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Rapidly changing environments are contributing to the spread of non‐native species and their associated pathogens into new and vulnerable ecosystems, such as the Galapagos archipelago. These pathogens represent a significant threat to emblematic species. The Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) (GSL) is an endangered and endemic pinniped that is increasingly at risk of acquiring infectious diseases due to interactions with introduced companion animals. Previously, we reported the first detection of antigens from Dirofilaria immitis, the parasite that causes canine heartworm disease, in the GSL. To investigate further, we developed a multifilarial PCR assay and successfully detected DNA from D. immitis and the closely related Dirofilaria repens in 10.7% of our sample cohort of juvenile GSLs. This assay, based on a conserved region in the filarial 28S gene, can be used in conjunction with restriction endonuclease digestion or Sanger sequencing to identify the species of the causative nematode. Our method proved effective without nonspecific amplification in a wide host range, and highly sensitive, detecting as little as one parasite. Further, this assay can be used in cases of immature, low‐worm burden, or all‐male infections. Our molecular approach offers a sensitive and specific method for detecting filarial parasites in wild animals. Further investigations are necessary to confirm the pathology of filarial nematodes in the GSL and their prevalence in the general population. Our identification of Dirofilarial species in the GSL underscores the urgent need for measures to manage the risk of pathogen transmission from introduced species to native wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disease which most commonly has a polygenic origin; however, in rare cases, diabetes may be monogenic. This is indeed the case in both Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) and neonatal diabetes. These disease subtypes are believed to be simpler than Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), which allows for more precise modelling. During the three last decades, many studies have focused on rodent models. These investigations provided a wealth of knowledge on both pancreas development and beta cell function. In particular, they allowed the establishment of a hierarchy of the transcription factors and highlighted the role of microenvironmental factors in the control of progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation. Transgenic mice also offered the possibility to decipher the mechanisms that define the functional identity of the pancreatic beta cells. Despite such interest in transgenic mice, recent data have also indicated that important differences exist between mice and human. To overcome these limitations, new human models are necessary. In the present review, we describe these ex vivo models, which are created using stem cells and organoids, and represent an important step toward islet cell therapy and drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanisation has reduced the abundance and diversity of many taxonomic groups, and the effects may be more pronounced on islands, which have a smaller regional species pool to compensate. Green spaces within urban environments may help to safeguard wildlife assemblages, and the associated habitat heterogeneity can even increase species diversity. Here, total abundance and species diversity of butterflies, birds, and vegetation at nine rural and nine urban locations were quantified on Lipsi Island, Greece. Sites were assessed using Pollard walks for butterflies, point‐count surveys for birds, and quadrats for vegetation. There was no significant difference in the abundance or species diversity of butterflies or vegetation among rural and urban locations, which could pertain to the low building density within urbanised areas and the minimal extent of urbanisation on the island. However, urban areas hosted a significantly greater abundance, richness, and diversity of birds compared to rural sites. The community composition of butterflies, birds, and vegetation also differed significantly between urban and rural locations, highlighting the impact of urbanisation on species across a broad range of trophic groups. This study contributes to ecological knowledge on the impacts of urbanisation across multiple trophic levels in island ecosystems, with comparisons across a gradient of island size and urbanisation intensity needed in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki), an endemic and endangered pinniped, faces an increasing threat due to infectious diseases related to domestic animals. Dirofilaria immitis, the parasite responsible for canine heartworm disease, is one such threat, as canine infections on the archipelago have been documented. We used a canine heartworm antigen test kit to analyze the blood from 25 juvenile Galapagos sea lions for D. immitis. Two (8%) sea lions tested positive for D. immitis antigen. Using morphologic and genetic assessments, we evaluated 20 filarial-like worms collected from within the heart of an adult male Galapagos sea lion during a previous routine postmortem examination. The intracardiac worms were morphologically consistent with adult D. immitis, and sequence analysis of targeted PCR amplicons confirmed their identity. This is the first report of D. immitis infection in Galapagos sea lions, which could become a major health problem for these pinnipeds. Further studies are necessary to confirm the level of threat from this parasite; however, widespread adoption of routine heartworm testing, prevention, and treatment in the canine population, and the control of mosquitos, could potentially reduce the disease impact on this endangered pinniped species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report clinical experience with methotrexate (MTX) treatment for suspected but not definite ectopic pregnancy (EP). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. All patients treated with MTX for presumed EP between 2000 and 2016 were included. Demographic, clinical, sonographic, and outcome data were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 820 patients were treated with MTX, 692 (84.4%) of which were lacking definitive features of EP; 155 (22.4%) failed to follow up until complete resolution and were excluded. Retrospective sonographic categorization was applied to 537 patients; of those patients, 393 (73.2%) were categorized as probable EPs, 136 (25.3%) pregnancies of unknown location (PULs), and 8 (1.5%) probable intrauterine pregnancies (IUPs). Sixteen were eventually diagnosed with IUP: 6 from the probable EPs, 9 from the PULs, and 1 from the probable IUP group. Patients with final diagnosis of IUP had higher values of β–human chorionic gonadotropin as well as lower prevalence of adnexal mass (38% versus 74%; P = .003), higher prevalence of intracavitary fluid (44% versus 9%; P = .0004) and thicker endometrium (17.1 ± 11.8 versus 9.7 ± 5.6; P = .04). None of the sonographic parameters were able to distinguish patients with IUP. One patient of the 16 with IUP was diagnosed with a viable pregnancy, and 7 additional patients had a possible viable pregnancy. None of them elected to continue the pregnancy. Conclusions: Most patients with suspected EP who are eligible for medical treatment lack definitive sonographic features of EP. Treatment with MTX in such cases should be delayed, as clinically reasonable, to improve the diagnosis and prevent inadvertent administration of MTX to patients with a viable IUP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]