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Simple Summary: Ileus, or a temporary lack of intestinal motility, is a common life-threatening problem in horses, especially following abdominal surgery. Current treatments have variable efficacy and a high cost. In human patients suffering from ileus, sham feeding in the form of gum chewing has shown promising results in improving clinical signs and increasing gastrointestinal motility. Bit chewing, a form of sham feeding for horses, has also been proven to decrease gastrointestinal (GI) total transit time (TTT); however, ileus in horses typically affects the small intestine, a part of the GI tract that has not been investigated in regard to bit chewing. Our objective was to determine whether bit chewing shortens the gastric emptying time (GET), small intestinal transit time (SITT), and total orocecal transit time (OCTT) in clinically normal horses. Gastrointestinal motility in horses was compared between bit-chewing conditions and control (no bit chewing) conditions in a prospective crossover design study using acetaminophen serum samples as a marker for GET and video endoscopy (ALICAM) capsules to determine GET, SITT, and OCTT. The results indicate no adverse effects and significantly shortened OCTT after bit chewing. Bit chewing is potentially a safe, inexpensive, and effective clinical treatment to improve small intestinal motility in horses. Ileus is a common life-threatening problem in horses, and currently available treatments may be ineffective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether bit chewing, a form of sham feeding, decreases the gastric emptying time (GET), small intestinal transit time (SITT), and total orocecal transit time (OCTT) in clinically normal horses in a prospective crossover study. Nine healthy horses were acclimated and fed a standardized diet. Following 24 h of fasting, self-contained video endoscopy capsules and acetaminophen were administered into the stomach via a nasogastric tube. Each horse underwent experimental (bit chewing for 20 min every 6 h) or control (no bit chewing) conditions, with a 3-week minimum washout period between conditions. The horses were enrolled in either part of the study until all video capsules were retrieved and/or 30 days lapsed. The video capsules were recovered from manure, and GET, SITT, and OCTT were determined from a video analysis. Bit chewing significantly decreased OCTT (p = 0.015) compared to the control conditions. Bit chewing decreased GET and SITT, but the differences were not significant. The mean (median) times determined via the video capsule analysis for the bit-chewing conditions were as follows: GET, 2.34 h (2.86 h); SITT, 3.22 h (3.65 h); and OCTT, 5.13 h (6.15 h), and for the control conditions, they were as follows: GET, 3.93 h (5 h); SITT, 3.79 h (4.4 h); and OCTT, 8.02 h (9.92 h). Bit chewing decreased OCTT in healthy horses. Because this segment of the gastrointestinal tract is frequently affected by ileus, bit chewing may be a safe and inexpensive intervention for that condition in horses. Further investigation in clinical patients with ileus is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 15-year-old 377.0-kg American Quarter Horse mare (Equus caballus) was evaluated because of progressive weight loss and muscle wasting of approximately 1 year's duration despite the owner changing the horse's diet to include a high-fat concentrate mix. The article discusses that the wasting had become more dramatic several months prior to presentation, with partial anorexia and limb edema developing during the preceding.

Equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is a common disease among athletic horses that can negatively impact health and performance. The pathophysiology of this EGGD remains poorly understood. Previous studies using controlled populations of horses identified differences in the gastric glandular mucosal microbiome associated with disease. The objective of this study was to compare the gastric microbiome in horses with EGGD and those without across multiple barns and differing management practices. We hypothesized that alterations in the microbiome of the gastric glandular mucosa are associated with EGGD. A secondary objective was to perform a risk factor analysis for EGGD using the diet and management data collected. Microbial populations of biopsies from normal pyloric mucosa of horses without EGGD (control biopsies), normal pyloric mucosa of horses with EGGD (normal biopsies) and areas of glandular mucosal disruption in horses with EGGD (lesion biopsies) were compared. Lesion biopsies had a different microbial community structure than control biopsies. Control biopsies had a higher read count for the phylum Actinomycetota compared to lesion biopsies. Control biopsies also had an enrichment of the genera Staphylococcus and Lawsonella and the species Streptococcus salivarius. Lesion biopsies had an enrichment of the genera Lactobacillus and Actinobacillus and the species Lactobacillus equigenerosi. These results demonstrate differences in the gastric glandular microbiome between sites of disrupted mucosa in horses with EGGD compared to pyloric mucosa of horses without EGGD. Risk factor analysis indicated that exercise duration per week was a risk factor for EGGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To compare small intestinal inflammation with gastric inflammation in horses with and without equine gastric glandular disease (EGGD), we evaluated endoscopic, macroscopic, and microscopic findings of the glandular stomach and microscopic findings of the small intestine. ANIMALS: 36 horses. METHODS: Horses underwent endoscopy and were scored for EGGD. After euthanasia, stomachs were collected and macroscopically evaluated. Normal pyloric mucosa, glandular lesions, and small intestinal (duodenum, mid-jejunum, and ileum) samples were collected and processed for microscopic examination. Cellular infiltrate was scored. Immunohistochemistry (CD3, CD20, and Iba-1) was performed on the ventral pylorus and small intestine of horses with mild to moderate lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. A Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship of EGGD grade with gastric glandular inflammation, and the relationships of cellular infiltrate type and severity among glandular stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. RESULTS: Gastrointestinal inflammation was common, with gastric inflammatory infiltrate identified in 92%, duodenal inflammatory infiltrate in 83%, jejunal inflammatory infiltrate in 92%, and ileal inflammatory infiltrate in 92% of horses. Endoscopic evidence of gastric disease (hyperemia or EGGD grade ≥ 2/4) was not associated with the presence or severity of duodenal, jejunal, or ileal inflammation. Gastric lymphoplasmacytic inflammation grade ≥ 2 was associated with duodenal lymphoplasmacytic inflammation grade ≥ 2. This was a convenience sample of horses presenting for euthanasia. Medical history (including deworming history) was unknown. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Gastric lymphoplasmacytic inflammation is associated with duodenal lymphoplasmacytic inflammation but not more distal small intestinal inflammation. Intestinal inflammation is not associated with endoscopic findings (hyperemia or EGGD grade ≥ 2/4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective--To characterize the response of skin of nonallergic horses following ID injection of polyclonal rabbit anti-canine IgE (anti-IgE) and rabbit IgG. Animals--6 healthy horses. Procedures--Skin in the cervical area was injected ID with anti-IgE and IgG. Wheal measurements and skin biopsy specimens were obtained before and 20 minutes and 6, 24, and 48 hours after injection. Tissue sections were evaluated for inflammatory cells at 4 dermal depths. Immunohistochemicai analysis for CD3, CD4, and CD8 was performed, and cell counts were evaluated. Results--Anti-IgE wheals were significantly larger than IgG wheals at 20 minutes and 6 and 24 hours after injection. There were significantly more degranulated mast cells after anti-IgE injection than after IgG injection. There were significantly more eosinophils at 6, 24, and 48 hours and neutrophils at 6 hours after anti-IgE injection, compared with cell numbers at those same times after IgG injection. There were significantly more eosinophils in the deeper dermis of anti-IgE samples, compared with results for IgG samples. No significant differences between treatments were detected for CD3+, CD4+, or CD8+ cells. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--Injection of anti-IgE antibodies was associated with the development of gross and microscopic inflammation characterized by mast cell degranulation and accumulation of inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils and neutrophils. This pattern appeared to be similar to that of horses with naturally developing allergic skin disease, although lymphocytes were not increased; thus, ID injection of anti-IgE in horses may be of use for evaluating allergic skin diseases of horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship of diet and management factors with the glandular gastric mucosal microbiome. We hypothesize that the gastric mucosal microbial community is influenced by diet and management factors. Our specific objective is to characterize the gastric mucosal microbiome in relation to these factors. ANIMALS: 57 client-owned horses in the southern Louisiana region with and without equine glandular gastric disease. PROCEDURES: Diet and management data were collected via a questionnaire. Gastroscopy was used for evaluation of equine gastric ulcer syndrome and collection of glandular mucosal pinch biopsies. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used for microbiome analysis. Similarity and diversity indices and sequence read counts of individual taxa were compared between diet and management factors. RESULTS: Differences were detected in association with offering hay, type of hay, sweet feed, turnout, and stalling. Offering hay and stalling showed differences in similarity indices, whereas hay type, sweet feed, and turnout showed differences in similarity and diversity indices. Offering hay, hay type, and sweet feed were also associated with differences in individual sequence read counts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides preliminary characterization of the complex relationship between the glandular gastric microbiome and diet/management factors. The ideal microbiome to promote a healthy glandular gastric environment remains unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective--To compare the effects of hydrochloric acid (HCI) and various concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) on tissue bioelectric properties of equine stomach nonglandular (NG) mucosa. Sample Population--Gastric tissues obtained from 48 adult horses. ProceduresING gastric mucosa was studied by use of Ussing chambers. Short circuit current (lsc) and potential difference (PD) were measured and electrical resistance (R) and conductance calculated for tissues after addition of HCI and VFAs (5, 10, 20, and 40mM) in normal Ringer's solution (NRS). Results--Mucosa exposed to HCI in NRS (pH of 1.5 and, to a lesser extent, 4.0) had a significant decrease in Isc, PD, and R, whereas tissues exposed to acetic acid at a pH of < 4.0, propionlc and butyric acids at a pH of ≤ 4.0, and valeric acid at a pH of ≤ 7.0 induced a concentration-dependent effect on reduction in these same values Values for Isc returned to baseline (recovery of sodium transport) after addition of calcium carbonate in tissues exposed to all concentrations of VFAs except the higher concentrations of valeric acid at a pH of ≤ 4.0. Histologic examination revealed cell swelling in the mucosal layers below and adjacent to the stratum corneum in tissues exposed to HCI and VFAs at a pH of ≤ 4.0. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--The VFAs, especially acetic acid, in the presence of HCI at a pH of ≤ 4.0 appear to be important in the pathogenesis of NG mucosal ulcers in horses [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective--To assess antiulcerogenic properties of 3 dietary oils. Animals--8 healthy adult mares. Procedure--A protocol to induce gastric ulcers was used and included 240 mL of water plus corn oil, refined rice bran oil, or crude rice bran oil administered each day for 6 weeks according to a 4 X 4 Latin square randomized crossover design with 5-week washout intervals. A 7-day alternating feed deprivation period was included between weeks 5 and 6. Omeprazole was administered daily for the last 14 days of each washout interval. Endoscopic examinations of the stomach were performed at 0, 5, and 6 weeks, and the number (0 to 4 scale) and severity (0 to 5 scale) of ulcers were scored. Gastric fluid was collected at 0 and 5 weeks. Results--Median body weight significantly increased by 29 kg (range, 10 to 50 kg). Mean ± SE gastric fluid pH significantly decreased from 4.9 ± 0.4 to 3.1 ± 0.3 over 5 weeks, and total volatile fatty acid concentration significantly decreased over time. Mean ± SE severity of nonglandular ulcers significantly increased from 0.4 ± 0.1 to 1.2 ± 0.2 over 5 weeks. Nonglandular ulcers significantly increased in number (mean ± SE, 1.3 ± 0.2 to 3.0 ± 0.2) and severity (mean ± SE, 1.2 ± 0.2 to 2.6 ± 0.2) during the 7-day alternating feed deprivation period. No effects of treatment were detected. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--In this model dietary oils did not prevent gastric ulcers from forming in the nonglandular portion of the stomach of horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A longitudinal study examined perceptions of received and provided social support and disregard among members of 248 infertile and fertile married couples. Correlational and structural equation modeling analyses were conducted. Women's and men's perceptions of the amount of social support they gave to and received from their partner were highly positively related. In contrast, agreement between spouses about the amount of provided support was moderate. Both social support and disregard mediated the relationships between stress and marital quality of life. Overall, highly similar patterns of results were found for members of infertile and fertile couples. These results demonstrate the perceptual element of received support and disregard as well as the importance of considering the provider's perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A longitudinal study was conducted to examine the effects of infertility on marital and global life quality with wives and husbands from 174 infertile couples and a comparison group of 74 fertile couples. By the third interview, 42% of the infertile couples and 36% of the fertile couples were pares. Bivariate correlations and multiple regression analyses were completed. The psychosocial predictors of life quality were highly similar for members of infertile and fertile couples and for couples with and without children. In multivariate analyses, being a parent was associated with increased global life quality for infertile women and diminished marital life quality for everyone except fertile men. These results replicate awl extend past research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the impact of becoming a parent on the infertile men's and women's well-being. Methods of the study; Parental status at the two-year follow-up interview; Effects of parental status.

Explores the gender differences in response to infertility using a large sample and standardized scales. Comparison of the presumed fertile from the infertile couples; Estimation on the extent of gender differences in response to stress; Observation of higher levels of depression in women over men.

The article examines the relationships between self-esteem, perceived control, interpersonal conflict between spouses, global and intimacy life quality, and the stress produced by infertility in a study of 185 married infertile couples. Social psychological research has examined in great detail the impact of stress on people's psychological and physical well-being. The effects of major life events and chronic stressors have been examined. People under stress are more susceptible than others to illness, depression, anxiety, low self-confidence, and others. This paper follows and expands upon this previous research by examining the effects of the stress associated with infertility on wives' and husbands' perceived life quality. Infertility is a common life crisis. Of all married couples in the United States in which the woman is of childbearing age and is not contraceptively sterile, about 10% are infertile, about 20% of married couples without children are infertile. Infertility is usually defined as the failure to conceive after a year of regular sexual intercourse without the use of contraceptives. While about half of infertile couples eventually conceive and deliver, the other half remain infertile. The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the relationship between infertility and subjective well-being. It is hypothesized that the perceived stress associated with infertility would negatively affect life quality. While virtually everyone confronted with infertility perceives it as stressful, the amount of stress experienced varies. The perceived stress, associated with infertility' was expected to have a direct negative impact on women's and men's life quality. Infertility stress was also hypothesized to have an indirect negative effect on life quality.

Stress associated with the inability to have a child is linked to four aspects of marriage and to five dimensions of life quality. Data come from 157 couples who met a standard medical definition for infertility. Wives and husbands were interviewed independently, and most of the following findings apply to both. A causal model suggests that fertility problem stress has direct effects that increase marital conflict and decrease sexual self-esteem, satisfaction with own sexual performance, and frequency of sexual intercourse. Also, fertility problem stress has both direct and indirect effects (via the marriage factors) that decrease evaluations of life-as-a-whole, self-efficacy, marriage, intimacy, and health. The negative effects on life quality are stronger for wives than for husbands. The model suggests that the life quality of couples with fertility problems could be improved if health care providers and couples themselves took steps to reduce such stresses and/or reduce their impact on the marriage factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines how the quality of survey measures varies with the age of the respondent. A structural modeling approach is applied to data from six surveys (five national surveys of American adults and one survey in a Canadian corporation--7,706 respondents in all) to generate measurement quality estimates for 106 survey measures. Results show that as respondent age increases (a) the percentage of true score variance in survey measures tends to decline, (b) the percentage of both random and correlated error variance tends to increase, and (c) people tend to have more interrelated--or less differentiated--views about their worlds. Most of these trends are highly replicable from survey to survey and are--except for the level of differentiation in views--not attributable to older respondents tending to have less education than younger people. The results suggest that data from older respondents tend to provide a somewhat less precise indication of the attitudes, behaviors, or other characteristics being measured than do data from younger respondents, but that relationships among survey measures will not necessarily be weaker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a five year panel study on time pressure experienced by scientists and engineers that predicted positively to several aspects of work performance. Association between higher time pressure with above average performance during the next five years; Factors influencing time pressure among members of formal organization; Approaches to the management of time pressure.

Background: The role of the gastric microbiome in development or persistence of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) remains to be investigated. Hypothesis/Objectives: The objective was to characterize the glandular mucosal and gastric fluid microbiomes of horses with and without EGGD. It was hypothesized that differences in the mucosal microbiome are associated with EGGD. Animals: Twenty‐four horses were enrolled. Methods: Gastroscopy was performed and EGGD scores recorded (score 0, n = 6; score 1, n = 8; score ≥2, n = 10). Gastric fluid and pinch biopsies of healthy glandular mucosa and EGGD lesions were collected via gastroscope. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of the gastric fluid and glandular mucosal biopsies was performed. Relationships between gastric fluid and mucosal microbial community composition were evaluated among EGGD score groups (EGGD 0‐BX, EGGD 1‐BX, EGGD ≥2‐BX) and among endoscopic appearances: controls from horses without EGGD and normal areas, hyperemic areas, and lesions from horses with EGGD. Results: Microbial community structure of mucosal biopsies differed among EGGD score groups (Jaccard similarity index; P =.009). Principal coordinate analysis showed separate clusters for EGGD 0‐BX and EGGD ≥2‐BX. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: A modest difference was detected in the community structure of the gastric glandular mucosal microbiome in association with EGGD score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) accounts for up to 60% of equine lameness. Agmatine, a decarboxylated arginine, may be a viable option for OA management, based on reports of its analgesic properties. Six adult thoroughbred horses, with lameness attributable to thoracic limb OA, received either daily oral phenylbutazone (6.6 mg/kg), agmatine sulfate (25 mg/kg) or a control for 30 days, with 21-day washout periods between treatments. Subjective lameness, thoracic limb ground reaction forces (GRF), plasma agmatine and agmatine metabolite levels were evaluated using an established rubric, a force platform, and mass spectrometry, respectively, before, during and after each treatment period. Gastric ulceration and plasma chemistries were evaluated before and after treatments. Braking GRFs were greater after 14 and 29 days of agmatine compared to phenylbutazone administration. After 14 days of phenylbutazone administration, vertical GRFs were greater than for agmatine or the control. Glandular mucosal ulcer scores were lower after agmatine than phenylbutazone administration. Agmatine plasma levels peaked between 30 and 60 min and were largely undetectable by 24 h after oral administration. In contrast, plasma citric acid levels increased throughout agmatine administration, representing a shift in the metabolomic profile. Agmatine may be a viable option to improve thoracic limb GRFs while reducing the risk of glandular gastric ulceration in horses with OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Incidence of Bicycle-Related Injuries in a Defined Population" in the November 1990 issue.

Objective--To determine whether expression of mRNA for sodium-potassium adenosine-triphosphatase (NAKA) and sodium-hydrogen exchanger (NHE) in samples of the nonglandular portion of the equine gastric mucosa was altered by exposure to volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in an acidic environment. Animals--10 horses (5 ≤ 5 years old and 5 ≥ 12 years old). Procedures--Samples of the nonglandular portion of the gastric mucosa were collected and exposed in Ussing chambers to Ringer's solution (control samples), Ringer's solution containing a mixture of VFAs (pH, 1.5 or 4.0), or Ringer's solution containing acetic acid (pH, 1.5 or 4.0). Expression of mRNA for the gene for the β1 subunit of NAKA and the gene for the NHE-3 isoform was determined by means of real-time PCR assays. Results--For horses ≤ 5 years old, relative expression of mRNA for NAKA was significantly decreased and expression of mRNA for NHE was significantly increased following exposure to the mixture of VFAs or acetic acid, compared with expression in control samples. In contrast, for horses ≥ 12 years old, relative expression of mRNA for both NAKA and NHE was significantly increased following exposure to the mixture of VFAs or acetic acid, compared with expression in control samples. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--Results suggested that relative expression of mRNA for NAKA, but not NHE, in samples of the nonglandular portion of the equine gastric mucosa in response to exposure to VFAs in an acidic environment was an age-dependent event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective--To characterize the physiologic response to IV bolus injection of glucose and insulin for development of a combined glucose-insulin test (CGIT) in horses. Animals--6 healthy mares and 1 mare each with pituitary adenoma and urolithiasis. Procedure--Horses were given a CGIT (glucose, 150 mg/kg; insulin, 0.1 U/kg); results were compared with a singular IV glucose tolerance test (GTT; 150 mg/kg) and a singular IV insulin sensitivity test (IST; 0.1 U/kg). Healthy horses were also given a CGIT after receiving xylazine and undergoing stress. Results--Physiologically, the CGIT resulted in a 2-phase curve with positive (hyperglycemic) and negative (hypoglycemic) portions; the positive phase came first (250% of baseline at 1 minute). The descending segment declined linearly to baseline by approximately 30 minutes and to a nadir at 58% of baseline by 75 minutes. After a 35-minute valley, a linear ascent to baseline began. Addition of insulin in the CGIT increased glucose utilization by approximately 4.5 times during the positive phase but not during the negative phase. The diseases' effects and experimental inhibition of insulin secretion with xylazine and stress were detectable by use of the 2 phases of the CGIT. Only a single positive phase resulted from the GTT and a single negative phase from the IST. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--The CGIT resulted in a consistent, well-defined glycemia profile, which can be disrupted experimentally or by a disease process. The CGIT has clinical potential because it provides integrated information and more information than either the singular GTT or IST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. There has been marked progress in the development of infertility interventions. This paper reports attitudes about 11 interventions for infertility. Methods. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with each member of 185 infertile and 90 presumed fertile couples in southeastern Michigan. Results. Seven of these intervention were generally viewed favorably and four were generally viewed negatively, regardless of the couple's fertility status. Infertile couples viewed all interventions, except for adoption, more favorably than did fertile couples. Multidimensional scaling was used to cluster the interventions according to similarity in endorsement. These clusters form a continuum from interventions that allow only one member of the couple to be a biological parent to the most noninvasive techniques. All clusters remain roughly equidistant from adoption, in which neither member of the couple is a biological parent. Conclusions. Interventions that produce a child who is biologically related to only one member of the couple were viewed most negatively. Members of couples who were receiving fertility treatment made finer discriminations among infertility Interventions than did individuals who had not received treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human health benefits attributed to turmeric/curcumin spice has resulted in its wide utilization as a dietary supplement for companion pets and other animals including horses. While the quantification of free curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin) and their phase-2 metabolites (curcumin- O -sulfate, curcumin- O -glucuronide) have been extensively investigated in human and rodent biological samples (primarily plasma and serum), there is lack of similar data for horses. Herein, we report a validated LC-ESI–MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of the aforementioned free curcuminoids and their metabolites in equine plasma. The linearity of the aforementioned curcuminoids and curcumin- O -sulfate was in the range of 0.5–1000 ng/mL and 1–1000 ng/mL for curcumin- O -glucuronide with 85–115% accuracy and <15% precision in equine plasma. The method was validated based on US FDA criteria and applied to characterize the pharmacokinetics of curcumin- O -sulfate in equine plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

West Nile Virus (WNV) is endemic in the US and causes severe neurologic disease in horses since its introduction in 1999. There is no effective pharmaceutical treatment for WNV infection rendering vaccination as the only approach to prevention and control of disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a recombinant vaccine containing domain III (DIII) of the WNV envelope glycoprotein with and without a natural adjuvant equine (CD40L) in producing virus neutralizing antibodies in horses. Serum IgG1 concentration in the groups of horses vaccinated with the DIII-CD40L + TiterMax and DIII-CD40L proteins were significantly increased (p < 0.05) after the second booster vaccination compared to other groups. Serum IgG4 and IgG7, IgG3 and IgG5 concentrations were not significantly increased among all groups. Western blot results showed that animals immunized with the DIII-CD40L protein (with or without TiterMax) exhibited the highest specific anti-DIII antibody activities after vaccinations. Moreover, animals immunized with the DIII-CD40L protein (with or without TiterMax) exhibited significantly stronger neutralization activity (p < 0.05) compared to other groups starting at week eight. The DIII-CD40L protein (with or without TiterMax) stimulated more CD8 + T cells, but not CD4 + T cells in equine PMBCs. The results demonstrated that vaccination with recombinant WNV E DIII-CD40L protein induced superior humoral and cellular immune response in healthy horses that may be protective against WNV-associated disease in infected animals. CD40L could be utilized as a non-toxic, alternative adjuvant to boost the immunogenicity of subunit vaccines in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of two commercial feed supplements, Egusin 250® [E-250] and Egusin SLH® [E-SLH], on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH, and blood gas values in stallconfined horses undergoing feed-deprivation. Methods: Nine Thoroughbred horses were used in a three-period crossover study. For the three treatment groups, sweet feed was mixed with E-250, E-SLH, or nothing (control group) and fed twice daily. Horses were treated for 21 days, then an additional 7 days while on an alternating feed-deprivation model to induce or worsen ulcers (period one). In periods two and three, horses (n=6) were treated for an additional 7 days after feed-deprivation. Gastroscopies were performed on day -1 (n=9), day 21 (n=9), day 28 (n=9) and day 35 (n=6). Gastric juice pH was measured and gastric ulcer scores were assigned. Venous blood gas values were also measured. Results: Gastric ulcers in control horses significantly decreased after 21 days, but there was no difference in ulcer scores when compared to the Egusin® treated horses. NG gastric ulcer scores significantly increased in E-250 and control horses on day 28 compared to day 21 as a result of intermittent feed-deprivation, but no treatment effect was observed. NG ulcer scores remained high in the control group but significantly decreased in the E-SLH- and E- 250-treated horses by day 35. Gastric juice pH values were low and variable and no treatment effect was observed. Mean blood pCO2 values were significantly increased two hours after feeding in treated horses compared to controls, whereas mean blood TCO2 values increased in the 24 hour sample, but did not exceed 38 mmol/l. Conclusions: The feed-deprivation model increased NG gastric ulcer severity in the horses. However, by day 35, Egusin® treated horses had less severe NG gastric ulcers compared to untreated control horses. After 35 days, Egusin® products tested here ameliorate the severity of gastric ulcers in stall-confined horses after feed stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Serum and CSF samples were analyzed for the proinflammatory marker soluble CD14 (sCD14). • Circulating serum and CSF sCD14 concentrations differed between EPM patients and healthy horses. • Potential for use of sCD14 as a supplementary diagnostic marker for EPM. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a debilitating neurologic disease affecting horses across the Americas. Gaps in understanding the inflammatory immune response in EPM-affected horses create difficulties with diagnosis and treatment, subsequently negatively impacting the prognosis of affected horses. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate circulating levels of the inflammatory immune marker soluble CD14 (sCD14), in horses with EPM (n = 7) and determine if they differed from healthy neurologically normal horses (n = 6). Paired sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were analyzed for sCD14. Inclusion criteria for EPM horses consisted of the presence of neurologic signs consistent with EPM, Sarcocystis neurona surface antigens 2, 4/3 (SnSAG 2, 4/3) ELISA serum: CSF antibody ratio ≤ 100, and a postmortem diagnosis of EPM. Control horses were neurologically normal, healthy horses with SnSAG 2, 4/3 ELISA serum: CSF antibody ratios of > 100. Serum anti- Sarcocystis neurona antibodies indicate that healthy control horses were exposed to S. neurona but resistant to developing clinical EPM. EPM cases had significantly greater concentrations of sCD14 in CSF samples compared to control horses and increased serum sCD14 concentrations. A positive correlation between sCD14 serum and CSF concentrations was observed in EPM-affected horses but not healthy horses. Soluble CD14 is an inflammatory marker, and the study results suggest it is elevated in EPM patients. When performed in conjunction with clinical evaluation and standard antibody testing, there may be potential for sCD14 to be utilized as a correlate for EPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective—To identify risk factors for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) among horses examined at 11 equine referral hospitals. Design—Case-control study. Animals—183 horses with EPM, 297 horses with neurologic disease other than EPM (neurologic controls), and 168 horses with non-neurologic diseases (non-neurologic controls) examined at 11 equine referral hospitals in the United States. Procedures—A study data form was completed for all horses. Data were compared between the case group and each of the control groups by means of bivariate and multivariate polytomous logistic regression. Results—Relative to neurologic control horses, case horses were more likely to be ≥ 2 years old and to have a history of cats residing on the premises. Relative to non-neurologic control horses, case horses were more likely to be used for racing or Western performance. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that cats may play a role in the natural epidemiology of EPM, that the disease is less common among horses < 2 years of age relative to other neurologic diseases, and that horses used for particular types of competition may have an increased risk of developing EPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective—To create a mathematical model to assist in early prediction of the probability of discharge in hospitalized foals ≤ 7 days old. Study Design—Prospective study. Animals—1,073 foals. Procedures—Medical records from 910 hospitalized foals ≤ 7 days old for which outcome was recorded as died or discharged alive were reviewed. Thirty-four variables including historical information, physical examination findings, and laboratory results were examined for association with survival. Variables associated with being discharged alive were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Accuracy of the model was validated prospectively on data from 163 foals. Results—Factors in the final model included age group, ability to stand, presence of a suckle reflex, WBC count, serum creatinine concentration, and anion gap. Sensitivity and specificity of the model to predict live discharge were 92% and 74%, respectively, in the retrospective population and 90% and 46%, respectively, in the prospective population. Accuracy of an equine clinician's initial prediction of the foal being discharged alive was 83%, and accuracy of the model's prediction was 81%. Combining the clinician's prediction of probability of live discharge with that of the model significantly increased (median increase, 12%) the accuracy of the prediction for foals that were discharged and non-significantly decreased (median decrease, 9%) the accuracy of the predication for nonsurvivors. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Combining the clinician's initial predication of the probability of a foal being discharged alive with that of the model appeared to provide a more precise early estimate of the probability of live discharge for hospitalized foals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective-To determine the effects of a 24-hour infusion of an isotonic electrolyte replacement fluid (IERF) on weight, serum and urine electrolyte concentrations, and other clinicopathologic variables in healthy neonatal foals. Animals-4 healthy 4 day old foals. Design-Prospective study. Procedure-An IEI3F was administered to each foal at an estimated rate of 80 mL/kg/d (36.4 mL/lb/d) for 24 hours. Body weight was measured before and after the infusion period. Urine was collected via catheter during 4 hour periods; blood samples were collected at 4 hour intervals. Variables including urine production; urine and serum osmolalities; sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations in urine and serum; urine and serum creatinine concentrations; urine osmolality-to-serum osmolality ratio (OsmR); transtubular potassium gradient (TI KG); and percent age creatinine clearance (Crcl) of electrolytes were recorded at O, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours during the infusion period. Immediately after the study period, net fluid and whole-body electrolyte changes from baseline values were calculated. Results-Compared with baseline values, urine and serum sodium and chloride serum concentrations, urine and serum osmolalities, OsmR, and percentage Crcl of sodium and chloride were significantly increased at various time points during the infusion; urine production did not change significantly. After 24 hours, weight, TTKG, serum creatinine concentration, and whole body potassium had significantly decreased from baseline values. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggest that administration of an IERF containing a physiologic concentration of sodium may not be appropriate for use in neonatal foals that require maintenance fluid therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]