Immune-mediated pyogranulomatous panniculitis with hypercalcemia in a dog.

An 11-year-old neutered male large crossbreed dog was presented for investigation because of a 10-day history of progressive lethargy, hyporexia, and pyrexia. Physical and dermatological examinations were unremarkable. Blood biochemical analysis identified a marked total and ionized hypercalcemia and increased C-reactive protein concentration. Bicavitary computed tomography screening for causes of the dog's clinical and biochemical abnormalities identified a diffuse panniculitis. Histopathological examination of full-thickness skin biopsies was consistent with pyogranulomatous inflammation. Extensive histochemical staining revealed no infectious etiology. Complete clinical and biochemical remissions were observed after starting immunosuppressive, followed by tapering, doses of prednisolone, supporting an immune-mediated etiology. Key clinical message: Sterile, immune-mediated pyogranulomatous inflammation should remain a differential diagnosis for hypercalcemia in dogs. Significant dermatological disease may occur without visible abnormalities.

Panniculite pyogranulomateuse à médiation immunitaire avec hypercalcémie chez un chienUn grand chien croisé mâle castré de 11 ans a été présenté pour examen en raison d'antécédents de léthargie progressive, d'hyporexie et de pyrexie depuis 10 jours. Les examens physiques et dermatologiques étaient sans particularité. L'analyse biochimique du sang présentait une hypercalcémie totale et ionisée marquée et une concentration accrue de protéine C-réactive. Le dépistage par tomodensitométrie bicavitaire des causes des anomalies cliniques et biochimiques du chien a identifié une panniculite diffuse. L'examen histopathologique des biopsies cutanées de pleine épaisseur était compatible avec une inflammation pyogranulomateuse. Un examen par coloration histochimique extensive n'a révélé aucune étiologie infectieuse. Les rémissions cliniques et biochimiques complètes ont été observées après le début du traitement immunosuppresseur, suivies d'une diminution progressive des doses de prednisolone, confirmant une étiologie à médiation immunitaire.Message clinique clé:L'inflammation pyogranulomateuse stérile à médiation immunitaire doit rester un diagnostic différentiel de l'hypercalcémie chez le chien. Une maladie dermatologique importante peut survenir sans anomalies visibles.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Characterization of canine intestinal microRNA expression in inflammatory bowel disease and T-cell lymphoma.

Differentiating between canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and intestinal T-cell lymphoma by histopathological examination of endoscopically-derived intestinal biopsies can be challenging and involves an invasive procedure requiring specialized equipment and training. A rapid, non-invasive method of diagnosis, such as blood or faecal analysis for a conserved and stable biomarker, would be a useful adjunct or replacement. Studies on dogs and humans with various types of lymphoma have shown altered microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns in blood, faeces and tissues indicating their potential use as biomarkers of disease. The present study used residual archived endoscopically-derived, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) duodenal tissue taken from pet dogs undergoing routine investigation of gastrointestinal disease. The dogs had previously been diagnosed with either normal/minimal intestinal inflammation, severe IBD or intestinal T-cell lymphoma. Next generation sequencing with qPCR validation was used to elucidate differentially expressed miRNAs between groups. Our results show that miRNA can be extracted from archived endoscopically-derived FFPE tissues from the canine duodenum and used to differentiate normal/minimally inflamed canine duodenal tissue from severe lymphoplasmacytic IBD and T-cell lymphoma.

A Community-Integrated Geographic Information System Study of Air Pollution Exposure Impacts in Colfax, LA.

A community-integrated geographic information systems (CIGIS) study assimilating qualitative and quantitative information about human exposures and health was conducted in Colfax, Louisiana, which hosts a commercial open burn/open detonation thermal treatment (TT) facility that destroys waste from Superfund sites, explosives, military ordnances, and propellants. Fifty-eight percent of residents identified as Black, and median annual income was $16,318, with 90% of the population living below the poverty line. We conducted oral history interviews of twenty-nine residents and mined public records to document the community's experiences. Interviews focused on themes of Colfax's history, changing community fabric, resident health, and air pollution. The oral histories and public comments by community members provided information about lived experiences, including several health conditions, toleration of noise and vibration, property damage, and resulting changes to activity levels. These statements provided insight into the extent of suffering experienced by the local community. We also ran dispersion models for dates in 2020 when the waste stream composition, mass, and burn/smoldering times were provided in the facility's public records. The dispersion models placed the air pollution at the homes of residents during some of the time, and waste stream records from the TT facility agree with community testimony about health effects based on the known health effects of those compounds. CIGIS integration of our community-based qualitative data and maps with quantitative air pollution dispersion model output illustrated alignment between community complaints of impacts to health and property, known toxicological information about waste stream compounds, and dispersion model output.

Differential expression of microRNAs in the caecal content and faeces of broiler chickens experimentally infected with Eimeria.

Coccidiosis caused by Eimeria spp. incurs significant morbidity and mortality in chickens, and is thus of great economic importance. Post-mortem intestinal lesion scoring remains one of the most common means of diagnosis; therefore alternative, non-invasive methods of diagnosis and monitoring would be highly desirable. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be stable in faeces of human and animal species with expression altered in gastrointestinal disease. We hypothesized that miRNA is stable in caecal content of chickens, and that differential miRNA expression patterns would be seen in Eimeria-infected versus uninfected individuals. Initially, RNA was extracted from Eimeria tenella-infected (n = 3; 7 days post infection) and uninfected (n = 3) chicken caecal content to demonstrate miRNA stability. Subsequently, next-generation miRNA sequencing was performed on caecal content from E. tenella-infected chickens with high (lesion score (LS) 3-4; n = 3) or low (LS1; n = 3) levels of pathology, and uninfected controls (n = 3). Comparative analysis identified 19 miRNAs that exhibited significantly altered expression in the caecal content of E. tenella, infected chickens versus uninfected chickens (t-test, False Discovery Rate (FDR) < 0.05). Eight of these miRNAs showed significant up-regulation in infection (fold change of 9.8-105, FDR <0.05). Quantitative PCR was performed using separate biological replicates to confirm differential regulation in eight of these miRNA candidates in caecal and faecal content. This work has identified a panel of miRNA candidates which may be appropriate for use as non-invasive faecal markers of active caecal coccidiosis without the need for culling. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSE. tenella induced differential miRNA expression in caecal content and faeces.

Novel adenovirus associated with necrotizing bronchiolitis in a captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus).

Adenoviruses cause a range of major diseases across many diverse animal species including ruminants. They are classified into six genera in the family Adenoviridae. In deer species, two adenoviruses are currently recognized: deer adenovirus 1 in the Atadenovirus genus, and deer adenovirus 2 in the Mastadenovirus genus. Deer adenovirus 1 causes adenovirus haemorrhagic disease with high fatality in black-tailed and mule deer in North America. Conversely, deer adenovirus 2 was incidentally detected from a healthy white-tailed deer fawn, but experimentally it has been shown to cause pyrexia, cough and moderate to severe haemorrhage. Here, we detected a novel adenovirus, reindeer adenovirus 1, from lung lesions of a 5-year-old male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). This animal presented with aspiration pneumonia and necrotizing bronchiolitis following a period of clinical weakness, nasal discharge and wasting. Histopathological examination of the lung revealed large intranuclear basophilic inclusions associated with the areas of necrotizing bronchiolitis. Next generation sequencing of the lung tissue identified a novel mastadenovirus with close similarity to deer adenovirus 2 and bovine adenovirus 3. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a deer mastadenovirus associated with necrotizing bronchiolitis in captive reindeer.

YERSINIA PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS INFECTIONS IN PRIMATES, ARTIODACTYLS, AND BIRDS WITHIN A ZOOLOGICAL FACILITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

Infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis can be difficult to diagnose and treat successfully. Twenty-four cases from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo were identified between 2001 and 2019. Husbandry, medical, and postmortem records for six primates, 10 artiodactyls, and eight birds were reviewed to identify common clinical signs and gross lesions. Most cases occurred during the winter; however, an outbreak in four primates occurred during the summer following a period of stress associated with increased ambient noise and activity. Common clinical signs included lethargy (6/6 primates, 4/10 artiodactyls, 4/8 birds) or death without premonitory signs (3/10 artiodactyls, 4/8 birds). Once clinical signs were observed, disease progressed quickly. Poor condition was common in mammals (6/6 primates, 9/10 artiodactyls), but often went undetected until postmortem examination. Neurological signs occurred in three of six primates. Diarrhea and anorexia were uncommon in all animals. Hepatitis was observed in all groups (4/6 primates, 2/10 artiodactyls, 4/8 birds), mesenteric lymphadenomegaly was common in mammals (4/6 primates, 8/10 artiodactyls), and gastroenteritis was common in artiodactyls (7/10). Erythematous, punctate rashes, which have only been reported with yersiniosis in humans, were present in three of six primates. Bacterial cultures from the liver in primates and birds or enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes in artiodactyls were often diagnostic. All isolates were susceptible to marbofloxacin, oxytetracycline, streptomycin, ceftazidime, amoxicillin clavulanic acid, trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, azithromycin, and doxycycline, and resistant to clindamycin. Histopathology and Perl's Prussian blue stains were performed on available liver samples (n = 18). Intracellular hemosiderin was present in 17 of 18 cases. Additional research is needed to determine if there is a relationship between hemosiderosis and yersiniosis.

Applying community resilience theory to engagement with residents facing cumulative environmental exposure risks: lessons from Louisiana's industrial corridor.

The presence of legacy pollutants, on-going chemical manufacturing activities, and population shifts have introduced complex, cumulative exposure risks to residents of many highly industrialized communities. These "industrial corridors" present unique challenges to environmental health science professionals, public and private sector decision makers, and residents seeking to make their communities safer and healthier. Social-ecological resilience theory offers a useful framework for the design and implementation of community engagement efforts to help stakeholders take action to reduce their exposure risks. A resilience framework views the human community as a coupled social-ecological system, wherein disturbances to the equilibrium of the system - acute and/or chronic - are common rather than rare events. It recognizes three key capacities of more resilient communities. These are the abilities of community members to self-organize to address changing threat levels, to hold scientifically sound understandings of the risks, and to learn from past experiences and take action - individually or collectively - to adapt to or mitigate the hazards in their local environment. We apply this resilience theory framework to a case study from Camp Minden, Louisiana, conducted through the Louisiana State University (LSU) Superfund Research Center's Community Engagement program and supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The case illuminates a critical path by which resilience theory can be applied to guide bi-directional communication and information-gathering, and co-development of risk-reducing strategies at the community level. These are central elements of community engagement within a contentious, real-world setting. The three components of the resilience framework were supported by specific program mechanisms and activities. The capacity for self-organization among community stakeholders was furthered through the convening of a Dialogue Committee which brought together representatives of concerned residents, regulatory agencies, research scientists, and others. This collaborative problem-solving approach supported a more holistic and scientifically sound understanding of the problem through a series of interactive meetings in which members discussed site-remediation options with thermal-treatment experts and regulators, and shared how recent explosions and concerns about air quality affected them. The members co-developed selection criteria and reached consensus on two types of disposal methods that would best reduce the significant threats to public health and the local environment. We also include a brief summary of our recent randomized survey of over 550 residents of Louisiana's industrialized communities to determine the influences on household-level adaptive behaviors to reduce acute and chronic environmental exposure risks. The results of the logistic regression analysis indicate that residents with more concern and knowledge about environmental hazards, along with confidence in their ability to implement risk-reduction measures - such as checking air-quality forecasts and then limiting outside activities - were much more likely to adopt the exposure-reducing behaviors, even when controlling for socioeconomic and demographic differences among respondents. These findings shed light on the conditions under which residents of these types of communities may be more likely to take action to reduce potential environmental exposure risks, and may help in the design of public education efforts. These "lessons learned" from Louisiana communities facing cumulative environmental exposure risks suggest that application of resilience theory to the design and implementation of community engagement programs may support the longer-term effectiveness of the efforts and enhance overall environmental health resilience. In addition, they provide practical insights about how to operationalize and apply these theoretical concepts to real-world environmental health challenges faced by residents of industrialized communities throughout the world.

Community resilience and critical transformations: the case of St. Gabriel, Louisiana.

Introduction Community resilience, the ability of a community to respond positively to adverse situations, is an increasingly important topic in public health. Many resilience frameworks are grounded in concepts initially developed by ecologists to describe and explain the capacity of complex systems, such as a community, to persist or return to its original state following disturbances. As a result, much of the research on resilience is concerned with maintaining systems in their current form, preventing degradation, or promoting recovery. However, for a system that is stuck in a trap, or an unfavorable state, deliberate efforts to build the components that contribute to resilience, called adaptive capacities, may enable that system to reorganize after a disturbance to reach a more favorable state. Objective The purpose of this research was to apply a resilience framework to analyze how the community of St. Gabriel, Louisiana adapted in response to environmental change. Methods We used qualitative case-study methodologies to systematically collect newspaper articles, which served as primary data sources to examine how resilience and adaptive capacity evolved in the community of St. Gabriel, Louisiana. Results Key events in the recent history of St. Gabriel include industrial development, growing concern about environmental health and pollution, the environmental justice (EJ) movement, and the incorporation of the community as a self-governing municipality. Two events, the community's organized resistance to a large hazardous waste facility and the change in government structure, represent critical transformations, or fundamental changes in how the community functions. Conclusion The incorporation of St. Gabriel gave community members more input in planning and development decisions. As a result, the community has taken steps to improve public health in the form of zoning ordinances to prevent new exposure risks and building community infrastructure, such as a new sewer system and a recreation center.

The effect of spatial frequency information and visual similarity in threat detection.

In the current research, we sought to examine the role of spatial frequency on the detection of threat using a speeded visual search paradigm. Participants searched for threat-relevant (snakes or spiders) or non-threat-relevant (frogs or cockroaches) targets in an array of neutral (flowers or mushrooms) distracters, and we measured search performance with images filtered to contain different levels (high and low) of spatial frequency information. The results replicate previous work demonstrating more rapid detection of threatening versus non-threatening stimuli [e.g. LoBue, V. & DeLoache, J. S. (2008). Detecting the snake in the grass: Attention to fear-relevant stimuli by adults and young children. Psychological Science, 19, 284-289. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02081.x]. Most importantly, the results suggest that low spatial frequency or relatively coarse levels of visual information is sufficient for the rapid and accurate detection of threatening stimuli. Furthermore, the results also suggest that visual similarity between the stimuli used in the search tasks plays a significant role in speeded detection. The results are discussed in terms of the theoretical implications for the rapid detection of threat and methodological implications for properly accounting for similarity between the stimuli in visual search studies.

An attentional bias for thin bodies and its relation to body dissatisfaction.

Research suggests that humans have an attentional bias for the rapid detection of emotionally valenced stimuli, and that such a bias might be shaped by clinical psychological states. The current research extends this work to examine the relation between body dissatisfaction and an attentional bias for thin/idealized body shapes. Across two experiments, undergraduates completed a gender-consistent body dissatisfaction measure, and a dot-probe paradigm to measure attentional biases for thin versus heavy bodies. Results indicated that men (n=21) and women (n=18) show an attentional bias for bodies that correspond to their own gender (Experiment 1), and that high body dissatisfaction among men (n=69) and women (n=89) predicts an attentional bias for thin same-gender bodies after controlling for body mass index (BMI) (Experiment 2). This research provides a new direction for studying the attentional and cognitive underpinnings of the relation between body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.

Predictors of Indoor Radon Concentrations in Pennsylvania, 1989-2013.

BACKGROUND: Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. Most indoor exposure occurs by diffusion of soil gas. Radon is also found in well water, natural gas, and ambient air. Pennsylvania has high indoor radon concentrations; buildings are often tested during real estate transactions, with results reported to the Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). OBJECTIVES: We evaluated predictors of indoor radon concentrations. METHODS: Using first-floor and basement indoor radon results reported to the PADEP between 1987 and 2013, we evaluated associations of radon concentrations (natural log transformed) with geology, water source, building characteristics, season, weather, community socioeconomic status, community type, and unconventional natural gas development measures based on drilled and producing wells. RESULTS: Primary analysis included 866,735 first measurements by building, with the large majority from homes. The geologic rock layer on which the building sat was strongly associated with radon concentration (e.g., Axemann Formation, median = 365 Bq/m3, IQR = 167-679 vs. Stockton Formation, median = 93 Bq/m3, IQR = 52-178). In adjusted analysis, buildings using well water had 21% higher concentrations (ß = 0.191, 95% CI: 0.184, 0.198). Buildings in cities (vs. townships) had lower concentrations (ß = -0.323, 95% CI: -0.333, -0.314). When we included multiple tests per building, concentrations declined with repeated measurements over time. Between 2005 and 2013, 7,469 unconventional wells were drilled in Pennsylvania. Basement radon concentrations fluctuated between 1987 and 2003, but began an upward trend from 2004 to 2012 in all county categories (p < 0.001), with higher levels in counties having ≥ 100 drilled wells versus counties with none, and with highest levels in the Reading Prong. CONCLUSIONS: Geologic unit, well water, community, weather, and unconventional natural gas development were associated with indoor radon concentrations. Future studies should include direct environmental measurement of radon, as well as building features unavailable for this analysis. CITATION: Casey JA, Ogburn EL, Rasmussen SG, Irving JK, Pollak J, Locke PA, Schwartz BS. 2015. Predictors of indoor radon concentrations in Pennsylvania, 1989-2013. Environ Health Perspect 123:1130-1137; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409014.

Increased traffic accident rates associated with shale gas drilling in Pennsylvania.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between shale gas drilling and motor vehicle accident rates in Pennsylvania. METHODS: Using publicly available data on all reported vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania, we compared accident rates in counties with and without shale gas drilling, in periods with and without intermittent drilling (using data from 2005 to 2012). Counties with drilling were matched to non-drilling counties with similar population and traffic in the pre-drilling period. RESULTS: Heavily drilled counties in the north experienced 15-23% higher vehicle crash rates in 2010-2012 and 61-65% higher heavy truck crash rates in 2011-2012 than control counties. We estimated 5-23% increases in crash rates when comparing months with drilling and months without, but did not find significant effects on fatalities and major injury crashes. Heavily drilled counties in the southwest showed 45-47% higher rates of fatal and major injury crashes in 2012 than control counties, but monthly comparisons of drilling activity showed no significant differences associated with drilling. CONCLUSIONS: Vehicle accidents have measurably increased in conjunction with shale gas drilling.

Correlates of overweight and obesity among American Indian/Alaska Native and Non-Hispanic White children and adolescents: National Survey of Children's Health, 2007.

Risk factors for overweight and obesity may be different for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children compared to children of other racial/ethnic backgrounds, as obesity prevalence among AI/AN children remains much higher. Using data from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, behavioral (child's sport team participation, vigorous physical activity, television viewing, and computer use), household (parental physical activity, frequency of family meals, rules limiting television viewing, and television in the child's bedroom), neighborhood (neighborhood support, perceived community and school safety, and presence of parks, sidewalks, and recreation centers in the neighborhood), and sociodemographic (child's age and sex, household structure, and poverty status) correlates of overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥85th percentile for age and sex) were assessed among 10-17 year-old non-Hispanic white (NHW) and AI/AN children residing in Alaska, Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota (n = 5,372). Prevalence of overweight/obesity was 29.0 % among NHW children and 48.3 % among AI/AN children in this sample. Viewing more than 2 h of television per day (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.0; 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.5-2.8), a lack of neighborhood support (aOR = 1.9; 95 % CI = 1.1-3.5), and demographic characteristics were significantly associated with overweight/obesity in the pooled sample. Lack of sport team participation was significantly associated with overweight/obesity only among AI/AN children (aOR = 2.7; 95 % CI = 1.3-5.2). Culturally sensitive interventions targeting individual predictors, such as sports team participation and television viewing, in conjunction with neighborhood-level factors, may be effective in addressing childhood overweight/obesity among AI/AN children. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Differential tolerance of two Gammarus pulex populations transplanted from different metallogenic regions to a polymetal gradient.

The River Hayle, Cornwall, UK exhibits pronounced Cu and Zn concentration gradients which were used to compare the metal handling abilities of two populations of Gammarus pulex (Crustacea: Amphipoda). One population was native to the Hayle region (Drym) and presumably has been historically impacted by elevated Cu and Zn levels, whilst naïve gammarids were collected from the River Cray, Kent, UK. Both populations were subject to a 32 day in situ exposure at four R. Hayle sites (Drym, Godolphin, Relubbus and St. Erth). Mortality (LT50), Cu and Zn accumulation and sub-cellular distribution, and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde production) increased with the expected Cu and Zn bioavailabilities at the four sites (i.e. Godolphin>Relubbus>St. Erth>Drym). The naïve population experienced greater metal induced effects in terms of Cu and Zn accumulation, oxidative stress responses and lower LT50s. Analysis of Cu and Zn sub-cellular distribution, however, revealed no significant differences in metal handling. In both populations each metal was localised predominantly to the sub-cellular fraction containing metal bound to metallothionein-like proteins (MTLP) or that holding both metal-rich granules (MRG) and exoskeleton, MTLP and MRG binding being indicative of metal detoxification. However, a greater capacity for detoxified metal storage is not a mechanism implicated in the perceived tolerance of the historically impacted gammarids. Instead our results suggest that the historically impacted population was adapted for lower uptake of Cu and Zn leading to lower bioaccumulation, stress response and ultimately mortality. These results demonstrate not only the usefulness of the in situ methodology, but also that differences in population exposure history can cause significant differences in metal responses during exposure at higher concentrations.

Smoking rates among American Indian women giving birth in Minnesota. A call to action.

Maternal smoking is associated with a number of adverse effects including neonatal mortality, preterm delivery, low birth weight, decreased lung growth and function, and increased incidence of lower respiratory infections. This study looked at smoking trends among American Indian and white women in Minnesota who gave birth between 1999 and 2003. The authors used data from birth certificates issued by the state to determine the rate of smoking among both groups of women. They broke down the data further to look at and compare smoking rates of American Indian and white women based on where they gave birth (greater Minnesota or the Twin Cities metro area), when they began receiving prenatal care, their level of education, their age, the number of children they already had, and the weight of their baby. They found that 39% of American Indian women in Minnesota who gave birth during that period reported smoking, compared with 11% of white women. In addition, their findings showed that cigarette use among American Indian women in Minnesota who gave birth in 2003, was 36.5%--double the national rate of 18.3% forAmerican Indian women.

Misidentification in patients with dementia.

This is a retrospective study of 116 dementia patients to determine the prevalance of misidentification in dementia and to evaluate its relationship to individual characteristics, behavioral and psychiatric manifestations and to certain dementia -related domains namely, cognitive impairment, stage of disease, language difficulties and functional disability. Misidentification was characterized as "misidentification of people", "phantom boarder", "mirror image" and "TV sign". 35% had misidentification and there was a close relationship between misidentification and accusatory behavior. Age, sex, cognitive impairment, stage of illness and functional disability were seen to confound the association between misidentification and accusatory behavior. The results suggest that misidentification is a frequent component of dementia. It is formulated that cognitive dysfunctioning and stage of disease confounded this association.