Schiff-Sherrington syndrome in a 7-year-old zebra mare (Equus quagga)

A 7-year-old plains zebra (Equus quagga) mare was presented to the Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Germany as an emergency. The owner reported that the mare was unable to stand after a suspected traumatic episode at the home yard. The mare was transported in lateral recumbency in a trailer. Clinical examination revealed tachycardia (up to 102 beats/min), tachypnoea (28 breaths/min), mild fever (38.7°C) and clinical dehydration with elastic skin and dry and red mucous membranes. Neurological examination showed paraplegia with complete loss of nociception of the mid-thoracic region and caudal to it. In contrast, examination of the thoracic limbs revealed marked extensor rigidity and hyperaesthesia resulting in an enhanced acute response to minimal touch of the neck and shoulder region. Lateral radiographs of the thoracic vertebral column led to the diagnosis of a complete fracture of the vertebral body of the 7th thoracic (T) vertebra with suspected traumatic compression of the spinal cord. Post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis. Gross pathology revealed a complete comminuted fracture of T7 with marked compression of the spinal cord. This is the first report describing the clinical, radiological and pathological findings of a fracture of a thoracic vertebra leading to a Schiff-Sherrington syndrome in a zebra (Equus quagga).     

A survey of the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in goats in New Zealand and a comparison of the latex agglutination and indirect fluorescence tests.

Anti-Toxoplasma antibody titres in 185 sera from clinically normal goats from 14 farms were assayed by both the latex agglutination and the indirect fluorescent antibody tests. The animals were of various breeds including Angora, New Zealand feral, Angora×feral, Saanen and Toggenburg. A high level of agreement between the two tests was obtained with 83.8% of titres corresponding to within one dilution and 96.8% to within two dilutions. In both tests, titres of 1:64 and above were considered positive. A total of 298 goat sera from clinically normal kids (n = 88), yearlings (n = 65) and adults (n = 145) from 17 farms were examined by the latex agglutination test. The prevalence of positive sera was 7% in kids, 23% in yearlings and 37% in adults. There was a significantly higher prevalence of positive sera in dairy than in fibre breeds.     

Factors influencing the intensification of farming systems and soil‐nutrient management in the rural‐urban continuum of SW Ghana

Farmers in Ghana use a variety of soil‐fertility management practices to optimize the benefits of shifting cultivation and/or to intensify their production. The research question was to analyze the relationship between these practices and the availability of the production factors land, labor, and capital. A farm survey along a gradient through SW Ghana showed that there is only a weak link between the intensification of traditional farming systems, population pressure, and reduced fallow periods as long as shifting cultivation is possible and common. Even where fallow periods reach a cut‐off point, farmers might look for land in remoter areas or invest in off‐farm activities. Only where market proximity supports the production of high‐value crops, investment flows are used to maintain continuous cultivation on favorable production sites, especially those with water access. The results verify the validity of the framework of agricultural‐systems dynamics in W Africa, developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the importance to distinguish between population‐driven and market‐driven situations. Both meet in periurban areas, which make them hot spots for research and development, while support for intensification is likely to fail where markets are far and shifting cultivation still an option.     

Pattern-oriented modeling of agent-based complex systems: lessons from ecology

Agent-based complex systems are dynamic networks of many interacting agents; examples include ecosystems, financial markets, and cities. The search for general principles underlying the internal organization of such systems often uses bottom-up simulation models such as cellular automata and agent-based models. No general framework for designing, testing, and analyzing bottom-up models has yet been established, but recent advances in ecological modeling have come together in a general strategy we call pattern-oriented modeling. This strategy provides a unifying framework for decoding the internal organization of agent-based complex systems and may lead toward unifying algorithmic theories of the relation between adaptive behavior and system complexity.     

Der Beitrag der Fernerkundung zur Erfassung der Waldschäden

European Journal of Forest Research - Im Zusammenhang mit der Erfassung und Verfolgung der Waldschäden kommt der Fernerkundung wachsende Bedeutung zu. Während für den Einsatz des...     

Effects of different media on proliferation and differentiation capacity of canine, equine and porcine adipose derived stem cells

Adult stem cells are of particular interest for therapeutic use in the field of regenerative medicine. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are an attractive stem cell source for all fields of regenerative medicine because adipose tissue - and therewith cells - can easily be harvested from each donor. However, common expansion using fetal bovine serum (FBS) can not be used for clinical applications as xenogenic proteins must be avoided. Adipose tissue from equine, canine and porcine donors was digested with collagenase to isolate ASCs. ASCs were either expanded in a cell culture medium supplemented with FBS or in a serum-free medium (UltraCulture; UC) supplemented with a serum substitute (UltroserG). From all three animal species, the adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential of ASCs cultured with different media was analyzed in vitro. Cell proliferation analysis showed a population doubling time of 48-68 h for canine cells, 54-65 h for porcine cells and 54-70 h for equine cells, expanded in different media. Except for porcine ASCs, cells cultured in media supplemented with FBS grew faster than cells expanded in UC medium with UltroserG. Yet, all cells maintained their potential to differentiate into adipocytes and osteoblasts. UltraCulture medium containing UltroserG can for all examined species be recommended if FBS needs to be avoided in the expansion of donor-derived (stem) cells.     

Comparison of bone marrow aspiration at the sternum and the tuber coxae in middle-aged horses

The objective of this study was to compare bone marrow (BM) aspirates from the sternum and the tuber coxae of middle-aged horses. Bone marrow was obtained from the sternum and both tubera coxae of 12 healthy, 13-year-old geldings. Two different puncture techniques were used for the tuber coxae. The 2 syringes used for sternal sampling were evaluated separately. The mononuclear cell (MNC) fraction of the BM was isolated and the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were culture-expanded. At the sternum, BM aspiration was always possible. Bone marrow aspiration at the tuber coxae required straight and deep needle penetration combined with high negative pressure. With this technique a median sample amount of 11.0 mL with large individual variation was obtained. A median of 3.06 × 10(6) MNC/mL BM (1st syringe) and 2.46 × 10(6) MNC/mL BM (2nd syringe) was isolated from sternal samples. In contrast, the tuber coxae yielded a median of 0.27 × 10(6) MNC/mL BM. The first passage yielded a median of 2.19 × 10(6) MSC (1st syringe) and 1.13 × 10(6) MSC (2nd syringe) from sternal samples, compared to a significantly lower median number of MSC from tuber coxae BM (0.06 × 10(6) MSC). The number of MNC and MSC obtainable from the BM aspirates taken from the tuber coxae is significantly lower than that obtained from the sternal BM aspirates. Autologous BM for the equine athlete is particularly clinically relevant at an advanced age. Based on our findings, the tuber coxae cannot be recommended for BM aspiration in middle-aged horses.     

Horses' behavior and heart rate in a preference test for shorter and longer riding bouts

A Y-maze preference test was used to investigate whether horses prefer a shorter riding treatment over a longer riding treatment. In a pilot study (n = 4 horses), the maze was positioned with the 2 arms each pointing toward one of the short sides of the indoor arena, and in the main study (n = 14), the maze was rotated by 90°. Horses were 11 ± 4.4 years old and ridden regularly for at least 5 times/wk. They were conditioned to associate 1 exit of the maze with 1 lap of riding (R1), covering a distance of approximately 40 m at the walk or trot according to a predetermined schedule, and the other exit with 2 such laps (R2). Immediately afterward, riders dismounted, horses were led into the maze, and horses were let loose to make their choice in the maze. After exiting the maze, the rider mounted again and rode according to the chosen treatment. This procedure was repeated on the same day until statistical significance (P < 0.05) of preference was reached or up to a maximum of 35 trials. In addition, behavioral observations and heart rates were recorded. In the pilot study, all horses, regardless of the associated treatment, chose the left arm, which, unfortunately, pointed toward the arena's exit door. If horses were not caught immediately after exiting the maze (n = 5 occasions), they walked or trotted straight to the door. In the main study, 4 horses significantly preferred R1, 2 horses significantly preferred R2, and 8 horses had no significant preference. Heart rates were significantly (P < 0.05) higher during R2 (87.4 ± 2.6 bpm) than during R1 (79.5 ± 2.4 bpm). Except for tail swishing, no significant differences were found for the frequency of occurrence of behavior patterns between R1 and R2. Over the course of repeated trials, some horses became increasingly reluctant to enter and walk through the maze, and most showed increasing resistance to being remounted (e.g., sidestepping). Overall, the experimental setup did not seem to be appropriate to answer the research question. It is likely that the repeated mounting and dismounting caused discomfort or confused many of the horses to an extent that they did not actively select a treatment but rather searched for ways to evade further mounting (and riding). In conclusion, horses did not show a clear preference for either shorter or longer riding bouts, but their behavioral reactions indicate that they perceived mounting as uncomfortable and that their motivation to rejoin their herd-mates and/or to obtain feed in the barn was greater than their motivation to being ridden at all. Nevertheless, pronounced individual differences also seem to exist, with some horses showing little aversion to, and perhaps enjoyment of, being ridden, whereas others clearly preferring not to be ridden.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF PULP IN NORMAL AND DISEASED EQUINE CHEEK TEETH

A retrospective analysis of 619 upper and lower cheek teeth from 62 horses was performed. Based on clinical findings, as well as radiographic and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings, the teeth were classified into five groups. There were 20 teeth with abnormal MR imaging signals as well as clinical alterations and 599 healthy teeth. Using MR imaging, the appearance of pulp in diseased and disease‐free teeth was compared, and the appearance of abnormal pulp was studied. Subsequently, the ability of MR imaging to diagnose pulpitis and pulp necrosis in teeth with normal external appearance was investigated. In horses with clinically verified dental disease, abnormal MR imaging findings were confirmed in the pulp of all affected teeth. An enlarged blurred pulp image with a lower signal intensity was observed only in clinically diseased teeth and was a reliable criterion for diagnosing dental disease on MR imaging. On the other hand, partial or complete absence of pulp in all MR imaging sequences was observed in both diseased and nondiseased teeth. These data demonstrate that pulp changes in equine cheek teeth can be evaluated using MR imaging.     

Surgical removal of a dermoid cyst from the bony part of the nasolacrimal duct in a Scottish highland cattle heifer

The ophthalmologic, radiologic and surgical findings of a 2-year-old Scottish Highland Cattle heifer with a dermoid cyst within the bony part of the nasolacrimal duct and the successful treatment are presented.