Enteral plasma feeding improves gut function and immunity in piglets after birth asphyxia.

Introduction: Birth asphyxia may negatively affect gut function and immunity in newborns. Conversely, immunomodulatory milk diets may protect the gut and immune system against damage caused by asphyxia. Using caesarean-derived pigs as models, we hypothesised that enteral feeding with plasma improves gut and immune functions in asphyxiated newborns.

Enteral plasma supports brain repair in newborn pigs after birth asphyxia.

Newborns exposed to birth asphyxia transiently experience deficient blood flow and a lack of oxygen, potentially inducing hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and subsequent neurological damage. Immunomodulatory components in plasma may dampen these responses. Using caesarean-delivered pigs as a model, we hypothesized that dietary plasma supplementation improves brain outcomes in pigs exposed to birth asphyxia.

Effects of dofetilide and ranolazine on atrial fibrillatory rate in a horse model of acutely induced atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: The atrial fibrillatory rate is a potential biomarker in the study of antiarrhythmic drug effects on atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether dose-dependent changes in the atrial fibrillatory rate can be monitored on surface electrocardiography (ECG) following treatment with dofetilide, ranolazine, and a combination of the two in an acute model of AF in horses.

Methods And Results: Eight horses were subjected to pacing-induced AF on 4 separate days.

Antiarrhythmic Effects of Combining Dofetilide and Ranolazine in a Model of Acutely Induced Atrial Fibrillation in Horses.

Background: Antiarrhythmic compounds against atrial fibrillation (AF) often have reduced efficacy and may display cardiac and/or noncardiac toxicity. Efficacy can be improved by combining 2 compounds with distinct mechanisms, and it may be possible to use lower doses of each compound, thereby reducing the likelihood of adverse side effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the effective doses of dofetilide and ranolazine can be reduced if the drugs are combined.

Pharmacologic inhibition of small-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels by NS8593 reveals atrial antiarrhythmic potential in horses.

Background: Small-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels have been found to play an important role in atrial repolarization and atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the existence and functional role of SK channels in the equine heart.

Methods: Cardiac biopsies were analyzed to investigate the expression level of the most prominent cardiac ion channels, with special focus on SK channels, in the equine heart.

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolates from equine infectious endometritis belong to a distinct genetic group.

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus is the pathogen most commonly isolated from the uterus of mares. S.