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In 2000, Staten Island, New York, reported 10 human West Nile virus cases and high densities of dead crows. Surrounding counties with <2 human cases had moderate dead crow densities, and upstate counties with no human cases had low dead crow densities. Monitoring such densities may be helpful because this factor may be determined without the delays associated with specimen collection and testing.
We document effects of West Nile virus (WNV) on American Crows. More than two thirds of our crows died of WNV infection, peaking when the proportion of infected mosquitoes at roosts was greatest. WNV antibody prevalence in crows was low. Local ecologic effects can be dramatic as WNV inhabits new areas.
Adult Splendidofilaria caperata Hibler, 1964 were found in the tunica media of the pulmonary arteries of 21% of 341 crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos Brehm) wintering in southern Ontario, Canada. Microfilariae of S. caperata were not observed in the peripheral blood or in skin snips of infected crows. Microfilariae were rarely found in lung blood and then only in small numbers. Microfilariae were apparently overcome in the wall of the pulmonary artery; chronic inflammation was associated with their presence in arterial tissue. Crows apparently acquire S. caperata from insects that hae fed on birds in which a microfilaraemia does develop.
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the degree of efficacy of eliminating crow's feet by means of direct injection of botulinum toxin A into orbicularis oculi muscles under direct surgical vision during either blepharoplasty or face lift operations. Eighteen patients were injected with Botox A-14 in each orbicularis oculi muscle. Dilution was obtained by adding 4 ml of preservative-free saline to 100 IU of Botox A. Doses ranged from 15 to 50 IU in each muscle, varying according to the severity of wrinkles and intensity of muscle contraction. In 10 patients (56 percent), the Botox was injected throughout the outer surface of both orbicularis oculi dissected during a face-lift operation. In eight other patients (44 percent), the toxin was injected into the inner surface of both orbicularis oculi exposed during classic blepharoplasty procedures. Most authors have demonstrated that the effect produced by transcutaneous Botox lasts between 4 and 6 months; the paralysis obtained by direct muscular injection was effective for 9 months in 14 patients (78 percent) and 10 months in the other 4 patients (22 percent). Results were documented by means of preinjection and postinjection photographs, videotapes, and electromyographs. Neither local nor general adverse effects were noted. The improvement obtained in crow's feet was satisfactory to the patient and to us. The use of Botox intraoperatively permitted at the same time not only the treatment of crow's feet by paralysis of orbicularis oculi muscles but also the correction of senile changes in the lids and face by means of either blepharoplasty or face-lift operations.
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the degree of efficacy of eliminating crow's feet by means of direct injection of botulinum toxin A into orbicularis oculi muscles under direct surgical vision during either blepharoplasty or face lift operations. Eighteen patients were injected with Botox A-14 in each orbicularis oculi muscle. Dilution was obtained by adding 4 ml of preservative-free saline to 100 IU of Botox A. Doses ranged from 15 to 50 IU in each muscle, varying according to the severity of wrinkles and intensity of muscle contraction. In 10 patients (56 percent), the Botox was injected throughout the outer surface of both orbicularis oculi dissected during a face-lift operation. In eight other patients (44 percent), the toxin was injected into the inner surface of both orbicularis oculi exposed during classic blepharoplasty procedures. Most authors have demonstrated that the effect produced by transcutaneous Botox lasts between 4 and 6 months; the paralysis obtained by direct muscular injection was effective for 9 months in 14 patients (78 percent) and 10 months in the other 4 patients (22 percent). Results were documented by means of preinjection and postinjection photographs, videotapes, and electromyographs. Neither local nor general adverse effects were noted. The improvement obtained in crow's feet was satisfactory to the patient and to us. The use of Botox intraoperatively permitted at the same time not only the treatment of crow's feet by paralysis of orbicularis oculi muscles but also the correction of senile changes in the lids and face by means of either blepharoplasty or face-lift operations.
We here reported a 54-year-old female patient with Crow-Fukase syndrome associated with pulmonary plasmacytoma. She was found to have scattered tumor in 1990. Although the tumor had slowly grown for the last 10 years, she showed no clinical symptoms. Numbness and weakness of lower extremities began in June 1999, and she was referred to Kyoto University Hospital on Oct. 21 1999 for evaluation of progressive symptoms. She had skin pigmentation, edema of the lower extremities, lymphadenopathy, muscle weakness and sensory disturbance in a glove-and-stocking distribution. Serological examination showed monoclonal IgG-lambda gammopathy. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was markedly elevated. Microscopic studies on biopsied sural nerve demonstrated mild decrease of myelinated fibers. Immunohistochemically, the pulmonary tumor was defined as an IgG (lambda type) plasmacytoma. After treatment with melphalan-prednisolone therapy, the neurological symptoms improved along with decrease of serum VEGF levels as well as the size of pulmonary plasmacytoma. This is the first report of a patient with Crow-Fukase syndrome associated with pulmonary plasmacytoma. This case suggests that growth of pulmonary plasmacytoma might have played an important role in the overproduction of VEGF and thus development of Crow-Fukase syndrome.
A 62-year-old man with well-controlled diabetes mellitus developed numbness of the bilateral feet and hands, followed by subacutely progressive weakness and amyotrophy of extremities. He became bed-ridden state, and dyspnea also appeared, so he was referred to our hospital. Physical examination revealed a lean man, with dark-reddish skin pigmentation, crabbed fingers, bilateral pretibial pitting edema, and bristles in extremities. Thoracoabdominal paradoxical respiration was observed and pulmonary vesicular sounds was decreased markedly in the both lungs. Laboratory data revealed hypoproteinemia, abnormalities of endocrine system, but M-protein was not detected. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor level was quite high. Chest radiography revealed elevation of the bilateral diaphragm, the % vital capacity (%VC) was 24%, and arterial blood gas analysis showed marked hypoxia with hypercapnia. These findings suggested that his respiratory failure was induced by bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis caused by bilateral phrenic nerve palsy due to Crow-Fukase syndrome. He became somnolent because of hypercapnic narcosis, so non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) was started. We treated him with intravenous immunoglobulin and oral corticosteroids therapies, and after these therapies, his symptoms were remarkably recovered and NIPPV became unnecessary soon. The most frequent causes of respiratory failure in Crow-Fukase syndrome are pleural effusion and pulmonary hypertension, and only two cases of this syndrome with respiratory failure caused by bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis were reported until now. When the patients with Crow-Fukase syndrome complain of dyspnea, we should take the diaphragmatic paralysis into consideration, which may be improved by appropriate therapies.
We report a case of anaphylactoid shock occurring immediately after the initiation of second intravenous administration of high-dose immunoglobulin (IVIg) in a patient with Crow-Fukase syndrome. The patient was a 57-year-old woman, who was admitted to our hospital because of numbness and muscle weakness in the four extremities, difficulty in walking, and foot edema. On admission, her skin was dry and rough, and also showing scattered pigmentation, small hemangiomas, and hypertrichosis in both legs. She had distal dominant muscle weakness, more prominent in her legs, and was not able to walk. Deep tendon reflexes in her four extremities were markedly diminished or absent. She had a glove and stocking type of paresthesia, severe impairment of vibration, and absence of joint position sensation in her four extremities. On laboratory data, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was markedly elevated to 5,184 pg/ml (normal: below 220 pg/ml). Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed cell counts of 2/microliter and protein level of 114 mg/dl. Abdominal echo showed marked hepatosplenomegaly. On peripheral nerve conduction study, both motor and sensory conduction velocity were undetectable in her legs. We diagnosed her condition as Crow-Fukase syndrome, and started IVIg of polyethyleneglycol-treated gamma-globulin (PEG-glob) at 400 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days for polyneuropathy. Since the first IVIg mildly improved muscle weakness, we tried the second IVIg of PEG-glob. However, immediately after the initiation of second IVIg of PEG-glob, she developed hypotention, dyspnea, cold sweating, cyanosis, and became lethargic. We immediately stopped IVIg and started first-aid treatment with epinephrine and corticosteroid for these symptoms. This treatment was successful and the patient fully recovered without any sequelae. Since serum IgE level remained unchanged and lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) was positive against the same rot number of PEG-glob, we diagnosed these symptoms as anaphylactoid shock. Based on the results of LST, we speculated that PEG-glob was the causative agent of anaphylactoid reaction. Anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reaction as adverse effects of IVIg is very rare, and to our knowledge, there are only 4 previous reports of anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reaction caused by IVIg. Therefore, we speculated that the prominent high level of serum VEGF in the present patient might play a significant contributory role in the development of anaphylactoid shock, since the vascular permeability of VEGF is 50,000 times stronger than that of histamine. We consider that it is necessary to carefully monitor IVIg of PEG-glob administration for polyneuropathy in patients with high level of serum VEGF, like Crow-Fukase syndrome.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the operation procedure of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for Crowe type-IV developmental dysplasia of hip and its relationship with nerve injury. METHODS: A consecutive series of 39 THAs was performed for Crowe type-IV developmental dysplasia of hip in 35 patients (all female). The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 46 years (range 36 - 56 years). Thirty-five hips in 31 patients were followed up. The average follow-up period of the whole series was 4 years (range 1 - 8 years). All procedures were carried out through a lateral-posterior approach. In 33 of 35 hips, the cup was inserted in the "true" acetabulum. All the prostheses used were cementless, except for 5 cemented femoral stems in 5 patients. Each patient was evaluated clinically and by radiographs before the operation and during the follow-up period, according to the Harris hip score (HHS). RESULTS: None of the cups and stems were revised for aseptic loosening, dislocation or infection during the follow-up period. The mean preoperative HHS was 43 compared with the postoperative HHS of 87. The mean amount of postoperative leg lengthening was 5 cm (range 4 - 6 cm). CONCLUSIONS: The reconstruction of the hip at the level of the "true" acetabulum through a lateral-posterior approach is a safe and effective procedure of THA for Crowe type-IV developmental dysplasia of hip in adults. Acute leg lengthening of less than 6 cm could not cause nerve injury.
We studied four cases of Crow-Fukase syndrome with renal dysfunction. Kidney specimens obtained by needle biopsy showed glomerular lesions resembling those seen in conditions characterized by microangiopathy. Common glomerular findings by light microscopy were mesangial expansion and narrowing of the capillary lumina. An enlarged subendothelial space and mesangial area with deposition of amorphous material as well as swelling and vacuolization of endothelial cells were observed by electron microscopy. In an active phase, severe mesangial edema and segmental mesangiolysis, and in a late stage, mesangial cell interposition and sclerosis were seen. Tests by immunofluorescence microscopy for the presence of immunoglobulins A, M, G, lambda and kappa light chains, C3, and C4 were negative. Decay accelerating factor was found in glomeruli and in the vascular pole. Other findings included lymph node angiosclerosis, peripheral nerve microangiopathy and hemangioma formation with endothelial cell proliferation. These observations suggest that chronic endothelial injury constitutes the basic pathology of Crow-Fukase syndrome. Hemodialysis was required to manage anasarca in three of the patients although serum creatinine levels were below 5.0 mg/dl. Urinalysis revealed mild abnormalities and did not reflect the severity of the glomerular lesion. Corticosteroids given to three of the patients were effective in controlling fever and the lymphadenopathy; in two cases the corticosteroids induced a recovery of renal function. Thus Crow-Fukase syndrome may be due to chronic endothelial injury; the clinical symptoms and renal involvement respond to corticosteroid therapy.
A rare case of Crow-Fukase syndrome was reported, which developed 7 years following myelopathy of unknown origin. In September 1983, a 31-year-old man came to our department for progressive gait disturbance and numbness in both lower extremities. Examination on admission showed hyperreflexia with clonus and moderated muscle weakness of legs, and paresthesia below Th9 level, but myelography and CT indicated no abnormality. Thereafter, he was doing as well as walkable with a cane, but in 1989 he developed hypertrichosis, skin pigmentation, leg edema and gynecomastia with aggravation of numbness of lower extremity and was rehospitalized in October. Detailed examination on the present admission indicated compression of the conus medullaris due to an osteosclerotic lesion of vertebral body L1, which did not correspond to the possible site of pyramidal sign. Thus, the origin of the myelopathy remained unknown. After hospitalization, polyneuropathy newly developed, making him confined to his bed. Thus, the diagnosis was established as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Subtotal extirpation of L1 vertebral body and steroid therapy (PSL 10 mg/day) caused improvements of polyneuropathy and numbness of lower extremity, making him walkable again and return to his social work 3 months later. Pathohistological examination of the osteosclerotic lesion proved partial plasmacytoma. In MRI findings of the osteosclerotic lesion, the osteosclerotic and plasmacytomatous regions were outlined as low and high signals, respectively for both T1 and T2-weighted. MRI examination was very useful for grasping the tumorous extent within the osteosclerotic lesion as observed with Crow-Fukase syndrome and for determining the extent of indication for surgery and radiotherapy.
A 34-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital in 1991, because of progressive headache, nausea and generalized edema. She was diagnosed as Crow-Fukase syndrome associated with plasma cell dyscrasia (IgA lambda type) in 1987, presenting with polyneuropathy, edema, and dermatologic changes. Those manifestations were improved with irradiation and corticosteroids, but headache, nausea and generalized edema gradually developed after the discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy in 1991. On admission, marked bilateral papilledema was noted but fever and meningeal irritation signs were absent. A spinal tap showed a clear cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with an open pressure of more than 400 mmH2O, normal cell count, total protein level of 87 mg/dl, and IgG level of 12.3 mg/dl. The CSF culture for microorganisms was negative and the cytological study of CSF also was normal. De novo synthesis rate of CSF IgG was markedly elevated (35.3 mg/day). MRI of the head using Gd-DTPA revealed diffuse hypertrophic dura mater, which made the diagnosis of chronic pachymeningitis. Cerebral angiographies were normal. An RI cisternography demonstrated delayed absorption of the CSF without ventricular reflux. Gallium and bone scintigrams did not show any pathological accumulation of the isotopes in the head. The lack of abnormalities causing chronic pachymeningitis in this case suggests that the chronic pachymeningitis might be associated with Crow-Fukase syndrome. The development of increased intracranial pressure is not rare in Crow-Fukase syndrome but the etiology remained unknown in most cases. We therefore suggest that MRI study with contrast enhancement should be performed in cases of this condition with increased intracranial pressure.
We studied pathogenesis of hepatomegaly in Crow-Fukase syndrome. Hepatocytes were isolated from BALB/c mice and cultured with serum or ascites of three patients with Crow-Fukase syndrome. After 24 hours culture, total number of hepatocytes was counted. The levels of human hepatocyte growth factor (h-HGF) in the serum were also measured. In the hepatocyte culture study, the numbers of hepatocytes after 24 hours cultured in the serum of two patients were significantly larger than those of the control group. When the hepatocytes were cultured with patients' serum after corticosteroid therapy, the survival numbers were markedly reduced. The serum levels of h-HGF in our three patients were 0.62, 0.52, 0.53 ng/ml respectively. They were all slightly higher than normal values (< or = 0.39 ng/ml). Our study indicates that in the serum or ascites of patients with Crow-Fukase syndrome, there may be some humoral factors other than h-HGF, which promote proliferation of hepatocyte or protect hepatocyte.
Previous observations of a New Caledonian crow (Corvus moneduloides) spontaneously bending wire and using it as a hook [Weir et al. (2002) Science 297:981] have prompted questions about the extent to which these animals 'understand' the physical causality involved in how hooks work and how to make them. To approach this issue we examine how the same subject ("Betty") performed in three experiments with novel material, which needed to be either bent or unbent in order to function to retrieve food. These tasks exclude the possibility of success by repetition of patterns of movement similar to those employed before. Betty quickly developed novel techniques to bend the material, and appropriately modified it on four of five trials when unbending was required. She did not mechanically apply a previously learned set of movements to the new situations, and instead sought new solutions to each problem. However, the details of her behaviour preclude concluding definitely that she understood and planned her actions: in some cases she probed with the unmodified tools before modifying them, or attempted to use the unmodified (unsuitable) end of the tool after modification. Gauging New Caledonian crows' level of understanding is not yet possible, but the observed behaviour is consistent with a partial understanding of physical tasks at a level that exceeds that previously attained by any other non-human subject, including apes.
Laterality of foot-use behaviour was examined in jungle crows (Corvus macrorhynchos). Consistency of laterality was also verified in comparison with two different behaviours. One was beak-scratching, and another was food-holding. Significant bias of foot-use laterality was found in 11 of 13 tested subjects for beak-scratching and in 10 of 12 tested subjects for food-holding. Bias of foot-use laterality was not common among footed subjects, suggesting no population-level bias. However, a significant number of footed subjects (10 of 12) who were tested in both behaviours showed consistent laterality irrespective of behavioural differences. These results suggest that jungle crows have strong individual-level laterality in foot-use behaviour.
New Caledonian crows (Corvus moneduloides) are the most prolific avian tool-users. Regional variation in the shape of their tools may be the result of cumulative cultural evolution--a phenomenon considered to be a hallmark of human culture. Here we show that hand-raised juvenile New Caledonian crows spontaneously manufacture and use tools, without any contact with adults of their species or any prior demonstration by humans. Our finding is a crucial step towards producing informed models of cultural transmission in this species, and in animals in general.
The risk of becoming a West Nile virus case in New York State, excluding New York City, was evaluated for persons whose town of residence was proximal to spatial clusters of dead American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Weekly clusters were delineated for June-October 2002 by using both the binomial spatial scan statistic and kernel density smoothing. The relative risk of a human case was estimated for different spatial-temporal exposure definitions after adjusting for population density and age distribution using Poisson regression, adjusting for week and geographic region, and conducting Cox proportional hazards modeling, where the week that a human case was identified was treated as the failure time and baseline hazard was stratified by region. The risk of becoming a West Nile virus case was positively associated with living in towns proximal to dead crow clusters. The highest risk was consistently for towns associated with a cluster in the current or prior 1-2 weeks. Weaker, but positive associations were found for towns associated with a cluster in just the 1-2 prior weeks, indicating an ability to predict onset in a timely fashion.
Population-level laterality is generally considered to reflect functional brain specialization. Consequently, the strength of population-level laterality in manipulatory tasks is predicted to positively correlate with task complexity. This relationship has not been investigated in tool manufacture. Here, we report the correlation between strength of laterality and design complexity in the manufacture of New Caledonian crows' three pandanus tool designs: wide, narrow and stepped designs. We documented indirect evidence of over 5,800 tool manufactures on 1,232 pandanus trees at 23 sites. We found that the strength of laterality in tool manufacture was correlated with design complexity in three ways: (i) the strongest effect size among the population-level edge biases for each design was for the more complex, stepped design, (ii) the strength of laterality at individual sites was on average greater for the stepped design than it was for the simpler wide and narrow, non-stepped designs, and (iii) there was a positive, but non-significant, trend for a correlation between the strength of laterality and the number of steps on a stepped tool. These three aspects together indicate that greater design complexity generally elicits stronger lateralization of crows' pandanus tool manufacture.