Microplastics in European sea salts - An example of exposure through consumer choice and of interstudy methodological discrepancies.

Microplastics are contaminants of emerging concern, not least due to their global presence in marine surface waters. Unsurprisingly, microplastics have been reported in salts harvested from numerous locations. We extracted microplastics from 13 European sea salts through 30% HO digestion and filtration over 5-µm filters.

Airborne particulate size and concentrations in five Thoroughbred training yards in Newmarket (UK).

Despite their implication in the pathogenesis of lower airway inflammation, limited baseline data exists for airborne particulates in Thoroughbred racehorse stalls in the United Kingdom. This study documents airborne particulate size and concentrations in Newmarket training yards using a nephelometer (DustTrak DRX 8534, TSI). Each stall was sampled on a summer and winter day at three time points (morning, midday and evening).

Abnormal plasma neuroactive progestagen derivatives in ill, neonatal foals presented to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Reasons For Performing The Study: Increased levels of pregnanes have been reported in foals with neonatal maladjustment syndrome (NMS). These steroids may cross the blood-brain barrier and have depressive effects in the central nervous system leading to behavioural abnormalities and altered states of consciousness in affected foals.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pregnane profile of foals with NMS and compare it with that of healthy controls and sick, non-NMS foals.

Necrosis of the femoral condyles in a four-week-old foal: clinical, imaging and histopathological features.

A 4-week-old Thoroughbred filly foal with a history of sepsis was evaluated for right hindlimb lameness. Bilateral femoropatellar and femorotibial joint effusions were detected. Ultrasonography and radiography of the right stifle revealed signs of joint collapse and periarticular swelling.

Treatment with histamine-type 2 receptor antagonists and omeprazole increase the risk of diarrhoea in neonatal foals treated in intensive care units.

Reasons For Performing Study: The use of anti-ulcer medication in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) is common due to the concern for development of catastrophic gastric ulcerdisease. In man, however, the use of acid-suppressive medication has been shown in some studies to be a substantial riskfactorfor the development of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD), bacteraemia and neonatal sepsis.

Objective: The purpose of the study reported herein is to evaluate the influence of anti-ulcer medications on the development of diarrhoea in the neonatalfoal.

Clinical implications of high liver enzyme activities in hospitalized neonatal foals.

Objective: To determine whether high liver enzyme activities were negatively associated with outcome in sick neonatal foals as compared with foals that did not have high liver enzyme activities.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Animals: 147 foals < 30 days old with high γ-glutamyltransferase activity, high sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, or both (case foals) and 263 foals < 30 days old with γ-glutamyltransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities within reference limits (control foals).

Whole blood selenium concentrations in endurance horses.

Exercise causes an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species, which can result in oxidant/antioxidant disequilibrium. Deficiency of antioxidants can further alter this balance in favor of pro-oxidation. Selenium (Se) is one of many antioxidant catalysts, as a component of the glutathione peroxidase enzymes.

Surgical removal of a canine orbital lipoma.

A 10-year-old, female, neutered Cairn terrier was presented with a progressively enlarging, cream-white fluctuant subconjunctival swelling in the right eye. A fine-needle aspirate performed under topical anaesthesia showed that the mass contained lipomatous tissue. Orbital ultrasonography showed the mass to have a distinct border and to extend into the posterior orbit.