Diving into broad-scale and high-resolution population genomics to decipher drivers of structure and climatic vulnerability in a marine invertebrate.

Species with widespread distributions play a crucial role in our understanding of climate change impacts on population structure. In marine species, population structure is often governed by both high connectivity potential and selection across strong environmental gradients. Despite the complexity of factors influencing marine populations, studying species with broad distribution can provide valuable insights into the relative importance of these factors and the consequences of climate-induced alterations across environmental gradients. We used the northern shrimp Pandalus borealis and its wide latitudinal distribution to identify current drivers of population structure and predict the species' vulnerability to climate change. A total of 1514 individuals sampled across 24° latitude were genotyped at high geographic (54 stations) and genetic (14,331 SNPs) resolutions to assess genetic variation and environmental correlations. Four populations were identified in addition to finer substructure associated with local adaptation. Geographic patterns of neutral population structure reflected predominant oceanographic currents, while a significant proportion of the genetic variation was associated with gradients in salinity and temperature. Adaptive landscapes generated using climate projections suggest a larger genomic offset in the southern extent of the P. borealis range, where shrimp had the largest adaptive standing genetic variation. Our genomic results combined with recent observations point to further deterioration in southern regions and an impending vulnerable status in the regions at higher latitudes for P. borealis. They also provide rare insights into the drivers of population structure and climatic vulnerability of a widespread meroplanktonic species, which is crucial to understanding future challenges associated with invertebrates essential to ecosystem functioning.

Variation in genomic vulnerability to climate change across temperate populations of eelgrass (Zostera marina).

A global decline in seagrass populations has led to renewed calls for their conservation as important providers of biogenic and foraging habitat, shoreline stabilization and carbon storage. Eelgrass (Zostera marina) occupies the largest geographic range among seagrass species spanning a commensurately broad spectrum of environmental conditions. In Canada, eelgrass is managed as a single phylogroup despite occurring across three oceans and a range of ocean temperatures and salinity gradients. Previous research has focused on applying relatively few markers to reveal population structure of eelgrass, whereas a whole-genome approach is warranted to investigate cryptic structure among populations inhabiting different ocean basins and localized environmental conditions. We used a pooled whole-genome re-sequencing approach to characterize population structure, gene flow and environmental associations of 23 eelgrass populations ranging from the Northeast United States to Atlantic, subarctic and Pacific Canada. We identified over 500,000 SNPs, which when mapped to a chromosome-level genome assembly revealed six broad clades of eelgrass across the study area, with pairwise F ST ranging from 0 among neighbouring populations to 0.54 between Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Genetic diversity was highest in the Pacific and lowest in the subarctic, consistent with colonization of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans from the Pacific less than 300 kya. Using redundancy analyses and two climate change projection scenarios, we found that subarctic populations are predicted to be potentially more vulnerable to climate change through genomic offset predictions. Conservation planning in Canada should thus ensure that representative populations from each identified clade are included within a national network so that latent genetic diversity is protected, and gene flow is maintained. Northern populations, in particular, may require additional mitigation measures given their potential susceptibility to a rapidly changing climate.

Longitudinal Changes in the Body Mass Index of British Army Pilots.

INTRODUCTION: Aircraft are manufactured according to design parameters that must account for the size and physical characteristics of the pilot. While cockpit dimensions, seats, restraints, and related components do not change substantially over the airframe lifecycle, it is conceivable that the occupant may, even if initially well-suited. This investigation focused on longitudinal body mass index (BMI) changes within a cohort of British Army Air Corps pilots.METHODS: The study was a retrospective examination of electronic medical record data to assess longitudinal change within a representative cohort of Army pilots. Voluntary subjects were assigned unique subject numbers matched with individual electronic medical record data. Subject's age, service length, height, weight, and BMI were extracted from routine historical aviation medical exams.RESULTS: Among 106 British Army Air Corps pilots, the mean age was 35.3 yr (SD = 7.4) with average length of service as a pilot of 9.0 yr (SD = 5.2). Within the observed cohort, the mean change in individual weight over time was an increase of 4.6 kg (SD = 7.3). Height remained relatively stable with a mean increase of 0.6 cm (SD = 1.9). Given the increase in weight, BMI was noted to increase longitudinally with a mean of 1.3 kg · m-2 (SD = 2.4).DISCUSSION: British Army pilots experience increases in BMI over time much like the general population. Results of this study serve to inform future policy related to the body composition of aviation applicants, the retention of previously qualified pilots, and the safety concerns of crashworthiness design specifications.Porter WD, Wilde GD, Jeffery NP, Walters PL, Eke AJ, Bushby AJR, Adams MS, Gaydos SJ. Longitudinal changes in the body mass index of British Army pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(2):118-122.

The "Claw Sign" may aid in axial localization in cases of peripherally located canine glioma on MRI.

The "claw sign" is a radiographic sign studied in human imaging to determine if a mass arises from a solid structure or organ versus a close adjacent location, resulting in distortion of the outline of an organ. We investigated its utility in characterizing MRI axial localization of peripherally located intracranial glioma versus meningioma, due to their overlap in MRI appearance. This retrospective, secondary analysis, cross-sectional study aimed to report the sensitivity, specificity, and inter- and intraobserver variabilities using kappa statistics, hypothesizing that the claw sign will have strong inter- and intraobserver agreement (κ > 0.8). Dogs with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of peripherally located glioma or meningioma and available 3T MRI data were retrieved from medical record archives from 2009 to 2021. A total of 27 cases, 11 glioma and 16 meningioma, were included. The postcontrast T1-weighted images were provided to five blinded image evaluators in two separate randomized sessions separated by a 6-week wash out period. Prior to the first evaluation, evaluators were provided with a training video and set of training cases for the "claw sign," which were excluded from the study. Evaluators were asked to rate cases as "positive," "negative," or "indeterminate" for the "claw sign." The sensitivity and specificity for the "claw sign" for the first session were 85.5% and 80%, respectively. The interobserver agreement for identifying the "claw sign" was moderate (κ = 0.48), and the intraobserver agreement across the two sessions was substantial (κ = 0.72). These findings indicate the claw sign is supportive but not pathognomonic for intra-axial localization in cases of canine glioma on MRI.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Detects Myocardial Abnormalities in Naturally Infected Dogs with Chronic Asymptomatic Chagas Disease.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection causes inflammation and fibrosis, resulting in cardiac damage in dogs. The objectives of this study were to describe cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in naturally infected dogs with chronic Chagas disease and the frequency of abnormalities for CMR and cardiac diagnostic tests. Ten asymptomatic, client-owned dogs seropositive for T. cruzi were prospectively enrolled in an observational study evaluating echocardiography, ECG (standard and ambulatory), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and CMR. Standard ECG measurements (3/10) and cTnI concentration (1/10) outside the reference range were uncommon. Ambulatory ECG abnormalities were documented more frequently (6/10 dogs) than with standard ECG and included ventricular arrhythmias (4), supraventricular premature beats (3), second-degree atrioventricular block (2), and sinus arrest (1). Echocardiographic abnormalities were documented in 6/10 dogs including mildly increased left ventricular internal dimension in diastole (1) and decreased right ventricular (RV) systolic function based on reductions in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (3) and RV S' (4). Abnormalities were detected with CMR in 7/10 dogs including delayed myocardial enhancement in 5 of which 2 also had increased extracellular volume, abnormal wall motion in 5, and loss of apical compact myocardium in 1. In conclusion, CMR abnormalities were common, and the results of this study suggest CMR can provide useful information in dogs with T. cruzi infection and may support naturally infected dogs for future clinical investigation as an animal model for Chagas disease.

Influence of closed glove exchange on bacterial contamination of the hands of the surgical team.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if closed glove exchange (CGE) increases hand contamination. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Surgical teams participating in 65 individual surgical procedures were included, resulting in 200 individual enrollments. METHODS: At the completion of surgery, gloves were removed and hands were swabbed. The inside of the gown cuff was swabbed. Each participant regloved, using a closed gloving technique. The new gloves were removed, and hands were swabbed for culture a second time. Swabs underwent standard bacterial culture. RESULTS: Before glove exchange, or baseline, contamination was found on 17/200 dominant hands and 13/200 nondominant hands. After performing CGE, contamination was found on 14/200 and 15/200 dominant and nondominant hands, respectively. No difference was detected between the number of CFUs cultured from a surgeon's hands before CGE and the number of CFUs cultured from a surgeon's hands post-CGE (one sided sign test, p = .61). Twelve (12) different bacterial species were identified, the most common were Staphylococcus spp. (97/154; 63%). CONCLUSION: Closed glove exchange did not increase bacterial hand contamination over baseline levels. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: We found no evidence to support discontinuing CGE.

Hip sensor location for flash interstitial glucose monitoring system provides adequate clinical accuracy in non-diabetic hypoglycemic dogs.

OBJECTIVE: Flash glucose monitoring systems (FGMS) are frequently used for interstitial glucose monitoring in dogs with diabetes mellitus and are typically placed between the scapulae. We aimed to evaluate the variability between glucose measurements from FGMS placed in 2 locations (between the scapulae and over the hip) in non-diabetic dogs during rapidly induced hypoglycemia. ANIMALS: 24 apparently healthy colony dogs that were subjects in a teaching laboratory. PROCEDURES: Prospective interventional study. FGMS sensors (FreeStyle Libre 14-day system) were placed between the scapulae and over the hip of all dogs. Regular insulin was administered (0.3 u/kg IV) and subsequent hypoglycemia was corrected. Before insulin administration and every 10 minutes over 90 minutes, interstitial glucose was recorded from both locations, and blood glucose was measured with a point-of-care blood glucose monitor (AlphaTRAK 2). RESULTS: There was a constant bias of 5.6 mg/dL (95% limits of agreement: -26.3 to 37.5 mg/dL) between locations, but the proportional bias was not apparent. There was a correlation between FGMS locations (r = 0.731, P = < .001). Sensor site B was clinically accurate with 100% of paired samples within Parkes error grid zones A (83%) and B (17%) but did not meet the criteria for analytical accuracy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this model of induced hypoglycemia in healthy dogs, variation between measurements from FGMS locations was unlikely to have affected the clinical outcome. Placement of FGMS over the hip may be an acceptable alternative to placement between the scapulae, but the utility in hyperglycemic dogs is unknown.

Effect of withholding food versus feeding on creatinine, symmetric dimethylarginine, cholesterol, triglycerides, and other biochemical analytes in 100 healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: Withholding food is often recommended before collection of blood for routine biochemical analysis in dogs despite a paucity of evidence to support this requirement. OBJECTIVES: To compare measurements of selected biochemical analytes collected before and after feeding in clinically healthy dogs. ANIMALS: One hundred clinically healthy staff- and student-owned dogs weighing ≥15 kg. METHODS: Prospective observational study. Food was withheld from the dogs for 10-26 hours. Preprandial serum was collected, and then dogs were fed their usual food at an amount equivalent to at least 2/3 resting energy requirement (RER). Selected serum analytes were measured at 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-hours postprandially. The proportion of postprandial values that exceeded either the reported allowable total error (TEa), or for symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), the reference change value (RCV), was determined. As neither TEa nor RCV is available for lipase, comparison was made to the high end of the reference interval (RI). RESULTS: The proportion of dogs with at least 1 postprandial measurement that exceeded the TEa or RCV was 92/100 for triglycerides, 66/100 for blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 46/100 for phosphorus, 17/100 for glucose, 9/100 for bilirubin, 5/100 for SDMA, 2/100 for creatinine, and 0/100 for cholesterol and albumin. Postprandial lipase never exceeded the RI in dogs with normal fasted lipase. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Withholding food is generally not necessary before performing routine biochemical analysis in clinically healthy dogs. Withholding food might be helpful to limit variability in analytes impacted by feeding, such as triglycerides and phosphorus.

A 50-step walking test for analysis of recovery after decompressive surgery for thoracolumbar disc herniation in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Despite its importance, there is no agreed definition of recovery of ambulation in dogs with spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVES: To validate a new walking test in dogs recovering from thoracolumbar spinal cord injury. ANIMALS: Two hundred twenty-four dogs weighing <20 kg: 120 normally ambulatory dogs, plus 104 dogs undergoing decompressive surgery for acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS: Prospective cohort studies. The distance each freely-ambulatory dog walked during 50 step cycles was regressed on ulna length. For each postsurgical dog, we recorded when the calculated 50-step distance was completed without falling, or their inability to complete this distance by 4 months or more after surgery. Bayesian analysis compared outcomes for presurgical neurologic categories; association of recovery with several preoperative variables was explored using logistic and time-to-event regression. RESULTS: For control dogs, 50-step distance (m) = 1.384 × ulnar length (cm) + 2.773. In postsurgical dogs, the 50-step test provided decisive evidence that deep pain-negative dogs were less likely to recover ambulation than dogs with intact pain perception (12/29 recovered vs 71/75; Bayes factor [BF] = 5.9 × 106 ) and, if they did recover, it took much longer (median 91 days vs median 14 days; BF = 1.5 × 103 ). Exploratory analysis suggested that presurgical neurologic status (subhazard ratio [SHR] = 0.022; P < .001) and duration of presurgical anesthesia (SHR = 0.740; P = .04) were associated with rapidity of recovery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This straightforward 50-step walking test provides robust data on ambulatory recovery well-suited to large scale pragmatic trials on treatment of thoracolumbar spinal cord injury in dogs.

Randomized clinical trial comparing outcomes after fentanyl or ketamine-dexmedetomidine analgesia in thoracolumbar spinal surgery in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Opioids are widely used for perioperative pain control in dogs undergoing spinal surgery, but alternatives may be required because data suggest that opioids exacerbate inflammation in the injured spinal cord and veterinary access to opioids may become more restricted in the future. OBJECTIVES: To compare recovery of ambulation and other functions between spinal cord-injured dogs receiving peri-operative fentanyl and those receiving a ketamine-dexmedetomidine combination. ANIMALS: A total of 102 client-owned dogs undergoing decompressive surgery for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial. Dogs were randomized 1:1 to fentanyl or a ketamine-dexmedetomidine combination for intra and postoperative analgesia. Primary outcome was time to recovery of ambulation; secondary outcomes were the postoperative Colorado Acute Pain Scale, the short-form Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale, time to recovery of voluntary urination and time to unassisted eating. RESULTS: No difference was found in time to recovery of ambulation between groups (adjusted sub-hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-1.24; P = .36) or in pain scores (Colorado: χ2  = 14.74; P = .32; Glasgow: χ2  = 6.61; P = .76). Differences in time to recovery of eating and urination were small but favored ketamine-dexmedetomidine (adjusted odds ratios, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.53-7.16; P = .002 and 2.43; 95% CI, 1.00-5.96; P = .05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: There was no evidence that, at the doses used, fentanyl impaired ambulatory outcome after surgery for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation in dogs. Pain control appeared similar between groups. Secondary outcomes suggested minor benefits associated with ketamine-dexmedetomidine. The ketamine-dexmedetomidine combination appears to be a reasonable alternative to peri-operative opioids.

Application of Omics Tools in Designing and Monitoring Marine Protected Areas For a Sustainable Blue Economy.

A key component of the global blue economy strategy is the sustainable extraction of marine resources and conservation of marine environments through networks of marine protected areas (MPAs). Connectivity and representativity are essential factors that underlie successful implementation of MPA networks, which can safeguard biological diversity and ecosystem function, and ultimately support the blue economy strategy by balancing ocean use with conservation. New "big data" omics approaches, including genomics and transcriptomics, are becoming essential tools for the development and maintenance of MPA networks. Current molecular omics techniques, including population-scale genome sequencing, have direct applications for assessing population connectivity and for evaluating how genetic variation is represented within and among MPAs. Effective baseline characterization and long-term, scalable, and comprehensive monitoring are essential for successful MPA management, and omics approaches hold great promise to characterize the full range of marine life, spanning the microbiome to megafauna across a range of environmental conditions (shallow sea to the deep ocean). Omics tools, such as eDNA metabarcoding can provide a cost-effective basis for biodiversity monitoring in large and remote conservation areas. Here we provide an overview of current omics applications for conservation planning and monitoring, with a focus on metabarcoding, metagenomics, and population genomics. Emerging approaches, including whole-genome sequencing, characterization of genomic architecture, epigenomics, and genomic vulnerability to climate change are also reviewed. We demonstrate that the operationalization of omics tools can enhance the design, monitoring, and management of MPAs and thus will play an important role in a modern and comprehensive blue economy strategy.

Tralesinidase Alfa Enzyme Replacement Therapy Prevents Disease Manifestations in a Canine Model of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIB.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB; Sanfilippo syndrome B; OMIM #252920) is a lethal, pediatric, neuropathic, autosomal recessive, and lysosomal storage disease with no approved therapy. Patients are deficient in the activity of N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase (NAGLU; EC 3.2.150), necessary for normal lysosomal degradation of the glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate (HS). Tralesinidase alfa (TA), a fusion protein comprised of recombinant human NAGLU and a modified human insulin-like growth factor 2, is in development as an enzyme replacement therapy that is administered via intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion, thus circumventing the blood brain barrier. Previous studies have confirmed ICV infusion results in widespread distribution of TA throughout the brains of mice and nonhuman primates. We assessed the long-term tolerability, pharmacology, and clinical efficacy of TA in a canine model of MPS IIIB over a 20-month study. Long-term administration of TA was well tolerated as compared with administration of vehicle. TA was widely distributed across brain regions, which was confirmed in a follow-up 8-week pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study. MPS IIIB dogs treated for up to 20 months had near-normal levels of HS and nonreducing ends of HS in cerebrospinal fluid and central nervous system (CNS) tissues. TA-treated MPS IIIB dogs performed better on cognitive tests and had improved CNS pathology and decreased cerebellar volume loss relative to vehicle-treated MPS IIIB dogs. These findings demonstrate the ability of TA to prevent or limit the biochemical, pathologic, and cognitive manifestations of canine MPS IIIB disease, thus providing support of its potential long-term tolerability and efficacy in MPS IIIB subjects. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This work illustrates the efficacy and tolerability of tralesinidase alfa as a potential therapeutic for patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB) by documenting that administration to the central nervous system of MPS IIIB dogs prevents the accumulation of disease-associated glycosaminoglycans in lysosomes, hepatomegaly, cerebellar atrophy, and cognitive decline.

Comparison of median sternotomy closure-related complication rates using orthopedic wire or suture in dogs: A multi-institutional observational treatment effect analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare median sternotomy (MS) closure-related complication rates using orthopedic wire or suture in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional, retrospective observational study with treatment effect analysis. ANIMALS: 331 client-owned dogs, of which 68 were excluded. METHODS: Medical records of dogs with MS were examined across nine referral centers (2004-2020). Signalment, weight, clinical presentation, surgical details, complications, and outcomes were recorded. Follow-up was performed using patient records and email/telephone contact. Descriptive statistics, treatment effect analysis and logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: Median sternotomy closure was performed with wire in 115 dogs and suture in 148. Thirty-seven dogs experienced closure-related complications (14.1%), 20 in the wire group and 17 in the suture group. Twenty-three were listed as mild, four as moderate and 10 as severe. Treatment effect analysis showed a mean of 2.3% reduction in closure-related complications associated with using suture versus wire (95% CI: -9.1% to +4.5%). In multivariable logistic regression, the only factor associated with increased risk of closure-related complications was dog size (p = .01). This effect was not modified by the type of closure used (interaction term: OR = 0.99 [95% CI: 0.96/1.01]). CONCLUSION: The incidence of closure-related complication after MS was low compared to previous reports. The likelihood of developing a closure-related complication was equivalent between sutures and wires, independent of dog size, despite a higher proportion of complications seen in larger dogs (≥20 kg). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Use of either orthopedic wire or suture appear to be an appropriate closure method for sternotomy in dogs of any size.

Modeling demersal fish and benthic invertebrate assemblages in support of marine conservation planning.

Marine classification schemes based on abiotic surrogates often inform regional marine conservation planning in lieu of detailed biological data. However, these schemes may poorly represent ecologically relevant biological patterns required for effective design and management strategies. We used a community-level modeling approach to characterize and delineate representative mesoscale (tens to thousands of kilometers) assemblages of demersal fish and benthic invertebrates in the Northwest Atlantic. Hierarchical clustering of species occurrence data from four regional annual multispecies trawl surveys revealed three to six groupings (predominant assemblage types) in each survey region, broadly associated with geomorphic and oceanographic features. Indicator analyses identified 3-34 emblematic taxa of each assemblage type. Random forest classifications accurately predicted assemblage distributions from environmental covariates (AUC > 0.95) and identified thermal limits (annual minimum and maximum bottom temperatures) as important predictors of distribution in each region. Using forecasted oceanographic conditions for the year 2075 and a regional classification model, we projected assemblage distributions in the southernmost bioregion (Scotian Shelf-Bay of Fundy) under a high emissions climate scenario (RCP 8.5). Range expansions to the northeast are projected for assemblages associated with warmer and shallower waters of the Western Scotian Shelf over the 21st century as thermal habitat on the relatively cooler Eastern Scotian Shelf becomes more favorable. Community-level modeling provides a biotic-informed approach for identifying broadscale ecological structure required for the design and management of ecologically coherent, representative, well-connected networks of Marine Protected Areas. When combined with oceanographic forecasts, this modeling approach provides a spatial tool for assessing sensitivity and resilience to climate change, which can improve conservation planning, monitoring, and adaptive management.

Agreement and differentiation of intradural spinal cord lesions in dogs using magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice for diagnosing spinal cord neoplasia, but the accuracy of designating the relationship of a neoplasm to the meninges and agreement among observers is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine agreement among observers and accuracy of diagnosis compared with histology when diagnosing lesion location based on relationship to the meninges. ANIMALS: Magnetic resonance images from 53 dogs with intradural extramedullary and intramedullary spinal neoplasms and 17 dogs with degenerative myelopathy. METHODS: Six observers were supplied with 2 sets of 35 images at different time points and asked to designate lesion location. Agreement in each set was analyzed using kappa (κ) statistics. We tabulated total correct allocations and calculated sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios for location designation from images compared with known histologic location for lesions confined to 1 location only. RESULTS: Agreement in the first set of images was moderate (κ = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.58) and in the second, substantial (κ = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.66-0.79). In the accuracy study, 180 (75%) of the 240 diagnostic calls were correct. Sensitivity and specificity were moderate to high for all compartments, except poor sensitivity was found for intradural extramedullary lesions. Positive likelihood ratios were high for intradural extramedullary lesions and degenerative myelopathy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Overall accuracy in diagnosis was reasonable, and positive diagnostic calls for intradural extramedullary lesions and negative calls for intramedullary lesions are likely to be helpful. Observers exhibited considerable disagreement in designation of lesions relationship to the meninges.

Evaluation of a flash glucose monitoring system in nondiabetic dogs with rapidly changing blood glucose concentrations.

BACKGROUND: A flash glucose monitoring system (FGMS; FreeStyle Libre) is useful for monitoring hypoglycemic dogs with diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of this FGMS in dogs with induced hypoglycemia and rapid fluctuations in blood glucose (BG) concentrations. ANIMALS: Twenty-four apparently healthy research (n = 10) and teaching (n = 14) dogs. METHODS: Prospective, observational study performed in tandem with a teaching laboratory. Regular insulin was administered to dogs and resulting hypoglycemia was corrected. Before insulin administration and every 10 minutes over a 90-minute period, serial measurements of interstitial glucose (IG) with FGMS and BG with a portable blood glucose meter (PBGM) and clinical chemistry analyzer concentrations were made. Portable blood glucose meter and FGMS readings were compared to that of the clinical chemistry analyzer. Analytical and clinical accuracy were assessed using ISO 15197:2013 criteria, including Parkes error grid analysis. RESULTS: The proportions of readings in the low BG range (BG <100 mg/dL) for which the test method measurement was within ±15 mg/dL of the reference BG for the PBGM and FGMS were 81.7% (161/197) and 39.1% (72/184), respectively. The proportions of readings for the PBGM and FGMS, which were not likely to affect clinical outcome according to Parkes error grid analysis, were 97.9% (233/238) and 80.1% (177/221), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In this model, there was limited agreement between the FGMS and reference standard BG measurements. The FGMS (measuring IG concentrations) was compared to peripheral BG concentrations, not brain-tissue glucose concentrations, and failed to reliably detect hypoglycemia.

Eusociality in snapping shrimps is associated with larger genomes and an accumulation of transposable elements.

Despite progress uncovering the genomic underpinnings of sociality, much less is known about how social living affects the genome. In different insect lineages, for example, eusocial species show both positive and negative associations between genome size and structure, highlighting the dynamic nature of the genome. Here, we explore the relationship between sociality and genome architecture in Synalpheus snapping shrimps that exhibit multiple origins of eusociality and extreme interspecific variation in genome size. Our goal is to determine whether eusociality leads to an accumulation of repetitive elements and an increase in genome size, presumably due to reduced effective population sizes resulting from a reproductive division of labor, or whether an initial accumulation of repetitive elements leads to larger genomes and independently promotes the evolution of eusociality through adaptive evolution. Using phylogenetically informed analyses, we find that eusocial species have larger genomes with more transposable elements (TEs) and microsatellite repeats than noneusocial species. Interestingly, different TE subclasses contribute to the accumulation in different species. Phylogenetic path analysis testing alternative causal relationships between sociality and genome architecture is most consistent with the hypothesis that TEs modulate the relationship between sociality and genome architecture. Although eusociality appears to influence TE accumulation, ancestral state reconstruction suggests moderate TE abundances in ancestral species could have fueled the initial transitions to eusociality. Ultimately, we highlight a complex and dynamic relationship between genome and social evolution, demonstrating that sociality can influence the evolution of the genome, likely through changes in demography related to patterns of reproductive skew.

The impact of a surgical checklist on surgical outcomes in an academic institution.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of a surgical checklist (SC) on morbidities and compliance with safety measures. STUDY DESIGN: Before-and-after-intervention study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Three thousand two hundred eighty-six dogs: 1375 dogs pre-SC and 1911 post-SC. METHODS: Completion of safety measures and occurrence of morbidity and/or mortality during hospitalization and up to death or 30-days postoperatively were recorded. RESULTS: Safety measures were more frequently completed post-SC, including oral confirmation of patient identity (467/1177 [40%] vs. 1911/1911 [100%]) and oral confirmation of surgical site (568/1175 [48%] vs. 1911/1911 [100%]). In addition, duration of anesthesia decreased from 241 to 232 min (t = 2.824; p = .005); a greater proportion of animals that were intended to receive antibiotics did so prior to incision (1142/1316 [86.8%] vs. 1656/1845 [89.8%] [χ2 = 6.70, p = .01]); and fewer dogs had unplanned return to the OR (32/1065 [3.0%], vs. 21/1472 [1.4%]) (χ2 = 7.52, p = .006). No difference in surgical site infection (adjusted odds ratio 1.02 [95%CI: 0.63-1.66]); morbidity, (adjusted odds ratio 1.00 [95%CI: 0.77-1.29]); or death within 30 days (adjusted odds ratio 1.15 [95%CI: 0.72-1.83]) was detected on multivariable logistic regression analysis. The checklist prevented one wrong-site surgery. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the checklist at our institution led to a decrease in anesthesia duration, increased administration of planned perioperative antibiotics before incision, increased completion of safety measures, and decreased unexpected return to the OR. IMPACT: Despite the lack of effect on morbidities, the use of SC is recommended to improve compliance with safety measures and potentially prevent rare catastrophic events.

Verminous myelopathy secondary to aberrant Dirofilaria immitis migrans was detected in the cervical subarachnoid space of four dogs using MRI and CT.

Aberrant Dirofilaria immitis migrans is a rare cause of neurologic signs in dogs, however, published studies describing the computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of this problem are currently lacking. The objective of this retrospective case series study was to describe the clinical and imaging findings for four adult dogs with verminous myelopathy due to aberrant Dirofilaria immitis migrans within the cervical subarachnoid space. All dogs were toy breeds, were heartworm antigen positive, had neurologic signs (ranging from cervical hyperesthesia to tetraparesis), and similar MRI findings. In two patients additionally imaged with CT, findings were variable. On MRI, each dog had a single large, dorsal- to laterally located, intradural-extramedullary, fusiform mass with characteristic stippled, mixed T2-weighted and T1-weighted signal intensity, hypo-to-iso T1-weighted signal intensity, and spinal cord compression. Nematodes were identified as serpentine or circular subarachnoid structures with low T2-weighted and T1-weighted signal in the sagittal and transverse image planes, respectively. CT (n = 2 dogs) demonstrated focal regions of mildly enhancing intradural-extramedullary spinal cord compression in 1 dog. Dorsal laminectomy and durotomy were performed in two dogs at C3-C4. A C4-5 hemilaminectomy with durotomy and dural biopsy was performed in one dog. Extraction of live, immature adult, female D. immitis worms was performed in three dogs. Operated dogs had complete post-surgical resolution of clinical signs. One dog was euthanized without surgery; necropsy revealed an adult heartworm in the spinal subarachnoid space at C2. Findings indicated that cervical spinal subarachnoid D. immitis aberrant migration should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with this combination of clinical and CT/MRI imaging findings, and that the prognosis may be good with early detection and surgical removal.

CEREBROSPINAL FLUID SAMPLING IN A BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA.

Brucella ceti, associated with neurobrucellosis, has been isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of postmortem cetaceans. A 106-kg, stranded female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) presented with serum antibodies to Brucella spp. via competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and fluorescence polarization assay. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture of whole blood, bronchoalveolar fluid, and rectal, nasal, and genital swabs for Brucella spp. were consistently negative. Serial computed tomography revealed mild focal dilatation of brain ventricles. CSF sampling was warranted to exclude neurobrucellosis. Sedation was achieved with 30 mg diazepam (0.28 mg/kg) orally 2.5 hours prior to arrival in hospital, followed by 5.3 mg midazolam (0.05 mg/kg) intramuscularly, and anesthetic induction with 2.5 mg midazolam (0.02 mg/kg) and 200 mg propofol (2 mg/kg) administered slowly intravenously, followed by intubation and maintenance on sevoflurane using controlled mechanical and apneustic anesthesia ventilation. The atlanto-occipital joint was opened by flexing the upper cervical region with the animal in left lateral recumbency. A 20-ga × 6-inch spinal needle was advanced into the cisterna magna using radiographic guidance. CSF was collected successfully with no neurological deficits appreciable on recovery. Brucella spp. was not identified via PCR or culture. This represents the first report of an antemortem CSF tap in a cetacean.