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We present a range-wide assessment of sympatric western lowland gorillas Gorilla gorilla gorilla and central chimpanzees Pan troglodytes troglodytes using the largest survey data set ever assembled for these taxa: 59 sites in five countries surveyed between 2003 and 2013, totaling 61,000 person-days of fieldwork. We used spatial modeling to investigate major drivers of great ape distribution and population trends. We predicted density across each taxon's geographic range, allowing us to estimate overall abundance: 361,900 gorillas and 128,700 chimpanzees in Western Equatorial Africa-substantially higher than previous estimates. These two subspecies represent close to 99% of all gorillas and one-third of all chimpanzees. Annual population decline of gorillas was estimated at 2.7%, maintaining them as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List. We quantified the threats to each taxon, of which the three greatest were poaching, disease, and habitat degradation. Gorillas and chimpanzees are found at higher densities where forest is intact, wildlife laws are enforced, human influence is low, and disease impacts have been low. Strategic use of the results of these analyses could conserve the majority of gorillas and chimpanzees. With around 80% of both subspecies occurring outside protected areas, their conservation requires reinforcement of anti-poaching efforts both inside and outside protected areas (particularly where habitat quality is high and human impact is low), diligent disease control measures (including training, advocacy, and research into Ebola virus disease), and the preservation of high-quality habitat through integrated land-use planning and implementation of best practices by the extractive and agricultural industries.

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Patients with translocation-positive alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), an aggressive childhood tumor primarily characterized by the PAX3-FOXO1 oncogenic fusion protein, have a poor prognosis because of lack of therapies that specifically target ARMS tumors. This fact highlights the need for novel pharmaceutical interventions. Posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation are becoming attractive biological targets for the development of such interventions. Along these lines, we demonstrated that PAX3-FOXO1 is phosphorylated at three specific sites and that its pattern of phosphorylation is altered relative to wild-type Pax3 throughout early myogenesis and in ARMS tumor cells. However, little work has been performed examining the effect of directly inhibiting phosphorylation at these sites on ARMS development. To address this gap in knowledge, we used small molecule inhibitors or mutational analysis to specifically inhibit phosphorylation of PAX3-FOXO1 to investigate how altering phosphorylation of the oncogenic fusion protein affects ARMS phenotypes. We found that inhibiting the phosphorylation of PAX3-FOXO1 at Ser201 significantly reduced migration, invasion and proliferation in two independent ARMS tumor cell lines. Further, we found that inhibition of phosphorylation at Ser205 also decreased proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. Consistent with these in vitro results, we demonstrate for the first time that PAX3-FOXO1 is phosphorylated at Ser201 and Ser205 in a primary tumor sample and in tumor cells actively invading the surrounding normal tissue. This report is the first to demonstrate that the direct inhibition of PAX3-FOXO1 phosphorylation reduces ARMS tumor phenotypes in vitro and that these phosphorylation events are present in primary human ARMS tumors and invading tumor cells. These results identify phosphorylation of PAX3-FOXO1, especially at Ser201, as a novel biological target that can be explored as a promising avenue for ARMS therapies.

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BACKGROUND: The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) is found in the Gulf of Guinea biodiversity hotspot located in western equatorial Africa. This subspecies is threatened by habitat fragmentation due to logging and agricultural development, hunting for the bushmeat trade, and possibly climate change. Although P. t. ellioti appears to be geographically separated from the neighboring central chimpanzee (P. t. troglodytes) by the Sanaga River, recent population genetics studies of chimpanzees from across this region suggest that additional factors may also be important in their separation. The main aims of this study were: 1) to model the distribution of suitable habitat for P. t. ellioti across Cameroon and Nigeria, and P. t. troglodytes in southern Cameroon, 2) to determine which environmental factors best predict their optimal habitats, and 3) to compare modeled niches and test for their levels of divergence from one another. A final aim of this study was to examine the ways that climate change might impact suitable chimpanzee habitat across the region under various scenarios. RESULTS: Ecological niche models (ENMs) were created using the software package Maxent for the three populations of chimpanzees that have been inferred to exist in Cameroon and eastern Nigeria: (i) P. t. troglodytes in southern Cameroon, (ii) P. t. ellioti in northwestern Cameroon, and (iii) P. t. ellioti in central Cameroon. ENMs for each population were compared using the niche comparison test in ENMtools, which revealed complete niche divergence with very little geographic overlap of suitable habitat between populations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a positive relationship may exist between environmental variation and the partitioning of genetic variation found in chimpanzees across this region. ENMs for each population were also projected under three different climate change scenarios for years 2020, 2050, and 2080. Suitable habitat of P. t. ellioti in northwest Cameroon / eastern Nigeria is expected to remain largely unchanged through 2080 in all considered scenarios. In contrast, P. t. ellioti in central Cameroon, which represents half of the population of this subspecies, is expected to experience drastic reductions in its ecotone habitat over the coming century.

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African forest elephants- taxonomically and functionally unique-are being poached at accelerating rates, but we lack range-wide information on the repercussions. Analysis of the largest survey dataset ever assembled for forest elephants (80 foot-surveys; covering 13,000 km; 91,600 person-days of fieldwork) revealed that population size declined by ca. 62% between 2002-2011, and the taxon lost 30% of its geographical range. The population is now less than 10% of its potential size, occupying less than 25% of its potential range. High human population density, hunting intensity, absence of law enforcement, poor governance, and proximity to expanding infrastructure are the strongest predictors of decline. To save the remaining African forest elephants, illegal poaching for ivory and encroachment into core elephant habitat must be stopped. In addition, the international demand for ivory, which fuels illegal trade, must be dramatically reduced.

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BACKGROUND: Suicide in the elderly attracts less attention that in the young. However it is more frequent among the former. The retirement home receives the populations most isolated from their families and those most vulnerable from a psychological and physical point of view. The aim of this research is to provide information concerning suicide in the elderly in France, to specify the means employed and to compare suicide rates at home and in retirement homes METHODS: The statistics utilized are those of population size (censuses) and medical causes of death. With these latter causes a relation cannot be made between place of residence and place where the death by suicide is registered. They therefore underestimate suicide rates which are only considered at the home or retirement home. Consequently different estimations have been made. RESULTS: Suicide rates are higher in the retirement home than at home for both sexes. However, for men, the suicide rates in retirement homes are similar to those recorded for isolated men living at home. On the contrary, for women, the retirement home seems to constitute a specific risk in itself with suicide rates quite distinct from the other situations studied. In the retirement homes, conversely to men, it is the youngest women, (65 to 74 years) who have the highest rates. Hanging is the most prevalent mean of suicide both at home and in the retirement homes. Jumping from a high place is the second mean utilized in the retirement homes where fire arms and consumption of substances are less represented CONCLUSIONS: There are few studies in France concerning suicide in the elderly. Due to the demographic evolution, the number of suicides among the aged may well increase considerably in the years to come.

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Mycoplasmas have complex mechanisms of antigenic variation that allow them to evade the immune system. These organisms cause a variety of clinical syndromes that can have a significant economic effect on small ruminant production. The syndromes range from acute septicemia and death to chronic infection resulting in decreased production. Recent research findings have shed light on the means by which these organisms evade the host immune response and cause or contribute to the development of disease in the host. This article provides a review of the pathogenesis, clinical signs, and treatment options for common disease syndromes involving Mycoplasma spp. in small ruminants.

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BACKGROUND: The French information system in public psychiatry sectors does not collect morbidity data for the population being treated, estimated as more than a million persons in 1997. Consequently, two surveys were financed by the "Direction Générale de la Santé" and carried out in 1993 and 1998 in order to specify clinical, social and demographic characteristics of the patients. These surveys allowed a follow-up of evolutions according to the pathology and mode of treatment in a context where outpatient treatments are becoming increasingly frequent. METHODS: A census of the patients was made at a given moment, between one and fifteen days according to the mode of treatment. One sector out of two was surveyed, using a systematic selection process. The ICD-10 was used for diagnosis reference. The same methodology was applied in 1993 and 1998. Comparisons were made with the data supplied by the sectors annually and with the data concerning the general population in order to calculate rates per age groups. RESULTS: Between 1993 and 1998, the number of patients increased by +37% in outpatient care, and in part time care, and decreased by -12% in full time care. Rates for patients increased for all age groups in outpatient and part time care, more particularly for the 35 to 49 years old. Conversely, rates decreased in full time care, above all for patients over seventy. In each mode of treatment, the number of patients presenting mood disorders and neurotic disorders increased more than the average, and the proportion of patients with organic mental disorders and mental retardation decreased. Evolutions were different according to the mode of treatment schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders, and disorders of adult personality and behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Recourse to outpatient care and part time care increased considerably over five years but evolutions were markedly different from one diagnosis to another. In full time care, the decrease more particularly concerned certain pathologies and age groups. Three phenomena, with possible interactions, could explain the evolutions observed: the population liable to have recourse to psychiatric care is increasing, health policies have changed and care supply has become diversified, and recourse to psychiatric care is now increasingly accepted.

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Few genetic systems for studying mycoplasmas exist, but transposon Tn916 has been shown to transpose into the genomes of some species and can be used as an insertional mutagen. In the current study, the ability of Enterococcus faecalis to serve as a donor for the conjugative transfer of transposon Tn916 into the genome of the avian pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain PG31 was examined. Transconjugants were obtained at a frequency of > or =6 x 10(-8) per recipient CFU. To determine the transposon insertion site, an oligonucleotide primer corresponding to the 3' end of Tn916 was designed for the purpose of directly sequencing genomic DNA without PCR amplification. Using the direct sequencing approach, Tn916 was shown to insert into any of numerous sites in the M. gallisepticum genome. This is the first report of conjugal transposition of Tn916 into the M. gallisepticum genome. The ability to determine transposon insertion sites in mycoplasmas by genomic sequencing has not been previously described and allows rapid sequence analysis of transposon-generated mutants.

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In the United States, coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in women. The incidence of CHD rises dramatically in women following menopause, which can be partially attributed to a more atherogenic lipoprotein profile. For years, observational and epidemiological data have suggested that estrogen and progesterone therapy reduced CHD end points. However, the first prospective trial that evaluated hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for secondary CHD prevention demonstrated no positive cardiovascular benefit of HRT compared with placebo. In interventional studies, the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA)reductase inhibitors significantly reduced CHD outcomes in postmenopausal women, and these agents have emerged as the drugs of choice for primary and secondary CHD prevention. The selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) may have a role in CHD prevention, but long-term clinical trials evaluating end points are needed. An evidence-based approach is necessary when deciding the appropriate pharmacotherapy of dyslipidemia in postmenopausal women.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current use of bone densitometry and agents to prevent bone loss among long-term corticosteroid users. METHODS: A telephone survey of patients receiving long-term oral corticosteroid treatment. RESULTS: One hundred forty-seven patients receiving a mean prednisone dose of 10 mg per day for an average of 1-2 years were surveyed. Twenty-nine percent reported having a bone density test, 29% were taking calcium supplements, and 45% were receiving vitamin D. Forty percent of postmenopausal (PMP) women were receiving hormone replacement therapy and 14%, bisphosphonate treatment. Forty-two percent of PMP women were receiving no preventive treatment. Patients who were evaluated by primary care physicians and rheumatologists were more likely to have undergone bone density testing and to have received preventive treatments than were patients of other specialists. CONCLUSION: Many patients receive inadequate treatment to prevent corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis, and physician specialty is an important predictor of bone density testing and treatment. A broad educational effort directed to physicians of varied specialties is needed to ensure that osteoporosis prevention becomes the standard of care for patients receiving long-term corticosteroid treatment.

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Nonadherence is a significant medical problem in the United States, leading to excessive morbidity, mortality, and medical costs. In the conclusion to this two-part article, the authors describe a pilot study involving 311 patients taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor that evaluates the principal factors for nonadherence to pharmaceutical therapy in patients with congestive heart failure.

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Nonadherence is a significant medical problem in the United States, leading to excessive morbidity, mortality, and medical costs. In this first installment of a two-part article, the authors review the literature and discuss the effects of the problem, with particular reference to patients with congestive heart failure.

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A cow with pyelonephritis was treated with ceftiofur (3 mg/kg body weight, IV, q12 h). Hair loss and pruritus were observed after 8 and 12 d of treatment, respectively. Ancillary laboratory tests supported a diagnosis of allergic disease. Clinical signs and laboratory test results normalized after ceftiofur administration was stopped.

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Developing models of pharmaceutical care (PC) for educating students and practitioners represents a fundamental role for schools of pharmacy. Virginia Commonwealth University has sought to facilitate the implementation of PC in the community by hiring faculty to practice in this setting. The mission of the faculty is to implement PC in a community pharmacy practice, to develop clerkship sites for Pharm.D. students, and to evaluate the impact of PC services in the community. Examples of an independent pharmacy model, a grocery chain model, and a retail chain model of care may serve a dual purpose for faculty members, that is, define responsibilities for the academic institution and for the community practice environment.

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Anesthetic effects of xylazine, butorphanol, tiletamine-zolazepam, and isoflurane in ratites (9 emus, 3 rheas, 6 ostriches) were determined. Anesthetic treatments included 4 regimens: induction and maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane, preanesthetic tranquilization with xylazine and butorphanol followed by induction and maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane, induction of anesthesia with tiletamine-zolazepam and maintenance with isoflurane, and preanesthetic tranquilization with xylazine and butorphanol followed by induction of anesthesia with tiletamine-zolazepam and maintenance with isoflurane. None of the birds developed irreversible adverse effects, but 2 developed brady cardia (1 was treated with atropine and responded) and 2 others developed transient apnea. Intravenous administration of tiletamine-zolazepam produced rapid and smooth induction of anesthesia in adult ostriches.

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The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine liver tissue from patients with cholestatic disease for the presence of group C rotavirus RNA. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genes 5 and 6 was used, and the PCR products were subjected to liquid hybridization with a 32P-labeled probe. A second amplification with nested primers was also used. Samples from 32 subjects (20 with biliary atresia or choledochal cyst and 12 controls) were tested. Ten of 20 biliary atresia patients were positive for group C rotavirus RNA; no controls were positive (P < .003). Three of the positive patients were positive for both genes 5 and 6. Six of the 10 had > 1 sample that was positive. These data suggest a possible relationship between group C rotavirus and extrahepatic biliary atresia in the 10 patients in whom virus RNA was detected.

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Effects of exogenous pST and bST on metabolic and growth factor variables were examined in three studies with lighthorse mares (455 to 545 kg). In Study 1, eight mares received five s.c. injections of bST or pST (30 mg/d). In Studies 2 and 3, five mares received one s.c. injection of a prolonged release formulation designed to deliver 500 mg of bST (Study 2) or pST (Study 3) over 14 d. Blood samples were collected for several days before injection to establish baseline values, at frequent intervals during treatment, and for several days thereafter. In all studies, blood urea nitrogen concentrations were decreased (P < .001) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations were increased (P < .001) within 48 h after bST or pST injection relative to pretreatment values. Similarly, insulin and glucose were increased (P < .001) relative to pretreatment values, after bST or pST administration. In Studies 2 and 3, circulating ST concentrations were increased (P < .001) for at least 14 d after injection, despite severe local tissue reactions at the prolonged release formulation injection site. Insulin-like growth factor I ligand blotting of serum revealed bands with molecular weights (MW) of 45, 32, 30, and 18 kDa, and two bands of > 96 kDa. These results indicate that 1) bST and pST are biologically active in horses, which respond metabolically to exogenous ST in a manner similar to other mammalian species, 2) circulating IGF binding proteins are present in horses, and 3) the commercially available dairy cow product POSILAC (Monsanto, St. Louis, MO) is not appropriate for the delivery of bST in horses due to injection site reactions accompanying the administration of the oil-based prolonged release formulation.

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A mare at 126 days of gestation was examined because of signs of abdominal pain. The cause of abdominal pain could not be determined by physical examination. Lack of response to analgesics and small intestinal distention on palpation per rectum prompted exploratory celiotomy. Small intestine was found to be entrapped by the uterus, which had undergone torsion. The uterus was returned to its correct position, and the small intestine was decompressed. After surgery, the mare was treated with orally administered progestin to prevent abortion. The mare recovered and delivered a live foal at 354 days of gestation. Uterine torsion at such an early stage of gestation is not common in horses.

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