Impact of exposure to urban air pollution on grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) lung health

The increased rate of global urbanisation has recently exacerbated the significant public health problem of traffic related air pollution. Despite the known significant impact on human health, little is known about the effects of air pollution on wildlife health. The lung is the primary target organ for the effects of exposure to air pollution, leading to lung inflammation, altering the lung epigenome, culminating in respiratory disease. In this study, we aimed to assess lung health and DNA methylation profiles in Eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) pop-ulations living across an urban-rural air pollution gradient. Squirrel lung health was assessed in four populations situated across the most polluted inner-city boroughs to the less polluted edges of Greater London. We also assessed lung DNA methylation across three London sites and a further two rural sites in Sussex and North Wales. Lung and tracheal diseases were present in 28% and 13% of the squirrels respectively. Specifically, focal inflammation (13%), focal macrophages with vacuolated cytoplasm (3%) and endogenous lipid pneumonia (3%). There was no significant difference in prevalence of lung, tracheal diseases, anthracosis (carbon presence) or lung DNA methylation levels between urban sites and urban and rural sites respectively or NO2 levels. BALT (Bron-chus-Associated Lymphoid Tissue) was significantly smaller in the site with highest NO2 and contained the highest carbon loading compared to sites with lower NO2, however differences in carbon loading in between sites were not significant. High pollution site individuals also had significantly higher numbers of alveolar macro-phages which suggests that grey squirrels are exposed to and respond to traffic-related air pollution and further research is needed to understand the impact of traffic-related air pollutants on wildlife health

AA-amyloidosis in cats (Felis catus) housed in shelters

Systemic AA-amyloidosis is a protein-misfolding disease characterized by fibril deposition of serum amyloid-A protein (SAA) in several organs in humans and many animal species. Fibril deposits originate from abnormally high serum levels of SAA during chronic inflammation. A high prevalence of AA-amyloidosis has been reported in captive cheetahs and a horizontal transmission has been proposed. In domestic cats, AA-amyloidosis has been mainly described in predisposed breeds but only rarely reported in domestic short-hair cats. Aims of the study were to determine AA-amyloidosis prevalence in dead shelter cats. Liver, kidney, spleen and bile were collected at death in cats from 3 shelters. AA-amyloidosis was scored. Shedding of amyloid fibrils was investigated with western blot in bile and scored. Descriptive statistics were calculated. In the three shelters investigated, prevalence of AA-amyloidosis was 57.1% (16/28 cats), 73.0% (19/26) and 52.0% (13/25), respectively. In 72.9% of cats (35 in total) three organs were affected concurrently. Histopathology and immunofluorescence of post-mortem extracted deposits identified SAA as the major protein source. The duration of stay in the shelters was positively associated with a histological score of AA-amyloidosis (B = 0.026, CI95% = 0.007-0.046; p = 0.010). AA-amyloidosis was very frequent in shelter cats. Presence of SAA fragments in bile secretions raises the possibility of fecal-oral transmission of the disease. In conclusion, AA-amyloidosis was very frequent in shelter cats and those staying longer had more deposits. The cat may represent a natural model of AA-amyloidosis

Lifting laboratory rats: a survey of methods, handlers’ reasons and concerns, and rat behavioural responses

Lifting mice by the tail is of animal welfare and scientific concern, but rat lifting methods are little researched, potentially differing from mice. Using an online questionnaire we explored different methods for lifting laboratory rats, alongside handlers’ reasons and concerns, and rat behavioural responses. We received 249 valid responses from self-selected rat handlers across research sectors, job roles, and 26 countries (39% UK). In this sample, eight different lifting methods, plus ‘other’, were used; Shoulder saddle (39%), Chest-and-bottom support (20%) and Tail lifting (11%) were most common. Regarding respondents’ reasons for using their main lifting method, those using Tail lifting selected ‘rat comfort’ significantly less frequently, and ‘quick’ more frequently, than did those using other methods. Most respondents had no concerns about their main lifting method, but those using Tail lifting were significantly more concerned about possible ‘stress to the rat’ than were those using Chest-and-bottom support. Concerns about speed, feasibility and scientific validity were rare. Rats reportedly defecated significantly more, and sniffed the hand less, when Tail lifted than when lifted using Chest-and-bottom support. Respondents who used Cupped hands reported rats to approach, sniff and climb onto their hand significantly more than respondents using certain other methods did. Notwithstanding potential sample bias, the findings suggest that lifting rats by the tail risks unnecessary suffering. It is also potentially concerning that the most common method, Shoulder saddle, showed no significant benefits over Tail lifting. Chest-and-bottom support, Cupping, Tunnel, and some rarer methods, may offer more refined methods for lifting rats

Mechanosignalling pathways that regulate endothelial barrier function

Blood vessels are lined by a single layer of endothelial cells that provide a barrier between circulating plasma and the underlying tissue. Permeability of endothelial cells is tightly regulated, and increased permeability is associated with a number of diseases including atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells are continuously exposed to mechanical forces exerted by flowing blood and are particularly sensitive to shear stress, which is a key determinant of endothelial function. Undisturbed flow promotes endothelial resilience and reduces permeability to macromolecules whereas disturbed flow promotes endothelial dysfunction and barrier disruption. This review will outline recent advances in our understanding of how disturbed and undisturbed flow regulate paracellular and transcellular permeability and will highlight potential cellular targets that could form the basis of therapies to limit the development of cardiovascular disease

Diagnostic quality of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates samples from the canine liver and spleen is not significantly affected by using 22-, 23-, and 25-gauge needles

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates (FNA) of the liver and spleen for cytological analysis are a commonly performed procedure in canine veterinary practice. Based on our review of the literature, this is the first published study investigating whether needle size affects the diagnostic quality of hepatic and splenic samples. The aim of this prospective analytical study was to compare the diagnostic quality of ultrasound-guided FNA cytological samples of canine liver and spleen based on cellularity, blood contamination, and overall cell preservation between three different needle sizes (22-, 23-, and 25-gauge). A total of 282 splenic aspirates from 94 dogs and 348 hepatic aspirates from 116 dogs were enrolled in the study and examined by two board-certified veterinary clinical pathologists. In this study, no significant differences in diagnostic quality were identified between different needle gauge sizes when sampling canine liver and spleen. Blood contamination was higher using 22-gauge needles compared with 25-gauge needles (P = 0.024) when sampling the liver

An inconsistent social buffering effect from a static visual substitute in horses (Equus caballus): a pilot study

Social buffering occurs when a companion helps to reduce a subject’s stress response during a stressful event and/or to recover more quickly from a stressful event. The aim of this study was to determine if any social buffering function of a horse companion can occur in relation to a visual substitute (poster of a relaxed horse face) during two different stressful situations: a novel object test (a ball presented gradually) and an umbrella test (sudden opening of an umbrella). In order to evaluate the impact of a horse face poster on the subject’s stress responses, behavioural (reactivity score) and physiological (heart rate) measurements were taken. Each of the 28 study subjects completed 4 trials: 2 novel object tests and 2 Umbrella tests – each with a relaxed horse face poster and a pixelated poster (control). Our results showed that the presence of a horse face poster might significantly reduce the behavioural response (reactivity) of subject horses in the novel object test but did not improve heart rate recovery time. The horse face poster did not have a significant impact on the behavioural reaction or heart rate recovery in the umbrella test. In conclusion, any impact of athe horse face poster as a potential social buffer might potentially depends on the nature of the stressful event

Ear health and quality of life in pet rabbits of differing ear conformations: a UK questionnaire survey of signalment risk factors and effects on rabbit welfare and behaviour

The impacts of ear disease on animal welfare and behaviour are little documented. Ear disease may be common in rabbits, but difficult to recognise, and lop-ears have previously been indicated as a risk factor for ear disease. We aimed to better understand the range of ear conditions in pet rabbits, signalment risk factors, and impacts on welfare and behaviour. Through an online questionnaire, we investigated owner-reported signalment, veterinary diagnosis of ear conditions, impaired hearing, and ear pain for UK pet rabbits. The relationships between ear condition measures and ear conformation, the effect of ear problems on quality of life, and behavioural predictors of ear conditions, were analysed using logistic regression. In total, 551 valid responses were analysed. Approximately 25% of lop-eared rabbits had an ear condition indicated by a vet compared to 10% of erect-eared rabbits, with otitis and excess cerumen most common. Lop-eared, half-lop, and older rabbits were most at risk (P<0.050). Rabbits reported as showing ear pain responses had a reduced owner-reported quality of life compared with other rabbits (P<0.050). Rabbits with ear problems were less likely to be responsive to relevant sounds, and performed binky behaviour (joy jumps) less frequently, than rabbits without such issues. Understanding prevalence and risk factors for ear conditions is critical to improving welfare standards across this widely owned pet species. The findings suggest that avoiding breeding from rabbits with early signs, or a family history, of ear disease will be important to help combat this animal welfare issue