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The present research is a continuation of studies conducted periodically over 40 years on transmission of natural infections of internal parasites in the same horse herd on pasture (Field 10) on a farm in Central Kentucky. It included 12 mixed light horse foals born in 2013 and euthanatized between July, 2013 and April, 2014 for collection of internal parasites. Parasites found: Gasterophilus intestinalis, Strongyloides westeri, Parascaris equorum, Anoplocephala perfoliata, small strongyles (cyathostomes), Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus edentatus and Thelazia lacrymalis. Prevalence generally was related to age of the foals. Overall prevalence and number of specimens were lower than in earlier studies except for P. equorum. There were 15 species (much fewer than previously) of small strongyles found and recorded by location in the large intestines. All stages of small strongyles encysted in the mucosa of the large intestine were recovered by artificial digestion and in significantly lower numbers in older foals

OBJECTIVE: Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) is an act of sexual violence towards a victim who is incapacitated due to the voluntary or involuntary consumption of intoxicating substances. Sexual assaults are generally considered underreported and the toxicological analysis of DFSA cases is particularly challenging when there is a time delay from assault to medical examination. The aim of this review was to investigate typical toxicological findings in global DFSA cases and describe a typical DFSA case. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database search was conducted in PubMed using relevant search terms in order to identify studies reporting toxicological results in DFSA cases. RESULTS: In total, 22 studies were included, covering toxicological findings in DFSA cases in North America, Europe, Asia, South Africa and Australasia from 1996 to 2018. Biological matrices used for analysis included blood, urine and hair. Toxicological findings were comparable among countries, with ethanol, cocaine, cannabis, benzodiazepines, amphetamines and analgesics being among the most frequently detected substances. Ethanol was frequently detected in combination with one or more drugs. A variety of benzodiazepines were observed, with the most common being diazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam, and oxazepam. The majority of cases involved women (87%-100%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that a diverse range of substances are associated with DFSA and that victims are rendered vulnerable through recreational substance consumption at social events. As such, typical DFSA cases appear to be opportunistic in nature and primarily involves women in their mid-twenties and an acquaintance as the perpetrator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The objective of this study was to document the strongylid infection status of stabled horses residing in an arid environment with limited access to pasture. Faecal parasite examinations were conducted in a private equine practice in Southern California over a period of 7 years, from 2012 to 2018, from a variety of horses in seven different locations; not all horses living at these locations were studied. Results of all faecal examinations were obtained and tabulated, as to both total number of horses examined, as well as individual animals followed with at least four consecutive bi‐annual faecal examinations over a 2‐year period. A total of 851 faecal tests on 79 individual horses were performed during the 7‐year study period, and 78 (9%) were strongyle positive. By the end of the study period, during which horses were monitored and treated according to faecal flotation tests, 97% of 117 faecal flotation tests were negative for strongyle parasites. In conclusion, in a population of 79 adult horses living in dry, arid conditions, with little or no access to pasture, frequent deworming for strongylid parasites would appear to be less necessary than in other environments. Regular faecal monitoring of horses in such conditions is appropriate for determining the necessary level of anthelmintic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daily locomotor activity, core body temperature, and their circadian rhythms were measured in lines of mice selected for high (MH) or low (ML) heat loss and unselected controls (MC). Lines were created by selecting for 16 generations in each of three replicates. Collection of locomotor activity and core temperature data spanned Generations 20 and 21 for a total of 352 mice. Physical activity and core body temperature data were accumulated using implanted transmitters and continuous automated collection. Measurement for each animal was for 3 d. Activity was recorded for each half hour and then averaged for the day; temperature was averaged daily; circadian rhythm was expressed in 12-h (light vs dark) or 6-h periods as well as by fitting cyclic models. Activity means were transformed to log base 2 to lessen heterogeneity of variance within lines. Heat loss for a 15-h period beginning at 1630 and feed intake for 7 d were measured on 74 additional mice in order to estimate the relationship between locomotor activity and heat loss or feed intake. Selection lines were different (P [is less than] 0.01) for both locomotor activity and core body temperature. Differences were due to selection (MH-ML, P [is less than] 0.01), and there was no evidence of asymmetry of response (P [is greater than] 0.38). Retransformed from log base 2 to the scale of measurement, mean activity counts were 308, 210, and 150 for MH, MC, and ML, respectively. Mean core temperatures were 37.2, 36.9, and 36.7 [degrees] C for MH, MC, and ML (P [is less than] 0.01), respectively. Females had greater physical activity (P [is less than] 0.01) and body temperature (P [is less than] 0.01) than males. There was no evidence of a sex x selection criterion interaction for either activity or temperature (P [is greater than] 0.20). Overall phenotypic correlation between body temperature and log base 2 activity was 0.43 (P [is less than] 0.01). Periods during the day were different for both 12- and 6-h analyses (P [is less than] 0.01), but there were no period x selection criterion interactions (P [is greater than] 0.1) for physical activity or body temperature. More sensitive cyclic models revealed significant (P [is less than] 0.01) 24-, 12-, 8-, and 6-h cycles that differed (P [is less than] 0.01) among lines. Estimated differences between MH and ML mice in feed intake and heat loss due to locomotor activity were 36 and 11.5%, respectively. Variation in activity thus contributed to variation in feed intake. Key Words: Body Temperature, Circadian Rhythm, Feed Intake, Heat Loss, Mice, Physical Activity

Parasite control in juvenile horses remains a substantial challenge for veterinary practitioners and their clients. This age group is at risk for various types of parasitic disease because their worm burdens tend to be larger and more diverse than in mature horses. This contrast is largely attributable to marked differences in relative levels of acquired immunity. Frequent, perennial anthelmintic treatment is not a sustainable approach for parasite control in this age group, but the simple, surveillance-based parasite control strategies recommended for mature horses are not appropriate for juveniles either. Maneuvering through the early years of a horse's life requires up-to-date knowledge about biology and epidemiology of the parasite species in play as well as local evidence regarding the anthelmintic resistance status of each herd. This article provides an overview of the most important helminth parasites to target in a control programme for juvenile horses, and highlights how the target species change as horses age. Young foals (<2 months) are exposed to Strongyloides westeri and Parascaris spp., whereas the primary target parasite in foals between age 2 months and weaning is Parascaris spp. Beyond weaning, the focus shifts away from ascarids, and the targets instead are strongyles and tapeworms. Gasterophilus spp. and Oxyuris equi are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine tapeworm infection has gained increasing attention over the past few decades and a number of research studies have already been published. These focus primarily on the most common of the 3 tapeworm species, Anoplocephala perfoliata, although some new information has also been generated for the other two species, Anoplocephala magna and Anoplocephaloides mamillana. The preponderance of research studies have focused on development and validation of diagnostic techniques for tapeworm detection and the role of these parasites in equine gastrointestinal disease. Several diagnostic techniques have been found useful for diagnosis of A. perfoliata but each has its strengths and weaknesses. Egg counting techniques have been modified to achieve acceptable to good diagnostic performance but the trade-off is often a more time-consuming method. Validation studies indicate that these methods can reliably detect tapeworm burdens above 10 worms. Several enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have been developed and made commercially available. These can generate useful information about tapeworm exposure on the herd level but are less reliable for individual diagnosis. Unfortunately, none of the available diagnostic techniques are useful for evaluating anthelmintic treatment efficacy. Coproantigen testing may find use as a future diagnostic modality but further characterisation is required. The large body of scientific evidence supports an association between A. perfoliata infection and certain types of equine colic, although some discrepancy exists between studies. Tapeworm surveillance and control should be considered as part of the overall parasite control strategy. When properly used, the currently available diagnostic tools can guide the veterinarian to make strategic decisions regarding tapeworm control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]