Window Collisions by Birds in Brazil: Epidemiologic Factors and Radiographic and Necropsy Assessments.

Birds are among the most visually proficient group of animals on the planet; however, their inability to visualize and discriminate translucent glass structures results in an extreme number of deaths worldwide from high-speed collisions. Despite reports of avian glass collisions in North America, only a few studies have been developed to understand this problem in South America, and none evaluated radiographic and postmortem findings. One hundred cadavers were examined radiographically and postmortem, and data from 186 collision reports were analyzed for seasonality (website and manual reports and cadavers). A total of 34 different species of birds within 22 families were evaluated for this study, with the rufous-bellied thrush (Turdus rufiventris; n = 12), eared dove (Zenaida auriculata; n = 12), and ruddy ground dove (Columbina talpacoti; n = 10) being the most common species. Only 6 (27.7%) migratory species were reported: Sick's swift (Chaetura meridionalis), small-billed elaenia (Elaenia parvirostris), Black Jacobin (Florisuga fusca), Great kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus), Double-collared seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens), and Creamy-bellied thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus). Males (51) were more frequently reported than females (5), and 50.1% of the males had active gonads. Sex was unable to be determined in 44 birds. The most common radiographic lesion, noted in 16 of 82 (19.5%) animals, was loss of coelomic definition, suggestive of hemorrhage. Prevalent postmortem findings included skull hemorrhages (58/75, 77.3%) and encephalic contusions (47/73, 64.4%), followed by coelomic hemorrhages (33/81, 40.7%). Most of the window collisions (61/186, 32.8%) occurred during spring, the most common breeding season of avian species in Brazil. Cranioencephalic trauma was identified as the primary cause of mortality associated with birds flying into glass windows. Migration does not appear to be the main predisposing factor for window collisions by birds in Brazil. Increased activity and aggression related to breeding season, especially in males, may be a more important predisposing factor for window collision accidents.

The use of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles for contrast-enhanced ocular ultrasonography of the pecten oculi in birds.

BACKGROUND: The pecten oculi is a vascular and pigmented structure localized within the posterior segment of all avian eyes. Its primary function is not fully understood yet. OBJECTIVE: As ultrasonography (US) is a useful imaging modality for evaluation of the pecten oculi, the objective of this study was to investigate the utility of an intravenous contrast solution of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) microbubbles as a means of enhancing visualization of the pecten oculi in normal birds. ANIMALS STUDIED: Ten adult individuals of the following avian species were evaluated: 1 roadside hawk (Rupornis magnirostris), 1 stygian owl (Asio stygius), 2 striped owls (Asio clamator), 2 burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia), 2 ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri), and 2 domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). PROCEDURE(S): After baseline ocular sonograms were obtained in sedated animals, 4.5 µg/kg of a contrast solution containing SF6 microbubbles was administered intravenously and US of the right eye was immediately performed. US was continued during injection to provide real-time imaging of the pecten oculi during vascular perfusion of contrast material. RESULTS: Within 2-3 seconds following intravenous contrast administration, microbubbles reached the pecten oculi of all birds investigated and provided significant ultrasonographic contrast enhancement. CONCLUSIONS: SF6 microbubble contrast ultrasonography in birds is a safe and easy procedure that provides increased contrast and enhanced visualization of the pecten oculi. Future use may enable further discovery of its physiologic functions and aid in the development of therapeutic plans for avian intraocular disease.

Schirmer's I, modified Schirmer's I, phenol red thread, and paper point tests: a comparative study for tear production measurement techniques in broiler chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus).

Problems with indoor husbandry and immunological challenges are some of the stressors that broilers may face which can affect production. Infectious diseases can compound the effects of excessive concentrations of ammonia causing respiratory and ocular inflammation and increased lacrimal production in broiler chickens. The objectives of this investigation were to establish normal values of tear production in chicks and compare the practicality of the different methods. Palpebral fissure length (PFL) and tear production were evaluated in Cobb 500 chicks at 5 d old and then at 5 d of age by the following methods: modified Schirmer's test I (mSTT1), phenol red cotton thread tear test (PRCTTT), and standardized endodontic absorbent paper point test (EAPPTT). Ten chicks at the age of 5 and 42 d were evaluated for each method. In addition, at 42 d, when the palpebral fissure permitted, a regular-sized Schirmer tear test I (STT1) was performed in another group of 10 chickens. Overall, PFL and the secretion of the aqueous phase of the tear film increased with age. Mean mSTT1 results were 5.00 ± 1.83 mm and 10.45 ± 2.58 mm for 5- and 42-d-old chicks, respectively. Mean PRCTTT results were 12.37 ± 1.80 mm and 25.58 ± 4.8 mm for 5- and 42-d-old chicks, respectively. Mean EAPPTT results were 7.13 ± 0.72 mm and 12.03 ± 0.92 mm for 5- and 42-d-old chicks, respectively. Mean STT1 for 42-d-old chicks was 11.40 ± 2.60 mm. Results obtained with endodontic paper points showed the lowest coefficient of variation and investigators found the test easier to perform. These values reported for broilers at different ages may be applied in poultry ophthalmology to help the diagnosis of lacrimal production disorders and to detect early disease symptoms that could cause economic losses in poultry production.

Ocular squamous cell carcinoma in Holstein cows from the South of Brazil.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate 10 cases of bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) diagnosed in Holstein or Holstein-crosses cows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The investigation was performed exclusively in OSCC cases diagnosed in the State of Paraná and Santa Catarina. A combination of two previously existing histopathological classifications systems was used. The tissue samples were tested for immunoexpression of p53 and p16 and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bovine herpesvirus and papillomavirus. RESULTS: A positive correlation between number of mitotic figures and tissue invasion was found. Anaplasia parameters did not correlate well with tumor invasion of deeper tissues and mitotic counts. Six of 10 OSCC cases were in animals with heavily pigmented eyes. Immunoexpression of p53 and p16 was observed in 3 cases each. Bovine herpesvirus and papillomavirus were not detected by PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that OSCC occurrence is most likely multifactorial with genetic, phenotypic, and environmental influences contributing to the pathogenesis of the disease.

O uso da talidomida em seres humanos e animais ­ passado, presente e futuro / The use of thalidomide in people and animals ­ past, present and future / El uso de talidomida en seres humanos y animales ­ pasado, presente y futuro

A talidomida foi desenvolvida na década de 50 do século XX, e foi amplamente utilizada como um sedativo-hipnótico e como fármaco contra enjoos durante a gestação. No final da década de 60 ela foi retirada do mercado devido ao seu catastrófico efeito colateral de teratogenicidade. Contudo, o próprio mecanismo que é basicamente responsável pela sua teratogenicidade é também responsável por uma de suas muitas propriedades farmacológicas potencialmente benéficas e desejáveis, a anti-angiogênese. Felizmente, as pesquisas dos efeitos terapêuticos da droga não se cessaram e em 1998 o fármaco foi aprovado pelo Food and Drug Administration (FDA) para tratamento do eritema nodoso leproso e em 2006 para tratamento de mieloma múltiplo. Hoje, quase 40 anos depois, a mesma temida talidomida ressurge como fármaco de propriedades imunomoduladoras e antiangiogênicas, com potencial para tratamento de doenças inflamatórias, infecciosas e neoplásicas. Na medicina veterinária ainda pouco se sabe sobre os efeitos terapêuticos do fármaco, entretanto, o sucesso terapêutico do fármaco já fora observado em diversas situações clínicas em pessoas e em testes com animais, podendo existir indicação nas doenças homólogas na medicina veterinária. Este artigo traz uma revisão de literatura sobre a talidomida e suas aplicações reais e potenciais em medicina veterinária.(AU)

Thalidomide was developed in the 1950's and was broadly used as a hypnotic-sedative drug and against nausea during pregnancy. At the end of the 1960's, the drug was withdrawn from the market due to its catastrophic side effect, teratogenicity. However, the anti-angiogenic action, which is the mechanism of action that is responsible for thalidomide´s teratogenicity is also responsible for one of the several potentially useful and desired pharmacologic properties. Fortunately, investigations on the therapeutic effects of thalidomide did not cease and in 1998, the drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat erythema nodosum leprosum and, in 2006, for treating multiple myeloma. Nowadays, almost 40 years later, the same feared thalidomide is reborn as a pharmacologic agent with immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenic properties, with potential to treat inflammatory, infectious and neoplastic diseases. In veterinary medicine, very little is known about the useful healing effects of thalidomide. However, the drug therapeutic success has already been noted in several clinical situations in both animal tests and investigations with medical patients. This paper presents a literature review of thalidomide's real and potential applications in veterinary medicine.(AU)

La talidomida fue desarrollada en los años 50 del siglo XX, y fue ampliamente empleada como sedativo e hipnótico y como fármaco contra nauseas durante el embarazo. A finales de los años 60 ella fue retirada del mercado debido a su efecto secundario catastrófico de teratogenicidad. Sin embargo, el propio mecanismo que es básicamente responsable por su teratogenicidad es también responsable por una de las muchas propiedades farmacológicas potencialmente beneficiosas y deseables, la antiangiogénesis. Afortunadamente, las investigaciones de los efectos terapéuticos de la droga nunca se ha cesado y en 1998 el medicamento fue aprobado por Food and Drug Administration (FDA) para tratamiento del eritema nudoso leproso, y en 2006 para tratamiento del mieloma múltiple. Hoy, casi 40 años después, la misma y temida talidomida reaparece como medicamento con propiedades inmunomoduladoras y antiangiogénicas, con potencial para el tratamiento de enfermedades inflamatorias, infecciosas y neoplásicas. En medicina veterinaria, se sabe poco sobre los efectos terapéuticos del fármaco, sin embargo, el éxito terapéutico del medicamento se ha observado en varias situaciones clínicas en personas y en ensayos con animales, y puede ser indicado en las enfermedades homólogas en medicina veterinaria. Este artículo trae una revisión de literatura sobre la talidomida y sus aplicaciones reales y potenciales en medicina veterinaria.(AU)