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Summary: Thrush is the term commonly used to describe nonproliferative pododermatitis of the frog epidermis caused by a bacterial infection. Thrush is commonly encountered in veterinary and farrier practices yet information on the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of the disease in the equine veterinary literature is lacking. There is a plethora of proposed products and treatments on the market for thrush, yet most lack clinical evidence of efficacy. Clinical signs of thrush can range from black exudate in the sulci of the frog accompanied by a foul odour to bacterial invasion of the frog corium and digital cushion resulting in lameness. Thrush is primarily encountered in a conformationally compromised hoof capsule that is generally associated with an unhealthy frog. As thrush is rarely encountered in a healthy frog, it is important to focus on the farrier practices that may play a role in both the pathogenesis of thrush and its prevention. For successful treatment and prevention of thrush, good basic farrier principles must be incorporated into the treatment protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: White line disease (WLD) is a significant pathological condition that affects the equine hoof. White line disease continues to frustrate veterinarians and farriers due to the diversity regarding the aetiology, diagnosis and especially treatment. Furthermore, WLD lacks a definitive definition as the disease becomes apparent only when the hoof wall is compromised with an extensive separation, a hoof capsule distortion is present or when lameness exists. Clinical signs can range from a minor hoof wall separation to an extensive disruption of the external laminar bond resulting in displacement of the distal phalanx within the hoof capsule. There has been a myriad of treatments and topical preparations proposed for treating WLD, but most remain controversial with few having any scientific documentation or evidence of efficacy. This review of WLD is based on the sparse information available in the veterinary literature, the large number of WLD cases treated successfully in the authors' combined practices using conventional farriery and the relevant questions that hopefully can be answered in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The extensive nature of this topic warrants this review paper to be divided into two parts: 'Basic trimming in foals' and 'Therapeutic farriery in foals'. Management of the feet and limbs during this juvenile period will often dictate the success of the foal as a sales yearling or mature sound athlete. Overall hoof care in the foal is often a joint venture between the veterinarian and the farrier. The orthopaedic disorders discussed in this paper that require input from the two professions are flexural limb deformities (FLD) and angular limb deformities (ALD). The concept of protecting the foot from the deleterious effects of mal‐loading created by many FLDs and ALDs is just as important as using the symptomatology as an instrument to correct the deformity. This paper presents a review of the current information regarding the farriery for these two limb deformities while dispelling some of the anecdotal methodology, such as the use of toe extensions to treat flexural deformities, that presently exists. Considering the deficiency of information in the literature, segments of this text will be based on the author's extensive clinical practice, comprehensive clinical records and comparisons of case outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The extensive nature of this topic warrants this review paper to be divided into two parts: 'Routine basic trimming in foals' and 'Therapeutic farriery in foals'. Hoof care in the first few months of life is serious business and should never be taken lightly. Good farriery is vital for the development of the hoof capsule and the conformation of the limb. Management of the feet and limbs during the juvenile period will often dictate the success of the foal as a sales yearling or mature sound athlete. Overall hoof care of a foal is often a joint venture between the veterinarian and the farrier. Part 1 of this paper will outline the concept of a footcare programme, examination of the foal's feet and limbs along with what constitutes good basic farriery to properly apply the trim. It will also emphasise the importance of maintaining a good veterinarian‐farrier relationship ‐ the farrier being responsible for basic trimming with veterinary oversight when necessary, and if orthopaedic disorders develop, the farrier will have significant input with therapeutic farriery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The wooden shoe provides the clinician with an alternative option to conventional farriery when treating a variety of foot problems such as acute/chronic laminitis, white line disease, distal phalanx fractures and poor‐quality hoof capsules. The wooden shoe provides a simplified method to apply many of the principles of therapeutic farriery which include redistributing the load or forces on the foot, repositioning breakover and providing heel elevation when necessary. Understanding the biomechanics of the wooden shoe along with understanding good basic farriery which include the appropriate foot trim, proper size, fit and placement of the wooden shoe on the foot combined with the appropriate application are essential for consistent success. This paper outlines what is considered to be the proper application of the wooden shoe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of mammographic screening programmes in many countries has been linked to a marked increase in early detection and improved prognosis for breast cancer patients. Breast tumours can be detected by assessing several features in mammographic images but one of the most common are the presence of small deposits of calcium known as microcalcifications, which in many cases may be the only detectable sign of a breast tumour. In addition to their efficacy in the detection of breast cancer, the presence of microcalcifications within a breast tumour may also convey useful prognostic information. Breast tumours with associated calcifications display an increased rate of HER2 overexpression as well as decreased survival, increased risk of recurrence, high tumour grade and increased likelihood of spread to the lymph nodes. Clearly, the presence of microcalcifications in a tumour is a clinically significant finding, suggesting that a detailed understanding of their formation may improve our knowledge of the early stages of breast tumourigenesis, yet there are no reports which attempt to bring together recent basic science research findings and current knowledge of the clinical significance of microcalcifications. This review will summarise the most current understanding of the formation of calcifications within breast tissue and explore their associated clinical features and prognostic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structures of the equine foot have the unique ability to adapt, change shape and restore. There are multiple benefits in shod vs. barefoot or in allowing the horse to be without shoes for a given time period to improve the palmar section of the foot. However, it requires a transition period, a change in the manner in which the foot is trimmed, a commitment from the owner/trainer and, in the case of leaving the horse without shoes permanently, it depends whether the horse can perform the desired function without shoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary A true clubfoot results from a flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint that is characterised by a shortening of the deep digital flexor tendon musculotendinous unit. Flexural deformities are a problem not only in foals but are also responsible for the clubfoot conformation seen in mature horses. Treatment is most successful when the cause is investigated and therapy initiated as early as possible, and when the biomechanical properties of the foot are thoroughly understood. Flexural deformities in foals and mature horses are addressed through appropriate farriery, often combined with surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary White line disease occurs secondary to a hoof wall separation. Clinical signs may vary from not being lame to severe lameness with rotation of the distal phalanx depending on the extent of the disease affecting the inner hoof wall. The author has found that removal of the hoof wall overlying the diseased area combined with the appropriate farriery is the most important aspect of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The strong association between sheared heels and a spontaneous quarter crack is hard to ignore. Although inappropriate farriery may play a role, limb conformation and the landing pattern of the horse appear to be the dominant factors causing this type of hoof capsule deformation. The importance of determining the underlying cause and implementing the appropriate farriery cannot be over emphasised when managing a quarter crack associated with a sheared heel. The repair of spontaneous quarter cracks will be of little value, and the defect will have a tendency to recur, unless the cause is identified and rectified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the concepts of navicular disease by doctor Sue Dyson, the effect of distal limb diagnostic analgesia, and advances on the understanding of kinetics and kinematics in relation to the distal limb.

An editorial is presented on the farriery and hoof care in veterinary practice. It expresses the view that veterinary–farrier relationship is important for maintaing health and welfare of the horse. Topics discussed includes educational experiences for veterinary medical practitioners with a veterinary license, ways to enhance animal-owner relationship, and elements that may damage human animal relationship.

Background Interleukin ( IL)-33 is implicated in the pathophysiology of asthma and allergic diseases. However, our knowledge is limited regarding how IL-33 release is controlled. The transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a key role in antioxidant response regulation. Objective The goal of this project was to investigate the role of cellular oxidative stress in controlling IL-33 release in airway epithelium. Methods Complementary approaches were used that included human bronchial epithelial cells and mouse models of airway type-2 immunity that were exposed to fungus Alternaria extract. The clinically available Nrf2 activator 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid methyl ester ( CDDO-Me) was used to evaluate the role of Nrf2-induced antioxidant molecules. Results Human bronchial epithelial cells produced reactive oxygen species ( ROS) when they were exposed to Alternaria extract. ROS scavengers, such as glutathione ( GSH) and N-acetyl cysteine, prevented extracellular secretion of ATP and increases in intracellular calcium concentrations that precede IL-33 release. Administration of CDDO-Me to mice enhanced expression of a number of antioxidant molecules in the lungs and elevated lung levels of endogenous GSH. Importantly, CDDO-Me treatment reduced allergen-induced ATP secretion and IL-33 release by airway epithelial cells in vitro and protected mice from IL-33 release and asthma-like pathological changes in the lungs. Conclusions The balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant responses plays a key role in controlling IL-33 release in airway epithelium. The therapeutic potential of Nrf2 activators needs to be considered for asthma and allergic airway diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]