Ex vivo comparison of full-thickness biopsy techniques in the equine small intestine.

Objective: To compare the practicability and tissue sample quality between different intestinal biopsy techniques.

Study Design: Experimental, randomized ex vivo study.

Sample Population: Small intestine of nine horses.

Flowmetry and spectrophotometry can detect reduced intestinal microperfusion in nonsurvivors during equine colic surgery for large intestinal strangulation.

Objective: To evaluate the use of laser Doppler flowmetry and spectrophotometry (LDFS) for large intestinal viability assessment in horses with naturally occurring large intestinal strangulations.

Methods: By use of LDFS, intestinal microperfusion was quantified as tissue oxygen saturation (tSo2), hemoglobin (tHB), and blood flow (tBF) in cases with large colon volvulus and small colon strangulations undergoing colic surgery (n = 17). Intestinal biopsies were taken from the pelvic flexure in all large colon cases and in small colon cases that underwent intraoperative euthanasia.

Flowmetry and spectrophotometry for the assessment of intestinal viability in horses with naturally occurring strangulating small intestinal lesions.

Background: Ancillary diagnostic methods to enhance the accuracy of viability assessment have not been established for use in clinical practice.

Objectives: To assess intestinal microperfusion measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry and Spectrophotometry (LDFS) in naturally occurring small intestinal strangulations of different origins and to compare this between viable and non-viable segments.

Study Design: Prospective clinical trial.

Measuring tissue oxygen saturation in the orad intestinal segment during equine colic surgery may aid in predicting the occurrence of postoperative ileus.

Objective: To assess the histological injury and intestinal microperfusion measured by laser Doppler flowmetry and spectrophotometry (LDFS) of the small intestine orad to a strangulation during colic surgery.

Animals: Horses with naturally occurring small intestinal strangulations undergoing colic surgery were included.

Methods: In this prospective clinical trial, intestinal tissue oxygen saturation (tSO2) and tissue blood flow (tBF) were measured by LDFS orad to the strangulation following release of the strangulation (n = 18).

Osteoarthritis of the coxofemoral joint in 24 horses: Evaluation of radiography, ultrasonography, intra-articular anaesthesia, treatment and outcome.

Background: Few case reports describe equine coxofemoral joint osteoarthritis (CFJOA).

Objectives: To evaluate diagnostic findings and outcome of horses with CFJOA and to provide a score facilitating radiographic assessment.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Treatment of Naturally Occurring Tendon Disease with Allogeneic Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: A Randomized, Controlled, Triple-Blinded Pilot Study in Horses.

The treatment of tendinopathies with multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is a promising option in equine and human medicine. However, conclusive clinical evidence is lacking. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into clinical treatment efficacy and to identify suitable outcome measures for larger clinical studies.

Maternal allogeneic cancellous bone graft for the treatment of osteitis along the physeal scar of the proximal metatarsus in a foal.

Objective: To describe the treatment and outcome of a foal with a fresh allogenic cancellous bone graft after surgical debridement of a traumatic septic osteitis.

Animal: A neonatal Quarter Horse foal.

Study Design: Case report.

Bilateral Change in Vertical Hoof Force Distribution in Horses with Unilateral Forelimb Lameness before and after Successful Diagnostic Anaesthesia.

Kinetic examinations of horses with induced lameness as well as the effect of perineural anaesthesia in sound horses have shown promise, but clinical studies regarding the effect of diagnostic anaesthesia during the different stance phases are rare. Fourteen horses with unilateral forelimb lameness were examined with the Hoof™ System during trot to assess vertical force distribution (in kg) affecting both front hooves before and after diagnostic anaesthesia during landing, midstance, and breakover. For statistical analysis, a covariance analysis with repeated measurements regarding the limb (lame/sound) as well as anaesthesia (before/after) and the covariable body weight was performed.

Pneumoperitoneum as an uncommon complication after an axillary laceration in a horse.

Lacerations of the axillary region occur frequently in horses. Typical complications caused by entrapment of air in the wound during locomotion are subcutaneous emphysema, with consecutive pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. In this case report, the clinical, radiographic and laboratory diagnosis and management of these complications after an axillary laceration that finally resulted in pneumoperitoneum are described.

Effect of Perineural Anesthesia on the Centre of Pressure (COP) Path During Stance Phase at Trot in Sound Horses.

This study aimed to examine how short-term loss of proprioception in the equine foot influences the individual COP path during the stance phase of the trot in sound horses. Ten horses were evaluated to be objectively non-lame using the 'Equinosis Q System and subsequently examined using a portable pressure measuring system with pressure foils fixed directly underneath both front hooves prior to and after perineural anesthesia of the palmar digital nerves. The individual COP paths of both forelimbs was assessed prior to and after unilateral and bilateral abaxial sesamoid nerve blocks.

Effect of heel elevation on breakover phase in horses with laminitis.

Background: In a laminitic horse, the maximal loading of the toe region occurs during the breakover phase. To date, no kinetic data demonstrates the effect of supportive orthopaedic therapy in horses with laminitis on breakover phase. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of heel elevation on the breakover phase.

Laparoscopic resection of an exostosis of the os pubis in a horse.

Objective: To report the diagnostic findings and laparoscopic removal of an exostosis of the os pubis in a horse.

Study Design: Case report.

Animal: One 12-year-old Black Forest draught gelding.

Investigation of stemness and multipotency of equine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) from different fat sources in comparison with lipoma.

Background: Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) offer a promising cell source for therapeutic applications in musculoskeletal disorders. The appropriate selection of ASCs from various fat depots for cell-based therapy is challenging. The present study aims to compare stemness and multipotency of ASCs derived from retroperitoneal (RP), subcutaneous (SC), and lipoma (LP) fat to assess their usefulness for clinical application.

Systemic Administration of Rejuvenated Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Liver Metabolism in Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)- New Approach in Veterinary Regenerative Medicine.

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is characterized by adiposity, insulin dysregulation and increased risk for laminitis. Increased levels of specific liver enzymes in the peripheral blood are typical findings in horses diagnosed with EMS. Current management of EMS is based on caloric restriction and increased physical activity.

Stem Cells in Equine Veterinary Practice-Current Trends, Risks, and Perspectives.

With this Editorial, we introduce the Special Issue "Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Their Extracellular Microvesicles (ExMVs) for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Applications" to the scientific community. In this issue, we focus on regenerative medicine, stem cells, and their clinical application.

Stem Cell Therapy for Tendon Regeneration: Current Status and Future Directions.

In adults the healing tendon generates fibrovascular scar tissue and recovers never histologically, mechanically, and functionally which leads to chronic and to degenerative diseases. In this review, the processes and mechanisms of tendon development and fetal regeneration in comparison to adult defect repair and degeneration are discussed in relation to regenerative therapeutic options. We focused on the application of stem cells, growth factors, transcription factors, and gene therapy in tendon injury therapies in order to intervene the scarring process and to induce functional regeneration of the lesioned tissue.

Effects of controlled hypoxemia or hypovolemia on global and intestinal oxygenation and perfusion in isoflurane anesthetized horses receiving an alpha-2-agonist infusion.

Background: Aim of this prospective experimental study was to assess effects of systemic hypoxemia and hypovolemia on global and gastrointestinal oxygenation and perfusion in anesthetized horses. Therefore, we anesthetized twelve systemically healthy warmblood horses using either xylazine or dexmedetomidine for premedication and midazolam and ketamine for induction. Anesthesia was maintained using isoflurane in oxygen with either xylazine or dexmedetomidine and horses were ventilated to normocapnia.

Bone marrow-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells from horses after euthanasia.

Allogeneic equine multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (eMSCs) have been proposed for use in regenerative therapies in veterinary medicine. A source of allogeneic eMSCs might be the bone marrow from euthanized horses. The purpose of this study was to compare characteristics of equine bone marrow derived eMSC (eBM-MSCs) from euthanized horses (eut-MSCs) and from narcotized horses (nar-MSCs).

Effect of single intralesional treatment of surgically induced equine superficial digital flexor tendon core lesions with adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: a controlled experimental trial.

Background: Adipose tissue is a promising source of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for the treatment of tendon disease. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of a single intralesional implantation of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AT-MSCs) on artificial lesions in equine superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs).

Methods: During this randomized, controlled, blinded experimental study, either autologous cultured AT-MSCs suspended in autologous inactivated serum (AT-MSC-serum) or autologous inactivated serum (serum) were injected intralesionally 2 weeks after surgical creation of centrally located SDFT lesions in both forelimbs of nine horses.

Short term storage stability at room temperature of two different platelet-rich plasma preparations from equine donors and potential impact on growth factor concentrations.

Background: The increasing interest in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) based therapies is as yet accompanied by inconsistent information regarding nearly all aspects of handling and application. Among these storage stability of processed platelet-rich products may be the basis for a more flexible application mode. The objective of this study was (1) to estimate the storage stability of growth factors platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) in both, a single-step softspin centrifugation-based pure-PRP (P-PRP, ACP®), and a gravity filtration system-based leukocyte-rich-PRP (L-PRP, E-PET), over a six hours time span after preparation at room temperature and (2) to identify possible factors influencing these growth factor concentrations in an equine model.

Effect of intralesional platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment on clinical and ultrasonographic parameters in equine naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendinopathies - a randomized prospective controlled clinical trial.

Background: Regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects on tendinopathies have been attributed to blood-derived biologicals. To date the evidence for the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment of naturally occurring equine tendinopathies is limited. The purpose of this placebo-controlled clinical trial was to describe the effect of a single treatment of equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) disease with PRP on clinical and ultrasonographic parameters.

Sternal bone marrow derived equine multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs): investigations considering the sampling site and the use of different culture media.

Aspiration of equine sternal bone marrow is required for the cultivation of bone marrow-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) for regenerative therapies. For bone marrow aspiration as well as for MSC cultivation, there is a need to optimize techniques and protocols to enhance MSC harvest at minimized culture times. In a comparative study bone marrow aspirates from sternebra 4 and 5 were collected at two different positions within the sternebrae, either from 10 mm or from 30 mm dorsal from the ventral margin of the sternebrae.

Cutaneous form of maculopapular mastocytosis in a foal.

Background: Cutaneous mastocytosis is a rare benign disease occurring in domestic animals and humans. In previous reports, dermal findings in foals were accompanied by systemic mast cell infiltrations, whereas lesions in human cutaneous mastocytosis, including urticaria pigmentosa and solitary mastocytoma, are usually restricted to the skin.

Objectives: To describe a new variant of equine cutaneous maculopapular mastocytosis lacking systemic involvement.