Retrospective case series to identify the most common conditions seen ‘out-of-hours’ by first-opinion equine veterinary practitioners

Background: The study aim was to describe conditions seen ‘out-of-hours’ in equine practice. Methods: This was a retrospective case series of first opinion ‘out-of-hours’ cases seen at two equine practices between 2011-2013. Data was retrieved on case presentation, diagnostic testing, treatment administered and outcome, and diseases categorised using a systems-based coding system. A hierarchical logistic regression, formulated using a Generalised Linear Model, was used to identify clinical variables associated with a binary outcome of ‘critical’ cases (required hospitalisation or euthanasia or died).Results: Data from 2,602 cases were analysed. The most common reasons for ‘out-of-hours’ visits were colic (35%, n=923/2,620), wounds (20%, n=511/2,620) and lameness (11%, n=288/2,620). The majority of cases required a single treatment (58%, n=1,475/2,550), 26% (n=656/2,550) needed multiple treatments, and 13% (n=339/2,550) were euthanased. Eighteen percent (n=480/2602) of cases had a critical outcome. Increased heart rate at primary presentation was associated with critical outcome in both practices (Practice A, OR 1.07 (95%CI 1.06-1.09), Practice B OR 1.08 (95%CI 1.07-1.09; p [less than] 0.001)).Conclusion: Colic, wounds and lameness were the most common equine ‘out-of-hours’ conditions; 13% of cases were euthanased. Further research is required into out-of-hours euthanasia decision-making

Hemispheric asymmetry in ocean change and the productivity of ecosystem sentinels

Climate change and other human activities are causing profound effects on marine ecosystem productivity. We show that the breeding success of seabirds is tracking hemispheric differences in ocean warming and human impacts, with the strongest effects on fish-eating, surface-foraging species in the north. Hemispheric asymmetry suggests the need for ocean management at hemispheric scales. For the north, tactical, climate-based recovery plans for forage fish resources are needed to recover seabird breeding productivity. In the south, lower-magnitude change in seabird productivity presents opportunities for strategic management approaches such as large marine protected areas to sustain food webs and maintain predator productivity. Global monitoring of seabird productivity enables the detection of ecosystem change in remote regions and contributes to our understanding of marine climate impacts on ecosystems

Hemispheric asymmetry in ocean change and the productivity of ecosystem sentinels

Climate change and other human activities are causing profound effects on marine ecosystem productivity. We show that the breeding success of seabirds is tracking hemispheric differences in ocean warming and human impacts, with the strongest effects on fish-eating, surface-foraging species in the north. Hemispheric asymmetry suggests the need for ocean management at hemispheric scales. For the north, tactical, climate-based recovery plans for forage fish resources are needed to recover seabird breeding productivity. In the south, lower-magnitude change in seabird productivity presents opportunities for strategic management approaches such as large marine protected areas to sustain food webs and maintain predator productivity. Global monitoring of seabird productivity enables the detection of ecosystem change in remote regions and contributes to our understanding of marine climate impacts on ecosystems

International variation in the interpretation of renal transplant biopsies: Report of the CERTPAP Project

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Altered distribution of intraglomerular immune complexes in C3-deficient mice

We have studied the role of complement in a model of glomerular inflammation induced by the in situ formation of immune complexes along the glomerular basement membrane. In C3-deficient mice, produced by homologous recombination, immune complex formation occurs initially in the subendothelial site and progresses slowly to the subepithelial position, whereas wild-type mice do not develop subendothelial deposits. In addition, the accumulation of electron-dense deposits is greater in the complement-deficient mice. Complement therefore influences glomerular handling of immune complexes, possibly because of changes in the physiochemical characteristics of the immune complexes. However, despite evidence of complement activation in the wild-type mice, as demonstrated by immunohistochemical detection of C3, C4 and C9, the degree of proteinuria was similar in C3-deficient mice. We conclude that, although complement is required for the normal glomerular metabolism of immune complexes, other, complement-independent, factors are involved in the generation of glomerular injury in this model