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In order to make material design processes more efficient in the future, the underlying multidimensional process parameter spaces must be systematically explored using digitalisation techniques such as machine learning (ML) and digital simulation. In this paper we shortly review essential concepts for the digitalisation of electrodeposition processes with a special focus on chromium plating from trivalent electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a Gram-negative bacterium present in the oral cavities of cats and dogs. It is known for its capability to cause life-threatening sepsis following a dog bite, especially in immunocompromised patients. We report the case of a 67-year-old man who suffered from septic shock and multiorgan failure presumably following contamination of a pre-existing minor skin lesion by canine saliva. The purpose of this report is to raise awareness of Capnocytophaga canimorsus among physicians when faced with a patient presenting with fulminant septic shock and Gram-negative bacteremia, who has been exposed to dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8-year-old Warmblood gelding was referred for evaluation of headshaking to the Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. Based on clinical signs and computed tomography - as well as magnetic resonance imaging - findings, otitis media was diagnosed. Medical treatment including trimethoprim potentiated sulfadimethoxine and meloxicam for 3 weeks did not result in cessation of clinical signs. Therefore, the tympanic cavity was opened transendoscopically using an Nd: YAG-laser via the guttural pouch according to surgical procedures in human and small animal medicine, leading to a considerable improvement of clinical signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exact analysis of equine insulin in blood samples is the key element for assessing insulin resistance or insulin dysregulation in horses. However, previous studies indicated marked differences in insulin concentrations obtained from sample analyses with different immunoassays. Most assays used in veterinary medicine are originally designed for use in human diagnostics and are based on antibodies directed against human insulin, although amino acid sequences between equine and human insulin differ. Species-specific assays are being used more frequently and seem to provide advantages compared to human-specific assays. The aim of this study was to compare three immunoassays, one porcine-specific insulin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), advertised to be specific for equine insulin, one porcine-specific insulin radioimmunoassay (RIA) and one human-specific insulin chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), all three widely used in veterinary laboratories for the analysis of equine insulin. Furthermore, we tested their clinical applicability in assessing insulin resistance and dysregulation by analysis of basal blood and blood samples obtained during a dynamic diagnostic stimulation test (OGT) with elevated insulin concentrations. Results: Insulin values obtained from the ELISA, RIA and CLIA, investigated for analyses of basal blood samples differed significantly between all three assays. Analyses of samples obtained during dynamic diagnostic stimulation testing with consecutively higher insulin concentrations revealed significantly (p < 0.001) lower insulin concentrations supplied by the CLIA compared to the ELISA. However, values measured by ELISA were intermediate and not different to those measured by RIA. Calculated recovery upon dilution, as a marker for assay accuracy in diluted samples, was 98 ± 4 % for ELISA, 160 ± 41 % for RIA and 101 ± 11 % for CLIA. Conclusions: Our results indicate that insulin concentrations of one sample measured by different methods vary greatly and should be interpreted carefully. Consideration of the immunoassay method and reliable assay-specific reference ranges are of particular importance especially in clinical cases where small changes in insulin levels can cause false classification in terms of insulin sensitivity of horses and ponies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccines are used for experimental immunotherapy of equine melanoma. The injection of complexed linear DNA encoding interleukin (IL)-12/IL-18 induced partial tumour remission in a clinical study including 27 grey horses. To date, the detailed mechanism of the anti-tumour effect of this treatment is unknown. Results: In the present study, the clinical and cellular responses of 24 healthy horses were monitored over 72 h after simultaneous intradermal and intramuscular application of equine IL-12/IL-18 DNA (complexed with a transfection reagent) or comparative substances (transfection reagent only, nonsense DNA, nonsense DNA depleted of CG). Although the strongest effect was observed in horses treated with expressing DNA, horses in all groups treated with DNA showed systemic responses. In these horses treated with DNA, rectal temperatures were elevated after treatment and serum amyloid A increased. Total leukocyte and neutrophil counts increased, while lymphocyte numbers decreased. The secretion of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) from peripheral mononuclear blood cells ex vivo increased after treatments with DNA, while IL-10 secretion decreased. Horses treated with DNA had significantly higher myeloid cell numbers and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)-10 expression in skin samples at the intradermal injection sites compared to horses treated with transfection reagent only, suggesting an inflammatory response to DNA treatment. In horses treated with expressing DNA, however, local CXCL-10 expression was highest and immunohistochemistry revealed more intradermal IL-12-positive cells when compared to the other treatment groups. In contrast to non-grey horses, grey horses showed fewer effects of DNA treatments on blood lymphocyte counts, TNFα secretion and myeloid cell infiltration in the dermis. Conclusion: Treatment with complexed linear DNA constructs induced an inflammatory response independent of the coding sequence and of CG motif content. Expressing IL-12/IL-18 DNA locally induces expression of the downstream mediator CXCL-10. The grey horses included appeared to display an attenuated immune response to DNA treatment, although grey horses bearing melanoma responded to this treatment with moderate tumour remission in a preceding study. Whether the different immunological reactivity compared to other horses may contributes to the melanoma susceptibility of grey horses remains to be elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published data on the physiology of nutrient transport across the equine intestine are limited, and the existence and relevance of peptide transport-ers are still unknown in the horse. In the present study, the equine intestinal peptide transport was investigated by Ussing chamber experiments using the radioisotope tracer technique and by uptake studies into brush bor-der membrane vesicles (BBMV). Jejunal mucosae of 16 healthy adult horses were used. Tissue samples were mounted in Ussing chambers, and electrophysiologi-cal parameters as well as unidirectional flux rates of the radiolabeled dipeptide glycylglutamine (Gly-Gln) were determined. The short-circuit current (Isc) response to the luminal addition of Gly-Gln was significantly greater compared to the I response to glycylsarcosine (Gly-Sar) addition (P < 0.01). Positive net flux rates were determined indicating absorption of the dipeptide. The addition of Gly-Sar reduced the flux rates signifi-cantly (P < 0.01), suggesting that both peptides compete for the same transport system. The flux rates were not affected by changes in luminal pH value. Uptake studies into BBMV demonstrated an uphill transport in both the absence and the presence of an inwardly directed H+-gradient with the H+-mediated uphill trans-port being significantly greater than the transport under equilibrium conditions (P < 0.001). A Na+-gradient did not cause an uphill transport. The Gly-Gln uptakes dis-played Michaelis-Menten kinetics with the Km value for the H+-dependent Gly-Gln uptake being significantly different from the Km value for the Gly-Gln uptake under equilibrium conditions (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the study demonstrated for the first time that dipeptides are transcellularly transported across the equine small intestine. The results indicate the presence of at least 2 transport systems for peptide absorption in the horse: 1 secondary active H+-mediated cotransport and 1 that is capable of an uphill transport energized by a mechanism other than a H+ or a Na+-gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasons for performing study: CD14 positive (CD14+) cells are the precursor cells of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs). In horses their potent antigen-presenting capacity and ability to induce an effective immune response classify these cells suitable for several therapeutic approaches such as for equine sarcoid. However, in horses, the generation efficiency of DCs from adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is currently still poor. Objectives: Establishment of a simple short protocol to enhance DC generation in horses by using a human CD14 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and an automated magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) system. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from fresh heparinised blood samples of 3 horses and primarily stained for flow cytometric analysis (FACS) with a mAb against human CD14 as well as a secondary phycoerythrin (PE) conjugated antibody to determine the initial percentage of CD14 cells in the sample. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used for automated MACS using the same primary and secondary antibodies and analysed by FACS. CD14+ selected cells were cultured for 4 days adding granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) to the culture media. Dendritic cell generation was assessed analysing cell morphology and surface marker expression (hCD83, hCD86, eqMHCII). Results: Prior to selection, the mean percentage of CD14+ cells in the total cell population was 5.5%, further gaiting of this cell population resulted in 78.46% CD14+ monocytes. After our positive selection the mean percentage of CD14+ cells in the population was 98% without affecting viability. After culture, DC yield was 2-fold higher than in previous published outcomes. Conclusions: The additional CD14 cell separation step after PBMC isolation significantly amplified the number of CD14+ cells, increasing the number of generated DCs. Potential relevance: The number of DCs available is critical for further use of these cells and the herein described protocol will therefore help to improved DC generation for therapeutic approaches in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasons for performing study: Post operative ileus (POI) in horses is a severe complication after colic surgery. A commonly used prokinetic drug is lidocaine, which has been shown to have stimulatory effects on intestinal motility. The cellular mechanisms through which lidocaine affects smooth muscle activity are not yet known. Objectives: To examine the effects of lidocaine on smooth muscle in vitro and identify mechanisms by which it may affect the contractility of intestinal smooth muscle. Hypothesis: Ischaemia and reperfusion associated with intestinal strangulation can cause smooth muscle injury. Consequently, muscle cell functionality and contractile performance is decreased. Lidocaine can improve basic cell functions and thereby muscle cell contractility especially in ischaemia-reperfusion-challenged smooth muscle. Methods: To examine the effects of lidocaine on smooth muscle function directly, isometric force performance was measured in vitro in noninjured and in vivo ischaemia-reperfusion injured smooth muscle tissues. Dose-dependent response of lidocaine was measured in both samples. To assess membrane permeability as a marker of basic cell function, release of creatine kinase (CK) was measured by in vitro incubations. Results: Lidocaine-stimulated contractility of ischaemia-reperfusion injured smooth muscle was more pronounced than that of noninjured smooth muscle. A 3-phasic dose-dependency was observed with an initial recovery of contractility especially in ischaemia-reperfusion injured smooth muscle followed by a plateau phase where contractility was maintained over a broad concentration range. CK release was decreased by lidocaine. Conclusion: Lidocaine may improve smooth muscle contractility and basic cell function by cellular repair mechanisms which are still unknown. Improving contractility of smooth muscle after ischaemia-reperfusion injury is essential in recovery of propulsive intestinal motility. Potential relevance: Characterisation of the cellular mechanisms of effects of lidocaine, especially on ischaemia-reperfusion injured smooth muscle, may lead to improved treatment strategies for horses with POI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to characterize the transport mechanisms of electrolytes and nutrients across the jejunum of nine healthy horses electrophysiologically. The stripped mucosa was mounted in Ussing chambers and tissue conductances ( Gt) and short circuit currents ( Isc) were continuously monitored. After blocking the sodium and potassium channels with amiloride, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) and barium, chloride secretion was stimulated by carbachol and forskolin. Subsequently, chloride channels were inhibited by 4,4′-diisothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid, CFTRinh-172, N-(2-naphtalenyl)-(3.5-dibromo-2.4-dihydroxyphenyl)methylene glycine hydrazide (GlyH-101) and glibenclamide and their dose–response effect was investigated. The response to glucose,l-alanine and glycyl-l-glutamine was determined at two different mucosal pH values (pH 7.4 and 5.4 respectively). Mean basal Isc was −0.47 ± 0.31 μEq/cm2h and mean Gt was 22.17 ± 1.78 mS/cm2. Amiloride and TEA did not alter the baseline Isc. Barium, carbachol and forskolin significantly increased Isc. Irrespective of the dose, none of the chloride inhibitors changed Isc. All nutrients induced a significant increase in Isc with the increase being significantly higher at pH 7.4 than at pH 5.4. In conclusion, there is evidence that chloride secretion in horses may be different from respective transport mechanisms in other species. The glucose absorption is suggestive of a sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 1. However, a decrease in luminal pH did not stimulate current response to peptides as shown for other mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical signs, the results of haematological and biochemical analyses and the treatment of 30 cattle with botulism are described, and the signs of the 13 cattle that survived are compared with those of the 17 that were euthanased owing to the disease. The cattle originated from 11 farms that had experienced an outbreak of botulism. The most important clinical sign in all the cattle was a reduction in the strength of the tongue; excessive salivation and difficulty in swallowing were observed in 20 of the animals, and the ears of 15 of them drooped. In 21 of the cattle, reaction to pricking of the head and body with a hypodermic needle was either absent or slight. Twelve of the animals had an unsteady, slow, difficult gait, and nine were unable to stand. A significantly higher proportion of the cattle which were euthanased had marked changes in behaviour and condition, anorexia, severely reduced skin turgor, weak tongues, a low rectal temperature, a high heart rate and a low blood pH; 11 were euthanased immediately after a clinical examination and six were nuthanased one to five days after the initiation of treatment because their condition had deteriorated. Thirteen of the animals were treated for three to 23 days and were healthy when they were discharged. The treatment consisted of an intravenous infusion of 10 to 20 litres of glucose saline per day and the daily administration of fresh ruminal juice. Follow-up by telephone several months later revealed that all 13 animals had recovered completely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of plasmapheresis on the behaviour, general condition, haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables of donor horses for 32 days following the procedure. Twenty millilitres of plasma/kg body weight were collected via plasmapheresis in six clinically healthy horses. The general behaviour and condition of the horses was not affected by the procedure. During plasmapheresis, there was a mild increase in the haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and total erythrocyte and leucocyte counts (P < 0.01). The mean concentrations of total protein and albumin decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and total protein did not normalise for about three weeks. Several other biochemical variables also decreased significantly during plasmapheresis, but mostly remained within reference ranges. After plasmapheresis, the mean value of the activated partial thromboplastin time and the thrombin time were mildly but significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the mean activities of factor V, factor VIII and antithrombin decreased significantly (P < 0.01), although all coagulation values remained within reference ranges. Our results indicate that, in horses, the collection of 20 mL of plasma/kg body weight via plasmapheresis results in mild changes in several haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables, although these were of no clinical relevance for the donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intramuscular (i.m.) administration of medetomidine (MED) may avoid the severe pressor effects caused by peripheral actions of MED associated with intravenous (i.v.) dosing. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics, the time course of sedation and occurence of hypoxaemia after i.m. administration of MED in domestic sheep. The MED was injected i.m. at a dose of 30 μg/kg in nine domestic sheep. Blood was sampled at 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 120, 180, 240, 360 and 600 min after MED. Sedation was assessed and arterial blood samples were taken before and 35 min after MED application. Mean (SD) pharmacokinetic parameters of i.m. MED were: absorption half-life: 13.2 (7.5) min; terminal half-life: 32.7 (14.9) min; time to peak concentration: 29.2 (8.9) min; peak concentration: 4.98 (1.89) ng/mL; volume of distribution: 3.9 (2.4) l/kg; total body clearance: 81.0 (21.5) mL/(min kg). Peak sedation occurred between 30 and 40 min after injection of MED. The degree of sedation correlated with individual plasma concentrations (r S: 0.926). One animal became hypoxaemic (PaO2 = 54.1 mmHg). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The purpose of this study was to evaluate plasmapheresis as a method for plasma extraction in comparison with centrifugation or gravity sedimentation. The study was designed as a cross over trial with six Freiberger horses undergoing plasma donation by plasmapheresis followed by whole-blood donation and subsequent plasma production 4 weeks later. Automated plasmapheresis and whole-blood donation were well tolerated in all horses. The plasmapheresis method achieved an almost complete removal of erythrocytes and leucocytes from plasma at all flow rates. After blood bag centrifugation, significantly more erythrocytes (P < 0.01) and leucocytes (P < 0.01) were present in the prepared plasma compared with plasmapheresis plasma. Plasma prepared by gravity sedimentation contained significantly more erythrocytes and leucocytes than plasma prepared with the other techniques (P < 0.01), and platelet aggregation was observed. The coagulation proteins and the total protein content of plasma prepared after plasmapheresis and blood bag centrifugation did not differ significantly from values measured prior to collection (P > 0.05). However, the activity of factor VIII was significantly lower 24 h after gravity sedimentation of blood than activity prior to blood collection (P < 0.01). In conclusion, automated plasmapheresis is the method of choice for the production of high quality equine plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Activation of coagulation can be frequently found in horses with colic. However, it has also been demonstrated as a sequela of surgical trauma alone in humans. The purpose of the present study was to determine changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis in horses that underwent colic surgery and to evaluate whether these changes were secondary to the colic or the surgery and wound healing. Thirty horses that underwent colic surgery with uncomplicated recovery were included. Ten horses with a Forssell's procedure served as control group with a standardized surgical trauma. Besides daily physical examinations during the observation period of 10 days, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time and thrombin time as well as fibrin monomer (FM), D-Dimer (DD) and antithrombin (AT) III were determined. Compared with the control group the aPTT was the only standard coagulation test that was significantly prolonged before and after the event of colic surgery. After surgery, hyperfibrinogenaemia occurred in all groups. In colic groups FM and DD concentrations were within reference range at admission, and were significantly greater than in control horses after surgery. AT III activity decreased after colic surgery, but did not change in the control group. It was concluded that an activated coagulation state after colic surgery has to be expected, resulting not only from the colic disease, but also from the event of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the clinical, ultrasonographic, radiographic and postmortem findings in 12 cows with thrombosis of the caudal vena cava. The principal clinical signs were chronic bronchopneumonia and fever in 11 cows; one cow had epistaxis and one cow bled from the mouth; eight cows had anaemia and leucocytosis, and the clotting time for the glutaraldehyde test was markedly decreased in all the cows; in nine of the cows the activity of γ-glutamyltransferase was high, suggesting chronic hepatic congestion. The most important ultrasonographic finding was congestion of the caudal vena cava attributable to thrombosis of the vein. In all the cows the caudal vena cava was round to oval on cross-section, rather than the normal triangular shape. The hepatic, splenic and portal veins were dilated in five, three and one cow, respectively. The results of radiography and endoscopy supported a diagnosis of bronchopneumonia, but there were radiographic changes in the diaphragmatic lung lobes that supported a diagnosis of vena caval disease in only four cows. Postmortem there was a thrombosis of the caudal vena cava in all the cows, and the thrombi were located in the thoracic, subphrenic and abdominal part of the caudal vena cava at the level of the liver in four, one and seven cows, respectively. In three cows, the thrombus was situated where a hepatic abscess had broken into the caudal vena cava, and in one cow it was at the site of a diaphragmatic abscess. In another cow, there was a fistula between the major bronchus of the right diaphragmatic lung lobe and the caudal vena cava where the thrombus was situated. Three cows had liver abscesses that had not broken into the caudal vena cava. There was severe bronchopneumonia in 11 of the cows, some of which also had multiple pulmonary abscesses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Twelve horses with a history of a unilateral malodorous nasal discharge were examined clinically, endoscopically and radiographically. The head of one of the horses was examined by computed tomography. Tissue samples were taken for microbiology from four of the horses and for histology from three. The conchal necrosis was unilateral in 11 of the horses and bilateral in the other, and no particular concha was affected more than the others. The affected tissue was removed transendoscopically with a polypectomy snare while the horses were sedated and standing. Mild disinfectants were used locally in six of the horses. After the removal of all the necrotic tissue, the affected concha healed without any complications in all 12 horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study related to endocrine tumors in horses. According to the researchers, endocrine tumors are commonly non-functional in horses and occasionally be diagnosed during rectal examination. The study findings suggest that blood pressure measurements or determination of catecholamine concentrations in the blood and urine can be useful additional aids in the diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma.

Reports on pharyngeal perforation in three cows caused by the administration of a calcium bolus. Perforation of pharynx in cows due to the incorrect use of balling gun, stomach tubes and speculums; Symptoms of each of the cows; Injury in dorsal pharynx.

Discusses the clinical findings in 11 cattle with abscesses in the thoracic vertebrae. Progressive paresis and paralysis resulting from space-occupying lesions in the vertebral canal; Neurological findings and pathological findings in vertebrae; General behavior and condition in four animals.

As it was urinating, a six-month-old Swiss braunvieh heifer produced a second stream of urine from a fistula that opened on the ventrolateral margin of the left vulval lip. A catheter was introduced into this opening and passed easily into the bladder. Urethrography showed that the fistula joined the urethra in the midpelvic region and that a single canal originated from the bladder. Endoscopy confirmed this finding and also revealed a duplication of the vaginal portion of the cervix, a division of the cranial vagina by a septum and a fibrous band in the region of the hymenal ring. Cytogenetic examination revealed reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 20q23 and 22q23. A diagnosis of urethra duplex, duplication of the vaginal portion of the cervix and reciprocal autosomal translocation between chromosomes 20 and 22 was made on the basis of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Describes the clinical, radiographic and postmortem findings in a donkey with thoracal intervertebral disk protrusion. Signs and symptoms exhibited by the donkey; Evidence showing that the results of the hematology, blood biochemistry and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were within normal limits; Radiographic findings which made it possible to establish a diagnosis of intervertebral disc disease with partial protrusion of the 14th intervertebral disc.

Abstract Background Reproducibly high transfection rates with low methodology-induced cytotoxic side effects are essential to attain the required effect on targeted cells when exogenous DNA is transfected. Different approaches and modifications such as the use of nanoparticles (NPs) are being evaluated to increase transfection efficiencies. Several studies have focused on the attained transfection efficiency after NP-mediated approaches. However, data comparing toxicity of these novel approaches with conventional methods is still rare. Transfection efficiency and methodology-induced cytotoxicity were analysed after transfection with different NP-mediated and conventional approaches. Two eukaryotic DNA-expression-plasmids were used to transfect the mammalian cell line MTH53A applying six different transfection protocols: conventional transfection reagent (FuGENE HD, FHD), FHD in combination with two different sizes of stabilizer-free laser-generated AuNPs (PLAL-AuNPs_S1,_S2), FHD and commercially available AuNPs (Plano-AuNP), and two magnetic transfection protocols. 24 h post transfection efficiency of each protocol was analysed using fluorescence microscopy and GFP-based flow cytometry. Toxicity was assessed measuring cell proliferation and percentage of propidium iodide (PI%) positive cells. Expression of the respective recombinant proteins was evaluated by immunofluorescence. Results The addition of AuNPs to the transfection protocols significantly increased transfection efficiency in the pIRES-hrGFPII-eIL-12 transfections (FHD: 16%; AuNPs mean: 28%), whereas the magnet-assisted protocols did not increase efficiency. Ligand-free PLAL-AuNPs had no significant cytotoxic effect, while the ligand-stabilized Plano-AuNPs induced a significant increase in the PI% and lower cell proliferation. For pIRES-hrGFPII-rHMGB1 transfections significantly higher transfection efficiency was observed with PLAL-AuNPs (FHD: 31%; PLAL-AuNPs_S1: 46%; PLAL-AuNPs_S2: 50%), while the magnet-assisted transfection led to significantly lower efficiencies than the FHD protocol. With PLAL-AuNPs_S1 and _S2 the PI% was significantly higher, yet no consistent effect of these NPs on cell proliferation was observed. The magnet-assisted protocols were least effective, but did result in the lowest cytotoxic effect. Conclusions This study demonstrated that transfection efficiency of DNA-expression-plasmids was significantly improved by the addition of AuNPs. In some combinations the respective cytotoxicity was increased depending on the type of the applied AuNPs and the transfected DNA construct. Consequently, our results indicate that for routine use of these AuNPs the specific nanoparticle formulation and DNA construct combination has to be considered.

Intestinal calcium absorption plays a key role in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis and may either occur by paracellular or transcellular mechanisms. The horse has some unique peculiarities in calcium homeostasis compared to other species including a high absorptive capacity for calcium in the intestine, high plasma calcium concentrations, high renal excretion, and low plasma concentrations of vitamin D metabolites. So far, knowledge about the underlying mechanisms and the regulation of intestinal calcium absorption is still limited concerning this species. Several studies have documented that intestinal calcium transport in horses is not as dependent on vitamin D as in other species. However, published data on other potential regulatory mechanisms are still lacking. In the present study, paracellular and transcellular transport mechanisms for intestinal calcium transport along the intestinal axis were identified in horses using the Ussing chamber technique. Furthermore, the expression of respective transport proteins including transient receptor potential vanilloid member 6, calbindin-D 9k and calcium ATPase type 1 in line with the determined calcium flux rates was documented. In respect to regulation of transepithelial calcium transport, novel regulatory proteins for maintaining calcium homeostasis such as B-box and SPRY-domain containing protein and calmodulin were investigated for the first time in equine intestinal tissues in this study. This provides the basis for a new approach for a better understanding of equine calcium homeostasis regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene, and its derivatives are promising compounds for cancer treatment in humans. Melanoma is not only a problem for humans but also for grey horses as they have a high potential of developing melanoma lesions coupled to the mutation causing their phenotype. Current chemotherapeutic treatment carries the risk of adverse health effects for the horse owner or the treating veterinarian by exposure to antineoplastic compounds. Most treatments have low prospects for systemic tumor regression. Thus, a new therapy is needed. In this in vitro study, Betulinic acid and its two derivatives B10 and NVX-207, both with an improved water solubility compared to Betulinic acid, were tested on two equine melanoma cell lines (MelDuWi and MellJess/HoMelZh) and human melanoma (A375) cell line. We could demonstrate that all three compounds especially NVX-207 show high cytotoxicity on both equine melanoma cell lines. The treatment with these compounds lead to externalization of phosphatidylserines on the cell membrane (AnnexinV-staining), DNA-fragmentation (cell cycle analysis) and activation of initiator and effector caspases (Caspase assays). Our results indicate that the apoptosis is induced in the equine melanoma cells by all three compounds. Furthermore, we succeed in encapsulating the most active compound NVX-207 in 2-Hydroxyprolyl-β-cyclodextrine without a loss of its activity. This formulation can be used as a promising antitumor agent for treating grey horse melanoma. In a first tolerability evaluation in vivo the formulation was administered every one week for 19 consecutive weeks and well tolerated in two adult melanoma affected horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By blocking the enteric nervous system (ENS) using tetrodotoxin (TTX), previous studies have documented the contractility-enhancing (CE) effects of lidocaine in equine intestinal smooth muscle (SM) at the level of SM cells and/or interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). The present study examined the impact of ENS deactivation on CE lidocaine effects, and investigated the effects of lidocaine on ENS activity. TTX application did not affect the CE effects of lidocaine, indicating that these were not mediated by TTX-sensitive sodium channels. Application of TTX or ≥100 mg/L lidocaine reduced ENS activity. Although such concentrations of lidocaine exceed therapeutic blood concentrations, tissue concentrations may be higher with the potential to reduce ENS activity and impair intestinal motility in vivo. Improved understanding of underlying mechanisms is relevant for therapeutic use of lidocaine in horses with postoperative ileus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]