Anxiety and impulsivity: Factors associated with premature graying in young dogs

AbstractThe present study examined the association of anxiety and impulsivity with premature muzzle grayness among young dogs. A sample of 400 dogs, ages 1–4 years was obtained at dog parks, shows, veterinary clinics, and other venues. Each dog was photographed and the degree of muzzle grayness was rated on an ordinal scale ranging from “no gray” to “full gray.” White or pale colored dogs were dropped from the study because it was impossible to determine degree of grayness. Each owner filled out a questionnaire assessing the constructs of anxiety and impulsivity, as well as other behaviors and characteristics. To prevent response bias, owners were told that the purpose of the study involved dog lifestyle. Distractor items were added to the survey to prevent the owner from guessing the purpose of the survey. Examples of survey items indicating anxiety included: destruction when left alone; hair loss on vet exam or being in a new place; and cringes/cowers in response to groups of people. Examples of survey items indicating impulsivity included: jumping on people, inability to calm, loss of focus, hyperactivity after exercise. In our sample of young dogs, latent variable regression showed that the extent of muzzle grayness was significantly and positively predicted by anxiety (p=0.005) and impulsivity (p<0.001). Dog size, spay/neuter status, or medical problems did not predict extent of muzzle grayness. Fear responses to loud noise, unfamiliar animals and people were associated with increased grayness. Ordinal regression analysis showed that muzzle grayness was significantly predicted by fear of loud noises (p=0.001), unfamiliar animals (p=0.031), and unfamiliar people (p<0.001). Premature graying in young dogs may be a possible indicator of anxiety, fear or impulsivity issues in dogs under four years of age

Seasonal changes in the ejaculate of the male tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii: implications for fertility and assisted breeding

The tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii is a seasonally breeding macropodid marsupial. The seasonality observed in males is known to be driven by the reproductive state of the females. There is a significant increase in male prostate and Cowper's gland weights and testosterone concentration during the breeding season in January/February and again in October when the young females leave their i;nothers pouches and enter puberty. The dynamics of sperm production in the male tammar wallaby was assessed using changes in ejaculatory and sperm characteristics in and out of the breeding season in order to determine more accurately true seasonality in the male. Semen was collected from wild-caught adult males by electro-ejaculation at four times during the year (January, February, June/July and October). Ejaculates were assessed for semen volume, plug formation, sperm index, percentage and rating of motility, sperm and motile sperm concentration, and total sperm count. Increases were observed during the two breeding seasons in all traits assessed. Semen volume showed a steady increase from June/July (0.7 ml) to reach a peak in February (10.25 ml). In conclusion, we found a significant decrease in the size and coagulation properties of the ejaculate, and in sperm quality out of season. Implications for captive and assisted breeding programs are discussed

Timing of intrauterine artificial insemination (IUAI) in relation to ovulation in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii

The window for fertilization is narrow in marsupials because the oocyte is transported rapidly through the oviduct (<24h) and acquires a mucoid coat that entraps and inhibits sperm penetration. Knowledge of the precise time of ovulation is required in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, to maximise artificial insemination (AI) success. In this study, the timing of ovulation in female tammars was monitored in relation to different times for intrauterine artificial insemination (IUAI). The reproductive tracts of 10 females were dissected at 36 to 41h post coitum (p.c.) and assessed for ovulation. After ovulation, tracts were flushed for embryos. A further 13 females were isolated from males for AI and checked for births every 12h. Semen (3 x 10power6 sperm) was deposited into the uterus via laparotomy at different times between 21.7-42.6h after birth was first detected. Ovaries were examined and tracts flushed for embryos in 4 females at 6h post AI, while 9 were left to give birth. Mating occurred 12.4 ± 2.7h (n=lO; 4.l-28.4h) after birth was first detected. Graafian follicles were observed at 36.0 ± 0.0h p.c. (n=3; all 36.0h) and embryos at 39.4 ± 1.4h p.c. (n=7; 36.0-41.0h). Thus ovulation occurs 36.0 to 39.4h p.c. (~48.4 to 51.8h post partum). A fertilized embryo was recovered 6.4h post AI (~49.0h p.p.) and one AI offspring was born after insemination 34.0h p.p. This confirms that anaesthesia and laparotomy do not suppress ovulation, and that spermatozoa reach the oocyte in time for successful fertilzation after IUAI between 34.0 and 42.6h after birth

A systematic review of the quality of randomized controlled trials of psychological treatments for emotional distress in breast cancer

Objective: Meta-analyses of trials of psychological treatments for emotional distress in breast cancer (BCa) conclude that efficacious treatments exist. Subsequently, their implementation in routine care is widely promoted by health policy. However, the methodological quality of these trials has not been systematically evaluated. The present review investigates this issue. Method: A systematic search identified randomized controlled trials of psychological treatments for emotional distress in BCa. The Psychotherapy Outcome Study Methodology Rating Form was used to assess the quality of trials. Generic design elements, including representativeness of sample, control of concomitant treatments, reporting clinical significance outcomes, and design elements specific to psychotherapy trials, including manualisation, therapist training, and therapist adherence and competence were evaluated. Results: 91 trials were eligible. Overall, methodological quality was low. Generic design elements were limited in most trials: 15% specified as an inclusion criterion that participants were distressed; 10% controlled for concomitant treatments; and 11% reported the clinical significance of findings. Design elements specific to psychotherapy trials were also implemented poorly: 51% used treatment manuals; 8% used certified trained therapists; and monitoring of adherence and competence occurred in 15% and 4%, respectively. Conclusion: The methodological quality of psychological treatment trials for emotional distress in BCa is improving. However, if relevant health policies are to be adequately empirically informed, trials of greater methodological rigour are essential. Trials should include participants with clinical levels of distress, control for concomitant treatments and report the clinical significance of findings. Trialists must also consider the specific requirements of psychotherapy trials

Successful live-birth in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, using intrauterine artificial insemination (IUAI) and laparotomy

Artificial insemination (Al) in marsupials will provide a vital management tool for endangered species to maximise animal numbers and genetically supplement inbred populations in the field and captivity. In this study, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) was used as a model to develop AI for potential application in various species of endangered macropods including the brush-tailed rock wallaby and long-nosed potoroo. The reproductive cycle of 24 females was synchronised by removing their pouch young (RPY), which resulted in reactivation of the diapausing embryo, birth 26.2±0.7 days later and an oestrus lasting approx 1 to 6 hours post partum. Females were isolated from males from the time of RPY. Semen collected by electroejaculation on the day of birth was used for artificial insemination into 4 different regions: (i) urogenital sinus via syringe (n=7) (ii) median & anterior lateral vaginae via catheter (n=7) (iii) uterus via a transcervical catheter during laparotomy (n=5) (iv) uterus directly (IUAI) via needle during laparotomy (n=5) Each female had their second pouch young removed to allow for any successful AI fertilisations to develop directly through to birth. One of the five females inseminated by direct IUAI gave birth (20% success and 4.2% success of all animals artificially inseminated). This is the first live-born macropodid offspring produced by artificial insemination

Migrant networks, language learning and tourism employment

This paper examines the relationship between migrants’ social networks, the processes of language acquisition and tourism employment. Data collected using netnography and interviews are used to identify the strategies that Polish workers in the UK use to develop their language skills. The paper highlights the roles played by co-workers, co-nationals and customers in migrants’ language learning, both in the physical spaces of work and the virtual spaces of internet forums. It also shows how migrant workers exchange knowledge about the use of English during different stages of their migration careers: prior to leaving their country of origin and getting a job, during their employment and after leaving their job. Implications for academic inquiry and human resource management practice are outlined

Parent-of-origin-specific allelic associations among 106 genomic loci for age at menarche.

Age at menarche is a marker of timing of puberty in females. It varies widely between individuals, is a heritable trait and is associated with risks for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and all-cause mortality. Studies of rare human disorders of puberty and animal models point to a complex hypothalamic-pituitary-hormonal regulation, but the mechanisms that determine pubertal timing and underlie its links to disease risk remain unclear. Here, using genome-wide and custom-genotyping arrays in up to 182,416 women of European descent from 57 studies, we found robust evidence (P < 5 × 10(-8)) for 123 signals at 106 genomic loci associated with age at menarche. Many loci were associated with other pubertal traits in both sexes, and there was substantial overlap with genes implicated in body mass index and various diseases, including rare disorders of puberty. Menarche signals were enriched in imprinted regions, with three loci (DLK1-WDR25, MKRN3-MAGEL2 and KCNK9) demonstrating parent-of-origin-specific associations concordant with known parental expression patterns. Pathway analyses implicated nuclear hormone receptors, particularly retinoic acid and γ-aminobutyric acid-B2 receptor signalling, among novel mechanisms that regulate pubertal timing in humans. Our findings suggest a genetic architecture involving at least hundreds of common variants in the coordinated timing of the pubertal transition

Molecular Surveillance of True Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: An Evaluation of PCR Screening Assays

BackgroundUnambiguous identification of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is not possible by conventional microbiology. Molecular characterisation of phenotypically defined NTHi isolates suggests that up to 40% are Haemophilus haemolyticus (Hh); however, the genetic similarity of NTHi and Hh limits the power of simple molecular techniques such as PCR for species discrimination.Methodology/Principal FindingsHere we assess the ability of previously published and novel PCR-based assays to identify true NTHi. Sixty phenotypic NTHi isolates, classified by a dual 16S rRNA gene PCR algorithm as NTHi (n = 22), Hh (n = 27) or equivocal (n = 11), were further characterised by sequencing of the 16S rRNA and recA genes then interrogated by PCR-based assays targeting the omp P2, omp P6, lgtC, hpd, 16S rRNA, fucK and iga genes. The sequencing data and PCR results were used to define NTHi for this study. Two hpd real time PCR assays (hpd#1 and hpd#3) and the conventional iga PCR assay were equally efficient at differentiating study-defined NTHi from Hh, each with a receiver operator characteristic curve area of 0.90 [0.83; 0.98]. The hpd#1 and hpd#3 assays were completely specific against a panel of common respiratory bacteria, unlike the iga PCR, and the hpd#3 assay was able to detect below 10 copies per reaction.Conclusions/SignificanceOur data suggest an evolutionary continuum between NTHi and Hh and therefore no single gene target could completely differentiate NTHi from Hh. The hpd#3 real time PCR assay proved to be the superior method for discrimination of NTHi from closely related Haemophilus species with the added potential for quantification of H. influenzae directly from specimens. We suggest the hpd#3 assay would be suitable for routine NTHi surveillance and to assess the impact of antibiotics and vaccines, on H. influenzae carriage rates, carriage density, and disease

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Cerebral microbleeds and intracranial haemorrhage risk in patients anticoagulated for atrial fibrillation after acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (CROMIS-2):a multicentre observational cohort study

Background: Cerebral microbleeds are a potential neuroimaging biomarker of cerebral small vessel diseases that are prone to intracranial bleeding. We aimed to determine whether presence of cerebral microbleeds can identify patients at high risk of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage when anticoagulated for atrial fibrillation after recent ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Methods: Our observational, multicentre, prospective inception cohort study recruited adults aged 18 years or older from 79 hospitals in the UK and one in the Netherlands with atrial fibrillation and recent acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack, treated with a vitamin K antagonist or direct oral anticoagulant, and followed up for 24 months using general practitioner and patient postal questionnaires, telephone interviews, hospital visits, and National Health Service digital data on hospital admissions or death. We excluded patients if they could not undergo MRI, had a definite contraindication to anticoagulation, or had previously received therapeutic anticoagulation. The primary outcome was symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage occurring at any time before the final follow-up at 24 months. The log-rank test was used to compare rates of intracranial haemorrhage between those with and without cerebral microbleeds. We developed two prediction models using Cox regression: first, including all predictors associated with intracranial haemorrhage at the 20% level in univariable analysis; and second, including cerebral microbleed presence and HAS-BLED score. We then compared these with the HAS-BLED score alone. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02513316. Findings: Between Aug 4, 2011, and July 31, 2015, we recruited 1490 participants of whom follow-up data were available for 1447 (97%), over a mean period of 850 days (SD 373; 3366 patient-years). The symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage rate in patients with cerebral microbleeds was 9·8 per 1000 patient-years (95% CI 4·0–20·3) compared with 2·6 per 1000 patient-years (95% CI 1·1–5·4) in those without cerebral microbleeds (adjusted hazard ratio 3·67, 95% CI 1·27–10·60). Compared with the HAS-BLED score alone (C-index 0·41, 95% CI 0·29–0·53), models including cerebral microbleeds and HAS-BLED (0·66, 0·53–0·80) and cerebral microbleeds, diabetes, anticoagulant type, and HAS-BLED (0·74, 0·60–0·88) predicted symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage significantly better (difference in C-index 0·25, 95% CI 0·07–0·43, p=0·0065; and 0·33, 0·14–0·51, p=0·00059, respectively). Interpretation: In patients with atrial fibrillation anticoagulated after recent ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack, cerebral microbleed presence is independently associated with symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage risk and could be used to inform anticoagulation decisions. Large-scale collaborative observational cohort analyses are needed to refine and validate intracranial haemorrhage risk scores incorporating cerebral microbleeds to identify patients at risk of net harm from oral anticoagulation. Funding: The Stroke Association and the British Heart Foundation