Functional electrical stimulation of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve using a vagus nerve stimulator in a normal horse

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of implanting an existing vagus nerve stimulating (VNS) electrode around the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The stimulus response characteristics required to achieve abduction of the ipsilateral arytenoid by the VNS electrode in the normal horse could then be determined. The electrode was wound around the left recurrent laryngeal nerve at the cervical level and connected to a pulse generator. Stimulus response characteristics were obtained by measuring stimulated arytenoid displacement endoscopically in the standing, non-sedated horse. A full and sustained abduction of the arytenoid was obtained with a stimulation frequency of 25 Hz and intensity of 1 mA with a pulse width of 250 μs.     

Non-pharmacological treatment options for refractory epilepsy: An overview of human treatment modalities and their potential utility in dogs

Refractory epilepsy is a common disorder both in humans and dogs and treatment protocols are difficult to optimise. In humans, different non-pharmacological treatment modalities currently available include surgery, the ketogenic diet and neurostimulation. Surgery leads to freedom from seizures in 50–75% of patients, but requires strict patient selection. The ketogenic diet is indicated in severe childhood epilepsies, but efficacy is limited and long-term compliance can be problematic. In the past decade, various types of neurostimulation have emerged as promising treatment modalities for humans with refractory epilepsy. Currently, none of these treatment options are used in routine daily clinical practice to treat dogs with the condition. Since many dogs with poorly controlled seizures do not survive, the search for alternative treatment options for canine refractory epilepsy should be prioritised. This review provides an overview of non-pharmacological treatment options for human refractory epilepsy. The current knowledge and limitations of these treatments in canine refractory epilepsy is also discussed.     

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) interspecific hybridization and its impact on fruit oxalates

Elderberry fruits are a good source of minerals and antioxidants; however, the presence of anti-nutrients like oxalates may limit their utilization. The presented study which involves chemical evaluation of numerous interspecific hybrids is based on a hypothesis that interspecific genetic recombination may significantly improve the production and the nutritional quality of elderberry fruits. The aim of the first part of this study was to determine the oxalates (total, water-soluble and insoluble) in fruits of 73 elderberry genotypes. In the second part, the dynamics of oxalate contents during fruit maturation was analysed. The average content of total oxalates in analysed genotypes was 721 ± 33 mg/100 g DW. The majority (91%, on average) were health harmless insoluble oxalates. The average content of total oxalates was increasing at the beginning of maturation and then it began to decrease significantly and reached its minimum value at full maturity, while the average of water-soluble oxalates was gradually decreasing throughout maturation. Due to relatively high oxalate contents, some of the analysed hybrids should not be used for further breeding process.