PSEUDORABIES (AUJESZKY'S DISEASE) IS AN UNDERDIAGNOSED CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE FLORIDA PANTHER (PUMA CONCOLOR CORYI).

Feral swine (Sus scrofa), an important prey species for the endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi), is the natural host for pseudorabies virus (PRV). Prior to this study, PRV had been detected in just three panthers. To determine the effect of PRV on the panther population, we prospectively necropsied 199 panthers and retrospectively reviewed necropsy and laboratory findings, reexamined histology, and tested archived tissues using real-time PCR from 46 undiagnosed panther mortalities. Seven additional infections (two prospective, five retrospective) were detected for a total of 10 confirmed panther mortalities due to PRV. To further evaluate the effect of PRV, we categorized radio-collared (n=168) and uncollared panther mortalities (n=367) sampled from 1981 to 2018 based on the likelihood of PRV infection as confirmed, probable, suspected, possible, or unlikely/negative. Of 168 radio-collared panthers necropsied, PRV was the cause of death for between eight (confirmed; 4.8%) and 32 (combined confirmed, probable, suspected, and possible categories; 19.0%) panthers. The number of radio-collared panther mortalities due to PRV was estimated to be 15 (95% empirical limits: 12-19), representing 8.9% (confidence interval: 4.6-13.2%) of mortalities. Gross necropsy findings in 10 confirmed cases were nonspecific. Microscopic changes included slight to mild perivascular cuffing and gliosis (primarily in the brain stem), lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis (cerebral cortex), and intranuclear inclusion bodies (adrenal medulla). The PRV glycoprotein C gene sequences from three positive panthers grouped with the sequence from a Florida feral swine. Our findings indicate that PRV may be an important and underdiagnosed cause of death in Florida panthers.

Distribution and host associations of ixodid ticks collected from wildlife in Florida, USA.

A tick survey was conducted to document tick-host associations with Florida (USA) wildlife, and to determine the relative abundance and distribution of ixodid ticks throughout the state. The survey was conducted using collection kits distributed to licensed Florida hunters as well as the examination of archived specimens from ongoing state wildlife research programs. Collected tick samples were obtained from 66% of Florida counties and were collected from nine wildlife hosts, including black bear, bobcat, coyote, deer, gray fox, Florida panther, raccoon, swine, and wild turkey. In total, 4176 ticks were identified, of which 75% were Amblyomma americanum, 14% Ixodes scapularis, 8% A. maculatum, 3% Dermacentor variabilis, and < 1% were I. affinis and I. texanus. americanum, D. variabilis, and I. scapularis had the broadest host range, while A. maculatum, D. variabilis, and I. scapularis had the widest geographic distribution. While the survey data contribute to an understanding of tick-host associations in Florida, they also provide insight into the seasonal and geographic distribution of several important vector species in the southeastern USA.

Epizootiology and management of feline leukemia virus in the Florida puma.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was not detected in Florida pumas (Puma concolor coryi) in almost 20 yr of surveillance; however, the finding of two FeLV antigen-positive pumas during the 2002-2003 capture season led to an investigation of FeLV in the population. Between January 1990 and April 2007, the proportion of pumas testing FeLV antibody positive increased, with antibody-positive pumas concentrated in the northern portion of puma range. Five of 131 (4%) pumas sampled between July 2000 and April 2007 were viremic, with all cases clustered in Okaloacoochee Slough (OKS). Clinical signs and clinical pathology at capture were absent or included lymphadenopathy, moderate-to-severe anemia, and lymphopenia. All viremic pumas died; causes of death were septicemia (n=2), intraspecific aggression (n=2), and anemia/dehydration (n=1). Outcome after FeLV exposure in pumas was similar to that in domestic cats, with evidence of regressive, latent, and persistent infections. Management of the epizootic included vaccination, and as of April 2007, 52 free-ranging pumas had received one or more inoculations. Vaccinations were concentrated in OKS and in a band between OKS and the remainder of the puma population. There have been no new cases since July 2004; however, the potential for reintroduction of the virus remains.

A rational use of dental materials in posterior direct resin restorations in order to control polymerization shrinkage stress.

One of the main problems when using resin-based composites is the resulting polymerization shrinkage stress. Composite strain is hindered every time the composite is bonded to the tooth's walls. In the pre-gel phase the shrinkage stress is reduced by the composite flow from the free to the bonded surface areas. Therefore, no stress develops at the dentine-composite interface. When a gel point is reached, the composite flow no longer compensates for the volumetric shrinkage. The generated stress may cause adhesive failure and several other adverse clinical consequences such as enamel fracture, cracked cusps, cuspal movement, microcracking of the restorative material and gaps between the resin and cavity walls which may cause secondary caries and postoperative sensitivity. A sensible use of materials in direct restorations may contribute to a reduced rate of shrinkage stress. To this aim glass-ionomer cement as well as flowable, light-curing and self-curing composites were examined. The aim of this study was to provide some useful information for a sensible choice of restoration materials in order to control shrinkage stress and its negative consequences in direct posterior restorations.

Gravitational particle production in braneworld cosmology.

Gravitational particle production in a time variable metric of an expanding universe is efficient only when the Hubble parameter H is not too small in comparison with the particle mass. In standard cosmology, the huge value of the Planck mass M{Pl} makes the mechanism phenomenologically irrelevant. On the other hand, in braneworld cosmology, the expansion rate of the early Universe can be much faster, and many weakly interacting particles can be abundantly created. Cosmological implications are discussed.

SEM qualitative evaluation of four self-etching adhesive systems.

AIM: Recently, there has been a tendency to simplify bonding procedures. Current self-etching adhesives combine conditioning, priming and bonding functions thus reducing technique-sensitivity as well as the risk of making errors. Another important advantage of this approach is that it allows the resin to etch and infiltrate the substratum simultaneously thus reducing the risk of any discrepancy between these 2 processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bonding quality of 4 self-etching adhesives both on dentin and enamel using SEM analysis. METHODS: Twenty caries-free molars were used. The aprismatic enamel layer was removed from the internal and external slopes of the vestibular cusps using a diamond bur. Each molar was then transversally cut just above the pulp chamber using a diamond saw (composhave 4255 Intensiv) thus obtaining twenty coronal fragments and 20 radicular fragments. Radicular and coronal fragments were then randomly divided into 5 groups. Each group consisted of 8 specimens: 4 coronal and 4 radicular ones. A different adhesive system was used for each group following the manufacturer's directions. Each group underwent the same treatment: a thin layer of flowable composite was applied and then polymerized. Subsequently, a single 2 mm layer of microhybrid composite was added. The coronal and radicular portions were longitudinally cut to show the ground enamel/adhesive, unground enamel/adhesive and dentine/adhesive interfaces. Eighty specimens were obtained and prepared for SEM observation. Forty specimens with an adhesive/enamel interface and 40 with an adhesive/dentine interface. RESULTS: The interfacial exam frequently showed gaps between the substratum and the restoration. The final etching was generally satisfactory on ground enamel, while it was poor on unground enamel. Sometimes gaps were evident at the adhesive interface in dentin specimens. The tested adhesive systems produced a suitable hybrid layer and a lot of resin-tags were present. CONCLUSIONS: Self-etching adhesives showed an adequate adhesion to dentin. However, while they provided encouraging results on ground enamel they did not show to be dependable on unground enamel.

[Sclerotic dentin: aetio-pathogenetic hypotheses]. / Dentina sclerotica: ipotesi eziopatogenetiche.

The situation with regard to current knowledge concerning dentinal sclerosis is examined. SEM and TEM examination of specimens of sclerotic dentin showed changes in diameter and tubular content leading to various degrees of obstruction of the lumen. There is agreement that this is due to the neo-apposition of peri-tubular dentin associated with intra-tubular deposition of crystals of Whitelockite, although the debate is still open on how such deposition may come about. Sclerotic casts are created in the tubules that may completely occlude the lumen or present a central cavity. In general these casts are surrounded by a thin fissure that has been variously interpreted. Many agree that sclerotic dentin has an increased mineral component, but without clarifying whether this is only a quantitative increase or whether it is also due to hyper-mineralisation of pre-existing dentin. An examination of the literature reveals numerous hypotheses surrounding the genesis of sclerotic dentin: some say it is due to passive phenomena of dissolution and precipitation whereas others suggest active involvement of the odontoblastic processes and the pulp. Since no studies have confirmed or confuted these theses, we may continue to think of dentinal sclerosis as a multifactorial event, due both to an increase in the thickness of peri-tubular dentin and to intra-tubular precipitation of calcium salts associated with mineralisation of the organic structures present in the lumen.