Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and mortality in dogs with blastomycosis.

Blastomycosis is a prominent fungal disease in the United States. Vitamin D status has been found to be altered in critical illness and various infectious diseases. The objectives of this study were to compare serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations in dogs with blastomycosis and healthy controls, to assess the change in serum 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs with blastomycosis after 30 days of treatment, and to determine if baseline serum 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs with blastomycosis were associated with in-hospital, 30-day, or end-of-study mortality. In this prospective cohort study, 19 dogs newly diagnosed with blastomycosis had serum 25(OH)D concentrations measured with a commercially available validated radioimmunoassay at the time of diagnosis and 30 days after start of treatment. These values were compared to 24 healthy control dogs. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations at the time of diagnosis were lower in dogs with blastomycosis (median, 203 nmol/L; range, 31-590 nmol/L) than in clinically healthy control dogs (259.5 nmol/L, 97-829 nmol/L; P = 0.01). Despite clinical improvement, there was no significant change in serum 25(OH)D concentrations from baseline to 30-day follow-up. Dogs with baseline serum 25(OH)D concentrations <180.5nmol/L had a greater odds of death during hospitalization (odds ratio [OR], 15.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-191.3; P = 0.04) and at 30 days follow-up (OR, 30.0; 95% CI, 2.5-366.7; P = 0.006). These findings highlight the need for further studies evaluating the prognostic value of vitamin D status in dogs with blastomycosis at diagnosis and throughout treatment and remission.

Identifying behavioural differences in working donkeys in response to analgesic administration.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: To identify pain-related behaviour in working donkeys in order to assist their owners and veterinarians to recognise and manage pain. OBJECTIVES: To identify general and specific behaviours associated with pain or its relief using a trial with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam (Metacam). STUDY DESIGN: Observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Forty adult male working donkeys with common clinical abnormalities were randomly assigned to receive either a single loading dose of meloxicam (1.2 mg/kg bwt per os; n = 20) or a placebo (30 mg honey/250 ml water per os; n = 20). Observation of postural and event behaviours was undertaken at 2 pretreatment time points followed by 4 post treatment time points, using scan (instantaneous) and focal sampling. RESULTS: In comparison to pretreatment baselines, donkeys receiving meloxicam were more alert post treatment than the placebo group. They were observed lying down less frequently (P = 0.007), with their eyes closed less frequently (P = 0.04) and having a high head carriage more frequently (P = 0.02). Dozing behaviour decreased after meloxicam compared with the pretreatment baseline (P = 0.03). Donkeys given meloxicam also showed more interest in their environment, turning to look at environmental stimuli more frequently (P = 0.05) than those in the placebo group post treatment. Neither the meloxicam nor the placebo group showed a significant post treatment improvement in lameness scores. CONCLUSIONS: Working donkeys receiving meloxicam were more active and alert compared with their pretreatment behaviour, confirming the potential value of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in identifying behaviours indicative of pain in working donkeys. Behavioural assessment of pain in working donkeys in field clinic conditions will enable veterinary staff and owners to identify welfare issues promptly and monitor response to analgesia. The Summary is available in Chinese--see Supporting information.

Clinical abnormalities in working donkeys and their associations with behaviour.

INTRODUCTIONS: Working donkeys are at risk of developing multiple, acute and chronic health problems. The ability to recognise and assess pain in donkeys associated with these health problems is important for people responsible for their care and treatment, including owners and veterinary or animal health workers. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were firstly to quantify the prevalence of a range of clinical abnormalities within a sample of working donkeys; and secondly to find out whether these abnormalities were associated with potential behavioural indicators of pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-three entire male adult working donkeys were observed for ten minutes before and after a one-hour rest period. Using an ethogram developed and refined in associated studies, posture and event behaviours were recorded by a single observer. The health of each donkey was then assessed by a veterinarian for specific clinical abnormalities. RESULTS: Working donkeys have a high prevalence of clinical abnormalities and a number of behaviours are associated with these. Significant associations were found between observed behaviours and systemic, ocular and limb-related clinical abnormalities. Cumulative clinical scores for limb-related problems were associated with a higher frequency of leg trembling, knuckling of the forelimb, leg-lifting and weight-shifting behaviours (all R≥0.4; P<0.001) and with a lower frequency of weight-bearing evenly on all four feet (R=-0.458; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The specific behaviour changes associated with clinical abnormalities identified in this study, together with general changes in demeanour identified in related studies, may be useful in assessing the presence and severity of pain in working donkeys and their response to medical and palliative interventions.

The range and prevalence of clinical signs and conformation associated with lameness in working draught donkeys in Pakistan.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING THE STUDY: Lameness is prevalent in working donkeys and has major welfare implications; however, a detailed study of the associated clinical signs is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To describe the range and prevalence of clinical signs and conformation associated with lameness in working draught donkeys. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. METHODS: Data were collected from 102 working draught donkeys in Pakistan. A lameness assessment adapted for working donkeys was used to record clinical signs of lameness, gait, limb conformation and pain responses in the feet, limbs and spine using observation, palpation and manipulation. Lameness at the walk was scored from 0 to 10 (sound to nonweightbearing). RESULTS: Every donkey examined had gait abnormalities, with 5% having a nonweightbearing limb. Lameness was significantly more severe with older age, lower body condition score and forward-at-the-knee conformation. More severe lameness was also associated with pain responses in the hoof walls, palpation of limb joints and spinal flexion. Joint, tendon and foot pathology was highly prevalent, as well as pain responses to joint flexion and spinal manipulation. Conformational abnormalities showed lateral asymmetries. CONCLUSIONS: Over 98% of the world's 42.2 million donkeys are in low-income countries, most being used for work. The high prevalence of lameness, pain and multiple limb and spinal abnormalities in working donkeys is of great welfare concern and highlights the complexity of addressing this problem. This standardised lameness assessment can be used when implementing and monitoring interventions to reduce lameness prevalence in working donkeys.

Aberration corrected analytical electron microscopy studies of sol-immobilized Au + Pd, Au{Pd} and Pd{Au} catalysts used for benzyl alcohol oxidation and hydrogen peroxide production.

In this study, a systematic series of AuPd bimetallic particles were prepared by colloidal synthesis methods, in order to gain better control over the particle size distribution and structure. Particles having random alloy structures, as well as 'designer' particles with Pd-shell/Au-core and Au-shell/Pd-core morphologies, have been prepared and immobilized on both activated carbon and TiO2 supports. Aberration corrected analytical electron microscopy (ACEAM) has been extensively used to characterize these sol-immobilized materials. In particular, state-of-the-art z-contrast STEM-HAADF imaging and STEM-XEDS spectrum imaging has been employed. These techniques have provided invaluable new (and often unexpected) information on the atomic structure, elemental distribution within particles, and compositional variations between particles for these controlled catalyst preparations. In addition, we have been able to compare their differing thermal stability, sintering and wetting behaviors on activated carbon and TiO2 supports. These sol immobilized materials have also been compared as catalysts for (i) benzyl alcohol oxidation and (ii) the direct production of H2O2 in an attempt to elucidate the optimum particle morphology/ support combination for each reaction.

Validity of indicators of dehydration in working horses: a longitudinal study of changes in skin tent duration, mucous membrane dryness and drinking behaviour.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Dehydration is a serious welfare concern in horses working in developing countries. Identification of a valid and practical indicator of dehydration would enable more rapid treatment and prevention. OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in bodyweight, clinical and blood parameters during rehydration of working horses, identify a 'gold standard' criterion for dehydration and use this to validate a standardised skin tent test, drinking behaviour and mucous membrane dryness as potential field indicators. METHODS: Fifty horses with a positive skin tent test, working in environmental temperatures of 30-44 degrees C in Pakistan, were rested and offered water to drink ad libitum. Bodyweight, clinical and blood parameters, mucous membrane dryness, drinking behaviour and skin tent duration at 6 anatomical locations were measured at 0, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min. RESULTS: Skin tent duration was affected by side of animal (P = 0.008), anatomical location and coat moisture (both P < 0.001). Younger animals had shorter skin tents at all time points (P = 0.007). There was no significant association between plasma osmolality (P(osm)) or water intake and skin tent duration. Horses with a higher P(osm) drank significantly more water (P < 0.001), and had longer (P < 0.001) and more frequent (P = 0.001) drinking bouts. Neither P(osm) nor water intake affected qualitative and semi-quantitative measurements of mucous membrane dryness significantly. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The standardised skin tent test and measures of mucous membrane dryness investigated in this study were not valid or repeatable indicators of dehydration when compared with P(osm) as a 'gold standard' criterion. The volume of water consumed and the number and duration of drinking bouts were the most reliable guide to hydration status currently available for mature working horses. Offering palatable water to drink ad libitum provides both the diagnosis and the remedy for dehydration in working horses.

Validity of a behavioural measure of heat stress and a skin tent test for dehydration in working horses and donkeys.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Dehydration and heat stress are serious welfare issues for equids working in developing countries. There is a lack of any standardised method or validated interpretation of the skin tent test in horses and donkeys. Owners of dehydrated and heat-stressed animals often depend on veterinary examination for identification of these conditions, leading to delays in treatment and unnecessary reliance on external sources to effect welfare improvement. OBJECTIVES: To validate a standardised skin tent test for dehydration and a behavioural measure of heat stress in working equids; and to examine the effect of heat stress and dehydration on tripping and staggering behaviour. METHODS: The study was carried out on 130 working horses and donkeys in Pakistan. Associations between skin tent and blood parameters (packed cell volume [PCV], serum total protein [TP], serum osmolality), clinical parameters, resting and drinking behaviour were examined. Heat stress behaviour (increased respiratory rate and depth, head nodding, flared nostrils, apathy) was observed in conjunction with rectal temperature. Tripping and staggering were assessed using a simple obstacle course. RESULTS: In both species, heat stress behaviour was significantly associated with increased rectal temperature (P<0.001). A positive skin tent test was not significantly associated with PCV or TP, although in donkeys it was significantly associated with lower serum osmolality (P<0.001). More animals age >15 years had a positive skin tent than those in younger age groups (P = 0.037). Very thin horses were more likely to have a positive skin tent than those in thin or moderate condition (P = 0.028). There was no significant correlation between skin tent and tripping or staggering in either species. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Heat stress behaviour is related to increased body temperature in working horses and donkeys. Owners may use this to make judgements regarding rest and cooling, precluding the need to seek veterinary attention. The skin tent test for dehydration used in this study did not show a significant relationship with PCV or TP. However, the use of blood parameters to validate the skin tent test may be confounded by anaemia, hypoproteinaemia or electrolyte depletion. Alternative methods are needed to confirm or refute the validity of the skin tent test in working equids.

Assessment of the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys, using health and behaviour parameters.

Working animals provide an essential transport resource in developing countries worldwide. Many of these animals are owned by poor people and work in harsh environments, so their welfare is a cause for concern. A protocol was developed to assess the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys in urban and peri-urban areas, using direct observation of health and behaviour parameters. In this study, 4903 animals used for draught, pack and ridden work in Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Jordan and Pakistan were assessed between December 2002 and April 2003. The data showed that donkeys were more likely than mules or horses to demonstrate avoidance or aggressive behaviour towards an observer, while horses were most likely to make a friendly approach. Fewer than 8% of working equines had abnormal mucous membranes, ectoparasites or poor coat condition. Body lesions occurred predominantly in the areas of the breast/shoulder, withers and girth in all three species, with mules having the highest prevalence of lesions in these areas (22.5, 21.3 and 28.4%, respectively). Among horses and donkeys, the prevalence of these lesions was influenced by the type of work carried out. Lesions on the head, neck, ribs, flank and tail base were seen in less than 10% of animals. Across all three species approximately 70% of animals were thin, having a body condition score (BCS) of 2 or less on a scale of 1-5 (1, very thin; 5, very fat) and more horses were in very thin condition (BCS 1) than mules or donkeys. Over 75% of animals demonstrated limb deformities and abnormalities of gait. The results of this study are being used as the initial stage of a long-term strategy to inform priorities for welfare interventions in working equines and to establish a welfare benchmark. Subsequent stages will rank the welfare concerns identified, assess the contributing risk factors and implement specific interventions to address these risks. Following intervention, success in improving welfare will be measured by repetition of this protocol and comparison with the benchmark.

Effect of exercise-induced muscle damage on the blood lactate response to incremental exercise in humans.

Eccentric muscle actions are known to induce temporary muscle damage, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and muscle weakness that may persist for several days. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether DOMS-inducing exercise affects blood lactate responses to subsequent incremental dynamic exercise. Physiological and metabolic responses to a standardised incremental exercise task were measured two days after the performance of an eccentric exercise bout or in a control (no prior exercise) condition. Ten healthy recreationally active subjects (9 male, 1 female), aged 20 (SD 1) years performed repeated eccentric muscle actions during 40 min of bench stepping (knee high step; 15 steps x min[-1]). Two days after the eccentric exercise, while the subjects experienced DOMS, they cycled on a basket loaded cycle ergometer at a starting work rate of 150 W, with increments of 50 W every 2 min until fatigue. The order of the preceding treatments (eccentric exercise or control) was randomised and the treatments were carried out 2 weeks apart. Two days after the eccentric exercise, all subjects reported leg muscle soreness and exhibited elevated levels of plasma creatine kinase activity (P < 0.05). Endurance time and peak VO2 during cycling were unaffected by the prior eccentric exercise. Minute volume, respiratory exchange ratio and heart rate responses were similar but venous blood lactate concentration was higher (P < 0.05) during cycling after eccentric exercise compared with the control condition. Peak blood lactate concentration, observed at 2 min post-exercise was also higher [12.6 (SD 1.4) vs 10.9 SD (1.3) mM; P < 0.01]. The higher blood lactate concentration during cycling exercise after prior eccentric exercise may be attributable to an increased rate of glycogenolysis possibly arising from an increased recruitment of Type II muscle fibres. It follows that determination of lactate thresholds for the purpose of fitness assessment in subjects experiencing DOMS is not appropriate.

Long-term followup of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using freeze-dried fascia lata allografts.

We identified 79 patients who underwent arthroscopically assisted intraarticular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with freeze-dried fascia lata allografts and an additional lateral extraarticular reconstruction. We were able to contact 62 patients (79%) for follow-up evaluation at an average of 134.5 months. Forty patients (51%) returned for objective evaluation. Lysholm scores at followup averaged 92.3 and Tegner activity scores averaged 5.1. Only four (6%) of the 62 patients contacted reported episodes of full giving way. Thirty (75%) of the 40 patients examined demonstrated 3 mm or less side-to-side difference on KT-1000 arthrometer manual maximum evaluation. Forty-eight (77%) of the 62 patients were participating in sporting activities at final followup. No patient had evidence of graft rejection.

Infection of a Charcot spine. A case report.

Charcot spine is an unusual neuropathic arthropathy that may be found in patients with complete neurologic lesions of the spinal cord. The case presented represents a progressive destructive lesion of a Charcot spine, which, on extensive investigation and subsequent surgical arthrodesis, demonstrated an infectious process. Infection must be considered as a possible etiology in a destructive lesion of a Charcot spine.