The Most Common Environmental Risk Factors for Equine Asthma-A Narrative Review.

Equine asthma is a popular subject of research. Many factors influencing the methods used to improve the welfare of asthmatic horses remain unclear. This study reviews scientific articles published after 2000 to collect the most important information on the terminology, symptoms, and potential environmental factors influencing the development and course of equine asthma.

Expression of and Genes Associated with the Freezability of Boar Sperm.

Cryopreservation is associated with increased oxidative stress, which is responsible for sperm damage. We analyzed the effect of cryopreservation on mRNA and protein expression of thioredoxin reductase 1 (), heat shock protein family A (HSP 70) member 4 like () and sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit beta-1 () genes in boar sperm with different freezability. Boars were classified as having good and poor semen freezability (GSF and PSF, respectively), according to the assessment of post-thaw sperm motility.

Promoter polymorphisms in STK35 and IFT27 genes and their associations with boar sperm freezability.

We have shown that STK35 and IFT27 genes are differentially expressed in spermatozoa from boars with good and poor semen freezability (GSF and PSF, respectively). STK35 is a stress-related gene that is implicated in spermatogenesis, whereas IFT27 is a motility-related gene that is mainly involved in intracellular protein transport. In this study we hypothesized that polymorphic variants in the 5'-flanking regulatory regions of STK35 and IFT27 genes could contribute to differences in semen freezability.

Gene promoter polymorphisms in boar spermatozoa differing in freezability.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5'-flanking regulatory regions of genes could affect their expression levels. This is a follow-up study aimed to identify polymorphic variants in the 5'-flanking regulatory regions of genes expressed in boar spermatozoa, and to predict the interactions of such variants with transcription factors (TFs) on the gene promoter activity, using bioinformatics. Five and six boars were classified as having good and poor semen freezability (GSF and PSF, respectively) according to post-thaw (PT) assessment of sperm motility and membrane integrity characteristics.

Regulatory Potential of Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Boar Spermatozoa with Good and Poor Freezability.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are suggested to play an important role in the sperm biological processes. We performed transcriptome assembly to characterize lncRNAs in spermatozoa, and to investigate the role of the potential target genes of the differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in sperm freezability. We detected approximately 4007 DElncRNAs, which were differentially expressed in spermatozoa from boars classified as having good and poor semen freezability (GSF and PSF, respectively).

Gene Polymorphisms in Boar Spermatozoa and Their Associations with Post-Thaw Semen Quality.

Genetic markers have been used to assess the freezability of semen. With the advancement in molecular genetic techniques, it is possible to assess the relationships between sperm functions and gene polymorphisms. In this study, variant calling analysis of RNA-Seq datasets was used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in boar spermatozoa and to explore the associations between SNPs and post-thaw semen quality.

[Novelty of vital dyes in ophthalmic surgery].

The aim of this paper is to present recent developments in the area of novelty of vital dyes in intraocular surgery. The authors present the advantages and disadvantages of several vital dyes currently used in ophthalmic surgery. Vital dyes are used to allow better intraoperative visualization of both the anterior and posterior segments.

[Decrease of the postoperative inflammatory reaction during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) after administration of triamcinolone acetonide].

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the effect on postoperative inflammatory reaction and recovery after application of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), to visualize the vitreous.

Material And Methods: Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) was performed in 45 patients (21 males, 24 females) (29 with retinal detachment, 6 with macular hole, 1 with cystoid macular edema, 3 with diabetic retinopathy, 3 with vitreous haemorrhage, 1 with preretinal membrane, 1 with PVR and 1 with lens luxation). After surgical separation of the posterior vitreous and removal of any visible epiretinal membrane, TA was injected over the posterior pole.

[Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) iniections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD)--preliminary results].

Purpose: To evaluate effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on visual acuity and angiographic lesions characteristics in patients with neovascular AMD and to report safety of such treatement.

Material And Methods: 32 patients with confirmed choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) and AMD were treated. Patients received 2 intravitreal bevacizumabu (1.

[Assessment of the macula function by static perimetry, microperimetry and rarebit perimetry in patients suffering from dry age related macular degeneration].

Purpose: To compare the visual field results obtained by static perimetry, microperimetry and rabbit perimetry in patients suffering from dry age related macular degeneration (AMD).

Material And Methods: Fifteen eyes with dry AMD (hard or soft macula drusen and RPE disorders) were enrolled into the study. Static perimetry was performed using M2 macula program included in Octopus 101 instrument.

Alterations of amino acids and glutamate transport in the DBA/2J mouse retina; possible clues to degeneration.

Background: The DBA/2J mouse spontaneously develops ocular hypertension and time-dependent progressive retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. This study examines changes in amino acid levels in the vitreous, and changes in the expression of retinal glutamate transporters and receptors that occur during the progression of this pathology.

Methods: Retinas were obtained from DBA/2J mice at ages 3, 6 and 11 months.

[Efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in the visualization of the vitreous during pars plana vitrectomy].

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection during pars plana vitrectomy, to facilitate the visualization of the internal limiting membrane (ILM), residual vitreous cortex (RVC) and preretinal membranes.

Material And Methods: Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in 164 patients due to rhematogenous retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, macular hole, lens luxation, endophthalmitis, intraocular foreign body, malignant glaucoma, preretinal membrane and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. After surgical separation of the posterior vitreous and removal of any visible epiretinal membrane, TA suspension was injected over the posterior pole into the vitreous cavity.

Retinopathy of prematurity: A refresher for obstetricians.

Advances in neonatal care improved the survival of many preterm infants, but also increased the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Numerous risk factors have been associated with the development of ROP, the most important of which are: low birth weight, early gestational age at delivery, and duration of oxygen therapy. Screening premature infants is a critical factor for any prevention and treatment protocol.

Administration of novel dyes for intraocular surgery: an in vivo toxicity animal study.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of intravitreal injections of new vital dyes on the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the choroid in an in vivo rat model.

Methods: Rats were injected intravitreally with four dyes: light-green SF yellowish (LGSF), copper(II)phthalocyanine-tetrasulfonic acid (E68), bromphenol blue (BPB), and Chicago blue (CB) dissolved in physiologic saline solution (PSS) at concentrations of 0.5% and 0.

Citicoline and lithium rescue retinal ganglion cells following partial optic nerve crush in the rat.

Citicoline and lithium (Li(-)) have been shown to support retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and axon regeneration in vitro. Optic nerve crush (ONC) is a model of both brain axonal injury and certain aspects of the glaucomatous degeneration of RGC. We have used this model to quantify protection offered to RGC by these drugs and to determine whether their effects are mediated by enhanced expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2.

[The Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in 11-year-old girl].

Purpose: The Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is an idiopathic, multisystem disorder which typically affects pigmented individuals between 20-50 years old. The typical symptoms include granulomatous panuveitis with characteristic extraocular dermato-neurological manifestations. The case of VKH syndrome affecting Polish girl is very rare.