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The purpose of this study was to replicate in the veterinary context a BMJ study using Google to assist in diagnosis of complex cases.To assess percentage of diagnoses identified using Google as a diagnostic aid in veterinary medicine.None; 13 cases in cats and 17 in dogs published in JAVMA.Cross-sectional survey of Google results from searches using keywords generated independently by a generalist and a specialist veterinarian who reviewed the published case history and diagnostic components while blind to the diagnosis. They offered diagnoses and generated up to 5 search strategies for each case. The top 30 Google results for each search were reviewed by the generalist to inform a final Google-aided diagnosis. Both veterinarians' initial diagnoses and the Google-aided diagnoses were compared with the published diagnoses.Google searching led to 52 diagnoses out of 60 possible. Twenty-two (42%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 29%-55%) Google-aided diagnoses matched the JAVMA diagnosis. This accuracy rate does not differ significantly from 58% (n = 15/26, 95% CI 38%-77%) identified in the BMJ study. Google-aided results were not statistically different from those achieved unaided by each veterinarian (33%, 95% CI 16%-50%).Published information found searching Google using keywords related to complicated or unusual cases could assist veterinarians to reinforce their initial diagnosis or consider other differential diagnoses. Search strategies using words representing either signs or the preliminary diagnoses can yield results useful to confirming a correct diagnosis.

Resilience to stressors is a major component of biological aging and may mediate the onset of multimorbidity in older adults. The Wake Forest Non-Human Primate Radiation Survivor Cohort (RSC) provides a novel opportunity to study aging and resilience in 250 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with single-dose radiation exposures 0–15 years prior and 50 controls with semi-annual clinical, imaging, and biomarker measurements taken over their lifespan. Multimorbidity is extremely common among irradiated animals. Only 38% of animals have none of 20 common chronic diseases, falling to 16% of animals over age 8 and 11% over age 10 (middle-aged animals). 70% of animals have 5 or more diagnoses in this oldest cohort. The presence of any one disease increases the likelihood of having a second, co-morbid condition. Nevertheless, some animals continue disease-free until late in life, highlighting substantial variability in resilience. To identify patterns of multimorbidity, survival curves for each diagnosis were generated for age and time since radiation and k-median clustered resulting in four groupings of aging-associated morbidities. Bone, brain, and gastrointestinal disorders arise 3.5 years after radiation on average, followed by skin, heart, and cataracts. At 4.65 years, animals are at increased risk of being underweight and overweight and developing diabetes, hypertension, and hepatic dysfunction. Tumor, lung, and kidney disorders arise approximately 6 years after exposure. In all cases, these age-related disorders occur significantly earlier in irradiated animals than controls. These findings highlight the clustering of multimorbidities in aging, radiation-challenged primates and the potential of the RSC in studying resilience.

Background Non-human primates (NHP) such as rhesus macaques with naturally occurring cancers are a proposed model for translational cancer immunotherapy (CIT) research and have generated relevant proof-of-mechanism evidence for 3 different CIT agents. NHP spontaneously develop cancers with progression patterns, histology, and clinical symptoms similar to humans. Gene suppression by DNA hypermethylation in the promoter region is the major characteristics of the CpG-island-methylator-phenotype (CIMP) described in human CRC patients but information in rhesus macaques is scarce. To further validate these animals as translational models for CIT, we conducted a deep molecular characterization of NHP colorectal cancers and established novel qPCR panels to assess DNA methylation of marker genes published for humans. Methods Our cohort (n=16) consisted of Indian-origin rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with naturally occurring CRC (n=16, female=11). Clinical examination, imaging (contrast-enhanced CT, FDG-PET) and biopsy to confirm cancer histology were performed. Molecular characterization was done by IHC for CRC-associated mismatch repair proteins MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 and by PCR/electrophoresis for microsatellite instability. Ultimately, we designed DNA methylation- and rhesus-specific qPCR probes (Methylight) targeting corresponding regions as published in human patients, including CACNA1G, CDKN2A, CRABP1, MLH1, and NEUROG1 as parts of the CIMP panel and BMP3, NDRG4, and SEPTIN9 as probed for human CRC-screening. Results MLH1 deficiency by IHC, in conjunction with PMS2 absence, is observed in all NHP CRC cases, clearly exceeding frequencies reported in human CRCs (ranging from 2-15%). Moreover, we have documented microsatellite instable cases in some NHP CRCs, analog to human CRCs. DNA methylation of the MLH1 promoter region was significantly elevated in CRCs (100% of CRCs >2-fold, p Conclusions Transcriptional suppression of MLH1 by promoter hypermethylation is a major and widespread driver of genetic instability and carcinogenesis in rhesus macaque colorectal cancer. Differential DNA methylation in the promoter regions as observed in NHP CRCs can provide a screening target for liquid biopsies. This work highlights the possible translatability of naturally occurring NHP cancers for human cancer immunotherapy research and can be further explored in future tumor-bearing monkey trials. Citation Format: Simon Deycmar, Brendan Johnson, Declan Ryan, Shane Sills, David Caudell, Greg Dugan, George Schaaf, Christopher Whitlow, Kiran Kumar Solingapuram Sai, Betsy Ferguson, Benjamin Bimber, Karina Ray, Cassandra Cullin, Brandy Dozier, Armando Burgos, Michael Hettich, Bruno Gomes, Jehad Charo, Maurizio Ceppi, Mark Cline. Naturally occurring colorectal cancer in nonhuman primates used to study human immunotherapeutic agents confirms a link between DNA methylation and mismatch repair deficiency [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1325.

As part of a planned introduction of captive Galapagos tortoises (Chelonoidis chathamensis) to the San Cristobal highland farms, our veterinary team performed thorough physical examinations and health assessments of 32 tortoises. Blood samples were collected for packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), white blood cell count (WBC) differential, estimated WBC and a biochemistry panel including lactate. In some cases not all of the values were obtainable but most of the tortoises have full complements of results. Despite a small number of minor abnormalities this was a healthy group of mixed age and sex tortoises that had been maintained with appropriate husbandry. This work establishes part of a scientific and technical database to provide qualitative and quantitative information when establishing sustainable development strategies aimed at the conservation of Galapagos tortoises.

The San Cristóbal Galapagos tortoise, Chelonoidis chathamensis, is native to San Cristóbal, the most eastern and oldest island of the Galapagos Archipelago. Although numerous studies on the ecology, behavior and genetics of Galapagos tortoises have been published, little is known about the health status of these animals. Here we report blood values from clinically healthy tortoises., As part of a planned introduction of captive Galapagos tortoises (Chelonoidis chathamensis) to the San Cristóbal highland farms, our veterinary team performed thorough physical examinations and health assessments of 32 tortoises. Blood samples were collected for packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), white blood cell count (WBC) differential, estimated WBC and a biochemistry panel including lactate. In some cases not all of the values were obtainable but most of the tortoises have full complements of results. Despite a small number of minor abnormalities this was a healthy group of mixed age and sex tortoises that had been maintained with appropriate husbandry. This work establishes part of a scientific and technical database to provide qualitative and quantitative information when establishing sustainable development strategies aimed at the conservation of Galapagos tortoises.