bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Foundations Exercise Power
Authors: Roelofs Joan
Published: September 2015

Foundations (and philanthropy in general) have great political power in the United States and worldwide, yet this is hardly noted by political analysts or journalists. Their power is exerted in many ways, such as by funding progressive organizations and movements; sponsoring policy “think tanks” and organizations of public officials; influencing the political culture through media, academic researchers, and university programs (including public interest law in law schools); and co‐opting activists and potential rebels among the rich and poor. Because of their resources and prestige, they are powerful members of coalitions and collaborations with overt and covert government departments, U.N. agencies, universities, and nongovernmental organizations. Foundations have been major actors in the “Cold War,” which continues as the attempt to deflect any movement towards socialism here or abroad. Globalization has amplified the power of foundations, for many of the global institutions were created by foundations and continue to be fostered by them. The sponsorship of civil society institutions worldwide by private foundations, now with additional billions from governments and international governmental institutions, supports U.S. hegemony: military, political, and economic. We cannot know what the world would have been like absent foundation activities, but the current one does not appear to have a democratic, peaceful, or sustainable future.
Surgical methods for tubal pregnancy – effects on ovarian response to controlled stimulation during IVF
Authors: Ödesjö Elisabet , Bergh Christina , Strandell Annika
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Tubal pregnancy is often treated by surgery: salpingotomy or salpingectomy. Concern has been raised regarding the risk of compromising the vascular and nervous supply to the ovary, following salpingectomy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is reduced after salpingectomy in comparison with salpingotomy, among women undergoing IVF subsequent to surgical treatment of tubal pregnancy.

Material and methods

This retrospective cohort study included 153 women who had undergone IVF after surgery for ectopic tubal pregnancy. Women treated by either salpingectomy or salpingotomy constituted the two groups. Potential confounders (age, body mass index, smoking, stimulation dosage of gonadotrophin and reason for IVF) were included in multivariable regression analyses. The primary outcome was number of retrieved oocytes. The secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.

Results

A total of 118 women had undergone unilateral salpingectomy and 35 women had undergone unilateral salpingotomy. The mean number of oocytes at aspiration in the subsequent IVF cycle was 11.8 (salpingectomy group) and 11.7 (salpingotomy group). A linear regression analysis showed no effect of treatment type on aspirated oocytes [β = −0.11, 95% confidence interval −2.27, 2.04 (p = 0.92)]. Adjustment for potential confounders did not alter the result.

Conclusion

Among women undergoing IVF after surgery for tubal pregnancy, the ovarian response was not influenced by the surgical method. Our results do not support the theory that salpingectomy, compared with salpingotomy, impairs ovarian reserve measured as number of oocytes retrieved during subsequent IVF treatment.
Serum Shiga toxin 2 values in patients during acute phase of diarrhoea‐associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome
Authors: He Xiaohua , Quiñones Beatriz , Loo Maroeska Te , Loos Sebastian , Scavia Gaia , Brigotti Maurizio , Levtchenko Elena , Monnens Leo
Published: September 2015

Aim

Shiga toxins are delivered via systemic circulation and are considered to be the cause of diarrhoea‐associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), as they injure endothelial cells, particularly in the glomeruli. This study measured Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) in the serum of children affected in by HUS due to Stx2 producing Escherichia coli.

Methods

The concentration of free Stx2 was measured in the serum of 16 children, collected immediately after admission to the clinic in the acute phase of HUS, using a sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The family members of two children were also investigated, with the relative toxicity of Stx2 assessed by a Vero cell‐based fluorescent assay.

Results

Stx2 was found in the serum of eight of the 16 children who were investigated. It was also detected in four of the six family members not showing symptomatic HUS, with an extremely high level in two.

Conclusion

An absent or rather low concentration of Stx2 was found in the serum of children admitted to the clinic with diarrhoea‐associated HUS. The high concentration of Stx2 in family members without HUS, but mostly with watery diarrhoea and raised functional activity, was in line with the concept of early injury by Stx2.
Olaparib
Authors: Goulooze S. C. , Cohen A. F. , Rissmann R.
Published: September 2015

Olaparib is used to treat BReast CAncer susceptibility protein (BRCA)‐associated, platinum‐sensitive ovarian cancer. Olaparib inhibits poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase, thereby blocking the repair of single‐strand DNA breaks. This results in synthetic lethality in BRCA‐associated cancer cells, which have a dysfunction of another DNA repair pathway – homologous recombination.
Owner‐Managers and the Failure of Newly Adopted Works Councils
Authors: Jirjahn Uwe , Mohrenweiser Jens
Published: September 2015

Using representative data from the IAB Establishment Panel, we show that the managerial environment has a strong influence on the introduction and survival of works councils. Employees in owner‐managed establishments are less likely to introduce a works council. Moreover, in case of an introduction, the new works council is less likely to survive if the establishment is owner‐managed. The pattern of results even holds in situations that involve positive economic effects of works councils. This suggests that owner‐managers oppose works councils not primarily for economic reasons. Our findings are rather consistent with the hypothesis that owner‐managers oppose co‐determination because it reduces the utility they gain from being the ultimate bosses within the establishment.
Resisting Japan's Neoliberal Model of Capitalism: Intensification and Change in Contemporary Patterns of Class Struggle
Authors: Shibata Saori
Published: September 2015

The Japanese model of capitalism has tended to be conceptualized within the extant literature in terms of a transition from a model characterized by coordination towards one in which neoliberal reforms have produced greater levels of instability, competition and inequality. This article argues that these trends raise the question of what patterns of resistance have been part of this transition. The article highlights how the neoliberalization of Japan's model of capitalism has also been accompanied by intensified class antagonism. Although the impact of such contestation on policymaking and actual policies has thus far been limited, Japan's neoliberalization has nevertheless been (and seems likely to remain) far from uncontested.
The Role of Soil Nutrients in Boundaries between Mangrove and Herbaceous Assemblages in a Tropical Estuary
Authors: Ribeiro Jose Pedro N. , Tiberio Fernanda C. S. , de Oliveira Alexandre A.
Published: September 2015

We aimed to determine the role of soil nutrients in the herbaceous‐tree boundary in a tropical mangrove forest. We assembled plots in this boundary such that each was initially covered by ~50% of each life form. We added NPK to three of the plots monthly and monitored them, along with the control plots, for 18 mo. In plots with added NPK, mangrove branches grew over and shaded the herbaceous plants, resulting in the presence of mostly bare soil. The mangrove trees eventually covered ~80% of the experimental plots, but the proportion of cover in the control plots remained unaltered. We conclude that soil nutrient level modulates the mangrove‐herbaceous plant interaction in steps, and from a given level there is a shift in the dominant life form. This mechanism leads to a sharp transition over a smooth nutritional gradient.
Novel Scaffold Identification of mGlu1 Receptor Negative Allosteric Modulators Using a Hierarchical Virtual Screening Approach
Authors: Jang Jae Wan , Cho Nam‐Chul , Min Sun‐Joon , Cho Yong Seo , Park Ki Duk , Seo Seon Hee , No Kyoung Tai , Pae Ae Nim
Published: September 2015

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) is considered as an attractive drug target for neuropathic pain treatments. The hierarchical virtual screening approach for identifying novel scaffolds of mGluR1 allosteric modulators was performed using a homology model built with the dopamine D3 crystal structure as template. The mGluR1 mutagenesis data, conserved amino acid sequences across class A and class C GPCRs, and previously reported multiple sequence alignments of class C GPCRs to the rhodopsin template, were employed for the sequence alignment to overcome difficulties of model generation with low sequence identity of mGluR1 and dopamine D3. The structures refined by molecular dynamics simulations were employed for docking of Asinex commercial libraries after hierarchical virtual screening with pharmacophore and naïve Bayesian models. Five of 35 compounds experimentally evaluated using a calcium mobilization assay exhibited micromolar activities (IC50) with chemotype novelty that demonstrated the validity of our methods. A hierarchical structure and ligand‐based virtual screening approach with homology model of class C GPCR based on dopamine D3 class A GPCR structure was successfully performed and applied to discover novel negative mGluR1 allosteric modulators.
Early Nonparental Care and Social Behavior in Elementary School: Support for a Social Group Adaptation Hypothesis
Authors: Pingault Jean‐Baptiste , Tremblay Richard E. , Vitaro Frank , Japel Christa , Boivin Michel , Côté Sylvana M.
Published: September 2015

This study examined the contribution of nonparental child‐care services received during the preschool years to the development of social behavior between kindergarten and the end of elementary school with a birth cohort from Québec, Canada (N = 1,544). Mothers reported on the use of child‐care services, while elementary school teachers rated children's shyness, social withdrawal, prosociality, opposition, and aggression. Children who received nonparental child‐care services were less shy, less socially withdrawn, more oppositional, and more aggressive at school entry (age 6 years). However, these differences disappeared during elementary school as children who received exclusive parental care caught up with those who received nonparental care services. This “catch‐up” effect from the perspective of children's adaptation to the social group is discussed.
A diagnostic expert system for the dyeing of protein fibres
Authors: Sawatwarakul Weethima , Joines Jeff , Shamey Renzo
Published: September 2015

Coloration of protein fibres is characterised by many variables, each with a different effect on the final product. Because the process can be rather complicated, it is often difficult to achieve the right colour in the first dyeing attempt. Determining the root causes of a given problem tends to be even more challenging. While quality requirements in the textile industry have become increasingly rigorous, seasoned coloration experts have become rather scarce. This situation has exacerbated the need for the development and implementation of expert systems to augment available expertise in this domain. In addition, benefits associated with computer‐based diagnostic systems have become increasingly evident over the past few decades, and the field remains an active area of research. Here we report the design and development of a diagnostic expert system for the dyeing of protein fibres. The system is designed to aid in the identification of root causes of problems with a view to enabling users to arrive quickly at remedial solutions. The performance of the system has been tested and evaluated by human experts and deemed to be highly satisfactory. This diagnostic system can be used to teach students, may be utilised by novice colourists as a problem‐solving tool, and may be employed as a supplementary knowledge resource by seasoned dyers.
Sarcopenia and failure to rescue following liver transplantation
Authors: Underwood Patrick W. , Cron David C. , Terjimanian Michael N. , Wang Stewart C. , Englesbe Michael J. , Waits Seth A.
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Sarcopenic liver transplant recipients have higher rates of mortality, but mechanisms underlying these rates remain unclear. Failure to rescue (FTR) has been shown to be a primary driver of mortality following major general and vascular surgery. We hypothesized that FTR is common in sarcopenic liver transplant recipients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 348 liver transplant recipients with perioperative CT scans. Analytic morphomic techniques were used to assess trunk muscle size via total psoas area (TPA). One‐yr major complication and FTR rates were calculated across TPA tertiles.

Results

The one‐yr complication rate was 77% and the FTR rate was 19%. Multivariate regression showed TPA as a significant predictor of FTR (OR = 0.27 per 1000 mm2 increase in TPA, p < 0.001). Compared to patients in the largest muscle tertile, patients in the smallest tertile had 1.4‐fold higher adjusted complication rates (91% vs. 66%) and 2.8‐fold higher adjusted FTR rates (22% vs. 8%).

Discussion

These results suggest that mortality in sarcopenic liver transplant recipients may be strongly related to FTR. Efforts aimed at early recognition and management of complications may decrease postoperative mortality. Additionally, this work highlights the need for expanded multicenter collaborations aimed at collection and analysis of postoperative complications in liver transplant recipients.
Impact of different immunosuppressive regimens on the health‐related quality of life following orthotopic liver transplantation
Authors: Benzing Christian , Krezdorn Nicco , Förster Julia , Hinz Andreas , Atanasov Georgi , Wiltberger Georg , Morgül Mehmet H. , Lange Undine G. , Schmelzle Moritz , Hau Hans‐Michael , Bartels Michael
Published: September 2015

Background

The influence of immunosuppression on the recipients’ quality of life (QoL) is of major importance after OLT and has not yet been evaluated.

Methods

The impact of different immunosuppression regimens after OLT was evaluated in 275 patients using the Short Form 36 (SF‐36) survey. The following immunosuppressive strategies were compared: (a) CNI, (b) mTOR inhibitors, and (c) mTOR combined with CNI. All regimens were prescribed alone (mono) or in combination (+) with prednisolone and/or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).

Results

Highest scores were evident in patients in the mTOR+ group. There were significantly higher values for general health perceptions (GH, p = 0.049), vitality (VIT, p = 0.020), and physical component summary (PCS, p = 0.041) when compared to CNImono and for GH (p = 0.042) and VIT (p = 0.043), when compared to mTORmono. Early conversion to mTOR inhibitors (two months after OLT), with a statistically significant improvement for the dimension role‐emotional (RE, p = 0.027).

Discussion

mTOR inhibitor‐based regimens appear to have beneficial effects on QoL after OLT, especially after an early conversion.
Coronary Artery Fistula‐Associated Endocarditis: Report of Two Cases and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Wang Fang , Cranston‐D'Amato Hope , Pearson Anthony
Published: September 2015

Coronary artery fistulae (CAF) are rare congenital anomalies and reported to have an incidence of 0.1–0.2% of all coronary angiograms. An association between fistulae and nonatherosclerotic coronary artery aneurysms is even more rare. In childhood, patients are mostly asymptomatic; however, patients older than 20 years old may present with signs of infective endocarditis, myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure, and aneurysm rupture. CAF are typically identified by coronary angiography; however, there are some limited studies showing that transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can also be useful in identifying CAF. Here we report two cases of endocarditis secondary to congenital coronary artery fistulae draining into either a cardiac cavity or a coronary sinus, which were detected by TEE. Vegetations were found at the site of the fistulae drainage. Management for young patients is either percutaneous or surgical intervention. For elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, conservative treatment is another option. In these two cases, treating endocarditis with proper antibiotics and supportive treatment, the patients' conditions improved significantly.
Aldosterone, mortality, cardiovascular events and reverse epidemiology in end stage renal disease
Authors: Abd ElHafeez Samar , Tripepi Giovanni , Mallamaci Francesca , Zoccali Carmine
Published: September 2015

Background

Plasma aldosterone is markedly increased in end stage renal disease (ESRD). The relationship between aldosterone, all‐cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in observational studies performed so far is controversial.

Design

We investigated the relationship between aldosterone, mortality and CV events in multivariate analyses including nutrition status, inflammation, LV function and fluids volume biomarkers in 278 ESRD patients without heart failure at baseline.

Results

In univariate analyses aldosterone was an inverse predictor of death (3rd tertile vs. 1st tertile Hazard ratios (HR): 0·58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·38–0·90. P = 0·01) and CV events (HR: 0·63; 95% CI 0·41–0·96; P = 0·03). Data adjustment for inflammation and malnutrition biomarkers substantially reduced the inverse relationship between aldosterone, mortality and CV events to be largely not significant (P = 0·31 and P = 0·36, respectively). The same was true by adjusting for volume expansion and LV dysfunction (left atrial volume and atrial natriuretic peptide) biomarkers (P = 0·30 for both outcomes). In a model adjusting for the full set of biomarkers of protein energy wasting/inflammation and volume expansion/LV dysfunction the inverse relationship between aldosterone and death and CV events was nullified (HR for death 0·98, P = 0·93; HR for CV events 0·96, P = 0·87).

Conclusions

Aldosterone is an inverse predictor of mortality and CV events in ESRD patients. This seemingly paradoxical relationship is abolished by statistical adjustment for inflammation, protein energy malnutrition, and volume expansion biomarkers indicating that it is the mere expression of the confounding effect of these factors. A clinical trial is needed to establish if aldosterone antagonism may improve clinical outcomes in ESRD.
Coexisting invasive gobies reveal no evidence for temporal and trophic niche differentiation in the sublittoral habitat of Lake Erhai, China
Authors: Guo Zhiqiang , Liu Jiashou , Lek Sovan , Li Zhongjie , Zhu Fengyue , Tang Jianfeng , Britton Robert , Cucherousset Julien
Published: September 2015

Niche differentiation facilitates the coexistence of species within a community through avoidance of competition via mechanisms involving spatial, temporal and/or trophic dimensions. Where invasive species coexist in their non‐native range, niche differentiation could allow their persistence at higher levels of abundance. Here, we tested whether there was temporal and/or trophic niche differentiation between two congeneric invasive goby species (Rhinogobius cliffordpopei and Rhinogobius giurinus) in the sublittoral habitat of Lake Erhai (south‐west China) through quantifying their diel and seasonal rhythm of locomotion activities, feeding activities and diet composition. Both species displayed two similar diel peaks in activity and two main feeding periods (6:00–10:00 and 18:00–22:00), with rhythms of locomotion and feeding activity not differing significantly between the species in each season. Their diets had a high degree of overlap, being primarily composed of macrozooplankton, aquatic insects and shrimp larvae, with no diel changes across the seasons. Thus, in this habitat, there was no clear temporal or trophic niche differentiation between the invasive congeners, indicating their coexistence with high temporal and trophic overlap. In conjunction with data from the littoral and profundal habitats, the gobies revealed different strategies across the habitats (e.g. spatial segregation, trophic niche differentiation) that minimised their competitive interactions and promoted their coexistence. This suggests that the interactions of invasive fishes during the integration into native communities can be context dependent, varying according to factors including habitat and the availability of food resources.
Making Selves and Meeting Others in Neo‐Shamanic Healing
Authors: Itzhak Nofit
Published: September 2015

Anthropological accounts of healing tend to draw, either explicitly or implicitly, on the notion of “symbolic” healing initially developed in Lévi‐Strauss's seminal article, “The Effectiveness of Symbols.” Within this framework, therapeutic efficacy is understood as the result of a transformation of meaning or the manipulation of symbols. This article seeks to challenge and refine this approach by suggesting that the transformative potential of the healing ritual may be located prior to the establishment of symbolic meaning and manipulation in the course of the healing ritual. Through an experientially specific analysis of soul retrieval, a neo‐shamanic healing ritual practiced by contemporary Euro‐Americans in the United States, I demonstrate that the healing process begins with, and hinges on, a successful encounter with alterity or otherness, which is established in the course of the ritual but extends beyond it. Serving as a counterweight to accounts of ritual healing that emphasize processes of meaning making as anchored in the creation of coherence, the article argues that a fuller understanding of therapeutic or healing processes must also include an appreciation for the transformative effects that discontinuities or disruptions to one's implicitly coherent sense of self can have.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Blood Sucrose as a Screening Test for Diagnosis of Gastric Ulceration in Adult Horses
Authors: Hewetson M. , Sykes B.W. , Hallowell G. , Tulamo R.M.
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing study

Gastric ulceration is an important cause of morbidity in horses. Currently, gastroscopy is the only reliable antemortem method for definitive diagnosis; however, it is unsuitable as a screening test because it is expensive, invasive and time‐consuming. Sucrose permeability testing represents a simple, economical, non‐invasive alternative to gastroscopy for screening purposes, and the feasibility of this approach in the horse has been reported [1].

Objectives

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of blood sucrose as a screening test for gastric ulceration.

Study design

Cross‐sectional design.

Methods

One hundred and one adult horses with and without naturally occurring gastric ulcers were studied. The diagnostic accuracy of blood sucrose for detection of gastric ulcers at 45 and 90 min after administration of 1 g/kg bwt of sucrose via nasogastric intubation was assessed with ROC curves and calculating the area under the curve (AUC). Sucrose concentration in blood was compared with gastroscopy as the gold standard; and sensitivities (Se) and specificities (Sp) were calculated across a range of sucrose concentrations. Cut‐off values were selected manually to optimise sensitivity.

Results

The prevalence of gastric ulcers was 83%. The AUC ± 95% CI for blood sucrose concentration when used to distinguish between horses with and without gastric ulcers at 45 and 90 min was 0.592 (0.441–0.744) and 0.615 (0.469–0.761) respectively. Sucrose concentrations of 4.70 μmol/l at 45 min; and 4.57 μmol/l at 90 min were selected as optimal cut‐offs. Using these cut‐offs, Se ranged from 64.4% to 77%; and Sp ranged from 42.9% to 50%.

Conclusions

Blood sucrose is neither a sensitive nor specific test for detecting gastric ulcers in adult horses with naturally occurring ulcers.

Acknowledgements

We thank Sandy Love, Satu Sankari, Anna‐Maija Virtala, Noah Cohen, Allen Rousell, Kaisa Aaltonen, Anne Sjöholm and Jouni Junnila.

Ethical animal research: The study protocol was approved by the National Animal Experiment Board of Finland (Eläinkoelautakunta ELLA). For client‐owned animals, the informed consent of the owner was obtained. Source of funding: This study was funded by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland. Competing interests: None declared.
Diagnostic Value of Gastric Mucosal Biopsies in Horses with Glandular Disease
Authors: Crumpton S.M. , Baiker K. , Hallowell G.D. , Habershon‐Butcher J.L. , Bowen I.M.
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing study

Equine gastric glandular disease (EGGD) is a common condition, for which the underlying pathophysiology is undetermined. Endoscopic mucosal biopsies have been proposed as a method for adapting therapy.

Objectives

To evaluate diagnostic information obtained from endoscopic mucosal biopsies.

Study design

Prospective, experimental study.

Methods

Twenty‐one horses undergoing elective humane slaughter were subjected to gross examination of the glandular mucosa. Glandular pathology was graded using EGUS Council guidelines from digital camera images. Mucosal biopsies were obtained using a ‘single‐bite’ (1.8 mm; A and 2.4 mm; B) or ‘double bite’ technique (2.4 mm; C) using endoscopic biopsy instruments. Tissue was formalin fixed, processed and stained using standard protocols. Inflammatory infiltrates visualised histologically were graded (mild, moderate or severe) and compared with ulcer grade. Full thickness biopsies were also obtained adjacent to the biopsy site and of other visual lesions and inflammatory cell counts were compared with mucosal biopsies using ICC.

Results

Full thickness samples were artefact free and allowed visualisation of all layers. Mucosal biopsy samples contained mucosa in all samples, submucosa in 55% (C), 61% (A) and 66% (B) of samples and glands in 50% (B), 66% (A) and 100% (C). Samples from A were too small for histological assessment (33%) and tissue damage was commonly seen in A and B (n = 8 and n = 10) when compared with C (n = 3). Horses with normal glandular appearance (grade 0; n = 7) mostly demonstrated mild gastritis (n = 5). Severe gastritis was identified in mild EGGD (grade 1/2), whilst mild and moderate gastritis was identified in all EGGD grades. There was no histological evidence of ulceration or erosion. There was poor agreement between cell numbers and sampling techniques (ICC<0.29).

Conclusions

These data show lack of ulcerative pathology and instead inflammation in EGGD. Lesion appearance is a poor indicator of underlying severity. Mucosal biopsies offer limited value in predicting underlying disease.

Ethical animal research: This study was approved by the University of Nottingham Ethics and Welfare Committee. The study was performed on material collected at an abattoir. Source of funding: None. Competing interests: None declared.
Understanding Intestinal Microbiota in Equine Grass Sickness: Next Generation Sequencing of Faecal Bacterial DNA
Authors: Leng J. , Proudman C. , Blow F. , Darby A. , Swann J.
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing study

The bacteria Clostridium botulinum has been associated with equine grass sickness (EGS); however, the effect on the wider horse's gut microbiome is currently unknown.

Objectives

To characterise the bacterial dysbiosis that occurs within the gut microbiome of horses with EGS and to identify and quantify Clostridium botulinum within the faecal microbiota of the affected horses.

Study design

Case–control study.

Methods

Faecal samples were collected from horses with a histological diagnosis of EGS and matched controls. Faecal bacterial DNA was extracted and sequenced to characterise the microbial communities in the group. Faecal samples were collected from a total of 33 horses over 2 years. This included 13 EGS cases, 14 matched controls and 6 hospital controls. Faecal bacterial DNA was extracted from samples and the v4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. DNA was sequenced on the MiSeq platform and data was analysed using QIIME. Differences in community profile between the 3 groups of horses were identified using linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) method.

Results

There was a significant increase in Bacteroidetes and a decrease in Firmicutes bacteria in horses with EGS compared to the 2 control groups. Discriminant analysis identified bacterial genera Desulphovibrio and Veillonella and the bacterial species Veillonella parvula as increased in abundance. There was no noticeable increase in C. botulinum in the faecal microbiome of EGS horses in this study.

Conclusions

The dysbiosis characterised by bacterial sequencing showed a similar shift to that identified previously in colitis horses and human inflammatory bowel disease. It is currently unclear how Verrucomicrobia bacteria are linked to grass sickness.

Ethical animal research: The study was approved by The University of Liverpool ethics committee. Owner informed consent was obtained before sampling. Sources of funding: The Equine Grass Sickness Fund and The University of Reading. Competing interests: None declared.
A Retrospective Dental Study on 5334 Horses in General Practice
Authors: Duncanson G.
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing study

Rasping of sharp enamel points (SEPs) is the most common procedure performed at routine dental examinations; however, there is little evidence to prove the true clinical significance of SEPs [1]. Maxillary SEPs are thought to cause buccal ulceration and pain on external palpation of the cheeks. Mandibular SEPs are thought to cause lingual ulceration.

Objectives

To examine associations between the presence of SEPs on the cheek teeth rows and the presence of pain on palpation of the cheeks and buccal and/or lingual ulceration.

Study design

Retrospective clinical case series.

Methods

Clinical records of routine dental examination performed by 8 veterinary surgeons in a single first opinion practice were examined. Presence of SEPs, buccal and/or lingual ulceration and pain on palpation of the cheeks (externally) were recorded. Chi squared tests were used to examine whether horses exhibiting pain on palpation or oral ulceration were significantly more likely to have SEPs present.

Results

Prevalence of buccal SEPs was 84.8% and prevalence of lingual SEPs was 84.3%. Five hundred and forty‐eight horses (6.0%) had signs of pain on palpation. Prevalence of buccal ulceration was 5.9%. In contrast, only 0.2% of horses had visible lingual ulceration. Buccal ulceration and pain on palpation were significantly associated with presence of buccal SEPs (P<0.001 for both). Lingual ulceration was not significantly associated with lingual SEPs (P<0.0001).

Conclusions

Buccal SEPs are common and often result in pain and buccal ulceration. Routine rasping would appear to be justified. Lingual SEPs are common but rarely cause lingual ulceration. The value of routine rasping of lingual SEPs is therefore questionable.

Ethical animal research: Research ethics committee oversight not currently required by this conference: retrospective study of clinical records. Explicit owner informed consent for inclusion of animals in this study was not stated. Source of funding: None. Competing interests: None declared.
Normal Radiographic Anatomy of the Donkey Foot from Birth to 2 Years of Age
Authors: Van Thielen B. , Pestieau P. , Van Der Strieckt A. , Willekens I. , Busoni V. , Verhelle F. , Goossens P. , Delperdange P. , De Mol G. , Jacqmot O. , Buls N. , Kichou M. , de Mey J.
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing study

Normal radiographic anatomy of the juvenile donkey foot has not been reported previously.

Objectives

To provide a radiographic survey of the anatomical development of the donkey foot from 0 to 2 years of age.

Study design

Radiographic survey.

Methods

The right front foot of 9 donkey foals born in the spring of 2012, housed and fed in the same conditions, were radiographed every month for the first 6 months of age and every 3 months for the following 18 months. Latero‐medial radiographs with and without barium markers at the coronary band and anterior‐posterior radiographs of both front feet were obtained during weightbearing. Radiographs were obtained at 55 kV and 3 mAs with mobile x‐ray equipment (Gierth RHF 200 ML, Examion DR810).

Results

The distal physis of the metacarpus (McIII) was closed at the mean age of 17.8 months (SD: 11.5, 21). The proximal physis of the proximal phalanx was closed at the mean age of 15.5 months (SD: 11.5, 21). The distal physis appeared as a clear radiolucent line at 2 weeks of age and was still visible subtly at 24 months. The proximal physis of the middle phalanx was closed at the mean age of 10.7 months (SD: 11.5, 19). The distal physis was visible at birth but closed at 4 days.

Conclusions

Based on our results, it seems that physes close at an older age in the donkey foal than in the horse.

Ethical animal research: The study was approved by the Ethics committee of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. (VUB/14‐272‐2). Owners gave informed consent for their horses' inclusion in the study. Source of funding: The authors acknowledge Vtrade Belgium for the logistic assistance. Competing interests: None declared.
Proximal Suspensory Desmopathy in Hindlimbs: A Correlative Clinical, Ultrasonographic, Gross Post Mortem and Histological Study
Authors: Dyson S. , Pinilla M.J.
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing study

It has been suggested that ultrasonography is unreliable for the detection of hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD) based on comparison between ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance images.

Objectives

To compare ultrasonography with gross and histopathological post mortem examination in horses with PSD diagnosed based on the response to local anaesthesia and ultrasonography.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Methods

Nineteen horses with hindlimb PSD were humanely destroyed. The ultrasonographic abnormalities were graded prospectively as mild, moderate or severe based on predefined criteria. Thirty‐seven lame limbs were examined grossly and 36 suspensory ligaments (SLs) were examined histologically. The histological images were graded blindly based on predefined criteria (0–3 for each tissue type; 0 = normal, 3 = severe abnormality). Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results

Ultrasonographic lesions were graded moderate in 31/38 (81.6%) and severe in 7/38 (18.4%) limbs; in 4/36 (11.1%) limbs adhesion formation between the proximal aspect of the SL and the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon was predicted. Gross post mortem examination revealed substantial adhesions between the proximal aspect of the SL and adjacent soft tissues in 10/37 (27.0%) limbs; in 10/37 (27.0%) limbs there were adhesions between the body of the SL and the mid plantar aspect of the third metatarsal bone, extending distally in 6 (16.2%) limbs. Histology revealed abnormalities (grades 1–3) of the collagenous tissue in 25/36 (69.4%) limbs. Muscle was abnormal (grades 1–3) in 35/36 (97.2%) limbs and adipose tissue (grades 1–3) in 16/36 (44.4%) limbs. Neural abnormalities (grades 1–3) were seen in 23/36 (63.9%) limbs and vascular changes (grade 1 and 2) in 2/36 (5.6%) limbs. In 1/36 limbs no abnormality was detected.

Conclusions

Ultrasonography was reasonably reliable for the detection of SL pathology based on histology as a gold standard, but the ability to detect gross adhesions was limited.

Ethical animal research: The study was approved by the Ethical Review Committee of the Animal Health Trust and had informed consent of the owners. Source of funding: None. Competing interests: None declared.
The Effect of Three Different Shoeing Conditions on Tendon Strain in the Thoroughbred Forelimb
Authors: Ault B. , Starling G. , Parkes R. , Pfau T. , Pardoe C. , Day P. , Bettison C. , Weller R.
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing study

Previous studies show the effect of toe or heel wedges on tendon strain but there is little understanding of the effect of other shoe types.

Objectives

To quantify the effect of different shoeing conditions on the strain in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), distal check ligament (ALDDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL).

Study design

Controlled experimental study.

Methods

Twelve equine cadaver forelimbs were loaded onto a force plate mimicking stance phase. Markers were placed proximally and distally in each tendon structure and tracked using a motion capture system and strain was calculated. Tendon strain was determined for the following conditions: barefoot, glue on heart bar and aluminium racing plates with and without packing material. Data were analysed using a mixed effects model.

Results

Significant variation in strain was observed between tendons. The DDFT had the lowest strain, then the ALDDFT, SDFT and SL. Glue on heart bar shoes significantly increased SDFT and SL strain compared to barefoot for the same leg force. Aluminium racing plates without packing material increased ALDDFT and SDFT strain and with packing material increased ALDDFT and SL.

Conclusions

Shoe selection should be based on minimising strain in the tendon with greatest injury risk. Aluminium racing plates with packing material may be most appropriate for the majority of racehorses as they do not significantly increase SDFT strain.

Ethical animal research: Research ethics committee oversight not currently required by this conference: the study was performed on material obtained from an abattoir. Source of funding: The authors would like to thank the Horserace Betting Levy Board for their support of this project. Competing interests: None declared. Acknowledgements: We thank Peter Day, Carl Bettison, Chris Pardoe, Marianna Biggi and Emily Sparkes.
Yellow Fat Disease (Steatitis): Description of 20 Cases with Emphasis on Typical Ultrasonographic Findings
Authors: van Loon G. , Lefère L. , Bauwens C. , Kleyn K. , Broux B. , De Clercq D. , Deprez P.
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing the study

Yellow fat disease or steatitis is characterised by a local or general inflammation of fat tissue and is occasionally found in horses. Diagnosis is challenging because of the wide range of nonspecific clinical signs.

Objectives

To describe clinical signs, treatment, outcome and ultrasonographic findings in horses with steatitis.

Study design

Retrospective study (January 2008 to January 2015).

Methods

History, clinical signs, ultrasonographic findings, diagnosis, treatment and outcome were recorded.

Results

Twenty cases (18 horses, 2 donkeys; 9 mares, 9 stallions, 2 geldings) were retrieved from 13,707 patient records. Mean age was 1.6 (± 0.8) years (range 1 month–3.5 years). All cases appeared between October and February except for one (August). History included dullness, recumbency, decreased appetite and weight loss. Fever, ventral oedema, stiff/painful gait and painful neck were found. Low haematocrit, low vitamin E and selenium and increased levels of creatinine kinase and particularly lactate dehydrogenase were almost consistent findings. On ultrasound, ventral oedema was found. Subperitoneal, perirenal, mesenteric, coronary and caudal mediastinal fat showed homogenously increased echogenicity. Especially the subperitoneal fat was surrounded by oedema or free fluid. Increased amounts of abdominal, thoracic and pericardial fluid were often found. Fat biopsies were taken in the neck or from the retroperitoneal fat in the ventral flank. In all horses where fat biopsy was taken (n = 13), steatitis was confirmed. Treatment consisted of selenium and vitamin E (intra‐muscular injection followed by oral treatment) supplementation and anti‐inflammatory treatment (dexamethasone or prednisolone parenteral or oral) for at least 1–4 weeks. Fourteen animals (70%) survived. Full recovery took about 2–6 months.

Conclusions

Yellow fat disease may be underdiagnosed because of the nonspecific clinical signs. Ultrasound was extremely helpful for making a diagnosis. Recovery was rather slow but was achieved in 70% of the animals.

Ethical animal research: Research ethics committee oversight not currently required by this conference: retrospective study of clinical records. Explicit owner informed consent for inclusion of animals in this study was not stated. Source of funding: Ghent University (institutional). Competing interests: None declared.
Factors Affecting Complication Rates with Subpalpebral Lavage Catheter Use in Horses
Authors: Cornelissen S. , Finding E. , Bowen I.M. , Bullard C. , Hallowell G.D.
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing study

Subpalpebral lavage (SPL) systems are commonly used to facilitate treatment of ophthalmic conditions in the horse, are placed in differing positions and are associated with various complications.

Objectives

To evaluate differences in complication rates between SPL placement in the upper vs. lower eyelid and factors associated with development of complications.

Study design

Retrospective, clinical study.

Methods

Clinical records from the Royal Veterinary College (2000–2013) were evaluated. Data collated included age, breed, sex, clinician, training, ophthalmic condition, pharmacological agents administered, catheter position, duration of placement, where the catheter was managed (hospital/home) and any complications observed. Data was initially interrogated using chi‐squared tests and then binary logistic regression models built to evaluate these factors.

Results

Data was obtained from 135 horses aged 6 days to 30 years. Duration of SPL was 3–60 days (median 8; IQR 7–15). Complication rates were lowest for medicine residents (10%), when compared with interns (42%), medicine clinicians (27%) and surgeons (16%). There was no difference in complication rate between SPL management at home (15.4%) compared with the hospital (16.1%; P = 0.94). Position of catheter placement was influenced by stage of training (P = 0.04; boarded clinicians were more likely to place in lower eyelid) and associated with duration of treatment (P = 0.03; longer treatment times with SPLs in upper eyelid). Complications were associated with catheter position (P = 0.03; upper 12.8%; lower 22.2%), antimicrobial administration (P = 0.008; 13.2% when used; 25.0% when not) and plasma administration (P = 0.004; 30.4% when used; 13.0% when not).

Conclusions

Subpalpebral lavage placement in the upper eyelid was associated with fewer complications. Use of antimicrobials appeared protective against complications and plasma should only be administered when indicated as it was associated with increased complications.

Ethical animal research: This project was reviewed by the University of Nottingham Ethics and Welfare Committee. Explicit owner informed consent for inclusion of animals in this study was not stated. Source of funding: None. Competing interests: None declared.
Basal Insulin and Insulin Dysregulation in Obese and Non‐Obese Andalusian Horses with and Without Cresty Neck
Authors: Martin Giménez T. , Aguirre Pascasio C.N. , de Blas Giral I.
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing study

Andalusian horses have been proposed as a breed predisposed to equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) phenotype [1] because they are prone to exhibiting regional, generalised adiposity and tendency to laminitis [2]. Insulin dysregulation represents the main pathophysiological cause for all the features of EMS, however there are no epidemiological studies in this breed.

Objective

To assess insulin dysregulation through insulin proxies in Andalusian horses with different levels of obesity.

Study design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

One hundred and sixty‐four Andalusians (78 stallions and 86 mares, 2–15 years) were scored for overall (body condition score, BCS) and neck (cresty neck score, CNS) adiposity. Grain concentrate was withheld for 12 h before sampling. Blood samples were collected between 06.00–10.00 h for basal glucose, insulin concentrations, RISQI and MIRG proxies calculation. Conditions were defined as: obese horses (Ob), BCS ≥ 7; cresty neck horses (CN), CNS ≥ 3; hyperinsulinaemia, insulin ≥20 μu/ml; low insulin sensitivity, RISQI<0.32[mu/l]−0.5 and increased insulin secretory response, MIRG>5.6muinsulin2/[10.l.mgglucose]. Regarding BCS 2 groups were created: Ob and non‐Ob. These groups were subdivided depending on CNS: with CN and without it (nonCN). Ob‐nonCN group (n = 2) was excluded for the statistics due to the low number of horses.

Results

Of the horses studied, 26.8% were Ob‐CN, 42.1% were nonOb‐CN and 31.1% were nonOb‐nonCN. Ob horses presented higher insulin levels (P = 0.034) and lower RISQI values (P = 0.019) than all nonOb horses. When CN was considered, only RISQI was lower (P = 0.015) in Ob‐CN group respect to nonOb‐nonCN, however nonOb‐CN group does not differ from the other 2 groups. Furthermore, the percentage of Ob‐CN horses with hyperinsulinaemia (2.3%), abnormal RISQI (4.5%) and MIRG (9.1%) was very low.

Conclusions

These results suggest that in Andalusians, increased adiposity was not clearly associated to insulin dysregulation and, similar to human beings, may coexist as a metabolically healthy but obese phenotype.

Ethical animal research: Ethical University Committee approved all the procedures and owner informed consent was obtained. Source of funding: None. Competing interests: None declared.
Triamcinolone Administration Does Not Increase Overall Risk of Developing Laminitis
Authors: Hammersley E. , Duz M. , Marshall J.F.
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing study

Triamcinolone is commonly used in equine practice for the treatment of orthopaedic conditions. A serious potential adverse effect of triamcinolone is laminitis. However, evidence for the risk of laminitis associated with triamcinolone use is limited.

Objectives

To determine the risk of laminitis within 90 days of triamcinolone administration and compare with the risk of laminitis in a veterinary‐attended horse population.

Study design

Retrospective study of clinical records.

Methods

Text mining and data extraction was performed using content analysis software (SimStat‐WordStat v.6) on a database of anonymous digital clinical records from a convenience sample of North American equine practices (n = 9). Medical records were retrieved using a dictionary of keywords for 3 groups of horses: 1) treated with triamcinolone, 2) age and practice matched control population (no triamcinolone) and 3) all laminitic horses. Records of horses within Groups 1 and 2 were mined for evidence of laminitis within a 90‐day period of treatment or a random date respectively. Data manipulation and analysis was performed using R v3.0.0 (R Development Core Team). The prevalence of laminitis within all groups was determined and relative risk of developing laminitis determined by single logistic regression.

Results

The clinical records of 225,777 horses were examined. Overall prevalence of laminitis within the database was 1.1% (n = 2533). Triamcinolone was administered to 12.4% (n = 27,898) horses and 0.07% of treated horses (n = 20) developed laminitis. In the control population (n = 56,695), 0.2% of horses (n = 134) developed laminitis. The risk of developing laminitis was significantly lower in the triamcinolone treatment group than the control population (OR 0.3 95%CI, 0.18–0.48 P<0.001).

Conclusions

Triamcinolone treatment does not increase the overall risk of a horse developing laminitis. However, further investigation of risk factors for laminitis in the 20 horses identified by this preliminary study is warranted to aid development of evidence‐based treatment guidelines.

Ethical animal research: This study was approved by the Ethics and Welfare Committee of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow. Owners gave informed consent for their horses' inclusion in the study. Sources of funding: John Crawford Endowment Fund, University of Glasgow. Competing interests: None declared.