Unveiling the Current Understanding of Idiopathic Spinal Cord Herniation: A Systematic Review.

Background: Idiopathic spinal cord herniation (ISCH) is a rare condition that is characterized by ventral herniation of the spinal cord through a defect in the dura mater into the epidural space, with no identifiable cause. ISCH is frequently underdiagnosed, and the information available in case reports is limited. To provide an overview of the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of this condition, this study aims to conduct a review of reported cases of ISCH. Methods: A literature review was carried out using seven databases. The search was conducted using the keywords "Idiopathic spinal cord herniation" OR "Idiopathic Ventral Spinal Cord Herniation" AND "Case report" OR "case series." Results: A total of 92 relevant papers reporting 224 cases, besides the index case, were determined. Of the cases, 58.5% were females and the mean age was 50.7 (SD 13.2) years. Symptoms, diagnoses, and outcomes were similar between genders. The most common clinical signs included motor symptoms (82.6%), instability (61.3%), hypoesthesia (59.2%), and disturbance of thermal sensitivity (47.3%). Brown-Séquard syndrome was observed in 27.2% of the cases, and surgical treatment was employed in 89.7% of the cases. Conclusions: ISCH is a pathology that is principally treated with surgical approach. This study provides valuable insights into the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of ISCH, which can aid in the early recognition and treatment of this rare condition.

Role of allogeneic placental tissues in penile inversion vaginoplasty.

Background: The role of allogeneic placental tissue (APT) in genital gender-affirming surgery (GAS) is not well understood. Penile inversion vaginoplasty (PIV), the most common genital GAS, often results in tissue healing- or wound-related complications, including scarring and neovaginal stenosis. Surgical reoperation and revision vaginoplasty are common. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of APT to postoperative outcomes in PIV. Methods: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive adult patients undergoing primary PIV during a 6-year period (September 1, 2014 to September 1, 2020). Subjects receiving intraoperative application of an APT biomaterial were compared to those undergoing primary PIV without APT. Postoperative outcomes-including wound healing morbidity and reoperation-were compared between groups. Short- and long-term complications were classified using Clavien-Dindo. Results: A total of 182 primary PIV cases were reviewed (115 conventional PIV; 67 PIV-APT). The postoperative follow-up time for the population averaged 12.7 months. All-cause and wound related complications were significantly lower amongst PIV-APT patients when compared to conventional PIV (P=0.002 and P=0.004, respectively). The rate of long-term complications was significantly lower in PIV-APT subjects: prolonged pain (P=0.001), prolonged swelling (P=0.047), and neovaginal stenosis (P<0.001). The PIV-APT group required significantly less reoperation for vaginal depth enhancement (P=0.007). Conclusions: Though its use in urogenital reconstruction has been limited, this study indicates that the placement of APT during PIV significantly lowered the risk of complications associated with poor wound healing. This supports a novel use for placental tissues in reducing complications in genital GAS.

Rapid and reliable quantification of urinary malondialdehyde by HILIC-MS/MS: A derivatization-free breakthrough approach.

BACKGROUND: The development of fast analytical methods is crucial for the research, discovery, and confirmation of crucial biomarkers. Furthermore, the implementation of fast analytical strategies contributes to efficient and time-effective procedures. In this sense, analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA) has become an important tool for understanding the role of oxidative stress in various diseases and for evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. RESULTS: A rapid and robust liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method (HPLC-MS/MS) has been developed to determine endogenous amounts of malondialdehyde (MDA) in human urine without any associated derivatization reaction. MDA was separated in 4 min through a Urea-HILIC column and was analyzed using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in negative electrospray ionization mode. With a 50-fold dilution as the only sample pretreatment after alkaline hydrolysis, no matrix effect was present, which allowed for a fast and simple quantification by means of an external standard calibration with a limit of detection of 0.20 ng mL-1. The whole methodology was validated by analyzing unspiked and spiked urine samples from ten healthy individuals and comparing with the results obtained by the standard addition method. MDA was detected in all cases, with natural concentrations varying from 0.11 ± 0.03 to 0.31 ± 0.03 mg g-1 creatinine. Accuracies were found to be satisfactory, ranging from 95 % to 101 %. The proposed method also exhibited good repeatability and reproducibility (RSD<15 %) for four quality control levels. SIGNIFICANCE: The main significance of this method is the avoidance of a derivatization reaction for the determination of urinary MDA, this constituting a step forward when compared with previous literature. This breakthrough not only streamlines time analysis to less than 5 min per sample but also results in a more robust procedure. Consequently, the method here developed could be applied to subsequent future research involving the determination of MDA as a lipid peroxidation biomarker, where simple, rapid, and reliable methods could represent a significant improvement.

Comparison of the fecal microbiota of adult healthy dogs fed a plant-based (vegan) or an animal-based diet.

Purpose: Pet guardians are increasingly seeking vegan dog foods. However, research on the impact of these diets on gastrointestinal (GI) physiology and health is limited. In humans, vegan diets modify the GI microbiota, increasing beneficial digestive microorganisms. This study aimed to examine the canine fecal microbiota in response to a vegan diet compared to an animal-based diet. Methods: Sixty-one client-owned healthy adult dogs completed a randomized, double-blinded longitudinal study. Dogs were randomly assigned into two groups that were fed either a commercial extruded animal-based diet (MEAT, n = 30) or an experimental extruded vegan diet (PLANT, n = 31) for 12 weeks. Fecal collections occurred at the start of the experimental period and after 3 months of exclusively feeding either diet. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the feces, and the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified using PCR and sequenced on Illumina MiSeq. Beta-diversity was measured using Jaccard and Bray-Curtis distances, and the PERMANOVA was used to assess for differences in fecal microbiota within and between groups. Alpha-diversity indices for richness, evenness, and diversity, as well as relative abundance, were calculated and compared between groups. Results: Beta-diversity differences occurred between diet groups at exit time-point with differences on Bray-Curtis distances at the family and genus levels (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively), and for the Jaccard distance at the family and genus level (p = 0.006 and p = 0.011, respectively). Significant differences in alpha-diversity occurred when comparing the PLANT to the MEAT group at the exit time-point with the PLANT group having a lower evenness (p = 0.012), but no significant differences in richness (p = 0.188), or diversity (p = 0.06). At exit-timepoint, compared to the MEAT group, the relative abundance of Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, and Campylobacter was lower in the PLANT group. The relative abundance of Fusobacterium decreased over time in the PLANT group, while no change was observed in the MEAT group. Conclusion: These results indicate that vegan diets may change the canine gut microbiota. Future studies are warranted to confirm our results and determine long-term effects of vegan diets on the canine gut microbiome.

Neonatal Calf Diarrhea and Gastrointestinal Microbiota: Etiologic Agents and Microbiota Manipulation for Treatment and Prevention of Diarrhea.

Neonatal calf diarrhea is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. The changes associated with the gastrointestinal microbiota in neonatal calves experiencing diarrhea and its etiology are not fully understood or completely defined in the literature. Several studies have demonstrated that the fecal microbiota of calves that experience diarrhea substantially deviates from that of healthy age-matched calves. However, one key question remains: whether the changes observed in the bacterial communities (also known as dysbiosis) are a predisposing factor for, or the consequence of, gastrointestinal inflammation caused by the pathogens associated with calf diarrhea. The first objective of this literature review is to present the current information regarding the changes in the fecal microbiota of diarrheic calves and the impact of the pathogens associated with diarrhea on fecal microbiota. Modulation of the gastrointestinal microbiota using pre- and probiotics, colostrum feeding, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used to treat and prevent gastrointestinal diseases in humans and dogs. Although information regarding the use of probiotics for the prevention of diarrhea is available in cattle, little information is available regarding the use of these strategies for treating calf diarrhea and the use of prebiotics or FMT to prevent diarrhea. The second objective of this literature review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the impact of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, colostrum feeding, and FMT for the treatment and prevention of calf diarrhea.

Can Distalisation and Lateralisation Shoulder Angles in Reverse Arthroplasty Interfere with the Functional Results in Patients with Rotator Cuff Arthropathy?

Objective: To evaluate the influence of radiographic values on clinical and functional results in patients treated with reverse arthroplasty for rotator cuff arthropathy (RCA) using a lateralized design. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed. Patient demographics were recorded, as well as preoperative and postoperative range of motion. Function was calculated using the Constant-Murley score both before and after the procedure. Pre and postoperative anteroposterior and axial radiographs of the affected shoulder were analysed. In the preoperative images, the following was calculated: acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and lateral humeral offset (LHO). Postoperative measurements included: AHD, LHO, distalization shoulder angle (DSA) and lateralisation shoulder angle (LSA). Linear regression and quadratic regression analysis was performed to determine their degree of association with final functional outcomes. By applying a quadratic regression analysis and ROC curves, the cut-off values were determined with respect to the above-mentioned angles and the positive predictive value was calculated. Results: The greater anterior elevation (AE) ranges were found with DSA between 40-45° and LSA among 80°- 90°, while better ABD was observed with LSA of 90-100°. Preoperative AHD was correlated to RE (r s :0.47; p:0.049). Postoperative AHD was found to be in a directly proportional relationship with AE (r s :0.49; p:0.03). Postoperative ABD showed an inverse linear regression with preoperative AHD (r s : -0.44, p:0.047). LSA and DSA were inversely related. Conclusion: We found that a DSA between 40-45° and a LSA of 80-100° could lead to better range of motion regarding AE and ABD in patients with rotator cuff arthropathy treated with RSA.

Validation of the inventory: lockdown and its impact on the university Community.

BACKGROUND: Significant consequences of COVID-19 within academic/professional life are, at the psychological level, related to worry, tension, stress; coping strategies and lifestyle changes. This study describes the process of design and validation of an inventory (QPIC), which aims to assess the psychological impact that a situation of confinement can produce among university students and teachers. METHODS: Design of the instrument and psychometric tests. A sample of 862 students and 229 professors affiliated to Spanish and Colombian universities was used. Data were collected in April 2020 with the request of the favourable Bioethics Committee IR/2020. RESULTS: Six experts carried out the content validation. A confirmatory factor analysis of the theoretical dimensions proposed for the scales was performed and the internal consistency of each of the three initial scales was confirmed (0.866, 0.813 and 0.834). CONCLUSION: A rigorous and reliable instrument is achieved, consisting of two final scales: (a) Worry, tension and stress scale (b) Coping scale, which helps to measure individual psychological effects in housebound situations. It is an instrument designed, constructed ad hoc to assess the impact of confinement and subjected to validation. The factor structure and reliability of the instrument are examined and good psychometric properties are obtained. The application of this inventory will make it possible to assess the impact on people's mental health during a period of confinement.

Heart-Cutting Bidimensional Liquid Chromatography for the Simultaneous Analysis of Veterinary Drugs Residues and Nucleotide Monophosphates in Sheep's Milk.

Sheep's milk is a significant source of nucleotide monophosphates (NMPs) but can also contain undesirable residues from veterinary drugs, posing a potential human health risk. This study introduces a novel application of two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC), in heart-cutting mode, for the simultaneous determination of nucleotides and veterinary drug residues in sheep's milk. 2D-LC allows for the separation of these compounds in a single chromatographic run despite their differing physicochemical properties. The proposed method separates six veterinary drug residues and five NMPs in a single injection. The compounds were separated using a C18 reversed-phase column in the first dimension and a Primesep SB analytical column in the second dimension. The method performance was evaluated in terms of linearity range, detection and quantification limits, matrix effects, precision, and accuracy. The results demonstrated good linearity and sensitivity, with quantification limits allowing for the quantification of veterinary drugs at the maximum residue level and nucleotides at typical levels found in milk samples. The method has been successfully applied to the analysis of sheep's milk samples acquired from local supermarkets, with recoveries within a range of 70-119% and 82-117% for veterinary residues and NMPs, respectively.

Exploring the effects of transport duration on the fecal microbial communities of surplus dairy calves.

Transportation significantly affects the health and welfare of surplus dairy calves, largely due to the various stressors and pathogen exposures encountered during the process. Concurrently, an animal's microbiome is known to correlate with its health status, with stress-induced alterations in the microbiota potentially precipitating various diseases. This study aimed to compare the effects of transportation durations of 6, 12, or 16 h on the fecal microbiota in young surplus dairy calves. We used a randomized controlled design in which surplus dairy calves aged 1 to 19 d from 5 commercial dairy farms in Ontario were allocated into 1 of 3 transportation groups (6, 12, and 16 h of continuous transportation). Health assessments were conducted before, immediately after, and for 2 wk following transportation. Fecal samples were collected before, immediately after, and at 24 and 72 h after transportation and subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing. Alpha diversity metrics showed no significant differences between the 3 transportation groups at any of the sampling time points. Although ß diversity metrics revealed no clustering by transportation groups, they indicated significant differences across sampling time points within each group. The overall analysis revealed a total of 22 phyla and 353 genera, with Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Fusobacteria being the most abundant phyla. Bacteroides, Escherichia/Shigella, Lactobacillus, Collinsella, and Bifidobacterium were the most abundant genera. The reduction in Fusobacteria abundance before and after transport was significantly larger in the 16-h transportation group when compared with the 6-h transportation group. We also identified several genus-level and amplicon sequence variation-level taxa that displayed significant differences in their abundances across various transportation groups, observed at all sampling time points investigated. This research identifies microbiota changes due to varying transportation durations in surplus dairy calves, providing a broad understanding of the microbial shifts in surplus dairy calves after transportation across varying durations. Although these variations may not directly correlate with overall calf health or indicate dysbiosis, these results emphasize the importance of further investigating transportation practices to enhance calf health and well-being. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the relationship between microbiota and calf health.

Impact of fecal sample preservation and handling techniques on the canine fecal microbiota profile.

Canine fecal microbiota profiling provides insight into host health and disease. Standardization of methods for fecal sample storage for microbiomics is currently inconclusive, however. This study investigated the effects of homogenization, the preservative RNAlater, room temperature exposure duration, and short-term storage in the fridge prior to freezing on the canine fecal microbiota profile. Within 15 minutes after voiding, samples were left non-homogenized or homogenized and aliquoted, then kept at room temperature (20-22°C) for 0.5, 4, 8, or 24 hours. Homogenized aliquots then had RNAlater added or not. Following room temperature exposure, all aliquots were stored in the fridge (4°C) for 24 hours prior to storing in the freezer (-20°C), or stored directly in the freezer. DNA extraction, PCR amplification, then sequencing were completed on all samples. Alpha diversity (diversity, evenness, and richness), and beta diversity (community membership and structure), and relative abundances of bacterial genera were compared between treatments. Homogenization and RNAlater minimized changes in the microbial communities over time, although minor changes in relative abundances occurred. Non-homogenized samples had more inter-sample variability and greater changes in beta diversity than homogenized samples. Storage of canine fecal samples in the fridge for 24 h prior to storage in the freezer had little effect on the fecal microbiota profile. Our findings suggest that if immediate analysis of fecal samples is not possible, samples should at least be homogenized to preserve the existing microbiota profile.

Behavior and Use of Quaternary Ammonium-Based Disinfectants in Biosafety Protocols Against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Race 1 and Tropical Race 4.

The banana is one of Colombia's main export products. However, production is seriously affected by Fusarium wilt of banana, which is the most destructive disease caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4). Currently, management strategies focus on containment and biosecurity protocols to prevent its spread to territories that are free of this disease. This study aimed to evaluate nine quaternary ammonium-based disinfectants (i.e., quaternary ammonium compounds [QACs]) in vitro in Colombia on reproductive (microconidia and macroconidia) and resistance structures (chlamydospores) of Foc race 1 (R1) and tropical race 4 (TR4), with and without soil, to determine the influence of organic matter and soil texture on the action of QACs. A method for inhibiting the action of QACs was standardized and evaluated at 1,200 ppm with a contact time of ≤30 s while evaluating the soil-inoculum and soil-disinfectant interactions. In the soil-inoculum interaction, the efficacy of QACs was 100% in the reproductive and resistance structures of Foc R1 and TR4 without soil. However, in the soil-disinfectant interaction, only QAC4 controlled the pathogen at 100%. The presence of organic matter influenced the biocidal action of the QACs, and fine textures had a greater reducing effect on the concentration. The soil decreased the efficacy of the QACs and, therefore, must be removed from contaminated boots before treatments are applied.

Simultaneous determination of favipiravir and surrogates of its metabolites by means of heart-cutting bidimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC).

Therapeutic monitoring of drugs, particularly those with multiple metabolites, can be time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the need for different analytical methods depending on the specific metabolite or matrix of interest. In this study, we employed a heart-cutting 2D-LC separation method based on the coupling of reversed-phase and mixed-mode mechanisms to determine Favipiravir and surrogates of five main metabolites. This approach was applied to serum, plasma, urine, and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The method underwent validation to ensure its reliability. The findings highlight the potential of 2D-LC as a practical and efficient approach for therapeutic drug monitoring.

Survival rates and factors associated with survival and laminitis of horses with acute diarrhoea admitted to referral institutions.

BACKGROUND: Clinicopathological findings and their association with the outcome and development of laminitis in horses with acute diarrhoea has not been investigated in a multicentre study across different geographic regions. OBJECTIVES: Describe and compare clinicopathologic findings of diarrhoeic horses between different geographic regions, survival rates and factors associated with non-survival and laminitis. STUDY DESIGN: Multicentre retrospective case series. METHODS: Information from horses with acute diarrhoea presenting to participating institutions between 2016 and 2020 was collected, and clinicopathological data were compared between surviving and non-surviving horses and horses that did and did not develop laminitis. Survival rates and seasonal and geographic differences were also investigated. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred thirty-eight horses from 26 participating institutions from 4 continents were included; 76% survived to discharge with no differences identified between geographic regions. The survival proportion of horses with SIRS and creatinine concentrations > 159 µmol/L was 55% (154/279) compared with 81% (358/437) for those with SIRS and creatinine concentrations < 159 µmol/L (p < 0.001). The survival proportion of horses with SIRS that had an L-lactate concentration > 2.8 mmol/L was 59% (175/298) compared with 81% (240/296) in horses with SIRS and L-lactate concentration < 2.8 mmol/L (p < 0.001). The proportion of horses that developed laminitis was lower in Europe (4%, 19/479) compared with North America (8%, 52/619), Australia (8%, 12/138) and Latin America (11%, 16/146) (p < 0.05). More horses developed laminitis in the summer (46%, 39/85) compared with winter (18%, 15/85), spring (18%, 15/85) and fall (19%, 16/85) (p < 0.01). Horses with laminitis had greater odds of non-survival than those without laminitis (OR: 3.73, 95% CI: 2.47-5.65). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Not all variables were available for all horses due to the retrospective nature. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicopathological findings in horses with acute diarrhoea and their association with survival are similar across geographic regions. However, developing laminitis secondary to diarrhoea is less common in Europe. In addition, factors associated with non-survival were indicative of disease severity and subsequent cardiovascular compromise.

CONTEXTO: Achados clínico-patológicos e suas associações com o sobrevivência e desenvolvimento de laminite em cavalos com diarreia aguda não foram investigados em um estudo multicêntrico envolvendo diferentes regiões geográficas. OBJETIVOS: Descrever e comparar achados clínico-patológicos de cavalos com diarreia em diferentes regiões geográficas, taxa de sobrevivência e fatores associados com mortalidade e laminite. DELINEAMENTO DO ESTUDO: Estudo multicêntrico retrospectivo de série de casos. METODOLOGIA: Informação sobre equinos com diarreia aguda apresentados às instituições participantes entre 2016 e 2020 foram coletados, e dados clínico-patológicos foram comparados entre sobreviventes e não-sobreviventes, e cavalos que desenvolveram ou não laminite. Taxa de sobrevivência, e diferenças sazonais e geográficas também foram investigadas. RESULTADOS: 1438 cavalos de 26 instituições participantes de 4 continentes foram incluídos; 76% sobreviveram e receberam alta e nenhuma diferença foi observada entre as diferentes regiões geográficas. A proporção de cavalos que sobreviveram com SIRS e concentração de creatinina > 1.8 mg/dL foi 55% (154/279) comparado com 81% (358/437) dos cavalos com SIRS e concentração de creatinina < 1.8 mg/dL (p < 0.001). A proporção de cavalos com SIRS que tinham concentração de L-lactato > 2.8 mmol que sobreviveram foi 59% (175/298) comparado com 81% (240/296) dos cavalos com SIRS e concentração de L-lactato < 2.8 mmol/L (p < 0.001). A proporção de cavalos que desenvolveram laminite foi menor na Europa (4%, 19/479) comparado com a América do Norte (8%, 52/619), Austrália (8%, 12/138) e América Latina (11% 16/146) (p < 0.05). Mais cavalos desenvolveram laminite no verão (46%, 39/8) comparado com inverno (18%, 15/85), primavera (18%, 15/85) e outono (19%, 16/85) (p < 0.01). Cavalos com laminite tiveram chances maior de não sobreviver do que aqueles que não desenvolveram laminite (OR: 3.73, 95% CI: 2.47 a 5.65). PRINCIPAIS LIMITAÇÕES: Algumas variáveis não estavam disponíveis para alguns cavalos devido à natureza retrospectiva deste estudo. CONCLUSÕES: Achados clínico-patológicos em equinos com diarreia aguda e sua associação com sobrevivência é similar entre as diferentes regiões geográficas. Contudo, o desenvolvimento de laminite secundário à diarreia é menos comum na Europa. Além disso, fatores associados com não-sobrevivência foram indicativos de severidade da doença e subsequente comprometimento cardiovascular.

Enfermedad asociada a anticuerpos contra la glicoproteína de mielina de oligodendrocitos / Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease

Introducción: La enfermedad asociada a anticuerpos contra la glicoproteína de mielina del oligodendrocito (MOGAD, por sus siglas en inglés) es una entidad clínica recientemente identificada. La frecuencia de presentación del MOGAD es desconocida, pero se considera baja con respecto a otras enfermedades inflamatorias desmielinizantes. Materiales y métodos: Revisión narrativa de la literatura. Resultados: Las manifestaciones clínicas de esta condición son heterogéneas e incluyen neuritis óptica, mielitis, desmielinización multifocal del sistema nervioso central y encefalitis cortical. Se han descrito algunos hallazgos radiológicos que aumentan la sospecha diagnóstica, como el realce perineural del nervio óptico, el signo de la H en el cordón espinal y la resolución de lesiones T2 con el tiempo. El diagnóstico se basa en la detección de inmunoglobulinas G específicas contra MOG, en el contexto clínico adecuado. El tratamiento consiste en manejo de los ataques agudos con dosis altas de corticoides y en algunos casos se deberá considerar la inmunosupresión crónica, considerar la inmunosupresión crónica en pacientes con recurrencia o con discapacidad severa residual tras el primer evento. Conclusiones: En esta revisión narrativa se resumen los aspectos clave con respecto a la fisiopatología, las manifestaciones, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la MOGAD.

Introduction: The disease associated with antibodies against the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOGAD) is a recently identified clinical entity, with unknown frequency, but is considered low compared to other demyelinating inflammatory diseases. Materials And Methods: Narrative review. Results: The clinical manifestations are heterogeneous, ranging from optic neuritis or myelitis to multi-focal CNS demyelination or cortical encephalitis. There have been described characteristic MRI features that increase the diagnostic suspicion, such as perineural optic nerve enhancement, spinal cord H-sign or T2-lesion resolution over time. The diagnosis is based on the detection of specific G- immunoglobulins against MOG, in the suggestive clinical context. Acute treatment is based on high dose steroids and maintenance treatment is generally reserved for relapsing cases or patients with severe residual disability after the first attack. Conclusions: In this narrative review, fundamental aspects of pathophysiology, clinical and radiological manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of MOGAD are discussed.

Association of the type of metabolic acidosis and non-survival of horses with colitis.

Background: Metabolic acidosis (MA) is the most common acid-base disorder reported in horses with colitis but its association with survival is yet to be determined. Objective: Investigate the types of MA in horses with colitis to determine effects of various anions on fatality rates. Animals and procedures: We studied 158 horses with colitis. Horses were classified into 4 groups depending on the anion contributing to MA: i) no MA, ii) lactic acidosis (LA), iii) unmeasured strong ion (USI) acidosis, and iv) hyperchloremic acidosis (HA). Results: Sixty percent (95/158) of horses had no MA, 22% (34/158) had LA, 12% (19/158) had HA, and 6% (10/158) had USI acidosis. The fatality rate of horses without MA was 20% (20/95), whereas the rates for those with LA, USI, and HA were 53% (18/34), 30% (3/10), and 16% (3/19), respectively. Horses with LA were more likely to die or be euthanized than horses without MA (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.83 to 9.72, P < 0.001) and HA (OR: 5.9, 95% CI: 1.47 to 24.4, P < 0.01). Conclusion and clinical relevance: Lactic acidosis was the most common type of MA in horses with colitis, and it was associated with non-survival.

Association du type d'acidose métabolique et de non-survie des chevaux atteints de colite. Historique: L'acidose métabolique (AM) est le trouble acido-basique le plus fréquemment signalé chez les chevaux atteints de colite, mais son association avec la survie reste à déterminer. Objectif: Étudier les types d'AM chez les chevaux atteints de colite pour déterminer les effets de divers anions sur les taux de mortalité. Animaux et procédures: Nous avons étudié 158 chevaux atteints de colite. Les chevaux ont été classés en 4 groupes en fonction de l'anion contribuant à l'AM : i) pas d'AM, ii) acidose lactique (LA), iii) acidose à ions forts non mesurés (USI) et iv) acidose hyperchlorémique (HA). Résultats: Soixante pour cent (95/158) des chevaux n'avaient pas d'AM, 22 % (34/158) avaient une LA, 12 % (19/158) avaient une HA et 6 % (10/158) avaient une acidose USI. Le taux de mortalité des chevaux sans AM était de 20 % (20/95), tandis que les taux de ceux avec LA, USI et HA étaient de 53 % (18/34), 30 % (3/10) et 16 % (3/19), respectivement. Les chevaux atteints de LA étaient plus susceptibles de mourir ou d'être euthanasiés que les chevaux sans AM (OR : 4,2, IC à 95 % : 1,83 à 9,72, P < 0,001) et HA (OR : 5,9, IC à 95 % : 1,47 à 24,4, P < 0,01). Conclusion et pertinence clinique: L'acidose lactique était le type d'AM le plus courant chez les chevaux atteints de colite et elle était associée à la non-survie.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Diagnostic approaches, aetiological agents and their associations with short-term survival and laminitis in horses with acute diarrhoea admitted to referral institutions.

BACKGROUND: An international description of the diagnostic approaches used in different institutions to diagnose acute equine diarrhoea and the pathogens detected is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To describe the diagnostic approach, aetiological agents, outcome, and development of laminitis for diarrhoeic horses worldwide. STUDY DESIGN: Multicentre retrospective case series. METHODS: Information from horses with acute diarrhoea presenting to participating institutions between 2016 and 2020, including diagnostic approaches, pathogens detected and their associations with outcomes, were compared between institutions or geographic regions. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred and thirty-eight horses from 26 participating institutions from 4 continents were included. Overall, aetiological testing was limited (44% for Salmonella spp., 42% for Neorickettsia risticii [only North America], 40% for Clostridiodes difficile, and 29% for ECoV); however, 13% (81/633) of horses tested positive for Salmonella, 13% (35/262) for N. risticii, 9% (37/422) for ECoV, and 5% (27/578) for C. difficile. C. difficile positive cases had greater odds of non-survival than horses negative for C. difficile (OR: 2.69, 95%CI: 1.23-5.91). In addition, horses that were positive for N. risticii had greater odds of developing laminitis than negative horses (OR: 2.76, 95%CI: 1.12-6.81; p = 0.029). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Due to the study's retrospective nature, there are missing data. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted limited diagnostic investigations in cases of acute equine diarrhoea. Detection rates of pathogens are similar to previous reports. Non-survival and development of laminitis are related to certain detected pathogens.

Bracing with Tape and Extensor Refixation of Elbow with Posterolateral Instability Due to Cubitus Varus: A Case Report.

CASE: A 54-year-old patient had lateral ligament insufficiency due to cubitus varus from a childhood supracondylar fracture. Arthrolysis/synovectomy and at a later stage double-row extensor origin refixation and lateral ulnar collateral ligament bracing with nonabsorbent tape and anchors were performed. Follow-up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months showed excellent Mayo Elbow Performance and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Scores (24-month follow-up = 100 and 2.5, respectively). CONCLUSION: Suture tape augmentation and double-row extensor refixation in cases of lateral collateral ligament complex insufficiency due to cubitus varus may provide improved short-term functional outcomes, from the third postoperative month.

Longitudinal effects of oral administration of antimicrobial drugs on fecal microbiota of horses.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial drug-associated diarrhea (AAD) is the most common adverse effect in horses receiving antimicrobials. Little information on how oral administration of antimicrobials alters intestinal microbiota in horses is available. OBJECTIVE: Investigate changes of the fecal microbiota in response to oral administration of antimicrobials. ANIMALS: Twenty healthy horses. METHODS: Prospective, longitudinal study. Horses were randomly assigned to 4 groups comprising 4 horses each: group 1 (metronidazole); group 2 (erythromycin); group 3 (doxycycline); group 4 (sulfadiazine/trimethoprim, SMZ-TMP); and group 5 (control). Antimicrobials were administered for 5 days. Fecal samples were obtained before (day 0) and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 30 days of the study period. Fecal microbiota was characterized by high throughput sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA. RESULTS: Horses remained healthy throughout the study. Richness and diversity in doxycycline, erythromycin, and metronidazole, but not SMZ-TMP groups, was significantly lower (P < .05) at multiple time points after administration of antimicrobials compared with samples from day 0. Main changes in the microbiota were observed during the time of antimicrobial administration (day 2-5; weighted and unweighted UniFrac PERMANOVA P < .05). Administration of erythromycin, doxycycline and, to a lesser extent, metronidazole produced a pronounced alteration in the microbiota compared with day 0 samples by decreasing the abundance of Treponema, Fibrobacter, and Lachnospiraceae and increasing Fusobacterium and Escherichia-Shigella. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Oral administration of antimicrobials alters the intestinal microbiota of healthy horses resembling horses with dysbiosis, potentially resulting in intestinal inflammation and predisposition to diarrhea.

Rostral spread of lumbosacral epidural volumes of dye and contrast medium calculated using body weight or length of the vertebral column in dog cadavers.

The objective of this study was to compare the rostral spread of lumbosacral epidural volumes of a mixture of dye and contrast medium, calculated using body weight (BW) or vertebral column length (LE), in 22 dog cadavers. The dogs weighed 4.6 to 52.0 kg. Dogs were paired within a < 10% difference for BW and LE and with the same body condition score (BCS). Pairs of dogs were injected while in sternal recumbency through an epidural catheter with a volume mixture of iopamidol and dye, calculated based on BW: 0.2 mL/kg in one of the cadavers and based on LE: 0.05 mL/cm (< 50 cm), 0.07 mL/cm (50 to < 70 cm), 0.08 mL/cm (70 to < 80 cm), and 0.11 mL/cm (≥ 80 cm) in the other cadaver. The extent of rostral spread was determined using computed tomography for iopamidol and anatomical dissection for dye. Comparisons for dye and iopamidol within each dog, and for BW and LE within matched pairs, were completed with mixed linear models (P < 0.05). The number of vertebrae reached by dye was greater than the number reached by iopamidol in both BW and LE, but the rostral spread was not significantly different between BW and LE for all pairs. In conclusion, dye tends to spread further than iopamidol and therefore, these two methods should not be considered interchangeable when used in research studies.

L'objectif de cette étude était de comparer l'étalement rostral des volumes épiduraux lombo-sacrés d'un mélange de colorant et de produit de contraste, calculé en utilisant le poids corporel (PC) ou la longueur de la colonne vertébrale (LE), chez 22 cadavres de chiens. Les chiens pesaient de 4,6 à 52,0 kg. Les chiens ont été appariés avec une différence < 10 % pour PC et LE et avec le même score d'état corporel (PCS). Des paires de chiens ont reçu une injection alors qu'ils étaient en décubitus sternal à travers un cathéter péridural avec un mélange volumique d'iopamidol et de colorant, calculé sur la base du poids corporel : 0,2 mL/kg dans l'un des cadavres et sur la base de la LE : 0,05 mL/cm (< 50 cm), 0,07 mL/cm (50 à < 70 cm), 0,08 mL/cm (70 à < 80 cm) et 0,11 mL/cm (≥ 80 cm) dans l'autre cadavre. L'étendue de la propagation rostrale a été déterminée par tomodensitométrie pour l'iopamidol et dissection anatomique pour le colorant. Les comparaisons pour le colorant et l'iopamidol au sein de chaque chien, et pour PC et LE au sein de paires appariées, ont été complétées avec des modèles linéaires mixtes (P < 0,05). Le nombre de vertèbres atteintes par le colorant était supérieur au nombre atteint par l'iopamidol dans PC et LE, mais la propagation rostrale n'était pas significativement différente entre PC et LE pour toutes les paires. En conclusion, le colorant a tendance à se propager plus loin que l'iopamidol et, par conséquent, ces deux méthodes ne doivent pas être considérées comme interchangeables lorsqu'elles sont utilisées dans des études de recherche.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Comparison of rostral spread of lumbosacral epidural volume calculated by body weight or length of the vertebral column in small-sized anesthetized dogs.

The first objective of this prospective, randomized, crossover experimental trial was to compare the rostral spread of lumbosacral epidural volume calculated by body weight (BW) or vertebral column length (LE) in 6 small, isoflurane-anesthetized female beagle dogs (BW: 7.5 to 10.2 kg; LE measured from the occipital crest to the sacrococcygeal space: 46 to 56 cm). The second objective was to assess the response to a noxious stimulus once the dogs recovered from anesthesia and to determine the effects of the injection on cardiopulmonary variables. While in sternal position, dogs were injected through an epidural catheter with a volume mixture of bupivacaine 0.25% and iopamidol 15% based on BW: 0.2 mL/kg or LE: 0.05 mL/cm (< 50 cm) or 0.07 mL/cm (50 to < 70 cm). Rostral spread was determined by counting the number of vertebrae reached by iopamidol using computed tomography. After anesthesia, cardiopulmonary variables, motor function, and responses to nociceptive stimuli were evaluated. Comparisons were completed with mixed linear models and 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P < 0.05). The volume of injectate (3.29 ± 0.74 versus 1.81 ± 0.21 mL; mean ± SD) and the number of vertebrae (22 ± 2 versus 19 ± 2 vertebrae) reached by iopamidol were significantly greater for LE than for BW. Response to nociception, time to return of pain sensation, motor function, and cardiopulmonary variables were similar between groups. In conclusion, dosing based on LE resulted in larger rostral spread than when based on BW in dogs of small size.

Le premier objectif de cet essai expérimental croisé prospectif randomisé était de comparer la propagation rostrale du volume épidural lombo-sacré calculé en fonction du poids corporel (PC) ou de la longueur de la colonne vertébrale (LE) chez 6 petites chiennes beagle anesthésiées à l'isoflurane (PC : 7,5 à 10,2 kg; LE mesuré de la crête occipitale à l'espace sacro-coccygien : 46 à 56 cm). Le deuxième objectif était d'évaluer la réponse à un stimulus nocif une fois que les chiens se sont remis de l'anesthésie et de déterminer les effets de l'injection sur les variables cardiopulmonaires. En position sternale, les chiens ont reçu une injection via un cathéter péridural d'un mélange volumique de bupivacaïne à 0,25 % et d'iopamidol à 15 % basé sur le poids corporel : 0,2 mL/kg ou LE : 0,05 mL/cm (< 50 cm) ou 0,07 mL/cm (50 à < 70 cm). La propagation rostrale a été déterminée en comptant le nombre de vertèbres atteintes par l'iopamidol en utilisant la tomodensitométrie. Après l'anesthésie, les variables cardiopulmonaires, la fonction motrice et les réponses aux stimuli nociceptifs ont été évaluées. Les comparaisons ont été complétées avec des modèles linéaires mixtes et une analyse de variance à 2 facteurs (ANOVA) (P < 0,05). Le volume d'injectat (3,29 ± 0,74 versus 1,81 ± 0,21 mL; moyenne ± SD) et le nombre de vertèbres (22 ± 2 versus 19 ± 2 vertèbres) atteints par l'iopamidol étaient significativement plus élevés pour LE que pour BW. La réponse à la nociception, le temps de retour de la sensation de douleur, la fonction motrice et les variables cardiopulmonaires étaient similaires entre les groupes. En conclusion, le dosage basé sur LE a entraîné une plus grande propagation rostrale que lorsqu'il était basé sur BW chez les chiens de petite taille.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).