The Impact of Two Recommended Withholding Periods for Omeprazole and the Use of a Nutraceutical Supplement on Recurrence of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in Thoroughbred Racehorses.

The impact of recommended withholding periods (RWPs) for omeprazole on the recurrence of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is unknown. The study was designed to compare the effect of two RWPs on EGUS recurrence post-omeprazole treatment and to determine if a nutraceutical supplement would reduce EGUS recurrence when administrated during an RWP. The study was a blinded, randomized clinical trial. Part 1: Horses were allocated to an RWP0 or RWP2 and crossed over after 4-weeks. Horses received oral omeprazole once daily, except during the RWPs at the end of the treatment periods. Part 2: Horses received omeprazole for 21 days prior to an RWP2 during which they received a nutraceutical supplement. Gastroscopy was performed on Day 0 and pre- and post- RWP. Part 1: More horses were affected by Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) after the '2-clear-days' RWP than the 'not on race-day' RWP (p = 0.012). The prevalence of ESGD post-RWP for '2-clear-days' did not differ from day 0 (p = 0.478). Part 2: The prevalence of ESGD post-RWP was lower than on Day 0 (p = 0.046). A difference in recurrence of ESGD was present between the two common RWPs. The implications of this on the welfare of Thoroughbred racehorses warrant further discussion.

Stress fracture of the palmar, distal cortex of the third metacarpal bone: A diagnostic challenge with a good prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Transverse stress fracture of the palmar cortex of the distal aspect of the third metacarpal bone (TSF PCD McIII) is poorly documented. OBJECTIVES: To describe the typical signalment of this injury, the common clinical and radiological signs and prognosis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective hospital-based case series with follow-up of racing records. METHODS: All cases of TSF PCD McIII diagnosed among racehorses in training at the Hong Kong Jockey Club between 2011 and 2019 were identified. Clinical records were reviewed and documented signs were recorded for each case. Findings from a predefined list of radiological features were listed. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the age and training profile of horses, the clinical and radiological findings and time to return to ridden exercise. RESULTS: Twenty-three cases (n = 23) were identified. The majority (57%) had recently started or returned to training from a break and 35% (n = 8) of cases had not yet undertaken timed gallops at the time of injury. Most cases (20/23; 87%) were lame; in nine (39%), lameness was severe. Localised swelling of superficial soft tissues was reported in 15/23 (65%) cases. Pain on palpation of the distal McIII was present in 15/23 (65%) cases and in response to fetlock flexion in 12/23 (52%). Diffuse, localised increase in radiopacity, disruption to the outline of the bone periosteal surface and outward displacement of the button of the splint bone were common radiological features in early cases (70%, 67% and 67% of all cases). Sixty-one per cent of cases (14/23) were initially misdiagnosed. Most horses (n = 18/23) resumed training and racing after a median of 83 and 246 days. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Clinical notes were not consistent between cases. Radiographs were taken at different times. CONCLUSIONS: Horses commencing training are at risk of TSF PCD McIII, which presents with confusing clinical signs and subtle radiological findings. The long-term outlook is favourable.

Adsorption of Cd(II) by Mg-Al-CO3- and magnetic Fe3O4/Mg-Al-CO3-layered double hydroxides: Kinetic, isothermal, thermodynamic and mechanistic studies.

Understanding the adsorption mechanisms of metal cations on the surfaces of solids is important for determining the fate of these metals in water and wastewater treatment. The adsorption kinetic, isothermal, thermodynamic and mechanistic properties of cadmium (Cd(II)) in an aqueous solution containing Mg-Al-CO3- and magnetic Fe3O4/Mg-Al-CO3-layered double hydroxide (LDH) were studied. The results demonstrated that the adsorption kinetic and isotherm data followed the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir equation, respectively. The adsorption process of Cd(II) was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in nature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to explain the adsorption mechanisms. The characteristic XRD peaks and FTIR bands of CdCO3 emerged in the LDH spectra after Cd(II) adsorption, which indicated that the adsorption of Cd(II) by LDHs occurred mainly via CdCO3 precipitation, surface adsorption and surface complexation. Furthermore, the magnetic Fe3O4/Mg-Al-CO3-LDH can be quickly and easily separated using a magnet before and after the adsorption process.

Kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic investigations of phosphate adsorption onto core-shell Fe3O4@LDHs composites with easy magnetic separation assistance.

In this study, three different magnetic core-shell Fe3O4@LDHs composites, Fe3O4@Zn-Al-, Fe3O4@Mg-Al-, and Fe3O4@Ni-Al-LDH were prepared via a rapid coprecipitation method for phosphate adsorptive removal. The composites were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TEM, VSM and BET analyses. Characterization results proved the successful synthesis of core-shell Fe3O4@LDHs composites with good superparamagnetisms. Batch experiments were conducted to study the adsorption efficiency of phosphate. Optimal conditions for the phosphate adsorption were obtained: 0.05 g of adsorbent, solution pH of 3, and contact time of 60 min. Proposed mechanisms for the removal of phosphate species onto Fe3O4@LDHs composites at different initial solution pH were showed. The kinetic data were described better by the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation and KASRA model. The adsorption isotherm curves showed a three-region behavior in the ARIAN model. It had a good fit with Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity followed the order of Fe3O4@Zn-Al-LDH>Fe3O4@Mg-Al-LDH>Fe3O4@Ni-Al-LDH. Thermodynamic analyses indicated that the phosphate adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous in nature. The three Fe3O4@LDHs composites could be easily separated from aqueous solution by the external magnetic field in 10s. These novel magnetic core-shell Fe3O4@LDHs adsorbents may offer a simple single step adsorption treatment option to remove phosphate from water without the requirement of pre-/post-treatment for current industrial practice.