Factors associated with mortality of geriatric horses in the United Kingdom

Geriatric horses (aged≥15 years) now represent a substantial proportion of the equine population, yet mortality rates for aged horses in the UK have not previously been described. Although post-mortem studies have provided some data regarding specific causes of death, "old age" is a common owner-reported reason for euthanasia of adult horses, indicating further elucidation of reasons for death or euthanasia is required for the geriatric equine population. The objective of this cohort study was to describe mortality rates, causes of death or euthanasia and factors associated with mortality in geriatric horses and ponies. Veterinary registered horses randomly selected for a cross-sectional questionnaire survey on geriatric health were enrolled in the cohort study (n=908). Follow-up information was obtained over an 18-month period via telephone questionnaires and mortality questionnaires, providing data regarding reasons for death or euthanasia, were completed for 118 cases of mortality. Overall and stratified mortality rates were calculated and Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate risk factors associated with mortality. The majority (94%) of mortalities were euthanised, most frequently due to lameness (24%) and colic (21%). Veterinary advice was important in owner decision making regarding euthanasia of cases of colic or other acute illnesses, while poor quality of life was considered an important factor where euthanasia was due to chronic diseases or lameness. Overall mortality rate was 11.1 (95% C.I. 9.2-13.2) per 100 horse-years at risk, with the mortality rate of animals >30 years of age over five times the rate in horses aged 15-19 years. On multivariable analysis, increasing age was associated with increasing mortality and Cob/Cob crossbreeds and Thoroughbred/Thoroughbred crossbreeds had an increased risk of mortality. Horses considered to be underweight had a greater risk of mortality than those in good condition. Increasing number of owner-reported clinical signs and the degree to which pain was reported to limit normal daily activities were associated with increased risk of mortality. The results of this study provide useful information about rates and factors associated with mortality in geriatric horses in the UK, which should be relevant to veterinary surgeons involved in the treatment of aged horses.     

The comparative performance of the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test in Irish cattle, using tuberculin PPD combinations from different manufacturers

Ireland currently obtains its avian and bovine tuberculin purified protein derivatives (PPDs) from a single source. Because problems of supply or quality cannot be discounted, it is prudent that Ireland identify alternative supplier(s) as part of a broad risk management strategy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the performance of a number of different tuberculin combinations (that is, pairings of bovine and avian PPD; with different manufacturers) in the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT), as currently performed in Ireland. The study was randomised, controlled and double-blinded. A total of 2172 cattle were used in the study. Each animal was tested using two SICTTs, the first based on the tuberculin combination in current use, and the second using one of six trial tuberculin combinations. Analyses were conducted to compare both reactor-status and skin increase. For each control/trial tuberculin combination, there was good agreement between the control and trial reactor-status. Differences in skin increases were mainly confined to animals categorised as either negative or severe inconclusive. However, the measured differences were minor, and unlikely to have a significant impact on the actual test outcome, either for individual animals or for herds. In conclusion, while further studies determining sensitivity and specificity in Ireland would have to be done in the event of a change in tuberculin PPD there should be minimal disruption of the national programme if alternative tuberculin PPDs meeting WHO, OIE and EU regulations were used. In this study, the precision of the guinea pig bio-assay to assess tuberculin potency was low and therefore Ireland should maintain its practice of periodically assessing potency in naturally infected cattle, even though this is not currently required under WHO, OIE or EU Regulations.     

Avulsion of the proximal digital annular ligament in five hindlimbs

Avulsion of the proximal attachment of the proximal digital annular ligament (PDAL) was identified in five horses based on characteristic radiographic findings and supported by ultrasonographic examination in four horses. In two cases, PDAL avulsion was associated with acute onset lameness based on physical examination (both animals) and diagnostic analgesia (one animal), and was the only lesion identified. Both horses became sound after a period of rest. Radiographs repeated 11 years later in one animal showed minimal change in the appearance of the lesion. PDAL avulsion was associated with a substantial tear of the deep digital flexor tendon in another horse and in the remaining two cases PDAL avulsion was not associated with lameness. A dissection study found that the proximodistal extent of the proximal PDAL attachment, expressed as a proportion of the length of the proximal phalanx, was significantly (P = 0.011) greater in hindlimbs (11.48 ± 1.01%) compared with forelimbs (8.55 ± 1.06%). This finding may explain why hindlimbs appear at greater risk of PDAL avulsion. In conclusion, while PDAL avulsion can be a cause of acute lameness which, in uncomplicated cases, responds to rest, it can also be an incidental radiographic finding.     

Whip use and race progress are associated with horse falls in hurdle and steeplechase racing in the UK

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Falls during racing present a risk of injury to both horse and jockey and a risk of fatality to horses. OBJECTIVES: To use video recordings of races to describe the circumstances surrounding horse falls at hurdle and steeplechase fences and to identify and quantify within-race risk factors for horse falls in National Hunt racing in the UK. METHODS: A retrospective, matched, nested case-control study using video recordings of races was conducted on 6 UK racecourses. Cases and controls were matched on both race type and jump number at which the fall occurred. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to examine the univariable and multivariable relationship between predictor variables and the risk of falling. RESULTS: The risk of falling was significantly associated with whip use and race progress. Horses which were being whipped and progressing through the race were at greater than 7 times the risk of falling compared to horses which were not being whipped and which had no change in position or lost position through the field. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified whip use and the position of the horse with respect to others in the field as potential risk factors for horse falls. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: If these findings are confirmed by the use of intervention trials (e.g. with whip-free or restricted whip use races), modifications could be introduced which would reduce the frequency of horse falls, leading to improved equine welfare.     

A study of the anatomy and injection techniques of the ovine stifle by positive contrast arthrography, computed tomography arthrography and gross anatomical dissection

Although ovine stifle models are commonly used to study osteoarthritis, meniscal pathology and cruciate ligament injuries and repair, there is little information about the anatomy of the joint or techniques for synovial injections. The objectives of this study were to improve anatomical knowledge of the synovial cavities of the ovine knee and to compare intra-articular injection techniques. Synovial cavities of 24 cadaver hind limbs from 12 adult sheep were investigated by intra-articular resin, positive-contrast arthrography, computed tomography (CT) arthrography and gross anatomical dissection. Communication between femoro-patellar, medial femoro-tibial and lateral femoro-tibial compartments occurred in all cases. The knee joint should be considered as one synovial structure with three communicating compartments. Several unreported features were observed, including a communication between the medial femoro-tibial and lateral femoro-tibial compartments and a latero-caudal recess of the lateral femoro-tibial compartment. No intermeniscal ligament was identified. CT was able to define many anatomical features of the stifle, including the anatomy of the tendinous synovial recess on the lateral aspect of the proximal tibia under the combined tendon of the peroneus tertius, extensor longus digitorum and extensor digiti III proprius. An approach for intra-articular injection into this recess (the subtendinous technique) was assessed and compared with the retropatellar and paraligamentous techniques. All three injection procedures were equally successful, but the subtendinous technique appeared to be most appropriate for synoviocentesis and for injections in therapeutic research protocols with less risk of damaging the articular cartilage.     

Accuracy of computed tomographic arthrography for assessment of articular cartilage defects in the ovine stifle

Articular cartilage defects are one of the features of osteoarthritis in animals and humans. Early detection of cartilage defects is a challenge in clinical veterinary practice and also in translational research studies. An accurate, diagnostic imaging method would be desirable for detecting and following up lesions in specific anatomical regions of the articular surface. The current prospective experimental study aimed to describe the accuracy of computed tomographic arthrography (CTA) for detecting cartilage defects in a common animal model used for osteoarthritis research, the ovine stifle (knee, femoropatellar/femorotibial) joint. Joints in cadaver limbs (n = 42) and in living animals under anesthesia (n = 13) were injected with a contrast medium and imaged using a standardized CT protocol. Gross anatomy and histological assessment of specific anatomic regions were used as a gold standard for the evaluation of sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value for CTA identification of articular cartilage defects in those regions. Pooled estimated sensitivity and specificity were 90.32% and 97.30%, respectively, in cadaver limbs, and 81.82% and 95.24%, respectively, in living animals. Pooled estimated positive predictive value and negative predictive values were 98.25% and 85.71%, respectively, in cadaver limbs, and 81.82% and 95.24%, respectively, in living animals. The delineation of cartilage surface was good for anatomical regions most frequently affected by cartilage defects in the ovine stifle: medial femoral condyle, medial tibial condyle, and patella. This study supported the use of CTA as an imaging technique for detecting and monitoring articular cartilage defects in the ovine stifle joint.     

小粒野生稻酵母双杂交cDNA文库的构建

采用酵母双杂交系统,利用SMART技术,在酵母菌株AH109中构建了小粒野生稻全长cDNA文库,文库容量约为1×106,插入片段平均大小约为640bp。该文库可以用于进一步的酵母双杂交筛选。     

猪流行性腹泻病毒S2基因B细胞表位嵌入型S-层蛋白在副干酪乳杆菌中的表达与鉴定

【目的】构建新型猪流行性腹泻病毒(Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, PEDV)乳酸菌活菌疫苗载体。【方法】应用DNA重组技术将嗜酸乳杆菌S-层蛋白(SLP)基因及PEDV S2基因B细胞表位(EpitopeS2)融合基因(SLP-EpitopeS2)克隆到乳酸杆菌表达载体pTRK892中,构建重组载体pTRK-SLP-EpitopeS2,通过电转化方法将重组质粒导入副干酪乳杆菌中,获得重组副干酪乳杆菌。分别用SDS-PAGE、Western blotting和免疫荧光试验(IFA)鉴定目的蛋白在副干酪乳杆菌中的表达。【结果】PCR结果显示,成功扩增出大小为1 400 bp的目的条带,与插入融合基因大小一致,双酶切结果出现大小分别为1 400和4 700 bp的2条带,基因测序结果显示无碱基缺失和突变等,从而确定重组质粒pTRK-SLP-EpitopeS2构建正确。SDS-PAGE、Western blotting结果显示,在48 ku处出现与理论值大小一致的目的蛋白条带,表明融合基因SLP-EpitopeS2在副干酪乳杆菌中得到有效表达。IFA结果显示,...     

甘蓝型油菜开花期的QTL定位及候选基因鉴定

为了解析油菜开花期性状的遗传机制,利用KN DH群体在冬性、半冬性和春性环境的开花期表型和KN 高密度遗传连锁图谱,通过Wincart 2.5软件的符合区间作图法对油菜开花期性状进行QTL定位及候选基因鉴定。结果显示,共鉴定到119个开花期QTL,单个QTL解释表型变异最大是qFT-13DL16-4 （25.96%）,最小的是qFT-13ZY2-1（2.48%）。利用元分析的方法将初步鉴定的QTL整合为consensus QTL,共获得26个环境稳定表达QTL,包括7个开花期主效QTL。如cqFT-A2-3、cqFT-A2-4在春性环境稳定表达,cqFT-C6-4、cqFT-C6-7、cqFT-C6-12、cqFT-C6-13在冬性和半冬性环境稳定表达, cqFT-C6-14在冬性环境稳定表达QTL。主效QTL置信区间共鉴定到15个与成花诱导相关的候选基因,如 BnaA02g12260D（RGA1）、 BnaA02g15390D（AGL12）、 BnaA02g16710D（LKP2）和BnaC06g19930D（NUA）等,这些候选基因主要涉及赤霉素、光周期、生物钟、春化作用响应和花发育等功能。可见,油菜开花期主效QTL及其候选基因的鉴定为开花期基因的精细定位和图位克隆奠定基础,也为培育早熟、高产油菜品种提供指导。