Use of a Smartphone-Based Device for Fundus Examination in Birds: A Pilot Study.

Ophthalmic examination is essential in the avian triage process in order to apply prompt therapeutic plans and evaluate rehabilitation potential. Fundoscopy is traditionally performed by direct or indirect ophthalmoscopy. Recent technological developments have enabled the design of a small-sized and affordable retinal imaging system to examine the fundus. We investigate the use of a smartphone-based device to realize fundus examination through a prospective cross-sectional observational study. Seventy-seven eyes of 39 birds of 15 different species were evaluated using the smartphone-based device in a rescue wildlife center. Pupil dilation was achieved prior to examination via rocuronium topical application. Assessment of fundus by the smartphone was classified as satisfactory, moderately satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. Fundus examination was also performed with a 20D, 30D, or 78D lens for comparison. Pupillary dilation was satisfactory, moderately satisfactory, or absent in 17, 32, and 28 eyes, respectively. Fundus examination with the smartphone-based device was satisfactory, moderately satisfactory, or unsatisfactory in 44, 15, and 18 eyes, respectively. The feasibility of the fundus examination was affected by the form of the globe; by the quality of pupil dilation; by the color of the iris (images could not be obtained from species with an orange, bright iris); and by the species, with owls (Strigiformes) being the easiest to observe. Based on these findings, fundus examination was feasible in most bird species examined in this study.

LIDAR developments at Clermont-Ferrand--France for atmospheric observation.

We present a Rayleigh-Mie-Raman LIDAR system in operation at Clermont-Ferrand (France) since 2008. The system provides continuous vertical tropospheric profiles of aerosols, cirrus optical properties and water vapour mixing ratio. Located in proximity to the high altitude Puy de Dôme station, labelled as the GAW global station PUY since August 2014, it is a useful tool to describe the boundary layer dynamics and hence interpret in situ measurements. This LIDAR has been upgraded with specific hardware/software developments and laboratory calibrations in order to improve the quality of the profiles, calibrate the depolarization ratio, and increase the automation of operation. As a result, we provide a climatological water vapour profile analysis for the 2009-2013 period, showing an annual cycle with a winter minimum and a summer maximum, consistent with in-situ observations at the PUY station. An overview of a preliminary climatology of cirrus clouds frequency shows that in 2014, more than 30% of days present cirrus events. Finally, the backscatter coefficient profile observed on 27 September 2014 shows the capacity of the system to detect cirrus clouds at 13 km altitude, in presence of aerosols below the 5 km altitude.

Zygomatic salivary gland diseases in the dog: three cases diagnosed by MRI.

This article describes three original cases of zygomatic gland disease in the dog diagnosed by low-field MRI and treated by a modified lateral orbitotomy with zygomatic osteotomy. Presenting complaints included exophthalmia, protrusion of the third eyelid, and periorbital swelling without any history of trauma. Low-field MRI allowed for adequate diagnosis of zygomatic gland disease in all cases and provided detailed information about both the specific tissue characteristics of each lesion and extension into surrounding structures. MRI findings were also helpful for surgical planning and dictated the choice of a modified lateral orbitotomy without removal of the orbital ligament. Histopathologic diagnosis for each of the three dogs was a mucocele, a malignant mixed salivary tumor, and sialadenitis.

Surgical repair of deep melting ulcers with porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) graft in dogs and cats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of using a porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) graft for the surgical repair of deep melting ulcers in dogs and cats. METHODS: Two cats and five dogs presented with deep and large melting ulcers of the cornea. In each case, the necrotic and collagenolytic tissue of the cornea was removed by keratectomy. A SIS graft, 1 mm greater than the corneal defect, was rehydrated in sterile saline and sutured to the edges of the ulcer with a simple interrupted pattern of 9/0 polyglactin 910. A nictitating membrane flap was utilized in two cats and four dogs for 2 weeks. All cases were treated postoperatively with topical and systemic antibiotics, a systemic anti-inflammatory drug and topical atropine. All animals were re-evaluated 15 days, 4 weeks, 35-45 days, 2-3 months and 6 months postsurgery. RESULTS: At 15 days postsurgery, a superficial intense corneal neovascularization surrounded the SIS graft. No ocular discomfort was present and fluorescein staining was negative in all cases. At 4 weeks the SIS graft was thick and opaque in all cases, although in one cat the SIS graft had partially detached. Between 35 and 45 days, SIS graft integration was evident in all eyes, and corneal neovascularization had decreased progressively. All eyes healed without complications and retained corneal transparency. This occurred even in the presence of corneal perforation in two cases: one prior to and one during surgery. CONCLUSION: Results of our study suggest the SIS graft may be an effective alternative surgical treatment to the traditional conjunctival grafts commonly used to repair melting ulcers in dogs and cats. The advantages of using a SIS graft include good corneal transparency, preservation of corneal integrity and maintenance of vision.

A 3D pattern matching algorithm for DNA sequences.

MOTIVATION: Biologists usually work with textual DNA sequences (succession of A, C, G and T). This representation allows biologists to study the syntax and other linguistic properties of DNA sequences. Nevertheless, such a linear coding offers only a local and a one-dimensional vision of the molecule. The 3D structure of DNA is known to be very important in many essential biological mechanisms. By using 3D conformation models, one is able to construct a 3D trajectory of a naked DNA molecule. From the various studies that we performed, it turned out that two very different textual DNA sequences could have similar 3D structures. RESULTS: In this article, we address a new research work on 3D pattern matching for DNA sequences. The aim of this work is to enhance conventional pattern matching analyses with 3D-augmented criteria. We have developed an algorithm, based on 3D trajectories, which compares angles formed by these trajectories and thus quantifies the difference between two 3D DNA sequences. This analysis performs from a global scale to al local one. AVAILABILITY: Available on request from the authors.

Familial aortic aneurysm in Leonberg dogs.

A thoracic aortic aneurysm was diagnosed in a 6-month-old male Leonberg dog by use of radiography, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The aneurysm was associated with a twisted ascending aorta and dilatation of several other thoracic arteries (pulmonary trunk, brachiocephalic trunk, and left subclavian artery). Histologic examination of the aorta revealed cystic medial necrosis, with disruption of the elastic network, collagen fibers, and the muscle glycoprotein fibrillin-1. The dam and sire of the dog and 8 littermates were examined by use of transthoracic echocardiography. The sire and 1 male littermate also had an aneurysm of the ascending aorta. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of familial aortic aneurysm in dogs.