Subcutaneous fat sclerosis in a domestic short-hair cat.

The authors describe a case of presumptive feline subcutaneous fat sclerosis, a condition reported only once previously (in 1987) and diagnosed with postmortem examination. We describe radiographic, computed tomography scan and histopathological findings, and partial response to oral methylprednisolone and Vitamin E.

Dermoscopic features of benign sebaceous proliferations in dogs: Description, assessment and inter-observer agreement.

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a useful, noninvasive technique also used to assess sebaceous lesions in humans. Sebaceous hyperplasia, sebaceous adenoma and sebaceous epithelioma are common cutaneous lesions in dogs; however, their dermoscopic features have not been investigated. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to describe the dermoscopic features of canine sebaceous lesions and to assess the interobserver agreement on dermoscopic parameters. ANIMALS: Thirty-four lesions excised from 17 client-owned dogs, histologically confirmed as sebaceous proliferations, were included in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sebaceous lesions were evaluated in vivo at ×10 magnification with a handheld dermoscope. Each dermoscopic image was assessed independently by two ECVD board-certified veterinary referral clinicians and an ECVD resident. RESULTS: Thirty sebaceous hyperplasias, two sebaceous adenomas and two sebaceous epitheliomas were included. Dermoscopically, most lesions (91%) had single or multiple, well-defined, white-yellowish structures composed of grouped ovoid areas (clods). Irregular linear and, less commonly, arborising vessels were detected at the periphery of the yellow lobular-like structures in 93% of sebaceous hyperplasias and in 50% of neoplastic lesions. Erosions were seen in 6% of sebaceous hyperplasias and 50% of neoplastic lesions. Good interobserver agreement was found for white/yellowish clods (k = 0.75), yellow scales (k = 0.83), brown/grey dots (k = 0.80), erosions (k = 0.82) and red/brownish scales/crusts (k = 0.75). There was moderate agreement for fissures (k = 0.48) and vascular pattern (k = 0.51-0.53). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dermoscopy represents a useful technique to assess sebaceous gland proliferations in dogs, as it is in humans.

Development and validation of an owner-assessed Visual Analog Scale for feline pruritus severity scoring (VAScat).

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the severity of pruritus is difficult in cats, because they manifest discomfort by increased licking, increased scratching or both. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to develop and validate a feline-specific pruritus scale (VAScat). METHODS: The scale was designed as a double Visual Analog Scale (VAS), one VAS for licking and one for scratching, with severity and behavioural descriptors. The highest score (VAS-max) on either VAS was taken as the pruritus score for each cat. Owners of 153 cats with skin diseases and of 108 healthy cats scored their pet's pruritus using the VAScat. Ninety-six of 153 cats with skin diseases also were re-evaluated after four to eight weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation value between VAS-licking and VAS-scratching scores was r = 0.26 (p < 0.01), and Cronbach's alpha was 0.41. Both indexes indicated that the two scales measure different manifestations of pruritus and supported the use of a dual assessing system. Comparison with a numerical pruritus severity scale (0, absent; 1, mild; 2, moderate; 3, severe) suggested that VAS-licking and VAS-scratching scales taken alone are unsuitable for measuring absent to mild pruritus (grades 0-1), while VAS-max is (p = 0.001). VAS-licking, VAS-scratching and VAS-max all were suitable to assess higher levels of pruritus (grades 2-3, p < 0.01). The VAScat was able to measure pruritus improvement following therapy, as post-treatment scores were significantly decreased compared to pre-treatment ones (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The VAScat proved to be a useful tool to assess pruritus in cats and for monitoring the response to treatment for pruritus.

CONTEXTE: L'évaluation de la gravité du prurit est difficile chez les chats, car ils manifestent une gêne par un léchage accru et/ou un grattage accru. Hypothèses/Objectifs : Notre objectif était de développer et de valider une échelle de prurit spécifique au félin (EVAcat). Méthodes : L'échelle a été conçue comme une double échelle visuelle analogique (EVA), une EVA pour le léchage et une pour le grattage, avec des descripteurs de gravité et de comportement. Le score le plus élevé (VAS-max) sur l'un ou l'autre VAS a été pris comme score de prurit pour chaque chat. Les propriétaires de 153 chats atteints de maladies de la peau et de 108 chats en bonne santé ont noté le prurit de leur animal à l'aide du VAScat. Quatre-vingt-seize des 153 chats atteints de maladies de peau ont également été réévalués après quatre à huit semaines de traitement. Résultats : La valeur de corrélation de Pearson entre les scores de léchage VAS et de grattage VAS était de r = 0,26 (p < 0,01) et l'alpha de Cronbach était de 0,41. Les deux indices ont indiqué que les deux échelles mesurent différentes manifestations de prurit et ont soutenu l'utilisation d'un système d'évaluation double. La comparaison avec une échelle numérique de sévérité du prurit (0, absent ; 1, léger ; 2, modéré ; 3, sévère) a suggéré que les échelles EVA de léchage et de grattage prises seules ne conviennent pas pour mesurer le prurit absent à léger (grades 0-1), tandis que VAS-max l'est (p = 0,001). Le léchage VAS, le grattage VAS et le VAS-max étaient tous appropriés pour évaluer des niveaux plus élevés de prurit (grades 2-3, p < 0,01). Le VAScat a pu mesurer l'amélioration du prurit après le traitement, car les scores post-traitement ont été significativement diminués par rapport à ceux avant traitement (p < 0,0001). Conclusions et importance clinique : Le VAScat s'est avéré être un outil utile pour évaluer le prurit chez le chat et pour surveiller la réponse au traitement du prurit.

Introducción- la evaluación de la severidad del prurito es difícil en gatos, porque manifiestan malestar lamiéndose o rascándose más o ambos a la vez. Hipótesis/Objetivos- Nuestro objetivo fue desarrollar y validar una escala de prurito específica para felinos (VAScat). Métodos- La escala fue diseñada como una doble Escala Visual Análoga (EVAS), una VAS para lamido y otras para rascado, con descriptores de severidad y comportamiento. La puntuación más alta (VAS-max) en cualquiera de las VAS se tomó como la puntuación de prurito para cada gato. Los propietarios de 153 gatos con enfermedades de la piel y de 108 gatos sanos calificaron el prurito de sus mascotas con el VAScat. Noventa y seis de 153 gatos con enfermedades de la piel también fueron reevaluados después de cuatro a ocho semanas de tratamiento. Resultados- el valor de correlación de Pearson entre las puntuaciones de VAS-lamerse y VAS-rascarse fue r = 0,26 (p < 0,01), y el alfa de Cronbach fue 0,41. Ambos índices indicaron que las dos escalas miden diferentes manifestaciones de prurito y apoyaron el uso de un sistema de evaluación dual. La comparación con una escala numérica de gravedad del prurito (0, ausente; 1, leve; 2, moderado; 3, severo) sugirió que las escalas VAS-lamerse y VAS-rascarse tomadas solas no son adecuadas para medir el prurito ausente o leve (grados 0-1) , mientras que VAS-max sí que lo es (p = 0,001). VAS-lamerse, VAS-rascarse y VAS-max fueron adecuados para evaluar niveles más altos de prurito (grados 2-3, p < 0,01). El VAScat pudo medir la mejora del prurito después de la terapia, ya que las puntuaciones posteriores al tratamiento se redujeron significativamente en comparación con las anteriores al tratamiento (p < 0,0001). Conclusiones e importancia clínica- El VAScat demostró ser una herramienta útil para evaluar el prurito en gatos y para monitorizar la respuesta al tratamiento del prurito.

Contexto - A avaliação da gravidade do prurido em gatos é difícil, pois eles manifestam desconforto pelo aumento da lambedura, coçam-se mais ou os dois. Hipótese/Objetivos: Nosso objetivo foi desenvolver e validar uma escala de prurido específica para felinos (VAScat). Métodos - A escala foi desenvolvida como uma escala analógica visual (VAS) dupla, uma VAS para lambedura e uma para coceira, com descrição de gravidade e de comportamento. O escore mais alto (VAS-max) em ambas as VAS foi considerado o escore de prurido para cada gato. Donos de 153 gatos com doença de pele e de 108 gatos saudáveis classificaram o prurido dos seus animais utilizando o VAScat. Noventa e seis de 153 gatos com doenças de pele também foram reavaliados após quatro de oito semanas de tratamento. Resultados - O valor de correlação de Pearson entre os escores de VAS-lambedura e o VAS-coceira foi r = 0,26 (p < 0,01), e o alfa de Cronbach foi 0,41. Ambos os índices indicaram que as duas escalas de mensuraram manifestações diferentes de prurido e confirmaram a necessidade do uso de um sistema duplo de avaliação. A comparação com uma escala numérica de gravidade de prurido (0, ausente; 1, leve; 2, moderado; 3, grave) sugeriu que as escalas VAS-lambedura e VAS-coceira isoladamente são ineficazes para a mensuração de prurido ausente a leve (notas 0-1), enquanto o VAS-max é adequado para tal (p = 0,001). VAS-lambedura, VAS-coceira e VAS-max são todas eficazes para avaliar graus de prurido mais altos (notas 2-3, p < 0.01). A VAScat foi capaz de mensurar a melhora do prurido após o tratamento, os escores pós-tratamento foram significativamente menores comparados aos pré-tratamento (p < 0.0001). Conclusões e importância clínica - O VAScat provou ser uma ferramenta útil para avaliar o prurido em gatos e para o monitoramento da resposta ao tratamento para prurido.

Ear tip ulcerative dermatitis treated with oclacitinib in 25 dogs: a retrospective case series.

BACKGROUND: Ear tip ulcerative dermatitis (ETUD) is an uncommon clinical reaction pattern in canine dermatology. The lesions are suggestive of vascular damage which may be caused by inflammatory or noninflammatory diseases, and often are idiopathic. Therapeutic options for ETUD include topical glucocorticoids or tacrolimus, pentoxifylline, vitamin E, doxycycline, tetracycline and niacinamide, sulfonamides, glucocorticoids, ciclosporin and surgical correction. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aims of this retrospective case series were to describe the clinical features and report response to treatment with oclacitinib in dogs with idiopathic, chronic ETUD. ANIMALS: Twenty-five privately owned dogs with unilateral or bilateral ETUD. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Cases of ETUD which were poorly responsive to conventional therapy and subsequently treated with oclacitinib, are summarised. All cases were tested for leishmaniosis by serological examination [indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)]. Histopathological examination was performed in two cases. RESULTS: Serological results were negative for leishmaniosis in all dogs. Histopathological changes consistent with proliferative thrombovascular necrosis of the pinnae were documented in two cases. Oclacitinib, used at the standard dose range recommended for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis, effectively resolved ETUD in 22 of 25 dogs within one to three months. Several of the dogs required prolonged use of twice daily dosing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oclacitinib should be included among the therapeutic options for ETUD, once infectious diseases have been ruled out.

Comparison of three therapeutic regimens for genotype-3 hepatitis C virus infection in a large real-life multicentre cohort.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In the direct-acting antiviral era, treatment of genotype-3 HCV (HCV-GT3) is still challenging. Real-life comparisons between recommended regimens, sofosbuvir (SOF)+daclatasvir (DAC), SOF/velpatasvir (VEL), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB), are scarce. We aimed at filling this data gap. METHODS: Sustained virological response 12 weeks after treatment completion (SVR12) was assessed for all HCV-GT3 patients consecutively treated within the Lombardia web-based Navigatore HCV-Network; differences in SVR12 across regimens were evaluated by logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 2082 subjects with HCV-GT3, 1544 were evaluable for comparisons between regimens: SOF + DAC (1023, 66.2%), SOF/VEL (369, 23.9%), GLE/PIB (152, 9.8%). Patients treated with former regimens were more frequently male, cirrhotic, HIV-positive, pretreated, used ribavirin in their regimen, and had lower baseline HCV-RNA. SVR12 was similar across groups: 94.8% in SOF + DAC, 97.6% in SOF/VEL, 96.7% in GLE/PIB (P = .065). At univariate analysis, SVR12 was associated with female gender (97.9% vs 94.8%, P = .007) and lower median pretreatment Log10 HCV-RNA (5.87 vs 6.20, P = .001). At multivariate logistic regression analysis, treatment with SOF/VEL was associated with a higher likelihood of SVR12 than SOF + DAC, but only in the absence of ribavirin (98% vs 90.3%). Female gender and lower pretreatment HCV-RNA were independently associated with SVR12. CONCLUSIONS: In a large real-life setting of HCV-GT3-infected patients with a high proportion of cirrhosis, the success rate was remarkable. The slight advantage of SOF/VEL on SOF + DAC was significant only without ribavirin. The current prescription shift towards novel regimens (ie SOF/VEL and GLE/PIB) in easier-to-treat patients allows ribavirin-free and shorter schedules without mining SVR12 in this <> genotype.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Treatment of Brain Metastases during the COVID-19 Outbreak.

INTRODUCTION: The WHO declared 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) a public health emergency of international concern. The National and Regional Health System has been reorganized, and many oncological patients died during this period or had to interrupt their therapies. This study summarizes a single-centre experience, during the COVID-19 period in Italy, in the treatment of brain metastases with Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKRS). METHODS: We retrospectively analysed our series of patients with brain metastases who underwent GKRS at the Niguarda Hospital from February 24 to April 24, 2020. RESULTS: We treated 30 patients with 66 brain metastases. A total of 22 patients came from home and 8 patients were admitted to the emergency room for urgent neurological symptoms. Duration of stay was limited to 0-1 day in 17 patients. We chose to treat a cluster of 9 patients, whose greater lesion exceeded 10 cm3, with 2-stage modality GKRS to minimize tumour recurrence and radiation necrosis. CONCLUSION: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world is at a critical crossroads about the use of health care resources. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the deferral of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and a work backlog in every medical specialty are the natural consequences of reservation of resources for COVID-19 patients. GKRS improved symptoms and reduced the need for open surgeries, allowing many patients to continue their therapeutic path and sparing beds in ICUs. Neurosurgeons have to take into account the availability of stereotactic radiosurgery to reduce hospital stay, conciliating safety for patients and operators with the request for health care coming from the oncological patients and their families.

Footpad peripheral ganglioneuroblastoma in a dog.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral neuroblastic tumours arising from primitive cells of the cranial and spinal ganglia and from sympathetic ganglion cells of the autonomic nervous system include, from most to least differentiated, ganglioneuroma, ganglioneuroblastoma and neuroblastoma. Canine ganglioneuroblastoma has been described in the mediastinum, nasal and oral cavities, as well as in the brain. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and histopathological findings, treatment and follow-up of a primary cutaneous ganglioneuroblastoma affecting the footpad of a dog. ANIMAL: An 8-year-old male German shepherd dog, referred for left forelimb lameness and licking of the footpad, showed thickening of the footpad of digit V with a central nodular lesion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination on a surgical skin biopsy specimen showed an infiltrative and highly cellular neoplasm in the deep dermis. The neoplasm was composed of large polyhedral cells with abundant cytoplasm containing Nissl substance that reacted strongly with neuron-specific enolase and neuronal nuclei antigen, spindle cells with indistinct cell borders suggestive of Schwann cells, with a mild S-100 and GFAP immunoreactivity, and rare nests of neuroblasts. The owner agreed to digit amputation. Histologically, a neoplastic multinodular proliferation with morphological findings like those detected in the biopsy was observed, not extended to the surgical margins and without involvement of skeletal bone. No recurrence or metastasis was observed over a period of one year. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a primary cutaneous ganglioneuroblastoma in a dog. Ganglioneuroblastoma should be included in the differential diagnoses of canine footpad neoplastic diseases.

Pustular dermatitis in dogs affected by leishmaniosis: 22 cases.

BACKGROUND: Skin lesions in canine leishmaniosis (CanL) are diverse, including exfoliative, ulcerative, nodular and papular dermatitides. An uncommon pustular form has also been reported. HYPOTHESES/OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that CanL infection can produce a pustular reaction pattern in the skin of dogs. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the clinicopathological features of dogs with CanL infection and pustular dermatitis, and correlate them with response to therapy. ANIMALS: Twenty two affected dogs. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records and examination of archived biopsy materials or previously processed glass slides was performed. Cytological examinations had been recorded for all cases. Specimens were available for histopathological examination in 17 of 22 cases and for immunohistochemical detection of Leishmania amastigotes in 13 of 22 cases. RESULTS: All dogs presented with multifocal to diffuse pustular dermatitis. CanL was diagnosed by IFAT serology (20 cases), bone marrow cytology (one case) or bone marrow PCR (one case). Cytological and/or histopathological examinations revealed acantholytic keratinocytes within pustules in 18 of 22 cases. Bacterial and fungal cultures were not performed. Leishmania amastigotes were identified by histopathology within the dermis in three cases; immunohistochemistry was positive in four cases. All dogs underwent concurrent anti-leishmanial and immunosuppressive therapy to control the pustular dermatitis, with favourable outcome in 11 of 22 cases. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Due to the retrospective nature of this study it is not possible to either accept or reject the hypothesis that CanL is the direct cause of pustular dermatitis.

Bartonella spp. and Coxiella burnetii Associated with Community-Acquired, Culture-Negative Endocarditis, Brazil.

We evaluated culture-negative, community-acquired endocarditis by using indirect immunofluorescent assays and molecular analyses for Bartonella spp. and Coxiella burnetii and found a prevalence of 19.6% and 7.8%, respectively. Our findings reinforce the need to study these organisms in patients with culture-negative, community-acquired endocarditis, especially B. henselae in cat owners.

Oclacitinib in feline nonflea-, nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis: results of a small prospective pilot study of client-owned cats.

BACKGROUND: Oclacitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor that decreases pruritus and lesions in allergic dogs. In cats, it is able to inhibit interleukin-31-induced pruritus; no information is available on its clinical effectiveness. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy, ease of administration and tolerability of oclacitinib in feline nonflea-, nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis. METHODS: Cats >12 months of age and >3 kg body weight with a diagnosis of nonflea-, nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis were treated with oclacitinib, 0.4-0.6 mg/kg orally (p.o.) twice daily for 2 weeks, then once daily for an additional 14 days. Clinical lesions were evaluated with the Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) system and pruritus was evaluated with a 10-cm-long visual analog scale (VAS) before and at the end of the study. Owners assessed global efficacy, ease of administration and tolerability with a four-point scale. RESULTS: Twelve cats were treated with a mean initial oclacitinib dose of 0.47 mg/kg p.o. twice daily. There was good improvement in SCORFAD and VAS pruritus scores in five of 12 cases, while the other cats were unchanged, deteriorated or dropped out due to treatment failure. Owners scored global efficacy as good/excellent in four of 12 cases and ease of administration and tolerability as good/excellent in 10 of 12. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Oclacitinib at 0.4-0.6 mg/kg p.o. may be an effective and safe drug for some cats with nonflea-, nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis. Further studies are needed to identify the most effective dose range for this species.

Effectiveness of a combined (4% chlorhexidine digluconate shampoo and solution) protocol in MRS and non-MRS canine superficial pyoderma: a randomized, blinded, antibiotic-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of studies comparing topical antiseptics to systemic antibiotics in the treatment of canine superficial pyoderma. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of topical chlorhexidine with systemic amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for the treatment of canine superficial pyoderma. ANIMALS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in dogs with superficial pyoderma. Group T (n = 31) was treated topically with 4% chlorhexidine digluconate shampoo (twice weekly) and solution (once daily) for 4 weeks. Group S (n = 20) was treated orally with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (25 mg/kg) twice daily for 4 weeks. METHODS: Bacterial culture and susceptibility testing were performed on clinical specimens collected before treatment. Severity of lesions and number of intracellular bacteria were evaluated using four-point scales to calculate a total pyoderma score for each dog. Pruritus was assessed by owners using a visual analog scale (range 0-10). Scores were analysed for statistical differences between groups T and S. RESULTS: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was isolated from 48 dogs, including eight meticillin-resistant strains (MRSP). Although the number of dogs was small, no significant differences in pyoderma and pruritus scores were observed between groups throughout the study except for day 1, when group S had a significantly higher total score than group T (P = 0.03). Treatment with chlorhexidine products resulted in resolution of clinical signs in all dogs including those infected with MRSP. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Topical therapy with chlorhexidine digluconate products may be as effective as systemic therapy with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. This finding supports the current recommendations to use topical antiseptics alone for the management of superficial pyoderma.

Genetic identification of rickettsial isolates from fatal cases of Brazilian spotted fever and comparison with Rickettsia rickettsii isolates from the American continents.

Fifteen bacterial isolates from spotted fever group rickettsiosis in Brazil were genetically identified as Rickettsia rickettsii. In a phylogenetic analysis with other R. rickettsii isolates from GenBank, the Central/South American isolates showed low polymorphism and formed a clade distinct from two North American clades, with the North American clades having greater in-branch polymorphism.

Multiple cutaneous histiocytomas treated with lomustine in a dog.

BACKGROUND: Histiocytoma is a common benign neoplasm of young dogs. Multiple histiocytomas are rare. Surgical or medical treatment of solitary tumours is not required in the majority of cases because the tumour usually undergoes spontaneous regression. Therapy is required when lesions are persistent, recurrent, ulcerated or in uncomfortable locations. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe a case of canine multiple cutaneous histiocytomas treated with lomustine. ANIMAL: A 5-year-old miniature Pinscher dog was presented with multiple, disseminated, alopecic cutaneous nodules, with no associated systemic signs on initial presentation. METHODS: Histopathological examination of skin biopsies and immunocytochemistry of biopsy imprints were performed. Inguinal lymph node, liver, spleen and bone marrow cytological examination and abdominal ultrasound examination were also performed. RESULTS: The clinical, histopathological and immunocytochemical findings supported a diagnosis of canine multiple cutaneous histiocytomas. Owing to the increasing number and size of the nodules, medical treatment was initiated. Prednisone and ciclosporin resulted in worsening of lesions. Lomustine orally once monthly led to complete resolution followed by relapse. Metabolic disorders such as increased serum alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities were recorded, and therapy was stopped. Increase in size of the tumours, severe dullness and anorexia led the owner to elect euthanasia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of canine multiple cutaneous histiocytomas treated with lomustine. Lomustine is effective in histiocytic diseases, but adverse effects must be considered because they can be severe and life threatening.

The role of climatic variables on nest evolution in tanagers.

Avian nests are fundamental structures in avian reproduction and face strong selective forces. Climatic conditions are likely to have shaped the evolution of specific nest traits, but evidence is scarce at a macroevolutionary level. The Thraupidae family (commonly known as tanagers) is an ideal clade to understand the link between nest architecture and climate because it presents wide variation in nest traits. To understand whether climatic variables have played a role in the diversification of nest traits among species in this family, we measured nests from 49 species using museum collections. We observed that dome-nesting species are present in dryer and hotter environments, in line with previous findings suggesting that domed nests are a specialisation for arid conditions. We also found evidence that nests with thicker walls are present in locations with lower precipitation and that solar radiation can influence the shape of domed nests; birds tend to build shorter and narrower domes in areas with high levels of solar radiation. Open nest architecture is also potentially influenced by wind speed, with longer and deeper nests in areas characterised by strong winds. Our results support the hypothesis that different climatic variables can drive the evolution of specific aspects of nest architecture and contribute to the diversity of nest shapes we currently observe. However, climatic variables account only for a small fraction of the observed structural variation, leaving a significant portion still unexplained.

BRAF mutations and survival with surgery for colorectal liver metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Mutations in the BRAF gene (BRAFmut) are associated with an unfavorable prognosis in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with liver metastases and the potential benefits of liver resection in patients with BRAFmut CRC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Central Controlled Trials, and Embase databases was conducted on May 31, 2023. The inclusion criteria were as follows:1) reporting of outcomes in patients with BRAFmut CRC who underwent surgery for liver metastases and/or comparison of outcomes between those who underwent and those who did not undergo resection; 2) reporting of survival information as hazard ratios (HR); and 3) publication in English. RESULTS: 34 studies were included. Median follow up was 48 months for prognostic BRAF status meta-analysis. BRAFmut status showed a significantly increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.04-3.22; P < 0.01) and relapse (HR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.44-2.71; P < 0.01). Resection of liver metastases was associated with a survival benefit (median follow up 46 months). The HR for survival was 0.44 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-0.59; P < 0.01) in favor of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: and Relevance: Our analysis indeed confirms that BRAF mutation is associated with poor survival outcomes after liver resection of CRC metastases. However, upon quantitatively assessing the survival benefit of surgical intervention in patients with BRAF-mutated CRC liver metastases, we identified a significant 56% reduction in the risk of death.

Identification of hemodynamically stable patients with acute pulmonary embolism at high risk for death: external validation of different models.

BACKGROUND: The optimal strategy for identification of hemodynamically stable patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) at risk for death and clinical deterioration remains undefined. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the performances of currently available models/scores for identifying hemodynamically stable patients with acute, symptomatic PE at risk of death and clinical deterioration. METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter cohort study including patients with acute PE (NCT03631810). Primary study outcome was in-hospital death within 30 days or clinical deterioration. Other outcomes were in-hospital death, death, and PE-related death, all at 30 days. We calculated positive and negative predictive values, c-statistics of European Society of Cardiology (ESC)-2014, ESC-2019, Pulmonary Embolism Thrombolysis (PEITHO), Bova, Thrombo-embolism lactate outcome study (TELOS), fatty acid binding protein, syncope and tachicardia (FAST), and National Early Warning Scale 2 (NEWS2) for the study outcomes. RESULTS: In 5036 hemodynamically stable patients with acute PE, positive predictive values for the evaluated models/scores were all below 10%, except for TELOS and NEWS2; negative predictive values were above 98% for all the models/scores, except for FAST and NEWS2. ESC-2014 and TELOS had good performances for in-hospital death or clinical deterioration (c-statistic of 0.700 and 0.722, respectively), in-hospital death (c-statistic of 0.713 and 0.723, respectively), and PE-related death (c-statistic of 0.712 and 0.777, respectively); PEITHO, Bova, and NEWS2 also had good performances for PE-related death (c-statistic of 0.738, 0.741, and 0.742, respectively). CONCLUSION: In hemodynamically stable patients with acute PE, the accuracy for identification of hemodynamically stable patients at risk for death and clinical deterioration varies across the available models/scores; TELOS seems to have the best performance. These data can inform management studies and clinical practice.

A case of pili torti in a young adult domestic short-haired cat.

BACKGROUND: Pili torti is a congenital or acquired human disease characterized by flattening and twisting of the hair shaft by 180 degrees. A similar condition has been previously reported in a litter of kittens with generalized hair loss, associated with systemic signs and followed by death at a young age. ANIMAL: A 1-year-old castrated male domestic short-haired cat was presented for noninflammatory and nonpruritic symmetrical multifocal alopecia involving the head, pinnae, forelimbs, tail and chest. The cat was otherwise healthy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Microscopic examination of hair shafts revealed pili torti and a typical combination of anagen and telogen roots, occasionally spiral in shape, without evidence of mites or dermatophytes. Histopathological examination showed the same hair shaft abnormality, with normal epidermis, dermis, hair follicles and other adnexa. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed a hair shaft dysplasia characterized by pili torti, similar to that described in humans. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of pili torti in a healthy young adult cat.

Alteration of the temporal association between courtship audio and visual components affects female sexual response.

Some multimodal signals-that is, occurring in more than one sensory modality-appear to carry additional information which is not present when component signals are presented separately. To understand the function of male ring dove's (Streptopelia risoria) multimodal courtship, we used audiovisual playback of male displays to investigate female response to stimuli differing in their audiovisual timing. From natural courtship recordings, we created a shifted stimulus where audio was shifted relative to video by a fixed value and a jittered stimulus, where each call was moved randomly along the visual channel. We presented 3 groups of females with the same stimulus type, that is, control, shifted, and jittered, for 7 days. We recorded their behavior and assessed pre- and post-test blood estradiol concentration. We found that playback exposure increased estradiol levels, confirming that this technique can be efficiently used to study doves' sexual communication. Additionally, chasing behavior (indicating sexual stimulation) increased over experimental days only in the control condition, suggesting a role of multimodal timing on female response. This stresses the importance of signal configuration in multimodal communication, as additional information is likely to be contained in the temporal association between modalities.

Deconstructing the flight paths of hippocampal-lesioned homing pigeons as they navigate near home offers insight into spatial perception and memory without a hippocampus.

The aim of this study was to exploit detailed analyses of GPS-recorded tracks to better characterise the impact of hippocampal (HF) lesion on spatial memory and perception in the context of homing pigeon navigation when reliant on familiar landscape features near the home loft following repeated releases from the same three locations. As reported previously, following HF lesion, a low spatio-temporal resolution analysis revealed that homing pigeons fly less direct paths home once near the loft. We now further show that 1) HF-lesioned pigeons are less likely to display fidelity to a particular flight path home when released from the same locations multiple times, 2) intact pigeons are more likely to exploit leading-line landscape features, e.g., a road or the border of a woodlot, in developing flight-path fidelity and 3) even when flying a straight path HF-lesioned homing pigeons are more likely to display relatively rapid, oscillatory heading changes as if casting about for sensory, presumably visual information. The flight behaviour differences between the intact and HF-lesioned pigeons persisted across the four releases from the three locations, although the differences became smaller with increasing experience. Taken together, the GPS-track data offer a detailed characterisation of the effects of HF lesion on landscape-based, homing pigeon navigation, offering new insight into the role of the hippocampal formation in supporting memory-related, e.g., fidelity to a familiar route home, and perhaps perceptual-related, e.g., oscillating headings, navigational processes.

Reduced exercise capacity in early-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Role of skeletal muscle.

Our objective was to correlate skeletal muscle mass (SM) with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) descriptors of exercise capacity in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and compare ALS CPET data with those of patients with mitochondrial myopathy (MM) and normal subjects (N). Twenty-four early-stage ALS patients (63±11 years) underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis of body composition, resting spirometry, and ramp CPET. Six MM and six N were used as controls (56 ± 7 and 63 ± 4 years, respectively). Results showed that ALS SM index was similar to that of N (9.0±2.1 kg/m(2) vs. 10.4±1.9 kg/m(2), respectively; p = n.s.), whereas peak VO(2)/kg SM was significantly lower (41.5 ± 11.6 ml/kg/min vs. 57.8 ± 7.5 ml/kg/min, respectively; p < 0.01). However, the heart rate/VO(2) slope did not differ between ALS and N, being significantly higher in MM than in both ALS and N (6.1 ± 1.4 beats/ml/kg/min vs. 4.2 ± 1.1 beats/ml/kg/min vs. 3.8 ± 2.0 beats/ml/kg/min, respectively; both p < 0.01), excluding a marked skeletal muscle metabolic impairment in ALS. Neither cardiovascular nor ventilatory dysfunction was detected in ALS. Early-stage ALS patients show a SM similar to N, but with a reduced peak VO(2)/kg SM. Such a reduced peripheral O(2) utilization is consistent with deconditioning as the main cause of impaired exercise capacity in this population.