Neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities in neurological diseases of dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 114 cases (2010-2015)

The current retrospective study includes 99 canine and 15 feline cases with neurologic disease accompanied by neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities (blindness, strabismus, nystagmus, anisocoria, miosis, mydriasis, Horner’s syndrome). All cases were presented in the Companion Animal Clinic of the School of Veterinary Medicine – Faculty of Health Sciences (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) over a six-year period (2010-2015). The most frequent presenting complaints were head tilt (n=22/99) and paresis/paralysis (n=22/99) in dogs and head tilt (n=3/15) and ataxia (n=3/15) in cats. The most common neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities were strabismus (n=55/99) in dogs and anisocoria (n=7/15) in cats. The localization of lesions was found to be multifocal (n=38/99), and focal, in the vestibular system (n=37/99) in dogs, whilst in cats it was solely multifocal (n=6/15). An etiological diagnosis was reached only in 48 dogs and 10 cats; the former were mainly diagnosed with distemper encephalitis (10/48) and congenital hydrocephalus (6/48) and the latter mostly with encephalitis (n=5/10). Neuro-ophthalmological cases reached a 18.24% of the total neurologic case load (n=625) admitted during a six-year period. Neuro-ophthalmological examination as well as the correlation of the observed abnormalities with the overall neurological symptomatology is important for the neuroanatomic diagnosis, the assessment of severity and prognosis of the respected mainly diseases

Neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities in neurological diseases of dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 114 cases (2010-2015)

The current retrospective study includes 99 canine and 15 feline cases with neurologic disease accompanied by neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities (blindness, strabismus, nystagmus, anisocoria, miosis, mydriasis, Horner’s syndrome). All cases were presented in the Companion Animal Clinic of the School of Veterinary Medicine – Faculty of Health Sciences (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) over a six-year period (2010-2015). The most frequent presenting complaints were head tilt (n=22/99) and paresis/paralysis (n=22/99) in dogs and head tilt (n=3/15) and ataxia (n=3/15) in cats. The most common neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities were strabismus (n=55/99) in dogs and anisocoria (n=7/15) in cats. The localization of lesions was found to be multifocal (n=38/99), and focal, in the vestibular system (n=37/99) in dogs, whilst in cats it was solely multifocal (n=6/15). An etiological diagnosis was reached only in 48 dogs and 10 cats; the former were mainly diagnosed with distemper encephalitis (10/48) and congenital hydrocephalus (6/48) and the latter mostly with encephalitis (n=5/10). Neuro-ophthalmological cases reached a 18.24% of the total neurologic case load (n=625) admitted during a six-year period. Neuro-ophthalmological examination as well as the correlation of the observed abnormalities with the overall neurological symptomatology is important for the neuroanatomic diagnosis, the assessment of severity and prognosis of the respected mainly diseases

The Antiangiogenic Properties of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Corneal Neovascularization in a Rabbit Model

The purpose was to study the anti-angiogenic effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (ADMSCs) on experimentally induced corneal injuries. Corneal neovascularization (NV) was induced by incising and subsequently suturing the corneal surface in 32 New Zealand rabbits. Following suturing, the rabbits were randomly allocated into 2 groups, and received either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (control) or ADMSCs, both administered via three different routes. Digital images of the cornea were obtained two weeks post-incision to measure the area of neovascularized cornea. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was immunohistochemically assessed in the both groups. The corneal tissue was evaluated for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The extent of corneal NV in all eyes was assessed photographically by an independent observer. Fourteen days after the incisions, the degree of corneal NV was substantially decreased in the ADMSC-treated group (1.87 ± 0.9 mm2, 1.4 % ± 0.67 % of corneal surface) compared to the control and PBS-treated group (4.66 ± 1.74 mm2, 3.51 % ± 1.31 %, p < 0.001). ADMSCs significantly decreased injury-induced corneal NV in New Zealand rabbits two weeks post-treatment. This strategy has potential for use in the control of corneal NV in vivo.Â

The Antiangiogenic Properties of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Corneal Neovascularization in a Rabbit Model

The purpose was to study the anti-angiogenic effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (ADMSCs) on experimentally induced corneal injuries. Corneal neovascularization (NV) was induced by incising and subsequently suturing the corneal surface in 32 New Zealand rabbits. Following suturing, the rabbits were randomly allocated into 2 groups, and received either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (control) or ADMSCs, both administered via three different routes. Digital images of the cornea were obtained two weeks post-incision to measure the area of neovascularized cornea. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was immunohistochemically assessed in the both groups. The corneal tissue was evaluated for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The extent of corneal NV in all eyes was assessed photographically by an independent observer. Fourteen days after the incisions, the degree of corneal NV was substantially decreased in the ADMSC-treated group (1.87 ± 0.9 mm2, 1.4 % ± 0.67 % of corneal surface) compared to the control and PBS-treated group (4.66 ± 1.74 mm2, 3.51 % ± 1.31 %, p < 0.001). ADMSCs significantly decreased injury-induced corneal NV in New Zealand rabbits two weeks post-treatment. This strategy has potential for use in the control of corneal NV in vivo.

Small Scale Fisheries, Dolphins and Societal Challenges: A Case Study in the City of Volos, Greece

Existing literature on dolphin-fisheries interaction focused on Greece reveals both an undeveloped area for research, but also a lack of relevant data in this field. Although imperative, relevant research has been slow on innovation and cooperation among universities, official bureaus, and NGOs that are obliged to work together as European and national laws dictate. Most of the research in this new field focuses on the interaction between marine mammals and local fisheries, suggesting that this relationship may be problematic for both parties since the former are being treated (at least occasionally) with brutality, while the latter try to deal with economic loss. Dolphins and fishermen operate within the same ecological niches for their survival, the main area of conflict being nutritious fish. Anthropological research on ethnic identity has long dealt with antagonistic relationships over resources between adjacent groups of people. Marine biologists’ research in Greece focuses on the human factor, and some of its shortcomings may well be seen as the result of limited, or an absence of, training in social sciences. This article attempts to draw from anthropological theory to shed light on a particular symbiosis between humans and dolphins. Multidisciplinary approaches gain ground in a wide range of research interests and seem to be fruitful in terms of theoretical and practical results

Incidence of Neuro-Ophthalmological Abnormalities in Neurological Diseases of Dogs and Cats: a Retrospective Study of 114 Cases (2010–2015)

Objective: Neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities (blindness, miosis, mydriasis, anisocoria, Horner’s syndrome, strabismus and nystagmus) appear frequently in dogs and cats admitted with neurological disease. This study reports the incidence of neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities in 99 dogs and 15 cats with neurological disease, along with correlation with the commonest final diagnoses. Methods: The study population consisted of dogs and cats admitted with neurologic signs and at least one neuroophthalmological sign. Inclusion criteria were history, clinical and neurological examination, neuroanatomic and aetiologic diagnosis. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: The most frequent presenting complaints were head tilt (22/99) and paresis/paralysis (22/99) in dogs and head tilt (3/15) and ataxia (3/15) in cats. The most common neuroophthalmological abnormalities were strabismus (55/99) in dogs and anisocoria (7/15) in cats. The localization of lesions was found to be multifocal (38/99), and focal, in the vestibular system (37/99) in dogs, whilst in cats it was solely multifocal (6/15). An aetiologic diagnosis was reached only in 48 dogs and 10 cats; the former were mainly diagnosed with distemper encephalitis (10/48) and congenital hydrocephalus (6/48) and the latter mostly with encephalitis (5/10). Statement: Neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities may be misinterpreted by concurrent extra-neural, ocular signs or stress reflex reactions that may hamper diagnosis. Consequently, neuro-ophthalmological examination and correlation with neurological signs is important for the neuroanatomic diagnosis, severity assessment and prognosis of the respected diseases. As shown, neuroophthalmological cases reached a 18.24% of the total neurologic case load admitted during a five-year period; therefore, represent a significant number of cases, which should not be ignored

First Report of the Parasitic Nematode <i>Pseudoterranova</i> spp. Found in Mediterranean Monk Seal (<i>Monachus monachus</i>) in Greece: Conservation Implications

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is classified as an endangered species by the IUCN, with a global population that does not exceed 800 individuals. There is limited understanding around the biology and health status of the species, rendering possible parasitic infections grave for its conservation efforts. The aim of the current study was the molecular identification of a parasitic nematode found in the digestive system of a sub-adult Mediterranean monk seal individual, that was found stranded in the area of Pagasitikos Gulf, Greece in 2019. Analysis of the stomach contents revealed the presence of two intact female nematode individuals. Standard protocols were followed as DNA extraction of the parasites was conducted and PCR amplification of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial gene was implemented. Sequencing analysis of a 585 bp-amplified product displayed a 96% similarity of the screened nematodes to the Pseudoterranova bulbosa species. Bayesian inference was implemented for the subsequent tree reconstruction. The phylogenetic tree revealed a clear genetic similarity between our parasitic nematode individuals named as Pseudoterranova spp. and Pseudoterranova bulbosa (bootstrap value: 82%), which is indicated for the first and only time as such, to be found in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and also in the stomach of a Mediterranean monk seal