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Abstract Ireland is characterised by its diversity and large abundance of wetlands, making it attractive to a wide variety of waterbirds throughout the year. This paper presents an overview of Ireland's waterbirds, including ecological factors relevant to the potential introduction, maintenance, transmission and spread of infectious agents, including the H5N1 avian influenza virus, in Ireland. Particular emphasis is placed on five groups of wintering migrants (dabbling and sieving wildfowl, grazing wildfowl, diving wildfowl, waders and gulls), noting that the H5N1 avian influenza virus has mainly been isolated from this subset of waterbirds. Ireland's wetlands are visited during the spring and summer months by hundreds of thousands of waterbirds which come to breed, predominantly from southern latitudes, and during the autumn and winter by waterbirds which come from a variety of origins (predominantly northern latitudes), and which are widely distributed and often congregate in mixed-species flocks. The distribution, feeding habits and social interactions of the five groups of wintering migrants are considered in detail. Throughout Ireland, there is interaction between different waterbird populations (breeding migrants, the wintering migrants and resident waterbird populations). There is also a regular and complex pattern of movement between feeding and roosting areas, and between wetlands and farmland. These interactions are likely to facilitate the rapid transmission and spread of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, if it were present in Ireland.

We report on the responses of wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) to a reduction in predation risk from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in a predator removal experiment in montane Australia. Specifically we tested whether rabbits in two sites with reduced fox numbers moved further from refuge than rabbits in two sites with abundant foxes.We then compared diet quality by analysing stomach contents, gut morphology and age-specific body mass to determine if release from predation risk enables rabbits to access higher quality food and hence attain higher body mass and condition. During spotlighting on three quarterly surveys in 1994-1995, rabbits in fox removal sites were observed, on average, three times further from refuge compared to rabbits atsites with foxes. However, this freedom to forage far from cover didnot translate into a higher quality diet. Analysis of the nitrogen and neutral-detergent fibre content of stomach samples taken from a shot sample of rabbits at their peak densities after fox removal showedno differences in short-term diet quality of male or female rabbits due to fox removal. In contrast, analyses of gut morphologies, which reflect long-term fibre intake, suggested that rabbits in removal sites fed on a diet higher in fibre and hence of lower quality. This waspossibly due to the large increases in rabbit density associated with fox removal. Despite this, male rabbits in fox removal sites were heavier for their age, had longer intestines, and heavier stomach and gut contents. We suggest that rabbits in fox removal sites compensated for the lower quality diet by increasing intake which enabled them to maintain higher age-specific body mass but only because predation risk was reduced. This result highlights the untenable link between resource limitation and predation risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term survival and postoperative complications in horses that had undergone small intestinal resection and a modified anastomosis technique using a partially stapled, functional end-to-end anastomosis., Study Design: Observational retrospective case series., Animals: A total of 25 horses underwent small intestinal resection and a partially stapled, functional end-to-end anastomosis., Methods: A modified technique to create a partially stapled, functional end-to-end anastomosis is described. The clinical case records of all horses that fulfilled the criteria between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2020 were reviewed. Data on short-term survival and postoperative complications were collated. A telephone questionnaire of owners was undertaken to evaluate long-term survival., Results: Duration of follow up was from one to 4232 days (median 785 days). A total of 21/25 (84%) of horses survived to discharge, 19/25 (76%) horses were alive at 6 and 12 months and 64% survived to 2 years. A total of 64% of horses developed at least one postoperative complication. Two horses developed a small intestinal volvulus necessitating repeat laparotomy. One horse had kinking at the anastomosis site diagnosed at post-mortem examination., Conclusion: Partially stapled functional end-to-end anastomosis technique in this study had similar short- and long-term survival to those reported in previous studies using handsewn techniques, but severe complications at the anastomosis site occurred in >10% of cases., Clinical Relevance: The anastomosis technique described appears to have similar short- and long-term survival and complication rates, compared to more commonly used anastomosis techniques. However, there is potential for severe complications at the anastomosis site., (© 2024 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Objectives: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease affecting the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients. Signaling in pancreatic cells that lead to inflammation may be influenced by fatty acids (FAs) through diet and de novo lipogenesis. Here, we investigated the relationship between plasma FA composition in CP with heterogeneity of etiology and complications of CP., Materials and Methods: Blood and clinical parameters were collected from subjects with CP (n = 47) and controls (n = 22). Plasma was analyzed for FA composition using gas chromatography and compared between controls and CP and within CP., Results: Palmitic acid increased, and linoleic acid decreased in CP compared with controls. Correlations between age or body mass index and FAs are altered in CP compared with controls. Diabetes, pancreatic calcifications, and substance usage, but not exocrine pancreatic dysfunction, were associated with differences in oleic acid and linoleic acid relative abundance in CP. De novo lipogenesis index was increased in the plasma of subjects with CP compared with controls and in calcific CP compared with noncalcific CP., Conclusions: Fatty acids that are markers of de novo lipogenesis and linoleic acid are dysregulated in CP depending on the etiology or complication. These results enhance our understanding of CP and highlight potential pathways targeting FAs for treating CP., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest/disclosures: Z.C.-M., D.L.C., and P.A.H. received pilot research funds from the ChiRhoClin Research Institute. M.A.B. received research funds from the Soy Nutrition Institute., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease that affects the absorption of nutrients like fats. Molecular signaling in pancreatic cells can be influenced by fatty acids (FAs) and changes in FA abundance could impact CP-associated complications. Here, we investigated FA abundance in CP compared to controls and explored how CP-associated complications and risk factors affect FA abundance., Methods: Blood and clinical parameters were collected from subjects with (n=47) and without CP (n=22). Plasma was analyzed for relative FA abundance using gas chromatography and compared between controls and CP. Changes in FA abundance due to clinical parameters were also assessed in both groups., Results: Decreased relative abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and increased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) were observed in subjects with CP in a sex-dependent manner. The relative abundance of linoleic acid increased, and oleic acid decreased in CP subjects with exocrine pancreatic dysfunction and a history of substance abuse., Conclusions: Plasma FAs like linoleic acid are dysregulated in CP in a sex-dependent manner. Additionally, risk factors and metabolic dysfunction further dysregulate FA abundance in CP. These results enhance our understanding of CP and highlight potential novel targets and metabolism-related pathways for treating CP.

Cachexia occurs in up to 80% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients and is characterized by unintentional weight loss and tissue wasting. To understand the metabolic changes that occur in PDAC-associated cachexia, we compared the abundance of plasma fatty acids (FAs), measured by gas chromatography, of subjects with treatment-naïve metastatic PDAC with or without cachexia, defined as a loss of > 2% weight and evidence of sarcopenia (n = 43). The abundance of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FAs was not different between subjects with cachexia and those without. Oleic acid was significantly higher in subjects with cachexia (p = 0.0007) and diabetes (p = 0.015). Lauric (r = 0.592, p = 0.0096) and eicosapentaenoic (r = 0.564, p = 0.015) acids were positively correlated with age in cachexia patients. Subjects with diabetes (p = 0.021) or both diabetes and cachexia (p = 0.092) had low palmitic:oleic acid ratios. Linoleic acid was lower in subjects with diabetes (p = 0.018) and correlated with hemoglobin (r = 0.519, p = 0.033) and albumin (r = 0.577, p = 0.015) in subjects with cachexia. Oleic or linoleic acid may be useful treatment targets or biomarkers of cachexia in patients with metastatic PDAC, particularly those with diabetes.

Intercellular bridges are essential for fertility in many organisms. The developing fruit fly egg has become the premier model system to study intercellular bridges. During oogenesis, the oocyte is connected to supporting nurse cells by relatively large intercellular bridges, or ring canals. Once formed, the ring canals undergo a 20-fold increase in diameter to support the movement of materials from the nurse cells to the oocyte. Here, we demonstrate a novel role for the conserved SH2/SH3 adaptor protein Dreadlocks (Dock) in regulating ring canal size and structural stability in the germline. Dock localizes at germline ring canals throughout oogenesis. Loss of Dock leads to a significant reduction in ring canal diameter, and overexpression of Dock causes dramatic defects in ring canal structure and nurse cell multinucleation. The SH2 domain of Dock is required for ring canal localization downstream of Src64 (also known as Src64B), and the function of one or more of the SH3 domains is necessary for the strong overexpression phenotype. Genetic interaction and localization studies suggest that Dock promotes WASp-mediated Arp2/3 activation in order to determine ring canal size and regulate growth. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2021. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Introduction: Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which progresses to fibrosis. Currently there are no interventions to delay or stop the progression to irreversible organ damage. In this study, we assessed the tolerability and feasibility of administering soy bread to reduce circulating inflammatory mediators., Methods: Subjects with chronic pancreatitis diagnosed using the American Pancreatic Association diagnostic guidelines were enrolled. During the dose escalation (DE) phase, subjects received one week of soy bread based using a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design, which was then followed by a maximally tolerated dose (MTD) phase with four weeks of intervention. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were monitored. Plasma cytokine levels were measured using a Meso Scale Discovery multiplex assay kit. Isoflavonoid excretion in 24-h urine collection was used to measure soy bread compliance., Results: Nine subjects completed the DE phase, and one subject completed the MTD phase without any DLTs at a maximum dosage of three slices (99 mg of isoflavones) per day. Reported compliance to soy bread intervention was 98%, and this was confirmed with urinary isoflavones and their metabolites detected in all subjects. There was a significant decline in the TNF-α level during the DE phase (2.667 vs 2.382 pg/mL, p = 0.039); other levels were similar., Conclusions: In this feasibility study, there was excellent compliance with a short-term intervention using soy bread in chronic pancreatitis. Reduction was seen in at least one pro-inflammatory cytokine with short-term intervention. Larger cohorts and longer interventions with soy are warranted to assess the efficacy of reducing pro-inflammatory mediators of disease., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflicts of interest exist., (Copyright © 2020 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Global climate change is a major threat to biodiversity. Large-scale analyses have generally focused on the impacts of climate change on the geographic ranges of species and on phenology, the timing of ecological phenomena. We used long-term monitoring of the abundance of breeding birds across Europe and the United States to produce, for both regions, composite population indices for two groups of species: those for which climate suitability has been either improving or declining since 1980. The ratio of these composite indices, the climate impact indicator (CII), reflects the divergent fates of species favored or disadvantaged by climate change. The trend in CII is positive and similar in the two regions. On both continents, interspecific and spatial variation in population abundance trends are well predicted by climate suitability trends., (Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.)

Citizen science is proving to be an effective tool in tracking the rapid pace at which our environment is changing over large geographic areas. It is becoming increasingly popular, in places such as North America and some European countries, to engage members of the general public and school pupils in the collection of scientific data to support long-term environmental monitoring. Participants in such schemes are generally volunteers and are referred to as citizen scientists. The Christmas bird count in the US is one of the worlds longest running citizen science projects whereby volunteers have been collecting data on birds on a specific day since 1900. Similar volunteer networks in Ireland have been in existence since the 1960s and were established to monitor the number and diversity of birds throughout the country. More recently, initiatives such as Greenwave (2006) and Nature Watch (2009) invite school children and members of the general public respectively, to record phenology data from a range of common species of plant, insect and bird. In addition, the Irish butterfly and bumblebee monitoring schemes engage volunteers to record data on sightings of these species. The primary purpose of all of these networks is to collect data by which to monitor changes in wildlife development and diversity, and in the case of Greenwave to involve children in hands-on, inquiry-based science. Together these various networks help raise awareness of key environmental issues, such as climate change and loss of biodiversity, while at the same time promote development of scientific skills among the general population. In addition, they provide valuable scientific data by which to track environmental change. Here we examine the role of citizen science in monitoring biodiversity in Ireland and conclude that some of the data collected in these networks can be used to fulfil Ireland's statutory obligations for nature conservation. In addition, a bee thought previously to be extinct has been rediscovered and a range expansion of a different bee has been confirmed. However, it also became apparent that some of the networks play more of an educational than a scientific role. Furthermore, we draw on experience from a range of citizen science projects to make recommendations on how best to establish new citizen science projects in Ireland and strengthen existing ones.

Climate change is predicted to cause changes in species distributions and several studies report margin range shifts in some species. However, the reported changes rarely concern a species' entire distribution and are not always linked to climate change. Here, we demonstrate strong north-eastwards shifts in the centres of gravity of the entire wintering range of three common waterbird species along the North-West Europe flyway during the past three decades. These shifts correlate with an increase of 3.8 °C in early winter temperature in the north-eastern part of the wintering areas, where bird abundance increased exponentially, corresponding with decreases in abundance at the south-western margin of the wintering ranges. This confirms the need to re-evaluate conservation site safeguard networks and associated biodiversity monitoring along the flyway, as new important wintering areas are established further north and east, and highlights the general urgency of conservation planning in a changing world. Range shifts in wintering waterbirds may also affect hunting pressure, which may alter bag sizes and lead to population-level consequences., (© 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Objectives: To report the clinical features of horses with fluid-filled masses associated with the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) and outcome after surgery., Study Design: Case series., Animals: Horses (n=10), Methods: Medical records of horses with fluid-filled masses associated with the DFTS were reviewed and the clinical features, diagnostic methods, treatment, histopathology, and outcome reported., Results: Masses were unilateral (7 hind limb, 3 front limb) and in 8 horses were associated with lameness. In 6 horses, lameness improved by >50% with intrathecal DTFS anesthesia, whereas 2 were less positive but were further improved with perineural anesthesia just proximal to the cyst. Communication between the DFTS and mass was identified in all horses ultrasonographically. Resection of the mass resolved lameness in 7 horses. Histologically (5 specimens), the mass was characterized by a fibrous outer layer without a synovial lining, consistent with a ganglion cyst., Conclusion: The histologic appearance of ganglion cysts suggests that they arise from trauma to the sheath wall and may subsequently be a cause of lameness., (© Copyright 2010 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)