Acute corneal hydrops of presumed traumatic origin: An uncontrolled case series (three horses)

This case series describes acute corneal hydrops in three young horses. Due to similarities in the clinical appearance and progression of the disease with that which is reported in humans and cats with acute corneal hydrops, traumatic Descemet’s membrane rupture was suspected to be the underlying aetiology in these equine cases. The horses presented with acute severe corneal oedema with intrastromal bullae formation and anterior bulging of the corneal contour. Focal posterior corneal changes were also seen in two of three cases. Mild anterior uveitis was also present. Other causes of corneal oedema (e.g. glaucoma) were ruled out based on presentation and clinical examination. Treatment approaches were medical and included various combinations of prophylactic topical antimicrobial therapy in case of secondary corneal ulceration, anti-inflammatory therapy for uveitis, targeted oedema therapy with topical hypertonic saline and corneal cross-linking, and placement of a temporary partial tarsorrhaphy for corneal tamponade. The outcome was excellent in all cases, with rapid resolution of the ocular changes. Acute corneal hydrops of presumed traumatic Descemet’s membrane rupture origin should be considered in cases of young horses presenting with acute corneal oedema. However, further studies are warranted to better characterise the disease and to try to confirm the suspected aetiology.     

Epidemiology and clinical significance of canine distichiasis: A retrospective study of 291 cases

Objective

To describe the epidemiological factors and clinical significance of canine distichiasis.

Animals studied

Two hundred and ninety-one client-owned dogs.

Methods

Retrospective study of medical records for canine patients diagnosed with distichiasis between 2010 and 2019 in an ophthalmology specialty practice. The breed, sex, skull conformation, coat type, age at the time of diagnosis, reason for presentation, clinical examination findings, and affected eyelid(s) were reviewed.

Results

The prevalence of distichiasis was 5.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.9–6.1) in the population of dogs presented to an ophthalmology specialty practice. The breeds with the highest prevalence were English bulldogs (35.2%, 95% CI: 26.7–43.7) and American cocker spaniels (19.4%, 95% CI: 8.3–30.5). The prevalence was significantly higher in brachycephalic dogs (11.9%, 95% CI: 9.8–14.0) than in non-brachycephalic dogs (4.6%, 95% CI: 4.0–5.3) and in short-haired dogs (8.2%, 95% CI: 6.8–9.6) than in dogs with other coat types (5.3%, 95% CI: 4.5–6.1). Most dogs were affected bilaterally (63.6%, 95% CI: 58.0–69.1). Among dogs with clinical signs, 39.0% (95% CI: 26.5–51.4) exhibited corneal ulceration, including superficial ulcers (28.8%, 95% CI: 17.3–40.4) and deep stromal ulcers (10.2%, 95% CI: 2.5–17.8). Distichiasis was non-irritating in 85.0% (95% CI: 80.6–89.4) of affected dogs.

Conclusion

This study reports the largest cohort of canine distichiasis to date. In a large proportion of dogs, distichiasis was a non-irritating condition. However, brachycephalic breeds, especially English bulldogs, were the most frequently and severely affected.     

近30年济宁市雾和霾的时空分布特征及影响因子分析

利用山东省济宁市11个气象观测站点30年(1985-2014年)的雾和霾地面观测资料、风向风速、相对湿度、降水时间等资料,运用统计分析方法对济宁市雾和霾的时空分布特征及影响因子进行研究。结果表明,济宁市近30年雾日秋、冬季节多,占全年的70%左右,春、夏季节少,霾日呈明显增多的趋势;东南的丘陵地带地势较高,雾日一直较少(例如邹城);西北地区的梁山、汶上处于洼地,地势较低,雾日较多;雾和霾时间与降水时间呈负相关,且雾时间与降水时间呈明显负相关;济宁市95%的霾出现在风速小于3.0 m/s的天气情况下,一半以上出现在风力小于1级的天气情况下;霾日的年代变化和济宁市煤化工、装备制造、食品制造、能源工业四大千亿级产业占规模以上工业比例变化基本一致,这是未来关于霾防治应该注意的地方。     

In vivo measurement of central corneal thickness in normal chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus) with the optical low-coherence reflectometer

Objective To determine the practicability and accuracy of central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements in living chicks utilizing a noncontact, high‐speed optical low‐coherence reflectometer (OLCR) mounted on a slit lamp. Animals studied Twelve male chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus). Procedures Measurements of CCT were obtained in triplicate in 24 eyes of twelve 1‐day‐old anaesthetized chicks using OLCR. Every single measurement taken by OLCR consisted of the average result of 20 scans obtained within seconds. Additionally, corneal thickness was determined histologically after immersion fixation in Karnovsky’s solution alone (20 eyes) or with a previous injection of the fixative into the anterior chamber before enucleation (4 eyes). Results Central corneal thickness measurements using OLCR in 1‐day‐old living chicks provide a rapid and feasible examination technique. Mean CCT measured with OLCR (189.7 ± 3.34 μm) was significantly lower than histological measurements (242.1 ± 47.27 μm) in eyes with fixation in Karnovsky’s solution (P = 0.0005). In eyes with additional injection of Karnovsky’s fixative into the anterior chamber, mean histologically determined CCT was 195.2 ± 8.25 μm vs. 191.9 ± 8.90 μm with OLCR. A trend for a lower variance was found compared to the eyes that had only been immersion fixed. Conclusion Optical low‐coherence reflectometry is an accurate examination technique to measure in vivo CCT in the eye of newborn chicks. The knowledge of the thickness of the chick cornea and the ability to obtain noninvasive, noncontact measurements of CCT in the living animal may be of interest for research and development of eye diseases in chick models.     

上海市霾与非霾期间PM_(2.5)中水溶性阳离子污染特征对比

霾污染是颗粒物和气体污染物导致的可察觉到的能见度降低的天气污染现象,主要为PM2.5污染,水溶性阳离子是PM2.5的主要成分。为了探讨霾与非霾期间PM2.5水溶性阳离子污染特征,对上海市的PM2.5颗粒物连续采样1个月,利用离子色谱分析了K+、Na+、NH+4、Ca2+、Mg2+5种水溶性阳离子。结果表明,上海市霾天气期间PM2.5的日均质量浓度(103.03μg/m3)是非霾天气日均质量浓度(37.64μg/m3)的2.74倍,Na+、NH+4、Ca2+、Mg2+和K+的质量浓度分别为6.28、1.74、1.42、0.20和0.23μg/m3,PM2.5中水溶性阳离子组分占PM2.5质量浓度的20%左右。对大气气溶胶污染物、水溶性阳离子及气象因素相关性进行分析显示各污染物之间的相关性存在显著差异,其中NOX、NO和CO,SO2和NO2,Na+和CO,Mg2+和CO、NOX,可能存在共同来源。霾动态变化过程分析表明,水溶性阳离子浓度在霾与非霾天气时发生较大变化,Na+、Ca2+和Mg2+是霾天气的主要污染阳离子。     

北京地区灰霾化学特性研究进展

近年来北京及周边地区灰霾发生频繁,对其形成气象条件、气候效应及模型预报等方面的研究迅速兴起.灰霾的形成是由气象因素和大气污染物共同决定的,以不同人为活动为代表的不同污染物排放源,为灰霾的形成提供了本地源.而污染物的大尺度迁移、扩散,又构成了更大空间尺度城市群落的气溶胶区域污染.笔者分别综述了北京地区的灰霾天气现状、北京灰霾化学组成特征、来源及区域性特点,并在此基础上指出,明确和区分北京及周边地区灰霾化学特性的时空变异特征及不同排放源的相对贡献量,进一步发展和应用新型分析测试手段,开展多学科综合研究,是北京地区灰霾研究和控制的重要发展趋势.     

Bacteroides sp. as a cause of anaerobic keratitis in a pony

This Case Report describes anaerobic infection of the conjunctiva and cornea in a pony. A 13‐year‐old pony was admitted for evaluation following suspected ocular trauma. Bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis were diagnosed based on clinical appearance of the eye and cytological evaluation of a corneal scraping. The pony responded poorly to topical therapy, and enucleation was performed. Culture of the corneal scraping yielded Corynebacterium sp. and Bacteroides sp. Anaerobic keratitis and conjunctivitis is uncommonly reported in horses, but should be suspected when there is a history of ocular trauma or skin disease, or when a malodorous ocular discharge is identified.