Longevity and mortality in Kennel Club registered dog breeds in the UK in 2014

Abstract Background The domestic dog is one of the most diverse mammalian species, exhibiting wide variations in morphology, behaviour and morbidity across breeds. Therefore, it is not unexpected that breeds should also exhibit variation in mortality and longevity. While shorter longevity per se may not necessarily be a welfare issue, a generally foreshortened lifespan in a breed that is accompanied by a high prevalence of a particular cause of death may reveal potentially serious welfare concerns and highlight scope to improve breed welfare. Survey data gathered directly from owners offer useful insights into canine longevity and mortality that can support the overall evidence base for welfare reforms within breeds. Results Mortality data on 5663 deceased dogs registered with the UK Kennel Club were collected from an owner-based survey. The most commonly reported causes of death were old age (13.8%), unspecified cancer (8.7%) and heart failure (4.9%); with 5.1% of deaths reported as unknown cause. Overall median age at death was 10.33 years (interquartile range: 7.17–12.83 years). Breeds varied widely in median longevity overall from the West Highland Terrier (12.71 years) to the Dobermann Pinscher (7.67 years). There was also wide variation in the prevalence of some common causes of death among breeds, and in median longevity across the causes of death. Conclusion Substantial variation in the median lifespan and the prominent causes of death exists across breeds. This study has identified some breeds with both a low median lifespan and also a high proportional mortality for one or more specific causes of death that should be considered as both potential welfare concerns as well as opportunities for improvement

Large-scale survey to estimate the prevalence of disorders for 192 Kennel Club registered breeds

Abstract Background Pedigree or purebred dogs are often stated to have high prevalence of disorders which are commonly assumed to be a consequence of inbreeding and selection for exaggerated features. However, few studies empirically report and rank the prevalence of disorders across breeds although such data are of critical importance in the prioritisation of multiple health concerns, and to provide a baseline against which to explore changes over time. This paper reports an owner survey that gathered disorder information on Kennel Club registered pedigree dogs, regardless of whether these disorders received veterinary care. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of disorders among pedigree dogs overall and, where possible, determine any variation among breeds. Results This study included morbidity data on 43,005 live dogs registered with the Kennel Club. Just under two thirds of live dogs had no reported diseases/conditions. The most prevalent diseases/conditions overall were lipoma (4.3%; 95% confidence interval 4.13-4.52%), skin (cutaneous) cyst (3.1%; 2.94-3.27%) and hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder (2.7%; 2.52-2.82%). For the most common disorders in the most represented breeds, 90 significant differences between the within breed prevalence and the overall prevalence are reported. Conclusion The results from this study have added vital epidemiological data on disorders in UK dogs. It is anticipated that these results will contribute to the forthcoming Breed Health & Conservation Plans, a Kennel Club initiative aiming to assist in the identification and prioritisation of breeding selection objectives for health and provide advice to breeders/owners regarding steps that may be taken to minimise the risk of the disease/disorders. Future breed-specific studies are recommended to report more precise prevalence estimates within more breeds

Doping-dependent studies of the Anderson-Mott localization in polyaniline at the metal-insulator boundary

Temperature-dependent dc conductivity measurements and infrared reflectivity measurements (20–9000 cm−1) were performed on a series of polyaniline samples with two different dopant acids at various doping levels. The typical fingerprints of a disordered metal such as a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity at high temperatures, a very high reflectivity in the far infrared, and a plasma resonance have been observed. The results were analyzed in the framework of the Anderson-Mott localization model and considerable consistency between transport studies and optical measurements was obtained. Various parameters enabling a comparative classification of the materials are also reported

tert-Butyl N-[1-diazo­acetyl-3-(methyl­sulfan­yl)prop­yl]carbamate

In the enanti­omerically pure title compound, C11H19N3O3S, the chain C—N—C(O)—O—C—C (from the asymmetric carbon to a methyl of the tert-butyl group) displays an extended conformation. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into chains parallel to the c axis by classical N—H⋯Odiazo­carbon­yl hydrogen bonding and an unusual inter­molecular three-centre inter­action involving the amino acid (aa) carbonyl Oaa and the diazo­carbonyl grouping C(O)—CH—N N, with H⋯Oaa = 2.51 Å and N⋯Oaa = 2.8141 (14) Å

Functional/thermal verification and validation of an S-band radio for the nanosatellites

© 2018 COSPAR An S-band radio designed with commercial-grade components for the nanosatellites is functionally and thermally characterized for quiet transmission. The QPSK modulation impairments are minor over −20 °C to +50 °C at 24, 26, 28 and 30 dBm RF levels. The channel response is linear in error vector magnitude, frequency, phase, amplitude and IQ errors. On the average, the stability of amplifier bias and nonlinearity gives −22 dBc maximum upper/lower adjacent channel power and 1.27 MHz occupied channel bandwidth. The acceptable level test results provide good confidence toward robust space-to-earth transmission in variable solar weather at low earth orbital altitudes

NKX2-5 regulates the expression of beta-catenin and GATA4 in ventricular myocytes.

BackgroundThe molecular pathway that controls cardiogenesis is temporally and spatially regulated by master transcriptional regulators such as NKX2-5, Isl1, MEF2C, GATA4, and beta-catenin. The interplay between these factors and their downstream targets are not completely understood. Here, we studied regulation of beta-catenin and GATA4 by NKX2-5 in human fetal cardiac myocytes.Methodology/principal findingsUsing antisense inhibition we disrupted the expression of NKX2-5 and studied changes in expression of cardiac-associated genes. Down-regulation of NKX2-5 resulted in increased beta-catenin while GATA4 was decreased. We demonstrated that this regulation was conferred by binding of NKX2-5 to specific elements (NKEs) in the promoter region of the beta-catenin and GATA4 genes. Using promoter-luciferase reporter assay combined with mutational analysis of the NKEs we demonstrated that the identified NKX2-5 binding sites were essential for the suppression of beta-catenin, and upregulation of GATA4 by NKX2-5.ConclusionsThis study suggests that NKX2-5 modulates the beta-catenin and GATA4 transcriptional activities in developing human cardiac myocytes

Cardiac rhythm analysis during ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation using the Analysis During Compressions with Fast reconfirmation technology

BACKGROUND Pauses in chest compressions (CCs) have a negative association with survival from cardiac arrest. Electrocardiographic (ECG) rhythm analysis and defibrillator charging are significant contributors to CC pauses. OBJECTIVE Accuracy of the Analysis During Compressions with Fast Reconfirmation (ADC-FR) algorithm, which features automated rhythm analysis and charging during CCs to reduce CC pauses, was retrospectively determined in a large database of ECGs from 2701 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS The ADC-FR algorithm generated a total of 7264 advisories, of which 3575 were randomly assigned to a development data set and 3689 to a test data set. With ADC-FR, a high-pass digital filter is used to remove CC artifacts, while the underlying ECG rhythm is automatically interpreted. When CCs are paused at the end of the 2-minute cardiopulmonary resuscitation interval, a 3-second reconfirmation analysis is performed using the artifact-free ECG to confirm the shock/no-shock advisory. The sensitivity and specificity of the ADC-FR algorithm in correctly identifying shockable/nonshockable rhythms during CCs were calculated. RESULTS In both data sets, the accuracy of the ADC-FR algorithm for each ECG rhythm exceeded the recommended performance goals, which apply to a standard artifact-free ECG analysis. Sensitivity and specificity were 97% and 99%, respectively, for the development data set and 95% and 99% for the test data set. CONCLUSION The ADC-FR algorithm is highly accurate in discriminating shockable and nonshockable rhythms and can be used to reduce CC pauses

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus in lymphoproliferative disorders

Objective: To study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus in lymphoproliferative disorders. Methods: A case control prospective study was performed on 143 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders and 29 patients with non-hematological malignancies were taken as controls. All the patients in both groups were analyzed for various risk factors for infection with hepatitis C virus and were tested for the presence of hepatitis C virus antibody (anti HCV), cryoglobulins and rheumatoid factor antibody. Hepatitis C viremia was documented by detection of HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction. Results: There was no significant difference for risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection in both the groups except for the increase in number of surgical procedures being carried out in the control group. There was no significant difference in the presence of rheumatoid factor antibody in both the groups and cryoglobulins were not positive in any individual. Five percent patients with lymphoproliferative disorders and 3.4% with non-hematological malignancies were positive for anti HCV. HCV RNA was detected in 29.2% cases and 31.0% in controls. Conclusion: There was no association between hepatitis C virus infection and lymphoproliferative disorder in our population. However, further studies are required from this region to establish any causal relationship between hepatitis C virus infection and lymphoproliferative disorde

Pneumatosis Intestinalis in COVID-19: Case Series.

OBJECTIVE:To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who developed pneumatosis intestinalis (PI). METHODS:This case series was conducted in intensive care units at two large tertiary care centers within the Northwell Health System, located in New York State. Patients were included if they were identified as having confirmed COVID-19 as well as pneumatosis intestinalis from March 16, 2020 to July 31, 2020. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, vasopressor use, anticoagulation use, opiate use, paralytic use, COVID-19 treatment regimen, serum lactate, arterial pH, serum bicarbonate, subsequent intervention, and outcomes during hospitalization were collected. Results: A total of nine patients were identified. Average serum lactate was 4.33 mmol/L at time of diagnosis. Portal venous gas (56%) and bowel dilation (56%) were common radiographic findings. Subsequent morbidity (increased vasopressor requirements - 67%, acute kidney injury - 67%, increased oxygen requirements - 44%) and mortality (78%) were high. PI occurred despite a majority of patients being on anticoagulation (78%). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitors were commonly administered (56%) prior to development of PI. CONCLUSION:Pneumatosis intestinalis in COVID-19 is clinically significant, with high morbidity and mortality, and is also likely underdiagnosed