A Branchial Cyst in a Diamond Python (Morelia spilota).

A 9-year-old female diamond python (Morelia spilota) was presented with a submandibular swelling. The cytological, macroscopic and histological features of this lesion indicated a diagnosis of branchial (pharyngeal) cyst. Branchial cysts are benign lesions caused by anomalous development of the branchial apparatus and are described rarely in veterinary medicine. We suggest that possible persistence of branchial remnants should be included in the consideration of differential diagnoses for neck masses in adult snakes.

On the geometrically exact low-order modelling of a flexible beam: formulation and numerical tests.

This paper proposes a low-order geometrically exact flexible beam formulation based on the utilization of generic beam shape functions to approximate distributed kinematic properties of the deformed structure. The proposed nonlinear beam shapes approach is in contrast to the majority of geometrically nonlinear treatments in the literature in which element-based-and hence high-order-discretizations are adopted. The kinematic quantities approximated specifically pertain to shear and extensional gradients as well as local orientation parameters based on an arbitrary set of globally referenced attitude parameters. In developing the dynamic equations of motion, an Euler angle parametrization is selected as it is found to yield fast computational performance. The resulting dynamic formulation is closed using an example shape function set satisfying the single generic kinematic constraint. The formulation is demonstrated via its application to the modelling of a series of static and dynamic test cases of both simple and non-prismatic structures; the simulated results are verified using MSC Nastran and an element-based intrinsic beam formulation. Through these examples, it is shown that the nonlinear beam shapes approach is able to accurately capture the beam behaviour with a very minimal number of system states.

In vivo transplantation of fetal human gut-derived enteric neural crest cells.

The prospect of using neural cell replacement for the treatment of severe enteric neuropathies has seen significant progress in the last decade. The ability to harvest and transplant enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs) that functionally integrate within recipient intestine has recently been confirmed by in vivo murine studies. Although similar cells can be harvested from human fetal and postnatal gut, no studies have as yet verified their functional viability upon in vivo transplantation. We sought to determine whether ENCCs harvested from human fetal bowel are capable of engraftment and functional integration within recipient intestine following in vivo transplantation into postnatal murine colon. Enteric neural crest cells selected and harvested from fetal human gut using the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR were lentivirally labeled with either GFP or calcium-sensitive GCaMP and transplanted into the hindgut of Rag2- /γc- /C5- -immunodeficient mice at postnatal day 21. Transplanted intestines were assessed immunohistochemically for engraftment and differentiation of donor cells. Functional viability and integration with host neuromusculature was assessed using calcium imaging. Transplanted human fetal gut-derived ENCC showed engraftment within the recipient postnatal colon in 8/15 mice (53.3%). At 4 weeks posttransplantation, donor cells had spread from the site of transplantation and extended projections over distances of 1.2 ± 0.6 mm (n = 5), and differentiated into enteric nervous system (ENS) appropriate neurons and glia. These cells formed branching networks located with the myenteric plexus. Calcium transients (change in intensity F/F0 = 1.25 ± 0.03; 15 cells) were recorded in transplanted cells upon stimulation of the recipient endogenous ENS demonstrating their viability and establishment of functional connections.

Clinical Significance of Pretransplant Donor-Specific Antibodies in the Setting of Negative Cell-Based Flow Cytometry Crossmatching in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Antibodies to donor-specific HLA antigens (donor-specific antibodies [DSA]) detected by single-antigen bead (SAB) analysis prior to kidney transplant have been associated with inferior graft outcomes. However, studies of pretransplant DSA, specifically in the setting of a negative flow cytometry crossmatch (FCXM) without desensitization therapy, are limited. Six hundred and sixty kidney and kidney-pancreas recipients with a negative pretransplant FCXM from September 2007 to August 2012 without desensitization therapy were analyzed with a median follow-up of 4.2 years. All patients underwent cell-based FCXM and SAB analysis on current and historic sera prior to transplantation. One hundred and sixty-two patients (24.5%) had DSA detected prior to transplant. One-year acute rejection rates were similar in DSA-positive versus DSA-negative patients (15.4% vs. 11.4%, respectively; p = 0.18) and were higher in those with DSA mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) greater than or equal to 3000 in multivariable analysis (p = 0.046). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 3 and 4 years was lower in the DSA(+) versus the DSA(-) group (p = 0.050 at 3 years) without an impact on 5-year death-censored graft survival (89.0% vs. 90.6%, respectively; p = 0.53). Timing (current or historic) of DSA detection did not alter these findings. In conclusion, pretransplant DSA in the setting of a negative FCXM confers minimal immunologic risk in the intermediate term, does not necessitate desensitization therapy and should not represent a barrier to renal transplant.

APOL1 Polymorphisms in a Deceased Donor and Early Presentation of Collapsing Glomerulopathy and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in Two Recipients.

Two common polymorphisms in APOL1 (G1 and G2) are conserved in persons of African ancestry, and the presence of two polymorphisms (commonly referred to as risk variants) has been identified as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease and focal seg-mental glomerulosclerosis. In kidney transplantation, deceased donors with two APOL1 risk variants carry an increased risk of renal allograft failure in the recipient. An emerging question is whether these data should influence deceased donor assessment or be used to refine prediction of allograft survival. We present the first detailed report of two cases of recipient glomerular disease in the first year following transplant from a deceased donor later defined as carrying two APOL1 risk variants. A possible "second hit" predisposing to renal disease in these recipients is discussed, one with active cytomegalovirus infection concurrent with collapsing glomerulopathy and renal failure and the other with chronic, slowly healing wound infection and focal segmental glomeru-losclerosis but stable renal function. In retrospect, awareness of the donor APOL1 risk alleles would not have influenced donor selection and ultimately did not influence posttransplant management. These case reports inform further discussion of the value of APOL1 testing for deceased donors.

Novel immunosuppressive agents in kidney transplantation.

The last several decades have seen a substantial decrease in the prevalence of acute allograft rejection in kidney transplant recipients, while equivalent improvements in long-term graft function have not been realized. As a result, the primary focus of new immunosuppressive drug development has expanded to include ease of use, improved side effect profiles, and reduced nephrotoxicity in addition to the more traditional goal of improved short-term outcomes. A number of novel drugs are currently under investigation in Phase I, II, or III clinical trials primarily to replace the nephrotoxic but highly effective calcineurin inhibitors. ISA247 (voclosporine) is a cyclosporine (CsA) analog with reduced nephrotoxicity in Phase III study. AEB071 (sotrastaurin), a protein kinase C inhibitor, and CP-690550, a JAK3 inhibitor, are small molecules in Phase II studies. Everolimus is derived from the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus and is in Phase III study. Belatacept is a humanized antibody that inhibits T-cell costimulation and has shown encouraging results in multiple Phase II and III trials. Alefacept and Efaluzimab are humanized antibodies that inhibit T-cell adhesion and are in Phase I and II clinical trials. This article reviews the mechanisms of action as well as published and preliminary results of the Phase I-III clinical trials involving these novel immunosuppressive agents.

Is the incidence of psychotic disorder in decline? Epidemiological evidence from two decades of research.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether the incidence of first episode psychoses is in decline. We had the opportunity to determine whether incidence had changed over a 20-year period in a single setting, and test whether this could be explained by demographic or clinical changes. METHODS: The entire population at-risk aged 16-54 in Nottingham over three time periods (1978-80, 1993-95 and 1997-99) were followed up. All participants presenting with an ICD-9/10 first episode psychosis were included. The remainder of the population at-risk formed the denominator. Standardized incidence rates were calculated at each time period with possible change over time assessed via Poisson regression. We studied six outcomes: substance-induced psychoses, schizophrenia, other non-affective psychoses, manic psychoses, depressive psychoses and all psychotic disorders combined. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-seven participants with a first episode psychosis during 1.2 million person-years of follow-up over three time periods were identified. The incidence of non-affective or affective psychoses had not changed over time following standardization for age, sex and ethnicity. We observed a linear increase in the incidence of substance-induced psychosis, per annum, over time (incidence rate ratios: 1.15; 95% CI 1.05-1.25). This could not be explained by longitudinal changes in the age, sex and ethnic structure of the population at-risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest psychotic disorders are not in decline, though there has been a change in the syndromal presentation of non-affective disorders, away from schizophrenia towards other non-affective psychoses. The incidence of substance-induced psychosis has increased, consistent with increases in substance toxicity over time, rather than changes in the prevalence or vulnerability to substance misuse. Increased clinical and popular awareness of substance misuse could also not be excluded.

Fibropapillomatosis in a Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) from Trinidad.

A case of fibropapillomatosis in a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is described. This appears to be the first confirmed report from Trinidad. The animal had multiple external tumours but there was no macroscopical or microscopical evidence of internal lesions.

Fibropapillomatosis in a Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) from Trinidad.

A case of fibropapillomatosis in a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is described. This appears to be the first confirmed report from Trinidad. The animal had multiple external tumours but there was no macroscopical or microscopical evidence of internal lesions.

Early interactions between legumes and rhizobia: disclosing complexity in a molecular dialogue.

The exchange of chemical signals between soil bacteria (rhizobia) and legumes has been termed a molecular dialogue. As initially conceived in the early 1990s, it involved two main groups of molecules: nod gene-inducing flavonoids from plants and the mitogenic lipochito-oligosaccharide Nod factors of rhizobia. This review considers how subsequent research revealed the existence of a more complex set of interactions, featuring expanded roles for the original participants and contributions from additional plant and bacterial metabolites. Rhizobia respond to chemoattractants and growth-enhancing compounds in root exudates, and several plant nonflavonoids possess nod gene-inducing properties. Expression of non-nod genes is induced by flavonoids; these include encoders of a type I secreted protein and the entire type III, and possibly also type IV, secretion systems. Many other genes and proteins in rhizobia are flavonoid-inducible but their functions are largely unknown. Rhizobia produce far more Nod factor variants than was previously envisaged and their structures can be influenced by the pH of the environment. Other symbiotically active compounds or systems of rhizobia, some of them universally present, are: the surface polysaccharides, quorum-sensing N-acyl homoserine lactones, plant growth-promoting lumichrome and two-component regulatory systems.

Megninia ginglymura feather mites from a captive piping-guan (Pipile pipile).

THE piping-guan (Pipile pipile), known locally as the ‘pawi’, belongs to the family Cracidae. This endemic bird of Trinidad is probably restricted to the dense forest in two regions of the island – Grande RiviŠre and Aripo – and its population is thought to be fewer than 200 birds (Anon 2004). The pawiis defined as a critically endangered species, largely due to excessive hunting (Temple 1998).

Surgical resection of a primary tracheal fibrosarcoma in a dog.

A four-year-old, entire male Rottweiler was presented with a history of respiratory distress. A tracheal mass was diagnosed on thoracic radiographs and tracheoscopy. Surgical excision of three tracheal rings incorporating the tumour was performed. The mass was found to be a low-grade fibrosarcoma. Twenty-four months later, the owner reported that there was no recurrence of respiratory distress and the dog appeared to be doing well clinically. This case of primary tracheal fibrosarcoma suggests that this type of tumour should be listed in the differential diagnoses for tracheal neoplasia in dogs and that surgical treatment alone may be curative.

Surgical resection of a primary tracheal fibrosarcoma in a dog

A four-year-old, entire male Rottweiler was presented with a history of respiratory distress. A tracheal mass was diagnosed on thoracic radiographs and tracheoscopy. Surgical excision of three tracheal rings incorporating the tumour was performed. The mass was found to be a low-grade fibrosarcoma. Twenty-four months later, the owner reported that there was no recurrence of respiratory distress and the dog appeared to be doing well clinically. This case of primary tracheal fibrosarcoma suggests that this type of tumour should be listed in the differential diagnoses for tracheal neoplasia in dogs and that surgical treatment alone may be curative.

Investigation of skin diseases in non- domestic animals.

The skin is a readily accessible organ and dermatological disorders are commonly seen in a wide variety of species. In order to investigate skin diseases of non-domestic animals, the veterinarian must have some understanding of their varied biology and natural history. Sample- taking may require anaesthesia and techniques must be appropriate to the type of lesion and the species in question. Processing of samples is usually carried out in a similar way to those from domestic animals. Interpretation of the findings need caution. The establishment of databases will help in the progression of comparative dermatology in the West Indies and elsewhere.

Investigation of skin diseases in non- domestic animals.

The skin is a readily accessible organ and dermatological disorders are commonly seen in a wide variety of species. In order to investigate skin diseases of non-domestic animals, the veterinarian must have some understanding of their varied biology and natural history. Sample- taking may require anaesthesia and techniques must be appropriate to the type of lesion and the species in question. Processing of samples is usually carried out in a similar way to those from domestic animals. Interpretation of the findings need caution. The establishment of databases will help in the progression of comparative dermatology in the West Indies and elsewhere.

Observations on the nuclear chromatin pattern in cells of a case of canine circumanal gland adenoma in Trinidad

An incidence of canine circumanal gland adenoma (CGA) is reported, apparently for the first time, in the island of Trinidad and Tobago. The case involved an 11-year-old Rottweiler dog which was presented in relatively good health except for noticeable masses around the perianal region. Apart from routine histopathological investigation which enabled a definitive diagnosis of CGA with secondary vascularization, analysis of the nuclear chromatin texture was performed on the digitalized images of both reserve and hepatoid cells of the neoplasm. The mean nuclear pixel intensity value of the images of processed CGA reserve cells was significantly lower than those of the processed CGA hepatoid cells (P<0.1). Our observation based on the texture analytical data suggests a high degree of rate of multiplication of the reserve cells at the expense of degenerating hepatoid cells. The relevance of this finding is discussed within the context of vascular supply to the neoplastic cells (AU)