Gentrification drives patterns of alpha and beta diversity in cities.

While there is increasing recognition that social processes in cities like gentrification have ecological consequences, we lack nuanced understanding of the ways gentrification affects urban biodiversity. We analyzed a large camera trap dataset of mammals (>500 g) to evaluate how gentrification impacts species richness and community composition across 23 US cities. After controlling for the negative effect of impervious cover, gentrified parts of cities had the highest mammal species richness. Change in community composition was associated with gentrification in a few cities, which were mostly located along the West Coast. At the species level, roughly half (11 of 21 mammals) had higher occupancy in gentrified parts of a city, especially when impervious cover was low. Our results indicate that the impacts of gentrification extend to nonhuman animals, which provides further evidence that some aspects of nature in cities, such as wildlife, are chronically inaccessible to marginalized human populations.

Outcome and complication rate of nasal planectomy reconstructed with direct mucocutaneous apposition.

Nasal planectomy is recommended in cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal planum in dogs and can be curative if excision is complete. Due to the noticeable alteration in appearance inherent in nasal planectomy, several techniques are described for reconstruction. The goal of this study is to report the complication rate and owner satisfaction following nasal planectomy with repair by direct mucocutaneous apposition compared to other reported reconstruction techniques meant to be more cosmetic. Eleven dogs were identified that underwent nasal planectomy with reconstruction via mucocutaneous apposition. Complications were noted in 8/11 dogs: all minor. All dogs underwent CT preoperatively for surgical planning. Complete excision was noted in 10/11 cases. Results suggest that direct mucocutaneous apposition is a viable surgical option for reconstruction following nasal planectomy with favorable major complication rates and owner satisfaction. In addition, direct mucocutaneous apposition for closure following nasal planectomy should be considered, especially in cases in which bone is not resected, because of low complication rates and reasonable cosmetic outcome.

Résultat et taux de complications de la planectomie nasale reconstruite avec apposition cutanéomuqueuse directe. La planectomie nasale est recommandée en cas de carcinome épidermoïde du planum nasal chez le chien et peut être curative si l'exérèse est complète. En raison de l'altération notable de l'apparence inhérente à la planectomie nasale, plusieurs techniques sont décrites pour la reconstruction. Le but de cette étude est de rapporter le taux de complications et la satisfaction du propriétaire suite à une planectomie nasale avec réparation par apposition cutanéo-muqueuse directe par rapport aux autres techniques de reconstruction rapportées censées être plus esthétiques. Onze chiens ont été identifiés ayant subi une planectomie nasale avec reconstruction via apposition cutanéo-muqueuse. Des complications ont été notées chez 8/11 chiens : toutes mineures. Tous les chiens ont subi une tomodensitométrie préopératoire pour la planification chirurgicale. Une exérèse complète a été notée dans 10/11 cas. Les résultats suggèrent que l'apposition cutanéo-muqueuse directe est une option chirurgicale viable pour la reconstruction après une planectomie nasale avec des taux de complications majeures favorables et une satisfaction du propriétaire. De plus, l'apposition mucocutanée directe pour la fermeture après une planectomie nasale doit être envisagée, en particulier dans les cas où l'os n'est pas réséqué, en raison du faible taux de complications et du résultat esthétique raisonnable.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

The effect of time on packed cell volume following packed red blood cell transfusion in anemic dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the PCV at several timepoints following packed red blood cell (pRBC) administration to anemic dogs and to assess if underlying cause of anemia or regenerative status significantly affects these measurements. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study from November 2016 to October 2017. SETTING: A small animal emergency and specialty hospital. ANIMALS: Forty-six anemic client-owned dogs that received a total of 50 pRBC transfusions for management of anemia. INTERVENTIONS: Blood was collected, and a PCV was obtained prior to pRBC transfusion (T0), immediately after (T1), 30 minutes after (T2), 1 hour after (T3), 2 hours after (T4), and 4 hours after (T5) the transfusion. Underlying causes of anemia were classified as hemorrhage, hemolysis, and ineffective erythropoiesis. Dogs were also categorized in regard to regenerative status of anemia and the presence or absence of expected continued blood loss or destruction. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean PCV at T0 was 0.15 L/L (15%). After administration of a pRBC transfusion, the mean PCV at T1 was 0.28 L/L (28%). For all other timepoints (T2, T3, T4, and T5), the mean PCV was 0.27 L/L (27%). The PCV did not change significantly over time post-transfusion (P = 0.184), and no pairwise combinations of times differed significantly (paired t-tests; P > 0.05 for all). When dogs were categorized via regeneration status and continued blood loss or hemolysis, results were consistent. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant change in PCV from the value obtained immediately after pRBC transfusion up to 4 hours post-transfusion in dogs with several different causes of anemia. These results suggest that obtaining a PCV immediately after administering a pRBC transfusion to an anemic dog may be just as reliable as obtaining a measurement 2 hours after the transfusion. This remains true for dogs with expected continued red blood cell loss or destruction.

Glucagon therapy in canines with an insulinoma: A retrospective descriptive study of 11 dogs.

Canine insulinomas are uncommon neoplasms, which often result in refractory hypoglycemia. Glucagon is one readily available treatment for insulin-induced hypoglycemia. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate blood glucose trends and outcome (survival to discharge versus death or euthanasia) for dogs with insulinoma that were treated with glucagon. Secondary objectives included the description and influence of other variables such as abnormalities on diagnostic tests, physical examination abnormalities, concurrent administration of dextrose and/or glucocorticoids, and seizures. The median glucagon constant rate infusion dose was significantly higher for the non-survivors than for survivors. No other correlation was found between any of the independent variables evaluated when comparing blood glucose trends, length of hospitalization, and outcome. The main conclusion of the study is that glucagon therapy in insulinomas is an effective treatment to manage hypoglycemia.

Thérapie au glucagon de chiens avec un insulinome: étude rétrospective descriptive de 11 chiens. Les insulinomes canins sont des néoplasmes peu fréquents, qui résultent souvent en hypoglycémie réfractaire. Le glucagon est un traitement facilement disponible pour l'hypoglycémie induite par l'insuline. L'objectif primaire de la présente étude était d'évaluer les tendances du glucose sanguin et l'issu (survie jusqu'au congé versus décès ou euthanasie) de chiens avec insulinome qui furent traités avec du glucagon. Les objectifs secondaires incluaient la description et l'influence d'autres variables telles que des anomalies lors des tests diagnostiques et des examens physiques, l'administration concomitante de dextrose et/ou de glucocorticoïdes, et des convulsions. La dose médiane de perfusion à taux constant de glucagon était significativement plus élevée pour les non-survivants que pour les survivants. Aucune autre corrélation ne fut trouvée entre l'une ou l'autre des variables indépendantes évaluées lors de comparaisons avec les tendances du glucose sanguin, la durée de l'hospitalisation, et l'issu. La principale conclusion de cette étude est que la thérapie au glucagon lors d'insulinomes est un traitement efficace pour gérer l'hypoglycémie.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Scalpel blade contamination and risk of postoperative surgical site infection following abdominal incisions in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective observation sought to determine if scalpel blades used for abdominal skin incisions in dogs are a significant source of bacterial contamination, and if these blades should be changed prior to use in deeper dissection. RESULTS: Scalpel blades were swabbed for culture prior to skin incision as a control, and then again following ventral midline abdominal skin incision in a total of 75 dogs. Culture and sensitivity results were compared with review of medical records for any evidence of pre- or postoperative incisional surgical site infection/inflammation (SSI). Of the 75 blades swabbed after skin incision, only 2 (2.7%) had positive culture results. Of the 69 patients that survived to suture removal, there was evidence of SSI in 6 patients (8.7%), only one of which had a positive scalpel blade culture (16.7%). Neither the use of postoperative antibiotics nor positive scalpel blade culture results were good predictors of whether a patient would develop a SSI. Results of this pilot study suggest that there is no bacteriological evidence to support the use of a separate blade for deep dissection in routine surgical procedures.

Guild-level responses of bats to habitat conversion in a lowland Amazonian rainforest: species composition and biodiversity.

Landscape modification represents one of the most severe threats to biodiversity from local to global scales. Conversion of forest to agricultural production generally results in patches of habitat that subdivide or isolate populations, alter the behavior of species, modify interspecific interactions, reduce biodiversity, and compromise ecosystem processes. Moreover, conversion may increase exposure of humans to zoonoses to which they would otherwise rarely be exposed. We evaluated the effects of forest conversion to agriculture, and its subsequent successional dynamics, on bat communities in a region of the Amazon that was predominantly closed-canopy rainforest. Based on a nonmanipulative experiment, we quantified differences in species composition, community structure, and taxonomic biodiversity among closed-canopy forest (bosque), agricultural lands (chacra), and secondary forest (purma) for two phyllostomid guilds (frugivores and gleaning animalivores) during the wet and dry seasons. Responses were complex and guild-specific. For frugivores, species composition (species abundance distributions) differed between all possible pairs of habitats in both wet and dry seasons. For gleaning animalivores, species composition differed between all possible pairs of habitats in the dry season, but no differences characterized the wet season. Ecological structure (rank abundance distributions) differed among habitats in guild-specific and season-specific manners. For frugivores, mean diversity, evenness, and dominance were greater in bosque than in purma; mean dominance was greater in bosque than in chacra, but local rarity was greater in chacra than in bosque, and no differences were manifest between purma and chacra. For gleaning animalivores, mean diversity and evenness were greater in bosque than in purma, but no differences were manifest between chacra and bosque, or between purma and chacra. Such results have important implications for management, conservation, and the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases. La actual modificación del paisaje, a escalas que van de lo local a lo global, es una de las amenazas más severas a la biodiversidad. De manera general, la conversión de bosques a áreas agrícolas produce parches de hábitat que subdividen o aíslan poblaciones, alteran la conducta de las especies, modifican las interacciones interespecíficas, reducen la biodiversidad y comprometen las funciones de los ecosistemas. Más aún, la transformación de estos ambientes puede incrementar la probabilidad de que las poblaciones humanas interactúen con zoonosis con las que de otra manera raramente entrarían en contacto. Evaluamos los efectos de la conversión de hábitat en comunidades de murciélagos en una región de Amazonia en la que la vegetación dominante es un bosque lluvioso de copas cerradas, y en la cual los efectos de la conversión a usos agrícolas sobre la biodiversidad, y la subsecuente dinámica sucesional, son aún poco comprendidos. Por medio de un experimento no-manipulativo, cuantificamos las diferencias en composición de especies, estructura de la comunidad y diversidad taxonómica entre bosque cerrado (bosque), áreas agrícolas (chacra) y bosque secundario (purma) para dos gremios tróficos de murciélagos filostómidos (frugívoros y forrajeadores de sustrato) durante dos temporadas (secas y lluvias). Las respuestas fueron complejas y diferentes para cada gremio. Para los frugívoros, la composición de especies (distribución de las abundancias) fue diferente para todos los posibles pares de hábitats tanto para secas como para lluvias. Para los forrajeadores de sustrato, la composición de especies difirió entre todos los posibles pares de hábitats en la temporada seca, pero no en la de lluvias. La estructura ecológica (distribuciones rango-abundancia) fue también específica para gremios y temporadas. Para los frugívoros, la diversidad promedio, equidad y dominancia fueron mayores en bosque que en purma; la dominancia promedio fue mayor en bosque que en chacra, pero la rareza local fue mayor en chacra que en bosque, y no se encontraron diferencias entre purma y chacra. Para los forrajeadores de sustrato, la diversidad promedio y la dominancia fueron mayores en bosque que en purma, pero no se detectaron diferencias entre chacra y bosque, o entre purma y chacra. Estos resultados tienen importantes implicaciones para el manejo, conservación y epidemiología de zoonosis.

Refining the nuclear localization signal within the Egr transcriptional coregulator NAB2.

NAB1 and 2 are coregulators for early growth response (Egr) transcription factors. The NAB1 nuclear localization signal (NLS) was previously described as a bipartite NLS of sequence R(X2 )K(X11 )KRXK. The sequence is conserved in NAB2 as K(X2 )R(X11 )KKXK; however, whether it functions as the NAB2 NLS has not been tested. We show that the KKXK motif in NAB2 is necessary and sufficient to mediate nuclear localization. Mutation of the KKXK motif to AAXA causes cytoplasmic localization of NAB2, while Lys/Arg-to-Ala mutations of the upstream K(X2 )R motif have no effect. Fusion of the KKXK motif to cytoplasmic protein eIF2Bε causes nuclear localization. Altogether, this study refines our knowledge of the NAB2 NLS, demonstrating that KKXK343-346 is necessary and sufficient for nuclear localization.

BioTIME: A database of biodiversity time series for the Anthropocene.

MOTIVATION: The BioTIME database contains raw data on species identities and abundances in ecological assemblages through time. These data enable users to calculate temporal trends in biodiversity within and amongst assemblages using a broad range of metrics. BioTIME is being developed as a community-led open-source database of biodiversity time series. Our goal is to accelerate and facilitate quantitative analysis of temporal patterns of biodiversity in the Anthropocene. MAIN TYPES OF VARIABLES INCLUDED: The database contains 8,777,413 species abundance records, from assemblages consistently sampled for a minimum of 2 years, which need not necessarily be consecutive. In addition, the database contains metadata relating to sampling methodology and contextual information about each record. SPATIAL LOCATION AND GRAIN: BioTIME is a global database of 547,161 unique sampling locations spanning the marine, freshwater and terrestrial realms. Grain size varies across datasets from 0.0000000158 km2 (158 cm2) to 100 km2 (1,000,000,000,000 cm2). TIME PERIOD AND GRAIN: BioTIME records span from 1874 to 2016. The minimal temporal grain across all datasets in BioTIME is a year. MAJOR TAXA AND LEVEL OF MEASUREMENT: BioTIME includes data from 44,440 species across the plant and animal kingdoms, ranging from plants, plankton and terrestrial invertebrates to small and large vertebrates. SOFTWARE FORMAT: .csv and .SQL.

Effects of urbanization on the population structure of freshwater turtles across the United States.

Landscape-scale alterations that accompany urbanization may negatively affect the population structure of wildlife species such as freshwater turtles. Changes to nesting sites and higher mortality rates due to vehicular collisions and increased predator populations may particularly affect immature turtles and mature female turtles. We hypothesized that the proportions of adult female and immature turtles in a population will negatively correlate with landscape urbanization. As a collaborative effort of the Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN), we sampled freshwater turtle populations in 11 states across the central and eastern United States. Contrary to expectations, we found a significant positive relationship between proportions of mature female painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) and urbanization. We did not detect a relationship between urbanization and proportions of immature turtles. Urbanization may alter the thermal environment of nesting sites such that more females are produced as urbanization increases. Our approach of creating a collaborative network of scientists and students at undergraduate institutions proved valuable in terms of testing our hypothesis over a large spatial scale while also allowing students to gain hands-on experience in conservation science.

Comparison of Surgically Treated Large Versus Small Intestinal Volvulus (2009-2014).

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the outcome for dogs with surgically treated large versus small intestinal volvulus between October 2009 and February 2014. A total of 15 dogs met the inclusion criteria and underwent an abdominal exploratory. Nine dogs were diagnosed with large intestinal volvulus during the study period, and all nine had surgical correction for large intestinal volvulus. All dogs were discharged from the hospital. Of the seven dogs available for phone follow-up (74 to 955 days postoperatively), all seven were alive and doing well. Six dogs were diagnosed with small intestinal volvulus during the study period. One of the six survived to hospital discharge. Three of the six were euthanized at the time of surgery due to an extensive amount of necrotic bowel. Of the three who were not, one died postoperatively the same day, one died 3 days later, and one dog survived for greater than 730 days. Results concluded that the outcome in dogs with surgically corrected large intestinal volvulus is excellent, compared with a poor outcome in dogs with small intestinal volvulus. The overall survival to discharge for large intestinal volvulus was 100%, versus 16% for small intestinal volvulus.

Correlation of gross urine color with diagnostic findings in male cats with naturally occurring urethral obstruction.

Seventy-five male cats with urethral obstruction were prospectively enrolled to evaluate gross urine color at urinary catheter placement for correlation with diagnostic findings. Cats with darker red urine were more likely to be azotemic (serum creatinine concentration >2.0 mg/dl [177 µmol/l]), and urine color correlated well with serum creatinine and serum potassium concentrations. Darker urine color was negatively correlated with urine specific gravity. Urine color was not associated with the presence or absence of lower urinary tract stones on radiographs or ultrasound. Cats with darker red urine at the time of urinary catheter placement are likely to have more significant metabolic derangements and may require more aggressive supportive care.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) toxicosis in cats: 33 cases (2004-2010).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a population of cats with selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) toxicosis and characterize the population affected, list products ingested, the clinical signs observed, treatments performed, length of hospitalization, patient outcome, and overall prognosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study from 2004 to 2010. SETTING: Referral veterinary center. ANIMALS: Thirty-three witnessed cat SSRI ingestions. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The medical records of cats with a witnessed SSRI ingestion identified by review of an animal poison control center electronic database were evaluated. The most common SSRIs ingested were venlafaxine (Effexor; 12/33; 36%), fluoxetine (Prozac; 12/33; 36%), citalopram (Celexa; 6/33; 18%), and escitalopram (Lexapro; 3/33; 9%). Overall, 24% of cats (8/33) became symptomatic, while 76% (25/33) remained asymptomatic. Of the symptomatic cats, sedation was the most common clinical sign (6/8; 75%), followed by gastrointestinal signs (4/8; 50%), central nervous system stimulation (1/8; 13%), cardiovascular signs (1/8; 13%), and hyperthermia (1/8; 13%). Veterinary care was sought in 20 cats (20/33; 61%). Sixteen cats (16/20; 80%) were hospitalized, while 4 cats (4/20; 20%) were treated as outpatients. Treatment for hospitalized patients included administration of IV fluid therapy (14/16; 88%), activated charcoal (12/16; 75%), anti-arrhythmic agents (7/16; 44%), methocarbamol (6/16; 38%), cyproheptadine (6/16; 38%), anti-emetics (5/16; 31%), and sedation (5/16; 31%). Diagnostics included blood work (7/16; 44%), blood pressure measurement (3/16; 19%), and electrocardiogram monitoring (2/16; 13%). Mean hospitalization time for all cases of SSRI ingestion was 14.6 ± 7.8 hours (n = 16). All symptomatic cats in this study (8/8; 100%) had resolution of clinical signs and survived to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis for SSRI ingestion in this population of cats was excellent. Decontamination and supportive care for at least 12-24 hours can be considered in cats with SSRI ingestion, particularly venlafaxine to monitor resolution of clinical signs.

Invertebrates, ecosystem services and climate change.

The sustainability of ecosystem services depends on a firm understanding of both how organisms provide these services to humans and how these organisms will be altered with a changing climate. Unquestionably a dominant feature of most ecosystems, invertebrates affect many ecosystem services and are also highly responsive to climate change. However, there is still a basic lack of understanding of the direct and indirect paths by which invertebrates influence ecosystem services, as well as how climate change will affect those ecosystem services by altering invertebrate populations. This indicates a lack of communication and collaboration among scientists researching ecosystem services and climate change effects on invertebrates, and land managers and researchers from other disciplines, which becomes obvious when systematically reviewing the literature relevant to invertebrates, ecosystem services, and climate change. To address this issue, we review how invertebrates respond to climate change. We then review how invertebrates both positively and negatively influence ecosystem services. Lastly, we provide some critical future directions for research needs, and suggest ways in which managers, scientists and other researchers may collaborate to tackle the complex issue of sustaining invertebrate-mediated services under a changing climate.

Long-term dynamics of tropical walking sticks in response to multiple large-scale and intense disturbances.

Understanding the effects of disturbance and secondary succession on spatio-temporal patterns in the abundance of species is stymied by a lack of long-term demographic data, especially in response to infrequent and high intensity disturbances, such as hurricanes. Moreover, resistance and resilience to hurricane-induced disturbance may be mediated by legacies of previous land use, although such interactive effects are poorly understood, especially in tropical environments. We address these central issues in disturbance ecology by analyzing an extensive dataset, spanning the impacts of Hurricanes Hugo and Georges, on the abundance of a Neotropical walking stick, Lamponius portoricensis, in tabonuco rainforest of Puerto Rico during the wet and dry seasons from 1991 to 2007. By synthesizing data from two proximate sites in tabonuco forest, we show that resistance to Hurricane Hugo (97% reduction in abundance) was much less than resistance to Hurricane Georges (21% reduction in abundance). Based on a powerful statistical approach (generalized linear mixed-effects models with Poisson error terms), we documented that the temporal trajectories of abundance during secondary succession (i.e., patterns of resilience) differed between hurricanes and among historical land use categories, but that the effects of hurricanes and land use histories were independent of each other. These complex results likely arise because of differences in the intensities of the two hurricanes with respect to microclimatic effects (temperature and moisture) in the forest understory, as well as to time-lags in the response of L. portoricensis to changes in the abundance and distribution of preferred food plants (Piper) in post-hurricane environments.