bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of nasotracheal aspiration as a diagnostic tool forRhodococcus equipneumonia in foals
Authors: HASHIKURA S. , HIGUCHI T. , TAHARAGUCHI S. , ORITA Y. , NANAO Y. , TAKAI S. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe reliability of preparing bacteriological cultures from nasotracheal aspirates of foals routinely in order to diagnoseR. equipneumonia in foals was studied by isolatingRhodococcus equifrom specimens obtained from 96 foals by nasotracheal aspiration with a silicon catheter. Results were compared with specimens obtained from 21 foals by transtracheal aspiration (percutaneous tracheal puncture). These 117 foals showed clinical signs of respiratory tract infection at sampling.R. equiwas isolated from 14 of 21 (66.7%) specimens by transtracheal aspiration and from 59 of 96 (61.4%) specimens by nasotracheal aspiration, 649 of 655 isolates (99.1%) from the 73 positive specimens were virulentR. equi, and the culture‐positive foals were diagnosed as havingR. equipneumonia. To assess the contamination of aspirates by organisms from the nasopharynx, the results ofR. equiisolation from nasal swabs obtained from 56 of the 96 foals were compared to those obtained by nasotracheal aspiration from the same foals.R. equiwas isolated from 2 of the 56 nasal swabs: one from a tracheal aspirate was positive, and the other was not. These results suggest that the nasotracheal aspiration technique, which is noninvasive and not associated with complications, could be used as an alternative to the transtracheal aspiration method, especially for the diagnosis ofR. equipneumonia in foals.
Complications associated with anaesthesia for ocular surgery: a retrospective study 1989–1996
Authors: PARVIAINEN A. K. J. , TRIM C. M. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThis retrospective study was initiated to identify complications of anaesthesia occurring during ocular surgery. Records of 74 horses anaesthetised for eye enucleation, 65 horses anaesthetised for surgery of the eye and adnexa, and 51 horses anaesthetised for splint bone excision were reviewed. Fifty‐three percent of the horses anaesthetised for eye enucleation moved during surgery which was significantly more frequent than in the other groups (P = 0.001). The incidence of moving was significantly reduced by use of an anaesthetic gas analyser for monitoring (P = 0.001). Transient hypertension was measured in 6 horses during removal of the eye. One horse experienced a momentary decrease in heart rate from 36 to 26 beats/min at the start of surgery involving a mass on the third eyelid. The incidence of unsatisfactory recovery from anaesthesia involving multiple attempts to stand was significantly greater after ocular surgery than after splint bone excision (P = 0.036).Our conclusions were 1) the oculocardiac reflex was not active in these horses undergoing ocular surgery, 2) increased attention must be paid to provision of analgesia and adequate depth of anaesthesia, which may be facilitated by use of an anaesthetic gas analyser and 3) horses were at greater risk for unsatisfactory recoveries from anaesthesia after ocular surgery.
Reduction of renal function in exercising horses
Authors: GLEADHILL A. , MARLIN D. , HARRIS P. A. , MICHELL A. R. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryGlomerular filtration rate (GFR) and extracellular volume (ECFV) were measured before, during and after treadmill exercise in 5 trained Thoroughbred horses (mean weight 483 kg). GFR/ECFV was determined by plasma disappearance of Tc‐DTPA and ECFV was measured independently as thiocyanate space. Resting GFR averaged 1.6 l/min (3.3 ml/kg/min) and fell by over 40% during exercise, moreover the fall was severe even during the first walk, prior to trotting. The results suggest that rather than being protected, GFR is allowed to fall, even with mild exercise and that this is probably an adaptation to allow greater perfusion of muscle and skin. In man, GFR appears to be more resistant to the effects of exercise but it is hard to compare intensity of exercise between such different species.
Dynamics of follicle populations and gonadotropin concentrations in fillies age two to ten months
Authors: NOGUEIRA G. P. , GINTHER O. J. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryFollicle populations and concentrations of circulating gonadotropins were studied during age 2–10 months in 10 spring‐born pony fillies. Blood sampling and ultrasound scanning were done every 4 days and daily for four 30 day periods. During 5–12 weeks, FSH concentrations were lower in 6 fillies with follicles ≥ 6 mm (mean ± s.e. 1.4 ± 0.1 ng/ml) than in 4 fillies with follicles <6 mm (2.8 ± 0.3 ng/ml). The diameters and numbers of follicles and gonadotropin concentrations increased progressively during age 2–4 months. A plateau in follicle activity and reduced levels of gonadotropins occurred during 5–7 months. During 8–10 months, follicles grew to >10 mm and gonadotropin concentrations increased. Waves of follicular growth were identified during the 30 day periods by significant increases in the diameter of the 10 largest follicles. The waves did not partition into dominant and subordinate follicles. Results indicated an initial postnatal period of negative ovarian feedback, temporally related changes in gonadotropins and follicles for months 3–10, and development of follicles in waves.
Haemodynamic response to exercise in Standardbred trotters with red cell hypervolaemia
Authors: Funkquist P. , Nyman G. , Persson S. G. B. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryIn order to evaluate the haemodynamic response to exercise in Standardbred trotters with red cell hypervolaemia (RCHV), 12 trotters with RCHV were compared with 9 normovolaemic (NV) trotters. Haemodynamic data were recorded during exercise at 4 different speeds on a treadmill. Oxygen uptake was determined with an open bias flow system. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), systemic artery pressure (SAP), heart rate, packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma lactate and haemoglobin ([Hb]) concentrations were measured. Arteriovenous O2content difference, cardiac output, stroke volume, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and total systemic resistance (TSR) were calculated. Oxygen uptake, arteriovenous O2content difference, heart rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, TSR and lactate did not differ between groups. The RCHV horses had significantly higher both mean diastolic and systolic PAP compared to NV horses and this difference increased with higher workload. Further, a higher SAP, PVR, PCV and [Hb] were found in RCHV horses during the course of exercise. Eleven of the RCHV horses, but none of the NV, showed exercise‐induced pulmonary haemorrhage on endoscopic examination. The increase in red cell volume, resulting in a high PCV and high total blood volume, is suggested to be an important contributor to both the increased blood pressures in pulmonary and systemic circulation during exercise and to the development of exercise‐induced pulmonary haemorrhage in RCHV horses.
Superficial digital flexor tendonitis in the horse
Authors: Dowling B. A. , Dart A. J. , Hodgson D. R. , Smith R. K. W. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is an elastic structure that during maximal exercise appears to operate close to its functional limits. The biomechanical and biochemical responses to exercise, injury, and healing are still poorly understood but ongoing research is providing valuable new information which is addressed in this review. It appears that the SDFT matures early, after which time it has limited ability to adapt to stress and undergoes progressive degeneration. Focal hypocellularity, collagen fibril degeneration, selective fibril loading and alterations in the noncollagenous matrix occurprimarily within the central core region of the midmetacarpal segment. Current treatment strategies have had equivocal results in returning animals to optimal athletic activity. To date it would seem that progressive rehabilitation programmes coupled with regular ultrasonographic evaluations are a cost‐effective and comparable strategy when compared to surgical treatment methods. Recent interest in pharmacological modulation of intrinsic healing of collagenous structures has led to the investigation of various growth factors as potential therapeutic aids in the healing of tendon injuries. However, one of the major goals in tendon research, and one which holds the most optimism for success in the immediate future, is the prevention of tendon injuries.
Cytological identification and quantification of testicular cell types using fine needle aspiration in horses
Authors: Leme D. P. , Papa F. O. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryFifteen stallions of different breeds, age 3–11 years, had their right testicles evaluated by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Cytological analysis showed the following spermatogenic cell types: spermatogonia (1.6%± 1.1); spermatocyte I (3.4%± 2.2); spermatocyte II (0.8%± 0.7); early spermatids (25.5%± 9.5); late spermatids (37.0%± 9.3). Spermatozoal numbers were expressed as the spermatic index (SI = 31.5%± 8.5) and Sertoli cells were expressed as the Sertoli cell index (SEI = 20.9%± 17.0) (means ± s.d). Identification of cell types was relatively easy and no immediate adverse effects of aspiration were noted. The results suggest that FNAC of testis may assist clinical diagnosis in the study of male equine infertility.
Environment and prednisone interactions in the treatment of recurrent airway obstruction (heaves)
Authors: Jackson C. A. , Berney C. , Jefcoat A. M. , Robinson N. E. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryRecurrent airway obstruction (RAO) or heaves is a manifestation of a hypersensitivity to dust, moulds, and spores in the environment of a susceptible horse. Although in the majority of RAO‐affected horses, clinical remission can be achieved by keeping horses at pasture to reduce their allergen exposure, this often is not practicable. For this reason, we investigated if changing the environment of a single stall in a 4 stall stable was sufficient to improve lung function and reduce inflammation in RAO‐affected horses. In addition, we determined if addition of oral prednisone provided additional benefit. Twelve RAO‐susceptible horses were stabled, fed hay, and bedded on straw until they developed airway obstruction. At this point, bedding was changed to wood shavings and they were fed a pelleted diet for 2 weeks. Lung function was measured and bronchoalveolar lavage was performed before and 3, 7, and 14 days after environmental modification. In a crossover design, horses were treated for the 14 days with prednisone tablets (2.2 mg/kg bwt, q. 24 h). Horses then returned to pasture for 30 days. Airway obstruction was greatest before environmental modification. Significant improvement in lung function occurred within 3 days of the change in environment and continued to Day 7. Airway function was best after 30 days at pasture. The clinical response achieved by environmental modification was not significantly improved by addition of oral prednisone. The total number of cells, total neutrophils, and percent neutrophils was greatest before environmental modification. In the absence of prednisone, total and percent neutrophils did not decrease until Day 14 and total cell number until 30 days at pasture. In the presence of prednisone, total cells and total and percent neutrophils decreased by Day 3 and again at pasture. The fact that lung function can be improved within 3 days by environmental management alone emphasises the need for allergen reduction as the cornerstone of treatment of RAO. Although prednisone induced a more rapid reduction in airway inflammation, this was not associated with a more rapid improvement in airway function.
Variability of Doppler ultrasound measurements of hindlimb blood flow in conscious horses
Authors: Raisis A. L. , Young L. E. , Meire H. B. , Taylor P. M. , Walsh K. , Lekeux P. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryUltrasonography of the left and right femoral artery and vein was performed in 5 conscious horses. Velocity waveforms, recorded using low pulse repetition frequency, were used to calculate time‐averaged mean velocity (TAV), velocity of component a (TaVa), velocity of component b (TaVb) and volumetric flow. Waveform analysis included calculation of early diastolic deceleration slope (EDDS) and pulsatility index (PI) and subjective description of the waveform. Measurements were recorded at monthly intervals for 6 months. The repeated measurements were used to determine the within‐horse variation. Horses were then anaesthetised with halothane and the same measurements recorded 60 min afterinduction. Differences between measurements recorded in conscious and anaesthetised horses were determined.Within‐horse variability fordiameters of femoral arteries and veins was small (CV<10%). Within variability for all other measurements was marked (CV>11%), with within‐horse variability being the largest for femoral venous flow (CV>35%). Source of variability was measurement errorand biological variation. Despite variability in conscious horses it was possible to detect changes in blood flow during anaesthesia. In the femoral arteries, volumetric flow was lower and EDDS and PI was higher in anaesthetised horses. In the femoral veins, volumetric flow was also lower in anaesthetised horses. Therefore Doppler ultrasound appears to be a useful technique for studying blood flow in conscious and anaesthetised horses.
Postexercise and positional variation in mechanical properties of the radius in young horses
Authors: Batson E. L. , Reilly G. C. , Currey J. D. , Balderson D. S. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe metacarpal of the horse is severely loaded during vigorous exercise. Metacarpal specimens have a greater impact strength in young horses that have been exercised than in those that have only been walked. We did not find a corresponding difference in the radius of the same horses.We show that cranial (anterior) cortical bone from the radius, which is loaded in tension during locomotion, has a greater Young's modulus, and tensile and bending strength, than bone from the caudal (posterior) cortex, which is loaded in compression. Caudal bone is, however, stronger in compression. The differences can be explained by differences in the histological structure developed by the 2 cortices and are presumably adaptive. This work confirms the work of others.Furthermore, we demonstrate that the impact energy absorption of cranial bone is nearly twice as great as that of caudal bone. The caudal cortex has apparently paid a heavy price in its reduction in resistance to accidental impact loading for being stronger than the cranial cortex in compressive loading.
Analysis of right ventricular function in the exercising horse: use of the Fourier Transform
Authors: Weigle G. E. , Langsetmo I. , Gallagher R. R. , Dyer R. A. , Erickson H. H. , Fedde M. R. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe objective of this study was to develop and test a technique to allow dynamic cardiac function to be studied during exercise in the horse. Blood pressure waveforms in the exercising horse are difficult to interpret because of the large influence of stride and respiration. A method has been devised to study dynamic right ventricular variables during high‐speed exercise in the horse. A Fast Fourier Transform was performed on the digitised pressure waveforms and the frequency components associated with stride and respiration were removed. An inverse Fourier Transform was then performed to generate a time‐domain pressure signal. Several dynamic right ventricular variables were calculated using the derived signal. Various parameters associated with removing frequencies from the frequency‐domain pressure signal were changed to determine their influence on the variables. Most of the variables were not sensitive to these parameters. When compared during separate exercise bouts, some variables differed among runs, while others were not significantly different. Using the signal separation technique described here, right ventricular function of an exercising horse can be critically analysed.
The effect of oxytocin on contractility of the equine oesophagus: a potential treatment for oesophageal obstruction
Authors: Meyer G. A. , Rashmir‐Raven A. , Helms R. J. , Brashier M. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThis study was performed to determine the effect of administration of i.v. oxytocin on the contractility of the musculature associated with the equine oesophagus. Nine clinically normal horses were fitted with a nasogastric tube modified with inflatable latex cuffs. These cuffs were connected to piezoelectric pressure recording devices. Oxytocin in 3 different doses or saline controls were administered i.v. in a randomised block pattern. Systolic blood pressure, ECG, heart rate and nasogastric tube cuff pressures were then measured for 60 min. Administration of oxytocin i.v. at 0.11 and 0.22 iu/kg bwt, resulted in a short‐term statistically significant relaxation of the musculature of the equine oesophagus. When oxytocin was administered at 0.11, 0.22 and 0.44 iu/kg bwt, no clinically significant cardiovascular changes were seen. In approximately 5% of the oxytocin administrations, signs of mild short‐term abdominal discomfort were observed. In clinical cases of noncomplicated oesophageal obstruction, it is suggested that reduction in tone of oesophageal musculature may result in passage of oesophageal obstructions with reduced risk of oesophageal injury when compared to other traditional treatments.
The effect of replacing nonstructural carbohydrates with soybean oil on the digestibility of fibre in trotting horses
Authors: Jansen W. L. , Van Der Kuilen J. , Geelen S. N. J. , Beynen A. C. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe hypothesis tested was that the intake of extra fat at the expense of an isoenergetic amount of nonstructural carbohydrates reduces fibre utilisation in horses. In a crossovertrial with feeding periods of 42 days each, 6 mature trotting horses (age 4–12 years, bodyweight 340–476 kg) were given either a control or test diet. The test concentrate was formulated to contain 37% of net energy in the form of soybean oil. The control concentrate contained an isoenergetic amount of corn starch plus glucose. The concentrates were fed in combination with the same amount of hay so that the control and test diet contained 25.13 and 86.66 g crude fat/kg dry matter, respectively. Apart from the amounts of fat and nonstructural carbohydrates, the 2 diets were identical. The test diet reduced the apparent total tract digestibilities of crude fibre, neutral and acid detergent fibre by 8.0 (P = 0.007), 6.2 (P = 0.022) and 8.3 (P = 0.0005) percentage units, respectively. It is suggested that a high fat intake by horses may increase the amount of fat entering the large intestine to levels that depress fermentation by cellulolytic bacteria. The observed interaction between fat content of the diet and fibre utilisation may have consequences for practical horse feeding in that calculating the energy content of test diets on the basis of feedstuff tables leads to overestimating the amount of energy provided by the high‐fibre ingredients of the diets.
Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels in digital sheath synovial fluid and serum with tendon injury
Authors: Smith R. K. W. , Heinegård D. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryCartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a noncollagenous extracellular matrix protein found predominantly in cartilage, but also in tendon, ligament and meniscus. Studies in man have demonstrated that it may be used as a prognostic marker in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The present study investigated whether tendon injury contributes to serum and tendon sheath synovial fluid levels of COMP in horses. COMP levels, analysed by competitive ELISA, in the digital sheath synovial fluid were more than 10‐fold higherthan in the serum. Levels were significantly raised when tendon damage or sepsis was present within the tendon sheath but showed only mild, statistically insignificant, elevation in cases of tenosynovitis alone. COMP concentrations in serum were found to vary with age. Foals (age ≥ 1 year) had significantly (P<0.001) higher levels in comparison to older control horses. Total COMP concentrations in an age‐matched group with tendinitis were not significantly different from the control group. Measurements of COMP levels in tendon sheath synovial fluid are therefore useful in depicting processes in tendon tissue, while elevated serum levels are likely to be more representative of joint disease than tendinitis.
Clinical and neuropathological features of West Nile virus equine encephalomyelitis in Italy
Authors: Cantile C. , Di Guardo G. , Eleni C. , Arispici M. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryWest Nile (WN) virus infection is a mosquito‐borne flavivirosis endemic in Africa and Asia. Clinical disease is usually rare and mild and only in a few cases the infection causes encephalomyelitis in horses, fever and meningoencephalitis in man. We report here the clinical and pathological findings in an epidemic of the disease involving 14 horses from Tuscany, Italy. All cases were observed from August to October 1998. Affected horses showed ataxia, weakness paresis of the hindlimbs and, in 6 cases, there was paraparesis progressing to tetraplegia and recumbency within 2 to 9 days. Eight animals recovered without any important consequences. Serological investigations revealed positivity to WN virus in all the 14 horses and the agent was isolated from the cerebellum and spinal cord of an affected horse. Postmortem examination was carried out on 6 horses. The neuropathological pattern was that of a mild to moderate, nonsuppurative polioencephalomyelitis with constant involvement of the ventral horns of the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord, where focal gliosis and haemorrhage were also apparent in some cases. Differential diagnoses with other equine viral encephalomyelitides are discussed. Climatological and environmental characteristics of the geographic area in which the outbreaks occurred suggest the existence of suitable conditions for the development of the disease. This is the first report of WN virus equine encephalomyelitis in Italy.
An immunodeficiency in Fell ponies: a preliminary study into cellular responses
Authors: BELL S. C. , SAVIDGE C. , TAYLOR P. , KNOTTENBELT D. C. , CARTER S. D. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryA putative immunodeficiency, causing mortality in UK Fell pony foals (Fell pony syndrome), was studied in affected foals and compared with healthy, age‐matched foals. Differential cell counts of peripheral blood indicated that the syndrome foals were lymphopenic (P<0.05). Flow cytometric analysis of circulating leucocytes showed a reduced MHC II expression (P<0.01) on lymphocytes but not on polymorphonuclear cells in affected foals. There were no changes in the percentages of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. There was an increased (P<0.05) expression of CD11a/18 by the lymphocytes of the syndrome foals, compared to the control foals, which is probably a response to systemic bacterial infections. The syndrome foals' lymphocytes responded to mitogens (PHA, ConA, PWM) at normal levels. The data do not conform to any known immunodeficiencies identified in any other species. Further analyses will be required, particularly on bone marrow function.