A retrospective study of Uncinaria stenocephala in domestic dogs: Age, sex distribution, and risk factors.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Uncinaria infection often appears in domestic dogs. In the present study, parasitological examination of fecal samples from 782 dogs were analyzed for the presence of Uncinaria stenocephala. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fecal samples were analyzed by means of a standardized flotation method using a saturated salt solution containing NaNO3 (specific gravity 1.38), with a centrifugation step. RESULTS: The highest prevalence rates were found among young adult dogs (8.3%), followed by puppies (5.4%); the lowest prevalence rates were found in dogs older than 3 years (4.3%). The prevalence was 5.8% among female dogs and 7.2% in male dogs. Coinfections with roundworms and protozoan parasites were frequently observed in U. stenocephala-positive dogs (15%). In total, three types of coinfections were registered. Coinfection of U. stenocephala + Sarcocystids oocysts was recorded in 19.1% of the dogs (n=10). This may relate to higher prevalence of S. oocysts in dogs (n=153; 19.5%). There were two cases of coinfection of U. stenocephala + Toxocara canis (3.9%), which may relate to low prevalence of T. canis (3.9 %). One case of coinfection of Dipylidium caninum + U. stenocephala (0.1%) also appeared. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that male dogs and young dogs were most susceptible to U. stenocephala infection.

Recovery planning towards doubling wild tiger Panthera tigris numbers: Detailing 18 recovery sites from across the range.

With less than 3200 wild tigers in 2010, the heads of 13 tiger-range countries committed to doubling the global population of wild tigers by 2022. This goal represents the highest level of ambition and commitment required to turn the tide for tigers in the wild. Yet, ensuring efficient and targeted implementation of conservation actions alongside systematic monitoring of progress towards this goal requires that we set site-specific recovery targets and timelines that are ecologically realistic. In this study, we assess the recovery potential of 18 sites identified under WWF's Tigers Alive Initiative. We delineated recovery systems comprising a source, recovery site, and support region, which need to be managed synergistically to meet these targets. By using the best available data on tiger and prey numbers, and adapting existing species recovery frameworks, we show that these sites, which currently support 165 (118-277) tigers, have the potential to harbour 585 (454-739) individuals. This would constitute a 15% increase in the global population and represent over a three-fold increase within these specific sites, on an average. However, it may not be realistic to achieve this target by 2022, since tiger recovery in 15 of these 18 sites is contingent on the initial recovery of prey populations, which is a slow process. We conclude that while sustained conservation efforts can yield significant recoveries, it is critical that we commit our resources to achieving the biologically realistic targets for these sites even if the timelines are extended.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Rabies Virus Strain Isolated from a Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) in Primorsky Krai, Russia (November 2014).

We report here the complete genome sequence (GenBank KP997032) of rabies virus strain RABV/Ursus arctos/Russia/Primorye/PO-01/2014, isolated in November 2014 from a brown bear (Ursus arctos) that attacked a person in Primorsky Krai (Russian Federation). This strain was clustered into the Eurasian genetic subgroup of genotype 1 (street rage).

The development and application of a multiplex short tandem repeat (STR) system for identifying subspecies, individuals and sex in tigers.

Poaching and trans-boundary trafficking of tigers and body parts are threatening the world's last remaining wild tigers. Development of an efficient molecular genetic assay for tracing the origins of confiscated specimens will assist in law enforcement and wildlife forensics for this iconic flagship species. We developed a multiplex genotyping system "tigrisPlex" to simultaneously assess 22 short tandem repeat (STR, or microsatellite) loci and a gender-identifying SRY gene, all amplified in 4 reactions using as little as 1 ng of template DNA. With DNA samples used for between-run calibration, the system generates STR genotypes that are directly compatible with voucher tiger subspecies genetic profiles, hence making it possible to identify subspecies via bi-parentally inherited markers. We applied "tigrisPlex" to 12 confiscated specimens from Russia and identified 6 individuals (3 females and 3 males), each represented by duplicated samples and all designated as Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) with high confidence. This STR multiplex system can serve as an effective and versatile approach for genetic profiling of both wild and captive tigers as well as confiscated tiger products, fulfilling various conservation needs for identifying the origins of tiger samples.

Clinical observation of macroamylasemia in splenosis due to the posttraumatic splenectomy.

CONTEXT: Article analyzes current data on macroamylasemia and splenosis, their etiology and diagnostics in particular. CASE REPORT: Authors presented their own clinical observation of a young woman who was diagnosed to have macroamylasemia on the background of splenosis due to the splenectomy after blunt abdominal injury. CONCLUSION: This is the first time such a combination of macroamylasemia on the background of splenosis has been described in the literature.

Morphological and functional alterations of small intestine in chronic pancreatitis.

CONTEXT: The small intestine in chronic pancreatitis has not been investigated yet thoroughly. It would be important to understand fat metabolism in the course of this disease and could be explained if the small intestine has some pathological conditions and, due to this reason, pancreatic enzyme substitution does not work in all patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathophysiology of small intestine in chronic pancreatitis and to show the reason why in some cases pancreatic enzyme substitution does not work properly. PATIENTS: In the process of the study 33 chronic pancreatitis patients have been examined. CONTROLS: The control group includes 30 subjects without chronic pancreatitis similar for age, sex and alcohol consumption to the patients with chronic pancreatitis patients. INVESTIGATIONS: Aspiration biopsy of jejunum mucosa followed by histological examination and investigation of intestinal enzymes by aspiration has been performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Metabolism at membranic level has been studied by enzymatic activity of amylase and lipase in the small intestine. Production of enzymes (monoglyceride lipase, lactase, saccharase, maltase, glycyl-l-leucine dipeptidase) promoting metabolism in enterocytes has been estimated as to their activity in homogenates of jejunum mucosa samples. Participation of mucosa in intestinal digestion has been assessed by alkaline phosphatase activity in a secretory chyme from proximal portion of jejunum. Absorptive capacity of jejunum was evaluated by D-xylose test results. DNA, lysozyme, immunoglobulin contents of chyme have also been calculated and bacteriological study of chyme has been also performed. RESULTS: Secondary enteritis, accompanied by moderate dystrophic changes of mucous membrane, thinning of limbus, and decrease of Paneth cell mitotic index, was found to occur in chronic pancreatitis patients. Enteritis is followed by changes in enzymatic processes in the sphere of membrane and intestinal digestion, decrease of absorption, accelerated desquamation of epithelium, fall in local immunity and development of bacterial overgrowth syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Existence of secondary enteritis and bacterial overgrowth syndrome validates lack of enzyme replacement therapy efficacy in some chronic pancreatitis patients with pancreatic insufficiency. To optimize treatment in such cases it is important to perform small intestine decontamination and escalate enzyme preparation dosage.