Skeletal pathology and variable anatomy in elephant feet assessed using computed tomography

Foot problems are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in elephants, but are underreported due to difficulties in diagnosis, particularly of conditions affecting the bones and internal structures. Here we evaluate post-mortem computer tomographic (CT) scans of 52 feet from 21 elephants (seven African Loxodonta africana and 14 Asian Elephas maximus), describing both pathology and variant anatomy (including the appearance of phalangeal and sesamoid bones) that could be mistaken for disease. We found all the elephants in our study to have pathology of some type in at least one foot. The most common pathological changes observed were bone remodelling, enthesopathy, osseous cyst-like lesions, and osteoarthritis, with soft tissue mineralisation, osteitis, infectious osteoarthriti, subluxation, fracture and enostoses observed less frequently. Most feet had multiple categories of pathological change (81% with two or more diagnoses, versus 10% with a single diagnosis, and 9% without significant pathology). Much of the pathological change was focused over the middle/lateral digits, which bear most weight and experience high peak pressures during walking. We found remodelling and osteoarthritis to be correlated with increasing age, more enthesopathy in Asian elephants, and more cyst-like lesions in females. We also observed multipartite, missing and misshapen phalanges as common and apparently incidental findings. The proximal (paired) sesamoids can appear fused or absent, and the predigits (radial/tibial sesamoids) can be variably ossified, though are significantly more ossified in Asian elephants. Our study reinforces the need for regular examination and radiography of elephant feet to monitor for pathology and as a tool for improving welfare

Estudio de viabilidad Hotel Mayurca 5*

[spa] Este trabajo se enfoca en el estudio de viabilidad de un proyecto hotelero nuevo de 5 estrellas. Con este proyecto queremos estudiar la rentabilidad y viabilidad económica de abrir un hotel nuevo de 5 estrellas enfocado en clientes de alto poder adquisitivo. Nos queremos centrar en un hotel pequeño pero muy exclusivo para turismo deportivo, bodas y familias. Para elaborar este trabajo primero analizaremos el mercado, la demanda y oferta de las Islas Baleares para poder decidir el modelo de negocio y la localización de nuestro hotel. Una vez definida la localización es muy importante hacer un estudio del sector hotelero de la zona y definir el producto que ofrecemos en el hotel. A partir de esto procederemos con la estimación de ventas y costes de todos los departamentos de un hotel y la fijación de precios. Finalmente, una vez obtenida toda la información, empezaremos con el cálculo y análisis de los instrumentos necesarios para poder definir la rentabilidad y viabilidad de este hotel

Weide- und Bewegungsverhalten von Schaf und Ziege auf der Alp und dessen Einfluss auf den Knochen- und Energiestoffwechsel

Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, das Weide- und Bewegungsverhalten von Schaf und Ziege auf der Alp und dessen Einfluss auf den Knochen- und Energiestoffwechsel zu untersuchen. Jeweils 15 nicht-laktierende Schafe und Ziegen wurden für 3 Monate auf der ETH Forschungsstation Alp Weissenstein gehalten. Die Tiere hatten täglich ca. 11 Stunden uneingeschränkten Zugang zu den verschiedenen Vegetationszonen der Alp, nachts wurden sie eingestallt. Bei den täglichen Weidegängen trugen sechs Tiere jeder Spezies GPS-Empfänger, um so Informationen über die täglich zurückgelegte Wegstrecke und die bevorzugt beweideten Vegetationszonen zu erlangen. Von allen Tieren wurde regelmässig Blut entnommen, das Gewicht kontrolliert und die Knochendichte gemessen. Zusätzlich wurden auf der Alp Futter- und Kotproben gesammelt. Die Schafe zogen vor allem in höhere Gebiete mit alpinem Rasen, während die Ziegen sich hauptsächlich in den tiefer gelegenen Zwergstrauchgesellschaften aufhielten. Die Schafe legten dabei im Vergleich zu den Ziegen weitere Strecken und mehr Höhenmeter zurück. Nach einer gewissen Anpassungszeit deckten die Tiere mit der vorhandenen alpinen Flora ihren Energiebedarf. Die vermehrte Bewegung führte an der Diaphyse zu einer Zunahme der cortikalen Dicke, an der Epiphyse kam es zusätzlich zu einer Zunahme des Gesamtknochendurchmessers. Diese Veränderungen im Knochen führten zu einer Zunahme der Knochenmasse. Bei den Schafen nahm auch die totale vBMD zu. Summary The aim of this study was to evaluate whether behavioural differences in feeding and physical activity in a large mountainous area influence bone and energy metabolism in freely ranging goats and sheep. For three months 15 ewes and 15 goats, all non- lactating, were grazed on the area of the ETH research station Alp Weissenstein. The animals were allowed free range grazing during the day and were returned to the stable at night. During daytime they had approximately 11 hours of free access to different vegetation zones on the pastures. Six animals of each species were equipped with a GPS receiver in order to calculate daily tracks and receive information on preferred botanical patterns. On a regular basis blood sampling and weighing took place. Bone mineral density was also measured. During the animals' sojourn in the high altitude area food and faecal samples were collected. Sheep grazed mainly in higher elevation alpine grass areas, whereas goats preferred the lower dwarf-shrub communities. Therefore the sheep walked further distances and ascended higher than the goats. After an adaptation period both species were able to meet their energy requirements with the local alpine flora. Increased motility resulted in a thicker cortical diameter and a larger epiphyseal cross sectional bone area. Due to these enhanced sizes, the bone mineral content increased. In sheep the total vBMD also increased

Association of INSIG2 polymorphism with overweight and LDL in children.

Dyslipidemia and overweight are common issues in children. Identifying genetic markers of risk could lead to targeted interventions. A polymorphism of SNP rs7566605 near insulin-induced gene 2 (INSIG2) has been identified as a strong candidate gene for obesity, through its feedback control of lipid synthesis.To identify polymorphisms in INSIG2 which are associated with overweight (BMI ≥ 85% for age) and dyslipidemia in children.The C allele of rs7566605 would be significantly associated with BMI and LDL.We genotyped 15 SNPs in/near INSIG2 in 1,058 healthy children (53% non-Hispanic white (NHW), 37% overweight) participating in a school based study. Genotype was compared with BMI and lipid markers, adjusting for age, gender, and puberty.We found a significant association between the SNP rs12464355 and LDL in NHW children, p < 0.001. The G allele is protective (lower LDL). A different SNP was associated with overweight in NHW: rs17047757. SNP rs7566605 was not associated with overweight or lipid levels.We identified novel genetic associations between INSIG2 and both overweight and LDL in NHW children. Polymorphisms in INSIG2 may be important in the development of obesity through its effects on lipid regulation