Culture Media Supplemented With 10% Equine Serum Provided Chondroprotection in an In Vitro Co-Culture of Cartilage and Synovial Membrane.

No studies have evaluated the effect of culture in serum-free media (SF) vs. media supplemented with equine serum (ES) on co-culture of synovial membrane and cartilage tissue explants. The study objective was to evaluate the effects of equine serum supplementation on induced production of inflammatory and catabolic mediators from articular cartilage and synovial explants while in co-culture.

Effects of a single dose of orally and rectally administered misoprostol in an in vivo endotoxemia model in healthy adult horses.

Objective: To describe misoprostol pharmacokinetics and anti-inflammatory efficacy when administered orally or per rectum in endotoxin-challenged horses.

Animals: 6 healthy geldings.

Procedures: A randomized 3-treatment crossover design was performed with a minimum washout period of 28 days between treatment arms.

Effect of recombinant equine interleukin-1β on function of equine endothelial colony-forming cells in vitro.

Objective: To investigate the effects of recombinant equine IL-1β on function of equine endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) in vitro.

Sample: ECFCs derived from peripheral blood samples of 3 healthy adult geldings.

Procedures: Function testing was performed to assess in vitro wound healing, tubule formation, cell adhesion, and uptake of 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3' tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate-labeled acetylated low-density lipoprotein (DiI-Ac-LDL) by cultured ECFCs.

A Survey of Clinical Usage of Non-steroidal Intra-Articular Therapeutics by Equine Practitioners.

There are several non-steroidal intra-articular therapeutics (NSIATs) available for use by equine practitioners for the treatment of performance-limiting joint-related pathology. Information is limited on perceived clinical efficacy, recommended treatment protocols, and associated complications. Our objective with this cross-sectional survey was to investigate the current clinical usage of NSIATs by equine practitioners.

Clinical Feasibility and Airway Deposition of Nebulized Voriconazole in Healthy Horses.

Voriconazole (VRC) is a potential treatment for pneumomycosis in horses. The objectives of this study were to determine if the delivery of Vfend using a Flexineb nebulizer produced clinically significant [VRC] in lower airways. The hypothesis was that [VRC] after delivery by nebulization would be greater in the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid than plasma.

Effects of Autologous Conditioned Serum, Autologous Protein Solution, and Triamcinolone on Inflammatory and Catabolic Gene Expression in Equine Cartilage and Synovial Explants Treated With IL-1β in Co-culture.

Autologous conditioned serum (ACS) and autologous protein solution (APS) are newer therapeutic options for osteoarthritis (OA). Co-culture of cartilage and synovium stimulated with IL-1β produces a similar physiologic response to tissues from naturally-ocurring OA. The study objective was to investigate the effects of ACS, APS, and triamcinolone (TA) on inflammatory and catabolic gene expression of inflamed joint tissues in co-culture.

Sustained-release voriconazole-thermogel for subconjunctival injection in horses: ocular toxicity and in-vivo studies.

Background: Keratomycosis is a relatively common, sight threatening condition in horses, where treatment is often prolonged and costly. Subconjunctival (SCo) injections offer less resistance to drug diffusion than the topical route, resulting in better penetration to the ocular anterior segment. Voriconazole, a second generation triazole antifungal, is effective against common fungal organisms causing keratomycosis.

Cell engraftment, vascularization, and inflammation after treatment of equine distal limb wounds with endothelial colony forming cells encapsulated within hydrogel microspheres.

Background: Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) may be useful therapeutically in conditions with poor blood supply, such as distal limb wounds in the horse. Encapsulation of ECFCs into injectable hydrogel microspheres may ensure cell survival and cell localization to improve neovascularization and healing. Autologous ECFCs were isolated from 6 horses, labeled with quantum nanodots (QD), and a subset were encapsulated in poly(ethylene) glycol fibrinogen microspheres (PEG-Fb MS).

Phaeohyphomycotic Rhinitis Caused by Bipolaris hawaiiensis in a Horse.

This case represents the first reported case of Bipolaris hawaiiensis infection in an equid, and its aggressive clinical course. This case provides important descriptive and prognostic information for horses diagnosed with phaeohyphomycotic rhinitis. A 19-year-old American Quarter Horse mare was presented for second opinion of stertor and exercise intolerance of four-month duration.

Pharmacodynamic Effects of Pioglitazone on High Molecular Weight Adiponectin Concentrations and Insulin Response After Oral Sugar in Equids.

Chronic insulin dysregulation is challenging to manage with pharmaceuticals in horses. Pioglitazone improves insulin sensitivity in humans, and the pharmacokinetics of pioglitazone have been evaluated in horses. The objectives of this study were to assess the pharmacodynamic effects of oral pioglitazone on morphometric parameters, hepatic enzyme activity and function, adipokines, and enteroinsular response to oral sugar.

Smoothelin-like 1 deletion enhances myogenic reactivity of mesenteric arteries with alterations in PKC and myosin phosphatase signaling.

The role of the smoothelin-like 1 (SMTNL1) protein in mediating vascular smooth muscle contractile responses to intraluminal pressure was examined in resistance vessels. Mesenteric arterioles from wild type (WT) and SMTNL1 global knock-out (KO) mice were examined with pressure myography. SMTNL1 deletion was associated with enhanced myogenic tone in vessels isolated from male, but not female, mice.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of orally administered torsemide in healthy horses.

Background: Diuretic treatment is the mainstay for management of congestive heart failure in horses, and its use has been restricted to injectable medications because no currently data supports the use of PO administered loop diuretics.

Objectives: To determine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of PO administered torsemide and, determine if PO administered torsemide, could be used as an alternative to injectable diuretics in the horse.

Animals: Six healthy adult mares.

Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Therapy in a Sheep Model of Tay-Sachs Disease.

Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hexosaminidase A (HexA). TSD also occurs in sheep, the only experimental model of TSD that has clinical signs of disease. The natural history of sheep TSD was characterized using serial neurological evaluations, 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiograms, electrodiagnostics, and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers.

Encapsulation of Equine Endothelial Colony Forming Cells in Highly Uniform, Injectable Hydrogel Microspheres for Local Cell Delivery.

A common challenge in cell therapy is the inability to routinely maintain survival and localization of injected therapeutic cells. Delivering cells by direct injection increases the flexibility of clinical applications, but may cause low cell viability and retention rates due to the high shear forces in the needle and mechanical wash out. In this study, we encapsulated endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) in poly(ethylene glycol)-fibrinogen (PF) hydrogel microspheres using a custom-built microfluidic device; this system supports rapid encapsulation of high cell concentrations (10 million cells per mL) and resulting cell-laden microspheres are highly uniform in shape and size.

Development of a Sustained-Release Voriconazole-Containing Thermogel for Subconjunctival Injection in Horses.

Purpose: To determine in vitro release profiles, transcorneal permeation, and ocular injection characteristics of a voriconazole-containing thermogel suitable for injection into the subconjunctival space (SCS).

Methods: In vitro release rate of voriconazole (0.3% and 1.

Isolation of endothelial colony-forming cells from blood samples collected from the jugular and cephalic veins of healthy adult horses.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate optimal isolation of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) from peripheral blood of horses. SAMPLE Jugular and cephalic venous blood samples from 17 adult horses. PROCEDURES Each blood sample was divided; isolation was performed with whole blood adherence (WBA) and density gradient centrifugation (DGC).

Abnormal coagulation factor VIII transcript in a Tennessee Walking Horse colt with hemophilia A.

Hemophilia A is an X-chromosome-linked disorder caused by a deficiency in factor VIII (FVIII). Although foals have been diagnosed with hemophilia A based on deficiency in FVIII activity, causative gene mutations have not been identified. The genomic DNA and cDNA encoding FVIII of a Tennesee Walking Horse colt affected with hemophilia A and the genomic DNA of his dam and a normal unrelated horse were analyzed with no splice site or coding sequence abnormalities identified in any of the horses.

Disseminated lymphoma with large granular lymphocyte morphology diagnosed in a horse via abdominal fluid and transtracheal wash cytology.

A 22-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse mare was presented to the Auburn University Large Animal Teaching Hospital with a 3-day history of lethargy, anorexia, and mild signs of colic. The mare had a several-month history of weight loss and refractory cough. Physical examination revealed an increased respiratory rate, and crackles and wheezes were heard on thoracic auscultation.

Characterization of endothelial colony-forming cells from peripheral blood samples of adult horses.

Objective: To isolate and characterize endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs; a subtype of endothelial progenitor cells) from peripheral blood samples of horses.

Sample: Jugular venous blood samples from 24 adult horses.

Procedures: Blood samples were cultured in endothelial cell growth medium.

Evaluation of high-molecular weight adiponectin in horses.

Objective: To characterize adiponectin protein complexes in lean and obese horses.

Animals: 26 lean horses and 18 obese horses. Procedures-Body condition score (BCS) and serum insulin activity were measured for each horse.

Isometric responses of isolated intrapulmonary bronchioles from cats with and without adult heartworm infection.

Objective: To determine the isometric responses of isolated intrapulmonary bronchioles from cats with and without adult heartworm infection.

Animals: 13 purpose-bred adult cats.

Procedures: Cats were infected with 100 third-stage larvae or received a sham inoculation, and the left caudal lung lobe was collected 278 to 299 days after infection.

Staying current by searching the veterinary literature.

The body of knowledge in veterinary medicine and the biomedical sciences continues to grow logarithmically, and learning about new developments in veterinary medicine requires successful navigation of recently published literature worldwide. This article examines how veterinarians can use different types of automated services from databases and publishers to search the current and past literature, access articles, and manage references that are found.