Post-exercise management of exertional hyperthermia in dogs participating in dog sport (canicross) events in the UK.

Exercise is a common trigger of heat-related illness (HRI) events in dogs, accounting for 74% of canine HRI cases treated under primary veterinary care in the United Kingdom. However, few empirical studies have evaluated the effectiveness of differing cooling methods for dogs with exertional hyperthermia or HRI. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate effects of ambient conditions and post-exercise management practices (cooling methods and vehicular confinement) on the post-exercise temperature change of dogs participating in UK canicross events. Canine temperature was recorded at three intervals post-exercise: as close as possible to 0- (immediately post-exercise), 5-, and 15-min post-exercise. Ambient conditions and post-exercise management were recorded for 115 cooling profiles from 52 dogs. In 28/115 (24.4%) profiles, the dog's temperature increased during the first 5-min post-exercise. Overall, 68/115 (59.1%) profiles included passive cooling (stood or walked outside), 35 (30.4%) active cooling (cold-water immersion or application of a cooling coat), and 12 (10.4%) involved no cooling and were immediately housed in vehicles. No dogs developed hypothermia during the study and no adverse effects were observed from any cooling method. In hyperthermic dogs, overall post-exercise body temperature change was significantly negatively associated (i.e. the dogs cooled more) with 0-min post-exercise body temperature (ß = -0.93, p < 0.001), and not being housed in a vehicle (ß = -0.43, p = 0.013). This study provides evidence cold-water immersion (in water at 0.1-15.0 °C) can be used to effectively and safely cool dogs with exertional hyperthermia. Progressive temperature increases in many dogs - even after exercise has terminated - supports the message to "cool first, transport second" when managing dogs with HRI. When transporting dogs post-exercise or with HRI even after active cooling, care should be taken to cool the vehicle before entry and promote air movement around the dog during transport to facilitate ongoing cooling and prevent worsening of hyperthermia during travel.

Caudal-dependent cell positioning directs morphogenesis of the C. elegans ventral epidermis.

Strikingly, epithelial morphogenesis remains incomplete at the end of C. elegans embryonic development; newly hatched larvae undergo extensive remodelling of their ventral epidermis during the first larval stage (L1), when newly-born epidermal cells move ventrally to complete the epidermal syncytium. Prior to this remodelling, undivided lateral seam cells produce anterior adherens junction processes that are inherited by the anterior daughter cells following an asymmetric division during L1. These adherens junction processes provide the ventral migratory route for these anterior daughters. Here, we show that these processes are perturbed in pal-1/caudal mutant animals, resulting in their inheritance by posterior, seam-fated daughters. This causes aberrant migration of seam daughter cells, disrupting the ventral epidermis. Using 4D-lineaging, we demonstrate that this larval epidermal morphogenesis defect in pal-1 mutants can be traced directly back to an initial cell positioning defect in the embryo. pal-1 expression, driven by a single intronic enhancer, is required to correctly position the seam cells in embryos such that the appropriate cell junctions support the correct migratory paths of seam daughters later in development, irrespective of their fate. Thus, during ventral epithelial remodelling in C. elegans, we show that the position of migrating cells, specified by pal-1/caudal, appears to be more important than their fate in driving morphogenesis.

Regulation of microRNA-221, -222, -21 and -27 in articular cartilage subjected to abnormal compressive forces.

KEY POINTS: microRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding molecules that regulate post-transcriptional target gene expression. miRs are involved in regulating cellular activities in response to mechanical loading in all physiological systems, although it is largely unknown whether this response differs with increasing magnitudes of load. miR-221, miR-222, miR-21-5p and miR-27a-5p were significantly increased in ex vivo cartilage explants subjected to increasing load magnitude and in in vivo joint cartilage exposed to abnormal loading. TIMP3 and CPEB3 are putative miR targets in chondrocytes Identification of mechanically regulated miRs that have potential to impact on tissue homeostasis provides a mechanism by which load-induced tissue behaviour is regulated, in both health and pathology, in all physiological systems. ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding molecules that regulate post-transcriptional target gene expression and are involved in mechano-regulation of cellular activities in all physiological systems. It is unknown whether such epigenetic mechanisms are regulated in response to increasing magnitudes of load. The present study investigated mechano-regulation of miRs in articular cartilage subjected to 'physiological' and 'non-physiological' compressive loads in vitro as a model system and validated findings in an in vivo model of abnormal joint loading. Bovine full-depth articular cartilage explants were loaded to 2.5 MPa (physiological) or 7 MPa (non-physiological) (1 Hz, 15 min) and mechanically-regulated miRs identified using next generation sequencing and verified using a quantitative PCR. Downstream targets were verified using miR-specific mimics or inhibitors in conjunction with 3'-UTR luciferase activity assays. A subset of miRs were mechanically-regulated in ex vivo cartilage explants and in vivo joint cartilage. miR-221, miR-222, miR-21-5p and miR-27a-5p were increased and miR-483 levels decreased with increasing load magnitude. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) and cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 3 (CPEB3) were identified as putative downstream targets. Our data confirm miR-221 and -222 mechano-regulation and demonstrates novel mechano-regulation of miR-21-5p and miR-27a-5p in ex vivo and in vivo cartilage loading models. TIMP3 and CPEB3 are putative miR targets in chondrocytes. Identification of specific miRs that are regulated by increasing load magnitude, as well as their potential to impact on tissue homeostasis, has direct relevance to other mechano-sensitive physiological systems and provides a mechanism by which load-induced tissue behaviour is regulated, in both health and pathology.

Mechanical Cues: Bidirectional Reciprocity in the Extracellular Matrix Drives Mechano-Signalling in Articular Cartilage.

The composition and organisation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), particularly the pericellular matrix (PCM), in articular cartilage is critical to its biomechanical functionality; the presence of proteoglycans such as aggrecan, entrapped within a type II collagen fibrillar network, confers mechanical resilience underweight-bearing. Furthermore, components of the PCM including type VI collagen, perlecan, small leucine-rich proteoglycans-decorin and biglycan-and fibronectin facilitate the transduction of both biomechanical and biochemical signals to the residing chondrocytes, thereby regulating the process of mechanotransduction in cartilage. In this review, we summarise the literature reporting on the bidirectional reciprocity of the ECM in chondrocyte mechano-signalling and articular cartilage homeostasis. Specifically, we discuss studies that have characterised the response of articular cartilage to mechanical perturbations in the local tissue environment and how the magnitude or type of loading applied elicits cellular behaviours to effect change. In vivo, including transgenic approaches, and in vitro studies have illustrated how physiological loading maintains a homeostatic balance of anabolic and catabolic activities, involving the direct engagement of many PCM molecules in orchestrating this slow but consistent turnover of the cartilage matrix. Furthermore, we document studies characterising how abnormal, non-physiological loading including excessive loading or joint trauma negatively impacts matrix molecule biosynthesis and/or organisation, affecting PCM mechanical properties and reducing the tissue's ability to withstand load. We present compelling evidence showing that reciprocal engagement of the cells with this altered ECM environment can thus impact tissue homeostasis and, if sustained, can result in cartilage degradation and onset of osteoarthritis pathology. Enhanced dysregulation of PCM/ECM turnover is partially driven by mechanically mediated proteolytic degradation of cartilage ECM components. This generates bioactive breakdown fragments such as fibronectin, biglycan and lumican fragments, which can subsequently activate or inhibit additional signalling pathways including those involved in inflammation. Finally, we discuss how bidirectionality within the ECM is critically important in enabling the chondrocytes to synthesise and release PCM/ECM molecules, growth factors, pro-inflammatory cytokines and proteolytic enzymes, under a specified load, to influence PCM/ECM composition and mechanical properties in cartilage health and disease.

Subcutaneous administration of ciclosporin in 11 allergic cats - a pilot open-label uncontrolled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Oral ciclosporin has been reported to be efficacious for feline inflammatory skin diseases; however, cats are often difficult to medicate orally. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous ciclosporin administered to cats with allergic skin disease. ANIMALS: Eleven client-owned cats with nonseasonal clinical signs. METHODS: Prospective open label trial. Ciclosporin 50 mg/mL solution for injection (Sandimune®, Novartis; NJ, USA) was administered subcutaneously for 60 days with initial doses ranging from 2.5 mg/kg once daily (one cat) to every other day (five cats) and 5 mg/kg once daily (four cats) to every other day (one cat). Dosages were adjusted monthly if needed based on clinical response. Clinical response was assessed using a modified FeDESI (feline Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index) and PVAS (pruritus Visual Analog Scale) between days (D) 0, 30 and 60. RESULTS: Six cats completed the study and four of five cats withdrawn from the study were included in an intention-to-treat analysis. There was significant decrease in FeDESI and PVAS scores between D0 and D30, D0 and D60 and D30 and D60 (P < 0.05) in all ten cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Ciclosporin administered subcutaneously at initial doses of 2.5-5 mg/kg, once daily to alternate days, appears to be an efficacious therapy for feline allergic dermatitis and may be an alternative therapy for cats that cannot be treated orally. Randomized and controlled long term studies which include a larger number of cats are needed to confirm these findings.

AMPA/kainate glutamate receptors contribute to inflammation, degeneration and pain related behaviour in inflammatory stages of arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Synovial fluid glutamate concentrations increase in arthritis. Activation of kainate (KA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) glutamate receptors (GluRs) increase interleukin-6 (IL-6) release and cause arthritic pain, respectively. We hypothesised that AMPA and KA GluRs are expressed in human arthritis, and that intra-articular NBQX (AMPA/KA GluR antagonist) prevents pain and pathology in antigen-induced arthritis (AIA). METHODS: GluR immunohistochemistry was related to synovial inflammation and degradation in osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A single intra-articular NBQX injection was given at induction, and knee swelling and gait of AIA and AIA+NBQX rats compared over 21 days, before imaging, RT-qPCR, histology and immunohistochemistry of joints. Effects of NBQX on human primary osteoblast (HOB) activity were determined. RESULTS: AMPAR2 and KA1 immunolocalised to remodelling bone, cartilage and synovial cells in human OA and RA, and rat AIA. All arthritic tissues showed degradation and synovial inflammation. NBQX reduced GluR abundance, knee swelling (p<0.001, days 1-21), gait abnormalities (days 1-2), end-stage joint destruction (p<0.001), synovial inflammation (p<0.001), and messenger RNA expression of meniscal IL-6 (p<0.05) and whole joint cathepsin K (p<0.01). X-ray and MRI revealed fewer cartilage and bone erosions, and less inflammation after NBQX treatment. NBQX reduced HOB number and prevented mineralisation. CONCLUSIONS: AMPA/KA GluRs are expressed in human OA and RA, and in AIA, where a single intra-articular injection of NBQX reduced swelling by 33%, and inflammation and degeneration scores by 34% and 27%, respectively, exceeding the efficacy of approved drugs in the same model. AMPA/KA GluR antagonists represent a potential treatment for arthritis.

Probing the substrate specificity of Trypanosoma brucei GlcNAc-PI de-N-acetylase with synthetic substrate analogues.

A series of synthetic analogues of 1-D-(2-amino-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-myo-inositol 1-(1,2-di-O-hexadecanoyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate), consisting of 7 variants of either the D-myo-inositol, D-GlcpN or the phospholipid components, were prepared and tested as substrates and inhibitors of GlcNAc-PI de-N-acetylase, a genetically validated drug target enzyme responsible for the second step in the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthetic pathway of Trypanosoma brucei. The D-myo-inositol in the physiological substrate was successfully replaced by cyclohexanediol and is still a substrate for T. brucei GlcNAc-PI de-N-acetylase. However, this compound became sensitive to the stereochemistry of the glycoside linkage (the ß-anomer was neither substrate or inhibitor) and the structure of the lipid moiety (the hexadecyl derivatives were inhibitors). Chemistry was successfully developed to replace the phosphate with a sulphonamide, but the compound was neither a substrate or an inhibitor, confirming the importance of the phosphate for molecular recognition. We also replaced the glucosamine by an acyclic analogue, but this also was inactive, both as a substrate and inhibitor. These findings add significantly to our understanding of substrate and inhibitor binding to the GlcNAc-PI de-N-acetylase enzyme and will have a bearing on the design of future inhibitors.

Epidemiology of heat-related illness in dogs under UK emergency veterinary care in 2022.

BACKGROUND: Dogs are exposed to increasing environmental risk for developing heat-related illness (HRI), with 2022 recorded as the hottest year to date in the UK and most of Europe. METHODS: This study used VetCompass data to report the incidence risk, event fatality rate and canine risk factors for HRI in dogs presenting to Vets Now emergency care practices in the UK during 2022. RESULTS: From the clinical records of 167,751 dogs under care at Vets Now emergency clinics in 2022, 384 HRI events were identified. The 2022 incidence risk of HRI within the Vets Now caseload was 0.23% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21%‒0.25%), with an event fatality rate of 26.56% (95% CI: 21.66%-32.25%). Multivariable analysis identified breed, age and sex/neuter status as risk factors for HRI. Brachycephalic dogs had 4.21 times the odds of HRI compared to mesocephalic dogs (95% CI: 3.22‒5.49, p < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: The clinical data used in this study were not primarily recorded for research and had some substantial levels of missing data (especially patient bodyweight). CONCLUSION: In order to protect canine welfare, improved long-term mitigation strategies are urgently needed to minimise HRI risk and associated fatality in UK dogs.

Applying clinical audit for quality improvement in canine dystocia cases seen at a UK primary-care emergency practice.

BACKGROUND: The paucity of published veterinary clinical audits suggests that clinical audit is an under-used tool for quality improvement (QI) in the veterinary profession. Therefore, a continuous QI process was designed and implemented at a UK multisite small animal emergency practice, focusing on audit of clinical management of canine dystocia. METHODS: Data collection phases were undertaken in 2014, 2019 and 2021, with intervening knowledge dissemination activities. Nine variables relating to clinical management of canine dystocia were selected as audit criteria in the initial dataset, and 21 variables were measured in each subsequent phase. RESULTS: Between 2014 and 2021, statistically significant increases (p < 0.05) were demonstrated in recording of bodyweight, use of diagnostic imaging, use of ultrasonography, recording of fetal heart rates, use of calcium gluconate, and use during caesarean section of intravenous fluid therapy, multimodal analgesia, full agonist opioids, paracetamol and local anaesthesia. Statistically significant decreases were demonstrated in median first quantity and median first dose of oxytocin, and in the use of NSAIDs during caesarean section. A clinical audit planning template was created for future audits. LIMITATIONS: Typical case presentation and management of canine dystocia cases may vary between dedicated emergency and non-emergency primary-care settings. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale veterinary clinical audit and suggests that the application of the clinical audit process promotes learning within the veterinary team and improved clinical outcomes.

The unequal burden of human-wildlife conflict.

Human-wildlife conflict is one of the most pressing sustainable development challenges globally. This is particularly the case where ecologically and economically important wildlife impact the livelihoods of humans. Large carnivores are one such group and their co-occurrence with low-income rural communities often results in real or perceived livestock losses that place increased costs on already impoverished households. Here we show the disparities associated with the vulnerability to conflict arising from large carnivores on cattle (Bos taurus) globally. Across the distribution of 18 large carnivores, we find that the economic vulnerability to predation losses (as measured by impacts to annual per capita income) is between two and eight times higher for households in transitioning and developing economies when compared to developed ones. This potential burden is exacerbated further in developing economies because cattle keepers in these areas produce on average 31% less cattle meat per animal than in developed economies. In the lowest-income areas, our estimates suggest that the loss of a single cow or bull equates to nearly a year and a half of lost calories consumed by a child. Finally, our results show that 82% of carnivore range falls outside protected areas, and five threatened carnivores have over one third of their range located in the most economically sensitive conflict areas. This unequal burden of human-carnivore conflict sheds light on the importance of grappling with multiple and conflicting sustainable development goals: protecting life on land and eliminating poverty and hunger.

Cooling Methods Used to Manage Heat-Related Illness in Dogs Presented to Primary Care Veterinary Practices during 2016-2018 in the UK.

The management of heat-related illness (HRI) in dogs has received limited attention in the veterinary literature, especially regarding effective cooling methods. Guidelines published in 2016 for prehospital management of dogs with HRI advised "cool first, transport second", and recommended using cold-water immersion and evaporative cooling (water application with air movement) as the optimal approaches to reduce the patient's temperature. The current retrospective cross-sectional observation study analysed electronic patient records from the VetCompass programme to describe the cooling methods used in dogs with HRI presented to primary care veterinary practices during 2016-2018. Of 623 HRI events identified, 341 (54.74%, 95% CI 50.81-58.60%) included information on cooling in their clinical record. Of these, 74/341 (21.70%, 95% CI 17.65-26.38%) were cooled prior to transport for veterinary care. Overall, 23.97% (95% CI 19.24-29.44%) were cooled using one of the two recommended cooling methods, whilst the most common cooling method recorded was the application of wet towels (51.31%, 95% CI 45.34-57.24%). Canine cooling guidance and messaging in both the public and veterinary sectors requires urgent review to ensure that the most effective cooling methods are promoted because delays to canine temperature reduction worsen patient outcomes.

Type IX collagen interacts with fibronectin providing an important molecular bridge in articular cartilage.

Type IX collagen is covalently bound to the surface of type II collagen fibrils within the cartilage extracellular matrix. The N-terminal, globular noncollagenous domain (NC4) of the α1(IX) chain protrudes away from the surface of the fibrils into the surrounding matrix and is available for molecular interactions. To define these interactions, we used the NC4 domain in a yeast two-hybrid screen of a human chondrocyte cDNA library. 73% of the interacting clones encoded fibronectin. The interaction was confirmed using in vitro immunoprecipitation and was further characterized by surface plasmon resonance. Using whole and pepsin-derived preparations of type IX collagen, the interaction was shown to be specific for the NC4 domain with no interaction with the triple helical collagenous domains. The interaction was shown to be of high affinity with nanomolar K(d) values. Analysis of the fibronectin-interacting clones indicates that the constant domain is the likely site of interaction. Type IX collagen and fibronectin were shown to co-localize in cartilage. This novel interaction between the NC4 domain of type IX collagen and fibronectin may represent an in vivo interaction in cartilage that could contribute to the matrix integrity of the tissue.

IKKε Inhibitor Amlexanox Promotes Olaparib Sensitivity through the C/EBP-ß-Mediated Transcription of Rad51 in Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

The progression of prostate cancer (PC) is often characterized by the development of castrate-resistant PC (CRPC). Patients with CRPC are treated with a variety of agents including new generation hormonal therapies or chemotherapy. However, as the cancer develops more resistance mechanisms, these drugs eventually become less effective and finding new therapeutic approaches is critical to improving patient outcomes. Previously, we have shown that IKKε depletion and IKKε inhibitors, BX795 and Amlexanox, decrease CRPC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo and that IKKε inhibitors induce a senescence phenotype accompanied by increased DNA damage and genomic instability in CRPC cells. Here, we describe a new role for IKKε in DNA damage repair involving Rad51 and examine the therapeutic potential of Amlexanox combined with the PARP inhibitor Olaparib in CRPC cell lines. Combining Amlexanox with Olaparib decreased CRPC cell proliferation and enhanced DNA damage through the inhibition of Olaparib-induced Rad51 recruitment and expression in CRPC cells or IKKε-depleted PC-3 cells. We demonstrated that Rad51 promoter activity, measured by luciferase assay, was decreased with Amlexanox treatment or IKKε depletion and that Amlexanox treatment decreased the occupancy of transcription factor C/EBP-ß on the Rad51 promoter. Our mouse model also showed that Amlexanox combined with Olaparib inhibited tumor growth of CRPC xenografts. Our study highlights a new role for IKKε in DNA damage repair through the regulation of Rad51 transcription and provides a rationale for the combination of Amlexanox and Olaparib in the treatment of patients with CRPC.

Targeting IKKε in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Causes Phenotypic Senescence and Genomic Instability.

Advanced prostate cancer will often progress to a lethal, castration-resistant state. We previously demonstrated that IKKε expression correlated with the aggressiveness of prostate cancer disease. Here, we address the potential of IKKε as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer. We examined cell fate decisions (proliferation, cell death, and senescence) in IKKε-depleted PC-3 cells, which exhibited delayed cell proliferation and a senescent phenotype, but did not undergo cell death. Using IKKε/TBK1 inhibitors, BX795 and Amlexanox, we measured their effects on cell fate decisions in androgen-sensitive prostate cancer and androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines. Cell-cycle analyses revealed a G2-M cell-cycle arrest and a higher proportion of cells with 8N DNA content in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells only. Androgen-independent prostate cancer cells also displayed increased senescence-associated (SA)-ß-galactosidase activity; increased γH2AX foci; genomic instability; and altered p15, p16, and p21 expression. In our mouse model, IKKε inhibitors also decreased tumor growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer xenografts but not 22Rv1 androgen-sensitive prostate cancer xenografts. Our study suggests that targeting IKKε with BX795 or Amlexanox in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells induces a senescence phenotype and demonstrates in vivo antitumor activity. These results strengthen the potential of exploiting IKKε as a therapeutic target.

NR1D1 regulation by Ran GTPase via miR4472 identifies an essential vulnerability linked to aneuploidy in ovarian cancer.

While aneuploidy is a main enabling characteristic of cancers, it also creates specific vulnerabilities. Here we demonstrate that Ran inhibition targets epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) survival through its characteristic aneuploidy. We show that induction of aneuploidy in rare diploid EOC cell lines or normal cells renders them highly dependent on Ran. We also establish an inverse correlation between Ran and the tumor suppressor NR1D1 and reveal the critical role of Ran/NR1D1 axis in aneuploidy-associated endogenous DNA damage repair. Mechanistically, we show that Ran, through the maturation of miR4472, destabilizes the mRNA of NR1D1 impacting several DNA repair pathways. We showed that NR1D1 interacts with both PARP1 and BRCA1 leading to the inhibition of DNA repair. Concordantly, loss of Ran was associated with NR1D1 induction, accumulation of DNA damages, and lethality of aneuploid EOC cells. Our findings suggest a synthetic lethal strategy targeting aneuploid cells based on their dependency to Ran.

Patient perspectives on an intervention after suicide attempt: The need for patient centred and individualized care.

BACKGROUND: Many types of intervention exist for suicide attempters, but they tend not to sufficiently consider patient's views. AIM: To identify useful components of a previously evaluated intervention after a suicide attempt from the patient's views and to better understand the process of recovery. METHOD: Forty-one interviews with suicide attempters were qualitatively analysed. Views of participants (i) on the components of the intervention (nurse case-management, joint crisis plan, meetings with relatives/network and follow-up calls) and (ii) their recovery were explored. The material was analysed by means of thematic analysis with a deductive-inductive approach. RESULTS: Participants valued the human and professional qualities of the nurse case-manager, and appreciated follow-up calls and meetings. However, their views diverged regarding for instance frequency of phone calls, or disclosing information or lack thereof. Interpersonal relationship, suicide attempters' own resources and life changes emerged as core recovery factors. DISCUSSION: The study highlights the figure of an engaged clinician, with both professional and human commitment, aware that some suicide attempters put more emphasis on their own resources than on delivered health care. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions should consider the clinician as the cornerstone of the tailored care valued by suicide attempters.

Demographic responses of a threatened, low-density ungulate to annual variation in meteorological and phenological conditions.

As global climate change progresses, wildlife management will benefit from knowledge of demographic responses to climatic variation, particularly for species already endangered by other stressors. In Canada, climate change is expected to increasingly impact populations of threatened woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) and much focus has been placed on how a warming climate has potentially facilitated the northward expansion of apparent competitors and novel predators. Climate change, however, may also exert more direct effects on caribou populations that are not mediated by predation. These effects include meteorological changes that influence resource availability and energy expenditure. Research on other ungulates suggests that climatic variation may have minimal impact on low-density populations such as woodland caribou because per-capita resources may remain sufficient even in "bad" years. We evaluated this prediction using demographic data from 21 populations in western Canada that were monitored for various intervals between 1994 and 2015. We specifically assessed whether juvenile recruitment and adult female survival were correlated with annual variation in meteorological metrics and plant phenology. Against expectations, we found that both vital rates appeared to be influenced by annual climatic variation. Juvenile recruitment was primarily correlated with variation in phenological conditions in the year prior to birth. Adult female survival was more strongly correlated with meteorological conditions and declined during colder, more variable winters. These responses may be influenced by the life history of woodland caribou, which reside in low-productivity refugia where small climatic changes may result in changes to resources that are sufficient to elicit strong demographic effects. Across all models, explained variation in vital rates was low, suggesting that other factors had greater influence on caribou demography. Nonetheless, given the declining trajectories of many woodland caribou populations, our results highlight the increased relevance of recovery actions when adverse climatic conditions are likely to negatively affect caribou demography.

Prediction of health, education, and psychosocial professionals' attitudes in favor of parental use of corporal punishment.

BACKGROUND: To date, there have been few studies pertaining to the knowledge and attitudes regarding the use of corporal punishment (CP) among professionals working with parents and children. Yet, many parents turn to these professionals for advice on child discipline. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe professionals' legal knowledge about parental use of CP and their attitudes toward this practice. METHOD: A study was conducted among professionals working directly with children or their parents through an online questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,758 respondents from three sectors of training (psychosocial, health, education) completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: The results showed that professionals have little knowledge of the legal guidelines surrounding the use of CP in Canada. This poor knowledge as well as the perceived impacts of CP on children acted as predictors of favorable attitudes toward this disciplinary practice. According to the regression analyses, other personal and professional factors also explain a person's approval of CP, including violence in childhood, religious practice, and sources of knowledge. The results also highlighted some findings related to the respondents' professional sectors. CONCLUSIONS: The study results emphasize the need to better train professionals by targeting cognitive, personal, as well as professional factors.

AMPA/kainate glutamate receptor antagonists prevent posttraumatic osteoarthritis.

Musculoskeletal disorders represent the third greatest burden in terms of death and disability in the developed world. Osteoarthritis is the single greatest cause of chronic pain, has no cure, and affects 8.5 and 27 million people in the UK and US, respectively. Osteoarthritis is most prevalent in older people, but as it commonly occurs after joint injury, young people with such injuries are also susceptible. Painful joints are often treated with steroid or hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, but treatments to prevent subsequent joint degeneration remain elusive. In animals, joint injury increases glutamate release into the joint, acting on nerves to cause pain, and joint tissues to cause inflammation and degeneration. This study investigated synovial fluid glutamate concentrations and glutamate receptor (GluR) expression in injured human joints and compared the efficacy of GluR antagonists with current treatments in a mouse model of injury-induced osteoarthritis (ACL rupture). GluRs were expressed in the ligaments and meniscus after knee injury, and synovial fluid glutamate concentrations ranged from 19 to 129 µM. Intra-articular injection of NBQX (GluR antagonist) at the time of injury substantially reduced swelling and degeneration in the mouse ACL rupture model. HA had no effect, and Depo-Medrone reduced swelling for 1 day but increased degeneration by 50%. Intra-articular administration of NBQX modified both symptoms and disease to a greater extent than current treatments. There is an opportunity for repurposing related drugs, developed for CNS disorders and with proven safety in humans, to prevent injury-induced osteoarthritis. This could quickly reduce the substantial burden associated with osteoarthritis.