Exploring winter diet, gut microbiota and parasitism in caribou using multi-marker metabarcoding of fecal DNA.

In conservation strategies, getting precise and repeatable information on the species' diet and health without relying on invasive or laborious methods is challenging. Here, we developed an efficient and non-invasive workflow for the sequencing and analysis of four taxonomic markers from fecal DNA to characterize the gut microbiota, parasites, and plants and lichens composing the winter diet of caribou (Rangifer tarandus), Canada's most iconic endangered species. Sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene of eukaryotes from seven locations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada, allowed for the detection of five genera of parasites in caribou feces (including Nematodirella and Parelaphostrongylus) with variable frequency of occurrence depending on sampling location and sex.

Convergent and divergent immune aberrations in COVID-19, post-COVID-19-interstitial lung disease, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

We aimed to study transcriptional and phenotypic changes in circulating immune cells associated with increased risk of mortality in COVID-19, resolution of pulmonary fibrosis in post-COVID-19-interstitial lung disease (ILD), and persistence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from 227 subjects with COVID-19, post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease (ILD), IPF, and controls. We measured a 50-gene signature (nCounter, Nanostring) previously found to be predictive of IPF and COVID-19 mortality along with plasma levels of several biomarkers by Luminex.

Drinking motives link positive and negative life events to problematic alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study.

Purpose: Stressful life events are associated with problematic drinking, and alcohol misuse has been exacerbated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. While coping motives may account for this association, positive life events (PLEs) and enhancement motives are understudied. To address these gaps, we examined the associations of history of alcohol use disorder (AUD), negative life events (NLEs), and PLEs with problematic alcohol use and tested coping and enhancement motives as mediators.

A veterinary-calibrated point-of-care glucometer accurately measures blood glucose concentration in dogs and cats.

Objective: To determine the clinical and analytical accuracy of a new veterinary-calibrated portable blood glucose monitor (PBGM) compared to a reference laboratory analyzer.

Animals: Client-owned dogs (n = 77) and cats (n = 64).

Methods: Peripheral and paired capillary whole-blood glucose concentrations measured via PBGM were compared to plasma glucose concentrations measured via a Cobas c501 reference analyzer (Roche).

Short-term parenteral infusions with high-osmolality amino acid solutions can be safely administered through peripheral catheters in dogs treated for hypoaminoacidemia-related conditions.

Objective: To compare complications between central and peripheral administration of high-osmolarity (approx 700 to 1,000 mOsm/L) amino acid (± lipid) infusions.

Animals: 18 client-owned dogs diagnosed with aminoaciduric canine hypoaminoacidemic hepatopathy syndrome or superficial necrolytic dermatitis receiving parenteral amino acid ± lipid infusions.

Methods: In this retrospective case series, medical records were reviewed for administration route (central vs peripheral), catheter details and infusion characteristics (product osmolarity, concurrent lipid administration, infusion volume, duration, and rate), and complications for each infusion.