Rethinking equine gastric ulcer syndrome: Part 1 – Terminology,clinical signs and diagnosis

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a common condition in the horse. A series of recent articles highlighting differences in healing of squamous and glandular ulceration have reinvigorated interest in the condition. The purpose of this series of articles is to review the current thinking on EGUS with particular emphasis on the differences between diseases of the squamous and glandular mucosae. This article, the first will review the terminology, clinical signs and diagnosis of EGUS in the horse.     

Rethinking equine gastric ulcer syndrome: Part 3 – Equine glandular gastric ulcer syndrome (EGGUS)

It has recently been highlighted that significant differences exist between ulceration of the squamous gastric mucosa and ulceration of the glandular gastric mucosa in the horse. The first article in this series discussed terminology, clinical signs and diagnosis and the second reviewed ulceration of the squamous gastric mucosa in detail. The purpose of this article, the third and last in the series, is to review the pathophysiology, risk factors, prevalence, treatment and prevention of ulceration of the glandular gastric mucosa.     

Rethinking equine gastric ulcer syndrome: Part 2 – Equine squamous gastric ulcer syndrome (ESGUS)

It has recently been highlighted that significant differences in prevalence, risk factors and the response to treatment exist between ulceration of the squamous gastric mucosa and ulceration of the glandular gastric mucosa in the horse. In the first article in the series, the term equine squamous gastric ulcer syndrome (ESGUS) was used to describe disease of the squamous gastric mucosa with clinical signs and diagnosis discussed. The purpose of this article is to review the pathophysiology, risk factors, prevalence, treatment and prevention of ESGUS.     

Usefulness of aerobic microbial culture and cytologic evaluation of corneal specimens in the diagnosis of infectious ulcerative keratitis in animals

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic value of aerobic microbial culture and cytologic evaluation of corneal specimens in the diagnosis of infectious ulcerative keratitis (IUK). DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 48 animals (26 dogs, 13 horses, 7 cats, 1 bird, and 1 llama) with corneal ulcers. PROCEDURE: Scrapings from corneal ulcers were examined cytologically. Corneal swab specimens were submitted for microbial culture. Animals were grouped according to whether they had been receiving antimicrobials at the time of admission. RESULTS: Of the 38 animals receiving antimicrobials, 19 had positive results for IUK on cytologic evaluation, 20 on microbial culture, and 26 on cytologic evaluation, microbial culture, or both. Of the 10 animals not receiving antimicrobials at the time of admission, 7 had positive results for IUK on cytologic evaluation, and 9 had positive results on microbial culture. In this group of 10 animals, additional animals with IUK were not identified on the basis of cytologic evaluation alone. When all 48 animals were considered irrespective of antimicrobial treatment, 26 and 29 had positive results for IUK on cytologic evaluation and microbial culture, respectively, whereas IUK was confirmed in 35 animals on the basis of cytologic evaluation, microbial culture results, or both. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Microbial culture and cytologic evaluation of corneal specimens maximizes identification of IUK, especially in animals receiving antimicrobial treatment. Because of serious consequences of untreated IUK, we recommend that both diagnostic tests be used to tailor treatment and reduce risk of vision impairment in animals.     

Equine placenta – A clinician's perspective. Part 1: Normal placenta – Physiology and evaluation

A complex organ, the equine placenta is responsible for fetal nourishment, protection from external and internal insults, and the production and/or metabolisation of various hormones. The endometrial cups are unique structures of the equine placenta that are responsible for producing an essential hormone for equine pregnancy, equine chorionic gonadotropin. Since mares have epitheliochorial placentae, with 6 layers of tissue separating maternal from fetal circulation, almost the entire surface of the chorioallantois must be attached to the maternal endometrium in order to support a developing fetus adequately. The only avillous areas of the normal chorioallantois are: the cervical star, sites of the endometrial cups, areas facing oviductal papillae, folds overlying major allantoic vessels, and fetal foot PADs (placental areas of degeneration). There are characteristic differences between the gravid and the nongravid horn of the chorioallantois. Allantoic vesicles, allantoic pouches, hippomanes, amniotic plaques and yolk sac remnants are normal features of the equine placenta. The clinician should thoroughly examine the entire placenta immediately after its expulsion. The most important aspect of this evaluation is to check for completeness of the chorioallantois, along with identifying any pathological lesions on the fetal membranes or the umbilical cord.     

Dietary supplementation of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate in animals – a review

The leucine metabolite β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) has been studied by many researchers over the last two decades. In particular, the utility of HMB supplementation in animals has been shown in numerous studies, which have demonstrated enhanced body weight gain and carcass yield in slaughter animals; positive immunostimulatory effect; decreased mortality; attenuation of sarcopenia in elderly animals; and potential use in pathological conditions such as glucocorticoid‐induced muscle loss. The aim of this study was to summarize the body of research on HMB supplementation in animals and to examine possible mechanisms of HMB action. Furthermore, while the safety of HMB supplementation in animals is well documented, studies demonstrating efficacy are less clear. The possible reasons for differences in these findings will also be examined.     

Method comparison of targeted influenza A virus typing and whole-genome sequencing from respiratory specimens of companion animals

Epidemics of H3N8 and H3N2 influenza A viruses (IAVs) in dogs, along with recognition of spillover infections from IAV strains typically found in humans or other animals, have emphasized the importance of efficient laboratory testing. Given the lack of active IAV surveillance or immunization requirements for dogs, cats, or horses imported into the United States, serotype prediction and whole-genome sequencing of positive specimens detected at veterinary diagnostic laboratories are also needed. The conserved sequences at the ends of the viral genome segments facilitate universal amplification of all segments of viral genomes directly from respiratory specimens. Although several methods for genomic analysis have been reported, no optimization focusing on companion animal strains has been described, to our knowledge. We compared 2 sets of published universal amplification primers using 26 IAV-positive specimens from dogs, horses, and a cat. Libraries prepared from the resulting amplicons were sequenced using Illumina chemistry, and reference-based assemblies were generated from the data produced by both methods. Although both methods produced high-quality data, coverage profiles and base calling differed between the 2 methods. The sequence data were also used to identify the subtype of the IAV strains sequenced and then compared to standard PCR assays for neuraminidase types N2 and N8.     

Mathematical modeling and simulation in animal health – Part II: principles,methods, applications,and value of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling in veterinary medicine and food safety assessment

This review provides a tutorial for individuals interested in quantitative veterinary pharmacology and toxicology and offers a basis for establishing guidelines for physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model development and application in veterinary medicine. This is important as the application of PBPK modeling in veterinary medicine has evolved over the past two decades. PBPK models can be used to predict drug tissue residues and withdrawal times in food‐producing animals, to estimate chemical concentrations at the site of action and target organ toxicity to aid risk assessment of environmental contaminants and/or drugs in both domestic animals and wildlife, as well as to help design therapeutic regimens for veterinary drugs. This review provides a comprehensive summary of PBPK modeling principles, model development methodology, and the current applications in veterinary medicine, with a focus on predictions of drug tissue residues and withdrawal times in food‐producing animals. The advantages and disadvantages of PBPK modeling compared to other pharmacokinetic modeling approaches (i.e., classical compartmental/noncompartmental modeling, nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling, and interspecies allometric scaling) are further presented. The review finally discusses contemporary challenges and our perspectives on model documentation, evaluation criteria, quality improvement, and offers solutions to increase model acceptance and applications in veterinary pharmacology and toxicology.     

Soft tissue sarcoma in the dog – Part 2: surgical margins,controversies and a comparative review

Soft tissue sarcoma constitutes a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal tumours. Although they are common in the dog, many uncertainties surround the best options for clinical management. Despite recent improvements in outcome, approximately one in five patients may still die as a result of their disease. There is some evidence that wide surgical excision may not be required for every soft tissue sarcoma but, conversely, complacency in treatment may adversely affect outcomes for patients with aggressive disease. The purpose of this review is to examine the issues affecting the management of canine soft tissue sarcoma, and to evaluate the human literature for lessons that may guide future treatment directions for dogs. Comparative lessons from human soft tissue sarcoma that may be important for the canine patient in the future include (1) understanding the oncogenic potential of the pseudocapsule to better predict tumour behaviour and optimal surgical margins, (2) recognising the importance of planned multi‐modality therapy for improving tumour control, (3) considering a role for compartmental resection strategies and (4) improving the accuracy of pretreatment analysis of the tumour to better predict behaviour and optimal treatment options.     

Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Pet Hedgehogs – United States, 2011–2013

Zoonotic Salmonella infections cause approximately 130 000 illnesses annually in the United States. Of 72.9 million US households owning at least one pet, five million own small mammals; 3000 hedgehogs were documented by USDA in USDA‐licensed breeding facilities and pet stores in 2012. State health department collaborators and PulseNet, the national bacterial subtyping network, identified human infections of a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak strain, which were investigated by CDC, USDA‐APHIS and state public and animal health officials. A case was defined as an illness in a person infected with the outbreak strain identified between 1 December 2011 and 3 June 2013. Investigators collected information on patient exposures, cultured animal and environmental specimens for Salmonella, and conducted traceback investigations of USDA‐licensed hedgehog facilities. There were 26 cases in 12 states. Illness onset dates ranged from 26 December 2011 to 8 April 2013. The median patient age was 15 years (range = <1–91 years); 58% were female. Among 23 persons with available information, 8 (35%) were hospitalized and one outbreak strain‐associated death was reported. Of 25 patients with available information, 20 (80%) reported pet hedgehog contact in the week before illness onset. The outbreak strain was isolated from animal and environmental samples collected from three ill persons’ homes in three states. Hedgehogs were purchased in geographically distant states from USDA‐licensed breeders (10/17, 59%); a USDA‐licensed pet store (1/17, 6%); unlicensed or unknown status breeders (3/17, 18%); and private individuals (3/17, 18%). Traceback investigations of USDA‐licensed facilities did not reveal a single source of infection. Public and animal health collaboration linked pet hedgehog contact to human infections of Salmonella Typhimurium, highlighting the importance of a One Health investigative approach to zoonotic salmonellosis outbreaks. More efforts are needed to increase awareness among multiple stakeholders on the risk of illness associated with pet hedgehogs.     

水产动物消化酶特性的研究及其应用

本文着重介绍了水产动物消化酶的特性,包括其催化底物的高效性和专一性、多种酶活性的调节方式、pH值和温度等环境条件对消化酶活性及稳定性的影响;还综合介绍了水产动物消化酶特性知识在鱼类基础研究、饲料的研制以及水产品加工中的应用。     

壳聚糖的生物活性及其在水产动物中的研究进展

壳聚糖是甲壳素脱乙酰基后得到的一种带正电荷的高分子碱性多糖。甲壳素广泛存在于低等动物尤其是节肢动物（如虾、蟹和昆虫）外壳中,也存在于真菌和藻类细胞壁中。全世界每年蟹、虾和龙虾等水产品加工后的甲壳废弃物有100多万t．其中含有10％～30％甲壳素。