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Alcohol consumption around the time of conception is highly prevalent in Western countries. Exposure to ethanol levels during gestation has been associated with altered development of the mesolimbic reward pathway in rats and increased propensity to addiction, however the effect of exposure only around the time of conception is unknown. The current study investigated the effects of periconceptional alcohol exposure (PC:EtOH) on alcohol and palatable food preferences and gene expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens of the adult offspring. Rats were exposed to a liquid diet containing ethanol (EtOH) (12.5% vol/vol) or a control diet from 4 days before mating until 4 days after mating. PC:EtOH had no effect on alcohol preference in either sex. At 15 months of age, however, male PC:EtOH offspring consumed more high-fat food when compared with male control offspring, but this preference was not observed in females. Expression of the dopamine receptor type 1 (Drd1a) was lower in the VTA of male PC:EtOH offspring compared with their control counterparts. There was no effect of PC:EtOH on mRNA expression of the µ-opioid receptor, tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), dopamine receptor type 2 (Drd2) or dopamine active transporter (Slc6a3). These data support the hypothesis that periconceptional alcohol exposure can alter expression of key components of the mesolimbic reward pathway and heighten the preference of offspring for palatable foods and may therefore increase their propensity towards diet-induced obesity. These results highlight the importance of alcohol avoidance when planning a pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Maternal alcohol consumption throughout pregnancy can result in long term behavioural deficits in offspring. However, less is known about the impact of alcohol during the periconceptional period (PC). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of PC ethanol (PC:EtOH) exposure on long term cognitive function; including memory and anxiety. Rats were exposed to a liquid diet containing ethanol (EtOH) (12.5% vol;vol) or a control diet from 4 days prior to mating until day 4 of pregnancy. Separate cohorts of animals were tested at 6 months (adult) or 15-18 months of age (aged). Offspring underwent a series of behavioural tests to assess anxiety, spatial and recognition memory. The hippocampus was collected, and mRNA expression of epigenetic modifiers and genes implicated in learning and memory were examined. PC:EtOH exposure resulted in a subtle anxiety like behaviour in adult female offspring with a significant reduction in directed exploring/head dipping behaviour during holeboard testing. In aged male offspring, PC:EtOH exposure resulted in a tendency for increased directed exploring/head dipping behaviour during holeboard testing. No differences between treatments were observed in the elevated plus maze. Aged female offspring exposed to PC:EtOH demonstrated short term spatial memory impairment (P < 0.05). PC:EtOH resulted in an upregulation of hippocampal mRNA expression of bdnf, grin2a and grin2b at 18 months of age along with increased expression of epigenetic modifiers (dnmt1, dnmt3a and hdac2). In conclusion, PC:EtOH can lead to sex specific anxiety-like behaviour and impairments in spatial memory and altered hippocampal gene expression., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

It is well established that maternal undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies can lead to altered development and behaviour in offspring. However, few studies have explored the implications of maternal Mg deficiency and programmed behavioural and neurological outcomes in offspring. We used a model of Mg deficiency (prior to and during pregnancy and lactation) in CD1 mice to investigate if maternal Mg deficiency programmed changes in behaviour and NMDAR subunit expression in offspring. Hippocampal tissue was collected at postnatal day 2 (PN2), PN8, PN21 and 6 months, and protein expression of NMDAR subunits GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B was determined. At 6 months of age, offspring were subject to behavioural tasks testing aspects of anxiety-like behaviour, memory, and neophobia. Maternal hypomagnesemia was associated with increased GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B subunit expression in female offspring at 6 months, but decreased GluN1 and GluN2A expression in males. The GluN2B:GluN2A expression ratio was increased in both sexes. Male (but not female) offspring from Mg-deficient dams showed anxiety-like behaviour, with reduced head dips (Suok test), and reduced exploration of open arms (elevated plus maze). Both male and female offspring from Mg-deficient dams also showed impaired recognition memory (novel object test). These findings suggest that maternal Mg deficiency can result in behavioural deficits in adult life, and that these changes may be related to alterations in hippocampal NMDA receptor expression., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Investigation of the pathogenesis of Great Pyrenees retinopathy., Animals: One male and two female puppies of parents who were affected with Great Pyrenees retinopathy and one 4-year-old affected adult male Great Pyrenees dog., Procedure: The puppies were examined daily from 7 weeks of age by indirect ophthalmoscopy and their fundi were photographed until the lesions were static. Fluorescein angiography was completed at 7 weeks of age, within 24 h of detection of ophthalmoscopic lesions, and then weekly. The eyes of a 4-year-old and two 20-week-old puppies were examined with light microscopy, and transmitting and scanning electron microscopy., Results: Blocked choroidal fluorescence was detected at 7 weeks of age. The blocked fluorescence enlarged, when the characteristic serous retinal detachments developed at 11 weeks of age. The detachments enlarged in size and number until the puppies were approximately 20 weeks old. Fluorescein pooling confirmed the presence of transient retinal pigment epithelial detachments. Leakage of dye into serous retinal detachments was not detected in this study. Light microscopy and transmitting and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of multifocal serous retinal detachments with focal retinal degeneration that extended to the inner nuclear layer in a 4-year-old dog. The retinal detachments were accompanied by hypertrophy, hyperplasia, increased pigmentation, and vacuolation of the retinal pigment epithelium., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Great Pyrenees retinopathy is manifested by multifocal serous retinal and retinal pigment epithelial detachments. These detachments are similar to those noted with central serous retinopathy of humans. The sudden development of multifocal retinal and retinal pigment epithelial detachments, and the serous nature of these detachments, supports a theory that they develop secondary to focal secretion and absorption defects in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Given the age of the puppies when the blocked choroidal fluorescence was noted and maturation of the dog retina at 8 weeks postpartum, this retinopathy is considered to be a retinal pigment epithelial dysplasia. This unique inherited retinopathy offers an opportunity to study retinal pigment epithelial secretion.

Background and Objectives: Few studies have included family practice residents' perceptions regarding the use of electronic medical records (EMR) in a residency program. This study determined residents' perceptions of EMR systems and what variables influenced those perceptions. Specifically, we studied how EMR training and previous computer background influenced resident perception of difficulty in EMR implementation, time efficiency, preventive care opportunities, accuracy of medical records, and desired future use of EMR systems. Questions targeted the use of the EMR in the resident continuity clinic., Methods: Survey questionnaires about the use of EMR systems in the residents' continuity clinic were mailed to residency directors and residents of 219 family practice residency programs. Respondents were given the opportunity to comment on benefits of and concerns about EMR., Results: Resident response rate was 46% in programs using EMR systems. Findings revealed that the length of EMR training a resident received was unrelated to the perceived adequacy of training but was related to the residents' assessment of the difficulty of implementing the EMR in their continuity clinic. Residents who perceived training to be adequate and perceived a relative ease of implementing the EMR were more likely to perceive the EMR to be beneficial and were more likely to choose the EMR over traditional paper records for future use. Computer background/experience was not related to perceived satisfaction with the EMR, nor was it related to perceived difficulty of implementation, adequacy of training, or anticipated future use of an EMR system., Conclusions: Although residents recognize the benefits of the EMR, our study demonstrates an overall ambivalence and frustration toward EMR systems currently in use in family practice residency continuity clinics. However, the training they receive regarding EMR use in their residency may influence not only the perceived ease of EMR implementation but attitudes regarding the ability of the EMR to assist them with preventive opportunities, time management, and medical record accuracy. This may in turn have influence on the use of EMR systems in their practices after residency.

A seven-year-old, spayed female boxer was presented for sudden blindness and red eyes of one week's duration. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral uveitis with complete bullous retinal detachments. Initial diagnostic testing failed to reveal evidence of systemic disease. Cytopathology of subretinal aspirates confirmed the presence of macrophages with intracytoplasmic retinal pigment, epithelial and choroidal pigment, and monocytes. Tentative diagnoses were idiopathic uveitis and retinal detachment. The dog was treated with immunosuppressive doses of prednisone. The retinas reattached and vision returned. By two months, the dog became blind and systemically ill. Postmortem and histopathological examinations revealed intravascular lymphoma in multiple organs, including the eyes.

The prevalence of equine glaucoma seen by the ophthalmology service at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) was 6.5%. The majority of cases (11/13) were associated with clinical manifestations of uveitis. Congenital glaucoma was documented in 1 case, and primary glaucoma was diagnosed in a 12-year-old quarter horse. There were no breed or sex predilections evident. Affected horses were middle-aged to old (average age = 9.5 years, ranging from 2 weeks to 23 years). The clinical manifestations of equine glaucoma included blindness, diffuse corneal edema, corneal vascularization, buphthalmia, corneal striae, recurrent secondary ulcerative keratitis, and less commonly, iris bombé, tapetal hyper-reflectivity, complete pupillary occlusion from posterior synechiae, and optic disc cupping. Elevated intraocular pressure confirmed the diagnosis (n = 10), while 3 cases were normotensive with signs of glaucoma including corneal striae and buphthalmia. Affected eyes were treated medically and/or surgically. Regardless of the therapy instituted, the visual outcome was poor. Most affected eyes were blind at presentation or became blind within a few weeks.

This retrospective clinical study describes the clinical manifestations, light microscopic findings, and diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic lens rupture in the horse. Rupture of the lens capsule in the horse usually results in a chronic, blinding inflammation (phacoclastic uveitis) unless prompt surgical and medical therapies are implemented. The clinical manifestations of acute lens capsule rupture included: cataract; intralenticular displacement of iridal pigment; lens cortical fragments attached to the perforated lens capsule, iris, and corneal endothelium; miosis; aqueous flare; and usually a corneal or scleral perforation with ulceration or focal full thickness corneal edema and scarring. The clinical signs of chronic phacoclastic uveitis include blindness, phthisis bulbi, and generalized corneal opacification related to scarring, vascularization, pigmentation, and edema. In one horse, acute phacoclastic uveitis was successfully treated with phacoemulsification to remove the ruptured lens and medical therapy to control the accompanying inflammation. The affected eyes of the horses with chronic phacoclastic uveitis were enucleated because of persistent clinical signs of nonulcerative keratitis and uveitis, despite long-term medical management. The clinical manifestations and lack of improvement with medical therapy are similar in the horse, dog, cat, and rabbit. However, the histologic findings in equine phacoclastic uveitis differ significantly from those in the dog, and rabbit.

Odontodysplasia is a rare clinicopathologic condition that has a variety of expressions, including a range of tooth coloration, formation of hypoplastic enamel affecting one or multiple teeth, bizarre radiographic appearance, and delayed eruption of teeth. An unusual case is presented of bilateral regional odontodysplasia associated with a vascular nevus of the face and neck. A review of the etiology with emphasis on the "local circulatory disease" theory is presented.

Stainless steel crowns are indicted for permanent teeth for multiple reasons. Indirect or direct pulp capping, pulpotomies, apexification procedures, and root canal therapy are treatments for permanent teeth that make them potential candidates for stainless steel crowns as interim restorations. The transitional dentition is divided into two stages: between five and eight years; and the period between ages nine and thirteen. Mesiodistal dimensions of the first permanent molars can be measured on study casts before preparation for the steel crown has begun. A flow chart is provided to give practitioners available options. Steps for preparing the stainless steel crown and technique for porcelain onlay preparation are also given.

Erythroblastosis fetalis is a severe hemolytic disease in the newborn that originates in utero because of a maternal-fetal blood incompatibility. An unusual case of erythroblastosis fetalis caused by an irregular antibody of the Kell blood group is presented. The dental findings are compared to those found with Rh(D) incompatibility.

An investigation of resident physician socio-demographic characteristics and how they may interact with patient socio-demographic characteristics to influence satisfaction was done. Physician characteristics of gender, age, marital and parental status, ethnic background, level of training and demonstrated cognitive skills, was compared with similar patient socio-demographics, to ascertain if a patient's preconceived images of who a physician is, rather than what a physician does will impact significantly upon patient satisfaction outcome. Results suggest that patients make these judgments separately from physician socio-demographic variables and support the belief that communication skills are a major determinant of patient satisfaction.

The pertinent clinical systemic and oral findings have been presented. Systemically, the patient presented with prenatal onset of growth retardation marked by an initial low birth weight, hemiatrophy, normal head size, frontal bossing, and triangular facies. Oral findings include an intact appearing primary dentition marked by microdontia, congenital absence of second premolars, blunted condyles, decreased anterior and posterior cranial base lengths, a mild hypoplastic mandible, and decreased facial height.

The extraction of the geminated maxillary central incisors was selected as the preferred treatment in this case because of the impossibility of properly recontouring these teeth. Although the crowns could have been reshaped somewhat to conform to a more normal size and shape, the roots were so wide that approximation of the central and lateral incisor crowns would have been impaired. The use of normally shaped, large lateral incisors in place of abnormal central incisors gives a better occlusion and a more esthetic result at the end of the treatment.

For some time health promotion and disease prevention have been expected tenets of medical practices with the public. However, the medical profession has only recently emphasized prevention and wellness promotion as required curricula for study at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Family physicians have been at the forefront in accepting this additional responsibility, but actual implementation of such practices has been difficult for the individual physician. To address this needed transitional step from public demand to practice, a wellness program for residents, faculty, staff, and patients was designed for the Family Practice Residency Program at Cheyenne.