Big data from small animals: integrating multi-level environmental data into the Dog Aging Project.

Environmental exposures can have large impacts on health outcomes. While many resources have been dedicated to understanding how humans are influenced by the environment, few efforts have been made to study the role of built and natural environmental features on animal health. The Dog Aging Project (DAP) is a longitudinal community science study of aging in companion dogs. Using a combination of owner-reported surveys and secondary sources linked through geocoded coordinates, DAP has captured home, yard and neighbourhood variables for over 40,000 dogs. The DAP environmental data set spans four domains: the physical and built environment; chemical environment and exposures; diet and exercise; and social environment and interactions. By combining biometric data, measures of cognitive function and behaviour, and medical records, DAP is attempting to use a big-data approach to transform the understanding of how the surrounding world affects the health of companion dogs. In this paper, the authors describe the data infrastructure developed to integrate and analyse multi-level environmental data that can be used to improve the understanding of canine co-morbidity and aging.

L'impact des expositions environnementales sur la santé est parfois considérable. Si diverses ressources ont été consacrées à décrire l'influence de l'environnement sur les humains, les efforts visant à étudier l'effet des paramètres environnementaux, tant naturels qu'anthropiques, sur la santé animale sont plus rares. Le Dog Aging Project (DAP) est une étude scientifique longitudinale à base communautaire portant sur le vieillissement du chien de compagnie. À partir d'observations notifiées par les propriétaires de chiens et de sources secondaires reliées par des coordonnées de géocodage, le DAP a réuni des variables sur le foyer d'habitation, l'environnement extérieur immédiat et le voisinage de plus de 40 000 chiens. Les séries de données environnementales du DAP couvrent quatre domaines : l'environnement physique et bâti ; l'environnement chimique et les expositions ; le régime alimentaire et la dépense physique ; et les interactions et l'environnement social. En combinant les données biométriques, les mesures du fonctionnement cognitif et comportemental et les dossiers médicaux, le DAP cherche à utiliser l'approche des mégadonnées pour transformer notre perception de la manière dont le monde qui nous entoure affecte la santé des chiens de compagnie. Les auteurs décrivent l'infrastructure des données mise au point pour intégrer et analyser des données environnementales multi-niveaux, afin de mieux comprendre les phénomènes de comorbidité et de vieillissement chez le chien.

La exposición a factores ambientales puede tener muchas e importantes repercusiones en los resultados sanitarios. Si bien se han dedicado cuantiosos recursos a aprehender la influencia del entorno en las personas, poco se ha hecho para estudiar el modo en que las características del medio, tanto natural como artificial, repercuten en la salud de los animales. El proyecto sobre Envejecimiento canino [Dog Aging Project: DAP] es un estudio longitudinal de ciencia ciudadana centrado en el envejecimiento de los perros de compañía. Combinando la información de encuestas realizadas a propietarios y de fuentes secundarias y vinculando los datos a coordenadas geográficas codificadas, el DAP ha permitido reunir información de variables ligadas al hogar, el jardín y el barrio de más de 40 000 perros. El conjunto de datos ambientales del DAP cubre cuatro grandes ámbitos: medio físico y urbanizado; condiciones químicas del entorno y exposición a sustancias químicas; régimen alimentario y ejercicio; y medio e interacciones sociales. Pasando por el uso combinado de datos biométricos, historias clínicas y mediciones de la función cognitiva y el comportamiento, el DAP apunta ahora a emplear técnicas de trabajo con macrodatos para hacer evolucionar nuestras ideas sobre la influencia del mundo que nos rodea en la salud de los perros de compañía. Los autores describen la infraestructura de datos establecida para integrar y analizar datos ambientales multiestratificados que nos ayuden a conocer mejor los procesos de comorbilidad y envejecimiento en el perro.

Snapshot of Vibrio parahaemolyticus densities in open and closed shellfish beds in Coastal South Carolina and Mississippi.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a Gram negative, halophilic bacterium that is ubiquitous in warm, tropical waters throughout the world. It is a major cause of seafood-associated gastroenteritis and is generally associated with consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters. This study presents a snapshot of total V. parahaemolyticus densities in surface waters and shellstock American oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from open and closed shellfish harvesting areas, as well as "more rural areas" on two different US coasts, the Atlantic and the Gulf. Sampling was conducted from 2001 to 2003 at five sites near Charleston/Georgetown, SC and at four locations in the Gulfport/Pascagoula, MS area. V. parahaemolyticus numbers were determined by a direct plating method using an alkaline-phosphatase-labeled DNA probe targeting the species-specific thermolabile hemolysin gene (tlh) that was used for identification of bacterial isolates. The greatest difference between the two coasts was salinity; mean salinity in SC surface waters was 32.9 ppt, whereas the mean salinity in MS waters was 19.2 ppt, indicating more freshwater input into MS shellfish harvesting areas during the study period. The mean V. parahaemolyticus numbers in oysters were almost identical between the two states (567.4 vs. 560.1 CFU/g). Bacterial numbers in the majority of surface water samples from both states were at or below the limit of detection (LOD = <10 CFU/mL). The bacterial concentrations determined during this study predict a low public health risk from consumption of oysters in shellfish growing areas on either the Gulf or the Atlantic US coast.

Association between cigarette smoke exposure and urinary bladder cancer in Scottish terriers in a cohort study.

Canine urothelial carcinoma (UC) initially responds favorably to treatment, but is ultimately lethal in most cases. Research to identify modifiable risk factors to prevent the cancer is essential. The high breed-associated risk for UC, e.g. 20-fold higher in Scottish terriers, can facilitate this research. The objective was to identify environmental and host factors associated with UC in a cohort of Scottish terriers. Information was obtained through dog owner questionnaires for 120 Scottish terriers ≥ 6 years old participating in a bladder cancer screening study, with comparisons made between dogs that did or did not develop UC during the 3 years of screening. Univariable models were constructed, and variables with P < 0.20 were included when building the multivariable model, and then removed using a backward stepwise procedure. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Urine cotinine concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to further investigate potential cigarette smoke exposure. Biopsy-confirmed UC which was found in 32 of 120 dogs, was significantly associated with the dogs living in a household with cigarette smokers (odds ratio [OR], 6.34; 95 % confidence intervals [CI], 1.16-34.69; P = 0.033), living within a mile of a marsh or wetland (OR, 21.23; 95 % CI, 3.64-123.69; P = 0.001), and history of previous bladder infections (OR, 3.87; 95 % CI, 1.0-14.98; P = 0.050). UC was diagnosed in 18 of 51 dogs (35.3 %) with quantifiable cotinine concentrations, and six of 40 dogs (15.0 %) without quantifiable cotinine concentrations in their urine (P = 0.0165). In conclusion, the main modifiable risk factor for UC in this cohort of dogs was exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke.

Retrospective analysis of factors affecting clinical outcome following CHOP-based chemotherapy in dogs with primary nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Numerous factors are known to affect the prognosis of dogs with chemotherapy-treated lymphomas. However, prognostic factors for dogs with specific subtypes of lymphoma are less clearly defined. The objective of this study was to identify prognostic factors for dogs receiving CHOP-based chemotherapy for primary nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Medical records of dogs treated for DLBCL at the Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital (PUVTH) from 2006 to 2016 were reviewed. Factors potentially related to prognosis were analysed using multivariable statistical methods. Ninety-eight dogs were included in the study. Best overall response to chemotherapy was complete remission in 80 dogs (81.6%) and partial remission in 18 dogs (18.4%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) for the entire population was 252 days (range 19-1068). Factors significantly associated with achieving partial (rather than complete) remission following CHOP included presence of thrombocytopenia at diagnosis (OR 6.88; 95% CI 1.98-23.93; P = .002), baseline serum globulin concentration (OR 2.63; 95% CI 1.03-6.75; P = .044), and age at diagnosis (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.08-1.71; P = .009). Factors significantly associated with PFS in the lowest quartile (≤93 days) included presence of thrombocytopenia at diagnosis (OR 8.72; 95% CI 1.54-49.33; P = .014), age at diagnosis (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.12-1.94; P = .005), and baseline neutrophil count (OR 1.18; 95% CI 1.02-1.37; P = .025). Presence of thrombocytopenia, greater age, higher neutrophil count, and higher serum globulin concentration all may be associated with a particularly poor outcome in dogs receiving CHOP-based chemotherapy for DLBCL.

Phase I/II clinical trial of the targeted chemotherapeutic drug, folate-tubulysin, in dogs with naturally-occurring invasive urothelial carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to determine the safety and antitumor activity of a folate-tubulysin conjugate (EC0531) in a relevant preclinical animal model, dogs with naturally-occurring invasive urothelial carcinoma (iUC). Canine iUC is an aggressive cancer with high folate receptor (FR) expression similar to that in certain forms of human cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A 3+3 dose escalation study of EC0531 (starting dose 0.2 mg/kg given intravenously at two-week intervals) was performed in dogs with iUC expressing high levels of FRs (>50% positive tumor cells). Pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis was performed, and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined. The dose cohort at the MTD was expanded to determine antitumor activity. RESULTS: The MTD of EC0531 was 0.26 mg/kg every two weeks, with grade 3-4 neutropenia and gastrointestinal toxicity observed at higher doses. Treatment at the MTD was well tolerated. Clinical benefit was found in 20 of 28 dogs (71%), including three dogs with partial remission and 17 dogs with stable disease. Plasma EC0531 concentrations in the dogs far exceeded those required to inhibit proliferation of FR-expressing cell in vitro. Unlike human neutrophils, canine neutrophils were found to express FRs, which contributes to the neutropenia at higher doses of EC0531 in dogs. CONCLUSION: EC0531 was well tolerated and had good antitumor activity in dogs with iUC. It is likely that humans will tolerate higher, potentially more effective doses of folate-tubulysin without myelotoxicity because of the absence of FRs on human neutrophils. The results clearly justify the evaluation of folate-tubulysin in human clinical trials.

Zoos and public health: A partnership on the One Health frontier.

Today, accredited zoos are not just places for entertainment, they are actively involved in research for conservation and health. During recent decades in which the challenges for biodiversity conservation and public health have escalated, zoos have made significant changes to address these difficulties. Zoos increasingly have four key areas of focus: education, recreation, conservation, and research. These key areas are important in addressing an interrelated global conservation (i.e. habitat and wildlife loss) and public health crisis. Zoo and public health professionals working together within a One Health framework represent a powerful alliance to address current and future conservation and public health problems around the world. For researchers, practitioners, and students, the collaboration between zoos and public health institutions offers the opportunity to both teach and operationalize this transdisciplinary approach. Using examples from our programs, we give a template for moving forward with collaborative initiatives and sustainable solutions involving partners in both zoos and public health institutions. We provide examples of cooperative programs and suggest a model for consideration in the development of further activities in this area.

Differences in the geographic distribution of lymphoma subtypes in Golden retrievers in the USA.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine differences in the geographic distribution of two distinct subtypes of canine lymphoma (CL), B-cell lymphoma (BCL) and T-zone lymphoma (TZL), in the USA while accounting for heritable risks associated with the outcome of disease through inclusion of only one breed of dog. This study included 454 Golden retrievers and associations between geographic areas of the USA and the phenotypic variant of lymphoma were examined using multivariable logistic regression. There was a detectable difference in the geographic distribution of BCL and TZL with dogs in the Northeast [odds ratio (OR) = 3.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.6-7.0] and East North Central regions (OR = 12.1, 95%CI = 3.6-40.5) being more likely to be diagnosed with TZL as compared to dogs in the Mountain region of the USA. The finding of non-random geographic distribution of lymphoma subtypes suggest that environmental risk factors may contribute to the development of different types of CL.

Determining the microbiological criteria for lot rejection from the performance objective or food safety objective.

The Microbiological Criteria (MC) is a set of parameters used to determine whether a specific lot of food is acceptable or not. These parameters are the microbial test protocol and its sensitivity, the confidence level that an unacceptable lot will be detected, the number of samples to be taken and the number of positive samples that are allowed before rejecting the lot. Determining the microbiological criteria begins with knowledge of the distribution of contamination from samples within a lot, particularly within a lot that is just at the unacceptable level of the microbial hazard. The just unacceptable lot can be defined by the Food Safety Objective (FSO) or Performance Objectives (PO), the small fraction of samples that can exceed these values and the standard deviation of the samples from the lot. With this information, a microbial test protocol is chosen to have a sensitivity level that would detect between approximately 15% and 45% of the samples. A confidence level for the MC and the number of positive samples that would be acceptable (c value which is usually zero) are also chosen. With this information the number of samples (n) required can be calculated. A critical factor in setting the microbiological criteria is the sensitivity of the microbiological test (m value). The sample size (weight) and sampling procedure can affect the standard deviation of the samples, particularly foods with non-homogeneous distribution and low numbers of microorganisms. Sampling, sample preparation and analytical procedures that reduce the variation between the samples will affect the choice of m value and maximum lot mean that meets the MC.

Risk Factors Associated with Development of Histiocytic Sarcoma in Bernese Mountain Dogs.

BACKGROUND: Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare but aggressive malignancy in humans that is poorly responsive to existing treatments. Although rare in most breeds of dogs, HS is common in Bernese mountain dogs (BMDs). OBJECTIVE: Determine risk factors associated with development of HS in BMD. ANIMALS: A total of 216 BMD were registered with the Berner-Garde Foundation. METHODS: An internet-based cross-sectional survey was used to collect information from owners of BMD diagnosed with HS and owners of disease-free littermates of dogs with HS. Mixed-effects logistic regression (MELR) and conditional logistic regression (CLR) were used in parallel to examine associations between potential risk factors and the occurrence of HS. RESULTS: When controlling for litter as a marker of relatedness, dogs diagnosed with orthopedic conditions were found to be more likely to develop HS (MELR, OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5, 5.2; CLR, OR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.1, 7.3), whereas dogs receiving prescription anti-inflammatory medications were found to be at considerably lower risk of developing HS (MELR, OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.8; CLR, OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.8). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results suggest inflammation may be a modifiable risk factor for the development of HS in BMD.

Enzyme immunoassay for identification of Vibrio vulnificus in seawater, sediment, and oysters.

Historically, methods used to identify Vibrio vulnificus in environmental samples have been inadequate because isolation and identification procedures are time-consuming and fail to separate V. vulnificus from other bacterial species. We describe an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and culture techniques which identified V. vulnificus in seawater, sediment, and oysters. The EIA used monoclonal antibody FRBT37 to a species-specific epitope of V. vulnificus. No cross-reactions were observed among 72 non-V. vulnificus strains comprising 34 species and 15 genera. In field trials, the EIA identified correctly 99.7% of 348 biochemically confirmed V. vulnificus isolates. The epitope corresponding to FRBT37 was found in cells lysed by Triton X-100, deionized H2O, and ultrasonication but was not found in culture supernatants, indicating that its location was intracellular. In addition, electron micrographs of V. vulnificus labeled with FRBT37-biotin-avidin-gold showed that epitope FRBT37 reacted with fragments of lysed cells but not whole cells. FRBT37 was expressed when V. vulnificus was cultured in different growth media. The minimum level of detection of the EIA was approximately 2,000 V. vulnificus cells per EIA well. Epitope FRBT37 was labile at 70 degrees C for 30 min. Immunoblot and EIA plate formats reduced assay time and facilitated handling large numbers of test samples.