Pharmacokinetics and Alterations in Glucose and Insulin Levels After a Single Dose of Canagliflozin in Healthy Icelandic Horses.

Canagliflozin (CFZ) is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor that has shown promising results as a drug for the treatment of insulin dysregulation in horses. Even though CFZ is used clinically, no pharmacokinetic data has previously been published. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of CFZ after administration of a single oral dose of 1.

Objective movement asymmetry in horses is comparable between markerless technology and sensor-based systems.

Background: A markerless artificial intelligence (AI) system for lameness detection has recently become available but has not been extensively compared with commonly used inertial measurement unit (IMU) systems for detecting asymmetry under field conditions.

Objective: Comparison of classification of asymmetric limbs under field conditions and comparison of normalised asymmetry data using a markerless AI system (SleipAI; recorded on a tripod mounted iPhone 14pro [SL]); the Equinosis Q Lameness Locator (LL); the EquiMoves (EM); and subjective evaluation (SE).

Study Design: Descriptive clinical study.

Osteochondrosis in the central and third tarsal bones of young horses.

Recently, the central and third tarsal bones of 23 equine fetuses and foals were examined using micro-computed tomography. Radiological changes, including incomplete ossification and focal ossification defects interpreted as osteochondrosis, were detected in 16 of 23 cases. The geometry of the osteochondrosis defects suggested they were the result of vascular failure, but this requires histological confirmation.

Cytokine enrichment in equine conditioned serum is not reliant on incubation in specialized containers.

Autologous conditioned serum (ACS), i.e serum enriched with anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors, is a popular orthobiologic therapy used in equine practice. Costly specialized tubes containing glass beads are commonly used for ACS production.

The equine patellar ligaments and the infrapatellar fat pad - a microanatomical study.

Background: Interpretation of patellar ligament (PL) ultrasonography may be difficult, as hypoechoic or heterogenous echogenicity are common findings. Verifying suspected disease of equine PLs by histopathology is also problematic as descriptions of normal PL vascularity and histology are scarce. The current study describes the PL and infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) vascular pattern from computed tomography scans of barium perfused normal equine specimens (n = 8; age 10 days to 18 years), as well as routine histology to serve as a reference for future investigations into PL pathology and IFP disease.

Conditioned serum in vitro treatment of chondrocyte pellets and osteoarthritic explants.

Background: Autologous conditioned serum (ACS) is used to treat osteoarthritis in horses, although its effects are not fully investigated.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of equine serum and conditioned serum on chondrocytes stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β and cartilage explants with mild osteoarthritis.

Study Design: In vitro experimental study.

Outcome analysis of 95 harness racehorses with confirmed dorsal displacement of the soft palate treated with laryngeal tie-forward surgery.

Background: The laryngeal tie-forward (LTF) procedure is commonly used to treat intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (iDDSP). There is a wide range in reported efficacy of treating horses with and without a definitive diagnosis of iDDSP.

Objectives: To evaluate the racing performance of harness racehorses in which iDDSP had been definitely diagnosed and treated solely with the LTF procedure.

Human-relevant near-organ neuromodulation of the immune system via the splenic nerve.

Neuromodulation of immune function by stimulating the autonomic connections to the spleen has been demonstrated in rodent models. Consequently, neuroimmune modulation has been proposed as a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. However, demonstration of the translation of these immunomodulatory mechanisms in anatomically and physiologically relevant models is still lacking.

Splenic Nerve Neuromodulation Reduces Inflammation and Promotes Resolution in Chronically Implanted Pigs.

Neuromodulation of the immune system has been proposed as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. We recently demonstrated that stimulation of near-organ autonomic nerves to the spleen can be harnessed to modulate the inflammatory response in an anesthetized pig model. The development of neuromodulation therapy for the clinic requires chronic efficacy and safety testing in a large animal model.

Radiological, vascular osteochondrosis occurs in the distal tarsus, and may cause osteoarthritis.

Background: Osteochondrosis occurs due to failure of the blood supply to growth cartilage. Osteochondrosis lesions have been identified in small tarsal bones and suggested to cause distal tarsal osteoarthritis; however, it has not been determined whether distal tarsal osteochondrosis lesions were the result of vascular failure.

Objectives: To perform post-mortem arterial perfusion and micro-computed tomography (CT) of the central (CTB) and third tarsal bones (TIII) of fetuses and foals up to 5 months old, to describe tarsal development and any lesions detected.

Model-based geometrical optimisation and in vivo validation of a spatially selective multielectrode cuff array for vagus nerve neuromodulation.

Background: Neuromodulation by electrical stimulation of the human cervical vagus nerve may be limited by adverse side effects due to stimulation of off-target organs. It may be possible to overcome this by spatially selective stimulation of peripheral nerves. Preliminary studies have shown this is possible using a cylindrical multielectrode human-sized nerve cuff in vagus nerve selective neuromodulation.

Cardiac arrhythmias in poorly performing Standardbred and Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded trotters undergoing high-speed treadmill testing.

The significance of cardiac arrhythmias and their possible association with upper airway obstruction are frequently considered in the clinical investigation of poor performance. The specific aims of this retrospective study of a group of poorly performing Standardbred and Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded trotters were to: (1) describe the overall frequency and frequency distributions of arrhythmias; (2) describe arrhythmia characteristics including percent prematurity, relative recovery cycle lengths and QRS morphology; (3) describe variability of normal RR intervals; and (4) explore possible associations between upper airway abnormalities and arrhythmia categories during peak exercise and recovery. The records of 103 trotters presented to the Norwegian University of Life Sciences for high-speed treadmill testing were reviewed.

Non-banked curved tracks influence movement symmetry in two-year-old Standardbred trotters.

Background: Little is known regarding how trotting through curves affects locomotion symmetry in Standardbred trotters.

Objectives: To investigate differences in objectively measured Standardbred trotter vertical motion symmetry between straight and non-banked, curved sections of oval trotting tracks during exercise warm-up, using a wireless inertial measurement unit (IMU) system.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, observational study.

Objectively measured movement asymmetry in yearling Standardbred trotters.

Background: Lameness evaluation of Standardbred trotters can be challenging due to discrepancies in observed movement asymmetry between in-hand and track exercise, and between different trotting speeds. There are few studies on objective measurement of movement in Standardbreds, and little knowledge regarding biological variation and clinical significance of measured movement asymmetry in this breed.

Objectives: To quantify the prevalence and magnitude of objectively measured movement asymmetry in young Standardbred trotters, and identify associations with trainer, sex, height, track type and in-hand measurement prior to or after track trials.

Is clinical effect of autologous conditioned serum in spontaneously occurring equine articular lameness related to ACS cytokine profile?

Background: Biologic' therapies, such as autologous conditioned serum (ACS), are gaining popularity in treating orthopaedic conditions in equine veterinary medicine. Evidence is scarce regarding ACS constituents, and large inter-individual differences in cytokine and growth factor content have been demonstrated. The objective of the current study was to investigate the potential association between cytokine and growth factor content of ACS and clinical effect in harness racehorses with spontaneously occurring low-grade articular lameness.

A bitless bridle does not limit or prevent dynamic laryngeal collapse.

Background: Bits have often been incriminated as a cause of upper respiratory tract obstruction in horses; however, no scientific studies are available to confirm or refute these allegations. Clinical signs of dynamic laryngeal collapse associated with poll flexion (DLC) are induced when susceptible horses are ridden or driven into the bit.

Objective: To determine whether use of Dr Cook's Bitless Bridle, instead of a conventional snaffle bit bridle, would reduce the severity of DLC in affected horses measured objectively using inspiratory tracheal pressures.

Development of the blood supply to the growth cartilage of the medial femoral condyle of foals.

Background: Growth cartilage is found in the articular-epiphyseal cartilage complex (AECC) and the physis. It has a temporary blood supply organised as end arteries. Vascular failure is associated with osteochondrosis, but infection can also obstruct vessels.

Feasibility of kilohertz frequency alternating current neuromodulation of carotid sinus nerve activity in the pig.

Recent research supports that over-activation of the carotid body plays a key role in metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes. Supressing carotid body signalling through carotid sinus nerve (CSN) modulation may offer a therapeutic approach for treating such diseases. Here we anatomically and histologically characterised the CSN in the farm pig as a recommended path to translational medicine.

Exploring the genetics underpinning dynamic laryngeal collapse associated with poll flexion in Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotter racehorses.

Background: Dynamic laryngeal collapse (DLC) associated with poll flexion is the most common disorder of the upper respiratory tract (URT) in the Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotter (NSCT). The disorder, which has also been diagnosed in other breeds of trotters and gaited horses, appears to be related to anatomic phenotypes and only occurs during poll flexion when the horse is exercised 'on the bit'.

Objectives: Identify genomic regions associated with DLC in the NSCT by combining a rigorous phenotyping protocol with genomic data from a high-density equine genotyping array.

Alar fold resection in 25 horses: Clinical findings and effect on racing performance and airway mechanics (1998-2013).

Objective: To report clinical findings and performance in horses in which alar fold collapse (AFC) had been diagnosed and surgically treated and to assess form and degree of respiratory obstruction.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: Twenty-one standardbreds, 2 coldblooded trotter racehorses, 1 thoroughbred, and 1 Icelandic horse.

Electrode fabrication and interface optimization for imaging of evoked peripheral nervous system activity with electrical impedance tomography (EIT).

Objective: Non-invasive imaging techniques are undoubtedly the ideal methods for continuous monitoring of neural activity. One such method, fast neural electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has been developed over the past decade in order to image neural action potentials with non-penetrating electrode arrays.

Approach: The goal of this study is two-fold.

Histopathological assessment of intrinsic laryngeal musculature in horses with dynamic laryngeal collapse.

Reasons For Performing Study: The pathogenesis of bilateral dynamic laryngeal collapse associated with poll flexion (DLC) of horses is unknown but might be associated with intrinsic laryngeal muscle weakness.

Objectives: To investigate histopathological characteristics of the cricoarytenoideus dorsalis, the cricothyroid (CT) and the cricoarytenoideus lateralis muscles in DLC-affected horses and compare these with unaffected controls. Our hypotheses were that evidence of neurogenic atrophy of the CT or cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscles would be found in DLC-affected horses and that observed changes would be symmetrically (left/right) distributed, or that muscle fibre diameter would be significantly reduced in DLC-affected horses compared to unaffected controls, reflecting an underlying paresis.

Surgical stress influences cytokine content in autologous conditioned serum.

Reasons For Performing Study: No recommendations have been made regarding the relative timing of blood collection for autologous conditioned serum (ACS) preparation and surgical procedures.

Objectives: 1) To identify effects of surgical stress on cytokine levels in ACS, 2) identify haematological markers for prediction of cytokine production in ACS and 3) investigate the necessity for specialised ACS containers when preparing a cytokine-rich serum.

Study Design: Experimental in vitro study.

Results of upper airway radiography and ultrasonography predict dynamic laryngeal collapse in affected horses.

Reasons For Performing Study: The pathogenesis of dynamic bilateral laryngeal collapse (DLC) associated with poll flexion is unknown. Diagnosis is dependent upon exercise endoscopy while replicating the flexed head position harness racehorses experience during racing.

Objectives: To describe the effects of poll flexion on rostrocaudal laryngeal positioning and laryngeal lumen width in resting horses diagnosed with DLC compared to controls, and to establish diagnostic criteria for DLC by use of diagnostic imaging.

Relative prevalence of upper respiratory tract obstructive disorders in two breeds of harness racehorses (185 cases: 1998-2006).

Reasons For Performing Study: Two genetically and phenotypically distinct horse breeds are used for harness racing in Scandinavia: the Standardbred (SB) and Coldblooded Trotter. These racehorses have identical environmental, management and racing conditions. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify and compare the relative prevalence of upper respiratory tract (URT) obstructive disorders in these 2 breeds.