Esophageal Tumor in a Dog

Esophageal tumors are considered a rarity in present day diagnostic interpretations, however, a report from Alabama indicates that such tumors are by no means so rare as have been the indications. In a series of esophageal neoplasms found in dogs over a period of 3 years the esophageal worm, Spirocerca lupi, was found in each tumor. This may possibly indicate the etiological importance of the parasite

Circadian Rhythms of Body Temperature and Locomotor Activity in the Antelope Ground Squirrel, \u3cem\u3eAmmospermophilus leucurus\u3c/em\u3e

We studied circadian rhythms of body temperature and locomotor activity in antelope ground squirrels (Ammospermophilus leucurus) under laboratory conditions of a 12L:12D light-dark cycle and in constant darkness. Antelope ground squirrels are diurnally active and, exceptionally among ground squirrels and other closely related members of the squirrel family in general, they do not hibernate. Daily oscillations in body temperature consisted of a rise in temperature during the daytime activity phase of the circadian cycle and a decrease in temperature during the nighttime rest phase. The body temperature rhythms were robust (71% of maximal strength) with a daily range of oscillation of 4.6 °C, a daytime mean of 38.7 °C, and a nighttime mean of 34.1 °C (24-h overall mean 36.4 °C). The body temperature rhythm persisted in continuous darkness with a free-running period of 24.2 hours. This pattern is similar to that of hibernating species of ground squirrels but with a wave form more similar to that of non-hibernating rodents. Daily oscillations in body temperature were correlated with individual bouts of activity, but daytime temperatures were higher than nighttime temperatures even when comparing short episodes of nocturnal activity that were as intense as diurnal activity. This suggests that although muscular thermogenesis associated with locomotor activity can modify the level of body temperature, the circadian rhythm of body temperature is not simply a consequence of the circadian rhythm of activity

Consumption of Shrews, Sorex spp., by Arctic Grayling, Thymallus arcticus

In an investigation of the dietary habits of Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) we found that two individuals out of 93 sampled in southwestern Alaska (approximately 59°N, 159°W) contained a total of five shrews (Sorex spp.). These shrews contained enriched levels of nitrogen stable isotopes, suggesting utilization of nutrients derived from salmon. We hypothesize that normally terrestrial shrews accidentally enter streams while foraging along the productive riparian zones of creeks with high densities of salmon. Shrews are apparently susceptible to opportunistic predation by resident stream fishes, including Arctic Grayling, when they enter the streams

Diurnally Active Rodents for Laboratory Research

Although inbred domesticated strains of rats and mice serve as traditional mammalian animal models in biomedical research, the nocturnal habits of these rodents make them inappropriate for research that requires a model with human-like diurnal activity rhythms. We conducted a literature review and recorded locomotor activity data from four rodent species that are generally considered to be diurnally active, the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), the degu (Octodon degus), the African (Nile) grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus), and the antelope ground squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus). Our data collected under 12L:12D light-dark cycles confirmed and expanded the existing literature in showing that the activity rhythms of antelope ground squirrels and African grass rats are stronger and more concentrated in the light phase of the light-dark cycle than the activity rhythms of Mongolian gerbils and degus, making the former two species preferable and more reliable as models of consistent diurnal activity in the laboratory. Among the two more strongly diurnal species, antelope ground squirrels are more exclusively diurnal and have more robust activity rhythms than African grass rats. Although animals of these two species are not currently available from commercial suppliers, African grass rats are indigenous to a wide area across the north of Africa and thus available to researchers in the eastern hemisphere, whereas antelope ground squirrels can be found throughout much of western North America’s desert country and, therefore, are more easily accessible to North American researchers

Exploring Determinants of Behavioral Chronotype in a Diurnal-Rodent Model of Human Physiology

studies conducted with human participants have shown that differences in chronotype, defined as individual patterns of early or late beginning of daily activity, have implications for many biobehavioral processes, such as cognitive performance, mood, impulsivity, academic achievement of college students, and mental health. However, the determinants of individual variation in chronotype have not been investigated. Basic research on circadian rhythms has provided a basis for investigating the causes of chronotype variation, but experimental tests of pertinent hypotheses are difficult to conduct with human subjects. This limitation can be overcome by use of animal models. This study was conducted with a rodent species, the antelope ground squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus), that, like humans, is active during the daytime, exhibits a spread of chronotypes, and has a similar average free-running circadian period. We found chronotype to be a stable trait within individuals based on strong consistency of separate determinations made six months apart (correlation r = 0.91). We also found a moderate correlation of chronotype with the duration of the active phase (r = -0.51) and with free running period (r = 0.34), but weak correlation with rhythm robustness (r = 0.16), and no correlation with photic responsiveness or with masking responses. The best multiple regression model, incorporating the duration of the active phase, free-running period, and rhythm robustness, explained 38% of the variance in chronotype. Although 62% of the variance in chronotype remained unaccounted for, the results are encouraging because they document the possibility of using a diurnal rodent as a model for the investigation of the determinants of chronotype variation in humans

Enhancing Nonprofit Governance through Better Information Flow to Directors

To counteract the ability of a nonprofit’s chief executive officer to control information reaching the board of directors, we recommend that a nonprofit board consider requiring leaders of the organization’s various functions to provide operational reports directly to the board on at least an annual basis. Additionally, we recommend that a board discuss these reports directly with management members, preferably without the participation of the CEO. Implementing such a protocol should strengthen the board’s ability to make decisions based on information from sources in addition to that of the CEO, improve the directors’ ability to independently evaluate members of the management team, and increase the directors’ understanding of the nonprofit’s activities and performance

Case-control study of risk factors for Legionnaires’ disease caused by Legionella longbeachae in Canterbury, New Zealand

Introduction Legionnaires’ disease is a form of atypical pneumonia caused by infection from Legionella bacteria. There is a known association between the use of compost-based soil products and Legionnaires’ disease caused by the bacterium Legionella longbeachae. A case-control study was carried out between October 2013 and March 2014 in Canterbury, New Zealand, where reported prevalence of L. longbeachae infection is unusually high, to investigate host risk factors and gardening-related risk factors for the disease. Methods Twenty-one laboratory-confirmed notified cases and 69 population controls were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used in STATA 13 to calculate univariate odds ratios for variables of interest. Stratified univariate analysis was undertaken to consider the impact of multiple risk factors on disease risk. Results Having smoked for 10 or more years (OR 4.00, 95% CI 1.42-11.24) was strongly associated with L. longbeachae infection. Having an indoor garden also increased disease risk (OR 3.81, 1.18-12.27). Use of compost-based products during the three-week reference period (OR 4.16, 1.37-12.64) was associated with L. longbeachae infection. Opening (OR 4.6, 1.64-12.92) and tipping or troweling potting mix or purchased compost (OR 5.00, 1.71-14.5), and touching the face after using these products before washing hands (OR 12.22, 3.16-47.29) were also strongly associated with disease. Having hanging pots or baskets (OR 0.77, 0.27-2.17) and being near dripping hanging pots or baskets (OR 0.38, 0.27-2.17) during the three-week reference period were not associated with disease, as had been observed in a previous case-control study conducted in South Australia from 1996-98. Wearing a mask (OR 1.80, 0.30-10.64) or gloves (OR 0.64, 0.15-2.77) while using potting mix did not appear to be protective against disease. Discussion Long-term smoking is an important risk factor for L. longbeachae Legionnaires’ disease, and those with a history of smoking for more than 10 years should be advised to exercise extreme caution when using compost-based products. Important environmental risk factors include use of potting mix or purchased compost, poor hand hygiene while using compost-based products, and other behaviour that transfers these products to the mouth or face. Use of compost-based products indoors may also increase risk. The findings suggest that transmission of bacteria from the environment to humans may occur through aspiration of contaminated soil particles that are transferred to the mouth. Hand-washing and keeping potting mix and compost away from the face appear to be key measures for preventing Legionnaires’ disease

Word Retrieval Treatments for Aphasia: Connected Speech Outcomes

We examined changes in connected speech in individuals with aphasia following errorless naming treatment and gestural facilitation of naming administered in a single-participant crossover design. In addition to picture naming, participants completed two connected speech tasks during baseline and after each training phase. Positive training effect sizes in picture naming were associated with increased use of Correct Information Units and substantive nouns in connected speech. Greater use of CIUs and substantive nouns were evident for a questions task over a picture description task. Open-ended questions tended to be more effective than picture description for documenting speech changes associated with treatment

Secondary or Transient Pseudohypoaldosteronism Associated With Urinary Tract Anomaly and Urinary Infection: A Case Report

AbstractHyponatremia with hyperkalemia in infancy is a rare presentation, but may be due to aldosterone deficiency or end organ resistance to its action. There are few cases associating this condition with urinary tract infections or anatomic abnormalities that predispose to infection. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion in diagnosing secondary pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) due to its often atypical presentation. We describe ten month-old infant who presented with this condition and was found to have urinary tract infection complicating unilateral urinary tract anomaly, which may have strong association with renal tubular resistance to aldosterone