDAS method with those obtained using the IMMULITE‐2000 immunoassay, which has previously been validated for canine serum. Methods: The concentration of cortisol in 40 canine serum samples was determined concurrently with the VIDAS and IMMULITE methods, the latter as the reference method. Pearson's correlation coefficient, linear, and Deming regression analyses and Bland–Altman analysis were used to compare the 2 methods. Acceptability of the new method was judged using a medical decision chart (MEDx chart). Results: Cortisol concentrations obtained with the IMMULITE method ranged from 23.1 to 1380 nmol/L. Correlation (r=.977) and simple linear regression (slope=1.0722, confidence interval [CI] 0.996–1.148; intercept=?4.799, CI ?42.838 to 33.240) revealed no proportional or constant error. Based on Deming regression and a Bland–Altman plot the 2 methods gave comparable results. The MEDx chart indicated that performance of the new method was good at decision limits of 40, 132, and 480 nmol/L. Conclusion: Results of the VIDAS method were comparable to those of the IMMULITE‐2000 reference method such that the VIDAS may be used as an alternative assay to evaluate serum cortisol concentration in dogs for the diagnosis of adrenal disease.     

Quantifying successional rates in western aspen woodlands: Current conditions,future predictions

Stands of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) rank among the most biologically diverse plant communities across the intermountain region of western North America. Marked declines of aspen have occurred in recent decades, likely due to a combination of effects from changes in fire regimes, herbivory, climate (e.g. drought), and interspecific competition with conifer species. However, it is poorly understood how the effects of these factors are manifested at a landscape scale over decadal time periods. Analysis of field data combined with topographic information collected across the 500,000 ha Owyhee Plateau in southwestern Idaho revealed that aspen in the area occur in three different biophysical settings; First, aspen stands exist at high altitudes on south-facing slopes where local conifer species are not likely to occur because of limiting temperature or precipitation levels under current climate conditions. In these areas aspen is the potential vegetation type rather than conifers. Second, aspen grow on anomalously wet microsites (e.g. near springs), and third, aspen grow within upland mixed aspen/conifer stands, which are experiencing rapid rates of conifer establishment. Based on a paired t-test (α = 0.05) we conclude that stands growing on wet microsites show significantly slower successional rates of conifer establishment relative to upland aspen stands. We developed a conceptual state-and-transition model for upland aspen/conifer stands occurring across a range of topographic positions. We then parameterized the model using extensive field data in the vegetation dynamics computer simulation model Vegetation Dynamics Development Tool (VDDT), and examined the current and future aspen distribution under varying fire regimes. Model results indicate that average fire return intervals of 50–70 years are desirable for maintenance of aspen in upland areas where conifers are present. Under the current fire regime in the area many upland aspen/conifer stands will likely be lost within 80–200 years. Thresholds for the effect of conifer encroachment and browsing on aspen regeneration identified through this research are similar to those described by others across the West. We therefore suggest that the results presented for the Owyhee Plateau are likely applicable to semi-arid aspen woodlands across the American West where succession to conifers is a cause of aspen decline.     

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids of Marine Macroalgae: Potential for Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Applications

As mammals are unable to synthesize essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), these compounds need to be taken in through diet. Nowadays, obtaining essential PUFA in diet is becoming increasingly difficult; therefore this work investigated the suitability of using macroalgae as novel dietary sources of PUFA. Hence, 17 macroalgal species from three different phyla (Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta) were analyzed and their fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profile was assessed. Each phylum presented a characteristic fatty acid signature as evidenced by clustering of PUFA profiles of algae belonging to the same phylum in a Principal Components Analysis. The major PUFA detected in all phyla were C₁₈ and C₂₀, namely linoleic, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids. The obtained data showed that rhodophytes and phaeophytes have higher concentrations of PUFA, particularly from the n-3 series, thereby being a better source of these compounds. Moreover, rhodophytes and phaeophytes presented “healthier” ∑n-6/∑n-3 and PUFA/saturated fatty acid ratios than chlorophytes. Ulva was an exception within the Chlorophyta, as it presented high concentrations of n-3 PUFA, α-linolenic acid in particular. In conclusion, macroalgae can be considered as a potential source for large-scale production of essential PUFA with wide applications in the nutraceutical and pharmacological industries.     

Impacts of off-road traffic on soil physical properties of forest clear-cuts: X-ray and laboratory analysis

Due to the great year-round demand for forest products, off-road forestry traffic occurs even when the ground is susceptible to soil compaction and rutting. We investigated the impacts of repeated passes with a laden forwarder (34?Mg) on the soil physical properties of two clear-cuts on stony till soils in northern Sweden. Core samples (n?=?71) were collected from the top 5?cm of mineral soil in and beside wheel tracks, after six passes with the forwarder. Soil physical properties were quantified using classical soil physical analyses and X-ray tomography. The hydraulic conductivity was 70% lower in the wheel tracks than in the soil beside. The X-ray image analysis indicated that this was due to the smaller total volume and lower connectivity of structural pores (φ?>?60?µm). Total porosity was 24% and 12% lower in the tracks at the two sites respectively, and mean bulk density was 1.39?g?cm^?3 in the tracks, compared to 1.13?g?cm^?3 beside them. To conclude, traffic changed the soil physical properties in a way that may lead to longer periods of high water content in the wheel tracks, increased risk of surface runoff and insufficient aeration for optimal seedling growth.     

Effects of travel distance and season of the year on transport‐related mortality in cattle

The number of animals that die during transport to a slaughterhouse or shortly after being delivered to a slaughterhouse may serve as an indicator of animal welfare during transport. The aim of this study was to determine the mortality rate in cattle resulting from transport to slaughter in the Czech Republic in the period from 2009 to 2014, and to investigate the effect of travel distance and season of the year. Transport‐related mortality rates were recorded for all categories of cattle for the following travel distances: up to 50 km, 51–100 km, 101–200 km and over 200 km. Higher mortality rates occurred with shorter travel distances (<50 km and 51–100 km) when compared to longer travel distances (101–200 km and > 200 km), with a significant difference (P < 0.01) between short and long travel distances being found in feeders and dairy cows. Also, the season of the year had a significant impact on the mortality rate among transported cattle. The highest mortality rate in all categories was observed in spring months. The lowest mortality rate was found in autumn months for fat cattle and dairy cows and in winter months for feeders and calves.     

Comparison of Iodide and Iodate Accumulation and Volatilization by Filamentous Fungi during Static Cultivation

Five common fungal strains, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Aspergillus clavatus, Penicillium citrinum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Alternaria alternata, were cultivated in presence of iodide and iodate to evaluate their efficiency in iodine biovolatilization and bioaccumulation. Our results suggest that iodide and iodate bioaccumulation by microscopic filamentous fungi is similar although the biological transformation into volatile iodine compounds is driven by various pathways resulting in higher volatilization efficiency of iodate. Thus, the mobilization of iodate by filamentous fungi is superior to iodide mobilization. Our paper is also the first to compare the iodide and iodate volatilization efficiency by microorganisms. Our results highlight the significant role of filamentous fungi in biogeochemistry of iodine, especially in formation of environmentally reactive volatile forms that may contribute to ozone layer destruction.     

Pathogenicity determinants in smut fungi revealed by genome comparison

Biotrophic pathogens, such as the related maize pathogenic fungi Ustilago maydis and Sporisorium reilianum, establish an intimate relationship with their hosts by secreting protein effectors. Because secreted effectors interacting with plant proteins should rapidly evolve, we identified variable genomic regions by sequencing the genome of S. reilianum and comparing it with the U. maydis genome. We detected 43 regions of low sequence conservation in otherwise well-conserved syntenic genomes. These regions primarily encode secreted effectors and include previously identified virulence clusters. By deletion analysis in U. maydis, we demonstrate a role in virulence for four previously unknown diversity regions. This highlights the power of comparative genomics of closely related species for identification of virulence determinants.     

West Nile virus and its emergence in the United States of America

Zoonotic West Nile virus (WNV) circulates in natural transmission cycles involving certain mosquitoes and birds, horses, humans, and a range of other vertebrates are incidental hosts. Clinical infections in humans can range in severity from uncomplicated WNV fever to fatal meningoencephalitis. Since its introduction to the Western Hemisphere in 1999, WNV had spread across North America, Central and South America and the Caribbean, although the vast majority of severe human cases have occurred in the United States of America (USA) and Canada. By 2002-2003, the WNV outbreaks have involved thousands of patients causing severe neurologic disease (meningoencephalitis and poliomyelitis-like syndrome) and hundreds of associated fatalities in USA. The purpose of this review is to present recent information on the epidemiology and pathogenicity of WNV since its emergence in North America.