A scoping review on intraoperative and postoperative surgical castration complications in domesticated equids.

Background: Castration is the most common surgical procedure in domesticated equids; surgical techniques used and perioperative management vary considerably.

Objectives: To identify and chart the current evidence on perioperative complications associated with different methods of surgical castration in domesticated equids.

Study Design: Joanna Briggs Institute systematic scoping review.

UK horse owners and veterinary practitioners' experiences of decision-making for critical cases of colic.

Background: The survival of horses diagnosed with critical colic (requiring referral or euthanasia) relies on rapid and effective decision-making by the owner and veterinary practitioner.

Objectives: To explore UK horse owners' and veterinary practitioners' experiences of decision-making for critical cases of equine colic.

Study Design: Qualitative study using a phenomenological approach.

Multicenter study investigating long-term survival after synovial lavage of contaminated and septic synovial structures in horses presented to 10 UK referral hospitals.

Objective: To report the long-term survival of adult horses that were subjected to synovial lavage for treatment of contaminated and septic synovial structures.

Study Design: Multicenter, prospective observational trial.

Animals: Horses (n = 240) presented for synovial sepsis at 10 UK referral centers.

Neuronally differentiated macula densa cells regulate tissue remodeling and regeneration in the kidney.

Tissue regeneration is limited in several organs, including the kidney, contributing to the high prevalence of kidney disease globally. However, evolutionary and physiological adaptive responses and the presence of renal progenitor cells suggest an existing remodeling capacity. This study uncovered endogenous tissue remodeling mechanisms in the kidney that were activated by the loss of body fluid and salt and regulated by a unique niche of a minority renal cell type called the macula densa (MD).

Navigating the Landscape of Translational Geroscience in Canada: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Current Progress and Future Directions.

The inaugural Canadian Conferences on Translational Geroscience were held as 2 complementary sessions in October and November 2023. The conferences explored the profound interplay between the biology of aging, social determinants of health, the potential societal impact of geroscience, and the maintenance of health in aging individuals. Although topics such as cellular senescence, molecular and genetic determinants of aging, and prevention of chronic disease were addressed, the conferences went on to emphasize practical applications for enhancing older people's quality of life.

Prospective case study of critical decision making for horses referred for treatment of colic.

Background: There is limited evidence on factors affecting critical decision making for horses with colic. This study's aim was to describe the assessment and decision making involved in horses referred for management of colic.

Methods: An in-depth case analysis was used to document case presentation, decision making and outcomes for horses referred for colic to two UK equine veterinary practices over a 12-month period.

Use of human behaviour change models to investigate horse owner intention to adopt emergency colic recommendations.

Background: Behavioural models are widely used within human medicine to understand beliefs and intention associated with major health interventions.

Objectives: To investigate horse-owner beliefs and practices associated with emergency colic planning.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Impairments of retinal hemodynamics and oxygen metrics in ocular hypertension-induced ischemia-reperfusion.

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is an established model for retinal neurodegeneration. However, there is limited knowledge of retinal physiological metrics and their relationships to retinal function and morphology in the I/R model. The purpose of the study was to test the hypotheses that retinal hemodynamic and oxygen metrics are impaired and associated with visual dysfunction, retinal thinning, and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss due to I/R injury.

Retinal Vascular Physiology Biomarkers in a 5XFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain and retina and lacks reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis. As amyloid beta (Aβ) manifestations emerge prior to clinical symptoms and plaques of amyloid may cause vascular damage, identification of retinal vascular biomarkers may improve knowledge of AD pathophysiology and potentially serve as therapeutic targets. The purpose of the current study was to test the hypothesis that retinal hemodynamic and oxygen metrics are altered in 5XFAD mice.

Flexible ultrasound-induced retinal stimulating piezo-arrays for biomimetic visual prostheses.

Electronic visual prostheses, or biomimetic eyes, have shown the feasibility of restoring functional vision in the blind through electrical pulses to initiate neural responses artificially. However, existing visual prostheses predominantly use wired connections or electromagnetic waves for powering and data telemetry, which raises safety concerns or couples inefficiently to miniaturized implant units. Here, we present a flexible ultrasound-induced retinal stimulating piezo-array that can offer an alternative wireless artificial retinal prosthesis approach for evoking visual percepts in blind individuals.

The Sepsis Bundle Effect: An Evaluation of Culture Results and Utilization in Pediatric Appendicitis.

Introduction: Sepsis prevention pathways, which often include blood and urine cultures, are common in children's hospitals. Fever and tachycardia, signs often seen in patients with appendicitis, frequently trigger these pathways. We hypothesized that cultures were frequently obtained in children with appendicitis.

Scoping review of end-of-life decision-making models used in dogs, cats and equids.

Background: End-of-life decisions for companion animals can be stressful for veterinarians and owners, and when delayed result in poor animal welfare. Delayed euthanasia has been identified as a particularly prominent issue for horses. This scoping review aimed to identify the available literature on veterinary decision-making models, which can support end-of-life planning.

An Evaluation of Pediatric Gastrocutaneous Fistula Closure Through the Punch Excision of Epithelized Tract Procedure.

Background: Persistent gastrocutaneous fistulae frequently complicate gastrostomy tube placement. A minimally invasive technique for tract closure employing balloon catheter retraction and punch excision of the epithelized tract (PEET) was recently reported. We hypothesized the PEET technique of closure would lead to decreased complications without an increased incidence of recurrence.

The role of TRPC6 calcium channels and P2 purinergic receptors in podocyte mechanical and metabolic sensing.

Podocyte calcium (Ca2+) signaling plays important roles in the (patho)physiology of the glomerular filtration barrier. Overactivation of podocyte transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels including TRPC6 and purinergic signaling via P2 receptors that are known mechanosensors can increase podocyte intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) and cause cell injury, proteinuria and glomerular disease including in diabetes. However, important mechanistic details of the trigger and activation of these pathways in vivo in the intact glomerular environment are lacking.

Developing consensus for definitions of key veterinary-specific quality improvement (QI) terms using an eDelphi-study method.

Background: Quality improvement (QI) methods are a continuous process of iterative tests to improve the quality of a service or product. Using common language has been linked to the successful implementation of QI in human healthcare. This study aimed to assimilate and achieve consensus on veterinary-specific definitions for terms associated with quality care and QI methods in UK veterinary practice.

A scoping review of the current evidence on treatment and outcomes following synovial sepsis.

Background: Synovial sepsis is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in horses. Despite advances in diagnostics and treatments, persistent infection or chronic lameness can occur.

Objectives: To perform a scoping review to identify and evaluate the current evidence on the factors implicated in the success of treatment for synovial sepsis.

Owners' Knowledge and Approaches to Colic in Working Equids in Honduras.

In Honduras, many families are reliant on working equids in their daily life. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge about, and approaches to colic used by owners of working equids in Choluteca, Honduras using a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured, verbal questionnaires were conducted with ninety-three owners from eleven different communities in the Choluteca region on equid horse owners' knowledge of colic and treatments.

Suspected scaphoid injuries managed by MRI direct from the emergency department : a single-centre prospective cohort study.

Aims: To determine the role of early MRI in the management of suspected scaphoid fractures.

Methods: A total of 337 consecutive patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) following wrist trauma over a 12-month period were prospectively included in this service evaluation project. MRI was not required in 62 patients with clear diagnoses, and 17 patients were not managed as per pathway, leaving a total of 258 patients with normal scaphoid series radiographs who were then referred directly from ED for an acute wrist MRI scan.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Working Equid Community: Responses from 1530 Individuals Accessing NGO Support in 14 Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic was declared on 11 March 2020. The working equid community includes some of the world's most marginalised people, who rely on animals for their daily lives and livelihoods. A cross-sectional study investigated the effects of COVID-19 on working equid communities, with the intention of developing methods for replication in future unprecedented events.

Cross-sectional study of UK horse owner's purchase and euthanasia decision-making for their horse.

Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate factors affecting horse owners' purchase and euthanasia decisions that had been identified in a qualitative study.

Methods: An online survey on horse owners' purchase and euthanasia decisions and experiences was distributed using snowball sampling. Inclusion criteria were previous experience of purchase or euthanasia decisions.

Qualitative study of the influence of horse-owner relationship during some key events within a horse's lifetime.

Background: There is a lack of research exploring how the horse-human relationship influences horse owners' decision-making. The aim of this study was to investigate how an owner's relationship with their horse affects decisions around key events during their horse's lifetime.

Methods: An online survey and semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with horse-owners.

Eliminating Use of Home Oral Antibiotics in Pediatric Complicated Appendicitis.

Background: Postoperative oral antibiotic management at discharge for perforated appendicitis varies by institution. A prior study at our institution led to a decrease in antibiotic therapy in patients without leukocytosis. A subsequent protocol change eliminated the white blood cell count check and oral antibiotics if discharge criteria were met by postoperative day seven.

Anesthetics affect peripheral venous pressure waveforms and the cross-talk with arterial pressure.

Analysis of peripheral venous pressure (PVP) waveforms is a novel method of monitoring intravascular volume. Two pediatric cohorts were studied to test the effect of anesthetic agents on the PVP waveform and cross-talk between peripheral veins and arteries: (1) dehydration setting in a pyloromyotomy using the infused anesthetic propofol and (2) hemorrhage setting during elective surgery for craniosynostosis with the inhaled anesthetic isoflurane. PVP waveforms were collected from 39 patients that received propofol and 9 that received isoflurane.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the width, thickness, and length of the normal linea alba in standing and dorsal recumbent horses.

Objective: To determine the variability in length, width, and thickness of the equine linea alba (LA) and the effect of a standing vs dorsal recumbent position on these measurements.

Study Design: Descriptive anatomical comparative study.

Animals: Standing horses (N = 75; in 30 horses, measurements were obtained in dorsal recumbency first and repeated after horses were standing).

Mixed methods investigation of the use of telephone triage within UK veterinary practices for horses with abdominal pain: A Participatory action research study.

Background: Telephone triage is an integral part of modern patient care systems in human medicine, and a key component of veterinary practice care systems. There is currently no published research on telephone triage within the veterinary profession.

Objective: To investigate current approaches to telephone triage of horses with abdominal pain (colic) in veterinary practice and develop new resources to support decision-making.